It really turned out to be a good thing that Kei and Ami had found out about their other halves because there was no way they could afford to pay for all the people in their group to get into the park without a little magic. As it was Kurama, Ashi, Ami and Kei were they only ones that paid, having thought ahead the goddess had stuck sticky notes on the kits and Mizuki and Tomoe simply waited for them to get through the front of the park before hopping the fence where no one could see. Ami being the innocent in the group gaped at the wrongness of the whole situation. "How can you allow something like this?" Shrugging the land god tightened her grip on Yu's hand while Hikari poked and tugged at Tomoe annoying the bigger fox.
"Ami, do you honestly think we're the only people who've done this today? Besides Kurama paid for you so you're in the good, if we get caught they can't do anything. Mizuki, Foxy, Yu, and Hikari don't technically exist so they'll just disappear." Wrapping an arm around his girlfriend the tengu sighed.
"I understand why you're upset but there are worse things we could be doing." Nodding the little pinkette gave in.
"I guess you're right." Pulling a map of the park from her pocket the deity chewed her lip in thought before shrugging and handing it to one of the other girls.
"Pick something you wanna ride, doesn't matter to me." Peeking over the pinkette's shoulder to see the map Kei pointed to a ride on the other side of the park.
"How about the bumper cars? Nothing's funnier than trying to run your friends over." Surprisingly the orange haired teen had kept her phone in her pocket deciding she would rather talk to Mizuki than text. Casting disinterested eyes at the group Tomoe sighed wondering why Ashi had drug him along. Yawning he tugged on the raven's hair.
"Why did I have to come again?" Trailing behind the two couples as they led the way the goddess grinned.
"I figured they would pair off for rides. Yu wanted to go and I couldn't leave Hikari out and neither one of them are tall enough to ride without an adult. So you can bond with your little brother and I'll keep my little guy out of your fur. Plus I offered to take Yu because your mom and dad may have wanted some alone time." Shaking his head the fox sighed. Leave it to Ashi to be considerate well dragging him along.
"Excuse me?" Blinking down at the stuttering preteen in front of him Tomoe rolled his eyes. "Is your hair naturally that color? And are those contacts?" Cocking an eyebrow he turned to look at Ashi.
"Contacts?" Waving him off she grinned down at the cutesy girl.
"It is and they really are violet." Pulling a camera from her bag the girl squealed seeing the little boy with silver and black hair clinging to the older female's leg.
"Oh my gosh, your eyes are beautiful too. I've got to have a picture for my blog. Can you pick your sons up so I can have a group shoot?" Cheeks flushing the goddess scooped Hikari up while Tomoe let Yu scramble up his clothes muttering choice words under his breath all the while. Hissing when a flash blinded him the kitsune scowled. "Thank you so much! No one would have believed me without a picture." Clearing her throat the teal eyed girl waved watching the preteen disappear into the crowd.
"Well that was awkward as hell." Rolling his eyes the kitsune grabbed her wrist pulling her non-to-gently in the direction he sensed Kurama and Mizuki. Humming the teen wriggled her wrist until their fingers locked together; her arm was starting to hurt. "She was cute didn't you think Foxy?" Glaring at her over his shoulder the silver fox snorted.
"No, her hat was even crooked. And she was annoying." Bouncing her shikigami higher on her hip the god laughed.
"You think everyone is annoying though." Hiding a smile the youkai tightened his grip on her hand taking time to realize how much smaller it was than his own. How could such a fragile being have such a big impact on everyone around her without even meaning to?
'I don't think everyone is annoying…'
Huffing Ashi slide into her seat across from the crow demon gulping a mouthful of her drink. After riding most of the rides in the park they had decided to stop for a lunch break, of course being young neither Yu nor Hikari wanted to slow down. Being the responsible adult, heavy sarcasm implied, the teal eyed girl had volunteered to go on the kiddy rides while the others got food. Grinning the goddess slumped against the table, it had been forever since she had ridden on a marry-go-round and the kits didn't wanna stop for anything. That and with both of them being demons they didn't really need to eat anyway. Blinking at that realization she grabbed Tomoe's ear rubbing it slightly harder than needed. "Oh Foxy dearest, why oh why was I the one playing with the babies when you don't even have to eat?" Setting her food down Kei raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" Snuggling into his girlfriend's side the snake yawned gazing adoringly at her with glowing green eyes.
"Supernatural creatures do not need to eat food; they absorb the energy around them to live." The pinkette's eyes widened hearing this before turning to her boyfriend.
"So that's why you only nibble on your food." Running a hand through his hair the crow nodded wrapping an arm around the girl's shoulders. Patting Ashi's hand away when it started rubbing a little to intimately near the base of his ear Tomoe shoved the tray of food in front of himself towards her.
"The faster you eat the faster we leave so hurry up." Stroking his tail when it rested in her lap she laughed.
"Thank you Foxy." Looking away the fox cursed realizing his blush wasn't as hidden as he would have liked.
Pausing in his steps Tomoe's ears twitched. "Ashi why do I hear humans screaming?" Giggling the goddess skipped on ahead stopping only to wave back at Ami and Mizuki who had no interest in riding the rollercoaster the very thing that had grabbed the kitsune's attention. The kits being so little weren't tall enough to ride anyway so the pinkette had proclaimed that she would watch them while everyone else rode the ride. Squirming in place the goddess waited not so patiently for their turn on the coaster. If there was one thing she loved about theme parks it was the excitement of riding a rollercoaster.
"This, my little silver Foxy is what I've been waiting for all day. The Coaster, this should get your heart pumping, and more than likely cause mine to stop." Shuffling in her place in line she sighed watching the gate in front of her open to let her take her seat. Clicking her seat belt into place and snickering while Tomoe did the same she wiggled drawing the demon's gaze.
"What has you in such a good mood?" Lifting her arms so the so the harness could lower she reached down to tug on the furry appendage smashed between them.
"I'm just wondering how you keep from crushing your tail. I mean these seats aren't made for comfort to begin with." Smirking he reached over to flick her nose making her go cross eyed to stare at the reddening cartilage.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" The Coaster jerked into motion distracting the two from continuing their picking. Bouncing in her seat the goddess whooped when they started down the first hill, feeling something thump against her leg she looked over seeing the silver and white tail wagging in the little space it was allowed. Shifting her eyes up the teen smiled seeing such a happy expression lighting the youkai's face. It was nice seeing Tomoe relaxed once and a while even if he would deny it later on and swear against it ever happening at all. Giggling like the school girl she was Ashi had no idea what a sight she made after exiting the coaster and hugging both of the kits to her chest. Face glowing in happiness and a pleasant blush coloring her cheeks the teen was beautiful to the demon fox left watching her as she smiled in his direction. Jumping slightly when the park lights flicked on beside her the deity snorted at her own silliness. Following the line of people, most of them couples she realized the Ferris wheel was lite up and Kurama, Ami, Kei, and Mizuki were already in line. Pulling her sleepy Shikigami closer to her chest she cover her mouth with her free hand seeing Yu snuggling closer to Tomoe's neck making the elder kitsune scowl.
"Quit being such a grumpy old man and enjoy it while your brother's still young." Whooping her on the back of the head with his tail the silver fox rolled his eyes.
"It was cute the first 5 times my younger siblings did it now it's annoying." Stepping forward on the Ferris wheel she set Hikari beside side making sure he wouldn't fall off the seat. Following his master's example the wild fox laid Yu down too. Rolling her shoulders now that they were free she sighed slumping in her seat. "Ashi? Turn around for a moment." Sliding back up she turned her back to the demon nearly yelping when something rested between the swell of her breasts. Waiting for Tomoe to finish what he was doing she glanced down gasping at the beautiful teal teardrop gem that was attached to a silver necklace.
"Foxy what is this for?" Shrugging the familiar looked away trying to find a growing blush; dammit he never blushed this much before she showed up.
"Females normally have a lot of gems and jewelry so I figured you would want something too. The Tanuki girls are always going on about that sort of stuff." Smiling she reached over to rub his ears.
"Oh Tomoe thank you. You didn't have to though." Waving her off the fox flicked his tail.
"You buy that fast food stuff for me all the time so I felt like I owed you something." Shaking her head she snorted.
"You'll never owe me anything, Foxy. Don't ever think that you do."
Wrapping her arms around the two kits that were leaning against her as they slept or tried to Ashi hummed glancing around the nearly empty bus. Yawning and giving the tiny pinkette across from him a full view of his fangs Hikari tugged at the raven's shirt rubbing his eyes. "Kaa-san sing a song this thingy is too noisy for us to sleep." Staring wide eyed at the shikigami the goddess flamed red as the demons and humans around her turned to look. Snickering Kurama ran a hand through his hair.
"Yea 'Kaa-san' sing us a song." Flipping the oversized vulture the bird she grumbled but closed her eyes and tilted her head back anyway.
"How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
Leading you down into my core where I've become so numb
Without a soul my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it back home."
Peeking from under her long lashes she smiled seeing the younglings slumbering peacefully against her sides. Gaping at the raven haired goddess beside him Tomoe snapped his mouth shut with an audible pop. He knew she could sing well, she sung in the bath all the time, but this was something else altogether. She was muffled by walls and doors because he was normally outside doing chores and she sung so low that she didn't project well far away. But sitting next to her and being able to fully enjoy her voice he vowed to do the inside chores when she bathed from now on. Waving the others away when they finally got to the shrine stop Ashi cradled Yu to her front while Hikari puffed back into a tiny silver and black fox curled up in her hair, or what little of it had fallen from her pony tail throughout the day. Tucking the kits into bed the teen sighed rejoining Tomoe in the common room. Feeling the fox shift closer she raised an eyebrow wondering what he was doing.
"Foxy?" Grasping her head he turned it away from him gently tugging the band out of her hair before running his claws through it. Sitting in silence while he played with her hair she hummed slumping forward.
"You baby them too much." Blinking her eyes open having not noticed she closed them the land god frowned.
"I do not. Everyone deserves to be babied a little when they're young anyway." Looking over her shoulder she smirked pulling his tail into her lap. "I baby you all the time too." Snorting under his breath the silver fox smiled. She did baby him even if he was loath to admit it. She even let the damn snake send an extra 30 minutes with his chosen by letting Mizuki ride the bus with Kei and walk her home. His goddess was a nice person even if she tried to hide the fact, now if only he could convince her not to go to Izumo everything would be perfect.
Feeling his eye twitch Tomoe watched as his master gathered all of the last minutes items she would need for her trip to the god summit. Drumming his claws on the table he growled. "Remind me again why you want to take the snake." Looking up from digging around in her bag she smiled.
"Because Mizuki has been before unlike you, your parents just left yesterday, and I figured you could use a break from us to relax or go to the Red Light District. You have full run of the shrine while we're gone so go crazy. But when I get back I expect it to be in the condition I left it. You did it for 20 years; a few days won't be a big deal. Now I have to go to the other world to pick something up for Himemiko." Grabbing a sticky note she scribbled on it before sticking it in her bra. Giving a test wag and flick of her newly grown ears and tail she smiled. "You may wanna let the Tanuki girls know you plan to stay for an extended visit." Waving two of her four shrine spirits over the god sighed. "Sorry to bother you guys but could you come with me to help." Kotetsu and Yono nodded a little over eagerly before grabbing a lantern and leading the way to the other world. Stopping when they cleared the darkness the kuro kitsune placed her hands on her hips looking around. Lifting her nose her sniffed, yep still smelled like sex around the Red Light District.
"What could Himemiko want from the demon world that her assistants couldn't get for her?" Blinking up at the scowling fox she shrugged.
"I don't know something to make her smell good. She said since I was human I'd know what would catch Kotaro's attention." Snorting she ducked around an overly large bull demon. "Like her yelling 'I love you' isn't good enough. Do youkai court slow or fast?" Stuffing his hands in his kimono sleeves the fox glanced around, one could never be too careful while browsing the streets in the demon world.
"Courtships are fast, demons automatically know who their mates are. It would be pointless to prolong something that doesn't need to be." Watching her lean over to sniff a bottle he smirked when she wrinkled her nose and sneezed. "Well most courtships are fast some demons are different than others. Since Himemiko is a catfish spirit she knows; some species take time to get to know their potential partner before choosing to spend eternity with them." Setting a bottle back down Ashi hummed letting him know she was still listening, pausing she turned her head to look at him. The light of the stall reflected off of the teardrop necklace he had given her making her eyes glow in the dim light.
"Are you one of those youkai that takes his time? Surely in all your 600 some odd years someone has caught your eye." Yipping Hikari wiggled out of her breast pocket to perch on her shoulder, gazing around at all the different demons. Opening his mouth to respond a wave of pain jolted him making the kitsune hiss before shaking his head.
"No. No one ever tempted me enough to consider mating." Raising an eyebrow at his answer she shrugged giggling when her shikigami tumbled from her shoulder to her tail having not been holding on very well. If he didn't remember the girl from 500 years ago or didn't want to tell her about it, it was his decision, and didn't bother her in the least. There was no point getting upset over a memory anyway. Realizing it was going to take her a while to smell ever bottle of perfume in the whole market place Tomoe sighed. "Come get me when you finish, I think you can take care of yourself well enough to shop alone." Leaning over a table her fluffy black tail twitched as her teal eyes flicked up to meet his.
"Will do." Shaking his head he wondered off heading for the Tanuki girl's house. Maybe if he was lucky they would have just gotten their weekly shipment of sake.
Nearly an two and a half hours later, with 2 different bottles of perfume the vixen strolled through the back streets dodging random spirits. She had only gotten lost once but luckily Kotetsu had known the way back to the Red Light District while Yono had wailed that they were going to die. Handing each shrine spirit a bottle to hold she slid the shoji door of the Tanuki girl house open slipping inside. Greeting the cat demon behind the front counter she waved.
"It's me again." Smiling the Neko stood orange and black ears rotating to check the house's occupants.
"Tomoe-sama should be a few rooms back with Hatsune-sama and the others. He seemed different today though. Do you know what might be bothering him?" Following after the cat she frowned.
"He's probably still sore that I'm making him stay at home while I go to an important meeting. He might be here a lot this week so take good care of him, okay?"
"What relation do you have to Tomoe-sama?" Nearly jumping out of her skin the goddess spun around sighing in relief when she realized it was an older raccoon dog. Stopping the cat bowed slightly.
"Mizutama it's nice to see you up and about today." Smiling the Tanuki thanked him offering to show the black vixen the rest of the way. Falling into step beside the demon Ashi tapped her chin with a claw in thought.
"I guess you could say he's my house mate, friend and part time tormentor." Smiling Mizutama stopped in front of a door that was cracked. Eyeing the female kitsune up and down her brown eyes focused on the teal gem hanging from her neck.
"Ah I was wondering who he got that for. Imagine my surprise when Tomoe-sama stopped by a few months ago and asked me to help him pick out a necklace for a friend." Blushing the teen reached up to rub the teardrop.
"He said he felt like he owed me because I do stuff for him all the time. But he doesn't. Foxy could never owe me anything. He's helped me live this past year for the first time in my life." Nodding silently to herself the raccoon dog pushed the door open just as a commotion started up in the room. Having never been there that long without touching one of them Tomoe was causing quiet a scene. One of the Tanuki girls was even crying being fussed over by several more. Rolling her eyes the goddess stomped up to the nearly drunk silver fox. "What'd you do this time?" Blinking up at her with hazy violet eyes the familiar sit up patting the spot beside him on the small pedestal.
"Why don't you join me Ashi?" Crossing her arms she turned to the other females.
"As if he needed to be put on a freaking podium; hell his ego is big enough." Nudging him with her foot she sighed tugging on his ear. "Come on let's go home before you do something stupid." Smirking he snagged the back of her shirt pulling her down beside him.
"No, you stay here. And at least I'm wouldn't leave you at the shrine if I was going away for a week with a damn bastard snake that tried to rape you." Groaning in an over exaggerated way the goddess slumped forward resting her head on her hand. A silver fluffy thing landed in her lap as she yawned. Running her hands through it she flicked her tail 'accidentally' hitting him in the back of the head with it.
" never go anywhere but here, and I don't wanna know what happens. 2. Do you really think if I had a choice I would take Mizuki? No. 3. Yes scales did try but I took care of it before he could. Now he has a real mate to be. 4. It's a god meeting you'd be more bored than I will be." Taking note of the now silent Tanuki girls listening in she stood still holding his tail. That alone earned her mutters from the ever growing crowd. "Now get off your ass, Foxy. I have to leave first thing in the morning." Pouting the kitsune followed suit wobbling. Dropping his tail to wrap his arm around her shoulders she snickered. "I'm really glad you're so short, this would be hard if you took after Akki." Staring at her with half lidded eyes he purred twinning his tail around hers. Gasps where heard from everyone in the room watching. Such behavior was reserved for kitsune life mates. Stopping shortly to say goodbye to Mizutama the two foxes slowly made their way towards the front of the shop. Sitting her familiar on a cushion the god turned to the Neko and Mizutama. "Does he do this every time he's here?"
"No normally he has his fun, drinks a little and goes to sleep. He didn't even seem interested in the girls this time." Shaking her head she caught her breath before trying to support the heavier fox again. It was gonna take them a while to get home if she had to stop every few feet to rest. Damn her failing body.
'I have to find Mikage before its too late. At this rate I won't live to see twenty.'
Yea so updates may slow down. Not only am I a full time college student now but I also work 30+ hours a week.
So read, review, enjoy. And if you see a mistake tell me please.