Nearly a year later, Kojiro stood atop a snow capped mountain. Spring was slow to come up this far, yet many of the other mountains showed signs of the warmer weather. Kojiro glanced toward his traveling companion.
"Are we on the right path?" he asked.
The Kitsune swung his head around. He glared back at the Fu dog.
"Its been nearly a hundred years! Things change!" he snarled, stroking the budding of his sixth tail. His power had grown greatly now that he didn't have to run, or fight to survive.
Kaoru. Kojiro thought the name. It always brought a smile to his lips. More so when the Kitsune wasn't looking. Kojiro found he could be a bit more like Cherry Blossom than Kaoru, most days. It was endearing to see him grow into the being he was meant to be.
"This way." Kaoru turned to walk toward the edge of the cliff.
"Didn't we come from that way?" Kojiro asked.
"No!" The Kitsune barked out.
"How do you know?" Kojiro prodded, smirking behind the other's back.
"Look at the snow, you overgrown baboon!" he yelled.
Kojiro tossed his head back, laughing. It thrilled him to know he was able to get the Kitsune to call him names! For Kaoru to feel that safe with him... it was everything to the Fu dog. They followed the new path. It wound down the side of the mountain, then connected to the other mountain about halfway down.
Kaoru nodded, as his pace picked up. He rushed along the trail. Not that it was actually a trail! The Kitsune was forging his own path as they marched through the grass or weeds. Kojiro followed carrying the heavy packs. They hiked for another hour before, the Kitsune all but ran away from the Fu dog.
"It's here! It's here!" Kaoru cried as he raced through the deeper foliage.
"Where did you go?" Kojiro yelled trying to follow.
At first he could see where the Kitsune bent the grass, or where his foot twisted around in the dirt. After about twenty minutes, Kojiro lost all sign of the pink haired vixen.
"KAORU?" he yelled turning in a circle.
There was no sign, no bent blade of grass, no foot print, no laughing cry on the wind. Nothing indicating that the Kitsune had gone this way, before him. Kojiro thought about turning back, following his own trail, maybe he missed something.
A light tap hit his right shoulder. He spun, nothing. A wisp of a feeling grazed his left hand. Turning, nothing. Kojiro was feeling a bit unnerved. There was something ...ancient here. Something that didn't necessarily want him too close.
A soft giggle. Kojiro knew that sound. "Kaoru?" he breathed out the name.
He moved to go in the direction, when something curled around his wrist. He was pulled back. Arms encircled his chest. Kaoru snickered in his ear.
"Can you feel it?" he whispered.
Kojiro got his feet to hold him up. He looked up at the Kitsune, still holding him. The smile that lit the somber face was breathtaking. The golden light shinning in his eyes was otherworldly. The glow that emanated from him was surreal. This, this was the Kitsune he was meant to be.
"You're home." Kojiro whispered.
Kaoru released him then. "I am. Come. See." He cried, tugging on the Fu dogs arm.
Kojiro followed. He wanted to drag his heels. He wanted to prevent the Kitsune from reaching his ultimate goal. What would happen when Kaoru was truly home? Would he stay? Make Kojiro leave? The Fu dog's head dropped, as the thoughts bombarded him. Yet, Kaoru's excited cries, made him look around.
"That's the tree I used to spend lazy afternoons in." He cried rushing in a different directions after, pointing out one of many Cherry Blossom trees.
Kojiro heard the splash, right before his own foot got wet.
"This is the creek we played in. This was where I last saw her..." Kaoru reached down to touch the crystal clear water. It was freezing cold.
His head lifted. He wasn't looking at Kojiro. In his mind, the Fu dog was certain, Kaoru was seeing his home the way it had been during the time he was here. Before the fire. Kaoru rushed up out of the water.
Slower, Kojiro followed him. Now that he was at the heart of the Kitsune's power, he could trail him easily. Kaoru had pulled him through the veil that separated this peaceful world, from the outsiders. Kojiro walked along the trail behind the Kitsune. When he heard the weeping, he rushed forward.
What he saw, broke a piece of his heart. Kaoru was kneeling on the ground. Before him, in a ragged line, were three giant rocks. Each one had a name carved into it with golden shinning letter. Kaoru had used his magic to create a headstone for each of his family.
Kojiro knelt beside him. He placed a hand to the strong, bent back. Stroking it softly he read the names.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Sakurayashiki. Good morning, Kaida, my name is Kojiro. I have been taking care of Kaoru for you." He explained.
Kaoru turned to look at him. Kojiro bowed to the stones. Kaoru watched in utter, astounded, fascination. Kojiro laid his forehead to the ground before the stones. He sat back up, clasping his hands before his face. He uttered a silent prayer as the Kitsune watched.
Lowering his hands to his thighs, he turned his attention to Kaoru's father's stone.
"Mr. Sakurayashiki, I am in love with your son. I don't know what his plans for his future are, but I wish to spend as much of that future, as I possibly can, at his side."
Once more, Kojiro bowed, this time only his head.
"Sir, I am asking for your blessing in proposing Kaoru's hand in marriage." He proclaimed.
"You stupid, idiotic, dimwitted, gorilla!" Kaoru muttered beside him.
The winds picked up around them. A soft warm breeze blew at Kaoru's untamed hair. The breeze blew pink strands around to mingle with the green of Kojiro's locks. Cherry Blossom petals fell around him. Kaoru caught one.
"How? They aren't even budding yet?" he said amazed.
"I think, your dad just gave me his blessing." Turning, Kojiro pulled something from his pocket.
"As I told your father, I don't know what you plan for your future. I am only asking that you allow me to ride along on your tails." He opened the box.
A beautiful sterling silver ring, with pink quartz crystals indented into, in the shape of cherry blossoms, sat on a bed of white satin. Kojiro reached over to pick up Kaoru's hand. Holding the elegant, artists hand in his own, the ring box in the other, Kojiro looked into the Kitsune's wide eyes.
"I think I fell in love with you that first night. The audacity you showed, barreling into my restaurant..." Kojiro chuckled.
"I have never met another soul like yours. I love how you have grown. I love how you love my cabonara. I love taking baths with you. I love spoiling you. I love seeing you happy, angry, sad and most of all, lusty." Kojiro cleared his throat. It looked like Kaoru was going to interrupt, so he hurried on.
"I love the names you come up with for me. It shows how comfortable you are in my care. Kaoru Sakurayashiki, will you do me the honors of belittling me, yelling at me and loving me for the rest of our lives?"
Drawing a deep breath, eyes locked to the golden, glowing orbs, Kojiro half yelled out.
"Kaoru Sakurayashiki, will you please marry me?" he half begged.
"You're an imbecile! Muscled bound, meat headed gorilla!" Kaoru muttered.
A tear slipped from one eye, as he tightened his hand around the thick meaty fingers of his lover. He reached out to place the cherry blossom petal, he had caught, in Kojiro's hair.
"Of course I will marry you. Who else would take such good care of me? Besides Kari needs a break from you, from time to time." He added with a wicked grin.
Kojiro leaned forward to press their lips together. The breeze wafted over them, feeling like arms hugging them closer together. As they kissed they heard the unmistakable sound of a young Kitsune giggling. More of the nonexistent cherry blossom petals floated around them. The six tails of the Kitsune wrapped around his lover, his best friend, his reason for being.
Kojiro was the one to break the kiss. He slipped the ring onto the thin finger. It was a perfect fit.
"Huh, Henry really dose have an eye for size." He muttered.
"Fool, he is an incubus!" Kaoru snorted.
They spent the next week in the land of the lost Kitsune. Kaoru grew another tail while there. His power nearly overflowing from him as he learned to levitate. Something, he proclaimed, would shock Langa the next time they beefed. Kojiro informed him he would tie a string to him, using him like a balloon. Kaoru kicked him in the back.
While laying in the field, watching the Cherry Blossom budding, Kojiro stroked the pink head in his lap.
"What are your plans, Kaoru?" he asked softly.
"I wish to come back here every spring. Maybe a few times, before winter, if possible." He stated.
"OK." Kojiro agreed.
"You didn't think I was going to stay here, did you?" he asked rolling over to look the man in the face.
"It had crossed my mind." Kojiro whispered.
"Silly Gorilla." Kaoru mutter crawling up the muscled chest.
"I have my business to run! I'm an artist in high demand, after all." He kissed his lover's lips. Then proceeded to show him just what loving a Kitsune was like.
Six weeks later, they were back on the mountain. Kari, Reki, Langa, Oka, Shadow and Miya came with them. Henry had taken an online course to be ordained, yes a demon priest, who would have thought!
Each member of their party paid their respects to Kaoru's family. Kari had called in a favor, to friendly Fu dog, who as willing to watch over their home while they were away.
Then, standing near the spot where Kaoru's family were buried, with the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom, Kojiro claimed his Kitsune spouse! It was an amazing wedding!
The pink petals danced around on the soft spring breeze as the two became bonded as one. More than one of those in attendance, swore they saw a small female Kitsune tossing the cherry petals over the one getting married. She had laughed in delight at this!
The end!