Chapter 6: A Foxy Encounter part 2: Miko's inner rage

[Miko's POV]

We are having the time of our life

We all played merrily together, we chase each other and tagging the other children

Tsukuyomi-sama is watching us from a distance, making sure nothing bad will happen

We also sit down and admired the field of glowing flowers

Then I saw Haruhime-san, she looks quite elegant and beautiful

She has long luscious yellow hair that is flows down her shoulder. She wore a very expensive-looking robe that shows so much elegance to her appearance.

Perhaps due to the life in a rich and wealthy family, her parents must be taking good care of her whole being

However, something tells me that wasn't the case.

So, I asked her kindly

"Ne ne Haruhime-san, how is it like to be in your home?" I asked her curiously

However, when I asked her that, she look at me with a sad and solemn face, then she lowered her head. Just as I expected, something must have done to her to make her life miserable.

"Ah, it's okay if you don't tell me, sorry for asking" I apologized while waving me hands in front of her.

"No, it's fine, I can tell you" However she insisted to tell me anyway "It is awful, I was forced to stay in a room while being completely isolated from the world. My parents are strict about just everything in my life. From the way I eat, walk, stand, sit or even greet people. I was forced to follow their examples and instruction, while slowly reigning over my own free will. Every time I made a slight mistake, they' will scold me heavily and hit me with a stick for doing such mistake. The only escape I had was reading books about heroes and fairy tales" She solemnly told me her daily life.

While Haruhime tells her life to me, every word she said made my veins from head suddenly bulge in anger. My eyes dilated rapidly and my body trembles in fury. However, I tried my best to restrain myself to avoid being noticed.

Why am I suddenly getting angry?! I wasn't angry at Haruhime-san. But was it because I am angry on how her family treated her poorly in her own home?! My fist is trembling in fury thinking about it. My fist has the urge to punch the parents that abuses her in such strict manner.

'Unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable unforgivable' I started hearing voices in my mind that repeats the word 'unforgivable'. the words echo within my mind, making my mind hurts a bit.

'Seriously, what's the heck is happening to me?'

A sudden burst of shock surges through my head and flashes of random images of unfamiliar adults treating the children poorly can be seen in my mind. The scenes are quite upsetting and it is truly disturbing.

'Ah, I see now'

Meanwhile, Haruhime saw me trembling heavily and looking visibly angry. She panicked and rushed towards me. Then she grabbed me by the shoulders and start shaking me.

"Miko-san? Miko-san?"

Yamato noticed what is happening and approached us.

"Miko-san, is there something wrong?" Yamato-san looks at me worriedly

The other children and even Tsukuyomi-sama also noticed what is happening and looked at us

"Yes Yamato-san, something is wrong and it is unforgivable" my tone of my voice became deep

"What's unforgivable, tell me" Haruhime pleads while still holding my shoulder

"The way how they treat you is unforgivable"

"Ah Miko-san, it's okay I'm fine in the way I lived in my home"

"Really?!" I yelled it in a restraint deep tone

"Y-yes, of course. There's nothing for you concern about" She then cupped my face with her delicate hands.

Slowly, my rage is fading away, but not completely

"Honestly, something like that is unacceptable. Tsukuyomi-sama once told us that family should care with each other unconditionally and protect them from danger and harm. Something with that treatment is worse than garbage. Do you really think that kind of parents is worth staying with?"

"Y-yes, they maybe strict and hurt me often but they are also protective and quite worried about my well-being. So, there's nothing to be angry about, really" She tried her best to quenched my anger by patting my head.

I was calmed down but not to the point where I forget the anger I just felt.

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[Several minutes later, Midnight]

Tsukuyomi-sama decided for us to call it a day and return home

"Okay kids, I guess it's time for all of you to return home" she says as she promptly called for us

""HAI""

"Now Mikoto-chan, can you return Haruhime-chan to her home. I'm worried that her family will find out that she is gone" Tsukuyomi-sama ordered Yamato-san to escort Haruhime-san to her home

Just as we were about to go home, my ear twitched, hearing several footsteps from a distance

""someone's coming"" not only me, but also Haruhime-san said the same as she also heard the foot-steps

But it's too late, a group of renards are coming towards our location

I quickly ran behind Tsukuyomi-sama and the other children also clamp together from the front to hide me from the incoming group

The renards faced our goddess and the children who's several meters away from us, which happens to be Haruhime's father and the other Sanjouno member.

"Ah, what do we have here? A lowly goddess along with her orphaned children playing my sweet precious daughter"

'Sweet and precious, what a joke' I grimace at those words he said

"Ah yes, Sanjouno-san, glad to see you this fine and pleasant evening"

"Hmph, it is not so pleasant when you peasants tried to sneak my daughter in the middle the night" The renard leader snorted arrogantly

"Come now, Haruhime. We will have a nice long talk when we get home"

"Y-yes, father" Haruhime-san reluctantly followed her father's order. Then he grabbed her hands quite aggressively and he pulls her to his side as they walk away.

Seeing this made my blood boils in anger as I grit my teeth.

"Hmm?" The leader then stopped and turns around, seeing the group not moving an inch "What are you peasants just standing there for? Are you hiding something" he suspiciously inquired for an answer

"No, it's nothing Sanjouno-san, we just wanted to see you and Haruhime-chan off" Tsukuyomi-sama said while sweat trickles down her forehead.

"Hmph, whatever. Just to be clear, if something like this happens again, I will be severing all ties with your shrine and I will be taking those children away from you"

"Yes, of course. It won't happen again"

"Hmph"

He then continued walks away until we don't see them in the darkness

[Minutes later]

"Phew, that's a close one, come now kids let's go home" Tsukuyomi-sama prompted us to follow her home

""Hai"" we all said simultaneously

We all walk away from the clearing and head towards way to the shrine.

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Little do they know, a member of Sanjouno family spied the fleeing group of the goddess in the shadows of the trees. He already suspected that something really off and his suspicion serves him correctly. In his eyes, she saw the figure of a pink haired renard with nine fox tails hiding within the group.

"Hmm, this is interesting. I must report this to Sanjouno-sama"

The suspicious renard then vanished to the darkness of the trees below.