Unselfish Wish

Chapter 32- Convincing Tsukiyomi Everything is Fine

Fumiko and the twins had just exited Yomotsu-kuni when she immediately sent a prayer to her beloved. She could feel his warm response, which was new, but most welcome. Grasping the twins' hands, she focused on the kitchen of her home. She was not planning on bringing Tsuneo anywhere that could be misinterpreted. Especially, not before she explained everything. Tsukiyomi would likely spot the fox and immediately go on a rampage.

Aiko and Fumio were sharing a nice afternoon cup of tea when the three appeared. The two kitsune looked around curiously, for all that they had been to Utsushi-yo before, they certainly had never been inside anywhere. "Hello Mom, hello Papa." Fumiko grinned.

"Fumiko!" Her parents exclaimed, jumping up to hug her. Loud thumping and clambering on the stairs could be heard as Tsukiyomi rushed down the stairs. He ported to her side in an instant, holding her close and pushing his face into her neck. It was just the most comforting to hold her this way. Then, his silver eyes landed on the Yokai shifting uncomfortably nearby. He pushed Fumiko behind him.

"You." He growled. "What are your kind doing here?" Fumiko laid a hand on his arm.

"You granted my wish and I am holding you to it." He ran his hands through his hair and sighed.

"Fine. Explain why I should not just kill these two for being within ten feet of you."

"Tsukiyomi!" She barked with unmistakable authority. "You will not hurt my familiars." His mouth hung open. Familiars? What on earth was she thinking taking the unknown Yokai under her new goddess wings? "This is Tsuneo." She pointed to the male kitsune, who bowed deeply. "And this is Tsukiko, his twin sister." She indicated the female kitsune, who was equally respectful. They have manners, I suppose, he thought grouchily, but I will wait to see if they can truly be trusted. "I rescued them from an evil kitsune, and since they are pure souls, I offered them jobs as my familiars."

"Evil kitsune?" Tsukiyomi questioned.

"If I may answer, Your Highness?" Tsuskiko offered. He reluctantly nodded. "I was kidnapped by Lord Ritaru, who threatened to... sell my body... if my brother did not bring him the demigod everyone is talking about as a bride. He forced him because Tsuneo is immune to her purification." Tsukiko began to cry. "Please don't be angry with Fumiko-hime, she's truly the kindest person I have ever met." She dropped to her knees in seiza, and Tsuneo followed suit.

"We both have sworn our lives to Fumiko-hime, and would be honored to serve your majesty as well." Tsuneo said. Tsukiyomi, nonplussed by their devout faith in his bride, cleared his throat.

"I will accept you for my bride, but I have familiars already, and I'm sure you can understand, rabbits don't get along so well with kitsune... not right away, anyway." They both nodded. "Please, rise. Such a thing is not necessary if Fumiko has chosen you. Just know if you ever betray her, I will be the first to punish you."

"Mom, could you get some tea for the twins, please? Maybe something to eat? It was a long journey, and we barely had time to eat or rest." Aiko nodded and pulled the twins to sit at the table. Tsukiyomi crossed his arms as he looked at Fumiko.

"Sooooo I need to kill this Lord Ritaru?" He said with determination. Tsukiko giggled. Fumiko looked at the ground.

"Umm, no I... punished him." She said, blushing.

"Oh? And you punished him how?" He pulled her chin up until she was forced to look into his eyes.

"I castrated him and banished him to Izanami's court." She announced boldly, her eyes flashing. Aiko snorted.

"Yeah, he was planning to use her for powerful offspring and then... sell her body too." Tsuneo offered. Fumiko flashed him an annoyed glance. Tsuneo was smart enough to realize hiding anything from his master's husband-to-be was not acceptable.

"And so I should not kill him why?" The moon god's silver eyes flashed dangerously.

"Better to make a living example, my beloved. He will suffer far more in Izanami's court than being reborn." Fumiko licked her suddenly dry lips. Tsukiyomi was momentarily distracted, having missed her incredibly.

"Hmm, and why should I not punish all Yokai for their actions? Clearly there were others that planned to steal you." He ground out.

"Because I would like to take the issues with Yomotsu-kuni to Takamagahara and see if we can start some programs to help the honorable Yokai, like the twins." She stared right back, her blue eyes as brilliant as a starry sky. He let go of her chin and sighed.

"My love, this is not a simple issue."

"I know that, but nobody knows anything about each other's realms when technically, Takamagahara rules them. Should they not know more about them, and try to ensure conditions do not breed these issues?" She insisted.

"Listen, Fumiko. I know you are strong and full of grace, but to convince the bureaucrats of making changes is difficult. Amaterasu can barely get things done even with her influence. They fight her on everything, and of course, she wants to be fair instead of make decrees, but it's as bad as human politics. Why do you think I have essentially been in hiding all this time?" He huffed. She looked at Tsukiyomi with disappointed eyes, crossing her arms.

"Those with power should not shirk their responsibility. The less fortunate rely on you to stand up for them. You are needed, husband-to-be. It's better to pass laws that prevent what happened to all three of us in Yomotsu-kuni rather than need to punish afterward. Why not have a Yokai group of trusted enforcers to ensure laws are being followed?" She pushed. "It's not like it costs the gods anything."

"No, but how do you propose to ensure the yokai selected are worthy?" He asked. She tilted her head to the side, curiously.

"Don't you just use your god's vision to see if they can be trusted?" She asked.

"What do you mean, god's vision?" He was truly confused.

"You know, see their aura inside and if any part of their soul is redeemable." She said matter-of-factly.

"Is that how you knew you could trust these kitsune? You could actually see they were pure of heart?" He asked. She nodded.

"Can't all kami do that?" She asked, perplexed.

"No, Fumiko, they can't. Only Amaterasu and you seem to have that ability." He said.

"Oh. Well, I guess I can do the vetting, then." She decided. Tsukiyomi rolled his eyes. Didn't she get it? Such a thing was far too dangerous, he thought. He looked over at Tsuneo, who just held up his hands in surrender. It wasn't fair of him really, familiars did their masters' bidding regardless. "Honestly all this discussion is moot until we take it to the court. Just don't attack the Yokai for now, okay?" She patted Tsukiyomi's cheek. He sighed.

"Fine. But you owe me some one-on-one time after what your disappearance put me through." He pouted. He is always so cute when he pouts, she thought.

"Mom, do you mind putting the twins up in guest rooms while I spend some time with my husband-to-be?" She blushed. Tsukiyomi already had an arm around her waist.

"I've got it taken care of, my daughter." Aiko winked. Tsukiko and Tsuneo stood to bow briefly before returning to the bowls of curry Aiko had placed before them, eating with gusto. Fumio just grinned behind his teacup.

Tsukiyomi pulled Fumiko into her room and shut the door. Taking a deep breath after a short hug, he released her.

"I'm sure you want to shower and change." He said stiffly, clearly trying his best to give her time to do what she needed to. "I will wait here for you." Gathering some easy lounge clothes, she entered her en suite.

Twenty minutes later she was showered and changed, exiting the bathroom. She walked over to Tsukiyomi, who quickly stood and pulled her into his arms, just holding her close.

"Please Fumiko." He begged, as desperate sobs wracked him. "Don't ever put me through that again."