Chapter 2: Another Day without You
Previously
I went closer to the rustling leaves, and with one swift move, I pulled the poor animal out. Apparently, it wasn't just a cat. It was a...
"What the hell are you doing?!" It suddenly yells at me. "You don't just pull one of my tails, woman! It hurts like hell, ya know?!"
It took me few seconds to realize that I strongly held one of its bushy tails. Worried that if I let go too quickly, I would drop and injure the poor ayakashi more. And so, I snake my hand around its body and carefully placed it on the grass.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to grab you by your tail..." I apologized and I patted its head as soon as it was put down. At first it did not looked convinced, but just like a cat after a few scratches and gentle rubs, it finally gives in.
"Hmph! It's not like I didn't know that it was an accident! Anyways, what's a human doing here in the Nura clan's main house?" It asked.
"I'm Rikuo's mother!" I gleefully told him, omitting the part where I'm supposed to say: 'Nura Rihan's second wife.'
"I see. I see." The creature replies back, seemingly reading my actions and expressions. I'm impressed, he's not the one you can easily deceive. I have to watch my actions a little careful or else, I would worry and affect the household once again.
"Very well," it's high yet respectable voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "Please lead me the way towards the Supreme Commander. I have very important things to discuss to him."
"Of course." I stood up and the cat-like creatures jumps on my right shoulder. "This way please."
We passed by the familiar corridors. Even if my eyes were closed, I can confidently say that I have memorized this place die to the endless houseworks and late celebrations held by the clan whenever there was a success in their patrols. Even with him gone, the liveliness of this place would live on. But, little did they know that I was left behind in the past. Finally, I stopped at the room in front of the plum tree garden. Taking a deep breath I turned and faced the door, softly knocking on it.
"Father, there is someone who wants to talk to you." I whispered through the small opening. Manners, Yukki-Onna would usually tell me that I lacked it. Every time that I casually knocked at entered a room at my own pace, she would give me one of her signature icy glares.
"No need for such formality, Wakana-san. After all, I've been hearing those words the last four hundred years." Father playfully replies and with his laugh the ambiance of the room lightens. "What are you waiting for? Come in!"
"Y—Yes!" I open the door wider and bowed before entering the room.
"Heh, who would've thought that the greatest familiar of the Nekozawa clan would be this squirt?" He casually says as he looks at the ayakashi on my shoulder. So it is a cat?
"Shut up!" It rudely replies. "Yes, my master sent me here to inform you about..." It stops and slowly looks at me as I set the tea that was prepared for both of them.
Understanding the message, I quickly got to my feet and excused myself. As I close the door behind me, I can hear the cat's sympathetic words towards father.
"Poor girl, must've been hard for her."
A bitter bile rises up my throat, but I forcefully swallow it. I feel my hands clench and yet, all I could ever do was to suck it up. This has been the 150th ayakashi who felt pity towards me. Well at least it simply assumed that it must've been hard for me. Most of them would usually say: 'What a poor human. She did not even reach his first wife's standards. And yet, she was lucky to have a son for him, or else Nidaime would have long casted her aside.'
I lift both of my hands a slapped my cheeks as hard as I could. No bad thoughts. I repeated to myself like a mantra. No bad thoughts. No bad thoughts. Until I can collect myself properly, I would not stop reciting it.
"Rihan-sama," I whisper to myself, "truly it is another day for me to conquer without you."
Hello there! Thank you for reading my second fanfic of Nurarihyon no Mago! If you have any suggestions and comments, please do not hesistate to review or PM me ^_^ I really appreciate it! Don't forget to follow for updates if you liked it~!
Oh and if you want to know why I wrote this, it's because I wanted to write a story about Wakana. Honestly, I can imagine that behind her warm smile, she's still human after all. She can feel negative emotions and I want to show that side of her and how will she solve it. Oh, and get ready for more twists and turns!
