Disclaimed: I do not own Fire Emblem or any of its characters!

Japanese Kitsune Folklore with a twist?

"Corrin. You need to get married."

"You're a very pretty girl, why don't you have a husband yet?"

"What about that man next door? His family is nice enough, and I'm sure he'll take good care of you."

Marriage, Corrin sighed at the thought, the cool mountain air cooling her heated thoughts. Lately it seemed everyone was pressuring her into marriage. Both her mother and father had passed away, leaving her in the care of her eldest brother Ryoma. He had been married for sometime, along with her elder sister, her two younger siblings were unmarried as well. Being the third in her family line, Corrin was next in line, and expected to be married. Corrin had to repress yet another groan. The man, or rather the ninja next door was nice enough but...There was nothing there, no one seemed to make her heart race in her chest. Everyone in her family, even her younger unmarried siblings seemed to have someone in which they could be with, Sakura had caught the eye of a certain samurai, and Takumi was valiantly pursuing a songstress.

Corrin on the other hand had plenty of suitors tossed her way. All of them nice, handsome, and honorable but none of them ever creating a spark. What created the spark she was looking for, Corrin did not know. It wasn't as if she was picky, or difficult, and if push came to shove she'd marry when her brother decided that she needed to be married. However, for now Corrin had yet to find someone close to what she was looking for...

Snap!

A stray branch snapped beneath her foot, the sound echoing in the silence of the forest. Frozen, Corrin stopped glancing about to make sure she had not drawn any attention unto herself. Nothing but trees looked back at her, confirming to Corrin that she was completely, and utterly alone. "I'm too easily spooked. I'm a grown woman after all." She adjusted the basket of baked goods in her arms. The scent of the pastries made her stomach growl, she had gone a village over to procure these treats for her family. It was a rather long journey by road, but if one took a shortcut through the woods then they'd be back in Hoshido Village before nightfall. Travel through the woods was usually frowned upon, especially alone. If Ryoma found out that had dared to venture through by herself he would certainly ground her. Various myths surrounded the forest, most of which involving spirits, stray gods, and mischievous animals. Each time she had traveled through the woods, none of those apparitions had appeared. Now she had grown accustomed and even comfortable with the quiet serenity of the forest. It was a welcomed place for her to clear her thoughts and voice her complaints, a place where no one but the occasional skittish forest creature would hear.

"A husband…"

She sighed this time out loud, "I don't want to marry the ninja next door, or any ninja for that matter." Her feet steadily carried her forward, unaware of her surroundings as she voiced her thoughts, "Nor do I want to marry a samurai, or any other man from our village." It wasn't that she was opposed to marriage, "I just want a husband who…" Describing her ideal husband to no one but herself was embarrassing, enough so to make her pause before speaking, "Strong, handsome, can appreciate me, and isn't stoic but is fun-Ah!" Her foot had got caught in a root causing Corrin to fall flat on her face.

"Oh who am I kidding! There's no such man in our village and even if there was he'd never marry a-" As she recovered from her fall, Corrin rubbed away the dirt from her face. Her basket of baked goods had fallen with her, a few of the rolls having fallen out of it. Wanting to collect the baked goods as quickly as possible, Corrin hurriedly stuffed them back in her basket, but one pastry had rolled farther away then the rest.

"Oh my!"

Corrin's hand had reached out, but stopped hovering over the fallen food. Sleek, beautiful, and caramel in color sat a fox just out of her reach, it's head cocked to the side as if in question. "Hello there…" She pulled the bread back towards her form, eyeing over the creature. Corrin was unarmed but a fox knew better than to attack a human anyways right? "How long have you been there?" Standing up, Corrin brushed any stray dirt off of her kimono, her gaze never leaving the beautiful fox in front of her. Realizing she was actually expecting an answer from the creature, Corrin flushed. "Well, I hope you didn't hear my little rant about husbands and what I desire from one. If you did I hope you don't tell anyone." It's head cocked to the other side now, tail swishing behind it in expectancy, "Oh don't look at me like that." Corrin crouched as best she could, holding out the roll that had strayed farther away from the rest, a token of her friendship, "If I give you this you'll keep my secret right?" The fox got up from its haunches and prowled closer, cautiously sniffing at the offering. One would think that the young woman would be more wary about feeding a wild animal, especially a fox, but the possibility of it biting her never crossed her mind. Being too trusting, even towards animals was something that Corrin was more than a little guilty of.

It took the offering, securing it between rows of sharp teeth, and darted past her as quick as lightning. Her hand was unharmed by the creature but it had startled her enough to knock her over again. Once more Corrin clambered up to her feet, brushing any dirt or dust off of her form. She left the forest, the strange encounter having left her head. As well as her favorite hair clip…

"My hair clip!"

Corrin cried out as she looked in the mirror, pale fingers picking through her dark hair. The young woman had mad it all the way back home, only to realize that she had dropped it at some point. "I must have knocked it out of my hair when I fell!" She was quick to try and rush out of her home, only to have Ryoma stop her in the entry way,

"Where are you going so late?The sun had already set!"

"I dropped my hair clip on the way home! I'll be very quick!"

Corrin didn't dare mention where she had dropped it unless she wanted a harsh scolding, and to be banned from leaving the house ever again. "Don't worry brother!" She called out, already rushing out the door with a wave of her hand. Ryoma had made a move to grab her but she was far too nimble, and in his armor he didn't hope to catch up to her. Her sandals clapped down the stone streets of Hoshido village, already the streets were empty and most were comfortable in their honest. Which let Corrin slip into the woods with ease, no one around to have possibly caught sight of her.

During the day the woods were peaceful, and tranquil. At night it was as if it was a completely different place. "It's so dark." The canopies blocked any moonlight, making it difficult for Corrin to make out the path in front of her. Worse yet there was an ominous feel to the woods that was not felt during the daylight hours. This ominous feeling sent a chill down her spine, and made her realize why everyone in the village was so wary about entering it.

"I had to have dropped it around here."

She fumbled through the dark, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. What caused the ominous feeling she did not know, nor did she want to find out. Perhaps it was just natural human instinct to be fearful in the dark woods. A nearby twig snapped, causing Corrin to squint her eyes trying to discern what the source of the noise was. Her eyes having adjusted somewhat to the darkness, saw the familiar form of the fox from earlier.

"You scared me!"

She clutched at her heart, trying to calm its beating. The creature made a sound akin to a snort, causing Corrin to look at it again. "Wait is that my?" Perched precariously between its teeth was the hair clip that Corrin had lost, "Did you find that for me?" She inquired, holding out a delicate hand to the fox. An almost magical moment of bond between man and beast, occurred between them as the fox placed the hair clip upon her outstretched palm. It's soft whiskers brushed against her skin, and like a cat it nuzzled it's head against her, it's fur delicious against her skin. "You're awfully affectionate aren't you?" Suddenly the forest didn't seem so ominous anymore, not with the fox to aid her. Cautiously she pressed scratched behind its ears, an action it seemed to enjoy. "I really must get going now. My brother must be worried sick." She sighed, the fox once again tilting it's head. Then without warning it dashed off, unlike last time the young woman retained her balance, and did not fall over in fright.

"What an odd fox..."

Her unlikely friend had departed so Corrin was once again left alone, and the ominous chill had returned stronger than ever. "I ought to get back home..." She turned only to be confronted with a man, but something was off about him. His clothes were not from the area, he was a foreigner, but there was an aura about him. Dark, sinister, a faint purple glow seemed to surround him. A club hung at his waist, and the look in his eyes suggested he was looking for blood, or worse. One of her hands curled into fists, the only manner in which she could defend herself. Despite his malignant intentions, Corrin dare not attack first, it simply wasn't in her to start a conflict. However, to talk her way out of one was a different story,

"I'm sorry you startled me."

Growl

"You don't look very well. There's a medic in the nearby village, I'm sure they can tend to you."

He stepped closer

"I'll be going now."

At this he lunged, and Corrin attempted to get out of the way. Taking off in a run, Corrin thought she had escaped him until a harsh tug on her long dark hair had sent her backwards. "Ah!" She seethed, hands clutching at her now aching head, the sharp tug more than a little unpleasant. Another sharp tug, and Corrin seethed, trying to flee. "Let go!" She pulled against him, gritting her teeth, but another sharp tug and an arm had snaked around her waist, a hand at her throat. His breathing was heavy and foul making her nose scrunch up. Still, she did not stop flailing until the hand at her throat tightened. "Gah!" She pulled frantically at the hand, tears forming. Her nails dug into pale flesh but to no avail. Suddenly her vision was fading, panic coursing through her veins, but she could not stop the blackness that was beginning to surround her. With a chocked whine her body went limp, and her mind blank.

"Oh Corrin!"

"What happened?"

"Is she gonna be okay?"

Warmth, Corrin felt it all around her, and the voices of her siblings were near. Her head hurt, as did her throat, and the pull of sleep was just too strong. If she opened her eyes she'd have to return to reality, and for some reason Corrin didn't think reality would be very pleasant. Sleep was a better alternative, even if it was restless, or filled with nightmares, they were just nightmares. Nothing compared to what had happened, or what she thought had happened-

"Yes I believe so. A man possessed by some sort of spirit had attacked her. He was attempting to-"

A voice that did not belong to one of her siblings, rang through her ears, pulling her out of her foggy sleep. The voice was, rich, filled with pain as it described what had happened, but there was another quality to it that was hard to describe. It sounded like the kind of voice that one loved to listen to, a voice that could tell fabulous and excitable stories. Unfortunately, the story of her attack in the forest was anything but fabulous. Wait! How would that voice know what had happened between her and the man in the woods? Her brow furrowed, and she cracked an eye open but all she saw was the back of an unfamiliar man. From her perspective he had broad shoulders, absolutely impeccable posture, a striped scarf tied in a bow about his neck, and caramel colored hair that seemed so shiny and soft that she had a strange desire to touch it.

"...Force himself upon her. Luckily, I was passing by when I heard her scream. I managed to chase him off before he could do any permanent damage to her."

"Y-You saved me!?"

Corrin quit pretending to sleep, and sat up in her futon, all of those within the room turning to look at her with a startled look. Hinoka was the first to rush towards her and wrap her arms around her with a loud sob, Sakura followed suit only a moment later. Both Takumi and Ryoma seemed surprised but relieved that their sister had finally awoken from her slumber. Unable to help herself, Corrin's arms wrapped about her sisters, but her gaze couldn't help but fall upon the stranger who had also turned in surprise. His face was handsome, youthful, mischievous, and wise all in one. It seemed capable of expressions that no one in the village could manage, someone that was not from Hoshido, though his garb suggested that he was in fact a resident. "I wouldn't say saved." He gave a smile, a half smile really, that made Corrin's heart melt, "More like I chased him off, or maybe scared him off with some very believable bear like noises." Corrin's voice got stuck in her throat unsure of what to say, or-

"How can we ever repay you for saving our sister?"

Ryoma had beaten her to the punch. It would figure that the eldest and most responsible of them would already be trying to work out a way to reward the man. His kindness, and bravery needed to be rewarded, with whatever the man desired. Money or mere items would be of no trouble for their family, they were pretty well off. Not that they were a particularly material family, or waved around their wealth. This was the one circumstance in which, their money would most certainly be flaunted. Ryoma was about ready to make the offer, of money, a weapon, anything but the male spoke, his warm gaze not once leaving hers,

"Actually, this may be asking a lot but...I was hoping to ask for her hand in marriage."

What?

1 year later

"Kaden!"

She waddled around their home, in search of her elusive husband, one hand supporting her protruding belly. Sometime had passed since his impromptu proposal, and their marriage. Sometimes just thinking of Ryoma's, and her siblings shocked expressions just made Corrin laugh. It took quite a bit of convincing for her older brother to concede, and even for Corrin to agree to marrying the, at the time, complete stranger. He had saved her life, and her chastity, rather ironic considering her life was now in his hands, and her virginity was to be taken by him. Even though he had been her savior, marriage to a complete stranger was unheard of, impossible, and Ryoma did his best to try and talk the male into some other reward. Quite the amusing sight considering Ryoma had previously been one of the many individuals to shove suitors at her, but now that one had come to them he seemed almost flustered. Of course the stranger seemed more than prepared for her family's apprehension, as well as prepared to woo her.

Kaden had proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with. On the night in which he had saved her, he was actually on his way to Hoshido village, a newcomer from a neighboring village who had bought himself a piece of farm land. He had land to his name, a farm ready to be worked, a home, and essentially everything that Ryoma required of any potential suitor. He had met her family's expectations, and had unexpectedly met hers as well. He was everything she had desired, a husband in which she had dreamed of in a forest, and at the time he was a husband that was just that, a dream. Yet there he was, exactly what she had wanted, and after getting to know the male... Marriage did not seem out of the question. Only a few weeks after their fateful encounter, Corrin had married him, with her brother's consent of course. A week after that she had moved into his place, ready to take on the role of doting housewife. However, some overprotective family members couldn't help but be overprotective, and in this case her distant relatives in the neighboring village of Nohr had taken it upon themselves to send her a dog. This dog, Keaton was what she named him, was to look over her in their place for they were too far away to keep a watchful eye on her, and now that she wasn't with the Hoshidian side of her family, she'd need someone to look out for her. The gesture was a sweet one, a tad overbearing but Corrin loved Keaton all the same though she could not say the same of her husband.

"Must he stay in the house?"

Corrin nearly laughed at her husband, as he hid behind a door, warm brown eyes locked onto the black and white dog resting by her feet. "He won't bite you. I don't think." Corrin added as an after though, Keaton didn't seem particularly fond of Kaden, and vice versa. "Keaton." She cooed, ushering the dog into a spare room so that her husband would finally gain the courage to enter their home. It wasn't as if his fear was completely irrational, Keaton didn't seem to like Kaden from day one, he incessantly growled at her husband despite her best efforts. However, she didn't think that the canine would actually bite her husband, "To think that my brave husband is afraid of a dog." She held out one arm to him, letting him envelop her. Unfortunately, her stomach got in the way, not that her husband seemed to mind as he pressed one palm against the round surface of it, a kick came from within. He gave her a grin that made her heart flutter for him all over again. Only a month after their marriage, and Corrin had found herself pregnant. Now she was supposed to be due any day, and the couple was more than eager for their first child, a little nervous, but excited nonetheless. Motherhood was more than kind to Corrin, giving her that happy glow that pregnant women seemed to carry. Her husband went down onto his knee's, pressing an ear to her stomach as if he might hear their child,

"I think he's saying that his father is most certainly brave, and that the dog is a demon and we should get rid of it. Ow!"

Kaden had received a harsh smack atop his head. In return Corrin received a whine accompanied with a childish pout. He wrapped his arms about her, and pressed a shower of kisses to her belly. At this Corrin smiled, giving a gentle pat to his head. His hair was just as soft as she had imagined, and she found herself unconsciously playing with silky locks whenever she had the time to. Its softness was always familiar but Corrin could never quite place why, and whenever she thought about it, her loving husband was usually there to distract her from her thoughts. Which is exactly what Kaden was doing as he tried to tug open her kimono,

"Kaden noooo! Not right now think of the baby!"

A year and a half later

Life was perfect to say the least. Their first daughter, Selkie was born a year ago. She was a bundle of joy, a tad loud, and very energetic but the two loved her all the more. Not long after the birth of Selkie, Corrin had found herself pregnant once more. She was beginning to suspect that Kaden liked her waddling around their home, and as much as she wanted to scold him for it, Corrin couldn't complain much. Other than the constant aches and pains that came with maternity. "Kaden." She called, Keaton right on her heels as she searched for her husband, one hand on her swelling stomach, its bump beginning to show through her kimono. Selkie had been put down for a nap, and Corrin desired some much need alone time with her husband. He was out in the fields, working hard to support their small but perfect family. They hardly needed much to live off of, but their income was always more than enough to live off of. Their farm produced exquisite beans, or that's what they've been told.

Just as she had suspected her husband was working hard in the fields, sweat glistening on his skin, and his caramel hair plastered to his forehead. There was always something particularly exciting about seeing her husbands brow furrowed in concentration as he worked. Again, Corrin was hit with the realization of the perfection of it all. To think that so many years ago she had such a pessimistic view of marriage and family life. If only her younger self had known that the perfect male was not some fantasy created in the woods, but merely a traveler from a village over.

"Kaden! Selkie has finally fallen asleep. I had to play with her for hours!"

At the sound of his wife's voice Kaden turned to look at her as she approached. A sudden growl from Keaton made his previously happy expression drop. Years had passed, and Keaton still seemed to dislike the presence of her husband. However, his dislike was only shown in the form of growls, and rarely did Keaton stray far away enough from her side to go near Kaden. Unfortunately, Keaton did stray from her side, rushing towards her husband, barking and growling almost wildly for reasons in which Corrin did not understand. At least not until it happened...

"I'm sorry."

Her voice shook as she sat outside their home, resting on the wooden steps. There was no one in sight, but Corrin could feel him like he was there, just out of visibility. It was nothing but a hunch though, perhaps she was just being hopeful. The air was warm, night sky clear, and the crickets seemed to chirp a sad song to match her melancholy mood. Since that incident in the afternoon with Keaton, Corrin had not seen or heard from her husband. For the first few hours she had been too shocked to properly register just what had happened but by the time nightfall had come, Corrin had found her resolve.

"Kaden, please, if you're out there just come back."

Keaton was inside, locked away in a room, not necessarily in punishment. His aggressive tendencies towards Kaden made sense now, but having Keaton at her side wouldn't do her any good in bringing her husband back home. Wind rolled through, rustling the grasses but there still was no sign of her husband. Her heart beat in worry and panic, one hand resting on her stomach, asking the child within for some sort of strength, but she only ended up feeling worse.

"P-Please come back. I-I'll m-miss you. I d-don't know i-if I-I can do this w-without you."

She sniffled, tears beginning to well up in the corners of her eyes. Again the grass rustled but this time the wind wasn't blowing. Standing before her was a caramel colored fox, it's head lowered in cautious, tail between its legs, and ears flat atop its head. It was the fox from the forest, the one that she had unknowingly told her secrets to, had given it a roll to keep her secrets, had found her hair pin, and was her...Husband.

"You may be a fox but you're still my husband."

Her hand stretched out in invitation

"You are still the father of my children."

Its soft fur brushed against her hand

"And I still love you."

Instead of fur there was hair beneath her hand, her husbands head pressed against her palm. He nuzzled against it for a moment, his human form nude before her. His usual lopsided grin was nowhere to be seen, and he seemed almost guilty. There were many creatures in the forest, Corrin knew this when she had entered it all those years ago. There were spirits, roaming gods, and mischievous animals. From a young age she had been taught the various legends that surrounded the forest, learned of certain animals that would take human form, the fox being one of them. His lips connected with hers, and she cried, glad to have her husband back. Even if it was only for a moment, only for the night she could make it. Every kiss was an apology for having not been honest to her, and for her every kiss was an apology for not having realized all along. Regardless of his true form, she still loved him, but there were somethings that loved could not fix. Her husbands shame at having been discovered was one of them, and so he stayed the night, and left his wife in tears in the morning thinking he was gone forever. By nightfall again he would return in his human form to sleep in her arms, and leave in the morning as a fox. The cycle repeated, her married life not quite as perfect as she had thought it was, her dream of a husband in the forest a dream that only came to her at night, and by morning it was gone.

Still, she loved the man that slept in her arms, and the beautiful fox that left her in the morning.

Sorry for this really long and terrible chapter! I wrote it and I don't know how I feel about it and gah! This is based off of that one japanese legend where a man named Ono married a fox-woman, but I twisted it so that this time it was a woman who unknowingly married a fox-man. In the legend the man loved his wife even after finding out she was a fox, but she would only come to him each evening to sleep in his arms, and leave the next morning as a fox. Kind of sad huh? (I really wanted to write happy ending version of this but :( I wanted to stick to the legend

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MakingMagicalGirls