Taming a fox

The bunny and the fox

In those 9 years, many things happened. The nation went back to being peaceful almost right away, Xia Li left after 2 years and Tianshi died after 5 years.
     Qin Yaozu researched all the things that happened in his absence, visited the place where his tiger was buried and took on the responsibility of helping people in need. His personality changed and he visibly matured, not fussing about his shidis and shimeis when they slightly annoyed him. He has yet to meet the fresh disciples of the sect because he didn't have the time. Most of the young ones feared him anyway so they didn't mind at all. 
     Qin Shihong tried to arrange for his son to have some fun or meet a nice woman to marry since he was in his late 20's already but Qin Yaozu kept refusing. His father had no choice but to give up and leave him be. 

Qin Yaozu made his way to the capital, heading to a household to help them with issues involving spirits. On his way to his destination, he decided to rest at an inn as he departed pretty late and it was already dark. He sat at a table, drinking a cup of wine and reading over the instructions given to him. It wasn't anything hard so it wouldn't take more than 2 days. It was impossible to see who they were as they wore a bamboo hat and a veil on their face. Their arms were almost fully exposed, the only thing covering them being fur wrapped around the person's shoulders. 
     The person walked over to the innkeeper and purchased a room for the night. Their voice was sweet and it was pretty impossible to say if they were a man or woman. They soon made their way to the stairs, holding the keys to their room when their eyes met Qin Yaozu's. That gaze was strangely familiar but still not quite. A smile appeared behind the veil as the person walked up the stairs, giving Qin Yaozu a playful wink. Just who was that?
     Qin Yaozu decided to pay it no mind and went back to reading but that person completely flooded his mind. They reminded him of someone but he couldn't remember who. No matter how hard he thought about it, he just couldn't remember. Eventually he gave up on it and just went to his room. It was too late to think about anything. 
     He laid down on the bed after removing his outer robes and closed his eyes to get some rest. The reality around him seemed like it was reshaping as he plunged into the dream realm. He barely dreamed about anything but this dream was different than any other that he ever had. The only thing he saw was the person from before that once again invaded his mind, yet this time they were nude. Or to say it better 'he' was nude. 
     The scene that played out in front of Qin Yaozu's eyes seemed like it already happened. Just who was that person? And why did he dream about 'him' in this way?! They met just once but it felt like they met a hundred times before. 

The sun began to rise early in the morning. Qin Yaozu wasn't able to get much rest during the night as he kept having the same dream over and over again, each time the person seemed more and more familiar. No matter the reason though, he still had to push through and fulfil his duty. 
     Just as he was leaving, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a fox lurking by, watching him carefully. It seemed rather brave as it approached him, the sharp eyes staring up at him. Qin Yaozu found this strange as he never met an animal like this. They normally all ran away. 
     The fox observed him for a while until he pulled out a piece of bread and gave it to the animal. It happily took it and bowed it's head, as if it was thanking him which shocked him greatly. The fox left as quickly as it returned and there was soon no trace after it. 
     Is this place haunted?
Qin Yaozu didn't have time to think about it much so he just went back onto his journey to the capital. He got onto his horse and at a slow pace, he got back on the road. On his way to the capital, he noticed the fox following him the whole time, which he figured was probably because he fed it. There was no way he was gonna keep it as a pet though!
     The fox never got as close as before and just walked parallel to him, far in the bushes. It looked rather cute but Qin Yaozu was on high alert the whole time, keeping an eye on the fox.
     It took quite a long time for him to reach the capital so it was once again late and he had to stay at an inn. He stopped by one at the edge of the city which he already stayed at many years ago. To his surprise, when he walked in there was the same person from the last inn he stayed at, talking to the innkeeper. They turned to him and bowed their head in a greeting before disappearing to a room they probably bought. 
     Qin Yaozu was speechless. How did this person get here?! This time he wouldn't let it go. After paying for a room and getting the keys, he rushed to the room that person got in, knocking on the door. Nobody opened them which made Qin Yaozu frustrated so he got inside his way. 
     On the bed laid a beautiful man that was unfortunately covered in scars. His features were soft and his eyes like those of a fox. On his arm and leg were shapes that resembled those of a tiger that covered few of the most visible healed wounds. 
     Qin Yaozu's eyes widened. How could he not realize the whole time that the person was none other than Luo An?!
     "How is this possible?" he mumbled to himself which made Luo An giggle. "Did gege not miss me? I thought you'd be happier!" Qin Yaozu approached the bed and placed his hand on Luo An's cheek, trying to see if he's real or not. Only when his hand met a soft warm cheek did he realize that it was true. It really was Luo An! But there was still something off. Qin Yaozu focused more on the details and along with the new tattoos, there was something fluffy on his head and back. Luo An noticed the way he looked at those parts of him and only smiled.
     "You were the fox that followed me here, weren't you?" 
     "Guilty. Is that a crime?"
Qin Yaozu was once again left speechless until something clicked. If Luo An died years ago and now he's back along with the ability to turn into a fox, that would only mean that he's a... yao!