Kita held his arms up and looked closer at the clothes he now wore. His robes were white and covered in the palest blue stitching. The embroidery depicted the story of the fox and showed his life in different stages. On one part he had only one tail and was running away from men with swords. Another part showed him with two tails. He was leaping over a stream and heading towards other foxes. Each of his centuries was written in the thread of his robes. One part that caught his eyes, showed him with three tails and he had an old woman on his back. He remembered that quite well. So well, in fact, that he found himself caught in the memory.

+++

He wasn't sure why the old woman was in his woods. At least, not at first. She kept picking pieces of green, bark from trees, mushrooms, and flowers. She would hum to herself, a slightly creaky sound that had him dipping his ears down, but still left him curious to hear more. She sang of the forest and the medicine that could be found within.

He tilted his head and watched her for well over an hour, when all of a sudden she called out and violently fell down. Kita froze, his eyes wide. Kita knew that wasn't supposed to happen with humans. He hadn't had much experience with them though, most of what he knew was from other Yokai. They were mostly stories of how humans were tasty or how easily they were tricked, but Kita didn't want to trick them and he didn't want to eat them. They looked too much like him when he used his magic to stand upright.

Her tears moved him into action. He transformed into his almost human shape. He couldn't hide his ears or three reddish tails, but maybe she wouldn't be scared if he moved slowly and gently. He stepped through the trees silently and called out in a soft voice. “You are hurt.”

The old woman looked at him and dried her eyes. “I am, young fox spirit. Are you going to eat me?”

“Well I am hungry, but humans hurt my stomach. I'd much rather have some soothing soup.” He said, unable to keep from joking, as if he'd ever tasted a human in his life. “If I take you home, would you make some for me?”

“Do I have your word, young fox that you will not harm me or my family if I let you carry me home? I would gladly give you my life here in the woods and save what little family I have left.” She seemed very wise not to trust a kitsune she'd just met, and it made him like her even more.

“My name is Kita, and you have my word, that I will cause no harm to you or your family.” He pulled a strand of russet hair away from his face as he fidgeted. He'd never told anyone his name before. It made him nervous.

“Please, call me Grandmother, it's what my granddaughter calls me. If you are willing to give me your name and promise, the least I can do is treat you as if you were family.” She said, and her face looked kind even through the pain.