Chapter Text
During their travels, Momo liked to visit all the shrines they would pass, be it for a simple prayer, or in hopes of learning from the attending priests.
After stocking up on supplies in the town of Tottori, she went to look for the local shrine. At first, she had been a bit hesitant to seek out this one in particular, given what it symbolized, but now? Given her current circumstance, regarding the matters of her heart, she felt it couldn't hurt to pray for some divine intervention in any shape or form at this point.
So, she convinced herself to suck it up and just go, and should Yokarun question anything, she could always argue that the Hakuto was just a very famous shrine! Yes, it would be more of a missed opportunity not to visit such a well known travel destination, be it for the rich history surrounding it, or for the fact that it was hidden in a beautiful, serene corner of the woods nearby the recently built town.
Or at least, it would've been serene, had it not been for the overwhelming group of people that had gathered around the temple, which had a small, temporary stall assembled in front of it. From what Momo could gather when she initially tried to approach the small building, the priests were having a sale on the charms that were imbued with the blessing of the White Rabbit, the beloved local Kami.
Not wanting to throw herself into the rather over-eager crowd and undoubtedly get stampeded (let alone potentially stressing out her poor yokai if he lost sight of her, regardless of his aura sight), the Miko instead opted to people-watch at a safe distance within the temple grounds under the shade of the trees. A small smile danced around her lips as she quickly realized who a majority of these customers were…
"Is it just me, or are many of these people young couples?" Yokarun's voice mumbled from off to her right.
The Yokai was leaning against the trunk of a tree, wide enough to hide his frame from the people, with his arms crossed inside his haori sleeves. One of his ruby eyes opened to glance over to Momo, who chuckled at his observation.
"That should be no surprise. The shrine is dedicated to the Hare of Inaba, after all."
Instead of agreeing words, Momo heard a hum of inquiry come from him, one of his eyebrows raised in an unspoken question when she looked at him.
She couldn't help but gasp in mild shock.
"You do know what the Hakuto shrine is all about, right?" she asked utterly befuddled, pointing at one of the many white rabbit statues that were all over the area.
"I've never come across the name of this shrine during my travels," he admitted and his eyes followed the direction of her finger, examining the stone critter for a moment, before his gaze returned to her with scrunched eyebrows that spoke of indifferent confusion.
"I'd been wondering what the meaning could have possibly been behind all these rabbits. There've been so many of them on our way here."
Letting out a breathy laugh, Momo shook her head.
And here she was, having been nervous that he might've teased her, or worse (or…better?) be onto her for the true reason for her visit. A small part of her wanted to twist the truth in a way he would never suspect anything, but knowing his habit of listening to people from the shadows, it wouldn't be a good idea to lie to him. This would undoubtedly make her look even more suspicious in his eyes.
"Well, the White Rabbit is a very central figure to what people believe is the first love story of our country's culture," she finally explained, having to bite her lower lips to prevent that sneaky grin she could feel wanting to rear its head at the way his eyes lit up with eager curiosity. He always did love hearing her retell folklore. His whole body turned towards her, quietly signaling she had his undivided attention, and so she told him the whole story.
"It is said that a white rabbit arrived to the shores of this province many hundreds of years ago. It was badly injured and sought out help from a group of 80 brothers traveling to meet and court the Princess Yakami of Inaba. However, the brothers were very cruel and only gave poor or even incorrect advise to the little creature, all for their own amusement. But the youngest chose to not be like his many brothers, and instead was kind enough to guide the rabbit to a pond where it could clean itself and rest. As it turned out to be a kami, the rabbit showed its gratitude by predicting that the young man would be the one to win the heart of the princess, and this prediction became true."
Having finished the tale, Momo turned her eyes back to the slowly thinning group of couples purchasing good luck charms from the stall, the sound of the bustling couples dimming down into a comforting background ambience.
"Since then, the White Rabbit has become a symbol of love, and the Hakuto shrine became a place for people to receive blessings that help them to find a fitting beloved or to pray to keep their current relationship happy and healthy."
And much to her embarrassment, Momo also wanted some kind of that romantic help. Maybe…a sign from the White Rabbit if she should follow her heart's desire, or keep it locked away and safe from possible heartbreak-
An unhappy noise coming from the source of her love dilemma pulled Momo out of her thoughts and with bewilderment, she noticed how Yokarun's brows had furrowed even more.
"And that is all there is to this 'love' story?"
"Oh, uhm...," she stuttered, not understanding why her Yokai was suddenly so upset, sounding disgusted, even. "I-it's just a very small part of a much larger legend, but this is the part that is associated with love, yes."
Yokarun let out a snort. "Nothing about that story strikes me as even remotely romantic," he bristled with frustration, shaking his head. "Sounds more like the princess became some sort of prize to that guy, just because he showed the barest amount of kindness to a kami."
"I agree, the story is not very romantic," Momo tried to appease him, worried about this strange outburst that she could even feel in his aura. "But romance was a bit different during the old times, and these days, the White Rabbit's blessings do work in ways we would see as romantic, so no need to get all huffy about it."
"But, Momoooo," Yokarun whined out her name, almost making her laugh aloud due to how childish it sounded coming from the wisened Yokai he was, "There are so many better examples out there that deserve to be called the first love story; like, the tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi, Urashima Taro, or even the legend of the Bamboo Cutter! They're all old and have actual love in them."
Yokarun was talking himself into a proper rant and started to pace back and forth, wildly gesturing with his hands that made Momo take a step back.
"That rabbit story doesn't even mention how the princess felt about the young fellow. What made her actually choose him? Did he show kindness to others that she found endearing? Was the guy himself actually in love with her, or did he just ask to marry her because of a sense of familial duty??"
Letting out one last frustrated huff, he deflated with a deep, defeated sigh and stopped his pacing right next to her.
Seeing that he had somewhat calmed down, Momo found a moment to process what had just happened. It was such an absurd thing to get heated over, but here he was, all wound up because the first love story of Japan did not have enough romance in his opinion.
A wide grin spread over her face.
"My, Yokarun…I was not aware how well versed you were in the world of love stories, nor how much you cared about them," she trilled in a teasing, sing-song manner. Immediately, the whole frame of the Yokai jerked into a tense stance, his eyes darting around nervously.
"Ah, uhm, well..." he stammered with a harsh cough, his half covered cheeks clearly gaining a darker color. Momo had to bite her lips yet again, this time not to giggle over how adorable he looked in this flustered state.
Unable to resist further teasing (and getting the chance to be close to him, because she always needed an excuse), she wrapped her arms around one of his and rested her head against his shoulder, looking up at him with a cheeky smile.
"You're secretly quite the romantic, aren't you?" she asked, now giggling at his embarrassed, choked up sounds.
It was a superfluous question. Momo knew very well how romantic her Yokai could get, even when he probably was not aware of it. All his sweet gestures and the courtesy he showed her were due to them being friends. Not because he was trying to court her, she knew that; and yet, it didn't stop her foolish heart from yearning for it to be different, to be more.
Her hold on his arm grew a little bit tighter.
He always felt so much warmer when flustered. Momo relished in the sensation.
Finally able to regain his ability to speak again, Yokarun cleared his throat and fiddled with his glasses with his free hand, still unable to look at her.
"Maybe I'm just more aware of good stories that are worth of telling," he tried to explain himself, a slight note of adorable spite flavoring his voice. His brows furrowed again, "It is ridiculous that something is getting praised as the first love story, when it does not talk about the actual love itself…just says the woman chose the man because a damn rabbit said so-"
The Yokai was silenced in his newly growing rant, only letting out the smallest of surprised squeaks when Momo put two fingers on his obsidian mask and gently turned his face towards her and pressed her lips against the white teeth on the side of his maw.
"It's just some silly old story, Yokarun," she murmured with a sweet smile. "No need to loose your temper over it."
Apparently this little action and her soft tone puffed all his frustration into smoke instantly, as he went completely quiet and just stared at her with such comically wide eyes, Momo would have laughed at the sight under normal circumstances.
But she currently was more occupied with freaking out on the inside.
Why in the Kami's name had she done that?
Of course she knew why.
Because clinging to him like this always made her heart flutter so much that it somehow stopped her head from thinking.
Because him ranting over a supposed love story not being romantic enough was just so endearing.
Because she did not want him to be in a sour mood, and the only thing she could come up in that moment was to distract him with a little peck....okay, maybe more than just a peck.
Well, at least it had worked.
Just that she now had to deal with the predicament to get out of this situation she had put herself in without making a big fuss.
"M-Momo....?" he whispered after a moment, eyes relaxing into a soft expression and his voice laced with so much uncertainty, it squeezed her heart.
If Momo had been a braver person, she would have stayed and stood her ground. It usually was something she was very good at! Just…not when it came to Yokarun, her beloved Yokai.
Forcing her face into a grin, she removed her hand from his maw and patted his arm before letting go of him. The small whine coming from him was probably just something her imagination made up as she was mourning the loss of his closeness herself.
"Anyway, seems that the crowd has finally died down, so I'll go and pay my respect to the local Kami," she said after looking over to the shrine, away from the subject of her imploding heart and mind. The amount people had indeed decreased enough for her to pass them without problem. Turning to Yokarun one more time, barely looking at him, she punched his arm playfully, "I'll let the White Rabbit know that you're very displeased by his story. Maybe he'll change it for you."
With that, she walked out from behind the trees back unto the temple grounds, still holding a simple smile.
But her hand had grabbed her robes above her heart, almost clenching into a iron tight fist.
As she had hurried away rather quickly and without a second glance, she missed how Yokarun had reached for her, his hand now falling back to his side and a forlorn expression clear in his eyes as he watched her leave.
Somehow, Yokarun managed to walk through the forest without stumbling, despite his attention being somewhere else entirely. When he arrived at a hillslope that stretched from the end of the forest down to the beach, he stopped in his tracks. It was evening and the sun had already begun to set, yet he wouldn't dare to leave the shades of the woods that concealed him. Looking left and right, he spotted a tree stump he could settle down on and wait.
Slumping a bit, he let out a sigh, one that came deep from within his very soul, while he ran a hand through his white locks.
He couldn't stop thinking about Momo.
Not that it was anything unusual; the woman that held his yearning heart in her divine hands (quite literally, in a way) was always on his mind.
But right now, he kept replaying the last few minutes between them, up until she had gone to the shrine, in his head over and over. There was still a lingering, phantom warmth from where her body had pressed against his and the tingling feeling of her lips on his teeth, much to his dismay (but also joy, he could not deny that).
Momo had given him playful or encouraging pecks before, but these had always been very quick and brushed over in the heat of the moment, but this time? Her mouth had remained much longer against his mask, almost burning a hole from the faint, yet tantalizing sensation he had been able to feel and still felt right now. His maw kept clacking ever so slightly, as if trying to shake off the lingering ghost of it…or possibly chase after it, aching to relive it.
It had been a proper kiss, no doubt about it! Even when it was just on his cheek if he wanted to be technical, but still! And the way her wine colored eyes had looked at him with such warmth and daresay affection? A whole body shudder overcame him at the memory and the Yokai part of him wiggled in elation…okay, both parts did so. Yet he groaned in frustration as he pressed his fingers against his eyes under his glasses.
What in the hells did that mean?
Surely that was not a gesture she would do with someone she considered a friend. He couldn't believe that. Didn't want to believe that…
He wished he had been fast enough to keep Momo from leaving, to keep them in that moment that might have revealed more…but he probably would have made a fool of himself, with the way she nonchalantly acted right after. Maybe he hoped too much and just imagined things.
With another sigh, he dropped his hands into his lap and propped his arms on his knees.
The moment had come and gone. He had missed a good chance and now should just get over it.
He absently scratched over the spot that Momo had kissed, almost as if to maybe scratch away the uncertainty of it all, while his gaze wandered over the beach below him. As much as he did not agree with the significance of the supposed love story, the region had some beautiful spots that were abuzz with romantic atmosphere, the beach being a prime example.
The sound of waves was a soothing background noise, the water glittered in the setting sun which painted the whole sky in golden colors and he could imagine the sand must feel great under one's feet.
A young couple strolled along the shore, close enough that he could hear their laughter when a strong wave danced around their toes and the man held onto the woman to keep her steady.
Jealousy was a nasty thing, Yokarun thought as he let out a low keening sound at the sight.
Oh, how he wished he and Momo could just enjoy themselves and be silly out in the open, romp around in the light of the setting sun and enjoy peaceful, beautiful things like this; but his hideous features would always give him away as something not human, and only cause trouble. Cause her trouble. Not to mention the fact they wouldn't do it as lovers, just as good friends.
And his greedy, monstrous heart was not satisfied with that.
Before he could start chiding himself for dismissing his friendship with Momo as something less than equally wonderful, he could feel the shining aura of his dear Miko brushing against his awareness.
Turning his head around, he waited a moment to watch her emerge from the woods, her eyes searching for him and immediately sparkling into a smile when she spotted him.
The sight eased his woes immediately and he had to restrain himself so much as to not let a delighted trill escape his throat. That was just the effect she had on him. Everything simmered down to a small nuisance in the back of his mind whenever she was near him.
"There you are," she chuckled when she walked over to him. "I've been wondering where you had run off to."
"Just...wanted to watch the sunset," he lied, averting his gaze while doing so. He then made some room for her on the stump and with a small thanks, she sat down besides him. The space was small and their legs were touching. A fact that delighted as well as tortured him.
"It's really beautiful, isn't it?" she said while taking in a deep breath and marveled at the sky turning more orange now…something that reminded her of his eyes when he looked upon her with a gentle glow.
"Indeed..." he mumbled, his eyes solely on her. But then he noticed something she held in her hands. "Bought something at the shrine?" he asked, trying to keep his curiosity subtle.
Momo blinked stunned for a moment, before she remembered the small items in her palms. With a grin, she held up two paper charms, one teal and the other red colored.
"Precisely! I couldn't pass the opportunity to acquire a pair of omamori for us."
"U-us?" he stuttered, cheeks immediately heating up.
In the past, Momo would buy all kinds of different charms from the various shrines they would come across, just to stock up on good luck and to study the aura they were imbued with. But usually, she only purchased one for herself, and this particular shrine....well, she had said so herself that people would come here to get themselves charms with romantic blessings.
"Don't worry, they're friendship charms," Momo explained after a small cough, probably from her trying to suppress a laugh at his fatuous assumption. Shame and disappointment bubbled in his chest, wanting to kick himself for the latter.
"O-oh..." he only managed to utter at first, before he cleared his throat. "Of course. I just thought..."
"Their most popular charms are for love, yes," she quickly intercepted when he trailed off, her nodding a bit too frantic, "but they have some for other relationships too, like family and friends. You know…love in other ways."
Before he could say anything else, she offered the teal colored charm to him, while holding the red one close to her chest.
"I just thought...a little blessing for our friendship couldn't hurt; n-not that I'm concerned about it!! Not at all," she stammered, a cute blush dusting her cheeks. "Y-you don't have to accept it of course. Was maybe a stupid idea."
"Nonsense," Yokarun hummed amused, his irritation from before melting away at the sight of her getting all flustered. Oh, how he was weak for that breathtakingly endearing sight. "It was very thoughtful of you. Very sweet and kind." He took the charm from her, not without allowing himself the subtle gesture of running his fingers over hers. Inspecting the small paper that was stained the color of her aura, he indeed could read the kanji for 'friendship' written on it. His eyes softened into a tender smile when he looked back at her, "Thank you, Momo. I'll cherish it."
Letting out an audible sigh of relief, she nodded at him with one of her bright smiles that always melted his heart.
They both stored their new charms into the inner breast pockets of their robes. Both close to their hearts that beat in sync.
"Sooooo," Yokarun spoke up after a moment, having a smile crinkling his eyes. "You got to talk to the White Rabbit?"
Momo let out a snort at that.
"Oh yeah, he passed by for a quick chat." She leaned toward him and poked him against his maw with a cheeky grin, "Said he doesn't appreciate your criticism and that you should come up with your own legend if you're so well versed in love."
Rolling his eyes at the jab and sighing internally 'I wish', he swatted her hand away playfully.
"That damn rodent should learn to accept the opinions of others."
They both laughed for a moment, before they settled back to quietly watching the sun painting the sky from orange to purple. Together.
Yokarun noticed how she was ever so slightly fidgeting and chewing her lips, as if she wanted to say something, but didn't dare voice her thoughts. The offer to hear her out was on the tip of his tongue, but he felt he would be a hypocrite in doing so, a confession wanting nothing more than to burst out of himself, after all.
He was deep in his thoughts about whether or not he should take a risk, when he suddenly felt Momo scooting closer to him, their sides now fully touching and her head resting against his shoulder. Both his Yokai and human part reacted the same way, making him wrap his arm around her shoulder to hold her closer.
As much as possible. As much as he could allow himself. He'd force himself to be satisfied with this.
Seemingly approving his action, she sighed contently and snuggled into his side while admiring the now sparkling stars in the sky above them, the sound of the crashing waves and evening zephyrs a beautiful symphony for them to enjoy.
His whole being felt so warm and at peace with having her so close.
Maybe he couldn't bring himself to voice his true feelings for her, but right now in this moment, he felt like the happiest Yokai in the whole world, nonetheless. He was lucky, so lucky, to share such a strong bond with her, one that was now blessed by a kami, be it romantic or not.
It was more than he could ever dare to ask for.