Disclaimer: I do not own Nurarihyon No Mago (so tired of NOT owning it! *sobs*)

Hello guys, I'M BACK! WAHH! I'm so sorry for being MIA for so long! There's just been a lot of stuff going on and this fic kinda got buried somewhere but anyway, here's the next chapter! Thank you all for the continuous support! Love you guys! ^^

"Tsu-Tsurara, is it you?"

The figure turned towards him and familiar amber eyes stared into his as the long night continued.

Ri-Rikuo-sama! Oh my God , what should I do?! I'm not ready to meet him yet!

With that thought in mind, a flustered Tsurara ran out of the small garden and whizzed past a shocked Rikuo, leaving traces of ice behind, which disappeared as soon as it was formed.

"EH?! WAIT A MOMENT!"

Rikuo frantically searched for the mysterious guest which had got a head start and was currently hiding in Kejoro's room.

"He's gone already, you can come out now. You really are hopeless yuki-onna, after all these years of wanting to see him, you ran away at the worst possible moment."

Kejoro sighed as she spoke, shaking her head side to side in frustration.

"But after so long, I-I WASN'T PREPARED! I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO HIM!"

The poor yuki-onna was crying terribly now, unsure of what to do.

"Hai, hai, stop crying already, we'll work something out…after all, he hasn't seen your face yet right?"

Kejoro was now consoling Tsurara, patting gently on her head while Tsurara nodded in reply.

Meanwhile, a confused Rikuo was trying to understand the situation.

Mysterious person appeared felt she was Tsurara called out to her (SHE) RAN AWAY?!

Yup, he was sure he had no idea what had just happened and considered it to be part of a delusion formed by his sub consciousness for being too tired.

That's it, I'm going to bed… there's no way Tsurara would be here right? After what I did to her…

Rikuo turned back once more to face the Sakura tree.

"I wonder how you are doing Tsurara… I-We miss you."

Rikuo's cheeks flushed bright pink as the words left his mouth and he hurriedly prepared to turn in for the night.

"Oh, if it isn't yuki-onna! Welcome back! How have you been?"

A cheerful old man sat on the far side of the room popping a bunch of sweets, which he secretly stashed in his sleeves, into his mouth while greeting the lady which just walked in.

"Yes! I'm home Supreme Commander!"

Tsurara was relieved to see the old man doing well although he seemed to age a bit the past four years.

"So, have you met that idiot grandson of mine yet?"

"Su-Supreme Commander, please do not refer to Rikuo-sama as an idiot! Although Rikuo-sama is a bit slower than everyone else but he is kind and a nice person and …(etc.)"

"HAHAHA! You haven't changed all these years, still singing praises about him I see!"

Tsurara blushed at this comment and silently added,

"I'm not singing praises…it's the truth..."

"Supreme Commander! You know, you know, this yuki-onna RAN AWAY when she saw Rikuo-sama! Can you believe it? HAHA!"

Kejoro rang at the top of her voice as she barged into the room as well as the conversation.

"I-I DIDN'T! Rikuo-sama seemed tired so I thought I'll let him rest, that's all!"

Tsurara's protest was weak and clearly very unbelievable.

"HAHAHA! I see you have grown quite into a beauty Tsurara… I believe now you have the power to protect Rikuo? So what do you say? Won't you stay here from now on? I know you think that boy is tough but I can tell… after you left, him and this house have not been the same anymore. "

"Supreme Commander…"

Tsurara was conflicted; she really wanted to stay, but what about her duty as the princess? She couldn't just abandon it, could she?

"Ahem, regarding that…it can be discussed later, right now, our priority is the convict, Mitsukage Yaho. Unfortunately he is still at large and poses a serious threat to Tsurara-hime, hence, as we talked about just now, we would like the cooperation of your yokai, Supreme Commander."

The silver-haired man, who had been silent and clearly ignored until now, spoke up.

"You're right Kou, after all…that is what we came here to do."

Although the words came out of Tsurara's mouth, her heart was heavy and her hopeful feelings had been flushed down the drain.

"I understand, you have my cooperation. And Tsurara, if you decide to leave again, don't miss him this time."

The old yokai winked cheekily at the yuki-onna and trotted off to bed.

Tsurara stared blankly at the exit of the room, fully understanding what the Supreme Commander had said. Trying to hide her face which was turning rosy, she pretended she was tired and went straight to bed.

Dawn arrived early the next day and Rikuo was getting ready for school. Last night was a blur to him and he figured it really might be just a dream.

Rikuo had planned a normal afternoon for the day but as usual, normal was not in the dictionary for the Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad.

"Yosh! Today, today for sure, we'll find some yokai! Someone posted on the website that sightings of yokai have been spotted near the Gara Shrine. So, let's go!"

Kiyotsugu-kun, always full of energy, charged ahead.

"Rikuo-kun, are you coming?"

Ienaga Kana called out to the day-dreaming Rikuo.

"Ah hai, sorry, I'm coming right now."

Somehow, Rikuo had an ominous feeling about this.

Night fell quickly and although they should have seen it coming, the Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad was lost once again.

I have to get everyone home quickly, something isn't right.

Rikuo thought to himself, as the night grew deeper.

Menacing laughter echoed throughout the forest as everyone stood in their tracks.

"I didn't think that we would meet again. Fate is really on my side! HAHAHAHA!"

A figure formed out of the shadows and familiar green hair swished in the wind. His face was different when they first met; it was now branded with scars. The man had no doubt taken up a few fights these past four years. However, his eyes still shone that same evil glint and his mouth twitched with disgusting delight.

"Mitsukage Yaho!"

Everyone was shocked at the old face and Rikuo instinctively changed to his night form, protectively standing in front of his friends.

"I never thought I'll see your sorry face again. This time, I'll make you regret picking a fight with the Third Heir!"

As Rikuo said that, he lunged forward, aiming for the green-haired demon's head.

Metal clanged and sparks flew, swords clashed against another as a heated fight ensued. The whole forest became a bloody battlefield.

"Tsurara-hime! This way! It seems that Nura Rikuo has already engaged Mitsukage Yaho in a fight."

The team of three swiftly moved through the forest, a particular ice yokai anxiously hurrying to her master's side.

"Meikyo Shisui."

Clad in the darkness, Rikuo moved swiftly as he made an attempt to stab Mitsukage but the latter twisted and turned, avoiding impact.

"Tch. I won't miss this time."

Rikuo lunged, aiming for the demon's left arm. He sheathed Nenekirimaru and a piercing screech sliced the air. Blood gushed out of Mitsukage's broken limb and his eyes turned deep red.

"You…You Bastard!"

Mitsukage's Fear leaked out, shrouding his surroundings in darkness.

"Ahhh! What was that!"

The Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad panicked as they were enveloped in darkness.

Tsk…I can't fight back while protecting them. That guy is using them as a shield!

Rikuo was at a loss of what to do as he tried to arrange his thoughts.

It's dark, pitch black. I can't see anything. I can't feel anything. But- there's this person, with skin as white as snow…

So here you are Rikuo-sama…I found you…

"Rikuo-sama.. Rikuo-sama! Take a hold of yourself!"

"…"

"Please get your friends to safety. I will protect you, just like I always do."

As he stood there, he gazed at the back of the strong woman standing in front of him.

So, you've grown…to be the woman I always thought you'd become.

"Kou. Reina. What are you doing? Take Mitsukage Yaho down this instant!"

"Yes, Tsurara-hime!"

"Noroi no Fubuki, Yuki no ame!"

"Let me go! Let me go! I swear! I'll kill you! Yuki-onna, Nura Rikuo, you remember this. I'll drain you both and those humans dry until there's not a single drop of blood left. HAHAAHHAHA!"

"Shut up! Mitsukage Yaho! This time, I'll make sure you won't escape from me again."

With that threatening sentence, Kou gestured for the captive to be taken away.

"Rikuo-kun! I was so scared! What will we do? That man…what if he escapes and come after us again?"

As Kana clutches onto Rikuo's clothes and pours out her worries, he doesn't hear a word, as his gaze is fixated on the snow-white woman in front of him. The beautiful figure bathed in the moonlight rendered him speechless and in that moment, nothing else but her filled his thoughts.

"Tsurara, it really is you."

Hai…okay first up, I'm so sorry that after its been so long and I've finally put up a new chapter, its quite short! Forgive Me! I mean typing at 1am in the morning doesn't help, but hey, inspiration strikes at weird timings and in weird ways. Hahaha! Anyway, hope you guys liked the reunion, though its kinda like "hanging" in mid-air again…OTL… I'll try my best to make it official in the next chapter! Look forward to it!