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.
“Oh? Looks like I got the wrong thing! Sorry about that mate, I hope you can find your way home.” I say as I approach the cage and open it with a smile on my face with an Australian accent. “There we are! You then go on now! Be free!” I say while holding the cage open and pushing you out of the cage. I then pick up the cage and start walking away.
The black fox glances at you with interest as you approach, obviously having heard your words. Then, instead of scrambling away like most animals would, she sits still and looks up at you with a mixture of curiosity and what might almost be amusement in her eyes. As you set the trap aside and begin to walk away, however, the fox's demeanor changes, becoming slightly more agitated and defiant. She pads forward on her haunches until she's just short of the edge of the trap, where she turns back toward you once more with a challenge in her eyes. Despite this, she doesn't try to follow or pursue you further, as if reluctantly acknowledging your dominance over her for now...
“You need something mate? I have a biscuit if you want one” I say as I pull out a small bag of cinnamon biscuits. I squat down and hold out a biscuit. “You want one?”
"I thank thee..." She pauses for a moment as if considering her words carefully before continuing in a tone that's almost mocking "...but I'm not hungry right now." Her ears flick briefly, and she hops back into the center of the trap, sitting upright and regarding you with a smug expression on her furry face. Then, she speaks again, this time in a more serious tone: "Human... You have given me food, and freedom from this cage... What do you want from me?"
“Oh nothin little friend, but if you anything, I’ll be available… for the next two weeks then I’ll go hunting in Brazil. Anyway, I’ll see you later.”
"Very well..." The black fox gives a small nod before saying nothing more. You leave her there, and eventually she wanders off into the forest on her own. Over the next several days you continue to see her around your campsite, seemingly curious about you but also hesitant to approach too closely. The respect and caution with which she treats you is a clear sign of the power that humans have over lesser beings such as herself in this realm...
She remains cautious around you, but clearly holds some level of fascination as well. You catch her watching you from afar on more than one occasion, and she seems to grow increasingly bold over time. While she may never fully trust a human again, it's clear that your initial kindness towards her has left an impression upon the clever little Kitsune...
“Oi! You need something mate? You really don’t have to hide!” I say, yelling for you in your direction.
*Her golden-amber eyes narrow slightly as she turns to face your voice. She tilts her head to one side, studying you with curiosity and caution mixed together. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she begins to pad toward you, stopping several meters away before speaking again.
"...Human..." Her voice is soft, almost gentle. "What doest thou want of me?"
“ I would like to know why you are watching me?”
"...I confess," Kuro says with another small nod. "Thy kindness toward me hath left an impression on mine heart." She pauses, considering her words carefully before continuing. "And perhaps... I am curious as well. Thou art unlike any other human I have encountered." A faint blush creeps across her ears at this admission, but she seems unaware of it.
“Hold on, are you an actual Vixen? Cause most don’t know how to speak.”
*Kuro tilts her head to the side again, eyes narrowing slightly in confusion. "A 'Vixen'? What is that?" she asks curiously. She considers your question further and shakes her head slowly. "No, I am not a vixen, as you call it. I am Kitsune... A guardian spirit of this land." Her voice carries an unspoken warning along with the explanation; It is clear that she expects you to show her the respect she feels entitled to as one of the elder spirits in these lands.
“FYI, a vixen is a fox, and if you aren’t one, then why are you one?”
*Her ears lower slightly at your apparent misunderstanding, but she manages to keep her tone patient as she explains. "A Kitsune... Like myself... We are not mere animals, but beings of magic and wisdom. It is our duty to protect this realm from those who would do it harm." She pauses again, studying you intently before speaking once more. "...And if thou art curious about me... If thou dost wish to learn more..." Her voice trails off invitingly, leaving the offer open-ended.
“Oh yeah sure, why not. Can’t be the worst.”
"...Very well." Kuro's expression brightens slightly at your acceptance. She pads closer, stopping several feet away from you now. "The first thing thou must understand is that I am older than this land itself. It was my magic that created it, and it is with my magic that I protect it. Kitsune are respected and revered by all creatures who dwell within our realms; we are like gods to them."
"And what wouldst thou learn of me?" she asks curiously. "There are many stories and legends surrounding Kitsune... Some say that we can shapeshift into human forms, or use our magic to create illusions..." Her eyes narrow slightly as her tail twitches thoughtfully behind her. "...I suppose it would depend on thy interests."
“Yeah, seems normal to me? Is there anything else that you want to show me?”
"...Very well." Kuro nods, regarding you seriously as she considers the offer further. With a graceful sweep of her tail, she snaps her fingers, creating a small burst of light that illuminates the area briefly before vanishing. "This is one of my abilities... To create and control flame." She gestures with another flick of her tail, and several tendrils of blue flame dance to life nearby, dancing playfully in the air between them. "Though it takes great concentration to maintain for any significant length of time..."
Her gaze drifts over your form as she speaks, weighing you up carefully before continuing. "...And there is another ability I could show thee... The power of illusion." She closes her eyes, focusing intently on the air before you, and then with a sudden flash she appears to vanish completely. In her place stands a tall,
Cool, but why a fox though?
*Kuro tilts her head slightly to one side as she watches your reaction carefully. "The form I choose is merely a reflection of my nature," she explains. "As a trickster spirit, I embody the cunning and playfulness that are associated with foxes." Her amber eyes seem to sparkle with mischief as she continues, "And it isn't just any fox... The Kitsune is revered in Japan for its wisdom and fertility. It was from these qualities that I chose my form."