~Tomoe X Reader: Book One~

9. Bubbles

(A/N: Don't mind my random art, Sometimes I draw fanart for the stories I write but this one is just in here because it had Tomoe in it :P)

The shrine actually had a huge bath, it was quite big compared to the small tubs at the orphanage you had grown accustomed to, and you sighed, slipping down into the bath until the water was up to your mouth.
The warm water soothed your muscles and felt heavenly, and you smiled under the water, then you draped your arms on the edges of the tub and leaned your head back.
For a moment, you enjoyed the water, but then your brows furrowed as you started to think.

How did I end up... There? How did I end up in the world over yonder...?

You tried to think back, but your memory got hazy a little while after you started wandering the streets of the lower class sector of Japan, a few hours after you were kicked out of the orphanage.

And then, the best memories of your time in the world over yonder were shady images of horrific creatures, and the crystal-clear memory of pain ripping through your abdomen.

You had assumed they were claws, but the more you tried to think about it, the more you weren't sure.

You finally gave up thinking, and slipped entirely under the water, holding your breath. Down here, it was so peaceful, and calm, and warm, and you wished that humans didn't need to breathe, that you could stay here forever.

Many things in life, actually, are like wanting a breath of air after being held underwater. You never know how sweet that air is, never know how much it means to you...

You closed your eyes, your tears mixing with the water instantly.

...until it's gone, until your mind is screaming for the one thing it took advantage of.

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

You wrung the water out of your hair, drying yourself off, before putting back on the kimono, feeling a bit like your old self. As long as you didn't think much about this whole situation, you could get back to being your awkward self.

You pulled the opaque paper door to the side and stepped into the main room, where the dishes you had cooked were moved and the room was clean.

There was a cook book advertising a roast chicken on the cover laying on the table, and your eyes suddenly widened.

Book... book! School! Crap! I haven't been to school in...

You held up you hand, trying to count the days on your fingers, before giving up when you got to five days.

"Tomoe...?" You called, hoping he was in the area, but Onikiri and Kotetsu turned the corner so you called out to them.

"Onikiri! Kotetsu!"

The two spirits bowed. "Yes, Lady (Name)?" They asked in unison.

"...What day is it?"

"Sunday." Said Onikiri.

You groaned. "I've missed so much school, and I don't have a doctors note or anything..."

You fell to the ground in despair when you thought of the mound of homework you'd have to do.

"Ugh..." You muttered.

Your school was about as average as a high school could be. Overcrowded, ugly school unifo-

You sunk further into despair.

"Oh, I can explain, teacher." You mumbled. "I'm not wearing my uniform because I lost it in the spirit world."

You laughed bitterly to yourself. "That's going to go over well."

"Why are you on the ground?"

You looked up from the floor, laughing nervously as you saw Tomoe.

"Heh.... Well...."

You sat up, touching the tips of your fingers together.

"I kind of just realized I have school tomorrow, and I lost my bag with my uniform and clothes and books...."

Tomoe sighed, looking like a frazzled parent. "And I'm going to assume you need these things replaced...?"

You nodded, giving him an awkward smile.

"...by tomorrow," you added in a small voice.

Tomoe sighed yet again. "Fine. I'll look into it."

He walked to the door, and you called out to him. "Wait!"

Tomoe instantly froze, almost unnaturally, and you remembered the contract, how he had to obey every order against his will.

"Um, you can move," Tomoe relaxed from the tense position, released, and you continued. "How are you going to go out like that...?"

Tomoe scoffed quietly, before puffs of smoke enveloped his body, making his ears and tail disappear, his kimono replaced with regular, human clothes.

"Did you think I was going to parade around as a half-fox?"

You shook your head. "Y-yeah, how stupid of me. How do you plan to get me a uniform, and my books? I'm a bit c-curious."

"I'll find a way," Tomoe said, sounding uninterested. "In the meantime, don't leave the shrine, no matter what."

There was a click as the door closed.