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"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 055: Kazuma

Anime: Noragami Aragoto

Prompt: Cherry Blossom

Chapter Warning(s): Takes place during and after Season 2, Episode 3: "False Bond"

Author's Note: Could be considered a sequel to: "Chapter 17: Yato"

KHK*KHK*KHK

He had devoted his entire self to Bishamon. He had been her most loyal Shinki, standing by her side and supporting all of her decisions. He had made the heartbreaking choice to destroy an entire clan to save her from herself. He had proved his undying loyalty and commitment the moment he transformed into a Blessed Regalia.

And yet she had exiled him after discovering he'd enlisted Yato's assistance in eliminating the Ma Clan. Kazuma supposed he should be glad. Bishamon could have revoked him completely. And yet…

What do I do? Where do I go? He wondered. For so long, he had known where he belonged. His place by Bishamon's side had always been secure. He had liked that she could only rely on him. But now where did that leave him?

A flash of memory struck. Of raven colored tresses. Smooth, porcelain skin. A sweet, contagious smile. Mesmerizing amethyst eyes. A near-angelic appearance that made even the Kami weep with envy. A shrine that didn't affiliate with any one Kami.

Green eyes – once reflected with loss – cleared with a spark of hope. Kazuma knew where he needed to go.

KHK*KHK*KHK

Higurashi Shrine

Kazuma's first thought upon arriving at the shrine was that it was peaceful. The grounds were well-kept and the aura surrounding the area was pure and bright. He knew it was due to the lone shrine maiden that protected it, maintaining a powerful barrier that kept Phantoms and other dark creatures away. He'd known since their first meeting that she was powerful.

Soft footsteps alerted him, and his green eyes connected with amethyst orbs. Like their first meeting, he felt a shockwave of awareness pulse through his entire body. And just like before, he didn't know what it meant. But at this very moment, it felt like he was in the right place at the right time. And it was enough for him.

"Kazuma," Kagome greeted, smiling. "I thought I sensed your presence."

That wasn't surprising. She had probably sensed him the second he placed his foot on the first step of the shrine's extended staircase.

Kazuma gave a polite bow. "Lady Kagome," he greeted in return. Standing straight, knowing she didn't care for formalities, he said, "You look well."

The laugh she released was like tinkling bells to his ears, pleasant and soothing. "That's surprising, especially with Yato hanging around and bugging me," she said, rolling her eyes at the thought of the blue-eyed Kami. Cocking her head to the side curiously, she then asked, "So, what brings you here? Not that I'm complaining, of course, but this is a bit unusual."

He swallowed thickly. Perhaps he should have thought his plan through. Initially, he had wanted to stay with Kagome because her shrine didn't worship any one Kami – despite what Yato accused – and because the raven haired beauty was the most understanding human he had ever met. He wouldn't have to deal with a Kami who would most likely chase him off of the property or ask invasive questions, and he could spend time with a person who didn't pass judgment with hardheaded swiftness. He could just breathe for a second and decide what he wanted to do next.

And he really hadn't wanted to stay with Kofuku and Daikoku. The former was too accident-prone. Kazuma was positive he wouldn't last a week if he had accepted boarding with them.

Before Kazuma could properly form a response, his attention was caught by a movement behind Kagome. Green eyes widened incredulously at the familiar Shinki he had presumed dead.

"Suzuha…?" he quietly worded, shocked.

Suzuha seemed just as surprised to see Kazuma. "Kazuma?" he returned. "What are you doing here? You're normally by Lady Bishamon's side."

"I should be asking you that. We thought you were dead."

The darker haired male sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. His eyes, however, trailed down to Kagome, his expression softening with adoration. "Well, to be honest, I would be dead if it weren't for Lady Kagome," he replied. "She was the one who found me and brought me back to the shrine to heal me."

Kagome gave a sweet smile to Suzuha. "He was a terrible mess," she confessed, turning her attention onto her guest once more. "Whoever did that wanted to kill him." Her eyes darkened, showing the warrior she'd been when she was traveling through time. "And I fully intend on finding them." That level of bloodlust would cause nothing but trouble.

Kazuma's shoulders straightened with determination and conviction. "I will join in your search for answers," he stated. His eyes turned downcast and he finished in a softer tone, "However, there is a lot that I need to explain to you two. Starting with why I'm here, Lady Kagome."

She gave a single nod of understanding. "Very well. Let's head inside and talk."

"I'll make some tea for us," Suzuha volunteered, knowing the discussion was important. His memories of the attack were cloudy, but he instinctively knew it was part of the growing conspiracy. If he could help in any way, he would. His loyalties and devotion may have changed, but he still remembered that it had been Bishamon who had first showed him what a family was.

KHK*KHK*KHK

By the end of his explanation of events that led to his appearance on her doorstep, Kagome was frowning, brows furrowed, and tea forgotten. Her eyes seemed to stay violet, proving her roiling emotions.

"Sounds like a war is brewing," Suzuha quietly commented. His own brows were furrowed as he contemplated the fate of his former family and Kami. Raising a hand, he fiercely rubbed it over his face in frustration. "Damn, if only I could remember that night I was attacked… Or at least who had done it…"

Without a word, Kagome gently placed a hand on his arm. When her hand started glowing pink, her energy seeped within the distressed Shinki, calming and soothing his erratic aura. He breathed deeply, shoulders relaxing.

Kazuma watched the exchange with a sense of envy that was foreign to him. Mentally shaking the thought away, he curiously asked, "What I don't understand is why Lady Bishamon could no longer sense your presence. You're clearly alive, Suzuha, yet she felt the pain of your death."

"Technically, I did die," Suzuha replied. "I just didn't stay that way."

Kagome explained, "It was more like he was on the verge of true death. While I was healing him, I… severed his connection with Bishamon-sama." She crossed her arms under her breasts, as if daring Kazuma to question her decision. "And as I've told Suzuha: if he wishes to go back to her, I would accept his decision. However," she added, "if he wished to stay here, I would be perfectly happy with that too."

"And we obviously know which choice I made," Suzuha said.

"I… see," was all Kazuma could say in response. If it had been just twenty-four hours ago, he wouldn't have been able to fathom not returning to Bishamon's side. But now… Now things were different. He still felt loyal towards the blonde Kami, even understood her decision to exile him, but… seeing the new life Suzuha was living with Kagome, it made Kazuma wonder what his life would be like if he too just… stayed.

The raven haired beauty spoke, catching his attention. "You should get some rest, Kazuma. We can talk again later. Nothing needs to be decided this very second."

Kazuma nodded in acceptance. "Thank you, Lady Kagome. I appreciate you opening your home to me."

"It's not a problem," she assured, smiling. "Suzuha? Would you take Kazuma to one of the guest rooms?"

Said Shinki grinned. "No problem." Standing, both males left to head towards the second-story of the house where all of the bedrooms were kept. Upon entrance to one of the guest rooms, Suzuha turned to face Kazuma. "You should really consider staying here," he encouraged.

Kazuma blinked in surprise at the words. Everyone knew of his devotion to Bishamon. The fact that it was in question – that someone even assumed he wouldn't return to her side – had him in a state of shock.

"Why do you say that, Suzuha?"

The darker haired Shinki thoughtfully hummed. "It's just a thought. I'm not saying I was unhappy when I was tied to Lady Bishamon. But…" he hesitated for a second before resolving to finish his thought. "But I knew that, because there were so many of us, it would be easy to… forget… about some. Lady Bishamon never once called my name. But when I'm with Kagome, I feel… needed."

It saddened Kazuma to hear those words, but he also understood. Bishamon was a very loving woman and kept adding new members to her family. Like Suzuha stated, it was easy to forget certain individuals in a clan as large of theirs. It wasn't like he was immune to those instances. How many times had he seen Bishamon call out the name of a Shinki that had replaced another in her personal arsenal?

Suzuha added, "Just think about what I said. I will be forever grateful for everything Lady Bishamon has done for me, but I know it's time to move on." Rolling up his long sleeve, he grinned as he showed Kazuma the smooth, unmarked skin. "Lady Kagome cut my ties, but she didn't transform me into a nora. She gave me the freedom to make my own choices – and my choice is her."

As he stared at the unmarked flesh, Kazuma knew, deep down, he had a lot of hard decisions to make with not a lot of time.

Starting with if he wanted to be completely revoked from Bishamon.

KHK*KHK*KHK

The Next Morning

Kazuma found Kagome standing in front of the Goshinboku, the Tree of Ages. Staring up at the tree that started her adventures in the Warring States Era when she was only fifteen years old, she unknowingly made an enchanting picture as the wind gently swayed her raven colored hair and ruffled her clothes with the breeze. His feet paused in their tracks as he gazed at the young woman who could change fate itself with a single snap of her fingers. The sheer power she wielded was contained in such a petite body. He didn't understand how someone so delicate could cause such ripples in people's destinies.

And yet, it was that same being he was now approaching with determination shining within his green orbs. Last night, he had thought long and hard about what he wanted to do – what needed to be done. Suzuha's words had stuck within his mind. Kazuma now felt a new sense of purpose driving his being forward.

"I've heard that you have the ability to slay the Kami themselves," he said by way of greeting.

Kagome hummed, her amethyst eyes trailing until they connected with emerald. "That was one time, and she wasn't really a Kami. It was a demon that had devoured her flesh and took on her appearance and power."

Kazuma didn't flinch. "Then that makes your accomplishment even greater. You managed to destroy a demon that had enough strength to conquer a Goddess."

"You make it sound as though I had done it alone. I had my friends by my side."

This time he smirked. "By all accounts, it was your sacred arrow that dealt the finishing blow."

A single brow rose, amused. "You seem to have an answer for everything, Kazuma."

"Gathering and sorting through information is just one of the skills I happen to excel in," was his humble and matter-of-fact answer. There wasn't a hint of arrogance in his tone or expression. "I am also able to navigate and track others."

"What are you trying to say, exactly?"

"I have come to a decision. I would like it if you used me to save Lady Bishamon. Someone is planning a very dangerous conspiracy within the clan, and I… don't want her to come to anymore harm."

"But I'm not a Kami," Kagome countered. "I can't use you the way another Kami would be able to. You would have better luck asking Yato. He is your benefactor, after all."

He shouldn't have been surprised by her knowledge of their shared history. "He told you about that?"

She rolled her eyes. "What hasn't that tracksuit-wearing idiot not told me?" she replied, not expecting a real answer.

Kazuma nodded, knowing that was likely true. It was almost embarrassing the lengths of which Yato was going to in order to obtain the raven haired beauty as his priestess. Not that Kazuma could blame him. Kagome was extraordinary.

"But you are powerful enough to take on even the most fearsome Kami," he pointed out, bringing their conversation back on-track. "I have no concerns about the way you would… handle… me." Did that come out as lecherous as he thought it did?

The way Kagome's cheeks flushed pink was all the proof he needed. Kazuma felt his own cheeks heat with embarrassment and he uncomfortably cleared his throat to try to hide it.

Shaking his words away, the raven haired beauty asked, "Are you sure about this?"

"I would be honored, actually," he answered honestly.

Giving the Shinki a considering look, Kagome nodded once decisively. "Alright. We'll work together to save Bishamon-sama." She paused for a second then added, "But I won't sever your tie with her. If you wish to be revoked completely, you'll have to speak to her about it on your own."

Kazuma let a small smile form on his lips, internally grateful for being given a choice. He politely bowed. "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Lady Kagome."

"Ah, none of that 'lady' stuff," she waved away. "I've been trying to get Suzuha to stop that habit as well, but so far it's not working. Now I have to work on you too? Why do I have to keep surrounding myself with stubborn males?"

In response, Kazuma laughed. As he gazed at the raven haired beauty, a wave of affection and contentment washed through his entire body. Was this how Suzuha felt when he decided to stay with Kagome? Was this feeling just the start of something new for Kazuma? In that moment, he could see a bright, wonderful future laid out before him, one he hadn't considered an option.

"I think," he softly confessed, catching Kagome's attention, "I'm going to enjoy being yours… Kagome." When her cheeks flushed a darker shade of pink, he couldn't help releasing a chuckle. She was so cute, he thought.

Abruptly, his body glowed white for a second before transforming into his Blessed Vessel form and landing in the palm of her hand.

"A cherry blossom," Kagome murmured in awe. This was the first time she'd witnessed Kazuma's transformation. She couldn't help but smile sweetly at the object in her hand.

"Hey," an all too familiar voice called out. "Kagome-chan~! Did you dream about me last night? I couldn't sleep at all because I kept worrying about my priestess missing me." There was a distinct grin in that voice, and Kagome felt her brow twitch in annoyance.

Attaching the cherry blossom earring to one of her ears, the raven haired beauty turned to face her unwanted visitor with a deadpanned expression on her face. "Oh, it's you," she said in a bored tone. "Who are you again, you unknown nuisance?"

Immediately, Yato turned to stone with waterfall tears running down his face. "You're so mean," he whined. "Such cruel words coming from that angelic mouth… It's just not right!"

"Your head is what's 'not right,' if you ask me," she grumbled.

As the two continued to bicker, Kazuma silently chuckled from his perch. In that moment, he knew he wouldn't regret his decision.

Suzuha was right. It was time to move on.

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Celestial Law