Disclaimer: I do not own Nurarihyon no Mago. I only own my OCs and my story plots.
Hydrangea
Chapter 21:
Aoi Spiral Castle
Gokadoin YuiYui stared down at the girl tied up rather securely in mild interest. The flickering flame of the only lit candle in the room casted eerie shadows all over the place. They all have heard from the fourth head about what the seemingly harmless child was capable of, and from the reports Arihiro and Nagachika had given, it was confirmed that she's a barrier specialist. It was a good thing they had her in their hands now, that was one less person who might have been able to solve and break the barrier around their base.
The Aoi spiral seal may have been Tenkai's best work, but with this girl and her unique abilities that they still do not have much of an idea of running about out there, however slight a chance, she might have the ability to take it down. Eliminating that chance was what they can and will do until their ancestor has returned from hell. As an extra precaution, they've tagged on some temporary restraining seals to limit her movements and keep the child from using her abilities.
A black-robed figure quietly emerged from within the shadows of the enclosed room. "Is she not awake yet?"
"No, not yet. It seems you've did a good job in knocking her out." YuiYui gave an amused smile.
Nagachika scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Well, Ariyuki-sama had warned us that she was dangerous so..."
"It's quite alright. It's better to be safe than sorry." Turning her reddish-brown eyes back to the albino, she continued softly, "We have all the time in the world get what we want once she wakes up."
"YuiYui-sama?" The woman hummed questioningly and the younger Gokadoin continued. "Do you intend to make her as one of your puppets?"
An almost sinister smile made it's way onto her face as she replied calmly. "That's a very tempting suggestion, but I couldn't do that until all of the others had decided that we don't need her anymore." The expression she took on resembled that of a disappointed pouting child who was just denied of their favourite toy.
Nagachika nodded his head, holding back a little shiver. All the female heads of the Gokadoin house took the word "scary" to a whole new level all of their own. While he did admire their strength that doesn't mean he didn't fear them ...just a little.
"By the way, you're about to set off to Kyushu with Arihiro?" YuiYui queried.
Nagachika nodded his head once in confirmation. "Yes, we're to aid Hiruko-sama in the cleansing now that we've completed our first task."
"I see, good luck~" She flashed her best smile, tilting her head cutely.
It was rather peaceful and quiet in Tōno no Sato at this point of time, the ever present smoke drifting lazily in the air. The training grounds that were usually occupied were bare of any signs of life, sans the prominent evidence of gouged out wood caused by sharp and deadly weapons. Everyone is off having their dinner in the dining hall. Mealtimes were always filled with a constant stream of chatter, with the occasional sounds of chewing and utensils clinking every now and then.
Itaku, upon fnishing his meal, set down his bowl and chopsticks and was reaching for a cup of water on his tray when the sound of a sharp crack seemed to resound within the room. Curious eyes turned to him as he lowered his hand, studying the deep ugly line that now adorned the ceramic cup. Such a shame, it was a new one too.
Awashima peered over his shoulder to get a glimpse, making a face with her slightly stuffed cheeks. "Man, that's unlucky."
Itaku stared at his cup contemplatively as a frown unconsciously made it's way onto his face. Several of the room's occupants looked up upon hearing the sound of hurried footsteps getting nearer and nearer, the Kamaitachi slowly glanced up as the wooden door slid open with a little bit too much force, revealing a flustered Dohiko. His eyes scanned the crowd and finally landed on him and the rest of the gang behind him. Even though he just ate a warm meal, his stomach feels as cold as ice. He did not like the look in his friend's eyes.
The Futtachi opened his mouth but snapped it shut again, as if he has still yet to comprehend what he's about to say.
"Well, what is it? If you have something to say, say it." The second-in-command said impatiently.
It was like the dam was waiting for that keyword to burst forth, and bust forth it did. "We've just received a message from the Nura Clan! The Gokadoin House attacked during the meeting and destroyed part of the mansion... and... they've got Kira."
There was a brief moment of silence where all are processing the information that was just delivered, but then it hanged when it reached ninty-nine percent.
"You mean the Gokadoin Onmyoujis trashed the meeting consisting of all of Japan's greatest yōkais and managed to get away with Kira?! Without being stopped?! Hell, what was she doing?! There's no way she would let herself be kidnapped that easily!" Awashima slammed her fist onto the wooden floor with a loud thud, disbelief written all over her face. 'That's just, no way.'
"The Nura Clan were under attack by two of those serpents and two of the Gokadoin Onmyoujis. They've managed to down one of the serpents before the Gokadoin suddenly pulled back and retreated. By the time they knew Kira was missing, the enemies were already gone. As for Kira... there were some notes scattered about in her room, so she's most likely searching up information on them and you know how she is during that time..." Dohiko trailed off.
The Tōno gang shared a knowing glance with each other. 'She's open to attacks during that time.'
"And one more thing."
Everyone awaited with bated breath.
"The Nura Clan and their newly made allies from all of Japan are going to storm Aoi Spiral Castle, it's taking place at midnight tomorrow."
Sometime during the next day... At the Nura Clan Mainhouse.
Rikuo speed walked down the hallway, stopping by a room and slide open the door, revealing stacks upon stacks of books and scrolls occupying almost every space available. In the center of all the mess is the Keikain Onmyoujis, seeming to be in the middle of a heated discussion before he had right barged in.
Scanning the group, he quickly spotted Ryūji amongst them and headed towards him, taking out a stack of papers from his kimono and passing it to him. "This are the notes Kira managed to scrounge up about the barrier placed around Aoi Spiral Castle... I'll leave these in your hands."
Wordlessly, the Keikain accepted the notes and perused it, his eyes slowly widening with each drawing and hastily scribbled words. 'The abandoned underground tunnels... Now that it's mentioned, I actually remembered about it.' He looked up at the quarter yōkai sharply. "Kira is that albino brat right? Where is she?"
The lines around Rikuo's eyes seem to tighten with worry and stress at the reminder. "The Gokadoin house have her."
"What?" Ryūji very nearly growled out. 'The one who saw through Tenkai's barrier... is in the enemies' clutches?'
"It was unexpected so let's leave it at that. We're counting on you guys to take down the barrier." Having finished what he set out to accomplish here, the young Nuraihyon turned on his heel and left where he came from, sliding the door shut with almost an air of finality.
"Ryūji?" Akifusa questioned worriedly.
The water Onmyouji spared one look at his friend and sighed. Shaking his head, he held out the notes for the albino to take and see it for himself. A couple seconds of silence, occasionally broken by the rustling sounds of papers being flipped, Akifusa finally muttered out a reply. "These are... But how...?"
"I'd like to know that myself too." The dark haired teen grumbled, taking the stack of notes back.
"What? What? Who's Kira?" Yura looked between the two older males. Growing frustrated at the lack of response and facial expressions, she waved her arms about to get their attention. "Hey, don't leave us in the dark! Tell us!"
"These notes contain detailed research on the Spiral barrier surrounding Aoi spiral castle." Akifusa explained. "It describes that there are two barriers working as a double-helix, confirming Ryūji's theory... and there's two possible ways to break the barrier, which is also explained inside."
"Wait, did a "yōkai" from the Nura Clan did this research?" Pato queried, floating in midair.
"Do you think there are any humans around aside from us Onmyōji that are capable of this?" Ryūji snarked back.
An uncomfortable silence reigned within the room.
"So... what's the two suggested ways to break the barriers?" Masatsugu pushed up his glasses.
Knowing the way to break a seal and actually being able to break it is two whole separate issues. One way might work for one user, but might not for another, it all depends on who is breaking the seal really. If that person lacks the ability and power... they'll have to find another way.
"One way is to transfer all the water in the moat and spiral canals to the underground subways, which was once used by the Hyaku Monogatari Clan. ...The other way is to defeat Gokadoin Tenkai." Akifusa said.
The Keikains exchanged a look with each other, neither option sounded any better than the other. One took time and power, the other... well, it seemed nigh impossible considering they're going to step into a high-level barrier caster's territory. The last encounter and resulting defeat with the same barrier specialist is still fresh within their minds.
Ryūji leaned forward in his seat, determination burning in his eyes. "Let's get to work then."
Amethyst eyes stared at the pile of books situated atop the table in front of her before shifting up to look at the person who put them there, and focused back onto the books again. "What are these?"
"These here are the basic concepts of seals. You're going to learn them starting today." Hakuryuu stated with a bright smile, said smile dropping slightly when a blank stare was all he received as a reply. "Come on now, how about showing a little bit more enthusiasm?"
Humouring him... probably, the child fist pumped the air with little to no strength, both of her actions and expression lacking passion. "Yay." She deadpanned.
Signing, he shook his head. Well it's as good a reaction considering who it's coming from. "Read through these. If you have any questions or topics you don't understand you can ask me."
...
It took a little over two weeks for Kira to finish reading and digest the basics of the most basic information. For the next couple of weeks, bottles of ink, brushes and papers became her constant companions as she copied and memorised every beginner seals available. Deciphering what each word meant, when to use it, how to apply it, what phrases does not work well with which. It was all very taxing and took months, nearly a year, before all of it became second nature to her.
...
"Alright, let's see what you've learnt." Hakuryuu stood to the side with his arms crossed over his chest. Keeping a hawk like eye on his student slash ward as she went about preparing for a barrier. There's a very good reason why there are so few seal masters in existence. If practitioners do not have enough energy, talent, and (most preferably) a specialist at the very least on standby to make sure they don't blow themselves up, it's impossible to just learn from books alone.
Considering everything, she's a fast learner compared to the average, but that was to be expected. After all, she's an informant, so possessing a good memory is practically an unspoken must have, and as for talent and possessing a large amount energy... a sad smile made it's way onto his face as he watched the little girl nearly trip over a rock in her way.
... ...She's just like her mother.
Drearily, I blinked my eyes open. Once my vision is more clearer, I gave my surroundings a once over. It's a closed off traditional Japanese room with tatami mats and sliding shōji doors, barely kept lighted by a single candle which looked like it was about to run out of wax to burn soon. I tried shifting into a more comfortable sitting position than the one I was in, before I realised I was bounded up with an odd-looking rope that prevented me from moving too much.
Blinking, I tried to recall what was the last thing I remember. 'I was in Rikuo's house... and then, there's a meeting... Gokadoin Onmyoujis attacked us, was it? And... snakes and hawks... Yeah, I'm kidnapped.' I looked around sharply, seeing if I could find anything I could use to get out. The room was unnaturally bare.
I wriggled my sock covered toes, my legs were tied up as well, plus, my boots were nowhere to be seen. I huffed, annoyed. I felt around for any of my weapons, my dagger isn't in my sleeve anymore, nor was my fan. I tried to extend my senses out to feel for anything only to be met with resistance. I glanced down at the ropes, studying it in the dim light more closely this time. 'It's not just any rope, it's one for sealing purposes. ...Damnit.'
The door slide open just then and I glanced up to see a boy with auburn hair dressed in white robes entering the room. After a few seconds connecting his image to a name, I finally know why he had looked so familiar. Abe no Ariyuki, the one who was with Enchō back in the underground tunnels.
The Onmyouji stopped right in front of me, mossy green eyes blinking. "Ah, finally awake?" He said innocently, muttering under his breath about getting them, he turned on his heel and left, sliding the door shut behind him.
...
I struggled to loosen the binds, twisting my hands here and there but to no avail. I gritted my teeth, slumping against the wall. '...What now?'
The door opened once more just then as if to answer my question, this time, Ariyuki and four more figures made their way in. One of them... his aura... he has to be Hagoromo Gitsune's grandchild.
I kept my expression blank and forced my body into a relaxed state, even though all I wanted to do was tremble in fear. I can't give away my unease, makes it that much easier for them to set me on edge. The fact that I could no longer use my shield to protect myself also left me feeling completely bare. Those sharp amber eyes lingering on me doesn't help matters either.
All five of them stopped in front of me. "What is your name?" I suppressed a shiver from the tone of voice. Right at that moment, I had no doubt in my mind that he wouldn't hesitate to kill me if I were to speak wrongly or move. He's stronger and much more experienced than me in so many ways. This one... is completely out of my league. I closed my eyes, refusing to look at them.
Even if the Gokadoin House already had a gist of what we are planning, I'm not about to just hand over information and confirm their suspicions. I'm not new to the way interrogation works, in fact, I'm rather familiar of with it, having had to be there to gather as many information as I can from my enemies many, many years ago.
My life... is in their hands now.
The masked person with a ridiculously large square hat took a step closer. "You're the one who created that barrier, are you not?"
"..."
"Maa~ I've said she wouldn't be willing to talk." Ariyuki shrugged in a I-told-you-so way.
"The plan hasn't changed, we'll just crush anything that stands in our way." A woman dressed in pink robes said calmly. "Since she's unwilling to talk, making her do so will take time, which we are tight on. So... anyone has any use for her? If not, we'll just end her."
'Heh. So... I'm dying here?' I held back a chuckle, resigned. 'Sorry... Everyone. Guess... I won't be coming back.'
"I think I have something for her." Chimed an amused voice. I snuck a glance out of the corner of my eyes, and I was met with a blonde-haired woman dressed in Gothic Lolita style. I held back a wince at the flashback of my Guardian playing dress-up doll with me. 'She looked even more like a doll than me.'
"Is that so? Then you can have her. We are done here." The quarter yōkai turned around and with a swish of his black coat, he left. The rest all left one by one until it was just me and the woman in the room.
"Now, what to do with you." YuiYui questioned rhetorically, tapping an index finger against her cheek in a contemplative manner. I shifted my gaze towards the puppet master as her big red eyes bore into my own, her smile gaining a sinister edge to it. "Oh, I know~ how about becoming one of my dolls?"
OMAKE:
'Where in the world had that boy run off to?' I grumbled inwardly, hurrying through the hallways. 'He have better not pull a disappearing act like his grandfather. One missing Nurarihyon is more than enough, we can't loose the other too.' Sensing my target's aura at the front of the house, I made my way towards him.
"Ri—" I cut myself off the moment I rounded that corner and saw a group of children in their early teens... wearing the same outfit Rikuo usually wore before he goes off to a place known as school when I was first staying here. Well, that one boy in that group of girls is at least. '...No wonder his aura is sending out distressed signals.'
I swallowed my saliva which suddenly seemed to have built up in my mouth and took a tentative step back, but it was too late. One of the girls had noticed me.
"Hey Rikuo, who's that?"
'To run or not to run? Well, too late now.' My expression defaulted to my pokerface as I was caught in the spotlight. The moment the brunette turned around with wide eyes and a tight smile plastered onto his face I knew I was in deep shit.
"Ah, that's err... Kira-chan! My... cousin!" I had to hold back a wince from his unconvincing display of awkwardness and exaggerated body language. It was a jumbled mess. For a yōkai, he doesn't know how to come up with a convincing lie on the spot does he?
"She's a distant cousin from... my... dad's... side. Yeah! Ahahaha!" I think my sudden appearance in front of his classmates broke the poor boy's mind. 'What are they doing here anyways? We're preparing for a war for goodness sake.'
Keeping up with the whole "cousin" act, I slowly raised my hand and gave a small wave.
"Is that her natural hair colour? It's white."
"Hey her eyes are purple!"
"Really? Let me see!"
"That's really rare, it's my first time seeing someone white hair and purple eyes!"
I soon found myself boxed in by these kids, feeling like a new species that was just found by some mad scientists as they prodded and examined me. I blinked slowly at a shapely blonde girl who seem to feel the need to invade my personal space. 'Awashima was like that too at first...' I've never felt the need to be self-conscious before but... I mentally noted my practically non-existent chest. This girl is only thirteen, I'm centuries old and I haven't even hit puberty yet... that is, if I'll ever have one.
I shook the depressing thoughts away. 'Perhaps now was not a good time...' "Rikuo... nii, I'll see you later in my room." Turning to the kids, I gave a curt bow, "It was a pleasure meeting Rikuo-nii's classmates, I would have liked to stay a little longer but unfortunately, I have some assignments that needed my attention immediately. So please excuse me."
"Ah it's alright, it's a pleasure meeting you too!"
Giving a polite smile, I quickly hightailed my way outta there.
"... ...Your little cousin is pretty mature for her age." Maki commented.
"Ahahaha! ...She's always like that, don't mind her!"
Author's note:
Although I did not write the part in Kyushu where Rikuo fought with Hiruko and all, please take it that it had happened sometime after Kira's capture and before the Keikains put their thinking caps on to find a way to break Tenkai's barrier. I apologize if it's confusing.
Wow, 53 Favourites and Follows! XD I'm really happy that you all are having fun reading my story! It means so much to me, the reviews and encouragement never failed to motivate me to write faster and cheer me up, thank you very much! I'm happy and also sad to say that Hydrangea is coming to an end in about maybe two more chapters. So... stay tuned! Thank you for reading, rate and review your thoughts? :3 Cheers!
~kirakira_bluemoon