Keaton (Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask)

Keatons are recurring creatures in the Legend of Zelda series. They are magical creatures that bear the appearance of a golden fox with three tails. They also sport black fur at the tips of their ears and tails and closed eyes. Keatons recognize each other by the sheen of their tails, as explained by the Keaton in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

They are wise creatures that appear only to those wearing the Keaton Mask; however, these creatures are not fooled by one wearing the Keaton Mask. They reward honest people if they are able to pass their test, the Keaton Quiz, in which they ask 5-7 questions on varying topics. Though they may seem shrouded in mystery, they are only around to help. If Link answers the Keaton’s questions correctly, he is given a Piece of Heart.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Link can visit the Happy Mask Shop in Hyrule Castle Town and borrow the Keaton Mask as a child. To sell it, he shows it to the guard in Kakariko Village who is standing at the foot of the Death Mountain Trail. The Hyrulean Soldier states that Keaton is a "popular character" and that all of his son's friends have Keaton Masks, and that his son wants one as well. This was taken by many fans as a reference to the Pokémon character Pikachu but this was later announced to be untrue.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Keatons play a much larger role. A Keaton appears when Link wears the Keaton’s Mask while near a circle of moving bushes. After the bushes are gone, the Keaton will spin out of the ground poised to ask Link its questions. If he answers the Keaton's questions correctly, it will give him either a Piece of Heart or a red Rupee (worth twenty Rupees). It is unknown whether or not the same Keaton appears every time Link does this, or if there are many different Keatons.

Origin
They are quite possibly based on the kitsune, a mythological fox from Japanese mythology. The name Keaton itself may be a reference to kitsune, although it is never specified.