Marisay-chan writing here! *Looks back at the review for the previous chapter* A…surprisingly good response. I would have thought for sure that it is going to be a disappointment. *Rubs back of head* Anyways thank you all of you who had reviewed! ^_^

To CrescentFlame: T-Thank you! *Blush brightly* It makes me very happy to read that! ^/^

To ChizuGawa: I am glad you think so too! For your question, you will know in this chapter ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, only the story! ^_^

In Italics are thoughts

In bold are flashbacks

~Story Starts~

"A quarter yokai."

Rikun blinked rapidly, the words echoing in his mind. "Ah." He decided to say, a blank expression on his face.

"..." Came the reaction from the other four.

"That's your response?" Rihan arched an eyebrow. "I thought that it would have a big impact on you. I was hoping to see a gaping Rikun," Rihan tilted his head amusingly.

A vein popped on Rikun's forehead.

"What's this? A game to you?!" Rikun growled. He placed a hand on his head, exhaling exasperatedly. "A quarter yokai...I suppose that explains why he was so fast."

Silence came as Rikun tried to digest the information.

"...Wait," Rikun realized something. "Even if he is a yokai, Meikyo Shisui is a technique used only by us, Nurarihyons." He stared at them accusingly, "...All of you seem to know him quite well as well."

"Only for about two years," Nurarihyon sipped his tea.

"O-Oyaji!" Rihan stared at his father, eyes wide at how blunt he had given the information.

"...What?" Rikun looked at Nurarihyon.

Nurarihyon took a look at Rikun's bewildered face and sighed. Placing his cup of tea on the floor, he spoke, "If this is how you react with just this information, I wonder how you are going to take the next one?"

"Next one? There's more?" Rikun swiveled his head to Rihan, who looked nervous for some reason.

Rihan coughed into his fist, casting a slight glare at Nurarihyon, who merely took out his pipe and started smoking. "Yes...about why Rikuo's able to use Meikyo Shisui..."

Rihan took a deep breath, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek.

"Actually, he's..."

The past that started all

Rikuo watched Wakana paced back and forth in the kitchen. He became concerned as Wakana kept on sighing and muttering something under her breath.

Unable to watch any longer, Rikuo asked, "What's wrong, Okaa-san?"

Wakana jerked, having not expected Rikuo to speak up. "A-Ah...I'm just worried, Rikuo...I think it's best if you come with me tomorrow to work," Wakana nodded determinedly.

"Ah, I'm fine with that..." Rikuo saw tension left Wakana's shoulders the moment he agreed. "But, Okaa-san?"

"Hm?"

Rikuo tilted his head. "Just who are those yokais? The black and white-hair yokai wanted to bring me to their place just because I could talk to the white creature...and that goldish-white and black hair one seems to know me..." Rikuo frowned at that, recalling what that yokai had said when he looked at him.

Nurarihyon glanced at Rikuo, "I see that you have found him first."

Sounds like he has been looking for me...but I had never met him before...

Wakana stared at Rikuo, before averting her eyes to the side, looking out at the window.

Rikuo was startled when Wakana suddenly drew the curtains of the kitchen window shut, her eyes wide as if she just saw something she did not want to see.

"O-Okaa-san?"

Wakana smiled weakly at him. "Let's head to your room, Rikuo."

Rikuo nodded his head worriedly, "U-Un."

The past that started all

~Just outside the window~

"Unnnnn..." Tears continued to flow down from Karasu Tengu's eyes as he flew around the area. He hovered in the air for a while to wipe away the tears. He then punched his fists in the air with a determined aura.

"I will find the boy, Nurarihyon-sama!"

He flew on, getting further away from Rikuo's house.

The past that started all

~In Rikuo's room~

Wakana drew the curtains of the window shut, before returning to sit on the bed, where Rikuo was sitting.

Rikuo fidgeted nervously, not liking the silence that came. He took a peek at his mother, who seems to be in deep thoughts.

Somehow, I think I'm about to get the shock of my life from whatever she is about to say...

Wakana let out a sigh, causing Rikuo to jerk out of surprise. "...It's better if I let you know now."

Rikuo bit his lips.

Wakana looked into Rikuo's eyes. "You see, Rikuo, the two yokais that you saw today are actually..."

The past that started all

Rikun stared at his father, stunned by what he had just said. He turned to each of the family members to see if this was some sort of joke. He looked at Yohime, who had a sleeve over her mouth, glancing at Nurarihyon, who was puffing out rings of smokes, and finally shifted his gaze to Yamabuki, who was observing his reaction.

Seeing that none of them are laughing about it, he turned back to his father. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out.

Rihan frowned, but said nothing, waiting for his son to recompose himself.

Rikun clenched his hands and took a deep breath. "He...is my brother...?"

The slightly weak response caused Yohime and Yamabuki to look worriedly at Rikun.

"Half-brother," Rihan nodded, also looking carefully at Rikun.

The next few minutes of silence caused everyone but Nurarihyon to shift uncomfortably. Then, Rikun startled them with one question.

"...You cheated on Okaa-san?" Rikun stared at Rihan.

That question was like a stab on Rihan's heart. Rihan swallowed, trying to push down the lump that suddenly formed at his throat. His bangs covered his eyes, not letting anyone see the emotions that are running through his eyes.

"Rikun," Yamabuki quickly cut in, seeing how Rikun was narrowing his eyes at his silent father. "Please don't be mad at Rihan-sama, things were a bit complicated back then."

"Complicated," Rikun repeated. "To the point that he went behind your back and betrayed you."

Rihan flinched at the cold and calm tone Rikun used. What hurt the most was that, Rikun was not even asking it, rather, he was stating them as though they were facts.

"...So what are you going to tell me next?" Rikun glared at his father, who did not look up. "That you have more than on-"

WHACK

"What was that for, Jiji?!" Rikun clutched his head, looking at his grandfather, a bump slowly forming at the hit that Nurarihyon had delivered with his hand.

Nurarihyon glanced at Rihan, before looking back at Rikun. "Don't say anything that you will regret later."

"Regret?" Rikun narrowed his eyes. "He cheated on Okaa-san! The one who he always says that he loves like no other! How do expect me to take this information?! He could hav-"

"Enough." Rikun closed his mouth, faintly stunned by his grandfather's tone, the one that was only used when things were serious. "Hear your father out first before you make any judgment."

Rikun gritted his teeth, before he huffed. Crossing his arms, he tried to calm himself down.

Yohime looked around, fearing the situation, while Yamabuki was torn between trying to comfort Rihan and trying to pacify Rikun.

"...I suppose," Everyone paused when Rihan spoke. "I...did betrayed you at that time, Yamabuki...I...I'm sorry..."

Rikun was about to open his mouth when he caught the expression Rihan had on his face. It was one that was filled with pain, sorrow and despair.

Yamabuki quickly placed a hand on Rihan's. "No, Rihan-sama! You did not betrayed me! If anything, it was my fault! If I did not left at all..." She trailed off.

"All right, all right," Yohime clapped her hands twice to clear the awkward silence that came. "This is no one's fault. You were just doing what you think was right, Yamabuki-chan," She smiled at Yamabuki. "And you can't help but fall for Wakana, Rihan," She patted Rihan's head. "So don't blame yourself, all right?"

Both of them smiled at Yohime, holding each other's hands in comfort.

Yohime turned to the confused Rikun.

"You see, Rikun, the reason why Rihan had another wife is that..."

The past that started all

"So, O-Otou-san," Rikun stumbled on the term, not used to using it. "Actually had a wife before you."

Wakana nodded.

"But said wife left due to something, and O-Otou-san married you."

Wakana nodded again.

"Then...11 years ago was when..."

A sad smile spread on Wakana's face, "Was when I saw his wife for the very first time, and that she had a son with her as well." Wakana glanced at Rikuo, "...It was also the time when you saw the scene of them together."

Rikuo bit his lips. "Ah...I don't remember the details, but I only know that...it hurts..." Rikuo clenched his clothes, right over his heart, his eyes welling up with tears. "...a lot...to see that someone who was suppose to be with us...does not want us..."

Wakana gently stroked Rikuo's head, tears filling her eyes as well.

"I take it that was the reason why I dislike this place so much? There's always a tightening in my heart whenever Ukiyoe Town was mentioned, and Otou-san must be the person you always told me about," Rikuo wiped his tears away.

Wakana only nodded once more, wiping her tears away as well. "But don't blame your father for this, he has his own reasons...and perhaps, we are just not meant to be...human and yokai..."

"But from what you told me, Otou-san is half-human! So you could..." Rikuo trailed off as Wakana shook her head.

"Even if he is, it's hard for a human to blend completely in a yokai territory...there are times I was targeted simply because I was with Rihan-san...I became his weakness..." Wakana sighed. "Some of their allied members were not happy with me there, I could tell."

Rikuo frowned, "What about Oba-sa-Ah...I mean Obaa-san? Isn't she a human as well?" Rikuo corrected himself, disbelief at the fact that, the woman he had saved was his grandmother.

Wakana smiled, "Your grandmother is a very special person. She's able to heal with her hands."

"Heal with her hands?" Rikuo was in awe.

Wakana chuckled at the look of wonder Rikuo had. "Un. That and your grandfather would not pick anyone else but her."

"Hehhhh..." Rikuo blinked. "She looked...Um...she don't look like she's four hundred-" Rikuo tilted his head in slight frustration, trying to use the correct words. "...She don't seemed like a grandmother."

Wakana giggled, "She gained Nurarihyon-sama's yoki, being his mate, and that allows her to have a long life, aging the same way as yokais. She will live as long as Nurarihyon-sama is still around."

"Does that mean that, you have it as well? Long life?" Rikuo tilted his head.

Wakana's smile faltered a bit. "...You need to constantly be with the person to have that."

"Oh..."

An uncomfortable silence settled between them, remembering what the original topic was.

"T-Then," Rikuo began. "What happened after that? I assumed you got us away?"

"Un...I quickly carried you away and went back to the house I used to live in before I met your father. Then..."

The past that started all

"The house she lived in went up in flames?!" Rikun was shocked.

Rihan grimaced at the reminder. "Ah...that day, I wanted Yamabuki and Wakana to meet each other...since...I can't decide who to..." Rihan trailed off, giving a weak smile at Yamabuki, who gave him a comforting smile. "Un...But she never showed up, so I went looking for her. After getting help from Karasu Tengu and the others, I found out that she went back to her house...and when I got there..."

"Everything was burned to ashes," Nurarihyon continued, seeing that Rihan needed time to gather himself. "The only thing that was left in the house, was a red cloak that was always seen on Rikuo's shoulders. So we assumed that they had perished together with the fire."

"But apparently they are still alive..." Rikun concluded, glancing at his father, before looking back at Nurarihyon.

Nurarihyon tilted his head in acknowledgement.

Rikun gave a sigh, rubbing his head at the information that he had received. He turned to Yamabuki. "That was really irrational of you, Okaa-san. Leaving because you thought you could not have a child."

Yamabuki gave a small smile. "I could tell that Rihan-sama wanted a child. However, I was unable to provide that even after 50 years of marriage...I thought that I was...barren...so I left, not wishing to burden Rihan-sama," Here, Rihan took Yamabuki's hands and gave a squeeze. Yamabuki squeezed back, glad for the comfort. "...It was only until after I had left, that I knew that I was actually having you, Rikun. But, I did not know at that time when I left...turns out that as a flower yokai, process of pregnancy is different, it took longer."

"Around that time, Rihan was really depressed," Yohime told Rikun, paying no heed to Rihan, who had a hint of pink on his cheeks at the admittance. "Until he helped Wakana-chan, who was about to be eaten by a yokai. It was always amusing to watch how Wakana-chan cheered Rihan up," Yohime smiled fondly at the memories.

"O-Okaa-san!" Rihan covered his face in embarrassment.

"They fell in love with each other and married. Rikuo came a year after. A cheerful boy, he is," Yohime closed her eyes nostalgically.

"Yamabuki then showed up two years after that..." Nurarihyon suddenly said.

The atmosphere tensed at that.

Yamabuki placed a sleeve over her mouth. "Un...after raising you until you were three, Rikun, I decided to come back to break the news." She reached a hand out and stroke Rikun's cheeks. "You kept on asking about your father, so I knew I had to come back, to tell Rihan-sama about you...I did not know that he had remarried and that they had a two-year-old child with them...it was selfish of me."

Rihan gave another squeeze to Yamabuki's hands and turned to Rikun. "And you know the rest...I can't abandon any of them...the fire...and..."

Rikun let out a long sigh, his shoulders slumping a bit. "No wonder you always looked at me with such an expression when I was young...it was because you missed Rikuo."

"Ah?" Rihan blinked. "What expression?"

"The one that you looked like you are in pain."

Rihan jerked while Yamabuki blinked in surprise.

"Y-You noticed that?" Rihan asked, eyes wide.

Rikun looked at Rihan. "Of course. Who do you think I am?" He then turned his head to the side. "...I have always thought that you were disappointed in me or something..."

Rihan stared at him, shock by that. He watched as Rikun shadowed his eyes away. Softening his eyes, he placed a hand on Rikun's head. "I am never disappointed in you, Rikun. I was extremely glad that Yamabuki came back and brought you along. Meeting you for the first time, watching you grow up...I'm proud to have a son like you."

A faint blush appeared at Rikun's cheeks at the praise. "W-Whatever, Oyaji...and...sorry about earlier..."

Rihan chuckled and ruffled Rikun's hair, gaining cries of protest. The rest smiled at the scene.

The past that started all

"I see..." Rikuo swung his legs slightly. "That's quite a lot to take in."

Wakana merely waited for Rikuo to digest everything, knowing that he would have questions next.

Rikuo did not disappoint her. "But...I don't understand one thing, Okaa-san. Even if the allied members don't like you, even if you are human...shouldn't you at least confront Otou-san about his other wife after seeing them together? You deserve the truth after all, not knowing he had another wife."

"There's no need to."

"Eh?" Rikuo blinked at the fast response.

Wakana smiled, "I knew he had another wife right from the start. The other yokais were not really subtle with their gossips."

"What?! B-But," Rikuo was stunned. "I remembered that you were crying...wasn't it because of that and the reason why you went back to your house and decided to burn it down to erase our tracks?"

"Far from it," Wakana shook her head. "Knowing your father, he probably wanted me to meet his wife and to explain about the whole thing...I was not crying because he had another wife, I was crying because I knew I had to leave him."

"Leave him?"

Wakana sighed. "It was about you actually."

Rikuo widened his eyes. "M-Me?"

"Un...well, although I left partly due to him not telling me about his wife and all, there's another reason why I chose to leave. The real reason." Wakana paused for a while, trying to decide what to say. "...Before the whole incident, I met someone. They told me something, which led to me leaving this place, causing the fire and all."

"Who is it? And what did they say?" Rikuo furrowed his eyebrows.

"...It's-"

The past that started all

"Back to the matter on hand," Nurarihyon cut in. "Like I said before, we had bigger things to worry about."

"What is it?" Rihan asked.

"When we were chasing Rikuo down, a sword and a fan stopped us."

"A fan?" Rihan jerked his head up. "S-She's involved?"

Nurarihyon nodded, "It seems that Wakana did not leave just because of you not telling her about Yamabuki. We really need to find her fast now."

"What are we talking about now?" Rikun gave a deadpanned face, having enough of not knowing anything.

"Someone helped Rikuo escaped earlier, and they had a fan with them," Nurarihyon said.

"Only one yokai uses a fan as a weapon..." Yohime's voice trembled a little.

Nurarihyon wrapped an arm protectively over Yohime's waist. "Ah. Our long time enemy."

Rihan narrowed his eyes, while Yamabuki bit her lips in worry.

Nurarihyon frowned,

"Hagoromo Gitsune."

The past that started all

~In a dark room~

Eyelids slowly fluttered open, revealing eyes that were as black as darkness.

A sigh was slowly exhaled out.

"...The time is drawing nearer, Wakana-chan."

Those black eyes stared at the window nearby, looking at the moon that shone through. Slowly, a figure stepped towards the window, revealing their features as moonlight shone upon them.

It was the woman, who Wakana referred to as Mistress. "I can't...wait." A smile slowly formed on her face.

~To be Continued~

Anddddd its done! Whew! The past has been revealed! Ahhh, Love Rihan and Rikun's moment! "…I am proud to have a son like you." Kyaaaa! Haha!

My, my, so the first scene in the first chapter is actually about Wakana and Rikuo seeing Rihan together with Yamabuki and Rikun. And that Hagoromo Gitsune is the one helping Rikuo, but why? Why did she help them if she is an enemy as Nurarihyon had said? Is she a friend or foe? Just what is the real reason Wakana spoke of? It concerns Rikuo?

Things to note:

Yoki = Demonic energy/Energy and power of a yokai

Omake:

"Half-brother," Rihan nodded, also looking carefully at Rikun.

The next few minutes of silence caused everyone but Nurarihyon to shift uncomfortably. Then, Rikun startled them with one question.

"...Why does he have to be so cute?" Rikun placed a hand on his cheek.

...

..

.

"Stick to the script, Rikun!" Rikuo yelled out from the sidelines, face totally flushed.

"Cut." Marisay-chan cued the cameraperson to stop filming. She sighed. "Rikun-san, please stop adding your own dialogues in."

"I can't help it," Rikun shrugged. "He's just too cute for words," He smirked at Rikuo, who went completely red on the face.

"As expected of my son!" Rihan gave a thumbs up at Rikun, while Yohime, Yamabuki and Wakana, who was beside Rikuo, cooed at the two boys.

Nurarihyon and Marisay-chan watched them as everything went a bit chaotic from there.

Turning to Nurarihyon, Marisay-chan tapped the clipboard that she held in her hand on her shoulder. "Good job today. We shall continue another day. After about 500 NG takes, all of you must be tired. I sure am." She muttered the last part.

Nurarihyon hummed, twirling his pipe. "...I am half-tempted to throw this pipe on my idiotic grandson's head."

"No injuring of casts until the whole story is finished, Nurarihyon-san."

What can I say? I am having fun with Omakes now ^_^ Blame Rikun for me being late in updating this chapter

Rikun: OI!

That's all folks! Do leave me a review!

Edited on 7 January 2015