"Kyuubi, where are we going?"

More years had past, Onibi was much older now. More close to being a pre-teen now. Kyuubi had decided to do some traveling and of course bring Onibi along. He'd never leave him home alone. Besides it let his young flame see more of the world.

"We're going to visit Karasutengu, another powerful yokai I know"

"Ooh, are we going to see any humans too?"

Even after the incident so long ago, when the humans dared to lay their hands on Onibi, it didn't really affect him. He wasn't traumatized or afraid of humans, which made Kyuubi relieved. 

"Perhaps, but stay away from them. You may be able to use some of your powers now but it won't be enough. I can't protect you either if you stray away from me"

"I won't leave your side!" Onibi said, grabbing Kyuubi's sleeve. 

"Fufu, you're as childish as ever. How cute. Now stay close, we'll be approaching a bigger town full of many more humans than back home"

Onibi nodded, gripping the sleeve tighter. He learned it was better to listen to Kyuubi sometimes. After all he was worried about his safety.

Once they reached the town, they stayed out of sight by going around, through the forest. They didn't want to draw any attention to themselves. It was a waste of time dealing with humans anyways. Still, Onibi took a few glances to see what some humans were doing and look at his surroundings. As Mizuchi had said, his curiousity just grew as he got older. 

"When can I play with others my age?" Onibi asked curiously.

"One day, maybe. Currently all the other yokai are all over the place and I live quite far from them. Which is why we had to travel just to see Karasutengu"

"Why are we meeting them?"

"He said he had something to tell me, I don't know what, but it seems worth going to see what it is he has to say" 

The young fire spirit was even more curious now, what kind of person was Karasutengu? Kyuubi seemed to trust him. Maybe whatever he had to say was important. But hopefully it wasn't any kind of bad news.

After some more walking the reached the home of Karasutengu. Just like their home, it was quite far from where the humans lived. 

"I was wondering how long I'd have to wait. You're not normally this late" Karasutengu said, sitting on the porch. "Mm, who's the child?"

"His name is Onibi, he was born from my flames. Mizuchi has already met him but when he was much younger. It's also why I took a while since I'm traveling with him" Kyuubi explained. 

Karasutengu eyed Onibi up and down before smiling, "Well it's nice to meet you"

"Y..Yeah..." he muttered, hiding behind the kitsune. Such powerful yokais, he couldn't help but be a little scared. He wanted to face them head on but he was still weak.

"So, what's going on? It's rare you want to spend time talking, so it must be important"

"Ah right, well the yokais have decided to make a separate home away from the humans. So only yokais will exist there. Of course eventually a gate will be built to separate our worlds, and humans will be entrusted to protect it"

"I see.." 

"Are we moving Kyuubi?"

"Yes, it seems you'll be able to play with other yokais sooner than expected. Let's get ready for such a change" Kyuubi smiled.

. . .

"You know when I asked how Onibi was born, I didn't expect you to comply. As well as explain even more than that" Uta asked, finishing his bowl of ramen.

"I told you it was a long story. But you insisted" Kyuubi replied, his fan covering his face a bit.

"It took literally three days for you to tell the full story!"

"It's not my fault you have to return back to avoiding your duties" 

"Still, was it hard to raise him?"

"No, not particularly. Though at his current age, maybe a little" 

As if on cue, Onibi and Kamaitachi came running over.

"Kyuubi!! We're here for ramen!" 

"I'll make it, you just sit down" Kamaitachi said, beginning to make ramen for himself and Onibi.

Kyuubi walked over to his little flame, pressing their foreheads together. "Did you have fun today? I better not get a visit by the Katanashu from the trouble you cause in the human world"

"I'm too sneaky to be caught! So is Kamaitachi!" Onibi smiled.

Now a days, Onibi was mischievous and continually snuck past the Katanashu into the human world. Kamaitachi tagged along to keep him out of trouble. To humans they appeared as their normal forms, such as a small floating flame and a weasel.

Kyuubi didn't bother stopping them as long as it caused no trouble for him. Though if Onibi got hurt, the Katanashu would have to deal with his wrath.

A few minutes past and they were still in that same position. At least until Kamaitachi called over for Onibi to come eat his ramen. He wasted no time, running over and sitting down. The weasel told Kyuubi to tend to his customers, which he ignored.

"So, did Onibi have his mischievous moments when he was younger too?" Uta asked.

"Well-"

"J-Just a yes or no is fine. I don't think I want to hear another long story"

"Fufu, fufufu, did I bore you with Onibi's life story? If you want to learn the small details, ask him yourself" the fox chuckled. 

"Another time maybe, I have to get back now. See you later Owner, bye Onibi and Kamaitachi!" he waved to the two.

They waved back as Uta went off to return to his duties. Not that he ever did such duties, he spent more time at Kyuubi's ramen stand and avoiding his job than anything.

Still, it was nice talking about the past again, it had been so long since Onibi was so young. Now he was able to use his powers easily, he's grown so much. But regardless, to the fox he was always his little flame. He'd protect him the best he could.

Once Onibi was done eating he ran over and hid between Kyuubi's tails. "Mm? What are you doing? I just groomed my tails today, you know?"

"If they got messy I'll groom them for you! But I want to keep you warm!" Onibi pouted.

"Keep me warm? I'm not cold though.." he muttered the last part.

"Eh?"

"Nothing. Stay by my side my little flame. That way I can also keep an eye on you"

"Ehh?! It's not like I'm going to get in trouble though! Besides I'm not a child anymore!"

"I know. Now sit with me" 

They sat down, he let Onibi hold one of his tails and the others swayed. He was happy with how Onibi turned out. It's true he wasn't a child or a defenseless little flame anymore, but to him he'd always be just that. That didn't mean he knew he could defend himself now. But if he ever needed help, he would be there for him. He was sure Kamaitachi would be there to help him too, which he was grateful for.

Ah how things have changed, some for the better, others for the worse.