*Note: Iris belongs to digitl-art-monstr on Tumblr

There once was a nobleman who longed to have a child, but for many years he was childless. One day he went to his local shrine and prayed to the gods to gift him a child. That year his son Donnie was born. The nobleman delighted in his only son, and he grew up to be a well versed and handsome young man.

One day, Donnie was walking along a garden path with his attendant, while admiring the beautiful flowers that were in bloom. Unbeknownst to them, the garden was home to a fox hole, and a young fox saw his face and immediately fell in love.

"Oh, what a beautiful face," she thought, "If only I could see him every day."

The young fox pinned for the young nobleman, and even thought about turning herself into a gorgeous woman to woo him by, but she didn't want to get him into trouble for falling in love with a fox. So instead, she turned herself into a human young man and found a home that was willing to adopt him into their family.

Iris lived a comfortable life with his new human family, but he still wasn't any closer to the person he wished to see most. One day his foster mother noticed his pinning ways and asked him if there was a girl on his mind. He understood that his status wouldn't allow him to marry like normal but was hoping to be able to help serve in a noble house.

After that Iris's family set him up to be the personal servant to the young nobleman Donnie. The two young men became the fastest of friends, delighting in each other's company, but this never quelled Iris's pinning and he could only express his longing through his poetry that he would write with Donnie. The poems were sad and beautiful and concerned the young nobleman greatly, but Iris always reassured Donnie that nothing was amiss.

One autumn day, after several years of being among the humans, a contest was announced to be held, to find the most beautiful autumn leaf by anyone who participates. Wanting his friend to win, Iris went to his fox family to help Donnie, and together they found a leaf so stunning and perfect that it even had the lotus sutra naturally written on it.

Donnie won the competition thanks to Iris's help, and it won Donnie and his family land and status. It even won Donnie the attention of the Empress. The longing only ate at Iris as he watched his lord and the Empress become more than what he and Donnie could ever be.

So one day, Iris filled a box with his written confession of what he is and how he feels about his long time companion, then gave it to Donnie.

"Here is this box. Only open it if I am to ever disappear."

Donnie, distraught, said, "Why would you say that? You'll be my friend and server for years to come, won't you?"

Iris gives him a soft smile, "We never know what the future may hold."

The night after Iris gave Donnie the box, he disappeared.

Donnie read the confession and wept over his dear friend and the suffering he went though for his love of him.