Unselfish Wish

Chapter 11- Learning New Things

Everyone naturally divided into smaller groups, Yutaka and Hinata, Atsushi with Sayuri and Kaori, finally Fumiko with Kiyoshi and Mitsuru. Atsushi had maneuvered Hinata to be with Yutaka carefully, and wished his friend luck. Hinata was a unique and challenging female. Sayuri seemed a bit distracted, but Atsushi was enjoying himself with Kaori, a charming but quiet girl of modest looks. Exactly his type, he thought. Charming, with a good personality.

They played for a while, before Hinata suggested it was time to go to Fumiko's for cake. Mitsuru looked as though he intended to follow. Kaori stopped and bent over, saying she wasn't feeling well, but that they should go on without her. Hinata insisted that Mitsuru escort her, which he could not refuse. Hinata was relieved that their plan had worked so well. All those fancy manners his parents had drilled into him worked for her benefit.

Fumiko hugged Kaori, saying she hoped she'd get better, and thanking her for her birthday gift. Mitsuru properly escorted Kaori, making her feel just a little bit guilty, but she knew what must be done. Atsushi looked annoyed, as Kaori was so far his favorite, but could tell there was some sort of manipulation at work just by looking at Hinata. Mitsuru's disapproving face had put something of a damper on their enjoyment, so he wasn't going to interfere and somehow end up hanging out even longer with the guy.

The others walked to Fumiko's home. Kiyoshi carefully walked beside her. Hinata noticed that he seemed to be looking around a lot, but chose not to comment. They arrived safely, but instead of coming inside immediately, Kiyoshi advised that he would be in after a moment. They all went in, Fumiko looking behind her in concern. There was something in his voice that concerned her. Hinata pulled her in, and she showed her parents her lovely gifts.

After about ten minutes, Kiyoshi came in, somewhat breathless and hair tousled. He had a bag in his hand, and presented it to Fumiko.

"Green tea mochi. Your favorite."

"Thank you, Kiyo-kun." She grabbed his hand, which was bleeding. "What happened?"

"Oh that? I tripped earlier. It's nothing." He tried to pull his hand away, but she held firm.

"No, Kiyo-kun. It is not nothing. Come with me, I'll treat it." So saying, she practically dragged him upstairs. The others looked at each other, bemused. She tenderly cleaned and treated the wound, a small frown between her eyes. "You should be more careful." He touched her hair, and she looked at him. He leaned in, and she closed her eyes as he very gently and chastely kissed her forehead. She felt a little disappointed, shocked at herself for such a feeling.

"You are such a kind and gentle soul. I am lucky to have met you."

"You make it sound as though you are leaving again." She grabbed at him arm, panicked. "Please don't leave again, Kiyo. I can't be without you." Huge tears welled. He brushed them aside.

"What, no honorifics? Don't worry, I'm not leaving. Besides, you have lots of friends beside you. Even without me, you would be fine." She wanted to shout that she wouldn't, but could tell it wasn't the time. She could not shake a sense of rising panic.

"Well, your wound is dressed. Shall we go back down?" She stood quickly, turning away from him. He wanted to reach out and hug her, but after the encounter he'd just had with a yokai, it wasn't the time. First he needed to develop a plan of protection, and fast.

He followed her down, and after seeing Fumiko's face, Hinata shot him a look that clearly showed she was not a happy camper. He decided to meet her gaze with one of his own, daring her to challenge him. Something of his divinity must have come through, because she looked away first.

Fumiko went to where the cake was, near her parents. Everybody sang, and the cake was cut. Kiyoshi spoke quietly to Fumio and asked for a moment. Nobody but Hinata noticed that they went off on their own. Odd, she thought, that they should be so comfortable. She followed them, quietly.

"Fumio, we have a problem." Said Kiyoshi sharply. "Stronger yokai are seeking Fumiko. We must make a plan."

"I appreciate your concern, Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, but what do you suggest I do? You obviously defeated it in your human form, so as to prevent revealing yourself. The only thing we can do is have you escort her everywhere. Or...." Fumio stopped, thinking carefully.

"Or what? Tell me. They were not intimidated by this house's barrier." Kiyoshi was clearly impatient and upset.

Hinata listened in shock. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto?

"Well, I could ask my father for help, though who knows what he will do." Fumio ran a hand through his hair.

"Based on the past, I'd say you're going to have to beg him leave his castle under the sea. Ryuujin is notoriously reclusive unless there's a woman involved. And I mean a woman he's in a relationship with, not his granddaughter." Kiyoshi snapped.

"Yes, well, I there's also my father-in-law, Fuujin, but...." Fumio was hesitant. Both he and his wife's fathers were rather capricious.

"I feel that Ryuujin is more reliable than Fuujin, frankly." Kiyoshi said, hands on his hips.

"Well, I have an idea but as for candidates..."

"Candidates? I hope you don't mean marriage." Kiyoshi was pissed.

"Well, no, since obviously YOU are a candidate in that case. We've already accepted your proposal. I mean shrine maidens. If she had, say, three shrine maidens, we might be able to make it work. However, that would mean revealing her status as a demigod, which could draw more danger. Not only that, we would have to train them in defensive magic. I don't know who would sign up for that."

"Hmm. You're right, it can't be just anyone." The silence between them stretched uncomfortably.

Hinata cleared her throat and stepped forward. They stared at her in shock.

"Well, Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, I can see why you made a reference earlier about the palace of the gods. You were entirely serious,weren't you? Ahh, Tachibana-san, what are the requirements of shrine servants? Do they have to be maidens?" He shook his head. "Can there be more than 3?" He nodded. She tapped her chin in thought. "May I make a suggestion?"

Both men eyed her nervously. This girl was dangerous, as I thought, Tsukiyomi decided.

"You aren't shocked?" He asked.

"To a degree, yes. But to be honest, a lot of things make better sense this way. That draw she has, that radiance, and that sense of danger that follows her. And it makes sense that you are a god. There are many things that are odd about you, and that puts the pieces together." He looked startled.

"I thought I was blending in well. I studied for a whole month..." He stopped as she laughed.

"I can't believe I'm joking with a god. Anyway, in all seriousness. I will do it, and I know that Sayuri and Kaori will help. I imagine that Yutaka and Atsushi will help too. After all, they're already so close to you. I think they'd do anything to help you, regardless of whether you're a god or not. Believe in us." She was very serious. Fumio looked at Tsukiyomi, and they nodded.

"Go get them, it can't hurt to try. Don't tell Fumiko. She doesn't know yet." Kiyoshi begged.

"Why can't you tell her? She will understand." She crossed her arms, unhappy to have to keep anything secret from her best friend.

"It's not that. I want to win her love first. I know I can tell her then, but for now I want to keep it a secret. Please, Hinata?" She nodded, if reluctantly. She went back and skillfully brought the others while Aiko got Fumiko changed into the yukata, at Hinata's suggestion.

Sayuri had arrived in the meantime, therefore the entire group gathered around Fumio's study. Kiyoshi stood before them, very serious.

"Atsushi, Yutaka, Kaori, Sayuri, and Hinata. Forgive me for dropping honorifics but time is of the essence." They looked at each other, curious. "Let me tell you all my true name. Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto." Strangely, nobody protested, since for everyone the pieces seemed to fit. He sighed, relieved that he did not need to convince anyone, but a little disappointed that they were not more shocked. He had really thought he had fit in better. "I need your help. As Hinata had surmised, I plan to marry Fumiko, with her parents' permission." There were smiles, but he held up a hand. "I have not asked her yet, so nothing is official. The problem is that Fumiko is half god and therefore her divinity leaks out, creating a variety of issues. Her father and I have decided to teach you all, should you accept, how to be her guardians so that should we be unavailable she will have protection at all times." The girls immediately stood in agreement, the boys nodded. "Good. It can be dangerous but we will teach you magic to assist. Oh, Fumiko seems to be unaware of the danger, so please try to keep it so." All nodded.

They agreed to meet twice a week with Fumio to learn magic, during which time Fumiko would be with Kiyoshi.

They re-assembled in the dining area where the cake was, waiting for Fumiko to come downstairs. When she did, nobody could take their eyes from her. She was absolutely gorgeous in her yukata and ornaments. She had the lace scarf about her shoulders as well.