A/N: I apologize for this being so late :c I've barely edited this omg- 2AM writing is not very trustworthy, but I really wanted to publish it as soon as possible.

-Thank you for the follows, favorites and very kind reviews c: They are nice motivation, and I also really appreciate it when you guys critique the characterization and plot. And also, yes, I am grateful for the guest reviews as well :^)

-TW: mentions of child abuse

-Disclaimer: Don't own Noragami- if I did, Yato and Hiyori would be together already.

Chapter 7: Awaken

Bandages.

Bruises, and a cry.

A deep, sinking terror that made him want to hurl-

Yukine awoke with a start, panting so much that his chest rapidly heaved in and out, in and out. Panic darted through him, making him scan his surroundings in a terrified stupor. His heart rate began to slow down as he realized that he was in his room, and his books were still as he had left them on his desk when Hiyori's tutoring ended.

Hiyori.

As his breathing slowed, he felt his rationality return to him. He raised a hand to his forehead, feeling the beads of sweat that had accumulated there. "Why was I...?" he murmured to himself, inspecting the dampness of the back of his hand. He pinched the surface of his skin. I'm not dreaming anymore.

Suddenly, the door slammed open, and Yukine swiveled to the source of the noise to see Yato stride in. That was when Yukine remembered- he had been worrying about Yato's return all night, after Hiyori left! As Yato turned to face him, Yukine cried, "Yato!"

Yato gave him a look of stoic nonchalance. "Yeah?" he answered, combing fingers through his hair.

Yukine scowled. "Where the hell were you the entire night, last night?" he demanded, pounding his fists against his bedsheets. "You didn't come back after your work!"

Yato dumped himself on the floor, on top of a stack of futons. "Iki Hiyori's house."

Yukine stared at his friend for a moment. Then, his mouth fell open as he processed Yato's words. "W-What?!" he burst out, jumping out of his bed. "What were you doing at her house?"

"Sleeping," Yato replied, looking at his friend with bored eyes. He smirked at Yukine's fiery eyes, though he hesitated slightly when he noticed that they were glassy. "Jealous?"

"N-No! But- w-what the hell, Yato!" Yukine barked. "'Sleeping?' Weren't you, y'know, going out for your job? I thought you got hurt, or kidnapped, or something!"

Yato then turned his face to the side with the bruise, giving Yukine the perfect view of the purple splotch on his cheek. "I did."

Yukine's eyes widened, and he got off his bed to take a few steps closer to look. "What the- how? Who did that to you?" he demanded.

"Iki, the tutor," Yato answered flatly, nearly laughing at the flash of surprise that passed over Yukine's face. "I'm kidding. Don't worry about it, Yukine. I just got hurt on the job, you know. It happens."

"It 'happens'?" Yukine mocked, making air-quotes in the air. "It 'happens'?! What the hell, dude! You made me worry the entire night, and I woke up to another nightmare 'cause of you!"

Yato's indifferent facade faltered. His eyes widened, and he felt a lump in his throat as he swallowed. "A nightmare," he repeated. Had Yukine worried that much about him? Yato narrowed his eyes. And I just paraded in, showing off some mysterious bruise. He grimaced. What a great friend I am.

"Yes, a nightmare," Yukine replied, condescendingly, curling his hands against his waist. "God, you're so annoying. I have to get out of here." He headed towards the door.

"Hey, hold up," Yato called, reaching out a hand. "Listen, this bruise really isn't that big of a-"

Yukine swiveled to face him. "Not that big of a deal?" he repeated, raising his voice. Was Yato joking? "Not big of a deal? By that definition, neither are my nightmares, or the panic attacks that I get from my amnesia!" He balled his fists into tight, trembling cuffs of rage. "You're such a liar!"

"Yukine-"

Slam!

Yato was cut off by the thunderous impact. His hand faltered in the air, and fell to his side. Why couldn't he do anything right? With Yukine, or even the girl, Iki Hiyori?

A liar, huh?

"Hiyori, did you have a friend over last night?"

Hiyori jumped in her chair. She swiveled to find Masaomi standing in the kitchen doorway, regarding her with suspicious eyes, and she gave him a forced smile. "What are you talking about?"

His eyes narrowed further. "I swear, I heard someone talking in your room late last night. Was there someone in there?"

Hiyori's mouth twitched as she remembered the night before- that she had spent with Kogami Yato. There was no way she could tell that to her brother. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Masaomi," she lied, standing up from her wooden chair. "There weren't-"

"It's not a big deal if you had someone over, Hiyori," he said, shrugging. He walked over the fridge to pick out some breakfast food. "Was it one of those girls in this apartment building, or another new friend?" Not receiving an answer, he turned back to her, narrowing his eyes. "You know, as long as it wasn't a boy."

Hiyori paused in her tracks as she pushed in her chair. Her brother didn't actually know, did he? She turned to face her brother once more. "Don't worry!" Hiyori exclaimed, waving her hands in the air in front of her. "I was just talking to a friend over the phone. Yama- you know, the blonde one? She was busy shopping yesterday, so I just called to see how she was doing." She chuckled. Her brother continued to stare at her with a frown, but he huffed.

"It's fine, Hiyori," he sighed, deciding to let it go. "Don't worry. I know you wouldn't lie after what happened yesterday, with Mom."

Hiyori's smile disappeared. She chuckled nervously as she left the kitchen, feeling her brother's eyes on her as she exited. As she headed down the hall to her room, she rushed in, closing the door behind her.

She let out a breath she had been holding, and observed her room. It was covered in the result of Yato's stay. That's right, she remembered. He left without waking me up. With horror, it dawned upon her that her brother could've seen Yato leave their apartment. God, the way she said it, it sounded as if they'd done something perverted! She raised her hands to her cheeks, feeling them begin to heat up. But no, she thought, forcing herself to calm down. Masaomi is just observant. If he'd seen Kogami-san leave my room, he would've scolded me the moment he saw me.

As her eyes fell to the makeshift futon bed on the floor, she realized just how lucky she'd been that Masaomi hadn't peeked his head in to wake her up that morning. Her perceptive brother would've easily read through her lies as soon as he saw another futon on the floor. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, and her eyes scanned the room once more. In her stupor after she had woken up, she hadn't even realized that the boy had attempted to make her bed. She smiled.

As she folded the futon over and slid it under her bed, she heard a noise. Thinking it was her imagination, she continued to pack up the first aid kit, but paused when she heard it again.

Beep! Beep!

Hiyori furrowed her brows as she heard beeping noises coming from the direction of her bed. Recognizing the sound of her phone's notification alert, she hurried over to check her cell phone, flopping onto the bed. To her horror, she had one, two, three... no, at least ten messages from Yama, she realized, scrolling through the list of messages. They all read the same- "Hiyori, text me back immediately! Right now!"

Wait, Hiyori thought, looking at her oldest message. If the oldest message was at 11p.m., then that must mean that Kogami-san... He must've heard all of the alerts! Why hadn't he said anything? She let out another sigh- he must've been exhausted. Deciding to give into Yama's demands, she pressed call.

Ring, ring...

"Hiyori!" Yama's voice blared through the speaker, making Hiyori wince. That was fast, Hiyori thought.

"Yes, Yama-"

"Oh my God, Hiyori! I can't believe you! Why didn't you tell me!"

Hiyori frowned. "Tell you-"

"You went on a date! With Kogami!"

Hiyori's mouth dropped open. "What?"

She could almost hear her mischievous friend smile through the cell phone. "I saw you right near the Roppongi tower with him! You know, by the clothing stores?"

Hiyori's face turned red. "W-What? No, that wasn't-!"

"Oh, come on Hiyori, don't lie to me!" Yama chided. "I saw you guys there! You know, after your tutoring and all? I told you I'd be shopping!"

Hiyori's eyes widened as she was reminded of her short chat with Yama over the phone. "Wait, I-"

"Ha-ha!" Yama exclaimed, proudly. "I knew it, Hiyori- the heart stealer! How'd you do it so fast, huh? You melted that cold soul in seconds!"

"It wasn't a date!" Hiyori protested. "I was just-"

"If it wasn't a date, then what was it?" Yama cut in.

Hiyori opened her mouth, then closed it, being at a loss for words. She couldn't tell Yama about what Yato had told her, or even what Yukine had told her. I promised him. Quickly making up her mind, she said, "He was- he was just showing me around the city!" After a few seconds of silence, Hiyori face palmed- was that the best she could come up with?

"Mmhm," Yama said, smugly. "I'm sure- and what else did you guys do? Platonically make out?"

Hiyori's face turn a shade of deep red, and steam nearly billowed from her ears. "Yama-chan! I'd never-"

"Okay, okay, I get it," Yama acknowledged, laughing. "I'll stop teasing you, for now. But still- I'm keeping an eye on you guys!"

"Yama-chan!" Hiyori protested, fumbling with the sheets on her bed. "Stop it-" she complained, though in a sing-song voice.

"Okay, well, see you on Monday, okay?" Yama said, laughing. Then, she gasped as though she'd reached an epiphany. "Wait! Hiyori, I had to tell you! I actually think I got a date, too!"

"You 'think'?" Hiyori repeated, furrowing her brows. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean, while I was shopping, I ran into this really cute boy, and I just started chatting him up, and then he gave me his number!" she burst out without taking a breath. Then, she exhaled. "Like, I don't know! It's not really official or anything. I'll see how it goes."

Hiyori eyebrows rose in surprise. Yama really must be good with boys, after all. "Wow, that was quick," Hiyori acknowledged. "When are you going on a date?"

"Um, I think sometime this week?" Yama answered. "It's not that big- it's just a first date. Anyways, talk to you later! I have to go now!"

"Oh, bye, Yama-chan!"

Click.

Hiyori let out a deep sigh. She rolled over so that she was on her stomach, and shut her phone off. Wait a second, she thought. She was lying on the bed that Yato had slept on the entire night- and then, she noticed that it smelled really good. Taking a deep breath in, she realized that a boy had slept here- a boy! She couldn't help but blush at the thought. It hadn't all just been a figment of her imagination, had it? Some kind of strange dream? But, no, it couldn't have- her bed smelled different- almost like what she would expect to smell by a fresh lake, populated by hundreds and hundreds of blooming oak wood trees. A sight she would expect to see in a place like Hokkaido during the summer.

"Hiyori?"

Her brother's voice interrupted her pleasant thoughts, drawing her attention. She quickly covered the bed, as if he would be able to tell what happened the previous night just by looking at it. However, following his disapproving gaze, she realized that she had forgotten to clean up the emergency aid kit on the floor.

"Um, Masaomi, that's-" she began.

"You have a visitor," he cut in, frowning. "It's a- it's a boy."

Her eyes widened. "W-Who is it?"

"I didn't recognize him, so I told him to wait outside," Masaomi answered. Hiyori stood up, brushing off her skirt. "He must be a middle-schooler- blond, strange-colored eyes."

Hiyori gasped. "Yukine-kun!" she exclaimed, passing by her brother and hurrying down the hallway. Her brother quickly followed suit.

"And who, exactly, is this Yukine-kun?" Masaomi asked, tracking Hiyori down the hallway.

"The boy I'm tutoring!" Hiyori answered, stepping down to the shoe area at the entrance of the apartment. She turned around, opening the door with a smile. "Yukine-kun!"

Yukine, having been in a daze, was caught off guard, and jumped as Hiyori called his name. "H-Hey!" Yukine awkwardly responded, waving. Noticing the intimidating male figure standing behind Hiyori with a stern glare, he felt a bead of sweat run down in his scalp. "I was, um- I needed to talk to you about my homework!"

Hiyori's eyes widened. "Oh!" she exclaimed. She took a step back, waving him in. "Oh, come in! This is, um, my brother, Masaomi. Masaomi, this is Sagami Yukine-kun, who I just started tutoring yesterday," she introduced, satisfied that they both acknowledged each other with a nod. "Masaomi, can you please leave us alone? I want to talk to Yukine-kun privately."

Giving Yukine one last, piercing glare, Masaomi left them at the entrance to the apartment. Hiyori then turned back to Yukine, cocking her head curiously. "What happened, Yukine-kun?" she asked. She took a step backwards. "Oh, and please, come in."

He walked inside, head hanging in shame. What was he supposed to do now? He usually went to his friends for advice, but in his anger, the only person he thought he could go to for help was Hiyori- especially after hearing Yato's story. Well, it also wasn't like he could tell his friends about Yato in the first place; he usually had to keep that stuff to himself. He shuffled his feet, waiting for Hiyori to set a pair of slippers in front of him. "I-I had a fight with Yato," he answered. To her disdainful look, he added, "again."

"Oh, what happened this time?" Hiyori asked, standing and leaning against the hallway.

"It was just- in the morning, when he came back." He blushed, remembering what Yato had said. "Is it- is it true that he spent the night here?"

Hiyori swiveled around, glancing behind her. Her brother hadn't heard that, had he? "Yukine-kun!" she exclaimed in a hushed tone, putting a finger to her lips. "Sh! I don't want my brother to hear!" Her cheeks were slightly flushed.

"Oh! Sorry," Yukine replied, quietly. Noticing her pink cheeks, he narrowed his eyes.

Hiyori lowered her gaze. "Yes, Kogami-san was here last night," she answered, sighing. She paused. How much could she tell Yukine about what happened with Yato last night? Making up her mind, she went on. "After his job, he was- he was injured, and so when I came across him on the street, I had to help him. He didn't let me take him to the hospital, so I just decided to... let him rest in my home."

"Oh," Yukine replied, processing the information she had given him. How the hell did she get Yato to come into her house? "Was he okay?"

Hiyori winced. "Not really," she answered. "He was bleeding a lot from his mouth, but luckily, none of his teeth were out of place. The bruising from his face was bad, but I thought it was light enough for me to take care of it with some ice and pain relief pills." She paused, thinking back on the details. Noticing his bewildered look, she smiled. "I want to be a doctor when I'm older, so I'm a little knowledgeable on medical terminology."

Yukine's eyebrows rose. "Wow," he mustered. "So, he just stayed over for the night?" Hiyori nodded, and he continued with a confused expression. "And your... brother? He was okay with that?"

Hiyori shook her head. "No, I slipped Yato in before my brother came home," she answered, letting out a giggle. "I had to hide him in my room. When I woke up in the morning, though, he was gone. He was lucky that my brother didn't see him leave."

Yukine blushed- Yato had spent the night in her room? Then, shaking his head, he reverted to his previous frustrated expression. "But Yato and I got in a fight again this morning," he said, finally. "After he got home-"

"He got home safely?" Hiyori exclaimed. A smile grew across her face when he nodded. "That's great!"

"Yeah," Yukine bit out. Despite her cheerful expression, he went on with a grimace. "Um, not really. I kinda- kicked myself out of the house, and came here first thing." He looked off to the side. Hesitating, he clenched his fists, and blurted out, "is it okay if I stay here for a few days?"

Hiyori's eyebrows rose, and she lightly gasped. "Stay over?"

"Yeah," Yukine admitted, refusing to meet her eyes. This is so embarrassing. "Yato and I just- don't get along, at all."

She was considering her options; how could she explain this to her brother? Where would Yukine stay in the house; for how long? Then, a sudden realization came to her. If her brother tried to disagree with her on the subject, she could easily bring up his white lie to her about their mother's health. It would work with Masaomi, wouldn't it?

Yukine clenched his eyes closed, every second that Hiyori didn't answer making him a nervous wreck. He heard her shifting her feet, and he squinted one eye open. "Yes," she answered.

Yukine felt his heart skip a beat. "Wait- really? For real?"

Hiyori smiled. "Yes, Yukine-kun, you can. As long as I convince my brother, of course."

Yukine felt a surge of joy rush through his chest. He would have never expected her to accept so easily, and so quickly! Seeing Hiyori giggle at his cheerful expression, he similarly fell into a fit of laughter.

"But," Hiyori said, making Yukine's chuckles stop. "Only if you tell your mother about the panic attack from your amnesia the other day."

Yukine's eyes widened. "What? W-Why?"

Hiyori crossed her arms over her chest. "Not saying anything is, basically, the same as lying. You have to tell your mother about something like that. I think you should get proper treatment for it."

Yukine felt something akin to panic bristle in his chest. "Yato helps me with these things," he admitted, looking away from Hiyori. "That's part of the reason why my mom chose him, through this weird process that she made up, to be my tutor and part time amnesia helper."

"Does it work?" Hiyori asked.

Yukine paused. He'd never actually thought about it. Did Yato actually help him out with panic attacks? The occurrences of the morning came to mind, but memories from before- of Yato calming him down, patting his back and offering reassuring words- also flashed through his thoughts.

He wanted to be spiteful and say no. What came out of his mouth, though, was a barely audible, "I think so."

Hiyori smiled. "That's good," she hummed, pleased. "But, you also have to promise to talk to your mother, okay? Then, you can stay over at my house."

Yukine cracked a small grin. "O-Okay."

Two days.

Hiyori twirled a pencil in her hand as she stared out the window of the classroom. It was already the last period of the day, and she hadn't seen Yato at all since the weekend. He hadn't shown up to school at all on either Monday or Tuesday. Was it her fault? Had she done something wrong when taking care of him? Had her decision to take in Yukine over the past few days been of ill judgement? He wouldn't skip school because of her, would he? He certainly didn't seem like the type of boy who would-

Slam!

The sound of the classroom door being thrown open jolted her out of her thoughts, making her swivel to the source of the noise. To her shock, it was Yato, standing at the doorway. As soon as they met eyes, she felt something rise in her chest, and she watched as he glanced away from her.

When he neared his desk, directly behind hers, she opened her mouth to speak. "Where were you?"

"I could ask the same thing," he retorted, setting his bag down on the floor. Though he already knew the answer, he continued. "You know, about Yukine."

Hiyori's brows rose. "I- that wasn't-" she stopped herself. I can't put the blame all on Yukine. "That's right- he's staying at my home now."

Yato frowned. Did she have to be so honest about everything? Yato had assumed that she would at least cover for Yukine, though Yukine had already told him over text where he was staying.

Yato finally met her gaze again, though his eyes flittered about and refused to maintain contact with hers for long. Yato gulped, sitting down in his chair with an air of nonchalance. "While you were having fun with Yukine, I was recuperating," he answered. Noticing her blank stare, he went on. "You know, with the bruise and all."

Hiyori gasped as she remembered his injury. She shifted in her seat to check both of his cheeks, but there was still no sign of the purple discoloration. It was gone already! Under her scrutinizing gaze, a light blushed began to dust across his cheeks- though Hiyori did not notice this predicament. Her brows furrowed. "How is it... gone so soon?"

"I have my ways," Yato replied, shifting in his seat. He tried to play off his self-consciousness by gesticulating. "It's all good now."

Hiyori narrowed her eyes at him, her grip on his desk tightening. "Are you really sure?"

This is awkward as hell, he thought, hands fidgeting under the table. No one had cared so much about his health; other than Yukine, of course- though Yato successfully hid most of his pain behind closed doors. Yato started to speak, but stumbled on his words. "I-" he stammered, grunting. Fuck, my face is getting hotter. "I'm sure."

Hiyori stared at him for not a second longer before sighing and relaxing her shoulders. "That's a relief," she said. She turned and smiled at him. "I'm glad you're back!"

Yato's eyes widened, and he felt his heart begin to thud in his chest. No one said things like that to him. No one- not even Yukine openly admitted to things like that. In an effort to break the tension that had formed over them, he decided to tease her. "You don't have to make it so obvious, y'know."

She slowly turned to him, furrowing her brows. "Make what obvious?" she asked.

He rolled his eyes. To his irritation, his heart continued to race in his chest- which wasn't supposed to happen. That was how he was supposed to make her feel. Wait, why do I want to make her feel that way? "That you've never had a boy in your room before."

Hiyori's eye twitched. "A-A guy, in my room," she repeated, to which Yato nodded, ushering her to continue. She stood up, a vehement look crossing over her face. "Of course I haven't!" she shouted, her hands shaking beside her. "How could you even suggest such a thing! You're such a pervert! I was just trying to be nice!" Hiyori huffed, swiveling away and sitting in her seat again. I was just trying to be friendly, and he acts immature, she thought with a frown. Boys.

On the outside, Yato appeared calm and collected. That was not how he felt internally, however. His heartbeat was a mess, and every time he swallowed, he felt a lump in his throat.

During the whole period, all Yato could hear in his head were Hiyori's words, repeating over and over again in his head. He didn't pay attention to what the teacher was saying- not that he did usually, but today was especially so. He didn't even know what subject the teacher was talking about. Every time he heard her words in his head, his chest would twist and get warmer, and he'd grab his cheeks and feel the heat there, too.

Yato was elated to hear the chime of the last bell- he was free. Finally free, from the horrors of the school and the stupid mantra in his head. It had been getting excruciating.

Hiyori fiddled with her cell phone as she packed up, and she realized that she had gotten more texts from Yama, again. What did her overexcitable friend want this time? Before Hiyori had the chance to read them all, however, she heard the bang! of the classroom door opening, and a piercing scream.

"Hiyori!" The guilty party- unsurprisingly, Yama- bolted over to Hiyori, knocking over several chairs in the process. "Hurry! Let's go!"

Hiyori's brows knitted in confusion. "What are you talking ab-"

She was cut off by Yama's unstoppable mouth. "The date! Let's go, now!"

"What? A date?" Hiyori spluttered, being pulled along by Yama's tight grip on her wrist. "I never heard-"

Yama's eyes flashed at her, and she gestured to the door with her head. "I'll explain later!" she insisted, tugging on her friend's arm. "Just, come on!"

"Okay, okay!" Hiyori accepted Yama's pleads, allowing herself to be led out of the room.

As the door slammed closed, a certain pair of sapphire eyes watched the scene with an unreadable expression.

Yato wouldn't ever admit it in a million years, but he felt something tighten in his chest as he'd seen Hiyori being tagged along on a date. His fists clenched at his sides, and the feeling of helplessness dawned upon him.

Did he even matter to her, or to Yukine?

A/N: I'm sorry to say that the next chapter will take a while to complete. I'm predicting two weeks, because school is a real pain in the ass… Also, I'm taking 2 SATs in the first week of March, so that's fun! x33 (the sarcasm is dripping off the page here)

-I'm thinking of making an Ao3 account. Is the main difference between and Ao3 that there's basically more smut there, and generally older writers?

- I LOVE Haikyuu!, which I just started watching about a week ago, and I'm in the middle of the second season, and I... love it. I feel literal motherly affection towards Hinata, idk what's happening to me. Also, screw Oikawa. I'm also seriously considering writing a fanfic for KageHina, because it's amazing.

-Apparently my blog is now multi-fandom because I'm too lazy to organize. I will probably post a spoiler in a week for the next chapter there. Also, I was thinking about changing my URL (writeyatori) to a more ambiguous one so it's clear that it's not just dedicated to noragami posts.

Have a nice day! Until next time C:

~exie