Disclaimer: Nuramago isn't mine
Warning: Not much… well for this chapter anyway, the other warning is the same with the previous (including the grammar problems and mistypes) minus the violence and the language :D
A/N: As always, your reviews are all GREAT, yeah! Oh, and some of you asked what happened to Yoru, right? Well, I can't exactly tell you since it will reveal the plot! _ Sorry, but you have to wait for it patiently until I reveal it in this story, deal?
Huh? Why not updating My Brother is Oyabun! I have to update this first because My Brother is Oyabun! isn't finished being typed down (lots of word-count can be troublesome sometimes…). I will probably update MBiO this Saturday. In the meantime, enjoy this story new chapter first ^_^
Chapter 12: Beyond the Cover of Lies
Open your heart a little…
Pull someone close to you…
Your feelings will surely reach them deeper...*
0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0
As expected, Rikuo and Rihan really got yelled at by Kubinashi, and Kurotabo scolded them, but not as hard, for missing the meeting time and creating disturbance in the market. Apparently, when they arrived to the meeting point and saw that Rihan and Rikuo weren't there, they asked around and some store clerks and buyers who witnessed the fight between Rihan and Kiyomasa told them what happened.
"I can't believe you! You fought human!" Kubinashi was still screeching as they walked back down the main road to the Nura Gumi main house.
"Ah, come on… I didn't even use my hands, right Rikuo?" Rihan dismissed Kubinashi's worry and turned to Rikuo with a gentle smile. He was still holding Rikuo's hand and refused to let go even after they met Kubinashi and Kurotabo.
Rikuo was staring at their joined hand for a moment before he looked up at Rihan to answer him. "Huh? Ah, yeah… Rihan-san was so cool and though the fight was just a game between the two, it was still awesome watching it directly," he said with a wide smile.
"The fight was… just a game?" Kubinashi threw Rihan a suspicious look. Rihan looked away slightly. "Don't tell me… it was with that human from Kiyojyuji Family?" he narrowed his eyes at the Nidaime and Rihan's sweat dropped.
Rikuo who didn't see Rihan's nervous expression nodded eagerly. "That's right! Kiyomasa-san is really a nice guy despite his strange look," he said positively.
Hearing the cute chocolate haired boy's answer, Kubinashi glared daggers at Rihan. "Rihan! How many times have I told you to stop meddling with him! He's troublesome and obsessed and always looks for trouble by snooping around Youkai's life! How dangerous do you think it can be if our secrets are exposed to human? Onmyouji will hunt us down and what are you going to do if things fall for the worst?" Kubinashi yelled again more loudly now, though for some reasons, no human looked at their way despite the ruckus.
Probably it was because Rihan used his Nurari-Kurari Technique, but it never failed to amaze Rikuo for experiencing it first hand, that his existence could really vanish from human's perspective at all. Sure, Yoru had already experienced that repeatedly, but Rikuo was a little bit different. It was his first time and it felt somewhat awesome.
"Ah, Kubinashi, you're so noisy," Rihan huffed now, covering one of his ears in annoyance. But he still didn't let Rikuo's hand go and the boy giggled at seeing Rihan and Kubinashi's interaction again.
Kurotabo just sighed long in defeat, seeming bored. He then turned to Rikuo and asked. "Oh right, Rikuo-kun… you didn't buy anything in the end?"
Rikuo looked up to Kurotabo now and smiled small. "Don't need to. I prefer eating Ki-… I meant Kejorou's cooking at home. As for snacks, Nanatsu ya dumplings will be sufficient," he answered cheerily.
"Ahaha, Kejorou will be very pleased hearing that," Kurotabo chuckled as well. The boy's smile was really contagious. "But, how did you know that Kejorou is in charge of the kitchen?" he asked again, still wanting speak to him because Rikuo was just very pleasant to talk to.
"Eh? Well… she could make you guys bring her ingredients for her cooking, right? So I just assumed that she's the boss in the kitchen," Rikuo scratched the back of his head while grinning sheepishly.
"Ha, such great deduction," Kurotabo laughed at that. "Although, since Setsura-neesan was back, probably she's the one who will cook later," he said, looking eager. "It's been awhile since the last time we ate her cooking! Can't wait to tasting her delicious foods again!"
Rikuo chuckled hearing that. So even in this time, Yuki Onna had to help in the kitchen, huh? Rikuo couldn't imagine Setsura wearing apron and cooking. Her personality and her look would be mismatched and it would be hilarious to watch.
"But Rikuo, you really didn't want to buy anything? Maybe some ornaments or something? We can buy you clothes too if you want," now Rihan spoke, completely ignoring Kubinashi's rant of him 'should have been more responsible' or something in that line, earning Rikuo attention again.
But, because Kubinashi didn't look at Rihan and more like talking to himself, he didn't realize that he was being ignored by the Nidaime.
"I don't need ornaments and the clothes. I'm content enough using yours, Rihan-san," Rikuo now smiled sweetly at Rihan, until there were imaginary sparkling flowers blooming around his face, making Rihan almost trip on his own foot and Kurotabo almost get nosebleed.
Even Kubinashi had to stop his rant for getting caught off guard by that very pleasant view of Rikuo's super adorable look.
Rikuo realized when everyone became silent and looked at them in confusion. "Is something wrong?" he tilted his head aside obliviously and wonderingly for being stared at oddly like that.
"It… it's nothing…." Rihan smiled back, a little bit nervously with the slight tint of pink on his cheeks.
"I can actually see the flowers…." Kurotabo mumbled under his breath, flushing and Kubinashi nodded, still speechless and looking dumbfounded with blushing face as well.
Flowers?—Rikuo was confused hearing that, but he quickly dismissed it to the back of his head because it wasn't that important anyway.
They resumed the walk after that when Rihan seemed remembering something. "Ah, right… Rikuo," he turned to Rikuo again and the boy focused his attention at Rihan. "Your moves back then… would you mind telling me where you learned self defense? Because… I have to tell you, those moves you performed to kick Tetsu's ass… they were impressive," he complimented, looking awed.
"Eh, really?" Rikuo blushed hearing it, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Well… my family required me to learn some self defense technique for a certain purpose… I don't really like fighting, but if it comes to the time where I have to defend myself, I can," he said, smiling sheepishly.
"Wait, what was that?" Kubinashi joined their conversation suddenly, his face looking mortified. "You let Rikuo-kun fight?" he turned at Rihan in disbelief.
"Um… things got a little out of hand because of misunderstanding and Rikuo kinda… got involved in the crossfire," now was Rihan's turn to scratch his cheek sheepishly.
"Rihan!" and Kubinashi yelled again at his boss, repeating the shouting process of how irresponsible Rihan was for getting a guest like Rikuo caught in a fight of his personal amusement.
"Ah, ahaha…" Rikuo actually wanted to defend Rihan because his 'involuntary fight' against Tetsu was just an accident and a misunderstanding, but Kubinashi's shriek was so vicious he didn't dare interrupt the blond-black haired neck-less youkai.
"Let him get scolded," Kurotabo huffed, completely agreeing Kubinashi in this matter while fixing the position of his bamboo hat to cover his face better. Rikuo was still a kid, for God's sake. What was Rihan thinking getting a kid in danger like that?
"But Rikuo is strong! I'm totally impressed. You should really join my family, Rikuo," Rihan now smiled widely at the boy, offering his official request for Rikuo to join his Nura Gumi.
"Eh?" Rikuo widened his eyes in surprise, while Kurotabo and Kubinashi were dropping their jaws in shock.
"Wait a min—! Rihan!" Kubinashi shouted at him in incredulity and then hurriedly pulled Rihan aside to talk some sense into his screwed head (for asking Rikuo that in the first place) without Rikuo listening to it.
"Rihan, you can't ask him that!" Kurotabo also shouted in whisper near the Nidaime's ear frantically.
"Huh, why not?" Rihan asked, looking confused of why his attendants looked panicked.
"Rikuo-kun is human, Rihan! You can't ask him join your Hyakki Yako (1)!" Kubinashi reasoned hard.
"Hyakki Yako consists of only youkai, Rihan. It's impossible to put human inside it!" Kurotabo added the reason while nodding vigorously.
"Wait, he doesn't have to be included in my Hyakki," Rihan said with a rueful smile. "I just want him to get the official protection of Nura Gumi. He can be our liaison with human you know," he said with logical explanation.
"True… but he's just still a boy. You really don't want to put him in our world, right, Rihan?" Kubinashi looked at Rihan with pleading look. It was insane to even think about the idea.
"Our world isn't kind, Rihan. Do you think a boy like him can handle it?" Kurotabo also asked, looking desperately at Rihan's golden eyes. He should have known better than this.
Rihan seemed understanding their worries then, because what they said was true. Yakuza world… no, youkai 'yakuza'world wasn't easy for any youkai, much less for human. Even though Rikuo had power to defend himself against human, he would be powerless against youkai. They were totally right.
But Rihan's desire to protect the boy was strong. Even though Rikuo couldn't be part of his family, he still wanted Rikuo to stay beside him.
"Understood," Rihan nodded. For once in awhile, he would take his attendants opinion. After all, they were also concerned about Rikuo. He couldn't endanger Rikuo by putting him in apposition where he could be easily attacked by any youkai. Rihan could still protect him even though he wasn't part of Nura Gumi as long as Rikuo was still living in Nura Gumi main HQ.
0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0
Set me free…**
Your heaven's a lie…
Set me free with your love…
0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0
Rikuo looked at the three adults discussing and sighed long once. They were probably talking about how a human couldn't join in Hyakki Yako. He wondered what they would do if they knew he was ¼ youkai. Though, Rikuo couldn't really tell them that.
Anyway, Rikuo had to ask Nurarihyon what he had told Rihan about him first. As Rikuo thought it further, his grandpa probably had given 'the cover' to Rihan and not Rikuo's 'real identity', but he wasn't yet informed. Rikuo would need to speak again with him later. And besides, he had got a clue of how to start looking answers about how to go back to his timeline.
Ryuujin's facial hair was the key word. The seller said it was a rare plant that only grew in the forest on top of Fujiyama. Probably, he had to go there to investigate the 'beloved one' Ryuujin was talking about in His rant before He blasted Rikuo away.
Though… how could he go to Fujiyama from Ukiyoe Town? Sure, he could go by train, but… would he be allowed to go by himself? He had to camp out if he went hiking after all. He doubted that Rihan and/or Nurarihyon would allow him go alone. Somewhere in Fujiyama was god's realm where Ryuujin's throne stood anyway. That facial hair plants might mark the place of the door to go into the realm. But… he needed preparation to enter god's realm, right?
Aaah, it would be so much easier if he had Yoru right now! God's realm might be too overwhelming for human's body… but if it was Yoru, he could take it just fine because he was youkai! Why couldn't he speak to Yoru anyway? He helped Rikuo just then when he fought in the market, right? Rikuo doubted he could pull that stunt without Yoru's help! It was very weird… why…? What happened to him that he couldn't communicate with Yoru?
Rikuo bit down his lower lip and scratched his head curtly in aggravation. This situation where he couldn't get in contact with his other self was getting ridiculous and frustrating. He didn't know the reason why he couldn't see his night form and it annoyed him very much.
Rikuo sighed long again, though…. It was useless to mull over something he didn't know the answer was. He should leave that mystery for now, and focused on what was in front of him. The one he probably knew how to answer.
In this past time, Rikuo knew something about Rihan from the little trip to the market, thanks to Kiyomasa. Rihan might look like he was okay and still laughing cheerily on the outside, but he had just experienced a traumatic event with Yamabuki Otome's disappearance… moreover, it just happened a month or so ago. Rikuo actually wanted to stay beside him to cheer him up….
Ah, Rikuo was in dilemma. Maybe he had to prioritize Rihan first until his dad was able to move on. He didn't know how long it would take, but Rikuo wanted Rihan to be happy. After all… he kind of vaguely remembered hearing that voice when he was almost unconscious after getting blasted by Ryuujin's death ray.
"Rihan-sama… please… free him…."
Was that… Yamabuki Otome's voice?—Rikuo couldn't help wondering as he recalled the soft whispering voice that was very gentle and warm… like a voice of a mother before he regained his consciousness and was suddenly dropped from the sky. He actually just remembered that episode after hearing Kiyomasa's story about Yamabuki and Rihan.
Rikuo also remembered Yamabuki when she died in his arms. It still felt painful when he recalled her last words… her eyes looking at Yoru's crimson ones and wishing that he were her and Rihan's child. Even after all that time after she had left… she was still in love with Rihan. Probably…Rihan was also… and he kept hurting all this time.
Rihan didn't show it in his face, but he must have been….
Maybe… maybe it was Yamabuki's wish that Rihan should move on. Maybe Yamabuki's spirit intervened with Ryuujin's death ray to send Rikuo back in time… to 'free' Rihan from the suffering he had to bear because of the 'love' she and he had vowed to keep and share with each other.
It was merely speculation on Rikuo's part, but for some odd reasons, he had a strong feeling that it was true.
But then… how Rikuo could do that? By staying as distraction for Rihan's mind from thinking about Yamabuki? For how long should he do that, then? Rikuo also had his duty and responsibility to look a way for him to go back, to protect his family in the future, right? He couldn't stay in this timeline forever. If he accidentally had Rihan love him now only to leave him again in the end, wouldn't that be too cruel?
Rikuo shook his head. He could never hurt Rihan like that. Not like that.
"What should I do…?" and Rikuo couldn't help mumbling seriously at that.
"What what you should do?"
Rihan's voice startled Rikuo out of his reverie and he looked up seeing the three adults had come back from their little discussion.
"Ah? No… I was just thinking about what I should do to be closer to Setsura-san," he lied so smoothly that he almost cringed at that thought alone. Since when had Rikuo become a liar like this? He usually never lied directly and only put misleading suggestion and let his opponents draw their own conclusion.
Though, Rikuo indeed wanted to be closer to Setsura at some points, because he still wanted to see play with the baby Tsurara and to 'know' Setsura so he could tell Tsurara in the future about her. Well, he wasn't thinking about that just now, though….
"Setsura? Why do you want to get close to her?" Rihan frowned a bit for some reasons.
"Aha! Rikuo-kun likes Setsura-neesan?" Kubinashi guessed while snickering.
"Can't be helped, she's pretty indeed," Kurotabo said with a teasing smile as well.
Rikuo blushed at their accusation. "Um… it's not…." He stuttered nervously, a little bit embarrassed and didn't know how to react to that.
Rihan's frown was deepening. "She's a Yuki Onna, you know. She freezes the one she loves and brings him to the mountain," he said, looking slightly annoyed.
Rikuo's sweat dropped at his tone. What was that? "That's why, it's not like that…" he said in his defense, still embarrassed. He didn't know why Rihan was frowning and what was it with the annoyance?
Rikuo was silent for a moment, thinking carefully about what he should say. Then he nodded. "She looked… a lot like someone I know before I came here," he decided to share.
Rihan, Kubinashi and Kurotabo looked at him as they heard what he had said.
"Even her name… is similar," Rikuo continued, looking afar. Well, he didn't exactly lying even though it was the first time he met her. He had known the story about her from the future after all. Anyway, Setsura's name was the trigger of his 'supposedly' episode of remembering his 'memory' even though he didn't suffer from amnesia for real. He thought it would fit with his interest in knowing her better.
"Now that you mentioned about it, you did look like you knew her when I mentioned her for the first time in that recreational room," Rihan commented while thinking seriously.
See? Rihan was quick in catching up with what Rikuo was talking about.
The realization also dawned on Kurotabo's expression, but Kubinashi looked slightly confused since he wasn't in the recreational room that day when it happened.
"Rikuo-kun knew Setsura before he even came to Nura Gumi?" Kubinashi asked in surprised look.
"But, when I asked Setsura this morning, she didn't recognize you, Rikuo," Rihan said, not minding Kubinashi's question.
"Maybe she doesn't know me because she really doesn't know… but I know her. I just can't pinpoint where and why I know, but… I know her," Rikuo looked down for a moment before he spilled a little secret he wasn't supposed to just because he slipped his tongue again. "She won't… stay much longer in Nura Gumi."
Rihan, Kubinashi and Kurotabo stopped dead in their track, widening their eyes in total shock when Rikuo said that. "What?" Rihan was the first to react and grabbed Rikuo's shoulders, surprising Rikuo.
"Eh?" Rikuo snapped back and looked at Rihan's serious eyes with widened ones. "W-what… what's wrong?" he asked in a slight panicky.
Wait, what had Rikuo said, just now? CRAP! He had slipped again!
"Just now… what did you say?" Rihan asked with serious look at Rikuo.
"Eh… um…" Rikuo was sweating in panicky. He didn't know how to answer that. He had slipped! His stupid mouth had slipped again and the damage was too big this time. What should he do now?
Tell the truth? But how can I explain from where I know about something like that?—Rikuo was cornered when Rihan's golden eyes bored into his chocolate ones. He had to say something and fast.
"A dream…." Rikuo said finally, but he was very nervous about that. "It was a dream… I often had when I was still a kid. About her… leaving Nura Gumi," he shut his eyes closed, not wanting to be caught lying.
That was right. Rikuo lied again. He couldn't believe this. A dream? What a lame excuse! He should have come out with a better lie. Anyway, he shouldn't lie at all, damn it!
However, surprisingly, Rihan, Kurotabo and Kubinashi didn't laugh about that. "A premonition dream?" Rihan asked carefully.
Eh?—Rikuo opened his eyes and looked at Rihan and his attendants wonderingly. They looked… worried?
"Uh… huh?" Rikuo was confused. Why didn't they laugh it off? A premonition dream couldn't be trusted, right?
Kubinashi looked at Kurotabo. "Lately… Setsura-neesan was acting strange, right? Even before she left for her breeding time," he said with frowning face.
"True… she spaced out more often too… and her youki was getting weaker each day…." Kurotabo said with worried tone.
The most anxious looking one was Rihan. He hadn't said anything, but he looked really concerned.
W-what… exactly have I done?—Rikuo didn't know that he had said something those three had already been suspicious of. They had seen the signs and yet they kept quiet because they hadn't wanted to admit it. Rikuo's 'premonition' had sealed the deal apparently.
"How long…?" Rihan spoke then, asking precisely. "How much longer… does she have?"
Rikuo looked at Rihan sympathetically before looking down. "I don't know…." This time, he didn't lie. He absolutely knew nothing about that and he didn't want to keep putting another lie to cover the previous ones. It would be endless.
Rihan covered his face with one hand and smiled sadly. "Thank you… for opening our eyes about this, Rikuo." He said sincerely with a sad tone and Rikuo's heart hurt that Rihan believed his lie even though the fact remained true.
"I'm sorry… for breaking it in this manner…." Rikuo said while walking closer to Rihan and gave him a gentle hug on his waist while closing his eyes, mainly because he felt guilty for having to lie about his reason in knowing the fact and to comfort himself that this was the best thing he could do to protect 'this time'.
Rihan looked up at the sky and hugged Rikuo back slowly. "No… we are already aware of the signs…. We just… didn't want to think about it. You don't have to say sorry for telling the truth."
Rikuo tightened his hug. "Even so… the fact remains hurting you… I'm sorry that all of you have to go through this…."
Rihan smiled small, so did Kubinashi and Kurotabo, but Rikuo couldn't exactly see them from his position.
"Thank you…." The three youkai mumbled at the same time. Rikuo could feel a hand on each side of his shoulder, signaling that both Kurotabo and Kubinashi had came closer and put reassuring touch to him as well.
Rikuo felt… that he didn't deserve their kindness for his continuous lie about who he was and what he was. Even so, even if he felt guilty… he would still continue lying so as not to hurt them even more.
0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0
Lights will guide you home…
And ignite your bones…
And I will try to fix you…***
0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0
They arrived at Nura Gumi some minutes later after stopping by Nanatsu ya to buy the snacks. At one point, Rikuo asked Rihan if he knew anything about a plant called Ryuujin's facial hair and his face turned weird hearing that.
"There's a plant named after Him?" Rihan had asked and Rikuo shrugged.
"The shopkeeper offered me to buy one box, but I thought his story was improbable, so I didn't buy it," Rikuo answered and Rihan looked visibly relieved at that.
"Well, we can always find the fresh ones if we go to the place where the shopkeeper said he found the plant," Rihan said with a grin and Rikuo nodded.
"He said they grew inside the forest, on top of Fujiyama. I'd like to go there sometimes," Rikuo said slowly and Rihan looked worried again for some reasons. "Not right now, though. I still want to walk around the town and sightsee a little bit," he continued, smiling cheerily while holding Rihan's hand again.
Rihan smiled softly at that. "Sure. I'll walk you everywhere you want to," he said while bowing a little to look at Rikuo's large eyes and ruffled his hair fondly.
Rikuo blushed slightly with the affectionate gesture. "Thank you, Rihan-san," he said happily.
Rihan then had to go for doing his work. Well, he was still a family head and there were some reports he had to see or something and had to leave Rikuo to do whatever he wanted to do in the house, so he looked for Nurarihyon to talk about the 'cover'.
Rikuo found his grandpa on the recreational room sipping tea and smoking pipe in leisure manner. "Ah, Jiichan," he went inside the room and the other youkai around him looked at his direction while snickering. It seemed they still found it funny that Rikuo called their Supreme Commander with simple 'grandpa'.
"Oh, Rikuo," Nurarihyon noticed the boy and patted the tatami beside him. "Come and sit here with me. Natou," he then turned to Natou Kozo who immediately stood and ran to him.
"What is it, Nurarihyon-sama?" the little smelly youkai asked.
"Bring Rikuo a cup of tea," Nurarihyon ordered.
"At once!" Natou said with a salute before he turned and scampered to get out of the room to the kitchen.
Rikuo approached Nurarihyon and sat beside him. "I'd been looking for you, jiichan," he said with a sigh.
"Must be to complain about the story I gave Rihan regarding you," Nurarihyon said slowly and quiet enough that the other youkai couldn't hear it, but he was snickering as well that annoyed Rikuo a little.
"Yeah, that's it," Rikuo nodded. "You didn't tell him the real situation I'm in, right?" Rikuo asked suspiciously.
"Of course not. Haven't I promised you? Despite the prank I like to pull on other people, I know how important it is to keep what happened to you as a secret," Nurarihyon said with a chuckle. "Though, I admit it's quite amusing to mess with Rihan and you. You must have been very shocked when Rihan said he knew all about you, right?" he grinned wickedly and Rikuo pouted at him.
"You had me there, jiichan," Rikuo said, huffing slightly and Nurarihyon sniggered again.
"Must have been priceless, I wish I could see your face when you heard Rihan," Nurarihyon said again, still laughing. Rikuo blushed slightly because he also remembered how panicked he was when he thought Rihan knew the truth.
"So… what kind of cover have you created for me?" Rikuo asked, keeping his voice in undertone for privacy.
"That you were a human sacrifice for Ryuujin," Nurarihyon said with the same manner as him.
"Human… sacrifice…?" Rikuo widened his eyes at that.
"Yeah, but you were the failure one since Ryuujin 'rejected' you. Rihan said you were wounded pretty badly when he found you, right? I think Ryuujin's attack would suit the explanation well. Besides, you probably want to know 'some answers' of His purpose in sending you back in time. You wanting to know why Ryuujin rejected you can be a good excuse for you looking for the Great Dragon," he explained.
"I see…." Rikuo could see the logic in it. As expected from his grandpa. He was great at making background stories and excuses, and Nurarihyon was even considering everything which could help Rikuo not to get questioned when he wanted to find out about something.
"I also took the liberty to say that your family made you the sacrifice so Rihan won't be bold enough to ask about them since it can 'hurt' you," Nurarihyon added.
Rikuo looked down. His grandpa even thought it that far. That was why; Rihan said he wouldn't ask anything directly from Rikuo this morning. Really…Nurarihyon was very good at this. Well, he was Nurarihyon after all, the master of deceit and trickery, so it was natural for him to do that.
But… "I feel a little guilty that I have to lie to Rihan-san and everyone else…." Rikuo said slowly feeling slightly depressed.
Nurarihyon smiled small at that and brought his hand to cup Rikuo's cheek and brought him to look t his golden eyes. "Beyond those lies… lays an honest fragile heart that hates to hurt other people," he said quietly. "A white lie is justified… to bring happiness and to protect the one you love."
"Jiichan…." Rikuo was slightly amazed at his words and look. Despite being old, he could still look so… wise and cool.
"Rikuo, you don't have to feel so depressed. They will understand if they know the truth and they'd better off not knowing because if they knew… they'd regret knowing anyway," Nurarihyon said surely.
"You think so?" Rikuo smiled at hearing Nurarihyon's words.
"One hundred percent positive," Nurarihyon winked at him and Rikuo chuckled. Nurarihyon couldn't pull off the same effect as Rihan's wink, but it was still funny and entertaining.
"Thank you jiichan!" Rikuo said quite loudly and then hugged the older man joyfully. The other youkai turned to their direction and bulged their eyes as wide as saucers, staring so baffled at those to as if they had grown a second head. Rikuo didn't care though, because he really loved his super cool grandpa. Didn't matter if Nurarihyon knew that he was his grandson or not.
Nurarihyon looked quite shocked with the sudden demonstrative gesture from Rikuo, but he didn't seem wanting to struggle. He probably thought that it was actually nice to be this close to other people. Well, Rikuo liked to imagine that Nurarihyon was this close to Youhime, his grandma, once upon a time and Rikuo's 'human' warmth was supposed to be similar to her, right?
Nurarihyon smiled small and patted Rikuo's back slightly. "You're welcome. I'd like to ask a favor from you as well, though," he said after that, earning Rikuo's attention once again as the boy slowly loosened his hug and looked at him again.
"What can I do for you, Jiichan?" Rikuo asked, ready to do anything to help.
"It's about Rihan…" Nurarihyon said slowly, looking solemn. Rikuo nodded, urging his grandpa to continue. "I wish you can… entertain him, somehow, because he seems to be very fond of you," he continued.
Rikuo froze at his spot. "Entertain?" he asked carefully, a bead of sweat prickling out his cheek. His grandpa didn't imply something he thought he was implying, right?
"You know… accompany him and hear his stories and just… be there for him," Nurarihyon said raising his eyebrows as if he were asking 'what do you think it was?'
"Ah… that…" Rikuo sighed slightly. "Sure, I can do that," he nodded in agreement. "Why though?" he had to ask, even if he already had an idea what this was about.
Nurarihyon looked down for a moment with a sad look. "He had just lost someone very important to him… and he's hurting even though he doesn't show it," he spoke quietly and Rikuo nodded in understanding.
"But is it really okay for me to do that?" Rikuo asked then. "I'm not exactly stable either… when the time comes, I have to leave him too, you know…" That was his only fear, hurting Rihan even more.
Nurarihyon smiled. "At that time, he will have already realized that… in every parting there will always be new meeting. That's just how life is. He won't be hurting as much anymore and it will encourage him to treasure the limited time he has with anyone he has right now."
Rikuo widened his eyes at that and then he smiled surely now. "Okay," he said confidently.
Jiichan is totally right…. We might part someday, but that makes 'this together time' so precious…—Rikuo made up his mind. He wouldn't be hesitating anymore. He would make Rihan happy, no matter what it took to do so.
Going home had to be postponed, but Rikuo believed that this was the best chance in his life… to take back the lost time between him and his dad. And he sure as hell wouldn't miss it….
End of Chapter 12
Tbc…
Additional Notes:
*Partial lyric of a Japanese Song titled 'Haruka Kanata' sung by Asian Kungfu Generation (Naruto's anime second opening)
**Partial lyric of a song titled 'Heavens A Lie' by Lacuna Coil
***Partial lyric of a song titled 'Fix You' by Coldplay
1)Hyakki Yako: Parade of 100 Demons
A/N: Hmm… not too much progress of the plot, more like Rikuo's musing about what he will do now with a handful of knowledge he's gotten. Though the decision is made there in the end*grins* Now there will be a lot of fan services starting the next chapter… *evil grin* Anyway, what do you think? Should I put some bonding moments between Rihan-Rikuo more or just go to the main plot and finish it quickly? You know what you want, but I don't so… tell me, a.k.a. review ^_^
