Unselfish Wish

Chapter 33- Quiet Time

Fumiko cupped his tear-streaked cheeks, kissing his mouth briefly. She looked into his silver eyes as he examined every millimeter of her face, memorizing everything. She felt her own eyes tear up as he just stared at her desperately. His hands, on her sides, rubbed up and down, soothing and thrilling at the same time. She had a strange feeling within her, like a magnet, pulling her towards him and his delicious kisses. Before she could move all the way in, he laid a finger on her lips and gently pushed her away a tiny bit. He sighed.

"I must beg your forgiveness, my beloved." She shot startled eyes to his. "I failed you. I promised to protect you, and I completely failed. I don't feel that I am worthy to-" She covered his mouth with her hand.

"Don't you dare, Kiyo. Never say you are not worthy of me. There is nobody more worthy than you, and there is nobody else I can give my love, my everything to. Trust me, I saw some things in that brothel that disgusted me, until I thought about them with you." A delicate blush stole across her cheeks. "I can't tell you how desperate I was to come back to you. I could not ignore those in need, but all I could think about was how much I wanted to see you, and how much I want to spend eternity with you." She uncovered his mouth and kissed the corner of it. "Please, I know we are remaining chaste for now, but please, show me the care and tenderness that can only be found through your kisses and caresses."

He leaned his forehead against hers for a moment before scooping her up and laying her on the bed. He crawled in next to her and pulled her close, kissing her face and neck gently. She thrust her fingers into his hair and pulled his mouth to hers. It was tender, deep, and sensual, saying all the things they were both too shy to say out loud. They laid there, fingers entwined, kissing, and gently holding each other until they fell asleep cuddled together.

Hours later, Tsukiyomi woke her with a passionate kiss, then held out a hand to pull her up. It was officially time for dinner. When they descended the stairs, the twins, Fumiko's parents, and all of their friends were sitting and enjoying pizza. Aiko had thrown together a welcome home party, of sorts. Everyone was glad to see her, but Tsukiyomi refused to let go of her hand. He's so weirdly innocent, Hinata thought. Even Yutaka and I are more advanced than these two. Yutaka had asked her for an engagement, but she wanted to wait until Fumiko's wedding was finished to accept. Thankfully, Yutaka was an easy-going guy, and had no issue waiting. After all, they were becoming immortal, and had plenty of time.

Kaori was eyeing the new kitsune with interest, and Atsushi had finally set his sights on Sayuri. Tsukiko was sort of the odd one out, but didn't seem too concerned. Her near miss with being forced into prostitution soured her towards romance, for the time being. She hadn't been required to do anything yet, but they had made her watch. While she was tough, she wasn't in a rush to get involved with males for some time.

While Fumiko dug into her pizza joyfully, Tsukiyomi by her side, her mother stood next to her, gently stroking her daughter's hair. She had not said it aloud, but this kidnapping and disappearance had terrified her. October was mere days away, but Aiko felt this sense of urgency for December to arrive. The sooner her daughter officially ascended, the sooner all realms would know to be careful messing with her. Being in-between was a very dangerous position, for all of them that planned to go to Takamagahara. Until then, they were vulnerable, and Aiko hated being vulnerable.

Fumio, sensing his wife's internal struggle, came around and hugged her, quietly whisking her off to his study. As she wept silently in one of his luxurious wing chairs, he patted her knee. "Tell me, my beautiful wife, what has you so troubled.?" He knew Fumiko's absence had been very hard for her.

"While she and her new familiars have all returned safely, it is such a risky time, Fumio. She is still mortal. So much can go wrong in the next three months!" She exclaimed. "This situation could have been so much worse if it had been any other Yokai besides Tsuneo." Fumio tapped his chin.

"Ah, but don't you think it was meant to happen that way?" He said, grinning. "Only Tsuneo could have gotten that close to her. He was meant to be her familiar. And what other goddess, upon finding themselves in Yomotsu-kuni, would have even bothered trying to help any Yokai, let alone issue and carry out a most appropriate sentence upon a villain, as our daughter did?"

"You think another kami is behind all of this?" Aiko burst out.

"Not in the way you are thinking. Whoever it was knew our daughter would prevail, and knew she would save a small city from oppression, and I'm betting, knew she would want to do something about Yokai overall. Who do you think, among the kami, could be so selfless? Hmm?" He questioned with mirth. Aiko considered carefully. It would be someone even Amaterasu would not punish if discovered. She gasped, standing.

"You think it was-" She burst out, pausing and dropping her voice to a whisper when he laid his finger over his lips to quite her. "Ame-no-Uzume?!"

"She is the most likely. As much as she behaves frivolously, she is anything but. She cares for all beings, though she is smart enough to b cautious about it. Father says she keeps dropping hints that they should go check that things are okay in Yomotsu-kuni." He said. "And I can promise you, she will welcome our daughter with open arms."

"Yeah, she was always the nicest one to us." Aiko mused. "But you think she made sure Fumiko had some familiars?" Fumio nodded.

"Yokai are really the only beings that can do it, but they have to be pure of heart, essentially, divine beasts that are born much in the same fashion as a lotus from the mire. Beings that remain good despite the amount of bad they are raised in. What are the chances that Tsuneo found his master just in time to save his twin, who obviously shares a master with him?" He waggled his eyebrows. It was no coincidence.

"You're right. Is this why you've been so calm?" She lightly smacked his arm. "You could have told me, husband, and made me feel so much better." She sniffed, lifting her chin. He pulled her onto his lap and rubbed his face in her neck.

"You would have figured it out eventually, even if I had said nothing. There is a reason I chose you as my wife, Aiko. Your heart loves everyone, and your mind is sharper than any sword. Traits our lovely daughter shares." He kissed her cheek and she smiled.

"I can't wait until Fumiko meets her." Aiko giggled. "She will be so shocked and just bet she'll blush to the roots of her hair."

"Yeah, she won't know where to look, that's for sure." Fumio laughed.

"I see you've met my closest servant and friend, then." A melodic voice chimed in. Both were startled to see Amaterasu sitting in the chair that Aiko had vacated, smiling. As they moved to get up, she waved a hand lazily. "Don't get up on my account, we're practically family. The only reason I make Tsukiyomi go through all that is because he annoys me." She giggled. "Uzu wanted to help, like she always does. Who am I to tell her no, especially when it's about my dear Imouto?" She grinned. "But don't tell her I told you anything, okay?" She whispered, winking conspiratorially.

"Of course not, Amaterasu." Fumio said, Aiko nodding in agreement.

"I knew I liked you." She winked again and disappeared.