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Chapter 10
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"Are we there yet?" I asked holding onto Ricchan's sleeve.
"We should be there soon." Ricchan said giving me a small smile.
"There's...a shrine?" I questioned seeing it before the others could.
"It's a little shrine. It enshrines a jizou." Yura explained noticing where I was staring.
"Oh..." I said hiding behind Ricchan.
"Something's written there." Yura said, but unable to see it.
"Yeah, I can't read it." Kiyotsugu said squinting his eyes.
"Wait here, I'll go take a look." Yura said already making her way to it.
"It says Umewakamaru." Ricchan said.
"Un...Umewakamaru...Who's there?!" I asked turning to look behind us.
"What's-Wah!" Ricchan said surprised to see an odd looking man.
"It's the author and Youkai researcher, Adashibara-sensei!" Kiyotsugu said looking quite excited to meet the man.
"My, you have a very sharp young girl with you."
"Ricchan..." I moved closer to my brother, hiding behind him. "Something is...off about him."
"Are you sure?" Ricchan glanced at the man as he spoke with the others. "What is it?"
"I'm not sure...I sense...something..." I kept close to my brother as we followed the man. "That man, I feel...he's not really there, but he is...I don't understand..."
"Is something wrong, Tsuna-chan? Are you not having fun?"
"Yuki-Onna...I feel...something is strange about this place...I'm getting a bad feeling." I clutched the cloth over my chest. "I'm worried..."
If I remember correctly from my lessons with Karasu-Tengu, this place is under the rule of Gyuuki. I told Rihan-san so he should know we're here. I like Gyuuki, he's actually one of the few who didn't belittle me. Sometimes when he's at the mansion, the two of us would have tea whenever he has time. Most times it was spent in silence, but sometimes we talked about Rihan or Yoru.
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"You can't get through, Yuki-Onna?" I asked the girl.
"I'm afraid not. I was hoping Aotabo would be here...but he's not..." Yuki-Onna said with a small frown.
"I saw him crash while we were on the train." I said watching her put away her phone.
"Will you be alright, Tsuna-chan? Do you feel well?" Yuki-Onna asked placing a hand on my forehead.
"I'm fine, please don't worry." I said with a small smile.
"Waka will be worried if you get sick or harmed during this trip."
"I'll be okay, I'll be sure to stick with Ricchan."
"If you're sure..."
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"Ricchan...I told you I didn't like him..." I said looking around.
"I know, but he's still my friend." Ricchan said with a small sigh.
"He doesn't realize the dangers of Youkai, he's an idiot if he thinks they won't hesitate to kill him." I stated glancing at Yuki-Onna.
"It's true, he's ignorant of the danger he could be in. He's obsessed with finding Waka." Yuki-Onna whispered.
"He's going to end up dead one day." I muttered.
I followed Ricchan because he was going to go with Kiyotsugu and Shima to hunt for Youkai. Yuki-Onna was following us because she was protecting the two of us. If Aotabo was here, it would have been easier to protect the two ignorant humans. Thanks to that, Yuki-Onna was jumpy and was causing trouble at every turn.
"Really..." I said from behind the group.
I opened my mouth to say something, but it was covered by someone and I was dragged into the darkness. I struggled in the grasp of my captor and I was hit in the back of the neck, blacking out instantly.
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I silently groaned as I sat up, holding my head. My vision was still blurry, but it wasn't hard for me to gain my bearings quickly. I blinked a few times as I looked around, was this...the Gyuuki mansion? I took note of Gyuuki working at a desk nearby and I had a robe over my shoulders. Did...he kidnap me?
"Gyuuki...san?" I asked tilting my head to the side.
"So you're awake, Tsunahime." Gyuuki said not looking at me.
"...You're behind it...aren't you...?" I tugged the robe over my body, clutching it with my hands. "What did you hope to accomplish?" I questioned.
"I've had my suspicions that you and your brother was not as you seem. Tell me, what are you, who are you really?"
"I...can't answer that...Rihan-san and Ricchan...They told me to never tell anyone, not even Yoru-kun knows..."
"Do you ever plan on telling him?"
"...One day...One day...I'll tell him, but it's not today." I felt a pain on my left cheek. I glanced to my left to see a katana, Gyuuki...just cut me. "You don't trust me, do you?"
"How can I trust one who has an unknown power with the life of our next heir?"
"I suppose not, but I do care about Yoru-kun." The blade was pressed against my neck. "I'm not afraid, Gyuuki-san. I might have been scared of you as a child, but I know...I know you care deeply about Yoru-kun."
"I can kill you, Tsunahime."
"...You won't, that's the feeling I'm getting." The blade cut into my neck, as if he was trying to prove he won't hesitate to kill me. "Gyuuki-san, you care about the Nura clan, very much so. Please don't be afraid, if you do kill me...I don't mind because I know you're doing it because you think you know what's best."
"However that would be a problem for me." I didn't even flinch when I heard Yoru's voice. "Gyuuki, lower your blade."
"So you came after all. What does one human girl mean to you? What does this young girl mean to you, Yoru?"
"Tsuna is my future bride. I won't take harm to her lightly."
"I'm okay, Yoru-kun."
"You say that despite having something so dangerous close to your neck?"
"I trust Gyuuki-san."
"How can you trust me when I'm holding you hostage?"
"Gyuuki-san isn't a bad person." I gave the man a small smile. "I trust Gyuuki-san won't harm me and...I know Yoru-kun will save me."
"Gyuuki, leave Tsuna out of this."
"What do you see in this human girl, Yoru? Do you truly love her or is it her mysterious power that attracts you?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you." Yoru pulled me into his arms away from Gyuuki's range. "Are you alright, Tsuna?"
"I'm okay."
"Gyuuki, answer me this. Why did you try to harm Tsuna despite knowing what she means to me? You allowed the Kyuuso to kidnap her, injuring that Bakeneko from Namimori when he tried to deliver the letter to her. What are your reasons behind such illogical moves?"
"You've seen it, that girl is not fully human despite her appearance. We have no idea what is that mysterious power of hers, but you keep her close to you not caring who she is. You defeated my men and came all this way just for a girl whose past you know nothing about."
"I don't care about that. Tsuna will be my wife." Yoru held a blade to Gyuuki's neck. "If I so wish it, I can take your head off."
"Yoru-kun..."
"Does this girl really have your affection?" I felt a sharp pain in my right shoulder and I looked down at my shoulder to see Gyuuki stabbed me. "Then what will occur if I kill her? Will you be driven to madness or will you cease to have any feelings for her?"
"Tsuna! Gyuuki, you bastard!"
"Are you really blinded by this 'love' you have for the mortal girl?!" Yoru pulled me far from Gyuuki's range, sitting me down against a pillar as he stared at the man. "Are you willing to throw away everything you have for her?"
"Shut up!" I flinched when Yoru gripped my injured shoulder, but didn't say anything. "Tsuna...Just wait, I'll get you help as soon as I finish."
"I'm okay. Yoru-kun, you don't..." I stopped myself seeing how angry Yoru was. "...Just don't kill him, please...?"
"Fine."
I watched as Yoru faced off against the illusions Gyuuki summoned. I clutched my shoulder as I watched Gyuuki, he was only doing this for the clan...the clan he loved so dearly. I shut my eyes making my decision, I'll tell Yoru everything with or without permission. I watched the fight with a small frown on my face when I saw Gyuuki had lost. Gyuuki spoke to Yoru and I stood up slowly, Gyuuki intends to die.
"That's enough!" I shouted tackling him as Yoru destroyed the blade.
"Tsunahime, do you truly intend to interfere further?" Gyuuki asked grunting in pain.
"I don't care! I don't care!" I looked at Gyuuki, my face in front of his. "I don't want you to die!" I shouted tears streaming down my cheeks.
"What reason do you have for caring for someone like me? I tried to kill you." Gyuuki said as I rubbed at my eyes.
"Gyuuki-san isn't a bad person! You didn't have any intent on killing me, I know it." I placed my hands over my heart. "I could tell, you were only doing this to test Yoru-kun...and that you intended to die if he defeated you. Gyuuki-san...Don't..." I said looking at him.
"Tsunahime..."
"It's okay...!" I touched his cheeks. "It's okay...Gyuuki-san...Please don't try to bear the burden alone...!"
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"Gyuuki-san, you're finally awake! Thank goodness." I said sitting beside him.
"Tsunahime...?" Gyuuki asked clearly confused.
"You and your subordinate heal up quickly! Gozumaru-kun and Mezumaru-kun are resting in another room, so don't worry about them, okay?" I asked with a smile.
"Tsuna hasn't left your side once since you passed out. I suppose I should be grateful, to have someone so loyal to my clan. Plus, I heard something interesting from Tsuna thanks to you." Yoru said from his spot near the door.
"Yoru-kun...I told you not to leave your room!" I quickly moved to kneel beside him. "Seriously, you shouldn't move around so much." I said checking his injuries.
"Tsuna, if you want me to strip just say so." Yoru said and I quickly turned red.
"Y-You...Stupid Yoru-kun!" I shouted pushing him out the door before slamming it shut.
"It seems you two are getting along well." Gyuuki said shaking his head.
"I just wished he wouldn't tease me like that...really, he's so mean sometimes." I said returning to his side.
"Tsunahime, why did you stop me?" Gyuuki asked completely serious now.
"Why?" I blinked a few times before giving the older Youkai a smile. "Because Gyuuki-san is family! Everyone in the Nura clan...they're my family, that's why I wish to lessen their burdens as well...even if I'm just human. I know I'm weak, that's why I want to do my best not to burden them while taking away their burdens." I said with a small laugh.
"..." Gyuuki flicked my forehead and I reached up, holding the spot he flicked. "You're too young to think of things like that. Worry more about yourself instead of others." Gyuuki said giving me a small smile.
"Eh?" I asked tilting my head to the side.
"YORU! WHERE IS TSU?!"
"Ah, that's Ricchan! I guess he managed to ditch Yuki-Onna to get here. I'm sorry, Gyuuki-san, I have to go now!" I quickly stood up heading to the door. I stopped just as I was halfway out though. "I almost forgot! Gyuuki-san, thank you! I didn't have the courage to tell Yoru-kun anything, but I realized...I can't keep secrets from him! I'll come back after calming Ricchan down so take care of yourself!"
I quickly left after that before searching for Ricchan. I passed the Sanba Garasu, giving them a small wave before rushing off to find my brother. I found him arguing with Yoru again with Yuki-Onna behind him. I tackled my brother into a hug, stopping his argument.
"Tsu, there you are. Are you okay?" Ricchan asked looking me over.
"I'm okay-itai...!" I said when he touched my shoulder.
"What's wro-You're bleeding." Ricchan said smelling the blood.
"I'm okay, really! It's not as deep as it may seem and Sasami-san already patched me up!" I said waving off my brother's concern.
"I thought you said you'd protect her!" Ricchan hissed at Yoru.
"I didn't expect Gyuuki to stab her. It was my mistake, one I won't make again." Yoru stated looking down at my brother.
"Stop...Fighting!" I pushed the two away despite the pain in my shoulder. "Really! Ricchan, I know you're hurt as well! Yuki-Onna, let's take him to a free room and patch him up! Yoru-kun, don't exert yourself and please leave Gyuuki-san alone!" I said making Yuki-Onna help drag my brother away.
"Hold on! I still-"
"I'll cry."
"...Fine."
It was easy to get Ricchan to stop and listen to me if I threaten to cry. Yuki-Onna and I patched him up and I was disappointed in myself. If I didn't drop my guard then I wouldn't have gotten kidnapped and Ricchan wouldn't have gotten hurt. I released a small sigh before resting my forehead on Ricchan's shoulder.
"Tsu, are you okay?" Ricchan asked looking down at me.
"I'm tired...really tired..." I said shutting my eyes.
"Get some sleep then. I'll be here, promise." Ricchan said pulling me closer.
"Gomen...I told Yoru-kun...about our family." I said before I fell asleep.
"...I knew you would have eventually..."
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Chapter 10 Ends
I wonder how curious my dear readers are about my little Tsuna's big secret. I'm giving more and more hints about it, but I'm curious about what my readers think it is or how many gets an idea from all the hints I give off. I will never reveal the secret until the time is right! On another note, I'm super happy to have so many people like this story! I didn't expect so many people to favorite my story so it makes me happy to see how many like it! I've actually been wanting to get back to this story for a while, but kept getting distracted with new manga updates and new story ideas coming up! Well...I think that's all I have to say for this chapter...I really can't wait for the Kyoto arc. I suppose that's all, until next time dearies! Bye-bye~!