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White hot pain lances through her without warning and Sara can barely choke back a scream as the bow slips from her fingers with a loud clatter. She stumbles to her knees, fire racing through her nerves and stealing her ability to move. Her throat seizes, words caught in a gasp as she struggles. In a panic, she seeks out the Shogun only to be met with a cold, expressionless gaze that cuts far more than the intruder’s whip.
And Sara can only stare back, eyes wide even as the world around her begins to blur. The Shogun makes no move to do anything, merely watches things unfold. Her heart shatters and Sara falls, crumpling beneath the weight of that disinterested gaze. Wings awkwardly catch beneath the weight of her body, but Sara barely notices as the darkness slowly pulls her under.
She wakes with a gasp.
Still half caught in the dream, Sara’s body shivers, phantom pains dancing across her nerves. Her heartbeat echoes in her ears, far too loud in the early morning hours. Blinking back the wetness that pools in her eyes, it takes a few moments to realize that she is not sprawled along the floor of Tenshukaku.
With a shuddering breath, she counts to five, taking stock of all her senses. The warmth surrounding her, the sound of a clock ticking, the scent of sakura blossoms and ozone, the salty taste on the tip of her tongue. She opens her eyes, letting them adjust to the darkness, and finds herself staring into an ocean of vivid violet.
It’s too much. A shudder wracks Sara’s body, the tears falling unbidden down her cheeks. A hand reaches out and she flinches, a quiet whimper escaping as she finds herself unable to move.
“Oh, darling.” Ei’s voice breaks through the haze, her fingers gently pressing against Sara’s cheek as she brushes the tears away.
Slowly, the world around her begins to come back into focus. Sara lets out a shaky breath, recognizing the room that has begun to feel like more of a home than her own quarters within the Kujou compound.
Behind her, Miko sleepily snuggles closer, the warm weight around Sara’s waist tightening ever so slightly. She mumbles unintelligible words, nuzzling against the back of Sara’s neck and pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder. “Another nightmare?”
Sara swallows past the lump in her throat, thankful for the darkness that hides the shame burning her cheeks.
Ei shifts closer, her gaze far softer than the one in Sara’s memories She smiles, not even bothering to mask the concern in her voice. “Breathe.”
Miko hums, her fingers gently rubbing circles into Sara’s skin until the tension drains from her body. “Is there anything you need?”
Sara bites her lip, uncertainty welling up within her.
Fingers lightly run through her hair, smoothing it back before Ei reaches for Sara’s hand. She laces their fingers together, holding firmly. “We’re right here.”
Curling even closer, Miko lets their legs tangle together. “You’re safe with us.”
Heart wavering for only a moment, Sara relaxes into Miko’s embrace and lightly tugs Ei’s hand, urging her closer. She lets her eyes fall shut as the familiar warmth surrounds her once more. Slowly, her heartbeat begins to steady and her breathing evens out. And as she listens to Miko’s teasing words and Ei’s gentle tones, a tentative smile appears.
The path has certainly not been an easy one, but fate has somehow led her here to this moment and Sara knows that she would not trade it for anything.