Gekko no Senshi (Moonlight Warrior)

A/N: THANK YOU SO MUCH for the 1000+ views! You guys are the best and you deserve all the internets! I've had a very good couple of days: Panama is going to play against the US for the soccer Gold Cup! I'm half panamenian and half american and I couldn't be happier! So I felt compelled to upload a new chapter! Yey hope you like it and please don't be shy, I wanna know what you think, please REVIEW!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 10

Just for a moment….

Tomoe felt the surge of power and energy coming from this gravity defying haired youkai, whose handsome face only made him seem a lot more terrifying. Not that she was scared, but his youki made her stop dead in her tracks, which according to her it's not a good sign.

I can't be overwhelmed by another youkai's power… but yet again, I can't help but having this feeling of trust… I've never trusted another youkai…

Without hesitation, the anti-gravity, black/white haired male with blood red eyes and attractive features, let out a strong hand and took out a flashing sword. The ringing metal glistened with light of its own, as its master took it out of his protective sheath ready to strike. Tomoe marveled at such sight.

"What do you think you're doing in my property, attacking people that belong to my turf," the man spoke with authority. His posture was that of importance and she couldn't help but succumb to his pizzazz.

"Oh? And who do we have here?" barked the evil creature, still holding a pale Yura. She was weak but she hadn't passed out yet.

"Ri-rikuo," she whispered. Tomoe's eyes flashed in surprise, even though it was for a second. What the hell? Is this really Rikuo? It can't be… oh wait…

"Stupid little human," the evil youkai said as it swung Yura in the air like a rag doll, tossing her to the side.

"Yura!" Rikuo yelled.

Without thinking, Tomoe gracefully flew in the air as fast as she could. Before Yura hit the wall, Tomoe was behind her to catch her. Rage seized her as she saw her classmate looking pale and half dead. Even though she and Yura were not on friendly terms, she wasn't going to allow anything to happen to her. She delicately placed her down on the floor, rose up and her stare towards the evil spirit was as cold as ice. For a second, Rikuo felt a shiver running down his spine. She had 'danger' written all over her face.

"You intend to fight me? Ha!" said the thing as he pounced on Rikuo.

"You have no idea who you're messing with," retorted Rikuo.

-0-

Rihan was half asleep when he felt a nudge on his arm. He shook himself up, and stared blankly for a second at the sight before him. Some older youkai from one of the families that's affiliated with the Nura Clan was still talking.

"How long was I asleep?" grunted Rihan, not even interested in the answer.

"For a couple of minutes," answered Kubinashi, rather exasperated.

"Why doesn't he shut up? Nobody wants to know how he defeated some petty youkai from the Eastern lands," Rihan whined.

"You need to know what's going on with the other clans if you're going to rule over them one day," Kubinashi rebuked.

"Meh," Rihan exhaled, holding his head with one hand, and waving off Kubinashi with the other one. "I'll leave the boring part to Rikuo… he likes talking and listening to people, he can later give me a synthesized version."

"You really don't care about being the Head, do you Rihan?"

"More like I don't give a fu… Oww, what was that for, oyaji!"

Nurarihyon had slapped Rihan in the back of his head with his fan. Everyone in the room went quiet. Not a cricket was heard. One thing Rihan hated the most was to be made a fool of himself, being this one of those moments. His face became red beet. He just stared at his old man with rancor he couldn't even think of anything straight. Someone cleared his throat, pulling him back from his messed up thoughts.

"Sodaicho," started Lord Gyuuki. "I think Lord Hikigaeru has said his peace," signaling to the demon toad to hold his tongue. It was already an hour and they hadn't even pressed important matters. Rihan named him minikui hikigaeru because indeed he was very ugly.

As the meeting continued into more important matters, Rihan dwindled on the thought of going back to sleep or actually sneaking off the room and catching a real snooze. But before he knew it, the meeting had ended and in came the smaller youkai serving the food. He had forgotten how hungry he was and was happier than ever to see Yuki-Onna bringing him his tray.

"Ah, Yuki-Onna, you're always making sure I am well fed, aren't you?" he said, winking.

The ice maiden almost melted (and for melted, I mean really melted) because of the heat rising to her face.

"Oh, Rihan-sama you are all too kind," she blushed and ran off. Rihan enjoyed teasing the poor girl.

After the meal was served, the sake flowed. Every meeting ended up on somebody getting all wired and happy, then someone attempts to dance, tripping everything and everybody, a quarrel starts and it ends up in a fight. A few bruises and cuts later, the Sodaicho kicks those bastards away and tell them to 'f*ck' off back to their own lands, with a huge smirk on his face. Oh how he loves his rowdy clan.

This time was no different. Lord Zen usually was the one who stayed longer. Rikuo and Rihan both enjoyed his company a lot. Rikuo liked to get all philosophical with Zen while Rihan teamed up with Zen to make fun of Rikuo. Rihan called Zen 'Doc' even though he was no doctor; he was a poison masterand a specialist in making medicines. Being as intelligent as he was, he also acted like a shrink, mostly after what happened to Rihan.

"Sup, doc," said Rihan as he sat on the veranda overlooking the yamabuki garden. The sweet smell of the flowers brought in by the breeze tranquilized him.

"How you holding up?" asked the bird youkai.

"Better as I can be, doc," answered Rihan.

"Is that so?" asked Zen as he sat beside Rihan. The latter chuckled.

"I haven't heard that in years… what's different this time?" Zen continued. "Is it a girl?"

"Why does everyone automatically think it has to do with a girl? Can't it be that I'm just happy, for once?"

"Well, then if that's the case then I'm glad for you, bud," said Zen.

Rihan continued to look at the flowers. The thought of the moonlight warrior came back to him and he couldn't help but smile. Both of them sat silent for a minute, enjoying each other's presence.

"It seems like forever since she left me," said Rihan, sadness heard all over his voice.

"I does seem like it," Zen paused to look at his friend, "but you know there's rumors of her falling off a cliff, right?"

Rihan waved him off, "I don't believe that one bit."

"So you think she was killed?" asked the bird youkai.

"I don't know… nobody has seen a body or anything, how can that possibly be truth."

"Why haven't you gone out to find the truth, then." After Rihan didn't answer and looked away, Zen continued, "You are afraid of what you might find, aren't you?"

Rihan only looked away, but Zen knew he was fighting off the tears.

"Look, I'm sorry I brought this up but if you are going to sit here and let the truth come to you, you will be waiting forever. But if you go out there and find it for yourself, even if you don't like it, at least you tried. You need some sense of purpose, this might be it."

Rihan looked back at Zen as if he had grown a third eye. But he knew he was telling the truth. He had lost purpose. What is a human without purpose? What is the meaning of his life? Am I only here to rule over the Clan? He knew he needed to find himself again and it wasn't going to happen stuck inside this house.

"You're a strange one, aren't you Zen?" asked Rihan with a smirk on his face.

"I've been called a lot of things but strange," Zen responded. He smirked back. "If you need my help, all you need is ask," he offered.

"I know I can count on you."

"You know you do."

-0-

This girl is fast, thought Rikuo.

The girl had just placed a panting and weak Yura on the floor. She didn't seem too good. The others had just passed out of fright or simply because the air was knocked out of them. He can't believe was talked into coming here. If I had just been firm enough, this wouldn't have happened…

As the demon was flying towards him, the corner of his eye caught a glistening spot of silver. Her fiercely blue eyes and her long, winding dark mane in conjunction with her godly face was a frightful sight. She held her silver naginata; the same weapon she had the first time they met.

No wonder Rihan's mesmerized by her… could she really be related to Tomoe?

Rikuo was so distracted by Tomoe that he didn't notice the creature was so close he grabbed him by the neck. Shit!

"You're not so powerful, ah? Impotent little fool!" forcefully choked the son of the Great Supreme Commander. Great, now I can't move…

Tomoe saw Rikuo smirk at the thing and then released an incredible amount of fear that she herself stumbled back and almost fell over Yura. With that, the youkai released Rikuo's grasp.

"I have only felt this fear once and it was with that inept Nurarihyon! Tell me, boy, do you have any relation to that loser?"

"He's my father!" Rikuo yelled as he charged towards it. His sword cut through the creature as he released his fear. The youkai screamed some importunities and disappeared. The other ones tried to flee but Tomoe got to them first.

"Not that fast!" she yelled as she danced through the air and with one strike of her naginata she finished them both.

"That was easy!" she cheered as she her feet touched the ground.

The black smoke was simmering away as the doors flew open by themselves. Rikuo smirked and with that Tomoe turned around. As she was about to take flight, Rikuo suddenly appeared in front of her and grabbed her arm. She growled as she tried to get away but his hold was too strong.

"I won't let you get away that easily," whispered Rikuo.

Her velvety voice answered, "Let's see about that."

"You're in my territory, so I need to know if you're friend or foe."

Tomoe scoffed, "I am neither."

"Very smart," said Rikuo. Letting her go he continued, "You protect humans and you fought my enemy. I like you. Join me and become part of my Night Parade of a Hundred Demons."

"What the hell?!"

Both of them turned around to see one Keikain Yura standing up. Rikuo sighed relieved to see his friend doing ok.

It was true. Rikuo has never done such thing, inviting a demon to be part of his Night Parade. Granted, his brother will be the next Head of the Family once his father passes or decides do relent all the power to him. Not that it was against the rule to have your own but if Rihan decided to take his position as Head and he begins to form his own Night Parade, both could clash and cause division in the Clan. Rikuo more than anyone understood the rules but he couldn't let this opportunity pass down. Before him stood a youkai with amazing skills; she was a warrior, which that much he could see. Heck, she even seemed to have more experience than him. But she has appeared in his territory and the moment was too sweet to let it go. His blood boiled in excitement. If only he could secure her and make her part of his clan…

Tomoe looked at him puzzled. She had no idea what to make of this. As she was making up her mind, Rikuo asked,

"Before you say anything, what's your name?"

She was stunned. She had never thought of it. She couldn't possibly say her real name, it would give her away, but at the same time, if this young man was Rikuo's youkai then they where almost the same. She pondered a little before she answered,

"They call me Tomoe Gozen…"