How Sweet the Summer Breeze Feels Chapter 28: Day 28: Heaven, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Zypher: this. this right here plus the next one is where the magic happens. this is what i am proud to have produced for all the years i've been writing. between the renewed Yami no Game posted over on AO3 and this chapter along with the next is how i wished i was writing back when i was younger. when i read stories that were on par to this from authors like Ocean, Shamise, Laryna6, Natoya and many others. this is why im grateful for the break i took. it left stories unfinished sure, but i came back being able to write in a quality worth all the years i've been around.

Day 28: What is heaven to Yugi? It was many things but every answer he couldn't give by a mortal's standpoint was an answer he could give on a spiritual one. Heaven to him...was the clever fox spirit to win him over.

Is this what heaven feels like?

Yugi wouldn't know the answer to that question without imaging that death would be the lead towards it. But death wasn't the answer, he came to learn in due time. Heaven was truly just being with the one he loves and being part of a completely new world. He understood this now and growing older, he began to see Atemu's world as part of his own. Of the woods and wilds, of the spirits and the fae. The fox spirit was quite the enigmatic character, a mischievous one with a heart of gold. He was considerate of Yugi's wishes and allowed him to finish his schooling while conducting his own teachings of the spirit world.

Yugi took it all with interest peaked and felt for all the things that Atemu taught him, he should return the favor. And what way to return the favor than to clean up the shrine of which they first met. As the old woman neglected it for this long in hopes to keep the fox at bay from causing problems, Yugi will restore it properly and make it radiant like the fox he is to marry.

"So, you've returned. And without that deceitful fox attached to you." The old woman muttered when she saw Yugi return one day. Yugi, older and out of high school for about two years now, looked to the woman with angled violet eyes before closing them. You still hold animosity towards him, Yugi murmured as he walked towards the shrine, getting a gasp from the old woman for him to not trouble himself with the old thing. "Why give another prayer to an old shrine to a menace—"

"He isn't a menace, he is my husband." Yugi whispered, making her cover her mouth in horror. She had assumed the young teenager had banished that dreadful fox! That his tricks and lies would've given reason to be driven away from an innocent adolescent that wished for none of this! She expected that the fox spirit had done his purpose and was cast aside to avoid further harm yet this lad comes back to claim that he had agreed to such foolishness! "Oh sweet child, you must've been bewitched to his lies! Please, allow me to get the ofuda spells to banish him back to his world." Yugi raised a hand to stop the woman from coming closer, stepping through the torii gate with a hand pressed to the aged, buckled wood as he continued to speak. Of the life he led with Atemu at his side. The spirit was patient with him, waited as Yugi had asked. He didn't push the choice on him and allowed him to finish his studies while teaching him of his world. Of the woods and the wilds, of the spirits and the fae. Of creatures whose lore was lost to time and the glamor of the other side with fanatical sights and luscious groves. Yugi was enamored by the realm of spirits, charmed of a place unable to be reached by human hands. To only be guided by spirits like him. It took time but Yugi grew into his upcoming role, practically welcoming it as Atemu was truthful towards his desires to make Yugi his bride.

"He taught me all that I needed to know. To appreciate what the world has abandoned. I love the city that I grew up in but also learned to love nature's bounty. Shrines are as close as we can get to nature and you let this one become old and dilapidated with Atemu's acquisition of it to make it his own. To drive away a child of nature, you have abandoned your right to watch this place. So as his bride, I will take it under my oath." Yugi spoke as he knelt down to start on the donation box covered with weeds and vines. His hands were bare and knew he would get scrapes and cuts for doing so but Atemu was awaiting him at home. He'd heal them easily. The old woman sputtered and would've marched up to him to pull him from the donation box when a barrier had forced her back. Yugi turned back to her, a smile so mischievous upon his face as he nodded his head towards the torii gate and those aged eyes looked. An ofuda spell was stuck onto the chipped and faded wood. "Atemu taught me all he knew. That includes spells. Old ladies that talk too much were not worth an ear. His words, not mine." The woman growled as she stepped back, watching the young male work before deciding to count her losses there for the day. If she speculated right, he'll be back on the morrow. She'll attempt to convince him that the fox was not worth the sacrifice of a real life to be his bride.

"Bewitched you are, child. By a disgusting, devious creature. Foxes are nothing but bad omens." She uttered as she hobbled off, leaving Yugi to work on the shrine. When he returned back that night, Atemu had fretted over his hands covered in dirt and grass stains paired with a couple minor scratches along his palms. "What were you up to, dove? Your lovely hands are a mess." Atemu chided, making a quick healing solvent with the herbs and berries that were safely tucked for quick use in the wilds of his own mane of obsidian, ruby and gold. Yugi only smiled and told him that it was a surprise. A wedding gift, one could call it.

Is this what heaven smells like?

Yugi couldn't give a response when the idea of heaven was as fictitious as the spirit he was wed to for normal folk. But when he became Atemu's bride, he imagined heaven to be the earthen scents that stuck close to the fox spirit. Of the woods that smelled strongly of oak, maple, pine and birch. Of the wilds with flowers so bright with their colors and aromas so sweet and subtle. The warm spring showers and the bite of winter's hoarfrost. The air was alight with these scents with one other, the gentle fragrance of spiced musk like cinnamon, the personal flavor that was of his spiritual partner.

He was nature itself and Yugi had grown to love it, cuddled in warm arms and wrapped in fluffy tails of black silk that tickled his skin like feathers. Oh how Yugi loved his tails. They were the softest things to ever exist and were the spirit's own bedding when unable to share one with Yugi, one part of his wishes and the other that it was a measly twin incapable to handle both him and his volume of tails. And it was those tails that Yugi fell asleep in on hard nights where studying kept him up past his normal sleep schedule, coerced by the fox to rest his weary eyes and body. One night in them and he could never sleep in his own bed easily.

Swathed in soft, silken fur and the embodied scents of nature, Yugi never had a restless night throughout the rest of high school.

The next week was met with the same, Yugi coming around early morning, this time armed with materials and tools to work on the torii gate and toiled the day to sand the old wood down and polish and paint it anew. And there stood the old woman who glared upon him. "You dare think you're in the right to sleep with the devil." she uttered bitterly and Yugi gave no response. Why did she care so much of what he did with his kitsune husband? Was she jealous? One who was shafted for a vain prayer after all her years in managing this shrine? Or was she just a bitter old woman of the old ways who hated to see one fall for the games of the noble trickster? Yugi knew whom he became a bride to but Atemu was nothing but respectful of his wishes and answered his prayer. And many more that went unspoken.

Atemu always knew of what Yugi needed without him saying so. A fresh cup of tea or a gentle massage to soothe aching shoulders bearing the weight of projects, homework and finals. The fox catered to him as one would cater to a lover even when Yugi held the bond of friendship as a placeholder for the seeable future. The omamori charm he cherished had stuck with him through most of high school, a simple protective yaku-yoke charm that was soon paired with a gakugyō-jōju charm for his studies upon his last year. Upon the farewell of his final year, becoming valedictorian and reading his speech to his peers, Atemu had taken him to a nicely hidden grove outside of town, making a pyre from the mighty oak, the prickly pine, the spirited birch and brilliant maple. To burn the old omamori and prepare for the new and permanent charm to be their vow. The en-musubi, a charm to signify the acquisition of a mate.

"I will set this upon the mantel for you, dove. But do not claim it until you are ready to take position at my side."

The golden silk brocade with its purple flowers and green tassel had teased the poor boy, having felt he was ready to become the bride of the clever fox spirit but while the mind was ready, the heart was not. There was still business to attend to and one was to finally speak of those emotions he had cherished for Anzu, wanting to come clean of how he felt for her though they had certainly dwindled over time. She understood it all and gave him a hug, feeling better than ever even if it went unsaid, that Yugi understood they were fine just as friends. Anzu had felt bad that such went unheard as he didn't want to risk the very foundation of their friendship but felt proud of his honesty. They had parted ways and Yugi had come to see her off as she headed for America.

A year later, he took the omamori from the mantel.

A year since the claim of the omamori and another of which was affectionately called the redamancy of their bonding, Yugi grew into his role and place at Atemu's side. He had but one visit into the spirit world through the magic of a torii gate so far and like Atemu had told then when he was sixteen, the spirits and fae welcomed him as one of their own. To be bequeathed to the mighty and clever spirit of the forest had brought cheer and celebration to those that remained so close to Domino. Even if he was human, he was fae at heart. To be like the fox of whom he was bonded to. And as he worked on the torii gate of the shrine belonging to his mate, speckled with paint, he took aim at the old woman who constantly spoke ill. "What has Atemu ever done to you? You hold such animosity as if you had known him for all the years he existed. A fact I would highly doubt even for your appearance unless you are like him. A spirit, or rather yokai, who lives among us in this city." Yugi spoke and something froze in the old woman which caught his eye. Was he correct in his assumption? She dared not speak since he said so and made him curious if a bit suspicious. If you are a yokai spirit, Yugi began without moving outside the gate and the ofuda that wards him once more upon the old mossy stone steps, then why do you curse your own so viciously? Left without an answer, the woman scurried off and left Yugi to continue his work without complaint.

He didn't think upon it more as the torii gate was restored the best it could be. It would do him better if he could give a whole new gate with fresh wood not aged and rotted in some places but for what he could do, Yugi was proud and went home happy. And upon arriving through the door of his room, Atemu fussed once more, ushering him towards the bathroom for a bath before dinner. "What covers you so in paint? A project?" Atemu asked kindly as he washed him with care in hands lathered with soap, running over his arms. Yugi smiled and gave the same answer as before. A surprise for Atemu. A wedding gift the likes of which he'd never seen.

Is this what heaven tastes like?

Yugi couldn't give anyone a sure answer to such. To taste heaven was a broad and superficial idea as the concept of heaven could be interpreted in many ways. But if he had to give heaven a taste, heaven was like spiced cider. Sharp in taste but rich in flavor. Such a robust and capturing flavor and it all stemmed from the handsome fox spirit to become a part of his life. The first kiss they shared as a mated pair was far beyond Yugi's expectations even if it was his very first of many to become a norm for his new life. Atemu's lips were warm and firm and held the taste that reminded him of cool autumn mornings. Of maple trees with their orange, red and golden foliage so bright against the crystal blue sky and sparking fires in the hearth roasting chestnuts and yakiimo.

Yugi couldn't get enough of it and one kiss became two, then three. Atemu granted all without fuss as Yugi wasn't the only one that tasted a hint of heaven. Yugi was not just a sweet personality but also a sweet delicacy. With candied lips like sweet summer berries so fresh and decadent, the fox spirit couldn't just be limited to one. Of course, Yugi was inexperienced to his first kiss but Atemu was still ever so patient as he was a tease. To see the cute rosy flush of embarrassment color his cheeks was always a delight but with gentle guidance, Atemu had led Yugi into the succulent treat that was their budding love.

It didn't stop there either but that is for one to imagine...

Yugi was back at the shrine yet again, this time with the last of the tools and materials to bring the shrine back to it is full glory. A long rope was coiled around his shoulder, the coarse fibers colored a striking red and gold twined together tight. A bucket was clenched in his other hand to tackle the rust of the old suzu bell and Yugi was proud for all of his efforts to bring the old shrine to look like new. But as he arrived, the old woman was there but there was something different about her. Something unnatural. "Why do you come again? I thought after the last time, I have pretty much made my decision clear to you." Yugi snapped. The woman glanced to him before aged eyes narrowed as she stalked towards the other. Her confident steps made Yugi step back but knowing to fear the fae could mean his end, a rule that Atemu told him to follow at all times, made him stand his ground. I told you to be rid of that fox, she uttered once more, a glint in her dark eyes which had the hairs on the back of his neck stand. He was a devious creature that takes what he wishes and care not for the feelings of others. He lives to cause mischief and taking a bride would never change the nature that was born into him. "All foxes are disgusting creatures that shouldn't live. Especially Atemu." At the drop of his name held with such bitterness, Yugi gasped as this confirmed all he thought with the woman. It was no wonder years ago when he was but a young second year that he has awoken to the sound of argument between the two.

"Tell me who you are!"

The woman grinned and her façade peeled away like a second skin, revealing that she wasn't an old woman with wisdom beyond her years but a young shrine maiden with magic harnessed with time as she looked down to Yugi bitterly. This shrine had belonged to her but it was stolen by Atemu, taking away from her the weak human mind of which she played with to her heart's content to get donations for useless prayers that would never come true. She wanted to claim it back and hoped that when the shrine had died off of disrepair, Atemu would wander off. With illusions of a woman both young and old when it suited her, she had been the one to spread the rumor of Atemu's power, that he would grant any prayer to bring the vain of which she feasted on herself to run him back to the wilds where he came from. But it didn't work and he continued to stick around to spite her. "Then you came along...he knew what I planned for such an innocent little brat like you. All you had to do was come back when you knew you couldn't handle the thought of being a bride to an inari spirit and I could banish him then take from you what I wish for your incompetence." Yugi bristled at the elaborate and manipulative plan she had, knowing she would've grasped her claws into him for being so naïve. It was no wonder Atemu couldn't stand her and with the knowledge of what she had done before Atemu's appearance to the shrine made her the spirit that was conniving and vile. A person so deceitful yet envious to a stronger presence than herself. She tried so hard to paint Atemu in a bad light and if he had been foolish enough to believe her...

"You are truly the despicable one here. To drive away a child of the forest for your own benefits. Atemu may be a mischief maker as all fox spirits are but under that is a wonderful being who is sweet and generous. He loves me but also respected my wishes that I was not ready for such commitment yet. He stayed at my side and treated me well, giving me gifts to protect me and answered all my prayers whether spoken or not. He showed me the life of the spirit world, of the woods and the wilds. Of the spirit and the fae. You understand nothing and call yourself a shrine maiden when you extort others and are so bitter towards their prayers. You don't deserve to own this shrine which I restored from your neglect and you will have to kill me in order to claim it back!"

The woman grinned as she raised a hand. "It would be my pleasure, you insufferable louse!" Magic swirled in the palm of her hand, radiating with such vile, evil intention unbecoming of a shrine maiden and Yugi reached into his pocket, for the ofuda that he kept though he didn't know if what he had would protect him against such a cruel attack. But as the magic was thrown, ready to take the life of the boy who had gotten in her way to ridding the nuisance of the inari spirit, the magic fizzled against a dark form. Maroon eyes set in a face of raven fur glared heatedly at the woman who stumbled back at the sight. The curl of warm silken tails made Yugi look up, seeing the beautiful form of the nine tailed fox that was his mate. His true form that was often an illusion when it appeared to trick the wayward soul that wished to bother Yugi with malice as their intention.

But this was no illusion as he knew the softness of those beautiful tails. This was real. This was Atemu.

And he was fucking pissed.

The large head turned towards him with a foxy smile across his muzzle. "Well good afternoon, dove~ I hope I'm not interrupting an important and riveting conversation." Yugi went to answer but was met with the tickling sensation of two tails at his sides. The delighted laughter was like the sweetest music to the fox spirit, taking a glance behind him to the shrine that was looking absolutely gorgeous then the materials in Yugi's hands. "Oho~ So this is why you kept coming home a mess. Well aren't you the sweetest little bride~" he cooed. Yugi smiled in between his laughter. "S-surprise! I hated the idea of your s-shrine being left a mess so I c-came to restore it since she w-would never do it until it was back in her hands. A wedding g-gift to you from me." Yugi replied between his giggles and Atemu was very appreciative of his mate's gesture. But he'll reward that soon once the other problem was dealt with, maroon eyes turning back to the seething maiden who glared at him with the demand of him appearing where he wasn't wanted. "Oh, but I am wanted here. As you can see, my bride wanted me here and it would be wrong of me to not come at his whims. Especially if he's in danger." Atemu snarled as he moved from Yugi and started for the maiden who began to back away.

It was one thing to deal with Atemu when he was hiding behind his illusion but the game was completely different when the physical representation of the woods and wilds in full was brought out. The maiden knew she wouldn't get out of this alive but was prepared to fight for her life. To reveal the truth of her place here and the plan for Yugi when he was but a young and impressionable child, all things he knew, was enough to bring the rage he felt for the woman back then to a head once more. "I should've been rid of you that night but I was being kind of Yugi's state of mind for my appearance and my declaration. But I think I allowed your presence to stick around for far too long and you crossed a line in trying to harm him for not getting your way." Atemu stepped towards her once more, fox fire blinking into existence around him and she shuddered with clear fear.

The corrupt maiden wouldn't be able to survive and nothing within her well of magic could protect her from what was to come. "By law of the forest, the woods and the wilds, I Atemu will banish you from this city and this shrine. You are to never return here and your spirit to never see rest. To the court of the spirit and the fae, I sever your ties to your magic and maidenhood." The fire around him blazed a wild blue before descending upon the corrupted shrine maiden who wailed out of anger more than pain as everything was stripped from her. Yugi would've watched but tails coiled around him, protecting him from the sight of the punishment. When all was silent, Yugi looked to the wall of tails that covered him and reached out, pressing down on one to peek out and was met with scarlet eyes and a daring smile.

"Peek-a-boo, dove~" The tails slid away to reveal an empty street and his mate standing there as himself and not the large fox that had come to protect him. Was that all a dream? No, it couldn't be. "Where...did she go?" Yugi had questioned as Atemu moved towards the shrine, holding the bucket that Yugi carried in hand. "Hmm? No need to worry for the fallen. The maiden made her choice as did I." Atemu spoke as he took out the things in the bucket and smiled, commenting that Yugi was indeed rather sweet to do all this work on his shrine. Yugi decided that the maiden was served justly as she deserved and was best to put that out of mind now. The maiden was no longer a problem to both and shouldn't be concerned about her fate. With the two at it together, the last of the work to be put towards the shrine was done and Atemu smiled proudly at the sight of the old shrine looking completely new. "Simply beautiful. It's been much too long since I've seen it at such splendor. And it's all thanks to you." Yugi smiled as he looked to the spirit beside him. "You are deserving of it for all you've done for me. You surprised me upon your appearance when we first met but you proven even for your tricks and mischief that is still a part of you, you still have a loving and just heart." Reaching out, Yugi took one of Atemu's hands in his own and brought it to his lips to kiss the back of it softly. Atemu gave a excitable yip before bringing Yugi into his arms, bodies flush together as he lifted his head and captured his mouth in a soulful kiss full of his love, joy and gratitude.

Truly Atemu could never ask for a better bride than what he found in Motou Yugi.

Is this heaven?

Yugi had no answer but heaven to him was anywhere in the world that Atemu was. The heart and soul of nature that was the inari spirit and his husband is his personal heaven. With the shrine restored, new rumors sprouted of it. Many who come across it say they hear the ring of the old suzu bell, a jovial sound that herald good feeling to any that hears its dulcet tones. It rung on its own with no one to pull upon its red and gold cord so it was said when the bell sounded, it was the spirits at play in the spirit world. Bounding and leaping with play towards a place of worship so carefully brought back to life. And such a rumor was not too far off from the truth as the spirits were at play, an inari spirit and his wondrous bride that danced and played in the woods and wilds of the spirit world.

Their joy was unbound and their hearts full of love, the bride dancing between silken tails of red and black and the fox filled with pride of his alluring prize. The bride dashes through the towering forest and the fox chases until his blushing fair was pinned to the soft earth with dirtied cheeks and eyes bright with delight, rewarding his persistent seeker with kisses. When they tire of their fun, they rest by the reeds and river with walnut scones and maple cakes to fill their bellies and nap under the sunlight. Then before nightfall when the bride has to return to the mortal world, they lay in the wildflower fields entangled in a lover's embrace, a pairing so sweet and delicate yet fueled by the wildness of his inari lover.

Kisses of spiced cider and sweet summer berries lingered on their tongues as the scent of spring showers and winter's hoarfrost consumed the air with the biting ardor of pleasure. The woods and wilds blessed their union always, proud that a child of the forest found happiness as he has. As they pass through the torii gate of the shrine, the bell rings once more as both bride and spirit walk back to their homely nest, a flush to apple the cheeks of the bride amusing the spirit who was always of cocky grins and playful teasing of his bride's appearance after their day's end in the spirit world. Oh how his little bride swats him for his silence when teased of his wild mane even wilder from tussling in the fields and clothes marked with more creases than when he left home.

But Yugi would never change Atemu's playful ways or his trickster heart. He was perfect the way he is. He would never regret the day he came to the shrine to make his prayer or the day he picked up the omamori vow of his acceptance to becoming Atemu's mate. For when he was laid to rest within the soft tails and Atemu pressed a kiss to his forehead then his lips...

"Goodnight, dove."

"Goodnight, Atemu."

Yugi knew he had found heaven.