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"Happy Birthday, Ranani!" cried the entire class, teacher included. For it was indeed young Ranani Masters's seventh birthday, as well as the last day of school. Her first-grade classmates were enthusiastically clapping for her on her special day. She was up in front of the class, wearing her special pink dress (it was used for special occasions only, like the first and last days of school, weddings, etc.) and a gold-colored paper crown. The thing had her name written on the outside, as well as how old she was. She was pleased as punch that so many people wanted to make her special day even more so. Her specialist friend in the whole wide world was there too, but he was sleeping.

Aboridah was fast asleep beneath her table, curled into an almost smooth black ball. One could hear his breath whistling from his nose if one listened hard enough. His little feet twitched every so often, chasing rabbits in his dreams. This made Ranani giggle. Her teacher, Mrs. Love, gestured for her to approach the big wooden desk. She did so, a giant grin splitting her face in two.

"Because it's your birthday," said Mrs. Love, "you get to have a present. You can pick one book off this stand." She reached down and picked up the cardboard bookstand that sat beside her desk. It had six different books on it, balanced so one could see the covers without the books falling over. Ranani looked over the covers and, after about five minutes of careful examination, picked out a book.

"This one," she said. She grabbed the book.

Mrs. Love put the stand on the floor and took the book. She looked at the cover and half-smiled. "Treasure Island," she said with a light chuckle. "A very good choice."

She stood up from behind her desk and walked to the first row of desks. She put the book on the desk. "Now class, I want everyone to sign their name on the inside cover. You can also write a short message if you want. Try to make it special."

The first child, a boy named Michael, signed his name in plain pencil. When he finished, he passed the book back to the next child in the row. This continued for a minute or two, then the book was passed to the next row. By the time it reached the front of the room, there were twenty-nine names inside the cover. When it was handed back to her, Ranani clasped it to her chest, tears of joy filling her eyes. Suddenly, there was a loud bark from beneath her desk.

Aboridah stood up and strode out from beneath the educational tool. His two tails swayed from side to side, ever so gently. She knelt down beside her pet/class mascot. He nudged the book in her hands and she laid it down. He nosed the cover open and sniffed the inside. He barked again and poked the page with his nose. Ranani, having known the little fox for seven years, had finally learned to understand him, to a point.

"You want to sign too, Abo?" she asked. He yipped and his tails swished rapidly from side to side. "I'll take that as a yes," said the little girl with a giggle. She looked up at Mrs. Love, who dug inside her own desk and pulled out an inkpad. She set it on the floor, watching the fox intently.

Abo gingerly placed his foot upon the pad and pressed down. A moment later, he lifted it away and pressed it onto the page. When he pulled it away, there was a perfect imprint of his paw upon the page. He yipped in satisfaction. Ranani smiled.

"Thank you, Abo," she said softly, leaning down and kissing him between his ears. He lapped at her chin and crawled back under her desk. Poor thing was getting old.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch, which was surprising since Ranani almost always seemed to get into some form of trouble. Like that time she'd dropped her backpack under the bus. She had attempted to retrieve it when the bus rolled forward, almost crushing her hand. If Abo hadn't bitten her wrist, her hand would've still been in the way. She had pulled away from her bag to inspect her wrist after the bite, and suddenly the bus rolled on top of it. If her hand had been there...Not a pleasant thought.

Scary stuff like that always seemed to happen to Ranani, but she didn't know why. Always with the bad things that could maim or kill her. There was never any reason why these events should've occurred, but that didn't stop them from happening anyway. Luckily, Aboridah was always there to help her if something went wrong. Why did these things keep happening?

Aboridah, AKA Bao-Hadir, knew why. Both the Heaven and Void were becoming nervous. When Ranani reached the age of seven, she would become immune to most kitsune tricks. Before that point, the only way to shift the balance of power would be to bring the "Prophesied Child" over to one side, or kill her. Since killing her should've been easier, that's exactly what they attempted to do. However, they hadn't counted on Hadir's fierce protection of the little girl.

Ranani was now seven. No more fear from fire. No worries about mind control. No problems with hypnosis, possession, basic illusion, or a thousand other kitsune powers that she would have previously feared, had she known about them. Her powers were unlocked, though she probably hadn't noticed it yet. That was a very good thing. However, now the Heaven and the Void would try to turn her over to their side. Bao-Hadir wanted to keep that from happening. But how do you explain such things to a seven-year-old?

That evening, Ranani and Erik sat at the dinner table, their friends and family seated around them (except their parents, who were in the kitchen getting their cake). Everyone was laughing, smiling. No cares, no worries. Just marbled cake and ice cream. Yum! Ranani beamed at everyone, giggling maniacally when her friend Jake pressed his fingers into her armpit. Erik simply played with one of his gifts, a transforming robot toy.

Then out came their parents. The lights were turned out and everyone began singing:

"Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday, dear Ranani and Erik.

Happy Birthday to you!"

On the last note of the song, Aboridah let loose with a loud series of yips, making everyone but Jake laugh. No one noticed. Ranani's school-friend watched the little fox intently, fingering his pendant. The little glowing jewel that had been within it was missing.

Erik and Ranani blew out their candles and everyone clapped. Cake and ice cream were doled out to the guests (Abo had some vanilla ice cream in a little bowl; his little body probably couldn't handle chocolate), and everyone dug into the copious amounts of sugary foodstuffs with a wild abandon.

Only an hour later, there were only crumbs left of the cakes and no ice cream to speak of. It had been a great party. The guests had all gone home, save for Jake. He had been invited to stay the night. He had his sleeping bag and everything.

Erik and Aaron, ages seven and nine respectively, left with their friends. Since it wasn't a school night, they were allowed to stay over at other people's houses, a freedom which they made great use of.

Nine o'clock rolled around and found Ranani in the den, playing Yu-gi-oh cards with Jake. Derek and Yumi were in the kitchen, putting the last of the freshly cleaned dishes in the cupboard. The swinging door opened ever so slightly, admitting a little black fox into the room. Yumi smiled and knelt down beside him and reached out, scratching him behind his ears. Abo murred in pleasure and turned around, presenting his tails to be rubbed. Yumi giggled softly. The little fuzzball loved having his tails rubbed more than anything else.

She reached out and...

ZAP!

A soft pop, like one would hear from a static electricity shock, and Yumi jerked back on her rump, surprise plain on her face as she stared at the little fox. Derek chuckled.

"You get zapped?" he asked, amused. Yumi didn't reply. He knelt down, his knees popping audibly. "If you don't want to rub his tails, I will." He reached out to touch the tails and...

ZAP!

Another pop, just as soft, and Derek fell back too, staring at the fox.

"Bao-Hadir?" he asked cautiously, eyes warily fixed on the fox before him. If he remembered correctly, the smallish spirit being before him was incredibly dangerous.

"Glad you remember me, Derek," said Hadir, his two tails swaying softly behind him. "It is time to fulfill our agreement." Derek remembered. He had made deal with the kitsune some years ago, but hadn't thought about it until moments ago. Why was that?

"I'd forgotten about our deal," said Derek nervously. "I hope that doesn't affect our...relationship."

Hadir chuckled softly. "Of course not. Why would it?" He stretched his body as far as he could, his back bending and his chin lifting. He held it there for a moment before giving a slight jerk backward, making his back crack audibly. "I was the one who made you forget."

"What!" whispered Derek, outraged but not wanting to alert his daughter to the presence of the kitsune. "You made us forget?"

"You wanted me to protect your daughter. You didn't want me to reveal to her that I was a kitsune. You allowed me to remove your memories of our meetings so that the two of you wouldn't accidentally reveal me. It is seven years after the deal was made. It's time to pay up, so you must tell Ranani about me. She must come willingly or not at all." He turned away.

"Please reconsider, Hadir," begged Yumi. Her eyes shone with both hope and barely restrained tears. She didn't want her daughter to go. She doubted her daughter would willingly go with the kitsune, but there was always a chance that she would. "Ranani shouldn't have to pay for a deal we made. Take me instead!"

Hadir looked back at her. "I would, but the deal must be completed by the one stated. There can be no other. Besides, it is a father's right to teach his daughter the ways of the world." He looked forward and slipped out the door, leaving a pair of stunned humans behind.

Derek and Yumi looked at each other fearfully, wondering what he meant by daughter...

"'Kay, I tap three Swamp mana and cast Slay on your Heedless One!" cried Ranani, tapping the required land cards. "Next, I attack you with my Zombie Cutthroat, and you can't block him 'cuz of Frightshroud Courier's ability. That hits you for six damage, which reduces your life from four to zip. I win!" She stuck out her tongue playfully at him as she gathered up her cards.

Jake sighed. This was the fifth game in a row he'd lost to Ranani. He was severely disappointed in his card skills, since he used to be the best Magic the Gathering player in school. However, it wasn't just card games she was good at. Any game of chance was her cup of tea. Monopoly, Risk, Mouse Trap, Candyland, assorted card games, even marbles. She was unbeatable in any game where there was even the slightest bit of luck that was needed. If he didn't know any better, he would've said she could see the future. If he hadn't already known how she'd won all those games...

There was a light swishing sound and Ranani's parents came out of the kitchen, looking rather shaken. Yumi had tears running down her eyes.

"Mommy?" asked Ranani, worriedly. "What's wrong?"

Yumi bit her lip, looking down at her little daughter. Fresh tears spilled from her eyes. She shook her head and turned away, covering her face with her hands. Her husband caught her in his arms and held her close.

"Daddy?" The older man said nothing. He simply stood there rubbing his wife's back in an attempt to calm her down. He drew Yumi over to the couch with him and, after sitting down, pulled her into his lap. She leaned her head on his shoulder and sobbed quietly. Derek looked down at his little daughter, tears in her eyes from seeing her mother cry.

Derek sighed softly. Time to bite the bullet. "Honey," he said quietly. "There's someone here your mother and I would like you to meet. Please be very polite to him."

"Ok, Daddy," replied the innocent seven-year old. She was worried about this person. She wanted to see him for herself. After all, he must've been the one to make her mother cry. She looked left and right, searching for this person. When she didn't see him, she looked back at her father. "Where is he?"

Derek let out a long, slow, nerve-steadying breath. "Bao-Hadir," he whispered, inaudible to the little girl.

An intense surge of energy seemed to fill the room, swirling like a hot wind. The energy was harsh, violent, almost painfully hot. It made everyone in the room gasp, except Jake.

Suddenly, Jake sprang forward from his seat beside Ranani, a wicked-looking knife clutched in his left hand, his right arm wrapping around Ranani's shoulders from behind, pulling her close to his chest, the knife coming up to her throat.

A feminine voice issued forth from the young boy's mouth. "Return my ball, Bao-Hadir," the woman's voice said, pulling the knife closer to Ranani's throat. "If you do not, I will end this little girl and all your efforts will be in vain!"

"But then I would crush the ball and kill you," said a disembodied voice. "You would die human and enter Hell, where you belong. You may be of the Heavens, but you are as dark as any Void. Put the knife down and step away from her, and I will let you live and return the ball."

Ranani, during this exchange of words, held perfectly still. Tears of fear streamed down her face as the knife was pressed against her throat. She didn't sob, as that would draw the knife against her throat. She had to fight hard to keep from quivering in terror. The worst part was not knowing what was going on. The only thing stopping her from crying out to her parents, who were frozen in fright, was the new voice. It sounded familiar, as if she had heard it in a dream, so very long ago.

Slowly the knife was pulled away. Jake threw the knife aside and backed away, three sets of eyes following him, two visible, one not. When Jake moved away, Ranani threw herself onto the couch, curling into the human equivalent of a ball, sobbing hard. Her friend had almost killed her. Her mother, from Derek's lap, wrapped her arms around Ranani and pulled her into a comforting hug, sobbing along with the little girl. Derek held them both but, though tears ran down his cheeks as well, he did not make a sound.

"I have done as you have asked, Bao-Hadir. Return my ball so I may leave this human shell!"

"Indeed you have, Inari-slave. Here." Out from between Derek and Yumi's feet rolled a small golden orb. Ranani saw it come forth; it looked just like the gem from Jake's necklace. Jake dove and grabbed it, holding it in the palm of his hand with a triumphant grin upon his face as he rose to sit on his heels.

"FINALLY!" shouted the womanly voice as he pressed the sphere against his chest. There was a flash of light and he fell forwards, a wide grin on his face. The gem was gone and, where Jake's body had sat before he had fallen over, there was now a shimmering white mist. However, it was no ordinary mist, for mist doesn't have eyes, and especially not glowing, yellow ones.

Ranani gazed at the unconscious form of the boy she thought was her friend. Strangely, she felt nothing for him. No love, no hate, no fear, no anger, and no worry. She felt empty as she gazed at him. Then something caught her eye and she looked away, towards the mist.

Slowly, the mist coalesced, coming together in a vaguely familiar shape. A light wind blew through the house, which was strange since no doors or windows were open, and the mist cleared, revealing, to the shock of the Masters family, a small white fox.

The little fox was somewhat larger than Abo, with shocking yellow eyes and a cool demeanor about it. In contrast to Aboridah's two tails, it had five. It sat upright, regarding the trio of humans on the couch coldly. Its tails swished side to side as it frowned.

"Well?" it-she asked. For indeed, it was a female. Her voice was the same as the one that had left Jake's mouth only a moment ago. Ranani gasped and clutched at her mother, scared to death of this new creature, though it reminded her so much of her foxy friend.

"Hold on, Bright-one," said a new voice. This one was powerful, filled to the brim with energy. One could almost touch the strength of the voice. A shimmer appeared in the air and another fox appeared. This one was a crimson color, like slightly aged blood. Its eyes were black, with a red slit in the middle, giving it a somewhat sinister look.

"C'mon, Hadir," cried the second fox, this one male. He wore eight tails behind him, but they were still instead of moving. He looked upon the frightened humans with amusement.

"I'm coming," said the voice that had spoken to the female first. It came from everywhere and nowhere, and again Ranani felt as though it was familiar. From around the couch came...

"Abo!" cried Ranani. She leapt from her parent's embrace and onto the fox. She pulled him into her arms and held him close, looking with fear at the two creatures watching her. Abo looked up and lapped at Ranani's chin. He wasn't afraid of these two. Ranani couldn't begin to understand why he wasn't. After all, she was terrified. But then, he had always been the little tough guy. He wriggled in her arms and she reluctantly set him down. He yipped at her, then turned and continued walking towards the strange monsters. He means to fight them, thought Ranani. Then something even stranger happened.

Ranani stared wide-eyed as her childhood friend, the little fox who had been with her almost since the day she was born, began to shimmer himself. Lines of energy played across his fur and between his two tails as cracks began to appear in the air around him. She gasped and almost screamed as reality gave a sudden jerk and there was a loud noise, like glass shattering. Ranani closed her eyes and covered her ears as the shattering sound continued for some moments. Finally the noise died down and Ranani carefully opened her eyes. What she saw shocked her into speechlessness.

Where Aboridah had once been, there was now a different fox. This one was bigger than Abo was, bigger than the white fox, but a little smaller than the red. Its fur was black, but more than that, it seemed as though it were darkness made liquid. It had six tails, which hung loosely from its rear, dragging softly on the floor. It looked back at Ranani and the little girl gasped.

"Abo?" she whispered, staring into the familiar icy-blue eyes, set though they were within an unfamiliar face. The fox smiled softly, an odd thing for any fox, and turned away again, coming to stand before the other two foxes.

He bowed his head to them and they returned the gesture. The white female tapped the floor with her tails impatiently. "Can we hurry this up?" she asked angrily. "I'd like to return home before the next century."

The red-furred male looked deep into her eyes, growling warningly. She whimpered and lowered herself to the floor. He sighed then looked at the black fox. "I guess we should begin," he said. The black fox nodded.

He turned to the family. Ranani had moved up onto the couch with her parents again, both scared and confused now. Her eyes locked with the black fox's, and she suddenly felt calm, as if she were in a room filled with friends. Those eyes wouldn't let her get hurt. Those eyes... Yumi climbed off her husband's lap and sat next to her daughter. Ranani cuddled against her, her body completely relaxed.

"It is time to seal the deal that was made so long ago," said the black fox. Ranani almost gasped in shock, but then, it wasn't so shocking, was it? The other two had spoken, why shouldn't this one. This was the voice that had spoken to the other foxes before. It was comforting. But this "sealing of a deal" didn't sit right with her. Ranani looked questioningly at her parents. They gazed upon her with sorrowful eyes. This worried her for a moment, then the calmness settled in again. She looked back at the fox trio.

"I, Ladia, stand as witness for the Bright Queen," said the white female.

"I, Volkai, stand as witness for the Dark King," continued the red male.

"I stand as lord of this territory, as well as one of the bound," said the black male, his icy blue eyes locked on her enchanting greens. "Ranani Masters." She shivered as his voice, laced with power, caressed her. "I am Bao-Hadir, the Deal Maker. Seven years ago, I made a deal with your parents to save three lives. Tonight I collect upon this deal."

Again Ranani looked up at her parents. They were looking away from her now, as if they had done something horrible. Ranani could feel raw fear flowing up her body, shattering the calm that had been forced upon her. She couldn't take much more.

"Calm yourself, girl," said Volkai. "You will come to no harm in this." Ranani met eyes with his and he jerked back in shock. Her gaze had hit him like the cracking of a whip. "Amazing," he whispered, being careful not to directly meet her gaze.

His words had the desired effect on the seven-year-old. She started to calm down, her breathing slowing and her tail, which had been stiff and bristled, now loosened up, the fur laying flat again. It swayed from side to side slowly, as if waiting for...something.

"Well?" asked Ladia again. Volkai looked at her. "Is she or is she not?"

"I cannot tell," said the red fox, his tails swaying softly in contentment. That spark of power had excited him.

"She is not the child," said Bao-Hadir firmly. The other two looked at him questioningly. "She may be my daughter but she is not kitsune!"

"I'm your daughter?" asked Ranani quietly. The others looked at her. The fox Bao-Hadir broke away from the other two and strode over to her. He stopped just in front of her and lowered his head.

Ranani, after a moment of hesitation, tentatively stretched out her hand and placed it between his ears. She rubbed slowly and he murred in pleasure, making her giggle softly. His fur was so warm and soft, as if he had constantly rolled in hot dust since the day he was born. When she drew her hand away, he licked her palm gently, just once. Just like Abo.

"Aboridah?" she asked softly.

"I am him, and many more. Aboridah is just an anagram, a jumble of letters that form my name. I am Bao-Hadir. Hadir my name, Bao my clan. You, Ranani Masters, are my daughter. Fear not." Ranani had shifted uncomfortably on the couch after hearing the words before. If he had not commanded her to be unafraid, she probably would have covered her eyes and ears to block out the kitsune's words. "You are still the daughter of Derek and Yumi Masters. However, because of the deal I struck with your mother, you are now also my own daughter. Not of my blood but of my power, my magic. My tail grows from your rear." Ranani reached behind her and wrapped her fingers around her tail, pulling it around to the front and holding it in her palms. Hadir pressed his nose against it and the appendage gave a heavy pulse, recognizing its original owner.

Ranani gasped in pleasure as her tail rippled with power, sending energy coursing up and down her spine. It was an all-encompassing energy that sent pleasure to every part of her, mind, body, and soul. In an instant, she had gone from feeling as though this Bao-Hadir was a frightening stranger to seeing him as he really was: a black fox who didn't and would never intend her harm. She felt closer to him now, though she was unsure why. A single word popped into her head, and she spoke it aloud.

"Kitsune?" she asked quietly.

"Later. I will explain all later."

Hadir drew away and smiled up at her. The fear in Ranani's eyes was gone, replaced with a kind of devotion that Hadir had not seen for over four hundred years. If all it would cost him were another tail, he would gladly give up another one to receive that look again. She was not bespelled, oh no. She was completely of her own will. However, she was now bound to him in ways that transcended space and time, as he was to her.

He lapped at her chin then turned away, moving back to the other kitsune. The white one glared at him suspiciously, but the red one grinned.

"So this little girl is why you haven't returned to the Realm," said Volkai with a laugh. "I can't say I'm surprised. She's a sweet young thing. I'm happy for you, my friend."

Ladia glared at Ranani. She broke apart from the others and stalked towards her. Hadir leapt in front of her with a growl of his own. Ladia returned the noise but stopped moving. Her yellow eyes flashed dangerously.

"Let me pass, Bao-Hadir," she said fiercely.

"Only if you give me your fox-word that you will not attempt to harm her in any way." His eyes turned colder, like a blizzard in the arctic.

Ladia stared Hadir in the eyes, forcing power into her gaze. Hadir returned the stare, adding his own might to the contest. After a few moments, Ladia broke eye contact, shaking her head. "Fine, fine. I give you my fox-word that this little...will not be harmed. Now let me pass!" She held her insults in check. The black fox slowly stepped out of the way, keeping his eyes on the female, though a kitsune is bound when they give their fox-word.

Ladia moved slowly up to the girl and sniffed her. Ranani held very still, not wanting to provoke the fox into harming her. There was a light ripple of power and Ranani gasped. A light feeling, as if she were floating in the sun's rays, overcame her senses. It was so warm and friendly, as if God himself were smiling upon her and breathing warmth over her soul.

Then, quite suddenly, the feeling disappeared. Ranani's eyes shot open, though she didn't remember closing them, and stared at the sight before her. Hadir had Ladia on the ground, his paws on her chest pinning her to the floor, his teeth held against her neck, not breaking the skin, but a reminder that he could do it. Ladia's eyes were wide and she barely breathed, her body unmoving.

Hadir rolled backwards suddenly, releasing his grip on Ladia mid-roll, sending her flying without him to anchor her. She soared across the room and collided with the wall. When gravity finally pulled her away from the wall, she hit the ground hard with a loud 'thud'. She didn't move. Hadir turned back to Ranani and looked up into her eyes.

She had but one question. "Why?" she asked. That feeling...It was the most intense of all energies. She wanted to scream at him, but something stopped her.

For answer, Hadir pointed one of his tails at Ranani's lap. She looked down and stared. Her tail, normally a shining black, had turned ash gray. She looked up at Hadir questioningly.

"She was trying to use her magic to convert you to the side of the Heavens. That would, in turn, change me into a Heaven as well. I had to stop her."

Ranani had no idea what he was talking about. Weren't the Heavens a good thing? Didn't his refusal of the Heavens make Hadir, her "father", evil? She didn't know. Did she want to know? That was the question.

As if he could read her thoughts, Hadir shook his head. "I am not evil, Ranani. Some of the things I do may seem so, but I assure you, I shall not resort to such practices. I give you my fox-word." Ranani looked doubtful and he gave her a disarming smile. "When a kitsune gives his or her fox-word, they must keep it. It is almost impossible for a kitsune to break that oath."

Ranani bit her lip, but said nothing. What was there to say? She nodded slowly and Hadir turned away, moving back to the red fox, Volkai. The larger fox looked down upon the smaller and they pressed their noses together. Ranani could feel...something...building in the air, making it hard to breathe, hard to think, hard to do anything but sit and stare.

Suddenly, the power dissipated and the two foxes broke contact. Both looked satisfied while Ladia, climbing painfully to her feet, glared at the two as if they were a pair of little boys and she their big sister. Raw fury seemed to radiate from her as she stalked towards the two males.

"I'm going to kill you, Bao-Hadir," said Ladia softly, pure, unadulterated hate oozing from her voice. Her power flared about her as her tails fanned out perpendicular to her body. She bared her teeth as her eyes glowed. "I'm going to kill you and feast on your corpse," she continued, louder this time, her voice dropping almost below the feminine level. Her body swelled, the illusion that had made her less intimidating to the humans falling away.

Power pulsed from her tails in waves of color, wiping away the room, the couch, everything. Nothing was left but the trio of foxes, the unconscious boy, and the Masters family. All was blackness, save for the creatures within. Ladia crouched down, looking into Hadir's eyes, growling. She had assumed her true form, the unbound fox shape. Her body was larger than Hadir's by tenfold.

Hadir looked up at her, no emotion showing. "So, you are challenging me, Ladia?" he asked tonelessly. He made no display of dominance, no show of power. He didn't act aggressive. He just sat there, looking up at her, tails having stopped their motions long ago.

"Yes!" cried Ladia. "I shall have my revenge for the theft of my Ball and the injury you have caused me. Do you accept, Bao-Hadir?" she asked nastily. "Or do you forfeit your lands to the Heavens?" She had him now. If he refused the challenge, his lands were forfeit. If he accepted, she could easily kill him...

Or so she thought.

"I accept."

The power forced into these words speared into Ladia. She screamed, a high-pitched noise of pure agony, as invisible blades were forced into her, leaving no visible wounds but causing intense pain. They cut through the tendons on her legs, making them collapse. They sheared through the muscles in her tails, causing the appendages to fall limp. She lay bowed before Hadir, who hadn't even moved during all of this. He looked down upon her massive head with a look of utter disgust.

"You thought you could defeat me?" he asked, his voice empty of emotion. "You are in my territory." Ladia's eyes widened. In her rage, she had forgotten that. "My power is doubled within my realm, Inari-slave. You would do well to remember that. Be gone!" At this last, pure anger showed plain on his face. He turned his back on Ladia and struck the ground with all six tails.

Power radiated from the strike, swirling around Ladia. She cried out in fear, then a wave of blackness rose up from the ground, engulfing her. After a moment, the darkness disappeared, taking Ladia with it. The only evidence that something had been there before was a large scorch mark, as if a giant creature had been burned to ash. The blackness that had surrounded everyone faded away, leaving the Masters family's living room the same as it was before the short battle. The burn mark had been in a different realm.

The humans sat speechless. Ranani shook with fright. She had felt the massed power that had struck the white kitsune. Had felt it in a way she had not known before. It was exciting...and frightening. Why had she felt it? Was it because of her "father?" Was it her tail? A million thoughts rocketed around in her head, each one trying to rationalize what she had felt. Wait a second, thought Ranani. I don't recall ever hearing the word 'rationalize'. What's happening to me?

Hadir huffed through his nose in a light laugh. "She really thought she could defeat me," he said softly, a hint of humor in his voice. He looked back upon the humans and half-human. Derek and Yumi seemed to be frozen in shock, while Ranani watched Hadir with a slight smile, stroking her darkening tail softly. He shifted his gaze to Volkai. The red fox was chuckling softly, tails wagging with pleasure.

"Does this mean you are coming over to the Void, Hadir?" asked Volkai hopefully. Hadir chuckled.

"No, my friend. At least, not yet. I don't know which side I shall choose. Not even the gods could predict which I will choose. Give me some time to train my pup and we shall see. However, you are cordially invited to visit my home in one week's time. I hope to see you there."

"Heh, ever the gentleman, eh Hadir? Fine. I accept your invitation, on condition that you have those delicious sushi rolls you served at the Birth."

"Of course I will."

Volkai grinned, his shining white teeth showing for just an instant before he disappeared. Hadir shook his head and turned back to the family. By this time, Yumi had slid out of her husband's lap and had stopped crying. Her eyes were carefully neutral, though Hadir could smell her worry. Derek had his eyes closed, taking deep, steadying breaths, trying to keep his cool. Ranani, however, was looking expectantly at the little fox. He chuckled and walked over to her, then leapt onto the couch and into her arms. He lapped excitedly at her chin, cheeks, and ears. The latter he also nibbled upon a little, leaving small red imprints on the sensitive flesh.

Ranani giggled as she held him in her arms, squeezing him in a deep hug. Hadir let loose a loud yip of pleasure and pain as she nearly crushed him. And for just a moment, they were simply master and pet, human and fox, friends...

"Happy Birthday, my daughter," whispered the fox.

Then the moment was over...

Well, that took a while. In all truth, I decided I might as well end this chapter before I got too deep into it. I'll save all the really good stuff for the next chapter. Don't expect it anytime soon, 'cuz I've been having computer troubles. Stupid POS Windows 98. Anyway, it means a lot when people comment on my stories. I like feedback. Also, I do like receiving non-Spam e-mails, so if you wanna ask me something or send a personal comment, e-mail me and I shall reply! That is all.