Over a week had passed, and Sesshomaru continued to lead his subordinates towards the staff he was seeking. It had been taking too long. It was almost as if he was running in circles. The lord knew he was not, but the Zouo's hand was not doing anything. It did not lead him, or portray any bit of knowing, when it came to where the staff itself was located. Rin spoke about Nazoki on a daily basis, and much to Sesshomaru's surprise, Jaken also joined her. Of course, the toad would always say things like "That vixen was only good for entertaining you Rin. When she was around, the lord didn't have to concern himself with your human needs!".
Of course, Sesshomaru would narrow his eyes at Jaken after a comment like that, but he refused to comment on that topic. The vixen, that is. What could he say about it? They still did not know that he was the one who told her she could leave. It possibly sounded more as if it was a command, but that was not his intention. She had frustrated him. As much as Sesshomaru thought about the situation, he would not say a word. It was none of their business. If anything, Nazoki would come back... Probably.
Well, when he thought about it, she probably would not. If she had managed to stay away for an entire week, then there was no telling what she was doing, or where she was. Some parts of the forest had her scent, but it was old. If Sesshomaru had to guess, he would say she had completely left. Her trail led east.
"Ah, lady Kitsune, I know thou hast returned! Reveal thineself to me, and we shall have another chat!"
From where Nazoki was perched, she saw a familiar nymph hopefully glancing over the forest. The tree trunk under the vixen swayed with a heavy gust of wind, and Nazoki did as the woman asked. Her illusion dropped, and the nymph peered up at her.
"I was right! What news dost thou bring of late?"
Nazoki stared at the bright features, and blond hair framing the girl's face. The vixen shook her head as she spoke.
"Not a thing."
"Hither, my lady, and I shall bedight thine tresses with flowers, and weeds!" Pure joy radiated from the woman, and Nazoki gracefully dropped to the ground. She offered the girl a dull smile, keeping her eyes from settling on her.
"Take care, as ye may find thineself in cerglaff."
The warning caused Nazoki to chuckle, and she shook her head.
"I am old enough to not be shocked by cold water." The vixen shook her head as if the nymph had made a joke yet the woman joined her in her laugh.
"Let us bathe, tell me of thine woes, and I shall attempt to console thee."
In a matter of minutes the two had undressed, and waded into the chilled water. Turning to the water nymph, Nazoki smiled.
"Why do you conceal your sisters?" She asked, and a melodic laugh radiated from within the nymph.
"Ah! Thine senses are indeed skilled! Very well, we shall all take part in our fun. Sisters!" When the nymph called for the others, their heads surfaced, and Nazoki found at least six others with them. Each had their own smile, and greeted Nazoki.
"I smell a broken heart." One stated, and another nodded.
"Aye, she had been hurt by a man... His mark is on her, yet she has not surfaced it..."
Brown hair clung to the nymph's skin and she pushed it back as she fixed her gaze on Nazoki.
"Why is that? Do you wish me to surface it for you?"
Shaking her head, Nazoki sank into the water to conceal her neck. She swam backwards, towards the waterfall as she spoke.
"No, I am capable. I was saving it... For... Well, it's complicated..."
"But if he has hurt thee, why not erase it?" The first nymph piped in, curiously raising her eyebrow.
"I just wanted to-" Nazoki's words were interrupted by a low groan, and she sank into the water All of the nymphs bust into a chorus of singsong laughter, and dived underwater with Nazoki. They circled around the vixen, as she sank further beneath the forest, dreamily reaching towards the light of the sky. Her hair gently extended around her, as Nazoki turned over, and dived deeper. The nymphs followed her, and the group circled around the jagged rocks under the stream. It appeared to be five meters deep, and though they were underwater, the nymphs giggled with joy. A few grabbed Nazoki's tail and the vixen swished it out of their hands, only encouraging them to try harder.
Feeling the need for oxygen, Nazoki shot to the surface, still being mimicked by the nymphs. Once all were at the top, they laughed again, and Nazoki wished she could be as happy. The first nymph spoke, and Nazoki realized she was the only blonde. All of the others were brunettes, or had black hair.
"Let us bedight her hair, sisters! Such lovely curls are not oft seen! We shall make merry upon such rare occasion!"
Excited murmurs escaped the nymphs and soon they were ushering Nazoki from the water. She dried herself with a burst of flames, and the nymphs squealed in delight.
"Amazing!" One cried, and Nazoki chuckled.
"You should see the water kitsune. Darkness, and electric are also a sight." Before Nazoki could reach her Kimono, the women were wrapping her in it themselves.
"Ah wait- I shall bequeath thee a dress of ours!" One of the brunettes cried, and Nazoki tried to tell her it was not necessary. Of course, the vixen was outnumbered and the girl dived into the spring. Seconds later she emerged holding a white dress. The nymphs wasted no time in redressing Nazoki, in the loose, flowing fabric, and tying a single golden cord under her chest. A slit on her thigh revealed Nazoki's left leg, and only one strap covered her shoulder.
"Beautiful!" One girl proclaimed, and another set to folding her kimono.
The nymphs Sat Nazoki down before realizing that she had not dried her new dress.
"Oh dear, she could burn it..."
Seconds of contemplation passed, and Nazoki shifted her gaze. The vixen nodded, and murmured her confirmation.
"Yes, that is why I said it was not necessary..."
"Let's charm it!" A brunette suggested, and the girls all eagerly voiced their agreement. Each grabbed the bottom of Nazoki's dress, and skipped around her in a circle. They were chanting the old language, turning the vixen so quickly she felt as though she would grow too dizzy to speak. They moved in a clockwise pattern, three speaking at a time.
"Tis our will, and may it be! Enchant her garb we call by three!"
"Guardians of south, we beseech thee, and call to you, in groups of three!"
"By the fire that is her spirit, let flow freely through this garb!"
The seventh nymph added the last line, and all joined her
"Tis our will, and may it be! Enchant her garb spoken by three!"
When the nymphs finally stopped, Nazoki had to sit down. Well, that was new. Nevertheless, they all started to beg her to combust. A warm gust of wind had been their only response, and it seemed to further excite them. Giving in, Nazoki allowed a dark grey flame to consume her. To the nymph's delight, the dress did not burn. They clapped and called thanks to the fire guardians.
One girl suggested calling the others later, to pay equal respect. As Nazoki recovered from being spun around so long, the nymphs sat her on a rock and took to her hair.