"Notmethereither."

He didn't look particularly interested in Lions, maybe because he saw them most days back home.

A nod, likely indeed the Fox saw Lions often.

"So what kind of spouse is Kitsune-san seeking, if he has a mind to tell me...:

"OneIcangetonwith."

He nudged through a few more silver bands, all blazoned with gaudy Phoenix motifs.

"AndnotaMantis, affiliatedtoMantis, helpsMantisorevenlikesMantis."

"Seems simple", he admitted. "I've been out on the front so I'm a little behind, what is the issue with the Mantis?"

He stared at the Spider. This was generational hate . . . he'd never understand. Izumi tried anyway.

"WeusedtobepartoftheMantis. Theyuseduswhentheywantedandignoreduswhenweneededthem. TheydidthingsweFoxwouldneverdosoweleftthemandwenttoInari'sCradlewiththehelpoftheLion. TheEmperordeclaredusfreesoonafterandwe'vehatedtheMantiseversince."

He mulled that around in his head.

"Abusive relationship, bad break up. Sounds about right." He nodded. "What sort of person would you get on with?"

"They'dhavetolikenature. Animalsorplants, evenbetterifboth. Beabletokeepupwithmeandunderstandwe'rethesmallestclanofallsowe'reallimportantandhavetopullourweight."

He shook his head a smiled slightly. It was possible he didn't catch all of that.

He felt like he was talking to some other kind of creature than a human sometimes, but to be fair, the Kitsune probably wasn't convinced Shokomaru was human either. He could in fact be some unmentionable monster.

Who knew?

"So...hard working, likes nature. Seems pretty easy. Some folks place a lot of specifics on marriage, but you sound like you don't make it difficult."

"MommaFoxmakesitdifficultthough. ShewantssomeonewithaccesstonewfloraresourcesforKitsuneBiopharmaticals."

He thought for a moment.

"Ohandpreferablyashugenja, butthenewflorachemicalsaremoreimportant."