Chapter 38: Chapter IV
Shout out to Faouzia for getting me through a lot these days and soothing my soul. Recently discovered her voice and words can't even describe the power she has in her. She's incredible. If you haven't, go look her up and give her listen. Anyway, let's get to the story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tenko was on the front lawn meditating as Nikita talked him through the steps of legacy Transference. Nikita saw the vehicles circle the driveway and watched as Nima was stepping out with a smile on her face.
"Son, everything went well," she said.
"I knew it would." he replied, " Be so kind as to arrange a last-minute party. Layla and Saito want to know the local supernatural and human leaders, and we must celebrate Nima's first successful mission."
"You've been using a lot of things as an excuse to celebrate lately," said Nikita.
"We will have many dark days. It's best to celebrate while we can." Tenko explained.
"Lady Nakashige," Tenko said as he opened his eyes. "Be sure to let everyone know to refer to you as just that. Kotaigo Nikita Nakashige."
"They refer to Malia as Kogo. What of Mareth?" Nikita asked.
Tenko chuckled, "That's not important. What's important is not having a room full of supernaturals calling you Mrs. Mason. Elder Akira would have a field day. Now, please get to it."
Nikita performed a slight bow and then walked away, stopping Melissa, Jack Arlo, and Nima on the way.
"He will see you all tonight." she told them with a smile, "Come on. I could use all of your help, especially yours, Melissa."
Tenko trained longer as his mother and Melissa invited the Wolves, Druids, Hunters, Humans, and the only Banshee in town. Even Sheriff Stilinski put on his dress uniform to attend with Stiles.
Around sunset, Alan Deaton and Marin Morrel arrived first. Followed by Satomi Ito and a few of her Betas. Sheriff Stilinski and Stiles, the Argents and Lydia, a few town officials, and finally Scott and Isaac.
As everyone mingled in the main hall, The kitsune dignitaries made their rounds to speak and judge characters as they waited for Tenko to arrive. However, even his pack appeared before him—the Arlo siblings, Malia, Mareth, and Melissa.
While his pack stalled, Tenko was driving back to the Manor, escorting three additional guests.
"What do you think is happening?" Lydia asked Allison while swirling the champagne in her glass.
"I don't know. But I hear he's been entertaining those people for a few days now." Allison gestured to Layla and her husband.
"Who are they?" Lydia asked.
"Kitsune." Mr. Argent replied, " Did Tenko ever tell you anything about his family?"
Lydia thought of the conversations she once had with Tenko. And even now, she couldn't bring herself to share them. "No." Lydia shook her head.
"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough. This house, the property bought by his parents, everything around him is slowly growing. Now we have Kitsune flooding the town." Mr. Argent emptied his glass then put on a friendly face to go mingle.
Sometime later, Tenko walked into the hall, followed by the Yukimura family.
"Thank you all for coming!" Tenko spoke jubilantly. "Those of you here represent the most influential factions in Beacon Hills. Dr. Alan Deaton and his half-sister, Marin Morrell, represent the Druids."
The room looked at the siblings, and Elder Mars needed further clarification. "Marin Morrell? The protege of the Enchantress of Paranor is the younger sister of the Warrior Druid Alan Deaton? What an astonishing family."
Deaton wore an eye squinting smile, "Just Dr. Deaton now, Sir."
Elder Mars chuckled. He then bowed to Tenko and said, "Yurushitekudasai, ten'nō."
Tenko waved him off. "It is fine," he said.
But those who understood looked at Tenko with wide eyes and furrowed brows.
"Next, we have the Argents, renowned Hunters with a new mission in life. Scott Mcall, True Alpha and has his own little pack forming. He's here because he's a magnet for trouble and needs to be watched. A part of his pack is Lydia Martin, a Banshee...
We have Sheriff Noah Stilinski, District Attorney Reese Gary, Mayor Ben Cartwright, and his daughter Elise. Finally, we have Satomi Ito, Alpha of the second oldest pack in Beacon Hills."
Satomi looked around and acknowledged that all of the supernatural community were actually present. She could smell the room was full of foxes. She even saw a familiar face. So, she decided to step carefully, "Ten'no Tenko, why are we here?"
"Because these honorable people would like to see what kind of community I plan to establish a Kitsune clan in," Tenko replied nonchalantly. Though his reply was anything but easy to shake off.
"By clan, you mean an entire type of Kitsune?" Deaton asked.
Tenko noded.
"What happens if we don't want any more Kitsune moving into town?" Mr. Argent asked.
Satomi looked at the Elders then at Tenko. "I don't mind it at all. As long as they stay away from the territory."
"Of course, Satomi. And if you don't like it, of course, you will have to be removed." Tenko's voice became haunting. "But if we don't endanger anyone, what does it matter to you?"
"It's in his nature," Akira commented.
"No. He's better than that. But I'm not. Nothing will get in the way of what I am planning. The elders wanted to make sure that our neighbors would be well mannered, but in truth, you are all here to understand that the moment I took over, change was coming. You can all eat, drink, and be merry. Or you can leave and be whipped off the map tomorrow."
Tenko didn't have to make a long speech. It didn't have to be powerful with provocative words. He merely laid out the facts. What that meant for the future was unclear, but what was certain was that anyone who didn't accept the facts tonight would be his enemy tomorrow.
Tenko moved on by serving peach wine to wash down the bitter news. After a few glasses, everyone loosened up and put their thoughts on hold for a few hours.
It was after a few drinks when Lydia approached Tenko. "Mr. Argent wants to know about your family...I...I didn't tell him a thing," she said.
"Ah, thank you." Tenko replied, "Did Allison drive you?"
"Yesh," Lydia replied with a smile and nearly closed eyes.
"Great. And if she's drunk, take the couch, alright."
"Hehe, you're always so sweet!" she sang, then her face became sad, "when you aren't killing people that I like. Why do you do that, Tenko? You killed my first boyfriend. Ordered the death of my second one. Can I have a third, or will you want them dead too? Is it jealousy? Are you Jealous? You don't have to be, just tell m--"
"Okay, Lydia! It's time to get you home." Allison appeared with an apologetic smile.
Tenko chuckled. He wasn't fazed in the slightest. "Are you fit to drive?" he asked Allison.
"Nope, my dad is!" she burst into laughter as she led Lydia away.
Tenko chuckled to himself as the ladies walked away. A moment later, Noshiko and Kira Yukimura approached him.
"Ten'no Tenko, my daughter wishes to speak to you."
Tenko waved Noshiko off and beckoned for Kira.
"Little fox... What can I do for you?" he asked.
"We go to the same school and you seem pretty popular." She spoke slowly. "Mom told me about all of the complicated stuff, but I was wondering if we can be friends at school...I sort of... have none."
Tenko snickered then immediately stopped himself. She's kind of awkward, he thought to himself.
"Why not? We all need a friend sometimes. I'll look for you. Have you gotten a chance to meet everyone yet?"
Kira became kind of sheepish.
"She has not," Noshiko spoke out, and Kira looked at her mom as if she was going to die of embarrassment, and Tenko couldn't stop himself from being impulsive.
"Hey! Everyone can have your attention!" Tenko shouted, and the room looked his way. He then pulled Kira close, "This Kira Yukimura. She's new to town and is in need of friends. I'm her only one!"
Kira tensed up, and everyone with eyes could see she had internally rolled up into a little ball. Tenko laughed then whispered, " You make it so easy to tease you. But don't change. You have this cute awkwardness going for you."
A few laughs came from the crowd as supernatural hearing was a trait that most of the party shared.
"Tenko, leave the girl alone." Malia laughed as she split them up.
"I'm Malia. His first wife." She sang. "This is Mareth, his Second."
Mareth shook Kira's hand, then Malia began to take Kira around the party.
"Have you spoken to my mother about her training?" Tenko asked Noshiko when they were alone.
"It's taken care of," Noshiko replied.
"Let's hope, for Kira's sake, you don't fuck this up," Tenko spoke his last words before leaving Noshiko alone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, things became a little complicated. Tenko's pack and the dignitaries were gathered in the woods, and Elder Akira was being her usual pain-inducing self.
"A thunder Kitsune as a wife will have better odds of producing a Thunder Heir. The wrongs of the mother should be righted by the daughter. Then we separate the two clans the way it was meant to be. But think of it this way, if Ms. Yukimara fails, then you have nothing to worry about. Especially with the test you have chosen, it's the gauntlet of love that many lovers fail."
Tenko understood that Elder Akira meant well. And she's right. The odds of Kira passing are slim to none.
Tenko pulled out his phone and sent Noshiko a text.
Sometime later, the Yukimura family arrived, and the atmosphere was stiff. Tenko pulled Noshiko aside and spoke to her about what was happening. Naturally, Noshiko objected.
"Hey, listen. You and I know you sought me out because you fear something. I could smell it on you. If she does this, pass or fails, your transgressions are forgiven, and Kira will be taken care of." Tenko bargained,
Noshiko looked at her daughter, and sadness seeped from her pores.
"Fine. What test have chosen?" Noshiko asked.
"Trial of the Three Lovers," Tenko admitted.
" I hope she fails..." Noshiko muttered.
"So do I..." Tenko admitted.
Noshiko walked over to Kira and explained what was happening. But instead of the truth, Noshiko told Kira that everything was merely a game. Kira could sense her mother was lying, but she knew her mother wouldn't put her in danger.
Kira took her place at the starting line with Malia and Mareth. She was then given two pairs of bells.
"Listen, all you have to do is follow us and run but don't go further than six feet away from him. He catches you, then you are done. There's a Gazebo in the woods. If we make it there, everyone will be watching but ignore them." Malia explained.
Mareth eyed Malia. Malia shook her head, and Mareth shrugged.
"Ladies, you know the rules!" Elder Mars shouted. "Spectators please take your places!"
The spectators jetted off into the woods.
"Ten'no, please dawn the blindfold." Said Elder Akira.
Tenko tied the blindfold tight and took a deep breath with a smirk. Malia and Mareth smiled.
"Ready!" said Mars
"Set!" Said Akira
"Go!" the elders.
The girls took off without hesitation.
A moment later, Akira looked at Tenko and said, " Go get 'em!"
Tenko then zipped off and the gauntlet of love began.
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