Unlike my other stories these chapters are much shorter so they'll be coming out much faster. Enjoy

Chapter 1

Tomoe sat beside Nanami who still had yet to wake up, her pale hand in his as he smoothed her damp hair from her forehead. He watched as Kotetsu changed the cool cloth on her forehead gingerly and set to wiping her face. He had been alone with her for three days as Mizuki and Mikage still had yet to return from Izumo. He was unsure why they had gone but he truly prayed it was for answers. The very thought of losing Nanami was enough to drive him to deepest pits of despair.

"Move aside Tomoe" the soft voice of Mikage spoke from behind him

Without hesitation he backed away from Nanami to sit beside the tatami that lead outside. When he raised his head he was shocked to see Ookuninushi accompanying Mikage as a worried Mizuki waited patiently by the door also. Both Gods made their way over to Nanami and sat beside her taking perusal of her current state.

"Do you see?" Mikage asked looking to the man beside him who's hand rested above Nanami's faltering heart

"I do. I can hear it just as you said Mikage. Her soul is being sucked from her body and its screaming in pure agony as it fights to stay within" Ookuninushi breathed with a sad shake of the head

"What?!" Tomoe snarled

"How is this so Ookuninushi-sama?" Mizuki asked fearfully having taken a step toward his suffering mistress

"Mikage, may we go to your quarters? We have much to discuss. The familiars may accompany us but I do not wish to have this conversation here" Ookuninushi asked seriously as he stood to his feet

"Follow me" Mikage nodded as he stood "Kotetsu, I leave Nanami to you and Onikiri for the time being alright?"

"Yes Mikage-sama" Kotetsu bowed before gently taking Nanami's hand in both of his tiny ones

The four men in the room quickly made their way to the family room where Mizuki, ever the dutiful familiar, served them all tea though he was shaking in anticipation of what was happening to Nanami but after a few minutes Tomoe could not stop himself.

"Out with it! What's wrong and how do we save her?!" He snarled slamming his hands down on the table

"Nanami-chan is dying Tomoe" Mikage sighed deeply

Tomoe faltered, lsank to his knees as he felt his world crashing down around him. This was nothing like how he had felt with Yukiji. This was so. Much. Worse. So much more intense and painful. He felt as if his own soul was being torn from his body.

"Mikage please...tell me you can save her" Tomoe begged his eyes filling with tears

"Alas Tomoe...I cannot. What ails Nanami is far beyond my realm of power" Mikage shook his head as he too loved the girl, though as his own daughter

"What's wrong with her?" Mizuki asked quietly unwilling to meet the eyes of anyone in the room

"Nanami is still a God but only in proxy as Mikage has returned taking his rightful place, and so the demands being made of her from humankind is too much for her human spirit. It is being asked, demanded even, from many Gods including myself for Nanami's power and spirit but she does not have it to give. The prayers and wishes of the people are what is killing her. They are demanding something from her spirit that she is not within her power to give. What they require from her is only something Gods can do. Her soul is trying to answer those calls and cannot, this is what is killing Nanami. She is not a true God in spirit or essence" Ookuninushi explained somberly

"There must be a way to stop it" Tomoe demanded

"Not as she is now. There are people and demons alike all over who know of Nanami having received care from her loving spirit and so there are too many requests just for them to simply stop. I have gotten over a thousand myself" Ookuninushi shook his head

"Is there anything you can do Ookuninushi-sama?" Mizuki pleaded

"Mizuki you must understand there are limits to-" Mikage started only to be silenced by Ookuninushi's raised hand

"There is a way. I am the only God who can do so but I cannot do it alone. I will need at least two other Gods to accompany me as even my vast power is unable to do so alone" Ookuninushi explained earning a look of utter surprise from the curious Mikage

"What is it?!" Tomoe demanded

"We will have to change Nanami's spirit to not one of a simple human but completely alter it to that of a true immortal God. She would truly become one of us. A true being of our world but she will be changed in many ways. In body and in spirit" He explained

"Is such a thing possible?" Mikage asked eager but hesitant of such an impossible sounding solution

"It is. It has only been done once before...To create me" Ookuninushi nodded earning disbelieving gasps throughout the room "It was long ago back when the world was still very new and the ritual was passed to me and only me as it's rather dangerous. It is extremely difficult and only highly powerful Gods can do so. And they will be taxed for many days afterward"

"Mikage!" Tomoe pleaded with his forehead to the ground as he lay prostrate before the Gods

"To save Nanami...nothing would make me happier but...Tomoe are you sure this is what Nanami would want? An eternal life? Living beside you would please her but if she had a choice between eternal life and her humanity are you sure that this is the decision she would make?" Mikage asked seriously

"If it means that we are together Nanami would risk life and limb to make sure it happens" Tomoe nodded resolutely

"Very well" Mikage nodded "I shall assist you if I am powerful enough Ookuninushi-sama"

"You are but what other God who is as powerful as you would be willing to cooperate?" Ookuninushi wondered aloud

"Did I hear a request for a powerful, feminine and alluring God?" A voice sang from the window

Looking up to the windowsill all the men in the room spotted Otohiko sitting in the window observing his nails with a sly smile on his red painted lips.

"Otohiko would you?" Mikage asked hopefully

"But of course. Three of my most favorite and delicious men need something from a Goddess such as me? And it is to help someone I've come to hold dear even though she's a walking lightning rod for trouble? How could I possibly say no?" Otohiko grinned

"Than we must prepare. Nanami's human body only has but three days at the maximum before it gives out" Ookuninushi clapped

Giving out orders to his familiars and explaining what would be needed Mikage and Otohiko they did the same. If they were to be out of commission for a few days preparations needed to be made.