Chapter Fourteen, Reunion.

The absolute first thing Hiyori saw once the light flickered on were two piercing blue eyes staring straight into her soul. They were shining in the light like a cat's eye as they bore holes into her own eyes. Nostalgia flowed through her veins, as hot as lava, yet as cold as ice.

And then she knew, almost immediately, who the man it.

"Yato?"

He remained quiet, eyes wide as saucers. It looked as if he couldn't believe she was standing in front of her, just barely at arms reach. But she was. It only took a moment of silent staring before it fully sunk in his mind.

He threw his body onto hers, and wrapped his
arms around her in a hug. "Hiyori," he murmured.

The second she returned the hug, a surge of memories flashed through her mind. The first memory was of the first time she met Yato, all those months ago, and the next was when she met Yukine. She couldn't help the smile on her face at some of the antics Yato pulled before he disappeared.

Seconds passed, or minutes, Hiyori wasn't sure, but eventually they let go, big dorky smiles on their faces.

"Hiyori," he exhaled as the name rolled off his tongue as easily as the last time he said it.

Hiyori couldn't help the sharp intake of breath at the sound of his voice. It wasn't like anything she'd ever heard before he disappeared. She didn't think she could ever cause someone to sound so...so...

Happy.

"Yato."

A smile briefly graced her face for a moment. He was back, Yato was back. True happiness coursed through her for the first time in forever, and that empty void in her heart was finally filled. She threw herself into his chest, arms flinging around him into another hug.

This time, he didn't hug back.

"What are you doing out here?"

Hiyori didn't respond, only tightened her hold on his body, feeling the burn of fresh tears stinging her eyes, and the dry lump in her throat, that impaired her breathing. She buried her face into his neck, breathing his scent in through her nose and out of her mouth, trying to slow her erratic breathing.

"It's okay." He murmured softly, rubbing small, soothing circles into her back to calm her down.

Hiyori didn't know, or even care why being in his warm embrace felt so right to her. It was like her body was made for his, like they were made for eachother.

And, slowly but surely, the gentle circles lulled her into a calm state. The burning tears threatening to spill over her cheeks retreated back, and the lump disappeared, allowing her to breath again.

Once she was sure she wasn't about to break down again, she pulled away from his embrace, and wiped her eyes with her sleeves. "I'm okay."

Yato narrowed his eyes, unconvinced as he looked her up and down. "You don't look it."

Hiyori looked away.

"Well, there's no point in staying out here," Yato said after a moment of silence. "Let's head to your place."

He turned the opposite direction, beginning to walk away. Before he could get too far, Hiyori reached out and grabbed his arm.

"No." She whispered.

"What?"

She stared at the ground, avoiding his gaze. Her grip on his wrist tightened. "H-he's there." She said, voice shaky.

Yato didn't respond at first. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as his fists closed into a tight ball. "Who?" His voice was low, almost at a whisper.

"F-f-f-" She tried, but there was that dry lump in her throat again that prevented her from speaking.

Yato reached out for her hand, gently holding on as if it were a flower petal. "Take your time."

She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, as deep as she could, and whispered his name into the night.

"Fujisaki."

"You called?"

They had barely a second to realize who had spoke, and by the time they did, a swarm of phantoms ranging from big to little surrounded them. Their vibrant bodies lit up the otherwise darkened streets in a ring, like a halo above an angel.

Yato glared at Fujisaki, eyes so filled with rage that his vision almost looked red.

Fujisaki merely chuckled at him, acting as though he was an upset child. "Calm down! There's no need to get riled up." he said, "I'm only letting my babies out for a little stroll." He laughed a little louder, arms gestured to the storm of phantoms around them, "and it looks like they want to play."

Yato snarled, shoving Hiyori behind him in a vain attempt at protecting her.

"Too bad you don't have a regalia."

"Yato." Hiyori whispered.

But he wasn't listening to her. He was busy staring up at the man who had hurt Hiyori.

"Yato." She tried again.

Again, no answer.

"Yato please!" She screamed.

He looked at her, eyes like a cat.

"Let's just get out of here.

Yato glanced back at Fujisaki, at his childish grin, scowled, then nodded slowly at Hiyori.

And then they were off. Yato quickly leaned down, scooped Hiyori off of the ground, and jumped over the wall of phantoms. Once they landed, he set down Hiyori as gently as he could while running, and pulled her along with him.

"Nice try!" Came a shout from somewhere behind them. "Get em."

The phantoms took off in their direction, swooping through the air, or launching themselves down the street after them. They were fast, easily catching up to them.

Hiyori stole a glance behind her at the wave of neon monsters. "Yato," she all but shrieked, "they're catching up!"

Yato flicked his eyes to the left and right, locking on a small alleyway ahead of them. "Hold on."

Yato jerked his body to the left, tugging on Hiyori's arm to lead her into the small alleyway. They hid behind a garbage bin and watched as the phantoms flew past them.

They sighed in relief, sinking down to the ground and trying to breathe properly again.

"Did we lose them?" Hiyori asked.

"I think so."

It was then that Yato saw the bright pink tail swishing behind Hiyori. His face grew pale.

"Where's your body?"

***

It's been a tough few months but I'm glad to say I'm off the hiatus! However, this does not mean I'm back to weekly updates. I kid you not, I just finished up this chapter a few days ago and I wasn't going to post this just yet, but I felt bad because it's been months so here you go! I told you I was still going! I'm sorry it took so long. School has been crazy but I'm starting to adjust to everything and I'm getting the flow back a little??? My writing took a hit over the last few months but I'm still going. I hope you guys enjoyed it and make sure to COMMENT AND VOTE!!!!! It helps me write! Thank you all for supporting me so far!