((A/N: Yay! I'm posting again! This story hasn't stopped bugging me (along with a confusing guest's review… what does a lawn mower have to do with anything?) since I uploaded the first chapter however many weeks (months) ago! Either way, enjoy this chapter for Valentines Day!))

Summary:

Work smarter, work harder was a saying Nanami identifies with well. She would have to with a part time job, full time school, and juggling an irresponsible father longer than she could remember. A completely new society and culture revealed to her just because some guy kissed her forehead takes the cake. Now she is a part of this new world, and she's determined to not screw this up by rushing in like an idiot.

Kiss Kiss
Chapter 2

There had been a long explanation from the two Wisps with quite a few derogatory comments from Tomoe thrown in, but in the end the Land God nodded in understanding, deciding to ignore the fox demon until he says something helpful. That could take a while. She might as well finish her withdrawal forms then move on to making White Talismans.

The sky was a beautiful indigo when she plopped on the front porch, ready to fall asleep right then. When Kotetsu and Onikiri said that making White Talismans would be tiring, they weren't joking. A platter was placed next to her, and she smiled at the back of Onikiri as he floated away. She sat up to eat when Tomoe sprawled next to her with a cup full of Sake in his sat there in silence looking up at the stars in silence.

"Oh right." Nanami turned to the fox demon. "I noticed some holes in the roof of the kitchen, do you know anyone that would be willing to help repair the shrine in return for talismans, food, or a safe place to stay for the night?" She paused, rubbing the spot on her forehead where Mikage marked her as the Earth God. "Preferably someone who won't attack me for this."

Tomoe looked at her with an unreadable expression for a moment before watching the stars again. "I am maintaining the shrine-"

"No." His glare didn't stop her from saying her mind. "I don't want to depend on you. Not when it's just a whim."

"And what do I get out of it?"

"You don't have to maintain the shrine?" One look at Tomoe's face made her hastily try, "I'll make Inarizushi?"

Tomoe sighed and took a sip from his cup. "I'll see what I can do."

When Nanami took a bite of her food, she realized it had gone cold. She shrugged and finished her meal in silence.

Was she ready? Probably not, but time certainly wasn't going to be stopping for her. Thankfully, Onikiri and Kotetsu knew how to make the appropriate preparations to welcome their guest. Nanami was brushing her hair, and wearing her newest school uniform.

"Lady Nanami! What are you wearing?" Onikiri had come into the room with a box almost as big as he was. "It can't be helped. Here, change into this." The Wisp opened the box on the tatami floor to reveal clothes.

Nanami wasn't sure what was wrong with her clothes; they were the newest she had in her duffel bag. Still, she couldn't pass up more clothes. She pulled out the cloth to realize how high the quality the fabric in her hands truly was. This was a beautiful kimono!

"I can't wear this!" The Land God folded away the clothing with as much care as she could. "It would be ruined the moment I took a step." She explained softly to Onikiri. "Maybe I could wear something a little more common and less-" she paused to think of an appropriate word, "priceless?"

The Wisp nodded sullenly, and floated away with the box in his hands. He returned soon after with another box. He lifted the lid for her inspection, "Is this better?"

The Land God could almost feel her eyebrow twitch after lifting the kimono into her hands. It was just as expensive as the one previous, with maybe a different cut to allow a larger range of movement. She glanced at Onikiri from the corner of her eye. Who knew this Wisp could be so passively cunning? Nanami glanced at the clock. The group from the Tatara Swamp would be here soon. Did Onikiri plan for her to be left with no choice so she would agree to whatever he chose? She had a feeling that this would become a repetitive situation.

She let the Wisp do as he pleased for now. There really wasn't time to be bickering with him if she wanted to be appropriately ready to greet a Queen. As the two Wisps pulled the different layers of kimono around her, and tugged her hair into place, Nanami rehearsed the proper formalities she would have to display for their guests. "Okay! Try walking around!" Kotetsu said, breaking her from her thoughts.

Nanami obliged, and took a few shuffling steps, taking care to not step on the edges of the tatami. It was easier than she thought, but still a struggle. She lifted her arms next at her Wisps' prodding, and the weight was strangely comforting for her. The Land God took a steadying breath. She could do this!

She couldn't do this! The Wisps were about to slide the shoji screen to let in the Yokai Queen of the Tatara Swamp, and her mind was blank. It was like studying for an assessment for weeks only to flip the paper over to not remember any of the answers- only a hundred time worse because this wasn't an assessment!

Nanami took another deep breath in, and tried to exhale her paranoid nerves away. It worked a little, so she did it again until she felt she had control over herself. The shoji screen opened, and two obvious Yokai walked gracefully to the cushions placed for them. "Welcome," she greeted, "I apologize for any offense I make tonight. I have only recently been appointed for this position, and am not very prepared for situations like this." What just came out of her mouth? Nanami smiled warmly at the two sting across from her, not showing the shock she felt for how eloquent her bullshitting sounded.

Onikiri and Kotetsu floated in with the appropriate drinks for the guests, and sat politely in the corner so they would be at hand if they were needed.

Eventually, the Queen said why she was paying the shrine a visit. It had nothing to do with her sudden God status, like the Wisps had explained. "It was ten years ago, when I found him crying at the boundary of my swamp. I showed myself to him, and he didn't run away. I was fascinated by him when he confided in me his troubles. He should be eighteen now, and is an adult in human's eyes. I would like you to match Kotarou Urashima with myself." Himemiko's face was so soft when she spoke of this boy, and Nanami cursed her romantic heart.

She didn't miss the aide casting a glare at no one. Nanami calls him on it. "Why are you so against the wish of Numano-sama?"

He stands proudly, and almost moves towards her. She could see his muscles twitch before he restrained himself. "The Queen should not stoop so lower herself to a human. No demon should!" He claimed with another glare.

Himemiko ignored her aide's words, and looked at Nanami with the question in her eyes. Would you search for him?

She sighed. "Onikiri, do we have a directory?" The Wisp floated out through the door without an answer. The aide allowed himself to fall back to his seat, and there was a long awkward pause. Nanami was internally floundering for a topic when Onikiri returned with a thick book.

The recent Land God flipped the pages, "Here it is! There's one Kotarou Urashima in the area!" She looked up to see the Queen's hopeful expression. "Numano-sama, you should understand that this may not be your Kotarou." Nanami really didn't want to get her hopes up. "I would not be able to verify if he is your Kotarou since I am not yet able to protect myself outside the Mikage Shrine."

"Then I will provide a guard for this task." The Queen of the Tatara Swamps was used to getting her way.

"If they have the ability to disguise themselves as a human, then I accept." Nanami answered. She had no idea where this fluency came from, but she was glad it did. It saved her from a lot of awkwardness that night.

((A/N: I hope you guys like your Valentine's Gift! Enjoy the holiday!))