Eitsu's Nine Lives (永津の九生) [yuri/GL yokai reincarnation story]

6 - Koenmachi

CW: Horror.

***

Most of the candles had burnt down.

The face looming out at her from the darkness, in spite of her good night vision, seemed eyeless, and her immediate response was to escape.

Or try to.

"Eitsu, you've got to get out of here!"

She discovered she had reverted to her cat form, and that Tsubaki had bundled her into one of her outer robes. Eitsu began to hiss and spit, and as if in response, Tsubaki swayed momentarily, almost letting go, but she shook herself.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

A sweet, pungent scent filled Eitsu's lungs and instantly, her limbs relaxed. What was this fantastic smell? She didn't notice as Tsubaki fled from the house, fixated on licking and nibbling at the scent-soaked cloth pressed to her nose, drooling uncontrollably.

Tsubaki ran.

Away from the house, away from the city. Her heavy clothing slowed her down, quickly soaking with sweat, but she didn't pause for a moment.

Day was breaking as she stumbled onto a small village where farmers were already starting their work. She finally stopped in a matsu grove on the outskirts, sinking to her knees.

The fragrance had almost entirely worn off. Eitsu hissed and licked her lips and glared at Tsubaki's pale, clammy face, who as cradling Eitsu helplessly, too exhausted to speak.

Remembering her dreams, Eitsu forced some human words from her feline throat.

"You... to me... what..."

Tsubaki looked desolate. Words poured from her uncharacteristically. "I'm so sorry, Eitsu. You were in danger and I had to get you away first. I used matatabi."

"Dan...ger?"

Tsubaki looked around anxiously, dark eyes examining each matsu with unusual suspicion. "I... sent someone after you when you left. They weren't able to catch your attention before you left with that man. Ei- Kyuo-dono, who did he tell you he was? I've never seen him... in any of your previous lives."

"Your father."

Tsubaki looked as if she might burst into tears... or laugh uncontrollably. "Ha... I see."

"See what? What's wrong with your eyes?"

"Kyuo-dono, I don't know how much you remember about human society, but... that man's house was strange. There was no one there when I arrived, no lights... I could just about see in the dark, there were no lanterns to light either, but there were hundreds of candles all over the place. It's not normal."

"That's nothing to worry about. He wasn't human."

Tsubaki's eyes widened. "Then what...?"

"Let go of me first."

Tsubaki's lips trembled. Eitsu could tell she desperately wanted to say no, but she did not, rationally or morally, have a reason to. The cat could smell the anxiety pouring off her. Unwillingly, Tsubaki unwrapped Eitsu.

She stretched and calmly groomed herself, collecting her thoughts. There was no evidence either way, really, as to whether Tsubaki could be trusted or not. She rubbed a paw over her eyes, coming to a decision.

"Rei."

"...? A ghost?"

"His name. Don't know how it's written."

Her eyes widened with surprise as the usually dignified Tsubaki bowed apologetically before her.

"Kyuo-dono, I'm sorry! I panicked when I heard you had been taken away so suddenly by some strange man. Just because I knew you in previous lives doesn't mean I should assume..."