I ran with Hoshiko and Sorako on my side. The adrenaline rush was invigorating; a constant reminder of why I chosen this path.

The darkness surrounding us kept everyone and everything away. Here in the night, no one could control me; it was my element. The element that saved me and yet still cursed me to the fate I sought to break free of.

Hoshiko held the gold, Sorako- the jewels, and in my hands, I held but the most important thing- my father's katana, stolen from him on his death bed. It was rightfully mine as well as an important part of my cause. And so, with it in my hands, I felt wonderful and sentimental- though the twins need not know that.

Sorako laughed in all her childlike glory, soaring from tree to tree.

Her sister danced on the ground floor, running and declaring with equal passion in her native tongu

"Umen'yot."

We prevail.

I watched their childish acts with a fierce fondness. Only with them- only with these darlings that I had raised as my own- would I allow myself to feel this freely and openly.

"We have done what is right."

The twins squealed at my remark and let loose primitive howls that sounded through the midnight blackness. They really were just kits.

"And yet they call the silver fox the king of our kind. Blah!" Sorako spat. "We will show them cunning yet." She giggled and though I chided her gently how dangerous the sin of pride was, I couldn't help but giggle.

How often had I allowed myself to feel like this?

We quieted down and split up, doing our usual rounds before we, one by one, slipped quietly into the den hidden beneath the mud ground.

"Kara-neechan," Hoshiko beckoned, collapsing on the cushion of fur on the ground. "Don't you feel empowered? We did it! Robbed the vault of the most feared tyrant of the land! Where is your scream of rapture!"

I allowed myself a small smile. "I believe you two did enough for all of us. Besides, I was rather focused on the allusion allowing us to come screaming home unseen and unheard."

Hoshiko gave a sheepish grin as her tail ticked side to side. "I forgot about that."

My smile grew. Such kits.

I helped them place guards over the new treasure, taking special care to ward my sword against any thieving hands.

The kits soon curled up with each other and fell asleep, providing me the perfect opportunity to sneak off for a bath.

Though very few demons lived in Mori no Takai, demons being very superstitious beasts, and deserting it due to the history associated with its name, I walked through the wood with caution and stealth befitting my age.

I dare not dawdle like my kits- my precious, naïve babies.

It was a weakness of mine to allow them to behave as juvenilely as they did. I was never allowed the luxury as a child- was never allowed any luxury at all actually- and thus, when they came into my possession, I found it very difficult to break them of the habit.

I mused, as I always did after I cheated sure death and capture, and sung quietly to myself. I sang songs from my childhood, lullabies that spoke of beauty, freedom, and of treasures, as I relished that I had the only possession that had ever truly belonged to me back safely.

I sang till the sun peaked from behind the tall, gnarled trees that inhabited the gruesome, feared Forest of Death, and soon set off to make food for my children.

The food had no sooner been placed at the table before screams of "Chya'wali (Thank you) Takara-oneesan!" echoed off the walls as two ravenous kits stormed the kitchen.

Quickly, I grab some before it all vanishes and eat quiet and mannerly, opposite of the young beasts before me.

One of said beasts finishes her food and turns to me with wretched, doe-like eyes that I am always unable to resist.

"May we go into town today?" Hoshiko asked. I sighed, I didn't very much like town. I didn't like the exposure and vulnerability it put us in. Thieves should stay hidden.

"I suppose." I give in. Of course.

They had just completely their first major heist correctly. They put in all the dedication, studied maps and entrances for hours, trained relentlessly. I was an indulgent care-giver but I in no means spoiled them.

I expected them to be great because I knew they could be. They were pure animal spirits- small, lithe, powerful and with all of nature's gifts at their disposal.

But with raising animal spirits with their constant mischief and need for excitement- come leniency. They had done satisfactory and should be rewarded as such.

"But know that any money spent will be of your own. I will not tolerate any petty theft. You may barter, but give the merchants the price that they deserve."

They washed up and readied themselves rather quickly. They were animal spirits and had the vanity of them, however dampened it had been by my modest upbringing, and so made sure to dress themselves in a way that benefitted their looks.

I had always dressed for ease. I was an enchantress and such, didn't possess any traits of grandeur. I was an apparition of nature and didn't feel the need to dress any of that up.

I fastened up my leather bodice that stopped just before the curve of my hips. It was where I hid all my weapons, money, seeds and apparatuses needed for spells and summoning, and anything else of importance. Over which, I put on a flowing white tunic, to conceal my bodice, and had black, nondescript leather shorts. My boots came to mid-calf and contained more necessities.

Hoshiko and Sorako were both dressed with short, silk red kimonos of differing styles. Hoshiko's long hair was curled, falling to the small of her back while Sorako's chin-length bob was straight. Both had kohl-lined eyes and roughed lips and cheeks.

"Vanity is one of the seven deadly sins." I chided lightly, but nonetheless my face broke into a soft smile.

"You look beautiful."