Disclaimer: I do not own Nurarihyon No Mago (but I do own this alternate version, haha!)
Why doesn't anyone reply my random questions…oh well...just to blabber away, personally I'm an apple fan! It's just so red and crunchy, how can you not love it right? Haha, okay, enough with me being stupid, on to the next chapter! ~
"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!"
~ 4 years later ~
"Kou, take team A and search through the northern ice plains. Reina, you take team B and search through the southern ice plains. I will take the rest of the manpower and look through the ice villages nearby. We'll meet at the ice capital in an hour. Dismissed!"
A strong and commanding voice echoed through the ears of the listeners, each paying attentively to the instructions given and behind that voice was once a fragile ice maiden, now grown to be a charmingly cold ice princess.
"Yes Hime-sama!"
The ice yokai dispersed and went on their mission.
"Noroi no Fubuki, Yuki no ame!"
Snow fell heavily like raindrops and clouded the view of the trapped escapee.
"Katahira Moe! You are arrested for the attempt of bringing chaos to the village! Take him down!"
By the orders of Tsurara, the yokai was captured within minutes and Tsurara brought her men to the rendezvous point.
An hour later, Tsurara, Kou and Reina gathered at the ice capital, each with a prize of their own.
"Katahira Moe, Hitagara Shou, Sasami Gin…. All are accounted for. Really, they gave us so much trouble…"
Kou complained as he stretched his arms and gave a disapproving yawn.
"Well, at least they were caught before anyone got hurt."
Reina rolled her eyes at the lazy silver-haired ice yokai as she said that and began her reports.
"Tsurara-sama, it seems that they were under orders from…. Mitsukage Yaho…"
Reina paused for a while…wondering if she should continue as this man was a sensitive issue to talk about to the princess.
Tsurara looked down and began to drown in her thoughts.
Mitsukage Yaho…this man changed my life 4 years ago and I drifted away from Rikuo-sama. Rikuo-sama…the name rang again and again in her mind. When I came here 4 years ago, everything was revealed to me…
~ 4 years ago ~
"Tsurara-sama, we're almost there, look, you can see the ice capital from here."
Kou pointed to a shimmering figure rising out of the ice field covered with snow, eyes showing his pride of the grand building.
As they approached the Ice Country, Tsurara stopped. Everything seemed familiar but why can't she remember? She scooped up some snow and shivered as the icy chill entered her entire body and suddenly, she felt home sick. Is this really my home? This cold and unwelcoming place….compared to the Nura House, this is making me feel extremely….lonely.
Kou noticed the halt in Tsurara's footsteps and felt the conflict of her emotions and both his excitement and radiant smile dimmed.
Reina placed a hand on his shoulder assuring him.
"She's just been away for too long, she'll remember everything once she gets used to this place."
Kou's face immediately brightened and he took Tsurara's hand and practically skidded on the ice, impatient to be away from his home any longer.
Reina watched the two yokai as they entered the gates of the Ice Country. Her reassuring smile towards Kou faded away as soon as he turned his back against her.
"At least he is happy…"
Reina walked slowly and in silence towards the huge gates of the Ice Country.
It took Tsurara at least a week to tour around her own palace and when she was done, she was broken. She had learned of her heritage and her family during the week and it had taken a toll on her. Mitsukage Yaho had burned the palace to the ground and her mother and she barely escaped with the destruction. He was the trusted friend of her father and yet he betrayed her father's trust. He cruelly killed her father when he tried to protect both her mother and she. Unknowingly and unwillingly, fat droplets streamed down her face as she could take in no more.
It took Tsurara another week to recover from her shock of the truth and before long her coronation arrived. She was officially crowned the rightful heir to the throne of the Ice Country. Even though all these happened, in the back of her mind, she was constantly thinking of her beloved Rikuo-sama.
Is he eating well? Is he fine with school? Did he get into any fights? Was he injured? Has he become a splendid Third Heir?
But the question that always popped up was: Does he still remember me?
She persistently tried to shake the most important question off her mind but it never fail to lead her to think of wanting to see him again. Just a glance would be enough; I just need to know he is doing well.
But in truth she wanted to know if he was fine without her, if yes, then would she even need to come back? The fear of Rikuo not requiring Tsurara was deterring her from going back all this time but then again….
"Tsurara-sama, Tsurara-sama…"
Kou was worried now; Tsurara had blanked out for a while after Reina stopped halfway in her report and he was afraid that the name of the traitorous yokai had brought back shock to his princess. His fear was unfounded but anxiety and frustration rose up in place of it when one word came out of Tsurara's mouth.
"Rikuo-sama…"
Kou's feelings fell heavily as the name was strong and clear. After all these years, she still had not forgotten him. Kou wanted to keep his princess all to himself but he knew he couldn't be so selfish as to disregard her feelings. So, with a heavy heart, he suggested a plan to Tsurara.
"Since Mitsukage Yaho is not caught, perhaps we should discuss with the Nura House on his arrest? After all, he might still be hiding somewhere in Ukiyoe Town."
These words brought Tsurara back to reality. She clung tightly to Kou's robes and her eyes filled with hope.
"Go back to Ukiyoe Town? Are you serious, Kou?"
"Yes."
The answer was enough. Rikuo-sama…soon, I'll be able to meet you!
"Rikuo-kun! Look at that stall! Let's try it out!"
Rikuo gave a weak smile as Kana pulled him towards the stall. They were celebrating the New Year at a festival in Ukiyoe Town. He couldn't refuse Kana-chan's offer to attend with him and so he went along with her whims.
But all day at the festival, he couldn't stop thinking about a certain yuki-onna. He smiled to himself as he imagined how excited Tsurara would be at the festival. The human world was always an interesting subject for her. As he thought more, he began to sadden.
4 years ago, he learnt that Tsurara left without even saying goodbye. Sure, that was his plan in the first place but he didn't think it would be that quick. His heart wasn't ready for her departure and his only consolation was that she was in a better place. But still, he was always waiting for the day when he could see her again.
"Rikuo-kun? Is everything all right?"
Kana asked with a concern look on her face.
"Haha, sorry, I was just spacing out. Shall we head over to that food stall? I'm starting to feel hungry."
"Okay!"
Kana's face immediately filled with joy once again.
Really, I shouldn't be like this, making Kana-chan worry about me. I'm sure Kou-san is taking care of Tsurara very well…
Tsurara stood rooted at the gates of the Nura House, within these 4 years, it hasn't changed at all. She was wondering if it would be alright if she went in without informing anyone but her thoughts were interrupted as she was engulfed in a gigantic hug.
"Yuki-onna! You're finally back! Mou, do you know how lonely I was, stuck with all the guys!"
A beautiful lady with long flowing hair and draped in a pink floral kimono greeted the surprised Tsurara.
"Ke-Kejoro! I've missed you!"
Tsurara hugged the yokai back tightly as tears streamed down her face.
"Well…look who is back…"
A floating head said at a safe distance away from the now shrieking girls.
"It's about time…"
Aotabo, Kurotabo and Kubinashi said at the same time.
While the guys invited Reina and Kou into the house, Tsurara was unfortunately dragged in by Kejoro.
"Ara! Tsurara… welcome home."
Tsurara was greeted with a warm smile from Wakana-sama.
Tears once again flowed endlessly as Tsurara realized that the Nura House truly is her real home.
"Rikuo won't be back from the festival until late so why don't you rest in your room first, we've left it vacant for when you would return."
With that, the cheerful Wakana-sama returned to washing the dishes, or more accurately, breaking it.
Kou and Reina went to meet the Supreme Commader to discuss on the issues of Mitsukage Yaho while Tsurara unknowingly headed to a familiar tree.
She smiled as she looked around her, I'm glad nothing has changed since I left…
She reached the sakura tree and gently placed her hand on it. Memories of Rikuo came flooding back to her.
"I'm home, Rikuo-sama."
"I'm home!"
Rikuo let out a tired sigh as he entered his house, the festival went on quite long and Kana was dragging him to almost every stall…
"Ahh…Rikuo, you're back. We have some guests."
Rikuo's mother smiled cheekily as she headed back to her room.
Rikuo was left confused as to his mother's strange behavior. Feeling tired, he didn't bother to greet the guests whom he thought were most probably meeting with his grandfather and he headed straight to his room. However, as he approached his room, he stumbled upon a figure near the sakura tree.
The person was wearing a hooded cloak which hid her face. But as the moonlight shone upon the figure, Rikuo was filled with awe at the beauty of the lady. Then he felt a familiar "Fear" and without thinking, words formed out of his mouth.
"Tsu-Tsurara, is it you?"
The figure turned towards him and familiar amber eyes stared into his as the long night continued.
Oh wow…I'm tired…I think my brain stopped working from this long chapter… so drop me a review and I'll try my best to publish a new chapter as soon as I can. Also, I've decided to scrap the random question time since I'm the only one answering me, haha! Anyway, toodles!
And for your information:
Noroi no Fubuki, Yuki no ame : Snowing Rain (made it myself ^^)