The next morning was uneventful and slow. As yet, there was no awkwardness between either Nanami or Tomoe with regards to the night before. In fact, it seemed as though last night never happened. Mizuki had earlier told Tomoe that he had business to finish in the demon world. So it was just Nanami and Tomoe who sat and ate together. As they were eating suddenly a 'bing' was heard. Nanami's cell phone alerted her that she had received another text message. Tomoe inwardly sighed. Here we go again I guess...

The walk to school consisted of more silence and more text messages. Nanami seemed to be completed unaware of her lack of conversation, as she was so absorbed in replying to the mystery person. As they walked silently down the street, Tomoe thought to himself. Why is she so obsessed with that phone? I mean it is not as if it has its own personality or anything, it just allows communication. Instant communication with other people. Well it is more of a question of who is she so interested with? Not any of her friends I doubt, she finished the advice she needed to give to Ami yesterday... I expect it has something to do with that date of hers, the one Mizuki told me about. Tomoe's fist clenched slightly, but what do I care?

The day was filled with numerous classes that Tomoe took no interest in. He just kept to himself mostly. Nanami on the other hand, was having quite a bit of trouble. Her first lesson was English, a lesson she really enjoyed but was not very confident in her ability. Tomoe on the other hand found the English lessons somewhat interesting. Why do you need to learn another countries language, unless you are going to live there? What is the use of learning it if you will be forever in one place. In Japan, you need to speak Japanese - that is it. Yet many young people these days cannot speak Japanese all that well. There are lots of words that I do not understand among teenagers. Nanami sometimes uses them, they also seem to be similar to this 'English' I have heard of repeatedly. Perhaps they are connected somewhat.

Nanami's second lesson was Maths, and she was trying to get the point of the whole lesson. Although she had done all of her revision and homework, it just was not going in. She inwardly sighed, I just wish this lesson would be over. She looked at the clock. Thank god, two more minutes left of this torture! The bell rang for the end of the class and students began to gather in the hallway on break. Tomoe took this time to slip out of the classroom and take a stroll. Suddenly he came face to face with Kurama.

"What's up foxy?"

"Nothing much ostrich. Care to take this to the closet?"

"Sure, bring it."

Tomoe and Kurama have another 'closet' talk', where getting in their demon forms. Mizuki is not present. Tomoe began to smoke a demon pipe and Kurama began to drink sake.

"Nanami has been acting wierd"

"How so?"

"Always on her phone, always distant, always absorbed by other things..."

"That is kind of given, given what age she is and all. Is there anything else...?"

Tomoe gave a short cough, "She has a date".

"Oh really? That is not surprising, given who she is", Tomoe gave another cough.

Kurama tells Tomoe of young human girls at her age, what they do etc. Then subject turns to love.

"Young women whose feelings are not reciprocated are not going to stay around forever. They move on, to someone who may or may not be better for them, but that is just the way things are. Time is a wondrous thing is it not? Moving on, it could be the thing that she is doing at this very moment". Tomoe's twitched and his ears picked up. "I mean, if she had feelings for someone and they didn't return them, it is only natural right?", Kurama continued.

Tomoe twitched again but this time Kurama picked up on it. "Do you have feelings for her?", Tomoe's stoic composure was shattered as he lost himself for a minute. Mouth agape. "So I take it you do then?" Hmmmmmm a Yokai falling for a human, it is not unheard of but for Tomoe?

"There are a variety of different feelings one can have for someone else. But in terms of affection, you can normally tell if it is love or not, or whether it is romantic or not. Love is something you cannot really describe, but you do know when you are in love with someone else. The first stages are: you feel happy when you spend time with her, you want to be around her a lot of the time, you feel 'whole' or complete around her..." Tomoe stared at him blankly, "Okay let's try this".

"Do you feel calm when she is around, as if you can be yourself?"

"Yes"

"Do you feel like you need to protect her?"

"Yes"

"Whenever another guy is around, do you feel overprotective, almost jealous?"

"Yes"

"Well..."

"Well what?" Tomoe said with an unamused tone.

"Well... I think you do have feelings for her, and that you should probably act on it. As she will be gone if you don't, gone to this new guy, whomever it may be". Tomoe stared at him at shock, he had not expected such a council from the crow. Kurama frowned, just what does he think she will do - wait forever? Tomoe you need to wake up, and wake up fast before she is long gone.

Meanwhile, Nanami was with Kei and Ami discussing the previous day. They were catching up with Nanami regarding any developments that had happened.

"Did Tamaki get back to you Nanami?" Kei enquired. In truth she had been worried that he wouldn't contact Nanami, some guys were just odd like that.

"Yes actually. We have been pretty much texting each other nonestop since yesterday!" Nanami said with a smile.

"Maaaa... you must have his interest then Nanami!" Ami pipped in.

"Ah... yeah"

"Takashi doesn't normally act this interested in anything really. He is normally more aloof..."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he can be really lazy", Kei continued, "... but I guess that is with most people. Anyway, what did you end up texting about?"

"Everything really."

"What do you mean by 'everything'?"

"I mean everything; our favourite hobbies, foods and loads of other stuff.."

"And?"

"And?"

"And...?"

"And I think he is quite cute..." Nanami finally confessed.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Ami squealed.

"That's what I thought", Kei exclaimed, "So?"

"I think he likes me or is at least interested"

"That is kinda given, due to all of the messages you have been sending one another...!"

"Yes, and the fact that yesterday he asked me out".

Kei went silent. Is she serious? This is Tamaki we are talking about... good old unpredictable Tamaki. He has the capacity to communicate effectively with girls, but this is definitely a first of being this direct. Jeeze, she must have made some impression.

"Are you serious?"

"100% serious, he asked me out!"

"So when did he ask you out, as in which day are you gonna meet him?"

"Tonight"

"Maaaa... that's not so bad... not too far away... wait. Tonight?" Kei spluttered.

"Eerrrrr yes"

"So you are meeting Tamaki tonight?"

"Yes"

"God woman, you move quickly", neither does he waste a minute, "you really want to make Tomoe jealous ASAP.."

"Well it is in between. Tamaki asked me when I am free this week, apart from tomorrow or Sunday, I have no time. Tonight is the only day that I have some time in the evening, and he was busy on Sunday... so it made the most sense!" Nanami replied whilst rubbing the back of her head.

"So what are you going to do? Something special?"

"I think we are just going to meet up and have dinner really...! Nothing too grand."

"Alrighty, and what are you going to wear out?"

"Not sure yet, I had kind of forgotten that problem. Any ideas?"

"Something cute!" Ami pipped in.

"Nah, go for something sexy, always leaves them coming back for more I say!"

"Maaa... I think in-between is better don't you think? Something casual?", both Kei and Ami nodded in agreement.

"Wait I have a question. Does Tomoe know yet?"

"Yes"

"How did he take the news...?"

"Not sure."

"EH? How can you be not sure, he is the WHOLE reason why you are even doing this. Or didn't you tell him...?"

"No he does know, but I got a third party to convey the message" Nanami said with a grin. Kei gave her a grin back. I never knew Nanami could be so cunning. I wonder where she got that idea from...? "Using inspiration from your comment on competition, I decided I should also put some indirect pressure on the situation.

"So how did he end up finding out?"

"Oh I told a mutual friend of ours of my date. He is the type to tell Tomoe. Especially if I have specified that it was a secret. I knoe whe would have ended up telling him, it is just the guy he is..."

"Sounds like your plan wouldn't have worked if it wasn't for this friend of yours."

"Completely."

After coming home from school, unlike on normal days where Nanami would focus on her homework, Nanami was freaking out about her outfit. She had been on the phone to both Kei and Ami regarding what to wear. She had narrowed it down to a couple of different outfits, but she still felt all over the place. I should go for something simple and classic. Nothing too forward either. That regarding the make-up too! Eventually after much debating she decided on a dress and jacket combination, which she would wear with boots and high socks over tights. The colours were simple, muted tones but her jewellery encompassed vivid colours. During regular days, Nanami wore limited make-up but this time she wanted to be a bit different. She had that very afternoon, invested in some black liquid eyeliner.

After a short while she emerged from her room, looking for her school bag and wondering where everyone else was. Nanami was nervous about seeing Tomoe, especially with what she was wearing at the moment. As she turned the corner she ran in to the fire children, "Nanami-sama, why are you dressed like that?"

"I am going out somewhere special soon!" She said with a smile.

"EEEEHHHHH? You aren't leaving us are you Nanami-sama?"

"Of course not", the fire demons gave a little sigh of relief, "don't you have things you should be doing?"

"Yes! We are going to the demon world to aid Mizuki with business. We should be back tomorrow morning, have fun!".

Trying to recall where her backpack had gotten, Nanami then made her way to the kitchen. Oh crap, Tomoe is here! Nanami walked in to where Tomoe was beginning to prepare dinner. "Nanam-", he stopped as he turned around, dropping the plate he was holding. Crack.

"Tomoe...?", silence, "Tomoeee...?"

Tomoe was just staring at Nanami. Tomoe sniffed a couple of times, taking her in. Realising he hadn't replied yet, by they time he began to muster a sentence, Nanami's hand was already on her forehead.

"Are you alright Tomoe?", Tomoe's cheeks flushed slightly, "Are you coming down with something perhaps?".

"Not likely", Tomoe replied gruffly, "Anyway, why do you smell like that?" he said as he held his nose. "More to the point, why are you dressed like that at this hour? Planning on going somewhere?" Tomoe said with an enquiring tone.

"Oh this? I am going on a date later on tonight."

Silence. Tomoe's mind started to panic. A date? Tonight? With who...? "Tonight?"

"Yes"

"But what about the dinner I have already started to prepare, you don't want it?"

Nanami pouted. "Of course I do, just save it for later, maybe even tomorrow!"

"Fine"

"Do you know where my school bag is? I left something important in it"

"Yes, over there." Tomoe replied whilst pointing to the corner of the room.

"Thanks Tomoe", she took a deep breath, "I'll be back later on tonight". With that she closed the door and headed off.

Tamaki had told Nanami to meet just outside the central station, by the main fountain. He was already there when she arrived. He waved to her so he got her attention. Nanami walked up to him.

"Hiya, I'm Tamaki. Nice to meet you, Nanami"

"Likewise!" Nanami said with a smile.

"So where do you want to go? I thought we could grab something to eat?" Tamaki suggested.

"Sounds like a plan, I haven't eaten dinner yet."

"Is there anything you don't like or eat?"

"Nope. I am okay with anything really, no allergies"

After much discussion about where to go, they mutually decided to head to a local Italian place. Upon arrival they were seated in a quite corner of the restaurant. The restaurant itself was not large, but it had lots of tables filled with people talking and eating. After much contemplation, they both decided on what they wanted to eat. Anything pasta based was appetising for Nanami, as she hardly ever had pasta. Before that pasta arrived they had spoke quite a lot about all kinds of things, but when the food came it became quite a lot lighter. Tamaki got a dish Nanami had not heard of before, seeing her curiosity Tamaki asked her if she wanted some. Nodding in response, Tamaki loaded his fork with pasta had scooted over to Nanami, indicating that she should eat from his fork. Nanami blushed upon realisation. Is he serious? Tamaki further nudged the fork towards her. Nanami slowly held the fork and took the mouthful of pasta, whilst blushing profoundly.

The rest of the night consisted of having desert at a ice-cream parlor. After leaving the ice-cream parlor, Nanami decided that she should be heading home. Not wanting Nanami to go home alone, Tamaki walked her to the base of the shrine. It had gotten quite late by this time. She found this gesture to be very sweet so she let him. Upon their approach to the shrine, she let out a deep sigh.

"Hmmmm? Why the deep sigh?"

"Eeeh? Oh I am just really full. All of that food and ice-cream has made me really tired. I don't know how I will digest it all!"

"I am glad you enjoyed it."

"Well, here we are!" Nanami replied whilst looking at the steps.

"Oh right? This is where you live?"

"Around here yes!"

"Well why don't I walk you to your door?"

"Ah, I am staying with family at the moment, wouldn't be practical. My cousin can be really protective." That cousin would be Tomoe of course...! Nanami was lost in deep thought, when a pair of hands brought her close to a chest and a kiss was placed on her cheek. Come again...? Tamaki then let her go and waved her goodbye.

"I had a really lovely time Nanami, let's do it again soon. Have a good night." Nanami was still in shock with what he had just done as he walked away.

Nanami came through the front door as quietly as she could. She hadn't realised how late it had gotten. Trying not to bother the the others, she decided to go straight to bed, but not before she got some water. Before she could however, strong arms wrapped around her and she gave a little scream.

"My my Nanami, is that how you treat your familiar?" Tomoe teased. He did so love to tease her. I wonder what her reaction will be ... wait. Sniff sniff sniff.

"Tomoe?", suddenly a low growl vibrated from Tomoe's chest, "Tomoe?". He simply held her closer, "Tomoe? Let go!", with the contract holding him in place, he was forcefully made to let go. Tomoe was confused. He smelt another male on her. Someone he didn't know, a human male none the less. Who is he and why does she smell like him? Especially around her face... His eyes widened slightly, with the realisation of what that meant.

Mizuki chose at this point to enter the kitchen. He cocked his head to the side in question when seeing Nanami and Tomoe in the kitchen. Hmmm I wonder whats going on. Ohh... Mizuki picked up small but visible shakes in Tomoe's stance, a light growl emitting from his person and also the unknown male scent surrounding Nanami. No wonder Tomoe is in this state, he thinks someone has had their way with her. That she is someone elses. Ignoring Tomoe's current situation, he sprang in to asking Nanami questions about her night.

"So Nanami, how was it? Where did you end up going?"

"It was really lovely. We ended up going to an Italian place, then on for ice-cream later."

"Who was this person you met?"

"Oh a friend of a friend."

"Wait, you hadn't even met him... before I mean?" Tomoe's ears picked up.

"Well of course I knew of him, just not personally. Like a blind date if you would." Tomoe's fist clenched slightly, more of that strange feeling coursing through his veins. Nanami continued to tell Mizuki about the date. He noted Tomoe's lack of movement, but Nanami didn't as she was too focused in his story. I wonder what Tomoe will do about his obvious feelings for Nanami... our land god.