A/N: So sorry for the delay D: But luckily, my semester term exams are OVER! Yay! And fun fact- don't take AP bio :c
-Also, okay, I found this really sad, yet amazing piano song from the Cardcaptor Sakura OST called "Omoide Ga Kiechau"... it is amazing. Go look it up on YouTube just for a listen! It kind of matches part of this chapter, too.
-TW: child abuse mentions.
Disclaimer: Don't own or Noragami! :$
Enjoy =D
Chapter 4: Stay Away From Me
Yukine-kun!
Though Hiyori's body moved on its own accord, her mind was in turmoil; over what she had just witnessed, and the panic that had overcome her.
Who are you? A stalker?
How was that even possible? How could he lose his memory in a flash? Hiyori's worries were making her sick to the stomach, coiling around her stomach and restricting her lungs. Her feet pounded against the tiled floor of the mall as she ran, ran, and ran. She chased after his ever-disappearing form through the crowds of the mall, the people around her melting into a blur of colors. But, Yukine really was a fast runner. By the time she was in the central court on the ground floor, he was nowhere to be found. She swiveled around, eyes darting around her surroundings- but to no avail. She looked to the main doors that lay ahead of her, and then the stores around her. Her breaths came out in heavy, struggling pants.
Where even am I? Stop!
Making her decision, she darted towards the large, sliding glass doors, taking her out onto the streets of Tokyo. She was suddenly pushed with the flow of the crowd, some people muttering to themselves about her inability to move. Hiyori cupped her mouth with her hands as her legs wandered aimlessly. "Yukine!" she cried, her eyes watering in response to the internal sense of growing panic-
And as if the greatest miracle had been blessed upon her, she spotted him- a blond tuft of hair sticking out of the impatient, bustling crowd at the curb. He was still waiting to cross the street. Her eyes grew wide, and it was as though everything moved in slow motion; she called his name, and he turned back to glance at her. For a split second, Hiyori thought she saw recognition pass through his eyes.
But then, the lights of the crosswalk changed from red to green- and the herd propelled him forwards, away from Hiyori and her outreached hand. She gasped, watching Yukine as he was ushered farther and farther away from her. Soon after, though, a light flickered in her mind. I have to chase him. With that, she started to run, her feet pounding against the concrete as she shoved her way through the crowd. Hiyori neared the crosswalk, and noticed the red numbers counting down on the other side-
10, 9, 8...
Each breath came out in ragged, agonizing pants.
7, 6, 5...
Hiyori's mind only thought of one thing- to retrieve Yukine, and save him.
4, 3, 2...
Yukine was already at the other side of the street, running.
1.
Her feet landed on the other side of the road. Her lungs were burning, and her throat felt dry, worsening with every rapid intake of air. "Yukine!" Hiyori cried, desperately; but then, it was as if the stars aligned above her. She watched as he slowed down, and turned to look back at her. To her great, insurmountable joy, he didn't run away. She continued to pant, her chest rising and falling with every breath- but a small smile grew on her face as she strode towards him. When he was within hearing distance of her, she called out to him.
"Yukine-kun," she struggled out, bending over to clasp her knees with her hands.
He was paralyzed in shock. "W-why did you...?"
"I had to come and save you, Yukine-kun," Hiyori said, her voice coming out hoarse. She locked her eyes with his. "I'm terrified for you."
His eyes flashed. "Y- You... You-" he stuttered, unable to move his limbs.
"I'm here for you," she said, offering him a smile. To her surprise, he let out a cry, and Yukine seemed to crumple before her eyes; his shoulders fell, and they began to shake, as he wiped away tears that had gathered at the corners of his eyes. A tear-filled gasp escaped his lips, as he rushed towards her and latched onto her waist. Hiyori was jerked backwards, her mouth dropping open in surprise. He molded himself into her, his body wracking with shrill sobs.
Hiyori had to fight against the onset of her own tears as she watched him break down before her. There they stood for several long minutes, in the middle of the populous Tokyo sidewalk, where the crowd veered around them as though they were a stone separating a river.
Yukine didn't say anything to Hiyori on the walk home to his house. Though she insisted that they take a trip to the hospital, he had stubbornly refused with several shakes of his head- and so, somehow, the idea to head to Yukine's house had appeared, and with a simple nod, Yukine had led her in the direction of his home.
His home was located a good distance away from the sky-high apartments and enormous shopping districts of Tokyo. He steered her in the direction of the homely neighborhoods, where typical suburban houses replaced the towering skyscrapers. Yukine stopped in front of an ordinary-looking home, with two stories, white paneling, and black roofing.
"Is this your home?" Hiyori asked. He nodded, keeping his head low out of shame. He paced ahead of her, hurrying to retrieve a key out of his pocket. Once it was in his grasp, he squeezed it tightly. Yukine walked up the stairs to his front door, and Hiyori following close behind in his footsteps. He shoved the key into the lock of his front door, albeit a few failed tries, and led her inside his home. They both took their shoes off, set their bags down, and paused.
She stared at the back of his forlorn figure, frowning. "A- Are either of your parents home?" she questioned.
He swallowed, opening his mouth to speak- but he hesitated. He weakly shook his head in response.
"Okay," Hiyori offered. Her fists clenched at her sides. "Can you- can you tell me what happened? If you remember anything?"
Yukine raised his hand to scratch his own throat, not trusting that it would let him speak properly. "Y- Yeah," he grunted out. "And yeah, I do remember- a lot of things. I remember you."
"Really?" Hiyori cried, lips spreading into a smile. "That's great!"
His eyes widened at her delighted expression. Before he could stop himself, he babbled out, "I- I just have- um, amnesia, so..."
Hiyori gasped. "You have amnesia?"
"Yeah," he answered, averting his eyes from her. God damn it, why did I say that?, he thought, narrowing his eyes. "Ever since- I was a kid, I've had it."
"I'm sorry," Hiyori said, trying to comfort him. "Are you okay now, though? Does this happen often?"
"Y-yeah- ah, no," Yukine stammered. To his horror, when he tried to comb a hand through his hair, his arm still trembled. "B- But, I'm okay. I'm used to these episodes."
Hiyori frowned at him once again. "Do you- maybe, well- you should get some water, and some snacks," she began. "And just relax for a while, and then I can help you out with some studies, later?"
He turned to her, surprised at her suggestion. "You're going to stay?"
Hiyori cocked her head to the side. "Sorry, is that a problem?"
"N- No, it's not!" Yukine responded, chuckling awkwardly. "Y- You can stay, I guess."
Hiyori smiled at his responsiveness. "Okay!" she rejoiced. "Just clean up in the bathroom, while I go get ready in the kitchen, alright?"
Yukine nodded, before remembering something. "Wait, um," he stammered, gaining Hiyori's attention. "Can you- can you not tell Yato this?"
"Why would I tell him?" Hiyori asked, tilting her head to the side.
"Well, he's gonna come home soon, so he'll probably-"
"What?" Hiyori interjected. "He lives here?"
Fuck! Yukine mentally berated himself, closing his eyes to let out a breath he had been holding. Who does everything just slip out? Yukine nodded once. "Yeah."
Hiyori stared at him in confusion, before letting it go. "It's fine. I won't tell him, don't worry." She gave him a wide smile. "Go get cleaned up, okay?"
Yukine's breath halted for a second, before he looked away from her. "Y- Yeah."
The sun was already approaching the horizon, casting the city in bloody, scarlet hues, when Yato started heading home. He staggered down the streets of Tokyo, cradling his chest as a wave of nausea passed over him. I just have to get to Yukine's place, he thought, groaning as he grasped his chest. There's a reason I came this far from Kouto's.
"Shit," he muttered to himself, feeling a spasm of pain within his chest. Hobbling lamely down the neighborhoods of Tokyo, he continued along despite the odd looks he received from passing strangers. Each step he took felt like a desperate struggle towards home; each breath he sucked in made him lose himself in the dizziness that pervaded his mind. He was very aware of the spikes of pain that would shoot through his chest every time he breathed.
Before he knew it, he stood in front of Yukine's home. He noticed that the lights were on, signaling that someone was inside. He straightened up, dusting off his uniform and ruffling his hair so that he didn't look sullied. Yato took a deep breath before he approached the front door. The usual ritual again, I guess, he mused, before unlocking the door with Yukine's extra key. He strode in.
"I'm home!" Yato called out, removing his shoes and setting them off to the side- where he noticed an extra pair, neatly placed besides Yukine's. A girl's pair. He narrowed his eyes, his irritation channeling into something far different than of hatred towards his family. "Yukine!" he shouted, stomping down the hallway. "Hey, what the hell are you-"
He was cut off by the sight of Yukine sitting besides Iki Hiyori in the living room, her hands placed on his head in what could only be an indecent position. They immediately jumped apart upon realizing his entry.
"Yato!" Yukine cried, backing away from Hiyori, who continued to sit in her seat, frozen. "Y- You're home!"
"I am," he responded, narrowing his eyes that flickered between the two. "Now what exactly is going on here? Iki? Yukine?" He took a few steps forward, crossing his arms- skillfully hiding the pain that shot through his shoulder as he did so. "Care to explain?"
Yukine took more steps away from the scene. "I- I was, um-"
Hiyori stood up, the sound of her chair grating against the wooden floor cutting off Yukine. Her clenched hands trembled at her sides. "We were at the mall, and um, we decided to-"
"Why were you guys at the mall together?" Yato cut in, frowning distastefully. He turned to face Hiyori. "Didn't I already tell you not to stick your nose in places it doesn't belong?"
Hiyori shook her head. "N- No, I just wanted to get to know him before our tutoring-"
Yato's eyes narrowed at her. "I already told you to stop getting in my business." His voice became colder. "Just stay away from me, and the people that I know, if you want to avoid trouble! Is that really too hard to ask of you?"
Yukine glanced at Hiyori's petrified look in response to Yato's harsh words. His brows furrowed, and he took a step forwards to intervene. "H- Hey!" he stammered, gulping. "Yato, that's too much!"
"Yeah, really?" Yato scoffed. "Do you actually believe that, or are you just saying that to score some points with a high school girl?"
"I'm not!" Yukine shouted, his clenched fists trembling at his sides. "What the hell is wrong with you today?"
"Why are you deciding to take her side over mine today, Yukine?" Yato demanded, glaring at his friend.
"Because you're being such an ass-"
"I'm not the one who takes interest in anything wearing a skirt, you little perv-"
"That's enough!" Hiyori demanded, breaking into their bickering. "You two are being ridiculous!"
"I'm the one who's being ridiculous?" Yato repeated. He pointed a finger towards Yukine. "It's this little brat!"
Hiyori gulped, glancing at Yukine, before glaring at Yato. "Stop being so mean to him!" Hiyori demanded. She looked at Yukine again, before making up her mind. "He's been through way too much today to be arguing about this-"
As if on cue, Yukine yelped, falling to the floor. Both Hiyori and Yato swiveled to look at him. Yukine clutched his head and groaned, cradling his head with his arms.
"Yukine!" Hiyori exclaimed, rushing over to him. "Oh my gosh, are you okay?"
"Y-Yukine..." Yato mumbled, horrified. He took an unsure step towards his friend. "You- again..."
"Stop standing there, and help him out, will you?" Hiyori insisted. She turned her attention back to Yukine, who continued to grunt in pain. "Yukine-kun, are you alright?"
Yato narrowed his eyes at Hiyori's back, watching her as she took care of his friend. Another amnesia episode, he figured. And this time, someone else is...
Hiyori cooed soothing words into Yukine's ear as she held him, making sure she didn't handle him too roughly. "A- Are you okay, Yukine-kun? Does anything hurt?"
"Argh," Yukine rasped, taking in a deep breath. "My head- hurts, so much, I-"
"Don't keep talking, if it hurts," Hiyori said, rubbing his back comfortingly. "Just try and relax for me, okay?"
Yukine then looked up, releasing his head from his arms. He noticed Yato, staring down at him with scornful eyes. Yukine reciprocated the glare. "Why are you just standing there," he seethed, "watching?"
"What? You're already getting help from this girl, right?" Yato answered, narrowing his eyes. "It's not like you'd even need me now."
"What are you even talking about?" Yukine snapped, before letting out another groan. Hiyori quickly attended to his pains with comforting whispers.
"Whatever," Yato muttered, turning his back to them. "I'm leaving." He began to head for the doorframe of the hallway.
"Wait, Yato, you can't just..." Yukine protested.
Hiyori stared at Yato's form as he walked away from them. She opened her mouth to argue, then hesitated- it felt as though some invisible force was holding her back, preventing her from making a sound. She jumped when she felt Yukine grab her wrist and shake his head, slowly. Her eyes widened at his, but when her gaze rose, she met Yato's back for just a split second before he disappeared from her line of sight.
Yukine groaned besides her, slumping against the floor. He cradled his forehead with his hand, working the muscles in his head.
"Seriously, I just... can't deal with him," he muttered, sighing.
Hiyori's eyes melted with concern. "Should I try and bring him back?" Hiyori asked.
"No," he answered, raising his gaze to the ceiling. "He does this all the t-" he stopped himself, opening one eye to gaze at her. "Never mind. It's- it's nothing."
Hiyori frowned. "Where would he go?"
Yukine averted his eyes. "I- I don't know."
"I- I really feel like I should go and help him," Hiyori whispered. "Even though he hates me, I just-"
"No, don't," Yukine urged. "He needs some time to clear his head." He shook his head, staring at the ground. "And plus, I don't think he actually hates you- it's more like he's jealo..." he trailed off.
Hiyori's eyes widened. "Jealous?" Hiyori repeated.
"N- Never mind."
Hiyori cocked her head to the side, urging him with silence to continue talking. Seeing that he refused to make a comment, she sighed, standing up.
"A- Are you gonna go find him?" Yukine stuttered.
"No," Hiyori answered, letting a sad smile grow across her face. "I was just going to get my book bag. I need to call my brother to let him know I'm staying at a friend's place."
"O- Oh," Yukine managed, nodding his head as he met her eyes.
"Do you know when your parents will come home?" Hiyori inquired.
"Y- Yeah," he responded. "She- comes home late. Around nine, I think."
Hiyori's eyes flashed with recognition. "You only have...?" she trailed off. Yukine's despondent look to the floor answered her question. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Hiyori apologized. She approached him, lending him a hand. As he took her hand and stood up, she added, "I guess that makes two of us."
Yukine's expression paralleled her previous surprised expression. "You only have your mom, too?"
Hiyori nodded, a forced smile lining her face. "Yup," she answered. "It's fine, though. As long as I have a family at all, I'm happy." Yukine's eyes widened, unable to respond. He watched as a pleasant expression bloomed across her face.
"But let's not talk about that, though," she said. "For now, I'll help you out in any way I can, okay?"
Yukine gulped, a light blush coloring his cheeks for the umpteenth time that day. He managed a nod, and she responded with a short giggle as she walked away.
She really is too generous for her own good, he admitted, trying to rub off the color from his cheeks.
Yato wasn't there that morning in homeroom- and for some reason, this worried Hiyori, even though she had pledged not to think about "that kid" after seeing how he had treated Yukine. At the moment, she had just been busy catching up with Yama and Ami in the hallway during passing time, and Hiyori had nearly forgotten to attend her Japanese Literature class.
Throwing open the door to the classroom, she quickly scanned the room, where she noticed that all of the students were in their seats. To her horror, Mr. Tenjin was already standing at his podium. She apologized to Mr. Tenjin, bowing over and over, to which the old teacher responded with a light chuckle and a "you're free to go, Iki-san!" As she thanked him and searched for her seat, however, she spotted Yato sitting at his seat, which coincidentally happened to be right behind hers. Hiyori trudged to the back of the room, having to force each foot forwards. The air felt thick, and though she had intended to avoid throwing him a glance, she failed at the last second before she sat down. In that moment, she observed the odd glint in his eyes as he stared off into the distance.
Mr. Tenjin cleared his throat, earning himself the attention of his students. "Ah, please open up your language textbooks to page 11," he ordered, looking over the students in the classroom. He finished filing the stacks of paper on his stand, tapping them against the surface of his wooden stand before setting them aside. "We will begin our first unit with an introductory poem about the season of spring."
Sounds of pages flapping and scuffling filled the room. Hiyori placed her book on her desk, flipping to the page. She stared at the short poem on the page, which was surrounded by artwork of vividly green trees blooming during the springtime.
'Spring has come, with its
green leaves, pleasant birds and insects
The earth lives again.
-Matsu Bashi'
"Who can read this poem out loud for us?" Mr. Tenjin asked. He surveyed the room, his eyes narrowing at a certain student who was playing on their phone, having the audacity to ignore even his request to take out a textbook.
"Kogami Yato-kun, please read this haiku for us," he stated, raising his chin at Yato, who acknowledged the teacher with a glare.
Whispers ran amok around the room, drawing Hiyori's attention to the students around her.
"Ew, why is Kogami here?"
"I can't believe it!"
"Whoa, I'm surprised that slack-off even came to class today."
Mr. Tenjin silenced the murmuring in seconds with a loud grunt, though Hiyori had already heard the nasty rumors whispered by her own classmates, making her sick to the stomach. She jumped when felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Hey, Iki," he whispered. "Can you give me your textbook?"
She glanced behind her, meeting his aquamarine eyes. He's too close!, she fretted, panicking. Her mouth opened lamely- but as she was about to offer him an answer, Mr. Tenjin cut her off.
"Iki-san, please do not lend him your textbook. Kogami- properly ask me to borrow one, if you can't even remember to bring it in on the fifth day of school."
Yato muttered under his breath, before wearying a groan. "Tenjin, I don't really happen to have the book, so-"
"Mr. Tenjin," the teacher corrected. He sighed, making up his mind. "See me after class, Kogami. How about we have-"
"Excuse me for the interruption. Could Iki Hiyori-san, of Class 1, Year 1, please report to the main office. Again, Iki
Hiyori-san, please report to the main office."
The announcement ended with an obnoxious beep. Hiyori's eyes widened, and she met Mr. Tenjin's gaze. Seeing his nod of approval, she stood up to leave, her head hanging low as she pondered over what she could possibly have been called down for. In her daze, however, she didn't feel Yato's eyes on her back as he watched her leave.
Hiyori exited the classroom, plodding down the hallway to the staircase. Her mind came up with several reasons for the broadcasted report. Maybe I forgot to give them some paperwork, she thought. She twisted a lock of hair around her fingertips. Or maybe, did I get in trouble for something?
She hurried down the steps, her footsteps echoing throughout the empty corridor. She arrived on the first floor of the building in no time, and headed down the hallway to the main office. She approached the wooden door of the office, staring into its opaque glass pane. She exhaled, before knocking on it twice. Hiyori recognized a dark figure nearing the door, and jumped as the person opened the door for her.
Hiyori met the eyes of a young, male teacher. His stoic, emerald stare caused her to falter, before she was able to introduce herself. "Hello, I was just called down to the main office- I'm Iki Hiyori."
"Oh, Iki-san," the man narrowed his eyes at her. "I'm Kazuma Chouki, one of the office managers. Please follow me."
He led her to a corner of a large desk, motioning for her to sit down across from him. She observed his table, which remained neat and orderly. She gulped. His stern, unsmiling expression caused goosebumps to crawl up her arms.
"I'll cut to the chase. We received some news from the hospital." Hiyori felt her heart drop in her chest. "It's your mother; she appears to be in critical condition, and the faculty believed it best to notify you as soon as possible."
Her face paled. "W- When? When was she admitted?"
"A few days ago, they said."
Hiyori's eyes widened. "Masaomi, that idiot," she hissed under her breath. She lowered her head, forcing her eyes closed to hide the tears that had begun to form. She clenched the edge of her skirt. "C- Can I leave school to see her?"
"You could, but your record doesn't have any viable emergency phone numbers. The only one is your brother's, and he doesn't seem to be answering his phone at all. One of our staff members just checked."
The horrible tightening sensation in her chest grew. He had lied to her.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that you'll have to return to class," Kazuma said.
How dare he lie to her? About their mother?
"Iki-san?" the teacher asked. "I'm very sorry, but please return to class. I'll give you a pass."
He had lied to her, and their mother could die. Just like their father had.
Hiyori wiped her eyes forcefully before meeting the Kazuma's eyes again, his eyes widening at her shining, red ones. "Fine," she mustered.
Yato paced down the hallway, having been kicked out of class by an infuriated Mr. Tenjin. He realized he had to go to the bathroom, and headed in the direction of the restrooms. He turned a corner, and saw a girl- no, Iki Hiyori- leaning against a window in the hall, staring outside. He felt something grip his chest, and he knew it wasn't from the aches that his father or brother had caused him.
Maybe I can sneak past her, he thought, trying to tiptoe across the tiled floor- when he accidentally stepped on his own shoe, crashing onto the floor. He cried out, clutching his chest as a massive surge of pain seized his ribs.
Hiyori swiveled to the source of the noise, gasping at Yato's form, sprawled across the floor.
"Ow, shit," he muttered, getting up slowly and gripping his back. "That fu-" He paused, mid-curse, as he saw Hiyori's reddened, tear-streaked face. Something in his gut twisted, and his eyes widened. "H- Hey," he stammered. "What's-"
Hiyori lowered her head. "Nothing," she whispered, sniffling.
"B- But..." he trailed off, unable to take his eyes off of her shaking body.
"It's nothing, really. Please, leave me alone."
He wanted to leave; he honestly tried, with all his effort. But, he couldn't.
Realizing that he hadn't left the scene, Hiyori hung her head lower. "So you're going to abandon Yukine-kun, but not me." Her lips parted, and she took a deep breath. "Even though you've told me to stay away, hundreds of times."
"Y- Yeah, but," he chuckled, sweat lining his forehead. "I'm not- heartless- and seeing a crying girl is- awkward."
She scoffed, finally meeting his eyes. His eyes widened at her glimmering orbs that reflected the lights of the hallway. "Not heartless? It sure seemed like it back at Yukine's place," she countered.
His eyes widened. "No, that wasn't..." he trailed off, unable to put his thoughts into actual words.
She heaved another sigh. "My mom might die," she bit out, averting her eyes from his gaze.
Yato took a sharp intake of breath.
Die?
Hiyori's body started to crumple against the wall. "She might die, and my stupid brother didn't even tell me- he lied to me about it," she rambled on. Her shoulders wracked with small sobs. "And I can't even go see her right now."
Yato froze as her words triggered memories within his mind.
'Mommy! Where's Mommy?'
'She's dead, you stupid brat. It's all your fault, you bastard son-'
He shook his head, forcing himself to leave the past. He gazed at Hiyori's solemn form. He took a step forward, but hesitated. Yato took his time to swallow a lump in his throat.
"Never mind," Hiyori mumbled, taking a step away from him. "It's... fine."
"Fine?" Yato asked, his brows furrowing. "A family member dying isn't fine." Hiyori's eyes widened, his bitter tone surprising her. "And go out there and help her, and then beat your brother up for lying to you."
Hiyori's lips parted in astonishment, and she swiveled to face him. She could only manage a few incoherent noises of surprise.
Seeing her bewildered expression, Yato had to avert his eyes. He began to feel butterflies in his chest. "N- Never mind. Pretend you didn't-"
"Thank you," Hiyori responded quickly, cutting him off, forgetting her previous anger at him for his maltreatment of Yukine. "Thank you so much, for listening to my stupid problems and giving me advice." Through the tears that marred her face scarlet, she gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Kogami-san. I really owe you."
With that, she left the scene. While Hiyori was still rubbing the redness out of her eyes, Yato could only stare at her departing form with a confused batch of mixed emotions.
A/N: yukine ;c and yato :c and everyone :cc
-For anyone wondering, yes, I am posting spoilers/updates on my tumblr, writeyatori (it's also on my profile) so check that out, yeah? There are tiny tabs on the left side of my blog that are organized with important stuff.
-I am... REALLY excited for the next chapter :D I've had it written for almost two months now, and I just have to edit and add (a lot of) stuff. It's the beginning of some actual yatori =) It should (key word: should) be updated by next Saturday-ish.
-And- Kazuma! yepp, he's here. Making his name work was kind of hard, especially with Japanese name rules. I just decided to make his first name Kazuma and his last name "Chouki" (his vessel name), since in reverse, Chouki sounds like a really weird first name (coming from a Japanese person), even though Kazuma would function better as a last name in this story.
-That little dumb haiku is my spur of the moment creation. The author's name is a play on the name of the famous poet, Matsuo Bashō.
-I've reread and edited chapter so many times... Now, I just want to go rewatch Cardcaptor Sakura, or Totoro, or play some minecraft, or reread a book... or actually be productive and do homework. *keyboard smash*
Thanks for the reviews, follows and favorites everyone ^^ You are all too kind 333
~exie =)