A Kitsune

"A what?"

"A Kitsune! You know, the ancient beast from Japanese folklore."

I raised an eyebrow at my friend, wondering what had gotten into him. Snapping a pair of chopsticks apart, I pointed one at him. "Have you had too much sushi?"

"Shut up." He punched my arm and I laughed, digging into my sushi. My friend joined in, and we ate in comfortable silence.

"I saw one."

I think I choked on my sushi at that point and then stared at my friend. "Are you kidding me?"

"I'm not! Listen I swear I saw one!" My friend pointed one of his chopsticks at me and continued. "It was a small red fox and it looked at me like it was human!"

"It was a fox," I said calmly and shrugged.

"She transformed!"

"Transformed?" I asked surprised.

"Yah! She literally became a human!"

"Alright, alright, now that's insane." I sighed and finished off my last piece of sushi. "I don't doubt you, but that's over the top."

"Yah, I know." My friend went quite, and I put down my sushi plate, leaning back against the bench's back. "Still," my friend murmured, "I know what I saw."

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I left school like any normal day, walking along the forest edge that surrounded my neighborhood. I loved the walk, listening to the birds sing, the leaves rustle, and watching the light play across the small plants the larger trees protected with their overhanging branches. It did not take long for me to hear the strange, piercing cry.

I stopped, listening, curious as to what was making such a sound. It sounded like a cross between a cat mewl and a dog's whimper, just higher pitched. I frowned, failing to recognize the animal the cry belonged to, but I knew I could not just pass by.

I turned and entered the forest, pushing through the underbrush as I followed the sound. Very rarely had I entered the forest. I did not have time. I would have enjoyed the exploration a lot more if my mind was not preoccupied.

It did not take me long to find the noise maker. I stumbled into a small clearing with a small, fresh water creek at the center. Looking around, I saw it by the creek, lying on its side with a bloodied paw.

"A fox!" I whispered, staring in disbelief. At the sound of my voice, the fox raised its head from its lying position to stare at me and growl threateningly. I would have been more scared if I had not known the fox was obviously incapacitated. Plus it was just too cute.

The fox was small, maybe about the half the size of a Labrador retriever, and had a rich pelt of orange-red hair with a white underbelly and a black snout and paws. It's eyes were flashing an intelligent green, mouth curled back in a snarl, but its eyes showed no danger. In fact, the eyes seemed to portray a curiousness as large as mine.

"Hey there," I spoke soothingly, crouching down about three feet from the animal. The fox stopped snarling, eyes staring up at mine with surprise. "I don't want to harm you. How were you hurt?" I felt a little stupid talking to a fox, especially when I knew it could not talk back. As expected, I did not receive an answer. "Can I help?" I reached out a hand, back of hand first, and the fox craned its neck to sniff it. It snorted at my scent, and then laid its head back down, satisfied for the moment.

"I'll take that as a yes," I murmured, and pulled my backpack off my back. The fox did not even look as I sifted through my backpack, until I pulled out a small first aid kit. It looked at the Red Cross on the packages side, and its eyes widened a little. Was it surprise, or fear? I could not tell.

I opened the package and pulled out an antiseptic wipe, tearing open the wipe package and unfolding the damp wipe. "This might sting a little," I said, slowly reaching for the injured back, right leg. The fox made no move to stop me as I lifted its leg a little and slowly began to wipe away the blood. As I cleaned up the matted fur, I could tell the wound was fairly fresh, for the blood was still wet. A minute later, I found the actual wound, a deep cut that circled around the crook in the paw.

As I examined it, wondering how I should treat it, the fox scared me to death by rubbing against my arm. I had not even realized it had raised its head, but the soft rub seemed to say, "I trust you." "Thanks," I said with a smile, and reached back to pull a small bottle of rubbing alcohol. "Okay, this will sting." I used a cotton ball and dumped some of the alcohol onto it, gently applying the wet cotton to the wound. The fox growled once in pain, but other than that, it gritted its teeth and took it. Quickly, after applying the alcohol, I pulled a roll of bandages from the kit and wrapped the paw tightly to prevent infection. Cutting the bandage and tiring it off, I leaned back and sighed out, "Done."

The fox was almost immediately up, testing its leg and hobbling around on three legs. It tested the injured paw and was obviously pleased, for it took a short trot on all four legs before returning. "Looks like you can walk now," I said with a small sense of pride. I had helped this animal out, knowing there would be no reward besides saving it. I looked back towards the edge of the forest, realizing now was the time for me to go.

I felt a hand in my shoulder, and a soft voice spoke, "Thank you." Whipping around in shock, I couldn't believe my eyes. The fox was gone, replaced by a beautiful young woman standing in its spot, wearing an orange t-shirt and jean shorts. My brain refused to believe it, until I looked at her right leg and saw bandages wrapping around the back of her knee.

"You're a Kitsune!" I gasped in disbelief. "But I thought..."

"We were fake?" she supplied, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder. "No, we aren't. We just hide in the shadows. The ears and tail are a giveaway." For the first time I noticed that two orange ears stuck up out of her black hair, and a bushy orange tail hung from her tail bone.

"No way..." I whispered, meeting her green eyes from my sitting position. She only nodded and shifted on her bare feet.

"Thank you for your help though," she said again with a smile. "Most humans wouldn't have cared."

"I-it wa-was nothing," I stammered out. In truth, I was terrified. I knew what a Kitsune was, mischievous fox spirits that either played tricks on humans or protected them. Was this a protector? Or a prankster? If was a prankster, I might end up as a frog, or worse.

"Since you helped me, I'll offer you a deal." I blinked in surprise at the statement, and stared up at her as she continued with her hands on her hips. "I can offer you the power of a Kitsune."

"What?" I asked stupidly.

"I can make you a Kitsune in other words," she cleared up quickly. "I mean you would have to leave everything behind, but you would have the magic of a Kitsune."

"Hold up!" I exclaimed. "You're offering me something I don't even know about!"

"Hmm," the Kitsune hummed thoughtfully. "You're right. Would you like an explanation?"

"It would be appreciated."

"Alright. I'm sure you know Kitsune originated in Japan, mostly seen as jokesters who played tricks on humans. We were seen as devils for our magic and never dying fire spells, but in truth, we are just spirits. We protect the humans with our fire, our magic, and occasionally play a prank or two when we are bored. Nothing dangerous, just funny! We travel a lot, usually in twos, and protect cities that need protecting."

"Wait, then where is the second one?" I asked confused.

The Kitsune's expression changed on the dime, her eyes becoming wells of sadness. "Kitsune are hunted by other spirits. We aren't immortal like people think. We can be killed by darkness."

"I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't-"

"It's ok. But it is why I offered it to you. You have a caring heart and a sharp mind from what I can tell. You'd make a powerful Kitsune."

"Hold up," I interrupted, a thought nagging at my the back of my mind. "You said Kitsune are spirits. How can a human become one?"

"By imbuing you with Fox Fire," she said happily. To me, that sounded more than a little painful.

"Uhm, it's not that I have anything against that, but wouldn't burning me with fire hurt?" I asked a little timidly.

"Oh, no, Fox Fire won't hurt you. It is harmless to humans, dangerous to spirits." She cocked her head at me, her green eyes sparkling intelligently. "How about this: think over my proposal tonight, and then get back to me tomorrow."

"Tomorrow!?" I exclaimed.

"Yah, sorry, I can't stay around here for too long. I'm already stretching it because of this wound." She reached down and messaged the wound a little before straightening up. "Well, do some thinking. I'll see you around." With that, she turned and began to walk deeper into the woods before I called out.

"Wait! How will I find you?"

"Oh, you'll know how," she said with a smile over her shoulder. "Just follow your feelings." If I had blinked, I would have missed the transformation, as her body was covered in a blue-white flame that shrunk to the shape of a fox, then dissipated to reveal the orange beast I had helped. Then she was gone.

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I didn't sleep that night. I just met a Kitsune, a mythical beast, but they are real. Why? Those thoughts kept running through mind, bewildering me beyond belief. What do I do? Do I accept? Being a Kitsune, being free... but that means leaving everything behind... Can I really do that?

The next morning I was beyond tired, but I didn't care. I needed to talk to my friend. He would know what to do.

"Dang man, you look wasted." Turning, I saw my friend's smiling face, and felt my spirits lift.

"Don't mention it. Long night. We need to talk."

"'Bout what?"

"A Kitsune."

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Approaching the woods after school filled me with trepidation and hope. For a moment, I doubted myself, then thought back to my friend and his words. With that, I walked into the woods with more confidence than I had.

"You came!" I took a deep breath and nodded, taking in the Kitsune leaning against a tree by the creek I had helped her at the other day.

"I did."

"Well?"

I hesitated, and then breathed out slowly. "I talked with my friend today about this. He saw you the other day, probably before you were injured from his description. I thought he was insane when he first told me, but then I actually met you. I didn't even believe me own eyes. Then you offered me this chance.

"When I told him, he immediately told me to take it. Without hesitation, he said 'Dude, go for it. This is your chance to be something you never could normally be, to become a hero in the dark.' I didn't completely agree with the whole hero thing, but...he was right about one thing. It is an opportunity I won't ever get again. Then he really explained why.

"He said Kitsune are rare, rarer than any other beast, mythical or non-mythical. The sightings are impossibly small. Because of that, he said I could be part of bringing them back, part of reviving the protectors of the fire. He knew my weakness really. I love magical beasts, and really just beasts in general. Everything has a life force worth saving, and that was why I helped you, even though I thought you were just a simple fox.

"And it is because of that fascination and ability to care for even the ones who are lost that I say yes. I'll become a Kitsune."

I inhaled after my dissertation and met her eyes, and was shocked to see a tear in her eyes. "I didn't think you would say yes actually. I knew there was a chance though. I could sense the good in you, the spirit of a Kitsune just waiting to break out. I'm truly touched."

I could feel myself blush and was at a loss for words. Finally, I decided on, "You seem a lot like a human for a Kitsune."

"I am human!" she said laughing. "I just have some unique powers. Now, are you ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be. It won't hurt, right?" My worry must have belted through, and she quickly reassured me.

"It will tickle, but that is all." She smiled and raised a hand, the white-blue flames flickering across it. "Prepare yourself!" Before I could say anything, she jumped forward and slammed the fiery hand into my chest.

The sensation was oddly pleasant. I felt as if a warm liquid was running through my body, reaching all of my extremities. My eyes were locked with the Kitsune's right in front of me, the unwavering green a single point of peace for me to lock onto to. Before I knew it, she had stepped back, and the sensation was over.

"How do you feel?" she asked softly.

"Fine actually," I replied honestly, examining the back of my hand as if it would reveal some change. "I don't feel any different."

"Touch your head!" she said happily, and I noticed she looked really pleased. I obeyed, and started as my hand brushed a pointy ear. "It worked! You're a Kitsune!" she gushed.

"Wait, it might not have!?" I asked incredulously.

"There was a small chance it would've had no affect, but it worked!" She circled me, looking me over from top to bottom. "You make a rather fitting Kitsune."

"Thanks?" I said unsure if that was a compliment or not. She brushed my orange tail as she circled around once again, and I shivered at the sensation of a new extremity sending signals to a part of my brain that had not been there before. My tail swished in response as I asked, "So what now?"

"We move on." She smiled lightly before she continued. "I used a lot of my power there. I'm fairly weak, so we should find somewhere to lay low. That okay?"

"Yah. That's fine. I left my family a note, so hopefully they don't panic." For the first time as a Kitsune, I smiled broadly. "I doubt they'd believe it though."

She laughed happily and then reached out to grab my hand. "Come on! Transform now and we will head out of here. I know a good place!"

"How do I transform?" I asked, and she winked at me.

"Just use your feelings."

Despite the vague instructions, it made sense. I reached down into myself, searching for a happy memory, something funny, and then imagined myself as a small, orange fox. The warm liquid filled my body again, and when I opened my eyes, I found myself at eye level with a fox. It came up to me as I looked down at my black paws, nuzzling against me to get my attention, and then turned with a sly look to head deeper into the forest. I followed, a warm bubbling feeling spreading through my small body. I felt alive. I was free.

I was a Kitsune.