Hikari Okami: Kitsune Series

“
A tale of love that transcends time
between a demon fox and a human”

LOLAH RUNDA

Copyright 2015 by Lolah Runda

This e-book is licensed for your personal
enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other
people. If you would like to share this book with someone else,
please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re
reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased
for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and
purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of
this author.

To my
Okaasama
Mrs. Abosede Omowumi
Olukoju (nee Olorunda)

you would forever remain in my heart.

Long ago the tale of the kitsune “demon fox”
would cause fear to rise in the heart of men these fearless
creatures were known for their mischief and misfortune to mankind,
the mere mention of the name was not to be lightly spoken for
mothers say the name to strike fear into the hearts of disobedient
children.

Kyubi “nine tail demon fox” the most feared
among them for it is said to be the strongest yokai “demon” many
have come to believe it to be an immortal being who possess immense
spiritual energy, this creature having lived among humans for many
seasons now see them as weak beings easily misled by lies and quick
to betray one another, ephemeral, lacking in strength and cursed
with a short life span with this in mind the kyubi ceased entering
the human world preferring the yokai world of power, comradeship
and absolute freedom.

The yokai world which consists of various
demons some possessing features resembling those of humans, animals
or both, one in particular is the ayakashi “phantom” known for
great strength and able to co-exist in both worlds in the past some
bred among the humans which lead to the birth those who go by the
name onmyouji “demon slayer” for they possess powers similar to a
yokai.

Among the yokai and ayakashi are those who
possess great powers which set them apart from their kind for these
are said to belong to the noble family with unique bloodline for
they neither mix with others so as to retain their pure linage
these are the very elite among the yokai for their aura makes their
presence known whenever they pass by.

Thus the noble families never marry from the
lower class for in the yokai world, power is everything and those
that do not belong are treated as though they were invincible.

Chiho-sama also known by some as the kyubi ,
having taken the form of a young beautiful female yokai as one
endowed with natural grace, flowing silken platinum lavender blue
hair, eyes of glowing wine hue with characteristic piercing dark
pupil and two pointed ears of lavender blue.

For she had unrivaled powers to create and
destroy at will, great wisdom having abilities that other yokai
could only dream of; she is said to have created the very children
in whom she bore, the first Hikari followed by Taiki, Himiko and
Ayumu which all possessed unique abilities of their own.

As the leader of the yokai world she knew
what was going on concerning how the lower class yokai were
mistreated by the ones of higher class therefore she made the
decision to create a balance such that they could co-exist without
bloodshed with that in mind a meeting point was established this
was known as the yoshiwara district which was made up of various
establishments to cater to their needs for she hoped with time
there could be some among them who would lose their resentment for
each other and build a stronger bond which went beyond class.

Among the children of Chiho-sama there was
one who closely resembled her this was Hikari for he had his
mother’s facial appearance except for the eye color even his manner
of speech sounded almost like her the sharp difference between them
was the fighting skill for clearly she was the stronger one.

Taiki was the most feared among her children
for his presence created a mixture of dread, awe and reverence for
none dared to speak his name lightly some saw him as arrogant. At
times he would viciously take down the life of those he sees to be
a threat.

Himiko was a milder form of her older brother
for where he would have killed ruthlessly she on the other hand
would have inflicted injuries to her foes.

Ayumu the youngest of them possessed the
power to control life of all kind for her gentle soul served to
attract those in need of comfort and refuge, for she voice could
heal the wounded but could not bring the dead to life for once a
soul crosses into jigoku “netherworld” she could no longer be able
to rescue such soul.

Yokai that possess great power are the only
ones capable of crossing jigoku at will without any lasting
consequences.

The children of a kitsune are said to be fast
growing such that at the end of a season they become fully realized
yokai one with power to create and destroy with immortality as
their birthright. There have been an unspoken rule which must never
be broken this was made when the ayakashi breed with human women
who then gave birth to unusual children that possessed yokai power.
Anyone who was found to have broken the rule was either destroyed
or sentenced to spend a lifetime in the human world.

The dark skies above the yoshiwara district
was alight by the bright celestial lamps surrounding the place,
from the inn voices and music playing could be heard as yokai
patrons seem to be enjoying the company of their companion, for 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” whom 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 seem 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 a kitsune with pointed
ears sticking out from long hair of platinum lavender hue, with
matching eyes of dark piercing pupils having razor sharp claws that
seem to extend from slim well tended hands, dressed in pink and
gray flowery pattern kimono with feet clad in a geta “wooden
slippers” for hidden within layers of kimono was a specially made
sensu “hand fan”.

The kitsune seem to be lying on a well made
multicolor futon that was lying over the tatami “floor” while
sipping sake from a sakazuki “wine cup” as his eyes lazily followed
the movement of his companion watching her head slight bent while
playing on the koto with her finger tips dancing all over the
strings causing the room to become alive with notes which seem 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 “hair pin” and
soft eyes the color of sapphire for she was dressed in flowery red,
black, yellow and blue yukata with well tended slightly long claws
whose 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 could be so kind, I would like to change my
clothing so that I can always look my best for you”

“Do as you wish, for 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” as he dismissed her with his hand.

Standing up from the small wooden stool she
was sitting on, slowing 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 seen 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 but he hadn’t seen him in almost a season. “Was life as
guardian of the humans that hard?” He wondered within 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 length reaching half of his back having eyes of emerald hue
which was filled at the moment with amusement having well trimmed
claws protruding from his hands, dressed in 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 for words have
reached me that your mother wants you to take over from 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 is yet to tell me that, although
words also have 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 in the messenger bowed his head
as he reached into the side gathering of his Kimono for the letter
issued by Chiho-sama on bring 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 which 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, that means that was
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 as us 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
for you must never fall for a human neither lay with one for 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
for 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.

He remembered his friend’s warning to avoid
the night of the Tsuki no mangetsu “night of the lunar moon” for on
that day the onmyouji go about hunting kitsune and other yokai.

Unknown to them Kayo had overheard what was
been said as tears slowly trailed down her cheek, reaching her face
and seeing tears on her fingers made her realize how much she loved
Hikari with that came regret for she knew it was a hopeless love it
was forbidden for a“Kaze no Yuki” of the kurokumo inn to fall in
love with their patron for they are tools to bring pleasure to
their owners.

Slowly making her way away from the room
where Hikari was as she dried her eyes with the sleeves of her
yukata, Kayo resolved never to reveal the love she had for him most
especially to one who was from the strongest noble family in the
yokai world.