Title: Fast Forward to the Stars
Author: jankenguu
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 19 - A LOVE SO UNREQUITED


In the pitch dark sky above, the moon should have been a beautiful sight to behold. But alas, tonight was not that night for the entire clan, especially for Yoru and Rikuo.

As soon as Hagoromo Gitsune's night parade of a hundred yokai left, so did Yoru's. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, and the former clan won the battle. More importantly, an unlikely someone was most probably a new member of the Nura clan.

"So, Rikuo became one of us… Not sure if I'm overjoyed or not." Nurarihyon held an ochoko (a small, cylindrical cup) containing the sake he... obtained from wandering about in the mansion they were currently taking refuge at.

"This is not something to make fun of, old man." Yoru was annoyed that his own grandfather couldn't even understand the scale of this matter. Shouldn't he be just as concerned?

But actually, Nurarihyon did understand. Unlike his grandson, he had quickly accepted the tragedy that had befallen Rikuo. He was willing to see Rikuo's transformation in a new light, while Yoru, on the other hand, was being held back by his guilt— only making him see what could and should have happened.

Poor boy, the guilt is swallowing him whole. The sodaisho mentally shook his head. His concern for both his grandson and his beloved wasn't going to get in the way of what he had in mind, though. Instead of comforting Yoru, he thought it was better for him to see things in the way he did.

"Think about it, my dear boy," Nurarihyon began, intently gazing upon Yoru. "Had Rikuo stayed human until the end, you would have lived longer than him." And you know how unbearable it was for me to have parted with my most beloved Princess Yo.

A familiar pain throbbed in his chest. He thought his happiness had ended when she had passed on to the afterlife. But the happiness was passed onto this son… and now it was passed onto Yoru. Three generations of happiness, as well as sorrow.

But he wasn't going to deal with sorrow again. Not this time.

"If anything, that cursed fox yokai did you a favor!" Nurarihyon laughed. The expression on his face was so conceited Yoru would have punched him in the face right at that very moment. But…

Damn it! He's right… Yoru thought. Nurarihyon had a point. The temptation was so strong. But… An image of Rikuo smiling brightly and pure heartedly. Rikuo...

He clenched his fists, anger boiling within him. How could his grandfather be so selfish and self-centered? He couldn't believe this was his own grandfather. But who was he to talk when he had inherited his blood? Still, he was his own yokai and he wasn't going to let the older yokai's words influence whatever decision he had to make regarding this matter.

"This isn't as easy as you might think." Yoru breathed. "Don't think that this generation is the same as grandmother's. Rikuo's different! He has dreams…. Friends… and family…" He turned his gaze away from Nurarihyon, feeling more and more distressed as he spoke. "As much as I want him all to myself, I want him to be happy. It's… It's all I want."

Why did it hurt him saying all those? And it was at that moment he had to remind himself that it was his fault Rikuo had turned into a yokai in the first place. He took Rikuo's happiness away from him by not being able to protect him when he needed his protection the most. The story did not end up like Nurarihyon's by saving the day, the world and the person. Yoru hadn't accomplished even one of those.

Therefore, he could only be able to come up with one conclusion: that he was weak.

While Yoru was deep in thought, Nurarihyon somehow found amusement in it. He could not help but burst out into roaring laughter— obviously angering the younger yokai.

"The hell are you laughing about?!" Yoru demanded.

Nurarihyon scratched his head and gave the other an amused look. "You two are just so… I've never been so amused and entertained in such a long time."

Yoru's eyebrows furrowed as he clicked in tongue in annoyance. He meant he wanted to know what Nurarihyon meant and he wanted it now. The crimson-eyed underboss had never been the patient one for clarifications. He was being too serious. What ever happened to his old playful self?

Nurarihyon rested his chin on his palm and pursed his mouth in a self-satisfied smirk. "I've never seen a love so unrequited," he commented.

Yoru's eye twitched. Was his grandfather that drunk from the sake already? Did he even know what he was talking about? "Don't change topics, you old geezer!" He gritted his teeth. "What are you even talking about? Our love is anything but unrequited!" He knew that much.

The ancient yokai rolled his eyes. "Mmhm, sure." His words dripped with sarcasm. Yoru was beginning to think the old man wanted a fight. "It's just as you said: Rikuo cares about others and himself, while you, on the other hand, care about him."

The sandaime's eyes widened. The other's words was an equivalent of a hard slap to the face. He had been so madly and deeply in love, he became blind; thought he knew what was what.

But Nurarihyon wasn't stopping there. He was just going to about to deliver the final blow.

"But are all of those so important to him now that he had been turned into a yokai?" he spoke suggestively with a raised palm. "You've got the upper hand now. It's your choice if you want to grab the bull by its horns." Meaning Yoru should just go for it and fulfill his own sole desire of having Rikuo all to himself. After all, it was all he ever wanted.

Nurarihyon was indeed the supreme clan leader for a reason. He was so despicable and detestable, but worse, was also always right.

"…" For once in this conversation, Yoru was out of words to talk back to the overlord. How could he disagree with him when he was right? He was just lying to himself all this time. As much as I really want to, I… Maybe he could take the old man's word for it just this once.

"I think you're completely missing the whole point of this entire conversation. It's my fault Rikuo turned into a yokai because I was weak and that I let my feelings get in the way. But it won't happen again. I'll take full responsibility for my actions," Yoru declared earnestly.

It hurt his pride to admit he was weak, especially to the old man. But to become stronger, it was better to learn from his mistakes than to pretend everything was going to be alright and to become eventually swallowed whole by his guilt.

"And I shall do so by…" A pause. "Living life the way Rikuo wants to." And he wasn't going to back down on his word. All to repay for his errors for that incident.

Nurarihyon observed Yoru silently as he took a sip of the sweet sake from his ochoko. He couldn't help but feel bad for him, particularly for knowing what he meant by what he had just uttered.

In other words, you'll just remain his number two for the rest of your life. A sigh escaped from his lips. How unrequited indeed. Since he had decided to punish himself for his mistakes rather than seeing the bright side of the situation… so be it. There was nothing he could do to change Yoru's decision now.

I, for one, will never settle for second place. When I want something, I'll give it my all. I won't let anyone or anything get in my way. Hasn't it been that way for us?

Look at how much you've changed, Yoru. I don't know if I should be proud… or concerned.

I guess whatever plan Hagoromo Gitsune has up her sleeve is coming into fruition, after all.


In the other room, Rikuo looked at himself in the mirror. Nothing that much changed about him except the color of his eye. It reminded him of Nurarihyon's golden eyes. Did it mean he was a Nurarihyon as well? Yoru's blood was the blood that turned him into a yokai, after all. But what about the nine hundred ninety other yokai that offered their blood to make this happen?

He shook his head. Just thinking about the possibility he was all those other yokai sent chills down his spine.

So, I'm a yokai now, eh? he thought. He was already thinking about the obvious, but everything happened too fast he still couldn't believe it, let alone accept it. I feel so different. When will I ever feel the same again, though? Is there a cure for this? After all, I am originally human. Since the legend about this existed, then surely there would possibly information about a way to turn him back to the way he was.

If not, there was always the other alternative. Maybe I could consult to an onmyoji about it…

"So, you're the Rikuo they keep talking about," a voice chimed in, interrupting and ultimately ceasing Rikuo's reverie.

Rikuo turned his head around to see a man with a pale complexion wearing a headdress priests usually wore, his clothing including layers of robes. He appeared to be cheerful and carefree, but looks tended to be always deceiving. He looked like a—

The unnamed man had his hands clasped together seeing how his long sleeves were pressed together. He looked at Rikuo with an amused expression across his enigmatic visage. "Your aura and spirit energy feel different… Could it be that you…"

A girl with short black hair about Rikuo's age waved her hands frantically at the man nervously, intending to cut him off mid-sentence. She was standing by the door because she really want to intrude on the brunet. "Ah! D-Don't! Get back here!" It seemed like she didn't want him to be here. After all, the man intruded in Rikuo's room on his own free will.

"…have been turned into a yokai?" he finished his sentence anyway, to Rikuo's astonishment.

The girl was surprised to hear it, for it was the first she has heard of this as well. She couldn't help cast a concerned gaze at the male. Her summoned ascendant wasn't the 13th headmaster of the family for nothing.

"I guess that legend was true…" he remarked.

The younger boy was probably thinking that onmyoji could solve his dilemma. It would be the first thing to enter anyone's mind if ever they turned into a yokai. But he was going to save him the trouble and tell him the inconvenient truth, whether he liked it or not.

Aside from that, another's reactions were always were simply too entertaining to watch for the man.

"I don't remember the last case of that ever happening, so we don't even know if you can even turn back to the way you once were," he asserted.

Rikuo didn't know who this stranger was, but he was annoyed. How would he know it was impossible to turn back to the way he once was when they haven't even tried yet? It was as if he already telling him to give up just when he was about try and think of resolutions for this new predicament of his.

The brunet clenched his fists with a scowl. "Who are you to say these things anyway? Um… who are you anyway? And why do you know me?"

"Oh, how rude of you," the man chortled.

Rikuo had no idea whether the older male was sarcastic or not, most likely the former.

"Eh?"

"But I almost forgot. It's your first time here in the Keikain residence," he clarified. "I am Hidemoto Keikain, the 13th headmaster of the Keikain onmyoji house. I'm not actually alive, but summoned by my cute descendant."

Rikuo's mouth parted, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. A-An onmyoji? Then…

He was a human originally, but nevertheless, he was still a yokai. And onmyojis were individuals who used their spiritual powers to combat yokai. Was he here to…?

"Don't worry, we won't do anything to you," Hidemoto reassured. For some reason, he could almost read Rikuo's thoughts. Or maybe that the teen's mind was too easy to read. "Due to highly unexpected events centuries ago, the Nura clan formed a most unusual alliance with us." He winked and smiled playfully. "All because that Nurarihyon owes me one. And… I guess he did the world a huge favor of defeating Hagoromo Gitsune that time too."

The brunet pieced all of the onmyoji's words together. He meant he had known Nurarihyon for a long time way back and that he had witnessed Nurarihyon's battle against the Hagoromo Gitsune. Literally centuries have passed, and here he was, able to roam around the Earth thanks to being summoned by that girl by the door.

And not only was he an onmyoji, he was a headmaster of an onmjyoji house. He had every right to say those words at Rikuo.

No wonder why he was referred to as rude. Rikuo immediately regretted talking to him so rudely. Him and his big mouth.

"F-Forgive my rudeness… Um…" Rikuo hated himself when he was a stuttering mess. He already failed at giving a first impression, so he would have at least tried to make it up to the other male by behaving formally. But he failed at that department as well. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hidemoto-sama. Y-You already know me by Rikuo, Rikuo Nura."

Hidemoto simply nodded as a form of acknowledgement. No one has ever talked to him like that, maybe except his big brother, as well as Nurarihyon. This boy was indeed very interesting.

The onmyoji turned his glance at the heir of the Keikain house. "Isn't it about time you talk to him, Yura-chan?" he addressed to his descendant.

"Yura…?" Rikuo echoed. The name rang a bell, as if he had heard it from school before.

The girl stepped inside and walked towards Rikuo, keeping a safe distance from the newly transformed yokai. "Yura Keikain. Currently an apprentice but future master of the Keikain house, but do not underestimate my power," she introduced, her face stern. But inside, she was a nervous wreck. She wanted to slap herself in the face for mentioning the last part.

Rikuo blinked twice with a confused expression forming across his features. "Eh?"

Hidemoto, on the other hand, simply let out a sigh.

Yura composed herself as she clenched her fists, fixing her gaze at the brunet before her. "I've also been attending the same school as you for quite a while. It has been reported that there had been yokai encounters happening," she further explained. "But I never knew a human— yokai like you could be the source of all those." She didn't show any regret of uttering those words at all. "Since you've been turned into a yokai, it will be all the more reason why I have to protect the students in the school."

Rikuo's eye twitched. How could she say all those things when she didn't even know him? As far as he knew, he did nothing but saved and protected his friends from yokai. Just because he turned into a yokai, it didn't mean tables would turn and he would turn his back from humanity.

He might have been turned into a yokai, but he knew he still had retained his human qualities in him.

"I won't do anything!" he defended.

"I know." Yura placed her hand above her chest, feeling disheartened to say all these to a human that had been turned into a yokai through a series of unfortunate events. He didn't deserve this— If anything, he deserved better. "I'm just taking precautions as my duty as onmyoji."

Rikuo bit his lip. He wanted to be angry at her for telling all these painful things, but at the same time, she was correct. He hadn't done actually anything yet per se, but he could never be too sure about actually doing something soon. He did not want to take that chance. But it still hurt him like a stab to heart.

You're talking as if… I can't protect my friends anymore…

Hidemoto noticed Rikuo's somber expression. But before he could comment on anything, Yura was already heading towards the door.

"A-Anyway, excuse us," she said as she left. She had other duties to take care of. She only wanted to see what the human turned yokai looked like. It was sad how he still looked so human…

"See you, Rikuo-kun." Hidemoto waved with a cheeky grin plastered on his face. "It was nice meeting you." But he did not know whether the same could be said for Rikuo.

As Rikuo heard the door shut, all sorts of thoughts crashed into his mind like a tsunami. And those thoughts leaned more towards the negative side— never a good sign.

Are you saying I'm a threat? What should I do, then? I don't want to just… leave everyone behind, he thought in dread. The mere thought of neglect was like the equivalent of a stake through Rikuo's fragile heart. He cared about his friends really much. They had been his friends ever since he was a child. They all grew up together. They had their promises of being together as friends until the end. It was cheesy to think about it, but now that Rikuo had entered into a dire situation like this, recalling those promises made his heart constrict into affliction.

"I… I…" Rikuo muttered.

The feelings were taking over him. He hated it when he had no clue what to do. It didn't help that Hidemoto told him there was no way to turn back into a human. Did that mean his life as a human was also over? Did he really have to leave his friends behind after all this time?

The pain was proving too much. And what other way to fight pain but to slam his fist against the wall? But the pain was accompanied with tears of sorrow and regret.

Why does everything have to turn out to be this way? he thought, a little sob escaping from his lips as the tears welled up in his eyes.

He stared at one corner of the room and saw a familiar thing leaning against the wall that had caught his eye. How could he have almost forgotten about that?


After the emotionally exhausting conversation with Nurarihyon, Yoru proceeded to Rikuo's room. He felt like he needed to talk to him. He wanted to clear his head… and heart— specifically proving that his grandfather was wrong about his love for Rikuo being unrequited.

He slid the door open without knocking since Nurarihyons usually would boldly enter through anyone's front door if they felt like it.

"Rikuo…"

He didn't find Rikuo in the room, but instead in the backyard, using the bamboo sword to practice kendo. He had never really seen his kendo used against anyone in action, but he had surely used it to defend his friends against yokai adversaries.

While swinging the bamboo sword back and forth, he could feel energy burning, as well as the emotions that occupied his mind earlier. This has always helped me clear my mind, thinking as he continued his routine.

Yoru wasn't just watching Rikuo, he was observing his each and every single move. He remembered his last sword fight with Tamazuki, and he was definitely way better compared to back then. Rikuo's gotten quicker, he thought to himself. And from the looks of it, stronger as well. He could only come to the conclusion that it was because of his transformation to a yokai.

After a few more swings, Rikuo stopped to take a short break. As long as those unhelpful feelings were still inside him, he didn't plan on stopping on his kendo routine. He needed to be clear of those feelings before coming to a decision on what to do with his life from now on as a yokai.

But Rikuo obviously hadn't fully accepted his fate just yet. It would really all depend on the events after becoming a yokai.

Rikuo wiped the sweat from his forehead and took deep breaths. Is it me or do I feel really different? He didn't know his swordsmanship had excelled even more than it already had.

"Hey Rikuo," Yoru casually greeted. As much as he liked watching Rikuo from the shadows like he used to back then, he preferred actually being beside him. There was no better feeling.

The seventeen-year-old's cheeks grew warm as soon as he heard Yoru's voice calling his name. He didn't know why, but it gave him goosebumps. Yoru had called his name plenty of times before, so why get flustered now?

"Y-Yoru," he greeted back. He was surprised Yoru looked much better than before. When they headed back in the Keikain mansion, he was dead silent and all sorts of emotions were subtle in the expression of his face. The talk with Nurarihyon must have helped him tons.

"I see you've gotten better at your swordsmanship," Yoru complimented.

Rikuo blinked. He felt embarrassed. Perhaps he felt this way because the yokai had never praised his swordsmanship before. Coming from someone who was stronger and much more powerful than he would ever be, it meant a lot.

"Were you watching?" Nevertheless, he felt abashed with the other watching him going all out in his kendo practice just now.

"A bit," he replied. "I've always watched you ever since, though."

"…" The brunet internally rolled his eyes, but his heart said otherwise by thudding wildly. "Anyway, how did it go with Nurarihyon-sama?"

And it was going so well… If only that conversation wouldn't brought up in this conversation, it would do him a huge favor. He already felt like crap, and he didn't want it to feel worse about himself.

"It was… fine."

"What did you guys talk about?" inquired Rikuo.

The inevitable was going to be asked eventually, even if it was too soon. But Yoru didn't want to Rikuo to know that he was insecure and jealous that Rikuo prioritized others and himself over him. All because of what that old man had to say…

I've never seen a love so unrequited.

Yoru forced a smile on his face. The last thing he wanted to happen was for Rikuo to find out his real feelings. He had so little of his pride left and he didn't want to lose any more of it after the painful conversation with his grandfather earlier.

"Not much," he managed to reply.

A love so unrequited.

"…" The old man's words kept repeating in laps in his head. He didn't know how much he could endure keeping his feelings to himself. He was looking for words to say, but Nurarihyon's words were all he thought about.

Just when the crimson-eyed yokai thought he couldn't take it anymore, Rikuo gently placed his hand over Yoru's, to the latter's surprise.

He felt warmth. Almost like a magic touch.

"I told you, you don't need to beat yourself up over this. I'm fine," Rikuo said reassuringly. He even mustered a smile to show he wasn't that affected that much anymore in this whole matter. He had to thank kendo for clearing his head enough for him to make him utter his words without hesitation or doubt. "Just because I've been turned into a yokai, it doesn't mean that everything has to change."

He shrugged. "Who knows? Being a yokai might not be so bad, after all."

Yoru felt a wave of relief wash over him hearing those words from him. This was one of the countless reasons why he was utterly, deeply and madly in love with him in the first place.

Rikuo…

"I… I can continue protecting everyone this way."

And cue the happiness fading just as quickly as it appeared.

The brunet clenched his fist, looking determined, but oblivious of the yokai's feelings. "I can feel it. I'm way stronger than before already, just like you said. I won't be referred to as a weakling or a puny human anymore for sure. We'll show them, especially that Hagoromo Gitsune. Right, Yo—

Yoru?" He tilted his head, gazing at the crimson-eyed yokai with a curious expression on his face. He swore, he could never tell what was on the other's mind.

"Are you okay?" No response. Rikuo bit his lip. Did he say something wrong? It was never any good when Yoru didn't talk at all. Something peeved him for sure. Finding out what peeved him was the hard part. "S-Sorry if I talked too much…"

"Do you love me?" Yoru mumbled so softly, Rikuo barely heard it.

"Huh? Yoru?"

Yoru wasn't exactly glaring at Rikuo, but staring with grave intent. "You… love me, right?" Saying it out loud hurt for some reason. He couldn't believe he was actually asking the love of his life whether he loved him too, even if the answer was obvious.

But he just wanted to hear it so bad— to prove to the sodaisho that their love was unrequited.

He desperately wanted to reciprocate his words and throw it back at him.

"Answer me, Rikuo," he said as if it was a command.

And the authority in his voice made Rikuo nervous. "Eh? Um… I-I do." He wondered what the cause was behind the yokai's unnecessary question.

He had loved him for as long as he could remember. Yoru was his first love… and most likely his last. Initially, his feelings for him were only of debt and gratitude, but it later bloomed into love after finding out how much Yoru loved him and how he wanted nothing more than for Rikuo to love him back. Ever since that day, Rikuo had never loved someone as much as loved Yoru. He was willing to give everything to him— his heart, mind, body and soul.

It worried him that Yoru's question might mean there was something awfully wrong in their relationship. Apparently, both of them were trying their best to make this work. Even if both of them had their faults and weaknesses, they had together to improve each other from their shortcomings. So, what was the problem?

"And you love me the most, right?"

There he was again with the concerning questions. Yoru wouldn't be asking these questions for fun, not with that nonchalant expression on his face.

"O-Of course. There's no one else that I love but you." Yoru's mere presence was intimidating him. But he shouldn't be.

Rikuo managed to gather the courage to ask, "Is there something bothering you?"

Yoru bowed his head, the hair over his face obscuring his visage. "Not really. I just needed to hear it again from you, is all." It was not a very convincing answer. All the more reason why the brunet ought to be worried about the other male.

Because of that old geezer, I can't make myself believe a word he's saying. He does love me, but he doesn't love me the most. He mentally chuckled sarcastically at himself. Yeah, right. But who am I to complain and object? I've committed an unforgivable mistake… Before he even realized it, he was stuck in his own reverie full of nothing but pessimistic thoughts.

But Rikuo wanted to help him with that.

"Yoru, I don't know what you're thinking about right now. But… you can always talk to me if you want to," Rikuo suggested as he squeezed the other's cold hand. "Okay?"

As if Yoru would ever tell him. But if ever a chance or opportunity would come by, he wouldn't miss it for the world. But right now, it was just better not to tell him—most especially since everything still was not confirmed nor true yet…

…And that the wound called guilt was still so fresh, tormenting him from the inside.

"…Alright," he responded with a small smile on his face.

But I still love him anyway… more than anyone or anything. Even if he was full of doubts and insecurities at the moment, it still didn't change the fact that he still loved Rikuo the most after all this time. He couldn't think of anyone else spending the rest of his long yokai life with.

He paused as something happened to cross his mind. Rikuo holding the bamboo sword reminded him just that. With a smirk, he proposed, "Say, why not put your new stronger self to the test, eh?"

"Huh?" Rikuo blinked once. Twice. And a few more times. "Oh, sure." He felt excited asking a friendly match for some reason. Hey, this will actually be the first time I'll be sparring against Yoru. He had only seen Yoru in combat, but he was usually so swift and precise with his strikes against his enemies, Rikuo had never seen him use his swordsmanship skills for more than a minute.

He wasn't going to let the opportunity slip of seeing how really skilled the feared present yakuza lord was. He also wanted to show him what he could do. He hadn't trained most of his life for nothing.


Rikuo altered his stance like he practiced millions of times. Yoru, on the other hand, had no stance and just held onto the bamboo sword he borrowed. Being a Nurarihyon made it easier for him to locate things he wanted to find.

The brunet's lips lifted up into an excited lopsided smile. His hands rubbed the handle of the bamboo sword out of exhilaration, and at the same time, to make sure he had a tight grip on it. "You ready?"

"Ready as you are," replied Yoru.

And their friendly match commenced as soon as the single leaf that swayed touched the ground.

Rikuo was on the offense while Yoru was on the defense. The previously human male looked for openings he could use to his advantage so he could land a hit and win, but Yoru's defense was tight. But he hadn't realized his goal of winning the match was set aside because he was already enjoying their competition too much.

Yoru was having his own fun, musing on how their "dance" reminded him of the cherry blossoms that symbolized their love.

With each blow Rikuo's bamboo sword hit his, Yoru would take a step back. It was his way of finding a hole in Rikuo's impressive all-out offense by observing how the brunet moved with the space his eyes could scrutinize. Ever since Rikuo changed into a yokai, his moves have gotten swifter, and his hits stronger— Yoru could see the potential in him. He would definitely make a good addition to the clan.

And speaking of the clan, he hadn't recalled ever having introduced Rikuo to the entire clan. The only ones who have met the brunet personally were Nurarihyon, Yuki-Onna and Zen. Yoru thought it would be a great opportunity not to only announce an additional member to the clan, but to introduce him as his significant other.

Oh, how they would be surprised to hear the news that the third generation of the Nurarihyon have fallen in love with yet another human… only to be more stunned to hear that the human, because of highly unexpected events and circumstances, had been turned into a yokai.

It was almost like history repeated itself. Almost.

Yoru continued defending himself from Rikuo's blows, enjoying every single moment of it as much as Rikuo did. But then, his peripheral vision noticed something that made him cast a glance behind him. And the moment he saw it, he planned and predicted their next moves in his head as if it was a game of chess.

To Rikuo's confusion, Yoru was stepping back more and more on purpose.

What the…? Why's he…? Rather than analyzing the situation from all angles, he merely assumed that this was the opening that he was looking for. And just like that, his burning desire of winning this match was lit again. Heh. Yoru's going nowhere with the tree behind him. With that, I'm going to—

His confidence got the best of him when Yoru suddenly disappeared within the blink of an eye. Rikuo's eyes widened in aghast. "Eh?"

And it was when he felt a presence behind him, and that very same presence was holding the bamboo sword right at his face as he looked behind his shoulder.

"How did you—"

Rikuo turned to talk face-to-face with Yoru, his cheeks flushed from inward embarrassment from Yoru being too close to him. It surprised him how a match could end up being an intimate moment for them.

"Just a little trick," Yoru said with a playful and flirty tone in his voice. His hand leaned against the rough bark of the tree. He felt triumphant, having cornered Rikuo so easily like this. He assumed that it must have been the brunet's emotions that slowed his reaction time.

"Cheater." Irritated he lost this one, Rikuo averted his gaze with furrowed eyebrows. In spite of defeat, he was already expecting something different from this situation, judging from how hot and red his face was and how his heart thudded rapidly in his chest.

Yoru leaned forward, studying Rikuo's features. "I'm not a Nurarihyon for nothing."

Inches before their lips collided, Rikuo sighed, "Whatever."

Smirking lightheartedly, he leaned in to kiss Rikuo. He couldn't count how many kisses they've shared already, but each had the spark that electrified him every single time. He just couldn't get enough of it.

And somehow, Rikuo shared the exact same feeling.

As their kiss deepened, the brunet let his emotions dictate his actions as he wrapped his arms loosely around Yoru's neck, pulling him closer, as if their closeness wasn't close enough already. I want more, he thought absentmindedly.

Their lips parted as soon as they were out of breath, both of them panting heavily; taking as much oxygen as possible.

"Yoru, I…"

Surprisingly, Rikuo couldn't take the separation.

Yoru blinked. Is Rikuo…

Rikuo was the one that closed in the distance between them as they pressed their lips for the second time that night. It was like all those other times Rikuo had initiated their kisses.

This kiss being more passionate and intense than that of the first, Yoru cupped Rikuo's cheeks, kissing him back with everything he got.

Yoru wasn't playing favorites, but this was their best kiss by far— mostly because Rikuo wasn't holding back anymore.

But unfortunately, all things have to come to an end. The same applied for their kiss yet again.

The more Rikuo realized what had just happened, the more the fog in his mind cleared. He didn't know if it was Yoru's powers of seduction or simply his desire to be intimate with his significant other that put him in a trance wherein he wanted nothing more than the taste of the other.

He surely hoped it wasn't the latter.

He closed his eyes and sighed inwardly, his cheeks redder than before. Ugh, this is so embarrassing… I've never felt like this before. Before, he initiated kisses with Yoru because of special conditions and reasons (more like excuses). Tonight, however, was an exception, hence why he felt more embarrassed than ever before.

Yoru chortled. He had expected this to be a depressing night because of his defeat and the tragedy that had befallen Rikuo, but it turned to be better than he thought. Others could have already left him because of what would have happened to them, as well as Yoru's weakness, but not Rikuo.

After all, he did accept whatever fate that was in store for him in the beginning of their relationship. And Rikuo was a man of his word. Yoru couldn't ask for better. The brunet was the best he could ask for, even.

And his feelings were best summarized in the best way he knew how:

"I love you, Rikuo."

"I love you too, Yoru." Another embarrassed sigh escaped from Rikuo's lips. He still couldn't get over what had happened just now.

And who says our love is unrequited? Yoru thought, sniggering at Nurarihyon internally for proving him wrong.

Feeling more reassured than earlier, the crimson-eyed yokai ruffled his own hair, his other hand placed on his hip. "I guess it's time to go back to Edo, right? I don't want Mother to worry," he suggested.

"A-Ah, crap. Right." Rikuo's eyes widened, rather shocked by the other's suggestion.

"Huh? What's the matter?"

"I-It's uh…" the brunet gulped. "I-I don't know if she'll take the news lightly."

What other excuse could he come up for having a golden right eye than contact lens? Before he had been abducted, his mother could have known something had already happened to him because he wasn't around. Or maybe Yoru told her everything. If he did, it would make his job of confessing a lot easier.

"…" Second thoughts tempted Yoru. He could discourage Rikuo from going back. He could take Nurarihyon's word for it… Then he shook his head internally. He had hurt him far enough. The least he could do was to live by his word and live the way Rikuo would want to live their lives.

"If Mother truly loves you, then she'll accept you for who you are. After all, you're her one and only son." A pause. "Besides, I'll tell her it's my fault that—"

"How many times do I have to tell you it's not your fault?!"

"Wha—"

"I want to take some of the blame too, you know," Rikuo said with an earnest mien on his visage. He looked regretful and pained as well. "I didn't believe in you when you needed me to. And I don't want you to feel so guilty after everything you've done for me."

Yoru was incredulous of Rikuo's words. He was so, so touched. Was there another purely selfless person like Rikuo in the world? If not, he definitely hit the jackpot.

He shook his head and patted Rikuo's head, his lips curved upwards. "Geez, Rikuo. Are you aiming to become a saint or something?" he chuckled. "I swear, you care for others too much."

Rikuo's cheeks puffed from being abashed with his arms folded against his chest.

"It's not like I'm asking for anything in return." He smiled. "I'm just happy I'm part of their lives."

Happiness was contagious, as Rikuo's smile made Yoru smile as well.

"They're truly lucky to have you as a friend," he remarked.

"I know."

"And if they don't accept you for who you are, they don't deserve you," Yoru said without thinking, unaware that those words had a different kind of effect on the brunet. As his eyes fixed over at Rikuo, he noticed that the other's face was crestfallen, but he was obviously still trying to put up a strong façade.

"R-Right. But we've been friends for a long time, so…"

Crap. I didn't bother to think about Rikuo's feelings there. And he felt bad for that already. He was supposed to cheer him up and support him in whatever path he would choose to take, and not bring him down. Not when they were both this down low already.

The hell? Am I that jealous of them? I'm letting what the old man said get to me again… Yoru gazed at his palm, resisting the urge to clench his fists so tightly his palms would bleed. However, he didn't want to show any sign of weakness, especially in front of Rikuo. He needed to be strong, so that hopefully, none of them would get hurt again.

Yoru composed himself before being the one smiling reassuringly at Rikuo this time. "Yeah. I, too, believe your friends will accept you for who you are no matter what. That's why you guys are all friends, right?"

And to the yokai's relief, Rikuo's smile came back again. "…Yeah."

That was close, he sighed of relief. I can't help but get jealous, I guess. It is in my personality, and in my blood too. So I'm pretty impressed that I haven't proposed to him especially given the current situation. He then sighed of annoyance. I hate that the old man had it easier with grandmother.

"Yoru?"

But if it's Rikuo, maybe I can wait a while… even if it hurts.

Yoru smiled. "It's nothing."


A/N: After 10 years (just kidding), I've finally updated this again! I really am sorry if it took a while. You see, I have a process of doing chapters for my fanfiction. It includes outlines, doodling (tons like oh my god if you guys have only seen my notebooks full of drawings of these two lovebirds), brainstorming… I had a happier draft of the chapter than this, but you know, things have changed and I'm like "Noooppee I don't want them to be happy instantly. There's gotta be time and development for that".

So like, even though the update of the chapters have gotten slower over the years due to college and real life, I still want to thank you all for being such awesome and loyal readers! It's the best thing a fanfic writer like me can ever ask for. Your reviews keeps motivated to create new chapters, new arcs, and new twists!

But yeah, I'll try to think of better things with the new changes that had happened in this story. And I'll try my best to update, er, faster? Haha. Till then, lovely readers xoxo