4 Chapter 4

It's the strangest thing, but I could have sworn the rubber hose wasn't this fast.

"Hinokami Kagura – Fake Rainbow." I twist, turn, and move. Half a dozen afterimages appear around my stalker, the number going down by one as the snake bites through one almost as soon as it's formed.

"Ssstop running! You bassstard!" He screeches with fury as he moves in turn, his bony claw lashing through another afterimage, tail striking another, and biting through another.

My remaining afterimages snicker. "I haven't been doing much running this past week or so. Only you-" I pause, looking at his lower body intently, then smirk. "Nevermind!"

The danger noodle lets loose a hiss-like roar as it launches out a full-blown stream of acidic bile, swiping its head to strike my remaining afterimages.

The remaining afterimages vanish as I break the form to dodge, back flipping over the bile, and away from him. I take a deep breath midair, and just as I land, he's upon me.

"Hinokami Kagura," his bony claw swipes through the air, as I once again backflip, "Setting Sun Transformation."

"Acck!" my bokken slams into where his neckline should be, aiming to cut through and take the bastard's head clean off.

I feel the scale-like flesh of his bend underneath my wooden blade's cutting edge, but not break.

It was here that I realized something.

While my blade is very good at cutting trees, a stray devil — even one as weak as I assume this guy is — is still tougher than a tree.

Luckily, the sheer force of my attack acts like I just hit him in the neck with a bat, and he gets sent sliding off to the side.

But not before he bats me himself, straight into the ground, with his tail just as he skids off.

I groan but don't have time to lick my bruise, as I feel the sickening vibrations of his movements come straight at me.

With a kick off the ground, I flip up and over the snake as he bites down into the ground where I was just laying.

My bokken blocks a wild swing of his tail, I feel the wood heave under the weight of his strike, but not break.

Hmm. Maybe I should lighten up on the teasing a bit when Kuroka gets back? Think she may have earned it. Wonder if I can get her some milk after this, lord knows she hasn't had it in a while I'll bet.

As I dodge another swipe from my one-armed danger noodle, I shake my head.

Fight now, kitty later.

"You know, I'm quite sssurprised…" my stalker drawls, "you haven't said the word yet…" my noodley stalker shivers out.

I simply shrug, spinning my bokken around nonchalantly, "I don't need to rely on a crutch like that anymore." I state, "Never planned to continue using it. I was sick, and out of it then. Not anymore though!" I smirk slowly. "Enough talk. Come at me, at least tell me your mommy taught you some dancing skills before you lost your legs!"

"I…! You! Fuck youuuu!" it screeched, bomb rushing towards me like a wild animal.

Ah~...you know, I think I just learned another thing.

This sound, of my heart beating in my ears. The way my fingers tighten around my sword as anticipation and tension rise in my chest.

The slowly growing, almost near-manic grin appearing on my face.

I think, maybe, that I might be just a bit of a battle maniac.

I want to test myself against this guy, even if he's the weakest of the low class.

I'm going to draw every scrap of experience I can from this fight. And the next, and then the next. Growing better, stronger, and faster as I go on.

Just training won't cut it in this world.

Besides, this guy is a pleasant surprise so far, he's far faster than I gave him credit for!

I frown, realizing that's not quite right, though.

Another stream of bile is avoided, a claw swipe aimed at my face forces me low to dodge.

I feel his tail come up and down, aimed to skewer my back, "Hinokami Kagura." I spin around to meet it, "Clear Blue Sky." my following horizontal slash bats it away, causing the snake to hiss in pain before he brings his whole head down to chomp down on me.

I bring my legs up quickly, kicking him in the face before he can go down, pushing myself down and back onto the ground in the process.

Yeah, he's not fast per se, it's just the way his body is. The way he moves, twists, and springs into his attacks, it's almost like a dance?

Despite the sound, it's actually kind of…graceful? Well, as graceful as a wild animal can be I suppose.

I roll out of the way as he attempts to slam his entire body down on top of me, springing to my feet immediately afterward.

Still, I can't help but think, at the end of my previous encounter with him, wasn't he really really slow?

I huff, putting that out of my mind, grinning straight at him. "I wonder," I intone through an excited breath, pointing my bokken straight at him, "just how long can you dance? Can you keep up?"

I receive nothing except an exasperated screech in response.

In turn, I smirk and prepare myself for the long night ahead.

~ A New Sun ~

"Ssstop toying with meee!"

He had realized it only about half an hour into their 'fight'.

His prey, the prey that was so weak just a week or so ago, the prey that smelled sssooo good, was bloody toying with him now!

Playing with him like a child! Testing things! Using him like a training dummy!

Now the moon is up, nearing its crest in the sky.

Hours! They've been at this for hours!

He never should have played with his food the first time around.

Mother taught you better than that.

He stopped, reeling his head back, and screeched.

"IEEEEHHH! I said stoooppp!"

The bastard boy stopped, tilting his head.

"Eh?" he began, confused. Lowering his wooden blade slightly, "Did I break you already? Come oonnn… it's only been like, what? A few hours! You can take a few more hits, right? Hell. I even let you get a good hit or two on me!"

Hits, maybe. But they felt superficial, at least to him.

The boy didn't even look the least bit scuffed, besides some dirt and dust on his robe.

He pointedly never let himself get struck by his claw or teeth, it was all blunt force hits.

Not enough.

"Not only that," the boy continued, undeterred by the increasingly irate expression forming on his face, "but I kinda hoped to try a couple more things on you. You see, I'd much rather try them on you. I don't wanna take the chance it'll hurt my friend."

"Well then why don't you try it, you bassstard!" he screamed in reply.

The boy let out a dark chuckle. "Why, my wild rubber hose…" he grits his teeth, ready to launch a stream of bile to melt his prey into delicious mush while his guard is down.

But the next words that leave the boy's mouth make him freeze in his place.

"It's because you'd die too quickly if I did."

He froze, ramrod straight at the boy holding an easy smirk aimed right at him.

The way he said that, the way he said that, the way he said that…

A memory?

Why do you keep doing this!? Please! Leave him! Take me instead!

Mother…?

Begone, wench! I want him to see and feel the price for not following my orders exactly!

Him.

Besides, he'll die too quickly if I don't!

Him.

Demonic Power, uncontrolled, wild, and seething with malice explodes around his snake-like form.

Taking the appearance of a dark purple, rolling mist, hissing just as loud as his mouth when it comes into contact with the ground, coating it with acidic burns.

Slowly, he starts sinking as the ground melts around him.

"I'll kill you. I'll kill you - I'll kill you - I'll kill you…" he repeats like a mantra, over and over and over again.

"Ah." the boy blinks, still seemingly not perturbed by this turn of events. "Did I trigger you again? My bad!"

The boy huffs, drawing a deep breath before refocusing on him.

That look in his eyes. What is that?

"I'm well and truly sorry." the boy speaks, and he can't help but feel that he's genuine.

Ah. It's…sadness?

And then the boy's sword explodes with light. Pure, bright light, shaping around the blade like a sheath.

Despite all his senses screaming at him to run, he proceeds regardless.

There's nothing left for me here, anyways.

"Hinokami Kagura–"

Here he comes! This time he'll eat him alive with his Demonic Power enhanced aura!

"Faux."

Golden puffy wisps of liquid burst forth from the boy's feet.

And suddenly, the boy moved.

"Dancing Flash."

All he saw was the arc of light, as it cleaved through his bony arm like a hot knife through butter.

Pain.

An unimaginable burning pain shot up the severed appendage as the stump began to smoke.

Where is the boy!? He needs to-

"Clear Blue Sky."

Directly behind him, the wooden sword of light cuts clean through his aura, and slams into his neck.

He can feel it, the unimaginable burning pain emanating and spreading throughout his body, as the wood sword starts to cleave through his scales-

Crack.

And then promptly shatters.

The boy's eyes slowly widen. The first look of genuine shock he's seen from the brat ever.

More importantly though? A chance.

"EYYYY!" he screeches, his aura-clad tail slamming into the boy's side, sending him flying back, still holding what's left of his now lightless blade in his hand.

The hilt, and a small bit of the blade.

The rest is splinters in his neck right now.

He'll die from Light Poisoning soon.

But not before he takes this brat down with him!

"I"LL KILL YOOOUU!" he screams like it's a commandment, gathers all his remaining aura into his mouth, and fires.

An acidic purple bullet of Demonic Power flies toward the rising boy.

And misses, as the boy is suddenly standing, his body turned slightly to just barely dodge the bullet.

It collides with and vaporizes the small shack behind him, before detonating and melting the immediate area around it.

"...y-you!" he growls, but the boy doesn't even look at him, instead having turned to look at the destruction.

The boy sighs, "You know, it's lucky I planned on having her come with me."

The boy turns back to look at him, and he almost had to do a double-take.

Why did the boy's eyes have two pupils!?

Reaching down, the brat tore off the remaining upper layer of his robes. The rest having dissolved from his attack.

He still seemed relatively unharmed, besides the big nasty red spot on his side.

Even that didn't look bad.

"So, thank you I guess? The place was kinda shoddy, regardless." he started casually.

He hisses, gathering more raw Demonic Power.

He can be hurt! Just need a good solid hit and-

Suddenly, he found himself curling in upon himself, a foot – the brat's foot – buried in his center of mass.

In the next moment, he was airborne, flying up into the sky.

The ground where the two just were shatters, and the boy is suddenly flying there, high above him.

Two halos mark his back, a smaller sun-based one behind his head, and a larger more oval looking one encompassing his entire upper back.

The picturesque image of the moon glowing behind him contrasts the scene before him perfectly.

The boy clenches his busted sword, a hilt with barely a blade, refilling it with light.

"For what it's worth?" the boy speaks solemnly, his strange eyes glistening slightly, "I'm sorry for what I said about your mother." then he smiles, a real, genuine smile, "I hope you find her again in the next life, buddy. Mayhaps she's waiting for you at the Sanzou, hmm?"

Ah…mother, waiting for me? No. No! She shouldn't have! She…really…I…

"Hinokami Kagura."

I…I'm coming home, Mama. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long…

"Sunflower Thrust."

A beautiful flower, brimming with pure white light filled his vision.

And then, he finally became free.

~ A New Sun ~

With a slight huff of exertion, I wrench my broken bokken from the danger noodles' body.

Looking at his broken, beaten form, oozing vile smoke, laying in a good-sized crater of all things, yet etched across his face is something akin to a smile of all things.

One hell of a contrast, that's for sure.

I take a good long moment, staring at the corpse.

How do I feel?

Well.

I'm not sad I killed him. I'm sad about his circumstances, if they're true, which made him end up like this…but I'm not sad he's dead.

How many did he kill before trying me? How many did he eat alive in his fucked up sense of self?

I don't want to know, but I figure the number is higher than zero, and that's far too many to not kill him over.

Still.

I crawl out of the crater, set my bokken down next to me, and get on my knees before the crater and corpse.

Soundlessly, I put my hands together, and now my head slightly. "Go easy on him and his mother, alright Uncle?" I intone silently in prayer.

Though I doubt it'll make much of a difference, Susanoo isn't exactly known to be…well-tempered.

"He'll pay for his sins whilst stray, but beyond that, be at ease, please."

Maybe I should do an offering later? Hmm. Decisions, decisions.

I rise slowly, grimacing as I realize his trip across the Sanzou probably won't be pleasant either way.

Regardless, I have more pressing matters to attend to.

Like the massive mess this guy made around the place!

No seriously! It was mostly him! Promise! I only made a couple of craters!

This guy melted half the area!

Half of his bile is still lingering around, and his corpse, of course, I should probably start cleaning up…

But before that, my eyes, somethings up with my eyes.

Earlier, right after I pulled off that Faux Dancing Flash using chakra, and proceeded to break my sword on his Demonic Power strengthened scales, something similar to the last time I fought him happened.

His last attack, that acidic power bullet, was painfully slow to me. Just like his last attack the first time around.

And now, I feel this itch in my eye, not like there's something in it, but more like I'm feeling the strain of taking in so much more than I'm used to.

Holy hell this is weird…I need some water or something-

Plop. A nice cool bottle of water appears in my hand.

I blink, staring at it incredulously.

"Okay then," I say aloud, "thank you…?" I thank the air slowly.

What the fuck. Did I do that? Did someone else do that!?

I decide to not take a gift from the water bottle gods – kami? – for granted, and look at my reflection in the bottle.

I blink again.

Once. Twice. Thrice.

"Holy shit." I mutter, barely containing my nerdgasm as I see the reflection of my golden eyes, with two pupils.

A normal pupil, and then a second tomoe-shaped one around it.

I'd recognize these eyes from anywhere.

"Sharingan," I mutter with sheer disbelief. "I've got the Sharingan…!"

I don't squee, throwing my arms up with exasperation.

I don't.

After I'm done perfectly containing my nerdgasm, I sigh as a new fact hits me.

If I didn't know I had the Sharingan, what else could I not know about?

With a huff, I pop open the bottle and dump the water over my head, shivering with delight as the fresh water runs down my body.

It runs down my side, where my fancy new acid burn sits, and even though it's healing up quite nicely – it went from bright red to pale pink in just this time I've been sitting here – the water running down it does feel nice.

Healing factors, always nice.

The water also helps me clear my mind for a second, and I realize that, for right now, I really should just focus on cleaning up.

I can do crazy experiments and testing on my powers later, for now, maybe I can turn this cleanup into training?

Idly, I turn off my new pair of eyes with the ease of flipping a switch, marveling briefly at just easy it is to miss if you didn't know to look for it.

With a shake of my head, I turn back towards the corpse and begin weaving chakra, forming hand seals as I go.

Snake. Ram. Monkey. Boar. Bird. Tiger.

"Fire Release: Fox Fire."

This is the only jutsu I know so far, it came with my knowledge of chakra, or so I'm fairly certain.

I've never heard of this jutsu before, but the irony of giving it to me of all people isn't lost on me.

The only reason I haven't practiced it yet, or used it during the fight, is that it takes a fair bit of time and chakra to use for me right now. Need to build up my chakra control more first.

Doesn't help that it looks like a crimson version of a Yokai's Kasha or Fox Fire, either. So training it in front of Kuroka may get a question or two I wouldn't be sure how to answer at present.

Several spiraling crimson balls of flame spark into existence around me. The balls form a wheel, before launching itself at the corpse, causing it and the entire crater to be enveloped in a bonfire of crimson flame.

I silently clap my hands together, giving the stray's burning body one last respect, before turning to the rest of the mess.

Well, the night's still a bit young, right?

Ugh. Maybe the next time I provoke someone into a drawn-out fight, I pick someone less prone to make a big mess, yeah?

~ A New Sun ~

She needed a drink.

"It is certain that all the Kunitsukami have been questioned, yes?" the soft and quiet male voice before her spoke, with twelve golden wings coming from his back.

The latest reason she wishes she could just haul up in her room for the next few thousand years or so.

Archangel Michael.

"Yes," she replied dully, for what felt like the umpteenth time, "we've been over this. Again, and again, and again. All the Earthy Kami have been questioned. They didn't hear anything."

This fucking game of theirs has been going on for over a week at this point, ever since the Archangel showed up in her country.

After blatantly trespassing, he wished to meet the Chief Amatsukami; Amaterasu herself, and her Imperial Court.

As much as she would rather not deal with this shit, ever, it turns out she didn't have much of a choice.

You see, the Three Abrahamic Factions all have their own…shall we say, methods of negotiation.

The Devils? Do what we want, or get the melon and strawberry-haired mutant super devils sicked on you.

The Grigori? Do what we want, or get the Longinus Wielder with a God Slaying Blade and Abyss Side Balance Breaker sicked on you.

The Angels? Do what we want, or end up like the Egyptian Pantheon. Defunct.

And as much as she well and truly doesn't care much for the Heavenly Kami meandering around trying to play politics, bickering and fighting each other over literally nothing, she'd rather not end up fighting a pissed-off Abrahamic God over some nonsensical perceived threat.

That man can be incredibly petty, after all. She wouldn't put it past Him to set her manga collection on fire for shits and giggles. He's done worse over less in the past.

Because in the end, that's what this whole week-and-a-half roundabout is truly for, isn't it?

The dear old Abrahamic God felt something in her country, got pissy, and sent his closest son over to deal with it, but he can't outright say what this is all about. Which leads to exchanges like right now.

The Archangel sighed sadly. "I see, how…unfortunate."

"You know," she stiffly interjected, "it would be much easier to figure out what's wrong if we had an idea of what we're looking for."

The Chief Angel smiled such a fake smile, "Unfortunately, that's sensitive information, as stated previously."

She resisted the urge to bury her face in her hands and scream. Again.

Why didn't she just throw the Angel out again?

Oh right. Her manga collection.

"Well, I'm not entirely sure how else we could help then, Lord Archangel." she continued through gritted teeth, "It took long enough to gather the Earthly Kami and question them, yet they've heard nothing anathema to your Father. Unless you provide more information about what the big deal is, I'm afraid that's all I can do."

Truly, she's actually going over her authority here. The Earthly Kami aren't technically hers to order around, that job is meant to be Uzume's 'husband' Sarutahiko.

She almost snorted out loud at the thought. Husband? Chief of the Earthly Kami? Yeah. Right.

Inari all but took over that job in name a while ago, and that man seemingly welcomed the change, content to just laze around and practice his Martial Arts in peace for the rest of eternity.

She's so fucking jealous.

Regardless, she had to call Inari for help in gathering everyone up. Luckily, in matters relating to outside factions such as the Abrahamic, everyone can get on the same page relatively quickly.

Still, there are many Earthly Kami, the process took a while.

And during that time, she and the Archangel stared at each other, debating in nonsensical circles the whole while.

What makes it all worse is that this whole time she has to have worn these super stuffy, long thick robes that drag every which way she goes.

She's had to sit on her throne, a rendition of the Japanese Imperial Throne the Takamikura, this whole time.

Honestly. Whoever suggested the Throne is lucky she was in autopilot mode when it was suggested, and thus can't remember who exactly did, or else she'd smite them for it.

The robes paired with this old, dated, chair that hasn't been touched for several hundred years?

Pain.

Hell! Even her court is getting tired of this, they haven't spoken up in days to offer anything insightful!

At this point, she'd take anything to get this fucking meeting to stop.

Even Uzume, coming in here and ruining it by trying to seduce the Archangel, as ruinous as the incident would be, at least it would end the suffering!

Sucks she threw her from Heaven like Hera did Hephestus. She's supposed to searching the Earth right now, but...

Oh well.

Just as Michael was about to open his mouth, and draw the conversation into another circle, and thus draw Ama to consider finding her old cave again, something different happens.

And by that, she means an arrow of silver light blows off the ceiling of her palace and embeds itself in front of her throne, right at her feet.

Her court stared at the offending projectile, mounting indignation spreading across their faces.

Michael made a facial expression that wasn't a fake smile for once, actually gaping at the random light arrow.

Meanwhile, her's eye twitched.

A silver light arrow.

A moonlight arrow.

She takes it back. Anything except this would be fine.

She rose from her throne, taking just a few steps until she reached the offending dirty arrow of light, and wrenched it from the ground.

The silver light dissipates, revealing an antiquated scroll underneath.

Ah. What a way to send a letter. Just like her brother, hmm?

Uncaring that the Archangel is still right there in front of her, she opens it up with a sigh.

Ama–

Collect your son already.

That's all it read.

After she read the single-letter signature though, the scroll shifted, its paper turning into a sort of screen or mirror.

Through dirty silver light, she saw the Earth below.

She saw her baby boy down below.

Is that…the corpse of a monster?

"Get the fuck out." she suddenly hissed, slamming the scroll shut with a thick thwack.

Michael flinched, "I…beg your pardon?"

"You are not pardoned Archangel. You are being told to leave." she glared balefully at the offending Angel. "I tried being courteous, out of respect for your Father, but you've been running circles around us this whole time. I have more pressing matters to attend to now. So if you aren't willing to be courteous in return, leave."

Michael seemed rather lost for a moment, before straightening his shoulders and giving her a simple smile. "I…see. Very well, Lady Amaterasu. I apologize for the inconvenience then, and I shall be going. Thank you for speaking with me." he gave a cursory glance at her court, standing around her throne. "You all as well. Good day."

And like that, with a golden flash, he vanished just as quickly as he came.

Briefly, she'd wondered if she should have tried blasting the Archangel for recompense. Repayment for wasting everyone's time, specifically, in the form of a specific sword…

She knows the Church has it. Her sword. Broken, to boot! And they wouldn't be able to fix it, they simply can't work with Holy Spirit Power.

But she knows someone who can fix it. And she can think of a pair of hands it would be much better suited in than some random Exorcist who hates 'Pagans' and whatever else.

That image from the scroll plays in her mind once again, and she sighs.

He most definitely might need it, especially since he finally awoke to his powers, it would seem.

She waves toward a random member of her court, "You there. Go contact Ame-no-Uzume. Drag her back to Heaven, if you must. I have something for her to do."

The Kami gave an affirmative before running off to do just that.

Uzume can't possibly fuck this up, right?

She's got an exact picture of his location now!

Ama, unfortunately, won't hold her breath. Still, Uzune needs at least a chance to go fix her fuck up.

I'm sorry, Nori. Mama should have done something…so much sooner.

With a bitter sigh, she left for her room, waving the rest of the court off.

She's had to deal with far too many emotions lately, and she figures things are only going to continue going downhill from here…

~ A New Sun ~

Okay. Now I caused most of the damage.

Looking around at my attempts to 'clean up' and only finding a Biblical Hell scorched wasteland, I click my tongue in dissatisfaction.

At least it doesn't smell like acid anymore?

That's a plus! Now it just smells like sulfur!

Ugh. Okay, so this is exactly what I was afraid of when using my powers, specifically, my demigod powers.

All the crimson fire still blazing like the depths of hell? Made on the order of my Holy Spirit Power.

The problem is that once made, the fire didn't act at all like the energy used to make it. So ordering it around? Yeah. Nope. Did nothing.

Which resulted in my fire just kind of…doing whatever the hell it wanted.

Like burning things. And spreading to burn more things. Who'd of thunk right?

It's weird, when I used my light earlier by channeling it through an object, it worked just fine. Maybe it's a skill issue?

I snort loudly at that.

Wouldn't surprise me at all.

Regardless, I'm probably going to need help from a Kami anyway, which means I'm probably going to have to check off trying to use those powers for a bit.

It sucks, but between all my swordsmanship-related skills, marital arts, breathing techniques, chakra, and eyes – still can't get over that – I feel as though I've got enough on my training plate.

Not even counting Senjutsu, Eastern Magic which I plan on learning eventually, and my physical condition.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to have to drag Kuroka into my training. Having an actual opponent is sooo much better than waving a stick in the air!

Anyhow. How am I going to put out these fires?

The usual method is dousing it in water, of course.

Can't go with that though, I have no idea where to get enough water to pull that off.

The second method? Suffocate it with something that doesn't burn.

Well, considering everything is on fire right now, I don't think there is something that doesn't burn around at the moment.

Besides, well.

Me.

Needless to say, when the sun finally poked above the horizon, it was beholden to an…interesting scene.

Me, rolling around the ground, using my fire and heat-immune body to cover and suffocate my own fires.

Never let it be said I didn't at least try.

And you know what, it actually kind of worked?

For the smaller ones anyway.

I wasn't large enough to cover the literal trees on fire, unfortunately.

It was in the middle of one of my attempts to put out one of these larger fires that I heard the whirl of a magic circle.

Impeccable timing, kitty.

Her unique purple magic circle blazed with light, moving to deposit said cat girl right in front of where her former shack was located.

"Nyyaaa~..." the big titty kitty was stretching, eyes shut with a dramatic pose, as she appeared.

Of course she planned it like that.

"Oh Nori-kun~! I'm ba-" she stopped suddenly, her jaw left hanging mid-sentence as the smell finally hit her nose.

She slowly opened her eyes and just as slowly, looked around.

Then her eyes found me, rolling around on a particularly large bush that was on fire.

"Nori-kun." she began, dryly. "How?"

I grunt with exertion as I roll, "Some creature found me, and I may have had a tiny problem cleaning up?" I stop rolling, only to give her a pained chuckle and a pleading smile. "Please help."

Kuroka sighed and shook her head, and shot me an amused smile right back, "Where would you be without me, Nori-kun? Nya~!"

With pretentious ease, she waves her hand and makes strange symbols appear and float around her fingers.

Ah, that's Youjutsu, hmm?

The symbols combine, and a purplish-black mist bursts forth, running over the flames like a train and easily smashing them down.

The mist slowly wraps around me, dragging my prone form over to the black cat, who held a glimmer in her eye… is that also a tinge of worry there too?

"Nori-kun?" she asks, bringing a finger up to my chin, "I'm assuming that since I don't see a body anywhere, and you're uninjured, you took care of it, nya~?"

In response, I reached up and scratched her ears, drawing a light purr from the cat girl.

"Oi. I can handle myself just fine, you know? Especially since, well…" I trail off into a chuckle, before continuing, "guess who's not sick anymore?"

The way she suddenly stilled in my hand was delicious.

"That would be the first thing you think about, huh?" I tact on amused.

To her credit, she does recover quickly, batting her eyelashes 'innocently' at me, "I have no idea what you mean, nya~?"

I snort, "Course you don't." and boop her on the nose, causing her to jump back and squeak.

Ah. Cats.

I get off the cloud of mist holding me up, and eye the spot where her shack was.

With a grimace, I turned back to her and gave her a genuinely remorseful smile. "Sorry about your place. I promise I didn't melt it…but I couldn't save it, either."

Kuroka blinks at me, before grinning slightly, "Don't worry about it, Nori-kun~! I always build em like that just in case, nya!"

Just like your barriers, huh?

I put my hand on my chest and gave a dramatic sigh in relief, "Thank goodness…I thought your fashion sense was about as bad as that barrier you put up…"

Kuroka's eyes widen the size of saucers, and puts a hand on her chest, looking legitimately offended, "Eh? What do you mean Nori-kun!? I have perfect fashion sense!" she bats her eyelashes, giving me a little sexy smirk and pose that reveals much more skin than before, "Your eyes and little buddy seem to think so when it comes to my clothes, nya~!"

"Naked implies no sense. You're just hot." I retort dryly and succinctly.

"Gck!" she stumbles back, and whines, "Nori-kun is so meeaann~!"

Paybacks a bitch. Also, that's what you get for calling my 'little' buddy little!

"Also!" she adds on, "My barrier was perfectly fine! It was only meant to mask your scent and aura, that's it! I didn't have much time to put down much else!"

"Don't worry, Kuro-chan!" I add on far too happily, completely ignoring her whines of complaints, or attempt at defending herself, "I'll show you proper fashion when I take you home with me!"

Kuroka stops and stares at me, before resuming her sultry look, "Nya~? Inviting me your home already, Nori-kun~? I…" she trails off suddenly, realization slowly dawns on her face, replacing the heat in her eyes, "wait, doesn't that mean- nya!?"

Suddenly, Kuroka found her waist wrapped up in my arms, and her body pulled into a big hug!

"Ah! Kuro-chan~! I'm so proud of you!" I gushed as Kuroka just looked lost, "You finally came to a conclusion that wasn't sexual! Good on you!"

Kuroka blushed at that, "Nya!? Nori-kun! That! Do you have such little faith in me!?"

"Yes."

"Ack!" Kuroka flinched, "Nori-kuuunnn~!"

"Anyways," I soldier on, "I got a bit more of my memory back, so I know where I live now!"

Still, no clue how I ended up where I did, but yes! I remember where I live!

My memories came back just a tad bit faster during the middle of my fight, a neat bit to note.

Not gonna lie, the fact that I live eerily close to Kuoh Town worries me slightly.

Like my place is legit right on the edge.

But we take the good with the bad! And I could use a proper bed for once!

"And I'm taking you with me! No if, ands, ors, or buts allowed!"

"Eh? But, Nor-" Kuroka tries to interject.

"Besides," I carry on, putting my forehead to hers, my voice turning so incredibly soft, "being alone out here sucks, doesn't it? I think you could use a proper bed. And food. And actual company, don't you think?"

I look her straight in the eyes, and I watch as she diverts a very unsure gaze away from my eyes.

"Kuroka." I give her a small smile as her eyes snap back to mine. "I said I'd repay you, and I'm not going to take no for an answer. You know that, right?"

For a moment, Kuroka just states in my defiant and resolute eyes.

After a beat, she gives a tired, worn sigh, and slowly hugs me back.

"You stubborn man…" she mumbled, barely audible.

I give her pats on the back, content to just hold the clearly very traumatized cat girl in my arms.

I can't say I'm looking forward to helping sort through and deal with her issues, but…well.

I want to. And I feel predisposed to helping her if that makes sense?

At this point, I can't do nothing. Especially since I practically claimed her at this point, right?

Well. Verbally.

Physically? Soon.

Though, no horny now.

Let's just…enjoy the moment.

…Say. Is it getting much brighter out, or is it jus-

The sky parts.

Kuroka freezes in my grasp, going ram rock still, as an aura so very similar to my own slams into us.

Dawn's light shines from the Heavens and with it? A figure.

A purple-haired woman, wearing a very revealing kimono of similar color, slowly descends do-

Wait.

Hold up.

This bitch.

Casually, I let Kuroka go and began rummaging around on the ground. Poor kitty looks like a deer caught in the headlights.

She just looks even more confused at my actions.

Meanwhile, she spoke, her voice echoing down from the Heavens, reverberating across the air.

"Ah. Akaruihiruotoko, there you are…"

Who? Eh.

"It's been a long time since I've last seen you…"

It's been a week and a half.

"But look at how you've grown! Finally, you see the truth of the world. The light."

Mhmm. Right. Ah, here we go.

"And now, I reveal myself to you, in– ACK!"

Bam. Bullseye. Rock right to the forehead.

"Uzui!" I shout, "Shut the fuck up and get down here you overdramatic drunk sow!"

"Bwah!?" the kami sputtered, her reverb long gone, hands holding her forehead, "B-But! I! You…!"

"Now!" I call over her.

I can feel her mumbling as she floats down, and lands right before us. All flashy lights and shit gone.

Then, she pouts. Puffing out her cheeks and crossing her arms. "Hmph. You ruined my entrance."

I snort. "Okay. And?" I say, "Where the hell have you been? What the hell happened?"

'Uzui' blinked, and slowly looked at me, "...I feel like I'm missing context here."

I sigh, before explaining simply. "I lost my memory of how I got out here. Amnesia. Forgot everything for a little while."

The purple-haired kami stared at me, for a good, long moment.

Then, she curled in on herself, putting her knees to her chest, and sat there.

Rapidly mumbling.

"OhfuckimsoscrewedAmaisgonnakillmehowishestillaliveohfuckohnonono…"

Hmm. Yeah. I don't feel like trying to parse all that together.

I give a cursory glance at Kuroka, who just looks more absolutely dumbfounded now than scared.

I give her a smile, and a few head pats, before looking down at the kami having a straight panic attack at my feet.

"Oi." I smack her over the head, causing her to yelp and look at me, holding her head with barely constrained tears in her eyes. "You gonna take us home, or what?" I wave towards myself, and Kuroka.

The kami blinks. "Us?" she parrots back, looking between Kuroka and me. Her eyes widen slightly once she gets a proper look at Kuroka. "But! Nori! She-"

"I don't wanna hear it!" I hiss, causing her to flinch, "Kuroka here actually helped and saved me, unlike a certain someone else, so she's coming back with! Got it?"

"B-But-"

"Got it?" I repeat through a strained smile.

For a second, my 'guardian' kami just kind of sat there, staring up at me.

Then she started to hiccup.

"E-Eh…" oh my goodness she's crying. "Nori-kuuun~! Why are you so mean now!? You used to be so soft-spoken! Did awakening your powers put more Ama in you!? Waaahhh!"

Hmm. You know? I think I got another thing from Demon Slayer.

Much like my swordsmanship, my face contorts instinctually, taking on that look Tanjiro had when he first meant Zenitsu.

A look of pure, unrivaled loathing and disgust.

"...and why does that kind of turn me on!?"

I let out an exhausted, tired, sigh.

Fuuucck. My. Life…