The Gray-Eyed fox spirit finally made it to the forest's outskirts before sunrise, the sticky sensation that the sweat had caused had began to become intolerable for her. A deep scowl slowly forming on her face as she tried to locate a place to bathe.
"How are these humans living in such horrible weather...? I wanna go back to the Divine Realm..." The Gray-Eyed girl whined. Her kimono started to stick to her skin which worsened her situation.
"Oh my, are you alright, Young Miss?" A man dressed in High Priest garb inquired. His expression looking carefree as he spoke.
"Y-You can see me?" The Gray-Eyed girl responded. Her eyes wide as saucers as she noticed the man in front of her, surprised by the sudden revelation.
"Yes, for I am a High Priest, You see." The High Priest answered. He smiled at her, amused by the girl's reaction. This encounter caused him to recall how a certain white-haired fox spirit first reacted to him a few years ago, every single moment of it being entertaining for him.
"I-Impossible! Humans shouldn't be able to see us divine beings!" The Gray-Eyed girl rebuked. Her fox ears perking up as she raised her voice.
What is going on here...? Has my power weakened due to this incident? Or could it be that this man is the only one that can see me? The Gray-Eyed girl clutched her head. An expression of both complete disbelief and sadness was on her face as she crouched down, tears streaming down her face.
"Please calm down, I am not here to cause you any harm whatsoever. I only happen to pass-by as you were leaving the park." The High Priest stated.
"Park...? What is that?" The Gray-Eyed girl wondered. She put her guard up as she waited for an explanation.
"Its that forest that you just came out of." The High Priest explained. Pointing at the woodland's entrance in front of him. A sigh coming out of his mouth, he thought: "Do the divine beings not know much about these things?"
"Well, more importantly why are you here, Fox Spirit? Do you have any business with us humans?" He waved a paper fan that he had in his hand this whole time. He also felt uncomfortable because of the summer weather, he did not show any fear in front of the powerful being in front of him.
"W-Well, I... was suddenly taken here while I was going about my business in the Divine Realm. Even I do not know why." The Gray-Eyed girl wiped her tears using the sleeves of her traditional clothing. This made her to look helpless and feeble in front of the High Priest who was at a loss on what to do after hearing her answer.
"I see." The High Priest started to think. After a few moments he thought of a suggestion: "If you don't have anywhere to stay why don't you come with me? I can get a bath ready for you too. I couldn't possibly let you wander helplessly." He offered a hand to the Gray-Eyed girl.
"Really? Can I?" The Gray-Eyed girl took the man's hand. Her tear-covered child-like face shimmered underneath the moonlight.
"Of course! I cannot leave a divine being such as yourself alone in this state. I maybe struck down with divine punishment for such foolishness." The High Priest exclaimed. Be it a priest or not, such an act may as well cause it. As he finished talking he imagined what would happen to him which brought a cold chill down his spine. He knew a power of a fox spirit well, let alone a deity which held more power overall and he is not foolish enough to pick a fight with such existences.
After walking for thirty minutes, the High Priest and the Gray-Eyed Girl arrived at a decent-sized shinto shrine. Its main hall looked very well-maintained for a shrine that was built a very long time ago. The shrine also had a prayer hall and an offering hall which looked just as well-kept. As they arrived at its torii gate a young girl in shrine maiden garb who was busy sweeping the dead leaves noticed the High Priest's return. She quickly stopped what she was doing and approached the man, the broom she was holding being clutched tightly as she spoke: "Welcome back, High Priest."
"Thank you. Did anything happen while I was away?" The High Priest asked. Noticing a group of shrine maidens gathered in front of the main hall whispering to each other as they stared at a mirror that was located inside of it. Its reflective surface had the same faint glow that the Gray-Eyed Girl's fox tails had while she walked in the forest.
Could that be... The Gray-Eyed Girl pondered. She felt like the object was drawing her in, her knowledge about the sacred article in question caused her to slowly approach the building. Ignoring the High Priest's and Shrine Maiden's conversation, curiosity getting the better of her.
"W-Wait! Where are you going? Do you know what's happening?" The High Priest quickly grabbed the girl's hand. He did not expect the Gray-Eyed Girl to suddenly walk off on him while he spoke to the shrine maiden. The air around them instantly became tense as the fox girl's eyes turned golden as it started to also glow, he felt goosebumps on his entire whole body as he saw this happen. The shrine maiden also felt the same sensation on her own body. However, she could not see the younger-looking girl that the High Priest was speaking to.
"Is someone there, High Priest? Why did you suddenly reach your arm out?" The Shrine Maiden inquired. A look of confusion on her face, the divine being in front of the both of them was invisible to her.
Before the High Priest could respond, the Gray-Eyed Girl said: "That object... It beckoned me." Her tone of voice sounded monotone as she spoke, red body markings appeared on her face as she attempted to get the High Priest to let go of her.