Chapter 7: Miyabi

The day after I had arrived in the village, my debut was held at the kitsune clan's castle.

We entered a large hall and Miyabi and I are instructed to sit down in its center.

(All the kitsune from the village are here…to see me, I guess… Miyabi had said something about some high up people being here, right? That I needed to look confident…)

Well hell, I thought miserably.

No time like the present to turn my lack of confidence into a moment of pride.

I glanced around and noticed there was a special-looking seat a little ways away. It appeared that a Lord of some kind was sitting there.

Miyabi must've noticed the sudden return of my lack of confidence for he leaned over and whispered something into my ear, "Oh, and Snow?"

"Y-yes?"

"…You don't have to be so nervous."

He gently squeezed my shoulder as he said this.

"Are you sure about that because there are seriously important people here."

He tilted his head in thought, "Yeah, I suppose," and then smiled, "But they're really excited to see you."

"Well, all excitement aside, I kind of feel like I'm a circus act…"

He then glanced down at me with that cocky smile I'd come to expect, "Don't worry, besides, the Ayakashi world cannot afford to lose you." His smile softened a little, "They will treat you with respect, and there will never be anything for you to be afraid of whilst here."

I recalled the others having said something along those same lines when we had first met, but… I still didn't understand what was so special about me… None of this made any sense.

An elderly kitsune spoke up over the noise of the people gathered, "Silence, everyone! Our Lord is here!"

The fox demons, all astir a moment ago, suddenly fell into an orderly silence. The silhouette of a kitsune, small in stature, slowly emerged from the back of the room. He threw a glance in our direction. I couldn't read what was in his eyes and I couldn't help but wonder if it was dislike or worse disgust.

The kitsune Lord looked down on the two of us, that unreadable glimmer in his eyes, "Thank you for coming, human daughter. And Miyabi, well done."

"Thank you, my Lord." Miyabi bowed elegantly, as though he did this all the time.

I did my best imitation of his bow as I glanced up at the Lord.

(He's small, but intimidating… Completely different from Miyabi… Or Miyabi's grandfather for that matter.)

The kitsune lord's eyes slid to mine momentarily before they shot back to Miyabi's, "I knew that you would be able to bring back the girl with special blood."

The lord then turned his attention to the whole room, "Let the celebration begin," then his eyes slid back to that of Miyabi's and mine, "I hope you are able to enjoy yourselves."

Miyabi bowed his head ever so slightly, "I am obliged to you for your kindness."

The lord gave a curt nod, "We are preparing the floors for tonight. I hope you find it to be…relaxing."

His words gave me pause as I suddenly found it hard to swallow.

Wait! Preparing the floors…? So, we were staying heretonight?!

I totally thought we were going straight home after this…This is bad, I hadcalled in sick after all.

Miyabi glanced down at me in slight concern, "What's wrong?"

I struggled, under the careful watch of the Kitsune Lord, to explain my odd behavior, "M-my job… I can't just take three days off for a cold. They'll know that I was lying."

Miyabi's lips curled up into a sly smile, "You really should stop worrying about such things."

"Such 'things' may not matter to an ayakashi, but it is a big problem for a human…!" I spoke urgently just above a whisper.

Though while the two of us were whispering, preparations for a feast were proceeding.

Luxurious platters were filled to the brim, and before long, there was a display of dance and music.

All of this was for Miyabi and me…?

To say I was shocked not to mention flattered beyond belief was an understatement.

Still, I wonder if there's some way I can go back home after this is all over…

"You still look depressed. What is it?"

Miyabi's kind tone caught me off guard but when I looked up at him his expression clashed with his words.

"Well, it's just that…"

"Yes?" He said after my too long hesitation.

What the hell was wrong with me?! I'm an adult so I can make my own decisions about where and with whom I sleep!

"He just said they are preparing the floors, but…our bedrooms will be separate, right?"

A slight almost smirk graced his lips, and he gave a slight tilt of his head, "Good question. Though your guess is as good as mine."

Miyabi then grinned at me meaningfully.

"But who would make separate bedrooms for two people who are to marry?"

Well, hell! We're sharing a bedroom… It's always hard to say what he might do when we're alone, though, I can probably guess…!

I tried to remind myself that Miyabi was a man who grew up practically alone… No mother, no father, just a human grandfather who did the best he could to make sure Miyabi turned out decent.

Still, when I thought of the Lord I just met, I got the distinct feeling that I was not going home tonight.

He may have sounded nice, but also dictatorial…like he was actually forcing us…So I really did not have a choice but to stay the night here in the Mononoke Village.

"Well then, for now let us enjoy this feast!"

"Yes, Let's."

But his eyes were not on the food but rather on the flowing bodies of the dancers.

"Their dancing is really something."

I suddenly found myself entranced by their fluid movements to and frow, "Yes, it is beautiful."

I turned toward Miyabi as I said this, and my heart suddenly started pounding in my chest. It was almost like I wanted him to look at me and not them…but that couldn't be true…could it?

"Now what is it?"

There he was – Miyabi, relaxing and holding a long pipe in one hand. His good looks and grand elegance were in no way inferior to our luxurious surroundings.

It's like he's…someone straight out of a Faerie Tale…

I found myself suddenly doubting whether or not this world was even real, and I oddly found myself watching the otherworldly Miyabi ad his charming smile in awe.

"Quit staring at me with that stupid look on your face."

I snapped out of my almost trance-like fixation on him and felt heat rise in my cheeks from embarrassment, "I wasn't star-!" I started but he was right, of course.

So, I quickly returned my gaze to the dancing ayakashi women, and while watching their gracefully fluid movements, I noticed it was like watching a story unfold.

Exactly like a story… There's the guy, and the girl, and they…wait. HUH?!

I struggled with the sudden urge to jump to my feet, "Wait a second. Is this…"

Isn't this a dance for safe childbirth…?! Come to think of it so was the last one!

As I came to this completely awkward realization, it suddenly felt as though they were telling me to hurry up and have a baby. I felt sick and could no longer stand being there a second longer.

I haven't even consented to marryingMiyabi. Not really. This is all happening without anyone caring about how I feel…

Without thinking, I turned to look at Miyabi beside me. Only he wasn't there.

What?! But he was sitting right here the whole time. How did he leave without me noticing?!

Needless to say, I felt a sudden rush of anxiety without Miyabi here with me, followed by a sudden need to cry. After all, he was the one that had told me not to leave his side…

Miyabi, you liar…!

At this point, I still hadn't realized how big a part of my life Miyabi had become…

I silently slipped away from the hall and started to search to him.

I wandered through the dim hallway and spotted the silhouette of Miyabi's back in the far corner.

I started to call out to him, but my voice stopped in my throat as I realized that he wasn't alone.

"Like I said, don't get carried away any more than you already have."

"Half ayakashi like you should get all cocky just because things are going a little well for them."

I honestly don't know what I had expected Miyabi to do in response to such insults, but what I didn't expect was for him to just stand there and say nothing at all.

"…"

Is that…?

There were a few sneering kitsune crowding around him, "I hear the hebi clan did a real number on you."

The other chuckled as a second continued taunting him, "And that your precious girl got scratched."

I was beginning to feel angry even on the verge of enraged.

It was just like Miyabi's grandfather had said…! About there being Kitsune who didn't like – even despised – Miyabi.

One of the ayakashi's eyes flashed for a moment before adding, "Can a half ayakashi like you truly protect that girl?"

A third kitsune joined in on taunting, "That's a lot of responsibility for someone like you."

And still, Miyabi continued to remain silent.

Miyabi… Why aren't you defending yourself? Talk back like you're better than everyone the way you always do…!

But Miyabi just stood there, silent and expressionless.

It was almost like he was used to it…

Then one of them grabbed him by the collar of his Gi, a sickening sneer pulling at their lips, "Should us pure bloods help you to understand?"

The third one grabbed his arm, "No matter how powerful they say you are, we're-"

My heart thundering from rage, I could no longer idly stand by, "Miyabi is great at protecting me!"

Before I knew what I was doing, I had pulled them off him with strength I didn't even know I possessed and protectively stood in front of him.

"Miku…?"

I didn't know why but it pained me to hear his voice so small. I narrowed my eyes further to show I wasn't backing down.

The three kitsune bullies gawked at me in disbelief, "What the…"

"I have no intention of being protected by anyone other than Miyabi! He could be pure Ayakashi, half or even human. It wouldn't matter!"

I slowly turned to Miyabi, "After all, he's my fiancé!"

I didn't fail to notice the sudden tinge of red brought on by my claim, but I pretended I did and whipped back around to stare down the three bullies.

They started to slowly back away, "Uh, okay…this is bad."

"Come on, let's get outta here."

The ayakashi stared at me, and then hurried away, running down the hall.

I breathed out a sigh of relief and then turned back to Miyabi a careful smile in place, "Miyabi? Are you okay?"

A moment of silence passed between us, but he wouldn't look back at me and instead continued to stare at the floor, "You didn't have to do that," he said finally.

I slid my eyes away and smiled, "Perhaps not, but…"

But I didn't like hearing them speak to him in such a disrespectful manner…

In that moment I knew I would always want Miyabi to have that expression on his face, like he doesn't have a care in the world.

When he did finally look at me, he didn't appear happy or grateful at all, "So, you heard from the old codger?"

"What?"

"About me being half ayakashi."

"…Well, yeah. He said your mom had been human."

He stopped me there with his next words, "That doesn't mean that you should have to deal with people like them."

He then turned to me, his eyes completely unreadable, "Yes my mother was human, but that's got nothing to do with you. This is my problem."

"I know that, but-!"

I started to protest but he stopped me…again. But this time with a slightly arrogant smile, "So, you've finally acknowledged me as your fiancé."

I had to admit, it was somewhat of a relief to see that wicked smile back in place.

Though, then it registered what he had just said, "Th-That was just…!"

Miyabi tilted his head a fraction to the side, "Have you fallen for me? Or is it that you want my body?"

I felt a bit of the previous anxiety start to return as he said this, "That's not it! I was just…" I looked away momentarily. But it wasn't from anger, more like from the fear that he was right…that I fell…for him

I looked back into his eyes and gathered the courage to continue, "I just couldn't let them say those awful and completely untrue things about you."

Miyabi let out a heavy sigh as his eyes slid away from mine, "…Human's really are such inscrutable creatures."

"What…?"

I glanced back up and saw something I had never expected to see. He was smiling and it was kind and beautiful, serene. Not once had he ever smiled at me like this.

Then, he reached out and gently placed his hand on my head.

"There's no need to make such a face."

I half expected him so sneer and rune the moment, but his smile stayed soft and kind and as he continued, I could almost feel the pain he tried so hard to hide from his words.

"I'm used to this. It's always been this way since the day I was born."

"Miyabi, I…"

I struggled to think of something-anything I could say or do to comfort him, but my brain had become completely useless in the presence of such sad beauty.

His eyes never left mine, as he added, "But…you didn't laugh. Now that you know that I'm…half human."

"Laugh," I thought aloud, my own eyes remaining locked on his, "Why would I?"

"Everyone has, up until now. Laugh or look down on me. Treat me like I'm…nothing…"

He suddenly seemed to be having an internal struggle as he finally looked away, "And my Gramps was burdened with have to put up with it…"

I gently put my hands on his face so he would have to look back at me, "Don't say that…He does not think you're a burden…he told me so."

I slowly lowered my hands from his face, "And besides, you're Miyabi. You're mean and always acting superior and…"

His eyes narrowed suddenly, "That's enough."

But I didn't stop I couldn't, not when it was so clear that he was willing to believe the lies about himself.

"But human or ayakashi or even half ayakashi is NOT what matters." Continuing to stand my ground I added, "To me…you're…Miyabi. And you know what? Miyabi is a pretty great guy."

His eyes locked on mine and this time he didn't bother to hide the tinge of his cheeks, "…You…"

Miyabi suddenly pulled me close and hugged me tight.

It wasn't like the way he'd held me up until now… He held me gently, almost as though he were clinging to me.

I was confused by his current gentle…almost loving behavior.

Why…? Miyabi had always talked like I was just a way for him to kill time…

"Idiot…."

He softly mumbled the word into my hair.

"Miyabi…"

"…You truly are an idiot."

And suddenly he was laughing, but his laugh was no longer snide or sarcastic…it was genuine.

Miyabi then tenderly pressed his face into my hair and stroked my head over and over again…

…..

As the party ends, we are led to our bedchamber.

Well, here we are…

My stomach suddenly twisted into a panic as I glanced down at the single futon for two…

But as I glanced over at Miyabi and thought back to how tender he was as he held me in the hallway, I almost felt myself relax, that is before he opened him mouth and ruined the moment.

"Why the look of surprise? Now I can finally make love to you for real."

Now in full panic mode, "Okay, but wh-wh-wait… There's no way I will be able to sleep if we're in the same futon!"

He tilted his head a fraction, clearly amused, "Why do you persist with the nonsense, when you know that once I touch you, you'll immediately lose yourself to pleasure and want this?"

But that's the problem, I said internally, I can't resist when he touches me… I would just get caught up it the sensations and give him my body… That's what I wish to avoid!

"Anyway…oh, I know! Hang on."

I took the panel screens from the corner of the room and moved them to its center.

"Now all we have to do is arrange some cushions, and…"

Miyabi narrowed his eyes, clearly not amused, "What do you think you're doing?"

I paused but I would NOT let him intimidate me this time, "From here to here is my half of the room. And from here to there is yours."

I then narrowed my own eyes and added, "Absolutely NO trespassing on this side of the screen! Got it?"

His eyes then widened in slight surprise, "I see… Well, for a human, that was decently thought out."

I gawked at him in disbelief, "Always able to find a nasty comment to say about what I do…"

Perhaps it was pointless, though, I thought as I slid my eyes to the floor, After all, Miyabi would just flagrantly disregard the partition and come over to my side later on. What can I do? I know, if I just stay awake all night…

But before I could finish my thought process, he drew me back with his voice, "Don't worry. Forcing myself on you would go against my sense of beauty."

"Your sense of what now…?!"

The jerk had the audacity to appear shocked by my sudden outburst of anger.

"Why are you so surprised?"

"Seriously?! You're always forcing me!"

Now he was angry, "That's completely untrue and very rude of you to say! I would've stopped in an instant had you truly resisted."

Then his arrogant smirk slid back into place, "However, lately, it seems to me that you are just pretending to be annoyed."

Well hell! How did he know?! This is…utterly…humiliating.

Miyabi tilted his head a fraction as he continued, "Silly Snow, you must know by now that I can do as I wish with your body, whenever I like."

"W-well don't!"

Oh, who are you kidding, Miku? You couldn't stop him even if you wanted to because you wouldn't want to…

"Hmm. You'll be begging for my touch soon enough. But if you're telling me to cool it, I'll have to cool it… I won't touch you, okay?"

I couldn't think of anything intelligible to say to that, so I just scowled at him.

The jerk is too confident…! Then again, perhaps that's what happens when you're as popular as he is. But honestly! As if I would askMiyabi to touch me… I-I would never say it!

"Well, whatever. You should take this side."

Before I could respond, Miyabi tugged me by the arms and switched places with me.

"Huh? But why…?"

"You should sleep in the futon. I won't be able to put up with you making a fuss about how you didn't get any sleep."

With frustrated eyes, Miyabi went to the other side of the screen and threw himself down on the cushions I had put together for myself.

He may have appeared angered by this, but I was beginning to see that he was just trying not to let on that he did in fact have a softer side to himself.

I just stared at the partition, trying to see past it to him.

Normally, he'd randomly make his way into my futon. So why is it that suddenly he's being so understanding? It was almost like he was an entirely different person.

I kind of felt like I had dodged a bullet as I fell asleep, thankful for the futon.

However…

"Miyabi? Are you not cold with just the cushions? And is the floor at all uncomfortable?"

"Don't treat me like a weak human."

And that was all he said before he quickly fell silent again.

Honestly! I don't even know why I bother to worry about him…

It occurred to me, then, that I found little comfort from the awkward silence. And I found myself becoming nervous from just being in the same room together…

The silence continued for a while longer, and just when I could no longer take it, I found myself whispering to him.

"Miyabi… Are you asleep yet?"

"…"

I waited but he said nothing. He must really have fallen asleep. But I decided to try again anyway, "Before…back in the hallway…Why did you…Why did you hug me?"

"…"

But the silence continued.

"So you are asleep… Goodnight, Miyabi."

I eyes grew heavy and I let them close. And as I drifted to sleep, I could vividly recall the tender feeling of Miyabi's arms around me from when he had held me earlier. They were surprisingly masculine and strong. Kind, and also warm…

He had said that romantic feeling were pointless…a waste. So then why did he…?

But no matter how long I thought about it, there was no answer…