The next day Lilith served me breakfast and wanted me to sit with her as usual, but I had no intension of doing so.

"Did you wash my clothes yet?" I asked.

"Hmm?" She stirred and stretched. "Oh yes I washed them last night, they should be dry by now."

"Would you mind fetching them for me."

She gave a confused look and showed no intention of moving. "Why now? Don't you want to talk for a bit?"

I sighed. "I've told you everything about myself. I'd just be repeating what I said before."

She groaned, got up, and left the room. She returned after about 20 minutes with my uniform neatly folded. I thanked her and returned to my room. I took off the robes and redressed. I then prepared to go outside, putting on my heavy coat and gloves. I then grabbed my gun and slid my door open. I then walked down the hall to the entrance of the building. I grabbed the handle on the door and opened it. I went outside quietly closing the door behind me.

It was bright and sunny, and I waited a few minutes for my eyes to adjust. The snow seemed much deeper, but I was not deterred. I began walking down the steps with the snow crunching underfoot when I heard the door open behind me, but I did not stop.

"Charlie! Charlie!"

I turned back seeing Lilith in just her robes. "Go back inside you'll freeze out here."

"Where are you going?" She replied.

"Scouting. I'll be back in a couple hours." I had made up my mind to go back from where I had come to see if there were any soldiers nearby. Perhaps the Chinese had been forced back and friendly forces had returned.

Lilith began walking next to me. "You can't it's too dangerous."

She did realize I was a soldier, right? "I'll be fine like I said go back inside."

She grabbed my wrist forcing me to turn around. "The snow has gotten too deep."

I looked into her eyes which appeared to be full of fear. "If I get overwhelmed by the snow I'll come back sooner."

Suddenly a gust of wind swirled around me and I was nearly knocked off my feet. After recovering I turned and walked up to the gate. I stopped and looked down. In front of me appeared to be a near vertical drop.

I turned back to Lilith who was right behind me. "How the heck did I get up here!?"

"There's steep steps going down, but they are covered in snow. She learned close to me and spoke softly. "If you try to go down, you'll fall."

I was still confused. "I don't remember going up stairs. It was kind of steep, but it was like going uphill over a path not stairs."

"Are you sure?" She said doubting. "You seemed really disoriented when I found you."

"Well maybe…but…"

She grabbed my arm and pulled me close. "You're still not entirely clear of mind. Come back with me."

I gave a slight nod. She was right it was far too dangerous to try going down. "Alright let's go back."

Over the next few weeks, I did little more than eat and rest with Lilith. It seemed like the more time I spent with her the weaker I became. I began to get suspicious of her. What was she doing to me? Then it hit me it had to be the food. Food which should have been giving me strength was instead making me lethargic. When she brought me dinner one night, I decided to confront her.

"Lilith the food you bring me what exactly do you put in it?"

"Oh, it depends on the meal. Which one specifically?"

"Umm…" I felt like getting right to the point, but I was afraid of making her angry. "What are the ingredients you most commonly use?"

"I use a wide range of flavors and spices. Why do you ask?"

I breathed in deep, now I was treading on thin ice. "I just thought it was strange that I always feel tired after eating your food."

She gave a confused look. "Don't tell me you've never felt tired after eating before."

"Well sure but…"

"If you want me to give you some lighter meals that's fine, but in the wintertime, I often eat a little heavier. It helps me feel better and get through these long months."

Was she right? Was I just being paranoid? "Just give me a light meal in the morning. I intend to go scouting."

She shook her head and looked uneasy. "I told you. You can't go down…"

"I don't want to go down the mountain. I want to go up to the top. I could see a path going upward behind the complex."

"Oh, that. It does lead to the summit and you can see for miles, but you won't be able to see anyone even if there's no fog."

Even if she was right, I wanted to do it. I was desperate to see the outside world and acquire the feeling that I was not being contained. "I'd still like to go. Feel free to come with me but make sure you bundle up this time." I then excused myself and retired for the night.

The next day Lilith complied with my wishes but of course tried to stop me from leaving at first. I once again put on my full uniform, buttoning my coat, and putting on my gloves. As I went to the entrance of the building Lilith was there waiting for me. She wore a crimson cloak over her robes which left only her head exposed. She had lace around her neck and three gold clips secured the cloak shut. She reminded me of Little Red Riding Hood.

Outside it was remarkably clear and warm I guessed around 40 degrees. We went behind the main shrine and up to the path behind it. I was surprised as there was no snow on the trail at all. I supposed the slightly warmer temperatures had melted it. The path crested up to the top of the mountain which did not appear far off. I estimated it would take about 20 minutes.

I turned to Lilith. "Do you go up there often?"

She thought a moment. "Not in the winter but it's nice place to go up to in the warmer months. I love to see the sun rise and set. It's a great place to rest and think."

I nodded and we both started up the path. After we walked uphill about ten minutes, I began to feel tired. It was crazy how quick going up a hill could exhaust you, still after being with the army for so many years I should not have been so weak. I assumed I wasn't showing how tired I was, but Lilith was quick to detect my struggle.

"Are you sure you want to keep going?" she asked.

"It doesn't look too much further. How long does it usually take you to get to the top?"

"Well… it's about a 20-minute walk."

"That's nothing." I did wish she had stayed behind, but it was probably for the best that I had not gone alone. I was still hoping to perhaps see something, anything. Soldiers, villages, smoke, something to remind me that other people were out there.

I nearly tripped and fell but Lilith caught me from behind. I turned to see her face one of concern but then it was replaced with a smile. "I figured soldiers were not so clumsy."

I sighed. "You should have seen me when I first started my training. Anyway, thanks for the hand."

I continued walking and after a few more minutes we reached the crest of the trail and then I was awestruck.

At the top was a huge, flattened area almost like a mesa. The area was completely covered with bushes, plants, and flowers both pink and white. The sun was shining down as it was late morning and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. In the center of the garden was a small pond with a fountain in the middle. I walked up to it and saw several koi swimming around. Some of the fish were white, others were orange or yellow. And some had a combination of different colors. A stone bench stood by the pond and I sat down and stared at the fish. Lilith soon sat down next to me. We stared into the water for several minutes before she spoke.

"Well, what do I think?"

I looked at her and felt a loss about what to say. I stared into her emerald eyes and slowly composed myself. "What is this place? You can't say it's all because of the hot spring."

She smiled and shook her head. "You should see this place in the spring. Only camellias are in bloom right now."

Flowers that bloom in winter. I had never heard of such a thing. "What about the f…"

"Come." She grabbed my hands and pulled me up from the bench. She brought me to the edge of the summit and showed me the world beyond. Several mountains crested as far as my eyes could see. I could see a slight mist around some of the larger peaks. It was strange that there seemed to be snow below in the valleys, but the mountains were bare rock. It was the exact opposite of what I had expected to see. I walked around the entire perimeter and was greeted by the same sight all around. No signs of humans or any other living thing for that matter.

Lilith and I soon returned to sitting on the stone bench. This place was beautiful, but my mind was uneasy. It didn't make any sense that life could exist up here even if the plants and animals were resistant to the cold. I was about to try to ask about the fish again, but Lilith was the first to speak.

"Charlie what do you think of the Shinto beliefs?"

"Um… well it's an interesting religion." I was unsure of what to say. "The temples themselves are some of the most beautiful structures I have ever seen."

"Do you believe in spirits?"

"I think there's things we can't explain but… well I never really thought much about it I guess."

"What if I told you I had proof they were real?"

Well, this was intriguing, I was certainly curious. "Sure, I'd like to see that."

She seemed unsure and looked away. She clasped her hands together and brought them to her lips seemingly trying to warm them up. "You promise you won't think less of me?"

"Of course, Lilith. I promise I won't make fun of you."

She then stood up and took off her cloak revealing her robes once again. Her hair turned from blond to white and two cat-like ears appeared on top of her head. Most peculiar however were several unnatural appendages that jutted out from her back. They were long and white tails similar to her hair, five in total. "You know what I am."

No, she couldn't be. It wasn't possible. "A fox spirit?"

She nodded. "I am the guardian of this shrine." I tried to look away, but her eyes were locked on mine. "When the humans abandoned the shrine my goddess soon did as well. With no spiritual energy to sustain me I was forced to go into hibernation until you arrived. When you did, I was able to take your remaining energy and in return save your life.

Make no mistake our fates were not bound by chance. A god smiles upon you and drew you here to return the favor from when you saved the shrine in your homeland. He did so by leading you here while every other man in your squad perished. Now I have an offer for you."

How could she possibly know? "When did I save this shrine?"

"In 1941 you joined the army as most other men had done. You were eventually assigned to the military police and left to safeguard your home territory. You were frustrated about being kept from the front lines but did your job wholeheartedly. You were later assigned to protect the shrine of Honolulu which had been seized by the city. A responsibility you once again reluctantly accepted.

One day a large group of men arrived with clubs, axes, and black paint. Several were seasoned WWI veterans and you alone had to face them. You were afraid but did your duty. They yelled and jeered, and you nearly fired a shot in the air, but the eldest man in the crowed had pity on you and helped you scatter the mob.

Ōkuninushi the god of the shrine blessed you, granting you the secret. An ability to find spirits in time of need. In Japan they had a passive role making sure you had good drinks at the bar and that you won at gambling. While here in Korea they protected you from the enemy and harsh environment. However, when you were in your greatest hour of need the lesser spirits led you to me. The last Shinto in the country, and the only place you could be safe."

Well, that explained why I was so lucky at card games in Japan. Still if the spirits really wanted to help me, they would have led me back behind friendly lines. Now this creature had me like a dog with a bone refusing to let go. "How do you know all this?"

"From the spirits that brought you here of course. They awakened me and told me everything about you."

"The spirits told you…" My hands began to shake. The full outlandishness of this was slowly sinking in. This was a kitsune, a creature which tricked and toyed with men, and I was her current victim. If only I had my gun. "What do you want from me?"

"I can give you anything your heart desires." She held up her hand and a large table appeared in front of us with several dishes and drinks. Ham, turkey, lobster, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, salmon, wine and much more like some glorified Thanksgiving. "I will take care of your needs and in return you will give me some of your lifeforce. It will not age you, in fact it will prolong your life many years. I can grant you any wish you could possibly desire. Even upon your death our fates will be linked. You will become the new Kami of this shrine and I your guardian spirit. We can be together for the rest of eternity."

I looked as light emitted from her hands and her tails stretched out. Her eyes continued to draw me in, and I could not look away. I gulped. "That is a real tempting offer, but I must refuse." I was struggling to speak; it was like she was strangling me.

She did not seem deterred in the least only responding with a sinister smile. "What is it you want then?"

I was so parched but finally spoke again. "I can't thank you enough, but it sounds like I saved you as much as you saved me. We owe each other nothing."

"Yes, I owe you nothing so why should I let you go? I would be forced to go back into hibernation perhaps forever."

I breathed in again. "My only desire now is to return home. Will you not grant this wish?"

She closed her eyes, and I was finally able to look away, nearly falling. "I see now, nothing I can say can convince you to stay. Looks like I'll have to reset things again, I was too hasty. Such a pain how stubborn humans can be. It matters not though I have all the time in the world to win you over. I'll wear you down over the next couple months all the while siphoning your energy from you. You will be mine forever."

She held out her right hand and a ball of light appeared. Something like a mist was being drawn into it. I looked to see where the mist was coming from, then horror struck me as it was coming from my own body. I attempted to run but fell.