The first one
Sakuno first met Ryoma when she was in the woods. It was the reign of Empress Suiko, of the Asuka period. The girls would go out in the forest to collect berries to bring to home. It was a much simpler life at the time. She met Ryoma – a white fox at the time- when she was out to do the usual berry picking.
The white fox was lying on the floor, injured, with the bright red liquid staining his blazing white fur. His eyes were turning white, he's dying. Sakuno loved him at the sight of him; she carried him home, and called him Ryoma, meaning dragon and horse. She wanted him to be strong, and to not die.
Ryoma grew stronger by day, and starting to look out for Sakuno. Sakuno thought that Ryoma is a perfect pet or a guardian rather. He is sleek and handsome, and she whispers to him all her secrets. After the spilling of the secret, Ryoma would look at her comfortingly (at least that's what she thought).
"How I wish you were a real person Ryoma." She whispered to him after sometime together. She buried her head in the fur. Wine red hair looked gorgeous against the dazzling white.
It looked wrong to another guy, however. The Ryuzaki's family friend's son, Kintaro Toyama. Sakuno always knew that Kintaro liked her, more than a friend she suspects. It just so happens that every time Kintaro tries to say something to her, Ryoma would cause some kind of accidents.
For example, when Kintaro began: "Sakuno-chan, I er…want to say that ….", Ryoma just happened to ran into a tree, causing cuts to be formed on his head.
Or "Sakuno-chan, you know that our family have had expectations for our…." Ryoma …peed on Kintaro's leg.
After a few of these "accidents", Kintaro began to persuade Sakuno to give the fox away, or to set it free. He was beginning to suspect more, the accidents were just in time (or not in time) for his confessions with Sakuno. That's the main reason. There are many reasons for these actions, but Sakuno would hear none of it.
"Kintaro, Ryoma is one of my closest friends, even though he is only a fox. You absolutely cannot take him away from me!"
And a few arguments, a plan had formed in Kintaro's head: If he can't get rid of Ryoma with permission, how about without?
One thing led to another, the next time Sakuno saw Ryoma, he was covered in blood. His fur was the same colour as her hair. It matches.