There have been many misconceptions when it comes to spirit foxes. When a spirit fox is born they look like a fox and cannot obtain humanoid form for many years. When a fox is born it is given an older fox as a companion and to teach the youngster the rules and hierarchy. It's a very complex system and it takes many years to master. Spirit foxes live for thousands of years and the oldest known fox lived to be over 10,000 years. Since they live so long it usually takes 100 or more years before a fox is considered an adult. Most foxes can be trained to use their energy to control different elements. The most common element controlled is fire followed by electricity, wind, earth, plants and then water. Spirit foxes live in clans and do not approve of any other mingling with anyone outside their species.
Then one day a god reached out and fell in love with one of the foxes and she bore him a daughter. The mother died during childbirth and the god turned his back on his half-breed daughter leaving her to be raised by the clan. Usually the kit would be turned out and left to die because of her mixed heritage, but the mother of this kit was the sister to the clan's leader. The leader mourning the loss of one of his litter mates took the kit in because she looked exactly like her mother.
Names are not given to a kit until they are at least two years of age because most kits aren't expected to live pass one and a half years. During this time the kits are taken care of until they are able to be self-dependent. After they are given their name they are then given their companion who will also become their teacher. After the kits reach the age of five they begin training to take their humanoid forms and once they are able to hold that form the kits then begin their training to control nature.
The kit taken in by the leader was given the name Maja. During her naming ceremony it is said that rain came down from a crystal clear sky. Many of the elders said that it was a sign that she would be a master of the element water while others said that it was a sign that the gods cried because she would have a tough life. No matter which one turns out to be true it is clear that the gods would be watching over her. Maja's companion was a silver fox named Daichi. Daichi was 67 and was one of the best of his age at controlling plants. Daichi was also Maja's cousin.
Maja quickly warmed up to Daichi and could be found following him around the village. At first Daichi was irritated by it, but eventually he began to enjoy her company. Maja was quick to learn the rules around the village and Daichi was impressed with her intelligence. Maja was shy around people she first met and it would take a while before she was comfortable around them.
Even thought Daichi was one of the best of his age he still had training sessions in order to improve even more. The master of plants was convinced that Daichi could become the next master. Maja was often seen at the training fields watching Daichi as his powers grew.
Even though formal training wouldn't begin until she was five Daichi began teaching her how to change forms. No matter how hard she tried and trained she couldn't achieve for other form. Even after she reached the age of five and began her formal training she was still unable to change forms. When a kit fit became able to change forms they can only hold that form for only a few minutes. After that they first change forms the training then changes to teaching the young how to hold their form longer and increase the level of their power.
After every training session Maja became more and more depressed. Each day it seemed another kit could change forms and eventually she became the only one unable to. After each session Daichi would come over and take her out to try and cheer her up.
"Don't worry Maja," Daichi would say to her after taking her to the small pond on the outskirts of the village. "Everyone grows at a different rate."
Maja would look up and him and sigh. She knew that but it didn't change how she felt about it. She did appreciate that he would bring her out to the pond to cheer her up. It always calmed her to be around the water. Daichi scratched behind her ears causing a purr to come from her. Like magic her depression disappeared. After he stopped she stood up and rushed towards the pond jumping in with a loud splash.
Daichi watched patiently while Maja enjoyed herself chasing fish and other aquatic critters. Maja had just cornered a frog and was about to pounce when the frog lashed out with its tongue. Startled Maja fell back with a splash.
Once the water cleared Daichi couldn't stop himself from staring dumbfounded, before him in the pond sat Maja in her humanoid form. She sat coughing out water she had inhaled. After she stopped coughing she realized that she had changed.
"Daichi! Look!" she exclaimed with a huge smile. "I did it." She stared at her new limbs with fascination. Her long red hair fell into her face and she quickly pushed it back. Carefully, she stood up and made her way back to the shore falling only once. Suddenly she sneezed and in a poof she had turned back into a fox.
Daichi was surprised that she held that form for so long. With a smile he scooped her up. "Good job," he said while she nuzzled his cheek. Maja yawned and soon she was asleep. Daichi brought her back home.
Tafari was sitting on the porch when Daichi showed up carrying Maja who was still sleeping on Daichi's shoulder. Daichi walked up and bowed slightly. Tafari nodded his head in acknowledgment. "You look like you have something to say nephew."
"I do. Maja and I were down by the pond when she was startled by a frog and she transformed." He handed Maja to one of the servants who were nearby. "Not only that but she didn't change back for more than five minutes. That's longer than anyone other kit that I know."
Tafari nodded and Daichi left. Tafari had much to think about.
Over the next few years Maja slowly mastered changing forms on her own and maintaining her humanoid form. By time she was ten she had gone from the back of the pack to the very top of it. She had advanced so much in such a short amount of time that the elders were talking about having her begin her training in the elements. The changes within her were amazing too. She went from being shy and quiet to outgoing and loud. Daichi would still come and visit when she was done with his training.
Maja skipped out of the room happily still in her humanoid form. She had chopped her long hair off shortly after being able to hold that form for longer than a few minutes. It now hung level with her chin. She passes many of her classmates' companions before she spotted her own. "Daichi," she gushed. "Guess what!"
Daichi smiled at her before corralling her out of the building before answering. "What is it Maja?"
"Satsu said that the Elders were talking about me." She smiled slyly. "She said they were talking about having me move onto the next phase of training." She skipped ahead a bit before stopping. "What element do you think I'll be able to control?"
Daichi thought about it for a moment. "I can't tell you for sure. Fire is the most common one so they'll probably start with that first."
Maja made a face. "I sure hope not. Fire would be so boring. I want to be like you and be able to do something exciting."
"Well, when you went through your naming ceremony it rained even though the skies were clear. Some say you are destined to control water." Daichi watched her face as it lit up. "The only problem with that is there are no water masters in this village. You might have to leave and go to another village to study under a master."
"Why? I don't want to leave. I want to stay here with you."
"It's uncommon for one of us to have control of any element besides fire so it would be unpractical to have a master of every element living in our village. So, every village will have a fire master and one other master besides him. Our village happens to have a plant master while the others live in other villages."
"That's why we have people here that don't belong to anyone. Where do they stay?"
"There is a complex around the master's house where they stay. It's not that large, but there aren't that many people staying there."
"What happened to their companions? What will I do without you?"
"Once you enter your training you no longer need a companion so you'll be on your own. I myself might be given another kit to look after when you leave."
Maja looked at him sadly. "What about me?"
"You don't need to worry. Unlike most companions you and I are family. We will be connected even after you out grow me."
"I guess that's alright. So how do they decide what element someone controls?"
"There is another ceremony where they will set up different aspects of the elements. Usually the element you are in tuned with will react to your energy. Rarely there are those who have two elements react, but there is always a dominate one and it is that one which they then study. If it's one of the uncommon ones then unless that master is in your village you must travel away. Occasionally there are some who have to affirmation to any element and they are then trained with weapons until they are able to defend themselves then they are left to find a skill on their own."
"There are those who can't use any element? That's strange." She continued walking a little more before talking again. "What do you know about the village the water master lives in?"
"It's near a large crystal clear lake and is one of the smaller fox villages. I've heard that they are very traditional and take things very seriously. They expect discipline, but they are considered the best village to live in."
"If I can control water that means I'll have to be away for over 90 years. A lot can happen in that amount of time. Everything will be so different from how it is now."
"It doesn't always take that long. You could be an exception to the rule and be able to finish your training quickly."
"What if they want me to be the next master? I don't know if I'll be able to be away from everyone I know for that long." She began to ramble on about her nervousness. "What if I don't like it there or they don't like me? What if I can't do it?"
Daichi stopped her. Gently he cupped her face forcing her to look at him. "You don't need to worry about that. They'll love you there just like we do here, and you'll do just fine. Now calm down. Nothing is set in stone yet."
Maja nodded. "Alright," she sighed. She relaxed and Daichi let go of her.
They traveled back to the house in silence. Maja's mind was racing with all the possibilities of her future. What would things be like when they really happen?
It didn't take much longer for the Elders of the village to decide that it was time for Maja to go through the elemental ceremony. Maja was thrilled but at the same time she was nervous to find out what she skills she would contain.
The element ceremony was attended only by family and the Elders. It took place in a temple room light only by candles around the edge of the main area. Maja was placed in the middle of a circle connected by six lines. At the end of the line sat an object connected to one of the elements. A red candle for fire, and blow of water for water, a rock for earth, a flower for plants, wind chimes for wind, and a metal rod for electricity. Maja closed her eyes and spread her energy out in a fan around her waiting for one of the elements to react to it. Suddenly a gasp could be heard as the water in the bowl shot up in a cyclone motion.
The water's reaction to Maja's energy was the most explosive that any of the Elders had seen. It was clear she would be a master of it. She was given a month before she would be forced to leave to begin training in the other village.
During that month she spent as much time as possible hanging out with friends and family before she had to leave. When the time finally came for her to leave tears were flowing and she could hardly allow herself to be dragged away to begin her journey to her new home until she mastered her ability.
Daichi kissed her forehead. "Don't worry Maja," he said wiping her tears away. "We'll see each other again. Until then, take care and behave."
Maja smiled slightly. "I will, and when I get back I'll be stronger than you." Maja waved and then turned to follow her guide away onto her new lifestyle.