Sorry, this hasn't been updated in a few months, but I was stuck on how to write Kugaha for this chapter. Then whenever I watched the episode I was having trouble with where to add Rin's lines. So when I saw that Noragami Aragoto was coming out on DVD soon I got psyched because then A) it'd be easier to write this and B) I can watch it whenever I want now (I follow Micah Solusod on Instagram - Yukine's English VA). So, a few days ago I saw it when I went JB HI Fi and I just thought 'screw it, there's nothing else here and I want it!'. So I bought it! Yay!

Anyways, enough of my personal problems I'll answer some questions now:

Guest Asked - "Yato didn't know a Neberius? Oh wow. That's surprising... As a being of supernatural entity I thought he already knows about the exorcist world and what not. I mean he's a God. And he has years to spend time doing anything he wants, exorcist and the demons should have made him curious enough to find information about it. (or spy on them. It's japan. Yato is not the only God, so I had thought demons and exorcist is common knowledge.)"

My Answer - It's true that Yato has been around for a long time, but think that he can't spend ALL his time on looking into Exorcists and demons. He had to avoid Bishamon when she was after him, defeat phantoms for five yen and try and survive through his low follower count. Also even if demons have been around for a long time; Exorcists have only made themselves known in the recent 200 years I think. Those are my reasons anyway. Yato only knows the basics and a little from what he learned from Mephisto and Shiro - even if he's been around a lot he had to survive to be around this long.

Teal96ko Asked - "Also, even if Rin can't heal his eyes with his half-demon status, isn't it's possible for another god to heal him. What happened to his eyeball by the way? Is Yato keeping it? Or Nora? I'm in a rush reading this..."

My Answer - First question: The God's healing is only used through purification, right? With Rin being half-demon that wouldn't work as he'd be burned by what they try to heal him with which is mostly holy water; so that wouldn't work. Second question: Well, this relates to the third question as well. The last we saw of Rin's eye; Nora had it and was teasing Yato with it until he went on a rampage and Yato's Father came in, making him stop. So that means neither Nora or Yato have it, because we know Nora follows Yato's Father and will do anything for him thus she gave the eye to him in the end.

c3llar door said - "Rin regenerated his foot after Angel cut it tho."

My Answer - I looked that chapter up and you can't really see anything, so that's why I'm debunking that. Remember that Rin's eye was taken COMPLETELY from his socket and he's STILL half-human. Just because he's half-demon doesn't mean he can't sustain human-like injuries at times. I've seen stories way worse with his injuries than this (*cough* self-infliction = death *cough*). Just saying that just because Rin has demonic powers doesn't mean he can heal up every injury he gets. It makes him seem more human in some cases which he wants to be.

Also I apologize if the ending of the chapter feels rushed. It kind of was, but hopefully you'll be happy that I updated. That doesn't mean the chapters will be coming faster. I still have to figure out what will happen next. The ending of this I kind of guessed when I re-watched Aragoto and thought 'it'd make it seem more interesting if I did this', so I decided to make it happen. The next chapter probably won't come for a while, but thank you to all that are patient with me. Anyways enjoy!

Chapter 12: Sign

Yukine's POV

We had tried to get through to the Underworld by the portal at the front, but there had been a barrier up. I tried to take it down with 'borderlines' while Rin had tried using his sword; even that hadn't worked. So, right now we're heading up a path towards a vent that had possibly opened up to the Underworld.

We can only hope.

Though I still can't believe that Yato went to the Underworld … and with Nora! Doesn't he realise that I'm able to take care of both of us!? I can do it! I know I can. The Underworld can't be that bad. But why did he have to take her, especially after what she did to Rin! This whole situation just makes me so … RRGHH!

I was seething with anger and I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked up at Rin. "Hey, I was wondering … can Gods really reincarnate?"

I blinked at hearing this question from Rin then again he was there with me and Daikoku when we were at Tenjin's shrine. So, he would've heard a lot of things he didn't understand. "Yea. I'm still new to the whole regalia thing, but Kazuma has taught me a lot."

"That's the guy with the glasses. He looks a lot like my brother. He could even pass as his identical twin since me and Yukio are fraternal twins!" Rin laughed at his own joke.

"Yea..." I muttered to myself more than replying to him. I haven't met his brother so I wouldn't know. "Anyway, Gods reincarnate when they die."

This caused Rin to look at me in shock; eye wide. "Gods can die!"

I nodded at his question. Well, I think it was one. "Apparently." My head lowered as the tall trees shadowed my face. "Yato is the one of the few Gods that can't reincarnate because he's got no followers."

"So that's why Gods are appreciative of us doing good things for them … they just want to live," Rin said to himself as he lowered his own head as if in thought. His head suddenly shot up and looked behind us. "Where's Hiyori? Did she get lost?"

"I don't know, but maybe we should go find her. We don't know who's out here," I told Rin as I began to walk back down the path.

As we walked down the path I saw Rin stiffen and he grabbed my arm, but before I spoke he shushed me. "I'll hide and you go out and confront him. I've got good hearing remember. This guy has Hiyori stuck or something."

My eyes widened at this. "He's used a 'restraint' on her. So he must know us."

Rin looked at me with a frown crossing his features. "Restraint?"

"It's a command I can do on other regalia to stop their movements if I know their name. It must work on the living too if this guy can use it on Hiyori," I explained to Rin and he nodded at me before rushing into the bush. I took in a deep breath and ran down the path and saw a familiar white coat and hair with bells attached to with red ribbon. It can't be. Kugaha! "HIYORI!" With saying her name it allowed her to move again as she fell backwards and I ran in front of her. "You stay the hell away from her!" I pointed my fingers between the two of them as Kugaha jumped away before my 'Borderline' came up.

A smile of relief came across Hiyori's face when she saw me, but noticed Rin wasn't with me. "Yukine, where's…" Before she could say his name I shushed her. She covered her mouth and nodded since she didn't want Rin to go through what she just did.

"Kugaha! Restrain!" I exclaimed as I pointed my fingers at him, but nothing happened. It was as if the chains were about to grasp hold of him and then had broken. He just smiled at me and a gasp left my lips. "I…It didn't work…"

"Of course it didn't work. I no longer go by the name Kuga. An invocation requires your targets name. So it's fairly easy who has the upper hand here, Yukine," Kugaha explained while allowing a smile to cross his lips.

I know Hiyori was scared; thinking we really did have a disadvantage, but we don't. We have an advantage. It's Rin. Kugaha doesn't know about him or his name, so that's why we have the upper hand. I know that if I just said something it'd look suspicious, so I just glared back at him.

"What do we do now?" Hiyori asked me, fear in her eyes.

"You just stay back!" I told her as I threw another 'Borderline' at Kugaha and he threw his own at mine. As both of them clashed I saw Rin come out of the bushes and come up behind Kugaha with his sword raised. It wasn't drawn since he didn't want to kill him.

He probably just wanted to knock him out or daze him enough so we could get away...

Good thinking, Rin.

"Who knew a Blessed Vessel could be so weak?" Kugaha said and at hearing this Rin's sword came down, but Kugaha dodged it; shocking both him and me. "Oh, so you've got someone else with you this time." Rin sent a glare his way with his one eye which caught Kugaha's attention. "It seems Hiiro had some fun."

Rin stood back to his feet and looked ready to draw his sword. "How do you call that fun…" he growled out. Hiyori took a step towards him, but saw a flicker of blue and swallowed. Rin then, paused and frowned realising he hadn't said the name I told him. "Wait, Hiiro?"

"Yes, little lady Hiiro dressed in white. The one Yato always goes back to." I stiffened at hearing this and Kugaha noticed my apprehension.

"Nora…" I muttered out; eyes wide in shock.

"You mean you didn't even know her name? Did your Master keep it a secret from you? How sad. And if he took her into the Underworld he must trust her a lot more than you, huh?" I gritted my teeth at what Kugaha was saying. He was trying to rile me up by pushing Nora into the conversation.

I can't let myself be suckered in like that!

I glance over to Rin and see him clutching his sword tightly as if it's a lifeline.

He seems angrier than me right now.

He looked as if he was going to draw the sword, but he just held it and glared at the ground. "Did I hit a nerve on either of you?" I noticed Rin look back up to Kugaha with his usual glare. "I can tell you have something against her after she took your eye." I saw something cross Rin's face. Was that … horror? Was he horrified with himself? Why? "Do you want to … kill her?"

My eyes widened at hearing this.

He was trying to provoke Rin!

He held his sword up as if ready to draw it. "Hey, didn't Yato say not to draw that!" I yelled to Rin as if trying to reason with him.

My answer was just a growl, but he seemed to understand and backed away from Kugaha, still glaring at him. "My, what a feisty friend you have there, Yukine."

"I really will open this if you don't shut your damn mouth," Rin growled at Kugaha; holding up his sword which only made him laugh.

"You think that little thing can hurt me; a Nora?" Kugaha exclaimed; still laughing.

Rin turned his head to look at Kugaha a glint in his eye I had never seen before. I…I don't know what to say, but that … actually scares me. "I could see if it can if you want…"

Rin gripped his sword, tightly, ready to draw it. I didn't like where this was going. I know Rin was known for his stubbornness at most times; I'd seen it at times, but right now … I feel like I can't let him doing anything rash. He might be angry at Nora right now; so am I, but right now we need to get to that portal and hopefully find Yato.

"Rin!" He turned to face me; that glare still on his face. "We can't afford to waste time! We need to get to that vent and get to Yato!"

"I know that…" His grip on the sword, shaking due to his conflicting emotions; I can see the anger on his face, but in his eyes he wants to come with us and not fight. He was stuck. "…but this bastard is just … pissing me off!"

He finally withdrew his sword; flames covering his whole body with a light flicker with the wind. His tail had swung out from under his shirt; thrashing around violently. I don't like where this is going. I look over to Hiyori and see that she wanted to leave just as soon as I did.

I was angry at Yato, but I can't let Rin hurt himself even more than he has with this reckless behaviour.

I … had to be the cool-headed one here…

Kugaha threw up a 'border' and Rin blocked with his sword, growling. He lowered his sword and rushed at him; letting out an angry scream. Kugaha took a few steps back, seeming to look actually frightened.

That's right.

Rin is still half-human like Hiyori and he doesn't know his name, so he can't 'restrain' him … or can he? I swallowed as I realised a vital mistake I had made. I had called out Rin's name; giving Kugaha that information we had the advantage over.

My eyes went to the two and saw Kugaha … smiling!

He does know!

I got my fingers into a halberd; ready to draw a border in front of Rin.

Kugaha dodged another strike before pointing at Rin and saying those words I was afraid of, "Restraint." Rin froze in place. His eye wide in confusion; arms in the air ready to strike again; his flames still licking at his body as if he was still moving.

A chuckle left Kugaha's lips as he looked down on my friend. "You really thought you could defeat me after you came face to face with Hiiro?" This only caused Rin to growl. "How pitiful. I would've thought a blessed vessel and a demon spawn would be more of a challenge…" He lifted his arm up; fingers drawn in a halberd. "I guess NOT!"

Here it is!

The white line was heading towards Rin and he realised that he was in danger. "Rin!" I heard Hiyori shout as I ran up beside him and threw my arm down.

"BORDER!" The two light strikes clashed and I clenched my teeth together as Rin collapsed on his knees, staring at the ground.

Hiyori approached the two of us and put a hand on Rin's shoulder. "Rin; sheath your sword."

I noticed him swallow and nod his head at her before sliding his katana into the sheath; the flames diminishing instantly. I turned my attention back to Kugaha as Rin stood back to his feet; glaring back at him however this time it seemed he was going to be less prone to attack.

I was ready to throw another 'border' when one came and hit a tree near us. We looked in that direction; seeing Kugaha's fingers glowing. "Not good enough!" He threw another one at us and I quickly threw my own to counter it.

However when they clashed it hardly did a thing!

No way, he's overpowering me; but I'm a Blessed Vessel!

Why am so weak compared him; a Nora?

I was in shock. How was he so strong?

Am I losing my concentration because he was playing mind games with us earlier?

"Yukine! Pay attention to your opponent!" I looked to Rin and then back to Kugaha as he threw another 'border', causing me to counter again. They clashed and broke. The shards flying in different directions and one hit me in the forehead; completely taking me off-guard. The blood dripped down between my eyes as I stared in disbelief at the Nora before me as he got ready to attack again.

This situation isn't getting any better. He keeps throwing 'border' after 'border' and whenever I counter they keep breaking.

Am I doing something wrong here?

"Hurry! Let's get out here!" I feel someone grasp my hand and turn to look at Hiyori as she pulls me and Rin along with her and out of way.

Wait, she's leading us away?

We're running away?

Why?!

"Wha…? Hiyori?!" Rin exclaimed.

I could hear Kugaha laughing behind us, "You can't defeat a Nora!" He cut more trees down with his 'borders'. My eyes lowered to the ground; biting my lip.

I couldn't defeat him...

I'm a failure as Blessed Vessel and as a regalia!

"Don't let him get to you. Just remember you're a Blessed Vessel," Hiyori reminded me and I nodded my head at her; my blond hair covering my eyes as we ran from Kugaha's attacks.

"Yea, I know that!"

I could feel Rin's gaze on us; giving us a confused look, but our conversation kept going. "You're the one Yato made his exemplar!"

"I know! I know!" I exclaimed; my emotions finally having enough. My anger at Yato; envy and hatred towards Nora. It was all coming out now. "But still … he took her! Why not take me, dammit?"

Hiyori looked back at me with worry in her eyes. "Don't think like that…"

"It might've been too dangerous for you, maybe that's why he didn't take you," Rin suggested.

"I don't care about that! You know how hard I've worked! It's all been for him! I wanted to make sure Nora never became his exemplar instead! Now this…!" We ran through the bushes and over to a large tree; sliding down behind it. We stopped to take a breather, panting. I swallowed and stared at the ground. "He chose … Nora…"

I felt Hiyori's soft hand on my shoulder as I looked up at her. "Look, you should know. Yato told me something once and I knew he meant it. He told me he'd always wanted to find someone like you." I stared at Hiyori with astonishment coating my amber eyes. I remember that Yato said I was the first regalia to change for him. Then ... did he really mean it? "Don't you get it you're Yato's one special person?"

"His one special…"

"It's the truth, Yukine!" she cried out in shock as the tree suddenly blew up and Kugaha cried out that he had found us. "You have to listen to me! Have faith in Yato!"

"Holy shit! The tree blew up!" Rin exclaimed, staring at the remnants of the huge tree; bewildered.

He's such an idiot...

The wind blew our hair from the attack and I stood to my feet. I get it. Hiyori is right. I have to have faith in Yato. He has faith in me, so I have to give that faith back! I drew my fingers into a halberd and threw them in a line. "BORDERLINE!"

"BORDERLINE!" Kugaha's and my border's clashed until mine broke through his; surprising him. It smashed into him and threw him across the area until I heard a splash at the other end.

I panted; putting my arm down and wiping my forehead of the blood still there as Hiyori and Rin came up from the tree's roots. "That was amazing, Yukine. You beat him!" Hiyori exclaimed.

"That was awesome, Yukine!" I turned to see Rin with a sparkling look in his eye.

Good to see the old Rin is back...

Whatever look that was he had back there ... I don't want to see it again...

I just gave Rin a smile and looked at them. "Let's go, Rin, Hiyori. Let's go find Yato."

The two nodded at me and we run off in the direction the phantom portal was coming from. We could only hope that Yato would be okay when we found him.

Fifteen Minutes Later~~~~

Once we got to where the vent was located we saw Bishamon, Kazuma, Kuraha; in his lion form all gathered around Ebisu; lying on the ground. He was covered in blight and looked fairly weak. That meant that he had been in the Underworld, right?

"Lady Bishamon!" I cried out as we ran up to the group.

"You three? I told you to stay away," Kazuma said, frowning at us.

Once we got to them we finally were able to tell that Bishamon looked ready for a battle as she wore a different garment than her usual two piece one. "Who is that man?" Hiyori asked, looking down at the injured God.

"Lord Ebisu…" I muttered out.

This equalled in an entirely different reaction from Rin. "Huh! Another one! Geez, how many are out there?" He grabbed his head as if to mull it over in his head.

"Don't hurt yourself," Hiyori giggled and this earned a slight grumble from Rin as he folded his arms.

However our attention turned back to Ebisu when he groaned and looked back at the portal. "Be careful. You're still weak," Bishamon told Ebisu, seeming worried for the other God of Fortune.

If only there had been no bad blood between them she'd probably be like that for Yato...

"The Yato-God … he didn't make it out. He's still in the Underworld…" Ebisu coughed out; making Rin, Hiyori and I freeze in place.

"I don't understand. What would he be doing there?" Bishamon questioned Ebisu, confusion written on her face.

"He came to the Underworld … for me to bring me back…" He cringed in pain. That must be some serious blight. Kazuma said he was using phantoms then that's what's causing his blight, but why would he do that to himself? "If we don't help him … he'll be Izanami's forever…"

"Hold on, why would Yato go and save you? None of this makes any sense." I don't get it either Lady Bishamon, but whatever reason Yato has he can tell us once we get him out!

"Rin?" I turn to face Rin; who had been glaring at the vortex for the entirety of the conversation. The one who had spoken had been Kazuma and was eyeing Rin. "You're not thinking of going in there for Yato, are you?"

I stared at Kazuma and then at Rin. "You're nuts! Only half an hour ago you couldn't even put a scratch on Kugaha!"

"Wait, you fought…" Before Bishamon could finish Rin laughed it off. I swear he's so much like Yato it's almost a pain. "I don't know a lot about this world of Gods, but phantoms are like demons as Yato said!"

"That's not entirely as he said…" I muttered out, annoyed.

Before either of us could say anything else the vent closed and all three of us ran over to it. A breath hitched in my throat and I noticed Rin and Hiyori staring at the cracked road in shock.

How are we meant to save Yato now without a way to get in or out?!

"Please, Lady Bishamon, how can we get into the Underworld?" Hiyori asked, turning around to face the God of War.

"The entrance is sealed and now the vent is too," I said, explaining the situation to her.

"It doesn't matter. You can't go," We all turn to see Kofuku and Daikoku approaching from down the road. She looked surprisingly serious for a change.

"That's right. Help us! You can open up a vent!" Hiyori exclaimed.

"There is absolutely no way you can go into the Underworld. It's no place for humans you will never leave alive," Kofuku told us.

"Does that count me?" We all looked at Rin and he had a fierce expression of determination on his face. "I'm not necessarily human anyway, so do I count?"

"But Rinni … even so you're still half-human..." Kofuku told Rin, her expression full of concern. She looked like she really didn't want to open up a vent; afraid of putting us in danger yet she also wanted to get Yato back just as much as us.

I stared at him in shock. He was willing to risk his life to go into the Underworld to save Yato; my Master. I clenched my teeth together. I can't allow his to do something so reckless! Not after what he did just before! I rushed over to Bishamon and bowed before her. "Lady Bishamon, I beg of you! Please, take me into the Underworld! I'm willing to risk my name to save my Master!"

"Yukki, The only way you can do that is if you enter the Underworld as someone else's regalia." I stood back up and turned my attention towards Kofuku. She ... wasn't implying what I think she was. "Yukki, are you willing to become a Nora?" Kofuku explained to me what I had to do to save Yato.

Sh...She did...!

I opened my mouth; horrified, my eyes wide. I couldn't do that to Yato. Not after all we've been through. "There's no way he can do that!" I heard Hiyori shout from behind me.

"There is no need to sully your name; Blessed Vessel of Yato." I turned back around to face Bishamon to see her eyeing me. "You can leave this to me. I'll bring back your Master."

"Are you sure?"

"Kura – stay here and look after Ebisu." Kuraha bowed at Lady Bishamon's order before she looked at Ebisu once more. "It makes no difference where he hides. The Heavens will find him. Hopefully he'll recover enough to explain what he's been up to. We must clear him of these charges. Now let's hurry – Choki!" Kazuma's name glowed and he disappeared before flowing through the air as a beam of light and reappearing on Bishamon's ear as an earring.

I felt a pat on my shoulder as I stared at the pavement ground. I could lightly hear Kofuku and Bishamon's conversation before she left to get Yato as they both stood before the vent.

I can't do anything to help.

I can only rely on someone else to save him.

I'm useless…

I didn't want to become a Nora ... not even to help my own Master!

Dammit!

"Bisha, please, save him. Please get our Yatty back…"

"I will."

"Kokki!" Daikoku's name glowed and he disappeared, reappearing in Kofuku's hands as a black fan. "Don't do anything reckless. We want all of you back here in one piece!"

Kofuku opened her Kokki, getting ready to open up another vent for Bishamon to jump into.

I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to help Yato.

This is all I can do…

"O band of thieves treading upon sacred land … with the Kokki I pierce you! Bore!"

A loud gush of wind flew by me, Hiyori and Rin as the vent was reopened and we saw the swirling colours of purple and pink mixing together.

"Let's go!" We watched as Bishamon jumped into the vent and Kuraha lead Kofuku away from the vent at a safe distance.

I was still staring the ground; lost in my own world. I just feel so useless without Yato ... I'm not sure how he feels since he has Nora with him, but still...

I didn't expect to hear a yell from Hiyori however, especially at a time like this. "Rin, what are you doing!" I looked at where Rin had once been to where he was now. He was racing towards the vent, clutching his sword tightly in his hand!

"You idiot! What are you doing?!" I shouted as I tried to rush after him, but I was held back by Hiyori. "Hiyori, we have to stop him!"

"He's already too close to the vent! You heard what Kofuku said!" she told me and I looked back at her and nodded.

"What are we supposed to do then!?"

Kofuku heard me and Hiyori, turning her attention to us; only just noticing Rin jumping into the vent. A gasp escaped her lips as she watched his form fall down the pink and purple portal. "Rinni! No!"

My eyes were wide; tremors racked my body as we all watched the vent started to close and our half-demon friend had just gone through the vent.

What the hell…

Why did do that?

Did he really want to help that much?

Doesn't he ever listen!?

"RIN, YOU IDIOT!"