AN: Sorry for the late updates, guys :D (Also.. You will hate me. Again. Two more chapters. Please don't stop reading. I have something very special planned D: )

Warning: Graphic violence. I had to up the rating for this chapter D:

Disclaimer: I do not own Nurarihyon no Mago

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Blood And Fire

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Thick warmth spread across the skin, oozing over his hands as he pressed down on the open wound, desperate to stop the bleeding. Big, shining eyes gazed up to him, begging him to save the life that was slipping away between his fingers.

"Koneko!" He tried to scream, but his voice failed to reach his lips. Panic was flooding every part of his body. "Koneko! Stay with me! Please, gods, don't go!"

…

The pain was excruciating. She tried her best to struggle, hands scrambling to gain a hold on the sheer ice. Nothing, her hands just slipped, hindered by cold ice and her own life blood. It hurt, and if felt like everytime she her hands slipped, the ice pushed further into her body.

She had lost control of her Fear, reverting back to her Yokai form. Below her, she could see her own tail, once the long legs of a human woman, now long, sleek tail of a serpent. Asami used to be so proud of how her scales had glimmered like green gems, but now, as her tail thrashed hopelessly against the icy pinnacle, the only thing that shone through the blood was ice.

The audience was gobsmacked, watching the struggling Nure-On'na in shock. The young Master Rikuo could hear his blood rushing in his ears as he watched the helpless creature convulse, impaled on the apex of a stalagmite of ice. A sickeningly sweet smell engulfed his senses, the stench of spilt intestines. it made him wretch, acid gurgling in the back of his mouth.

Somewhere beside him, he could hear Katsuro howling like a wounded beast. He watched as the Prince threw himself up onto the stage, the mountain of a dog following quick at his heels, and scrambled against the icy pillar, reaching up to his High Priestess.

There was a sudden thump, sending Tsurara scrambling behind the curtains as a huge shadow dropped down from the rafters. It looked like the humans version of a demon from Hell, with an barrel chest, skin like thick leather armour, huge wings spread from his shoulder blades, looking like that of a bats. Its face was like a predators from the Jurassic period, long square muzzle, jagged teeth bare for the world to see. It had deadly claws for its hands and feet, with a long spiked tail flicking against the floor.

And every inch of it seemed to ooze a poisonous reddish black liquid. It looked like old blood.

It roared furiously, spreading out its wings as it did so. The sound must have been some sort of a signal, because suddenly Yokai were dropping expertly from the ceiling, filling the room with their numbers and surrounding Rikuo and his Hyakki-Yako. The six members of the Nura clan quickly leapt to their feet, forming a tight defensive circle. There was another snarling howl, and the enemy advanced. Rikuo risked a glance to the stage, hoping to see Kasai with their weapons. He saw her, but she was snarling a challenge at the much larger Yokai, encased in her golden fire. The kitsune threw herself at the beast wildly, but Rikuo could not watch – Shoei, pushing the ever valiant but weak Zen back and cladding himself in his monstrous Fear, had thrown himself into the line of advancing men, forcing Rikuo to rip his attention away from the kitsune.

Kubinashi was as ruthless as ever. A sneer spread across his handsome face, unfurling the red wire like string from around his forearms. As Kurotabo leapt into the fray, the countless amounts of weapons hidden under his cloak making the enemy fall back, the string assassin took advantage of their surprise. He leapt high over the warrior monk as a flurry of spears shot forth from Kurotabos' cloak, landing heavily on top of his chosen victim and decapitating him instantly. Aotabo, standing almost as large of Shoei, casually waited until two enemy soldiers launched themselves at him, screaming his death. The crunch that followed would live with Rikuo for the rest of his life, the men falling to the ground limply, skulls caved where he had smashed them together.

The Young Master had his own problems. A soldier, looking more like an Oni then Rikuo was comfortable with, charged at him, wielding a heavy broadsword. Stuck without a weapon, he reached down, scooping the table that had been holding the sushi upwards to use it as a shield, sending glass and rice everywhere. The heavy wood held under the soldiers' assault, but as the sword crashed down, it stuck fast and made his arm go numb. He pushed forward, toppling the ayakashi as he did so. They crashed against the ground heavily. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw another soldier bearing down on him to the right, swinging yet another heavy looking broadsword. It all happened so fast, Rikuo didn't have time to dodge-

"Master!"

A wall of ice exploded all around him, impaling the advancing enemy on glassy spikes, ending his charge and his life abruptly. Rikuo looked up to see Tsurara standing in front of him, still bearing her mask, Rikuos' sword in her hand.

"Move!"

He leapt up, lifting his make shift shield as he did so. Swiftly, the Yuki-On'na – his Yuki-On'na – thrust the blade downwards, slicing into the fallen soldiers' throat before he could recover. With the hems of her kimono drenched in fresh blood, she pulled the katana viciously from the body before holding the hilt out to Rikuo.

"My apologies for being late, Master." She seemed to laugh, her voice muffled behind the mask.

Rikuo frowned at her softly, letting his make-shift shield drop to the ground and stepping forward, reaching up to Tsuraras' mask. At first, she flinched away from him; a movement that made his stomach flip guiltily. Gingerly, he lifted the mask away, needing to see her face to ease his soul. Her soft, familiar smile warmed his heart, more than any fool hardy kiss he had had. But as the mask fell away, strange crimson eyes met his.

"Tsurara…. Your eyes..." He breathed, taking a step closer to the Yuki-On'na. "What happened…?"

She shook her head, gently pushing his hand away from her face and placing it on the hilt of his sword. "Now is not the time, my Master." She said calmly.

Grinning, Rikuo nodded, gripping his sword tightly. "Fine. But we need to talk, you and I."

She scoffed at his words. "You need a good freezing for what you've done to Kana-chan." Tsurara scolded, a glaive of ice forming in her hands as she spoke.

"Ooooh?" Rikuo smirked at her playfully. "I'd like to-"

"Oh for fuck sake!" Zen pushed past them, pulling an discarded broad sword up from the ground. "Can we do this when people aren't trying to kill us all please?"

"Oi! Don't you dare, Zen!" Rikuo flew past the Yuki-On'na, unable to stop smiling as he leapt over the wall of ice after the fragile bird Yokai.

Above them all was Kasai, pinned against the ground by the larger, stronger Myo Kyuket. She had her left arm pressed up against Myos' throat, holding him back with all her strength, whilst her right hand gripped a dagger of fire, stabbing into his side over and over again. His dark Fear dribbled on her, burning her into skin like acid, stinking like congealed blood. Her body felt hot where his claws pressed into her shoulders, like her very blood was boiling under her flesh. He pushed harder against her, snarling, snapping down on her throat with everything he had. She yowled at him, wreathing about desperately, barely able to dodge the incoming attacks. Thos huge jaws snapped dangerously close to her cheek, hot saliva flicking over her skin. The kitsune answered it with a wolf-like roar of her own, digging the fire blade deep into the beasts ribcage and twisting. Rewarded with a painful scream as the ayakashi reeled back, Kasai let her hand fall away from his side, the fire dissipating as she let go. A small ball of fire began to grow in the palm of her hand.

The beast recovered too fast, turning his head so he could look down at the struggling kitsune, his eyes still the brightest shade of blue that she had ever seen, glimmering in the darkness of his flesh. He rumbled at her, the sound more one of amusement then threatening, as if he was laughing at Koneko and her attempts for freedom. His right claw slipped, grazing down her shoulder and wrapping around her throat, threatening to crush her windpipe. She pulled her arm away from his neck, grasping at him, vainly trying to pry away the sharp claws.

Myo lowered his great head down, pressing a wet muzzle against Konekos' cheek. "You sneaky vixen." He purred at her tenderly, the husky rumble making Koneko tremble underneath him. "Here I was thinking you were just a timid little kitten, but you fight like a wildcat." He nuzzled into her like a lover would, listening to her whimper like a wounded pup. "It really is a pity. I would rather have you in my bed, then having to kill you."

"You can't kill me." Kasai rasped, turning her head in close against his muzzle, baring her fangs at him.

Once again he chuckled at her, his amusement annoying Kasai. "Oh?" He questioned, that guttural voice vibrating against her ear. "I'm curious; tell me why I can't kill such a small kitten."

Kasai smirked back up to him, bringing her right hand up, pushing the sphere of fire hard into his side where she had opened up a wound earlier. The ene145

rgy exploded as soon as it hit, sending the beast flying off her in a blaze of gold, crashing heavily into the stages back curtain, taking the entire thing down with him.

Koneko rolled to her feet, laughing victoriously, punching the air causing a small wisp of fire to puff up into the air. "That's why, creep!" She screamed, elated with herself.

Her victory was short lived. A drizzling ball of black blood burst through the fire, landing at her feet with a catastrophic explosion, the force of the blast throwing her backwards. Koneko couldn't even scream. He got to her before she landed, slamming a heavy fist into her stomach.

The soldiers kept coming.

The enemy was skilled, and numerous. Every time his blade cut down one, another seemed to appeared, ready and willing to avenge his fallen comrade. He could hear that the footsteps on the rafters above him. There was smoke in the air, a product of Kasai and her unique Fear. He couldn't tell what they were, what kind of Yokai. Mostly, they just appeared to be Oni, or at least, those who relied on a Physical Fear. The only one that seemed on a whole different level was the one on the stage. Rikuo could feel his power. It felt like death.

Zen suddenly grabbed him, pulling him hard to the right, making him stumble as an enemies blade slashed through the air, barely missing him. As the sword came down, something gold and hot soared past, extreme heat searing his skin. The flying inferno bounced, so hard that it lifted and slammed hard into several men, setting them alight as they fell underneath.

It was Koneko, ablaze in her own Fear, sprayed on the grounds

Rikuo staggered against the bird Yokai, holding his hand to his burnt cheek, caught off guard by the kitsunes descent. He wasn't the only one. The enemy scattered, confused, some of them desperately trying to put to out fires on their bodies. There was an ear bursting roar, bringing Rikuos' attention to the stage. The beast, one of his arms hanging uselessly at his side, dripping acid blood on the ground. It launched off the stage, landing so hard on the ground that the floor boards snapped under his weight. It charged after Koneko, pushing its own allies to the ground in its rush. Rikuo stumbled to get to the kitsune through the fire before the blood ayakashi, but a soldier flung himself infront of the young Master, swinging a claymore wildly. It was all he could do to defend himself, watching the enemy commander charge towards the unmoving Koneko over the soldiers shoulder.

The last thing he expected was Shoei. The giant Yokai moved with speed that didn't match his size and tackled the beast midcharge, knocking the two of them flying into the chaos of battle.

Rikuo, in a heavy strike across the chest, felled his opponent with a outraged yell, leaping over the body easily and rushing over to the unconscience kitsune. She was still on fire, which was a huge problem. One, because she had long ago burnt though her clothing, two, was because they needed to get out of the Pagoda.

Swearing viciously, Rikuo flung his cloak over her, smothering her fire the best he could. Zen appeared beside him, handing him a bucket of watery ice that had been chilling a sake bottle on one of the tables.

"Do you think it will hurt her?" The bird Yokai asked worriedly, pulling his own cloak off his shoulders and dipping it into the ice bucket.

"Fucked if I know." Rikuo panted, burning his hands as he patted her down with his cloak, "She's not exactly a Charizard."

"Fuck." Zen threw his now saturated cloak over her, smothering the entire fire in one swift move. A soldier came out of the smoke, his blade raised, ready to strike. Rikuo moved faster, bringing his katana up to parry the heavy swing, making the mans' arm bounce back awkwardly, allowing the Young Master to bring back his sword and impale his attacker through the stomach. Rikuo pushed the blade down viciously, slicing the man down the abdomen before he fell to his knees in front of the Nurarihyons' Grandson.

Making a disgusted face, Rikuo callously placed his foot on the mans' shoulder and kicked, pulling the katana out of his body with a spray of blood, letting the body fall down. "This is ridiculous." He said, standing guard as Zen wrapped Kasai up in what remained of his cloak. "We got to get out of this room."

"Where's the Prince?!" Zen coughed, dragging himself to his feet, pulling the kitsune with him.

The young master frowned and looked around desperately before spotting his prize. The Crown Prince was still on the stage, completely unaware of the battle around him, holding the body of the Nure-On'na in his arms.

"Distracted." Rikuo muttered. He frowned softly before raising his fingers to his mouth, issuing a ear-splitting whistle. The signal for retreat. Turning, he grabbed the kitsune from Zen, throwing her over his shoulder unceremoniously. She flopped uselessly, groaning.

Tsurara materialised beside him in a flurry of snow, her beautiful kimono red ruined with dirt and blood. As the others rushed towards them, she began an summoning, muttering a fervent prayer to her ancestors. Shoei managed to kick back the beast, sending him falling heavily into the stage and allowing the son of HiHi to fall back before the Yuki-On'na brought the storm of ice up around them.

Rikuo instinctively grabbed at Tsuraras' hand. "Out of this building." He demanded as his Hyakki-Yako gathered about him, all bearing the signs of the fight. "We need to-"

"NURAAA!"

The booming voice seemed to cut through everything, casting a silent din around the room. Rikuo spun, trying to peer through Tsuraras' snow storm shield, a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. The Prince had finally come out of his grief.

"NURRA!"

Something big moved. The ground underneath their feet shifted. Something within the snow took a step, and the entire building seemed to move with it, groaning heavily under its weight. Then, a growl, so low and deep that Rikuo could hear the hunger for death on its song. It wasn't like the other blood beast, no. Rikuo could feel the a malevolence drip from the sound.

"Tsukiyomi's chosen." Said a pained whisper from his back. Koneko. She had awaken. "We can't –"

"RETREAT!" Rikuo roared, not waiting any longer. His men didn't need to be told twice. Holding onto Tsuraras' hand hard, he ran. They all did. Shoei lead the way, knocking down the doors that blocked their path as if they were nothing. Behind them, they heard screaming, and a crushing sound of something huge thumping down the corridor. Tsurara held back a little, concentrating on keeping a storm up, slowing down whatever it was the best she could.

Shoei slammed open the last door, stumbling into the moon light. The Hyakki-Yako rushed into the open, cold air hitting their faces. Tsurara pulled away from Rikuo, turning on her heel and creating a huge glacier against the doorway with a wave of her hand. Rikuo stopped, his eyes on the Yuki-On'na, Shoei at his side. The rest continued, heading towards the Takarabune, who was slowly descending from the clouds.

The building exploded in a shower of ice and wood. What looked like a Komainu burst forth, knocking Tsurara down as it leapt over them, landing heavily between Rikuo and the ship. It stopped and turned about, eyes like silver moons staring down at the two men.

If Rikuo hazarded a guess, the Komainu was about the size of a large elephant, both in size and bulk. It looked like what would happen if a lion managed to have a kitten with a dog. With the face and body of the dog, body of a lion, it was a truly impressive sight. Most of its pelt was black, barely visable against the nights sky. Its mane and the long flowing tail was silver, glimmering. Along its flanks and shoulders, the same silver looked like it had been sprinkled over his hide and shone like the stars in the sky. Its teeth looked like that of a sabre tooths, over long and deadly.

Kasai struggled a little and Rikuo, very slowly in case the movement caused the beast to attack. Instead, it just growled softly, as if it was waiting for something.

Koneko stared up at it, her golden eyes wide. "Hiroto." She muttered, flabbergasted, a sad tone on her voice. "He made you do this?"

The beast merely growled again, staring down at her as if she was nothing but his next meal. Kasai let out a soft sob.

"Momma won't like this." She whispered softly, shaking her head. "Not one bit."

Rikuo turned his head, looking back to see Tsurara gingerly picking rubble from the doorways. Fallen, but unhurt as far as he could see. "Kasai, do you know this creature?" He asked, wondering if the beast would give chase if he went to the Yuki-On'na. A risk he couldn't take.

Koneko nodded timidly, not taking her eyes from the great beast."He was a guardian at Kotaijingu – Mothers Shrine on Ise Grand. Though he was dedicated to Tsykuyomi, his mate is dedicated to Momma." She gave a sad look in Rikuos' direction. "Her love for them is far greater then I can ever hope to achieve."

"That's strange." A voice said from darkness around them, the guttural snarl of Myo. Rikuo turned, cursing, just in time to see the blood ayakashi land lightly, cutting the three of them off from Tsurara, who was struggling to free her foot from a fallen plank. "You speak as if you know the gods, my little vixen."

Kasai rolled her eyes, but didn't turn to face him. "Do I need to give you a map, Kyuket-kun? Here I thought you were much brighter then Susannos' spawn."

"Ahaaa." The ayakashi grinned widely, realisation dawning on him. "The third piece. I see."

"Koneko…" Rikuo growled in warning, feeling very uneasy.

The beast chuckled softly. "I am forbidden to kill the daughter of Amaterasu." He said conversationally, inspecting his claws casually. "If you had come to me before Katsuro, things would be much easier, my dear."

"The Suishonoken." Kasai frowned softly, reaching back to touch Rikuos' arm as Hiroto began lowering his head to her. "You're involved too? If Mother knew…"

Myo grinned darkly. "She knows how this goes. First come, first served."

Rikuo frowned at them both. "Someone tell me what the fuck's going on." He growled angrily.

Koneko bit her lip. "Kyuket is descendent from the gods and goddess' that were born from when Susanoo was banished from the Heavens. They long ago became the power force behind the Temples, striking down those that would oppose the High Gods."

Myo chuckled softly, baring his teeth in a sharp grin. "That was a long time ago. Now there is just me. The last of a long line. Now," He spat blood on the ground, making the cobblestones sizzle and melt away. "Now I'm just muscle-for-grabs for when the Gods decide to have a bit of fun."

He lifted a claw, pointing at the kitsune, his eyes on Rikuo. "Sorry about this, Master Nurarihyon." Myo. But I am bound by blood to serve Master Katsuros' wishes, until either she is dead."

"Or you have slain my Master."

Rikuo hefted his blade, a grim look on his face. "The Holy War is none of my concern. But I am the High Ruler of the Night Parade. No one else."

The blood ayakashi gave a sad sigh. "If I had known Amaterasu would have chosen a woman…" His great muzzle shook regrettably. "Hiroto. Kill."

Rikuo moved to leap towards the so-called mercenary of the Gods, but Shoei pushed him back. "Deal with the dog!" The great Yokai yelled, rushing forward to clash with an oncoming swipe from Myo. Rikuo began to argue, but strong hands wrenched to the left. Koneko tumbled him; the two of them rolling on the ground as huge paws came suddenly crashing down where they had just been standing. Again and again, the feet came crushing down, breaking the path, sending cobbles everywhere as the two Yokai dodged over and over again.

Finally, Rikuo dragged Koneko to her feet as they managed to roll underneath the beasts stomach. Looking up, the Young Master disdainfully noted thick scales, armouring the under carriage of the Komainus' stomach. He swore heavily, moving to dig his sword into heel of the front left paw. But Koneko dragged him away, pulling him at a run.

"Use me, Rikuo!" She screamed furiously, throwing a wild fire ball at the creature, making it scream. "Do that thing you do!"

Rikuo panted, glancing at her as they ran circles about the creature, making it leap and paw at them, looking like a giant kitten playing with its food. "Matoi? Why?! Why Matoi?!"

"Look!" Kasai threw another ball of fire at the creature. It caught it, midair and slammed it into the ground, roaring at them in a challenge as it did so. "I can't get my fire past him, I'm not fast enough. But theres no way you can kill him without me. You need me. You need to use me."

She stopped them in their tracks, a huge wall of fire suddenly erupting around them as the beast tried to bear down on the stationary prey. Koneko grabbed his arms, her gold eyes begging him. "Don't you remember? I told you already. I am just a weapon. USE ME."

Rikuo gulped, taken back by the sadness in her eyes. Slowly, hesitantly, he nodded. "You have to give me everything."

"I know." She said softly.

"Do you trust me?"

Koneko grinned at him. Suddenly, it was impossibly hot, and impossibly bright. Rikuo felt her Fear starting to pour out of her, like molten gold seeping from a furnace, oozing over the top of him, encasing him, the heat making him want to scream. Then, something else. A rage so deep and terrifying that he thought that it would devour him. And it did. She squeezed his heart, soaking up all his anger, his frustration, his murderous intent and seemed to revel in it, filling every inch of his soul until there was nothing left but the fire. And then there was the light, it was so white, so blinding that he thought he would never see again. Rikuo tried to gasp for breath, but his throat burned, inhaling nothing but fire.

It was unlike anything he had ever felt before. It was power that did nothing but

Do you trust me? She seemed to purr into his ear, kissing it, her voice like the rush of a firestorm. He felt her burning her mark into his back, felt her hand slide down his arm, wrapping her hand around his, her other arm coming around his stomach, her chest pressing into his shoulders. He knew she was already possessing him, taking his human side and corrupting it with her fire. I have made you a God. Open your eyes.

He did.

All of the fire poured out of him in a pulse, making the beast jump back. Eyes of molten gold looked up, devoid of any other colour. He felt something moving at his back, and casually, he looked back, amused by the numerous tails that flicked back and forth on his tailbone – nine in total. His skin tingled in excitement, feeling the power of the sun gods' fire flowing through his very body.

He looked up to the beast casually and took a step forward. Another pulse of fire, moving like a wave towards the Komainu. It hesitated, an unsure look on its face, before pouncing forward wildly, aiming to crush the Nurarihyons' Grandson under his paws. The man didn't move, just smirked at it in amusement. Hiroto landed on them directly, letting out a pleased howl as the Yokai was crushed under his pa-

Something moved on his back. The great beast blinked, lifting up a paw curiously, licking its lips in anticipation of the meal. But they weren't there. Instead, Rikuo, standing atop of the Komainu back, sunk his katana, made longer, gold and on fire by Kasais' God-like Fear, deep into the back of the Lion-Dogs neck, severing its spinal cord.

There was no sound. Hiroto just slowly fell to his side. Dead.

Rikuo casually off its body, feeling a deep sadness that wasn't his own inside of him. He hushed the kitsune in his mind, who cooed softly to the fallen Komainu as if it was a child. The anger inside his was gone, no longer burning him inside, and she let him take control, soothing the fires til they were under his complete control. Somehow, as he could feel Kasais' spirit embrace his human self, Rikuo felt that there was so much more to the fire then just the pure, blinding rage.

"Nura!"

Rikuo turned away from the creature, a faint smile of victory on his lip. Shoei and Myo were grappling, neither side giving an inch, looking more like a bar fight then one for life and death. Looking past them, searching for the sound of the voice.

When he found it, his entire body went cold.

Katsuro stood at the foot of the rubble that was once half of his Pagoda wall. He looked battered, and wet, but grinning. There was a shard of ice stabbed in deep in his collar bone, but it didn't seem to worry him.

He held Tsurara, his hand wrapped through her beautiful hair, holding her in place easily through sheer strength. She struggled uselessly against him, but he just ripped her back into place.

Katsuro grinned madly at the man. "Nura, my man!" He yelled loudly, looking amused by the Yuki-On'nas' struggles. "I believe you lost something."

The Young Master didn't even think. He just ran. Koneko, riding his shoulders, was burning a hole in his soul all over again, willing him to run faster, faster than he could ever hope to dare normally. Katsuro merely laughed.

Something steely flashed in the Crown Princes' hand evilly. The sound of the sword slicing through Tsuraras' flesh was something Rikuo would never forget.

"Oops!" Katsuro laughed, pulling his dagger from Tsuraras' side and casting her aside carelessly. "Looks like I broke it!"

…..

(AN: Read and Review :D )