A/N: Another fic (for a totally different anime) gave me an idea for a portion of this fic. Watanuki does a favor/wish for the Shinigami. In return, he gets back two precious beings. But there was a twist... Kitsune Yuuko x Kimihiro Watanuki. I might throw in some Maru and Moro into the pairing. Also, imagine the shinigami like the one from Naruto

Disclaimer: Tenrou Nogitsune does not own xxxHOLiC

Chapter I: The Contract of Souls

The normally fresh air of the store grew stale, then the reek of death filled the room. The owner wrinkled his nose. The owner, a man whom looked no older than seventeen was clothed in a black kimono. He took a deep drag on the pipe between his fingers, the ashen taste of burning tobacco was more pleasant than the stench of the customer.

A figure swathed in shadows rounded the corner, taking their time. Tall, dark and intimidating were words that hardly described the being in question. His cloak seemed to be made of the blackest shadows, but alive. Tendrils of darkness writhed at the edges of the garment. His mere presence was the cause of my skin crawling. His gaze seemed to pierce my soul, but appeared calm and collected despite my inner fear.

A deep, demonic voice that sounded like bones grinding against one another shattered the silence poisoning the air, "You know why I have come, Shopkeeper."

"You are here because you have a Wish."

The Shinigami nodded.

"And there is a price equal to the value of the Wish."

The god governing over the Underworld remained taciturn for several more moments. It seems that over the years, I became aware of people's intent from mere non-verbal cues. The Shinigami was no exception; but still quite puzzling to myself. Even gods were not so easy to read. From what I could glean, the oni-masked god was in deep thought, carefully deciding his words. I would assume he never made a mistake, but took great care and time in his decisions.

It was then he finally voiced his request: "Kimihiro Watanuki. The only request I have for you, is to eliminate two mortals defying the...inevitable. They are reaching past the moon into immortality. Mortals die because it is the cycle. Like water rippling. Their lives must end and for me to collect their corrupted souls."

"I cannot leave the shop."

"There are other methods, dreamer."

"My price is equal to the wish."

"I am...aware," spoke the god of death. "I had never thought this day would come where a single soul, let alone two would ever leave my realm and return to the living. For destroying the corrupt humans, I will return to you two souls. Yuuko Ichihara and Mugetsu. Will you carry out my duty?"

I narrowed my eyes, concealing my emotions. It had been over a century since I had last seen Yuuko-san. Shizuka Doumeki was an old man now while I still looked nineteen. The store I inherited from Yuuko stopped my time as long as I stayed within the wards. The day she vanished...I had learned that she'd been dead for a long time. I'd only seen her while she needed someone to keep the store going. It had been inevitable that I would become her successor. It hadn't been until that dream...the last one Yuuko left for me that I realized I loved her. And Mugetsu; that pipe-fox as odd as he was, he'd been great company. Even if he had a complex for me. To have Yuuko and Mugetsu back...it would mean for to me than anything.

Taking an especially deep drag on my kiseru, I blew a butterfly shaped smoke ring. Opening my different colored eyes, I said, "I accept."

I apologize for the short chapter. I'll attempt to make the next one longer. Hope you enjoyed this intro~
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