What If Ei Cared?

Success?...

"I've done it..." she spoke breathlessly. It was staying! It worked!
The power and essence she had poured into this shell was finally staying put! Finally! After so long she would have her sister back! Finally! She would-
The Shogun covered her eyes and staggered backwards. Purple light burst outwards from the doll, filling the room with its brilliance.
Yae Miko was squinting as she put her hands on Ei's shoulders to hold her steady.
"What... but how..." Ei was gasping for air. She felt the sword at her hip rattling as it sucked Makoto's life back in. "But I... I did everything right this time..."
She fell to her knees, slumping down, "I..."
Yae Miko rubbed at her eyes, blinking wildly, "why didn't it work? You can't have forgotten anything. Not with my instruction."
Ei was heartbroken, "I failed... again..."
"No, Ei. It isn't your fault. She just... isn't ready to come back yet..." Yae was normally so collected and smooth with her words, but even Ei could tell she was just trying to make the archon feel better.
Ei slowly pulled herself up, wiping her wet eyes, "I'll just have to try again. I'll figure it out, eventually. I... I have eternity to get it right..."
Yae Miko slowly walked over to stand beside the table, "the only thing that I think could have possibly been wrong is..." she flicked her eyes over to Ei.
"Is?" She was desperate to know.
Yae Miko gestured with her eyes to the empty husk, making half-sphere shapes over her chest with her hands.
Ei blinked twice. Then she gasped, "what? You mean-" she hurried over and looked at her creation again. "I... I didn't think that would matter? But it looks enough like her, doesn't it?"
"It does," Yae Miko assured her, "but... perhaps she wants her body to do her justice?"
Ei sighed heavily, "to think it would be over such a petty reason... you weren't like this before," her last statement was directed towards the sword at her side.
Yae Miko's eyes widened as her ears perked up, "did you hear that?"
Ei listened carefully, speaking softly, "hear what?..."
The Guuji's ears shifted a few times, then she looked down at the doll, "don't get excited... but I think-"
Suddenly, the doll arm twitched, its body shaking.
Both Ei and her familiar held their own breath as if breathing would undo this miracle.
Ei's eyes were already perspiring.
Slowly, the doll's eyes fluttered open. It stared at the ceiling, blinking a few times. Then, it turned its head to look at the two women.
Ei put her hands against the table, "Makoto...? Is that you...?"
It blinked at Ei curiously.
Yae Miko shook her head, "it isn't..."
Ei sighed, closing her eyes tightly, "so I still failed to bring her back..."
"Yes, but you somehow gave this doll life... how did you manage that?"
Ei shrugged, "I wouldn't know. No matter what, I still failed..."
The creation gazed at the two curiously, it's features resembling Ei's quite closely.
"Well, failed or not, you created... something?" Yae Miko reached out and helped the doll sit up. "Hm... what should we do with him?"
"Him?" Ei looked up abruptly.
"Yes," Yae flicked her eyes at the doll before making the same half-sphere gesture.
The doll looked at Yae Miko, then down at itself, then back up, then copied her gesture with a curious expression.
Ei put its hands down, "don't- don't copy that."
The moment she touched it, the doll's eyes locked with hers. It stared deeply into her pupils, unblinking. It was very creepy.
Ei slowly let go, "Uhm..."
"Well," Yae Miko was in deep thought for a moment, "I guess you're a mother now."
"Huh?"
The doll looked over at Yae Miko as well, "Hm?"
The women stared at it.
"He can talk?" Miko blinked, "that was quick..."
"Can you understand me?" Ei asked.
The doll seemed perplexed.
"Maybe it's taking a while to warm up? Like when you wake up in the morning and can't do anything for a few minutes."
"Maybe..." Ei paused, "okay, uh... what *do* we do with it?"
"Him."
"Er, him...?"
"Hm, I don't know... but he's so cute!" Miko cooed as she patted him on the head.
The doll's lips curved upwards slightly.
Yae Miko brushed the hair out of the doll's face, "you're such a good boy, already. What should we name you, hm?"
Ei hesitated, "I still don't understand how this happened... I couldn't have... created a person...?"
Yae Miko paused, "you *are* a bit different now..."
"... what do you mean?" Ei grew worried.
"Not tremendously, but enough that I noticed..." Miko paused, "you two are equally empty..."
"What?"
The doll tilted its head to the side, displaying Ei's confused expression.
Yae Miko smiled, clicking her tongue, "just like your mother! Oh, so cute!"
"M-mother?!" Ei exclaimed, feeling oddly embarrassed.
Yae Miko laughed, "yes! He has half of your soul!"
Ei blinked, slowly placing her hand over her chest, "half... of my soul...?"
"Yes, that *must* be how he's alive! He isn't just a machine like all the other failures! This is exciting! I wonder what he can do!"
Ei took a step back, suddenly feeling a bit queasy, "half of my soul..."
"Oh, calm down, Ei. You'll live without a measly half of your soul!"
"Measly?! But-"
"Shh," Yae Miko pressed a finger to Ei's mouth and put her other hand on her shoulder, "now isn't the time to worry about that. Right now, we have to focus on helping our son acclimate to the world!"
"I- what? Our?"
Yae Miko waved the question away, "what should we name him?"
"Ah, uhm," Ei felt like she couldn't handle the situation.
"Oh, hurry up, Ei. We don't have forever to name him! Quick! What's your favorite thing! Pick a name from that!"
"Uh- K- Ah- Kunikuzushi!"
"Huh?! That's a horrible name! Look at him! He's a *baby*!"
"You said to pick a name from my favorite thing! I- I really enjoy theater..." Ei felt her cheeks grow red from the stress and embarrassment.
Yae Miko rolled her eyes, "oh, goodness."
"I... I like it..." the doll spoke, "Kunikuzushi... he's an interesting character. He's so... complicated..."
Yae Miko was shocked by how quickly he became literate. She had expected it to take much longer.
Ei smiled, unaffected, blinded by a common interest. Finally, someone who understood her tastes. "Yes. Exactly. You never know what his real-"
"You're just going to ignore the fact that your son's first words were that complicated?!"
Ei blinked, "oh... I suppose they were..."
Yae Miko facepalmed, "what am I going to do with you?..."
The doll, Kunikuzushi, places his hands over his chest, feeling the soft material of his clothes.
Ei paused, "I... I thought I made it bigger than this... could it have shrunk?"
"Him. Pronouns, Ei. It's a person just like you."
Ei did her best not to blush. She cleared her throat, "I made him the same height as Makoto and I, but my clothes are... too big for him."
The Archon reached out and tied the kimono tighter around her creation, covering his pearl white skin.
"How come you decided that he was a 'he'? It's not like I gave the doll any *parts*," Ei asked curiously.
Yae Miko laughed, "I've always wanted a boy. And parts or not," she bounced her eyebrows, repeating her previous gesturing.
Ei slapped at her hands, "stop doing that! You're being a bad influence!"
Yae Miko grabbed her hands, beaming, "see?! You're being motherly! Oh! This is wonderful! We have a child!"
"W-we?!" She tried to pull her hands back, but couldn't. Miko refused to let her go.
"Of course. I'm your familiar, who else is close enough to you to take such responsibility?"
Ei blinked, "I guess that makes sense..."
"Of course it does! I said it! Would I ever steer you wrong?" She booped Ei's nose as she released her hands.
Ei hesitated. She didn't want to say so but she was sure Miko had "steered her wrong" a few times before with her mischievous tendencies.
The doll examined its body, seeing all the ways it could move and bend. He flexed his fingers then curiously looked over at Yae Miko's hand, "how come yours are longer?"
Yae Miko looked over, "hm? Oh, you mean my nails?" She held up her sharp, pink nails for him to see, "I file them to look like this. Just like Ei, your nails probably won't get very long."
Ei folded her arms, "having long or short nails doesn't really matter, anyways..."
The doll took Yae Miko's hand and studied her fingernails, "it's... pretty..."
"Aw, you're so sweet!" Miko cooed as she looked over at Ei with an expression that communicated that she was already very attached to this child.
Ei shifted on her feet. She wasn't so sure how to feel about her creation. It had half of her soul?... what did that mean? Ei didn't *feel* any different...
"Oh, I spot another difference I hadn't noticed earlier!" Miko made a circle with her finger around Kunikuzushi's face, "see it?"
Ei tilted her head, "no? He looks just like her..."
"The hair!" Miko exclaimed, "the bangs are too thin, and you got her fringes all wrong!"
Ei felt her face flush, "I'd like to see you try to recreate her perfectly just from memory..."
Yae Miko chuckled, "us Fox Envoy's have impeccable memory, you know. I probably could recreate her perfectly. Well, not anymore with the job you've done." She smirked slyly.
Ei turned her face to the side, "it's not like it matters anyways. He's his own person."
The doll held a bit of his hair in front of himself and examined it, "soft... yours is a different color..."
Miko smiled, "yes, mine is different." She took the doll's arm and helped him off the table to stand.
He wasn't the most stable, but he could manage holding himself up without immediately falling.
Yae Miko smiled, "you're learning so quick! You're so smart! Maybe you'll even be as smart as me!"
Ei felt her stomach drop at the thought of dealing with two of her. Thankfully, Yae Miko wasn't around all the time.
Kunikuzushi was an obedient and quiet child for the most part. Yae Miko suspected that he just hadn't woken up all the way yet and that he would be more talkative once he had. Ei still wasn't sure what to do with him. He didn't need to eat or drink. Yae Miko would bring stacks of the most interesting books when she would visit and Ei did her best to find things he might like. He accepted all these gifts with the same grateful smile and a simple, "thank you."
Ei was always rather unnerved by how he always seemed to appear out of nowhere whenever he was in a room with her. But perhaps that was only because he didn't breathe and hardly made a sound when he moved.
There didn't seem to be a sliver of ill intent in his body, but Ei always felt unsettled by his presence. That didn't mean she didn't feel love for him. That certainly wasn't the case.
In fact, the more she was around him, the more she wanted to make him smile. It was when he was silently staring at nothing that she felt uncomfortable. It wasn't very often anymore - that is, after about a century - but occasionally his eyes would grow clouded and he would stare into open space.
Ei would wave her hand in front of his face and ask what was wrong. He would smile and say that he was only thinking. Ei couldn't help but wonder what he thought about, but didn't want to be nosy and ask.
What would a doll think so deeply about? Sometimes Ei and Kunikuzushi would say the same sentence at the same time, then stare at each other for a moment before giggling. Yae Miko didn't like it. It creeped her out very much.
Kunikuzushi was a very content boy, never asking for much or requesting anything new. Ei didn't like the idea of letting him outside, but she wasn't sure why. It wasn't like he couldn't protect himself. Ei had personality trained him alongside Miko and he could defend himself quite well. That wasn't a problem.
Ei just had a bad feeling about it... But Yae Miko insisted on bringing him out with her on special occasions and Ei just couldn't say no to her.
And finally, after about three or so centurys had passed, Ei finally chalked up the nerve to ask Miko what had been on her mind for so long.
"What did you mean when you said... that Kunikuzushi has half of my soul?..."
Yae Miko smiled, "it's the price you paid."
"Price?"
"To create life, life must first be taken. The doll rejected Makoto - or the other way around, I don't know - but you were so determined to recreate her that you created new life. And because of your great determination and will to live to see your goal accomplished, your soul split in two. Both creating and taking life all at the same time."
Ei hesitated, "but... what does that mean for me?... am I... broken?"
"Do you feel broken?"
"... no," Ei paused to think, "but whenever he's around I have this... feeling..."
Yae Miko smiled, "I think I know what you're talking about. How does it make you feel?"
"Well, *odd*... like I have to keep my eyes on him. I'm... worried that he's going to get hurt somehow..."
Yae Miko blew air out of her nose with a smile, "it's called a 'maternal instinct'. And I have that, too."
"You do?"
"Yes. It's got nothing to do with sharing a soul. Your soul is in two halves, completely separate from each other. Your only real connection to each other is your relationship as mother and child."
"But you said that you-"
"Of course I feel the same way. He's my child, too," Miko chuckled, "really, Ei, how do you forget that so easily?"
"Well, you're always teasing me... I can never tell when you're being serious..." Ei folded her arms as her face grew warm.
"Aw," she clicked her tongue and placed her hands on Ei's cheeks, "I promise that I'm not teasing you right now. Truly, he's my kid as much as he is yours."
"I understand that *now*..." Ei hesitated, "but I can't shake the feeling that something bad will happen if he gets hurt..."
"Of course it will. Watching your child get hurt is bad. Obviously. Now, don't you have a country to be ruling?"
Ei blinked, "oh. I do think I have to meet with the leader of one of the commissions shortly."
Yae Miko chuckled, "then you'd better hurry along." She leaned in closely, closing her eyes.
Ei felt herself freeze.
"Can I come with you?"
Yae Miko stood up, taking her hands back abruptly and Ei almost jumped. Neither of them had noticed that Kunikuzushi had walked in a few minutes ago. He had been waiting for them to finish talking so he could ask.
Ei quickly said, "no."
"Why not?" He asked.
"Because..." Ei racked her brain for a better reason than, "you could hurt yourself."
"Come on, Ei. Let him go with you. What's the harm?"
"Well... oh, alright..." Ei conceded.
Kunikuzushi smiled, "do we need to bring anything?"
Ei shook her head, "no, just myself, I think."
"Let's get going, then," Yae Miko sneaked a small kiss onto Ei's cheek before taking her hand and leading her family out.
At the house of the Yashiro Commission, run by the Kamisato clan, Ei was pleasantly surprised to see how nice of an evening it was. Upon their arrival there were immediate questions as to who Kunikuzushi was, though they were all stated very politely.
"This is Kunikuzushi," Ei responded, "my... son."
The second the word left her mouth, everyone's eyes looked at each other in a knowing glance.
Yae Miko giggled, "looks like we'll have some fun new rumors~"
"Miko, please," Ei sighed.
Once again, everyone's eyes gazed at the person next to them.
Miko grew more giddy, "I look forward to this meeting, now."
Kunikuzushi was gently pinching Ei's sleeve. Ei suspected that he hadn't been around this many people all at once. Sure, Yae Miko had taken him out for walks and book signing, but on all those occasions there wasn't any focus on him. Everyone was too concerned with the Guuji to worry about some young man she had with her.
Ei gave his hand a small squeeze of comfort.
About a quarter of a way through the evening, Yae Miko stood up and took Kunikuzushi off to the side, "there's something I want to show you."
Kunikuzushi gave her a curious look.
Yae Miko smirked and started leading him off of the property. "He's an old friend of mine. He's a bit self-centered, but he has the craziest stories. I'd like to catch up with him for a while, and I figure you don't want to be stuck in a boring old meeting for hours!"
Kunikuzushi smiled, "I don't."
"Anyways, I'm sure my talk with Ioroi won't be much more entertaining to you. You're free to explore around Chinju forest. It isn't very big and I'll call for you when it's time to head back."
Kunikuzushi's eyes lit up with wonder as they entered the forest. He was a little scared of going off on his own, but Yae Miko wouldn't be far.
Once his secondary parental figure was engaged in her conversation, Kunikuzushi set off to look around the area.
It really was very beautiful. No wonder the wealthy Kamisato clan wanted their estate nearby. Kunikuzushi smiled at the large trees and the small glowing shrubs. He came across a small stream and couldn't help but take his sandals off to dip his feet in.
It was absolutely freezing, but he smiled, enjoying the new experience. There were still so many things he hadn't done.
With his sandals in his hands, he followed the steam up a small hill, watching it disappear into a crack in the mountain. He gazed upward, wondering where it started on, or in, that large mountain...
Then a sound caught his attention. The wind howling and a weapon clanging dully against a shield.
Kunikuzushi turned to see a figure staggering on the opposite side of the hill from himself. It was a Fatui woman, a mirror maiden.
In front of the maiden was another person. From behind, what stuck out most about them was their white hair and the two red streaks in it.
The mirror maiden seemed to be trying to negotiate, but she was already in terrible condition. The other figure had a sword held in their right hand, seeming to be threatening her. The mirror maiden swiftly retreated, moving as quickly as she could.
Then the figure bowed to where she had been as they sheathed their weapon. As they stood back up, the wind blew, tossing their hair and clothes about. Kunikuzushi held his hand up to shield his eyes from the air. He shivered at how cold it was.
The mystery swordsman suddenly turned their head to the side.
Kunikuzushi held his breath, though he didn't need to breathe anyway, so what was the point?
The person turned around to see who had been watching.
Kunikuzushi wasn't sure if he should say anything or not. He didn't know if this person were peaceful, or what they had attacked the Fatui for...
They began walking across the grass, their features slowly becoming clearer.
It was a young man, clad in autumn colors and a gentle expression.
Kunikuzushi stepped out of the stream and shook the water from his feet before slipping his sandals back on.
They smiled as they drew near, "good evening."
"Evening," Kunikuzushi said quietly, he'd never had a conversation with someone without one of my parents beside him...
"What brings you to Chinju Forest, friend?"
"I'm here on a meeting with the Yashiro Comission," Kunikuzushi said slowly.
They inclined their head, "you must be a very important official, then. Excuse my intrusion, but you can't be any older than I."
Kunikuzushi blinked, then quickly bowed back, "oh, uh, I'm not anyone important. I'm just here with the Shogun."
They raised a brow, "that seems more important than any official. You must be someone *very* important, then."
"No, no," Kunikuzushi chuckled politely, "I'm only here to get out of the house for a bit."
The newcomer smiled wider, "if you're in the area for a meeting, what are you doing out here, if you don't mind me asking?"
Kunikuzushi smiled back, "I'm just looking around, Yae Miko wanted to show me somewhere new."
"Yea Miko? You mean Guuji Yae?" Their smile grew even larger, "you know all these high ranking people, you *must* be *super* important!"
"Not really..." Kunikuzushi felt a little embarrassed, actually.
"I'm Kaedehara Kazuha," he inclined his head again, "it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Kunikuzushi," the doll inclined his head as well, "it's nice to meet you, too."
"Kunikuzushi? From the play?"
"Yes! Exactly!" Kunikuzushi grew excited that someone else shared his interest.
Kazuha smiled brightly, "that's wonderful, though you seem much too kind for such a sinister character."
Kunikuzushi chuckled, "that's what Yae Miko said, too. But the Shogun wanted to name me that anyways."
"The Shogun named you? You mean... you're her... child?" His eyes were wide like he couldn't believe it.
Kunikuzushi nodded, "yeah..."
"I... didn't think she had any children..." Kazuha looked him up and down, "but now that I know, it makes sense why you're so beautiful."
Kunikuzushi felt like he was hit in the face by that compliment. He hadn't seen it coming. What was he supposed to say when someone complimented him, again?
"Oh, uhm, thank you..." Kunikuzushi felt embarrassed again. He'd been called *pretty* before, but... never beautiful... He was always in the shadow of his much more beautiful parents that way no one really seemed to notice him.
Kunikuzushi was feeling so many emotions he hadn't felt in a long time that he didn't know what to do.
Kazuha tilted his head to the side with a delighted smile, "you're *very* welcome."
Kunikuzushi felt his face flush. Yae Miko hadn't taught him how to respond to *that*!
Kazuha chuckled and began to walk downstream, "are you enjoying your visit?"
Kunikuzushi nodded and quickly followed him, "yes, it's very pretty here."
Kazuha smiled wistfully as he gazed at the glowing plants, "it feels so magical here. Especially tonight, since I've met the child of an Archon." He looked over at Kunikuzushi, who avoided his eyes.
"Oh..." was all he could murmur.
Kazuha chuckled quietly to himself, "I really don't deserve to spend my time with someone so important..."
"But I'm really not..." Kunikuzushi couldn't think of one time that he contributed to the betterment of Inazuma.
"Hm, I think otherwise," he gazed over, looking Kunikuzushi up and down again.
Kunikuzushi suddenly felt self conscious again. It wasn't very often that he was stared at and he still wasn't used to it. Normally he had Yae Miko or Ei to hide behind, but right now he was on his own.
He swallowed hard, trying not to feel so nervous. It wasn't like he was wearing anything very flashy or too plain. It was a simple black and purple outfit. Yae Miko said it was more feminine than necessary, but Ei said that she thought it looked very nice, so Miko couldn't argue, saying, "the Yashiro commission is going to get confused and won't know what pronouns to use. Kunikuzushi's so androgynous, I just thought we might want to make it obvious." Ei remarked that if they misgendered Kunikuzushi that she would make them apologize profusely for assuming wrongly.
Kunikuzushi grew even more embarrassed as he recalled that conversation.
Kazuha chuckled softly, "do you not get complimented often? That surprises me... you're the child of an Archon, I'm surprised the Shogun doesn't put you on display for people to marvel at."
Kunikuzushi halted in his steps, "oh... n-no, she wouldn't do that..."
"Hm, I'm even more surprised that people aren't constantly pointing out how beautiful you are. I can't help but keep thinking it when I look at you..."
Kunikuzushi closed his mouth tightly, all he could do was mumble a shy "thank you."
Kazuha smiled wider still, "you really are so wonderful to look at... and the gentle glowing of the plants makes you look all the more ethereal..."
Suddenly the small stream became fascinating to Kunikuzushi and he stared down at it intently. He thought he really should put his feet in again, there might not be another chance. So, to distract himself, he took his sandals off again and stepped into the stream.
Kazuha gazed at him with pleasure, "are you perhaps younger than you look?"
"Hm? Why?" Kunikuzushi looked up, utterly confused.
"Well, it's more common for children to play in streams than adults," Kazuha smiled - somehow - even wider.
"Ah, no... I'm actually a lot older than I look, haha. I've just never really been able to do something like this..." he wiggled his feet in the water.
"Good," Kazuha spoke quietly.
"Huh? Why?"
"Oh, it just makes me feel better about the way I talk to you. I wouldn't want to be speaking so seriously with someone so young," he said simply with a light giggle.
"Oh," Kunikuzushi thought for a moment and guessed that it sort of made sense, but the way he had phrased it was a bit strange...
Kazuha chuckled as he slid off his own shoes and stepped in with the doll, then he closed his eyes and shivered, "I don't know how you stand it."
"It's not that bad after a few minutes," Kunikuzushi smiled.
"Well, I'm glad you enjoy it," Kazuha stepped back out.
Kunikuzushi thought that a strange thing to say, "why?..."
"Because it makes you smile," he said simply with an honest smile.
Kunikuzushi shifted his weight, his hands clasped in front of his chest. What should he say to that?...
Kazuha blew air out of his nose, "you really are so beautiful, especially when smiling..." He spoke almost as if he were in a daze. His eyes were narrowed into joyful slits and his voice was softly enunciating his words.
Kunikuzushi swished the water around, trying to think of something better to say than just "thank you." He didn't think something so simple would cut it anymore. Not after all Kazuha had said to him.
Kazuha chuckled, "what's wrong?"
"I just... I don't know what to say..." Kunikuzushi spoke quietly, feeling a bit bad actually.
"Say anything," Kazuha's gaze and tone were filled with an emotion Kunikuzushi couldn't identify.
Kazuha seemed happy, but... more. Something stronger than happy, but he wasn't excited... was there a word in between?
The Samurai continued, "your voice is also pleasant to hear, almost as much as you are pleasant to look at." As he spoke he lifted one hand to his chest and the other out towards Kunikuzushi.
Kunikuzushi blinked slowly, trying to understand what he said. "Oh, n-no, I'm-"
"I think so," Kazuha lowered his outstretched hand, "you don't think you're beautiful?"
Kunikuzushi hesitated, "I... I'm better looking than a good amount of people, but I- I wouldn't say I'm *that* nice. Not at all as lovely as the Shogun or Lady Yae..."
Kazuha smirked, "you're so humble... but I beg to say you're better looking than both of them."
"N-no, I- I couldn't be," Kunikuzushi smiled nervously, "they're both-"
"Yes, they are both quite beautiful, but *you*... I could stare at you and forget my own name..." his voice trailed off as his eyes fixed on the doll.
Kunikuzushi hesitated again, "uh, that doesn't really... make sense..."
Kazuha chuckled, "I see that you don't understand what I'm talking about. That's alright," his eyes closed as he smiled softly, "I'm just glad I get to be around you..."
Kunikuzushi tried not to be so embarrassed but it was difficult, "uh, it- it's nice to spend time with you as well..."
"Oh? Do you think I'm beautiful, too?"
"Uh-" he stopped himself. He couldn't say no! That'd be rude! He was trapped!
Kazuha smiled wider, speaking softly, "I'm nowhere near as wonderful as you. I see no scars anywhere on you."
Kunikuzushi said his words quietly and nervously, "I think you're good looking... I've seen a lot worse people..."
"Thank you," Kazuha responded politely, "but you don't have to force yourself to-"
"I mean it." Kunikuzushi didn't want Kazuha to feel like he was pitying him, "I think you're exceptionally cute."
Kazuha blinked slowly at him. Then he burst into a bright smile as his cheeks grew pink, "Kunikuzushi, you really-"
There was a trill whistle from a ways off towards the Kamisato estate.
Kunikuzushi looked up and over, "oh, I have to go..." It didn't feel like it had been that long, though...
"Then, this is where we part," Kazuha approached and held out his hand.
Kunikuzushi wasn't sure what Kazuha wanted so he tentatively gave over his hand.
Kazuha stared at it for a moment, seemingly shocked and maybe even a little unsettled. Why was Kunikuzushi so cold? Then his smile widened, "you're hands are so soft... You've never had to work a day in your life, have you?"
Kunikuzushi shook his head, "I have."
Kazuha smiled, "then how on Teyvat do you have such soft hands?"
Kunikuzushi didn't know, "Uhm..."
Kazuha chuckled, "I hope we can meet again someday." He bent down and kissed Kunikuzushi's hand.
Kunikuzushi stammered, "oh- y- you don't have to- I'm not royalty-"
Kazuha laughed as he stood and squeezed his hand, "being related to the Shogun is close enough to royalty, is it not?"
Kunikuzushi faltered.
"For now, I'll take my leave," Kazuha took a step back, "take care, Kunikuzushi."
"You- you too..." Kunikuzushi gave a small, shy wave as Kazuha turned and left.
Kunikuzushi then hurried back to where Yae Miko was waiting for him.
"Did you have fun?"
Kunikuzushi nodded with a smile, "there was a little stream." He held up his sandals and wiggled his toes.
Yae Miko chuckled, "I meant with your friend?"
Kunikuzushi froze. How did she know?...
"I'm a fox, I hear everything," her eyes narrowed, "he's quite the charmer, isn't he?"
"What?..."
"Oh, he was being quite obvious, I thought," Yae Miko pressed a pink nail to her lip, "I wonder what Ei will make of this..."
Kunikuzushi didn't know what to think or expect. He felt like his brain was going to burst open if anyone said more confusing things.
"Kazuha, was it? Hm, I'll have to look into him," Yae Miko turned as she took Kunikuzushi's hand, "alright, Ei should be about finished by now. I hope our little excursion wasn't in vain."
"In vain?..."
"Yes, Ei has a hard time thinking about Inazuma as a whole when we're around. She tends to think of what's best for *us* and not for everyone. So, I take the liberty to help her along this way."
Kunikuzushi smiled, thinking to himself, "you act mean and tough all the time, but you really do care about us."
Yae Miko sighed heavily, "ah, I'm so tired now... who knew that Ioroi would make me tell him all about you..."
"What'd you tell him?"
"Oh, just how good of a boy you are!" Miko ruffled his hair, which had been tied back loosely.
Kunikuzushi laughed as he pushed her hand away, "stop, I'm not a little kid anymore."
She clicked her tongue, pouting, "you'll always be my little boy~"
Kunikuzushi rolled his eyes as they entered the gates of the estate. Ei turned and smiled with relief as they stepped over the threshold, "I worried that maybe you'd never come back..."
Yae Miko chuckled, "oh, Ei, you can't get rid of me *that* easily."
Ei smiled, "I'd never try to get rid of you, Miko."
The few people left in the area eyed each other in the same manner as they had earlier that evening.
Yae Miko sighed, "are we all set to leave, then? Kunikuzushi had quite the night and I'm sure he'd be delighted to tell you all about it~"
Kunikuzushi felt sudden dread fill his nonexistent insides. He knew something bad was going to happen. Yae Miko always used that tone when she was amused, and normally that wasn't a good thing.
Ei's expression became complicated as she looked at Kunikuzushi, "what happened? Did you get hurt?" Her voice got louder as anxiety seeped into her words.
Yae Miko chuckled, "let's head home and we can tell you in full detail."
But nothing bad had happened, right? There wasn't anything wrong...? So why did Kunikuzushi feel so awful about it? Sure, Kazuha was pretty confusing, but he hadn't done anything wrong, right?...
Yae Miko retold the events of Kunikuzushi's evening perfectly. He couldn't help but think of how hard it must have been to be speaking with Ioroi and listening in on Kunikuzushi.
Ei blinked as she processed, "well, I guess I don't have to worry about you keeping an eye on him... your hearing is impeccable..."
"Why, thank you," Miko smiled as she inclined her head.
Kunikuzushi was sitting with his hands on his knees, almost shaking from anticipation. He couldn't help but feel so nervous! And he didn't even know why!
Ei suddenly grew serious, "do you know anything else about this person? What Clan he works for? Where he trains? Who he's related to?"
Lady Yae laughed, "oh, you're so protective! HAHA! I love it!"
Kunikuzushi looked up hesitantly, "protective...?"
Ei looked at Kunikuzushi, "yes. I'm your mother. It's my job to protect you. And I refuse to fail."
Miko laughed harder, "this is great! Ah... I'll start collecting information now." She quickly left.
"But, but Kazuha didn't do anything wrong? What is there to protect me from?"
"We don't know his intentions," the Shogun explained, "I want to know what he wants from you. What was he doing in the area in the first place? What his background and history are. All very important things."
Kunikuzushi paused for a moment, "do you think he's... bad?..."
Ei faltered, hearing the hurt in Kunikuzushi's voice. How could she phrase this lightly?... "Not necessarily... I'm just rounding the edges, just to be sure your existence wasn't leaked to someone who could use it against any of us."
"Use it against us? Should I not have said who I am-"
"No. This is not your fault. I just want to make sure that if we ever run into him again that he won't try to... use you to get what he wants. You won't believe how many people want my power," she settled back in her chair.
"I think using Kunikuzushi to get your power is the least of our worries," Yae Miko chuckled as she walked back in, "with the way he acted, I mean."
"What? Why not?" Ei sat up again.
"I have someone looking into him right now," Yae Miko waved her hand, "but weren't you listening? The way he spoke and acted towards Kunikuzushi?!"
Ei paused, thinking through it, "I don't... see what you mean..."
Kunikuzushi looked at Miko, "I also thought he was a little strange..."
"But you didn't pick up on it, did you?" Yae Miko smirked, "of course not, you're just a baby!" She pinched his cheek, cooing.
Kunikuzushi gave her a confused and worried look, "I don't... understand..."
Ei's eyes widened, "no... Miko, no..."
"What?! I'm not crazy! I know what I heard. I may not be the best actor, so you might not have gotten it right away, but I know the way he spoke! He was definitely-" She was silenced suddenly.
Ei had stood up and shoved her hands over Miko's mouth before harshly pulling her into the other room.
Kunikuzushi sat by himself awkwardly. What was this about? Had Kazuha done something bad to Kunikuzushi without him even knowing? Was it some sort of unspoken magic?...
Ei released Miko, speaking in a hushed voice, "you can't just say that!"
"Why not?! It's true!"
"Because!" Ei looked at the door, "I don't know how Kunikuzushi will respond to hearing something like that..."
"Whaaaaat? You mean you're scared he'll keel over and die just because I say someone might like him?!"
"..."
"Ei?! You really-"
"No." Ei pinched the bridge of her nose, "Miko... I just... What if this Kazuha person is dangerous? What then? I don't want Kunikuzushi to get attached to someone who-"
"Relax," Miko waved off the tension, "if he had any major red flags we would have seen them already. Come on, I'm like an expert! And my contact will inform me right away if he has any record of wrongdoing!"
Ei sighed heavily, "I just don't... I don't like the idea of telling him... I feel like something bad will happen..."
Miko took her love's shoulders, squeezing her gently, "Ei, it'll be fine. I promise. I'll be right here the whole time. And both of us are strong enough to stop anything bad from happening."
Ei sighed again, "I know, Miko... but he's so young..."
Yae Miko laughed, "compared to a human, he's far from young!"
Ei smiled a little bit, "I guess so... Even if this Kazuha person and Kunikuzushi see each other again, it won't be for very long."
"Great! Now that we have agreed, I'm going to go tell him!" Yae Miko took Ei's hand and dragged her back into the room were Kunikuzushi sat anxiously.
He instantly looked up, expecting something, though he wasn't sure what.
Yae Miko smiled brightly, "Kunikuzushi, do you remember that one book I had you read? Oh, what was it called?..."
"Uh, you've given me a lot of books..."
"I know, I know. Ah! I can't remember the title! It was about this young noble and his commoner friend who ended up getting married. Do you remember?"
"Yeah," Kunikuzushi nodded, "what about it?... Do you want it back, I can go try to find it-"
"No, no. I just wanted you to remember one part of it," Yae Miko smiled, "our two main characters were down by the pond, skipping rocks?"
Kunikuzushi nodded, "Uhm, yeah, I remember that."
"Okay, good. Do you remember how our nobleman spoke to his friend?"
"Uh, I think he said, 'I'd run away with you to the ends of the worlds if that's what you wanted.' Or, something like that?"
Miko smiled wider, "now, think back to earlier. Didn't the way Kazuha spoke to you seem kind of similar?"
Kunikuzushi stopped moving. Miko and Ei could see the gears turning in his head, connecting everything.
Ei bit her lip in worry. Miko bit her lip in excitement, "well?!"
Kunikuzushi slowly looked up at his parents, "why... why are you asking me this?..."
"Is that a 'yes'?!"
"I... yes, it- it is similar, but-"
"So you understand now?!"
"No, I-"
"Kazuha was completely smitten with you the second he saw your face! I'm sure of it! Oh, he was so obvious with his words! How did you not notice?! He was so sly with his flirting, too! Oh, how-"
Kunikuzushi suddenly stood up.
Both Ei and Miko looked at him.
"I- uhm..." Kunikuzushi felt his face getting warm, which definitely wasn't right. He shouldn't be able to produce heat! "I think something's wrong with me-"
Yae Miko laughed uproariously, "oh, that's wonderful! Is this really the first time in over three hundred years that he's blushed?! Man! I didn't think being a doll would make such a difference! Ei blushes so easily! I guess it's just very hard to make you blush for real."
"I- I do not..." Ei was blushing hard.
Kunikuzushi put his hands against his face, "I- I feel warm..."
Yae Miko walked over and smiled, "how does it make you feel, Kunikuzushi?"
"Uhm, unsettled and kind of scared."
"No," she chuckled, "I mean the fact that Kazuha is in love with you."
Kunikuzushi didn't know. "I... I was happy to have another friend... but now I don't know what I feel..." He always had a hard time identifying his feelings and where they came from. Miko said it had to do with him being a doll and having less than half a soul.
Yae Miko sighed with a smile, "in other words, are you happy or not?"
Kunikuzushi furrowed his brows, "I'm not sure?... I guess I just feel... surprised?..." He lowered his hands, "and embarrassed... because now I know why he was staring at me so much... and... and like *that*..."
"Like what?" Yae Miko sounded pleasantly amused.
"I- I mean-" Kunikuzushi hurried to correct himself, "it wasn't anything bad! I-"
"I know it isn't bad," Miko smiled, "just tell me how he was looking at you."
Kunikuzushi felt incredibly self conscious as he tried to explain. He imagined Kazuha's expression in his mind and started to feel embarrassed again. "Uhm, he was... He looked more than happy, but less than... less than excited..."
Yae Miko's smile doubled in size, "oh~"
Ei exclaimed, "Miko! Don't-"
"What?!" She folded her arms, "I wasn't actually going to say it..."
"I know the way you think," she narrowed her eyes.
Yae Miko rolled her eyes, "people look at other people like that when they're in love. Can you explain it in any more detail?"
"Uh," Kunikuzushi felt himself begin to heat up again as he tried to focus on Kazuha's individual features. "He- his eyes were squinted... a-and he had a soft smile... He also had his head tilted to the side a little bit..."
Yae Miko was delighted, "he's absolutely in love with you. I have no doubts now."
Ei kneaded her forehead, "Miko, what if he's dangerous?..."
Kunikuzushi froze, "dangerous?..."
"After all, we have no idea who he is or what he wants. For all we know, he could be an incredible faker."
Yae Miko frowned, "don't ruin my fun >:(."
Ei sighed, "I'm only trying to keep us safe..."
Kunikuzushi didn't think Kazuha was bad... And when you love someone you don't want to hurt them, right? He knew Miko couldn't be lying, when she lied her left ear would tense up. Kunikuzushi was sure she was telling the truth. Then why was Ei so worried about it?...
Yae Miko pat Kunikuzushi on the head, "this is adorable! Aw, Kunikuzushi's first-"
"No. *No*. This isn't anything," Ei said rather harshly. "We don't know who he is and nothing will be happening until we figure that out."
Yae Miko rolled her eyes again, "Ei, calm down. It's just one guy, how much trouble could he cause? Be happy that someone has fallen for our little boy."
"How am I supposed to be happy about that?" Ei folded her arms.
Yae Miko looked at Kunikuzushi, "what do *you* think of Kazuha?"
"Huh? Uh, I- I think he's nice... but, at the time, very confusing..." Kunikuzushi was still trying to figure out how to voice his opinions.
"Aw," Miko clicked her tongue, "you guys would make such a cute couple~"
Kunikuzushi shook his head, "n-no, we barely know each other. A-And-"
"Hush, let me dream," Miko sighed.
"But... but I don't even know if I can... love someone back..."
Both Ei and Miko turned to look at him with wide eyes. He clasped his hands together nervously.
"What do you mean?" Miko asked quietly.
Kunikuzushi pressed his lips together tightly, "it's hard to explain..."
Ei loosed a quiet breath, "I... understand... There are times when you feel... empty, yes?..."
Kunikuzushi nodded, whispering, "like there's nothing there..."
Ei closed her eyes, "I used to feel the same... I was so focused on being my sister's other half and fighting all her battles, that I never thought of anything else... Until..." her eyes slowly moved to Miko, "until..."
Yae Miko blinked a few times, "What?... Ei?..."
Ei felt her face get pink, "until Miko showed up."
"Ei, are you saying that..." Miko composed herself, throwing on her sly smile, "are you admitting that you love me?"
Ei focused on her son, "I don't know what you can and cannot do. The only advice I can give you is to be careful. I do think it's good for you to... meet new people. But please wait until I know he's safe."
"Don't ignore me!" Miko said, her own face rather pink, "are you or are you not?!"
Kunikuzushi smiled, "I can wait. There's no hurry."
Ei placed her hand to her chest with a nod and a smile, "thank you, Kunikuzushi. That makes me feel a lot better."
"Me too," he closed his eyes and tilted his head to the side.
"Answer my question!" Miko shook Ei back and forth.
Ei laughed, "you already know the answer, Miko."
"But I want to hear you say it~" she pouted.
Ei giggled as she hugged Yae Miko, "I wouldn't tolerate you calling Kunikuzushi yours if I didn't..."
Yae Miko, for once, was unable to say anything. She embraced Ei silently, almost crying. For so long she had been constantly questioning if Ei really loved her or not... It was a relief to be sure.
Kunikuzushi wormed his way into their hugging and Ei squeezed them all tightly. Even if she didn't have her sister back... she knew Makoto would be happy that she was able to love again.