Tomoe's POV:
Nanami had been unconscious for hours. And I had gone far beyond the level of worry. And I got annoyed that I felt this way. Natsu was trying to wake her but was having no luck so he went out to town to get some sushi, hoping to use her stomach to wake her.
I'd been pacing the grounds of the shrine for what feels like a thousand miles. Nanami face was growing paler and the whisps are starting to panic. Nanami had made quite an impression on them since the beginning. They actually talk back to me now. I felt my face break into a smile. Ugh why do I smile whenever I think about her. Am I under a spell? My heart-felt heavy whenever I thought about her fading colour. And it felt even worse when I'd try to talk myself about of feeling it.

"She's been captured by a dream" An unfamiliar voice said from the room's doorway. The white snake! I threw my body around but I was alone "Down here" I looed down to find a swirling shape of scales. I shoved my foot down on it. I heard as the wood of my shoe crunched it's bones. He's a demon, he could deal with it.
"Wait… captured?" I felt anxiety crashed over me like a wave hitting sand. I reached grabbing the snake tightly, shaking him out of he pain induced dase.
"Y…Yes she's not going to wake until…" Suddenly Nanami shot upwards. Her eyes wide and surprised. "Until she can get away… Nevermind" Mizuki said defeated by timing. I couldn't control myself. I sprinted violently over to Nanami, grabbing her in my arms tightly.
"Tomoe? Wha…What are you doing?" She sputtered, embarrassed. What am I doing?! I shoved her off. Composing myself.
"N..Nothing, just checking whether you were breathing or not" I said, cocky.
"I don't think that's how you do it…" The white snake said mockingly.
"Shut up! Before I make you into a soup!" I growled shoving my shoe down harshly onto the snake. Again. His small bones cracking made me feel a little better.
I looked back at Nanami, her arms were wrapped around herself. Tight. Her face was covered in fear and doubt.
"Nanami?" I whispered as sincerely as I could muster without looking like a total idiot!
"Ya…No it's nothing I'm fine" She smiled falsely. She isn't going to face this alone! Not in this lifetime.
"Nanami…" My words clotted together, I can't speak! Her pain was causing this! My pain! I grabbed her automatically. Bringing her into me as tightly as I could. "Rely on me more! I'll protect you…" Ugh what am I saying… I sound like an idiot.
"Tomoe…" Nanami's eyes were glowing. Tear started running down her face. I felt as her clawed fingers delicately wrapped around me. She threw herself onto my shoulder starting to sob. But somehow I felt a smile shining through her sobs. "Thankyou"

Nanami's POV:
We all waited in silence, at the table as Tomoe cooked our food. Natsu was brooding as he tapped the table violently with his long fingers. The white snake, whose name we'd found out to be Mizuki was smiling happily as he took gentle sips of his sake. I took a sip of my sake, it was really good.
"So Nanami, what happened in your dream?" Mizuki cheered. He's always overly cheerful, I couldn't help but smile. But then a vision of Yami's face destroyed that chance. Should I tell them? I don't want to worry them…. But Tomoe did ask for me to depend on him more.
"You said Riku was a Prince… And that they could tell me what my powers are?"
"Oh I only heard of Riku through legend… They say he was a prince of a northern tribe of bakenekos. But a war broke out between them and their neighbouring kingdom, it was genecide. Riku then surrendered for the sake of the remainder of his kingdom"
"So my eyes what do they mean?" I asked. I felt my heart ache. Riku, you surrendered yourself but how did you escape?!
"Well they're almost like a royal seal… They mean you have great power" He smiled taking a gulp of his swig.
I looked over to the kitchen "Hey Tomoe…" But the kitchen was completely empty. I turned back to Mitzuki "So what kind of power… Can I shoot lazer beams from my eyes? Can I fly?"
"I think you're thinking of superman" Natsu growled. He was still down.
"I'm not sure… I think only the northern bakeneko's kingdom can tell you that" Mitzuki said suddenly composed and serious.
"And where is that?" Natsu asked suddenly interested.
"In the hida mountains" Mizuki said. "It quite a journey from here"
"We'll take the night carriage" I shouted in a burst of excitement.
"What you want to go now?" Natsu shouted. "And what do you mean 'we'll?"
"Yes if it means finding out my powers!" I cheered.
"What about the king?" Mizuki laughed with a sadistic twinge in his voice.
"King?" Natsu asked, he is as curious as I am.
"Well I doubt a twenty year war is going to end with one demon's imprisonment" He said sarcastically as he sipped his sake again. "The king of the northern kingdom is going to be the royalty of the eastern bakeneko kingdom"
"I'm still going… I'll just wear contacts!" I cheered. I looked at the kitchen again. It was still empty. Tomoe you said all those wonderful things to me, where are you now?
"Nanami this is crazy… You can't just walk into a tribe's kingdom that is ran by one your enemy and two is most likely a tyrannical dictator!" Natsu shouted. He face wasn't as scary as it usually was though. It was gentle and scared. He was worried about me.
"I'll have you, Tomoe and Mizuki!" I grabbed my sake housting it in the air as if it was a toast "That's all the protection I need!" I gulped down the sake in one and I ran to my room. I had to pack right away.
I threw open the door only to find Tomoe stood in the middle of my room. He turned to me. His face was scary. Really scary as if hell was spat up onto it!
"Nanami! ARE YOU CRAZY?!" He shouted making the walls shake.
"Well…" I began but was interrupted by the fact Tomoe slapped his hand over my mouth.
"I'm not letting Natsu go with you" He growled "You get into trouble in the demon world constantly, our master will be eaten before you can get 5 miles away from here!"
"Well I'll go alone" I shouted back. In truth I didn't want to go on my own. I was scared. Actually I was terrified, what if this king was Yami? I'd be walking into a trap. But I didn't want to seem weak in front of Tomoe.
"Over my dead body, I'm going with you!" He sneered as if I was an idiot. But I felt a smile burning onto my face.
"Really?" I exclaimed jumping with joy.
"Ugh just hurry up and pack… I'll explain things to our master" He walked out angrily, slamming the door hard behind him. I couldn't help but smile. I think it's safe to say he cares about me.

That night…
The trip was quiet and awkward so far. We had to be about half an hour away and Tomoe hadn't even looked at me for about 5 hours. I think he was angry at the fact that I was even considering to go to this place. I then felt that mind numbing craving I get when I'm upset and in need of comfort. The one that brings out my inner cat. I started to rummage through my bag hunting down my prey… The sushi I'd packed. I had a feeling it is going to be hard to find sushi in the countryside. Suddenly a foreign body in my bag started to move. I gripped it hard feeling a familiar scaled texture. I ripped it out of my bag only to find sorry looking white snake and Tomoe at my side looking at the snake with more angry than I could ever manifest.
"Snake boy… WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Tomoe yelled, tearing Mizuki's slim body out of my hands.
"I wanted to see how things turn out" He breathed as Tomoe crushed the life out him with his grip.
"What about Natsu! Without a familiar a demon could just walk into the shrine and eat him!" I snarled. Natsu! What if he's been eaten already and a fat frog demon is the new land god! I'll be homeless… And Natsu will be dead!
"Don't worry I got a babysitter" Mizuki choked.
"Babysitter?" Tomoe and I said together doubtfully. I was already imagining some crazy demon cooking Natsu in a giant cooking pot.
"What babysitter?" Tomoe grumbled.

Meanwhile… (Natsu's POV) Why the hell am I here? The crowd roared loudly as the crew were working away like ants. The music suddenly came to an erupt halt and the final farewell was cheered through the microphone! The red-haired ass-hole gliding from the stage towards me. He took one look at his bags, that were overflowing the support of my arms.
"Come on kid… You can make me food" Kurama smirked. He large feathered coat tickled my nose as he brushed past me. His smug expression beckoning me after him. Why did the snake dump me here? It's obvious Kurama is trying to get on my good side? What is he after? I hope Nanami is okay.
"Hey chibi-land god! How are you at laundry?" Kurama called back. Ugh for this I am getting my payment in full!

(Back to Nanami)

The mountains were getting more frequent, our destination was so close now. But the sun was rising earlier then I expected and the carriage's speed was started to slow dramatically. I looked around the carriage. Mizuki was sat sipping his sake, smiling to himself. Is he always drinking? And Tomoe was completely emotionless as he rested his eyes, leaning against the wall.
"We need to land" Mizuki suddenly cheering springing up in excitement.
"Huh? But we're still miles away!" I said looking deeply into the dark forests surrounding the mountains "Plus it's going to be difficult to land!"
"It either landing now or crash landing" Tomoe said rising to his feet. His eyes scanned the forest intently "There is a place to land" He said pointing to the smallest clearing in existence.
"What? If we even tried it we would crash into the trees" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Grabbing the side of the carriage as Tomoe steered it towards the clearing.
"See, no prob-" Tomoe couldn't finish. Suddenly the carriage shuddered, spiraling downwards. Mizuki was sucked out of the carriage and flung into the distant trees. Tomoe's claws carved into the wood but I felt my on fingertips starting to slip. "Nanami don't let go" Tomoe shouted through the screaming and hissing of the air. But my fingers we losing the battle against the force of gravity.
"Tomoe… I'm slipping" The carriage was now twirling in the air, like it had been sucked into a hurricane. My fingers couldn't clutch the wood for much longer. I suddenly met Tomoe's eyes. Everything seemed like it had paused into slow motion. His eyes held an emotion I'd never seen before. Was it sorrow? Was it fear? His mouth started moving but everything was mute. It seemed like he was saying my name. But all I could focus on is the fact that my fingers had let go and Tomoe's face. The face I loved was getting smaller. And I suddenly crashed into the snapping, painful branches of the forest. I felt my body suspended in between knife like branches. But the feeling was fading and my body was going numb. What's happening surely my body can handle more than this! My vision was failing and the last thing I heard was the very faint sound of the carriage crashing into the labyrinth like sea of trees.

I felt the weight of the dark haze lifting. I'm still unconscious. But I could hear voices, though they were distorted. They were unfamiliar and I felt my demon instincts see them as a threat. I felt the ability to open my eyes return. But something was stopping me was it fear. I decided to take the risk and smell the air. Nothing was familiar! Only the smell of dust and damp. I peeked open my eyes. The room was soaked in carvings, intricate and detailed. It was very ancient and oriental.
"She's awake" A voice echoed to the right of my flat body. A bakeneko with a large smile stood at my side. She was dressed in a very traditional kimono and she had numerous pins raising from her hair. "Good morning Riku-sama" Morning? I looked around for a window only to find the sun rising. Tomoe! Wait Riku?
"Riku?" I asked. The woman smiled embarrassed.
"Yes of course your new form has a new name" She threw herself onto her hands and knees "Please forgive me"
"It fine, it's just Riku is a guy's name" I said hoisting myself up. Suddenly the woman's cheeks reddened. I looked down only to find my breasts exposed. I'm NAKED!
"Here my lady" She handed me a very colourful robe. Which I quickly snatched running behind a room divider. "I'm Ayame, one of your ladies in waiting" Dressed in my robe I quickly emerged. Looking this very beautiful woman down. She had long red like hair and her eyes were a very dull brown colour. Which were actually quite pretty.
"Where am I?" I wasn't going anywhere until she answered the question!
"You're in the forest realm of the Bakeneko race… Also know as the capital "Neko no tochi"
"Cat-land. Really?" I groaned.
"Yes it is a very ancient and proud name" She said her fake smile still plastered to her face.
"Why am I here?" I said moving over to the window. I suddenly met a large courtyard full of flowers all different colours.
"You're royalty amongst us, one of the most powerful of us all" She said bowing.
"I'm sorry but I cannot stay, I need to find my friends" I said heading towards the door.
"The king could help you find your friends" Her fake smile had vanished. And had been replaced with panic. Obviously she has been ordered to keep me in the city. But what do I have to lose. The forest is huge and even with my demonic powers it couldn't take me months to find them.
"Okay Ayame I'll go see the king but you owe me…" I groaned. Her face was surprised, maybe she didn't expect me to figure it out.
"My lady, you can't see his royal highness in a bath robe" She said smirking. Suddenly she snapped her figures and a door I didn't notice creaked open. Revealing an army of Ayame look alikes, each armed with some sort of ancient cosmetic torture instrument! Oh god.

"Oh My lady you look stunning" Ayame gleamed as the other bakeneko females nodded as if they were one being. I looked in the mirror. I didn't even recognise myself. This stranger in the mirror was stunning, like a model. She was in a blue kimono dripping with decretive patterns. Her face was pure and white, and her lips were as red as roses. A voice in my mind started getting louder. Get back to reality! What if this is a trap! Right I have to be calm, collected and vigilant.
"Take me to the king" I said as the woman led me out through numerous amounts of colourful and patterned corridors. Until we reached literally the biggest pair of doors I've ever seen in my life. Two very big bakeneko guards with large spears opened them with magic. Their eyes were green and blue. I knew what I was looking for, black and blue. The throne room was huge and it was full to the brim with bakenekos, all dressed in traditional japanese formal wear. Was this a ball? They were all so beautiful, like I was in a supermodel convention. I realised the room went dead silent and almost all the colourful eyes in the room were on me. The guest whispered to each other. My cat hearing was definitely a curse.
'Can you feel that power?'
'Lady Nanami is so beautiful!'
'When did she get here?'
I decided to ignore the rest, keeping my eyes to the floor. The throne was empty, both of them. Ugh. Ayame came to my side.
"His majesty is on his way" She whispered as herself and the other maidens walked back down the aisle through the bakeneko crowds. They were looked at by the guests as if they were dirt. And a group of very young, very attractive bakeneko maidens set there sights on Ayame. I watched in horror as the obvious ring leader tripped her up. And Ayame, wallowing in embarrassment, was on the floor as they laughed mockingly. What is this high-school? I quickly walked over helping her to her feet. The other handmaidens and already run away. I looked straight into the ringleader's green and silver eyes. She backed away.
"My Lady you shouldn't help me! I'm a mere servant" I ignored her, hoisting her to her feet.
"And I'm a familiar" I smiled. Ayame smiled but then her eyes wandered. Her brown eyes were consumed by fear and humility. I turned around to find the room had bowed down to my worst nightmare. That haunting pair of blue and black eyes.
"Hmm, familiar? You're a long way away from your master" Yami sneered as he carassed my hair roughly.
Yami is the king of Neko no tochi!