I've Turned Into A Fox Girl?

Chapter 293 Welcome “Home”

It was time to expose myself, this would be my last real chance to back out, but I felt like I was in too deep to turn back now. I had come this far, and most of all, I didn't want to be seen as a coward, especially after leaving so confidently.

"Farewell Vania. Despite our training being fairly short, I thank you for teaching me and refining my style." I would miss Vania, as she was a great teacher and someone who I managed to get along with surprisingly well. I half expected her to detest me, but because of our shared goal, we were able to connect.

"I wish I could keep teaching you more, as there is so much still left, but I hope that taking in your family's teachings will outweigh the value of what I can give to you." It certainly was a gamble that my family would teach me, but there was no better way to learn about my abilities than from them.

I nodded my head and took the first step towards the forest. I had to cross a flat rock field and pray that they were here. Vania didn't know the exact location, but she remembered the exact landmark she saw when running into the Demon Lands.

Vania stayed behind, watching, ready to jump in if anything went wrong since they might try to kill me. I am still a runaway after all.

*

I got further and further away from Vania, about halfway across the field, until finally reaching the forest. It was absolutely nerve-wracking to take each step without knowing if someone was watching.

'It would be a shame if no one appeared, then all these nerves would be for nothing.' I chuckled a little at the thought of what would happen if there was no one there. My family could have moved locations or gone extinct for all I know.

However, any doubts I had would soon vanish as I then saw movement in the forest. Though I was unable to discern what it was, I immediately believed that I had been found. Sure, it might have just been a wild animal making noise, but with how dead silent the place was, I didn't think there were any animals nearby.

I continued my walk, but more cautiously of whatever might jump out.

"To think you would walk right back into our hands, dear granddaughter." Suddenly, a voice that sounded very familiar to me echoed from the forest. Memories flashed back to when my parents sacrificed themselves. It was his voice that I heard yelling from behind, shortly followed by screams.

'Stay calm, I need to at least pretend I want to come back.' Rage. It was the only thing I could feel right now. However, this wasn't the time and place for it, I needed to get stronger and only then can I act on these feelings.

"Grandfather." I didn't know if I needed to prepare for battle or not, but if what Vania said was true and he was as strong as Elaina, then I had already lost.

"I see you still recognise me, that's good to hear." Emerging from the forest, a Kitsune in a full red suit came walking out. It shocked me to see, but my grandfather looked extremely young for someone who should be old. There was also no doubt he was part of my family, as he shared the same traits of red-tipped hair.

He had a face that I could only describe as evil and the demeanor of an asshole. The look in his eyes did not feel like that of a loving grandpa but more like that of someone looking at their prey.

"I thought you all had gone extinct thanks to the Shiroi royal family." I was playing with fire, but I wanted to gauge his reaction to Shaman's family.

"Tch, those Kitsune from the stars always loved to manipulate the truth. You better not be thinking of them as your saviours." I could feel the agitation in his eyes, and depending on my answer, I may no longer have a body.

'Sorry Shaman.'

"No, I don't." It was difficult to say, as Shaman is literally my saviour in addition to my own personal goddess, but I would rather see her again than die right now.

"That's a relief, then does that mean you are willing to come home then?" The big question finally hit when he calmly offered me to come with him. I would have loved to smack down his proposal and give him a piece of my mind, but unfortunately I needed to pick a dialogue option that doesn't end in disaster.

"Yes, I am." I felt my anxiety build up, as wouldn't this whole situation be suspicious? I just randomly appeared conveniently close to their base, and he hadn't questioned it.

"Hmm, good. I won't ask how you got here out of respect, but I hope you don't have any ulterior motives. Now let me confirm whether you are the Elysia I've been looking for." In a blink of an eye, Grandfather appeared right in front of me coming out of a burst of flames. He stared deeply into my eyes and used his hand to push my cheek back, revealing my fang.

"That's odd… You have sunken your teeth into someone, yet you have not consumed their blood." My face turned bright red hearing that comment, as I knew exactly what I did, but how would he know?

'Shit, I knew I shouldn't have bit Shaman.' The memory of what happened just after we finished showing off our weapons flashed through my mind. I laid Shaman on the bed and, using my fangs, I bit into her neck, but I didn't drink any blood out of fear I would activate something.

However, what was more embarrassing was that Shaman moaned through the entire thing, and from there, things got… umm yeah.

'THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE THINKING ABOUT THAT!!' I needed to halt my thoughts before I got too turned on, as right now I am still in front of my grandfather.

"You've indulged in quite a few pleasures during your time away, that would explain the partial transformation. Your body craves blood, yet you do not feel it… Interesting." My grandfather backed away, inferring from my blush the kind of things I had done. Even though I consider myself pretty shameless, this was definitely something I didn't want him to know about.

"A-ahem, what do you mean by that?" Trying to bring things to a more normal topic, I tried feigning ignorance about what he meant. I was already confirmed to be a vampire, but this way it might be easier to be accepted.

"No matter, you are indeed one of us. Come, you will return to where you belong and pick up where your parents left off." Grandfather held out his hand, waiting for me to take it.

'Yes! Some progress.' I didn't like the comment about my parents, but nonetheless, this was a good sign that I had successfully infiltrated. Still, I couldn't let my guard down. From this point on I was all by myself and could no longer rely on Vania's support.

"A-alright." I took his hand, finally sealing my fate for the next year at the very least.

I looked back to where Vania was watching, but I was unable to see her. I figured she concealed herself as soon as my grandfather appeared so that she wouldn't get caught. I could imagine the fear that ran through her when he emerged, and I wouldn't blame her if she ran away.

'I hope she is safe.' Shaman would be able to let me know if she returned safely, but for now, I needed to concentrate on being on my grandfather's good side… if he even has one.

We were then engulfed in blood-red flames for a brief moment, and what they unveiled was an underground city. We stood atop a cliff that oversaw the entire city, which was full of life. The buildings didn't look too advanced as they were made out of stone, but aside from that the technology was no different from the world above.

However, there was one detail I noticed when looking at the people roaming the streets.

'They all have hair like mine.' Everyone had the same black hair with red tips, adding more to my bank of questions about where I come from.

"This is where we will be living from now on. This town is comprised of all the races that have been cross-bred with vampires, which is what you are. The most powerful race to ever be created." I felt the ego coming through in his voice, but now I had more clues about our origin.

"Vampire? I guess that makes sense." I continued the dumb act, but not too much so as not to raise suspicion.

"Yes, you have probably already noticed that your flames are the colour of blood, and with every kill, energy returns to you. This is the gift of being partly vampire, allowing us to keep fighting until our opponent no longer has any life force left." The pride was really showing now, as if he were telling a story to a kid.

'I guess he really is a grandpa despite his looks. I could definitely take advantage of this.' If I really tried, I would probably be able to get anything I wanted. It may look like he will slit my throat, but in reality, he wants to spoil me now that I am here.

"I see, my flames are like that, but how did we come to be? There is a lot of history I am missing." I figured I should directly ask, as why would I know? I was a runaway child who wasn't "educated".

"Ah yes, you wouldn't know of our origins. First, let us get you settled into a room, there are many things you need to catch up on."