Morning brought the songbirds to the window, a gentle breeze ruffling the light blue feathers of the little finch upon the branch. It took me a bit to come to the realization that I was not in a dream and that everything the day prior had happened.
Getting up and tying my hair into a loose braid, I made sure to brush my hair and realizing I had yet to brush my ears or tail. "Hmmm..." the result was incredible fluffiness, I cuddled my own tail happily before brushing my ears out a bit more being careful not to be too rough-- as that caused quite a bit of irritation.
That should do it! Getting the hearth ready and rummaging through the scrolls as I ate my morning rice with an egg on top I started to try to learn more about the world around me.
Ileria (ill-ear-ee-ah), a realm that holds several kingdoms and races, the Kingdom of Tatsu, it resembled Japan in many ways, it appeared as if it was Ancient Japan, mingled with some later traditions from hot springs, even the warriors. Like a strange plagiarized version of Earth.
(Somewhere The Creator sneezes "who is shit talking me!?")
The scrolls within the Inari Shrine held several maps, of which listed the Continent we were on. The shape was similar to the Islands of Japan as if they never broke apart. Sectioned off were several territories. Sentinals, Nisse, Fey, and a few scattered human territories through the areas-- called Strongholds. It looked like feudalism, in the Sentinal region. I finished my food and looked over a few other things. The Sentinals were a mix of the Nisse and the Fey, A hybrid and controlled many of the territories within Tatsu and the other kingdoms due to their exponential lifespan and power within the Arcane.
It appeared that shape of the Kingdom of Tatsu was like an Ancient form of Japan-- the island if separated together on a map would make it look like the smaller islands of my home land. The Shrines, as well as Tatsu, the name meaning Dragon. I suppose I was placed here to acclimate better since it resembled my home.
Opening a local map I tried to locate where i was and found it quite easily.
I sighed, stretching-- this was a lot of info to absorb. But soon I heard the front door open. "Moto?" I called getting up and walking to the hearth room.
"Yes, yes it is me Little Vixen." He was garbed in a beautiful red robe loose and threaded with gold leaves, a red fan in his hand fluttered in front of his face only showing keen eyes with elongated pupils. His ears were flicking in annoyance.
"Are you agitated?" I inquired with a bit of concern.
Heaving an eloquent sigh, "no little one I am not, I am merely hungry." One ear flattened in a bemused look, "I find that I am not as well-equipped to cook as I'd like in this realm. So I was wondering..."
I stifled a giggle, "Moto, would you like some breakfast?"
Both ears sprang up and his tails swayed happily, "if you insist I simply must partake, it would be rude not to!"
I nodded, "of course, please wait here. Is there anything you dislike?"
"Hmm, I dislike few things, so please make what you will." Shrugging, I went to the kitchen and decided I would attempt to cook with fox fire, it was easy to light and by moving it to the hearth under the pan it easily worked as well as a modern gas stove! "Talk about convenient." I hummed for a moment trying to decide what to make, the eggs would be good, and rice of course, but I wanted to make tamago.
It wouldn't be the traditional square, but that was alright as long as it was rolled properly. With the right seasonings and a greased pan the fluffy rolled omelet was a success, Sliced into bite sized pieces and placed on a small plate next to a rice bowl along with some small fruits that were strange but resembled blackberries and blueberries in flavor and smell. And, for some more protein, a grilled salted smallish whole and perfectly seared.
"Here you are Moto." I said kneeling down and placing the tray in front of him.
He sniffed appreciatively and put his hands together, "thank you for this meal." And proceeded to scarf greedily.
"Haha!" I couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably.
With his cheeks stuffed his head tilted and his ear flicked back as his expression took on an annoyed air.
"I just imagine a fox with its cheeks stuffed like a hamster!" I said between laughter.
Swallowing he coughed a bit and stifled bemusement. "I see, so I am a hamster, is that any way to speak to your elder?"
I my cheeks reddened and my ears flattened, "no, sorry." I mumbled.
A mischievous grin, "I'm kidding," he burst out with laughter.
"That's not funny you old fox!" I flailed at him my face on fire. "At any rate, I have been studying the scrolls here in the Shrine. Would you please help me learn more? I am afraid I can't read maps well and I wanted to head down the mountain to a local town and find some work for money and items."
"Well, let's see." He leaned back, "Kitsune really are more than likely to receive offerings."
"Offerings?"
"Yes, offerings once a shrine is inhabited. It has been a long time since a Kitsune resided here. Do you plan to stay?"
"I do I suppose, I would need to do some upkeep and fix the path I am sure to the Shrine, hm. I'll have to learn how to get food and other items as well."
"Wait, didn't you receive something from the Gods upon your arrival?" "I-I did, why?"
"Well, since you are the Kitsune Guardian of this Shrine, let us check the offerings and such to make sure there isn't anything you can utilize."
I blanched, "I-I can't do that!"
"It will allow you to upkeep the Shrine." He pointed out with a serious face. "And," he placed a small bag in front of me. "From me." I opened it and saw gold, silver, and copper coins. "Please take it as an investment towards this shrine."
Sighing, I nodded. "Thank you. Would you be able to take me to the nearest village?"
"I can, but we would stand out. If you're alright with that." He grinned at me and raised a brow.
I wavered, "w-well I mean..." I glanced upward, felling my ears twitch. "I can wear a hood..."
He chuckled, I can teach you illusion magic."
"M-magic!!" I gasped, "really? Like honest and truly magic!"
"There wasn't anywhere you are from?" He seemed perplexed. "How odd."
Clapping his hands he motioned for me to move closer. "Very well then, close your eyes and concentrate on your tail and ears. Imagine them hiding away from other eyes. Like a cloak shielding you."
Furrowing my brow I did as asked, "I don't feel any different Moto."
"Ah but you look different and that's the point." He smiled and as I opened my eyes before me sat a regular-- albeit unfathomably gorgeous man.
"So little fox, shall we?" He offered me a hand as he got up.
I took his hand and after gathering the meager offerings covered in long sat dust and a basket for items we would purchase we set off down the mountain. I was impressed with the shrine, it appeared as if it resisted most filth other than the antiquing of dust hovering on immovable objects. I made a mental note to clean thoroughly the day after.
The path to the shrine as we reached the Torii was mostly open, the stone steps large flagstones deeply embedded into the earth. The Lanterns unlit suddenly burst to life with blue tinged fire as we walked by. "Well, the Shrine is waking up."
"Waking up?" I asked avoiding a boulder, "does that mean that it knows I am living here now?"
"Yes, the shrine can be considered a living thing, and it feeds off your power source. As long as you reside here, it shall be a warm and welcoming place for worshipers. You are the heart of the shrine now."
"Were you were the heart of the shrine Moto?"
"Not I, another Kitsune long past my own years. Her name is Yuna. She is an extraordinary Kitsune, and now the Holder of Memory." He gazed far off, his eyes growing misty. "It has been a long time since cubs have been born to the Kitsune, we tend to have a hard time with it due to our power. The same with the Sentinals. Quite a few Kitsune have seduced another race be it Nisse or Human to bear cubs."
"So it is not possible?"
"It is, however Kitsune may have a clutch of kits or one every few centuries." I felt it was a very random topic but I shrugged and followed him further down. The mountain was filled with cherry trees, and would be pink when they blossomed. I couldn't wait to see it. There was a river as well, a mountain stream clear and crisp with river rocks that shined like gems with the flecks of sunlight peeking through the leaves.
I wondered where the source was. I would have to explore. Suddenly an idea came to me. "Moto!!" I ran up to him and grabbed his hand. "Moto can I become a fox too!"
He blinked, and it took a moment for my words to register before his face lit up. "Oh little spring child of course you can, would you like to go down the mountain as a fox?"
"Yes! Yes please I would!!" I suddenly felt like the child he claimed me to be.
He chuckled, "come, and stand in front of me." He smiled and tapped my forehead with a finger. "You are a Kitsune. You are a Fox Spirit. It is tucked away within your soul, the fox slumbers and you merely need wake it to take the form you wish. You are a fox."
I closed my eyes and searched deep within myself. And I suddenly felt a burst of light within my chest and behind my eyes. Upon opening them, the ground was far closer to me, and a breeze danced across my fur.
Prancing over to the river I gazed into the slow moving water. Chocolate red brown fur tinged with cream. But to my surprise along a red sash embroidered with gold leaves glowed a stone of immeasurable beauty. This must be my Hoshi No Tama. It held a part of my power. I remembered I would need to keep it close lest a human find it and demand a wish.
I was not in a position to want to grant any.
Head tilting, I sniffed the reflection upon instinct after seeing something like a turtle flash by. My eyes could see so much more tapping into my powers.
[[Good job little one.]] A bright red fox with nine swaying tails, in a moment they combined to one large bushy tail that elegantly curved. His own Hoshi No Tama glowed gold like a bell, on a gold and green sash.
[[Shall we run?]] He leapt and bowled me over chattering with laughter, and we were off-- it took me a moment, learning how to get my four feet under me to run properly, and I skid a few times amongst the spring grass of the woods. But soon, I was darting quickly between bushes and trees and leaping high over felled branches that jut from the earth.
The scents mingled in harmony, earthy, mossy, decay and animal scents. The squeaking of mice within the burrows and the calls of birds above. Leaves swayed with gentle song along golden sprays of sunlight dancing across the floor.
I had never experienced anything so beautiful. We stopped at the lake, bamboo sprouting nearby all across-- I remembered that there would be a road to the Crane Shrine.
[[Moto. Can we visit the Crane Shrine at some point?]] I asked.
[[Of course we can, they are quite a unique form of Yokai.]] He was sniffing the ground and walking leisurely now. I followed with prances that made the dust around me poof up much to his amusement. [[Such a kit.]]
I was fine with being called a kit. I was enjoying myself for the first time in my past or new life, and no one was going to ruin my fun. I waited till Moto was a bit ahead and snuck into the tall bamboo and grass. He had stopped to lap at the water of the lake. Slowly... Slowly...and... Gotcha! He had already known, and twisted to catch my leap as we rolled in the grass and took off at a dead run again with me in the lead. [[Come on old fox! I thought you were more powerful with age!]]
Suddenly he sped past with a blinding speed and was sat upon the crest of a hill overlooking a small valley. [[Cheater.]]
[[You are just a sore loser little kit.]] He said prim as he groomed his ears with a paw. [[Look below, this Village has been here for quite some time. It is known as the Inari Village. They are the ones who will bring offerings. I do recommend you show yourself to them. Kitsune are regarded as deity's here.]]
I paused, thinking for a moment. [[T-they won't hate me?]] I could not help my past life's habit of keeping my head down.
[[No human who knows of Kitsune and what we are capable of be disrespectful. Least of all here.]] He chuckled, [[seems you are about to learn you can do far more than gnash your teeth at your tormentors.]] He brushed his tail across my back in a warm gesture. [[Come, let's change back. Do the same, but opposite.]]
I blinked, okay, well let's see. Be, human. I am human... With a whoosh of power and light I was on two feet, basket upon my back ears and tail twitching from the remaining power.
Sighing, he brushed his robe off and grinned at me, "good! Very good, we shall make you a Kitsune yet!" He ruffled the top of my head and started down the path, "come little fox."
Nervous, I paused, but seeing as I was to be left behind I rushed forward. "Wait you old man I'm coming!" Boisterous laughter met my remark.
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