A small intimate location

[Junan]

It had been a week, maybe longer since they had fled the temple. Junan had used the gold to purchase a small home, it wasn't much, but it was enough. He'd half-by forced the previous owners to sell it of course, however they had received enough money to be able to find other accommodation for a short time and enough money to buy a much nicer place. Junan's knowledge on how much things were worth were rather warped. In the bank in Cloud he had vast wealth for his work as a shinobi as well as the money he gained from the organization. Two separate accounts of course under two completely different names. Though that didn't help him here.

So the previous occupants had left with a couple of bags each with their stuff and what memories they could carry, and otherwise the small two bedroom place was all his.

Well.

His and Tails' place anyway.

There was a bed in one room, the other looked like it had been an art room, though this was quickly changed as Junan had destroyed the contents, telling Tails to do whatever she wanted, the small amount of money left over he placed on the bench for Tails to be able to use as she wished, chances were she'd need clothes and the like. Still Junan had locked himself away in the spare room and had remained in there for the first few days, there would be sounds coming from there, the only time he was quiet was seemingly when it was night time.

If Tails ever ventured into the room during the day she would find it unable to be opened, but if she attempted at night she would find the shell of what seemed like a smallish humanoid was being constructed, but with meticulous detail. The texture of it was firm, but not hard, and fibrous, almost like that of muscle.

On the fourth evening the money would have all gone from the counter, whatever it had been used for it was gone. Tails likely having used some for clothing, though she would have noticed some going missing overnight on occasion as Junan used some to purchase the materials he needed for his puppet.

Eventually the sounds stopped though, and another pile of money was found on the counter. Any access to the room completely gone, any calling for Junan would be met with a period of time as his response.

Finally that period of time had ended and Junan left the room, he looked for Tails and there was some excitement in his gestures and voice as he asked her to follow him.

Standing in the doorway to the second room was a boy, his white hair the texture of a wolfs, the tails swung behind him mimicking the movements of Tails' own.

I tried my best, but to do more than one tail is beyond my abilities at the moment. He said smiling and prodded the puppet.

Feel him, the texture is based on you but with the reduced softness due to being male it takes on a slightly rougher feel to it. The puppet smiled, a small friendly smile, the characteristics and features were completely different from the puppet Junan generally used. Junan walked behind him though and spoke Watch... he said as he slipped inside the other puppet, the entrance sealing up to show no signs of being able to open.

Junan was now the fox boy, moving his arm up he looked at his hand and then at Tails, even his voice changed, it wasn't the harsh overbearing on the brink of violence voice that Junan typically held. It was softer, like that of a boy in his late teens, not yet quite developed into a rougher fully developed twenty year old that his main puppet was based on.

So what do you think? This was as close to a gift, or praise, as Junan came. After all... imitation was the greatest form of flattery.

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Azusa thrived off attention and hated being alone.

In most cases, the Kitsune would have been starved from the lack of attention. Even negative interaction was still attention, and though she probably should have been thankful that her puppet of a master had kept to himself after they fled from the Aikayume Shrine, Azusa always wanted what she didn't have and was rarely satisfied.
However, there was something far more important at hand that kept her occupied; her appearance. Appearances were very important to the priestess (or exiled priestess as she no longer had her clan to attend to her), and though she no longer lived in the grandiose shrine, Azusa was incredibly stubborn and would do her best to replicate her lifestyle in Suna's Diamond District.

So of course she had used the money on proper dress and attire that she felt matched up with the personal image she had of herself within her egotistical mind. But even so, Azusa had always been surrounded by clan servants that would spoil her, leaving her basic life skills sub-par. And without any servants, the Kitsune had only herself to attend to her...and the results showed in small, but increasing, details over the course of the week; Her claws longer than she'd like. Her dress having a crease here. Her tails not as silk-like as they could be. A bang on her forehead not even with the rest. Her stubbornness could only cover up her inexperience so much. Hell, in being preoccupied with her own vanity, she had forgotten something as simple as food the first few days, having always had someone else to prepare that for her...

Not only that, but during the week she had seen them stalking her. Her clanmates, the Aikayume. Watching her from afar, judging how vulnerable she was or was not. Azusa could defend herself, and they wouldn't risk killing her. Clever and cautious creatures they could be...but the longer she remained away, the more desperate they would grow. The Aikayume always required a Priestess, and Azusa's absence was not something they could ignore. She was needed. Or rather, the blood within her was what was needed. The thought dwelled on her mind, at least during the times when she wasn't too busy debating which flowers went best in her hair...

And then one day, he had left the room he had almost always confined himself to. She hated herself for feeling it, but she couldn't help but feel eagerness at finally being called upon and not left to herself. So she quickly left her much-smaller-than-she-was-used-to room, to see what had apparently caused Junan such elation. And a question came to her mind;
...Surely he couldn't multiply or create more puppets like himself? "This is..." It had to have been what he was working on in the back room. Azusa was certain that no one other than Master and herself were here. And yet, it was hard for her to see the white haired fox boy as anything other than lifelike.

Azusa approached with a hesitant curiosity even before being invited to do so. "...So this you had spent so much time making? It is...not unsightly at all. Handsome, even." The Aikayume fed on the blood of their Priestess, so Azusa was familiar with everyone within the clan. She was certain this white haired boy was not among them; had he been, it wouldn't have taken her long for her to claim him as a personal servant of hers.

It was Azusa's turn to satiate her curiosity, and though she wasn't being as thorough as Junan had been to her previously, she was still eager at going over the puppet slowly. The smoothness of the 'skin', the texture of the hair, the feel and design of the tail all felt real enough to cause her to blush. Azusa couldn't tell the difference, and had she not witnessed Junan entering the puppet would never have even considered such a thing to be possible. "Without being traced, you could go anywhere or be anyone. I have never known anyone to be so gifted at doll playing." Azusa touched the puppet's sealed back, legitimately impressed, and was also gaining that much more understanding of who she was dealing with.

Which made her question how often this has happened. Did the puppet change forms as often as Azusa changed the trinkets adorning her hair? "...How much of the real you is left?" This couldn't have been his first time making such a lifelike puppet either, or he was simply a natural master at it...

[MFT]

 

[Junan]

She seemed to appreciate the puppet he had created. It was the first time for Junan where he had had someone to show his skills to, someone to spend time with which wasn't him tracking them, or receiving orders from them, or keeping them in their place. Yes... the few moments that had been spent together just now were the first minutes Junan had with someone where he wasn't working. His puppet making was a point of pride for him, one of the few things he felt he was truly skilled.

So her question caught him off guard.

I haven't created... I haven't created my original body. He took a breath. There was no sign of his being upset, just confused. The voice of the puppet was something he wasn't used to, and so as he heard himself speaking it seemed foreign, almost like someone else was speaking over him, just using the same words.

My body is under my house ready to be turned into a puppet. He looking at the back of his hands, tightening his grip, it was a new feeling this puppet. Nerves were perhaps the thing he didn't do well. He tended to give himself minimal nerve endings, enough so that he knew when there was pressure around his body, and he focused most of the nerve endings that he included in the puppets in the hands. He had learned how important these were during his early trials and his inability to hold anything, or breaking things by holding them too hard.

His answer was freely given, it wasn't something he dwelled on. The truth was that he didn't even remember his original name, Junan was the name of the main body he used, or the person who it had once been.

It was getting to a point though where the lack of aging on that puppet would begin to raise questions. As a puppet the body wouldn't age, it looked like a twenty year old, and Junan had had this for five years now. Perhaps another five years before questions would truly be made.

I am guessing that is what you were asking about. Or do you mean my personality? The internal me? Because none of that remains. He looked to Tails and smiled.

I was ten when I was changed to a puppet. That was ten years ago. I am nothing like the sniveling pathetic weakling I was back then. Back then I couldn't even pass the academy and had dropped out. He said as he decided to test some of the capabilities of the new puppet, the freedom of movement it had, the ability to be quiet with its movements. He was more or less going through standard combat motions against air, but as a new puppet he needed to understand its movements, its oddities, the nature of the abilities he had installed within it.

Now I have found that I can take most shinobi one on one. That was about as far as he was willing to go with that though. He was prideful, certainly, but he had never been up against a shinobi who was highly skilled. Or perhaps he had, but because he had beaten them he had decided that they weren't. There was significant self-doubt inside him. That was quite probably the last shred of the child he had once been. A tiny shred of a personality which had kept him from achieving things as a young boy. The shred which stopped him doing many terrible things, for that shred brought not only doubt, but fear.

 

[Muramasa Maya]

The Kitsune withdrew her hand as he began to calibrate the movements of his new form. Her curiosity, at least to touch, satisfied...but the Puppet's existence, him in general, still remained a mystery to her. And perhaps even to himself, as she was able to detect some uncertainty in him after her question. Or at the very least, something which stirred some thought within him or it when he dwelled on his original body and what it represented to him. A much more fragile self, or an image he seemed to have no lingering attachment to. "It must be convenient, to leave old weaknesses behind and have a new mask available as needed. Personally, I would not mind if you remained in this one while you remain in Suna." She spoke, leaning against the counter to play with the replenished stack of currency as she nodded toward him in his fox form.

It's smile caused Azusa to glance away though. In both appearance and voice it was totally different in comparison to his previous form, and In truth, Azusa found it extremely difficult to keep her guard up. That behind a cute face the snickering smile of his could still exist. It lacked the intimidation factor his original --at least 'original' to her-- form had. "Ten years old...No surprise that you are as you are. I will not pretend to understand what you went through, but it definitely gives you an edge over the average shinobi." Naturally, she felt this one easier to be around.

"...Speaking of which. I have a request." Truthfully, she had thought over her current position both here and within her clan and had come up with a solution earlier in the weak...but lacked the courage to interrupt the puppet when he was in his room during the week. But now that he was out, and in a more comfortable form? "You had told me before that as a...*ahem* pet, I would receive your protection. If what you said is true...I shall make use of that offer. It may give you a chance to break in that new...body." The Fox said.

 

[Junan]

He looked up and noticed that she had looked away from him. Though he didn't know why, he assumed it was something to do with the disquieting notion of his being able to put together a puppet which was so lifelike, something which allowed him to blend in with real people so easily. After all... how many others like him might there be walking the streets. He was completely off base, but that was what he thought it might be about.

The comment she made about it giving him an advantage over others confused him though. He was still so weak. He could beat most shinobi sure, but the serious shinobi, the ones who were Jounin, Sennin, Kage, they would all wipe him off the bottom of their boot. Her statement mixed with her comments about shinobi left him feeling disease.

She clearly had a bit to do with shinobi, as he did, but then... that meant that her problem could be more than he could handle. Still he couldn't let her see that doubt. His hold over her was fragile still, and he needed to keep that fragile thread, helping her in this way would strengthen that bond, place her deeper in his pocket as certainly as she was prideful. Her own pride would be the thing that he would bind her to him with, she would keep her word, but she might test him, and that might be what this was. If he died then she didn't belong to anyone. Yet she could only place him in harms way with people she didn't like, and she would know that he would understand if he were being tricked.

Depending on how tricky she was being of course.

Very well. So tell me about who or what it is that is threatening you. He found himself a seat and gestured for her to do so as well. Just not on a separate seat, but at his feet or on his lap, places where a pet belonged. Once she took her seat (unless she would ignore him, in which case he would tell her "Tails. Come." until she obeyed) he would gently run his fingers over her, petting her.

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Azusa watched the puppet's reactions. She was unable to decipher his reaction to her, but the fact that he had asked immediately for the details made her believe that his previous words and statements all held weight. For better and worse, as not everything he promised was favorable to her.

She watched him take a seat, and discovered despite his appearance and softer tone he was still more of the same as before. She played stupid towards his gestures...but when that didn't work and he actually called for her, she moved. Afterall, she needed him right now, and couldn't comprehend how such a twisted thing's mind could work or what would motivate an artificial body. But she wanted to make sure whatever value he placed on her remained, that he knew she still remained the prized treasure she felt she was.

So she moved to sit herself across the puppet's lap, her tails fanning out behind her as they often did when was either surprised or excited though she was neither. Playing pet when it was just the two of them didn't threaten her ego as much as it could have, and was overall a fair price to pay in exchange for guiding whatever strength the puppet held in place of her own.

"*Ahem* It may not be what you might think; I do not need you to...harm...anyone in specific. Master." The fox said, maintaining her stalwart posture as his newer hand brushed against her. "My Blood is sacred to the Aikayume. When you came to my shrine, you saved me...but took The Blood away from my clan. They will come to reclaim me before long." She continued. Already now, she's seen them here and there in the corner her vision. Azusa was able to handle herself, and they wouldn't risk anything that could seriously harm to her...But she made a mental note to worry less about glorifying her appearance and more about masking her appearance, but...yeah. Azusa was Azusa.

Some of her tails curled around to tap the side of the chair, and she continued. "So, I am going to give them my blood before they attempt anything reckless. Some of it. I would use your assistance to make sure they do not kill me, capture me, or otherwise try to take what I have left afterwards. And they will try...do what you must, just...do not harm the black-haired girl who was present before." Azusa continued, pausing to get the puppet's reaction to a request that equated to basically throwing herself at the wolf fox den. What she was planning was never done before, but she had no doubt how much she'd be able to defend herself after the transfusion, if at all. And even if she were successful, she knew her clan would be less than eager to only get half of their most sacred possession.

[MFT]

 

[Junan]

She didn't obey his first command, but he remembered being told that to scold an animal after they did obey, even if they hadn't before that, only taught them to not obey. So as she did obey, and sat herself across his lap, he gently pet her. If someone had walked in on them in that moment perhaps they would have come to the conclusion of lovers, one in the others arms, being gently pet while they spoke of their troubles. Yet, it was also the way in which one interacted with the family pet. Gently petting them, simply enjoying their company. The only real difference being that one was declared an animal, and the other human. Well Junan wasn't human, so he didn't care much for that aspect of how it worked.

First she clarified, she didn't need someone killed. Which was fine. She explained to him about how the Aikayume, whoever they were, valued her blood. He had saved her, but her clan, clearly the Aikayume, would come for it. He nodded his understanding of the situation. As long as her blood ran through her veins she was in potential danger. As he was going to leave Sand whenever he pleased this would mean that she would be attacked, and if they waited long enough he wouldn't be around to help.

Her idea, as she continued to explain, was to give them her blood, or some of it, and he would stop them from killing her. She was also giving him permission to do as he desired to achieve this. He nodded, the petting continuing as she finished, and as he then began to speak, voicing the questions he had regarding the situation. His voice was soft, relaxed, she was close so he didn't need to speak in a normal voice after all.

If they are all of the same clan as you then surely you share your blood and the attributes of it with someone else among them? Why must they have yours, what is so special about it? He asked, and he was genuinely curious, but before she could answer he quickly followed up.

Do not mistake me, I am willing to do this as you request, I have no problems with what you're asking, but, I don't understand what has happened here. I entered the temple and you were bound, so they were after your blood and wanting to take it from you before you came with me. What happened for them to need to do this?

It was the first time that she would have been asked by him about her past. They hadn't exactly spent much time together, but she would have spent enough time with Junan by now to assume he wasn't going to ask about this. If she hadn't raised this request then chances would likely have been pretty good that he would never have asked it. The reason of course was that he didn't care about her past, as far as he was concerned nothing that happened before they met mattered as far as their relationship went. This could be taken in many ways. After all, she could have been a murderer, a traitor to her family, he could have assumed the absolute worst in her, and simply accepted her for whoever she chose to be with him.

Still, something was going to occur, and it was happening now with him being asked to help. So he was wanting to know, in her words, about the events which led up to that night.

 

[Muramasa Maya]

The puppet pet her, but it was not...that unbearable, aside from feeling toyed with. Still, perhaps it was fortunate that this was just who he was. And that he never did anything that seemed outright intended to torment her. A small mercy, but it didn't fully relieve her of her reservations on the matter.

Once she got used to it, Azusa continued. It would be important for him to understand just how determined her clan would be to reclaim her, afterall. It was not a simple domestic dispute. "Transferring Blood within the Aikayume, my clan, is nothing new. I was given my Mother's blood, as she had been given her mother before her. And so on. It has been passed on for generations...That is what it means to be 'Priestess' of our clan. But it seems that my clan feels I..." Azusa hesitated to find the word. Failed? Did poorly? What would bring them to doubt her? She did her duty just fine. Her clan surely must have made a mistake in their judgement. Azusa could not wrap her mind around the idea of someone -anyone- being unsatisfied with her.

She skipped that part, and continued; "We do this to...remain ourselves. We have the blood of human and spirits, but it is not an equal balance. As an Aikayume's spiritual nature grows stronger, they-...we....lose what makes us humane. Or so it is said. I have never seen or heard of it happening, since this tradition has been carried down through my family for..." Azusa was poor at history, and often relied on her servant for such things. "...Generations." While lacking their blood wouldn't 'starve' them in any sense, it would certainly be the end of their current nature. The Aikayume can function as a clan within a village because of their humanity. Without it, their bestial nature would take over and they'd behave more like the Kitsune myths, forcing them out of the village at best.

"Those with The Blood of the main family can use it to keep other Aikayume's spiritual nature controlled. The stronger the blood, the longer it satiates us. My blood is special because it is...the purest and strongest in the clan. While my sister's blood could sate an Aikayume's nature for several days, mine could for months. When my mother passed her blood down to me, it purified my own, until It was time for me to do the same with a daughter of my own. The Blood strengthens each time its transferred...But Akiko is my sister, and can take The Blood from me for the same effect." Azusa finished her explanation, feeling that would be enough to explain what the situation was to the puppet, why it was important to her, and why they'd likely be attacked when Azusa tried to compromise.

"If I fled the clan, it would force my sister to constantly be a source of impure blood for my clan. But if I am caught, I will be killed and have my blood taken..." Both scenario's that Azusa could envision were equally horrible. Azusa had no desire to give herself up to a clan that she felt wrongly betrayed her; but at the same time, she was not selfish enough to condemn her sister to live her life as livestock. "...So I decided I would try to give my sister half my blood. Its power would weaken as a result...but I think this is the correct choice?" Despite her normal confidence, the priestess tone changed to almost that of a question, revealing some of the uncertainty she felt over the situation. "...There is nothing wrong with me wanting to live, right? It is...not selfish of me. If you had not interrupted, my clan would have betrayed me first...They should be thankful to me for even giving them the thought..." She knew her job as priestess of her clan was to protect their blood and her clan...But she wasn't a perfect model of self-sacrifice. And they had betrayed her first, so she shouldn't feel guilty over prioritizing herself, right? [/size]

 

[Junan]

She answered his questions, but her answers raised more questions for him. The issue was that he didn't understand the purpose the most basic part of the information he needed to understand what she was talking about, so she would need to endure his questions at least a little longer, and thus his petting.

He could sense the hesitation in her voice when she reached parts which were either confusing or things that perhaps she didn't want to admit out loud, for to do so would make it real. His hand had squeezed her reassuringly when she had reached those points, as if to say it's okay, I'm here now. Which although perhaps an unusual thing to think of as reassuring, he was the person she was turning to to help her out.

Even if you chose the other path Tails I wouldn't let you step down it. He said petting her in one of the more sensitive locations he'd found around the ears, a place he had noticed her seemingly having a more favourable reaction to when he had pet her previously.

It would be wrong to sacrifice yourself, there are always alternative options in this world and we will find one together, but I first need to understand how everything works. It was true. In his second container he had a vast amount of knowledge from one of the most skilled medical shinobi Cloud had ever seen. Though almost all of it was to do with jutsu it had also given him a seeming gift into knowledge on bloodlines and kinjutsu. Perhaps he could figure something out if he understood how things worked... or rather... perhaps the memories which once belonged to Isaki Kushin would figure something out.

Deciding to repeat a small summary of what he understood of what she was saying he would then continue with his questions afterwards. If one hadn't already judged him, they might think he actually cared.

So what I interrupted was their attempt to take your blood, to place probably into your sister, blood which came from your ancestors. This blood is used to maintain control over... urges? That word was said questioningly, but perhaps less as a question which needed to be answered, and more as one because he had sensed her own care in choosing words, perhaps he didn't want to insult her.

How does it work? Do they simply need to be near you, or is it that they take it in turns to drink some? He truly had no clue, but he felt that this might decide what they should do. If it was better to hand over all the blood then there might even be a way to do that... but if they did... what would happen to Tails? Losing her humanity wasn't exactly much of a loss, but it depended on what aspects of her would be lost. If she would simply turn into a beast... well... that wasn't very good. However if she simply lost her care for others... that might even be of benefit. So he decided to ask.

When you said there might be a loss of what makes you humane... what do you mean?

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Her ears twitched subconsciously when he scratched around their base on her head. Especially behind them. Azusa was unable to fully resist keeping them from straightening out. She even smirked; a small little reward for having heard what she had wanted. The daughter of foxes loved to put on shows of confidence, but for all the bravado she was heavily reliant on hearing what she believed from someone (or thing) other than her own voice. A reassurance, if you will. But also a very real weakness.

Not one to disagree with agreement, she continued, verifying his understanding. "Correct. At this time, my sister and myself are the only ones capable of bringing out the full potential of this blood when it is in our veins. It just happens to be in my own...But it seems the clan desire to change that...I cannot understand that...I..I'm strong! Beautiful! Wise! A clan...any clan, should not be able to ask for a better face. And yet.." Azusa found herself digging her balled fists into her lap when she touched on sore subjects. Sure, Azusa was abit more headstrong than her sister, and thus more difficult to control. But then again, her clan had never tried threatening her by waving depraved toys.

The fox inhaled deeply, regaining her composure by explaining something else; "The loss of humanity...You had compared it to control over urges, but it would be more accurate to say it changes the urges themselves entirely. While the Aikayume are a close-knit family, one who goes without blood would not hesitate kill and eat their own family on the simple whim of an empty stomach. They are selfish, cruel foxes of hate and unable to empathize with anything outside of their own amusement. Despite how similar we are in appearance, they have nothing in common with the proud Kitsune of the Aikayume, so we call them Kumiho, and exile them from the clan and village before they are completely consumed by their depravity. They are no better than demons, really." Yes, the selfish and spiteful Azusa was calling something out for having said traits, which was saying something.

"...But again. It is very rare, and I have not seen it myself. All it takes is a small drink of my blood every few months, and the threat is ended there. It would only occur if an Aikayume had left Suna and was unable to return to the village for some reason...But they are all too timid to try leaving beyond the village, and content with protecting the Shrine. Before myself, it had even been years since an Aikayume had been a shinobi." The process was a sort of reverse-vampirism, and while their blood did have other, near-miraculous properties for those outside the clan as well, it was far more crucial to the Aikayume. "...The power of the The Blood...there is more to it that that, too, and it is not specific to the Aikayume. But I am afraid by splitting the Blood between my sister and myself, these properties might be lost."

 

[Junan]

He was deep in thought, this wasn't a trivial matter, and he knew that Tails was taking this very seriously. Still, it meant that he had to as well, and simply following her instructions as to how she wanted to handle it may not help the situation if he didn't. And he did want to help. She was his pet after all, and he had to make sure she was properly cared for. He would be both disappointed and annoyed if he ever found out that she were keeping other relationships hidden from him, he had made himself fairly clear on that (or at least he felt) the night that he had decided that she would be his pet, and as such he needed to try and make sure that the relationships he knew about would be in the best situation they could be.

This one being troublesome as it was both family, and it was also the life that she had known up until just before Junan had entered her life.

There might be a way in which you can pass your blood on without losing your life. He said, his knowledge... no... Kushin's knowledge of bloodlines told him this. The Chigokai clan was a bloodline with full control over blood. They could both empty her of blood and give her a full transfusion simultaneously. It would mean both parties would be happy... except for one question that he needed to ask.

If you were emptied of your blood... would you lose your humanity? Would you give up on your family, kill for food, consumed by your own selfish desires?

 

[Muramasa Maya]

The white haired fox shell had said something that pulled her away from her own thoughts. "...What?" Her head turned to gaze at the white haired puppet directly. He had the fox's attention.

Being able to properly transfer her blood to her clan without it ending her her death...Could such a thing be done? Her clan would be able to have the Blood they sought after, and Azusa would be free from being tied to them. But perhaps more importantly, just what would that mean for her? Born into the main branch with sacred blood of her own, Azusa had never thought about having to wear the same chains that bound the rest of the clan to their priestess.

...Though she didn't like the way he put it, her ears and eyebrows twitching from the possibly-unintended insult. "*Hmph* If what you said is correct, I would no longer have any of the Sacred Blood within me to sustain myself. I would need to receive regular doses from the new priestess to remain as I am." She shook her head to show her thoughts on that option. Azusa's pride would never allow her to crawl back to her clan to receive a blessing of her own...or their...blood. "...I...I cannot know how long it would be before I feel changes...or how strong they would be..."

It...brought a different worry to her mind. How could someone fight against the loss of what made them themselves? Was it something she could just endure through willpower? Would she just wake up one morning as someone else? Reciting history of her clan she had learned growing up to the puppet was one one thing, but having to face the possibility herself made the threat seem much more close and real.

Realizing that she was allowing her worry to show, she pulled a folded paper fan from her robes to hide her face. "But first and foremost I am Aikayume Azusa! Even among the Aikayume I am extraordinary. There...There is no guarantee that I would not be able to resist what befell upon others...right? More importantly, this all does not matter unless you have a way that can transfer blood with utmost care...I cannot allow risks to be taken with it..."

 

[Junan]

He pet her gently, he could sense her concern and it was the same as the question which he had posed based on her words. Her pride was showing, thinking that she might be able to resist it while no-one else could. It was... curious for Junan. How could someone have such confidence in themselves? He certainly didn't. If it were he in her shoes the rest of the clan could suffer, they had attempted to kill her, why should she even care about what they're doing anymore? He wouldn't. He would use it, wait for them to begun suffering, wait till they're at the precipice, that knifes edge where they know they're going to fall into this uncontrollable state, and then make them obey him.

That was how his mind worked. He wished he'd been given strength like that. He wished this while being completely oblivious to the fact that he had for pessimists do not see what they have, only what they don't.

I don't know any here, but there is a clan in Cloud who control the flow of blood, some can literally make people stand still, held captive by their own bloodflow. The Chigokai Clan. Hold on... he said as he gestured for her to stand. He moved and yet remained. The body that she was more used to remained seated in the chair, the white wolf puppet moving to the side, seating itself and then the head falling away lifelessly as Junan seemingly unconsciously moved it away to the side while his hand reached behind him.

As he found what he was after Tails would find his arm moving around her waist once more, and gently guiding her back to his lap, in his other hand was a scroll.

Unraveling it on her lap he seemed to come to the one he wanted, there was a red tear drop, a drop of blood, drawn at each of the corners. He summoned what was inside and there were two bones, thigh bones if she was capable of recognizing them. They were in a jar, and if she could sense it the jar was filled with a liquid infused with chakra.

If you have time... I could create another puppet and we could have that answer. It may take me some time to get used to their techniques, but... he paused, deciding not to share his greatest secret with her.

The man who had made him had placed a container inside him, inside the container were his memories of jutsu, and Junan was aware that the man was also a Chigokai. The time it usually took him to understand how a puppet worked would be reduced significantly. He would be able to master the bloodline quickly, a time which normally took months of practice, and usually a lot of observation.

That is... if you trust me. He said looking into Tails' eyes.

Of course her initial reaction would be that she didn't. But perhaps she would begin to realise he had done little but help her since they had met. Yes, he had in a way imprisoned her, he told her that she was his pet, but at not time had he harmed her, at no time had he assaulted her or made any kind of advances towards her. He had given her shelter, he had provided her with food, he was the reason why her clan were keeping a safe distance. Given enough thought, the lack of trust to Junan might even be questionable. Nothing he had done had broken his word.

With the puppet I can generate blood, if we keep a sample perhaps I might even be able to multiply that blood though I cannot promise that, it is not something I know about. However I am certain that with enough practice I could both empty and fill you with blood simultaneously.

How much time do we have? This was the question which mattered. In the end it was the question which would decide what they were able to do. To find a suitable body (Junan thinks of bodies like clothing, he wants to wear what he thinks looks good) then he would need time, to understand the bloodline itself would take time, if only days in this case, but to test out the ability to perhaps replicate the same type of blood... that would take longer. He would have to find test subjects, he would need to gain an understanding of blood, how it worked... some might come while learning the bloodline, but much would likely not. If they had months he could do it, if they had days... even the minimum would be a struggle.

 

[Muramasa Maya]

(Sorry, it took me abit to catch up on things. I'm back fully now though. Please enjoy your break!)

The puppet didn't seem to either confirm nor deny Azusa's self-hype, which made things difficult for her. He was generally quiet, only speaking what when he needed; and only saying what needed to be said. It was a sharp contrast to Azusa, who more or less loved the sound of her own voice and and needed to vocalize her thoughts to reassure herself. The most she got was some petting, which she could possibly take as some kind of encouragement if she really pushed herself mentally to. "..." She had doubts, sure...But more or less pushed them to the back of her mind with a sigh.

He began...changing...himself again, removing the white fox puppet as simply as she'd remove one of her shrine outfits. Azusa found the sight perplexing, yet interesting; as a lady of self-proclaimed refinement, she had always found puppet shows amusing growing up. She was disappointed he didn't change back into his canine-esque form before returning to his seat though; she found it much easier to approach that form, afterall. Alas, it wasn't her choice, and she obeyed.

Her vivid green eyes followed across the scroll her laid out before them, across her legs in place of his own. What he presented was a way forwards; a clan specializing in the manipulation of blood. "The Chigokai...A Blood clan." The fox repeated to embed it into her memory; although the Chigokai's abilities could be used to help her, and the preserved remains were something she could only assume would allow him to utilize said power, a clan utilizing blood could just as easily be a great threat to Aikayume's sacred blood. Despite Azusa being Azusa, she decided they were among things not to be underestimated.

With his method presented to her, he left the choice to Azusa. She was loathe to bring others into Aikayume affairs, much less allow an unknown power she lacked knowledge in be used with the sacred Blood in her veins. Her nicknamesake slowly swayed behind her in thought before coming to a conclusion; "...I can tell that you do not speak needlessly, so I do not think you would suggest the Chigokai's power if it was something you lacked faith in. I will trust you." The exiled kitsune spoke. She was already using his presence and what little was known about him as a shield against her clan, who wouldn't have hesitated in tracking her down if she were alone. Having his power in this situation was just another step in a direction she was already going. Besides, Azusa loved to have others do things for her; just normally she preferred to be the one in control.

"...We have...two months at the most. Less, if the Aikayume get confident...or desperate." As a whole, the Aikayume were not a shinobi clan nor prone to shows of strength. Azusa being their priestess was perhaps the only thing that could get them to move; but even then, they were more likely to use their wealth to get others to reclaim their Blood's host. Azusa felt that during the time the puppet needed, it would be best if hid herself and masked her movements. The more time her clan spent searching for her, the less they spent plotting how to steal her away from the puppet.

Furthermore; "Our greatest strength is that nobody knows what you are capable of, master. My sister is prone to exaggeration, so she likely told the clan you are an unharmable lifeless demon after she left us. As such, I would like it if you did not use any of your skills in public within the village; the less they know of you, the more they will fear you. And the longer we will have before they get desperate enough to risk conflict with you." Azusa was the black sheep of her family in her recklessness. The Fox Priestess gazed at her master with seriousness. "In return, let me help in any way that I may." Sure she was selfcentered, but Azusa was not unfair; she repaid those who helped her and she felt indebted to. A trait which brought her here in the first place. "I would like you to have as much time as possible to become confident in the Chigokai's power. I do not know how long the process will take, but if there is anything that I may do to hasten it, I will do so."

 

[Junan]

So they had time.

That was what he needed to know primarily, but he would have enough time not only to create the puppet but to be able to test it out and get comfortable with its abilities. Good, then things might go smoother than it could have. Of course the next thing he had to consider was what happened after they gained what they wanted.

There were many of them, they may not know what he was, what he was capable of, or whether there was a way to kill him, but he was sure that he wasn't the only reason they hesitated. To attack with the amount of strength they thought required to take him out risked killing Tails. She was needed alive, not dead, and so he was sure that their patience was in part due to that.

That and the time that they had to prepare was also time that this temple full of fox people would also have. They could plan, they could prepare. Tails was likely right, they were probably following them both with all their activities, studying them, figuring out when the best time to attack would be, when was the best time to make an attempt on Tails... and whether Junan would be aware of it or not.

Whether he would be aware of it soon enough to save her life and stop them getting what they wanted was likely the determining factor which stayed their hand right now.

We may have that amount of time before they need your blood, but we likely have less than this before you're attacked when not in my presence. I think we need to do something to stall them and make them feel the need to fear me more, enough that they will accept an offer. We've been lucky that they haven't acted on you when you've been separate from me already, perhaps we need an important hostage.

He looked at Azusa.

Would you like to take a quick trip home? Or do you have a better idea?

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Azusa's eyes narrowed into a squint, as they often did when something came to her attention. Not only was the puppet right in assuming she'd be a lower-threat target on her own, but it also made her realize something she detested admitting; she knew she'd likely be even more vulnerable afterward. Her blood was powerful, but a double edged blade, so she could only assume she'd lose her blessing as priestess of her clan, the special capabilities bestowed by her enhanced blood. But exactly just how much of a crutch her genetics played versus her personal skill, she couldn't say exactly...Or just how long she'd be vulnerable for afterward.

"...Tsk. What a troublesome clan, demanding such sacrifice from me. Let it never be said I am selfish or uncaring..." The fox scorned, raising her hand to rub her forehead and ease the headache these thoughts gave her. "...My older brother is the de-facto clan head...and also the Aikayume's strongest samurai. Capturing him would leave the rest of the clan in disarray, and open to negotiation. He is...stupidly proud; if I were to challenge him to a duel between him and I, he would not hesitate to accept, regardless of the conditions or location." Azusa spoke of a potential target. "...But I have never landed a single strike against him." The fox added with a hint of pride, as if boasting.

After a brief moment, she continued; " My younger sister --the vixen you had frightened away-- would be a safer choice; she is weak, but does not leave the shrine and is sure to be protected. She is the only one as compatible with my blood as, well, myself; in this case if the clan were to lose both me and her, it would be equivalent to binding one's hands behind their back."

"I can...obtain...my sister on my own, while you work on your...puppet. I would need assistance in claiming my brother, however." i.e. she was fine with bullying her younger sibling, but intimidated by the thought of going against her older one.

She left the decision to the master of strings.

 

[Junan]

So the brother sounded like he was out of the question, but the sister sounded far more like a target. Though Junan was interested in how she had decided that he was suggesting them as targets. He had actually thought that they might have been open to simply talk, to effectively discuss a means for both sides to win. Yet despite that she was talking about which was the best person to kidnap.

He smiled.

She was his pet, and clearly (in his mind at least) she was beginning to see things through the lens that she thought her master had. And that made Junan happy.

I would say that targeting your sister would be the best idea. If they're watching us then how do you intend on taking her out without being caught yourself? He asked her, voicing his concerns. The worst thing that could happen would be if she were to be taken by them without his knowledge, at least in his mind it was.

In his mind he figured that due to his being there they would opt to ignore normal protocols, ceremonies and whatnot to get what was needed sooner rather than risk his turning up as he had the first time around. This meant that if she were caught by some kind of trap and Junan wasn't made aware of it soon enough that she could be killed.

She was his pet, and he had promised her that he wouldn't let things hurt her. And he was a man of his word, just as much as she was. He just had a warped version of the world, that didn't mean that he was dishonest.

Perhaps we could simply approach them and talk to them? If we can let them know that we are working on a solution then they may simply let us. They will be sure to continue watching, but at least you wont be in any danger unless I were to attempt to leave before things were sorted out.

So in this instance it was Tails suggesting kidnapping, combat, fighting, and Junan suggesting the peaceful method.

Not that I don't like your idea my pet, but I feel that there might be more to risk that I would be willing. His hands stroked her skin and fur at specific locations which he'd found had positive reactions, his way of telling her that he valued her too much to be willing to risk losing her.

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Azusa perked up, finding satisfaction in her master's opinion seemed to mesh with her own preference of the two targets. Though he was stupidly good at finding just the right spots to release tension in her tails, having her ego stroked was by far more elating to her. Proud of having arrived to the same conclusion, her bravado fired up; "Ohohoho! Master, do not mistake my small build and soft skin for weakness. The wind spirits of this country favor no one higher than their Priestess. My voice, the enchanting song of gods and spirits. Besides; within the Aikayume -or the village itself- there are none that may outfox me. Pulling my younger sister out of her bed is no challenge." Her lips curled in a sly smirk of utmost pride in herself.

Her expression turned to surprise when he suggested a different course of action though. "...Speak with them?" Her green eyes blinked. She hesitated at such a simple solution,..but one that the fox priestess's mind easily skipped; as someone who always desired to have nothing less then her way, she had forgotten that 'negotions' were something that existed. Still, there were some complications she saw. "...Meeting with them will not be the difficult part, but both of us leaving would be. It is a sin to reveal the nature of The Blood to outsiders, and what happens to me is of no consequence so long as my blood can be extracted..." While Azusa was desperate, and and wanted to sacrifice neither herself or her clan, the Aikayume themselves had no reason to allow an outsider to use foreign Jutsu on their blood just to save someone they had reached the conclusion of exiling. It was even in their best interest if Azusa didn't survive the process.

Azusa sighed heavily as she attempted to piece together a solution, finding comfort in the puppets reassurance. She felt a twisted sense of satisfaction in being a treasure that should not be risked...

...Which actually caused Azusa's ears to rise, standing tall upon her head as an idea came to mind. "You have kidnapped me, and claim me as the valuable treasure that I am. In an effort to protect my clan from you, I selflessly offered my obedience in exchange for your help in transferring my blood to the clan before taking me from the village. A self-sacrificing heroine to be respected for sure." Azusa declared, "That will be our story. They would have a reason to go through with this unorthodox blood transfer to keep me alive, if it means keeping you away. Yes. A Clever plan for sure."

 

[Junan]

He listened to her answers, and her reactions to his suggestions. It seemed that the idea was one she could go with, though he found it interesting where her suggestion was taking her. The reasoning behind her plan was that he was going to be taking her away. Very well then. She would be joining him on the next leg of his journey.

The posters inside him, and with her desire to be so amazing at everything made Junan think. Perhaps that would be a good enough reason for her to justify to herself going. Junan certainly hadn't considered taking her with him... still it didn't matter either way in his mind.

Reaching inside himself he pulled out a poster.

I plan on going to Leaf after we finish our business with your clan. If you would like you could take part in this? He genuinely had no idea what people did and didn't want to do. He was simply passing the posters around the place as he'd said he would, and if Tails was coming with him out of the village at least this might keep her entertained.

Either way. You make the arrangements with your clan and I'll begin my preparations. We'll meet them and then we'll get this over with, and you will be free from your subservience to them.

That was how Junan viewed her previous arrangement with her clan. She couldn't travel, she couldn't do anything they didn't want her to do, she certainly couldn't risk her life. Imagine what would happen to the clan if she had died out on a mission as a shinobi, they would have lost their ability to control themselves and likely ended up slaughtered in the streets. Though he had made her his pet, he still viewed that as her having more freedom than she had had with her own family.

[topic left if allowed]

[OOC: Start up the next topic when you're ready, I figure we'll have a meeting with the clan, then do a time skip and then go through with the transfusion?]

 

[Muramasa Maya]

The fox watched as the puppet pulled some kind of paper from...somewhere, her eyes catching the bright colors and bold writing clearly intended to catch the attention of others for some sort of recruitment. "Hmph. As if I would have time for such trifling games. Still...someone putting such effort into a flyer would at least merit a quick visit; if I had time, of course." The fox spoke, her emerald eyes shining with a spark of interest that clashed with the apparent tone of disinterest in her voice.

"Perhaps some time away from the village is what I need; I have never stepped beyond the borders of the Wind. It could prove to be...enlightening." She spoke. Though...what would she even do with herself at that point? For her entire life she was raised believing that her duty was to be bound to her clan, and though she enjoyed her luxorious position within the Aikayume, never once had she ever thought about being separated from them. It was a daunting thought.

"Then, we both have work to do. Let us hope this blood puppet of yours has the power I need." She pushed thoughts on the future aside, as there was a very real hurdle for her to overcome before any transient dreams could be realized.

She did take the flyer with her as she left though.

[Topic Left too]