Title: Fast Forward to the Stars
Author: modern warfare king
Fandom: Nurarihyon no Mago
Pairing: Yoru (Night!Rikuo) and Rikuo Nura (Day!Rikuo)
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Nurarihyon no Mago. I only own the plot! I hope you guys enjoy the ride anyway!
NOTE (PLEASE READ): This fanfic is AU. No incest or anything. They totally live on separate worlds. And yes, this is SHOUNEN-AI.No flames or anything of the sort. I've already warned you.


CHAPTER 3 – LIFE'S A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE


Rikuo thought that it was the most inappropriate thing to say after a very serious love confession, but said it anyway.

"You're kidding, right?"

Yoru's eyes widened. Note to self: Loathe reverse psychology with all your heart and soul.

"Ah, I mean—"

The yokai's bangs shadowed his visage and he suddenly let go of Rikuo out of his grasp. Rikuo thought this kind of situation only happened in TV dramas. He wished this was his dream instead.

"Does it look like I'm kidding? What is this to you? Some kind of funny joke?" Yoru was on the verge of unleashing unspeakable fury.

Uh-oh. Make that a big UH-OH. It was as if all of Rikuo's (read: temporary) resentment was passed onto Yoru. And Yoru was a powerful yokai capable of a human killing spree. Rikuo just wanted to bang his head on a wall and tell himself how much of an idiot he was. Instead, he shook his head and looked at Yoru's hands wistfully. He wanted to hold them but was too intimidated.

"I'd never find it as a joke! It just slipped right out of my mouth without thinking."

Yoru didn't fall for it. Instead, it ticked him off even more.

"So you actually had something else to say? You were going to lie to me?" Yoru almost bellowed. This made the chocolate hair cringe. This was obviously something new to him.

"Of course not—"

"And you thought we yokai are despicable? Take a good look at yourself," Yoru hissed.

Rikuo's heart fell and thought this whole world was falling apart. How could a few casual words ruin everything almost in an instant? It'd take a lifetime to gain trust but a single moment to lose it. He hated how life worked period.

Yoru then turned around and left without another word. Rikuo clenched his fists, resisting the urge to break down. He tried to convince himself this was for the good of his friends but he just felt so guilty… his guiltiest even.

He couldn't help but let a tear he'd been holding back all this time roll down his cheek.

Afterwards, Rikuo exited the shrine and walked home by himself, his face droopy and dull. It was like he changed his entire outlook in life.

The night almost never ended for him. He buried his face in the pillow and cried himself to sleep.


THE NEXT DAY


Rikuo woke up to the sound of his mother's voice. He felt miserable first thing in the morning because of everything was back to the way it was again. He didn't dream of anything last night. Not a thing. He felt and looked ridiculous, getting depressed and all that. But seriously, who wouldn't feel depressed after that?

"Rikuo," Wakana's voice became louder. Rikuo assumed she was by the bed now. "Get your butt off bed now or you're going to be late."

"…Can I not go to school today?"

"Huh? What's wrong? You down with a fever?" she asked.

"Sort of. I just don't feel good right now," he replied.

Rikuo rarely missed school. And he was always perfectly healthy. But when he came home last night, he didn't look like himself. Surely, something must have happened last night. But Rikuo looked like he wouldn't tell a thing so Wakana decided to just let him be for the rest of the day.

She ruffled her son's hair tenderly. "Sure, Rikuo. But be sure to tell me what's on your mind when you feel alright again, okay?"

Rikuo blinked. Mothers. They really knew the best things to say in times of great stress. They were also very good mind readers.

"Okay, Mom."

Wakana smiled and exited Rikuo's room. Rikuo sighed and felt even more pathetic than ever. He thought Yoru was a decent and laid-back guy. He thought the yokai would just "go with the flow". But no, he had to be oversensitive. And it was supposed to be Rikuo's fault in the first place because of his carelessness.

Why was Yoru in love with him anyway? He was just a mere human. Weren't there more attractive, powerful and heaven-sent yokai suited for Yoru? Yoru should look at himself more in the mirror. He obviously had killer looks and even had then power and strength to match. An all-in-one package.

Rikuo's eyes widened and shook the thought off his head. He felt blood rush up to his head. Never a good sign. The more he stayed in bed, the worse he felt. And he thought that the world on your shoulders was just an exaggeration. He really felt all that weight burdening him.

And it was all because of Yoru.

He got off bed and decided to practice kendo to clear his mind, to no avail. The Sakura tree before him reminded him of that oversensitive, mysterious, charming, strong and powerful crimson eyed yokai.

Why was he letting this get to him so much? It wasn't like he actually had any feelings for the yokai… right?

Later, while he drank his favorite tea his mother made, he checked his cellphone if there were any text messages. He was sure Kana and the others were worried because of his unexpected absence from school.

Rikuo blinked and read a message from Kiyotsugu.

Why did you have to be absent today, Nura-kun? I was supposed to tell you about this weird dream I had last night. It was awesome… just incredible! It must be a sign.

He read the other text message from the others and surprisingly had the same content.

What dream? Why was he left out? Rikuo immediately called Kiyotsugu. Was it payback from last night? From… From Yuki-Onna or that Zen? Or maybe… possibly from Yoru?

"Nura-kun!"

"Kiyotsugu-kun, what was your dream about last night?" Rikuo immediately asked.

"So you're that eager to hear it? Heh. Anyway, the dream included you and the other members from our group."

Including Rikuo? But he didn't dream of a single thing last night.

"We went on yokai hunting in one of Ukiyoe Town's antique and large shrines," he continued.

Rikuo blinked. Wait, wait, wait. That was what happened last night!

"Apparently, we found nothing. And you were being such a killjoy."

Rikuo's eye twitched. It was for their own protection, for Pete's sake.

"And all of a sudden, the breeze became colder than usual. It wasn't snowing or anything but it felt like we were in a refrigerator. And then the dream ended after that. Not bad, eh?"

"They forgot about last night?" Rikuo thought. "But how…?"

"Nura-kun, are you okay? Are you still sick?" Kiyotsugu asked.

"I'm a lot better now. I'll be going to school again tomorrow," Rikuo replied, smiling. "By the way, that was one cool dream you had there."

Kiyotsugu laughed out loud over the cellphone. "Ah, Nura-kun. That is destined to be a classic."

Rikuo chuckled. "I know. Well, gotta go now. See you tomorrow."

"See ya."

He then hung up and immediately stormed off to the door.

"Where are you going, Rikuo?" asked Wakana.

"Hm…" Rikuo said. "A shrine."

"Okay then. Be careful," Wakana said, beaming at her son.

"Thanks, Mom. I'll see you later," Rikuo said as he exited the Nura residence.

He didn't care if he had to wait all night for him. He needed to talk to Yoru more than anything else.


AT THE SHRINE


Rikuo sat by the stairs of the shrine, a dedicated weapon placed at his lap. It was just a precaution. Yokai loomed and he wasn't going to be your helpless puny human.

Hours passed. The sun had already set and the moon was up illuminating the pitch-black sky.

The chocolate hair felt sleepy but wasn't going to give in yet. He glanced back and forth and it made me wonder why there wasn't a priest taking care of the shrine. It sure was weird.

"Come on, Yoru. Show yourself," Rikuo muttered sleepily. "Yoru… please."

Yeah, as if Yoru heard that. Rikuo tried his best to fight against his drowsiness but his body eventually gave in. So much for his all-nighter.

When Rikuo woke up, the sky was pitch-black. It must be past midnight by now and boy was he going to be in so much trouble when he gets back home.

Rikuo felt something over his shoulder. And it seemed he was leaning onto something. He looked up and saw Yoru gazing up at the night sky. His arm was over Rikuo's shoulder and Rikuo actually leaned on him. Rikuo pushed himself away from Yoru, already a nervous wreck.

"Yoru, I…" Rikuo said, his cheeks awfully warm and bright red. "I never thought you'd actually come."

Yoru's gaze was now locked on Rikuo. "You said please."

Rikuo felt a wave of relief now that Yoru talked to him again. It felt like three lifetimes have passed for Rikuo. He then said the words he should have said in the beginning. No reverse psychology this time.

"I'm really sorry, Yoru."

Yoru blinked. "Ah… I'm supposed to be the one apologizing."

"But I started it." Rikuo frowned.

"Then we're both at fault." Yoru smirked.

"Yeah…" Rikuo said, looking awkwardly at his shoes. He still felt Yoru staring at him. "Uh… Why are you looking at me like that?"

"…Why did you want to look for me in the first place?" Yoru asked, smirking… seductively, not answering Rikuo's question. Rikuo gulped as cold sweat dropped from his forehead. His heart raced who-knows-what miles per hour. Yoru was obviously playing with him again.

"To apologize, of course," Rikuo replied, his face beet red. "You put me through hell last night."

"You think you're the only one?"

Rikuo blinked. "Huh?" He never expected Yoru to say that.

"I hated myself for saying those things to you, Rikuo. I never thought this heart of mine would go through so much pain because of you."

"What did I have to do with that?" Rikuo said as he raised a brow. "It's not like I put a stake through your heart."

"I've already told you the first time, Rikuo. And I'll say it again." Yoru took a deep breath for show. "I'm in love with you, Rikuo Nura. I love you so much it hurts."

How did Yoru manage to confess his feelings that calmly? Rikuo was the opposite of calm right now, at least in his mind.

"Er… Um… Why are you in love with me again?" Rikuo uttered.

Yoru smiled and took Rikuo's hand. "That day when we first met… After the yokai incident, I thought you were going to run away scared and traumatized, like what normal humans do. But you didn't. In fact, you expressed your heartfelt gratitude to me even though you didn't know my true nature. It… moved mountains within me. I couldn't forget about you ever since that day. And that's when I realized… I was deeply in love with you…"

"Okay, okay. I get it. Geez," Rikuo said, covering his mouth with his hand. "You're embarrassing me."

"How about you?"

"Me?" Rikuo blinked. Yoru then cupped Rikuo's chin, smirking.

"Do you feel… the same way?"

"Ah… Er…" Rikuo shifted his eyes back and forth nervously. He didn't know what his feelings for Yoru were. He was still confused because so much things have happened in a flash. "Before that…"

Yoru blinked. "Hm?"

"Why did my friends think that last night was just a dream?" he asked Yoru. He obviously changed the topic. How cute.

"Actually, I've asked Yuki-Onna and Zen about it," Yoru said, folding his arms.

"Y-Yoru-sama, welcome back," Yuki-Onna greeted, smiling nervously. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up seeing Yoru glare at her like that. This was the first time she had seen him this angry. All because of that human…

"Where's Zen?" Yoru asked.

"You called, Yoru-sama?" Zen said, nervous as Yuki-Onna.

"Now that you're both here…" Yoru smirked as if he was about unleash hell on Earth.

"It isn't my usual poisonous potions I use for enemies, Yoru-sama," Zen explained. "It just puts anyone to sleep and treat the incident like a dream when they wake up."

"I wasn't going to really harm the human, Yoru-sama. I promise you that!" Yuki-Onna reassured. "Zen-sama already had the potion in his hand and was ready to put the boy to sleep."

"…Both of you are telling the truth, right?" Yoru asked, smirking.

Zen and Yuki-Onna nodded in unison.

"Of course," Zen replied, smirking back.

"We'd never lie to you, Yoru-sama," Yuki-Onna said. "We're your Hyakki Yako. We have forever pledged our loyalty to you."

"I see…" Rikuo said. "Well, that's a relief."

"You're unfair, you know that?" Yoru blurted. "I asked you a question first…"

Rikuo rolled his eyes. "Um… Uh…. About that…" Rikuo stammered. He desperately needed to change the topic again but his mind ran out of ideas. "I… I don't know yet…"

"Oh, so there's a possibility?" Yoru was obviously amused by this.

"I said I don't know, okay?" Rikuo looked away and sighed. He didn't know why he couldn't reject Yoru. His heart sure was a mystery.

Then out of the blue, Yoru kissed Rikuo's cheek. Rikuo swore he saw a Sakura petal just now.

"Wha…"

"I don't want to rush things… so I'll wait," Yoru said, smiling.

Rikuo wanted to cry more than anything that moment. Not because he was moved and all but because he was totally being treated like a girl.

"Uh… I'd better go home now. It's really late. Mom's probably worried sick," Rikuo said as he stood up. Yoru stood up as well.

"I'll walk you home," Yoru suggested.

"Uh, no. It's okay…"

"Oh, no. I insist."

Rikuo grumbled. He couldn't win against Yoru. "Fine. Do whatever you want."


NURA RESIDENCE


"We're here," Rikuo said. He bowed to Yoru, his face still flustered. "Thanks for walking me home. Um… I really appreciate it."

Yoru stared at Rikuo's house. He had this weird gleam on his eye. Rikuo narrowed his eyes at the yokai.

"Why are you staring at my house like that?" he asked.

"You sleep on the second floor bedroom, right?" Yoru asked casually.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Wait a minute…" Rikuo stared accusingly at Yoru. "What are you planning to do? Sneak up through my window?"

"Yeah, kinda like that," Yoru replied without any hesitation.

"Why the heck do you want to do that? What if someone sees you and—"

He was cut off when Yoru caressed the other's hair. He leaned closer and whispered something to Rikuo's ear.

"Whaaat?!" Rikuo exclaimed. His face looked like a tomato from the embarrassment. "I thought you didn't want to rush things?"

Yoru chuckled. "What are you talking about? I'm just doing things the traditional way, like my old man did…"

Rikuo blinked. "Old man?"

"Yeah. My grandfather. Nurarihyon," Yoru said, smirking.

Nurarihyon, Nurarihyon, Nurarihyon. The name sounded so familiar.

Nurarihyon, the Lord of Pandemonium. And Rikuo thought he was only a legend.

"So… YoHime is…"

Yoru nodded. "Yeah. His wife."

Rikuo's eye twitched. Yoru chuckled and ruffled Rikuo's hair.

"See you tomorrow night… Rikuo."

The crimson eyed yokai then jumped and vanished into darkness. Rikuo, on the other hand, clenched his fists and bit his lip.

Boy, was he in a huge dilemma already.


A/N: Third chapter up. Woo. I'm on a roll here. I don't know why I'm so hooked with this story. Maybe because I ship these two too much? Blame the first opening! Thanks for the reviews. They always make my day. Coz, y'know, those little words serve as inspiration. And I need more of it! Woot woot! Oh yeah, this story isn't just about the fluff between the two. Nurarihyon no Mago is shonen so there'll be adventure. Wait for it.