"Na-na-mi chaaan!" Mizuki called out in terse joyfulness. He wandered each room of the Shrine absently, calling out cheerfully for his beloved God.
His most cherished Lady and mistress was in distress, and he had a plan.
It was a bad plan, but it was a plan nonetheless.
His plan?
Sake, and a lot of it.
Was he not the creator of the most divine sake, intended purely for the Gods? Was Nanami not -his- God? As a familiar it was his duty to please his mistress.
Mizuki froze in his tracks when he finally found Nanami hunched over the table, pretending to watch the tv in front of her. He masked his concern with a brisk smile.
"Na~na~mi chan! I have found you at last!" Mizuki narrowed his eyes in concentration.
She had been crying. Her eyes were puffy. There were dried trails down her cheeks; he could smell the salt in the air. Oh, his heart. He'd lash out at the stubborn fox later.
"Oh Na~na~mi chaan, what could you be watching to cause you such sadness? Or was it something that boorish wild fox has done? Has Tomoe dropped you from another building?" Mizuki tried on his most bittersweet, innocent smile.
Nanami straightened , rubbed at her eyes, and glared at him. Oh, he was ecstatic. Would she speak beautiful, binding words? He longed to feel the shackles of his mistress. Mizuki could feel goosebumps along his spine in anticipation.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Mizuki!" Nanami snapped back, perhaps more shrilly than intended. "Tomoe has merely gone to visit the Yokai under my protections whom haven't come to greet me!"
Nanami hoped her lie wasn't transparent. Anyone within a mile of the shrine heard her and Tomoe fight earlier. Mizuki half-shrugged, and sat across from her, serpentine grin in place.
"In that case, why don't we enjoy a cup of tea?" Mizuki produced a tea set from seemingly thin air, and began to pour two cups. He urged a cup at Nanami while drinking deeply from his own. She accepted the cup, warming her hands on the hot surface. Nanami sipped at first, then drank deeper. Soon, her cup was empty and Nanami reached for the teapot to pour herself more.
Several cups were shared with only the television breaking the silence. Nanami felt light and giddy. She couldn't quite remember why she had been so upset earlier. The aroma of plum blossoms surrounded her and lingered on her tongue. Nanami couldn't remember a time she'd ever felt this relaxed. She couldn't remember when Mizuki had come around the table to sit beside her or when she'd begun to lean on his shoulder, ever so slightly. Mizuki curled his arm around her shoulder, lovingly; protectively.
"So, this is Sake?" Nanami absently remarked. Mizuki's breath stilled, caught by his deception.
"I'd like more. Please, Mizuki." Mizuki felt the word binding, however faint, trickle along his neck and down his spine. He obliged his mistress in silence. His devious heart wanted to push Nanami. He wanted to see how far he could tease her innocence until she spoke out, using her Godly word-binding on him. Mizuki wanted to play with her, he wanted to feel the tight bonds of servitude.
Mizuki pulled Nanami closer and held a strand of her hair to his nose, inhaling her scent deeply. Her soft hair tickled his lips. He could feel Nanami's heart quicken, and felt her body soften and relax slightly. Something curled tightly in the bottom of Mizuki's stomach. He felt sick. He wanted Nanami, but not like this. Not as a cheap, drunken distraction from her pain. Mizuki was not so desperate. Not anymore.
His God trusted him. He'd sooner perish than betray that confidence.
Mizuki released Nanami's hair and snaked his arms tightly around her. When he was certain she could not escape, Mizuki struck. He tickled her until she started to squirm. As Nanami started to giggle she softly called out, "Stop." The words were a gentle tingle to Mizuki. He ignored her orders until Nanami was laughing and squealing in happiness, playfully shouting, "Stop! Stop it, Mizuki! Stop tickling me!"
Each command, spoken with conviction, was a euphoric jolt to Mizuki's being. He closed his eyes to better focus on the fleeting sensation. Mizuki exhaled happily and pulled his mistress, his Lady Nanami, deep into an embrace.
The sliding of a door had Mizuki's eyes snapping open. He realized, coldly, that Tomoe had returned. Mizuki regretfully released Nanami. She stood clumsily and turned to face Mizuki.
"Thank you, Mizuki. I think… yes, I really enjoy your sake. Maybe next time we can have it cold, and watch the stars?" Nanami bowed her head in thanks before turning and leaving the room to go greet Tomoe.
"Tomoe, you came back!" Mizuki chuckled under his breath. He could hear a slight shuffle. Undoubtedly Nanami had leapt at Tomoe for an embrace that was expertly dodged by the fox.
"Of course I've returned! I'm your familiar aren't I? I would never be able to… wait…! Are you drunk? …MI ZU KI! What have you done to Lady Nanami?!"
Mizuki laughed as Tomoe launched an attack at him.
Mizuki knew his place was by Nanami's side. Mizuki knew he would never hold her love as Tomoe held her love. Mizuki was not bothered by this in the slightest. It almost felt… freeing to be able to love her as she was, and not expect anything in return.
Nanami was a beautiful plum blossom; glistening with dew drops; radiant and jubilant in the rays of early morning. Yes; he could love her as he was-as she was; the way a God should be revered and loved. Yes; Mizuki knew his place as loyal guard.