Four Nights

Chapter 3

He could smell the snake a mile away.

Of course. Of fucking course. After having to stand in for his sick god at school, that was the absolute last thing Tomoe needed. The fox sprinted back to the shrine, cursing all the way about Nanami's uncomfortable school shoes.

He ran inside and quickly yanked them off. His ears popped up onto his head, full alert, trying to pinpoint where the bastard was. He heard Mizuki and Nanami's voices coming from the girl's bedroom.

Tomoe nearly spat fire as he shoved open the door. They stopped mid-conversation and shot their attentions to Tomoe.

"Why is he here?" He hissed with a glare.

Onikiri and Kotetsu ran into the room calling, "We thought he could make stew for Nanami-sama."

"Oh?" Tomoe cocked his eyebrow. "This doesn't look like cooking. Tell me snake, what are you doing with Nanami?"

Mizuki sat for a minute before adorning the most innocent face he could muster. "It's a secret," he cooed.

The sound of cracking bones could be heard as Tomoe, quite literally, kicked Mizuki out of the shrine. With a huff, the fox shooed away the illusion and went back to his normal form. He fell onto a seat and began yelling at Onikiri and Kotetsu for allowing someone like Mizuki to get into the shrine. Nanami watched him silently through hazed eyes the entire time.

Tomoe turned to her. "Nanami," he called. No response. Furrowing his brow, Tomoe leaned closer to the girl. Slowly, he reached out his hand. Nanami flinched, but let him feel her forehead. The poor girl was burning.

Nanami's eyes were wide with fear. She watched Tomoe's hand, as if afraid that he would suddenly try to stab her. The fever must be getting to her. Tomoe lowered his voice and smiled warmly. "Nanami, you're still a little hot," he mumbled. "Would you like me to make you some food?" He ran one finger around a loose strand of hair, trying to show her there was nothing to fear. He made sure his touch was gentle and soft as could be.

At first Nanami did nothing. But then she sniffled. Then she choked. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Tomoe gawked as Nanami crumbled and fell into quiet crying right in front of him. "Nanami?" He quickly pulled his hand back. "What wrong?" The girl hid her face behind her hands, furiously wiping away her tears. "Did Mizuki do something to you?" He went to hold her shoulders, but thought better of it after remembering how she was so afraid of him feeling her face. "Nanami..."

With another sniffle, the god lifted her head. She pushed a smile onto her face, but the tears were still coming. "It's fine," she half laughed, half sobbed. "I'm fine, Tomoe. I just had a bad dream."

"A dream...?"

She nodded. Nanami took a breath and pressed her palms against her eyes, trying to stop herself. "What about you? How was school?" she asked, still strained, still smiling.

Tomoe couldn't help but stare, speechless at first. Finally, he could mutter, "...Nanami, are you sure you're alright?"

Nanami nodded. "I'm okay...I told you, it was a dream. Just a dream..." she sighed. "I am hungry though. And tired...Mizuki really drained me."

"I'll make sure he never finds his way in here again." Tomoe rested his hand softly on her leg. The girl tensed beneath him. He lowered his voice further, almost down to nothing but a rumble. "What would you like to eat?"

"Ah..." Still, Nanami shifted her leg away, just a bit, just enough for Tomoe to notice. "Miso soup sounds nice."

"...Just miso?" Slowly, Tomoe pulled his hand back. Something uncomfortable sat in his stomach.