A common interest

Back at the forest in the west, two kitsunes met up. The sun was long down, with only the twinkling stars illuminating the sky. However the canopy of trees blocked out much it, but it provided comfort to those under.

"I haven't found her..." Ryo said, shaking his head.

"Neither have I..." Miru replied.

"She must have ran off pretty far this time. I checked around the forest, she really isn't here." Ryo sighed, settling down on the carpet of grass on the forest floor.

"Me neither. However, towards the east of the village, I caught scent of her. However, all I can confirm is that she left to the next village at least, not how many villages or towns over... There are around three villages and two towns before the central city. Lets hope she hasn't wandered off there... If she has, there's no way we would even know..." Miru said, his voice low and serious. Although he mostly let her do what she liked, there was a certain limit, especially when it involved her safety. First, it was Takei, now this. He knew he could not control her decisions, but he hoped that she would at least be less naive and more careful. They were both foxes from the same litter, and the only sentient ones among all their other siblings. He hoped that she would be able to see that what he did was out of his love for her. There was no way he would allow her to throw her life away, especially not for romantic love. No matter what the consequences, he couldn't let her continue further down this path.

In the central city, morning had arrived. Morning dew formed on the window screens, as Miko got ready. Donning on a new kimono, Miko combed her hair and waited for Tashi to awaken. Once he had gotten ready and they had had their breakfast, they began to set off.

"So, what do you do for entertainment?" Tashi asked. Miko thought for a little while, before she replied, " Perhaps going out with my friends and my brother, like swimming or picking flowers, or just running around and playing with each other. Sometimes we also go out shopping . It also depends on the season... During spring, we would watch cherry blossoms fall. During summer, we would go to the seaside. In autumn, we practice tsukimi (moon viewing) and in winter when the water freezes over, we can slide on the ice and play with the snow."

"That... was much more entertaining than I expected," Tashi chuckled a little, "for me, it is really simple. I mostly do a little gardening and read."

"What do you read about?" Miko asked.

"Well... Mostly about cultivation and about spirits. I do find these subjects facinating," Tashi replied, which surprised Miko. For a non- cultivator, she never expected him to read such books as she thought, like many other humans, it made them feel more inferior, particularly when a relative of theirs possessed such an ability and they didn't. For Miko, Tashi also appeared to be against beasts, just like how most humans were. She never expected him to hold an interest, but conform to what others mostly did. Kill them if possible, and escape and wait for help if not.

"Really??" Was all Miko could ask to hide her surprise.

"You don't have to act as if you aren't surprised," Tashi smiled, "You may find it strange, but I have always liked to read about cultivating, even if I can't do it in reality. After all, don't you find it strange how the ability came about? As for spirits, I find it facinating how they can exist and control bits of nature. I think its - oh sorry, am I boring you with my words? I understand if you don't share the same interests, since I wouldn't say it is exactly common to hold an interest in such subjects."

"No, its alright, I do hold an interest as well," Miko replied. "To answer some of your questions, cultivation came about in humans due to constitutions. Nobody knows how the first human got it, but he had many constitutions to cultivate and become stronger. Some says he was blessed by a god, others say he found a powerful relic that gave him such an ability. After that, he had many children, and each of them inherited at least one of his constitutions, and were able to cultivate as well. Those children soon grew up, married and had offspring. And they also inherited those constitutions, with some constitutions probably mutating in the later generations, which gives rise to the many constituitions we have today that allow for cultivation. For spirits, some are naturally formed by nature from abundant energy, which makes it no surprise they are abke to control bits of nature they are formed from. For spiritual beast, the first ones could have been beasts who gained some form of enlightenment, or are devoted followers of a particular god and have recieved blessings. Constitutions work like humans and are passed from parent to child so that is-"

"Wow, you definitely know alot more about this topic than I do!" Tashi laughed, "I would definitely need to read up more to catch up to you!"

"No worries, I can tell you whatever you need to know!" Miko replied.

Loosing track of time with their conversation, Miko did not realise that Tashi had already brought them to his first spot of the day. The building stood tall, towering over those who were entering. It had strong wooden support beams and its walls were constructed of of wooden bricks. It was definitely different compared to the rest of the city, where most buildings were made out of wood. It looked stronger. Steadier.

"Since you have an interest in beasts, I think you would rather like this place today," Tashi smiled as he showed the guard a small token, and handed several silver coins to him. The token was gold in colour with a lone wolf carved on it. It shimmered under the miday sun, reflecting the rays as it flaunted its brilliance and worth compared to its silver and bronze counterparts held by others.

Holding out his hand, Tashi smiled and asked, "Shall we go in, darling?"