Last Revised on: 12/2/22
This story is based on the anime! Not manga! After Demon capital, I will change some characters' futures.
Kitsune's Goddess
Chapter 1
-The Goddess of Prosperity-
Long ago, where the birth of Kyoto has yet not been named lies the Inari Shrine. A handsome male and his attractive mate visit the shrine so frequently that local people believed them to be messengers of the Gods and enshrined them there. These pair are companions of a Deity who lives within the Shinto shrine. Born with the legendary name "Inari", whom everyone claims to be "The Deity of Fox."
'Inari be, ever with me
By this stone of red, let love be fed
When at my side, let love there abide.'
Whimsical chant in voices of hopeful belief. The ringing of bells and the rattling of coins. Eyes fluttering, opening to the rays of light. Taking in the first breath of life, the Deity is born. Created by belief, the townspeople call me "Inari," where I lay on the Inariyama hills in southwestern Kyoto.
As a young Goddess, I knew not what purpose I served as I sat at the entrance of the shrine. Watching my surrounding, I learn that I cannot be seen by human eyes. I am just a small child with dark curious eyes and hair as black as the night sky. An unbreakable fluorescent string tied to my ankle like a shackle. Tied to the shrine, I am unable to leave.
In the year 711, Heian Period, I learn many things about myself and the people. I am the Japanese kami of foxes of fertility, love, rice, tea, and sake. Also of agriculture and industry. I am also known as "The Goddess of Prosperity."
I have many believers come to visit my shrine. The people pray and ask for a successful Harvest and finding eternal love. But even with all the attention, my heart still quivers with loneliness.
In the year 783, a young traveling monk came to visit, carrying with him two white foxes with eyes of gold. And for the first time, I was seen through the eyes of another being. The young monk, named Kukai, seeing a Deity for the first time fell in deep fondness as he raise me as if I was his own child.
For a young monk, he is very wise. He teaches me the values of life and the outside world beyond this shrine. I look in wonder and wish for many years to travel the said world, but as a Deity, I could not.
The shackle that is tied around my ankle holds me in my place for I feel like no Goddess, but a prisoner of this place.
"I envy the free spirit of a human being." I once said to Kukai. We sat on the back veranda of the shrine, overlooking the garden. My fox friends snuggled up against my legs.
My longing eyes wander through the woods as the tree branches sway. A gentle breeze blew through the shrine and grace our backs, causing our hair to stir. Kukai tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear with such gentleness, I turn my attention to his smiling face.
Kukai's hand pats the top of my head and ruffles up my hair to initiate he understands my wish. A loving habit of his whenever he knows I am feeling down.
Kukai knew that I yearn to go outside of this shrine. He has tried numerous times to break the fluorescent shackle, but his attempts were fruitless.
Close to the end of the year 816, Kukai is setting out to leave on another long journey. Kukai is now an old man of 60. As his parting gift, he leaves his two foxes with me and requested the relocation of my shrine to Fushimi, Saikyo which was later in the years renamed Fushimi, Kyoto. It's always busy in that town so I won't ever get lonely.
Compare to Kukai's old age, I only age by a few years. I no longer look like a young child, but a preteen of age 16 in human years. My dark hair is now extended towards my mid-back. Even if I am over a hundred years old, I still act like a child because it is hard to bear knowing someone you admire is suddenly going away.
"Do not fret, my young Inari," Kukai says as he wipes my tear-stained cheek with his thumb. "My absence will just be a temporary matter for I shall return after my journey."
Kukai seeing my unsatisfied look gave me a reassuring pat on the head and says, "I will miss you little Inari and if I somehow stumble upon misfortune, I pray that you will find many other companions who will love you more than any father could."
My heart moved at his speech as I embrace Kukai until his departure. Afterward, I was moved to the bustling town of Fushimi and the builders showcased my shrine as one of the most beautiful places to visit.
Throughout the years, I watch thousands of Torii gates being built down the mountain path. Creating a long and never-ending red pathway toward the peak of the mountain where my shrine stands. My shrine soon became so popular, the people had to build a second shrine at the bottom of the mountain to compensate for the overgrowing visitors. Guaranteeing I will never disappear, but it also guarantees I will have fewer chances to see people if they prefer to pray at the bottom of the mountain.
Kukai didn't return as I watch the rise of yokai ascending from the earth. Good and evil of all kinds. Later in the years, I discover that my foxes were yokai descendants as they can transform themselves into human beings and wander about the streets without the slightest suspicion.
Many lonely years pass, and my patience is at its end. I have lost hope of finding a companion. I am anxious and frustrated as I did not care how I use my power as a Deity. I did not care if I help a demon fox find love and bore a child of the devil.
The mother's name was Hagoromo Gitsune, and her beloved son Semei(Nue). The first sight of Nue's beauty and power brought me down to my knees. My eyes were in astonishment. I fell in love with him at first sight. I was infatuated with the Demon from Hell as he was with me, but my love did not last very long.
I ask of Nue to free me from my prison, but even as powerful as he could not break this shackle.
'For only the purist of heart and the mind of gold could the shackle be broken.'
Seeing that I was useless to Nue, he abandoned me. His false love for me has never been more than a mere tool.
I fell in love with a Demon from Hell and have been punished with a broken heart. I acted against my better judgment so I was to suffer the consequence. I vow that day that no longer will I fall so quickly into the hands of beauty and never again act so selfishly.
Year 1609
"Inari be, ever with me
By this stone of red, let love be fed
When at my side, let love there abide."
A young ayakashi of 300 years chanted outside of my shrine. I watch through the cracks of my door and peek out at him in curiosity. It was a strange sight because it has been many years since the last ayakashi asked for a favor from me. Ayakashis, yokais, and Gods do not coexist for they have different opinions and beliefs. But this ayakashi caught quite an interest in me.
If this ayakashi were human, he would be in his mid-twenties. His two-tone color hair of goldish-white on top and midnight black on the bottom; spiked with perfection and tied at the end in a ponytail. Their eyes of melted gold sparkled in the summer sunlight and ink-like markings were imprinted under his eyes and hair. His very expensive-looking red cloak snugged closely over his black kimono as it framed his sculpted body. Feeling distracted, I force my eyes to slide away from his open chess and down to his feet as I stare at his Japanese sandals and thought of the strange yakuza vibe he's giving off as he awaits a reply. When there were none, he repeated his chant once more.
"Inari be, ever with me
By this stone of red, let love be fed
When at my side, let love there abide."
The corner of his mouth curved up into an amused smile as he continue, "Rumor has it, your beauty is so great. I ask of one beauty to open her gate."
The handsome ayakashi chanted again and again with an added spin of his own words. He said the lines like a song with his deep symphonic voice. His slim fingers grab the rope that reaches the bell as he tugs at it lightly and the chime rings musically.
I dare not move from my hiding place, because I knew that I can be seen by the eyes of an ayakashi. My heart did a summersault when his golden eyes flicker up directly at my hidden spot, causing me to catch my breath. The ayakashi toss gold coins into the offering box in front of him but never took his eyes off where I was standing.
As if he knew I was there, the corner of his lips turn up into a breathtaking smile.
"I see you." He stated in absolute determination, it causes me to take a step back as I bump into something behind me. Before I could react, a hand grab my wrist and whirl me around. That person was none other than the handsome ayakashi.
The ayakashi entraps my body with his other arm, tightening his hold as he playfully stares down at me. I was speechless beyond my words. He smile and said, "I have found you, Goddess of Prosperity."