Tokyo Ravens - Volume 9 - Chapter 2.1

Chapter 2 - In the night 
Part 1 
It was said to be an ancient 'family tradition'. 
As a branch family member, she would become the shikigami of a main family member. 
"So you're my shikigami!" 
He didn't know whether she understood the meaning of 'shikigami', but the main family son proclaimed this with an unreliable appearance. But he didn't understand the meaning of 'shikigami' either. Hence, after she asked about its meaning, his expression immediately soured and he felt a big headache. 
"Uh...... whatever. Anyway, you're coming to my home. You just need to listen to what I say. In return, I'll protect you." 
He had truly kept that promise. He would always protect her if someone scorned her. If she were bullied, he would definitely come running to help. It was the master's responsibility to protect the shikigami. He had said that, consoling her crying self and always staying with her. He was always by her side. 
She was very happy. 
It was her first time knowing this kind of happiness. 
She also wanted to do something for him. She wanted to help him. She felt this from the bottom of her heart. 
Then, those feelings ended up becoming an unshakeable loyalty. New light came to her 'life' through her self-dedication. 

"No way!?" 
Tsuchimikado Chizuru was furious, as if electricity were flowing through her body. 
But her fury was basically filled with despair, pain, and deep regret. 
"Natsume-chan died? Don't be ridiculous! Such - Such a thing!?" 
Chizuru grabbed the collar of the main family head Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi and mercilessly yanked up. Yasuzumi didn't display any resistance either, willingly enduring Chizuru's anger. 
Tsuchimikado Takahiro put his hands on Chizuru's shoulders from behind her, getting his wife to calm down. Suddenly, strength receded from Chizuru's hands that grabbed Yasuzumi. Chizuru let Yasuzumi go, burying her face in her husband's chest and starting to cry. 
"......I knew it." 

She sobbed. 
"I knew we shouldn't have given away the Raven's Wing. We shouldn't have given it away, no matter what happened to us......!" 
Chizuru's sobbing resounded through his chest, and Takahiro stroked his wife's shoulders with a solemn face. 
"Are you certain?" 
He confirmed this of Yasuzumi and Yasuzumi nodded bitterly. 
"Her star has vanished, but--" 
Yasuzumi still wanted to say something, negating himself with a 'but'. 
"At least I can't see it. I can only think of what has happened...... But, no. Natsume's life has indeed ended. I fear that is doubtless." 
He sounded poignant from the remorse wracking his body. As the master of his shikigami identity and his old friend from childhood, his pain was also deeply conveyed to Takahiro. But Takahiro understood and watched that pain and remorse. 
Of course, Yasuzumi wasn't the only one feeling anguished. Chizuru and Takahiro were the same. He didn't have the right to pretend to be feeling sad like this in the first place. 
Maybe Yasuzumi planned on taking responsibility for all of the sin alone, but such a thing wouldn't be allowed. After all, this was a sin that the three of them ought to bear together. 
"......I know about Natsume. But what about Harutora? How's that kid right now?" 
The crying Chizuru came back to her senses as if waking from a dream after her husband brought this up. "I don't know." Yasuzumi said with no reservations. 
"A strength whose stars I cannot read has been added to the Onmyou Agency. I fear it is the Yase Doji. It looks like the Souma have also come out of their long time of hiding. We... were a step late." 
Yasuzumi was an excellent 'diviner'. However, the strength of 'divining' wasn't an omnipotent prediction ability that allowed him to clearly see the future. Rather, if he erred in the process, there was the possibility that he would obtain an inaccurate impression of the future. It was a double-edged sword. Ultimately, it had been he who decided how to advance in that moment. He could only continue moving forward. 
"Anyway, to Tokyo. Make your preparations, the two of you." 
Yasuzumi instructed them this, and Takahiro nodded. They had escaped the eyes and ears of the Onmyou Agency and hidden in a city outside Tokyo. After all, the incident of the attack on the main family residence had happened the night before. He hadn't been able to anticipate things moving this far. Even if they departed for Tokyo now, it was uncertain whether they would be able to arrive before dawn. 
Perhaps realizing Takahiro's worries, Yasuzumi spoke sternly. 
"All we can do now is trust in Harutora's guard."