I don't own most of the characters. They belong to Adachitoka sensei.

I remembered when I first found and named Haruto. The boy who would become my first Shinki. I was a young goddess then, barely a century years old and unable to find a Shinki until then. When I found him, I was so glad to know I finally had a companion. He followed me everywhere, always loyal to me and staying by my side. He helped me find out my purpose, teaching and guiding me how to mend the relationships I was supposed to mend. He was my everything.

So much so until before I knew what had happened, he became my lover. I loved him deeply, wanting to be with him always even though he was a Shinki and a god was forbidden to ever love one more than a master should. But he was the exception. I wanted him for myself. More than obeying the rules.

I remembered when he called me out to the garden one night. He had left a letter on my bed, asking me to meet him at midnight. When I arrived, he turned to look at me, his black hair shining in the moonlight as he revealed a small box. "Take this. This is a token of my love for you," he said as he clasped it around my neck. He had then kissed me under the moon, the both of us melting in each other's arms.

Then the day came when he betrayed me. I was sitting with him under the tree, stroking his head as we talked. "I feel we should be doing something more than just fulfilling love requests," he said as I stroked him. "Don't be silly. I'm the goddess of love. What else am I supposed to do?" I giggled as he got up. "Well, we never know, do we?" he grinned as he pecked me on the cheek. I giggled as I kissed him back, both of us rolling on the grass.

When I had accidently pulled beside his shirt, I had seen something I wished I had never seen. Another name was placed on his chest. The name I had given him was on his hand and I stumbled back as I tried to figure out what was going on. "Haruto… what is going on…" I whispered as he chuckled. "I couldn't just sit around waiting on a woman like you whose job is to just bring love to others. I got a better job now," he said as he got up. My head was spinning, the questions threatening to come out.

"Are you a Nora now?!" I screamed as he walked away. "I don't mind it really. I don't particularly like being bound to one Master," he said as he yanked up his sleeve. I screamed when I saw how many names had been etched on it, some of them even belonging to majors gods. "I trusted you…" I whispered, tears falling from my face as I stood up. The anger bubbling up inside of me caused me to scream in rage as I lifted my fingers.

"You traitor!" I yelled as moved them in the air. "Saki!" I cried out as his name appeared in the air. Haruto barely flinched as his given form appeared as well, that of a small pendant. "You always hung around my neck, giving advice to me when needed, comforting me when I was hurting most… and this is how you repay me…" I whispered. "Saki! I hereby release you!" I shouted as his name shattered in the air. As the ground beneath him swirled like a tidal pool, he merely smiled as he began to drop. "Ah, I'm finally free," he whispered as he dropped to the earth below. As the vent closed after him, I fell onto my knees, sobbing hard…

…..

"Aiko-chan! Can you hear me?!" a voice screamed, swirling in and out of my consciousness. I felt myself being moved to the sand. "Come on, Akito! Just do it!" Yato yelled. "I can't! It would be inappropriate…" Akito retorted. "It doesn't matter now! She may die if you don't perform the CPR!" Yato yelled back. "Since you're so enthusiastic about it, why don't you do it?!" Akito shouted. "She would kill me if I did that!" Yato yelled. "Hey, gentlemen. Lets cease this argument and I'll do it," Tenjin offered as he howled in pain. I presumed the other two had thrown him far away. "Don't be ridiculous! She's your master! Your job is to save her when needed!" Yato yelled. "Yato-chan… please calm down…" Kofuku said. "Alright then! I'll do it!" Akito retorted as he walked towards me.

I could feel the vibration of his feet approaching as he knelt next to me. I could feel him shaking all over, not willing to do it. "Forgive me, my lady," he whispered as he leaned over to my mouth. I suddenly sat up, coughing seawater out of my throat. "My lady!" Akito shouted as he held onto me, patting my back as I spat out more water. "Thank Kami," Hiyori breathed as she held onto Yukine, who was blue in the face. Yato on the other hand was getting beaten up by Daikoku and Tenjin, who was pretty strong for his age.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know you couldn't swim," Yato said as I wobbled on my feet. "It's fine. Its not like I go to the ocean all the time," I said as I stumbled a little. "Hey, take it easy," Akito said as he supported me. The feeling of his bare chest near me made me shudder. "I'm fine Akito. Don't worry," I said. As though he just realized he was touching a woman's bare skin, he quickly blurted an apology and allowed Bishamon and Kofuku to help me to the table. The others were silent and I felt so guilty on ruining the day.

"Its alright guys. You just go enjoy yourselves," I said as I set down. "We were very worried just now," Bishamon said as Kofuku leaped onto me, cuddling into my chest. "Oh, Ai-chan! I thought we lost you!" she sobbed as I patted her on the head. "There there…" I whispered as she sobbed silently. "Come on guys. Don't worry about me. Go enjoy yourselves," I said as I shooed them to the ocean. They reluctantly agreed and soon the beach party was back in full swing. However, a cloud of fear hung over them and I gulped at the thought.

"I didn't know you were afraid of the water," Akito said as he sat down near me. He handed me some water, which I gratefully gulped down. "It was a long time ago…" I said as I drank it. I didn't want to tell him about the crazy dream I had when I was drowning in the ocean. I shuddered when I thought I had heard Haruto's voice instead of Akito's… it made me feel sick. The beach party continued without much intervention after that and we packed our stuff and left by evening. As we sat at the cars, watching the sun set over the horizon, I took in the salty air, the sea breeze hitting my face.

"What an eventful day huh?" Akito said as he leaned on the car we me. I wanted to take his hand, find some comfort in him. I never felt so lonely until now. I had literally shut myself from my Shinki, refusing to bond with them and treating them like mere servants. Even with Minato, who had been one of my first Shinki after Haruto betrayed me… I made a mental note to try and get to know them better.

"Wah! So pretty!" Hiyori said as she pointed at the setting sun. The orange ball had begun to set, painting the sky with a beautiful orange and pink glow, the rays streaking like paintbrushes. Everyone gasped as they watched the sunset and some of them even posed to take selfies. I watched as Yato put his arms around Yukine and Hiyori, the three of them laughing together and Daikoku holding onto Kofuku who squealed as she watched the sunset for the first time in a long time. As I watched the gods of calamity and poverty enjoy their time with their friends, I felt a warm hand in mine. Akito had unconsciously slid his hand into mine, his face glowing as he watched the sun set. I smiled inwardly, squeezing it a little as we watched it. Not far off, Tenjin watched us, his face pulled into a frown.