Little Fox in Big Trouble

Eleven

Later that night, brimming with satisfaction about successfully shifting and excited to find out what else I could do, my mother and I settled on the couch to check the news.  Feeling in tune with my kitsune spirit, I ordered Japanese take-out for dinner and Troy offered to pick it up since he was already headed back to check on my progress. I was trying not to think too much about how comfortable with and even reliant upon Troy’s presence I was becoming.  I wanted to believe it was coming so quickly and easily because it was good, or maybe meant to be, but if I thought about it too much I spiraled into suspicion.  Was it too easy? Too fast? Too convenient? Too good to be true?

    “Another strange story coming from the Dahlia Lake area, this evening,” a middle-aged woman with a bob cut and spray tan said to her co-host on the evening news program. This was becoming a common opening to the show.

    “Here we go,” I sighed to my mother as I grabbed the remote and turned the volume up a few extra notches.

    “A fatal, head-on collision occurred this afternoon on Lakeside Circle. Witnesses said both cars swerved to avoid hitting pedestrians, as young women walked into the street from each side as the vehicles approached.” She paused to allow that to sink in for a moment before continuing. “However, neither woman was able to be found after the incident. In fact, the same witnesses claim the women were gone by the time they pulled over, and nobody saw where the women disappeared to.”

    “Mom, look,” I pointed to the screen where images from the scene were being broadcasted, and two small foxes could be seen just inside the tree line watching the devastation they caused.

    “Knock, knock,” called Troy as he shouldered the door open entered the apartment, filling the space with he sweet and spicy scent of their various foods. 

     “Hello, sweetness,” I purred, hopping from the couch to take the bags from his hands.

    “Well, hi there,” he smiled.

    “I was talking to the food,” I told him.

    “Uh-huh,” he replied.

    “They were just gone, man!” A voice was exclaiming from the television.

    “More weird fox news?” Troy asked.

    “There’s more every day,” I sighed.

    “I’m concerned with the frequency and growing severity of these events,” my mom told us as we plopped onto the floor in front of the T.V. and set the food out on the coffee table. “Kitsune being tricksters is normal, but being this malevolent is much less so. Also, how many kitsune are congregated in such a small town? And why are they here?” She finished.

    “What do you mean, Mom?” I asked.

    “Kitsune are well know for being pranksters.  The stories of illusions, petty tricks, and even theft are expected when there are kitsune nearby. However, causing car accidents, death, and things like that are far less common. Most kitsune don’t intend to cause real harm or pain.” She paused for a second and chewed on her lip – a habit I seem to have inherited from her. “It happens, I suppose, but not often. Plus, the kitsune here are either very active or there are quite a few of them.  Why would so many suddenly show up here or become so active after not causing trouble for this long?  It doesn’t make sense.”

    “Huh.” I said, dazzling the room with my insight.

    “Do you think something could have stirred up the locals?” Troy asked. “For that matter, do you think there could be so many locals? Or is it more likely that a group of kitsune has come here just to stir up trouble for some reason?”

    “I have no idea,” my mom answered, distracted by her own thoughts. “Briseis, we need to discuss something. No other aspect of your training, or your life, is more important. Or more private.” She flicked her eyes toward Troy in a very unsubtle fashion.

    “Hey, I think you’re out of Cola.  Why don’t I run to the store and grab some.” He winked at me.

    “Mom, what was that about?” I questioned as soon as the door clicked shut.

    “Your star ball,” she answered.

    “My what?”

    “You still have the pearl I gave you when I left.” She said. “Where is it?”

    “The pearl?” I repeated.

    “Yes, Bris. Go get it.” She ordered.

    Doing as I was told; I went to my bedroom to retrieve the strange marble my mother had given to me on the day she left. I opened the small wooden box that held the trinket and lifted it from the satin. About an inch in diameter and shimmering silver it fit perfectly inside my palm. As it settled in my hand the color swirled and spun within the glass like smoke and glitter. It truly was a beautiful thing, though I never understood why she had given me such a strange keepsake.  I held it frequently in the years after she left it to me. Something about it drew me in like it had its own sort of gravity, and I would sit and watch the silver and black swirls with wonder as it came to life with my touch. I remembered, holding it now, her telling me that it was special, and I needed to keep it safe. After a moment, I wrapped my fingers around the crystal ball and carried I out to my mother.

    “That, my dear kit, is your star ball,” she said, warmly.

    I looked at the ball again, “mom, what does that mean?” I asked.

    “Every kitsune has a star ball, Briseis. Hoshi no tama, in Japanese lore. This small orb contains part of your spirit, which makes it invaluable. There are a couple of things you need to know about your star ball, and nothing is more important than keeping it safe.” She began.

    I settled into the couch beside her, a little weary of the orb I was clutching, “What?” I asked.  “How can this thing contain part of my spirit?  What does that even mean?”

    “It means exactly that, my love. Your star ball was held in your mouth when you were born, like all kitsune, and must be kept near you at all times. You will be weakened if you are away from it for too long.”

    “Okay, so it stays with me. Got it.” I nodded.

    “It is not that simple, Bris. It can also be used against you.”

    “What? How?” I sputtered. “My own spirit can be used against me?”

    “If someone were to take that from you,” she impressed, “they would have the ability to control you, kit.”

     “You can’t be serious,” I said. “Control me, how?”

    “In every way, my love. You would be forced to meet their every whim.  This is why your star ball must stay a secret. From everyone.” She said, explaining why she wanted Troy to leave.

    “So, do only other kitsune know about star balls?” I asked, skeptically.

     “That would be ideal, but no.” She answered. “Unfortunately, many beings are aware of our star balls and how they can be used to control us.  Most wouldn’t dare, however there are some that would love to get their hands on a kitsune in that way. So, not only do you have to keep it near you, but you also have to keep it hidden or protected.”

    “How am I supposed to do that?” I asked.

    “Find a way, kit. Use anything you have at your disposal. Magic, cleverness, illusion, anything. Maybe speak to your father about it. He might be able to help you.”

    “Okay. So near me. Hidden and protected. Anything else?” I asked.

    “Yes,” she sighed. “There are things that can be done with a star ball that you should at least know about.  For one, there are kitsune out there, Void kitsune, that use their star balls to absorb the life force of others. They can do this to add to their own life force or to trap a spirit in the ball.”

     “Oh, come on,” I whined. That’s just what we need.

    “Also, a kitsune can send their own spirit into their star ball upon their death rather than traveling to the spirit realm as they should. As you can imagine, there are consequences to this.  You can store magic in your star ball, as well, to be used at a later time when you may need extra power.”

    “I have a lot to learn, don’t I?” I asked.

    “You do,” my mother smiled, just as the door opened and Troy announced his return.