Marisay-chan finally updating! Sorry for the long wait! Without further ado, let's take care of some reviews and to the story we go!
To DaughteroftheRedKing: It was my pleasure :D
To PrideViola: Thank you so much! And yes, a hole, however small it may be, but still a hole *Heart breaks*
To SmileRen: Ah yes, I understand how you feel. Unfortunately Kana will just have to realize that, even if she doesn't now. As for Ungaikyou…Uh, that's a bit hard, seeing as it was centralized on Rikuo and Kana, it's hard to add it in, besides, I am afraid that this story is coming to an end. And don't worry, Kana will definitely deserve more.
To HikariNoTenshi-San: Yup! It is flirting, with intention of harm, especially when done to a total stranger, but it is also to show a close relationship when done to a family member
To CresentFlame: Oh no! He's not…there's a reason for his action. You will know soon :D
To Hayate-chan: …You are so lucky to get a brand new laptop T.T (I wish I could get a new laptop too…) Yes, Rikun is definitely getting bolder,(He had confirmation that Rikuo did love him back), and he would only act this way with Rikuo :D To anyone else, he would the cool and collected Third Heir. Ahaha, like I told CresentFlame, there's a reason for Tamazuki's action, you will just have to wait and see :D And no prob! I love random chats!
To Dark Inu Fan: Ah yes, why Rikuo was never given any lessons…actually, Rikun was never given any lessons as well(Rikun taught himself how to fight from watching Nurarihyon and Rihan). But there's a deeper reason why Rikuo never learn to fight. One, he was conflicted as seen in chapter one, not knowing whether he should chose the yokai side or human. Two, because of the first reason, he did not open his heart to anyone, thus not getting any help. And three, the most important and main reason why Rikuo never learn to fight,…won't be revealed until further progression of the story :D Nope, they were not apart for long, Rikun had some insecurities, which will be shown in this chapter, so he can't bear to keep away from Rikuo for long.
To mtm111: Rikuo did used Fear before (When helping Zen) However, as told to Dark Inu Fan, Rikuo has a reason for not fighting and the reason is link to why Rikuo's yokai attributes are only just starting to show up (Instead of having it in the beginning like other yokais) He will also be using his Fear during the Shikoku fight(only for a little bit)
To 'Yuki' and 'Monkeys3apples': *Gives a sigh* No I have not abandon this story, it's reaching to an end.
To AngelXReaper: *Simply grins at the reader*
To Warrior of Sangre: D-Damsel in distress…Er…Did I made it like that? There's a reason for it though…Rikuo is learning more on how to fight with Rikun's help.
To TwilightWings18: Maybe once I have finished all my other stories *Smiles*
To all the others: Thank you so much for your reviews! Your reviews makes me really really happy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, only the story
In Italics are thoughts
In Bold are flashbacks
In Bold and Italics are thoughts in a flashback
*In Italics within stars are telepathic thoughts between Rikun and Rikuo*
~Story starts~
Crimson eyes stared.
Tsurara, Aotabo, Kubinashi, Kappa, Kejoro, and Sanba Garasu were kneeling, heads bowed to the floor.
They flinched at the sound of a sake cup hitting harshly on the table.
The hand on the cup tightened.
"Repeat that."
All the yokais scrunched their face up in regret.
Kuroumaru, in his human form, raised his head, only to bow back down in shame, unable to meet those eyes, "I…apologize deeply, Third Heir." He bit his lip harshly. "Young Master…"
"Young Master has been taken."
The cup shattered into pieces.
For the trust they hold for each other
~Earlier that day~
"Hm?" One of the yokais frowned as he spotted something in the sky from the roof. "Someone is coming! Could be enemy!"
Those who heard that quickly rushed out, Rikuo among them.
"How many?" Rikuo questioned.
The yokai narrowed his eyes at the incoming intruder, "One!"
Karasu Tengu flew up to confirm it. "…Hm? Hold up! It's one of our members! Let him through!"
The 'intruder', who happened to be a crow yokai flew down towards Rikuo for a landing, nearing crashing him due to the injuries he had suffered. "I…I bring a-a message…!" He kneeled down shakily.
"You are injured! Let's get you treated first!" Rikuo said worriedly.
"Young Master," Karasu Tengu flew beside Rikuo. "He fought against his injuries just to pass the message, you should listen to him first."
Rikuo frowned, "…I understand. All right, tell me what happened. I will pass the message to Rikun."
The crow yokai struggled to lift his head, "T-The enemy…Shikoku yokais…had a large army…passed through Chichibo pass…"
"Chichibo pass!" Rikuo widened his eyes.
Karasu Tengu called out once the message had been received, "Someone, tend to his injuries!"
Kejoro and two more yokais quickly stepped forward with a stretcher. "Move out of the way! Move out of the way!"
"…It seems that they are finally coming," Aotabo punched his fist on his palm in excitement.
"The army must be huge if they are able to pass through Chichibo pass and caused such injuries," Kubinashi sighed, watching as they escorted the injured yokai away. "…Some of our members probably risked their lives just so the message could reach here."
"No way…" Rikuo slumped down.
Tsurara bit her lip, not knowing how to comfort her upset Young Master. "I-I will go and take a look," She rushed off to where the crow yokai had gone.
"I will go as well," Kurotabo and Aotabo followed after her.
Rikuo sighed depressingly.
A tap on his shoulder caught his attention. He turned to see Kubinashi smiling comfortingly at him.
"It will be all right, Rikuo-sama."
"…I hope so," Rikuo glanced at the direction the injured was brought to. "…I need to inform Rikun about this…Have you seen him?"
"Rikun-sama? He should be…"
For the trust they hold for each other
Rikun gazed up at the cherry blossom tree, watching the petals falling slowly. He closed his eyes for a while, letting the petals drift around him, and suddenly snapped them open. Petals right in front of him parted ways, as if moved by an invisible wind.
"…Almost."
"Rikun!"
"Hm?" Rikun looked back, seeing Rikuo running towards him. "Yo, my beloved little brother."
"Don't call me that!" Rikuo blushed at the nickname. "…What are you doing?" He came and stood beside his brother, looking up at the cherry blossom tree.
Rikun caught some of the petals on his palm. "Hmm…" He trapped the petals within his fist. "I'm thinking about how beautiful you would look with the petals floating around you," Rikun glanced to his side and gave a soft smile at Rikuo. "…And it seems that I was not wrong at all."
Rikuo was standing there with bewildered eyes. In Rikun's eyes, the petals around Rikuo seemed to surround him, giving him the picture of innocence, looking like an angel to him…and the blush that was creeping up said angel's face just enhanced that.
"Y-You…!" Rikuo's face went totally red. "Wha-What are you saying?!"
"Hm?" Crimson eyes lit up in amusement. "Did I say something wrong?"
"O-Of course it's wrong! I'm a male! S-So you can't call me beautiful! And it's not like I am…" Rikuo trailed off, seeing Rikun staring at him.
Rikun tilted his head slightly. "But Rikuo," He lifted his fist and open it, letting the petals flow right inbetween the both of them. "You are really beautiful compared to any other females." He then used the same hand to caress Rikuo's cheeks, leaning his face closer.
"And no matter what other people say otherwise," Rikun lowered his voice. "…To me, you will always be the most beautiful yokai I have ever set my eyes on."
The blush intensified as Rikuo saw the loving eyes directed at him again.
T-This is bad…If this goes on, I will…I will really be weak against those eyes.
*Hm? Does that mean that you will do whatever I say as long as I keep looking at you like that?*
Brown eyes widened and looked up…straight into the loving eyes he was weak against.
A gasp unintentionally left his mouth. Realizing his mistake, Rikuo quickly looked away, "I-I…D-Don't read my mind…!"
His breath hitched when arms circled around his waist and pulled him closer to the warm body. Rikuo was startled when a hand grasped his chin and lifted it up, making him face to face with those eyes again.
"Rikuo…" Rikun gently caressed Rikuo's lips with his thumb. "May I…kiss you?"
Unable to respond, Rikuo allowed the thumb to pry his lips apart and slid in. His lips felt like it was burning with each touch Rikun bestowed on it.
"Maybe…" Rikun slipped the thumb further in, not once did he look away from Rikuo's eyes. "…It's time…for me to go a little further…May I?"
Rikuo felt the thumb rubbing on his tongue, and his eyes went even wider when Rikun starting leaning down. He could only watch as Rikun got closer, and closer and closer, until their lips were just almost touching. Rikun applied pressure on his thumb, letting Rikuo know that he wanted him to open his mouth wider.
Lips trembled as Rikuo slowly opened his mouth and…
…
..
.
"I-I just…just came here to tell you that the Shikoku yokais just passed through Chichibo pass…!" Rikuo had his back to Rikun. "Y-You need to start a meeting to figure out what to do next since they managed to pass through the place despite a large army there…"
"Hmmm," Rikun blinked. "I see." The Third Heir glanced down on his hand. "Still…there's no need to bite me like that, Rikuo."
His thumb was currently swollen and throbbing from pain of being bitten harshly.
Rikuo frowned at him, his face still red, "If I don't do that, you are just going to continue!"
"And how interesting it would be," Rikun smirked, looking up to avoid the glare he knew he would receive.
"You-!"
"Oi, Rikun!"
Zen raised an eyebrow when he came upon the sight of Rikuo blushing and Rikun looking very smug. "Karasu Tengu and Gyuki are looking for you."
"Ah," Rikun waved his swollen thumb around to alleviate the pain.
"…What happened to your thumb?"
"This?" Rikun grinned, gesturing with his injured thumb.
Rikuo suddenly had a really bad feeling.
"Why, Rikuo was just trying to mark me."
Zen twitched while Rikuo gaped at his brother, "…Mark you?"
"As his mate of course. This is his love bit-"
Rikun found himself face to face with a Japanese sandal, courtesy from a red-face Rikuo, with Zen sweatdropping at the antics between the brothers.
For the trust they hold for each other
"I can't believe that-that…that stupid yokai!" Rikuo fumed, stomping his way through the corridor.
Rikuo rubbed his head in slight frustration, feeling a headache creeping up. He went around a corner and saw a figure sitting ahead.
Shoei?
Just as Rikuo was about to call out to him, Tsurara appeared from the other side.
For the trust they hold for each other
"Shoei-kun?" Tsurara shifted her hands to get a better grip of the laundry basket.
Shoei took off his gaze from the bonsai tree pots at the backyard. "Ah…Big sister Tsurara…"
"What are you doing here?" Tsurara went to sit beside the huge yokai, placing the basket down as well.
"Hm..." Shoei turned his attention back to the bonsai tree pot. "Just thinking…"
"…About your father?"
Shoei frowned. "…I…wish to follow the orders of Third Heir's. I really do…But," Hands were clenched into fists. "…It's hard. Although I wish to have a normal life, wishing to have nothing to do with yokais business…the yokai in me wishes to avenge my father!"
Shoei bit his lips, "Why is Third Heir not taking any action? When one of our comrades fell, rise to take action. Is that not the way of how yokais does things?! I wish to be out there, taking the blood of those yokais who took my father's! And yet…" Shoei bowed his head. "…Third Heir only insists on staying on the defensive side, not telling me to avenge my father, not even seemed to be interested in avenging my father…it's making my blood boil…!"
"Shoei-kun…" Tsurara's amber eyes could only watch as the half yokai's shoulder tremble with effort to keep his emotion at bay.
Neither of them noticed a figure standing at the end of the corridor, walking off with a hand on their chest.
For the trust they hold for each other
~With Rikun~
"You just have to tease him, don't you?" Zen glanced at the younger yokai beside him, walking said yokai to his destination.
"Hm…" Was Rikun's response as he gently rubbed his face, where a red mark, the size of a Japanese sandal, was visible. "…That really hurts."
"Serves you right," Zen coughed out, ignoring the glare that was sent his way.
Rikun huffed, turning a corner to head to the meeting room.
"One of these days, he is going to run away from you if you keep that up, and-" Zen stopped at mid-sentence, finally noticing that his sworn brother was not following. "Eh? Rikun?"
Said yokai was looking to the side, staring at the yard blankly.
"Oi..." Zen went back to stand beside him, "What's wrong?"
"…" Crimson eyes narrowed.
"…Something bad is going to happen."
For the trust they hold for each other
~At the new building~
"…And they should arrive at Ukiyoe Town no later than midnight," Kagibari-Onna reported to Tamazuki, who was watching the view at a window.
"Hm. Is that so?" Tamazuki glanced at the female yokai, noticing she was fidgeting. "What is it? You seem to have something to say."
Kagibari-Onna hesitated slightly, "…You have not asked about Inugami's well being."
"…" Tamazuki tilted his head. "How is he?"
If the fact that Tamazuki did not seemed to care about his subordinate disturbed her, Kagibari-Onna did not showed it. "He is simply lying near the basement, crouching there motionlessly and not speaking a word…As if waiting for this moment."
"Hmm…" Tamazuki gave a little smirk. "What about you, Kagibari? Afraid of what is coming?"
"N-Never, Tamazuki-sama," The female yokai denied. "As long as you are the one leading us, I will have nothing to fear."
"Is that so?" Tamazuki simply smiled, looking to where a certain weapon was resting against the wall.
The smile grew twisted the longer he stared at the sword. "I am going out."
"Eh…?" Kagibari blinked confusingly at the sudden statement, eyes following her leader as he made his way to the exit. "Out?"
"Ah," Brown eyes gleamed with intent.
"There's someone I would like to invite…to watch the show."
For the trust they hold for each other
~In a train~
A huge sweatdrop formed on Rihan's head.
The three yokais were boarding a train back to Ukiyoe Town. Rihan and Nurarihyon were sitting on one side of the seat, while an old man in a suit sat across them.
It was quite normal, seeing as Danuki could not possibly board the train in his yokai form.
However…
Rihan felt his eyebrow twitched at the sight of a raccoon tail resting innocently at Danuki's side.
If you are going to disguise yourself, at least do it well!
"Shikoku was a paradise to yokais, especially to us, the Tanuki yokais," Danuki said, eyes closed. "At least…it used to be."
"Used to be?" Rihan popped open one of the sake cans they have brought along.
"There was a time when the amount of Tanuki yokais outweigh the humans, no?" Nurarihyon recalled.
Danuki nodded, opening his golden yokai eyes, "Yes…but it all changed due to the incident 300 years ago."
300 years ago? Wasn't that the time when I succeeded Oyaji?
Rihan tilted his head to drink the sake, while listening to Danuki.
"At that time…we, the Tanuki yokais, tried to usurp a castle from the humans."
Rihan choked on the sake in disbelief, "A-A human's castle?"
"Ah…Matsuyama Castle, right?" Nurarihyon nodded in remembrance.
Rihan blinked a couple of times, finding the name familiar.
"Bah, that Tanuki. I could have helped him take over the Matsuyama Castle easily with my parade of demons. Oh well, his loss."
Rihan blinked again, remembering his father had shouted that out in annoyance once when they were talking about his succession to the Nura clan.
Noticing the look he was receiving from his son and knowing what he was thinking about, Nurarihyon merely closed his eyes. "He rejected my help."
"Eh?" Rihan jerked, glancing at Danuki, who simply gave a wry smile.
"The enemies were just mere humans," Danuki continued his story. "And we are an army of Tanuki yokais, possessed with supernatural powers. Victory was certain…"
"However…" Danuki tightened his hands on the cane that he was holding onto. "Our army was massacred instead."
"The day your clan fell…" Rihan repeated what Danuki had said before.
"Yes. With just a sword wielded by a human."
"…Mao's Hammer…"
The youngest yokai in the group froze up the moment that name left Nurarihyon's mouth.
Nurarihyon gave his son a quick glance in concern before giving a soft sigh.
For the trust they hold for each other
Kana sighed as she walked down the street, heading home.
Lately, I feel that strange things have been happening…
She paused in her steps, "Haaa…What exactly is happening? Yura-chan seems to be focusing on something, and not coming to school... Rikuo-kun also seems to be distracted as well…"
An image of Rikuo floated into her mind, before it slowly merged into the yokai, who had saved her.
Kana blushed, quickly shaking her head to dispel the image.
What am I thinking?! Why is it that whenever I think of Rikuo-kun, I will think of him too?
She sighed again, taking a step forward to continue walking.
However, a flash of the crimson-eyed yokai entered her mind.
T-This feeling…
Kana slowly turned around, seeing a black-hair boy in a uniform. Hands unconsciously tightened on her bag at the sudden appearance of the boy, feeling unreasonably tense.
"Hm?" Tamazuki blinked. "Not quite the person I was looking for…but you will do too."
"Eh?" Kana backed away, confused.
"Ienaga…Kana-san…right?"
Kana's breath hitched. Her body responding faster than her mind, and she found herself turning around and running off. But-
"You don't want to know about him?"
-That sentence stopped her in her tracks.
H-Him? That…yokai?
Biting her lips, Kana turned back to the male, curiosity winning over cautiousness.
Tamazuki narrowed his eyes.
So this is one of the humans that Nura Rikuo befriended. Wonder what exactly did he see in her?
For the trust they hold for each other
~Near evening, close to the new building~
A pair of shoes stopped in front of the new building. Hands were clenched into fists. Maroon eyes narrowed at the sight of the building, causing a scowl to slowly form on the face.
Shoei stood at the position for a while, looking at the building with distain.
"So, it is here…" A hand reached for the katana strapped to his back. "Hold on, Oyaji."
Shoei marched into the building, his Fear surrounding him.
"I will avenge for you."
For the trust they hold for each other
~Ukiyoe park~
"Y-You are a yokai, right?" Kana asked nervously.
Tamazuki blinked, not expecting the human to suddenly talk, "Huh?"
"…Are you…" Kana bit her lips. "…Friends with him?"
"Friends?" A smile slowly curled into Tamazuki's face. "My, my. You don't know a lot of things, do you?"
"Eh…?" That confused Kana, before she jerked back slightly when Tamazuki suddenly leaned towards her.
"We are not friends," Tamazuki tilted his head. "…Though, he is very much like me."
"We are exactly the same. Just as he had a parade of yokais at his back and call, I ,too, rule over yokais. We are not that different." Fear started forming around him as he talked.
Kana widened her eyes, shivering at the sinister feeling.
No…
"Be careful. You will really hurt yourself if you fall at such a height."
H-He does not feel like that!
"N-No! He is different from you!" Kana gasped, realizing that she shouted out on impulse.
"Hoo? How so?" Brown eyes narrowed.
"I-I don't…know…" Kana bit her lips. "Y-You are an evil yokai! He is a good person! Ah…" Kana blushed, noticing that she was defending someone, who she did not even know. "P-Probably a good person..."
"Hmph," Tamazuki leaned back. "…But I suppose you are right."
The human girl blinked at the sudden change of opinion.
"If the one who is most likely to be similar to me, would be his brother, not him."
"B-Brother?" Kana was taken aback. "T-That yokai has a brother?"
"Hm?" Tamazuki blinked in slight surprise. He then let out a chuckle, realizing what was going on. "It would seem that we were talking about two different persons."
After all, why would this human call Nura Rikuo, a yokai?
"W-What?"
Tamazuki smirked, "I was talking about-" He frowned, quickly raising a hand to destroy a piece of paper that came flying towards him.
Shikigami?
Footsteps rushed towards Kana and stopped protectively in front of her.
"Are you all right, Ienaga-san?" Yura glared at the yokai.
"Y-Yura-chan! U-Un."
"Oh? Onmyoji, huh?"
Yura whipped out an ofuda with her healed hand, "Good timing. Let me tell you this, yokai! I don't care what is going between the both of you yokais," Yura grimaced at the thought of the yokai that helped her. "In fact, kill each other, you will be doing the world a favor. However," The Onmyoji growled. "Leave the humans out of this!"
Tamazuki silently observed them for a while. "…How sweet that they are trying to protect all of you…" A look of disgust crossed his face. "…And nauseating as well."
Both of the girls tensed up, thinking he was going to attack.
But Tamazuki merely turned his head to the side, as if hearing something. "Well, it seems that there is something I will need to take care of." He turned back to the girls. "The next time we meet, things will be different."
"Until then, Ienaga-san and…"
"Onmyoji, Keikain Yura! Remember it well!"
"…Keikain-san." Tamazuki acknowledged that with a smile, before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
For the trust they hold for each other
~At the same time~
The three fathers had now boarded a sleeper train for the rest of the journey back to Ukiyoe Town.
Once they were in a private room, Danuki changed back into his smaller yokai form.
Nurarihyon gave a slight frown to his side, where Rihan sat silently.
"Do you know about Kodoku?"
"Hm?" Nurarihyon turned his attention to Danuki. "Ah. Of course."
"The 'Ko' in the word Kodoku, signifies many poisonous insect mixed in one plate. In order to survive, those insects kill each other until there is only one left. That last insect is infused with the hatred and curse of those that were killed…and that is how Kodoku came about."
"…And the Mao's Hammer," Nurarihyon continued, ignoring the flinch Rihan made. "Works the same way. It gains power with the blood, flesh and hatred of those that were killed by it."
Danuki nodded, "Correct… It is a frightening sword...and I was defeated by it, for I was the one leading the army." He cast his eyes down. "...The moment Tamazuki heard about this, he changed his name and that's why he is now going against your clan, to prove he can do what I can't do."
The sound of the train running through the tracks could be heard.
"…Oyaji."
"Hm?" Nurarihyon looked at his son in surprise, not expecting him to speak up.
Rihan opened his mouth, but closed it back after a few second. "…No. It's nothing."
Danuki shifted, feeling as though he was intruding on a personal moment. On the other hand, Nurarihyon scrutinized his son carefully before giving a sigh.
"…They will be fine, Rihan."
Said yokai clenched his hands in response.
For the trust they hold for each other
~At the new building~
"Ah! Tamazuki-sama!" One of Tamazuki's subordinate called out after seeing his leader strolling in.
"What is going on here?" Tamazuki came closer, seeing the yokais surrounding someone in the middle of the room. "Ho? Isn't this…"
Shoei was seen lying on the ground, injured and bruised, with a giant foot on his body. The injured yokai give a cough, spitting out blood.
"My, my," Tamazuki tilted his head. "What a pleasant surprise."
"D-Damn it…!" Shoei glared weakly at the yokai stepping on him.
"Don't worry, Tamazuki-sama," The yokai, Tearai Oni, smirked and gave his foot a twist, choking a pained scream from Shoei. "I will end him right now."
Shoei could only watch as Tearai Oni lifted his foot. He narrowed his eyes, recalling what his father had once told him.
Hihi gently sniped away a dead branch on the bonsai.
"You are always busy with those bonsai, and drinking tea with the First and Second Supreme Commander…" Shoei commented, practicing on his sword movements at the backyard.
"Hm?"
Shoei paused his sword to look at his father, "It's like you are no different than an old human man."
"Old human man…huh?" Hihi placed his tools down. "…That does not sound so bad."
Shoei frowned when his father chuckled, not seeing what was so funny.
"Shoei," Hihi looked up at the sky. "…Have I ever told you why I joined the Nura clan?"
Shoei blinked at the weird question, laying his sword down to listen to his father.
"The Supreme Commander is a very strange being," Hihi nodded, acknowledging the statement himself. "Even though he is a yokai, he understand the heart of a human…something none of the other yokais are capable of."
"And even though I am physically stronger than him…" Hihi paused for a while, before letting out another chuckle. "Well…I can't defeat him. I really like him a lot."
Shoei furrowed his eyebrows, not understanding what his father was trying to say, "What's that suppose to mean?"
Hihi merely shook his head. "You will understand someday, Shoei. It will be your choice if you wish to follow the commander of the next generation. Until then, just observe carefully. Especially towards the ones that will bring the Nura clan to success." He then went back tending his bonsai.
Shoei tried to keep his eyes open, but finding it hard to do so.
…Up till now, I still have no idea what you were talking about, Oyaji…sorry…
"Hahhhhh!" Tearai Oni slammed his foot down.
However, at that moment, three figures came flying in. One of them quickly went to Tearai Oni and slashed his staff at his head, making Tearai Oni lose his balance and missed Shoei.
The other two figures quickly went to the unconscious Shoei and helped him up.
"Whaa-!" Tearai Oni growled, glaring at the intruders. "Pesky birds!"
"This is the Nura clan's territory!" Kuroumaru declared, his beak clicking threateningly. "You won't be able to do as you wish!"
"You-! Argh!" The huge yokai tried to get them back, but a slash of wind from Kuroumaru hit him on the face.
Just as the three crow yokais were about to leave, they were surrounded by even more yokais, blocking every single exit.
"You think you can just came and go?" A Shikoku yokai hissed out, his weapon pointing at the Overseer's children. "You are going to die here!"
Tosakamaru and Sasami tightened their hold on Shoei, while Kuroumaru readied his staff. "We will see about that!"
Just as they were about to clash, a voice stopped all of them.
"Wait."
Every single yokai present halted their actions, turning to see who had interrupted.
Tamazuki, who had been silently watching the scene, felt a smile spread on his face when he saw who it was. "Well, well…"
The Shikoku yokais hissed in agitation, while the Sanba Garasu gasped in horror.
"If it was not the one I was going to invite to watch the show…"
A silhouette slowly stepped into the light.
The smile on Tamazuki's face became a smirk.
"…Nura Rikuo."
Rikuo stood at the center, eyes glowing red for a second.
For the trust they hold for each other
~Present, night~
Kuroumaru dared not look at the Third Heir in the eyes, his hands clutched into fists at his uselessness for not protecting his Young Master.
The silence was suffocating, and the other yokais could feel the rage the Third Heir was hiding underneath the calm exterior. Even Kurotabo, who was not part of the protection of Rikuo, could not help but kneel down, taking the blame as well.
Rikun took a slow breath, trying to calm himself. "…That idiot." He tried to contact Rikuo through their link, but was unable to get through.
…They knocked him out…
All the other yokais in the room flinched when they felt a spike of Fear flowing out.
"…Yuki-Onna."
"Y-Yes, Third Heir?" Tsurara jerked in attention.
"I want you and Kejoro," Kejoro, too, jerked at the mention of her name, "To go and attend to Shoei, make sure there are no lasting damages."
The two female yokais immediately bowed and left.
"As for you three," Sanba Garasu tensed up when crimson eyes landed on them, "I want to hear everything, from start to finish, of what had happened."
Kuroumaru, being the leader, nodded and began his story.
"When we tried to rescue Shoei-sama from the Shikoku yokais, we were surrounded. Just as we were about to engage in a fight, Young Master appeared…"
"Y-Young Master!" Sanba Garasu gasped in horror, not expecting Rikuo to be there.
Rikuo stood firm on his ground, never leaving his eyes off Tamazuki.
Tamazuki spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. "Welcome, Rikuo-kun. I am pleased that you have decided to join us this evening." He grinned sinisterly at Rikuo, "After all, you are about to witness the downfall of your own clan."
Sanba Garasu snarled at the threat, while Rikuo remained calm, as if he did not hear any of the words Tamazuki had said.
Instead, Rikuo said this, "…Would you mind letting them go?"
There was a moment of silence, before the Shikoku yokais started laughing. Words of 'Let them go, he said!' and 'He's gone nuts!' spread around the room. Even the Sanba Garasu was stunned. However, Rikuo paid them no heed, only looking at Tamazuki.
Tamazuki blinked, staring into the determined eyes and gave an amused smile, "Why not?"
"Wha-!" The yokais around looked at their leader in shock. "Tamazuki-sama!"
"However," Tamazuki cut off anymore speeches, "That would mean that there will be no one to watch the show. I do dislike that."
Without hesitation, Rikuo gave Tamazuki what he wanted, "I will take their place then."
"Young Master!" Kuroumaru shouted out, trying to stop this.
"Very well," Tamazuki signaled the yokais to open a path for the Sanba Garasu and Shoei.
Hesitantly, they did as commanded, looking at the crow yokais warily.
"Young Master!" Kuroumaru landed beside Rikuo. "Let us get you out of here! We will be able to fight them through! There's no need to-"
Rikuo raised a hand up to silent Kuroumaru, eyes never leaving Tamazuki, "Go."
"But, Young Master-!" Tosakamaru protested.
"Shoei needs help," Rikuo told them, "You are only prolonging his sufferings and taking on unnecessary fights." He narrowed his eyes, "Their target is not me, but the Third Heir of Nura clan. So I will be fine."
Tosakamaru and Sasami looked at each other in helplessness.
"Young Master…"
Rikuo finally took his eyes off his enemy, turning his attention to the yokai next to him, "Tell my brother that there is nothing to worry about. Just do what he had to do." He then smiled reassuringly, "I trust him."
Kuroumaru stared into those brown eyes, full of determination to help them and the unshakable confidence in the Third Heir.
Slowly, but surely, Kuroumaru nodded his head.
Rikuo nodded back.
"Apologies for breaking this up," Tamazuki drawled out, "But I grew impatient at the act of touching moments."
Rikuo looked back at Tamazuki and muttered to Kuroumaru, "Go!"
Kuroumaru bit his lip and, against his wishes, flew back to where his siblings were. His eyes shadowed by his bangs.
"Aniki…"
"…Let's go." With that, Kuroumaru flew through the opened path and out of the building, never looking back.
Tosakamaru looked back at his Young Master, who gestured his head towards where Kuroumaru had gone, "…Damn it!" He adjusted his grip on Shoei, going after his elder brother. "Sasami!"
Sasami squeezed her eyes in despair, helping her brother to hold Shoei and leaving Rikuo…behind.
Just before she left the building, Sasami looked back and shouted out, "Young Master! We will definitely get you back! Wait for us!"
Just after she and Tosakamaru had left the building, the yokais started blocking the path up again, preventing Rikuo from leaving.
The last thing Sasami saw, was the confident smile Rikuo had, before the path closed completely.
"…" Rikun silently took in the information as all of them walked to where Shoei was resting. He closed his eyes in slight defeat.
Rikuo…
"I'm fine!"
Rikun and the other yokais turned their attention to their right, arriving at Shoei's resting place.
"I need to avenge my father!" Shoei was trying to get out of the bed, with Kejoro and Tsurara holding him back.
"You can't!"
"You are still injured!"
"I need to go!" Shoei growled out, fighting against the pain. "If I kept listening to the Third Heir, who is so soft-hearted in his decisions, my father's pain will just be in vain!"
The yokais outside the room bit their lips. Kubinashi tried to say something to Rikun, "Rikun-sama, I-Eh?"
However, Rikun was nowhere to be seen.
For the trust they hold for each other
Soft footsteps echoed through the hallway.
Rikun quietly entered Rikuo's room, and slid the door close. Walking towards the yard, he stopped by the sliding doors, watching the cherry blossom tree.
"If I kept listening to the Third Heir, who is so soft-hearted in his decisions, my father's pain will just be in vain!"
Softly sighing, Rikun hid his arms within his sleeves.
"…Is trying to protect everyone…soft-hearted?"
"Of course not, you idiotic Third Heir."
Rikun was startled and looked behind him.
Zen stood there, frowning.
Blinking, Rikun rotated his body to face Zen, sensing the seriousness.
"But Rikun," Zen told him, "You must not forget that we are yokais as well…and what do yokais do when one of its own gets hurt?"
Furrowing his eyebrows, Rikun replied, "…Fight back."
Zen nodded, "…The instinct is strong. Instead of trying to protect…" Zen narrowed his eyes. "You should be fighting along side with us."
The Third Heir remained silence.
Zen frowned even more at the silence he received. Then an idea suddenly formed in his mind, "Rikun…do you remember the question you had asked me before?"
"Question?"
"Why did you exchange Sakazuki with me and Rikuo?"
"…" Rikun pursed his lips.
Zen stared at him for a while, "…Form your own parade of yokais...along with Rikuo."
Surprised by the suggestion, Rikun slowly shifted his gaze to his sworn brother, "…What?"
"That's why you are hesitating, right?" Zen explained, "Because there will be no one to follow you. That's why you asked me that question… that's why you are not leading to fight those Shikoku yokais."
Rikun bit his lower lip, making Zen realized that he had hit the nail on the head.
"…Deep down, you knew that the current Night Parade only follows the First and Second Supreme Commander," Zen continued. "…You and Rikuo are standing as equals with the rest of the parade. Their loyalty does not extend towards the both of you."
The younger yokai averted his gaze, "I know that…"
Zen was about to say something when Rikun cut in.
"But how, Zen? How?" Rikun uncharacteristically stressed out. "I know that the current Night Parade only follows Jiji and Oyaji! That's why…that's why I try so hard to protect this clan…" Rikun slumped slightly. "…To be honest…despite how confident I look, here," He held a hand to his chest, where his heart rests. "Is actually afraid. It knows that no matter how superior I act…I am simply not strong enough to protect everybody…I could usually ignore these feelings because Rikuo is beside me…Now that he is not, tell me, Zen, how am I suppose to have yokais follow me when I am not even-"
"Idiot!" Zen shouted out, startling Rikun into silence. "That's not what the Night Parade is all about!" Zen walked to the sliding doors. "True, if yokais don't sense a single strength in the commander, they would just leave without a single thought. However," Zen turned his back to the sliding, glaring at Rikun. "Not all yokais follow their commander just because they are strong. In fact, do you even know that a quarter of the current parade is actually stronger than the First and Second Supreme Commander? Those yokais don't only follow them just for their strength; they followed them because of who they are! And those yokais are the ones I am asking you to exchange Sakazuki with!"
With that he gripped the sliding door and yanked it open, causing a few yokais to tumble into the room.
"Wha- Kubinashi, Kejoro, Kurotabo, Kappa, Aotabo, Yuki-Onna and Sanba Garasu…" Rikun blinked rapidly at the chaotic scene. "What are you…"
"Ouch…He realized…" Kubinashi sweatdropped, glancing at Zen, who merely tightened his lips.
"Third Heir!" Aotabo went to Rikun, "Please exchange Sakazuki with us!"
"Wha-"
"As Zen-sama had said," Kurotabo said, "We originally only serve you and Young Master because we were ordered to. As of now, there is no commitment between the both of you and us."
Rikun narrowed his eyes.
"But," Tsurara went on, "It was because of this, that we realize what Third Heir and Young Master are like. Both of you…always try so hard to protect us."
"And that's why we want to follow you and fight with you," Kuroumaru declared, with his other two siblings, whom were all in their human forms, nodded in agreement.
"Simply because you care for us like no other," Kejoro added, smiling.
Rikun's eyes softened, "Everyone…" He then saw Kappa staring at him intently.
Kappa, noticing that, gave a nod, "I meant what I said that time, Third Heir."
"…We are…both of your Night Parade of a Hundred Demons after all."
Rikun smirked wryly, "You already knew what I was thinking back then?"
The child-like yokai simply gave a smile.
"Rikun."
The mentioned yokai turned to Zen.
"Form your parade of demons with Rikuo," Zen encouraged. "Since you will not be able to do it alone, Rikuo will help you." The bird yokai smirked, "I meant what I said when you asked me that question."
"Zen…" Rikun whispered, before closing his eyes and smirked back. "…Thanks."
"Hn." Zen nodded, "Besides, you are belittling yourself too much. You are strong."
Rikun raised an eyebrow.
"…You just have not reached there yet."
Rikun shook his head, and turned to the other yokais. "…Are you all really willing to exchange Sakazuki with me and Rikuo?"
"Of course!" All of them echoed.
"Where one goes, the other will follow," Kubinashi smiled.
"We can't even imagine not exchanging Sakazuki with either of you!" Kejoro giggled.
The Third Heir took one last look at them, and grinned.
"Let's do this then."
For the trust they hold for each other
~At Shoei's resting place~
Shoei sat at the bed, hearing some of the smaller yokais speaking outside, but could not discern any of the words. He growled when pain stroke again.
"It will be your choice if you wish to follow the commander of the next generation."
Follow the Third Heir…? I…don't think I can do that, Oyaji…
"Oh good, you are still here."
The huge yokai looked up, seeing an upside down head of Rikun.
Shoei blinked, not expecting Rikun to suddenly appear like that, and in such a weird way too.
Rikun sat on the roof above Shoei, his upper body bent forward to the edge so his head was facing Shoei upside down. He continued staring at Shoei for a while before telling him, "…If you are going to avenge, at least do it together, don't go alone." Rikun tilted his head, "…And take their hide while you are at it."
Shoei felt his breath hitched, having no idea why he was suddenly sweating, "Y-Yes!"
Rikun smirked, knowing his Fear had frightened Shoei a little. "The Nura clan never fights alone. When we do fight, we fight together as a family."
Shoei widened his eyes.
"We will be leaving once the time arrives. Whether you wish to follow me or not, is up to you." Rikun pulled his head back and stood up. He softly whispered the next few words, "I will be waiting."
Shoei crawled out from his bed and tried to see Rikun, but the Third Heir was long gone from the roof.
"Third Heir…"
For the trust they hold for each other
~With Rikuo~
Eyes fluttered open, slowly revealing chocolate-like eyes.
Rikuo blinked a couple of times, shaking his head to clear the headache that occurred upon his awakening.
Ow…do they need to hit me that hard?
"Hoo? So this is the Young Master of the Nura clan? Don't look like much."
Rikuo jerked, coming face to face with a yokai. It was then he noticed that there were arms holding onto him to ensure that he would not escape…and he was surrounded.
…What did I get myself into?
*…That's my question.*
*Eh…? R-Rikun?!*
For the trust they hold for each other
~At the clan meeting room~
"Are we just going to sit around like that?" Hitotsume growled out. "How infuriating! Those damn Shikoku yokais!"
Two female yokais, a young lady and an old lady, snorted out. They were known as the Asajigahara no Kijo, head of the Kijo clan.
"For the Nura clan to be under attacked…unheard of." The old one chortled.
"Scary, scary." The young one held a sleeve against her lips.
Zen, who was sitting near the door, stood up. "Quit those nonsensical ramblings. The only thing that we need to do is to follow behind the Third Heir. We will rescue Rik-I mean Young Master and defeat those Shikoku yokais!"
"Wait, Zen," Gyuki cut in. "You are tackling the problem without a single solution. We will need to know what the Third Heir think about this first."
Mokugyo, as an advisor, nodded in agreement.
Zen smirked.
I have been waiting for you to say this, Gyuki.
"That's fine then. We will just ask Rikun- I mean Third Heir, about this." Zen looked at the door, "Somebody come here!"
A yokai, totally red in color, slid the door open. "You called?"
"Where's the Third Heir?"
"Ah…" The yokai, Ko-Oni, sweated. "He- uh…he's…"
"What's wrong?"
"A-At the main entrance," Ko-Oni tried to whisper to Zen, not wishing attention from the other leaders.
Zen ruined his hopes though. "Main entrance?" He repeated in a really loud voice.
Ko-Oni sweatdropped when all the yokais in the room looked at him.
For the trust they hold for each other
~At the main entrance~
Rikun was seen sitting there with a smirk; crimson eyes were narrowed into slits. Nenekirimaru resting right in front of him and a sake cup held in his hand.
All the yokais gathered around Rikun, trying to see what he was doing.
"Third Heir?" Aotabo questioned the moment he arrived the place.
"Yo," Rikun gestured with his sake cup. "How about a drink?"
Hitotsume, Mokugyo, and Yazura Mitsume, head of the Third-Eyed Party, came forward, seeing Rikun offering sake to his subordinates.
Stunned, they could only watch in silence.
Mokugyo closed his eyes, "…Our Third Heir is really interesting…don't you think so, Hitotsume?"
"Hmph!" Hitotsume huffed out unconvincingly, "Simply bluffing his way through would not be of any help!" He then stomped off.
Zen stood at one corner, smirking at the confident posture his sworn brother was displaying.
Now that's the Rikun I know.
After finishing pouring for Tsurara, Rikun leaned back and took another drink from his sake cup.
*…What did I get myself into?*
Rikun blinked when he suddenly heard that. His eyebrow twitched upon realizing whom that voice belongs to.
*…That's my question.*
*Eh…? R-Rikun?!*
*Nura Rikuo.*
Rikun could almost feel Rikuo flinching when he deadpanned his name.
*…I will punish you when this whole thing is over.*
*Ugh…*
Rikun shook his head amusingly at the despaired voice, before getting serious.
*Are you all right?*
*Ah…yes…I'm surrounded though…*
*Surrounded?*
*Un…*
Rikun narrowed his eyes when Rikuo trailed off.
*Rikuo?*
*Ah…Tamazuki's here.*
The older brother tightened his hand on his cup.
*Hm? Seems like these yokais here took me here without permission.*
*Without permission? Did they harm you?*
*No…They were just saying some degrading stuff…What's with that sword?*
Confusion took hold of Rikun.
*Sword? What sword, Rikuo.*
*I don't like it…*
*Rikuo?*
Rikun frowned; his heart froze a little when Rikuo did not reply immediately.
*Rikuo?*
*H-He…!*
Rikun widened his eyes at the sound of Rikuo panicking.
*Rikuo? What's wrong?!*
*He…! Killed…! Rikun! The sword! You must be-*
*Rikuo? Rikuo!*
Not receiving any more replies, Rikun suddenly stood up, startling the yokais whom were near him.
He must have been knocked out again…what sword was Rikuo talking about?
"Third Heir?"
Said yokai turned around, seeing his Night Parade staring at him in concern.
"Is something the matter, Third Heir?" Kurotabo asked.
"…" Rikun thinned his lips, and picked up Nenekirimaru. "It's time." The Third Heir noticed some of the smaller yokais trembling from the announcement. "No need to cower. Our foes are merely a bunch of Tanukis."
He started moving out of the house, with those who had exchanged Sakazuki with him following behind.
"Now," Rikun placed Nenekirimaru on his shoulder.
"It's the start of our Night Parade."
~To Be Continued~
And the suspense is here! Will they be able to save Rikuo in time?
Actually I have already finished the next part(it came together with this chapter, but it was too long, so I split it), but I am going to do some adjustments to the some of the earlier chapters first, then I will post it up. Also the next part will be the last chapter for this whole story. Further explanation will be given in the next chapter.
Things to note:
Regarding about Chichibo pass – Because I was unable to find sufficient information about this place, I have placed Chichibo pass at where it was the gateway to Mt. Nejireme (To my understanding from the anime), it will be a place where a large army of yokai, allied to the Nura clan, is guarding there. So it was quite a big deal when Shikoku yokais pass through that place.
Kodoku – A type of poisonous magic found in Japanese folklore
About Sanba Garasu – As you know, they have two forms, one being the crows and the other a winged human. The crows will be their yokai form while the other is their human form. Most of the time, they are in their human forms. They are only in their yokai forms when in a fight or when things get serious.
Omake:
~In the kitchen~
Yamabuki looked up, seeing Rikun leading the yokais out of the house.
"…Be careful…"
"Hm?" Wakana looked at Yamabuki. "Don't worry, I will be careful. Look!" She showed Yamabuki the neatly cut vegetables, ready to be added in the pot.
"N-No, that's not what I meant…" Yamabuki sweatdropped, watching Wakana happily adding it in the pot.
"Don't worry."
Yamabuki blinked at the sudden comforting words.
"Everything will be just fine," Wakana added a few more ingredients. "Rikun-kun will definitely bring Rikuo-kun back and comes back safely!"
The flower yokai blinked again, and smiled softly, "…Thank you, Wakana-chan."
"Un!"
"…Um…Wakana-chan?"
"Hm?"
"T-The pot…"
"Ah yes, we are making soup, right?"
"...But there's no water inside…"
Both of them watched as the pot starting smoking out from the lack of water.
"…Opps."
"Wakana-chan…"
That's all folks, do leave reviews!
Edited on 16th December 2014