Inari’s warning

Standing in Shiro's kitchen Imari grabs an apple. Hearing Shiro's key in the door the goddess walks out.

"Shiro good afternoon my little fox. We need to have a chat." Imari walks as if she is floating into the living room.

"Mama Imari what is it, have I done something wrong?" Shiro asks as he sits near Imari.

"Oh no my dear, I am here to give you a warning. There are a few female foxes in this town. One of which has her sights on you. Though I'm not sure but I get the feeling that someone possesses her soul orb. So she may not be acting of her own will. I want you to investigate and help release her but be careful that no one here realizes that you are a fox. I worry that you could be enslaved or hunted. Take my hand so that I can imprint the foxes in the area into your mind. That way you will recognize them immediately. Though they will not be able to sense your a fox, that is thanks to the pendant that Morrigan gave you. Unless they touch you they will not know what you are. Remember female foxes are very possessive and jealous. Keep Lilli off their radar if they get her scent as a fox's mate they may figure out that you are a fox. If the one who is trying to enchant you figures out that you are one. Then you may be used as a bargaining chip for their soul orb. So be very careful make sure to let the others know what I said they can help you. You know I will do nothing to harm one of my children even if it's to protect another. All I ask is that you find out if she is corrupted or is enslaved before you take action against her. I would not want you to have blood on your hands if it can be avoided. " Imari kisses Shiro's forehead and shimmers away. Shiro's heart sinks at what she told him. He begins to remember the feelings of being enslaved . Not having any free will or control over his actions. He hopes that he can free his sister and not have to harm her to protect humanity. His phone chimes and he sees the text that dinner is waiting for him. Sighing he goes back out to walk to Aria's house to enjoy dinner. As he walk out he notices that Kati is watching him through the window of her house. Her expression is one of anger, not knowing why she would be upset with him other than his relationship with Jiro . Shiro waves and goes to Aria's house.

Aisling notices that Shiro is far to quiet during dinner. As Maureen and Aria clean up Aisling takes shiro to the backyard to watch the sunset.

"What is bothering you? " Aisling asks Shiro.

"I am worried, mama Imari came to see me right before I came to dinner. She showed me several female foxes that live close by. There is one targeting me , but she is unsure if she is doing it of her own free will . She says that she could be enslaved. The problem is that the pendant that Morrigan gave me will not allow her to see I am a fox and immune to her enchantment. Foxes are very possessive and jealous. If she thinks that Lilli is keeping me from her she could be in danger. Mama Imari asked me to investigate the female fox and free her if possible. What am I to do? I cannot be mean or act like Lilli is nothing to me. I also cannot knowingly put Lilli in danger." Shiro looks sadly at Aisling.

Smiling and patting his hand Aisling begins to tell him a story.

"Not long after Astila and I were together a woman came uninvited to our house. You know Marshal's wife , Astila sent for her to come help Remi. Instead this woman came and tried to get between us. Astila kept avoiding her advances and rebuffed her. Then she went to far and I beat her up plain and simple. I sent her packing and I didn't even use anything but my fist no gifts. Lilli is just like me she will allow someone to only go so far then she will fight back. Don't worry about my daughter she can more than take care of herself. If you are honest with her she will understand and she will help you. I'm sure she will help you investigate this girl and take whatever measures needed to help her. So no more sad face all that does is cause you waste energy. " Aisling looks at Shiro's sad face and shakes her head . Pulling him into a mama hug she reassured him.

"All will be ok, you are not alone anymore and none of us expect you to sacrifice yourself for our happiness. You are a part of us now and we protect what is ours. Let me talk to the others at home and come up with a plan. Tomorrow when you feel the girl close to you open your mind to me. I will try to see if I can see who we are dealing with. Who knows it may just be that she thinks your handsome and wants to get to know you. If it's just that just let her know you are not interested. If she doesn't back off then show her that you have someone. She can only come between you and Lilli if you allow her." Aisling tells Shiro as they start to go back inside. Aria meets them at the door saying that they have a visitor. When they walk inside there is a robin sitting on the back of the chair. Aria whistles and the bird transforms into a young girl.

"Mistress I have something to show you." Robin pulls out a feather and waves it over the mirror in the room. There before them is Kati . She is holding a small glowing ball laughing. The girl from Shiro's class is there on her knees crying. A man walk in and kicks the girl on the floor.

"Mother why have you brought this pest here?" He spits at her.

"I need her to enchant your fathers murderer. His nephew lives next door and he looks just like him. When he knows he is in trouble he will come to help him. I will use this creature to bring the boy and uncle down. Jiro must pay for killing your father. I did not give my soul to Izeal just to let Jiro go. Izeal promised me that my day for revenge would come as long as I brought him souls to feed on. I will not accept anything less." Kati looks at her son and then back at the girl. Taking the girls face in her hand she smiles wickedly at her.

"You will obey me or your orb will be crushed. When that happens you will no longer exist. If you want to live and not be devoured by Izeal do as I say. Find a way to get Jiro to come save his nephew. I will give his soul to Izeal for an eternity of torture and torment." Kati leaves the room where the girl is and locks the door leaving her son inside to get his fill of her as a warning to not disobey. The mirror goes back to normal and robin transformed back into a bird flying out of the side open window.

"Izeal is a soul eater of the leader. He devours any soul that he comes in contact with. The leader uses him to send those that anger him to hell. Izeal cannot come fully into this realm so Kati must have a place where she takes victims to him. I will see if there is a pattern in where the dead bodies have been left . We may be able to see if we can find his portal. " Aria tells them as she pulls out a book from the book case. Inside is newspaper articles from the last twenty years or so. Aisling looks at her remembering that the caves under her home town was used as portals for Macha.

"Could she be using caves as a go between . Macha used the cave system where we lived for years as a way to Chanel her magic and to hide her evil doings. Are there caves close by?" Aisling asks Aria.

"England is riddled with caves and a few still have underground lakes in them. We can try looking at the map of the known caves and see if any of them are related to any bodies that have been found." Aria tells Aisling , having never thought to look at that she wonders if she is on to something.

Aisling looks at her watch and looks at Maureen.

"We need to get back for the night. We will see the two of you tomorrow." Aisling hugs Aria and Shiro as Maureen opens the portal to home.