A True Lover's Embrace

The week flew by after that day. It was already Thursday, the 13th. Tomoe was pulling the robes and sheets off the line and flicked the wrinkles away before he put them in the basket, folding them gently, one last time as a familiar.

"Master Tomoe!" A pair of small voices called out as the doors opened.

"What now?" Tomoe answered, not even looking up from the laundry.

"Have you finished your preparations for the ceremony tomorrow? Are you nervous at all?" rapid fire questions from both of them as they came around to Tomoe's face.

"Where did all of these questions come from? You know all the preparations are done. You both were there!"

"Master Tomoe…We're going to miss you and Lady Nanami when you get married tomorrow evening." Onikiri answered.

Tomoe stood there for a moment. He sighed quietly as he put the laundry he had in his hands down into the basket before coming down to their level on the ground. He looked at them dead in the eyes as he spoke.

"I suppose I haven't really thanked you both for staying by me all throughout the years. I will miss you both greatly after tomorrow. Onikiri, Kotetsu. Thank you for being with me up until now. I know it will be hard for you both to handle the shrine with Mikage once I leave, but I know you both will do both me and Mikage proud. Besides, me and Nanami will visit very festival." His voice was calm and understanding.

"You promise?" The both asked as tears welled in their eyes.

"I promise. And do I ever break a promise?"

"No." They answered, holding back sniffles.

He pulled them both into a hug and squeezed gently. They wrapped their little arms around his neck as tears fell onto his shoulders. He smiled small as he embraced them as they cried silently. He knew that this would be one of the many hardships of being with Nanami, leaving his friends in the demon world behind. Granted, he would do it three times over just to be with her, but that doesn't make the parting hurt less.

Mizuki watched from the other side of the door, silently. His arms crossed and his back leaned against the door as he watched the 'Horrible Fox' giving these two tiny wisps a generous hug. Onikiri looked over Tomoe's shoulder and spoke softly.

"Mizuki is watching, Master Tomoe."

"I know. I can't forget his scent, no matter what I do." He chuckled quietly as Mizuki grumbled.

"Shut up, you stupid fox." He replied as he came out of his cover.

Tomoe stood and looked at Mizuki in the eye as the wisps gently released him. Tomoe looked over the snake, noticing he smelled of sake. He then noticed he hand a large jug of sake over his shoulder. Mizuki huffed as he gestured the jug to the fox.

"For you and Lady Nanami. It's my best sake I've been able to make. Consider it a wedding and parting gift to you both."

Tomoe stood and looked at the jug that had the kanji for good luck written all over the side. He smiled as he took the jug.

"Thank you, Mizuki."

"Yeah, yeah. You're still a rotten fox." Mizuki looked away from the sincere look he was given by the fox. It was rare that he'd even see this face, let alone receive it. Mizuki knew if he looked at his face, he would surely start crying and he didn't want to cry anymore. He was slowly getting used to the fact we wouldn't see them every day like this by this time tomorrow, but he knew his mistress and Tomoe would be happier like this than staying with him.

"Tomoe." A voice called from the house. Everyone turned to see Mikage smiling in the doorway. He waved Tomoe inside, as he left into the building. He followed shortly behind, leaving Mizuki and the wisps outside.

"I hate to admit it, but I'm going to miss that fox." Mizuki spoke softly as he looked down at the wisps.

"Yes, it will be very lonely here once they're gone." Onikiri agreed.

"But they will be happy." Kotetsu sighed as he grasped Onikiri and Mizuki's hand. "We must stay strong. For them!" He cheered as a tear slid down his face.

"For Tomoe and Lady Nanami!" They all cheered as tears slid down their faces.

In the other room, across from the garden, Mikage pulled Tomoe into his chambers and closed that door behind him. Tomoe knew that this must be how the ceremony to turn him human. He looked at Mikage as he sat down in from of Tomoe. Tomoe sat down as well. Mikage smiled as he looked at Tomoe.

"Tomorrow is the day. Are you nervous?" He asked in his calm voice.

"No. I've been ready for this day for a long while." He responded.

"No regrets?"

"None. I want this as much as I want to live and breathe, Mikage."

"What will you do once you are wed?"

"What's with all the questions?" Tomoe asked.

"I just want to make sure you both are thinking of the future. Are you both saving up for a home? What will you do for work? How will you provide for Nanami and your child if you choose to have one?"

"I have plenty of money to at least get us started at an apartment complex. I know it won't be luxurious in the slightest, but it's a roof over our heads. And I have already started putting in applications for businesses around the area. A few said after the honeymoon, they'd want to speak with me." Tomoe looked determined to make things work in the human world. He knows how they work, but living like one of them was new to him and I'm sure it is going to be new for Nanami as well.

"I see. Well, I know it's not much, but I hope you will accept my gift." Mikage pulled out a small hand purse and handed to Tomoe. He looked inside the bag. His eyes went wide and looked back at Mikage.

"Are you sure you want to give me,"

"There's almost 50,000 yen in there. Use it wisely." Mikage interrupted. (50,000 yen equals around 440 US dollars)

Tomoe looked at the land god's face and nodded as he bowed his head in respect and gratitude. They heard a small knock at the door. Tomoe turned his ears and head toward the door.

"It's Mizuki." He said as Mizuki called from the other side of the door.

"Dinner is ready."

"We'll be there in a moment. Thank you Mizuki." Mikage called to him. Tomoe heard his footsteps fade as he turned his attention back to Mikage.

"Tomoe, after your wedding ceremony tomorrow, the other gods and I will turn you into a human and once we're done, you'll be at the hot springs with Nanami. Understand?"

"I understand." Tomoe's head hung down and his voice was soft. Mikage looked at the fox demon in front of him and smiled small as he came closer to him, before wrapping his arms around the demon. Tomoe's body shook slightly, before the wet tears hit to tatami mats and his tail wrapped around Mikage's legs, like a blanket.

"Mikage…even after all this time when you were gone…I am still grateful that you took me in…gave me purpose…a home. You lead me back to Nanami…Words can't describe how…how I happy I am to have served under you." Tomoe's voice was broken as he cried into Mikage's robes and chest. "Thank you." He broke into sobs as those words passed his lips.