The Nine-Tailed Fox stiffened all over.
Kneeling on the ground, she slowly turned her head.
At the bend in the mountain path, a figure stood waiting.
A gray-white cloak, frayed cuffs. Two fox ears atop his head, one upright, the other missing half and drooping.
He stood there, holding Green Ox's reins.
His eyes fixed only on her.
The Nine-Tailed Fox's lips moved.
No sound came out.
The burly man released the reins and took two steps forward.
"Sis."
He called out again.
He was closer now. The Nine-Tailed Fox braced herself against the ground and shakily rose.
She opened her mouth. Her throat worked several times before she finally squeezed out his name:
"A... qi?"
She staggered forward one step, then another, before all but throwing herself at him.
"You're alive?"
The Nine-Tailed Fox's voice rose muffled from her chest, half sobbing, half laughing:
"You're alive? If you were alive, why didn't you come back?"
Fox Aqi said nothing. He simply stood there, letting her pound him, letting her scold him.
A long while passed.
He raised a hand and gently patted the Nine-Tailed Fox's back, his movements awkward.
"I couldn't come back. Master said it wasn't time yet!"
Fox Aqi scratched the back of his head.
He grinned, his smile looking for all the world like a farmer's.
"Master said he felt sorry for me, so he took me in and made me his oxherd."
Green Ox flicked his tail and gave a disdainful "moo."
Ayu had come running over at some point. She blinked, then suddenly threw herself at Fox Aqi and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Uncle!"
Fox Aqi stiffened, then raised his arms and hugged her too.
Off to the side.
Silver Horn watched Fox Aqi, watched Ayu hugging him, watched the Nine-Tailed Fox