Disclaimer: I do not own Nurarihyon No Mago (Currently trying to bribe the author to sell it to me, but I don't think he is taking me seriously -.- )
Hey guys…. no, I haven't died on a deserted road in another country for the past few weeks….even though I deserve it... :( I'm extremely, tremendously sry for neglecting you all and not keeping my promise. My part-time job had some trouble the day before I had to fly off so I ended up with no time to write the 3 chapters I promised you all. PLEASE FORGIVE ME! *bows continuously* I'm still stuck in my job but I'll try really hard to make time to write new chapters! And now….chapter 4!
The air was still and the atmosphere tense as the two yokai walked out of the Nura Mansion and into the forest. The yokai walking in front had heavy footsteps which accompanied his heavy "Fear" whilst the yokai following him had lighter but firmer footsteps. None was backing down on the conversation they were going to have.
The yokai walking in front came to an abrupt halt and it seems as if the whole forest was holding its breath, waiting in anticipation for him to start speaking. In a flash, the yokai turned around and grabbed the other yokai by the collar of his yukata and pulled him close.
"Oi! I'll ask you again. What do you want with Tsurara?!"
His eyes raging with fury and his teeth seething, Nura Rikuo was definitely very agitated, in more ways than one.
Being suddenly grabbed by Nura Rikuo did not disturbed Kou, instead, he found it amusing that he managed to be a threat to the Third Heir. Kou calmly but strongly pried Rikuo's hands off his collar and answered with determination.
"Didn't you hear from your grandfather Rikuo-sama? I'm here to take her away from you, back to where she belongs."
Kou was grinning hard now, he was not going to lose his princess, especially not to one which placed a human's life over hers.
"That decision is not yours to decide. She might not even want to go back to that place."
Although Rikuo said that, somehow he wasn't confident. Ever since the two Ice Clan yokai came, Tsurara felt distant, like she was remembering a painful memory. He didn't want her to leave but what if she wants to go back to where she lived before they met? He wouldn't know what to do without her then…
"You're right. The decision lies with Tsurara-hime and hers alone. But think about it, she once lived a life where she had to serve no one, where she was safe from any harm. If she stayed with you, would you be able to protect her? Isn't she the one protecting you now? I'm only doing what is best for Tsurara-hime and claiming her rights to the throne. "
Those words resonated in Rikuo's mind again and again. Can I protect her? She's part of my hyakki yako and when it comes down to it, she'll definitely place my life over hers. This sudden realization sent a jolt through Rikuo's body. Kou was right, what's best for Tsurara is to stay away from him, only then will she be safe.
Rikuo's eyes were hollow, just like his soul when he said probably the hardest thing he had to say.
"Then take her away, far away from me as possible if it meant that she would be safe. But know this, if you ever let her get hurt, I will rip you apart with nenekirimaru."
With that sentence, Rikuo vanished into the night, his heart torn into pieces.
"Rikuo-sama! Rikuo-sama! Time to wake up!"
Tsurara called as she hurriedly brought breakfast to her master's room. However, what met her was Rikuo's mother, neatly folding Rikuo's blanket.
"Ara, Rikuo already left for school. I thought you went with him?"
At this sentence, Tsurara's face immediately dimmed.
She was disappointed and upset that her master did not wait for her to go to school, but that didn't stop her from running all the way to school, although she forgot one important thing on her way there. Tsurara was still in her yokai form, leaving a trail of ice behind her as she ran.
*RING!* Tsurara arrived in time just as the bell rang. She spotted Rikuo heading into his classroom but when he saw her, he didn't even acknowledge her and quickly looked away. Tsurara's heart sank. Rikuo-sama must have not seen me. Yes, that's why he didn't wave back. Tsurara repeatedly told herself that as she tried to calm down, but her heart betrayed her with how hard it was nervously beating.
The next few classes were torture as Tsurara could not think of anything but wanting to be at Rikuo's side as soon as possible. With all the events that had happened, she wanted reassurance that her beloved master will always stay by her side.
Tsurara rushed out of her class as soon as it was over and practically sprinted all the way to Rikuo's class.
"Rikuo-sama! I've come to pick you up!"
Tsurara said quite cheerfully. However, without even looking at her, Rikuo walked past her and unfeelingly said words that broke her fragile heart.
"I'm fine; I don't need you to pick me up every day. I'm not a kid anymore, so stop following me yuki-onna! It's annoying me!"
Tsurara stood there, speechless at what her master had said.
"Rikuo-kun, are you coming?"
An oblivious Kana asked Rikuo despite the tense atmosphere in the air.
"Hai, wait up for me!"
The usual smile formed on Rikuo's face as he replied Kana. However, only he knew that the smile was fake, cold and...empty.
Tsurara watched as Rikuo happily joined Kana, unknowingly, her face started to get wet. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face as she stood rooted to the ground in silence.
As he stepped out of the school gate, Rikuo suddenly stopped. He turned behind and thought of the yuki-onna he left behind and guilt overwhelmed him. His heart and fists both clenched tightly and he hated himself. But he knew he had to be cruel to her, that's the only way he can show that he cares for her.
Tsurara took a long detour back to the Nura house in an attempt to calm herself down and review everything that happened at school that morning. However hard she tried, she could only end up with one answer. Rikuo-sama doesn't need me anymore because I'm useless… the words echoed through her mind, repeating over and over again, effectively working as stabs to the heart.
When she returned back to the house, she was a mess. Her eyes had been red and puffy from crying for an entire day and the chills she kept releasing were making her hair frizz, making her look like a mad woman who was deprived from sleep.
At the door waiting impatiently was a silver-haired yokai. At the sight of his princess on the brink of breakdown, Kou surged forward and hugged Tsurara tightly. Though shocked at his actions, Tsurara didn't push him away; all she needed was a shoulder to cry on.
Hidden within the shadows of the Nura house was a yokai with long, flowing, crimson locks. She watched the scene unfold before her eyes and walked away in silence. All the years she had been with Kou and he never once hugged her that tightly before whenever she was upset. Tsurara-hime got a shoulder to cry on, someone to reassure her when she was in her darkest moments but what about Reina? She has no one…
"Tsurara-hime, please come back to Ice Country with me. I promise you will never ever get hurt again, I will protect you till the end of time."
Broken and tired, Tsurara nodded her head in agreement. If Rikuo didn't need her anymore, what is her purpose in even staying? Maybe it was better to just leave and forget everything, it would be better for them both…
"Have you really decided? You won't regret your choice?"
The Supreme Commander asked with concern. He was taken aback when the yuki-onna came up to him and told him her decision to leave. He thought she was so attached to Rikuo that she could not bear leaving him. A strange turn of events…I wonder what that idiot grandson of mine did to let yuki-onna go. I hope he does not regret doing this.
Tsurara nodded, desperately trying to stand firm to her resolution.
"I will train hard and become an even better attendant to Rikuo-sama! When I come back, I will not have anyone telling me I'm weak, especially not from the person I pledge to protect. I will go back and settle things with my past but I will definitely return to my true home here. Thank you for taking good care of me, Supreme Commander!"
The old man smiled and waved at the cheerful yuki-onna. Rikuo, you're really lucky to have someone like her beside you. Treasure her well…
Whew! Long and emotional chapter but with a sweet ending right?! Hope you guys aren't disappointed! Please continue to support me with your reviews! And I'll really try my best to publish new chapters ASAP. Sry for making Rikuo seem very bad to Tsurara, i feel really bad. Sry Tsurara! I'll make Rikuo love you more in future chapters!
And so, I'm gonna add a new feature to my notes at the end of every chapter. Its called RANDOM QUESTION TIME. ~WEE~
Random Question of the day: Apples or Oranges? Feel free to add why ;)