Hikari Okami Kitsune Series

The dark skies above the yoshiwara district were alight by the bright celestial lamps surrounding the?place. From the inn, voices and music playing could be heard as yokai patrons seemed to be enjoying the company of their companion.

The kurokumo "dark cloud" inn, was well known among the yokai as an establishment which catered to the unique needs of all who went there.

The Kaze no Yuki "faded purity"?who have been trained from an early season to bring great pleasure to anyone who pays homage to the?kurokumo inn. Among whom was Hikari, who seemed to be well known for his frequent visits to the place.

The upper level of the inn was reserved for those of noble birth who were given the privilege of having their very own Kaze no Yuki attend to their needs, among them, was one whose beauty was highly spoken of. As a result of this, she became the companion of Hikari, she was known by the name, Kayo.

In one of the rooms was a kitsune, with pointed ears sticking out from long, platinum lavender-blue hair, with matching eyes of dark piercing pupils.

He had razor-sharp claws that seemed to extend from slim well-tended hands, dressed in a pink and gray flowery pattern kimono with feet clad in a geta "wooden slippers". Hidden within layers of kimono was a specially made sensu "hand fan".

The kitsune seemed to be lying on a well-made, multicolor futon that was laid over the tatami "wooden?floor" while sipping sake from a sakazuki "wine cup".

His eyes lazily followed the movement of his?companion, watching her head slightly bent while playing on the koto with her fingertips dancing all over?the strings; causing the room to become alive with notes which seemed to emanate from the instrument.

Kayo was one of the few yokai with delicate feminine features closely resembling those of a human; with silken raven hair held in a finely crafted kanzashi "hairpin" and soft eyes the color of sapphire.

She was dressed in a flowery red, black, yellow and blue yukata with well-tended slightly long claws, her feet were clad in white sock and geta.

After a while, her fingers stopped playing as she raised her head and turned to her patron.

"Please, Hikari-sama. Forgive me if you would be so kind, I would like to change my clothing so that I can always look my best for you."

"Do as you wish. I do not see the need for you to change what you are wearing but if it would please you, then get on with it, " He replied as he dismissed her with his hand.

Standing up from the small wooden stool she was sitting on, slowly she bowed her head to him as she said, "Please excuse me, Hikari-sama. I'll be back very soon."

Hikari watched as she left the room while he allowed his mind to be filled with the thought of his family, he remembered not seeing Taiki in almost three seasons.

The only ones that were within reach was Ayumu and Himiko, who were always busy with so many duties.

Thinking back, he remembered his friend, Ritsu-no-kami of the Inari Shrine; who had promised to pay him a visit also, but he hadn't seen him in almost a season either.

"Was life as guardian of the humans that hard?" He wondered to himself, not too long after a familiar presence was felt in the room.

"Hikari-sama, haven't I told you to always put up a barrier, you never know where your enemies may attack from, " said a yokai with hair of golden hue, streaked with a hint of brown with the length reaching half of his back.

He had eyes of emerald hue which were filled at the moment with amusement. Well-trimmed claws protruded from his hands, and he was dressed in a plain kimono of inner white and outer blue color.

"Ritsu, I just thought of you not too long before you appeared before me, be rest assured, for I never leave myself unguarded, unlike some."

"As a friend, I'm just showing my concern for you, now, let me come to the main reason why I'm here. Word has reached me that your mother wants you to take over for her as the supreme leader, is that true?"

Ritsu-no-kami asked as he watched his friend closely for any sign that he may be hiding something from him.

"Mother has yet to tell me that, although word has also reached me about it. But for now, I just want to see it as mere idle talk."

As Ritsu-no-kami was about to speak, they heard a knock at the door as a voice spoke, "Sorry for the disturbance but I have an urgent message for Hikari-sama from Chiho-sama."

Wondering what it was, Hikari responded, "You can come in."

On entering, the messenger bowed his head as he reached into the side gathering of his kimono for the letter issued by Chiho-sama.

Bringing it out, he handed it to Hikari who then read the letter, through it all, no one made a sound as they watched him; who at the moment seemed very annoyed.

"Please excuse us for I'll like to speak with Ritsu alone, " said Hikari to the messenger who, on hearing this bowed before them as he made his way out of the room.

"Ritsu you know that you and I have been friends for a long time. It is on this ground that I ask a favor from you, please allow me to take your position as guardian among the humans for a season. After which, I'll take over from mother as the next supreme ruler."

"So, it is really true, is that what the letter was about?" asked Ritsu-no-kami.

"You know my mother is never direct when she says things, according to the letter, she says that I have to take over before I celebrate my fiftieth season which to my knowledge, will be very soon."

"You do know that humans are very different from us. Some are as terrible or if not worse, but they have a great capacity to show love which goes beyond their limitation as a lesser being. Take heed never to break the rule that binds us, yokai. You must never fall for a human or lay with one. It is forbidden which is punishable by barring your entry into the yokai world; to be condemned to spend your life among the humans as one of them, although I doubt your mother would kill you for doing that even if you're supposedly immortal."

"Finally, avoid humans who possess powers like us for they are called "onmyouji", who go about sealing yokai. I was able to live among them without detection because of my unique ability to suppress my aura, making me appear human."

"Don't take me for a fool, of course, I know the rules and I'm not one to be swayed by such fleeting emotions. There are duties waiting to be fulfilled as the next supreme leader."

Ritsu-sama agreed to relinquish his position as guardian of the Inari shrine to his friend; then he went on to explain the duties expected of a guardian.