Tono Kamaitachi Showdown
Wild: Well, I have always liked this series, although I've read bits and pieces of the manga, I try to keep up to date with the anime. I thought I'd try my hand at writing for this couple because they just don't get enough love on here!
Aiya: Indeed *looks at Tsurara* And as for your behavior, missy, how do you explain the snow falling down outside? Hmmmm?
Tsurara: Uh, it's the weather? *laughs nervously while backing away*
Rikuo: Tsurara, it's spring time, not winter.
Aiya: *pulls out a blade* Liars get punished!
Wild: Gah! No stabbing, Aiya! Oh dear *vase crashes as windows are being smashed* please enjoy the story and review! *another window smashes and the building comes crumbling down in disaster* And if you would – please send donations to pay for the building payments.
Italics – thoughts
*I*
Rikuo Nura sat silently outside on the walkway of the Nura household. Demons hustled back and forth behind him as he sipped quietly on his tea. His grandfather, the Great Nurarihyon and the first Supreme Commander, sat beside him while sipping rather loudly on his own tea.
Jasmine; the air smelled like jasmine tea leaves mixed in with a citrus fragrance that tickled Rikuo's nose insanely. His nostrils flared as the tip of his nose twitched slightly, almost like a mouse. He opened his eyes and watched Kubinashi and Tsurara hanging up the clothes to dry in the bright sun of spring.
He looked around their large garden in familiarity and yet in bewilderment at the beauty. Kappa floated quite happily on the clear pond they had in the middle of their garden, the large blossoming sakura tree looming over to provide a small amount of shade to the demon in the water. A small flower garden in a corner of their garden was blossoming with a vast assortment of brightly colored delights.
Kejoro had insisted they have a flower garden as they had rebuilt their home to even greater beauty, after having been destroyed by a massive demon attack. Rikuo smiled as he watched Kejoro cheerfully watering her "babies" as she called them. She never wore a frown when she visited her garden, and if she did, it was wiped away clean just by staring at the vivid colors of petals.
Everything stood in balance as Rikuo heard his mother dropping plates and breaking things like crazy in the kitchen while many demons helped her out, cleaning up to mess and assisting with the cleaning and cooking.
"Such peacefulness, eh Rikuo?" Nurarihyon asked, glancing sideways while grinning at the Third Heir. Rikuo smiled back and sipped his tea, adjusting his top kimono to fit snuggly on his form to soak up the warmth of the sun.
"It's springtime, the sun is out, the birds are chirping," Nurarihyon continued until a rather large crash made him laugh hysterically, "and your mother is breaking things. It is all in order, as it should be."
"No, not everything is in order just yet," Rikuo said, and Nurarihyon looked at his grandson curiously. Rikuo smiled behind his glasses and said, "the Tono Village has yet to arrive for the party tonight, Grandfather. Surely you haven't forgotten that we invited our friends?"
Nurarihyon coughed and said, "Of course I did not forget. What kind of Supreme Commander would I be if I forgot one of our most trusted allies? And as I recall, you have yet to resume and finish your chores in preparation for your own guests, am I correct?"
Rikuo laughed nervously as he scratched his head.
"You're brain still hasn't lost its fine memory, eh Gramps?" Rikuo asked as he felt some of his youkai teasing nature surface. He and his demon nature had slowly begun to merge into one, starting with their personas beginning to blend and synchronize perfectly.
Nurarihyon laughed hysterically, almost choking on his tea before he grinned and snickered slyly at Rikuo's now standing form.
"I may be at least five hundred years old, but I've still got enough brains and brawn to completely pulverize you into the ground. Now go get your chores done before the guests start arriving. And make sure that your mother is making more food rather than breaking more of my favorite china!" he called as Rikuo started to walk off.
"Yes, Grandpa," Rikuo called over his shoulder, walking along through the Japanese style mansion. This was the place he had grown up for so long with his father. His eyes became sullen as he recalled the memories of his father with his mother, and with Rihan Nura's first wife, turned into a child and possessed by Hagaromo Gistune.
Rikuo stopped and looked up at the breezy, turquoise blue sky that sat so contently and still that it amazed Rikuo.
Father…what do you think of me now? Have I grown as strong as you were? As strong as you wanted me to be? Or am I still a long ways off from leading my own parade of a hundred demons? Rikuo thought as he watched the clouds float by aimlessly.
He could have stood there forever, just watching the clouds lazily and not moving; however, when a swarm of demons came rushing through and had to zigzag in and out of his legs to move quickly in preparing the mansion for the party of impending celebration, Rikuo remembered immediately why he had wanted to throw his party in the first place.
That's right; tonight is a special night! That's the whole reason why I wanted to throw the party to begin with…and I have so much to do before the guests of honor start arriving! I must hurry and make sure everything is perfect, Rikuo thought with a wide gasp before he darted off to complete his tasks, chores, homework, and then get ready before the moon came into the sky. He had much to do, and very little time to do such.
*I*
Kubinashi was tying up the sheets calmly while Tsurara hummed enthusiastically at her working task. They were hanging up clothes and the finest table cloths for the party. Everything had been washed, down to the last napkin or article of clothing.
Kubinashi had done all of it. Yet he had not complained when everyone rushed to him, asking that he do it. Their words were still so fresh in his mind that he could write an epic play about it for a show.
"Kubinashi, you're so good at doing the washing, drying, and hanging; better than all of us here put together! You get it done right! Please, Kubinashi!" the demons had begged, holding out their finest clothes for the party that night.
He had stared at their pitiful faces before melting and taking on the clothes. Now he hung up the pieces to be dried with expert care in the garden where they'd get the most sun while Wakana Nura had smiled cheerfully, hurrying off to continue her task of bringing fresh ingredients into the kitchen. But she was stumbling and, of course, Kubinashi intervened.
"Wakana, you cannot carry all of that in by yourself," he said, and looked at Tsurara, "Tsurara, please continue putting up the sheets; without getting them dirty again or freezing them. The last time you did that, it took a sledge hammer and a steel spike to get the ice off the bed sheets."
Tsurara nodded vigorously and strained her eyes hard to make her movements slow and perfect while he hurried to help his mistress. Wakana was a sputtering mess as he took the bags from her arms, plucking them from her hands like they were not heavy.
Of course, to him, they were light.
"Please, Kubinashi, I can carry them myse-Ouchie!" she squealed as she fell forward and landed on her front. Many demons rushed forward to help her up while she rubbed her head. Quickly, Kubinashi tilted her head and examined her face before sighing.
"That is why I didn't want you carrying the bags inside. You can be so clumsy," Kubinashi said, feeling like a mother chastising a child. When had he felt like this? The feeling felt strangely familiar?
I always talked to Rihan like this, Kubinashi thought, and he sighed before patting a blubbering, laughing Wakana on the head and had a few demons carry the bags into the kitchen. Then he rounded the corner to continue hanging up the sheets, thinking deeply. Rihan would act so much like a juvenile delinquent that it astounded me. I was always getting after him for going missing for long periods of time, messing around, or slacking off on his duties as the Second Heir.
He stared up at the simply blue sky, finding it peaceful and serene; just as he wished his life could sometimes be. The solar, brightest star was shimmering overhead, radiating heat onto the earth as the breeze swept through and ruffled Kubinashi's hair, tickling his nose slightly.
He sneezed, and rubbed his nostrils to make the itch go away. He smiled and muttered, "Someone must be talking about me."
"Kubinashi?" a gruff voice called, and the String Wielder froze as his muscles tensed. Now who was demanding his services? He had too many things to do. He turned around sharply, prepared to say a few sharp tongued words before he noticed the smiling face of the Supreme Commander.
"Uh, yes, Supreme Commander?" Kubinashi asked, coming to stand beside the old Nurarihyon, kneeling down onto one knee and motioning to the steaming kettle of tea. "Do you need me to bring you something to eat, or perhaps some more jasmine tea?"
The fickle demon laughed and suddenly reached out to pat Kubinashi on the head like he was some sort of dog. The String Wielder's eyebrows furrowed together into a unibrow, confused by the Supreme Commander's actions.
"You're a helpful demon to have around…thank you for all your hard work in keeping this place organized and running smoothly," the elder demon said proudly, and Kubinashi blinked. Had the Great Nurarihyon really just complimented him? He felt a sense of pride begin to swell in his gut when there was a shriek and a hiss of anger.
His gaze shot to the clothes line where Tsurara dropped a large block of ice from her hands. Tears were beginning to bubble in her eyes, and he felt like sighing. But when he neared to give her a proper talking to about screaming for no reason, Kubinashi was suddenly sprayed in the face by a long stream of water.
Now then, who wants to get murdered? He tightened his grip on his string wires in fury as he opened his eyes slowly to glare into the pond to glare at the accused suspect, who grinned cheekily. So much for the peacefulness of the day.
*I*
Amezo grinned and spit out another long stream of water while he clicked his beak open and closed before grinning wide.
"Hey guys, it's a really nice place here that ya got? And this pond is so warm, too!" he cried out in delight and dove downwards as Kappa blinked in confusion before poking his head down into the water. He looked at the dark depths then looked at Kubinashi, shrugging his shoulders on where the demon had gone.
Kubinashi walked to the water's edge, staring into the dark depths before Kappa was suddenly lifted out of the water, barely able to balance himself on the small stool that was Amezo's laughing head.
"Hey, put those strings away. I'm here as a friendly! Rikuo and your guys invited us, remember!" he cried out when Kubinashi had tightened his string wires between his teeth, his eyes tired, merciless, and murderous. He looked ready to kill anyone, friend or foe. "right, this probably wasn't the best way to enter the household, was it? Guys, come on in while their already mad!"
"Seriously, Amezo, you already got them pissed off?" a loud, male voice called out as the Amanojaku cried out, leaping up over the large wall surrounding the Nura estate, and landing perfectly in the sakura tree, petals fluttering around the now arriving group.
The Yuki Onna, Reira, smiled and waved happily and excitedly to Tsurara. They leaped at each other, quickly engaging in a loud, excitable conversation while Yukari coughed and smiled blankly while listening mutely.
"Hey, sorry for getting here so early, but we had some business to discuss with Rikuo. Thought we'd stop by and be ahead of schedule. Better fashionably early that irritably late, right?" Awashima said, grinning behind the piece of straw that he had in his mouth. The gender changer was a peculiar being, alternating constantly day and night between male and female. But not only that, no matter which form he was in, he always had that annoying attitude.
"Come on, Kappa, just hold still!" Amezo was trying to capture Kappa, who was swimming around the pong crazily, paddling like mad and diving underneath the try and out swim the turtle like demon.
Kubinashi, the String Wielder, grunted and narrowed his gaze on Awashima.
"What matters do you have to discuss with Rikuo-sama?" he snapped, as the garden began to grow quiet. "And where is Itaku? Did he not come with you, or is he biding his time to stall the party until the last possible second?"
Awashima growled and snapped, planting his hand firmly on his hip.
"I beg your pardon, but the reason we came here was to talk to Rikuo, not be looked down upon by the likes of you! Now tell us where Rikuo is so we can have a nice chit-chat with him. Or else I might have to beat the information out of you," Awashima said, planting his hand on the sword at his side.
Kubinashi had moved his hand, tugging at the strings attached and coiled inside his sleeves. Traps had been set up all around the estate. This was his territory; he would triumph over the Tono Village Clan.
"Kubinashi, is that any way to treat guests?" Nurarihyon called, suddenly appearing beside Kubinashi. He had his hands tucked into his kimono sleeves while he grinned deviously at the Tono Group. "Where is our dear special guest actually? Off playing errand boy to Akagappa, perhaps?"
Awashima grunted and looked away from Nurarihyon, instead continuing to glare at Kubinashi, who was equally ready to fight in an all out brawl to the death.
It was Reira who stepped up to speak. Nurarihyon smiled cheerfully at the bright, shining Yuki Onna. He hoped that Tsurara would learn from this Yuki Onna; she could use some more self-confidence and fighting techniques rather than always relying on Rikuo.
"Itaku will be coming to the party tonight; no need to be concerned about that. As to why he was being held up, we were not entirely sure until last night. That is why we came to see Rikuo early today, rather than only discussing this with him at the party," she said softly, smiling sadly at Nurarihyon. The demon arched an eyebrow.
"What is this news that you bring regarding your comrade that is so secret you can't even speak it in front of guests at a party being held in my own house?" he asked slowly, feeling his face slowly darken. Whatever was happening, he felt a tingling bad feeling crawling and itching up his spine.
Reira sighed softly and glanced at Awashima, as the loud male called out, "It's getting closer to that time of year when "it" comes to Tono Village," the fighting spirit of the male blasting his voice louder than usual. Kubinashi and all the youkai of the mansion outside stopped to surround the group curiously.
Nurarihyon's brows furrowed together more as he asked, "What comes to Tono?"
Reira was silent for a long moment as she glanced at Awashima, who cats his eyes elsewhere, a look of despair and fury flashing in his eyes. He refused to speak, and everyone was silent, even the house. No dishes being broken, no demons growling and crying in rage; only a dead silence fell onto the Nura house.
"The Chronicle Games…if you want to know more, then take us to Rikuo. We won't speak anymore unless he is with us," Amezo finally said, popping up above water with a struggling, angry Kappa wrapped tightly in his protected arms. The Nura youkai rumbled in anger at the dishonor being opposed onto them, and how they were not trusted even amongst strong and trained allies.
He stared at the Tono Youkai for a long while as Kubinashi stood at the ready for a fight to kick them out. Slowly, Nurarihyon's gaze slid to the looming sakura tree, staring at the pink petals scattering into the wind. So peaceful and gentle was the tree, yet it had been their sacred tree for almost a millennium. He stared at it, coaxing advice from those wispy petals before looking back at the group in front of him with assertion.
Nurarihyon grunted before glancing at Tsurara.
"Go get Rikuo. It would appear that we have some matters to discuss before this party takes place…the rest of you, get back to work! The party is in only five hours! Get moving!"
"Hai!"
*I*
Wild: Well, there's the first chapter, guys! I'm glad that I have a good enough start in making this story come to life. Of course, I seemed a little vague, so I'll accept the flames spitting at me.
Aiya: But she did set up a few questions for you to think about in anticipation for the next chapter! What are the Chronicle Games? How do they involve Itaku? Why is a party being thrown? What is the Hell is going on!
Tsurara: Why in the world are you creating Rikuo/Itaku instead of Rikuo/Tsura-Mmmph! *has her mouth tied up with a bandana by Aiya*
Aiya: that's enough out of you little girl.
Tsurara *glares*
Wild: please review and tell me how I did! Thanks for reading! Bye!