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Being the Head Priestess of the largest shrine in all of Inazuma, Yae Miko has a long list of duties that she has to check off her list every day. As much as she would like to idle her time away, that just doesn’t sound like her, does it? Yae Miko is the perfect picture of duty and luxury, at equal. Even so, armed with her mischievous personality and her penchant for making people flustered at her words, no one would ever suspect that the head priestess had any restrictions for herself.
Yae Miko is always sure of herself. She always knew what to do, and when to do it. Or is she?
Unfortunately, the strength of will required to dedicate herself to the shrine every day is somewhat faltering. She enjoys life, but somewhere at the back of her head, she wanted to live a little more, if that makes sense. In all of her 500 years, she thrived at the shrine. It was as normal to her as her identity as a kitsune.
She runs a hand through her perfect hair.
Yae Miko does not falter, not when Inazuma almost fell to the cataclysm, not when Kitsune Saiguu died, and not when she had taken the seat of Head Priestess as a fledgling fox.
But she did, oh she did. Badly. Devastatingly so. This is what she has feared for so long and she didn’t see it sneak at her and engulf her in its loving warmth.
Miko does not want to let go. Not ever. Not when this was so good. But along with it, she accepts a crushing heartbreak that is inevitable as the wasting of the sakura petals. Sometimes her chest tightens at the thought, a squeezing grip on her heart.
Her, the last youkai. In her words, she “can’t help but feel a little lonely sometimes.” The rumble of her quiet laughter shatters the silent air around her. She’s alone at the shrine, the soft moonlight shining its brilliance upon her the only light.
Foxes lie.
_
Falling in love is no foreign concept to her. Even so, she does not mingle and she does not bemoan herself for not doing so.
However, in the cold and dark of the night, she affords herself the concept of a warm embrace.
She smiles at the recall of her downfall.
_
Yae Miko has a reputation. Sneaking glances, brief touches, and frequent hushes often come from her.
Be quiet. She would say. It would reduce her tears sometimes, shaking with laughter at the hilarity of the thought of Inazumans discovering that their Head Priestess had relations with a human.
Of course, she is not frightened of their reactions. She is not untouchable but she does have some power over the situation.
And besides.
She wants to keep this for herself. She wants to protect it and make it last. It's hers. Something she wants and something she grew so arduously.
If a secret is what it took, she’d have it.
If she had to be content with fingers tracing bare skin, with whispered declarations of love, a gentle hand on her back at the crack of dawn, a steady hold against her scalp as lips trace her neck.
If that was all she can have, she’ll take it.
_
Miko has no need for frivolities. She does not need show.
Nothing lasts forever, anyway. Contrary to the views of her dear archon and friend, she does not believe in eternity.
She knows that this will end. One day, the sheets next to her will be cold again. No more lips to gently place kisses on her hands, no one to worship her form like she was one of the divine.
It will end yes, but she refuses to see it as a temporary arrangement. If she could have her eternity sneaking away from prying eyes and watching the sun set into the horizon, limbs tangled up and sand in her hair, that was her perfect moment.
In her wishful thinking, she is prepared for the horrendous heartbreak that is to come even though that couldn’t be further from the truth.
She will grieve, for a long time, without anyone knowing, like how she has always grieved.
And when the time comes that she and her beloved part ways, and they have but a single wish
–
Say you’ll remember me.
Miko whispers against grey hair, Forever.
And she does. Forever.