I forgot to mention this to you that Inari actually exist in Kyoto, Japan. XD there's a shrine call Fushime Inari Shrine built in respect for the Deity. Inari is of male and female so I guess you can say that as you are reading this fan fiction, you're learning a little history about Japan too! :)


Kitsune's Goddess

Chapter 3

-Secrets of the String-


"I-I'm sorry!" Rihan said frantically as he repeatedly bows his head. "I just picked up your string. I swear I didn't do anything!"

"No, it's alright Rihan." I said reassuringly. "You did nothing wrong."

"We'll discuss this later." Nurarihyon said, his eyes gleam with seriousness. I nodded in return as he guide his son forward. "Come Rihan, let us go."

With a stiff smile, I wave them farewell as they take their leave, walking down the stairs through the Forest of Torris(gates). I let out a brief sigh and trudge myself back towards the shrine.

When I arrive at the front steps, I see my foxes has transform themselves into human beings. They bow their heads and I nod in return in understanding as they depart to the town below to hunt their nightly dinner.

I sigh out knowing once again, I was alone.


I stay at that same spot, finally realizing I've been day dreaming. It took an ounce of what strength I have left to move my feet into the shrine as I head for the bathing room. I appreciate the generous thoughts of my foxes setting the hot bath for me. Stripping off of my clothes with my mind still full of the event occurred only half an hour ago, I was unaware that someone has step into the shrine. I hear their feet scurrying as if in panic as they call out my name.

"Inari!"

"Inari, where are you?!"

I was confuse at the sound of their voice, when suddenly the bathroom door flew open with a bang!

"Inari!" The voice shouts in alarm and they froze midway upon opening the door. I had the decency to covering myself with clothes still in my hands, scream at the intruder, and throws a water bucket at them which they dodge it effortlessly despite their paralyze state.

Before I could throw another bucket at them, they rush forward with such speed. I had no time to defend myself as they grab both of my wrists in one of their hands and the other around my waist.

Another scream was about to escape my lips when the intruder pull me close to his body and I immediately recognizing the alluring smell of cherry blossoms.

"Inari, it's just me."

I look up in surprise. "Nurarihyon?"

"Yeah, sorry I scared you." The ayakashi apologize as he holds me closer into his arms. "When I came back and didn't see your or your foxes, I thought something bad had happen to you because Rihan touched the string. I didn't think of the consequences, I'm sorry."

I shook my head. "I told you before that it's alright. I'm alright."

Nurarihyon gave a curt nod, still unsure of himself as he buries his face into my tousled hair. I clutch the front if his kimono, wondering about Nurarihyon's strange affection when I suddenly realizing what situation I am in. My face burn up like a fire cracker.

The handsome ayakashi sense my body tense in his arms pull slightly back to look at me questionably when he sees my burning face, his own mind clicked.

"S-sorry." Nurarihyon stutters his word while backing away and turning himself around in a quick haste. He speed walk to the door and grab the frame to close it. His bangs covering his flushed face. "I'll wait for you outside."

I look up to see him close the door. Still half embarrass, I let out an awkward laugh before stepping into the warm scented water. I sigh out in bliss and finish up quickly knowing I have an embarrassed guest waiting for me outside of this door.


I threw on a knee high solid red with sheer sleeve kimono. While rubbing my mid back hair with a towel, I walk out to the entrance of the shrine where Nurarihyon is waiting for me.

"When you said, "we'll discuss this later."" I stated, interrupting his deep thoughts. I plop myself on the floor beside him and continue, "I didn't think you meant half an hour later."

"Sorry." Nurarihyon apologize cheekily while he nervously scratch his head. "I didn't mean to burst in earlier."

I try to brush it off with a shrug of my shoulders, but seeming to fail when my face is dusted with a small blush. "It shouldn't be something new to you. You've probably seen plenty of pretty girls in your younger days."

"Hm, now that I think about it." The ayakashi said while he puts his fisted hand under his chin. He look down at me and smirk. "I guess you're right."

I was irked by his perverted remark and punch him on his shoulder like I once did before. Nurarihyon laugh a bit, but his expression turn slightly serious afterwards.

Grabbing the lose fluorescent shackle he ask, "Do you know who has done this to you?"

I shake my head. "No I don't. Like I said to Rihan before, I was born with it."

"I see."

"I have tried to cut the shackle with a sword, burn it in a fire, freeze it in the snow, and even smashing it with a rock." I said tirelessly. I sigh in frustration. "I even ask for help from a really strong demon years ago and even he couldn't break it."

"I still don't understand why you have to be restrain like a caged bird." Nurarihyon said furiously and my heart tighten at his anger.

"For only the purest of heart and the mind of gold could the shackle be broken." I recite the words I remembered long ago.

Nurarihyon raise one of his eyebrows. "Who told you that?"

"The walls did." I said with an unreadable expression. The ayakashi gave me a quizzical look so I stand up, dropping my towel on the floor. "Come with me. I want to show you something."

I start to walk away inside the shrine, signaling Nurarihyon to follow. We both walk beside the trial of my shackle through the shrine. The fluorescent glow lead us the way in the dim hallways.

We stop at the furthest door deep in the shrine. Multiple of seals glued to the door and its wooden frame. Nurarihyon look intrigue and bewilder as he gaze his eyes upon the door in front of him.

"I've never seen this door before." He said. "Has it always been here?"

"Yes." I said. "You haven't notice this door before because I have the power to choose who can see and cannot see."

Nurarihyon nodded. "Like an invisible barrier."

"Nurarihyon." I said his name so seriously, it force his wandering eyes to meet my fierce eyes. I wave my arm in front of me and the paper seals unstuck itself from the door while floating in midair. "What you see beyond this door may never be spoken outside of this shrine."

My words made his head nod in understanding. I reach for the doorknob and turn it with a slight squeak. Then I said, "Rihan's innocence seems to trigger my freedom because his heart is still pure. But I don't think his innocence will be enough to release me. This is the other end of my shackle, the source of my imprisonment."

"The source of your imprisonment?" The ayakashi repeated my words.

I nodded. "I believe the only way to release this shackle of mine is to break this ...this curse."

I open the door to the room, leaving Nurarihyon to stare agape at what beholds in front of him. A slight gasp escapes his lips. I drink in his reaction and close my eyes in disturbance."

"In the back of my mind, I know that I was once human. " I said to the speechless ayakashi. "It is still a mystery that I have not yet solved. I want to know why I am born into this world. So I ask of you Nura."

With a flare upon my open eyes I said, "Please help awaken me."