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 23: The evil mocking face of a pillow

Tomoe tried to do his chores. He really did. But it was just so distracting. I mean really, seeing Nanami hold that pillow was more than he could bear. It was that little, messily stitched one filled with feathers. He knew that cushion well, he had himself cuddled it on several occasions. Most recently with the absence of the former Land God, Mikage. They had been friends, had been there for each other when nobody else was. He had embraced it when he didn't want to embrace his own situation, and now look! It had betrayed him. It rested mockingly in Nanami's smooth arms. Tomoe knew it didn't have eyes, he wasn't stupid, but he could swear it gazed at him with mirth. He had never seen such a smug pillow! How dare it?! What a stupid piece of fabric! Tomoe made a mental note to destroy it with his own claws. How dare it?! Oh, wait. He already said that bit.

But really. Look at it! It's not like it was even attractive! It was clumsily sewn with beige strips of fabric and held no appeal but for its warmth. And Tomoe was warm. Much warmer than that thing! And he could hug way better! Dammit. Life wasn't fair.

Tomoe pushed the sweeping brush back and forth again.

Nanami cuddled the cushion closer and lay against the arm of the sofa. She rested her head on it before swapping positions so she was hugging it again.

Tomoe flexed his claws as the pillow grinned smugly and Nanami gave a sigh of content.

Without realising it, his claws sliced through the thin wood of the handle and with a dull thud, dropped to the floor. He watched it, his gaze astonished before turning his eyes back on the cushion. He could have sworn it was laughing.

Okay, that's it. No longer would he be mocked by that piece of cloth!

'Nanami. Hand it over.'

'Huh?'

'The pillow. Hand. It. Over. NOW.'

Nanami narrowed her eyes and smiled slowly.

'No, I don't think I will. I like this pillow, you see. It's quite comfortable.'

Tomoe clicked his clawed thumb and fore-finger impatiently.

'This isn't a game! Give me the cushion!'

And then Tomoe did something neither of them quite expected. He leapt for it.

'Owch! What are you playing at Tomoe?' Nanami frowned, rubbing her sore arm as Tomoe emerged with the cushion in a firm grip. He didn't reply, just re-crossed the room with his nose in the air indignantly.

'Woah, you do realise I saw all that. You looked so stupid…' Mizuki mumbled, shaking his head.

'Snake! Why didn't you stop me?' Tomoe muttered, going red and putting his head in his hands.

'Same reason I did this. It's fun.' And with that, he tossed the pillow back to Nanami.

'Thanks, Mizuki!' she smiled appreciatively, wrapping her red-tinted arms around it again.

After all it took to get that damned pillow, it soared across the room again and back in Nanami's clutches. He could just KILL that snake!

Tomoe breathed slowly. In. Out. In. Out.

'Nanami. Pass me that cushion before I do something we will both regret.'

The Land God looked up as though considering his offer.

'Hm,' she smiled widely, 'what's in it for me?'

Oh, so his eternal fricking loyalty wasn't good enough? Damn this shallow girl!

'I swear, Nanami. If I become too angry, I won't be able to stop.'

'I'll take my chances,' she shrugged casually.

And that's about when Tomoe dived on her and captured her lips.

The pillow lay forgotten.

'I must say, Tomoe, if you were so jealous, you could have just told me from the start. I would have abandoned that for you in an instant. As you said, it's just a strip of fabric, and I much prefer you.' She smiled and wrapped her arms around her new cushion. Indeed, he was warm, and he was soft.

Tomoe pursed his lips but stroked her hair. She was so unmanageable sometimes. Silly human.

He kissed the top of her head and smiled wryly.

A/N: Hey again everyone! I'm just trying to regulate updates again so please enjoy! Oh by the way, I believe I've seen this theme used before but I cannot remember where! So credit given where it is due!

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