#yae publishing house; closing

[genshingorlsrevengeance]

(Genshin Impact/H:SR) Asking "What does PLAP PLAP PLAP mean?" to their S/O

Genshin: Arlecchino, Ayaka, Ei, Furina, Jean, Kokomi, Shenhe, Xianyun Star Rail: Asta, Firefly, Natasha, March 7th, Stelle

I don't know what possessed me to write this, other than imagining it'd be REALLY funny, and REALLY stupid.

NSF-W IMPLICATIONS BELOW THE CUT!

Arlecchino had overheard this term passing by a younger couple, and she had no earthly idea of what it meant.

It seemed like everyday, the vocabulary gap was growing wider and wider between her and the others.

And considering it was a couple saying it, and not children, there was really only one person to ask.

(Arlecchino) "S/O. I'd like to ask you about something I overheard."

S/O took the teacup into their hand and smiled at her.

(S/O) "What is it, Arle?"

(Arlecchino) "Do you know what, and apologies if I am mispronouncing this, plap plap plap is?"

S/O immediately spat out their drink all over the table, making Arlecchino blink twice in surprise.

Their fist hit their chest repeatedly as they engaged in a violent coughing fit, suddenly turning to her with a much more shocked expression.

(S/O) "WHAT?!"

(Arlecchino) "Judging by your reaction, you appear to."

Arlecchino noticed they immediately began blushing, trying to look everywhere except at her.

But S/O knew better than to lie to her, or god forbid she went to ask her kids what it meant.

(S/O) "It...It uh, refers to an action in bed."

Arlecchino didn't have to ask twice, noticing how they emphasized the last word.

(Arlecchino) "...I see. Is this what all couples are doing these days?"

S/O sighed, cleaning up their mess.

(S/O) "Apparently, if you overheard it in broad daylight..."

(Arlecchino) "Do you think we should join them as well?"

S/O could've sworn there was a small smirk at the end of her question, but she was stoic as ever. They, however, were reduced to another coughing and blushing mess.

(Ayaka) "S/O, does plap have a special meaning to it?"

Ayaka thinks it's some kind of sound effect, but she wasn't entirely sure. She had read it in a book from the Yae Publishing House, but the book didn't really go into detail what it meant.

Ayaka seemed genuinely puzzled at S/O's reaction, why were they so red?

(Ayaka) "S/O, are you alright? You're turning red very quickly!"

(S/O) "I-I'm fine! It's just-Uh...How do I explain this?"

She tilted her head slightly at S/O looking around the room, making sure Thoma or Ayato wasn't in earshot.

Then, S/O whispered into her ear, making Ayaka's eyes widen and join them in turning bright red.

(Ayaka) "...A-Ah...?!"

Ayaka immediately buries her hands into her face.

(Ayaka) "P-Please forget I asked that question, it was incredibly crude of me to say something like that out loud!"

(Ei) "S/O. There's a word in this book I do not recognize."

(S/O) "Here, let me see!"

S/O happily snuggled close to Ei, their eyes going line by line until they reached the word she was pointing at.

And Ei felt their heartrate suddenly spike up, but since she was behind their head, she couldn't see their expression.

(Ei) "...Do you know what it means?"

(S/O) "...Ei, what is this book?"

(Ei) "One that Miko recommended I read and show you, actually."

(S/O) "E-Ei...this book is um...how to phrase this, smut?"

(Ei) "I am aware."

(S/O) "...Wha-"

(Ei) "I know what I am reading heavily involves sex, S/O. I am no fool, but what does plap mean?"

S/O had to explain to her in detail, and why it became a thing, all the while Ei looked mildly intrigued and S/O wanted to die.

But first, they had to ask Miko why in the hell did they give Ei smut?!

(Furina) "...P-Plap?"

Furina's eyes frowned at the word she had just read.

She grabbed a bunch of books on sale while she was out in the city, not really caring their origin or genre.

But clearly, S/O did as they dropped their book completely when Furina spoke it aloud.

(S/O) "F-Furina...?!"

She turned to them with an eyebrow raised.

(Furina) "What is it?"

Noticing how flustered they had become, she grew even more confused as she quickly put the pieces together.

(Furina) "Does...plap mean something to you, S/O?"

(S/O) "Y-You know what that means, right Furina?"

(Furina) "...Psh, of course I do!"

She said without batting an eyelash, staring directly at S/O.

Of course she had no idea what on Gods' green Tevyat it meant, but maybe she could impress S/O by knowing such a word!

(Furina) "Plapping comes naturally to me-"

(S/O) "PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT WORD, FURINA."

Jean emits a quiet "huh" as she puts down her book.

Lisa had suggested this one to read, and admittedly it was a little...raunchier than what she usually reads for romance, but it was still cute.

Until it got to a certain part where it was only giving onomatopoeia for a scene.

Jean wanted to ask Lisa what it meant, until S/O came through the door to their bedroom.

(Jean) "Ah, perfect timing!"

(S/O) "Hello, love. What book are you reading?'

(Jean) "Funny you should mention it, there's a word in here I don't quite understand."

(S/O) "Really? That's surprising, coming from you. What is it?"

Jean opened the page before finding it again, and turning to S/O.

(Jean) "Plap plap plap?"

In an instant, S/O's words died at their throat.

(S/O) ...Nevermind, it makes a lot more sense now...

(Jean) "Um...are you alright dear? Your face looks like its heating up."

Kokomi knew this book Yae picked out for her would be strange.

On top of having the strangest plot for romance she's read, now there were all sorts of words she had no idea what they meant.

Kokomi hummed a cute grunt of annoyance, making S/O's head lift as they were cuddling in bed together.

(S/O) "Koko?"

(Kokomi) "Here, can you read this and tell me what it means?"

(S/O) "Sure."

S/O smiled and picked up the book and glanced at the page. Kokomi saw their expression change by the second, growing more and more concerned.

(S/O) "...W-Which passage are you asking about, Koko?"

(Kokomi) "The one that says plap in it. Is that a noise?"

(S/O) "...Y-Yes it is."

Kokomi grabbed her book back, not noticing how embarrassed S/O was becoming, putting one finger under her chin.

(Kokomi) sigh "This book continues to elude me in its writing. I'm half tempted to pick another book at this rate."

S/O was secretly praying she would, lest she get to some...spicier parts of that same page, and they did not want to have to explain that to their girlfriend.

Shenhe would usually ask all sorts of questions to S/O, ranging from food, what the usual mortal activity was, or even how they were.

This time, it was something that made them flustered, which those occassions weren't in short supply either.

(Shenhe) "S/O, what does it mean when something goes plap plap plap?"

Shenhe saw the telltale signs that this question made S/O embarrassed, the flush in their cheeks, the widening in their eyes, and body freezing up.

(Shenhe) "...Is this another situation where I shouldn't ask others about it?"

Shenhe saw their head nod yes, making her happy that she can at least tell a situation just by words alone.

And S/O knew that they had to be as direct as possible so she wouldn't be confused.

(S/O) "Y-Yes, it's um...r-related to sex, Shenhe."

After explaining it to her, she quickly understands the concept.

(Shenhe) "Is it possible for us-"

(S/O) T-THAT'S ENOUGH, SHENHE!"

Xianyun had to get familiar with a lot of terms when she came to Liyue, no doubt Zhongli and Shenhe had to do the same.

Thankfully, she had Ganyu and many other kind souls in the Harbor to teach her.

None more educating than her S/O. And like always, she had a question for her beloved.

(Xianyun) "One must ask you something, S/O. I overheard a young mortal couple saying something that flustered their friends. Is plap plap plap something taboo?"

S/O coughed on their food, eyes glancing over to Xianyun, making sure they heard the question correct.

Xianyun was sitting silently, awaiting an answer as she adjusted her glasses with a finger.

(S/O) "V-Very taboo, Xianyun..."

(Xianyun) "But what exactly does it mean?"

(S/O) "It...ugh, it has to do with intercourse..."

That was the best way they could've phrased that without exploding.

(Xianyun) "...Is that it? That seems fairly mundane for everyone to become so flustered about, yourself included-"

(S/O) "YOU SHOULDN'T GO AROUND FLAUNTING IT TO OTHERS!"

Asta saw some kind of weird ad on her phone while she was shopping.

No doubt it'd give her a virus, so she ignored it, but the word on there was quite strange.

(Asta) "The heck is a plap?"

The door to her bedroom slid open, with S/O laying down next to her while Asta kept scrolling.

(S/O) "Heya-...Something bothering you? Your face is doing that cute frown."

She giggled at that but shook her head.

(Asta) "Nah, nothing. Just a word I didn't know on some clickbait ad."

(S/O) "What was it?"

S/O got their answer when they leaned over to her phone.

(Asta) "That one riiiiight there. Know what that-"

And Asta got her answer when she saw their face.

(Asta) "Wow! You're burning up!"

(S/O) "Um...J-Just search it up."

Asta raised an eyebrow.

(Asta) "Why can't you just tell me?"

(S/O) "Just d-do it."

(Asta) "Oookay? ... ... ...O-Oh. Ooooh..."

Firefly was very confused when she heard those three words for the first time.

Silver Wolf had said it, regarding her and S/O. Kafka laughed while Blade rolled his eyes, yet Firefly had no idea what it actually meant.

And, to be expected, neither of the three would tell her what it meant.

Meaning there was one person who would!

Getting her phone out, she texted S/O.

[Firefly] S/O!~ [S/O] What's up, sweetie? [Firefly] What's 'plap plap plap'? ... [S/O] is typing... ...

(Firefly) "...Huh?"

Suddenly, S/O stopped typing, making her pout.

(Firefly) "Hmph! Why is no one telling me what that means?!"

She'd just have to ask them in person, then they couldn't avoid it!

ONE IN PERSON EXPLANATION LATER

Firefly had completely frozen in place, her eyes wide-eyed like a doe as her words stuttered and died before they fully formed.

(Firefly) "I-I...A-AH!"

She couldn't meet S/O's eyes anymore, and immediately encased herself in her armor, looking away.

March overheard a couple planetside say it, and it made her giggle.

It was kinda fun to say!

But...she didn't really knew what it meant. Dan Heng and Pom-Pom sure didn't.

Caelus and Stelle seemed to laugh at it, but never told her.

Welt and Himeko's eyes widened a bit upon hearing March say it, but would find an excuse when she asked what it meant.

She COULD look at the internet and find out, but instead:

March wrapped her arms playfully around S/O's shoulders, feeling them relax into her hug.

(March 7th) "S/O! Question!"

(S/O) "Hm? What's your question, March?"

(March 7th) "Does plap plap plap mean anything weird?"

March felt their body stiffen in response. She could tell they wanted to move out her arms, but she didn't let them with her ironclad grip.

(S/O) "Does...Does it relate to you holding onto me like that...?!"

(March 7th) "Iunno, you tell me! Everyone's acting super weird everytime I say it."

(S/O) "It...uh..."

They whispered it into her ear, making her back up and cover her mouth in shock.

(March 7th) "I...I'VE BEEN SAYING THAT ALL DAY!"

(S/O) "Oh my god..."

Natasha wasn't an idiot, of course she knew what it meant.

She had to tell many people off from saying it near her kids.

But...it was kind of funny to see people's reactions to it, and she was not above teasing S/O in the slightest.

With a little smirk after work one night, she cuddles close into S/O, sounding as innocent as possible.

(Natasha) "S/O?"

(S/O) "Yes, Nat?"

(Natasha) "Can you tell me what plap means? I thought I heard some of the kids saying it."

Watching S/O's face scrunch up into a mixture of horror and embarrassment was absolutely hilarious, so much so her facade immediately broke.

(S/O) "N-NAT! You can't just ask crap like that out of the blue!"

(Natasha) "Sorry, sorry, I couldn't resist! You're just so cute when you do that.~"

Stelle 100% knows what it means.

The question was, did S/O?

It was a good thing she was usually super stoic, at least in person, cause that meant she could bullshit S/O into thinking she didn't.

She walks into their room, with the best poker face she had.

(Stelle) "Hey, S/O."

(S/O) "What's up, Stelle?"

(Stelle) "What does plap plap plap mean?"

Watching their breath stop for a split second, their eyes suddenly darting back and forth.

Oh yeah, they knew what it meant.

S/O stared at her with a red face for a few moments before frowning.

(S/O) "...I know what you're doing, Stelle. You 100% know what it means!"

Damn it, she failed the deception check.

They knew her too well...

Oh well, watching them be flustered was always super cute/funny.

[sl-vega]

[ 💌 ] - VOICELINES ABOUT YOU - genshin x reader

✮⋆˙ voicelines that the characters would have about you in game, whether you be a partner or someone they have feelings for <3 + voicelines other characters would have spectating your relationship (open to doing more characters if requested!)

↳ characters: kazuha & venti

cw; potentially ooc, lowk cringe, reader is not shown but only stated, the characters are talking about (y/n) to the traveler (kept vague onto whether it's lumine or aether), reader is gn, relationship with y/n + the characters varies <3

divider creds to @anemichorizon2 <3

KAEDEHARA KAZUHA - [🍁]

↳ about y/n

"The person from Yae Publishing House that you always see me with? Ah, you must be referring to (Y/N)! I've been acquainted with them for quite some time, whenever Beidou and I visit Narukami Island, they always manage to show me any new books they have in stock. They've been dabbling in writing poems here and there as well, their eyes light up whenever they show me a new piece that they've written, it's quite adorable really..."

"Hm? What was that traveler? My...relationship with them? Why we're friends of course, what else?"

"...What's with that expression on your face? Ah, no it's not like that...you sound just like Beidou whenever I bring them up around her, you know that?"

beidou - about (y/n) and kazuha

"Kazuha's insisted on taking stops by Narukami Island a lot more frequently as of late, thankfully he doesn't bother playing the fool with me-he knows that I know him well enough to see right through an act like that- as for why you ask? To visit that little shop clerk that's caught his eye of course."

"Last time I saw them together, he was looking at them as if they were the only person in the world. Not to mention how he's constantly gushing about the poems and haikus they exchange, and whenever we arrive in Ritou, (Y/N) is always the first person to greet them, they get all sappy whenever he has to leave with the rest of the crew as well. I do have to admit that they make a good pair, he's happy with her, and as cheesy as they are, I'm happy he's found someone that makes him feel that way. Don't tell him I said that though."

yae miko - about (y/n) and kazuha

"Ah, you want to know more about my favourite employee and their silly little school girl crush on that samurai? It's straight out of a romantic light novel in all honesty, the way they look so dreamy-eyed and entranced whenever he comes to visit, simply and positively adorable. Whenever they call in sick or ask for someone else to cover their shift I always find out that Kazuha happens to be in the area on the same day, ah...young love."

VENTI - [🎼]

↳ about y/n

"Traveler! Look at this bottle of Dandelion Wine I managed to snag from the Angel's Share! And no, I didn't steal it mind you, someone gifted it to me. You know (Y/N)? Oh, you haven't met them? Well they work part-time as a bartender at the Angel's Share, and they're wonderful company."

"I always make sure to grab a drink whenever they have a shift. They're very sweet on me too, sometimes they give me a discount, and if I'm lucky, they give me something on the house!"

"They always listen to my tales and performances at the tavern as well, and they always have the most witty and amusing commentary to accompany my performances, I honestly think that they're one of the few reasons that Diluc doesn't kick me out that often anymore..."

diluc - about (y/n) and venti

"Venti's been coming to the tavern a lot more than usual, which is saying a lot. Whenever I'm working part time as a bartender at the Angel's Share and he comes to order something he always looks incredibly disappointed when he sees me there. Hm? Don't worry I'm not daft, I already know why. Just...let me know if it ever looks like he's getting too close, (Y/N) treats him like some lost kitten, a few whines and a sad little look and they fold just like a frame sign. I don't want him getting into the habit of expecting free drinks all the time either."

kaeya - about (y/n) and venti

"You know that bard's sweet little partner? Well, they aren't actually partners-not yet, at least- and they're quite lovely, whenever they serve me at the tavern they're always so polite and kind. Me and Rosaria have a little bet going on regarding their relationship with Venti. What does the bet entail? Why who will ask who out first of course! My money's on Venti, Rosaria put her mora on the cute little bartender. Why do you ask? Wanna join?"

🍓 TAGLIST; @shrii-kk

[amyminhminh]

⋆*･ﾟ You ⋆ ☾*･ﾟ:

Tags: Wanderer x reader, gn!reader

Summary: Wanderer misses your presence while you are away and fortunately, you come back home.

──────────────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ────────────────

Wanderer flipped the pages begrudgingly, his tired eyes drooping under the dim light.

Kusanali had made him write more theses more often lately, and not to mention his additional work of helping the young god around Sumeru. Everything was taking a toll on him and he didn’t like it one bit.

His beloved was out at that time. He missed your presence. Your sweet scent. Your voice… Your everything. He just wanted to see your small form slipping through the door of your shared home, tip-toeing on the floor boards to surprise him. He craved to feel your arms wrapping around his shoulders as he finally relaxed in your embrace. That way, he wouldn’t have to worry about anything else.

“Hah…”

Puppets like him don’t experience exhaustion, yet his eyes threatened to close at any given moment. He didn’t want to write theses anymore. The only thing he wanted then was you. And you alone.

He was in a trance, thinking of you. He could feel the presence of your arms snaking their way on his tensed shoulder blades, hugging him from behind. Your intoxicatingly sweet smell tickled his senses. He breathed out in a huff.

“Boo.”

His eyes snapped open as he tensed up. He let his guard down. He would and had never let his guard down like that. But he did.

A head appeared in view and he froze like a statue. He would have activated his vision and attacked at that moment, but his body refused to move.

The thought went away as soon as he recognized the face that he had been yearning for.

“What’s got you so tense? Missed me so much?”

Your eyelashes fluttered at the sight of him working on his theses. He hated writing them but he just couldn’t bring himself to reject Lesser Lord Kusanali. Everytime complaints escaped from his lips, you would always ruffle his hair, treating him like a little kid throwing a tantrum over spilled ice cream. But what a sweetheart you were. You would often offer help if you had time, and he appreciated that.

You were always so kind, so understanding… to everyone. Even to strangers. It made him worry about your safety whenever you had the need to go outside without him. And having been betrayed three times in his life, he wanted you to show your kindness towards only him.

Sometimes he just wanted to lock you up in the house to protect you. To love you. To have all your affection for himself.

“Wanderer? Whatcha thinking about?”

Your voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Slapping himself internally, he sighed at the overflowing thoughts circling around his artificial mind. He needed to stop with his possessiveness. It reminded him of…

Nevermind. It seemed like he stayed silent for too long.

“Nothing. Just brainstorming some ideas for theses.”

On your plump lips plastered a smile. The same smile he had adored from the first time he met you.

“You seem tired. You should take a rest. And don’t pull the ‘I’m a puppet, I don’t feel tired!’ on me. You sound like that adeptus from Liyue I know.”

Liyue? Adeptus? There you went, going around all places and meeting new people. Not like he could stop you. But he just couldn’t help the jealousy bubbling up inside his body, urging him to take action. Though he wouldn’t do things like those characters in novels. Yanderes… if he recalled correctly. The novel he had read was published by the Yae Publishing House. Yeah, Inazuma. He knew. But he had to admit the writing style was quite… enthralling to say the least. And a bit provocative, he had to add. All of the phrasing in the book made his mind wander to a certain fox…

Back to the point, all of the yandere’s actions were what his Fatui self would do. He as Wanderer would not cage you inside and punish you for being too close to others.

Or would he?

“Hey, you seem out of it today. What’s wrong? Are the theses’ topics too hard to work on? You know what, I’m taking these. You need rest and I, myself will guard by your side so you can have your beauty sleep!”

Your lips touched the tip of his ear like gentle sakura petals fluttering down in the start of spring. The soft breathing of yours sent pleasant vibrations to his body.

“And I’m not taking ‘no’ for an answer!”

For a moment, your lips fluttered against his forehead, then his nose, then his cheek. You kissed everywhere on his pale porcelain face. Your kisses were coaxing him to sleep. But you left his lips alone. As if you were teasing him, you didn’t even bother eyeing them.

“Alright. I will freshen up and join you in bed.”

Wait. No kiss?

He could not believe it. His hand rushed to take hold of your wrist and twirled you around to meet his face. Time seemed to slow down as he smashed his lips onto yours, feeling your breath hitch among light gasps.

Two bodies squished up to one another on the sofa. The house was only brightened up by small lamps, competing with the twinkling of the stars in the vast dark sky he once called fake. Beautiful as it was, it could not compare to the sight of you leaning onto him, wrapping your arms around his neck, head leaning back as he peppered featherlight kisses on your neck.

He was suppressing his desire to just throw you on the soft sheets and bury his head into the crook of your neck, inhaling your sweet scent that had his mind go hazy. He could not deny that the presence of you being there had boosted his energy somewhat. The strange grogginess had disappeared the second you came in. He wanted you so badly that it was hurting. But he needed to consider the fact that you had just come home, your rest was necessary. Perhaps he would have to wait until the next sun rose up…

“Wanderer…”

Lifting his head to look into your eyes, he gazed at you as if you were the most enchanting thing in the world. And you are.

“I love you.”

“So much.”

“What’s with the sudden affection?”

A chuckle rose from your throat as his eyes bore into yours, twinkling in the warm light.

“I love you, too. Now, come on… don’t you want me to freshen up? Let go, you big man baby… Actually, minus the big part-”

Before he could react, your frame sprung up from the couch and you sped to the bathroom, not forgetting to stick your tongue out at his face.

“I’m going to get you back for this…”

He huffed out with a sigh. Without noticing, the corners of his lips curled up into a slight smile. This was what he had always wanted. To love you.

And to be loved by you.

──────────────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ────────────────

Word count: 1162 words

[whispereons]

Oracle!Reader Part 5

Masterlist - Part 1, Part 4, Part 6

Warning, I guess? Like I said last part, my AU has death and voilence. This one also has frisky(?) moment, no full NSFW

You aren't quite sure how long you have been sitting on this bench. The cats you were watching have already grown tired and were lazing around. The smoke smell was still faintly in the air and the sky was the same blue as before.

Couldn't have been more than 10 minutes then.

You should get up and leave. But to go back to the main area is to back into the fray. And you really didn't want to do that. With a heavy heart, you got up and stretched.

A loud crash and bang from around the corner startled you. You peer curiously in the direction and a pained groan is all you can hear. You walk over and see opened crates on the floor with fireworks rolling out of them.

Carefully you step around the fireworks to get to the heart of the problem. Yoimiya was on the floor with crates scattered around and a bell near her. The usually peppy blonde was clutching her head with a pained expression.

"Did you just get hit by that bell?" You say with a smile. You struggle not to laugh as you hold your hand out to her.

"Unfortunately, I did. Ugh, that really hurts." She takes your hand and slightly jolts from the electricity that your skin brings. You notice her action but don't put much thought into it, you pull her up.

"If we don't pick up all your fireworks fast, we'll probably lose some." Yoimiya smiles brightly completely forgetting her lost battle with the bell.

"You would help me? That's great to hear, I'd be looking all over Inazuma City for them without you!"

You start picking them up with her as you leisurely talked with her. Truthfully you offered more for yourself, as selfish as it sounds you just wanted a distraction.

The nearly mind-numbing or annoying task, depending on how far they rolled was easier with the chatty woman. Yoimiya knew how to talk to people, truly an extrovert with great social skills.

"That should be all of the fireworks. At least none of the boxes broke." You close the last crate and wipe the sweat from your brow.

"All thanks to you. I wasn't expecting anyone to be around since the ritual was in session. It should be finishing up though." She has an excited smile as she speaks and picks on two crates at a time.

Eager to change the subject you grab the last box and are about to pick it up. "No wonder you dropped it, carrying three crates would be too much-ugh. Damn, how much do these things weigh?"

You hurriedly position the crate in your arms to a more comfortable position as your grip tightens. You weren't weak but these things were absurdly heavy. You glance at her holding two of these monsters. She's not fazed in the slightest by the weight.

"The weight isn't too much of a problem, but the size was my oversight. I couldn't see while holding all 3 boxes and hit that bell. Thank you for carrying that one. Just follow me, we aren't too far from the drop-off location."

You inwardly sigh at now being stuck with the weight. But... You glance at the Yae Publishing House. Better than being stuck with Yae. You follow Yoimiya as you get closer and closer to the main area.

"Have you heard the rumors?"

"What rumors?"

"About there being an oracle! Really, it's only spread among the kids. They keep telling me that an oni, his name is Itto, keeps telling them about how he met the creator's oracle."

So, it's already starting. At least it's staying between the children right now, by the time Yae hears about it and connects the dots you'll be gone.

"Maybe it's true. You'll need to meet that oracle for yourself to be sure." You shrug and bump her shoulder. Playfully she bumps you back.

"I would love to meet them! Believing in fantastical things is a lot of fun. And if it turns out that they're a fake then I'll light them ablaze." You were suddenly reminded of Itto by how she spoke such vicious words with a bright smile.

"What if they prove that they are an oracle? What would you do then?"

"Ask if there is anything I can do to be awakened! I traveled to Sumeru with the traveler, and it was the closest thing to being awakened. Awakened acolytes can see all sorts of sights and stories."

The sparkle in her eyes was full of joy, no doubt imagining what it would be like for her wish to come true. The thought of your very low primogem count made you want to cry. 'Sorry Yoimiya, I don't think anyone is getting pulled at this time.'

Arriving back at the ritual area you can see the dead bodies being moved away and the blood being cleaned. You doubt they'd be able to clean up all the ashes today.

"Such a shame I missed out on it. But I would rather supply my fireworks for the finale festival than watch in a sweaty crowd."

To think that everyone here has grown numb to sight... Do people become less than cattle once they are dubbed a sacrifice? You follow Yoimiya around the slowly dispersing crowd to the back.

Ayaka is giving orders until she spots you both. Quickly she comes over with a smile.

"I'm relieved to see that you were with Yoimiya. Thank you for watching over the oracle in our absence."

"Wait-What?! They're the oracle?" Yoimiya comically looks between you and Ayaka's smiling faces.

"You just let me talk about the oracle while not telling me you're the oracle?" You finally laugh at that. Setting the crate down, you sigh in relief and speak.

"It was entertaining, I promise I was planning to tell you before we split paths."

"I'm torn between being embarrassed and happy. At least you know my wish now." She deflates as she holds the crates with a pout. It's gone as quick as it came and she's back with a sunny smile.

"Well, then Ayaka please lead the way for me to put these fireworks away. I can't wait for the final ritual to see them light up the sky."

"You just saw them last week, you're insatiable for fireworks. Y/N, I'll meet up with Ayato, Thoma, and you in a little bit."

Ayaka smiles softly and beckons Yoimiya to follow her. Yoimiya smiles cheerfully and waves enthusicastically before hauling all 3 boxes. Does archery really make your arms that strong?

"Y/N!" A shout of your name and hard armor meets your back as you're hugged from behind. It was just a quick hug before you spin around.

"Gorou, all done with that soldier?" He smiles widely showing off his fangs. He's holding your arms with his gloved hands as his tail wags.

"Yeah, sorry about having to leave so suddenly. Are you feeling better now? You don't look as bad as before."

"I'm feeling a lot better now. I didn't worry you too much right?"

"I mean, I can't deny that I was worried but you're all better now so that's all that matters. Remember if you need to talk about it, you can always come to me. I'd prefer it that way."

His whisper is low, and you strain to catch it. But he smiles with a blush and it's enough to dissuade you. He's helped you a lot, you didn't want to be too nosy. He's also one of the few that hasn't used you for information about the creator too. It doesn't bother you but it's nice feeling like he hangs out with you because he finds your company nice.

"It's been some time since I've seen General Gorou this happy. Are you a friend of his?"

Motherfucker- How in the world did you manage to run into Kokomi fucking Sangonomiya!?

You hadn't accounted for her appearance since she's usually on Watatsumi Island. She's way too good, like facing a kinder, fishier Yae. Hell, she managed to beat Yae in TCG and find the card snatcher in that event. This wasn't Ei but meeting Yae and Kokomi on the same day has got to be bullshit.

While you were internally dying Gorou took the initiative to introduce you to Kokomi with a happy grin.

"This is Y/N, they're an oracle for the creator. They even have the Kamisato Clan's approval."

"That is quite impressive, allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Sangonomiya Kokomi, I'm the divine priestess of Watatsumi Island."

"It's an honor to meet you Sangononomiya? Sanganonomiya? Sanganomiya?" Your voice gradually lowers as you butcher her name. Honestly, you were just hoping she would dislike you and leave. You did not want to have another Yae-level battle.

Purple glossy eyes watch you struggle with her name in amusement. You even managed to confuse yourself on how to pronounce her name. She can't help but laugh bringing a gloved hand to her mouth.

"You must not be a native Inazuman. You can just call me Kokomi, as an oracle and Gorou's friend I can trust that you're a good person."

Gorou beams at his superior's approval and his expectant stare on you makes you feel even more trapped. So much for getting her to dislike you.

"Thank you for your generosity, Kokomi. I've heard here and there how good of a leader you are. Both in and outside of combat. Your citizens seem to adore you a lot."

At least you don't have to pronounce Sangonomiya anymore. She takes a step closer and peers at you. She's good but not impossible.

"Thank you but I believe you aren't that different from me."

What the fuck is that supposed to mean. Gorou holds your hand with a confused face. Was he always this touchy-feely in the game? You can't remember well with Kokomi staring dead into your eyes.

"I'm the divine priestess for Orobaxi, a god that Watatsumi Island worships despite being deceased. And you are an oracle for the creator. All living beings in Teyvat worship the creator, our jobs may have more similarities than you think."

"Are you saying this because as an oracle I am a communicator between the creator and the people? While as divine priestess you carry out the will of Orobaxi to protect your people?"

She smiles knowingly making her eyes squint a bit. "Precisely. Wouldn't you benefit more from staying on Watatsumi Island? Maybe not permanently but you could learn a lot from staying with us."

Wait what? Does she think that you came here to help Narukami Island? Not a bad guess since you do have the Kamisato's approval. Is she trying to poach you?

"This isn't well known but I'm on a mission for the creator. I can't share all the details, but it involves me moving around Teyvat a lot. I already have transportation to Liyue all prepared. Thank you for the offer but I'll have to decline."

Gorou and Kokomi both have disappointed expressions with Gorou's being far more dramatic. Or maybe that was his dropping ears and tail exaggerating his look.

"I understand, the creator must come first. If the tides ever lead you back to Inazuma, please come and visit Watatsumi Island."

As adapting as water, she moves past her rejection and smiles softly holding out her hand. You grab it and shake her hand until you feel a familiar feeling. The feeling of eyes watching you and ears listening to you strikes you.

You release her hand and Gorou speaks to her about something. You can't focus on what they are saying as the feeling leaves you chills.

It must be Yae.

Now that you think about it, isn't it weird how Gorou and Kokomi are in plain sight with no Yae? Her rival, punching bag, and an easy victim are all in one group, surely, she would not hesitate to come over. Unless she's with Ei.

Jumping to conclusions, you are definitely jumping to conclusions. Forcing yourself to breathe easily, you smile casually as you can finally hear what Kokomi and Gorou are saying.

"Your Excellency, I've already moved that emergency shipment to the boat. We can wait for you to finish meeting with the Electro Archon."

"You should go on ahead without me. Whatever she has called me for doesn't sound like a minor problem."

"Even so, leaving you in enem-" Kokomi's look makes Gorou shut his mouth and backtrack.

"Right, right. Sorry, force of habit. But I would still feel more comfortable waiting till you are done, your Excellency."

"Okay, I understand your concern. Please wait in Inazuma City until I'm done." Gorou smiles at Kokomi's acceptance.

"So, you'll be staying a while longer? It's a shame you didn't come a day earlier. I'm leaving for Liyue today after all." You join in when you get a chance. The last thing you want is for Yae to notice how aware you are of her presence.

Kokomo opens her mouth to speak when yells of your name can be heard across the plaza. You all turn to see Thoma waving to grab your attention while Ayaka and Ayato calmly stand and stare at you. Or are they staring at Gorou and Kokomi?

You give a wave back to let them know you saw them. Turning back with a small and slightly sad smile you hide your joy at a perfect escape option.

"And that is my transportation calling me. It's been lovely meeting you Kokomi despite the short amount of time we spent together. And Gorou, you were the highlight of this festival, I'll be sure to seek you out next time I come."

Gorou seems to swoon at your words while Kokomi smiles at your words and holds both your hands. Her stare is unnervingly deep into your eyes. Fisheyes in the game and in real life are much different up close.

"You are quite the fascinating person. Whenever you do come back, Watatsumi Island is more than happy to greet you with open arms."

Your smile is gentle matching hers despite how you're secretly sweating bullets. She releases your hands, and you see Gorou smiling at Thoma who is clearly glaring at him.

Unlike humans, animals bare their teeth to threaten. That little tidbit of information comes to mind when you see that Gorou's grin is a little ferocious. It all goes away once he sees you looking at him.

"Y/N, whenever you come back, make sure to visit Watatsumi Island twice as much time as you spent here. I can show you even more stuff than what I showed you here."

"I will Gorou." You promise before petting his head. You weren't sure when you would get to pet someone like this again so you wanted to take advantage of it while you still can. Gorou seems to like it as much as you do. His eyes close and his tail wags a little as he angles himself deeper into your touch.

When you pull your hand off, he pouts a bit but waves to you as you walk to the Kamisato's. You carefully peek back to see Kokomi say something teasing to Gorou that makes him embarrassed.

Yae conveniently turns the corner at that exact moment and scares Gorou. Seems like you dodged a bullet at poor Gorou's expense. But it also raises a question. Did Yae intentionally wait for you to leave to join the group? If so, is it because she feels bad or because she doesn't want you hearing what she has to say?

Deciding to leave it be you turn back to the Kamisato's as you approach them. Once you're in reach Thoma sweeps you into his arms and hugs you.

"What a warm welcome. Missed me that much Thoma?" You say with a smile as Thoma sets you down.

"Well, I have to! You're leaving today, I have to make the most of it." He smiles a little embarrassed as he avoids your eyes.

"Totally not because I pet Gorou?"

"Totally."

Ayato covers his mouth with his sleeve and coughs with a not very subtle "Liar" in between. Ayaka swats his arm with her fan and Thoma playfully glares at Ayato.

You snicker at the familiar sight of them fighting and almost trip over a firework stick. Your near tumble makes them all pay instant attention to you. Ayato and Thoma are quick to put a hand on your shoulders to steady you as Ayaka picks it up.

"It's a few are still missing. I'll have to send a servant to put it with the others later."

"Damn, sorry Ayaka I thought Yoimiya and I got them all. Will you have enough for the final ritual this month?"

"Oh yes more than enough. We always order extra just in case something like this happens. It's a shame you won't be here to see the final ritual." She looks to the ground sadly as she finishes.

"Ayaka is right, it truly is a shame. The final ritual is the cumulative of everyone's efforts and the fireworks look beautiful at night. I mean you could always stay until then. The Kamisato Estate is always open to you."

Ayato speaks with a purposefully convincing tone. What is up with people trying to convince you to stay? First Kokomi and now Ayato? Without thinking too deeply you reply.

"The journey from Liyue to Inazuma is pretty long and unpredictable. And there's no way I can freeload on you guys for some fireworks. Next time I come over I'll stay longer to attend it. Besides I can use the teleport waypoints."

The second you say that is the moment you regret it. Great going, now you'll be forced back to Inazuma in less than a month!

Too busy insulting yourself for your own stupidity you don't see how Ayaka and Thoma light up. Eagerly she writes down the date and time of the final ritual before placing it in your palm.

"Oh, that's perfect Y/N! Now you can continue being an oracle the way you wished and make it in time for the festival."

Ayato seems far too calm and smug for this whole thing to just be your own mistake. There's no doubt Ayato was waiting for you to mention teleporting yourself. Probably in case there was some prerequisite. Which you definitely would have made up if he mentioned it first. No one else to blame except yourself.

"Thanks, Ayaka, I'll do my best to attend." You slip the paper into your bag and smile warmly. You can't out right reject it now but maybe later on you can make some sort of excuse to avoid attending. Either way you have time and if you do have to attend...

Then your luck and lies going your way will let you have a firm standing as an oracle that won't allow Ei to suspect you that easily.

Maybe you're better off faking your death and living with the Aranaras. As the creator you should have some sort of influence on creatures. Hopefully...

"So, since the ritual is done and the festival is coming to an end, I should be on my way to Ritou. What boat am I taking?"

"That eager to leave Y/N? I would have thought you would at least let me bring up the topic seeing as we housed you all this time." Ayato's eyes are narrowed as he looks at you. His hand is covering his face and his voice sounds annoyed.

"I would never want to overstay my welcome in your estate. How could I take advantage of your kindness anymore then I already have? Besides wouldn't kind hosts like yourself avoid making your guests unwelcome by bringing up the topic of leaving. I'm simply doing you a favor."

You speak with a mocking kind voice and bring out the fan he gave you to cover your mouth. His annoyed voice melts away as he laughs softly at your actions. You crack a smile too until he tips your fan forward to reveal your face.

"This fan will be your ticket to the boat. As promised, I selected the best boat, the Crux will treat you kindly when you board the Alcor. Captain Beidou is said to be one of the best captains and a crew member by the name Kaedehara Kazuha was once a loyal subordinate of the Kamisato's."

That was actually pretty cool. Beidou is said to have defeated a hydra in her character entry. Plus, Kazuha was a really popular character. You were fond of them both and thinking of meeting them with no worry of dying sounded amazing.

At least until you remembered how the Crux was known for 'daring' adventures meaning batshit dangerous sailing. They could all survive it because they either have a vision or training. But you? You weren't a fighter, nor did you have any powers. It's that stupid dilemma about what to do when you inventible encounter enemies again!

"Thanks Ayato, the creator seems to trust them both a lot too. To get to Ritou I'll need to pass Byakko Plain and Konda village. And that little shore area with loads of monsters."

Ayato pauses when you mention monsters. He didn't forget that you can't fight right? You look to Ayaka and she's avoiding your gaze. You turn a little more urgently to Thoma just for him to smile nervously.

"You all forgot that I don't have any guards, fighting skills and powers, didn't you?"

"It's not that we forgot when we were making preparations Y/N. Originally, I was going to accompany you but the Shogun suddenly announced a meeting this morning that will be starting in an hour. Ayato and I will be forced to attend leaving Thoma the only one to take care of the estate in our absence."

You feel a bit more frantic. Maybe if it was daylight, you'd just take the risk but nighttime? You have no intention of dying to a hilichurl or any other monsters, humans included.

"Can't a guard come with me then?"

"It seems that's our only choice. The guards are necessary for the festival due to the large number of people. And the amount only heightens at night but it's a risk we'll have to take. Your safety is priority, you'll need two guards at least"

You feel a bit guilty knowing that you'll be putting the public in danger. But the chance of someone dying without two guards is much lower than the chance of you dying without a guard. It's not a bad thing to have survival instincts, you tell yourself to ease the guilt.

"Wouldn't a better idea be for me to accompany them instead?" Someone butts into the conversation (rude) with a horrifically familiar voice.

Clips of the scene "Traveler, you're so dreamy~" echo throughout your mind as you remember his first birthday art posted on Reddit during a crisis that only caused more chaos.

Heizou walks with confidence to your group smiling innocently. Like he wasn't just eavesdropping on everything. You want to scream.

Who fucking cursed you?! You managed to run into everybody you wanted to avoid! Except Ei but you were starting to doubt that you'll be able to avoid her too.

Thoma throws Heizou a suspicious glance before standing next to you protectively. You wish Thoma was able to protect you from whatever Heizou's intuition is telling him about you. There's a large chance he heard you be referred to as an oracle.

Ayato and Ayaka keep their composure as Heizou stops in front of them who are standing in front of you. Seems like they all don't want him close to you. Is it because he's part of the Tenryou Commission?

"My, what's the caution about? I'm an upstanding member of the Tenryou Commission. With a vision too! I prefer not to fight but I am good at it." His voice was even more melodious in person. If only it wasn't hiding the absolute trap, you know he has behind his back.

"Considering that you were eavesdropping on our conversation for a while, I truly doubt your words. You always abandon or delegate your work to other people too. Can I really trust that with Y/N's safety?"

Ayato's words are as sharp as his stare. His eyes are similar to the depths of the ocean waiting to pull their victims into the freezing water. It really reminded you of when you first met him. Your relationship with him has improved in bounds and leaps.

"Now, now no need to be so hostile. I'm under Madam Kujou Sara this time. She was worried about the oracle and asked me to check up on them. I am the only other vision holder that's awakened in the Tenryou Commission. I can promise you that they'll make it to Ritou, they'll probably be boarding the Crux, correct?"

Heizou, to his credit, is good under Ayato's pressure. Probably from dealing with Sara all the time. Thoma clearly doesn't trust Heizou, Ayaka is seemingly neutral on the matter and Ayato is weirdly against Heizou.

"Were you not listening early enough to be sure what boat Y/N is going on?"

How didn't you notice Heizou listening? You were able to spot Yae right away, yet you missed him?

"The oracle is clearly an important person as they are directly connected to the creator. Only the Crux could provide a level of safety fit for them."

You saw Yae first, so you were always on guard for her. Did you unknowingly relax around the Kamisato's therefore preventing you from noticing Heizou?

"All it took was a quick deduction. I'm a detective for a reason." Heizou ends with a smile. Ayato though less tense hasn't let up his stare. The tension is killing you, but you can't afford to stay any longer.

Heizou only offered to figure out the mystery behind you and his intuition probably had a hand in it too. Going with him does mean dealing with whatever questions he throws at you, but it seems to be your only choice. You can't risk staying any longer and running into Ei.

You move away from Thoma's side and place a hand on Ayato's shoulder. You smile trying to lessen Ayato's suspicion.

"He doesn't seem to be a bad choice at all. Going with him means I'll be safe and so will everyone else. Like he said, he's an awakened acolyte with a vision. Sara wouldn't send him unless she was truly okay with it. She's very cautious concerning these things after all."

Ayato looks down at you with a vague feeling of dissatisfaction. If it was up to him, he would accompany you himself. Better yet he would keep you in Inazuma. He knows Ayaka and Thoma would be more than happy with that too.

But the longer he looks at you the more he knows that what he wants just isn't going to happen or work. The nervous smile you send him makes his heart flutter. With a sigh he nods.

"If that's what you wish Y/N then Shikanoin can escort you to the boat." And if his subordinate that is already stationed there reports back that you never boarded the boat then he knows exactly who to blame.

You smile feeling relieved that you won't have to worry about dying on the journey. Looking to Heizou you feel that relief turn to exhaustion as you imagine what the conversation during the journey will be like.

"You're Shikanoin Heizou correct? I'm Y/N, an oracle for the creator. Although I don't appreciate you eavesdropping, I am thankful that you'll be escorting me."

You walk forward and hold out your hand to shake his. Heizou looks at the two Kamisato's and honorary Kamisato behind you who are giving him varying levels of glares. Flashing a smug smile to them he shakes your hand.

"Don't mention it Y/N. You can just call me Heizou, we'll be spending a lot of time together on this trip after all."

You can tell he's saying that more to rile up the Kamisatos, but you tactfully ignore it and release his hand. Time to play damage control! Fun.

You turn around to face them with a grin. You were honestly going to miss them, a lot more than you originally thought.

"I can't thank you three enough for helping me out like this. Whenever I visit Inazuma again, the first stop will be the estate. Probably when the final ritual is occurring. If there's anything I can do for you, let me know, okay?"

They all gave you their own version of goodbye.

"I'll be eagerly awaiting your next visit." A sad but happy face hiding behind a fan.

"Come whenever, I'll make you more good food!" An excited and slightly melancholic expression.

"Don't sound so sappy, you make it sound like you'll die." A gentle look that alludes to the longing hiding behind it.

You can't help but feel a sense of dread rise up. As if the next time you see them won't be as happy as you think it'll be.

But that's the future. The future can always be changed. You shouldn't get so hung up and worried about something that is so far away.

To ease your worries and the sorrow you feel at having to leave, you wave to them with a bright smile. You follow Heizou who already began walking to Inazuma City's exit.

He isn't speaking, just quietly leading you through the city. You don't bother trying to break the quiet like you did with Ayato. You don't need Heizou's attention anymore then you probably have.

Your eyes trail over Heizou as you follow him. You try not to stare at his exposed sides but judging by the smile he gives you... He definitely noticed. Slu-

"Are all oracles supposed to be as perverted as you?"

"What do you mean by perverted? If you take my glances at you as perversion, then you're the perverted one. Aren't you cold?"

"It's not that bad. I'm sure you're at least a little warmer with that mask on." Here comes the questions.

"It's broken, any heat I could retained is lost through the cracks."

"Then why wear it? Surely the Kamisato's would gladly fund you more masks. So, what's so special about that mask? Why even wear it?"

Unlike Yae who was only interested in toying with you, Heizou is looking to solve the mystery. Plus, you had him which means he must feel the pull you give off as the creator. What's the point of being the creator if it only leads you to more problems?

Like it or not you're stuck in this situation and his intuition is like an otherworldly sense. Staying silent might lead him to arrest you, you can't risk missing the boat. So, you'll need to lead him around, a plan that just might work due to his own pride.

"Well why can't I? My mask isn't hurting anyone. Is your instinct as a detective telling you that my mask is important?"

"My intuition you mean. You're smart enough to get the Kamisato's trust and Madam Kujou Sara's trust. And I have a hunch that, that mask is connected to your oracle status."

"Doubting me huh? Well, you can't arrest me for wearing a mask or just looking shady so let's make this journey fun." You say with a smile as you both pass farms and the huge tree at the edge of the city.

"What are you proposing?"

"I guess you could call it a game. Your intuition seems sharp enough to pick up on any bullshit I spew. Ask me any questions and I'll give you cryptic answers. Maybe I'm lying, telling the truth, deflecting or a mix of them all. A test of both of our skills. If you can figure out why I'm hiding my face, then I'll tell you everything."

You actually mean it. Mostly because Heizou wouldn't believe you if you aren't being honest. If he can actually wait and listen to everything, then maybe he won't immediately attack you.

You know it's a stupid chance, but you can't risk being here any longer. You want to stop feeling scared of thunderous skies and lighting chasing your every move.

Heizou is quiet as he watches you while thinking. Should he accept this? His intuition won't stop nagging him to find the truth behind you. What does he really have to lose playing with you like this? With a smile he finally responds.

"Alright, let's see if you can keep the truth hidden as well as you think you can. Is that mask special?"

"Not really, I only took it because it was broken."

"Why would you take a broken mask?"

"The price of course, well the lack of price I mean." You only fibbed a little there. You have to test how well he can pick up on lies.

He hums in acknowledgement. It's clear he doesn't fully believe it. The game was right to dub him as a prodigy detective.

"That mask has the trademark of Mr. Sanden. He's a bit of a perfectionist, he doesn't sell any masks he isn't happy with. So how did you manage to get him to sell it to you?"

He's got home advantage too. But remembering Heizou's past made you recall his hatred for sin. You can't help but worry that he'll react violently if you admit your theft. That's what selective wording is good for!

"You got me. Sanden didn't want to sell it to me, but he eventually did let me leave with it. I'm thankful since the mask has served me well."

"Are you wearing that mask to deter certain people?" That little bait was a good deflection.

"Well, you could say so. Maybe I committed a crime that would be revealed with my mask off. Or I'm hiding an ugly scar behind it that I don't want people to see. It could be that I'm living a double life and this mask is the only difference between my lives."

You shrug and pass by the spot where you met the Arrataki Gang. Not for the first time you missed them. Sara included, at least you didn't need to think hard and fast on how to fool her.

"What do you think is the truth? Are they all true to a degree? Or are they all lies?"

Heizou hums and holds his chin looking like a true detective. You look a little closer to examine the moles beneath his eyes. It was pretty cool how he had matching ones. He snaps his fingers and points at you with mirth.

"Sounds more like two lies and a truth. Or maybe half-truth would be a better description. That double life choice seems to be on the right track."

He wasn't wrong, but the answer was much farther than a double life. You spot the teleport waypoint that you activated after defeating those treasure hoarders and nobushi. Are the materials you collected from them still bloody?

"Believe what you will. I don't necessarily need to confirm whether you got the correct answer."

"Getting a little defensive aren't you. Seems like I should ask you a little more about this topic. Where were you born?"

"I actually don't know." It's true, you had no clue what hospital or city you were born in.

"Then where did you arrive in Inazuma? Watatsumi or Ritou?"

"Neither I simply woke up on Seirai Island." You know he'll probably dig around for more information about this topic once you leave but you're okay with that. How will he tell which story on your appearance is true or false?

"I find it hard to believe that you don't remember anything beyond that."

"I don't have many memories before becoming the oracle. Realizing what I have to do ordered by the creator makes me believe that my past-"

Your rambling is cut off by the scoff he lets out.

"Man alive, no need to start preaching about the creator that I've personally experienced. I don't believe your words about the creator at all. And we got quite off topic, didn't we? Tell me, did the creator order you to wear that mask?"

What a question. Perfect time to test deflection.

"Would you stop asking me questions if I say that the creator did order me to wear it? Would you even believe me if I said that they did?"

"No."

"So, you're just asking to fuck with me?"

"Not necessarily, all these questions are just steppingstones to the truth."

"Fancy way to say that you'll ask me anything and everything."

"Glad to hear that you've already accepted your fate." This little shit.

You slow down your pace while passing by the temple. You feel a bit tempted to enter it to admire the murals. Heizou stops to watch you stare up at it in amazement. For an 'oracle' you seem mesmerized by the temple.

You jump a little as Heizou slings a arm around your shoulder and pulls you along the path again. Konda village is in sight and his breath is fanning over your ear.

"So, tell me Y/N, do you at least remember what region you were born in? Or at least lived in before becoming an oracle? Y/N isn't a very common name, in fact you're the first person I've met with that name."

"Well, I'm quite sure I wasn't born in Inazuma. I wouldn't call Seirai Island a home either." You nearly whisper as you stare straight into his eyes. You refused to be psyched out, not after all the other authorities you tricked on Earth.

He lets go of you and walks a little ahead of you. Frowning in confusion you speed up to match his pace. You barely catch the way his smile wavers a little and his hand toys with the baton on his hip. Was the previous proximity affecting Heizou too?

"What's wrong Heizou? For someone who I pegged as the teasing type you sure can't handle your own consequences."

Heizou smiles a littler wider contradicting how his eyebrows furrow. There's a large chance you're a criminal, something like that shouldn't have affected him so strongly. So why did you? Why did the heat of your body and smell of something sweet on you make him fumble like that?

"Speak for yourself, your heart was beating out of your chest."

"Even noticed my heartbeat huh? Sounds like you've got some sort of crush."

"You wish now stop trying to distract me. In fact, what about those writings on the temple walls made you so distracted."

"They were writing?" You questioned instinctively and immediately regretted it. The smile Heizou wears is victorious.

"Yes, it was. Do you know how to read?"

"No. Or at least not that well."

"Heh so that's a yes, just not in this language."

"Basically."

"Interesting and very believable. That writing was very old, but it was written in the universal language with Inazuma dialect. Meaning you should be able to at least recognize it as writing, but you didn't."

You're nervous but you calmly cross the stone bridge into Konda village. Heizou seems to want to ask something but the yells from parents interrupt him.

"Takeru! Takeru, you little rascal it's bedtime! Where are you?! Oh, where is he?" An older woman is calling out for Takeru who seems to be a child judging by the bedtime.

"Futaba! It's nighttime, it's not safe to be out this late! Futaba!" A much older woman with white hair is calling out too. You and Heizou pass by them a little concerned.

The sky is darkening but it's not pitch black just yet. Those children should probably still be out playing or something. Heizou hums and sweeps his eyes across the village.

"After I drop you off, I'll come back to make sure those kids came back fine."

"Is it normal for children to play without supervision?" The thought of kids playing outside when there are literal monsters around sounds unbelievable.

"It's quite common especially around villages like this where only elderly and children live. This is a farming village too so they're likely playing on the farm."

You nod and follow Heizou to leave the village by going under the flimsy looking gate. The sickle you picked up and put in your bag on whim still makes you uneasy. Your gut feeling made you pick it up and you aren't quite sure what to do with it now.

"I haven't forgotten about your slip up. So, either you lied about knowing how to read or you know how to read in a different language that has no roots in the universal language."

This guys just does not miss a beat. As you get closer to the beach area that leads to Ritou, you see a teleport waypoint. You couldn't activate the one in Inazuma City due to the crowd and Yae but this one could be used to your advantage.

You stop at the waypoint making Heizou look at you in confusion. You place a hand on the waypoint and relish in the new gold color it turns. Smugly you look to see Heizou staring at the waypoint with a shocked expression.

"Man alive, how did you-?"

He's cut off by a scream. It sounds like a young boy and you both look at each other in alert. Immediately Heizou turns and runs down the steps onto the shore with you following him.

The scream is joined by another scream sounding like a girl. You and Heizou follow it to the right and run past the waterfall and follow the dirt path. Blindly passing by a hilichurl camp you see a Fatui Hydrogunner and an Electrohammer.

You freeze up in fear as you watch a boy be slung over the Hydrogunner's shoulder and a girl try to crawl away from the Electrohammer. Heizou wastes no time to deliver an anemo infused punch to the Electrohammer giving the girl a chance to stand up.

You take a deep breath and move closer to hold the girl. She clings onto you in fear as she weeps loudly. You watch in a daze as Heizou continues dealing blows to the Electrohammer. At least until the Hydrogunner makes his move.

"Freeze or the boy drowns."

All three of you freeze as the Hydrogunner points to his gun to the boy's head. The Electrohammer hits Heizou straight in the chest with the war hammer knocking him back.

"Heizou!" You yell as you watch him hit the ground harshly. You yelp in pain when you're suddenly lifted up harshly by your neck. Struggling in his grasp uselessly until he squeezes your neck and throws you over his shoulder. The girl cowers and cries as she's yanked onto the other side.

Heizou stands up but stays in place as the Hydrogunner keeps the gun to the boy's head. You're about to wrap your hands around the Electrohammer's neck when he speaks.

"I wouldn't do that unless you want the boy to get blown to pieces."

You freeze before hanging limply over his shoulder. Everything is quiet save for the children's sobs. The Electrohammer starts walking farther from the city and the Hydrogunner does the same but slower.

You can only watch as Heizou's furious face gets smaller and smaller. They bring you and the kids to a camp close to Araumi. You land roughly on the floor with rope tied around you. A Anemoboxer who was waiting at their camp ties up the kids and drops them next to you. You give one last scathing glare before they close the tent flap.

Tense, you wait a few moments until you hear the muffled sounds of them talking. You turn back to look at the scared kids next to you.

"Hey, hey it's okay. We're going to get out of this, okay? Did you see that guy with me? He's a friend and he's really strong too. He's gonna get us out of here."

Their sobs slow down at your words and they look up at you. They have little scratches and scraps from trying to escape the Fatui.

"I want to go home, I wanna see Granny." "Are they going to take us?"

You shush them quietly to stop them from working themselves up into a crying fit.

"Me and my friend are going to make sure you get home safe. Why don't you both tell me your names? Mine is Y/N and my friend is called Heizou."

"I'm Takeru and she's Futaba." Takeru speaks with a waver as Futaba nods tearfully. They're still scared and the conversation between the Fatui is slowly turning into an argument.

"It's nice to meet you both, now I need you both to be brave and stay quiet for me." They both nod and you smile trying to offer some comfort. You couldn't let them take you and the kids' hostage again.

The ropes are tight around your torso and wrists, but they underestimated you. There is a pole in the middle of the tent with a wheel but it's the gear behind it that matters.

Carefully you move your legs until they are bent underneath you. You stand up and stumble a little to the gear. You can feel the sharp edges around the gear and smile.

At first you try to cut the large rope around your torso, but the rope is too thick and strong. You move your back higher against the pole so that the rope around your wrists is the one being cut.

Takeru and Futaba watch you in a mixture of fear and hope. You smile when you feel the rope give away and fall to the ground. With your hands free, you struggle a little to shimmy your bound arms to your front.

It's like wearing a really tight shirt with your arms still in it. Uncomfortable but not super painful. Once it's done you move to your bag that was thrown on the ground. Carefully you kneel and open it.

The game screen is deeper in the bag, and you shove your hand in to select the sickle you took from Konda village. When you pull your hand out it's weakly holding the sickle.

The kids smile as hope becomes clearer. The argument outside is getting louder. Yells of "this wasn't the plan!" and "we have to do it!" are making you increasingly worried.

Carefully you maneuver the sickle to cut the ropes without cutting your own shirt. The ropes break and you stretch your arms to get the blood flowing.

"Alright, I'm gonna get you both free but you have to stay quiet and listen to me or we'll get caught again."

They nod eagerly and you move behind them. You cut off the ropes and they stand up in a flash. But the loud sound of a punch cuts your victory short. Takeru and Futaba huddle closer to you in fear.

You smile kindly and hold out your free hand to them.

"Hold onto me, be prepared to make a run." They nod and grasp your arm as the sound of fighting gets louder. You walk closer to the tent flap and lift it to see the outside.

Heizou is fighting them all with a few wounds. The hit he took earlier must still be affecting him. This was not a good match up. Although the elemental shields aren't up yet, it wasn't an easy fight.

The Anemoboxer and the Hydrogunner are both healing and the Electrohammer is giving heavy electro blows. Not even mentioning the swirl that's happening. Once those shields come up, Heizou will have even more work to do.

The minute they have one of you hostage is when the fight is over. You can't let that happen. You can dodge but the kids can't. You eye the path and turn back to the kids.

"Listen carefully, you saw that dirt path they took us on? You need to follow it back to where me and Heizou found you. Just stay there and wait, okay? If anyone that you don't recognize starts coming. just hide."

You would rather them go straight back to Konda village, but you didn't want them at the mercy of the hilichurls either. They tremble but nod at your words.

You look out the flap sneakily and suck in a breath as the Anemoboxer starts heading towards the tent you all are at. Quickly you throw it open and drag the kids out with you.

The fighting freezes for a moment as the flap hits the Anemoboxer in the face and you push the kids in front of you. The Electrohammer and Hydrogunner look at you in surprise.

"Run!"

This springs the kids into action and Heizou delivers a charged up anemo punch to the Hydrogunner. Rain starts to fall, and the elemental shields were thrown up. The Anemoboxer has just doubled in your dangerous rating. The Anemoboxer reaches out for you making you jump back.

You just need to keep the Anemoboxer away from Heizou who's dealing with the other two Fatui Skirmishers. You keep dodging and running circles around him. You were mostly afraid of him using anemo to pull you in.

The fights weren't like watching it in the game. These guys bleed even while encased in the war machines. You hear the groan of the Hydrogunner passing out and smile crookedly. Was this fight finally going to be over soon?

The Anemoboxer leaves you to fight Heizou and you finally take a breather. Heizou doesn't stick to the Genshin game rules either. His catalyst follows him as he mixes up his normal attack pattern. Horrible timing but it's really cool watching him use anemo in creative ways that the game never showed.

The enemies seem to be in a rougher state. There's a three way stand off as they all stop to catch their breath. You see movement behind Heizou and feel your blood run cold.

"Heizou behind you!"

Heizou follows your words and just barely dodges the water blast from the Hydrogunner that was slowly getting back up. With one last fully charged kick to the head, the Hydrogunner falls down. The loud crack lets you know that he may never get up again.

The other two Fatui don't let the opportunity slip. With the Anemoboxer dragging Heizou closer, the Electrohammer slams the hammer down onto Heizou. You clench the sickle in your hand tighter as you can only watch in horror.

You stayed out of the fight for a reason, you couldn't fight you would only be in the way. But that's not an option anymore. Hearing his pained groans as he's punched by the Anemoboxer swirling the electro and rain spurs you into action.

While the Anemoboxer's back is turned you sneak up and raise the sickle. The spot in his back with no armor covering it seems to call to you. You slam the tip of the blade straight into it making him cry out.

You pull it out in a hurry and jump back as the wound bleeds more. The Electrohammer looks at you in surprise giving Heizou a long enough breather to get back up.

The Electrohammer and Heizou go straight back to combat as the Anemoboxer faces you. His huge gauntlets swing around trying to hit you as he coughs up blood. The ground is slippery, and it makes your dodging a little harder.

You jump closer to the boxer making him throw up his shield in reflex. Using the rain, you slide around him and slash his thigh to limit his speed.

The sickle's weight was clumsy at first but the more you traded blows using it, the more you came to master it. Gritting your teeth, you quickly stand back up after slipping from the wet ground.

Silently you urge Heizou to hurry up, you weren't sure how much more you could take. Your mask was starting to crumble but you pushed it to the back of your mind.

The boxer runs up to you in a flash not letting you back away fast enough. Reflexes are what save you from a punch to the face as you crouch and roll away. He's still bringing his fist back to defend himself giving you an opening.

You can tell something is different as you swing your sickle. Something about you is different that makes you wonder if you'll be able to finish the boxer once and for all.

Electro crackles around the sickle as you puncture his chest. The electro-charged reaction and wound seem to do the trick. The boxer stumbles and gasps for air.

You watch in horror and relief as the boxer falls onto the floor. You really killed again, and you used elemental to do so. You don't have a moment to stew on that though as you hurriedly dodge the now furious Electrohammer. The war hammer slams onto the ground and Heizou is quick to kick a projectile anemo shot to his face.

It knocks him to the ground, and you watch with unknown feelings as the mask he wears breaks. The fight is over, you and Heizou won. There's no time to wallow in self-pity, not as Heizou stumbles with a dazed expression.

You're quick to support him and he lays his bleeding head on you. You gently move his arm to wrap around you and do the same for him. His wounds aren't life threatening or serious, but he's been bleeding for a while. You need to stop the bleeding first.

Helping him gently you move him to lean against a small boulder. In a rush you go back to the tent and open your bag. You take out some of the leftover medical supplies you kept (stole) from the Kamisato Estate.

Slinging the bag back on you hurry to Heizou. The rain seems to be letting up as you examine him. His head is bleeding from a cut, so you bandage it first. His shirt is dyed red, and you lift it up and wince at the sight.

Multiple bruises and cuts cover his stomach and chest. That's gonna be a bitch to bandage, especially considering how much damage his back too.

"Sorry Heizou, this'll hurt." Heizou only weakly groans with his eyes screwed shut in pain.

Pushing the shirt as high as you can, you start wrapping it around him. Not the best solution but it's your only one with so little supplies. Heizou's consciousness seems to come and go as you finish and fix his shirt.

The thought of Heizou closing his eyes and falling asleep in such a state worries you. What if he passes out from blood loss and dies? Thoughts like that rise up and you grasp for anything to keep him awake.

"Hey Heizou, if you can respond to me in words. I'll tell you a big hint to my secret."

His eyes focus on you a little more. That's a good sign, nothing like baiting a detective like him with leads.

"Well, *cough* what hint are you *cough* going to give me?" His raspy voice and coughs worry you, but they seem to make him more awake.

"You were really close on me having a second life."

"That's it? That's a *cough* crappy hint."

You laugh at his remark trying to hide your relief. The fear of holding another cold body of someone you cared about still plagues you.

"If you want a better hint then you better drag it out of me as I drag you back to Konda village."

You support him as he chuckles at your words. He does his best to not lay too much weight on you but that's hard when his head is fuzzy.

The walk is quiet and with him so close you relish in the sound of his harsh breathing. It lets you know that he's still breathing, that you didn't fail.

You don't want to think about the person you just killed. So, your mind analyzes about the electro you wielded through the sickle instead. It makes a lot of sense that you can use the elements through a weapon as a medium. How could you have not realized that possibility?

If you continued training with it, could you eventually use electro without a weapon? Probably not but the idea of shooting electro is cool, nonetheless.

Takeru and Futaba are waiting nervously in the spot you instructed. You smile at the sight and wait till you are closer to call out.

"Futaba, Takeru! Over here!"

They smile at the sight of you both and run to meet you. Futaba frowns in worry at the sight of Heizou and you injured. Takeru tries to help by supporting his other side.

Heizou buries his head in the crook of your neck to hide the grimace of pain as Takeru touches the wounded area.

"Takeru, Futaba can you guys guide us to Konda village? It's an important job since we don't want to get ambushed by enemies."

Eyes wide they nod and walk a little ahead. They survey the surroundings seriously and nod at you firmly to show that it's safe.

Heizou keeps his head on your shoulder and mumbles. "Thanks, guess you're as perceptive as I thought."

You huff in amusement and continue supporting him until you all get to Konda village. The two women that were looking for the kids earlier spot you all and rush over.

They both hug their respective family members with tears in their eyes. It's clear that the kids aren't over the dangerous encounter.

"Thank you so much for saving Takeru and Futaba. You both seem very injured, please come to my house. I have some supplies that can help you both."

The village chief approaches you and Heizou with concern. You nod gratefully and help Heizou into the house. There's a small cot on the floor and Heizou lays down on it slowly.

Konda Densuke, the village chief comes back with a fully stocked medical kit. It's more primitive than the ones you are used to in Earth, but it'll work well enough.

"I'll leave you to it, once you're done, please come outside. I'll have something that can help that young man."

Quietly you thank the old man and turn back to Heizou as the door closes.

"I'm about to get pretty personal with your body, that's not a problem, right?"

"Why are you asking as if you weren't doing that earlier? Of course, it's fine, just don't be so obvious with your staring."

"If you weren't injured, I would hit you myself."

He chuckles and removes his cracked arm guards. You focus on taking out the bandages and ointment out of the kit. You leave briefly to wet a rag with water and come back to see Heizou shirtless sitting on the cot.

He smiles up at you seemingly more aware and alert. His bandages around his torso are stained red. Smaller cuts and scrapes cover his arms and legs. The bandage on his forehead is bleeding a lot less than before.

You kneel beside him and carefully remove the bandage on his head. Heizou bears the pain of you wiping away the dirt and applying the ointment well. The new patch is put on his head and your hands move lower to the bandages around his torso.

After unraveling it, you feel relieved that nothing has become inflamed or infected yet. The bruises on his back and front are tended to before you clean the cuts. You firmly wrap the new bandage around his torso. He only tenses up as you finish.

"This is only a temporary solution. Once we get to Ritou you should see a doctor."

"I will, I promise but I must say. This is some pretty good work, like you have experience doing this kind of thing. Care to tell me who you've helped before?"

He really is a nuisance. He was almost killed in a bad match up with three Fatui Skirmishers and his first instinct after properly waking up is to question you?

"Seriously? Not even a thank you? And my expertise comes from taking care of myself if you must know." Scowling with no real annoyance you put away the remaining supplies back into the med kit.

Heizou laughs at your reaction before placing a hand on your shoulder. He rests his head on the opposite shoulder and speaks softly. What is with this guy and leaning on you?

"You're right, thank you Y/N. Even with my suspicions, I'm still thankful that you helped me and those kids. I'm hoping that whatever secret you're hiding isn't one I'll ever have to arrest you for."

HIs bare bandaged chest against your back makes you embarrassed.

"Aren't you a bit too up close and personal with someone you're suspecting?" You say stiffly as he proceeds to melt even further into you.

"Getting shy?" He whispers teasingly. His face is dangerously close to your neck making you tense up further. You already knew that he was a flirt but isn't he moving too fast?!

Your face gets redder as his breath grazes your neck. People have tried to trick you in numerous ways before. That includes pretending to have fallen in love with you for information. Seduction never worked on you due to how untrusting you are.

But in Teyvat? Where the characters you found comfort in and loved? It was hard not to be affected or overthink things like this. While you were avoiding looking at him, Heizou took his time admiring you.

The flustered look on your face, your fingers drumming on your thigh. It was adorable how nervous you were. For a split second he remembered how comfortable you were around the Kamisato, how brightly you smiled. Did you get all flustered around them like this too?

A flash of jealousy engulfs him, and his body seems out of his control. His teeth lightly nip your neck making you stand up in a flash. Your voice is steady, but your heart is beating out of control.

"I'm going to see what the village chief had for you. Just stay here."

Watching you leave in a hurry makes him realize what he just did. Man alive, what the hell made him act like that? Despite the slight guilt from overstepping a boundary, he honestly didn't regret it. If he had a chance, he'd probably do it again.

When you come back in with two plates and a cup. Your face was back to normal, and your posture was relaxed.

"They were nice enough to make us some food and a drink to help with your blood loss. It's some citrus juice so make sure to drink it all."

Sitting down next to him, you pass him the cup and a plate. You eat the food and Heizou follows your lead. It's fine if you don't want to touch on what happened. Frankly he's still unsure why he's become so enamored by you as well. But at least he has a better grasp on you and your secret.

After eating everything you both return the dishes and thank the chief. The elderly women, Takeru, and Futaba all come out despite the dark sky. They thank you and Heizou asking if you need anything.

"Don't worry, I'm just glad no one got seriously hurt." Heizou tries to elbow you with playful intent, but you move out the way with a smile.

"Why don't you both stay the night? Those injuries must still be bothering you. We have extra room."

You only had some minor bruising compared to Heizou. The cuts and scrapes were no more than an itch to you. These kinds of injuries were normal to you on Earth. And you really couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"Thanks for the offer but we have to get to Ritou before the stars come out. Please stay safe."

You wave to them one last time before arriving back at the shore area.

"Seems like there's no more children being kidnapped, let's get across this area fast."

Heizou on the other hand seems content to just stroll along. Well, that wouldn't work for you, you could not miss the Crux. You stop letting Heizou walk a little ahead of you. He notices your absence and stops to look back at you in confusion.

You run past him and grab something from his side. You slow your sprint a little to face him as you raise your prize.

"If you want your jitte back then you'll have to catch me!" Spinning around you face Ritou's direction and continue running. You can hear Heizou kick sand as he chases after you.

He honestly could care less about his jitte. It's the sight of you smiling brightly as he tries to grab you that makes him continue chasing you. The wounds and injuries from the fight still ache but it's worth the pain. You're worth the pain.

You'll be leaving soon. You might be a fraud. Logic says that being so fixated on you so soon is dangerous and stupid. Yet his smile never leaves his face as he finally snatches his jitte out of your hand.

His intuition screams at him that you're so much more. That whatever you're hiding will bring him happiness of a lifetime. That you will bring him that happiness.

You stumble onto the stone pavement in Ritou as Heizou keeps his hand on your shoulder. You're both calming down from laughing at him nearly falling face first into the sand.

"How didn't you see that pile of crabs? Too distracted by me to focus?"

"What if I was? You can't tell since you nearly passed out from laughing at me."

"You can't blame me for that! I would pay good money to have seen you actually fall face first."

You walk past Ritou's town square as the docks and inspection tent get into view.

"Money huh? Is that the currency in your old world?"

You continue walking casually but there's no denying how you almost froze up.

"Is that the conclusion you've come to after all the questions?"

"My intuition tells me that I've barely scrapped the surface but I'm all out of leads. For now, my suspicion is that you come from another world similar to the traveler. Although I'm not sure if the creator ordered you to keep your identity secret. You do seem to be an oracle for them."

Psychology really was amazing. By getting Heizou so worked up about your mask, you managed to have him believe you to be an oracle. The minor fact of you not being from this world makes him feel accomplished in a sense. You let him figure out one secret to hide a bigger one.

"You really are a great detective. No one else has realized I'm not from this world but you. But that didn't answer my original question in the game. It seems like you lost Heizou, no secrets for you."

Stopping at the end of the stairs Heizou looks at you seriously.

"I really hate leaving mysteries unsolved."

"Then you'll just have to handle me being the mystery left unsolved."

"What if I just took your mask off right now? We both know I'd catch you even if you tried to run. Or better yet I could arrest you for any stupid reason just to take it off."

You can't stop the laughter that bubbles up inside you. You wipe the moisture from your eyes as your laughter turns to giggles. The main reason you were okay with traveling with Heizou despite his intense need to solve mysteries is because...

"That would utterly destroy your pride. I know that you dislike fighting, that the moment you're forced into combat while solving a mystery is when you feel like you lost. You take so much pride in becoming a detective that having to resort to force would be a low you'd never stoop down to reach."

He turns away with a relaxed stance. His head angled to the ground with a nostalgic smile.

"Guess you must have found out some of my private information through the creator. But you're right, I would never do that."

It's quiet as you two resume walking to the inspection tent. Ah crap, does the fan work as an ID for you too?

There's no line due to how late it is but there is a familiar person.

"Sara?"

She turns away from the inspector and looks at you with some confusion. The sight of Heizou next to you, so close to you, makes her frown.

"Y/N, a pleasure to see you again. I can only assume that you are leaving under the creator's orders but what are you doing with Shikanoin?"

"But didn't you ask him to check up on me?"

...That little shit.

Sara glares at Heizou as you mentally put the pieces together. Sara sees Heizou as someone irresponsible. There's a very low chance of her entrusting someone connected to the 'creator' like you to him. She would rather do it herself.

Ayato was right when he said that Heizou tends to skip or delegate regular Doushin duties to others. And that's because he has no interest in those jobs. Sara probably knows that full well and would rather avoid that outcome. Plus, Heizou even asked where you arrived on Inazuma even though you already told Sara that you woke up on Ritou.

"Shikanoin, that is not acceptable behavior for a Doushin. What explanation do you have for yourself?"

Sara's stern voice bounces off Heizou who is far too used to it. You didn't bother stepping in. Not only were you curious how he got to know all your previous information, but the sneaky bastard deserved it.

"Madam you really can't blame me for investigating on my own accord. Not only have there been some subtle rumors about a mysterious oracle, but you kept glancing at Y/N during the festival. As Y/N already knows, I listened in on their conversation with the Kamisato Clan for a bit before introducing myself."

"Even still, you know the proper procedures to investigate something. Now that you've already interrogated them, you should leave them be- What are those wounds?"

Sara's exasperated voice turns cold when she looks closer at you and notices the minor cuts on you.

"Were you attacked on the way here? Not only did the oracle get injured but you also investigated them in this state?"

Maybe you should step in now, Sara seems on the verge of throwing him in jail.

"It's fine Sara, some Fatui were trying to kidnap two children from Konda village, so we stepped in. Honestly Heizou did most of the fighting and is the real wounded one."

You smile and finish with an almost proud laugh. "It was impressive how Heizou had me fooled this entire time. I'm not mad at all so don't worry Sara. But thank you for being so worried."

You softly hold Sara's hands and give a grateful squeeze before pulling away. You step past her to talk to the inspector. This was gonna be a nightmare. You don't see the competitive glare Heizou and Sara give each other.

As you are denied exit permission due to your lack of identification, Sara and Heizou step in to help you at the same time. After a few minutes of Sara and Heizou vouching for you as third-party authorizers, you hand over the fan.

That seemed to be enough proof for them to hand you a stack of papers to fill out. You moved the monstrous number of papers to a crate. Paperwork that you had to touch to read before filling out, what a joy.

"I'll be leaving first. The Shogun requires my presence for an important meeting. Shikanoin, I expect you to be at headquarters to finish all the new paperwork you earned after pulling the stunt you did. And Y/N please stay safe on your journey, may the creator guide you."

"Thank you, Sara, good luck at the meeting! Oh, and please tell the Arrataki Gang goodbye for me too!"

Serious as always, she nods her head before leaving. Heizou moves to stand beside you as you start tracing the words to become readable.

"Why are you touching the letters? You didn't recognize or read the words on the temple so how does touching it help?"

"To put it simply I can read the words easier after I touch them. But shouldn't you be on your way too? Don't think I've forgotten how beat up you are. Go see a professional before every medical building closes!"

"Man alive, are you trying to get rid of me so soon? Why I thought we bonded so well over our time together."

You know he's just playing and teasing but the answer you give is sincere.

"I did, I had a lot of fun. Despite how annoying you were at times, I really enjoyed playing around with all the questions and answers. But I would rather suffer through all this paperwork alone then let you stay with me as hurt as you are. So do us both a favor and see a doctor."

His eyes widen for a split second before settling into something calmer and sweeter. Have you truly bonded with him enough for him to let such a pure expression show?

"Since you were so honest with me, I'll go now."

You smile gratefully and are about to voice your goodbye before he pulls you close to him. You stand in a stupor as his chest presses against yours. His whisper is low and earnest.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Y/N. I eagerly await your next visit to Inazuma."

He releases you before walking away smoothly. Robotically you go back to the paperwork and fill it out. It's probably best to not take his words as anything deeper than friendly. Heizou has always been a flirty character, you were nothing special to him… right?

The stars are out by the time the paperwork is handed in and you have permission to leave. Not wanting to look at the identification card they gave you, you stuff it into your bag for later use.

The Alcor is huge, there is only one crew member awake on the deck and you climb the ramp to speak to him.

"Hello, my name is Y/N, this is the Alcor correct? Here is the fan I was told to show as my ticket." You give the fan to him as he stares at it tiredly.

"I never really expected someone to actually bring it at one point. You must be Lord Kamisato's guest of choice. Come in and enter the doors on the right. The voyage itself is 15 hours but taking into account other things, the trip will take a whole day. Go get some rest."

He gives you back the fan, and you nod in thanks. As you walk past him to the right side, a voice calls out to you from the docks. Curiously you go the railing and look down to see Yae there.

You frown in confusion at her appearance. She must have arrived after you put in the paperwork. Surely, she overhears what Heizou said. Even so, the sight of the sly kitsune makes you automatically stressed.

"Catch." Is your only warning before a small box is thrown towards you. Catching it swiftly, you open it to see a mask inside it. It's a gold accented fox mask specifically designed to only cover the top of your face. The shine and lack of marks make it clear how new and expensive it is.

"An apology for bringing up an uncomfortable subject to you in our conversation. The war has affected many people but it's those in your position that suffered in ways others have not. I hope that whenever you come back to Inazuma, you'll have a lighter heart."

You close the box and smile at her with gratitude. It's a perfect mask for that creeping feeling of dread. This is now the second mask you've obtained from stealing. This mask could have been something different for someone who actually suffered due to the war.

Silently you wave at Yae before she leaves without any other words. You watch her form disappear around a corner as whispers asking, "Where is Captain Beidou?" and "Did she drag Kazuha to drink with her again?" roll off you. You can deal with that later.

The walk to an empty room below the deck is a blur. Your few belongings are on the table as you lay on the bed. The Anemoboxer that you killed rises up in your mind like a tide.

They were kidnapping children, that should be enough justification for their death. You don't feel like arguing that point. You also don't feel like thinking on how you'll deal with any future Fatui members either.

Instead, you ponder about the sickle you used that was encased in electro. If you activate other Statues of the Seven, could you unlock other elements?

Those were the only thoughts you allowed yourself to think about as you gradually fell asleep.

Well this took a while. If anything I blame the fight scene and Heizou being flirty. I did use my decently built Heizou and fought that exact squad of Fatui. He defeated two before dying (it was raining) meaning the outcome of that fight isn't off. I'm experimenting with different yandere types and how the interact. I'm sure most people would write Thoma and Gorou acting nice and trying to one up each other by being kinder while keeping their rivarly secrect. But I thought it was funnier if they were outright hostile and were very bad at hiding it. In case anyone is wondering, I will not be writing full on smut. I'm not sure how far I'll take it in terms of stuff like making out but it'll probably never get past a kiss or two. Maybe I'll change my mind but never smut. I'm far too embarrassed for that.

I never realized just how many characters I had to write until I put the tags. I don't want to know how many words it is but it's 13k. Which is honestly pretty good, I was expecting like 15-16k. I'm very glad that I split the chapter. With Fontaine coming close and the trailer out, I'll probably spend more time playing to make up the primogems needed. Maybe more readers will join with the new hype or players will read less due to the new updates idk.

Taglist: @vvyeislazzy, @nikqi, @the-dumber-scaramouche, @etherisy, @yourlocalstranger123, @ra404, @iruiji, @goldenglow149, @haru-tofuu, @lsleepysimpl, @bebobeboben, @yuyuzi-ling, @amidst-the-tempest, @resident-cryptid, @mxd1zzy, @mochicurls21, @nervouseaglelover, @thedevioussmirk, @yumuramma, @kwqsla, @undecidingfate, @ehjane, @game-savvy, @akiramirae, @sielt, @fluffy-koalala, @formacoon, @sxftiebee, @khxii-i, @ursinaw, @chuuya-brainrot, @sweetbills, @kazuchaos, @snowfoxnix, @bluebelony, @conspicuous-mayonnaise, @pencil-of-ashes, @ghostlyintervention, @taiformaifo, @sielt

[pinkxpantha]

Mute in the Language of Love

- Lynette x FEM! reader

#: synopsis- Lynette is pining hard for her friend. A not-so breaking news, she's not that experienced in the field of love. But maybe you'll help guide her in this unexplored biome

#: cw- 1.4k words, you/her pronouns, winners love winning, canon complient, non-established relationship, mutual pining, fluff, reader is implied to work with reviewing books or something, reader implied to be older if you squint and look through a magnifying glass. cup'o'tea

Lynette didn't think of herself as the type to fall in love and fall so hard. As though an arrow was shot into her eye, blinding her of her own environment as she fumbled and was tossed by the world around her.

That swirling in her chest was unfamiliar, the rhythmic pulse of her heart felt as though she could feel the texture of her own ribs whenever she was with you. 

You were a fascinating girl, and you filled her mind more often than she'd like to admit it.

She'd be foolish to think she could keep her feelings hidden for so long, but she didn't expect to be found out so quickly.

It might've only been three hours since Lynette herself realized what that bubbling of her chest meant each time she stared at you. And it only took three minutes for Lyney to become absolutely insufferable. 

Any time she was with you and he just so happened to be in proximity, She'd see his teasing looks directed at her, small smirks flashed her way when the corners of her lips twitched upwards at something you said.

"Lynette, when are you going to tell her?" He pestered her at least once every day. 

It wasn't that she didn't want to tell you anything; each day she suffered in longing wondering if she could hold you in her arms and live with your touch always being available to her, too familiar to forget.

Yet she worried about how her words may come across, if it was too direct, how would you react? Do you like grandiose gestures? (as much as she'd prefer not to make her feelings into a public spectacle it was still an option.) Or would even a heartfelt note suffice?

But Lyney, the ever clever and somehow helpfully-unhelpful man he was told her to 'Just ask her'

Safe to say Lyney got a face full of pillow that night. (Look what you've done, reduced her into this immature mess..)

 The next person to recognize her love filled gazes; one that would commonly be interpreted by those passing by as almost soulless despite how drunk her soul was off of her love for you, Was her younger brother, Freminet.

He had seen the two of you walking down a pathway close enough to one of his usual diving areas to see that soft smile on her face, Lynette's gentle gaze on you as though you were the most precious being in the world.

It took three days for Lynette to even muster up the courage to talk about romance with you; and she didn't even bring the topic up.

It didn't take long to find you, as if an internal compass pulled her into your direction everyday. She walked up to the table you were sitting at, a book rested in one of your hands and a cup of tea in the other.

"What is that you're reading [Name]?" She asked, stirring you out of the focused concentration you held when reading. (Was it so bad she found it cute when your brows furrowed after reading a sentence a bit too quickly?)

"A friend recommended me this book from Yae publishing house," you said, slipping a ribbon in between the page you were reading, showing her the title of the book in your hands. "It's a romance but I wouldn't say it's all too romantic." 

She looked at the cover, reading out loud. "'Engaged to my Lover's possessed body..?' It sounds out of place for that genre, it's a bit...?" 

"Scary? Definitely." You finished for her, the curve of your cheeks becoming more pronounced as you smiled with amusement at her confused reaction. "It would be horrifying to wake up and suddenly someone you know well-- isn't them?"

Lynette hummed in response, "When you put it like that, I wonder how the author came up with that plot." To which you rested your head on the knuckle of your fingers.

"It really depends on how it's written. Good chemistry is good chemistry," you said before looking at the chair in front of you. "If you have the time, you can always have some tea and chat with me Lynette." You offered.

Lynette's ear twitched at your offer. She sat down with a 'Thank you' quickly feeling all her surroundings melt away into a fading background noise with you.

You went over to one of the staff, placing her order for her. Something you had already known by heart, Lynette liked the sharp bitterness of her tea, and she also liked a sweet aftertaste. Tea and biscuits was a perfect combo.

Soon you returned back to her, the sun coating you in it's rays as though it was accepting you to be of the same caliber.

In some ways you were the sun to Lynette. "Are romance books something you read often?" She asked as you sat back down in front of her. 

You held your position in thought, "Outside of reviewing books I wouldn't really say so. I definitely do have an appreciation for the romantic but its always better when you can see it on someone's face." You looked off into the streets of fontaine

Your eyes followed that of those walking together. Different pairs of couples with their arms interlaced with one another, "That look in their eyes, treasuring someone so much that they could stand out in any crowd. That's more satisfying than any well-crafted line of text."

Lynette wanted to beg you to look at her, to see how her pupils dilated each time she looked at you as if she wanted to take in your whole essence and keep it imprinted onto your brain.

"It sounds like you speak from expirence."  Lynette commented, a selfish part of her wanted to be the only one that could show you love on such a grand scale. But her love for you was unique in its own way. She would be the one walking with you as you recited poems from across teyvat that you remembered in that moment.

That love was hers.

"I guess you could say so, I have fallen in love before." You said after taking a sip from your own tea making her remember her own neglected tea. You turned back your head to face her.

Lynette hesitated, her mouth slightly parting as she asked, "If it's not too personal, could I hear more?" You nodded, "Of course."

"I love for simple reasons," You said, your hands folded on your lap as you watched Lynette. "They would listen to me as though I was the only sound they could hear." Your gaze dusted her cheeks like a feather, as if she could feel each movement of your pupils.

"And I watched them as if they were the only moving thing in a still world. " You said.

"Do you still love them?" Lynette asked, her words tumbling out almost instantaneously. Maybe if you were a bit closet to her you might've heard the waver of her breath or seen how her tounge rubbed against one of her teeth. 

 "I don't think its possible to ever stop loving." You responded, Lynette's breath caught in her throat, the vertebrae of her spine keeping it trapped as she looked back at you. 

How Lynette wished she were an artist so she could draw that fondness of your face over and over again, and feel her stomach explode and contort with each rendition. 

Lynette's mouth twitched into a small, barely noticable smile "I guess that's what makes absence hurt so much." She said.

You nodded, "Love really is a beautiful thing." You responded. 

The two of you sat in each other's company for a few more minutes, drinking into each other's presence in a comforting silence as you sipped your tea.

It was only a few minutes afterwards when Lynette placed her cup down with a clink, the empty teacup placed back on its holder.

"Thank you for staying with me for a while." You said, not finding something of substance to make her stay and talk with you some more, but also not wanting her to leave.

She stood up and gave a slight bow to you, "Of course. I enjoy your company." Those soft monotone words padded your ears in a comfort she probably didn't even mean to give.

"I'll see you soon?" You said to her.

"Yes, soon." She responded.

You watched as she walked off into the distance, her figure fading with each step. You let out a soft sigh, glad you could talk about love with her, even just for a moment. In three seconds you already missed her so.

I literally spedran this, it's 3:29 am and I have not proofread it, I will come back to fix mistakes tho 😁 trust ( ≧ꇴ≦)

its actually 1477 words but who's counting [proud]

[selfaware-bungou-stray-dogs]

Idk how this even works properly so correct me if I did something wrong

14! Gn reader with Kenji, and Kyoka in Teyvat

If you were not alone

Part II

______

Self-Aware! BSD AU x SAGAU Imposter crossover

Character: Self-Aware! Platonic! Kenji Miyazawa, Self-Aware! Platonic! Kyouka Izumi

Reader: 14! GN! Reader

Warning: English is my second language

____

🐄🐰 One moment you, Kyouka and Kenji were going back home from school.

The second moment you three were in a middle of Chinju Forest.

Kenji took the sudden trip better, than Kyouka and you. The sun was shining, wind was blowing, and, according to your knowledge about the game, Teyvat's people are more or less friendly, and there are travelers from another world.

So, after getting some rest, you three will go to the nearest city and search for dimensional travelers. Everything will be alright.

Besides, local tanukis are so cute, and Ioroi was fun to talk to.

Kenji's optimism was contagious. He does have a point. You aren't looking for troubles. Besides, Traveler and Alice are friendly. They won't hurt you three.

With your spirit up, you started your journey to Grand Narukami Shrine. In Guide, Alice mentioned, that she knew Yae Miko. And Yae did publish said Guide. Maybe, kitsune knew, how to reach Alice.

During your walk, you looked up. And a chill run down your spine. Celestia was gone. A clod, sticky horror squeeze your heart. You knew from somewhere, that it was wrong.

Something terrible has happened.

You decide to think about it when you reached Shrine. You will have time.

🐄🐰 You were lucky. Yae Miko was here, in the shrine. Everything looked normal. Kenji, with big smile on his face, walked towards her, asking for help. But then Yae Miko looked at you. Disbelief, horror, worry. Before someone could react, Yae dragged you three inside the shrine's building.

When the door closed behind you, Yae grabbed your cheeks, looking at your face at every angle. You notice, how Demon Snow appeared behind Kyuoka, drawing its sword.

Yae's voice was trembling.

"Don't waste your power on me, child. Soon you will need it to protect yourselves."

🐄🐰 During Yae's explanation, you felt, how Kyuoka and Kenji sat closer to you. Like they were afraid, that you will be attacked any moment now. Because of orders of 'Creator'.

Yae explained, that just few hours ago, that Creator preformed some sort of ritual. A ritual of finding sinners… People, who looked similar to Creator. Who looked similar to you. And if someone sees you, they would attack. Would try to capture you.

Yae secretly get you away from Narukami Shrine. You weren't safe in Inazuma. Still, Yae asked you to stay here. Until she gets answer from Alice and her whereabouts.

"Run, children. Alice the adventurer might help you. If you managed to get to her, she might find a way to return you home."

When you left, she sent a letter to Alice. The only thing that was left is wait.

🐄🐰At the end of the week, you three were still in Inazuma. And you have a bunch of people on your tail.

And you were worried. Mostly, about Kenji and Kyuoka. They were your friends/adopted siblings. And they were protecting you. Kenji was starving himself, afraid of not being able to help during attack. Kyuoka was constantly using Demon Snow to search for dangers. And it looked like, using their abilities, tried them.

You tried to help as much as you can. You took cooking and keeping camp warm and clean on yourself. You insisted on guarding the camp at night, letting Kyuoka and Kenji sleep.

Despite two of you having abilities, you were just three teens. And you three missed home and the rest of BSD's Cast.

🐄🐰 Second week were better. Thanks to Kenji's kindness, you now were hiding in Yoimiya's house. Who could think, that playing with local kids will let you find help?

Now you were more or less protected.

Kyuoka, Kenji and you even met Itto and Arataki's Gang. They were a loud, but friendly bunch.

🐄🐰 One day, Kuki brought a letter from Yae. Alice will wait for you in Fontaine. She even found a way for you to get here.

After tearful goodbye from Yoimiya and her father, you three, under protection of Itto and his gang, reached Ritou's Island.

Where Chiori was waiting for you.

"So, Creator want to capture three teens? How low Teyvat will sink, I wonder? Okay, kids, let's do some dress up."

🐄🐰 For the next few days, you, Kenji and Kyuoka, dressed in Fontaine clothes, were pissing as Chiori's workers, who were helping to get silk from Inazuma to Fontaine.

Trip were doing fine.

You were so close to getting home.

You just need to find Alice.

🐄🐰In her letter Alice mentioned, that she attends all performances in Opera House. Chiori managed to get tickets for three of you on one of it.

You three celebrated by going to the wilderness and having a picnic.

Unfortunately, Lyney and Lynette saw you three. And Demon Snow, who helped you to cut food. They knew what they must do. Father will be proud.

🐄🐰It happened one week ago. One week ago, when during the preference, Lyney and Lynette blew your cover. One week of captivity. One week of being separated from Kenji and Kyuoka. One week of Alice trying to get you out of captivity. One week of Chiori being under arrest.

You, tortured and bloodied, were standing before Ivory Throne. Lyney and Lynette were standing near Creator's throne. Gold medals were shining on their chests. Creator, your exact double, were grinning. They finally got you.

You heard the sounds of chains. You barely managed to make out Kyuoka's and Kenji's silhouettes.

Creator wanted to break them. Show your broken body.

Big mistake.

You heard screams. Sounds of stones crumbling.

Kenji's growling.

"I must help [Y/N]!"

Kyuoka's hissing.

"Demon Snow, destroy everyone, who hurt [Y/N]!"

You wanted home so bad. It was so wrong, to see Kyouka killing again. To see Kenji angry.

You wished, you three would be home.

Portal opened under your feet.

______

👘🗡️🌂 Fukuzawa Yukichi and Koyouou Ozaki weren't sleeping. They were discussing, what they should do next, trying to find your three.

👘🗡️🌂 Their train of thoughts was interrupted by a loud rumbling, coming from the barn. It was loud enough to woke everyone's up.

👘🗡️🌂 In the barn were you three, and two strange people. Kyouka was holding her knife above Lynette, while Kenji was trying to throw a bolder at Lyney.

And you were laying on the floor. Wounded, but alive.

👘🗡️🌂 It took Dazai's nullification, Fukuzawa 'turning off' Kyouka's and Kenji's abilities, Fukuchi's and Tetchou's strength to drag Kyouka and Kenji from Lyney and Lynette.

They will be dealt later. Now, you three are main priority.

______

👘🗡️🌂🐄🐰You three still were dealing with aftermath of Teyvat's events. You were guarding Kenji's and Kyouka's rooms at night. Kenji refused to eat. Kyouka was using Demon Snow to patrol the house. You three were now under Kunikida's watch. He was making sure, that you three were eating and sleeping. Fukuzawa and Koyouou were staying near. To console you, to protect you. They will make sure, that you will never need to be afraid of loosing your lives.

______

Tag list: @withered-blossoms , @myluckymoon @cocodrilofeliz @c4xcocoa @vvyeislazzy @whisperingwinters

[sea-lanterns]

Woke up to a few asks wondering more about my genshin persona, so I will add on a little more information on her in this post:

If you aren’t interested, just scroll past 😅

- She works as a professional dog groomer in Fontaine! Those fancy poodles you see on the sides of the streets? Many of them look that way because of her!

- Close friends with Chiori and Emilie due to her profession being related to appearances and aesthetics. Chiori stops by often to drop off ribbons and fancy dog clothes for her, and Emilie will sometimes deliver dog shampoos to her shop as well.

- Met Navia when Navia decided to take Consigliere to get “bedazzled.” Even though Consigliere is a tortoise, my persona accepted to groom him anyways because Navia was too pretty and she couldn’t say no.

- Is 5’6 like me so I assume she will use the tall woman model.

- She is the only genshin character who cannot be revived by eating a Teyvat fried egg. This is because I hate eggs myself and my persona would rather pass out than eat an egg.

- Her signature dish is a banh mi, a special Vietnamese sandwich that uses baguettes as bread! I am Vietnamese myself and I thought it would be unique to make her dish be something both of Vietnamese ingredients and French ingredients!

- Secretly reads erotic light novels from the Yae Publishing House. Spends her free time writing smut of her favorite characters like a certain someone you know… *wink wink*

- When in the presence of female enemies the “wet” status will appear on her character.

[iceiclehorned]

starter for @crimsononiarataki

A few months had passed since the ending of the Vision Hunt Decree, and the difference in the people was undeniable. Spending day after day walking through the city, graciously greeting people from other nations around Teyvat, learning more about the cultures they have, and having that chance to go to Fontaine with her big brother had been everything Kamisato Ayaka had ever dreamed of. The lockdown had encouraged a depressive cloud to rain over the heads of all who had been locked within Inazuma, which had only left a weight over her heart.

Considering it had also impacted her favourite oni, Arataki Itto.

Granted, there would never be a shred of an outward appearance of entrapment, but she knew that the way he had been treated so viciously must have left some part of him scathed, right? Seeing somebody so expressive and witnessing that beauty firsthand was enough to lure her into spending time with him, her brother and Thoma. Her heart always warmed as the four of them experienced many adventures, even if they weren't deemed as grand as the traveller's. The memories were always replayed in her mind just before she fell asleep each night.

On this day in particular, the Shirasagi Himegimi had managed to get the day free from all responsibility whilst Kamisato Ayato and Thoma went into town to run some errands together. She knew that they would be gone a while, so she decided to grab the latest book she had purchased from the Yae Publishing House and opted to find a nice resting place outside, preferably under a big tree -- after all, the sun's gaze made her feel like a popsicle.

A few feet outside of the front gates, and her eyes seemed to fall upon the white haired oni she had been thinking about just moments before. Coincidences were not usually something she pieced together, but perhaps this truly was one? With an even stride, she closes the gap between them, her head moves itself back in order to even look at him.

"Itto... what a pleasant surprise," her soft voice calls to him, a fondness to it that could not be mistaken. "Is there something I can help you with?"

[esvcort]

cw: suggestive, nsfw, dubcon-ish(?) if u squint

author's note: my first post, woohoo!! this is literally just an idea dump, very cliché scenarios and idk what this is actually lolll

the kamisato clan's head finds out about your hobby in an unexpected way. he made the effort to finish all of his tasks for the next two days, an act to spend more time with his lovely wife, having been mostly absent for the first few months of your arranged marriage. it was late in the afternoon when he retired to your shared room, waiting for you to return from your trip to inazuma city. you picked up a hobby to busy yourself with, as he wasn't always around the estate. you have developed a liking for reading books from the yae publishing house, going there at least once a week. his eyes find your desk on the side of the room, with papers haphazardly scattered all over it. he chuckled to himself, shaking his head at your surprising messiness. in an attempt to tidy up the space, his eyes catch some words on the paper in your neat handwriting.

the fireflies had already lit up the night when you arrived. you slip off your geta when you reach the entrance of the estate. your feet are slow and quiet as you walk towards the room, clutching the newly bought books and writing materials close to your chest, afraid to disturb your husband, who must be resting at this time. your eyebrows raise in surprise as you slide the door open to reveal ayato sitting on the edge of the bed.

"my lord! why are you still awake this late at night?" the title you call him makes him smirk. he stands up from his position and stills in front of you. a smile paints his face, and your eyes automatically drop down to the beauty mark under his lips.

"i thought i told you not to call me that, sweetheart." ayato gently pried the materials from your hold and put them down on your nearby desk. an small noise bubbles from your throat as his warm and lithe fingers brush against your hand. "i am your husband, and you are my wife. i believe we're past such formalities, don't you think?" his lavender eyes stared at you as his figure loomed over your own, and he waited for your response.

"i, uh," you stammered nervously as his towering presence created an intimidating aura. you stepped backward, leaned your hands and sat slightly on the desk for support. "i didn't think we were affectionate enough for each other to cross such a line, my lord."

he laughs a little, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "i suppose, so. although," your heart beats faster as he slowly walks towards you, leaning in close, close enough for your noses to brush each other now and then. this is the closest you've been to ayato in the span of your marriage. the unusual proximity does wonders for you; your heart beats faster, and your senses are heightened. you can feel the warmth of his body as both of his hands cover your own, effectively trapping you against the table. your husband leans over to whisper in your ear. "i would believe you if your insistence on calling me "my lord", didn't remind me of something."

"a-and what may that be, my lord?"

"'my lord's hands slowly inch up the supple skin of my thigh under the fabric, all the while pinning me on his desk.' sound familiar, darling?" your eyes widen in shock, and a strange feeling like electricity crawls all throughout your body.

"that- it's for a book i'm writing!" you turn your head to defend silently, followed by an audible gulp.

"why didn't you tell me you were writing such a book for the yae publishing house, hmm? is that why the books you buy also have such explicit themes, sweetheart?" more embarrassment comes over you in the mention that he has seen the content of your books. you guess the additional plain paper covers you had put over them were not enough.

"well- it- it helps for reference?" you answer, unsure and embarrassed that you had just indirectly admitted your inexperience. ayato lets out a breathless laugh and smirks. he faces you and takes your chin in his hands. he looks down on you; his light purple eyes pulling you into him, hypnotizing you away.

"darling," he purrs, and the deep rumble of his voice sends a shiver down your spine. your breath gets caught in your throat when his hand moves to your shoulder and carefully pushes you down on your back on the desk.

"my lord," you call out weakly, getting lost as you feel him settle himself between your legs. his tall figure hovers above you as his hand reaches the hem of your yukata. he bends down and kisses the corner of your open mouth. the desire to be touched was consuming you.

"if you wanted reference," he bucks his clothed hips on yours and takes pleasure in the pant you breathe out. your legs wrap around his waist, feeling hot as he continues to grind down on you slowly.

"i could show you much more than what your meager book has."

likes and reblogs are much appreciated!!

[anantaru]

jealous sex with miko with her using a strap please like imagine how teasing she would be aaaaa but she would be cutting you off looking like meance to society

cw. strap-on, jealous! yae, teasing, fem! reader

"ah, ah, ah,"

the pink haired adds on enclosed by a devilish perception, "we’re not done yet."

and in a lowered purr, yae miko slides the tip of her strap along the glistening outsides of your folds, tracing your slick to gather the liquids on top of herself— though your vision crystallines as a reflex out of the deep tinged overstimulation on your poor cunt, she does not falter on the teasing part, not one bit.

all the waves on your lower region, due to her love, love and love.

while still and all, when you seem close to exploding from the intensity of the lewd situation impaired with the surrounding air weighting heavily on your soused handle, it is never finished within her own pair of intoxicating eyes.

the desire to have you release on her tonight was embarrassingly high, rightfully so. you see, the head shrine maiden was never doing something unintentionally. you deserved it, and she said it before— your useless little mutters wouldn‘t distract her from the jealousy she experienced tonight as you got a little too friendly with one of her writers at the yae publishing house.

"it‘s too much." you mewl, "too much for me miko." for a brief second, miko acknowledges your broken words and leaves it to them to find her rationality— might she add on to that, it‘s quite amusing, excessively sexy too, whenever you attempted to speak louder than her, an octave higher, so you‘re sure she‘s listening to your cut off utters and considering them within her own twirling thoughts.

you’re almost ashamed of yourself when you look down on your cunt dripping and salivating at her rough touch, while being rubbed with the strap on and jerking your hips upwards to meet her half way, the mushroom tip glowing with your liquids. "you can still take it, no?"

the strings of her tone in mannerism alone had you writhe in place, you mewl out in frustration as you stammered back and forth, aching to be please please pleasured and filled up with more than you could even imagine— reminiscing times when miko wasn't actually taunting with you.

all you can give from yourself was a weakly motioned nod before miko gave you what you desired at last, letting your soaking cunt swallow the strap until chills ran down the entirety of your spine, a phantasm of goosebumps tissuing forwards. your legs flew up as they skillfully wrapped around her, drawing your girlfriend close, the soft pink fur of her tail littering on your bare leg.

©2023 anantaru do not share, copy, translate any of my work

[a-certain-romance]

Antsy

Characters/Ships: Yae Miko x reader & Ei x reader

Synopsis: You decide to release your pent up emotions by teasing them

Warnings: Suggestive content written by a minor, teasing

The puppet sat stoically on the throne, face void of emotion as she remained in a deep state of meditation.

You’ve been stuck with the puppet for a solid 2 weeks and Ei has yet to come back out of her Euthymia. Even after promising that she would take more breaks, her recent enlightenment has doubled her efforts in pursuing a better Inazuma.

She left you alone with the puppet, which isn’t exactly terrible but it just isn’t Ei. Despite her programming the affection the puppet shows is different from Ei’s. You don’t feel Ei when you lock hands, but Ei can feel every bit of contact. The puppet is but and extension of the archon, surly the sound of a low, sultry moan could get the attention of your beloved archon.

When the puppet sees you she asks of your day, how are you and why you’re in the tenshukaku. To which then you lean close to the puppet’s ear and moan out Ei’s name.

You giggle as you walk away, only for the room around you to transform into a grander space. Pillars like up against a sandy, barren surface. The sky is filled with angry purple storm clouds. And in the center sits a cross-legged Ei floating in meditation.

Ei blinks open her eyes and stares down at your confused expression. She steps down from her position in the air, almost as if she’s walking down an invisible set of stairs.

When you meet face to face she tilts your chin up with her index finger, brings her face so close to you that your lips are inches from touching her own.

“Now that you’ve captured my attention, do use it wisely”

Miko was sifting through some of the many submitted works from her employees at the publishing house, each of them awaiting for which she’d pick as the next bestseller.

Miko had been adamant about finishing the workload by the end of the day. Intel of a rival publishing house’s next launch has been leaked to her and she can’t afford to waste another second.

She promised you that she would make it worth your while if you just held tight through the next few days, and then she would give you her full undivided attention.

But you were getting antsy. You’ve been worked up these past few days as Miko’s promise hangs in the air. Thoughts of her touch, her tongue and that teasing smirk have been running rampant around your impatient mind. And to top it off she barely seems fazed, completely content with staying cooped up in the office for hours on end.

You know Miko isn’t one to back down on her word, but a little motivation can do wonders. You pop into her office to check up on her, leaning into her side as she tells you about these latest light novels. Miko knows something’s off. You just look too…innocent. You must be planning something.

“I applaud you for your patience this past week my love. I’m getting close to finishing, I’ll make sure to reward you accordingly”

“I’ll be waiting”, you say, and bend down closer to kiss her cheek and moan against it. You laugh as you walk away, barely believing you were able to get away with that. You hand grasps the edges of the handle, only for it to be pinned by your head against the door.

Your eyes widen as Miko begins pressing open-mouthed kisses against your jaw. She sighs, and the hot breath against your skin has you arching into her.

“Well look at you, all bark and no bite? You didn’t really think I’d let you get past that door after teasing me like that, did you?”

She all but drags you back and sits you against the table. Two fingers push down on your chest until your back meets the wood.

“I think it’s time to put you back in your place”

[moresinfulmockingbird]

Could we get Yae Miko tying up a shrine maiden as a punishment? perhaps putting her on display in the shrine and encouraging her fellow shrine maidens to use her to their hearts' content?

-Editor (sorry, have to do it through anon because we use a subblog)

THIS IS PUNISHMENT | Yae Miko

PAIRING: Yae Miko x Afab!Reader

WARNINGS: Nothing Explicit, NSFW, Sub!Reader, Dom!Character, Dub-Con, Alludes Gangbang, Punishment, Humiliation

AUTHORS NOTE: Okay... will admit I'm pretty into writing stuff like this. Also completely alright Editor, I get why you gotta do it like that.

THIS WASN'T the first time Yae Miko punished one of her dear shrine maidens like this. Having them stripped naked and strewn up in the middle of the Narukami Shrine, a blindfold wrapped around their eyes. You just never expected you'd be the next one recieving this punishment, but you supposed it was deserved.

Having failed to deliver an important message to an upcoming author for Yae Publishing House, as requested by the kitsune, you cost her the deal. Having lost such a promising author, Miko had wrapped a hand around your throat and dragged you out towards the middle of the shrine.

You tried your best to fight against her, but sadly Miko's grip was too strong, and so you were helpless to her as she began tearing your clothes off, all in front of the stunned eyes of the other maidens. You begged her to have mercy, to please stop and you promised to make it up to her.

Miko only laughed at your pathetic begging, forcing you to your knees and grabbing your chin in her hand, her sharp nails lightly pinching at your skin as she growled, "This is a worthy punishment for a maiden who lost me a new partnership. If you want to make it up to me, be a good girl and stop fighting."

You reluctantly did as instructed, whimpering as you stopped your struggling, eyes down casted to the ground as Miko finished taking your clothes off. Once bare, Miko instructed for a maiden to fetch rope, and once given it, she raised your hands above your head, forcing you to stand as she tied the rope around a hook above you.

You were slightly suspended into the air, standing on your tiptoes. You could feel numerous eyes burning into your naked skin, making you close your eyes to fight back your tears. You kept repeating to yourself that you deserved this, that this was a fair punishment for what you had done.

Miko hummed as she stepped back, admiring her handy work and your body, crossing her arms and letting her eyes roam. She had to admit, you did have a fine body, a body she wouldn't mind having for herself. But she'd deal with having you later, because for now, you were being punished.

"Look at you, so pathetic." Miko mumbled, tapping a finger against her chin in thought as she stared.

You whimpered softly at her words, your body shaking as you continued staring at the ground, the tears beginning to flow down your face in a rapid succession. You could hear the steps of the other shrine maidens gathering, all curious to see who exactly it was being punished this time. They're eyes burned into you, and you could feel the hunger in many of them.

"Seems you've caught quite the crowd," Miko muses, her eyes scanning over the shrine maidens that paused their duties to stare at you. "Understandable, you are quite the treat."

You shivered and flinched as you felt Miko drag a finger down your side, hearing her let out a content hum. You pulled your lip in between your teeth, chewing on it lightly in nervously as Miko continued to drag a single finger across you, moving it across your stomach.

"Maybe I should let the other maidens have some fun with you... they do seem particularly hungry." Miko muttered, more to herself than to you, and her words quickly made you go into a panic.

"W-What..?" You paused, eyes finally lifting up from the ground to look at the kitsune, the sight of her eyes glowing making you tense.

Miko smirked, your reaction very amusing, and it only fueled her more to allow her idea to come to existence. "Remember, this is punishment little one."

Miko took a step back away from you, a smile lingering on her face as she moved to address the other shrine maidens. She simply glanced at them all, letting out a chuckle before stating, "She's yours to play with."

You froze, panic really settling in as you watched Miko leave, leaving you behind with the other shrine maidens. Maidens whose hungry gazes pierced through you. And you knew in that moment this was the real punishment, and you weren't sure if it was fear or excitement coursing through your veins.

ENDING NOTE: I was going to write a full thing on this and add the reader getting fucked, but I decided in the last minute that that wouldn't be focusing on Miko, which this is fic is for (kinda). So I cut it out, but I hope this was still enjoyable for you Editor.

[definitelynotafurinasimp]

"Sing for me"

Yae with a reader that can sing beautifully but is shy about it

characters: Yae Miko x gn!reader

warnings: none

a/n: This was supposed to be a request for both Yae and Yoimiya, but since I had a hopefully good idea for Yae's part I decided to go a bit overboard with hers.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Yae Miko

Impressing Yae Miko was a difficult task with not much to gain. An upcoming writer finally penning a successful book could have their work overshadowed by dozens of writings of the same genre suddenly being released by Yae’s Publishing House, a genius orator could find themselves in her crosshairs for no other reason than to give her some short lived amusement and an entertainer would somehow find their way into being used as nothing but a magnet to attract more people to the shrine.

Those were just some of the examples you've heard over the years, so when you had the fortune of accidentally singing to yourself in front of Yae, only to have her start summoning you to her office whenever she felt like it, you had expected your life to be basically over. 

Yae however, had other plans with you.

When you had taken a quick glance at Yae from across the room, only for the two of you to make eye contact after she turned her head within an instance, almost as if anticipating you trying to sneak a look, you knew your fate was signed. At this point the Guuji didn’t even have to use words to tell you to meet her in her office, a simple smile working as a much more efficient alternative. So when you finally stood in front of the door, taking one last deep breath before sliding it to the side, you swiftly slipped inside before once again closing the entrance just as quickly.

“Sing for me, little bird.”

No greetings, no pleasantries. Both of you knew why you were here, and while it was far from the first time she asked you to perform for her, you still felt as nervous as the first time around.

After the first time, you expected her to tear into your singing like a hungry wolf into its prey, taking bite after bite from your confidence until there was none left… not like there was enough there to satiate her hunger in the first place. Instead however, you found her surprisingly nice about it. And while she couldn’t stop herself from one or two sarcastic remarks, you somehow left her office feeling better than you entered it.

And so, you quickly complied with her order, not even trying to weasel your way out of it, wanting it to be done as quickly as possible.

“You surprise me every time. If you continue singing so beautifully I’ll have no choice but to put you on a stage someday”, Yae complimented you, only to let out a chuckle shortly afterwards.

Within an instance your whole body grew tense, the prospect of having to sing in front of a crowd not exactly something you looked forward to, a fact none knew better than the kitsune.

“I doubt that it would be a profitable venture”, you tried your best to make her discard that idea without revealing just how much you dreaded it, only for Yae to take a step closer towards you, smug smile on her face as she stared at you.

“Aww, you’re too humble. With a bit of promotional work from my Publishing House the whole of Inazuma would want to listen to you… maybe even our beloved Shogun?”, she continued to look you in the eyes until you eventually averted them, your cheeks beginning to tint ever so slightly red, your show of weakness doing anything but discouraging her from continuing.

“I do owe you a lot for singing so beautifully for me afterall, so what better way to show my gratitude than to help you achieve the success you deserve?”, Yae spoke up once again, lifting your chin and forcing you to look her in the eyes, robbing you of the last of your defenses.

“Tea”

At first, you spoke so quickly that she had difficulties catching what you had just said, prompting her face to change into one of slight confusion, only for words to once again shoot out of your mouth.

“A cup of tea would be enough.”

WIthin an instance, Yae’s puzzled expression got replaced with a smile. Not the one most of Inazuma had gotten to fear, but a small one, one that would have remained invisible to you if she hadn’t been so close.

“I guess that would work too.”

Impressing Yae Miko was a difficult task with not much to gain. An upcoming writer finally penning a successful book in hopes of impressing the publisher could have their work overshadowed by dozens of writings of the same genre suddenly being released by her Publishing House, a genius orator trying to rival the Guuji could find themselves in her crosshairs for no other reason than to give her some short lived amusement and an entertainer thinking of gaining a favor or two from her would somehow find their way into being used as nothing but a magnet to attract more people to the shrine.

Those were just some of the examples of people trying to use their talent to impress Yae, and yet the one leaving their mark on her was a quiet clerk from her publishing house, too shy to sing for anyone but themselves. One talented and yet so easy to fluster. One she didn’t mind keeping around for now.

Thank you very much for reading, I hope you enjoyed the fic.

if you liked it, then please consider reblogging, liking is already very much appreciated, but nothing helps this fic to reach people more than reblogs

[mistle10]

Late Manuscript | Yae Miko x Fem!reader

Pairing: Yae Miko x afab!fem!reader

Rating: 🔞🔞🔞

Summary: After attempting to turn in your latest manuscript to the publishing house late, Guuji Yae decides you need a bit of a punishment.

Content: spanking, minor humiliation, praise, dom/sub dynamics

Word count: 1.3k

Fic under the cut!

*i know she doesn't have a tail most of the time but it's just so cute

Miko hummed with an indistinguishable tone as she flipped through the pages you had handed her.

"This is nearly a week late, you know," she chided, "I'm not sure if I'm going to have time to read through it before it goes off to editing."

"Apologies, Lady Yae."

You swallowed nervously. For some reason, you had particularly struggled with this manuscript. Every time you had sat down to write, the main characters left your head, replaced by yourself, and…

"How about…" Miko hummed, that fox like grin crossing her face. "You read this out loud for me, dear?"

Her words caught you off guard. Read it out loud? But this manuscript was pure unadulterated smut! You felt your cheeks heat up as she stared at you, with a smug expression as if she already knew the answer.

She tapped her foot, flicking the papers a little bit, before you finally nodded. Miko's eyes crinkled a bit, and she handed back your papers to you, leaning back against her desk.

"Good girl," she purred. "Why don't you pick it up on page one?"

"Yes, ma'am," you spoke, turning over to the first page. "It started-" you cleared your throat nervously, looking up at her for reassurance.

"It started as a simple relationship between colleagues. She had always been friendly. But now, as I stood here, bare, before her, I-" you began to read, but paused, your face red with embarrassment.

Yae chuckled lowly.

"Don't stop now."

The tall woman stood, strolling around the office to get a good look at you. You felt her eyes boring into you, lingering on certain spots. It felt… good. Her attention was addicting.

"As I stood here, bare, before her, our relationship felt anything but. She slowly reached out, her hands brushing my hips, waist, then slowly, soft hands cupped around my…" you read, but quickly flustered again.

"Lady Yae, is this really nessecary?"

You looked up from your manuscript only to be face to face with the kitsune herself. Miko reached out, running a hand through your hair. Her nails lightly brushed your scalp, illiciting a shiver. She seemed pleased.

"It's not." She admitted casually, giggling lowly. "But I have a feeling you want much more from me than just a manuscript review, hm?" A pink eyebrow raised.

"Really now, darling, you believed an erotic story about a writer and her editor would slip past me?"

A devious grin spread over her face now, as you went pale.

"It's not-" you protested.

As her arms wrapped around you, you lost your train of thought.

"Now, now, darling," she purred, "you know, you're so cute when you're florid." She chuckled. "Now, I do believe you need some sort of punishment for handing in your manuscript so late."

Her hands deftly worked over your clothes, slender fingers undoing the folds of your kimono. Your willingness was all the consent she needed, after all, you'd wanted this for a long time.

As her hands slipped over your soft breasts, cupping them for a few moments, you felt heat pool between your legs. A small whimper passed your mouth, and the woman licked her lips, pulling your body close to hers. Miko slipped your outfit down, dropping the kimono down your body until it pooled in a heap at your feet.

Her tail swayed behind her, and pink hair spilled over your shoulders as her soft mouth made work over your neck and collar.

Her touch was electric.

"Why don't you bend over my desk for me, darling?" She purred, and she didn't have to ask twice. You didn't hesitate, folding yourself over the edge of the wooden frame. It was embarrassing, being so exposed like this, but you couldn't bring yourself to end it. This is what you wanted, and you had to see it through.

Miko's hands ran over your now bare body, cupping and grabbing in all the right places- you were a mess. The hands that once worked with such delicacy with her quill were now moving over your hips shamelessly, her right thumb brushing over your folds, teasing you.

"Lady Yae-" you gasped, her name on your lips, "Miko, please- I need-"

"Need what?"

Her voice was saccharine, low as she whispered in your ear. "You're being punished, remember?"

Her hand made contact with your ass in a firm slap, leaving a red mark. The sting was pain, it was pleasure, all wrapped into one, and you couldn't help but whine.

"Now now, I know you can do better than that," Miko purred, her hand rubbing the spot she just spanked. You knew she wasn't actually punishing you, not with how her hand wandered over your body and teased your pussy.

You swallowed your pride, taking a few deep breaths before you spoke again.

"Please, ma'am-" you gasped as her fingers brushed your pussy, "please-"

Another spank, right on your ass. Another stinging pain and another pleasured moan from your lips.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch it."

You could almost hear her grinning, her tail swaying behind her as she moved behind you. Her body was warm, pressing against your backside. You felt so exposed and vulnerable to her touch.

"I need you-" you whined, "Please, I need you, please-"

Your face was red with embarrassment as she chuckled behind you. She moved one hand up, cupping one of your breasts. Your heart thumped in your chest as her other hand made contact with your clit, teasing you.

"You need me? Such a good girl for me," she cooed. "Was this your fantasy, dear? When you were writing that?"

Her free hand stayed between your legs, fingers gliding over your slit. The slick heat of your pussy was all it took for her to push her fingers inside of you, the intrusion causing you to moan softly. You had needed this for so long, had wanted her for so long, but you never imagined the first time you'd have her would be like this.

"Look at you," she teased, her voice low, "all spread out, dripping wet on my desk-"

Your body jerked as she curled her fingers inside of you, her thumb teasing your clit. The pleasure was overwhelming, and she continued to speak as you lost yourself to her.

"Oh my… so obedient, such a good girl, taking my fingers like that…" she chuckled lowly.

"L- Lady Yae!" You gasped. You could feel yourself tighten around her fingers, and her hand came down from your breast, leaving another harsh spank on your ass.

You hissed, the sting bringing a unique type of pleasure.

"Are you going to turn in any more manuscripts late?" She questioned, her fingers curling inside you again.

Your head was fuzzy. It felt like all the blood in your body had rushed down to your core, pooling there as she moved her fingers inside you.

"No- I- I won't! Please just let me cum- mh-" you whined.

Miko's fingers continued to work inside of you, and you moaned, unable to stop the slurry of whimpers passing your lips. You could feel it building inside you, that slow wave of pleasure that threatened to spill at any moment.

"Please-" you pleaded.

"Good girl." Miko praised, and you felt yourself tighten around her fingers.

You came hard, gasping as the orgasm wracked through your body. She didn't stop, continuing to work her fingers inside you without mercy even as you came down. You were shaking, gasping for breath. Your face was bright red as she finally slipped her fingers from inside of you. You couldn't help but whine at the feeling of being empty, missing her fingers already.

Miko chuckled softly, reaching up to pet your hair now.

"Well, that was quite a good scene," she commented, leaning over you with a soft smile.

Your heart thudded in your chest as you looked up at her. She was beautiful.

"And it would be a shame to let it go to waste," she continued, moving a lock of hair from your face. "Perhaps I can provide inspiration for a new erotic book for the publishing house… fufufu," she purred, watching as you redressed.

[2baddiesfanfics]

Pretty Please?

Pairing: Ei x Miko

Tags: Teasing, Hot Springs & Onsen, Vaginal Fingering, Oral Sex, Alcohol

Summary:

Miko has arranged for a special date at Aisa Bathhouse for her and Ei after pulling some (morally questionable) strings. As the two spend some much-needed alone time together, Ei cryptically reveals she’s been reading one of the kitsune’s newest light novels…and isn’t pleased with some characterization. Instead, she gives the owner of Yae Publishing House some inspiration for the next book in the series. (Note: If you haven’t read the in-game light novel Pretty Please, Kitsune Guuji, you may want to take a quick look before reading this fic!)

Read on Ao3

The kitsune pranced up the path that meandered between the Inazuman merchant booths. Citizens quickly lowered their gaze in an attempt to avoid the familiar but frightening sensation of her amethyst-colored eyes staring into the depths of their souls. As she crossed the bridge, Yae Miko caught sight of the violet-haired woman she was searching for standing under the designated Sakura tree, its light pink petals still lingering in the strands of her hair.

“Oh! Miko! There you are,” Ei exclaimed.

“I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” Miko purred while gently pulling the flower out of the other woman’s tresses.

Clasping it in her hand, Miko brought it close to her chest and closed her eyes. Slowly opening her palm, she blew out a light puff of air and watched it dance in the wind. Ei raised an eyebrow out of curiosity.

“Just making a wish,” Miko laughed as she linked her arm with Ei’s. “Come now, we have a much-needed day of relaxation ahead of us,” she said as she led them to Aisa Bathhouse.

“G-guuji Yae! L-lady Ei! Welcome,” Aikawa Susumu stuttered. “You two are in l-luck. You have the entire p-place to yourselves.”

Miko rolled her eyes at the owner of the establishment as he tripped over his words.

“Really? The entire bathhouse?” Ei asked in shock.

“Y-yes, thanks to Guuji Yae here,” he responded.

“Oh, it was nothing, Ei. Really. It’s much deserved and it’ll ensure nobody will interrupt us as we…discuss important matters,” she insisted.

As she walked past the owner, she growled under her breath, “You better guarantee we’re not bothered, lest your wife happens to learn of those spicy harem light novels you’ve been purchasing behind her back.”

With a hesitant smile, he muttered, “Of course. Right this way.” He showed them to the private room where they could leave their belongings.

“You may leave us now,” Miko gestured. The two disrobed and wrapped themselves in the soft, warm towels they’d been provided. Ei approached Miko from behind, sliding her hand through her hair.

Miko released a quiet purr. The shogun’s elegant fingers moved to slowly unhook the weighted earrings that typically kept the kitsune’s ears lowered so they’d be less noticeable. “Since we’re alone, we can get rid of these temporarily. I’ve always found your ears quite adorable,” Ei said, massaging them as each one popped free.

“Mmmm, Ei, we have plenty of time. Let’s not get carried away now, hmm? You know what you do to me,” Miko hummed as she pulled her hand down, interlocked their fingers, and led her toward the bath.

The two sat in the steamy water taking in this rare moment of downtime. Miko rested her back against Ei’s chest, and Ei wrapped her arms around her slim waist.

“What should we order for an after-bath snack?” Ei asked as she kissed Miko’s cheek.

“You’ve always got food on the brain, hmm?” Miko chuckled. “Whatever you want, love. It’s on me.”

“Let me see…do you think they have Butter Crab on the menu?” Ei asked as she watched Miko’s ears twitch back. This was not the answer she was expecting. Dango would have been far less surprising.

“Um…I’m not sure, but we could definitely ask,” Miko replied cautiously.

“Yay! Butter Crab, my favorite!” Ei exclaimed.

Miko gulped, her hands busying themselves. “There’s no way she knows. It’s just a coincidence,” she thought to herself.

Ei tightened her grip around her. “Oh, yay, Miko! I am so glad we get to spend this time together. Since I only spend most of my days with someone who has fluffy ears and a teasing voice. Yay for spending time together!”

Miko stiffened against her touch as Ei kissed her shoulder. “You want me to keep saying ‘yay’? I recently read somewhere that it’s my signature line,” she said as she licked up Miko’s neck.

“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Miko stammered.

Ei slid her hand between Miko’s thighs, her fingers sliding and swirling against her clit. Miko’s head snapped back against her shoulder as Ei nipped at the exposed skin on her neck.

“Ahhh Ei,” Miko whispered as she bit the back of her hand to stop herself from moaning.

“Seems someone has been a naughty kitsune. Writing me in such a way,” Ei taunted as she continued to rub her sensitive bud.

Miko grabbed the shogun’s wrist with her other hand to try and still her movements. “Ah, ah, ah. You’re going to take your punishment,” Ei murmured against her neck.

The kitsune’s legs shook as she bit down harder to prevent any sounds from escaping her. As she was about to reach her peak, Ei abruptly stopped and pulled away.

Miko’s ears shot up in surprise. “Ei! I-I was almost there! What…why?” she whined disappointedly.

“You can wait until we get back to the room. Oh…and I forbid you from finishing yourself,” Ei commanded.

A growl rumbled through Miko’s chest as the two resumed their quiet soak. She tried to ignore the throbbing need for release and knew she was going to have to explain herself when they got out.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally got out, dried themselves off, and made their way back to the private room they were about to share for the night.

———-

After donning the light yukata provided by the bathhouse, the two women sat at the small table where a variety of snacks and drinks had been laid out for them. As Ei partook of an onigiri, Miko simply picked at some Sakura mochi.

“What’s the matter, Miko? Not hungry?” Ei inquired.

“Not particularly. Why?” She responded in a cool tone.

“Oh, no reason. I just wanted to make sure you…hadn’t caught a cold.”

At this point, it was clear: Word had gotten around about Pretty Please, Kitsune Guuji? It was a current best-seller at Yae Publishing House, and Miko should have known Ei’s curiosity would get the better of her.

Miko looked up guiltily. “Ok, you’ve caught me. So what? Are you mad about the light novel? Or did you just want to tease me about it?”

Ei smiled softly. “I’m not angry in the slightest. Well, I’m not exactly thrilled about how I’m portrayed at the start, but I was impressed by how accurately you captured my feelings about how I see you versus how I perceive others,” she explained.

Miko’s ears dropped. “Ei, I…”

Ei held up her hand in a gesture that begged her to let her finish. “‘Just think about it: thousands of people putting on the same face in your presence.’ With how sarcastic you are, there are times when I’m not sure if you truly understand the weight of being in my position. But it’s clear to me now that I’ve taken you for granted.”

The kitsune heaved a sigh of relief before she heard Ei clear her throat.

“However…about the last portion of the story. Miko, what were you thinking? Anyone with a brain is going to figure out these characters are modeled after you and me. It’s far too suggestive. As you so aptly wrote, you know people revere me. I don’t want them to perceive me as weak, or worse yet, taking advantage of you and your position, either.”

Miko scoffed. “Ei, dear, don’t be ridiculous. The ending is completely up to interpretation!”

Ei was done playing games. “Up to interpretation!? Miko, does ‘She feeds me the Rainbow Aster in a way that I'd never dare to imagine’ read like it’s up to interpretation to you?!”

Unable to come up with a retort, Miko remained silent. Ei sighed in resignation. “Fine. You want to play dumb? Let me show you how I interpret this scene,” she stated in the tone she used when she was about to prove someone wrong.

Among the food set up at their table was also an incredibly expensive (and incredibly strong) bottle of saké. Ei carefully grabbed the ornate tokkuri flask and poured some of the liquid into one of the small cups provided. Bringing it to her lips, she drank but did not swallow. Miko’s eyes widened in arousal as she realized what was coming next.

Ei’s hand came to rest on the back of her neck, her fingers grasping the fine hairs at her nape. Miko felt her grip tighten, and a low groan escaped as their lips met and warm saké dripped from Ei’s mouth into her own.

The alcohol burned as it traveled down her throat and hit her stomach. Heat immediately ripped through her body and she could already feel it start to mess with her head. She was a big talker, but between the two, Ei was the one who could actually hold her liquor.

When the shogun finally pulled away, she noticed some of the saké had dribbled down the side of Miko’s mouth. Her tongue darted out to lick it up and Miko’s breath caught in her throat.

“I believe the line you’re looking for is, ‘Why does it feel so sweet at the corner of my lips?’” Ei teasingly murmured.

“Why don’t you show me what happens in the next volume of the series? I could always use new ideas for my writing,” Miko said as she took Ei’s bottom lip between her fangs. She knew very well what effect this had on her, and the response was as she expected.

Ei roughly shoved her down on the tatami flooring with a snarl. The belt of Miko’s yukata had started to come loose, and her exposed skin only drove her desire deeper.

“Hmmm, yes…let me think. Since readers are already talking, why not give them more of what they really want? The Rainbow Aster drink you mention in the first volume is so boring. I’d much rather have your juices lingering on my lips,” Ei retorted. Her hands reached down to pull what remained of the knot in her belt loose. Miko sighed as her legs fell open willingly.

Slithering down her body, Ei traced the taught muscles of Miko’s toned stomach with her tongue.

“This would make for an…awfully explicit light novel, Ei…” she panted, trying to make it seem like she had the upper hand.

“My dear Miko…you’re telling me you don’t want to continue the story? Think about how disappointed your readers will be…” Ei chastised as she nudged her shoulders between her thighs. Looking up at her, she instructed, “You’re going to have to look at me if you want to properly capture the details in writing.”

Miko glanced downward, her head spinning from the effects of the alcohol now in her system. “You talk too much, Ei. How about you give me something worth writing about, hmmm?”

Never one to back down from a challenge, Ei took one languid lick across her folds. Miko let out a moan that made her extremely thankful the hot spring was empty - she’d never be able to save her reputation if not. She could feel Ei smile against her skin, and it sent a shiver across her entire body.

Ei’s slurps and personal sounds of arousal added to the sensations that now built her toward release. Miko’s hand darted down to pull her in closer as she rode her face, unsatisfied with the current taunting pace the shogun was maintaining.

“Ahhhhhh Ei! Fuck…please…”

“I think you need to say ‘pretty please, almighty shogun.’ That would be a much better title, don’t you think?”

Before Miko could come up with a snarky retort, she shrieked as she felt her orgasm shutter through her core.

Ei left a trail of kisses as she ascended Miko’s body. Stopping when she reached her destination, her mouth crashed against the kitsune’s.

“Oh my…still that eager, are we?” Miko gasped as she pulled away to catch her breath. Guiding Ei to lean back, she crawled on top and straddled her. Her thumbs rubbed in gentle circles against her thighs as she leaned forward and licked between her breasts.

“Miko,” Ei exhaled.

With a hum she acknowledged her response, swirling her tongue on her nipple to get it to rise. One hand made its way to the other breast as she slid another between the archon’s wet entrance.

Ei could feel her hovering over the spot she desperately yearned for her to touch. Grinding her hips against Miko’s in anticipation, she felt her smirk against her chest as a finger slowly stroked up and down her folds. Miko continued to ghost over her sensitive bud before continuing her teasing.

“Ahhhh,” Ei whined as she thrust her hips back and forth, urging the kitsune to move quicker.

Pulling away from her breast, Miko looked up at her mischievously. “What’s the matter, dear? Don’t like being teased back?” She kissed up to Ei’s neck, her lips latching onto bare skin. Her sharp canines pierced the area and she began moaning to add to the sensation. She felt Ei’s arousal pool around her now slick fingers.

“M-miko…p-please,” Ei begged as her grinding against Miko’s lap intensified.

The kitsune inspected her work, a bright red bruise already forming at the mercy of her lips. “You know what I need to hear you say before I allow you to come,” Miko taunted as her violet eyes pierced Ei’s own.

Ei wasn’t the type to give in so easily - she was an archon, damn it. She kissed Miko back in retaliation, their moans reverberating against each other’s mouths, their tongues colliding together.

Static sparked against her skin where Miko was toying with her chest. Her body shook with excitement when she felt small jolts of electro energy pulsing through her nipples. Miko’s hand hovered over her clit as she waited to make a move.

“Pretty please kitsune guuji, make me come,” Ei breathlessly groaned.

“There now, was that so hard?” Miko inquired as she slid two fingers across her clit. Ei panted as she felt her adding pressure between her thighs. When Ei sped up her thrusts, Miko inserted two fingers into her entrance.

“Ohhhhhh, yes!” Ei screamed when Miko hit the spot she knew so well. Moving her fingers in time with Ei’s reckless hips, she felt Ei spasm around her. She heard her shout her name and clutched her close as she rode out her orgasm.

Ei leaned against her, both of their bodies now dripping with sweat from the exertion of their nightly activities.

“You know, we do have the hot springs to ourselves for the rest of the night,” Miko murmured against her ear before taking it between her teeth.

“You’re insatiable, you know that, don’t you?” Ei replied with a bemused chuckle.

A look of mock offense appeared on Miko’s face. “Ei, you wound me! I’m only suggesting we clean ourselves off a bit before settling down for the evening.” Running her hand through Ei’s violet locks, she continued. “And this is what I wished for at the Sakura tree earlier, after all. Just time together, you and me.”

“Hmmm…maybe I’ll agree - if you ask me nicely.”

Miko’s mischievous laughter resounded through the room before she whispered, “pretty please?”

[itto-l0ver]

Little doggie Borrower

Yae Publishing House made a recent article about a tiny Borrower with similar appearance to the infamous Ms. Hina. Itto makes it his soul purpose to witness this tiny person for himself.

“Itto… it’s so early in the morning! Where are you even planning on heading off now?” Granny Oni grumbles at Itto in concern as he stuffs a small satchel with supplies.

“Did you see what Yae Publishing House published today!? Here! Look, look!!” Itto picks a paper up and shuffles over to Granny Oni, showing her the contents of the paper. “Look what it says! Borrower with a similar appearance to Ms. Hina on Yashiori Island!!” Itto is practically squealing as he lets his imagination take over. “Just imagine! A pocket size Ms. Hina… oooh man!! I gotta see this myself, Granny!” Itto bites his lip in a huge grin as Granny Oni observes the page.

“Itto, do you even know if this is real..? In all my years of living I’ve never seen ‘tiny person’ well.. Borrower before; they're only fairy tales.” Granny Oni sighs seeing the glimmer of light in Ittos crimson eyes, not showing any signs of giving up on this journey. “They gotta be real if Yae Publishing House covered it! They'd never lie! Don’t worry Granny I’ll be fine, promise!” Itto walks back over to his satchel, stuffing the paper inside and swinging it over his shoulder.

He could barely contain his excitement as he stared off in the direction of where his travels headed. Not wasting any more time he pranced over to Granny Oni, hugging her tightly, and kissing her cheek. "I'm off now Granny! I'll be careful, I pinky promise!!" Itto yells running off on his way to get a glimpse of this tiny person.

With a spring in his step, filled with determination in his eyes, Itto makes his way to where the location of the sighting is. A small area near Fort Fujitou…

.

.

.

It was a late morning in the outskirts of Fort Fujitou, still damp outside from the recent occurring thunderstorms that night. A single bead of water glides down a large leaf overhead of a hallow tree stump, the water gets to the tip of the leaf and falls down right on top of a little sleeping figure, startling him awake.

“Wah!? Awh..” *Gorou grumbles as he sits up in his makeshift bed of leaves and grass. He shakes the remaining water that dropped on him out his hair, his ear twitches a couple times as he rubs the sleep out of his eyes. “Mmh.. is it still morning?” *Gorou asks himself as he gets out of bed, smoothing his fluffed up tail down with his hands.

Gorou makes sure all his trinkets he's collected are in the right place and hasn't been affected by the rain… “Hm.. if the storms get worse I'm gonna have to move again before I get swept away.” Gorou shivers at the thought, rain is one of the biggest dangers for a Borrower…

Shaking those thoughts away, Gorou made his way outside his little hideout, into the sunlight outside. Letting his fur warm up in the sun, Gorou closed his eyes with a small sigh when he suddenly felt the coolness of shade. Was the sun covered by clouds? Gorou wonders as he opens his eyes, expecting to see the sight of the sun shrouded by thick clouds… but he's met with the sight of two red eyes staring down at him. Gorou’s blood instantly ran cold and his tail puffed up in seconds. A..a human!? No… how did I not notice- Wh- what do they want!? Oh god please don't hurt me… Gorou trembled under the gaze of this ‘human’, unable to move an inch from pure fear.

“Oh… my… GOD!!!” Itto exclaimed as he stared down at the tiny person before him, Itto's eyes sparkled like thousands of stars in a night sky. “I knew Yae Publishing House wouldn't lie!! Ohhhh.. you look so much like Ms. Hina!” Itto got down on his hands and knees to get a closer look at the petrified tiny.

M..Ms. Hina..!? Who is that!? Why is this person staring at me like that!? Gorou had so many alarms ringing off in his head, telling him to run away as fast as he can… but he still can't move an inch.

“Hmmm? What's wrong, little guy? Do you speak?” Itto tilted his head to the side as he observed the tiny before him. Is he scared of me? But why would he be? I'm harmless!! Is it my horns..? Itto frowned a bit as the tiny still hasn't said anything. “Ey.. are you scared of me?!” Itto asked in a confused tone as his eyebrow lifted up a bit.

Gorou blinked multiple times in disbelief. H..how could I not be scared of a giant man staring at me like I'm some type of treasure!? Why would he even ask that! …Wait.. he probably thinks… he's not terrifying at all!! Gorou got a cold sweat as his mind raced with thoughts, the one thought of this man not knowing how much of a danger he is to little Gorou sends enough adrenaline through Gorou’s body for him to turn on his heel and start running away as fast as his tiny legs could… He should've known running wouldn't change anything.

Itto's huge hand suddenly came down in front of Gorou like a giant unmovable wall, making Gorou shriek as his tail shot straight up in the air. “Now, now! Don't move now little guy!” Itto's fingers start to close around Gorou, making Gorou panic and scramble away from Itto's huge hand. “Ahh- hey! Don't move away! Lemme pick you up!” Itto whines as he moves his hand towards Gorou.

“Wahh!! No! Leave me alone!!” Gorou cried out as he continued to back away from the huge approaching hand, his heart feeling like it's gonna burst out his chest.

“Ooh! You can talk! Your voice sounds cute!!” Itto bites his lip as he can barely contain his excitement. He lunges towards Gorou with outstretched hands, not wanting him to get away.

Gorou yelps seeing the giant man's hands coming towards him again. Gorou manages to leap out the way just before Itto's hand came swooping down in the spot he was just standing.

“A-!? Hey!! Stop avoiding me!” Itto is getting impatient and antsy since he's failing at capturing such a tiny being. Gorou obviously doesn't listen to anything Itto is saying. Spinning on his heel, Gorou finally gets back the ability to run again and he takes off running away from Itto.

I can't stop! I can't stop!! I gotta keep running, I won't let that giant catch me!! Gorou pants heavily as he runs away like his life depends on it. Glancing over his shoulder, Gorou nearly leaps a foot in the air as he sees the man start chasing after him. “Oh no! Oh god!!” Gorou panics knowing one step from the man is at least 10 for him.. so he'll end up being caught in no time!!

“Ey!! Come back tiny bro!! I promise I'm not gonna eat ya!!” Itto pleads as he runs after Gorou, gaining on him in the matter of seconds.

Gorou's eyes frantically look around for any way to get out of this nightmare of a situation, distracted by his own rampid thoughts Gorou runs into a pebble on the ground which makes him stumble back to a halt. “Ah! Ow-” Gorou whined out, his tail sticking straight up as he felt the massive tremors in the ground getting stronger from Itto almost getting to him. In one last attempt to save himself, with all his little strength he picked up the pebble (which is really like a large rock to him), and pathetically throws it towards Itto. The pebble lands at Ittos feet, Itto comes to a stop as he stares down at the little pebble trying to figure out what it is. Is that.. a… A BEAN!?

“AHHHH!! A BEAN!!!” Itto screams as he scrambles back, tripping on his own feet and landing on his rear with a loud thud that shook the earth for Gorou. Itto curls up and rocks back and forth like a terrified child, whimpering to himself.

Gorou stands there completely dumbfounded. His mouth slightly opens in shock as he stares up at the giant man terrified of… a pebble.. let alone a pebble that looks like a bean. “U..um… it's just a.. pebble.” Gorou says awkwardly.

Itto abruptly stops whimpering and peeks from behind his hands down at the pebble on the ground. It was indeed, just a pebble.

“Coughs.. U-uhm.. O-of course I knew that!! I.. I uh- was just acting! Haha!!” Itto laughs awkwardly trying to cover the fact that he was whimpering like a baby from just a small little pebble.

Gorou stares up at Itto, utterly perplexed. Unable to hold back Gorou stifles a small laugh before clamping his hand over his mouth, glancing up at Itto to see his face turning red from embarrassment.

“Are.. are you laughing at me!?” Itto stammers, his cheeks flushed. “D-.. uh- don't laugh at me!! That's mean!” Whined Itto as he covered his face with his hands, trying to keep some dignity by not turning into a tomato in front of the Borrower.

Watching Itto's reactions Gorou couldn't help but to laugh a bit harder this time, Itto jumps in embarrassment as he peeks through his hands down at Gorou. Puffing up his cheeks Itto lets out a frustrated grumble before lunging forward and clasping his huge hands around Gorou, trapping the Borrower within his hands. In those few seconds all Gorou experienced was Itto's giants hands coming down on him and the mini earthquake Ittos movements made.

Ittos embarrassment vanishes as a cheeky grin spreads across his face as he hears Gorou’s tiny yelp within his hands. “Ha! Not laughing now are ya tiny bro!?” Itto yells triumphantly as he rises up to his knees, keeping his hands tightly enclosed around Gorou.

Not even a split second later Ittos expression quickly changes to surprise and then regret as he hears the tiny whimpers coming from within his hand. “Oh shoot.. ah- may of messed up.. here.” Itto stammers with a guilty voice. How could he be so rowdy with someone so small!? He's more gentler with the kids he steals candy from than what he's doing now.

Itto slowly opens his hands, cupping Gorou between them as he peers down at Gorou. Itto winces as he sees Gorous little body trembling like a leaf, his brown tail curled into his body and his ears pressed against his head as he has his eyes shut. Itto bites his lip, frantically looking around for anything to fix this. “Ahh, I'm sorry little bro- h- um.. hold on, just- don't cry, please!” Itto stares down at Gorou apologetically.

“Hm.. maybe shade will help?” Itto glances around and sees a nearby tree, he walks over to a common Sunsettia tree, he sits down on a stump beside it. He feels like such an idiot for scaring the tiniest person he's ever met in the short time he discovered Gorou. “Uh.. hm…” Itto glances up and sees a Sunsettia within his reach. Food! That fixes everything! ..Right? Itto gets a glimmer in his eye as he thinks he found a way to be forgiven by the Borrower.

Itto reaches up with his freehand, grasping the Sunsettia and plucks the fruit from the tree. With an uneasy look on his face, Itto slowly lowers the fruit towards Gorou in an attempt to offer it to him. Gorou yelps, feeling the smooth skin of the fruit brush against his tiny arms and causes him to look up to be met with the slight of the Sunsettia. Gorous eyes slightly widen, a perfect Sunsettia is rare for little people since only the overripe ones are accessible after they've fallen from the tree.

Gorou cautiously looks up at Itto, Itto looks so stressed and nervous like Gorous decision is the most important in the world. Timidly glancing back and forth between Itto and the fruit before him, Gorou slowly leans in and takes a tiny bite of the Sunsettia. Gorou’s eyes instantly light up, his stiff tail slowly starting to wag as a clear sign of enjoyment which makes Ittos eyes glimmer with relief.

Gorou takes a couple more bites of the Sunsettia before letting out a hum of enjoyment and wagging his tail happily. Ittos eyes sparkle as he mentally freaks out about the adorable behavior of the tiny. After a few moments of silence and Gorou enjoying the fruit, Itto speaks up. “So.. are we good?” Itto makes a small guilty grin as his expression looks hopeful and stressed out at the same time.

Gorous ears tuck against his head as he glances up at Itto, this giant oaf still poses danger to him so he's unsure if he feels the slightest bit safe around Itto. Gorou looks back down at the Sunsettia before giving a little shrug before speaking. “I.. guess so.. maybe?” Gorou slightly looks up at Itto to see his reaction.

Itto grins brightly before pumping his fist in the air. “Yesss! I got mini Ms. Hinas trust!!” Itto whispers triumphantly as Gorou stares up at him in pure confusion… Who in the world is Ms. Hina..!?

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