Marisay-chan here once again! Thank you to those who continued to follow this story and reviewing it!
To answer RainAlchemist201's question: "Why didn't I describe Nurarihyon's appearance to Rikuo's friends?"
The answer: …The thing is, I just found out about it when you told me and perhaps I really don't feel the need to do so, you will notice that I did not fully describe Rihan as well…Hahaha besides, I really have no idea how to describe that head of his...(Probably the main reason why I did not do so *Sweatdrop*) But, do let me explained about something regarding about this. When Rikuo mentioned that Nurarihyon's appearance could still be explained, this actually refers to that head of his. Even in real life, there are people with unexplainable body features. However, hair is another thing. In this story, the reason their hair stood up like that is due to their Yoki(Demonic energy/Energy and power of the yokai). So, I hope that answers your question, RainAlchemist201! ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, only the story.^_^
Please note: A thousand apologies for updating so late. But, like I have mentioned in the earlier chapter, I will be really busy. So please bear with me. Also, there will be a lot of shifting in this chapter, hope that you will have no problem keeping up.
In italics are thoughts
In bold are flashbacks
In bold and italics are thoughts in the flashbacks
~Story Starts~
"I, Keikain Yura, an Onmyoji of the Keikain house, will exterminate you!" Yura declared while standing next to her shikigami, Tanro.
Rikuo and Kana looked on in shock at the large white wolf that stood there. It was almost five times bigger than a normal wolf.
Onm…yoji?
Rikuo looked at Yura, who was petting her shikigami with one hand while glaring at the rat yokais.
Onmyoji…the ones that exterminates yokais? Onmyoji…Onmyoji…Keikain…AH!
"Come now, what's with your gloomy faces?" Nurarihyon ruffled both Rikuo and Rikun's head.
Five-year old Rikun pouted at the treatment, while four-year old Rikuo closed his eyes, enjoying the attention.
"When can we leave? I-We don't like this place!" Rikun complained, waving at Rikuo, who nodded in agreement, "I-It feels weird!"
"Weird?" Nurarihyon looked at his grandsons in confusion, "…Ah. You must be sensing the energy of the place. No surprise here, we are at the Keikain house after all."
"Kekan?" Rikuo asked, tilting his head cutely to the side.
"Keikain," Nurarihyon corrected, chuckling at the cute action, "They are a group of Onmyoji, that exterminates yokais. Well, bear with it a little longer. Once we go and meet an old friend of mine, then we will leave, all right?"
"Will the Jiji give us sweets?" Rikun asked innocently.
Nurarihyon sweatdropped, "That's all you think about huh, Rikun? …But…" Nurarihyon turned a bit sad. "...I'm afraid that, he can't do that."
Sensing sadness in their grandfather, Rikun and Rikuo looked at each other before grabbing each of his hands, trying to offer some comfort.
"Don't be sad, Jii-chan. We can get it from someone else!" Rikuo smiled.
Rikun nodded, "As long as the Jiji is not boring, it's fine."
"Don't call other people Jiji, it's rude! You should call them by their names," Rikuo wagged a finger at Rikun.
Nurarihyon chuckled at that, while Rikun pouted at being corrected by his younger brother.
"What should I call him then?" Rikun crossed his arms.
Nurarihyon smiled, "Hidemoto, Keikain Hidemoto."
That's right! How could I have forgotten? Jii-chan always bring Rikun and I to the Keikain house when we were little to visit his friend, Keikain Hidemoto, the 13th heir of the Keikain family. But, I never expected that Keikain-san here is from the same Keikain family I knew back then.
Rikuo looked at Yura in awe, surprised by the new knowledge.
"An Onmyoji, huh? Young Master sure knows how to choose his friends," The leader muttered under his breath.
"What shall we do, Kyuso-sama? We can't get near them!" One of the yokai rats asked, staring warily at Tanro.
Yura tilted her head to the side, "Kyuso? I see. A large yokai rat that feeds on their natural enemy, the cats. You actually have some nerves to prey on humans," Yura narrowed her eyes.
Kyuso stared for a while, running a hand through his hair, before stepping towards Yura, "This is really troublesome."
All three of them tensed up as they watched Kyuso continued forward, until he stopped in front of Yura. Tanro let out a growl at the close distance.
"Hey, little Onmyoji girl, do put that shikigami away, would you? We wouldn't want anyone to get hurt. After all, we just want to have a little chat, that's all," Kyuso smiled, lifting a hand to put on Yura's shoulder, to show that he means no harm.
However, before the hand even reach her shoulder, it was slapped away.
"Do not touch me with your filthy hands, you rat. And why would I do that? You think that I will believe the lies you sprout? Better think twice then, I have no intention listening to a yokai, especially a stinky, slimy rat at that," Yura glared at him.
Kyuso lifted his head up while looking down at her, holding his slightly bruised hand with his other hand, before taking a step backwards, narrowing his eyes.
"…Such a mouth. You are a lady, you should not use such words. But," Kyuso smirked, "As high and mighty you are trying to act, even you, an Onmyoji, becomes helpless when circumstances are changed."
What?
Yura was confused at his words at first, when suddenly, Kana screamed from behind.
"Wh-!"
Yura turned around, to see Kana surrounded by small rats, while Rikuo was being held, sharp nails on at his neck, by a rat yokai.
When did they-?
Yura was horrified at the two of them being involved, eyes widened at the sight of blood flowing slightly on Rikuo's neck and Kana's trembling form.
"...P-Please…help…please!" Kana cried out, tears forming in her eyes.
"…Ugh…" Rikuo winced at the slight pain he felt on his neck.
"Let them go! They have nothing to do with this!" Yura shouted, looking back at Kyuso.
"You were so busy insulting me, that you did not notice that I sent my underlings to the back," Kyuso looked slyly at Yura. "Do put that shikigami away. Like I say, we don't want anybody to get hurt."
Yura looked between Kyuso and the two captives, trying to decide the best course of action in this grim situation.
This is bad! If Keikain-san withdraws her shikigami-!
Rikuo glanced at Yura, feeling helpless, as he watched Yura lowered her head, admitting her defeat by placing two of her fingers on her lips and swiped it at Tanro, dispelling her shikigami back into a paper.
The moment the shikigami was gone, Kyuso slapped Yura, knocking her unconscious at the force.
"Keikain-san!"
"Yura-chan!"
Rikuo and Kana shouted in worry.
Kyuso then turned to them, "Knock that girl out," He commanded. One of his underlings then went towards Kana, striking at her head, knocking her out cold.
"Kana-chan!"
Rikuo shouted again before looking at Kyuso, knowing that he was next.
"Now, Young Master. How nice it is to see you again," Kyuso grabbed his chin up roughly, causing more blood to flow, as the rat yokai that was holding him have not let go of him.
"What…?" Rikuo was confused with the way Kyuso addressed him so familiarly.
Again? Young Master? Why is he calling me that? Have I met him before?
"From the look of your face, it seems that you do not recognize me. That really, really upsets me, Young Master," Kyuso placed his other hand on his own chest, while faking a hurt look at Rikuo.
"But, do not fear, Young Master," He grinned, shifting his hand from Rikuo's chin to his hair, grabbing it tightly, making Rikuo winced at both the pain at his neck and hair. "I will definitely help you remember. Every. Single. Details" He then transformed his face to become rat-like, baring his fangs at Rikuo.
Rikuo widened his eyes.
Darkness shadows from the back
A yokai with cat ears and a headband decorated from paw prints, kneeled nervously in the room alone. Biting his lips, he kept on glancing at the door, as if waiting for someone.
"I…I got to hurry…and tell them…"
The door slides opened, making him jerked his head up, revealing the First and Second Supreme Commander as well as Karasu Tengu. All of them have grim expressions on their face.
"F-First Supreme Commander, Second Heir! I apologize for taking up your time! But, there is something important that I must really report to you!" The cat yokai placed a fist on the floor in front of him, bowing at them.
"Say nothing more, Ryota Neko," Nurarihyon told him, kneeling in front of him with Rihan and Karasu Tengu. "If you are here, that's means that they are making their moves right?"
"Yes," Ryota Neko nodded, a pained look then crossed his face. "There was a message, saying that they will be striking soon…I apologize for not being able to stop them. Even though, you left me in charge, I…I was not able to stop them. I apologize for my incompetence!" Ryota Neko bowed deeply, letting his head touched the ground.
"…It can't be helped. They have been planning this all from the start. There's no way you could have known that. So, don't be so hard on yourself, Ryota Neko." Nurarihyon sighed.
"…Oyaji…" Rihan looked worriedly at Nurarihyon.
Nurarihyon nodded, "We need to get Rikun and Rikuo here now, before anything else happens."
"Excuse me for interrupting, First and Second Supreme Commander. But, may I enquire what exactly is going on here?" Karasu Tengu asked, not really following their conversation.
Both Nurarihyon and Rihan looked at each other, before looking back at Karasu Tengu.
"…Karasu Tengu, do you remember that, we exiled a clan from Nura clan ten years ago?" Rihan asked him.
"Ten years ago?" Karasu Tengu thought about it for a while. "Ah! Yes. The Kyuso clan, am I correct?"
Rihan nodded, "Because of that, they are now back." He narrowed his eyes. "For revenge."
Darkness shadows from the back
"Haaa…I will finally get to spend some time with Rikuo. Stupid humans, making us hide around like that. This is my house! Why do I have to hide in my own house?" Rikun complained.
"You really are a brat, always complaining like that," Zen frowned at him. "Why can't you be more like sweet, innocence, little Rikuo? That might actually make you a bit more tolerant…wait…actually please don't, it's quite nauseating now that I think about it," Zen placed a hand on his forehead.
"You...are really asking for a fight, aren't you?" Rikun then aimed a punch on Zen's head, which he avoided.
"And that just proves that you are a brat. Well, I will go and greet Yamabuki-sama and Wakana-sama now, don't do anything I wouldn't do while I am not around!" Zen waved at him, walking towards a different direction.
"Stop treating me like a brat!" Rikun stomped his feet, pointing at Zen's direction. "Ah…I just acted like one…" Rikun slumped at a corner, getting depressed at that fact.
He sighed, getting up before continued walking along the corridor. Along the way, he spotted the cherry blossom tree at the backyard ahead. Walking until he was in front of it, Rikun took a deep breath while closing his eyes, enjoying the quietness as the wind caressed his face.
"…It was here, wasn't it? Under this big cherry blossom tree." He smiled, reminiscing about something as he stared at the tree. He then turned away, about to walk off, when something moved at the corner of his eyes.
"Hm?" He looked back at the tree to see what caught his eyes. However, there was nothing there. "…My imagination?" He squirted his eyes, looking around to confirm it. Just as he was about to dismiss it, he saw a silhouette beside the tree.
"What th-?" Rikun rubbed both of his eyes, before staring at the same place, trying to spot it again. However, there was nothing out of ordinary.
"…What was tha-"
"What do you mean by, both Third Heir and Rikuo-sama are in danger?"
"Eh?" Rikun looked to the side, where the voice was coming from. He then walked towards the room, where the voice sounded the strongest.
"Just as you have heard, Karasu Tengu."
That's Jiji's voice…what's going on? Rikuo is in danger?
Rikun frowned as he stood outside eavesdropping, completely dismissing the fact that he was including in the statement as well.
~Inside~
"But what do you mean by that, First Supreme Commander?" Karasu Tengu flapped his wings in distress upon hearing that news.
"Part of the reason why they are doing this in the first place, is because they wanted to get revenge on the Nura clan for banishing them away," Nurarihyon explained.
"And to do that, they will be targeting at Rikun, who just became the Third Heir of the Nura clan. Rikun is still young, so there are some things that he is still unaware of, and that would make him an easy target to the others, who means any harm to him," Rihan supported the idea.
"I see…" Karasu Tengu bowed his head in thought. "What about Rikuo-sama? What's the other reason?"
Both Nurarihyon and Rihan frowned deeply at that, while Ryota Neko fidgeted nervously.
"…Karasu Tengu," Nurarihyon looked at him. "Do you know the reason why the Kyuso clan was exiled from our clan?"
"Hm?" Karasu Tengu was surprised by that question. "No, not that I know of. The details were not made clearly when the clan was exile. All I know of is that, they did something really terrible."
"…I see," Nurarihyon closed his eyes.
"First Supreme Commander?" Karasu Tengu questioned, seeing that Nurarihyon did not plan on continuing.
"If I may, First Supreme Commander?" Ryota Neko looked at Nurarihyon, who nodded, before looking at Karasu Tengu. "The thing is that, Kyuso, the head of the Kyuso clan, almost killed Young Master ten years ago."
"What!" Karasu Tengu managed to exclaim out, before the doors slid open with a bang.
Startled, all of them looked towards the direction, seeing Rikun standing there with an agitated pose, his crimson eyes seemed to glow brighter then normal.
"Rikun! How long have you been standing there?" Rihan asked, a bead of sweat dripping on his face at the change of event, looking at Nurarihyon, the only one not surprised by Rikun's entrance.
Oyaji! You planned to let him hear about this from the start?
"Long enough. Now, explain yourself! What do you mean by Rikuo was almost killed?"
Darkness shadows from the back
~In a building somewhere~
"Gah…!" Rikuo coughed, kneeling on the floor, holding his stomach in pain after being kicked by Kyuso.
"Remember anything yet, Young Master?" Kyuso grinned, kicking Rikuo in the head, causing Rikuo to fall down.
"…I really…have…no idea…what you are…talking about…" Rikuo panted out, having trouble standing up, as his body was full of bruises and scratches.
"Tsk, tsk. We can't have that now, can we?" Kyuso grabbed his neck, lifting Rikuo up until they saw each other in the eye. "Shall I tell you then?"
He then slammed Rikuo into a wall nearby, letting Rikuo slid down, before walking towards a tattered couch nearby, sitting as he watched Rikuo gasped painfully at the impact.
"But, I am really disappointed, Young Master, that you do not remember anything. After all," Kyuso clasped his hands together. "You are the one that got our clan exiled from the Nura clan."
Ex…iled? They were part of the Nura clan? I was the one that caused them to be exiled?
"…What do…you mean by that?"
Kyuso tilted his head to the side. "Humph! Seems that I will have to start from the very beginning huh?" He crossed his legs. "Very well then."
"You see, we used to be weak, useless yokai rats, so when we heard of the Nura clan, about how strong they were, we decided to join them, pledging our loyalty to them. It was exhilarating at first, we used to go on raids, killing any yokais that dared cross paths with the Nura clan. With each kill and blood spilled, my clan grows stronger and stronger, until that was not enough anymore. We wanted more! More blood!" Kyuso's eyes turned a bit wild. "So, we decided to tell the First Supreme Commander, that we should aimed for humans next!"
Darkness shadows from the back
"Humans?" Rikun narrowed his eyes, kneeling beside Ryota Neko. "A group of despicable yokais, aren't they?"
Nurarihyon nodded, "Compared to yokai blood, human bloods are more fulfilling, due to its purity, giving some powers. It is believed that it could even increase one's lifespan, if the human is special enough."
"What did you say to them then, Jiji?"
Nurarihyon snorted, "I rejected them of course," He looked at Rikun. "Even as an yokai, there are just some things we should and should not do. Besides, did you forget that my mate is a human?" He raised his eyebrows.
"…Still, I bet that they did not take it well." Rikun stated.
Nurarihyon shook his head. "Indeed, they were a little resentful about it. They even tried to assault my mate, Yohime," Nurarihyon narrowed his eyes at that. "However, that was put to a stop. Ever since then, we have been keeping a close eye on them."
"Why didn't you kill them when they tried to assault Obaa-san?" Rikun asked, confused by that. Normally, his grandfather would have just killed anyone that means harm to his family.
Nurarihyon frowned, "Because there was no evidence. Treason is a serious crime when it comes to a family like the Nura clan, Rikun. You can't just kill anyone just because you think that they mean some harm. Besides, I said that they 'tried to'. They never did acted on it, due to how powerful we are, at first. After that, I never left Yohime's side."
"At first?" Rikun took note of the words used.
"…Things changed after Rikuo was born, they started to get more and more agitated as time passes by. They probably think that we are getting weaker and weaker due to the fact that we kept on bringing humans into our clan." Nurarihyon said. "They then started attacking the humans by themselves. Draining them of their blood, and leaving a bite marks on their neck as a trademark."
Darkness shadows from the back
Bite…marks?
"You…you are the one…who's responsible for the 'Vampire Case' now?" Rikuo asked in disbelief, connecting the strings together.
Kyuso laughed. "Humans sure come up with interesting names. That's right. I did that," He grinned at Rikuo. "As a challenge letter."
"Challenge letter?"
"That's right. Giving the Nura clan a show, ten victims for the past ten years. Just as I did in the past."
"You did this…in the past?" Rikuo clenched his fingers.
"Yes. It was stimulating at that time! We then continued to kill the humans, drinking their blood. Getting stronger and stronger each day. The stupid Nura clan did not even notice that it was us!" He chuckled.
"We started to get bolder as we successfully avoided getting caught by humans and the Nura clan alike. Then, a thought came to us. 'If we are able to avoid them now, perhaps we will be able to get away even if we attacked within the Nura clan!'. We thought that it would be amusing to kill the people the Supreme Commander holds close!" Kyuso laughed as he watched Rikuo widened his eyes. "Then, we schemed and planned, starting with the Second Heir at first. However, he was too strong at that time, so we switched target."
Darkness shadows from the back
"They set their eyes on Rikuo then." Rikun growled.
"No." Rihan shook his head. "At that time, you and Rikuo are always surrounded by guards, and weak as they are, they know that even with the strength they gotten from killing humans, they stand no chance against the yokai in the Nura clan. Even Yamabuki is capable of defending herself against them."
"But, everyone here is a yokai, and it can't be Obaa-san since she already passed away at that time…" Rikun then gasped in realization. "Then-!"
Rihan narrowed his eyes, "Yes. They aimed towards Wakana, who is a full human being."
Darkness shadows from the back
"Okaa-san? You targeted at Okaa-san?" That shocked Rikuo, who was getting a little angry that his mother was targeted.
"A human joining the Nura clan twice? How disgraceful! The Nura clan should be grateful that I am doing them a favor! And we almost succeeded as well! But you," He snarled. "You foiled all of our plans, just because you felt that something was wrong!"
Darkness shadows from the back
"Rikuo's instincts? It started so early, even though he was only two years old?" Rikun was amazed to hear that.
Rihan nodded with pride before he turned serious, "However, it chosen a bad time. At that time when Rikuo had the feeling, he was not with his bodyguards, so he rushed alone to Wakana. Facing Kyuso all alone."
"It seems that he got there just in time as well. The Bakeneko clan, being nearest to the place, later found Wakana, who had a bite mark on her neck. But," Nurarihyon rushed, seeing Rikun was about to open his mouth. "Wakana is just fine, it would seems that Rikuo got there just as they were about to kill her."
"What about Rikuo?"
Nurarihyon looked at Rikun, "From what Rikuo told me, it seems that upon arriving, Kyuso tried to kill Rikuo as well. He managed to stab him in the stomach before Rikuo went wild."
"Went wild?"
"Unfortunately, he does not remember anything about that. He only remembered seeing Wakana with the bite mark, feeling a pain in the stomach, before he blacked out. Later, if I am correct, Ryota Neko was the one who found them, right?" Nurarihyon looked at Ryota Neko.
Ryota Neko nodded, "Yes. I found both the Kyuso clan and Young Master unconscious. The place they were in was completely smashed, as if a hurricane have past by."
Darkness shadows from the back
I see…no wonder I found the pictures that Kiyojuji-san bought so familiar. I have seen Okaa-san in that state…
Rikuo cringed at that thought.
…I wonder what happened after that…
"Luckily, we managed to get away before the Nura clan could kill us for treason. But, I will never forget the humiliation of being beaten by a child like you!" Kyuso stood up, walking towards Rikuo, who was trying to stand up with the support of the wall.
"Now, story time is over. Let us have some fun," He smirked at Rikuo, grabbing him by the neck again. "Bring it here," He ordered to one of the yokai rat.
The yokai rat went into one of the rooms located at the side, before emerging with a few bottles in his hand. He then handed one of the bottles to Kyuso.
That's-!
"Ohhhh? You are familiar with this, aren't you? Humans really like to kill rats like us with this. They called it rat poison if I am not wrong." Kyuso grinned. "It would be quite fitting of you to drink something that causes us pain, don't you think? Hold him," Two of his underlings grabbed Rikuo by the shoulder, one of them forcing his mouth open.
"Drink up, Young Master," Kyuso mocked, pouring the contents of the bottle into Rikuo's mouth, tightening his hold on Rikuo's neck, forcing him to swallow. Rikuo tried to struggle against the hold, however, due to the injuries he received earlier, it proved to be useless.
My…vision…getting black…can't…help…RIKUN!
Darkness shadows from the back
"Rikuo!" Rikun jerked his head up, shouting Rikuo's name in panic.
All of the others were stunned by the sudden outburst that Rikun displayed.
"Rikun? What is it? What about Rikuo?" Rihan asked, getting concerned.
"What…? I…I thought I heard Rikuo's voice…It sounds…like he's screaming for help!" Rikun stood up, getting worked up at the last sentence.
"Where is Rikuo, anyway? He should have finished sending his friends off. Karasu Tengu, please go and get him," Rihan ordered.
"Right away, Second Supreme Commander!"
"It won't be of help."
All of them turned to the door, where Zen was standing with his arms folded.
"Zen! What do you mean by that?" Rikun asked.
Zen looked at Rikun, "When I asked, Yamabuki-sama and Wakana-sama told me that Rikuo left the Nura premises to walk two of his friends home."
"What!" All of them exclaimed.
"This is happening all over again…" Nurarihyon muttered.
"We got to find him immediately! Zen, did Rikuo say where did he go?" Rikun looked at Zen, anxiety clearly visible on his face.
"Ukiyoe Town's First District."
"First…District?"
Rikun looked at Ryota Neko, who had a look of fear in his eyes.
"You know of that place, Ryota Neko?"
"Y-Yes. That was the place I was in charge of and," Ryota Neko turned solemn. "Where the Kyuso clan's headquarters are rumored to be."
Rihan thought about something, before he suddenly got up. "We need to hurry! Rikuo really needs our help now!"
"Oyaji?" Rikun was surprised to see Rihan suddenly got work up, more than usual.
"I will explain later. We need to find Rikuo, now!"
"Hold on for a second, Rihan," Nurarihyon stopped them. "You don't even know the exact location. Kyuso would be smart enough to erase any trace they left behind."
"Damn it!" Both Rihan and Rikun cursed, getting frustrated at the situation.
Zen stepped forward at this moment, "Perhaps this will help." He then unfolded his arms, his right hand holding something, before he threw it at the center of the other five yokai. "I found it prowling around the backyard while I was walking here."
Turning their attention to the center, they saw a rat yokai, who was wearing a kimono, struggling against the binds that Zen tied it up with.
"Ohhhh. This is one of the members in the Kyuso clan, the Errand rat." Nurarihyon stated, recognizing the yokai in one glance.
"This is just great timing," Rikun stomped up to the Errand rat, grabbing it by the collars of it's kimono. "Where is Rikuo!"
Darkness shadows from the back
Yura slowly opened her eyes, blinking slightly while taking in her surroundings.
A…cage?
She then turned to the side and saw Kana lying on the floor, still unconscious.
"Ienaga-san!" She crawled towards Kana, checking her for any injuries.
"So, the little kitten has woken up."
Yura turned towards the voice, where Kyuso stood, holding Rikuo by the neck with his left hand. Kyuso then opened the gate, throwing Rikuo into the cage beside the two girls.
"Nura-kun!" Yura placed a hand on Rikuo's shoulder, noticing that he was breathing heavily, as if he could not get enough air.
"What did you do him?!" Yura shouted.
"Hm?" Kyuso glanced at Rikuo, before he smirked. "Just had a little bit fun with him. Don't worry, I will continue to play with him later. I wouldn't want you to get too bored staying here in this cage."
Yura glared at him, reaching for her pockets.
Eh? My shikigami…?
"Looking for this?" Kyuso waved the paper that contains Tanro before tearing it in front of her.
Yura could only watch in despair as the paper floated to the ground, torn into pieces.
"You-!" Yura clenched her teeth, knowing that she was rendered defenseless as she hurriedly picked those pieces up and placed them in her pocket.
Kyuso chuckled, glancing at Kana, who was starting to wake up. "Now that the two kittens are awake, shall we play?" Kyuso looked at Yura. "I will teach you, that without shikigamis, Onmyojis like you are useless."
"Get away from us!" Yura yelled, trying to protect Kana by pushing her behind. Kana looked fearfully at Kyuso, looking at the side, spotting Rikuo lying there.
"Rikuo-kun!" Kana shouted in worry, thinking he was hurt badly.
"Oi, oi. You don't have time to worry about him, kitten," Kyuso stepped closer to them.
Someone…please!
Suddenly, the walls at the doorway were blown apart, just as Yura was thinking of help.
"What the-?" Kyuso turned around at the commotion.
Standing at the entrance, was full of different yokais, yokais that was from the Nura main house, and their eyes glowing red through the dust from the earlier explosion.
"Kyuso-sama, what's going on?" One rat yokai asked, bewildered by the grand entrance.
"…This is…" Kyuso narrowed his eyes. "…The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons...Hn! How did they found us here?"
"…You sure have given us a lot of trouble," Rikun stepped forward, throwing something at his direction, landing on the ground in front of him.
Kyuso looked down to see the Errand rat, whom he sent to investigate the Nura clan, dead. While he was distracted, Aotabo went to the cage where the humans were held in, and breaking it apart with just his strength.
"Hurry up!"
"What about Rikuo-kun?" Kana looked worriedly at Rikuo.
Kubinashi landed beside them, carrying Rikuo in his arms. "We will take care of him. Now go!"
"U-Un!" Yura and Kana ran out of the cage. Yura took one last glance at Rikun, just as they are about to leave the building.
That must be the master of all yokais…
Darkness shadows from the back
"Y-You! Cursed you, Nura clan! How dare you let my preys go!" Kyuso yelled at them, transforming his face back to a rat face. "I will eat all of you up!"
With that, both of the clan clashed with each other, trying to eradicate each other. However, the Nura clan had a better advantage.
"I will destroy anyone who dares to harm Young Master!" Aotabo charged forward, punching the rat yokais that got in his way, clearing a path through. Kurotabo made used of the path that Aotabo created and jumped up to the air.
"Anki Kuroenbu!" Countless weapons started shooting out of Kurotabo's sleeves and onto unsuspecting rat yokais, striking them straight in the chest, causing them to disappear into ashes.
"Noroi no Fubuki, Fusei Kakurei!" Yuki-Onna blew, creating a blizzard around her, freezing the rat yokai that tried to attack her from the back.
Kyuso got angrier and angrier as more and more of his underlings went down in the hands of the Nura clan.
"You never learn do you, Kyuso?" A voice came from in front of him.
Kyuso turned to the voice, "Well, well. If it isn't the Supreme Commander and his heirs of the Nura clan," He snarled at them. "What pleasure."
"It seems we will have to eradicate your clan, Kyuso," Nurarihyon frowned. "Just as we should have done ten years ago."
"I will make you pay for targeting my family," Rihan narrowed his eyes at Kyuso.
Kyuso gritted his teeth, knowing that he was cornered. "…Hn!" He then smirked. "At least I have managed to take one of you down with me."
"What?" The three of them were stumped.
"First Supreme Commander, Second Heir, Rikun-sama!"
They turned to see Kubinashi running towards them, holding a convulsing and battered Rikuo in his arms.
"Rikuo!" Rikun yelled, holding Rikuo's shoulder as Kubinashi passed him to Rihan.
"Rikuo, what's wrong?!" Rihan kneeled down, placing Rikuo on the floor and started healing his scratches and bruises, while placing one hand to his face. However, he was unable to stop the convulsion that continued to get worse as each seconds passed.
"What did you do to him?" Nurarihyon looked at Kyuso, narrowing his eyes.
Kyuso laughed at the attempt of trying to heal Rikuo, "It's useless! I know all about your healing ability, Second Heir. Unlike your mother, you can only heal wounds and illnesses to a certain extend. He had ingested bottles of rat poisons, there's no way you can save him! Even if he is a yokai, he's still part human after all! Ahahaha!"
Nurarihyon and Kubinashi watched anxiously as Rihan continued to heal Rikuo, regardless of what Kyuso said.
Rikun watched on, noticing that the Rikuo's breathing was getting heavier and heavier, his life force slowly fading away.
Come on, Rikuo! Don't leave me alone!
Rikun bit his lips hard, causing a drop of blood to ooze out of his mouth.
"Hm?" The sudden taste of his blood startled him. Licking his lips, he suddenly thought of something.
The other four yokais were surprised when Rikun cut at his own arm, the wound large enough for the blood to flow quickly.
"Hahaha! It seems the Third Heir has gone a bit hysterical at the situation!" Kyuso laughed.
"Rikun?"
"Rikun-sama?"
Rihan and Kubinashi stared at Rikun in shock while Nurarihyon looked at Rikun, wondering what he was going to do.
Rikun ignored all of them and placed his wound on Rikuo's opened mouth, massaging his neck so that Rikuo would be able to swallow the blood that dripped into his mouth. Slowly, the convulsion stops and wounds that Rihan was unable to heal, started healing. Rikuo's breathing became slow and steady, as if he was just sleeping, although he was still shivering slightly.
"…It worked…" Rikun smiled in relief, stroking Rikuo's head.
"R-Rikun-sama?" Kubinashi asked, a disbelief look on his face at the miracle that Rikun performed.
"Hm?" Rikun looked at Kubinashi as Rihan healed his self-inflicted wound, "Rikuo and I found this out by accident when we were young. Both of us was slightly injured one time while playing outside, and I licked Rikuo's wound at that time in an attempt to heal him. However, I ended up healing myself instead because of his blood."
"…The time when Rikuo-sama said that he fell down carelessly?" Kubinashi recalled such an incident.
Rikun smiled, "I'm just glad that it works both ways. The blood I have given Rikuo is now absorbing and cleansing the poison. Although there might still be some left inside his body, it won't be enough to kill him."
"Hiding such an ability, the two of you are already growing up huh?" Rihan ruffled at Rikun's head, while Nurarihyon smiled at the background.
"We are grown up, Oyaji!" Rikun slapped his hands away.
"…You!" They turned to Kyuso, who was shaking in anger, "I will kill all of you!" Kyuso transformed into his large yokai rat form, a clawed paw heading towards their direction. Rikun jumped towards the left while Kubinashi, Nurarihyon and Rihan, who carried Rikuo in his arms, jumped towards the right, avoiding the attack.
Kyuso turned to Rikun, "Starting with you!" He then charged forward.
"Rikun-sama!" Kubinashi screamed.
However, Rikun was already prepared. Holding a large sakazuki cup filled with sake in his hands, he blew across the liquid, producing blue flames that engulfed Kyuso, as well as all of the rat yokais that were left.
"Wha-What is this?!" Kyuso screamed, the flames burning through him.
"Ougi Meikyo Shisui, Sakura. The fire won't stop until the ripples does," Rikun told him. "Although I would like you to suffer more, Rikuo still needs medical attention," He then glared at Kyuso. "Burn to ashes, scum."
Kyuso continued to scream as the fire grew more violently. "AHHHHHHHHHH! YOU WILL SUFFER ONE DAY, NURA CLAN! YOU WILL FALL BY HER HANDS!" Kyuso screeched at them, before reducing to ashes.
Nurarihyon and Rihan narrowed their eyes at the warning.
"…Let's go home. We need to get Rikuo to Zen," Rikun told them, having noticed their reaction, but putting it aside for now in favor of Rikuo.
They nodded.
Darkness shadows from the back
"Yokai!" A voice shouted at them as they were walking home in the morning mist.
Rikun turned to the voice with the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons while his grandfather and father went ahead to get Rikuo cured.
"…" Rikun looked at the humans that stood across them.
"What did you do to Nura-kun? Where is he?" Yura shouted at him while Kana looked at Rikun, hoping that Rikuo is fine.
"…He is fine, we already brought him home. So go home now, it's dangerous for humans like you to wonder about unprotected," Rikun told them, turning around to leave.
"Wait!"
Rikun glanced back to see Kana with her hand outstretched in front of her.
"U-Um…" Kana got slightly nervous at seeing those crimson eyes staring at her. "T-Thank you for saving us."
Yura nodded reluctantly, "But the next time we meet, I will defeat you!"
Rikun smiled slightly at that, "See you again," He told them, before walking off with the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons, the mist hiding them from sight.
~To Be Continued~
Waaaaaa. This is really quite a hard chapter to write…I apologize for any mistakes I made in here, was really in a rush to get this updated...
My, my, Rikuo's yokai attributes are showing more and more, huh? And wow! Both Rikun and Rikuo can heal each other using their blood! That's cool! And it is always fun to watch how Rikun and Zen interact, right?
Who exactly is this heragain? And what about the figure at the Cherry blossom tree once again? Some of you seem to have figured it out! For those who haven't, you will find out in the next chapter. ^_^
Things to note:
Obaa-san = Grandma
Anki Kuroenbu = A technique which shoots countless weapons from Kurotabo's sleeves
Noroi no Fubuki, Fusei Kakurei = It creates a powerful blizzard that directly freezes enemies
Ougi Meikyo Shisui, Sakura = A technique which utilize superior yokai sake poured into a large sakazuki cup.
That's all folks! Do continue to review and tell me what you think about this chapter!
Edited on 10th December 2014