Introduction to Takekitsune
Takekitsune are classified as a rare Yokai-fox species, within the sub-type of an Obake that are known as Kitsune.
Though not all kitsune are magical, obake or bakemono kitsune are magical, and possess various abilities such as shapeshifting, illusions, wind-based powers, and are sometimes even worshipped as servants of the Japanese Diety, Inari. Some are regarded as evil kitsune, such as the wicked Nine-tailed fox Tamamo-no-Mae(the story of Lord Ninetails in Okami is heavily based upon Tamamo-no-Mae's legend). These evil foxes are often referred to as nogistune.
Kitsune have the capability to grow multiple tails as they become older and thus, more powerful. They also have what is known as a Kitsune-bi or "Foxfire", which are the floating orbs that can be seen hovering around them.
Takekitsune are particularly special, but also inherently rare. It is a type of Kitsune that starts off small and more weasel-like than fox, except for the tail. Their long, weasel/snake-like bodies are perfect for squeezing into hollow stalks of bamboo where they make their homes, and they steadily grow into that of a normal sized fox over the course of about 100 years. Despite becoming larger, they can freelly change back to this smaller form at any time. Once they reach 100 years, they can start to take on a partially human form, but still retain most of their fox features(ears, tail, legs/hands, some fur on their faces and most of their body, et cetera).
While most kitsune can only grow to have nine tails, Takekitsune can grow to have Ten and become a Kami(God) capable of creating it's own star/world/planet. However, to obtain these tails, a Takekitsune must consume many "partners", other beings that they bond with. A Takekitsune can only consume one partner every hundred years, starting at the age of 200, and then that partner will lose their original bodies but continue to live on immortally through one of the fox's tails, and the persons' knowledge, thoughts, skills, and talents will be shared and become the fox's as well. Once a fox becomes 1,000 years old and has devoured 9 partners(mostly humans), they can gain their 10th tail to become a Kami.
When they devour these "partners" and gain their abilities and knowledge, these skills or the person's own appearance who was devoured is then also reflected in the fox's appearance in some way.
Only 5 Takekitsune are known to have ever reached 10 tails, as most others either die or do not seek to obtain 10 tails. Two of them are the original Takekitsune. The 3rd one, however, was tainted by many years of war and destruction, as Takekitsune are incredibly sensitive and influenced by their environment and experiences in their first 100 years of life. Because of this, the Takekitsune, Tokoyami, became a demon instead of a God, and devoured mythical beasts of great power rather than humans, and ravaged the land looking to wipe out mankind for their destructive and harmful ways. Another 10-tailed that had become a Kami not long after, and cared deeply for humans, fought against Tokoyami, but the demon fox's power was much greater because of the creature's she chose to consume. Because of this, they only managed to seperate Tokoyami from her tails and seal them away in seperate locations, and the other fox that fought her died.
Since the destruction of the lands and sealing of Tokoyami, people feared that such a thing might happen again, and so Takekitsune were hunted and killed until believed to be extinct. It wasn't until hundreds of years later that the 5th Takekitsune to become a Kami was discovered by a Bhuddist monk within a grove of bamboo, much of which was dying. He found the Takekitsune - Chi - and took it with him to his temple, and raised Chi. Since then, Chi's care was passed on to two other monks as the previous died. The third, Takeshi Denji, became Chi's first partner. During that time, a shrine for Chi and various other Takekitsune had been erected. When Chi returned hundreds of years later as a ten-tailed, the shrine had grown to be much larger, and now houses Chi as well as a few other, much younger bamboofoxes.
All Takekitsune are of ambiguous gender - neither male nor female. Rather, they can switch freelly between both genders at any time, and have no need for sexual preferences or intimate relationships. When they grow to be older, anywhere from 400 years and up, they can leave traces of their "energy" or power within newly growing bamboo shoots. These energy signatures then crystalize into a ball - the foxfire - and from the energy omitted from the developed foxfire or also alternatively called star-ball, a Takekitsune will form often coiled around it, and grow with the bamboo stalk.
While Takekitsune can and do eat things much like any other species, and do enjoy food, they do not need it to sustain themselves in naturally abundant areas. Healthy forests or natural settings omit energies that the Takekitsune can directly absorb into their bodies, and gives them strength and energy the same as eating does for most others, and is a part of the reason for their pure and holy nature. It is because they draw in energy directly from their surroundings though that they can also be negatively influenced, especially when exposed at the earlier stages in life, much like the demon fox Tokoyami, who was born into and lived through times of extreme war, destruction, and bloodshed. The first 100 years are their most sensitive in terms of how their nature will be for the rest of their lives.
Takekitsune can also become sick or weakened in areas where nature and woodlands are sick, or where there is no true natural settings to be found at all(such as industrialized cities).
Takekitsune species are an original species belonging to The Great ME!. Do not steal or make your own.
