Chapter Text
"I think I got it now,” Kaguya said. "You always walk so determined. Like you have something to do."
Around one and a half millennia ago, Princess Kaguya Houraisan was exiled from the Lunar Capital for committing the crime of drinking the Hourai Elixir. Although immortal, as a living being this caused her to enter the Cycle of Samsara, and thus it was determined that she had no place in the Heavens.
It wasn’t until centuries later, that she finally saw a familiar face again. Even then, the news that her crime had been forgiven was delivered by none other than the very person that developed the accursed medicine together with her: Yagokoro-Omoikane.
"I do always have something to do,” she affirmed.
The words felt bitter. Punishment was only imposed on one of the two offenders, the other got away. Hid like a serpent under the protection of the forest floor, and upon meeting its less fortunate accomplice again, spit poison in her eyes.
"People don't need to know that," she laughed. "Try taking smaller, lighter steps, and don't forget to lower your chin."
A snake however, although a lowly animal ridden with kegare, has the power to rival dragons and serve the most revered of kamisama.
Knowledge willingly left the place called home. Still, the past gave chase.
For the sake of remaining hidden from the watchful eyes of the Capital, it took on new colors.
"Are you sure that this is how a woman walks, Your Majesty?"
"Well, so I've been taught."
And for the sake of proper and complete concealment, this disguise called for proper conduct as well.
“Hmm… no, look,” the Princess sprang up.
That however is easier said than done. Knowing manners and being able to perform them are two completely different matters, after all.
“Like so. See?” She took a couple of paces, “imagine that you're Emika."
That was a joke of course, but coincidentally it proved to be good advice. Despite the fact that it's been a long while since she met Emika, and even those times weren't something she remembered fondly exactly.
Lady Uzume's free spirit might have been the final piece of the puzzle to free Lady Amaterasu from her self-made prison, but she still disrupted her plans, and subsequently disrespected her. But now wasn't the time to reminisce about the past.
She imagined bearing her fine features; her full chin and cheek, and delicate hands; richly decorated pure silk dress caressing her soft form, as with every swipe of the sakaki branches and every stomp upon the upturned tub, her long hair was dancing along with her, like the starlit obsidian waves of the ocean.
"Yes, just like that! You're doing great!"
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, "thank you, Your Majesty." The method itself was strange to say the least, but it certainly got the job done.
"I guess it wasn't coincidental that the humans chose her as a representation of femininity," she teased. If anyone, she knew that they weren't on speaking terms.
The Princess spoke her old name to get her attention. To mortal ears, it sounds alien at best and jarring at worst, and it’s completely impossible for them to pronounce. It was her heritage. Something she treasured like family heirlooms. But everything had the right place and the right time.
"Eirin," she corrected.
"We're in private, no one will hear," she assured with a smile.
"We cannot risk slipping up once the need comes to use this name," she insisted.
"All right, Eirin ,” she corrected herself, “let me see how you walk down the steps."