Chương 43: Faunus Unification I
*Huff*
The sun bearing down on the desert, the sound of her heart in her ears, the noradrenaline coursing through her. There was nothing quite like this feeling. In battle against humans, it's often a quick, precision based fight, even for those with aura. Most don't have the aura capacity to tank big moves. But then, there's the Grimm. Most were easily dispatched fodder that only proved a challenge in massive numbers.
But there were a scant few that could be called the apex of their species. The Mythic class Grimm. But Yin had taken to calling them by another name. One of acknowledgement. Grimm Sovereigns.
Yin crawled out of a glassed crater, the extreme heat burning some of her clothes away. Despite using her partial Dragon form, the heat wasn't exactly comfortable. Her aura, in the red. Which meant some attacks would slip through.
The situation looked dire. The massive Grimm stood firmly a few dozen meters away, teeth bared. And it looked in far better condition than her. This was bad. So why was she laughing?
-Twenty-Four hours prior-
"Um... Ghislaine? What is this?" Blake called out somewhat nervously to the Tiger King. Who, at the very moment was rubbing her face into Yin's while holding her from behind.
They had just left Kuo Kuana to go see Tamamo. A normally arduous journey through desert. So Blake was a little weirded out by the usually aloof Ghislaine's behavior. Not that Yin seemed to mind it anyway. The same couldn't be said for Shia, who wanted to do the same thing to Yin's exposed navel.
"I'm putting my scent on her. The fox might try something lewd before she's ready." Ghislaine replied, satisfied with herself.
Blake balked at the idea of the usually stoic Tiger King being so affectionate and staking her claim on someone just one year older than her. She admitted Yin was strong and capable, but was that all it took to be so popular?
"Wait.. there is two other things.." Blake narrowed her eyes at the size of Yin's chest, looking intently as a bead of sweat made its way down her cleavage.
"I feel like you're thinking something rude right now." Yin shot Blake a small glare and kept walking.
"Oh, sorry.. I-" "I also have good legs, hips and rear. Refine your tastes a little, Blake." Yin's voice dripped with disappointment, though Blake's expression froze.
"I take back my apology.."
Yin rolled her eyes. Blake was still too young to actually appreciate that sort of thing. But Shia, who had been looking at all the areas she listed, sure wasn't. She wasn't sure what would be an issue when she turned sixteen, Shia's libido, or hers..
-Two hours later-
It was a long walk, and the heat of the desert bore heavily on Shia and Blake, even though they wore shorts and loose-fitting shirts. Ghislaine, who barely wore anything aside from her pants, was fine. But so too was Yin, who wore a white tank top, blue jean short shorts and sandals, with Murasama around her hips, along with a straw hat. Of course, it'd take a lot to make a Dragon overheat too, so that played a significant part in it. Of course, they encountered a few Howlers and Beringels, but they were easily dispatched. They had just arrived at the oasis that was close to KuaKuanea, where Shia jumped into the clear blue water.
"Now the water's going to taste like sweat.." Blake grumbled, truthfully a little jealous Shia jumped in first.
"Not a big deal." Ghislaine shrugged, taking a gulp of the water using her hand.
"Rest your legs here for a few minutes. Map says we'll be there in a half hour. Just can't see it over these god damned sand dunes. This sand is annoying as hell.." Yin clicked her tongue in annoyance as she sat down and wiped the sand stuck to her feet.
"Hey, you never told me.. What's your plan to convince the Wolf King? Getting Tamamo with us is a good start, but if we don't get him on too.. It'll be a civil war." Blake asked, filling up her water flask.
"The same way with Tamamo. I've looked into the two. You all love your people, and have a responsibility to them. Ghislaine believes in my ability to do as I claim. Tamamo is interested in the potential, but hasn't joined us yet. Muzaka, is torn between the love of his people and his hatred for humans. But in the end, I believe he loves his people more than he hates humans." Yin replied, accepting the drink offered by Ghislaine.
"And.. how do you know that?"
"Well why would he still be here if he hated humans more?" Shia commented, pulling herself out of the oasis.
"Yup. He has the power to do some serious damage to the Kingdoms. All of the Kings do. But doing so, will implicate his people. A King is responsible for more than just himself, after all. He's not afraid to go to war with the Kingdoms, but Menagerie is split. He's still a rational man, he knows one town won't stand a chance against even one Kingdom. He's biding his time, making connections." Yin clarified.
Seeing as Blake understood, she continued. "But it's proving hard for him. He's too well known and not even criminals want to establish connections with him. But me? I have plans, and enough anonymity for my next goal. You'll hear when I explain it to Tamamo."
Yin then stood up and gestured her head to the side.
"Now come on. Final stretch. Let's go see the fox girl."
Just as Yin said, it wasn't long before they reached the town. KuaKuanea was built inland into the base of a mountain range. The ice melt from the mountains created beautiful waterfalls and rivers that flowed through the Mistralian themed town. There was a clear Japanese theme here, as there were even a few sakura trees mixed in with the natural jungle flora.
"Oh! I read that KuaKuanea originated from old Mistral. The Faunus who were oppressed in Mistral moved here at the end of the Great War. They brought these pink petaled trees over with them. Their architecture too." Blake explained while snapping pictures on her scroll.
A few of the older villagers even wore old Japanese clothing. They looked over at their group, but upon seeing them all as fellow Faunus, their wariness lowered. Yin looked up at the large building that looked like a temple.
"Wanna guess where Tamamo is? At least it's not up a mountain.." Yin snickered at Ghislaine's nearly imperceptable pout.
"It's good exercise. Also I didn't put it up there." Ghislaine grumbled.
"I'm just joking, Tiger Mommy." Yin pat her lower back and continued on toward the temple.
'Mommy..? I kind of like that.' Ghislaine followed after her, not noticing the predatory, sultry smile growing on her face, much to the alarm of Shia and Blake.
"Her charm is growing out of control.." Shia gasped, pulling Blake along with her.
The town was very friendly, despite their stance against Chrollo and the SDC. Yin knew they were ready and willing to follow Tamamo if and when she gave the order to war against the two companies. She could appreciate that kind of steadfastness. Their journey had been smooth and full of welcoming smiles, until they stepped up to the temple. Two fox Faunus guards blocked the entrance with spears, looking at Yin suspiciously. She recognized the two, though younger looking now.
Fennec and Corsac. One brother possessed fox ears, while the other possessed a fox tail. Both adorned in white and black hooded monk clothing.
"This is the Fox King's domain, Outsiders. State your purpose." Fennec, the fox eared brother demanded.
"I was invited." Yin pulled out an official letter of invitation from her inventory, though it looked as if she pulled it from her right pocket.
The letter possessed a unique nine tailed fox stamp that they both recognized as their King's official stamp.
"Brother.. I believe she's the representative that Lady Tamamo has her eye on.." Corsac whispered to his brother.
"Yes.. I suppose that does check out. Corsac, lead them in. I will watch the gate." Fennec urged his brother to go, noticing Ghislaine, Blake and Shia.
"But what of them?" Corsac asked, motioning to the others.
"They must remain outside. Even the 'Tiger King'." Fennec sneered, clearly showing his dissatisfaction with Ghislaine.
"Mm.. No. They come with me. Whether you allow that willingly or after I plant your heads through the floor depends on you." Yin said, looking at the two, now offended brothers.
"What did you just say..?" Fennec's grip on his spear tightened, he had never been blatantly threatened like this ever since he became an official honor guard of the Fox King.
Before he could make a move or utter a word though, a clear, feminine voice cut in, coming from deeper within the temple.
"You're being rather rude to my invited guests, Fennec. And my friend, Ghislaine is here. Are you trying to abuse your power? Wait outside, the both of you. I will have a nice 'talk' with you later. Please, my esteemed guests, come right in. I was expecting you." Her voice was playful, a bit seductive and somewhat excited, from what Yin could tell.
Ghislaine nodded and removed her sandals at the front door, silently urging them to do the same.
"She's gotten stronger. Her aura is sharper. She was always a great Dust Mage though." Ghislaine spoke with a reminiscent tone, walking in while ignoring the two despondent guards forced to wait outside.
-21 hours to go-
[AN: Looks like ZZZ won. Lucoa was a close second though. Not abandoning them but they'll be fics I occasionally update if I ever feel unmotivated to write this]
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