Kogi no Arashi

….

AN: I haven't written in the longest time, but the Nurarihiyon No Mago kinda drove me crazy how it ended, especially since it teased the cannon Tsurara x Rikuo. Uhgghh. So much tease.

O wanted more. But I wasn't satisfied by what I've read in fanfics so far – not quality, they were all by great writers. But they still left me wanting more. So, without further ado… may or may not feature dark Rikuo (depends on my mood) but definitely a TsuRik fic.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Seriously, poor person D: Also, I…. don't know much about Japanese culture, so please forgive me if I get something wrong.

Summary: A Yokai has been sent by the Gods to Rikuo and his legendary Hyakki Yako for 'training' after a unfortunate run in with the Paranormal Investigation Squad. What is about the Masters personal bodyguard's Fear that has the stranger so transfixed on her. Why is the sun getting so dark?

….

What was it about the Yuki-On'na that made them so beautifully dangerous?

Summer. It made things difficult for everyone in the Nura main house. The heat itself wasn't so bad, but rather the thick, heavy air that seemed the cling to everything that moved. It was the type of heat that made the clothing stick to the skin without sweat. Above, storm clouds rumbled angrily at the world, tense with pressure, waiting impatiently for the right time to burst. Thunder rolled across the sky. Below, Rikuo Nura stretched himself out against the wall, one leg kicked out, the other pulled back up, his feet braced against the hard wood flooring. His head was arched back, braced against the wall- it was too humid to do anything but relax. Or at least, try to relax. He groaned darkly, tugging at his dark grey Haori in frustration

"Hurry up and raaaaaiiin."

It had been three years since Seimei had been defeated. At sixteen, Rikuo Nura had begun to finally grow into a young man. Or at least, his human side of him had started to fill out. He stood at 5'9" and was still growing. Rich, dark brown hair with almost ebony undertones was tied back messily at the back of his neck, and, when loose, sat just below his shoulders. It framed a face that, although handsome, was lined with the tiredness of the world. Chocolate eyes, pale lips, calloused hands, fingertips slightly stained by handling tobacco – an unfortunate habit that his Yokai personality had picked up from his Grandfather. There was a faded scar that was etched down the left side of his face, a reminder that not even a supposed god could not hope to stand against the Lord of Pandemonium.

Out of the corner of his eye, Rikuo could see his private bodyguard, and personal aid, Tsurara Oikawa attending to collecting the washing before the Heavens broke open. Like Rikuo, the Yuki-Onna had too matured. Unlike him, she didn't show the stressed signs of leadership, but her long, silky hair was slowly becoming more like snow with each passing month, with only the barest touches of black remaining on the tips and the underlayers of her hair. She remained true to the Yuki-On'na traditions, dressed in the soft white kimono with an almost translucent layer of light blue silk. She was stunning to behold, but that was part of her Yokai heritage. Rikuo, well at this age, he couldn't help but notice all those womanly curves. Really, he made a point not to stare, His Yuki-On'na was a bit sensitive.

Large amber eyes caught him looking over, and she smiled broadly, a light tinge of red coming to her pale cheeks. "Young Master!" Tsurara chimed, waving to him happily. The brunette chuckled softly to himself, and waved casually, lazily back to her. She beamed, before returning to her duties at hand. He relaxed back, letting out a long sigh, watching the sun set over the temples walls. There was the soft chatter of the Kodama that were scattered around the Sakura tree, lead by Sannokuchi, the small, white nature spirit Yokai awaited the eventual downpour.

It had been the longest of days. School was becoming troublesome. More notably, the Paranormal Investigation Squad was driving Rikuo up the wall. When he was younger, he enjoyed the opportunity to find and cull out or reqruit the odd free Yokai. Lately though, protecting Kiyotsugu and the gang had became a full time job. What was worse, despite Rikuos constant efforts to bring the Yokai and Human world closer together, instead of helping, he found that the constant prodding of the club was beginning to really get on the local Yokai's nerves. Many of them were harmless, scare mongering innocent bystanders for a bit of fun, keeping their Fear intact whilst trying to live normal lives within the Nura's Yakuza's rule. Having a bunch of nosy teenagers show up, fearlessly treading over their haunts and then being punished for trying to run them off? It didn't really do well with Rikuo's reputation. This household was as much of a business as it was a safe haven of Yokai. They were supposed to be protecting their underlings, not threatening them because of rowdy humans.

But try telling that to Kiyotsugu-san and Ienaga-san. They both had this belief that they were under the protection of the Lord of Pandemonium. Which they were, technically. Rikuo was afraid though, that one day, he would have to choose between the lives of his human friends, and that of the many denizens under his command.

Today, though… Today. By Kami, the burns that Yokai left on him would stay with him forever.

"You need to leave!"

She looked like someone from the Bakeneko clan. Slender, tailed with soft, duel cat-like tails, high pointed ears sticking from the top of what he thought was blonde hair, she flinched away from them the moment that they spotted them, as terrified of them as the humans seemed to be of her. The building, a burnt out temple in isolated Kanto outskirts, had been infamous for bursting into fire regularly, scaring locals, but only lasting for several seconds. It was said that if you looked at itat a certain angle, you could see the fire, forever burning. At other angles, it was beautiful, untouched, perfect.

Rikuo had seen it. In her eyes, he saw the constant burning, the rebirth, it was pain, fear, knowing and wisdom. She bore fangs at them, hissed and spat like a wild animal. More so, like a wild cat.

Kana was screaming as the building suddenly burst alight around them. Kiyotsugu.. Well, Rikuo has to give him props. The man would not give up, begging the Yokai to come and 'talk to them', even while world came down around their ears. Rikuo tried to push past the flames, but they were defensive, creating almost solid walls of flames everytime he tried to reach the Yokai. There was no direct attack, instead, the Yokai danced away from him, crying, begging-

"Leave!"

It was Tsurara that got them out. The fire was no match for the sub-zero temperatures of the ice goddess. At one moment, he could feel the fire suffocating him, even in the form of his Yokai, it had gone beyond the problem of just Fear. The enemy had retreated to the end room, everything was on fire. Then, suddenly, as Rikuo felt his blade cut through a flaming pillar that was threatening to squash their lives to dust, a burst of ice seemed to encase everything, gripping the falling walls, glittering with dying fire. Even the heat seemed to instantly dissipated, broken by extreme cold. Through the sheer blade like icicles, Rikuo could see her.

The Yokai stared back at them. More accurately, at the Yuki-On'na, in shock, her mouth hanging open a little. Then, with a screech, she tore away through the house. Escaping.

In the past year, the Yuki-On'na had truly grown into her power. It had surprised Rikuo how easily she had completely whipped out such a versatile defence. But they the two demons were mismatched. Fire was just as weak against ice as ice was weak against fire. The entire area had been frozen when they all eventually piled out. There was no trace of the fire elemental.

It had taken Zen two hours to patch them all up. By the time the storm had rolled in the late afternoon, the Master of the Yokai had had enough, sending the entirety of the Paranormal Squad home with a stern warning – "No more."

"Master?" Tsurara's voice broke through to his train of thought and brought him back to reality. He glanced up to her, and smiled lightly in acknowledgement. She bowed, but only slightly, formality long since abolished between the two. "Dinner is ready, Master Rikuo-sama."

He cocked his head at her. "Did you cook it, Tsurara?" She nodded happily, beaming at him with enthusiasm. "Oh good! It'll be nice and cold!"

The ice Yokai made a face at him as he got to his feet, muttering under her breath as she fell into his step, walking just behind him. Rikuo chuckled lightly, tucking his hands lightly into his Haori as they idly walked towards the main room, where others of the Nura Clan would be already gathering for the meal. Oikawa separated from his side as he went to the master seat, sitting down beside his grandfather casually. Moments later, Tsurara appeared by his side, kneeling down to his left and placing a bowel full of cool miso noodles with a variety of summer vegetables and warm lightly spiced beef strips. The delicious smell made his mouth water. A glance to his side told Rikuo that he was the only one to receive such a meal, his grandfather having received a meal of Yakizakana over simple rice, served by Kejoro. Tsurara has personalized his meal.

A bottle of sake appeared before him, before the Yuki- On'na disappeared to take her place amongst the others. There was a general, relaxed chatter and laughter of a clan that had fallen into the ease of peace and prosperity that Rikuos victory over the Nue had brought them. Outside, he could hear the rain began to fall, signalling the end of the heat. Despite the events of early this morning, Rikuo relaxed back with a sigh, finding himself enjoying the company around of his clan more and more as he became older.

The evening wore on. At some point, he had found himself in his night form, signalling the end of the day, more importantly, the end of the week. There was a celebration planned for tomorrow, his seventeenth birthday was to be on Nichiyobi night, the last day of the weekend, but already he could tell that his clansmen were making it an excuse to start drinking early, many of them already intoxicated on home-made sake – a enterprise that had started thanks to the alliance with the Young Head Dassai Kawase in Yamaguchi.

A slight haze come over Rikuo mind as the sake slowly took effect. He spent most the night discussing the new trading treaties that Hagoromo Gitsune was bringing to them – they too, under Rikuo's subtle influence, found that the Fear was growing more from gaining notoriety as a kind of Yakuza within the capital then simply scaring, or killing people.

"It's really not that bad of a offer," Rikuo mused, watching Tsurara present him with a fresh bottle of sake. A smirk formed on his lips, and he reached across, tugging the Yuki-On'na down against his side and leaning against her, making her give a tiny squeal, much to his delight. "Considering they have to deal with Yura-chan and Ryuji-sama disrupting their growth within the capital. Weapon shipments is their best commodity, and anyway, Old Man, it's not like we have a black-smithy here. Tsurara, sit still, woman."

"Master! You're drunk!"

Nurarihyon sighed softly. "Just seems like we're getting the raw end of the deal." He lightly tapped out his tobacco ash, beginning to pack it again. "Maybe we need to look into finding an ayakashi weapons master. "

"Ehhh." Rikuo shrugged carelessly, holding the squirming Yuki-On'na against him still, offering her his cup. "That sounds like so much work."

His grandfather glanced at him sidewards and grinned mischieviously. "You're getting lazy in your old age."

Rikuo shot him a glare. "Oi, oi, oi." He growled, leaning over to tower over the old Supreme Commander. "Who yer calling old, Gramps?"

"My Lord Rikuo?"

"You can barely heft a blade anymore, you sneaky theif." Rikuo snapped back at his Grandfather, earning a yell of annoyance from him.

"Err… Young Master?"

"You're too busy gallivanting with that weak human woman to find yourself a proper wife!" Nura growled back to him. "If you're gonna follow in my footsteps, at least find a human with some power behind her!"

"Do you really think-"

"MASTER!" Sasami and Kuromaru yelled together, shocking the two out of their fight. Rikuo turned, glaring daggers at the Sanba Garasu, frustrated that they had interrupted his argument with his grandfather – an argument that seemed to happen whenever the two were drinking in the same room.

"What is it, you three?" The young Lord grumbled, placing his hand on Tsurara's head, who had finally given in to his man-handling.

The two siblings glanced at each other nervously. "Master, we have visitors." Kuromaru said frankly, his tone annoyed, as if his Master should have already realised this.

It was at this point that Rikuo had noticed the sudden quiet din in the room. He glanced about, frowning darkly at his clan members. Suddenly, with a soft whoosh of wings, the three Sanba Garasu siblings stood to the side, revealing two new comers.

The very air seemed to escape him.

The woman seemed to be impossibly tall. Her skin was like exquisite porcelain, white as snow, except where it was broken by swirls of what he could compare to liquid gold on her exposed collar bone. She wore the traditional kimono that would be pure white if not for the inner material being of the darkest red, the trimmings looking like the same gold of her markings. Her face was breathtaking, high cheek bones, eyes of molten gold slanted into a look of aloofness that reminded Rikuo of royalty. Ebony hair like black water flowed down her back, falling just short of her lower back. At her back, a large, golden disc rotated, breaking apart for moments at a time before repairing itself in a swirl of light over and over again.

"Mother!" A small, anguished cry came from the woman's feet and it was only then that time did Rikuo see the other girl, forced into a kneeling position at the Goddess' feet. His dark eyes widened with recognition. It was the Yokai from the burning house.

Although pretty, compared to her 'mother', the woman was dull. He could have sworn she had been blonde in the house, rather, she had long, snow white hair with thick strands of the molten gold mixed through it. She too, had the same gold markings on her body, but not as prominent. Her skin was pale, but only as normal standards. He wasn't wrong when he saw the two long tails, but they reminded him of Hagoromo Gitsunes tails, just with white fur marked with gold swirls rather than the creamy pelt. The other Yokai had her by her ear, holding her in a submissive stance.

"Mother, this is not dignified." She cried pathetically, pawing at the womans hands helplessly. "They came to my home! What was I-"

"Hush, Kasai no Koneko." The woman said simply. Her voice sounded like a million wolves howling, surreal. Those golden eyes looked up, dancing between the two men upon the seat of power. "Which of you is the so-called Lord of the Nura clan Hyakki Yako?"

"Oi," Rikuo swallowed, unnerved by the sheer beauty of this woman in front of him. He gently manoeuvred Tsurara from his lap, smiling an apology her way before getting to his feet. "I am Lord Rikuo Nura, of the Nurarihyon, leader of the Nura clans Hyakki Yako." Behind him, he felt the Yuki-On'na get to her feet and stand by his back, ready should he need to call on her fear. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?"

Eyes of the burning sun turned on him, narrowing for a moment as the Yokai looked him up and down. "I am Amaterasu-omikami." She said simply. Rikuo stammered eyes widened, and there was a sharp gasp from the woman at his back. Around him, he could hear his fellow Nura clansmen chatter in shock.

The Goddess of the Sun, the Artist of the World itself, stood before their leader. No one had ever heard of this before.

She glanced around the room carelessly, as if bored of being here. "I see that you know my name."

Slowly, unsure of himself even in his Night form, Rikuo gave a small bow to the deity before him. There was a sigh around the room as one-by-one, every single Yokai bowed before her, falling silent. Beside him, Tsurara moved her knees, bowing low along with the rest of them. Behind him, even his Grandfather gave the smallest of bows, not used to showing respect. "Yes, my Lady. I am well aware who you are." Rikuo straightened up, looking her directly in the eyes. "May I ask, to what do I deserve this honour?"

"Little shadow." Amaterasu smiled warmly down to him, before loosely tossing the Yokai that she had been holding to the ground by his feet like she was a ragdoll. "My pup has transgressed against you, I believe." She purred lightly, amused as the white-gold haired girl scrambled to regain her composure. "But even worst, she lost control of her Fear. I gave her life for a specific reason, and to lose her track of her flames like this.." The Goddess clicked her tongue impatiently, the very picture of a disappointed mother.

Rikuo glanced down to the cowering Yokai, thoroughly confused. "I.." He scratched his head lightly, glancing back to his grandfather, who shrugged, just as unsure as he was. He turned back to see that the Goddess had pulled a frightened Zen up within the few moments he had been distracted. "I don't understand, my Lady Amaterasu."

"Hmm?" She had turned the fragile Bird Yokai about to stand infront of her. Rikuo made a face at his childhood friend, who looked like he was about to die from being so close to the Sun Goddess. She appeared to have a very short attention span. "Oh! Yes. The ice creature beside you. Yes, you girly."

Tsurara squeaked, and looked up to the Goddess who smiled once more. "You have a certain power that I need my daughter to learn. In the mean time…" There was a soft scream from Zen as the Goddess grabbed him on the butt, making him dash away from her, coughing blood from stress. Kejuro quickly went to his side, ready to help. "I suggest you prepare yourself and your Hyakki-Yako for what's to come."

There was a low whine from the girl at Rikuo's feet. "Mother, I don't want to do this. It's stupid. Tsukuyomi's vassel is a brute with no brains."

Amaterasu laughed heartedly, walking over to her child and scruffing her hair with a smile. "You will need to, child. He will kill you and Tsukuyomi will win. I can't lose to that blundering fool of a brother. He can barely keep the seas in check. How do you think the world would cope in darkness for the next decade?"

"Wait, wait." Rikuo threw up his hands, still completely confused. "What am I preparing for? What do you mean, a decade of darkness?"

"Ah, well, yes." Amaterasu giggled a little, bending down so she could look at the mortal in the eyes, beaming. Rikuo stared at her. She looked like a wolf stalking her pray when she smiled like that. "You see, my brother and I have our… issues. Every so often, things get a bit heated and words are said. So a bargan was made. My daughter verses his son. Neither of them will recognise each other. However…" She leaned down and pulled her daughter to her feet by the hair, winking at Rikuo flirtatiously. "You can say I am cheating, just a little."

Her daughter struggled against the deities grip once more, grumbling. Amaterasu nodded at Rikuo sagely. "You see, the boy is stupid. He seeks to control a lot more then what his daddy wants him too. He will come for you, my little shadow sneak."

She let go of the girl, leaving her hand on her hair, golden eyes on Rikuo. "Theres a war coming, handsome. Whether you like it or not, that stupid boy is going to come after you before he even thinks to find my little Kasai no Koneko here."

Rikuo stiffened under her gaze, meeting it defiantly despite how intense it was. A war. So it was true. The gods did find amusement in the lives of the mortal. Even that of Yokai's. The very thought make his stomach twist in anger, and he could feel his blood boiling, Fear leaking from his very form. Beside him, his attendant moved to stand at his side, murmuring his name softly. He glanced to her for a moment, before returning his gaze to the Goddess.

"He can try to take this throne." Rikuo growled softly He will fail."

The Goddess clapped happily, beaming widely. "Good! Good. I hope you keep that anger, shadow sneak. You will need it! Now! Kasai no Kon-"

"Momma, don't call me that." Kasai complained, pouting like a child. "Don't leave me here with these demons."

"Nonsence, Kasai!" Amaterasu cheered, turning the girl to face her. "You be a good girl, and do your mother proud. Learn that ice Yokai's Fear, and you should be fine. The brute won't know what hit him."

Gold eyes turned to Rikuo once again, grinning widely. "Win this war, and you will be greatly rewarded, O Lord of Pandemonium. My daughter will be your guide. Play dirty. I like it dirty-"

"Oh Izanami, save me." Kasai let out a cry, dragging her hands down her face in frustration. Rikuo found himself slightly worrying about the sanity of the Gods that once ruled Japan, and shared a panicked glance with his Grandfather.

There was a giggle. Suddenly, light exploded from the Goddess, blinding everyone in a flash of colour. There was yelling, and mass confusion as the light pulsated powerfully throughout the room, then concentrating into what almost look like a giant hound. It howled, and charged. Rikuo gasped desperately, gripping at Tsurara arm for support as the energy rushed through his form. The power that he felt was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He felt the world crushing him, the very wind dragging him forcibly to his feet. What felt like lava kissed his lips, a storm taking his breath and swallowing it whole. He was tasted, laughter of the Goddess reverting through his eardrums like a clash of thunder. There was a whisper, but amongst all the noise. And then suddenly, she was gone.

He staggered backwards. Somewhere in the distance he heard Yokai yelling his name. Slowly, the light began to fade, and the drumming in his ears slowed down to the soft thumb of his heartbeat. Cold hands gripped at him, shaking him back into reality.

"Master Rikuo!" Tsurara was screaming, tears streaming down her face, fear etched in her voice. "Master Rikuo!"

"Oh, be quiet, Ice Maiden." He could hear the Kasai grumble crankily somewhere to his right. "Mother was just playing with him. He will be fine."

He felt a shift in the Yuki-On'na Fear as she rounded on the Fire Yokai. "You! What did the woman do to my Master?! I swear-"

Rikuo placed his hand on Tsurara's head, silencing her without a word. The entire room fell quiet as the man looked around, his head still pounding from what had transpired. "I think… we've had enough sake for the night." He said in a gentle, matter of fact tone, the statement earning some chuckles from a few Yokai. "Tomorrow, I would like the my Hyakki-Yako to meet me in the War room." He glanced at Kejoro has she moved to leave. "Kejoro-san, take Kasai no Koneko and give her a room-"

"WAIT!" The fire Yokai yelped, panicking as the long haired brunette beauty began pulling her from the room. "You can't just order me around!"

Rikuo turned a steely gaze on her, and she flinched away from him, making the corner of his mouth twitch. If this is what was supposed to stop a war that was well out of control before it even started, then they had very little hope. "Do you obey the Sun Goddess?" He questioned her coldly. Kasai opened her mouth to argue, but slumped back in defeat. Rikuo smirked lightly. At least she was easy enough to handle. "Then you will obey me. The Lady of the Sun entrusted you to me. Your life is mine. Kejoro, Kubinashi. Take her out, please."

Kasai turned her face away from him, whimpering like a wounded pup, her tails tucked between her legs. "Like my life was mine to give." She muttered at him in the last act of defiance. Kejoro gripped at her hand, leading her out, a kind smile on her face. Kubinashi followed closely. They would watch her.

The order would not be disobeyed. Slowly, one by one, his kin gathered themselves and headed out of the room, each one separating to their rooms, each one whispering furiously about the events that had they had just witnessed. Zen and Shoei hesitated by Rikuo, but he dismissed them gently, thanking them for their concern. In the end, it was only Nurarihyon, Tsurara and himself.

There was the longest moment, before Rikuo slumped back to the ground, suddenly exhausted. Tsurara cried out worriedly, running to fetch him water at his request. The young man groaned darkly, looking to his grandfather helplessly.

"What in Hell's name just happened?" He questioned angrily, aimed more at himself then The First. "What the Hell have we gotten ourselves involved in?"

Nurarihyon scratched his chin lightly, his head lightly cocked to the side. "Huh. I believe we were just recruited to a Holy War."

Rikuo grimaced and flung himself back to the floor. "Oh Gods!" He cried. "That's what I thought. Oi, I was just starting to enjoy the peace and quiet. Gramps, did you feel her?"

The First nodded sagely, a worried crease on his forehead. "Such power. At first, I thought she was lying. But that farewell… I don't think you could have made a more dramatic exit."

His grandson raised his hands above his face and gestured uselessly, trying to emphasis his next words. "I get the feeling she could have taken the Nue out with a flick of her wrist, if he was a shiny object." He hesitated for a moment, thinking. "That, or bent him over and spanked him."

"Master Rikuo, you shouldn't say such things!" Tsurara giggled nervously, materialising at his side with a chilled glass of water in her hand. He sat up and gulped it down gratefully, his mouth parched from Amaterasu's assault. Sighing, Rikuo shook his head, looking up to his friend with an amused smile, which quickly faded.

Something about Tsurara's Fear. What was it that the Sun Goddess wanted that the Yuki-On'na possessed?

"Young Master?"

"Awh shit." He muttered, slowly getting to his feet. He looked to his grandpa, who nodded quietly. "I'll sort it out in the morning. My heads killing me. Tsurara," he patted her head gently, beginning to walk out. "Thank you for staying close tonight. Make sure you're here in the morning."

"Hai, Master Rikuo." She bowed lightly, clutching at the cup tightly. "I'm sure whatever is coming, Masters Hyakki-Yako can handle it." She chipped in cheerfully, though; he could hear an edge to her voice.

He smirked lightly. "Of course, Oikawa-san. I just got comfy on my throne. G'night gramps."

He stretched out on his futon, stripped down til all that he wore was his Hakama, and closed his eyes tightly. Behind his eyelids, he could still see lights floating about from the sudden exposure that had been Amaterasu. Sighing, he tried to grasp at the last words that she had spoken. It was important, and for some reason, he felt like it was something that was for him and him only.

He will take her from you.

….

AN: Read and review :D