Kitsune.
By Blazeraptor54.
Episode One: The Shinobi, and The Fox.
Snow fell on this December day in Mistral. The flurries compacting, layering deadwoods, and collapsing after dead limbs gave way. Songbirds were gone from these woods, occasionally one could hear the cry of a goose. Winter came hard this year, but with it, life took on a new coat. Striped Mistralian Deer lost their white stripes, trading them for black. Their antlers clacked on brush, thin wood, and old bark on frozen trees. Snow rabbits scurried in the dead underbrush, seeking refuge from the cold, and moss that grew in nearby in a nearby hot spring.
Journeying into this brush, a man wearing a layered robe treaded with a younger man with same coat. Their clothing flicked about the air with each gust of chilled wind. They carried fishing poles, traps, and other gear. They came to the shoreline of their small little island, although apart of Mistral, they laid south. Their people, The Shizen, called the Triplet islands of Ōkami, Himawari, and Kashima. Currently the duo was on Kashima, the island closest to mainland Mistral. Game often swam the narrow straights from the continent to the island in the winter. Their home island of Ōkami laid further south, and while snowstorms were coming, they were mostly battering Kashima. Himawari Island wouldn't expect snow until Ōkami felt the first few gusts of winter.
The older man with white hair stops the young man. He sighed, looking at the lands, he found himself smiling. Sitting down in the small clearing in the deadwood, the older man motioned for the younger man to gather sticks. Weaving hand signs, and then placing his hand on the ground, a single rising of earth formed a tent-like structure. The older man got up, dusting himself off, placing a wool flap over the entrance. Entering it, he laid down the bedrolls for him, and the younger man. Yawning, he twisted a metal hook to the top of the stone tent, placing a lantern on it.
In a language unlike the common tongue of the world, he spoke out the young man. "I'm sure glad we found this spot, plenty of game."
"Father," The young man replied from outside of the stone tent. "You judge too quick. I've seen no game."
The older man gave a hearty laugh, speaking in their people's tongue, "Minato! You judge too quickly my child. You'll see come tomorrow morning!"
The younger man, identified as Minato, entered the stone tent. He removed his hood, having a shovel in his hand. Blonde, spiky hair bounced about as he dug a small firepit in the back of the stone structure. This hearth would be their home for a few days, gathering pelts, and then taking them back to Ōkami for trade. His azure eyes glistened in the flickering light of the lantern. He finished digger, throwing wood into the pit, along with dead grass and foliage. Weaving similar hand signs to his father, he took a deep breath, blowing a small jet of fire from his mouth. The orange flame burned, making the wood crackle. Minato leaned back on his bedroll and looked at his father. The older man removing his hood, a white mane flowing behind him.
"Hiruzen, may not have much longer in this world, son. Ōkami, Himawari, and Kashima, will look to elect the next leader amongst our clans. I've heard that the old man is choosing me as his chosen replacement in the proceeding elections. These moments between us will be few, and far between, which is why I've asked you to come home." The older man said to Minato, taking some food out of a container.
Minato took some of the bread handed out, speaking between bites, "The mainland is full of awfulness anyhow."
"Indeed," His father agreed with a nod, sipping some tea he had started warming over the fire.
Minato yawned, "Father, have you, and mother been well?"
"Yes, she's begun training the next generation of healers. The Haruno family have a promising young daughter. She's to wed the local fish master. Speaking of weddings, and romance, any chance of you finding a woman soon?" His father questioned him.
Minato rolled his eyes, replying, "If I wanted a wife, I'd rather her not be Shinobi."
"Bah, Shinobi runs strong in our veins. It's why the Mistralian government often leaves us be, they have their ways, we have ours. The Shizen is your family, but my son, one day you'll find the one connected to you by that red string." His father stated with pride, patting his son's back. "Hopefully she's calmer than your mother."
"Well quit staring at other girls, you old pervert." Minato chided his father playfully.
His old man threw his head back in laughter, "You sure know how to joke. I, Jiraiya, am no mere pervert. I am the red, hot blooded Shizen man!"
"Up until mother beats you over the head," Minato pointed out with a sly smirk.
Jiraiya, his father stopped his laughter, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. The man stopped, looking at his son in his eyes, smiling warmly. He got out an old book, holding it out to Minato, who took it. The book was familiar to him, and he realized upon looking at the title. He looked at his father, who nodded, and continued his warm smile.
"I remember reading you stories from that book, as a wee little boy. Now, you're entering your sixteenth year upon this world. Your favorite tell was always The Hunter and The Fox. You used to beg me to read it to you every night, up until you didn't think it was cool of me anymore." Jiraiya recalled, rubbing his chin.
Minato smiled warmly, remembering the tale, "I recalled there being Grimm in that tale."
"Aye, and The Dark Queen," Jiraiya pointed out.
The young man laughs, "She's nothing more than a scary character in that book."
Jiraiya's face became serious, looking Minato in the eye, "Careful my son. Pride often blinds the Shinobi to the truth that lays underneath the apparent obvious evidence."
"Evidence of what? Grimm are just dark spirits that are the result of us harming the world." Minato said in response to his father. "I mean some of them have intelligence, but that's few and far between."
The older man grunts, "My son, you are an intelligent young man. However, there's a reason why The Dark Queen always was passed down from generation to generation of Shizen. Perhaps its nothing more than a powerful Grimm, maybe more, but behind every myth there is a kernel of truth to it."
They were about to continuing in conversation when Jiraiya heard a yowling. He smiled, looking at Minato, who looked confused. The man patted his back, resting on the bedroll.
"I placed traps along our path, apparently a fox fell into one of them. Can you be a good son and let me rest these old bones." Jiraiya yawned, drawing ire from his son.
"You're just wanting to nap, you old fart." Minato accused, pointing at his father.
Jiraiya was taken aback, rubbing his head sheepishly, "You know your dad has a heart condition…"
"Uh huh," Minato eyed his father incredulously, "You brought that smut with you, didn't you?"
Jiraiya paled a little, whimpering childishly for an old man, "Don't tell your mother."
His smiles, sighing, "You're incorrigible, father."
"I promise to give you some too," Jiraiya chuckled.
"With that, I'm out, now its weird. You made it weird," Minato stated while flustered. "I'm off to save our little fox friend."
"Better man then me," Jiraiya points out as his son leaves, "Fox pelts go for a pretty penny on the mainland."
Minato rushed down the forest path, a bow over his shoulder. If his father's trap had done too much damage, then he'd be forced to put the poor creature down. He walked silently along the path, noting the markings of The Nara Clan nearby. He looked at his drawn map, smacking his face, his father was accidentally interceding in Nara territory! This meant that he'd have to go, disable all deer traps, and maybe not run into Shikaku along the way. Then again, they were likely sailed to the southwestern Island of Himawari for the winter, the last island, and the Shizen People's capital. If his father was right about Hiruzen, then all the great clans would be gathering soon.
The yowling filled his ears again. He gathered his thoughts, walking forward along the path. He found a deer trap, disabling it. The yowling grew louder, and more intense in frequency. The fox either was trying to fear itself, or it was being beset upon by a predator. Grabbing his bow, he nocked an arrow, and got closer to the sound. He came across a very unnaturally large fox, which had many tails, wiggling in the deer trap. The bolt for the trap went through its leg, Minato balked, and slowly approached the large, many-tailed fox. However, it was trying to scurry away because it was being beset by several wolf-like Grimm.
Minato launched himself forward, launching an arrow straight into the nearest beast's head. It died instantly, disappearing into black dust. The other six started to growl, one of them, the largest snarled at him. It bared all of its fangs in a show of force, and Minato just dropped the bow. He cracked his knuckles, reaching down under his robe, into a pouch seated on his beltline. He pulled a three-pronged kunai knife. He held it in front of him, growling at the Grimm. Another of them charged, he merely sidestepped it, stabbing upward into its neck. He pulled upward, splitting the head open, killing it near instantly.
Two of them charged at once, but he jumped up, delivering a split kick that sent them both flying. Landing, the fifth beast tried to grab him, only to have the knife stabbed into its head. It slumped down, but the alpha and one other came from behind. A yowl from the fox alerted him, and he disappeared into a yellow flash above the alpha. He brought leg down into an axe kick, splintering the bony armor of the beast. He backflipped, locking his thighs around the sixth's neck, twisting hard to break it! He watched as the alpha howled, regrouping his minions. Minato dropped into a battle stance, weaving one handed signs. When the beasts charged at him, he reared back before belting out a torrent of flame from his mouth. As if the young man turned into a dragon, the flames engulfed three of the beasts, leaving only the alpha and two lackeys. He smirked, stopping the flames, and held his knife forward.
Shouting in his native tongue, he declared himself, "I am Minato Namikaze, The Yellow Flash of Ōkami Island!"
The beasts roared out, making him roll his eyes, and within a second it was all over. Three separate yellow flashes appeared in front of them, cuts splitting their heads from their shoulders. Landing in front of where the alpha was, he put away his knife in motion. He noted that the yowling of the fox creature stopped. He turned around, and it simply looked dazzled at him. He then blinked his eyes, and suddenly yelled out.
"Crap why did I put away my knife, I'm going to need it!" He chastised himself while walking over to the fox.
He lowered himself down, looking at it. "Are you what I think you are?"
The creature didn't give a response, just staring at him. It yipped, watching as he lowered his hand down to the bolt stuck in its leg. He sighed, noting there wasn't much blood leaking out. He got his knife out, sawing off the pointed end of the bolt, and looked at the many-tailed fox. It quivered a little, anticipating pain. Minato grabbed the blunt end of the bolt, looking at it in the eyes. The fox's eyes were an unnatural shade of violet. They were hypnotic but pleaded with him to make whatever he was doing quick. Ripping the bolt out, it yowled in agony for a moment. Minato held his hand up, stopping it from getting up.
"You're starting to freely bleed, please give me a few minutes, Kitsune-san." Minato begged, his hands together.
The large fox, a Kitsune, just looked at him. Watching as he reached behind, into his pouches. He pulled out a needle with thread on it. Sewing the wound close, Minato snapped the wire off, and then put honey over the wound. The fox being looked confused but waited patiently. Minato tore some clothed off a roll, binding it around the Kitsune's leg. Not too tight to cut off circulation, but enough that it's wound wouldn't be uncovered. While doing so, he noted a cut on its cheek. He reached over, applying honey to the wound, along with another small bandage tied around it's neck to cover it.
Minato smiles brightly, helping it up, "You're free to go, Kitsune-san!"
The fox being launched itself into the forest, its five tails swishing about. It stopped, looking back at the young man. The teen had his hand raised up, waiving at it. It found itself reaching out with its paw, trying to waive back at him. Minato looked confused but continued to watch it. It eventually stopped and took off into the deeper forest of Kashima Island. Minato sighed and got back to looking for the traps.
It took a few hours, but he managed to succeed. Walking back towards the stone tent, he opened the wool flap to see his father sleeping. Sighing, he exited the tent. He'd tell his father about his mistake when he woke up. Sitting there, he looked at the clouds going by over him. Watching as snow fell around them, he got out his small notepad. An ink pen with it, he began to think of a perfect summary of the events in his journal. Detailing the encounter with the mythological Kitsune, a being seen as sign of their God of Shinobi. He finished writing, and then jotted down a quick haiku in the journal to summarize the mesmerizing events.
He heard rustling, snapping his head up. Singing filled his ears, a soft melody. A girl's voice, soft, and sweet filled the air. Walking along the trail they camped on, a girl appeared. She wore a red kimono, with cloud embroidery along it for design. She had long, flowing, crimson hair. She hummed, approaching Minato, and then stopped as she looked at him. He noted her eyes, beautiful, and violet. She smiled, shyly at him, while looking at into his own azure eyes.
"Excuse me kind sir," She greeted him. "I'm afraid of asking, but I seemed lost."
"Um, yeah sure, where are you trying to go miss?" Minato inquired as he looked at her.
She smiles, noting the blushing of his cheeks, "I'm looking for the nearest port village to Himawari."
"Oh, that'll be Shimazu, it's a few hours south from here." Minato told her, and then rubbed the back of his head nervously.
She shivered a little, hugging herself a little, "Is there anyway I can ask you for a fire?"
"Sure, you just did, wait right here!" Minato replied as he got up quickly, fetching for his shovel.
He quickly dug a pit, putting some dry cuttings of grass and wood into it. Lightning it on fire with same technique he used the Grimm, just to a smaller scale. The girl sat closer to him, finding a comfortable spot near the flame. She held her hands out to it. He noted that her nails looked well maintained, obviously this girl was of gentle birth, or kept herself well taken care of. Minato noted that she had a necklace around her neck, that a blue crystal. It seemed to glow a little, which threw him off a little, but he didn't question it. She also had very beautiful, violet, eyes that seemed to be just as mesmerizing as the Kitsune's from earlier.
The girl sighed contently, feeling warmth flow over her, "The Dark Ones are heavy around here, no?"
"Yes," Minato answered her, "I hope you're able to fight if you wish to continue."
She laughed a little, "I'm fully capable of taking care of myself, I am trained in the arts after all."
"Ah, Shinobi," Minato sighed, hiding a frown.
"No, I'm a shrine maiden at Himawari." She corrected him while stretching.
Minato sheepishly rubbed his head, "I'm sorry miss, I didn't mean to assume."
"Don't worry," She waived him off with a smile, "It happens all the time."
"What's your name?" Minato asked, watching as she got flustered a little bit.
The girl smiled brightly, declaring herself, "I am Kushina Uzumaki, maiden of The Kurama Shrine."
"Kushina, that's a beautiful name, for a beautiful girl." Minato casually flirted, leaning back.
She blushed madly, then pointed a finger at him, "Hey there slick, what's your name?"
"Minato Namikaze, son to Jiraiya," He answered as he looked at her.
Kushina chuckled, "The Legendary pervert?"
"Ah come on, is he really that bad?" Minato asked while complaining, "I just got back from the mainland after staying there for three years."
"Spying on Mistral?" Kushina inquired.
"A little, Lord Hiruzen had a tip that Mistral was talking about trying to annex Kashima." Minato explained, and then chuckled. "They think its rich in dust."
"Fools," Kushina spat out as she growled at the mention of their intent. "They'd be very foolish to challenge us, The Shizen."
"War is the last thing anyone wants," Minato said to her as he looked up into the skies. "If only people, and Faunus, could live in harmony like we do here."
"People in the mainland are always so selfish," Kushina stated as she got up, hissing when she stumbled.
Minato got up, catching her before she fell down. They stayed like that for a moment, she then got her foot, turning away from while blushing madly. He was blushing just as madly but did his best to play it off. Faking a sneeze, he rubbed the back of his head as he tried to restrike the conversation. She groaned a little, turning left foot over a few times to stretch it.
"I'm so sorry," She apologized as she whimpered a little while putting pressure back on the foot. "I must've twisted my ankle standing up."
He smiled, and then says, "I'm a trained Medical Shinobi. My mother is the best healer in Ōkami."
"I thank you, but you've been more than kind enough to me." She tried to waive him off, but already saw on his knees.
She bit her lip, raising up her hakama a little, exposing her ankle. He put his hand on it, which sent electricity through her. He noted what looked like a small scar on her calf but didn't pay too much mind to it. Grabbing some ointment, he applied it to her ankle, massaging it in. To say that Kushina Uzumaki was tomato red would be an understatement, but she pushed past it allowing him to heal her. As he was done, he got up, smiling.
"Feeling better? It's a special blend I make myself, my mother taught me." He told her as he sealed the jar.
She nodded, smiling, "Thank you. My ankle feels a lot better, I really should be going, I'm expected soon in day at Himawari…I'm already late."
Minato grabbed her shoulder, smiling, "At least let me feed you first! The journey to Shimazu may just be a few hours, but its cold, you'll need the strength."
Smiling, Kushina just locked eyes with him, and nodded.
Jiraiya woke up, hearing the sound of a girl giggling. He walked out of the stone tent, watching as Minato continued talking to the crimson haired girl. He smiled, neither of them taking notice of him. He walked back into the tent and looked at Minato's journal. He opened it and noted an entry for today. He read over it and read over it again. His eyes widened, he snuck back out of the tent, looking at the girl sitting next to him. Violet eyes, crimson hair, she also had pronounced canine teeth. He gripped the journal, hard, and wanted to intervene. However, he saw Minato smiling, enjoying the conversation.
She didn't seem there to harm him, nor trick him. If anything, the being simply was enjoying his company. She took notice of Jiraiya, however, very soon. Minato stopped talking, motioning for his father to join them. Joining them around the camp fire, the older man grunted while sitting down. He smiled at his son but observed the girl.
His son was green in these matters still, but he could tell right away. She was slender, but he saw she was already coiled to run away if needed. Her obi in her hakama shifted ever so slightly, indicating that she was using her tails as a belt. He noted the fresh scent of honey, remembering the fox yowling in pain from earlier in the day. Perhaps his traps worked a little too well for the Kitsune herself to get caught. Good thing it wasn't a prized bull of a deer, The Nara often could very well be coming after him for compensation.
She noted that he was staring, "H-hello?"
"Oh, sorry my dear, I space out sometimes," Jiraiya laughed off as he looked into her eyes.
Her pupils flexed a little, indicating she was having adrenaline flow into her system. She moved closer to Minato but kept eye contact with him. He didn't make any sudden moves, but he knew she knew that he was on to her! Minato seemed to feel the tension in the air but smiled regardless. Jiraiya smiled, breaking the tension, and looked away to make her calm down.
"Another space out dad, you aren't going crazy on me, are you?" Minato inquired playfully.
Jiraiya chuckles, "No son, not yet. Can you please get some rest, you've been up all day in the cold."
"I'm fine, really," Minato protested as he looked at girl. "Kushina-san, and I have been talking the day away."
"Kushina," His father rolled off his tongue, "That's a beautiful name."
"T-thank you," Kushina bowed in respect, her slightly pointed ears showing from her hair.
Minato laughed, and looked at her apologetically, "Sorry if he's being weird."
"No, he's fine, Minato-san." She added the honorific to his name, smiling while blushing a little.
Jiraiya looked into her eyes, searching for any hint of malice. Finding none, he watched as Minato got tired, starting to yawn. He noted that despite what he said, he'd be going to sleep soon. She was looking more nervous by the second, and finally she got up.
"Anyway, Minato-san your dad is right. You fought Grimm today, from what you told me, and saved a sacred creature of these woods. You should know that Lord Kurama will show favor to you," Kushina stated in a hurry. "Like I said earlier, I need to get to Himawari."
"Okay," Minato sighed as he got up. "Is there any chance I'll see you again?"
Kushina smiled, but it quivered a little, "I don't know to be honest."
The young man sighs, and then held out his fist, "It was good meeting you, Kushina-san."
"Likewise, Minato-san," She said with a small smile.
She watched as he walked away, yawning before entering the stone tent. Jiraiya stood there, looking at her. Watching her face became crestfallen, he gave a sigh of relief. He activated the silencing seal he placed on the tent, confident enough he hidden it to where his son couldn't find it. The man looked at her, and then spoke up.
"Listen, I know what I might say will hurt you. However, understand that I'm just trying to sense out your intentions. Not everyday a Kitsune shows itself to someone, let alone comes back in a human form." Jiraiya revealed to her that he knew with a calm demeanor. "I just want to know what you're plans are from here on?"
Kushina smiled sadly, she held her hand, "I wanted to give him this."
She held a small charm in her hand. It was for luck, Jiraiya saw the Shizen Kanji on it. He looked at her, and then smiled. He took it into his hand. The girl lowered her gaze, and then turned to look at the stone tent. She whimpered as she started to walk away. Jiraiya put a hand on her shoulder, making her stop. She looked up, being greeted by a much warmer smile than earlier. The Kitsune girl looked at him, confused, especially when he handed her the charm back.
He spoke with warmth, "I think my son would agree with me on this. He didn't do it expecting an award. I can't tell you to see him again, but if you find it in your heart to do so…I have a feeling I can trust you."
She smiles brightly, then took the charm back, bowing. "Thank you, Namikaze-sama."
"No sama here," Jiraiya corrected her kindly. "Just call me Jiraiya-san, and go on, get to your Fox's Wedding."
Kushina was surprised, looking at him, "How did you know?"
"Sun Showers become common around this time of year," Jiraiya revealed as he smiled. "I married my wife during one."
The Kitsune smiled brightly as she started run, "Tell Minato that if he wants to see me, that I'll be back in the spring!"
Jiraiya nodded, watching her transform, and dashing into the deadwood. He looked at the stone tent, taking a double take as he thought Minato was standing there. Luckily, he wasn't, and his father could just hold onto his son for a little while longer. He kicked the fire outside the tent out, and then noticed there was sunflowers growing where she had been sitting down. He quickly plucked them up, intending to give to his son. After all, he'd be back here in the spring, he knew that the young man was smitten by her. He was just happy that this Kitsune was the benevolent kind. As for what she said about the God of Shinobi blessing Minato, perhaps she never could understand the magnitude of what she said.
Stretching, he watched as the winter snow began to fall again. He hoped the Kitsune girl would make it to Himawari in time, Fox Weddings were a special event for her people after all.
Kushina, that name sounded familiar to him though, perhaps he heard from someplace before?
Author's note*
"Hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Kitsune. I went with a little bit of a different start this time around. I hope this gets you hooked for the adventures to come. For those that are wondering where the Islands of Kashima, Ōkami, and Himawari are in Remnant exactly, they're actually present of the world map of Remnant. It's the three islands just below Mistral, with the nearest island being Kashima. I hope adding this new faction doesn't throw anyone off, but it gives me a lot to play with in the near future.
Anyway, thank you, make sure to follow/review to keep updated! PM any questions you may have, I'll try to give you an non-spoiler answer."
-Blazeraptor54