Leaning against Tenjin's shrine, Yato sighed dejectedly and slid down the outer wall until he was firmly on the ground. Stretching his legs before him, he stared at his boots, twitching and moving them back and forth, desperate for entertainment.

Yukine was a few feet away, dead to the world in his makeshift bed of crates. Midnight had found them in he midst of a face off with a nasty phantom, a scuffle they had won, but one that had drained the young Shinki of energy. Sighing as he watched his companion's chest rise and fall, Yato allowed his eyelids to sag…

"Yato!"

The god jumped when his name shattered the silence if the evening. Snapping his eyes open, Yato gazed into Hiyori's bright features, a grimace coming to his own when the brilliant rays of sunlight irritated his eyes.

"Where you been?" He asked, shooting a glance at the still dozing Yukine.

"Busy." She replied shortly, reaching into a small shoulder bag. "Lots of schooling with exams coming up. Look!" She thrust an indigo ascot toward his face; an image of Capypa was stitched onto the front of the fabric.

"Wh-what's this for?" He stuttered out. Shrugging good-naturedly, Hiyori flashed him a grin and sat down beside him.

"I don't know, really. I saw it in a gift shop in Capypa Land-" Yato scoffed at this, remembering the trip Hiyori took without him. She knew he'd always wanted to go to Capypa Land…"And it made me think of you." She whispered this part, but the shyness in her tone was not lost to his ears, nor was the bright blush on her cheeks hidden from his gaze.

"O-okay…but why blue? Red's my favorite color…" He grumbled. The girl smiled and pulled a rolled up magazine from her bag, and his eyes grew wide when he recognized a periodical he'd once "borrowed" from her room.

"This." She pointed to an article that analyzed colors and hues. "Indigo'" she read carefully. "This deep shade of blue is associated with trust, loyalty, and stability, often used to represent someone who is constant and important in one's life." She slapped the magazine to the floor with a small smile, noting Yato's slight blush and scattered gaze. "Because that's what you are to me, Yato. Loyal, trustworthy…Well, for the most part." She teased. "And…there…" She trailed off. "Ami and Yama are great, but I can't talk to them about you two, or about my body and soul, or anything with the far shore. Plus they're not as easily available as you two." She giggled as he rolled his eyes at her. "And my parents…they're great, too…but they're never…there, you know? They travel all the time, my dad for work and my mom so she can see the world. I have maids, but mama gets fed up and hires a new one every few months anyway…" She mused quietly, staring at the ground between her crossed legs. "But since I found you guys," She beamed once more. "I'm not lonely anymore. I always have someone there for me! And I'll always be here for you, too."

She smiled gently and looked into his eyes, a laugh crinkling her eyes when he tried to hide his teary gaze. Reaching behind him, Yato tried to untie his ascot, but Hiyori immediately sensed his struggle and nudged him sideways. She adroitly untied the knot and reached out for the new bandanna, carefully tying in around his neck before sighing contentedly. She placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned forward, allowing her arms to move forward and dangle over his stomach.

"Wow." She sighed, gazing at the deep, rich hues of the sky above and all around them. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Y-yeah." Yato concurred, blushing fiercely. "I really like that shade of bl- i-indigo right above us."

Hiyori merely hummed in return, her eyes still roving the sky as the evening faded into night.