~Bamboo Forest, directly outside Eientei~
Mokou raced through the stalks, treading a path she knew better than anyone else alive.
Unlike the humans, Mokou knew
exactly
the one responsible for the disappearing moon, and it was because of that she emerged at a sprint from the forest’s edge--
--To be met with none other than a very annoyed looking Kaguya Houraisan.
“Seriously, Mokou: why tonight? I don’t have time to be messing around right now.”
Mokou was momentarily left speechless. “How did you know I was here?”
“Because you’re
so loud.
I’d have had to have the rabbits all drunk in the basement for none of them to have noticed.”
This only served to incense Mokou, whose hands ignited, flames blazing around them. “You’ve got a lot to answer for.”
Kaguya took a step back, and put her hands up. “Mokou, I mean it. Please--”.
Mokou sent a fireball whizzing past Kaguya, who expertly moved her head to avoid it. “Dammit. Fine, I suppose it was inevitable.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way!”
------------------------------------------
Minutes later, the two once again stood mere meters away from each other, both panting from both fatigue and injury. A brief silence once again permeated the clearing.
And then Mokou dropped to her knees.
“Ugh. I give.” said Mokou, head down. “Make it quick.”
Kaguya, rather than taking the opportunity to finish her opponent off, as she had done so many times before, turned away, looking up at the night sky.
“They want to bring me back,” Kaguya finally said.
Mokou lifted her head abruptly. “What! You can’t--!” she started, before realizing what she was saying and cut herself off.
Kaguya smiled over her shoulder. “So you
do
care after all.”
“Tch. Just wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I didn’t have your ass to kick around all the time.”
The moon princess did not respond, but just continued to stare at the sky.
Finally, Mokou spoke again. “So you don’t want to go, then?”
“Not in the slightest. I’m quite happy here.”
“...What was it like, before you came here?”
Kaguya this time turned around in earnest. “Why the sudden interest? You have had years to actually ask me.”
“Probably because neither of us lets the other get a word in, usually.”
“Mm.” Kaguya began to take a step forward, hesitated, then sighed.
I can’t believe I’m doing this,
she muttered to herself. “Mokou, would you like to come inside, and I’ll tell you a little more about, well, everything?”
“Uh--I mean, I guess...” Mokou stammered, clearly taken by surprise. She coughed quickly, and tried again.
“Sure.”
