Part of your world
Yae is still in bed recovering from the amount of ozone inhaled and drinking a juice that was too sugary, and thinking about what just happened, when she saw Ei floating in the heavens speaking her name louder than the thunder that fell upon her arrival, she knew that this was the end, she had definitely defied Shogum's orders, and that was something that was unforgivable and Ei had never shown mercy, and yet she was sitting on her bed at home , drinking an orange juice, without so much as a scratch, Ei had shown her many confusing signals, sometimes she was stubborn and authoritative, sometimes she was understanding and caring, she had a duality that she had never been able to see before and it left her Yae very confused, she could hate and like Ei in the same intensity, Yae still couldn't make up her mind, so she got out of bed and went to meet Ei.
Ei was in the throne room, which made Yae a little nervous, in that room the judgments of crimes and conflict resolution in Inazuma were made, the accused or those who wanted to plead an agreement went, that's why she didn't enter the room at once. In the lobby, he put part of her head up so that she could see what was going on before other people noticed her presence. When looking at the hall Yae saw Ei sitting on the throne resting her head on her fist, with her elbows resting on the arms of the throne and her legs crossed while in front of her two citizens debated about who was right or not; Ei looked serious and even a little angry, the two citizens were arguing about something that seemed to be about debt and payment, or about invaded lands and they didn't stop talking even to breathe, when she stretched her neck a little more to try to hear , Ei saw her pointed to the futon next to the throne for Yae to sit there, the lords arguing among themselves seemed not to notice the presence of the kitsune and soon Yae arrived to sit a little lower than the throne where Ei was, but still at her side, the Kitsune looked closely at the entire hall now, she saw the general at the door waiting for the end of the trial, the guards who take care of Shogum's safety and when she looked back at Ei, she was staring at her with her features still serious, but Yae could see a softness in the look when Ei looked at her, Yae gave an almost imperceptible smile but it was enough for Ei to catch it and reciprocate in the same description and with a roll of her eyes, he returned to pay attention to the gentlemen who stopped and speak and apparently were awaiting a verdict from her.
“Since the debt owed by your uncle has not yet been paid and as he has no heir, the moment he passed away the doubt became your family's, Sir...”
“Yamamoto majesty”
“Okay… Mister Yamamoto, as head of your family, you must repay the debt incurred by him, since the proceeds of these loans were used to improve the family business and the debt was assumed for such an investment. However, this does not give Lord Kobayashi the right to take part of his land as payment, the debt was assumed in Mora and in Mora it must be paid.”
“But your majesty that was the agreement made before, that if the debt was not paid I could take part of the...”
“Did you formalize the contract at the time of the debt?” “No majesty...”
"Then it's just your word against Mr. Yamamoto's, Sarah, escort these gentlemen out of the lobby and direct them to the city notary to formalize the agreement"
“Thank you Majesty for your immense wisdom” Said one of the men, bowing to Ei who just nodded and the gentlemen walked out of the lobby accompanied by Sarah.
“You look bored” Said Yae holding a smile
“I’m not bored, I’m working” - Still resting her face on her fists and looking at the door waiting for the next case.
“Your work is awfully boring”
“Well, someone has to do it”
“hmm... sounds like your found your true vocation them Your majesty next case is of a farmer”
“Send them in Sarah, please.”
“As you wish”
When Sarah opened the hall doors, first a farmer entered who was far from simple, he came with an erect posture with one arm behind him while the other was in front holding the silk robes that made up an opulent garment, soon after with shackles chained to her hands and feet came a small girl with raccoon ears and tails wearing a beige hoodie, with dirt marks on her face and her body trembling with fear. When Yae saw the figure trapped in chains and with visible marks of struggle, she immediately got up from the futon.
“Sayu? Oh my god, is that you?”
“La-lady Y-yae?”
Yae ran to her and gave the child and hugged taking a protective posture with the girl
“i can't believe you are alive! What’s happen to you sweetie?”
Ei heard the lord's throat clearing his throat drawing attention to his presence and he looks back at the lord
“Your Majesty, this…creature…invaded my land and destroyed a part of my plantation, ruining almost half of my farm's income, and hurting my workers who work in the fields. I demand a punishment in accordance with your usual approach to these cases.”
“WHAT? HE’S LYING! I know her! Sayu Wouldn’t hurt a fly!”
The lord continued talking as if Yae's presence was insignificant.
"According to the decree made by your majesty, uncontrolled or cursed yokai who cause suffering and loss when captured must be brought to justice and punished by the shogun for their nefarious acts"
"HE IS LYING!" Yae screams holding the child closer Ei, raise your hand so Yae can't keep talking
“How bad were the injuries?”
“Some scratches… To be honest, I haven't checked the extent of the injuries yet, but someone might have lost their eye!”
“One eye, hm? And what does the little one have to say about it? Come on, don't be afraid"
“Y-Your Majesty, I've lived away from the crowds, I've tried to stay away from humans, because I know we're not very welcome around them, but your farm has grown more and more over time. my family den, as if they had raised the fence that bounded the farm, our space was very limited, one day, some people from the farm planted a fence in the ground and hurt my little brother, we tried to warn that they were hurting us, but they didn't heard, and-so, I got really angry and angry with them trying to take them away from my family, that's why I hurt the farmer's stass, it wasn't my intention... but they're hurting us and they don't listen. ..”
“And how did get permission to expand your land?? I don't recall give you permission to expand one time, let alone many times”
The man who was so arrogant before looking at everyone with contempt, now found himself perplexed in front of the shogun.
“Let's do the following, so that I don't send the Kamissato commission to your lands to verify the terms of your expansion and initiate a financial audit, you be responsible for the necessary medical care for Sayu's family, who will be in asylum at the sakura shrine sacred in the care of Guuji-Saigu and when they are all recovered and well, sayu will go to her lands improperly appropriated and will demarcate the territory that she deems safe so that she and her family can live in peace”
“But this is nonsense! Never ne-”
“If not, we will audit not only your land, but your entire tax return made over the last 10 years to check for inconsistencies in your “profit”, what do you prefer, Mr?”
The man looked enraged, about to have a nervous breakdown.
“I will wait for Mrs. Sayu at the end of her recovery and that of her family to demarcate the land that will be under her care, with your majesty permission I will leave”
Ei just pointed with one hand towards the exit and the man turned his body towards the exit. Ei looks Yae in the eyes and the pink haired girl whispers “Thank you”, Yae turns back to Sayu
“Listen dear, you will stay in a very special place, there will be a kitsune just like me who will take care of you, I will visit you, I promise!”
“Thank you so much lady Yae! And-and also your majesty for listening and believing me”
"No need to thank me, I believe I have been unfair to your kind for too long...from now on..."
During EI's pause, Yae and Ei again lock eyes and so many words seem to have been said between that look that the silence that fills the hall becomes almost palpable;
“I will try to give everyone a fairer trial”
“Thank you majesty”
“Sarah, please remove her shackles and escort her to the shrine”
“As wish majesty” Sarah frees Sayu from the chains, Yae and Sayu give one last goodbye hug and the little girl heads out of the room.
When the two of them are left alone in the room, yae turns to Ei and walking towards her says
“To be honest I din’t no expect that”
“You are ready to fight, aren't you?”
“I was starting to get a little nervous, you have your “reputation” among the yokai"
Ei again roll your eyes
"I know... it's not like I remember that decree, it was a very troubled time, today I see that I wasn't fair... maybe one day I'll be able to make it up to them" “I will definitely remind you of that”
“By the way... I was thinking that... Maybe you and I could take a walk around Watatsumi's lands, try to look for some remnant of the shrine, I think if we go together and remain undetected, maybe you'll be able to find something... maybe?
"Are you serious?" - Yae's eyes began to shine and she could feel inside what she couldn't feel for a long time, a glow of happiness that made her go towards Ei, hold her in her arms, shake her shoulders and ask one more time;
“REALLY REALLY REALLY ?"
“Okay princess, easy on the shake.. really really”
"OKAY NO SAYING BACK!! WE ARE GOOOOING"
"lets go Yae, before a change my mind"
Yae looks back to see Ei with one hand outstretched for her, She holds her hand and "Zip"