I was famished.
Even when I struck a dignified pose, my belly remained empty.
It was a most troublesome affair.
This all came about because those who usually prepared my meals had vanished before I knew it. Truly, what was the meaning of leaving me all alone and going elsewhere? Well, perhaps something had befallen them as well. I would wait until I heard their circumstances before casting any blame.
First, I had to do something about this noisily rumbling stomach. All I had on hand was a canteen of water. I had no food. In that case, I had no choice but to search for some.
Fortunately, my surroundings were a forest.
Wait.
Why was I in a forest? Moreover, I had no memory of this place.
Well, there was no use in overthinking it. A forest was a forest. There had to be something here.
Mmm.
I did not know which of these were safe to eat. The scents seemed fine, but I had suffered terrible experiences by trusting my nose before. It was at times like this that a poison tester should have made an appearance... but there were none to be found.
Should I pluck up my courage? No, no, looking closely, the color of that one was a bit suspicious. I would search for something more familiar. I was certain it had to be out there.
There was nothing.
Three days had passed since then. The water in my canteen had run out as well. As expected, my head was spinning. I was at my limit.
Since it had come to this, I decided I would try eating the next thing I found without a second thought. I knew it was dangerous, but even so, I wanted to eat. I suppose I should have simply eaten the grass growing nearby, but putting something in my mouth when I did not know who or what had touched it was... physiologically impossible for me.
Ideally, I wanted tree fruit. Ah, my stomach growled just thinking about it.
I caught a wonderful fragrance. It was not food, but the scent of flowers. A bouquet of various blossoms mixed together.
Flowers... Could flowers be eaten? Since they would eventually become fruit, surely there was no problem with eating them while they were still in bloom?
Before I knew it, I was running toward the scent.
I found a field of flowers stretching as far as the eye could see. It was beautiful. However, it was a trap.
Guards were flying to and fro everywhere. Three spies were hidden at key points. And a single warrior stood there, intimidating me.
Mmm. Was I but a pitiable butterfly lured into a snare? If only I were not so hungry, I could have handled this much easily, and yet...
Hm? The guards were retreating. In their place, the number of spies increased... and more warriors appeared as well.
Was that number not cheating? There were over twenty spies and more than ten warriors. The numbers were still rising. I gave up on counting them—and on fighting them as well.
What was left to do? Hmph. I would use my words.
"I am famished. I wish to eat those flowers. Relinquish them to me."
Why? They turned eyes of utter pity toward me. Do not whisper and consult with one another! No, I am not of a race that eats flowers! It was only because I was hungry that I intended to deceive my stomach with them...
Wait. Was that an Appo tree in the distance? Moreover, it was bearing fruit at this time of year? How mysterious.
However, at this point, such details did not matter. Could they not spare me just one of those Appo fruits? No, make it two—if possible, three. I wondered if they would let me have them.
That consultation of theirs... it was not out of pity, was it? They were discussing whether or not to give them to me. No, that did not seem right either.
"Bring out a representative! A representative!"
Perhaps it was because I shouted that. Something intense appeared. It had the form of a human, but it was a dragon. Beside it... what was this human? He looked as though he had been perfected, broken, and then rebuilt once more... a literal mass of vital energy? A hero in the making? No, it was as if a fully-fledged hero had been forcibly stuffed into a tiny egg.
Even I realized that it was not a wise move to defy this person while I was starving—whoa, I was suddenly caught!
"Wait, you insolent fellow! Do not handle me in such a manner!"
Having been captured by that strange human and the dragon, I was taken to their nest. To think such a place existed inside the forest... It was a wondrous place. Perhaps that flower field was part of it.
While I was lost in thought, I was handed over to the High Ogre race. Or rather, the High Ogres snatched me away. The strange human and the dragon were being scolded. It was likely because they had been insolent to me. These High Ogres seemed to be sensible beings.
Umu, umu. This was not unpleasant.
Ah, wait. That way of holding me was a bit painful. If possible, please hold me gently, as if embracing me... Also, I will not resist anymore, so please, something to eat...
Oh? Were they preparing something? Could I have high expectations?
Oh, an Appo fruit. Had those warriors informed them? Moreover, they had grated it for me. Just to confirm, may I eat?
My apologies. It was delicious. Ooooh... it soaked right into my soul. It was embarrassing to eat greedily, but I could not help but hurry.
Hm? There were other things as well? May I eat those too?
My apologies. Ooooh... my strength was returning.
Fufufu. As long as my belly was full, there was no one who could rival me. That strange human was formidable... but I could even slaughter the dragon that was with him.
Eh? Seconds? Is that quite alright? I shall partake.
This seemed to be a good place. Considering the outcome, I felt inclined to forgive those two insolent people. Umu, I would forgive them. It was by no means because a dragon-like parent was loitering nearby and making me nervous.
In this place, there were several people who seemed stronger than me. Mmm. I was impressed. Moreover, while I would not have fallen behind a warrior in a one-on-one fight, there was a literal mountain of warriors here. As for the spies, it seemed the ones in the flower field were but children; against the adults, it would have been quite difficult.
But I had seen through it. I had determined who stood at the very top of this hierarchy. I had not spent a week idly eating and sleeping for nothing. I had been observing, deciding who the right person to negotiate with was.
And that individual was... that kitten!
...I was wrong. The human man was the most important one. I had failed to see through him. Even with these eyes of mine...
No, it was fine. The human man seemed well-disposed toward me. Fufu. He was clearly head over heels for my charm... Ah, do you prefer the kitten? I see.
Many things had happened, but thus I came to be under the care of this place—the Village of the Great Tree. I asked for their kind regards.
My name is Hitoe. I am of the race known as the Nine-tailed Fox. Umu. Since I still have only one tail, you might not believe me, but I will have nine once I am grown. I can also take a human form, but as I am still a child, I ask that you forgive me for remaining in my beast form.
My gender? You should know just by looking. You do not? That is a bit of a shock...
I am a girl.