YAMA-VIEW (author's note) No. 2

This is my second annotation for this first chapter. I'm here to explain what may be look as an inconsistency in the story: Yuki's look. As you already know, she's a kitsune, a yokai fox (refer to Glossary). Kitsune are in a category of yokai called OBAKE-shape sifters. Hence her appearance will vary from scene to scene, of course depending on the situation. But you'll notice a constant feature her white fur-hair in her human form-as I have stated I think in the glossary, in ancient Japanese myths kyubi-kitsune[9 tailed spirit fox] are described as having golden fur. So to make Yuki special amongst the special, I decided to make her fur white. Also when a kitsune transforms it does mostly into a female form independent of the gender of the fox. Same thing with possesions.

Be sure to check all the notes and the glossary for more exciting facts, stories and an inside view to book!!!

Chapter I: Kitsune through the mirror

Hidden in the mist Yuki dashed towards the place where she first encountered Princess Yukari. Mean time she -the princess- lay on her bed with a high fever, to her parents’ dismay only seemed to worsen. Even the royal palace doctors found themselves at odds in regards to her condition and concluded it was for the best to wait and see how her symptoms progressed. Tired of waiting, filled with a sense of powerlessness and impotence the emperor went to the temple’s main shrine to continue praying for his daughter’s well-being, as he had been doing every day. A tense and heavy atmosphere surrounded the temple when Yuki arrived; pulled by her curiosity she hopped inside and wandered around for a while until she saw the emperor and his wife near the main shrine; this is where the mirror that Yuki found was.

As she cautiously and stealthy approached the couple, she felt their sadness and sorrow as well as their desire to save their beloved child. Feeling compelled by the sincere desire of the aching parents, Yuki decide to take action and help them not knowing that the daughter in peril was none other than the one she was looking for!

Even though she was told by Maki not to approach the humans-remember we kitsune are yokai!!!-in the temple, she just ignored the order and transformed into a beautiful miko, then headed towards the depressed king and queen.

While trying to console her husband the queen saw a human figure approaching in the clearing mist.

Chapter I: Kitsune through the mirror

During that meeting a heated debate broke, regarding what should be done after this. One group favored to search for a new temple or shrine with a capable mirror; others said it was better to wait for the humans to leave so they could use the mirror. No consensus was achieved during the meeting; Maki then interrupted the dispute amongst the factions and ordered Yuki to further research the human presence in the temple and also to find a plausible secondary mirror to use. With this disposition the argument ceased and the tense atmosphere was blown away.

The following morning, just after dawn, Yuki left towards the temple. When she arrived, the temple was covered in mist that came from the near mountain range and partially covered the lake that neighbored the temple.

She waited until the mist subsided, to continue her plan. At the same time princess Yukari anxiously stared at the window as if she knew Yuki was near. Even though almost a mile apart they instantly recognized each other’s aura.

Several hours had passed since Yuki started her surveillance of the area; to her pleasure everything was the same as the day before. After meticulously revising the surroundings she decided to head into the temple.

Chapter I: Kitsune Through the mirror

As their eyes met, Yuki fled back to rendezvous with the pack and inform about that encounter. That first contact was favored by fate-at least that was what Maki later said she believed-became the turning point in Yuki’s life.

Just as sunset approached from the side of the neighboring mountains, she arrived at the kitsune layer. Even though tired from the long journey from the temple to the mountains, she rushed to the place where Maki rested and explained in a detailed report what had occurred.

While darkness took over the skies and the moon shined amongst its companion stars, they convened their daily meeting to listen to Yuki’s report. As she narrated the day’s events at the temple, many of the kitsune were stunned over such a close encounter between Yuki and the princess. After a moment of silence, Yuki rose and said “As our eyes met, I felt her heart calling out to mines. I felt no threat from her……………rather a warm feeling. I really wanted to get closer. It felt like another part of me was calling my return”-those words were engraved in the memory of those present, and kept in the heart of everyone that heard and narrated it.