#yatoriweek

there hadn’t been any new submissions in a bit & had been getting questions about when I would start the next step, so I’m going ahead and starting it today!

Please vote for your favorite Yatori Week 2020 themes!

@yatori-week-2018 Day 7- Freestyle Short Drabble and because I felt like adding pics/gifs lol.  Credit to all the wonderful gif makers out there! 

Yato felt the anguish right alongside his old friend Kazuma, watching the heartache through a new lens. Because for the first time in his long life, he too had someone he treasured more than anything.  A girl split between their worlds by choice or maybe… could fate have designed their crossing paths?  The one perfect match for a God, born with the powers to inhabit both the spirit and human worlds just so happened to run into each other on that street.  Of course, it could all be a mere coincidence and the Goddess Benzaiten, had not intervened. But by this point, the reasons didn’t matter anymore, because whether it by destiny or chance, there could be no turning back the clock in their hearts.      

It was only natural that they fell in love, for what is a Soulmate but the one who saw you, accepted you, believed in you before any other.  Who would stand by your side through thick or thin, for better or for worst.  Be the first to put you in your place, and the first to stand you back up again.  To inspire you to be the better person they know resides deep inside, with all the faith that anyone could ever provide and more. They are the driving forces behind all the crazy things one will do to protect that love from any harm, and by the Heaven’s, Yato would not rest until everything he, they cherished was finally safe and sound…

She looked up from where she lay prone at the bottom of the hill to see him standing like a warrior samurai of olden lore with Sekki displayed in all its blessed glory. Donned in a tattered blue yukata, his hair tied back in a short pony, gently swaying in the breeze along with the final smoky vestiges of Heaven’s battle behind him.  Her breathing stills as the seconds tick by and moisture slowly pooled in her eyes for, Yato lived!  The one thought to be his only lifeline was lying dead at his feet, but Yato was still alive!

All the emotional turmoil that led up to this very moment now wrap the young girl within its confines and give her permission to let go.  Pooled tears spilling over their banks as the waves surge forth, joy and happiness, relief and exhaustion, Hiyori released all that she had pent up in her efforts to stay strong for her God…  her love.  She didn’t care who saw the breakdown, simply relishing in the pure bliss that, it was over!

It was her chin being lifted that finally slow her sobs, to open her lids as her Wisteria hues crash against ole’ baby blue eyes, only to close them once more when she throws herself into his arms and sinks into his embrace.  His name is spilled from her lips in repetition whilst she clutches to the remnants of his robe.  All he can do is simply comfort the young woman with tender circles upon her back and soothing rumblings in her ear as his heart soars ten-fold in its love.  

“Hiyori, it’s okay, shhh, it’s over, Father can’t hurt us anymore.”

“I-I’m just glad, you’re still here Yato.  I—I couldn’t bear the thought if we’d lost you.”

He caresses her cheek with a loving adoration, but his eyes flash in a moment of jest, “I had faith that you wouldn’t get rid of me so easily.”  

“Oof!” she slaps his chest, “I didn’t want to see you get reborn you idiot!”  Her cheeks flaring in a candied apple red while her eyes sweep towards the ground in embarassment, “I wanted to keep you how you are now…”

“I had hoped you felt that way.”  The sudden serious tone from the usually comedic man takes Hiyori off guard.  Her eyes expand as Yato tips her chin up, and with an amorous smile, “you were my strength Hiyori,” their faces slowly moving closer and eyes drifting shut, “You gave me a reason to return safe and sound…  to the one I love.”

@yatori-week-2018

Words: 2162

Note: Honestly romance is not my strongest, but I do hope this came out okay. Please enjoy the read! I tried to make it as cute as I could. 

"Hey, Hiyori" 

   She felt her body jump back against the wall. She grabbed a hold of her chest as her heart beat fast. A second ago it was quiet in her room. There was nothing to disturb her. So to suddenly hear a voice come from no where, it startled her. His eyes shined brightly as he looked at her. She immediately looked away and glanced over at her bright phone screen. It was early in the morning, on her day off of school. She didn't know what to do. Ask how he got in? Or ask him what he wanted? He seemed so happy, she couldn't possibly ruin that for him. He sat at the end of her bed as she pushed herself more into a sitting stance. He looked like a puppy who was waiting so patiently for her.

"Good morning Yato"

"I'm glad you're awake"

"Yeah....is everything okay?"

"I had a dream"

"A...dream" she couldn't help, but to sound very unamused.

"Well it was more like an old happy memory" he looked down at the floor. She noticed his face began to turn slightly red. "I wanted to ask you something"

"Okay"

"Will you go somewhere with me today?"

"Where do you want to go?"

"I want it to be a surprise"

"Yato..."

"Just get dress, alright? Trust me"

     She got up and headed to the bathroom. She got herself ready within an hour. A happy memory, she thought to herself. What memory? She looked at the date on her phone. It seemed familiar, but no matter how hard she tried nothing came to mind. As soon as she walked into her bedroom her sight was covered. A rag was tightly wrapped around her eyes. It smelled good, it smelled like Yato. For a split second her body had  relaxed. The rag was taken off as soon as it was put on. The sun blinded her, she began to rub her eyes before being able to see anything. 

"WE'RE HERE!" Yato let out with excitement. 

     After she adjusted her eyes, she saw children run past her. More and more began to show, she couldn't understand how she didn't hear them before. She looked up and froze. There once again she stared at the sign she had grown to despise. The large letters cursed at her. As an instinct she stepped back and hit something, she had ran into Yatos chest. He smiled down at her, but his eyes showed concern and sadness. 

"Take me home" she said calmly. 

"It's been exactly a year"

"What...?"

"We came here, exactly one year ago" he said staying up at the entrance sign. 

"Oh" 

"You told me you wanted to stay with me a little more" he watched as Hiyoris face heated up. Her cheeks became red and she looked away. "That was kind of interrupted. Anyway, I know you didn't really enjoy yourself last time we came" she looked at him with shock and apology.

     She never wanted him to feel that way. She hoped he wouldn't notice, but of course he did. There's no way he wouldn't have. She felt like a brat that day. She thought she had ruined everything. 

"And that's a happy memory to you?" She questioned. 

"Totally! Any moment with you in it is always a happy memory..." She could feel the burn from his stare. "I want to make up for it" he sounded so sincere.

"Make up for what?"

"For the last time we came here. So...it's just us this time"

"I'm sorry" she shuck her head. "I don't think I can" She began to walk away.

"WAWAH-WAIT, how about a deal?"

"A deal...what kind of deal?"

"If you don't enjoy yourself today...then we'll never come here again. I'll stop forcing you"

"Hmm, what's the catch?"

"Just try to enjoy yourself. Don't think of anything else. Of the last time, of my stupid dad. It's just you and me"

"But you love this place.."

"Not as much..." Yato stopped himself and cleared his throat. "This place isn't as important as you"

"You're willing to give it up"

"I am"

"All because of me?"

"Hiyori" he gave her his giant grin. A grin that made her tug at her heart. "I'll do anything for you"

    She knew he wasn't lying. He's proven himself many times already. She could do this little thing for him at least. There's no reason that any of this should be hard. It was still too early for the place to be filled of children. The laughter of the few who were there filled softly around them. It was a lively spring day, bright blue skies and soft breeze. She glanced over at Yato who looked deeply concentrated on the map in his hands. She browsed around at the other people who were here. Some were obvious parents with happy small children. Others appeared to be college students or some even high school students. She watched as most girls cling onto the boys arms, or the ones who came in holding each others hands. Then there were the boys, the ones that smiled down at them. The others who retorted and planted kisses on them. The surrounding leaked an aura of couples. It was a fast decision for Hiyori to ignore what she had noticed. Still she couldn't help but wonder if she and Yato looked anything like the people around them. Was this a date? or was Yato really just trying to make up for his mistakes. It has been a year, just like Yato had stated and of all things he had to have a dream about, it was those words. She was dragged along to each and every ride by him. Hiyori couldn't help noticing how happy he was. There was no way she could make him give up on a place like this. A place that he always dreamed of, a place full of joy. He agreed, he was a child when it came to this place, but it was definitely a part of his charm. The day had passed so quickly as she noticed the evening sky. It was beautiful, full of clouds but still so clear.

"Hiyori, come sit over here" Yato waved from the tree on the hill.

       She reached the tree over the hill and released a small gasp in surprise. There was a clean picnic blanket on the ground, a light brown basket and flowers. This was unexpected, nothing she ever thought she would see. With the scenery of the park being taken in my the evening sky, it was breath taking. Yato moved passed her and sat down, his eyes stared out into the distance. He seemed deep in thought and a bit sad. He smiled gently, but it looked like he wanted to cry. Everything before her was great, but the thing that was the most beautiful was him. Hiyori slowly walked towards him, it might have appeared like she was afraid. Afraid of breaking his thoughts, of shattering the way his eyes shined. They illuminated from the slow darkness that was creeping on them as the day turned into night.

"You can sit down" he smiled up at her.

    Hiyoris eyes widen at the gesture. Her face heated and heart raced, what was this? She questioned. Sitting beside him, she kept her eyes forward, looking at the scene.

"I made these, of course if they taste good or not, I'm not entirely sure" 

   Hiyori took the sandwich in her hand. It looked fine, she thought as she began to looked through the box. There's no way they could eat that. Why did he make so many. Then she saw a special wrapped one. She took it out quickly as Yato took out the drinks. Underneath the wrap there was a note from Yukine. He pleaded that she eat this specific sandwich. He didn't want her dying from Yatos food. Hiyori couldn't help but laugh. 

"What? Is something funny? Did I miss something?

"Oh, no" she laughed out. "It was nothing, really"

"If you say so. Anyway, try the sandwich, I got you some water too"

"Yato you didn't have to do this"

"I know, but I wanted to"

"Why?"

"Well... because you've done so much for me. I uhhh, wanted to express my gratitude"

"Really?"

"Yeah"

   She looked away quickly as her heart pounded. He looked at her from a side glance, with soft eyes and a warm smile. She hadn't calmed down from before, she was certain her face was red this time. She took a bite from the sandwich Yukine had prepaid for her. She kept eating, this was to keep them from talking. Minutes passed until the silence became awkward. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. There he was again, thinking about something.

"So much has happened in a year" he said with a low voice.

"Yeah..."

"Every time I think back at it, I always see you" his cheeks were flushed pink as he spoke. "You've never left my side" As he turned to look at her, his face flushed even harder. Both of them stared into each others eyes, neither of them moving from how close they were. "Thank you, Hiyori" He continued as he stared deeply.

"You don't need to thank me, Yato" 

"But I do, I really do...If it wasn't for you, I don't know where I would be right now. As long as one person believes in me, that's all I need. You always believed in me. I know I'm not the best, and even doing this I feel isn't enough. Hiyori, I promise, I will make you the most happiest girl in the world"

"Ya-Yato" She let out in shock as she coughed from her water.

        All of this was too much for her to take in. Hearing these words made her chest tighten. As she looked at him, she felt like she wanted to cry. His genuine words, his honest smile and his clear stare, did she deserve this? She didn't move as Yato slowly placed his hand on her cheek. The feeling of his touch was warm, and his smell had become stronger as he moved closer. His hands were soft, and she noticed the sweating Yukine always complained about. They shuck and sweat with anxiety, she understood completely. Hiyori didn't know what to do, she didn't know what to say. The moment moved in slow motion. The cool breeze that hit the both of them. The way Yatos hair moved towards one side. His soft, clear, pale skin, his black hair with purple tint. It was as if in this moment she was seeing him for the first time. His eyes that were the brightest blue she had ever seen. Definitely something that showed how out of this world he was. She breathed in means to keep herself calm. She breathed in his smell, her favorite smell. Before she knew it their lips touched. All her doubt had managed to disappear as they kiss upon this hill. They backed away from each other, and she was confused as Yato panicked and looked away. He had moved his hand up to his lips and began to chuckle. She couldn't make out the words he was mumbling to himself. The scene reminded her of how he used to day dream and laugh out of nowhere. Was he panicked? or was he celebrating to himself? She tapped his shoulder and smiled as Yato turned to her with a red face.

"We should get going" He stood up from the blanket. Grabbing a hold of his hand he pulled Hiyori up to her feet. 

"Where are we going?" 

"I'm taking you home"

"But it's almost time for the..."

"I won't make you go this time" He cut her off. "I can just teleport you, so there's no worry about you getting home too late"

"Yato, wait"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot, did you have fun?"

"Oh..." She couldn't believe that she had forgotten about the deal they made this morning. His face looked at her hurt, but prepared for her answer. "I did have fun" She said, but her face showed something else.

"Hm? Is something wrong?"

"I want to go"

        She wanted to make it up to him. To give him what he had always wanted. It was time to let things go. Replace the bad memories with some good. Because in all honestly she had always wanted to watch the fireworks with Yato.

"Yeah, okay...let's get you home"

"No, I want to stay with you a little more...I want to watch the fireworks with you, Yato" his eyes widen in shock, but it didn't stop him from grabbing a hold of her hands. He leaned in towards her and smiled.

Yatori Week: Day 1

YatoriWeek 2017

Day 2: Family/Angst

I haven’t gotten an answer as of yet if the same people intended to run it this year as last year

but if I were to take over this upcoming year, would everyone prefer late April or mid to late June? I don’t want to impose on kazubisha week or overwhelm people who want to participate in both so I want to make sure there’s plenty of time between them.

Yatori Week 2020 Day: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Day 2: Reunion / Fate