Late Fall - Foxpoint Farms

 Kuro, for all that he was quite old for a fox, was not as old as Ori-sama. He wasn't even as old as Shiro, or any of the three kitsune who had pledged themselves to the kami's service. In fact, in comparison to any of them, he was still quite young.

And it was this youth that had him not knowing the name he carried, the significance of it. What he did know was that it was Important, and that the magic that created missions like this - these Quests - had decided it was imperative that he abandon any other tasks until this one was complete.

So he ran. He ran, and he slipped through shadows, and he moved as fast as he could across fields, skirting roads and vehicles, zipping through trees until he finally saw the tell-tale glow of Ori-sama's fox-fires drifting through the wounds around their home.

One fire found him, hovering overhead with an ethereal glow as the magic recognized him and led him homeward, avoiding the crowds of people on 'ghost' tours, ducking around the occasional couple who'd slipped into the woods for a bit of fun. Ori-sama didn't seem to mind, as long as they didn't stray far. Things were not as safe, off the farm.

He made it home in record time, and some of the older fox-kin, ones who were nearing the precipice of mortal and something other, came to him, noting the gilded disc glowing on his forehead. He had to wait; Ori-sama was indisposed, dealing with regular customers who wanted to converse, but when the kami caught sight of him, they excused themself, motioning for the dark fox to follow until they were inside the farmhouse, out of sight and free to talk.

"Kuro, where have you been?" Shiori asked, kneeling - carefully, so as not to send the kimono into disarray - and peering closely at the sigil gleaming above his eyes.

Kuro found kin-friend at festival! Kin-friend said name is Ōmiyanome-no-ōkami. Said will visit!

Shiori stiffened at the name, their eyes going glassy. Ōmiyanome.

Images flashed in their mind, a life spent as Ōmiyanome, as Sarutahiko, as nearly a dozen other kami all entwined with their own consciousness, aspects of themselves and yet also not. Inari could distinctly remember dancing - as Ōmiyanome - to draw out Amaterasu from her hiding place when she had retreated in upset.

It was not Inari's memory... and yet it was, all the same.

It was a confirmation... and something else. Inari, thus, was Inari only. Their Sanza and their Goza were indeed separate, fully-realized and yet still intrinsically linked to their own being by a magic that had never made sense, but simply was.

Shiori inhaled deeply, pushing past the memories, and leaned into Kuro's mind, seeing what he had seen, hearing what he had heard. The ease with which Ōmiyanome had spoken to him only further confirmed the truth of it. Her face was new, but then so was Shiori's. The kami studied it at length, fighting against the wave of concern and confusion.

If Ōmiyanome was here... were any of the others, as well? Would their meeting reintegrate them with Inari, or had they been so long separated that Inari would never again know them as an inherent part of themself? It would be a risk... was it worth taking? They resolved, then, to avoid physical contact with Ōmiyanome. Inari should remain Inari; the Sanza and Goza should then remain themselves, as well. It was only fair, for as long as they had been separated from each other.

Kuro watched with great concern, wondering if he had done something wrong, to elicit this kind of reaction in Ori-sama. But... the magic had told him. The magic had pulled him. And that magic came from Ori-sama, even if they didn't direct it. The kami's magic had told him that this was Important.

He gave a soft whine and licked the kami's face, a rare moment of affection from the shadowy fox.

"Ah, my darling, you did nothing wrong," said Shiori, running their fingers through his fur in a soothing gesture. "It was unexpected. Remember her face and her name. She is... kin, more than most. Share this with Shiro, my darling." A pause. "Kaede and Egi, as well. They are so close... it might be important that they know this, too." Very carefully, the kimono-clad god rose to their feet. "I will go and... inform your kitsune kin. I just need a moment."

When Kuro gave a tiny bow of his head and left through the fox-door... only then did Shiori allow themself a small, choked sob. Why now? Why here? they thought to themself, for the first time in many years keeping it blocked from the foxes they loved so.

It was several long minutes before they were finally able to regain their composure, leaving the house and joining the festivities once again.