I was Betrayed then Reincarnated as a Kitsune

Chapter 310: Back on the Road

As the night was coming to an end, and mine and Tamamos fun was done, we sat on the edge of our bed with our heads leaning on the others.  In order to not be tempted to just continue our previous activities, the both of us decided it would be good to be at least a little dressed, so Tamamo put on that strange oversized shirt she got at one point while I used illusions to make myself a white button up shirt with sleeves that were just a tad bit too long.  Honestly, the effect the things we were wearing were almost having the opposite effect we wanted, but with our time almost up, it was manageable.

Hey Tamamo.

{Yes Luna?}

Do you want me to head straight for the dragon island?

{Before I answer, why are you asking?}

Because I know myself, and I know that, even if Im looking forward to coming here permanently, I know Ill stall for as long as I can before actually doing so.  I feel like if you say yes, itll motivate me to take the leap.

Tamamo sat there quietly for a few minutes with her eyes closed.  When she opened them again, she moved and pulled me into a tight hug.

{If youll allow me to be even more selfish than I was earlier, then I want you to hurry.  I know that this is probably not the answer you were expecting, but still.  I can give you as many reasons for why, but the truth and biggest reason is that I want to finally hold you close to me without the knowledge of our time together being limited.  And if you want a reason that isnt purely my own, then the best I can say is that there is no point in stalling the inevitable.  No matter what you do, youre so close to the end goal that pretty much the only thing you can do to stall is hole yourself up somewhere.  Sure, you could randomly decide that you no longer want to take quests from the guild, but that wont stop you from hunting monsters for one reason or another.  As for the golden apple, its just a bonus.  Youll get a tenth tail at some point in your life just by being alive, and I know for a fact that you wont keep me waiting for that long.  And besides, its not good for a person to stagnate their life just because they are too scared to take the next step.  All that will do is lead you to depression, madness, and overall just being exhausted with life.  I dont want to ever see you in that state, so please, take the next step and dont keep me waiting.}

I closed my eyes and smiled.  I nuzzled closer to Tamamo as her arms tightened around me.

Then once I leave here and we get ready to leave, Ill let everyone know.  Well teleport to the shrine, prepare for the trip, and go.  No stalling, no last minute sidetracks, no stopping at every insignificant thing that catches my attention and seems interesting.  Also, you should know that I love this selfish side of you just as much as the reserved side.  In fact, you should be like this more often.

{Ufufufu.  Ill consider it.}

The two of us looked up at the sky and the two fox constellations that were dancing away with the setting full moon as a backdrop.

While it might not be the next full moon, I believe this will be the usual sight in the night sky soon.

As soon as my body started to glow signaling that my time here was up, I made the two foxes in the sky take still positions surrounding the moon.  The final picture that I saw was the moon with two foxes chasing each other with the moon in the middle.

{Ufufufu.  I look forward to it, my lovely Luna.}

As Tamamos words fell into my ears, the glow fully enveloped me, and my vision went dark.  When I opened my eyes again, I was laying on the bed in Skadis manor.  I breathed in a deep breath and let it out before moving.  When I got up and stretched, I canceled the illusion shirt I was wearing and made another illusion of my normal clothes.  I looked around the room for anything that I had the chance of accidentally leaving and once I was done with that, I walked out and shut the door behind me.  I walked over to the lounge that we always hung around in to find that most everyone was there.  The only one missing was Ophidia.

Ophidia still asleep? (Luna)

No actually.  She got up really early and left the manor to do something.  She said shed be back shortly, so all weve been doing is waiting for you. (Skadi)

Hmm.  I wonder what she went to do? (Luna)

Probably some last minute harassment of the city leaders nya. (Mio)

I didnt thin she was still holding a grudge about that. (Soleil)

I think she just wants to be petty and rub her and Skadis relationship in their faces. (Velvet)

Thats an understandable thing to do. (Luna)

So, while we wait, whats the plan, Luna? (Velvet)

When Ophidia gets back, we teleport to the shrine, get our things in order, and start on our way to the dragon island. (Luna)

Oh.  Thats a surprising decision coming from you. (Skadi)

Tamamo and I talked about it before I got back which helped me decide the plan going forward a bit. (Luna)

Speaking of dragon island, do you know where it is, Skadi? (Soleil)

No. (Skadi)

Then are we going to have to find it ourselves nya, or is Goddess Tamamo going to tell us nya? (Mio)

{Im going to tell you where to go.  Im not going to just tell you about the place and then let all of you struggle to find it.  After all, if I did that, my Luna would take longer to join me.}

I smiled at Tamamos words.  Shortly after that Ophidia returned with a content smile.

My work is done. (Ophidia)

What did you do? (Skadi)

Just made sure that the warning I gave those old people stuck. (Ophidia)

Alright. (Skadi)

Ophidia, is there anything here that you might forget?  While I know you can just pop back here if there is, itd be easier if you dont have to. (Luna)

I have everything, master. (Ophidia)

Then lets go. (Luna)

We all gathered together, and Ophidia and I teleported us to the shrine.  When we arrived, the sensation of air hit us.

Last night aside, actually feeling air again is weird. (Luna)

Yeah.  Though it was easy to forget, its been a while since any of us actually felt air. (Velvet)

Feels good nya. (Mio)

Big sis, your tails. (Soleil)

Remember Soleil, as long as Im not walking around a city, no more hiding them.  Especially since were not staying here long. (Luna)

Right. (Soleil)

We discussed anything that we might need, and I sent the others to go and get them while I went to tell mom the plan.  When I passed by some of the shrine staff that Ive known for years, they stopped what they were doing and stared at me.  I couldnt help but feel a small sense of satisfaction seeing their reactions and hearing what some of them were saying when they thought that I was out of earshot.

It feels somewhat good not hiding anything.

{I bet.}

When I arrived in front of moms office, I opened the door and walked in.  Moms paperwork has diminished even more since the last time I was here to which I was quite happy about.  At the moment, mom and Ana were sitting at the small table drinking tea.  When they looked over when I came in, their faces immediately turned into ones of shock.

L-Luna, what happened to your tails? (Amagi)

I got an eighth one.  How do they look? (Luna)

Stunning. (Ana)

(Amagi)

I have an idea of what youre thinking, mom, and I agree a little, but Tamamo also likes it, so Im with her. (Luna)

*Sigh*  You look beautiful, Luna.  But why arent you hiding them? (Amagi)

Because its time not to.  Of course, not in big cities like the capital, but here is fine.  Especially since were not staying long. (Luna)

How long are you staying? (Amagi)

Well leave at the latest tomorrow, but most likely today. (Luna)

So soonLuna, come over here and sit. (Amagi)

I did as mom said and sat next to her.  She then pulled me into a hug.

My little Luna, I know that this isnt the last time were seeing each other, but I feel like the next time we do, youll be one step short of ascending.  Ill tell you this now, and again when the time comes, but I want you to know that you are the greatest thing to ever happen to me in my life.  Im so proud of the woman youve grown into and I look forward to seeing what you achieve in the future. (Amagi)

I felt tears falling from my eyes as she tightened her hug.

I love you mom.  Thank you for being there for me when I needed it and Im so happy that I am your daughter. (Luna)

As I hugged mom back, I could hear quiet sniffling behind me.  It seems this emotional moment touched Anas heart.  As this moment dragged on, the door to the room flew open and dad stood there with slight panic on his face.

Amagi, how did the shrine staff learn of Lunas secret!? (Deacon)

Because Im not hiding it here anymore. (Luna)

I like the new look. (Deacon)

Fufufu. (Luna)

*sigh* Deacon, just sit down over there.  Ill leave you for now, so let me know when you are about to leave. (Ana)

Deacon, I dont know whether your timing is perfect, or you just have a penchant for ruining the mood. (Amagi)

Sorry. (Deacon)

Dont worry about it. (Luna)

Dad sat down on my other side while trying his best not to touch my tails.

No offence, but its kind of hard to sit with all of this now. (Deacon)

None taken.  It can sometimes be a pain for me as well. (Luna)

So, how was it like in a merfolk city? (Deacon)

Really Deacon?  Thats what you ask her?  You can clearly see that shes almost done with her journey and you ask what a merfolk city is like.  Unbelievable. (Amagi)

Of course.  Luna knows what I would say and while I wouldnt mind saying it, I dont think its necessary.  Sure, things will probably be different if she was ascending at this exact second, but since she isnt, Ill save my words for when she does. (Deacon)

*Sigh*  Well, what was it like, Luna? (Amagi)

Big.  About the size of two of the capitals of this country.  Had a big colosseum that was for chariot races. (Luna)

Did you see one? (Deacon)

No, but I did get a favor out of someone that will most likely guarantee me free seats for probably life. (Luna)

Poor guy, they got the worst part of that bargain. (Deacon)

Not really.  We helped him first. (Luna)

Any other fun stories? (Amagi)

Skadi was the centerpiece of a citywide festival. (Luna)

Heh. (Deacon)

I continued to chat with my family for a bit when the others came back.  Once everything was prepared, we grouped up and left the shrine.

Chaos Realm:

Atmos: Well this is annoying rawr.

Fenrir: If you don't stop that, I'm going to smack you.

Tamamo: I agree with Fenrir, it's getting old.

Atmos: Fine.  But I'm still going to do it when Luna and Soleil are around.

Tamamo: Have fun with their retaliation then.

Atmos: I'm looking forward to what they plan on trying.

Fenrir: In other news, Tamamo, are you sure you aren't pushing Luna to be too hasty?  I get that you've waited for a while for her to get to this point, but still.

Atmos: Bad Fenrir.  Stop trying to make Tamamo regret her decisions.

Fenrir: That isn't what I'm trying to do.  Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that you are being less reserved, but are you sure that it's good for Luna's mental health?

Tamamo: I am.  She said it herself, if I didn't push her to continue straight away, she'd find ways to stall for as long as possible and end up in a less than good state.  And besides, this is also a good thing for you, Fenrir.  With Luna ascending, that means Mio will be more free to visit you.

Fenrir:...That's a good point.

Atmos: It's times like these that I remember how good at manipulation you are, Tamamo.

Tamamo: Whatever do you mean, Atmos?  I don't remember manipulating anyone.

Atmos: I said nothing.