Side Chapter 16- Tamamo, the Ten-Tailed Goddess

[Tamamo POV]

Over the past few days, I have been getting that feeling I always got when I was close to getting a new tail.  I can tell that it is going to happen before my festival date with Luna, I just hope that I wake up in time.

{Atmos, will you do me a favor?}

“What is it?” (Atmos)

{In the worst case scenario that I am not awake after I get my new tail, I need you to help calm Luna down.}

“I’ll try my best, but I don’t know how well it will go.  I’m actually kind of worried about what will happen when the two of you don’t talk for a few days.” (Atmos)

{Nothing will happen.  It’s not like we haven’t not spoken with each other for stretches of time.}

“Tamamo, that was years ago when Luna’s body was still getting used to the divine protection.  The two of you have talked with each other every single day since Luna turned five.  At most, she’ll be fine with you not speaking for one or two days, but she will start to get worried if it goes on longer than that.” (Atmos)

{Then I guess I’ll just tell her what will happen instead of keeping it as a surprise.}

“That was your goal?” (Atmos)

{Yes.  I wanted to surprise Luna with my tenth tail.}

“Then just tell her that.  No need to spoil the whole thing.” (Atmos)

{Ok, then give me a second.}

I concentrated on my connection with Luna and started to speak.

{Hello Luna.}

“Hmmm?  Hehehe.  ♪Tamamo♪.” (Luna)

{Ufufu.  While I would like to watch and talk with half-asleep you very much, I need you to wake up all the way.}

I then increased the gravity pushing down on Luna a little which caused her to become alert.

“What?  Did you do that Tamamo?” (Luna)

{I did.  I needed you to wake up all the way, we need to talk.}

“I’m listening.” (Luna)

{Something is happening soon and I won’t be able to talk with you for a bit.  Hopefully it will be finished by the time of our festival date, but if it’s not, I need you to not be sad about it.}

“While I will definitely feel sad, I won’t go around wreaking havoc because of it.  I’ll just have you make it up to me in a different way.” (Luna)

Luna’s words caused me to blush a little as I imagined what we would do, but shook my head to clear them.

{You tease.}

“Fufufu.  Takes one to know one.” (Luna)

“How in the world did this turn into flirting?” (Atmos)

“Was that Atmos?” (Luna)

{Yes.  She’s here to help me.}

“Ok.  Hey Atmos.” (Luna)

“Yes Luna?” (Atmos)

“Take good care of Tamamo for me.  I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but make sure that she has everything she needs.  If you do a good job, I’ll let you take a nap on my tails.” (Luna)

Atmos then stood at attention and saluted.

“Orders received.” (Atmos)

“At ease.” (Luna)

Atmos then relaxed and sat down again.

{Ufufufu.  You two get along so well.  It makes me happy.}

“And that makes me happy.  Now, I have some breakfast to cook, I’ll send some over for the both of you as well, so be patient.  And let me know if you need me to do anything for you.” (Luna)

With that, Luna went about her business and a little while later, two plates of food appeared in front of us.

“Has she gotten better at doing that?” (Atmos)

{I think so.  It’s not to the point of her boing able to come here yet, but the Gates keep getting bigger and more stable.}

“By the way, did you ever give her back that stupid chain?” (Atmos)

{Yes.}

“Tch.” (Atmos)

{What were you going to do with it?}

“Make it so that it couldn’t catch me again.” (Atmos)

{…}

“Don’t look at me like that.  You don’t understand how scary it actually is to be caught like that.  I don’t want to repeat that experience if I can help it.” (Atmos)

{Then make it so-aak!}

“I guess it started then.” (Atmos)

{Ugh.}

I fell off of my seat onto the floor as pain started coursing through my body starting at my lower back.  I remained aware enough to make mine and Luna’s connection as weak as possible so that she couldn’t hear me before the pain grew even worse.

{AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!}

[Atmos POV]

“This isn’t a good spot for this.”

I snapped my fingers and we appeared in Tamamo’s bedroom.  I picked her up from the floor and laid her on her large bed.  I looked at her face and saw the tears falling from her eyes.  I started patting her head hoping that it would help I some way.

“I wonder why this hurts so much?” (Atmos)

“Why wouldn’t it?” (Grey)

“What are you doing here Grey?” (Atmos)

“Luna sent me a letter asking me to go and help you.  When I went to the usual place by Tamamo’s tree, no one was there, so I used our connection to find you.” (Grey)

“She’s such a worrier.  It’s so cute.” (Atmos)

“I agree.” (Grey)

“Indeed nya.” (Tonya)

“What are you doing here?” (Atmos)

“I just popped in to say hi and found this.  Don’t mind me, I just want to see what’s going on then I’ll go back to napping.” (Tonya)

“Fine.  Now, what were you saying about why this hurts so much?” (Atmos)

“She’s growing a completely new body part, complete with bones, muscle, skin, and everything else.  All of the pain comes from the nerves that are exposed for a bit.  Of course, she is feeling this a lot less than a human would since she is a goddess, but even then it would still be painful.” (Grey)

““Humans are weird nya.””

“Why did both of you say the ‘nya’ part?” (Grey)

“I can’t help it nya.” (Tonya)

“Because it’s fun nya.” (Atmos)

“You’re too easily influenced Atmos.  This is why I refrained from showing you anime.  I mean, you even started making a plan to introduce Holy Grail Wars until I stopped it.” (Grey)

“What’s that nya?  It sounds interesting nya.” (Tonya)

“Hehehe.  I’ll explain later.” (Atmos)

“*Sigh*” (Grey)

We all sat there and chatted like this while we watched over Tamamo.  After about a day, her pained expression turned into one of relief as she slept, her tenth tail already there.  I went over and picked up her brush and started brushing it.

“How long do you think she’ll be asleep?” (Grey)

“I don’t know.  How much longer is it until her planned festival date with Luna?” (Atmos)

“There is one more day until she planned to go to the shrine and four until the start of the festival.” (Grey)

“Hmm.” (Atmos)

“Do you want me to help nya?  I am the Goddess of Sleep after all nya.” (Tonya)

“I forgot that you can also wake people up.” (Atmos)

“How rude nya.  Just because I only use the power to put people to sleep doesn’t mean I can’t do the opposite nya.  It’s just less fun to mess with people that way nya.” (Tonya)

“Just a thought, but wouldn’t causing people to wake up be just as fun?” (Atmos)

“It would, but that would also be doing the complete opposite of my Authority nya.  Though nyow that I think of it, isn’t that what I would do nya?  I mean, why just keep doing what my Authority is supposed to do nya?  That goes against another part of me nya.” (Tonya)

“Atmos, stop confusing her.” (Grey)

“I wasn’t trying to.” (Atmos)

“Anyway nya, do you want me to help nya?” (Tonya)

“Please, but only wake her up, don’t do anything else.” (Atmos)

“I wouldn’t dare to nya.  That would go against my agreement with him nya, and it would mess up my friendship with Lunya as well nya.  I may be insane nya, but I’m not stupid nya.” (Tonya)

“I wasn’t trying to imply that you were.” (Atmos)

“I knyow nya.  I was just putting that out there nya.” (Tonya)

She then walked up beside Tamamo, jumped up on the bed since she was too short, and tapped Tamamo on the forehead with one of her tails.

“Nyahahahahaha!  And my work is done nya.  See you around nya.” Tonya said as she disappeared into a dark portal that appeared out of nowhere.

“What is it with people that have magic like that and making grand entrances and exits?” (Grey)

{Because it’s showy.}

“Makes sense.” (Grey)

“How are you feeling, Tamamo?” (Atmos)

{Stiff and numb.  That hurt way more than any of the other times.  I don’t look forward to seeing Luna experience this.}

“That is not going to be an enjoyable time for sure.” (Atmos)

{How long have I been asleep, and did I miss my date with Luna?}

“Not very long, it’s only been a day.” (Grey)

{Really?}

“Yeah, Tonya helped out a bit.” (Atmos)

{I see.  Guess I should do something to thank her, but what?}

“You can figure that out later.  You should let Luna know that you finished early.” (Atmos)

[Tamamo POV]

{You’re right.}

I then focused on our connection again and spoke to Luna.

{I’m back Luna.}

“That was fast.  It’s only been a day.” (Luna)

{I had some help.}

“That’s good.  Though I do need to ask, why did it seem like you were hurt?” (Luna)

{Did it?}

“It did.  I felt you weaken our connection, but even then, I still heard what sounded like you screaming in pain.” (Luna)

{Don’t worry about it, you’ll see the next time we see each other.}

“Fufu.  I see, I look forward to seeing you then.” (Luna)

{Please do.}

“Again, how is this turning into flirting?” (Atmos)

“Because this is what happens to people who are in love.  We do this all the time as well.” (Grey)

“I guess you’re right.  It’s just weird seeing it happen with other people.” (Atmos)

“Oh, thank you two for helping Tamamo out.” (Luna)

“No problem, though you should also thank Tonya.” (Atmos)

“Ok.  If you see her again before I do, tell her she can nap in my tails as well.” (Luna)

{Oh, that’s a good idea.  She can do the same with me.}

We all continued to talk about this and that as I waited for my date with Luna to arrive.

Chaos Realm:

Luna: Oh.  Hello.

Hey Luna, you got here just in time.  Which anime should I show Atmos next?

Luna: Oh um..........Violet Evergarden.

Sounds good.  Oh, and get ready, Velvet and Ophidia will start to show up here soon.

Luna: They will?

Yeah.  Now that Ophidia is the Apostle of Space, all of you Apostles can show up.  Don't ask me why though.

Luna: Ok.  Wait, when did you start showing Atmos anime and how much trouble is this going to cause in the long run?

Delayed reaction much?  It was not too long ago and none since Grey has been putting a stop to it. 

Luna: That's good.  I don't know what would happen if she did something like create a means for Holy Grail Wars or something.

...

Luna: She already tried to, didn't she?

Yep.  And she got pretty far with it as well.  She set up the summoning system and everything.

Luna: Did she implement it?

No, she would need the help of the God of Summoning's help and that old man will only ever wake up when it's time to summon more otherworlders.

Luna: Then we're safe for a while then.

Yes.