When it came to the Kitsune and Nogitsune, both cultures were divided up into 9 great clans that have existed since after the founders had died.
Though smaller clan occasionally formed up from members of the 9 great clans deserting to form their own.
These smaller clans never reach the same heights as the original 9 and do not have as strong of a voice when the council meets.
Eventually, these smaller clans give up and join up with one of the original 9 after struggling alone for a few centuries.
While the 9 Nogitsune great clans doesn't have a ruling clan, and all 9 share equal power.
Things were noticeably different on the Kitsune side of the culture.
Amongst the Kitsune there was one clan in particular that was far stronger than the others, and their Matriarch served as Lady Regent until such a time that the Kitsune Nine Tails takes the throne.
The Shadow Mantis, A clan whose bloodline could reportably be traced back to Jinko herself, they decide on matters that related to the well being of their entire race. Their Matriarch, Minko had a nasty reputation however.
As leader of the Shadow Mantis, she also occupied the position of Lady Regent of the Kitsune. She ruled with an iron fist and allowed no danger to her position.
Reportedly, she had agents placed in many positions of power, and she could plunge the entire continent into chaos with but a few whispered words in the proper ears.
This wouldn't have been a problem if she used this power to aid her race, but she was reported to be a very vain and arrogant individual that cared only for her own prestige and power.
She cared little for the well-being of her people and only sought to use the chaos to advance her own agenda.
Several Kitsune had tried to overthrow her over the years, but they all met untimely deaths at her hands.
With stories like that, it wouldn't suprise him at all if she would attempt to kill his sister if she ever found out about the Nine Tailed Prophecy.
"Damn it! Why didn't you act on this sooner!?" Asked Leyocan.
"Don't make the mistake of thinking I was idle, boy! I've been digging around through the Shadow Mantis's dirty secrets to find out as much as I can.
I doubt she would actually kill your sister, it would be more beneficial for her to keep her alive in case she needed a puppet.
But if I dig around too much, she might panic and act rashly.
She knows I'm aware of your sister's existence and have been trying to reclaim her.
If she's as paranoid as the stories claims, then she might even have people watching me.
She might not notice you however. " Explained his father.
"I'll do whatever it takes to find her." Stated Leyocan.
He turned around and started to leave the shrine when a strange urge to request aid from Lupinos overtook him.
Leyocan never paid much mind to the old beliefs and rarely invoked them, Lupinos wasn't a god, and Leyocan doubted that he was actually listening to the crying of his descendants.
But maybe it was the sheer scale of the task in front of him, or maybe it was because he was actually standing in front of his mortal remains.
But Leyocan felt the urge to consult with his ancestor, if only to receive his consent on what was no doubt going to be a long and arduous journey.
He turned back and placed a hand on the glass seperating him from Lupinos.
"Lupinos... I know we haven't really spoken as much as we should! But the truth is that I need your help now! The mortal descendant of your sister might be in danger! I will do what I can to free her, but the task before me is a difficult one.
I do not know if I am up to the task, If there is any aid you can provide me from beyond the grave. I'm begging you to provide it!" Said Leyocan.
Silence was his only answer. Feeling somewhat foolish, he got back to his feet and opened his eyes.
It was at that moment that he realized he wasn't in his father's cellar anymore. He was standing in the courtyard of some kind of ancient temple or shrine. It was nighttime and the moon's rays were shining down on the structure.
The temple was clearly designed by Kitsune.
They had a unique architecture that was vastly different to anything else in the human kingdoms.
Nogitsune on the other hand, did not build villages of their own, they lived in human cities, with buildings that were indistinguishable from others in their home city.
Even when they retire like his father had, they adopted the architecture and mannerisms of the locals in order to blend in.
"Father?! Are you there?!" Yelled Leyocan.
The howling wind through the long abandoned structure was his only reply.
"This isn't time for one of your jokes, father!!" Exclaimed Leyocan.
"..."
Suddenly the shadows around the temple seemed to come alive and gather in a large pool on the opposite side of the courtyard.
A single figure rose out of the pool.
He was made from the same shadowy substance as the pool and almost appeared to be made from dark clouds.
His body shape identified him as a Nogitsune.
He was clearly male based on his muscle proportions as well as his general shape.
9 tails flowed around his back, and he was glaring at Leyocan with glowing red eyes.
He was transformed into his true form and his face and legs were those of a fox.
Unlike Leyocan, he wore no clothing at all, only his fur covered his modesty that seemed to have been formed from the same shadowy substance as the rest of his body.
His glare and posture was undeniable.
He was challenging Leyocan.
Leyocan took a guarded stance.
"I don't have time for games!
Send me back and I won't have to get rough!" Said Leyocan.
The specter clenched his fist and a curved sword similar to Leyocan's appeared in his hand.
Causing Leyocan to quickly draw his own in response.
The specter reached out for his sword with his left hand and Leyocan expected him to take a two handed grip on the sword, like he had seen many Nogitsune do before.
Unlike what he was expecting however, his opponent reached into his sword and pulled it's shadow away from the sword.
After a moment, the shadow solidified and formed a second sword identical to the first one.
"Nice trick! You should consider doing birthday parties!" Mocked Leyocan.
"..."
"Not much of a talker, are you?" Asked Leyocan.
Without warning, the specter suddenly closed the distance between them and raised one of his swords to strike.