Ruts them in the wild and leaves 'em where they lay. That's what he just said… What kind of–?! Monkey dung! I can't believe I -begged- him to let me -sssserve- him!
"Ah," she sounds with a calm acceptance, straining her features to remain aloof while keeping mortification at bay. Chocolate, almond eyes wander beautifully bizarre surroundings as she shifts to face the gleaming cauldron radiating warmth which grants Sanemaru the back of her head.
"M'kay," staring beyond the supernatural glow of burning, green stones, she mouths an 'ooo' when large pieces of folded, fluffy cloth resting on a pale table at the garden's edge brings her feet to life. Moving along cool stone, the stinging pain of scarred flesh throbbing enough to remind her of her injuries, she nearly drags her feet to get to the creatively carved wood holding a large, upright, metal disc.
Finding painted vines and pink water lilies outlined in gold, delicate curves glide seamlessly under filthy, calloused fingertips. A rainbow of patterned, clay bottles wrapped in handwritten labels rest beside a bone comb.
With a tiny hint of sarcasm, "That's comforting," she sits on the matching, barrel stool before half-heartedly glancing up at her disheveled reflection in a shiny circle casting no flattering light.
Why'd he have to see me at my worst?!
Finding areas with filth and ugliness, she hangs her head to avoid another moment with what the world sees until insecurity fills the pit of her stomach; dirt, vomit and blood stain her fingers and cuticles, an unknown combination under her nails, tightens her jaw as she breathes deep to remain composed.
I'm pretty sure bringing me here -wasn't- part of his plan... But he did. And he didn't try anything like -that-. Was I -really- that convincing?... Or is this going to go real dark…real fast…?
"Hmm," his forehead wrinkles, "Since the incident around sixty or seventy years ago, he avoids humans like black boils," he pulls his tail around to pet it. Fingering the waves as they slide through his hand and return to his backside, "Unless he's got a taste for…"
Crossing one arm in front of his chest and scratching his jaw with his free hand, "The-less-than-modest of your kind?..."
Sanemaru's hesitant words fall from pouty lips soon to be strummed by fingertips.
Pausing his taps to speak between spread fingers, "To have a few fun nights until he destroys 'em," snickering, the horse yokai fails to maintain the societal manners he was forcing himself to uphold in her presence.
Pulling his silky tail around to finger waves, "I don't think Lord Tsukiyomi would've brought you here if he was looking for a thank you gift then and there."
The edges of Sanemaru's pearl white teeth shine in amber light through the gap of a mischievous smirk, the shadow from tousling red hair shielding his eyes as he watches her.
Is this a real talk? …I'm not dreaming…?
"But to be completely honest, I've never helped him meet females," the humanoid steed tilts his head, mulling over his thoughts.
"So, who knows?" shrugging it off then turning his back to the girl monitoring his reflection, Umeko sees his palm rest on a large, pink boulder.
For the sake of her sanity, she absorbs the creature's information with a grain of salt; swallowing the gnawing sickness of her unexpected present as it is woven into the threads of a far more uncertain future, she processes her dilemma.
...he takes coin-coochies home and destroys them. Does that mean what I think it means?! …he started with 'for a few, fun nights'. Seems fair: get my mind off all the bad with some long, hard fun then put me out of my misery so I don't have to relive it in my head every time I close my eyes. Things are startin' to look up, right?
Umeko slumps in despair, pushing away the disappointing facts about her master before it crushes her chest. Sanemaru's ears perk and turn toward the quiet sniffling guiding him back to Umeko.
Quietly approaching, he covers the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and leans in close to her ear, "I've never seen him -actually- eat a human like the rest of us, but, rumor has it," he pauses before glancing around, "He eats the women's -wombs- before they leave."
Umeko's jaw drops and her bottom lip quivers. Jumping to her feet, Sanemaru cups her arms and forces her back down on the seat, "Don't worry, Ume! I'm sure those are just rumors!"
Standing tall and protectively after receiving a flabbergast, fearful face, he reassuringly pats the air with a 'there, there'.
Stunned, EAT A HUMAN LIKE THE REST OF US?!
"If it makes you feel any better," he pats his chest with a triumphant smile, "I only eat plants now."
Kneeling to gather her hands, he stares in her eyes long enough to break the grief-stricken maiden from a hysteria-induced coma.
"There're other yokai here that are very hungry, and very, very dangerous. -Never- go anywhere alone, 'kay?" Sanemaru tilts his head with a gleeful grin, his ears twitching to face her. Shaking his head at her lack of response, "Even though our master is undoubtedly powerful, he can't be everywhere at once."
Abandoning her hands to cup her cheek, he nods while slowly mouthing 'okay' to make sure she understands.
I could've lived without the rumors, you jerk! …he wouldn't tell me all this unless he wanted to help keep me safe, right?
After an uncomfortably long quietness, for the sake of getting past this point in time, she eventually nods with him and mouths 'okay' once in return.
"There's only one way in so I'll guard the door," he points over his shoulder without taking his eyes off her.
"Use as much of anything you need to get yourself cleaned up," he points at the table with an upward bounce of his eyebrows as his extended, bulging arm.
Aww, that's nice.
"Seriously," he stands and places his hands on his hips with sharp exhale through pursed lips, "Spare nothing."
Nodding with a polite smile, wary of his body language, she waves him goodbye nonetheless. Turning away to face the door with a long whistle, "You need it."
Frowning, Too far.
Catching himself to look again at the girl again, he points at her with a ferocious earnest, "Don't be afraid to take your time. Ume (oo-may) had a hard day."
Without another word, he blurs away until his solid form stops at the door. Seeing it slide shut behind him, Umeko finally feels comfortable enough to untie the knotted bow at her hip. Her belt drops to the floor.
Removing filthy, shredded remnants of a dress from caramel skin and holding it out to the side, she stares it up and down; recounting the living nightmare that led her here, she can't believe this is all that remains of her possessions.
This should be burned...
Looking around the room, not a wardrobe in sight, Am I supposed to put this back on after I'm clean?!
Shaking her head in disgust before flinging it away with a repulsed shiver, ...I'd rather stay naked.
Umeko peers over the colorful boulders containing steamy water. Approaching stones low enough to the ground for her to easily climb over, she finds steps beneath the surface. Excitement rises when she navigates the rocky edge, her anticipatory recoil dissipates when open wounds and fresh blisters collide with abnormally soothing, penetrating warmth.
A pleasure-filled groan escapes her lips when beaten limbs sink into inviting, healing water rising to her chin and overpowering all her physical pain. Pink light surrounds her, following Umeko's every fleeing twist and turn in the water.
Settling still, I hope that means something good...
Convincing herself to take a few deep breaths, she soon lets her guard down and relaxes her worries away.
*****
Sanemaru patiently stands guard outside the door, singing and dancing in place for a short while.
Time lulls by before he poises himself on guard with crossed arms and a fierce concentration.
"Sane! What're you doing here?" A curvy woman dressed in purple, wrap-tie dress to her knees makes her way down the hall. Eye to eye with Sanemaru, long legs carry her in front of him.
Peachy skin radiates under lantern light with interrogating, violet eyes. Dark, wavy brown hair is drawn in a loose bun with purple ribbon and perfect locks framing an irritable expression. Layers of a black and purple belt across her belly secures her dress with a tufted bow extending beyond the small of her back.
"Mizu, I was just–," she shuts him down by pressing the side of her closed, wooden fan to his lips, "Don't bother."
Rolling her eyes, "Lord Tsukiyomi said he summoned you. It's rude to keep him waiting," the tug on Sanemaru's sleeve as she 'suggests' he hurries becomes a vice when she pulls him from his post.
"Mizu, I can't yet," he unsuccessfully plants his feet on opposite sides of the runner (narrow mat), squeaks coming from strong toes scraping along polished wood.
The bamboo mat bunches under him, catching onto fabric-covered, muscular calves. Huffing, he slides to the floor while still in her grasp, trying to clutch the floor with his free hand and clenching butt.
Defeated by her superior strength, he goes limp and allows her to drag him without remorse.
"He wouldn't have told me to get you if it wasn't important," violet jewels look down at him, catching the steed red-handed. Mocha digits stop working to pry hers open while a guilty, cheeky grin crosses his lips.
Her low growl wipes the grin away.
Black ears perk up at her warning then lays flat against his poofy hair. A toothy smirk stretches across her mauve, glossy lips before scoffing, "I honestly don't know what's gotten into you, Sane," she shakes him recklessly with the flick of her wrist.
The steed's hands fall from her vice-like grip before he can make another crack at breaking free. Sultrily, "Hm," her wooden, handheld fan snaps open in her free hand.
Covering her lips with decorated panels, "Who would've thought you stopped eating them so you could -really- taste them."
With a mocking giggle from voluptuous lips, his cheeks grow hot and smoke seeps from his ears after her comment registers.
"It's no--!"
"I can smell the human on you," Mizuki shakes her head in annoyance, "And I promise she can wait."
Moving faster, Sanemaru struggles to get away from her without tearing his clothes in the process.