Shizen smiled, anxiously awaiting the arrival of her grandson. For the kitsune goddess it was a unique mixture of emotions. As a celestial kitsune she was keenly aware of alterations in reality. This is what made her meeting with Raiden so nerve racking.
Shizen clearly remembered life before Darren used his magic to bring Raiden into existence. Fukushu and Abolith were estranged from her family. She had not spoken to her son in decades, her husband both missing his son and wanting revenge for the attack on Shizen. The celestial goddess had resigned herself to never seeing her son again. Then the Catalyst happened.
Shizen now recalled this new reality. A reality that was just as seamless as the previous. In this "new reality" Shizen remembered the birth of her first born grandson Raiden. The estrangement still existed between herself and Raidens parents yet she had been able to see the boy on a couple of occasions. Those occasions occurring whenever Raiden snuck away to see Sachiko and Yuriko. Those meetings though could be counted on one hand.
Now, Shizen waited to see this kitsune boy. A boy who was celestial in nature and also the heir to the kitsune kingdom. For the first time in a millennium the celestial vixen felt anxious, excited, and every emotion in between. What would this "first" meeting with Raiden be like?
"Grandma!"
Shizens eyes went wide, a joyful smile spreading across her face as the kit now bounded to her. Raiden now lept at the nine tailed, wrapping his arms around her and squeezing. "How are you grandma, " Raiden smiled. "I missed you, I haven't seen you in so long."
Shizen felt her throat tighten, her eyes welling with tears as she hugged the young kit. Extracting herself from the boys hug, she now held him at arms length as she smoothed his fur. A black and red kit with joyful eyes. Ironically, looking at the boy, she could see he looked very much like his grandfather, just with darker fur.
"Hello Raiden," she smiled. "I've missed you too."
"I'm sorry I couldn't go to grandpa's funeral," he said sadly. "I wanted too but mom and dad said it wasn't safe." Shizen grinned, cupping the boys face as she placed a kiss upon his forehead. "I'm sure your grandfather knows you wanted to be there."
As she stood, she now studied the kit carefully. He was skinny, yet handsome (by kitsune standards). As the boy grew she had no doubt he would cause many a vixen to swoon at his presence. Like any grandmother she could only see the best in her grandchild.
"Grandma," Raiden said softly. "Mom is inside. She actually told me you were here. Are mom and dad not mad at you anymore?"
Shizen chuckled softly, the kit hated seeing his parents angry. He also seemed to not want to get his grandmother in any trouble. Realityalterationsalways amazed the celestial vixen. That those changes were completely unknown to those it created. Regardlessof what the futureheld, Raiden nor Sachikowould ever realize what life was like before their existence.
"No sweety," she said. "I talked with your mother earlier. We've come to an understanding. In fact, I'm hoping to see you and Sachiko more often."
"Really," the kits exclaimed.
Shizen nodded, motioning for her body guards to step from the shadows. The two kits were at first confused, especially when they all took a knee, solemnly lowering their heads in respect.
"Lord Raiden. Lady Sachiko."
"Why are they doing that," Sachiko asked. "It seems weird."
Shizen smiled, the kits didn't realize it (neither did their parents) but other kitsune recognized that the kits were of a divine nature. Despite the misgivings the kitsune had about Raidens father, they realized that when he came of age he, along with Sachiko, would be the rulers of the kitsune kingdom.
"They're just showing you respect children," Shizen said. "Believe it or not you two are quite special."
"Is it because were hybrids," Sachiko asked.
"You could say that," Sachiko chuckled. "Now why don't we talk. Grandma wants to hear all about your recent adventures."