[YUZUKI]
"What? No… Not yet," Ayami said as she looked between the two of them.
She had known that time was a factor for her, but fuck, this was not how she had imagined it would be. After everything that she had done to get her, it was unfair that they would part a little too soon. It just wasn't.
"We need more time," Ayami said while Yuzuki stared like this was bound to happen. It was a truth that she had been ready for from the moment she came here, and honestly, she had time.
Granted, it would never truly be enough, but seeing as they were sneaking around, it was only fair that they left before they attracted attention.
"She's right. We have been here for a while. My sister will show up anytime, and you don't want Rinko to be the one telling us time is up," Yuzuki said coldly, like she was thinking about what to say and failing.
She needed more time.
But it would cost them both too much.
She knew it.
And Kujo, who had just interrupted them, knew it too.
"No. That just… Please no," Ayami begged.
Yuzuki stared at her softly.
She wanted to make a promise, to say that things would be alright, but this time even she wasn't sure how alright anything would ever be. So, she just watched as Ayami stared at her like this was what their lives shouldn't have been like.
"Give us a moment," Yuzuki said, her voice still cold.
And Kujo stepped back.
Not one foot away.
Not two.
She practically disappeared at the request.
If Ayami had noticed it, she didn't say anything. She had much more pressing matters to deal with lime the fact that Yuzuki was here. Real. Not a figment of her brain.
"Little dove…" Ayami trailed off sadly.
"Every three days from now," Yuzuki said quietly.
"Huh?" Ayami asked sheepishly.
"I'll meet you in the afternoons here then. Then I'll show you somewhere you and I will have our moments without being interrupted by anybody," Yuzuki said, adding the last bit with a pout.
Ayami pulled her into a hug.
She wouldn't give her up.
Not for anything.
Not for anyone.
Not even the king who says the Yamashita throne.
"That…"
"My masters won't need me in the afternoon because I'll be done with everything when the sun is high. I'm not sure about you, though," Yuzuki said, her voice flat like that was the thing that she despised.
There was no telling, really, if she was happy about Ayami coming back or if she was pissed that Kujo was close by and had ruined the first meeting she had with her mate after so long.
"Yuzu, is that… Is that a promise?" Ayami desperately asked, like she couldn't handle any more distance between her and Yuzuki again. It had been a long season for her, and Ayami would be damned if she let it happen again.
"I'll be here, kitten. I'll always be," was all Yuzuki said.
"Come with me. To Yamashita. No one will hunt you. No one will hurt you. You'll be in safe hands," Ayami suddenly said.
Yuzuki lifted her head to look at the woman she had missed for so long. Her heart ached for the desire in Ayami's eyes.
The desire to be together.
To have a home together.
To let the world know that they were together and to show everyone that she belonged to Ayami. Not as a property, but as the one Ayami's heart chose.
It was so tempting, but Yamashita was still a sore subject. So much time had gone by, but for Yuzuki, it had been too little. She had died and woken up with so much rage.
If she crossed over with Ayami, as tempting as it was, she would never get justice. Because, as Ayami's mate, everyone would steer clear of her.
Ayami would keep her too safe.
Too guarded, and more than anything, there was never going to be a real reason for Yuzuki to share the same council room with King Kazuya. And that was Yuzuki's motivation right now.
To look at the man who fucked up her life.
To make sure Kazuya got what he deserved.
It was dangerous, but for Yuzuki, it was an excitement waiting to happen. Not one that wouldn't happen if she chose love this early. She just couldn't do that to herself, and the rage she had in her years later still.
"I… I can't. My sister won't let me, and I can't leave Rinko here alone," Yuzuki said like she was the most dutiful of sisters.
Perhaps this was it for her and Ayami, but as she stared at the enforcer before her, she couldn't help but wonder if she was the princess that Kazuya had hidden in plain sight.
Or if this was a political move for Ayami.
The fact that Kujo was here was already unsettling, because frankly, Kujo had no reasons being in Kurayami. It was risky, and yet somehow the woman had managed to cross over without any hitches.
"Yuzu…" Ayami trailed off again.
"You don't have to worry about this. I'll talk to Rinko. My sister won't be as harsh as you imagine. Besides, she will help. I know her. She wouldn't deny me the chance to be happy," Yuzuki said, her heart hammering in her chest.
She had to be rational, though, because things were about to get a little intense.
And she had to see Ayami as frequently as she could because otherwise, she would go insane.
"But…"
"I'll tell you my last name the next time we see each other. Until then, I'll use your last name. Araki. I'll be Yuzuki Araki," Yuzuki said earnestly, her hold on Ayami's eyes softening once more.
She was weak for this woman, and she couldn't even deny it.
"Yuzuki Araki?" Ayami asked with a bright smile on her face. One that had Yuzuki's heart warming for her once again.
"Yup. I'm yours, Ayami. Always will be," the Kurayami queen said as she leaned in to kiss Ayami.
The enforcer didn't pull back.
Didn't fight the urge even when she had so many questions. Perhaps she would think about the questions at a later time, because right now, there was only one thing that mattered. And that was the woman with the scent of peaches that matched hers.
As they kissed under the sunset, as they let each other lean into the comfort of each other's arms, Yuzuki swore she would not stay away longer. She swore she would find a way.
In that moment, too, Ayami made a vow in her heart to never let go. She knew their kingdoms would be an obstacle, but for this servant, she would do whatever it took. Even if she had to meet with the psycho queen of Kurayami.
But if Ayami did choose to ask permission from the mad queen on behalf of Yuzuki, would she change her mind if she knew who Yuzuki was?
"My Yuzuki Araki," Ayami breathed.
Yuzuki smiled heartily at that, as if there wasn't a storm already brewing that she would steer herself.
"Go. I'll see you gain… I promise," Yuzuki said, and Ayami's eyes had never been that bright with hope.
Perhaps there was hope for them after all, no?
"I trust you," Ayami said before she kissed Yuzuki one more time and left.
"Will it be enough, though?" Yuzuki wondered as the Yamashita wolves crossed the river.