A/N: Hey guys! So I'm back (woohoo!) because I took a major break and had writing enlightenment (aka went through major writers block.). Anyways I'm back and I promise to be faithful with this story. Now I promised I would connect my stories together, and I think many questions will be answered in this one that I left blank in my two others.
was a major let-down I bet for everyone because it progressively got TERRIBLE AND HORRIBLE.
But in case anyone wants to borrow the AU I'm okay with it cause I still think it's a decent idea. Just let me know if you want use it so I can read it cause I love to see different interpretations of my work.
So uh, that's my update. Oh and also if anyone ever cared my female Kaden cosplay was a SUCCESS! seriously who cares though.
And I also apologize that my Keaton is probably OOC and Kaden is kinda angsty at the moment. IT'LL ALL MAKE SENSE I WON'T LEAVE YOU HANGING.
Love you all still! Stay beautiful lovelies!
Kurasu
PS If you read my Kaden x Reader it might help since it's kinda a sequel, but oh well you don't need to if you're on team Keaton.
"We made it." I breathed the air in and exhaled, letting my arms spread wide. (Friend's name) took a selfie of her at the base of Mount Fuji, while (Friend #2) just looked at the clouds above the mountain.
"Yea we totally did (name), I'm totally posting this on tumblr-Oh hey Mr. Guide-san-sempai! Could you take a photo for us?" She ran over to our tour guide and handed her his phone. Our tour guide was an old man who was from Kamakura. However, even though my friend was loud and didn't seem to respect the japanese culture (when we went to the Shinto Shrine, she refused to wear a kimono and instead wore a t-shirt and jeans to it), our tour guide was nice and he nodded, flipping up the photo tab and held the camera sideways.
"You all ready?" He questioned in his thick accent, looking up from the camera.
"Yea we are!" (Friend #1) shouted, wrapping an arm around me.
"Uh… (Friend #2), get a little closer to (name)."
"Mkay." She quietly said, inching closer then held out a peace sign.
"And in, three, two, one… Say 'Mount Fuji'" He exclaimed, snapping the photo as we all smiled wide. But that's also when I felt a brush of fur slithered across my ankles. My friends didn't notice, running toward our tour guide to see their pictures. Except me, who turned around to face what touched me only to meet eyes with… a fox? It was huge, with auburn fur, not like the ones I saw in the Appalachians.
NO. No this one was different, and it had red eyes, that looked like that had fire blazing in them. But it did nothing, just stare at me and tried to get closer until I shrieked and my friends looked up from the phone, noticing what I faced and screamed too, starting to run away with our tour guide.
"Sir what the hell is that?" (Friend #2) yelled as we ran for our beat-up Nissan.
"Kitsune." He said calmly, though when I turned back the kitsune kept following us, and I felt its eyes watching me.
"Kistune? Aren't those japanese myths? They aren't real, and if you're confusing this thing with my husbando in Fire Emblem, who is a kitsune, then you're a real prankster Sir." she huffed, sweat beading down her face.
"So I suggest you stay calm, mam."
Finally the van was in plain sight and we piled in, the tour guide turning in the car keys and started to drive in reverse in a fast manner that the tires screeched against the dirt path.
And that's when I saw the Kitsune running down the path as fast as it could, but in a blur we saw it spin and with the flick of its long fluffy tail whacked the car sideways. We all yelped, and realized that now the fox-thingy was on top of the car, pawing and scratching a way to break through. (Friend #1) whimpered, her head now with a big gash, clinging onto (Friend #2) who was in just as bad shape. I looked at them, then at the fox and shook my head.
"Why… Why are you doing this?" I whispered weakly, seeing that the Kitsune finally stopped attacking, his ears flicking up.
"Don't do it anymore… P-please," I continued, frightened and breathing while sitting sideways, knowing I must be crushing my friend's bodies. "I bet you're a fri-endly f-fox so stop attacking. W-we did nothing except v-visit your home.."
"So stop… No more."
The fox's demon red eyes blinked and with a little nod he jumped off the car, and instead of walking away, he went to the other side of the van, causing the interior to shake.
"(name), I don't think he's going to stop, we're his dinner for tonight."
"Shh… (Friend #1), let's see what happens. He seemed to respond to my words." I whispered back. The tour guide stood still, not saying a single word, and it seemed that wasn't moving. Was he dead?
The fox kept rattling our car, until we heard a groan from the tires and all our bodies lifting up to the sky. I looked over on the left window and saw he was actually pushing the car back up. With a sudden thud, we were upright again, the Kitsune ambling away from the scene.
After a few seconds, there was just silence amongst ourselves until the Tour Guide huffed and turned van on, letting the motor run for a moment before taking off. My two friends hugged each other and sobbed on each other's shoulders, while I looked back and in the middle of the path the Kitsune, who then turned into a… human?
The silhouette had ears and a tail still (Like a furry), but I saw the man-kitsune-thing look down at the ground before looking at my eyes. I quickly turned around, realizing that I probably shouldn't have seen it, but it's already too late. My curiosity already sparked.
"Uh, so, sir… What exactly are Kitsunes?" I asked.
"Well, Kitsunes aren't myths like most westerners believe. They're real, and many of the spirits are also humans that have lived for centuries. That was until 800 AD a large amount of Kitsune were killed for their fur by Europeans. They didn't realize that Kitsune were very special and that they basically were killing off peaceful, gentle souls. Many are rogue because of it, and there are still poachers even if it's been illegal since the 1800s. I've never seen a Kitsune nearby Mount Fuji however… You three must be very lucky."
"Lucky?" (Friend #1) huffed. "Yea right, we nearly got killed…!"
"I'm using sarcasm. Isn't that what you westerners do?"
I giggled quietly, glad the tense situation we were in lightened up a little as she and the Tour Guide argued a little bit.
But I still wondered… Why did the Kitsune attack us? And why did he stop when I told him to?
Into The Wild
I felt like I've been here before.
I sat on the sofa of the hotel room with my friends, who were getting their heels on for a party we were going to. Yet what happened earlier felt nostalgic, like the Kitsune we saw was someone I actually knew.
Someone from the past?
"Hey (name)? Hello...?" One of them called out, waving her hand. I snapped out of my thoughts and sighed, slapping her hand away lightly. "Don't worry I'm still on planet earth (friend's name)."
"Well good cause we're going partying! Are you coming?"
"I... I don't think so. You guys can go without me." I fake smiled. "Got some papers to write for college."
"Okay... Well we'll let you know if we see some cute Japanese guys okay?"
"Whatever, just don't bring them here." I mused, getting up to turn on my laptop. "Remember who's parents are paying for our trip."
"I know, I know. We are at a five-star hotel and stuff cause your rich parents let us." She repeated my words, and I shooed them away playfully. "Just go have guys okay? Trust me."
"Okay! Bye!" (Friend's name) said happily as she walked out to the hallway in her heels.
As soon as they left, I pulled out the tour guide's number and dialed it on my phone.
I needed to see that Kitsune again.
"It's not safe to go late at night to Mount Fuji. (Name)-san." The tour guide warned me as we walked through the park, looking for signs.
"I know..." I replied. "I just wish to see the Kitsune, even if he tries to attack again."
"Kitsunes are hostile creatures, and will fight till the end. I highly advise trying not to pick a fight with one." His voice wavered, yet as stubborn as I was, I didn't listen for some reason. My heart told me to continue walking through my brain was shouting all the reasons to turn back and call it a night.
"(Name)-san..."
"Hey, look, I understand that you don't want to go with me, and I'm absolutely nuts, so you can turn back now. I'll just call you when I need a right back."
"Okay very well then. Let me know if you're still living." He joked lightly and I nodded, smiling. "Thank you so much sir." I bowed as he walked away, then continued my way through the forest. Kilimanjaro was just a field away, and at night the landscape around it was magical. It was quiet, but the occasional sounds of animals made it lively. I understand why a kitsune would live here. Yet I saw nothing. No signs of the man-fox.
So, I resorted to last thing I did which was yell "Kitsune!" throughout the forest. I'd yell it out, then pause for a moment, hoping to hear something, but I didn't. Maybe I was just causing too much noise, so I lightly took steps and kept quiet but alert as I toured the forests of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
After an hour of walking along the steep of the mountain, I sat on a tree stump, checking my phone. No signal. I really was far from civilization wasn't I?
"You called?" A voice said in the dark.
My voice hitched, as I tried to look around for the location of the voice. It wasn't around. At all.
"Can you see me? Or feel me?" The voice kept taunting. I was frozen to my seat, and I felt a small wind blow against my jacket. Yet I wasn't scared, I felt like this happened before.
"I can't. Please show yourself." I stated simply, even if it was a dumb move. Usually talking to an unknown person can get you killed, at least in a typical horror movie.
"If I did, would you be scared or would you try to kill me?"
"Neither. I have no weapons, just my phone, and I'm not scared." I lied, because honestly my brain was screaming at me why I wasn't running now, but my heart was pounding happily, as if I was reuniting with someone I loved...
Someone I loved?
"Close your eyes then. Who knows what you can do to me." His voice turned hostile, and I gulped, shutting my eyes. A gentle breeze pushed on my face and there was a long silence, minus the sound of whatever it was rustling against the grass. The temptation of trying to peep through my eyelids fought against every inch of my being, but I obeyed the masculine voice and kept shut.
"Okay, open your eyes."
"Will something happen if I do?" I asked quietly.
"Not if you harm me. If you do, I'll make sure to repay the favor."
"... Okay." I breathed in deeply and anticipated for the kitsune to be in its animal form, waiting to attack.
But he wasn't. Though it was dark, you could see his silhouette in the moonlight, the ears sticking out of his head, dark amber eyes staring down at me. I just stared in awe, but he chuckled quietly, his tail wagging behind him in rhythm with his laughter.
"Were you expecting something scary? Like when I tried to attack you guys earlier?"
I nodded slowly.
"Oh sorry then. I thought you guys were going to try to kill me. Was anyone hurt? "
"No, thankfully." I replied curtly, afraid to still anything else.
"Are you still scared of me?"
He stared right into my eyes, as if he already knew the answer and I saw ears go down.
"I see... The natives warned you about us Kitsunes being feral right? Well if they would stop hunting us, we wouldn't be so mean..."
"Is it something else too...?" I accidentally blurted out loud, and his ear twitched. Frightened in my spot on the stump, I knew I shouldn't have asked that question.
"I-I'm sorry if that was sore subject-"
"No, no... it's fine." He sighed. "A long time ago, someone close to me died. After a war, the people, her own people started protesting and eventually they found a way to kill her. Some of these natives are the descendants of those people, and I have no remorse if I have to kill them. They deserve it too, for what they've done."
"Have you ever thought of that maybe these descendants shouldn't pay for their ancestor's mistakes? They don't know anything except for the fact you are a violent and mysterious creature." I asked, and started pulling out my phone, secretly turning on the mic to record his story.
"You're not from around here are you?"
"No... I'm not. I'm from (country), but I live up in the Alps.
"What's the Alps?"
"... The Alpines. It's in Europe."
"Europe? They used to call that Nohr."
"Nohr...?"
"Yes, Nohr. You're currently in Hoshido."
I paused, rethinking he just said. He said this was Hoshido, and that Europe was Nohr...
So how old could he really be?
"Uhm, Kitsune-man, I have no idea how to call you-"
"It's Kaden."
"Oh. Well, I'm (name), and we are actually currently in the forests of Mount Fuji, which is located on the island of Japan. Also those Kingdoms don't exist. In fact, I've never heard of them." I stated simply. "Why aren't you attacking me like earlier?"
"People don't come here unless they want to hunt, typically. But you don't have a weapon, so I don't think you'll kill me, unless that thing is a-"
"It's a phone," I giggled quietly, holding it out to him. "It's a way to communicate, not to hunt.". He was about to reach out for it until it vibrated and the generic ringtone played out loud. The kitsune leaped away, turning into his spirit form, ready to lunge. Afraid, I pressed the button and answered the call yelling out "Hello?".
Thank god I did however because he right away stopped as I answered and put it on speaker phone.
"Hey! (Friends name), how's it going?"
"Hey... well (other friend) is drunk and I drank a little... sooooo how do you feel about picking us up?"
"Can't you get someone?" I asked quietly. "I'm kinda in the middle of something."
"Who you talking to?" He asked curiously, still in that scary kitsune form. Looking up from my phone, I whispered "My friend. She drank too much sake."
"Who are you talking to? Oh (name) don't tell me you got a boyfriend here in Japan and you didn't tell us!"
"No it's not! I just am in the middle of typing my research down, and I didn't want to forget it."
"Oh okay. Just pick us up sooooon okay?" She then hung up as some guy called out her name and she laughed.
Typical.
"Kaden, now do you see? This device is just used for communication not harm."
"Then why did it vibrate when I was about to touch it?"
I shrugged, then smirked a little. "Coincidence. Also thanks for not killing me this time. I really want to come back home in one piece."
"No problem. You seem harmless, unlike these other people." He simply stated, looking down at the bustling town with lights and streets of people walking as if in a daze. The way he looked was lost and distant, as if he was reliving a memory. A painful one at that. "Sometimes I wonder if these people even know that their ancestors helped kill my friend... They just are so busy doing whatever they are doing now these days."
"Who was your friend?" His ears perked up and he looked at me then back at the city.
"Her name was Corrin."
"Corrin... I'm really sorry about that."
"Well sorry won't bring her back, or anything or anybody in that manner."
"Was she really that special to you?"
"Yes. Yes she was, but nobody will ever know Corrin like how I did." He quickly looked at me then back at the city. For a moment there was silence, just serene silence between human and kitsune. Almost until my phone went off, and my friends were sending drunk selfies and things I didn't want to see.
"I have to-"
"Go don't you?" He finished off my sentence, then he smiled brightly, the first time this whole night. "Thanks for letting me in a little on the present times. I hope I can repay the favor soon!"
"I do too. But... I won't be here tomorrow." My voice hushed. "This was a... different experience. Definitely not how I thought I'd visit Japan."
"Wait really? Why though?"
"I have to get back home. Well back to 'Nohr', as you say it."
"So you're a Nohrian?"
"Sure I guess...? Technically I'm European though." I smiled, holding out my hand. "It was nice to meet you." He stared at me oddly and I explained quickly. "Where I live, we shake hands as a greeting or a way of saying goodbye, especially if it's someone we don't know well."
"Oh!" He grabbed my hands and shook it a little hard, pulling it up and down. "Like that right?"
"No..." I sighed. "I'll show you next time we meet, promise."
"Okay! Have a safe trip, uh, (name) right?"
"Yes, it's (name)." I paused looking at him one last time before I started walking away. "Bye Kaden."
As I walked away, I touched my hand. The warmth of his hands were still felt on my cold, ugly hands.
Yet those hands felt so comforting, and familiar. So many questions ran through my head, and so many yearned to be answered. I knew that this wouldn't be the last time I come back.
In the airport, I quietly scrolled through my camera roll for the 100th time while my friends next to me watched Azura's new song "Lost in Thoughts". I wasn't looking through all my camera roll, I always kept staring at the burst of photos that our tour guide took just moments before Kaden came behind us and attacked us. Then in the second set of photos there was a strip of auburn fur that covered some of the screen.
Somehow, if Kaden said he killed anyone that came to him, how come we were spared? Did he know we were harmless? Yet he knew nothing about a cell phone or about anything modern. Also he mentioned a girl, Corrin, who was killed. After all he said he wanted revenge against anyone else because he believed they were descendants of those people who killed her.
I knew that this was a subject that was so mysterious yet so intriguing, I just had to know more about it. For now, I had a flight to catch, and also a friend to tell it to.
In the Alps, there is a little house that's made of glass. It's modern, and looks cozy, with quilted throw blankets on sofas, a fireplace made of brick, and various lighted orbs hanging down asymmetrically from the ceiling. Of course there were other rooms too, but for the most part it was cute, and cozy. You get the point. It's my house.
In the Alps, it's lonely where my house is, in contrast to Japan, where it was never quiet.
Except in Mount Fuji.
Throwing my books and luggage onto the couch, I then threw myself on it and turned on the TV, flipping through channels. The trip was exhausting and long, and all I really wanted I do honestly was watch (tv show). That was until my phone blew up with messages.
Keaton: Hey!
Keaton: how was Japan?
Keaton: was it FUN?! It's not like I care anything just wondering.
Keaton: reply?
Keaton: im not waiting at all for you to reply, im just chilling in my wolf den
Keaton: *man cave
Keaton: I just named my man cave the wolf den cuz it's cool.
Me: I'm back and I'm bored, just wanna come over? I'll tell you everything that happened. Also some spooky stuff happened :0
Keaton: Cya soon then
Me: cya ╰(*´︶`*)╯
I put the phone on the table and just sat on my couch, sipping hot cocoa and snuggling against a blanket waiting for his arrival. It wasn't like I had anything else to do anyways except wait for Keaton.
Now who was Keaton, you dear readers are asking? He's my neighbor, NOT my boyfriend. Well... I've never seen his house, but he lives close by here. It's what he says. Nobody else lives in this area of the Alps except for us. At least what I know of so far.
My parents were pretty eccentric about staying away from society. It's for protection since they work for the UN and political stuff, but when I first moved here I was 16 and was exploring the snowy outdoors it's when I found him. He was outside of my deck, laying on the ground bleeding a dark crimson. My parent's helicopter hadn't returned yet and I was scared since I didn't know how to contact anyone.
He looked a little older and had a hood to cover his hair and dark brown eyes that were intriguing at times, like little blood stains sprayed into his orbs.
I rushed back inside and looked around for a cloth. In the medicine cabinet I grabbed iodine, and in the brink of the moment, I took my dish cloth and ran outside to help him. His face was etched in pain, and he held onto his arm for dear life, yet the crimson substance still trickled through the cracks in between his fingers.
"Hey, it's okay, let go of your arm. It's going to hurt, but it's to help you." My voice was hushed, as I tried to pry his hand off his injured arm.
"I'm f-ine it's just a S-s-scratch..." his voice trembled weakly.
"No you're not okay!" I screamed. "Just let go of your arm! If not you could die of major blood loss, or I don't know! It could get worse! You won't die though I promise!"
He finally let see the wound and I saw a big gash, seeing layers of skin ripped apart viciously however it happened. It wasn't of concern. The man groaned in pain and I put drops and drops of iodine on it. It was obvious that over-the-counter products would not help this guy.
"Hey can you stand?" I asked. He tried to stand, but he stumbled then fell. For a moment I also saw a gash was on his leg too, which is why he was laying on the ground. My anxiety increased by double, not knowing what else to do. Grey's Anatomy certainly was not that educational.
"Look... I-I think I am gonna have to call some medics in." I stammered. "I can't do anything!"
"Yes you can!" He screamed. "Dammit, whatever happens, you can't let a medic help me."
"It's the only way!" I shouted. "I'm getting my phone."
"No don't!" He grabbed my leg before I could run.
"Get some rags. Tie them up. Really tight."
"... O-Okay." I did as he said and split the dish rag, wrapping it around his arm, and tied it really tight. The blood still soaked it, and it wasn't working, but it was what he said. I ran back inside and grabbed more scraps, but I couldn't find anymore. I started using my least favorite t-shirts and ran outside, tearing up chiffon, sheer, silk, and Egyptian cotton-made shirts. If my parents found out I teared up those shirts they would ground me. They never found out anyways.
Somehow while I bandaged him up, the blood flow was stopping. I don't know how, but it did. He groaned with every tight wrap I put around him. There was a heavy silence between us until I broke it.
"So... what's your name?"
"It's Keaton. Yours?"
"(Name). Just moved here, getting used to the Alps? Is this normal?"
"No, just got in a hunting accident. There was a nice-sized rabbit around here."
How could a rabbit do something like that? It had to be more than that, but I never bothered to ask him. I came to realize that he was just a mysterious person altogether, but that's what intrigued me. After tying the last knot, I helped him stand up. He was a little wobbly, until we walked around a little and we trudged through the snow.
"Heh... It's a miracle that I found you here right?" I smiled and he looked down, then up at the sky. "I suppose, but I could have probably fixed myself up somehow."
"Somehow? You were just dying!"
"Yes... but I can walk now." He let go of my arm and started walking normally and smiled. "Thanks!"
And that's how we became friends.
It's been 3 years since that happened, but we kept each other company all the time. Now he was ringing the doorbell, interrupting my thoughts. Jumping off the couch, I opened the door and let him in. "Come on in!"
"Eh, you're watch (tv show) again?"
"Yes. The reruns are good alright?" I pouted playfully, sitting back on the couch. He sat down next to me and we shared my comfy blanket as always.
"So how was the trip to Japan? Not that I care or anything."
"Well that's what I wanted to talk about." I giggled. He always says he didn't care when he cared, and that was such a cute quirk of his.
"What is it?"
"This." I handed him my phone and he scrolled through my camera roll.
"I don't see anything-wait no I do! Are you talking about the Sakura trees? Those are common Japanese trees-"
"No not those!" I snatched my phone back and zoomed into one of the photos where Kaden appeared, then gave the phone back to him.
"That. That's what the odd thing was. That thing attacked me during my trip."
"Wait are you okay?" He pulled me close, our eyes meeting, but I slowly pushed myself away from him.
"I'm uh fine... That's not the point. It's called a kitsune. At least our guide called it that. We were just taking a picture in Mount Fuji when he came out of nowhere and attacked us."
"Wait you said he. Do you know him?"
"Sort of. I can't stop thinking about it Keaton. His name is Kaden, and from what it sounded like he's lived for a bunch of years. What strikes me though is that he kept mentioning Nohr and Hoshido and a person named-"
"Corrin." My hooded friend finished my sentence, as if he knew exactly who I was talking about it. "Sorry, my father was an archaeologist and his specialization was those ancient kingdoms."
"Wait you know about it too?"
"Well let's just say the world likes to forget that they existed. So much controversy has happened because of it. Wars were fought over it because Europeans claim that their descendants are of Nohrian descent. Same thing happened in Asia. The Kingdoms crumbled after Princess Corrin died under unknown circumstances and because of that, the two rivals ended each other's Kingdoms. After that the remaining lands scrambled to create their own Kingdoms, republics, principalities, stuff like that."
"Well Kaden said her own people killed her."
"Many people distrusted Corrin, especially since she was a Nohrian and Hoshidan Princess and wanted peace for everyone, even though she had to kill some of her family for that peace. That's why the people distrusted her diplomacy, especially Nohrian commoners. The peace between the Kingdoms ended when she died."
"... Wow you seem to know a lot."
"I do. Like I said, my dad studied it, particularly Corrin." He smirked. "I'm surprised a Kitsune told you that. They are pretty hostile."
"Yea I am... But I was thinking for my end of the year research project, I should study Kitsunes, especially him. He's like a living first-person source, we could learn more about our world-
"This mean more to you than what you're saying right?"
I paused, but realized he was right. We just stared at each other eyes before he broke it away and looked at the TV.
"I'm going with you. Besides what happens if he attacks you again? I don't want that to happen. Ever. Again. Understand?"
"Fine." I smiled, snuggling up against him, opening up my laptop. He smelled like someone who bathed in Axe, probably to hide the smell of that same hoodie he always wore. "I'll book our tickets for tomorrow night."
"Tomorrow night? That's a little too early don't you think?"
"I promised Kaden I'd come back, so I'm going as soon as possible."
"Still there is one thing I'm worried about."
"Yea?"
"My visa is expired."
I slammed my laptop shut and pulled out my phone, then looked up at him.
"I can ask to see if I can borrow my dad's private plane~"
"That works too."
"That also leads to another question."
"What is it?" I smirked at him. "Are you afraid of heights?"
"No! Definitely not! This is a very important question however."
"And this is?"
"Will there be good food?"
Typical Keaton.
