In the Demon Realm

Yukihiro brought Kazuya, Inuko, Kasane, and Kenzō to a torch-lit square under the dark, starless sky. A grand castle with red lanterns and several golden roofs towered before them, defended by armoured green ogres holding clubs and spears. The castle had a golden banner, with the inscription “Foxfire Hotel”. The square was noisy, with many different kinds of yōkai roaming about, reeking of blood and rot. Their grunts and snarls echoed throughout the square.

Inuko blocked her nose with her hands, the heavy odour of blood affecting her sensitive canine lungs. Kenzō grimaced, disgusted by the demonic aura. Kazuya glared at the castle, clutching the pistol in his pocket. He realised they were in the Demon Realm, and this hotel must be the hideout of Kasai, the nine-tailed fox they hunted.

Yukihiro snapped his clawed fingers and enveloped Kazuya, Inuko, and Kasane into his purple smoke of burning wisteria scent again. When it evaporated, Kazuya’s and Kasane’s clothes had changed into a black suit and a dress fit for yakuza thugs. They also carried fox masks on their cheeks to indicate that they were vulpines and not humans. Inuko’s police suit was substituted by a beautiful navy blue kimono with yellow bolt depictions – the usual fashion of Raijin’s dogs.

“Wow, I look like my mom during our temple rites.” Inuko inspected her kimono, wagging her tail. “So cool!

“What was this for?” Kazuya, on the other hand, frowned. He didn’t want to cosplay as a yakuza, and especially a Kagenashi – the clan that killed his parents, as he believed.

“This is the Demon Realm, the refuge for the malevolent yōkai,” Yukihiro replied in his deep, seductive voice. “No one likes humans or policemen here, so you stood out. Now, if you want to save your friend, you’ll shut up and follow my lead.”

“Hey, choose your tone with my brother!” Kasane glowered at him. “And what’s with this black dress?” She swished the wavy edges of her dress disdainfully. “I want a thigh-length bodycon silken dress with wrapped, off-the-shoulder sleeves. I also need a pearl bead bracelet, a red collar necklace with artificial roses, and red shoes with thick heels, but not too high or it’ll be uncomfortable.”

Yukihiro chuckled and placed his palm on his face, blushing as he imagined Kasane in her suggested outfit. He snapped his fingers again, substituting her dress with the design she demanded. They moved towards the hotel.

“How do you know that bastard fox is here?” Kazuya asked.

“This is the best hotel only rich yōkai can afford, and the proprietress has an ogre army to defend it in case of an attack,” Yukihiro replied. “Due to a magical barrier, it’s impossible to teleport in or out of the hotel, so police yōkai can’t sneak in. And the proprietress doesn’t mind the filthiest clients if they have money. Therefore, it’s a haven for the likes of Kasai.” He took a cigar of burning wisteria out of his pocket, lit it with a purple foxfire spark from his thumb, and took a drag. “I’ve seen him here many times… long ago.”

“You mingled among such filth?” Kasane frowned.

“The proprietress and I go a long way.” Yukihiro smiled. “Before I met you_”

“Let me guess… one of your ‘countless’ exes.” Kasane rolled her eyes.

“Well, more of a fling.” Yukihiro blushed. He exhaled purple fumes reeking of burning wisteria and took another drag. “I’ve never had a girlfriend until you.”

“I’m not your girlfriend.” Kasane pouted and walked past him.

“You messed up, man!” Kenzō laughed at Yukihiro, whose nine tails had slumped at Kasane’s words. “We don’t talk of our exes and flings to a girlfriend.”

“‘We’?” Inuko smiled, raising her eyebrow at Kenzō. “Aren’t you my age? How many relationships could you possibly have had?”

“Dragons are irresistible, darling!” Kenzō winked, making both Inuko and Kazuya laugh.

The ogre guards let them pass after Kenzō claimed he was a fallen half-kami hiding from his father. The ogres didn’t suspect the others at all, because Yukihiro’s disguises on Kazuya and Kasane carried fox aura, while Inuko was Raijin’s dog. Thus, they walked into the demon hotel. They changed their shoes for local slippers and went to the reception desk. Several demons sat on the sofas in the vestibule, glaring at them. Kazuya noticed that most were ogres, wolves, foxes, or tanuki. There were some kuchisake-onna with their mouths covered, and a few nekomata hotel staff, whose sight made Inuko growl.

“Welcome to Foxfire Hotel!” A sly, throaty voice sounded from the reception desk. “I’m your host, Shintarō. How may I serve you?”

The friends looked at the desk. Shintarō was a chubby man with ruddy hair and a moustache, sly golden eyes, brown tanuki ears and tail. He smiled at them amiably, like a swindling merchant, but started when he saw Yukihiro. He recognised his mistress’ old client – his purple flames reeking of burning wisteria were unmistakable.

“Hello, kid!” Yukihiro grinned at Shintarō and exhaled some purple fumes into his face, making him cough. “I’d like a word with your lady.”

“S-She’s occupied with an important client at the moment,” Shintarō squeaked, coiling in fright.

“Tell her Ginrei wants her!” Yukihiro knitted his brows. “I don’t fancy waiting.”

“Y-Yes, Sir!” Shintarō ran off upstairs, shivering in all his limbs.

Kasane blinked at Yukihiro. She’d never seen him so beastly before. Even the demons in the hall were cowering.

“Ginrei?” Kazuya squinted at Yukihiro. Isn’t that his ancestor, who founded the Kagenashi Clan? And he called a 400-year-old tanuki a ‘kid’! – Something’s not right…

“Do you expect an 800-year-old fox to come down if I told her a 33-year-old twerp named ‘Yukihiro’ was calling?” Yukihiro raised an eyebrow at Kazuya. “We use all the resources we have, kid! That’s how you survive among demons.”

Kazuya’s frown deepened. He wanted to retort, but couldn’t figure out what exactly was wrong, so he opted to stay silent. Shintarō returned, followed by the proprietress – a tall, blonde fox woman with yellow eyes and eight fluffy golden tails, wearing a scarlet kimono with cherry blossom depictions. Her face lit up at the sight of Yukihiro.

“Long time no see!” She smiled coquettishly at him, shaking her hips. She stood before the counter. “What has brought you here, darling? Finally remembered your old Kinnoko?”

Kasane’s blood shot up to her temples. This vixen slut dared flirt with her man?! She slammed her hand on the counter, glowering at Kinnoko. The latter turned to her with a frown. Her fur bristled menacingly as she bared her fangs.

“What’s your problem, wench?” She snarled, eyeing Kasane from top to bottom. “You seem to be under 100 years of age. Remember your place!”

“My place is beside Yukihiro,” Kasane retorted, clutching Yukihiro’s arm. She raised her chin. “He’s mine!”

Yukihiro smiled, his cheeks flushing. He wagged his nine tails, flattered that Kasane was fighting over him.

“‘Yukihiro’?” Kinnoko blinked, her anger diffused by her surprise. She turned to Yukihiro and smiled. “Is that the name you go by these days? And look at you, getting a girlfriend! Isn’t she too young for you?”

A name he “goes by these days”?! Kazuya eyed Yukihiro with growing suspicion. And Kasane’s “too young for him”?

Yukihiro clenched his fist, irritated by Kinnoko’s chatter.

“I’ve no time for small talk!” He pressed his claws to her chin, sending her chills. “I know Kasai’s upstairs with you. Tell him to come down!”

Kinnoko opened her trembling lips to reply, but was interrupted by the loud thud of footsteps from upstairs. She brightened up with hope – her saviour was coming.

An overwhelming heat enveloped the room. The energy pressure was so strong that it made Kazuya and Kasane bend. They leaned on the counter to keep themselves erect, wincing in pain. Even Inuko, the half-yōkai of Raijū’s blood, yelped. Kenzō grabbed his sword and glared at the stairs.

A tall man with long, crimson hair and yellow eyes had descended. He had fox ears and nine scarlet tails, and was dressed in a crimson silken kimono. He was spreading the oppressive aura and carrying a sinister, predatory smile.

“Ginrei?” He chuckled, raising his eyebrows at Yukihiro. “What are you doing here, with humans and halflings?” He cast a glance at their group, seeing through their disguises. “You snatched Kinnoko away, and now you claim that you were looking for me?” He snarled at Yukihiro and bared his claws. “Duel me, old man! When I kill you, everyone will know Kasai shouldn’t be interrupted.”

Kazuya, Inuko, and Kasane gasped, not because they had found Kasai, but at his address to Yukihiro. He called him “Ginrei”? That was the name of his supposed ancestor, the guardian fox who fell from Inari Ōkami’s grace over 800 years ago. And yet, Yukihiro readied his claws, accepting both the name and the duel.

I can’t believe it… Kasane pressed her hands to her chest, staring at him in sorrow. He’s been lying to me, all this time?!

She believed she was dating a 33-year-old fox man, comparatively harmless despite his ties to the yakuza. Now, she discovered that he was older than 1000, the very founder of his yakuza clan, and a beast stained with the blood of countless innocent souls… including Lady Mineko, the woman who possessed Herbal Magic before her.