I'm sorry for updating so late! Wahhhh, I've been slacking! I hope this chapter will make it up to you!

Oh, but don't get mad at me as you read this chapter. You'll know what I'm talking about when you read it, but I'll say it now. I HAD TO WRITE IT for the story for the plot to work, I'm sorry! T_T

And yes, this is still a RikuoXOC story so don't worry about that part. THANK YOU SO MUCH for following and favoring my story! I'm so so so so overwhelmingly happy! Even though I only had a couple of review on the last chapter, knowing that readers are still interest in my story is enough to make me cry out in joy! Thank you again!

Kitsune's Goddess

Chapter 14

-One Summer's Day-

Inari

I remember the memories we shared hundreds of years ago when my life was still so innocent. Hundreds of years seems like a long time, but these past memories flashes back like it happen just yesterday. A warm summer's day at the shrine where we watch the last of the cherry blossoms fall from the trees. Soft pink petals falling onto our hair and the occasional laughs escaping our lips. The two of us nestling close to one another with our eyes overlooking the city of Kyoto. The warm rays shining in our faces with brief wind pass by as it scatter our locks of hair.

I remember he held me close to him. A protective embrace that can't be describe other than love. Our hands locked with one another with fingers intertwine that matches almost too perfectly. It was as if our hands were made for each other's touch. We were compatible for one another. He was made for me as I for him.

The gentle smile that matches his eyes when he kiss my hand so lovingly causes my heart to flutter. The littlest things he did made my heart ache in so many ways that it felt almost unbearable. It was like the love we shared was too good to be true.

Where have those happy memories gone, I wonder? Because of him I lost my way. I remember that day as I watch him walk away with his back turn to me. Silent tears of betrayal streamed down my face as I beg him to come back. I was a fool to believe that he had felt something for me. He never once said the three words I wanted to hear. He never truly loved me. I understand that now and I suffered for it.

I really am pitiful.

"First love never felt so painful, don't you agree Abe no Semei?" I said while meeting eyes with my first love. A wary smile plaster on my lips as I cross my arms over my chest. My fingers trembles in anxiety as I hide them underneath my sleeve. I force my body to stay put though knowing that I wanted to run away. I fight back the stinging tears that threaten to spill. Abe no Semei's golden eyes falter at my snipe comment, but said nothing. Instead he turn his back to me and walked away.

Wait!

Don't go… My mind thought out unconsciously with a hand reaching out reflexively. My fingers twitched midway as I look upon my actions in surprise. A baffled look crosses my face as I pull my hands back to my side. Slight anger boil within me at my own pathetic impulses.

He doesn't love me. So why am I still chasing after him? I gritted my teeth in frustration as I glare at his back. Without thinking I charge at him with hands curled into fists. Seconds before my fist could connect with the back of Semei's head, he turn himself around and caught my hand. He entraps me between his free arm and his bare chest as I struggle to squirm away from his forceful embrace.

"Let go of me!" I hiss out in protest while I dug my nails into his arms and inflicting pain. Abe no Semei didn't show any sign of being hurt nor did he intend to let go of me. Instead, he lifted me off of my feet and slung me over his shoulder, practically carry me to wherever he's taking us. I yelp in surprise before finally taking recognition of the place around us.

The last place I remember being was on the rooftop near Nijo Castle with Rei and Ren at my side, and somehow I ended up here with Abe no Semei in front of me. Everywhere around is covered in solid white from the floor to the ceiling and the horizon across. A never-ending empty space filled with bright lights that could swallow you whole.

"Where are we?" I blurted out without thinking. Semei stare at me on the corner of his eyes, but said nothing. I glare back at him and slam my fist onto his back. "Put me down Semei!"

"No." Was all he said as he continues to walk on the invisible path that only he could see.

"Where are we?" I ask again.

"My conscience." Abe no Semei replies matter-of-fact. "Your powers correspond with mine and your soul accidentally got sucked into my mind when I was hatching. You should not be here."

"Come again?" I ask. "I'm in your head?"

"No, your soul is inside the hatching egg with me. It was not I who did this to you, but yourself is to blame." Semei said as he gently set me down. Semei takes my hand and pull me along with him. "You wanted to see me so your powers granted what you wished for."

"First of all I never wanted to see you and second of all I rather die than be seen by you!" I yell at him as I try to stab my clawed hand through his chest. Abe no Semei spun around and caught my hand again while trapping both my hands in one of his hand before leaning his face closer to mine. I flinch back in surprise and turn my gaze away. "You traitor…"

"Stop this nonsense Inari." Abe no Semei mutters. "I can still see from the look in your eyes that you're still in love with me."

"S-shut up!" I stutter in annoyance. "I do not love you and I'll never will again! How could you betray me like that? I couldn't forgive you, and I still can't. You hurt me, and I'm tired of crying over you. You mean nothing to me! I hate y-mmffhh!"

No…stop.

His free hand cupping my chin.

Stop this.

His face inches closer. His lips parted when hot breath brush against my trembling lips. I couldn't react fast enough to push away and our lips made contact. How did it come to this? Why am I the only one suffering? He has no right to kiss me, but I can't pull away. Pull away Inari, you must pull away! I can't do this anymore. I…I…

I don't want this! I thought as tears spill at the corner of my eyes. My voice couldn't let the words escapes from my lips. I can't take this nostalgic heat from his lips meeting mine. This cold hearted demon who's pressing his lips against mine that interrupted my words. This passionate sensation couldn't feel any more real that it felt almost sickening.

Abe no Semei reluctantly pulls back when he almost left me breathless. I couldn't meet my teary eyes with him as I finally push him back, but only to be pull forward. His hand cradling the back of my head towards his chest as he leans lips close to my ear. A shiver ran down my spine when he whisper into my ear. My heart almost stop when he pulls back as I stare wide eyes at his gentle ones.

"You-"My words were cut off when Semei suddenly push me backwards and I fall. I kept falling and falling, expecting to hit the ground below me. Instead I fall into the deep abyss that surrounded me in darkness. His presence growing farther away. Closing my eyes, I slip into consciousness.

It didn't take seconds until I regain my conscious and I was back on the rooftop laying on the floor with Rei and Ren beside me. Their fox eyes grew panic at my pale expression. Everything is still in chaos and I force myself to stand back up on my feet with every ounce of strength I have left. I look back up at the battle on top of Nijo Castle.

Shards of the broken shells falls around Rikuo and the trapped Hagoromo Gitsune. A spiritual seal spiral around Hagoromo, making her unable to move while Rikuo charge forwards and made the final blow. Rikuo's blade piece through Hagoromo's Gitsune's shoulder blade and her blood pool out in great amount. The falling shards reflects like a broken memory as I see Hagoromo's past self. A smiling child holding hands with a taller figure next to her. The image shift to the next memory and my eyes widen in surprise.

Rihan…I thought as I see the handsome ayakashi's face in Hagoromo Gitsune's memory. Rihan topaz eyes soften when he looks down at young Hagoromo and she smile back at him. I didn't understand what I was seeing when tiny yellow flowers scatter across Hagoromo Gitsune's memory. It was the memory that was describe in the letter where Hagoromo Gitsune stabs Rihan from behind. The Devil's Sword in her hand and with Rihan's final movements, he spun around and smiled.

Why would you smile like that in the end? She killed you Rihan… so why? I thought in distraught as I watch the memory shift once again and this time Hagoromo Gitsune's started to cry next to the dying Rihan in front of her. The images didn't make sense to me as I stare at the two people in the reflecting mirror.

"That woman." Rei said, interrupting my thoughts. I turn my attention to her when she continue. "That body that Hagoromo Gitsune took over is Rihan's past wife."

"…what?" I ask in bewilderment. I turn my attention back to the battle and stare long and hard at Hagoromo limp body held in Rikuo's arms. "So that means…"

"Yes." Ren said. His voice seeps with disdain. "That body belongs to Yamabuki Otome."

I couldn't believe what I am hearing. It's almost like a tragic love story. A heart retching story that only belong in a book, but here I stand. Gazing up at the dying body of Yamabuki Otome which Hagoromo Gitsune have taken control. I can't help but sympathize for both Yamabuki and Rihan. How could they do this to them?

Everything else was a blur in my eyes as I watch the final battle about to close. My body had frozen during those few minutes of overwhelming confusion that I almost forgotten about the battle. Abe no Semei never felt so far away and my hands clench in reaction. This was all his fault. Does he even know how much pain and grief he have caused?

I couldn't ignore the words he had said to me earlier. It won't get out of my head. I don't want the words he said to be true. I want to destroy the relationship we have and had together. No more lies. No more betrayal. My hand glow instinctively to my command as I summon my bow and arrow. My hands tremble with disturbing thoughts of his last words circling inside my head.

"I love you."

I bit my bottom lip and tasted blood as I aim my arrow at Abe no Semei's heart. Semei finally said the words I wanted to hear, but the situation have changed. I no longer love him. So with this final stance and confirmation, I release my arrow and let it fly.

"I won't forgive you." I whisper as I watch the arrow soar across the sky. Without meaning to, our eyes meet and I falter. The arrow shift and hit Semei's arm. Semei's golden eyes pierce through my soul and my knees buckled. His Fear flow out of his expressionless eyes causes me to drop to the floor in shock. I dart my eyes to his arm where my arrow had hit him and small layers of skin started to melt off from the heat my weapon have caused. But Semei's expression remain placid, as if he didn't realize he has been hit.

"I know." Semei's words rings in my head before he turn his attention back to the Nura Clan. His sharp eyes watching Rikuo's face slowly drain from its normal color. Rikuo look like he could pass out any minute, but he stand firm in defense. I watch Semei's lips move, but couldn't hear what he said to them as he turn his back on them and head towards the Gates of Hell. Abe no Semei takes one last look in my direction.

"I'll come back for you. Until then, Inari." My eyes follow him as he disappear through the Gate and his Demon Army quickly follow after him. In an instant, the once gray sky swiftly shifts to a once sunny day. The stormy clouds reverse to white puffs in the sky and everything went back to the way it was. However, Nijo Castle is still destroyed from the battle of Demons and Onmyojis.

Don't come back. Don't ever come back. I thought venomously while standing back up and turning my back from the castle. I head back downstairs Rei and Ren silently follow suit as we head back to the streets of Kyoto. My thoughts roam with the events of the day encircling my head. So much has happen and it happened too fast to comprehend. I look down at my hands and watch my claws slowly turning itself back to human fingernails. We pass a window store and I stare at my reflection. Ruby eyes changing back to dark black eyes and I was human again.

"My human ability isn't strong enough and that was why Abe no Semei got away." I blurt out as I turn my attention towards my fox friends. "I want to get stronger."

Rei and Ren turn to each other with a worried look on their faces. With resolve in their eyes after a few short moments, they turn back to me and Rei is the first to speak. "There is a way."

"But to become stronger, there's a price to pay." Ren added. "Are you sure about this?"

"I am." I said with a curt nod.

"Then come with us." Rei said as she extends her hand out and I grab her offering hand with no hesitation. A warm smile grew on her lips. "We'll turn you into a real Goddess of Prosperity."

Rihan

The handsome ayakashi followed Rikuo and his Onmyoji friends back to the Keikain main house. Everywhere was a disaster, but luckily not many of the Onmyojis got killed during battle. Rihan's head unconsciously turns to the direction where Nurarihyon is talking to a ghostly Onmyoji. The Onmyoji quip Rihan's interest on how he had made his spirit still alive after hundreds of years. A thought ran through the ayakashi's head. If Rihan somehow attain that ability, he might be able visible enough for people to see.

Rihan's golden eyes dart down to Nurarihyon. A faint smile grew on his lips for having not seen his father for a long time. Back at Nijo Castle, Rihan was completely distracted. At the thought, Rihan's smile dimed. The Second Heir tilted his head up to the sky. His lips move to speak but the words he said was silenced. A soft prayer spoken for the Heaven and for only his sensei could hear. Memories flashes back only moments ago…

"What are you doing?" Rihan ask as he stands behind Kukai. The ayakashi's curious eyes watch Kukai's glowing hands move above Yamabuki's dying body. Rikuo was kneeling down on the other side while he talk to Nurarihyon, but Rihan was too concentrated on Kukai's actions.

"I'm taking her back to Heaven." Kukai said while he lifts up the palm of his hand. He's holding a glowing white orb levitating in his hand and Rihan's eyes couldn't look away. The ayakashi was captivated by the glowing fussy orb. A strange urge to touch made Rihan's hand move as if reaching for the orb, but Kukai slaps Rihan's hands away. "Don't touch it. You'll taint her soul."

"Sorry." Rihan apologizes, and back away.

Kukai stood up and place Yamabuki's soul in a teardrop shape glass container before tying a holy florescent string around the lips of the glass. Kukai meet Rihan's expectant gaze and he tilts his head up at the sky. "I'm going back up. Do you want to come with me?"

"May I stay here a little longer?" Rihan ask, almost pleadingly.

"Do as you wish." Kukai said. He turn his eyes to Rihan with a stern expression. "But be back before midnight."

"What will happen if I don't come back by then?" Rihan question as Kukai spreads his angelic wings. His powers as one of the Messengers of the Gods brought sudden winds that are surrounding Kukai. "If you don't come back before midnight….you'll disappear."

That was the last word Rihan remember Kukai telling him before he disappear. Leaving white feathers scattering all around the handsome ayakashi. A defeated sigh escapes Rihan's lips. Rihan didn't quite understand what Kukai meant by "disappear." Disappear from Earth and head back to Hell? Rihan doesn't know for sure, but a gut feeling is telling him that he shouldn't find out.

"Akifusa, nii-chan!" A young Onmyoji's voice caught my attention and I head back to where Rikuo was. The young man name Akifusa look surprise at the girl who had called him as Rikuo follow the girl towards Akifusa.

"Yura." Akifusa acknowledge the young girl name Yura before Rikuo cuts in and introduces himself.

"I'm Rikuo Nura, the young head of the Nura Clan." Rikuo stated. "I've heard from Yura-san that you are a genius at crafting spirit blades."

Rikuo handed a perplex Akifusa his broken Nenekirimaru and Akifusa reluctantly takes it with a surprise expression on his face. Rikuo wishes for a stronger spirit blade if Akifusa would help him to defeat the Nue. Right then the ghostly Onmyoji cuts in and volunteer to help out while Rihan silently watch his son interacts with his friends. Akifusa reluctantly agreed and was entrusted with Rikuo's sword.

Everyone have faith in him. Rihan thought as his gentle eyes look upon his only child. A soft chuckle escapes his lips as he follow the group as they head inside the Keikain house. An expected determination flicked in Rihan's heart and he knew then his son was ready to become the next heir of the Nura Clan.

Nurarihyon

With the departing soldiers of the Nura Clan heading back to Tokyo, Nurarihyon stayed back with Karasu Tengu at the Keikain household. The young man name Akifusa and the spirit of Hidemoto had agree to forge a new spirit blade for Rikuo so Nurarihyon volunteer to stay behind to take the sword back with him once it's complete. With two sword smith, it should take about a week for the forging to be finish or so they said to Nurarihyon.

The reason why Nurarihyon stayed behind is one's own ambition. His idiotic grandson didn't follow his one favor Nurarihyon had ask Rikuo to do and that was to deliver the letter to Inari. That idiotic grandson of his completely forgotten about the letter, it sets Nurarihyon's irritation on fire. Nurarihyon must see Inari so he can tell her that he has discover a way to free her from her shackle.

It was only a couple of hours pass by in the Keikain household when a sudden chaos interrupted Nurarihyon's train of thought. Many Onmyoji's rush toward the front of the entrance to the house and Nurarihyon look over at Karasu Tengu, Yura, and Yura's brother Ryuji in question. "Is there something wrong?"

Before Yura could reply, Akifusa slides the paper door open with a bang! "Intruders have invaded the Keikain main house!"

"Oh?" Nurarihyon ask while Yura and Ryuji abruptly stood up. Nurarihyon calmly follow suit as they rush through the hallways.

"Wait for me Supreme Commander!" Karasu Tengu exclaims as he follows Nurarihyon behind.

Akifusa stayed right beside the ayakashi, seeing that Nurarihyon is taking his time to walk out. Nurarihyon turn his attention to Akifusa and ask, "Do you know if they are enemies or allies?"

"We're not sure." Akifusa said with a worried expression written in his red eyes. "But their Fears are overwhelmingly powerful. Especially these two fox yokais."

"Fox yokais you say?" Nurarihyon ask, quipping his interest. "Tell me again how many intruders did you say there are?"

Inari

What should we do Inari-sama? Rei's voice ask in my head. Rei and Ren stood in front of me with their swords in hand in a defending stance. Their fox eyes glaring at the crowd of alert Onmyoji's in front of us. One by one, they completely surrounded us with spirit swords and other weapons in hand. I stand calmly looking around and observing their expressions of fright and determination. Everyone of their eyes glares back at us and intentionally labeling us as one of their enemies. I don't blame them though. They all just fought in a great war and many have suffer tremendous injuries.

"We didn't come here to fight."I said while I holding up both of my hands as if surrendering. The Onmyoji's slightly let their defense down at my actions, when a couple more people rush through the circle. A small girl the same age as Rikuo emerge first and a boy who looks like he's related to her follow afterwards. My eyes grew wide in surprise when two more people came into view. One was a little older boy with silver hair and ruby eyes and the other person was the last person I would expect to be here. My surprise expression turns to one of warmth when the familiar stranger smiled at me.

Instinctively I put my hands down and bow towards the people in front of me. "My name is Inari and I came from the Fushimi shrine." I introduce myself to the people. I look up to meet their confuse eyes and continue. "I ask of your assistance, if you could please help me and my friends."

"Of course we would." The familiar stranger said without hesitation, which caught everyone's attention.

"Huh?" The young girl ask in confusion. "Wait a minute, do you know her?"

"Of course he does." I said nonchalantly while smiling at the man the young girl is asking. "Isn't that right, Nurarihyon?"

The ayakashi turn his attention to me and grin, "Indeed."

I apologize for this chapter being a little shorter than the previous one. Nonetheless, please continue to follow, favorite, and review. See you next time! ^_^