[Slow Updates] Beasts (Tomoe x Reader)

Why Can't Life Be Easy?

When you emerged from the forest, you saw the two yokai sitting on the porch, with a worried Ryuu pacing behind them. The second he spotted you, he leapt from the porch, and raced across the grass. "Milady, are you alright?" He scanned you up and down, panic in his eyes.

"I'm fine. Just a few scrapes." You replied, not wanting to get into it while the other yokai were there. Brushing past Ryuu, you addressed the yokai. "I apologize for that. Thank you for being so patient. I'd like to have our discussion now, if that is alright with you."

"Of course." Shiaru hummed, and Yasuki nodded in agreement.

"Now, since Mr. Yasuki's target of displeasure is here, why don't we start with you?" You suggested.

"I don't have a problem with that." Shiaru continued in a respectful tone.

You smiled to show your appreciation for her patience, and turned to Yasuki. "Please, tell me what Ryuu did to upset you in such a way."

"W-well... y-you see.." Yasuki nervously stumbled over his words.

"You are in no danger here. Please, be at ease. I would never permit someone to harm a guest of mine."

Yasuki took a shaky breath. "A few days ago, h-he flew past my home. I d-don't know what he w-was doing. However, he s-s-scared my youngest child. E-ever since then she won't come out of our home."

You couldn't help but smile at his problem. "Before I tell you what I have in mind, allow me to apologize on behalf of my familiar." You bowed your head to the tanuki.

"Milady..." Ryuu muttered softly from behind you.

"If it occurred a few days ago, it is entirely my fault. I sent Ryuu on an urgent errand, and so he was in a hurry."

"Th-there's no need for you to b-bow your head to me!" The little tanuki squeaked. "I just hope he will be more careful in the f-future."

"Nonsense. Your child's feelings are very important to me." You turned your head a little so you could look at Ryuu over your shoulder. "Ryuu, you are to bring Mr. Yasuki home. I want you to apologize to his family, and try to show his child you are not going to hurt them. How you go about it, I'll leave to you."

"If that is what you wish, Milady." Ryuu bowed his head.

"Is that acceptable for you?" You asked Yasuki.

"Th-that is far more than I could have hoped for. Thank y-you, Lady (Y/N)." The tanuki bowed deeply. Ryuu stood, and stepped into the yard, before transforming into a dragon once again. Yasuki stood, bowed to you once more, before heading over to Ryuu. Ryuu helped him onto his back, before launching into the air. When you could no longer see them, you turned to Shiaru.

"Thank you very much for the patience you've shown. Now, tell me, what did Tomoe do to you?"

She shifted her wings, and crossed her front paws. "The fox yokai known as Tomoe killed my parents many years ago." She stated.

You felt your heart drop. "I'm sorry for not saving them..." You whispered.

"I didn't come here for your apology. I've searched for the fox for many years. I couldn't touch him as a familiar, but I heard a rumor that he had become a wild yokai once more. I intended to kill him." She said, her tone holding a cold edge. "However, when I found out that you were here, my intentions changed." She paused for a moment, before continuing. "My parents respected you above all the other gods. They called you the Just Guardian, and said wicked creatures couldn't remain when you were near."

A sad smile pulled up the corner of your lips. "I haven't heard that name in a long time."

"When I found out you were with the fox, I decided to withhold my judgement until I heard what you had to say. If you truly believe he has changed his ways, and is a good yokai, I will let go of my revenge." Shiaru finished, her tone sharp and to the point.

"Thank you for holding off on your judgement." You took a steadying breath. "As you know, over the course of years, yokai change quite a lot. As Tomoe is now, I believe he has truly become good. I trust in him so much that I was willing to bet on him against the other gods." You explained. Shiaru nodded her head in understanding. "However, as much as I would like to say he will always be that way, I can't guarantee it. Whether or not Tomoe will behave the same way in five-hundred years, is not something I can be sure of. I can, however, guarantee that, so long as he is near me, I will not allow him to commit such atrocities." You smiled apologetically. "So, as much as I wish I could promise you, I can't do so in clear conscious. Forgive me." You bowed your head to her.

"Please, do not lower your head to a lowly yokai like me." Shiaru stated. You raised your head, and looked at her a little confused. "My parents would never forgive me if I allowed their hero to bow her head to me." She smiled, before standing and ruffling her wings. "I'll trust your judgement. However, if the fox ever returns to his evil side, I will come after him."

"I can understand and agree to that."

"Now then, with that settled, I'll be heading home." She stepped down from the porch, and stretched out her massive wings.

"If you need anything, let me know, and I will do my very best to help." You called after her.

Without another word, she leapt into the air, the

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With all the commotion settled (at least for now), you headed to the bathroom. You closed and locked the door behind you, before pulling down the left edge of your kimono. A red welt had already begun to cover much of your left side, and you knew it was going to leave a nasty bruise. Ugly bruising was the least of your worries though. There were several splotchy patches amidst the bruise that had a black hue to them. You watched one of the spots, and grimaced as the spot pulsed and expanded by a millimeter. Miasma.

You fixed your kimono, and exited the bathroom. You had no means of purifying the miasma on your body. While you could ask Nanami for help, you didn't want to draw attention so soon after everyone got back. You grabbed the bandages from the cabinet, went to your room, and tended to your wounds. The gouges in your palms throbbed, the cut across your ribs stung, and the bruise that covered the entire left side of your body throbbed painfully.

You heard the main shrine door open. "Is anybody here?" Came Tomoe's grumpy call.

You made sure the bandages were well hidden, before adjusting your kimono again, and heading out. You put on a smirk when you saw the fox. "You sure took your time getting here, didn't you? I thought you would have been here two hours ago."

"I decided to take the scenic route." Tomoe muttered. "Where's the lizard?" He asked, glancing around for Ryuu.

"I sent him on an errand." You stated simply.

Tomoe scowled. "And he left you alone?"

"Well yeah, that's kinda what happens when I tell him to go do something. There wasn't a need for both of us to go." You hummed. "Anyways, I should get going." You walked past him, and pulled open the shrine door.

"Where are you going?" He called, his voice holding a protesting tone.

"I promised Nanami I'd be there when she got off the plane."

"What am I supposed to do while you're gone?" He grumbled.

You turned to look back at him, a smirk pulling up the corner of your lip. "You're a big boy, I'm sure you can entertain yourself. Besides, you don't have to listen to anybody anymore. You could go back to your beloved red light district without fear of being reprimanded." With one last chuckle, you transformed into a hawk, and launched into the air.

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How did she know? Tomoe thought to himself, as he watched the pure white hawk fly across the sky. "No matter," He muttered aloud to himself. "What she does or thinks are of no consequence to me." He retrieved one of the bottles of sake from the kitchen, and went up to the roof.

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Sorry that this chapter is a lot shorter!