Keiko's appearance has already started to show the ripples in the original plot! Who knows what else is liable to change! *wink*

Disclaimer: I do not own Kamisama Hajimemashita


Arc III: Little Sister Is A Land God

When I finally registered what was going on it was nighttime and we were seated in a park we passed by occasionally during my odd jobs. There was nothing special about this park, I think our feet started to get sore so we needed a seat.

My black suitcase felt too small leaning against my leg and I felt disappointed for some reason. I should be mad, furious even at my dad but I couldn't. It's like my body crashed and now I'm stuck in a wall.

Neither one of us said anything, there were no words that haven't already been said or cursed out during our wandering. That's exactly what we did, we just moved with no real direction. Well other than to get away from our old apartment.

He actually left us, just left and now we don't have a roof over our heads. All my belongings crammed into a suitcase that doesn't even belong to me. I'm guessing it was Dad's in the past; I never brought a suitcase. Never thought I'd have to pack up all my shit and get kicked out.

I worked so hard for this to be avoided. All the hours of my life I spent pouring over bills, studies, keeping food on the table, ensuring we wouldn't be put out. All for nothing.

Nothing...

Nanami, having finally finished drinking some refreshing water from the park water fountain threw her head back. "That-that stupid old man!" Nanami shouted angrily. I startled from my dazed out space. Nanami paced angrily in front of me. She was all the while cursing our traitorous dad to hell and back. I would be too if I wasn't so...so I don't even know.

Somewhere in my brain, I rationalized I really should be on high alert. We were only two teenage girls in a large city with people apparently looking for our dad. Looking up to the wide expanse of dark blue sky, I wondered how far I'd have to walk outside the city to the stars.

"Are you even listening?" Nanami exclaimed; most definitely irritated and exasperated with me. Heck, I would be too if Nanami was in outer space at a time like this.

Crossing one leg over the other and folding my arms, I leaned back onto the bench. The park was relatively quiet save for the sparse cars zooming by. Looking at Nanami, I wondered why I was so calm. "Yeah, I'm listening," I replied slowly. "I'm just thinking."

"How can you even think straight in a time like this?! Kei, We. Are. Homeless!" Nanami stressed out as if I didn't already get it.

I scowled in annoyance. "I thought we were just enjoying this lovely park at four in the morning?" I asked sarcastically.

Nanami, already on edge and frustrated, stomped her foot in irritation. "We don't have time for this! That old man ruined everything!" She grasped my shoulders. "He left us! Keiko do you not understand?!"

Slapping her hands off of me I stood up angrily. My legs ached, my eyes stung from the unshed tears I held in, my emotions are wrung out, and I wasn't thinking right. "Of course I understand! I've been working and slaving for years to avoid this! I have given up so much to take care of you and sustain the apartment!"

"Don't you dare act as if you've had to do everything! I gave up a lot of stuff to help out and pull my weight!"

"Like what?" I asked already on a roll, my mind raced a mile a minute. "Going out with friends, having a social life, enjoying being a teenager?!" I taunted. "Well newsflash we're poor and broke, all that hard work was for nothing and you getting mad and pissing me the hell off isn't making things any better! Alight?"

Nanami's lips were pressed together tightly and it wasn't because she was going to cry. She is furious with me and I almost recoiled at the look of hatred in her large eyes. Her eyes just made everything tens times worse; Kumimi's eyes looked back at me instead and I suddenly felt sick.

Feeling exhausted I sat down and dropped my head into my hands.


"Dad, the money loaners broke one of the windows again. Are you even bothering to repay the money properly?" Nanami asked royally annoyed once again with her stupid Dad. Nanami asked even though she already knew the answer to that question.

"Don't worry, Nanami! Papas got it all under control!" Nanami shared a doubtful look with her sister who was busy taking the window down so she could tape it back up.

"And how do you plan to do that?" Nanami asked not expecting the answer she got.

Turning around he presented a large golden folded lottery ticket to them. Checks flushed red and his body limped from the alcohol in his system. "With this 10000 yen betting ticket, I plan to repay all my debts in one fell swoop!"

Keiko quickly set the window down on the floor pat and raced to where the savings money was kept for the month's food expense. She exclaimed upon finding it empty. Nanami snatched the empty container from Keiko's hand and gasped.

"You spent money betting on horse racing again?!" They yelled in unison.

Their dad waved them off with a sluggish hand from all the beer he'd drunk. "Don't worry, don't worry. I'll make 100 times that money and give it back."

Nanami becoming in raged threw the container at his head and Keiko threw the remainder of his beer out of the open hole in the wall where the window is supposed to go. This left their dad groaning and whining.

"You useless old man!"


The silence in the park had become uncomfortable. Nanami refused to even acknowledge me. She stood on the other side of the bench with her arms crossed and looking stubbornly around as if a solution to our problems was going to pop up.

I was about to suggest we continue to a more populated area when a cry caught our attention and alarms went off in my head.

"Help me! Some please take these dogs away!" I heard from a little distance away from behind me and then I heard dogs barking.

Nanami finally made eye contact with me in silent question on what to do. Seeing as I wasn't moving to help or offer any direction, Nanami ran past me and I grabbed hold of her arm. I didn't even mean to, I just reacted on instinct. I'm not ready for Nanami to become a Land God and be placed in life-threatening situations.

My mind didn't have time to catch up with my body before Nanami moved her arm in a circle to twist my wrist uncomfortably until I was forced to let go unless I risked snapped it.

"W-wait!" I called out weakly before snaring one glance back at our unattended bags and cursing as I chased after her.

It wasn't long enough, it took to quickly before I came to a slow stop in front of a tiny tree in which a man wearing a hat had climbed. He wore a long trenchcoat and large glasses. I rationalized that telling Nanami he might be a creeper wouldn't work. It'd probably just motivate her to do it even more with her being angry with me.

"Someone! Somebody, please take these dogs away!" I found that I didn't like Mikage's voice at all. Not even a little bit.

When Nanami went to shoo away the dogs with her hands, they only growled and reared back to attack her. She startled and stumbled back. With stark realization, I snapped into action, grabbing the closet stick near me. In real life, shooing away irritate dogs don't work like that. Especially if the person doing it looks like a dainty little thing.

Shouting at the dogs angrily I swung my stick threatening. Seeing that I posed a larger threat they decided to give up on the life-destroyer in the tree.

Wow, don't even personally know the man and already called him a name. Meh, nothing new.

I shot a smug look at Nanami. She flushed in embarrassment before narrowing her eyes again and going to help the man down from the tree. Once he was back onto the ground and not falling over himself Nanami stepped back.

He breathed a sigh of relief before smiling at us gratefully and I wanted to kick him. "Thank you very much." Despite this, his face worried Nanami and crept me because he was crying. He couldn't be that afraid of dogs, could he?

"No problem mister. Are you okay?" Nanami asked taking a rightfully cautious step back.

"I'm sorry, it's just I can't handle dogs. To think I would get cornered by some when I finally got back here." He chuckled humorlessly to himself. "It appears I'm not welcomed by the local people."

Stepping forward I finally got my head out of my ass. "And why would that be?"

He seemed to finally notice me. "Are you both locals around here?" It didn't escape my notice that he skipped my question which would have annoyed me if I wasn't already.

Nanami looked and me and I guess she decided despite her being mad at me it was best I deemed this stranger relatively harmless before she got any closer. Turning my eyes back to the deceitful me I spoke calmly. "It depends." I did not drop my stick in a clear show of my distrust of the man.

He cocked his head to the side. "Depends on what?"

"Are just you just coming back from a vacation or something?" I asked returning his rudeness from before. I vaguely thought that he'd leave and Nanami wouldn't be branded with that burden- no more like a curse.

He stood up and dusted himself off. "Yes, in some ways I did."

I quirked a brow. "Oh, got out of the country maybe?"

"You could say that."

"Enjoy your time?"

"I did."

"Great." At that moment I wanted to leave, so I started to end the conversation. "Well, walk safely and don't run into any more dogs on your way home," I said clearly wanting to leave.

However, he-who-shall-not-be-named sighed loudly enough to catch our attention. "I don't think I even have a home to go back to anymore." He said this so sadly and crestfallen Nanami softened.

I wanted to stomp and curse.

"I can understand what you might be feeling," Nanami said after seconds of chewing on her lip. I hissed her name out in warning to stop. He offered her a confused look to which prompted her to explain further. "Dad ran away from home and now we have no place to go." Sweet and to the point.

Angered at her obvious disobedience and ignorance of what she was putting into motion I opened my mouth to intervene.

"I see...So your Dad ran away from home.." He mumbled more to himself than to us. "You must hate him ran away from home, right?" He asked looking in the direction I just knew the Mikage shrine rested. He suddenly broke into tears.

"He's always been troublesome since long ago, so…" Nanami said nervously as if she may make him cry even harder. He started to talk again though.

"I'm ashamed to ambit it, but I also...abandoned my home." He spoke with sadness in his voice. "It's been decades since then...I wonder how everyone in my family is doing...I'm sure that Tomoe will attack me as soon as that person sees my face." He said keeping his head down so his hair is covering his face from us.

"Even so it's alright, isn't it? To have a home to return to is fortunate mister." Nanami said smiling placidly. "Even if you abandoned your home, if this Tomoe person would attack you, they must care very much for you don't you think? To have the patience to wait for somebody to return to attack them, for some people that speak volumes of what they really feel."

He thought about that for a second. "What are your names?" He asked. Nanami looked at him confused as to why he would possibly ask that question. Seeing Nanami's doubtful and my suspicious stare he rushed to elaborate. "I merely wish to know who my gratitude is towards."

Still looking bit distrustful Nanami spoke. "My name is Nanami."

They both look at me expectantly but I merely kept my lips sealed. I did not want this man to know my name at all.

This, however, did not deter him in his crazy plot I could just see forming behind his large glasses. "I'll give you my home.".

Nanami exclaimed in surprise. "What? Mister, I don't think that a good idea.."

"I can't leave my home empty forever. Besides if you're both living there I'll feel relieved of my burden." He said and suddenly disappeared.

Looking towards Nanami in alarm, I wasn't prepared for the warm finger that poked my forehead seemingly hard enough to bruise. I squeezed my eyes shut as the abrupt pain vanished. Nanami's little gasp encouraged me to force my eyes open.

"And most importantly," his lips were on Nanami's forehead. "You seem to be much more suitable to be the master of that 'house' than I am." He pulled away and handed a dazed Nanami a piece of paper while I was still frozen in place shell-shocked.

He chuckled at something he saw. "Go to the place written in the memo. Just tell them that you came as Mikage told you to." He put on his hat and turned to walk away. "I'm sure everyone will welcome you both…" He suddenly disappeared into the shadows of the night.

It took a mere seconds after he left before I recovered enough to speed walk to Nanami. Snatching the paper from her weak grasp which earned me an irked side-eye and I stared at it before turning to face Nanami.

More than a little bothered by how long it took me to recover from a simple poke to the forehead and doomed to follow a path I wanted to avoid; I asked in an impatient voice. "Where the hell is OX road 756?"


The only good thing that came after that whole mess was the fact our luggage hadn't been stolen.

"..What do you think that Mikage mister meant by 'new master'?" Nanami asked as we neared the place where we would be calling our new home. I hadn't quite decided on a specific emotion to feel but I was currently stuck between dread and anxiousness.

It's been some time since I last saw Tomoe and he didn't like them then. He definitely won't like me now.

"Talking to me again now?" It just slipped, I realized I needed to put a cap on my mouth. A withering look from Nanami told me not to push it. Looking back ahead I noticed the train tracks we were supposed to cross. "I don't exactly know myself what it sounds like we are now the new owners of whatever place this crappy map brings us to," I said watching my step once the ground changed from concrete to dirt briefly.

No wonder some people stopped coming. The city doesn't even take care of the roads back here.

"Well, we might as well take it. We don't have anywhere else to go." Nanami said then shuddered. "I don't want to sleep outside in the open."

I nodded my head in agreement. Being underneath the open sky instead of in some kind of closed-off space felt weird. Besides, judging from the sky it is going to be morning time soon. Thankfully it's a Saturday which meant no school. "Exactly, so we'll just find this place but be prepared if it turns out that man deceived us," I said.

Nanami nodded her head before going back to walking silently beside me. Shifting my eyes, I felt my disgust with myself grow for snapping at Nanami but she'd pushed me.

After walking for a few more minutes and taking a turn Nanami stepped on a piece of grass that 'crunched' under her foot. Spinning to the face the long dark stairwell I gulped.

It's happening...Will Tomoe act as if he knows me or will he attack me for not mentioning this instance where Mikage was.

Braving the stairs with Nanami led us to an extremely gloomy shrine ahead. Nanami dropped to her knees and hands. "To think that what awaited us was a shrine. This is like torturing someone who has already lost everything." Nanami said crying. I patted her back in comfort.

"He was creepy."

"I'll never trust adults again.." She mumbled from her position on the ground. I opened my mouth then snapped it shut when crows appeared and started to 'caw' loudly. A glowing ball of light then floating in the wide expanse of darkness.

"Lord Mikage? Welcome back, Lord Mikag." a voice whispered.

"Ah!" Nanami yelled grabbing my hand and dragging me into the shrine with her making me drop some of my luggage.

"Please wait, Lord Mikage!" the voice pleaded, sounding pained.

Nanami shut the door behind herself and slide to the floor looking scared. I stared down at her unimpressed but amused for some reason. "You know most people would run away from the shrine if they wanted to get away from the ghost around it. Not into the shrine." I said and some more color drained from Nanami's face.

"Is that you Mikage?" We snapped our head in the direction of the male voice and saw a person with fox ears and a tail.

Well, it was Tomoe. Appearance-wise Tomoe was still the same. The same luxurious kimono, silked silver hair, dangerous eyes and all.

"Long time no see...Mikage, where have you been?" Tomoe had not turned around so he didn't immediately notice we were not who he thought.

I wonder how sad Tomoe will be on the inside when he turns to see that we aren't the man who seemingly abandoned him.

"Leaving me to take care of this place for twenty years!" he shouted in anger. "I'm going to fucking kill you!" He suddenly exclaimed and Nanami covered her head when he rushed at us both.

With the knowledge and hope that he can control his emotions after so long; I forced myself in front of Nanami. This was not easy because when a demon comes at you with the intent to injure or even mane it's frightening. Tomoe could chew me up and spit me out if he so pleases; I am a human with breakable bones and squishy organs. Fortunately, he stopped short right in front of my face a little too close for my liking.

"Hello." I greeted after a minute filled with tense silence. My greeting wasn't steady either, Tomoe might have noticed the slight tremor in my voice. However, he doesn't bother commenting on it, he just moved back.

"Onikiri! Kotetsu!" He said looking at the flames behind him with barely veiled annoyance.

"Yes, Master Tomoe?" two voices said in unison.

"She's not Mikage. Just some foolish human."

I couldn't act on my indignant at being called foolish. Didn't want to make him mad then get killed, he barely likes humans and Mikage didn't make it any better.

Seeing it on a TV and in real life are very different. Little people weren't supposed to pop up out of thin air.

They did though.

Two little people 'puffed' into existence. Both very short in size and despite having lived many years have the body of a child.

If my memory is crap the closest is Onikir. Her gender is distinguished from Kotetsu by the features of the mask, which is painted red lips and white skin, and the feminine cut kimono and how they tie the obi, as seems to have a court.

Kotetsu thicker in a sleeve while those of Onikiri are thinner. The Onikiri wearing kimono is white and, at the edges of the sleeves and the bottom, has an embroidered fire going from yellow to red tone. That same embroidery also carries to her partner Kotetsu.

I'm almost surprised I remember such useless detail.

Nanami came to stand beside me and I guess she thought I was going to mock things up with my big mouth because she began to speak in my stead. This is probably for the better anyway knowing she had better people skills between the two of us.

Tomoe wouldn't be described or grouped as regular people though...

I was not expecting to refocus only to have Tomoe staring at me intently. Not having the skill to fully school my expressions, I'm sure my wariness leaked through. Hesitantly, I inquired if he had something to say to me.

"You deceived me."

I flinched and a chill crawled up my back. Tomoe's intent to kill felt suffocating and suddenly I felt as if I was lost in his eyes. No, not the romantic way, but the kind of way one looks at something enticingly poisonous. Tomoe's eyes held a simmering heat to them, blatant hatred shown brightly.

I gulped to wet my suddenly dry throat. "I said the mikage would be back. I did not specify who the mikage would be." I knew my words were risky but I did not expect for Tomoe to launch his fan at me.

Barely having time to exclaim in surprise, the fan hit me squarely on the forehead. Cupping my head at the still tender spot from Mikagge's touch, I bent over. I registered Nanami's shout of indignation then I felt her presence.

"Who do you think you are?!" Nanami asked sounding angry.

Straightening out quickly I grabbed Nanami's shoulder. The very real fear that Tomoe might kill us set in. This wasn't just an anime anymore, so why do I keep playing myself?

"Do not speak to me as if we are on equal levels." Tomoe dismissed Nanmai with distaste.

Not giving Nanmai time to go off on him, Tomoe turns to Onikiri and Kotetsu. "These humans are not Mikage." Even Nanami gave a pause at the way he said 'humans'.

Onikiri stepped closer from her spot behind Tomoe's kimono. "That is ridiculous." Not expecting Onikiri her to jump or surprised by how far up she could jump, Nanami couldn't react in time to stop Onikiri from lifting her bangs away from her forehead.

"See? There's the symbol of the Land God on her forehead."

Somehow I felt easier with Onikiri closer; I could feel my tense muscles relaxing. Something I would have to ponder on later.

Kotetsu nodded in agreement. "Onikri is right, Master Tomoe. Moreover, I can faintly feel Master Mikage's spirit from her."

"But she's not him." Tomoe almost seemed to stress and guilt blossomed amidst my more dominate emotions.

The two little spirits expressed their doubt and confusion through silence.

"Oi," Tomoe said irked, suddenly addressing Nanami and me again. Nanami looked at him. "Who the hell are you?" He asked with strained patience.

Nanami pointed to herself still with doubt but quickly answered once Tomoe began glaring. "N-Nanami Momozono."

"I don't care about your name. What is your status and why do you bear Mikage's mark?" He asked tapping his foot.

Nanami having had enough of this shrine's shenanigans stomped her foot. "I don't know what you're talking about! Some man told us to come here!"

"And you just barged in like some wild animal?" Tomoe's comparison caused both our eyebrows to twitch in annoyance. His disbelief making Nanami bristle.

"It's the truth!" Nanami protested. "Okay while we were in the park we heard a man calling for help. We went to him and saw that he had been chased up a tree, surrounded by dogs. After we saved him he gave away this shrine and kissed my forehead."

Nanami and Tomoe engaged in a glaring match. Finally, after a few tense moments, Tomoe raised an eyebrow.

"You said that he gave you his house to you?" Tomoe asked.

Taking the piece of paper from my pocket I threw the paper with the directions to this shrine at him hoping it'd hit him but he caught it.

He didn't look impressed.

"We told him that we have nowhere to go that man gave me this….shrine?" Nanami tried to say evenly but it came out as a question instead. Looking around the shrine, I couldn't blame her. This place looks horrible, it also feels horrible.

I wouldn't pray here. But then again I haven't prayed since...

Tomoe neither his head or shook it. He gave nothing away he believed what we'd said. "This stupid handwriting belongs to him." He turned his head to glare at us both and I had to resist the urge to flinch.

The smart half of my mind told me I would get my ass handed to me on a silver plater before I can even touch him or come close to accomplishing that. The irrational side, however, is crackling and mutter things about shoving chomp-sticks up his ass.

"To be given his position here has the master…" Tomoe didn't have to finish his sentence before Nanami caught on to where he is going. "That man that met you is the Land God of this land."

"I'm the Land God?!" Nanami completely confused and shocked turned to me which I confirmed with a grim nod. I would be more worried if Nanami wasn't freaking out like she is now. Nanami doesn't do well with abnormal things, though, I'm sure that'll change once she adjusts to this. She does seem to be good at adjusting to weird situations.

Sudden the two small creatures that were once floating behind the demon appeared each on the opposite side of Nanami's head.

"What a joyous event!" Onikiri exclaimed and graffiti exploded out of thin air. My eyes brightened in fascination and I'm sure my expression was nothing short of amazement. "The Land God has finally returned to the shrine!"

The other small creature known to be Kotetsu nodded in agreement eagerly. "Let's hurry up and prepare a banquet!"

While they both floated around Nanami's head talking to each other in excitedly loud voices I froze in that spot on with furrowed brows. The realization of something haunting dawned on me.

What do I do? Tomoe's looking for all the world that he wants to toss Nanami out and sliced me up in the most painful way. Tomoe is by no means a good being from what I have read in the manga. He may have done some nice things, but most of those things were just evolving around Nanami.

Especially considering his background that I read about, though I did only get to chapter fifty in the manga before this whole crap started. I could be missing something I know for sure I was missing something vital.

I never finished the manga. I do not know what happens after Kurama Mountain. Heck, some details are blurred and fuzzed in my memory. I would have to assess each situation carefully as if I don't know what's going to happen if I want to be of any use.

I settled for glaring at the dirty, chipped floorboards. I want to just run from this all and get out of this shrine. Of course, I would take Nanami with me. We could stay with Yuki. She would let us stay for at least a day.

God, I'm so pathetic.

Tomoe tipped Nanami's chin up with the end of his fan. He looked down at her in disdain. "What purpose does a small creature like you serve?" He asked more so to himself than us. I could see where he would even think that. He's a demon and more than used to viewing humans lowly.

I wanted to reply with some witting comments. Retort with something insulting but clever, hell anything. But my body didn't listen to my mind. Won over by fear and guilt.

"She can probably count the offering's money. Maybe even pluck the grass in the yard, at best." Tomoe mumbled, talking to himself out loud.

"Master Tomoe, please. Mikage sent her in his stead. It must be for good reason." Kotetsu tried to reason. This too was shot down with a vicious sneer.

"If you plan to let these creatures stay here...I'll leave this shrine," Tomoe said. The wind picked up around the inside of the shrine. Shielding my face from the dust and fallen leaves, I felt the wind slide harshly against my skin. Nanami

"I am Mikage's familiar. I am not going to serve that woman." He spoke with a firm tone. "You can ask some stray dog to act in my place,"

When the wind stopped as suddenly as it appeared I uncovered my face.

"She's the new Mikage recommended…" Onikiri tried to reason to thin air.

Feeling much easier now that Tomoe's presence was filling the entire space. The air no longer felt heavy with killer intent My muscles untensed from their uncomfortable positions. I can already tell me and Tomoe aren't going to be the best of friends. I didn't make it any better by tricking him to get that water scroll either.

I couldn't even use the scroll fully because the instructions became heavily smudged and some pictures blurred out.

Feeling something tug on my coat I looked down to see Kotetsu. Bending down to be on eye-level with the childlike spirit I asked him what he wanted.

"Miss, you have a mark also." He said pointing to the undoubtedly red spot on my forehead. Feeling slightly alarmed at his wording I touched the spot.

"There can be two Land Gods?" I asked and sighed in relief after Kotetsu shook his head no.

"It is just a very small amount of Lord Mikage's power. You are not a familiar or a Land God." Kotetsu then scratched at his bald head. "Lord Mikage must have given you this so you could see the spirits."

Nanami got closer to me and Onikiri followed close behind. Standing up back to my full height, I looked down at Kotetsu. "So basically he gave me the power to see supernatural beings by sharing some of his with me? How does that even work?"

Before Kotetsu could reply Nanami grabbed my hand. "Stop this! We are not making conversation with them. We are going to leave and find shelter elsewhere and never trust adults again!" She finished with a huff.

I squeezed her hand back, wanting to feel her presence now more than ever. "It's already getting to be morning. We're tired and hungry, Nanami. Besides, it's not safe for us to be wondering yet. What if those people are looking for us?" I pondered out loud. Nanami pressed her lips together tightly. Seeing that I was getting to her I stepped closer bringing her into my arms. "This is the least likely place they could look for us."

Nanami's stubbornness tried to win against mine but she eventually yielded into submission. "Fine."

Stepping away from the hug, I playfully pulled one of her cheeks. "We just have to lay low for a bit then it's back to the everyday grind."

"Stapp-" Nanami slapped my hand off while I kept up my false grin to ease her mind somewhat. "I said fine. I agree, but where are we going to sleep?" Once Nanami asked this we looked around the shrine. Taking in the worn floorboards, weeds growing through, and holes. Some peepholes in the sliding doors let the night chill inside.

"We have a place!" Onikiri and Kotetsu exclaimed in unison. I startled having forgotten about them because of their small size.

Nanami and I shared a look. Once we decided it wouldn't hurt to see what exactly the little spirits were talking about I shrugged. "Let's get some sleep tonight," I said feeling a yawn rise in my throat.

The spirits seemed all too excited to be escorting their Land God and I wondered how lonely this place must have been with only an angry fox demon for company over twenty years. "Right this way Lady Nanami."

We began our trek to the room after we collected our sparse belongings from the floor where we'd discarded them upon entry.

After taking a turn, Nanami rubbed her eyes as if to get the sleep from them. Stepping onto a weak spot the floorboard cracked. Nanami wobbled dangerously and I quickly moved to help support her weight over to the least cracked and rundown part of the shrine floor.

Nanami nodded her head tiredly in thanks before yawning. Which caused me to yawn also. Yawns are freakishly contagious.

Onikiri stopped then and pointed to a room on the right side of the hallway. The door seemed pretty upkeep with no visible tears or holes. The only room door in fact, that I've noticed, kept in good condition.


Getting my nightclothes one in record time, I turned to check how Nanami was fairing. I signed upon seeing her moving like a zombie trying to get her nightgown over her big head. I helped her change into it after making sure Kotetsu wasn't looking. Kotetsu looking may not have even mattered, but I'm not going to take any chances right now.

When finished dressing I nodded as thanks to Onikiri and Kotetsu for setting up our futon for us both while we were changing.

I then proceeded to do some of my nightly stretches.

I do not do these stretches because I am a fitness freak, I simply do it because it gives me good results with my body. These stretches also help with my flexibility. Which is a very large advantage in a fight if the attacker doesn't expect it. Plus this whole situation would have me as stiff as a statue in the morning if I didn't stretch now.

Finishing quickly, I slid into my futon placed purposely close to Nanami's and welcomed the warmth. When I was drifting off I felt a light squeeze to my hand. I slipped my fingers between hers and squeezed gently.

"Do you think he'll come back tonight while we sleep…?" I barely heard Nanami whisper, her voice fogged with sleep.

"Nah, he seems like the type to rather his victims awake to hear them scream," I said.

Nanami squeezed my hand. "You always know just what to say." I didn't miss the sarcasm and wanted desperately to sleep.

Some silence passed where sleep demanded me. However, Nanami in obvious distress wouldn't allow this. "I won't go anywhere," I said assuringly, she didn't loosen her grip. "I promise," I stated and that seemed to do the trick.

I closed my eyes wondering what Dad could be doing right now.

Please do not get yourself killed Dad.


I didn't want to wake up, no seriously, I didn't want to wake up. At least not so soon.

It seemed as if the energy in my body had just left me. It's been months since I've felt like my body has just given out and succumbed to the urge to rest my body. Though, if I do sleep in I'll be missing a very important lecture in school, and our exams are only just seven months away. I'll be screwed or worse I'll have to ask another classmate for notes.

I can not allow that to happen. I'll just get Nanami up and start getting ready for school.

Those thoughts were squashed when I suddenly blacked out again. I don't even know how or when it happened, I just remember looking at my clock that read 8:34 A.M

"Please bless my daughter's child so that it will be born safe and sound."

It is an old woman's voice, but why am I hearing it?

I groaned in annoyance. Dammit, I'm going crazy...


I woke again to this time having to pee. Pathetic, I know, and I was having a wonderful dream too.

Maneuvering around a sleeping Nanami and I wasn't even fazed when I realized that Kotetsu and Onikiri were still awake just sitting in the shrine's main room staring at nothing in particular.

I stopped in a few feet away from them scratching my head. "I don't know where the bathroom is," I said, hoping they would catch on to where I was going and just tell me where the bathroom is located.

"I'll show you where the bathroom is, Miss..." Onikiri said jumping up from her sitting position on the floor.

"Keiko."

"Right this way Miss Keiko."

She flew other to me, grabbing my hand she began to lead me through different at least four halls until we finally stopped in front of a rusty door.

I hesitantly pushed it open, I slammed it back shut, just as quickly. I do not know when that toilet was last used but it is definitely in worse shape than the horrible public toilets, that don't get cleaned often.

I crinkle my nose in disgust.

Turning to Onikiri quickly I started to bounce. "I there any other bathroom?" I rushed out feeling myself close to peeing.

"No Miss Keiko! The toilet is broken in the other one."

I flushed in embarrassment at the choice I'd have to pick.

Tomoe better not be looking!


The next time I awoke it was to a familiar pressure shaking my arm. Groaning in annoyance I tried to swat Nanami's hand away but the pressure remained.

"Kei, wake up! I just had the craziest dream." Nanami declared excitedly.

Somewhat curious, I didn't sit up but instead settled for turning to face her. With an inquiring hm Nanami responded.

"Dad had run away, we got kicked out by that old hag, then his strange man gave us his own home for us, but when we got there it was a run-down shrine with Little ghost. And not to mention-"

"-That did happen." I cut in already knowing how her 'dream' was going to happen.

"Huh?"

Suddenly there was a puff in the room."Goodmorning Lady goddess of the land."

Groaning I sat up knowing I was not about to get any more sleep in before I'd have to officially start the day. Looking at the clock, I read that it was sometime in the afternoon. This was fine until I remembered I had a job.

Scrabbling up from my futon, I exclaimed in a mild panic. "I'm gonna be late for work!"

"It's Saturday! I thought you didn't have to work on those days?" Nanami asked ignoring the two spirits trying to get our attention.

"Yeah but I took today's shift for Ruko." Tossing my work uniform on quickly I made a mad dash for the front.

"Wait! Keiko, I'm coming with you!" Nanami shouted, most likely not wanting to be left alone at this shrine.

"Lady Nanami no!" Suddenly two spirits were weighing Nanami down. "The duties of a Land God must be performed!" They whined in unison.

Not having time for this but feeling guilt build inside of my chest, I turned quickly away from the scene. "I'll be back quickly!" I yelled behind me and was out the door. I couldn't afford to lose this job, not with having none left. Plus, if memory serves correctly this shrine does not get very much money.

We still need money. I can't quit yet.


Thank you for reading and I pray you enjoyed it! Come again next time!

Next time on Keiko:

"You want me to what?"

"I rather you die but the lady and mistress is fond of you."

"We're sisters."

"...How misleading."

"Screw you."


Response to Review(s)

MaggieMangle: I'm glad you got it figured out! Thank you so much for expressing your opinion about Keiko. I'm really flattered! I'm doing great, thank you for asking!

Guest: Seriously I'm flattered at this moment because I do try to keep my story enjoyable. I'm super happy you're a fan now and as for Nanami, Keiko, and Tomoe's adventures...I can promise you it's going to be a hard time for dear Keiko.


QUESTION:

Who do you think Keiko would get along least with inside the Kamisama Kiss/ Hajimemashita fandom?