The Gumiho's Tail: Legend of the Two Tailed Gumiho

Part 24

Howon/Hoya POV

They all looked at her again, hoping that she would say she was just joking, but she didn't flinch.

"If you are really that old" Sungjong shyly spoke up. "Then are you really a gumiho?"

A thought seemed to strike her and she responded "I don't know."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Can I still be considered a gumiho if I don't have a tail?" she asked me in reply.

I chuckled and said "I don't know."

"Hold on a second" Woohyun quickly spoke up. "Are you guys serious?"

I looked at her and then we both nodded. "I was indeed born a gumiho" she said. "However, I no longer have any tails."

"Is there such a thing as a no tailed fox?" Sungyeol asked.

"Only in fables" Dongwoo smiled and laughed. Then he looked up and caught Sohee's eye. "Sorry" he quickly stopped laughing and lowered his head.

Sohee couldn't help but laugh "It's okay."

"So what does it mean?" I asked her.

Sohee POV

What does it mean? I couldn't help but be dumbfounded by the question.

"I don't know" I shrugged my shoulder in response. "I guess I will have to do some more research."

"Research?" Sunggyu was curious. "How would you be able to research this?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Fox Mountain isn't the only place that has been home to gumihos. We keep track of our history, just like you do. In fact, I think ours is a little more detailed than yours."

"Why would you think that?" Sunggyu asked.

She blushed a little "Because we tend to steal any document that eludes to our existence."

"What?" they all screamed.

"You steal historical documents?" Sunggyu was thoroughly shocked.

"Well, in my defense, they weren't considered 'historical' documents when we took them" I smiled slyly.

"Wait a second" Myungsoo spoke up. "If you stole all the evidence, how is it that people know about Fox Mountain and the Fox King?"

I smiled "We took all the actual documentation regarding the incident, but because King Daeyeol insisted upon having that silly edict delivered, the rumors persisted and, as time went on, it became more of a legend. Most people don't really take it seriously, so we let it go and play along."

"Play along?" Woohyun asked. "You find it amusing?"

"Yes, we do" I replied honestly. "Tell me, what did you do when you saw a fox on the mountain?"

"I followed it" he replied instantly and then face-palmed himself. "That was a gumiho? I can't believe you guys have fun toying with us!" he screamed in embarrassment.

"Although we do have a bit of fun with it, we aren't really doing it to toy with you" I explained to him. "It's more for protection to both you and us."

"What do you mean?" Sungyeol asked.

"We just want to live a peaceful life without being disturbed. Normally, people wouldn't venture off the path through the mountain. However, every year during the edict game, people become desperate to find his tomb, so they venture off the path." I took a sip of tea before continuing "Although the mountain is relatively safe, there are still dangers. During the game, we set up guard stations and redirect people when they are getting too close to dangerous areas. We want everyone to have fun and not get hurt."

"And not find where you live" Sunggyu added.

"Yes" I blushed.

"So, was there really a Fox King Howon? Is he really buried up there?" Sungjong asked excitedly.

"Yes" I replied. "Howon was real and he is buried up on the mountain."

"Can you show us?" Dongwoo asked cautiously.

I was a little surprised by their enthusiasm and interest. "You all want to see it?" I asked and they all nodded in reply. "Well, I guess I could do that..." They all started cheering. "If you promise not to tell anyone else" I raised my voice.

They looked at each other and nodded. "I think we can do that" Hoya smiled.

The next day, I brought them up to my home and showed them 'Fox King' Howon's tomb. Like Hoya, they were surprised by it's appearance, but ultimately believed me.

A few gumiho came by to visit me, which caught them by surprise. It seemed as though Jihyo, Joochan and Jaehyun were all worried about me. The three of them arrived in fox form and then transformed. Jihyo ran over and hugged me "Where have you been?" she wept. "Joochan said you collapsed" she cried.

"Calm down Jihyo" I pat her head.

"Who are these guys?" Jaehyun eyed them.

"They are humans" Joochan commented.

"Wrong" I corrected them. "They are friends."

Jaehyun huffed "Who would want to be friends with a human?"

"Have you forgotten that Howon was our friend? Was he not human?"

They all lowered their heads. "Sorry" they muttered apologetically.

"Enough of that" I waved it aside. "What brings you all here?"

Howon/Hoya POV

"We were worried about you" Joochan blushed.

"You silly thing" she ruffled his hair, making him more embarrassed. "I'm alright" she smiled. "See" she lifted her arms and turned around.

"But you collapsed!" he spoke up with worry. "And that monk shook his head after checking your pulse!"

"Relax, Joochan" she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Really, I'm fine" she spoke soothingly.

"Okay" he relaxed. "But, you'd tell us if anything was wrong, right?"

"Of course" she smiled. She turned to us and said "I have to grab a couple of things, then we can head back down."

"You're leaving already?" The young gumihos were shocked.

"Where are you going?" Joochan asked.

"I have to go and do some research" she explained.

"I'm coming with you" he insisted.

"No" she forcefully said. "You are going to say here and do your job."

"But" he tried to protest, but she shook her head firmly. "You're coming back, right?" he asked worriedly.

Taken aback by the situation, she didn't know how to answer. "Of course she will. Once her research is done, we will come right back" I smiled at him.

He glared at me "Why would you come back?"

I chuckled a little "Just to see your cute little face."

Sohee grabbed my arm and whispered "You shouldn't tease him like that."

"Why not?" I whispered back.

"Because he is five hundred years old. You should treat him like an elder" she whispered back.

"What?" I screamed.