A shark who lost her fins (Part 1) (Patreon)

Autumn had come. I can always tell before I see the first brown leaf falling from a tree. Autumn always comes with the wind. The wind tells me that the time has changed, and my whole body receives it as a gentle touch from an old friend who has finally arrived to pay a visit and talk about the stories that might be forgotten in the mind but never in the heart. As the Kitsune that personifies Autumn, it would be weird of me not to enjoy the season I hold so dearly in my heart. But I hope there is some honesty in my words when I say, even if I was a simple forest spirit, I’m confident this season would still be my favorite. Nonetheless, that Fall was different from others. I had barely time to enjoy the first wind of the season, as duty had called me to keep the balance in this world. “Over here,” a human officer told me as I followed him towards the empty shack at the beach.

I, Autumn Kitsune, take care of the police department corresponding to spirits. Long time ago, spirits wandered free on the land, using their powers freely and claiming big portions of land. The constant clashing with humans ended with us having to settle for peace, and with time, we have adapted to their societies. 

Most humans don’t recognize us anymore. They think of us as old tales for children to have fun, or ancient myths for the elderly to study.  It is better that way.

“I was about to call the officers,” the officer continued. He knew I was a Kitsune. “But I wanted to call you first because… You will see”

His words weren’t embedded with fear. If anything, I would say he was really trying to find the words to explain. We both crossed the shack door and entered. My powerful sense of smell already told  me who lived there. A shark yokai*

No wonder there wasn't much furniture around. For a shark, moving is the life so this spirit probably spent most of their time in energy-demanding activities.

“Over here,” he told me, guiding me upstairs.

"Two floors and an attic", I could guess as I walked behind him, grasping for the tiniest bit of information of the house i could be missing.

He led me to the owner’s bedroom. 

He was about to open the door, but I had to stop him.

“Shh,” I whispered with a finger on my lips.

I pushed the door slowly and used my smell and hearing to their max capability. 

There is a smell I don’t recognize, but it is too light for someone else to be there. “Let’s go,” I said. "I had already checked for intruders..." he mumbled in a really low voice. What he didn't know is that yokai and curses hide better than any human could. We entered the bedroom. A simple piece with a bed, wardrobes and basic furniture. But on the bed there was a pale shark woman laying. Even with my ear it was hard to pick her breathing rhythm.

“Tell me the details,” I said as I approached her. 

I immediately noticed one important thing. She was completely naked underneath a very light blanket.

“Wasn’t me,” the officer said in a worried voice. “I found her laying like that. I covered her with a blanket after she didn’t respond to first aid treatment.”“Mhm,” I replied without much interest. If he had been the responsible, I would have known since we entered and he wouldn’t have been standing behind me. I put on my gloves, and started checking her body. Fit woman, tanned skin. I touch her lips lightly to open her mouth. Two missing teeth, a canine and a molar, but that is normal for shark yokai which just makes the situation stranger. No signs of aggression on the neck, and her nails are completely clean. 

I checked her chest and then…

“Where are…?” I tried saying. “Her gills and tail. They are gone,” the officer interrupted me.

"How much information does this officer have about spirits?" I thought as I turnedI turned her body gently. Her back was as normal as it could be. You see, shark yokai have characteristics that are unique to them, just like any spirit. Humans are affected by magic that makes those characteristics almost invisible to them. 

Some spirits are able to hide their tails, ears or bodies even to their species. I am one of those. But it is weird that a shark woman does it, especially one so young like this one. Sharks love showing their teeth, gills, fins, scars or tails to others as they are full of stories and it is their pride.

“I know this woman. She is named Naumi,” the officer continued, turning around. “She is a lifeguard on the beach and sometimes helps sailors during the night. I often have to take this route during my shift, so we became friends. Sometimes we had lunch together or I came to ask her if she could give me specific details of the area.”As the officer spoke, I kept checking on the woman’s body. Not a single sign of a fight. This is problematic. If she didn’t fight with her fists, whatever happened had magic involved. No signs of a curse either. 

Crap. 

“I didn’t see her around for a couple of days,” the officer said. “So I came here earlier today, just to find the door unlocked and Naumi laying there. Is she…?”“Dead? No.” I answered as I took off my gloves and covered the girl with the blanket. 

I clicked my tongue and rubbed my eyes. It was going to be a long week. “She will be fine, but it might take me a while. So, I’m telling you what is going to happen,” I explained, leaving the bedroom. “This girl had something stolen. I’m going to go get it back.” “Stolen? What exactly?” he asked. 

“A… an amulet,” I lied. “It is important for the sea.”

We both walked towards the main door. I turned towards the officer and looked him directly in the eyes.

“I will send a couple of people to take care of her. She won’t die but until I’m back, she will be weak, and might sleep too much,” I told him. “My friends will take care of her. She will be fine. Don’t do anything stupid. Trust in me.”

I took out my phone and immediately sent a message. Before clicking, I looked at the human in the eyes. I could tell his uncertainty had only increased. 

“Ugh, you can come visit her,” I whispered, as I rewrote some words in my text message. “But keep living your life normally. I will get her back. I promise, but it will take time.”

“Thank you, Miss Autumn,” he said. “Let me know…”

“If you can help?” I interrupted. “Help me by being a good human officer. That is all I need. And stay here outside until my friends arrive. You will recognize them, they are tanuki girls. If you invade Naumi’s home, I’ll know”

I start walking away. The officer told me something but I didn'tmind much. My mind was already busy with something else. Naumi, the shark woman, had her essence stolen. 

And I needed to find out who and why.

*yokai means spirit