Gekko no Senshi (Moonlight Warrior)

A/N: So great to be home for the holidays with my family. Makes me feel like a child again ;) I know I haven't posted in a while so here's a Christmas present for all my readers, you guys rock! U can give me a gift (I love gifts, I mean who doesn't) by posting a comment or reviewing my story! Not so hard... :) Ok, hope you enjoy your Holidays and hope you guys like the little surprise :)

Chapter 20

She is so beautiful when she sleeps, Rihan thought as he watched her chest go up and down, and how every now and then she will blow a puff, mumble something unintelligible and then go back to breathing peacefully. She's so cute when…

"Hmm, eh?"

He chuckled as Tomoe was mumbling something on her sleep. But in between her mumbles she said something that caught Rihan's attention,

"No… he…can't know… Rihan."

What can't I know? Rihan had that thought nagging on the back of his mind. Dawn was about to break. He could do two things: leave and make her wonder where or why he left, or he could just stay… silly me, I already know what I want…

He continued to cuddle with her with that nagging thought. I have the feeling that she's withholding something from me… some big secret that Rikuo seems to know. Even if I torture him to tell me, he'll die before betraying a friend. How commendable of him…

As he sustained that thought, Tomoe started stirring, fluttering her eyes as she woke up. Rihan marveled at such beauty. Even when she wakes up she takes my breath away…

She looked up to see his big golden eyes staring back at her. He lowered his head, planting a soft kiss on her lips. It tasted like glory.

"Morning beautiful," he silvered.

She chuckled, "Morning handsome."

He kisses her again and said, "Breakfast?"

"Sure, I'm famished," she said, playing with his hair.

"Eh? For food or something else?" he smirked.

She playfully hit him in the arm, "For food, of course! Lewd aren't we?"

"Oh you make me naughty," he finished as he started tickling her. She immediately broke into hysterics. After they both finished the tickling war (she fought but she obviously lost), they got up and prepared breakfast; well… Tomoe made it, he just stared at her moving and dancing around the kitchen tiles like some dog salivating over raw meat.

After he was done ogling her and she was done with breakfast, she asked Rihan to set the table. Tomoe was a little annoyed that he didn't lift a finger to help and just stood there watching her. What a spoiled brat! And he even dared to call me one yesterday! I bet he even has his food brought to his room 'cause he's too lazy to get up from that flat behind of his…. Ugh! So annoying! Why am I even thinking about his behind? Tomoe shook her head after getting all flustered from her indecorous thoughts.

When she was bringing the rice bowls over to the table, she gasped as she noticed Rihan in his human form. So undeniably sexy and beautiful, but he seemed rather fragile; like a regular boy with striking good looks, of course.

Breakfast was very uneventful. He complemented on her cooking and assured her that she would make a good addition to his family. Tomoe hoped he was joking but he seemed rather serious. She sweatdropped as he continued poking on the matter. After they were done, Rihan turned on the TV meanwhile Tomoe turned on the kettle for tea. As the local news was rolling in, something caught their attention:

"Breaking news from Yamagata Prefecture, the towns of Kahoku and Nishikawa from the Nishimurayama district where violently attacked yesterday by unknown forces. The same occurred in the towns of Yokohama, Tohoku and Oirase of the Kamikata district on the Aomori Prefecture. Also several disappearances have being reported, with the townsmen claiming this is the works of 'youkai.'" Rihan and Tomoe both gasped at this. "The government has veraciously denied the existence of this creatures though the people…"

Rihan turned around to look at Tomoe who stood there stone cold. The horror in her eyes made it clear for Rihan that he had to do something about it. He quickly transformed into his youkai and was on her side in a blur. Tomoe held on to his arm as she continued to watch the news.

"That bitch… she doesn't die… she just evolves into something more wicked than the devil himself," she said in a daze. Her body trembled as if it where to begin convulsing. Rihan drew her to himself, trying to calm her down. She looks up to him and whispers,

"We need to do something, we can't let anymore people die…"

"Don't worry… we'll-

They where interrupting by the ring of a phone. Rihan's left pocket was buzzing. He picked his cellphone to see his brother's call, making him mumble an unintelligible curse.

"Perfect timing, you asswipe…" Tomoe hit him in the arm, "Ouch!"

"I know you're with Tomoe, put me on speaker," Rikuo answered, ignoring him. Rihan did as told, rolling his eyes.

"I bet you saw the news," Rikuo continued. Both Tomoe and Rihan acceded. "They'll be moving down south anytime in the next few weeks… Rihan, bring Tomoe to the main house immediately, we'll talk more when you guys get here," Rikuo concluded, ending the call.

"Very bossy, isn't he?" Tomoe smirked.

Rihan scoffed, saying: "I'll teach him who's the boss here."

"Ok, we'll have to go. I need to shower and change, wait down here," Tomoe said, walking towards the stairs.

A playful glint appeared in Rihan's eyes, "Can I come and watch?"

"OF COURSE NOT!" Tomoe yelled. "Don't do anything fishy or I'll kill you!" she growled. Rihan just laughed, plummeting on the couch turning towards the TV.

Half hour later Tomoe reemerged, looking freshened up. Rihan on the other hand, seemed as gorgeous as always, annoying the hell out of Tomoe. She saw that he changed the channel to cartoons, laughing like a little kid. Something inside of Tomoe was building that she did not understand. The sense of normality… something she never had, well she did but it was taken away from her a long time ago. She felt she could have that with Rihan. How can I love someone so much? I've never felt like this before… wait! Did I just admit… love?

"Hey, you're done!" Rihan chirped, taking her away from her thoughts. He turned off the TV, getting up and walks towards her. She was wearing a stripped blue/white sweater with black skort and black over the knee socks with black combat boots. She gave him a weak smile.

"We should get going before your brother calls again," she said.

-0-

"Oh c'mon!" said Tomoe.

"Listen, for once I agree with the asshat…" Rihan counteracted.

Yohime interrupted, "Watch it boy."

He continued, "He has a point; we can't have you running around the city just like that…"

"What you are suggesting is to lock myself in a house full of youkai!" she reacted. Her human nature and youkai, of course, refused to be ordered around.

"Tomoe, that way we can protect you," Nurarihyon intervened. Most of the time he'd let the two parties battle it up till there's nothing left but he had grown fond of the girl. Though he sensed that there was more to her than just a puny human. She had some sort of 'great strength' stored in her, like Gyuki put out. He felt he needed to watch her closely.

"I don't need to be protected!" she insisted.

"Oh here we go again," Rikuo said, giving up.

"Rikuo," she growled. Tsurara knocked and opened the door to bring some more tea. Tomoe calmed down a bit.

"Guys, I have a family that has taken me in. I can't just up and leave them. What am I going to say? 'Oh, I have to go 'cause there's a massive youkai army coming down from the north and its about to destroy the whole country so I need to lock myself up in a house full of youkai!' That's preposterous!"

"She does have a point," said Yohime. Rihan face-palmed.

"When will they be coming back?" asked Rihan.

"Monday morning," answered Tomoe.

"Ok, how about you stay here today and tomorrow, go to school with Rikuo on Monday and then you'll be back at your place that same day. We can have some of our people around to make sure you guys are well protected," Rihan suggested.

After some thought, Tomoe relented. "Fine."

"Good then," Rihan said. It was very weird to see Rihan so serious. Tomoe had to do a double take. Motioning to the door, Rihan called out: "Kurotabo, Kubinashi!"

Immediately the door slid open, revealing both youkai. "Kubinashi, I know you've met Tomoe, I want you to look after her." Tomoe sweatdropped. Kubinashi nodded and bowed.

"Rihan, I don't need a bodyguard," Tomoe insisted.

"This is out of the question, Tomoe. He will be your bodyguard and that's that. I am entrusting my best man to your care, we will not argue about this!" Rihan argued and pleaded at the same time. Tomoe wanted to yell back but it would only make matter worse. She kept her cool, which was something strange for Tomoe.

"Tsurara," he called out. The ice maiden walked in. "Yes, master."

"For all the other female needs that Kubinashi cannot attend to, you'll be in charge," he ordered.

"Yes master," She bowed. Tomoe sweatdropped again. So much attention, really?

"Rihan," she began. "It's only two days…"

His aura changed. "I am giving the orders, you do not refute…" the whites of his eyes changed to black.

Why is he getting so mad at her for, thought Rikuo. He knows he had to intervene.

"Brother, let her be," Rikuo said, putting a hand on Rihan's back. This only made matters worse.

Rihan in a lightning flash turned around and grabbed Rikuo by the collar. The latter turned into his youkai self. Both parents sighed. Tomoe stood up.

He has to know, Tomoe pleaded with herself. I can't let him get angry with everyone… even if he hates me afterwards for lying to him. I'd rather have that happen than have him kill his brother… he has a family, something that I don't… I can't have him turn against them on his anger…

The voice within her said, Very well…

"Rihan," she walked over, head held high. Nurarihyon sensed something different in her.

"Put your brother down," she ordered. Rihan's eyes turned back to normal, but clearly he was still angry. She gave him a cold look. Something inside him stirred.

"Tomoe, don't do this," Rikuo pleaded. She nodded.

"I am not leaving until you two tell me what's going on!" Rihan yelled. "What is this secret the two of you have being hiding from me!" he turns towards his brother, "and you are going to tell me," Rihan growled.

With determination and no hint of fear, Rikuo said, "I am not the one to tell you."

Rihan became so mad that without a warning, he threw Rikuo outside, making the latter slam his back against the cherry tree. Rihan invoked Kyokasuigetsu, appearing right in front of Rikuo, slamming his fist on the other's abdomen.

"Rihan!" everyone yelled in unison.

"TELL ME! Are you two lovers! Do you love her? Tell me, dammit!" Rihan yelled, punching Rikuo in his face. What made it worse was that Rikuo did not defend himself, making him even angrier 'cause it meant that he was hiding or covering something for Tomoe.

It didn't make sense for Tomoe. Why would he get this angry over nothing? Why would Rikuo not defend himself? What the hell is going on?

"Boy, stop this madness!" yelled Nurarihyon. Everyone gasped for they knew he was not one to lose his temper. Yohime had tears in her eyes. All the inhabitants of the house had gone outside to see what was happening, freaking them out.

"Rihan! Stop!" Tomoe screamed. "Stop it! Leave your brother alone!"

"Don't defend this bastard!" Rihan growled, still throwing punches at Rikuo. "I always knew he had a thing for you!"

"Goddammit Rihan! That's not it!" she yelled back. With nothing left to do, she let out her left hand, making her naginata materialize. Louder gasps where heard.

In a flash, Tomoe flew by Rikuo's side. Still in midair, she held her naginata at Rihan. Seeing this, Rihan drops Rikuo to the floor, making the latter cough. Tsurara ran to his side.

"Do it again and I'll have your throat cut open," her voice changed from high pitched to a soft velvet. Rihan's eyes grew like saucers. The wind was blowing making her hair move dramatically, her eyes where as blue as the moon. The coldness emanating from them was such that a shudder ran through his spine.

"You-

Tomoe…

…she's the Moonlight Warrior