Spoilers will be throughout this story for those who have't finished the manga so warning. This has been sitting in my Dropbox for a while so why not. Enjoy!

Prologue

Tomoe was completely bewildered and irate because he was utterly powerless to whatever ailment was afflicting Nanami. After Akura Ou had returned her life essence back to her they had all assumed she'd be fine; and for the first few days back in the world of the living, she had been; than suddenly she'd taken a turn for the worst. He vividly remembered the sheer panic that swept through him when she had suddenly collapsed.

Nanami had yet to seal the familiar contract with Tomoe and he was totally thrown as to why she seemed reluctant to do so. They promised that they'd be together forever did they not? Why the sudden hesitation? While he did not mind being free as a youkai for a short while, this distance was infuriating him more than anything.

Lounging in his favorite tree he watched Nanami and Mizuki feeding the koi from the pond that the persistent girl begged Mikage to insert into the grounds. He loved to watch Nanami smile and laugh completely uninhibited. It brought him great joy to see all of her shields down when she was unaware of his presence. But suddenly Nanami stood to her feet and looked directly up at the clear blue sky. Her eyes seemed unfocused and he could see her fingers trembling as her eyes darted back and forth. Mizuki looked just as confused as Tomoe felt as he slowly reached out towards her gently calling her name. Just as he was leaping down beside her to see what was wrong she swooned and her knees gave way beneath her.

"Nanami!" He screamed in pure terror as he caught her in his arms

"What happened?!" Mizuki exclaimed placing a cool hand to her forehead "She's burning up Tomoe!"

"Mikage!" Tomoe bellowed afraid to take his eyes off of his passed out lover

Hearing such panic and urgency as Tomoe called his name, Mikage made great haste to the yard from his bedroom. What he found waiting for him in the yard greatly surprised even him. A passed out Nanami lay in Tomoe's arms as both of her familiars hovered over her with panic written all over their faces. Swooping over, he could feel her soul screaming before he even got within a foot of the trio. It wasn't just screaming, it was shrieking in pure agony. She lay panting in Tomoe's arms covered in sweat as her body trembled harshly.

"Take her to my chambers Tomoe. Quickly" Mikage ordered somehow knowing that Nanami did not have time for hesitation "Mizuki I need you to get a cool basin of water and ready my nightfall carriage immediately. Get Onikiri and Kotetsu to help if necessary"

"Right away Mikage-sama!" Mizuki nodded taking off quickly

Tomoe swept past him and laid her down on Mikage's futon. The pained look on her face tore at his spirit as he remembered his first love having been so deathly ill right before he lost her also.

"I need some privacy Tomoe. Do not worry I will do everything in my power" Mikage smiled softly with a gentle hand on the fox's shoulder as he knelt over his beloved

With a reluctant nod Tomoe tore himself away from Nanami and left the room heading straight for the World Over Yonder so that he was not in the way and attempt to find something to take his mind off of this even if only for a moment.

That had been over a week ago and Mikage still had no idea what ailed Nanami's fragile human body but he knew it was literally bleeding her life essence from her. He knew what had to be done. After charging Mizuki and the will o' wisp spirits to keep an eye on her he set out for Izumo.