Chapter 60: I'm a Youkai... specifically, a kitsune!

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Issei couldn't shake off the profound unease that gripped him as he pondered over the fact that the girl possessed knowledge of his true identity as a dragon. It puzzled him to no end, and he found himself consumed by an insatiable curiosity to uncover more about her and the reasons behind her uncanny awareness.

What intrigued him further was the girl's unusual scent, a peculiar amalgamation of fragrances mingled with faint tinges of demonic energy. This only served to intensify his fascination and fuel his burning desire to understand her better.

When Issei extended the offer to feed her, he witnessed disbelief flicker across the girl's countenance. Moments later, however, her eyes met his, a mixture of trepidation and desperation glistening within their depths. It was as if she teetered on the precipice of accepting his help, yet her fear remained palpable, intertwined with her desperate need for assistance.

Without hesitation, Issei strode purposefully into a nearby restaurant, closely followed by the girl. A quiet hum of curiosity enveloped the bustling establishment as he selected a corner table to occupy.

The girl hesitantly took her seat across from him, her nerves evident in the way she fidgeted restlessly.

The lingering glances from both the staff and other patrons spoke volumes, their whispered conversations revolving around the incongruous pairing of a seemingly tough individual like Issei with the delicate Miko girl.

Issei dismissed the surrounding chatter, fixating his attention solely on the girl who had captivated his interest. Genuine curiosity flickered in his eyes as he leaned forward, seeking to unravel the enigma before him. "So, what exactly are you? Not many people can discern my true nature as a dragon," he inquired, his voice laced with intrigue.

With a tinge of hesitancy, she responded in a soft, hurried tone, "I'm a Youkai... specifically, a kitsune."

Issei's initial reaction was a mix of disbelief and incredulity, which almost caused him to burst into laughter. 'Another furry animal girl? Why does this always have to happen to me?' he thought, feeling an exasperated wave wash over him.

Summoning his composure, Issei repeated her revelation, his words dripping with genuine surprise, "A kitsune?"

The girl's uncertainty was palpable as she replied, her voice slightly trembling, "You know, like a nine-tailed fox? Surely, you've heard of them. You are from Japan, aren't you?"

Internally, Issei couldn't help but bemoan his luck. 'Out of all the places I could have ended up, I had to choose the one with a furry fox girl loitering outside! Red is probably rolling with laughter right now!' he inwardly grumbled, envisioning his friend's mischievous delight at the absurdity of the situation.

After a brief pause, a server approached their table, menus in hand, his expression betraying a mild sense of perplexity at the unconventional pairing seated before him. Yet, despite his evident curiosity, the server maintained his professionalism, skillfully refraining from making any overt comments.

Not wasting any time, Issei promptly placed his order, his voice resolute as he stated, "I'll have the Chirashi-don." The girl, still uncertain and seeking a semblance of familiarity, opted to follow suit, requesting the same dish. With a polite nod, the server retreated, leaving them to eagerly anticipate the arrival of their ordered meals.

As they sat alone, the atmosphere surrounding them seemed to take on a newfound gravity. Issei cast a serious gaze upon the girl, his curiosity melding with genuine concern for her well-being. His voice softened as he inquired, "So, what happened out there? Why were you crying?"

Tears welled up in the girl's eyes as she gathered her thoughts, her tremulous voice bearing the weight of desperation.

"M-my mother and several others...they were taken away by these strange men," she confided, her words laced with pain and uncertainty. "It's been hours, and I haven't been able to find her. I don't know who else I can turn to for help."

Issei couldn't help but release a sigh laden with a mix of both frustration and concern. "Do you have any inkling as to who those men might be or what their motives were in taking her?" he inquired, his voice tinged with an urgency to uncover the truth.

Shaking her head with a hint of despair, the girl replied, "No... I have no idea. Most of them appeared to be regular humans, but one of them... he was like you, a dragon. And one of them carried a distinctive sword."

Issei's eyes widened at the mention of another dragon's presence in the ordeal. His intrigue deepened, and he pressed on, "Can you describe this dragon? What did he look like?"

Her voice quivered as she recounted the terrifying encounter, her words carrying a chilling fear. "He was...terrifying. Tall and imposing, with a striking combination of black and blonde hair. His eyes, they were different colors, like a swirling storm. And he possessed an overwhelming strength. He defeated my mother effortlessly when those men descended upon us," she divulged, her voice trembling with both awe and fear.

Issei's concern for the situation intensified as he delved further, determined to glean any more information that might aid their quest for answers. "Did you happen to overhear any names or catch any clues that could potentially lead us to those individuals?" he probed, his voice dripping with a blend of curiosity and resolve.

A wave of empathy washed over Issei as he witnessed the girl's anguish, tears streaming down her face, leaving her utterly bereft and defeated. In that moment, the weight of responsibility pressed upon him, stirring a familiar sense of duty that he couldn't ignore. 'I can't just leave this poor kid alone... Why does it always seem to fall on me?' he mused, grappling with the magnitude of the situation.

Summoning his resolve, Issei sought to offer solace amidst the growing attention their conversation garnered from nearby tables.

He reached across the table, his hand gently resting on the girl's trembling one, his voice tender as he comforted her, "Please, don't cry anymore. I promise you, I'll find your mother. You're not alone in this."

The girl, overwhelmed with a mixture of hope and relief, looked up at Issei, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Y-you will?" she asked, her voice laced with a fragile optimism that clung to the hope of a reunion.

Issei nodded, determination flickering in his gaze as he affirmed his commitment, "Yes, without a doubt. We'll finish our meal first, and then I'll do everything in my power to track her down. But first, do you have any inkling as to why they would take your mother? Any enemies, disputes, or anything out of the ordinary?"

The girl's solemn shake of the head only served to deepen the brewing unease within Issei. Her words struck a jarring note, resonating with the weighty significance of her mother's position as the Youkai leader in Kyoto.

Issei's mind raced, envisioning the potential gravity of the situation they now found themselves entangled in. 'A political kidnapping? Not what I expected... Why does this sort of thing follow me around?' he grumbled inwardly, steeling himself for the challenges that lay ahead.

Mindful of Ddraig's counsel, Issei sought to extract more crucial details about the dragon the kitsune girl had encountered.

With a determined air, he posed another question, his voice laced with a sense of urgency, "I need to know more about the dragon you saw. Specifically, can you recall the colors of his eyes?"

A pause lingered in the air as the girl gathered herself, her tear-stained cheeks indicating the heavy toll the ordeal had taken on her. Finally, she managed to steady her voice and reply, "His eyes... They were distinct. One eye was a shimmering gold hue, while the other was a deep, haunting black."

Issei's heart skipped a beat, a chill working its way down his spine, prompted by the familiar names that echoed within his mind. 'Crom Cruach...' Ddraig's voice reverberated through his thoughts, shrouding the scene in an eerie aura.

The realization settled upon Issei like a weight, knowing that the formidable and enigmatic dragon of lore had somehow stepped out from the pages of myth and into their very midst.

Curiosity burned within Issei as he sought answers from his partner, unaccustomed to hearing the name "Crom Cruach" uttered in their previous conversations.

Eager to understand the significance of this dangerous black dragon, he posed a question with a tinge of urgency, "Ddraig, who is Crom Cruach? You've never mentioned him before."

Ddraig's response crackled with a palpable urgency, underscoring the gravity of the situation that lay before them. "Crom Cruach is a formidable and treacherous black dragon," he warned, his voice laced with concern. "If it truly is him that she encountered, then we find ourselves in a precarious position."

Disturbed by the implications of this revelation, Issei pressed further, his tone tinged with genuine concern, "But why would he have any interest in a Youkai leader? And how can we be so certain it's him?"

Ddraig chose his words carefully, his voice laden with a weighty caution. "I cannot say for certain, but we cannot dismiss the possibility of his involvement. Crom Cruach, like Albion and myself, possesses immense power. The last time I crossed paths with him, he proved to be a formidable adversary. We must tread with utmost caution and be prepared for any challenge that lies ahead," he explained, leaving no room for doubt.

Their conversation approached a critical juncture as the arrival of their food interrupted their discussion. Chaotic thoughts swirled in Issei's mind, knowing that every passing second brought them closer to potential peril.

He swiftly reached into his pocket, retrieving a generous sum of money, which he handed to the server along with a sense of urgency. "Please keep the change," Issei urged, his gaze focused and determined. "We have to leave immediately."

The waiter's surprise and gratitude were palpable as he received the generous gesture from Issei. His eyes widened momentarily, but he quickly regained his composure, bowing deeply in appreciation before making his leave, allowing the pair to delve into their abandoned meal.

Issei's focus shifted back to Kunou, his expression hardened yet resolute as he reassured her, "Eat swiftly, Kunou. We will find your mother."

Kunou, grateful for Issei's unwavering dedication, found solace in the determination etched across his face. "My name is Kunou, by the way," she offered, realizing that in their rush and distress, proper introductions had fallen by the wayside.

A smile tugged at the corners of Issei's mouth as he leaned in slightly, reciprocating the gesture of formality despite his rough exterior. "Issei Hyoudou," he replied, his voice warm and inviting, forging a bond amidst the trials that lay ahead.

As Kunou hurriedly consumed her meal, Issei's mind spun with the weight of the information he had gathered about Crom Cruach. The name reverberated through his thoughts, a constant reminder of the ominous threat that loomed over them.

The situation had taken an abrupt, perilous turn, igniting a fire within him that demanded immediate action. The urgency of the moment propelled Issei to devise a plan to find Kunou's mother and, if need be, confront the formidable black dragon himself.