The Village was bustling albeit a bit small, as well as prosperous, it apparently paid to be known as the Kitsune Village. In fact, offering places were held at any home door with fried tofu and fruits either dried or fresh. But the moment Moto and I stepped into the Village a thrum of energy seemed to ripple through the people.

"It is said that this village had many a kin from distant Kitsune marriages with men and women."

"Ah... Is that why..." I began as Moto handed me a fan and snapped his open hiding half his face. I followed his example.

"Yes, they can sense us." And as he said it, the doors opened quickly, voices exclaimed and people began to crowd the street where we were, many bowing and happily chattering away. Not all people-- most huddled back in curiosity, but held reverence regardless.

"Kitsune!" They started to cry, and the word began to travel down the corridors of houses and into the shops. Moto raised a hand, and silence became instant.

"I am guiding this young Zenko." He motioned formally to myself. "Please take care of the new keeper of the Inari Shrine."

I gulped, "I am honored, please take good care of me." I bowed and suddenly was met with deeper bows and whispers of respect and care filled with tender affection that one would show a child of import. "Such a polite Zenko!" One said.

I blinked back tears and righting myself, smiled at them willing my eyes to show kindness, a feeling I had forgotten within my old life.

"Such a beautiful fox!" Someone whispered, another smiled back, "yes we are lucky to have a Zenko at the Shrine again! I never thought it would happen in my lifetime!"

"The elder!" A path was made, and a woman was carried on a paladin to us.

I was about to bow, but Moto kept me upright. Instead, he guided me to nod my head in respect.

"I see we have visitors," she smiled at us. Her gray hair was held in a bun against her neck, wrinkles deep but a love was glowing within her gaze that was tinged a honey color. Was she a descendant?

I glanced at Moto who nodded as if knowing my question.

"My, the last time we had a Zenko at the Shrine was when my grandmother was a young girl." She mused, "I look forward to living side by side Kitsune." She nodded at me and waved her hand to beckon me close. I did so, and lowered my fan and met her eye. "I am glad I lived so long as to see this day. You are always welcome to this village, may I ask what skills you have?"

I sheepishly felt an ear go down and a tinge of pink touch my face, "I am still young, but I can cook very well, and I know how to weave and knit-- " I broke off, wait did knitting exist. Shit. I smiled, "it is something I learned in the other side." I amended, Moto looked interested but did not correct me. I guess I was going to be a bit of a trickster after all.

I sighed inwardly, but met her gaze again, "Village Elder," I nodded my head, "I ask that I learn new skills within your village to better assist those here. I am at your call should you have need of me. I look forward to our time together in harmony."

Exclamations of joy rippled through the surrounding people, even the ones that had no drop of Kitsune within their lineage realized this was a once in a many lifetime moment.

"Will you be staying for a short time Messenger?" The Elder asked.

I shook my head, "I plan to stay for an indefinite time."

"Then I shall hope to become good friends." She bowed to me, and I despite Moto not doing so returned the gesture. "The Messenger shall be staying for a long time," The Elder addressed the crowd. "Show her respect. Teach those who do not know the way of Kitsune. We shall hold a festival in her honor in a fortnight!"

A cheer sprang up around us and I blushed furiously behind my fan feeling my tail sway in exhilaration and my ears flatten down.

Moto was chuckling. "Come, let us walk about and visit the market." I nodded and took his arm placing my hand upon his forearm.

We were certainly a curiosity as we roamed, the markets bustling with the scent of food and calls of vendors, "where are the other villages?" I asked.

Moto was eyeing some grilled fish, "there are a few nearby-- by nearby I believe a days ride from here."

I coughed, "a day!" Modern world with cars so long! Sighing, "it cannot be helped."

Tilting his head, Moto asked, "was there a faster way of traveling where you are from."

"Yes...uh...we had magical carriages...everyone could use them even people." I said wincing inwardly.

He was impressed, "well now! That is quite the feat if humans can use it." I bought him a few sticks of grilled fish skewers and one for myself, ever the glutton he accepted happily.

It was a bit of an effort to hand the money over, the shop keep almost gave it to us for free. But I insisted. "If I am to deny reward for such good work what kind of Zenko would I be. Please take it." I smiled.

Abashed, he had accepted with a bow.

"You'll do just fine." Moto said smiling and giving an elbow nudge.

"Thanks Moto," I nudged back. "I want to get some supplies for the Shrine." With that, we headed to a general goods shop.

Upon entering, I could sniff out the different materials within a moment, pages of paper and bamboo along with brushes made with different materials, back on earth brushes could be made from fox fur, my nose wrinkled in disgust now. Here it might be seen as blasphemy to the Goddess Inari. And for that I was thankful. No human was going to get my pretty tail.

"Ah, hello Messenger!" That was the title I had been given-- it was true that we were the messengers of the God Inari, so it fit, and I nodded in acknowledgment. "What is it that I can get for you?" He asked.

"Good sir, I require tea, as well as scrolls and ink and a new brush." He nodded and as he gathered the objects for me, I glanced around. He had beautiful merchandise. "Do you make these?"

"Ah, no Messenger, I have gathered these items from my son who travels across the region and brings them back."

"It must be difficult for him to be far from home." I empathized and he nodded but looked proud. "He works hard for his family, may he be blessed with good fortune on his travels." A tingle flew up my spine and prickled across my skin.

Moto was grinning like a Cheshire Cat pointy fangs glinting behind his fan. I cast a look at him and suddenly his voice was in my head.

[[You utilized a blessing little fox! Good job, your first one!]]

I blinked, [[wait I can DO that?]] I gaped for a moment but regained composure as the shopkeeper turned round. Tears were in his eyes as he held out a packet along with the items. "May this offering bring you happiness. My wife made fried tofu and it must have been fate for today we are visited by a Kitsune. We shall bring our prayers to the Shrine."

I nodded in acknowledgment and took the items, "I shall partake of this today, thanks to your wife, may you both have good health." Where our hands had touched momentarily a jolt of energy sparked. His eyes lit up with happiness. I left the money upon the table and placed my items within my basket.

"I need to get rice." I said, "and I am in the mood for sake."

Moto crowed with happiness, "now that I am looking forward to!" We headed towards the river mill that lay upon the border of the village nestled within rice paddies and fresh clear water that irrigated each field. Workers stopped to wave and bow. The mill brimmed with sake jars and bags of rice.

[[Moto, can I bless these fields?]]

He paused, and smiled. [[Taking your job seriously? Yes you are able to. Just feel your power imbue into the earth.]] Adding in a whisper of internal voice [[it makes the best sake.]] Of course that would be his goal.

Walking back out I removed my shoes and walked to the center of the field. Ignoring the whispers about me as the workers paused in their efforts; I closed my eyes and did as he instructed. I could smell the rice, taste the earth it grew in, the tang of crisp river water that gleamed with rocks and sparkled with the scales of fish. Goddess Inari, I do not know why I was placed under your charge. But please hear my prayer. Please bless this Village and these rice fields. May it bring prosperity to this region and to our Shrine. Opening my eyes I was startled for a moment, as the earth about my feet had grown to a luscious greenery filled with flowers and clover.

Hastily I walked back to Moto, who guided me back to the mill. "Messenger!" The woman who had just come in from the doorway to the home bowed. "Are you in need of rice?"

"Please, and some sake jars. Two--"

"Four." Moto said an ear flicking down.

"Four..." I amended internally laughing. She retrieved what I asked for and after paying we made our way back up the mountain, not without pausing to accept the praise or blessings of passerby's.

Finally, making it up the mountain with our goods I collapsed near the hearth. Grumbling, too tired to cook! But Moto had gotten up, "my payment for the sake." He smiled and disappeared into the kitchen.

I felt my ears flick to hear the sounds of sizzling, and smells of rice and tea. My tail thumped the tatami mat in excitement. Quickly followed by embarrassment as I covered my face and squeaked. Am I ever going to get used to that? I glanced at my tail which seemed to have a mind of its own. At times, I had smacked myself in the face brushing it, felt it giving away my internal thoughts swishing all over the place. I pounced on it and pushed it to the mat. "Stop that!" I hissed. I heard a stifled chuckle somewhere over my head.

"Are you alright?" Squeaking loudly I turned beet red and glanced up as my ears flattened down onto my head in embarrassment.

Moto was leaned over me with a humorous look, head tilted; holding a large tray. I frowned and swatted at him as he dodged with a laugh before setting the tray down to reveal a tea set, with bowls filled with fried tofu stew and fresh rice in bowls steaming.

My mouth watered as he placed everything out at the low table we had brought near the hearth "Thank you for this food." We both said.

It was to die for. I didn't even mind the rapid thump of my tail on the mat giving away my happiness. Moto just leaned on his elbow glancing at me with a lopsided grin.

I tried not to pay any mind and exhaled at the heat from the tofu chunks; I could see steam puff out. He had added greens and tender bits of a root vegetable that must have been a potato. "Moto this is fantastic!" I said around a mouthful of rice.

He took a bite and laughed. "Now who is the hamster!" He said into his tea.

I could feel my cheeks puffed with food and swallowed it down, "well it is good!" I said defensively. Sipping tea we fell into companionable silence as we finished off the evening with relish of crisp sake under the crescent moonlight.

A girl could get used to this...oh I mean a fox could.

Because starting today...

I was a real Kitsune!