Ayakashi-Kan was quiet.
But this was normal for a Monday morning, mostly everyone was exhausted or too spaced out to strike up a conversation. The only people actually conscious were Zange and Kagerou, and they were making it their duty to get everyone else as wide awake as they were.
"GET UP MY HUMAN CHMBERPOTS! YOUR MASTER COMMANDS YOU! HAHAHAHaHhAHA!"
"Ne~ Rascal? Are you sleepy too?"
"I'm not sleepy. I'm a delinquent!"
Of course no one was getting anywhere with anybody.

Ririchiyo had gotten up quite early, she had made sure of it, in order to be ready for school in time. 'Why exactly did she need to wake up so early for', you ask? So she wouldn't have to disturb Miketsukami, he needed some extra winks of well-deserved sleep. She smiled at her clever insightfulness and quickly pulled up her stockings. Finally, she was ready, and without Miketsukami… all by herself. Smiling, she opened her door.

Miketsukami's eyes shot open.

Ririchiyo stepped into the elevator, quickly and silently. With great excitement and nervousness, she punched the button for the ground floor.

Obviously, something was amiss. He couldn't hear Ms. Ririchiyo's steady breathing from behind the door. Swiftly, Miketsukami slipped out his door to check on her.

Ririchiyo turned the corner into the dining area and grined at the many confused faces that glanced in her direction. Miketsukami wasn't with her this time.
"Chiyo?" Karuta had tiptoed her way to her, "Where is Mike?"
Ririchiyo smiled brightly at her, "Sleeping like he should be."

He flew.
Or at least it looked like it, down the stairs. Ririchiyo had abandoned him, her faithful dog, to paw at the door of an empty room, waiting for a 'her' that wouldn't be there to answer him. Him, her S.S. Agent, who's whole purpose was to serve her tea and watch her and take care of her. Him, her boyfriend, who was so very tired yet eager to spend his whole existence with her.
Miletsukami didn't know how to feel. Angry, Scared, Thankful, Relief?
He couldn't piece his emotions together, so he continued to fly.

Zange waved a cheerful goodbye as he drove away, leaving Ririchiyo at the gate of her school. She sighed, hopefully, Miketsukami wouldn't get the wrong idea and start stressing over her. She had left a note on her door, telling where she went… so it shouldn't be much of a problem.

Zange skipped up the pathway and opened the door to the dining room… and stopped. Sitting in one of the chairs was Miketsukami, staring at a glass of water on the table.
Zange inched his way up to him uneasily, as Miketsukami was currently very hard to read. There was so many possibilities that could branch from this situation, but none of them seemed definite. The immediate future was thickly clouded.
"Souuuu-tannnnn?"

"Sou-tan?"

"Soushiiiiiiiiiiiiiii"
"Zange."
"Ah~ You can talk!"
Miketsukami still hadn't stirred from his staring at the glass.
"Ne~ Sou-tan? Do you want to talk? Are you sad? Are you tired?"
". . . no. . ." Miketsukami's bangs shifted in front of his eyes.
"Ok3, She'll be back y'know."
Miketsukami looked up, slightly, but then returned to his former waiting position. A slight whisper could be heard, just loud enough for Zange to hear. Zange nodded knowingly, ruffled Miketsukami's hair, and left.
Miketsukami didn't stir.

Like a flash, the sleek, black car escaped the threshold of the Mansion de Ayakashi gate. It's driver, cool and collected.

Ririchiyo hurried out the classroom door, somewhat unsure of how Miketsukami would react. She didn't think she could handle any more stress. Quietly, she approached the car, her S.S. standing patiently outside it.
She noted his silent face and stiff demeanor, and it made her head deflate a little. Not only this, but the shadows resting under his eyes indicated he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. Nervous and slightly disappointed, Ririchiyo climbed into the backseat and played with her fingers.

They had driven a full two minutes and Miketsukami hadn't said a word, at times, eyes flicked to the mirror to watch her. This, of course, made her very uneasy.
"Miketsukami-kun… I…" she started. Why is it so hard to talk to him? C'mon just ask him why he's being like this.
A little softer, Ririchiyo started up again, "I mean… are you alright?"
"I don't see why you have to act this way, I only stepped out." Not like that!
Miketsukami's eyes moved back to the mirror to look at her. They stayed there for a long time.
"Yes I am quite fine, Ririchiyo-sama. No need to worry over your humble dog." His words sounded rehearsed.

They continued to drive in silence for another five minutes, the atmosphere in the car dripping with uneasy dread. Suddenly, a familiar smell of sakura and a puff of white clouds later, a small child had plopped itself down next to her. The little Miketsukami looked up at her shyly and pouted. Ririchiyo's heart strings quivered as she looked back up at the driver's seat to see adult Miketsukami driving coolly, not paying any attention to her.

Bop.
Huh?
Looking back at the child, she noticed his small fist was connected to her arm.
Did he just..?
Nooo, he actually..?
She was about to scold the small kitsune until he raised his head, face covered in tears. Her heart strings broke.
"Ririchiyo-sama, why didn't ask me?"
"I-I left you a note!"
"Why did you leave me a 'note'? Why didn't you talk to me?"
"I d-din't think- you're my S.S. Agent! You're supposed to comply to my needs!"
"I am you lover!"
Ririchiyo froze. This was the first time she had ever fought with Miketsukami, let alone get him to raise his voice. It was funny, he still cared about her enough to argue with her as a child so she wouldn't have to suffer.
He really is too good for me… I'm sorry, Miketsukami… I made you worry.

Looking at the child's angry face, tears staining his cheeks, Ririchiyo began to understand a small piece of who Miketsukami was. He needed her, she was his light. And if that light was to be ripped from his world without a mention of 'goodbye', his world would 'die'.
Ririchiyo hugged the child Miketsukami tightly, stroking his fluffy hair.
"I'm sorry Soushi."
He smiled.

As the car pulled into the driveway of Ayakashi-Kan, Ririchiyo didn't even wait for him to climb out of the driver's seat and open her door; she pushed herself out and grabbed him in a hug.
After a few surprising seconds, the couple collapsed into laughter, earning themselves some glances from passersby.
"Forgive me, Ririchiyo-sama… for that outburst."
"Baka! I deserved it for not understanding you better."
"Also, forgive me, for I had not taken the opportunity to follow your instructions to sleep."
"Of course you didn't" Ririchiyo sighed, "is now a good time?"
"Yes. Yes, Ririchiyo, it is."
They propped themselves up and stumbled heartily up to Miketsukami's room to catch up on their well deserved Zs.