chapter 2
A/N:Hello, here is the second chapter. I forgot to change the '-kun' to '-san' in the first chapter. I'm sorry about that. But I will begin to make Kiyotsugu etc addresses Rikuo with '-san' not '-kun.' Enjoy :)
6:15 AM
"Rikun" Rikuo called out to her brother who is sitting on the sakura tree.
" What is it " Rikun replied without even looking at his sister.
"..."Rikuo frowned at her brother.
" I felt an ominous presence yesterday at school, not the building nor the old building, it's in the winds... "That immediately caught Rikun's attention. He turned his head,facing his sister.
" What do you mean by 'ominous'? "
"The air felt heavy and its as if the wind itself was poisoned. That kind of 'ominous'. " Rikuo replied, her eyes serious, locked on with her brother's bright crimson. Both of them stayed silence as they continue to stare at each other,contemplating what is the right course of action to respond back.
" I'll tell you later when i get back from school. " She turned away from her brother as she walks nearing the doors of their house.
" Wait,Rikuo."Rikuo stopped, she turned her head towards her brother.
" Be careful out there. "Rikun said, with a little hint of concern for his sister.
" That was so cheezy and unlike you,Rikun. "She replied, before nearing the exit of the house, she turned towards her brother once again, a small smirk on her lips.
" You too. " After saying that she walks away from the house, walking away slowly as Rikun watches his sister's figure fading away with the rising sun. Rikun went back to stare at the morning sky, not noticing his father and grandfather's gaze directed towards him.
" I'm going to my room " Nurarihyon said as he folds his arm, walking away from where Rihan stood as Rihan nodded.
" Well i was going to the kitchen anyway, just happened to stumble upon those two. " Rihan said as he walks away.
(timeskip)
Natto kozo approached Rikun, looking quite giddy. "Rikun-sama i have bring good news for you! " "and what's that? " Rikun replied.
" After a long time, the Zen family of the Zen sect has finally come to visit! " Rikun's eyes widen a little at the news.
" I see. "Rikun said while smiling.
Rikun entered a room, finding Zen with...an unreadable expression. Zen's expression changes when he saw Rikun. His face lit up almost immediately.
"Master! It has been awhile! It is i,Zen! " After closing the door, Rikun sits down in front of Zen.
" Yo, Zen,been awhile ey. "
'I wonder why did they suddenly chose to come now' Rikun wondered as he looks at Zen.
Just then Rikuo's voice could be heard outside.
" Good afternoon, i'm home. "
" ah welcome home Rikuo-sama" The yokais outside greeted his sister,and various greetings could be heard.
" Rikuo-sama,Zen-sama have come to visit " Natto kozo informed his sister, with a tone of joy in his was a full minute of silence before the two of them could hear Rikuo's reply.
" I see, but i think he would prefer Rikun's company rather than mine wouldn't he? I will excuse myself then. " Her tone was flat yet not disrespectful. Then the footsteps fade away. Then both Zen and Rikun heard the yokais whispered outside.
" what did that person come to do " "what kind of relationship did he have with Rikun-sama? " "when both Rikun-sama and Rikuo-sama was little i heard they used to play with the Zen sect leader " "many rumors are also piled up..."
" You know we can hear you out there right? " Rikun said, his voice loud and clear. Then the whispers stopped.
" Sorry bout that,sometimes they can be kind of annoying. " Zen laughs as he replied.
" It's good if it's lively! As expected of the main family. "
"I'm bringing the tea to them!" "No i'll bring it! "The door then slides open, revealing Tsurara holding a tray with two cups of tea.
" Rikun-sama have some tea—" Then Tsurara slipped, causing both the cups to spill their contents on Rikun.
" ... " Rikun just sat there, his hair and upper shoulder covered in hot tea.
"UWAAA I'M SO SORRY! " Tsurara apologize while crying.
" YOUUUUU—! What the fuck did you think you're doing you idiot! " Zen's outburst shocked both Rikun and Tsurara.
"Rikun-sama—NO! what are you doing to my brother! This Zen will end YOUR LIFE! " After his outburst Zen then calms himself down and wanting to continue his conversation. Tsurara scrams out of the room almost immediately.
" So how are you and Rikuo doing? " Zen smiles awkwardly, as if holding a scowl.
" It's been fine how about you? "
" Well my health is deteriorating.. So thats one thing,anyway—" Rikun lifted his eyebrows at the sudden change.
" —so when will you be the Third heir? Soon i hope? "
"Hah—? What's this all of a sudden—" Zen then stands up and grabs Rikun by his collar.
" Quit fucking around! " Rikun only stared at his sworn brother's face flatly.
" You've been too carefree all this while! " " and what's wrong with that? " Zen then bursts out his poisonous feathers at Rikun.
" Whoah there, calm down Zen,are you trying to kill me or something? "
"I shouldn't have live for this guy! That's it i'm leaving! " Zen then stands up wanting to leave but before he could reach the door he kneels on one feet and coughs.
" oi oi don't force yourself—"
" Don't come near me you idiot! " Reaching for the door, he then slams it in anger as Rikun sighs.
" Talk about stubborn... " Rikun mutters as he looks at Zen's scattered poisonous feathers.
Zen walks away angrily from the previous room while trying to calm himself down.
He then bumps into Rikuo who was tying her hair. Rikuo looked at Zen her eyes widens in mild curiosity.
"hey, leaving already? "
" yeah, why didn't you join us though? "
" Cuz i already know what you were doing with him, i didn't want to interfere, who am i to speak anyway? " Zen stayed quite as he averts his eyes from Rikuo's gaze.
" one piece of advice,Zen-san. " Zen then stares at Rikuo, mildly surprised.
" Watch out for Hebitayuu, he might be planning something. It's up to you to listen to me or not, it's just an advice from a friend. " Rikuo then finishes tying her hair in a low ponytail.
" Be careful on your way back. "
" Wait—how and why did you suspect him?" A full second of silence before Rikuo replies really builds up the tension on Zen's part.
" Instinct. And his behavior really reflects that he's planning something, he's been smirking and giggling and murmuring something to himself without any reason. " Zen widens his eyes at this sudden revelation.
" Try not to panic and act natural around him, that's why i said be careful around your attendants, anyways, safe journey. " Rikuo said as she walks away.
The door to the room where Zen and Rikun had talked earlier, slides open.
Rikun turn to look at the newcomer—revealing to be his sister.
" Yo, what's up sis. " " You might want to go after Zen-san."
" Why? What's with him? "
" I suspect that one of his attendants will betray him, one named Hebitayuu. "
" That guy have always been suspicious anyways. Let him be. " They both went silent. None of them uttered a word for a full minute,Rikun then asks her sibling the nagging question that has been bothering him in the back of his mind.
" Say,do you know anything about why Zen decided to come and visit now after 5 years? "
" I suspect that grandpa was the one who invited him. " Rikun clicked his tongue in mild annoyance.
" That old geezer... " Rikuo then pulled out a bottle of sake.
" Since i couldn't join your conversation, go deliver this to him will you? And seeing this mess, i suppose something happened between the two of you. No matter who is in the wrong, just go and apologize. "
Rikun sat there, stunned at his sister's sharpness at analyzing a situation.
" it's like you had some kind of sixth sense or something... While it's not exactly a fight, he did argue with me about me being lazy and postponing to be the third heir. " At this, Rikuo softened.
" it's your life, even though he's our sworn brother in arms, no one is in control of your life other than you yourself. Either you become the third heir or not i will still support you because you're my brother. " She said as she gives the bottle of sake to her brother.
" True Zen-san is a bit persuasive but he's still our brother,no? Now go and apologize to Zen-san." She said while smiling. Rikun smiles at his sister as he hold on to the bottle of sake.
" I'll be going then sis, " Rikuo lets out a small smile and nodded.
" Karasu Tengu! "The said yokai immediately responds to the call.
" Yes, Rikun-sama. "
" we're going to Zen's place. "
" At once, Rikun-sama. " Rikun and Karasu Tengu then left together,Rikuo stood up as she looks at her brother's figure that gets smaller and smaller along with Karasu Tengu.
" Well aren't you a sweet sister. " Rihan said peeking out of the slightly opened door. Rikuo just stayed quiet.
" It was dad and grandpa's plan wasn't it,to persuade him? "
" Nah it was his plan, i have nothing to do with it. " Rihan responded as he waves his hand at his daughter's suspicion.
" I see." Rikuo then stands up and walks towards the door.
" Tell grandpa that dinner's almost ready and i'm helping mom at the kitchen. "She said as she steps out of the room passing Rihan by, hearing this,Rihan grinned widely.
"Roger that. "
"Rikun-sama! Zen-sama's mansion is on fire! "
As they drew closer to the ground, they could see a yokai with a snake-like head attacking Zen who was barely holding on while holding a sword.
" Oi Zen, hang in there! " " R—Rikun—why... Arg... Why are you here—?!"
"Who the hell are you?! " Hebitayuu said, voice laced with poison and hate.
"Tch, Nura clan's idiotic and carefree third heir.. " He spits out ruefully as he glares at them.
" What happen with your companion.." Zen asked weakly as Rikun prepares to unseath Nenekirimaru.
" Karasu Tengu, who are these scumbags? " Rikun asked as he helps Zen sits up.
" I don't know but it looks like they're the members of Zen sect."
" wait.. No.. This is great, there are so many opposing factors but this.. Nurarihyon's grandson—" Hibetayuu extended his snake head,opening its mouth and jaw.
"—IF I KILL YOU I WILL BECOME MORE PRESTIGIOUS—!"
A splatter of blood stains the nearby grass and ground as the blade divides Hebitayuu's head in half, ultimately ending his life.
"EEP—WHA—WHAT IS HE—!? RETREAT RETREAT! "
What's left of Hebitayuu's subordinates flee as fast as they could, valuing their life more than loyalty.
' wise choice. ' Rikun mused.
" wh—wha... " Zen stared at Rikun's back, dumbfounded, stunned and amazed at the same time.
" This is the first time you've seen me in action have you? " Rikun says while throwing Zen a smirk.
" I see, so you only have one quarter human blood. And Rikuo is your opposite? "
" Yeah, she only have a one-quarter yokai blood. But don't mess with her, she knows how to defend herself ever since—..."
Rikun said, not continuing his words,his eyes soften as his mind drifted off to somewhere else.
" Ever since what—...?" Rikun looked back at Zen,snapping out of his brief moment of nostalgia.
" Nothing, she starts practicing around 9 years old, she said she doesn't wanted to be a 'damsel in distress' " Rikun said as he make a quoting motion with his left hand's fingers since he's holding his blade on his right hand, resting it on top of his shoulder.
" Hey Rikun, if with this resolve, you can become the third heir, the successor, —" Zen drifted off.
" Before i die, can't you show me a brighter form? " Zen said while smiling, expression filled with determination. Rikun smiles as he took out the sake that Rikuo gave him out of the moonlit cart.
" Wanna drink? " Rikun offered with a smile.
" You came after me while bringing sake? Let me exchange sakazuki with you while we're at it."
" Nah, Rikuo told me to bring this to you.. "
" Oh,i should thank her then. " Zen smiled at Rikun.
" I want to become your underling! Since i'm going to die either way, let me become your brother,not given by the parents, but something directly from you."
"I'm fine with it, Zen's a weak yokai after all, so i'll protect you. "
" ahaha, you said that so clearly you idiot. "
The two young men changed sakazuki under the moonlight as the wind gently blows the nearby leaves that are hanging from the tree and the grass pile that shines green among the cloak of the night.
Karasu Tengu watches from the distance as he muses inside his head.
' It's sad. But i wonder if the higherups saw this will they understand? '
" Crow, "Zen called out to Karasu Tengu snapping him out of his musings.
" After this, how many sakazuki does he needs to exchange? "
"H—huh—!?"Karasu Tengu, shocked and dumbfounded at Zen's sudden question.
" How many sakazuki do we have to exchange so that those yokais accept him? "Zen asked again.
Then as if breaking the tension, Rikun spoke, voice loud,clear and certain.
" I'm the one who's going to become the third. " Karasu Tengu widens his eyes at Rikun's word.
" Oh yeah, on the map from before, for the higher ups... How many are there? "
Calming himself from the rush of adrenaline from both Zen's question and Rikun's exclamation, Karasu Tengu inhales and exhales air from his lungs before responding.
"A-ahem... before we discuss anything further, we have to return to the main house, Rikun-sama, unless you're willing to face Wakana-sama and Rikuo-sama's wrath, i suggest we hurry along. Last time Rikuo-sama headlock-ed you Rikun-sama, you passed out for 3 days straight. "
Zen swore he saw Rikun shiver at the recollection.
" You're right, come on Zen, I don't want to be locked up in a headlock by her just because i went out and get back home a bit late than expected. "
' just how strong is Rikuo's headlock actually? '
Zen can only imagine how deadly and terrifying Rikuo's headlock can be.
Truly,siblings can be the most terrifying people when they went over their limits.