After the class it was time to return to my apartment and have the same lunch of yesterday. I hope that Tanuki is taking care well of my safe place. After the end, Amerix and I were walking at university entrance and he said to lend me the books tomorrow. I smiled feeling thankful that Amerix is being a big help for me with these books while Tanuki is opening my mind to comprehend the universe he lived long time. Maybe the names I speak for him he will understand and explain each species and creatures, legends, myths and the scenery I can imagine. The Japanese universe looks crazier than Chinese.

Today I didn’t have the lucky to find Mika or Kona, what is a pity. I was so worried in having peace and forget the fact of yesterday that my mind is a mess. I thank Amerix that was a guide for me. He reciprocated with a smile. I felt my body wanting to advance and give him a hug, but I was avoiding it for a while. It isn’t time for hugs now, but I was thinking if he would like it, feel the bodies touch and trade friendship warm, this because we are meeting us since yesterday.

Walking until my apartment and seeing the few movement around, I notice that there are only me and few students going at this street, what is a surprise. Usually the schools or universities receive people from everywhere you can wonder; of course there are streets that are full of students, others less. The houses are varied: every kind of gates, colors on the wall, some with little garden and others with trees, cars of every kind and architectures that depends of your taste. Usually the people have good taste and fix the house how they want, but of course they need money and money is difficult to earn because fix costs a lot. The bakery is close; I could buy some breads at the evening.

I was almost close, resting some few minutes. I heard a noise that called attention to my ears; I turned back and I saw nothing that could identify the reason of noise. At least, not just me turned the head. Three or four people did the same. Noises coming from nothing call attention of everyone, this is fact. I was sure that there is nobody following me.

The plaza, the sweet plaza adorning the view of my apartment I see anxious to put my paws in my safe zone and eat something. The class was very hard for the beginning. I put the key and opened the door that takes me at entrance of the apartment. They need to protect their residents with doors and gates; also, we pay rent and we deserve a little of security contribution, don’t we? I don’t hear robbery rumors on this city. They say it’s very safe and the peace here, mainly in festival times, is like to live the time that my grandfather was teenage or even young.

I go up the stairs and at moment I was stepping the first floor I heard the same noise I heard on the street. I didn’t identify, but looked like chains falling on some metal thing. I turned back to check if there was other one that entered at apartment with me. Nobody. Am I crazy again? How I was safe I didn’t see problem in go down and check if there was something outside.

But if is other attempt of some Yokai to capture me? I thought it when I stepped down one step. I could go at my apartment, let the backpack and call Tanuki to check this noise with me just not to risk my life. Or should I step a little more and check alone?

The doubt hitting my head, scratching my hair confused.

The noise appeared again, disturbing my curiosity very hard. It looks really chains crawling on the ground for long seconds and it was getting lower with the time, letting my fur horrified and my legs loose. I was really in shock, deciding between fear if I go to check or if I run to my apartment and call by Tanuki to help me in this uncomfortable situation.

Why was I there yet?

The noises of chains stopped, giving place at silence again. I could scream suddenly to call attention of people that would call me weird or schizophrenic, if they aren’t hearing the same noise that I am. I think all is alright; all anxiety from my mind.

I give steps up and try to relief my soul from this bad feeling I was having without explication. Good time to think all was fine because the noise returned. At moment I looked back I didn’t was able to see something advancing against me. I lifted my arms to protect myself from the fear, but the object passed by me and began to curl my stomach and legs, pulling me down at floor, hitting my head hard. I felt a big pain with the nape hitting full the ground. Thanks God that wasn’t the corner.

Trying to keep the conscience and the eyes on the strange creature that was holding a chain curled on his forearm. Now the chains explain where it came from. The creature was brown with long black hair crossing the waist and dressing some bear coat; long canine teeth out of mouth, big nose with a ring, little horns going at side and, oh… the smell again! Not worse than yesterday, but it was similar.

Another Oni here? Did he follow me too like one of yesterday? I must scream and call for Tanuki. Desperate, I opened to scream for help, right moment that other chain advanced and curled my mouth, keeping me half immobile and in silence. Other one appeared on his side: green, long horns, smaller teeth and white hair, laughing of my face. More desperate than now impossible. I was literally terrified that now two Onis – I think they are Onis – followed me and nobody saw their presence or figures.

– Look that we captured the kitsune.

The green Oni commented with an excitement that I am scared to discover and they are others that confused me with kitsune. How I wanted to scream and explain that I am not…

Why? They wouldn’t hear.

– It was easier than I thought for a creature that is powerful.

The brown one commented pulling my legs at stairs, slipping down until them. I tried to lift my head to not hit on the corner, but difficult with the impact of physic. Between their looks I was literally scared and trying to shake enough to leave the chains that only press me body more and more when I move.

– Why would anyone have problem capturing a kitsune so distracted? – the brown continued talking while he looks at his partner. – I don’t understand why we were called for this kind of service.

Kind of service? Is anyone hiring…

Ouch! The green puts his foot on my stomach rubbing together with the pression and sound of chains. I shook my head hard to loosen the chain in my mouth until I felt mouth free to scream… or best saying the stupid here, try to convince them.

– Wait there! I am not kitsune – I shouted. – And who is hiring you to…

I was cut by the green that stomped on my stomach, letting me without air. It was already difficult with this chain tying me like an anaconda, now someone stepping strong on my body I just pray that he doesn’t intend my head. I cough.

– Quiet there, kitsune! – the green shouted throwing the head back and letting a hard laugh. – We won’t fall in your fables.

– Your flesh is sacred and powerful to breed our desire to be stronger – the brown squatted at my side, looking at me with a horrible breath on my face that how I wanted to block my nose to avoid this horrible smell. – You are the lucky one.

– Or unlucky – the green pulled the chain, bringing me close to him to grab. – Let’s meet your destiny, poor fox.

– And can I go?

One other voice appeared from nothing, up and behind me. The two looked up at stairs and I tried the same with difficulty. Tanuki was there with the arms on the fat waist looking at the two creatures that reacted tense because someone discovered them.

– I don’t want to disturb you – Tanuki proceeded – but you can’t take him.

– Crap! – the brown shouted low to not make the others hear.

– So we will take you too.

The green sketched a quick smirk and launched one reserve chain at Tanuki direction. I was hoping that he would dodge and counterattack, but he didn’t react, letting the chain curl his body including arms. I was hoping so much from Tanuki that now I see the hope dies.

– Now you go with us – the green laughed satisfied with his other conquest.

– How you desire.

I don’t understand him. Yesterday he saved me; now is he surrendering? Why?

I just see the green sketching a big smile of victory, all ended with a blink of eyes of one big figure stops at his front and giving a belly on the monster, throwing him on the wall. The chains fall from me and him: it was Tanuki.

– Incredulous!

The brown growled and tried a punch against Tanuki, but the fat moved faster and replied with some kung-fu pose – I think it’s kung-fu – that punched the creature on the stomach with the hand opened, throwing him on the wall too. Quickly after the attack, Tanuki grabs me to lift and pulled to lock into the apartment. My paws were lazy and weak where one false step is the right fall.

– Hurry up, Master. They will follow you – Tanuki commented hurried to hide me into my place, now presuming that all will become a mess.

– Who are them? – I asked trying to breathe.

– More Onis.

More? Are there other kinds of Onis of different sizes, colors and origins? Because the characteristics and behaviors are the same from the other.

A little.

We get into my apartment and close the door, running around and seeing the good place to hide if I have chance. They can smell me to find. The only salvation will come from Tanuki that was holding my hand to guide me or to feel he was being accompanied. I take out my hand from him after noticing it.

– They will hunt me – I was stuttering with difficulty to breath.

– They can’t go into here and steal you from me, Master – Tanuki puts his hand on my shoulder to calm me down. It’s not working. – They should run over me to grab you.

– Did you lock the door?

– Lock what?

Now I can put my life in despair. I just heard the door being opened roughly and I was with the heart in my throat, sweating a lot. The two Onis coming with their chains on the hands and angry with Tanuki. Both stopped and we were at medium distance.

Medium, little, big… not matter. I am in fear.

– Give back our hunt, idiot! – the brown shouted spinning the chain. Now I notice the point has an arrow to put weight or pierce someone. This explains how he tied us.

– You should take him from me. – Tanuki landed on my front to block me.

– If you want to die – the green growled – so die you will.