Kurosaki Masaki would do anything to protect her son.

As she stared in the face of one of the most terrifying creatures, she did not tremble. Even as its fangs gleamed dangerously, even as its nine silver tails whipped an angry frenzy behind it, she did not flinch. This was all for her son, for his protection and safety, and no force in the world was going to deter her.

She held out an offering of fried tofu, and her hands did not shake.

"Peace, Kitsune-san," she said, "I mean you no harm."

"Says the thief," snarled the kitsune. "Ya think mere food will be enough to save ya?! After what ya've taken?"

Masaki tightened her grip on the trinket she had taken from the fox spirit. "I do not intend to keep it," she told the wrathful spirit. "I simply wish to make a deal."

"Isn't that what yer kind always want?" mocked the kitsune. "So, what do ya want? Immortality? Riches? Perhaps some bauble or another?" Even through its anger, the kitsune managed to sound deeply condescending.

"I would not have come all this way for something so worthless." she told it. "I come for the sake of my son, my firstborn. He is in terrible danger, and I cannot protect him."

The kitsune scoffed derisively, its upper lip curling in a snarl. "So ya thought that stealing from me was the best way to protect him?"

Masaki kept her face impassive, masking her growing impatience. There was no time. He was coming. This was her last resort, but how to make the kitsune listen?

Maybe…?

Masaki took a deep breath, and let her defenses fall, just a hair. Just enough to make this kitsune understand.

Its eyes widened in shock, revealing the stunning blue irises unique to its kind. Its posture relaxed minutely in understanding, though its hackles were still raised with guarded suspicion.

"Oh," it said. "I see now." It then began to laugh, long and low and bitter. "All right, I'll grant yer wish." the kitsune said, "but ya must do something for me in return."

Masaki squared her shoulders and braced herself. "What must I do?"

The kitsune smirked. "I'll protect yer son from those who seek to harm him. I'll guard him day and night, even tuck him into bed. But in return, I'll want him as my bride."

Masaki spluttered. "What?!"

The kitsune shrugged, its tails whipping in amusement. "I can only guess who yer trying to protect him from, and if I'm right it'll be a massive pain. Besides," its shoulders slumped as its tone took on a melancholic note, "it gets terribly lonely all the way up here. It'd be nice to have a husband to keep me company."

"But, he's not old enough!" Masaki argued. "He's still just a child!"

"Then I will wait," said the kitsune, "until he is grown. Time, after all, means little to us yokai."

Masaki couldn't believe it. On the one hand, it was just a greater extension of what she'd already asked of the kitsune. A lifetime of protection for her son, but at what cost? She'd be giving up his freedom to choose his partner for himself, taking away his choice.

But the alternative…

Masaki felt sick at the thought of what that man would do if he ever got his hands on her son. At least with the kitsune, her son would be safe, and alive. She had no other choice.

"All right," she said, "I'll agree to your terms, kitsune-san."

The kitsune gave her a sinister, crafty grin.

"Call me Gin," it said. "After all, we're gonna have to be on familiar terms, ne?"

This is a present for my friend Fiend. They really are lovely and deserve to have more of their favorite pairing. And thanks also to Chesh for keeping the secret. As always, folks, if you want faster updates please refer to AO3. This crosspost here is actually several days late.