Tales of the Inari King and Woodland Queen
Chapter 11
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The winter hoarfrost began to slowly clear from the spirit world. Melting away in cool rivulets to provide sustenance to the solid ground frozen over in slumber of the coming season. Rivers flowed with their bubbling song, frosted boughs shaking away the snow and ice to decorate their limbs. It was a slow awakening but it promised a wonderful spring. From within his homely warren, the king awaited the first bloom of springtime. He had overseen the winter lands throughout its course, making sure the inhabitants were able to slumber peacefully. There has been no sign of Dartz since the incident that nearly cost him his queen so Atemu was sure that he wouldn't make plans to try a second time if he values his life and the ability to keep breathing.
The kitsune yawned, jaws cracked open wide to show off bone-white teeth before his muzzle snapped closed. With a stretch of his paws, the king resolved to get up and take a look at the land. Crotal bell jingling with a light sound, Atemu leapt from the bed and through the curtain that shielded his room from view. Shaking out the ocean of black fur and stretching limber legs once more, he was out of his burrow and surveying the slowly warming lands. There was still some snow that blanketed the land but they were thin patches, prints left behind showing the green grass underneath as Atemu walked. Winds were crisp against his body and he smiled, allowing the breeze to comb through his fur as he walked along. Boughs with thin coats of ice shook free of their frozen layers, bowing before the king as he walked underneath, some showing signs of their growing buds ready to bloom once the earth was reasonably warmed for them to flower.
A doe not far from him marched on through the snow, her gravid form showing she was to be with a fawn fairly soon. Atemu bowed his head to her presence and she did the same in return before looking for a patch of clover to graze. Atemu smiled before continuing on, letting his paws carry him along the path they desired, his mind adrift as he thought back on the previous year. Such a joyous year it was as he felt bonded closer to his queen than ever before. Yugi's adaptation towards his coming role was simply astounding but he expected nothing less of his precious queen. He had learned anything willing to be taught to him and was open for more. Uzume was good company when he couldn't be there, a fine companion and would become an exceptional hunter alongside Xerxes. Leaving the forest to see the sizable field a stark white in comparison to its colorful arrangement of wildflowers once they sprout left him to reminisce of the day shared in the very center of that field. The rocky start, the following fluidity of dance and the sweet embrace of the deepest love shared for the earthen mother.
Pride and adoration swelled in his breast at the reminder of such a simplistic but honorable celebration between king and queen for the Autumn Equinox. His precious queen despite his fears, danced with a grace only fairly comparable to his own. A little more polishing and he'd enthrall anyone to see him. Like a gem, radiant and glowing, the king would bear no stops in making his queen the perfect regent to his lands. Snow kicked up under dark paws as he sailed from the forest edge and into the wildflower field, a speck of black amidst the white scenery and easily a sight for his faithful falcon. An endearing cry flew through the chilling air, a swift form gliding down to follow after the king as he ran. A grin passed his muzzle as he greeted Xerxes with a nod, both continuing through the field. Reaching the river and bounding over its partially frozen surface and they were closing in on the mountains.
A trill of question came from Xerxes as the two began to traverse the path leading into the deep crags of the mountain. "A routine check, Xerxes. The mountains belong to the ookami and oni but even I owe them a blessing for their continued loyalty to me, seeing me as their king and I for their continued place as my courtiers and gentry." He slowed, allowing Xerxes to settle on his back as he strolled through the mountainous terrain. Like the land below, the mountains were silent, a howl of wind the only sound to breach the craggy paths. The king easily scaled the perilous terrain, bounding over large crevasses and scaling steep cliffs before stopping at the perfect location where he could view the land in its completion. A sea of white it still was but nonetheless beautiful. A smile crossed his face as he gazed upon it with entrancing scarlet.
Not even the muck and mire of the dead forests could scar the resplendent beauty of the land he cultivated. This treasured space that was a den of safety from the world outside. To live for so long with nothing but bitter disgust of the humans that lived in the outer realm for what he suffered in the past only to be tamed by the purest heart to heal his ravaged soul. Yugi, precious, dauntless, breathtaking Yugi. He never could imagine such a soul filled with devotion as true as his. It is a welcoming breath of fresh air after his tragic past dealing with the horrid hunter that was Pegasus. Even when the loneliness was welcomed to be far away from those that would only use his power for their own gain or worse, he did admit that his heart yearned for someone to love. Someone to cuddle in his warren and bestow many of nature's gifts.
He searched long enough and when he landed in Domino in its beginnings of a small rural town working to build and evolve into the vast concrete jungle it became, he had packaged such a dream and lived out his trickster nature. From claiming the shrine to playing mild tricks when he desired a stroll into the real world. Such is what he expected the rest of his life to live until the sweet presence of Yugi came looking to fulfill a prayer. The miko that desired him too for her selfish gain only exacerbated that fact. Atemu had to save the precious one from her clutches, show him that while kitsune are notorious for their tricks, they have a heart eager for a partner to call their own. For all the time he lived, it was the moment that he heard the gentle call from the smaller male that the locks around his heart shattered open to accept this wondrous light, to finally call someone "partner". It took him time and could easily understand the rejection stance if Yugi chose that option over tying himself to a spirit but Atemu couldn't help the elation to burst from the seams of his overworked heart to finally have a queen worthy of his time and attention.
Settling down on the cliff, Atemu took a deep inhale of the crisp winds to run through his fur and caress the narrow muzzle. With each heartbeat, he felt the breath of nature echo within. With each breath, he heard the words of the earthen mother, of Gaia, whisper her praise to him. She was ever proud of her greatest child and could only wish for bigger and better things once his queen was beside him as kitsune. When that day arrive, his heart would truly be full. It would be a wait but Atemu was a patient creature. He'll wait and keep his queen's human life thriving to fulfill all that he needs before his transformative slumber. Even for the wait, he still had much to look forward to. After all, there was the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice that they've yet to celebrate together. Oh Atemu had many plans prepared for both though right after the equinox was something more personal and engaging.
The spring was his season, an important time of rebirth that he had yet to act on until he found a mate worthy. Now that he had him, Atemu was fully ready to commit to the rut he long since ignored with no prospective mate which to indulge the season with. Now with Yugi in the picture, all the pent up needs that wished to be satisfied with every call of his feral mind would finally see that long awaited satisfaction. To let every bit the fox he was take pleasure in the delight that was his vixen. To rear and raise soon their wonderful kits. Their beautiful messengers. Their sons and daughters, princes and princesses of the woods and wilds. He closed his eyes, imagining their magnificent kits. White with mottled black spots, black with crimson paws. Patterns of all shapes and sizes to decorate their fur, showing their divinity to all. They would be the perfect culmination of their love. Alluring as their kingly father while compassionate as their queenly mother.
Tails swayed pleasantly at the thought. "Our divine little blessings. They would be the perfect little gifts for my queen. I will strive to sow only the best for Yugi. My extravagant queen." A smile pulled across his muzzle before unearthing a howl so rich and deep from his very core. It echoed over the land, for all the slumbering fae, yokai and animal spirits to know of the upcoming spring season and the king's enlightening future. It will still be time and this spring just an introduction of the rutting season for his queen. Atemu trusted that Yugi will adapt quickly as he does with everything else. If all goes well this spring, then every spring to follow will be just as pleasant. The king certainly can't wait but until then, Atemu has to commit to his current duties. To chase down the winter spirits and let them settle until the winter comes again, allowing spring to come once more to revitalize the land and bring its budding beauty for all to see.
"The land must awaken into its springtime setting. A sight so beautiful and gorgeous. Hopefully, the wildflowers will be just as beautiful as they were last year. Would love to bring a bouquet of the freshest blossoms to the premiere of my darling queen's new game." Atemu spoke, Xerxes fluttering to rest on the crown of his head with a trill. "Of course you can come. You'd like to see Uzume, don't you?" Xerxes gave another trill, this one of delight and Atemu chuckle before nodding his head for the falcon to take off. Xerxes did, giving a mighty cry in the light of the day. Atemu watched his loyal falcon fly through the air, smiling more.
New year, new memories. Atemu couldn't wait to see what the new year would bring for himself and Yugi but he knew there will be nothing but continued happiness for them both. Another howl broke through the air, tree boughs shaking in response to the king. Within the wildflower field, right within the pawprint of the king's trail, a bud broke through the thin layer of hoarfrost, a violet bud that held strong through the remaining vestiges of winter.