Before Tubby Stopped the Second Archon War:
Beneath the Sakura petals of the Narukami Shrine, the Electro Archon met with the Guuji for tea. Yae Miko poured them both a pot. As their tea steeped, they discussed unimportant things.
"So," said Yae Miko, "What's on your mind?"
"Hmm?"
"Oh, nothing. You just seem distracted that's all."
Ei sighed.
Lately, her thoughts had been … diverted. She needed clarity.
"Miko. Have you ever …been in love?"
"Can't say I have. Why?"
"I believe I am."
A breeze rustled petals from the Sakura, carrying them down the mountainside. Ei lowered her cup into the saucer. Now that she had confessed her feelings, they seemed more real. For the first time in centuries since Sasayuri, she was in love again.
Yae Miko chuckled in her amused little way. "Oh my. Are you certain?"
"Yes," she said.
For a fraction of a second, a pained knowingness flickered across Yae Miko's expression. Without looking at Ei, Yae Miko poured them both a cup. Then, she forced a smile.
"So, have you told Aether?"
Ei blushed. "Is it that obvious?"
"Just an educated guess," said Miko as she sipped the tea, angling the cup so it obscured her lips. "I assume you haven't?"
"No. I am not sure he would reciprocate."
"You won't know until you try. You'd best hurry or someone else might take him."
"Someone like you?"
Yae Miko froze. She put on a smile and gave a mock laugh.
"Oh, my dear, did you see right through me?" Her tone was tongue in cheek. But there was a note of pain underlying it.
"You love him too," said Ei. "Seems you only realized it when you might lose him."
Yae Miko's brow twitched with annoyance. She blustered in her dignified manner, "You read too much into this. I don't fall in love."
She sipped her tea, maintaining an outwardly composed demeanor. Ei wasn't fooled. If her tails were out right now, they'd be squirming with embarrassment.
"Miko," she said in a gentler voice. "I can sense your true feelings."
"I told you I'm not in love," she said curtly.
"Miko, we have lived millennia. You and I both know that life isn't fair. Not every person gets to experience this kind of connection," said Ei. "Take it from me. Hiding from your feelings is no way to live."
Yae Miko stared at her reflection in the tea. Reaching out, Ei rested a palm on her hand.
"I want to confess," she said. "I hope you will too. That way, neither of us will have any regrets."
"You're not worried I'll take him from you?" said Miko only half-teasing.
"A bit," she admitted. "But, why don't we simply share him?"
"Please," snorted Yae Miko. "We're not the only ones after him. You think we could get forty other women to compromise too?"