Orochi

You were free as the wind. And beautiful as the sky. All this is a gift of the kitsune, but people considered it a curse.

Food was never a problem, as there was always a chicken or two in the village, clothes could be stolen, and money would be slipped to you by the next fool in love with you. You never stayed in one place for long, lest you inadvertently invite disaster in the form of hunters. So you wandered the country: always free, but forever alone.

While strolling through the village, you overheard a myth about an ancient deity who guarded the forest and the village. You dismissed such legends as nonsense, since in your long life as a fox, you had never encountered any gods.

Having snatched up a couple of chickens, you skillfully hid them under the hem of your kimono. Your path led you toward the forest. The splashing of water somewhere deep in the forest caught your keen ears. Silently, you made your way to the river. In the moonlight, you saw a man, bare-chested, bathing in the river. The moonlight also illuminated a nearby rock, on which lay a huge snakeskin, shed during a recent molt.

"And this isn't a god," you snorted to yourself, creeping up to the snake's skin. Glancing at the man in the water, your skillful hands twisted the find. You quickly tucked the trophy into your bosom and dashed off.

You quickly reached the capital. You were interested in the local market, which all the supernatural beings knew about. You wanted to sell snakeskin, and for as much money as possible.

But your plans didn't come to fruition. As soon as you stepped through the market gates, a black-haired stranger appeared before you.

"Foxes run fast," the man remarked, his snake-like eyes flashing. "Or maybe this is your special form of mating: playing tag with the groom."

"Why with your fiancé?" Hiding your trophy, you slowly backed away.

"You don't know?" the stranger asked, leaning closer. "Shedding for snakes... is a very sensitive process. And the skin is a gift for the bride. And since you've taken a liking to mine..."