Hope ~Yato x Reader AU~

Chapter 25: Lost at Sea

One drop of blood.

That's all that'll be needed. That's all that'll be needed during the ceremony...the Blood Root Ceremony. The ceremony that'll supposedly help me learn about myself...help me learn if I'm a demigod or not. Just one single drop is all it'll call for.

I shift my weight from one leg to the other, swallowing, "So, are you sure this will tell us what we need to know?"

He shrugs, "Honestly, I don't know. I've never seen the ceremony performed myself, but it's something. All we can do is try. No harm in that."

He's right. There is no harm in trying. Not if all that's needed is that one drop of blood. And either that one drop of blood will give me the answers I need, or it'll result in nothing. Regardless, it's still something.

"You seem hesitant," he observes. "Are you getting cold feet over this?"

"I don't know. Maybe," I laugh half-heartedly. "I don't know. It's stupid."

"It's not stupid," he assures me, moving closer. "Not if it's makin' you feel a certain kinda way. Be honest, what's going through your head?"

What's going through my head? How can I answer that? How should I answer that? It's not just the Blood Root Ceremony that's running through my head. There's so much more than that. So, so much more...but I'll only focus on this. On the ceremony.

I fidget with my fingers. "I don't know. I guess...I guess I'm nervous about what'll happen if it does work."

"What'll happen if it does work?" he repeats quizzically. "Why's that?"

I bring my stare to him, answering, "Think about it. If it does work, what will it say? If I'm just a human, then what's wrong with me? Why do I see these things? Why does Trenton and his mother see them? And if I'm a demigod...what does that imply? What do I need to do? Where do I go?"

He observes me, the silence lingering between us before he sighs, "First off, if it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. If it does work, then you get answers. If you're a human, then we'll tackle those questions." His tone softens. "And if you're a demigod...well, you don't have to do anything. You don't have to go anywhere. If you're a demigod, then you're a demigod. But more importantly, if you're a demigod, then you're still Y/N. In the end, that's all that matters."

My breath hitches at that. If...if I'm a demigod...I'm still me. That puts me at ease. Well, partly. In the end, I'm still nervous about what the results will be. Human or demigod, those results could change my life forever. Either I'm a human who can see things she shouldn't or I'm a demigod. But even more so...I'm still me.

"You...you really think so?" I ask, sneaking glances at him. "Ya know...that I'd still be me."

His expression softens as he nods, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm sure. No matter what -and I mean, no matter what- you're still you. You'll always be you. Even if those results say you're part unicorn -"

"Wait, what?" I snort.

"It's an exaggeration," he shrugs. He brings his gaze to mine, softening his voice as he adds, "But you get what I'm sayin'. No matter what...you're still you. Nothing can ever change that."

I do get it. I do understand it. I understand everything he's saying. And just knowing he's saying those things makes me feel even better. I can't explain it, but it's as if having his support makes all the difference. But why? I have Kaito. Kaito is the man I love. He is the man I have a past with. However, standing here...staring up at this heavenly being...I realize one thing.

I am lost in his stare.

**Ello lovelies! Shorter chapter today. I will go ahead and say this; it's likely that this book will run longer than the other two. So, just thought I'd let y'all know that. As always, thank you so much for everything! Y'all are the bee's knees! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross