Yato leaned against the purifying water pool of an abandoned shrine, scooping handfuls in his hand and pouring them on his neck. He slid down it to where he sat, a cough nagging at his throat. Hiiro observed him curiously. "What's with you, Yato?" She questioned, lowering herself to put a hand across Yato's forehead. "I'm fine," Yato croaked. "I had a run in with a phantom while getting dads stupid groceries."

Hiiro giggled and helped him up, and he stood and shook his shoulders. "Something doesn't feel right. I think a storm might be brewing nearby." Yato said calmly, Hiiro nodded. "It does feel that way, doesn't it?" Yato blew it off, shrugging.

"Eh, whatever. It's not our problem as of right now."

Yato jumped down from the pool of water, and waved to Hiiro. "Stay here and keep an eye out for worshippers. I'm going to take a walk."

"Wait. Don't. If there really is a storm brewing we need to stay together." Hiiro warned with a frown. She jumped off and followed after Yato. "Why don't we play?"

Yato turned away from her, lost in thought for a while. He didn't snap out of it until Hiiro called his name. "Yaboku!" She shouted frustratingly, her eyes knitted in annoyance. Once she saw he was snapped out of it, she let herself soften. "What is going on inside that wonderful mind of yours?"

Yato stood motionless. He didn't respond, he didn't even look toward her.

"Hiiro." He spoke menacingly, a low tone that he never used with his shinki. He continued.

"I don't want to hear that name come out of your mouth ever again. You hear me? If it does I'll scar your mouth so badly you won't be able to speak."

Hiiro took a step back, but narrowed her eyes at Yato. "Is that so? And how would you do that?" She pressed.

Her bravery annoyed Yato, who was still turned away. He slowly turned, and used his calamitous powers to his will.

He looked Hiiro directly in the eyes, willing his own internal calamities to come to the surface through his eyes and pass them to hers. He didn't use this ability often, but it was handy when he wanted a clean job.

He could sense her writhing beneath his stare, unable to move. "Don't test me." He threatened.

Yato was snapped out of his anger when he heard a voice calling. "Magatsukami! Please, Come Forth!"

He walked over to the abandoned shrine he'd been at moments before, and saw that in front of it was a young man. He wore a green yukata and looked to be in his late teens, his hair light brown and tied loosely close to his neck.

"What is it you ask of me?" Yato said coldly, nudging the boy with his foot. He stepped back up and leaned against the purifying pool, so that he looked down upon the spirit bowing before him.

"Lady Bishamon, she's been blighted" he cried, his head on top of his hands. "Our entire clan has gone insane, they've begun fighting, pinning blame and have begun killing each other, and it's killing my master." He explained, sobs breaking into his words.

"Get to the point."

The boy sobbed and forced his eyes shut. "I-." He sniffled and took in a large, shaky breath. "S-Save my master. Please k-kill my entire clan."

"Are you sure? You seem hesitant." Yato responded. The boy cried out in reply.

"Aw, would you look at that. A boy wants his entire clan slaughtered. How disgraceful." Taunted Hiiro, smirking at the poor boy who only whined in reply. Yato glared at her, then focused back to the boy. "You got money?"

The boy gasped, and sunk his head lower. "I-I don't, but please..." he begged. Hiiro's smirk grew. "Well you do have a name. How about being a Nora for a little while?" She proposed teasingly. She bent down to get a clearer look at the boy. "I'm sure you'd make a fine vessel for Yato."

The boy quivered violently as if he were freezing, and barely managed to choke out words. "N-No...I-I c-can't p-please..." His tears soaked the dry ground beneath him.

Yato exhaled profusely. He's desperate.

Yato stood, gathering himself and glided down the steps. He stepped just before the boy, towering over his bowed position. "What is your name?"

The boy sat up slowly, his eyes sparkled with hope. "K-Kazuma. My vessel is chouki."

"Get to your feet, Kazuma" Yato ordered, and motioned for Hiiro to follow. "Come, Hikki."

Yato faced Kazuma, gripping the handle on his sword. "Are you doing this without pay out of the kindness of your heart, or of desire to cut down an entire clan?" Asked Hiiro inside of Yato's head. He rolled his eyes, 'Out of kindness of my heart, of course!' He shouted back to her mentally. But he had to admit, he'd never killed an entire clan of a major gods' shinki before; and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't the slightest bit excited.

"Kazuma, take me to your clan."

/

Magatsukami- japanese for god of calamity.