Day 2: Vacation
Forced vacation (with you)
Ei would be lying if she didn't admit she has been seeing the bags under her general's eyes for some time, noticing her tiredness whenever they spar together, or the light of her office at the Tenshukaku still on at ungodly hours meaning she's still filling out reports when she should be sleeping instead.
Tonight is not different from any other night.
So when Ei finds herself strolling through the Tenshukaku's hallways towards her chambers, and notices the light coming off the general's office, she decides to do something about it, knocking on the door twice before she opens it and peeks her head in.
- Sara? – she calls the general by her name, opening the door completely to see her looking up from the paperwork on her desk.
- Your Excellency! Is everything okay? – Sara asks already in alert, and Ei can only smile at her softly.
- Everything is okay, Sara. I was just walking towards my chambers when I've noticed that the lights were still on.
- Oh, I apologize for the disturbance your Excellency. I was finishing some reports that have been piling up – Sara quickly apologizes and Ei can only sigh.
- Please Sara, we've already talked that when it's just us you can call me Ei – Ei says seeing a light blush tinting the general's cheeks as she nods – Just… don't overwork yourself and get some sleep, okay? I've been noticing how tired you look lately.
- Don't worry, your Exc- Ei. I can assure you I'm not overworking, and I'm resting appropriately – Sara quickly corrects herself upon the hard look Ei gives her, before Ei nods at her.
- Okay then. Have a good night.
- You too, Ei.
They bid their farewell, before Ei begins to close the door, noticing how Sara goes back to bury herself again in the reports on her desk. She can't help but sigh heavily as she closes the door completely and continues her walk to her chambers, hoping the other woman will listen to her and rest. But to her surprise, she doesn't.
When Ei wakes up the following morning and gets ready to start the day, the first thing she does is checking on Sara.
A heavy sigh escapes her lips as she walks to her office and notices the light of the lamp filtering through the cracks of the door.
She begins to open the door quietly and slowly, ready to reprimand the stubborn general, when she sees her sleeping hunched over the desk.
A fond but sad smile spreads across her lips, before she quietly retreats and closes the door behind her to then head to the only place and person she knows that can help her.
- So what do I owe this pleasure so early in the morning? Don't tell me you only came here because of my tea and dango?
Yae says playfully as she hands Ei some dango, hearing her giggling while she sips her tea.
- It could be, but no, I actually need your help.
- Oh, the almighty Shogun needs my help? Who I am to deny it then – Yae says dramatically, making Ei roll her eyes at her playfulness – Tell me, what can I do for you?
Ei can only smile amused at her best friend's antics, taking another sip of her tea, before she talks again.
- It's about Sara.
- What is going on now with the little bird?
Yae asks while rolling her eyes exasperated, and Ei can't help but smile softly because she knows that deep down Yae also cares about Sara.
- Lately, I've been noticing how she looks rather tired, but when I mention her about it, she just dismisses it and keeps overworking, and I don't know how to tell her to rest and take some days off.
Yae can only look at her surprised at this information.
- What, the stubborn general isn't listening to her beloved Shogun? That's quite unexpected.
- Miko, be nice – Ei reprimands her, seeing Yae smirking.
- But it's true. You know how the little bird adores you and does everything you tell her to.
- I know – Ei sighs, taking another sip of her tea before continuing – that's why I need you to help me.
- Me? Ei, darling, have you realized that if Sara isn't listening to you, she will even listen less to me? – Yae sneers, seeing Ei grimacing.
- I know, but we both know you can be rather... convincing when you want to be.
Ei says softly, seeing a wide and mischievous smirk appearing on the other woman's lips.
- So you're telling me that you want me to convince her to take some days off.
- Yes…?
Ei answers hesitantly, seeing Yae's fox smirk widening more.
- Will you also take care of my vacation?
- I… yes?
- Then I'll try my best.
Yae says rather enthusiastically, and Ei isn't sure if she did well asking her best friend for help, already feeling bad for what Miko might have planned for the poor general.
- Now that it's all settled, let's go back to the Tenshukaku together. I have to convince a certain stubborn little bird to take some days off on a vacation.
Yae says as they finish their tea and begin to walk together towards the Shogun's residence.
Once they're at the Tenshukaku's hallways, Ei slows her pace while Yae keeps advancing until she's in front of Sara's office door, knocking on it lightly to then enter without permission whatsoever.
- My, my, general, working hard as always, aren't you? – Yae teases Sara as she enters the office and walks to the general's desk – Do you ever take a break?
She says as she leans on the desk and takes one of the already filling in reports on it, earning herself a puff in return.
- What do you want, Guuji Yae? – Sara huffs, taking the report out of Yae's hand to leave it back where it was.
- My, no need to be so rude little bird. I've just came to inform you that I'm taking some days off to go on a little vacation.
- Good for you – Sara mutters as she focuses her attention back on the report in front of her.
- And you, my little bird, are coming with me – Yae adds with a sly smirk on her face, seeing Sara crossing accidentally out her report to then gaze at her shocked.
- Excuse me? – Sara asks high-pitched, furrowing her brow puzzled and making Yae giggle at her expression.
- You're excused, don't worry – Yae teases her before continuing – You see, Ei is too busy to come with me, so I've thought that you could accompany me.
- No.
- But-
- No. I'm also busy, go find somebody else.
Sara answers sharply, and Yae can only bite her lip, opening her mouth to say something else, when Ei chooses that exact moment to enter the room.
- Actually, I'd feel more at ease if you'd accompany her since I can't.
- But your Exc- Ei – Sara corrects herself once again upon Ei's gaze – I have to ensure Inazuma nor you are in danger, aside of keep filling out reports.
- Don't worry about that Sara. I can perfectly ensure you that neither Inazuma nor I will be in danger, and that I will also fill out those reports for you. So please, consider accompanying Miko on her vacation and take some days off.
Ei says softly, trying to convince the general, while Yae just smirks, playing with Sara's hair, before the later swats her hand away making her laugh.
- Fine, if it's you who request it – Sara accepts reluctantly, seeing a fond smile appearing on her beloved Shogun's face, while Yae pinches her cheek, making her grunt.
- Great! Then prepare your things for tomorrow morning. I know you wake up at ungodly hours, so I'll be waiting for you at the shrine.
Yae exclaims happily as she pinches Sara's cheek one last time and leaves her desk to take Ei by the hand and drag her out of the office.
- Thank you, Sara.
Ei thanks her softly as she's dragged away, getting to see Sara blushing as she lowers her head to go back to finish the most reports she can before starting her forced vacation.
- Well, it went well – Yae comments between giggles as they walk through the Tenshukaku's hallways.
- You're basically forcing Sara to go on a vacation with you, Miko.
- Oh well, what did you expect me to do? In case you didn't notice, your general is rather stubborn.
Ei can only sigh agreeing with her.
- I know. I just… just be nice to her, can you Miko? – Ei asks the pink haired woman, seeing her grinning back at her.
- Oh, don't have any doubt I will – Yae comments as she winks at her, and Ei already feels sorry for Sara, wondering if she did well asking Yae for help.
The following morning, as soon as Yae leaves the boundaries of her chambers at the shrine, she finds Sara at the top of the stairs that lead to the Gran Narukami Shrine.
- Always as punctual as a clock, my general – Yae greets her, clicking her tongue as she sees Sara rolling her eyes.
- You asked me to come early in the morning – Sara comments as Yae passes by her nodding her head.
- Here, carry it for me.
Yae says as she shoves her backpack into Sara's side, hearing her grunting yet grabbing it reluctantly to carry it for her.
- Ready?
She then asks, turning around to see Sara nodding, before she begins to lead the way, walking through the forest of the Mt. Yougou with Sara close behind her.
- Where are we going? – Sara asks as they cross the forest, seeing the pink haired woman turning around slightly with a finger over her lips and winking at her.
- Secret! – Yae answers mischievously, making Sara roll her eyes again as they descend through the forest.
On their way, Yae slips on a slope, obliging Sara to quickly step forward to grab her by the waist and pull her to her body.
- Are you okay? – Sara asks still holding her, and Yae can't help but blush slightly.
- I'm okay, don't worry.
She tells the general, pulling away from her yet taking one of her hands in hers to keep descending the slope together without any other mishap whatsoever.
Soon, they reach a big bush wall, and Sara can't help but look at it confused yet amazed, before she hears Yae giggling and sees her winking at her, pulling her by the hand before creating a small gap in the bush to then cross it.
- Where….? – Sara trails off as she sees Yae sparkling an electro light, finding themselves inside a long cave.
- You'll see soon.
Yae answers amicable as they advance through the cave, seeing soon the natural light of the sun filtering at the end of it, before they get out to a really small beach surrounded by leafy and steep cliffs.
- I didn't know something like this existed in Inazuma – Sara lets out looking the sight in front of them awestruck, eliciting a smile from Yae.
- I don't think anybody does. It's really isolated and hidden, so nobody really comes around. Now let's leave our backpacks on the cave's ground, we'll be staying here for these couple of days.
Yae says as she takes her backpack from Sara and leaves it on the ground.
Sara can only furrow her brow as she also leaves her backpack on the ground next to Yae's.
- What? Don't tell me you expected some kind of resort? – Yae teases her amusedly, causing Sara to snort.
- No, but I didn't expect you to be so willing to stay at a cave – Sara retorts as Yae smirks.
- Oh little bird, you still don't know many things about me.
She says mysteriously, smirking as she strokes the general's jawline to then give her a playful shove out of the cave to start going on a small walk around the beach, before something suddenly hits Sara's back.
- What the… – she says as she quickly turns around in alert, ready to attack, when she notices Yae smirking at her and sees a beach ball at her feet on the sand.
- Oh come on general, don't be so boring and play with me.
Yae says, giving Sara the best puppy eyes she can muster, and Sara can only sigh before she throws the ball back at her and they begin to play a volleyball match, or rather, Yae starts to laugh as she and Sara try to clumsily play volleyball.
- Who would have thought you would be so bad at it – Yae laughs at the dark purple haired woman as they wet their feet at the water taking a break.
- S-shut up! I… in my defense I have to say that I've never played it – Sara mutters embarrassedly, eliciting a smile from Yae at how cute she could be, before she splashes water at her – Hey!
Sara shrieks as Yae keeps splashing more water at her, wetting her clothes, before the general begins to do the same, starting a water splashing battle with their laughs filling the air. They stop, panting while smiling carefree as they go to sit on the sand, letting the sun help them to dry off.
Yae can't help but look at Sara, seeing the calm expression on her face as she gazes into the horizon. The pink haired woman nudges her, making her look at her with an arched eyebrow, before she smiles at her.
- Let's have something to eat, I'm hungry and I mean to show you something after it.
She comments as they go back to the cave to eat in silence the sandwiches they prepared for their little vacation together.
Once they finish eating them, they rest for a bit, before Yae nudges Sara again, giggling as she grunts at her.
- Bring your bow with you, we're going to go for something for tonight's dinner – Yae tells Sara as she rises and Sara can only frown.
- I've thought we brought enough food – Sara asks confused as she takes her bow and begins to follow Yae, going deeper into the cave.
- And we kind of do, but it's nicer to eat some fresh fish, don't you think?
Sara simply shrugs and keeps following Yae, trespassing the big bush wall to go into the forest. She walks right behind Yae making sure she doesn't slip, when she hears the sound of water running close to them.
- Water? – Sara asks aloud.
- Yes, a stream.
Yae answers as they go past some old and robust trees to find a stream of crystalline water, and some fishes swimming in it calmly.
- I've thought we could catch some of them for dinner, so… – Yae pauses, approaching Sara to squeeze her biceps – put those muscles to work.
Sara can only roll her eyes, before she takes her bow ready to shoot, but the fishes move so fast that she fails.
- I thought you were a better archer – Yae teases her, earning herself a glare from the other woman.
- And I am, but it's a bit hard when they move so fast.
Sara defends herself as she tries to shoot at them again only to fail, and Yae can only sigh.
- Don't look.
- Eh? What do you mea- Woah! what are you doing!? – Sara exclaims as she shuts her eyes tightly to not see Yae undressing, causing her to snort.
- Helping you, obviously.
Yae says before she shifts into her fox form and nudges Sara's leg, getting her attention so she can open her eyes again. She sees the small pink fox walking towards the stream, introducing her little paws in it just to shriek upon how cold it is, making her giggle at the cute sound.
She then sees Yae glaring at her, before she tries again, getting deeper into the water to then immerse her nose in it, making some fishes jump out of the water, giving Sara enough time to shoot at them, piercing them with her arrows and impaling them on the ground.
Yae can only hiss and glare at her due the proximity of the arrows being shot almost grazing her fur.
- Sorry – Sara quickly apologizes as she walks to retrieve the fishes, giving some time and privacy to Yae to shift back into her human form.
- Could you have not shoot at me? – Yae asks outraged, and Sara can't help but smile apologetically.
- I'm sorry, okay? It wasn't my intention – Sara apologizes again as Yae snatches the arrows with the fishes away from her hands.
- I'm taking them back to the cave, you can bring some trunks for the fire.
Yae instructs her as she passes by her pretending to be still mad at her, but as she's away, the faked scowl adorning her face turns into a fond smile upon have heard the general giggling and saw her smiling more relaxed than ever.
Sara soon appears back at the cave with more trunks than expected, setting up a fire to cook the fishes in them while also using it to warm them up as the night and cold fall over them.
Once again, they eat in silence, enjoying their food and the warmth from the fire as they gaze into the starry sky until they finish their fishes and get into their sleeping-bag to sleep in the shelter of the cave.
- We should sleep, we have a busy day ahead tomorrow – Yae says softly as she lays down close to the fire to sleep warmer, seeing Sara nodding before walking away towards the cave's wall – Where are you going?
Yae asks confused, seeing Sara frowning.
- I'm going to sleep here.
- No, you aren't.
- But-
- Sara, come back. Nights are really cold and it'd be better if you sleep closer to the fire, the last thing we want is to hear Ei reprimanding me for getting you sick.
Sara can only sigh and go back to lay down beside Yae.
- Better?
- Much. Sleep well, Sara.
- Sleep well, Yae.
Sara sighs, turning her back to Yae, yet she still can feel the other woman shivering because of the cold, the warmth from the fire not being enough to keep her warm. She bites her lip nervously, before she spreads her wings to wrap Yae in them.
- What…?
- You seem to be cold.
Sara simply explains without turning around, missing the soft smile and blush adorning Yae's face.
- Thank you.
- Y-you're welcome.
Sara stammers, blushing lightly before both women fall asleep.
When morning comes, Yae opens her eyes to find herself getting trapped in the peaceful expression adorning the other woman's face, who at some point of the night seemed to have turn around to face her.
Yae feels her heart racing up, smiling as she feels warm wrapped in the tengu's wings and snuggles closer, bringing a hand up to brush them and feel their feathers. This mere action causes the other woman to open her eyes abruptly in alert, locking her eyes with hers as a blush appears on both of their features.
- Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up – Yae apologizes for interrupting Sara's peaceful sleep, feeling her slowly withdrawing her wings.
- I-it's okay. I should already be up anyway – the general says embarrassedly, looking away, and Yae can't help but giggle at how cute she is.
- You know, there's a fruit tree at the top of the cliff, maybe you could fly there and get us some fruit for breakfast – Yae suggests.
- S-sure.
Sara stammers as she quickly gets up and stretches, flapping her wings, before Yae points out which one is the tree she has to fly to.
Soon, Sara flies back with her arms full of fruits, seeing Yae smiling at her. She returns her smile before they sit on the cave's ground and begin to eat.
- What are the plans for today?
Sara asks curiously as they're eating, and Yae can only let out a laugh at the eagerness showed and which contrasts with the apathy of having to go anywhere with her of the previous day.
- Now we're going to swim and dive. I want to show you the wonders that our sea entails, and then when we return, we'll eat our sandwiches and prepare to go on a little hike this afternoon.
Sara can only nod as they finish their meal and strip off their clothes, standing only in their tops and shorts in between teases from Yae and blushes from Sara to then walk towards the crystalline water to swim out at sea, before Yae does a signal and they dive into the water to watch the wonders their sea entails.
They spend several hours exploring the depths of the sea, before as Yae said earlier, they come back to the cave to have lunch.
- How do you know about all these places? – Sara asks as she takes a bite of her sandwich, seeing Yae smiling softly.
- By accident – Yae says, seeing Sara furrowing her brow, before she continues – Centuries ago, some men came into the forest to hunt and kill some of the creatures living in here. I was just a small defenseless fox so I ran away and tried to hide under the big bush wall when I found out this cave by accident and decided to go deeper into it until I ended up at the beach. I stayed here for several days waiting until they went away or the creatures killed them, exploring the area for food, and ended up discovering all the places I've been showing you.
Yae can only smile fondly at the memories, eliciting a smile from Sara.
- So you've been coming here since then? – Sara asks, seeing her nod – But then why taking me here?
- You needed a break. Ei was right, you looked really tired and stressed so I thought this could be a pleasant place for you to rest – Yae says, looking away so Sara doesn't notice the light blush tinting her cheeks.
- Thank you.
Sara thanks her quietly, staying in silence for a while as they enjoy the breathtaking view in front of them.
- We should get going if we want to catch some fishes before it darkens. Just try to not shoot at me this time.
Yae warns the general, making her giggle.
- I can't promise you anything.
Sara answers playfully, earning herself a shove from Yae as she takes her bow and follows her outside the cave, traversing through the forest's slopes until they reach the stream of the previous day.
Sara turns around, giving Yae enough privacy to shift into her fox form, before she hears some splashing.
She smiles and turns around to see the small pink fox playing in the water, squealing happily as she tries to catch some fishes in between her little paws, making Sara giggle and look at her tenderly.
Yae glares at her embarrassed, yet loving the sound of her carefree giggles, before Sara turns serious and pulls the strings of her bow ready to shoot at the fishes that Yae makes jump out of the water.
As soon as Sara shoots, a loud thunder roars and the sky begins to darken with heavy and dark clouds.
Both women look at one another, before it starts to pour down heavily. Sara quickly unfolds her wings to shelter herself from the pouring rain, before she takes the arrows with the fishes in one hand, then Yae with the other, pressing her into her chest while hearing the small fox squeal in surprise, before she flies off towards the beach to find shelter in their cave.
- Good thing I had got more trunks than what we needed – Sara murmurs as she lets Yae on the ground and quickly goes to light the fire using her electro spark.
Yae runs towards the end of the cave to shake the water off her fur, before coming back in her human form, seeing that Sara already put the fishes to get cooked.
- Do you think it was Ei? – Sara asks worriedly as she tries to dry her wings off with a towel.
- Maybe, but I'm sure she's okay, don't worry. Now let's dry off your wings before you catch a cold.
Yae calms her down as she takes her own towel to dry off Sara's other wing.
- I hope everything is okay – Sara sighs as she lets Yae dry her other wing and the pink haired woman can't help but sigh too.
- I'm sure everything is okay. Stop worrying so much about it and let's enjoy this last night here.
Yae says with a soft smile adorning her lips, stroking the tengu's wet feathers, before she places the towel away and hands Sara her fish. They both blow their own fishes, before starting to eat them, watching the rain pouring down heavily as more lightning illuminate the dark sky.
They can only sigh hoping nothing wrong is happening to their beloved city and their ruler.
After they finish eating, Yae can't help but notice the general being the one shivering of cold after had gotten soaked in the pouring rain, feeling bad for her.
She quickly shifts into a bigger fox form and positions herself behind the other woman to wrap her in her fur, noticing her still wet wings against it.
- I'm okay – Sara protests in vain as she tries to get away, but Yae's big and fluffy tail wraps her tighter to pull her more into her fur – Fine, I get it.
Sara murmurs embarrassed as she snuggles into the big fox, hearing Yae purring happily to then nuzzle her wings, before sleep slowly takes over them, drifting to sleep peacefully and warm without noticing how the storm raging outside the cave it's dying down.
Just like the previous morning, Yae is the first one waking up, watching a soft smile adorning Sara's face as she still sleeps snuggled into her fur. She feels her heart skipping a beat at how adorable she looks, etching such a precious moment and expression onto her memory, before she nuzzles her wings with her nose.
She hears her grunting, before she begins to giggle.
- Tickles – Sara murmurs sleepily and Yae swears Sara can't be any cuter than she already is.
When Sara opens her eyes, she finds herself staring into Yae's big ones, blushing before she averts her gaze and clears her throat awkwardly.
- I… uhm… we should go back – she mutters as she rises and folds back her wings, beginning then to get her things back into her backpack, before extinguish the fire.
Yae stretches, watching the other woman clean the cave a bit, before she takes her own backpack with her teeth and hits Sara with it.
- What…
Sara turns around confused to see Yae kneeled beside her still in her big fox form. She frowns, before Yae nudges her.
- Oh. You want me to… – she trails off as Yae nods and she blushes, taking Yae's backpack to then get on the fox awkwardly and embarrassedly, squealing as Yae quickly rises and begins to run back to the Tenshukaku.
Soon enough, they're sneaking inside the building being unseen, going through its hallways towards Ei's office.
They knock on the door softly, before opening it to see Ei sleeping hunched over her desk with paperwork all over it and also on the floor.
Sara can only look at her worriedly, while Yae, already in her human form, snorts.
Only two days without them, and their Shogun is already exhausted and a mess…
- Do you think we should also take her on a vacation? – Sara comments half-joking, half-serious, making Yae grin.
- Hell no, I already had enough with you.
She teases her as she winks at her, sharing a knowing giggle as they close the door and leave Ei continue sleeping for a bit longer, before reporting her they're back a couple of hours later.
