Tomoe's disappearance to the demon realm was something new to Nanami. He had never been gone for this long before, all evening and all morning, Nanami was beginning to wonder where on earth he had gotten to. Presuming she would end up catching up with him at school, she set off. On her way there, much like in pervious days her phone began to beep and her thoughts turned to Tamaki. Tamaki enquired if she was free after school to meet up. As it was a half day at school, she figured having a late lunch with Tamaki would help her get rid of her worries of Tomoe, after all there was nothing she could do about it at the moment. Nanami agreed and so they decided to meet up in central.

The day flew past without Tomoe being around. As the lunch bell sounded she began to worry. Where is he? He is never like this, unless something has happened to him... Then she spotted Kurama. Maybe he has heard from Tomoe, or at least knows something I don't. She decided to approach him.

"Kurama"

"Nanami, how is it going?"

"Not good"

"Eh? Why?"

"Tomoe didn't come home last night and I haven't seen him all morning"

"Tomoe hasn't come back?"

"Yes"

"And?"

"And I am worried something could have happened to him as he never does this."

"He went out?"

"He went to the demon realm before the Hanabi started. But I haven't seen him since. He said he hadsomething to sort out".

"Well he could just be busy..."

"I guess so..."

"But the question is busy with who and what..."

"..."

"I mean you said you had previously caught him in the care of prostitutes in the red light district, do you see the conclusion I am drawing?"

"Yes, but..."

"You never know Nanami. Just like humans we have needs and urges, but they are significantly more powerful" Kurama said with a chuckle as he saw Nanami begin to blush.

"Alright, I guess I will just leave it", Nanami said with a sigh, "It obviously is important to Tomoe". With that she left Kurama to get on with things. As she turned away Kurama was locked in a mental debate with himself. Tomoe better have a good excuse for all of this, to leave Nanami all by herself and not even show up to the demon Hanabi she attended yesterday, it is really disrespectful...

After the last lesson, Nanami went straight to meet Tamaki in just her regular school uniform. They had prior decided to meet at a general family restaurant, where they could catch up and eat without all of the formalities of a date. Sure it was a date, but it was without all of the stress. Tamaki had arrived first, but not by much. He was leaning against one of the banners just by the main entrance. As Nanami approached he realised who it was and stood to attention. She gave him a quick hug to say hello and then they both made their way inside. They were seated very quickly towards the back of the restaurant. Allowing them to talk on all sorts of matters if they so wished. The first pressing matter was what to order, for Nanami it was a conundrum. Nanami having not been to many of these sorts of establishments was at a loss. Tamaki sensing her confusion chuckled to himself loudly.

"Eh, what's so funny?"

"Just that you are focusing completely on the menu. I don't think I have ever seen someone concentrate

as hard as you were doing a minute ago about what to order.!"

"I just haven't been to a place like this in forever..."

"Well how about I help?"

"Sure"

"Okay, well the first decision is pretty easy. Do you want meat of a vegetarian dish?"

"Meat I think"

"Rice, noodles or western?"

"Western"

"Well that leaves this section here..." Tamaki pointed to a certain area on the menu, "... and I would recommend number 39 as it is quite a classic dish. I have had it a couple of times."

"That does sound good, sure I'll go with that"

"Sure?"

"I think so..."

As they order the topic of conversation changed to the past week and what they had been up to. Tamaki told her of his issues of a new teacher that had started recently, the interview he had for a part-time job the day before and the trials his team was having for basket ball first year try-outs. Nanami nodded in acknowledgement. She told him of the Hanabi festival yesterday and the outfit she wore, whilst showing him a picture. Tamaki commented on the picture, telling her that she looked amazing and that he had wished he had been there to see her. His words made Nanami blush and look into her plate.

The rest of the meal was uneventful, just full of light conversation. The meeting was only ever going to be brief, due to the time constraints for both of them. They both had school the next day early, but both wanted to see each other although briefly. As they went to leave the establishment, Nanami decided to go to the toilet. In her absence Tamaki took the opportunity to pay for the whole bill. When she came back she found him waiting outside, wondering why he was outside, she enquired why he was not inside.

"Have you paid the bill?"

"Yes."

"The whole bill?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because I want to pay something for it. It is not fair on you buying everything for me..."

"But what it I wanted too...?"

"Still, it is not what I want. I'll let you get this one, but next time it is on me!" Tamaki smiled in acknowledgement. They then began to walk to the station to go their separate ways. Nanami went to gave a hug when Tamaki suddenly kissed her softly. Not knowing what to do and not wanting to seem awkward, she closed her eyes and sunk into the kiss. Letting the feelings bubble and wash over her, she began to blush and momentarily forgetting Tomoe. He left her breathless and ruffled her hair as he departed first. Then she started her slow journey back home, still dazed by Tamaki's actions.

Upon arriving home, she expected to find Tomoe waiting for her or doing some sort of chore like duty around the shrine, but no, nothing. Tomoe was nowhere to be seen. She scoured the whole grounds and nothing. Going back to the kitchen she decided to make herself some tea and begin on her mountain of homework she had to complete. Deciding that Tomoe would come when he felt the need to and that there was nothing good about worrying she got to work. Several hours passed and her homework pile was slowly diminishing. Feeling somewhat peckish she headed to the kitchen again to grab something to eat. Suddenly there was a creak outside. Unsure of what to do, she decided to ignore it and get back to her work. Then there was another creak, but this time closer. Gulping and taking all the confidence she had, she made her way to the nearest door outside.

Nanami slowly opened the door to find nothing but darkness; nothing seemed to be lurking on the front porch. She decided to walk around the compound just to make sure everything was okay. Mizuki would be back any minute; he had gone out for something earlier. As she came to the tree that Tomoe usually lounges in, she heard another noise. She turned to see it was nothing but a bird. All at once she was thrown and pinned to the tree, by none other than Tomoe. He was growling much like before, yet this time they were more guttural. Tomoe's eyes were the same as ever. Yet his grip on the bark of the tree tightened as he sniffed her. Another feral growl emitted from his throat as he inhaled. Taking in her presence Nanami diverted her gaze else where, whilst he continued his onslaught. What is going on? This kind of behaviour is similar to the one I experienced a couple of days ago, but this is so much more intense. Tomoe, what happened whilst you were gone? You have saved me countless of times, listened to my worries and counselled me when I was in need. Why won't you let me in? Why won't you let me help you, even if it is only a small help

Finding newfound courage inside of her, she looked him square in the face and decided to take the plunge. She embraced him with both arms, enveloping him with her warmth and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. Her engulfing presence seemed to calm him, eventually the growling ceased. Meeting his gaze she could make out that he was back to his regular self.

"Tomoe?"

"Hmmm"

"Where were you? I was really..." but Nanami was abruptly interrupted by Tomoe's lips which had descended unto her own. Her eyes widened with the realisation that Tomoe was kissing her, quite passionately too. Tomoe himself wasn't aware of what he was doing until he could feel more of Nanami than previously, he had pushed himself closer to her whilst devouring her lips. Once apart he cradled her closer to him and lead her back to the house. No words were shared. He just kept her close.