Kicking a Fox While It's Down

The ground may have been sandy, but it was incredibly hard when impacted against. The sharp stones scratched against her fur as she rolled through the dirt, before she finally skid to a stop a couple yards from the bottom of the cliff. After a moment to catch her breath, she staggered to her feet, and slowly crawled her way back up out of the crater.

She set her eyes on the tree for a moment, as she tried to catch her breath. Steeling her determination, she charges the tree, biting down into the bark. Her teeth sink deeper this time, and she feels a momentary victory- before she finds herself flying back into the crater.

The sand wasn't any softer the second time, but her body was a bit more numb to the sensation. It was virtually indistinguishable from the first time, though. She panted heavily at the bottom for a moment, before she starts crawling back towards the top.

She panted a couple times at the top, looking up at the young human male that had appeared. He was unusual, to say the least. He didn't have a trace of a scent, and the sand didn't bear the slightest indication he'd walked on it. Even where he stood, the sand looked untouched.

If it wasn't for the fact he was unusually attractive, she might not have instantly realized what he was. Obviously he was a mirage. Why would there be a handsome guy in the middle of the desert, leaving no footprints, without any smell or aura?

It didn't make any sense, so she directly ignored him. She fills herself with determination once more, before starting forward. She'd hardly taken a step, when a leg directly collided with her side.

She heard a startled cry she barely recognized as her own. The experience was unique. She felt not the bone of a leg, or raw strength. Instead, she saw the movement, and her entire body went flying as if influenced by some supernatural force.

She rolled a few times across, the dirt, but it was much softer than the sand. Compared to the trip down the crater, she didn't even hurt. She was frozen with shock. Not a mirage? A person?

'HE KICKED ME?!' she roared in her mind, and hopped to her feet, glaring at the rude man.

His messy brown hair floated in the wind, and his hazel eyes cut into her. She could see them shimmering with ever changing shades of blue, green, and brown.

"Quit biting me, what's your problem?" the male asks, his voice filled with a deep annoyance that made her feel ashamed.

"Who the hell bit you?! You kicked me! What's YOUR problem?" Asura responds, putting all her annoyance at his rudeness and good looks into her glare. She was sure he'd remember her powerful glare.

However, she was met with a different response.

"You know I'm the tree, right?"

His voice held such confusion, as if it were obvious. She felt a moment of burning embarrassment at being talked to like that. She had to deny it. If it was obvious, then why hadn't she seen it earlier? Who could've known he was a tree, he's obviously a person.

"How can you be the tree? The tree is right there, and you're over there. Don't be stupid," she responds, but even she felt her doubt.

"No, you see, I'm a spirit who resides in the tree, so I can," he says, as if that explained anything.

She was silent for a moment. She couldn't think of anything good. She'd just scare him, then.

"Is that how it works? Okay, well, hold still and let me eat you," she said, and she was hungry enough she almost hoped he'd cooperate.

"Foxes don't eat trees. What's your problem?" he asks her, eyeing her carefully.

'What? He didn't really think I was going to eat the tree, did he?'

"What? I don't want to eat the tree, fool. I want the mana inside the tree," Asura replied, feeling her superiority.

"Yeah? Have you tried asking, or do you just get enjoyment out of being sent flying over and over again?"

"Wha- I do not! By attacking the same point over and over again, I can eventually break through!"

She felt indignant. Sure, she hadn't thought to go around the tree so she'd fall on the flat ground instead. However, that didn't mean she liked being sent flying! She was just hungry!

"The only thing you're breaking is yourself. Maybe if you tried asking, you'd get somewhere, meathead fox," he retorts, before turning away from her. A moment later he jumped down into the crater.

She tried a couple more times on the tree, but realized she wasn't getting anywhere. Maybe she'd been overconfident.

She decided to walk over to the ledge, watching the strange, oddly attractive male. For one, she didn't normally have a large preference between males. Though, some were obviously better or worse. However, the way this one effortlessly glid through the air had its charm.

It reminded her of her image of gods. The way he cared for the young plant so tenderly made her heart feel a bit fuzzy. It was very rare for her to see someone who put so much effort into things.

After a moment of watching him, he went to a new area, before making another sprout pop up.

All of a sudden, her heart went cold.

'Wait a minute. Did I just offend a God?'

Flying through the air, no scent or tracks, creating life from nowhere. Wasn't that basically what he was? Wasn't he exactly what she was looking for?

A God who could care for her? Yet, she went and offended him instead of having manners.

She sat there in silence for a bit, until he floated back up to the top again.

"Oh? Are you finally done, little fox?" he asks, his tone softer than before.

She was silent for a moment, before saying in a very embarrassed and reluctant voice, "I'm sorry for biting you."

"Mm. Apology accepted," he says in a relieved voice.

"Can I have some Mana?" Asura asks, in a hopeful tone.

"Sure, if you agree to be my guardian beast," he offers.

"Wha-"

Why would a powerful God want a rude little fox like her?

"Bu-"

Was it really okay for her to accept his kindness? Was it really okay for her to find a place in the world so easily?

"Yo- You really want me?" she asked, stunned.

"Of course, you're an adorable girl. Just because you get a bit cranky when you're hungry doesn't mean I can't see how sweet you are," he says, his tone filled with kindness and caring.

Asura avoided eye contact for a few moments, before she finally jumped into his arms, squealing out "Master!"

As she was snuggled up into his arms, she felt safe. The poison was leaving her body, the cruel men wouldn't follow her, and she had finally found a God to follow.

She would protect this place.

Anything that went against it would perish.

Even the world.