Goddess Minoyama and Kuzuno walked up the grand staircase toward Minoyama's chambers after leaving the medical wing.
Minoyama's tanuki tail swayed eagerly behind her, though her expression remained composed.
"I often help my sons pick out festival kimonos," she said elegantly. "But since they are bringing actual dates this time, I must avoid interfering with their preparations... at least not too much~"
A sly grin spread across her face.
"It will be refreshing picking out festival kimonos with other girls for once."
One of Minoyama's words caught Kuzuno's attention.
"Goddess Minoyama... will there be others trying on kimonos with us?"
Minoyama's tail swayed even faster.
"I'm glad you asked, Kuzuno, because it won't just be us~"
Kuzuno tilted her head slightly in confusion.
She had spent the past three years in the Tanuki Realm, and aside from Goddess Tsurara, she had rarely seen Minoyama interact with other women.
The two approached Minoyama's chambers.
As the doors opened, Kuzuno saw a full-blooded tanuki tailor surrounded by luxurious fabrics and carefully folded kimono materials of every imaginable color and pattern.
Nearby stood Goddess Tsurara, silently examining several shades of snow-blue silk.
A faint blush rested on her normally cold expression.
Minoyama immediately noticed.
"Oh my~" she said while slowly approaching her. "I don't remember you being THIS invested in festival kimonos, Tsurara~ Any particular reason why?"
Tsurara did not look away from the fabrics.
"It seems Biki-Ba gave me an invitation card for this festival," she replied calmly. "You raised him well, Minoyama. His invitation carried a level of grace befitting my divine presence."
A faint blush deepened across her cheeks.
"Therefore, I shall honor him by acting as his 'date' for the festival."
Minoyama covered her mouth lightly, trying-and failing-not to laugh.
"Well, well, Tsurara... I didn't think my son would have THIS much of an effect on you."
Her grin widened.
"This is quite heartwarming... and incredibly entertaining~"
Kuzuno could not stop the small smile that formed on her face.
The tanuki tailor quickly bowed.
"It is the highest honor to craft festival kimonos not only for Goddess Minoyama and Goddess Tsurara, but also for Princess Kuzuno of the Fox Realm."
She bowed even deeper.
"I would be delighted to begin immediately."
Minoyama smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Midori. Your craftsmanship has always been irreplaceable."
She then added:
"However... we do have one more person to fit for a kimono."
Midori blinked in surprise.
"Oh? And who would that be?"
Before Minoyama could answer, the great mirror inside the chambers began glowing with divine light.
A familiar figure stepped through it.
Kuzuno's eyes widened instantly.
Minoyama smiled brightly.
"I'm so happy you could join us, Queen Tamamo of the Fox Realm~"
Kuzuno froze.
Three years.
It had been three long years since she had seen her mother.
She had imagined this reunion countless times...
But now that it was happening, she did not know what to say.
Yet despite the shock, happiness still rose within her chest.
Tamamo slowly looked around the room before her gaze settled on Kuzuno.
Her regal expression softened.
Kuzuno immediately bowed respectfully.
"It has been quite some time, Mother. I hope you and Father have been well and-"
Before she could finish-
Tamamo suddenly pulled Kuzuno into a tight embrace.
Soft tears streamed down the queen's face.
"The fact you can still stand before me... and greet me with kindness after everything you suffered..."
Her voice trembled.
"The greatest gift a mother could receive... is seeing how strong her daughter has become."
Her arms tightened.
"I missed you so much... my little Tama."
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Kuzuno's composure finally broke.
Tears rolled down her face as she silently embraced her mother in return.
Because those words meant everything to her.
After some time, Kuzuno softly asked:
"How has Father been? How are things back home?"
Tamamo's expression darkened.
"The Fox Realm has become unstable since you and Kayo disappeared."
Her eyes lowered.
"There are whispers questioning the stability of the royal family... even your father's position as Emperor."
She sighed softly.
"And while carrying the burden of ruling... he also carries the pain of losing both his daughters."
Minoyama silently observed Tamamo while sipping sake.
"So... you still refuse to tell her everything, Tamamo..."
Tamamo turned back toward Kuzuno.
"How has your stay in the Tanuki Realm been? Though knowing Minoyama... I imagine it has been rather chaotic."
Minoyama gasped dramatically.
"Little Tama, I know NOTHING of these accusations~"
Tamamo sighed softly.
Some things truly never changed.
She then turned toward Tsurara.
"It has been quite some time, Tsurara. I trust you have been well?"
Tsurara did not even turn around.
"It is Goddess Tsurara now," she replied coldly. "Did the Fox Realm stop teaching proper manners?"
Tamamo's mana flared slightly.
"Last I checked, a goddess looks someone in the eyes while addressing them... rather than speaking with her back turned like she fears a mere mortal."
That struck a nerve.
Frost immediately spread across the floor.
Tamamo's flames surged in response, evaporating the ice instantly.
The room temperature rose and fell violently between scorching heat and freezing cold.
Minoyama calmly sipped more sake.
"As entertaining as this is... perhaps I should intervene~"
Before she could-
Kuzuno stepped between them.
"Master Tsurara... Mother... please calm yourselves."
Both women looked at her.
"We are guests in Madam Mochi's realm."
Kuzuno smiled warmly.
"So let's act like it... and focus on what we came here to do."
She gently took Tamamo's hand.
"Let's pick out festival kimonos together."
The frost slowly faded.
Tsurara quietly returned to examining fabrics, though a faint smile rested on her face.
The timid girl she once met was gone.
In her place stood a royal worthy of the power she carried.
Minoyama raised her sake dish slightly toward Kuzuno.
"Well handled, Princess~"
Meanwhile, Tamamo looked down at the daughter leading her by the hand.
Memories flooded her mind.
The timid little girl who once hid behind her robes...
Was now guiding her forward instead.
"My little Kuzuno..."
Her eyes softened with pride.
"You've become so strong."
Time slowly passed as the women selected fabrics and designs for the festival.
Eventually, Kuzuno stepped toward the doorway.
She bowed respectfully toward everyone present.
"I should retire for the night."
As she turned to leave, Tsurara finally spoke.
"Remember today's battle and reflect upon the limits of your current form."
Kuzuno stopped and listened carefully.
"We will spar again after the festival. I expect improvement in your battlefield movement and mana control."
There was a brief pause.
Then Tsurara spoke more softly.
"...That being said, be proud of how far you have come, my apprentice."
Kuzuno's eyes widened slightly.
"That is all. Rest now."
Kuzuno bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master Tsurara. I will continue striving to improve myself."
She then turned toward Tamamo with a warm smile.
"I'll see you at the festival tomorrow, Mother."
A small blush appeared on her face.
"You can formally meet my partner as well."
Tamamo blinked in surprise.
Before she could ask further questions, Kuzuno smiled once more and quietly left the room.
The door slid shut behind her.
Silence lingered for only a moment.
Then Minoyama suddenly clapped her hands together excitedly.
"Alright ladies! The children are gone, which means the REAL party can finally begin~!"
From behind her appeared an enormous bottle of sake labeled:
"Kami Sake: Sweet Apple Edition."
Tsurara looked unimpressed.
"How is this any different from the sake you've been drinking all day?"
Minoyama smiled deviously.
"This special sake has been aging for hundreds of years."
Her expression softened warmly.
"I saved it for the day the three of us would drink together again."
Three sake dishes appeared in the hands of Tamamo and Tsurara as luxurious pillows and rugs formed a circle around them.
The three women sat together.
As the night continued, laughter slowly filled the room.
Stories of the past resurfaced.
Old memories returned.
For the first time in centuries, the three friends simply enjoyed each other's company.
As time passed, all three became slightly tipsy, though still fully aware.
Eventually, Tamamo stared quietly out the window.
A melancholic expression crossed her face.
"Minoyama... Tsurara..."
Her voice softened.
"How did you do it?"
The room became quiet.
"When I saw Kuzuno again... it felt like I was looking at a completely different person."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"She wasn't hiding pain behind her smile anymore."
Tamamo's eyes lowered.
"She was genuinely happy."
There was silence.
"She gained three tails as well..."
Tsurara took another sip before speaking.
"Tamamo... let me ask you something."
Tamamo looked toward her.
"How far did you truly think Kuzuno would grow once it became clear her power was ice?"
Tamamo remained silent.
"No fox could properly teach her," Tsurara continued. "Yet you and Toba still tried forcing the royal fire arts upon her."
The frost goddess stared directly into her drink.
"When it became obvious she could not wield fire... what did you do?"
Tamamo's expression sharpened.
"I fail to see your point."
Tsurara calmly looked at her.
"My point is simple."
Her icy blue eyes met Tamamo's directly.
"You allowed the Zenko legacy to decide how Kuzuno should be raised... instead of searching for what truly suited Kuzuno herself."
Tamamo's tails flared.
"Snow woman... mind your tongue."
Before tensions could rise further, Minoyama suddenly spoke.
"Udon noodles."
Tamamo blinked.
"...What?"
"Lakes. Kites. Looking up at the moon."
Minoyama calmly sipped her sake.
"Do any of those mean anything to you?"
Tsurara quietly watched Tamamo.
Tamamo frowned.
"...No."
Tsurara immediately answered.
"Then you have no right to question what I just said."
Tamamo's flames surged violently.
"IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY THEN SAY IT!"
The room shook from her mana.
"I DID NOT COME HERE TO BE SPOKEN TO IN RIDDLES AFTER THREE THOUSAND YEARS!"
Minoyama's expression remained calm.
"What we're saying is simple, Tamamo."
Her sharp eyes met hers.
"We just named things Kuzuno loves."
Silence.
"And none of them were familiar to you."
That struck deeply.
"The Zenko legacy came first."
Minoyama's voice softened.
"Your daughters came second."
Tamamo's flames exploded outward.
"MINOYAMA, YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MY BLOODLINE! THE PRESSURE OF MY REALM! MY PEOPLE!"
Minoyama remained completely unfazed.
"And yet from that same bloodline came Yeounui."
Tamamo froze.
"All realms remain on high alert because of her."
Minoyama slowly lowered her sake dish.
"You reached eight tails centuries ago, Tamamo."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Did you never once wonder why you stopped growing?"
Tamamo's flames became unstable.
"MINOYAMA..."
Her voice trembled.
"IF YOU SPEAK OF MY DAUGHTERS AGAIN-"
"I used my Mind River technique on Kuzuno."
The room suddenly fell silent.
"I saw everything."
Tamamo's eyes widened.
"Even the moment Kayo stabbed her and left her to die."
Silence crushed the room.
Minoyama's gaze softened.
"Now answer honestly, Tamamo."
Her voice became quieter.
"Your Fox Flame Flow allowed you to sense Kayo's emotions long before that day, didn't it?"
Tamamo slowly sat back down.
Her flames weakened.
"...Yes."
Her voice cracked.
"I knew."
Tears streamed down her face.
"I knew Kayo's hatred was growing."
Her claws trembled.
"We placed all our hopes on her because she could wield fire perfectly..."
Tamamo lowered her head.
"And because we didn't know what to do with Kuzuno."
The queen broke completely.
"And when Inari ordered us not to interfere..."
Her voice shattered.
"I watched my family fall apart with my own eyes."
Her flames flickered violently.
"I WATCHED KAYO STAB HER SISTER AND THROW HER AWAY LIKE TRASH!"
The room trembled.
"AND I DID NOTHING!"
Her tears poured uncontrollably.
"NOT BECAUSE I COULDN'T..."
Tamamo clenched her fists.
"BUT BECAUSE I CHOSE DUTY... OVER MY OWN DAUGHTER!"
Silence filled the room.
"...And in that moment..."
Tamamo's voice became hollow.
"I finally understood why Yeounui rebelled against Inari."
Her tears fell quietly.
"Why she hated the very system that stole her unborn child away from her."
Meanwhile, far away in the Fox Realm-
Emperor Toba sat before a quiet pond inside the royal chambers.
Through the sacred Fox Link, he felt Tamamo's pain.
And for the first time in centuries-
The emperor cried.
"My Queen... my Tamamo..."
His voice trembled.
"You carried this suffering all alone."
His fists tightened.
"I knew as well."
The confession left his lips heavily.
"I sensed Kayo's rage years ago... but chose to ignore it because she was a prodigy even among royalty."
Toba lowered his head.
"As Emperor... as husband... and as father..."
His voice cracked.
"I failed all of you."
His eyes slowly opened.
"So do not carry this burden alone, Tamamo."
A powerful resolve entered his voice.
"I stand not with Inari as Emperor..."
Purple flames slowly ignited around him.
"I stand with you as my Queen and wife."
The sacred Fox Link resonated violently.
"Whatever path we must walk to bring our daughters home..."
His mana surged.
"I WILL WALK IT WITH YOU!"
Back within Minoyama's chambers-
Tamamo suddenly felt Toba's resolve through their bond.
A soft smile appeared through her tears.
"Toba..."
Warm flames gently wrapped around her body.
"...My Toba."
The flames became calm.
Peaceful.
Different.
Tsurara and Minoyama both widened their eyes slightly.
Behind Tamamo-
A ninth tail slowly emerged.
Divine flames erupted upward.
Her transformation had begun.
When the flames settled-
Goddess Tamamo Zenko stood reborn.
Nine calm fire-like tails flowed gracefully behind her from the base of her spine.
Her beautiful blue Heian battle kimono carried elegant gold trim along one side and silver trim along the other.
Sacred gold and silver earrings rested upon her fox ears while her red hair flowed like living flame.
Her blue slit eyes radiated serenity rather than destruction.
Her twin blades, HiKin and HiGin, had merged into one divine weapon:
Kin-Gin no Tenka.
A magnificent katana forged of both gold and silver flame.
A sacred ribbon of fire arched around her shoulders from the blade itself.
Minoyama slowly raised her sake dish.
"Well..."
A smile spread across her face.
"Welcome at long last to godhood..."
She grinned warmly.
"Goddess Tamamo Zenko of the Sacred Fox Mana Flame."
Tsurara gave a small approving smile.
Minoyama then asked:
"What shall your first act as a goddess be?"
Tamamo looked out toward the night sky.
Determination filled her eyes.
"To bring my family back together."
Her flames gently flickered.
"And to change the Zenko legacy... so that no child suffers as Kuzuno, Kayo..."
Her expression softened painfully.
"...or even Yeounui suffered."
Minoyama smiled warmly.
"Well said, Tama~"
She took another sip of sake while looking at her two oldest friends.
For the first time in centuries-
Her heart felt full.
"I'm glad I waited to open this sake..."
Her smile softened emotionally.
"I was afraid I would end up drinking it alone."