Among Inari's Children [Mikko/Hakkyou]

So this place was real...Mikko had heard about the Miyagi Zao Fox Village even in Norway, yet now that he was actually there, sitting on a step to one of the old buildings and surrounded by waves of foxes trying to get pets and to know this furry newcomer, he could tell this place was better than the stories he had heard. There was one in particular, a slightly plump fox that had jumped up onto his lap and rolled over to receive bellyrubs, that commanded most of his attention. This was probably the one place he had wanted to visit when he had moved to Japan, the hint of a smile tugging at the edges of his muzzle as he slowly stroked the soft fur of his needy new little friend. A strange almost purr came from the fox, threatening to make the boy smile at the sight. There was nothing expected of him, just a simple act of making another happy. It stirred something inside of him, a small echo of a similar feeling that wasn't just immediately lost to that deep black sea inside of himself.

Still petting the fox, Mikko looked up at the rest of the old village. There weren't anyone else around at the moment, that he could see, and perhaps that was why he felt calmer than normal. He wanted to have friends, to be used to being around others, but near everyone he'd met so far was...they were so mean, or uncaring, and it was more animals like these foxes or his old wolfhound that didn't trigger instant wariness or fear. He sighed, wondering if he'd ever get over that reaction, or even if he deserved to. He was nothing, a cursed child with a cursed quirk. He could only be happy if he leeched off the misfortune of others. His family had made the very apparent. Better to give his life trying to help others, maybe he could even out against the pain he'd brought into the world. The fox began to kick his leg as a certain part of his tummy was scritched. Maybe this would help even the score a little more.