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He had been walking for quite a while now, the trees and foliage all looking the same and Naib couldn't make out any sense of direction back to his village. He had went out to the neighboring village that is much larger than his own to buy medicine for his mother but it seemed he got lost. He had used his knife to mark the barks of the trees he already passed but it seems futile as he returns to the same trees as if on an endless loop.
His feet were getting sore from all the walking but he pushed on. The forest was quiet, not even the sound of the occasional chirps of crickets could be heard, it was unnerving.
Just when he was about to give up, he saw something in the distance. It was a shrine, old and rundown with overgrown grass and moss on the walls. It was starting to get dark, maybe it is best if he rests up here, atleast he has some form of shelter and he could continue trying to find his way back to his village in the morning.
Naib carefully made his way inside, the floorboard creaks against his feet, he flinched as several rats scurry away. There sat on the middle was the shrine's donation box. Strangely, the box looked brand new, the wood seemed taken care of, it looked out of place in the middle of the abandoned shrine.
Naib grabbed his pouch filled with what little coins he had, grabbing the few silvers and depositing them in the box. He quietly bowed twice and clapped his hands before folding them into prayer. He prayed to be able to get home safe so that he can deliver the medicine to his mother. After he was done, he bowed low before going back to the entrance to rest on the steps.
He spotted something flying overhead, circling the shrine before going back to the shroud of leaves. Naib whistled, listening to the rustle of leaves against the wind.
There was a soft coo and Naib blinked as an Owl invaded his vision, flapping it's wings excitedly with a hoot. The owl had a paper talisman stuck to its face, a bright red necklace on its feathery neck. "Hello, where did you come from?" Naib whispered as he watched the owl fly away from him and into the trees.
Naib didn't know what compelled him to follow but his legs were already moving, chasing the blur of brown and white tawny feathers. He stopped however, when it landed on the shoulder of a man. He stood in the middle of a red wooden bridge, old and creaky. The man held a bright red umbrella that has tears as well as holes in its edges, a black fox mask obscuring his face, he wore a dark hood that blended into the night. As Naib came closer, he spotted a large brown tail waving behind the man's form. He didn't know whether he was hallucinating or it was a real spirit right in front of his eyes.
"Come."
The spirit spoke, Naib wasn't sure whether he was talking to his owl or to himself but Naib came closer anyway, so close that he only needs to cross the bridge to fill the gap.
"You are lost." The spirit finally turned to him, despite the mask hiding his eyes, Naib could still feel the intense gaze as he tried to make sense of the being in front of him. "I am." Naib carefully replied, coming a step closer and more until finally they were face to face in the middle of the red bridge. "Can you help me?" Naib had to tilt his head up to the spirit, he was tall but not intimidating despite it all.
"I shouldn't," The fox replies and Naib found his gaze lingering on the spirit's soft parting lips. "But I will."
Naib was about to ask what he meant, why he shouldn't when the owl on the fox's shoulder took flight. "Follow her, she will lead the way." He stared at the direction the owl flew, about to thank the spirit but when he turned back to do so, he was standing alone on the broken bridge. No man with a red umbrella and kitsune mask, not even a trace of him was left.
Naib's gaze lingered at the spot where the spirit once stood before turning back and following the owl. A silent whisper of thanks left his lips as he ran faster to try and catch up to the tiny bird.
It seemed forever when the owl finally slowed down and perched itself on a tree branch. Naib coming to rest a hand on the bark as he catches his breath. He stood wide eyed as he finally saw view of his village in the distance, immense joy flooding him as a grin lifted his lips. He turned to the owl but just like its owner, the bird was nowhere to be seen, not even a single feather left in its wake.
Naib never forgot the strange encounter he had in the forest, of the masked spirit haunting his dreams. Not long after he nursed his mother back to full health, Naib came back to the forest with clear purpose and a pouch full of coins from working hard on several jobs. The forest didn't change, still the same twisting paths. It was becoming night time, the sun's rays turning to a soft orange hue, Naib's legs hurting a bit from all the walking but he was determined to go back.
Finally, he reached the shrine again, its features same as the last, the tall grass and moss covered walls bring him comfort as he stepped in. And like before, he did his prayer but this time, it was a prayer of thanks as he deposited all of the coins in his pouch in the donation box. He waited for something, anything and then a familiar hoot, of gusts of wind.
Naib saw it, the owl with one gleaming blue eye staring back at him, like it can see inside his soul. It flew away and like before, Naib followed.
The spirit was once again on the red broken bridge, arms crossed as a hand twirled his red umbrella. The owl came flying, perching itself on the guardrail, eye glinting as it tilted its head to Naib.
"You're stubborn," The spirit whispered as he finally got close. The voice filling Naib with warmth, it was scolding but there was a hint of fondness in the tone. They stood side by side as they admired the fireflies finally coming out as night slowly falls. "This forest has too many spirits who may lead you astray." The man continued without looking at Naib. "Getting lost once is enough."
Naib is silent for a bit, playing with the satchel of his now empty pouch. "I wanted to thank you." he replied after a while.
"I know." was that a smile on the spirits lips? Naib quietly stared, wondering what lies behind the mask, what he hides under it. The tail swished behind the man and Naib was drawn to it. "I thought," He started but hesitated and bit his lips, the spirit motioned for him to continue with a nudge of his head. "that fox spirits are cruel."
"They lie and trick, atleast that's what ma used to say." Naib continued fidgeting, avoiding the kitsune's gaze.
"She isn't wrong, we kitsune are vile and not to be trusted." The spirit hums, bringing a finger up as a firefly lands on it.
"I trust you!" The outburst startled the fox, head turning to look at the flustered man. "You saved me, I... I would have been devoured by the forest if it weren't for you..."
"It's getting late. You should go back to the village."
"Wha-" Naib was startled at the tone of voice, it was flat and devoid of warmth the spirit usually held.
"Rose, do what you must." The spirit whistled and the owl took flight.
Naib watched the owl disappear, "Wait, I'm not done talking-" and like before, Naib stood alone on the broken red bridge. With the kitsune gone, he didn't have a choice but to follow the owl.
Days went by and Naib worked hard to earn more money so he could go back to the shrine again, his mother worrying after him. When his pouch was full again, he went back to the forest and like before, he stood face to face with the spirit again, holding a pouch devoid of coins.
"You should stop this," The spirit sighed. "wasting your money just to see this old spirit."
"I like your company."
The kitsune didn't reply, choosing instead to twirl his umbrella.
"What's your name?" Naib asks as he brought his hand to pet Rose on the head. The spirit frowned and seemed to think of words to say. "Forgive me, I cannot give what you ask for I do not remember."
Naib was silent as he pondered on the words. "Then, until you remember, I'll call you Rose."
The spirit giggled. "That is the name of my companion."
"You both are Rose now."
And the two could only laugh.
Naib visits, again and again.
"You really should stop coming back," The kitsune mumbled and it was sad and Naib didn't like him sad. "And stop hanging around with a fox spirit."
"Don't say that, I like visiting" I like you.
The fox smiled. "You are a strange human."
"You are a strange fox, I thought they lie and steal but you are kinder than most of the people in my village."
"I never asked your name. "
"Naib. Call me Naib."
"Naib. It's lovely."
"Are you trapped here, in this shrine?" Naib asks one day, playing with a pebble as he sits on the foot of the bridge.
The fox didn't answer but Naib didn't need one as he saw the tail swish in irritation. "Can I do something to help you escape?"
The fox turned to him, a frown gracing his lips. "Yes but I would not like you to."
The knowledge perked Naib and he tilted his head. "Why?"
"You should go back."
"Rose-"
Gone.
The next visit was silent, both tense from the last one. Naib settled himself on the bridge again and pat the spot next to him, the kitsune silently took the offer.
"... Can I hold your hand?" Naib whispers, wanting comfort for him or for Rose, he doesn't know.
Wordlessly, the kitsune grasps his, their fingers entertwining with one another, their palm fitting perfectly. "Is it hard? To help you?"
The fox nodded, grasping firmly. "Okay. But know that I'll always be here if you need it."
"Winter is coming." Naib says one day, holding out a scarf in front of the spirit. "I made it, I dont know if spirits feel cold but I still want you to have it."
The spirit took it, the softness of the knitted scarf was enough to make him warm. "You're too good to me." the fox says in a whisper. "I don't deserve your kindness." he continued.
I'm using you.
Is what was left unsaid.
Snow covered the red broken bridge, Naib stood donned in winter clothes to keep warm. The spirit was hugging him from behind, hands wrapped around Naibs waist as the fox' head rests on his shoulder, careful to not let the mask poke his face. The spirit still wore the same clothes as each visit, even in this cold weather, but the warm scarf naib knitted winded around his neck.
Naib coughed to his fist, he had been feeling weak and ill for the past couple of days. The spirit glanced worriedly "I'm okay, just a cold."
"You should take more medicine." The fox scolded but there was a bitter taste trailing his tongue.
Naib hummed, bringing one hand to touch the spirits cheek. "Rose... I think I..."
I think I love you.
But Naib wasn't able to whisper, too scared of what it meant.
"What is it?"
"It's nothing."
I love you.
Naib likes it when their hands were linked, its like two puzzle pieces, it felt right, it felt home. Naib told the spirit of stories, of his mother, of his village. And the spirit would listen, fascinated with each word that escapes Naib's lips.
It was going alright as Naib told story after story into the winter night until Naib coughed.
Blood dripping from his lips. The spirit rubbed his back, panic laced in his movements, unsure what to do.
Drips of red came falling to the snow, staining it red.
After the coughing fit, Naib wiped the blood with a handkerchief. "I'm sorry" The spirit mumbled, biting his lips.
Naib laughed, amused at the fox. "What are you apologizing for?"
Everything.
It was one night on the broken bridge when the spirit asked "Naib, Can I kiss you?"
Naib didnt expect it at all, didnt expect the spirit to even ask. Heat crept to his cheeks and he was sure it wasnt because of the cold. Shyly, he nodded and the spirit leaned in, lips locking together. It was chaste and fleeting, over when it just started and Naib wanted more but he refrained himself from moving his face to lock their lips again as he withrawed.
Furious blushes covered their own cheeks. The spirit looking away with an embarassed laugh.
Naib brought a hand to the spirits face, urging the fox to look at him by turning his head. "I wasn't able to say if before." Naib began.
"I love you." he whispered and the fox stood frozen before all his face turned red.
A sad smile. "I love you too."
It was spring.
Touches lingered, Naib would teasingly brush his hand on the fox's thigh while the spirit would retaliate by a nip on his neck or ear. The touches grew bolder with every visit, more heat and purpose on their fingertips. Soft kisses turned passionate, a flame inbetween.
It was one day when Naib asks. "Can I take off your mask?"
The spirit hesitated but brought Naib's hand to the edge of it, to the string tying behind his head. "I'm all yours." The fox whispered, soft and fond and Naib untied the knot, letting the mask clatter on the wooden floor of the bridge.
Naib wasnt prepared at all to see the beauty, the beauty that is Rose. Naib brought a hand to touch the cheek, brushing it. The fox's eyes were a bright blue, like his own but brighter and seemed to hold the sky in those orbs. Red markings littered his cheeks and over his nose bridge. Naib brought a finger to trace it. The spirit was ethereal, the most beautiful man Naib has ever seen.
"You're beautiful." Naib whispers loving as he stared at those sky eyes. The spirit hummed. "Not as beautiful as you." he replied.
Naib blushed and giggled, smile too wide on his lips as he brought their faces together to capture the spirits lips. A kiss. It was soft and full of love until a tongue prodded Naib's mouth and he let the spirit devour him. Tongues dancing with each other. Naib feeling hot all over as he moved his hands to trail circles at the fox's hips. The kiss broke with a gasp from Naib, gulping air as his half lidded eyes stare at blue ones.
"Can I do more?" the fox whispered asking for permission as hands slowly roamed Naib's body, touching, feeling and Naib all but melted into it.
"Yes." Naib breathed, husky and strained as he brought their lips together once more, it was messy but all too good for Naib. The fox lifted him up and Naib circled his legs on the fox's waist. The spirit leading them to the shrine.
Clothes were tossed all over the floor. The creaking wooden boards echoed.
It was a night full of passion and love, Naib woke up the next day filling full and content, bearing bite marks all over his skin. He liked the marks, it was a symbol that the fox was his and he was to the fox. But like any other visit, the spirit was gone, no messy clothes strewn on the floor and only Naib's. The owl hooted at him, signaling to go. Naib followed, returning to his mother with the brightest smile to his lips.
"This is nothing." Naib coughed into his handkerchief, wiping away the blood as the fox stared at him worriedly. Naib had gone to several healers, even the ones outside of his village but for some reason none of them could give Naib a concrete asnwer to his disease. It came to a time where Naib doesnt take medicine anymore, it didnt help.
"You should still take your medicine, Naib."
"It doesn't work, I told you. My disease is unknown even to the greatest healers. None of the medicine I take works."
The fox bit his lips, bringing a hand to grasp Naib's. "What's with that look?" Naib laughs, squeezing the hand tight. "I told you, don't worry. I'll fight it."
You can't.
"Naib... I-" a pause. I'm sorry. An explanation cutoff. "You're right. You're the strongest human I've met." a fake laugh but it sounded genuine to Naib's ears.
Foxes trick and lie.
Autumn.
"I dont think..." Naib starts, voice shaky. "That I can visit you anymore."
They both know that Naib's sickness has gotten worse, it had gotten to a point where Naib had fainted one day trying to visit the shrine. The fox finding him and clinging to him with tears falling from his mask.
"I'm sorry." The spirit whispered, glad he has his mask to hide against. "You keep saying that." Naib whispers, stroking the fox's cheek. "And I keep telling you, it's not your fault." the spirit looks at Naib's pale complexion, to the sunken eyes, to the sickly skin.
The fox whimpers, tears finally falling, escaping the mask, dripping down his cheeks. "I'm sorry." the spirit says again and Naib kisses the tears away, kisses with such fervour.
"Tonight," Naib began, "Can we make love for the last time?" he whispers, gently brushing the fox's tousled brown hair.
As if it was his last wish, the fox led him to the shrine. "I shouldn't. " the spirit mumbles, "I really shouldn't." he says again like a mantra. Tears still escaping, still flowing. "Naib-" he hiccups.
"Shhh... I know." Naib whispers, reassuring the fox with a squeeze on their locked hands. "I knew, for the longest time."
"Naib-" a broken cry. Afraid of what the human means, afraid of what it hints.
"I chose this. It's not your fault." Naib hugs him. Tight and warm and the fox will miss this when he's gone. "To escape, you need a human." Naib whispers it as a statement.
"I'm devouring your soul-" The fox says, voice rising in an octave. High pitched and keening. Naib brought their linked hands to his lips, kissing the back of the fox's hand. "I know," voice small but determined. "And I'm giving myself all to you." Naib brought his other hand to untie the mask, letting it clatter to the floor. Exposing the spirit's anguished face.
"Devour me." Naib finally says and the fox kisses him, hot and hungry, chasing for something, anything. Hands touched everywhere, clothes falling to the floor. Moans echoed, shared breaths husky and wanting. "Naib-" the fox repeats his name over and over as he litters kisses and bite marks all over the humans skin. "Naib-"
"I love you." Naib says, pouring all his emotions into the three words. The fox whimpers, nosing his neck. "I love you too." He kisses him, long and slow, their lips mingling with each other in a dance. Heartbeats pumping, flowing, thumping beneath their chests. Memories of the fox's human life came filtering with every kiss, with every piece of soul he's stealing from Naib.
"I'm sorry." The fox says again and Naib shushes him. "Don't-"
"Don't apologize, I want this."
The fox fell silent, choosing to pour all his love in his touches, whispering quiet praise to the human. Naib moaning in response.
"I remembered it, my name." the fox whispers, gaze unfocused. "It's Eli."
"Eli." Naib repeats. "What a lovely name." He says reminiscent of the past when he first told the fox his own. And Eli savors it, the way his name rolls off the humans tongue, the way it sounded so right, the way his voice sounded like home. Naib repeats it, again and again.
The fox made love to him all night, tender touches delivering, soft and all Naib could wished for.
When morning came the fox stared at the wooden ceiling of the shrine, memories of his human life coming back to him. He was supposed to disappear when morning came, he brought his hands up, examining it, staring hard at the scratches of Naib's hand. He felt dizzy, flashes of scenes making its way to his mind. A name, a fiancé, a breakup. All his memories flowed like a river.
He should be happy, this was what he wanted in the very beginning yet as he stared hard on the wooden wall, memories of last night causing tears to fall from his eyes. His heart broke into tiny pieces. Naib was gone, Eli had eaten his soul to be human again.
No. That wasn't what he would describe it, He stole Naib's body to be human again. He looked around and gathered the clothes, Naib's clothes and put it on. He went to the red broken bridge and stared at the water, Naibs face in the reflection, gone were the sunken eyes, the pale skin, in its place was a healthy man, like the first time Eli met him. "Naib." he whispers and as he hears the voice, he breaks down.
He stood alone at the red broken bridge, staring at Naib's reflection, his reflection until night falls.
Everyday, Naib would wander to the forest, pouch filled with coins as he prayed to the abandoned shrine, a wish, a prayer for his loved one, carried and lost to the wind. His mother would worry, tell him what if his disease comes back. It was a miracle when Naib came home, looking healthy as ever but his eyes looked dull, devoid of life. Naib was her son and she knew that something wasn't right the moment he stepped foot into the house. He was too polite, too full of empty smiles and kind words. Naib didnt act like that, Naib was full of jokes and laughter.
But she brushed it off because she didn't want to acknowledge it. Didnt want to know what had happened to her son in his trip to the forest that night and so she grinned, greeted him every morning and Naib would do the same.
Foxes trick and Lie. That was what his mother used to say and Naib couldn't agree more.