"Yui?" Came her mother's voice, and she rolled over in bed, feeling exhausted. It felt like it had taken ages for her to get to sleep last night. "Yui? Are you awake?" She slid out of bed, and stumbled to her bedroom door, opening it and calling down the corridor.

"Hai hai." She rubbed her eyes as she made her way down to breakfast. Dionysus was already up, and helping her mum, along with her brothers, Tsukito, Apollon and Balder.

"Ah! Yousei san! We're making omelettes!" The sun god beamed, and Yui noticed a small pile of failed disasters in a bowl on the side.

"Making is not the right word." Tsukito said, noticing Yui's line of sight.

"He's so enthusiastic though!" Her mother smiled, directing the gods who were in the kitchen with her.

"Ugh…mornings should not exist." Came a grumble from the hallway as Loki entered the room. "Balder…why did you leave me?" He moaned, latching onto the other god.

"I tried to wake you up, but you were really deeply asleep." Balder said, patting Loki on the head gently.

"Eeeh…" Loki moaned, before suddenly perking up. "Uwah! I smell omelette!" His demeanour completely shifted, changing to alert and excited, in seconds. Happily he trotted into the kitchen, sniggering at the pile of failures, saying "Apollon san, you must hate eggs a lot eeh?"

Yui laughed at the bickering coming from the kitchen as Loki taunted Apollon, and looked over to Tsukito.

"Isn't Takeru normally up by now?" She asked.

"He is, he went for a run. He told me to apologise to you, you were fast asleep and he didn't want to disturb you."

"Oh." She said, unable to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

"It's okay." Thor said, entering the room, followed by Hades. "It's still wet, he was probably still worried about you slipping and hurting yourself."

"Yeah, I'm sure that was it." She said, forcing a smile.

The gods chatted for a while, Yui joining in, but unable to stop the unsettled feeling in her stomach from affecting her, until Takeru came in just in time for food to be served.

"Ah! Zassou!" He grinned. "I brought you something as an apology for not going running with you today." He came over to them, slightly damp, and held out a small white flower, still nestled in mud, roots, and all.

"Uwah!" She said, happily staring at the flower. "Let me get a small bowl for it!" She danced into the kitchen, reappearing with a blue pot, and helped Takeru place the flower inside. "Kawai!" She beamed, holding the pot.

"Next time you'll have to come with me though." Takeru said, winking, and relieving the tightness in Yui's chest. She smiled back at him, cradling the flower before placing it on the breakfast table in between the toast and the orange juice.

The group sat down around the table, Thor and Hades finally joining them as food was ready, and they began chatting happily as they ate. Her family seemed to have accepted the group now, and when she got up to make lunch, it wasn't just Takeru who joined her; Thor and Dionysus also began making preparations.

"Thor san? Dionysus san? I didn't know you wanted to have a home made lunch." She said, smiling at them, and making Takeru scoff.

"Dionysus is the god of wine and good food. Of course he wants to make his own food." The sea god said, leaning around her to smirk at the other two gods.

"Hey now, that's not my role. It's fertility. Not just good food and wine."

Yui smiled, giggling, and looked over to Thor, who was staring into the fridge blankly.

"Thor san, are you alright?" She asked, peering around him.

"What…is all this?" He asked, staring into the fridge at all the food containers.

"Ah, those are the boxes we store food in so that they don't get mixed up. Here, what are you looking for?" Under her guidance, Thor selected some vegetables to make a stir fry from, and started prepping his lunch.

"So, Zassou, what do you normally make?" Takeru asked, chopping up the fish and root vegetables he had bought the other day.

"I like making different things each day." She smiled, pulling out some rice she had steamed the night before. "I'm going to make a bento."
"Ah? A bento?" Loki appeared in the doorway to the kitchen grinning. "Hey koneko chan, will you make me a bento?" Yui looked at him in surprise.

"But Loki, didn't you have lunch with Balder?"

"Yeah." Takeru said, glaring at the trickster god. "You get all the free bento's you could want."

"Not quite true." Loki said, looking pensive. "There is one bento I want that I never get."

"There is?" Yui looked at him curiously. "What is it? I know Balder likes meat, so do you perhaps not get enough meat bento's?"

"Mm mm, not that." He replied, a smirk appearing on his face.

"Ah, perhaps vegetarian bento? I don't know if anyone in class is vegetarian…" Yui suggested, raising a finger to her chin.

"Not that one either, koneko chan." Loki said, coming into the kitchen, and taking her hand in his. "The only bento I want is one made by my koneko chan."

"Eh?" Yui blushed, and stared up at the redhead.

"Hoi now…" Takeru said, stepping forward.

"What?" Loki asked, glaring at him.

"Yui doesn't have time to make one for you as well." The sea god said, returning the glare.

"Ah, is that true?" Loki said, looking thoughtful. "Then I'll settle for something you've already got, for today anyway. You and Apollon got your gifts, now I'd like mine." He smiled down at Yui, and before anyone could do anything, bent down and kissed her gently on the cheek. It was warm, his hair brushing against her skin, his eyelashes fluttering against her face, gentle hands scooping around her face, holding her up to him. She felt herself get lost in the feeling, longing for it to continue as he released her. She looked up at him, a blush spreading across her face, only to remember where she was, and see Thor frowning whilst Dionysus held back a furious Takeru who seemed to outraged for words, as no sound came out of his open mouth.

"AH…AH…I NEED TO…" Yui flushed and ran out of the room, hearing vague sounds of admonishment from Thor and Dionysus as Loki laughed. She held her face in her hands as the gods in the dining-living room stared at her in confusion.

"Yousei sa-" Apollon began, but she ran past him up to her bedroom, where she shut the door behind her, and leant against it, still holding her hot cheeks. The memory of the kiss swelled in her mind, as did the memory of Apollon's kiss, and then Takeru's…confusion ran through her, and frustration. What was she going to do? This kiss had been even more intense, feelings rushed through her, like a fire burning its way through her heart. She slumped down, something intense building in her.

"No, no…" She whispered, her vision blurring, seeing her arms beginning to glow. "I…I can't let this…" She sagged slightly, and curled up on the floor, trying desperately to keep it inside. But images flooded her mind, torment of having to choose tearing her apart, until a searing pain shot through her chest, and she could keep it in no longer, and screamed. It was agony, she screamed until she couldn't hear herself anymore, until all there was was a rushing in her ears, tears running down her face as she stared at the room flickering in and out of focus.

She didn't hear anyone above the noise, but she felt the door shake, as if someone was banging on it, or trying to open it, but something was blocking it from opening, was it her? Or something else? Suddenly she felt herself shudder, her breath gone, and the floor felt like it was cracking as her body blazed with golden light. Through her shivering line of sight, she saw something… no… someone looking at her through the window. It was a woman's face, one she was sure she'd seen before...leaning over the window sill…but then it was gone, or maybe it was her reflection, and the glass was broken. Then a new face appeared in the window, Loki's. Red flared through the room as he crossed over to her, and scooped her up in his arms. The door smashed to pieces, and Apollon and Takeru came into view. She reached out, and three hands held her own. Something inside her calmed, and she heard a voice saying something, something that had been said before…but it faded, along with the light, and she closed her eyes, the fire calming, until she began to hear again, the rushing noise fading, the burning pain easing off.

"Yousei san…please…Yousei san…" Apollon was saying, a tremor in his voice.

"Zassou, don't…don't let this…" Takeru's voice said at the same time. She opened her eyes, and stared at the three gods, noticing the other gods in the background looking on in concern, whilst her family stared at her in terror.

"I'm so sorry." Came a broken whisper, and she turned to look at Loki, who had a wretched expression on his face, tears welling up in his eyes and falling down his face. "This was my fault." He choked out.

"No…Loki don't…" She reached out with her free hand, and stroked his face. "This wasn't you."

"But I…when…in the kitchen…" He tried to look away, but when she spoke, he couldn't help but meet her eyes.

"If it was your fault, I would be angry. And anyway, you came for me. You found me." She looked back at Takeru and Apollon, who were staring at her in anxiety. "All three of you did." As she said it, something clicked into place, and she freed the hand she had entangled with all three of them, and looked at it. A symbol glowed on it, then faded. Focussing on the feeling of three hands holding hers, she made it return, then let it fade again.

"What was that?" Takeru said, fear lining his tone.

"Did it hurt?" Apollon asked, looking at her with worry.

"I…I think it's my power…" She said slowly.

"What just happened?" Her mother cried out, and she looked at her family in a panic, but Balder took control.

"If you'll come with me, I will explain in the living room, though I believe Hades needs to get someone to explain it better than me." He gave Hades a significant look, and the god of the underworld nodded, and walked into another room out of site, sending a message to Lethe. Yui's family were herded downstairs, and she felt Loki get up and let go of her. Immediately she felt like something was wrong, like something inside of her had been taken from her.

"Loki san!" She cried, staggering up as he jumped out the window. "LOKI SAN!" She pulled herself free of Apollon and Takeru as they tried to hold her back, and called after her as she followed Loki out the window. She saw him transform and blaze through the courtyard into the forest. Without thinking she leapt after him, only then realising the ground was coming up fast, and thrusting her hand out in front of her instinctively. There was a flash of light, and she slowed, until she was floating just above the ground, and then gently she landed, wobbling on her feet at the gentle impact.

"YOUSEI SAN!"

"ZASSOU!"

Takeru and Apollon appeared out of the window, staring after her, but she didn't have time to think about that. She turned and ran after Loki. The other two gods made to go after her, but Tsukito held Takeru back, whilst Apollon was held back by Dionysus.

"This is something she has to do. Trust she will return to you." The purple haired god said, whilst the other two looked after Yui desperately.

Yui rushed through the forest, following the red glow ahead of her that was Loki, calling after him. She slid down the wet slope, catching herself on trees and branches, still scrambling up and after him. She rounded a corner, but slipped, and span around. The ground was suddenly not there, and she cried out, falling into the river. The cold shock took her voice from her, and she tried to get her bearings but was rushed downstream, caught in the flow. Her breath was knocked out of her by the current, and she was pulled under. Glimpsing the surface, her only thought was to find Loki; but how could she do that from under here? Where the water was sweeping her down to the undertow, rocks speeding past her, occasionally knocking painfully into her side, gradually bleeding what control she had to not gasp for air, and therefore breathe in water… until suddenly arms wrapped around her, and pulled her free, oxygen rushing into her lungs.

Loki held her from behind, resting his head on her shoulder.

"That's the second time this morning I've caused you to…to…" His voice was shaking, and she felt him take shuddering breaths.

"Loki, Loki look at me." She demanded. He let go of her, and she rounded on him, eyes blazing. "Don't you dare do this." He stared at her in shock as she burned with anger. "Don't you dare. I won't let you push me away. I know you blame yourself for what happened back there, because of the kiss, and just now, but…but…" She shook her head in anger, tears freeing themselves from her eyes. "…if you want to protect me, you have to stay with me." She looked at him, still angry, but now also pleading. "Don't leave me alone. Please." His eyes filled with despair.

"Yui…you don't know what you're saying. You can't-"

"Don't say that." Yui interrupted, furious. "I DO know what I'm saying, I know exactly what I'm saying. You're the one who keeps calling me yours, and saying you came back just for me…don't make some complex about this all being your fault stop you from…from…" She choked on her words, unable to bear the thought of him being away from her. Without thinking, she threw herself into his arms, and sobbed. "Don't go. Stay with me." She cried, and felt his arms wrap around her, first tentatively, then more certainly, pulling her in close, reaching up to hold the back of her head with his hand, burying his fingers in her hair. He rested his head on her shoulder again, and squeezed her to his body. She felt her breath catch, and wrapped her arms around him.

"Always." He whispered, and she saw his god form begin to burn away, floating off like ashes, until he was human again.

"Promise?" She said, shaking.

"I promise." He said, pulling back, and looking at her, smiling, eyes tearful. She smiled back, and noticed his warmth in god form had dried them both. Reaching up, she brushed her hand against his warm cheek, and leant forwards, looking deep into his eyes. She rested her head on his chest, and felt him cradle her gently.

"I can't cope without you." She whispered, almost so quiet that he didn't hear it over the river, but just loud enough that he did. His breathing paused, but he didn't show any other sign of hearing what she'd just said.

"Come on koneko chan, let's get you back to the house." He said, helping her up, and leading the way back to the shrine.

As they came through the forest, they saw Zeus standing by Yui's house, the grey morning giving him a dark aura. Yui hurried over to him in time to see a woman leave her house. She was dressed in dark swathes of fabric, and had piercing red eyes, and white hair. Zeus stared at Yui, almost daring her to speak to him, before leading the woman away. Yui watched them go, and looked back at the house, where Hades was standing.

"Who was that?" She asked, crossing over to him.

"Lethe. Goddess of memories. Your family won't remember this morning's incident, and Zeus fixed the house's damages." Hades had a grim look on his face, but smiled slightly at her, as if trying to reassure her. She looked past him, and saw Takeru and Apollon loitering by the door, Balder behind them. She smiled, and they rushed out, babbling questions of was she okay? Did she get hurt? Was she in pain? Did the effects of the transformation she'd experienced cause anything bad to happen? The flood of questions only stopped when Dionysus came out and rested a hand on Apollon's head.

"Calm down, give the girl some air." He said, smiling warmly at her.

"I'm fine, really." She said, smiling at the group, and looking back at Loki, who was being checked just as thoroughly as her, but by Balder. He also looked bashful, as if he felt guilty for causing so much trouble, but when he caught her eye, he grinned at her in his usual cheeky way. "I think it's alright." She said, turning back to Apollon and Takeru as Dionysus went to talk to Hades, Thor and Tsukito. "I think…my god powers just developed a bit more. They cushioned me when I jumped out of the window."

"Eh?" Takeru crossed his arms. "You shouldn't have done that though, you didn't know they would do that."

"No, but you've done more reckless things without god powers." She said, grinning at him, and making him look away awkwardly.

"Maybe…" he muttered, "but still, don't go doing it again." He unfolded his arms, and reached out to ruffle her hair. "You're damageable."

"Yousei san…" Apollon said, looking worried. "What happened? You ran out of the kitchen and then we heard screaming from your room…"

"Ah…it was…" she glanced over at Loki, uncertain of whether or not to say.

"Loki was being an idiot." Takeru said, putting his arms behind his head. "But no more stupid than you or I, Apollon." He looked at Apollon, who frowned.

"Maybe we should…" he paused, then shook his head, and smiled at Yui. "I'm just glad you're okay Yousei san. Please, let us help next time."

"But you did." Yui replied, smiling at them, both. "All three of you did." She walked back into the house, leaving them both standing there in surprise, until Apollon grinned.

"Wait for me Yousei san!" He called, making Takeru run after him, also calling.

"Just a minute, what about lunch!"