"Umeko!"
Sitting up at the sound of her name on a familiar voice, relief makes a strong attempt to fill the empty void bulldozing through her chest.
Turning to face the incoming line trailed by clouds of dust and overturned clumps of ground, she covers her face with her arms to protect against the debris sure to announce itself with his hello.
Sanemaru (sah-nay-mah-roo) stands in orange robes with his hair loose in bountiful, shoulder-length, fiery twists that frame his chiseled face, "What're you doing all the way out here?"
Lowering her arms, looking him up and down, she can't find any words to speak. Dropping to his knees in front of her, his ears lay flat toward the sides of his head as he assesses the situation, "Sleepwalkin'?"
Resting his hand on her shoulder after a lack of response, he tilts his head when she scoots closer to hug him tight. Hiding her face in the fabric cloaking his sturdy shoulder, she breathes deeper in search of honing in on calm, quiet sobs.
"Ume (oo-may)," his soothing tone eases the tightness in her chest as he pets the back of her head, "You smell like you've been here a while."
With his comment falling on deaf ears, she sinks further into his embrace. Nuzzling the soft fabrics enveloping her, his other broad palm circles her back. Languidly tapping her forehead against his collar bone, she eventually lifts her head to meet his gaze.
Parting her lips to speak but losing the strength to face him with such a cold truth that she can't seem to warm up, her forehead falls into the crook of his neck instead. Feeling the silence become more suffocating than comforting, she manages to whisper, "He kicked me out the garden."
Chuckling dismissively, "Ryu's obsessed with finding ways to ruin anything Tsukiyomi likes even the tiniest bit," Sanemaru rocks her like a child, "So I know that can't be true. You're mistaken."
"Alright," Umeko's glossy, mysterious gaze chases his cheeky smile away when she stares at him with a drowning emptiness, "Tsukiyomi freed me from the palace by kicking me out of the garden."
Sitting on her legs, she crosses an arm over her chest. Staring at the purple bud nearest her knee, "Even though there's nowhere else I'd ever want to be. . .even if it kills me."
Narrowing his eyes briefly, the energetic steed shrugs casually, "Then stay far the fuck away from there!"
Patting the top of her head, "If Ryu's got evil deeds up his sleeve, Ol' Blue would be the first to know."
He doesn't answer to that, does he?
Pausing, Sanemaru covers his mouth with the back of his hand and leans in. Whispering to Umeko while looking the other way for any onlookers, "You have been looking kind of sickly. Y'know," bouncing his eyebrows before brushing his nose against her, "Close to spoiling."
Pursing full lips off to the side when Umeko backs her face away, stormy grays bounce away from chocolate orbs just before their sight reconnects. Placing his hands on his hips and nodding expertly with closed eyes, "You clearly need a break from Passion's Prefecture."
"Passion's Prefecture. . .?"
. . .is that really what the demons call Tsukiyomi's house?! Either way–!
Eyes shooting open, Sanemaru flinches at her sudden burst of abrasive energy, "So I'm supposed to run and hide until Ryu–!"
Lowering her arms, tilting her head, "Sane?"
Softly placing her hands on his chest, inspecting his face for the slightest hint of anything suspicious, "I thought you didn't know who was inside him. He was just, "Master." Right?"
Aloof, he shoos a brown ant from his thigh then dumbly extends his legs. Checking over his pants for any other pests, "Hm?"
Raising his repentant gaze to her, a wrinkled forehead gives him away the moment guilt loads his massive shoulders, "Oh."
Chuckling hesitantly, "I found out that night the three of us," he points between them, "Got to know each other inside and," dragging his teeth over his bottom lip with a smolder, "Out."
Bothering his bottom lip with a healthy tongue, Sanemaru's eyes travel to nostalgic places over her body. Lips curling into a grin while reliving the memory of her body trapped between his and Ryu's, Umeko covers her chest with one arm then whacks the horse's human nose with the other.
Shaking off the discomfort, "Sorry," he rubs his nose, "But you can't blame me for wanting to bring THAT shit up again."
Glancing off to the side, a passionate groan rumbles deep in his throat. Cupping his stubbled jaw, "I get hard just thinking about the way yo–."
Placing her satchel back around her body after having slapped Sanemaru in the face with it, he licks his lips then chuckles softly, unphased by her weak act of violence. Swooping fray strands from her vision to rest behind her right ear, she mumbles, "It wasn't real. So shu–."
Grinning wickedly, "That crazy party," Sanemaru's face fills with excitement while looking back on a decadently indulgent evening. Crossing her arms, she listens intently.
"He said to the now ten guests," counting on his fingers, "Twenty one concubines, and the," punching the air with each syllable like a champion fighter, "Five Fists of Favor."
Collecting himself, "That he's the," displaying a princely poise, "Back-from-the-dead Dragon Emperor Ryu," he places a balled fist over his heart, "Yokai King," stomps proudly, "Ultimate Ruler," then throws all formality away, "Blah blah blah."
Blowing a raspberry off to the side before shrugging nonchalantly with his hands up, "That knows how to possess gods or whatever."
Rubbing his upper arms uncomfortably, "And can share the knowledge with anyone willing to support his war so they can achieve a high seat of power in his New Era."
Opening his mouth to continue, Sanemaru pauses for a breath when he sees Umeko's hand up by her face. Gesturing for her to go ahead with his hand, she stares at him incredulously, "Five Fists of Favor?"
"That's the thing you wanted to question from everything I said?"
Muttering under her breath, "You're making stuff up," she nudges his upper arm with her elbow.
Raising his eyebrow with a dramatic gasp, "How?"
Nudging her shoulder roughly with his palm, "You wish, squishy miss!"
Placing his hand flat on his chest, "You're hearing it straight from this horse's mouth!"
"I'm sorry!" Umeko gently pats the air in submission, not wanting to escalate any physical contact, "I believe you but. . ."
Trailing off in space with her finger on her chin, "The group name sounds like something they call themselves," she chews over her bottom lip, "I don't see someone like Ryu ever calling them that."
Tilting her head, "Isn't it bad for enemies to know the amount of his best warriors?"
She watches Sanemaru's face go blank and holds for a brief moment until smoke starts to exit his ear. Holding back embarrassment, "Well," crossing his arms with a grumbling, muttering huff, "Maybe it was one person in the group with the idea for such an awesomely swift, fear-inspiring name– but that don't matter."
Shrugging carelessly, "They're the Four Fists now."
Sanemaru wiggles his eyebrows, "Since I got what I wanted."
Groping the air with his tongue hanging out, Umeko elbows him back on track.
"He told his guest list they either join him or everyone that has ever even come in contact with any of US. Meaning, the group as a whole would be brutally defiled and devoured."
Raising his eyebrows, "Soooooo, thanks but no thanks. I did what I could to protect myself until I gave him my all then earned a noble exit in the form of a mission that's likely to get me killed all the same."
Sanemaru watches the motionless girl stand with wide eyes, "I swore an oath to Tsukiyomi-sama, not the intoxicating maniacal, gut-busting fiend possessing him."
Cupping her shoulder, "I'll always do whatever I can to help him, and you, because everything you do helps the other."
Honing in on the sound of her accelerated heartbeat, the consistent thump reassures him of her consciousness despite her appearance of being an empty, thoughtless shell. Struggling to keep up with his information and promised dedication, she nods while trying to focus her mind-altered attention on processing his words.
"Everyone else outside that room was told that the great dragon leader had been reincarnated into this beautiful form ready to pick up where he left off ages ago," stretching his arms out, the length of his spine pops, "So, some pretty ancient creatures have been stirring to either observe his efforts or support them to success."
Stretching out his legs, "He's definitely got enough followers to make the other realms break a sweat."
Umeko slaps his chest, offended by such an assumption, "How could you possibly know that?!"
Capturing her hands to hold them against silk adorned pectorals, "I don't know much about how it all works, but I know there's Seven Realms that maintain the planes of balance that keep this fiery shit bucket functioning like a fine-tuned, neighborhood outhouse."
Umeko nods slowly, choosing to openly accept all that he tells her rather than interrupt to question him by revealing just how little she actually knows. Lowering his eyelids, he suspects by her face that she needs a crash course.
"Takamagahara (Heavens), the gods' realm, known to everyone except the ningen as Divine Realm, was the first to be inhabited by creation through light, sound, and energy. Then Ashihara-no-nakatsukuni (Earth), the flesh realm," guiding fray locks behind her other ear, "Your realm," he cups her cheek and guides her to look at him.
"The disagreements on how to run this realm, with hot, cold, flesh, sex and babies as you know it, is what led to the Great Split that created separate spheres across time and space," he watches her blink for a long time before meeting his gaze with a dumbfounded nod.
"Yomi-no-kuni (Underworld), the Spirit Realm, is the third one that I know you know."
Staring at her intently, she hesitantly nods while eyeing him closely.
Wiggling his ears with a smile, he quickly glances around before speaking low into her ear, "There were four other realms than those created during the split. So," pulling back from her ear slightly, he catches her gaze.
"Knowing that," he gently pets the top of her head, "If something is powerful enough to sway the heart of someone that was cast out of the original place of existence. . .?"
Barely capable of comprehending, let alone accepting this newfound information she doesn't fully understand, regarding all of existence, Umeko stutters, "I can't answer because I don't know what the other realms are. And you shouldn't assume!"
Letting her go to lean back on his arms, "If it makes you feel any better, you're one of maybe a handful of humans that know there's Seven Realms instead of three."
Sliding her palm down her face, "Why would that make me feel better?"
Grumbling loudly, "It doesn't help to change the fact that we're fucked!"
Pounding the ground with her fist, "And not in a fun way," she rips grass up and throws it in a tantrum. Sanemaru nudges her arm with his elbow, his ears waving back and forth.
Chuckling disheartened, "I just gotta face," Umeko finds her eyes watering, "Tsukiyomi-sama got rid of me. . .before I couldn't say no to Ryu."
Flaring his nostrils and blowing smoke, "You're stronger than I was," nodding slowly then excitedly, "At least you said no thus far. Saying no was smart, trust me."
Calmly clearing his throat, "Sex is my shit," he covers his lips with a fist and closes his eyes, "I know he'd have you so obediently corrupt that you'd make Mizuki (me-zoo-key) look lazy."
Sanemaru's espresso ears point up through neat coils, turning in different directions then staring right at her, "Stop lookin' at me like there's an ass on my face."
Tapping her nose, "And let's go," a curtain of shoulder-length, fire ombre twists teases his face on the breeze as he breathes deep.
On his exhale, "Far, far away."
Is he in a hurry or wasting time?...
Stretching his arm out to fan the horizon, "Two misunderstood siblings on a quest for peace."
Tilting her head, parting her lips to speak, he talks over her, "Forced to sleep with one eye open, watching each others' backs 'til the end of time," the miniscule, softened pitch in his voice alerts Umeko, "Or until you die and I'm on my own."
You sneaky bastard. What else do you know?
Raising a suspicious eyebrow, she crosses her arms and straightens her back amidst a stare down. Umeko's non-verbal interrogation draws more from the steed.
"Alright," hesitant to make direct eye contact with her, he mutters, "I fucked around and," pulling his twisted tail to stroke like a kitten in his lap, "Let Ryu and Mizu convince me to join forces."
Petrified by his words, Umeko struggles to breathe as she listens to the yokai hanging his head. Dropping his tail, Sanemaru presses his index fingers together before twisting them. Revealing a growing, mischievous grin stretching across his lips, "All night after he came in wet from the rain."
That means. . .after he left me. . . Was that my fault? No. I'm not responsible for what Ryu chooses to do.
Shivering, Sanemaru hugs himself, "And the rest of this morning until daybreak."
Umeko bites back her worries, knowing this meant Ryu took control after Tsukiyomi left her alone in the garden. Taking the time to find mercy for herself rather than blame, she half-listens to Sanemaru's rambling.
"That fucker's dangerous," licking his lips, "Can't let that dick hit– it'll scramble your brains with your soul and sprinkle humiliation on top."
Shaking his head, "I agreed to," he narrows his eyes in disgust, "Everything."
Scratching his jaw, "He does," frowning sickened, "Not belong in this," pointing to the ground, "World with a body."
Laughing lightheartedly, his arms drop to his sides, "But in all fairness. . .I," Sanemru nods introspectively with a quiet sigh, "Found out I've got to learn to say 'No' to a good time."
Catching up to all that he's told her, Umeko struggles to keep herself from revealing an unreasonably jealous glare.
Where she had once been presented the same opportunity, she chose love over lust; bedeviled by sensual, lifelike nightmares ever since, it has been a constant battle to deny her sinfully burning flesh around Tsukiyomi.
Was it in everyone's best interest for her to be freed of servitude?
"I thought Mizu was losin' it or taking advantage of a once in a lifetime gig, but really," stunned, Sanemaru stares at the ground, "I think she's just a bitch in need. She can't handle the dragon's juice."
Slowly looking straight ahead, "Or is it kami-juice? I mean, can you believe she doesn't even know," his eyes gloss over, "That she needs rescuing."
Shaking his head one last time, "She's in too deep to even hear me anymore."
Has he always been this insightful?
Managing to construct a curious brow and disappointed frown through all her mixed emotions, Umeko uncomfortably admits, "You never cease to amaze me."
Tilting his head, Sanemaru's left ear flicks away a bee before he focuses on her, "I've heard people say that to each other before."
Tilting his head in the opposite direction and raising an eyebrow, "But, it doesn't sound like a good thing when you say it."
"Sane (sah-nay)," Umeko drifts closer, grabbing his wrap-tie shirt while venturing through the slate clouds of his eyes, "Where could we go when a War of the Realms is coming?!"
Weakening her grasp on his clothes, dull brown eyes descend a groomed jaw, "At least you could swear allegiance and stay safe from his wrath," sliding her arms around his back, she holds Sanemaru and breathes in his oaky spice.
Wrapping his arms around her with a sigh, "Yeah," resting his chin on the top of her head, "By doing things I don't want to do just to re-prove my loyalty."
Shuddering, sickened to his stomach, "I can't go back to that kind of life." Caressing the stray hair draping down the back of her neck, "After serving Tsukiyomi-sama all these years," he shakes his head while lowering it, "I'm just not that horse anymore."
Cupping her shoulders, "Besides," he eases her gently from his chest to look into her eyes, "We're talking about you."
Witnessing her grimace, he brushes his nose against hers, "Since he sent you away for your own good, what're you going to do now?"
Don't look at me like I know! It's by the grace and cruel mercy of Izanagi or Trimurti, or whoever's up there calling the shots that I even made it out of Sankan no Machi into this living hell.
Gently resting his forehead on her perplexed eyebrows after a long silence, "After you figure it out, or just pick whatever sounds best when life forces you to choose," he tenderly shifts to kiss along her eyebrows, "Stick to it."
Guiding her chin up with the edge of his index's knuckle, "Even if it kills you."
Shifting to get beside her, Sanemaru wraps his arms around the back of her shoulders for a seated, side hug, "Your own choices are the only ones worth dying for."
Umeko looks away, "But. . ."
"Take it from the guy that swore himself to a powerful being that wasn't entirely upfront about his biggest, ongoing affliction," he pats his chest proudly.
Clicking the inside of his cheek, "If nothing more than a sexy face and horse dick," he gestures to his crotch only for Umeko to follow his hands then roll her eyes away, "My regal word is law. So, I'm in this with Him until he ascends or dies."
Fear and doubt creeps up her crossing legs as charcoal pants shimmer. Trying desperately to keep a hold of an unpredictable confidence, "What if someone gives me choices I should listen to? Others might know better than me on what's best because I'm so young and stupid sometimes."
Sighing, "Umeko," Sanemaru tucks her hair behind her ear before cradling her cheek in his large hand.
With a tiny smile that has the power to make her knees tremble, he points to her heart, "What's best for someone else might not be what's best for you."
Sanemaru's gesture reminds her in that instance of the last conversation she had with her grandmother. The words he speaks burrow deeper into her heart with sentiment than he could have ever imagined:
"Since you can't ask Izanagi yourself, you're the next best judge over your life."
Lovingly nudging her shoulder with his fist, he watches the wheels inside her head spin rapidly.
Bearing witness to the glowing embers of her soul coming back to life, Sanemaru reinvigorates his smile when she finally raises ceylon eyes filled with stubborn curiosity.
"What if I could contact Izanagi no Mikoto myself. . .?"
Asking more to herself than the humanoid cheval, she speaks with a semblance of hope, "I know a lot of what's going on. Maybe if I just tell him, he'll help."
Reluctantly, "Umeko," Sanemaru crab walks in the grass to dramatically face her before dropping and crossing his legs.
Consequently, adding more space between them, "Susanoo-sama and Tsukiyomi-sama have been working him for "who knows" how long?"
Patting his knees before rubbing them, "And I don't want you to take this the wrong way," his tail jumps in the grass behind him, "Since you're a weak, tiny, whining human."
Scratching the back of his head, ears facing her lowering eyebrows as she looks unamused, "But do you really think you can change the mind of this domain's guardian when his own kids couldn't?"
Umeko remains blank as he surveys her, until she murmurs under her breath, "We're all his kids since he created us. . ."
Clearing her throat, skepticism fills the chiseled features of the closest thing Umeko has to a friend in this world.
I don't know what they've told their dad but I do know there's no way the Creator of Japan wouldn't help Lord Tsukiyomi if he knew the truth about what happened to Ukemochi. At least, mom and grandma praised and worshiped him as a forgiving and generous god. So, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to do everything I can. . .because I–.
Strengthening her resolve with a courage that will carry her through to the end of an unknown future,
"After everything is done, even if I fail, no one's opinion could convince me. . .
. . .that I didn't try hard enough."