When The Sun Comes Up

Chapter Four

Hisa

━━━━━━━༺༻━━━━━━━

    "What do foxes even eat?" The rain had stopped yesterday, but the sun still hasn't come up. I was up in a tree with a handful of apples. This was all they had to spare from the nearby farms. "Here?"

    The fox instantly comped down on it. "Oh my... did Genkei's family forget to feed you?" How cruel! "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were so hungry, let me know next time!" I rubbed his soft fur as he ate the apple slices. I ended up giving him all my apples because I felt so bad. I can just eat tomorrow.

    "Well, time to get back on the road," I held out my backpack for him, and he jumped inside with no problems. I hopped down from the tree and started walking again.

    "Now, since we are traveling partners now, what should I call you?" I was left thinking to myself. "Kichi?" I looked back and it turned away from me. "You're right, it sounds too much like that witch Chi-Chi that kicked you out. Let me keep thinking." I hummed to myself as I kept walking.

     "When is this sun going to come out? At least it isn't thundering anymore." I heard the fox let out a yawn as if it was agreeing with me. I giggled to myself, "I should probably start going faster so we have somewhere to sleep before it starts again."

    "How about Ko... ki? Because Ko means light? So Koki as in light and hope?" I looked back and it seemed like he didn't have a problem with it. "Koki it is then, Ko for short. You hear me back there Koki? That's your name, so you are in charge of making the sun come back up." There was a snap of his jaw like he understood his role.

    "But that name feels so empty..." I tapped my chin. There had to be more to it. "Oh! How about Kazumi Koki?" Hisashi means someone who is always with you, and you seem to follow me everywhere." I laughed, but he let out a yawn, it seemed like he didn't care what he was called. I frowned at that, I was doing my best to pick out a name for him and he didn't even care! 

    "Fine. I'll just call you whatever!" I crossed my arms and started to run towards my destination again.

━━━━━━━༺༻━━━━━━━

    Seven days have passed by since I had left the clan. I had caught up to the enemy lines four days ago. They seemed to be in a continuing battle with another clan. Every day I get closer to their lines, and every day I worry more and more about Koki. "Koki, this is life or death, don't be making noises when I don't, and if you run around, don't bring humans back to me." Koki was wondering more and more lately, and it seems his wounds are nearly gone. I didn't have to carry him anymore because he was no able to walk beside me.

    "I wonder when everyone will get here." I sighed, raising my arms and pulled myself up the tree. The only place where I can rest without worry. I held down an arm to catch Koki, so he can join me. Without a second thought, the fox ran into the arm, having me pull him up into my lap.

    I start stroking his fur looking up at the sky. I have been leaving trails to me for Hattori to follow so it shouldn't be that hard Though they, in all honesty, should have been out here already. "What is he doing?" There was a thundering clash in the distance. Koki looked up at me, curious.

    "What?" I asked stroking his hair again. "Are you wondering what they are doing too? What am I going to tell Hattori when I bring you back?" The fox froze and tilted his head at Hattori's name.