Chapter 1: The Rebirth

The story takes place during the period of feudal Japan. There was a Kitsune named Takumi. He was said to be arrogant and grumpy. Rumors said that he was the reincarnation of an imperial prince with a tragic past and that he was in search of his beloved Ayumi.

He was standing tall, almost six and a half feet. His form Half-man, half-fox.

Eyes glowing a vivid crimson.

Hair flowing long and wild, streaked black and white, the same colors as the pointed ears atop his head.

Behind him swayed two foxtails, one pure white, the other pitch black.

He took up residence at the Fushimi Inari Taisha temple in Kyoto. Frightening anyone who wished to pray there. The priests tried their best to frighten him away, but to no avail.

He had chosen this temple simply because it was here that he first appeared 20 years ago.

All those long years of searching every corner of Japan, hoping to find her again.

It was a sunny spring afternoon. Takumi returned to the temple after months of fruitless searching, as he had done every time for years.

He sighed as he sat on the cool wood of the terrace. The scent of cherry blossoms caressed his nostrils.

"Tch, still nothing... Ugh, Ayumi, where are you hiding?"

He exclaimed in frustration and exasperation, lying flat on his back, his long hair forming like a river of ice and fire.

"That goddess... fooled me," he said, looking at the palm of his hand where a mark was.

This mark was shaped like a half-moon.

Not a birthmark but a brand of rebirth.

This mark was just waiting for its half to be complete. Somewhere, Ayumi had the other half, he felt.

"About 20 years ago. I woke up here after throwing myself off this cliff. Confused, scared, but most of all... angry."

"When I saw myself in the reflection of the water, I thought I was dreaming. But it wasn't a dream..."

"I remembered everything..."

"Ayumi. her execution. My own fall."

His hand clenched into a trembling fist.

"After that... a voice, the voice of a woman—no, not a woman, a goddess, Inari Ōkami—and that sentence she said to me..."

Takumi murmured as he opened his hand again.

He stared at the mark again.

That voice still echoed in his head.

"Your heart contained a love strong enough to defy a kingdom. That love is not lost—it will shape your new soul. But beware, vengeance will call, and it will be up to you to decide which path you follow."

He shook his head firmly.

"Pffff, what a joke! A new soul, a new burden—that's all it is..."

He grumbled.

"Kagurashi, the kingdom where I was born in my past life."

"They said that calm and serenity reigned and still reign today..."

he sneered.

"Ah! My ass! That palace was my hell. My father snubbed and belittled me; my stepmother made me suffer every chance she got. Even my half-brother ignored me, poisoned by her lies."

His jaw tightened.

"And why would you ask me?"

"Because I looked like my real mother, who lost her life giving me birth."

"As if I'd asked to exist."

He said with a sigh, draping an arm over his eyes.

"Humans are execrable, unjust beings, always thinking only of themselves."

He says, his voice heavy with disgust.

Lost in thought, he didn't hear the old priest, Toma, walking in. His relculant compagnion and friend.

"Aah, there you are again. Any luck yet?"

he asked.

Takumi shot him a cold glare.

Toma didn't flinch, he was used to it.

"You know, it's not by lying here complaining that you'll find her."

The priest sighed.

"You're hopeless, and worse, you're scaring the people away!"

he said in mocked exasperation.

Takumi ignored him completely, reclining with the arrogance of a cat, hands behind his head.

"OI! DON'T IGNORE ME." Toma barked.

"Ugh, you're annoying me, you old thing!"

Takumi growled. His tails swishing in irritation.

"And you're rude to boot?! You little prick!" Toma huffed.

"Incorrigible. Anyway, help me out, will you?"

Takumi cracked an eye open.

"...With what?"

"Cleaning the shrine, of course! You live here, so you clean. I'm no one's servant. After that, we'll eat."

Takumi stood up abruptly.

"And then what?! Want me to polish the floor with my tails?"

His protest died when Tome smacked him on the head with a broom.

"I REFUSE!" He barked.

Yet minutes later he found himself sweeping begrudgingly, muttering curses under his breath. While Toma chuckled into his sleeves.

When the work was done, Takumi collapsed again onto the floor.

"Ugh, forced labor. This is slavery."

Toma laughed.

"Yeah, what a monster I am, huh?"

The priest mocked putting away the broom.

"Get up, we're leaving."

Takumi's ears twitched.

"Where?"

Toma met his gaze, then shrugged.

"To eat like I've told you, I don't live far from here."

Takumi raised a skeptical brow.

"And why would I follow you?"

he asked, and Toma rolled his eyes.

"I'm not going to poison you, and even if I did, you'd live again anyway."

Takumi sighed.

"Yes, but I'd still feel the pain," he muttered as he reluctantly rose to his feet.

Toma watched as he stood up, noting how massive Takumi truly was. Towering twice his size.

"What?" he grumbled, catching Toma's gaze.

The old man shook his head.

"Nothing, let's go."

Takumi reluctantly followed him.

They both headed for the staircase leading down to the famous torii.

The cool night wind caressed his face. The songs of the night animals could be heard.

A wistful smile touched his lips before he returned to his stoic expression.

Eventually, they reached a small house not far from the temple. The house was wooden and old but well maintained.

"Come on in. You're welcome here."

Toma said, entering first.

Takumi hesitated, then followed.

The interior of the house was traditional and minimalist; the soft colors of the terracotta walls, paper screens, and bamboo finishes blended harmoniously. Paper-covered lanterns gave a subdued effect to the light.

"Why have you invited me this particular evening?"

He asked suspiciously. As they were walking through the hallway.

Toma shrugged.

"I'd like you to see someone..." He said, but the tone of his voice betrayed his nervousness.

He slid open the shōji door, which led into a small living room.

The room consisted of a chabudai with four zaisu arranged around it.

But only one thing caught Takumi's attention.

The man kneeling on one of the chairs.

His gaze met Takumi's.

Takumi's eyes widened; his breath caught in his throat. His world collapsed when he recognized the young man.

His stepbrother, Akira.

Akira was only 11 when Takumi had taken his own life 20 years ago. Him being here seemed unreal.

Akira rose quickly from the chair when he saw them walking in, his breath quick, as if he were holding back from launching himself into Takumi's arms.

"Big brother..." Akira murmured. Fists trembled, eyes filled with tears.

Hearing his two words, Takumi took a step back.

"How dare you... call me that!" he exclaimed furiously.

He turned to Toma, his eyes filled with hatred and betrayal. His breathing was rapid, and his heart was pounding against his chest.

"And you, how dare you trick me! I trusted you!"

He shouted at him, his fists clenched and his voice trembling.

Toma remained calm.

Akira, even with his heart heavy, was the first to break the silence.

"It's not his fault... Toma refused to lead me to you at first," he admitted softly.

"I begged him to take me back to you." He took a step towards him, his hands raised in surrender.

Takumi felt his jaw tighten, his claws forming half-moons on his palms.

"I heard rumors about you, about a prince turned Kitsune... and I wanted to make sure it was you."

"And then what? What do you plan to do now that you've seen me? Go back to the palace and play the perfect little prince?"

His voice was as cold as ice.

Akira lowered his head in shame.

"I understand I'm the last person you want to see right now." His voice broke, but he had the courage to look at him again.

"But I beg you, listen to me," he pleads.

"I refuse," Takumi said firmly.

He turned, ready to leave.

"I know where Ayumi is." Akira exclaimed,

Takumi froze. And for the first time, his heart was filled with hope.

"Made by Lazulie"

Note: English isn't my first language ! This new story is extremely close to my heart and I hope you like it! Please feel free to give me your constructive feedback! In learning and want to improve! Thank you for supporting it!