Disclaimer: I do not own the Kamisama Hajimemashita/Kamisama Kiss series or any of the characters who have been featured so far. I only own the right to entertain others.

Chapter 22: Shiny new toy

A/N: …Here's a chapter. I'm sorry.

'Is this really necessary, Nanami?'

'Not if you don't want it to be. I could go back and get Mizuki,' the brunette teased.

Tomoe growled quietly and adjusted the umbrella in his hand so he could still play with Nanami's hair. She shivered and drew closer to him as rain pounded on their mutual shelter.

'I doubt we'll find him, y'know,' Tomoe repeated for the thousandth time, 'he'll have been taken in by someone. I'll treat you to some hot chocolate when we get back,' he persuaded, 'that is, if Mizuki hasn't drank it all.'

'Even so, I want to check one more time.'

Recently, the Shrine had received a new visitor in the form of a beige puppy. Nanami did not know much about the petite ball of fur, but for a collar-less, homeless and freezing puppy to roaming the streets in search of shelter was more than she could handle. She was just about to concede defeat when her delicate ears caught a quiet yowling. She immediately ran from under the umbrella and followed to whimpering to a deserted climbing frame. The pathetic puppy lay cowering beneath the rusty structure. Tenderly, Nanami bought the puppy to her chest and cuddled him. Tomoe approached her with a scowl.

'You shouldn't run off, you'll catch a cold in this weather,' he gave the puppy a frosty flare but removed his scarf and bundled the furball in the soft fabric. The animal nudged its nose against Nanami gratefully and Tomoe tutted.

'Let's go home, I hate getting wet.'

Mizuki desperately ran and glomped Nanami.

'Did you find the puppy? Are you alright?'

The brunette grimaced. 'I'm okay, Mizuki, can you –?'

'Sorry, Nanami-chan!'

Tomoe gave Mizuki an impassive look. He was dried instantly as he raised a palm sparkling with blue flame.

'Stop!' Nanami cried, instantly foreseeing the brawl.

The puppy gave a frightened yelp and hopped out of the god's arms. It stumbled in its makeshift blanket and landed at Tomoe's feet. Mizuki squealed in delight.

The fox demon regarded the puppy dispassionately. Its nose quivered and it began to tremble. Tomoe kneeled beside it.

'There's rules in this house, Koinu. Animals aren't allowed to show their fear, correct?' He paused, then smiled and leaned in to pet him. 'Don't be afraid.'

Mizuki's eyes began to shine.

'We can keep him?!'

Tomoe turned away. 'Ye–'

Nanami and Mizuki cheered.

'But!' Tomoe added, 'I'm not cleaning up after him!'

'…'

'What?!'

'It's a boy?'

Tomoe slammed his ivory palm against his cheek.

'Koinu! C'mere, boy!'

Nanami chuckled when he nudged her leg with his wet nose and rolled over.

Tomoe watched irritably from the porch.

'Nanami, there's lots of new wishes to grant, you can't entertain Koinu all day…'

Mizuki laughed delightedly as he joined in petting the puppy and he licked him.

Tomoe's tail flicked in annoyance and he turned and walked back into the Shrine.

'This is absolutely ridiculous,' he muttered to himself as he towel-dried a dish. 'No chores are getting done at this rate.' He shook his head impatiently and glared at nothing in particular. 'Damn dog.'

'Mizuki! You wanna walk Koinu with me? I bought him a new collar! It's so adorable!'

'Of course, Nanami-cha–!'

'I want to go.'

Silence filled the room.

'Eh? Tomoe? But I thought you hated dogs?'

'I've withstood Mizuki long enough,' Tomoe shrugged, looping his hand through the lead, 'this should be a piece of cake.'

The snake familiar pouted. 'That's mean! And if you go, how am I meant to hold the lead too?' He protested all the way on the descent from the temple steps and around town. Tomoe kept his hand loosely on the lead, with enough quips at Mizuki to keep him entertained. That was, of course, until the unsuspecting cat crossed their paths. Koinu devoted all his strength to pursuing the kitten. Tomoe dropped the lead like it was a hot iron before realisation sunk in. Using a speed unfathomable to mere humans, he chased the dog. His dog.

'Thank you for getting Koinu back.' Nanami broke the silence. She was resting her head on his lap and he was stroking her hair with his clawed fingertips. He thought she was sleeping but apparently not.

'Mm,' he mumbled.

'Tomoe?'

'Yes, Nanami?'

'I love you.'

His heart skipped a beat. 'I love you too, Nanami…'

A/N: I'm really sorry about the update time on this! I have no excuse! Feel free to kill me! I hope you enjoyed this, as I tried to make it longer as well as better!

Messages:

1. Thank you awesome reviewers! I love what you post, you kick butt in a good way :p

2. Review pretty please with cookies on top :3

3. I have a new story out :D It's a collaboration fanfic (written by me, TheRabbitOtaku and Arthusa48), and it's a Harry Potter based fanfiction. The Marauders are expelled from Hogwarts for pulling a prank and are sent to our school, where they get very muddled in "human" affairs. It's rated T because… just read chapter 3… So give that a glance if you have the time :)

Seeya next week!

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