A True Lover's Embrace
Nanami yawned as she awoke that morning. Her light brown locks clung to her cheeks as she sat up. Nanami looked around the familiar shrine room. The early morning sunlight peeked into the room and Nanami stretched as she walked to the door and opened it slowly, trying to adjust her eyes to the changing brightest. As she opened the door, she saw Mizuki sweeping the courtyard along with Onikiri and Kotetsu watching over him. Nanami smiled as she watched the snake fuss with the sprites of the shrine.
"Nanami-chan! Good morning! Did you sleep well, my lady?" Mizuki smiled as he saw his master in the door way.
"Lady Nanami is awake~!" The sprites cheered in unison.
"Good morning."
"Oh, Lady Nanami, Tomoe said he was going to be gone for a bit this morning." Mizuki hummed as he came closer to Nanami.
"Oh..." Nanami sighed quietly. "Did he say where he was going? You'd think he'd stay in bed since he was under that curse for so long..."
Nanami's thoughts were haunted by that experience. Kuromaro's curse..Tomoe just wanted to be happy with Yukiji and live their days as humans. But she died before he could change Tomoe. Tomoe was plagued with scars and pain so many years, until he met Mikage, where he suppressed the curse. But now that the curse was broken and it was realized that Nanami is Yukiji's descendant, Tomoe could be free to love her as he once did over 500 years ago. Nanami was worried that Tomoe would hurt himself, seeing it had only been three days since the curse was broken. Nanami went back into her room and got dressed for her day. She folded her pajamas neatly in the corner as she took out a short sleeve, button down shirt and a nice skirt. As she finished the last button on her shirt and zipped up the side of her skirt, she heard a knock at her door.
"Who is it?" She called out.
"Mikage, may I come in?" He said quietly.
"Oh, of course." Nanami opened the door for him and let him in. "How are you this morning?"
"I'm fine. Did you sleep well?"
"I did. It's been awhile since I've had a nice sleep." Nanami said with a small smile.
"Nanami, I want to ask you something." His tone went from timid to serious. Nanami's heart skipped a beat out of nervousness.
"Sure, what?"
"I believe Tomoe went out to seek someone who can make him human again." Nanami's heart stopped for a moment as the words sunk into her mind. Mikage looked over her and saw her pale face. "What will you say if he wants to become human?"
Nanami's mind went blank. How was she supposed to answer? Of course, Tomoe has his own desires, but to give up his powers...his demon self...just to be with her. She was speechless. Of course she wanted him to be happy. She'd love him in any form he took.
"I...I don't know...I just want him to be happy." Nanami's voice was quiet.
"I see." Mikage looked over her and sighed. "If anything, he'll ask you want you want. So, please be prepared to answer that question." Mikage left the room quietly and closed the door behind himself.
Nanami sat in her room for about an hour after that, just thinking about what he had asked her. What if he was searching for a way to become human, just for her? Was he really willing to give his powers up, for a weak and short life with her? What would she say? What could she say?
