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

12 - Tanpopo

NSFW

***

Money is a universal language.

It communicated to an innkeeper that they needed nice lodgings and good food, and so they were able to get both without being able to speak a word of each others' language.

They had made it to the capital of the country of Shísuàn, Mǔdanshì, a day's walk west of Yùhǎi. Despite intense silent reluctance (on Tsubaki's part) and outright suspicion (on Ayame's part), Eitsu had carried first one, then the other, part of the way, as the women's stamina levels dropped. On securing their lodgings, Eitsu promptly crawled into bed and fell asleep for the rest of the night and most of the next day, waking only when night had fallen once more. She opened her eyes in her cat form to find Tsubaki carefully combing oil through her long dark hair.

For a moment, she lay still, making no indication she had woken, watching the smooth movement of the comb through the shining, straight strands, perfumed by the oil. Eitsu wondered briefly what the oil was, that Tsubaki would always use it - even her clothing and her bedding back with the troupe had been embedded with the smell.

The same way her hands, as a child on the street, had brushed Eitsu's golden fur in her first life, so the pale hands moved meditatively now, up and down, the wooden comb slick with oil. It seemed lonely, somehow. Eitsu turned away and wriggled out of the covers.

"You're awake."

Eitsu hummed noncommittally and began to trot over to a screen in the corner of the room. Behind this screen, she transformed into her human shape and donned clothing that had been set aside for her.

"... Eitsu-sama?"

She poked her head quizzically out from behind the screen. This hesitant tone was not one she was familiar with, coming from Tsubaki. The performer's small eyebrows twitched repeatedly.

"Yes, Tsubaki-san?" Eitsu said at last, when there was no follow-up.

Tsubaki flinched, but said nothing.

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

The performer seemed to be clenching her fists inside her sleeves again. Eitsu saw the slight movement of fabric. 

"Well, I have something to say." She inclined her head apologetically. "I'm sorry."

Those slim eyebrows drew together. "Why?"

"For being so impolite to you all this time. You've been so patient, and dedicated, for so many years, through more than one of my lives, and I was discourteous and caused you trouble."

Tsubaki uttered a soft "Ha!" without an ounce of mirth behind the sound. She turned her face away. When she spoke, it was as if she spoke through a mouthful of blood. "A kami should never bow to a mortal. It has been my honour to serve you, Eitsubyou no Mikoto."

"I'm showing my sincerity. You should feel... lucky, to experience this. I will see you later, Tsubaki-san."

"Wait! Where... Where are you going, Eitsu-sama?"

"Only for a little walk. Do you need something?"

"... No. Thank you for your consideration."

"Then, I'll see you later." And she slipped out into the night.

The busy streets hummed. Eitsu's head swivelled back and forth continuously, catching occasional familiar smells of foods, but mostly unfamiliar ones - perfumes she had never smelt before, the aroma of different building materials... Even the soil smelt different here.