Ichi felt his control over his body recede. Miko, who until now had been possessing him silently now took center stage. Unlike last time, Ichi didn't hear the drums. He felt no ability to fight back. Miko was too strong this time. If this was a fight for control, Ichi lost in an instant.

It was as if he watched a first person view on a tv screen.

Rikya let out a low laugh as cat ears and two tails shot out of Ichi. A mature voice that didn't match the cute girl in the witch outfit echoed in the small shrine room.

"Life is a meal, not a journey, young Miko. You have been biding your time well. Or, should I call you Priestess?"

Ichi heard his own voice answer back.

"And I will call you Fox. If the humans got a hold of our real names, then that would be... inconvenient. I suppose you know everything, from your human's magic?"

"Rikya is an excellent spy. Recreating events after the fact is no problem for her, such a lovable and talented girl. Rikya knows my real name. It has been lonely, trapped here for the past twenty years. There is no better ally than an impressionable young girl whose rebellious spirit knows no bounds," the Fox replied in somber words, and then the girl's tone changed to Rikya's warm and light voice.

"My family is strict. They won't even allow a nice Fox spirt like this free. So, I kept her company, and together we learned a lot from each other."

Rikya held out her hand and a blue fireball appeared in it.

"Magic like this is second nature to me now. And, I learned of how I might set her free, with your help. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be together all the time, instead of only meeting in this stuffy shrine?"

The Fox spoke next.

"Priestess. Use that child's power to break this seal. His mother sealed me here. He is a channeler as well. Danzaburo's experiment, a son with his bloodline and the bloodline of those who seek to bring balance to this world. A beautiful thought, but too naive. Join me, and you will have nothing to fear for the rest of your life."

Ichi couldn't do anything but watch. He came here on Myon's bidding for a vague promise of growth, and within less than a few minutes it looked like the stupid cat that had been in him the whole time was about to run away with his body.

To Ichi's surprise, Miko bowed in Ichi's body.

"That is a wonderful proposal, but I must decline."

"Oh? And why? Aren't you just a lost 'Sacrifice'?" The Fox said in a mocking tone.

Ichi's body raised, and Miko nodded his head.

"That is why. I escaped from the spirit world to put an end to the nonsense of the Bakeneko Kingdom. Dying so that they can preserve their 'peace' against the Tengu is... not my problem."

The Fox laughed, swiping packaged food from the floor and opening it.

"Stupid cat. If you, the 'Sacrifice', doesn't do your duty and die to appease the Tengu, there will be war. Are you fine with that?"

Miko looked up at the Fox with serious eyes. Ichi could feel her will burning inside his body.

"No. But, I have a plan."

The Fox and Rikya both nodded for her to go on.

"My plan... is that I have no plan."

Miko sighed, her ears drooping.

"You're fine with causing a war because you want to keep living?"

"No. But, still, I will continue to live. I chose to stay with this Tanuki because he is easy to possess and has a lot of spiritual power. After I recovered feeding off Ichi's spiritual power, I realized that I hadn't thought through what to do next. I never expected to escape and survive. Dying against the Mountain Lord would have been a testament to my will, if nothing else, that would be my victory. Ichi saved me from the Mountain Lord, and so, I cannot betray him. I will not. Because, I have nothing else to live for right now. I have no plan, and that is my plan."

Miko made a confident smile with Ichi's face.