Things had been relatively quiet for Darren since Fukushu's visit. School, lessons, training, all had been rather mundane. The Normal appeared to be regrouping, allowing everyone an opportunity to prepare themselves. While Darren was certainly busy, it didn't mean others weren't having fun.
For Sachiko and Raiden the two kits found themselves spending quite a bit of time together. The spell Darren had cast had altered reality, in much the same way he had done with Sachiko. Now a long history of friendship existed between the two celestial kitsune children.
Raiden had known Sachiko his entire life, the two kits only days apart in age. While Sachiko had interacted with humans her entire life, Raiden was more sheltered. Fukushu and Abolith, due in part to their antagonistic history with wizards, kept Raiden sheltered.
Trying to keep Raiden from interacting humans and succeeding were two different things. Raiden, like Sachiko, was adventurous and mischievous. The dark furred kit had often snuck from his home to play with Sachiko often to the chagrin of his parents. While Yuriko and the others held no ill will towards the child (Yuriko fondly remembered making the kit lunch on several occasions) it didn't mean that their wasn't tension anytime his parents came looking for him.
Now though things had changed. A truce of sorts now existed between Raidens parents and the humans. This meant Raiden now found himself seeing Sachiko quite often. Stiil, Raiden was very apprehensive around humans.
"Cmon Raiden it'll be fun," Sachiko exclaimed as the two kits bounded through the woods. Raiden fidgeted slightly, he was worried he would get in trouble with his parents if they found out. "I don't know Sachiko," he said quietly. "I mean they're humans."
"Granny Yuriko is human," Sachiko countered. "And so is Darren. I mean don't you want more friends?"
"I have plenty of friends," Raiden scoffed. Sachikos rolled her eyes, she knew better. Raiden would never admit but Sachiko was his only friend. The dark furred kit was too proud to admit this and Sachiko had no desire to hurt his feelings. The white kitvstill remembered the time she had introduced Raiden to Henry. Raiden had been quite shy and nervous, a fact that wasn't helped when his parents arrived to take him home. As the two kits arrived at the old playground they now ducked down as they gazed at the group of teens waiting for them.
"So this is where you meet Sachiko," Neela asked. The others nodded as they talked idly. The teen prodigies last meeting with Sachiko had left the kit very excited. Sachiko claimed that the next time they got together she would have a surprise. Decising to get together on a Saturday when they could all be there, Stella, Gail, Pam, Ewart, and Neela now anxiously awaited their friend.
"Yeah this is it," Stella stated.
"What do you think she's planning," Gail asked.
"Knowing Sachiko its probably a new magic trick or something," Ewart shrugged. A motion in the bushes now drew the teens attention. Slowly a small white fox emerged causing the teena to smile.
"Hey Sachiko," Pam waved. The small white fox paused before transforming into her anthro form, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Hi guys how is everyone?"
The others stated they were well, now all talking at once as they tried to guess Sachikos surprise. "Well," she smirked. "I wanted to introduce to an old friend of mine." The teens appeared struck by this information as Sachiko now called for Raiden.
The teens now watched as a black furred anthro fox with red highlights poked his head out before ducking back down. "Dont be shy Raiden they're nice," Sachiko called.
Raiden now stepped from the bushes, shyly waving as he stared at the ground. Sachiko now smiled, approaching Raiden as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "This my friend Raiden," Sachiko said happily. "Hes a kitsune like me."
The teens gaped at the young kitsune, shocked to see yet another kit in their town. It was now Gail he slowly approached Raiden, timidly holding out her hand. "Hi I'm Gail," she said quietly, Gail now reached into her pocket, producing some candy. "You like candy?"
Raiden tentatively looked the candy over before glancing at Sachiko. The white kit nodded, Raiden slowly taking the candy before popping it into his mouth. Raidens eyes going wide as he savored the flavor.
"Thats incredible," he exclaimed. "What is that?"
"Sweet tarts," Gail said. "They're my favorite. You want some more?" Raiden nodded enthusiastically as Gail now gave the kitsune a handful. Raiden shoving them into his mouth before a contented smile spread across his vulpine features.
"I think he likes it," Neela chuckled as she too now approached the kitsune. Raiden nodded as the two teens now studied him carefully.
"So Sachiko," Ewart asked as the girls now clustered around Raiden.. "what do you two feel like doing?"
Sachiko grinned as she now looked at her friends as she now told them her idea.