Chapter 1

The sunlight crept in through the curtains of Hiyori's room. The hour was early. Hiyori could feel it in her body. She was groggy and disoriented. It was summer break but she was so used to waking up early that her body still woke with the rising summer sun. She tried hopelessly to force herself back to sleep but her mind refused. Images flashed before her eyes. Things that were. Things that are. Some things she wished would be and others she hoped would never happen. She rolled over to stare at the ceiling and put her arm over her forehead. "I hope the rest of the summer isn't like this. I really need more sleep," she said with a sigh. The clock on the wall ticked away the minutes.

There was a faint rustling by her window. She moved her arm and looked around the room. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Maybe it was a draft? She relaxed a little but it happened again. This time she sat up. Again, nothing. The curtains fluttered slightly. Her door creaked in the background. Was it open? She didn't remember it not being closed. A shadow moved across the floor in her peripheral. She heard something scitter by her bed. The hair on her neck stood up.

"Who's there?" she yelled.

"Hiiiyoooorrrriiiiiii…" a voice called from under her feet. Slowly, she peered down at her bed skirt and saw someone sliding out from under the bed with a giant grin on their face. Before she could even think, she screamed in terror and began stomping on the intruder.

"PERVERT! HEATHEN! GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW!" Hiyori continued trampling the unknown figure. "I AM CALLING THE POLICE!"

"HIYORI!" a familiar voice cried. "It's just me!"

She stopped dead in her tracks: one foot still on the person's face. Looking down, she realized it was Yato. His face was red with footprints and his bottom lip bloodied.

"FORGIVE ME!" she repented. "I didn't even check to see if it was you!" She hopped down on her knees and bowed in shame.

"Holy shit! I wasn't expecting to get beat up this early in the morning!" Yato huffed.

"Well you shouldn't have been a creeper, Yato! Who the hell sneaks into a person's room at this hour and hides under the bed? You deserved it!" She retorted.

"Hey, it's not my fault you promised to meet Kofuku at the ass-crack of dawn at the shop to help with the grand reopening."

Hiyori panicked. "Oh no! I can't believe I forgot!"

"Kofuku asked me to go and check on you since you didn't show. Everything alright?" Yato asked worriedly.

Hiyori sat on the edge of the bed and exhaled loudly. "I haven't been sleeping well lately. The last few days it seems I've been missing things and forgetting a lot. I know I was already tired more than usual because of my 'insta-snooze' problem, but it feels like I've really been dragging this week."

Yato sat next to her on the bed. His scent filled the air and Hiyori closed her eyes and drink it all in. Even after all these years, she still couldn't tell him that she adored the way he smelled. "Are you coming down with something?"

Hiyori shrugged. "Maybe. But I made a promise to Kofuku and I can't let her down. I'm going to hurry and get dressed."

Yato watched Hiyori make her way to her closet. "Ya'know, I'm sure she would understand if you said you weren't feeling well. I can tell her you aren't able to come."

"Absolutely not!" She snapped. "What kind of friend would I be if I backed out now? Besides, I also promised Yukine that I'd help him with his math work today. He told me he was struggling."

Yato grimaced. "It sounds like you have too many plans. Maybe that's why you're tired."

Hiyori threw on a pink and black tank top, slipped on her favorite black sequin sandals, and emerged from the closet. "I just like to be as helpful as possible. It's how I was raised. Now, how do I look?" She turned from the left to the right, gripping the sides of her black pleated mini skirt.

Yato smirked, trying to hide his blushing cheeks. "Oh Hiyori, you don't have to dress up for little ol' me."

Hiyori's aura went dark and moody. "It wasn't for you…" she growled. Though secretly, she hoped Yato liked how she looked. She always thought it was cute catching his quick glances at her.

Yato whined like a puppy. "Don't be so hateful Hiyori. Besides, pink is more Kofuku's color anyway." He stood up and walked over to her, lightly picking up a long strand of hair that had fallen over her shoulder. His eyes were soft yet serious, and a warm smile swept over his face. "I think you look great," he said, his ice blue eyes staring right into hers.

Hiyori's heart raced. She thought that by now she'd be used to him being so close. He gently placed her hair behind her shoulder with the rest of it and smoothed it out with his fingers. It took everything in her not to pull him closer; to embrace him and inhale that wonderful, intoxicating scent of his. She could feel the tension between them growing and she took a step backwards. "We should probably get going," she muttered shakily.

Yato got the signal and backed off. Everything in his body tingled, telling him that what he was feeling was real but his heart sank knowing it wasn't right. He shook his head. He couldn't think of it right now. It was too much for him.

Hiyori opened the door and motioned for them both to exit. She flew down the stairs to the front door. "Mom, I'll be back later today!"

"Ok, honey! Don't forget your father has a banquet tonight so we won't be home after 7!" her mom called from the kitchen.

Another thing Hiyori had forgotten about. She sighed heavily. "Ok!" she called back. Shutting the door behind her, she and Yato started down the road to the shop.

Summer was Hiyori's favorite time of year. Not just because school was out and she could relax a little more, but feeling the warmth of the sun on her face and shoulders was heavenly. The breeze carried with it promises of fun and memories to be made. Though, as Hiyori got older, her summers felt shorter and shorter. Every day the sun rose and set was another day gone she wouldn't get back. This was her last summer as a highschooler. She would start her last year of school in the fall then graduate in the spring. Not even a whole year left and she would belong to the world. She had already applied for university. Considering who her dad was and she was going to school for medicine, she knew she would be accepted without much effort. Who would take over teaching Yukine? Would he just give up on his studies? Would Yato even try to continue? Who would look after Yato? Even though he's a god and has taken care of himself for many years without her, she still worried for him. He and Yukine still bickered like brothers and Hiyori usually had to break them up. Would they be alright on their own? University was so far away she would only be able to come back during breaks. She was scared they would move on without her. Or worse, would she forget them again?

Yato must have sensed her mood. He bumped her arm with his. "Oy, why so quiet?"

Hiyori closed her eyes and crossed her arms. "I already told you, I'm just a little tired. That's all."

"Staying up late dreaming about me?" Yato teased. Before he could even finish his first laugh Hiyori punched him in the arm. "YAAAAAAAAAAA! THAT'S MY GOOD ARM!" He sulked, rubbing his arm. "That hurt!"

"Well," Hiyori said calmly, "stop being a creep and you wouldn't get hurt so much."

"Hmph," Yato grunted.

Actually, she had been having strange dreams lately. Visions that seemed so real they woke her from a deep sleep but once awake, she could hardly remember them. Maybe she was just coming down with something.

After some time, they turned the corner to the street where the shop was located. She could see Yukine hard at work setting out all the new supplies and straightening the decorations. Kofuku and Daikoku wanted to start the summer fresh and remodel the store. Of course, it took a lot longer than expected since having the goddess of poverty around usually meant something went wrong regularly. The new flooring took three different tries to put in because something catastrophic happened the first two times that it had to be ripped up and done over again. Yato got upset and told Daikoku to take Kofuku out of the area so he could finish the project. Yato might be strange and immature sometimes, but he's definitely handy and knowledgeable in a lot of areas. He took on most of the big projects in remodeling the store. He showed Yukine how to do the smaller, more tedious tasks. As a team, they managed to get everything done in just a couple months. Hiyori smiled to herself, happy that they all work together so well despite all their differences.

Yukine heard footsteps approaching the shop and turned to see Hiyori and Yato coming up. "Hey, Hiyori!" He waved gleefully. "Kofuku is inside with Daikoku finishing up the food."

Hiyori's stomach growled at the thought of food and she realized she hadn't eaten yet. "Good morning Yukine! This place looks amazing! You guys have really done a fantastic job! People are going to come for miles around to take a look!"

"Tch," Yato chimed, "not with her here." He tilted his head towards Kofuku who was stirring soup at the end of the food stall. She just smiled her innocent little smile and chuckled.

"Are you bad-mouthing milday, again?" a deep voice questioned in the darkness. Yato glanced to the back corner of the store. Daikoku stepped out of the shadow, a cigarette hanging from his lips, and eyebrows furrowed giving Yato a very dirty look. "After how many times has she stuck her neck out for you?"

Yato pouted. "You know as well as I do if she sticks around today the grand reopening will be a total disaster. If you want today to work out, you need to take her somewhere else. I worked too hard to see all this go to waste today!"

"Don't you think we already know that, asshole?" Daikoku fought back.

"Guys, guys," Kofuku soothed. "It's ok. I already had a plan. I'll just watch you guys from a distance!" She magically pulled out a set of binoculars and giggled. All the guys' jaws dropped in horror. Hiyori laughed nervously and scratched her head.

"Are you sure you'll be ok, Kofuku?" Hiyori asked politely.

"Absolutely!" Kofuku reassured her. "You are actually my plan! I'm going to put you in charge of the store while I'm away!"

Hiyori was speechless. "Uh…" was all she could get out. She's never been in charge of anything this big before. Sure, she's been the leader of a few school projects but an entire store? For an entire day?

"Don't worry, I won't be too far in case something goes wrong! And Daikoku is going to stay with you for the morning until you get your bearings. It's pretty easy!" Kafuku flipped her curly pink hair with her hand and winked at Hiyori.

Hiyori blinked, stunned. "Well, I will definitely do my best for you Kofuku!"

Yato laughed heartily. "THIS I gotta see!"

Yukine stepped on Yato's toes. "Shut up you big idiot!"

"Hey! That stung you twerp!" Yato yelped.

"Hiyori will do great, so be nice!" Yukine replied matter-of-factly.

"It's not Hiyori I'm worried about," said Yato. "Kofuku, you better stay far enough away! If even ONE little thing goes wrong, I'm coming after you!"

"It'll be fine! You guys will do great!"

Hiyori could hear people's voices gathering at the end of the street. There was a small crowd pointing to the banners and ribbons above the store. "Well, we better get ready! It's almost time to open!" Hiyori started to walk behind the counter when Kofuku caughther arm.

"I almost forget!" Kofuku exclaimed. Reaching behind the counter, she pulled out a bright pink apron with large white ruffles all around the hem and handed it to Hiyori. "I made this just for you! It's perfect that you already wore pink today so it'll match."

Hiyori shuddered. It was so frilly and bright. But she didn't want to hurt Kofuku's feelings so she threw it over her neck and tied the lace behind her back.

"You look great!" cried Kofuku happily. "Alright, I'm off! Good luck guys!"

"Don't say good luck! That'll do the complete opposite!" Yato complained.

"Ok fine," the goddess retracted. "Break a leg!"

Hiyori smiled as Kofuku disappeared behind the hill. "You guys ready?" she asked the guys.

"Mhm!" agreed Yukine and Daikoku.

"Let's make some MONAYYYYYY!" squealed Yato.

Hiyori waved to the crowd to come down. Several people shuffled to the store and gawked at all the new things. Kofuku loved tending to plants so she raised several from seedlings and potted them individually for resale. Customers complimented the beautiful, healthy leaves and stalks. Yukine helped ring up customers at the counter while Yato served the food at the stalls.

"The soup is exquisite!" one customer cheered.

"It's my specialty," Yato breathed on his nails and polished them on his chest confidently.

Daikoku scowled and smacked Yato on the back of the head. "Moron! All you did was serve it!"

Yato whimpered, embarrassed. "Yes, Koki…."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT YOU FREAK!"

"Heh heh," Yato teased.

"Thank you for coming!" Yukine waved farewell to several customers leaving with their items.

The first few hours went great! Kofuku peered over the hill a few times to check on everyone and Hiyori waved assuredly to her. Everyone took a quick lunch break around one and Hiyori was famished. She managed to eat two bowls of soup and a large bowl of rice along with a side of noodles before slouching backwards, too full to move.

"I'm exhausted! And we still have a few hours left!" Hiyori said, folding her hands over her stomach.

Yukine finished his food and let out an audible "ahh". "I'm glad everything has been ok so far! I didn't think we'd get this many customers."

"Only because Kofuku stayed away. I'm curious to see how this place stays afloat once she's back." Yato played with his spoon on the table, his head leaning on his other hand. Hiyori smacked his hand out from under his head, making his face hit the table. "OW! What was that for?!"

"Everything will be just fine. If you can be semi-successful as a god of happiness, Kofuku can at least be semi-successful at running a business. Have a little more faith in her!" Hiyori began gathering everyone's dishes when she started feeling faint. Her vision was blurry and her head began to spin. A bowl dropped from her hand but Yato caught it before it hit the floor.

"Hey, are you ok?" he inquired, scared she might be doing her "insta-snooze" trick. He grabbed the dishes from her hands and put them on the table.

"I think I just need to sit down for a minute," she stuttered. Hiyori plopped back down on the floor, rubbing her temples.

"Yukine and I will take care of the dishes, Hiyori. You just take a break for a bit." Daikoku and Yukine took the dishes to the sink to wash while Yato sat next to Hiyori, his hands on her shoulders.

"What's wrong?"

Hiyori, eyes still closed, just shook her head and tried to stand up. "It's nothing, I'm fine." But she stumbled before she could get completely up and Yato had to catch her before she fell to the ground. When she opened her eyes, she saw Yato staring at her fearfully, but his face was so blurry. Suddenly, his face started changing. His friendly, beautiful blue eyes became fierce and angry. His hair was longer, pulled back in a messy ponytail. His face was stained with what looked like blood. Hiyori's eyes widened in horror. Fire rose behind him as the background faded to black and all at once Hiyori wasn't at the shop anymore.

"Hiyori!" Yato didn't sound worried anymore, but instead he was furious, his hands shaking her shoulders vigorously. She couldn't speak. She was so scared and wanted to run but her feet felt so heavy. Yato pulled a sword from his side and raised it above his head. There was no expression on his face. There was no emotion to show Hiyori that he knew or cared about her at all. He swung his sword at her and she closed her eyes tightly, screaming, "NO YATO! DON'T!"

Silence. Was she dead? Did he really kill her? What that even Yato anymore? Hiyori opened her eyes and saw Yato again, but his face was clear again. He was her Yato. Not the one she just saw who wanted her dead. His eyes were so stunned looking at her.

"Ya…Yato?" she uttered in a shaky voice. Tears welled up and she couldn't hold them in.

"Hiyori?" Yato was confused and worried.

She threw herself onto him, crying, terrified of what she just experienced. Not knowing what was going on, Yato simply wrapped her up tightly and cradled her in his lap as she cried. After a few minutes, she started to calm down. "What just happened, Hiyori?"

She wiped the tears from her face and took a deep breath. "I saw you. But it wasn't you. You were scary and fierce. You…" she stopped, remembering the awful details. "You tried to kill me."

Yato gasped. "Why would I ever try to kill you?" He rubbed his chin, curious what she was talking about.

Hiyori sniffed. "I don't know, but you looked at me no emotion. Your hair, it was longer and pulled up." Hiyori gathered her own hair and demonstrated what she saw in her vision. "And your face. It was…covered in blood."

Yato was taken aback. Did she see his old self? How could that be? He never told her or Yukine much of his past life. Did someone curse her?

"I'm ok now, Yato," she smiled. "I just want to finish this day out and get some rest tonight." Hiyori stood up and walked back out the shop. Yato sat there, not sure what to think or do. Hiyori didn't want to talk about it anymore and he feared that bringing it up may upset her more. He decided to let it go and get back to work.

The customers slowed and once the last one left, everyone closed up and sat on the edge of the porch with steaming cups of tea. Kofuku came back to celebrate and rejoice in the shop's huge success. Everyone was laughing and having a great time, except Yato and Hiyori. Yato was quiet and reserved. He drank his tea silently. Hiyori smiled and conversed, but remained guarded.

Once everything calmed down, Hiyori went upstairs to help Yukine with his math. She was so proud of how far he had come in his studies. Even though he was permanently 14, he was able to keep up with her upper high schoolwork. She praised him eagerly when everything was done. "You are doing so well, Yukine! I'm glad you've gotten this far!"

Yukine chuckled. "Thanks. It's all because of you Hiyori. Thank you for working with me so much." His face grew slightly sad and he lowered his head. "I don't know if I'll be able to do your old college work, though…"

Hiyori smiled sadly. "I will find a way, Yukine." She grabbed his hands and held them tightly. "I promise."

Yukine smiled happily at her. "I'll see you soon, Hiyori."

She waved goodbye to Kofuku and Daikoku on her way out. She wanted to say bye to Yato, but she couldn't find him anymore. Feeling guilty, she walked home alone.

Hiyori opened the door to her house. The sun was almost set and the stars were dotting the darkening sky. The house was quiet. "Mom and dad must be having fun." She grabbed a snack from the fridge and made her way to her room. Her parents were leaving her home alone more often now that she was getting older. In a way, she missed the regular noises of her parents in and out of the house. She missed her mom making dinner every night and sitting at the table eating together. Once she goes to university, she imagined her parents would probably do more of what they want together. Her dad had already said he was going to spend less time at the hospital once Hiyori moved to the dorms. She's always had a good relationship with her parents but they're no different from other parents excited about having adult children and the freedoms that come with it.

The clock on Hiyori's wall clicked just past 9:23. She yawned and decided it had been a long enough day. She'd love to stay up and watch the latest match she recorded, but fatigue was fighting her. She dressed in her night clothes and brushed her teeth and hair. The bed called her eagerly. She crawled in and pulled the covers up to her chin. Turning the lamp off next to her bed, she closed her eyes and slowly started drifting to sleep. Before she completely out, she smelled something familiar. She opened one eye and saw Yato crouched outside her window. She shook her head and smiled, motioning for him to come in.

Yato opened the window and stepped down gracefully onto the floor. There was no smile on his face, no happiness in his eyes. She sat up and patted the bed at her feet. He sat down and stared uneasily at the floor.

"Is there something wrong, Yato?"

He didn't say anything. His feet shuffled back and forth apathetically.

"I tried to find you before I left. I hope you're not mad at me for not saying goodbye."

Yato turned to meet Hiyori's gaze. There was a hint of sadness on his face, and other emotions Hiyori couldn't read. She didn't know what to say.

"Hiyori," Yato said nervously, "there's a lot about me you still don't know."

"It's ok, Yato. You don't have to tell me. I know it makes you uncomfortable." Hiyori placed her hand on his arm to comfort him, but he pulled away.

"No. I need to tell you."

Hiyori gulped down her anxiety.

"You have to understand that for a long time, I was a child with only one purpose. When gods are born, we don't know much besides what we're told by those who raise us. Sometimes that's previous shinkis. Sometimes it's other gods. But for obscure gods like myself, we have no guidance. The only person that I had for a long time was my old man."

Hiyori sat silently. She could hear the apprehension in his voice and wanted to make him feel better.

"I wasn't born of sweet wishes and honorable prayers, Hiyori. I know you know that. I was born to be a killer. It's not who I am now, but it still haunts me and I'm afraid I'll never be able to put it behind me." His voice broke.

"Yato," was all Hiyori could say.

"There may come a time that you learn about all the horrible things I've done, Hiyori. And it's not right of me to ask you to stay but I'm selfish. Please, don't leave me. Don't walk away when you find out the monster I am!" Yato broke down, tears stinging hot in the corners of his eyes.

Hiyori was overwhelmed. Her heart skipped a beat seeing Yato so scared. She couldn't imagine how much strength it took to tell her all that.

She smiled at him softly. "Yato, I haven't gone anywhere all this time. I'm not going to walk away from you. Not now, not ever."

He rubbed his eyes aggressively and looked away, ashamed. Hiyori yawned uncontrollably. Yato grinned crookedly. "You should get some sleep."

Hiyori laid back onto her pillow and tried to keep her eyes open, but she too tired to stay awake.

"Is it okay if I stay?" She heard Yato's voice ask in the distance. She was too sleepy to say no and just nodded. As she drifted off to sleep, she felt Yato curl up beside her on the bed. At first she wasn't sure she was okay with him being in her bed, but she loved the feeling of his warmth next to her and his scent filling the room. Yato placed a hand on her shoulder ever so delicately, and Hiyori went right to sleep.