Eyebright (AST)

**Eyebright** is the leader of the Fox Clan.

## Biography

Despite the fact that members of the Fox Clan refer to Eyebright as father the truth is that most are not his children directly. Kitsune ancestry is a bit muddled up by comparison to humans, particularly complicated by the curse. Several are his grandchildren, great grandchildren, or both depending which side you go down. Lemon though is his daughter, which is why he came to Japan after receiving a distress signal from her. He officially introduced himself to Ranma and Kasumi after they were captured by his daughters.

He began to interrogate the two by applying a truth spell on them. The first question he asked was natural where his daughter was and what was her condition. Kasumi informed him that she had been drained of energy trying to escape Herb and Sissithississ. She then informed him about everything they had suspected Lemon of being up to. Shocked that she was with Jasmine, Eyebright was coming to terms with everything he had learned. Kasumi took the opportunity quick to ask Eyebright if it was true that Lemon would be forced to be trapped as a male and take a wife.

He confirmed that she would, then before Kasumi could call her out on this he explained that as cruel as it was kitsune were an endangered species. Even he himself has taken on nearly two dozen wives when a kitsunes normally only has one, just to try and avoid that fate for many. Kasumi tried to suggest they start cross breeding, but given their lifespan compared to a humans even if by some chance Lemon did fall in love he would soon wither and die before her. Not to mention the fact that the reason the engagement with Herb was set up in the first place was because half kitsune or not, his Dragon's blood would produce powerful children, be, heirs to the throne, and he would likely live to be comparable age to Lemon.

Kasumi could only bow her head to this and he went back to interrogating. In the end Eyebright couldn’t deny Lemon was guilty, apologizing for his daughters actions blaming it on the paranoia inflicted on her by her mother. With the energy of a father having to deal with the results of his misbehaving child’s antics Eyebright apologized to Ranma and Kasumi for the inconvenience he placed them in. he promised to come back to let them out after he does some negotiations and clean up this little mess.

Out of curiosity he asked about what the spell Frost was performing in her test to become an archmage. He immediately realized something was wrong when Kasumi started fighting to keep quiet. He explained to her that the spell amplifies the compulsion with time, and eventually it would start to become painful. This caused Ranma to tell him that she was repairing the Kaisuifu. Confused he asked why they would be so worried about him learning this. This time Ranma stayed quite upon seeing Kasumi shake her head no.

Ranma honestly didn’t know why this was such a big deal so answered truthfully when Eyebright demanded that he answer. He was easily able to figure out that someone had been trapped in their cursed form. Freeing Kasumi the pain he asked Ranma who it was. Since he wasn’t aware of the danger to Herb he didn’t try to fight it and responded before Kasumi could warn him off. Impressed that Kasumi would fight so hard to protect Herb he initially thought she had feeling for him, only to realize that was just the person she was. After finding out where Herb might be he left the two there.

Making his way to Peach and the others he assured them that Lemon was fine and what they observed was merely a coincidence. They were still ready to go rescue her only for him to tell them not too much to their surprise. Peach cautioned the younger kitsune to let him explain allowing him to tell them about how Herb is trapped in his female cursed form. They soon began exchanging looks in realization of the potential. Seeing this Eyebright motioned for the girls to come closer and began detailing his intent.

Later Eyebright Sorora spotted as he walked within the walls of Furinkan High School. His good mood gone Eyebright didn’t even bother to engage Sorora, as they both knew how the conversation would go. He did point out that she should support him as she wanted Garnet just as much as he did. Looking away Sorora told him that she was making headway with Herb, admitting that his actions would complicate things.

It took a moment for Eyebright to reorient himself at the revelation that Herb had contacted her. He still refused to back down, but he did assure her that he had no intention of harming him. While his action could undo all the progress she made Sorora concluded like Eyebright that this conversation was pointless. Eyebright watched her briefly as she walked off before letting out a sigh and continuing on his way.

He walked over to where Frost’s ceremony was going to take place where he was confronted by Jasmine. He made small talk pretending that he wasn’t aware that she’d be there. Jasmine ignored him and merely asked why he wasn’t at the restaurant to retrieve his daughter. Eyebright asked her to surrender Herb to him stating that in her current condition he must make every effort to safeguard her as a loyal member of the Musk. Jasmine tired pretense told him that Herb was under her protection. Eyebright replied that he must insist and before she could react he pulled her a phantom realm to battle.

Eyebright wanted to distract Jasmine long enough for his wife and daughter’s to get a hold of Herb. The fact he wasn’t taking things seriously was obvious causing a bored Jasmine to eventually ask him how long he was planning to keep things going. Eyebright was about to stall some more when sensed Peach being hurt and left to go rescue her. He appeared in front of Siren’s barrier and found the unconscious Peach being held within the arms of Kasumi. Unleashing a wave of killing intent, everyone froze in fear allowing him to deal with Ranko.

However, before he could move on the rest, Jasmine appeared as well and blocked him. This gave the others the chance to enter the barrier. Kasumi moved to help Ranko, laying the incapacitated Peach down. Eyebright, frustrated with the situation, declared he was committed and that although he would not attack further, there was only two ways this would be allowed to end, Herb surrendering or dying. He explained that he could not let Herb return to the Musk alive given all that had happened, and sooner or later they would kill him before he could return. Kasumi, currently in male form, realizing the situation was otherwise intractable, confirmed with a look to Shampoo and then declared his intent to take Herb as his wife by Amazon law.

Eyebright was confused by this, no knowing the law, but So Pu arrived and explained it to him, that while Kasumi was in fact a woman, by Amazon law her legal gender was still undecided so Kasumi could exercise the male marriage right. With Herb a provisional Amazon until declared otherwise, the kitsunes could not attack him without provoking an Amazon response. Eyebright was angry with this, but So Pu quickly diverted his anger by making a proposal that caught Kasumi of guard. So Pu correctly analyzed that Eyebright was intending a coup against Herb's father, and offered Amazon assistance in such, declaring herself to be the soon to be Matriarch of the Amazons. This was even more a shock to the others, but Cologne confirmed it. Eyebright stood down and agreed to talk, calling off further hostilities for the day. Shampoo attempted to speak with Cologne, but she said they would have to discuss such later, directing them to stay within the barrier, and telling Siren to get them some clothes before departing to be part of the talk with Eyebright.

Over the course of the next hour they reached a provisional agreement. The Amazons would aid in the coup, and in exchange Kasumi would take the official title of Dragon Lord, although the true power would remain with Eyebright. An hour later Eyebright had one of his daughters lead Herb to their base and was honestly surprised when the prince surrendered himself. Not realizing just how much he cared for Kasumi. However he ended up refusing as the agreement he set up with the Amazons was far too valuable an assed to give up. As Herb chided herself for not thinking things through, Eyebright pointed out that Kasumi would have never accepted him doing this in the first place. He also pointed out that while the situation wasn’t ideal it still gave him the opportunity to move ahead in his relationship. Though Soap who had followed Herb there wasn’t so sure. With that the Kitsune went back to celebrating as Herb and So Pu left.

During the meeting with the Amazons to make things official Herb would unexpectedly make several demands to get his agreement. First he demanded that Shampoo and the others in the marriage have full honors restored. Second that Kasumi could marry a male of her choosing and was not limited to him. Third that neither So Pu nor Eyebright would use Kasumi to support their actions while she ruled. And finally that should any fallout come their way due to the coup, both parties would make every effort to protect Kasumi and those around her. Eyebright and So Pu agreed to the conditions and Jasmine guided them into a magical pact to seal the agreement. Eyebright needed only to recognize it without Herb’s dispute. With that Jasmine produced the Kaisuifu which proved a success.

That left the problem with Lemon, now that her engagement was void, and given his curse she wouldn’t want have a relationship with him, Lemon would be forced to become male. He ended manipulating Kasumi into letting Lemon stay with her; though he wasn’t subtle Kasumi wasn’t willing to leave the kitsune to her fate. Lemon begged her father not to leave her, touching her forehead Eyebright telepathically told his daughter that there was nothing he could after everything she did. Lemon complained that she was doing what she was told only to be silenced. While that was true she went about it poorly and this was the result, at the very least he was sure that Kasumi would be protected. He did have one last task for his daughter; he couldn’t go into details so he just told her to be ready to act when contacted her. Making sure she was still crying the two ended there conversation and vocally he told her that she brought this on herself and that she needed to learn to take responsibility for her actions. Eyebright gave no comfort as Lemon hung her head crying, he simply departed.

Returning to China Eyebright arrived at the palace of the Musk to find Culantro of the Leopard clan naked on all fours on the floor, held by a metal chain collar, crying as every visible inch of his skin showed signs of wiping save his face. Eyebright watched as Culantro begged Garnet for forgiveness. While the dragon lord gave it e wasn’t willing to provide such mercy to Culantro’s wife. He gave her until noon the next day to decide between the three punishments he provided for her.  He finally noticed Eyebright after she left.

Eyebright gave an abridged explanation for his sudden departure causing Garnet to burst into laughter upon finding out that his son has taken a liking to Kasumi. As Eyebright was leaving to inform Palm about what happened Garnet stopped him to asked what he thought Culantro’s wife would decide. Given her pride, he figured she’d take being exiled to the badlands. Garnet agreed and without further word Eyebright left.

After learning that Lemon had been kidnapped by a group of monster hunters Eyebright astral projected to his daughter to make sure that she was okay. When she confirmed that she was after scolding her for being so foolish he gave her, her task.

## Ability

Eyebright is over two thousand years old and unlike Lemon he is a full nine-tailed kitsune and has been for quite some time. The various kitsune seen are wither half-breeds like Peach or in Lemon's case not even a full one tail, none with even a tenth of the experience Eyebright possesses.