"What the hell do you mean 'Nanami ran away'!?"
I screeched into the phone, yelling at my idiot of a brother, "what the fuck did you do this time? I swear if you hurt her-"
"Do you know where she is? Answer me, Kasumi!"
I stopped as I heard the desperation in his voice, the vulnerability. He had already been abandoned by his previous god, Mikage and that truly did hurt him. I don't think he would survive if Nanami disappeared.
I sighed, "I haven't seen her, Tomoe."
"Damn," he cursed.
"I'll meet you at the shrine and we will conduct a search, okay? There's no need to worry," I said softly, trying to ease his fears.
"Ha, Nanami can't protect herself at all. What are you talking about? I should be panicking. She is an airhead and humans are so fragile, they break so easily. I can't lose her," his voice dropped to a whisper at the end.
I was surprised to see him this worked up over over her. I smiled as I immediately knew he had feelings for Nanami. Otherwise, he wouldn't be like this.
"Yes, she may be an airhead but you know how capable she truly is. She may be human but remember she is also a God. Nanami will be alright, Tomoe. Just stay put and wait 'till I get there. Don't do anything stupid in the meantime."
"Thanks, Kasumi."
I hung up. Kurama was currently at his concert so I couldn't ask for his help. Taking out an enchanted leaf, I kissed it and whispered foreign words. Mist started to form around my body before I whisked away.
I appeared in front of the shrine. My eyes widened at the sight in front of me. I had to cover my nose from the horrible stench. The air was filled with toxic miasma, and everything seemed dead. I spotted Mizuki throwing purifying sake, it temporarily beautifying it but its effects wore off quickly. It was practically useless.
My brother saw me and rushed over to my side.
"What's going on?" I questioned.
"It just appeared out of nowhere. I told Nanami to stay inside and said she was not needed because she wasn't strong enough to purify the air. Next thing I know, she's gone," Tomoe explained.
I whacked him across the head, earning a wince. "Baka! Of course she ran away! You practically called her incompetent by saying she wasn't needed. Baka! Baka!"
"-Now, let's go search for her in the village," I said, him nodding in agreement. We both took off, running at an inhumanly pace, the shrine growing farther and farther away.
Before long, we reached the village, standing on top of a large building, staring at the humans below us.
"Fox fires, find Nanami!" Tomoe ordered, emitting the blue flames that darted off into different directions. He had such a dark expression on his face but I knew that underneath it, he was just worried for the one he cared about.
"I'll search on the ground," I said, then leaped off the building. I landed on fours, people gasping at me from practically jumping off a tall building and surviving. I ignored them and started my search, hoping Nanami was alright.
Being a god, Nanami has a certain aura and I could easily pinpoint her location but for some reason, I couldn't sense her presence. Something was blocking its uniqueness. She must have used a talisman to do this.
With something blocking her aura, she could be almost impossible to find. All I could settle for was calling her name and hope she heard me.
"Nanami! Nanami!"
For Tomoe's sake, I hope she returns soon. He can't live without her and that is a fact.
~*~
"Lady Kasumi!" one of my brother's fox fires appeared in front of me, "we have found Lady Nanami. She is currently heading towards the shrine! Master Tomoe has already been informed."
I sighed in relief. Thank god. I nodded in acknowledgement before taking off, back to the shrine. My eyes widened as it came closer. The miasma has gotten thicker! How? It wasn't this bad before! The air was completely filled with the black toxic miasma. I glanced behind me, towards the town. If it reached the town, it would be absolute chaos!
I spotted Mizuki and Tomoe already there, staring at something in shock. Why the hell are they just standing around!?
I followed their gaze and I understood why. There was Nanami, dressed beautifully in a flower patterned kimono. She danced gracefully in front of the monster that controlled the miasma, repelling it with her bell. I watched in awe, never seeing anything with such grace. She really has grown into a decent god. Butterflies fluttered around her, like she was being protected by Mikage. I knew at this very moment he was watching her, watching the person he chose for Tomoe to love. And I couldn't help but to love his choice. Nanami is perfect.
But then.. she tripped. I face palmed. Of course she tripped! She's Nanami! The monster reached out towards her but before it could touch her, Tomoe leaped in the way, holding its claws back.
"Nanami," Tomoe said her name before leaning towards her hand, kissing it softly. "You are the girl I have recognized as my lady and mistress. You have nothing to fear."
I smiled. My brother is falling in love with Nanami. He deserves to be happy. Love is something that can fulfill the darkness in one's heart.
Nanami continued her kagura dance and before long, the monster was annihilated. She collapsed to the ground, panting in exhaustion. Tomoe rushed to her side asking if she was alright. She grinned happily, "I did it. I did it, Tomoe."
My brother embraced her tightly, "yes, you did, Nanami."
I turned around and walked off, giving them their moment. Kurama should be home by now, his concert finished. I looked up into the clear sky, recalling today's event with a smirk on my face. Tomoe... Nanami...
Love is truly a funny thing.
~*~
Even though today's events were pretty hectic, Nanami and Tomoe decided to still host the festival at the shrine. They wanted more visitors at their shrine hence why a festival is taking place.
With Kurama's hand laced with mine, we walked up the stairs, towards the festival. I could already hear the loud excited chatter and up beat music taking place.
"This is going to be fun," I cheered, spotting the sake and alcohol right away.
Kurama scoffed, a playful look on his face, "please, by the time it's over, I'm going to be dragging your drunk body home."
"Drink with me then!" I grinned. He laughed and shook his head, "someone has to make sure you don't go wild tonight."
I pouted and stuck my tongue out, "party pooper."
Feeling someone staring at me, I turned around. My eyes widened as I saw Ookuninushi, staring at me with his enchanting green eyes. He wore a kimono and he was the spitting image of what I saw in my dream. Seeing me, he waved. I blinked and he was gone. Vanished. Disappeared.
"I'm going to get us some food, okay? I'll be back," Kurama said, planting a quick kiss on my forehead then disappearing into the sea of people.
I glanced back towards the spot I had saw Ookuninushi. Then, I started walking towards the spot, trying to find him. I looked around but saw no one. I frowned. Where did he go?
"Boo."
I jumped as someone whispered in my ear. Instinctively, a flame appeared in my hand before I threw it at the person who frightened me.
"Hot! Hot! Hot!" the flame caught fire on Ookuninushi's kimono but he waved his hand over the flame, making it disperse.
I cautiously took steps back, remembering what Tomoe had told me. He's an elite god who gets everything he wants. He was especially fond of female yokai. And of course, I just had to be a beautiful, amazing, talented, awesome, breathtaking yokai he wanted to have. I looked around but saw that we were alone, everyone was near the shrine, watching Nanami's kagura dance. Kurama was nowhere in sight as well, leaving me completely alone. Well, shit...
"You look lovely this evening, my precious Hōseki," he smiled.
I turned around and made a run for it. I hadn't made five steps before he appeared in front of me, blocking my path.
He smirked, "and where are you going?"
"Move," I sneered and tried to walk around him.
"I don't think so."
He reached out and placed his index finger over my forehead. As soon as his skin made contact with mine, a wave of sleepiness hit me hard, making me fall over. Ookuninushi caught me before I fell, holding me in his arms.
I tried to scream but he covered my mouth. Black dots filled my line of vision, the darkness wanting to yank me away. What did he do to me?
"Goodnight, my Hōseki."
That was the last thing I heard before everything went black.
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