Chapter 37: The Red and Green Shikigami

Back in the demon ogre realm, Kuroyasha and Kuzuno were still asleep, recovering from the battle that had taken place.
Kuzuno rested in a royal suite, surrounded by lavish sheets made from the finest silk the realm had to offer. The room itself was decorated like the petals of a sakura tree, complete with a desk and a private bathroom.
Sitting beside Kuzuno and watching over her was Murasaki.
She quietly observed Kuzuno as she slept, her thoughts beginning to wander.
"Princess Kuzuno... I thought I had it rough being a half-demon, but compared to what you've been through with your sister, it's no wonder things are the way they are in your realm. And I know it's not your fault... but now the fox realm is in danger, as well as big bro's realm."
She looked down at her hands.
"I need to become stronger too... strong enough to fight alongside you both. Because right now, I feel like I would only hold you back in battle... and that is unbecoming of a demon ogre."
Her expression tightened slightly.
"I just... I don't want to lose control of myself like my mother does when she fights. It's like the battle is the only thing that matters to her... nothing else."
Murasaki glanced back at Kuzuno, noticing slight movement.
"I wonder what she's dreaming about..."
She leaned back in her chair.
"At any rate, I hope she wakes up soon. We'll be heading to the tanuki realm before long. I'm actually excited... Even though it's hidden, it's said to be a wonderful place for vacations and marriage ceremonies. It almost doesn't seem like the kind of place meant for training... but I guess I won't know for sure until I see it myself."
As Murasaki drifted deeper into her thoughts, Kuzuno began to stir more noticeably.
Suddenly-
Kuzuno awoke.
But she was no longer in the room.
Instead, she found herself in an empty, silent space.
She looked around, seeing nothing-no walls, no sky, no ground-just endless void.
Then, in the distance, she spotted two small figures.
Paper dolls.
One had glowing red eyes, the other glowing green. Both were pitch black in form.
They slowly approached her.
Kuzuno narrowed her gaze.
"No doubt... these are shikigami. But to send them into dreams? That requires powerful magic-at least that of a four-tailed fox or higher."
She paused, sensing their energy.
"But this... this isn't fox magic. No... this is something far greater. And yet... I sense no ill intent."
She steadied herself.
"I'll proceed carefully... but I won't let my guard down."
The shikigami floated closer, then gently settled onto her shoulders-one on each side.
The green-eyed shikigami spoke first, her voice calm but commanding.
"Young fox... what is your relationship to Kuroyasha? Normally, he is the only one who can see us in this place. Yet now you stand here instead. Explain yourself."
Kuzuno turned slightly, her expression softening into a warm smile.
"He is my partner... through a fox link-the bond that connects a fox to their destined partner. Why do you ask, shikigami?"
The red-eyed shikigami reacted immediately.
"So it's true... Kuroyasha has formed a fox link? And with a royal fox, no less? I must say, he is quite the fortunate man to have such a beauty as his partner."
The green-eyed shikigami shot him a sharp glare, silencing him instantly.
He cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject.
"Kuzuno... your parents wouldn't happen to be Emperor Toba and Queen Tamamo of the fox realm?"
Kuzuno blinked in surprise.
"Yes, they are. But... how do you know that?"
The green-eyed shikigami answered calmly.
"We are familiar with many gods, as well as the kings and queens of countless realms. For instance, we know your goddess, Inari, quite well."
She paused, studying Kuzuno closely.
"What we are not familiar with... is seeing you here instead of Kuroyasha. Normally, we only glimpse him when he is near death-and even then, the connection is faint. Yet you... you can see us clearly. You can communicate with us."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"This is far outside what is considered normal."
The red-eyed shikigami nodded.
"I believe she already gave us the answer. She mentioned the fox link. As Lady Inari once told us, such a bond gradually binds two souls together-sharing power, abilities, even transformations."
He gestured toward Kuzuno.
"And considering she is a royal fox, her power is already immense. Combine all those factors, and it's no mystery how she ended up here."
He crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"The real question is... can we trust her with the information meant for Kuroyasha?"
The green-eyed shikigami hesitated.
"While I sense no ill intent from her... I am uncertain as well. Our realm has strict laws regarding mortals. We are not meant to interfere with them-except at the moment of their passing, when they walk their path of death, so-"
"THAT'S TOO MUCH INFORMATION!"
The red-eyed shikigami shouted, cutting her off.
"We're already bending the rules just by being here! Saying that out loud is reckless!"
As the two began arguing, Kuzuno pieced everything together.
It was that last statement that lingered in her mind.
"The path of death... laws about mortals..."
Then it clicked.
Like a bolt of lightning.
"You two..." she said firmly.
The arguing stopped.
"You were sent from the Shinigami realm... weren't you?"
Silence fell.
The two shikigami exchanged a glance before turning back to her.
The green-eyed one spoke.
"...You are quite perceptive, Princess Kuzuno. Yes-you are correct."
Her tone softened slightly.
"We are shikigami sent from the Shinigami realm. Our purpose is to deliver information to Kuroyasha... regarding the seal placed upon him."
She paused.
"But it seems... we will have to trust you with that information instead."
Kuzuno straightened, her expression turning serious as she prepared to listen.