Author's Notes: Thank you for the reviews I received! I really do appreciate it and hope you guys really like the second chapter! You guys made my day!


"YABOKU"

"HIYORI"

"VAISRAVANA"

Izanami's pathetic wails were lost on them. Like fish being pulled from the water the two gods and reborn half-phantom were transported out of the Underworld just as Yato was about to take a bite of the pineapple. The three of them landed harshly dazed for a moment. Yato sat up rubbing his head and saw Hiyori was passed out next to him. Yukine still was. Just great, he thought. Luckily Bishamon wouldn't be knocked out cold so easily. She already sprung to her feet and traded her great sword for her bladed whip.

"No rest for the weary," she said and gestured behind Yato. He turned to see Daikoku cradling Hiyori's human body. The regalia was bruised and blood leaked from a wound above his eye. Kofuku stood about thirty feet away and she too was hurt. Her bubblegum hair was tied back in a haphazard ponytail and her cream sweater was missing the left sleeve. Her plaid skirt had a large slit ripped almost to the waist and it was dirt ridden. She was squaring off unarmed against a young teenager. No, not a teenager. It was Yato's father possessing a boy named Fujisaki.

"Come on Yuki," Yato urged. "Wake up dammit." He uneasily rose to his feet using one of the katana to prop himself up.

"Who is that?" Bishamon raised her eyebrows.

"My-," but did he dare tell her? Surely if Bishamon and Kofuku knew exactly who that was they would ostracize Yato for being evil too. And it wasn't like just a few months ago Bishamon was his archenemy. How quickly would she jump back onto that bandwagon? Kofuku was always in Yato's corner, but this could be a deal breaker. "He's fighting Kofuku and hurting her, that's enough evidence for me to take him out," he grit through his teeth.

"You're in no condition to do that." Just like the first time Yato went to the Underworld and came back he was utterly spent. "I will help Kofuku, you need to get Hiyori's soul back into her body. Somehow." The goddess of war then took off brandishing her whip in one hand and a gun in the other. Yato knew that while his father was powerful, Bishamon would be able to at least keep him at bay. He picked up Hiyori's soul and rushed her toward Daikoku. The older man's eyes looked relieved to see some back up.

"That boy just showed up," he said. "Said he was here for Hiyori and right away we knew. Knew he was bad news. He started fighting milady. I wanted to change but someone needed to protect Hiyori."

"It's all right Daikoku. You wouldn't be much luck against him anyway," Yato said taking Hiyori's human body and laying her next to her soul. "That guy can control phantoms."

"What? How do you know that"

"Right now we need Hiyori's soul to go back to her body. How do we do that?" He stared down Daikoku who dropped the subject immediately.

"We can't, she has to but she's out cold. Wake her up." Daikoku looked down at her battered soul. "Poor thing." It was true her soul had taken a beating down in the underworld. Izanami was lucky Yato didn't stay down there to be her BFF. It would have stood for "Big F*cking Fight" because that's what he would have given her. Nobody touched his girl. He cast a glance at Fujisaki and the monk staff in his hand. That was Nora. She cut Hiyori's tail. Yato's eyes narrowed in on her.

Daikoku smacked him lightly on the shoulder pulling his attention back. The older regalia gestured to Hiyori and Yato nodded. He took her face in his hands and bent down until his face was inches from hers.

"Hiyori?" he whispered. "Hiyori, I need you to wake up." He cast a glance over his shoulder just as Kofuku was hit square in the chest by the staff and batted away. "Like right now. Please, Hiyori," he trailed off. She did not even stir in the slightest.

"Try something else," Daikoku urged although his eyes were transfixed on the battle. At the sight of his lady getting hit his fists clenched together. Yato peered back down at Hiyori's sweet face. She really was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen. He caressed a strand of her hair from her face and cupped her cheek. What he loved most were her eyes. He silently willed her to awaken so he could see them again. It wasn't just the beautiful shades of pink that swirled together like the sky at dusk. It was what was reflected in those eyes. Determination, ferocity, and above all else Yato swore he saw love. Whether she loved him the same way he loved her was besides the point. She had tried to protect him, to save him, on more than one occasion. This was the girl who got hit by a bus for him. Who carried him knowing she'd be blighted. Who saved Yukine to save him. The list could go on and on. She'd done so much, cared so much.

Without even thinking anymore Yato leaned down and closed the gap between them.

Daikoku shifted uncomfortably upon witnessing Yato kissing Hiyori. He had known for a long while how Yato felt about the girl but this was hardly the time. Plus, she was knocked out. The nerve of that guy! He was always joking around saying Daikoku was a pervert. Whose the perv now? Ass, Daikoku thought. But just as he was about to push Yato off, Hiyori's eyes flicked open. Strength immediately coursed through her and before either man could react she kicked the Yato off her and back peddled.

"I'm not falling for that again, you, you bitch!" her scream was full of worry and anger. Her eyes transfixed solely on Yato but the longer she sat there those pink orbs of hers darted around to the scene in front of her. "Daikoku?" she asked seeing the older regalia sitting there. "Yato?"

"It's me, Hiyori," he smiled. She looked down, unsure of herself, before getting up and nearly tackling him to the ground.

"I was so scared," her voice was muffled because her face was buried in his shoulder. "I thought you were her. I thought she was you." She rambled on in his jersey but he understood what she meant. She thought he was Izanami posing as him. But that wasn't right, was it?

"I thought Izanami took Yukine's form?" The question slipped out before he even had time to think it was silly to ask it.

"She-she did. But before that, when I first woke up, she was you." She pulled back from his jersey and peered into his eyes. They held each other's gaze until finally Daikoku delivered a sharp slap to the back of Yato's head.

"In case neither of you noticed that guy is still here, and Hiyori you need to get back into your body. NOW!" He yelled before finally breaking out into a sprint toward Kofuku. Clearly it had been a great restraint on his behalf to be away from his mistress. Now that Hiyori was okay that restraint was broken. He didn't transform into his fan form remembering Yato's words. A human that could control the phantoms? Just who was this kid?

"I have to help them," Yato turned back to Hiyori. "And you need to get back into your body, quickly." She nodded briefly and turned to her body that lay on the grass. She steadied herself and took a deep breath before falling forward. The familiar sensation of warmness flooded her senses as her soul and human self molded back into one. A mere moment later she snapped her eyes open and sat up. Her head throbbed and though she bore no wounds she still ached from where she'd suffered those bite marks. Her soul was damaged but it hurt her real body. "Are you okay?" Yato stood above her gripping his katana in both hands. He was ready for a fight. She nodded but before she could stop him he pivoted and took off to join the fray. As soon as he joined them Kofuku backed out and limped toward Hiyori.

"Kofuku!" Hiyori finally could see the poverty goddess and how her clothes were tattered. Luckily she did not have many other visible wounds.

"Hiyorin," she was panting and collapsed next to the girl. "I am so glad you are back. How did you survive? Your tail was broken. We thought you died!"

"I know but I'm not really sure," and it was true. The longer she sat here the more her memory faded about what transpired in the underworld. All she could remember was Izanami took on Yato's form and according to him also Yukine's. She could still feel the fear she'd felt and the wounds she suffered. But how did she get those wounds? Try as she might it escaped her.

"Like it matters," Kofuku hugged her briefly. "I'm just glad you're back. Although I don't think this is any place for you." Hiyori looked past to see Fujisaki holding a golden staff and using it to fight her friends. Fujisaki. She'd just recently learned who that was, he'd also threatened her and she told him to 'bring it on.'

"I think this is exactly where I'm supposed to be," she stood and ran toward the four of them.

"Hiyorin! Wait," Kofuku scattered to her feet and followed.

"Fujisaki," Hiyori shouted. Yato turned and looked more furious than she had ever seen him before. It didn't stop her from running up to him and clasping her hand over his.

"Get out of here Hiyori," he seethed.

"No, this is where I'm supposed to be." She turned to his father. "Leave Yato alone," she threatened. Despite being outnumbered and having that wrath of Hiyori, Fujisaki simply smiled until he burst out into an uncontrollable laughter.

"This guy is a whacko," said Bishamon. Fujisaki stopped and cast her a sizzling glare.

"You're all so simple minded. You think I want Yato, Hiyori?" He laughed again leaving everyone confused, except his own son.

"You want Yukine, don't you?" he asked but he didn't really need an answer. He knew it. His father nodded, his eyes flickered down to the katana briefly.

"That boy needs a real master, don't you think?"

"Yato is a real master," Hiyori defended but Yato squeezed her hand to silence her.

"Why did you bring us back from the Underworld? Just for Yukine? You could have just called me back for that. Why save them too?" Yato knew the only one present who could summon them from the Underworld was his father for only a human could do that. But if he wanted Yukine why save Bishamon and Hiyori too? Clearly he had other plans, although it wasn't like him to reveal anything.

"Just hand him over, Yaboku. Nora already told me about his dazzling light show and I think it's high time that kid was mine. You've only had him for a limited time but I've heard everything I need to. Resists becoming a phantom? Sacrificed himself and became a blessed regalia? I even heard he made a boundary line the very first time he tried." Even Bishamon and her regalia were surprised by that unexpected announcement. "And now I find out the War Goddess' regalia has been teaching him spells? I need him and you are going to hand him over, my son."

If a Capyper parade decided to roll through the park at that exact moment none of them would have paid it any attention. All eyes were on Yato as Fujisaki smirked even wider. Crush his spirits, Nora had said after returning. I've already killed the girl now cut his ties with the others. He'll have no choice but to submit to you. Bishamon nearly dropped her regalia and cast a suspicious glance at Yato. Kofuku's eyes welled with tears and Daikoku crossed over to place a hand on her shoulder. Yes, Fujisaki thought. He is not who he says he is. He's a liar, he only knows how to take. You're fools for thinking he could be like you.

"Stop!" Hiyori's voice sliced through the air. They all turned to her as she stepped in front of Yato. "You all know Yato," she pleaded. "So maybe that guy is his father, and he's not a nice man at all. Does it matter? Yato doesn't want to be anything like him. He isn't anything like him." She turned to Bishamon and took a few paces. "Did he not help save you? Twice?" Her gaze rounded on Kofuku. "He's always cared about you, the both of you. He's helped out around the shop and he even," but she didn't want to verbalize now about Kofuku and Daikoku's son. She just shrugged and the pair knew what she meant. "You can't let him take Yukine away from Yato. You even saved him," she pleaded to Daikoku and peered briefly at the earring in Bishamon's ear. "Yato didn't have a choice in deciding who is father was. Please don't turn your back on him now..."

"Silence, girl," Bishamon's voice drowned out Hiyori's pleas. The goddess once again traded out her weapon this time trading the whip for her twin pistols. "I think it's pretty obvious what is happening here." She raised both pistols and pointed them in Yato's direction. "It's time for some answers." The corner of her lip curled upward into a grin then suddenly she whipped around and fired at Fujisaki. He was able to deflect one with the staff but the other bullet caught him in the shoulder. He grunted in pain as his body was punched backward. "You're the one, aren't you? The sorcerer who set up Ebisu?" She fired again but he was able to avoid both this time. "He wanted to control the phantoms in order to save everyone but you're a double crossing son of a bitch, that right? You wanted the Mandate of Hell all for yourself. CONFESS!" She fired another two rounds and charged in. Fujisaki, wounded already, actually had a flash of panic cross his face before he cursed, whispered to himself, and then disappeared from sight. Bishamon stopped her charge and rounded on Yato.

"Why didn't you tell us who that was?" But he remained silent. "Spit it out," she started but Kazuma reformed and cut her off.

"Milady, I think it unwise to press the issue any further. There is no need to make enemies here." She regarded him for a moment and nodded curtly.

"Fine then, for now we shall retire to the estate. Kofuku," she turned the pink haired girl. "Fighting him all by yourself? You never cease to impress me."

"Thanks Bisha!" The beat up goddess flashed one of her peppy smiles. "It's easy to do, you know, when he had such bad luck." This caused Bishamon to also smirk before disappearing with her regalia. "Yato?" Kofuku was hesitant to speak with him.

"I've got to go," he turned and ran suddenly.

"Yato!" Kofuku called after him but Daikoku placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. Hiyori walked up to the pair of them and hugged them both.

"Thank you for keeping my body safe, and thank you for not turning on Yato."

"We would never do that, Hiyorin." Even Daikoku, who always gave Yato such a hard time, nodded in agreement. Hiyori broke away from them and gave a weary smile.

"I've got to go find him. You two should just relax, take care of yourselves. I'll be over once I find him."


It didn't take very long for Hiyori to locate Yato. He was sitting beneath the sakura tree his back resting against the thick trunk, those vibrant blue eyes staring upwards at the heavens. For a moment, Hiyori felt maybe she should leave him be. He'd had quite a day but then again hadn't she? Getting her tail cut, going to the Underworld (of which was now only a faint memory), and then coming back. Hiyori squinted across the field and didn't see the boy, or the twin katana next to Yato. Where had he gone? She decided at last to approach Yato determining that now was not a time for him to be by himself.

"Where's Yukine?"

His gaze lowered from the sky and settled onto her. His eyes were luminescent, more than usual, and when his gaze locked on her she felt a chill of fear run through her. But then he blinked and that frightening glow lessened.

"I left him in my little plot of land," of course he was referring to the patch in heaven he'd been allowed since Hiyori built a shrine for him. "I figured he was safest there and if he needed he could go to Kazuma when he awoke."

"What happened to him? He's been out cold since my tail was," but she trailed off not wanting to rehash that fight. Something had happened to Yukine. A bright light emitted from him destroying the wolf phantoms. It was quite an impressive show of power but unfortunately it caught Fujisaki's attention.

"He's evolving, faster than any shinki I've ever had." There was pride in his tone, but also (and maybe the only person who could ever hear it was Hiyori) disappointment. The fact that Yukine was such a strong regalia was causing all sorts of problems for Yato and his father. Hiyori wasn't innocent either. Because of her Nora's presence was evermore malicious with each passing day. It was disheartening to realize, that the two closest people to Yato were also his biggest downfall.

"I'm sorry Yato," she blurted out.

"For what?"

"For-for causing you so much trouble. I-I know I said to you I wanted to be with you forever but now I'm afraid that was selfish of me." She licked her lips and fiddled her hands together in front of her. "Maybe you should have cut your ties with me." Before she knew what happened Yato was in front of her and his arms were looped around her. His body was pressed firmly against hers and she swore she could feel his heart beating in his chest. "Ya-Yato?"

"Don't say that ever again," he said. "Do you hear me?" She nodded and he gripped her tighter. "If my last breath was taken protecting you then I'd be the happiest god of them all." Tears stung Hiyori's eyes hearing him say that. She buried her nose into his chest and inhaled that sweet scent that was him. It was an indescribable aroma, one that she couldn't pick out any discernible essence. All she knew was that it was Yato's. As they hugged each other tightly a small gust of wind blew sending dozens of pink petals to swirl around them. Hiyori closed her eyes. I'd never want you to die for me Yato, she thought.


The pair of them reached a new point of exhaustion after their time beneath the sakura tree. It swept over them unexpectedly and they decided it would be best to retire to Hiyori's house. Her parents wouldn't know Yato was there and if she told them she was tired they wouldn't bother her. The same couldn't be said if they went back to Yukine's room at Kofuku's shop. Since placing Yuki in heaven Yato hadn't heard anything from him and didn't know if he was still passed out or if he awoke and went to Kazuma. Either way, Yukine was safe as long as he stayed up there. That was the one blessing Yato could count on. He cast a glance at Hiyori as she jingled her key in the front door. Even that was because of her too. Without the shrine she made he wouldn't have that plot of land. She let herself in and called out to her mother saying she was going to take a nap.

They ascended the stairs and Hiyori opened her bedroom door looking anywhere but at Yato's eyes as he waited in the hallway.

"I'll just go to Yukine's old room," he started to walk down the hall but Hiyori grabbed him by the wrist.

"I'd really rather prefer if, if you stayed with me." Her cheeks were as pink as her eyes. For his part, Yato was stunned by this sudden bold proposal but he nodded his head and let her lead him into her room.

"Turn around," she said and he faced the door. It only took a minute before she said he could face front. She was dressed in her pink nightgown that stopped just shy of her knees and she'd thrown her hair up into a high bun on her head. Yato gulped and she flashed him an embarrassed smile. She gestured with her head for him to follow her as she climbed into her big bed. Yato felt bad wearing his dirty jersey in her nice clean bed.

"Hiyori, my jersey," he started but she cut him off.

"You can, you know, take it off." Her cheeks were flushed a dusty pink as she tapped the space next to her for him to lay down. Yato swallowed hard again and unzipped his jacket revealing the plain white T underneath. He grabbed at the hem of his sweatpants and stopped. Was this really okay? Hiyori giggled and pointed at her dresser. "If you're that embarrassed I have sweatpants in that drawer. I'll turn around." She pulled the cover up to her shoulder and turned to face the wall. Yato dashed to the drawer and grabbed a blue pair and quickly replaced his jersey pants with them.

Hiyori waited, and waited. She didn't want to show him how badly she was shaking. This was rather bold of her, inviting a boy into her bed, but she wanted him there. Needed him to be with her, really. But as the seconds ticked on they felt like an eternity. She didn't want to turn around in case he was still changing but what was taking him so long? Maybe, and this would crush her the most, if she turned around he wouldn't be there. Would he have left her, freaked out by her sudden forwardness?

Goosebumps raised down the length of her body as she felt his warm hand on her bare shoulder. The bed creaked as he eased himself down beside her. She could feel the softness of his t-shirt pressed against her bare back. His long hair tickled the nape of her neck as he lowered his lips down to place a kiss there. It caused a visible shiver to zing down her and he chuckled at her reaction. She rolled to her other side to face him and smiled. He returned it.

"Can we just be like this?" she asked.

"Forever, Hiyori," and he leaned forward to place his lips on hers.


Author's Notes: Okay so sorry this took me a while. I hope everyone liked it please leave another review and pretty soon (fingers crossed) I'll have the last chapter which will lead into the events of chapter 49 (the hospital). Also I'm pretty excited chapter 50 is now available on Manga Reader so I'm going to go check that out now. Please review! Thanks!