Tono Kamaitachi Showdown

Wild: Yay! My last chapter was yet another great turn out that made my day every time I saw a new review! I'm glad everyone liked it, and I would like to thank the following people to being the first of my reviewers:

Seriousness, kurushiku ayano, Yo, Yuki onna, seriousness, Awesoomee, and Lyky0ucAreb1th! You guys are the bomb, and I give you big bear hugs for staying with me through these first three chapters!

Aiya: she really does love writing this story, and I will apologize for her misspelling of the word Matio. Her internet was down and wouldn't load correctly until after she had it completed.

Wild: so if you'll just forgive me, and continue to read, review, and recommend with me, I promise I won't let you down! Thanks! This chapter pretty much tells what everyone sees and thinks as Rikuo and Itaku are in the tree.

*IV*

"Party? What nonsense are you going on about this time, Rikuo?" Itaku snorted, leaning his back against the firm bark of the sakura blossom tree. He turned his head away to stare, mesmerized, at the falling, glistening fluorescent pink petals fluttering to the ground.

"Honestly, Itaku, don't you even remember what tonight is?" Rikuo asked, and Itaku heard him take a sip from his cup of what smelled like sake. Itaku's ears twitched slightly at the quarter demon's words. What tonight is? What was he going on about?

"No, but I am sure that you'll enlighten me on what tonight is pretty soon?" Itaku questioned, watching a petal fall into the palm of his hand. He gingerly touched it, rubbing his thumb in hopes of having the brightness of the pink rub off onto his skin.

It's not the anniversary of the day we met in Tono, Itaku thought, and began rummaging his mind, wracking his brain to try and figure out the main event. It had to be something fairly relative to Rikuo, and extremely important for there to be such a large explosion of laughter and drunken friends to come stumbling out into the garden. Itaku arched an eyebrow as Awashima and Amezo stumble outside, laughing hysterically about some unknown joke.

Itaku turned to look at Rikuo for some explanation as to why his friends had been permitted to drink when they should never have even dared look at a sake bottle. But when he turned around, he blinked at the smiling face of Rikuo, and into those bright red eyes that somehow managed to mesmerize him every time he glanced.

He blinked down at the brightly shining sake found in the tiny cup held out to him, glistening beneath the full moon's light; cursed and melancholy to Itaku's memories. But he didn't see the scene Awashima and Amezo watched. He didn't see the sakura petals being cast to the wind by a whoosh of air, or heard the groaning of the tree as the moon cascaded on them both, creating a moonlit dream scene.

No, he only saw Rikuo's smile as he said the words, "Happy Birthday, Itaku."

*IV*

Wakana stood inside her household, the Nura household filled to the overflowing brim with youkai. She never once remembered a time when she had been afraid of youkai, not even when she learned the truth about Rihan.

She smiled fondly as memories of her husband flooded her mind. She gulped back the tears that wished to fall. This always happened; whenever she thought about him or saw him in Rikuo; it made her want to cry endless rivers of tears.

But I can't; I cannot cry if only for Rikuo's sake. I want him to be happy, she thought to herself as she served the already tipsy youkai more sake, smiling cheerfully when they thanked her and showered her with gratitude. Yes, this was what she liked; serving others brought joy to her.

She stood up as they began to clap and dance around the room again; a room full of youkai no taller than her knees dancing in circles constantly around the space to the beating of drums and the strumming of guitars. It made her giggle as she tried moving in sync with them towards the door.

This is my life, and I love every minute of it, she thought as she stepped outside to call out to everyone to ask if they wanted another drink. But she stopped when she saw, high up in the sakura blossom tree, Rikuo and Itaku both standing on the same branch. She watched them as the petals scattered and the moon shined all the brighter on the duo, even though dozens of demons swarmed on her with cups held out greedily. Oh Rihan, if only you could have been here to see you son…maybe now, he will learn just who he is, and who is most important in his life to fight for…Rihan, my love, protect our son…protect him, Rihan.

She smiled one last time and turned, walking in through the crowded rooms of cheering youkai who immediately demanded more sake, only making her laugh joyfully all the more.

*IV*

Karasu Tengu laughed as Nurarihyon retold their battle stories in great, enthusiastic detail, far exceeding that of the real tale. However, he did not interrupt, seeing as his Supreme Commander was enjoying himself far more than expected.

Just let him have his fun, Karasu thought and sipped on his sake, looking up at the sky, staring at the moon. As his gaze lingered on the ivory light of the moon, and slowly, images of his beloved wife began to play out in his mind.

His smile became one of bliss as he envisioned her face in the moon before hearing her screaming at him and his offspring to visit more often to their mountain. He could almost feel the sting of her olive branch that she often struck him with. Ah yes, how he missed being with her, and yet his duties called for him to constantly be at the service of the Nura.

He looked over to where his two sons and one daughter lounged amongst the Nura Clan, delightfully and joyfully sipping on their sake while also keeping an open ear to any information that could be useful in the future of the clan.

Kuromaru was sitting with many female ayakashi giggling over him, and Tosakamaru was laughing huskily and gulping down sake and wine, cheerfully asking the ayakashi to refill his glass. Karasu's only daughter, Sasami, smiled while watching her brothers with mild curiosity, but without anything to keep her occupied.

He chuckled and looked at where Rikuo and the Tono kamaitachi, Itaku he thought, stood blending into the petals of the falling sakura tree. He stared at the two, and gave a small smile and a flick of his wings.

So, Rikuo-sama, now you're starting to settle down, huh…just don't get yourself killed by the kamaitachi.

*IV*

Oh, Rikuo, Kejoro thought as she used her hair and sharp edged fans to carefully sculpt statues together with Tsurara. They had welcomed all the guests, and had decided to join the party for their own fun.

Kejoro had already done her rounds, but had given up after realizing that Kubinashi and Wakana were managing on their own. Wakana was cheerfully serving like the wife of the house should, with grace and elegance far surpassing any of them here.

Kubinashi, on the other hand, has easily becoming frustrated. He didn't show it; oh no he was much too good to show it. But she could see it in his eyes, especially when someone blocked his way of getting from one job to another. He was a very ferocious youkai, and Kejoro found herself afraid that he would explode.

Just hold out, Kubinashi, she thought and looked up at the sakura tree. She blinked in surprise and slightly slipped her hair from blocking her eyes. She blinked again, making sure that she wasn't imagining the kamaitachi of Tono and her dearest Rikuo standing underneath the moon in the tree. Well who would have guessed…I better not tell Tsurara. She'll have a conniption if she finds them high up…I'll just pretend that I didn't see anything. A diversion! Yes, a diversion is what the youkai need!

"Gentlemen, who would like to see me dance?" she asked smoothly, batting her eyelashes. "I've been practicing just for tonight. I do hope that you'll be patient with me?"

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

"Please! Dance!"

She giggled despite herself as she slid open her fans. Tsurara arched an eyebrow at her in question, but she simply shook her head and moved into position. She at least hadn't been lying when she said something about practice. She did practice dance – just not for these specific buffoons.

*IV*

Zen sat in the main gathering room, laughing drunkenly as he poured himself and his friends more to drink. Aotabo and Kurotabo were seated on his sides, chuckling and telling stories of their glorious times of Rikuo's childhood.

"It's hard to believe that so many years have already passed. Now he is our Commander and Third Heir," Zen laughed, feeling his wings begin to shudder on his back. They were carefully hidden, but he could still feel the gentle brush of the invisible feathers on his back, and especially his spine.

It made him shiver, to which he tipped back another round of sake to make the shiver go again.

"Indeed," Aotabo chuckled and looked outside. "Though I must wonder; why exactly did he want to throw this party?"

Kurotabo shrugged his shoulders unknowingly, sipping quietly on his sake and sighing.

"Well whatever possessed him to host it, I thank it graciously. I think everyone needed this celebrating, for whatever reason, to wind down from our battle with Abe no Seimi," the monk said, and Aotabo grunted his agreement, gulping back a large portion of wine.

"Cheers to that."

Zen smiled and looked outside before smiling wider.

"For whatever reason indeed."

He popped back another shot of sake and refilled his cup.

*IV*

Itaku blinked in surprise, staring at Rikuo's smiling face with shock, astonishment, and bewilderment. His birthday? Was it that day? What was Rikuo talking about?

"Rikuo – what are you talking about?" Itaku asked slowly. "I don't even remember the day of my birth, Rikuo…nobody knows the day of my birth, even me. Now seriously, what are you talking about?"

Rikuo's smile seemed to widen as he said, "You're right, but Awashima, Amezo, Reira, and Yukari all remember the day when you came to Tono. Technically, that can be counted as your birthday."

"Birthdays are of no use to youkai, Rikuo. Humans might see it as an important day, but to us, it is just another year to add onto experience," Itaku snorted and glanced down at a drunken Awashima and Amezo. "Was it you two who scheduled this with the baka?"

Awashima laughed drunkenly and said, grinning wide, "Of course, Itaku-kun! You never do anything fun!"

"Of course I do; I train."

"That isn't the fun we are talking about, Itaku. We're talking about partying, drinking, laughing; not throwing your sickles around and cutting trees down with your techniques," Rikuo said, looking his arm around Itaku's neck and drawing him close to grin. "Come on, Itaku; have some fun tonight. I'll make it so you don't regret it!"

"I already regret it, Rikuo. I came here because you wanted to train, not to goof around," Itaku grumbled before Akagappa's words echoed in his mind. Something about having fun and not thinking about training or the Games? What was the old Commander babbling about? Itaku had been taught nothing else while in Tono.

"Then have a drink, sit your butt down, and get comfy! Because you are not leaving, Itaku," Rikuo said and tightened his grip, looking his arm around Itaku waist and leaping off the sakura tree limb. Itaku's eyes widened as his muscles coiled and he braced his legs for an impact. But when Rikuo absorbed the impact instead, and didn't release Itaku, he growled softly.

"Let me go, Rikuo, before I bite your arm off," Itaku growled, his eyes narrowed. He inched his hands toward the sickles on his back. Maybe if he started something, he could at least get training, as he came here to do. However, where he expected his hand to grasp the cold, familiar steel of his sickles, he touched nothing.

His eyes widened and he glanced over his back to see Rikuo smirking triumphantly, holding out his pair of sickles. Itaku's eyes widened as he zeroed his sights on his weapons. How had he-! Itaku felt another growl beginning to rumble in his throat as he began to struggle. Rikuo held fast, laughing rather excitedly.

"I've learned how you operate, Itaku; even I can learn something about your temperament," Rikuo said, grinning wide before tossing the sickles to Awashima, who hid them inside her kimono. "Now then, Itaku, I'd say it is time that I teach you to ways of relaxing, and having a good time."

"Yeah!" Awashima and Amezo cheered, rushing inside, dragging Rikuo and Itaku behind them. And as they entered into the room, glasses were raised and screams of excitement blared through the room at sight of a new arrival to the party. "Drinks for Itaku! Happy birthday, Itaku!"

"Cheers!" youkai, even those who had no idea what was going on, cheered and raised their glasses in excitement, chugging back to smooth sake before giggling. The music seemed to play louder, and it hurt Itaku's ears. He winced, trying to block his ears, but found that Rikuo still had him pinned.

"Rikuo, you can let me go now," he growled, and glanced over his shoulder. Rikuo shrugged and released him, ruffling Itaku's hair. Then he stopped and Itaku quickly straightened, looking highly uncomfortable. He glanced around uncertainly, feeling out of place and incorrect in the party scene. It had been many, many years since he had ever had a drink or attended a party.

Now after hearing this loud music, still no memories arose. He glanced back and forth, examining the demons in the room. He could hear and see everything; the food smelled pretty good too. It made his stomach growl slightly, but he ignored it to try and get used to the party style again.

The music strummed rather shrilly in his ears, and he lightly rubbed at them, hiding them with his bandana. He also adjusted it so that it covered his eyes somewhat. Maybe if he frightened some of the youkai with his fear and appearance, he could scuttle away from this accursed idea of Rikuo's.

But as he reached back to grasp his sickles, he remembered that they weren't even there. As he contemplated the emptiness of his palm. He was startled when his bandana was plucked from his head too, letting his dark hair flutter and shag a little.

"Hey!" he snapped, turning on his attacker with a furious snarl, his eyes widening before he stared into the grinning face of Awashima. She wiggled the bandana in front of his face before tossing it over to Rikuo. Itaku turned on his and growled louder, clenching his fist. "Enough of this! You already took my sickles, now I demand my bandana! Now, Rikuo."

"Uh, hmmmm…nope! You can have it back later. You cannot have on a hat in the presence of women," Rikuo said, stuffing it into his kimono and grasping Itaku's arm. The kamaitachi was already infuriated, but when Rikuo grabbed his arm, Itaku felt all his anger drain away like water.

He stared at the spot where Rikuo held his arm, not noticing as Rikuo led him over to an open spot in the front of the room and seated him down, pushing him down. Awashima and Amezo took his flanks and pinned Itaku down so he couldn't escape.

"Now then! Lesson One of Party: Drinking!"

Dear kami…

*IV*

Wild: Once again, I am extremely glad that everyone seemed to like my last chapter. My only hope is that I didn't just ruin it by writing this type of chapter. I wrote parts at different times, so I hope it wasn't too choppy and rushed.

Aiya: If so, if you have any negative remarks, I will personally make sure that my dear sis is reprimanded!

Wild: So please hit me with everything that you've got! And thank you so much for reading! Please R, R&R