Blinking dazedly at the ocean water in front of her Ashi sniffed before her teal eyes hardened. Now was not the time to cry, Tomoe needed her and she was going to save him before time ran out. Remembering Mizuki brag about a time incense burner the goddess marched up to him. "Scales I need to use your time thingy." Frowning the snake chewed on his bottom lip.
"Ashi-sama I'm not-" Growling she shocked the Hebi by the feral sound of it.
"I don't care what could happen to me dammit; after I save Foxy then we can worry. Now either help me willingly or I'll order you too." Sighing the familiar grinned.
"Okay it's in our room at the hotel." Motioning over to Kurama where they were going she bite her lip tasting blood, if Tomoe died because of her she'd never forgive herself. Watching Mizuki scoop Kei into his arms she felt a well-known pull when two people were met to be together. That would have to wait for now though, shaking her head the deity followed after her friends.
Making sure the others were out of ear shot Ashi turned to Mizuki jerking back at how close his glowing green eyes were. "I'm envious of Tomoe, for you to love him so much and him to just pretend that you mean nothing. I'm jealous." Sitting back the snake pulled the incense burner from his robes sitting it in front of his master. "I think the wild fox should just stay gone." Peeking up at her through white lashes he laughed. "Have you ever felt this way before?" Frowning the goddess ran a hand through his soft greenish white hair.
"Mizuki I would do the same thing for you too, ya know? You're important to me too." Sighing the Hebi started the burner.
"But not as much as the fox. Tell me how do you suppress these feelings?" Feeling light headed the marriage god swayed.
"You really can't until you get over your feelings. Don't worry though there's someone out there for you, scales." Helping her lay down the Hebi gave a rueful smile before changing the subject.
"I can only go with you as a guide." Nodding she inhaled deeply letting the incense take effect. Flashes of memories filled her head each one of the fox demon she was trying to save. Floating peacefully the goddess drifted wondering if this was what death felt like. Being jerked back to reality when she landed in ankle deep snow she curse wishing she'd put on more than her basketball shorts and a short sleeved shirt. Rubbing her arms to get some warmth back she jumped when a hand settled on her shoulder.
"You must be so cold in that strange clothing; perhaps you would like to trade my kazuki for the dragon eye in your body?" Taking in what the women said Ashi gripped her chest. She had a what in where now? A distant voice called out and the women began to vanish.
"Wait where is it?" Turning to flee the witch disappeared into the snow storm. "Fuck!" Rubbing her arms again she spun around to glare at Mizuki who was warm and toasty in winter clothing. "You bastard share that!" Tackling the snake she wormed her way inside snuggling into his body heat. "Now where?" Throwing out her aura a massive youki bet against her own energy. Pulling the Hebi along with her the deity made her way further down the beach, stopping only when she was positive that the youkai she was looking for was right around the next corner. Peeking around the rock she gaped at the level of chaos, and in the middle of it all was a long haired silver fox demon. A giant sea slug choose that moment to attack, ending in a shower of blood that partially covered the goddess from where she leaned out from the rock. Imitating a fish Ashi balked feeling the red liquid slide down her face and coat her hair. Seeing the past Tomoe take to the air she tugged Mizuki along before he summoned a white snake to follow after the kitsune. Shutting her eyes against the cold Ashi leaned into the snake for warmth which made little sense because Hebi are cold blood. Squinting through the snow she pointed. "There he's going down." Taking in the home in front of him the familiar frowned.
"Why would a demon need a human house?" Shushing the reptile the deity tip toed down the wooden hall peeking into the room Tomoe had disappeared into. Watching the violet eyed male cuddle a human women to his chest the god huffed a dark look flashing before her eyes as an evil smile crossed the snake's face. "A human?" Uttering a growl she pulled Mizuki away when the fox stood headed back outside and away once again.
"That sonuva bitch. He told me he would never love a human and here he is living with one and asking her to be with him forever." Standing she pushed her way into the room creeping over to this so called 'Yukiji'. Realizing the women was pale and sickly Ashi deflated instantly. Sniffing the air Mizuki frowned, the women smelled of death and only the dragon's eye would save her now.
"Quickly Ashi-sama take the eye so we can go." Scooping the bead up the teen looked back one more time letting her eyes take in the form before her the goddess paused on the gentle swell of her stomach before gasping as a weak aura brushed against her own.
"She's pregnant, Mizuki. I can't take the eye knowing that." Taking the place Tomoe had just left she pushed the eye against the dark haired female's mouth willing her to swallow it. "Please if only for your baby, eat the damn eye." Snatching the eye from her hand the Hebi scowled.
"Don't you want this to get Tomoe back?" Making a grab for it she sighed.
"Yes but if it means killing someone no. I'll just have to find another way to get a dragon eye." Slowly handing the orb back to her Mizuki watched as Yukiji swallowed it before easing into the peaceful sleep.
"Are you really that selfless?" Standing she wrapped a hand around his as the incense began to wear off.
"Selfless? No but I refuse to kill a child." Letting the whiteness take her again she sighed falling back into her own time. Setting up a sharp pain in her chest had her curling in on herself as a coughing fit left her aching. Each cough hurt worse than the last until finally they turned from dry to wet as crimson liquid dribbled down her chin. After what felt like hours they stopped and she realized Mizuki held her tightly within his arms as panic stricken eyes darted everywhere. M-Mizuki?" A pale face turned to her.
"I didn't think the time travel would take that much out of you." His hand glowed a gentle green as he placed it on her chest searching for what went wrong. Gasping he jerked back and away from her. Staggering to her feet she stumbled towards the snake. "Yo- You're-" Placing a hand on his head she smiled.
"Sick? Yes I know." Wiping her face she grimaced at the after taste. "I need you to take me to the beach princess." Wishing not to argue with her more the snake did as she asked, within the hour they stood outside the isohime's cave.
"Wait here Ashi." Grinning at the familiar she had a bit of an idea of what he was going to do. Waiting for the okay she gazed up at the night sky. "Okay Ashi-sama." Quickly shuffling over to Mizuki she raised an eyebrow at the under dressed women before her.
"I hear you have a bargain for me." Nodding the goddess stepped forward.
"Yes I seem to have a dragon eye inside my body. I was wondering if you could get it out?" The witch's face lit up.
"Oh yes I see it, it's in there. I can take it out but what will you give me in return?"
"Anything!" Tapping her chin the witch smiled.
"I want 30 year-" Stopping she gripped the god's face turning it left and right before frowning. "You do not have 30 years left of your life; in fact you don't have much time at all." Looking away the teen felt herself tear up. Before she was forced away from the hime by Mizuki who hissed.
"Remove the eye, now." Frowning the isohime looked between the two of them.
"Why should I? Would you like to try? Without even knowing where the eye is." Pushing the Hebi out of her way Ashi pleaded.
"Please you can have what's left of my life if you must." Pupils shrinking Mizuki Felt his fangs lengthen. He had just gotten a new master and already she wished to leave this world too.
"You don't have to do this." Following the witch farther into the cave she looked back at the snake. Letting isohime tilt her chin up she braced herself.
"I will collect your life after this." Striking the witch pulled the dragon eye from Ashi's chest chuckling. Gasping at the pain her vision swam. "I knew there was something more to you, land god." Weakly lifting her head the goddess frowned.
"See? Why couldn't you have listened to me?" Having forgotten about the snake Isohime switched focus just in time for Mizuki to attack, white serpents wrapped around her as the familiar plucked the eye from her fingers setting it in Ashi's hand. Setting up she coughed smiling at the Hebi.
"Sorry scales next time we'll go with your plan instead." Screeching in rage the witch tried to break free. Both turned to the women with equally disturbing expressions on their faces. "What shall we do with her?" Grinning the white snake willed his phantom servants to coil around the female more.
"We could feed her to my summons they haven't had a good meal in a while." Tapping her chin in thought the deity nodded.
"Yes that sounds good."
"Wait! Wait! I didn't take anything and I'll even give you two tickets to the Dragon King's castle if you let me live!" Shrugging Ashi turned away.
"I leave it to you Scales, either way bring the tickets." Snatching the tickets Mizuki let his summons disappear before running to catch up with his master.
"You should know that no familiar will kill in front of their master. I'm sure even Tomoe believes in this rule." Grinning the goddess rubbed her chest missing the sad look the snake gave her.
Smirking at the paling Dragon in front of him Tomoe let his youki raise as much as his bindings would let it. Cracking his knuckles he laughed as his claws extended. "How dare you show your face in front of Ashi." He growled taking a step forward. "I refuse to kill in front of her, and know that we're alone I can finally enjoy myself without hurting her." Dashing forward he attacked.
"Oh wow!" Looking up at the RyuuGuuJou Ashi had a feeling she would have enjoyed it had Tomoe not been in a life or death situation. A sudden quake had both females staggering and with Ashi already light headed she fell. KameHime gasped.
"Are you alright Ashi?" Pushing to her feet the human nodded. "My husband must be fighting. Quickly before he destroys the palace, again." Following after the turtle queen the teen felt like she needed a vacation form her vacation.
A shield of blue fox fire surrounded the wild fox as the Ryuu-Ou knelt panting in front of him. Catching his breath the purple haired male set back. "What would your mate think of you, I wonder? You seem more beastly now than 500 years ago, not even your little human's love would withstand this." Stopping in his advance the kitsune growled as red seeped in to his eyes.
"What do you know of Ashi?" Grinning the Dragon king stood.
"She begged me to let you go. Even promising to get my eye back in exchange for your life." The foxfire faded as the youkai blinked.
"That baka. Even if she is a goddess she can't do everything."
"What you mean that girl was a god?! But she was so weak!" Snarling a fire ball hit the wall just over the dragon's head.
"She maybe new but she is far from weak. Ashi is the land god." Silvery ears twitched as a familiar voice shouted from outside.
"I don't care if your lord ordered you to guard the door move or Imma knock you both out." Shoving past the annoying slugs the deity threw the barely hanging doors open before her eyes locked with beautiful violet. "Tomoe!" Eyes widening he looked around for a place to hide but it was too late tender arms wrapped around his middle as Ashi tackled him to the ground. "You asshole never do that again. I'm ordering you to protect yourself if it comes down to you or me! You should have just let the stupid lizard have me." A faint cry of 'hey' went unnoticed by the pair. Smiling he placed a hand on her hair frowning when he realized it was dripping with blood. Sniffing he growled recognizing the smell of it.
"Did any of the slugs attack you?" Blinking at the question she blanked for a moment.
"Oh no! Mizuki let me use the time incense burner to go back in time. How come you had long hair back then but won't grow it now?" His breath caught.
"You met me in the past? Are you stupid I could have killed you." Laughing she struggled to keep her eyes open. "Ashi? Oi…" Trailing off the fox sighed scooping her into his arms. The day's events had finally caught up with her, so she missed how everything was resolved but she knew it all work out for the better because Tomoe was glaring at her from the table when she woke up the next morning.
Yay another chapter. If you see any errors tell me please. Read and review please!