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Kitsune (狐, Kitsune) means fox in Japanese. Many Japanese folklore focuses on these magical, shape-shifting foxes. Kitsunes exists up until today, protecting the world from evil spirits that remain from the past.
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Jihoon's small blood stained paws grazed the pebble steps towards the Okami shrine. His snow white fur was now barely seen through the dark red stains that covered it. His keen eyes resemble those of a cat's, haunting and alert. His steps then echoed through the wooden flooring as he ascended the God's shrine through the cold night.
"Lady Inari, I'm back." Jihoon stated.
As soon as he spoke, a woman with pure white hair faced him. She was wearing a kimono-like clothing with red and orange hues. Her porcelain-like skin was noticeable, and her yellow eyes glinted through the night. Several small foxes surrounded her, their tails sparkling with a blue flame.
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"I see you've completed the missions I've sent you to." She replied, with her soft and gentle voice. She eyed the fox in front of her and smiled. "Care to go back to your human form for me?"
"As you wish."
A swirl of white ribbons surrounded the white little fox, coupled with the cold breeze. Hues of orange and blue enveloped his body, to which shined through the desolated night. In a mere second, Jihoon was back to his human form. Small? Yes, but the boy sure looks intimidating with this straight, cold blue eyes that have no tint of emotion. Attached to his back were nine pure white tails. These symbolized the kitsune's power, without it they are said to be weak.
"Ah would you look at that transformation, still awes me to this day." Hoshi, who was standing in a balcony near the shrine, said.
"Yours is cool too you know, all yellow and stuff. I personally love Mingyu's navy blue ones, but alright." Seokmin who was next to him muttered. "Look how small he is tho, kekeke."
"S-shut up! If he hears us, we're both dead." Hoshi exclaims as he hits Seokmin on the back. "I wonder what Lady Inari summoned him for though."
"Ah, he must've gone on a rampage again, the seventh one this week." Seokmin replied. "I'll ask Wonwoo later, he's busy flirting with Mingyu right now."
"I see." Hoshi said as they both eyed Jihoon and Inari right below them.
Lady Inari sighed as she examined the boy who was basically bathed in blood stains. "Jihoon, what did I tell you about mercy?"
"They were killing the innocent, mercy wasn't in my dictionary."
"It should be, they were once people too." She replied. "You don't need to torture them, a quick slash in the neck will leave them dead."
"I'm sorry." Jihoon muttered under his cold breath.
"Some people have been scared of us, because of the way you killed the Yakos. That's a bad reputation you know?"
"I'll be more careful next time." Jihoon went down to his knees and bowed to the God that stood before him. "Do you have any missions for me, Lady Inari?"
"Yes, but there will be no killing involved. You need a break from that." She said. "Hanahaki needed my help with something, and I want you to do it."
From the moment Jihoon heard the words "there will be no killing involved", he felt a slight tinge of nervousness. Was he being punished? Probably. The only thing he's good at is battles that end up in blood baths, considering how unbelievably strong he was compared to other kitsunes.
"Someone like you needs to feel sympathy." Inari went on. "Kitsunes are known for this, not mainly on how we kill evil spirits, Jihoon."
Jihoon sighed, his head still bowed down.
"There is this person with hanahaki disease, he coughs up flower petals because of one sided love." Inari said as she petted the foxes that surrounded her. "I want you to help him recover."
Jihoon raised his head in confusion. "I don't know anything about love, how am I supposed to cure that weakling?"
The woman left out a faint chuckle. "Then find out what love is. You're so cold you know? Finding that warmth will help you be a better fighter, a better kitsune."
Lady Inari is a God, he had no right to refuse nor question her words. As much as he would hate it, he should comply and restrain from barking any complaints as a sign of respect.
"A-as you wish." Jihoon muttered. After such, something happened that send tingles to his spine. He looked behind him in terror, to see that each of his nine tails were slowly disappearing.
W-what the hell?!?
The tails disintegrated into small sparks of grey, until only one remained at his back. The boy could feel his body feel limp and weak as he staggered to his feet.
"There!" Lady Inari smiled, which shocked Jihoon. "Your tails will come back one by one once you're having progress with the mission I sent you to."
"Find love, Jihoon-ah. Life's a waste without it. Hurry on now!!"
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a/n: ah this quarantine shit got me back to wattpad lmao, i decided to put a fantasy twist now bc why not!! lowkey inspired by demon slayer ,,, but alright. hope you guys like this one! gonna try my best to update fast, altho i have online school. here's a sneak peak for ya'll ;)
