Marisay-chan finally writing again! Haaa…Busy, busy…I am soooo busy! Apologies for not updating in a while, but I am just so busy! T_T Another reason why I was late in updating this was because I was conflicted as to whether I wanted to put the Shikoku arc in…
I have fallen in love with deviantart recently ^_^ To those who really love Rikuo x Night Rikuo, I really encourage you to have a look at this person's drawings: Alasse-Tasartir.(Cant put the URL link here T_T . Just type "Nurarihyon name" or "Nura bloom" at the search bar and you will find the comics!) It makes me go "Kyaaa!" and made me love the pairing even more! If possible, I might try to draw some the scenes from my stories as well!
To Eien-Kiseki: I apologize first if you find this arc a bit too longwinded. However, I decided to add it in the end, as it might affect the future of the Nura clan. (I am not saying what yet ^_^) So I hope you will be patient to see this through. ^_^
To Hayate The Soul Reaper: A love rival, huh? *Grins* Actually, I already had someone else in mind…but we shall see, hm? *Chuckles*
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, only the story ^_^
Please note: Doing some advertisement here haha! Do have a look at 'A broken promise', its sequel, 'The fate mirrors' as well as a new one shot, 'We are one', if you have not done so! Also do stand up against, Critics United (I believe that's their name), a group of regular Fanfiction users who have been flaming on other author's works for fun and caused their stories to be deleted. (Why would they do such a thing?)
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~
~Somewhere in a dark room~
A figure slowly made their way in the room, before kneeling in the middle of the room.
"What took you so long to report back?" A voice growled out.
A chuckle reverberated.
"Come now, we shouldn't blame him, it's hard to get information after all! Don't worry, I'm sure Mother Mary will forgive you," Another voice came in.
"Keh. Again with the ridiculous name," The previous voice scoffed.
"…What did you say?"
"Enough, both of you. Do not be distracted," The third voice commanded.
Sounds of snort could be heard.
"...How did the plan go?" The third voice addressed to the figure at the middle.
The figure bowed his head, "…Unfortunately, the yokai that was first placed at the building was easily defeated. After that, the Kyuso clan was entirely wiped out."
"Useless bunch, they are the weakest of all yokais, can't even call them yokais. They bring shame to yokais instead," The first voice commented, disgust could be heard in their tone.
"May god bless them."
"Would you stop that? You are a yokai, and you believe all that stuff?"
"…I will overlook that, since you have no mortality."
"I shouldn't have. I am a yokai."
"Ahhhh! Will you two stop it? I am here to listen for information! Not to the both of you squabbling like a couple!" A child's voice cut through.
"What about the rumor that went around?" The third voice asked, ignoring the spluttering at the background.
"Yes, about that…it turns out to be just a test for the Third Heir."
"…But it is true that he has a weakness, right?"
"…That is not clearly stated. The Third Heir mentioned that his weakness is also his strength," The figure hesitatingly replied.
"Just what have you been gathering? You have no definite answer and that rumor was just a phony at the end, so that means that, we actually waited for nothing?" The second voice growled after hearing that, the tone became sour due to the earlier comment.
Another chuckle sounded, diverting all the attention towards the direction of the sound.
"What is so funny, stupid geezer?"
"Kekekeh. Shouldn't we think of the next plan instead? The lady would not be happy if she see us lazing around," An old man voice chuckled.
"What do you propose?" The third voice questioned.
"Why not we confirm, if the statement the Third Heir had made was true?"
"But how are you going to do that?" The child-like voice asked.
"Simple," A photo slowly made its way to the kneeling figure. "Use him."
The figure picked the picture up, which shows a young man in a uniform, "…This is…"
"Kekekeh. He is quite unsatisfied with the way his father handled things." A sword was then thrown at the figure, who caught it. "Give this to him. If I am right, he should already be at Ukiyoe Town."
The figure bowed deeply, before retreating to the shadows to fulfill his assignment.
"…Will it really work?" The third voice muttered.
Chuckling could be heard again, "Let's just wait and see…"
Winds that are filled with poison
~Nura main house~
Nurarihyon slowly made his way around the house, looking left and right cautiously, before he reached the room that the three commanders always gathered together. Sliding the door open, Nurarihyon blinked once, looking down at the ground.
"…What happened to you, Rihan?"
Rihan was currently in the room, however, instead of his usual sitting arrangement, which would consist of him sitting with one leg propped up and a pipe on his hand. Rihan was lying on the ground, facing downwards, his hands and legs stretched out.
"…" Rihan answered.
Nurarihyon sweatdropped at the response he received, as he shut the door behind him and walked to the front to settle himself down.
Silence filled in as Nurarihyon stared at his son, who did not move a single inch.
"…That bad, huh?"
"…"
Nurarihyon's eyebrow twitched.
"You screamed like a woman last night."
"…"
"Can't handle your own wife?"
"…"
A vein popped on Nurarihyon's forehead at the continuous silence he had received. Frowning deeply, Nurarihyon uttered,
"Wakana is coming."
The reaction was instantaneous. Rihan's body visibly tensed up, his Fear quickly enveloping him, making him disappear from sight.
A big sweatdrop rolled down from Nurarihyon's head at the reaction. Sighing out loudly, Nurarihyon closed one of his eyes and let his Fear sliced through the room to disperse Rihan's Fear, revealing Rihan, who was still at the same position.
"Didn't know that you became such a coward over the night, Rihan."
"…Oyaji…" Rihan muttered, his face still faced on the ground. "…Do you mind?"
"As a matter of fact, yes, I do mind. It's rude to ignore someone when they are talking to you, you know?" Nurarihyon raised an eyebrow.
Rihan slowly lifted his head up, revealing eyes that shown exhaustion, "…That's what all of you always do to me."
"You are the exception, not the norm," Nurarihyon waved the comment off. "One would think that you just came back from a battle, looking like that."
"Urgh…" Rihan let his head hit the floor.
"Is it really that bad?" Nurarihyon asked curiously.
Rihan looked at him, a blank expression on his face, "Why don't you go and try it then? Speaking of which," His eyebrows twitched. "Why didn't you get punished as well? You contributed just as muc-Ow, ow, ow!" Rihan tried to get up, but was stopped by the stinging pain on his back, courtesy of Wakana's 'massage' last night.
Nurarihyon watched with a bead of sweat on his cheek, as Rihan went back to his original position, letting his face hit the ground with pained groans.
"…You didn't even get prank at all!" Rihan whined, his voice slightly muffled against the ground.
"Because I expected it and managed to evade all of it," Nurarihyon helped himself to a cup of tea. "Besides, the one who said that Gyuki should use Rikuo to lure Rikun, was you."
"More like you went ahead and hid like a coward…and it was just a suggestion, besides you agreed to it as well…"
Nurarihyon sipped on his tea, "…But it turned out well, no?"
"Un," Rihan lifted his head again. "With this, Rikun will know that there will be yokais trying to get to him using Rikuo, and he will have to find a way to prevent that."
Nurarihyon nodded in agreement, closing his eyes while taking another sip on his tea.
Rihan looked at his father drinking his tea in a relax mode. Blinking, he asked, "…Oyaji, how's the investigation going on?"
"Hmm? What are you talking about, Rihan?" Nurarihyon continued drinking.
Rihan narrowed his eye at Nurarihyon, "You know what I am talking about."
Nurarihyon paused his action, still holding his cup up high, but not drinking it. Rihan continued to stare at Nurarihyon as he contemplated about Rihan's statement.
Nurarihyon then sighed, placing his cup down, before folding his arms inside his sleeves. "It is not confirmed if it is them…Karasu Tengu is still searching for the source."
"Still? Usually he will be faster than that…" Rihan commented, gently rubbing his back to smooth the pain.
Nurarihyon opened his eyes to look at Rihan, "We were sidetracked by the whole Gyuki stuff…" Nurarihyon narrowed his eyes, muttering the last part. "There also seems to be something going on at Shikoku."
"Shikoku?" Rihan frowned, pausing his action.
"Never mind that…anyways," Nurarihyon glanced at Rihan. "Aren't you hungry?"
"What?" Rihan blinked at the sudden change of topic.
"You did not join us for breakfast today."
Rihan sweatdropped, letting his hand fall forward in front of him. "…I…didn't think that was a good idea…I will get food later…"
Nurarihyon sighed, "Nura clan's Second Supreme Commander, skipping breakfast for fear of facing his wife's wrath, and said wife is a human at that," He shook his head mockingly. "Exactly what hope lies in this clan? I take it that you spend the night in this room?"
"Shut up, Oyaji!" Rihan growled, embarrassed by the things his father had said, since it was all the truth. "If it were you, you would do the same as well!" He pointed at Nurarihyon, who snorted.
Rihan then sighed, "I just hope Rikuo is not as angry as Wakana is."
Nurarihyon raised an eyebrow at Rihan, "You are actually worried about Rikuo getting angry?"
"Of course I am, from what I heard, Rikuo almost got hurt badly! Gyuki's subordinate was rather vicious!" Rihan frowned at the question. "I don't want him to get upset at me…sometimes, Rikuo has a gaze that could make one feel so guilty that it hurts. Faced that once," Rihan winced, remembering something.
Nurarihyon nodded, as if knowing what he was talking about. "Although, I don't think he will be angry…besides," He blinked. "Shouldn't you be worrying the other one?"
"Hm? You mean, Rikun?" Rihan waved his hand lazily at Nurarihyon. "Not at all, I'm sure he will get over it-AHHHHHHHH!" Rihan screamed out, when a foot suddenly came out of nowhere, and stepped on his back not so gently.
"Hoo? Sorry, Oyaji. Didn't see you there," Rikun smirked down at him, holding a plate on one hand.
Rihan shakily looked up at him, expression filled with pain, "…You sure don't look sorry."
Rikun snorted, "Maybe because I'm not." He then proceeded to walk over Rihan, making sure to press his weight on the leg that was on Rihan's back, gaining more pained screams from Rihan.
Nurarihyon stayed silent, watching Rikun settled himself next to Rihan, and placed the plate in front of Rihan, who blinked at the plate, which was filled with food. Rihan glanced at Rikun, who was staring back.
"Don't look at me like that. I was just following Okaa-san's order…although I don't think you deserved it," Rikun huffed.
"Yamabuki? Ahhhh. She's the best!" Rihan then started eating, still lying on the floor, as it was still too painful to move around.
"The best, huh? Maybe I should tell that to Wakana Okaa-san," Rikun grinned.
Rihan choked on his food slightly at that. Coughing, Rihan said with a deadpanned look, "You are enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Immensely," Rikun smirked, before turning to Nurarihyon. "I will find a way to get you as well, Jiji."
Nurarihyon simply picked his cup up and resumed drinking.
"By the way, Rikun. Did you teach Rikuo how to fight?" Rihan asked, once he finished his food, clapping his hands together. "Thanks for the food."
"Of course I did. I had too because something was going on," Rikun glared at the both of them.
Ignoring the glare, Rihan slowly sat up, "Gyuki mentioned that, Gozumaru, the next head of the Gyuki clan, had a hard time fighting Rikuo even though he just learnt how to fight, until Gozumaru brought out his Fear that is," Rihan grinned at Rikun. "Keeping the training all to yourself, huh?"
Rikun huffed and looked out at the backyard with an angry expression.
Nurarihyon glanced at Rikun, "Rikun-"
"I know why you did this. I know," Rikun interrupted. "But that does not mean I will forgive you for this," Rikun then gave a disgruntled expression. "…Yet."
Rihan smiled, "Of course." Rihan then turned serious. "But you have got to really understand why we suggested this in the first place, Rikun. Rikuo is coming of age soon, and once the two of you mate, there will be no turning back. Yokais will start using whatever means to get our weakness…" Rihan's gaze suddenly looked glazed. "…And I do not want that to happen to the both of you."
Nurarihyon tightened his jaws at that while Rikun stared at his father.
"…I understand, Oyaji," Rikun muttered softly. "I don't really need you to tell me that," Rikun closed his eyes. "I know that other yokais will start to use Rikuo as a means to get me…I know…"
Sounds of leaves rustling could be heard at the backyard as silence waved through.
"But that is not what I am angry at."
Nurarihyon and Rihan blinked at the sudden comment, "Eh?"
Rikun glared at the both of them, "I am angry of the fact that, you chose this way to tell Rikuo about it! Do you know he blame himself for this?" He curled his hands. "He blames himself to the point that he almost told me if only he did not get close to me, if only he did not love me romantically, this whole mess wouldn't have happened!"
"He would have found out about this sooner or later," Nurarihyon commented.
Rikun huffed, before standing up, walking out of the room.
"Where are you going?" Rihan blinked at the sudden departure.
"To prepare for more pranks," Rikun deadpanned, leaving the place.
Rihan sweatdropped. "…Maybe I should just stay here the whole day…" He turned to the front, only to see Nurarihyon staring at him intently.
"…Yes?" Rihan raised his eyebrows.
Nurarihyon stared for a bit more before closing his eyes, "…You still blame yourself."
Rihan blinked, "Is that a question or a statement? Sheesh…" Rihan looked at the backyard, staring at nothing.
"You know, Oyaji…" Rihan suddenly spoke after a moment of silence. "Is it normal?"
"What is?" Nurarihyon opened his eyes.
Rihan looked at Nurarihyon in the eyes, "For a yokai to be afraid in normal circumstances?"
Nurarihyon merely blinked at the question.
"Kind of ironic actually…I mean, yokais uses Fear, right? Installing fear using Fear, fighting other yokais with Fear…and here I am, actually afraid even though I am not doing any of those…" Rihan covered his expression with his hair.
Nurarihyon narrowed his eyes, "What exactly are you afraid of…or rather, who, are afraid for, Rihan?"
"…" Rihan hesitated for a while before he opened his mouth. "It's-"
"Ahhhh! I overslept! Aotabo, why didn't you wake me up?" Tsurara's voice could be heard, masking everything Rihan was saying.
Nurarihyon shut his eyes after hearing what Rihan had said, despite the Tsurara's loud voice.
"…We will cross that bridge when we come to it, Rihan."
Rihan remained silent.
Winds that are filled with poison
"Young Master had already left the place! Stupid Ao!" Tsurara rushed through the hallway, going to the front gate, where Aotabo was waiting for her.
As she rushed through, she noticed two figures walking towards her at the corner of her eyes. Backtracking in shock, she turned to the two figures.
"Gozumaru! Mezumaru! What are you two doing here?" Tsurara said in shock.
"Yo, Snow child," Gozumaru smirked at her. "As for why we are doing here, why don't you ask that Third Heir of yours?"
"I am not a child," Tsurara narrowed her eyes. "What has Third Heir got to do with this?"
"It seems that we will be staying here from now on under Third Heir's orders," Mezumaru grinned. "At least, that's what we were told."
"And that's how it is, so we will be seeing each other more often. Please take good care of us." Gozumaru gave Tsurara a scary grin, before walking off.
"Take good care of us!" Mezumaru flapped his sleeves at Tsurara, following Gozumaru.
"Urg…" Tsurara watched them walked off with a disbelief expression. "That's…not possible…" She trembled.
"Oiiii, Yuki-Onna! Where are you? We are going to miss Young Master at this rate!" Aotabo's voice shouted out.
"Ah!" Tsurara looked frantically at the direction where Aotabo's voice came as well as the direction Gozumaru and Mezumaru had gone. "Argh! I will deal with this later! Young Master is more important now!" Tsurara then rushed off.
Winds that are filled with poison
"Hey, Gozumaru," Mezumaru spoke, as they walked along the corridor. "Why are we here exactly?"
"Hn. How should I know?" Gozumaru replied.
"You don't think that…" Mezumaru gulped slightly. "…the Third Heir will punish us? Maybe that's the reason why he wants us here…Ugh…I hope not, I had enough from Sanba Garasu," He rubbed his horse skull tenderly.
"What for?" Gozumaru glanced at Mezumaru. "From what I heard, the First and Second Supreme Commander gave Gyuki-sama the permission to do this."
"But you strayed from the original plan by attacking Young Master," Mezumaru told him. "We were supposed to just bring the Young Master to Gyuki-sama, and wait for the Third Heir to appear…besides, didn't you hear about yesterday?"
"As if I had a choice," Gozumaru frowned. "Why, what happened yesterday?"
Mezumaru scratched his cheeks, "It seems that Third Heir was not really impressed by the plan, and the Second Supreme Commander suffered a lot from it."
"Only the Second Supreme Commander?" Gozumaru asked.
Mezumaru shrugged.
"Whatever, I am not afraid of Third Heir," Gozumaru declared. "If he wants to punish us, go ahead then, and maybe I can pay him back for cutting my claws off as well."
"Shall I take that as an invitation?"
Gozumaru and Mezumaru tensed up at the sudden voice. Quickly turning around, the both of them were greeted of the sight of Rikun, standing there with a smirk.
When did he-
I do not even sense him!
Mezumaru and Gozumaru thought respectively.
Rikun let his gaze landed on Gozumaru, "Your name is Gozumaru, huh?"
Gozumaru clenched his hands, feeling slightly intimidated for some reason. He then nodded stiffly in respond to Rikun's question.
Rikun's smirk widened, as if knowing how Gozumaru was feeling. He then turned to Mezumaru, who jerked. "And you?"
"M-Mezumaru," Mezumaru stuttered.
"I see…" Rikun remarked. "Well then, Gozumaru, Mezumaru, please follow me." Rikun then walked ahead of them.
"Eh?" The two yokai blinked.
Rikun glanced back at them, "You want to know why you are here, right? I requested," Rikun smirked again. "Gyuki-Jiji to bring you here so I could speak with the both of you…regarding about the security and manpower purposes, as well as…something else."
Gozumaru could not help but flinched, when Rikun looked at him specifically when he mentioned the last two words.
"Come on then, let's go to my room for a nice, long," Rikun grinned at them. "Chat."
Gozumaru and Mezumaru swallowed with difficultly.
Winds that are filled with poison
Rikuo sweatdropped as he watched Kiyotsugu sulking at one corner, muttering something.
"Um, Kiyojuji-san?" Rikuo asked, tapping Kiyotsugu's shoulder.
"Hmmm…?" Kiyotsugu turned around, looking at Rikuo with teary eyes.
Rikuo sweatdropped even more at that.
"Don't mind him, he was like that as well yesterday," Saori told him. "He was upset because he did not get to see the yokais while we were at the trip."
"Is that so…?"
"Speaking of which, are you all right, Rikuo-kun? You went missing after the trip and you did not come to school yesterday." Kana asked him, looking worried.
"Ah…about that, sorry for disappearing like that…there was some circumstances, so I could not make it to school yesterday." Rikuo smiled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Still, you should have told us, before disappearing like that," Kana said. "Oikawa-san was the one telling us that you will be fine…" Kana placed a hand on her chin. "Which was weird, considering she was unconscious the whole time," She whispered the last part.
Rikuo simply laughed nervously, having no idea how to explain that. He then turned around, sensing someone was watching him. The first thing he noticed, was that Yura was staring at him, quite closely, to the point that their nose was almost touching.
"I-Is something the matter, Keikain-san?" Rikuo asked, a bead of sweat appearing on his cheek at the close proximity.
"No, nothing," Yura replied, still staring at him.
Rikuo could only sweatdropped again.
Winds that are filled with poison
~After school~
"Haaa…"
Tsurara and Aotabo watched as Rikuo slumped over while walking home.
"Um, Young Master, are you all right?" Tsurara asked, looking at him in concern.
"Un…" Rikuo sighed, signs of exhaustion visible on his face. "I think Keikain-san is suspecting something…she have been staring at me all day."
"I will actually be surprised if she don't," Tsurara commented.
"Eh? Why?" Rikuo turned to Tsurara in shock.
"Well, to be honest, Young Master. You have not given any explanation to them, only giving them vague answers. Your other friends are really st-oblivious, not to question anything," Tsurara told him bluntly.
"…What were you going to call them just now?" Rikuo sweatdropped, before sighing out. "…But it's better if they stayed that way…"
Rikuo paused in his walking suddenly, feeling winds picking up around him.
"Young Master?" Aotabo questioned, seeing him stopped walking.
Without warning, Rikuo grabbed both of their hands with each of his hands and started running.
"Whoa! Y-Young Master?"
Tsurara and Aotabo wanted to ask him what was going on, however, before they could, a road mirror that they just happened ran past, was suddenly sliced up, spreading broken glasses in their direction. Aotabo quickly moved forward to block those from reaching Rikuo, while Tsurara blew out to stop the glasses's movement.
"This way!" Rikuo shouted, running to a small alley with Tsurara and Aotabo following.
Several figures stood at the top of a building as they watched the three of them ran into the alley.
A prominent figure within the figures smirked, "You can run, but you can't hide."
"What shall we do now?" One of the figures asked.
"We wait."
Winds that are filled with poison
"Haa! Haa!" Rikuo panted, placing his hands on his knees once they reached the front gate of the Nura main house, trying catch his breath.
"Wh-What was that?" Tsurara questioned, panting slightly as well.
"I don't know, but we should inform the Supreme Commanders about this," Aotabo said.
Rikuo and Tsurara nodded getting to the backyard, where they felt most of the presences there. Upon reaching the backyard, they saw Nurarihyon kneeling at the corridor, with Rihan, who was trying to take out what looks like gum from his hair, and Hihi, the head of the Kanto Great Ape Alliance, at each of his side. Rikun was currently pouring water at the top of Kappa's head while other small yokais run around the backyard.
Rikuo blinked at what Rikun was doing, giving a small chuckle.
That was usually my job.
"Ah, welcome back, Rikuo. Yuki-Onna and Aotabo as well," Nurarihyon greeted them, holding a cup of tea in his hands.
"We are back," Rikuo said, still panting a little bit.
"Rikuo!" Rikun smiled at him, before it faded away when he saw Rikuo panting. "What's wrong?" He quickly dropped what he was doing and went to Rikuo's side.
"Ah, about that-" Rikuo started.
"Rikuo!"
All the yokais present turned their attention to the voice, seeing Zen standing at the corner of the corridor with a worried look.
"Hm? Is something wro-whoaaaa! Zen-san!" Rikuo was cut off when Zen suddenly rushed towards him and started patting his body, searching for something.
"Oi, oi, Zen! What are you doing?" Rikun asked, a vein popped on his head, seeing how Zen was touching Rikuo.
"…Not injured…" Zen muttered. He then turned to Tsurara and Aotabo. "Are the either of you injured?"
Both of them shook their head, confused as to why Zen was asking this.
"Is something the matter, Zen?" Rihan inquired, giving up on taking the gum out of hair, standing up to walk towards them, with Nurarihyon and Hihi following.
Zen frowned, "…I smelt poison, mainly on Rikuo."
"Poison?" Rikun jerked his head at Rikuo, knowing that Zen was able to distinguish the smell of poisons, because he worked with it for a long time. He then started searching for injuries himself by touching Rikuo.
"I'm fine," Rikuo gently grabbed Rikun's hands and held them in his hands.
"It must be from the attack earlier…" Aotabo mused, rubbing his chin in thought.
"Attack?" The three commanders repeated.
"You were attacked on your way here?" Rikun widened his eyes, tightening his grip on Rikuo's hands.
"Yes, if it wasn't for Young Master, we would have really been injured," Tsurara said.
"Hm? Rikuo did?" Rihan blinked, looking at Rikuo in surprise.
Aotabo nodded, "Young Master suddenly grabbed our hands and started running while we were walking..." He then proceeded to explain what happened earlier.
Rikuo rubbed the back of his head, "I just suddenly feel that we should get out of there…" He trailed off, feeling arms wrapping around him. Looking back, he saw Rikun, hugging him from behind with his eyes closed.
Rikuo blinked, sensing turmoil within Rikun. He then leaned back to Rikun, squeezing Rikun's hands and closed his eyes.
*Rikun?*
*…I'm just glad that you are not hurt.*
Rikuo smiled.
*You worry too much, Rikun.*
Rikun merely tightened his hold on Rikuo, before a cough interrupted them, making them open their eyes, to see all the other yokais looking at them with amused smirks, grins and blushes.
Rikuo blushed, forgetting that they are within the presence of others, while Rikun only raised an eyebrow. Despite that, Rikuo made no movement to remove himself off Rikun, which pleased Rikun a lot.
"Hey, First Supreme Commander. Would you let me look on this?"
"Hm?" Nurarihyon glanced to the side, seeing Hihi looking at him, or at least, his mask was turned to him. "Ho? You want to find the cause of this, Hihi?"
Hihi nodded, "Hearing the declaration Third Heir had made yesterday," Hihi tilted his head at Rikun, who was listening to the conversation. "Made me realized that there are still things that I could do, instead of just lying around doing nothing. So, how about it?"
Nurarihyon rubbed his chin in thought, before closing his eyes. "Do as you wish. However, if anything happens, you will have to deal with it yourself."
"Haha, of course," Hihi told him, slowly making his way to the entrance. "I will bring some dessert back once I am done."
"Well that's done," Rihan commented, watching Hihi leave. Turning to Rikuo and Rikun, "But are you really all right, Ri-" Rihan paused, seeing the look of fear on Rikuo's face. "Rikuo?"
Rikun looked down at Rikuo when he did not respond to Rihan. Noticing Rikuo was looking at the direction that Hihi just left, Rikun place a hand of Rikuo's cheek, "Rikuo?"
Rikuo was startled when he felt that. "Eh? Huh? Y-Yes?"
"What's wrong? You look really frightened just now," Rihan asked, patting his head. "Zen, maybe we should check Rikuo again. Yuki-Onna, Aotabo, the both of you as well." Rihan then grabbed Rikuo out of Rikun's grasp, pushing Rikuo inside the house with Zen, Tsurara and Aotabo following.
"Ahhhh…Otou-san! I'm fine!" Rikuo's protest went unheard as Rihan continued to push him into a room.
Nurarihyon and Rikun blinked after them. Both of them then chuckled a little, hearing Rikuo asked Rihan about the gum on his head.
Rikun turned serious, "Jiji, did you see Rikuo's reaction?"
Nurarihyon nodded, "Un. I saw it as well." He turned to Rikun. "It seems to be starting already, prepare yourself."
Rikun narrowed his eyes.
Winds that are filled with poison
~That night~
"Urgh…"
Hihi struggled to get up, his whole body was filled with cuts, as though a sharp blade had sliced through him. Surrounding him, was his clan, none of which survived.
"Die."
Hihi could only watch as a gust of wind rushed towards him. He chuckled, "It…seems that I was unable to bring the promised dessert, First Supreme Commander..." He then blacked out, not aware of black feathers scattering around him.
Winds that are filled with poison
~Near midnight, Nura main house~
Yokais gathered around a room, trying to see what was going on by peering into the opened door. They were startled when a figure suddenly appeared at the door.
"CAN'T YOU SEE WE HAVE A PATIENT?! SCRAM!" Zen shouted at them.
All the yokais squealed in fright, running off frantically, not wishing to face Zen's wrath.
"Jeez…" Zen coughed into his hands while shutting the door behind him. "This is not a show." He then walked towards the middle of the room, where Hihi was lying in the bed, with Rihan using his healing powers to heal him. Nurarihyon was kneeling nearby as well. "How is he, Second Heir?"
Rihan finished healing the cuts on Hihi's body. "I have managed to heal all of his physical injuries, however, like what happened to Rikuo, I can't heal the poison that is within him. We will have to rely on your medicine, Zen."
Zen nodded, "Leave it to me."
Rihan glanced at his father, who had not spoken a word since Hihi was brought in. He was startled when Nurarihyon suddenly stood up and left the room without a word.
Rihan sighed and stood up as Zen started to make the medicine. "Where are Rikun and the others?"
"Karasu Tengu got them to meet in a room once he had heard of this."
Winds that are filled with poison
"What do you mean? We are not enough to protect Young Master?"
"That's right! Are you saying that we are weak?"
The door slid open to reveal Karasu Tengu on one side, and Rikun, Rikuo, Tsurara and Aotabo on the other side. All of them turned when the door was opened.
"Ah! Otou-san! Will Hihi-san be all right?" Rikuo asked, eyes looking worriedly at him.
Rihan walked into the room, sliding the door close, and took a seat near Rikuo while ruffling his head. "Hihi will be fine, however, it might take a while before he wakes up." He turned to Karasu Tengu. "So, what's going on?"
"I have decided to increase the number of bodyguards for Young Master, as it seems that whoever is attacking, is heading for our clan head on, and also you were attacked this afternoon, from what I heard." Karasu Tengu said.
"Un…but wouldn't Tsurara and Aotabo be enough, I trust them to protect me fully," Rikuo told Karasu Tengu.
"Young Master…" Tsurara and Aotabo looked at Rikuo happily.
"Not a chance!" Karasu Tengu pointed at them. "We are now in a dire situation, if Young Master was assaulted today, it means that the attacker will very well try the same thing again! Also, if Third Heir have not sent my children, Hihi would have been killed." Karasu Tengu turned to Rikun and Rihan. "I will send bodyguards for the both of you as well.
"Ah? I don't need bodyguards," Rikun said, with Rihan nodding in agreement.
"Like I said," Karasu Tengu suddenly got comically bigger. "This is a very serious situation, we cannot afford to be negligent in our security! Other clan heads will also receive protection as well! Even a single mistake will cost us a lot, so no complaints! That is all, I will send the bodyguards tomorrow," Everyone in the room was blown back a bit as Karasu Tengu shouted at them, before he left the room.
"Jeez…that Karasu Tengu…" Rihan scratched his head.
Rikuo sighed, smiling reassuring at Tsurara and Aotabo, whom looked disheartened, before looking at Rikun, who was rubbing his ear. "I didn't know you sent Sanba Garasu to follow Hihi-san."
Rikun glanced at Rikuo, "You are the one who prompt me to do that."
Rikuo blinked, "Eh? Me?"
"I don't know if you noticed, Rikuo, but you were looking at Hihi-Jiji's direction after he left, with quite a terrified look, as though you know something is going to happen to him," Rikun told him.
"Oh…"
Rihan smiled, ruffling Rikuo's head once more. "Don't worry, Hihi will be fine. He is strong."
"Un." Rikuo nodded and sweatdropped as Rikun slapped Rihan's hands away from him.
Winds that are filled with poison
~On a rooftop~
"How was it?" A figure asked.
"Managed to injure one of their clan member, before he was rescued away," Another figure said, the wind whipping around them viciously. "Tomorrow, I will be aiming for the higher rank one."
"Is that so?" The first figure turned to look at the view. They grinned.
"Well then, shall we pay them a visit tomorrow as well?"
~To Be Continued~
Jeez…I think I am having a bit of a writer's block…the Shikoku arc is really a hard one to write…
I had a great time writing the aftermath of Wakana's massage haha! Poor Rihan! And poor Gozumaru as well, Rikun seems to have something planned for him and Mezumaru. Yura also seems to be suspecting something…will this cause trouble for the Nura clan?
So, what exactly is happening? Who, does the voices belong to? Who is giving them the information? Also, what exactly are Nurarihyon and Rihan talking about? What is Rihan afraid of? Or rather, who, he is afraid for? And who is attacking them?
That's all Folks! Reviews make me renewed!
Edited on 14th December 2014