Disclaimer: I do not own Nurarihyon No Mago (Never have and never will! ^)
Hey everyone! I'm really, really sorry for not updating sooner! [Gets down on knees and starts asking for forgiveness… X_X ] I was overseas last week and have been really busy this week. So to make it up, I'm gonna publish 3 chapters during this week! Yes, you heard right, 3 awesome chapters! Muahaha…. But there's another reason for my kindness, I'm flying off again! :'( So you gotta wait another week for the next chapter. Reaaally sorry guys! Hope these 3 chapters can last you. :)
Ok, sorry for blabbering so much…. On to the new chapter!
"Rikuo-sama…."
" Rikuo-sama…."
" Rikuo-sama!"
Tsurara shouted in exasperation as she tried to get the Third Heir to wake up.
"5 more minutes Tsurara…."
Still unwilling to get out of his bed, Rikuo continued to sleep peacefully.
Knowing that further attempts would not get her master to get up, Tsurara decided to take extreme measures.
"Forgive me, Rikuo-sama!"
Tsurara muttered under her breath.
"CO….COLD!"
Rikuo jumped out of his bed as a blizzard formed in his room, freezing everything in its path.
With an apologetic smile, Tsurara told Rikuo that the Supreme Commander was looking for him urgently.
The arrival of the Third Heir quickly killed the small chatter amongst the yokai and all eyes turned towards Rikuo.
Rikuo quickly took his seat between Tsurara and Kubinashi, facing directly opposite his grandfather. Certain few that were part of his Hyakki Yako were also present: Aotabo, Kurotabo, Kejoro, Kappa and Zen were already patiently waiting for Rikuo.
When everyone had settled down, the Supreme Commander spoke.
"Ah Rikuo…we have been waiting. Now, on to the main topic."
The Supreme Commander waved his hand and a man and woman walked into the room.
The man had smooth silver colored hair and literally emanated beauty, but his eyes wore a look of tiredness and desperation. The woman on the other hand, looked stern yet elegant with her long, crimson hair. The pair emitted a chilled presence, immediately cooling the room.
When his gaze fell upon the yuki-onna who was sitting down, the look in Kou's eyes soften and he rushed forward to embrace her.
Shocked and confused, Tsurara did the natural thing. She breathed out icy cold wind which pushed him to the farthest end of the room.
"Per-Pervert!"
Her face flushed bright red as she said those words and her hands moved swiftly, guarding her chest.
The man laid there, obviously taken aback by her actions while the woman burst out in laughter.
"All right, that's enough…"
The Supreme Commander quickly took reign of the situation.
"These two are Kou and Reina. They have come here on official business and they have something to say, especially to you, yuki-onna. Listen well and… choose well."
Tsurara could not comprehend what the Supreme Commander was trying to say. She just stared at him and wondered about what he meant.
Kou, stood up and this time, slowly walked towards Tsurara. He knelt down on one knee, took Tsurara's right hand and gently kissed it.
Before Tsurara could react, he gazed intently into her eyes and spoke.
"I've finally found you my princess, like I promised I would. Now, let's go home."
Tsurara stood there speechless as she absorbed his words, her face getting redder by the second.
Finally understanding the words that Kou had said, Rikuo quickly stood between Kou and Tsurara, using his body to increase the distance between them. Somehow, his face was really red. Rikuo was definitely embarrassed.
"Wh-Who are you? You were there in the forest the other day too… What do you want with Tsurara?"
Rikuo desperately tried to change the subject.
"Forgive us, Rikuo-sama for not introducing ourselves. We are from the Ice Clan and as we explained to your grandfather, we are here to capture an escaped prisoner. We certainly did not expect to see Tsurara-hime here. "
The woman, Reina calmly explained.
Suddenly remembering something, Tsurara gripped onto Kou's sleeve and shouted.
"That man! Where is he?! He's the one that…..the one that….."
She stopped, as if trying hard to remember something, and then tears streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry…I…"
Tsurara couldn't continue. She looked at the yokai staring at her and quickly ran out of the room, desperately trying to hold back her tears.
"Tsu-Tsurara, wait!"
Rikuo tried to go after her, but a strong grip held him back.
"You don't know what she is going through….I'll go."
With that, Kou hurried to catch up with his princess.
Anger and helplessness washed over Rikuo. Who was this man to tell him that he had no power to comfort Tsurara?
Nuraraihyon gently placed his hand on his grandson's shoulder. It pained him to see Rikuo acting like this.
"Come, Reina and I will tell you more about Tsurara…. and her past."
Tsurara ran out of the Nura Mansion and into the forest beyond. A white flake landed softly on her face and she looked around.
"It's snowing…."
Painful flashbacks appeared in her mind but it was all blurry. Her head ached and Tsurara felt weak. Out of nowhere, a hand supported her and helped her stand her ground.
"Tsurara-sama…."
Kou steadied his princess as he carefully watched her.
With a little ice manipulation, he created a snowflake crystal in the palm of his hand and gently placed it in Tsurara's hand.
"This snowflake crystal seems…..familiar. Do I know you?"
This question took Kou by surprise. He looked at Tsurara and sensed her pain in trying to retrieve her forgotten memories.
"You don't have to try so hard Tsurara-sama. I will always be here with you. So you can take as long as you need to remember…."
He smiled at her, thinking that as long as he could be with her now, nothing else matters.
Tsurara felt it. She knew they had met before, but why couldn't she remember?! The snowflake crystal…. She recalled it in her childhood. It was given to her by someone…..someone she held dear to her….
Tsurara held the crystal tightly and brought it to her heart. Why was everything so confusing? Exactly what is happening?
A face then popped up in her mind. Rikuo-sama….that's right. Rikuo-sama is worried about me. I should hurry back soon…
Unknowingly, the yuki-onna had fallen asleep. The day proved to be too tired for her.
Kou caught Tsurara just as she almost fell to the ground. She must be tired… after all that happened today….
He carried her back to the Nura Mansion and placed her into bed. He watched her silently as she slept, feeling rather nostalgic. But his sweet moment was interrupted by a rather annoyed yokai.
"Oi, you and I, we need to talk."
Nura Rikuo had transformed into his night form, and he wasn't looking too pleased about another man staring at Tsurara's sleeping face.
Ok! So that's chapter 3. I'm sorry it's quite short but I felt that I had to end it here. It just seems right. Jealous Rikuo is sooo cute! Haha! So remember to review and wait for the other 2 chapters! :)
P.S. this chapter is sorta a little treat for Lonely Athena. :P