Chapter III: All A Mother Ever Wants

Bibi Dong stood in front of the great doors of the Douluo Palace, A prestigious area of Spirit Hall reserved solely for its Titled Douluo Spirit Masters. She had finally calmed down after receiving news from her attendant that the mission to capture Yu Fengzhi was a failure.

She now waited at the great doors for the only person that could keep her from entering. The doors swung open like their hinges were nonexistent. Bibi Dong gracefully strode across the white marble floor and moved directly to the great hall.

Upon her entree, she stopped three steps and looked towards a table of ten Titled Douluo. At the head of the table was a tall elderly man with silk white hair the fell to the middle of his back and facial hair that was just as white and long.

Bibi Dong bowed her head "Supreme Elder. I apologize for the late response to your summoning."

"It's completely understandable. This is the biggest loss since we lost Ah Yin and the Clear Sky Hammer Clan vanished. And not only did we lose Yu Fengzhi when he was an infant, but we lost him again along with four Spirit Kings. Bibi Dong, can you please tell everyone the soul power that Qian Ren Xue had during her awakening" Said the Supreme Elder

" Her spirit power was 20, Supreme Elder."

"And why is that?"

"She Awakened the Seraphim."

"Precisely. Now can you tell me why we allowed Yu Xiaogang residence in spirit hall all those years ago?"

"He is the leading mind in all things Spirits, Spirit Beast, and Spirit Masters," She replied. The titled Douluo around the table looked doubtful about the claim. But said nothing as the Supreme Elder nodded to Bibi Dong to continue.

"Given the proper resources, we believed he might have been able to discover a way to invoke a second Awakening for premature spirits like his Luo San Pao. After careful inspection. We assumed that Yu Xiaogang is the Golden Saint Dragon. It was later proven when he formed the Golden Iron Triangle with Flender and Liu Erlong."

The Supreme Elder stood up and turned around. Everyone present focused on his back. "The Seraphim, The Golden Saint Dragon, Sea God, the forgotten Nine-Headed Phoenix, and the Nine Heart Flowering Apple. If cultivated diligently. Titled Douluo is not a matter of if. It's a matter of when. These spirits guarantee full innate spiritual power. Ancient texts speak of a higher power. Like Qian Renxue and her spirit power of 20…"

The Supreme Elder turned and faced his subordinates before he continued, " All of these spirits are also precursors to becoming Gods in their own right. Now there might be more out there, but our records speak of these in-depth. Whatever makes these spirits great, Yu Xiaogang has passed it on to his son. So we find him. And we capture or kill him. He can not be allowed to grow, or he will become something none of us can handle."

The Titled Douluo sat in silence, and Bibi Dong's face began to hurt. She was frowning so much.

"Finish this, Bibi Dong. Make it fast and discreet. For those of you who do not know, Yu Fengzhi goes by Hachijo Tenko. His mother, Hachijo Kazumi, is most likely Han Mei, The variant fox. The last time she was active, she had a three-tailed fox. After six years, I wouldn't be surprised if the vixen now had six or seven tails. Keep an ear out for their whereabouts." Supreme Elder turned away and left the room through his personal door.

Bibi Dong immediately spun and took her leave shortly after. During her walk back to the supreme Pontiff Palace. Her attendant had found her and notified her of the possibility that Tenko and Kazumi are hiding in Star Dou Forest.

"Did you send out a search?" Asked Bibi Dong.

"Yes, But it isn't looking good. The tip was reported this morning after we put the notice out. Agents were sent out immediately, but the time gap was rather large."

"And if they haven't reported back by now. The boy and his mother are probably long gone, or they are hiding too deep in the forest." Bibi Dong Sighed, "Pull back and have people monitor the surrounding towns. They've hidden for six years. It won't be easy to find them."

Bibi Dong continued to walk but notice the blonde attendant still on her heels. "What is it, Lanruo?"

"My lady, t-the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Yu Wutian, is here. He has requested an audience with the Supreme Pontiff and has refused to leave until the audience is had." Lanruo looked at the pavement to avoid eye contact.

Bibi Dong gritted her teeth. "Find. The. Mole. Now"

Lanruo bowed and scurried away. Bibi Dong continued on to meet Yu Wutian.

"Your son is talented. He exudes the aura of a true dragon. The aura, you were too weak to hone. Your whore is alive with a child that was to be mine. And even though I am the supreme pontiff, your father still finds ways to turn those who are supposed to be loyal to me."Bibi Dong muttered with years of pint up rage and hatred. So long the poison festered within her, it now had no target.

Some days she longed for Yu Xiaogang. Other days she hated him. Some days her jealousy got the better of her. Jealous of Han Mei and her child. Jealous of Liu Erlong because she got the chance to marry him. And on good nights, she only wished that the Han Mei and Liu Erlong would find him and spare him the heartaches of life.

When Bibi Dong arrived at the Supreme Pontiff Palace, she was greeted by the sight of a 6 foot 4-inch tall old man with grey hair and a six-foot dragon tail attached to his backside. He was extremely built for his age. His body rippled with power, and his draconian eyes shone through the night. The moment he noticed Bibi Dong, he faced her and smiled, showing off his pearly white fangs.

"Yu Wutian. If you could fly around as a dragon, I'm sure you would. To what do I owe the pleasure. Patriarch Yu?"

Yu Wutian chuckled " Rumor has it that my grandson is alive. And though he isn't…"

"Trash, like Xiaogang? Is that what you were going to say?" Bibi Dong maintained an indifferent face, but Wutain grimaced.

"I was going to say, inept. I've come to understand the value of my son as my son, regardless of his spirit rank. But be that as it may, I heard my Xiao Fengzhi awakened with full innate spirit power of 15. If anyone can strengthen a variant, I'm sure it'll be that boy. Anyway, I'm just here to come to an agreement. You let me find my blood, or Spirit Hall will start to lose more than just Spirit Kings."

Bibi Dong put on a half-smile. " Yu Fengzhi is a clan issue. Spirit Hall will take a seat on this one. After all, we already have more talent than we know what to do with."

Yu Wutian smiled, and dragon wings erupted from his back. He hovered into the air and said, "And If I find that Spirit Hall is hunting Hachijo Tenko and his mother. We will have problems. Hachijo Tenko is a core disciple of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. My Disciple." Wutain flapped his wings and flew off. 'Yu Fengzhi or Hachijo Tenko. No matter the name, he is my grandson, and I will protect him. But who is this Hachijo Kazumi? Han Mei's body is buried at the clan by Xiaogang himself.'

Bibi Dong was furious. Tenko and Kazumi's search suffered a huge setback, and Spirit Hall would have to go on a major lockdown to be cleansed of spies.

"This is the way of the world until we take over. If we move against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will act. The Clear Sky Clan will reemerge. Star Luo and Heaven Duo will act, and all of our enemies and masters seeking our treasure will join them. Let Yu Wutian have this win." The Supreme Elder's voice penetrated Bibi Dong's ear and then faded away.

________________________________________________________________________

"I'm your mother. I ask the questions. How did the awakening ceremony go?" She asked

Tenko frowned before replying. " I missed the whole thing. I know Tang San did well. But I didn't exactly see it. I was worried about you the whole time."

"Knowing Tang Hao, I wouldn't expect anything less of his son. Especially one that can create spirit techniques at such a young age… What I meant was, ``how did your awakening go, Tenko?"

" I awakened a gold and crimson fox. He's a little runt, but he's special. But I also awakened a second spirit. They're a replica of the prayer beads uncle Akuma left." Tenko then called forth the prayer beads.

Kazumi looked on in awe. They were twenty large dark brown beads "Tool Spirit. Most likely an auxiliary system. Supporter --Prayer beads are used to bless. Even Akuma didn't dare curse with them."

"I thought so too. But then I thought about how I use them to focus and channel my Ki. So then I thought the prayer beads might act as a power conduit as well. Like poison ability, fire ability, and so on."

"That's not a bad theory. And Twenty beads could mean twenty ranks or two abilities per rank. And if it's anything like other tool spirits. With the right materials, you can make physical prayer beads to bind with the spirit--"

"Why did we have to leave?" Tenko asked abruptly, and Kazumi stiffened

"Spirit Hall…" she replied as she sat across from Tenko " They're after you because of your mother and father... You're real parents.." Now hiding in Star Dou Forest, regardless of her feelings, Kazumi knew it was better and safer for Tenko to know the truth.

Tenko's face remained indifferent, but his mind was spinning in circles. His heart in turmoil. 'Real...Real P-parents… Kaa-san'

"I thought you were my mother?"

"Your biological mother's name is Han Mei, and your father is Yu Xiaogang. When word got out about Han Mei's Pregnancy. The Supreme Pontiff coveted the potential power that you'd awaken. I'm not entirely sure what happened, but the two of them separated. And Han Mei was coerced into giving you up."

"Coerced, how?"

"I don't know, Kit. All the information I got was from the agents that tried to take you that night."

"What else do you know?" Asked Tenko. He was in an odd sort of state. His mother wasn't his mother. His entire existence was a fabrication. How do you process something like that?

" Your mother was a young woman with a rare spirit. It was a fox that grew multiple tails as she increased in strength. I found out later that he also had a unique spirit. Less powerful than your mother's but had great potential, which is to be expected from a member of the Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. But because of his odd spirit, he remained at the rank of Spirit Grandmaster and has yet to advance. Your father wrote all the books on Spirit beast and Spirit masters you've read. But It's because of this weakness that I never took you to him. He simply can't protect you."

Tenko gritted his teeth, and Kazumi sighed, "Over the years, I learned that Yu Xiaogang petitioned his father to have you and your mother memorialized. He buried her body at the clan, but yours was never found. He named you, Yu Fengzhi. The Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Spirit Hall has been on the brink of war ever since."

"D-do you know where my father is now?" Tenko asked

"Does it matter? You can never see him. Not unless you're strong enough to fend off the Spirit masters that will come after you. So if you want to meet your dad, then you have to get strong, or they'll use his weakness against you. and vice-versa," She replied

Tenko balled his fist up, "Then I'll become stronger in order to meet my father." Tenko breathed heavily with conviction, but since he awakened the fox. His body had changed; his senses were enhanced. It's why a bitter scent coming from Kazumi had just made his senses flare.

"What's wrong, Tenko?" She asked when she noticed his disgusted face.

"I smell something nasty coming from you. It's mixed in your sweat, Kaa-chan" Tenko began to sniff her. "It's not sweet like the other night. It's... Are you scared?"

Kazumi laughed, "Scared of what, Kit?"

Sniff. Sniff "Are you worried?" The more he sniffed, the more a primal knowledge began to fire off in his brain, and the more he registered what he was smelling. It was like second nature. "Guilt. You feel guilty, mom, why?"

Kazumi stiffened, and it felt like a lump was sitting in her throat. 'Tell him, Kazumi. He's not your son. Who cares if he hates you. Let's be free again, Kazumi. Tell him, and he'll send us away' A soft voice filled her mind. She shook her head a bit to quiet the voice.

Kazumi looked at Tenko and spoke impulsively though she tried to hold back much to her demise "Akuma and I... The way we traveled here from a different world. It...it destroyed Han Mei's house. When I searched the mind of the Spirit Hall agents, I learned she was still inside. I'm Sorry, Tenko"

The world went quiet. "So you killed my mother, Kazumi" His voice was cold. It gave Kazumi goosebumps. Tenko rose from his chair and left the small Cabin.

_____________________________________________________________________

Needing time to take everything in, Tenko decided to do his daily workout in silence. From that day, Tenko remained silent. He was conflicted and had to work things out on his own. During this time, Tenko didn't say a word to Kazumi. He hated her, but he loved her as well. This went on for a week until Kazumi had another episode. She tried her hardest to hold her energy back. But she had already started a process that forced the demonic nature out.

With love for the woman that raised him, still in his heart. Tenko couldn't allow her to suffer for his sake.

After relieving Kazumi of her built-up energy, Tenko and Kazumi were panting exhaustedly. Tenko pushed himself up and went to cultivate. Unbeknownst to him. He trailed a very slight scent that had caught Kazumi's nose. She watched him intently as he cultivated.

For Tenko, it was the hardest cultivation session he had ever undergone. The Ki in his body was running rampant. It then became extremely dense and began to move through his meridians as slow as molasses. Within his mindscape, Tenko sat on a massive pool that was Ki. Towering behind him was a gold and crimson, Juubi no Kitsune.

'Kit. You need to pull Kazumi's energy into a ball and condense it. Her Ki is changing the very nature of your body. I have no idea what you are becoming. But the power has conditioned your body to the point of metamorphosis. The power within me is sealed. But within Kazumi, I feel a very slight resonance. I could use that to help you.'

"Ehhh. Fox!!' Tenko exclaimed with surprise due to the foreign fox. He then gritted his teeth as the scorching pain of clogged meridians backed up his Ki flow. 'Whatever you can do. Do it. Now!'

On the outside world, Tenko began to bleed from his orifices. And although Kazumi was worried, she watched Tenko with complete confidence.

Within young Tenko, the Jubi and Tenko worked to force Kazumi's dense demonic Ki into one condensed Dantian. And when the blood finally stopped leaking from Tenko's body, black gunk took its place. Tenko's muscle, origins, meridian, bones, and blood were shredded and rebuilt at astonishing speeds.

Kazumi watched as Tenko changed from human to a transitioning devil. Tenko was extremely built for his age, but now those muscles rippled with power. He grew 3 inches in height, making him 48 inches tall. His hair grew longer, stopping at the middle of his back, and his pitch-black hair mixed with white streaks.

Tenko slowly opened his eyes and took a deep breath. When he exhaled, a burst of Ki blew away the coat of impurities that blemished his being. Kazumi looked at him with a smile. And excitement in her eyes.

"What did you do to me, Kazumi?" Tenko asked, and Kazumi suddenly appeared in front of him with arms holding him close to her breast.

"This wasn't supposed to happen," she whispered. "But since it has. Be thankful for the blessing. I only wanted the best for you. To make you strong in every way possible…"

Kazumi leaned back and pulled Tenko into her lap. Tenko struggled a bit, and Kazumi giggled, "Relax Brat," she said, " I just want you to know what is happening and what has to happen in the future."

And that's exactly what Kazumi did; she told him everything from the moment she and Akuma arrived on a bolt of lightning. Akuma's interest in him, realizing the power gap she could never cross, Akuma's Departure and the Legacy he left behind, and the secret of the Prayer beads he left.

Kazumi then told him how her motherly nature took over and decided to undergo old Demonic traditions to increase his potential and make him stronger. She then explained that the transfer of power only meant supporting his growth, but she recently felt him feeding on demonic essence and not just her Ki.

"Feeding? This is why you've been breastfeeding me all this time?" Tenko clutched her thigh, and she smiled as she felt it bruise

'He is stronger,' Kazumi thought.

'He will be the death of us, you delusional bitch. You do not owe him for Han Mei. He is not Kazuya!' Her devil alter ego emerged.

'No, he is Hachijo Tenko. Han Mei isn't his mother, I am, so I don't owe him a thing. And I love him even more because he is not Kazuya. Tenko will be pure. So shut up and die quietly!' Kazumi ordered and cut the conversation with her alter ego short.

Kazumi told Tenko of her overloading episodes that caused her body to nearly explode. But what she didn't tell him was that the more he fed, the quicker her life faded. And the more her alter ego fought for control.

"Then we continue the daily feedings to keep you balanced. But that's all we will do together. You are not my mother. You killed her." Tenko stood up and walked to the door, " I hate you for what you did. But I still love you for taking care of me. I just want to be away from you."

The smile on Kazumi's face faded and turned to a look of hurt. Tears flooded the wells of her eyes, and her body trembled. "But--" she attempted to speak, but she was cut short by the slamming of the door.

The moment Tenko slammed the door, he felt a massive palm smack him in the forehead.

"Arghhh!" he cried out as he was knocked on his ass.

Kazumi ran outside, worried about Tenko, but she was startled when she saw the large hammer-wielding man she had come to trust over the years.

"Tang Hao... You made it," she spoke with relief.

Kazumi knew her training of Tenko was nearly finished, and she would soon be dead. She wanted Tang Hao to be the one to teach Tenko how to wield the power of the Douluo Continent and become as strong as he could possibly be to live his life as he pleased. That's all a mother ever wants.