Hinata emerged from the bathhouse, the unfamiliar warmth clinging to her fur like a second skin. The air, heavy with the scent of lavender and citrus, was a stark contrast to the sterile environment she was accustomed to. Despite her reservations, Hinata understood that this was a necessary part of assimilating into this new life. Every element, from the soothing scents to the unfamiliar customs, was needed in order to gain the trust of her people.
As she stepped outside, a group of kitsune ladies, their fur a kaleidoscope of colors, greeted her with enthusiastic bows.
"Hinata-sama, you look radiant!" chirped a vixen with fur the color of burnished copper, her four tails swishing excitedly. "We simply couldn't wait any longer to take you shopping!"
Mitsuri Shikamitsu she learned was the name of this bubbly vixen. Hinata found their enthusiasm a little overwhelming, but she allowed herself to be ushered into a waiting carriage. The ride through the bustling city was a whirlwind of sights and sounds. Unlike the austere architecture of the Normal, the city here was a riot of color, the buildings adorned with intricate carvings and painted in hues of red, gold, and lacquer.
The shopping district was a sensory overload. Exquisite silks shimmered in every imaginable color, their delicate textures a stark contrast to the utilitarian fabrics Hinata was used to. The kitsune ladies fussed over her, their voices a cacophony of suggestions as they piled clothes onto her arms. Hinata, used to a more subdued style, felt stifled by the layers of silk and the gaudy ornaments the ladies insisted on adorning her with.
"Are you sure this all isn’t a little…too much?," Hinata protested, holding up a sash adorned with garish gold embroidery.
"Nonsense, Hinata-sama!" countered Hikari Tsumikano, a vixen with fur the color of twilight. “In this district, subtlety is considered a sin!"
Reluctantly, Hinata allowed them to transform her. Her nails were painstakingly painted with intricate designs, her fur brushed until it gleamed, and her hair styled in an elaborate updo adorned with glittering jewels. By the time they were finished, Hinata looked like a creature out of a children's story, a far cry from the lean, battle-hardened warrior she was used to presenting herself as.
Staring at her reflection in a gilded mirror, Hinata felt a pang of self-consciousness. This wasn't her. Yet, a part of her understood the importance of playing the part. If she wanted to gain their trust, she had to become one of them, at least on the surface. With a sigh, Hinata forced a smile, ready to face the opulent world that awaited her.
The kitsune ladies, their laughter echoing through the carriage, seemed to take immense delight in Hinata's discomfort. Settling into the plush seats, Hinata tried to ignore the way the layers of silk kimono constricted her movements and the incessant jingling of the ornaments adorning her obi. The carriage rumbled to a stop before a building unlike any she had seen before. Two stories tall, the tea house was a delicate structure of carved wood and lacquered panels. Delicate paper lanterns adorned the entrance, casting a warm glow on the meticulously tended gardens that surrounded the building. As they entered, a wave of warm, fragrant air washed over Hinata, a blend of jasmine tea and incense.
Inside, the air buzzed with conversation and the soft tinkling of shamisen music. Kitsune women, their vibrant kimonos of color, filled the room, their laughter and chatter creating a lively atmosphere. Hinata felt a pang of nervousness. These were the elite of this society, and she, a stranger with a past shrouded in mystery, was about to be thrust into their midst.
Her unease deepened as the kitsune ladies led her towards a group of women seated in a secluded alcove.
Their fur, gleaming under the soft lamplight, ranged from the fiery orange of a setting sun to the cool jade green of new spring leaves. Each wore their finery with an air of practiced nonchalance, their movements graceful and their expressions carefully composed. Hinata, accustomed to the camaraderie of the Normal, felt a chill creep down her spine.
As they approached, the conversation in the alcove died down, replaced by a series of polite inquiries and curious glances directed at Hinata. The kitsune ladies eagerly introduced her, their voices laced with a subtle undercurrent of pride. Hinata, ever the diplomat, offered a respectful bow and a courteous greeting, her voice betraying none of the apprehension churning in her gut.
To her relief Zentaro approached the group and requested her presence as he returned her sword to her.
“Arigatō, Shimizu-sama.” She then turned to the group of giddy vixens, “if you will excuse me.”
The Kitsune lord led her back to his castle and she couldn’t help but notice his eyes wanted to her new appearance.
“It seems you’ve enjoyed the upper district’s…hospitality.” He said.
“Enjoyed isn’t exactly the word of use but I’d be lying if it wasn’t interesting.” She replied.
It was when passing a group of kitsune when a tiny scroll was secretly tucked into her obi. Her thoughts snapped back to the mission at hand. Once inside Lord Zentaro’s carriage she discretely opened the small scroll and glamced at its contents before burning it with her foxfire.
“Who was that from?” He asked.
“Nothing of any consequence—a note from an admirer, seems my presence has already attracted the attention of suitors.” Hinata lied. “Now that I have my sword back, there’s something in the human realm I must take care of before we move further with our plans.”
Hinata’s poker face was unreadable, she made sure her tone and demeanor didn’t betray the true contents of the letter: the Boss needed her for a mission back in the human realm. He assured her that it was important and would be the last time he requested her presence while she underwent her mission in the Kitsune Kingdom.
“Mochiron. But I assumed you were leaving the Normal behind you.” Kentaro asked.
“I am. But It seems there is one last thing for me to take care of back in the Human realm. It shouldn’t take very long.” Hinata answered.