All Anime World

*Mike guided the big truck through the trees down to the old railroad. He was hoping the service road along the tracks would give them a fast route to the city. Mike opened the throttle, soon they reached the trucks top speed of almost 100kph. Mike knew it might be hard on the gunners on top, but speed was their best bet at getting to the city. For most of the trip things went pretty well, only when they had to slow down for obstacles or to ford a stream or river because the bridge was down, did they come under any real attacks. The high powered guns were able to hold off the attacks quite well. But the closer they got to the city the worse the attacks got.*

*They were only about 10k from the old city when they came to another downed bridge. This river was larger and Mike had to drive along the bank looking for a shallow place to ford. He spotted a good place just as Kelly yelled "incoming". The guns roared to life as Mike turned into the river. The truck ground and wallowed in the river, it was deeper and faster than the others they'd crossed. Mike held his breath as the truck rocked and the wheels spun. There was no way the gunners could hold aim with it this rough. Slowly the big truck pulled out on the other side.*

*As the truck pulled up the other bank, suddenly a demons head reached through the window and clamped down on Mike's arm. Mike yelped, damned small fliers, they're annoying, but at least not poisonous. Aki turned, her hands glowing with foxfire, she reached out and blasted the demon, it fell smoldering out the window. Aki's blood froze as she heard a familiar child's voice scream "mama!!" behind her.*

*Toru Looked over the top of the seat when Mike yelped. He saw Aki turn toward Mike, but he saw the ugly snake like demon head come in the window on Aki's side. It's jaws were open, it's deadly fangs ready to strike. With cat quickness, Toru jumped over the seat onto the monsters head, pushing it down and preventing it from biting Aki. Toru stabbed at the monster with one of his small arrows.*

*Mike turned at Toru's scream. He lunged over, reaching behind Aki, and grabbed Toru's leg, hauling him back into the truck, just as the demon pulled it's head back out. A powerful bolt of foxfire lanced out of the window, vaporizing half of the demon. Mike pulled Toru over and pushed him back between the seats, telling him to stay there. Mike held the throttle wide open as the truck crested the bank and slammed back onto the road, getting back up to speed as fast as thirty tons could accelerate.*

*Mike looked at Aki, her necklace was glowing golden, her eyes were shining silver and she had a blue aura of power surrounding her......... Damn she was something else..... beautiful....... Mike loved it when she was like this, it excited him more than she could know. Aesir men preferred powerful women, and Aki was one powerful and exciting little woman.*


*Akira hurried into the surveillance room, his friend had sent him a message to come asap. He'd asked his friend to let him know if they saw anything happening up north.*

Akira: What's up, did you find something.

Friend: I'll say, look at this. We spotted this thing coming down the old railroad bed.

*Akira looked at the monitor screen, the view from the circling unmanned spy plane showed the big truck with all it's guns blazing, surrounded by demons, just entering the north of the city.*

Akira: What the hell is that? Damn, it's like a gunship or something..... have they made any contact? Can you get them on com?

Com officer: I've been trying. Either they don't have com gear or they're on a different frequency or......... wait, found them. *He switched on a speaker.

Kelly: That's why we cant get them, you idiot, we aren't using that frequency anymore.

Mike: Sorry, How could I know they changed.

Kelly: Alright, switch to........

Akira grabbed the microphone: Kelly!! Kelly, we have you......

Kelly: Akira?? Thank god, we're gonna need some fire support..... And get the god damned door open, or I'll have Mike drive through it!!

* Araq looked at the advancing truck from atop a building, fists clenched. One of the lesser monsters went next to him, bowing. *

Monster: Araq-sama, we can't stop them...

* Araq turned towards him annoyed. *

Araq: Don't you think i see that!? Dammit... two spartans, the aesir and the kitsune... this is why I requested Daggoth to be here as well... I just hope Zasz has better luck on the south or Sayuri-sama is NOT going to be happy...

-----

* Kunikida was running his usual radio scan when he picked up a weak signal. He couldn't understand any of it so he tried firing up one of his repeater stations. The signal power and clarity got better immediately. *

Kunikida: It's cyphered... this could be important.

* He started recording it, while preparing the decryption equipment. *

-----

* Hideki took a quick look outside the building. Nothing on the streets. They had been forced to spend the night on the ruins, after finding roadblock after roadblock and, eventually, getting lost in the dark. Thankfully there weren't many monsters around so the night was mostly uneventful (not taking into account the encounter with the three mole monsters). Hideki looked at Rina. *

Hideki: Let's go back. I don't think we'll be able to make it to the school.

-----

* The car moved fast down the road, towards the south part of the SFP territory and out of Kunikida's sensor network range. The two SFP soldiers inside where listening to music while looking around. Suddenly, something jumped into the road, catching the driver off-guard. He tried to brake and swerve out of the way but still hit it before coming to a stop. The two of them stepped out of the vehicle, rifles in hand. *

Soldier 1: Dude! It's a monster!

Soldier 2: *deep breath* Thanks God! I thought I had hit a survivor!

Soldier 1: Hey, ain't this one of those little critters that always are with the "spitters"?

Soldier 2: Spitter? The one that shoots those acid things out of their mouths?

Soldier 1: Yeah, those.

Soldier 2: Hmm... but wait... wouldn't that mean that...

* A growl behind them froze them in place. The driver turned around and saw a group of monsters a few meters from the car. *

Soldier 1: Aww, f#$%...

* A few minutes later, Zasz leaned on the car while taking a look at the two corpses a few meters away. *

Zasz: These guys are getting cocky, venturing so far out without any escort... relay a message to all groups to sneak in and burrow in wait of further orders. We'll destroy them tonight.

*The main highway into the old city had been blocked, it looked like an ambush. Mike didn't think the monsters were smart enough to organize something like that. He'd turned off to the side streets, slamming the truck into a barrier and powering over the debris and the demons manning it. It had been a running firefight since then, slowed by the wreckage of the old city. They finally made a turn onto the main road. Mike could see the bridge to the sealed city, and the gates guarding it. Mike floored it, they just better get the gates open. They were close to running out of amo.*

*The gate defenders were stunned to see the huge truck come rushing down the street, followed by a large pack of demons. The demons were trying to attack the truck, while dodging the streams of fire from the powerful guns that were ripping them apart. Mike was relieved when the cannons of the gate defenders opened up and added their firepower to that of the trucks defenders. The gate raised just in time for the truck to rush onto the bridge.*

*It was hard for Mike to get himself to slow the truck as they crossed the bridge. It seemed like they had been running forever. But the guns were silent, and Kelly was telling him to slow down. There was a major military post just off the end of the bridge. Kelly had Mike pull into the yard and park the truck. They were immediately surrounded by a crowd, curious to see what had caused all the commotion. Mike climbed out and saw someone helping Aki down from the other side. Mike lifted Toru out of the truck cab and held him at arms length.*

Mike: You know you're in big trouble little man, disobeying your mother like that. Why, you should get a good spanking for............ *Mike looked at Toru's big sad eyes. He pulled the boy close and hugged him tight.* Oh kid, you could have been hurt, or worse........ but..... I'm really glad your here. *Mike handed the boy down to Aki, she hugged him like she was afraid he'd disappear.*

*They were soon being plied with dozens of questions. One of the officers insisted that they should be taken for immediate debriefing. Mike was trying to tell him not now, later. Finally mike looked at Kelly.*

Mike: I have to take Aki to her parents, before I do anything else. Is there some way you can get these fools to understand that. *Mike put his arm around Aki and Toru, trying to shield them from the curiosity of the crowd.*

*In a few minutes they were in a military car, headed away from the post. Kelly knew where Aki's parents lived in the crowded city. they would be there in a few minutes.*

Kelly: Alright, I could pull rank to get you out of there. I understand you need to get Aki home. But later, I want you to give me a full report on what happened and what you learned up north these last two years.

Mike: Fine, no problem........ Could you get my truck resupplied? You said Hideki went south with a group of the others, Tomorrow, I want to go find him.

Kelly sighed: It won't do much good, I've looked for him. We think there might be some people living somewhere south, but I never found them. Hideki's probably dead.

Mike: Not likely.

*The car pulled up in front of the apartment building where Aki's parents lived. Mike was amazed at the sealed city, so many people in this one place. They were forced to live in high rise buildings. Mike sighed, this was a moment he had dreaded for two years, Kyo-san was not very happy with him last time he had seen him. Even Aki's assurance that Kyo had forgiven him wasn't enough to silence his worries. He'd just spent two years with their daughter........ they hadn't believed him before.........what would they be thinking? And could Aki's parents accept the neko child that Aki had adopted? Mike got out and opened the door for Aki and Toru. They walked into the building as Kelly drove away. Well, it was now or never.*

*Ai was watering the flowers in the box outside her window when she saw the Military car pull up to the curb down below. She wondered what the military was doing here. They didn't often come to this part of town. Ai dropped her watering can onto the flowers, she couldn't breath. She watched a blond haired young man get out of the car..... a very tall young man. Ai held on to the window sill for support, she felt weak as she watched the young man open the other car door and a beautiful young woman with sea green hair got out, followed by a small child.*

Ai: Kyo!

*Kyo looked up from his book and saw his wife sink to her knees by the window. Kyo jumped from his chair and was immediately by his wife's side.*

Kyo: Ai... Ai!, what's wrong, what's happened?

*For long moments Kyo held her, fear rising in him. finally she looked up at him with tear filled eyes.*

Ai: It can't be.... it can't....... she promised...... it's a miracle Kyo............. The gods promised......... she's here Kyo, she's here.

*Kyo helped Ai to a chair, she was shaking badly, and not making any sense at all. The gods were here?? What kind of miracle? Had something in Ai snapped?? What should he......... There was a knock at the door.*

Ai: It's her!! She's here Kyo, she's really here!!

*Kyo got up and went to the door. Ai got up and quickly followed him. She took hold of his arm for support, Kyo could feel her shaking. Kyo had to straighten this out, the gods could be damned, this was not good. He reached out and unlocked the door, and pulled it open. Kyo thought his heart stopped, he was standing face to face with a ghost.......... a tall blond ghost.*

*Aki pushed past Mike and hugged her father.*

Aki: PAPA!!!

*Both Ai and Kyo were knocked out of their stupors and they immediately hugged Aki. They all had tears in their eyes as they huddled together.*

Ai: Oh my baby!!! I missed you...

Aki: I missed you too! Both of you! *Aki hugged her parents again, by now Ai was was crying and Kyo was holding his own tears back.*

*When the three kitsunes pulled away, a little reluctantly though, Ai ushered Aki inside, leaving Kyo to deal with the others.*

Kyo, looking at Mike: Thank you for bringing her back. *Kyo was polite, maybe a little to polite. He was still feeling awkward towards the tall guy, after all he had accused him of several things the last time they they saw each other. Mike nodded. Kyo was silent and in a soft whisper, his head bowed* I'm sorry. *The wide eyed surprised look Mike had on his face was enough for Kyo, it meant that the boy was harboring no grudge towards him.*

???: Excuse me, Mike-san, where's Mama--I mean Aki-san.

*Kyo looked at the little boy next to Mike. He looked like a half-kitsune with the fuzzy fox ears. Then the kid's slip-up clicked in Kyo's mind.*

Kyo: WHAT?!

*At the roar Toru jumped and scurried behind Mike, the other tall and huge man was starting to get red in the face. He was scared. A hand settled gently on his head, Toru looked up and saw Mike's eyes conveying support. Toru gulped. That other man was Aki's father, she had shouted 'papa' then hugged him, didn't she?*

*When Ai and Aki heard Kyo's loud voice they immediately went back out again. Ai was calming the sputtering Kyo as Aki asked what was wrong.*

Kyo: Wrong? What's wrong? *Kyo looked incredulous, then frustrated and then defeated.* I...I don't see you for two years and then I think that you're dead. And then you come back and I find that you have a child.

*Clearly misunderstanding her father Aki frowned.*

Aki: Now, Papa...what are you...hmm, what? *Aki turned to see Toru clutching the hem of her top. He was looking quite scared and Aki realized that Toru was scared of her father.* Oh...come here...*Aki pulled Toru gently to her side, in full view of Kyo and Ai. Ai looked surprised at the little neko but she quickly got over that and knelt in front of the boy.*

Ai, smiling: Hello there, little one, what's your name? I'm Ai, Aki's mother.

*Toru felt relieved that the other kitsune didn't seem to like shouting. Putting a smile on his face he introduced himself.*

Toru: I'm Toru.

Ai: Nice to meet you Toru-kun.

Kyo: Ai...

Ai: Oh, I suppose you haven't officially met Aki's father. That big man over there is Kyo. *Toru gave a scared glance and Ai chuckled* Don't worry about him his bark is worse than his bite. *Ai stood up and smiled at Mike.* I almost forgot to thank you for bringing Aki back home. And this little guy here. *She ruffled Toru's hair.*

Kyo: Who is that little guy anyway? *Everyone went still, Kyo was using his authoritative voice. After a few seconds Mike started to answer but couldn't explain it well so he bluntly stated that he was Aki's son. Kyo's eyes widened again and red crept up his skin. He coughed and breathed in deeply to calm himself. He look straight into Mike's eyes.* I want to have a talk with you.

*And so both men left the Ayashi women and Toru together. They went for a walk with Kyo showing the way.*

---
*Ai had made Toru comfortable in their living room as she worked in the kitchen with Aki helping her.*

Ai: Hmmm...

Aki: Something wrong Mama?

Ai: It's just that isn't Toru a little too mature to be your child?

*Aki blinked then burst out laughing.*

Aki: You think Toru's mine?

Ai: He's your son.

Aki: Yes but I just adopted him, a year and a half ago. When I started to look for Mike I met him. We stayed at a neko village but when I couldn't find a trace of Toru's parents I adopted him.

Ai: Oh.

Aki: What made you think he was my biological son?

Ai: The ears. That's how half-kitsune ears look like. I guess full neko ears are like that too. I suppose the tail should have been a sign. Kitsunes usually have bushy tails. *Ai swished her own tail as emphasis.*

*Then something occurred to both women. They both shook their head. Aki sighed.*

Aki; I hope he wouldn't be too hard on Mike.

Ai: I hope so too.

*Kyo took Mike into a side room, he wasn't thinking to clearly right now, this had all been such a shock.*

Kyo: You've been with my daughter for just two years and already you have a son??? What did you do drag her off the moment you saw her? Aki told me I should trust you and...............

* Suddenly it dawned on Kyo........ only two years....... it couldn't be. The child could only be about a year old, no matter when.....*

Kyo: Wait....... he can't be her's.......... Explain this, Micheal, who is that boy?

Mike: But he is her's...... no, um, not her's but......... She found Toru when she was looking for me, and his parents weren't at the neko village. We looked for them, but never found them, so Aki adopted him.

Kyo: So.... he isn't kitsune? The boy's a neko?

Mike: Yes, he's neko. But.....

Kyo: Oh..... thank god..... I thought..... but that just couldn't be. I..... I guess I shouldn't have reacted like that. it's just...... no, after all you have been with her for two years. I know I should have expected it, but, well, it's a bit hard on a girl's father. But, I guess I just have to accept it......... Micheal, it's probably best if you don't sleep with Aki here, for her mother's sake, at least until we can set up a proper ceremony. *Kyo noticed Mike's shocked expression.*

Kyo: You have been..... umm

Mike : No... I haven't slept with Aki....... well I did sleep with her last night, but I mean she fell asleep and........

Kyo: OH??

Mike: No, it's not..... I mean, I slept with her, but I didn't sleep with her....... Ah, nothing happened, I swear it...... She fell asleep so I took her to my house and took her to bed............ no, wait that doesn't sound right.......

Kyo: Alright, son, slow down and tell me what happened. *Kyo was beginning to see what his wife had meant, the boy was naive, and embarrassed enough that he couldn't even think straight.*

*Mike took a breath, then explained to Kyo how Aki, with the Aesir's help, had protected the village. And how she had been completely drained by it, so he had just held her all night......... They even had all their cloths on....... *

Kyo: So, you lived among these neko people, for two years, in separate houses? And you didn't, ah......

Mike: No, we didn't......... umm, I didn't think she would be ready for.... um... for that. I don't know, maybe she is, but...... someday I'd like to ask her. I, ah, I think I would have, if we had been there much longer. But now, I'd like to, but things have changed. I just hope someday......... that it would be alright, I mean, that you wouldn't mind if I, umm, asked her to be my wife.

*Kyo thought for a moment. He'd been wrong.........all the bad things a father thinks about the young man that's after his daughter, he'd been wrong. The boy had been honest, and should have earned Kyo's trust. But gods it was hard when it was your daughter. Kyo looked into Mike's clear blue eyes.*

Kyo: when the time comes, son, it will be up to Aki to decide. She isn't a little girl anymore. And if you are the one she decides on, I would be happy, she couldn't have found a better man.

*Mike sagged, two years of fear and dread had just been lifted from his heart. Suddenly he was feeling all the fatigue of the last two days weighing on him. He hadn't even eaten since yesterday, having skipped breakfast when he met Kelly this morning. Damn he felt tired and hungry, but relieved to finally have Aki back home.*

*When Mike and Kyo came into the living room they weren't speaking and Aki assumed the worst...until Kyo smiled and patted Toru on the head. Curious, Toru followed Kyo with his eyes as the tall kitsune kissed his wife's cheek. Ai had a knowing smile on her face. Kyo then smiled her and Mike when he went closer to her. It was nice that her father approved of Mike now, it was just a little surprising.*


Ai: So, Aki...Michael-kun, what happened two years ago? Then after that? I mean both of you had been gone for two years I'm sure you have a lot to tell.

*And so Aki obliged, she stared from when she arrived at the Neko Village, she gave details of the neko and the ones she and Mike were closest to. Mai, Tien and Tan's names often came up. Mike interjected a few here and there about life with the nekos. Ai and Kyo listened avidly. None of the four noticed that one neko boy wasn't in the living room anymore.*

------------

*Toru walked around the house. Everything was so tall, huge or both! The buildings, the doors, the people, everything! In the neko village the tallest was Mike and then followed by Aki but here Aki looked tiny and her parents were as tall at Mike! He was so happy exploring the place that he looked through every door and window to see where they led, he opened cabinets and drawers that he could reached and let those he couldn't for later.*

------------

*When Aki finished her story Ai and Kyo looked so awed that she couldn't almost stop the giggle in her throat. The Neko race wasn't very common and there wasn't any that the couple knew of in the Sealed City.*

*When Mike had asked the three Ayashi where Toru was the trio looked at him. Then they looked around the living room. When they couldn't see Toru anywhere in the room they shot up from their seats, Aki was starting to panic like a mother when the questioned boy strolled in. He looked around and zeroed in on the stool placed beside the couch. He toddled over and began to pull it. The older occupants watched as Toru pulled the stool out of the living room when Aki quickly followed him, the others followed next.*

*They stopped when they saw Toru climbing up the stool in the hallway closet. Aki rushed up to him.*

Aki: What are you doing?

Toru: Climbing a stool. *smile.*

Aki: I get that but why?

Toru, excited: Everything's so big or tall here! And I can't reach that cabinet. *He pointed to the top door cabinet. Ai, Kyo and Mike laughed.*

*After Toru satisfied his curiousity he began to ask questions about the place. Ai had happily answered the questions, having as much fun as Toru. When Toru asked about monster attacks the conversation led to Ai learning how Toru jumped on a monster so that it wouldn't bite her.*

Ai, cooing: How brave you are! *She gathered Toru in her arms.* I'm going to make sure you get extra dessert later!

Toru; YAY!!!

------------------

*They continued to talk over things as Ai cooked dinner. When it was finished Aki and Mike set the table. As Kyo and Toru helped bring out the food.*

*As the dinner conversation progress it somehow arrived at Mike saying that he was leaving tomorrow to look for Hideki. Aki was shocked. Tomorrow, already?*

Aki: I'm going!

Toru, mouth full: Me foo!

Aki: No, you're staying here. You already came with us without permission, though I am thankful that you did...still you're going to stay here.

Toru: But...

Aki, sternly: You are going to stay Toru.

Mike: You should stay too.

*Aki gave Mike a glare.*

Aki: I have to go. You're going to look for our friends. It's been a long time...*Understanding, Mike nodded. Aki turned back to Toru.* But you are staying and this time I'm going to make sure.

Toru, sighing: Fine

*Ai smiled at how much her Aki had grown.*

((it's a little choppy...sorry, I'm so sleepy. ))

*Toru scowled over his food, he really didn't want his mama to leave without him. But if he disobeyed again, he knew he would make her angry, and Mike did say they wouldn't be going to far from the city. Toru looked around at the people, he was starting to get comfortable with AKi's parents. They were so very big and a little scary, but Aki's mama was so very nice, she made him feel..... kinda like he belonged here. He looked a Kyo, the tall man had really frightened him at first, when he was loud and angry. Toru had been afraid the kitsune might be angry and mean like the humans that had hurt him, or maybe would send him away. But after Mike had talked to him, he was very nice, just like Aki's mama. Toru was glad Mike had talked to Kyo, Mike fixed things. Toru knew Mike would always help him, he was just like a daddy to him.... Toru thought about that morning, he'd been so sure Mike was his daddy then but mama had explained all about how he wasn't. Toru really hoped that Mike would be his daddy soon. He was sure that mama wanted that too.*

Kyo: Aik, it's very dangerous outside the city. I can't have you running around out there, looking for people who might............ *Kyo stopped as Ai glared at him.*........ I... I worry about you, Aki, going back out again, now that you're safe with us. Please, be careful, come back safe.

Mike: I won't let anything happen to her, Kyo-san. We'll have my truck, and if we find the others........ I wish Aki could stay here safe with you too, but..... I need her. *Mike thought of what his mother had told him.* Kyo-san, a warrior needs his magical partner to protect him with her magic. and a magical woman needs a warrior to defend her from those that break through her spells.......... This is as it should be........ My mom told me that.

*Mike and Kyo got into a discussion about Mike's truck, and it's capabilities. Mike was hoping Kelly would be able to have the guns resupplied by tomorrow.*

* Araq paced from one side of the room to the other, mumbling angrily. The door opened and a human woman dressed in camouflage walked in. Araq stopped and looked at her. *

Araq: You look disgusting in that disguise, Auza.

Auza: Oh? Sorry, forgot I still had it on...

* Auza grinned and grew small bat-like wings and a tail, her skin color changed and her eyes became cat-like. She looked like the modern depiction of a succubus. *

Araq: Better. What are you doing here?

Auza: Wanted to relay a piece of info personally.

Araq: What would it be?

Auze: The aesir will move again tomorrow. I suggest you be ready.

* Araq grinned evilly. *

Araq: I will. Thank you, Auza.

*Mai Lie stood at the alter praying. she was very worried. They had looked all afternoon and hadn't found Toru, he hadn't returned. Mai turned to leave, but stopped in her tracks and looked up. Before her was a woman, a tall woman with blond hair, and blue eyes. Mai fell to her knees.*

Sif stepped forward and lifted Mai to her feet: There's no need to bow child.

Mai: But you're Mike's mother, you're the goddess......

Sif: Yes, I'm Micheal's mother, as for the rest..... *Laughs*...... we won't go into that....... I came to tell you that the boy you seek is alright, he's with Aki and Micheal, with his mama. This is as it should be. He hid in the machine and they are safely to the city now.

Mai: Thank you goddess, I was worried, I was to take care of Toru for Aki and.......

SIf put her hand on Mai's shoulder: This is for the best, you have your own child to take care of now. *Mai's eyes got big* Yes Mai, your suspicions are true, soon you will be holding your daughter. Teach her well, she will be the first of the priestesses to hold the power of the crystal. It is Aki's gift to your people.

*Mike sat on the sofa with his arm around AKi. They could hear Ai telling bedtime stories to Toru in the spare bedroom. It had been an intense day, and tomorrow would be a new beginning. Mike knew they had to find their friends. he's thought a lot about the pieces of the prophesy the old priestess had told him. Mike was sure it involved his friends, just as it did Aki. But he had been sure it involved the elf girl, Rina, and now Kelly said she had died.......... Mike could hardly believe that, but, then there must be something else. They had to win this war.*