The weeks had drifted by with the chaos of the shrine gaining more patrons for the spring and before Nanami had even notice she had missed an important date.
The frenzy of new patrons had left them to heavy cleaning and maintenance around the shrine. Mizuki and Tomoe were left to fix the steps leading to the shrine while Nanami and the sprites tended to the inside shrine dusting and sweeping.
After weeks of cleaning and preparing the group took a day off to enjoys the growing warmth.
Nanami, with helpful ideas from Tomoe, made some exceptional talismans.
"You're getting better," he said as she sat on his lap admiring her work.
The two had become even more inseparable, leaving little time for their duties.
"I have you to thank."
He smiled, kissing the top of her head.
She let out a contented, yet tired, sigh.
"Are you alright," he asked.
She closed her eyes, "Yeah just a bit tired," she replied.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
She smiled and spun on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Oh I bet you are."
He rested his forehead against hers an the two smiled.
There was a knock at the door frame drawing them from their reverie.
"Lord Mikage wishes to see you Lady Nanami and you too fox," Mizuki hissed.
"Ok thank you," She said as Tomoe cradled her in his arms making her cry out with giggles.
He placed her on her feet but she found her head beginning to spin making her slump against him.
He gathered her against him, worry crossing his voice, "Are you sure you're ok?"
She smiled, placing the back of her hand against her forehead, "I'm fine, I just got a bit dizzy."
She took his hand, ignoring his concerned expression, and led them to the main hall.
They found Mikage cheerfully sipping tea on the porch watching the birds fly over head while a sakura tree Nanami had received from the Mt Kurama tengu's blossomed beautifully in the garden.
The lovers sat next to the god also watching the spring take hold.
"You wanted to see us," Nanami chimed.
"Ah yes," he smiled. "I had a thought and I wanted to run it by you."
"By me?"
"Yes. The other day a few patrons came by. They were discussing the festival you held. They said it was lovely and said they were hoping to go to another one. So I thought why not. It's been ages since I held a festival and with spring in full swing and since you all have done such a wonderful job with the shrine."
She smiled excitedly, "That sounds like a wonderful idea."
Tomoe nodded, "I suppose it can work out since Nanami is a lot stronger."
"Maybe I can do another dance," Nanami smiled.
Tomoe smiled at her then looked to his master, "When shall it be held?"
Mikage thought, "How about the end of April?"
Tomoe nodded, "Three weeks is plenty of time."
The shrine was awash with new activity as preparations were made.
The weeks progressed and Nanami had gone from being tired to absolutely exhausted.
Tomoe would grown annoyed with her need to stop practice every few minutes to use the bathroom.
"Nanami we only have a week left and you still have much to learn," he called to her after taking a drag from his pipe.
She stopped, tears rolling down her face, "Don't be so mean Tomoe. I'm trying but I just don't feel well."
He jolted, dropping the pipe and running up to her. He was almost frantic as normally she would tell him to shut up and show her again.
"I'm sorry. I know you're trying. What's the matter?"
She buried her face into his yukata, "I know. You're just trying to help but..."
Her words were cut short as her stomach grew hollow and a cold sweat crossed her face.
She pushed away from him and ran to the edge of the garden where she dropped to her hands and knees, heaving into the grass.
"Nanami," he cried, running to her side.
He stroked her back, noticing she didn't produce anything with every body shuddering heave.
"Didn't you eat?"
She shook her head, sweat streaking her face, "I haven't been hungry."
He grimaced, "You need to eat. How else are you going to preform your lovely dance?"
"I know," she leaned against him, "but food just doesn't seem appealing to me."
He shook his head and lifted her into his arms. He cradled her close as they walked into the shrine to Nanami's room.
He laid her on the futon, brushing the hair from her forehead he kissed her gently, "Get some rest. I will make you something."
He began to walk across her room when he noticed a picture of Nanami surrounded by her human friends as well as the Tengu Kurama and himself.
He smiled remembering it as the day after graduation when they were on their way to a hot spring for some much needed r and r.
He picked it up, flipping through the pages to see other photographs.
"This is new," he said.
She smiled, sitting up as she reached for it, "It's a picture calender. Ami made them as holiday gifts last year.
She flipped to a picture she adored of herself and Tomoe intimately kissing while he fended off a very furious tengu with his fox fire.
As she flipped through the pictures he notices certain dates were circled in two different colors, one being red while another was green.
"Why are only certain dates circled in each month."
She blushed, "Those dates I keep personal."
"Personal?"
"Yeah," her blush deepening more. "Those are times when..."
Her expression changed as her eyes shot back to the days.
"Tomoe what month was this on when you handed it to me?"
"February I believe, why?"
"But it's April."
"Yes."
She began to count, stopping when she found her numbers, "No that...that can't be right..."
She grew frantic, "Oh...oh...oh..."
She jumped from the futon, grabbing her purse.
"What? What's wrong?"
"I have to go to town," she quickly kissed him, "I'll be back shortly."
"Let me come with you."
She smiled, "I'll be right back."