A concoction of hues of blues, purples, and greens littered the pale skin. Ruby blood smeared rosy lips. It had seemed almost too facile for the aggressor: the brick walls of the alley preventing escape, the muscular pitbull baring its fangs, the Star Ball lying on the pavement too far for the fox to reach. Whoever this was, they had done their research and planned in advance, pinpointing the faults of the fox. The weaknesses of the kitsune all added together to form a blend for destruction. How was Himchan to flee from the torture if he was enclosed from three sides and the only open route was directly to a waiting canine? Even if he could manage to detect a flaw in the plan, how would he be able to retrieve his Star Ball - his life force - and outpace both the assailant and beast?
“Pardon me. I have been so rude I have not even introduced myself!” The figure’s voice shattered the void of noise, and it perturbed the fox, even more so than he already was. It was an unfamiliar sound, so he was left to his imagination as to why - or how - he was currently in his situation. Was it a hunter? Thus far, his tails, though on full display, had been left alone; therefore, the possibility seemed low, but there was little reason for anything else - or so he thought.
“You may not remember it, being the monstrosity you are, but my father, he was a part of a construction team, you see.” A sickening jolt of realization coursed through his beaten and bruised body, already painting the picture and inferring where the story would end. How could he not? The memories of his sins and what had led up to them were branded into his brain - seared into his memory for as long as he would live. “Then, one day, after getting home, he was concerned because he had seen a young woman in the forest. He wanted to help her, but she had left before he was given the chance. The strange thing is, he said she simply vanished. He glanced away one moment, then she was gone.” A silence draped itself between them for awhile, Himchan too fearful to utter the slightest of sounds to break it. “He brushed it off though, and not too long later, he found her again. I think he fancied her, even if he was married..” The silhouette seemed to have trouble forming their next words, and the fox took the time to observe the other’s features, although it was difficult to distinguish much with the clothing that covered most of their skin. “One night, she came over.. and they..they went into the bedroom. I could not dare to intervene, but oh, how I wish I did, because the next day, my father’s body was shriveled up. Now, I am smart. I know that is not a natural cause of death. All these years, I have been researching, and it took time to rule out other creatures.. but these,” One hand reached out to stroke a furry appendage, to which Himchan snarled at. A smug smirk graced their lips, pleased with their progress and the close victory at hand. “These confirm my suspicions. Once I knew what you were and how to kill you, all I had to do was find you, which was not an easy task, but I had help..” They inhaled a shaky breath as a hand slithered into their pants’ pocket to draw out a curved knife.
An amused snort exited the fox’s stained lips. “You intend to kill me with that?” An index finger rose to point at the weapon, mocking it for its frailty. “All this work, and that is all you have for me?” Despite his words, he was terrified. A knife could do the job if the assailant knew which tail to sever - and there were only six to choose from. “I am disappointed.”
A swinging motion was brought down upon Himchan’s cheek, slicing his skin agape. And it stung - far more than he could have imagined. A shrill yelp echoed along the walls, and the fox cradled the wounded flesh in his palm. “Who do you think I am? It is blessed, silly demon fox. I want this to be as painful to you as my father’s death has been for me.”
