Cultivation Struggles of a Lowly Fox

Moon Aiko munched on snacks that smelled just incredible, making even the wary Foxes peek at her.

The older Fox tilted her head as she received the small snack from the tiny Fox.

It kind of reminded her of her child, who was no longer around, so she was not as apprehensive as the others.

She glanced at the small piece of meat before nibbling on it.

It was truly delicious, much more than anything that she ever ate, making her Fox ears twitch in happiness.

The other Foxes salivated, but still didn’t approach. They could sense more Foxes outside of this place, so they were very wary.

However, it didn’t take too long for another Fox with a rumbling stomach to approach.

It was not like they didn’t have food in here, quite the opposite. The food was plentiful and delicious, always delivered when there were Foxes inside the houses or during night.

However, that food could not be compared to the tiny snacks that the tiny Fox gave the old Fox.

”Can I have some too...?” The Fox approached cautiously. She had red flaming hair, but her face looked tired and abused.

Moon Aiko took out another snack from who knows where (tails), and gave it to the Flaming Fox.

Moon Aiko observed her for a while and noticed that her colour was very faded, like she was drained of her energy, but she was still energetic when it came to munching.

”She was known as glutton.” The old Fox whispered to the tiny Fox.

Looking at the Fox again, she was probably either a Dream Fox or Illusion Fox. Her purple-pinkish hair was dull, but one could imagine how shiny it was when she was healthy.

Moon Aiko couldn’t see any Shadow Foxes in here. It was mostly all other elements and attributes, but not dark elements.

She wondered if the Shadows Peak recruited all of them, or if they had their own rehabilitation centre.

More and more Foxes approached the tiny Fox. She seemed harmless, but that was not the only reason.

Seeing the abused glutton so lively nibbling and ripping the snack apart, they suddenly also got hungry.

Moon Aiko was giving out her snacks, so that they would feel better. This place had the biggest issue which she didn’t know how to solve.

These Foxes were scared, so if they tried to move the Fox Village, they might refuse to join. This in turn would mean they would stay here, but without more Foxes, the Array that protected the Fox Village couldn’t be maintained.

And this in turn would make them susceptible to be kidnapped by Humans, which would just repeat the previous events, making them even more miserable.

It was important that Moon Aiko would soothe them a bit, so that they would be more used to normal Foxes.

She didn’t allow abusers and others like that inside the current Fox Village, so there was no problem with the attitude of the Foxes outside the rehabilitation centre, but as you might expect, someone who was abused wouldn’t listen to your words as they have their own experience that they lived through.

Moon Aiko munched on the snacks, or rather [Meat]. Yep, that’s right. She used the system meat on these Foxes to lure them out and get them more used to the presence of other Foxes.

She would later invite her companions in here to get them more used to more diverse Foxes and then maybe the Muscle Foxes, since they were pretty single-minded, but very helpful.

Everything had to be done slowly and gradually, so that the Foxes in here wouldn’t just go back into their houses and not come out again.

Moon Aiko kept observing them as they gradually eased up.

’I wonder who I should introduce next...’ Moon Aiko thought about it really hard and could only think of one person.

”I will come back soon.” Moon Aiko stood up and ran away from the Foxes.

The Foxes were puzzled, but they had this odd feeling, like they already missed that small cutie.

...

”I need help.” Moon Aiko finally found Feifei, who was sneaking around Mei’s room.

”Y-yes?” Feifei was startled, obviously not expecting Aiko to find her.

”Come here.” Moon Aiko shoved her into her tails before running back.

...

”Allow me to introduce you to someone~” Moon Aiko hummed. She knew that Feifei might be the best option when it came to these Foxes.

The Foxes were wary, some already went back into their houses and only their ears peeked behind the corners.

Fortunately, there were quite a few Foxes still remaining, some curious, some fearful, but it seemed like they wanted to know what the tiny Fox was up to.

”Here~” Moon Aiko pulled out Feifei with her dragon features, but there was something that she didn’t expect.

”Why are you snacking again?!” Moon Aiko glared at her.

”But you shoved me back in, what am I supposed to do?” Feifei tilted her head, her mouth was covered with sauces and crumbs from the snacks she was eating.

”Don’t tell me you sneaked around because of snacks!?” Moon Aiko didn’t know if that was a question or not, but she felt like that was something Feifei might do.

Feifei just turned around, nibbling on the snack.

”You-” Moon Aiko breathed in, but while she did that Feifei slipped from her grasp.

”Run away~” Feifei giggled. She was quite quick, thanks to her tail balancing her centre of gravity, allowing her to go a lot faster just with her body alone.

”You! Stop!” Moon Aiko immediately ran after her, but her tiny form had to take 3 to 5 steps compared to Feifei in order to match her tempo.

The Foxes were puzzled. They wondered where that Dragoness popped out from, but they wondered more about their relationship.

They were both very cheerful and energetic making this place more lively.

The Foxes in hiding peeked out, looking at the tiny Fox chasing the Dragoness.

It was such an absurd sight that it suppressed their fear temporarily.

They walked out, joining the other Foxes, while looking at the duo who were running around.

Feifei jumped from rooftop to rooftop, while Moon Aiko kept chasing her.

”They are... quite lively.”

A Fox spoke slowly, but her voice was soft and vibrant as if she was a singer.

”When was the last time we did something fun...”

Another Fox chimed in. They were constantly depressed, and their bodies didn’t listen to them.

But now that something happened, they were all living here and nobody was approaching this place. Was it fear or something else? The Foxes in this place didn’t know and they didn’t have the capacity to care.

”That’s it!” Moon Aiko transformed into her tiny Fox Form and dashed after Feifei with speed not comparable to before.

”Eeeeeh?!” Feifei yelped as she tried to speed up, but Aiko’s tails were already wrapped around her.

”Hmpf.” Moon Aiko snorted at her, for underestimating her.

”Ooohhh.” The Foxes below clapped.

”This wasn’t a game!” Moon Aiko glared at them and the Foxes paused.

However, a moment ago they started giggling.

Moon Aiko didn’t know what to think about this, but since they were like this, it seemed like some of that apprehension, fear and wariness faded away, at least temporarily.

Moon Aiko jumped down, carrying Feifei.

”This is Feifei.” Moon Aiko plopped Feifei in front of the Foxes.

”You should eat slowly.” The old Fox cleaned Feifei’s lips so quickly she couldn’t even protest.

”She is kind of cute...” Another Fox peeked at her from behind the old Fox.

”Why are you hiding behind me?” The old Fox rolled her eyes before grabbing that Fox and placing her in front of Feifei.

The Fox immediately stiffened, her bristled fur and frozen tails were completely still as if she was a statue.

Feifei didn’t mind the Fox and turned towards Aiko. ”Snack. Snack~”

”Your consumption is ridiculous.” Moon Aiko rolled her eyes. It seemed like Feifei became quite the glutton.

The stiff Fox was confused, but she sneaked away before observing the bickering duo again.

The Foxes huddled around the duo who were sparing no words to voice their dissatisfaction with each other.

”Anyway!” Moon Aiko suddenly turned towards the Foxes. ”This is Feifei, provide her some snacks and she will do anything.” She nodded seriously.

”Ohhh.” The Foxes nodded as if the tiny Fox just said something profound.

”That’s not true.” Feifei pouted.

Moon Aiko pulled out one system meat.

”I will do anything, Master.” Feifei’s tail waggled and she was ready to jump after that meat.

The Foxes felt conflicted, but when they saw ’Feifei’ chasing that meat with a hungry expression, they giggled.

”Maybe we should try to cook something?” A Fox with glasses suggested to everyone.

”A cook out, huh?” The old Fox chuckled.

”You think you will be able to win?” The Blazing Fox snorted at her.

”Just because you are a glutton doesn’t mean you can cook well.” The Dream Fox chimed in.

”I will let you know that you need to know how to cook delicious food in order to be a glutton!” The Blazing Fox proclaimed righteously, making everyone laugh.

At this point they completely forgot about the duo and went into their houses.

Moon Aiko and Feifei stopped.

”Did it go well?” Feifei just played with Aiko, but a bit more than she would usually do.

”Seems like it, we should proceed with the second plan.” Moon Aiko narrowed her eyes.

”Which is?” Feifei tilted her head innocently.

”Let’s go.” Moon Aiko dashed away and Feifei followed.

...

”That was... impressive.” Mei had to praise Aiko, since normally those Foxes would hole themselves inside the houses and not come out when someone was visiting.

”I will need help. Get some Shadow Foxes to set up tables and table for judges. Feifei, get the Twins and introduce them as one of the judges.” Moon Aiko immediately gave orders, since they didn’t have all that much time before those Foxes would come out of their homes.

Mei was startled for a moment, since she never expected Aiko to have such a noble air. ”What are you planning?”

”Introducing the current Fox Village culture.” Moon Aiko nodded her head seriously.

”It will fail.” Mei shook her head.

”I know, but it’s a good ’shock’ that will allow them to progress instead of staying still and be depressed.” Moon Aiko proclaimed before running away.

Mei paused. ”Even if that’s possible, they might just become even more depressed.”

”Then what do you plan to do when they don’t want to come with us?” Moon Aiko turned towards her with a serious expression.

”...” Mei kept her lips sealed. She always postponed this decision, since she didn’t want to abandon them, but they also didn’t allow her to approach, so it was a difficult and unsolvable situation.

She didn’t have enough experience to placate the Foxes or just make them ever so happier...

”See, so stop thinking about it and solve the problem at hand. We need nice tables and chairs, chop chop.” Moon Aiko turned around and ran away.

”That was...” Mei was still stunned.

”Amazing~” Feifei was happy, since this reminded her of when they first met. The ’forceful’, but gentle approach.

”You are not right in the he-” Mei paused. She realised that Feifei went through something similar, so since she agreed with this plan it might have some merit...