One crisp spring day, you see a kitsune dancing under the cherry trees.
You can only watch for a moment before you have to tear your eyes away. The longer you look at her, the greater that twisting ache in your heart grows, the harder it becomes to ignore the lack of a bushy tail or three swaying behind you.
You don't realize that you're crying until her hand brushes the tears from your cheek. The kitsune's smile is warm and gentle. She holds out her hand and asks, "Do you want to join me?"
You hesitate for a moment, but you can't help yourself from taking her hand. Her smile turns mischievous, and just a bit wicked.
She pulls you into the cherry trees, leading you in a whirlwind dance you can hardly keep up with. She reaches around the small of your back, and pulls.
The logical part of your brain is telling you that there's no way you just sprouted a tail, that this must be some kind of illusion.
But when the kitsune pets it, and you feel your soft fur parting between her fingers, you don't care about the logic anymore. You wrap your arms around her, sobbing happy tears into her dress.
"It's okay, little sister," she whispers into your sharp, furry ear. "You don't have to hide anymore."