Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Chapter 11- Rainy Day Rest

[Keeno POV]

We spent three days traversing the No-Man’s-Land.  Most of the time we walked through either fields or forests.  And I have to say, it is not fun walking through forests in the body of a child.  My legs are too short and the terrain drained my stamina way too fast for my liking.  I ended up being carried by Fia a lot of the way.  Today we were sitting in a cave we found along the way because it started to rain.  Even then I was a bit nervous about stepping foot in a cave again, but the displeasure of getting soaked won over the fear of being in a cave.

“…” (Keeno)

“What’s up, Keeno?” (Fia)

“It’s kind of funny, isn’t it?  How not wanting to get wet wins over the trauma of entering a cave, which, I remind you, killed me in my last life.” (Keeno)

{Well, getting your tail wet and not having any proper way of drying it is one of the worst feelings ever, so it makes sense to me.}

“The heat I produce would be enough to dry my tail and body quickly though.” (Keeno)

{Doesn’t matter.  It’s the feeling of your tail getting wet and staying that way with no input of your own that’s the worst part.}

“…Enlightenment!” (Keeno)

“Rasu, stop giving her weird viewpoints.” (Fia)

{It’s not weird if it’s the truth!}

I laughed at the whole interaction.  It had been a long time since I felt this kind of peace.  Even back with Saki and then with Emma, we always had to keep some form of distance.  Same with Sigurd.  And while it was like this a few times while we traveled to get out, there was still this looming sense of caution.  Now though, we could relax a little more.  I walked over and sat in Fia’s lap while looking out at the rain falling outside.

“Mmmm.  Warm.” (Fia)

“Hehehe.” (Keeno)

{…}

“Don’t worry, Ama.  When we see each other again, I’ll hug you and not let go until I’m literally torn from your grasp.” (Keeno)

{Acceptable.}

We sat in silence again, the sound of the rain a pleasant white noise that made me sleepy.

“Hey Fia.” (Keeno)

“Hmm?” (Fia)

“What is the place we are going to like?  What was it called, Solheim?” (Keeno)

“Snowy, open, peaceful.  Just a perfect place for you to grow and a perfect environment for practicing your magic since things there don’t easily burn.  Also, no Dead Zone.” (Fia)

“I thought Dead Zones were a good thing though?  Not counting how easily they lead to mortal corruption.” (Keeno)

{They are, but I’m worried about something to do with them.  Since you have the Authority of Death, even in a sealed state, the undead trapped inside might be attracted to you instinctually.  Also, there is no telling what else that Authority can do still sealed, like how you can see the color of souls.  If there is some sort of empathic ability to hear the laments of the souls of the departed, it might negatively affect you.  I don’t want to take any chances until I know you are strong enough physically and mentally to be able to handle it.}

Ama’s overwhelming thoughts about keeping me safe made me feel all warm inside.  Even if, to normal people, this would seem overprotective, I reveled in the feeling of being wanted and loved to such an extent.

“Keeno, calm down, it’s getting hot in here.  I normally wouldn’t mind it, but with the rain, it’s going to get humid and neither you nor I will like that experience very much.” (Fia)

“Sorry, I was just really happy.” (Keeno)

“I get it.  Rasu has that effect on people, though I guess for the two of you, it’s even more effective.” (Fia)

“…Fia…is nice…as……” (Keeno)

The atmosphere finally got to me, and I drifted off to sleep.  The next time I woke up, the rain had stopped.  I was still in Fia’s lap, but she was leaning against the wall of the cave, also asleep.

“Hey Ama.”

{Yes?}

“Hehe.  I just wanted to hear your voice.  I didn’t realize how much I would miss hearing it, even if to us, it felt like an hour at most since we met.  It’s hard to explain, but when I first saw you, it was like my soul was complete.  Like I had been waiting to meet you and that was the sole purpose of my life until that point.  The feeling of elation was overwhelming, and then I wasn’t there anymore.  After that and five more years of it, I just want to hear you speak.”

{All you need do is ask.  I’ll talk with you about whatever you want.  If that’s not enough, I’ll sing to you, though I’m not very good at it.  If that still isn’t enough, then I’m sure we could figure something out.}

“It’s enough.”

I was watching the nature outside the cave while chatting about anything and everything with Ama.  When Fia started waking up, I got to experience something interesting.

“Keeeenoooooo.  Soooo warm.  Let Big Sis Fiametta pamper you.” (Fia)

I was then pulled into Fia’s arms and treated like a body pillow.  She kept rubbing her cheek on my hair and she kept squeezing me.

“F-Fia!  C-c-can’t breathe!  Ama h-help!” (Keeno)

{FIAMETTA I COMPELL YOU TO RELAESAE MY FATED ONE!}

“…Rasu, why are you yelling?” (Fia)

{Before that, let Keeno go.}

“Eh?  AH!  IMSOSORRYKEENO!” (Fia)

Fia released me just as the world around me was turning dark.

“*GASP*” (Keeno)

{Fia…}

“I’m so so so so so sorry.” (Fia)

I couldn’t answer as I was too busy breathing as much air as I possibly could.  Once I was sure I was no longer in danger of suffocating, I sat up.

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea for me to sleep in your lap anymore.” (Keeno)

Fia sat there hugging her knees and tears in the corners of her eyes.

“I’m sorry.  I’ll never sleep again.” (Fia)

{…}

“…” (Keeno)

I moved over and patted Fia on the head.

“There, there.” (Keeno)

“*sniff*  Keeno, are you sure you are mentally older than five?  This is so cute that it doesn’t seem like you are.” (Fia)

“I take offense to that.  I will have you know that mentally, I am now 29!” (Keeno)

“…” (Fia)

“What?” (Keeno)

“You really didn’t live too long back in your old world.” (Fia)

“Hey, back there we were lucky if we lived to see 100.  And even then most of the people that made it there couldn’t do much due to being that old.” (Keeno)

{That’s so sad.  Even humans in this world live to at least 200 naturally.  Though that is more to do with the Dead Zones than anything else.}

“…” (Keeno)

“And even without being immortal like you are now, you’d live to at least 500 since you are a kitsune.” (Fia)

“Wait, I’m immortal?” (Keeno)

{Not in the true sense, just in the longevity sense.  And we don’t know if the Authority of Death will keep you from dying, but I don’t want to test that out.}

“……” (Keeno)

“Anyway, I think we should wait until morning before continuing on.  If we do that and don’t get delayed again, we should arrive in Nidavellir before the day of Solar Convergence.” (Fia)

{I’m looking forward to that day.  I hope Keeno will be able to come to me.}

“I hope so as well.” (Keeno)

Chaos Realm:

Luna: The more I watch them, the more I want to bless them with my Fluff Blessing.

You’ll be able to meet them in person soon.

Tamamo: That will be a fun time.

Luna: Indeed.

Astraea: PAPA!

Hey, my little kit.  Hello Evelyn.

Evelyn: *waves*

Order: Evelyn, did your mother come with you?

Evelyn: Which one?

Order: In-chan.

Crisis: Naturally!  Evelyn told me there was something interesting going on here and I couldn’t miss out.  Also, hello Luna, Tamamo.

Luna: Hey.

Tamamo: Hello.

Watch yourself Crisis.  No bringing more insanity than needed yet.

Crisis: I like that yet part.