Title: Fast Forward to the Stars
Author: Kasamatsu-senpai (I finally got to change it)
Fandom: Nurarihyon no Mago
Pairing: Yoru (Night!Rikuo) and Rikuo Nura (Day!Rikuo)
Rating: T (SHONEN-AI and uhhh implied themes, but the rating will never change… I think?)
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 13 – ACCEPTING THE INEVITABLE


A fun, precious and unforgettable summer indeed, but ever since Rikuo had his romantic relationship with Yoru, it had been nothing but danger since he had been always putting his life on the line, so was the yokai. Rikuo had some bruising and traumatizing experiences with enemy yokai. He had been the perfect bait to lure out the renowned leader of the Hyakki Yako. He became Yoru's newfound weak spot. The brunette thought he held Yoru back, but one's weakness would always make one stronger. Rikuo was Yoru's motivation and inspiration, just like Nurarihyon back in the day with YoHime. So they didn't need to worry about the hazards. They both accepted the harsh reality. They were going to watch each other's backs. Rikuo's pride swore he wouldn't be a damsel-in-distress and Yoru promised he would protect Rikuo; the feeling was pretty much mutual.

"Hey Yoru, you didn't have to walk me all the way to school," Rikuo muttered, glancing at the people he and Yoru just passed by. "You're attracting attention with your flashy looks." Everything about Yoru was flashy: his shoulder length white and black hair, his narrow crimson eyes, his blue vest, black shirt, blue jeans. All that was left was a photographer telling the yokai to work it. Not that Rikuo would actually admit it all to Yoru.

"I'm taking precautions," Yoru stated, digging his hands into the pockets of his pants, smirking deviously. "I really don't want you to be in the hands of danger again, Rikuo." The way he stared deeply into Rikuo's eyes meant he really was sincere about it.

Rikuo smiled and bumped his head into Yoru's left shoulder, an equivalent of an affectionate hug. He wouldn't want them to have a PDA now. "Thanks, Yoru," he whispered. It was inevitable to escape danger, but for the first time, he felt secured, safe, comfortable and reassured, and it was all because Yoru's by his side.

But then, the feeling quickly subsided when he felt embarrassed being looked at by his schoolmates. Maybe he should let his brain do more of the thinking from now on instead of his heart.

"It was a shame I wasn't able to watch your class play," Yoru said as he gazed at the campus grounds. He had this sentimental look. He was a yokai, so attending school wasn't one of his priorities. His fellow yokai did all the teaching and lectures for him. How would he be able to blend in anyway? Not that he cared in the first place.

Rikuo blinked in realization. "Oh yeah, it's my fault you weren't able to watch in the first place. I didn't tell you about it, and Tamazuki-senpai used it to…" He bowed his head, feeling the guilt sinking in all over again. Yoru shook his head and placed his hand on Rikuo's shoulder, smiling.

"No one's perfect," he uttered. "But you're perfect for me." Thankfully, Yoru whispered the last four lines, too soft for anyone to hear but just right for Rikuo to listen to every single word. Rikuo felt his face burn. Yoru's cheesy lines never ceased to make his heart race, and it was a huge and at the same time, petty dilemma for the brunette.

"Not here, Yoru, geez," Rikuo whined as he brushed Yoru's hand off his shoulder. "You're embarrassing me this very instant. Don't you have any duties to attend to?" He was grateful he had excuses up his sleeve.

"Now that you mention it," Yoru said as he made a thinking face then he blinked when he finally remembered something, thanks to Rikuo's nagging. "Oh damn! I forgot old man's task assigned to me today! Good thing you reminded me. Thanks, Rikuo. I guess I'll be heading off now. See you tonight."

Rikuo waved lamely at the yokai disguised as human, cold sweat dropping from his forehead. Mornings sure were unusual with Yoru around. "Uh-huh. Be sure you don't slack off." Yoru rolled his eyes. Since when did Rikuo have time to develop his own motherly complex towards Yoru?

"Riiight," Yoru muttered as his eye twitched. "Be seeing you."

Rikuo nodded as he waved goodbye to the other. Yoru did the same and then he turned around to walk away. Rikuo was about to turn around as well when he caught the yokai turning his head back to take one last look at the brunette, smiling rather warmly.

Though it might seem cliché, but Rikuo really did feel his heart skip a beat just now. At that very moment, he realized just how much he was in love with Yoru… until someone poked him.

"Rikuo-kun?" a familiar voice called.

Rikuo almost jumped as he turned his head to where the voice came from. "Kana-chan!"

Kana giggled. "Wow, you're acting like you haven't seen me in years." She looked in the direction where Rikuo fondly gazed at just now. "Your best friend's really handsome."

"He is?" Rikuo blinked. "I-I mean, yeah. He is. But to be honest, I don't really notice it."

"Why doesn't he study here? It's a shame," Kana said, her face showing disappointment. "He really looks like he could be a really good and loyal friend to be trusted."

Rikuo blinked again. "Huh?" How did she know all these? He never introduced Yoru to anyone, and he wasn't planning to. It wasn't like he wanted Yoru all to himself; he didn't want his friends to be involved as well.

"Just a girl's hunch," Kana answered for Rikuo with a wink. "Wait till I tell Saori-chan and Natsumi-chan that I saw Rikuo-kun's best friend."

And just then when Rikuo almost forgot the conversation in the group that day, when the two girls talked about Yoru. He sighed in relief then chuckled as he walked together with Kana to their classroom.


LUNCH BREAK


"Eeeeh? You already have plans for the summer, Nura-kun?" Natsumi whined, her face obviously showing disappointment. "You don't get to hang-out with us anymore after the pranking incident. Don't tell me you're secretly harboring feelings of hatred towards us?" Okay, she was obviously exaggerating, but everyone else noticed that too.

Cold sweat dropped from Rikuo's forehead as he shook his hand. "What are you talking about? I would never hate you guys. And can't you assume that it's just all purely coincidental?" he suggested. Never would he have expected that the Paranormal Investigation Squad's summer getaway was the same date as Rikuo and Yoru's own summer hang-out.

"Maybe we should postpone the date for some other time?" Saori said. "I really want Nura-kun to come with us this time." She oddly felt Rikuo distancing from the group for some reason, or maybe it was just her imagination. Either way, she really wanted the group to be complete again and have the time of their lives.

"Hmmm…" Rikuo rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "I don't really know until when we'll stay…"

"Geez, Nura-kun, you're a hopeless case," Kiyotsugu huffed as he scratched the back of his head. "Can't you spend time with us just this once?"

Kana chuckled. "You're talking like we're going to have some reunion even though we see each other already," she said. "But we're talking about Rikuo-kun's best friend here. They haven't seen each other for…" She blinked and turned her head to the brunette. "How long?"

Rikuo blinked, lacing his fingers together. "Uh… two years." This time, he was telling the truth. Now that he thought about it, how did Yoru endure those two years without Rikuo? Maybe love isn't really about being beside with the one you love, as long as there was the bond and ties that connect. Rikuo mentally shook the corny thoughts off his head. He didn't want to look like a tomato in front of his friends now.

"See?" Kana said as she folded her arms against her chest, beaming at Rikuo. "You guys say Rikuo hardly spends time with us now, but think about the time Rikuo and best friend had to tolerate. I mean, he's right here with us now, right?" Rikuo tilted his head at Kana. Somehow, she was really supportive of Rikuo and Yoru. The brunette didn't know if he should be happy or nervous.

Natsumi and Saori scowled at Kana. "Don't act all proud and supportive just because you've actually seen Nura-kun's handsome best friend," Saori growled, narrowing her eyes at Kana. Kana rolled her eyes and smirked.

"You're just laying it all down for us," Natsumi sighed. "Don't worry; we'll be sure to get a glimpse of him someday soon."

Rikuo sighed as he facepalmed himself. He really didn't want the girls to bicker about his so-called best friend who was actually something else to him. Hint: he was more than a best friend.


DISMISSAL


"Oh well, we'll have to spend the summer without Nura then," Shima declared, crossing his arms. The Paranormal Investigation Squad did their usual routine of walking home together after a long boring day in school.

"It's heartbreakingly tragic," Kiyotsugu dramatically said with tone, clenching his fist. "We could have seen the sights where yokai is said to thrive!"

Rikuo mentally sighed to himself. I knew that he was going for the yokai in the first place, he thought, but I really wish you wouldn't investigate too much. "Yeah, too bad," he agreed and nodded. "But there are a lot of other days we could spend time together, right? I mean, it is summer vacation, after all."

"That's the spirit!" Kiyotsugu magically transitioned from being heartbroken to optimistic. Everyone else couldn't help but burst out into laughter. Ah, friendship.


NURA RESIDENCE


When Rikuo finally reached home, he really didn't expect Yoru to be sitting in the couch, flicking channels while his own mother was happily preparing their dinner. This setting… didn't really compute. Maybe he entered the wrong home?

"I-I'm home?" Rikuo said nervously, his forehead sweating bullets.

Yoru turned off the television and rose from his seat on the comfortable sofa to greet his lover. Well, they were yet to actually make love, but they still love each other anyway. "Rikuo, welcome back," he greeted, smiling warmly with open arms. Was he asking for a hug? In the very house he lived in with his mother? Didn't he know the definition of shame? It surely wasn't.

"Thanks," Rikuo mumbled as he wrapped his arms around Yoru, feeling awkwardly comfortable. Yoru happily hugged back. The way they acted… it was as if they were some married couple… living with their mother. "Uh… you just entered here on a whim or…?"

"Of course not," Yoru replied with one of his prince-like smiles giving off that sparkling aura. "I asked permission from Mother if I could visit you every night like this from now on." He grinned this time. "I mean, we live in the modern times, right?" Behind that dreamy smile of his, why did Rikuo feel that Yoru had dirty tricks up his sleeve? Really dirty ones.

"If you put it that way," Rikuo eventually agreed… with a small hint of doubt backing him up.

"Geez, you two, you're always so lovey dovey," Wakana sighed happily. "Rikuo, you change upstairs. I'll just call you when dinner's ready."

"A-Alright," Rikuo said as he nodded, heading towards the stairs. He narrowed his eyes when he heard footsteps following him from behind. He turned his head to glare at Yoru, who looked like he was smiling innocently, but Rikuo knew it was the complete opposite. "Why're you following me? As if I'd let you see me change."

"I'll just cover my eyes then," Yoru chuckled. Rikuo groaned loudly. He knew the yokai was going to do the complete opposite. The last thing he would want to happen was some uncontrollable and unspeakable situation—

"You turn around when I change, got it? If you don't, I'll kick you out of the house," Rikuo warned the yokai, but he doubted the other would actually listen.

"Alright," Yoru agreed without hesitation. "You have my word."

Really now? Rikuo thought as they proceeded to enter into Rikuo's room. To take precautions, Rikuo actually blindfolded Yoru. The yokai was hesitant at first but he didn't want to lose the brunette's trust so he went along with it. He didn't want to have prying eyes over his bare body. It felt like the most embarrassing thing ever.

"Are you done?" Yoru asked, his arms folded against his chest. He was sitting in Rikuo's bed, his blindfolded eyes blindly looking at Rikuo taking off his shirt. Though Rikuo was assured the yokai wasn't able to see anything, he still felt embarrassed, since his heart was beating faster than usual and his cheeks were burning hot.

"A-Almost," Rikuo replied, putting on a clean white shirt. He shot a quick glance at the yokai and he bit his lip as he sneakily stepped closer to the other. He didn't know what he was doing but he wanted to stop, but his heart and body wasn't listening.

Yoru tilted his head. "Rikuo?" He couldn't hear movement of any sort so he decided to pull down his blindfold. The yokai's eyes widened when he saw Rikuo surprisingly lean in and press his lips against his. That was most unexpected. Yoru quickly kissed back, since he didn't want to miss an opportunity like this. Rikuo felt awkward standing up while kissing the yokai so he decided to sit on the other's lap for a change, and it sure felt a lot better for both of them.

The brunette wrapped his arms loosely around Yoru's neck, cueing Yoru to pull Rikuo closer. It had been quite a while since they had a kiss as passionate as this was. The yokai felt too much pleasure he wanted more of it. He acted on impulse and pushed Rikuo down the bed, their lips still connected. Rikuo didn't really mind, they were just kissing, after all… right?

Yoru seemed to be unable to think when his hand surprisingly slipped under Rikuo's shirt. Rikuo found the touch too familiar. The brunette was about to shout in protest when something else broke the mood.

"Boys, dinner's ready!" Wakana called from downstairs. Rikuo thanked the stars he wasn't alone with Yoru in the house or he might have actually gone one step further. The very thought reminded him of Tsurara's sudden outburst about them already doing it even though they weren't married yet. Yeah, he had to remember that of all things.

Both of them sat up almost immediately, panting heavily. Rikuo glared at Yoru while the latter was avoiding the glare.

"You're crossing the line again, Yoru," Rikuo hissed, his arms crossed.

"Eeeeh? But you liked it, right?" Yoru said as he shrugged, smirking. Rikuo's eyes widened at the yokai's bluntness, which he wouldn't get used to in a million years.

"What? Are you insane? Who said I—"He was cut off when Yoru gave Rikuo a quick peck on the lips.

"We'll continue this later after we eat dinner," Yoru said, smiling.

"You blend in so well," Rikuo muttered, grimacing at the yokai's casualness.

Yoru stood up from the bed and walked towards the door. He had his hand on the door knob when he turned his head around, smirking. "Well, we are going to get married soon, right? I might as well get used to living with you."

Rikuo's eye twitched. "Don't make decisions by yourself, idiot!" he exclaimed, his face beet red like a tomato. "And you never even proposed!" Okay, the last statement wasn't really necessary, but he said it anyway. And now, Rikuo instantly regretted ever blurting it out. Yoru's eyes widened as he let go of the doorknob and walked back to Rikuo, his face nonchalant.

"Uh, wait, I-I said it without thinking—" Rikuo stammered. He became nervous when Yoru had this serious face on. Don't tell me he's actually going to do it?! He exclaimed… in his mind. Unexpectedly, Yoru held Rikuo's hand and smiled.

"You're going to marry me someday, right?" he asked. What a way to ask one's hand in marriage. Yoru was confident he and Rikuo were going to be alright, despite everything that they were going to go through.

"Uh…" Rikuo had to become braindead at a time like this. How he wanted someone to slap sense into him and just think of a sensible answer already.

"Okay, that's too much," Yoru chuckled. "How about we stay together forever? How does that sound?" He tried his very best not to rush things, but he just loved Rikuo too much.

"…Alright," Rikuo said, nodding shyly. "You better not leave me, okay?" He didn't know what he was saying at the moment. It was as if he had some tsundere alter ego or something. He just wanted to flip out right at the moment but was too taken aback to do so.

Yoru placed a kiss on Rikuo's hand. "I did say we're going to stay together forever, right?" he reminded casually.

"Boys! The food's getting cold!" Wakana shouted from downstairs. "Get your butts down here if you don't want me to intrude!"

Yoru and Rikuo blinked then chuckled in unison. They did what they were told as they scurried towards the door. He didn't want her to walk in on them again.

While they headed downstairs, Yoru had his hands dug into the pockets of his pants again. He didn't know why he kept doing that, but maybe it was because he just felt comfortable doing it.

"Oh yeah, we should ask Mother about our summer in Kyoto," Yoru reminded. "We can ask her to tag along with us too."

"I'm sure she'll join us," Rikuo chuckled. "I still can't wait for summer vacation, which is literally days away."

Yoru clasped his hands together in anticipation, smiling brightly. "Same here, because I'll be spending time with my precious bride."

Rikuo's eye twitched at his new moniker. "Call me that and you won't be able to have any dinner tonight."

"Oh, will I eat something else?" Yoru said as he raised a brow, smirking. Rikuo knew what Yoru was implying. It was all too much for his innocent ears. He couldn't help but let out a loud groan.

"Just stop it already, will you?" Rikuo said, his eyebrows furrowed in frustration. "It's not helping with the tension between us one bit."

"Then couldn't we do something to actually relieve it?" Yoru said, blinking innocently, when he met eyes with Rikuo, the dark look in the brunette made him shut up for once.

Everything that happened during the day sure wasn't the usual. It pretty much changed a whole lot.


A/N: Woot! Finally! I'm back from the dead just to solely update this and other fics. Oh, and the father-father thing (who Yoru and Rikuo's fathers are). We'll get to that soon (too lazy to think tbh lol). I hope you guys still enjoyed reading the chapter anyway!