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

"Rend!' I shouted as I slammed into a Phantom, which howled as it exploded into fragments. I landed on the pavement, cars zooming past and people walking as though nothing had happened. I was glad humans couldn't see us battling Phantoms or there would be chaos everywhere. I looked at the man whom Yato was carrying to a bench now, his face slack. I could make out a slight breathing from him.

"He should be fine," Yato said as he straightened himself. It has been nearly two months since the whole beach episode and this has been yet one of the backlash cases we had to deal with after the stunt I pulled back in Frebruary. This man had attempted to burn down a café his former lover had run and in the process created a Phantom. Yato had immediately cut the man's ties with his lover and knocked him out while I dealt with the Phantom. These love stricken cases had been springing up quite a lot lately and I felt guilty for having to burden Yato with more work than he needed to do. But yet again, I did pay him 10 million yen so it should compensate.

"That makes three this week," Yato said as we walked out of the park. The air was now warmer so I just wore a shirt and shorts but Yato still stuck to his tracksuit and fluffy fluff scarf as he called it. Its no wonder Yukine hated to be held by Yato. His hands must stink like crazy. I heard some of his Shinki quit because of that.

I tugged at my shirt, feeling the sting on my back. It had been getting worse lately, the blight. Thank goodness Kofuku uses water from a nearby spring to shower so I was able to put off my symptoms on hold. But it would soon be known if I wasn't careful. I had even put on a light scarf around my neck since it had begun to spread there. "Are you okay?" Yato asked as I called Akito back. "Yeah. My back is just itchy," I said as I tugged at it. True, it was itchy but it stung more than it itched. "Maybe I can help you scratch…" Yato started to say when he yelped as Yukine kicked him in the shin. He hoped around on one leg, rubbing it as Yukine muttered, "Pervert."

We said our goodbyes at the intersection since Yato had some toilet repair work to do so me and Akito were free unless something came up. "Say, are you really okay, my lady?" Akito asked. "For the last time, just call me Aiko. It sounds too formal and I look around your age so it feels weird," I said as we headed to a park. As we sat down, I rubbed my hand across my face. "If you want we can go back. You don't look too good," he said. "Yeah. Maybe it would be a good idea," I said as I tried to stand up. I wobbled and started to topple when he caught me in his arms.

"Woah there. Maybe I should carry you," he said as he scooped me up from the ground, his muscles flexing slightly as he carried me down the street. "Let go…" I muttered as I tried to release myself from his grip but I felt a fever burning up. "We should ask Kofuku-san to prepare a bath for you," he said but I shook my head. "No. We're already living at her place for free and I don't want to bother her about it," I said as he sighed. "Very well then," he said. Some people turned to stare but since we're of the Far Shore, they forgot about us after a moments glance and went about their own way.

When we reached the house, Akito left me to change into more comfortable clothing and went to call for Kofuku. He bowed as she entered before making himself scarce. "You work too hard, Ai-chan," she said as she dabbed a wet cloth over my head. I shuddered as the water dripped on me, wrapping the blankiet tighter. "Come on, Ai-chan! If you do that the fever won't go down," she said as she tugged the blanket away from me. "Maybe if you removed your clothing…" she said as I grabbed at my shirt. "Hell no! What if Akito comes in?!" I blurted as she flxed her fingers mischievously.

"Oh. I didn't know Ai-chan was such a shy girl," she grinned as she pounced on me, grabbing my shirt. "You crazy little…" I swore as I tried to pry her off me. "Hehe. Come on Ai-chan! We're both girls aren't we?" she grinned as she tickled under my armpits. That got me off guard and I laughed hard, throwing up my arms and giving her the opportunity to yank off my shirt. "Got you, Ai…" she started to say when she caught sight of my back.

She gasped as she gazed at my back, which was half purple. I winced as I tried to pull back on my shirt but I didn't have the strength to do it. At this rate, the others would find out about it and ask me to put down Akito. But I had a gut feeling that it wasn't Akito who was responsible for the blight. It could be another Shinki or a few Shinki doing this…

"Have you asked Akito about it?" Kofuku asked as she dabbed at the blight. I cried out as the water stung my skin. The blight retreated for a bit but I knew it would be back in a few days. "I'm sure he's innocent. He has never done anything to hurt me yet. Besides, he's not the only Shinki I have got. I've got quite a few others back at the mansion," I said as I forced myself up. "If you continue like this…" she started to say when I slammed my fist down "I don't have a choice! I can't go back and inspect my Shinki one by one! I'm not even allowed to go back until I have completed my task!" I snapped as I winced.

"Ai-chan…" Kofuku whispered as I rolled on my chest. "I don't want to burden Akito more than I already have to," I said as I tried to sleep. The room felt so hot until I felt like I was on fire. "Maybe I can help," Kofuku muttered as she got up and went to a cabinet in the corner of the room. After rummaging around the contents, she pulled out a bottle and shook out a couple of pills, handing them to me with a glass of water. "This should help with the blight," she said as I gulped them down.

"Blight medication? I never knew that existed," I said as I lay back down. The pain slowly diminished, taking the blight with it. I let out a sigh of relief as relief washed over me and I lay on my back, still panting but less pain. "It can help with the initial symptoms but if the source isn't found… it would lead to a full attack if it gets worse," she said. "Alright. Alright. I'll try to find out the source," I huffed as I snatched up a piece of paper and scribbled something in it, folding it and handing it to Kofuku. "Give this to Akito. He'll know what to do," I said and she nodded, standing up and closing the door behind her. As I gazed at the ceiling, my mind raced as I wondered who could be the one blighting me.

…

"Akito-kun?" Kofuku called as she entered the living room. She found Akito sitting at the door, his legs dangling off the platform as he gazed at the trees outside. He turned around slowly, a large watermelon in his hand. "Oh, Kofuku-san," he said as he stood up, wiping off stray watermelon juice off his face. "Ai-chan wanted me to give you this," she said as she handed him the letter. She grinned a little as she watched the boy take it. He was so close and loyal to Aiko, following her everywhere. She was very fortunate to have someone like him.

"I see. I'll go deliver it now," he said as he sat down to put on his shoes. "Uh, how to I get to Kazuma-san anyway?" he asked as he stood up, tucking the paper into his pocket. "Oh, just go to Bisha's shrine and call for him. He'll answer you then. Its at the corner down the street ahead," Kofuku said as Akito bowed and went on his way. "Ai-chan… you're burdening him more than you think…" Kofuku whispered as Akito's shape diminished as he walked.

….

"Turn around the corner at the street ahead…" Akito muttered to himself as he walked. He soon came to the corner and he stood at the traffic light waiting for the light to turn green. He tapped his foot, fanning himself with his hand as the sun blazed above him. He didn't recall it being this hot in Japan. But yet again… he didn't even recall anything about his past life. He quickly shook off his thoughts as the light turned green and he crossed the road to Bishamon's shrine. It was rather small but there were still people milling about, praying to her.

Akito walked to the doors of the shrine, passing by tourists or people who were praying to her. None of them gazed at him as he passed, which he was very grateful for. He didn't particularly enjoyed hanging around in a big crowd, the feeling of himself being suffocated hitting him like a wave whenever he did so. But whenever he was with Aiko, it felt like the crowd was just background filler and that she was the only one there, giving him calm.

He snapped himself out of his reverie as he came to the door of the shrine. He clapped his hands three times together, muttering Kazuma under his breath. There was a flash of light and Kazuma appeared before him, his clothing rather rumpled and his glasses skewed. "You called?" he yawned as he eyed Akito. "You look rather refreshed," Akito said as he adjusted his glasses. "You better have a good reason for calling me here. I was having a good nap. Is it regarding what we talked about the other day?" Kazuma asked as Akito shook his head.

"The lady Aiko asked me to give you this," Akito said as he handed the letter to Kazuma, who unfolded it and scanned the contents. His face hardened a little as he drank in the information before tucking it into his pocket. "I got it. Tell the your mistress that I will get back to her in around three days. At least I hope I can," he said. "What did she say?"Akito asked as Kazuma rubbed his eyes, still sleepy from just now. "It's better if you don't know. Now, I have to get back to Bishamon," he said as he turned his heel.

"Wait!" Akito called and Kazuma turned to face him again. "Is it really alright to… you know…"Akito mumbled as he tried to search the words. "If you're careful, then it will be fine. But for now, maybe its best you don't do anything rash," Kazuma said as he turned to face the doors. There was a flash of light and Akito stared at the place where Kazuma had been. I wonder how is lady Aiko doing… he thought to himself as he walked out of the shrine.