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Fateful Meeting

By XP Author

Iaisa stood and watched the gathered crowd. Despite the tiger's white fur doing little to let her blend in, no one really paid her any attention. She was pretty good at keeping herself inconspicuous and unnoticed when she wanted to. Right now, she just wanted to watch and see if the rumors were true. The white tigress was in Japan, in a small town in the mountains. While in Kyoto, she had heard an interesting rumor of a dragon-turtle that had taken up residence in the town. The locals even claimed it was _the_dragon-turtle, one of the four great protector spirits. Of course, most people just thought it was just the superstitions of country bumpkins, but Iaisa knew that the mystical was very real. Having never met an actual divine protector spirit, she traveled to the village to see for herself just how true the rumors were.

To say she was disappointed in what she found would be an understatement. Turns out the man was a dragon-turtle, but not one with any sort of divinity. He was just a hybrid. His name was Yoshitane Mikano, and he had somehow managed to convince the villagers that he had great powers to protect them. In exchange, he demanded young girls to satisfy his 'needs.' He wasn't very subtle with what that meant, either. He would pick one of the girls presented him, drag her off to the nearby shrine, and rape the poor woman. Iaisa was pretty sure the only reason he hadn't gotten half of the town pregnant was because of the notorious difficulty hybrids had with breeding.

Normally Iaisa would not bother with something like this after finding out. She was no stranger to rapists, after all. But during one of Mikano's demonstrations of power, actual magic had been cast. That got her attention. She had stayed around the town to see it again, curious just what was the source of this man's magic. It was obviously not his own. Thankfully, she did not have to wait long. Only two days later, the turtle was out of the shrine temple and making another grand speech to the crowd about how he would continue to protect them... as long as sweet girls were provided.

When the man raised his hands to prove his protection, she paid very close attention. The clouds overhead parted, driving the overcast sky away and letting the sun shine down upon the fields behind him. While he did this, steam and smoke appeared around the hefty reptile. She squinted at him. Something was strange about this. She got her answer when she looked not at him, but behind the little pedestal he stood on. Hiding a bit behind him was a small tanuki, the little guy actually the one casting the magic. There was a mark upon the small man's head, which matched the talisman hanging around Mikano's neck. "So he's controlling the little guy." She shook her head disapprovingly.

Once the turtle had selected his 'payment' from the village, a young doe that barely looked old enough to be called an adult, he took her back with him to the shrine. The building was a small one, with just a single room inside. Iaisa followed behind, more watching the tanuki. The little guy seemed quite unhappy about following the big turtle, keeping his eyes to the ground as he walked, almost dragging his tail behind him along the dirt. So he was being controlled, but his mind was not dominated. She was not sure which option would be worse. In any event, she had seen enough.

Putting her hand out, she slid the doors to the shrine open. The interior was fairly barren, even as far as shrines went. There was a pedestal for incense, a small bell, and some fairly basic furniture... and a LOT of booze. The tanuki sat to the side with the furniture, currently disguising himself as a pillow with the natural shapeshifting abilities his kind had. Though she could still sense he was there. In the middle of the room, Mikano had already started in on the poor doe he had dragged back here.

The turtle looked up, not stopping his thrusts to plunge his, admittedly impressive cock into the young woman. "Who dares interrupt- oh..." He smirked as he saw a pretty woman entering his shrine. "I don't recognize you. Did you come to offer yourself to me?" Naturally, he spoke in Japanese. Thankfully, Iaisa had spent many years learning the language.

She spoke it fluently... though still with a notable western accent. "Not quite. I heard rumors about a kami having shown up and went to see it for myself."

He grinned, thrusting himself deep into the woman. "A foreigner? I see. Is word of my power spreading that far?" He sat back a little and shoved himself so deep into the doe that she cried out... though not quite in pleasure. "You are more than welcome to watch as I use this servant. I may even let you join in."

Iaisa grimaced in disgust. "No. See, if you were actually a kami or yokai, I might have accepted that." She crossed her arms over her chest as she stepped further into the shrine. "But now I see you are just a pathetic lizard."

Mikano's smile morphed into a sneer quickly. "You doubt me?" He grunted. "Well, what can one expect from a foreigner? Begone from my shrine before I cast you out with my divine pow-"

The tiger interrupted him. "See, I know you don't have any. So that's not a threat." She glanced down at the woman still being roughly fucked in front of her. The doe had a pleading look on her face... between winces. It was hard to tell if it was pleading for help, or for Iaisa to stop angering the man she likely did believe was a kami. "And get your dick out of this poor woman."

He grunted, only shoving himself deep again and making the girl cry out in pain. "Or what? What can you hope to d-" He was again interrupted, though this time it was from a fist striking the side of his face. He reached up to touch his face, finding a trickle of blood running from his nose, staring at it in shock. "You... you hit me..."

She smirked, cracking her knuckles. "Look at that. You bleed just as red."

He growled, his anger turning to rage. "You DARE to strike me!?" His hand reached for the talisman still around his neck.

She tilted her head. "Going to have your puppet do all the dirty work for you?" The tanuki in the corner made a startled noise, but did not change his disguise. "Is the big, bad dragon-turtle afraid of getting his own hands dirty? Afraid that a mere mortal will_beat_ you?" She smirked at the irony of what she just said.

Mikano dragged his cock out of the woman all at once, making her yelp. He practically threw her to the side as he stood. "Leave us." He was quite tall, standing almost a good head over Iaisa. He did nothing to hide his naked body, letting her see not just the hard shaft, but the tough scales covering his belly. The hard turtle shell on his back had small ridges, not quite spikes, but clearly an addition from his dragon heritage. The doe did not question his command. She grabbed her clothes in her arms and made for the door quickly without even dressing herself. As she passed Iaisa, she gave the tiger a thankful and apologetic look. Once they were alone, the turtle balled his hands into fists. "I'm going to enjoy breaking every bone in your body. Once I'm done with you, no one will even recognize you were once a person."

She smiled, lowering herself into a fighting stance. "Come on then. Show me what you've g-" She never got to finish the taunt as he slammed a fist straight into her gut. The blow was hard enough that she was actually lifted off of her feet, only to crash back to the floor and start coughing and gasping for air. Just as she was pushing herself up, a scaled foot smashed under her jaw, snapping her head back painfully and sending her tumbling away.

The large man grunted as he stomped towards her. "What's the matter, cat? Where did all that brave talk of kicking my ass go?" She spat a gob of blood onto the floor, her jaw clicking a little as she moved it. As soon as she saw his foot from the corner of her eye, she lashed out at him, claws fully extended to slash at his shin. It struck true, but did little more than scratch the surprisingly thick scales covering him, another trait from his dragon side. He still instinctively flinched his foot back, only to bring it down and stomp on her hand hard enough to crush her fingers, making her scream in pain.

When the man leaned down, she rose quickly, smashing the back of her head against his jaw. That got him flinching and backing up. She lashed out again, this time trying to aim for the rather vulnerable and obvious cock still pointing in her direction. He managed to turn in time that her blow bounced off of his shell with a hard clunk. He backed up to smash his shell into her, pinning her against the wall and grinding back against her. The little ridged protrusions may not be spikes, but they hurt like hell with his bulk pressing them against her belly, chest, and face. He moved forward, only to slam back again, hard enough that he heard multiple cracks, only one of which from the beam her spine pressed against. Most were her ribs.

When he moved, she slumped to the floor, coughing and groaning. Her breaths sounded ragged and wet, blood drooling from the corner of her mouth and staining the snow white fur. She still tried to pull herself up, wincing from the pain. A hard blow from his fist sent her face crashing back to the floor, cracking off of the wood and leaving a smear of blood. Mikano grunted, reaching down to grip her by her long, white hair and yank her bloody face up. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you came here wanting me to beat you to death. You really should have just said that."

She groaned, forcing herself to focus her blurred vision on him. "F-fuck... you." She spat, spraying blood onto his face.

He flinched, but it did nothing more than irritate him. "Fine." He shifted to grip her head on either side. She gasped, reaching up to grab at his wrist with her good hand, trying to dig her claws into him, but she could not penetrate the tough scales. He growled at her, planting a foot on her back to pin her down. With a hard twist, her neck let out a loud CRACK as it broke. Her eyes went wide as her body jerked, shivering for a few seconds before going limp under him, her hand falling away.

He grunted, dropping her head to the floor, where it landed with a thump. "Stupid woman." He rubbed his jaw where her head had struck. It was about the only solid blow she had landed, and it was a little sore. "Hinumaru, clean her up."

In the corner, one of the pillows suddenly hopped up into the air. With a small puff of smoke, the disguise was dropped, revealing the tanuki. Though he did not look particularly happy with the task he was given. "R-right away, Mas~... ter..." His voice trailed off as his eyes went wide.

Mikano looked at the small man. "What?" He turned to see just what he was staring at, expecting to see some new person standing in his shrine. Instead... "W-what!?"

Iaisa rose from the floor in one smooth motion. She tilted her head a little, cracking her neck slightly. "So that's you're limit."

The turtle staggered back a step as he stared at the white tiger. Not only was she still alive and standing, but there was not a single scratch on her. None of the blood stained her fur anymore. And it looked almost as if her eyes had somehow gotten more red. "What the..." he looked at the tanuki. "Hinumaru! Deal with her!"

The tiger smiled, holding up her hand to show the talisman she had snatched off of him during the fight. "You'll have a hard time doing that without this."

"What!?" The man looked down, a hand pawing at the spot where the thing should have been hanging from his neck. How had he not noticed it missing? Gritting his teeth, he looked back up at her. "Fine. I don't know what the fuck you are, but I'll just beat you down and take what's mine back!" He clenched his fists and stomped forward towards her.

When he threw a punch... he hit nothing. She was there one moment, then not the next. He turned as she tilted her head, a taunting sneer upon her lips. "Not even a please?"

"Bitch!" He swung again, but again hit only air as she easily ducked under the blow. Along with the several that followed, avoiding each with such little effort that it was hard to believe this was the same woman he had broken the body of only a minute before. "Stand still!"

She reached up to catch his fist this time, halting it. "Okay." With a quick twist of his arm, the sound of his bones snapping echoed around them, making him cry out in agony.

He stumbled back several steps, gripping at his broken arm. "You BITCH!" He looked at the tanuki, who had just been staring wide-eyed at what was happening. "Hinumaru! Do something!"

Instead, the short man stood there frozen. "B-Byakko...?"

Mikano growled, turning back. "Useless." He stood up to his full height, trying to keep some bravado. "Fine then. What do you want? You want the raccoon? Take him. You want money? I'll give you money. You want me to leave the town? I'll leave. I've fucked all the cute girls anyway."

She shook her head. "No. I don't want any of those things."

He growled, speaking through grit teeth. "Then what the fuck do you wa-" His words were cut off as her hand plunged through his chest. She did not punch a hole through him, but her hand was still inside of his chest. He felt icy cold fingers moving unnaturally within him, his eyes going wide.

She gave him a malicious smile. "I want this." She yanked her hand free, ripping his heart out of him, again without leaving a mark on him for the effort. The thing beat in her hand wildly, dripping blood down her wrist. Mikano opened his mouth, but he could not find his voice. Blood drooled from the corner of his mouth as he stumbled back a step, a hand moving to where hers had been a moment before. His eyes rolled back as he fell backwards, crashing to the floor. He barely twitched as he died. Though even in death, he still had a raging hard on.

She tossed the bloody organ onto the floor, shaking some of the blood off of her hand. "Ugh. Disgusting man. Should have made your death more painful." She shook her head and turned her attention instead to the tanuki. "Sorry you had to see that."

The man seemed to snap out of his shock when she spoke to him. "Uh..." He blinked a few times, then suddenly hopped to the floor, only to fall to his knees, bowing so deep his forehead hit the floor, too. "P-please don't hurt me, Byakko! I-I am merely a humble servant!"

Iaisa quirked her eyebrow. "Byakko?" It sounded familiar. She had to think for a moment before it finally clicked. One of the four winds, specifically of the west wind. Another of the divine protector spirits, Byakko was supposed to be a white tiger. Though she had heard of it by its Chinese name, Baifu. Though she could see why someone might mistake her. A white tiger, a westerner, her rising after being beaten, and coming to smite a false dragon-turtle. She could not help but laugh. "No, no no. Stand up, little guy. I'm no kami or divine tiger."

The man nodded slowly, slowly getting to his feet, but still looking down. "Then... what... are you?"

She smiled. "I'm a ghost." That got his attention, and he finally looked up at her with curiosity. "Or spirit, or phantom, or wraith... depends who you ask." She shrugged. She crouched down a little to hold out her hand to shake... the one not covered in blood. "I'm Iaisa. A pleasure to meet you."

He gingerly reached a hand out, almost timidly shaking hers. "Hinumaru." When she pulled her hand away, she left the talisman in his palm. He looked at it with surprise. "This..."

She nodded. "Will no longer control you. Can you destroy it?" He nodded, clenching his fist to crush the thing. The moment he did, the symbol on his forehead vanished, making him wince. She smiled. "There you go."

He looked at the broken talisman in his hand. "What... do I do now?"

"What ever you want. You're free."

He blinked several times, still staring at the broken talisman. "I... I haven't been free in... a long time. I don't..." He shook his head. "I don't even know what to do with myself."

She let out a soft sigh, really feeling for him. "Well... what have you wanted to do but never could?"

He thought for a long moment about that question. "I want to... leave this place. See more of the world than just tiny farm villages and shrines."

That made her smile. "Well then." She held her hand out to him again. "You want to come with me?"

* * *

Iaisa and Hinumaru traveled. Not just around Japan, but farther. He had accepted her offer to see more of the world. During their travel, he learned about her and her unique existence as a wandering spirit. And in turn, she learned more about him. While he had all the natural abilities of a tanuki, his magical specialty was one she had never heard of. He was a tech mage, specializing in technology of all kinds. From clockwork to more modern technology, and even some that might be considered futuristic.

However, even just leaving Japan had been a dream, it was also a big step for him. They had only just gotten to China when he was starting to feel overwhelmed. Iaisa came up with an idea to help. She invited him to come to somewhere he could relax and just live for a while. Get himself accustomed to the world. Somewhere safe, run by a friend of hers. Sanctus Island.

Iaisa smiled as they stepped out of the private jet once it landed, Hinumaru following. He looked around. "This place is..."

She smirked. "Amazing, right?"

He nodded. "Yes. That... barrier we passed..."

The tiger's smirk grew. "Good eye. Yeah, it keeps the weather here always perfect. It also keeps the place from showing up on satellite scans. The perfect getaway." She looked up when she saw a trio of figures coming. "Ah. Here comes the welcome wagon."

Three people came close, two wearing the red uniform of staff. The third, an older mink with well groomed fur and greying hair, wore a very expensive business suit. He gave a big smile. "Iaisa! It has been a long time."

The tigress gave him just as big a smile. "It has, Vance. Sorry I haven't been by as much."

He looked then to the tanuki. "And this must be the friend you told me about." He gave a polite bow, switching to fluent Japanese as he introduced himself. "A pleasure to meet you. I am Vance Rannak, owner of this island and resort. Welcome to Sanctus."

Hinumaru gave a polite bow back to him. "Thank you, Rannak-san. I am Hinumaru."

The mink smirked. "No need to be so formal. You may call me Vance. A friend of Iaisa's is a friend of mine. And a friend to Sanctus." He held a hand out. "Please, walk with me." He lead the trio back towards the main resort building. "Iaisa tells me you are quite gifted with technology."

Hinumaru nodded. "Yes. I am a... ah..."

Iaisa nodded. "He knows of magic." Hinumaru was already somewhat aware, but she had explained to him all about how little magic was known to the outside world. She had even gone so far as to tell him about Noxumbra, the secret organization that served as protectors... of a sort. A kind of secret police force that stopped the more dangerous threats to the non-magical or mystical people of the world. He had even expressed interest in meeting one of those groups at some point. Though she did leave out that she was on... rocky terms with them, considering her status as a phantom... and some of her other proclivities.

"Ah... yes. I am a mage specializing in technology. Electronics and mechanical things especially."

Vance gave an approving nod. "That is very impressive. I have never heard of such a magic specialty before. Quite unique."

The tanuki laughed softly, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "Ah ha... I just like to tinker with things... when I'm allowed."

"Ah, yes. Iaisa did mention you had recently been liberated from a rather unfortunate situation. Congratulations on your freedom."

He nodded. "Y-yes. I owe her my life."

She rolled her eyes, but smiled all the same. "Nonsense. I couldn't stand by while some asshole pranced around playing god and kept an actual yokai as a slave."

Vance spoke up. "Well. You have my word that no one here will treat you as a slave, servant, or lesser in any way. Nor will we attempt to control you. You are a guest, and under our protection as such." He pursed his lips. "That said..."

"Vance..." Iaisa's tone was warning.

He held up a hand. "I merely wish to request the man's professional talents."

Hinumaru nodded slowly. "Oh. That's okay. I'm fine earning my keep here."

The mink shook his head. "No no. It's nothing like that. You will be welcome here should you say yes or no. In fact, I insist you be paid for your work if you accept. And trust me, I pay quite handsomely." He was arguably the wealthiest man in the world. At least among the top three.

"Okay. What is it you want me to do?"

Vance smiled. "There is a... server that I maintain. A forum, located in the more hidden parts of the internet. A place called D-Gen Cafe. Have you heard of it?" The tanuki shook his head. "Well, I'll tell you all about it another time. But we have had some issues with moderation lately. Nothing serious, but due to some extenuating circumstances, there have been quite a few... losses of late."

Iaisa giggled softly, knowing he meant that half of them had recently died in a rather spectacular blood orgy. She was there, of course. "I'm actually one of the mods, myself. Though with how often I travel, I don't get to watch it as closely as I'd like."

"Okay... so where do I come in?"

The mink smiled. "Well, I have come up with an idea for a permanent moderator. But implementing it is... let's say... currently beyond the scale of what technology is capable of."

The tanuki looked confused. "What?"

"He wants to make an AI moderator." Iaisa clarified.

"AI!? Like... you mean true AI?"

Vance nodded. "If at all possible, yes. Or the closest thing to it, at least. A thinking machine that can use reason as well as logic."

Hinumaru blinked. "Is... that even possible?"

The mink shrugged. "I don't know." He turned a dazzling smile to the short man. "Would you like to help me find out?"

He let out a breath. "I... I don't know. That would be... quite a task..."

Vance nodded. "I understand. Please, take your time before you come to a decision. And should you choose to say no, then I will accept the answer as no, and leave it at that."

Hinumaru nodded slowly. "O-okay... it would be... really something to do though. I'll think it over."

"That is all I can ask."

Iaisa looked to her friend. "Did you ever come up with what you were going to call it?"

He smiled. "Yes, actually. Casian were suggesting some 'leet' names, but Veronica actually came up with a much better idea. I shall name him after my old rival and good friend, Sir Michael Killgrave."

The tigress smiled wide. "Ah! That's perfect. Mike would have loved that. A fine way to honor your old friend."

* * *