Sighing Ashi lifted her bag strap over her shoulder before stepping out of her room and shutting the door quietly behind her. Exiting the shrine she winced hearing Ami wail launching herself at the goddess. Awkwardly patting her little friend's head the raven waited for Kurama to pull his girlfriend away. Pinching the bridge of her nose the deity huffed. "Really guys you didn't have to come. I'm only going to be gone a week." Looking up from her lollipop Himemiko blinked.
"Had I known this was all that would show up to see you off I would have brought my whole clan." Rubbing the back of her head the teen laughed.
"No its fine. I wasn't expecting anyone to be here anyway." Teal orbs flickering over the others she smiled. "Thanks for seeing me off. Tomoe left this morning so…" Cutting her eyes towards Ashi, Kei raised a finger and placed it over Mizuki's mouth to stop his gushing over her and how he would miss her while he was away.
"Wait he didn't even stay to say bye? That guy is an ass." Scratching her cheek the land god wrinkled her nose.
"I told him he could go. Besides he wouldn't have said anything anyway. Just told me to leave and stay gone." Shaking her head the catfish princess narrowed her eyes. Did Ashi not see how much she affected the wild fox? Eyes widening when she remembered her photographs the blue haired demon pulled one from her pocket shoving it in the god's face.
"I wanted to give this to you before you left. Kota and I had pictures made last time we went on a date." Blinking at the glossy paper she teen grinned. They looked like a happy young couple. Easing the photo out of the youkai's hand she realized Kotarou had a bow stuck in his hair too. "I want to thank you. For a demon like me to be able to date the human I love is truly a wondrous thing. It's all because the goddess of marriage allowed it to be." Smacking her forehead the raven groaned.
"Crap I am the marriage one. I'd completely forgotten." Glancing at her phone the teen paled. "Mizuki we gotta go, we're gonna be late as it is." Giving Kei's hand one last squeeze the snake rushed over to his master's side summoning his travel partner as soon as he was there. Making sure her bag was secure Ashi waved as the giant snake rose higher. Wrapping her arms around Mizuki to hold on the goddess buried her face in the back on his kimono top.
Waiting until the two were out of sight the catfish princess turned towards the shrine watching the silver fox step out of the shadows.
"I had a feeling you would be here." Stuffing his hands into his sleeves the demon growled lowering his ears.
"Of course I would be, Ashi is my mistress." Sighing the spirit shook her head. The fox was still in denial. Even she could sense his youki swelling and fighting against the binds of the contract the further Ashi traveled away. In a few minutes his eyes would be completely red with glowing yellow irises, if the rumors were true. Which also meant they needed to leave as soon as possible, a demon without their mate was a dangerous thing to be around, ever if the youkai in question didn't know himself.
Leaning out from behind Mizuki Ashi gaped at the grand palace that was below them. Even in her wildest dreams she would have never dreamed that the shrine would be this beautiful. Waiting for Mizuki to help her down the raven looked around. "Holy Hell, Scales. This is awesome." Hearing a rumble heading her way the goddess turned just in time to jump back and duck as to not get trampled by the stampede of gods. Picking herself off the ground she scowled shaking her fist at the retreating deities. "Assholes!" Freezing the male with long gravity defying hair spun around stomping over.
"How dare a novice god call me-!" Being cut off by an echoing gong the war god growled narrowing his eyes. "Mark my words human god, I'll remember this." Speedily flying away the male disappeared out of sight. Smacking her forehead Ashi groaned.
"Great, not here 5 minutes and I've already made an enemy." Catching the end of her sleeve the snake tugged her along pointing out things as they passed.
"We have to hurry Ashi-sama the meeting has already started." Picking up the pace the girl huffed trying to keep her breathing steady.
"Hey miss land god wait up!" Slowing she pulled Mizuki to a stop. Taking in the skin tight black shirt, overly large heart necklace and leopard luggage the teal eyed female laughed.
"It's nice to see you Otohiko. Love the shirt by the way; really helps bring out your figure." Smiling the orange haired deity giggled.
"Oh do you really think so? I swear I didn't have anything to wear for the first day of the summit." Patting his arm gently the teen nodded not really understanding but willing to act like she did.
"That can't be true, your outfit looks wonderful." The pointless conversation continued until they reached the double doors leading to the summit room. Taking a deep breath the wind god beamed pushing both open at the same time.
"So sorry I'm late! I just couldn't do a thing with my hair today." Wondering over to his place Otohiko left Ashi standing in the doorway looking much like a deer caught in headlights. Raising her hand she wiggled her fingers.
"Sup?" Locking eyes with the furious war god across the room the teen hardened her resolve, squaring her shoulders. Appearing in front of her the male jabbed a finger in her face.
"You! I told you I would remember." Waving his hand the wind deity pushed the two apart. Huffing he rested his hands on his hips.
"Really Ikusagami you're already picking a fight and it's only the first day." Grumbling the long haired male crossed his arms over his chest.
"I suppose you're the one who invited this pathetic human to the summit." Laughing the orange haired man shook his head.
"Of course not, I wouldn't invite someone with such poor fashion sense…" Frowning Ashi looked down at her clothes realizing she had worn her school uniform as it was the nicest thing she had at the moment, Himemiko had given her a few kimonos to wear but they weren't suitable for travel.
"The one who invited her was me of course." A sudden flash of light blinded her for a minute. Rubbing her eyes the girl rolled her eyes. Of course he was beautiful too. She was starting to feel a little bad because half the guys she knew were prettier than her. Watching Otohiko squeal and glomp the blond she narrowed her eyes. Ookuninushi had been the one to set Kayako up. Having his golden eyes land on her the goddess froze, even his finger nails looked perfect.
"Ashi- chan I need you to do me a favor." Blinking and shaking her head roughly the raven bared her fangs. "I need you to go to Yomotsuhirasaka."
"Now wait just a damn second I have a bone to pick with you before I do anything. Kayako Hiiragi was used as a means to strengthen my powers; I need you to apologize to her." Tapping his chin in thought the blond frowned.
"Is her beauty worth the trip there? Is she a real lady?" Pinching the bridge of her nose the human sighed loudly. Why did all gods have to be so weird and random?
"I'll make you a deal. I'll go make sure the gate is closed but in exchange you have to apologize to Kayako." Sticking her hand out she waited for him to blink at her in curiosity before gingerly shaking her hand.
"That sounds acceptable." Heading for the door the goddess paused when Mizuki gripped her arm, looking paler than usual.
"Ashi you shouldn't do this. Yomo-no-kuni is hell. Tomoe will be uncontrollable if he ever finds out you even got close to it." Patting his snowy head the teen smiled letting Hikari hop onto her shoulder.
"Relax Scales. I'll be fine." Leaning in closer her whole demeanor changed from happy to completely serious. "I want you to stay here and look for Mikage. You have to tell him that I don't have much time left. Don't leave until you do that, understand?" Nodding he felt the faint binding spell take hold meaning that weather it was intentional or not she had given him an order that he couldn't refuse. Grinning again she waved following after Otohiko as she didn't know where the gate to Hell was and he had been forced to show her.
Eyeing the orange haired wind god floating beside Ashi rolled her eyes; they had only taken like five wrong turns since they started this little adventure. No matter which side they were on men still sucked with directions. Sensing several demonic auras ahead of them she frowned rounding the last bend in the road just as the rock sealing the gate opened and a black mist started drifting from the ground. Watching one demon disintegrate when he touched the vapor the land god gasped.
"Hey wait! If you go in there you'll all die." Spinning the face the goddess the leader, who had little wings sticking out from behind his ears, growled.
"Dammit!" Rounding on the raven haired boy that had been standing off to the side the demon grabbed him pulling him to his front. "Hold it, gods. Don't move or I'll kill this human." Smirking he raised his claws towards Kirihito's throat. Raising her hands in surrender and catching Otohiko's sleeve to stop him from moving closer.
"Just wait a second; if you go in there you'll die. As it is if you let the guy go you can leave." Snorting the youkai edged closer to the ledge. "No, No wait!" Giving a leap the two disappeared into the abyss. Not thinking about her actions Ashi lunged for the human's hand missing by inches but still tumbling in after them as the ledge crumbled under her feet. Falling after them Ashi squinted through the dust that was the demon that had jumped aiming to find the human boy before it was too late. Tucking her arms and legs in she angled to speed up, slamming into Kirihito as they landed hard.
Sitting up Ashi raised an eyebrow when she realized she had landed on the human she was trying to save and he was staring at her with black very un-amused eyes. "Get off." Rolling to the side she sighed looking up at where they had fallen from.
"Well shit." Running a hand down her face the goddess groaned. "I don't suppose you're part bird demon, are you?" Pushing himself up the raven haired boy narrowed his eyes at where her leg was still wrapped around his. Rudely shoving it off Kirihito stood patting his clothes off. Watching him from the ground the girl felt a sudden jolt in her chest, the landing must have hurt more than she thought. Rolling to her feet she glanced around. "How are we gonna get back up there? You're Youki is so low it won't be much help." Freezing the male turned his head to her.
"You can sense it?" Blinking she realized he had a black band of hair wrapped around his wrist, probably hers since he wasn't dying.
"Yea, I know you're not human. You feel kinda dead, but with a demonic aura around you." Looking around again she locked eyes with a group of… furry things. Screaming she ducked behind Kirihito. "What are those?" Shrugging off her arm he narrowed his eyes.
"They're what you turn into if you eat the food here. If you wait much longer to do something we'll be out numbered." Snapping her fingers she pulled her sticky pad and pen from her pocket. Scribbling quickly the goddess tucked it into her shirt, and with a pop she grinned tossing a ball of black kitsune-bi in the air. Rotating her black white tipped fox ears she scanned for the safest direction. Finding it she scooped the demon-turned-human up, leaping over the growing crowd of Yomi creatures and disappeared into the forest. Spotting a small river ahead of them she sped up jumping across before letting Kirihito down. Huffing she pulled the talisman off dropping to her knees when her chest jolted. She'd never had to run in her vixen form before, Tomoe normally carried her but obviously even if she was under a temporary enchantment her body still felt the effects. Gasping for breath she yelped when a hand rested on her shoulder. Looking up into midnight eyes she gave a small smile.
"You're not going to die right? I still might have a use for you." Nodding the land god patted his hand.
"Yea I'm fine. What's your name by the way? Mine's Ashi." Staring at the hand she stuck out for him the male slowly took it.
"Kirihito." Nodding the goddess's eyes lit up.
"Okay, now what's your real name? As in before you possessed the kid's body." A smile spread across his face.
"You are going to be fun." Shrugging she grinned.
"I try. Since you won't tell me, I'm calling you Kirito. SAO reference?" At his blank stare the croaked grin slid off her face. "Never mind then. But I really an calling you Kirito."
"Lady goddess and honored companion, the Lord of Yomi awaits you at the temple." Spinning to face the two cloaked servants Ashi exhaled.
"Give a girl a heart attack why don't ya."
Gingerly stepping over the many skeletons that lined the hallway in the shabby temple of the God of Yomi Ashi screeched when she looked over her shoulder only to see the empty eye sockets of the skull she had just passed. Snickering the raven haired demon let the bones fall back to the floor, stepping on them on the way by. Crossing her arms the deity huffed. "Asshole." Glancing back he frowned, damn this human body for being so weak, he could hardly hear what she was muttering about all the way back there.
"Come on, you're going to be left behind." Pausing outside a pair of double doors the two cloaked servants ushered them in.
"Our god awaits you in here." Stepping through they jumped when the doors banged close behind them.
"Finally you've arrived female land god. I am the god of Yomi-no-Kuni. I welcome you." Marching up to the steps that led to where the deity was hidden behind a screen the teal eyed girl scowled.
"We'd like to go home if it isn't too much trouble, or at least someone to point the right way." The screen fell away revealing the face of Kayako, blinking Ashi did a double take scratching her head. "Why do you look like that?"
"I borrowed this form from your memories, since both of you a familiar with it." Tapping her chin the god tilted her head. "I'm willing to let you return to the upper world but the human, Kirihito, cannot go." A sudden darkness surrounded the boy and he sank through the stone floor.
"Kirito!" Swiping the teenager barely missed his hand as he disappeared.
"Now return to the world above." Panicking she grabbed a roll from the table fumbling around with it before stuffing it into her mouth.
"I'm a citizen of hell now, so I have to stay." Clapping the dark god rushed over to pat her on the back.
"Wonderful." Moving back over to the shrine she sit down. "I hope you enjoy your life here." Nodding solemnly the teen left the room waiting until she was down the hall to spit her little mouth full of food out.
"Yuck that tasted like shit." Closing her eyes she let her aura spread out until she felt Kirihito's faint one brush against hers. Wondering the halls the goddess eventually made her way down to the holding cells. Pausing in front of a metal door she tapped it with a finger making sure it really was the demon-turned-human behind it. Turning the lock the marriage god pulled it open staring into the darkness within, spying Who she was looking for curled into a ball in the corner she smiled placing her hand on her hips. "Kirito!" Having not seen him move she froze when his arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. Realizing he was shaking she sighed resting her hands on his back.
"So warm…" Letting her head fall forward onto his shoulder she wondered if all demons were weird. Pulling back she smiled.
"Come on, we need to get out of here." Tugging her to a stop before she could walk past him he frowned.
"Why'd you come help me?" Digging around in her pockets she sighed looking up only after she had found her sticky notes and her pen.
"Well I wasn't gonna leave you here, ya know? Me or you won't last long in a human body anyway." Writing what she wanted on her note she tucked it away before gesturing. "What kind of demon were you? If we're gonna escape I can't be carrying you. I can hardly support myself." Letting her tail wave lazily behind her the vixen stared at him expectantly. Having waited long enough she wrote demon down, raising his shirt she stuck the paper to his stomach. Blinking when his hair brightened to red and horns grew out of his head Ashi stepped back as a crazy smile spread across his face. Maybe doing that wasn't a good idea…
Looking up from his magazine Tomoe felt his eye twitch. Two shrine spirits were bad enough but four was absolute torture. And with the amount of nose they were making something had to be broken. Sighing the silver fox pushed to his feet planning on seeing what they were up to only for the shoji door to slam open in his face and a nearly hysterical Kotetsu slam into his front. "Tomoe-dono this is offal!" Raising a snowy eyebrow the kitsune pulled the letter from the shrine guardian's hands. Reading it once then twice to make sure he was reading it right the demon growled, and wild feral sound that scared Kotetsu and the others out of the room.
"What do you mean Ashi is trapped in Yomi-No-Kuni?" Gulping Yono pushed her index fingers together.
"She was sent to seal the gate once it cracked and fell in. Mizuki-dono would go look for her but he was given direct orders not to leave to summit." Tail lashes out and knocking the nearby lamp over the youkai raised his head staring at Kotetsu and Onikiri with golden red rings irises.
"I'm going to get her back and nothing is stopping me." The Youkai waited until he was outside to let his fox fire surround him and a giant silver fox took to the sky racing towards his goddess because she was in danger and he needed to protect her. His instincts demanded it and that was all that mattered.
Wow this chapter sucks... I proof read it tomorrow but if you guys see something tell me.
Read and review please!
Disclaimer: Kamisama Kiss doesn't belong to me.