DAY 2 - BLACK (OR)AND WHITE:

"White is a color of protection and encouragement, offering a sense of peace and calm, comfort and hope, helping alleviate emotional upsets…White offers an inner cleansing and purifying of your thoughts, emotions and, ultimately, your spirit, refreshing and strengthening your entire energy system."

"[Black] creates a barrier between itself and the outside world, providing comfort while protecting its emotions and feelings, and hiding its vulnerabilities, insecurities and lack of self confidence."

"Black hides, while white brings to light. What black covers, white uncovers."

*OBLIGATORY MANGA SPOILER WARNING! CHAPTERS 43-48*

Hiyori now knew more than she ever thought possible about the Far Shore. The affairs of the Immortals were far more complicated than she could have ever imagined. After awakening at Yato's side, having seen his very own memories of the painful atrocities he'd endured in his youth, hundreds of years prior, she realized how much he kept locked away in his heart, under the guise of a black jersey-wearing, carefree wanderer. Her heart ached, knowing she could never truly help him wipe the slate clean.

In spite of all that, she was determined to help him ultimately find happiness in the remainder of his existence. If only he could be free of Father and forgive himself of his past, then he would be able to move forward and be the god he wants to be. Yet, the dark shadows of his past continue to haunt him.

Poor Yato, he wants nothing more than to make people happy.

It became clear that she was part of his happiness. And despite his overbearing nature, he made her happy as well. Happy enough to leave a normal human life behind and continue an existence that straddled the lines of the physical and metaphysical realms.

She looked up from the book she had been reviewing for Yukine's sake, having barely read the first two pages of the current chapter he was studying. Yato was scribbling away in his sketchbook.

I wonder what he's always drawing in that book of his…

Yato was sketching Hiyori, complete with neko ears and tail, declaring that "Milk is yummy!", when a little shiver went down his spine. He glanced over to find her observing him with a little smile.

It's like she knows…he thought to himself, feeling slightly guilty of his latest doodle. Little did he realize, it wasn't the doodles she knew about. But the azure-eyed immortal suddenly felt his breath catch as the overwhelming sensation of hyper-awareness overtook him. With a snap of his hand, the sketchbook shut, and he stashed it under a pile of stuff.

He decided to scooch over to sit next to her, across from Yukine, who was lying on the floor facing away from the two of them, nose-deep in a history assignment.

"Whatcha readin', Hiyori?" he said with a mischievous grin, not even trying to hide his attempt to commandeer her attention. He leaned in close to view the text, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"It's Yukine's history lesson. These chapters are on the Mid-Edo era," she explained, her even tone failing at concealing her nerves. "But my brain has had enough for one day."

She sighed, staying still and staring down at the page as she secretly wanted to stay like this.

"Then just stay and relax. Let the kid do his homework," Yato said nonchalantly as he leaned a little more of his weight against her, testing how close she would let him be.

"I had two big finals today," she said, wavering a fraction as her face grew warm. A deep breath proved to be both relieving and enticing. She shivered ever so slightly at the deluge of sensations.

His smell, his warmth, his voice…he's so close…

"Are you cold Hiyori? It is kinda chilly in here," he asked gently as he rubbed her upper arms creating warmth through friction. It last only a few seconds before he pulled away to remove his jersey and drape it over her. Quickly resuming his previous position, he huddled slightly closer, leaning his head against the side of hers.

"Is that better?"

A hum of agreement was his only indication.

He holds in all his pain, thinking of others before himself. Protecting himself from the horrors by indulging in the happiness of being with people who he cares about.

"Are you going to be okay?" she asked vaguely, knowing what she really meant behind her superficial inquiry.

Yato pondered how Hiyori made him feel like all of the darkness that surrounded him, all the frustration and sadness, could be washed away by her smile. It was always her way to find the positive, no matter how negative the situation could be.

My light…my warmth…my redemption, Iki Hiyori.

He smiled against her shoulder, hiding his face in the form of a gentle nuzzle.

"I'm going to be just fine."