Zankoku packed a few things that might be useful on the trip into his backpack. Having glanced around the warehouse that had already become his home, he quickly left the building. On the way to the station, he was going to visit his best friend.
— I need to say goodbye to someone, — the blond addressed the black cat on his shoulder, while the kitten was resting in the half-open backpack. — So we'll stop by his place for a while.
— I understand, — Kuroka said calmly and added in a more playful voice, — I'll act like a regular kitty nya.
The teenager could only hope that these words were true. Having reached an ordinary two-story house, the blond rang the intercom.
— I'm listening, — Shinichi's calm voice came from the speaker.
— Shin, it's me. We need to talk.
— Kiyoshi, — relief, joy, and caution could be heard in the guy's voice. — Did something happen? You're not usually a frequent guest at my house.
— I'm just bored and decided to drop by to play a game console.
After the half-demon's words, the cat's suspicious gaze was directed at him. When she was about to ask about his words, a door opening signal was heard.
— Come in, — after the invitation, the owner of the house disconnected the connection.
— Anticipating your question — this was our password in case someone tried to pretend to be me. So don't forget that cats don't talk.
Receiving a meow in response, the teenager entered the house. Having settled down in the kitchen, the teenagers sat opposite each other.
— What do you want to tell me? — Shin's gaze was directed at his friend's shoulder, where the cat was sitting.
— I'll have to leave the city and I don't know when I'll be able to return.
— Is it because of the incident this afternoon? Are you in danger?
— Right, — Zankoku nodded. — It really is related to that. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I got myself into a dangerous mess, — the teenager sighed and laid his head on the table. — My "peculiarity" will make me a target and my loved ones may suffer if I stay.
Shinichi watched in surprise as the cat put her paw on the blond's head. This gesture could be understood as consolation.
— Do you want me to warn the others? — the brunette asked.
— And not only that, — Kiyoshi confirmed his friend's guess. — Warn ours not to go to the base for at least a week. I'm also leaving the gang, so decide for yourself what to do next, — Shin had already guessed about this, so he was not surprised by his decision. — Just give my share from the common fund to my family and also, — the young man took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket. — I quickly wrote a letter here. Give it to me too, please.
— Aren't you going to say goodbye to them in person?
— I'll call them and tell them about a good job opening in Kyoto. — The guy chuckled at his own words. — That such an opportunity comes once in a lifetime and if I don't take advantage of it, I'll regret it.
— Is it that serious? — The guy frowned when he realized his friend's sarcasm.
— Absolutely, but don't worry, I have a solution to this problem. — Zankoku patted Kuroku on the head. — Kyoto should really help me, but I don't know how long I'll be there.
— I see. Then good luck to you and take care of yourself. — The brunette shook his friend's hand and hugged him tightly.
— Thank you, Shin. Good luck to you too. — Already on the way out, Kiyoshi remembered another problem. — Tell Akeno to leave the city too. This problem is related to her father's world.
— Okay. The girls and I will help her with this, — this little priestess perfectly integrated into the gang's life and many liked her.
Having finished all the business, including the conversation with her grandparents, Zankoku went to the station.
— To get to Kyoto from this city, you need to make two transfers — the guy told his companions.
— Then let's go. — Kuroki's tail was thrashing in different directions from impatience. — Traveling this way will give us a head start.
— They won't find us because of my strength? — the blond was very worried about his inability to control his demonic power.
— You don't need to worry about that. I'm very good at senjutsu and yojutsu — the black cat proudly raised her head.
— You know that I don't know what you're talking about, — the guy reminded her in a whisper as they looked for free seats on the train.
— Sorry, — Nekomata remembered Kiyoshi's ignorance of the supernatural world. — In simple terms, as long as I'm near you, I can disguise or hide your energy.
— Is that why you ride me? And why don't people pay attention to you? — The teenager was most interested in the last question.
— That's right. Until I fully recover, I'll have to touch you directly to hide my demonic power.
As soon as they sat down on the seats, Kuroka moved to Zankaku's lap. Together with her sister, she enjoyed the teenager's caresses. Having reached the last transfer, they discovered that the next train would leave in the morning. Having no other choice, Zankaku decided to spend the night at a hotel. The receptionist was surprised by the choice of a room with two beds, but she fulfilled the client's wishes.
The girls were able to take a shower for the first time since their escape and relax on soft beds. Having had their fill of the room service dinner, the forced allies began to talk. As it turned out, Kuroka was the same age as Kiyoshi, and Shirone was two years younger than them. Kiyoshi told them about his childhood and funny stories with his gang. Kuroka and Shirone told them about their lives.
The young cats lived with their mother in a nekomata settlement. They did not know their father, like Zankoku, but their mother's love and care compensated for this. Among the youkai, nekomata are distinguished by their high talent in senjutsu, so they rarely tried to feud with them. The village lived a peaceful life until it was attacked by demons. During fierce battles, most of the inhabitants were killed or captured. During an attempt to escape, Shirone and Kuroka lost their mother, who tried to protect them until the last minute and give her children a chance to escape. After them and other survivors, the laboratory of the demonic clan Naberius was transported. The girls followed their mother's last orders and hid their second tails — signs of their belonging to the nekoshou. At first, Kuroka was going to be turned into a demon, but a candidate with a better talent than the black-haired nekomata was found. This briefly saved the girl from the fate of joining the retinue of demons and a test sample.
Days passed and the number of prisoners gradually decreased. The sisters' line was inexorably approaching. Therefore, Kuroka, as one of the best senjutsu users in the village, tried to escape. It took three days to prepare for the escape. Having chosen the moment when there were the fewest guards, the girls got out of the cell. Quietly and unnoticed moving along unfamiliar corridors, they were unlucky enough to run into the owner of the laboratory, accompanied by his servants. Before the demon could react, their fellow tribesman, who had become his figure, attacked his king. The assassination attempt failed, but before his death, he teleported the girls to the human world. The sisters were lucky to be on the outskirts of the city, where they were able to hide from the pursuer for a while. After several hours of hiding, the demon found and attacked the nekoshou. Thus, they got to the Zankoku base and met the blond.
By the end of the story, Shirone was already sleeping on her sister's lap. The black-haired nekomata stroked her beloved sister's hair with a smile.
— We were very lucky to meet you, — Kuroka looked into the guy's eyes, — thank you. Without your help, that demon would have caught us.
— There is no need for gratitude, — Kiyoshi looked into the girl's golden eyes. —It was our only chance to survive. I think if it saved your lives, you would have easily sacrificed me, — the girl silently lowered her head, breaking eye contact. — Relax, there is nothing wrong with that, — the teenager fell back onto his bed. — I would also sacrifice a stranger for my life or the life of my family.
— Yes. — The nekoshou smiled. — For Shirone, I'm ready to do anything.
— We've already talked enough, so it's time to go to bed. It's early for us to get up.
The guy turned off the table lamp as soon as Kuroka settled down to hug her sister.
— Good night, Kiyoshi.
— Good night to you too, — Not much time passed before the blond went to the kingdom of Morpheus.
Waking up in the morning, the nekoshou sisters at first could not understand where they were. Realizing that their escape was not a dream, they could not hold back their happy smiles. A good mood accompanied them throughout the trip. Having reached Kyoto without any problems, the trio began to move towards the fox temple.
Having gone deep into the territory of the sanctuary, the teenager was surrounded by several fox youkai in the clothes of temple servants.
— Stop! — shouted one of the youkai. — Who are you and what are you doing on this land?
— Hey, Kuroka, — the teenager addressed the black cat, — from now on everything is in your paws.
— Good afternoon, — Kuroka appeared in her human form, — My sister and I are refugees from the destroyed nekomata settlement. We want to meet with Miss Yasaka and tell her what happened.
The kitsune looked at each other and one of them disappeared by teleporting.
— Please wait, — the leader of the squad said. — We need to tell the lady what happened.
A few minutes later, the messenger returned and the unusual guests were escorted to the ruler's residence. Zankoku remained in the waiting room while the nekoshou sisters talked with the leader of the youkai.
— Miss Yasaka wants to talk to you, — one of the servants escorted the nervous blond to the meeting.
Kiyoshi entered a spacious Japanese-style hall. Shirone and Kuroka were sitting at a long table on the tatami, and Yasaka was sitting opposite them. The leader of the Kyoto youkai was a nine-tailed kitsune. Her tails and ears, like her long hair, were golden in color. She was dressed in a kimono, but her shoulders were bare, emphasizing her prominent chest.
— Greetings, Kiyoshi Zankoku, — the woman smiled and pointed to the place in front of her, — sit down.
— Thank you, Miss Yasaka.
As soon as the young man in front of her sat down, the fox continued the conversation:
— As I heard from the young nekomata, you accidentally got involved in our problems and helped them get here.
— Yes.
— Before I ask you a few questions, I want to thank you, — Yasaka made a half-bow, — thank you for saving these girls.
— No need for that. At that moment, we helped each other to survive.
— Good, — returning to her usual position, the kitsune looked carefully at Zankoku. — Then let's get back to the questions. As you probably already understood, you are a half-demon with the Phenex bloodline. Tell me what you know about your parents.
— My mother should be an ordinary person and has already died, — sitting opposite Yasaka, the teenager felt enormous pressure and did not try to lie. — All I know about my father is that he only spent one night with my mother.
— Then, what are you planning to do now that your ordinary life has been destroyed? As an aid, I can help you with something.
— By appearing in my hometown, I will only endanger my loved ones, — there was sadness in his voice. — And since I have already entered the supernatural world, I wanted to stay in it. If it is possible, — Kiyoshi moved away from the table and bowed his head to the floor, — please allow me to be under your control.
Yasaka did not answer right away, carefully examining the teenager in front of her:
— I do not mind. Were you a street thug before this? — the blond only nodded in confirmation. — Then I will send you to the yakuza clan that obeys us and is familiar with the other side of the world.
— Thank you very much.
— By the way, Kuroka is too young and could not notice this, but you own a sacred gear. Only it has not yet been awakened. Train and awaken it in the future. — Having given instructions to her new subordinate, Yasaka pointed to the servants. — You will be escorted to your new home. You may go.