Talia brought us to a door at the back of the guild next to the first window. It was slightly ajar and the wood was shattered next to it where I had been punched across the room into it. Looking at it caused me to wince inwardly. My ears drooped slightly, and my tail gave a small flick—a silent reminder that I needed to be stronger, always stronger.

“Tama thinks you fight pretty good, but Tama went easy on you!” I said with an almost casual smile, my tail swishing gently behind me. Talia turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow. “Is that so? Would you like to go another round then?”

I froze as I considered her words for a moment, my ears twitching in hesitation. The likelihood of me surviving were slim. But admitting I was weak would be an insult to my sensei. “Nya, not right now. Tama needs to help Saki first!” I said, trying my best to make myself look uninterested—even as my tail twitched with a mix of resolve and playful defiance.

Talia simply smirked at me and nodded before turning back around. “Then lets get you that badge shall we?” she said as she walked through the door. I followed behind her, with Saki trailing closely—her fox ears flicking with alertness and her tail curling gracefully. We entered a short hallway, only around fifty or so feet in length. I could have easily blinked this in an instant. But Talia stopped me and stated, “While I know you and I can travel in an instant, your friend can’t go as fast as you or me.” I looked over at Saki, noticing her ears flatten in a moment of bashful irritation. “Saki, Talia says you can’t go down this hall quickly!” I was upset that Talia would just openly insult my friend like that.

When did she become my friend? The thought was momentary, causing me to pause as Saki responded, her tail curling softly at her side. “Not everyone is as fast as you Tama, some of us have whats known as regular walking and running speeds.”

I was pulled out of my thoughts as I considered for a moment before it hit me. “It’s because your breasts are bigger huh? They must slow you down!”

Talia laughed at my words. I turned to her frowning, my tail twitching in mild annoyance, wondering what had struck her as so funny. Saki looked like she was holding back laughter, her fox ears quivering in amusement. I didn’t know what they found so funny about what I said!

“Nya! What’s so funny, Tama was simply stating an observation!” That broke the dam and Saki fell to her knees and held her stomach as she laughed maniacally, her tail whipping around with each burst of giggles. I stared at her angrily as she laughed. After a long moment she finally stood up and answered me:

“Tama, you were trained by a world class Ninja, what is normal speed for you is extremely fast to the rest of us. My… special parts… are not the reason I am slower then you. Also, you need to stop commenting about peoples body, It’s very bad and inappropriate.” Her fox ears drooped just a bit as she spoke, emphasizing her frustration.

“Tama doesn’t understand, but if you say so, Tama will stop commenting. But Tama still wants to know why!” I said with a raised eyebrow, my tail flicking insistently as if urging for more explanation.

Saki sighed and shook her head before looking at Talia. I looked to Saki too—she looked uninterested in the conversation, so I looked back at her. She looked irritated at Talia before responding to me, “Tama, my breasts, and other women’s breasts are bigger is because puberty made them bigger. They aren’t any different from yours, just a size increase.” She gave a sad smile, and her tail curled in a gentle, self-conscious motion as if apologizing. “Can Tama make hers bigger?” I asked with sincerity, my ears perking up with genuine curiosity.

Saki once again shook her head. “It’s just a natural part of life, besides they cause lots of problems when you get older. Like they make your back hurt and stuff.” Her fox ears drooped further as she spoke, underscoring her matter-of-fact tone.

I frowned at that. “You just said they didn’t make a difference!” My tail swished sharply, punctuating my disbelief.

Saki took a deep breath, clearly finding the comedy less funny after her explanation. “Look we can discuss this later, right now we need badges. Just please stop undressing people and asking about their private areas, and especially do not touch them without permission.” Her ears flicked back in a mix of irritation and finality.

I looked at her for a moment. “Can Tama…”

“No,” was Saki’s immediate response. “You may not, now lets go.” Her stance was firm, with her tail wrapped around her slightly as she stood her ground.

I looked at her pleadingly, giving the same look I gave Sensei when I wanted extra rations for food. “Pretty please? Just once?” My ears tilted forward in a hopeful appeal as my tail wrapped around my leg.

Saki glared at me for a long moment, hands on her hips. Finally, after a moment, she sighed and looked away saying, “If it will make you stop then yes, but not now, maybe somewhere more private and in the future. Okay?” Her fox ears drooped in reluctant concession.

“Thank you Saki! Tama really appreciates it!” I said earnestly, my tail giving a little joyful swish. Behind me I heard Saki say, “Maybe, if we can find you a boyfriend, the two of you can explore each other and leave me out of it.” I felt my ears twitch in confusion.

I turned around to ask her what a boyfriend was, but before I could say anything Talia coughed loudly. “Excuse me ladies, can we get a move on? I don’t believe a cramped hallways is the best place to talk about your thoughts of sex and dating.”

Even more confused I went to ask Talia a question, only to be stopped by Saki who stepped forward and took my shoulder. Her gentle grip was accompanied by a slight nod, and her fox ears remained attentive. I looked back to see her look me in the eyes and shake her head. Later, the meaning was clear.

I sighed and nodded. We took a few steps and I went to blink instinctively, but I felt a strong grip suddenly holding my hand. I looked down and saw Talia was holding my hand in a vice grip. Not too much to hurt, but enough that I couldn’t pull away without exerting immense force. My cat ears flattened as I registered the tight hold.

I looked up at her and she smiled down at me and said, “Just making sure you don’t try blinking ahead. But you weren’t gonna do that after I asked you not to, were you?”

I froze at her words before quickly responding, “Uh, no, Tama would never, Tama was just walking slow like Saki!” My tail wrapped momentarily around my leg in indignation as I spoke. I heard Saki grumble under her breath behind me, “I’m not slow, you are just an insane speed demon monster.” Her fox ears perked up at the retort.

I wonder if she knew I heard her as my ears perked up and my tail wrapped around my leg even tighter.

Talia closed one of her eyes and opened it quickly before leaning in and whispering, “Some people just don’t like being second place.”

“You know I can hear you!” Saki said loudly at us, indignation in her voice, her fox ears flaring in protest. I once again opened my mouth to respond but was once again stopped as we finally reached a large wooden door at the end of the small hallway.

I winced at how massively long that took! Like, a whole minute of just walking. I tried to pull my hand free, but Talia’s grip felt like iron encased in steel. I sighed and stopped trying to pull my hand free, instead I looked at Saki pleadingly while using my free hand to gesture. My tail flicked anxiously, mirroring the urgency in my eyes.

What do you expect me to do! If looks could talk, those words were what Saki was screaming at me. I considered for a moment before I pointed at my eyes. (My cat ears twitched as I made the gesture.) Saki looked puzzled for a moment before a look of horror crossed her face. She shook her head vehemently, making it very clear she wasn’t going to do that. Her fox ears dropped as a sign of her firm refusal.

I didn’t understand, if you could mind control people, then why not do it to help your friend? Before I could come up with another plan, Talia simply let go. “Sorry, I forgot I was holding your hand Tama, we are here and I don’t need to keep you still now.”

I immediately rushed into the room, hopefully getting out of reach of the crazy strong lady who wouldn’t let me teleport. My tail streamed behind me as I bolted, a blur of feline determination. In the room was a large wooden desk, and 3 wooden chairs. They all looked super sturdy.

Talia walked over to the desk, sat in the chair behind it, then gestured for me and Saki to sit. Saki walked past me giving me a “really?” look, her fox ears twitching in silent reproach. I shrugged at her and walked over to the chairs. I sat down before Saki, who seemed to take an eternity to sit down, her tail curling as she finally settled.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Maybe I was just upset because of that insanely time consuming walk down the hallway.

“Alright girls, you want to become adventurers right?” Talia said as she leaned forward and looked at us both expectantly. I looked to Saki, after all, this was all her idea. Saki simply nodded before answering, “we do.”

“In that case normally we have a 3 step process. First, you pay the guild fee, since Tama here was clearly raised by the old ninja himself, and you were banned from the guild hall yesterday for asking extremely inappropriate questions and clearly trying to get a badge for free. I’m decently sure neither of you have any gold on you?”

I looked over at Saki—she had looted those guys outside and clearly had shiny round things on her. She had called them gold. “Nope, sadly, I have none on me!” Saki lied to Talia’s face. I stared at her in shock. “But Tama thought you looted those thugs earlier?” I said, curious why she would lie, unless those small round things weren’t gold? My ears tilted in curious disbelief.

Saki looked at Talia, who looked at her. Saki’s tail curled up and her ears flattened. “Oh yes.. that gold, I er.. completely forgot about that.”

Talia raised an eyebrow before shaking her head. “Either way its fine, I will be covering you both. Since Tama here is the adopted daughter of a very close friend, and since you are her friend. Not even going to pretend to know how that happened.” Her tone was matter-of-fact, while Saki’s tail flicked in a brief display of unease.

Saki visibly winced, her face went back to normal only a moment later, but I saw it. Why is she wincing at that?

“As for the second and third, they are rather straightforward. First, you must show you have the aptitude and skill to join. Tama here has shown skill in spades, not just anyone can fight an S Rank to a standstill for just under a minute. As for you,” Talia shifted her focus to Saki, “You are the most manipulative, controlling, and deceitful little fox I have ever met.” she said simply. Saki’s ears shot up and her tail twitched defensively at the labels.

Saki visibly reacted to that. Her eyes widened and she cowered in her chair. “But,” Talia continued, “You have shown courage in protecting Tama, even going so far as to risk your own life multiple times when you didn’t have to. Clearly, you two have some kind of connection.”

“Secondly, you pick a partner. You can have up to five, but there are no solo adventurers. Two is the minimum. It is a dangerous world and everyone needs someone.” Her eyes went between me and Saki before nodding. “As such, I will be signing you up as a duo, and if possible, I will be sending you on a sort of.. test. Teranthia and her partner will be excellent guides for your first quest and they will be rating you on your performance. While strength and skill are important. You must know when and how to use them. Those two should also help you.” (I shifted in my seat, my cat ears flicking with a mix of excitement and apprehension.) She looked at me with an amused smile before continuing, “With your questions about what it means to be an adventurer. It seems she has taken a liking to you.”

She turned to Saki and began speaking to her, “It should also help you with Tama’s.. inexperienced nature in certain sections. Teranthia’s partner is also her boyfriend, and I am positive both will love gushing about each other. Given Teranthia’s interest in Tama, I am certain the two will most likely attempt to go further with her. As her aunt, this is a personal request from me. Do not let them. It’s fine for a little playfulness, but if they go too far, you need to put your foot down Saki. If I find out my niece was taken advantage of, all of your heads will roll.” (Saki’s fox ears drooped in solemn determination as she absorbed the warning.)

My tail puffed up and my ears flattened as I spoke, “Excuse Tama, but Tama is more then capable of taking care of herself! No one will take advantage of Tama, She is too fast, strong, and skillful!” I emphasized my words with a determined flick of my tail.

I looked over at Saki, expecting her to attest to my impressive and amazing skill. Instead she looked at me with a sad smile before turning to Talia and saying, “You have my word, little as that might mean to you. Her chastity shall remain intact on my life.” (Her fox ears drooped as she made the promise, and her tail curled with quiet resolve.)

I stared at her in betrayal. How could she turn on me like this! What even was a chastity?! Tama did not know, but she would keep it herself! She did not need help!

“With that out of the way, lets go over your details real fast. Names please?” Talia said matter of factly as she pulled out two forms, grabbed a quill, and began to write. She paused looking at Saki first, “Autumnal Sakilera, I am sixteen years old, no living family.” Saki nodded, her fox ears perking up just a touch, and looked over to me. I paused for a moment before attempting to repeat Saki, “Fuyuki Tamaneko, I am sixteen years old, Sensei is my family.” Talia nodded and continued, “Primary and secondary elements?” Saki spoke up instantly, “Earth and Air.” I answered quickly after, “Water/Air.” Talia nodded and continued writing before stopping once again, “Species?” Saki was silent and I looked over at her, she seemed uncertain. She looked over at me and I saw something flicker in her eye before a determined look crossed her face. “I.. I am.. I am a Kitsune” I didn’t understand why she was hesitant to say her species but I responded after her, “Nekojin.” However Talia had stopped writing and was looking up, eyes wide and Saki—whose fox ears now lay flat in apprehension—a look that seemed between horror and fear. I looked to her, and then over to Saki; Saki was looking down at the chair, not making eye contact, her face still determined.

Talia stared at Saki for a long time, as if trying to read her, her gaze intense while Saki’s fox ears remained lowered. Finally after what felt like an eternity, much longer than even the long hallway walk, Talia spoke, “Foxkin.” Saki looked up in surprise and I spoke, “I thought she said she was a kitsune?”

Talia looked between us, her face serious, brooking no argument. “You are a foxkin Saki, and that is what everyone will see you as, understand?” Saki’s tail curled submissively in response.

Saki nodded in submission.

“Nya, Tama does not understand! What is wrong with Saki being a Kitsu- thingy?” I protested, my ears perking up in indignation.

Talia looked at me with a kind smile. “There is nothing inherently wrong with her being a kitsune, but her kind are known to be troublemakers and they always cause suffering and mistreatment to those around them. Clearly,” she made a pointed look at Saki, “this one seems to have your best interest at heart. I also do not hold the same… contempt for her kind as many do. Still, should it get out what she is, it could be disastrous. Tama, you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone Saki’s real species. You could put her and you in a lot of danger.” My ears drooped slightly as I processed her words.

I looked at Saki who looked back at me with hopeful eyes. “Is that what you want Saki?” I asked. She nodded and I nodded back. “Nya! Then in that case Saki is a Foxkin!” I declared it proudly, my tail swishing in excitement.

After Talia finished filling out those forms, She did some kind of thing where she held out her hand and chanted strange words. Suddenly a shiny silver shield smaller then my hand appeared and fell in her hand.

She held it out to me and said “Now then, once you accept this, you must give yourself a title, this title will stick with you for the rest of your time as adventurer, and as you become stronger, it will become well known. Choose your name wisely. “I stared at the badge frowning, not sure what to put.

“If I were you, I would put something like “Third Person Tempest!”” Saki said as she looked over at me with a smirk. Saki’s fox ears tilted playfully

I looked back at her and said “That’s a great idea!”. I grabbed the badge and looked down at it, as if it could read my mind, the badge suddenly had writing on the front “Fuyuki Tamaneko: Third Person Tempest”

I smiled up at Saki and showed it to her. Saki looked at me incredulously. “I was just.. sigh.. never mind”. Talia made another one, but before handing it to Saki, she looked at me. “Say Saki, since you two are friends, and you helped her decide her badge name, its only fair she gets to help you decide yours.”

I looked over at Saki excited. Saki looked to me, then to Talia. She must have seen something in Talia’s face because her ears flattened and she looked like she was trying to make herself smaller into the chair.

“That’s a wonderful idea!” Saki said in a weird cheery tone as she smiled over at me. She looked like she was scared, I didn’t know why but I was getting worried. “Nya! Is something the matter Saki! I can help!” As I said this I made sure to look serious and fluff up my tail and airs, showing I was always ready for combat!

Saki looked over at Talia for only a second before looking back at me. “It’s nothing Tama, Why don’t you choose my badge name for me?” “I agree” said Talia, “what a lovely idea!”

I looked at Saki, her ears flat, her tail curled around her, and clear fear in her eyes. I frowned. “Are you sure Saki?” I asked

“Definitely!” Saki said, almost too quickly. She looked at me pleadingly as she held the badge towards me. I sighed and nodded. “I have the perfect name for my best friend!” I said with happiness as my tail twitched back and forth.

I looked down on it with glee as I saw the name etch itself into the badge “Autumnal Sakilera: Vulpine Mastermind”

I handed it back to Saki and she looked at it, Her ears perked up at the same time as her eyes. And she looked back at me. “Tama, do you.. do you really see me like this?” I nodded happily. “Of course! You are the smartest most cleverest I know! You say lots of strange thing and make people do what you want!”

I watched as Saki stared at her badge, then she began to cry and my tail and ears drooped. “Nya! Whats wrong Saki! Tama didn’t mean to upset you! Talia, can Tama try again!”

I had looked to Talia when Saki spoke to me “No Tama, it’s just, this is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

She let out a small sob as she smiled at me and with a look of genuine happiness on her face, Saki spoke “Thank you Tama”

I was confused why she was crying if she was so happy, but I was also super happy. We were both now Adventure –Thingies! My tail waved back and forth as my ears stood tall. “Tama is super happy we got these badges! Now we can go help Saki with her quest!”

“Not quite yet, whatever you two have planned will have to wait until after your test. I will be right back, I’m going to go get Teranthia and her partner, His name is Rylan. I expect the four of you will get along nicely.” Talia said as she stood, her tail and ears standing at attention for a moment before her tail began to wag behind her and her ears relaxed.

She left the room while I watched, as soon as she left I looked over to Saki. She was looking at her badge and was crying still. But she had a smile on her face and kept rubbing the badge like it was the most precious thing in the world to her.

“Are you okay Saki?” I asked again, I wasn’t sure how to respond. Sensei had never just randomly started crying. She looked over at me with a smile and tears in her eyes. “I am very okay Tama, I want you to know, I will protect you and be your best friend forever if you will have me!”

I was very confused at the sudden sincerity and kindness, but I happily smiled and nodded. “Tama and Saki will be best friends forever!”

“Yes, Forever” Saki said as she looked dreamily at her silver badge. Her tail swaying back and forth, ears leaning forward as if she could hear the badge.