It was in the Unnamed Forest, Ai was enjoying his free rain. All Spirit beasts that were about all respectfully would give Ai space. Though he was a greatly revered Holy Spiritual Beast. That didn't mean they had to be close.
Rather Hiu was different, his heart wished to follow Ai to the next world, though most Spirit beasts bloodline wouldn't hold this draw, it was more of a protective feeling they held inside, wanting to watch but not touch. So they stayed away and made sure no danger would find its way to the little fox.
Ai was able to feel the other spirit beasts within the area and didn't mind the distance. It seemed that this was of the norm for most lower realm spirit beasts. It was only the spirit beasts with a higher bloodline purity that would be drawn closer to him. Those who held the ability to make it to the Upper Realm.
There were a few within the forest that he felt held potential, it was just up to them to decide if they'd take the chance or not.
Taking his time to look around the forest, Ai enjoyed the peace and would often chase half-heartedly the little butterflies that would join in his fun.
It was as he was lightly pawing after a beautiful Jade Butterfly. It was a rare species, and often wouldn't be out as they now were. It was Ai's drawl that brought them over, the lovely creatures wanting to be close to the 'Holy' spirit that was born upon this lower realm.
Suddenly a net shot out and rushed to grab the beautiful blue jaded butterfly that had stuttered in its attempts at fleeing, afraid to implicate the blessed soul it was playing with. Even this harmless creature was willing to sacrifice its own self, so Ai would be free to leave.
The drawl of Ai's bloodline was rather frightful!
The little fox's eyes widened as he saw the net going for the beautiful thing. In his heart, he felt a sense of despair as one didn't want to be the reason this life would be a loss. Though his mind seemed to try to rationalize it as it being only natural.
It would appear as if it was something that always seemed to happen around the Heavens Spirit beast. There would always be a time when its heart would find the beauty and horrors of this lower realm. One was never ready for it.
Ai refused to allow this to be the same as all others. It was only a harmless insect!
Baring his fangs, Ai jumped forward and took the net and pulled it free of the hand that held it. The Jade butterfly fluttered around before hurrying off to get help. Its little life was saved despite its purpose in trying to keep the blessed one safe!
Ai tossed the net to the side as his eyes went to stare at the figure that had been holding it. What one didn't expect however was the person who had held the net wasn't someone horrid nor one that would invoke fear. Rather it was a child.
Okay, maybe not a child, but a boy who was surely no older than 16! He had just the right amount of fitness about himself that one wouldn't find it strange to see him in the woods. Though the nameless forest was not the normal forest.
The young boy seemed started as he had almost gotten the Jade butterfly. He hadn't wanted to kill the thing, just to take it away from the thing chasing it so that it wouldn't be eaten ah! He lived in a small village just outside of the forest.
Sure most refused to go inside, the village was afraid every year the beasts hiding within would take the short trip out to ransack the poor village for a meal!
Now instead of getting the butterfly, he instead found himself looking at a fox that was small and pure white with hints of purple. He really wasn't sure what to think at the moment. It was clear this little thing had been chasing the little butterfly!
Why was it the predator saved the prey ah? He really had no words. Ai on the other hand was growling as his fur stood up. He felt a strange fear in his heart for humans. Maybe it was due to them always seeming to use his kind for evil intent. His ability against Spiritual beasts didn't work on humans. They wouldn't feel the need to 'protect' him in the same way.
It was more like wanting to make him a possession rather than a friend or such.
The young boy pressed his lips together before lowering himself down. He didn't move closer but he seemed to want to say something, so Ai stopped his growls as he kept his stance. He was ready to pounce whenever! He might be small, but his cultivation wasn't weak. Plus his rebirth helped him become stronger, even if his powers were lessened.
The boy rested his hands on his knees, eyes narrowing slightly. "You shouldn't chase those smaller than you. It's rude. You are supposed to protect the weak." the boy said as if lecturing a young child instead of a fox.
This statement made Ai really unsure of what to do. He felt his knowledge of humans were not wrong. When he was to be around them, he should never reveal his beast form. Yet here he was in front of a boy who clearly was looking at his beasts form. Yet the boy wasn't acting as his inherited memories said he would.
Ai slowly relaxed, his fur settled and he slowly stared at the boy before tilting his head. He then hurried behind a bush before turning back to his childish form and poking his head out.
"You...wanted to help the Jade?" he asked.
Maybe it was due to the fox hurrying off to hide in a bush before a young boy appeared before him, or simply that Ai was just too pretty, but the young boy seemed lost for words before just staring dumbly at Ai and forgetting the matter of lecturing him.
Really, what fox randomly just becomes a young boy?! "Y-you...eh?!" He stuttered as he began to panic. It wasn't that he was scared. He honestly just hadn't ever seen someone so...pretty.
{{ And thus :D Wang's unknowing rival is born dun dun dun! }}