p class="MsoNormal"emJust a heads up, this chapter is rated very much M! There are sexual scenarios here. There is also another sexual scenario in the next chapter!/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori was stunned when she saw the row of perfectly placed votive candles in the sand leading up to the stairs of the beach house. She grew nervous. This must have been what Yato "forgot" earlier. She stopped in her tracks at the first candle. Romance was obviously not her forte and neither were surprises./p
p class="MsoNormal""I hope it's okay with you," Yato grabbed Hiyori's hand. "I just wanted to do a little something special."/p
p class="MsoNormal""N-no, it's fine," Hiyori stuttered. She walked up to the stairs with him hand in hand. Something about the scene felt familiar and a little nerve-racking. Yato opened the door for her and walked in behind her. The inside was dotted with more candles on the counters and shelves. She wasn't sure how to react. Most girls would probably be thrilled that their guy went to all the trouble of planning a romantic evening but Hiyori felt uneasy. Not because of Yato but because of herself. She had never done anything with a guy before. She'd spent all her free time battling phantoms and studying for school that while other girls her age were getting all kinds of experience with boys, she'd missed out on all of that./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato came up behind her and took the shoes out of her hand. "Everything alright?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well," Hiyori turned around slowly to face him, "this is going to sound strange but I've never done anything like this…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato laughed. "Yeah, I kind of figured that."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm not sure I'll be good at any of this," she said fidgeting with her hands behind her back and looking down at the ground./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato put her shoes down on the ground and walked up to her grabbing her face in his hands and pulling her up to look him in the eyes. "Listen, we don't have to do anything you don't want to do. If you don't feel comfortable, just let me know. I'm going to love you no matter what."/p
p class="MsoNormal"It wasn't that she didn't want to. She definitely did. She'd thought about it many times. What she feared was everything being awkward because she didn't know what she was doing./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori couldn't look away from him eyes. They were so full of love and care for her. It wasn't long ago that she thought she'd never see his face again. She reached up and brushed his hair from his eyebrow with her fingers. His hands were warm on her face and neck. She stepped closer to him and put her arms around his neck. "This summer was the scariest summer of my life and I've spent a lot of time being afraid. But I don't want to be afraid anymore." She leaned in and kissed him. With his hands still on her face, he held her gently and kissed her back./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato moved his hands to her back and pulled her in closer with each kiss. Hiyori buried her hands in Yato's hair; tugging harder with each passionate kiss. She pulled away suddenly./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm sorry! I hope I wasn't hurting you! I got carried away!" she apologized profusely./p
p class="MsoNormal""Uh," Yato blinked in confusion, "how can I put this in the least weird way possible? I am a god. I have fought other gods and a raging demon. No offense, but nothing you do to me tonight is going to hurt me." He pulled her back in and continued kissing her./p
p class="MsoNormal"They made their way over to the other side of the living area. There wasn't much in there besides a small couch, a recliner in the corner, and a couple of nightstands. Yato had backed Hiyori up against the patio door. Her hands were already unbuttoning his shirt and he'd started to untie her dress. All the fear Hiyori had felt dissipated as Yato started kissing her neck. But her heart continued to pound nonetheless. He slowly drew her dress down until it dropped around her feet. His hands glided over her whole body. Hiyori managed to finally undo his shirt and practically ripped it off his body. She'd pulled away long enough to marvel at the way Yato's body looked in the moonlight streaming in through the patio. Despite all the battles he'd been in, there were no marks on his body at all. Gods didn't scar like humans did, at least not on the outside. Even after the worst of injuries, once they healed there was nothing left. He didn't have defined muscles or a six-pack, but he was toned. His arms were strong. His clavicle stuck out from his chest and that small space between pressed inwards every time he took a breath. Hiyori reached up to touch it, her fingers trailing down over his undefined yet rock-solid abdomen. Her hand stopped at the button of his pants and she looked back up at his face. His cheeks were aflush. Even from a distance she could tell his breath was shaky./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato leaned over putting on hand on the patio door behind her and the other hand on the side of her neck. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. As much as he wanted to take her right there and then, he didn't want to rush it. He just wanted to be with her. He stood there taking in her scent and feeling her heartbeat on his hand. He kissed her forehead, then her nose, and then her mouth lightly. The only thing Hiyori had left on was her underwear. A cute, black g-string with a heart pendant that held the strings together in the back. She tried to cover her chest with her arms which only made him want her more./p
p class="MsoNormal""We should maybe blow out these candles," Hiyori said quietly. "Don't want wax everywhere in Ebisu's beach house."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato just chuckled then drew in a deep breath. He leaned over to a candle that was next to Hiyori and blew it out and magically all the other candles except the ones on the nightstands went out too./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori just smiled and shook her head. "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to dating a god if you're going to keep doing things like that."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Cool, huh?" Yato teased. Then he pulled her into him in an embrace./p
p class="MsoNormal""It doesn't bother you that I can't do anything special?" Hiyori said morosely. "I'm just a human. Especially now that you got rid of my half phantom form. I'm weak now. I'm completely useless."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato grabbed her arms and stood her straight in front of him, staring directly into her eyes. "You are human. And don't forget that, as a human, you are the one who pushed me out of the way of that bus and saved me from day one."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You said so yourself that you didn't need my help that night in the hospital," Hiyori reminded him./p
p class="MsoNormal""I was just trying to save face," Yato remained serious. "I couldn't have you thinking a god was stupid enough to walk out in the middle of the street looking for a cat and almost get hit. And that's not the only time you've saved me. I'm fairly certain you've saved my ass more times than I've had to save yours. Which I'm pretty sure makes me the weaker one."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I appreciate what you're doing but it still doesn't change the real truth: you're a god. You don't need me," Hiyori looked down at the ground dismally./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hiyori, look at me," Yato pleaded. "You're the only person I need. I'm still here because you love me. If I had never met you or if I had cut ties with you when old Tenjin told me to years ago, I'm certain I would not be here. With all that I've gone through, if you hadn't have been there calling out for me, I'd be dead. You can never know how eternally grateful I am to you and not because of everything you've done for me. But because you loved me enough to do them. Nobody has ever loved me. I wasn't even really liked let alone loved. And I will spend the rest of eternity loving you and doing everything in my power to show you that."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tears trickled down Hiyori's face. She didn't know what she'd done to earn him, but she was overjoyed that he belonged to her. "If this is how you get women to sleep with you, it's definitely working," Hiyori joked; wiping the tears from her face./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato laughed. "I'm hoping that will get me more than just in bed with you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""More?" Hiyori asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""I want to spend the rest of our lives together," Yato said twirling Hiyori's hair around his fingers. "Not just tonight. Not for the rest of the summer. Forever."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori didn't respond but she thought that sounded sort of like a proposal. Forever. That's exactly what Hiyori wanted too./p
p class="MsoNormal""I love you, Hiyori," Yato said putting Hiyori's arms back around his neck and wrapping his own around her waist./p
p class="MsoNormal""I love you too, Yato," Hiyori stepped in closer and began kissing him again./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori laid herself on the floor. Yato straddled her legs. He'd started undoing his jeans. Hiyori tried to focus but the strange feeling from before started creeping back in. Why did this feel familiar and alarming? Yato looked down at her with vibrant, hungry, brilliant blue eyes. "Hiyori," he lowered himself to her lips and whispered seductively before pressing his lips to hers. She gasped. It all came back to her. This was one of the nightmares she had. She never told Yato what had happened. It started just like this. He was on top of her and kissing her then he suddenly turned violent. He'd pinned her down and was laughing at her as she struggled. She yelled for him to stop but he was too strong for her. He'd clawed at her skin and started to choke her with a sinister grin on his face. Back then she didn't realize it was the demon pretending to be Yato in her dreams./p
p class="MsoNormal"But she looked up at him now and didn't see the ferocity there was in her nightmare. It was just love. She didn't need to fear her Yato. He wouldn't hurt her. He kissed her neck lovingly as she shuffled his pants off./p
p class="MsoNormal"They made love for hours. Yato took his time and listened for all of Hiyori's cues. Of course it felt good for him but he wanted it to be special for Hiyori. He did whatever she wanted to do. She was more aggressive than he thought she'd be. She loved the way he clutched her body and gripped her hair in his hands. But every now and again he'd stop and kiss her to show her he could be gentle too. She cried out loudly in pleasure every time she came which was a few times. Eventually she collapsed on the floor, breathing heavy and whole body shaking. Her face glowed with ecstasy. Yato took a second to catch his own breath. He leaned with his back against the glass patio door and held his arms out towards Hiyori, silently beckoning her to come to him. She crawled up to him and curled up against him in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her trembling body and pressed her close to him. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I want you to stay with me forever," Yato said quietly./p
p class="MsoNormal"Eyes closed and breath slowed, Hiyori uttered the word "forever" and instantly fell asleep./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato just smiled and gave into his own sweet repose./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori woke to the sound of waves lapping outside. The sun shone through the bedroom window across the floor and stretched over the bed. After blinking a few times, she realized she was in bed. The last she remembered her and Yato were in the living area and…./p
p class="MsoNormal"Her face turned red hot. Yato and her. The night before. At first it was a blur but as she sat up against the pillows, it all started coming back to her. There were candles and moonlight and magic. She closed her eyes and thought about the way his hands felt on her. Her lips still tasted like him and his scent was all over her. She looked down and realized she had a black silk nightgown on. She didn't remember getting dressed or getting into the bed. It occurred to her that she didn't remember Yato leaving either. They had fallen asleep together by the patio door./p
p class="MsoNormal""Good morning," a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. "Everything alright?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori looked to her left and saw Yato standing in the doorway with a towel tied loosely around his waist and his hair dripping wet. If she wasn't blushing bright enough earlier, she was now./p
p class="MsoNormal""Y-yeah!," Hiyori replied nervously. She'd hoped Yato didn't notice her face. She looked down at the blanket as he walked into the room. "Wh-what time is it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""It's almost eleven," he smiled and sat down on the bed. "I didn't want to wake you so I took a quick shower while you slept."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Shower. Hiyori realized she probably still had yesterday's makeup all over her face and her hair was crazy. She instinctively reached up and touched her head to see how bad it was. It was a mop. Now she really was embarrassed. "Oh god! I look awful!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato just laughed. "Well, considering the night you had it kind of suits you."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori thought she would die of embarrassment. "Don't look at me!" She covered her face and hustled out of bed to the bathroom. She slammed the door behind her and locked it. Looking in the mirror, she realized she was right. Eyeshadow and mascara ran down her eyes and lipstick was smeared. Her once-perfect hair was now completely disheveled and frizzy. She quickly showered and washed her face. Afterwards she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her and went back to the bedroom to get dressed. When she walked in Yato was in the middle of finding a shirt to put on. She stood there and watched him quietly for a moment and admired the way he looked in just jeans and no shirt. His body looked different in the sun than it did in moonlight. But he was beautiful either way./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato felt eyes on him and turned to see Hiyori looking at him. The Hiyori he'd been with the night before, albeit an extremely sexy Hiyori, was now washed away and the fresh-faced, sun-kissed, girlnextdoor Hiyori was back. He couldn't help but grin from ear to ear./p
p class="MsoNormal""What?" Hiyori asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato walked over to her, pressed his forehead against hers, and closed his eyes. "Nothing. Just happy to see you." He pulled her in against his bare chest and embraced her. He held her for a moment feeling as though if he let go he might lose her entirely. Yato knew more than most people, or gods, how quickly happiness can be taken./p
p class="MsoNormal"He figured she must have sensed his growing anxiety because she looked up and him and said, "I'm not going anywhere. We said forever. And forever it's going to be."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato could feel a lump in his throat and his eyes getting moist. He didn't want to cry in front of her even if they were happy tears. He kissed her and went back over to the bed to put his shirt on. "Dress in something comfortable. We're going for a little hike."/p
p class="MsoNormal""A hike?" she questioned./p
p class="MsoNormal"After they both finishing dressing, they went outside and found Kofuku, Daikoku, Yukine, and Kira waiting for them./p
p class="MsoNormal""Man, I didn't think you guys were gonna come," Yukine crossed his arms. "We've been waiting for like thirty minutes."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sorry," Hiyori apologized, "Yato didn't tell me we were taking a field trip."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Good morning!" Kofuku exclaimed. "We're going to visit Ishigami's shrine in the woods."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ishigami?" Hiyori remembered them talking about a god who presided over these lands. "I remember now."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We're going to pay our respects before we go home," Daikoku added./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ishigami has faithfully protected this area for many centuries," Kira said. "Even Lady Izanami speaks highly of her."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You sure do know a lot about things that happened that long ago," Hiyori mentioned. "It's almost as if you were there."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I was," Kira noted./p
p class="MsoNormal"Everyone looked at Kira in awe./p
p class="MsoNormal""Wait, are you saying you're centuries old?" Yato asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm almost 1600 years old," Kira stated./p
p class="MsoNormal"Again, everyone fell silent./p
p class="MsoNormal""WOW!" Kofuku cheered. "I had no idea you had been around that long! That explains your formal way of speaking!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes, I suppose it does tend to stick out as unusual to some," Kira smiled awkwardly./p
p class="MsoNormal""I think it's refreshing," Yukine said, his face turning pink./p
p class="MsoNormal"Kira turned and faced the woods where Ishigami's shrine was located. "Ishigami was born around the year 700 when people started inhabiting this area. The land was rugged and hard to work. Not to mention the stormy seas. The area was prone to flooding and huge waves that would come up and swallow the shore. People feared the water and surrounding woods. So, in an effort to try to tame the land and sea, the people prayed that a god would come and protect the people who lived and made a living there. Thus Ishigami was born. Back then she didn't have the guidance that gods have now so her duty was very difficult. She struggled for a long time before she earned the status she has now with the citizens of this place. The original believers almost lost faith in her altogether. But she remained strong and became a highly worshipped god."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You really do know a lot," Yukine said./p
p class="MsoNormal""I traveled this area frequently when I was a younger yokai," Kira continued. "There weren't many people here and it was an ideal place for me to take refuge from more relentless gods who sought to end me and my kind. I happened upon Ishigami when she was a child. She did not flee from me when she saw me wondering along this same shore. Nor did she try to kill me. She just smiled and nodded. It wasn't long after that I found the entrance to the underworld and ventured to the world of Lady Izanami. I did not fear her. I had hoped that, even if it meant I'd never be able to return to the land of the living, I could convince her to let me stay and become her servant. I even offered to eat the food of the underworld to prove my loyalty to her. But, she looked upon me kindly and told me that I needn't do that and that she would gladly keep me by her side."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Hold on," Yato interjected, "you mean to tell me you've been in the underworld all this time and you haven't eaten the food?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I am not human and never have been," Kira replied. "I do not feel hunger as you feel it. I have never had a reason to consume underworld food."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Makes sense," Daikoku said. "it's just like familiars here on earth."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Familiars?" Yukine said./p
p class="MsoNormal""Familiars are akin to blessed vessels," Kira chimed in. "Except, familiars are typically beings that were never human. You may be acquainted with Lord Tenjin's familiar, Tsuyu."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori knew Tsuyu. She was told Tsuyu was the spirit of a plum tree and has been with Lord Tenjin for a very long time./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well are we going or not? Just standing here is making me tired," Yato complained./p
p class="MsoNormal""You are so rude Yatty!" Kofuku waved her hand at Yato. "Let's get going everyone!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Daikoku led the way followed by Kofuku, then Yukine, Kira, and Yato and Hiyori together in the back of the group. The trail wasn't treacherous by any means. Over the years it seemed the citizens had taken care to make the path more accessible to visitors. Some of the path was even outline with thick ropes for people to hang on to as they walked. The trees cast the perfect amount of shade to help relieve some of the heat. It wasn't long before the trail ran into a path of concrete blocks that led them under a white tori gate and up to the shrine. It wasn't as big as Bishamon's shrine in the city, but it was definitely one of the bigger shrine's Hiyori had ever seen. The grounds were beautifully kept. The purification well had a small fountain in the middle in the shape of a fish with a large, flowing tail. With the afternoon sun shining down on the building, it brought a sense of peace to Hiyori with how quiet and stunning the place was./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, where is she?" Yato said./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, unlike you she might actually have godly duties to attend to," Daikoku glared at Yato./p
p class="MsoNormal""Seriously?!" Yato fussed./p
p class="MsoNormal""I apologize for my tardiness," a calming, feminine voice echoed from all around them. The breeze picked up and swirled all around them until it centralized in front of the shrine and in a beam of light, a woman appeared. She was tall and thin, but not abnormally so. She donned a chu-furisode kimono with vibrant colors that started as ocean green as the bottom and faded into a darker green-blue then faded into a navy blue towards the top. Extravagant pictures of ocean waves and sea creatures outlined in gold covered the bottom of the dress and the bottom of the long sleeves. Her hair was tied back in a loose braid and was silver on top and faded to blue at the tips. Her eyes were just like the ocean and Hiyori swore she could almost see the waves dancing in them. She was beautiful and godly in a way she hadn't seen any of the other gods besides Lord Tenjin./p
p class="MsoNormal""Good afternoon, Lady Ishigami," Daikoku bowed lightly but not too low as to not disrespect his own master. Kofuku bowed as well. Yukine and Kira also bowed. Yato was too busy analyzing Ishigami like she was an insect that must be squashed immediately. Hiyori saw a look of uncertainty on Yato's face that made her wonder what he was thinking. As far as she knew, he'd never met her before. So why was he looking at her like she was a villain?/p
p class="MsoNormal""It's been a while since I've been graced by the presence of another god, let alone two," Ishigami said. Her smile was warm and friendly, almost like a mother's. "Thank you all for coming. What brings you to the area?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""We were visiting the beach," Kofuku smiled back. "Ebisu was here as well. Did you see him?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ebisu has always been a very busy god and not much for talking," Ishigami chuckled. "I do not expect him to pay me a visit. However, he has blessed this land with good fortune. We've made several agreements which has brought in more revenue than we could have ever procured on our own."/p
p class="MsoNormal""It certainly is more lively and splendid than in years past," Kira spoke up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ah, the yokai from the beach," Ishigami nodded towards Kira. "I remember you walking alone along the shore centuries ago."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Your memory serves you well, Lady Ishigami," Kira nodded back./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm glad to see you have survived all these years. I hope you are no longer alone or wandering."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I have found a gracious master to serve. Lady Izanami."/p
p class="MsoNormal""She is a most affable goddess," Ishigami smiled. "Despite her reputation, I have had a few dealings with her and she has always been amiable in our treaties. You have found a good master."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We wanted to pay our respects before leaving, Lady Ishigami," Kofuku said./p
p class="MsoNormal""Of course," Ishigami pointed toward her cleaning fountain, "please help yourselves. It was a pleasure to have visitors on this wonderful day."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Everyone headed over to the well to wash their hands and make their offerings. Yato stood in the same spot, unmoving and watched Ishigami like a hawk. Hiyori looked back to see Yato wasn't following and walked back to him./p
p class="MsoNormal""What's wrong?" she asked Yato./p
p class="MsoNormal""I just get a strange feeling from her," he admitted. "I don't know why."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, let's just finish visiting so we can hurry up and leave," she grabbed him arm and walked him over to the offering area. Hiyori noticed dozens of pieces of paper stuck on the wall. She picked through them and realized they were wishes./p
p class="MsoNormal""Remember?" Kofuku came up behind Hiyori and pointed to the wall. "Ishigami is said to grant at least one wish to every woman. So women come from all over to make a wish and put it on the wall after they make an offering."/p
p class="MsoNormal""But, don't all gods grant wishes?" Hiyori asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""We all try," Yato jumped in, "but sometimes we can't. Especially if it's not within our power to grant. Take Kofuku for example. She'd be the worst god to go to for matchmaking. So if someone wished for her to help them in making a match, she may not grant it."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And if someone asked Yato to bestow knowledge and popularity on them, he couldn't do it because he's completely useless in that department," Daikoku crossed his arms and glared down at Yato./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, you're saying Ishigami is able to grant any and all wishes?" Hiyori asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""That's how the legend goes," Kofuku confirmed./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori wasn't sure how Ishigami could grant any wish to a woman if she wasn't any different than the other gods. Each god specialized in their own areas. How could one god be able to specialize in all areas? She made her money offering then decided to fill out a wish./p
p class="MsoNormal"I want to be able to protect everyone I love and be as helpful as possible, she wrote. And maybe make it so the one I love and I can be together forever. Then she folded it up and pinned it on the wall./p
p class="MsoNormal""What did you wish for?" Yato asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's a secret," Hiyori smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal""Alright guys, let's get going! The truck is going to be here soon to pick us up!" Kofuku and Daikoku were already walking towards the path away from the shrine and Yukine and Kira were close behind./p
p class="MsoNormal""Let's go, Yato," Hiyori said and started heading for the rest of the group./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato turned to follow but felt something strange as if someone was watching him. He stopped in his tracks and turned to the right. Ishigami was standing there only inches away from him with a serious and somewhat anxious look on her face./p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you want?" Yato demanded./p
p class="MsoNormal""I have heard Hiyori Iki's wish," her face softened but looked more sorrowful. "I must tell you how my granting wishes works. I have a modest ability to see certain futures. It does not always work but it is how I am able to help grant wishes. When I see a future that is unfavorable for the woman's wish, I make slight changes to alter the outcome. However, sometimes not even I can change certain futures."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why are you telling me this?" Yato asked impatiently./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hiyori's wish. I have heard it but I have also seen her future. It was vivid and real just as you stand before me. She will get what she wished for. You both will. But not before great despair. You will both have much happiness, Yato god, but it comes at a cost."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato's eyes widened with fear. "What cost?!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori was stunned when she saw the row of perfectly placed votive candles in the sand leading up to the stairs of the beach house. She grew nervous. This must have been what Yato "forgot" earlier. She stopped in her tracks at the first candle. Romance was obviously not her forte and neither were surprises./p
p class="MsoNormal""I hope it's okay with you," Yato grabbed Hiyori's hand. "I just wanted to do a little something special."/p
p class="MsoNormal""N-no, it's fine," Hiyori stuttered. She walked up to the stairs with him hand in hand. Something about the scene felt familiar and a little nerve-racking. Yato opened the door for her and walked in behind her. The inside was dotted with more candles on the counters and shelves. She wasn't sure how to react. Most girls would probably be thrilled that their guy went to all the trouble of planning a romantic evening but Hiyori felt uneasy. Not because of Yato but because of herself. She had never done anything with a guy before. She'd spent all her free time battling phantoms and studying for school that while other girls her age were getting all kinds of experience with boys, she'd missed out on all of that./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato came up behind her and took the shoes out of her hand. "Everything alright?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well," Hiyori turned around slowly to face him, "this is going to sound strange but I've never done anything like this…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato laughed. "Yeah, I kind of figured that."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm not sure I'll be good at any of this," she said fidgeting with her hands behind her back and looking down at the ground./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato put her shoes down on the ground and walked up to her grabbing her face in his hands and pulling her up to look him in the eyes. "Listen, we don't have to do anything you don't want to do. If you don't feel comfortable, just let me know. I'm going to love you no matter what."/p
p class="MsoNormal"It wasn't that she didn't want to. She definitely did. She'd thought about it many times. What she feared was everything being awkward because she didn't know what she was doing./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori couldn't look away from him eyes. They were so full of love and care for her. It wasn't long ago that she thought she'd never see his face again. She reached up and brushed his hair from his eyebrow with her fingers. His hands were warm on her face and neck. She stepped closer to him and put her arms around his neck. "This summer was the scariest summer of my life and I've spent a lot of time being afraid. But I don't want to be afraid anymore." She leaned in and kissed him. With his hands still on her face, he held her gently and kissed her back./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato moved his hands to her back and pulled her in closer with each kiss. Hiyori buried her hands in Yato's hair; tugging harder with each passionate kiss. She pulled away suddenly./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm sorry! I hope I wasn't hurting you! I got carried away!" she apologized profusely./p
p class="MsoNormal""Uh," Yato blinked in confusion, "how can I put this in the least weird way possible? I am a god. I have fought other gods and a raging demon. No offense, but nothing you do to me tonight is going to hurt me." He pulled her back in and continued kissing her./p
p class="MsoNormal"They made their way over to the other side of the living area. There wasn't much in there besides a small couch, a recliner in the corner, and a couple of nightstands. Yato had backed Hiyori up against the patio door. Her hands were already unbuttoning his shirt and he'd started to untie her dress. All the fear Hiyori had felt dissipated as Yato started kissing her neck. But her heart continued to pound nonetheless. He slowly drew her dress down until it dropped around her feet. His hands glided over her whole body. Hiyori managed to finally undo his shirt and practically ripped it off his body. She'd pulled away long enough to marvel at the way Yato's body looked in the moonlight streaming in through the patio. Despite all the battles he'd been in, there were no marks on his body at all. Gods didn't scar like humans did, at least not on the outside. Even after the worst of injuries, once they healed there was nothing left. He didn't have defined muscles or a six-pack, but he was toned. His arms were strong. His clavicle stuck out from his chest and that small space between pressed inwards every time he took a breath. Hiyori reached up to touch it, her fingers trailing down over his undefined yet rock-solid abdomen. Her hand stopped at the button of his pants and she looked back up at his face. His cheeks were aflush. Even from a distance she could tell his breath was shaky./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato leaned over putting on hand on the patio door behind her and the other hand on the side of her neck. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. As much as he wanted to take her right there and then, he didn't want to rush it. He just wanted to be with her. He stood there taking in her scent and feeling her heartbeat on his hand. He kissed her forehead, then her nose, and then her mouth lightly. The only thing Hiyori had left on was her underwear. A cute, black g-string with a heart pendant that held the strings together in the back. She tried to cover her chest with her arms which only made him want her more./p
p class="MsoNormal""We should maybe blow out these candles," Hiyori said quietly. "Don't want wax everywhere in Ebisu's beach house."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato just chuckled then drew in a deep breath. He leaned over to a candle that was next to Hiyori and blew it out and magically all the other candles except the ones on the nightstands went out too./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori just smiled and shook her head. "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to dating a god if you're going to keep doing things like that."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Cool, huh?" Yato teased. Then he pulled her into him in an embrace./p
p class="MsoNormal""It doesn't bother you that I can't do anything special?" Hiyori said morosely. "I'm just a human. Especially now that you got rid of my half phantom form. I'm weak now. I'm completely useless."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato grabbed her arms and stood her straight in front of him, staring directly into her eyes. "You are human. And don't forget that, as a human, you are the one who pushed me out of the way of that bus and saved me from day one."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You said so yourself that you didn't need my help that night in the hospital," Hiyori reminded him./p
p class="MsoNormal""I was just trying to save face," Yato remained serious. "I couldn't have you thinking a god was stupid enough to walk out in the middle of the street looking for a cat and almost get hit. And that's not the only time you've saved me. I'm fairly certain you've saved my ass more times than I've had to save yours. Which I'm pretty sure makes me the weaker one."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I appreciate what you're doing but it still doesn't change the real truth: you're a god. You don't need me," Hiyori looked down at the ground dismally./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hiyori, look at me," Yato pleaded. "You're the only person I need. I'm still here because you love me. If I had never met you or if I had cut ties with you when old Tenjin told me to years ago, I'm certain I would not be here. With all that I've gone through, if you hadn't have been there calling out for me, I'd be dead. You can never know how eternally grateful I am to you and not because of everything you've done for me. But because you loved me enough to do them. Nobody has ever loved me. I wasn't even really liked let alone loved. And I will spend the rest of eternity loving you and doing everything in my power to show you that."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tears trickled down Hiyori's face. She didn't know what she'd done to earn him, but she was overjoyed that he belonged to her. "If this is how you get women to sleep with you, it's definitely working," Hiyori joked; wiping the tears from her face./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato laughed. "I'm hoping that will get me more than just in bed with you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""More?" Hiyori asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""I want to spend the rest of our lives together," Yato said twirling Hiyori's hair around his fingers. "Not just tonight. Not for the rest of the summer. Forever."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori didn't respond but she thought that sounded sort of like a proposal. Forever. That's exactly what Hiyori wanted too./p
p class="MsoNormal""I love you, Hiyori," Yato said putting Hiyori's arms back around his neck and wrapping his own around her waist./p
p class="MsoNormal""I love you too, Yato," Hiyori stepped in closer and began kissing him again./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori laid herself on the floor. Yato straddled her legs. He'd started undoing his jeans. Hiyori tried to focus but the strange feeling from before started creeping back in. Why did this feel familiar and alarming? Yato looked down at her with vibrant, hungry, brilliant blue eyes. "Hiyori," he lowered himself to her lips and whispered seductively before pressing his lips to hers. She gasped. It all came back to her. This was one of the nightmares she had. She never told Yato what had happened. It started just like this. He was on top of her and kissing her then he suddenly turned violent. He'd pinned her down and was laughing at her as she struggled. She yelled for him to stop but he was too strong for her. He'd clawed at her skin and started to choke her with a sinister grin on his face. Back then she didn't realize it was the demon pretending to be Yato in her dreams./p
p class="MsoNormal"But she looked up at him now and didn't see the ferocity there was in her nightmare. It was just love. She didn't need to fear her Yato. He wouldn't hurt her. He kissed her neck lovingly as she shuffled his pants off./p
p class="MsoNormal"They made love for hours. Yato took his time and listened for all of Hiyori's cues. Of course it felt good for him but he wanted it to be special for Hiyori. He did whatever she wanted to do. She was more aggressive than he thought she'd be. She loved the way he clutched her body and gripped her hair in his hands. But every now and again he'd stop and kiss her to show her he could be gentle too. She cried out loudly in pleasure every time she came which was a few times. Eventually she collapsed on the floor, breathing heavy and whole body shaking. Her face glowed with ecstasy. Yato took a second to catch his own breath. He leaned with his back against the glass patio door and held his arms out towards Hiyori, silently beckoning her to come to him. She crawled up to him and curled up against him in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her trembling body and pressed her close to him. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""I want you to stay with me forever," Yato said quietly./p
p class="MsoNormal"Eyes closed and breath slowed, Hiyori uttered the word "forever" and instantly fell asleep./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato just smiled and gave into his own sweet repose./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori woke to the sound of waves lapping outside. The sun shone through the bedroom window across the floor and stretched over the bed. After blinking a few times, she realized she was in bed. The last she remembered her and Yato were in the living area and…./p
p class="MsoNormal"Her face turned red hot. Yato and her. The night before. At first it was a blur but as she sat up against the pillows, it all started coming back to her. There were candles and moonlight and magic. She closed her eyes and thought about the way his hands felt on her. Her lips still tasted like him and his scent was all over her. She looked down and realized she had a black silk nightgown on. She didn't remember getting dressed or getting into the bed. It occurred to her that she didn't remember Yato leaving either. They had fallen asleep together by the patio door./p
p class="MsoNormal""Good morning," a soft voice interrupted her thoughts. "Everything alright?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori looked to her left and saw Yato standing in the doorway with a towel tied loosely around his waist and his hair dripping wet. If she wasn't blushing bright enough earlier, she was now./p
p class="MsoNormal""Y-yeah!," Hiyori replied nervously. She'd hoped Yato didn't notice her face. She looked down at the blanket as he walked into the room. "Wh-what time is it?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""It's almost eleven," he smiled and sat down on the bed. "I didn't want to wake you so I took a quick shower while you slept."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Shower. Hiyori realized she probably still had yesterday's makeup all over her face and her hair was crazy. She instinctively reached up and touched her head to see how bad it was. It was a mop. Now she really was embarrassed. "Oh god! I look awful!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato just laughed. "Well, considering the night you had it kind of suits you."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori thought she would die of embarrassment. "Don't look at me!" She covered her face and hustled out of bed to the bathroom. She slammed the door behind her and locked it. Looking in the mirror, she realized she was right. Eyeshadow and mascara ran down her eyes and lipstick was smeared. Her once-perfect hair was now completely disheveled and frizzy. She quickly showered and washed her face. Afterwards she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her and went back to the bedroom to get dressed. When she walked in Yato was in the middle of finding a shirt to put on. She stood there and watched him quietly for a moment and admired the way he looked in just jeans and no shirt. His body looked different in the sun than it did in moonlight. But he was beautiful either way./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato felt eyes on him and turned to see Hiyori looking at him. The Hiyori he'd been with the night before, albeit an extremely sexy Hiyori, was now washed away and the fresh-faced, sun-kissed, girlnextdoor Hiyori was back. He couldn't help but grin from ear to ear./p
p class="MsoNormal""What?" Hiyori asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato walked over to her, pressed his forehead against hers, and closed his eyes. "Nothing. Just happy to see you." He pulled her in against his bare chest and embraced her. He held her for a moment feeling as though if he let go he might lose her entirely. Yato knew more than most people, or gods, how quickly happiness can be taken./p
p class="MsoNormal"He figured she must have sensed his growing anxiety because she looked up and him and said, "I'm not going anywhere. We said forever. And forever it's going to be."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato could feel a lump in his throat and his eyes getting moist. He didn't want to cry in front of her even if they were happy tears. He kissed her and went back over to the bed to put his shirt on. "Dress in something comfortable. We're going for a little hike."/p
p class="MsoNormal""A hike?" she questioned./p
p class="MsoNormal"After they both finishing dressing, they went outside and found Kofuku, Daikoku, Yukine, and Kira waiting for them./p
p class="MsoNormal""Man, I didn't think you guys were gonna come," Yukine crossed his arms. "We've been waiting for like thirty minutes."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sorry," Hiyori apologized, "Yato didn't tell me we were taking a field trip."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Good morning!" Kofuku exclaimed. "We're going to visit Ishigami's shrine in the woods."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ishigami?" Hiyori remembered them talking about a god who presided over these lands. "I remember now."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We're going to pay our respects before we go home," Daikoku added./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ishigami has faithfully protected this area for many centuries," Kira said. "Even Lady Izanami speaks highly of her."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You sure do know a lot about things that happened that long ago," Hiyori mentioned. "It's almost as if you were there."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I was," Kira noted./p
p class="MsoNormal"Everyone looked at Kira in awe./p
p class="MsoNormal""Wait, are you saying you're centuries old?" Yato asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm almost 1600 years old," Kira stated./p
p class="MsoNormal"Again, everyone fell silent./p
p class="MsoNormal""WOW!" Kofuku cheered. "I had no idea you had been around that long! That explains your formal way of speaking!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes, I suppose it does tend to stick out as unusual to some," Kira smiled awkwardly./p
p class="MsoNormal""I think it's refreshing," Yukine said, his face turning pink./p
p class="MsoNormal"Kira turned and faced the woods where Ishigami's shrine was located. "Ishigami was born around the year 700 when people started inhabiting this area. The land was rugged and hard to work. Not to mention the stormy seas. The area was prone to flooding and huge waves that would come up and swallow the shore. People feared the water and surrounding woods. So, in an effort to try to tame the land and sea, the people prayed that a god would come and protect the people who lived and made a living there. Thus Ishigami was born. Back then she didn't have the guidance that gods have now so her duty was very difficult. She struggled for a long time before she earned the status she has now with the citizens of this place. The original believers almost lost faith in her altogether. But she remained strong and became a highly worshipped god."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You really do know a lot," Yukine said./p
p class="MsoNormal""I traveled this area frequently when I was a younger yokai," Kira continued. "There weren't many people here and it was an ideal place for me to take refuge from more relentless gods who sought to end me and my kind. I happened upon Ishigami when she was a child. She did not flee from me when she saw me wondering along this same shore. Nor did she try to kill me. She just smiled and nodded. It wasn't long after that I found the entrance to the underworld and ventured to the world of Lady Izanami. I did not fear her. I had hoped that, even if it meant I'd never be able to return to the land of the living, I could convince her to let me stay and become her servant. I even offered to eat the food of the underworld to prove my loyalty to her. But, she looked upon me kindly and told me that I needn't do that and that she would gladly keep me by her side."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Hold on," Yato interjected, "you mean to tell me you've been in the underworld all this time and you haven't eaten the food?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I am not human and never have been," Kira replied. "I do not feel hunger as you feel it. I have never had a reason to consume underworld food."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Makes sense," Daikoku said. "it's just like familiars here on earth."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Familiars?" Yukine said./p
p class="MsoNormal""Familiars are akin to blessed vessels," Kira chimed in. "Except, familiars are typically beings that were never human. You may be acquainted with Lord Tenjin's familiar, Tsuyu."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori knew Tsuyu. She was told Tsuyu was the spirit of a plum tree and has been with Lord Tenjin for a very long time./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well are we going or not? Just standing here is making me tired," Yato complained./p
p class="MsoNormal""You are so rude Yatty!" Kofuku waved her hand at Yato. "Let's get going everyone!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Daikoku led the way followed by Kofuku, then Yukine, Kira, and Yato and Hiyori together in the back of the group. The trail wasn't treacherous by any means. Over the years it seemed the citizens had taken care to make the path more accessible to visitors. Some of the path was even outline with thick ropes for people to hang on to as they walked. The trees cast the perfect amount of shade to help relieve some of the heat. It wasn't long before the trail ran into a path of concrete blocks that led them under a white tori gate and up to the shrine. It wasn't as big as Bishamon's shrine in the city, but it was definitely one of the bigger shrine's Hiyori had ever seen. The grounds were beautifully kept. The purification well had a small fountain in the middle in the shape of a fish with a large, flowing tail. With the afternoon sun shining down on the building, it brought a sense of peace to Hiyori with how quiet and stunning the place was./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, where is she?" Yato said./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, unlike you she might actually have godly duties to attend to," Daikoku glared at Yato./p
p class="MsoNormal""Seriously?!" Yato fussed./p
p class="MsoNormal""I apologize for my tardiness," a calming, feminine voice echoed from all around them. The breeze picked up and swirled all around them until it centralized in front of the shrine and in a beam of light, a woman appeared. She was tall and thin, but not abnormally so. She donned a chu-furisode kimono with vibrant colors that started as ocean green as the bottom and faded into a darker green-blue then faded into a navy blue towards the top. Extravagant pictures of ocean waves and sea creatures outlined in gold covered the bottom of the dress and the bottom of the long sleeves. Her hair was tied back in a loose braid and was silver on top and faded to blue at the tips. Her eyes were just like the ocean and Hiyori swore she could almost see the waves dancing in them. She was beautiful and godly in a way she hadn't seen any of the other gods besides Lord Tenjin./p
p class="MsoNormal""Good afternoon, Lady Ishigami," Daikoku bowed lightly but not too low as to not disrespect his own master. Kofuku bowed as well. Yukine and Kira also bowed. Yato was too busy analyzing Ishigami like she was an insect that must be squashed immediately. Hiyori saw a look of uncertainty on Yato's face that made her wonder what he was thinking. As far as she knew, he'd never met her before. So why was he looking at her like she was a villain?/p
p class="MsoNormal""It's been a while since I've been graced by the presence of another god, let alone two," Ishigami said. Her smile was warm and friendly, almost like a mother's. "Thank you all for coming. What brings you to the area?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""We were visiting the beach," Kofuku smiled back. "Ebisu was here as well. Did you see him?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ebisu has always been a very busy god and not much for talking," Ishigami chuckled. "I do not expect him to pay me a visit. However, he has blessed this land with good fortune. We've made several agreements which has brought in more revenue than we could have ever procured on our own."/p
p class="MsoNormal""It certainly is more lively and splendid than in years past," Kira spoke up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Ah, the yokai from the beach," Ishigami nodded towards Kira. "I remember you walking alone along the shore centuries ago."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Your memory serves you well, Lady Ishigami," Kira nodded back./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm glad to see you have survived all these years. I hope you are no longer alone or wandering."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I have found a gracious master to serve. Lady Izanami."/p
p class="MsoNormal""She is a most affable goddess," Ishigami smiled. "Despite her reputation, I have had a few dealings with her and she has always been amiable in our treaties. You have found a good master."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We wanted to pay our respects before leaving, Lady Ishigami," Kofuku said./p
p class="MsoNormal""Of course," Ishigami pointed toward her cleaning fountain, "please help yourselves. It was a pleasure to have visitors on this wonderful day."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Everyone headed over to the well to wash their hands and make their offerings. Yato stood in the same spot, unmoving and watched Ishigami like a hawk. Hiyori looked back to see Yato wasn't following and walked back to him./p
p class="MsoNormal""What's wrong?" she asked Yato./p
p class="MsoNormal""I just get a strange feeling from her," he admitted. "I don't know why."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, let's just finish visiting so we can hurry up and leave," she grabbed him arm and walked him over to the offering area. Hiyori noticed dozens of pieces of paper stuck on the wall. She picked through them and realized they were wishes./p
p class="MsoNormal""Remember?" Kofuku came up behind Hiyori and pointed to the wall. "Ishigami is said to grant at least one wish to every woman. So women come from all over to make a wish and put it on the wall after they make an offering."/p
p class="MsoNormal""But, don't all gods grant wishes?" Hiyori asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""We all try," Yato jumped in, "but sometimes we can't. Especially if it's not within our power to grant. Take Kofuku for example. She'd be the worst god to go to for matchmaking. So if someone wished for her to help them in making a match, she may not grant it."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And if someone asked Yato to bestow knowledge and popularity on them, he couldn't do it because he's completely useless in that department," Daikoku crossed his arms and glared down at Yato./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, you're saying Ishigami is able to grant any and all wishes?" Hiyori asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""That's how the legend goes," Kofuku confirmed./p
p class="MsoNormal"Hiyori wasn't sure how Ishigami could grant any wish to a woman if she wasn't any different than the other gods. Each god specialized in their own areas. How could one god be able to specialize in all areas? She made her money offering then decided to fill out a wish./p
p class="MsoNormal"I want to be able to protect everyone I love and be as helpful as possible, she wrote. And maybe make it so the one I love and I can be together forever. Then she folded it up and pinned it on the wall./p
p class="MsoNormal""What did you wish for?" Yato asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's a secret," Hiyori smiled./p
p class="MsoNormal""Alright guys, let's get going! The truck is going to be here soon to pick us up!" Kofuku and Daikoku were already walking towards the path away from the shrine and Yukine and Kira were close behind./p
p class="MsoNormal""Let's go, Yato," Hiyori said and started heading for the rest of the group./p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato turned to follow but felt something strange as if someone was watching him. He stopped in his tracks and turned to the right. Ishigami was standing there only inches away from him with a serious and somewhat anxious look on her face./p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you want?" Yato demanded./p
p class="MsoNormal""I have heard Hiyori Iki's wish," her face softened but looked more sorrowful. "I must tell you how my granting wishes works. I have a modest ability to see certain futures. It does not always work but it is how I am able to help grant wishes. When I see a future that is unfavorable for the woman's wish, I make slight changes to alter the outcome. However, sometimes not even I can change certain futures."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why are you telling me this?" Yato asked impatiently./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hiyori's wish. I have heard it but I have also seen her future. It was vivid and real just as you stand before me. She will get what she wished for. You both will. But not before great despair. You will both have much happiness, Yato god, but it comes at a cost."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Yato's eyes widened with fear. "What cost?!"/p