Marisay-chan here once again! Thank you to those for reviewing. I am pleased that all of you like my story! Also, thank you to Holymagic for pointing out the missing words! I have amended it, but there may be still some of them missing, so I apologize first! ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, only the story. ^_^
Please note: I apologize first hand to all you readers, because, starting next week, I would be very busy, so my updates will get a bit slower then usual. But I will still do my best to upload on time, so I hope that you will wait patiently.*bows*
In italics are thoughts/ in the first scene, dream
In bold are flashbacks
In bold and italics are thoughts in the flashbacks
~Story Start~
Winds swept through the night sky, causing the cherry blossoms to sway slightly with it, creating a mystical feeling as its petals flew around the place.
"Where…?" Rikuo looked at his surroundings, watching as the petals danced in front of him, before settling his gaze beside the cherry blossom tree, where a figure stood there. The figure was wearing a kimono, decorated with cherry blossoms, making the person blend in well with all petals surrounding them.
"Who..?" Rikuo asked, reaching a hand out towards the figure.
The figure watched as Rikuo got closer, before smiling. Placing a finger on their lips, they opened their mouth, "…"
"Huh? I can't hear you…Wait!" Rikuo called out, watching the person disappeared as a whirlwind of the petals past by.
"…kuo. Rikuo!"
Rikuo jerked his eyes opened at the sound of his name being called. He blinked a few times, turning to the left side to see Rikun sitting there.
"…Ri…kun? What's wrong?" Rikun asked him, seeing his brother staring at him with a worried expression.
"What's wrong? I should be the one asking you that," Rikun reached over, placing a hand on Rikuo's left cheek, before making a wiping motion, "You are crying."
"Eh?" Rikuo sat up, touching his cheeks and eyes, which was wet from the tears he had shed.
It's true…but, why am I crying? Who was that person? Somehow…they felt really familiar…
"Nightmare?" Rikun watched as Rikuo started wiping his tears away.
Rikuo shook his head, "…No…Besides, I'm a yokai. There's no way I will have a nightmare," Rikuo smiled at Rikun, "I'm fine, really. Sorry to cause you such worry."
Rikun stared at Rikuo straight in the eyes, making Rikuo a bit uncomfortable at the look, before sighing. He then place his left hand at Rikuo's right side and laid his head on Rikuo's right shoulder.
"Ri-Rikun?"
"…Why must you hide from me?"
"Eh?" That statement confused Rikuo.
Rikun lifted his head to look at Rikuo again, "You are always hiding your feelings. Keeping it inside, never letting anyone know about how you feel. Not even when you are suffering inside! Just like what happened two days ago! What happen if Kubinashi never told us anything! You will be left suffering alone!" Rikuo felt a lump on his throat at the pained look Rikun was giving him.
"…Please…don't hurt yourself like that. It really pains me to see you that way…if you must…hide it from everybody else, but not me. Never me, all right?" Rikun then kissed his temple.
"Rikun…" Rikuo felt his eyes welling up with tears. He could hear his heart thumping against his chest at the affectionate gesture.
Rikun then kissed his forehead, followed by his eyes, making Rikuo closed his eyes, causing tears to run down his cheeks. Rikun then proceeded to kiss his cheek, licking the tears away, before pausing just as he reached Rikuo's soft-looking lips. Confused with the pause, Rikuo opened his eyes, only to see Rikun looking at him lovingly, waiting, as if asking for his permission to continue.
Rikuo blushed at the intense gaze he was receiving.
Is…this what it feels like…to be in love?
Rikuo raised his hands, placing them at Rikun's broad shoulders, before shyly brushing his lips against Rikun's. Rikun growled at the innocent action, taking the lead by pushing his lips firmly on Rikuo's. This caused them to fall towards the ground, with Rikuo on his back and Rikun on top of him.
"…Nnh…" Rikuo moaned at the sensation.
Rikun then broke their kiss, looking at Rikuo's panting form, and said with a convicted tone, "I love you, Rikuo."
Rikuo could only blush even more at the open confession. He looked down to hide his embarrassment. "I-I-I-I…lo-"
"Excuse me, Rikuo-sama, I am coming in. Ah…" Kubinashi's voice came through, sliding the door open.
An awkward silence filled the place as they stared at each other. Kubinashi was shocked at the fact that Rikun was in the room and at their provocative position, Rikuo blushed at the fact that someone was witnessing the embarrassing situation while Rikun simply looked annoyed at the interruption.
"…Please pardon my intrusion." Kubinashi bowed his head, sliding the door closed, sounds of his footstep fading away.
Rikun looked back at the blushing boy, who was gaping at what happened earlier. "Well, shall we continue?"
"Wha-?" Rikuo jerked his head towards Rikun, who was leaning down.
"N-N-NO! GET OUT!"
Light shows a path in front
Nurarihyon blew out rings of smoke as he read the papers in his hands. He then placed it down, looking up at Rihan, who was frowning at him.
"…And?"
"…Oyaji, I know that sometimes, things can be boring to you…but could you at least show some concern here? It affects one of your grandsons after all," Rihan frowned even more.
Nurarihyon blew another ring of smoke at Rihan, who waved it off, folding his hands under his sleeves.
"It is not confirm that it is them. Could be a coincidence," Nurarihyon told him, although he, himself, seems to doubt his words as he looked down at the papers.
"Don't give me that! It's definitely the works of theirs!" Rihan slammed his palm onto the floor. He then sighed, "You should have killed them instead of letting them off like that. Thanks to that, they are now challenging us."
"Let them then. It's not that they could charge in head on to us. Besides, this might not be about Rikun, you know?" Nurarihyon raised his eyebrow at Rihan.
"Still, we should stop them, they are involving innocent people, you know?" Rihan rubbed his temple, getting a slight headache at all of these, "And who says this is about Rikun?" He stared at Nurarihyon.
Nurarihyon narrowed his eyes at that, before a voice came through the door.
"First Supreme Commander, Second Heir. May I come in?"
"Sure, Kubinashi," Rihan said.
The door slid open, revealing Kubinashi, who entered the room then slid the door close, holding a set of tea. Kubinashi then sat near the two leaders, pouring tea for them. Rihan blinked, looking at the man, who was not looking at them in the eyes.
"Kubinashi," Kubinashi jerked at his name, "Why are you blushing?"
"Ah!" Kubinashi accidentally knocked over the tea when Rihan asked him the question, "S-Sorry!"
Both Nurarihyon and Rihan raised an eyebrow at the careless action.
Rihan sniggered slightly, "What's the matter, Kubinashi?" he asked the unusually flustered yokai.
"A-Ah. I-It's nothing," Kubinashi waved his hands in front of him nervously.
Doesn't look like nothing.
Nurarihyon and Rihan thought, as they sweatdropped slightly at the sight of Kubinashi floundering about.
"Kubinashi…"
"I-It's just that, I was about to go and wake Rikuo-sama in his room, since his alarm clock went out of power yesterday, and then, when I reached his room, I ask Rikuo-sama whether I could enter the room. And then, when I opened the door-" Kubinashi frantically explained.
Rihan sweatdropped, "Oi,oi. Calm down Kubinashi. You are babbling."
"Ah," Kubinashi paused in his explanation, realizing that he was talking like a fool. "…Sorry."
Rihan then smirked at him, "But I can guess what happened next. I bet you saw Rikun inside as well, about to..." Rihan wriggled his eyebrows. "…eat Rikuo."
Kubinashi's face turned red, before the doors slid open again.
"Eeeeee!" Kubinashi shrieked out at the sight of the Third Heir standing there, to which Rikun raised an eyebrow at.
"I-I will be leaving now! Excuse me!" All the other three males stared as Kubinashi ran out of the room in a panic.
"…" Rikun stared at the retreating form of Kubinashi, before sliding the door close behind him, sitting next to Rihan.
"Hoho, you sure act fast, don't you? Where is Rikuo, anyway?" Rihan clapped him on the shoulder.
"That is none of your concern, Oyaji. As for Rikuo, he has school," Rikun told him, looking a bit put off.
"What's wrong? You looked a bit upset," Nurarihyon asked him.
"…Nothing…Just a bit annoyed that people keep interrupting me," Rikun sighed, "Anyways, I want to tell you about Rikuo."
"Oh? What about Rikuo?" Nurarihyon asked him, his curiosity peaking up.
"Yesterday, he demonstrated one of his yokai attributes, the one that sense dangers."
"Hoo, his instincts, right? It's been four years since it happened, eh?" Rihan looked proud at the news.
"Hmmm. He's coming of age soon, it won't be long before the rest of his yokai attributes shows up," Nurarihyon nodded, "Keep watch of him, Rikun."
"Un," Rikun nodded at him.
Rihan stared at Rikun for a while, suddenly remembering something, "Ah. I almost forgot. Speaking of yesterday, I wish to speak to you about something, Rikun."
Rikun looked at him, "What is it?"
Rihan smiled at him, causing Rikun to tense up, seeing that there was something wrong with that smile, "It's regarding about the disappearance of a certain sword, at a certain time yesterday…"
Rikun sweatdropped. He could almost see the malice aura behind his father.
…Damn…
Light shows a path in front
Rikuo blinked.
Well, it is unusual to get a transfer student at this time of the year…
"My name is Keikain Yura. It is a pleasure to meet you all," A girl with short, spiky dark hair stood at the front of the classroom, bowing at the rest of the students.
"Now, class. Keikain-san here arrived at the middle of the term, so makes sure to make her feel welcome and teach her things that she missed, alright?" Their teacher informed them.
"Yes."
Keikain Yura, huh?
Rikuo watched as the transfer student walked towards her seat.
Keikain…Where have I heard of that name before?
Light shows a path in front
~In an alley~
CLICK
FLASH
"This is really terrible. Another of the Vampire Case?" A man stood at the scene, with flashes of camera lights behind him.
"Ah. This is the tenth victim already. If this goes on, the police force will really have a lot of trouble," Another man kneeled down beside a covered body. He lifted the cover up, showing a young woman lying in a pool of her own blood, "Whoever did this sure is a sadist. Doing this to young ladies."
"Sir!"
The two men turned, seeing a policeman running towards them.
"Sir! You need to come and see this!" He saluted at them.
Both of them looked at each other before following the policeman.
"Wh-What is this?"
They stood in front of a wall, which is sullied by words.
WiTh THe TeNtH, cOmES yOuR END!
One of them placed his hand on the wall, "Is…this blood?"
"Keh! They are really a sadist, aren't they? Wonder who, they are directing their message to?"
They continued to stare at the bloodied message, unaware that there was someone there, witnessing the message as well. That figure bit their lips, before running off into the darkness.
Light shows a path in front
"Argh…"
Rikun groaned as he walked along the corridor. "…Stupid Oyaji. I told him I needed it due to an emergency, but, no, 'Does not mean you should take it without my permission' Humph! As if he will let me have it, even if I did ask him," He winced, nursing his head where a huge bump could be seen.
He continued walking, turning around a corner where he saw Kubinashi walking towards him, holding a set of tea. The moment Kubinashi saw him, he quickly turned around, going towards the opposite direction. However, Rikun was faster, grabbing his sleeves and his floating head, before he could even walk off.
"…Stop running away at the sight of me," Rikun told him, annoyed.
"…Sorry, Rikun-sama," Kubinashi bowed at him after Rikun let go of him.
"Was it that embarrassing?"
"Uh…no. It's just that, knowing that Rikun-sama loves Rikuo-sama and seeing Rikun-sama l-loving Rikuo-sama…are really two different things," Kubinashi stuttered out.
Rikun stared at him for a while, "Just don't do this in front of Rikuo, he will be upset," He sighed, "Where are you going, anyways?"
"Yes, Rikun-sama. Ah…I was just about to deliver tea to Zen-sama," Kubinashi gestured to the tea set on his hands.
"Zen? He came already?" He seemed a bit surprised, walking to where Zen would be with Kubinashi.
"Yes. Do you know why he is here? I mean, I thought that he would have gone home," Kubinashi asked him.
"I was the one who told him to come here. After yesterday's episode, I figured it would be best for him to live at the Nura main house," Seeing Kubinashi's confused expression, he briefly explained what happened yesterday.
"…I see. Hebidayu did…I never expect him to do such a thing." Kubinashi frowned, as they stood in front of a door.
"Hn. It's no surprise. He's a snake after all," Rikun stated, sliding the door open, where Zen is sitting inside, "Yo, Zen."
"Rikun. Kubinashi," Zen greeted them, staring at Rikun as he entered the room, sitting in front of him.
Kubinashi placed the tea in between them, bowing before leaving the room, while Zen kept on staring at Rikun.
"What?" The stare was annoying Rikun.
"…" Zen continued to stare, before lifting his gaze, slightly above Rikun's head, where the bump stood proudly.
A vein popped on Rikun's face, "If you dare say anything, Zen, I will make you regret it."
Light shows a path in front
How did this happen?
Rikuo was in a state of panic as he continued to listen to Kiyotsugu's speech.
"…So, tonight, we shall go to Nura-kun's house!" Kiyotsugu declared.
"B-B-But-!" Rikuo protested as the rest of the members were surprised at the annocement. "Why my house?!"
Kiyotsugu ran a hand through his hair, "Because, Nura-kun, like I say earlier, your house has gained the reputation of housing yokais. I am sure we will be able to find some yokais in your house, and if we are lucky, we will be able to see the master of all yokai, Nurarihyon. So, we will be going to your house later, thanks for volunteering!"
"W-Who's volunteering? D-Don't make decision on your own like that!"
"Nurarihyon, you say?" A voice came from behind them.
"Eh?" All of them turned around to see Yura standing there.
"That's right! Are you interested in this kind of stuff as well, transfer student?" Kiyotsugu asked her.
"…I guess you can say that," Yura nodded. "Nurarihyon, or Nurihyon, a yokai said to be a descendent of Umibozu's," Yura then looked at them in the eyes, "Aside of it being the master of all yokais, it is also the master of deception, altering a person's perception of reality and rumored to have control on a person's dreams."
"Ohhhhh!" Everyone in the group clapped at the knowledge that Yura displayed.
Ack! Kekain-san seems to know a lot of yokais! Does she like to hunt yokais, just like Kiyojuji-san? ...Master of deception…I guess I can accept that, but I didn't know that we are able to control a person's dream…can Jii-chan, Otou-san and Rikun do that?
Rikuo mulled over the information while the others praised Yura for her knowledge.
"That's amazing, Keikain-san," Natsumi told her.
"It's nothing…and please call me, Yura," Yura told them with a vapid expression.
"Kei-no, Yura-kun! You are just the type of person I am looking for! It is decided then! From today onwards, Yura-kun will be a member of the Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad!" Kiyotsugu laughed, pleased with the situation.
"But, Yura-chan, You sure know a lot about yokais. Do you like them?" Kana asked her, as Kiyotsugu continued to laugh.
Yura looked at her with a strange expression, "…They are evil. Since we are on the topic of Nurarihyon, I feel that I should warn you that, they are the kind that could go into your house undetected and eat foods right off your tables. This is one of the reason I do not like them. Foods are important after all. So, please make sure to lock your house up well once you leave," She finished.
"I-I see," Kana sweatdropped at the weird aura behind Yura.
"A-Anyways! You don't really have to go to my house to hunt yokais, right?" Rikuo tried to change the conversation, having heard what Yura said.
You are looking at one, you know. Besides, only Jii-chan does that sort of thing!
"…I would like to visit this house of yours," Yura looked at Rikuo, looking quite interested, "It would really be interesting to see a house that has a reputation of housing yokais."
"E-Eh?" Rikuo widened his eyes.
"I would like to go too!" Kana said.
"Huh?" Rikuo looked at Kana, shocked.
Kana smiled at Rikuo, "I told Rikuo-kun before, I would like to meet your family someday. This is a great opportunity."
"Urgh…"
"Then it's decided! We will go to Nura's place this evening!" Jiro pumped his fist in the air, getting excited.
"The two of us will pass. I want to go home and relax," Saori told them, while Natsumi nodded.
"Ehhhhh? Again, Maki-kun, Torii-kun? Come on, it would be fun!" Kiyotsugu tried to convince them.
"…That's your idea of fun?" Saori deadpanned.
Rikuo could only hung his head as Kiyotsugu and Saori bickered back and forth.
What have I gotten myself into?
Light shows a path in front
"Hurry! Hurry! We need to tell everyone back home to hide, before my friends come!" Rikun shouted, running towards his home with Yuki-Onna and Aotabo.
"Don't be so worried, Young Master. I'm sure everything will be just fine." Aotabo told Rikuo.
"…I sure hope so. But, I can't help worrying, especially about Keikain-san. She seems to know about yokais very well, and her name kind of disturbs me," Rikuo frowned at that.
"Her name?" Yuki-Onna tilted her head to the side as she ran.
"Un," Rikuo nodded his head, "Keikain. For some reason, it really sounds very familiar. But I can't lay my finger on it," Rikuo bit his lips in thought.
"Anyways, telling everyone about this right now is more important. Yuki-Onna, go and tell the other yokais. Aotabo, you will inform Rikun about this. I will tell Jii-chan and Otou-san," Rikuo ordered, once they reached the house.
"Yes, Young Master," Yuki-Onna left immediately to do his bidding.
"Eh? I will inform Third Heir?" Aotabo confirmed, pointing a finger to himself.
Rikuo looked at him for a while, before clapping his hands together in a prayer, "Sorry to ask you to do this, Aotabo, but I really, really don't want to see him right now..." The quarter yokai was still a bit peeved at the morning incident, "Please, Aotabo?"
Aotabo sweatdropped at the sight of Rikuo closing one eye and stared cutely at him with the other, with his hands brought to his lips. The bigger yokai could see flowers appearing behind Rikuo, giving him quite an innocent appearance.
"…Yes, Young Master."
"Thanks Aotabo! I own you one! Be sure to tell him, all right?" Rikuo smiled at him, breaking the moment, before running off to find his grandfather and father.
"…" Aotabo watched as Rikuo got further, sweatdropping again, "Young Master's face is really a formidable weapon. I can see why Third Heir has fallen for him."
He then scratched his head, "Did they have a quarrel?" He started to imagine how the quarrel goes. After a while, Aotabo was seen walking along the corridor, hitting his head while muttering,
"…Bad…bad Aotabo."
Light shows a path in front
"…So don't wonder around, understand?" Rikuo then slid the door close before any of them could reply.
"…Huh?" Rihan blinked, "What was that all about?"
"…Friends, huh?" Nurarihyon sipped on his tea, closing his eyes, "It seems that Rikuo is choosing his side already."
"Hmm?" Rihan looked at his father, "You think so? It sure doesn't look like that to me."
Nurarihyon opened one of his eyes, "You seem to believe that statement."
"Of course I do," That offended Rihan. "Why would I say it, otherwise. Sure, spending lots of times with the humans will get him attached, but at the same time, Rikuo knows that he has a place here thanks to Rikun, so he won't be abandoning us anytime soon."
Nurarihyon continued to drink his tea.
"And I'm sure, when the time comes, he will definitely make a right choice. I should know," Rihan closed his eyes. "I am his father," He then reopened his eyes to look at Nurarihyon, only to find that he was not there.
"Eh? Oyaji?" Rihan looked around, finding Nurarihyon walking out of the door.
"What are you doing? Let's go meet these friends of his."
Rihan's eyebrows twitched, "Listen when other people are talking!"
Light shows a path in front
"Thank you for letting us visit your house, Nura-kun!" Kiyotsugu smiled at him.
Don't you mean, intrude?
Rikuo stared at them with a tired expression. "Where's Maki-san and Torii-san?"
Kiyotsugu frowned, "They decided not to come no matter how I tried to tell them otherwise. What a waste."
No, not a waste at all, that just means less people to deal with.
"My, my, all of you are Rikuo's friends, right? It's been a while since people like you came, please make yourself at home!" Wakana greeted them with a smile.
"People like us?" Yura muttered, while all of them bowed at Wakana.
"C-Come on in then!" Rikuo sweatdropped at the slip his mother made.
"Pardon us for intruding!" All of them called out in politeness.
"Whoa! This house is huge! I didn't know that you are rich, Nura!" Jiro exclaimed, looking around in awe as they sat in a room Rikuo had brought them to.
"Not as big as mine!" Kiyotsugu boasted.
"…I sense yokai presences," Yura said.
"I-Is it your imagination?" Rikuo asked her, getting nervous.
"Hmm," Yura thought about it as the door slid open.
"I have brought some tea, Rikuo-kun," Yamabuki entered the room, placing the tea near them.
"Ah. Thank you, Yamabuki Okaa-san," Rikuo smiled at her.
"You are welcome. Enjoy your time here," Yamabuki smiled back, leaving the room.
Rikuo turned back to the others, to see them staring at him with shocked expression.
"…Yes?"
"Your mother? I thought the one that greeted us at the entrance was your mother? How old was she when she had you? She looks so young and so pretty!" Jiro shot question after question at Rikuo.
"O-One question at a time," Rikuo waved his hands in front of him, "Yes. The one at the entrance is my mother, as for Yamabuki Okaa-san," Rikuo scratched his head, "She's the mother of my older brother."
"EHHHHHHH! You have a brother?"
"EHHHHHHH! You are half-brothers?"
Jiro and Kana screamed out in unison, shocked at the news.
"U-Un," Rikuo nodded at Jiro. "Did I never mention that to you, Kana-chan?" He looked at Kana.
She shook her head, "Whenever you spoke about your brother, you always say 'My brother'. You never say that he is your half brother…Ah! I'm sorry! That was just rude!" Kana apologized to him.
"Ahaha, it's fine Kana-chan."
"Hmm. So Nura-kun's father has two wives. Must be a ladies man," Kiyotsugu nodded his head.
"Ahahahahaha…" Rikuo laughed nervously.
You have no idea…Otou-san is really popular with women during his days…
"All right! Now that we had our tea, shall we start looking for yokais?" Kiyotsugu stood up.
"E-Eh?" Rikuo was getting nervous by that.
"Indeed. It would be really interesting to view this house. There seems to be some…things here," Yura followed Kiyotsugu's example, sliding the door open and walking out of it, while the others followed her.
"…Urgh…" Rikuo hung his head in defeat.
Light shows a path in front
"…They sure are keeping us busy, aren't they?" Kurotabo placed a hand on his straw hat, watching as Rikuo and his friends walked around the area.
"Argh…Why do we have to hide from humans? We are yokais, you know? Shouldn't we just try to scare them off?" Natto Kozo folded his arms in indignation.
"That would be defying Young Master's wish. Just endure it," Kurotabo looked at Natto Kozo.
"That's right. It's for Young Master's sake! So continue hiding for now," Yuki-Onna waved her hands at the smaller yokais.
"After all, it would be bad for Rikuo-sama if his friends actually finds out that he is a yokai…" Kubinashi stated.
They all looked at each other, before sighing.
"…There!" Yura suddenly looked at their direction. Fortunately, they were able to hide just in time.
"W-What's wrong, Keikain-san?" Rikuo looked nervously between Yura and the direction she was looking.
"…Just thought I sensed something."
"Well, let's look into some of the rooms too." Kiyotsugu placed a hand on a door, ready to open it.
"Ah! Wait Kiyojuji-san! Don't-" Rikuo panicked big time, as that room was Rikun's, but it was too late as Kiyotsugu already slid the door open.
All of them became speechless as they saw Zen standing there, looking at them with a terrifying expression that seems to say, 'Come any closer, and I will ripped you apart'.
"Ze-!" Rikuo slapped his mouth to cut himself off, surprised to see Zen here, not knowing that Rikun had invited their sworn brother over.
Kiyotsugu then slid the door close awkwardly. All of them walked off quickly, searching at other places, pretending that nothing had happen.
~Behind the door~
"Oh! Your face is good for something after all!" Rikun smirked at him, hearing the footsteps of the humans fading away.
A vein popped as Zen turned to look at him, "…I don't want to hear that from someone, who decided to hide behind the door like a coward."
And true enough, Rikun was sitting by the door beside Zen, just out of sight when the door opened earlier. Zen was irritated that he had to face the humans just to keep Rikun from being exposed.
"...This is against my wish too, you know."
"I don't care!"
~Back with Rikuo and his friends~
Rikuo sighed, while the others searched through the place thoroughly.
This is just like at the abandon building, except this time, I am not doing all the work.
Rikuo sweatdropped as he watched Kiyotsugu past by a barrel, where some of the small yokais were hiding.
Rikuo sighed one more time, turning to look at the cherry blossom tree that stood outside. A flash of his dream came into his mind.
…Wonder what they were trying to tell me?
Rikuo continued to stare at the cherry blossom, following its petals as it danced in the air, before his eyes widened in shock. There, beside the cherry blossom tree, stood the figure again. The figure didn't smile this time, instead they give off the feeling that they were worried. Rikuo watched as the figure tried to speak. "…Dan…ger…"
"Eh? What? What danger?" Rikuo was about to go to the figure when Kana's voice stopped him.
"Rikuo-kun? What's wrong?"
Rikuo turned around to look at her, noticing that the others have already move on to the rooms.
"…It's nothing," Rikuo looked back at the tree, only to find that the figure was no longer there.
"Come on, let's go," Kana told him, walking towards the others.
"U-Un," Rikuo took one more glance at the tree, before following Kana.
Once they left, a rat appeared from underneath the floorboards. It sniffed the air around it, looking at where Rikuo left, before using the cherry blossom tree as a ladder, climbing out of the Nura property.
Light shows a path in front
"Whoa! Nura, you are really rich!" Jiro told Rikuo again, as they stood in a room filled with large statues.
"Ahahahaha…not really," Rikuo rubbed his head.
They then spread around to search for yokais. Everything was all right at first, until Yura stood in front of one of the statues, eyeing it suspiciously.
"Ke-Keikain-san?" Rikuo gulped, sensing that there are yokais inside it.
Please don't look any more closely!
Taking no heed to Rikuo's anxiety, Yura walked around it. However, before she could touch it, Nurarihyon came in from the side of the room.
Saved!...Wait, no, that's worse! The First Supreme Commander of the yokais is here! Even though I told him not to wonder around!
"Ah, Rikuo. Your friends?" Nurarihyon asked, offering some sweets to them, before looking at the Yura. Yura, sensing the look, stared back at him. The two of them kept on staring, making Rikuo really uncomfortable, before Nurarihyon smiled warmly.
"Thank you for looking after my grandson all this time."
"U-Un…" Yura was startled by the smile, not expecting it.
"J-Jii-chan…If you are here, where's Otou-san?" Rikuo asked, slightly sweating at the narrow escape.
"Hm? Rihan? He's behind me," Nurarihyon gestured behind him.
"Ah…" Rikuo dreaded as Rihan started to enter the room.
Jii-chan's weird appearance can at least still be explained, but what about Otou-san?
Rikuo closed his eyes as Rihan continued to enter the room, expecting to see his father with his hair that defies the laws of gravity.
How am I supposed to explain that!
"You look like you are in pain, my son."
Rikuo peeked with one of his eyes, before opening the other eye in shock.
"…O…tou…-san?"
There stood Rihan, with his usual appearance, except for the fact that, instead of his normally seen hairstyle, his hair now falls down his back, being tied into a long ponytail. Also, his front hair covers his right half of his face.
"Yes, Rikuo?" Rihan grinned at him, pleased at making his son surprised.
…I see! This must be Otou-san's human form. Thank goodness!
"So…handsome…" Kana covered her mouth, blushing slightly.
"…A real ladies man," Kiyotsugu nodded in awe, while Jiro just gawked at Rihan.
Yura just stared, not affected by Rihan's charms.
"Well, we should be off now! See you later, Rikuo!" Rihan winked at Rikuo, leaving with Nurarihyon.
"…You have an interesting family, Nura-kun," Yura commented.
"Ahahahahaha…"
Light shows a path in front
~Sometime later in the evening~
"We shall come here again sometime, Nura-kun." Kiyotsugu told him, as they stood at the front gate.
"Please don't," Rikuo deadpanned.
"Well, we will go this way then," Kana pointed at the busy town, walking with Yura, while the boys headed at the opposite direction.
"Eh? That way? The First District?" Rikuo asked.
"Un. Why? Is something wrong?" Kana questioned.
"No…" The figure at cherry blossom suddenly flashed through Rikuo's mind, "I will walk you two there!"
"Eh? Bu-!" Kana was about to protest.
"Please? I can't just let two girls walk alone in the dark. Please?" Rikuo showed his innocent look.
Both of them sweatdropped, before sighing, giving into Rikuo's request.
"Great! Let me just inform someone first, then we will go!" Rikuo smiled, rushing inside the house.
"…Is he always like this?" Yura asked.
"…This…is my first time seeing it as well," Kana placed a hand on her cheek.
Light shows a path in front
"Haha, that was just great! Glad that I could still surprise my own son is this form!" Rihan laughed merrily, before switching back to his yokai form.
Nurarihyon snorted, turn his head to the backyard. Seeing the cherry blossom ahead of them, Nurarihyon suddenly stopped walking and stared at the tree.
"Now, if only I can-Oyaji?" Rihan stopped as well, noticing his father was not following. He then walked towards to stand beside Nurarihyon, looking between his father and the tree.
"…Is something the matter, Oyaji?" Rihan asked, a bit concerned with the way Nurarihyon was acting.
"…" Nurarihyon continued to stare for a while, before turning to look at his worried son, "It's nothing. Come on."
"What? Oyaji?" Rihan was about stop his father, when Karasu Tengu came flying by.
"Hmm? Karasu Tengu? You seem to be in a hurry," Nurarihyon said to the slightly panting yokai.
"Yes!" Karasu Tengu took a deep breath, before continuing, "I was looking for the both of you, First and Second Supreme Commander! Ryota Neko, head of the Bakeneko clan, requested an urgent meeting with the two of you. Saying it concerns the safety of the Nura clan."
"From the Bakeneko clan?" Rihan widened his eyes, looking at Nurarihyon, who frowned at that information.
"Lead the way."
Light shows a path in front
"So, you actually live alone, Yura-chan? That is really amazing!" Kana praised her.
"It's nothing much…"
"Keikain-san sure is a very unusual individual! First, you know a lot about youkais, and second, you actually live by yourself at just this age!" Rikuo complimented.
"It is actually not that unusual, due to my line of work," Yura smiled slightly.
"Line of work? You are already working, Yura-chan?" That surprised Kana, after all, they are all of the same age.
"Not really. Actually, I'm-"
Yura suddenly cut herself off, tensing up as a group of men approached them. Rikuo also tensed up at the sight of them.
This presence…yokai?
The three of them backed up into an alley with Yura at the front, trying to protect Kana and Rikuo.
"My, my, I never expected to find the prey so easily," The man with light-golden hair, who seems to be the leader, smirked, "Ah, well. Makes things easier for me."
"W-What's with this people?" Kana shivered at the looks those men were giving.
"Some are able to go undetected, while others are able to blend in with the humans. They are evil, just as I told you," Yura told her.
"Yokai?" Kana widened her eyes in shock.
Rikuo bit his lips at the confirmation, as all of the men started to transform into their yokai form, resembling a rat.
This is bad. With Keikain-san and Kana-chan here, I can't do anything!
"Hn. Capture them!" The leader ordered, making one of them charged towards them.
Rikuo and Kana watched in horror as it came towards them. However, before it can come any closer, Yura stepped forward.
"Uho! Teiho! Tennai! Tensho! Teiho! Tennin!" She chanted, stepping on the ground with each word, forming a shape. "Kenkon genko ritei! Come forth! My shikigami, Tanro!" She then threw a paper at the yokai.
The paper then forms into a wolf, which growled before stepping the yokai with its front paw, killing it in the process.
Some of the yokai rats that witnessed this, took a step back, afraid of the same fate.
"Shikigami? An Onmyoji?" The leader muttered.
Yura narrowed her eyes at them, standing beside her shikigami.
"I, Keikain Yura, an Onmyoji of the Keikain House, will exterminate you!"
~To Be Continued~
Whew, I really had a hard time writing this chapter. I even got a bit creeped out when I wrote the bloodied message
So, can you guess who that figure was in Rikuo's dream? Even Nurarihyon seems to know something. I was very careful not to reveal anything, not even the gender! Although there is a slight hint if you look carefully. As for what Aotabo imagined…I will leave up to your imagination! ^_^
There are things I need to explain in this chapter.
One, when Rikun say "He is a snake after all" he is referring to the fact that, Hebidayu is able to hide his true personality all this time and that he is slippery and cunning, just like a snake.
Two, their blood has nothing to do with their transformation between human form and yokai form. All of them, are able to shift to human form as long as they are old or powerful enough. Rikun is still too young ^_^
Three, both Yamabuki and Zen looks human enough to pass off as one.
Four, the chants that Yura made. Although I am not too sure of the details, it seems to be a spell called Sonjyou Toran Uho Sahou, where the caster says the name of the stars and steps according to how the stars are aligned. Her shikigami, Tanro, is named after the star, Dubhe, of the constellation, Ursa Major(If you wish to find out more, please google it ^_^). So, I assumed that the name of the stars that Yura calls is in regards to it. I got this idea from Shonen Onmyoji.
And finally other things to take note:
Umibozu = A spirit in Japanese folklore.
Shikigami = A term used for a kind of spirit, summoned by onmyoji
Onmyoji = A name for humans, who use spiritual power to fight yokais
Well, that's all folks! That's a lot of information, right? So do review to tell me what you think or if you have any question in regards to this chapter.
Edited on 5th December 2014