Hunting in the Forest

Light filtered through the thick foliage above, casting a greenish glow of that which spread between the tree trunks of the various types of trees that made up the forest on both sides of the path. After passing through the red torii, the pathway was nothing more than a winding walkway that had been cleared of brush and debris such as fallen limbs that was marked by the occasional stone to the side.

Ryuka had pulled an arrow from her quiver and held it ready in the bow as it was the early hours of the day and a prime time to encounter wildlife that would venture near establishments before human activity would ward them away.

There were very few hunters in the village as many would work the fields and tend herds instead of relying solely on the game that could be found in the area. Yet, it was this same game that made up most of the goods that she could barter with the villagers for other items such as the produce in their gardens.

The tanner would take the hides from her to process them, taking his cut from them and handing her back a few of them so that she could use them in trade. While the butcher would offer items for the game she would bring back that was too much for her to consume on her own.

It was this bartering that had allowed her to be able to afford the taxation that the land managers would exercise against them as well as let her keep her simple life. Especially so since she received no assistance with the Inari shrine, as it was just a small, rural place that didn't even have a resident priest anymore.

A rustle in the brush drew her attention and she paused her advance alongst the path, quietly raising the bow to take aim, she drew back, preparing the shot, and waited for her quarry to be revealed.

Seeing a pair of pointed, silvery white ears poke out of a bush near a tree to the side, Ryuka puckered her lips in annoyance followed by an exasperated sigh. She raised the bow and let the arrow fly, striking and embedding the tip into the bark of the tree.

"Naito quit playing games and retrieve the arrow. I have work to do," she said unhappily.

With a chuckle and a flash of light amongst the greenery, a young man that appeared to be around Ryuka's age stepped out to grab the arrow that was in the tree.

"You sure know how to greet friends in the morning," he jokingly answered, then pulled the arrow to turn and face her.

His long, silvery white hair was the same shade as his kitsune form's coat, just as those sapphire blue eyes. It was those same eyes that Ethaniel, Jasmine's brother in Ryuka's dream had possessed, as well as the similar handsome facial features such as the long, yet small nose and angular, yet baby-like softness to his face that made him appear more like that of a gentleman or boy toy for some noble woman.

His frame had some muscle to it, yet he was slim and pale enough to be thought of someone who rarely saw the rough work that country life tended to entail. Nonetheless, his physical appearance hadn't changed much since Ryuka had known him, other than him growing taller.

She first encountered Naito in these same woods just a few years prior to her father departing the village. Mind you, she met him in this form first, before learning that he was a kitsune or fox spirit, much like those believed to be messengers of the kami, or gods, like Inari.

[[*Inari or Inari Okami - the Japanese kami of foxes, of fertility, rice, tea and sake, of agriculture and industry, of general prosperity and worldly success, and one of the principal kami of Shinto. It is common to find shrines to this deity in various areas of Japan as well as their entrances being marked by vermillion torii.]]

Her father had assumed that Naito was one of Inari Okami's people and had happily let the kitsune stay at the temple, believing that his appearance was a blessing from the kami. It was what prompted her father to strengthen his belief and choose to leave on pilgrimage a few years later.

The fox didn't have a name before, or if he did, he did not know it or share it. So, Ryuka had picked the name Naito, written as "dream moon", for him as his hair and nature as a fox spirit reminded her of a moonlit mirage.

While her own name, Ryuka, was one her father picked in addition to Ryuu for her twin brother that had died in a plague that had struck the village far in the past.

That's right. She had been part of a dragon and phoenix set of twins, but fortune hadn't smiled kindly upon them and her twin's life was lost before their third year. Which made Naito's arrival later seem like a twist of fate that brought fortune to them, as her powers began to awaken shortly after.

Though he could be troublesome, Naito quickly became her closest friend. Playing little pranks and games like stalking her this morning was the norm, but after her father left, it also provided Ryuka some sense of stability and companionship as she tended her shrine duties.

Carrying the arrow, he joined her on the path and handed it to her so she could refit it to the drawstring. "Actually, I wasn't meaning it to be a game," he pouted. "I had caught the scent of a bear earlier this morning and was coming down to check the path, in case you encountered it."

Ryuka arched a brow as she looked at him, trying to decide if she should question the implied warning or disregard it. The corner of Naito's mouth flinched with a tick as he seemed to be unsure how he should proceed further.

It was true that he had caught a whiff of a bear, but it did not draw near the path and posed no threat. He knew it, but he didn't want his excuse for sneaking into the village at night to be exposed so quickly!

No matter what, he was still a fox and he had hoped to score some eggs to be his meal, and although he could have waited to see if there were any offerings to be made at the temple, those usually were of rice and not eggs. So, he would occasionally sneak into the village to pilfer some food to feed himself and help alleviate some of the burden from Ryuka. As she would assume responsibility in caring for him, which left him feeling ashamed.

She would make a good wife, but a man had his responsibilities too, right?

He treasured this female friend of his and tried to help her where he could, but his abilities were limited to divining the weather, illusions and a little bit of fox fire outside of his transformation. None of which were very useful in defending against threats.

Rather, they were tools for mischief and the villagers knew it. Even if he was Inari himself, the villagers still would keep him at an arm's distance, if not more, so not to be pulled into any trickery or games. So, all he really could do was discourage the village's youth from drawing too close to Ryuka and help her with hunting small game.

Studying his expression, she decided to drop it and let him go. It was evident to her that he was up to something, but she also knew his propensity to mix fact with fiction to obscure his deeds. She could call him out on it, but it would be a waste of time as he would shamelessly act the victim of bullying and plead for leniency while making his appeal.

Ryuka trudged on down the path towards the shrine, and Naito, seeing he had been granted clemency, quickly followed her. Yet, not too quickly, in case she changed her mind and started an inquisition.

As the two drew closer to where Ryuka could see another crimson torii as well as the kitsune statues that marked the entrance of the shrine, she sighed in disappointment that she had not encountered any game along the way. Naito might have scared them off, or they could have fled the bear that he claimed to have sensed. Either way, she would have to try hunting later.

The fence around the small temple was broken in a few places where tree limbs had fallen. The hall itself wasn't much larger than her cottage in the village but sat on a raised platform with stairs up to it where a table sat for offerings before the columns where large brass bells with thickly woven rope attached to them were hung.

With the leaves of the trees holding shades of yellow, orange and red mixed in with the green, it was no surprise that a few leaves had started to fall and were in the courtyard, ready to be swept. She headed for the back of the shrine to find the tiny closet-like shed that would hold a broom and proceeded with her duties. Naito followed as far as the edge of the steps to the shrine before taking a seat to supervise.