Yui collapsed onto her bed, her heart brimming with joy. She closed her eyes and smiled to herself. For the first time in months, she was happy. Truly happy. Since the gods had sent her back to earth without them, she had been walking through life in a daze, losing her enthusiasm for anything, unable to find happiness in even the most wonderful of things.

Her family had tried to help, but she had become so distant that nothing could touch her heart. The only thing she had been able to do was go through the motions; school, home, work, keep busy, and of course practice swordsmanship. She had kept up her running, pushing herself each time, and letting exhaustion drain her body of feeling every morning and night. Although that helped,

it also made things worse, because it brought back so many memories.

But then today, something she hadn't even dared to hope for had happened. She had been walking up the stairs to the shrine, when she had heard them. Voices, calling her name. Their voices, the gods' voices. Her eyes widening with uncontainable hope, she dropped her belongings, and ran all the way up to the top of the shrine. Seeing all of them standing there, as real as anything, the first true smile in months had appeared on her face.

"Hey, Yousei san, please teach us again." Apollon san had said, and she'd run, crying, over to him, smiling so happily that she thought she would never stop.

"Hai!" She cried, letting him take her hand, and pull her into a hug, the other gods gathering around her, Takeru ruffling her hair, and Loki giving her a cheeky grin.

From there it had all been relatively simple, Tsukito had explained that they had been allowed to come back to earth to stay with her, and that they would still be learning, but this time they could keep their powers. It had to remain a secret that they were gods, but they had a mission to complete. Tsukito explained that they could not tell her about it yet, but Zeus would be watching over them all. They had needed somewhere to stay, and Yui had brought them into the shrine to discuss it, discovering her parents inside. There was a brief moment where no one knew how to explain things to her family, but then Balder stepped forwards, and charmed them so completely that they agreed for everyone to stay in their home, in the guest quarters.

They had spent the evening making food with her family, Hades hiding by the kitchen door, clearly wanting to help, but not wanting to cause misfortune, until Dionysus pushed him into the room, and put an apron on him. The two of them ended up making rice balls with her mother, whilst Takeru and Apollon grilled her brothers about what had happened in the past few months. Tsukito made notes on everything that was going on until Loki stole his notebook, telling him not to be so dull. There was a brief scuffle as Thor tried to take it back and Takeru joined the fight, then the notebook ended up in the stew.

Everyone apologised profusely, and Yui's mother awkwardly assured them it was alright, but then shooed everyone except Dionysus, Hades and Balder out of the kitchen. They had all gone to sit in the living room, Yui telling Loki off every time he started going through one of their photo albums, and soon dinner was ready. They all sat together, eating and chatting, sharing stories, and telling her parents about themselves, hiding any hints that they were gods along the way.

Finally it had been bed time, and Yui had taken her leave. She was almost glowing with joy, nothing had felt so good, so perfect, since she had come back. Everything was just as it should be, and she had her most dear friends back again. Lying there on her bed, she smiled, and closed her eyes. Finally, she felt complete again.

Birds chirruped outside Yui's window, and she opened her eyes, blearily looking around. She was in her bedroom, but there was something different. She felt…whole. Then she remembered yesterday, and leapt up, getting changed into her weekend clothes, and running through the house to the living room.

"Ah, good morning Yui san." Balder said, looking over the counter of the kitchen into the living room.

"Balder sama, good morning!" She smiled, and looked over to see Dionysus was also helping her mother with breakfast.

"Hey Kusanagi," the red head grinned, "we're making pancakes. Could you get Hades and Apollon? They went to visit the main temple."

"Eh? Of course!" She beamed, and trotted out to the hallway again, bumping into Thor and Tsukito on her way. "Good morning!" She smiled, running past them.

"Good morning Kusanagi Yui."

"Ugh…" Thor responded, clearly not enjoying the early start.

The shrine was lit up with the dawn sun, almost glowing inside, Apollon's hair looked like pure sunlight, and Yui smiled as she entered behind him.

"That's a shrine to lost spirits." She said, leaning around him to look at the green pedestal in front of him.

"Yousei san!" Apollon said, beaming at her. "It's so lovely here! It's just how you described it." There was a sudden tinkle of broken glass, and Yui turned to see Hades frozen in front of a broken wind chime.

"Misfortune…" He muttered darkly.

"Oh, don't worry Hades sama!" She smiled, "Those get broken all the time!"

"That's true." Came a voice, and they turned to see her brother, Jun, appearing with a dustpan and brush. "I don't know why we keep selling them."

"Nee sama, they sell really well during spring."

"Yes but it's summer." He grumbled, then began sweeping up the broken glass. "Oh, and by the way, the blue haired one is grilling Manabu."

"Eh?" Yui cried, running outside where Takeru was inches away from her brothers face.

"And how close exactly are you to Yui san eh?"

"Ah...um…I mean…she has always seemed to…"

"Takeru! What are you doing?" Yui said, advancing on him.

"I wanted to check he isn't a spy." He said, still glaring at her brother.

"Eh?" She stared in confusion at the two of them, Manabu glancing desperately at her for help, shrinking under the other boys ferocious gaze.

"Take-Take, they won't have got here yet." Apollon said, appearing beside Yui.

"Eeeh?" Yui stared back and forth between the two of them, and Takeru looked away from her brother and at Apollon. Manabu used this opportunity to flee, and Takeru was about to follow him when Apollon grabbed him.

"You'll raise suspicion."

"Well no one else is doing anything. You're all acting like we're here for fun and games."

"…oh…" Yui said, her heart dropping. They really were just here for a mission. She had known they wouldn't come here just to see her, but she had hoped that it had played some part, but now a strange feeling was seeping through her stomach.

"Ah…" Takeru looked at her, guilt crossing his face, "…we can still have fun, it's not like-"

"No, I know, you have a mission. Tsukito said." She smiled, but they two boys could tell her heart wasn't in it. "I came to get you, breakfast is ready. You should go inside." She turned, and began to walk towards the forest, uncertain where she was going, but knowing she couldn't go to breakfast right now.

"Yousei san!" Apollon called, but it was Hades turn to grab his arm as he made to go after her.

"She needs some space. Takeru has upset her." He said, watching her go.

Yui found herself in the forest behind the shrine, and sat down underneath one of the trees. She used to come here when she was little, when she was hiding from whichever brother had upset her. Now she sat here again, feeling just as small, and wrapping her arms around her knees. She felt so stupid for thinking things would be like before, and stupid for being upset by not being the reason they came back. They were gods, she was just a mortal, of course there were more important reasons. Wasn't it enough that they were here? Sniffing, she buried her head in her knees and muttered at herself to stop being so silly.

"Heeey Koneko chan." Came a voice, and she looked up to see Loki sitting in the tree above her. He grinned and jumped down beside her, closing the gap between them so that his face was close to hers, making her blush. "Whoever's upset you, why don't you let me deal with them?" Fire blossomed in his hand, and Yui jumped back slightly, making him laugh. "Don't worry, I won't hurt them too much." Then he looked away, pouting. "I'm not allowed to use my powers to actually harm humans." Then a smirk spread across his face again, "I can torment them though."

"Loki, please try not to set fire to the forest." Yui said, smiling weakly.

"Fine fine." He said, snapping the fire out. "But you still have to tell me who upset you."

Yui looked away, but Loki just leant around into her vision again, making her laugh.

"Okay, okay. It's just something silly is all. I just…I missed you all so much, and then you came back, and I know it's not for me, but I guess I kind of wanted it to be for me…"

Loki looked confused.

"What makes you think it wasn't for you?"

"Tsukito said it was for a mission, and Takeru was looking for spies or something…"

"Takeru is an idiot." Loki said, leaning against the tree beside Yui and looking up at the canopy. "We are here for a mission, and I'm not meant to tell you what it is, but I can say for definite," he smiled and met her eyes with his, "that it was for you. We came here for our mission, but you're part of that. We also came here because no one can replace you, and we all need you more than you could imagine." He took her chin in his hand, and pulled her close. "And personally? No one can make me do anything, I came here just for you. Mission or no mission." Yui blushed, and he laughed, releasing her, then jumping up. "Now, I'm hungry, lets have breakfast!" He took her hand, and pulled her up, leading her back to the shrine. The courtyard was empty now, and they crossed over to the main house, entering the main room, where the gods were all laying the table. Yui let go of Loki's hand awkwardly as she entered. Then Apollon and Takeru looked up at her, and she smiled at them.

"Yousei san! I was worried! Are you okay?" Apollon said, crossing over and taking her hand.

"I'm fine." She smiled, letting him lead her to the table. "I was just being silly."

"Hey, Thor, I need to talk to you." Loki said, following his friend into the kitchen. Takeru came over, looking away and rubbing his head with his hand.

"Look…I didn't mean to upset you…" He began, but Yui waved her hands, embarrassed.

"No no, it's fine, I know your mission is important and-"

"But that's the thing, it's…complicated…" The god of the sea looked around as if begging the world to give him the right words.

"It's okay, I know I'm not the reason you're here."

"What?" Takeru looked at her, shocked. "No, that's not…I didn't mean…"

"Takeru Totsuka means that it's complicated because you are part of the mission." Tsukito said, walking over to them. "We can't explain any more right now, but you are undeniably linked to it. Takeru also likes you enough that you are a reason for him to be here."

"Eh?" Yui said, and Takeru flushed.

"Don't get any ideas Zassou." He said, stomping around the table and getting the plates.

"Ah, Yousei san, this is why you were upset. You thought we didn't come back for you." Apollon took her hand and kissed it, making her blush. "We did, never doubt it." He smiled at her and she felt like she was being filled with warmth. As they all sat down to eat, her family getting on so well with her friends, even Loki was being friendly. Though she did see him casually set fire to one of Takeru's pancakes, which caused him to get angry at the trickster, but Thor calmed them both down whilst Balder distracted her parents so that the magic went unnoticed. The room felt so warm, with all of her most important people in it, Yui felt like she was breathing again. This was better than yesterday, which had been a relief, a rush, a brilliant miracle, but this? This was what she had wanted. Not quite normal, but familiar. Just like how things used to be.

After breakfast, her parents told her to take her new friends to town, and she agreed, trying to think where to go.

"I want to go to an arcade!" Loki said, swinging his arm around Balder. "You said that's where you can play games right?"

"I want to play games!" Apollon said, "we could play tennis!"

"Ah…not those kind of games…" Yui said, holding her hands up.

"Yeah baka," Loki said, sticking his tongue out, "these are computer games."

"Computer games?" the blonde asked, looking confused.

"Computers" Tsukito began, "are the modern age version of books, libraries, paintings, and storage devices that let you communicate across great distances, let you look at pictures of cats and develop memes, which are jokes that are only understood by a select few, such as bork bork son you do me a frighten, which is an image of a dog looking scared by a puppy, and has been spread across the internet, in something called cyberspace. Games have been developed so that you only need press certain buttons and you can make a virtual image change, for example a platform game, where you make your character run around collecting coins, and avoiding deadly traps by jumping over them or shooting them, again by pressing certain buttons."

"Uwah! You know a lot about them!" Apollon beamed, and Yui smiled awkwardly as she spotted the booklet he was reading from was called 'Thoth's guide to the modern day.'

"It sounds interesting," Thor said, "lets go there." The rest all agreed, and Yui led the way down the steps to the city. As they walked through the crowds, many people turned to look at them, whispering about how beautiful they all looked, making Yui feel like the odd one out. Many people flocked around Balder, and soon they couldn't move any further for the crowds of people trying to talk to him. Thor grabbed Balder and hauled him away calling "we'll meet you at the arcade, there's no way we can all get there like this."

"Ah, wait, but Yui san!" Balder began, but Thor was already guiding him away.

"Balder!" Loki cried, trying to go after him, but Dionysus held onto him.

"He's right, we should just get to the arcade." Loki glared at the other red head, but slumped and followed the group.

"This arcade better be worth it." He muttered under his breath.

The arcade was lit up like a Christmas tree, noises and jangling music playing everywhere. Apollon laughed as Yui taught him how to play one of the games, and soon he and Dionysus were battling it out for victory in a shooting game. Hades flinched away from each machine until Yui found him one where the lower you scored, the more tickets you got. Once he seemed enthralled, she took Tsukito, Loki and Takeru over to a pinball machine, where they took it in turns, but soon Tsukito was leading by miles, and Loki got distracted by the café, where he laid some sweet traps, then sat back to watch them explode. Yui found herself leaning against one of the walls in the arcade, smiling as she watched her friends play. They all seemed so happy, and were getting a lot of attention. Tsukito had a small crowd around him as someone was singing 'pinball wizard', with Takeru encouraging him, whilst Hades had a small gathering of girls giggling around him. Dionysus and Apollon were going against another group in a competitive game, meanwhile Balder and Thor had arrived, and joined Loki in the café. Everyone was so happy.

She didn't notice the guys standing beside her until one took her arm.

"Eh?" She said, jumping as they pulled her towards the door out into the alleyway. "Let…let go!" She cried, looking back at the room, unable to catch anyone's eye, and realising no one would hear her over the din of the arcade. It was daytime, but the alleyway looked dark, and the guy pulling her had an unsettling smirk.

"Calm down little one." He said, thrusting her out the door and slamming it shut behind him. There were three of them, and they blocked her escape route.

"What do you want?"

"We just want a little fun." He smirked, reaching out to touch her hair. She scowled and slapped his hand away.

"I don't know what you want but leave me alone."

"Ooooh, this ones got a temper." He said, grabbing her hand, and pulling her into him, making her yelp. Another guy grabbed her skirt, and she pulled away, trying to free herself, but they all closed in on her, tearing her top as they held onto a sleeve and she pulled away, and a seam ripping in part of her skirt.

"No, no stop, let me go!" She cried, beginning to panic, as one went to thrust his hand under her top, making her scream. Just then there was a loud bang as the door to the arcade was blasted open, and Takeru stood there, eyes burning as he stared at the assaulters.

"Let. Her. Go." He breathed, voice dangerous and quiet. They dropped Yui to the floor, and smirked, one of them pulling out a knife, but in seconds Takeru had tackled him, and thrown him against the alleyway wall. They other two leapt onto her companion, only to be thrown off, and for him to grab one and hurl him into the street where he crumpled against the opposite buildings wall. There were cries from where he had fallen as passer by's realised there was a fight going on, and Yui heard Apollon yell "YOUSEI SAN!" before appearing beside her. He took in her ripped clothes, and fearful expression, then stood in front of her with his back to her, beggining to glow.

"No, no you mustn't" She gasped, jumping up and holding onto him as he grabbed the last brute and knocked him unconscious, but as she held him, she felt something strange, almost like beneath her arms power was rippling against her, and flowing back into Apollon.

"Kusanagi." Takeru said, running over to her and pulled her close, clenching his arms around her, trapping Apollon as well. "Did…did they…"

"They didn't do anything." She said, clinging to him, still holding onto Apollon with one arm, trying to sound calm, but unable to stop shaking.

"Takeru, did you…" Tsukito was standing in the doorway, looking at the three of them.

"No, no one transformed." Apollon said, as Takeru released Yui.

"Good." Thor said, appearing behind him, "I think we should leave."

Yui nodded, and stumbled forwards, letting Takeru and Apollon catch her.

"I'm sorry." They said together, and she shook her head, trying to tell them it was okay, but unable to get the words out. They led her back to the street, and the rest of the group followed, Loki hanging back, leering at the three men, until Thor grabbed him and pulled him along with them. They all ended up in a coffee shop nearby, where the waitress immediately offered to ring the police. Yui was offered some clothes to change into, and followed the girl to the staff loos. When she came back, the gods were deep in discussion, but Apollon leapt up as he saw her.

"Are you okay Yousei san?"

"I'm…just shaken…I'm fine, really." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. The group stared at her uncertainly as she sat down amongst them, still shaking.

"Was it…" Takeru began, but Dionysus shook his head.

"No, just ordinary humans."

"I'm…I'm sorry." Apollon put his head in his hands, and clutched his hair. "I couldn't protect you…I was so distracted by enjoying myself…"

"Apollon sama…" Yui said, shocked, "…it wasn't your fault."

"But we let you out of our sights." Takeru said, looking away, "I'm still so weak. I'm…I can't…" He looked at Tsukito, who looked sombre, before staring at his lap. "I…We are meant to protect you, but we were more interested in having fun than…than…" He trailed off, and Yui heard Apollon mumble:

"It could have been so much worse…"

"Why…why would you need to protect me? What could have been worse?"

The gods looked at one another, apart from Apollon, who hand his head in his hands still.

"Apollon, please, look at me." She begged, and he turned to meet her eyes, his own swimming with worry and fear.

"Yousei san…there is something we haven't told you."

"Is now really the time?" Loki interjected.

"It is." Takeru said, "If we keep pretending nothing's different, if we keep treating this like a holiday, something bad will happen."

"Yui san…" Balder said, smiling at her, "the reason we came back is because Zeus said that your experience in the garden changed you. Your heart…is now like that of a god. You are not a full god, but you have an aspect…one that certain forces wish to possess. So we came here to protect you. And to help you develop that power. We don't know what it will mean…but we cannot afford to let you be in danger again."

Yui looked at them, all wearing grim expressions, and then back at Apollon.

"That doesn't mean you can't have any fun." It was strange. She had been so scared, but seeing them all this afraid made her realise that she had no reason to be frightened. "I trust you, all of you, I know you won't let anything bad happen to me, but you can't live only for the purpose of protecting me. I want to enjoy my time with you, and I want you to enjoy your time with me. That's what we always used to do." She smiled. "Why can't we do it again?" The boys all looked at one another, and Loki closed his eyes, folded his arms in front of him, and smirked.

"You never cease to amaze us. Even right after something so scary, you're still looking after us, eh? Koneko chan?"

The others all smiled, and Dionysus leant back, grinning. "No one told us to never have fun again."

"And we still have to go to school with Kusanagi Yui." Tsukito added.

"Yui san." Balder smiled. "Please keep looking after us."

"Yousei san…" Apollon looked at her with tear filled eyes, but finally he smiled. "You really are wonderful."

"Eh?" She blushed, and the others laughed.
"Ah, miss? The police are here!" The waitress said, interrupting their moment.

Outside, a figure watched Yui talk to the police, and the group stand behind her, also answering questions.

"Looks like the cat's out of the bag." He muttered, smiling gently, his sculpted face lit up by a streetlight, a clean white suit decorated with a red tie and shirt.

"Better get started then." Said a woman with a sing song voice, dressed in a slinky white dress, adorned with pink roses around the neck and shoulders that appeared to be bursting into bloom, and entwining themselves into her golden curls. She took his arm, and led him away into the crowd.

That night was a quiet dinner, though her parents fussed over her after Thor explained to them what happened. The group was less quiet than they had been before Yui had talked to them, but there was a definite drop in enthusiasm. Yui felt almost relieved to go to bed, changing into her pyjamas, and settling into bed. Placing an arm across her head, she sighed. She hadn't really had time to take in what had been said. Her? Get god powers? What would that mean? For her? Her family? The other gods? What would it change? Rolling over, she looked out her window and watched the moon.

"What do I do…?"

"Sleep?" Came a response from outside her window, making her jump.

"Who's out there?"

"Relax Koneko chan."

"…Loki?" She got up and crossed over to her window, where Loki was perched just below the sill. "What are you doing?"

"It's too stuffy inside." He said, putting his hands behind his head. "All the others are being all moody. I needed some air." He closed his eyes.

"But why are you outside my window?" Yui asked, leaning out so that she could look at him properly.

"It makes me feel better." He opened one eye to look at her, smirking. "Like I have a little kitty to protect."

Yui smiled, and giggled.

"Even when everyone is so down, you're always so happy." She said, turning and sitting down on the sill.

"That's because I enjoy life, and don't weigh myself down with missions, or logistics. I just sit back and do what's necessary."

"And what's that?"

He smiled at her, not a cheeky smile, not a mischievous one, and honest, pure smile.

"Making sure you're okay." Then he grinned, the innocent smile gone, and the sparkle back in his eyes, "Now get some sleep. Or do you want to come on a midnight run?"

"Ah? No, no, I'll sleep, thanks." She slid off the ledge, back into her bedroom, pausing briefly to watch him close his eyes again, before climbing back into bed. "Night night Loki."

"Night night Koneko chan."

She closed her eyes, and began to fall asleep, but then something occurred to her.

"Hey, Loki?"

"Hm?"

"Will you still be there in the morning?"

"Unless the roof gives out."

"Okay."

There was silence, then she heard him shifting.

"Why?"

"I just feel better knowing you're out there."

"…even though I did nothing to protect you today?"

Yui opened her eyes.

"You're the one staying outside my window all night just to make sure nothing bad happens again."

Loki chuckled. "You really are perceptive eh? Ko-ne-ko-chan." Then his tone softened. "Rest well."

Yui closed her eyes again, and fell into a peaceful sleep, with her guardian outside her window.