Maya only has two tails left! Who better to help her get rid of one than her very own partner?
Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.
Chapter 12. To Rest
When Maya does finally wake again several hours later, it's because of her ears picking up on the sound of rumbling stomachs again.
She opens her eyes to find the room bright, with the alarm clock reading almost noon. She feels the hollowness in her own stomach, but what she'd been hearing was Claudine's, and it whines again presently.
Maya lightly rubs her hand over her sleeping partner's stomach. She can still detect the faint scent of tears, frowning to recall the events of what had happened earlier that morning. At the very least, when she listens to Claudine's pulse now, it is calm and undisturbed. But her stomach soon growls again, and as much as Maya would like to let her sleep, she doesn't want Claudine to get sick from not eating. So after a few more moments of simply lying with her, Maya brushes her nose against hers.
"Claudine…?" She tucks herself against Claudine's shoulder and hugs her gently, easing her awake.
She hears the small moan in the back of Claudine's throat, followed by a tired, almost-yawn sort of sound. When Claudine half-consciously reaches out, her arms come to rest around one of Maya's tails. Claudine turns onto her side and hugs it fully to her chest. Chuckling, Maya inches close and kisses her forehead.
"Claudine? As adorable as you are being right now, I think it would be best if you get something to eat soon."
With a sigh, Claudine opens her eyes slowly, and then seems to realize that she's holding onto Tamamo-no-Mae's tail as though it were a pillow. Flustered, she releases it, but Maya moves in to hold her instead.
"It is all right. Tamamo-no-Mae would be happy to know her tails are so well-loved."
"What time is it?" Claudine huffs.
"Just before noon."
"That late? Ugh, what a waste."
"Not at all," Maya says. "If you were tired enough to warrant sleeping in so late, then it was not a waste at all. Rather, it was much-needed."
"Why are you already so annoying the second you wake up?"
"My apologies." Maya smiles, glad that Claudine is acting more like her usual self now; she much prefers this to the tears from before. She pampers her with a few more kisses, until she hears Claudine's heart starting to skip beats.
"A-All right!" Claudine paws her off, blushing pink. "That's enough. I'm starving."
Maya moves off of her and they both sit up. Since Claudine will be going out to fetch Maya food as per usual, Maya offers to do some laundry to help out. She isn't very tired, and would rather help Claudine with chores today instead of sleep.
So Claudine takes her turn in the bathroom, and in the meantime Maya strips the bed of its sheets and covers and piles them into a basket. When Claudine finishes changing for the day, she takes the basket and heads out, during which time Maya bathes.
Claudine puts the laundry in the wash, then procures some food for Maya and herself. She sees the others in the lounge having lunch together, and briefly discusses their plans for freeing Maya of the fox completely. She has only two tails left, and next it will be Claudine's turn to help get rid of one.
"You can do it, Kuro-chan!" Karen cheers for her.
"It should be quite an enjoyable 'adventure'," Kaoruko says. "If you can even call it that."
"Kuro-chan's objective is just as important as any of ours," Mahiru says. "Tamamo-no-Mae will understand that!"
"Yes!" Nana agrees. "And then it'll only be one tail left!"
"We should talk about what we're going to do for the last one," Junna says. "Just to make sure everyone is on board."
Claudine sits with them for a moment and eats a bit of her food, then when the discussion is over she takes her leave to bring Maya her lunch.
Claudine sits at her desk to eat, and Maya sits on the floor beside her, leaning back against her partner's legs. Claudine can't resist reaching down to poke her ears.
When they're finished Claudine retrieves her laundry, and Maya helps her redress the bed with fresh sheets. By then it's only 2PM.
"Do you have errands to run?" Maya wonders.
Claudine shrugs.
"Nothing that important. I'd rather stay here and keep an eye on you."
"I would love nothing more than to have your company this afternoon."
"Mechante va. Let's at least practice some dancing."
"It would be my honor."
And so they dance once again, going over everything Claudine had learned in lessons throughout the week and putting it all together.
And again, she's a bit irked that Maya can do it all so perfectly, even without having been at practice, without the proper attire, and without the proper space. But it allows Claudine to not have to worry about her, and instead she can focus on improving her own technique.
Maya feels Tamamo-no-Mae rouse herself about halfway through their dance. The odd hours of last night's adventure, and Maya's excessive movement during the daytime today have the fox waking earlier. Claudine can tell the fox is awake, because Maya's ears and tails begin moving a bit more, and there's a certain look in her eyes that tells she isn't the only one awake in her body.
Claudine eases them to a stop at the end of their number and clears her throat.
"I take it Tamamo-no-Mae is up?"
"Indeed she is."
"Good." Claudine puffs out her chest a little. "Then we'll start now. One of your final objectives will be with me today."
Maya blinks. While she had been anticipating Claudine to be the next one on the list of taking Tamamo-no-Mae on an adventure, she didn't think it would be so early in the day. Maya tilts her head and flicks and ear in confusion.
"But Saijou-san… it is far too early, is it not? Surely if we were to venture out now, we would be seen…"
"Who said we're going out?" Claudine huffs. "We're going to accomplish everything we need right here."
"Eh?"
"Just come here."
Claudine tugs Maya in by the hand, then guides her back toward the bed. They each remove their slippers and then sit down together. Claudine takes both of Maya's hands and looks directly into her eyes, seeking out the fox.
"Tamamo-no-Mae should know," she says sternly. "That this is the most important lesson of all. More important than having fun or sneaking around, and maybe even more important than learning new things." She pauses, then smiles. "Tamamo-no-Mae, Tendo Maya, our objective for this afternoon is to relax."
Maya feels a slight disappointment from the fox, but Maya herself smiles at Claudine's revelation.
"I whole-heartedly agree. To rest and relax is perhaps the most vital aspect in life. And after the events of this week, all of us could use some."
"Right? I thought so too. Sorry if it isn't the most thrilling thing… But it'll be worth it. I promise. After all…" Here, Claudine looks down with a blush, avoiding her eyes. "There are some things you can only do in the comfort and safety of your own space with the ones you care about the most."
Hearing her say that causes Maya's whole heart to ache with love. She doesn't even pay any mind to the urge to tease her in return this time. Instead, Maya simply throws her arms around Claudine and bowls her back onto the bed. Claudine catches her as she lands, crushed softly beneath Maya's weight.
"Seriously, you're so dramatic…"
Maya says nothing, but simply burrows closer against her shoulder.
Claudine holds her like that for a little while, stroking up and down her back, through her hair and across her tails. Maya does as Claudine intends for her to do and relaxes, breathing in her scent deeply and tucking herself in close against the sound of her heartbeat.
When Maya exhales, she lets go of more and more of her stresses and fears that have been plaguing her all throughout the week, and when she inhales, her chest is filled with the comforts of Claudine's warmth. Feeling Claudine's heart thumping steadily against her own truly does put her at ease.
And she can also tell that Tamamo-no-Mae is feeling the effects of it as well.
Images, or perhaps memories, flash through Maya's mind. They are memories of a family of foxes, tucked snugly against each other in the safety of their cave. Parents, grandparents, siblings, all surrounding Tamamo-no-Mae, keeping her warm with their soft fur and gentle tongues. Tamamo-no-Mae's ancient spirit had experienced so much in her time, she had all but forgotten these precious times until now.
And then, of course, a mischievous streak. The young fox gives a yip of delight and tackles one of her siblings, rolling her over in a friendly tussle. And then the other youngsters join in a big pile of ears and tails.
Maya can't help but want to match that slight desire for mischief.
She lets her hand stray down Claudine's side, casual and unsuspecting at first. But then she curls her claws in lightly. Claudine jolts.
"H-Hey! Why you-"
Maya laughs and proceeds with her attack, tickling Claudine more fully before she can even hope to counter. Claudine shrieks again, grabbing Maya's shoulders in an attempt to knock her off and thrashing her legs.
"H-How dare you- aha!" Claudine quickly clamps her mouth shut as Maya wiggles her fingers up her sides again, gliding her nails carefully. A rush of enjoyment comes from Tamamo-no-Mae as well.
"My apologies," Maya hums. "I simply couldn't resist."
"Idiot!" Claudine hisses. "W-What if someone hears? You aren't supposed to be here!"
"Well then, please do try to keep quiet." Maya offers this unhelpful advice before commencing her attack, running her hands all up Claudine's sides and across her stomach.
Claudine bites back another yelp, trying in vain to wrestle her off. When she almost lets out another shriek, Maya quickly dives in to kiss her and swallow the sound, chuckling against her lips. Claudine nips her in return, and the fox within Maya has her nipping back.
She has her way with Claudine for a few moments, taking advantage of the ambush to further weaken Claudine and earn even more stifled laughter from her. Maya's tails swish in delight, and her ears tune in to pick up on every tiny sound. But then, Claudine glares up at her with a huff and manages to knock Maya sideways.
"You'll pay for this-" she grumbles, and then proceeds to counterattack. The second she tickles Maya, the sensation catches her so off-guard that Maya laughs outright, so loudly that Claudine freezes in her tracks and goes stiff.
"Hush, you idiot!"
"But I couldn't help myself," Maya chuckles.
"And you were telling me to be quiet!"
Claudine dives in to tickle her more, and Maya wriggles beneath her in a bundle of clothes, hair, and tails.
Again, the memories of Tamamo-no-Mae flash through her mind, young foxes playing together without a care in the world. She laughs out loud again, causing Claudine to cover her mouth with her hand. Maya kisses her palm, and Claudine turns pink.
Claudine tries to chide her by tickling her more, but she can't even put up the annoyed facade for long before Maya's laughter is causing her to smile too.
But only a moment later, Maya sends her tails toward Claudine's face. The fur tickles her nose and makes her sneeze, and Maya seizes her chance to turn the tides. She grabs Claudine and flips her over, pinning her once again to proceed tickling her, and Claudine squeals.
"I-If we get found out, it's your own fault!"
"If that is the price of hearing your laughter, then I shall gladly accept."
"You're so annoying!" Claudine's next protest turns into a laugh halfway through, and Maya continues gliding her nails all along her sides. Claudine tries to thrash and wrestle her as quietly as possible, but trying to keep it in just makes her laugh all the louder.
Maya can't get enough of it; the longer she looks at Claudine's smile, the wider her own becomes.
She continues her antics for a while longer, until she can feel her partner weakening. Once Claudine starts panting for breath, Maya slowly eases to a stop. She leans down over her, kisses her nose, and then begins peppering kisses across her flushed face. Claudine gasps beneath her, and Maya feels her heart pounding as clearly as she can hear it. She leaves a kiss on Claudine's cheek, and then one on her lips.
"You are quite cute, Ma Claudine."
"Could you be quiet… for five seconds?" Wheezing, Claudine yanks Maya down into a tight hug, and Maya happily obliges. She snuggles close, brushing her cheek with Claudine's, kissing her nose, massaging her chest gently.
Claudine closes her eyes to catch her breath for a bit, and Maya is more than content to curl up and enjoy the sound of her heart. Like Tamamo-no-Mae, Maya herself also feels calm and happy now. She feels truly safe, truly at home...
She hardly even notices when one of the last of her two tails disappears.
When Claudine finally opens her eyes again, she gasps softly. Maya looks behind herself to confirm that only one tail remains.
"You allowed Tamamo-no-Mae to reminisce on some of her most precious memories," Maya murmurs. "She had nearly forgotten those happy, innocent times. Thank you, Claudine." Maya settles over her in an embrace. Claudine hugs her back, sighing with relief.
"I'm glad… But as for that final tail and those ears of hers, we'll deal with them later. For now-" A small yawn interrupts her, and Maya remembers neither of them had slept all that much the night before. Maya hums and cuddles close against her.
"Later," she agrees. "For now, please take your own advice and relax, Claudine. I shall gladly accompany you."
"You'd better…"
Maya kisses her again, long and slow, until she feels the moment when Claudine dozes off. Maya rests her head on Claudine's chest and readies herself for what should be her last nap with Tamamo-no-Mae.
Maya has gotten to know her so well recently, she almost fears she'll be a bit sad to have her go. But she knows it will be for the better, for everyone's sake. She'll just have to wait a while longer to wait and see what her friends have in store for one final adventure.
Until then, Maya exhales and lets herself drift off to the sound of Claudine's pulse.
Tonight, she dreams of a fox once again, only this time, that fox is surrounded by many, many friends.
A/N: A Mayakuro tickle fight? Who, me? Never...
Though Claudine was the last of their friends to have a turn with Maya for breaking the curse, I wanted to do a restful chapter instead of something eventful. I believe it was Maya herself who said at some point in the anime that rest is just as crucial as practice, and both she and Claudine need a break in this story!
Now then, what will they do for that last tail...?
Please review!