Tale of Yokais

Chapter 2

Years past since the day little Onibi was born. As he suspected it would take a while for his little flame to gain enough spiritual power to be able to get a human form. But eventually he did.

Now he had a small child running around, following him and never straying far. Kyuubi warned him to not leave the area as it wouldn't be safe. Onibi was far to young to try and defend himself against humans.

"Come here Onibi" Kyuubi said as he sat on the small porch of his house, watching Onibi run around and play.

Without hesitation the child ran over to Kyuubi, "Kyuu!" He couldn't say much yet, but the kitsune found it cute whenever he attempted to say some words. Especially his name.

"Fufu, you're learning more and more everyday aren't you Onibi?" he smiled gently to him, patting his head.

"Well I didn't expect to see you with a child Kyuubi-no-kitsune"

Looking up, he saw a familiar person. "What are you doing here Mizuchi?" Kyuubi asked, opening his fan and covering his face a bit. 

Onibi quickly hid behind Kyuubi, peaking out to look at the stranger. It was rare that Mizuchi ever came by to visit. He was normally busy with his own matters. 

The humans saw him as some kind of god. 

"I decided to come see you since you might be lonely. But I guess you aren't anymore. So who's the kid? Did you find him somewhere?"

"His name Onibi. He was born from my flames. It's taken a while but he was able to gain a human form" he replied before looking to Onibi. "Say hello to Mizuchi"

Looking at Kyuubi then to Mizuchi, "H..Hello.." he hesitately said then hiding once again behind Kyuubi.

The kitsune chuckled, hiding his little one with his tails. It'd take some getting used to for Onibi when it came to interacting with strangers. Mizuchi walked up to Kyuubi who signaled to follow him inside. As they walked into the house, Onibi did his best to stay hiding. 

Mizuchi found it cute at how the child stayed close by to his caretaker. They must have a strong bond and trust each others entirely to get along so well. He was relieved to know Kyuubi would no longer be lonely. But worried about what would ever happen if Onibi got hurt.

"I'll go make some food. Would you like some tea too?"

"If you don't mind risking getting your tails dirty" Mizuchi replied with a smile.

"Hmph, I'm careful. Onibi agrees, don't you?"

The child gave a small nod. With that Kyuubi walked toward the kitchen, having to tell Onibi to stay in the living room with Mizuchi. He was hesitate to stay with a stranger, but obeyed regardless. Staying as far away as possible from the water god.

Mizuchi stared at him curiously. Was he scared of him? Though it'd make sense since he was probably the first person he's seen come to visit the kitsune. Maybe he could get Onibi to trust him if he tried being friendly towards him.

He approached Onibi carefully so he didn't startle him. Not that it mattered, it was obvious by how he tried moving away from him that he didn't trust him.

"Hey relax. I won't hurt you" he said calmly. "It's amazing that you were born from Kyuubi's flames. You're so small, you've only been around for short amount of time so far right?"

The flame spirit tilted his head, not understanding what he was talking about.

"I guess you still have a lot to learn huh?" 

Kneeling down in front of Onibi, he reached his hand out and pat him. Onibi pouted at the sudden action, pushing away his hand. 

"Are you able to talk much?" A shake of the head. He really did have a lot to learn. "Can you say Kyuubi's name?"

"Kyuu!"

He couldn't help but laugh a little. "So cute. How about my name? Mizuchi"

"Mi..zu.."

"What're you up to Mizuchi?" Kyuubi asked, setting down the food and tea he had prepared.

"Teaching Onibi to talk a bit"

"Kyuu..!!" Onibi exclaimed, running over to him and hugging him. "Kyuu!"

"Haha, he's really attached to you. But won't it be hard to raise a kid? After all you've only had to take care of yourself all these years"

Kyuubi sat down, letting his little flame settle down on his lap. "It hasn't been very difficult. He's a good boy. Besides I'm determined to raise him and keep him safe.." he said, nuzzling Onibi.

He wasted no time in returning the action. It was such a cute scene. Mizuchi sat down and smiled at the two. Onibi leaned against the fox, looking around and occasionally eating some of the food his caretaker handed to him. He listened to Kyuubi and Mizuchi talk, not understanding anything they were talking about.

"Play?" 

"You can go play outside if you want. Just don't leave the area"

"Okay..!!" he said, smiling happily as he hopped off Kyuubi's lap. 

Making his way outside to play more in the courtyard. He would of asked Kyuubi to play with him but since he couldn't talk much yet and didn't want to bother him he didn't. Though the kitsune never actually played with him to begin with. So he simply watched his little flame play instead.

'I wonder why Kyuubi says not to leave the area..' he thought. Wandering toward the edge of the courtyard. There a path leading through the forest. Where did it lead to?

Out of curiousity he walked down the path, wanting to see where it would take him. He'd only be gone a few minutes. The two older yokai seemed distracted with their conversation anyway, surely they wouldn't notice.

At the end of the path was a long set of stair, heading downhill. Again curiousity got the better of him and began making his way down the stairs. It took a few minutes but eventually he got to the bottom. Looking around he noticed an entrance to a small town.

Hiding by the entrance he peaked at the town and how many strange people there was. None of them looked like any yokais he's seen. Which wasn't a lot, just himself, Kyuubi and Mizuchi. It was weird. 

What got his attention was a small group of kids that looked his age playing. Smiling he quickly wandered over, wanting to play with them. But as soon as they saw him they stopped playing and stared at him. He tilted his head, confused why they stopped.

Suddenly he felt someone grab him, looking at the strange person. To say he was scared would be an understatement. He was terrified. 

"Kyuu!" He cried out, but his caretaker was to far away to be able to hear him.