Camping was always my family's favorite past time. Everyone seemed to enjoy it no mater what season it was. Day, Night, winter, summer, spring, or fall we'd be out camping. Loving the time to be a family. That was until that fateful day.

It was a peaceful summer day. Everyone seem to be so happy with passing movements of waves that were riding in off the lakes front onto the shore. This was a favorite spot to come for my family. Everyone seemed very happy here, Warm smiles as warm as the sun. Being a 5-year old boy, it was known that I would be venturing out and about. So no one minded to watch to much where I was going. As much as they should have.

Night fell by that time I realized that I had become lost within the dark green forest. Being scared I started to cry for not knowing where my parents where. "Mother! father! where are you!?" I called out many times but revived no answers but the rustling of the wind through the forest green.

Two hours past before I try and find my way back to camp. True night was well upon me and the only light that stretched a crossed the land was the light of the full moon. Seeping brightly through any spots allowed by the leaves of the trees. But even that little light was enough to give sight to my young eyes around me with its untold mysteries.

People talked about there being unexplained animals within this forest, Bears known to be twice their normal sizes. Rabbits as big as dogs. But only a few have ever been seen if lucky found through out in this forest. Even the plants around here where huge. Not just cause I was little since they where twice the size of an adult.

Walking down a deer path that seemed well traveled or packed down by humans. I had no clue where it was leading me. With my hands out in front of me I tried my best to find my way with out falling or hurting my self. But little kids are not known best for their balance.

I reached the end of this trail, to an opening in the forest I was well covered in cuts and bruises but not to bad. Tears mixed with blood from my cuts fell from my face as I sat on the huge rock looking over the opened field. The warmth of the night would soon be growing colder. "I'm going to die! Mommy daddy save me!" I called out again in agony.

Bushes behind me began to move as I turned my head. "Mommy?" I spoke out believing that they had finally found me. All my hope seemed to vanish when I saw the creature that stepped out from the leaves and into the clearing.

The full moon's light gleamed off of the white fur that clearly showed on the body of this enormous creature. It didn�t growl or bare its fangs as me. It just moved over to the rock where I sat and walked up onto it. I was in a state of fear, I couldn't move. I couldn't even close my eyes or look away from the silvery white creature that walked to words me.

The next thing I knew was the feeling of a wet tongue licking my face, softly. My tears fell but not as bad as before. Looking up at the creature that was now lying around me. It's two giant paws on either side of me. I began to feel safe and calm. The tears stopped as I leaned agents the huge animal that had lowered its head beside me as if protecting me. Soon I drifted off to sleep.
By the time I a-woke I was not in the same place as I was the night before. It seemed like a cave yet underground. Yes a den of the creature from last night. I sat up looking around but there wasn't much light that I could use to see. Making out little figures of the cave walls I moved. Curries of what was out side of this den. Crawling out the morning rays of the sun greeted me. Blinding at first as I looked out blinking many times till my eyes got used to the light.

When my eyes set a upon the world where I had come from. I saw a place in time, which set all things apart from the world I knew. The sight so breath tacking as if a kingdom of it's own formed before me. Trees were swaying in the high winds that roared above. Rivers flowing as if they where humming. I was so high up on the cliff where the creature had taken me but I was not scared. From the sight that I saw, but had no clue what was to come.
Two years past by as I soon began to understand the animals speak. It was all very easy really. Body language with growls nips and yelps. But the Silver Creature was great help in teaching me. I soon began to start calling her mother. I soon found out that she had little ones but a hunter had found them and killed them. I felt sorry as much as a little kid could.

Running about with the wild creatures I began to understand them even more but something was more pressing, Clothing. I was growing and my old clothes wouldn't do for me. Walking around one day in the forest I found that a white fox had died and what was left was it's fur. Thinking I took out the blade that I made out of stone working with only guessing I soon polled back all the old skin and blood. Putting the fur to dry I waited wondering what I could do with this I started to gather other items. That I found around me.

Talking with the wild horses about them lending me some of their mains and tail hair that I could use and form into string or belt for my clothing. Soon enough I had it. The wolf fur bound around my legs yet my feet free and bear to feel the earth�s movements. Around my waist to my knees and around my body was part of the fur of the fox. Skirt like opening allowing free movement for me. And with the fox's tail hanging off the back as if giving me a tail myself that would move with me. A shirt didn't seem much needed yet on my shoulders and around my back hung more of the fur yet holding in front with a hood that could be polled up over my head reviling the ears of the creature. Now I looked more animal and even resembled the creature that had been razing me. It was big on me and I was very glad that it was since it soon became that I was growing again through the years.

The animals in the forest seemed to call me the prince of the forest. I didn't know why at first but I soon found out when I was with my mother. She would walk around the forest everyone bowing and respecting her rules. Humans would say one of her kind could not exist or only in a fairy tales. Since she had 9 tails. I did find it weird that she would have that many tails but I didn't really mind. She told me why she had 9 tails saying it was cause she had lived a very long time and had gained the tails through the years. I still didn't understand it but I'd soon find out.

Three more years past and I was now 10 years old and having fun about the forest. Also gaining the huge responsibility as the Prince of the forest. I didn't mind it since to me it was fun. �I'll gladly take that responsibility mother. To protect the forest and creatures that live and call it home. As well as the souls of the dead who rest beneath the ground.� I said to my mother but I didn't know that soon enough I would have to live up to what I said when THEY come.

Winter was a pun the forest and the leaves had fallen off of most of the trees and plants besides the great pins. It was my most faverit time of the year. Well besides fall and the first weeks of spring. But something was a miss with in the forest and every creature could tell. It was something that interested me on just what that new smell was. That had drifted through the wind. It seemed familiar to me and yet I could not place it.

Following the new smell it lead me to one of my friends who was also interested in this smell. �Do you know what that smell is Rake?� I asked my friend as I looked at him. His ant lures had grown well, though he was still a very young for an elk. �I'm not sure I've never smelt it before but father says it's a bad omen. Cause he says it means death.� Rake responded to me and this worried me but I was determined to find out just who or what this new smell was.

�Why don't we go and check this out if it's dangers like your father says then we know to warm the worriers about them and where they are.� I seemed happy and brave yet sometimes I did do things with out thinking them through fully. �Hmm man I'd love to check it out with you. But I can't. If I get separated from the herds I�m easy pray in the deep snow.� Rake said though seemed a bit disappointed since he really wanted to go. �Ok I'll find out what it is and come back, find you and tell you about it?� I said though I probably should have known better but what could anyone do? It was new and I had to find out just what it was. �Ok but be safe!� �You too Rake. And take care.� I said as I took off to find this new smell lead to.

Moving through the snowy forest with the hood of the fur over my head making it seem as if I was a fox roaming the white dead forest. Stopping at a bundle of snow I looked out over the snow bound. Seeing something I hadn't seen in a very long time, Humans.

They were moving about setting up their beds yet seemed to be made of cloth and fur even their clothing seemed to be some kind of fur as well. Yet some how different with its brown gray colors. I didn't like this at all. It didn't smell right to me. Soon found out why as one of the men took out a long black shiny thing from the wooden sled that had wolves to it. At lest I thought they where wolves.
That's when I saw HIM. He was a tall man, ruff looking with a scruffy beard. Caring with him a look of a hunter. One in such that mother had told me about who killed her little ones and taken away her tenth tail but she was able to give him a scare across his face. And it was there over his right eye held the deep scare of the claws from mother. That�s when I knew this was purely something I shouldn't be by. So I began to move back away from the means camp.

SNAP! The loud noise came from where I was frozen in fear at. And I knew that if stocking something or running away it was not good if my position was given away. The creatures I thought where wolves began to bark as the man with the scare polled out a gun. I was frozen within that one spot not moving. �What was that!?� One of the other men asked. As one of the other men tried to calm down the so-called wolves. �I'm not sure but it seems that something is watching us.� The man said scruffy as if he had a cold, yet his voice was just as dark and harsh as the thundering storms that came with the flashes of light during the hot days of summer.

�Man I told you it wasn�t a good idea to come through this forest. Not even the Indians come here!� the younger of the men called out and it seemed to show that he had fear well in his shaky voice. �Don�t be foolish! The animals around here are just big and a good hunt around here is all.� The big man said as he moved to put a log on the fire.

Now was my chance I turned and ran glad that the fur I had on my body was as white as the snow. Keeping low till I new I was well away from the humans sight I stood up and ran full speed back deeper into the forest. I needed to tell mother about others like me was here in the forest hurting it and it�s creatures that were protected by it.
Reaching the den I found mother laying in her normal spot that over looked all of the land. Though she was not relaxed. �MOTHER! IT�S HIM THE EVIL MAN!!� I called up as I stopped on the lower cliff that lead to our den. �I know. I smelt him as soon as he had entered the forest. My son you must stay here.� Mother said as she moved from her spot a pone the top of the den down to the ledge where I stood. Nuzzling me. My arms and hands moving trough her fur so soft just like the first day I met her long ago. �why mother? Why can�t I come and help you?� I asked knowing, sensing something bad would happen but not knowing what it was. �I need to take care of this my son. It is my duty to handle this with out causing pain to anyone else in the forest.� She said sweetly to me as I could tell that she knew that she wouldn�t be returning. �Yes mother. I�ll stay here.� I said reluctant to let her leave but knew I couldn�t hold her back from doing this. �Take care my dear child.�

The light of he sun soon faded as the clouds turned a reddish color as if they knew. Tears fell down my face as I sat at the edge of the cliffs ledge. It was silent within the forest since everyone knew that the great queen had past. Twilight was a pone the land as the snow fell from the sky. I couldn�t stay there any longer. Standing up I moved down the cliff and headed through the forest to the Human camp.

Keeping low and using the last bit of light to guide me through the forest I saw it. The dark red river of blood covered the white snow that laid on the ground. Everyone in the camp was dead. The so called wolves, the three men even mother. But there seemed to be some life left in her. Walking over to her I ran my hands through her fur again. �My dear son� please become a good king for our forest. I bestow you the power of a true Kitsune. My son The king of the Forest of Twilight. My Kitsune King!�