Hello there! So, this chapter takes place sometime around chapter 24 in the manga. So spoilers everyone! I have changed events a bit from how they occurred in the manga.

This is more Hiyori-centric. Hope you like it, tell me what you think. ;)

[A CONFLICTED WISH]

It's a warning and she gets the message loud and clear, but she can't accept it.

"We do not interfere with humans. Yato has acted recklessly and his shinki did not stop him. Don't you see, he may become a violent god for your sake."

She looks up at Tenjin and wants to interject, but he cuts her off. "You don't want that, do you? So I suggest you cut your ties with him."

She feels Kazuma's gaze on her and she can't form a reply.

She not sure when it happened, but she lost sight of the reason she became so entangled in this world of gods and shinki that she now inhabits. She had made a wish. She gave the offering and he accepted. After the accident, something happened to her and she hasn't been the same since. Her body began to feel tired and heavy and she just wanted to be free from it. It was when those thoughts arose that she left her body and that purple tail would swish behind her. Her tail-her cord- was the only connection from her spirit form to her physical form. She was no longer just Hiyori. She wasn't just human anymore, she was also part phantom and she was stuck in between two worlds and going back and forth between them. It was troubling and dangerous.

When did the present with Yato and everyone suddenly become more important that her wish?

It was the voices from the far shore that would haunt her the most. She couldn't filter them out. They were always present and would keep her up at night. They sounded so pained and made her hurt and tremble down to her very bones. They sounded loudly in her ears, almost as though they were in the same room.

Yato had explained everything to her. He told her about the voices, ayakashi, shinki, and what she had become. Her problem only seemed to worsen as time went on and she sought refuge. She asked for his help and placed her faith in him.

There was something that pulled her to his world. It seemed to seek out her very soul and she would always respond. She would long to return to that world with her favorite scent. It's a scent that will slightly muffle the voices that haunt her at night and wrap her in a warm embrace. A comforting smell that is like the earth after a spring shower and has hints of freshly cut mint and pine needles. It's embarrassing to her- liking that scent so much- now that she knows who it belongs to, but she can't stop the pull that is has on her. She also can't stop the way that his smile takes troubles away and makes a smile reach her own face. She'd like to stay here, but when such thoughts occur she wonders if she's lost sight of her initial goal. She wants to be normal again, but she likes it here and she's starting to see less bad in her phantasmal condition. She's not sure what she wants anymore. The pull is too great and it is only increasing.

Humans should not interact with gods as she does- that's what she's been told- but she's not human anymore. She's not just Hiyori, she's also a phantom. So, what world does she truly belong to now?

Time seems to pass quickly when she's with Yato. There have been many experiences that have been terrifying, or rather, should have been, but she felt no fear. She's shared laughs and has been bathed in the comfort that comes from those that reside in Kofuku's home. To her, they are people and feel like family. She wonders why she feels more alive as a ghost.

It's after the battle with Bishamon that she realizes that Yato had also been troubled over her presence in his world. She laughs and congratulates Yukine on becoming a blessed regalia and she feels pride swell within her chest. Yato made the right choice with the boy and they make a great team. She is going to say something else when she sees Yukine disappear and she turns in Yato's direction and finds him holding the double blades in his hands. She stills, as do the others around her. He looks at her with a hurt, conflicted feeling. The look in his eyes is like that of a predator, and she feels her blood run cold.

"What are you doing?"

"He's going to try cutting your bonds, in order to heal your phantasmal condition," responds Tenjin.

She looks at him and she feels her eyes sting. Tenjin knew Yato was planning this. Yato had kept this from her. How could he not tell her this?

"Try...but won't I forget?"

"Your current state is a problem. You can come into harm's way and if you don't remember those from the far shore your spirit will feel less drawn here," adds Tenjin.

She knows, she knows that he's right. That the people here, that scent, and him all draw her here, but how can she forget them? She doesn't want to.

"Yato are you fine with this?"

He does not reply and she feels so frustrated. She wants to hear him say it. She wants to hear him say that he wants her here. She feels so hurt, her words choke in her throat and she shouts out, "Please don't cut them, I still want to spend more time with you!"

A look flashes across his face and she's not able to continue the conversation because she suddenly feels so drowsy. Her vision turns black and she awakes in a hospital room surrounded by her mother and father.

They ask her questions, but they fall on deaf ears as tears form in her eyes and then fall freely. She can't stop the ache that she feels in her chest.

She wants to continue going to Kofuku's home and laugh with her. She wants to help Yukine with homework problems and there's still so much she doesn't know about Yato.

"Hiyori, what's wrong? Are you in pain?" asks her mother as she grabs her hand. Hiyori cannot reply as her voice becomes muffled and she lets out a choked sob.

She wants to get better, she wants to stop losing her body, but she also wants to stay with all of her friends. She doesn't want to choose. If her wish can be granted in this way, she doesn't want it. It's not worth it. She wants another way.

When she finally starts high school, she avoids Yato for two main reasons. Firstly: she's still a bit sore over the fact that he would want to cut their bonds and secondly… well he's a bit too clingy lately and he's been leaving a multitude of messages on her phone and on his twitter that are directed at her.

She is able to ignore him until the cherry blossom viewing in which she invited Kofuku, Tenjin, Bishamon and their shinki. She sighs when she sees him standing in the nearby shrubbery. She can still feel her phone vibrate nonstop as he sends her multiple messages. She calls him over and he takes his place next to her. He starts to open the food containers and takes out an octopus-shaped sausage and munches on it. She sees a delighted and content smile reach his face and she smiles as well.

He hasn't cut her ties and he seems to be around her even more, so there's still time. Maybe he doesn't mind her here. Either way, she wants to stay. That's what she's chosen.

She listens intently as Yato boasts about Yukine's strength and she waits for the others to arrive. Under the cherry blossom tree with petals of a pretty, light pink raining above her head she decides that she'd like to spend many more days like this.

She had gone with Kazuma to get a few more drinks and they ran into Tenjin. That's when he gave that warning. Despite what he said, she couldn't abide by it.

She feels happy here and wants to stay. She wants to learn more about Yato. Feeling Kazuma's gaze upon her, she steels her resolve and looks at Tenjin, "I made Yato a promise. I plan to keep it. What you're asking...it's not an option." Tenjin looks at her with amusement flickering in his eyes and her gaze upon him does not waver. He looks away, not saying anything else and moves forward. She looks at Kazuma and sees a small smile upon his face, but it disappears just as quickly as it appeared.

She thinks back on that wish she made long ago. Whether she's human or phantom doesn't seem to matter as much anymore, she's a new Hiyori. She has a place at Kofuku's table and she looks forward to going there after school each day and being invited to a home that is lively rather than empty.

She made a promise. She'll keep it. Above all else, she does not want to fail Yato. She won't forget him and she'll come to see him every day. She inhabits two worlds and for now, she'll wait on that wish. She wants to see what other adventures they go on and learn more about him.

Walking up to the sakura tree with Kazuma by her side, she sees Yato grab onto Bishamon's collar and say, "Come on fight me if you're so tough!"

She grimaces and rushes up to stop him. "No, Yato don't!"

Bishamon doesn't back down and approaches Yato as well.

"Veena!"

Despite the situation, she can't help the laugh that escapes her lips. There is never any peace with Yato around, but that's fine. It was all just fine.

I just want to tell you all how awesome I think you are for always reading. Thank you. :D