Overall the discussion with Izanami was very productive. Afterwards she led us outside where I showed her the gate. While she was studying it I decided to explore our revelations about auras.

  “Is there a private area where we can train?” I asked Izanami, who was examining the gate.

  “Sure.” She waved at a servant. “Follow him, he shall bring you to a secluded space.”

  I left the gate with Izanami and we followed the servant. He led us inside a ring of trees. The floor was covered in pristine grass.

  “You can use this area. The trees are very sturdy and should keep your surroundings safe, up to a certain level. Please do not damage anything beyond the circle.” Then he bowed and left.

  Lucy examined the area. “What are the odds that dryads are watching us through the trees?”

  I pondered the question. “It’s possible but I think Izanami values honor. I don’t think she will actively try to spy on us. The magic in this area is meant to contain spells and regrow anything that gets destroyed.”

  I felt Lucy’s breath as she hugged me from behind. Then she whispered in my ear. “So you think we are alone here? What sort of training were you thinking about?”

  “Um…” I was certainly thinking about a lot of different things now. “We, eh, we should do that later. I was thinking more about aura training.”

  “Oh? I do admit I am intrigued.” Lucy said, ending the hug.

  I was still slightly distracted. Lucy’s smirk indicated that she was aware of this fact. Nevertheless, now was not the time to fool around. This was important. Tails. I meant, aura. Yes, aura.

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  “My knowledge about kitsune is limited. Izanami’s insights were rather helpful though. I think if we train your aura you will grow in power. Our bond should help with that. We have already discovered that we can share power through it, to a degree. We are already using our aura to strengthen the bond. I want to try to empower you. Also, why don’t we start with the spell to talk telepathically? I think it will allow me to better share my understanding of auras.”

  “Sure. Shall I transform?” She asked.

  I pondered that. I did not know if it would help. “Hm. Let’s try it in your humanoid form. Actually, let’s sit down here.”

  We sat in the grass, facing each other.

  “We can talk now, without anyone overhearing us.” I spoke into her mind.

  “Do you think me being your warlock changes things?” Lucy asked.

  “Maybe. You have a part of my soul. Has that simply awakened your kitsune part? Has it simply given you power that transformed you? Or is there a bit of archfey inside of you?” I wondered.

  “Maybe the lightning part comes from you? Are kitsune normally attuned to an element?” She asked.

  “No idea.” I answered. Then I focused on my aura. I tried to extend it just a bit. To simply cover the two of us. I did not want to unleash a big storm.

  “I do feel your aura.” Lucy said.

  I nodded. “Good. I will try to give you some power over the bond now. Maybe you can see how my aura feels. Maybe it can guide you to manipulate your own. Since you are aligned to electricity, maybe understanding the element better helps you with your aura.”

  Lucy closed her eyes and I did the same. We both focused inward. I pushed my aura along the bond towards Lucy. But I did more than that. We had a connection to the plane of air, one that Shani had opened when she had helped to create our elemental knight. My mind tried to connect to the plane. I tried to find some understanding there.

  While I contemplated the nature of the storm, I felt Lucy’s mind. I felt her curiosity, her eagerness to learn. I could also feel her pride, her determination, her love. I welcomed her into my mind. I tried to show her our element. How the wind could be a gentle breeze or a raging tornado. How lightning played in the sky and brought judgement to our enemies. How the rain brought life to the world or drowned it with floods.

  Storms were rarely gentle. They were a destructive force of nature. But I felt compassion. I had empathy. My storm could nurture life as well as destroy it. A gentle breeze surrounded us. A tiny cloud over our heads started to rain. I enjoyed the smell.

  Lucy’s own power stirred. Her aura expanded and touched mine. It felt like a hug and I snuggled into it. I felt content.

  I blinked my eyes open, somehow I must have fallen asleep. I was still inside the circle of trees. The grass around us was damp from the rain I had summoned earlier. Lucy was in my arms, sleeping. I gently stroked her cheek with my hand. That was when I saw it: She had three tails now.