Obelix's lesson went on and he was surprised that Kyubi was so engrossed in the subject that she didn't even argue when her meal times came around.

"...The one Nergal mentioned, Gilgamesh is also a variant, though not a human one. He is two thirds god and a relation to both Nergal and Lady Ishtar, he has slaughtered more than three dozen of their kin..."

The words ripped Illerion from her half-bored, half-disinterested state. "Stop making it sounds like he's super powerful or something, Sir. He's not, he's just a slightly less fragile human. The only reason that cowardly little mortal worm has killed so many, is because of the damn curses and you know it."

"Curses?"

"Yes, Kyubi. As Illerion stated that is his most powerful weapon. Many entities use curses of course, but none are as potent, efficient and effective as those of their pantheon and that is why Nergal has taken on the duty of hunting Gilgamesh. Whilst they are lethal and entirely indefensible to anyone else, for someone of their pantheon, they are little more than harsh words."

"So Nergal is hunting him because no one else can? Does that mean he's the strongest?"

Obelix laughed and Illerion broke her table as her head snapped back again.

"Strongest? Have you forgotten everything our teacher has taught you? Have you forgotten that you already said that I would be stronger when I'm fully grown?"

"Quiet. Kyubi, no. Nergal is powerful and only a fool would deny it, but he is far from the strongest. Do not forget that aspects have similar powers, but are more attuned with the laws because of their direct lineage and also that one who remains a mystery to this day."

"Oh right, sorry I was so focused I became short-sighted for a second there."

"No matter, just remember such close study can blind you to the bigger picture. Now I shall call it a day and leave you two to your own devices. That said, if I sense an ounce of hostility, I shall put you both in time-out until the start of class tomorrow."

With that Obelix left the two girls speechless and left alone as promised, the moment he had however, Kyubi lunged at Illerion again.

It wasn't in aggression this time though, instead she kissed Illerion, who found the sudden kiss most amusing and started cackling hysterically. "What are you doing little fox? Rebounding after another rejection?"

Kyubi felt a strange sense of wounded pride, she had seen other Kitsune kissing, sometimes because they had already claimed the other as a partner and other times simply on impulse, but she'd never seen someone treat it with such detachment.

"No! I just wanted to kiss you..." she looked around at nothing in particular as she tried justifying it. "...You're pretty, I guess and have made advances on me before."

"You're a terrible excuse for a fox, you know that? Do you know why I didn't enjoy it? It's simple really, because you didn't. Feeling your lips tremble made it more comical than anything."

"Of course I was trembling, it was my first time!" Kyubi huffed and ranted as she sunk to hug her knees.

"Kyubi, you only did it because you wanted to be like other fox-spirits. I don't find that attractive and I don't want to encourage you to do things like that when you really don't want to."

"So how do you suggest I become a real fox?"

"Simple, do whatever you want to do."

"Well then, let's go back to the sanctuary, I want a bath."

Illerion laughed, then whispered in Kyubi's ear, making her wince and sigh before doing as Illerion had instructed.

"Lord Tsukuyomi! I really want to have a sleepover with my friend Illerion, can she come over!?"

The two of them sat in silence for several minutes after that, which made Kyubi incredibly nervous and only the fact Illerion had told her to expect it kept her calm.

After another two minutes a very annoyed-looking Obelix returned with Ginrei in tow.

"Lady Illerion, the timeless council has permitted your visit to the moonlight sanctuary of the fox spirits. Lady Kyubi, I hope you understand the significance of this, she is officially your responsibility and any issues that arrive shall be as well."

"Indeed, Kyubi. We have prepared a room next to a bath hall for the two of you to enjoy and the area has been cordoned off to avoid incidents. We hereby welcome you into our sanctuary Lady Illerion and we pray you enjoy your time."

Kyubi ran over and hugged her mother, who struggled to hide the concern in her face, but as they left and arrived in the room that had been prepared for them that changed.

The instant the portal crackled closed behind them, Illerion looked around and stretched then burst into uncontrollable tears. Ginrei attempted to comfort her, but was blocked by Kyubi who insisted it was her responsibility as Obelix had said and so Ginrei nervously left them be.

"It's been a long time since you left Obelix's world, hasn't it? did the colours overwhelm you?"

Illerion stopped crying and started laughing, the whiplash mood swings she was capable of as impressive as ever.

"The Colours!?..." Kyubi groaned at being laughed at again and bit her. "...You're a dummy, I was just a little touched by someone willing to take responsibility for me."

"Of course I am, we're friends, right?" As Kyubi beamed at her, Illerion couldn't help but wonder if she even realised what she was saying.

'You dummy, you didn't even think that it means I've never had a friend before.' Illerion felt herself about to grow sappy again and decided she didn't want to, so instead she pulled off her dress and asked where the bath was.

The first thing she saw after pulling her dress over her head though, was Kyubi blushing and facing the other way. "What are you doing!? We get undressed in the bathroom!"

"Okay, but we're the only ones here and why are you blushing, Fox-Spirits use communal baths so surely you've seen a naked girl before."

"Not one I kissed!"

Illerion burst into laughter again and pulled her dress back on. "Fine then frigid-fox, I'll do exactly as you tell me."

With that Kyubi recomposed herself and the pair's first sleepover got underway. It was a fun packed night of bathing eating snacks that Ginrei brought in regularly to take advantage of the fact that Kyubi wasn't arguing, needlework as Kyubi taught Illerion a bit of embroidery.

After ten hours, Ginrei came in to bring more snacks, only to find the pair passed out asleep together.

When morning came, Ginrei brought in some food and utensils for them to make their own packed lunches, finding Illerion surprisingly placid.

"Did you two enjoy your sleepover?"

"Not that I got a lot of sleep because of Kyubi's desire to be a conjoined twin, but yes I had lots of fun. It means a lot to me, Lady Ginrei and please pass on my thanks to Lord Tsuluyomi and everyone else who helped it happen at such short notice."

"Yeah, thanks a lot, Mum!"

Ginrei sighed, despite everything, it seemed to her that the two misfits of their species would indeed be a good influence on each other. "I will speak to Lord Tsukuyomi, hopefully we can make this a regular occurence until the time comes when Kyubi becomes a celestial fox in service to our Lord."

The girl's faces lit up and they hugged each other as they bounced up and down on the spot, then Ginrei got them back on task and took them to school.

From then on, a beautiful friendship blossomed between them, the regular visitations to the sanctuary were indeed permitted by the Elven leaders who saw it as a no-lose scenario for them and both girls grew together over the next few centuries.

As the years ticked by, Kyubi's influence helped Illerion to see that Kyubi's self-imposed favour toward Order, actually made the instance she displayed her increasingly more fox-like nature, more vibrant and wondrous to behold.

Likewise, having Illerion to show that one could both enjoy themselves, relax and embrace the more chaotic facets of their nature without sacrificing their growth and learning.

For an incredibly brief moment, their friendship even blossomed into something more and they shared s single genuine kiss, followed immediately by the sting of heartbreak as Kyubi realised that even with her newfound acceptance of her nature she still only desired Tsukuyomi.

They were both upset in general, finding out that their relationship had limits was disappointing for the two who had spent centuries acting without them and it wasn't just them either.

The Elven-Gods and those associated with Tsukuyomi were also deeply disappointed, if the two of them could have devoted themselves to one another, then it would have dealt with everyone's concerns regarding Illerion's future and also created a powerful alliance that saw the Elven-Gods brought out of their reclusive and secular lifestyle.

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