Chapter 06: Fox
291 years in the past.
Southern lands of Demon realm
Many years before Sinta took on the noble role of the princess's knight, he was known as a thief hailing from the Demon Realm. His primary motivation for venturing into the enchanting land of Elyasia was to escape the overwhelming shadow cast by his twin brother, Youko Kurama. The two brothers, despite their strikingly similar appearances, were worlds apart in personality and ambition. The only distinguishing feature that set Sinta apart from Youko was the peculiar highlights in his hair, a unique trait that he had been born with, which often drew attention and made him feel even more like an outsider.
Sinta had never truly relished the thrill of the chase or the spoils that came with his thieving lifestyle. The adrenaline rush that many thieves craved was lost on him; instead, he felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction with his life. Being perpetually in the shadow of his more famous twin was taking its toll on him, and he realized that simply being second best was not a sustainable way to live. He needed to carve out his own identity, to do something different that would allow him to break free from the expectations that came with being a Kurama.
In search of a new direction, Sinta decided to reach out to an old friend, knowing she would be staying at her father's residence at that time. With his skills honed from years of thievery, he stealthily made his way into her bedroom, only to be met with an unexpected response. The moment he entered, a pillow flew through the air, striking him squarely in the face.
"Sinta, are you a perv now?" she asked, her voice laced with a light glare that he could feel even in the dim light of the room.
"No... I just need something different..." he replied, walking over to her bed and sitting down beside her.
She let out a soft sigh, her expression softening as she reached out to him. With a gentle tug, she pulled him down slightly, enveloping him in a warm hug. "You know, Skye will kill you... He tried killing your twin a few times, just for doing what you just did..."
Sinta couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "At this point, it would be fun, but he doesn't really have a reason to kill me. I'm not the one mated to his baby sister."
Her laughter was light and infectious, and she began to pet his head affectionately. "That's true," she said, her tone shifting as she looked down at him, sensing something deeper. "Sinta, are you bored with this realm?"
His tail twitched slightly as he pondered her question. Was he bored? He wasn't entirely sure, but a nagging feeling in the back of his mind suggested that perhaps he was. "Maybe," he finally admitted.
Rose sighed softly, her expression turning serious as she pushed him away gently and got out of bed. "I'll go talk to my father and see if you could stay for a while."
Sinta blinked in surprise. "But why would you do that?"
She shook her head, her determination evident as she walked toward the door. "When a friend is in need, I like to help. Letting you stay here for a while may help you... and annoy my mate," she added with a playful smirk before stepping out of her room.
Sinta understood that his friend and his brother were mated, and he was aware that they had their share of problems, but he had no idea just how deep those issues ran. Over the next few months, both Raiko and Skye would drop subtle hints about the troubles they faced, yet Sinta felt powerless to intervene. He loved Rose dearly, but his feelings for her were more akin to those of a brother or a best friend. He recognized that her heart truly belonged to his twin, and that realization weighed heavily on him.
One evening, Sinta found himself sitting outside of Rose's room, gazing up at the vast expanse of the night sky. Rose had her head resting comfortably on his lap, fast asleep, and he didn't mind at all. He absentmindedly played with her soft black hair and the unique dual-colored ears that adorned her head. It was a peaceful moment, one that he cherished, but it was abruptly interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching.
"Sinta, did you lose interest?" a male voice inquired, breaking the tranquility of the night.
He turned to see Raiko, the elder fox, approaching him with a curious expression. "What are you talking about?" Sinta replied, slightly confused.
Raiko let out a weary sigh as he settled down beside Sinta. "I'm asking if you really dislike it here."
Sinta hesitated for a moment, contemplating his response. "And yet you asked something different... but in short terms, I do... This realm is somewhere only Youko Kurama could live..."
Raiko raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So if you could go somewhere else, would you?"
Sinta leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head as he stared up at the stars. "Let me think about it," he said, his mind racing with possibilities.
It took only two days for Sinta to come to a decision, and when he finally approached Raiko with his answer, the elder fox shared with him tales of a realm that only a select few could access. It was a place where Sinta could truly be free, liberated from the constant comparisons to his twin. The thought of leaving for Elyasia filled him with a sense of excitement and trepidation, but he ultimately made the choice to go, leaving without saying a word to Rose, who was accustomed to his sudden departures.
Upon arriving in Elyasia, Sinta was immediately struck by the vibrant energy of the realm. It was a place brimming with life, color, and opportunities that he had never imagined. Although there were two primary rules to follow, he felt an exhilarating sense of freedom that he had longed for. There was no one to compete against, no one to overshadow him, and for the first time in his life, he felt like he could truly be himself.
As he settled into his new surroundings, Sinta quickly fell back into the rhythm of his old life as a thief. However, this time, it was different. He found joy in the thrill of the heist, relishing the excitement of planning and executing his escapades. The items he took were not just possessions; they were tokens of his newfound freedom, symbols of his ability to carve out his own path in a world that had once felt so constricting.
In Elyasia, Sinta discovered a sense of belonging that he had never experienced before. He made new friends, forged alliances, and even encountered other beings who shared his desire for adventure and independence. Each day brought new challenges and opportunities, and he embraced them all with open arms. The realm was a playground for his spirit, and he reveled in the freedom it offered.
Yet, even amidst the excitement and newfound friendships, Sinta couldn't shake the feeling of longing for the connections he had left behind. He often thought of Rose and the bond they shared, wondering how she was faring without him. He hoped that she understood his need to find himself, to break free from the constraints of his past. As he continued to navigate the complexities of his new life, he realized that while he had escaped the shadow of his twin, the memories of his friends and the love he held for them would always remain a part of him.
In the end, Sinta's journey was not just about becoming a thief in a new realm; it was about self-discovery, growth, and the realization that true freedom comes from within. As he embraced his new identity, he also learned to cherish the relationships that had shaped him, knowing that they would always be a part of his story, no matter where his adventures took him next.
Southern lands
Sometime after Sinta had become Mira's first knight, he embarked on what Mira affectionately referred to as his 'runs.' These excursions took him wandering through the enchanting landscapes of Elyasia and the southern territories of the Demon realms. He would roam freely, exploring the beauty and mysteries of these lands until he felt the familiar pull to return home. However, one fateful 'run' turned out to be far more perilous than he could have ever anticipated.
On this particular day, Sinta found himself fleeing from a relentless hunter and its pack of shadow hounds. The air was thick with tension as he dashed through the underbrush, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no idea why this hunter had set its sights on him, but he certainly wasn’t about to stop and ask questions while dodging its lethal attacks. "First my twin... and now me... Just what kind of person harbors such hatred for us?" he growled to himself, frustration and fear mingling in his voice as he felt a sharp pain and the warm trickle of blood down his side.
In a desperate bid for survival, he shifted into his fox form, a sleek and agile creature that could navigate the terrain with greater speed. For a fleeting moment, he thought he had successfully evaded the hunter, but his relief was short-lived. Just as he began to catch his breath, a sharp projectile struck him, and he felt an overwhelming force pulling at his very essence. "No! I don't want this....!" he screamed, but his cries fell on deaf ears. His soul was forcibly ripped from his body, leaving him in a state of panic and confusion.
In that moment of despair, he fled to the one realm he knew the hunter would never dare to follow—Elyasia. Yet, in a twist of fate, he found himself instead drifting into the Human realm. As he floated aimlessly, searching for a way back, he stumbled upon a pregnant woman sitting peacefully in a park. Drawn to her warmth and life, he floated around her, feeling an inexplicable connection. In a moment of instinct, he entered the body of the unborn child, only to discover that the original soul had already departed. Little did he know the identity of the woman he had chosen until it was far too late.
Months passed, and the young woman, named Sara, gave birth to a healthy baby boy whom she named Sin. Overjoyed by the arrival of her son, she felt a profound sense of relief, especially considering the earlier news that had suggested a high risk of stillbirth. Despite the joy that filled her heart, Sara sensed that something was slightly amiss, yet she brushed it aside, focusing instead on the love she had for her child. She dedicated herself to raising him as best as she could, even as a single mother. Whenever she needed assistance, she would turn to her older sister, Shiori, who was always willing to help, or invite Sin to play with his cousin, Shuichi.
As a baby, Sin was remarkably quiet. He rarely cried or laughed, which was unusual for infants. However, he exhibited an uncanny ability to learn the basics of walking and talking at an astonishing pace, faster than most children his age, though not quite as quickly as his cousin. As he grew older, he began to notice the stark differences between himself and his cousin. By the time he turned ten, he was acutely aware of the peculiar bond he shared with him, a connection that felt both comforting and burdensome. Despite this awareness, he chose to keep his distance, feeling an unshakeable sense of doom linked to his twin. Nevertheless, he was a good kid, striving to stay out of trouble, which proved to be a challenge when he often returned home with cuts and scrapes, never revealing how he had acquired them.
As he approached his fourteenth birthday, the weight of his secret became too much to bear. He finally mustered the courage to confide in his mother, revealing the truth about his origins. To his surprise, she took the revelation remarkably well. They embraced tightly, and he reassured her that he would visit whenever he could, promising to show her his true form one day, which brought a smile to her face.
With a heavy heart but a newfound sense of purpose, he left home in search of a portal that would lead him back to his true realm. As he wandered, he blinked in surprise when Chrono, the time demon, stepped out of a shimmering portal. The redhead with silver highlights cast a wary glance at the purple-haired demon before speaking.
"Princess... sent me to...."
"Pick me up?" Sinta interjected, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Chrono nodded slightly, his gaze dropping to the ground. The time demon was notoriously shy, a trait Sinta had grown accustomed to over the years.
"Then let's go back to our weird princess," Sinta said with a grin.
Chrono nodded in agreement, and together they stepped through the portal. As they emerged on the other side, Sinta looked around, momentarily taken aback. "Why is the portal right outside of the castle?" he asked, confusion etched on his face.
"Mira used her magic.... She really misses you..." Chrono replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sinta sighed lightly, running his fingers through his silver-highlighted bangs and red hair. He felt a mix of excitement and trepidation about returning to the castle, especially considering his current human form. He was acutely aware that he didn’t possess his full powers, which would have allowed him to revert to his Youko form.
As he entered the castle, Sinta tried to ignore the curious glances from the diverse staff of demons, humans, shifters, and half-breeds that filled the halls. He made his way to the throne room, his heart racing with anticipation. Upon reaching the grand doors, he pushed them open and stepped inside.
The moment he crossed the threshold, he was enveloped in a warm embrace. "Sinta, you're finally back," Mira exclaimed, her voice filled with joy.
He blinked in surprise and looked down at her, noting how she seemed to have shrunk since he last saw her. "Yes... but why are you shorter than me?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Mira looked up at him, a smile gracing her lips. "Magic," she replied playfully. Then, her expression shifted as she reached up to touch his bangs. "So... even as a human, you are so different..."
In a moment of affection, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. "True, but I'm still your fox," he reassured her, a soft smile playing on his lips.
She giggled lightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yep. So Sinta, what's your human name?"
Sinta let out a resigned sigh. "Mother called me 'Sin.' Why do you ask?"
Mira's smile softened as she considered his response. "Because I can't keep calling you Sinta," she said, her tone thoughtful.
He smirked, pulling her into a warm embrace. "And who said that?" he teased, enjoying the playful banter.
Mira blushed lightly, her cheeks turning a shade of pink as she pondered her next words. "Well..."
Before she could finish her thought, Sinta leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss. He was acutely aware that this kiss might provoke a reaction from Mira's mage, but in that moment, he couldn’t help himself. As he slowly broke the kiss, he looked down at her with a playful smile. "So?"
Mira's face turned a deep shade of red, and she buried her face into his chest, clearly flustered. "S-Soren... will hurt you..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I know," he replied, a hint of seriousness creeping into his tone. He understood the risks that came with their connection, but the bond he shared with Mira was worth any potential danger. Together, they would navigate the challenges ahead, united by their shared history and the love that had blossomed between them