Chapter Text
The Yae Publishing House was oddly quiet at night in comparison to the chaos surrounding it during the day hours. Living above the store front, you were quite used to the opposing atmospheres. Honestly, you enjoyed it, but it was quite different from your life in Mondstadt. The weather was warmer, for one, but the people always surprised you. Back home, even strangers would greet each other in the morning, but in Inazuma, the citizens were much more curt. Of course, this might have been a product of being a vision holder. On this basis, not many were keen to associate with you, and being under the protection of Guuji Yae herself made you the object of envy as well.
The cool breeze of the night stirred your curtains gently, making you pull the blanket further up around your shoulders. By all means, it was a perfect, peaceful night, and you should have no problem falling asleep. But there was something itching in the back of your mind, like a forgotten memory clawing to be remembered. You tossed and turned, hoping to find some relief lying on your back rather than your side. Supposedly, it was better for your spine, but you weren’t sure if it was actually helping your predicament.
You threw the blanket off in frustration, sitting up on your tatami map with a huff. Running your hands through your hair, you tried to remember all the upcoming deadlines. Nothing was due soon, you were always careful to complete work a week in advance, leaving ample room for last-minute edits. Miko was a fair but demanding boss, and you always wanted to live up to her standards. Working at the publishing house was exhausting, but seeing readers smile at a new chapter always warmed your heart.
But if nothing was due, then what plagued your mind so insistently? You slowly stood, stretching as you did so. Perhaps a walk would do you some good. The doushin might give you odd looks, but it would be a small pride to pay for peace of mind. You quietly dressed, hoping you wouldn’t disturb Miko across the hall, lest you get an earful the next day. As soon as your shoes were on, you were out the door.
But as you descended down the stairs, you became aware of the shimmering of candle light from the store front. Eyebrows furrowing in confusion, you continued to creep downwards, even more aware of the small squeaks the steps made. As you slowly wound around the shelves and piles of books that filled the storeroom, the light shone brighter. And as you continued, you became aware of hushed voices. You ducked behind the nearest shelf, cautiously peeking out over some light novels to see what was going on.
“And I’ll tell you again, no. I cannot and will not betray her trust like that.” Yae Miko’s voice was no more than a whisper, but still carried the weight of the Guuji of the Sacred Sakura Shrine. Although you could only see her back, you noticed she was still wearing her shrine maiden attire, but much of her accessories had been discarded. It was almost as if she had been sleeping and rushed to put it back on. The candlelight illuminated her shadow along the wall, and you could just barely make out the phantom tail, swishing back and forth in an agitated manner.
“And I’ll tell you again, kitsune, no is not an acceptable answer.” A second voice spoke, commanding yet somewhat playful. It was hard to make out, but from behind the counter, there seemed to be a young man wearing a wide brim hat. Before you could look closer, Miko shifted to block your view, almost like she knew you were there.
Which, you quickly realized, was entirely possible. Your mind started running a mile a minute, debating back and forth whether you should simply slip back upstairs and pretend you heard nothing. But the allure of the conversation was too great, and perhaps Miko even wanted you there, if she intentionally moved to block you from the strangers view.
“What makes you think I even have it,” Miko questioned, rhythmically tapping the counter with her long nails. Most would see it as a sign of impatience, but you knew better. It was a warning, a silent threat. The kitsune was ready to unleash her claws. Considering you spent a good chunk of time playing secretary, you learned to pick up her habits rather quickly.
“Who else would she entrust such an important artifact to, that her beloved familiar?” The man’s tone was mocking, and you knew that remark must sting. Miko had become particularly sensitive to all topics relating to the shogun in recent years. But you wondered what he was looking for that Miko supposedly had. You didn’t think she could possibly get in trouble with any gangs or loan sharks, so perhaps he was a foriegn party?
Miko let out a sigh, and she shifted to cross her arms. “I’ve heard quite enough of your sales pitch, Kunikuzushi, you have to do better than this to convince me. If you truly wish to succeed Ei, then you’ll have to do it without my aid.”
There was a dark chuckle, and the air suddenly became tainted with electro energy. Miko usually had such good control over her vision, you wondered if the mysterious figure, Kunikuzushi, was another vision holder. “You really are just a loyal fox, aren’t you? Always waiting for a master that will never call, that will never appreciate you. Is that the life you truly want to live, Miko?” A new emotion darkened Yae Miko’s face, one you thought you would never see.
Shame.
But the stranger continued, voice edging on gloating. “Why is it that you have to clean up her messes? Always picking up the broken pieces of toys she’s discarded, trying to put them back together again. And for what, just to never gain an ounce of thanks!” You watched the shame change to despair, the man’s words cutting deeper and deeper into her heart. Yae Miko was a strong woman, this you knew well, and seeing her slowly break, it broke something in you.
“Just face it,” Kunikuzushi leaned across the counter, and all you could make out was a single, violet eye.
“She doesn’t need you anymore. She only needs Eternity.”
“Hey!” Something overtook you, and you found yourself jumping out from behind the shelves, random book in hand as a weapon, shoving your body between Miko’s and the counter. “That’s enough! I don’t know who you are, and frankly I don’t care, but nothing gives you the right to talk to Guuji Yae like that!”
Kunikuzushi jolted back, evidently unaware of your presence, but you stood firm, glaring at him as if he had personally spat on your grandfather's grave. Now that you had a direct line of sight, you could observe him more closely. His clothes were expensive looking, that much you could tell. But unlike your previous assumption about him being a foreigner, he was clearly Inazuman. Almond-shaped eyes the color of electro, with a deep red eye liner, and indigo hair. If that didn’t scream electro vision holder, you didn’t know what did.
And, most unfortunately, he was incredibly beautiful. His pale skin was unblemished, giving him a look of eternal youthfulness. His height did somewhat surprise you, you expected such an intimidating voice to belong to someone tall and strong. Yet this short man exuded a different type of power.
A very dangerous type of power.
Your surprise appearance didn’t shock him for long, however, and a sneer quickly spread across his face. “Well, well. What do we have here? A little mouse hiding in the book shelves?”
You mentally slapped yourself in the face to forget his good looks, and glared harder. “What does that make you, a cat?”
His smile only widened, “Perhaps.”
There was a flash of electro, blinding you, and suddenly Kunikuzushi was behind the counter with you, hand on your wrist, gripping so hard you thought your bones might break. You dropped your improvised weapon, the first edition of The Legend of Sword, on instinct. Despite not being that much taller than you, Kunikuzushi clearly dominated the exchange.
Why was it kind of hot?
A hand laid gently on your shoulder, and Kunikuzushi quickly let go of your arm. Twisting your head, you could see the thunderous gaze of Guuji Yae, standing tall behind you. Gone were her shameful emotions, replaced by pure fury.
“I will tolerate your berament of the shogun, and I will even tolerate it towards myself,” A low growl reverberated in Miko’s throat, and you could feel the soft fur of her many tails brushing against your legs. “But if you dare lay a hand on my dear assistant, none of your fatui dogs will be able to save you.”
There was another flash, and he was on the opposite side of the counter once again, adjusting his kasa hat. Miko’s tails slowly dissipated, and the night became quiet once more.
“You are correct, however. Ei is not coming back.” Both you and Kunikuzushi jerked to look at Miko, a sad smile on her lips. “I had held hope, but perhaps I too have fallen to the erosion she fears. Eternity is simply unachievable, even for a god.”
Kunikuzushi smirked, “so you’re finally seeing reason?”
Miko rolled her eyes. “I will not aid you, I stand by that, but I will help even the playing field.” You watched in fascination, which quickly changed to horror, as Miko raised a hand, and plunged it to her own chest. But instead of injuring the kitsune, her hand passed harmlessly through her robes. As she pulled it out, she was holding what you could only describe as a chess piece of sorts, an elaborate carved, glowing, purple, chess piece. That also radiated electro energy. You weren’t sure if you wanted to know or not, but you had a feeling you and Miko would be up very late having a long talk.
“So you did have it.” Kunikuzushi said, staring in an almost longing manner at the odd trinket.
“Of course, I am her beloved familiar after all,” Miko parroted his words back at him.
“But as they say, all things come with a price.”
“And yours is?” Kunikazushi raised a brow.
Miko’s eyes hardened. “Leave the shrine maidens and the publishing house alone. You can govern everything else, Inazuma city, the Tri-Commission, everything, but leave my domains to me.” You could see the greed in both their eyes, the desire to come out on top of the deal, or whatever it was they were bargaining over.
Kunikuzushi gave a single nod, and that was all it took for Miko to toss the chess piece over to him. Seemingly satisfied, Miko put her hands on your shoulders and began to steer you back towards the stairs.
“And Kunikuzushi?” Miko stopped, looking as if the world weighed on her shoulders, “It was a terrible shame that you were able to steal that from me.”
The last thing you saw before Miko ushered you upstairs, was Kunikuzushi’s triumphant smile.