Marisay-chan here! It's been a while! This is my longest chapter, so it took me quite some time to finish it! But I still hope you will like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, only the story. ^_^
Please note: To those who still did not know, I have a new one shot called 'Pure'. Do have a look at it if you enjoy some really hot yaoi and incest *Grins*…Speaking of which, could somebody tell me what is going on at Fanfiction? There seems to be some petition going on…and does that mean that I could no longer post one shots like 'Pure'/'The Nura men' anymore? Since it contain things that are sexual…
In Italics are thoughts
In bold are flashbacks
In bold and Italics are thoughts in the flashbacks
*In Italics within stars are Telepathic thoughts between Rikun and Rikuo*
~Story Starts~
Gyuki kneeled still at the front of his candle-lit room, eyes closed, thinking of something. Lightning struck outside, causing the whole room to be lighted with a blue glow, before fading away.
"…Gyuki-san…"
Gyuki slowly opened his eyes at the call of his name. Turning his head slowly to his back, he saw Rikuo standing at the middle of the room, a few steps away from him. Rikuo was looking at him with a somewhat sad expression, the smile that Gyuki normally see was not present.
"…Young Master," Gyuki tilted his head slightly. "I see that you have arrived."
"…Why…?"
Gyuki turned his head back to the front, glancing at the sword, which was at the wall in front of him. Another lightning struck.
"…Young Master, do you know why I decided to follow the Nura clan?" Gyuki asked him.
Rikuo frowned slightly at the change of topic, "…I heard it was because Jii-chan managed to defeat you in a fight."
Gyuki stood up, "You are not wrong." He then turned to face Rikuo. "But, you are not correct either."
Rikuo met Gyuki's gaze straight on. "Does the actual reason have something to do with, why you decided to assault me, Gyuki-san?"
"Once again, you are not wrong," Gyuki told him. "…Shouldn't you know of the reason, since you are here," Gyuki glanced at the pillar that was beside Rikuo. "Third Heir?"
Slowly, Rikun emerged from the shadows of the pillar, leaning against it while looking at Gyuki.
"You don't really seem surprised to see me here, Gyuki-Jiji," Rikun commented.
"…" Gyuki looked at Rikun, before glancing back at Rikuo.
Rikun moved in front of Rikuo, blocking him from Gyuki's view, making Gyuki turned his attention back to Rikun.
"…So, Gyuki-Jiji," Rikun folded his arms. "Is it true?"
Gyuki merely continued to stare at Rikun, not answering.
"…That you planned to kill Rikuo?" Rikun clarified, narrowing his eyes when he said this.
"…Third Heir, did you come here simply because you heard of this?" Gyuki turned around, walking towards the sword that hung at the wall.
Rikun watched as Gyuki stopped in front of the sword and stood there, waiting for his answer.
Rikun closed his eyes, smiling slightly. "And if I did?"
"…Fool." Gyuki unsheathed the sword on the wall, turning around and pointing the tip near Rikun's neck in one swift movement.
Rikuo tensed up seeing that, worried that Gyuki would really harm Rikun. Rikun, on the other hand, remained unfazed and simply stared at Gyuki with his crimson eyes.
"Coming to help your brother even though you know what I was planning to do. Moreover, you choose to come alone. Do you truly think that you will be able to stop me?" Gyuki narrowed his eyes at Rikun.
Rikun smirked, "I don't think that I will be able to stop you, Gyuki-Jiji." Lightning struck once again, as Gyuki widened his eyes when Rikun suddenly came close to him, face to face.
Rikun then unsheathed Nenekirimaru, holding it with two hands, lifting it up before bringing it down at Gyuki, who blocked it with his sword just in time. The both of them pushed against each other, testing each other's strength, before Rikun swung Gyuki's sword away from him and quickly jumped backwards, landing beside Rikuo. Seeing Gyuki rushing at them with his sword, Rikun wrapped one of his hands on Rikuo's waist and took a huge leap backwards, causing Gyuki to miss as he swiped at the spot where Rikun and Rikuo was at earlier.
After creating a distance between Gyuki and them, Rikun let Rikuo go, pushing him to the back, before stepping forward with Nenekirimaru in front of him.
Rikun's crimson eyes glinted as he stared at Gyuki.
"I know I will stop you."
Simple things are things that means the most
~Nura clan's arena area~
"Push! Push!"
"Come on! You can do it!"
Shouts from all the smaller yokais could be heard all over the arena place, encouraging two of the yokais, whom was standing within a circle that was in the middle of the room.
"Come on! Push him off the ring!"
"You can do better than that!"
The two yokais held on to each other's forearms, trying to push the other off the circle, their arms trembling with effort.
"They sure know how to fun," Kejoro said, looking down at the two yokais as she stood on the upper level, drinking her sake in one gulp.
"Most of them are bored, always having to stay at the Nura main house with nothing to do," Kubinashi said, staring intently at the cards in his hand, trying to decide which card to place.
Kurotabo, who is playing with Kubinashi, nodded, "Since the Nura clan is so powerful, we have been going out less and less each day, as there are simply no yokais that would try and oppose us," Kurotabo frowned when he saw Kubinashi placed one of his cards down, next to a card that had a similar pattern that was already placed on the floor, gaining him some points.
"Speaking of opposing," Kubinashi placed the cards to his winning pile. "Have you heard of the rumor?" Kubinashi glanced at them with a solemn expression.
Kejoro and Kurotabo looked at each other with grave looks, before looking back at Kubinashi.
"…Regarding about Gyuki-sama and Rikuo-sama, I take it?" Kurotabo dropped his cards on the ground, suddenly losing interest in the game.
Kejoro look worriedly at Kubinashi, "…Gyuki-sama…wouldn't really do that, would he?"
Kubinashi closed his eyes, "It's hard to say…" He opened his eyes, glancing to the side of the corridor when he sensed someone there. "…Hm? Aotabo? What are you doing here?"
Kejoro and Kurotabo followed his direction, to see Aotabo walking towards them with a frown.
"…" Aotabo stopped near them, looking down at the wrestling yokais, before looking back at the three yokais. "…Young Master…will be all right, right?"
"So, you have heard of it as well, huh?" Kurotabo said, folding his arms while closing his eyes, frowning in thought.
Aotabo nodded grimly, "Just heard of it recently…I went to ask about Young Master whereabouts…and it seems that Young Master had gone to Mount Nejireme."
"Ehhh!" The three yokais snapped their heads to Aotabo at that information. "Mount Nejireme!?"
"I know Rikuo-sama went to some mountain due to an invitation, but I didn't know that it was to Mount Nejireme!" Kubinashi widened his eyes, quickly standing up.
"We should inform First Supreme Commander and the heirs about this! If the rumor is true, Young Master is in grave danger!" Kurotabo stood up as well.
Kejoro was about to stand up as well, when she noticed something at the opposite side of them. "…Ara, isn't that the First Supreme Commander and Second Heir along with Karasu Tengu and big brother Zen?"
Kubinashi, Kurotabo and Aotabo turned to where Kejoro was looking, watching as the four mentioned yokais walked across the opposite corridor, paying no heed to the wrestling yokais.
"…Karasu Tengu and Zen-sama seems to be a bit agitated," Kubinashi observed as he watched on, noticing the frowns on Karasu Tengu's and Zen's face as they followed Nurarihyon and Rihan.
"…Could it be about Young Master?" Aotabo suddenly thought of the possibility.
The four of them looked at each other at that.
Simple things are things that means the most
"So, Karasu Tengu," Rihan started the conversation once all of them are seated, Nurarihyon and Rihan at the front with Karasu Tengu and Zen facing them. "What exactly did Rikun asked you to do?"
Karasu Tengu fidgeted slightly at the question, "Uh, that's…" Karasu Tengu became a bit apprehensive.
"Hm?" Rihan blinked at the hesitant response. "What's wrong?"
Karasu Tengu averted his eyes as he recalled what Rikun had told him.
"Yes, Third Heir. I will send my idiot children, the Sanba Garasu, to investigate on this," Karasu Tengu bowed at Rikun, whose back was facing him as they sat in a room.
Rikun only nodded in response and remained silent. Taking that as his cue to leave, Karasu Tengu made his way to the door. Just as he was about to close the door to leave Rikun alone, Rikun suddenly called out to him.
"Karasu Tengu."
"Yes, Third Heir?" Karasu Tengu paused in his action of closing the door.
"…" Rikun stayed silent for a few more seconds, before turning to look at Karasu Tengu with his crimson eyes. "Do not inform Jiji and Oyaji about this."
"Eh?" Karasu Tengu looked at Rikun in surprise. He was about to ask of the reason when he saw the serious look on Rikun's eyes. This was the first time that he actually seen such seriousness in the Third Heir's eyes. For a split second, Karasu Tengu actually thought that he was speaking to the First Supreme Commander instead. He then bowed his head deeply at Rikun.
He truly is the grandson of Nurarihyon's.
"I understand."
"Karasu Tengu?"
Karasu Tengu blinked at the call of his name, "Apologies, Second Supreme Commander. I was in deep thoughts."
"I can tell," Rihan raised an eyebrow. "And, the answer to my question?"
"…He simply asked me to check on the Gyuki clan," Karasu Tengu replied.
"Hooo?" Rihan looked surprised. "Did he say, why?"
"He did not mention anything of that sort," Karasu Tengu told him.
Even though the intention was quite clear…
Zen, who was listening to the conversation, frowned at that.
Rikun knows something…
"Pardon for interrupting," Zen suddenly said, causing Rihan and Karasu Tengu to turn to him. Even Nurarihyon, who had his eyes closed while listening to the conversation, opened his eyes to look at Zen with curiosity.
"I realized that I am being rather blunt about this, but," Zen looked at the three yokais, with a frown. "Will Rik-I mean, Young Master, be all right at Mount Nejireme? There has been a rumor spreading around the Nura clan lately, as I am sure you have heard of it…and they are not very pleasant. I have also noticed that while he was here, Gyuki has been looking at Young Master weirdly…"
Silence filled the room at the concern that Zen had voiced out. Karasu Tengu could not help, but tensed up as the silence continued.
"…We shall leave this matter to Rikun," Nurarihyon stated all of a sudden, startling all of them.
"Eh?" Karasu Tengu and Zen blinked at that.
"Gyuki is an important member of the Nura clan. If he chooses to do something like that, he must have a good reason." Nurarihyon explained. "Besides, that must be the reason why Rikun suddenly decided to leave the main house."
Rihan nodded in agreement with everything that Nurarihyon had said, while folding his arms.
"Is there any problems, in leaving this to Rikun?" Nurarihyon asked the two yokais in front of him.
The two yokais stared at Nurarihyon in slight surprise before Zen smiled.
"There is none," Zen replied, coughing into his hand. "Even if I want to do something, this body will simply be a burden," Zen smiled wryly.
Looking at Nurarihyon and Rihan, Zen placed his hands on his knees. "I, Yakushi Zen, will place everything in the Sakazuki that I have shared with the Third Heir, in trust that he will handle it."
Nurarihyon and Rihan nodded in approval, before Rihan suddenly turned towards the door, smiling brightly.
"And that's how it is, so I hope that the four of you will do the same as well!"
Karasu Tengu and Zen looked confusingly at Rihan for a second, wondering who he was talking to, when they suddenly heard a loud thud outside the room.
~Outside the room~
Kubinashi, Kurotabo, Kejoro and Aotabo sweatdropped as they accidentally hit the door, that they were leaning against, shocked that they were discovered for eavesdropping.
"Y-Yes, Second Heir."
Simple things are things that means the most
~At the inn~
"Where is Kana, Oikawa-san and Nura-kun?" Saori asked as they sat in their room, with the boys, whom were still sleeping.
"Who knows, I hope they are all right, and not get ambushed like us," Natsumi said.
"Speaking about that, those crow-like yokais that saved us were really cool, don't you think so?" Saori grinned, sitting up straight in excitement.
"Un! Un! Their existence was unbelievable too!" Natsumi nodded excitingly as well.
Yura watched them as they continued to talk about the earlier occurrence, before turning to face the window, placing her chin on the palm of hand and frowning deeply.
Simple things are things that means the most
~With Kana~
"Haaa…Haaa…"
Kana panted as she held on to Tsurara tightly while slowly walking down the stairs.
"Just a little more…we will be at the inn soon, Oikawa-san," She told Tsurara, as she concentrate on getting to the inn.
Tsurara merely continued to sleep on, not aware of what was happening.
Simple things are things that means the most
Rikuo watched worriedly as Rikun and Gyuki continued to fight each other, causing a slight spark each time their swords clashed together.
"Your sword skill is adequate, Third Heir," Gyuki complimented as he brought down his sword at Rikun, who blocked it with Nenekirimaru, pushing it against Gyuki's sword.
"A compliment? That's rare coming from you, Gyuki-Jiji," Rikun smirked, sword shaking as he tried to push forward.
"…" Gyuki resisted Rikun's movement. "But, I wonder…if you are still able to keep this up when you are distracted."
Rikun blinked confusingly at that.
Rikuo, who had also heard that, looked around to see what could distract Rikun. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a hand reaching for him. Quickly turning to the direction, Rikuo widened his eyes.
"Argh!"
Rikun hurriedly glanced back at Rikuo's surprised voice, only to see Rikuo trying to dodge…Kyuso's hands?
What? Kyuso?!
"You are losing concentration, Third Heir."
Rikun turned his attention back to Gyuki, who was slowly gaining the advantage while Rikun was distracted. Rikun gritted his teeth, trying to push Gyuki back, but his attention was divided between Gyuki and Rikuo, who was slowly backed into a corner by Kyuso.
Noticing this, Gyuki narrowed his eyes, "It seems that it's true."
"What?" Rikun furrowed his eyebrows, sweats rolling down his cheeks as he continued to push back with his strength.
Gyuki slashed his way through Rikun, managing to slice at Rikun's abdomen, before Rikun moved away, "You are unable to fight well if the Young Master is in trouble. This will be of great trouble in the future," Gyuki muttered the last part.
Rikun narrowed his eyes hearing that, while placing a hand on the wound that was on his abdomen, "…Gyuki-Jiji, I will prove you wrong."
"Hm?" Gyuki frowned and blinked. The moment he blinked, Rikun disappeared from his sight. Although surprised by sudden disappearance, Gyuki turned his focus on Rikuo.
Simple things are things that means the most
Rikuo moved backwards, avoiding Kyuso's hands as he came nearer, until his back hit the wall. Rikuo looked back at the wall in shock, realizing that he was trapped, with no weapons to defend himself. Rikuo also noticed that he was panting heavily and that his eyes were drooping slightly.
…I am still worn out from the earlier fight…
Unfortunately, while they were able to heal each other's wounds, exhaustion was something both Rikun and Rikuo are unable to heal.
"Do you know, Young Master," Rikuo turned back to Kyuso, who stood in front of him. "That you will cause the downfall of the Nura clan in the future?"
"…Eh?" Rikuo looked at Kyuso with wide eyes.
"Did not even realize it, do you?" Kyuso smirked at him. "You are the Third Heir's weakness."
"We-Weakness?" Rikuo parroted in disbelief.
"Just by being at his side, you caused him to lose concentration. If other yokais learnt about this, they will surely take advantage of it. Thus, the conclusion," Kyuso turned his face into a rat-like appearance. "Will be to eliminate you!" Kyuso then rushed forwards, hands high in the air, ready to strike at Rikuo.
Rikuo, still shocked at the revelation, only closed his eyes tightly, waiting for the inevitable.
Rikuo then heard a whooshing sound and felt someone standing in front of him.
"It's just an illusion, don't listen to it, Rikuo."
Rikuo opened his eyes to see Rikun standing in front of him. Noticing Rikun was holding his abdomen, Rikuo reached forward to turn Rikun around so he could see his front. Spotting the large gash, Rikuo bit his lips in distress at the truth Kyuso had spoken.
"It does not make it any less true," Gyuki injected at Rikun's comment.
Rikun and Rikuo looked at Gyuki, who was raising his sword up, ready to charge at them. Rikuo looked back at Rikun's wound, guilt seeped in as he watched blood slowly flowing out from the wound.
Because of my presence, Rikun got hurt…if only I wasn-
Rikuo's internal thoughts was cut off as a hand gripped his chin, lifting his head up to meet crimson eyes, looking at him gently.
"Stop it, don't blame yourself for this," Rikun told him, stroking Rikuo's cheek with his knuckles.
…Eh? How did he…?
Rikuo stared at Rikun in shock.
Rikun smiled and simply tapped his temple twice, "You are quite loud here, Rikuo." Rikun then lifted Nenekirimaru in front of him, rushed towards Gyuki, letting their swords meet.
"Gyuki-Jiji, what you said was true. Rikuo is my weakness." Rikun told him, as he tried to overpower Gyuki.
Gyuki narrowed his eyes at that, while Rikuo closed his eyes at the affirmation.
"But,"
Rikuo opened his eyes to look at Rikun.
"It is precisely because of that reason," Rikun tightened his grip on Nenekirimaru. "He became my strength as well!"
With that, Rikun pushed Gyuki with all of his might, causing Gyuki to stumble backwards. While Gyuki was trying to regain his balance, Rikun slid forward and swung his sword, making a slash on Gyuki's chest area.
Gyuki widened his eyes as he fell down on his back, blood oozing out from his wound. Even though the cut was not that deep, Nenekirimaru have the power to weaken any yokai it touches. The last thing Gyuki remembered seeing, was Rikuo looking at him worriedly from above and Rikun standing beside him.
Simple things are things that means the most
"Will Gyuki-san be alright?" Rikuo asked, seeing Gyuki had gone unconscious.
"…He will be just fine…the cut was not very deep…" Rikun told him, wincing at the slight pain as he tried to move his body.
Rikuo snapped his head to Rikun, quickly rushing to his side. "Don't push yourself! You will aggravate your wound! Here, you better have some of my bl-" Rikuo was about cut his lips by biting when Rikun suddenly placed an index finger in between Rikuo's teeth, preventing him from biting.
"Hm?" Rikuo looked at Rikun, confused by his action.
Rikun smiled, "No need, just some rest and I will be just fine."
"But-" Rikuo tried to protest, feeling guilty as the wound was caused because of him.
Rikun leaned his head down, his face close to Rikuo's. "This wound of mine was caused because of my carelessness, it has nothing to do with you."
"…But if I wasn't here, this sort of thing wouldn't have happen at all…becoming a weakness to you…maybe it would be better if I-"
Rikuo was cut off as Rikun smashed their lips together. Rikuo flinched slightly at the roughness Rikun was displaying.
It's…almost as if he is angry…
*That's because I am angry.*
"Eh?" Rikuo blinked in shock, as Rikun slowly released him. Rikuo stared as Rikun looked at him with a stern expression.
"I don't ever, want to hear you complete that statement!" Rikun gripped Rikuo's arms tightly. "I love you, Rikuo. I don't care if you are my weakness, nothing will stop me from feeling that way towards you!"
Rikuo felt tears slowly welling up in his eyes at the heartfelt confession he just heard. Rikun's eyes softened, kissing Rikuo's forehead while bringing him close to him as much as possible without making contact with his wound.
"Sleep, Rikuo. You must be tired from all this," Rikun patted his head soothingly and pressed a kiss into his hair.
As if it was the trigger, Rikuo felt his eyes becoming heavy again. Doing what Rikun had said, he closed his eyes slowly, causing tears to run down his cheeks
Simple things are things that means the most
When Gyuki came around, he noticed he was still at the same position, lying on his back. He heard patterings on the windows, signaling that it was raining.
"…Rikun…"
"That's the first time you called me by my name," Rikun's voice came from the side.
Gyuki turned slowly to the side, seeing Rikun standing there, with Rikuo at his side, sleeping against a pillar on the ground.
"…Rikun, I-" Gyuki started.
"You know, Gyuki-Jiji," Rikun interrupted him. "Just like, you have your own reason for joining the Nura clan," Rikun looked at Gyuki straight in the eyes. "I have mine for becoming the Third Heir of the Nura clan."
Gyuki blinked at that and was opening his mouth to speak, when the main door leading to the room was knocked down.
The Sanba Garasu stood there, wet from the rain, looking at the scene of Rikun standing beside a sleeping Rikuo, with Gyuki lying on the ground.
"What in the world…?" Sasami muttered.
"Have you gone mad, Gyuki?!" Kuroumaru dropped the honorifics to Gyuki's name in anger, instantly knowing what had happened, seeing the wounds on both of the yokais. The three crow yokais then rushed forward, intending to finish the job, but was stopped as Rikun raised a hand on their path.
"Stop it."
"B-But, Third Heir…" Tosakamaru looked confusedly at Rikun, wondering why he stopped them.
"I did this for the sake of the Nura clan," Gyuki slowly pushed himself into a sitting position.
"Please step back, Third Heir!" Sasami raised her staff up.
"This might be dangerous!" Kuroumaru raised his staff as well.
Rikun merely watched Gyuki, not paying any heed to them.
Gyuki looked at Rikun, "…Will your reason be enough to protect the Nura clan?"
Rikun stayed silent, continuing to stare at Gyuki, before closing his eyes, "…It warms me to see that you care so much about the Nura clan, that you wanted to make sure that I could protect it…But, I think that you have forgotten something, Gyuki."
Gyuki jerked slightly in surprise, hearing Rikun calling him without his usual honorifics at the end.
Rikun reopened his eyes, the flames of the candles in the room can be seen swirling in his eyes, "The Nura clan is my family. Whether my reason is enough or not, I will definitely protect them, protect us."
Gyuki widened his eyes slightly.
Rikun turned towards Rikuo's sleeping form, carrying him up bridal style and walking towards the entrance, passing the Sanba Garasu. "If you are still unsatisfied with my answer, we will talk more about it tomorrow." Rikun then walked out into the rain with Rikuo in his arms.
Gyuki watched as the brothers' figure got further and further, before he closed his eyes, fading into darkness again.
Simple things are things that means the most
~The next day~
Gyuki awoke to the sunlight shone upon him. Blinking slowly, he looked around his surrounding, noticing he was back in the Nura main house, lying on the bed and that his chest was all bandaged up.
"Ah, you are awake."
Gyuki turned towards the voice, finding Rikun, with bandages on his abdomen, standing near the door, before coming in to kneel beside Gyuki.
The silence stretched as both of them think about what to say.
"I do not regret doing this," Gyuki spoke.
"I know," Rikun replied back. "It won't be like you if you do."
Another silence filled the room.
Rikun suddenly chuckled, "This is so awkward."
Gyuki simply looked at him in contemplation.
Rikun, however, did not spare a glance at him and simply looked straight ahead. "Do you…really think that, having Rikuo by my side will eventually lead to my inability to lead the Nura clan?"
Gyuki remained quiet, continuing staring at Rikun.
Rikun sighed, taking that as an assertion, "…That's quite impossible, you know?"
Gyuki blinked at that.
Turning his head to look at Gyuki, Rikun said, "After all, he's the reason why I chose to become the Third Heir." He then stood up, going to the door. Gyuki slowly sat up, turning his head to follow his movement, with a hint of disbelief in his eyes.
Rikun slid open the other side of the door, allowing more wind to flow in, his white-black hair swayed gently with the wind.
"Every time I see him with the yokais in the house, he's always so happy, smiling like he did not have a care in the world…it makes me want to protect that smile, I want him to stay like that forever, not to be tainted with anything." Rikun smiled so gently, that it made Gyuki widened his eyes. Never had he expected to witness this side of Rikun.
"…And to do that, I need to protect the family he loves very much, which is the Nura clan of course." Rikun glanced at Gyuki. "Don't get me wrong, I love the Nura clan as well, but Rikuo is the one who makes me really want to protect them." He then smirked at Gyuki. "That includes you as well, Gyuki-Jiji."
Gyuki jerked his head, staring at Rikun with shock eyes.
"Why are you giving me such a look? You are also a part of the family that Rikuo and I loves," Rikun was grinning at having to get Gyuki to produce such a reaction.
"Family…?" Gyuki whispered.
Rikun smirked again, "That's right. Family. Our family." He then walked out of room, "Get some rest, we will be having a Council Meeting later."
Gyuki watched Rikun walked away. The word 'family' echoed in his head.
"I will become your family, Gyuki."
Gyuki closed his eyes, a smile slowly appeared on his face.
"I am…defeated once again…"
Simple things are things that means the most
Rikun walked along the corridor, going towards Rikuo's room, where he was resting.
"Hm? Yuki-Onna, Aotabo, Kubinashi, Kurotabo," Rikun called out, seeing the four of them standing outside of Rikuo's room. He glanced to the side, where he could see Kappa, who was at the pond with only his head visible, staring at Rikuo's door. "..And Kappa, what are you doing?"
"Third Heir."
"Rikun-sama."
All of them greeted him.
"U-Um, Third Heir, will Young Master be all right?" Aotabo asked.
"Un," Rikun nodded. "He's just exhausted from last night, he will be fine once he wakes up."
Tsurara bit her lips, before bowing deeply at Rikun, startling the yokai.
"Eh? Yuki-Onna?" Rikun blinked at the action.
"I'm so sorry for not being able to protect Young Master! If only I was stronger, this would have never happened. I will take any punishment!" Tsurara shut her eyes tightly, unable to meet his gaze.
Rikun stared at the top of Tsurara's head, "…I got it."
"Eh?" The other yokais were shocked to hear that.
Tsurara's whole body trembled as Rikun's footstep got closer. Then-
FLICK
"Ouch!" Tsurara rubbed her forehead in pain, where Rikun had just flicked. "Eh?" She was shocked at Rikun's action.
"That's your punishment for saying something like that," Rikun smiled. "The opponent was from the Gyuki clan, it can't be helped. Besides," Rikun glanced at the door that leads to Rikuo's room. "It really wasn't your fault."
The five yokais blinked when Rikun said the last sentence. For some reason, he looked a bit mad at something.
"…Anyways, I need you to do something for me," Rikun looked at them.
"What is it, Rikun-sama?" Kubinashi asked.
"I need you to…"
Simple things are things that means the most
"Have you heard? It was said that Gyuki actually treason against the Third Heir, trying to kill Young Master."
"It's probably true, look at the bandages on Gyuki and Third Heir. There was also the rumor spreading around."
"Hm? Then why is he attending the council meeting?"
"If that is true, a verdict is probably going to be done in this meeting."
"Is someone else coming? There is a seat next to the Third Heir."
Voices of the Nura clan's allied clan's heads sounded as they slowly seated themselves at the meeting room.
The three leaders sat apart from each other at the front with Nurarihyon at the middle, Rikun near the door and Rihan at the windows side. All of the other heads lined up at the sides facing each other in front of the them.
"Um…Third Heir?" Karasu Tengu called out, flying in front of him.
"Hm?" Rikun opened one of his closed eyes, looking at Karasu Tengu curiously.
"Is there…somebody else attending?" Karasu Tengu asked him, glancing at the seat next to Rikun.
"Un," Rikun closed his eye again, not offering any more explanation.
"Ah…don't you want to heal your wound first?" Karasu Tengu asked again, glancing at Rihan this time.
Hearing that and seeing Karasu Tengu looking at him, Rihan raised his hands in front of him, "Don't look at me, he wouldn't let me heal him."
"Eh?" Karasu Tengu looked at Rikun, who seemed to have ignored that question.
Rihan reached over to Nurarihyon, who was drinking tea, while holding a hand over his mouth, to prevent the other yokais from seeing what he was saying, "Oi, Oyaji. Is it just me, or is that, Rikun is actually angry at us?"
Nurarihyon glanced sideways at Rikun at that statement. Seeing Rikun not reacting to anything, he went back drinking his tea.
"So, what exactly is going on?"
Nurarihyon and Rihan looked at Hitotsume, who had spoken.
"What do you mean, Hitotsume?" Rihan asked.
"About him!" Hitotsume pointed at Gyuki, who was sitting nearby with his eyes closed as well. "He tried to kill the Young Master, right? So, why is he still here?"
As Hitotsume continued to rattle on, Karasu Tengu slowly returned to his seat. Rikun remained still, not opening his eyes. "In the first place, why did this even happen with all the rumors going on?"
"Hitotsume, clam down, this-" Rihan started.
"Is the reason why we are having this meeting," Rikun cut in.
"Eh?" Every yokai looked at Rikun in slight surprise, noticing he seemed a bit different than usual.
"Besides, Hitotsume-Jiji," Hitotsume jerked slightly when Rikun opened his eyes to stare into his. "Shouldn't you, of all people, know of how the rumor went around?"
"Eh?!" This time everyone was shocked to hear that. Even Rihan was blinking in shock. The only yokai that was not affected was Nurarihyon, who continued to drink his tea.
"Wh-Wh-What are you implying?" Hitotsume got angry with that, pointing a trembling finger at Rikun
"I am not implying anything. Although, your reaction does spark some curiosity," Rikun told him, before his attention was diverted to the door.
"You-!" Hitotsume trembled in anger.
"Um…Excuse me for interrupting," A voice came from outside.
"Hm?" Everyone was confused. Normally, when there was a meeting going on, there will be no interruptions.
"Come in," Rikun called out.
The door slid open, revealing to be Kubinashi, kneeling down.
"What is it? We are having an important meeting!" Hitotsume shouted, trying to gain back his dignity.
"Uh…Third Heir…" Kubinashi looked at Rikun, before glancing towards his side.
Rikun nodded and stood up, going near the door. He then reached out a hand to grab something and pulled. Everyone widened their eyes as Rikuo was slowly revealed to them. Rikun nodded again to Kubinashi, who nodded back and slid the door shut, before guiding the obviously nervous Rikuo to the seat beside him, and sat down as well.
Simple things are things that means the most
Kubinashi slowly made his way to the yokais that stood near the meeting room.
"I wonder why Third Heir wants Young Master to attend this meeting?" Aotabo asked.
"Hmmm..." Kubinashi glanced at the meeting room in thought.
Simple things are things that means the most
"Eh? Rikuo?" Rihan said, looking between the two brothers in shock, while Nurarihyon sighed, as if he expected it.
Zen was looking at Rikun in shock as well.
What are you planning, Rikun?
Rikuo glanced at Rikun, gripping the hand that was still held in his, totally nervous, as this was his first time attending the Council Meeting. Rikun squeezed his hand, reassuring him.
"…What is the Young Master doing here?" Hitotsume questioned, looking wryly between Rikun and Rikuo.
"Since this concerns the both of us, Rikuo should also attend to know what is going on. Is there any problems?" Rikun narrowed his eyes.
"U-Umh..." Hitotsume quiet down, not seeing any reason to argue back.
"Now that Rikuo has joined us, I shall explain what happened," Rikun took over the meeting. "First off, all of you had heard right, Gyuki-Jiji over there had crossed swords with us, trying to kill Rikuo because he feared that Rikuo would be a burden to me. He even went as far to bring Rikuo to his place, so to make the job easier."
"That fool."
"Gyuki probably won't get this off that easily."
"However," Rikun continued. "It is also true that he did this in the interest of the Nura clan, he was trying to make sure I will be able to lead the clan well." Rikun looked at Rikuo, who nodded to him. He nodded back and faced the clan heads. "Therefore, in regards to Gyuki's actions," Rikun paused, noticing everyone was listening intently. "Rikuo and I, have decided to overlook this and that what Gyuki-Jiji had done was justified."
"Huhhhh!?" Hitotsume shouted out in denial. "You are just going to let him off like that?"
"Now, now, Hitotsume," Rihan waved at him, smiling in approval at Rikun, who ignored him. "Isn't this just fine?"
"But-!"
Zen smiled at Rikun.
He matured quite a bit…thanks to Rikuo, probably.
Zen glanced at Rikuo, who was smiling awkwardly as Hitotsume continued to protest.
"To add on, there was nothing to worry about," Rikun cut off Hitotsume's protest.
Nurarihyon placed a hand over his eyes as if dreading something.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Hitotsume questioned.
Rikun glanced at Nurarihyon and Rihan. "Since all of this was just a test for me, right Jiji, Oyaji?"
…
..
.
"EHHHHHHHH!?" The Nura main house shook, as the yokais that were both inside and outside the meeting room, exclaimed out.
Nurarihyon hung his head at the fact that Rikun did figured out what was really going on.
"Eh…?" Rihan had sweats coming out of his head. "H-How did you…"
"You just confirmed it," Rikun glared at Rihan, who had a big sweatdrop seeing it. "And it was pretty obvious. First, you gave me Nenekirimaru, then Rikuo's friend received an invitation with only eight people, you probably knew they were going ask one of us to go because of the one extra slot, right?" Rikun narrowed his eyes further, causing more sweatdrop to appear on Rihan's head. "After which, there was the rumor going around, and the most obvious of all," Rikun pointed at his grandfather and father, "Is that both of you seems to have no care about it when you heard of the rumor!"
"How are you so sure that we heard of the rumor, some yokais in the house did not ev-" Rihan tried to save themselves.
"If even Okaa-san heard of it, the two of you would definitely have heard about it," Rikun interrupted, growling at the pathetic excuse, which only caused Rihan to cower slightly.
Rikuo only nodded in agreement, scratching his cheek, "I kind of figured it out too, since there were so many coincidences when I was at Ume Rakuen."
"Which brings me back to the point of this meeting!" Rikun slammed his hand down on the floor, startling all of the yokais. He glowered at the other two yokais. "Which one of you, decided to involve Rikuo into this?! I know that it can't be Gyuki-Jiji, since he would never think of such a thing."
"Uh…we suggested it?" Rihan sweatdropped, while Nurarihyon did not meet Rikun's gaze. "Never thought that Gyuki would actually take it so seriously…"
"…I see," Rikun closed his eyes.
Rihan blinked, "No more shouts, or screams?"
Rikun glared at Rihan again, "Do you want me to?"
Rihan quickly shook his head. Rikuo laughed nervously as he watched his father getting intimidated by Rikun.
Rikun then looked at the other yokais, "However, a test or not, Gyuki-Jiji went through all of this, because he truly thinks it that way. So I will now clarify this." The yokais watched as Rikun wrapped an arm around Rikuo's waist, bringing him closer. Rikuo squealed when Rikun did that.
"R-Rikun!"
"As I have told Gyuki-Jiji," Rikun brought his and Rikuo's hand up. "While Rikuo may be my weakness, he is also my strength. He's the one that pushes me to the limit so I could protect this family. Without him, I am nothing." Rikun then kisses the back of Rikuo's hand, causing Rikuo to blush brightly. "And while I am at it, I want all of you to know this..." Rikun narrowed his eyes at them. "I, Nura Rikun, the Third Heir of the Nura clan, hereby take Nura Rikuo, the Young Master of the Nura clan, as my one and only mate when he comes of age. If there is anyone who dares to touch him after this incident…" Rikun trailed off, letting his Fear speak for him.
All the allied clan heads bowed their heads at Rikun, showing that they understood. Rikuo flushed at the declaration, while Nurarihyon and Rihan were impressed by the way Rikun had handled this.
"That was impressive, Rikun!" Rihan smiled proudly at Rikun, before it faded away as Rikun scowled at him.
"I have not forgiven you yet," Rikun growled out.
Rikuo sweatdropped as Rikun continued to growl at Rihan, before turning towards the front, noticing that Gyuki was staring at him. Rikuo simply smiled at him. Stunned, Gyuki offered a small smile to Rikuo.
Simple things are things that means the most
~That evening~
Rihan was walking along the corridor by himself, looking left and right warily. Getting into the dining room, Rihan sweatdropped when he only saw Wakana kneeling there, as if waiting for him.
"Ah, Rihan-san! I was waiting for you!" Wakana smiled at him. "Please come and sit down."
"A-Ah…" Rihan slowly made his way in front of Wakana and sat down.
Silence filled the room as Wakana continued to smile at him. However, that only made him even more nervous.
"W-Wakana?"
"Yes, Rihan-san?" She continued to smile.
"…" Rihan sweatdropped even more. "…It's nothing…"
"Ah, I know! You must be tired. Let me give you a massage!" Wakana stood up and went behind Rihan, placing her hands on Rihan's shoulder.
"Eh? No…Wakana, i-it's all right. I will be fi-AHHHHH!" Rihan screamed in pain as Wakana pinched his back.
"Hm? Isn't it all better, Rihan-san?" Wakana smiled again.
Rihan stared wide eye at Wakana, multiple sweatdrops rolling down at the back of his head, as Wakana advanced forward.
Simple things are things that means the most
"Poor Otou-san," Rikuo sweatdropped, as he sat on one of the branches at the cherry blossom tree, hearing the screams that continued on and on. "After dealing with so much pranks in the afternoon, he now had to face Okaa-san."
"Hn. That's what he get for involving you just to test me. Too bad we can't get Jiji as well." Rikun pulled Rikuo towards him, settling him so that Rikuo was sitting on his lap.
"I never did get to ask you, Rikun. What happened to my friends?"
"Don't worry, Yuki-Onna managed to get them back home safely, however, you will have to explain the rest to your friends tomorrow, since you did not go to school today."
"Urgh…"
The comfortable silence was occasionally broken by Rihan's screams.
"Rikun, do you…mean what you said at today's meeting?" Rikuo asked suddenly.
Rikun looked at Rikuo, who was looking down, fiddling Rikun's sleeves shyly.
Rikun smiled, placing a finger under Rikuo's chin and lift his head up, "Of course, I wouldn't said that if I don't mean it, you know."
Rikuo stared at Rikun for a while, before smiling gently at him, really happy to hear that. Rikun felt his heart skipped a beat when he saw that. Caressing Rikuo's cheeks, Rikun then brought his lips down to cover Rikuo's in a sweet kiss.
Yes. That's the smile I want to protect.
They slowly ended the kiss, panting softly.
"…I wonder where Jii-chan had went?" Rikuo said, after hearing another scream from Rihan.
"Who knows."
Simple things are things that means the most
"Ah, there you are, Nurarihyon-sama."
Nurarihyon turned around to see Yamabuki standing outside his room.
"Oh, Yamabuki…you are not with Wakana, are you?" Nurarihyon asked cautiously.
Yamabuki giggled, "Don't worry, I won't do anything like what Wakana-chan is doing to Rihan now."
Nurarihyon sweatdropped as he heard another scream coming out from his son, straight after Yamabuki had finished that sentence. He sighed, "Wakana sure is scary for just being a human."
Yamabuki giggled again, looking at Nurarihyon, who was drinking his tea with a troubled face. "That's why you tried to ease her first by asking her to accompany you, right?"
Nurarihyon blinked at Yamabuki, "Ho? I have been found out? Not that it does me any good. I guess that's what they mean when they said: Never get in between the lioness and her cubs."
Yamabuki giggled at the look Nurarihyon was showing, as Rihan's screams continued.
~To Be Continued~
Maybe they will think twice again before trying to use Rikuo to test Rikun *Chuckles*
So all this was just a test after all! Not that Rikun was happy about it. Poor Rihan, hope that he will be all right. I guess it's always the kind and quiet ones that needs watching out for. Wonder what will happen next?
That's all Folks! Do leave me a review and tell me your opinions!
Edited on 14th December 2014