After You Moved On.

It was lonely, to say the least. The daily visits to the shrine, the tea parties, the laughs... gone. It was shared with another now, and all they could do was watch, seeing the ever happy couple go on with their lives. After yelling at Holly about how they can't date, it would only hurt, they barely spoke. The last time they had some sort of a conversation before today was at 'Witchie's Confidence Boost camp', and even then, it was brief.

Even more salt was rubbed in the wound after the news went around that Holly, was pregnant, with Ludus' kid. It was upsetting to say the least, and that lead to the conversation they barely listened to. Holly was talking about how excited she was, and how happy she was with her husband. It stung. Though, it was better for her. What if she got pregnant with their baby? What would she say? 'My spouse is a deity that only I can see'? That would sound stupid.

Days passed, they got lonlier. Even Dessie and Witchie tried to get them to feel better! Nothing worked. Soon enough, the baby was born. It was a boy. He had tan skin, hazel eyes, with blueish-purple locks. It resembled both of them, and it hurt. Badly. To think, that could've been his and Holly's child- a child with white hair, just like themself.

The child was five now, and was old enough to run out on his own. He would often visit Tsuyukusa while Ludus was running his shop, and Holly was tending the farm. One day, he discovered the shrine, and came to visit. Inari knew children could see him, so he placed a soft smile on his face as the child aproached him. The child tugged on their sleeve, urging them to come down. Inari got down on his level, concerned at the worried expression that was worn.

"Mommy's ill, and Mr. Ford said she might not have much time left, can you do something about it?"

All that came from that child was a few sniffles, a frown on his face. Usually, stuff that people prayed and wished for here would come true, but can they save a life? Regardless, they'll try. "Your wishes have been heard, little one. But, why not say a prayer as well?" The bluenette nodded, and folded his hands together, "I pray that mommy will feel better... I-I don't want her gone!"

Tears streamed down his face, and he looked up at the Vixeni staring at him. Inari put a hand on his back, rubbing circles into it, trying to make him feel better. His mother was dying, but that's a part of human life, right? Slowly, they moved their hand, and it returned to his side.

"Go along, little one. I'm assuming mommy and daddy are waiting for you at home, yes? Daddy must be worried sick, so don't scare him too much, especially right now." With a small nod, he left, bolting home.

Five years later, he doesn't know what happened. Dessie and Witchie wouldn't tell him. Their master insisted they leave the shrine for a bit, but they stayed put. All they could do was wait, wishing for the best. They heard footsteps, and looked up to see who was approaching. It was the child! The bluenette hurriedly made his way up, happily. "It worked, it worked, it worked!"

She's alive? Was crossing through their head, relieved. They watched as the child... hugged him? Normally, at the age of eight, they couldn't be seen any longer, so why? It didn't matter. At least, right now it didn't. "She's better now, thank you." He said, "my name's Alika, by the way." The bluenette mumbled. He was practically hugging his saviour, so what could he say? Slowly, the child let go, a big smile on his face.

"See you later, mister!"

Another five years passed by, and the bluenette came by again, looking grim. The boy was visibly hurt, was it something to do with Holly? "Mom and dad got into a fight," the boy looked to the ground, "they said they hated each other. Is it true?" The boy muttered, looking down. At this point, he was taller than Inari, but he didn't look them in the eye.

Not knowing any way to comfort the boy, they grabbed his hand, and made their way to the crossroads, the boy looking confused. Who wouldn't be? After all, they were dragging the boy. They got to the farm, where Holly was. She was watering her plants, looking extremely upset. "Holly!"

The Vixeni called out, paying little attention to the startled look she wore when seeing Inari. Akila still had his hand with Inari's, holding it tighter, afraid to hear any sort of bad news. Inari looked angry, something they never were. Their calm and collected demeanor, out the window.

"This is how we have to see each other after fifteen years, huh? Your own son, afraid his mom and dad hate each other! That could hurt a child, I hope you know. Now, I want you to apologize to Ludus and Alika at once, and make things right!"

After that, they needed to go off, back to their shrine. They probably wouldn't know what would happen for another five years, but they would be okay with that, as long as everything worked out in the end.

Five years later,

Alika was twenty now, and everything was alright. There were downsides though. His mother Holly died when he was seventeen, but his parents didn't get divorced. Alika moved to Tsuyukusa after getting engaged to his wife, Lana, Lisette's kid. The man made his way to the shrine, spotting Inari. He told them the good news, bad news, and everything in between.

It was Alika's wedding, and he was standing at the altar, waiting for his almost-wife. He looked to all the guests, seeing everyone from Westown, Lulukoko, and Tsuyukusa there. At the very back, he sees Inari, a smile on his face, clapping for him.

Because if you're gone, I'll stand there, listening to the church bells ring for him, hoping that you're watching.

-
Ah, it's really bad, but I tried. But, side note, trio of towns is really fun ;^;. If you want to scream about it with me, just hmu on @/vinexinari on instagram! ;)