Author's Notes: I just don't know how to stay away even from my own creations. I guess yesterday I thought chapter three was good. Well, I changed my mind. Thank you to a certain reviewer who said I left too many unanswered questions. I apologize. So hopefully there are more answers to be had here! Thanks for the honesty!

"Hiyori," Yato couldn't believe what his eyes were seeing. His love was becoming a phantom right before his eyes. She was angry, and rightfully so, but all of that anger was directed at herself and at him.

"What do we do, Yato?" Yuki was nervously shifting his weight and looked between his master and the half-phantom. "Can we do an ablution? It worked for me!"

"Because you're a regalia. She's not, she's a half-phantom. I guess I've always known deep down this could happen."

"What do you mean?"

"She's half-phantom, Yukine. Luckily for us, up until this point, she's always been happy." Upon saying the last word Hiyori took another swipe with her claws and ripped the front of his jersey. Yato watched her as she growled and bared her fangs. Fangs?! He blinked a few times to make sure his eyes weren't playing tricks but they weren't. Her teeth were sharpening with every millisecond that passed.

"So what do we do? You're a god who's how old? Haven't you ever seen a half-phantom before?"

"No."

"What do you mean 'no?'"

"I mean 'no' Yukine, it's not that common of a thing."

"Well, shit, what the hell are we going to do?" He jumped back as Hiyori bared her teeth at him.

"What you need to do is calm down. Let's not forget what happened to you just this morning Sunshine."

"I helped, didn't I?"

"Destroying phantoms!" Yato ducked as another swipe of claws came at him this time aiming for his neck. "Ever think you might hurt Hiyori?" Yuki looked like he wanted to say something, defend himself, but he remained quiet. "She's still in there, holding herself back, she's not a full phantom. I assume a boundary would work on her since she's capable of blighting me." He showed his wrist where the blight stained him. "She wants me, well, wants to kill me. I think we can lead her out of here this isn't a good environment with loose phantoms still roaming around. We should head out to Kofuku's. Daikoku can help us." The boys nodded and ran from the room with Hiyori giving chase. She was faster than either of them anticipated and instead of running like a human she leaped and bounded like a cat chasing its prey.

"If she gets too close, should I make a boundary?" Yuki asked as they descended the stairs. When they reached the landing Hiyori dropped in from above and landed on all fours. "Like right now?"

"Do it!" Yato instructed. Yukine drew a line with his fingers just as Hiyori was about to attack his master. "Let us get a bit ahead and then take it down." They ran out the stairwell exit and Yuki released the boundary. It didn't take long for her to catch up. "Damn, she's fast," Yato cursed.

It was like a cat and mouse game (literally) with Yukine having to draw a boundary every time she got too close but eventually they made it to Kofuku's just as the sun went down. Both she and Daikoku were outside closing the shop when they saw the three of them running through the gate.

"Oooh!" Kofuku beamed clapping her hands. "Are we playing tag? Hiyori's it!"

"Milady!" Daikoku drew a boundary line behind Yato and Yukine which Hiyori crashed into letting out a frustrated growl. The boys, utterly exhausted from running across town, toppled over and landed at Kofuku's feet. "What's going on?" Daikoku shielded her from them. "What's wrong with Hiyori?"

"Her phantom side came out to play," Yukine gasped. "How do we fix her?" Daikoku's eyes went wide as he watched her claw at his boundary with unbridled fury.

"You can't. You either sever that tail, or cut your bonds. Didn't Tenjin tell you to do that to fix her?"

"I know, but," Yato started but Daikoku cut him off.

"No buts! Look what's happening to her? And for what?"

"Because I love her," Yato yelled. He looked over his shoulder at her still scraping at the boundary. "I can't stand to see her like this, and if the only solution is to sever my ties then I will. But that is my last resort. If there's another way, I'll do it, no matter what."

"Will you?" Kofuku's eyes were somber.

"You know a way?"

"Hiyori became a half-phantom trying to save you. But I've always wondered, how did she see you in the first place? Most regular people can't."

"Yeah, so?" the truth was Yato never really questioned why or how Hiyori saw him in the street that day.

"She was already tied to the far shore before meeting you. She just didn't know it because the person she was tied to didn't want her to."

"Who would do that? Who would tie her to our world and not have her know?" Yukine asked.

"Exactly," Kofuku continued. "Or maybe you should really ask...Who has wanted since day one for you to cut your ties?" she said to Yato.

The air left in Yato's chest expelled from his body and the blood drained from his face.

"Tenjin."

Daikoku threw some blessed water on Hiyori which made her sort of short circuit. She passed out and luckily it was enough to suppress her phantom side. Yato could once again touch her and not be blighted. He cleansed his wrist in the bath before heading out for Tenjin's carrying Hiyori on his back. Kofuku and Daikoku opted not to join him and he couldn't blame them. There was no point for them to get involved. If anything it would cause strife between the seven gods of fortune and that was the last thing any of them needed now. It was bad enough knowing that a bit ago Kofuku threatened Bishamon over Yato, but luckily Bisha had a bit of a change of heart since then. At least, Yato thought she did.

"So what's the plan then?" Yuki asked as he walked alongside him. "We just go in there and tell Tenjin whatever ties he has to Hiyori need to be cut?"

"Pretty much."

"And that'll fix Hiyori?"

"It might."

"This is the worst," Yuki sighed. "Why would Tenjin even have ties to Hiyori in the first place?"

"Hopefully that's what we'll find out. Any more questions I won't have the answers to you want to ask?"

"Just one."

"What?"

"How did Kofuku figure this out before us?"

Yato stopped walking and thought back to the ditzy pink-haired goddess spinning around on the tip of her toe watering her garden.

"I have no idea."

It didn't take nearly as long to get to Tenjin's as it had to Kofuku's (likely due to the fact they weren't being chased by a rabid feline phantom). It was the middle of the night now and the moon cast an eerie pale light on the plum tree. Yato came up and knocked on its trunk.

"Wake up, Tsuyu. I need to speak to your master." The plum spirit materialized out from the tree. Oddly her face was a mixture of calm and annoyance.

"How can I help you, Yato-kun?"

"You can help me by getting Tenjin I need to speak to him. Now." She pursed her lips together. If she wanted a fight, that was fine by him, he wasn't leaving. Luckily it didn't come to that, she bowed and ushered them in the shrine.

"Wait here," she said and disappeared behind a sliding door.

"Way to play it cool, Yato!" Yuki seethed but his master just shooed him to shut up. Yukine crossed his arms over his chest and sat there with Hiyori between them still out like a light. A few moments later Tenjin entered the room with Tsuyu right behind and a sleepy looking Mayu carrying a teapot.

"What can I do for you, Yato?" Tenjin swept through the room his black kimono trailing behind him like some king's cape. He took a seat opposite Yato and Tsuyu sat across from Yuki. Mayu place four cups on the table and poured the tea. Her sleepiness was replaced now with concern. She'd been Yato's regalia for a few months and could tell just by his look he wasn't here for pleasantries. No, he was pissed about something. After she poured the tea she excused herself and left the room but stayed on the other side of the door hoping she would overhear the conversation.

"What does Hiyori mean to you?" Yato asked. Tenjin wore a bemused smile on his old features.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. You've been hiding it from everyone, but we figured it out. You have ties to Hiyori. That's how she saw me in front of the bus in the first place. You'd already extended the hand and brought her to our world."

"Without even her knowing!" Yukine chimed in. Both Tenjin and Tsuyu did not falter nor look surprised or mad.

"This is true," Tenjin simply said. "So?"

"Hiyori's phantom side is taking over her," Yukine pointed to her. "Her parents' hospital was attacked and the other phantoms corrupted her."

"And you expect me to...?"

"Cut your ties with her," Yato finished. "If you do that, she'll be fine. You're the one that established the tie first. If you cut it, she'll be okay."

"Who fed you this nonsense?" Tsuyu hissed, repulsed that these brazen boys would dare come to the shrine and accuse her master of wrongdoing.

"It's all right Tsuyu," Tenjin calmed her. "It's true I established ties with her, but her half-phantom symptoms didn't happen until after her near death experience. So once again, Yato, it is you that must cut the ties to save her. Not me." He started to arise. "So if we're quite finished here then..."

"We're not," Yato slammed his fist on the low wooden table. Tenjin sat back down. "Why do you have ties to Hiyori anyway?"

"So that when she dies her soul will remain here."

"Wait, what? What for?"

"I desire to have the girl as my regalia."

Yato felt himself falling backward but luckily Yukine pushed him back upright.

"You-you want Hiyori to be your regalia when she dies?"

"I do. As the god of learning I knew the moment she was born how smart she was, how passionate. I wanted her."

"Is that even possible?" Yuki was astonished.

"Of course it is."

"God of learning my ass," Yato spat. "I know you quite well Tenjin. I know your roots."

"Do not speak of my master's past," Tsuyu glared at him.

"Cut your ties with Hiyori, Tenjin. I don't know how else to save her," he didn't want to get sidetracked. Hiyori was the number one concern here not Tenjin's murderous past.

"Yes, you do."

"I'm not cutting my ties to her," Yato protested.

"Then sever her tail."

"So you can add her to your collection? No way."

"Then a phantom she'll remain until Bishamon finishes her off, or until you can't stand to see her deteriorate any further."

"Why...why won't you just do this? Are you that stubborn?"

"Are you?"

"Master," Mayu came bursting through the room. "If Hiyori continues to change into a phantom then your ties to her become obsolete. Once she's too far gone, she won't meet the requirements for becoming a regalia."

"Mayu?"

"Tomone?"

She blushed looking between the god that was now her master and the one that used to be. She bowed graciously to the pair of them.

"I just have Hiyori's best wishes at heart." Tenjin turned round to look at his regalia and then back to Yato. His old grey eyes met Yato's blue ones.

"Fine," he drew his hand and brought it down in a quick motion. White flakes of light burst between them. "Such a waste." The man stood and took his two female companions with him. Before the sliding door shut he looked over his shoulder. "I trust you know the way out." The boys picked up Hiyori and started to exit. "And Yato? The next time you need a shrine to hide out in, you're not welcome here."

Rays of sunlight broke through her bedroom window awakening Hiyori from her slumber. Her head pounded like she'd been hit repeatedly with a sledgehammer. She tried to sit up but her body was weighed down with exhaustion. She grumbled incoherently and tried to lift the covers over her head but her arms wouldn't respond to her brainwaves.

"Hiyori? Are you all right?" That was Yato's voice. She mumbled again and felt him push her bangs from her forehead and place his hand atop her. "You don't feel warm or anything, not like you would, right? It's not like you had a cold." The memories flooded through her upon his touch. The attack on the hospital, her mom's injuries, her letting the darkness inside take over and attacking Yato.

"Oh my gosh," tears stung her eyes. "Is my mom okay? My dad? What happened to me?"

"It's okay. Your mom's fine she's home in her bed as are you. We finally got your soul back into your body and your dad took you home."

"My dad, the hospital. He-he's in trouble! All those people were so mad," she tried to sit up but Yato eased her back down.

"It's okay Hiyori, I fixed it."

"What? How?"

"Well, I persuaded Kofuku to open a few vents at other hospitals and all the patients went nuts. A couple pharmaceutical companies are under investigation for distributing corrupted medication but hey, your dad's off the hook!"

"Yatooooooo," she groaned and covered her face.

"I was trying to protect your family."

"I know, I know," there was nothing to be said. He'd already gone ahead and helped himself, no amount of admonishing would change that. She pushed her auburn locks from her face and settled on a smile instead. "Thank you. That's twice in one day you saved me."

"It was nothing," he grinned sheepishly. "It was a lot easier than going to the Underworld." He went to get up but she grabbed his wrist, the same she blighted before, but now her touch was warm and soothing.

"Yato," she started. "I know what I did. I let those phantoms corrupt me and bring out my insecurities. I should have known better. It wasn't your fault and I'm still really happy that I met you and you're in my life." Without thinking Yato leaned down and pressed his lips firmly against hers. She let out a quick "eep!" in surprise but didn't push him away. Instead she found the strength to lift her arms and wrap them around his neck pulling him more on top of her.

"Should we finish what we started?" he teased.

"Finish what?" Yukine's monotone voice rang out. Hiyori froze and felt her cheeks heat up like instant ramen.

"Yukine! I told you to let me have some alone time with Hiyori!"

"Why's that? She wants to see me too, right?" Yuki poked his head in but instead Hiyori buried her face in her pillow in embarrassment. "Okay, fine. I know when I'm not wanted." Yuki pivoted on his heel and let the two "love birds" continue their moment.

It's not fair, Yuki thought as he kicked a stone along the sidewalk. It skittered across the pavement and rolled to a stop waiting for him to kick it again, which he did. Yukine didn't want to harp on his jealousy for too long though. The last thing he wanted to do was sting Yato again. He'd finally come so far. His ablution was successful, he became a blessed regalia, and he was learning spells from Kazuma. In his own right, he was becoming one certified bad ass regalia! He even took out Nora a few days ago when she tried to attack him.

Nora.

That bitch! Yukine still felt his blood boil when he thought about her. Not only did she attack him but she had the nerve to go after Hiyori. When he saw her pink tail snap in two...he didn't even have words to describe how he felt. Hiyori was like a sister to him, he loved her almost as much as Yato did just in a different way. To think that her life would have ended just like that because of stupid Nora. Yukine kicked the stone again, hard, and this time it went soaring in the air, hit a tree, and landed in the street.

"Dammit," he cursed. He thought about running into the street to get it but deemed it wasn't worth the effort. He stuck his hands into his pockets and continued walking. He was about to put his hood up when something slammed into the back of his head like he just got clobbered with a baseball bat. "Ow! What the hell!?" He turned around rubbing the back of his skull and saw Nora about twenty feet behind him on the sidewalk grinning. He looked down and at his feet was the stone. "What? You want to go?" He shouted at her hoping to knock the grin from her face. "I took you once before, I'll do it again." That caused her smug look to falter.

"I should kill you," she said.

"Oh yeah? Try it!"

"I can't. But I did come to deliver a message."

"Not interested," he sprinted toward her ready to knock her off her feet. She didn't move out of his way. Oh well, he thought. Her mistake! He was only two feet away from her now and had his fist primed ready to connect with her face when something, or rather, someone caught him by his hood and held him back.

"Now, now, Yukine," a male voice said. "That's not very nice."

TWO HOURS BEFORE

"Dammit!" Fujisaki threw the television remote across the room. The news had expanded from damning the Iki hospital to now claiming all the hospitals had similar outbursts and that there was some sort of medical malpractice with the drugs. "Damn that Yato. And who the hell would have guessed Tenjin had ties to her."

"I tried to tell you father," Nora swung her feet back and forth like a child on a swing. "We should have just made him kill her, like Sakura."

"That wouldn't have worked either," Fujisaki grumbled. "Sakura was his regalia and we told her what her human name was. He had no other choice after she turned into a phantom but to take care of her. Hiyori isn't his regalia, we don't have the same hold over her."

"Then Yato beat you?" Nora teased but she did not expect Fujisaki to raise his hand and slap her across the face.

"No he didn't beat me. We're just going to go into phase two." He stood and picked up the pieces of the broken remote and threw them away. "Find me Yukine."

"Let go of me!" Yukine struggled against the teen's grip.

"Now we're just trying to talk to you, Yukine. Don't be a bad boy." Fujisaki pinned the boy's arms behind his back. "Nora what happens when we're bad?" The girl smiled and stepped forward smacking Yukine as hard as she could.

"We get punished," she said. Yukine kicked his feet out at her connecting with her stomach. She staggered back clutching her belly.

"This one has a lot of fire in him, no?" Fujisaki laughed. Nora smoothed out her kimono before approaching Yukine again. This time when she slapped him her nails dug into his face. He let out a soft whimper as his skin split and streaks of blood oozed out. "Now, now dear. Don't get too carried away."

"Sorry, father."

"What the hell do you want with me huh? Let me go!" Yukine continued to struggle against Fujisaki's grasp.

"I just have a message I want to deliver, that's all."

"Fine then, spit it out and let me go."

"If I let you go will you stay and receive the message?"

"Fine, just lay off me." Yukine felt Yato's dad's grip loosen and he tugged himself free. He fixed his coat but didn't run. "What do you have to say?"

Fujisaki smiled and tried to brush a loose strand of hair out of Yuki's face. The boy jerked backward avoiding his touch. With a small sigh Fujisaki bent down to be on Yuki's level before uttering a single word:

"Kouki."

Yato jerked upward suddenly and fell off of Hiyori's bed.

"Don't you dare leave me again," she threatened pulling her nightgown straps back up.

"No," Yato whispered. Sheer panic flooded through his veins like ice water. Hiyori could see it all over his face. She'd only seen him like this once, when her tail was cut and she locked eyes with him before disappearing. His limbs were trembling as he shakily rose to his feet. He clutched his heart and, was he crying?

"Yato, what's wrong?" This wasn't like before when he bailed on her. This was serious. He looked like he'd just seen a ghost. "What's the matter?"

"It's Yukine," his blue eyes met her pink ones. "He's in trouble.

Author's Notes: Okay so I said it would be a trilogy. I lied. I left too many questions unanswered and the last chapter was a combination of a few pieces of dialogue from me but also scenes straight from the manga. Plus, I didn't wrap up Fujisaki's plans.

I obviously didn't want Yato to cut his ties or her tail so that's why I have the part with Tenjin. I always found it odd Hiyori saw Yato that day she got hit by the bus but there was no explanation. Well, here's one I crafted up. Plus, as said in the manga Tenjin is not a good guy. He used to kill people in his early days as a god and generally doesn't like mortals. So, he's not that nice of guy and I played on that.

One more chapter to go! What does "Kouki" mean? Oh boy, you're going to find out!