After years - no, centuries, Inazuma was at peace. There was no civil war, the country was open, and the Vision Hunt Decree was no more. The tensions would remain and stay for awhile, but that too would disappear in time.
And time was all they had.
It wasn’t a foreign concept, just a different one from the humans. Lady Guuji would be here far beyond the humans that lived today and far beyond the humans that would live in the future.
Though, as Ei had learned, that didn’t mean they remained stagnant. In fact, she had grown quite a few tails since Ei disappeared into her consciousness. She had run a publishing house, provided the people of Inazuma with endless stories and resolved some… controversial issues.
Ei too had changed. Her archon had become weaker. Yae would say it to her face because it wasn’t an insult but a statement of fact. Putting oneself into the object of her sword for 500 years with no battle practice, no walking under the Sakura blooms, no interaction with anything or anyone else was sure to weaken the state of mind.
500 long and lonely years of no laughing or smiling… Surely, it had also weakened her spirit.
Ei‘s self punishment had gone on far too long and left more than a stain on their relationship.
The fox was purring a sigh, pink ears drooped further down and Yae dismissed the last of the shrine maidens with a “shoo” as the moon pierced through the night sky.
Even through all their changes, Yae Miko remained unwavering in her complete devotion to the stubborn woman. She had waited both impatiently and patiently, always searching for a way to drive her out but never rushing.
Time was no issue, right? What was 500 years to a familiar who had no charge?
500 years and another 500 more. That’s what Ei happily gave up. After Miko had finally gotten her back, Raiden had jumped into an endless battle with the shogunate without zero regard for the world she swore to live in.
She understood their relationship very well. She was a familiar, Raiden the god. She was to serve her and guide her without her silly emotions getting in the way. Even if the traveler hadn’t been able to free the electro goddess from the shogun, Yae and her would eventually meet up through the passage of time.
Then, why did she suddenly feel so upset that her tails shook to life?
Perhaps, Miko was getting too caught up in the light novels that lingered in her hands. She was a publisher, but she wove stories that were fantastical and whimsical for her own entertainment and value. Not because she truly believed in the stories, but because she always got something out of it.
It wasn’t often she had to remind herself of her place; She was a familiar who had to remain as stoic as the stone foxes, shrouded in mystery and always watching. While she has personal opinions, they aligned greatly with her archon’s and must stay that way.
So, as she stepped into Raiden’s abode, why did she completely ignore Raiden and walk into her separate chambers? Why did she shift into her fox form and burrow deep into her covers? Why now, was her heart hurting beyond any other pain she could have imagined!?
Her eyes stung just as painfully. The fox using her paws to scratch at her face, soft yowls and whimpers and noises escaping her as naturally as her quick and sharp words left her lips.
Why did she suddenly feel the weight of 500 years swell in her chest and throat and threaten to burst through her?
Minutes, maybe hours had passed when Ei opened the door to the pink kitsune’s room.
“Miko…?” The purple haired goddess called to her long time friend, walking slowly and awkwardly. There was so much to discuss, to think about and enforce and instead of teasing her or questioning her, Yae had stormed past with unusual anger. Not even a look came her way.
Something has gone terribly wrong. Ei saw the lights in the sky, the last feast and gathering of Yae’s friends… Did this have something to do with it?
Before she could even question it, Ei froze.
The sight that beheld the archon was… Adorable.
Her little fox had created a burrow from the blankets and pillows, snuggled with her tails over her face. The only thing visible was a little pink nose sticking out from the thick but soft tails. If Ei wasn’t so confused, she would have swooned.
Then, the whimpers and cries got her attention.
Her little kitsune was crying.
Raiden instantly tensed. It had been quite a long while since she had seen her familiar. Although, the traveler defeating her in her own realm was recent, Raiden was so busy catching up on inazuma’s affairs and trying to reign in the shogun that she hadn’t spent much time with Yae.
Not in the way they once did.
Not in the way where their love had been open and easy.
With uncharacteristic hesitance, she walked in the room and sat cross legged in front of the little burrow of silk and cloth. She watched the fox’s body rise and fall with uneven breaths, heard every squeak and cry. It tore Raiden apart to see her suffer.
Surely, this was all her fault.
“Miko…” Ei called in a soft voice, the fox’s ears twitching and her little body tightened into itself. She refused to look at Ei, refused to let her be seen as such a mess.
The wonderfully mysterious, mischievous, deadly and intelligent Yae Miko reduced to a small and vulnerable crying creature? Absolutely unheard of. Not even a light novel could picture it!
Raiden wasn’t good at speaking to others with the intent to comfort. She was honest and bold, but her words never had the same kindness and empathy as Makoto. She never really knew what to say or do and it was quite seldom she experienced these situations when she was always surrounded by battle.
Ei understood the language of the sword, not the language of emotion. Though, she was very familiar with the lonely and common language of heartbreak.
The more Miko cried, the more Ei yearned to hold her in her arms, to pet her ears, to kiss her, to fall asleep with her against her chest, to soothe away the pain that was clearly grasping onto her familiar.
All those years apart and she still loved the woman with… Was that five tails? Ei counted the tails once more and it was as if she had suffered a stab to the heart.
Had it truly been 500 years? Time was a completely different experience for Ei. At first, she had felt the year, every hour and minute alone in her meditative state. Time passed by with every breath she had taken and she eventually learned to deal with its passing. The toll of all those years had already turned to acceptance in her perpetual state of limbo.
Yae had never processed it. It was only with the shock of Raiden willfully disappearing without a word for a second time, did she know she couldn’t go through with it ever again. She had been so calm when Lumine explained the situation to her but inside, Yae was already panicking, scrambling her brain for any way to drag Ei back to her and out of her childish and stupid head.
When her kitsune remained in her burrow, Ei put her hands down, her fingers skimming and drumming softly against the thick and very well made futon. Her goal was simple, to get those ears to move and flick. If only she knew how to cook! Then, she could lure her out with tofu.
For now, this would have to do, Ei tempting the fox with a rapid pattern and soft sounds. When she was in this form, Yae couldn’t resist chasing after fingers and birds and little things. Eventually, a paw swiped at her hand before pulling back just as quickly.
The fox let out a disgruntled sound, the burrow collapsing as she wiggled around. It was an internal battle. One of instinct versus intelligence. The blankets fell over her eyes and only her little snout was out.
Yae had caught Ei’s pointer finger without exposing anything but her nose and teeth. It wasn’t a hard bite, not at all.
Suddenly, Ei laughed.
Her laugh was genuine and soft, finding pure amusement and endearment. Yae was her familiar, her friend… Her love.
When Ei realized what she had done, it dawned on her that she hadn’t laughed with joy since before Teyvat was plunged into its last war.
Leave it to Miko’s temper tantrum to make her react in the most childish demeanors.
“Miko,” she spoke again, clearing her throat, her finger still loosely held in between those little teeth. “You’re upset at me.” There was no response but at least she was silent, no longer making the noises that broke Ei’s heart: “I believe I understand.”
Again, no response.
Ei took a deep breath, pulling her knees to her chest as they remained still. When she finally spoke again, she felt guilt swallow her. It wasn’t as ferocious as when she held Makoto in her arms, but the guilt had crept and settled in the pit of her stomach. It gave her a nauseating feeling, making her uncomfortable in her skin.
“I… I deeply apologize.”
It wasn’t the best apology. In fact, there was no telling if Ei really understood why she was apologizing. At least not with the way she refrained from saying anything else.
When Miko still didn’t move, Raiden grimaced but continued.
“I left you.” She said added, finally admitting defeat. “And… I left you again.” Raiden added, taking a shaky breath.
Oh?
That surprised the familiar. Who would have thought, the strong and mighty warrior in front of her would care about leaving her a second time. Was it due to what Lumine had said earlier? Twisting her words to mean something completely irrelevant! My, it seemed the traveler had quickly learned how to pick up her habits.
She would have to be a bit more careful around her.
Silence enveloped them once again. Miko wasn’t crying anymore, but that didn’t mean she wasnt still very hurt and upset. Did her loyalty and love mean so little to her god?
Miko wouldn’t have minded being a pawn in Ei’s disposal, but if only the archon saw how much she had been able to achieve, how much they could do together? Did… Did Ei forget all of this?
What a cursed mind Miko had, to be forced to recall everything. Every little promise, every pet, every word and kiss…
Even if all of that was the case, Miko knew she would still stand by her and Inazuma. Always the faithful and loyal and loving little fox.
“Come out of your borrow, little fox.” Raiden’s voice was so soothing, coaxing and calling on memories of late and happy nights. The long gone days of Ei’s blushes and smiles.
“Please?”
That word was something old but new. The shogun had been ruthless, speaking to her in a tone Ei never would. She hated that puppet. It treated her as an annoying stray more than a conscious familiar.
She had been tempted to destroy it many times.
Now, here was Ei, playing with her, calling her, wanting to mend whatever has been broken by her actions.
Time was supposed to be irrelevant in the land of eternity, time shouldn’t exist. Yet, as Miko slowly crawled out of blankets, head low and jaws gently around Ei’s finger, terribly afraid to let her go, it felt as if an eternity had already passed to be where they were tonight.
Ei wasted no time in scooping the fox into her arms. Noses were together and fingers were deep in her fur. “I’m sorry.” The god apologized once more and Miko knew she had meant her words. Ei was certainly not a liar.
Arms wrapped around her neck as Yae was no longer kitsune but in her human form, sitting in the real shogun’s lap, settled in the soft crook of her neck, clinging onto the physical fabric of her clothes.
This Ei was real. This Ei was here, and this archon was sorry.
Raiden’s fingers felt along Miko’s spine, caressing and shushing the little cries that came out of her once again.
Her poor Miko… She had abandoned her without a word. They were not sisters, certainly not twins, but to leave without getting to say goodbye… The same pain and fear Raiden had ran from was likely the same loneliness and broken heart Miko had surely suffered from.
“I’m sorry.” She apologized once more, the two clinging onto each other.
“Now, now, my stupid and selfish shogun.” Miko spoke, trembling like a terrified puppy. With practiced ease, her voice was smooth and steady, the slightly seductive mirth to her tone was a clear facade as her body gave way to all her true emotions.
“I no longer want your apologies.” The fox whispered, moving herself closer, pushing her body further into the contact she had craved for so long.
“Then-“
“-I want you.”
Ei loosened her hold and pulled away, causing the fox’s eyes to widen for a brief moment. A familiar having fallen for the very god she was supposed to guide, to protect, to give her life and spirit too.
What a mess she had gotten herself into.
Ei possibly couldn’t -
“What are you doing?” Miko asked, feeling Ei’s lips so close to hers and hands finding the ties behind her back was quite a surprise, a pleasant one, sure, but a surprise nonetheless.
Ei undid the first layer of ties and ribbons and took Yae’s face in her hands. “I want you too.”
Further into the night, as the two immortals laid in bed, Miko purred a warning against Ei’s jaw.
“The next time you disappear, I will become the shogun.”
Ei’s glare was loss in the mess of hair, disappearing into the night with all of Yae Miko’s doubts on Ei’s feelings towards her.