Chapter1
Nura Rikuo gazed up at the weeping cherry tree in his family's courtyard. The time for sakura had passed but it was still a graceful tree. Unfortunately, his mind was more occupied by the sudden string of inexplicable murders. Humans had the higher body count but there seemed to be no reason for their deaths other than fun. The youkai on the other hand all had indirect and direct relations to the Nura clan. Just who wanted to exterminate the Nura this time? It has been six months since the battle with the Nue and everyone had savoured those months of peace.
Thwack! "OW!" Rikuo felt the sheath of a katana crack on his head hard enough to hurt but not so hard it split his skull. Twisting around, he saw Kamina frowning with a hand on her hip and the other on the scabbard of her Kagekiri. She was in her human form, same as him though an inch shorter. Her hair was pitch black and gleamed with the light of the setting sun.
"If you would stop retreating into yourself you would've just heard I found out who it was."
"Master," Kuroumaru appeared,
"Kamina beat you to it," Rikuo smiled at the aghast expression on the Karasu Tengu's face. It had become a competition between Kamina and the Sanbagarasu to see who was faster. For those who knew her, namely Rikuo, it wasn't surprising that Kamina always won. "So what is it?"
"I think it would be best to call a meeting." Her brown eyes, a few shades darker than his, were serious, "there's too much information to repeat. The important things… are my opinions…" her voice trailed off, reluctant to elaborate. That itself was odd as she seldom made any attempts to conceal herself other than to let others make their own assumptions.
"But you have a knack for being right," Rikuo tacked on as he moved towards the house with Kamina keeping pace with him. "Kuroumaru, call a meeting."
"Yes sir." As he flew off into the sky with the flapping rustle of his wings, Kamina paused turning her eyes to the east. Time and time again for the last month, since the murders began, she had felt like she was being strangled even though there was nothing there. The last time she felt like this had been a year and half ago in Kyoto as Hagoromo Gitsune killed her father and when the Nue appeared. Despite knowing the reason this time the strangulation didn't disappear.
Nervous chattering filled the meeting room as everyone gathered. Nurarihyon was even there himself. An undercurrent of tension dominated the vibe Kamina was receiving though in the other youkai, like Hitotsume, there was outright fear. For the first time she was wary of speaking in front of them. She knew Rikuo wouldn't be surprised as she had already told him her parents' names but she hadn't elaborated much on them, especially her mother. Over two years she has known him and still hasn't told him much about the youkai side of things in her life. It was pretty damn depressing.
"Everyone, I thank you for coming," Rikuo finally opened the meeting, "Togakure Keikain Kaminazuki will take the lead of this meeting. She has valuable information about the ones attacking."
"Thank you, Rikuo." Kamina shoved back her nerves and ignoring the disapproving glances of her familiar address to Rikuo. Hell, she is Toono youkai: she didn't give a rat's ass about who was the top dog since they just might end up on the hit list. "Based on the circumstances of all the killings and recent information, I believe the Shinobi Youkai are the ones behind the attacks."
"What evidence is there, to support that?" Gyuuki calmly interceded. Having anticipated the question she revealed a smattering of broken weaponry and clothing on several trays. Kunai, shuriken, blades that had been hidden in canes, shattered gas bombs and hand grenades, even a sliced hand gun were resting on a tray. The clothing included a fine chainmail shirt and torn mottled cloth.
"These weapons are the typical usage of shinobi however the clothing indicates youkai. Human shinobi do not where mottled clothing, theirs is pure black. Also, the ones wearing the clothing were youkai, I had seen them myself. They killed themselves when I found them as is expected of the retainers of a shinobi youkai but not before they sent their messages to their lords. Unfortunately I was able to only retrieve three of the five sent." She held out the unopened three scrolls in a slim, graceful hand.
"But why kill humans?" Hihi Shouei inserted,
"Because shinobi youkai detest them. It is impossible to describe that hatred, but it is enough that they will go out of their way to kill any and every human in their vicinity. That being said however, there is only one thing that shinobi youkai hate more than humans and those is the hanyou, humans with demon blood or demons with human blood take your pick. Shinobi Youkai believe them to be vastly inferior."
"You yourself are a shinobi youkai," Hitotsume sneered
"Have you ever wondered why I was raised in Toono rather than Kyoto with my father? It was to protect me from my mother's family. Onmyouji are a mild danger in comparison to the Shinobi Youkai."
"It's because of you we're being targeted!"
"Until last night I doubt they were aware of me being in Ukiyoe Town. Chances are they are fed up with having partial demons manage the Nura clan." I shot Hitotsume down while glancing to Rikuo. Subtlety was a concept I could never quite understand and thus I worried about the effects my words had on others. Rikuo seemed to understand though and didn't flinch. From what he told me in Toono while he was training, it sounded like there were those that doubted him because of his human blood…even he himself doubted his own abilities.
"That assumption is based on what exactly?"
"On their surprise to see me." I shrugged, "Retainers are nothings that test the waters. They have none of a shinobi youkai's training which includes concealing their emotions if they still had any."
"Please tell us more about the shinobi youkai themselves. How do we tell them apart from others? What are their traits, their skills, their training…?" Zen jumped in before Hitotsume could take another shot. No doubt others did doubt me; Kamina thought privately, I could easily be a spy.
"There's no way to tell them apart from their surroundings, they take care to blend in perfectly. Their personalities are completely erased by their training. No emotions, no ties to anything or anyone, not even their family, the ability to do their missions with perfection and no hesitation. Even it was sibling against sibling, parents against children, they do not hesitate." Gasps erupted around except for Nurarihyon's upper echelon members like Gyuuki. They clearly weren't surprised.
"How could they?" Rikuo finally spoke, clearly devastated.
"It's the way they are raised. If there is an emotional bond with someone, it is seen as a weakness. The only way to find them is to pre-empt their moves and meet them at that point. But even then you stand little chance of winning. They are the best of the best; they have to be as they are the murderers of humans and the assassins of youkai. The only way to beat them is to do something they don't expect."
"What the hell is that?" Hitotsume scowled, "You just said they were the best of the best."
"Of course they're the best of the best. Some will be arrogant and not expect skilled opponents so they will be easily dealt with however that is never a guarantee. One thing they definitely won't expect, the one thing that should be able to shake them to the core…." Kamina's eyes flickered from each face until they rested on Rikuo, "Is that hanyou are more powerful than they could ever hope to be."
Rikuo paused at the utter conviction and force in Kamina's voice. Her eyes belied her belief that it could be done. Her conviction and fire had everyone burning. His blood was boiling at the prospect of the challenge. Too long the Shinobi Youkai and toyed with his clan.
"Well that decides it," he stood up in his youkai form, "We will pre-empt the shinobi youkai. Any suggestions Kamina?"
"They will expect an immediate retaliation or one that occurs in a year. The best time would be two months from now, I believe. Besides, I sent a request to Toono. Though the Nura are a powerful clan, I think it would be best for Toono to be here as well though I can't guarantee anyone will come."
"Thank you, you saved me a job there. I'm certain at least Itaku will come to keep an eye on his little sister."
Kamina just smiled. "How about school tomorrow? If they're watching then they'll be more surprised to see us at our normal routine."
