Fox Tales I

As the sky get redder and redder my brother departs and I'm left to myself...

-Time to get some food ready...- Wan stand up and jump off the terrace coming to my side -What's up Wan? You don't like my brother uh?- the fox just stare in front of him, walking with me to the kitchen.

-So... What do you think XianLen would like to eat?

Mmh... I think some Lao Mian would be good... Maybe I'll add one side dish but nothing to heavy... Is that alright Wan?- the fox yelps twisting the tail

-Good boy, here! Have some- I hand him a piece of meat, which apparently he really enjoys,vand begin my cooking

After an hour or so XianLen is back with three sticks of candied Hawthorne

-I saw a stall as I was coming back and... Uhm... I couldn't resist-

-It's fine, I like that too- I smile serving the food in three plates

-Then, have you found out anything about that mountain?-

-Thanks... Uhm yeah- he takes his plate and the fox hop on his laps

-According to what I managed to understand, it is a mountain in the North. A really cold one where trees barely reach one meter at it's feet. It's not really a famous mountain, nothing ever happened there...

But it is quite important now- he gestures out his words, moving his chopsticks

-Why?-

-Well... Apparently it's near the current battlefield.

According to the last report, a portion of our troupes have been pushed back again and now find themselves at the feet of that mountain or around there, hopefully they managed to earn more ground in the meantime.

Which means... What you saw and heard is the battlefield-

-But I don't understand... How is that possible? The Qi doesn't work this way.

I shouldn't be able to actually "see" things while I'm cultivating-

-Well I don't know about that... It could even just be your subconscious playing tircks since you feel laid back now- He rolls his eyes and goes back to his food

-That could be true too...-

After dinner we clean together before heading on the terrace for a drink or two.

-My brother came to report to us today... I will be making my move tomorrow's night-

-Uhm... Let's hope in a good result-

-I actually will be needing your help... That thing you did last time in the baths, it would be helpful-

He turns to look at me holding his knees -Sure but... One advise, I don't know for how much I will hold that camouflage on, being far apart, so you will need to be as quick as possible-

-Don't worry about it, I just need it to sneak in. I've got the rest-

-Fine...- he sighs

Wan slowly walka toward us and goes to sit on his laps asking for cuddles

-He's a really cleaver fox... Where did you find him?- I ask reaching out to poke his nose

-You wouldn't believe me...-

-I'm beginning to think I could believe anything nowdays-

-Well... If tomorrow we are really going to risk it all together... I suppose I can trust you-

-Of course you can, if there is one thing I never did, that's spilling other's secrets... Just look at my brother humph...- I chuckle

-You are right...- he smiles -Plus I see you have a kind soul...

It was about time I told you anyways, you must have been wondering about all the weird things happening here.

Let me tell you a story then... Not a happy one sadly...-

~"

As the little Prince XianLen was again playing alone in the wood, sneaking out just to make his maids worry, he found a slightly older boy... He should have been around 13, 14 at last.

He was injured and alone... The Prince wanted to rescue him so he approached

-Stay away!- yelled the kid

-But you need help! Look... I'm a Prince, you see? You can trust me- pointed at his clothes the younger child -Let me help you, please!-

-No... Go... Go away you can't... Look at me...- but the Prince still moved forward -Stay away... Stop I said... Ggh!-

-It hurts, doesn't it?- he kneeled in front of the older kid -Oh... Your body...- he tilted his head, curious about the other boy's weird appearances

-Don't watch!- tired to coverr his head the other

-Is this a costume or is that real? I never saw anyone with such cute ears hehe! And your eyes are so pretty too, I like it!-

XianLen smiled with speaking eyes, staring for a few seconds at the fluffy fox ears and bicolored eye with that pointed pupil, giving such a young man a very serious aura...

-Oh I'm sorry, your wounds... Let's treat them-

...

-T... Thanks...- blushed the older boy

-It's fine, are you feeling better now?-

-Uhmn- only nodded the other

-Anyway, my name is Len what's yours?- at that time the little Prince still went by his family name, only years after did he gain his honorific name Xian...

-I'm... Wan- he blushed even more

-Only Wan?-

-Mhn... Yeah...-

-Well it is a pleasure to meet you Wan! Uhm I...- the Little Prince moved his hand uncertainly toward the other's soft ears, before stopping midway

-Go ahead...- nodded Wan blushing completely as he looked the other way

-Woah! So fluffy! I really really love it Wan! I'm so envious hehe- laughed the Prince with his big round eyes and cheeks

The other kid only managed to blink -Nobody... Ever said it... Do you really like such ugly features?-

-Well then you never met anyone who like cute things hehe!

I think you're really adorable... Very much so! Ah I want to keep you with me now!-

And so he did

For years he went in the wood to play with his fox-like friend, bringing clothes, food and blankets for him who only lived inside a hollow trunk, alone...

As the years passed, the man kept getting stronger and more powerful... He could camouflage himself to look like a normal human and protect the more frail friend from any menace.

So at the age of 15 the Prince managed to take him as his personal guard.

-Would you like to do something fun today?-

-Sure...- replied the fox man with his almost adult voice

-I heard there will be a circus coming to the Capital soon! Have you ever seen one?-

-Uhm... No, What's that?-

-Oh you really missed so much about life! But don't you worry! I'll help you make up for everything hehe!-

"~