Disclaimer: Nuramago belongs to Shiibashi Hirosi-sensei.

Warning: AU, yaoi—ncest (yes, it is yaoi for this chapter), implication of sexual activity (not graphic, but still…), slight oOC-ness, foul language, etc...

Beta: mittens_220 (LJ), thanks as always~ XD. By the way, my beta did translation for Nuramago Light Novel "Incident at Bakenekoya" and you can find the translation right here: http : / / nurarihyon . livejournal . com / 65301 . html (lose the space to link there). More thanks to her! XD

A/N: Heya, everyone! Like always, thanks a bunch for all of your wonderful-wonderful reviews! XD They made my days very MUCH. Now, this is the new chapter. If you read the warning, then you at least has something to look forward to (or to look out for to, depends…), now~ be my guest and go READ! XD

Chapter 26: About Rikuo (Part 2)

You're strong,

But you're weak,

Yet I like who you are right now*

0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0

"It means, Rihan-san… that I'm the same as you… a mix-breed."

Yoru said, smiling amusedly after seeing Rihan's shocked look for the second time that night. Well, it wasn't as hilarious as the first time, when he realized who Yoru was after sniffing him earlier, but still… this was still priceless.

"You are… a mix-breed?" Rihan asked in a whisper, seeming unable to believe that.

"Yeah… I was born from a Hanyo and a human. I'm a quarter youkai… so my human blood is stronger. That's why I can only come out at night," Yoru explained. Unlike Rikuo, Yoru wasn't afraid of telling Rihan about himself. He wasn't insecure about being hated by Rihan after all.

Maybe it was because of his faith… or Yoru simply didn't care. But… it surely would make Rikuo throw a fit. He had to be prepared for a pissed off Rikuo screaming at him in their inner world later.

"Oh, I-I see…" Now, Rihan appeared to understand a little more. There was still a slight skepticism, but he seemed willing to keep his mind open for that possibility.

Yoru smiled slightly, turning to look at the opened window which gave them a view of the moon outside. "When the sun comes… Rikuo will take over once again. Ah… to avoid confusion, you can call me 'Yoru', Rihan-san, since I only come out at night," he said while closing his eyes, enjoying the slight chilly breeze of the night in the middle of the spring season.

"Yoru…Rikuo…" Rihan repeated the name, as if he was testing it on his own tongue. He nodded after that, probably feeling more comfortable by differentiating Rikuo and Yoru a little bit since he still wasn't used to the idea that Rikuo and Yoru were the same person.

There was a brief awkward silence after that. Yoru opened one of his eyes to glance at the Nidaime who was sweating a little. He seemed like he wanted to ask about something, but was unable to voice his mind. Weird, Rihan was supposed to be a brazen man. It was rather disturbing seeing their future father looking edgy like that, almost fidgeting if Yoru didn't know better.

"What's wrong, Rihan-san? You want to say something?" Yoru then decided to prompt Rihan into say whatever it was bugging him inside.

"I do," Rihan replied surely. "But… I made a promise to Ryuujin-sama that I won't ask about your origin no matter how much I'm dying to know," he sighed dejectedly. "You've already told me so much about yourself… I don't know what will happen to 'the world'—Ryuujin-sama's words, not mine— if I know more… maybe that deity will murder me in my sleep," he muttered darkly at the last line, a bead of sweat dropping behind his head.

Yoru chuckled. As expected from Ryuujin. He knew how to coerce people well…—the quarter youkai thought, grinning inwardly. After all, Rihan really shouldn't know about who 'Rikuo' really was, where he came from and why he was there. Only Rihan… would never know about that.

"Well, it is indeed dangerous to let anyone know about my mission," Yoru said in response to that, intentionally phrasing his sentence in a cryptic manner. Rihan will definitely be bothered after hearing something like that, the Nidaime's head probably screaming 'WHAT MISSION?' right now.

"Ah… I see…" Rihan was silent again, like he was thinking about something very important.

"Don't worry, Rihan-san… whatever I'm supposed to do here, I'm doing it for the sake of 'this world' and 'Nura Gumi'," Yoru reassured. "That… I can be certain of," he turned his crimson eyes at Rihan who looked at him back with his golden ones.

For a moment, he thought Rihan was about to say something, but Nidaime then shook his head slightly and smiled at Yoru in a rueful expression. "Okay, if you say so," he commented.

"Is there anything you want to know more about, Rihan-san? Not about my origin or anything… but about anything else," Yoru offered Rihan a chance to satisfy his curiosities since Rikuo was too shy to do something like this.

"Anything?" Rihan perked a little at that. He looked really eager then. "Then… tell me about how you feel about staying here, in Nura Gumi, permanently," he said suddenly with bright face.

"Eh?" Yoru was a little surprised then. "What… do you mean?"

"Ah… I keep getting a feeling that you still want to go away somewhere… you know and honestly, lately you have been keeping your distance from me. After that night… during the new moon, you seem eager to run away from me… there was that strange speech as well, as if you would not stay in this place for long… It honestly bugs me. Ryuujin said he'd 'give' you to me for an exchange, but really, you're not a possession. I should ask you first whether you're willing to stay here permanently or not…" Rihan started to ramble now, and he was fidgeting again. Yoru could catch all the implications of 'I'm worried that you'll leave no matter what I say' in his tone.

Yoru softened his expression seeing Rihan who was staring on his own hands now, a slight blush adorning his cheeks and really, Yoru was wondering how this man could look so cute so suddenly even though he had an appearance of a very cool badass Hanyo. The genes of the Nura family are a total mystery. He started to wonder if he could look like that as well….

Yoru blinked as he realized he was straying from the main topic. He shook his head lightly before thinking. Rihan had asked if he would still go away even after all his efforts. He had to think of a response to that. After all, sooner or later, he would still have to leave after the time portal opened.

"Rihan-san," Yoru called then, surprising Rihan for a bit as he looked up in alert at Yoru again. "The reason why Rikuo avoided you after the new moon is… because he's ultimately embarrassed after that kind of stunt. He's a kind polite boy by nature… no. That's not quite right. Rikuo is 'the day'… so all positive thoughts and feelings belong to him. Things like 'pride, wrath, envy, greed, gluttony, lust and sloth' are mine. He's confused and surprised why he became so… lustful towards you when all he is supposed to feel is 'love'," he explained.

"Eh…?" Rihan widened his eyes at that.

"You don't have to be insecure, Rihan-san. Rikuo is really in love with you. It's just that… he sometimes thinks so 'purely' about something like that, so he can't comprehend how he almost sullied that pure feeling. Moreover, he's still a minor. He would feel really sorry if he turned you into a pedophile," Yoru continued.

Rihan flushed red at that and choked slightly, making undignified noises of sputtering and frantic weird movements as he panicked for a few moments, unable to look at Yoru's eyes because he seemed so embarrassed after digesting what Yoru said, before he calmed down once more to look at Yoru again.

"T-then… what about you?" Rihan asked slowly after that, still looking mighty ashamed, but keen as well.

"What about me?" Yoru raised his eyebrows.

"How…" Rihan paused, looking away slightly nervous before he gulped and glancing at Yoru's direction again, "…how do you feel about me, Yoru?" he finally asked and Yoru couldn't help widening his eyes for a moment before blinking.

That was unexpected. Yoru hadn't prepared an answer to that. Surely, he was a part of Rikuo who loved Rihan (he was their dad for God's sake!). But he was also the 'selfish' part that wanted Rikuo for himself. He loved Rihan, but…was he really 'in love' with their future father?

Yoru remained silent for such a long time that Rihan started to dread his answer. He looked at Rihan's eyes deeply before sighing. "Honestly, I don't know… but I'm not really in the 'equation' here. The one you're falling in love with is Rikuo and not Yoru, after all," he said, a small smile on his face.

"No."

Yoru was surprised at the sudden objection and he was even more surprised when Rihan suddenly held his hand, forcing Yoru to look at his face more closely.

"You're a part of Rikuo… you are also him… that means like it or not I'm bound to fall in love with you as well, as much as I'm in love with Rikuo," he said earnestly. Yoru's sweat dropped.

"Um…" Yoru didn't know what to say to that. He was slightly nervous now, seeing how serious and fervent the Nidaime was. Moreover, Rihan's hand was strangely warm despite being a youkai and somehow, the warmth on his hand was spreading.

Yoru's face started to heat as well as he digested what Rihan was implying. Their future father was so sure that he'd be in love with Yoru too apparently. How could Yoru resist when a very gorgeous man just confessed to him in that way? He was still a Nura, a youkai, and it was in his instinct to mate with strong species with high quality, despite the blood connections.

Yoru lowered his gaze slightly, appraising how attractive Rihan was. Rikuo was totally right… this man was too enticing for his own good. It was no wonder that many women and men alike were smitten by him. Even Rihan's own blood and flesh was in love with him. He sighed slowly before bringing his free hand to Rihan's face.

"I'm a selfish creature, Rihan-san… greedy as well," Yoru whispered focusing his gaze on Rihan's lips before shifting it on Rihan's eyes again. He was slightly enamored by those full beautiful lips and those clear golden eyes.

Yoru wanted those as well.

"Eh... huh?" Rihan blinked once in surprise as Yoru closed their distance in a light kiss on his mouth.

"Unlike Rikuo… I'm a youkai, already older than 13. I'm no longer a minor," Yoru purred seductively at him and Rihan flushed instantly at the innuendo.

"Brat," Rihan commented, still blushing and looking strangely annoyed as Yoru chuckled heartily.

"The night is still long, Rihan-san… what are you going to do?" Yoru pulled back slightly and ogled Rihan, checking up his body up and down in obvious gesture of invitation to do something… dirty.

"You… are you really Rikuo?" Rihan asked, looking as if he was about to bolt now. Maybe he was threatened somehow, after all, judging from the past experience with 'Rikuo', Rihan probably thought he was the 'attacker' in their relationship.

Oh, no… that was just too cute. He couldn't help wanting to tease and tease and teaaaase this Rihan very much. Yoru was all of Rikuo's bad side after all. He grinned at Rihan naughtily. "Rihan-san…," he teased some more and Rihan narrowed his eyes at him.

"I won't hold back, you know…" Rihan warned, his intense gaze turning predatorily now.

Well, wasn't that exactly what Yoru wanted? "Bring it on."

0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0

Setsura was in her room, staring at her baby girl sleeping soundly in her crib. She poked at her child's chubby cheek and smiled softly as the baby girl shifted and leaned closer on her touch. It wasn't long before the snow child opened her still sleepy eyes and blinked several times after yawning.

Tsurara then focused her gaze at her mother who was still stroking her cheek.

"Hey you…," Setsura whispered lightly, smiling lovingly at Tsurara and the baby 'daa' her while smiling, reaching her hand to hold on her finger strongly.

Setsura smiled even more widely at the strength her baby was showing in her grasp. Really, she would be a very gorgeous and strong youkai someday, like Setsura. She'd follow Rihan and assist the Nidaime always even though Setsura would no longer be around as soon as Tsurara could activate her youki.

Then… if Rihan could have an offspring someday, Tsurara would love and protect that kid as well, just like how Setsura loved and protected Rihan and his father.

Setsura then took the baby out and cradled it gently in her arm. She rocked Tsurara lightly while singing a lullaby to put her back to sleep.

Setsura might have to go sooner than she liked to, sooner than everyone expected, but… she would leave something behind; a legacy… a proof that Yuki Onna was a part of Nura Gumi from the start till the end. She hoped and prayed that her child would grow strong and happy even if she wouldn't be there to witness it.

This child who looked similar most to Setsura… she would remind everyone of her existence and she'd be eternal in everyone's memory….

0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0

Even through all the sadness and lies in life,

You remain a person to like...*

0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0

Morning couldn't come any later… and Rikuo wanted to be swallowed by the ground. No… he wanted to die right there and now!

Rikuo covered his entire body with the blanket, hiding from the rest of the world and particularly, a certain man who was sound asleep beside him. He didn't dare glance or peek at the black haired Hanyo. Heck, Rikuo wasn't sure if he could see the man's face ever again or not.

Rikuo was… so… mortified. He had berated Yoru so much from their inner world while his youkai and Rihan were…

Rikuo couldn't even describe the feeling. It was like… heaven. But dear God… the embarrassment, the… the conscience…! It almost killed him, but… there was that happiness bursting from inside him too. Even though it was wrong, so very wrong in so many levels, but when Rihan held him… Yoru… it felt so… right.

When they were moving together… when those sensation and pleasure assaulted his nerves… Rikuo almost lost his mind. Even though it was done to Yoru…but still, essentially, it was Rikuo as well. He could feel it just fine. He felt too much because he was in the core of their being. The naked desire and love that he felt right then…

Yoru wasn't kidding when he said he had no regrets by doing this. He knew Rikuo would be happy, but still… now that it was done, there was no turning back. Yoru had lost the only escape route they had to back off. Whether it would turn good or bad later… it was best to get everything and lose it than regret not getting anything all.

Rikuo began to calm down after rationalizing everything. Just like Yoru said, he was the positive side of their shared existence. He couldn't wallow in it too much. Besides, despite the embarrassment, there wasn't regret in it. He was in love with Rihan and Rihan was in love with him… them. It wasn't just lust, it was love… they made love.

Rikuo ensured himself that and started to uncover his head. He then turned slightly aside to look at the peacefully sleeping Nidaime. He smiled softly, still blushing of course because Rihan wasn't wearing anything aside the lump of his sleeping Yukata that covered his indecent body part.

The human chocolate haired boy then stared at Rihan's features. He blushed again as he remembered how it felt to be held by those strong arms, how it felt to be touched by his talented hands. How it was to be kissed and licked and sucked and now Rikuo's mind was in the gutter as he hid his flaming face again.

This was just still too much for Rikuo's heart to handle. His entire being was shaken by this revelation. He was too much in love right now that it hurt.

Rihan shifted slightly and turned his body to face Rikuo now, reaching his hand to hold onto Rikuo's still blanket-covered body. The boy gasped slightly as Rihan pulled him closer and then held him tightly against his chest.

Rikuo flushed a deeper shed of red as Rihan unconsciously cuddled him. Well, he got a fair idea that Rihan was into cuddling since the first time they met they were in cuddling position as well, but still… it was slightly embarrassing. Not that Rikuo disliked it…, Rihan's naked skin was very comfortable and warm after all.

Rikuo looked up slightly to see the still sleeping face. Rihan looked very innocent this way… cute. Well, cute wasn't exactly a right word for describing Rihan's beauty, but… for Rikuo he was cute nonetheless.

"I love you… Rihan-san…." Suddenly Rikuo got the urge to say it. Then he felt bold enough to do something he usually wouldn't do in million years as 'Rikuo'. He leaned closer to Rihan's face and gave the older man a small innocent sweet peck on the lips.

Rihan apparently felt that because he was such a healthy man with strong vigor. He opened his eyes slightly before kissing back, surprising Rikuo a little. The boy jerked and pulled back immediately, but Rihan didn't let him since he still had Rikuo's body in his arms. He held Rikuo in place before starting to kiss the boy more fervently.

"Nnh…!" Rikuo moaned slightly as he felt Rihan's tongue swiping his bottom lip and he accidentally parted them in a gasp when Rihan invaded his cavern. The boy was unable to resist the taste that exploded inside is mouth, the scent of desire that swirled around them and he closed his eyes, groaning in pleasure when his young body reacted to that kiss embarrassingly.

Rikuo couldn't think at this point as his body remembered the heavenly pleasure he felt last night. He let Rihan dominate him, letting their fingers interlace with each other, letting himself be swept away by him.

They continued kissing and tasting each other until Rikuo's lungs felt burning for the need of air. He tried to push Rihan's away a little so he could breath and Rihan seemed realizing what he had done and pulled back slightly, enough for Rikuo to gasp and suck in a deep breath, panting, face flushing and tears gathering at the corner of his eyes.

Rihan smiled ruefully at the still innocent boy. He put his forehead on Rikuo's and whispered "Good morning, Rikuo."

Rikuo reddened even more seeing Rihan's soft expression. He saw and felt the love and care in his kind golden orbs and he was in love all over again with this man… with his future father. But Rihan wasn't a father right now. He was a man… a Hanyo that was in love with Rikuo as well.

"Good morning, Rihan-san…" he replied softly in a whisper too.

Let the world disappear around them, right now Rikuo didn't really care. He only wanted to be by this man's side, caring, loving and living with him. He could worry about the world later. Now… he just wanted to be held by him and went back to sleep in his embrace.

0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0

Setsura was in Nurarihyon's room, talking to the old man.

Nurarihyon was listening to her intently and widened his eyes a little as Setsura revealed a secret she had never shared with everyone until now. She had pledged that she would bring that secret to her grave because she had never intended to do anything about it, but now… she needed to break that oath for this particular decision. After all, she couldn't just disappear without explanation.

Nurarihyon was silent throughout the conversation, or… a one-sided conversation, actually, because Setsura didn't let him speak at all as she explained what she intended to do.

After she finished everything that she wanted to say, she finally gave him a chance to speak, whether it is to comment or to just gawk at her for what she had decided.

"Are you… sure about this?" Nurarihyon asked then, looking intently at one of his most trusted attendants.

Setsura smiled amusedly at Nurarihyon's serious look. "You're not even trying to stop me, huh?" she asked then, testing.

Nurarihyon was silent again for a moment before asking again. "Would that change the outcome of your decision at all?"

Setsura softened her expression, closing her eyes. "No," was her final answer. Because yes, she already decided, no matter what Nurarihyon would say afterwards, it wouldn't change anything.

"Then I won't stop you," Nurarihyon said, looking down on his laps. "Is there anything you need at all before you go?" he asked for the final as she stood up to leave.

Yuki Onna tilted her head aside and smiled wickedly. "Right… maybe a kiss from you?" she joked.

Nurarihyon blinked once before he laughed. "You know it very well that I can't do that," he shook his head as Setsura turned and opened the door.

"Really, Nurarihyon… you're a mean old bastard," Setsura couldn't help throwing the last line before she stepped outside and closed the door once again.

#

As soon as the sliding door closed, the smile and laughter died out of Nurarihyon's expression. He looked up on his ceiling and muttered under his breath. "You're the mean one… you know perfectly well I can't give my life for your love…"

Nurarihyon closed his eyes and then turned at the painting of his wife on the wall. "Hey, Youhime… isn't it very hard to hide your feelings when you need to? How did you do it back then… when you knew that you wouldn't have much time left… and still smiled so warmly and cheerily so as not to worry everyone else?"

Nurarihyon smiled solemnly as he stared and stared more at his late wife's painting. She smiled eternally on that canvas, but it couldn't be compared to Youhime's real smile.

After Youhime passed away, Nurarihyon never intended to love like that again because the pain of losing her was very severe, but there was someone who dutifully stayed by his side, trying to cheer him in her own way that without him realizing it, the raw gnawing pain had turned into a dull ache and now it just reminded him of his happy times with his late wife.

Nurarihyon never told anyone, but he grew to love that woman attendant of his, but just like he said, he couldn't give his life for her love… because he had responsibilities as a head of the Nura Clan.

Nuraihyon was responsible for every youkai he commanded. He couldn't die for the love of one woman; one of the members of his Hyakki Yako, one of his beloved-beloved close friends, and one that he cared so much… so much that it hurt him almost as much as when he lost his wife knowing she would go away as well, but unable to do anything to stop her…

0oo—Rihan x Rikuo—oo0

Kubinashi threw a death glare at Rihan who smiled cheerily eating his breakfast. Kurotabo was slightly pale and dreadful seeing the blushing Rikuo who ate the breakfast beside him. Kejorou was giggling once in a while in naughty amusement as she glanced between their master and their cute-cute little guest.

"I have a bad feeling about that cozy atmosphere," Kubinashi commented with a strange urge to hit Rihan's smug happy face while keeping Rikuo away from the evil man's clutches.

"He actually came out from Rikuo's room this morning…." Kurotabo said, completely understanding Kubinashi's bad feeling when he recalled how he bumped into their Nidaime this morning. Rihan looked extraordinarily refreshed and satisfied which triggered a very indecent image with Rihan and Rikuo as the main models.

"Oh, you should see Rikuo-kun's face when I woke him up this morning… and saw the state he was in," Kejorou laughed at that, totally entertained by Rikuo's reaction when he woke up to see Kejorou beside his bed while calling Rihan's name. The boy didn't wear anything under the blanket and it was hilarious seeing the very cute boy turning red like a ripe tomato from head to toe. Not that she saw the indecent part, but she swore his feet turned crimson as well.

"They didn't really do it, did they?" Now Kubinashi felt very worried if finally Rihan snapped and forced himself onto the teenage boy. It would be against human laws and it was very bad. After all, Rihan was half human and Rikuo was human.

"Do you want to ask?" Kejorou smirked wickedly, eyes twinkling in excitement.

"But it will embarrass Rikuo-kun very much, don't you think?" Kurotabo was still worried over Rikuo's very shy and reserved personality. It would surely traumatize the boy if they decided to ask.

"What the hell are you guys talking about?" Aotabo asked as he overheard the conversation. Really, why did everyone like to gossip so much? He didn't understand at all.

"Ao, you're too dense if you haven't even realized it," Kurotabou said while sighing deeply, muttering something like 'No wonder you're unpopular with women, so insensitive….'

"What did you say?" Aotabo heard that last muttering line, feeling annoyed that Kurotabo had insulted him.

"Aah, it's very peaceful lately, huh?" Natou Kozo said with a deep satisfied sigh and dopey smile.

"True… no disturbance everywhere, patrolling seems overrated now, huh?" another small youkai said.

"Yeah, yeah, Nura Gumi's reputation has spread throughout the entire Japan that no one dares to challenge the high and mighty Nura Gumi," the others cheered happily and humorously.

Rikuo smiled fondly at this. Nura Gumi was really in the Golden Age under Rihan's lead. How envious…. in the future he had to face one challenge after another without any breaks because of his lack of ability to lead. He should steal some of Rihan's ability to lead Nura Gumi while he was here.

Rihan looked at the smiling Rikuo beside him as the cute boy watched his family with care and love in his eyes. He was sure now that Rikuo did belong in his family as well. Now, he just had to make it official.

"Attention, everyone!" Rihan said suddenly, surprising everyone in the recreation room who had breakfast together with him this morning. The chatter immediately died down as they focused their attention to their leader.

Rikuo also glanced at Rihan questioningly. What in the world was happening?

Rihan 'ahem-ed' lightly before turning his charismatic feature that his subordinate respected so much and said "I have big news for you all," he paused, looking from left to right making sure that everyone was listening.

"What is it, Rihan-sama?" Karasu Tengu who was beside him the whole time asked then.

"Patience. The suspense will make an impression," Rihan grinned. "Now, last night I decided to do something unorthodox and some of you might find this absurd and surprising, but I have seen with my own eyes, thought with my mind and judged with everything I got. I decided to make this Rikuo here, a part of my Hyakki Yako," he said surely and confidently.

There was a still pregnant silence before "WHAAAAAAAAAT!" the room exploded with numerous youkai screaming in shock at that.

Rikuo's jaw dropped and his eyes almost bulged out of the sockets in total surprise. "Wha—!" the difference was, he was rendered speechless, unable to voice out anything as he was too shocked to speak at all.

"Wait a—! Nidaime!" some of the youkai yelled in disbelief.

"He's human!"

"He can't be part of Hyakki Yako!"

"It's too dangerous for the boy!"

One and every of them voiced out their objection and Rikuo himself was about to object but Rihan completely ignored it and spoke more. "It's perfectly FINE. I will protect him at all cost," he said, turning to Rikuo and winking.

Oh no, Rihan didn't plan on leaking Rikuo's secret as a quarter youkai. He did think it would be a waste to throw away Yoru's talent as a Nurarihyon. Moreover, if he played it right, with Rikuo's young age, he could train this boy to be his successor someday. Then he didn't have to look for another wife to get any heir.

Rikuo was slightly bewildered at that gesture. Did Rihan think he could use Yoru's ability in combat now after knowing his identity? Surely, Rikuo and Yoru were strong, but Rihan hadn't even seen Yoru fight!

"Rihan-san… are you sure?" Rikuo asked again, just to make sure.

"Of course. You belong in this family, Rikuo. You belong with me," Rihan smiled and bumped his forehead affectionately to Rikuo's.

"Rihan-sama! I still can't accept this!" Karasu Tengu was still protesting. "Even though you thought it was necessary for this human kid to have a place he called home, including him in your Hyakki Yako is still too much! He can't really fight youkai with a human body! His life will be in danger! Are you trying to get rid of him or what?" he screeched at Rihan then, looking extra worried.

"Karasu Tengu, you're so noisy," Rihan huffed at the black bird in annoyance. "I told you that I'll protect him," he repeated.

"That's not the issue! He could endanger the entire family! Including him in the Hyakki Yako will expose our weakness to the other youkai!"

Now, Rikuo was offended. He was grateful at Karasu Tengu's worry for his life, but calling him a weakness and a burden for Rihan… that he couldn't let it slide.

"Want to test me then, Karasu Tengu?" Rikuo asked, not bothering with the suffix anymore after being insulted like that.

Everyone looked in his direction in surprise. Rikuo knew he was acting like how he used to be in the future… and his 'cute-innocent-weak' human image in this time seemed blurring a little as he spoke more "If I pass the test, you have no more objections, right?"

"What?" Karasu Tengu was dumbfounded as he heard that. Well, not just the black bird, everyone, even Rihan, widened his eyes at Rikuo's proposal.

"W-wait, Rikuo…?" Rihan was sweating now.

"Rihan-san…, will you lend me a katana? I'll show you guys what I can really do with this 'weak human body' of mine," Rikuo was smiling sweetly, but for some reason, everyone found that smile very scary.

Rikuo is pissed off!—they thought in unison, paling slightly.

Haah… how did it turn out this way?

End of Chapter 26

Tbc…

Additional Notes:

*Taken from English translation of Japanese song titled 'Muteki na Smile' (Ed song of Muteki Kanban Musume anime), sung by Takahasi Naozumi

A/N: Hyaaah! This chapteeeeer! *dies in embarrassment* It's just an implication, but you knew perfectly well what Rihan and Yoru did *still blushing imagining it* This is a T-rated story, reader. I won't change it into M ever!

Maybe a one-shot that's separated from this story, but anyway! How do you think? I hope it's good enough… well, review then. Bye! *still as red as tomato and goes into hiding for the rest of the week*