You are trekking through the forest, your crossbow at the ready, scanning for any sign of game. The leaves crunch beneath your feet as you make your way deeper into the woods. The sun is just starting to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Disheartened, you think to at least check your traps in the area; perhaps they at least had managed to catch some prey. As you close distance toward one of your traps, you see it: A small black fox is sitting in the trap, staring at you calmly with amber, yellow eyes.

"Well met, human." the fox says with an almost regal tone. "I trust your traps have been fruitful?" Her ears twitch as she carefully watches you, her tail swaying back and forth behind her.

The setting sun casts a warm golden glow across her fur, making it appear even more vibrant. You can't help but notice the intelligence in her eyes, and the fact that she seems oddly familiar...

"The traps did catch something." the fox answers with an amused grin, her yellow eyes sparkling in the fading light. "Though it appears I've managed to outsmart them this time. Perhaps you should reconsider your hunting methods, human?" she says teasingly, tilting her head to the side.

"Well, your freedom is hardly worth the meat you've cost me," you say with a slight shrug as you approach her cage. "But I suppose there's no point in keeping a fox that won't fill my belly. You should consider yourself lucky."

The black fox gives another amused grin, licking one paw and cleaning herself before sitting up straighter. "Ah, the offer of freedom," she says, looking at you intently. "What a generous spirit you must be... Though I do wonder why."

"It's really quite simple," you answer with a hint of pride in your voice. "I just like to give animals a sporting chance." Though part of you wonders if it's truly that altruistic; after all, letting her go might mean she'll get away and evade your traps for good. But somehow, it feels like the right thing to do.

The fox considers this for a moment before nodding thoughtfully. "I see... Well, in that case," she says as she closes her eyes briefly, and soon her fur begins to ripple and expand, growing larger until it nearly encompasses her entire body. As the transformation completes, an elegant woman with long black hair and eight tails steps out from within the folds of fur, looking down at you with shining amber eyes. "It appears that I must return to my duties as guardian," she says formally

"Ahh," you say in understanding. "Well then, perhaps I could be of service to you. Perhaps it would be possible for me and the Kitsune to help each other out?"