I'm Still Here [YatoNe]

Partially-Forgotten Regalia

I sat on the stairway in front of the large shrine I now called home. The sky was a beautiful amber, which was slowly fading into the sweet hue of honey. The end of the day had come at last. I was tired, which was odd, saying that I hadn't done much today. The cool autumn breeze drifted through the air, and blew strands of my blonde hair to the side. I sighed, and breathed in the crisp air.

It's been sometime around 170 years since I first met Yato. He remains the same as he was back then. The cheery young god that I've grown so attached to over the years has finally become well known, thanks to Hiyori's efforts.

I froze, as her memory came back to mind. She had passed on at the age of 94, and had lived a good, long, life. Her death shook Yato and I in ways I hadn't thought were possible. Of course, since then, we've tried to move on. Occasionally, her happy memories would come flooding back, and send a wave of grief through me.

I stood up, my head feeling a bit light. The sun was just a speck on the horizon now, and night was approaching fast. The breeze had picked up to a wind, which was now cold and frigid. I hurried inside the shrine to escape the weather.

Located in the middle of the room was a number of Yato's newest Regalias, who were discussing things that I didn't really have any interest in. I sighed and walked out of the room, wanting to be alone. My head towards the ground, I directed myself to the gardens.

I sat down on one of the benches, which had been intricately hand-carved. Running my finger through the indented spirals, I spoke to myself. "Is this what he always wanted..?"

Now that Yato had become so much more popular, his number of Regalias was increasing rapidly. Bishamon has gotten off our case, which has given us even more freedom. I still accompanied him on all the adventures, if you could call it that, he went on. Still, over the years, I've felt like I've been getting less and less time to spend with him.

The fragrances of the garden may have comforted me before, but today was different. I hated to admit it, but I honestly missed Yato's voice. I missed the old times, when it was just him and I.