Chapter Text
Passing through the busy streets, avoiding from bumping into the people running around, a maiden with a hair as dark as night held the basket on the side, making sure none of the freshly caught mackerels would fall despite the fast-paced steps.
Turning from the corner the maiden then arrived to the gates of a temple. Stopping momentarily at the steps to touch the worn-out wooden surface of the gate, the maiden smiled before walking in.
“Tadaima.”
Maiden’s words made a tall man, kneeling besides the koi pond on the temple garden, to stand up and turn towards the gates. He was the head priest of this small temple, a man who inherited the place from his father, a priest whose charm was enough to bring people to visit there. A smile appeared on the his face as he wiped few strands of red hair off his face.
“Okaeri, Yoru. Was there any trouble?”
“Not at all, You. Busy as always…” the maiden, called Yoru, smiled brightly to the priest and let down the basket. “It’s going to be a busy day again, I need to prepare everything swiftly. The taxes are due soon as well.”
This place, both a temple and a ryokan had been there for centuries. Back on its days it had been a wealthy temple, place for prayer and blessing, but after the new emperor had risen, everything had changed. The taxes had risen and offerings getting smaller and smaller. Just to survive, they had reconstructed a part of temple to serve travellers and guests. That way they could pay the taxes and avoid the destiny some other temples had faced after being unable to meet the demands the emperor had put on them.
They had been burned down during the darkest hours of the night. Everyone inside the temples had died or been killed.
Criminals did it. That was what was told to everyone. Despite that, everyone knew. The emperor would leave no soul not obeying him. He wanted absolute control.
And his perfect kingdom allowed no abnormalities. Orphans would be wiped off the streets, the sick people would disappear without a trace… wrong kind of love would be unforgivable.
“... i wonder if we can make it this month as well.” Yoru thought out loud with a slightly trembling voice. You listened to the words Yoru said and reached his hand to touch the other’s cheek gently with his fingertips.
“You’re so beautiful again today, Yoru. You have no need to worry of them finding out. You have always managed to fool them, there is no doubt you couldn’t do it again.”
A small smile appeared on Yoru’s lips before disappearing again.
“A shrinemaiden… who’s actually a man in a beautiful costume. That would be a reason for an instant execution. Let alone that maiden being the priest’s lover. If they knew…”
“But they won’t. Don’t worry, Yoru. Everything will be fine.” You’s voice softened as he pulled Yoru on a soft embrace, caressing the dark hair of his lover. “Now go… we have guests to serve, right? And besides, my new apprentice will be here before night. I heard he’s a troublemaker… so I have to dine well to be able to handle him.” his voice turned into a small laughter before he let go of Yoru and winked his eye. Yoru looked at You before laughing as well and kneeled down to pick up the basket full of fishes.
“I’ll ask Aoi-chan for help.”