A/N: Guysss, what the hay? I actually updated my story within a week! WHAT? (Please don't expect this from me, this is very rare… also I should be studying for my midterms right now…) Anyway, I'm experimenting with my writing style… just fyi… Also, I feel like I'm making Yato and Yukine so ooc… I'll work on that... From now on, I'm just going to copy and paste my disclaimer. I'm not patient or witty enough to write a new one each time… If there's ever a time when my chapters include spoilers, I'll let you guys know that there are spoilers so it'd be up to your own discretion whether or not to read that chapter. Leave a review if you'd like! I'd be eternally grateful... jk.

One last thing, thank you so much [insert my friend's name here] for reluctantly becoming my beta! Seriously, I called her at like 1am and forced her to edit this for me. You're the bomb.

Disclaimer: Disclaimers suck. They're so repetitive. WHATEVER, I own my writing, the characters to their rightful owners (le siiiiiiiigh).

01. Yukine, "Debtor"

The shop seemed to be quiet as Yukine swept the front porch. Kofuku went out to go on a "date" with an unlucky young suitor and of course, the ever cautious Daikoku went after her to make sure she didn't cause too much damage. He hadn't seen Yato or Hiyori all day either. He remembered Yato saying something about following Hiyori to school that morning to keep an eye on her. Though Yukine often complained about his loud and obnoxious master, it wasn't until times like these that he suddenly felt the vacancy followed by his absence. The day seemed to go by slowly when he was left with no company. Yukine hated being left alone by himself.

When was the last time I was alone?

Yukine continued to sweep the front porch even though at this point it was spotless. He tried to think about other things that he can do, but he had finished his chores hours ago.

What to do, what to do?

The summer sun was scorching, and Yukine was sweating in his hoodie. That gave him an idea. He went inside to make some popsicles for everyone with the carton of juice that was left in the fridge. He poured the juice into individual cups and stuck mini forks into them. He put them into the freezer and took a seat on the counter. Now all he had to do was wait… and wait… and wait… He couldn't take it anymore. He got off of the counter and made rounds inside the house to find something to do.

He dusted the shelves, organized the books, cleaned the windows, washed the dishes, swept the floor again, he even washed Yato's filthy jersey! Yukine went back outside to see if anyone was coming back, but the porch was still empty. There was no sound. There was nothing left to do. The sun was still shining brightly as if no time had passed. Yukine was starting to get nervous. It felt like a whole day should have gone by, however the sky had yet to fade. A surge of unwanted thoughts started crowding his mind.

What time is it? What's going on? Where is everyone? Why is it so hot?

Yukine then glared at the sun, as if hoping that would cause it back off. Unfortunately for him, it remained shining brightly as ever, without a sign of retreat.

Why is the sun still there? Why is it so quiet? Am I alone? Did everyone forget about me?

He shook his head frantically in order to get a hold of himself.

Don't cry. How is the sun still there? Where is everyone? Why do I have to be alone?

The mere thought of being alone threatened to break him.

Stop crying. Why did they leave me? They left me alone. What am I doing here? I am alone. I am unwanted. I am alone and I have no purpose.

Yukine wavered. His knees gave in gladly, and he fell down on the matted floor. Not that he felt anything anyway; his thoughts were eroding all of his senses. His eyes slowly closed as his tears soaked into the ground. He could feel the thoughts slowly floating away; he was being consumed by a calming black.

And then he woke up.

Yukine looked up to see that Yato was sitting beside him while nibbling on one of the popsicle that he had made earlier that day. The sun had gone down, it was nighttime.

"It's about time you woke up!"

What's going on?

"We've been waiting for you to wake up for hours! Did you finish doing your chores or have you been slacking off all day?"

"What-?"

"Hiyori had to go home to study. Kofuku and Daikoku waited for you to wake up, but I told them to go to sleep around an hour ago."

"It's nighttime?"

"Of course it's nighttime! What did you expect? You've been asleep since we came back!" Yukine was genuinely confused. What had happened earlier? He could remember his feelings so clearly. What he felt earlier- loneliness, emptiness, dread, hopelessness, immobile, the feeling of having no purpose- it was all too real and he couldn't shake it off.

"...so hey."

"..."

"What was going on earlier?" When Yukine failed to respond, Yato added "Did you forget that I know what you're feeling at all times?"

"…Yato, what's my purpose?" He questioned with a coarse voice. Even while Yukine stared blankly at the ground, not once did he feel Yato's gaze lift from him.

"Your purpose is to serve me." Yato replied without any hesitation. "Do you have doubts Yukine?" Yato's voice was soft, but firm. "You were a wandering spirit, but I chose you to become my Regalia and gave you a name. Not only that, but you've sinned against me countless times, yet I have chosen to forgive you. You are indebted to me." Yukine's face reddened with embarrassment. "And I am indebted to you."

"How are you indebted to me?"

"Just as I have saved you, you have also saved me countless times." Yato ruffled Yukine's hair. "Yukine, never doubt whether or not you have a purpose. As long as I exist, you will always have a purpose. And you will never be alone. Never forget that."

The light of moon slightly illuminated the night sky. Never has the dark been more welcoming, more comforting to Yukine than at that very moment.

Next:

02. Kazuma, "Precious" (K+/T)