Chapter 2

A/N: Wow. Sorry. I said that I was going to update again and I somehow just managed to disappear off the face of this earth. Please forgive me! :D I am still quite interested in finishing this story, no matter how difficult it may be. So for those of you who are still waiting, I will try my best!

She awoke to the soft pattering of rain against the roof tiles. "Tomoe?" Why was the house so quiet? "Tomoe?" she called out again, fear beginning to rise in her throat. Where was she? What day was it? Why couldn't she feel his presence near her?

Nanami threw her blankets off and dashed to the screen door. Fear was constricting her throat, but that didn't stop her tears from threatening to fall. What time was this? Where was Tomoe?

"Tomoe!" Silence, besides the soft hum of the drizzling rain. Oh god, she wanted to throw up. "Tomoe?!" Where was everyone? Was she really alone? Had she messed everything up?

She ran to his room. It was silent…and empty. Nanami fell to her knees. No. No. How? Hadn't she saved him? Hadn't she changed the past? Did she mess up? Did she do something wrong? A low cry escaped from her throat and she fell against the floor, her entire strength drained. Tomoe. She had lost Tomoe forever now.

"I'm so sorry, Tomoe…" All the promises that she had made to him. All the promises she had made to everyone. She couldn't keep them. She had let everyone down. A cold chill traveled down her spine and she couldn't help but shiver. She was so cold. So cold and alone now. Tears slid down her face. She had been so spoiled by everyone's love and care. Now, all she had was this lonely shrine. She was truly alone.

Her loud sobs shook her small frame. It hurt. It felt like there was a demon inside her, screaming, tearing away at her, trying to escape. "Tomoe, please, come home…." She silently begged.

The doors flew open.

His pale silver hair seemed to sparkle as huge droplets of water slid down from his hair onto his face. His eyes were wide in surprise, his cheeks flushed, but still, there was no denying it. He was standing before her, just like she remembered. Her Tomoe.

"Nanami!" He was next to her in a second, his face twisted into a furious expression. "What happened? Who did this?!"

"Tomoe." Oh god. By her side, she could smell his distinct scent mixed in with the light smell of the fresh rain. It really was him. She couldn't help herself; she threw herself into his arms, tears forming again.

"I was so scared! I was so scared that you were gone!" Long slender fingers caressed her head gently. She looked up at him, noticing that his eyes were wide with confusion and fading anger.

"I just went to bring in the laundry," he explained as gently as he could, "I'm not going anywhere." The feeling of his gentle fingers combing through her hair combined with his sweet scent made her heart skip and still at the same time.

"I see…I'm so happy. I'm so happy, Tomoe." She buried her face into his shoulder, just allowing herself to really hold him and appreciate him. He was here. This wasn't a dream. This was real. She had succeeded after all. But still…

"Please, just for today," she begged softly. "Please don't leave my side." Please don't leave me alone. Again. If even for just a moment.

She could feel him tense for a moment and her heart trembled. Was she going to be rejected? Was that a good thing? All she could feel was his warmth surrounding her. Maybe that was enough, even if he did reject her again. She couldn't help but laugh. She wasn't making any sense at all, was she?

"As you wish, Nanami." Ah. So it wasn't because he wanted to, but because of her control over him, wasn't it? It pained her, but at the same time, she was glad. Yes. Please don't love me, Tomoe. Please don't come to care for me. Please.

He was so soft. So soft and gentle. Just like her Tomoe. But she still had a chance to save him. She still had a chance to save this kindhearted Tomoe before her. She looked at him, at his surprised face, and offered a tearful smile. Her lips were trembling and tears were falling, but she was happy. Really. She really was.

"I've been selfish enough, Tomoe," she murmured sweetly as he wiped her tears away, "This time, I want you to be happy." Exhausted, she fell over. Before the blackness swallowed her, she could hear him crying out her name. She couldn't help but think that she wanted to hear him call her name for the rest of her life.

XOXOXOXO

She couldn't stop the stupid smile that kept creeping up her face, even as he lectured her. It had been so long. "I already told you I'm ok!" She beamed as his left eye twitched in annoyance. "I'm not a little child anymore, Tomoe! Mou~!"

She took the soup bowl from him and proceeded to eat. "Tomoe, it's amazing!" She laughed. "Your cooking is the best!"

He relaxed just a bit, his chest swelling a bit with pride. "I already know that, you idiot." Still smiling, she continued to eat. It truly was delicious. "Where is Kotetsu and Onikiri? Did they want some too?"

"They don't eat soup. It's just for you." She paused thoughtfully. "What about Mizuki? Do you think he would want some?"

She realized she messed up when Tomoe visibly tensed. "Why are you asking about that snake?" Nanami bit her lip. So Mizuki wasn't her familiar yet. She didn't quite remember how that came to be, but something inside her shifted uneasily.

Her gaze softened when she thought of her snake familiar. "Please…if you do go back to the past…please come find me. Please let me become your familiar again!" He had said that to her, hadn't he? Her stomach churned, the delicious smell of Tomoe's food forgotten.

She was so desperate to save Tomoe that she had nearly forgotten. At the bottom of that lake, was he still waiting? Did he still watch those frozen blossoms in that lonely way of his?

"Nanami?" Pulled from her thoughts, Nanami turned to him. His gaze was confused, but concerned. He put his hand on her forehead, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "Are you sure you're ok? You don't seem like you're quite yourself…"

She could feel her face heat up, but she pulled away, forcing a pout to her lips. "M-mou, Tomoe! I'm totally ok, I told you! You always worry unnecessarily!" She placed the spoon back into the bowl and placed it to the side. She glanced at the barely eaten bowl and sighed. It truly was delicious, but now was not the time to just sit and relax. She had things to take care of, didn't she? She had gone beyond her abilities in turning back time and so, she couldn't be careless.

"Ne, Tomoe," She began quietly, "do you think we can visit Mizuki?" His eyes narrowed to just slits, displeasure basically oozing off of him.

"Don't tell me you've already forgotten everything that slimy snake put you through?" he spat out bitterly. "Do you really want to go back and stay with him?"

She shook her head. "Tomoe, you're so stupid." Before he could protest or say something else, she continued. "Don't you remember the way he tried so hard to preserve those blossoms? I think…he is lonely. Every time I imagine you in his shoes…if one day, I was to die, I wouldn't want you to be lonely." She smiled sadly at him. "I would want you to move on and be happy."

The emotions in his eyes were unreadable. Nanami silently hoped that he would understand. There wasn't much else she could say without slipping up that she was from a different timeline and that Mizuki was another of her familiars.

"If that is what you want." He finally grumbled as he stood up. "I will prepare the carriage." She could feel her heart blossom and she reached out for his hand instinctively. She smiled happily at him, taking in his surprised face. "Tomoe. Thank you."

His face was blank and his tone was cold, but he nodded stiffly before he left to prepare. Alone, Nanami let out a sigh. Really. Why had she grabbed his hand? Wasn't she being a tad too familiar at this point? She'd have to be more careful.

But…how could she resist? It had been so long since he had been so close to her. She clenched her fist. No. There was no room for excuses. She took a deep breath, her gaze becoming firm. She had been given another chance. She couldn't screw it up.

They rode to Mizuki's shrine in silence. Too deep in thought, Nanami didn't notice the concerned glances that her fox familiar threw her from time to time.

"We're here." Nanami gave a firm nod as she stepped out of the carriage. Last time she was here, she had tried so desperately to escape that she hadn't taken the time to admire the beautiful shrine, but now, her heart squeezed painfully. Everything was so well-kept. It truly was a testament of Mizuki's love for his previous God.

"Mizuki," she called out, "Mizuki, are you here?" She couldn't help the smile the appeared on her face when he emerged from the shrine, a surprised look upon his face. Nor could she help the lone tear that escaped from her eyes.

Mizuki. I'm here. I'm here to keep my promise!