"C-child! I'm not a child!"

"As a human, maybe not, as a Kitsune, yes, you are." A chuckle, "I could be your great-great-grandfather. Three times over."

"E-eh no way." I said, shaking my head. "Uh. H-how old are you?" He had to be at least a thousand years old, having nine tails according to the legends.

"It is rude to ask someone their age." He sniffed. "You are taking my appearance quite well, Little Vixen." He chuckled, leaned forward, and tapped his bowl in front of him with a long tapered nail expectantly. "May I have more?" Licking his lips of rice, his tails swayed happily.

"Y-yes!" Without thinking, I got up and went to get him another serving. He seemed to savor this one slowly and watched me eat my own bowl. I paused for a moment and looked at my new guest. "To be honest, a lot has happened that seems almost unheard-of or unnatural. It's not like I can't add one other thing to my list. First a Crane and now a Fox. Is this entire mountain filled with other world creatures?"

"Well I've been stuck here for a while, I made the trip from the Torii, but then I used up too much of my Power fighting a damn Yahko." He seemed particularly disgruntled.

I didn't even think to bring food. So I decided to take a nap." He rubbed the back of his neck, sheepishly. "Apparently I've been asleep for a century."

YOU CALL THAT A NAP!?!?!?

"I was awoken when you fell from the sky in a giant ball of foxfire." Chuckling, he looked at me with an ear down in sardonic humor. "You forget how to use a gate?"

I ignored him, "so we gain Power by food?" I tilted my head, trying to consider more.

"Not just any food, food crafted by people who can imbue it with Power. There are a rare few humans who can do so, but any Heavenly creature can do so. And you--" he glanced me up and down. "Are brimming with it."

"M-me!" I squeaked. I felt naked and shied away, causing him to laugh.

"Yes Little Vixen, you. I had heard whispers from the forest that a new Kitsune was here, and so I wanted to say hello and take you under my wing...ah...I mean tails."

I chuckled, "so, grandpa," his nose wrinkled.

"You may call me Moto. My full name is Motoyuki."

"Moto," I said slowly. "I am Taka."

"Taka," he said with a short bow, which I returned.

"Are all the Kitsune from Japan?"

"Japan?" He flicked an ear, "is that another world?" An excited chuckle, "oh well, now a Migration!" I took a moment as he chattered about things I hardly understood looking him over from head-to-toe--a loose robe showing a bare muscled chest. The fabric patterned with leaves and foliage, soft cream and greens contrasted with his bright hair and catching emerald gaze. "But no, not many are migrated; others have been around for so long we can't remember where we come from. But a Kitsune, rather than a Wild Fox are Heavenly beings, rather than a Yahko."

"Yokai, that is what other creatures are all called?"

"Yes, they are not exactly what evil is. More--"

"Mischief?"

"Yes." He nodded with a broad smile, "not that we cannot be tricksters." He chuckled at a private memory, it seemed.

"Hmph, speak for yourself." I sniffed, crossing my arms and turning my nose up.

"Such a dainty Fox." He waved his hand as if to cast off the topic. "You yet seem to be taking all of this in stride."

"Oh... Well, to be honest, I was hoping for company." I admitted this with a low voice and set about putting the kettle on the hearth-- it was already filled with fresh spring water. "Where is that striker?"

"Wha?" His face was comical, confusion, and bewilderment all in one. "Why not use foxfire?"

"Huh?" I mimicked his expression. And was instantly sour when he began to howl with laughter.

"You poor little thing, how will you survive! A fox not knowing fox fire!" Cackling further till he was holding his sides, I fumed silently, puffing my cheeks out.

Sighing, he wiped a tear away, "come now, come now." He waved his hand as if to beckon me. "Picture a flame. Feel it within your chest, an extension of yourself, as if a floating lantern goes where you wish." With a flick of a hand, a red flame crackled within the air.

So pretty! I gasped. Then, I gave it a try-- it took a moment. But a white flame sparked to life with light blue edges. "I did it!" I cried.

He clapped, "brava! Hm, what a peculiar little flame."

"So, I can just..." I moved it closer, and the wood caught instantly. "Ah, much easier."

We sat in companionable silence as the water started to boil, and I got the tea set placed out. "This Shrine, have you been here before?"

"Yes, many a time in my long years, it has been a part of this mountain for hundreds and hundreds...well, more like a few thousand years."

"It's like back on Earth but longer."

"Earth?" Moto inquired.

"It's where I am from." I paused and considered explaining, "it's another world. When I-" I broke off, not exactly sure if I should continue.

"Do not fret; I won't ask for your story right away." He waited as I poured the tea and served a steaming cup. "Thank you."

"And you," I was suddenly exhausted; I could feel my ears droop, reflecting my mood.

"I shall take my leave, Little One," I almost reached out, "no, no, do not fret. I will return." Before I stood he was a fox again, who flicked his many tails and left out the door he had whirled through.

I stretched and bid my strange visitor farewell and turned in to sleep. It was now quite dark, and I found myself falling asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.