Chapter 7: Homeward Bound part 1

Wasting no time, Joey made a dash back to the city as fast as he could. He only stopped every so often only to catch his breath as he panted hard, pushing himself beyond his limits, not wishing to be apart from his new family any longer than he already has.

"Ryuchi, how much further is it, feels like I have been running for forever" Joey replied to himself sitting down on a bench unable to go any further at the moment.

"You're surprised by this realization? You fought against a fierce kitsune, not many would be able to get up so soon after such a fight" Ryuchi replied in his head

"True, but like I told you before, I'm not most people" Joey replied with a chuckle

"Yes, that you have child, still even you have limits, you need to take a rest otherwise you won't be able to go on any further. Besides my contact isn't going anywhere" Ryuchi told Joey

"You have a point I suppose" Joey replied leaning back on the bench 

Joey looked up at the sky hoping there was a way he could return to his new family. After half an hour, Joey got up feeling that he had managed to catch his second wind. Taking a deep breath, he darted off again, running off to the museum once more. An hour passed before Joey soon came into sight of the museum as crowds of people were leaving for the day.

"Looks like I didn't get here fast enough, the museum is closing" Joey commented to Ryuchi

"Child I told you my contact isn't going anywhere, he is this museums curator, just mention my name to him and then you and him can talk of how to return" Ryuchi instructed

"Is it really that simple?" Joey asked

"Perhaps, but we must ask though" Ryuchi answered

Not questioning Ryuchi's instructions, Joey ran up to the entrance, entering inside as staff members were roping off and gating up the exhibits for the night. As he looked at signs on the walls hoping to find the curator's office, he was tapped on the shoulder by a nightguard.

"Sir, i'm afraid i’ll have to ask you to leave, the museum is closing for the night and we must lock up" the guard respectfully instructed

"My apologies, I’m looking for the curator, its, kinda important" Joey replied

"Do you have some sort of appointment with him at this hour?" the guard asked questioningly

"Well no, but he knows me and it's just very important that I speak with him, please" Joey pleaded

The guard scratched his head a little. "May I ask who you are to confirm this with him?" the guard asked

"Oh, uhh, it's .. its Ryuchi sir, just tell him Ryuchi needs to speak with him urgently, I promise you he will know me" Joey told the guard

"Very well sir, please wait here" the guard replied 

Joey watched as the guard pulled out a walkie talkie, changing the frequency on it to contact the curator.

"Sir I have a uhh.. Ryuchi, here at the main lobby, requesting an urgent meeting with you" the guard replied, relaying Joey’s message.

"Ryuchi? Please, escort him to my office I need to speak with him privately" the curator instructed

The guard put the talkie away and led joey off to the curator's office as Joey looked at the exhibits curiously as they walked up a set of stairs to an office that looked over the Japanese history wing. Arriving at the front door, the guard began knocking as a tall thin man with a brown coat and white shirt with a red tie and khaki pants greeted them.

"Greetings, I understand Ryuchi was asking for me" the curator replied

"Over here sir, that'd be me" Joey replied

The curator looked at Joey not recognizing the voice but found it odd that he knew the kitsunes name.

"Please step inside Ryuchi, I was expecting you" he replied 

Joey nodded his head entering in as the curator shut and locked the door

"So.... Ryuchi... you don't look like your usual self" the curator commented on Joeys appearance

"Well, that's because my real name is Joey, Ryuchi kinda possessed me when a corrupted kitsune kind of umm…. killed him" Joey answered 

The curator pushed his glasses up some with a finger "I see then..... so...Ryuchi.....tell me this... why are foxes my favorite animal" the curator asked

Joey could only hear a fit of laughter in his head as ryuchi couldn’t help himself

"That sly old coot, shoulda known he'd have some trick questions, up his sleeve, he wants to make sure he is speaking to me" Ryuchi explained "Just tell him everything I say" Ryuchi instructed

"Ah but as I recall, it was the red panda that you favorited" Joey replied

"Red pandas you say? interesting reply.... sounds like the time we had tea at mount fuji'' the curator rebutted

"I thought it was more like having a sword at my neck with you calling me a demon" Joey answered

The curator just laughed "Only Ryuchi could recall that event, but alas, seems it's true then, so you lost to a demon then eh Ryuchi" the curator asked

"He says your one to talk, you haven't picked up that sword of yoursin years" Joey replied

The curator opened up a false wall compartment pulling out a holy sword. It shimmered under the lighting, revealing the runes and kanji inscribed on the blade.

"Joey I may not look it, but I was once a hunter of demons. Back in my younger days I used to hunt down the demon kitsunes, to remove them from our world. Nowadays I focus on my scholarly ways and educate people on history now regarded as a myth. Such is life I suppose, that history such as this is no longer believed but, even still I’m glad to of been part of the history" the curator replied

"That's all very fascinating really, but you see I came here because Ryuchi said you knew how to send me back to a world I lived in" Joey repleid out a bit nervously 

"Send you back to a world you lived in? I'm afraid you will have to be more clear with that" the curator replied

“Ummm well, when I met Ryuchi it was at his store" Joey began to explain 

"Ahh yes, his second chance store, his means of freeing souls from this world, I know of that place, but you went through the door though, that tends to be a deal breaker" the curator begins to explain

"Normally yes, but the kitsune that killed Ryuchi, he threatened me and forced me to go through the door sending me back here" Joey added on

"And you wish to return, however Ryuchi now resides in you in spiritual form and can't do anything" the curator questioned

Joey merely nodded "Yes but his power flows through me, from what he claims, i can use kitsune magic, but its not matured yet enough inside of me to use yet" Joey explained

The curator paused for a moment thinking to himself, holding his chin in a puzzled expression.

"I may just know something that can help, Ryuchi was the one that gave you the new life thus only Ryuchi can send you back there, however possessing his power, it's possible you could send yourself back" the curator began explaining

"Ryuchi.. is this true?" Joey asked himself

"Now that's a very good question child, he speaks the truth, it's like a bind of sorts, the magic I used to send you to the world has bound you to my magic. Think of it like a safety measure so that its only my magic that could pull you back... maybe not the best way to think of it, in hindsight the door seemed like a good idea at the time" Ryuchi admitted

Joey just sighed some "Very well, tell me how you can help" Joey asked the curator

"Well, it's not me per say, but rather, it's a special location that holds a sort of water source. This is a powerful place that kitsunes take refuge in when they need to rest up quickly and rebuild their mana in a hurry. This water is special in that it's essentially mana in water form. Its properties are almost limitless, in your case the waters of this spring can force the power inside of you to mature near instantly, allowing you to use your magic" The curator replied

"Sounds too easy" Joey replied with a deep sigh

"That’s because its not, its tucked away in a mountainside where the cold is bone chilling, and is guarded by a strong kitsune warrior kitsune" the curator explained

"Why not just say it's practically hopeless?" Joey asked dropping his head into his hands

"Because, It's not hopeless" the curator began to explain "I can get you to the mountain, but the rest is up to you, what will happen once at the spring, is out of my control, only you can ultimately decide if you will be able to make the trip home" the curator answered

"I will do whatever it takes sir, if it means getting back home, nothing will stop me" Joey replied confidently

The curator smiled widely  "Very well then Joey, let's get going" 

"Wait now? I was half expecting you to say in three days time or something" Joey replied shocked

"I have accumulated a number of favors in my time, it's time to cash them in, besides I owe that old fox inside you a tremendous debt, I’m sure if you ask him one day he will tell you that story, it's quite a tale I assure you" the curator replied grabbing his coat

Joey nodded his head, getting up walking with the curator "So how long will it take to reach this mountain?" 

"Well we will be going by plane, so it won't be very long. It should be a matter of hours, and should give you time to rest. It looks like you need it quite badly after all you must of been through" the curator commented

"You have no idea sir" Joey replied 

They soon both walked up to the curators car getting inside and soon the curator drove off with Joey to begin the final stretch of their journey