Chapter Text
“Ei! I can’t do this!” Miko pants, struggling to keep hold of the sword given to her. She looks to the woman beside her, then back to the target dummy ahead, exhaling a defeated sigh soon enough.
“Well, you’ll have to keep trying. It’s for your own good.” Ei responds in a cold tone that lacks any form of sympathy, it's even reflected in her gaze. She moves closer, gently gripping the sword by the hilt; completely ignoring Miko's fingers as she does so.
Miko lets go, she watches intently as Ei shows her the proper way of holding it once more. It somehow puzzles her more when Ei expertly holds the Katana at an angle, the exact same tilt every time. She huffs to herself, her bushy tail fluffing up behind her, arms folded, visibly annoyed.
“Miko, I won’t say this again. You will have to get used to it. I won’t always be around, someone will have to defend you, or you will have to learn to defend yourself.”
“Oh yeah? Well, I’ll just go find someone then. I don’t need you to babysit me, I’m a grown Kitsune, I can handle myself. I’d like to see them try.”
Without a hint that the attack was coming, the tip of Ei’s sword was mere inches away from her neck, a blink is all it took for the sword to reach there, another and it could have separated Miko’s head from her shoulders. Miko gulps an audible sound, her throat bobbing as it just nearly misses a scrape from that sword.
“Where might this someone be? I don’t see anyone here.” Is that a hint of a smug smirk teasing the corner of Ei’s lips? Why yes, yes it is. She lowers her weapon, shaking her head in disappointment. A hand finds its way pushing away her bangs briefly, tilting her head back with her gaze situated elsewhere.
“Hmmph. Don’t get too cocky. I may not be capable of taking you in a fight, but I'm well aware of your weaknesses, much more than most. I know things about you that even Saiguu would find confusing.”
Finally, there’s a break in Ei’s cocky demeanour, eyeing Miko with clear worry. “Shut up, that’s not true,” She responds, almost cute in her frazzled tone. There’s a small pout when she once again urges Miko to grasp her sword, finding the woman more than unwilling to do so. “Miko please, I know it’s a chore for someone like you, but it will be worth it in the long run.”
“Fine..” The young Kitsune was far from pleased, but she took the sword for herself. It felt weighty and uncomfortable; almost like an extra appendage that served no purpose and barely listened to her command. Taking a fighting stance, she awkwardly swings her sword at a target dummy, missing it entirely, flopping in the air briefly before she lands on her rear with an “Oomph..”
Ei quickly gazes away; desperately holding back laughter. Try as she might, she’s soon on the floor too, laughing more than she had in weeks, practically clutching her sides as the pleasant sound rings out. She really should work on her composure, especially when she shares a visage with Makoto. “Aren’t you supposed to have better balance than most? You have a tail..”
“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I’ll get you back for this, you know that.” She huffs, hugging her tail while comforting herself, the big fluffy thing practically hides her face for the moment. Clearly embarrassed, no witty retort, nothing. “I’m going home.” She slowly got up to stand, ignoring the fallen sword.
Ei reaches her hand out to grab the Kitsune’s tail before the woman can make a swift escape. A high-pitched chirp of a sound escapes the poor girl. She immediately jumps, smacking Ei’s hand away, both ears perk up in an instant, and her arms are once again hugging her tail along her front defensively.
"HEY! What's the big idea?? You can't just do that. You might be important and all that, but don't think for a second that Makoto won't kick your ass if I mentioned you bullying me." Yae bares her fangs with annoyance, though, it still made her look more like a primped-up doll with big fluffy bits all around – far from threatening.
"Miko.." That's all Ei had to say, words meld into her mind with the sweetness of honey. She could barely look the woman in the eye now, not when she regarded her with concern and that loving look in her eyes. "What has gotten you so riled up and impatient? This isn't like you."
As the silence grows between them, Miko averts her gaze with crimson cheeks and a pouty pair of lips. It takes her a while to actually open up, but Ei remains insistent for as long as it takes.
“I-...I’ve been worried.”
“Worried?”
“About you. You’ve been training like there’s nothing else on your mind, what’s wrong? Even the spirits seem irked and rarely come frolic around when you train. You need to relax a little, Ei.”
She finally meets Ei’s gaze, there’s hesitance from the archon, an uncertain furrow of her brows, and a dry gulp. Just then, Yae flinches as the woman bridges the gap, snaking a hand around her waist whilst the other comes to rest on her forehead. Ei slowly nudges aside Miko’s bangs to reveal a sakura-shaped mark meant to signify her connection to the spirit world. Gentle lips pressed upon the mark, Yae shivers from the affection drenched in every little gesture, her heart pounds at her chest; loud enough to drown out the sounds in her ear for just a moment. Growing up the mark had been a point of contention for the poor girl. On one hand, it was a unique thing, on the other it gave her much strife with all the mocking from others her age. It ultimately culminated with her decision to grow out bangs just to cover it.
“There is a lot more at play than you know, Miko. It’s not for you to worry about, but I understand your concern, and I’ll try to turn it down a notch.”
Even if it brings some level of comfort to Yae, the things left unsaid still niggle away, slowly chipping away at her sense of self. Rather than ask for more, or pester the woman, she coils her arms around the taller woman, fingers clutching at the fabric of Ei’s kimono briefly. Possessive and or needy as it may be, she lingers in the embrace for as long as she is allowed to.
Once her worries somewhat die down, she pulls back quickly, noticing the light dusting of red that made its way into her dearest friend's cheeks. If it were up to her, she'd let the moment go on for all of eternity, but alas, things are fleeting, and she shouldn't indulge for longer than she should – not to mention the amount of teasing she'll have to endure if Saiguu happened to walk by right now.
"I won't be taking much more of your time, convey my apologies to your tail, would you?" Ei’s stoic delivery remains a part of her even in jest.
Yae squints at the cheeky young woman, huffing. "Yes, yes. Be on your way, don't get into trouble, I won't be forced to reapply your bandages like last time, regardless of your whining."
"M-Miko!!" Ei stammers, puffing a breath through her nostrils. The taller woman turns on her heel, dusting her kimono and making sure she looks proper once more. Yae watches as the woman leaves, a small smile playing on her lips, especially when their eyes meet as Ei gives her one last glance.
Whilst the pang of something uncertain lingers, she keeps herself busy by cleaning up what's left of their training area; making sure it's all ready for next time. Swords simply weren't her thing, but Ei simply wouldn't listen regardless of her protests.
A small stream pools nearby, and she skips across the stones, completely aware of peering eyes and odd rustling in nearby bushes. Her enhanced sense of sight, smell, and sound almost make up for her utter lack of coordination when wielding a sword. Odd chirps cause her ears to flicker, it's a familiar albeit distressing sound. Alas, she hadn't the energy to try and soothe the little beasts, perhaps she'll bring Ei as a little treat, fox spirits do seem to enjoy their time around her.
The rest of her day passes as it usually would – shrine duty, cleaning up, leaving food for the little rascals, and finally some time to read late at night. In recent times, Yae has secretly taken to writing, or at least she tries. The thought of anyone stumbling across her private stash of tall tales and fiction causes her to wilt and sink into her own skin. Thank the gods for a lack of snoopy maidens.
As she tries to find rest, her eyes shut only for a wave of emotion to wash over her. Suddenly the covers felt all-top heavy, and a dull heat spread through her form. It's hardly the first, her mind flashes to the look in Ei’s eyes – the gaze that oozes affection. They have known each other for so long now, these thoughts are inappropriate, and far from something a shrine maiden should dwell on.
She could pinpoint the moment everything got turned on its head. Her silly crush could easily be written off as seasonal hormones or whatever else excuse she could come up with to cope with her utterly gay self. Everything changed when Saiguu had come to her with a request. The great Raiden Ei had been injured, and she believed it would be good practice to test her skills when it comes to traditional healing methods.
First, it made her vision murky with worry, then she could hardly stand. She's aware of Ei’s escapades and victories, but the thought of even a scratch on her lo- best friend's body makes her heart grow restless. Request or not, nothing could stop her from sprinting out with a bag full of medicinal herbs and bandages.
She knocks at the door to Ei’s room, restlessly tapping her foot against the wooden boards below.
"You may enter, the door is unlocked."
Yae nudges the door open, apologizing for her entry before heading to seat herself beside Ei. The injured woman looks over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of Yae's worried visage. Thankfully, Ei doesn't stare for long, instead, she returns her gaze to the barren wooden wall ahead. She is sitting on the floor with her legs crossed over one another, her back covered by a simple cloth awkwardly draped over it.
Yae reaches her hand over to gently pull down the cloth, expecting the worst with bated breaths. A painful slash spans diagonally from one side of her torso to the other. Yae sucks in a hiss through gritted teeth, a part of her wishes to scold the woman for her carelessness. However, neither of them could utter words at the moment, not when Ei was baring her whole back.
Briefly, her fingers assess the situation; digits gingerly caress the flesh of Ei’s hardened back. One could never have guessed such a physique lay dormant underneath that Kimono. It was quite the sight, she was grateful Ei couldn't see her at the moment – she is gawking; quite unabashedly.
The Kitsune wishes to know if it hurts, the fresh trail of crimson welts across flesh still bubbling with blood from the littlest movement gives her an idea of how painful it might be for the average person – but Ei was no average being.
She uses a nearby bucket and sponge to gently wash the wound, even then Ei doesn't utter a word or even so much as a pained hiss. It was baffling really, Yae began to wonder if Ei could feel anything at all. Once every fleck of crimson had been dealt with, she dresses the wound with bandages, being careful to not accidentally have her wrist bump up against the woman's breasts.
Yae doesn't allow herself to get distracted until the deed was entirely done. In a way, this made Ei seem more modest, the wraps easily hiding her breasts, thus putting Yae's mind at ease in that regard. However, one did not need mounds for eye candy, not when a chiselled back did the job just as well.
Her finger felt drawn in, magnetized by the view afforded to her, scars and faded marks adorn the woman's back, old wounds that linger as a reminder of war's past. Ei’s breath catches Yae's ear, it's subtle but there's a shaky quality to it just briefly. So the woman could feel after all, but why were her fingers causing such a reaction when the wound had no impact whatsoever?
Her palm strokes over the gorgeous yet flawed canvas before her. It travels over every scar, scrape, or bruise with the gentlest of touches. She shuffled closer, hugging an arm around the woman's waist, still keeping some distance to not press her weight against the wound. For now, she does little more than stroke and her fingertips feel taut muscles flexing them. Her ears twitch when a shaky sigh escapes Ei's lips, could she coax out more? Would it be right to push this moment further?
What was she doing? This is odd, the feeling was something she could hardly come to terms with. Why is her heart raising? What's prompting that warmth in her cheeks, that odd fluttering in her tummy, none of it made sense to the young Kitsune. Then came that tone, the tone Ei frequently used when calling her name. It's the loving lilt that cuts through her stoic nature, that cadence that was uniquely Ei.
"Miko?"
Miko.. M-Miko… Miko… Miko…
Something clicks just then. It strikes her with the intensity of a thousand storms. Little by little, Ei had chipped away and whittled a spot in her heart, a little corner for herself to nestle into.
Yae sways forward to have her chin rest atop Ei’s shoulder. She hears the archon grunt as she snakes a hand around to pat her on the head. With warmth in her cheeks and pooling heat in her belly, she tilts her gaze to catch Ei’s; close enough for their breaths to mingle.
Her gaze swaps between Ei’s lips and her eyes, that gentle lilac gaze reflects her own amethyst. Just then, Ei drops her hand, thus breaking the moment, suddenly forcing the girl to be aware of her surroundings and no longer lost in the moment.
Miko...
She recalls excusing herself quickly, rushing out of the room to go straight back to her own. But, her heart remained full, and her mind had only one thought– what could have been being it not for their position, were it not for titles and responsibilities.
Reminiscing over the past makes her bite the tip of her index finger, squirming under the covers, unable to process all the thoughts surging through her mind.
How would it feel to have Ei’s lips on her neck? Would it be as cold as the tip of her blade? As soft as satin sheets draped on bare flesh? How would her tongue feel lapping against her–
No! No! Absolutely not!!
She cuts herself off from drowning in those thoughts. The heat lingers, and fine hairs stand eager at the back of her neck, but she tries to think of anything that could distract her from going down that lecherous path. The thought that manages to make her plummet from cloud nine back to earth happened to be the lack of clarity. It annoyed her greatly, just the mere fact that Ei was still a Raiden, and Raidens hardly wear their heart on their sleeve, no, they're secretive people with grand motives; motives that an 'innocent' shrine maiden such as herself was not privy to.
Ei. Silly, stoic, closed-off Ei.
Once the prickling heat dies down, she's left on her side, gazing at the empty space where a certain someone could slot in. Her fingers trail over the space before her, wondering if she should just give in to temptation one of these days, purely to fill a void if anything.
Thoughts slowly taper off, her eyes grow heavy, her breath steadies, and within moments she's out. It was an oddly dreamless night, perhaps that was a good thing.
As the morning ray of light peeks through her windows, she squirms and groans, tossing and turning until she's somewhat shielded by the back of her head. Still, frustrated, it only takes a couple of minutes for her to succumb to her duties and stumble out of bed to get on with her day.
Yae couldn't pinpoint what, but something has been off the entire day. She had a lot to do, but in the back of her mind, in the pits of her gut, discomfort stews. The odd sensation is made worse when she heads back after feeding her foxes, Ei was standing there in the shrine chatting it up with some other shrine maiden. A pang of jealousy made her nearly march up there to snake a hand around Ei’s arm to stake her claim – but she decides to keep her distance and have a keen eye watching over it all instead.
She frowns when noticing the way the maiden giggled, the little smile on Ei’s face, and all else. Yae knows it's unhealthy to obsess over it, her inner voice even chides her for it; yet, the feeling never passes.
Frustrated, she tries to do things the Ei way. Dejected, annoyed, and thinking the worst, she wanders away to where their training takes place.
It's a quiet spot, thankfully. A small stone path fenced by trees and made cosy by natural shade. As lush grass tapers off, it's replaced by blackened ground, flat-topped rocks, and a wooden training dummy. The trees do clear off further up to reveal the end of a cliff, harsh waves crash against the rock below, it's mostly inaudible from where they train, entirely thanks to a chorus of birds and animals.
She picks up the sword handed to her last time, studying it in her hand, frowning as she does so. She swings wildly at the target dummy, grunting as she does so, annoyed enough yet still managing to whiff her blow. Yae tries and tries again, keeping it up; none of her blows bore any weight behind them.
How did Ei tell her to grip it again? It's all a blur, her mind is clouded by envy and rage. Try as she might, none of it ever releases with any strike, if anything, being unable to remember Ei’s teaching properly annoyed her further. Yae is worn out; sweat drips down her forehead, her fingers sting from merely gripping the sword too tight, and all of the rebound makes her wrists ache on top of everything.
Dejected; her tail and ears droop as low as they could possibly get. She tosses the sword again, wandering towards the cliff's end. She teethers over the edge, witnessing the violent waves below, the salty sea air felt against her skin.
"Screw you!!!" She screams at the top of her lungs. Not wishing to make a misstep, she backs off from the edge, plopping herself down where the grass resumes once more. Yae squeezes her eyes shut to keep herself from spilling tears. She has no right to be this annoyed or upset, it's entirely irrational, or so her mind chides.
The world around her fades away; her eyes shut as she falls into a slumbering state. She dreams of what could be, of things left in the air, that lingering tension, and if she could bridge the gap between them.
"Miko.."
"Ei.."
"Miko…"
Slowly, her eyes flutter open, expecting this to be a dream too. She's met with the view of all there is, and all she wishes to be with. A familiar swirling set of lilac eyes are what greets her. Yae raises her hand to have it gently cup the woman's cheek, caressing a thumb over her cheekbone. She watches as the other shuts her eyes, crooning against her palm, almost breaking the stoic expression with a genuine smile.
Ei’s ethereal beauty reignited that feeling in her gut; it was as though a thousand butterflies took flight. Her heart raises, running circles around her chest cavity. A thousand years couldn't prepare her for such a view, Ei contrasts perfectly with the sea of twinkling stars painting the sky behind her.
"Ei…"
"Miko, I saw you sleeping here far past the time I'd usually see you back at the shrine. Are you unwell?"
Ei may have her usual stoic delivery, but there's a small hint of something more underlining her words still. Yae finds herself helpless to give in, especially when the realization that her head rests on Ei’s lap strikes her like a bolt of lightning.
"I was training."
"Oh. Oh, right. Ahrem. Well, I'm sure Saiguu is worried about you. You should head back, it's closing in on dinner time. Aren't you hungry?"
Yae shakes her head, showing a toothy smile towards the woman. She pats the woman's cheek gently, scratching under her chin with a finger, almost causing the leg under her to quiver. She couldn't help but let out a giggle at the great Beelzebul, reduced to a whimper just from a chin scratch.
"Aww, aren't you cute…"
Yae sits up, leaning in a little to wrap her arms around Ei’s form as she has done a few times in the weeks that passed. Ei’s arm remains by her side for a while, but they do eventually find their mark around Yae's form in return.
"What's this for?"
"You were cute, and I felt like hugging you," Yae admits, hiding away a smile.
"Oh. I had a feeling you were mad at me. You seemed annoyed, I was just about to wave when I saw you frown and wander away."
Yae remains in the hug if only to hide her flushed cheeks. "M-mad? I had no reason to be mad at you. Anyways, what did you need with Shoko?"
"Shoko? Oh. It's somewhat embarrassing. I don't think–"
Offended by the woman's answer, she huffs, detaching herself from the embrace in seconds. Her face remains beet red; annoyed and angry. She huffs, her tail all fluffed up to reflect her emotion.
"I'm going home. Enjoy yourself."
"Miko, wait!" Ei’s hand reaches out to take hers, she turns to face the taller woman once more.
"What do you want with me? I have duties to attend to. Not everyone can–"
Ei’s hand reaches for her lips, forcing her to respond with a high-pitched whimper. The gesture left her utterly flanked, unable to even form a coherent thought.
"Let me speak. I was asking her to take over for you tonight. We have plans together. I'm putting my hand down now."
Yae looked both offended and curious all at once. She doesn't speak to the woman, huffing whilst turning her head away.
"Come."
Yae followed along, and Ei led the way through thick brush and all else, every animal seemed somewhat hesitant to come close. However, little legs pitter-patter behind them, cracking branches, yips and small sounds of the sort; foxes.
They seem just as curious as Yae was, tagging along cautiously but curiously with every step. Yae's vision at night might eclipse that of a Human, yet, she keeps herself entirely enraptured by the hand guiding her along, as well as the growing smile on Ei’s face.
Even as Ei stops, she keeps walking, nearly stumbling, mere seconds away from rolling down a small incline if not for her friend's quick reflex. An arm draws Yae's form against Ei’s, a soft breath could be felt against her folded ear, and her cheeks flare up in an instant.
"Watch your step, Pup. Ahrem. I mean.. be careful, Miko."
If it were any other time, Yae might just feign offence for being called that when she's in her humanoid form. She nods, gulping down the moisture in her mouth to breathe life back into the drought in her throat.
"You can let go now, Ei."
"Right. Wait here, I've been meaning to do something with you."
Ei takes a step back; before them is a field of flower buds waiting for their chance to bloom. The Archon’s eyes shift from calm lilac to a raging amethyst, Yae gawked parted lips and a set of surprising blinks.
"Look ahead."
The skies above grow noticeably dark, in mere moments the moonlight is snuffed out and replaced by angry black clouds that flicker with lightning. Every flash accompanies a gentle rumble. Gathering clouds grow angrier by the second, even the fox spirits cover in makeshift burrows or within bushes.
A flash nearly blinds Yae; it sends shivers down her spine, her feet wobble and she stumbles but steadies herself quickly with her tail to keep herself from falling over. The sound of thunder follows, and a multitude of flashes strike from the heavens above to the Earth below, all crackling across the floor in search of something, the ground itself looking as though it was energized by something.
Stunned and shocked, Yae tries to fetch her jaw from the floor. Now that the light show has died down, she's left even more puzzled than before. Before she could turn to ask what all that was about, her eyes widened at what she witnessed.
Every bud simultaneously blooms, each capturing a fragment of Ei’s power; a small flickering purple with petals of luminescent blue and pink. It knocks the wind out of her, she couldn't possibly come up with words to describe what she had just witnessed. All she had ever heard were tales of Ei’s combined conquest. Never in a thousand years had she heard of the woman’s power being used for anything but bloodshed.
As she stands there, on the precipice of perfection, taking in a sea of mesmerizing flowers, her eyes begin to well with tears. She feels arms snake over her waist, pulling the Kitsune closer to her Goddess. Even now Ei’s body makes the thin almost invisible fur-like hairs stand at attention. Her ears prop up, capturing each side of Ei’s cheek with the perked-up fluffy thing. Just then, she hears a set of words that cement her love for this woman, nothing could possibly shake her faith after that.
"I do this every year to remind myself of what I fight for. These flowers remain one of the only things untouched by excess bloodshed. They're mine to behold, and mine to protect. When I look at you, I can't help but be reminded of them. You are what I fight for, my dearest Miko."
Dark clouds dissipate, the moon seen once more looking down upon them. The view is no less magnificent even now. Miko gathers the arms around her for herself, momentarily allowing herself to entirely indulge in the sweetest of moments.
"Ei... I can't believe my eyes. This feels like a dream. This feels like… like… lo-"
Just as she prepares herself for what comes, suddenly, something crawls between the pair's legs, followed by more, forcing Yae to suddenly jump up and end up in Ei’s arms. Love confessions were relatively easy, but reminding herself that they were not alone when Ei had her way with her heart was a lot harder. She nearly curses at the blasted creatures for ruining a moment. However, she couldn't entirely complain, not when she was being carried like a newlywed in Ei’s strong... strong arms.
"H-Hi.. sorry about them." Yae has her voice all sheepish and quiet, almost a whisper of apology meant just for the two of them.
"No, I've come to accept your children at this point. I've known you long enough to know that you have absolutely no control over them."
"How dare you- I-... okay fine, you're not entirely wrong. All week they've been pouting over us training too much. Suddenly, a bit of lightning and they're as forgiving and brisk as ever."
Yae frowns. A fox or two even grumbles and nips at Ei’s feet as if it wishes to be chased into the field of flowers.
"Yes... I wonder who they take after."
Yae doesn't catch that, but she's sure it was an insult purely based on the not-so-stoic but teasing tone Ei takes.
"Hush, you." Yae nearly forgets she was still being held up and carried by her goddess; it did feel lovely being nestled between strong arms and a warm body. She clears her throat, flushed as can be, it takes a second but Ei eventually lets her down. Yae felt shaky being on two legs again; almost wishing for another carry already.
"So, care to join the rest of your kin, Pup?"
"Stop calling me that!!" Yae stomps her foot, and Ei simply snickers. "Never call me that again." She then stomps on in a huff, hands folded and ears all floppy once again.
She steps through the field carefully, making sure not to trample any flowers along the way, but they seem rather sturdy considering their magical properties. She looks back to see if Ei was following along, and she catches a glimpse of the woman staring at her tail of all things. Overly self-conscious about it, she quickly reaches behind to scoop it up and hug it over her front with one hand.
Yae makes a sound wholly unique to her; an odd set of chirps or yips that call forth her foxes. They come rushing to her side within seconds, there are at least nine of them that she can see. Ei catches up while she makes a mental count of them, they don't remain still while she does so of course.
The little rascals begin pouncing at Ei’s legs to try and climb their way to the top. Not wishing to trouble the little rascals, Ei drops to her knees only to get swarmed on by all of the cute foxes. Yae couldn't help but reflect on the loving smile Ei has on her lips, she watches as the archon is reduced to little more than a happy girl playing with woodland creatures.
Ei’s hands scratch under their chins, stroke and pet their heads, and even hug them against her form. Ei seems especially enamoured by their cute tails; often seen fluffing them up or tugging on them playfully. This goes on for quite a while too, long enough for a certain larger kitsune to grow jealous.
Yae quietly seethed at the woman; it's unfair that her foxes get that level of attention from Ei. Yae puffs her cheeks up in a pout, huffing at the woman on her knees. Ei perks a brow as she notices it finally, she could tell something was wrong.
"Miko, what is it?"
"Nothing. Are you enjoying yourself there? I'm going back home now, bring them back when you're done."
Ei ceases all petting actions, quickly making sense of what's wrong given Yae's track record.
"Yae Miko, come here."
Yae, instead of listening, sprints away at full speed, being rather agile even considering her humanoid stare. Ei, being the literal goddess she is, takes no time whatsoever to end up tugging at her tail to throw her off course and end up flat on her front in a pile of glass and flowers.
"That's it!! I'm telling Saiguu. I've had it with y–"
Yae's words are cut off just as she gets back up to a seated position; a pair of hands caress her ears, being as gentle as a feather. A breath hitches in an instant, especially when Ei kneels down behind her, eagerly stretching her arms out to tug and pull the girl back to rest her head against Ei’s front.
"Miko, you can just talk to me, you know. I remember all the times you'd break my meditation purely because you wanted attention. You need not nip at my heels anymore, you may simply use your words."
"Y-You are... soo.. f-full.. of yourself.."
Yae could hardly form words, let alone come up with witty retorts. Whenever an opportunity arises where she's as close to Ei as she is now, the same scent always makes its way into her nostrils. It's an odd scent, one that reminds her of different times; the earthy scent that accompanies rainfall. At times the scent shifts into something darker, mostly when Ei returns from some heated battle. It was a distinct ozone scent permeating the air when she'd last taken care of Ei’s wounds.
"Ei…" Yae protests half-heartedly.
In moments, she melts back into her dearest Ei’s hold. Her biggest weakness will remain her most accessible asset – her ears. Dull nails caress the length of the furry appendage, leaving a trail along the fluffy coating. Yae's spine tenses, her lips quiver, and her body squirm from the simplest of gestures already. She's glad the foxes have already scattered, otherwise, they'd definitely chitter and yip as though they were mocking her for how quickly she's left being a puddle in Ei’s hands.
Malleable as fresh dough, she sinks lower and lower; utterly limp against Ei’s gentle touch. Her fingers drop lower; calloused fingertips held an odd roughness that's in sharp contrast with the softest of gestures. One hand brushes over her cheek, trailing down lower until it reaches her chin. Embarrassed as she was, nothing except for prying eyes could take her away from the position she was in at the moment. No one else was allowed a glimpse into Yae's vulnerable state, even a mutter in the distance might ruffle her fur and make her wish for a quick exit from the situation.
Putting all that aside, every blissful rub, scratch, and pat makes her feel like the most cared-for and loved woman in the world. There is another part of her that begs for attention; her tail. However, it's going to go unattended for now, at least until Ei’s properly done pampering the Kitsune.
No words were muttered for a good long while. Every sound was either a high-pitched whimper, a squeak, a yip, or some form of a sigh. Her eyes remain closed throughout, even a peek into Ei’s expression just might make her melt and wish for this treatment every day. Having Ei’s unbridled attention in her fox form was one thing, having her attention when she's a Kitsune on two legs was a whole different state of being she couldn't quite fathom until now.
Ei stops abruptly, more so testing the woman to see what Yae's next move could be. Her hands drop to the Kitsune's shoulders, simply resting them there.
That simply wouldn't do. Ever the needy one, Yae huffs a breath, reaching a hand up to take Ei’s and reposition it onto her perked-up and fluffy ears.
"Ei… please.." She elongated the final syllable to emphasize her pleas. "I'll do anything please, don't stop. You've not done this in forever…"
Yae couldn't bear to gaze into her countenance; whatever look Ei had on her is best left to her embarrassing imagination.
"I have one request then. If you wish to act like a fox, then I get to call you pup when you do."
"Fine, fine. I'm your pup, please don't stop."
Ei kneads and brushes Yae's long ears, being careful as to not accidentally press too hard. The Kitsune's enjoyment manifests in waves that travel from her ears to the tips of her toes. At some point a dull heat once again takes hold of her body, slowly increasing with every moment spent pliable in Ei’s arms. Her toes curl just as Ei repositions her to a seated position to better gain access to her head as a whole. The feeling was indescribable, countless nights spent squirming under the sheets could nary hold a candle to the ecstatic waves of bliss brought out by her goddess.
One of Ei’s hands drops lower, caressing over her cheek, neck, and finally her shoulders to teasingly dip lower. Yae hadn't realized yet, but things could be getting a lot spicier than either of them had anticipated.
A chorus of giggles fills the air, and a set of familiar voices quickly approach from atop the little slope. Oh dear– Yae was quick to realize that this might end up being a bit much to explain. She turns around to quickly tackle the woman onto the ground, mounting Ei’s waist and straddling it whilst cupping a hand over the girl's lips.
"Shh, I hear someone." All too alert now, she remains as flat as possible, they couldn't possibly be any closer.
"Yae, who is it?"
—
On the other side of things, two women walk towards the fields, both hand in hand and chatting away like a bunch of old friends. One is none other than Guuji herself, Saiguu. She slides down the hill, rushing through the fields.
"Come on, dearest. You're being slow, I hope this isn't a sign of things to come."
"Love, enjoy the sights a little, will you?" The woman that followed was none other than Raiden Makoto herself. The woman sauntered down the hill at a graceful and calculated pace, a stark contrast to her rather eager companion.
However, just as Saiguu turns around to take in the sights, Raiden bridges the gap quickly, practically tackling the woman from behind, carrying her into the air with one swoop. The pair giggle mirthfully, Makoto swirls the woman around with a careful grip located on her waist.
"There's the woman I've come to love. You are right, the view here is something else." Saiguu admits with a happy little sigh.
Makoto soon slides the woman back down to her feet, spinning her around and pulling her in by the waist. She inches closer, parting her lips with an expectant kiss on the horizon.
"Wait…" Saiguu raises a finger to stop the woman's advance, prompting Makoto to kiss it instead. "Are you certain this is fine? We could just use your chambers. I do like a good view, but I get one when we're together regardless."
"Live a little, I'm sure Ei is out chasing Miko's tail or training somewhere." Makoto smiles, circumventing the finger to take the woman's lips for her own.
"Live a little? Makoto, honey, I've been asking you to come out on a date with me for months now. Have you any idea how much I've wanted you? How much I've needed you.." Saiguu bites her lip, loving eyes staring into Makoto's with a hint of something more than innocent prospects in mind.
—
"Oh gods, they're going to... here?? No!" Stoic Ei finally cracks when she overhears the conversation. Somewhere between annoyed and frustrated, boiling with rage, and unbelievably flustered at the same time.
Yae was frozen atop the woman, hugging her close and tight still, entirely unable to process all that was happening at the moment.
Almost as if to save their friend from the situation, the foxes come to her aid in the form of a distraction. They rush for the standing pair's feet, biting and nibbling gently at their soles to gain their attention, yapping amongst themselves.
It does work. Thank goodness it works. The next thing she knows, Ei’s hand is leading her out through thick brush, it was beyond unpleasant, but there really was no other way but through the thick of it. When they come to a clearing, Yae pants, practically keeled over with a mix of exhaustion, frustration, and annoyance.
"What's the big idea, h-huh?" She barks out once she catches her breath. Straightening out, she darts daggers at the woman, a deep frown on her brows.
"I can't believe her. Why was she there of all places? Did you know about them?"
"No, of course not. I might have heard the maidens gossip, but it held no weight to it so I did not need to let you know." Yae asserts, folding her arms in front of her.
Ei huffs an annoying sound, returning the frown now. "Well, it would have been nice to know before I made plans."
"Oh really? That's ironic considering your utter lack of communication. When was the last time you confided in me? You used to speak to me about everything and anything when I was a fox. Suddenly you're silent and keeping secrets." Yae accused, bridging the gap and even getting up and close to Ei’s face. Neither of them budges, the taller woman has an annoyed expression still.
"Miko, it's not that simple. Some things don't have to worry you. They're nothing more than rumours. Strife across the ocean, it doesn't matter to us, it shouldn't. Makoto had the final say in it, not me." Ei tries to keep a calm voice as she explains herself, but her gaze falters just a little.
Yae takes a step back, pursing her lips in thought. Eventually, a sigh clears her throat, the look on her face is a mix of worry and something else.
"It's... fine. I just miss talking to you sometimes. I miss just having you around. You're either busy training or doing diplomatic things, or simply being at Makoto's side. I miss my friend, not the great Beelzebul."
Ei parts her lips as if to speak, yet not a word manages to make its way out. She takes a step forward, gathering the woman in her arms to embrace her once more. At first, there was hesitance from Yae, but Ei’s insistence and warmth eventually managed to win her over.
"Don't think for a second that you're off the hook. I'm doing it purely because I enjoyed tonight. You better make it up to me."
Ei cracks a smile under the longing embrace, her fingers sink into the river of pink, gently caressing it idly. "As you wish, Miko. If you fare well in our next sparring session, I promise I'll pay for a week's worth of udon."
"A week? Am I not worth at least a month?"
"You are worth far more, however, you aren't to be lazy forever."
Miko rolls her eyes at Ei’s comment, pulling back with perked-up ears and a coy smile. "So you expect me to bring my best then? Your funeral."
"Oh really? My funeral?"
In mere seconds Yae has her legs swept up from under her, forcing her to end up on the grass and on her rear. Ei kneels above her waist, both hands begin digging into the poor Kitsune’s sides, tickling her relentlessly. Yae kicks her feet and giggles, it's not the usually coy and almost rehearsed sound reserved for guests, it's a genuine roar of laughter.
"N-No stop... Ei!" She manages to squeak out, entirely powerless against the woman's efforts. The woman on top was having a fun time too, made obvious by the giggling and taunting, mostly calling Yae little pet names.
"Do you yield, Petal? You maidens are all far too nosy." Ei allows the woman a moment to breathe, however, her eyes widen when witnessing the view below her.
Yae looked entirely unlike herself, her hair was an utter mess, her arms were tossed over her head, and that expression— parted lips and glistening eyes. The air around them contorts into something sweeter, Yae's chest rises and falls, and both their minds remain clouded by that odd feeling.
The Kitsune was the first to snap out of it, snatching one of Ei’s hands to bring it up to her lips. She kisses the back of Ei’s palm, followed by a long warm kiss directed at her palm itself. The show of fealty was not lost on the Archon, however, she rolls off of the woman quickly. Instead of letting awkwardness get the best of her, she lays back down, eyes up to the sky above as she tries to come to terms with all the thoughts in her head.
"Miko…"
"Yes, Ei?"
Ei turns her head to face Yae, uncertainty in her eyes. A hand moves to brush over the Kitsune’s cheek, stroking away an errant strand of hair.
"How do you feel about me?"
How did she feel about Ei? How did those soft swirling purple eyes make her feel? It's almost unfair. An expression on the verge of softness never fit Ei, the things it did to her heart were nigh on inconceivable, an apt description is far from what she could give right about now.
"I am your familiar, aren't I? I've long sworn an oath to be by your side, and I intend to keep it. My loyalty lies with you, to question it would be tantamount to-.."
"No. That wasn't my question."
Yae is taken aback by Ei cutting through her deflection, for the life of her she couldn't figure out why the girl was intent on asking this of her. Why now?
"I… don't know." She manages to mutter out. "I find myself…jealous more often than I should. It isn't a good colour on me, and I am well aware of that."
"Jealous, why?"
"Well, it's hard to put into words. You can be quite dense at times, Ei. You would think by now that you'd figure out how I feel just by the fact I yearn for your attention even before I became a Kitsune walking around on two legs."
Yae bites her tongue to keep herself from spilling things that were a little too personal or embarrassing to admit out loud. Could Ei feel the warmth on her cheeks? Gosh, that'd be embarrassing. She's sure they're as bright as ever right now.
Ei brings her closer, nestling her head against the space under Yae's neck, doing so casually too. At least she drops her hands to rest atop her own tummy, the thought of being caressed in this position might just end up in her playing out one of her fantasies.
"Ei, bother me more, will you? You're free to visit me even when it has nothing to do with the shrine."
Embarrassing as the words may be, a humm from Ei places her mind at ease. "I would like to. I have had… other reasons to stay away from you. They are frankly a little… silly. I just didn't wish for you to end up seeing me all covered in soot as I've been relearning an old hobby of mine."
"You've taken to smithing again?"
"Ah, so you do remember. Of course, you do, you rarely forget a thing. How foolish of me to be vague." Ei sighs
"Correction, my goddess, I never forget a thing when it's pertaining to you."
Yae chuckles, once again collecting a hand for herself, stroking over it with both of hers. Her thumb graces over an odd callus or two, something fresher. She does little more than acknowledge them, her own fingers were as soft as fur.
"That explains this then. Have your efforts bore fruit? A new blade for yourself? I would assume you have enough by now."
"No-no, nothing of the sort. A blade is considerably easier than what I had in mind… I was making something for you."
Yae was caught off by that, bright eyes peer down at the woman hiding her features against her neck. Her first thought was chains, collars, or perhaps even a clasp for her focus?
"Ei, I swear, I have done nothing to deserve chains. If you must stake your claim on your familiar, I would prefer it be with words than a collar."
"M-Miko!! What are you on about? No! I-..." The poor woman raises both arms to cover her face, utterly red from the words spoken by her cheeky familiar.
Yae eases some of the tension in her gut purely from how cute a reaction that was. She tilts her chin down to position her lips over Ei’s head, pecking a kiss where they could reach.
"What is this feeling, Ei?"
"I don't know, Yae. I find myself unable to think sometimes. Bloodshed, war, and strife come so easy… but with you, with you… I…"
Yae hums before Ei could come up with the right word, though, she's aware neither of them possibly could at the moment.
"I can be myself around you, I can play along with your antics, and I can lay here like this with no one but you. You've dug a little corner of my heart just for yourself, and I'm glad to have you inhabit it."
The Kitsune takes in her Archon’s words. A thousand wings take flight once more, and her stomach is ablaze with a coiling feeling that's hard to place. For just a moment, the briefest second, it's just them under the night sky.
The only sensation is the dull lingering fingertips, or the occasional warmth felt against her skin; the breath that washes over some part of her visage as Ei presses a kiss upon her forehead. It tickles her skin, pricks her heart, and pries open the walls keeping her guarded against the world.
"Ei…" Her words are but a whisper, a secret shared by the two of them, nothing more.
"I don't want nights like these to end. I wish we could have more of them. I wish I could still your shaky mind. Promise me this, you'll come to find me when it becomes overwhelming or when you truly need me."
Ei doesn't wait long, she slants on her elbow, propping herself up to meet those purple eyes with her own. "I promise. I'll find you the next time I need a reality check or a reminder of what I fight for. Who I fight for."
Those ever-longing eyes wash over her, filling her up and emptying her all at once. Just then, her eyes travel to the woman's lips, the pair that are precariously hovering closer and closer to her face.
Would she accept a kiss right now? Does she want a kiss? Will…
Will she kiss me?
Her eyes shut, and a pair of fingers part her bangs to once again peck a long kiss to the mark there. She doesn't complain, and she doesn't react much at all, but they both knew this was more than enough to cement their promise. Ei was not one to break them either, especially not with the one person that knows the real Raiden Ei.
A hint of disappointment weighs in the back of her mind, somehow her head was prepared for a kiss on the lips. A peck really, maybe just the shadow of something more than a friendly gesture. Pushing aside those intrusive thoughts, she tries to distract herself with anything, something that'll change the topic and make the mood less… intimate.
"What do you recall fondly the most from back when I was still learning to fit in?" Yae asked. A part of her dreads whatever embarrassing tale comes next, but it'll certainly be better than the thoughts rattling around that peabrain of hers.
Ei hums in thought, gently caressing Yae's hair, idly stroking it whilst coaxing out little huffs and sighs from the Kitsune on the receiving end.
"Hmm… ah! I remember. It was when I'd first had food with you. Feeding you as a fox was a lot easier, I'll admit." Ei says, sighing to herself, a small smile playing on her lips. "Saiguu had tasked me with getting you something to eat, I wondered if berries and such would do, but it was no meal for a young woman, a fox maybe…"
"Hnnmm… sometimes… I try to suppress some memories… you know." Yae stammered, her voice is but a whine with the way Ei’s fingers knead her scalp and ghost her ears.
"Too bad." She teases, giggling a genuine sound. "You were still getting used to your new body I suppose. This was a whole lifetime ago, feels almost like a century, has it been a century already?" Ei murmurs something or the other intangible, only anchored to reality again by Yae needily pushing her head against the fingers when they briefly cease their ticklish ministration.
"Right, right, where was I? Oh it was spring, wasn't it?"