Tale of the Six Kitsune: I

The tale of "Black Fox" Aida was originally Chapter Three of Chronicles of the Six Kitsune. Out of the author's special fondness, it has been specially moved up as the first story.

Please forgive my chatter; before the tale begins, a brief introduction—

What is "New" Chronicles of the Six Kitsune?

As all know, where there is new, there is old. This book is a worldly new edition lightly adapted from Chronicles of the Six Kitsune, once popular five hundred years ago. My poor brushwork begs the forbearance of Lord Urakusai and of every reader.

As for Lord Urakusai, he was already quite famous in my childhood. In those days Lady Saiguu also favored his writing and his tea; among the kitsune race, Urakusai ranked among the foremost of the refined.

Alas, the past is wind. Since Lord Urakusai, by misfortune, committed a grave crime and departed in atonement, more than five hundred years have already passed...

Enough digression. The beginning of New Chronicles of the Six Kitsune lies upon towering Mt. Yougou.

Legend says that in the years when the great kitsune Hakushin still lived, she had six disciples under her, all skilled in arts and changeable of form. Day by day they aided their matriarch Hakushin in coordinating shrine affairs and guarding Mt. Yougou in perfect safety.

Chief of the six kitsune was named Black Fox Aida. Though a woman, she was broad of back and mighty of frame, tall and powerful. Her nature was free and unrestrained; for drunkenly brawling in the shrine's main hall and smashing the Shogun's sacred image, she drew Hakushin's great wrath and was banished down the mountain to reflect.

Yet this Black Fox Aida, no sooner had she gone down the mountain in good order than she forgot the matriarch's admonitions clean away. Filling a flask with fine wine, she headed straight for the villages to pick a fight.