Gekko no Senshi (Moonlight Warrior)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Longest chapter yet! You guys inspire me so much! Thanks a lot for reading and liking my story! I haven't being able to stop writting and I think that's a good thing. It helps me vent. Also, I'm posting this while listening to 'Never go Back' from Evanescence. It's a great song!
Chapter 11
"They call me Tomoe Gozen…"
Yura was the first to speak after an indefinite silence. Somewhere along the lines, probably because he was in awe, Rikuo forgot to speak. He kind of understood Rihan now when he says that when you see her in action, your mind just rattles and you forget to mouth words.
"So Yatogami Tomoe is a youkai, how nice… What the hell do you want in Ukiyoe?"
If it was already cold, the temperature dropped a few degrees more as Tomoe laid eyes on the onmyoji girl. Yura naturally felt her throat close. And just before she could do anything about it, Tomoe was holding a dagger under her neck:
"This youkai saved that sorry little tush of yours from getting its soul sucked," Tomoe hissed. Yura gulped.
After she released her, she continued, "A thank you would be nice, you ungrateful bitch…"
Yura nearly passed out after the comment. Her face light up in a bright red and steam seemed to be coming out of her head; meanwhile Rikuo watched, sweatdropping.
"How dare you call me a… a female dog, you despicable creature!" Yura yelled.
"Well, next time I should let your enemies eat you up! Those onmyoji skills do nothing for you, I can't believe you claim to be a Keikain!"
Yura stumbled back after those harsh words. Tomoe sensed that she had gone too far. Too late to back now…
"Girls, please…" Rikuo started.
"SHUT UP!" both yelled at the same time. He rolled his eyes and mouthed an 'ok.'
"How dare you insult my family name?" Yura hissed.
"It's not my fault your name garnishes weight throughout the land! You got easily distracted and almost caused your own death! What if Rikuo and I were just mere humans and you were the only one to protect us!"
Yura stood silent. She's right… I can't jeopardize their lives. I need to train more…
"Tomoe, that was a little too… harsh," said Rikuo breaking the silence.
"No, she's right. I need to train more…" Yura's head hung low.
"No, what you need Yura is to fight intelligently. You need to be able to know what are the weaknesses and strengths of the youkai you face, in order to twitch it into your advantage… even trick them if necessary. That whatever you do they don't see it coming."
Yura just stared dumbfounded at Tomoe, who had turned into her human self. Her eyes where kind once again, not the deadly, cold stare her youkai could give. For some reason what Tomoe said reminded her of Ryuuji. That prick…
Just when Rikuo was to say something, they heard some groaning and movement coming from behind them. The rest of the gang was waking up from the ordeal.
"My head hurts," said Saori.
"Mine too," continued Kana.
"Where is that beautiful youkai who saved our lives?" asked Kiyotsugu.
"She's gone," said Yura. Tomoe looked at her, Yura nodded back. Tomoe mouthed a 'thank you.'
"I think we've had enough scare for one night, it's time to go home."
Tomoe turned around to see Rikuo had turned back into his human self. She marveled at how his handsome, manly face turned back into that of a teenager. For the first time, Tomoe looked at Rikuo with some sort of admiration.
"Yatogami-san, why are you blushing?" asked Natsumi.
"Eeehhh! No, I'm not blushing!" Tomoe said as she covered her face ashamed. Because of that, her face became even redder, if possible. Oh god… please make it stop…
Tomoe lifted her face from her hands just to see Rikuo walking pass her with a smirk on his face. She looked away. Goddamn you Rikuo…!
"So what happened last night? You came home past midnight?" asked Rihan as he walked behind Rikuo.
"That does not concern you," said Rikuo with a smile.
What the hell is this bastard hiding? Rihan gave his younger brother warily eyes.
"Hm," was his only response.
"How are you two boys doing this morning?" Yohime gave her sons a big smile. They smiled back.
"I'm doing well, mother," answered Rikuo as he sat next to his brother.
"As for me, the same," said Rihan.
"I heard you handled a youkai bust at an abandoned building last night," stated Nurarihyon as he sipped some tea.
"As a matter of fact, I did… with some help."
This got all their attention. "What do you mean with some help?" asked Rihan.
"Your 'lady' appeared last night," said Rikuo as he began to dig into his breakfast.
"Who's this 'lady'?" asked Yohime.
"A female youkai who resembles someone coming from above… she appeared in our town a couple of days ago," answered Rihan, in some kind of daze.
"A youkai that is not from our clan, just appeared out of thin air and I am finding about this now?!"
Both Rikuo and Rihan looked at each other, then at their father. The Lord of Pandemonium was not very glad that this kind of news passed over him.
"She's very slippery and it's hard to get her to say a word," Rihan blabbered.
"Sound like she's one of us," Yohime intervened.
"No, she isn't, she's different," said Rikuo.
"Then what the hell was she doing in that abandoned building?" asked Rihan.
"I don't know," Rikuo shrugged.
He knows more than he's telling, thought Rihan.
"I want you two to find out where's she hiding and what's her business in our town," said Nurarihyon.
"Will do."
Tomoe sat at her school desk looking away. Her wandering thoughts were interrupted by Saori.
"Is everything ok, Tomoe-chan?"
"Yes, sorry..." she shook her head, "How do you do today, Maki-san?"
"I'm good, but last night was a bit of a scare, wasn't it?"
"It was," Tomoe responded, sighing. Rikuo and Yura caught me. They know my secret; how long will it be 'til they all find out. A feeling of longing wrapped around her and soon enough her thoughts where flooded with that dark haired man and the yamabuki petals. She sighed heavily. It's been a while since I had had those…
"You sure you're ok, Tomoe-chan?"
"Yeah, I'm probably tired." Tomoe gave her a weak smile.
Yura walks into the room and takes her seat. She looks over at Tomoe who's again wandering at the window.
At lunchtime, the gang walks up to the rooftop to eat. They were all happily conversing and recounting last night's event.
"Yatogami-san, you haven't yet said a word. Is everything all right?" asked Kiyotsugu.
"Stop asking me if I'm fine, I'm fine for crying out loud!" she crumpled her paper lunch bag and walked away.
"I'll go talk to her," Rikuo stood up and went after her.
"Why does Rikuo have to go after her?" asked Kana.
"What's up with her?" asked Shima.
"Leave her alone, she must have had a big scare last night," Yura intervened.
All of them stared at her surprised. They all know she hasn't been fond of the new girl from the beginning, but after last night Yura believes she doesn't mean wrong. At least, for now…
Rikuo found her sitting under a tree near the gym. He sat beside her. They both stayed silent of a moment.
"How do you do it?"
"What? Come again?" the question startled Rikuo.
"How do you do it? How can you be both youkai and human, and act so naturally in both worlds?" Tomoe asked.
"I honestly don't know, but it took me a while to figure it out… I know how you feel, Tomoe-chan."
She lowered her head, "I don't want them to hate me; Yura already hates me as it is…"
"Nobody will hate you and Yura certainly doesn't hate you."
"Thanks, Rikuo."
"No problem," he turned towards her and gave her a smile. The breeze blew softly on her hair, lifting it up a bit. Rikuo marveled at her beauty.
"Do they know? That you're a youkai, that is," Tomoe asked, breaking the silence.
"No, they don't. Only Yura… and that was because I tried to save her ass one night," they both shared a laugh. Tomoe felt good about herself. I need to quit doubting myself, it's not gonna get me anywhere…
They stared at each other for two seconds; both looked away blushing.
"Before the rest start looking for us, I think we should get going," said Tomoe as she stood up.
"Yeah, I think we should."
"Thanks again, Rikuo."
"No problem."
The week had flown by really fast. Tomoe was loaded with homework for the weekend. She had spent her whole Saturday in the library researching and studying. She woke up that Sunday with a big headache. I think I'm straining my brain a little…
She helped Inoue-sama around the house, cleaning and cooking. She waltzed around the house putting things together and even helped Inoue-sama in the garden.
"Tomoe-chan, you should go out today. Spend some time around town, do what young people do… go to the mall or something…"
Tomoe stared at her for a moment, "I… sure, I guess I have some things I want to buy."
"Yes, call up your friends, the ones from school. They are probably as bored as you. Leave the old people's work to me," Inoue gave her a small smile. She nodded back and ran up stairs to call up Kana or any of the girls.
Turns out that Kana's cousins were there for the weekend and she hadn't had time to do her homework so she won't be able to make it and she couldn't reach Torii or Maki. She thought about Yura but quickly turned the idea down knowing that Yura might be training. She sighed and decided to go by herself.
It was a little too warm that day but she knew that the cold weather would start soon enough. She wore an olive green maxi skirt and a white sleeveless muscle tee tucked under her skirt. She also had her hair up in a high bun. She carried a few bags with her. It was a successful shopping day and as any girl her age, she felt exhilarated and happy with what she bought. The only thing that could be the icing on the cake was–
"Ice cream!"
She walked towards the ice cream shop, bought some raspberry and chocolate ice cream and happily made her way back to the house. As she was licking her delicacy, she heard someone coming her way, whistling. She ignored the presence as she continued to savor her dessert. Thinking of what a good day it had being she couldn't possibly believe that something might go wrong. Until–
"Monkey face!"
What in God's name…
Tomoe looked up to see the same man she met the day the thief attacked the young girl. She scoffed and walked by passed him and decided to ignore him. This is a perfectly good day and I don't want him to ruin it!
"Oh, c'mon don't walk away," he whined, walking after her.
Oh, for the love of….
"Jeez, could you leave me alone?!"
"But why should I? You're pretty…"
Tomoe blushed and she tried to hide it but she couldn't. Goddamn him! She turned around and since Rihan was running because well, Tomoe can walk fast, he stumbled in front of her and fell on his face. He mumbled a few improprieties. While he was cleaning the dust off his face, it was Tomoe's time to laugh. She laughed so hard her ice cream cone fell off her hand. Then she started laughing harder and even crying for having wasted her ice cream.
"What's so funny? I nearly face-planked the floor!" it was Rihan's time to get mad.
Tears where flowing from her face when she saw Rihan all mad and covered in dirt. Then she looked at her ice cream melting on the floor and she couldn't stop laughing and crying.
"I haven't laughed like this in ages. Oh… my… this is hilarious!" she tried to calm herself. "I'm sorry its just that your face, you look like a little puppy how got caught up doing something naughty, all covered in dirt…" she continued to laugh, but it was lighter this time.
"I didn't do anything," Rihan whined.
"Oh c'mon don't pout, you're a good boy aren't you?" she patted him on the shoulder with a condescending voice. Rihan didn't like that one bit.
"Hey! You are the one that is laughing at me!" he said holding a fist. Tomoe got taken aback. She tried really hard not to laugh.
"If I recall correctly, you started calling me 'monkey face'!" she retorted back.
"That's because I don't know your name," Rihan said, looking away.
"It's Tomoe. And I would really appreciate it if you called me by my name and not 'monkey face.'"
"Hai, I solemnly promise not to call monkey face 'monkey face' anymore," mocked Rihan, as if taking a pledge.
"You idiot!" she shoved him and hit him with one of her bags. "Ugh! You are unbelievable!"
"And unforgettable too!" he walked after her as she walked away.
"Stop following me!" she yelled. He trailed behind her humming and whistling.
"Nope."
"No! Go away, you creep!"
"My name is not 'creep,' its Rihan," he stated.
Tomoe suddenly stopped, turned around and stood a few inches below Rihan's face. Surprise by the proximity, Rihan inhaled sharply. Her scent was of raspberries, chocolate and kerria flowers? This caught him off guard.
"Rihan, leave me alone."
He felt his whole blood run cold. He gulped. She stepped back without taking her eyes off of his. She then turn around and walks away.
Rihan stands there with incoherent thoughts. He then decides to follow her undetected. He sees her reaching a two-story house in the corner of the street near a lamppost. While she walks in from behind the house, Rihan scurries in between the trees on the right side of the house. He watches as she goes into her room, her window has view to the front of the house, and then she walks back down for dinner. After they finished eating, she helps in the kitchen but the old woman scoots her out saying that she had done enough for the day and that she should get ready for school tomorrow. With that, Tomoe left the kitchen, dismissing herself with the old man and walked up back to her room. She closes her door and places her forehead on the wood, sighing.
"You have a pretty nice room here, Tomoe-chan."
Tomoe nearly had a heart attack and she was about to scream when suddenly Rihan was in her face with his hand on her mouth.
"Are you going to scream?" when she shook her head no, he continues, "That's more like it," and lets her go.
"What are you doing in my room?! First of all, how did you get in without anybody noticing?" How could he have passed without me noticing other presence in the house? What if he's here to murder us? Oh god what have I done?
Sensing her uneasiness, he says: "I'm not here to hurt you." And for whatever reason, Tomoe believed him. Till this day, Tomoe doesn't understand why.
He was sitting on the edge of her desk. She sat on her bed facing him. "Then what is it that you want?"
"Nothing. Just to talk to you," he said nonchalantly.
"Right, 'cause after this little stunt that you pulled tonight, I'm definitely going to talk to you," she said folding her arms.
"C'mon on Tomoe, I like to enjoy the company of beautiful women."
Now that she looked him up closely, he was very handsome. So handsome that if it wasn't because she was mad she would've thrown herself over him. Tomoe, don't think such things…
Her face became red and she heard him chuckle, which made her even more red and mad.
"Stop it!"
"I haven't done anything!" he whined.
She looked at him and found herself getting calmer. "How did you get in?"
"By the window," he pointed towards the open window.
"That window was closed before I left, besides there are no signs of forced entry so how did you get in?"
Rihan thought, this girl is good. I can't fool around with her…
"Through the window."
"Rihan don't bullshit me, how did you get in?"
He loved the way his name sounded coming from her mouth. Those lips…
Suddenly she felt his arm around her waist. Before she realizes where she is, she feels the cool breeze on her hair. Rihan undid her bun and said, "Yeah, this is better." Tomoe felt her face burn. That's when she saw that she was standing outside, on the roof of her house. She nearly let out a scream, if it wasn't for Rihan how put his hand on her mouth.
"WHAT. HOW THE HELL. BUT… WHAT! HOW?"
She nearly lost her footing, Rihan had to grab her closer to his body. A sense of ease and overwhelming power emanated for this man. That's when she noticed that his black hair was not on a low ponytail anymore but in a gravity-defying mode. Just like…
"Oh my God!"
"What is it, Tomoe?"
"You… you are a youkai!"
"Yes, I am," he said, holding her tighter.
He's related to Rikuo. He's the man in my dreams, the one with the golden eyes… this can't be! But why do I feel so sad? For no reason, she felt her heart flutter and sinking at the same time. The breeze blew a little stronger as they both held each other. That's when Rihan noticed the scent of yamabuki flowers.
"Yamabuki," he whispered with such longing Tomoe almost teared up.
Rihan grabs her by the shoulder and looks down at her. His face utters confusion and desire. His eyes show sadness. For a moment Tomoe felt that their feelings connected.
She clears her throat and says, "Rihan, please bring me back to my room."
"Yeah, sure," his voice sounded as if he was about to cry.
In less than two seconds, Tomoe was back in her room. With a nod, Rihan stood at the windowsill and jumped out. Tomoe inhaled sharply and fell on her bed.
I can't believe this! He and Rikuo were the ones following me when I was going after the Garo… his youki is incredible… I think they can help with my investigation but… why was I so sad?
With these thoughts, Tomoe changed into her pajamas and lay in bed.
Rihan…
Awww, sad tears. I will post chapter 12 soon! but not before someone reviews this one... so don't be afraid! Write something!