The Second World's Crisis

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Akio's face. Something was different though. I looked at top of her head and saw fox ears. I sat up and looked at her face once more. She had whiskers! I rubbed my eyes and asked, "Is this real?" Akio giggled and said, "Of course silly! But I guess your inner animal isn't ready to come out yet."

I looked around and saw Goro with cat ears and whiskers. Beside him was a girl with cat ears and whiskers as well. I also spotted Jiro with bunny ears and small whiskers. I asked, "H-Hey... what's going on?" Akio said, "Legends say that if a human crosses to the Second World, their inner animal comes out, and they turn into a hybrid."

I asked, "Then why don't I have ears or whiskers?" Akio said, "I have no idea. Maybe you have to sleep longer." I scratched my head in confusion and said, "Hmm... anyway we have to wake the others. And who's the girl beside Goro?" Akio said, "That's his god-daughter, Hinata. Like you said, we must wake them."

It took a while, but Akio and I woke everyone up and explained what was happening.

Goro said, "I see. But why am I a cat?" Akio said, "Well it suits you. And since you're Hinata's godfather, it makes sense." Hinata purred and said, "I'm glad that I actually get to talk to you now father! Or should I call you Goro?" Goro said, "You can call me whatever, just don't call me daddy." Jiro laughed and said, "Isn't that funny?!" I mumbled, "Says the one who looks like a stripper."

Jiro's face turned red and he said, "N-No I don't! You moron!" Goro asked Akio, "Say... are you a fox or what?" Akio said, "I'm a nine tailed kitsune!" She proudly flared her nine tails, leaving everyone in awe. Suddenly, the ground started to shake. What appeared out of the bushes was a girl with pale skin, black hair and blazing red eyes. She wore a black and purple kitsune kimono, and she looked very angry.

"I don't see another kitsune, sister! You have failed. Again!" The girl looked around and said, "I'm surprised that none of them had any desires yet. And why isn't that one anything?" She pointed at me and I said, "Well I'm probably not anything." I crossed my arms and looked the other direction. She laughed and said, "Oh ho! Now I know why no one has any desires~. He isn't anything and his aura affects everyone! Outstanding!"

Akio said, "Kurai, you're not taking him from me! He's my friend!" Goro said, "So Kurai is her name. Interesting." Jiro hid behind me and murmured, "She's really scary, ya know?" I nodded and Kurai said, "Bah! You rabbits are all the same... even though they're really cute." Instead of being flattered, Jiro just clung onto my shirt.

Akio said, "There's nothing for you here! Now leave!" Kuari sighed and said, "You're right. I have to check in with the other people I sent to the Forbidden World. Cya." Then she just dissapeared. Jiro asked, "What was that about?" Akio looked up at the sky and said, "My evil sister wants offspring with another kitsune so she can officially rule this land. It's making this world die because some of the people she sends never come back."

I sighed and said, "It's getting dark. We need someplace to rest." Akio smiled and said, "No need! We can just stay right here!" She sat on the ground, smiling widely. Goro said, "I- uh... fine. Hinata we're staying here, so if you wonder off don't go too far." Hinata hummed and said, "Alright papa." Jiro said, "It won't be too comfortable..."

Akio said, "It will be fine. For now, the alpha male here has to mark the territory." Goro thought for a few seconds, then he said, "Wait. No." Akio put on a serious face and said, "You have to." Goro sighed and walked away. Hinata asked, "Shall I gather soft things for our bedding?" Akio nodded and Hinata ran off. I felt bad for not doing anything, but Akio said, "It's alright Yukio. It's your job to make sure no one gets me."

Jiro kept scratching his butt and said, "Do I have a tail here or-" When he pulled down his pants, a ball of fluff popped out and he said, "Oh. My. God." He kept wiggling it and said, "Oh this is a disaster. Now I really look like a stripper." I laughed, and Goro came back, looking tired. Behind him was a black tail that kept swinging around. Goro sat down and said, "Now there's a hole in my pants... all because of this blasted tail."

Akio asked Goro, "Did you finish marking the territory?" Goro got a bit flustered and said, "Uh... yeah..." Hinata rushed back with a bunch of wool and leaves. Akio happily said, "Good job everyone! Now I'll set up the camp!" I looked at everyone and asked myself, "Are we really going to sleep here?"