Long before Kitsumi became the mischievous trickster of the Whispering Lake, she was just another fox spirit roaming the endless forests of her homeland. The world was wide, untamed, and full of wonder—a playground for the spirited young Kitsumi. But beneath her playful exterior hid a yearning that she could never quite shake. A part of her always felt... incomplete, as though something vital had been lost to her.

  She still remembered the day she first came upon the Whispering Lake. It had been by accident—or perhaps by fate. The air had grown colder, the trees eerily still, as if even the wind dared not disturb the shimmering waters. Drawn by a force she couldn’t explain, Kitsumi approached the lake’s edge.

  “You’ve come,” the voice had said. It wasn’t a sound she heard with her ears but rather one that resonated in her mind and heart.

  “Who’s there?” Kitsumi had demanded, her tails bristling in alarm. But the voice did not answer directly. Instead, a ripple spread across the lake’s surface, its glow intensifying.

  In that moment, the powers within her had awakened. It wasn’t a slow realization—it was a cascade of raw energy, vibrant and wild, surging through her veins. Kitsumi had fallen to her knees, clutching her chest as flashes of ancient memories filled her mind. It was as if the lake had unlocked a part of her that had been sealed away.

  “Why?” she had whispered, looking into the glowing waters, her reflection shimmering with foxfire light. The voice answered only with a riddle: “Find what is missing. Only then will you understand.”

  From that day on, Kitsumi remained by the lake, guarding its mysteries. She played tricks on travelers who came seeking its powers, testing their resolve, their wit, and most importantly, their hearts. Some were greedy, seeking the lake’s secrets for their own gain. Others were lost, searching for purpose. None, however, had ever made it far enough to prove themselves worthy in Kitsumi’s eyes.

  Her reasons for staying went beyond duty. Kitsumi’s heart still ached with questions. What was she looking for? What had been “missing” all this time? She knew the lake held answers, but the right traveler—the one who could help her uncover the truth—had yet to appear.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  The crackle of the campfire brought Kitsumi back to the present. She sat with her knees drawn to her chest, gazing into the flickering flames. The warmth was comforting, but her mind was restless, flitting between memories of the lake and her new traveling companion.

  PuppyGirlPrincess sat across from her, her injuries now bandaged but her spirit still visibly weary. Kitsumi couldn’t help but admire her—this girl who had stared down darkness and somehow emerged with her light intact.

  “You’re staring again,” PuppyGirlPrincess said, her voice soft but teasing.

  Kitsumi smirked, resting her chin on her knees. “Maybe I just enjoy the view.”

  PuppyGirlPrincess chuckled, shaking her head. The firelight danced across her features, illuminating her curious expression. “Kitsumi,” she began tentatively, “I’ve been meaning to ask…”

  Here it comes, Kitsumi thought, her mischievous grin growing wider. People always wanted to know more about her. Who are you, really? What’s your story? Why do you hide behind tricks and illusions?

  “You’re wondering about the lake, aren’t you?” Kitsumi interrupted before PuppyGirlPrincess could finish. Her tails swished behind her, betraying her amusement. “Or is it about my charming personality? Come on, don’t be shy.”

  PuppyGirlPrincess rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

  “True,” Kitsumi admitted with a wink.

  But PuppyGirlPrincess wasn’t deterred. “Seriously, though. I’d like to know more about you. Where you come from… why you were at the lake? There’s more to you than you let on, Kitsumi.”

  For a moment, Kitsumi’s playful facade faltered. She looked into the flames, her golden eyes reflecting a hint of something deeper—something unresolved.

  “When the time is right,” Kitsumi said softly. Her voice carried an unfamiliar sincerity that surprised even herself. “I promise, you’ll hear my story.”

  PuppyGirlPrincess tilted her head, about to press further, but Kitsumi raised a finger to her lips. “Not tonight, princess. You need rest. And besides, a little mystery is good for the soul.”

  PuppyGirlPrincess sighed but relented, leaning back against her pack, her lips forming a soft pout. “Fine. But don’t think I’ll forget.”

  Kitsumi smiled, a genuine warmth spreading across her face. She watched as PuppyGirlPrincess drifted into sleep, her soft breathing mixing with the crackle of the fire.

  You’ll know everything one day, Kitsumi thought to herself. When I’ve figured it out, too.

  With that, she turned her gaze back to the stars, her mind once again wandering to the lake, the riddle, and the truths she had yet to uncover.