Adam stared out the window of his office. He'd watched Mark and Sean take off from headquarters. The betrayal that Adam faced only made him all the angrier. He'd lost one of his best hunters. With the betrayal, it was best for him to give Mark's position to someone else. Adam should have seen this coming, especially since Mark wasn't happy about the plan with the kitsune. With the blood of the kitsune in his hands, Adam walked down the hall toward the science lab. The DNA of the kitsune had been important. If he got his hands on some, he'd be able to create his own kitsune, the darker persona of Sean.

"Go ahead," Adam said, watching the car leave the parking lot. "You can run but you can't hide for long, soon you'll wish you were never born." the science doors slid open, allowing Adam to step into the room. Before him, his fellow scientists were working on a special surprise for his enemies. The lab was nothing but white, with lab tables and in the center of the room a figure was laying, Adam's scientists had recreated Sean only in a different light with black clothes, green hair and tattoos that went up his arms like a sleeve. "How is our test subject?" the scientist closed his clipboard and placed it on the table.

"I'm pleased to let you know that the experiment is coming along well." the scientist said with a smile.

"How long till we send him after our enemies?" Adam questioned. Eagerness overtook him and he was eager to send their kitsune out there to kill Mark and Sean.

"Not long now, sir," he said, his brown eyes landing on the sleeping kitsune. "If we play our cards right, we can send him out by sundown," the scientist continued. "Would you like to see how it's coming along?" Adam did not hesitate and nodded. The two approached the table while Adam stared down at the individual. Its eyes were closed and from the sight, Adam smirked and turned toward his fellow scientists.

"When he wakes, get him ready so we can send him out, Asap." Adam ordered. Everyone in the room nodded and went back to work. Walking by them, Adam left the room his plan now unfolding as they worked.

***

Mark and Sean were still following the trail the kitsune had led them, and even though he didn't know how long they'd been walking, it didn't take long for the sun to set, by the time they were further into the desert, the sun would be lower on the horizon.

"Sean," Mark said and leaned against a rock to take a break. "How far until we arrive at the first stop?"

"Until we get to a town," Sean answered. Mark yawned and struggled to keep his eyes open. The desert always got cold at night and burning hot during the day, pulling off his backpack, Mark pulled out a bottle of water. "Why are you stopping?"

"It's going to get dark soon, and we need to find shelter." Mark answered. Sean groaned, annoyed at the fact that they hadn't even gone far, they were ten miles into the desert.

"Where in the blazes are we going to find shelter?!" Sean exclaimed. "We're literally in the middle of the desert!" Mark rolled his eyes and took a drink from his bottle before putting it back in the bag.

"This was your idea to come here," Mark answered. "I didn't ask to come out all the way to the desert! So if I'm going to take a break, I will take a break!" Mark watched as Sean clenched his hands. He'd been breathing to calm himself down. Mark cleared his throat and pushed himself off the rock, holding out his hands in a calm fashion to keep Sean from blowing up. "Sean?" Mark approached him with ease, expecting something to go wrong. He held out his hand when Sean's eyes opened and, to Mark's surprise, he'd seen Sean's eyes turn orange. He grabbed Mark's arm and twisted it behind his back. With a cry of pain, Mark struggled to pull his arm away.

"You will follow the path until we get to a village!" Sean's voice seemed to deepen like it came from some different person, Sean's glowing irises made a lot more sense now that Mark was thinking about it.

"Who are you?!" Mark yelled. Sean released him and shoved him forward.

"I am the Kitsune," Sean said with a smooth but clear voice. "You may be a hunter, but when I show you a path, you go down it with no questions asked." Mark looked at Sean, worried. The kitsune turned away from him and began heading down the path again. "Once you find the first town, stop and rest, the journey will be perilous and you two need your sleep." the voice died down as the kitsune closed its eyes allowing for Sean to take control again. Sean stumbled, just as Mark quickly helped keep him upright. Confused, Sean looked at Mark. Mark would know that he was confused and scared, all the emotions piled high on him and he couldn't find out what was wrong. They were standing by a rock structure.

"What the hell was that about?" Sean asked as he held his head and groaned in pain.

"I thought it was you for a split second," Mark said in astonishment. "But apparently, the Kitsune took control."

"That's just great!" Sean exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air. "What did it say?"

"To continue to follow the path until we come across a town." Mark answered. "Are you going to be okay? You look like you are about to fall over."

"We got to keep walking then." Sean said the duo started making their longer trek through the desert.

***

At headquarters, a group of scientists were doing an experiment on someone when it suddenly sat up and opened its eyes, glowing a bright green. Everyone gasped and stepped back in surprise. The man sat up and looked around the room, his eyes never leaving theirs.

"Jared," the scientist said. "Get Adam, I think he'll want to see this." Jared wasted no time and left the lab to get Adam, no sooner had they left di they enter the room in a brisk movement.

"So someone finally woke up." the individual's eyes glowed green yet again as an evil smirk appeared on his face. "What is your name? Are you willing to help us?"

"Why would I do that?" the man asked, crossing his arms.

"Because Nogitsune," Adam said. "I'm requesting your help if you want to stay alive," he continued. "I have a job for you."

"Which is?" The Nogitsune asked.

"There are two young men, a hunter and a kitsune," Adam explained. "If you help us, take the kitsune down, I can give you all the power you want." the Nogitsune smirked and touched his chin, thinking about the proposition.

"I will help you."

"Excellent," Adam said amused. "What shall we call you?"

"Call me Anti." Nogitsune said. "Where can I find this other kitsune?"

"The temple of the kitsune. I need you to cut them off and keep them from reaching the temple." Adam ordered.

"As you wish." Anti said and got to his feet. "But I will need a katana." Adam nodded and ordered his men to get Anti a weapon. The creature let out a sideways smile and walked out of the lab with Adam. With Sean and Mark unprepared, it gave Adam the chance to stop Sean before he got defeated.