Long ago, a shrine was built to protect against the evil spirits that were thought to roam the hills northeast of town. Izuna and Gedo are the shrine's guardian foxes. When Gedo disappears, the shrine's protective power is thrown out of balance and strange things start to happen.
Gedo wasn't the only one to be spirited away, however, as Suzume's brother Toshiki vanishes one summer night while out catching fireflies. During a frantic search through the woods, Suzume crosses paths with the mysterious fox Izuna and the two decide to help each find what the other is looking for.