I glanced at the Goddess with a bit of hesitation— it wasn't that I didn't want to see her; I was just mildly paralyzed by the overwhelming sense of affection her aura showered on me.

It took all of my self-control to not fling myself into her arms.

She seemed to notice and walked over, wrapping me in a warm hug. "Little Kit, you need not be so formal with me." Inari smiled, "you are my beloved." Glancing at Motoyuki, she gave a beaming laugh. "Ah, and you brought my special one home." Taking my arm in her own, she began to walk us back up the path. "Tell me, Takara."

"Hm?"

"Do you find this new world to your liking?"

I squeaked and nodded, glancing around at the absolute beauty that was The Heavenly Realm; Inari's Realm was filled with song and sunshine, every bit as beautiful as Himari described. "I am, yes, some things more than others." My tail flicked out and brushed Moto's leg making the ancient Kitsune puff into red.

I got him!!!!

Inari laughed at Motoyuki and tilted her head, "finally someone caught your eye— I am glad of it. You have long since been upon the Mortal Plane Ilvisar En'Orifeiel."

Moto frowned at the Goddess and huffed. "I no longer go by that name, My Lady. And don't think I am not suspect of you landing Takara ontop of my head during my nap."

A chime bell like laugh. "I don't know what you mean. And I am aware, but names are important. As is our past." She countered as we continued to an enormous growth of cherry trees where an area with a large oak table and a cushioned throne sat at the head. "Please, sit." She offered.

I sent him a private jab, [[I did not land on your head!]]

Moto grinned, [[Almost.]]

We found ourselves a seat on the plethora of cushions, Himari bouncing on her own like a kid as Moto tucked me close to Inari, and he took the one on the opposite side.

"Takara," Inari began as she held a light pipe.

"Yes, Goddess?"

"I have been keeping an eye on your endeavors; I see that you are focusing on…what was the word… 'public health'?" She tilted her head, her long ink hair spilling across her shoulders. "That is from your old world."

"Yes, it is helping the public in ensuring that they are healthy, clean, and fed," I said, nodding. "Crime tends to develop when desperation is festering in the lower corners. The village does not really have this issue. However, we have the option to improve living conditions."

Inari nodded, tapping the edge of her pipe to her chin thoughtfully. "Hm, such an interesting way of thinking— here it is more survival of the fittest."

"It was that way in my old world and in some aspects still is. However, the sick, the elderly, the weak, the ones with defects, or as we called it, a disability— they were cared for by the community. However." I could feel a flash of annoyance fill my gaze, "people tend to get greedy and deny help to those that need it." The Goddess sighed, "so I am unsure what to do, but we shall have to cross that bridge when we get there."

"Indeed, you seem to have many plans."

"Yes, but for now— I would like to explore and learn more of the world around me…but…" I shrugged, "I don't want to leave the shrine unattended for more than a few months."

"But that is what your servants can help with. Especially if they have Power." Inari tilted her head. "Did Seichii not explain that?"

Taka blinked, "eh?"

Moto growled, "that damn fox. No, My Lady, he did not."

Inari simply sighed, "oh, Seichii, my dear one, always running off to chase butterflies."

"If a butterfly wore a kimono." Moto coughed and smirked when Inari gave him an indulgent and admonishing glance.

"Please, enjoy the realm— stay for a while. Your bower is down by the river at the edge of the blossoms."

Moto blinked as they left the Goddess sipping sake and chatting with Yuna and the other fox, "that is quite an honor."

"Hm?" I was simply trying to absorb all of the stimuli zooming through my brain.

"It is a prime spot; it is near the blossom trees but also near the fields and the pathway to get to the kitchens.

"Kitchens?!" I got excited.

"Of course, you're thinking of food." He chuckled. "Come, Himari will show us the way." We continued to walk with Himari bouncing in front of us like a hyped-up tour guide. It really was gorgeous; the season seemed to stay in spring; however, there were ripe rice fields, grassy slopes, bright blue skies, and clouds that twisted in the air.

"Moto look!" He merely watched me, amusement playing across his features. "What?"

"It is adorable to watch you see new things." He smooched my cheek before dragging his tongue in a long lick with a laugh as I swatted at him.

"Hmph, look at that a Zenko and a field fox." A random fox whispered. I didn't catch who it was as I jerked my head in their direction with blazing eyes.

"No kit." Moto scooped me up and carried me flailing, "no fights."

"Let me at 'em!" I snapped, trying to crawl over his shoulder as he clamped a strong arm about my waist as if I was a bag of flour and not an angry fox.

"No, we're going to get food. Come on now." He soothed as Himari merely shrugged when he looked at her as if to ask for help.

"It doesn't make it okay!"

"Fierce little fox." He chuckled.

We managed to make it to a large ornate building— the houses, buildings, and bowers were all built-in traditional Japanese design. They hailed from the Edo period imperialistic structures that held a sense of sophistication and pomp.

"Good grief," I muttered, stepping into the ample open space. Ovens, stoves, and a large pantry at the back made me drool. "Oh yay!"

"Ah! The Zenko…and…"

Himari flailed forewarning from behind me, unaware that I could sense her movement, out of the corner of my eye I could see her pointing at me, making a motion as if she was being strangled after pointing at Moto.

But the fox did not seem worried. "Motoyuki, was it?"

"Hmph." The tall kitsune sniffed but nodded.

"Good to meet you finally. I am Ichika." She bowed politely. "And this must be Takara."

I nodded, smiling at her, and bowed as well. "It is nice to meet you." I nudged Moto, who grumbled and did the same.

"So polite, come, come let me cook for you!" She tied her robe sleeves back and motioned to a round table with cushions and flatware that appeared out of nowhere.

"Whoa!"

"Spacial Magic." Ichika smiled as she worked; suddenly, countless ingredients swooshed from the pantry and encircled her as she branded a sharp blade.

"Uhhh— Moto?" I scooted behind him and peeked from behind his tails. He wound them about me in comfort.

"Do not fear it is just her way of cooking— magical cooking is quite a sight. Don't miss it. I've only seen it in my travels a few times." He did however seem all too pleased.

Gaining a bit more courage that he didn't feel threatened, I poked my head out from the fuzzy red fur.

She moved like a conductor at an orchestra. The blade slicing through the ingredients with ease as they flew past, no movement wasted as the utensils heated and foxfire at the ready blasted about her in radiating waves. "Ohh!" I clapped.

Ichika was a very tall fox, almost as tall as Motoyuki. Her violet hair was tied up in deep blue silk ribbons as the gold hairpin dangled with intricate bells. Her oval face and wide-set silver eyes gleamed with latent power as her seven tails swished imperiously.

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"Moto?"

"Hm?"

"She has seven tails. Himari has five…" I frowned. "When do I get my second tail?"

A laugh, "well a fox gets their first tail after 50 years of age. That is when they can turn into a kitsune— so you are roughly when born, 50 years old."

I chirped, "wow…" grinning, "damn, I look good for my age."

Laughing, he brushed my hair back, "from there, every 125 years, you gain a new tail.

"THAT LONG?!" I complained. "Awe, man!"

Ichika smiled, "do not fret, little sister; the time goes by fast after a while. Things change so quickly."

Moto nodded, as did Himari, "it is true." Himari's tufted ears tilted this way and that as she scooted closer to me and leaned her head on my shoulder. "Soon, things just poof! Are gone! And others boom! Are there! And nothing ever stays the same."

"Such is the life of an immortal." Moto said with a sigh, "it is why it is hard to get attached to humans. They die easily." He took a long drink of the tea that was served to him.

I blanched. Glancing at Moto, concerned, "wait! C-can Kitsune die?" I whispered, a sudden cold chill coming over me. Moto froze and glanced at me, quickly assessing my state. He didn't understand why I would ask such a question.

"It takes much to kill a Kitsune." Ichika answered, "so do not fret. Unless he goes up against a dragon. No Fox would be stupid enough to—"

Wide-eyed, I turned and then glared at him.

He sheepishly rubbed the back of his head with a stupid grin, "I don't do it often."

I puffed my cheeks out and made a grumbling noise. "MOTO!" I smacked at his chest as he laughed at me, "you big dummy, I knew it was dangerous. You shouldn't be doing that!"

Ichika shrugged as she stirred a large pot. "Well, he was a Fey, so I am not surprised that Motoyuki is well versed in the fighting. They are some of the fiercest warriors in the lands. Aside from Volkier, which are in brute strength."

Himari glanced at us and piped up, "Ryoujin?"

"Yes," Moto said with a huff. "Taka landed in the pool of memory, and she disconnected—"

Both women spun around, "WHAT?"

Himari shook me gently, hugging me tight after, "no no no no no NO! Bad kit, we do not let others access memories!"

I nodded, "I know now I'm sorry!"

Ichika shook her head, "well if you had been starting to bond, it's no wonder Motoyuki took on a dragon."

I tilted my head, a bit confused as I sipped my own tea and winced— Moto smiled and added some honey to it. Ahhh, much better.

"Foxes run hot-blooded." She shrugged as if that explained it.

"Assume I am ignorant in..ah..many things."

Moto coughed, turning bright red, his ears flattening backward.

Himari and Ichika seeing an opening, slyly grinned— "male foxes, especially if they fancy a female, can become quite violent— which is probably why he came here." Himari said. "Moto has not set foot in the Heavenly Realm in almost a thousand years!"

Ichika nodded, "when my mate and I bonded, he wouldn't even leave my side for a moment— instinctive."

I wrapped my tail up in one of his and felt him freeze, "that doesn't sound so bad." I smiled brightly and watched as the red increased, and he was almost the color of his fur.

"AWE! Young love." Himari and Ichika crooned.

"SHUT UP." Moto snapped, but I could feel three of his tails wind about my waist and stroke my lower back and the back of my neck.

Ichika stepped forward, and with another whoosh of magic, tons of dishes laid out on the table. From fresh Onigiri to curry, a hot pot, and rice bowls with an eel and a katsudon bowl.

I felt myself drooling "oh, yummy!" I clapped my hands together. "Itadakimasu!" Everyone paused, "it means thank you for the meal." I grinned.

"It sounds like the Continent of Tatsu's language." Ichika noted with some interest.

"Some things are the same in Japanese; however, some of the newer additions to the language are not such things as (hygiene). Or (cellphone) or (phone-booth)."

"Such odd words—"Ichika seemed excited though, "you'll have to tell me all about it!" We settled into our meal and stuffed our faces.

Once finished with our meal, Himari decided that now was the perfect time for me to make the rounds before going to my bower. The "homes" here were an array of trees, magic, and different spaces; since it never rained here except where magic kept the dense foliage from getting you sopping wet, I determined that this would be quite a nice little vacation spot.

Walking around the small pond and the trees that encompassed my literal slice of heaven. Himari smiled, "I shall take my leave, little sister— I need to go and check the forges!" With a kiss upon my cheek, she pranced off as I looked at the small open space; the foliage was so dense it was almost a thicket, but it provided plenty of privacy, and the door was more like a portal, you walked through it, and you were able to see the circular room with smaller attachments.

Moto sighed and stretched, "well, I should go to mine as well—"

I frowned, "wait, what do you mean?" I grabbed his robe, my ears going down in worry. "Y-you're leaving?"

He blinked, looking me over from head to foot before poofing into a blush, "T-Taka…erm…typically only mate-pairs share living spaces here."

I tilted my head that made no sense— "but we're bonding." I pointed out, crossing my arms.

"Yes, we are— I mean but normally...people will talk—and I am a wild fox..."

"I don't care." I pouted.

"Taka. Propriety…" it seemed he was having an internal struggle.

"Damn propriety, I lived in Japan and maintained such a life. I do what I want."

He was struggling to maintain my honor apparently, scrubbing his face in agitation as other foxes watched amused— "looks like Moto finally met his match." One whispered.

"Serves him right. He's had foxes trail after him for years." Another sniffed as they walked by grinning.

"Good luck Fox." One teased quickly moving when Moto's gaze blazed at them.

"Mmmhmmm." Their companion giggled.

"Oh really," I asked, turning to a now flustered fox. "Trailing, hm?"

"N-not returned. I'll have you know it was quite annoying!"

I glanced at several females who were peeking towards us while trying not to seem too keen. Let's have some fun. I felt a flash of a smirk across my face, which he caught and paused, one ear slanting down in wariness. "Taka…."

Stepping forward, I walked my index and middle finger-like tiny legs up to his waist to his chest. "It seems I may also have reason to be jealous," I murmured.

He barked a laugh, trying to glance anywhere than myself and where my fingers walked. "N-not in the slightest, Takara!" Moto sputtered, embarrassed.

I made my eyes go round, pupils were blown out, and my tail swishing behind me playfully. "But what am I to do if someone starts trailing after you like a lovesick puppy?" I knew the slight insult it gave— foxes hated spirit dogs, and to call one a puppy meant that the fox had lost their level-headed cool and spiraled into a heap of undignified mess.

The females across the way stiffened. One in particular— a rather tall golden-haired fox with three cream tails and gleaming blue eyes made me almost flinch, but I held my ground and let my eyes snap with Power. "One might not know what I would do if someone laid a hand on you…" I crooned. He gulped, hands twitching as if he wanted to snatch me up. But here— I realized it was different; I was female, which allowed me the ball in my end of the court at all times. And he, ever patient, was waiting for me to give permission.

Die mad about it. I internally growled. He's mine… I huffed and turned my attention back to him.

Moto didn't even notice them; he swallowed audibly, "Taka, this is very— erm…inappropriate for outdoors..." my fingers trailed through the long red locks of his hair, bringing them up so I could kiss the satin texture and leveled a sharp gaze at the women who scurried off looking displeased that he was not leaving. The blond, however, glanced at us and slowly, insolently walked off, sashaying her hips.

Ignoring her, I turned back to the tall twitching mass of kitsune. "Well, we're about to be indoors." I crooned, purring into the notes and watching the sound travel in a shiver up his spine as his ears flicked back and forth.

Moto shuddered, claws extending. "…I mean…well, when you put it that way," I leaned forward as he backed up, a bit panicked, aligning perfectly with the portal door. He was about to lose his cool, gaze snapping with a warning.

"So you should stay." I smiled.

He caved, eyebrow-raising in a challenge. "F-Fine, you greedy little thing. I'll stay, damn propriety and how things are done— and see if you'll be rid of me then—"

"YAY!" I leaped at him. With a swift tackle, we were tumbling through the portal and landing on soft rugs.

"Really, Takara! Such a Kit!" He grumbled, having taken the majority of the impact of the fall as I laughed with glee. "What is so funny?!"

"Did you--" I gasped, "see their faces!" Giggling into his chest, I wrapped my arms around his waist, nuzzling into the slightly opened robe and inhaling his scent.

A low guttural sound escaped him as he helped me move off of him, frowning. "I didn't see anyone. I had a mad fox come after me!" He complained, looking at the ceiling. "Honestly, what am I to do…with…you…"

Maybe it was the high off of feeling like someone was actually mine. Maybe it was the way I sat up and glanced down and had my breath taken away as he leaned upon his elbow, glaring at me with snapping eyes, ears flattened back, and fangs showing.

It could have been the fact that I became acutely aware of solid hands diving into my hair and clasping the nape of my neck to pull me closer, "you do love to tease." The growl echoing through my brain like a drug. I had the startling realization that he had to be the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in either of my lives.

Reaching and trailing my hands across his jaw and neck, he let out a rumbling sound of approval.

I felt a tad braver today…the nightmares receding with everyone patient gesture he gave. Merely watching as I trailed my hands across his arms, neck, and chest before smattering kisses across his face. One would have thought the rain had fallen on a man dying of thirst for all the expression of absolute joy, and a slight edge of pain encompassed his expression. Eyes closed, he breathed deep as he pressed his face into my neck.

"Shhh, calm little kit. I won't stray." He murmured.

"I know— it's not you that I'm worried about." I then smacked him, "Mr. Player! Apparently, you have broken hearts all over!"

"Eh… don't even get me started." He growled. "It's just a phase some of them go through."

"Ahh, the bad boy phase."

"I beg your pardon?" He rubbed his nose to mine. "What in Halsuf Fire is that?"

I made a note to ask what that was.

"They like you because you're not what everyone else is— they see you as…eh…different…edgy…dangerous…"

"Psh." Snorting a laugh, he flopped back, dragging me with him. "Too bad." Turning us over onto our sides, he curled his tails about me and all but became a weighted blanket.

I knew that I could get used to this. Scratching his head, neck, and back made him into a pile of kitsune jello. Rumbling purring coming from his chest as he went limp. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen." He groaned.

"The wind of death taken down by tiny fox." I laughed.

"Nai." He said, speaking Feyan for no. "Fey always are at the whims of their women." He crooned. “Kitsune are more— hmph…”

"Playful?"

"Ah." He nodded. "Fey are more stoic— we were trained from early years to have a specific outlook; we only let our guards down in the home. But you." He tickled my sides. "Seem to have a knack for bringing more fox out than normal."

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen," I repeated in solemn jest, smacking a kiss on his cheek.

"Hmm, that's fine." Nuzzling closer, he nodded off into a deep slumber. "Just…fine…little vixen."

Closing my eyes, I smiled at him after watching his peaceful face. I couldn't imagine how this fox who had ripped out the throat of a dragon could be so gentle with me. However, I would thank the gods for such a blessing. Thank you…thank you for where I landed…thank you for him…and all my new friends…I have truly been blessed.

Inari's voice echoed in my head, you deserve this and more, child.

I felt tears swim in my eyes as my vision warped, planting a warm kiss on Moto's mouth before I fell into my own dreamless sleep.