"I assume you want to convince the Kitsune clan to join our ranks." Xavier inquires once we're safely back into his private jet.

"Yes." I nod. "They would be really great allies in the coming fight. If, as I'm guessing from what we saw here the other side is also gathering people from all around. The Kitsune's powers would be a serious advantage."

"I'm not sure we can succeed though." He sighs as both Nate and Leila listen intently to our conversation.

"Oh ?" I raise my brow.

"Well, you see, a few years ago, I tried to contact them under my father's command, we needed help with... things." He looks quickly to the side. "But they refused all together despite how much we tried to bargain with them. They wouldn't listen and nothing came of it. So I'm afraid this is a long shot and we shouldn't put too much hope into this."

"We'll have to wait and see then." I shrug.

"You said they have powers ?" Nate questions intrigued.

I look at my fingers, refusing to look at him, this is too complicated, I know he hasn't forgotten about yesterday night and he's only waiting for the right moment, biding his time. And to be honest I'm not sure what I'd tell him anymore. I hate lying to him. It feels like acid in my throat every time and my skin burns uncomfortably when I do so. Probably a part of the curse I hadn't had the pleasure to discover until now.

"Kitsune are children of the fox. There are not many of them anymore, only a few scarce clans in China and Japan. They are all from the same family. I guess you could see it as a big tree with its branches coming out of its trunk and spreading all over. The main branch is in Japan, in Tokyo to be more accurate. They are the ones in charge, making sure everyone follows the rules. I told you once that you can't differentiate them by their colors as you do with wolves but that you need to count their tails. The more tails they have, the stronger they are. Their leader always has nine tails and it is the sole factor in deciding on the next leader. Though usually the title stays in the family it has occurred before that a child of nine tails would be born outside of the Tokyo branch. In that case they are brought back to Japan to be raised as the next leader."

I look up as they all remain silent. They are all eagerly listening to my explanations. There is a strange glint in Xavier's eyes, I can't decipher it, can't put my finger on it. Is it curiosity ? Envy ? Jealousy ? But why though ? He will become alpha someday, once Lincoln retires or dies he will become the next leader of his pack. Just like for the foxes, he was born an alpha. It's in his blood, it's his right. Then why would he be envious. As I watch him closely his eyes shift to simple excitement. Maybe I'm putting too much thought into it.

'Or maybe he's just bitter because they refused to help him.'

"Their current leader is Nakamura Tatsuki," I continue "she's a direct descendant of Yuna-hime, the princess of the Moon. As for their powers they can manipulate electricity and are very skilled with martial arts."

"They can what ?" Nate exclaims.

"They manipulate electricity." I repeat myself.

"No, I heard you. But, how is that possible ? How does it work ?"

"Beats me." I shrug. "All I know is that they can send their opponent a jolt of electricity, it's coursing through their bodies and they command it at will."

"That's convenient."

"Never go swimming with them." I joke and they all roll their eyes.

Tough crowd.

'No, your jokes just suck.'

We fasten our belts when the pilot informs us that we are about to land and as I look out my window I can see the glittering lights of the city and the dark waters surrounding the airport. The plane rumbles for a few more second before becoming completely still. This time around we have to walk to the checkpoints before being allowed to enter the territory. I see Nate smile as the man behind the thick pane stamps on his passport before giving it back to him.

"Arigato gozaimasu." I thank the woman behind the thick glass in front of me as she hands me mine back.

Nate frowns as he comes next to me. He grabs my passport and shuffles a few pages. His jaw drops.

"H-How ?" He mutters turning the pages again and again.

My passport is full of stamps, as are the other dozens I have kept over the years. They are part of my souvenirs. Most of them aren't registered under the same name as I needed to change my identity frequently in the past to blend in.

"Again, I travel a lot." I shrug.

"I can see that." He whistles. "Sometimes I wish I had your life."

Trust me buddy, you don't want it.

"Why not ?" He asks and I frown.

Why not what ? Did I just talk out loud again ?

I thought I got past that already !

"Life is hard for a woman." I try to play it cool. "And being a rogue is lonely." I add when he watches me unconvinced.

He nods seeming to understand. Once everyone is ready we retrieve our luggage and take a metro to reach the center of Tokyo. A small rain starts to fall from the black sky as we walk to Shibuya. The legendary crossroad is full of people as usual walking in every direction and trying to escape the rain. The street is illuminated by the flashing billboards on the tall buildings on every side. Flashes of green and yellow, red and blue assault our eyes as one actress succeeds to another on the boards around us. Nate and Xavier's eyes dart everywhere trying to take it all in. The signs, the people, the rush, the cramped area, the noise. The life.

We leave the busy street to lose ourselves in the shadows of the city, walking in his depth until we reach a deserted silent street. We stop in front of two huge wooden doors enclosed in a wall stretching infinitely in both sides. I feel bodies behind us. They have been following us since we stepped out of the airport.

"Nandeshou ?" The voice asks and Leila jumps back with a small shriek.

I smirk brightly at her reaction.

Always exaggerating.

"You could have warned me." She mumbles glaring at me.

"You could have used your ears." I smile.

"Figured I didn't need to with you around." She huffs.

"I would feed you to the sharks for a piece of chocolate cake." I answer calmly and she gasps outraged.

"You wouldn't dare." She narrows her eyes at me.

"Guys." Xavier warns us.

The three men in front of us are aiming their shining pointy katanas at us waiting for an answer.

"Nandeshou ?" One of them repeats in a hard voice.

He has a deep scar over his brown left eye and a growing beard. The two others are bald and wearing glasses.

Who wears glasses at night ? Is it the new trend.

'Don't even try. You'd simply walk into a wall.'

Still, that gives off a dark vibe. I like it.

I bend over and lower my head in respect.

"Konbanwa. Watashiwa Hope desu. Hajimemashite. Daiki-san o sagashiteimasu."

One of them grunts and takes out a phone walking a little further away from us.

"You weren't kidding when you said you spoke several languages." Nate whispers.

You don't know the half of it.

'A quarter of it.'

"What did you say to them ?" Xavier inquires worried.

"I just asked to speak to their leader."

"You asked to speak to Tatsuki ?" He asks incredulously his eyes bulging seeming terrified now.

"Sama, Tatsuki-sama." I add as a reminder of the respect we have to show them while addressing their leaders.

I wouldn't want them to throw us out on the street without even listening to us because we disregarded their traditions.

"No, not yet. We can't go directly to her." I hurry to explain, trying to reassure him and the others that started to panic too.

"Daiki-dono will join you quickly." The man informs us as he walks back to us. "Ikuzo." He instructs and his two comrades open the doors for us.

We step into the estate and they close the doors back behind us. We are all gathered into a small garden facing a traditional Japanese wooden house with a sharp black roof and an outer corridor wrapping around the house.

"Dozo." The man invites us inside.

We enter the room and I start to take my shoes of.

"What are you doing ?" Xavier hisses.

The man has to chill.

'He should be worried alright if you're the one negotiating.'

I roll my eyes at the both of them. Don't they know by now to follow my steps and shut up ?

"See those two different levels ?" I ask pointing at the two level floors in front of us. "You have to take your shoes off before walking to the upper level."

They all scurry around do do the same and we enter the next room in our socks before someone hands us slippers. One of the bald men slides a paper door on our right and we gather around a small table. I sit cross-legged in front of it.

'Manners.' My wolf chides and I roll my eyes before siting correctly with my feet beneath me.

This is so uncomfortable. I whine.

'Rules are rules.'

'I love a lot of things about the Japanese culture, the food

'Of course you do.' My wolf scoffs.

The architecture, the martial arts, but this sucks. My legs hurt and after a while I can't feel them anymore !

'Nobody asked for your opinion.'

But what if someone comes suddenly with an ax and swings it at my head and I can't avoid it because my legs are asleep ?

'Then we'll have a headless Hope.'

That's it ? I demand astonished by my wolf's zeal on the matter.

'It'll grow back.' It rolls its eyes.

Are you serious right now ?! Don't you remember how much it hurt last time when we got caught with Queen Marie-Antoinette and you dared me to let them decapitate me ? It took two moths to fully grow it back.

'And you lived to tell the tale. She didn't.'

I can't believe this. You don't care. I'm not talking to you anymore.

I block my wolf out, glaring at my hands. We wait in silence, more men coming into the room, fully armed. We can hear the recurring 'toc' of the sozu as the bamboo wood filled with water hits another piece in the garden which is increasingly grating on my nerves. They haven't offered us anything to drink yet and I'm parched. I'll end up drinking the fountain's water if this goes on, after breaking this insufferable bamboo tube down first. I look down at my watch which I don't have.

Now I need to buy a watch.

I'm about to take out my phone when the doors slide open again and two more men join us. All the others hurry to lower their heads.

"Okaerinasai !" They shout in unison.

Finally.

I look at the young man in the front studying us gravely, his body buzzing with electricity, pun intended. His hair is dyed a bright blond and his green eyes linger a few moments on each of us. I stand up slowly and a grin splits my face in two.

"Daiki, my man !" I greet him and he laughs in his baritone voice.

I walk to him under the scrutinizing looks of all the other men in the room and let Daiki take me in his arms.

"Ready ?" He smirks looking down at me.

"You bet." I answer and I don't finish my word before a jolt of electricity starts to course through my veins burning me everywhere at the same time. My jaw locks and I force a smirk on my lips. I can hear the guys in the room counting down the seconds over the loud buzzing in my ears.

"Ten, eleven, twelve"

I feel the volts intensify and the threads are visible on the both of us licking our skin. I laugh wholeheartedly. It feels almost invigorating.

"Nineteen, twenty !"

The sparks are so strong they start hitting the walls around us but I don't feel pain. Only a small discomfort.

"That's enough !" Nate growls yanking me to him and he yelps as the discharge hits him but keeps me securely in his arms. "Are you people insane ?" He starts but I interrupt him although I don't move from there, backing even more in his chest.

"Why did you stop me ? I was about to beat my old records !"

"You what ?" He shouts.

One of Daiki's men steps in front of me his hand stretched.

"Twenty-six. Pay up wolf."

I sigh and get fifty bucks from my pants and hand them to him.

"Double, next time I'll reach thirty-five."

"You're on." He shakes my hand before heading back to the others.

Nate's fingers wrap firmly around my shoulders as he turns me around to look at me, inspecting every inch of my body he has access to for injuries.

"What the hell was that." He demands.

"It's just a little bet we have going on." I smile gently at him.

"You're betting on how long you can sustain a shot of electricity ?" He asks, his eyes wary.

"It's always useful to develop some level of resistance towards this kind of things. That way if someday I'm attacked by one of them I won't be knocked out cold instantly."

He stares at me his eyes searching for something but I don't know what.

'He thinks you're insane.' My wolf sighs and I take great pleasure in ignoring it.

"I'm tougher than a few sparks." I murmur to ease the tension in his shoulders.

Daiki clears his throat and I concentrate on him and Takeshi ,the man standing beside him. He's Daiki's right hand and a great strategist.

"I'm really glad to see you and all," Daiki says with a small frown observing Nate still searching for apparent burns. "but would you mind telling me what you're doing here."

"Now, don't pout because you promised me a feast the next time I was coming." I smile to lighten the mood.

"Oh trust me my wallet already feels lighter." He groans.

"You know me too well." I smirk and see Takeshi's lips lift into a small smile. "However before that I'd like to bring up a more serious matter."

"Alright then." He lifts his hand to invite us all to sit around the table while his men sit quietly at the back of the room.

Once everyone is settled, more or less comfortably on their knees I take a few seconds to assess if I should be the one to explain the situation. I'd rather do it because I know how to tread with the Japanese traditions however I also know that more than anything they acknowledge hierarchy and Nate is the leader of our group.

I should be in charge.

"This is Nate, the alpha of the Californian pack, Xavier, son of the New Orleans pack and Leila, a dear friend of mine." I introduce them after clearing my throat.

I turn back to Nate to show him I want him to explain the situation himself and as understanding dawns on him his eyes go wide. He quickly lifts his hand to rub the back of his head and straightens up before starting to talk.

"I am currently in charge of a coalition between tribes of supernatural creatures. We are gathering against a common threat. I don't know if you are aware but in the past couple of months a number of clans were attacked and wounded. We still don't know who is the cause of it or what their aim is in all this, this stays unclear." He stops briefly his eyes shining with renewed determination. "I am convince that we are stronger together than on our own. I want to protect my people but more than anything I want to protect every form of life that exists. I believe that this world needs to keep its diversity. We have to protect ourselves and the future. That's why we came seeking for your help, we would be honored to have your strength on our side."

Fast learner. And hot as hell.

'Your libido knows no bounds.'

"I am flattered you sought us out however this is not that simple. I understand were you come from and what you are trying to achieve. I will transmit your request to our leader and I can only ask for your patience."

"Thank you." Nate nods his way.

After instructing his fighters about their tasks for the remainder of the night and showing us to the guest rooms Daiki leaves and doesn't return before the next morning. The night is short lived as it was already well advanced when we arrived, but invigorating nonetheless. The breakfast greeting us when we wake up is copious and delicious full of Japanese dishes ; omelet, rice, ramen, fried fish and vegetables are on the menu as well as soup and slices of oranges. My stomach is about to explode at any moment now.

The weather is nice and calm and I lazily lay down on the back porch letting the sun heat my skin. Leila is on her computer trying to keep up with the workload amassing in her absence and Xavier and Nate are currently observing a game of go between two of the warriors. I could tell by watching for a while that one of them was bold and kept on attacking while the other was patient and studying intensely each piece of wood placed on the board, securing spaces unnoticed. The differences in tactics was promising but the inexperience of the first one was working against him, in the long run his eagerness to attack from his first move was too risky and hazardous. This game was fascinating though, watching someone play it could tell you a lot about his state of mind and inner thoughts.

Around ten Daiki finally decides to show up again. We don't waste time and all gather around him to listen to his answer.

"I have talked to Tatsuki-sama and explained your circumstances." He starts without posing. "She is open to the possibility of joining forces with you, however first you'll need to win in an official match against one of our own. I advise you to chose wisely between yourselves."

Should have known.

'Easy.' My wolf scoffed.

Sure, I rolled my eyes, Nate and Xavier won't have any problem letting me do it. Not like we're talking about an alpha and a future alpha.

'Right. This might be tricky.'

Unless we vote.

'Or you could just knock them off for a while ? Poison them ? Lose them in the city ?'

That could work.

"What kind of match ?" Xavier inquires already assessing his chances.

"Depends." Daiki shrugs nonchalantly his eyes fleeting to mine before returning to him. "Depends on who we are up against.

I can't help but smirk, of course they'll take into account who their opponent is before choosing the game, what better way to win.

I have to be the one to fight otherwise we're screwed.

'Can't they win ?'

Not a chance, he's too good of a fighter. They might be stronger but he's more agile.

And I already know he's the one we'll be up against.

"I'll do it." I answer with haste.

"No. I will." Nate contradicts me.

Of course he does.

I roll my eyes at his chauvinistic ways.

"I'm telling you I can do it." I insist.

"I'm the one in charge." He reminds me and I clench my teeth.

Oh no he didn't.

Should we vote then ? I know Leila will choose me.

'But what if Xavier votes for him.'

Then we're back to square one.

"Doesn't mean you're the wisest or the strongest." I growl impatiently.

I hear Leila stifle a laugh and some of the tension leaves my shoulders. Some.

"We're here thanks to me." I continue not allowing him time to speak. "I should be the one to decide. And I decide that I'm the one who will fight."