“Well that was a bust.” Eva grumbled as the two left the mall later that afternoon. No matter where in the building the duo had loitered around, the Kitsune’s sense of direction always told her to just go back to where she’d stopped following the river yesterday. No sudden change to guide her through a staff only area. Nor down any sewer access.

“Seems like it.” Kurt concurred with a nod. “So who have you asked for advice or information so far?”

“Komaki and that old Kami just now.” Eva said with a sigh. “Not that either of them knew anything useful.”

“Have you sent Prof. Yamanaka a mail at least?”

“No, I’m not going to bother him for every little thing.” Eva replied while crossing her arms. “And I was thinking about seeing if the Kappa near campus know something about this river next.”

“I mean wouldn’t hurt to try and see if he knows something.” Kurt mumbled with a shrug. “And what makes you think the Kappa could know more if you doubt the Professor can help?”

“Because that old Kami talked about after humans first settled here.” the Kitsune elaborated as she led the Werewolf into a small side alley. “So the Kappa who always avoid contact with humans might know things he doesn't. And as aquatic Youkai chances are they know stuff about all the rivers civilization buried.”

“So are you heading there right now or?”

“No.” Eva said, shaking her head. “I’ll drop you off wherever you want first, then get some fresh cucumbers for them. I’ll need something to make them wanna talk to me for the first time after all.”

“Well then mind dropping me off near my flat?” Kurt inquired. “Think I want to just relax for what little weekend I have left.”

“Sure.” She said as they reached the small Inari shrine they had been headed for. Grabbing her friend's arm, Eva dragged him onto the fox road before making their way towards his apartment.

~~~

One trip to a nearby conbini[1] later, the Kitsune was sitting on her haunches before the shrine she’d often spotted a Kappa at for a moment. But with the cucumbers put down before the shrine, she was unsure how to proceed in talking to the Kappa living around here.

After a few moments, she decided to just go look around. Looking around the tiny shrine didn’t take too long, but she did nearly miss the small pond behind the shrine that was bisected by a bamboo fence from a nearby backyard.

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‘Well here I go I guess.’ Eva thought before picking up the pack of cucumbers again before stepping into the small bit of pond. The cold water sent a shiver down her body. Barely managing to squeeze under the fence, the fur on her belly got soaked with the icy water. Soon the Kitsune found herself in an immaculately kept garden, taken up mostly by the icy pond she’d snuck in through.

The most notable other feature in the garden was a small bamboo grove blocking part of the pond from view from the old house the garden belonged to. With the area otherwise empty, she quickly got out of the frigid water before dropping the cucumbers for a moment and shaking as much of it out of her fur as she could manage.

Picking her little gift back up, she decided to first check out the part of the garden filled with bamboo. But there was little to find there, and definitely no hidden Kappa dwelling. Not wanting to jump in the pond again, Eva began to stalk around it trying to spot any kind of hint if the Kappa might be hiding inside it.

“Shoo.” A voice from the house surprised the Kitsune. Barely managing to keep her balance thanks to her tails, Eva turns around to see who that was. Though she failed to keep her hold on the pack of cucumbers. “Shoo go away.” The elderly looking man said again as he made a shooing motion with his wrinkled hand. He only had a thin halo of hair left surrounding his gleaming, bald head. Glasses as thick as bottles were sliding down his beak like nose. His back was bent down by age.

As she hastily picked up the pack of vegetables, her fangs tore into both the packaging and one of the cucumbers. Which, judging by the way the old man's nose twitched, he noticed right away.

“Wait.” He shouted towards Eva, holding a hand out to try and stop her. “Are those fresh cucumbers?”

Not sure how to take this sudden change in attitude, Eva gave a slow nod.

“Would you mind sharing them with this old man, little one?”

Dropping the pack once again, Eva replied. “Only if I can ask you some questions.”

As he heard her speak, his eyes widened a bit before he brought up a hand to adjust his glasses and leaned towards her.

“You’re not the neighbour's dog at all are you?” Before she could respond, he adjusted his glasses once more and turned his head left to right. “Oh yes, now I can count your tails. What is a fine Zenko like you doing in my grandson’s garden?”

“I was searching for the Kappa I saw at the small shrine behind that fence once.” Eva replied before picking up the vegetables again and approaching the elderly man.

“Hmph. I really need to teach those great grand kids of mine a thing or two if you could recognize them.” He grumbled as he slid open the back door. “Now come, come I will gladly answer the questions of such a polite Fox for some cucumbers. Even if you did trespass.”

Eva gave an appreciative nod before walking up to the entrance to the home. Before she stepped inside, she quickly glanced around for something to clean her paws. After a moment the old man kneeled down before her, holding a handkerchief in his right hand.

“Thank you for not just dragging mud in. May I help you?”

Eva just nodded before the man began to carefully clean her paws and the fur around them.

“Now, come inside. I will see about making some tea for us.”