Zenyin had lived for so many years he'd truely lost count. Most people still saw him as a younge man with long white hair. He was starting to wonder if he needed to cut it again. When was the last time...
"Spirit Elder!" Zenyin looked out of his tree window and saw Jeya and Jun accompanied by two strangers. He hated strangers. They were always judgy. The woman was a younge dragon, he could tell by her aura. The man though... He had an aura not of this world. He didn't trust things from other worlds. He was about to try to spirit them away when he spotted Toma running back and forth between the man and Zenyin's home. Maybe he was the one being judgy.
"Spirit Elder! We're home!" Jeya yelled out. Kiro couldn't help but be amazed by the haven. Everything looked so vibrant and beautiful from the willow trees to the bright green grass. He'd never seen anything like it.
He was even more surprised when the giant tree in the center opened to reveal a middle aged man with white hair flowing nearly to his ankles and eyes so green they could rival the brightest jade and emeralds. His face was timeless and Kiro couldn't quite tell if he was a teenager or an elder.
"Grandpa!" Toma bolted toward the man at full speed and jumped into his arms snuggling to him.
"Toma, look how big you've gotten!" The man laughed as he held Toma to him. Kiro realised just how much he missed his own family back home.
"Sorry we left, Spirit Elder." Jeya shyly walked forward with her head down.
"It's my fault, Spirit Elder. I saw a dragon and..." Jun trailed off on the verge of tears.
"You both will have extra chores to do. I'm not mad, but please tell me before you two fly off. I was worried." The man walked over and hugged the twins. They instantly relaxed.
"Pleasure to meet you, Sir. My name is Kiro Higame. Toma's been travelling with me for a long while now and I owe a lot to him." Kiro bowed politely in greeting.
"Such manners, this one. Where ever did you find him, Toma?" The elder asked still holding the fox spirit.
"It's a long story, Grandpa." Toma snuggled into the man once more before jumping to Kiro's shoulders.
"I'll brew some tea and you can tell me all about it. Come inside, everyone." The elder led the way into His home.
"He's so graceful." Kiro said under his breath. He had to admit, he wished he could pull off the elder man's grace and beauty.
"I'm glad he likes you, Master. I'd hate to see you spirited away." Toma said casually making Kiro jump and surprise.
"Haha. Your joking, right?" Kiro laughed nervously. Toma shrugged and went inside. "That was a joke, right Toma?"