"Master!" Herta whined. "What about me? I also want your kisses, Master!"

"You want more attention, you greedy goddess? Even after a whole week of having my extra treatments fill you up? Even after all the added spankings I gifted you? Fine, I'll give you some attention!" You said as you pulled her hair and pushed her around, finding ways to bully this careless goddess of yours as she squirmed happily.

Ayane giggled at the display. She continued after you and the goddess calmed down: "The story behind my fourth tail was a bit more dramatic— it all began when my sister Ai was in labor. A snowstorm had descended on all of Centria, one of the worst of its history. But that wasn't the end of our troubles. A surge of Bad Luck passed over Eisho's household as the Lucky Artifacts there were left behind at a neighbor's house. Not only that, but the harpy bringing the items I needed for Ai wasn't here. I slipped out into the blizzard and, goodness, I thought I was going to perish." She chuckled. "But then I felt a sudden surge of energy as I continued to search for what was needed. I was able to get the lucky artifacts that were missing and some pinkberry leaves to stop Ai's internal bleeding. I even saved the life of that harpy who was supposed to give me my items. From what I recall hearing, that harpy moved back to Archipelegea after that whole debacle." Ayane frowned. "There were rumors that she abandoned her eggs here a few months afterwards, but I can neither confirm nor deny that. The only reason I bring it up is because I recall her looking similar to that mailbird that visits us. However, I will make no assumptions."

"But I digress. We all know what happened afterwards; Aneko was born healthy, my sister remains alive to this day, and by the time it was all over I realized I had another tail." Ayane said. "You were there for when I obtained my fifth tail, Master. So I need not repeat that which you already know about."

"You've lived a very interesting life, darling, tails or not." You said.

"Oh, not at all, my love." Ayane smiled. "I merely lived as any kitsune ought to. And I shall continue to live for your benefit, Master. As you said, 'tails or not'."

"Speaking of, what you're saying makes me think kitsune can get a tail when doing something that might mean life or death." You mused, recalling how Hisashi spoke about getting another tail in his trade mission after killing the giant Roc.

"It might seem to be the case, Master." Ayane said. "But it might be incomplete to see it like that. There's been other occasions where life was risked and no tails emerge; like when I attempted to protect my nieces from the bandits. Or take any of the life-threatening situations Risae has been in her adventures, she'd have at least eight tails by now."

"So, how exactly did you feel when you got a tail?" You asked.

"I don't know how to put it into words." Ayane pondered. "It was as if a piece of my soul was being restored."