Chapter 13
Hiyori finished brushing her teeth and stared in the mirror. She noticed her complexion was paler than usual. She was never very tan but even this shade of white was brighter than she was used to. Makeup was not her forte so she decided she just needed a good dose of vitamin D. She grabbed her brush and hurriedly threw her hair into a messy bun on top of her head. Stray pieces of hair fell around her face and down her neck but she didn't care. As often as she put her hair up lately she wondered why she didn't just cut it.
The early afternoon sun warmed her room up with its glow. It was such a stark contrast to her room at night. At night it felt like a prison or a horror movie. Every moment was unpredictable but equally terrifying. Each night when she closed her eyes to sleep she yearned anxiously for the morning. Somehow the daylight felt safer to her. The light seemed to give her strength that would flee at night. Having Yato and Yukine back made her feel more secure but she knew they couldn't protect her from all evil.
Hiyori thumbed through the hangers in her closet looking for a comfortable but colorful outfit to put together. There were several tank tops to pick from but all white or neutral colored. She settled on a yellow, green, and white plaid spaghetti strap and a jean skirt that fell just above her knees. Of course, no matter what outfit she wore she always put on her favorite flip-flops. Comfort was her ultimate goal. She pulled the top off of some lip balm on her desk and gently rolled it over her lips.
Yato had snuck upstairs and stood in Hiyori's doorway unbeknownst to her. He leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed and admired her silently. His eyes locked on her mouth as she passed the cherry-tinted lip balm over her lips. He could remember the taste of it so well. She wore it all the time. He knew Hiyori wasn't much into makeup but she was all about moisturizer. Bottles of body lotion and hand creams lined her bathroom sink and she had a different tube of lip balm everywhere she went. The cherry one was her go-to. Yato knew the scent. It had a very artificial fruit smell but was very sweet and when he kissed Hiyori he could taste it on his own mouth for hours afterward. Her bare shoulders gleamed in the vibrant sunshine that flooded the room. He loved when she dressed casual but cute. He never said anything about it to her before because he was never sure how she'd react but he felt like now he could finally be honest with her.
He walked over and stood behind her. "Don't freak out," he said in a low voice.
Hiyori still jumped a little. She didn't know how long he'd been standing there. Between him being naturally quiet and his little phone-teleportation trick, he was always popping up in places without her knowing. "You know freaking out is kind of my thing," she smiled over her shoulder at him.
He just smiled back and wrapped one of his arms around her shoulder and the other around her waist. He rested his head on the back of hers and closed his eyes. Her hair had the same smell as it always had. Something floral but not aggressive like a lot of shampoos out there.
What Yato didn't know was that Hiyori was soaking in his scent as well. Her heart danced wildly in her chest. Ever since their moment on the roof, it had become increasingly difficult to stay away from Yato. They still knew that in the midst of everything going on that attempting a relationship would be a terrible idea but somehow they continued to lose the battle. She'd catch him staring at her with a look in his eyes that made her want him so badly. Likewise, Yato enjoyed the little moments of Hiyori trying to inconspicuously brush against him in passing or her fingers mysteriously finding their way in between his. He loved how perfectly her hand fit in his. Compared to his rough and scarred hands, hers were always gentle and reassuring. They both tried hard not to do anything in front of Yukine. They still weren't sure themselves how anything would work out but they didn't want anyone, especially Yukine, to wonder what was going on and make it bigger than it needed to be.
"I was thinking," Hiyori finally said after gathering her thoughts.
"Hm?" Yato remained as he was.
"Why don't we go for a walk today? The weather is beautiful and we've been stuck inside for a while now."
Yato took deep breath in and exhaled loudly through his nose. "Hiyori," he began.
"Before you say no," she interrupted, "we don't have to go far. Just a walk. Then back to the house."
Yato turned Hiyori around to face him. She could see the concern on his face.
"Please?" Hiyori pressed.
Yato wanted to cave. He wanted nothing more than to walk freely in the summer sun by her side without a care in the world. But the last time he let her out of his sight he'd almost lost her for good.
Pain swept over Yato's face and Hiyori knew instantly that something was triggered in him. He couldn't look her in the eyes anymore. "Won't you tell me?" she asked grabbing his face in her hands and pulling his eyes back to hers.
He put his arms lightly around her waist. "I can't. We promised Kira we wouldn't say anything. Besides, once it comes back to you, you'll wish you could forget again." Yato let go and gently took Hiyori's hands from his face.
Hiyori watched him walk slowly over to the open window. He put his right arm up on the window pane and rested his forehead against it. She noticed the bracelet she'd bought him dangling just in front of his eyes. Both his eyes and the gemstone glistened in the sunlight like ocean waves. She wanted to go over to him but it didn't feel right.
Yato thought it over for a moment. He wasn't sure if it was the look on Hiyori's face or the way the summer breeze beckoned him but he gave in. "We'll go for a quick walk."
Hiyori was filled with glee. She hopped happily down the stairs to find Yukine. "Yukine!" she called into the living room from the front door.
"Yeah?" he replied.
"We're heading out for a bit! Let's go!"
Yukine popped around the corner and looked a Hiyori and Yato with one eyebrow raised. "Huh?"
"Let's go for a walk!" she said again.
"A walk? Are you sure?"
"Come on, Yukine," Yato huffed.
Yukine did his famous shrug and left out of the house with Hiyori and Yato. Hiyori locked arms with them both as they meandered down the sidewalk; a giant grin on her face. Yato saw her smile and couldn't help but laugh a little. For now, he would let himself relax and try to enjoy the afternoon.
Kids giggled and chased each other down the street. Teens Hiyori recognized from school gathered outside icecream shops and boutiques. Several of them waved to her as she was fairly popular at school now. She felt normal for a moment. This was life as she remembered it. Walking down the streets and taking in all the sights and sounds and smells were some of her favorite parts of summer. Going back to school for her last year was going to be interesting.
But then a feeling of dread hit Hiyori in the gut like a semi truck. It hit so hard it almost made her stumble on the pavement. What if she didn't get to go back to school? As hopeful as she was to end this curse, there was no guarantee that they could. What if these summer days were her last?
Yato could tell something was suddenly wrong. He looked over at Yukine who was obviously worried as well. He could feel Yukine's anxiety. But there was also something else. His heart started pounding out of nowhere and he had a horrible feeling in his stomach. He looked down at Hiyori who was holding a fist up to her chest. Was he feeling what Hiyori was feeling in that moment? How was that possible? When he thought about it, this wasn't the first time it seemed that he and Hiyori shared emotions. It was like they were connected not just in mind but in body too. There was so much he didn't understand.
"Are you ok?" Yukine broke the uncomfortable silence.
Hiyori quickly looked up and put on her bravest smile. "Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"
Yato was not convinced but he did not push her further. Hiyori insisted they go for lunch. There was a new café in town she wanted to try. Yato obliged and Yukine was starving so he didn't object. They walked a couple more blocks until they reached their destination. The café was small and cozy.
When they walked inside the host asked if it was just going to be Hiyori. She forgot most people couldn't see Yato and Yukine. She pointed to either side of her with her thumbs and said, "three, actually."
Suddenly the middle-aged woman noticed Yato and Yukine standing beside Hiyori and she gasped loudly. "Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry! I must not have seen you two at first glance."
"It's alright," Yato assured the woman. "It happens a lot."
"Follow me," she said walking toward the back of the café with three menus in hand. Yukine and Yato sat in one side of the booth and Hiyori sat across from them. They studied the menus quietly. As much as Hiyori wanted to enjoy the day she couldn't ignore the sense of fear that continued to creep up in the back of her mind. She didn't want Yato or Yukine to worry about her so she kept a straight face.
When the waitress arrived, naturally they had the same scenario occur with her not realizing Yato and Yukine were there. Once she apologized profusely she took all three orders and came back with everyone's drinks. Yato fidgeted with the condensation on his glass of ice water with lemon. He wanted to say something but he held back wondering if asking would do more damage than just ignoring it. Yukine stared out the window and sipped his lemonade. Hiyori got hot tea with honey. She stirred the tea bag around in the hot water. The clinking of the spoon in her cup was the only sound between them all.
"Kofuku called yesterday," Yato said randomly.
"Really? When?" Hiyori asked. She was happy for the diversion.
"You were already asleep. She said her and Daikoku were going to that traveling carnival coming to town soon."
"I can only imagine the level of begging she had to do to get Daikoku to comply," Yukine said sarcastically.
Hiyori chortled. "You're probably right, Yukine."
Yato was happy to see Hiyori in a slightly better mood again. It put him more at ease.
Yukine looked back out the window again. Yato put his finger to his lips to silently shush Hiyori as he leaned in really close to Yukine's ear. "Are you thinkin about Kira?" Yato asked loudly.
Yukine jumped which made Yato roar with laughter. "Dude!" He yelled. "You're so weird!"
Yato laughed more. Hiyori laughed along. Yato goofing around was just what she needed to snap back to reality.
"And no, I was not thinking about her…." Yukine's voice trailed off.
"Yeah right! I felt the tiny sting of that lie!"
"I'm not thinking about just her okay!" Yukine defended himself.
"What are you thinking about, Yukine?" Hiyori asked sincerely.
"Well," Yukine stared down at his hands in his lap, "once this is all said and done, what do you think will happen to us?"
"What do you mean?" Yato was now curious.
"I mean, Hiyori will go back to school for her last year then probably off to college far away. Of course we'll be here keeping the town safe but for how much longer? Is this going to be life from now on?"
"The reality of forever is starting to set in with you," Yato put his hand on Yukine's shoulder. "Yes, Hiyori will move on with her mortal life and we will remain her unchanged for the rest of time."
Somehow, that did not comfort Yukine. Instead, he fell silent while still staring down.
"But," Yato continued, "friendships are what keep us going. We'll probably always have Kofuku and Daikoku around. Plus you've made new friends with Kira and Matoko. Hiyori will always come to visit too. Won't you, Hiyori?"
Hiyori nodded. "Of course. I'm always going to be here for you guys. And Yato is right. You've made so many new friends and you'll make many more throughout your years Yukine."
Yukine smiled at Hiyori. She made him feel better. Eternity is better spent with friends who give you strength and a reason to go on.
They ate their meals while talking about life. They made jokes and had a great time for the first time in a while. Hiyori hated to leave. But they paid and left for home. The evening was winding down quicker than they all realized.
"Thank you guys," Hiyori put her hand on both their backs.
"What for?" Yukine questioned.
"For being yourselves and for making me feel better today," Hiyori said.
"I think we all needed it," Yato smiled warmly at Hiyori.
They headed home happily. Just as they were about to cross the street to the last block from home, Hiyori could hear someone yelling. It faint and indistinguishable at first but it quickly grew louder.
"Yato! Yukine! Hiyori!"
They all turned around to see Bishamon and Kazuma running towards them. Yato instinctively put Hiyori behind him. Something was wrong.
"Bishamon? Kazuma?" Yukine said with a puzzled look.
"Yato, it's your father," Bishamon said sternly.
Yato became rigid and Hiyori felt him tense up. "What about him?" he demanded.
"He's looking for you," Kazuma stated. "He was just at Bishamon's mansion threatening her and her shinki."
"Threatening?" Hiyori asked worriedly from behind Yato.
"Yes," Bishamon confirmed. "I did not tell him anything and convinced him I did not know anything but he is hunting you fiercely. He knows Hiyori is still alive."
Yukine gulped. Yato did not waiver. "How long ago?"
"Not two hours ago." Kazuma pushed his glasses up. "We would have come sooner but I could not risk my master becoming a target. If he had seen us leave suddenly after him he would know we were lying."
"It's alright, Kazuma. I understand. Thank you both for letting us know." Yato went to turn around but Bishamon stopped him.
"There is something else you need to know, Yato." She stepped closer to him and lowered her voice. "He knows that you've figured out he's the conjurer."
Yato's eyes widened.
"He went back to that village in the mountains. There was a girl there that claimed to have run into you there."
Yato remembered the girl who told him the conjurer was his father. She'd hated him so much.
"Yato," Bishamon said, "he killed her and almost everyone in that village. He is out for blood. Not just Hiyori's now, but yours too. He has no reason to hide anymore. He is coming for all of you. You must get away from here."
"There's nowhere else for us to go," Yato retorted. "We have to stand and fight."
Bishamon nodded. "I understand."
"But not Hiyori," Yato added.
Hiyori looked up at Yato confused. "Huh?"
"You can't be here when I face off with him. He'll take you out instantly. I can't let that happen."
"But Yato," Yukine interjected, "she can't stay at home alone. We have to find somewhere safe for her."
"We can help you with that," Bishamon said. "There is an old shrine near here that is abandoned. I've had some of my shinki maintain it for the purposes of hiding out. I stay there occasionally when I have rather large missions. There is an extra room there. We can keep Hiyori there and protect her as long as possible."
Yato nodded understandingly but Hiyori wasn't so sure of the plan. "Wait," she tugged Yato's shirt slightly, "you mean you're just going to stash me somewhere until all this blows over?"
Yukine noticed the subtle anger in Hiyori's voice and put his hand on her shoulder. "Hiyori, his father would expect you to want to fight. If you show up he'll surely find a way to corner you away from our protection and try to get rid of you quickly. We can't let that happen."
"Yukine's right," Yato said without turning around. "Besides, if you aren't around it'll confuse him. Maybe even distract him enough to weaken him. But we can't, at any cost, have you there."
Hiyori's eyes brimmed with tears. This would mean that if anything happens to Yato or Yukine she wouldn't be able to do anything about it. She knew she wasn't strong enough to help fight but the thought that they might die in battle and she wouldn't be able to say goodbye tore her up inside. This may very well be the last time she sees them alive.
"But, Yato…" she couldn't finish her words. The pain was too much.
In a single, flawless swoop he turned and pulled Hiyori into a tight embrace. He knew exactly what she was thinking. He, too, feared he may never see her again.
Hiyori pressed her face hard into Yato's chest and choked back sobs. She reached for Yukine and pulled him into the hug as he began to cry as well. Yato fought his own tears for he knew he had to remain strong. Both Yukine's and Hiyori's sadness welled up in his own heart and he knew that, for once in his very long life, he had found love worth fighting for. It gave him courage.
"Yukine," Yato said ending the goodbye hugs, "let's go kick some ass."
Yato's familiar cocky grin cropped up on his face and it made Hiyori laugh a little as she wiped her own tears. "Come home safe guys," she waved as they walked away.
Bishamon looked at Hiyori and actually admired how strong she was being. Even after all her centuries as a protector of heaven and Earth, she's learned more about humans from Hiyori than any other human. Compared to the gods they aren't as strong and don't live as long. Yet, for all their physical weaknesses, they have a spirit in them that defies all logic. They are willing to put their lives on the line for each other. Bishamon was a war god so risking her life was her duty but other gods, especially gods of fortune, are normally not so willing. It's not expected for most gods to go out of their way for another god. But she's learning that humans value their time on Earth unlike gods who are ultimately timeless. It made Bishamon want to fight even harder to protect Hiyori. If she was ready to face Yato's father head on no matter the outcome, then Bishamon was ready to do whatever it took to keep Hiyori alive and help any way she could.
"Choki," she ordered and Kazuma transformed into her shinki, "lead us to the shrine."
"Yes, Veena," he smiled and directed them to the shrine. It wasn't too far but far enough and secluded enough that Hiyori felt safe being there. Even she would have a difficult time finding this place on her own without a guide. The steps and entrance were almost completely covered in overgrown vines and bushes. Hiyori pushed back a limb as she made her way inside. As soon as she stepped in small lamps began to light up on the ground. Bishamon handed a lamp to Hiyori and showed her the spare room.
"I believe you should contact your guardians so they do not worry," she told Hiyori. "You may have to come up with a story to tell them as we may be here for a while."
Hiyori nodded. Bishamon was right. If she didn't come back home before dark her parents would definitely worry. She made a quick call to her mother and made up a story about being with Ami and staying the night there. Her mom believed it and told her she'd see her tomorrow. Hiyori hoped she would.
"Kazuma," Bishamon said quietly as he appeared in his human form again, "I will watch after Hiyori. You take the night watch. Let me know immediately if you see or hear anything."
Kazuma bowed and headed to the rooftop behind some trees to begin his watch.
Hiyori stared out the window of the spare room. She watched the sun disappear beyond the horizon. Anxiety crept in. Where were Yato and Yukine now? Were they really going to be able to defeat his father? Yato didn't seem one hundred percent certain. It made Hiyori worry.
"Do not fret," Bishamon said encouragingly. Hiyori turned to see her standing in the doorway with one hand on her hip. "If there is one thing I know about the god Yato, it's that he fights a good fight. His stubbornness has seen him through many battles. He knows what he's doing.
Hiyori took a deep breath and smiled. "Thank you, Bishamon."
Elsewhere, Yato and Yukine walked to an open field behind some old businesses that were abandoned. It was open enough for his father to spot them but far enough away from people that nobody should get hurt.
"How long do you think it'll take him to find us?" Yukine's voice trembled lightly.
"With Nora by his side, not long. You know how good she is a finding people and showing up unexpectedly." Yato put both his hands in his pockets and stood in the middle of the field. The night air cooled his face and coaxed his hair from behind his ears. Yukine stared into the distance trying to gather his thoughts. This would be no ordinary fight. This was not some ayakashi that could be taken down on a whim. This battle could cost them everything. It may all be for nothing. They might perish and Hiyori be captured. But they knew they had to try. This was not the time to be having second thoughts.
"I'm here for you, Yato," Yukine said in a firm voice.
Yato smiled briefly. "Thank you, Yukine."
The air around them suddenly grew still. The breeze died and the sounds of the night fell nearly silent. Something didn't feel right. They both looked around but couldn't see anything.
"It's been a long time, Yaboku," a strange, deep voice came out of the darkness. Both Yato and Yukine looked behind them. Yato's eyes widened. There they were. His father and Nora standing there like the portrait of deceit and lies. "I've missed you." His father flashed a devious grin and chuckled sinisterly.