Peck peck

"..Stop" he groaned.

Peck peck peck peck

"Okay okay..I'm up" Momiji said, sitting up. 

The Shikigami were hard to get used to when acting like an alarm. Though it was better than getting attacked by one when he first arrived there. It was early in the morning, but to avoid being pecked he simply got up.

As he got dressed with a bit of help from the Shikigami, he was still half asleep so he didn't mind the help, he thought of what to do that day. The Katanashu didn't really do their duties. Aside from Hanabusa and Aoi. Uta was probably at the ramen shop again, it's normally where he was found.   

"Maybe I can find something to do in town.." he said with a small yawn.

Once he was dressed, he decided that he'd just get breakfast at the ramen shop. Who doesn't like ramen for breakfast? It was better than nothing. Of course he'd have to make the ramen himself.

Honestly, if the owner wasn't going to make the food, solely so his tails didn't get dirty, why open a ramen shop?

He didn't run into any of the others as he left the station. There were no yokais out and about either, seeing how early it was.

"Hey! Momiji!"

Almost no yokais.

"Good morning, Onibi. I don't see Kamaitachi with you" Momiji said, watching the lesser yokai run up to him.

"He's still asleep, so is Kyuu!"

"..'Kyuu'? That's the first time I've heard you call him that"

"Uh..umm..I-I mean Kyuubi-no-kitsune! H-He's still asleep. Anyways what're doing here so early" 

Momiji looked at him as he tried changing the subject rather quickly. But he could see the faint blush on his face. He didn't bother bringing it up though.

"I was going to get ramen, but if the Owner isn't there then I'll just food later"

"No its fine, as long as you pay! I'll just give Kyuubi-no-kitsune the money once he wakes up!"

"So now you're calling him by his full name? I wonder.."

"D-Do you want food or not?!" Onibi exclaimed.

Momiji couldn't help but laugh a bit, walking past the fire spirit and toward the ramen stand. It didn't stop Onibi from calling out to him and running after him. Still he wondered why Onibi got embarrassed when he called the kitsune 'Kyuu' and quickly went back to saying his full name.

He doubted he'd ever get the answer from the yokai.

'I can't believe I called him Kyuu..! Maybe it was fine when I was a kid..but I'm older now! Not..that I mind calling him that, but would he mind?'

As soon as they got to the ramen stand, Onibi set everything up to prepare the ramen. He had seen Kamaitachi cook the ramen plenty of times, besides it wasn't the first time he made his own. 

. . .

"So, when do you think those two will be awake?" Momiji asked, setting his empty bowl down.

"Not sure. I'm not about to try waking up Kyuubi-no-kitsune" 

"Well, try to make sure you give him the money" he said, placing down the money and taking his leave.

Onibi watched as the Katanashu walked toward the forest. It seems he wasn't the only one with a secret. Though he could be wrong and Momiji was just exploring again.

Sighing, he went back to eating his ramen. Maybe he and Kamaitachi could sneak into the human world again. It was always fun to do. The Katanashu really weren't good at their jobs.

"Running my shop without my permission?"

Kyuubi suddenly being there caused him to jump.

"Sorry! But he paid at least" he signaled to the money left on the counter" 

The kitsune sighed, picking up the money and walked over to his little flame. Honestly he didn't care that Onibi had opened the shop without him knowing. As long as the customers paid.

"It's too early for any customers to come by. Let's go home and take a nap" Kyuubi said, taking the bowl from Onibi and setting it aside.

"Mm, okay.." 

. . .

Momiji walked through the forest, hoping to see that yokai again. To see Ungaikyō. Each time he heard his name it seemed so familiar. Like he knew that yokai. But when and where, he didn't know.

Approaching the great maple tree, he cautiously looked around, noticing quickly that Ungaikyō was there. He was sitting on a branch eating instant ramen, not paying attention to his surroundings.

'If I'm careful I might be able to get closer without scaring him off..'

Carefully he made his way closer to the maple tree, trying to make his way to be behind where Ungaikyō was sitting. Once he had achieved that, he looked up and watched as he continued to eat.

'He looks peaceful like this..' 

Taking a step to get a little closer he heard a snap. He had stepped on a stick, causing it to break. Also alert Ungaikyō someone was there as he quickly looked down to see the Katanashu.

"...!"

He had to think fast, before Ungaikyō could run away again. "Don't run! I'm not here to hurt you. You're Ungaikyō right? You seem to like instant ramen and being a loner"

"...."

"Will..you come down?"

"Why?"

"This is starting to hurt my neck and I want to be able to properly talk to you"

It took a few minutes of hesitation and assuring him that he wouldn't do anything that Ungaikyō finally hopped down. His mirror in one hand and an empty ramen cup in the other. He set the cup aside and stared at Momiji blankly.

"Are you scared of the Katanashu?"

No answer.

"Is there a reason why you're always alone?"

Again he didn't reply.

"Please say something"

"Leave me alone..."

"Sorry but I won't. Not until I get a chance to figure you out" Momiji said firmly.

"Why..? There's nothing to talk about.." Ungaikyō replied, mumbling something else under his breath.

"At least let me introduce myself since I already know your name. I'm Momiji, I belong to the second squadron"

"..Momiji.."

- - -

"..Your hands are tiny. Like maple leaves"

- - -

That memory again, why did it come to mind? 

He must of zoned out because he didn't notice when Ungaikyō walked over to him. The yokai said something but it was almost like a whisper. He couldn't move from where he was standing. It was strange. 

"Wh.."

"..Why did you come back here...*****"

'What did he say..? He whispered that part again...'

Before he could react, Ungaikyō was gone. He looked around to see if he could find him again but it was useless. Next time he'll be prepared for whatever Ungaikyō had planned. 

Still..what did he say so quietly those few times? The last thing he said though, it sounded like a name. But he could be imagining things.