A/N: Been seriously dying for a Toji No Miko Season 2. It's been more than five years already since the series came out. I need more Kanami X Hiyori yuri bait. :( But I guess that's what fanfics and fanart are for.

Chapter 8: Storms Within

"Quickly! In there!" Kanami cried, pointing to a dilapidated shed.

She covered her head with her hands, a vain attempt at protecting herself against the pouring rain beating down on her like a waterfall. Her feet splashed into puddles as she ran, sloshing mud all about and ruining her shoes and stockings. Hiyori was hurrying right behind with her long black hair soaked and sticking to her body. Ducking inside for shelter, the two Tojis took a minute to catch their breath and squeeze the water as best they could out of their hair and uniforms.

"Well, looks like we'll be here for a while. In this storm, we won't be able to retrace the aradama or even see three feet ahead of us for that matter," Hiyori said. "Doubt even the aradama will be out wreaking havoc with wild weather like this."

Kanami said nothing in reply, still wringing out her stockings. She just couldn't stop thinking about what happened in the past few hours. Ever since their earlier conversation at the Renpu Girls' School training centre, neither of them had been able to focus properly. Neither was their fighting coordination in sync when they engaged against the aradama and consequently, they lost the beast within the thicket of the forest. For another hour, they tried to search for it again, still unable to talk normally with each other, before the torrential rain hit.

Putting her shoes aside and hanging her damp stockings up, Kanami discreetly turned to look at Hiyori with sad eyes. The raven-haired beauty had undone her light-green ribbon and was using it to wipe her face. Her pale skin seemed to glow from the raindrops and having also taken off her black stockings to let them dry, her thin legs were on full display. Kanami was forced to turn the other way in case she got a nosebleed.

By some luck, amongst all the junk to be found inside the shed, there was a portable heater that seemed to still work. Unfortunately, no blanket to cover themselves with, but a large tarp did the trick.

"Are you warm enough?" Hiyori asked.

"A little bit," Kanami answered, her teeth chattering like a nutcracker's. "I'm still a bit chilly though."

The sneeze she let out confirmed this. Hiyori was silent for a few seconds before scooting closer to Kanami, drawing the tarp tighter around them.

"H-Hiyori-chan?"

"We'll warm up faster if we share our body heat," Hiyori said, already feeling her face get warmer from blushing.

For the next couple of minutes, the only sounds to be heard were the pouring rain and the slight hum coming from the heater. Kanami was glad as they helped mask the beating of her heart. From the corner of her eye, she could see Hiyori's face in the dark, lit up only from the heater's orange glow. The Heijou Toji seemed to have bags under her eyes as though she were weary from some heavy burden. It brought back to Kanami's mind that certain gloomy day two years ago so like this one...

"Hiyori-chan?"

"Hm?"

"Remember when we ran away? We took shelter in a place just like this when we got caught in the rain. Funny how similar it is," Kanami awkwardly laughed. Getting no response, she asked, "Don't you remember, Hiyori-chan?"

"Of course, I do."

How could she possibly forget? That was when her friendship with Kanami truly began to blossom. Hiyori knew that day would always remain precious as gold in her heart. Certainly, back then, there was no emotional division between them—not as severe as now anyway. Yes, she had tried initially pushing Kanami away, but only because she thought the Minoseki Toji would be a hindrance to completing her mother's mission. But Kanami never did the same to her. She only smiled and promised to stick by her. And when things did get difficult, they'd bear each other up with words of comfort.

'Not like now...' Hiyori thought. 'Now, Kanami and I can barely meet each other's eyes.'

Being such close friends, it was painfully obvious how they lost what they had back then. Of course, they had small disagreements in the past, but they'd quickly patch things up and everything would be as it was before. This time, however, was a very different matter. Would they ever somehow get around this mess they were in?

"I'm very glad that we can remember precious moments like that," Kanami said.

There was a false indifference in Hiyori's voice which grated even her own ears, but she would not relent, would not soften. "We have not spoken much to each other this morning. Not as much as we normally would."

"Nor yesterday or the day before."

"It is true I have been somewhat distracted."

"I have noticed that." Making a bold move, Kanami gently took Hiyori's chin under her finger, turning it to look straight at her. "Hiyori-chan, I swore that day to share your burden. I...I just want you to know that I'm still keeping that promise. Please, Hiyori-chan...I know you said earlier that nothing is wrong, but I know that isn't true. You can trust me. How can I understand you if you don't tell me your true feelings?"

The pain in Kanami's voice, which was more evident with each word she choked out, stabbed Hiyori like a thousand knives. Every atom in the Heijou Toji wanted to tell her friend the truth, but how could she ever make Kanami more hurt than she was already?

'I just can't, Kanami. Can't you see that I'm doing this for your own good? I want you to be happy just as much as you want me to be.'

"I...um..." Hiyori's words were as thick as hardening cement within her throat. "The truth is...my dinner with the Origamis didn't actually go so well. I didn't exactly make a good impression with them."

She hoped sharing only half of what happened would be enough to satisfy Kanami's curiosity, adding, "It made me angry having to even eat and talk with them because I'm obligated to. I was just reminded about how it has been like this for my entire family—being forced to make sacrifices and do everything the Origamis tell them just because we're Hiiragis! I hate this. Like...why? Why me? Why the fuck did I have to be born a Hiiragi?!"

Damn it. She was going to start crying again. Feeling the sting in her eyes and the tightening of her throat, Hiyori took a deep breath. She had already shown more than enough weakness. She refused to let these tears fall. How many Hiiragis before her had to do the same thing? Hide their sadness behind a mask? Hiyori felt a warm pair of arms wrap around her, pulling her close.

"Thank you for sharing, Hiyori-chan. I know it couldn't have been easy. But I'm glad you told me," Kanami said. "I'm sorry for what you had to go through last night. It must have hurt you a lot. But just remember that I'm still here for you and together we can overcome this—"

Fiercely shaking her head, Hiyori cried, "You make it sound like solving this could be so easy. It's not, Kanami! Don't you see? They hate me just as much as I hate them!"

There was a ring of truth around Hiyori's words. Even Kanami could see that. Simple words of sympathy weren't enough to fix the mess the love of her life was in. What power did they have against the authority of the Origami Family? Even so, Kanami felt hurt. Hurt by seeing Hiyori in such distress...hurt by Hiyori not accepting her comfort...hurt by Hiyori not telling the entire truth...

"Well, Origami Genshi didn't hate you, right? You both got along well," Kanami softly reasoned.

The words were out of her mouth before she realized her fatal mistake. A dark shadow fell over Hiyori's face and her tone was steely when she asked, "How do you know about that?"

"I-I...well, y-you said t-that you were having dinner with the entire Origami Family, s-so—"

"Yeah, but I didn't specify which relatives nor even mentioned their names!" Hiyori snapped. "Who told you about that, Kanami?!"

"N-Nobody—"

"That's a lie!"

The large dusty tarp fell from her shoulders as Hiyori jumped up with her fists clenched. She just couldn't stop shaking.

"Was it Ritsuko? Did you get her to fucking tell you?" she yelled.

It made sense, of course. Ritsuko was the only one who knew about the Origamis' plans for her and Genshi. Ritsuko's father conversed with her after dinner. Had he told his daughter everything that happened? Was that why Kanami and Ritsuko met up earlier this morning? To pass on secrets about her and talk behind her back?

"Don't talk about Ricchan that way!" Kanami shouted back. "None of this is her fault. Can't you see that I'm only concerned for you?"

"Concerned enough to start spying on me?"

"W-What?!"

"And Ritsuko—was she your accomplice or something?"

Why? Why should Hiyori feel such contempt toward Ritsuko? Injured by the Heijou Toji's words, Kanami tried to make sense of it all. Then, it hit her, bursting upon her quite suddenly that Hiyori was jealous—jealous of her childhood friend. It was such an extraordinary idea that it took a moment for Kanami to absorb it. At first, it seemed preposterous, presumptuous even—who was she, after all, to imagine Hiyori could feel so strongly enough about her to arouse such a sensation? From a deep place in her mind, to which she had attempted to banish such dark thoughts, an old familiar whisper resurfaced that she was no one to judge Hiyori's envy. After all, hadn't she too felt sick to her stomach when she learned about Hiyori's cordial relations with Genshi? But Hiyori could never like her that way. Yet, Kanami could think of no other reason to account for Hiyori's behaviour over the last few days. Hiyori's discomfort had been marked the very day when she first met Ritsuko. Her silent withdrawal when Director Maniwa mentioned Ritsuko replacing her for missions. Her obvious ill humour just now, so unlike her usual open, frank disposition. What else could it imply but displeasure with what Hiyori regarded as her preferring Ritsuko?

Kanami pulled the tarp closer, her thoughts so disturbed, her feelings so turbulent, that she barely felt the cold. She supposed there was one sense in which she might be encouraged by her discovery. If Hiyori was indeed jealous, it suggested that her own feelings might possibly be reciprocated. But was it possible? Could Hiyori actually...be in love with her? If Hiyori was truly indifferent, why would she care? But the more Kanami considered it, the more she was surprised to find that this reasoning, however logically sound, brought her neither joy, relief, nor gratitude. Instead, what she felt was swelling indignation. What right did Hiyori have to feel this way, accusing her of something as ridiculous as spying on her? What possible reason did she have to be jealous?

Did Hiyori possibly view Ritsuko as a rival? Kanami was compelled to admit that there were moments when she thought the blue ponytailed girl had a crush on her. But she always saw the fondness on her part as a mere close friendship.

Kanami's first inclination was to convince Hiyori that her apprehensions were baseless. But something in her balked at having to do so in the first place. She had done nothing wrong. She hadn't been pushing away Hiyori in favour of Ritsuko, and she certainly hadn't been spying on the Heijou Toji!

If Ritsuko's attentions made Hiyori uneasy, why had the Heijou Toji not spoken to her? She would have been happy to assure Hiyori she didn't like Ritsuko in that way. But Hiyori had not done so. Instead, she had turned her face away from her, leaving her confused and unhappy, ignorant of the cause of her retreat. And yet, she was to be the one who sought to make amends? Who was to meekly apologize for an offence she had not committed? Well, Kanami wasn't going to do it. If anyone was required to justify their conduct, it should be Hiyori.

Kanami said, "None of your accusations are true, and you know it."

"I don't know what is true anymore, Kanami."

"Well, I do. And it's as clear as day to me now. You are upset about my friendship with Ricchan and you're just jealous of her."

"I'm not. And I certainly don't give a fucking care about her."

"But I care about her! And you're stooping so low as to imagine that I could ever distrust you and ask Ricchan to spy on you. Don't you see, Hiyori-chan?! You are both important to me. And just because Ricchan is my friend doesn't mean I care about you less."

Relieved though she was by Kanami's words, Hiyori's wounded pride refused to let go of the matter. "Yet, she still told you, didn't she? It doesn't change that fact. Don't deny it, Kanami! It was her, wasn't it? Tell me!"

Once again, all that could be heard was the rain and the humming heater, before the Minoseki Toji said, "Yes, it was."

Then before Hiyori could raise her voice again, Kanami added, "But she didn't mean to out of ill intent. We were just making casual conversation, I promise you. S-She just let it slip. I don't even think she realized how grave this information was. Ricchan can be...as ditzy as me sometimes."

Just hearing Kanami defend Ritsuko made Hiyori sourer than ever. She did not know what to say.

"Hiyori-chan...please...say something. Anything!"

The ebony-haired girl only stood very still, upright, rigid. This was her opportunity to do what she had failed to do earlier, to speak, to explain, to redeem herself in Kanami's eyes.

Standing up to look at Hiyori at the same level, Kanami clenched her fists tight with expectation. Bitterly wounded though she was, at the same time, Hiyori's nearness—the unsettling fact of her proximity stirred the Minoseki Toji very deeply.

Kanami's obvious unhappiness cut Hiyori to the quick. It took all her powers of self-control not to speak, to explain that nothing was as Kanami thought—that all might be made well again if she wished it. Hiyori's heart told her this was the moment to do it.

'Speak now, Hiyori!' she internally yelled at herself. 'If you wish to take control of your destiny—if you truly wish to make your own happiness—speak now! This is your opportunity. Tell Kanami about what the Origamis are planning. Tell her you want her protection. Admit how you are jealous of Ritsuko. Tell Kanami what you feel—if she cannot do it, show her that you can! Just tell her you're sorry!'

She very nearly did so. She came so close that the words were half-formed in her mind—but pride rose within her alongside fear, shame, and resentment, and her courage failed her.

Another few seconds passed. Nothing. Instead, Hiyori's only reply was a cold silence intended to signal detachment she was very far from feeling.

Anger was an unfamiliar emotion for Kanami and one she tried to avoid at every opportunity. In the past, she had not felt entitled to give way to anything so assertive. She had always first considered the other person's point of view before making a judgment—normally by having a spar with them if she could. It was her habitual response to any form of challenge. Yet, when she had sparred with Hiyori earlier, she could read none of Hiyori's jealousy—only her frustration and pain.

And at Hiyori's many refusals to speak and be honest with her, Kanami no longer felt so understanding. Her anger had galvanized her, and had awoken her pride. Hiyori had shown every possible sign to suggest she had strong feelings for her in return, given every indication that encouraged Kanami's belief that she cared for her more than a friend would—but nevertheless, the Heijou Toji had made no declaration. Much as Kanami wished for it, Hiyori had not spoken. Yet, Hiyori had not hesitated to show her displeasure when she and Ritsuko rekindled their friendship.

Hiyori had no more courage than she did herself. Kanami would wait no longer nor gently inquire for words of explanation that were plainly not to be said.

Closing her eyes, Kanami let out a sigh. "Fine. I see how it is."

She turned away, crouching beside the heater once again. Those burgundy eyes she loved so much were full of bitterness and pain. Kanami did not want to look at them.

Behind her, she could hear Hiyori putting on her stockings and shoes again before storming out into the rain. Kanami wanted to call for her to come back, to run after Hiyori and protest that she'd catch a cold in this weather. Yet, the Minoseki Toji remained rooted to the spot. All she could feel now was how numb her body was. Even the heater had no effect against the chill.

'I'm just so cold...so very, very cold...'

"Man, it's pouring really hard," Ellen said.

She and Kaoru had just left the café and by luck, Ellen had a small umbrella in her purse for the two of them to share. Unfortunately, she was unaware that most of Kaoru's left side was soaking wet, much to the pink-haired loli's annoyance. The short Elite Guard didn't say anything, however, wanting to make sure Ellen remained dry. Nene was lucky to ride on Kaoru's head as usual and not worry about the rain at all.

"What did you think about what Ritchii told us?" Ellen asked. "I'm honestly concerned about her, knowing she's bound to be disappointed. I mean Kanamin likes Hiyoyon, doesn't she?"

"Of course, she does. It's plainly obvious to everyone but the two of them!" Kaoru exclaimed.

"If only romance could be so simple, how happy the world would be," Ellen sighed.

"Mm," Kaoru grunted.

"Which reminds me, John and I discussed an official date to hang out," the blonde-haired Toji said. "We plan to meet tomorrow around noon for lunch."

"I see," Kaoru answered, trying to ignore the familiar pain in her body.

The jealous and spiteful side of her wanted to snap at Ellen and tell her to shut up and that she didn't care a smidge about her and John. But the other part of her, loving and sacrificial, warned her against taking such bitter actions.

"John even wrote a poem for me," Ellen giggled. "Who'd have thought him so imaginative?"

"Oh, really?" Kaoru asked. "And what did you think of it?"

In anticipation, both eager and frightened, the pink-haired loli waited for her crush's response, desperately wanting to know what Ellen thought of the verses she had written for John to use. It would be okay. It didn't matter that her words of admiration were being expressed by a different person, so long as they made Ellen happy.

"They were so passionate that I memorized them by heart," Ellen shyly admitted, before reciting:

I am by your side, whenever you need

To support and guide you is my only creed

To lift you up and take your fears

Put a smile on your face and dry your tears

I am always with you, that I swear and vow

In the past, and future, and forever from now

"Oh, it made my heart race, Kaoru!" Ellen cried. "Just from his words, I feel safe in the knowledge that he is someone I can esteem. Don't you think so?"

The praise coming from Ellen's mouth almost made Kaoru give a matching smile. But reality punched her in the gut and her frown only deepened.

"Those verses coming from a guy you just met sounds kind of creepy, in my opinion," Kaoru snorted, hiding her hurt. "What guy randomly makes such ardent promises to a girl he becomes acquainted with only three days ago? Sounds like a weirdo to me."

"Honestly, Kaoru," Ellen sighed.

"Well, you asked!" the Elite Guard said back.

This was enough. She got what she wanted. Ellen treasured her work. That was all she needed to be happy.

And yet...and yet! In her head, Kaoru was letting out a scream.

'I hate this... Why? Why him?'

Hiyori barely remembered her trek through the woods, wandering aimlessly in the rain with no sense of direction. She was so drenched one could almost say she was soaked straight down to her bones. She had lost her footing many a time in the mud over the hours, getting all dirty and scratched as a result. Hiyori didn't care or felt any of it. However, when she tripped once again, she didn't get up right away. Punching her fist into the ground, the animalistic howl that was stuck in her throat was finally released, her tears mixing with the rain on her face. All she knew was that Kanami surely hated her now.

Kanami hated her!

She lost Kanami!

She was...all alone...so alone...

"Why? How could I have been so stupid?" Hiyori sobbed. "I'm beyond saving now..."

"Juujou-san?"

Hiyori didn't hear the person calling her nor turned in his direction. However, when he gently picked her up from the ground, keeping a firm grip on her lest she fell, she was forced to look at him. Genshi was staring at her in bewilderment at a loss as to how she could have gotten like this. How pathetic she must look.

Wearily, Hiyori surveyed her surroundings. Somehow, she had managed to drag herself back to the city before nightfall. And judging by the limo next to them and two of its doors being wide open, Genshi must have noticed her lying on the empty sidewalk and made his driver pull over to the curb. The driver too had gotten out and was holding a large umbrella, protecting them from the rain.

"Juujou-san, what happened? Why are you like this? Why on earth are you even out here in this weather, without any coat or umbrella for that matter?" Genshi asked.

When he saw the miserable look on Hiyori's face and how he was getting no response from her, he realized that she was in no state to answer any questions at all. In a tender voice, he begged, "Please Juujou-san, allow us to at least offer you shelter from the storm. We need to get you warmed back up."

"N-No…" Hiyori moaned. "Leave me alone...I'm fine..."

Letting out a curse at the sudden weight increase in his arms, Genshi barely was able to keep a hold of the Heijou Toji when she fainted. Feeling her forehead, he noted with alarm the unnatural temperature against his palm. She definitely had a slight fever or cold.

"Tashiro-san, help me get Juujou-san into the vehicle. We'll take her back with us to the Origami Estate. I don't want to leave her all by herself."

"Yes, Genshi-sama," the driver replied.

Neither Genshi nor his chauffeur noticed the blue ponytailed girl at a distance, underneath an umbrella herself. A cruel smile formed on the girl's face as she watched them drive away, before walking off in a self-satisfied manner...

A/N: Sorry I made Kanami, Hiyori, and Kaoru suffer so much in this chapter. It just shows how important communication is in any relationship. What will happen next?

(Also, it's nighttime as I'm writing this, and it just started snowing outside. What is with the weather in my hometown?! It was literally boiling summer-like heat only three weeks ago! I am so not looking forward to having to wake up early and do the shovelling...)