The frigid winter air pierced the skin on Hiyori's cheeks. She breathed out shakily, her breath becoming a tiny cloud of cold air. She looked in front of her at the frozen ground. Hiyori was scared, but she didn't want the others to know. So she stayed quiet, watching an energetic Kofuku twirl and twist around on the ice. She squealed in joy.

"This is so much fun!" She cheered, pulling a not so excited Daikoku along behind her. She giggled as spun gracefully on the ice. Hiyori smiled at how much everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Yukine was casually skating along the ice with his hands in his pockets, spinning around in circles. Yato was behind him, charging towards the boy at full blown speed. Yukine didn't notice though, until it was too late. Yato pushed Yukine's back roughly, causing him to almost lose his balance. Yukine pulled his arms out, waving them around to try to regain his balance. When he finally did, he turned to the God of Calamity, a irritated expression on his face.

"Hey! What was that for? I nearly fell on my face!" He yelled, crossing his arms.

Yato grinned. "Don't be such a baby! I was just having a bit of fun!" Yato laughed, skating away from the boy.

As Yato made a circuit around the pond, he noticed Hiyori on the other side of the pond. Her eyes were watching everyone else as she stood alone. Yato noticed a fearful look in her eyes. He frowned slightly. Why wasn't she skating with everyone? She usually loved to spend time with them and do fun activities. It seemed out of character of her to not be involved in the fun.

He decided to make his way over to the bundled up brunette to ask what was wrong.

Hiyori noticed from the corner of her eye that Yato was coming over to her direction, and she widen her eyes slightly in surprise. He then beamed at her, stopping right at the edge of the pond where a ground of white snow separated the two.

"Hey Hiyori! Why don't you come skate with everyone?" He smiled at her, looking down at the skates she had on her feet.

This is exactly what Hiyori feared. She hoped that no one would pay much mind to her, or even say anything. She should have know better when it came to Yato though. He was always observant with these kinds of things. But she decided to lie.

"I'm fine! I just want to watch everyone! You all look like you are having so much fun!" She gave Yato a small smile.

He raised a skeptical brow at her. Was that the best excuse she could give me? He thought to himself. He knew it had to be something else. Something was preventing Hiyori from wanting to skate with everyone, and Yato was going to figure out what that thing was. Whether she wanted him to know or not.

"Come on, it will be fun!" He insisted cheerfully, grabbing onto her hand. The feeling on his hands on her freezing ones caused her cheeks to turn slightly pink.

"Y-Yato! Please no!" She cried, trying to back away. But Yato kept a firm hold of her hand.

Hiyori noticed the sincere, but determined gleam in his icy blue eyes. "Why don't you want to skate?" He asked her in concern.

She averted her eyes from his intense ones to look down at the snow. She really didn't want to tell him. He may make fun of her or force her to skate. She pressed her freezing lips together.

Yato didn't understand what could be bothering her so much. He didn't want Hiyori to worry. He wanted her to be happy and enjoy herself. Because he felt when she was happy, he could be happy too. He didn't need to have a single care in the world as long as there was a smile on Hiyori's face.

"Hiyori." Yato spoke her name softly, and she looked up at the sound of her name from his mouth. He looked at her softly, and the look warmed Hiyori's heart. She could see the concern etched on his face.

"Can you please come and skate with us?" She frowned at him. She didn't want to tell him no. She didn't want to hurt his feelings. But she just couldn't do it.

"I can't." She whispered quietly, removing her hand from Yato's. She soon regretted it. His was warm against hers, and now her hand was becoming cold again.

Yato just looked at her silently, as if he was thinking. Hiyori wasn't sure as to what it was he could be thinking about. He then asked her "Why not?"

She looked behind him at the frozen floor fearfully. Yato noticed, and then it clicked. He put two and two together. He felt a grin appear on his lips. "You're too scared to."

Hiyori blushed, looking away from Yato's mocking smile. "It's not that!" She exclaimed, kicking her boots in the snow. She then looked over sheepishly. "I just don't know how to."

This amused Yato very much. He found it adorable the way Hiyori acted so nervous and shy about the whole situation. "So you aren't afraid to fight a phantom, but you fear ice skating?"

Hiyori's face grew redder as she continued to stare at the ground. Yato smiled at her kindly and held his hand out. Hiyori looked up at him questioningly.

"I'll teach you." He stated simply. She looked down at his awaiting hand hesitantly. What if she fell? Or couldn't keep her balance right? The ice could crack and she could fall into freezing water. It terrified Hiyori.

Yato noticed the fear return in her eyes. He didn't want her to be afraid, especially with him around. He wanted her to feel safe around him. "Hiyori,"

"Yes?"

"Do you trust me?" Hiyori's eyes widened at his honest question, his eyes studying her. Of course she trusted him. She knew he wanted what was best for her. He had also saved her countless times. There was no reason not to trust him.

Hiyori nodded her head and Yato smiled at her warmly. "Then come skate." She blushed at the smile he gave her and slowly placed her hand into his. He pulled her towards him, and this caused her to fall off the snow and onto the ice. She held her onto his chest to make sure she wouldn't fall.

Hiyori gripped onto Yato's jersey with the hand that wasn't tightly holding onto his hand. She stood still, frozen in place. She was still terrified. She was on the ice.

"Calm down Hiyori, I promise you won't get hurt." She looked up at Yato, who was very close to her. His breath was warm on her frozen cheeks, his eyes kind. She felt assured with his words. "Besides, as a Phantom, you're real body won't get hurt, so no worries." He gave her a cheesy smile.

Hiyori was confused as to what he meant. His attention was then on something behind her. She turned around to see that her violet tail was quivering behind her. She squealed. "What? When did this happen?" She exclaimed in horror. She looked over at her human body, sprawled on the snow. Hiyori hated when that happened. It seemed to just become worst as time went on.

Yato tried his hardest not to laugh at her reaction. "Hiyori, don't worry about it. It'll be fine." He moved back, dragging her across the ice with him. She held onto him for her dear life. He laughed. "Hiyori, don't kill me! Come on, don't grip so tight! Loosen up a bit!"

"Yato! This is scary! I can't do this! I'm gonna die!" Hiyori cried in panic, closing her eyes tightly.

"Hiyori." Yato whispered softly. She opened her eyes slowly to meet his blue ones. "Just look at me okay?"

She blushed. "What?"

"Focus on me, don't look down." She pressed her lips together, but did as he instructed. She just looked at his face. The way his eyes glowed, his black hair that blew softly as the frigid wind travelled by. The slow smile that started to appear on his face.

Yato enjoyed the look of wonder of Hiyori's face. As if she was trapped in some sort of trance. He knew this face. Sometimes he would catch her with the same expression on her face as she watched him. He would comment to her about it, and she would just blush and apologize. He thought she looked beautiful when she did it though.

He enjoyed her bright amethyst eyes, the way her dark brown hair flowed gracefully behind her as they traveled across the pond. The way her tiny pink lips partly softly as she looked at him. He wondered how those lips would feel against his.

He tried to push the thought out of his head. He pulled away from Hiyori and bit, grabbing her other hand that had loosened its grip on his jersey. He held onto her hands and pushed himself back a bit, so he was guiding her. He could see enjoyment slowly fill her eyes and she started laughing softly, a genuine smile on her lips.

That's all Yato could ever ask for. Her laugh was like the sweetest melody to his ears. And she was stunning when she smiled. When she was truly happy.

"See! It's not so bad!" He smirked and she smiled at him. She was grateful that Yato decided to not give up on her. That he was here with her skating, and that she didn't need to be afraid. She didn't need to be afraid because he was here with her, guiding and leading her across the ice.

"Aww Yatty! You and Hiyorin are so cute!" They heard Kofuku yell from across the pond. Yato turned to see Kofuku grinning at the two. She giggled. "What adorable lovebirds!"

Yato started to blush slightly at her words and Hiyori couldn't help but do the same.

Lovebirds? Yato thought. She really thought we looked like cute lovebirds. Yato wondered what Hiyori thought of that. If she would ever be interested in him like that. Probably not. He was grateful for their friendship and he felt that she was mutual on that fact as well. But Yato felt like she would never see him as anymore then a friend. He cared for Hiyori a great deal. Her happiness always came first though. And if Hiyori was happy with the way things were, then Yato wouldn't mind keeping it that way; even if his heart yearned for something more.

Hiyori was also thinking about what Kofuku had yelled out gleefully moments ago. Did Yato have feelings for her? Were they just friends? Did he see her as more then that? She wasn't entirely sure, but decided to brush off the idea. He probably didn't, and she didn't want to disappoint herself if that was the case.

She decided to break the silence, she was going to thank him properly. "I'm not afraid when you are here to help me." He looked up at Hiyori, and she smiled brightly at him. "Thank you Yato."

Her smiled touched Yato's heart. He was glad to help Hiyori in anyway she deemed fit. Whatever she needed, he would always do his best to please her and make her happy.

He nodded at Hiyori and returned him smile. "Anytime. Your wish was heard loud and clear."

Hiyori blushed. "But I didn't wish for anything." She mumbled quietly.

"You wanted to skate with everyone, but you were too afraid right?" She nodded softly in affirmation. "Well then that was your wish. Even if it wasn't a verbal one, it still was something you wanted."

Hiyori looked up at Yato with a feeling she really couldn't describe. It was like he could read her like a book. As if he always knew what was on her mind, or if she was troubled. It made her…happy.

She smiled at him. "Yeah, I guess you are right." She grabbed tightly onto his hand and turned them around so she was pulling him across the ice. She laughed and he began to laugh with her as they moved across the ice together.

Yato was just glad that everyone was finally enjoying themselves. And that he could enjoy Hiyori's wonderful smile.

So, this was the first time I decided to write and publish a story on here in 3rd person. I usually write in 1st person, but thought this one shot would suit a 3rd person point of view better :)

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the story! I absolutely adore Yato and Hiyori! I may write a sequel to this one shot if anyone is really interested in me doing so :)

If so, please let me know! And feedback is much appreciated!

Thank you for reading! xo

Z. Ashes