A female voice echoed in my dreams. “Takara, I have something I want to—” I barely even registered the sound; it must be a nightmare; warmth encircled my entire body as a roaring hiss echoed in my head near my ear. I had been having the most lovely of dreams wound up in warm limbs and kisses that boiled with foxfire.

Turning my head, I burrowed into the warmth, not wanting to wake up. A rumble of thunder was making my ear twitch as I realized I couldn’t move.

“She’s asleep.” The thunder growled low. “Get out.”

“My, my, my, I see that.” The voice said. “Just wake her,” they demanded, sounding exhausted. “Why are you here anyway?”

The thunder I realized belonged to a Kitsune, it was much rumblier since my ear was smack against their chest. “She asked.” A soft kiss into my hair. The pleased words edged almost in a taunt.

“Ugh.” A sound of disgust. It was feminine. “Bonding…” the word was spat— but it was affectionate. “The rumors are true; you’ve been caught, I see…”

“Haven’t you ever learned to knock?” Motoyuki snarled quietly, his arms winding about my back and hips hauling me closer, making me realize I was lying in the curve of his body as he must have been propped against something.

“Never.” The female laughed, “she is rather adorable; oh, I think someone is waking up. And besides, you’re lucky Seichii didn’t come to wake her. You’d never hear the end of it.”

A growling rumble.

“Oh, calm yourself. He’s frightened enough of you.”

Blinking sleep away, I mumbled a grumble that wasn’t precisely worded as I turned my head up and was nose to nose with a red-haired fox.

“Good afternoon, little vixen.” Long fingers delved into my hair and pushed it back from my face.

The female voice chirped, “joining the living, or are we napping for a century?”

“Make it go away,” I whined.

“IT?!” They barked. “…Alright, alright, I’ll be out there, goodness.”

Winding my arms a bit tighter around his waist, I remembered fuzzily how we had wound up on the floor of the small quarters, but not how we had found our way to a pile of multi-furred and silken bedding. He answered, “you’re such a heavy sleeper, you know that?”

“Shut up.” I snarked, finally opening a baleful gaze.

“Awe, so grumpy.” He crooned down at me, my chin resting on his sternum as his nose rubbed mine. “Such an angry fox.” He teased.

My brow furrowing, I growled at him.

“Don’t even think about it—“

CHOMP. I dug my teeth right above his heart.

A choked off hiss as his gaze went black. “You vicious little thing!” He growled at me, grabbing the back of my robe, and with one move, he had flipped us, so his forearm was pressed into my mouth against my fangs, as his other arm pinned me in. “If you’re going to gnaw on me, at least do it where it won’t give me ideas!”

I blinked owlishly, watching as he hovered above me, his hand pressed into the furs just on the other side of my head. What kind of ideas is he— oh… don’t respond… don’t respond…

“You getting it now?” He asked as his ear slanted to the side, a slight red hue taking over his cheekbones as he panted. His long ruby, fire orange-lit hair trailed into the sheets tinged white at the tips almost translucent and prismatic. He’s so pretty… “what ideas are you getting, little vixen?” He asked warily.

I could feel my gaze dilate as I glared at him and bit down harder in a dare.

Yanking his arm away and pressing his hand instead against my shoulders, I had but only a moment before I was kissed brainless. But it was only a moment before he broke off and pressed his forehead to mine. “F*ck that isn’t going to work either. Come on, before Yuna comes back in here and decides to tan my hide.”

I got dressed in a stupor, glancing at the door periodically as he walked out to a laughing female “hey Motoyuki, what happened to your arm, hm?”

“Shut up Yuna.” He snarled.

“My, my, my, my, she’s got spirit.” I walked out after tying my hair back and glanced about the hearth; the fox from the fountain was there again. Her stark white hair reflecting the firelight. “I see greetings are in order.” She hummed appreciatively.

“Hello, big sister,” I whispered with a bow.

“That’s much better than my lady.” Yuna preened, “little sister, I am so glad you came here. I had to see you but wanted to give you time to rest— I do hope you got some, especially with this one.” She affectionally kicked Moto in the knee. “In your bed.”

I squeaked and blushed, “n-nothing like t-that happened!” I furiously shook my head.

“AWE!” Yuna huffed and glared at Moto, “some wild fox you are.” She teased. “What’s taking you?”

He was obviously mortified and glared at the ceiling through his fingers as he had slapped a hand to his face and groaned. “Yuna…Yuna, please.”

“When am I going to be a grandmother!?”

“G-Grandmother?!”

“I adopted Moto as my kit when he arrived.”

“Oi! I said no!” Moto finally spoke up through embarrassment.

“Too bad.” She giggled a tinkling sound, not a sound I expected from a Kitsune well over several hundred thousand years of age. “And I shall adopt you too.” She said with a firm nod. “You may call me big sister.” I glanced at Moto, who sighed.

“Okay.” I said with a bow, “please take good care of me.”

A squeal, “oh she is delightful just as Seichii”— a rumble from the name— “said, oh put a cork in it Motoyuki you both need to get along. Now my dear, come, come, let’s get you ready because it is time to CELEBRATE!”

After Moto and I had been dressed to the nines, we were lead out. I was pretty taken by the clothing they gave him; it was Feyan and formed almost like the ancient robes of Samurai when not in their armor; they would have called it a Hakama on earth, but the two curved blades at his hip startled me.

“He never stays here unarmed.” Yuna explained to me as she piled my hair up. He was leaning against the wall opposite the portal, occasionally keeping an eye on any movement outside as he plucked a fruit from a bowl on the table. “Old habits die hard,” was all Yuna said. I pondered such words as I was wound about in my yukata and ushered over to him. “There you are both ready. Moto, stop guarding no one here will enter without permission.”

“Except you.” He growled. So that’s why he was doing that? I tilted my head and glanced up at him; even in my zori, I had to crane my neck just to see his face, and he smiled around the peach he bit into. “Simply beautiful as always Takara.”

And with that, we were off.

It was rather fascinating to watch the Kitsune interact; there were subtle inclinations and movements with their ears and tails to convey emotion or meaning. They were a mischievous people edging on boisterous when a party would happen— of which there was always at least a couple at any given time. However, I began to learn there were different levels of the Heavenly Realm. As well as different areas of the other side. That was just what it was called, The Other.

It was a place Spirits, and people interacted freely, and it was always night, shops and food stalls, quarters and different places that lingered within The Other. And this— was where Yuna wished to take me.

“No.” Moto growled.

“Please?” I squeaked, bouncing. “I want to go!”

“Not without me.” He said firmly.

“Motoyuki.” Yuna said with a huff,” I had hoped to spend time with her alone.”

“You can stay within your own home, but not in The Other, not at the night market.”

“Overbearing bastard.” Yuna sighed, “can’t be helped alright you come too.”

Before we had even left, Moto had yanked out a longer katana and strapped it onto himself along with a strap that went over his chest that held throwing knives. “Trust me when I say it could be needed.” He mumbled.

“Okay.” I smiled at him and wound my fingers into his own. “I trust you.” I felt my tail wag and give away my enthusiasm.

With a small smile, he leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I know. Wear this.” He placed a fox mask over the upper half of my face. “Do not take it off.” He placed a matching, more masculine version over him as Yuna donned a beautiful white mask with ears. I gasped when it changed our fur to look relatively normal. "Why is our fur different, the scent is also gone?" Moto explained that Kitsune-- especially powerful Kitsune were feared and could cause panic, so he would be going as a regular newly transformed fifty-year old fox like myself, except for Yuna; she kept her nine-tails. I suspected she being our guide would never dare to diminish her beauty and or pride.

Being well known in the Heavenly Realm had it's advantages, but Motoyuki I suspected was known for other things. He refused to tell me but eventually I would find out.

As we stepped over the threshold, the entire world shifted and molded into a night-scape of activity. Lanterns, cobblestone steps, large stalls, and even more significant buildings, we had stepped right into the world of Edo period Japan, and yet— I glanced about, vendors shouted out the objects and food they sold.

Masked spirits and people darted to and fro, making me grasp onto Motoyuki’s robe for balance. “Here.” He ushered me in front of him and walked us forward. If I had to describe it to anyone back on earth-- someone needed to tell Ghibli that spirits looked far more humane than one would think except their telltale horns, scales, tails, or feathers, everything else though they had been pretty spot on.

“Wow Miyazaki would love this place.” I whispered.

“Who?”

“Human who wrote stories about spirits.”

“Ah…really?”

“Mmm I’ll tell you about them sometime. He always wrote about strong women.”

A smile “sounds like someone who knows what to focus on.” A chuckle. “I’ve never known a woman thus far to back down from challenges.”

We walked a bit further as we began to sightsee; the games were fun to watch— people arm wrestling, others playing dagger throw, cards, some gambling. The items, however, caught my eye; leaning forward, my pendant slid down and sparkled.

“Ohhhh what a beautiful pendant.” Long fingers reached, and a Tengu chuckled; I snatched it back and pressed it to my sternum. “How much?”

“Not for sale.” I said firmly.

The Tengu were a proud race, but they did love their sparkly things, a disappointed look and then a cunning glance as his eyes flashed, “come now, no price will do?”

“I-I…I said it—“

A low rumble at my back. “She said it’s not for sale, you f*cking bird brain.”

“Moto don’t turn the bird into a pie.” Yuna said, yawning.

The Tengu turned a few shades of pale beneath his slanted features. “W-what are foxes doing here?” He hissed.

“Roaming.” Yuna smiled, a feral gleam in her gaze. “Showing my little sister around. Why do I answer you?”

“N-no, my lady.” The Tengu whispered. And I was ushered away.

“But I wanted to look at the wares!” I pouted.

“There are less…annoying vendors.” Moto said.

There were, in fact, far less annoying vendors; the Tanuki had a splendid shop with fabrics that would make beautiful pillowcases and cushions; I bought up a few bolts, along with some of their home-made jams.

The Crane people owned a bookshop filled with magical scrolls, and I walked out with countless books on other continents cooking as well as the histories of each race. The Tomes were almost as hefty as my upper body, and the pages would magically refill to another several hundred pages when the last one was turned.

“Give it here.”

“I can get it—“I squeaked, almost toppling over carrying The Tatsu History book.

Laughing, he grabbed the book in one hand and placed it in the black hole bag. “So stubborn.” He walked close to me, keeping an arm hovering behind my back and an eye out for our surroundings. Yuna had taken over the position when Moto had stopped at a weapons stall and glanced over several small blades. “So why is he hovering?” I asked.

“Males, as I am sure Himari and Ichika explained, are very protective of their prospective mates. They see things as a challenge to their position. For foxes, even more so, a female can choose to dismiss a male at any given point should she wish.”

“That’s a bit cruel.” I muttered. “You could just string someone along and—“

“Oh it did happen to him.”

I gawked. “What?!” I whispered, yanking on her sleeve. I silently begged her to continue.

“There was a female that he had fancied, she had caught his eye, but he was rather aloof— but she had led him to believe that she was fine with his personality quirks…he certainly never acted as he does with you, he was far more reserved. It was for him more of an infatuation on both of their parts when he had first arrived. As you know, he was nine-tailed despite dying and being resurrected as a Kitsune. Inari deemed him worthy to inherit his thousand years he lived as a Fey for the sacrifices he made for his family and the lives he saved from slavery.”

I nodded, knowing this much.

“Well, Kanaye was determined to drag several males along and has done so; she taught him quite a bit but had deemed him suitable simply due to power. But Moto was never jealous, and that made her angry.”

“B-but…”

“I know, I know…” she continued. “Kanaye pursued him relentlessly, and they had a mild whirlwind of an affair where she attempted to make him as brainless as the others. I was mildly worried as she berated him constantly for his past despite not even knowing the details. To her, he was just a pity blessing, but then everyone mostly thought that— so to him it was normal…”

I felt my claws shoot out and almost tear my robes.

“Down kit. He realized there was no emotion or love behind it for her, and there would never be despite how much he wanted to earn her affection…So he broke things off, telling her they needed to learn more about one another. And in return, she abandoned him during a fight with a Yahko on the mountainside after wounding him herself— that was, oh a hundred years or so ago.”

“W-wait, he had to nap after that, he said,” I stammered, realizing that he must have been significantly injured to do so.

“I checked on him during that time, offered healing and food as well as drink, he was very drained and, yes, injured. Inari punished Kanaye for leaving her precious one on the mountainside and returning without reporting what happened.”

“What a $%@$%^$!” I said the nastiest word in English that I knew. And believe me when I say it was creative.

“What is that?”

“Something terrible and nasty.” I snapped.

“Ha! I knew I liked you.” Yuna kissed my cheek. Moto was back and glancing between us and down at my hand where my claws flexed. With a yank, I had grabbed his arm and began dragging him to a secluded spot. How could someone do such a thing?! I was fuming; it was that woman who had stared at us the other day. I knew something was off about that wench! Tears welled in my vision, and he stopped us when we were a reasonable distance from earshot in the darkness of a garden. Shame engulfed my entire body; I had pressed into a private part of his life without permission. Privacy was something inherently crucial to my own self, and I had broken a boundary that I would have gotten angry over anyone else doing. I sniffled. “I’m sorry.”

“T-Taka?” He allowed me to guide him further into darkness. “Whatever is the matter?”

I stood silently in front of him, trying to push down the anger at what I had heard, fidgeting I finally asked. “Why haven’t you told me about Kayane?”

He blinked, and without even hesitating, “because she is not even worth the breath to do so.” Tilting his head, he reached for me brushing my hair back, “Taka, what’s wrong?” He paused, “are you angry with me for not saying anything? I didn’t think she was anything important to speak of. But perhaps I should have said something since you very well might run into—”

“No.” I shook my head, “I’m sorry, Yuna shouldn’t have told me, but I asked. I’m so sorry for prying.” Bowing in apology, I gulped. “I should have waited for you to feel comfortable enough to talk about it.” Soon i rambled.

He patiently listened.

“Privacy is a huge thing for me— after everything I went through, the hacks, the cameras, the apps that logged my calls and texts, not being able to do anything without an eye watching or an ear hearing…”

His expression had become rather stone cold.

“And yet I overstepped on something I would never want to be done to me.” Hanging my head, I sighed, “I’m ashamed of myself. I became angry, and it’s not my place to do so.”

Yanked into a warm embrace, he sighed, “shhh, Taka, there is nothing to apologize for.” A laugh, “besides, if anyone is allowed to be angry for me, it is you. Do you understand?”

Cupping my face to make me look at him, he had leaned down, so we were nose to nose. “R-really?”

“Yes. Of anyone who is allowed to be angry on my behalf, it is you.” Confusion, “but why are you angry?”

“She hurt you.” A low growl edged my voice, “she wounded you. How can you be so calm about that?”

“It was a hundred years ago, and besides--” a pause, “if I hadn’t taken that nap…I wouldn’t have had a fox land on my head.”

“I didn’t fall on your head!” I laughed with him and shook my head as he pulled me back to him before I pulled away.

“Come here,” long fingers gripped my waist as he hauled me up, straightening himself, so my feet dangled as he pressed a warm kiss against my cheek. “Never be ashamed of yourself for feeling protective of me.”

I blushed, “b—but I doubt you’d need my help--”

A snort of amusement, “considering I cannot harm a female unless my life is in danger, on the contrary, yes, it is…a rather odd feeling.” He paused, “I’ve never had someone angry for me before.”

“I want to strangle her next time I see her.” I admitted. “Especially for how she eyed you the other day.”

“You saw her?”

“Blond, three tails? Blue eyes? Cream fur?”

A distasteful look on his face like he ate something sour, “yes. That is her.” But then a smirk, “so that’s why”

“Hm?”

“You--did get jealous.” Gripping me tighter, he began to kiss across my nose and lips. “Put her out of your mind unless she taunts you…then it’s fair game. But do not allow her to drag you down to her level of pettiness.”

“I was very good at being petty as a human.” I bragged, laughing when his teeth worried my neck. “Very good, in fact.”

“Humans are masters of being petty.”

“Did I ever tell you about the time I hid my family’s spoons, removed the door stoppers so they smacked against the wall, and my personal favorite, all the charger ports were baby-proofed; that way, they couldn’t get into them without a tool.” I sniggered, remembering the chaos that ensued when they tried to figure out who did it— unaware that I had learned how to pick the lock on my cage.

“I am not sure what any of that means, but why do I have a feeling it was to aggravate them rather than harm them.”

“Like I said. Petty.”

“Taka?” My name was ever so soft on my ears.

“Hm?” I glanced up and blushed bright red. His gaze was practically burning.

“Do you know how pleased I am that you felt that way when hearing about Kayane?” He rumbled.

“N-no?”

“Very much.” Hot puffs of air hit my neck, “so much.” A rumble, “no one’s ever been that way over me, and I had begun to worry it was one-sided.” A long drag of his tongue where his teeth nibbled. “So happy to be wrong.” I gulped as his mouth moved lower to the center of my clothing and paused, teeth biting into the fabric with a growl and a tug.

“HEY!” Both of our ears flattened down in realization, and a look of surprise came over both of us as we flamed red. A voice shouted from the garden. “WE DON’T DO THAT HERE!” A broom went flying past us. “GO GET A ROOM!”

Laughing, we sprinted back to the main road holding our sides once we stopped near Yuna, who huffed. “What is so funny?” She asked as we howled.

“What, did he think we were Cat-Demons?!” Moto wheezed.

“He-He threw a BROOM!” I cried as I flailed at his arm, laughing harder. “I’ve only seen that on Earth!”

Moto’s annoyance leaked through his humor as he huffed. “Who throws a broom at a nine-tailed Kitsune?!”

Yuna tilted her head and grinned, “my my, what did you two get up to?”

That made it worse. “Think we should have taken the masks off?” I asked, giggling.

“God, that would have been a sight; poor demon may have had a heart attack knowing he chased off two Kitsune.” Rubbing the back of his head, he leaned forward, “granted, had I gotten any further, I may have just eaten him for stopping me.”

“BAD!” I smacked him across the shoulder as Yuna cackled while we walked.

“Now I HAVE to know what you two were up to.” But her hand lifted my hair away from my neck, and she grinned, “oh ho ho ho, I see.”

“YUNAAAAA!” I huffed and stalked off into the market with two ancient Kitsune teasing me from behind.