After being set down on the cobblestone pathway, I dusted off my kimono and glared at Motoyuki, who was grinning at me. I couldn't stay mad; sighing, I took his proffered arm and looped my free one through Freya's. The entire village was lit up in festivities, sake, games; in fact, it looked much like a festival back home! Ugh, really Creator? Again with the copy-paste?

-- somewhere off in the distance, The Creator sneezes, "YOU try making multiple universes on a deadline, young lady!!!!!"--

But I decided I would enjoy it given that it would give me some semblance of home. My last festival had been with my one and only best friend, Kamari. She had known me since I first moved in with my father's family. And she was the only one who had known my situation.

Sneaking out wasn't ever really an issue when you couldn't get back into your home, and it was cold at night. She would often leave her window open, allowing me to clamor into her room for sleep on the spare futon she kept in her closet just for me.

I blinked back tears, wondering where she was and how she was doing. The New Year Festival was the Year of the Dog-- Kamari's year. And she was so happy to share it with me. We played every game we could, drank sake, and ate delicious food together all night long.

"My Lady, look!" Freya squealed with excitement and ran over to a stand, "what is this?"

The shopkeep and I both answered, "takoyaki!" We laughed together for a moment.

"Can we have five of these, please?" I asked, handing him several coppers.

"Oh Messenger, this is a gift; thank you for blessing our rice fields this year!"

Fauna and Freya munched noisily and happily. Gaelan smiling at Fauna and wiping crumbs off her chin. [[Gaelan!]] She pouted when Freya did the same on the other side. The sister and lover paused, stared at each other, and laughed when Fauna blubbered and hugged them both. [[I love you two!]]

Freya nuzzled her sister, "We love you too, Fauna."

The ever stoic and quiet Gaelan merely basked in the glow his object of affection rained on him. "Hmm." Was the hum of appreciation from the armed walking tank.

"Awe," I smiled as they walked ahead. We began to mill about the festival, looking at the merchant's goods and crafted items specifically for the occasion; fox masks adorned the stalls, and sugar candy sticks designed in the shape of a leaping fox stood in little boxes filled with rice to keep them upright.

I got one for everyone, and we continued to mill around till we came to the center of the village; a platform had been raised where a series of long low tables were laid out with cushions for people to sit. Garlands of flowers strewn across the rooftops and along the rafters of the fabricated stage swayed in the moonlight.

"Wow!"

Moto whistled, "my, they pulled out all the stops, didn't they?"

We headed to the main seating area where the village Elder was waving us over with enthusiasm. "Welcome! Welcome, Messenger!"

I smiled and gave her a forehead press-- Moto choked off a sound of distaste, but I glared at him over her shoulder.

She seemed to realize the honor of skinship and pinked in her cheeks as she bowed low.

"At least some humans have manners." Moto said behind his dazzling red fan that hid his lower face and only showed half-closed fox eyes gleaming yellow in the lamplit evening.

I gave him a firm stomp as I walked by on his foot.

His tail bristled slightly, and he glared at me, ears flat back and lip curled as he waved his fan in front of his face, annoyed. Once we had all sat down, the village elder turned to me and began to speak in a quiet voice. "I am very grateful to you for blessing our fields, already the rice has miraculously grown, and we can have a summer harvest," she was beaming with joy.

I clapped happily and nudged Moto. "Oh my goodness, it worked!"

Moto shrugged, "I mean, why wouldn't it? You have enough Power to do more than that."

"Wait, I can do more?!"

Moto was fanning himself delicately, "of course you can."

The village elder shook her head, "this blessing and your protection are more than enough."

"Protection?"

"Yes, you noticed the stone lantern perimeter of the village?"

"I did; they are the same as the lamps at my shrine."

"That is correct, long ago your original predecessor created this village as a haven for those who were not wanted. We welcome all kinds here, and with this knowledge, she knew that eventually there would be dark forces that would pine for the happiness we would share."

I nodded, listening intently.

"And so...the prior Kitsune made sure to protect the village. And when a Kitsune resides within the shrine, the barrier naturally is provided Power. The Power left by the past shrine guardians is amplified."

"Why do the guardians leave?"

She waved her hand, haphazardly, "some get tired, others move on to the heavenly realm, others just decide to pass it on after leaving enough Power for several centuries. We do get kitsune and field foxes here, but Zenko is rare. The last heavenly Kitsune that was here let me see, that was when my grandmother was a child."

"That long?"

"Yes, not as long as the prior gaps have been, so I find myself lucky." She was grinning again, exuberant and happy. I was handed plates and bowls of hot food and glanced around at everyone sitting with their families, friends, and loved ones. The Kitsune before me, I wondered what they were like.

"Who was the Kitsune prior?"

"A strong Kaze Kitsune."

"Wind?" Moto nodded, "ah, how interesting." A flicker of recognition was in his gaze, I didn't question him on it though.

I blinked, "wait, how do I know what kind of kitsune I am..." I glanced at Moto, who sighed and realized he must have missed a rather large chunk of info.

"We have Scrying Stones. These allow us to register ourselves within cities to gain citizenship. Some of us do; some of us only travel. Kitsune do not require documents as humans do; our mere existence is enough." A prideful swish of tails behind him. "However, there is another way to learn, simply attempt different spells and magic. I, on the one hand, specialize in fire and illusion magic. And as I promised I shall teach you what I know."

"Wow! Moto you're the greatest!" I couldn't help but moon over him at the idea that I was going to be taught by someone who could do real fire and illusion magic and create things. I could feel my tail swishing behind me like a puppy.

Moto basked in my praise like a fox on a sunbathed rock. "Yes, yes, I know, praise me more."

I laughed and pat his head, "yes you are a magnificent fox." I received a grumble and a reddening of his cheeks.

The village elder smiled, and we chatted in companionable humor through dinner. Gaelan seemed to enjoy the food as he had second and third helpings, Fauna favoring the greenery and plant-based foods more, helping him with the parts he did not find savory.

Freya spoke with the numerous women in the village. They appeared to be healers; they had come from the apothecary and were gathering around her, asking questions once they learned that she too was fascinated by the bounty of the mountains.

But the Village elder stood up and held her hand up, "tonight, we celebrate the beginning of a new age of the fox. We have been blessed by our Goddess Inari to have a new messenger within our shrine."

Cheers came up from around the entire village square, mugs clanking, pounding on tables, stomping feet, and clapping hands.

She hushed them with a wave. "Tonight, we shall log our new guardian into the Village Scroll." An ostentatious scroll, larger than one person could carry, was on a platform with four men lugging it upon their shoulders.

Moto sighed, and with a flick of his hand, the scroll floated to us and opened to the latest entry.

Everyone was making awed statements, others just shrugging as if it was normal. "This day, in the first month of the Season of Growth, we welcome the new Kitsune, Takara Tsukamotsu."

She smiled, and Moto nudged me, "you shall be counted among the people of the Inari Village within the Pass to Heaven. May we serve you as diligently as you protect us all."

It was then that I spotted the servants from the Crane Temple off in the corner; they nodded, and with the rest of the village stood and bowed.

"May we forever be entwined within Inari's Blessing." Everyone echoed.

The crane temple servants quietly added, "may Fukurokuju guide you and may happiness shine upon your every step."

I gulped and with Moto's gentle nudge stood and bowed back, "May I forever be worthy of your praise. I shall work hard."

Once I placed my hand to the scroll, a spark appeared and burned in foxfire my name along with the symbol of flowers entwined with intricate filigree leaves.

"Your symbol." The elder said, and with a wave, a seal was within her hand. "It is auspicious, and it shows your help in our harvest was no fluke."

Looking at the new seal stamp, heavy and warm within my palm from creation magic that I very much wanted to ask about, I kept quiet and smiled at her.

We sat down, and within moments, though-- time stopped.

"What?" Turning, I glanced at Moto, who was frozen as well. "M-Moto!" I grabbed his robe and tugged, but he did not move; his face held a warm gaze directed at me, fan hiding a soft smile." If this is some kind of bad guy thing, I am so not doing this!" I snapped, turning, and feeling my fire blaze to life.

But before me stood the woman in the golden and white kimono. "Such a lively little kit. I knew I picked wisely."

I gaped at her and instantly sheathed my claws and tucked my ears back in subservience. "M-my lady!"

Beside her was a beautiful Kitsune, white and golden fur glistening with nine tails, face slender and eyes tawny gold and flashing with Power, the black kimono tinged with the white that looked as if a breeze blew inside the folds gliding across long limbs.

"So this is my heir." They said. And stepping forward, they took the scroll that hung in time and space. "Takara." A hum and glancing over at Moto, "and a tamed field fox. How quaint."

I bristled, "d-don't make fun of him." A soft quirk of an eyebrow made me gulp, "p-please..."

Within moments the Kitsune before me gushed and leaped at me, "oh I can't keep the facade you're so CUTE, oh Goddess look at her she's just so adorable can I keep her!" Their platinum hair swayed in a happy breeze.

The Goddess sighed and smiled at us, sitting on a beautiful high-backed rattan chair with tea, "no, my dear Seichii."

"That is your name?" I squeaked from their shoulder, "Seichii?"

The Kitsune nodded, and it wasn't till I was held that I realized they were very much male.

I blinked at them with an absolute appreciation. "Y-you are beautiful!" I whispered.

They blushed, bashful, and acting shy, hiding their face behind their fan, "oh you flatterer. Tell me if that field fox makes you cry, I'll beat him."

The Goddess suppressed a smile, "now Seichii, he is my loved kit as well."

Seichii seemed to resist rolling their eyes. "Ugh, yes, my lady." He snapped his fan shut and leaned forward. "I gift you with my blessing, little kit." A kiss to my forehead and a tingle of magic left me feeling light as air, the Goddess was gone, and Moto was at my side bristling and snarling. "Motoyuki, you're awake; took you long enough." Seichii's ear slanted, and a grin slid across his face.

I could feel tension within my companion and glanced at him; he was keeping his gaze locked on the Kitsune before him, tails slashing wildly; eyes gleaming.

I gotta stop this. I am not about to scream lets get ready to rumble.

"Ah, Moto, are you okay?" I placed a hand on his arm, and he jolted for a moment before glancing at me and smiling.

"I am alright little vixen."

Seichii gasped, and for a moment, his eyes widening slightly in shock. I didn't quite understand why except that Moto seemed incredibly smug when I stepped back behind him for comfort.

"I look forward to seeing your exploits, little sister." Seichii smiled, "you can call me big brother Sei," moments he was back at my side and running long fingers through my hair-- there was Something...off...I trembled slightly at the contact of a strange and now obviously masculine person. "Call upon me whenever you need," he kissed the strands in his fingers and glanced at Motoyuki. "You can't keep her all to yourself, you know."

"I wasn't about to try to." Was the reply crisp and polite behind a red fan? No, it was insolent. "You are frightening her. Let go."

Seichii glanced at me and frowned, "it appears I am; I apologize, sweet one." within seconds, he was gone.

We were back, everything was normal, and we attempted to fall back into the fray, Moto doing far better than I, "Taka...can I speak to you?"

"Of course," I nodded and got up to follow.

We walked along the edge of the festival border, keeping an eye but private space from the crowd that was now lighting fireworks and magic items that glowed.

"You wanted to speak to me?" I asked, smiling complete and happy; he returned the expression, which then slid into a contemplative look.

"Are you okay?" I asked, leaning forward and touching his hand gently.

"You know, Taka," he began.

"Yes?"

He heaved an eloquent sigh. "I was woken up from my century-long nap in my makeshift den by an earth-shattering wave of Power."

Moto held his tone conversationally, light, and airy. "And imagine my surprise upon poking my head out, to see a young fox girl lit up by sunshine and the Goddess's blessing."

I coughed and blinked at him now that I realized he was leaning down nose to nose, so I could hear what he had to say.

"Why, in my fifteen-hundred years... Let me think. A thousand in my past, and five hundred as a field fox. In this life and my last; I had never inclined to take a wife. Nor did I think I would help a Zenko and become...as tame as I am now..."

Gulping down the orange in my throat, I eyed him, "w-well that's um...interesting..."

A smile, an ear slanting back as an eyebrow quirked up. "But anyone seeing a sight like that and how you quickly managed yourself would have been intrigued. At first, I thought it was mild infatuation, given we've only known each other for such a short time." Leaning an elbow on the railing next to me, we watched Freya and Fauna flail the equivalent of magic sparkles with glee laughing and dancing. "But..." his hand caught strands of hair within his fingers and let them slide through, gaze half-closed thoughtfully. "Something about you... makes me want to keep you hidden just for me."

"D-don't be stupid, Moto. You hardly even know what kind of person I am!" I squeaked. "Is this because of Seichii?"

He frowned and sighed, "Perhaps...so you don't like me?" He asked, tilting his head. "I wouldn't be cross I--"I shoved my hands against his mouth.

"N-no, it's not that, of course, I like you; I just don't know what that feeling is--" breaking off in embarrassment, I tucked my hands behind me, fidgeting like a schoolgirl rather than a grown woman.

A frown, not angry, just puzzled. "You must have had a hard life, indeed, if you are unaware of affection or love towards a person." A thumb rubbed my jawline as he cupped my face. "I am afraid I am somewhat similar. But I am sure we can learn together."

"W-we can... can't we?"

"Mmhm. After all, Taka...we have forever, don't we?"

I was wide-eyed, watching the light of the lanterns play off his features and illuminate the glowing warmth of his gaze. "I won't ask for an answer. Male foxes do not typically bond to one female. However, we do tend to have whirlwind courtships."

I felt my gaze sharpen; for some reason, it made me want to punch him in the face for saying such a thing, but he paused my words with a fingertip.

"But I am a reincarnate, and have old habits of my former people." He smiled. "Who very much bond with just one person for their lifetime. I think I would very much enjoy spending eternity getting to know your secrets, Taka."

"I-I'm sorry I don't think I...understand..." blinking, I fumbled with my words tongue-tied. There was no way he--

"I like you."

Oh... Crap okay.

He stepped closer and waited, gauging what I would do, and with an ever so gentle touch, he pressed his forehead to mine. "This shall be our way of doing things, for now, I think." Moto smiled at me, eyes dancing with humor.

"O-okay..."

"How are you feeling?" He asked me with concern.

"Startled...n-no one's ever said they liked me before." I whispered and felt a deep red bloom across my cheeks.

"Well what fools they are." A kiss on the forehead before I was pulled into a warm hug, wrapped in fox tails. "Take all the time you need. I suppose I'll just have to work hard at proving I'm worthy. Speaking of..." I looked up and watched as he pulled a jade pendant from his robe; it was carved with a fox sitting in flowers. But it glowed with magic in the dark and seemed to move if I stared at it too long.

"Gaelan helped with the enchantment... It is not the best craftsmanship. But it will prevent things like what happened earlier from happening." He amended despite my dazzled gaze. "May it bring you warmth and light in your darkest places. I have a feeling there is much that lies beyond this happy gaze."

I felt the dam that held back the memories crack, just a bit, and he noticed.

"Hush, not tonight-- it is a happy day." He tied the pendant around my neck with care. "Let's enjoy it. Come, your people are waiting I've kept you long enough to myself...though, I suppose it will be hard to share you."

"M-Moto?"

"Hm?"

It was a gentle thought, but my hand clutched down onto his robe as he tugged me back to the crowd. He heard me just fine without words, a smile lighting up his features as he pulled me closer to step in time with him into the enveloping warmth of adoration and happiness that now burst in waves of congratulatory praise.

I think I like you too.