AN: Okay, the story progresses. At first, I thought I should focus more on the Yokai side of things. But there's no way I can have a story of Nurarihyon no Mago without humans. So this is a slower chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in association with Nurarihyon.
….
Control
…
"I thought you told me to use you as my weapon!" Rikuo shouted across the training ground. "You're the daughter of a high goddess, don't you tell me that you can't fight."
In the basement of the Nurarihyon mansion there was a training arena. It was the same one that Rikuo has utilized through the summer before Sanmoto Gorozeamon's play for power came to his attention, training with the Tono Clans heir, Itaku. It had been long rebuilt and re-enforced with charms and the best craftsmanship to try to limit the amount of damage that it took.
In the middle stood the Kitsune, looking like a kicked puppy, dressed in a soft red kimono that Wakana had given her, although Rikuo couldn't help but notice that she had cut it short at some point so her tails would not get caught up in the fabric. Around them, a few curious members of the Nura Clan had gathered to watch – Zen, Shoeii, Aotaba, Kurotabo, Kubinashi and Tsurara. Although the later was here on order from her Young Master, just incase something caught on fire.
Rikuo would never admit that he liked having the Yuki-On'na nearby. Well, not in his day form anyway. His night self was sometimes too blunt for his own good.
Kasai no Koneko tried to make herself look smaller then she really was, trying her very best to melt into the ground. "I can….fight. I just… I lose control easily." She muttered under her breath, looking at her toes.
"I know you do." The Young Master chuckled, holding up his left arm that still held the remnants of the day in the abandoned temple. "But that's why we're here. If you're gonna be part of my Hyakki-Yako I need to know what you're capable of."
There was a soft, low whine. He saw the Kitsune look across to Tsurara helplessly. He was amused by this. Despite the shaky introduction, in the week that they had known her, the Kitsune had taken quiet affectionately to the snow-haired maiden, though this could be because of Tsurara's nurturing personality. Kasai seemed to crave it.
"You'll be okay, Koneko-san." Tsurara sung happily, beaming at her. She turned her head lightly at Rikuo, sticking out her tongue teasingly. "He's a push over."
The Lord of Pandemonium raised his eyebrow at her as Kasai giggled, but noticed that the new comer instantly relaxed, her tails coming up and twitching. "Okay. Okay. I can do this."
She took a deep breath, drawing herself up for a moment, steeling herself. Then, as if she too had a second personality, her entire being seemed to change.
Her eyes became entirely devoid of white, simply the molten gold , glimmering with a strange sheen, like the flames of her Fear were reflecting on them. The gold markings over her body seemed to glow light, or possibly shine. He could see her ears lengthening, incisors like fangs hanging over her lower lips like a dog. He half expected her to become a lot more wolf like, but the transformation seemed to end there. Kind of.
Several wisps of gold fires popped up around her and began circling her slowly. Rikuo glanced down to her hands where fire was forming into what looked like weapons, much like how Tsurara utilized her ice to form spears and glaives. At first, it was a staff, made of pure gold flame, then a dagger, lengthening into a katana, then suddenly dispersing.
He should have been watching her, because when she moved, he was faster then he ever expected her to be. One moment, he was wondering what weapon she would settle on, then suddenly, he was knocked off his feet as a wild Kitsune smashed into him, a ball of fire in her hand, apparently trying to stuff it into his throat. He could hear Kasai snarling, a rapid wolf bearing down on her prey.
He rolled back, bringing up his foot as she bore down on him and digging it into her stomach and pushing her up and over him, kicking her over, and behind him before dancing to his feet. He didn't mean it, but the kick had sent her smashing into the wall, causing Kubinashi to scatter away.
Rikuo moved to help her up, but it was like he had awoken a sleeping monster. As he took a step forward, several balls of fire came flying at him wildly, forcing him to fall back away from her, dodging the wild throws easily. But the projectiles where just a distraction. He recovered, only to find a blade of fire coming down towards him in a wide arch, Kasai's snarl screaming in his ears. Instinctively, he brought up his sword to counter the sloppy strike, expecting for some reason for the fire blade to be solid.
He was wrong.
The fire cut straight through the sword like it was butter. If it wasn't for the fact that the strike was completely untrained, he wouldn't have dodged it. As it was, he lept backwards, but not until he felt the tip of Kasai's weapon sink in through his skin, searing the flesh in a shallow, but long gash.
There was a uncertain scream from somewhere amongst the observing Yokai as Rikuo pulled back as far as he could from the berserk Kitsune, panting, cursing himself. He had been caught completely offguard, and it wasn't even a serious fight… at least, he didn't mean it to be. His chest where she had cut him was screaming for his attention, but he tried to focus, readying himself for the next attack, his eyes narrowing on Kasai. In his day form, he had no hope of defending against this attack.
The attack never came. Instead, the fires had dispersed around her, and a tearful look was on her face as she stared at the long gash that she had made along his chest. "Oh no…" Her eyes darted worriedly to Tsurara, who had covered her face behind her sleeves, unable to watch. He had given them specific orders not to intervene, and by the looks of the tense looks on everyones face, it had been a hard order to follow.
Rikuo straightened up, laughing, trying to lighten the atmosphere but failed when pain seared though his chest. Coughing for breath, he reached down to new wound on his chest. It was shallow, but the heat from her Fear had sealed it from bleeding as it cut through. Around the gash, his skin was blistered and melted painfully in places. Strangely, it didn't hurt to touch. The fire had burnt through his pain receptors in his skin. It literally killed the nerves sensors.
"Wow." He laughed, feeling the Yokai around him relax, one by one as he laughed. "That was… unexpected."
Kasai let out a pathetic whine and trotted over to him. "Oh Izamani, forgive me." She cried, her ears flat on her head, her golden eyes back to normal. Timidly, she reached out to him. "Uh… Uh… I… May I?"
"Hmm?" He cocked his head, looking over to Zen who was already preparing bandages for the wound. He heard Tsurara gasp, calling Kasai's name out worriedly, and Rikuo turned his back at her, and almost threw himself backwards. Within the few moments he had been distracted, the Kitsune had become completely encased in fire. White fire. "Oi, oi, oi! What are you doing, that's dangerous!"
"Sit still." Koneko said bluntly, pushing her hand onto his chest.
Rikuo swallowed the girly scream that he felt coming to his throat, trying his hardest to do as she said and hold still. He closed his eyes as suddenly her hand was pushed against his chest, expecting the same searing pain that he associated with fire. But, like before, the pain never came, just a strange tingling where the gash was. Slowly, he opened his eyes to stare at her.
Kasai was muttering softly under her breath, her brows knotted together in concentration. Her other hand came up, pushing her kimono aside from her chest. He saw that, like Kejoro and Tsurara, she bond her body with tight bandages, but it didn't stop him from blushing at the exposure. Her hand pressed against her own chest, mirrored to where the cut was. He watched as, slowly, her skin broke, gold fire burning a shallow gash down across her chest, blood staining the areas that were covered by the bandages.
He looked down to his chest. The gash was disappeared before his eyes, and appeared on the woman before him.
"You heal?" He breathed in shock as Kasai pulled away from him, panting gently as her fires died away. "But.. that's not possible. How?"
Kasai tugged her kimono back over her shoulder, blushing under his gaze, refusing to meet it. Shrugging, she looked down at her feet, kicking them on the ground. "I can only do physical wounds like that one." She murmured, taking a few steps, uncomfortable with their closeness. "I take them onto myself. It hurts."
"The wolf girl fights like a beserker." Aotaba observed lazily, leaning heavily against the wall, one large hand resting on Tsurara's head.
Kurotabo frowned lightly, tipping his kasa back so his dark eyes could focus onto the Kitsune. "A berserker and a healer. What a strange combination."
Zen appeared at Kasai side, grabbing her by her arms, making her scream softly as the bird Yokai glared down at her. "Show me!" He demanded, firmly.
Kasai squeaked, leaning as far as she could from the scruffy haired man, a low whine in her throat. Rikuo ignored the two, moving over to Tsurara, who had gathered a tray of cool water, her hands shaking as she presented them. He smiled at her, taking a chilled glass and taking a deep drink.
Tsurara looked up to him, her big eyes soft. "You scared me. You should've done this at night. You're not that against elementals."
Rikuo scoffed, flicking her lightly on the forehead as he took another drink, enjoying the cute face that she made at the action. "You have such little faith in me, Tsurara. She just caught me off guard."
"Koneko-san ruined your favourite sword. Now we will have to forge a new one." She reminded him, a dark look on her face. "That, or ask Hagoromo-sama for it."
The young master swore, looking at the broken sword in his hand. "Awwaaaaahhh shii-"
"AAAH TSURARA-SAAAN!"
Rikuo turned to see Zen had pulled the kitsunes kimono back down her shoulders, despite her struggles, ready to bandage the wound on her chest.
But it was gone.
"Holy.." Zen breathed, shocked, letting the struggling girl go. She immediately sped away, hiding herself behind Tsurara and Rikuo. "She regenerates aswell!"
Koneko let out an angry cry. "Of course I can. Do you think I would take on a wound if I can't heal myself? Do you think I'm stupid?"
Rikuo frowned a little at her. "You really are powerful. Can you do that all the time?"
She blushed, and shook her head, leaning herself bodily against Tsurara's back. "No. I can't heal when I'm attacking, and I can't defend when I'm healing. My fire will stop bleeding on the go, but only by cauterizing. But I can only do open cuts."
Tsurara, turned about to pat down the kitsunes ruffled hair and wipe away her tears, calming her with soft words. Rikuo watched them for the longest moment, lost in thought. She could have killed him. Or at least, she could have killed him as he is now. And she wasn't a trained warrior, wild with her attacks and defence. She quakes easily under pressure, and obviously, when snapped back to herself, broke easily. He wondered, was what he saw her true form? And if it's not, if there was more power to be awaken there, just how far could would she push to bring victory?
And if that's the case, what was the enemy like? Amaterasu made out that they were soldiers, bred for war and used to leadership. He chewed on the bottom of his lip, blocking out the noise his companions were making around him, remembering the reports that the crows had brought him the morning after his birthday celebration, almost a week ago.
His phone rang, bringing him back into the present. Surprised, he brought it to his ear.
"Nura-kun! Where are you?!" Kana's voice screamed through the speaker, sounding pissed. "You were supposed to be at school an hour ago, idiot."
His eyes widened. "AH FUCK." Rikuo yelled, looking at Tsurara, panicked. "We're late for class. Tell sensei we'll be there soon, family problems." He blurted out, grabbing at Tsurara wrist and dragging her up the stairs as he pocketed his phone. "You too, Aotaba!"
"EH?!" Tsurara yelped, her eyes wide. "What about Koneko-san, Master Rikuo?"
"Ah fuck." He let her go, flying down the corridor to his room "Shove her into a uniform and bring her with us!"
….
The casinos staff members were in shambles. They had never before received such a high notoriety person before, and to be honest, they had never thought that they would. There were plenty other beautiful hotels in the area that were used to this sort of thing. They didn't even have a plan of attack. Thankfully, one of the senior staff members had a good head on her shoulders, and was barking orders like a general of war.
The dark Aston Martin pulled up to the front, greeted by several members of the casino who were already bowing low.
The first person that stepped out was a handsome lithe youth. Standing tall, his short, messy hair was a strange shade of the darkest red, almost crimson in colour, like dried blood. He had a sharp, handsome facial features, but looked like he hadn't shaven in a day, with a dark five o'clock shadow. Dark blue eyes were playful as he greeted the hotel staff with a jovial grin, white teeth glinting in the light. He was dressed smartly, a tailored black pants, his buttoned expensive black shirt had crimson embodied with what looked like a Komainu rampant.
He bowed to the staff, before turning about and opening the back passenger door.
"Her Ladyship Asami Yudoku-sama, High Priestess and escort to Lord Katsuro." The red-head announced loudly, bowing low as a young woman elegantly stepped out of the car.
She was stunning, holding an air of elegance about her that made men's hearts throb just looking at her. Her skin looked like rich olive toned skin, which was emphasised by the silk red halter neck dress, its low cut showing ample cleavage, yet so long that it pooled like red water at her feet. Long, curly black hair bounced over her shoulders as she gazed about, a disinterested gaze in shockingly emerald eyes.
She glanced at the bowing man, made a disgusted look at him, and began walking towards the casino. The red head straightened up, watching her leave.
"She reaaaaally hates me, sir." He said absently. There was a booming laugh from the car as the second passenger stepped out, straightening up, beaming in the light.
This man, Katsuro Mikoto, was a mountain compared to the red head. Black spiky hair feel to his broad shoulders, muscles seemed to bulge from his casual, button up white shirt. When he spoke, his voice was load, deep, but well spoken, educated. Deep blue sapphire eyes gleamed, but they looked darker then the red-haired mans, like the stormy seas, a violent sheen behind the darkness.
"Of course not, Myo!" He cheered, slapping the red head on the shoulder, almost knocking him off his feet. "I really wish you weren't so formal in public. You're never like this at home."
The red head grinned cheekily. "Your old man would kill me if I didn't."
"Huh." Katsuro scratched at his clean shaven chin lightly. "Which one?"
A dark frown creased Myo's usual cheery face; he straightened up, turning away from his Master. "Which ever gets me first, sire. Other then my imminent death, would you like anything else from me?"
Katsuro smirked, watching the casino's staff cluster around the car, collecting baggage for transport to their rooms. "How are our men handling the new area?"
Myo shrugged wistfully, walking with his master towards the entrance, tossing the keys to the car at a chauffeur as he went. "Despite my Lords prominent position, we have little strength… at least, compare to that of the Nura clan." He pulled out a smartphone from his pocket, and glanced at the screen. "Our spies tell us that things are quiet, but we haven't managed to infiltrate their main house hold. The only information we seem to be able to collect is trade dealings and commodities."
Katsuro cursed lightly. "Damnit. And what about Amaterasu's champion? How is it that we can't find them? I thought we had the best here."
Myo glanced across to his Master with raised eyebrows. "If they are still Japan?If they are anything like the stories of Amaterasu, then whoever it is has probably holed up somewhere, hiding. If you just le-"
There was a loud scream from outside, making the two men stop in their tracks, looking over their shoulders curiously. Suddenly, a massive came bounding into the casino's foyer, saliva flying through the air as he ran. It looked like a black bear pelting across the tiles, people scattering away from him as he went. A Tibetan Mastiff. Or at least, that was the closest breed that could describe the huge bulk.
Myo cursed softly. "I forgot that he was in the car with you two. Heeeeeeyyy, puppy."
The dog pushed past the red head forcibly, coming to a sudden halt in front of Katsuro, who looked down at it absently. Lightly, he rubbed the mastiff's soft ears, ignoring the way it slobbered over his arm. "Good boy, Hiroto. Go find Asami." The dark haired master looked over to Myo, who was watching him, waiting for his orders. "It wouldn't matter. We have nothing on the champion. No. We need to take out the Nura clan first. Then we start knocking out the Sun Temples. I don't think Amaterasu would let her kid sit around while we cause wanton destruction."
Myo scratched his head lightly. "The Nura clan protects minor deities that inhabit the shrines around here, but we're only after the sun temples, right?"
"Do what you must, Kyuket." Katsuro called, waving him off dismissively as he moved towards the elevator, where Amami and Hiroto waited. "Oh, and why not make some time for us to check out that gambling house."
A dark smile danced across the red heads lips. "I booked the presidential suit for you and the lady, sire. I will be sleeping in the room opposite. "
There was a booming laugh from his masters retreating back. "You're such a good servant! But such an bad liar. I know you never sleep."
Myo Kyuket grumbled lightly about noisy masters, before turning on his heel to head for the administration desk. Such was life when serving Master Katsuro Mikoto.
The secreted bastard son of Sasanoo. Soon to be Master of all Spirits.
And the heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
…
"Forgive us, Sensei!" Tsurara and Rikuo chimed together, bowing low just within the threshold of the classroom. Behind them, Kasai stood, having had a crash course in showing herself as human from Tsurara as she could. It seemed like, once shown, the kitsune picked up on such tricks easily, her tails dispersed, her hair now a caramel blond, her gold eyes now a strange brown.
Though, even in her human form, the Yokai hid behind Tsurara shyly under everyones gaze.
"Oh?" The teacher seemed surprised to see them, but his eyes moved to the strange, new face curiously. "And who is this?"
"Ah!" Rikuo grinned widely, gripping the girls wrist and pulling her in front of him. "This is Koneko-san. She is.. uh.."
Kasai bowed lowly, her face flushed. "I'm sorry, sensei. I am a shrine maiden from Honshu. My mother was a friend of Wakana-sama, but she passed away recently. I have been entrusted to the Nura household until I am old enough until I am old enough to attend university."
Rikuo gapped at her, glancing back at Tsurara as if to question her about the sudden alias. The Yuki-On'na just shrugged, looking just as confused as he was.
"Oh-oh! From the Ise Grand Shrine? How odd! Miko aren't usually common these days." The teacher beamed happily, gesturing them to take a seat. "You can take a seat near Tsurara. I trust the office knows of your arrival?"
Rikuo took over here, since she was technically his charge. "My mother would have called this morning. There was a bit of family problems this morning, but I think everything is in order."
The day wore on.
Kasai, who had only her mother's teachings and her observations in the previous year was completely overwhelmed by the school work. Math dumbfounded her, and if it wasn't for copying off Tsurara's she would never have completed it in time to give it back to the teacher. Chemistry was a little better, but Tsurara had abandoned her for a 'different class', leaving her following Rikuo like a lost puppy. It didn't help that humans kept surrounding her and cornering her at every opportune moment, fascinated by the new fair with such fair hair.
The lunch bell rang finding her hanging off Tsurara's arms, with the human teenagers by the names of Natsumi Torii and Saori Maki were escorting her about, asking her boundless questions, all of them she could not answer without tripping on her words. Tsurara just gave her kind smiles and squeezed her hand whenever she managed to scramble though a question without raising suspicion.
Finally, Tsurara saved her blundering, looking back at the close friends curiously. "The Paranormal Squad is meeting as usual, right?"
Saori nodded enthusiastically, her blond bangs bouncing as she walked. "Kiyotsugu is planning a trip for us to go on through the summer. His family private residence near the coast."
Natsumi grinned at her friend widely. "Yknow what that means."
"Beach!" They both sung together cheerfully. The sight made Tsurara giggle, where as Kasai made a face. Water wasn't exactly her favourite thing in the world.
The yuki-on'na smiled at them softly. "He maybe stubborn about Yokai, but at least Kiyotsugu makes things interesting for you guys."
Saori gave a wistful sigh. "He's rich, and he looks amazing. He is graduating this year." She said, her eyes dreamy. "What will I do? Maybe I should ask him out."
Maki chuckled wickedly, her eyes darting to Tsurara with a teasing glint. "Too bad he's almost as oblivious as Nura-kun."
"Yeaaaah." Saori mirrored her friends wicked grin, light brown eyes levelling on the Ice Yokai. "Poor Kana."
"Poor Tsurara, more like it!" Natsumi laughed heartidly. Kasai watched at the Yuki-On'nas face went beat red, not quite understanding the reason why. Innocently, the kitsune looked back to the two giggling girls in silence.
Tsurara gave them a wicked smile. "Rikuo-sama wouldn't know what to do with a lady to save his life. " She purred lightly, her pace picking up the smallest amount, tugging Kasai along forcibly. "Kana-chan will do him good. A little girl like her might prepare him a little for when he finally tries his hand at a real woman."
There was a chorus of fierce laughter from the two friends. Niether of them noticed the drop in temperature and the way Koneko's breath misted coldly, since she was the closest to the Yuki-On'na.
"Speaking of which," Tsurara continued coldly, her eyes dead ahead. "Where is Kana at anyway?"
"Hmm, already at the meeting. We're the last ones." The blond human said happily. "We have a free period for the rest of the day. Today's meeting is out in the courtyard."
Tsurara almost dragged Koneko off her feet as she moved through the corridors. When they finally caught up with the others Rikuo was bent over a laptop, with Kiyotsugu hanging over his shoulder pointing at something on the screen. To the kitsunes relief, the temperature returned to normal as they slowed down.
She still had no idea what was going on.
Rikuo looked up and smiled widely at them as the girls came in close. Kana Ienaga was on the other side of Kiyotsugu, seated cross legged on the garden wall, a book in her lap. She waved at them in greeting.
"Guess what, you two!" Rikuo said, not bothering to hide the excitement in his voice as he straightened up. "It's the beginning of some sort of festival tomorrow."
Kasai cocked her head lightly. "Fest….ival?" She struggled out.
"Master, do you really-" Tsurara started worriedly, glancing over to Kasai, as if reminding him of the impending war.
"Hush, Tsurara, why not? Y'know how much I like festivals." He chuckled softly, smiling widely.
The ice Yokai made a face at him. "You never remember them; your other self usually drinks too much." She said, moving to sit on the grass under a large Momiji tree by Kiyotsugus table. The comment caused a snigger of laughter from Natsumi and Saori.
Kana looked up from her book to Rikuo, who looked dejected at the snide reply from his personal aid. "I would love to go to that. I hear they will have fireworks."
"We should all go." Shima said calmly from his place on the table, picking through a box of sushi he brought for his lunch. "You can't tell me you all weren't thinking that anyway."
Kana beamed, her eyes meeting Rikuos, who smiled warmly at her. "That would sounds like fun."
Kiyotsugu finally looked up from the computer, laughing at his friend. "You're damn right we're all going." He announced loudly. "My family is the one throwing this thing. It's practically demanded of me to attend."
Kasai stealthily snuck up to Tsurara whilst the others were distracted and sat down beside her, melting herself into the taller girls shadow, glad that for onc-
"So is Koneko-san a Yokai too?" Kiyotsugu questioned Rikuo suddenly, his sharp blue eyes finding the girl hiding against Tsurara.
"Nothing gets past you, huh?" Rikuo chuckled lightly at his friend, relaxing against the table. "Yes. A new comer to my Hyakki-Yako. She's the fire Yokai from that temple the other day. Her mother dropped her at our doorstep as punishment."
The look Koneko gave him should have set him alight. "The humans know you're ayakashi?" she growled her question, not liking the way they were looking at her. Like she was a strange, shiny object on a pedestal.
"Unfortunately." Rikuo joked, smacking Kiyotsu on the shoulder playfully. "Now they just drag me around, finding me useful beauties such as yourself."
Kasai gave a soft whine of disapproval, and leaned more into Tsurara, wanting to go back to the Nura Mansion immediately. The Yuki-On'na glared at the boys sharply. "Don't tease her so or I'll tell them all how she ki-"
"Oi, oi, oi." Rikuo threw his hands up, immediately interrupting the Yokai with the midnight blue hair. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Tsurara giggled at him, handing the kitsune a small package of tuna and advocardo onigiri rolls before handing Rikuo a similar package. The Young Master thanked her eagerly, before moving to sit next to his human friend Kana.
"So," Rikuo smiled, handing one of his onigiri rolls to Kana, oblivious to the glare that the cook had given him. "Festival tomorrow. All of us."
Tsurara snorted. "I'll hide the sake."
….