The young yokai dashed passed her father's bedroom, hoping he wouldn't catch her again. She grinned and turned the corner, colliding with a taller being.

"Where do you think you're going, Akemi?" asked head of the Yakushi Clan asked, his eyes bearing down at his daughter.

"School," Akemi said, straightening.

"How many times have I told you? Don't go to school!" Zen said, conking his daughter on the head.

"Zen, you're yelling at Akemi again?" Nura Rikuo poked his head out from the parlor.

Akemi ran over, clutching Rikuo's haori and pouting, "Uncle Rikuo! Father is being mean again! I just want to go to school and see the humans!"

Rikuo chuckled, patting Akemi on the head. He glanced up at Zen, "If that's what she wants, why won't you let her?"

"No. Not today. Especially not today!" Zen roared, stomping his foot angrily. "The young master is coming home!"

"Young…You mean-?" Akemi's eyes widened. She shook her head, letting go of Rikuo, "That's more of a reason not to be around!"

Akemi began to walk out but then her father said, "Be more respectful to the Fourth Heir!"

"Like heck I will," Akemi stuck out her tongue and ran out, catching up with the bus just in time before it left.

She sat in the back, like she always did and pulled out a snack to munch on. The bus stopped around the Nura Clan's base and several children piled in. But on in particular stood out. He had hair that was a mix of dark(nearly black) brown and a strange dark blue. Akemi watched up as he settled in the seat in front of her, earphones snuggled over his ears.

Akemi felt unsettled by him-he didn't smell like he was from around Ukiyoe but at the same time he felt familiar. Akemi dismissed the premonition as her classmates came in and sat beside her.

Her best friend-Rina-smiled when she saw Akemi, settling down next to her, "So, how's your dad?"

Akemi rolled her eyes, "Annoying as always. Stay home Akemi! It's safer that way! It's like he thinks I'm going to be jumped."

The boy in front of her shifted slightly, Akemi watching him steadily and her gaze was filled with suspicion.

"Wow, that sure sounds like a drag," Seiko sighed, rolling her eyes, "Why is he so overprotective?"

"That's what I always ask him!" Akemi mumbled, "But all he does is tell me that I need to be home schooled and I need to be more "lady-like"."

"Well, that part is true!" Rina giggled, "The lady-like part."

"What? I'm plenty lady-like!" Akemi said and under the stare of her two friends she added, "I-I mean, when I want to be!"

"But the problem is you never want to be!" Seiko teased.

A chuckle came from in front of them. The three girls glanced over, but the boy was still unmoving. He bobbed his head slightly to his music, but that was all.

"Say," Seiko lowered her voice, "I haven't seen that kid around before."

"I heard," Rina whispered, "that the creepy house's master has a son. He studied abroad and he's back today."

"Do you think that's him?" Seiko asked.

"Impossible!" Akemi said, a little louder than she had meant. The bus jostled and her book bag flew from her hand, landing next to the boy's feet.

He glanced down and picked it up as Akemi reached out for it. He glanced over-his eyes an amber seeming color.

"Is this yours?" he asked, his voice slightly tinged with annoyance.

"Y-yeah," Akemi took back her bag, "Th-"

"Keep a tight hold on your belongings," he said, his gaze cold, "idiot woman."

"Wh-Did you just call me-?!"

He stood up and as the bus slowed to a stop and began walking out.

"Akemi this is our stop too," Seiko said, standing up.

"No…this can't be," Akemi mumbled, dragging herself along after her friends. "Please tell me he's not in our class…"

"This is our new student! He has just transferred back from…where was it from?" their teacher glanced at the boy.

"Kyoto," he replied, his voice smooth and calming, causing the girls in the room to let out a blissful sigh.

"Right, Kyoto!" the teacher, Matsuyama, smiled, "Can you introduce yourself to the class?"

The boy received the piece of chalk from the teacher and proceeded to write his name on the board. Once finished he stepped aside and bowed, "Nura Ryuu. Please take care of me."

"Nura!" Akemi toppled out of her chair, having to grab the desk for support.

Ryuu straightened up, his amber eyes landing right on Akemi and he gave her a crooked smile. His lips moved and formed the words "Pathetic".

Akemi glared at Ryuu as the teacher asked her if she was fine, "I just scratched my knee is all."

"I'll take her to the nurse's office," Ryuu offered.

"That would be splendid!" Matsuyama said, "Don't try to skip class on your first day, Ryuu-kun."

"Of course not, Matsuyama-sensei," Ryuu smiled and followed Akemi (who was already gone) out the door.

After a moment of silence, Ryuu said, "How did you manage to hurt yourself, stupid woman?"

"I fell out of my desk," Akemi said, glaring at Ryuu, "My knee hit a sharp part when I fell."

"Hmph…that's a stupid woman for you. Dumb even when you're hurting yourself," Ryuu said.

Akemi stopped and turned to glare at Ryuu, "Can you stop calling me stupid woman? Even when I first saw you "stupid woman, stupid woman, stupid woman"! What's wrong with you?! My name is Akemi-"

"Spelled with the characters red and beautiful," Ryuu nodded, "I know."

"Then why don't you call me by my name?" Akemi hissed angrily.

"Because it's fun to mess with you, idiot," Ryuu said, shrugging. "Akemi, princess of the Yakushi Clan. I've heard about you from Zen."

"Don't address my father so casually, Ryuu-sama," Akemi added dripping sarcasm when she said his name.

He rolled his eyes, " "Young master", "Ryuu-sama", all those titles make me sick. Don't call me that."

"But-"

"I don't need those sort of meaningless titles," Ryuu said, "Training in Tono taught me titles don't mean anything unless you can live up to it."

Training in Tono…is that where the young master has been the whole time? Since he was eight? Akemi's eyes widened, the realization sinking in. She couldn't believe that…Akemi shuddered at the thought of how powerful Ryuu must be. More than his father, for sure!

"I'm not powerful," Ryuu said, "Not enough. I can't instill Fear properly. The only reason I came back was because the deal was I would come back once I turned twelve. Itaku let me stay a while longer because I begged."

"You can't…can you transform into a yokai?"

Ryuu didn't answer. Instead he said, "So, how are things with you? And the Clan-the Nura Clan, that is."

"Don't you know?" Akemi asked, "You were just home."

"No. Once I arrived at home, I changed and came straight to school," Ryuu said, "I didn't want to see anyone. I didn't even change my bandages."

"But…didn't you know I was here?"

"Of course not. If I did, I would have dragged myself slowly home," Ryuu let out a long yawn. "I don't want to face the council. Not yet. It's not time yet…"

"But there's a meeting tonight. Everyone is going to be there," Akemi remembered suddenly.

"Well, I'll deal with them then," shrugged Ryuu as he pulled open the door to the nurse's office, "It's better than coming back and telling them I can't exactly transform anymore."

"Anymo-"

"My goodness! Dear, how did you scratch up your knee like that?" the nurse said, a disapproving look on her face.

"I fell out of my desk."

The nurse sighed, "Akemi, Akemi. As clumsy as always! And…who might this young man be?"

"Nura Ryuu," he said with a charming smile, "I'm new to this school."

"Nura…aah! I remember now," said the nurse, her wrinkles creasing as she smiled, "Now…your father. He was a nice young man. Always helped out and was extremely popular! He seemed average looking to me, but I heard he grew up to be quite handsome. And now his son is proof. He married a beautiful woman?"

"You could say that," Ryuu nodded with a small smile. "She seems ageless."

That's because yokai don't age that quickly, Akemi thought to herself.

The rest of the day dragged. Akemi couldn't stop watching Ryuu. She hadn't seen him in forever and he was still as irritating as he was when he was younger, but something changed. His eyes didn't have that childish sparkle. Akemi shuddered, wondering what training he went through to have changed that.

"Welcome home, Young Master," Kurotabo bowed, "We have been awaiting you."

Ryuu stared at Kurotabo, nodded and then moved on.

"Master Rikuo would like to see you," Kurotabo said, following after him and Akemi.

"Tell him I'm not feeling well," Ryuu said.

"It's the Council Meeting," Aotabo said, appearing from behind a pole.

"I just came home. I need to rest," Ryuu said shaply, glaring at Aotabo and Kurotabo.

"Young master, Master Rikuo-"

"Kubinashi," Ryuu snapped, a yokai aura flowing around him and curling around him rapidly, "I know."

Aotabo and the others backed away slightly, Akemi's eyes widened.

"I understand that there is a Council Meeting," Ryuu's amber eyes flashed with anger.

"Yuki-Onna," Kubinashi whispered.

Ryuu turned around, facing his mother. He bowed, "Mother."

"R-Ryuu," Tsurara stared at him and then her face split into a smile, "You look just like your father!"

Ryuu was startled to find himself being hugged. His face turned red, "I-I…Mother, could you-"

"Don't have to be so formal! Now come on, everyone is waiting on you!" Tsurara said, taking Ryuu's hand and dragging him away. "I can't wait to see how happy your father will be to see how you've grown into such a fine young yokai."

"Well-you see-"

Tsurara knelt down and asked for pardon as she opened the door. The amount of yokai aura (though subtle) that flooded out was slightly overwhelming. Ryuu gulped and slowly walked in, the eyes of his father red and piercing.

"Father," Ryuu bowed lowly, he tried to keep himself from shaking. What was with this overwhelming aura? He hadn't even felt it during his time in Tono.

"Ryuu," Rikuo mumbled, "Sit down."

Ryuu stood by the door, unmoving. His eyes fixated on his father.

"Sit down," Rikuo repeated, pouring himself a cup of sake.

Ryuu sat down beside Rikuo.

"So…how were things? In Tono," Rikuo asked, taking a sip.

"Wh-what?" Ryuu glanced over, surprised by the simplicity of the question.

"More importantly, I guess, did you learn anything?" Rikuo asked, his eyes staring straight ahead.

"I…I suppose so…" Ryuu nodded, slightly uncomfortable.

"Did Itaku treat you well?" Rikuo asked.

"Yeah," Ryuu responded quickly, a lot quicker than he did the rest. "And Reira-sensei."

Rikuo took one last swing and set the cup down. He shifted and smiled at the counselors, "Hey you lot, I think it's almost time to decide the Fourth Heir."

"Wh-"

"But Third Heir!" Kubinashi said, staring at him, "That's-"

"Is something wrong?" Gyuki asked, concern written on his face. "Your health-"

"Sir, you're not old-"

"I'm not saying that I'm giving up my spot as the head of the Nura Clan," Rikuo held up his hand, silencing the nervous crowd. "I'm merely saying, we need a Fourth Heir."

The room relaxed in unison, the older veterans calming slightly.

"The best candidate would be Ryuu, I would think," Rikuo said. "Are there any objections?"

There was a slight mumble, "We don't even know his abilities. All we know is he was training in Tono up until today."

Rikuo glanced over and laughed, "That's true…Well, I suppose you are right. But then again, it doesn't matter what we think. It more matters what Ryuu thinks."

Ryuu shrugged, "I'm…I think I want to live as a human for a while."

There was a sudden collective yelling about the outrage. Gyuki sat still and quiet as well as those who had sworn loyalty to Rikuo first.

"Because," Ryuu said, his voice louder than those in the room, silencing them, "because…I've forgotten the human side of me."

He could feel the surprise building up. Man, every emotion was felt in unison, wasn't it?

"I…I am half yokai," Ryuu said, "And…half human. That human part of me is important too, but my years in Tono…I've forgotten about it, despite it being a big part of me. I forgot I was human and as soon as I stepped out I felt weak. I nearly collapsed even. As a yokai, I am strong but that's all."

Ryuu clenched his fist, "As it is now, I am not suitable to be even being a candidate of the Fourth Heir. Until i can accept both sides of me, I beg you to not consider me as the Fourth Heir."

Ryuu looked at his father, "I'm sure you would understand, wouldn't you?"

" I respect your decision," Rikuo stood, tucking his arm inside his kimono. "Meeting disbanded. Also, Ryuu, I would like to see you in my room."

Ryuu stood as the others left. He cleared his throat slightly and began to walk towards Rikuo's room, every step felt like heavy weights pulling him down.

Once at the door he said, "I'm coming in."

Rikuo sat, leaning against the wall, his sword by his side and in a tub of water.

"The moon…it's quite dazzling tonight, isn't it," Rikuo took a sip of his sake and glanced over, "Well sit down."

Ryuu walked over and sat opposite of him.

"Sake?" Rikuo asked, pushing a cup towards him.

"I…I'm took young," Ryuu said.

"Hmph…too young? You're…twelve, aren't you?" Rikuo poured himself another, "Nearly thirteen. It's no big deal."

Ryuu nodded, taking the cup and drinking a cautious sip.

"So…Tono," Rikuo mumbled, "How did you like it there?"

"The training was tough…Reira-sensei and Itaku-sensei said that my cooking was good though," Ryuu shrugged.

"You'd think so after a few years of cooking for those slobs," Rikuo yawned, laying down so that he still faced Ryuu. "You've…grown."

"And you haven't," Ryuu said, causing Rikuo to let out a chuckle.

"Of course not, I'm a yokai," Rikuo shrugged, "I don't age that easily."

Ryuu nodded, "Obviously."

Rikuo paused, his red eyes glinting ominously, "Is…something bothering you?"

"It's just…I looked at myself in the mirror today," Ryuu said."

"And?"

"And nothing. It's just…odd. I don't look the same and when I try to transform into a yokai…it doesn't work," Ryuu didn't meet his father's eyes, "Am I…is something wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong. At least, nothing should be," Rikuo shrugged, "Did you make friends?"

"At school?"

Rikuo nodded.

"Yeah. There is a guy named Reiji and his friend, Maki. Then there was Akemi's friends-Seiko and Rina," Ryuu recalled.

"Hm…I wonder how you act at school," Rikuo moved his cup in a gentle circle, watching the sake ripple and the moon fade slightly.

"I….not that different."

"I used to be an errand boy, I suppose," Rikuo recalled, smiling, "Those were fun days. Messing around with friends, doing small jobs for people and getting paid in compliments. But at the same time I was training to become the Lord of Pandemonium behind their backs."

Ryuu shifted slightly.

Rikuo looked up at him, "Are you ready to lie to your friends?"

"I told you I-"

"The time will come though, Ryuu," Rikuo said, "When you feel weak. And I'm not talking about that feeling you have right now. I mean truly weak. You want to protect those precious friends of yours but you can't and you blame yourself. You isolate and you don't depend on others. I can tell from our eyes, Ryuu. But you have to depend on others. I don't know the way of the Tono, but here at the Nura Clan if you don't rely on others…well, you're better off dead."

Ryuu nodded, "I understand."

Rikuo laughed, "Lighten up, kid. It's just you and me. I'm your dad, not some intimidating yokai you barely know."

Ryuu glanced away and Rikuo let out a chuckle.

"Fine, how about you get to know me," Rikuo said, "Ask anything."

"I…okay. Don't take offence to this," Ryuu said, "but do you think I could be more powerful than you? If I tried."

"More…" Rikuo nodded, "I suppose. You are only 1/2 human after all. I wouldn't surprised if you ended up more powerful than I was. Anything else?"

"Can you…tell me about grandpa? And great grandpa? I hear about them all the time, but I don't feel like we're related," Ryuu said, "I mean-you don't have to if-"

"Your great grandpa is still alive. He's just traveling right now. You won't see him until tomorrow, probably," Rikuo shrugged, "He does that often. Sometimes you won't see him for days. Sort of like a cat."

"A…cat," Ryuu repeated, a little disturbed by the comparison.

"As for your grandpa," Rikuo thought for a moment and then shrugged, "I don't know."

"Don't…?"

"Well, he died when I was six, probably," Rikuo said, "It was an unexpected assassination. Something completely out of the blue. He didn't expect it at all. All I know is that the Nura Clan was at it's peek when your grandpa was at the helm. There were battles to be fought and things were kept at peace. When he died the Nura Clan began collapsing in and many yokai that followed us began to leave. Only those old veterans and those truly loyal remained."

"Wow…grandpa sounds like he was an amazing person…" Ryuu said with a small smile.

"Hey, don't look down on your own father," Rikuo sighed and then his face cleared to a look of minor confusion. "Ryuu, I think Akemi is looking for you."

Ryuu turned and opened the door, Akemi standing there looking awkwardly in, "I-…Ryuu-sama."

"What?" Ryuu asked.

"It's just…the guys want to go yokai hunting," Akemi said, "Didn't I tell you?"

"...No. Even if you did, why would it concern me?" Ryuu questioned, slowly getting pushed out by Akemi.

"Because they're dumb and we're obviously more knowledgeable and smarter!" Akemi said, "Come on, just this once."

"A-alright," Ryuu said, he turned to look at his father, "We'll see you later!"

"Mhmm, now come on Ryuu!" Akemi said.

Rikuo watched them, sighing. He glanced up at the high moon, wondering what his son would be like when he became the Fourth Heir.