Far Away

The patterns of the cobblestone path were already beginning to look familiar to me. That didn't change the fact that I was still terribly homesick. But this morning, if all goes well, I will finally discover how I can go back to the 21st century.  

I noticed the same fox from yesterday, standing out even though it's fur was as red as the roof tiles. It smiled at me, hopping down, and I blinked my eyes twice in disbelief, wondering if it was my imagination.

The small animal followed us inside the temple and jumped on Momo's shoulder. Neither she nor Mina seemed surprised by that, so I assumed that it was a domesticated fox (or something like that).

"Good morning," I said, my voice still a bit rough from just waking up. 

"Welcome, everything is ready," Momo replied, scratching the fox's chin. She guided us to a trap door on the corner of the room. It was already open, so we walked down the stairs. 

There was an altar with two fox statues, each placed on the extremes of the surface. However, the most eye-catching thing was another living fox, who sat down beside Momo's grandmother, both in front of the altar. It had white fur and was far larger than the one who came with us.

"We'll begin now, Tsura," the elder woman announced, and I looked around to see if there was another person in the room. Instead, the white fox nodded and breathed out a fire that had a vivid blue color, igniting charcoals that were on the center of the altar.

I slowly placed my hand over my mouth as I felt my body freeze. Mina probably noticed my reaction, because she whispered to me, "That's a kitsune... some of them, like Tsura, are servants of Inari and act as messengers between the goddess and us."

Soon enough, the figure of a human was beginning to form within the flames. It was a woman with pale skin, sharp eyes, and pointy ears. She also had markings in the form of slits on both sides of her cheeks. 

"For what reason have I been summoned, Tsura?" She asked in a solemn voice that echoed like a choir of angels. 

The white fox bowed in respect, replying, "It's an honor to be in your presence, Itsuya. There has been an accident with a human. This girl unwillingly destroyed the sacred statue that guards this shrine. Ever since that, she has been transported here from the future."

The woman suddenly glanced at me, and I felt chills down my spine. She had a very intimidating atmosphere, and I didn't even dare say anything, knowing that I ruined a holy image.

"The sacred statue is responsible for the protection of the shrine. It is embedded with magic from Inari herself," she stated and, knowing that the statue was this important made me feel even worse. "Human, you must understand how serious of an offense that is. I will allow you to explain yourself."

My body was starting to shiver, but I tried my best not to let it show. I kneeled in respect, and as soon as my voice returned, I spoke, "I am deeply sorry about what happened. I-I... there was a rainstorm, and the temple was the closest place for shelter, s-so I entered... but it was dark, and I didn't see the statue and ended up collapsing against i-it."

"She speaks the truth, Itsuya... I can sense the sincerity in her aura," Tsura replied, making me feel slightly relieved."

"It's not the first time this has happened to a human. Some did it with malice — others, without intention. You were transported specifically to this time because it's the era the shrine, along with the statue, was created," Itsuya continued explaining, her calm voice unchanging. "To amend your transgression with Inari and return to your time, you will have to restore the statue."

I breathed a bit more relaxed after hearing that. So there was a way for me to go back to my old life. All I'll have to do is fix the statue. But how?

As if reading my mind, she said, "It's not a task for anyone. To be more specific, the only one who can do it is the original creator of the statue."

"This shrine's statue was crafted by Ryoma, the void fox, around 50 years ago," Tsura spoke, glimpsing at me. "He's the one who entrusted me with the safekeeping of this place, along with the Hirai family."

"Indeed," Momo's grandmother suddenly said, her brows furrowed, "It's been 25 years since anyone has last seen Ryoma. After a certain incident, he left this town and is now said to be wandering around Japan."

"How am I supposed to find him t-then?" I asked, anxiously clutching the fabric of my clothes. The thought of searching for a holy fox around Japan when there isn't even modern transportation was driving me crazy. 

"Truthfully, he has never surfaced again in the celestial realm ever since the incident. There have been reports that he was last seen by one of our kind in Ōtsu a few months ago," informed Itsuya. "I'm afraid this is all I can help you with. I'll be taking my leave now. Farewell," the woman made a swaying motion with her arm and disappeared along with the blue fire.

Almost instantly afterward, the small fox from Momo's shoulder jumped off and became shrouded in a shimmering yellow light, reappearing as a young girl. Her features were quite beautiful: large eyes with golden orbs, a pointy nose, and pink lips that here curved into a friendly smile. The thing that stood out the most was her bright red hair and wiggly fox ears of the same color. She was wearing a colorful kosode with flower patterns and a maroon hakama.

I felt like I should be getting used to this, but I wasn't in the slightest, and my eyes were widened by the scene I just witnessed. That cute little fox was a girl all along? 

"If you're going after my father, I'd like to come along!" She said in a friendly tone, extending her hand to me. "I'm Minatozaki Sana! Nice to meet you!"

"N-Nice to meet you too," I replied, my trembling hand shaking hers. "Your father?"

"Mmhmm," she replied, and her voice was unwaveringly cheerful. "Although I never properly met him, which is why I wanna go with you."

"Perfect, you and Momo will go with Nayeon, then," Mina suddenly said, and I immediately glanced at her.

"Me? What do I have to do with this?" Momo replied, crossing her arms and frowning. "I'm full of work to do here." 

"They'll need a priestess to ward off evil yokai, Momo," her grandmother argued. "Don't worry about the shrine, I'll take care of it."

"Wait, does that mean you're not going with me?" I asked Mina, unable to hide the sadness in my voice.

Mina sighed, not being able to look at me when she replied, "I can't… I have duties with the princess and the royal family… I can't just abandon my post."

 I didn't even know why this disappointed me so much. But Mina was the first person I bonded with here, and I was under the impression she would help me all the way through. I already considered her a friend, but she probably only saw me as a stranger.

"I am sorry," she said, and I could feel the sincerity in her voice. 

"It can't be helped," I replied, forcing a smile at her.

"That won't be a problem!" Said a voice I recognized to be Nako's. She was looking at us from the top of the hatch door and came running down the stairs. "I wanna come too! That way, you'll have no option but to accompany me, right?"

"Your Highness?!" Mina exclaimed, shocked. "What are you doing here? Were you just eavesdropping at us? Your tutor won't be happy at all about that..."

"It's too easy to trick that old goat," Nako countered, seeming proud of escaping him so often. "I saw you two leaving, and I couldn't help to follow."

Mina gave her a look, saying, "Watch your mouth, princess. You shouldn't be talking about instructors that way. Besides, there's no way you can go with us... it's too dangerous."

"It's not dangerous if you're around!" Nako exclaimed, pleadingly clutching to Mina's sleeves. "Please, big sis?"

"No," Mina firmly replied, her voice resolute. "When will you learn you're the princess? You can't simply go out on adventures just because you want to. You'd be an instant target."

"Don't call me princess," Nako angrily whispered, on the brim of tears.

I put my hand on her shoulder to console her. "Mina's saying this because she loves you, and so she doesn't want you to get hurt." 

The samurai's cheeks reddened, and I figured it was because she's not used to her feelings being laid down so obviously.

"I'm just tired of staying in the castle all the time," Nako sadly exclaimed, and my heart ached for her. 

Mina also seemed sincerely touched, and she sighed. "I know you're frustrated... but this will be a dangerous venture. I can't risk having you go through that."

The young princess seemed to understand Mina's point, and she nodded. "Do you promise you'll take me on another trip one day, then?"

"Of course I do," Mina replied, patting her head and smiling. "I promise."

With her spirits seemingly lifted, Nako smiled and said, "I still think you should go with Nayeon, though. She needs you more than I do right now."

Nako's wording made me blush, and I waved my hands dismissively. "Ah, don't get the wrong idea, I'm sure I can do this without her," I said stubbornly.

Seeming unimpressed, Mina crossed her arms and gave me a look. "I was about to agree, but if you insist, I guess I won't go after all." 

Momo's grandmother sighed. "Well, I'll let you youngsters settle things," she tiredly said, walking up the staircase with Tsura following closely behind.

"Just quit this idiotic argument, you two," Momo intervened. "Mina, you're coming with us. Nayeon, you won't complain about that. Got it?"

Mina pouted, looking away from me and mumbling, "Fine..." 

"If it's the only way, I guess," I replied, pretending to be indifferent, but in reality, I was delighted that Mina would join us.