Chapter 11: Yokai Woods Shine Bright

Kamai went off on his own to a special forest only he knows about. It was heavily dense with spirit energy due to the Yokai that frequently went in and out of there. No one else knew about it but him since he technically went there as a kid, and now he can come and go as he pleases. He met a Tengu who gave him passage using a paper fan he was to keep on his person at all times or he'd be forced out until another one could be made again. As he went in, he saw the leader, one of the most powerful Yokai to exist in Japan, Tamamo-no-Mae the Nine Tailed Fox. She sat in a shrine watching all the smaller yokai enjoy themselves like it was a birthday party. Kamai approched Tamamo, and explained that he needed her help, and Tamamo agreed to help him. She recited a mantra spell and created a sort of pocket dimension. "In this space, you'll train for a whole month. Within that month, you'll face waves of yokai, like a video game that people play. Their souls will empower you, and with that power I hope you'll fight to your fullest capabilities. I hope you can handle the pressure young one. And a word of advice, enough hiding." she said as she disappeared. Kamai readied himself and saw the yokai that were coming at him.

He slashed at the yokai rushing at him, using both swords he flawlessly cut them down, but he was starting to sustain some injuries that had some lingering effects like slight paralysis and poisoning. It was painful but he pushed through it and managed to win. He was panting and completely out of breath despite him barely used any spells or anything. Tamamo went back inside with a disappointed look on her face. "Didn't I tell you to stop hiding? You keep denying part of yourself that wants to be of use and come out. Now let it out and stop being a total bitch." she said blatantly. Kamai went to attack her out of rage, but she used her tails to block him each time. She then used an ofuda to send electricity throughout his body. He was stunned for a moment, but he went to attack her again. "Shut up you stupid fox! Don't act like you know how I feel with this monkey in me! Now I got this cultivation beast and it's harder to control! How about you get off your high horse! You act like you understand who I am, and I can be like you! Some arrogant spirit who's only known for her destruction, like you know how it feels to suffer!" he fumed, Tamamo kept just barely missing him each time. She didn't show any aggression or hostility either, she just kept dodging him. She then tripped him up and held him by his legs and kept his arms steady. "I know it hurts to be different, but that's no reason to last out at the world. What if you have a son, do you want him to grow up knowing his dad hated himself? You have someone who loves you now, friends that will always be there, and now you're helping to save the world. It may not be your business, but it's now your business. Now calm down, and let's talk this thing out." she said as Kamai calmed down. he never actually got offered to talk about much of his problems. So he put his swords away and started talking.

"I..don't know what to say. It's just difficult being born with a literal Osaru in your own body. It's like a raging bull wanting to escape, but I don't want it running out of control. Especially when I know the type of damage it could cause if let out. Stupid thing keeps talking in my head, when I sleep, when I'm with my friends. Annoying monkey." he said. Tamamo explained how Osaru wasn't as wild as he was led to believe, they were actually a tame species that was actually related to the Chinese God Sun Wukong. Kamai took it into consideration, and looked at the floor and saw Osaru in his reflection. "So you finally acknowledge me, you've been mean this whole time you jerk. I just want to help you, is that so wrong? I love Harris as much as you, I want to meet all your friends so why? Why do you hate me, what did I do to you?" Osaru asked while crying. Kamai didn't know what to say, so he stuck his hand out to him. Osaru was nervous, but he held his hand out too. When they both touched, they both started to fuse together, and Kamai's appearance changes. He grows more muscle but his chubby frame remained, and he grew white hair up to his knuckles, and a long monkey tail. His hair grew longer and his jacket ripped off, while his body began to grow a bit in height. He also grew sharp fangs and claws, and his chest was bare. Both of their voices talked as one, and they both were amazed at their transformation. "Wow, so this is how a human and spirit looks like. This is so cool, a month of training like this should be no problem. However we need new clothes, luckily I learned to make clothing with a silk spell. But for now, bring it on Tamamo!" they yelled, and Tamamo sent another wave of Yokai at them. They both slash at them faster than before, and in their head, they're both talking to each other and Kamai apologizes to Osaru for ignoring him and treating him like a bad guy. They finish fighting, and rest for a while.

As the fighting went on, their energy was causing the secret forest to glow in the night. People thought it was the Night Parade coming through once again, and they looked out in the night for the fog, however they saw nothing and thought it was a false alarm. No one went to see where the light or energy was coming from, so they disregarded it. All save a young boy who was walking through the streets, and looked sickly and ready to collapse any second. He couldn't yell for help or cry out, he could only walk forward. He was then found by a young kitsune with white and orange fur, who was slowly fading away due to not being able to absorb any energy. The boy then hugged the fox, and they fused together, keeping them both alive for a while longer while they hid. Then a woman from an orphanage found the boy and took him in, fed him, and put him into bed to heal his body. She named him Suzaku, as his will to live was like a fire willing itself to stay lit.