~Tomoe X Reader: Book One~

8. Fear

You had prepared a large breakfast, but a simple one, various different types of food but not anything over the top.
The shrine spirits were very cooperative, setting up the table, but they politely refused, saying yes, if it came down to it, they could eat, but their masks could not be taken off, under any circumstances, so that would not be eating or needing to eat anything.

So it was only Tomoe, but he seemed to be in an even worse mood.

He sat across from you at the table, his white hair had been ruffled a bit from whatever work he had been doing, and a black aura seemed to hover around him. He hadn't even looked at the food.

"If you don't want to eat anything, that's fine," you said softly, "But there's a lot extra, so feel free."

The fox spirit looked away, and scoffed. "I have no need for human food," he announced. "If I had known you would have made us this I wouldn't have said it was optional."

He had been acting like this, ever since you met him. He was always so irritable, so mean, and though you were more or less used to it, you had reached your limit.

"Tomoe," you muttered, and he looked down at you, locking gazes.

You inhaled, then clenched one fist.

"Tomoe, I want you to know that I-"
You looked down at your lap.

"You're arrogant, rude, and you've been overall very unkind to me, and I just wanted to..."

Your clenched hands on your lap relaxed, and warm, wet tears hit your palms.

You looked up at Tomoe, into his widened eyes, not even caring about the tears.

"I just wanted... I wanted..."

You squeezed your eyes shut. "I wanted to say that I'm sorry! F-for whatever I've done, whatever I've said..."

You looked through your tears at him again, though in your mind, you saw them all; Tomoe, Everyone at the orphanage, Those two boys from school, everyone.

"Whatever I've done to make you... hate me so much."

You slumped your shoulders, lowering your head down in shame. Your emotions were going haywire, all of the pain from the last few days catching up all at once, and you struggled to breathe.

"Hey."

Tomoe's voice. He had tilted his head forward, hair guarding his expression.

"It's not your fault, (Name). Being able to sense the Land God's mark again is making me remember things I don't wish to." His voice was soft, gentle, and, surprisingly, it suited his voice more than anger.

You felt a touch on your shoulder, and you unconsciously flinched, and immediately Tomoe withdrew.

"I suggest you try to get more rest," That voice again, smooth and so suited for him. "The last few days have been difficult."

You wiped away your tears with the back of your hand.

"Yeah," you mumbled quietly. "I apologize, I'm not myself."

You stood, expression guarded, and turned to go into the room with the futon.

"Lady (Name)..." Onikiri and Kotetsu called quietly in unison, yet you ignored them, but paused in the door frame, looking back.

"Does this shrine have a bath...?" You asked, and the shrine spirits brightened.

"Yes!" Kotetsu said cheerfully.
"Would you like us to escort you?" Asked Onikiri.

You gave the two a small nod, and looked over to Tomoe, who was still sitting at the table with a shadow on his face.

"...Tomoe..." You called, looking down.
"I'm going to take a bath, if possible. Is that alri-"

"It's not my shrine, it's yours. Do what you wish."