A couple quiet hours passed by as the sun had nearly set over the horizon. Light bird chirping happened outside Momiji and Kasumi's home, where Ayane had slept peacefully in the shrine maiden's absence. The nap would likely throw off Ayane's body clock as she was a stickler for being on schedule, but she couldn't ignore the fact she hadn't had dinner yet. Fortunately, the nap she was taking helped pass time as the shrine maiden was still out gathering ingredients for that night's meal.
Ayane continued to sleep peacefully, with dreams of her and Momiji reuniting with Kasumi and spending time with her ninja lovers. Ayane's mind also recalled the events of the day she shared with the raven-haired girl, adoring the presence of the Hayabusa prodigy in her heart. Ayane also dreamed more about Momiji as her memories with the maiden jumped around; from many lovemaking sessions with Momiji to training to going on missions to attending different celebrations, gatherings, days out with the Dragoness to even going back to the first time Momiji admitted her feelings to Ayane that fateful night when the butterfly turned away all the would-be "suitors" that wanted Ayane for themselves, leading to the two kunoichi having their first kiss and makeout session, elevating their relationship beyond mentor and apprentice to Ayane becoming Momiji's precious kunoichi mistress.
However, Ayane's mind was a mine field of the good and bad memories of her life, sometimes interrupting each other leading to Ayane have the rare, but tiresome bad night's sleep. But she couldn't turn her attention away from the negativity when it caught her focus, a bad memory would linger in her mind for long periods of time if she allowed herself to let it fester. A past that would traumatize many a normal human did strengthen Ayane's mental fortitude, but contributed to why her personality was so crass to those that weren't part of Ayane's inner circle of trust, whether they were friend or foe.
Tonight, unfortunately, would be one such night for the butterfly, as her dreams began to be assaulted by her recent memories of people from both villages harassing, name-calling and insulting her surfaced. The penetrations were minor at first, but the mental attacks grew over time, entering her wholesome dreams randomly and without warning, like she was living a PTSD episode.
While Ayane herself wasn't susceptible to such trauma (her training and upbringing trained her well to be used to bloodshed and violence that left her a stoic, strong but often heartless warrior who knew how to detach her emotions from a major situation), these random attacks grew more and more… So much that it started to make Ayane flinch minorly in her sleep.
Ayane began to let out small noises of pain as her memories of the villagers began to overtake her dreams, slowly washing them away. Even with Momiji defending her from the mob came to mind, Ayane couldn't stop her listening to their heart-piercing words.
"No…" She said quietly, as her body twitched in small doses.
The butterfly rolled from her side to her back, as her cries grew louder as Ayane could hear the name-calling and judgemental words the villagers hurled at her relentlessly.
"No…" She said a little louder, her smile long gone.
Ayane put her hands on her closed eyes before rolling to her other side as she twitched more noticeably. The lavender-haired girl's sounds grew more as she continued to roll around more.
"Cursed… Freak… Tengu… ABOMINATION."
"Stop it." Ayane cried, putting her hands on her head. But nothing could stop the insults from coming into her mind, making her the only person who could hear the people's horrible words.
"She doesn't belong here!... We can't trust her… That girl is a menace!"
"Stop it! Stop it!" Ayane cried louder, moving around more.
The silent noises were too much for her to ignore, as Ayane rolled onto her knees, her hands over her ears as if she could hear them in the very house she was alone in.
"Shut up… Shut up!" She started yelling aggressively as the voices grew louder.
Ayane got on her knees and rocked back and forth; eyes shut tight while she still covered her ears.
"Shut up, shut up, shut up! Leave me alone!" Ayane yelled louder.
"I'm not a freak! I'm a proud ninja! Stop calling me names!"
Ayane rocked faster as the noises grew louder, almost convinced she couldn't escape the phantom remarks plaguing her mind.
"Shut UP! Stop it already! I can't… I can't take anymore, please!" She almost begged.
"Ayane… my sister…" A familiar soft voice entered her mind suddenly.
Ayane gasped, knowing the voice. "Ka… Kasumi?"
"They were wrong… YOU'RE the traitor…. For being born as the hideous creature that you turned out. You're our clan's worst experiment. An insult to the family name… A monster… What a joke." It reprimanded her callously.
Ayane's face scrunched at the voice with rage filling her body.
"SHUUUUUT UUUUUUUUUP!" She roared.
Somehow, in her literal blind rage, Ayane grabbed her sheathed kodachi and slashed at the air.
She didn't notice her first horizontal slash graze the wooden wall when she grunted at her strike… but she was finally jolted out of her rage when the second slash collided deeper in the wall.
Ayane gasped and noticed what she did, finally opening her eyes, and fell back onto her butt making her blades drop from her hands. The frightened kunoichi scurried back until her back hit the opposite wall. Ayane panted seeing the noticeable scratch, shocked at her action. It was clear Ayane did have anger issues because of her upbringing, which lead to a short fuse that could make her lose her temper if provoked easily. But she never raged in her sleep before, let alone lose control of herself in the manner she did. The fear of hearing her sister's voice insult her made Ayane snap without rationally thinking.
Ayane saw one blade on the bed but the other had fell onto the ground. She panted a little more taking in the scene before slowly raising a shaking hand to look at.
She stared at it, bewildered at herself before raising the other to see her shaking hands. Ayane panted seeing herself shake, whether it was from fear or anger she couldn't determine. Whatever it was, she didn't like it. Maybe it was fear because of hearing those voices worm into her mind, or anger from hearing her usually soft sister demean her even though she knew Kasumi never had the heart to talk to the purple kunoichi in that fashion, either as allies or enemies. Kasumi was many things… Judgemental wasn't one of them.
Ayane panted as she looked at her hands a little more… then dove her face into them, covering herself in shame as she tried to make herself fight the tears that stung her eyes.
"…I'm a monster." She solemnly said with a shaky voice.
Ayane kept her face in her hands for a couple minutes, as she sat along with her thoughts while the horizon's orange setting slowly disappeared to allow the night to take over.
"They're right… I don't belong here. I'm a threat to my clan… To my sister… My friends… I can't… I can't be with them…" Her thoughts repeated.
Ayane put her hands on the bed as she got on all fours, looking at the white bed with scared eyes.
"I'm not worthy… I'm not worthy…" She repeated.
Ayane kept her gaze on the bed, her mind wrapped with guilty thoughts swirling in her head. Somehow, she managed to slowly look up to see the blade still on the bed near the pillow. The kunoichi crawled slowly to grab it and scanned it with her eyes before sitting on the bed's edge, making her heels plant on the ground as she looked down at the floor.
Ayane slowly remembered the last time she felt so defeated. This horrible feeling of thinking she let everyone down… When she thought she let Hayate down.
Ayane recalled the day well: She thought she lost her brother's trust at one point, and tried to take her own life before her mother, Ayame, found and consoled the butterfly kunoichi.
This time, Ayane felt like she really had no reason to live. She took another look at the blade she held and gripped the handle tightly. She put the blade in her lap and mentally prepared herself to commit the ultimate act in restoring honor to her family name and clan.
"Okay… this time… You can't chicken out. For anyone or anything. They all hate you… Just do it. One strike… and it can all end… I can… I can finally sleep. With no more people giving you a hard time just for existing."
She slowly raised the blade with both hands and pointed it at her throat after raising her head with shut eyes.
"It's what they want… Don't let them down." She tried convincing herself.
She slowly made the blade's point get closer to her neck until it was inches away. Ayane panted a little at the thought of taking her own life, feeling her will to live hold her back making her hands shake.
"I can do this… I can do this…" She told herself through her panicking pants.
With one last raise of her head, Ayane pulled the blade back, clinching her teeth…
Held the blade in place for a few moments longer…
And dropped her hands with a disgusting groan, leaning over holding the weapon in her left hand.
"Dammit! I'm such a wimp!" She berated herself, covering one eye with a hand.
Ayane panted from relief she didn't take her own life, but she felt like she was insulting someone by cowering out.
"Coward… You're such a coward!" She said further, rocking back and forth.
The blade shook in her hand for a moment. Whether it was the gods or the people she knew that upheld the shinobi code, Ayane felt she was insulting somebody by being alive but she was readying herself into trying again.
But before she could attempt once more…
"I'm hoooooooooome~."
Ayane knew that singsong voice instantly. She straightened up to see Momiji entering through the door into her home. She quickly turned around to close it, proud of the food she had gathered from helping out other villagers tend to the gardens before the sun began setting.
"I got some good produce while I was out. If you like, we can cook some… thi…" Momiji's happy voice trailed off as she saw Ayane.
The ninja girls remained in silence for a moment as Momiji wondered why Ayane was holding one of her blades. Ayane followed Momiji's gaze to her hand holding the weapon and she got up, scooping up her other blade off the ground in a swift motion to hold it pointing at Momiji, while she moved the other blade close to her neck horizontally.
"Don't. Move." Ayane almost commanded.
Momiji saw Ayane walk to the small wooden roundtable in the center of the room and got on it, still keeping her blades in their positions.
"Don't come near me… I-IIIII'll do it!" Ayane said with a little panicking tone in her partially nervous voice.
Momiji slowly placed her basket on the ground with a concerned look on her face, as she raised her arms up slowly while her hands slowly still faced the floor, making Ayane shift nervously, fidgeting with her pointing blade. too.
"Ayane… Whatever you're going through… This isn't the answer." Momiji said calmly.
"Don't tell me how to deal with this!" Ayane yelled. "You don't know me!... Nobody knows what I'm going through!"
"Ayane-sama… Please…" Momiji said keeping her calm tone as she inched forward.
"Don't! Stay right there!" Ayane warned, putting the other blade closer to her neck.
Momiji stopped, knowing she was caught. "I'm not moving. Don't worry."
"But please… don't do this."
"Or what? You're gonna take these from me?!" Ayane warned. "I dare you if you can get close enough!"
Momiji had pride in her skill as a fighter, but she felt Ayane could outmatch her. Knowing her mistress had been at her peak as a kunoichi seemingly since her childhood, Momiji felt she couldn't wrestle Ayane to the ground if her life depended on it. 9 out of 10 times, Ayane would liklye best the shrine maiden in a fight of any kind.
"Ayane… I don't want to fight you. I… I don't think I can beat you even if I was at my best." She admitted.
"Ha! Where's your pride?! No kunoichi worth their salt would ever admit that! You sound so ridiculous!" Ayane insulted.
"With all due respect, Mistress…" Momiji said, inching forward slowly again.
"I'm not the one standing on our dining table with a kodachi held to her neck… Or pointing the other one at one of her lovers." She joked with a small smile.
Ayane admitted inside that Momiji had a point: No matter what the circumstances were that lead to this situation happening… she did look pretty ridiculous in the moment.
In fact, after absorbing Momiji's words, Ayane chuckled showing her own smile.
"Yeah… you got a point." She said in a surprisingly casual fashion.
Momiji chuckled as well, while continuing to inch forward.
Ayane's smile, however, quickly disappeared as she shook her head seeing through Momiji's trick.
"Hey! Don't change the subject! I'm not playing around!" She reinforced, pressing the blade on her neck while firmly pointing the other weapon at her apprentice.
"Ayane..." Momiji said, taking a couple small steps before stopping in place.
"Please… talk to me. Tell me what you're thinking." She said with her hands on her heart.
"I made a vow to you before: I would always be the rock you need. The shoulder to cry on if you needed someone to talk to. Don't you remember my promise?" She asked.
"Please, Mistress… Let me hear your worries. As a friend. If not, the only friend you can rely on in this world. Even if its just for this moment."
Ayane felt her hands shaking again, hearing Momiji's plea as her face relaxed. Momiji nodded with a warm, caring smile. The one that Ayane always saw from Kasumi or her mother on the rare occasion when she could finally let down her guard, bearing the scared, shy, frightened little girl inside her tough warrior exterior. Ayane was just another maiden at heart wanting to find her place in the world where she didn't want to be shunned because of her life circumstances. No matter how much she tried to fight it… the butterfly couldn't lie to herself, let alone to one of her most trusted comrades.
"…It's not fair. Every day I'm badmouthed just for living. I feel trapped outside and inside. In my head, I fight a constant battle whether or not I should slaughter my own village… Or if I should end myself. I thought I could make it up to everyone by one day becoming the leader of my whole clan. Then, I can finally fit in!... But that won't happen. No one wants me around… No one wants me alive… No one loves me. I'd be better off dead!"
Momiji listened carefully to every word pouring out of her mistress, as she digested just how much pain Ayane was really living with. Even she underestimated the mental damage the butterfly kunoichi had suffered.
"Ayane…" Was all Momiji could muster with a heartbroken voice.
"They all had it better when Kasumi was around! Dammit, I even WANTED to bring my sister back to her family if I could become leader! But how can I make those things happen when I'm a living burden to everyone I meet?!" Ayane continued.
"Ayane… please…" Momiji tried speaking up.
"Well… Everyone will get their wish!" Ayane proclaimed before pushing her blade to her neck once more.
"I hope this world BURNS after I'm gone!" The butterfly cursed.
"AYANE, DON'T! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE US!" Momiji painfully cried out, stretching a hand to her mistress.
Ayane froze in place with wide eyes. She saw the shrine maiden bend over, shaking and hearing Momiji's voice choke up fighting back sobs. The raven-haired girl dropped to her knees, finally understanding Ayane's pain… and how much her mistress truly meant to her.
"…Don't leave me." She finally said after a few quiet moments.
Ayane stared in disbelief, seeing the usually composed Momiji continuing to hang her head as her hands touched the floor. Tears from Momiji's eyes hit the floor after letting out her desperate plea. She gripped the wooly floor continuing to sob quietly with shut eyes while her tears continued to escape.
"Don't fly away from me, Mistress Ayane… There's so much… *sob*…. I still want to learn from you. I don't want you to go away. You still matter to everyone… You still matter to me." Momiji pleaded out, bowing on the spot.
"I can't continue my journey alone… Not without you. I can't lose anyone else. I can't lose you like Kureha! For once… I want to save somebody when I have the chance. Ayane…" Momiji said after lifting herself up and drying her tears with her hands.
"Please… let me save you."
Ayane blinked in confusion as she saw Momiji wipe her eyes some more with the back of her hands. Momiji then crouched on the floor, putting her hands over her heart.
"Mistress… I'm sorry… For underestimating your pain. But you are loved. Think about all the people that still like you. Think about Hitomi, the girl who loves sparring with you and Master Hayate… Think about Master Ryu, you're one of his closest allies… Think about Mai… About Rachel… About Marie and her pink-haired friend… Lady Helena would be devastated… Kasumi… she and I would never be the same without you. You fulfill our lives like very few can."
Momiji raised her head with pleading, shining eyes.
"Ayane… We still love you… I still love you. I'll never give up on you. I hope to someday reach your level so I can prove myself as a worthy kunoichi for both our clans. I still want to aide you whenever you need help. I'll miss our talks… our missions together… our training days… the times where you're not afraid to show me your most intimate self. If you're gone… not even Kasumi-chan would fill the hole in my heart if you die. Don't take away my dearest friend, please!"
Momiji begged with the most heartfelt words she could muster. She did her best to fight off more tears, even though a few escaped. Ayane was stunned at how much Momiji bared her soul. She also couldn't get the pose Momiji made out of her mind; the one she made on the same day Momiji confessed her love to Ayane after she had turned away all the would-be suitors in her village.
Momiji wiped her face before getting up. She boldly stepped forward, making Ayane raise her blade at her again out of reflex. The butterfly shook slightly as Momiji stopped and placed her hands on her chest again.
"Ayane-sama… It's not too late. Your life still has value. It means something to a lot of people. Don't you want your story to keep going?" She asked.
"My… my story?" Ayane asked back.
Momiji nodded, showing a small, caring smile once more.
"You're the author of your own life. Yes, destiny didn't give you the best hand to deal with, but you made something of yourself despite those circumstances. I know you've inspired people even if you think you don't."
Momiji took a few steps forward, stopping near the table as Ayane kept her kodachi pointed at her.
"You inspire me every day. I want to become someone you can be proud of, and spread your teachings to more hopefuls one day. You inspire Hitomi with your skill. That blonde boy, Eliot. You inspire him as the warrior he can become some day. And what about Marie and that pink-haired girl? They look up to you so much by how much they're with you when we're at the islands."
Ayane slowly lowered her blade, hearing Momiji reason with her. The maiden felt she was getting closer to reaching to her mistress again.
"Don't rob the world of your life. Those who look up to you will be lost if you're not around. I would be lost. Kasumi… I can only fear how she would handle your death, after how much time you two spent fighting each other before you made up. Lady Helena… think about her feelings. I don't think she could move losing another close person in her life. Forget the villagers, they don't know you like we do."
Ayane lowered her blade, staring at Momiji with confused eyes.
"Momiji…" She uttered.
Ayane felt the blade's handle slip out of her hands, hitting the table. Momiji saw the weapon and scooped it up, holding it in her hands.
"You're a symbol of hope, Mistress. A light that shines like no other." She said, looking down at the blade.
"I can tell you'll still you great things that could change the world for the better. Your story… I think you still have a lot more to write down." Momiji continued before looking up.
"Am I getting through to you, Mistress?" Please… give me an answer. Any one will do."
Ayane slowly nodded, making Momiji smile a little wider. She put the blade on the ground under the table and motioned if she could join Ayane standing on the table. Ayane looked down then back at Momiji, then stepped back a couple inches. Momiji got on the table slowly and held Ayane's free hand.
"You are so beautiful, Ayane-sama. Not just outside, but inside, too. I understand you have your demons, too, but you don't have to let them define you." Momiji said, rubbing Ayane's gauntlet with her thumb.
"I can only hope to shine as bright as you. I think you would be a strong leader if you got the chance. I've seen it already when you lead our team on missions. The world could benefit from that, you could change how things are done in our clan. You would be an even bigger role model if that happened." Momiji said, slowly lowering the blade on Ayane's neck with her fingers.
"And remember… you are loved. By me… by Kasumi… By Lady Helena… and many others." Momiji said calmly, brushing Ayane's bangs aside.
"I think you need a reminder of how much we… I, love you." The maiden suggested.
She placed her other hand on Ayane's cheek softly, rubbing it with her thumb in small circles. Ayane adored the ticklish feel inside but still remained stoic with a neutral looking facial expression.
"May I, Mistress"? Momiji asked, smiling as she traced her finger on Ayane's bottom lip before pulling her finger down and away from the soft surface.
She saw Ayane nod slightly, and Momiji smiled again, mouthing "Thank you" before slowly pressing her lips on Ayane's.
Both girls closed their eyes as they felt their lips gently collided in a slow, affectionate kiss. A tradition they shared when greeting or parting ways. They relished every chance they tasted the other's soft lips in the past, whether they were fooling around or sharing a private intimate moment. This one, however, felt like the most important one of all the butterfly and dragoness shared.
They relished feeling the other's tongue tangle with the other's slowly and biting the inner flesh whenever they could. After a lengthy minute, Momiji gently broke the kiss, pulling at some of Ayane's flesh a little as they took in the taste of the other girl. Momiji smiled, thinking if Ayane did commit suicide at this moment, she was happy to share one last kiss with her mistress.
"I hope I got through to you, Ayane…" Momiji said opening her eyes before looking down at the blade the purple kunoichi still held.
"But if you still think going through with this will help you find your eternal sleep… I won't stop you."
Ayane opened her eyes after the haze of the kiss passed, but felt Momiji move her hand holding the blade… And saw the maiden pointing her weapon at her throat.
"I only want what's best for you, but this is still your choice. I just wanted to speak my piece." Momiji said before moving the point of the blade closer to her throat. Ayane looked on, shocked at what she was seeing.
"If even killing me will help you, if for a little bit… I'll accept my fate. I won't hold it against you, Mistress."
Ayane couldn't bear the thought of hurting Momiji, but killing her was the last thing she wanted to do. This was only her problem, she felt. Bringing in other people was something she wanted to avoid.
Momiji closed her eyes, mentally preparing herself for the most gruesome fate possible. She visualized the scenario of Ayane pulling her close for the kodachi piercing her robe and flesh underneath, dying in her mistress's hands over and over quickly, knowing she tried but failed in reaching Ayane.
But to her inner relief… nothing happened.
When she opened her eyes again, she saw Ayane just stare at her, like she was out of her mind putting her own life at stake. Momiji smiled, then stepped off the table.
"It's up to you. You can end it all here and now…" Momiji said before stretching her hand out.
"Or continue to walk this path of life… With me and all your loved ones by your side." The maiden finished with a hopeful smile.
Ayane just stared at Momiji for the longest time, almost like she was seeing through her into the empty space. Momiji felt Ayane's lifeless gaze pierce her, but she wouldn't budge. All she could do was hope.
The girls stood… and waited…
And waited…
And waited for what felt like an eternity.
Ayane slowly digested Momiji's words in her mind repeatedly, trying to process what the shrine maiden was saying. She visualized in her empty-headed like state the faces of all those people Momiji mentioned.
Eliot… Hitomi… Marie and Honoka… All showed beaming smiles to Ayane in the past, holding inspired looks on their faces.
Ryu and her brother Hayate… The two strongest ninjas she knew, and was honored to be their comrade.
Mai… the bouncy Shiranui kunoichi queen she had an… "aggressively playful" rapport with.
Rachel… the sultry leathered fiend huntress who was one of Ayane's most trusted allies… and lovers in the past, along with Mai. She remembered with beautiful faces and smiles, too, along with how seductive she was in particular with Rachel for years beforehand.
Then came two very important flashes… Kasumi. The sister she had been a long-time enemy to. Her heart warmed seeing the redhead's uplifting, charming smile, making Ayane put a hand on her chest. All she desired was giving Kasumi the biggest hug she could muster, just as an apology for all the grief she gave to the ninja princess.
And finally… Ayame appeared. Ayane slightly gasped at herself, seeing the beaming motherly smile of the woman she still worshipped, even from afar. The woman who she thought for a time was disgusted to see how her own daughter turned out was probably the biggest supporting presence in her life, Kasumi notwithstanding.
"Ayane… it's not your fault you turned out this way." Ayame seemingly said.
"Muh… Mother? Ayane thought.
"It's not your fault." The matriarch said again.
Then, Kasumi walked in next to her mother with that charming smile and repeated their mother's words.
"It's not your fault, sister. We're proud of you, Ayane." Kasumi said as Ayame hugged her firstborn daughter from the side.
"I'm proud of you." Kasumi said with a hand on her heart.
Ayane kept hearing the words, "It's not your fault", repeated at her until she saw the vision of her family slowly disappear until…
Ayane finally snapped out of her gaze and saw Momiji, still with her hand outstretched.
"It's not your fault." Momiji said.
"It's not your fault, Mistress."
Ayane looked at Momiji, then at the sword in her hand… finally realizing what she could've done.
The butterfly covered her mouth, tears suddenly welling up.
"Oh god." She said, scared at what she'd almost driven herself to do.
She took a couple steps back, but Momiji saw her hand lean the blade forward, thinking Ayane was telling her to take it away. The raven-haired girl grabbed Ayane's wrist and took the handle of the blade with the other, breathing a small sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Ayane took her hand off her mouth and looked at it, then looked at her other hand. She balled up her fist and put it on her chest, putting her other hand on her throat, stepping forward a little scared at what could've happened.
After realizing what went down, the butterfly's eyes filled with water and all Ayane's voice broke out a heartfelt "I'm sorry", apologizing before hiding her face in her hands crying into them.
Momiji, who had put the other kodachi under the table, repeated the words that she felt Ayane needed to hear.
"It's not your fault."
"I… I know." Ayane muffled in her hands, amidst the crying and sniffling.
"It's not your fault." Momiji repeated.
She stretched out hand again, following up with, "Come here."
Ayane took her hands off her face, stepping forward reaching a hand out for Momiji to help her off the table and felt the shrine maiden embrace her tightly.
"You're safe now, dear. "It's not your fault." Momiji said.
Ayane's cries only increased as she bawled loudly in Momiji's shoulder. The girls fell to their knees and Momiji cradled the back of Ayane's head while rubbing her back with the other.
"Shhhhhhhhhhh, it's okay. "It's not your fault." Momiji repeated.
Momiji could hear Ayane's voice burst out heartfelt wails while she shushed her mistress gently. She kept repeating those words whether Ayane kept repeating "I'm sorry" or continued to wail into her robe while rocking back and forth.
Momiji kissed the side of Ayane's head while holding the butterfly, then thought to untie the front of her robe so Ayane could hug her garb underneath, feeling the warmth of the maiden's body while Momiji cloaked Ayane's body as best as she could. Momiji never had a problem crying along with someone, feeling that would help their sorrow. But Momiji relented this time, feeling she needed to be the rock Ayane leaned on in the past.
After trying to calm Ayane down, Momiji repeated "It's not your fault" one more time before adding on more words…
"…Screw them." She said softly but boldly, referring to the villagers who harassed the purple kunoichi before.
"They don't know you. Okay?" Momiji said.
Ayane slowly got better after a couple hours when they moved to the bed Ayane slept on earlier. Momiji had since discarded the robe to hold Ayane in her ninja garb and her hair loose of its ponytail. Ayane held Momiji around the stomach, looking off into space with one fear-filled eye staring into the distance and the other half of her face buried in Momiji's stomach. Momiji held Ayane's face from her cheek, rubbing it while holding a warm, caring smile. She continued to speak soothingly to the troubled butterfly as she still heard Ayane choke up a little from time to time. Momji also stroke and ran her hand through Ayane's hair to calm her down even more, leaving Ayane's bandana at the maiden's side behind Ayane. Ayane almost cradled in a fetal position, letting a tear shed before burying the rest of her face into Momiji's stomach
Momiji gasped as the sudden movement, but her smile never lost her face as she held the back of Ayane's head and patted the butterfly kunoichi gently before rubbing the back of Ayane's head. Ayane moved her face from side to side, like she was using Momiji to rub whatever tears continued to sting her eyes.
After another 20 minutes, Ayane finally lifted her face off Momiji and rubbed her eyes. Momiji held a rag for Ayane to take and blow into before drying her eyes. Momiji patted Ayane's head one more time asking if she felt better. Ayane, after wiping her face, finally looked at Momiji and nodded, thanking her for helping her calm down.
"Stay here for the night." Momiji offered.
Ayane nodded, knowing it was very late outside anyway. Ayane thanked her lover again before Momiji cupped her face with both hands and gave her mistress another affectionate kiss. After, Ayane noticed the scratch she made earlier and reached over Momiji's shoulder to trace part of it not behind the raven-haired girl's head. Momiji saw where Ayane's hand and finally noticed the scratch, then looked at Ayane.
"Don't worry about it. Just help me make dinner." Momiji said.
Ayane looked at Momiji with some worry in her eyes, but nodded again.
To make sure Ayane still wouldn't do anything drastic with any kitchen utensils, they agreed for Momiji to handle most of the cooking. Ayane did chip whenever Momiji needed her help and they used up all of the food Momiji found earlier in the day to make the food. Ayane and Momiji couldn't help exchanging pecks on the other's cheek while cooking, giggling during their fun. Ayane also held Momiji from behind, kissing her shoulder while watch Momiji cook when her help wasn't needed.
Once the food was made, the two kunoichi girls took turns feeding each other at the dinner table, giggling some more while enjoying the food. Ayane at one point got her bandana to blindfold Momiji and play a guessing game. It wasn't really hard for Momiji to win at since she knew what she used to make dinner, but she didn't expect for the game to end with Ayane cupping her face and giving her a loving kiss. Nonetheless, Momiji wasted no time to return the lip lock after recovering, twirling tongues and moaning softly all the while.
Once the kiss broke, Momiji had to praise those luscious lips she tasted.
"Mmmm, soft… playful… aggressive and strong, too."
Ayane smiled as she saw Momiji take off her bandana and showed a smile of her own, then playfully gasped.
"Why, it's the lips of my favorite butterfly!" Momiji said before hugging Ayane.
The girls then shared another loving kiss after Momiji held Ayane's cheek again, glad to see the butterfly feeling better.
Even though they were in the middle of the night, they finally decided to go to sleep after helping each other strip down to their naked selves. They cuddled under the sheets, sharing small talk before falling asleep. Ayane couldn't help thinking Momiji shared similarities with her mother, feeling a little jealous of what Kasumi had in a wife. But she still remembered the chance of Kasumi and Momiji could expand their marriage one day, keeping her chance of officially marrying Ayane alive. Meanwhile, Momiji continued to think of Ayane as the strong ninja warrior that inspired her endlessly, also thinking of the "what if" scenario she and Kasumi can make Ayane another wife.
The ninjas would then wake up early to greet the sunrise, as Momiji held Ayane from behind around her neck looking at the rising sun together. As they looked on at the sun, Ayane turned her head to Momiji.
"Momiji… I don't care if we ever get married or not… I'm blessed to know you."
"Ayane-sama… It is an honor to be your friend… and so much more." Momiji replied.
The ninjas shared a loving morning kiss, softly making out as the sun continued to rise into the sky for another bright day.
Epilogue
Kasumi's excursion was taking a little longer than the other ninja girls expected, so they thought of traveling to the Venus Islands to get away from the villages for a while. Kasumi finally got to send a letter to Momiji and Ayane, exciting them both that they finally got to hear from their favorite redhead. They were informed that Kasumi would be gone for a little longer than estimated, but Helena would make sure she would be back for Kasumi and Momiji's anniversary. Momiji and Ayane thought to spend some time relaxing so they wouldn't be stressed when their ninja princess returned.
The butterfly and dragoness had Kasumi on their minds since, so it was convenient that Ayane found a magazine with her sister on the front at the resort. She found herself engrossed reading through it sitting near a pier's edge with her feet in the water, looking in detail about Kasumi's promoted appearance for the upcoming King of Fighters tournament as a special guest.
Ayane was looking into an exclusive interview the redhead got to do, seeing scans of her precious sister sitting and wearing a pink shirt with straps and a sheer fabric layer, a pink bra, denim hot pants, a pair of sneakers, two bracelets on her left wrist and two bangles on her right. Kasumi was excited to represent DOATEC and the DOA brand in the tournament, showing her charming smile with her hands on her lap in one scan and a closed-eye one with a head tilt in another. Ayane was also excited, due to her being able to go as a "second" for Kasumi (someone who was a supporter for the fighter).
Ayane rolled her eyes reading the excerpts, totally hearing Kasumi give these "goody two-shoes" answers in her mind, but she knew that was Kasumi staying true to herself. Ayane adored her favorite princess's appearance in the magazine, hoping she would get to see her sister again soon.
"Ayane-saaaaan!" She heard a voice calling out.
The butterfly lifted her sunglasses that had red frames around their oval shapes, closing and putting down the magazine.
She saw Misaki, the owner's assistant, and her friend Nanami in their usual clothing approach her seeing the latter holding a camera.
"What is it, you two?" Ayane asked, not liking to be disturbed during her vacation.
"Owner-san wants to have a calendar for next year made featuring pictures of the Venus goddesses." Misaki said.
"'Owner?' Don't you mean "Miss Elise" or something like that? I heard we got a new boss." Ayane replied in her usual sassy way.
"Oh! Yeah, right. I'm still getting used to that." Misaki said embarrassingly, rubbing the back of her head.
"It won't take that long." Nanami said, showing the camera with a hand gripping it.
"We only need one for now, but we might need more later."
"A picture? That's all you need?" Ayane asked.
As much as she didn't like be disturbed… she loved showing her body off.
"Well then…" The butterfly said, getting into position.
"Just make sure you get my good side… I only have one." She said with a wink.
Nanami smiled and nodded as Misaki giggled, loving Ayane's abrasive yet confident attitude.
Ayane leaned back putting a hand on the wooden pier and held her glasses over her eyes, but hidden behind her hair. The butterfly showed her shiny white teeth, giving her best smile as she proudly displayed her body.
Ayane wore a black and red bikini with the black on the bikini and the red on the outline of the piece. The top showed two hands groping the top where Ayane's busty breasts laid under, with the left cup of the top covering a red kanji character that read "wind" underneath the hand. The piece represented Ayane well: tough, bold, brazen and showed her cocky attitude well.
Nanami snapped the kunoichi's pose with flash photography, but it didn't bother Ayane one bit. If there was one thing she loved doing during vacation, it was the photoshoots.
Nanami checked the photo and said it was perfect, with Ayane replying, "I know", showing that attitude once again. Misaki and Nanami bowed and thanked the ninja girl before leaving to continue their photo-taking task.
Ayane then reached down to take a sip from her lemonade glass, but realized it was empty.
"Damn. All out." She said a little disappointed, shaking it lightly.
"Hmph, I guess Kasumi made me thirstier than I thought." Ayane joked to herself, chuckling a little.
But right on cue, she heard the voice of an angel she loved very well. Ayane turned around to see Momiji, wearing the same bikini but in blue-and-red colors instead (with most of the piece in blue or dark-shaded blue with the hands in bright blue and the left cup showing the same kanji character underneath) holding two more cups of sweet lemonade.
"Right on cue, Momiji." Ayane said, showing her empty glass.
Momiji, showing her loving smile the whole time, walked to then got on her knees to give Ayane her glass.
"Glad to make good time, Mistress." Momiji said.
Ayane put down the empty glass near the magazine and took the new full one from Momiji and they clinked glasses before drinking. Both girls sighed, loving the cool feel of the lemonade going down. Ayane and Momiji exchanged smiles, with Momiji tilting her head closing her eyes, adoring Ayane's happiness and mimicking Kasumi's head tilt by accident.
Momiji giggled as Ayane love seeing the cute shrine maiden beam with happiness, a far cry from the emotional event that went down days prior. Momiji opened her eyes to see Ayane tap her own bottom lip with her finger and Momiji nodded, knowing the signal all too well.
The girls showed how close in sync they were, as they took sips from their drinks then exchanged a lemon-flavored kiss, tangling tongues fighting for dominance. The kunoichi made out almost making their lip lock as hot as the sun itself, moaning passionately from tasting their partner.
Both girls fought for control for almost a couple minutes, breaking off the kiss at the same time for air and smiling loving the latest tongue hockey session they shared. Ayane was a little surprised that Momiji kept up with her the whole time. She normally took control asserting herself but Momiji was ready to show she won't be underestimated. Strange enough… Ayane liked it. She felt a little proud of Momiji for fighting back.
"That… was wonderful." Ayane panted.
She cupped Momiji's cheek and stared into her beautiful hazel eyes.
"Thank you… for sharing that with me… Momiji. I appreciated that." Ayane said gratefully.
"It's an honor… to always… share a kiss… with you, Mistress." Momiji humbly replied.
Ayane smiled and gave the precious kunoichi another kiss, biting her lip for a moment after.
"I'm glad you came with me on this vacation. It's exactly what we needed." She added.
Momiji nodded, agreeing the vacation they were sharing had helped recharge taking time away from their busy lives.
"It's just what we needed… But I think you have needed this more, Ayane-sama." Momiji said.
Ayane dropped her hand from rubbing Momiji's cheek onto the pier, looking at the ground.
"I can't believe I almost did that." She said solemnly.
The ladies set their glasses aside and Ayane raised her hand and rubbed her neck, almost shuddering at her attempted suicide a few days ago. Momiji straightened up on her knees, twirling her fingers on her lap as Ayane looked away from her still rubbing her throat.
"How could I let those bastards get to me? I almost feel ashamed that you saw that weak side of me." She lamented, putting her hand down on her lap.
"Ayane-sama…" Momiji said, putting a fist to her chest.
"It's fine. I don't think any less of you because of that. Actually… I'm a little glad you bared your soul to me."
Ayane looked back at her apprentice with a little shame on her face.
"But… I'm your mentor. I'm supposed to inspire you. To teach you and you had to see that… pitiful display from me." She reasoned.
"Ayane… It's not wrong of you to show your emotions like that." Momiji said before taking Ayane's hand with both of her own.
"I feel like I understand you more than ever now. Regardless how you acted… the fact is you're still here… Here with me. You didn't let those who despise you win." Momiji replied.
The shrine maiden looked down and scooped up the magazine and turned it to show Ayane.
"Just imagine how happy Kasumi will be to see you again. I don't know how I could've explained to her what happened if you died… But we won't have to worry about that." She said with a smile before putting down the magazine.
Ayane felt Momiji used a hand to rub her arm, still smiling.
"Now we can focus on greeting my anniversary with her… and I want you to be there, too. You're as every part of us being together as Kasumi and myself are. So, stay with me for a little longer, okay?" She asked, tilting her head again.
Ayane's eyes shone a little before closing them for a moment, and opened them eyes to nod firmly. Momiji smiled and leaned closer to kiss Ayane's head over her glasses. Both girls smiled at each other, promising to greet the special day together after Kasumi came back to celebrate with them.
Momiji hugged Ayane around her neck, letting Ayane look forward to hold her arms and look out to the sea. Ayane lamented inside that she should've waited for Momiji to come back to take the picture together, but remembered that they would be more chances. She then made a promise to Momiji to have a photoshoot together while cuddling, and Momiji agreed. The maiden was excited to take part in an event with her beloved mistress and continued chatting a little with Ayane.
They talked about early plans for the anniversary when they got back and wondered how Kasumi and Helena were doing. They also talked about the upcoming trip to the King of Fighters tournament Kasumi and Ayane were going to take. Momiji didn't like having to be separated from her lovers so soon after the anniversary, but they discussed ideas for what she could do when they were away.
As their talks started to slow down while they gradually downed their drinks, Momiji moved her arms down below Ayane's bountiful chest and hugged her mistress close as she sat down to wrap her legs around Ayane. Ayane gasped a little, then sighed loving Momiji's warmth encompass her. She leaned her head on Momiji's, turning her head and closing her eyes to take in the sun bearing down on them. Momiji kissed Ayane's cheek and closed her eyes, too, and enjoyed the sounds of the waves, nature and tropical resort around them.
A few minutes of peace and quiet passed by before Momiji opened her eyes, and started rubbing Ayane's stomach with her hands. Ayane sighed feeling Momiji's light rubs before Momiji hugged her again. Then, Momiji shifted around to sit on Ayane's lap.
Ayane opened her eyes to see her maiden surprisingly in front of her showing her smile. Ayane leaned her hands back on the pier, anticipating Momiji's next move. Momiji kept her arms wrapped around Ayane 's neck as they exchange loving smiles with each other for a few quiet moments.
Then, Momiji leaned in to whisper a promise in Ayane's ear: For Ayane to fully tell her story the next time they were alone. Ayane accepted and they exchanged nods of approval. Then, for once, Ayane let Momiji take control pushing the butterfly down from her shoulders lying on top of her.
Momiji removed Ayane's glasses and placed them aside before holding Ayane's head. The butterfly held Momiji's sides and they closed their eyes, making Momiji lean in and they started pecking each other's lips. Slowly, they built their affection kissing deeper and deeper. Momiji's hands cradled Ayane's neck and rubbed her head and Ayane's hands ran up and down Momiji's stomach, sides and back. Coos and moans softly sounded off as they continued capturing each other's lips, beginning to make out more and more. Their sounds of passion built, growing louder with each kiss, then tongues got involved. Their tongues touched tips and tangled more and more as Momiji dived deeper into Ayane's mouth. The butterfly's hands teased untying Momiji's bikini a few times as their passionate makeout grew.
Before they knew it, Momiji and Ayane found themselves making out as Ayane's legs dangled over the edge while she periodically caressed and rubbed Momiji's legs, while her own moved in the water as she shared a hot, steamy lip lock battle with Momiji yet again.
By now, moans had completely overtaken their sounds as they felt their skin rubbing against each other, their hands moving up and down each other's bodies. The girls couldn't help moan the other's name whenever they could. They wouldn't let air stop their passion this time as their lips kept crashing and crashing into each other.
"Ayane… Mmmmph~chu… Ayane…. Mmmmm…"
"Mmmmmph… Moooooo~miji… Mmmmm… Mmmmmm~chu…"
The ninja girls let themselves get lost in the passionate makeout, equally devouring each other's mouths as Ayane groped Momiji's ass whenever she could and Momiji rubbing Ayane's arms or ran her fingers through Ayane's hair, sending shivers down the butterfly's body. The kunoichi already made plans to share a romantic makeout session in the evening when their day was done, but they didn't want to stop.
In their minds, they were getting Momiji and Kasumi's anniversary started early, ready to cherish what time they had left of their vacation as their bodies practically melted into one. They didn't care if they caused a scene at the pier. Right now, they were alone… that's all they needed.
And that's all they wanted until the ninja princess eventually returned.