I'm gonna start answering questions on here too, but if the question has any relevance to the story or plot I won't PROPERLY answer it. I'll just jump around it, but answer it as best I can.

Anyway on to the questions:

ShadowTrooper1414 Asked - How will Mephisto and Yukio react to Rin losing an eye? Will the eye be restored by his demonic healing powers? Will he still be able to see with that eye? So many questions and not enough answers.

My Answer ~ First question; you will have to wait and see until that chapter comes around. Though I'll put it out there that Yukio won't be very pleased with Yato. Second question; to put it simply, no. I've always seen that Rin's healing can only heal wounds like bullet or stab wounds not wounds like losing an eye or a limb. The reason being since Rin is a half-demon he won't have the full regenerative abilities like other demons do. The last question goes with the previous question; mostly likely no.


Chapter 11: Swirls And Swirls

Rin's POV

A Week Earlier~~~~

After I had recovered some of my strength I was allowed to leave the room I had been in with Yukine and Hiyori. I thanked Tenjin for allowing me to recover at his shrine and left with my two new friends for Kofuku's place.

It was a quiet walk.

Too quiet for my liking.

I guess they didn't want to bring up about what happened ... for my sake.

I guess that's great they care, but I really don't like the silence.

Can we please talk guys?

Even if it's about my eye or what happened! Just something to get rid of the silence!

Once we rounded the corner of the small shop-like house I was approached by a crying Daikoku; who wrapped his arms around me.

Almost crushing my spine.

"Umm, Daikoku, are you…" I stuttered out.

"You had me and Lady Kofuku so worried!" he exclaimed. I lowered my eyelid and let out a small laugh. I didn't think Daikoku could act like this. He always seemed so tough and scary; guess there really was a soft side to this guy.

As he put me down; wiping his tears away I saw Kofuku come up from behind Daikoku. "Are you okay, Rinni?" she asked, approaching me and looking me over. Her violet orbs finally landing on my bandaged right eye. "What's wrong with your eye?"

I looked at the ground, biting my bottom lip. "I can't see out of that eye anymore."

"Huh!?" Kofuku exclaimed; fear gripped her voice after hearing this. "How? Why not?!"

"I JUST CAN'T!" I shouted at her; which surprised the four around me. They knew I hardly ever shouted and meant it; only as a joke or a temper tantrum. I just feel so … conflicted about this. I had lost my temper at Kofuku. She didn't do anything wrong. She was just curious. I sighed to myself; head lowered as my fringe covered my remaining eye. "I'm sorry. I'm still trying to take this all in…"

A pat on my shoulder made me look up to see Daikoku smiling down at me. "Rin, you're in bad shape so letting your anger out is usually what you kids do."

"I guess…" I muttered more to myself than replying to Daikoku.

"How about we go inside and talk more about this there," Kofuku suggested which we agreed to.

I followed the others inside the little house and explained to them exactly what I told Hiyori and Yukine. They seemed just as shocked, but also at a loss for words. I guess they couldn't understand what Yato's previous regalia would gain from this.

I don't understand it either.

What does she want with my eye?

And what did she mean by 'Father'?

A Week Later~~~~Present

"Ugh! Seriously, did you really have to buy twelve packs of candles?" Yukine groaned as we walked down the street from the department store.

I just grinned back at him; adjusting the plastic on my arm. "Well, I need the practice, don't I?"

Yukine just groaned again, shoulders slumped as he carried two of the bags that held my packs of candles while I held the other two. It had been a week since I had been attacked by this 'Nora' girl. My smaller injuries from the wolf phantoms had already healed up, but my eye was another story. Since my eye was literally yanked out of its socket another one WON'T grow in its place; even if I am half-demon. I had asked Kofuku to put a fresh pair of bandages on my eye every day, so it never got infected as it healed.

Everyone liked how I wanted to take care of my eye.

But at the same time I didn't care.

It was gone and I can't get it back…

Today, I had decided to see if I could find an eye-patch to put over my eye while Yukine and I were out shopping. I found one with a bit of hard luck at first. Not many people must get their eyes ripped out from their heads. I had bought it along with a few more pack of candles to practice my flames on. Another thing on my mind was that we hadn't seen Hiyori since the day she helped me. She hadn't come to visit us to see if I was okay; not even to check up on Yukine to see if he had done his homework.

Something was up.

I have a bad feeling about this.

I was brought out of my thoughts as Yukine and I were crossing the bridge and I saw a familiar face. The first person to head over to that person was, of course, Yukine. "Hiyori! It's been a while!" A look of surprise crossed her face as she looked up from the ground. "Whoa. You switched uniforms. Is it that time of year already?"

I approached the two and noticed as Yukine continued on yammering on about not completing his school-work that Hiyori looked … confused as she looked around for his voice. I frowned at seeing this. Could she not see Yukine even though he's right in front of her? "Are you alright, Hiyori?"

She turned around to face me and smiled at seeing me. "You're Rin, right?" My eye widened when she said that and I saw Yukine freeze up. Did he know something I didn't about what was happening? "I'm glad I met up with you again. How are you feeling?"

I was in shock.

Why was she speaking as if she had only just met me? "H…Hiyori, what are you talking about?"

She tilted her head in confusion at my question and I saw Yukine stiffen as if waiting for something bad to my answer. "What do you mean? We met after I helped you when you were injured a week ago?"

"W…What do you mean?" I stammered out in shock; eye wide.

I don't understand.

Why couldn't she remember meeting me through Yato?

Wait a minute.

My eye grew wider once I remembered what Tenjin told me.

Could she have forgotten Yato, because she was in the living world for so long?

She didn't remember me because she met me through Yato and she forgot ever meeting me since she forgot Yato!

"H…Hiyori…" I heard Yukine stutter and I looked to him to see that his wide amber eyes were trying to hold back tears. "You … really forgot?"

Her eyes finally drifted over to where Yukine's voice was coming from; her eyes full of uncertainty until she saw his name. "Yuki…" Her eyes widened as realisation hit her and she lunged at us with a hug. "I'm sorry Rin! Yukine! I'm so sorry I forgot! I won't do it again! Promise!"

I patted her back to calm her down, but I could tell that Yukine was blushing furiously as he tried to get out of Hiyori's hold. "H…Hey! Hiyori, it's okay! Really, it is!"

"We're just glad your back," I muttered; a smile crossing my lips at her warm hug.

After what seemed to be a long, endless hug; Hiyori finally let go of us and helped us with carrying the bags as we continued to Kofuku's house. Once we arrived; Yukine made some tea for us, still a little pink in the cheeks while I put the bags in our room. Once I came back I heard Yukine and Hiyori conversing about Yato.

"How has Yato been?" Hiyori asked as she picked up his little shrine as she looked at it.

"How should I know? It's been less than a month now since I heard from the guy. I wouldn't waste my time worrying. What a big jerk," Yukine said with a tone that was akin to frustration. I guess he's feeling very annoyed since he's meant to be Yato's blessed regalia and his Master just up and disappears on him.

As soon as I close the door behind me it was opened again by Daikoku with tears streaming down his face. His sudden appearance in the doorway freaked me out and made me jump back. "My lady hasn't come back either!" When he saw Hiyori he calmed down and stepped into the room. "Oh. Hey there, Hiyori. Long-time no see." That was a quick mood change!

"She still isn't back hasn't it been a while?" Yukine asked; looking up at Daikoku.

I moved around the room and sat between Yukine and Hiyori as Daikoku shook his head. "No. She still isn't back from the recent meeting. It's weird too. They usually can't stand the sight of her there. I don't like this."

"Why don't they like seeing Kofuku?" I asked, sounding a little curious.

"It's because my Lady is the God of Poverty and can bring great misfortune to those she comes in contact with. The Heavens usually don't like her going up there as they believe she will cause some form of disaster to happen." Daikoku explained to me.

I winced at hearing about this.

How could such a cute girl be a God of Misfortune?

It was absurd to me, but then again Mephisto said that Yato was a God of Calamity and he certainly doesn't act like one.

These Gods just want to live in the world, but have to have shrines and followers.

It must be tough at times…

"I know. Kazuma feels the same way. He says 'it's weird there have been all these meeting'," Yukine said as he began to pour the tea; now sitting opposite from me.

I sort of zoned out as Daikoku and Yukine's conversation droned on about the 'Gods' and their 'meetings' as I stared at the ceiling. My eye drifted to Hiyori as she flipped through a small notebook before suddenly collapsing. My eye widened and I stood and stared. Is that what Tenjin was talking about? I saw a long pink cat-like tail out of Hiyori's back as she put on her shoes.

"What are you doing?" Yukine asked, finally noticing Hiyori's body and my disbelief. "Rin, look it's…"

"I already know. Tenjin told me," I told him; a serious look on my face which caused Yukine to stare at me in shock along with Hiyori. My expression changed from serious to one of somewhat like betrayal. "Why didn't you say anything? I told you all about me and … I thought that you could trust me. I trusted you with my secret…"

"Rin…" Hiyori spoke softly a look of sympathy on her face. "We do trust you. So much came up that we never had time to."

I bit my lip as if trying to hold back my temper, but I knew that she was right.

A lot had happened over this past month; Yato's disappearance, the attack on me, Hiyori's memory and now the Gods and these meetings.

I sighed in exasperation and nodded my head at her.

Damn it.

This was all so messed up!

She gave me a smile and nodded back. "Well, I'm gonna go out and look for Yato."

I turned around to face her with shock on my face. "Wait, you can't go out alone! Let me come along!"

"You're still healing, Rin. Stay here," She told me and jumped off into a tree as I ran outside with Kurikara in my left hand and watched her jump away.

"Hiyori, Wait!" I heard Yukine shout from inside the house, but she had already left.

Damn it!

I'm not weak!

I may have been injured, but I heal faster than a normal human.

I look to where Hiyori had run of to; or in this case jumped off to and looked back to Yukine and Daikoku. "Come on! We can't just sit around here! Let's go after her!"

An hour later~~~~

"The Heavens are in disorder?" a shocked gasp escaped Mayu's mouth as she said that.

Daikoku, Yukine and I had headed out to find Hiyori, but had lost track of her after we had set out and had instead gone to Tenjin's temple to find all of his regalia along with Kazuma there. I still was trying to understand what was going on, but I had a small idea. That the 'Heavens' they're talking about are going to cause some sort of damage later. Why do I get a sense of déjà vu here?

"Yes, I just returned from Lord Ebisu's estate," Kazuma stated, arms folded across his uniform. "They have the whole area quartered off. I was even threatened by armoured sentinels."

Yukine looked up at Daikoku with a hint of confusion in his amber eyes. "Wait, what's a … sentinel?"

Daikoku looked down at Yukine with a frown crossing his face. "They're the regalia that serve the heavens. Sentinels aren't usually armed, so something big must be coming along."

This got me sort of confused and I decided to raise my own question. "I thought sentinels were giant robots," I pointed out.

"You read too much manga, kid," Daikoku stated, bluntly.

This just caused me to pout.

I do not...

I then noticed Kazuma push his glasses up in a similar way that Yukio does.

Kazuma even has the same hair and eye colour as him!

He could even count as Yukio's actual identical twin only that he's got no moles!

Damn…

"Whatever the reason may be. We were there recently, so we know that Lord Ebisu had been corrupted. It's likely he'll perish again." My eyes widened at hearing this bit of news. Perish? Could a God really die? I…I think I remember being told that. "The Gods have always tolerated his excessive corruptions and reincarnations, but not this time. For some reason this is different."

Reincarnation?

Gods can reincarnate like humans?

I would ask, but maybe now isn't the best time.

I don't think I should interrupt these guys.

It seems important.

Right now, I should just listen.

"Yea, no doubt," Daikoku said as a look of thought crossed his face.

"I was hoping to ask for your help, Tsuyu," Kazuma asked the regalia lady over near a tree. "You can find out what's happened in Takamagahara and with more certainty than I can. Will you please consider helping us?"

Tsuyu approached Kazuma, but I had a feeling she wasn't going to comply. Her stoic expression changed to a frown as she glared at him. "No, Sir Kazuma. I cannot afford to jeopardise my one's standing. We should wait to receive word before doing anything. Or do you mean to antagonise the Heavens?"

Kazuma lowered his head with a small sigh, closing his eyes in the process. "They have the Gods of Fortune. They're likely being questioned…" He looked up at Tsuyu a small worried smile on his lips. "…perhaps even being tortured."

Gods. TORTURED!?

By Heaven!?

What the hell is happening right now!?

I thought Gods were a part of Heaven!

Why would Heaven try and kill Gods!

Maybe if I shut up I might get my answers!

Tsuyu's worried expression changed completely and she looked down; giving in. "I understand. I know how it is to fear for one's Master. Very well." She approached the tree and lay her head against it while she put her hand on it.

The trees' branches suddenly started blowing as if a wind had started blowing it's branches. Yukine and I looked around at the trees in confusion. "What? What's this?" Yukine cried out.

"Tsuyu is speaking with the trees. She isn't a regalia, you know. She's the spirit of a plum tree," Mayu explained to me and Yukine; earning a baffled look from me and a shocked one from Yukine. "Her affection for Lord Tenjin is great and it will not ever wither."

"Conjurers. Masks. Phantoms. Echoes of discord among the Gods. The heavens are searching for Lord Ebisu and his exemplar." A light gasp from Tsuyu as she opens her eyes in surprise. "Really?" I noticed Kazuma's expression change as a light gasp escaped him as well at seeing her reaction. "There's a peach tree near the verge … it saw Lord Ebisu head into the Underworld."

My eye widened at this and I couldn't help, but open my mouth and ask, "Wait! There's an actual gateway to Gehenna!"

"Gehenna?" Tenjin's regalia questioned me; all eyes on me now and I felt out of place in this conversation, gulping.

I had no clue what half the stuff they were talking about was and I just blurted out something that may not have anything to do with it. I understand that something big is going on and will happen, but I just feel so out of place in this conversation. Now that I blurted out 'Gehenna' I feel like I'm frozen. I don't know how to respond with all these eyes on me.

"No. That doesn't lead to where you're thinking it does," Kazuma explained as he waved a hand at me. "It's like Gehenna, but the Underworld is like a world for phantoms not demons." Now I understand. So, the Underworld was the world for phantoms to reside in while Gehenna was for demons. This just got more and more complicated the more I learned about all this. So does that mean there's three ... no, four worlds? Shit, how many are there, really?! "Tsuyu, is there anything else?"

She nodded and cleared her throat before continuing, "He had pursuers. A young male God with a lean frame and a short girl in white wearing a crown."

This caught both mine and Yukine's attention, but before we could say anything we heard someone else speak, "It's them…" We turned around to see Hiyori, panting as if she'd been running a marathon before she came here. She stood up straight with a determined gleam in her pink eyes. "It must be. It sounds like Yato and Nora."

My eye widened at hearing this and I unconsciously touched my bandaged right eye.

Nora.

My remaining eye stared at the cement ground; rage shook me to the core.

The one … who took my eye…