The Economic Crisis hit Japan a year ago. It's like a tsunami, merciless and all, washing away everything in sight. My family's currently clinging on to a flimsy lamppost, hoping that we'll survive it. Mom, as a priestess, has been praying loads to Inari. But he doesn't seem to be helping much. Maybe he's on a holiday or something.
Well, at least we're alive for the time being.
It's the summer holidays. And with Dad working himself dizzy, and Mom praying all day and night long, I'm pretty much rather lonely. So during most of my free time, I pace about in the Shikotsu Toya National Park. It's very nearby - at the south west parts of Sapporo.
I call up my friend, Aran-Chan, and he agrees to go along this time.
"Baking sucks. I've baked maybe a hundred pieces..?" Aran tells me wearily. "So I'm taking a break."
And with that, we set off towards the Forested Mountains of the National park.
"Can't stay long," Aran sighs. "Got to get back to help my Dad out with the Bakery. Times are... hard you know?"
I nod and agree. "Same here. Mom wants me to help clean out the shrine before dinner."
But that doesn't stop us from hiking further. The nature's beautiful. But too bad hardly anyone comes here during these dark times. The newspapers even reported on poaches snooping in here and poaching wild animals. It's illegal. But they must be desperate. Everyone is desperate.
"Alex!" Aran yells in delight. "Hey! Hey! Look that way!"
I do as he says, and true enough, a fox stands by trees, looking frigid and majestic.
"Maybe its Inari!" exclaims Aran. "Maybe he has come to purge the shortage of food!"
"Inari?" I frown. "I think its just a fox."
As though to agree, the fox paws the ground.
But Aran isn't taking any chances. He bows down at once... to the fox. I try to suppress a laughter, but it bursts out anyway.
"If it is Inari," Aran scowls at me. "You're so dead."
I share a look with the fox, and to my surprise, the fox seems to be talking. Maybe its me being delusional again, but I swear! Its talking!
What is that humani doing? The fox laughs outrightly. Bowing to me?
I jump out of my skin upon hearing that. "Err.. Mr Fox...- you're.... Ah..."
Yes, I'm surprised you can hear me speak, The fox frowns. But you're unusual, and so is your friend.
"Unusual?" I ask the fox out loud. "What do you mean, Mr-"
"Alex?" Aran stands to his feet, looking at me as though I've just flown to outer space and back. "You're talking to.. a fox?"
"You were bowing to one!"
Aran grins. "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting you two," he says sarcastically. "Go on."
In the comfort of the trees, the fox chortles once more before padding off, whistling a foxy song.
I can't believe what I've just seen. But it must be a mistake! A fox? Did I just have a conversation with a fox? I rub my eyes, and when I'm done, the fox is no longer there. Well, I'm definitely delusional!
Aran and I walk some more distance, chatting on the way.
"A poacher broke in here yesterday," Aran informs me. "Those idiots!"
I shrug. I pity the animals, but it ain't the poacher's fault either. "They must really need the money."
"But..." He argues stubbornly. "It's a National Park!"
I agree him, and speak of the devil, gun shots echo in the distance. Aran and I look to each other, eyes as wide as tennis balls, before we sprint off in the direction of the gun shots.
My head suddenly starts throbbing madly. My vision begins to blur. I see Aran yelling worriedly in my direction and running epically at me in slow motion. It is amusing. But my mouth isn't mine to move anymore. Then my vision turns black, and the world seems to end.
When I gain consciousness, I find myself running at the speed of lightning. Just running, running and running. I wonder why. I try to twist my head back to see the threat, but I an invisible force forces it back front.
Stop it! a familiar voice echoes. Stop controlling my head!
What? I ask back in shock.
What're you doing in my... head? The voice demands.
WHAT?
You're the boy I met earlier, the voice says. The one I talked to.
I'm in shock. I look down at my 'feet' to find paws in place. Furry orange fur in place of skin. And I'm running- not on twos, but on fours. It occurs to me there and then, that I'm somehow, a fox!
No, you're not a fox! the voice says irritably. You're inside me! Somehow...
I'm inside a.. fox?-
Bullets appear above my/the foxes head and I realise some is shooting us. I try to turn my head behind to look, but again, the fox refuses to allow me to.
A POACHER IS AFTER ME- I MEAN US! it yells urgently. Don't look back! Run!
A poacher... Oh no, what have I gotten myself into? I'm in a fox's body or head, and a poacher is after us?
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