Shadow

- We're doing this for you. - Scott stood rock-steady in the middle of the room, trying to show a confidence he didn't really feel. Isaac and Ethan joined them. Allison and Lydia were still searching for anything that could exorcise Nogitsune, and Aidan had volunteered to help them. Stiles had time to realize that they were in Derek's loft. On the second floor. Where all of Derek's dirty secrets were supposedly hidden, but where in reality there was only a paltry handful of furniture and a couple of small windows that Stiles couldn't fit through if he wanted to. He woke up on the floor next to the chair. Rowan ash surrounded him, neatly wrapping around the carpet and the proverbial chair. There was still a ghostly plume of the Letharia vulpina powder on his face, as Scott had kindly told him, and all the doors and windows were sprinkled with chillies, the mere smell of which made him sneeze and want to get away. Stiles saw that Isaac was holding a syringe containing a clear substance. He suspected it was canima poison. They had clearly prepared for his abduction in advance. Stiles just couldn't understand when they started looking at him like he was Nogitsune and not a friend. - Stop looking at me like I'm dinner babies. - Stiles clenched his teeth, looking around in disbelief at all the measures taken to restrain him. - This is no longer funny. - Like it had ever been funny. Nogitsune kept his voice down, maintaining his strength. Vulpin's letharia had weakened him considerably. - If you're you, go through the ashes, Stiles. - Scott looked at him pleadingly, clearly hoping they were wrong and there was no Nogitsune in him. Stiles swallowed and took an uncertain step forward. He didn't know if Nogitsune was sensitive to rowan ash. He didn't feel threatened when he approached him, but they must have used rowanberries for a reason. Stiles approached the border of ashes and slowly raised his hand, biting his lip. He pointed his palm forward and met the flared barrier, feeling the vibration and tingling. Stiles closed his eyes, holding back tears. He couldn't believe that his friends, instead of talking, had locked him in here, using so many precautions. Like he was some kind of monster. - We're not gonna hurt you, Stiles. We're just gonna get this stuff out of you. We'll find a way to exorcise Nogitsune witho... - No! Stiles just realized why they locked him in here. They want to separate them. They want them alone again. - No! You can't... - They really can't, Stiles. Our ritual cannot be reversed. - The voice in his head calmed him down just in time. The fox had obviously spent the last of his strength on that phrase, because he didn't add anything else and fell completely silent, feeling at the very edge of consciousness. Stiles immediately regained his balance, equalized his breathing and straightened up. They really couldn't. Their bond was too deep. - You're protecting him because he gave you that idea, Stiles. Hell, we might not even be talking to you right now, but to Nogitsune. - Scott was visibly upset at the thought. - You're talking to us, - Stiles spat out, clenching his fists angrily. - And we're upset, Scotty. - Stiles... - Scott exhaled, looking at his friend with big eyes. Stiles tried to soften his expression, because some distant part of his mind knew that the pack was being more prudent than ever. Lydia must have learned all she could about Nogitsune, come to some unfortunate conclusions, and told the others. They simply had no choice: locking Stiles and Nogitsune in his body had been the smartest move. He shouldn't have blamed them for their foresight. - Scott, I understand. I really do. But I'm still me. Can you listen to me? Scott bit his lip, looking into Stiles' face and finding nothing but his friend. Nogitsune wasn't showing himself in any way, and for a moment he questioned his judgment. Perhaps Stiles was in control and they had locked up not the fox, but the real Stiles. The thought made guilt and longing snap in his chest. - Don't listen to him, Scott. He's just fooling you. He's pretending to be Stiles. - Ethan nudged him in the shoulder, shaking the Alpha out of his doubts. Scott looked at Stiles with regret and turned away. With a quick step he left the room accompanied by Ethan, trying to ignore the hurt look, because being in the same room with Stiles meant he'd be fooled into letting him out sooner or later. It wasn't Stiles. It was Nogitsune, skillfully playing with all of them. When the door closed behind Scott with a soft click, Stiles flinched and turned away, trying to forget that he still had Isaac in the room with him with the kanima poison and Derek watching his every move, ready to attack and stop him. Fucking guard dogs. Stiles shook his head and exhaled meekly. He should have expected something like this. He didn't feel the pain that would have haunted him from his friend's betrayal before Nogitsune had come into his life, but the thought of being treated rather rudely was still unpleasant. Stiles turned lazily toward the werewolves, bowing his head and scrutinizing them. Isaac, noticing his gaze, squeezed the syringe with such force that it seemed surprising he still had a fortune. - What will you do when you realize the futility of your attempts? Stiles began stomping his foot, and when he noticed that Derek was getting annoyed, he redoubled his efforts. Derek gave a low growl, but made no attempt to attack or anything else equally stupid. He just took a few steps forward, keeping his eyes on Stiles. - We'll find a way. Stiles shook his head indulgently and dropped into a chair, smiling relaxedly. Looking carefree was easy. - You've always struck me as smarter than that, scowl. Do you hear the lies in our words? - Stiles leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. - We are inextricably bound by a special ritual. Nogitsune and I are one. No him, no me. If there's me, there's him. - Stiles looked away suddenly, seeing the carefully disguised disbelief and pain on Derek's face. It wasn't visible, but Stiles could feel it, and hated himself for wanting to eat it. - Why? - Derek clenched his fists. - Why, Stiles? - Because he promised he wouldn't hurt you! - Stiles clamped his eyes shut, his lips quivering from the sudden rush of emotion. The nogitsune inside radiated a fierce warmth, trying to soothe and reassure. Stiles took a convulsive breath and opened his eyes. - He said he wouldn't hurt you if I did this. A few words and I felt no more resistance. No pain, no doubt. No rejection or disgust, Derek. Just affection. - But it's not real, - Derek breathed out, looking even more frustrated than he had a moment ago. - He compelled you to do what he wanted you to do. And you agreed to it to keep us safe. - Derek clenched his fists. Stiles lowered his gaze, saw the blood dripping from his hands, caused by the puncture wounds from the claws he'd released, and licked his lips involuntarily, feeling saliva gathering in his mouth. - I knew you'd think that. - Stiles knew, in some trapped, lost part of himself, that he'd been doomed and had no choice when Nogitsune had come into his life. But a much more conscious and powerful part of him knew he was happy, and the reason for that was Nogitsune had broken into his essence, body and soul, bound him hand and foot and vowed never to let go. He wasn't going to let the fox go either. And that was a state of affairs that suited both of them, even if at first Stiles didn't realize how wonderful what Nogitsune was offering him was. - Nogitsune is something I've always missed. He's not as bad as he may seem at first glance. - He's a dark spirit that feeds on pain and revels in chaos, Stiles. - That doesn't mean we're the ones creating the pain and chaos, - the teenager immediately jumped up. - We don't create pain - we absorb it. We don't destroy - we observe. There's enough chaos here for us. - Stiles turned away from Derek's frozen face. - We go to the hospital to find pain. There's enough of that. - I've heard stories about Nogitsune, Stiles. He satiates himself by following world wars and engaging in mass murder. Global catastrophes and crises are what feeds Nogitsune. A flu-free old lady. - But that's enough for us! - Stiles stared insistently into the eyes opposite, trying to explain. - We've been following tyrants and murderers because, man, it's a smorgasbord. What would you choose between custard noodles and a mountain of food for every taste? We can limit ourselves to the pain of the boy's broken arm, the fear of the daughter waiting for her father's surgery to be over. That's not to say it's that nourishing, but it's enough. - Stiles cheered up when he saw the doubt on the werewolf's face. He sighed and decided to speak in the singular to inspire more trust. - There was a Spark in me that attracted Nogitsune. He really liked her and wanted to gain my favor, so he doesn't do anything I don't like. - Stiles looked pleadingly at the still motionless man. - He's a part of me now, Derek. I don't even want to imagine being without him again. Derek stared at him for a long moment, but finally shook his head slowly, causing Stiles to let out a restrained exhale through his teeth. - I'm sorry. I can't help but try. Stiles walked to the edge of the barrier, placing a hand on it and watching the blue flashes. His eyes slowly turned a mercury color, revealing his other self to the werewolves. - And when will you realize that we can't be separated? - He looked at Derek softly, only now realizing that they had actually managed to become closer than mere acquaintances or fellow travelers. Perhaps friend was still too strong a word, but they had definitely gotten very close. - I'll just hope it doesn't come to that. - Stiles bowed his head, realizing that Derek had actually already prepared for the worst case scenario. The werewolf never hoped. He'd learned firsthand that life didn't have anything good in store for him. - What if it does? - The teenager persisted, wishing he had an ally. Unsure, flimsy in trust, but an ally. - And if it does, we'll talk about it later, Stiles. - Got you, frowny. *** Their plan stalled by about the sixth attempt to exorcise the spirit from Stiles' body. Because they just ran out of ideas. Deaton looked unfazed as he stepped away from the heavily breathing Stiles, having failed for the sixth time, but his scent clearly smelled of frustration and irritation on par with curiosity and humility. - I'm afraid I can't help you, Scott. Letaria Vulpina should have kept Nogitsune completely away from Stiles. That she didn't do so was already suspicious, but the fact that none of our methods have moved us one step closer to our goal tells us it's pointless to try. - The vet looked at a tired, broken Scott, anxiously peering at his friend, and sighed. - We don't seem to know all the variables. There's something keeping us from disconnecting them. - Stiles told me that he and Nogitsune had a ritual that bound them... in a special way, - Derek reluctantly shared, watching Stiles lying on the floor, still recovering from the session of intense pain that had followed another failed exorcism attempt. - Something that would make them whole. - And you didn't tell us before? - Lydia dug her nails into Aidan's hand, making him wince. - We had to try, - Derek said, giving Lydia a cold glance, and then he added, hesitating. - We should probably let him go. It seemed like the right thing to do all along. - We can't let him go. Not now. When we're not sure... - Scott stopped talking, hating himself for saying that. - In fact, - Stiles' husky voice made everyone in the room wince. He stood up slowly, stretching and kneading his muscles, rubbed his neck with a sigh of relief, ran his fingers through his hair, which was a mess, and tilted his head to the side, stretching his lips wide in a devilish grin. - Actually, you're a little late. We don't care about your lives. And we'd love to gut each and every one of you, then feast on your mangled corpses. But... - Nogitsune's face twisted in regret as he looked at the mortals, who were frozen in either fear or amazement as they came face to face with the fox himself for the first time. - Stiles, for some absolutely ridiculous reason, loves you. Loves you, precious True Alpha. You, despite the fact that you never put your best friend first, replacing him with empty worries about yourself, your useless hobbies and girls. Despite forgetting about him when Stiles needed you most. Loves you, incredible Lydia, despite the undeserved contempt you bestow on him day after day in an attempt to get rid of the only person who sees your true nature. He also loves Allison, a murderer, a lost little Argent, flitting between vile werewolves and equally vile hunters. Don't you dream about what you did, Allison? Watching Kate torture Derek? Oh, or the way you put arrow after arrow into Boyd while listening to Gerard's encouraging words of encouragement? Must be no, you're too callous and cruel to have a guilty conscience. - Nogitsune licked his lips, feeling bitterness, pain, fear, and shame in the air. Allison's face contorted and tears came to her eyes, but she didn't let them spill over. Lydia frowned and Scott pulled Allison into a hug, trying to comfort either himself or his girlfriend. - He loves you, Derek, because you've saved him more than once when Scott was missing on another date. He often thinks about the fact that he could help you because, you know, you're clearly in need of therapy right now. Living in your own burned-out house or railroad depot is not healthy. - He smirked as Derek growled, looking at him fiercely. - 'We have you to thank, Derek Hale. If you hadn't kept Stiles safe, we never would have had the chance to meet him.       - Shut up. - Or you'll chew my throat out, - Nogitsune said involuntarily, listening to Stiles' thoughts. A tiny, sincere smile graced his lips, - with your teeth. - That's not... You're not Stiles. - The bitterness in the werewolf's words could be touched with his hands. - Stop pretending. - In a way, we're him. - He shrugged and smirked as he looked at Deaton. - Your death, on the other hand, wouldn't have caused a tear to fall from his beautiful eyes. I think we'd kill the twins with great gusto. I don't feel too bad for Isaac either, though. - Fox laughed when he saw the indignation and anger on Scott's face. - He would never say that! - Oh, Stiles always only cared about his closest people, Scott. Dad, you, Melissa... Derek, Allison, Lydia. That list used to include Heather, too. - He shook his head thoughtfully. - Just them. He considered you his moral compass because his own was failing badly. - An ironic, mocking smile made it clear how silly it was to even need something like that. - After he met me, he got rid of that stupid need to always do the right thing. He still does, - Nogitsune said angrily, - because he's afraid of disappointing you. Well, I guess he didn't need it. You betrayed him. And you can't imagine how much pain he's in right now. - The fox grinned, straightening up and letting the shadows of nine tails appear behind his back. - And you will pay for hurting him. - That doesn't add to your chances, Nogitsune. - Lydia stepped forward, eyeing him thoughtfully. - What are you trying to accomplish with this performance? To hurt us? Provoke us? - The girl shook her head negatively and raised her eyebrows. - You feed, don't you? You're weak and you need food. You're wreaking havoc in our hearts, causing pain by saying all this, and you eat it. You want to gain strength. The fox in Stiles' body clapped, smiling and not particularly bothered by the fact that his intentions had been revealed. - At least I can see why the fox has a crush on you. You're smart. Lydia lifted her chin, looking at Nogitsune with disdain. - Will Stiles be happy with what you're telling us? Will he be happy with you threatening the ones he loves? - She took a step forward and smiled mockingly. It wasn't hard to guess that Nogitsune treasured Stiles, and now she was going to take advantage of that knowledge. - What do you think he'll say to you about you making no secret of your desire to kill his best friends. Are you sure he'll forgive you? Nogitsune looked furious as he stepped forward, stopping at the edge of the circle of rowan trees and looking Lydia in the eye. - He loves me more. Scott laughed upon hearing that statement. - Don't be absurd. Stiles would never trade us for you. - He already has, hasn't he? He let me in. - Nogitsune smiled contentedly, quickly quieting his anger. - 'But like I said, he loves you. And that's why I can't hurt you. But I will find a way to get revenge if you hurt Stiles more. - Give us Stiles back. - Allison looked at him coldly and fearlessly. - We want to talk to him. - What a shame - he doesn't want to talk to you. - Nogitsune turned away, stretching and arching his back in a surprisingly graceful, feline way. In a way that the clumsy Stiles never could. - He tried to get through to you, but realized it was useless after the fourth attempt. - We have to decide what to do next," Scott said as the silence stretched on. He looked around the pack and looked at Nogitsune, who was now sitting sideways to them and looking distant. Scott thought he might be talking to Stiles in his head right now, if that's how their connection worked, and a pang of longing snapped in his chest. He wanted his friend back, the one he'd lost without even noticing. - Let's go downstairs. The werewolf turned around and hurried down the stairs. He didn't know what Nogitsune's hearing radius was, but that wasn't important. Scott just didn't want to talk, feeling the fox's unnerving stare every damn second. - Did you at least tell his father? - Derek grumbled, unsure of how to proceed once everyone was downstairs. The appearance - the real appearance - of Nogitsune was knocking the ground out from under his feet. He seemed mad, strong, and easy to get under his skin. An angry, revenge-seeking, vile, unscrupulous dark creature. In a way, he resembled Peter. The way the fox looked at them through Stiles's eyes, spoke in his voice, used his hands to gesture, made them stunned, angry, horrified, helpless and confused. Nogitsune looked like some Angel of Vengeance, acted like pure, unadulterated chaos, and felt like bloody anarchy. He didn't belong among mortals, and yet he looked extremely organic here. Derek had a keen sense that the spirit was something else. Something that could destroy the world if it wanted to, but didn't do so because it simply understood that it was boring to live in ruins. Something that stands out as a black blot on the white paper of humanity. Something ancient and appropriating the face of a man who was dear to many. They were not going to stop for fear of this creature. But, Derek gritted his teeth, they were still allowed to be afraid. It hurt to think that Nogitsune had changed something in Stiles, tweaked him to suit himself, warping his desires, forcing him to do something that in his sober mind Stiles would never have done. Derek didn't know if he should have told Scott what he'd learned. Whether to tell him that Stiles was drugged and didn't realize it himself. Or realizes it, but isn't going to do anything about it. - Not yet, no. - Scott frowned, looking incredibly confused. - I want to talk to Stiles and maybe hear his version of events. Completely. I think we acted too impulsively. - We acted reasonably, - Aidan disagreed, - it's just more complicated than we expected. - Maybe so, - Deaton carefully closed the briefcase he'd brought into the loft and looked around the pack with a steady gaze, - but I've never met Nogitsune in person. All that is known about him is that he is what is known as a wild fox. He feeds on pain, needs a master. Opinions of him are mixed and obviously biased. No one has ever tried to understand his personality, and little is known about his motives. You'll have to deal with it on your own experience. - The vet nodded goodbye to everyone and left without waiting for a reply. There was silence for a brief moment. - Judging by the disappearing scars, Nogitsune had possessed Stiles about a week and a half ago. How's he been acting this whole time? - Derek finally spoke up, wanting to get to the bottom of this sooner rather than later. - He was calmer. The anxiety was gone, he was smiling a lot, - Scott answered immediately, but then shook his head, - but it could have all been Nogitsune's pretenses. - He smelled like electricity and wool and bandages. And something burning. - Ethan sighed, wishing he could just get rid of the problem in a drastic way, but knowing no one would approve. - Melissa saw him at the hospital a lot, - Isaac put in, and at Scott's surprised look, he shrugged and smirked, - She likes to complain about you and Stiles, and I'm a grateful listener. - He told me he fed there. The pain of sick people can satiate him, if his words are to be believed, - Derek said, bringing his eyebrows together at the bridge of his nose and actively analyzing the situation. - Are they suffering from it? - Scott asked worriedly, feeling a tugging sensation in his chest that felt an awful lot like guilt. - Probably not, - Derek shook his head thoughtfully, - but I'm not an expert. - We're not all experts, - Lydia concluded tiredly, looking up at the ceiling as if she could see Stiles through it. - I don't think we're going to get much out of this. We need to talk to him. - I don't think he wants to listen to us now. We literally tortured him without listening to his explanations, - Allison bit her lip, tousling a strand of hair. - Well, we don't have a choice, - Scott pressed his lips together for a second, then straightened up resolutely, looking toward the stairs. - 'Let's go, me and Lydia. Stiles trusts us. - Or did, Scott thought with horror. - Just be... - Allison began as a rumbling, metallic clanking and a loud growl came from above, interrupting whatever she was about to say. Scott didn't even think twice before rushing upstairs. Worry for his friend blossomed in his chest, making his eyes flash bright red. He burst into the room with his fangs out and a loud, warning growl, and when he saw what was happening, he froze for a moment, feeling his heartbeat quicken. - Stiles! - he looked around in surprise at the Oni that had pinned his friend to the floor, pointing their katanas threateningly at him, and Noshiko standing outside the circle of rowan trees. With horror, Scott realized that Stiles couldn't step outside the circle and therefore couldn't defend himself against the demons, too confined by the small space. - Don't touch him, - he growled warningly with all the anger he was capable of. - I told you, Alpha, whoever lets Nogitsune in can expect no mercy. Your friend wouldn't listen to me. I'm sorry, but Nogitsune is dangerous and I will take whatever action is necessary to eliminate him. - He's my friend! You can't... - He's not your friend. It's Nogitsune, and you don't know what that monster is capable of! - Noshiko hissed furiously, pulling out her katana and pointing it at Stiles. They clasped his hands behind his back, lifted him up roughly, pushed him to the edge of the circle and brought him to his knees, pulling his hair and forcing him to look into Noshiko's face. The woman looked almost feral with her wide-open eyes, disheveled hair, and firm mouth line. The certainty of her expression spoke her intentions without words. - You can't imagine how long I've waited for this moment. - Must have been since you deceived us, Oathbreaker, - Nogitsune grinned, making Scott frown. What deception was the fox talking about? - So flattered that you broke your tails to catch me. - He nodded at the demons, even on his knees looking like the situation was under his control and not in the hands of the one who was about to kill him. - Was there any left? Or wasted it all in a baseless lust for revenge directed at someone who didn't deserve it? - You've possessed Rees! - Noshiko's eyes blazed, and she pitched forward, getting into a more stable position for a direct attack. Scott began to slowly move forward, feeling the other pack members behind him. - You seemed amused to take possession of someone I held dear. - He was already dead, - Nogitsune parried, satisfied that the werewolves were here and could hear everything. Stiles wanted to explain himself to them, but it would be easier to gain their sympathy and understanding. It would be much easier to gain their trust that way. - Better to take possession of a dead body than to touch a dirty sycophant like you. - You had no right to desecrate his body. The katana pressed against his throat, pressing unpleasantly against his skin, but Nogitsune only smirked, reassuring a nervous Stiles and noticing movement from the pack. - You never told me who I was supposed to possess when you asked me for help. You should have thought twice before messing with something so beyond your control and summoning me, Noshiko. Your miscalculation is that your rage clouded your judgment. You caused what happened, but it would have been easier to put the blame on my already bloody hands, wouldn't it? - The fox smiled coldly, causing a new wave of anger and pain that Noshiko didn't have time to express, interrupted by Lydia's businesslike voice: - You summoned him? Does that mean that Nogitsune came to this world because of you? - She raised her eyebrows, her whole demeanor showing how attentive she was. Noshiko looked at the banshee with a squint. - He has been in this world since Inari banished him for betrayal. I, on the other hand, summoned him to me to make a deal. - An insanely unfair deal, but who cares? - The spirit shook its head in feigned regret, grinned toothily at Noshiko's furious glare, and looked at Lydia surprisingly serious. - Noshiko had summoned me to kill everyone in the Oak-Creek concentration camp to exact revenge on her behalf. She wanted them all burned, just as her lover had been burned. But, - Nogitsune looked at Noshiko again, enjoying her pale, haggard appearance, - desires and reality are often different. You didn't like the chaos I made for you, at your request. You repaid me with imprisonment. If it weren't for your weakness, none of this would have happened. - Only you look weak now, - Noshiko growled, giving him her full attention back. Nogitsune covered his eyes and lowered his head, hiding the pleasure on his face. Lydia sprang into action just when the fox expected it. The banshee, not listening to her friends' anxious shouts, rushed forward, broke the circle of rowan trees with a jerk, and immediately bounced back, but not fast enough to be safe. One of the Oni thrust his katana forward, intending to drive it into her stomach, but was stopped at the last moment by Stiles's firm hand. - Not today. - Stiles snatched the katana out of Oni's hands and threw it toward Nogitsune, pushing Lydia behind him. They separated the moment Lydia broke the circle to escape the demons grip. - We don't like it when you try to harm our friends. - You've been in on this from the beginning, - the woman spat out angrily, shifting her gaze from Nogitsune to Stiles. - Do you realize what you're doing? Nogitsune will tear you apart, get under your skin, break you, and throw you away. He's a liar. Can't you see that? - Noshiko backed away from Nogitsune and pointed her katana at Stiles, but the next second she cried out in pain and backed away, returning her attention to the fox. She didn't want to get another glancing blow from Oni's katana, which Nogitsune wielded with incredible ease. - Touch him, and I'll rip your favorite daughter's head off. - The katana in Nogitsune's hands glinted as if to confirm his words. - What's her name? - He tapped his lip thoughtfully. - Kira? And your husband? He's a teacher, isn't he? Such a noble profession. - How did you know about them? - Noshiko exhaled, clenching her fists and curling her lips in disgust. However, both Stiles and Nogitsune sensed her fear. The fox sucked in air through his nose with relish, licking his lips for effect. The kitsune's face turned so sour and full of disgust that Stiles couldn't hold back a chuckle. Lydia's palm rested on his back, and Stiles suddenly realized that all his friends had moved closer to him, ready to defend and protect him. - It was me, not Nogitsune. - The teen took a step closer to the fox, calmly meeting Noshiko's furious gaze. - It's easy to find you online, knowing your first and last name. - You won't do anything to them if I lock you up here and now," Noshiko challenged, though she was in no hurry to attack. Stiles realized that she was provoking them into a response to make sure they didn't have any other cards in their pockets. Oh well, they had them. - Don't think you're smarter than me, biakko," Nogitsune grumbled, coming forward and smiling broadly, revealing white teeth. - They're being watched. If I don't contact my man, he'll kill them within hours. You won't even get to them in time. - That was only partially true. They wouldn't kill them in an hour, but in almost 24 hours. In theory, Noshiko could make it in time, but she didn't need to know that. - Fernley, Lyon, Nevada. Should have hidden them somewhere far away. Not talking about another country, but at least not in a neighboring state. - Stiles was bluffing when he talked about murder, and he was doing a great job of it, judging by the distressed look on Scott's face. - Just try it. - Then get out. We're the ones who should be seeking revenge, not you. You summoned us, you broke the deal, you imprisoned us for seventy years, and you made us starve. - Nogitsune squinted, looking at the wavering kitsune. Stiles stepped closer, reaching forward and they merged again, shrugging and getting used to the physical togetherness. Stiles covered his eyes for a moment, letting the tails behind him move in the shadows, showing his strength and intentions. - Leave. We'll show you the mercy you don't deserve. - You know I can't. - Noshiko lowered her weapon arm exhaustedly and the katana hit the floor with a loud clang. Her lips quivered. - 'I'm not going to cowardly run away. You're going to kill me, - she waved her hand and her demons vanished into a dark haze, - and forget my family ever existed. - She dropped to her knees and looked at them defiantly. Stiles admired her devotion to those she loved, but he was surprised, too. In hundreds of years of life, she hadn't become calloused at all, nor had she forgotten the affection she so clearly had for her family. Stiles wondered if this was the first family for her. Had she never had children before? No lovers, husbands, lovers? And if she had, had she loved them with the same dedication and fury, willing to die for them? - Will you stand to the end, guarding Inari's honor? - Nogitsune shrugged lazily, stroking the Oni katana that was still in his hands. - She won't appreciate it, I swear. - I won't turn my back on her like you did. I won't hide from her anymore because I was stupid enough to mess with you. - Kitsune grinned as she saw the fox's face contort into a furious grimace. The expression smoothed out in the next second, however, turning into a slight frown. - I don't like you. - Stiles lowered the katana but kept it in his hands, taking control of his body, trying to drown out his anger and think straight. - But I understand what it's like to have a family you're afraid to lose. - You've never had a family! - Noshiko's flash of anger was bright but short. She lowered her head, clenching her fists to a coarse shiver.       - We have a father. - Stiles pressed his lips together, watching the submissive posture of the surrendered vixen who was defiant even though she was obviously defeated. - Scott is like a brother to me, and Melissa is like a mother. We have a pack. I love them. Just as we once loved all of you, too, dear sister. - Stiles felt the pack stirring in the distance. Their conflicting emotions, their uncertain movements and the confusion that enveloped some of them in a dense halo. But he dared not look. - You're not my brother, - Noshiko spat out angrily, causing Stiles to tense and take a half step back, raising an eyebrow nonchalantly. - You are a true murderer who revels in inflicting pain on innocent souls. You are a traitor and a thief. You are a monster. - You do not understand the lust that Inari has condemned us to. You condemn us for learning to love the life of an exile. - Nogitsune curled his lips in a cruel smile. - But that doesn't matter now, biakko. - His eyes lit up silver, and the shadow-like tails behind his back bobbed restlessly. He gripped the katana more comfortably and raised it, ready to strike the kitsune, to spill blood and win, but stopped at the last moment to the accompaniment of Scott's desperate screams and a wave of protest from Stiles. - Don't! - Scott took a step forward, unleashing claws and fangs. His eyes burned red. - You don't have to kill anyone. - She would kill me without a second thought. So why can't I kill her? - Nogitsune lowered his katana with a sigh, stroking his chin thoughtfully with his thumb. His eyes returned to their normal color, his fervor faded noticeably, and his face took on an expression of protest, humility, and resentment. - Moral. I understand, foxy. - They needed to gain Scott's trust. Killing him would undo the effort. Nogitsune closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, he shook his head slowly and rubbed his temples. Stiles was back in charge. - Let's... - Stiles didn't have time to finish, interrupted by the line of the firing stun gun, the charges snaking along the line, not strong but palpable to the average werewolf. In the confusion, he caught the end of the conductive fishing line, wrapped it around his fist, and pulled forward, wrenching the weapon from his attacker's hands. Someone shrieked, taking a few steps forward and releasing the stun gun from his hands. The current went out and Stiles released the fishing line from her hands, raising his eyes. - Allison? - Stiles, - Allison looked at him wide-eyed, not knowing what to say. That she wanted to knock him out? To stop, to stop this whole spectacle that was the showdown between Kitsune and Nogitsune? Scott stood beside her, pushing her behind him, seeing his friend grow somber, and Allison put shaky hands in her pockets. Perhaps she'd only made things worse by her actions. - I... - Stiles shook his head again and turned away, returning his attention to the motionless Noshiko. - We're offering you a deal. You've already broken most of your tails. Hand us your strongest tail and we won't touch your family. - The strongest tail guarantees the loyalty of the Oni. The demons will become loyal to you if I do this. - Noshiko shook her head in disagreement. - Not to mention... the rest of it. By taking her tails, Nogitsune would gain her power. Would make her weak and mortal. Pathetic. - Or maybe you just don't want to become human, dear sister, - Nogitsune cut in, grinning nastily. Stiles chased him inside, rolling his eyes in annoyance, and looked at the vixen with an almost apologetic smile. - We'll swear not to touch your family or use demons for... self-serving purposes. - Self-serving? - Noshiko raised an eyebrow, surprised at Nogitsune's willingness to make an oath that was unbreakable and dangerous to the fox's own tails, and with such conditions. - Killing for no good reason, extracting pain to satisfy hunger, creating chaos for no reason... We will use them for peaceful purposes and defense. And you will be weak and defeated. But still not dead. We both like that. - Are you really going to do this? - The kitsune rose from her knees, looking at the fox more carefully than before. She could sense some change in him that was definitely not there the last time they met. - We'll go for it. - Do you listen to the opinion of the child you've inhabited? You're friends with your vessel? - she grinned ironically. - Don't you dare call him that, - Nogitsune growled low at her, ignoring Stiles, who was unhappy with another of his interventions. - You... - she shook her head and deftly pulled out a black, thin tail from behind her back, ready to be broken. - It doesn't matter. I'll agree if I find the text of the oath acceptable. - You agreed too easily. What's the catch? - Stiles rolled from heel to toe, already composing the text of the oath in his head and arguing with the fox about it. But the ease with which Noshiko had given in was suspicious. - Oh, I just saw it. - Noshiko's smile was so understanding and gloating that Stiles even looked away from his conversation with Nogitsune and looked at her with raised eyebrows. - Nogitsune couldn't resist Spark's magic and bound himself to a mortal with unbreakable bonds. Isn't that romantic? - There was so much irony and mockery in her words that Stiles couldn't keep the blush from spreading to his cheeks. - None of your business. - I'm sorry for you, Stiles. He's enslaved you and you're incapable of freeing yourself from now on. Nogitsune always gets what he wants, especially if the price is violence, - she pursed her lips in disgust, clearly not wanting to think about how Nogitsune had convinced Stiles that bonding with an ancient dark spirit was a great idea. - However, that bond and your humanity will keep Nogitsune from mindless killing, and my mortality, which will be gained after the loss of the last tail, will allow me to die with my husband. Sometimes living long is a curse, you know that. - Noshiko grinned gloatingly as she heard Nogitsune growl angrily. The wild fox, even after losing all his tails, would not die. It was his burden, his curse. He could not die, even if he desperately wished it. - You were doomed from the start, Stiles. I'm only sorry I didn't realize it sooner, that I couldn't save you. - You certainly want to spill blood, Oathbreaker, - the spirit hissed, pushing Stiles back and taking control of his body. - Stiles had agreed to this willingly. I never threatened him. - Nogitsune tossed the katana aside, and it vanished as quickly as Oni had some time ago. Fury raged in the fox, but he held it inside, clenching his teeth tightly and flashing his silver irises.       - You will swear to give us your tail and never attack again, never send anyone after our head, and forget we ever existed. And we will swear to use it only in self-defense, if it saves our lives or the lives of someone we care about. But the oath will only last until you're dead. - That's too generous of you, - Noshiko's suspicions reared their head again, and she promised herself to double-check the text of the oath at least three times. Nogitsune was fond of subterfuge and trickery, he had a wave to leave a loophole for himself. - Deal? - Nogitsune held out his hand, grinning devilishly. His eyes glowed with an incomprehensible peacefulness that was occasionally replaced by a familiar rage. Conflicting emotions of two contradictory entities in one body. Before, she had seen Nogitsune as nothing but mad fun, angry and cruel. Now he was showing a gentleness, even tenderness, that was directed at his vessel. At his friend. She was sure the fox would indulge his weakness. Noshiko had long wanted to end Nogitsune and the weight of her failures that were inextricably linked to him. Dying was an option that would guarantee that. She reached out confidently in return and squeezed the cold palm. - By the hand.