A Fox's Alliance (American Kitsune Book 10)

by Brandon Varnell

  “Shouldn’t that be a job for the United States?” asked one of the members, Lysander, a nekomata of some power.

  Mack shook his head. “They currently have their hands full dealing with the Yamata Alliance as well. I’m not sure how they’ve managed it, but despite being outnumbered one hundred to one, the Yamata Alliance has been fighting both the Sons and Daughter of Humanity and the US military on even grounds.”

  The Yamata Alliance was the name of the yōkai army that had sprung up a day after the war started. Very little was known about them, despite several attempts to infiltrate their ranks being made. However, none of the people they sent to spy on them had ever returned. After losing nearly sixteen people, Daven had decided to cut his losses and not attempt to infiltrate such an obviously dangerous group.

  “I fail to see how that is our problem,” Lysander continued. “It is not our job to protect their citizens, is it? They made it clear that we’re not members of the United States when they attacked us without provocation.”

  Lysander was a hard-liner who believed they should completely isolate themselves from the United States. Fortunately, while many other people agreed with him, there were just as many who didn’t, herself included.

  “Regardless of what the US government’s stance on yōkai currently is, that does not change that you and the others who’ve made America your home are still members of the United States,” Kotohime chided the man. “In their fear, they have simply forgotten this fact.”

  “Besides, the US government isn’t the real threat anyway,” Kiara added before Lysander could interrupt. She drummed her fingers against the table and leaned forward, which drew several eyes to her missing arm. “The real threat is the Sons and Daughters of Humanity.”

  The Sons and Daughters of Humanity were the ones who had started this war. While many governments around the world waged war against yōkai, the reason they had chosen to ignore the status quo and wage war was because of that group of extremists. They were the flint that ignited the people’s fear of yōkai, the spark that spread the chaos of war across the world. In Kotohime’s humble opinion, they were the true enemy.

  Whispered mutterings went around the room. Most people were aware of this group. The Sons and Daughters of Humanity were considered an “elite” unit of the US military. Typically sent on special missions that normal military personnel couldn’t complete, they were the most dangerous group currently arrayed against the Yamata Alliance. Fortunately for Neo Seiryuu, the Sons and Daughters of Humanity were too busy dealing with the Yamata Alliance to bother with them.

  Unlike the United States, who waged war out of fear of what yōkai could do, the Sons and Daughters of Humanity waged war out of hate. Their group was well-known for indiscriminately killing any yōkai they came across, regardless of age or gender. Out of all the people they were fighting against, this was the group that had earned Kotohime’s enmity.

  Daven pounded a fist into the table, causing all conversations to cease. They looked at the man, whose large body made him look like a blob monster with numerous chins and large rolls of fat. While his appearance didn’t inspire much confidence, the power of his presence and words were more than enough to make even Kotohime’s tails stand on end.

  “There isn’t much that we can do about the Sons and Daughters of Humanity. Instead of worrying about something that we can’t solve, we should focus on the problems we can. That means continuing to do what we’ve been doing—helping the people who don’t want to take part in this war and giving them a safe place to live.”

  While many heads nodded in agreement, several people, like Lysander, didn’t nod. However, neither did they contest this decision.

  “In that case, this meeting is adjourned,” Daven grunted.

  Chairs scraped against the floor as people stood up and made their way out of the room. Kotohime noticed, almost absently, that many of the people there walked out in groups. The meeting room was soon emptied, save for her, Daven, Kiara, Heather, and Mack.

  “It seems there is a clear division between humans and yōkai, even in our little safe haven,” she observed.

  “It can’t be helped.” Mack leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “The war has affected all of us to some degree. Even though all the people here would rather live in peace, it doesn’t mean that humans and yōkai can trust each other. Any trust between our two groups was broken after the Sons and Daughters of Humanity made our existence known.”

  Much as Kotohime didn’t want to agree with Mack, she knew that he was correct. Peace could not be so easily achieved when there was no longer any trust.

  I wonder what would have happened if we yōkai had come forth about our existence instead of trying to hide it?

  If they had come clean before the Sons and Daughters of Humanity revealed their existence to the world, would the world have accepted yōkai with open arms, or would yōkai have been in the same position they were now? She didn’t know. Such thoughts were best left unasked. It was too late for them to be answered in either event.

  “While the division between some of the humans and yōkai in our community is definitely a problem, there are larger problems that we must deal with,” Daven said.

  “The Sons and Daughters of Humanity and the Yamata Alliance,” Kotohime answered.

  “Yes.” Daven nodded. “Those two factions concern me. The Sons and Daughters of Humanity are the driving force that started this war. If we ever want to create a lasting peace between humans and yōkai, then we’ll need to deal with them.”

  “However, the bigger problem right now is the Yamata Alliance, right?” Mack asked.

  “They’re definitely an issue,” Kiara grunted and tapped her index finger against the table. Her unruly hair hung about her face as she glared at nothing. “Not only can they stand toe to toe with the US Military and the Yamata Alliance, they seem to have even more members than we do. What I want to know is how they raised an army so quickly. That’s what confuses me the most.”

  “Do you remember when Kevin, Lilian, and Iris were attacked by those yōkai thugs last year?” asked Daven.

  “You mean the ones that my brother sicked on them.” Kiara scowled. “Yes, I do. What about them?”

  “I have reason to believe that those yōkai were part of the Yamata Alliance.” Daven’s proclamation was met with silence. “I have long suspected that there was another power here in the United States aside from the Four Saints. Unlike us, however, this group has been working in the shadows, gathering power from the dregs of society, those yōkai who have grown to despise humanity.”

  “I remember that conversation,” Kotohime added. “Didn’t that happen in Book 6?”

  “What?” Daven asked, blinking.

  “Never mind.” Kotohime waved her left hand in the air, warding away his question. “In either event, I remember you mentioned there was a group helping yōkai enter the United States illegally. Are you telling me that you believe this Yamata Alliance is that group?”

  “It’s the only thing that makes sense.” Daven placed his elbows on the table, linked his fingers together, and leaned his forehead against his hands. “After trying everything I can to learn more about this group, this is the only conclusion I was able to come up with.”

  After thinking about it, Daven’s words made sense. The Yamata Alliance had sprung forth seemingly from thin air. They just appeared one day, out of the blue, with no prior warning. However, groups like this couldn’t just spring out of the ground. They had to come from somewhere. Kotohime agreed with Daven’s assessment.

  “So, what are we gonna do about this?” asked Mack.

  “I have a plan in the works that should go a long way towards resolving our current problems,” Daven admitted. “While I’m working out the details, we’ll just continue doing what we’ve been doing.”

  “Right!”

  Everyone seemed to be in agreement. Kotohime looked around at all of those present to see them nodding their heads—
until she came to Heather, who was scribbling in a notebook and giggling.

  “Heather-san, what are you doing?”

  Heather looked up, a blush staining her cheeks and drool leaking from her lips. She wiped the drool off with the back of her hand. Kotohime wrinkled her nose.

  “Me? Oh, I’m just coming up with a new… training method for my apprentices… hehehe… this is gonna be on the same scale of epic as that time Teppei and his friends tried peeping on the girls in Princess Lover!”

  “Uh-huh…”

  Kotohime already regretted asking.

  ***

  Despite how they were in the middle of a war, all of the youngsters still attended school. Neo Seiryuu had consolidated their schools into one large building. Elementary, junior high, and high school students all attended classes within this building, which stood at two stories tall and had sixteen basement levels. It also had a track field, which was where Kevin’s PE class had gathered.

  Kevin, Lilian, and Iris stood outside with everyone else in their PE class. Of course, “outside” was a very relative term. Technically speaking, they were underground, so there was no “outside.” However, they weren’t inside of any buildings, and the artificial sun blazed overhead. Calling it outside simply made things less complicated.

  Grass crunched lightly underneath Kevin’s feet. A circular trail outlined the field of freshly cut grass in its center. The school pitch, used for track and field exercises, currently housed around sixty students of varying races. He could see nekomata, usagi, inu, urusei, and quite a few other races. Several yards from this group of girls and boys, a short, fat man with a bald head gleaming in the artificial sun stood on a platform.

  Kevin had no clue what sort of lunatic would put someone like Mr. Corrompere in charge of PE, and honestly, he really didn’t want to know. Standing by the former Desert Cactus Shadow principal's side was none other than Heather Grant, who held a microphone to her mouth.

  “All right, everyone! It is time to begin your daily stretches!”

  Everyone lined up as Mr. Corrompere started doing stretches, mimicking him to the best of their abilities.

  “Come on, everyone! One, two! One, two!”

  Everyone in class did as the former principal did. They stood with their feet shoulder width apart, raised their arms in front of them so they were parallel to the ground, pulled them into their torsos and thrust out their chest, and then repeated the process in time to his words.

  “Very good! Excellent! Now, let’s do this! One, two! One, two!”

  Mr. Corrompere began thrusting his arms out left to right. Left to right. The class followed suit. Kevin wondered if anyone else felt as silly as him.

  “Now this! One, two! One, two!”

  Kevin leaned over and tried to touch his toes. This, at least, seemed natural. Having spent a lot of time becoming flexible to maximize his fighting style, Kevin was more than capable of touching his toes. Beside him, Lilian and Iris could also touch their toes, though the others were having problems.

  “Excellent! Let us move onto the next exercise! One, two! One, two!”

  Former principal Mr. Corrompere twisted his body from side to side, groping his man titties. Everyone wore an awkward expression. Lilian, Iris, and Lindsay had wrinkled their noses. Despite none of them quite knowing if they should have been doing this, the class followed suit, grabbing their own bosoms and squeezing them as they rotated their torsos from side to side. It was easier for the girls than it was for the boys since they at least had something to grab.

  “And now for our final stretch of the day! Come on! One, two! One, two!”

  Mr. Corrompere laid down on his back, raised his legs into the air, then did an approximation of the splits, his head peeking out from between his super fat thighs.

  “Come on, ladies! One, two! One—”

  Mr. Corrompere was promptly cut off when the girls, upon realizing what his intentions were, pulled a number of items out of their extra-dimensional storage spaces and chucked them at the former principal. Kevin saw everything from makeup products to scissors fly through the air. One person even threw…

  “Is that a kitchen sink?” Kevin asked as the large kitchen sink slammed into Mr. Corrompere, squashing him flat.

  Once more, Kevin wondered who in their right mind had thought that making Mr. Corrompere this school’s PE coach was a good idea.

  ***

  The first month of the war had seen many changes. First and foremost was the increased violence within urban zones. The city of Phoenix had been struck particularly hard. Sections of the city had been cordoned off after being declared combat zones, which had led to many companies going out of business. The increase in violence also meant that many people had lost their lives and even more their livelihood.

  The violence hadn’t just been localized to urban zones, however. The suburbs had also seen a string of violence. Many families had been forced to relocate, their homes destroyed and their very lives put in danger.

  Having been a part of the war since it started, Kevin had gone on several missions to help protect families from suburban warfare. Most of these families he already knew, or was at least familiar with, as many had children who attended Desert Cactus High School. Several of the families he’d protected actually belonged to friends.

  Eric, Lindsay, Adam, and Alex were a part of that group. Their homes had been destroyed by the war. Displaced, unable to find new homes, and having been protected—not by the US government but by a group of yōkai—the human families had packed what few belongings they had and had moved to Neo Seiryuu.

  Kevin didn’t know how to feel. On the one hand, it really was nice to be with his friends again. On the other hand, the only reason they were with him was because their homes had been destroyed. Should he feel grateful about that or guilty? He couldn’t say.

  “Hello?” A hand waved back and forth in front of his face. “Earth to Kevin. Come in Kevin.”

  Kevin snapped out of his thoughts and shoved the hand away.

  “What? What is it?” he asked.

  “You were spacing out for a second there,” Alex said. “We were simply getting worried that you’d gone off to a place none of us could follow.”

  “Yeah,” Andrew agreed, “like traveling to a secret underground base, where you take on missions for your guild and pick up chicks.”

  “I think you’ve mixed up several references there,” Kevin muttered.

  “Quiet, you guys!” Eric hissed at them. “Master is about to speak!”

  “Attention!” Heather Grant, assistant PE coach, snapped, sounding like a drill sergeant.

  It was still PE. The girls and boys had split up to do their own activities. Kevin didn’t know why, but while the boys had gone with Heather, the girls had been left at the tender mercy of Mr. Corrompere, though Kevin did wonder if it might have been the other way around. After all, girls could be quite vicious when dealing with perverts.

  “Listen up, you snot-nosed greenhorns! Today is the day that I make men out of you!”

  Several boys took those words completely out of context. Kevin facepalmed as those teens were sent flying by the jet stream of blood coming from their noses.

  “Should a teacher really say stuff like that to her students?” Kevin asked no one in particular.

  “S-such amazing words, Master!” Eric gushed. Alex and Andrew wiped the blood from their noses. Kevin did more facepalming.

  A devious grin lit Heather’s face. “Hehehe, that’s right, kiddies. Today is the day that all of you understand what it truly means to be men. For generations, there has been a tradition that all men must undergo during their formative high school period. High school is a time of youth! A time where young men form strong bonds of brotherhood!”

  I wonder if Heather understands the irony of her statement?

  Kevin watched as the woman became all fired up. He could practically see the flame-like aura reminiscent of characters from Dragon Warriors X when they
were powering up surrounding her body. She looked like Son Wang when he was about to go Super Semen.

  Heather raised her right hand to her face, slowly clenching it into a fist.

  “Today, my young apprentices, is the day that you all learn the fine art of peeping!”

  As everybody except him gave a loud cheer, Kevin realized that a facepalm would not be enough to adequately express how stupid he thought this entire ordeal was.

  I wonder if I should try smashing my face against a tree or something?

  ***

  Lilian sighed as she rinsed her hair, luxuriating in the feel of hot water descending down her body. She could feel each droplet run down her figure, caressing her breasts and running over her hips. The only thing that would have made this moment better was if Kevin could’ve joined her.

  “It’s too bad we’re in a public bath,” Iris commented idly as she rinsed her long dark hair. “If we were at home, then I could give you my special bathing services.”

  “The only thing your ‘special bathing services’ include is rubbing your boobs against me,” Lilian started, “and you do that all the time anyway, so I wouldn’t call it ‘special.’”

  “Humph! What are you talking about? My boobs make the best loofa ever.” Iris paused. Lilian didn’t need to see Iris to know that her fraternal twin was giving her a sly look. “I bet you the Stud appreciates my boob loofas.”

  “He likes mine better.”

  “Tch!”

  “Are you two really talking about this right now?”

  Lindsay was also taking a shower. She stood next to the fraternal twins as she rubbed soap across her body. It wasn’t just Lindsay either. All of the girls from their class were taking a shower, including Jessica and the rest of Lindsay’s soccer friends.

  “Why wouldn’t we talk about this right now?” Iris asked. “Isn’t this what girls are supposed to talk about while bonding in the shower?”