A Fox's Alliance (American Kitsune Book 10)

by Brandon Varnell

  Looking up, Kevin discovered a pair of breasts hanging in front of his face. He then looked up further, into the concerned eyes of Camellia, whose childlike innocence had never shown more clearly than it did now.

  “I’m fine.” Kevin took Camellia’s offered hand and stood up. “Did you help me?”

  “Um!” Camellia nodded joyfully. “Camellia used her new technique to get Kirikiri off Kevin-kyun.”

  “I see… wait, new technique?”

  “Hawa!” Camellia looked quite proud as she placed her hands on her hips and thrust out her chest. “Camellia calls it the Hawa Kick!”

  “Don’t take someone else’s technique and replace a single word to make it your own!” Kevin shouted.

  “Hawa…”

  “Wow, Stud. You’re tsukkomi is coming along nicely. Have you been practicing?” asked a familiar voice.

  “If I have been getting practice, then it’s because of the stupidity happening around me,” Kevin barked as Iris and Lilian entered the living room.

  “Oooh, I love it when you scold me so fiercely.” Iris’s eyes gleamed as the broad grin on her face widened. “Scold me some more, Stud. Let me really have it.”

  “U-ugh…” Kevin blushed and looked away. “Why is it that I can never win with you?”

  Iris crossed her arms. “Because you might be a stud, but you’re still a brat. That means you’re a hundred years too soon to defeat me in a game of wits and words.”

  “Don’t feel too down, Beloved,” Lilian soothed him. “I’ve known Iris since we were born, and I still can’t beat her.”

  “I guess,” Kevin sighed, then paused, and then looked at Lilian and Iris more closely. “Why is your clothing so disheveled? For that matter, why does your hair look so messy?”

  Indeed, Lilian’s and Iris’s clothes were a wrinkled mess. It looked like they’d knotted their clothes into a ball before putting them on. Their hair was also in complete disarray, with strands sticking up all over the place, almost as if someone had roughly run their hands through them.

  Kevin suddenly deadpanned when he saw Lilian blush. He looked at Lilian some more, and then looked at Iris. The girl was wearing a proud and satisfied grin of content. He focused back on Lilian.

  “You two were making out, weren’t you?”

  “M-Mistress Iris! Mistress Lilian!” Kirihime blushed a bright shade of red.

  “Yes,” Iris said shamelessly, proudly even.

  “Sh—Iris cornered me!” Lilian cried out, tears in her eyes. “She pushed me up against the wall and violated me with her tongue before I knew what was happening! Kevin, you have to protect me from this shameless harlot!”

  “Damn right I am!” Iris laughed.

  “I’m sure you enjoyed it,” Kevin determined, his expression stoic.

  “Y-you’re so mean, Beloved.”

  While Lilian pretended to be injured by his words, Kevin was well aware that Iris would never do anything without Lilian’s permission. That was part of their agreement. It was also an agreement that Iris had made on her honor as a kitsune. While kitsune were pranksters in nature, they never broke a promise.

  “Hawa.” Camellia tilted her head. “What’s ‘making out’ mean, Kirikiri?”

  Steam started pouring off Kirihime’s fire truck red face. “I-I’ll tell you later, My Lady.”

  “Hawa.”

  ***

  Dinner that night was made by Kevin and Lilian. Unlike Kotohime, who mostly cooked traditional Japanese cuisine, they’d decided to bake pizza. They already had the ingredients, and pizza was actually very easy to make once you knew how.

  “Kevin?”

  Kotohime never showed up. According to Kirihime, her sister was on a mission with Mack, though he didn’t know what. While missions were never classified, Kotohime wasn’t the type to speak about them. Kevin understood. He’d seen the swordswoman return home, sometimes really late at night. She always looked exhausted and, occasionally, even defeated.

  The war is wearing everyone down, I guess.

  “Hello? Earth to Kevin?”

  Kevin thought about the war a lot these days. He tried not to, but it was hard when there was always news coming in about one city or another coming under attack. Going on missions helped ease the anxiety he felt about the war, as helping others gave him a sense of purpose, but whenever he returned to Neo Seiryuu and regular school life, it became difficult to cope.

  “I’m naked.”

  “What?”

  Kevin turned to Lilian, who wasn’t naked, upon hearing her words. He blinked several times, then frowned at her.

  “Don’t say things like that unless you’re really naked.”

  “Why? Are you disappointed?”

  “Yes.”

  His answer caused Lilian to beam at him, her bright smile blinding in its radiance.

  She could easily outshine stars.

  “I could strip if you want?” Lilian told him. She was currently wearing pink pajama shorts, which rode high on her hips and exposed a good portion of her butt cheeks, and a spaghetti strap shirt that revealed a rather generous amount of cleavage. Every time she moved, her breasts would sway. If she bent over, then he would be able to see her breasts on full display. She didn’t wear a bra, after all.

  Kevin seriously considered the proposal before shaking his head.

  “No. If you stripped naked, then we wouldn’t get to sleep until early tomorrow morning… and we have to wake up early tomorrow morning, so we wouldn’t be getting any sleep.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Lilian’s shoulders slumped. “Too bad. I wanted to have sex.”

  “Is that all you think about?”

  “When I’m with you.”

  “You’re always with me.”

  “Then yes, that’s all I think about.”

  Kevin chuckled softly, causing Lilian to smile. He turned around and pulled the redhead into his arms. She didn’t resist. Tucking her head under his chin and wrapping both her arms and tails around him, Lilian buried herself against his body, as if she wanted to meld with him. They remained like this without speaking for a long while.

  “Read for our adventure tomorrow?” she asked.

  “More or less.” Kevin sighed, breathing in Lilian’s scent. Strawberries and vanilla. She had changed her shampoo after coming to live in Neo Seiryuu. “With everything that’s happened, I’m kind of an old hand at this now.”

  “But you're worried.”

  It wasn’t a question.

  “Yeah.”

  Lilian didn’t need to ask what he was worried about. Iris. All void users went through a trial to see if they had what it took to control the Void. Those who couldn’t control it, those who lacked the will to subdue it, were consumed. Kevin had interrupted that trial, so Iris’s ability to control the Void was incomplete. She also didn’t have anyone around who could teach her, which meant she had no guidance and was basically floundering around in the dark.

  “Don’t worry about Iris.” Lilian kissed the underside of his chin. “She’s a tough girl. And if she ever does lose control, then I’ll use my celestial powers to subdue the Void.”

  “That’s only going to work for so long, though,” Kevin muttered. “She’ll eventually have to face the Void again.”

  “And we’ll support her when that time comes,” Lilian said, her voice brimming with confidence. “We need to have faith in her. My sister is strong.”

  “Hm, yeah, you’re right. Thanks.”

  “Ufufufu, you’re welcome.”

  Kevin and Lilian shared a smile. Their eyes met. If it was truly possible to drown in another person’s gaze, then Kevin knew he would have been a dead man. He couldn’t escape from Lilian’s viridian eyes, nor did he want to.

  Lilian’s hands slid from around his torso to his neck. She tilted her head up while he leaned down. Kevin slowly shut his eyes. He could practically taste Lilian’s lips. Just a little further and—

  —Kevin’s thoughts crashed to a
halt when a pair of naked breasts pressed against his back, followed by another set of tails that coiled around him and Lilian. The breasts were a little damp. Whoever they belonged to had just gotten out of the shower. That said, only two people he knew walked around naked, and only one of them would do this.

  He opened his eyes and turned his head. Smiling carmine eyes set in a face that oozed sex appeal smiled at him, peeking at him from over his shoulder.

  “IT’S REEEAAAAPPPP TIME—OOOF!”

  Blue eyes followed the mighty red tail as it smacked Iris in the face, sending her straight to the floor.

  “… Ow.”

  “Thank you for that,” Kevin said.

  Lilian’s response was to smile. “Anytime.”

  ***

  Kotohime arrived home late that night. The artificial sun had been turned off, casting the world into twilight. No stars twinkled in the sky. They couldn’t reach this place, and Daven had thought it would be a waste to create artificial starlight with their limited resources.

  The complex that she lived in with her family was one of many that littered Neo Seiryuu. It didn’t look much different from any other apartment complex in the human world. The large building stood over her, a tall structure made mostly of steel and glass. It was a little more modern in appearance than the complex they had lived in before.

  When Kotohime entered the two-bedroom complex, she noticed that someone was still awake. Lights emerged from the living room, and she could hear the sound of the TV playing some kind of show. After divesting herself of her geta sandals, she wandered further into the house, toward the source of the noise.

  Her sister was sitting on the floor, her legs spread out in front of her, watching TV—a hunting show. How predictable. Camellia lay on the ground, her arms and legs spread wide in a posture of childish laziness. Her head rested on Kirihime’s lap, and the maid’s hands idly stroked the five-tailed kitsune’s raven-colored hair.

  “Hawa-hawa-hawa-hawa-hawa… hawa-hawa-hawa-hawa…”

  Kotohime felt the drop of sweat slowly drip down her temple.

  That snoring…

  “Kirihime.”

  “Ah, sister!” Kirihime greeted her with a smile. All the while, she never stopped the gentle, tender ministrations. “How was your mission?”

  Kotohime grimaced. “Not well. Even after all of the investigating we’ve done, we’re no closer to discovering the location of the prison where the Sons and Daughters of Humanity are keeping the yōkai they’ve arrested.”

  It was something that Daven wanted them to do. However, finding the location seemed to be impossible. There were just too many places for them to store prisoners, and without having access to the Sons and Daughters of Humanity’s database, there wasn’t much they could do. And unfortunately for them, obtaining access to the database in question was proving to be impossible.

  The Sons and Daughters of Humanity had several bases located within Phoenix. She, along with Mack and a team of yōkai, had been raiding each base they discovered, hoping against hope that doing so would give them a lead to follow. So far, though, everything they’d done had been for naught.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Kirihime’s ears drooped.

  “It is fine. I am sure that we’ll eventually find and free those yōkai.” Kotohime decided to change the subject. “I heard from Monstrang-dono that Kevin-sama, Lilian-sama, and Iris-sama will be going on a mission.”

  “Yes. They’re traveling to California, to meet someone called Kuroneko. Lord Kevin didn’t say much more than that, but I get the feeling there’s a lot more to their mission than what he told me.” Kirihime frowned a little. The concern she showed for the three made her smile.

  Kotohime knew who Kuroneko was. A nekomata information broker and one of the Four Saints. If Daven had been in charge of keeping the newspapers from revealing the existence of yōkai, then Kuroneko had been in charge of the news stations. She was also somehow acquainted with Kiara, though Kotohime didn’t know much about their relationship. Either way, Kotohime could make an accurate guess about her charge’s mission simply by knowing who they were going to meet.

  “So, I see.”

  “Are you worried about them?”

  “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t.” Kotohime set her sword on a rack in the living room. It was a standard display meant for katanas. “Kevin-sama, Lilian-sama, and Iris-sama are still very young, and though I do not deny that they are capable of protecting themselves, especially if they stick together, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t worry for them.” She paused, then turned to face her sister, presenting her young sibling with a smile. “Still, I have faith in them as well. They’ve all grown a lot, so I know they’ll be fine.”

  “Yeah.” Kirihime’s smile matched her sister’s. “I guess you’re right.”

  “Ufufufu, of course I am right. Now then, I believe I shall get ready for bed. This last mission was far more trying than usual. Make sure you also get some sleep. Do not stay up too late, Kirihime.”

  “Kay. Good night, sister.”

  Kotohime left her sister to her television. Knowing Kirihime, she would fall asleep right there while watching her show, Camellia lying on her thighs like they were pillows.

  Instead of journeying to the restroom, Kotohime made a detour, appearing before her charge’s bedroom door. Slowly opening the door and entering the room, she silently walked up to the bed.

  So adorable…

  All three of them were cuddled together like a bundle of fur and limbs. Kevin lay on his back, while Lilian and Iris had taken his left and right side respectively. Four tails, two blacker than midnight and two a fiery red, lay across the trio of youngsters like an additional blanket. Lilian had buried her face into the crook of Kevin’s neck, breathing in his scent and mumbling something about “tail jobs” in her sleep.

  Iris was using his shoulder as a pillow. Her breathing was deep and even. She looked more at peace now than she had when they were living at the Pnevma Estate. While a part of that was certainly thanks to Lilian, Kotohime was certain Kevin’s presence also helped.

  Kevin-sama looks awfully comfortable.

  She wondered if Kevin was even aware of how his arms had wrapped around the pair, or if that was simply something he had done on instinct. She also wondered if the hand on Iris’s butt had been Kevin’s doing or hers.

  It was probably Iris-sama.

  Shaking her head in amusement, Kotohime left the trio to their slumber. She needed to get some rest as well. Those three were leaving early tomorrow morning, most likely, and she wanted to prepare a nice breakfast for them before they left.

  ***

  The next morning Kevin woke up to the wonderful smell of homemade cooking. He woke up the other two. After receiving a good morning kiss from Lilian and a bite from Iris, who decided it would be funny to nibble on his nipple, the trio got dressed and left their room.

  “Good morning, Kevin-sama, Lilian-sama, Iris-sama,” Kotohime greeted as he and his two sleeping companions wandered into the kitchen after being woken up by the scent of food.

  Kotohime stood by the dining room table with the poise and elegance of a yamato nadeshiko, a traditional Japanese beauty. Her long raven hair had been tied into a ponytail, which kept all but a few bangs out of her face. Doe-like brown eyes regarded the three with resplendent radiance, and a smile curled her pink lips. That morning, Kotohime had chosen to don a light blue kimono with flowing designs that reminded Kevin of a gentle stream.

  “Morning, Koto… hime…” Lilian yawned and stretched her arms as she plopped down in a chair. Kevin sat on her left, while Iris took the redhead’s right.

  “You got up early this morning,” Kevin noted. He was a bit more awake than Lilian, who smacked her lips several times. Iris had let her head fall into the table. Her hair was in disarray, and she looked the most irritated.

  “Of course,” Kotohime said as she set three servings of food on the table. “You three will be leaving toda
y. It is only natural that I see you all off with a good meal.”

  That morning, she had prepared something different from the standard salmon, rice, and pickled vegetables that she usually cooked. Pork with ginger sat on a rectangular white plate. White rice filled a small bowl, while steam wafted from another bowl with miso soup. It smelled heavenly.

  “I see.” Kevin paused long enough to smile. “In that case, thank you for the food.”

  “Ufufufu.” Kotohime raised her arm, hiding a smile behind the sleeve of her kimono. “You are most welcome.” She lowered her arm, clasping her hands, which had the effect of pushing her breasts together. “Now then, please enjoy the meal that this humble maid has prepared for you.”

  “Humble, huh?” Iris muttered as she grabbed her chopsticks.

  “You ready?” Lilian asked Kevin, grinning.

  Kevin returned her grin. “Of course.”

  They pulled apart their chopsticks, sucked in a deep breath, and—

  “Itadakimasu!!”

  —started eating.

  Iris rolled her eyes. She loved her sister… and Kevin, too, she supposed, but sometimes, their nerdiness really annoyed her.

  “Damn weebs,” she grumbled to herself, silently eating her food.

  ***

  Neo Seiryuu had its own parking garage.

  Kevin and his companions entered through a large set of steel doors, which closed behind them. They walked along the concrete path, the echo of their footsteps bouncing around them as they passed all manner of vehicle—most of which they had, uh, commandeered from the Sons and Daughters of Humanity during raiding missions. Along to see him, Lilian, and Iris off were Kotohime, Kirihime, Kiara, and Camellia.

  “I wanna drive the tank!” Iris declared, pointing at the massive behemoth in question. It was an M1 Abrams, a third-generation tank named after General Creighton Abrams. Its tan exterior gleamed in the low yellow lighting. The gigantic barrel sticking out of the turret and its many other armaments gave it an intimidating appearance. Kevin still shivered upon remembering how they’d almost been killed by a tank.

  “We’re not taking the tank,” Kevin told Iris.