Fox clan's territory lies hidden behind layer after layer of woodland. The forest looks peaceful, but magic circles lurk everywhere, built to tear apart any stranger who wanders in. Fuzenkitsune leans against an old tree, quietly tracing the flow of power through the woods and the weave of the magic circle, searching in secret for weak points. He is not an intruder. A few days ago, by sheer accident, he helps the White Fox clan get rid of an enemy, and then Kuzunoha takes him in as her younger brother.

So he stays among the clan to recover from his injuries. The White Fox clan cannot quite understand a being Iike Fuzenkitsune. His strange fur, his meager power. They accept him, yet there is always a distance between them, something impossible to name. Better make my escape early. The moods of great yokai change in a blink. Calm as ever, Fuzenkitsune commits every flaw he finds in the magic circle to memory, mapping out his escape route long before he needs it.

His chance comes soon enough. On this day, fierce winds rise without warning and demon clouds churn overhead. A mighty great yokai suddenly attacks. Kuzunoha flies up at once to meet it in battle, clashing with the foe high in the sky.

Chaos sweeps through the White Fox territory inside and out. Fuzenkitsune realizes immediately that this is the perfect chance to run. Without a moment's hesitation, he slips away along the route he scouts in advance.

But his escape does not go smoothly. Several vicious yokai who sneak into the White Fox territory during the chaos crash straight into him. Their demonic aura surges, thick with murderous intent. Fuzenkitsune's gaze darkens as he prepares to fight to the death.

Just then, the guardian magic circle deep within the White Fox territory suddenly activates. Fox fire surges out in a sweeping blaze. Those evil yokai do not even have time to scream before they are wiped out on the spot and reduced to ash.

Yet Fuzenkitsune stands where he is, completely unharmed. The power of the formation rushes past him, but carries not the slightest hostility. So this is... Kuzunoha gives him free passage through the White Fox territory, without holding anything back?

Another roar shakes the sky. Kuzunoha's battle with the attacker has reached its fiercest point, and little by little, she starts to lose ground. Just ahead lies the edge of the territory. One more step, and Fuzenkitsune can leave for good. But in the end, he stops. Tch. I hate owing debts. Especially debts of gratitude.

With a soft click of his tongue, Fuzenkitsune turns and races toward the battlefield. He climbs all the way to the tallest cliff and, against the raging wind, opens his Eye of Fortune.

In an instant, the mountains, the forest, the demonic aura, the magic circle, and the flow of battle all turn into visible streams of fate before his eyes. He quickly finds the one position that can turn the whole fight.

Hey, lure that thing to the east, under the tallest cedar! He is not sure whether Kuzunoha will trust him. But high above, she does not hesitate in the slightest. Almost the moment she hears his voice, she shifts the battle and drives the invading great yokai straight toward the spot he points out.

Fuzenkitsune's eyes sharpen. With a flick of his fingertip, the dice shoots from his palm. Bang! With one crisp sound, a hidden formation buried deep in the forest suddenly springs to life. Chain-like spiritual power wraps around the great yokai in an instant, locking its body in place and bringing its movement to a violent halt. That single instant is enough. A fox dart tears through the air and pierces the creature's vital point clean through.

The great yokai falls from the sky, its body shattering before it quickly crumbles into ash. When the battle ends, Kuzunoha descends from the sky. Blood still stains her face and collar, but her expression is easy and bright.

That's my little brother for you- She reaches out and ruffles Fuzenkitsune's hair.

Don't sneak in ear rubs! Kuzunoha pretends not to hear him.

Hey, no, you should call me sister.

Come on, let me hear it.

Sister and all that...

I haven't agreed to that yet. Fuzenkitsune turns his face away, and his ears twitch awkwardly twice.

I haven't been a sister before either. So let's work hard together and become the very best brother and sister there is! The mountain wind sweeps across the sea of trees, stirring the branches into a soft rustling chorus.

Beneath the fading light, fox fire flickers in the dusk, as though it too reflects a bond not yet spoken aloud, but already taking root in silence.