What is to become of me in the hands of the fox creature? With no real friend for aid or support around for galaxies, will I still survive after everything I have been through? The gang members have again taken all of my belonging from my bag. Now I am once more weaponless and alone. Escape is impossible with the guards around me all the time. Is this going to be the rest of my life? Trapped doing . . . Doing things a scientist should never have to do. Unspeakable events such as what I am doing now. Never has any scientist I have ever met been reduced down to this level of disgrace! Oh the horror! The terror! The water and the bucket and the scrub brush! Endless hallways of tiles with barely dressed women giggling at me behind doorways. Then the guards' prideful smirks as I slipped on the freshly scrubbed floors.

Not only have I been cleaning floors like a common maid, I have had to fold and wash everyone's clothing in the gang from guards to geishas! I don't just wash their outer clothing, I wash everything! I mean everything. . . I am having nightmares of dirty guard's underwear. Whenever I slip up on washing or fall into the wash tub Son appears and yells at me at the top of his lungs. He tells me to try harder or Kitsune will see me kill when she returns. I nod my head and always try not to ramble on about theories or formulas. I cannot take much more of this treatment. I swear I have been cleaning forever! How long have I been at the mercy of Kitsune's men? After all, Meo left for her clan about a half month ago and I haven't heard from her since.

I just know I am putting up the unsoiled wet clothing from the guards. My hands look like raisins and they are red from the hot water. I think I won't ever be able to make another data entry again, if I am lucky I maybe able to use my pinky fingers. Sighing I garb a hold of the clothing line and drape the clothing over it. I stand still to rub my sore hands on my white robes. I should mention that since I left Kitsune and was placed in the keep of Son. (She just happened to need to leave the teahouse for a while. She said it was something important. And it's been quite a while.) I have been dressed like a woman. Son had the guards throw this heavy headdress on me and white robs. It would seem that Kitsune thought I stood out just as much as Sage and Meo thought. So now I am dressed like a woman. What has my life come to?

"Get back to work, free loader! Our leader does not up with laziness!" Son hisses behind me.

"Yes, sir!" I answer. I lower my head as the crane creature circles around me with his cold eyes. Son reaches his hand over his head and I filch. He chuckles. If only I had my laser gun, I would shot that stupid face of his. With my eyes downcast, I scramble to continue to do my chore. Son hops off in the long courtyard playing a light tune. Huffing in annoyance, I grab the next dripping shirt and accidently slap myself in the face. That troublesome laugh of Son fills the air, "Pitiful free loader! Did you hurt yourself?"

I rub my redden face and sorely get back to work. Son comes closer to taunt me. He holds his flute under my chin. By avoiding eye contact with him, I hope he leaves me in peace, but no dice. Son's bill moves close to my face and spits at me. I shrink back from him. What have I done to upset Son so much? I have no clue. I just meet this guy recently. Maybe because I am human? Maybe because Kitsune told him to treat me this way? Or maybe he is just a jerk?

Son proudly shouts: "Yup, just as much as a coward as I thought. You are a spineless human just like the rest of them. I have seen more fearsome wet blankets then you. Whatever you came from before you were here you must have been completely worthless. You cannot even do simple chores right. You must be the most unintelligent person I have ever met. I have asked the guards and the servant girls what you do when you are not cleaning. They say all you do is stare out at the ceiling muttering numbers and junk. Are you dumb, free loader?"

I hardly blink as the spit drips down my cheek. Suddenly it is as if something snapped in my mind. My hand takes a life of its own, grabs the bamboo flute from Son, and cracks it. After baring my teeth, all my talk about theories and science stops. I firmly say, "It is true I may act like a coward. I may even seem spineless. But, sir, I am not unintelligent. I am not someone who speaks of nothing. I am a scientist and I have studied with the finest and brightest mind in the universe. I know more about the worlds, galaxies, and stars in my little finger then you could ever. You, sir, are an ameba! Now excuse me I need to get back to my chore."

"An ameba? What is that?" Son's small eyes widen. He holds up his broken flute, as I turn back around and wipe my face. I feel a swift wind just by my arm. Stun. I slowly look back to see Kitsune blocking me from a hit from Son. He bows before the Vitoz Gang leader. Kitsune motions her head for him to leave. Son gazes at for a second and runs off. Leaning close to me, Kitsune whispers from her mask, "Follow me."

I nod silently and try not to faint. Along the hallways and stairs, doors are opened and people go quite and they bow before her. Kitsune holds up her masked face with grace and her long golden cloak flowingly trails her. I walk slowly as Kitsune reaches a large oak door and pushes it open. I file in. Shutting the doors with great care, Kitsune pulls off her mask and massive cloak.

At the edge of the doorway, I study the room. Unlike the rest of the richly decorated teahouse and living area, this room is simple. There are a few large windows with white curtains fluttering in the breeze. A bookshelf filled with books with titles I cannot read. Something like a desk with papers and maps spread neatly across it, with a single chair. And tiny white bed off to the side. Even a nightstand with a vase with a single white lily. I must say I was expecting something much more, well more showy. Not that simplicity is a bad thing.

Kitsune reaches for her hair and pulls off her expensive hair combs. Her yellow hair cascades down and it falls by her waist. She begins to undress before as I quickly spin around and face the door. I feel my face burning with embarrassment. She calls, "Come now, Blue. You must have seen a grown woman's body before. I would say by your face you are around twenty one winters old."

"I-I haven't looked at a woman's body for more then research and educational purposes!" I begin to shout.

"Research, how very interesting. . . What type of research and educational purposes did you do?"

"What-what!?" I blurt, "T-that's none of your business!"

"Oh come now, Blue. I have done my fair share of looking at men. You see when you look at a man's-"

"Enough!"

"You can even have fun with a man by touching his-"

"Enough! Enough!" I howl.

"What? I was going to say when you look at a man's eyes you can see his inner nature. And when you touch his hand you can judge his line of work," Kitsune innocently answers. She forces me to spin around and discover her in a plain crimson kimono. She sweetly smiles and takes my hand to guide me over to her desk. Reaching under the desk, she presents me with a grand box. I puzzle over it and she nudges me to open it. I lift the lid and find a long black cloak and a dark blue kimono. I look at it blankly.

"I thought you ought to dress like a man now. You don't make a very pretty woman. That's why I have been gone so long. I had to special order these you see, since you are much smaller than the people around here," Kitsune happily pauses and reaches further into the box, "I also had a heck of a time finding these!"

I peer down at her hands and find a bag of brown berries. Kitsune flashes a grin as she holds one up and says, "You use one of these berries to stain your hair a different color. So since you have blue hair, I thought you would blend in with everyone by having brown hair."

"Uuuh . . . Thanks," I utter and fiddle with the kimono, "And thanks for stopping Son from hurting me."

"You're welcome." She sighs and strolls by the sunlit windows, "I hired Son for his translating skills and his musical talent. He makes the best right hand man for running this place. But his people skills are rough at best. He really doesn't mean to be so- so. . . "

"Cruel?"

"Exactly," Kitsune leans her head against the window. She laughs, "Are you going to change out of that outfit, or what?"

"Huh. . . Oh. . . Ahh, could you please turn around or something?"

"Why should I? What if I wish to see the view?" Kitsune beams.

"C-come a-again?"

"I am kidding," She points over to a hidden room divide along the side of the room, she smirks. I sprint with box in hand to it. Fumbling with the divider and nervous eyes, I manage to open up the divider. Behind the divider I abandon the cursed maid's outfit and to slip on the kimono. My raw red hands are hidden by the long sleeves and the length of it nearly falls to the floor. If this kimono passes for a man's clothing, it is not meant for running or fighting. I don't think it is going to offer me much in the department of escaping advantages. Oh how I wish I still had my pack with all my belongings. . .

"Well, how does it fit?" Kitsune asks.

I mutter about it being too long and wide. Kitsune merely brushes it off with a cute giggle and pulls me from out of the divider. Those copper eyes of her scan me from head to toe and she gives a firm smile. Carefully she pushes me into the chair by her desk. I feel a chill as she touches on my neck with her bare hands. She combs my blue hair out with her hands and groans, "It will be a shame to stain such rare looking hair, Blue."

"I-I happen to like my hair as it is! And on another note, I want my belongings back now! You hear me! I am done playing games with everyone here," I try to say in a firm tone, but it sounds like whining.

Kitsune moves into my sights and she frowns as she lifts up my hands. She stares at my redden skin. Kneeling beside me she holds them up to her lips and kisses them. I franticly break free and hotly shout, "I am not a plaything! I am not a maid! I am a grown man! I am, my dear fox creature, a scientist! I demand you set me free this moment and let me on my way to Meo!"

"Oh? A grown man you say. . . A scientist. . . The man from the stars claims to be a scientist, whatever a scientist of the stars does. And he demands his things back. Also, he no longer wishes to pay off his debt to me by labor. Even though I granted him a fair price to pay for freeloading in my teahouse," Kitsune seriously says, "Have I allowed you to be treated unfairly, Blue? Have I permitted anyone to lay a finger on you in your stay in my keep? Do you think me keeping your things is not right?"

"Yes-Yes- Yes! I think you have treated me terribly. I am a person of education and scholarly venture. I have suffered enough from those humans and their prisons. Now I have to act like a maid over some unpaid bill! I mean I had to wear a woman's dress! You have taken all of my earthly belongings against my will. I might as well be a slave here. I think you are the worst type of demons I have met," I sputter as I feel my boldness disappearing. I have done the nastiest insult a person can give a creature, one which is equal to calling a human an ape or monster.

I stay frozen waiting for the outrage. The oncoming slap. Nothing. Kitsune sits politely with a second box out from the desk, I had yet to notice. She tosses off the lid to reveal my pack with all my belongings neatly piled in it. I bite down on my tongue. With a dumb stare, I spot my report logs untouched and my laser gun in it. In disbelief, I exam everything: my report logs are still locked, my food is intact, and my clothing has been cleaned. Have you ever done something or said something that made you feel like the lowest form of life? I just did. Teardrops rolls down her cheeks as she fakes a snicker of amusement. She turns her face away covers it.

Quietly Kitsune lifts up a berry and sinks her teeth into it. It drips brown juice as she circles round me and applies it to my hair. I sit with mixed emotions of anger, remorse, and fear. It is very possible she could kill in right in this moment. I don't know how, but she could do it. I could try and escape now that I have my laser gun. But . . . Would it be right for me to just shoot someone and flee? What would I be risking? I hold the laser gun. Something is wrong with it. I move it closer to my eyes. The energy battery is down to zero! How did it get to zero? How am I going to recharge it? I mean- I mean I had it fully charged and I gave the spare battery to Sage- Kitsune breaks my train of thought with a small sniffle. I blink.

"I am sorry that you feel mistreated. . ." She brushes a second berry along my hair, "And I promised Meo I would keep an eye on you until your task was complete."

Task, what task? I am on the verge of speaking as she quickly finishes my hair. She produces a small hand mirror and drapes the cloak around my shoulders. I now have dark brown hair with small bits of berry here and there. Kitsune gets to work picking them out of my hair. Somehow, in the new kimono and cloak with my brown hair I still look like me. Not including a few bruises from cleaning. I am just Tank Brute again. Yet while I am in my own head I repeatedly hear: "Hey Blue! Blue!"

I jump, "What!?"

"Blue, is it still fine that I call you Blue?"

"Yes, I guess."

"Okay, Blue, I promise you won't have to do those maid's chores anymore. You work only for me and no one else in the gang," She pauses briefly to find a golden kimono from a hidden closet along the wall. She slips on the outer kimono, "I need your help today as I go into town to go shopping."

"Wouldn't you want one of your guards or servants to go with you? I am sure I could do something for you here. I am really good at handling numbers and paperwork."

"No Blue, I don't think anyone else will do. You see I may just be a simple fox creature and your weapon may just be beyond my understanding. But I know it isn't working. I bet your friend from the teahouse, Sage, has what you are looking for. In fact, my men have reported him being sighted downtown, where I plan to go shopping. After all, it is nearly impossible to leave the city during the Lunar Festival without going through the main grates of the city. And seeing I how hold power over nearly all of the guards and the police officers. I doubt he'll leave unnoticed. How very interesting, huh?"

I jump at the offer. I will get Sage back for skipping out on the bill and abandoning Meo and I. Then I will have back my secondary battery. Kitsune grabs my shoulder gently and nudges me to hold out my hands. I obey. She places a pair of black leather gloves and disappears from my sight. I turn again to see her putting away her mask and large cloak into a secret compartment in the wall. Gathering her golden hair up, I see the tip of a tattoo. She gazes back at me, "You should be honored. I don't let just anyone see me as I am. Usually, I just talk to people through my mask. You know one day you might see the rest of the marking. Who knows what you might learn about me then?"

I blush.

Soon, Kitsune and I leave the vast teahouse with its huge guards, geishas, cheerful servants, and endless streams of clients. Kitsune happily strolls along the stone streets with a pink umbrella. Her step is measured and graceful as if the roads were a part of her act. I linger back as I pass many different creatures and people roaming the city. There are arrays of shops, homes, and inns scattered every the eye can see. Moreover, there are thousands of trees in blossom for the beginning of spring. And they make every place look alike. The city could easily become a maze without proper guidance.

With a tug, Kitsune pulls me by the sleeve to shop after shop. It becomes a day of endless buying and chatter between Kitsune and the merchants, even some flirting for lower prices. I blandly stand with her holding all the boxes and bags. Block, after block, Kitsune seems to met one of her admirers of her performance as a geisha. It all runs together for me about what happened where, without any trace of Sage to be found.

Abruptly Kitsune stops me from walking any further in front of a tailor shop. She smiles softly. The sign above the shop reads, "The Stars' Needles and the Moon's Silk." Kitsune pushes the door open and helps me into the shop. I spy all sorts of fine dresses, suits, and woven blanket. All the various patterns could be compared to that of fine silk shops of China. At the counter of the shop sits a small white rabbit creature, who is busy filling out paperwork. It is very cute, because it only wears a tiny yellow vest with a fox sown onto it. The white rabbit has long ears. Its small eyes dart from me to Kitsune and it smiles. Kitsune waves her hand and allows me to put down the stuff I am carrying.

"Hello Yuki. How is my old shop treating you? And how are the others doing in the Corby Dojo?" Kitsune smiles.

"Good, good. Your shop treats me very well. So many customers come looking for you and your sister's touch on things. But they settle for my craftsmanship," Yuki hops onto the desk and then in front of us, "Ah, the dojo. . . It fair as it will these days. Not too many students for fighting with old weapons. They all want to use guns from the humans."

"I know what you mean," Kitsune pauses, gives her umbrella to Yuki, takes the boxes and bags from me, and then puts them on Yuki's desk. Yuki bows slightly, leaves the umbrella on the desk, and opens a box. It is filled with oranges. Yuki says, "You're very sweet, Kitsune. I will tell my brother Ryu of your usual donations for the children at the dojo."

Yuki spins around and goes to a door leading outside of the shop. Beyond the doorway, I spot a man with a disfigured arm. He kneels and takes the box from Yuki. His coarse voice mutters something to Yuki as he closes the door again. Yuki hops back to us, "Ryu is very pleased with your visit. I hope your mission goes well tonight, Kitsune."

"Thanks Yuki."

"Hey Kitsune, are you going to tell me about your new helper here? He doesn't seem to have a marking on his cloak. That would be very unwise to have a human walk around unmarked."

"Oh about that Yuki . . . I need you to pattern his new cloak with the Forest Mountain Clan Crest. I really do like him. His name is Blue," Kitsune shoves me forward.

I stumble forward with an awkward bow. Yuki bows back politely and holds out her hands for the cloak. I slip it off. With a fast hop, the white rabbit goes back to her desk. It seems that my being is not the peak of interest here. She simply digs through her papers and holds a particular one up. She turns the paper over and says, "Kitsune, this item and your other order will not be ready until sunset."

"That will be fine, Yuki. I know you will do a beautiful job. Just make sure all the other arrangements are made while I am away."

"I will do."

As easily as we breezed through the different shops, we leave this one. No good-byes or any other words. I stretch my back from the pain of carrying all those boxes. Against my chest, I feel the weight of my useless laser gun as I yawn with a spring air turning hot. The layers of kimonos and leather gloves are making the sunlight unbearable. Sleepily I move as Kitsune pops up with two snow crones. I didn't even see her leave to get them. One of them is strawberry colored and the second one is lime green. With wide eyes and my mouth dropping, I stare at the sugary treats. I haven't eaten one of those in ages.

The last time I had one of those I was still a child on Earth and my grandaunt had gotten me one. It must have been my sixth birthday. My mother, Crystal, was one of those crazy new age scientists that believed all sugar was bad for you, especially a child. As for my father, Vega, he believed that men should only eat meat; don't ask, my father was a strange person. Anyhow, my grandaunt was a good old soul that believed that children should enjoy small delights of games, sports, comics, and even sugar. All the things my mother never stood for. She was one of my favorite relatives because she would allow me to be a child. Once she had stopped me on a hot summer's day and handed me the snow crone. Nicely she patted my head. I vaguely recall her name as Ana, Ana Kenneth. I snap back to the current, when I hear: "Hey Blue! You can take the strawberry snow crone. I prefer lime."

"Sure," I blissfully take the strawberry flavored treat. The taste is delightfully sweet and tart at the same time. A bittersweet flavor if you would please to call it. It is amazing that treat would exist in a place with a low level of technology. I beam happily over my treat as Kitsune bites into hers. With a large chop from hers, she gets a large chunk of ice on her nose. I chuckle wildly without stopping. A beautiful geisha, a powerful leader of a scary gang, now looks like a helpless child as she crossly stares at her nose. Kitsune smirks and brushes the ice from her nose. Taking my hand, she weaves me and her along the busy streets until we come to a path up a large hill.

Further we go up a flight of stairs with our laugher in the air and snow crones in hand. Have I any reason for my actions like following her or laughing? It just happens. By some means, this fox woman has spirited me away to ruins of a temple above the normal streets. It hauntingly has hints of a Buddhist temple. Kitsune moves aside a wooden gate to the temple and motions for me to come. The fox woman sits herself down on the tall grass of the temple with her lime snow crone. I wander over carefully watching my steps over scattered pieces of steps and rocks. My snow crone drips over my hand as I plop by Kitsune.

It is all too childish and innocent. The whole scene of Kitsune and I eating snow crones in secret in an old temple. So it is very simple and quiet. I should be on my guard, not everyone on this planet is trustworthy. I should never place my faith in someone like Kitsune. I mean I was left behind by Sage. I have yet to hear from Meo. But . . . But when was the last time someone just sat down with me like this? When was the last time I wasn't in a lab with test tubes or textbooks? Or being chased by some mad group of people wanting me for my knowledge? Since I arrived at this planet I have been rushed every where by the whole world. I mean even Kitsune and her people haven't been so great either. But I am being selfish in wanting one moment, only moment to remember what it feels like to be normal. It is all I ask for.

Her copper eyes somberly lock on my dripping snow crone. Kitsune leans her head against her shoulder as her golden hair frames her cheeks. Taking a small bite of her lime treat, she never blinks. I quickly try to clean my hands on the grass from the mess. It is all ready too late because there are ruby stains on my kimono. I swallow and apologize for my foolishness. Kitsune shakes her head and falls back into the tall grass. Something in my mind compels me to desire to speak. I want to tell her about how come a snow crone is important to me, or even how I am at least grateful for the return of my belongings. Yet I say, "I feel like I should explain my self more. . ."

"Why?" She crushes down on the last of her snow crone, "Everyone has his own story and it is best not to know it all."

"I know. . . I know. . . Meo told me not to say too many things. I only wish to give you very little detail on my background. You just took it that I come from the stars and didn't really ask for much more. I was a second class scientist back on my ship. There I was a specialist in biology. I focused heavily on the study plant and animal life. And I admit studied a ton of different topics of math and theories. Yet I am no chemist or inventor like the human forces think I am. I mean I cannot even repair or create any of the technology in my escape pod –"

"Blue, you should to listen to Meo," Kitsune indifferently answers. Quickly I peel off my gloves with the dripping sweet on it. My hands remain reddish with sores on them. The temperature around here has gotten hotter. With a small sigh from Kitsune, I turn to see those cherry lips of hers form a small frown. She confesses, "My older sister is really the Leader of the Vitzo Gang. I am her replacement until she gets back, if she ever gets back."

"What?" I drop my snow crone on the ground.

"I promised to keep the gang running over five years ago, when she left. We had had the Vitzo Gang going for over four years. Sister was a really strong warrior and all the members would listen to her. All those stories about her from the war made her a scary person. Despite her being a female, no one dared to question her leadership . . . Since no one ever knew if she was a female or male. When it was my turn to lead the gang, sister thought people would think the gang weak. So she told me, 'While I am gone, you are me and there are no questions about it.' She set me up with her closest friends Son, Yuki, and Ryu to act as my familiars and support. Over time people assumed I was her, because the three of them would treat me like the leader," She peers into the heavens with a heavy air surrounding her, "I didn't want to be the leader. I wanted to be left to my tailor shop and continued to send money to our family. But sister knew there was a bigger picture for me and the Vitzo Gang. The gang maintains order within the city where the police cannot."

"You were a tailor and now you are a gang leader? How did this happen?" I hardly string words together. I have so many questions to ask. Kitsune could tell me more about the war than Sage or Meo. Yet I get stuck on something, "And how does a gang support a city?"

Kitsune sits up from the grass. Her hair tangled with small pieces of weeds. She tries not to smile or giggle at me. Softly she explains, "In my life so far I have pretended to be many people. Being a tailor without having to run to battle was one of my least and best favorite personas I have ever had. I didn't live like my sister, who was always fighting. I didn't need to. I could just be a simple tailor with a good business. I wasn't exactly the ideal daughter that gets married, but I helped our family. When I became Leader Kitsune, I had to look after the whole city. The government around here is so weak and corruptible. There are new political leaders every season and zero support for the people. With the Vitzo Gang, we keep the system in check from gambling, brothels, to drugs. I see that it all stays in the Red Light District."

"H-how could that possibly help?" I blurt.

"It is not an ideal system I know. There are tons of activities many people do not think right or pure. The gang does them as they need to be done. After all there wicked needs to be balance of actions of the pure, right? And there are benefits," She sadly smiles, "The money the gang earns goes back into the community. I have established orphanages, dojos, schools, and hospitals in the poor side of the city. We help feed and cloth the deprived. Never has the Vitzo Gang allowed violence to befall the people of the lower class. We keep the order and the law around here."

"Yet you treated Meo and I badly for skipping out on a single bill! We didn't have much choice in the matter since Sage robbed us."

"I require myself to be whatever the world needs me to be. That night there was trouble with too many outlaws trying to take over the city. I had to be firm," Kitsune rolls onto her side as the hot wind blast by, "Do not think I enjoy it. Besides, do not judge, unless you are to be judge too. "

I open my mouth to argue with Kitsune. She grabs my arm and pulls me further into the tall grass. I hit the ground with a small thump. When I try to retaliate for the blow, Kitsune covers my mouth. She turns my head towards a parting in the grass. There out in the shadows of the temple ruins is a memorable figure. He has a top hat with brown hair and gold rimmed glasses. More outlandish is the fashionable yellow shirt with puffy sleeves. It is the clear trademark of Sage. His eyes scan over the grass quickly as he vanishes off into the shadows of the temple.

"Come on! Let's go after him!" I spring to my feet, except Kitsune pulls heavily on my arm.

"No, we can't."

"Wait-wait! Why?"

"Listen to me," Kitsune says. She gets up with her eyes on the ruby stains on my kimono, "I need you to ignore him for now. We will get him tonight at a formal dinner. I know he is a welcome guest of the host there. However, I will need your help with a small task I have to perform there before we can get to Sage."

"My help? What on earth could I do for you at a formal party?"

"Well, the host of the dinner party is a well know police chief, Oz, and he only invites the most famous and powerful people to his home for it. Without my mask or guards I am just Ryokou Yoko, geisha. I usually don't make public appearance until this time of year. As a geisha I am rumored to rarely come here as I am mostly performing else where all year. So here I am well known for my Lunar Dance. It is very treasured and extraordinary in Masami," She pauses, "Because my performance is so rare the police chief gave me an invite. But I need an escort because he invited both me and Kitsune. Oz knew he couldn't book me without Kitsune being around. However, Oz has been after the Vitzo Gang to break us apart or black mail us to boost his career as chief. He wants to prove that Kitsune and I are the same person. If the gang were to discover that I am not the original leader everything that my sister and I have worked for will fall. Furthermore, Oz would see to my imprisonment for crimes I have not committed."

"Again what does this mean for me?"

"I need you to pretend to be Kitsune."

"Why not have Son or one of the other gang members do it?"

"Too many people know of Son and the other members. You are the right height and built to match me when I wear my whole outfit. When you pretend to be me you won't have to say anything or do much. The leader of the Vitzo Gang has always been the strong silent type without Son around. Besides, Kitsune has always acted as the representative to the lower class citizens and he must be there to make known the will of the lower class. It is very important you come. And . . ."

"Yea, I got it. You need me to be you. So your gang can survive. It is all very nice-"

Kitsune bits her lip, "I must kill Oz. It is my mission."

I turn pale, "You must do what!?"

"Oz is a corrupt officer who seeks to weaken the government of our city further. If he gains more power he will become mayor and seek alliance with the human forces. Should Oz reach that level he will have us all on our knees to the enemies' will. That's why I need to stop him now!"

"You cannot just murder people because you think they are corrupt. You need evidence and a trail and jury."

"Blue . . . The world is not so clean cut here. I have to protect the city as I have always done. And I require you to play your part as Kitsune; so that I can get near enough to Oz and murder him without anyone blaming either Kitsune or Ryokou. The art of warfare here is a very complex one. Both of my personas must appear innocent, because it will keep the image of the leader Vitzo Gang as honorable and my geisha persona pure. More importantly Oz must be killed and it must seem like an accident."

I step back, "I won't take part of this madness! I will have no part!"

"I had feared that it would come to this. . . I knew that Sage being at the party was not enough to get you to go out on a limb," Kitsune pulls my hand up to eye level. She solemnly says, "I am sorry for what I have done to you. But I now see it is necessary."

"Wh-what have you done to me?" I gulp.

"The strawberry snow crone I gave you was filled with liquid Butterfly Mist. It comes from a very uncommon cherry called the Painted Lady, found in the top of the mountains of the Forest Mountain Clan's land. It is so uncommon because it is only found in the late fall just before the first frost of the winter. You see Blue there is a long tradition of the Painted Lady being used as a specialty among the female warriors of my clan. The Painted Lady can be used in two ways. One is the cherry can be crushed into a fine powder and poured into a person's drink. It creates a type of love potion, if you please, which is equal to the victim having a crush on the first person they see. That is called the Butterfly Kiss. The Butterfly Kiss lasts only a few hours without any real harm to the person who drank it," Kitsune drops my hand and walks away.

Her tail swing side to side, "The second way to use the Painted Lady is to prepare it just like you would a Butterfly Kiss. However, instead of just simply pouring it into someone's drink and it harmlessly passing through them. . . The mixture is changed to include an extra item. The extra item is known as the Widow's Tears, a black flower that grows near the lakes of Corby. When the two combine in powder form, they are still very much harmless. It is when the two are made into a liquid is when the real troubles starts. That's when it becomes Butterfly Mist."

I feel faint. My eyes search the ground at the remains of the snow crone. Kitsune kneels down by the remainder of it. She pokes at it softly. Her copper eyes peer though me. I cannot believe anything I am hearing. My mouth dumbly hangs open as Kitsune continues, "You will not die right away. Butterfly Mist is a kind poison because it doesn't take effect very quickly. It slowly creeps up on you and makes you start to get very sleepily. You will have a full night from now until sunrise tomorrow morning to get the cure from me. Otherwise, you will simply go to sleep and never wake up again."

"You are going to kill me?" I stupidly say, the news barely setting in.

"If you don't act as my escort for the dinner party, then yes. If you do plan to work with me, then you have nothing to worry about. Tomorrow morning you will have the cure, I will see you off to Meo, Sage will repay his dues to me, and Oz will be dead," Kitsune matter-of-factly says as she makes her way to the stairs, "Easy, right?"

I creep forward with the sight of the sunset before me. I swallow for like the millionth time. My countdown has now begun.