Author's Note: Damn, it sure has been a while since the last chapter/omake, hasn't it? Sorry guys, about that, I just got a job and moved to another city, so it took quite a while for me to get life back in order and return to shape. I know many would have preferred an actual main story chapter, but I hope this omake will satisfy you. It's quite a meaty omake, I promise you that ;)
This omake was commissioned by my good friend Cloud Vanguard - Silveron.
WARNING: This chapter is big. Like over 21k words big. Biggest chapter yet…
! BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL SPOILERS, DON'T READ IF YOU HAVE NOT YET FINISHED READING THE NEJIREME SAGA !
Chapter 0 - Pestilent Destinies
"The sky tonight is very nice." The Third Head said to himself as he gazed upon the clear sky and the full moon. He was in front of his mansion, with the breeze gently blowing through his brown hair.
"Ga-ga." A voice came from his arms.
"Daddy knew you would agree, Ritsura-chan." He said to his daughter, whom he held in his arms. She had aged over a year now and had longer, teal hair, from which some tints of white showed, and her large amber eyes were more pronounced..
"Ga!"
"Mhm!" he nodded. "Yes, you will be getting a sibling soon. It's very exciting, don't you agree?"
"Mhm!"
"It shall be a strong child." Yami, who stood close to them, said. He spoke rarely, and was present as rarely, but he did have his moments. Like the master and his baby daughter, he too was gazing at the moon.
A sudden cold breeze strongly pushed their backs, but nobody acted like they paid attention to it besides Ritsura, who enjoyed the cold.
Kurotabou was also close to them, sitting on the ground and drinking tea with Aotabou. They wanted to drink sake, but Tsurara specifically ordered that she did not want a mess on this day. "Do you know if the child will be a boy or a girl, Rikuo-sama?"
"We didn't want to ask the doctor, so we know nothing for sure." After all, they were youkai, so going to a human doctor was risky in itself. However, youkai also had a stronger constitution so there tended to be less reasons to worry about. Still, Zen did some checks from time to time, but he sure did not use any of those modern medical devices. "But Tsurara is certain that it's a boy."
"Then it must be!" Aotabou said and raised his cup of unfortunately-not-sake. "Women have a strong intuition about these things, everyone knows that!"
"That's just a myth." Kubinashi shook his head while his body leaned against the cherry tree. "It's impossible to know such things from intuition alone."
Another sudden cold breeze strongly pushed their backs, but nobody seemed to have paid attention to it besides Ritsura, who enjoyed the cold.
"You're not a woman, so how would you know?" Kejorou, who stood right beside him, complained.
"And you never gave birth so how would you know?"
"And whose fault do you thi- ahem."
Yet another sudden cold breeze strongly pushed their backs and Ritsura laughed. It's getting more common. Rikuo was originally sad that their human friends were too busy to be here this time, but Tsurara was a bit relieved that she did not need to hold back just not to freeze them. However, it did mean that everyone not involved in helping with the birth had to stay outside, far enough not to get frozen.
"Oh my, so this is where everyone has gone." He heard a soft voice call from behind.
"Ah, Mother." Rikuo looked at his mother, who was walking towards their merry group with a smile on her lips.
In the mansion filled with beings which barely aged, Nura Wakana was one of the few people who had changed noticeably. Her youthful, bright face carried some wrinkles near her eyes and past her cheekbones and she now tied her all chocolate-brown bangs with a hair clip pinned to one side of her head. Though, her eyes, the warmth in them and her cheery, summery aura remained as endearingly attached to her as ever, along with the choice of the yellow kimono she donned.
"I thought you said you'd be with Tsurara and the others."
"I was chased out by them. They said that an old human like me would freeze." She said that with a giggle. "I guess they are right, as I did feel a bit cold. Tsurara-chan can be quite dangerous."
"Is she going to be alright?" Rikuo asked with a worried expression, and his daughter released another 'ga'.
"She will be alright. Every mother has to go through it." Wakana said and moved as if to take Ritsura, but then pulled her arms back.
Of course, her son noticed her intention. "Do you want to-"
"No, I think it's nicer this way." She waved her hand. "You two look so adorable fufu." She giggled but then sighed out with a more melancholic smile. "I wish darling could see you now…"
"Yeah… I wish that too." Rikuo said and looked at the sky. "But I'm sure he's looking at us, from somewhere."
"Yeah, I'm sure he is." Her smile became more innocent once more. "Did you know that you hold that child the same way your father held you?"
"Are there different ways to hold a child?"
"There are small differences. Like how you positioned your arms, how high up you hold it, how you'd support the neck and how close it is to your chest… such small things that only an old grandmother like me could notice."
"Is that right?" Rikuo looked at his little amber-eyed girl and petted her on the head, at which she laughed. And soon he would hold another child. "I never really gave it much thought."
"Well, you never needed much teaching on how to hold a child. Maybe it was your dad's ghost that taught you how to do it?"
"That-"
"That's so beautiful, Wakana-sama!" Aotabou yelled with tears in his eyes.
"This is a beautiful day…" Kejorou was also crying. "But you just made it more beautiful!" Kubinashi was sniffing beside her, while Kurotabou lowered his straw hat to hide his own eyes.
Everyone who was with dad is so sentimental. Rikuo sadly smiled, but he himself was far less inclined to weep. Of course, he wished that he had an opportunity to get to know his father better. He was always there, guarding him, and Rikuo could see it. This is why he still knew how he looked, even though so many years had passed and even though Rikuo last saw him while he was still a small child.
His father was with him, guarding his son, his wife, and the rest of his clan. But even though Rikuo could feel and see his presence occasionally, it was not the same thing. He was not there to teach him how to fight or how to lead. He was not there to listen to his child's dreams and wishes. He was not there to softly hit his son on the head when he did something wrong. He would never be in his photos of graduation and wedding. He was there, but never there to speak to him like a father did.
His father was stolen from him by the accursed Sanmoto Gorozaemon and Abe no Seimei. And this fact, which used to sadden or anger him before, is now worrying him. In his back-then-childish eyes, Nura Rihan was immortal. There was no way that somebody could touch him,let alone take him away forever.
Yet he was murdered, and a son lost his father. And Rikuo feared, from the bottom of his soul, that he too might be taken away. He looked at his little daughter, then felt the ice-cold breeze behind him, which reminded him that another child was coming. There were two children in need for a father, and he feared that he might be taken away someday. He knew that this fear would never disappear.
"Rikuo." His mother's words brought him back from his thoughts. "I know what you might be thinking about but…" She spoke with her soft smile. "...this isn't the time to be sad, you know. We are getting an addition to our family."
"Ah… did I really make a face like that, Mother?" Rikuo asked and put on a reassuring smile. Sometime without noticing, he had turned into his youkai form. "But you're right. This is a time to be happy." He said to her, and to everyone else around them, all of whom warmly smiled back at him.
Their warm smiles made him look at the situation from a different angle. He would be there to teach his children how to fight, and how to solve their homework. He would be there to listen to his children's dreams, and see what they would grow to become. He would be there to reprimand his kids for their mistakes, and compliment them for when they do something good. He would see children graduate from school, and hopefully the college too, and he would be there for their weddings. He would be there to guard them, and teach them how to guard themselves. And like every proud parent, he looked forward to when those times would come.
"Looks like the breezes are getting more common, Rikuo." His mother said and this time, took her granddaughter from his arms. "Go on, you should be there when your son arrives."
"That's true." Rikuo patted his little daughter on the head again. "Well, then I better go."
"Don't get frozen, Rikuo-sama!" someone yelled to him. "It looks very cold in there!"
"Don't worry, I've felt worse colds than this." He waved his hand and walked forward.
Then another youkai called to him. "Have you decided yet on how you will call the child, commander?"
While still walking, Rikuo just turned his head and winked. He already knew what name he would give to his son while Tsurara no doubt had some ideas for another daughter.
"AAAAAAAHHH!" He had barely started thinking about something else when a shriek came out from the depths of the mansion, and a cold wind engulfed him. If he did not know what was going on, he would have thought that this was a haunted house.
He took a large gulp and continued walking forward. Maybe his presence would calm Tsurara down, even though he was told that it would be better if he was somewhere else.
And then he could hear something else… a baby's cry. Feeling a grin on his face, he hurried up.
"It's over!" He heard one of the female attendants when he got close. "It's a boy, Tsurara-sama!"
"Yeah… let me hold him." His wife answered those words.
"Someone go get the Supreme-"
"I'm already here!" Rikuo slid the doors open and walked inside, ignoring the bowing attendants and going straight to his child, who was crying, and his wife, panting and sweaty, who was hugging him.
"It's a boy, Rikuo-sama… just as I told you."
"Indeed." Rikuo kneeled down, hugging Tsurara with his left arm and looking down at the baby boy. He had forgotten how tiny a newborn babe was, and that made him realize just how much Ritsura had already grown… how fast children grow. This one had a tuft of black hair, tinted with deep blue faintly and shining amber eyes, reminiscent of his sister but smaller and rarely open, with his face scrunched up in crying.
"Here, hold him a little." Tsurara said with a smile, and a tired gaze.
"Alright." He accepted this tiny being into his arms, holding him as gently as he possibly could, as he looked so delicate. He could not help but grin as he held his baby boy, his son, in his arms. "Tell the others that a boy has been born." He said to the attendants.
"Of course, Third. What is his name?"
"The kanji is written differently, but it is pronounced… Rihan (利半)."
~)(~
"Tsurara sure is taking her sweet time with shopping." Rikuo thought to himself as he lay down on the floor, with his casual white yukata, adorned with red borders, loosely worn and gazed upon the ceiling. The sun had just set, and his youkai side had already resurfaced. "Rihan, do you think she is using shopping to take a break?"
His four months old babe, who was in his crib, replied only once his father raised his palm, which held a sake cup, and created a blue flame. "Waah!"
"You think so? Well, I'm not that sure…"
"Waah!" Rihan replied with a smile to another firework. Since Tsurara went shopping, and Rikuo had time to spare, he was babysitting the kids while she was away.
"Well, I don't mind it. Everyone knows that she needs a break." He said, rose into a sitting position, and caught a vase that almost fell when Ritsura pulled table-cloth. "What do you think, Ritsura?"
The baby girl just looked at him in confusion, and then moved towards a doll that was sitting at the floor.
"Oh, so you're staying silent? That's quite a cunning move."
"When did you learn how to speak the Baby language, Rikuo-sama?" A voice revealed that someone else had entered the room.
"Ah, Shouei." Rikuo looked at the tall youkai clad in red.
Shouei of the Hihi clan. Several years ago too, this hanyou in a red hoodie, had towered over many of his peers and had since then grown even taller, up to beyond two meters. His rosy maroon eyes retained their sharp, metallic glint, but the expression in them was relaxed and, at this very moment, amused.
"What brings you here?" He asked while putting the vase back onto the small table, and fixing the tablecloth.
"I was passing through when I heard our Supreme Commander lead a conversation with his babies." Shouei smiled and took out a full bottle of sake as he sat down. "Will you join me, Rikuo-sama?"
"No, I can't drink while kids are around." Rikuo rejected his offer as he sat in front of Shouei. "Tsurara would have my head if I drank now."
"Heh, Onee-san has become quite commanding after becoming a mother." Shouei said as he poured himself a small cup. The fact that he had only one cup said all there was to be said about his opinion on the chances of Rikuo actually accepting his offer for a drink.
"She indeed has." Rikuo replied and grabbed Ritsura who was moving past him, and took her into his arms. "No breaking stuff for you, not when someone is keeping your dad company."
"Enjoy these times, Rikuo-sama."
"Because the kids will grow up soon?"
"That… and because in a few months you'll be having two kids trying to wreck all you hold dear." Shouei answered with a large grin.
"Haaah…" Rikuo sighed while his daughter tapped him on his cheek. "It's at times like these that I feel especially grateful for living in a traditional house. Just imagine if there was something breakable on every step."
"Don't complain, at least you and nee-san have attendants that babysit kids for you from time to time. Most other parents have to do everything alone."
"You sure have done your research, Shouei. Planning to make your own kid?"
"Ahh… no, not yet." He blushed. "I'd also have to find a wife before that."
"Well, all in its due time." Rikuo winked.
"Let's hope so." Shouei sighed and took a sip of his sake. "Though the youkai sure do like taking their sweet time getting together." Shouei, who himself was a half-youkai, commented.
"That's right. Just look at Kubinashi." Rikuo and Shouei laughed at it, and then Rihan started crying. "What's up boy?" Rikuo asked and walked to the crib, where the child was stirring restlessly. "Do you want some milk?" He tried giving him the bottle, but the boy did not accept. "A pacifier maybe?" He rejected that one too. "Hmm… you seem to be sweating."
"Now that I think of it, Tsurara does often comfort him with cooling."
"Yeah, he likes when he's cold. It was the same with Ritsura." Rikuo sighed. "Their mother's blood no doubt."
"Should we call nee-san and tell her to hurry up?"
"No need, I got this." Rikuo said, to which Shouei raised an eyebrow. Rikuo raised his daughter, tickled her a little under her chin. She started laughing, then got a little annoyed, after which she released a small wave of cold air. Rihan's crying then turned into laughter. "She releases cold air when she starts feeling annoyed." Rikuo explained.
"You really did become a professional, Rikuo-sama."
~)(~
"So? What do you think, Mast… Rikuo-san?" Kiyotsugu asked Rikuo as he pointed at a large hot springs resort with both of his arms. A grand exterior with sloping, curly beams marking the entrance and smooth, dark walls, embellished pillars beside the path that led visitors indoors. Kiyotsugu Kiyojuji was a grownup man now, but he had changed little from his Middle School days. That was, he was still cheerful and easy to excite. Though it would be a lie to say that he's not changed since his grade school days.
"It's quite something, Kiyotsugu-kun." Rikuo said while putting his hand under his brown hair to hide himself from the sun. Visiting an inn, most were in yukatas."I still can't believe that Gyuki allowed one to build a Hot Springs Resort though."
"I myself am not sure if I'm glad or disappointed at that." Kiyotsugu shook his head. "On one hand, there are the profits for me! On other hand, it kills some mystery about the mountain. But on yet another: enjoying hot springs on a mystical mountain! Now that is very exciting!"
Rikuo sighed, but continued to listen to Kiyotsugu with a smile, though he did not actually hear his words. Kiyotsugu invited him and his family to Nejireme, as he wanted the Nuras to be amongst his first guests. And Rikuo, who was exhausted from being the Lord of Pandemonium and a father at the same time desperately needed this break.
"But then again, if this place becomes popular, then legends of Gyuki might become even more widespread!" Kiyotsugu continued while he and Rikuo walked around the resort.
"Or maybe more legends about Gyuki will be born, and they will spread across Japan as tourists return home." A voice said from behind them. The two men turned around, and Kiyotsugu shook from shock for a moment after seeing that a large man in a red mask appeared. "If the Gyuki Clan rises in power, I will be the first to raise a cup of sake and laugh at how a tourist attraction made Nejireme great again."
"Aahhh… you are…" It did not take long for the wavy-haired Kiyotsugu to turn from feeling afraid to feeling intrigued. "Who are you?"
"I'm a Gyuki, but my tales have been forgotten long ago." The youkai laughed. Then he turned towards Rikuo and made a slight bow. "Hope you and your family are doing well, Third."
"We are." Rikuo replied. "Your name is Tesshin, right?"
"I'm honored that you recognize me, Third." He bowed once again. "As I understand, you have yet to formally meet with Gyuki-sama. It would be rude of me to hover around with our liege before him, so I'll put an end to my sightseeing and leave you alone."
"So formal… You really are one of Gyuki's men." Rikuo commented. "I hope we meet later, Tesshin."
"It would be an honor, Third." And with that, Tesshin left them.
"He seems like quite a nice guy." Kiyotsugu said and then muttered something else under his breath. "And does not feel as scary as Gyuki-sama."
"He is quite an open-minded and honorable youkai as I hear." Rikuo said as he gazed upon Tesshin's back. Yet it also feels like he's being plagued by something.
~)(~
"Uwww…" Tsurara puffed with her cheeks while looking around and holding Rihan in her arms. "I thought we were going to be the first guests."
"Well, this Kiyo person probably thought of humans." Her mother, Setsura, explained her thoughts while following her daughter and holding her granddaughter in her arms. "Well, not that a human could do anything about it. If youkai want to visit hot springs, they'll come even if it's closed."
"I know, I know… but I thought it would take a while for them to hear about it. I really wanted to have some peace and quiet, you know."
"Of course you want some peace and quiet." Setsura said as she looked around. "But in your place, I'd be worried."
"Why?" Tsurara asked and looked at her. "Do you think something will happen?"
"We are not in the safety of the Main House right now… or in the safety of our turfs. If an enemy attacked-"
"I doubt they'll dare."
"But you know they might."
"They might… " Tsurara admitted with a sigh. "But if that happens, then Rikuo-sama and the rest of us will beat them up like we always do."
"And who will guard the children?"
"Everyone, of course." Though not a lot of Nura youkai came with them, everyone who was there was one of the strongest in the clan.
"Well, let's hope for the best." Setsura said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"You don't sound too hopeful, mother."
"Call it experience. You know yourself that Rikuo was often targeted as a child, and I can assure you that Rihan was no safer… though, in his case, his father was a greater threat… But how many times has someone tried to make a move on these two babies?" She raised Ritsura up a little and looked at Rihan.
"Well, our clan is stronger now. We're not as easy a target."
"Not an easy target for weaklings and kids maybe. But the stronger guys…" Setsura started, but did not finish the sentence. It was clear what she meant.
"Don't be such a killjoy, mother." Tsurara said, but did not argue back. After all, she already knew that she had a point.
~)(~
"Ahhh…" Rikuo, now in his youkai form, sighed out as he relaxed in a rotenburo, his head resting on a wet rock. "It's been so long since I visited an actual hot spring."
"But you went to a hot spring last week with Rihan-sama." Aotabou, who was also in the bath, was confused. "Y'know, when you were visiting the Miura Hills. Oh, and recently you were also in-"
Fortunately for Rikuo, Kubinashi already knew what their liege meant. "I don't think Rikuo-sama had the chance to visit them as Tsurara did not go with him."
"Why does that matter?"
"Because my kids don't like heat." Rikuo decided to personally bless him with an answer. "So I had to 'enjoy' cold lakes instead. Now please… stop reminding me of cold lakes."
"Ah… sorry Rikuo-sama."
"That's what you get for marrying a Yuki-Onna and having children with her." Shouei, who was also bathing in the rotenburo, noted. He, Aotabou and Kubinashi were the only (male) retainers that Rikuo brought with him to Nejireme.
"Please let us change the topic already!"
"As you say, Rikuo-sama." Shouei said with a rare naughty grin on his face. "What do you think of economical opportunities and risks that will come once our expansion into Chubu starts in earnest?"
Though Shouei was mostly teasing him, Rikuo decided to take the bait. "We'll see. The Tochigami there are growing weaker, but nevertheless we should earn a lot of Fear if we get them on our side."
"Even more so if we help them grow stronger." Kubinashi noted with a satisfied smile. It was he and Kurotabou who made plans for how to strengthen the region's Tochigami.
Aotabou also had something to say on the topic. "I'm no great strategist, but we can't do anything with Tochigami until we actually take over the territories."
"We're not actually taking any territories." Rikuo disagreed with his choice of words. "We're merely strengthening our influence over Chubu."
"You don't sound too convinced as you say that, Rikuo." His sworn brother Shouei noticed.
"Hmph." Rikuo frowned. "I would not say this in front of the rest of the clan, but I don't like fact that we are pushing into Chubu." He was doing it only because the clan wanted to strengthen their western borders. Nejireme was protecting the clan from invaders, but it was in Kansai, just west of Chubu. As such, Chubu youkai were always able to attack the Nura Clan's territories, some of which were located in Chubu itself. Were the Chubu youkai not busy fighting one another most of the time, they might have been a major threat to the youkai of Kantou. And the executives were keen on making it so that they never become such a threat in the first place.
But to Rikuo, they were no threat. "I'm worried this will just earn us more enemies. Besides, they came when I invited all youkai yakuza in Japan to fight the Gokadoins."
"Our most important allies back then were from Chugoku and Shikoku, and later from Kyoto." Shouei reminded him. "Most of the Chubu youkai gave as little help as they could."
"Even so, they were our allies."
"And you are the Lord of Pandemonium, Rikuo-sama." Aotabou said. "All youkai should serve you, and the Nura Clan is sworn to make it so. This is our clan's centuries old goal and dream."
"And that's still my goal. But I don't need to force others to serve me, and you guys know that." Maybe it was because his human and youkai selves have practically merged after so many years, but Rikuo had come to favor friendly diplomacy over aggression and dirty tricks. The fact that he was able to unite all those youkai clans into one Hyakki Yakou, even if it was for a short while, with only words made him proud. Words had power...he remembered someone telling him that mid-battle.
"We already said this before, but Rihan-sama expanded the Nura Clan so he would leave it to his child." Kubinashi noted. "At the end of the day, this will make the entire clan safer."
"Also, it's not like our expansion into Chubu is so bad for the youkai and humans." Shouei spoke up too. "Right now, Chubu is filled with strife and war. Under the Nura Clan's protection, many lives will be saved and made safer."
"That's the only reason I'm going with it." Rikuo said. "Though we've yet to see if the youkai of Chubu will care about such things." He said, remembering the Kyoto youkai and the Hyaku Monogatari. Those two would always remind him that youkai could radically differ from one another by their very nature. He hoped the Chubu youkai were, under their prideful masks, more like the Kantou youkai than like the youkai of Kyoto. But whatever the case, I don't intend to go back on my decisions. I'll have to see this through.
~)(~
While the men were enjoying a hot bath outside, the women decided to stay indoors. Mainly, it was because there were several baths inside, and Tsurara did not need to feel guilty as she froze one of them. Though she and her mother had managed to master the arts of not letting the heat wound their Fears, her children still had a long way to go in those aspects.
"We gave our best, but the water is still lukewarm." Her mother complained. "When will these pesky humans learn the beauty of a cold bath?"
"When they, and most other youkai, develop cold blood." Kejorou, the only female retainer that went with them, explained as she washed herself outside the bath. "Besides, I can feel the water's chill to here." There were other women (all youkai) in this place too, but they kept their distance. Even youkai prefered to stay away from yakuza in bathhouses.
"It's not cold enough." Setsura said and prepared to do some more freezing. Ritsura, who was in her arms, smiled greatly as she felt the cold grow.
"Mother, stop." Tsurara looked at her mother with a stern glance. "You will make trouble for the others, and may even break some pipes if you go too far."
"Pfft, what a killjoy." Setsura said, returning the remark from before, and looked down at Ritsura. "Your mom is so mean, isn't she? You too want to freeze this whole place into the ice age, right Ritsura-chan?"
"Ga!" Ritsura said, but nobody knew if it was a confirmation or rejection.
"Anyway, we haven't spoken in a while." Setsura said while looking back at her daughter. "How's the married life been to you, Tsurara?"
"It's exhausting. But nevertheless, I'm happy."
"Well, of course you are. You married the one you love." Setsura said with a smile. "And children have to be exhausting."
"Actually, I find taking care of children less exhausting than my other chores." She said with a sigh. "In the past, all I had to do was fight and protect Rikuo-sama. Now… I have to control the entire household, take lead when Rikuo-sama is away, wonder if this or that decision from our clan will be dangerous for us and the kids… At this point, I'm happy when I can relax and just cuddle with my babies."
"And with Rikuo of course." Setsura smirked.
"Well, of course." She replied with a smile.
Kejorou, however, was grumpy as she whispered under her breath. "Of course," she iterated for the third time in the conversation, "You have it easy when we all help in taking care of the kids."
"But I wouldn't get anywhere without help from others." Tsurara said immediately after.
"What a sweet-talkin mistress." Kejorou puffed with her cheeks. "But please, go on."
"And that too… I still am not used to people addressing me with mistress and Tsurara-sama." Tsurara scratched her head.
"Oh, poor you." Setsura mocked her.
"Now you guys are just being mean." It was Tsurara's time to puff. "You know, it's not my fault for marrying the greatest youkai in Japan!" It was also her time to be a little mean.
"Now you're just showing off!" Setsura frowned, first at Tsurara and then a woman who sat just beside Kejorou. She saw enemies in everyone since coming to Nejireme so Tsurara did not pay it much mind.
"Anyway, this is a great time for the Nura Clan." Kejorou changed the topic. "I remember those centuries when Rihan-sama tried to have a child yet…"
"Indeed." Setsura, who also lived through those days, nodded on agreement. "At some point, we'd gotten worried if the clan would ever even last past its second generation." She said while looking in Kejorou's direction.
"And now we have two heirs." Kejorou continued. "And both Rikuo-sama and Tsurara-sama are young and healthy. It's good to feel so safe."
"Was it really that bad?" Tsurara wondered. "I know that it took four hundred years for Rikuo-sama to be born, but the Second was not fast in aging."
"You never know what might happen." Setsura said while frowning and tightly holding Ritsura. "We still don't know what might happen." She said as she created an ice dagger in her left hand.
"...Mom, what is going on?" Tsurara was getting worried.
"Hey, you!" She spoke to a woman that was washing herself near Kejorou. "You have quite the guts to-"
"-stay so close to the yakuza of the Nura Clan." The woman smiled and turned her attention towards them. The malicious smile made Tsurara realize that she was an enemy, and Kejorou stopped moving, her eyes focused on the woman who looked like a human, with the exception that there was a bandage over her eyes, on which the words 'See no evil' were written. "You are either a fool, or an enemy… that's what you intended to say, right?"
Kejorou was cautious, Tsurara was scared, but Setsura was quick to act. She quickly and skillfully threw the dagger at her, but the woman avoided by just pushing herself away and having her stool slide a little.
The moment this woman moved, Kejorou attacked her with her hair. But just before her long locks reached the enemy, the wall broke and a Buddhist monk's staff came flying, hitting Kejorou right into her back.
The staff, after it had made Kejorou slip and fall onto the floor, flew right into the mysterious woman's hands. There were Buddhist monk's robes tied to the staff, and as the woman quickly took it. The robes were soon, in snaking lines of Fear, upon and clothing her fully.
Tsurara and Setsura both moved their hands, and shot icicles at her. But she moved her staff so that she broke both projectiles. Both of the Yuki-Onnas prepared for another attack, but then the mysterious woman raised her bandage. "I'm Shikibu, servant of the Koshin. Glad to make your acquaintance."
Tsurara did not see her eyes. Instead, all she saw was someone stabbing her from behind with a large, clawed hand. Instinctively, she moved Rihan towards her mother, so she could take up the role of the guardian.
But her mother fell onto her knees for no reason, and the one to take Rihan was the enemy. A moment later, Tsurara realized that this sudden attack from behind was merely an illusion.
"My power allows me to see into many possible futures." Shikibu said as the three women of the Nura Clan turned towards her. Tsurara felt her heart stop when her eyes found her hold crying Rihan, with a short blade under his neck. "And my power allows me to show the most horrendous versions to other people."
It was impossible to avoid her eyes, especially when you look at her because she holds your beloved child hostage.
Because she saw her eyes again, Tsurara went through those horrible visions where her two children were brutally murdered and butchered. Instinctively, she screamed in terror.
"Tsurara!" But her mother's call to her woke her up, and she realized that these futures could only happen if she did not act. And thus, the visions ended.
But Shikibu had already ran out of the bath, holding the crying Rihan in her left arm and her staff in the other.
"Rihan!" Tsurara went to run after her, but her mother stopped her with her hand.
"Calm down, and look!" Several youkai, Yashas by the looks of it. "We can't move before dealing with these bastards." Her mother spoke with her teeth shown and a murderous look in her eyes. Like Tsurara, she had trouble keeping her cool.
"Let's kill them and get to that Shikibu woman." Kejorou said and moved to their side, her hair throwing a few yukatas onto them.
"Yes, let's." Tsurara agreed, ready to turn these Yashas into a thousand ice shards.
~)(~
The very moment Rikuo felt a strong yet unknown Fear, he rose from the spring, took and put on a yukata and hurried towards the building. He felt his retainers following him, but no one spoke. Not to him, not to one another.
Tsurara. Ritsura and Rihan! He did not know where exactly Tsurara and the other women were staying with his kids, but he knew it would be in the direction of this Fear. It was hard to believe that someone would try something against them, but if someone was making a move it could only be because he and his family were here. Damn it, is there not one place where we can just kick back and relax?
When one of the buildings broke and several youkai flew from it, he knew that he had found the place where Tsurara and the others were staying. He did not even need to see that the flying youkai were mostly frozen.
Aotabou punched one of the youkai flying in their direction, and turned him into a bloody pulp. "He was still alive." He explained. In a similar manner, Kubinashi strangled and Shouei stomped to death any survivors that stumbled upon. None of them was in the mood for taking hostages, and attacking the family of the Nura Clan's Supreme Commander while they were relaxing, was an act punishable by death.
The Supreme Commander's eyes then fell on the one invader who did not look like the Yashas that fell around them. This one was a woman dressed as a Buddhist monk, running with a baby in her arms.
The Lord of Pandemonium's blood boiled, and he started sprinting towards her. A large rock flew past him and towards the woman, likely thrown by Shouei to squash the enemy's legs. Rikuo had already prepared to grab his child once the rock hit into the woman, but she merely slowed her running, thus avoiding being hit by the rock. She did not even show signs of having ever looked at them, yet she knew about the upcoming attack and how to avoid it.
She turned herself in their direction, which gave Rikuo a chance to look at her. She was a youkai, but one of those with a human form. Her hair was black and long, split into two pigtails which covered her front, and her figure was slender, with average height. He could not comment on her eyes though, for there was a bandage over them on which the famous term 'See no Evil' was written. She wore a black monk's robes, similar to Kurotabou's and Aotabou's, though it looked a bit dusty and moist, as if it had gone broken through a wall into steam. In her hands, she held the crying Rihan, which angered Rikuo, and in the other a tall, brown Sakujo, a Buddhist monk's staff.
"Supreme Commander of the Nura Clan, I'm honored to meet you." In the similar vain, she knew how to deflect Rikuo's attack. "I fear I'm too weak to fight you for even a minute, but fortunately I'm protected by the mighty Koshin." She said and, after deflecting another attack which drove her staff backwards, she used the staff to grab a strange lantern from the ground. "Oh Shima-sama, the demon of Death, who cuts the lives of all living beings, bless me with thy protection!" She recited and the lantern started glowing green.
Rikuo felt an extraordinary Fear and immediately retreated. It was a good move, for the light that came from the lantern killed all the grass and flowers around the woman. To his relief, Rihan seemed fine.
"You think that lantern will protect you from me?" He asked in a menacing tone. He wondered if he should immediately move forward and rely on his Fear to protect him.
"It will buy me some time." She said and put the lantern onto the ceiling. The lantern then shot balls of green flame in several directions, all towards normal lantern which then got lit, started growing green, and also started spreading pestilence. Yet the power that was contained in the original lantern left it, and jumped from one to another. Rikuo could feel that this power was actually a youkai of immense power. "Now I wish thee farewell, though I see there is a chance that we shall meet again." The woman said and continued quickly walking into the inside of another building in the resort.
"I'll get you, woman." Rikuo spoke through gritted teeth.
"Rikuo-sama!" He heard his wife and turned towards her, Setsura, and Kejorou. He was relieved to see that Ritsura was safe. "Why didn't you go after her?" She asked angrily, something he could not blame her for.
"Well because-" He started, but then a youkai (who did not look like a Yasha and thus was probably just a mere visitor) ran out, and fell to the ground coughing blood. After some twitching, he died in agony. "Because of this." Rikuo said. "Though our son seems to be kept safe by the very woman who took him."
"What…" She started while gazing in front of her. There seemed to be a thin green fog in the air, seemingly created by the lanterns. "What is that?"
"It's some poison created by those lanterns. And I have a feeling that this is the power of some youkai, but not of that woman." He then looked at Tsurara. "How did this happen? I can't imagine…"
"She… Shikibu I think she called herself… has some nasty power. She makes you see some kinds of visions, and can predict your moves. I think she mentioned something about seeing into the future… anyway, don't ever look into her eyes!"
"Why-"
"Don't! It is horrible… and will make everything happen too fast… and we're talking too much, we've to go and save our baby!"
"Yeah, we do." Rikuo nodded and looked at the others. "Do any of you guys have any idea who this might be? She mentioned Koshin, but isn't that guy dead?" The Koshin, or more precisely Shoumen Kongo, was an old enemy of his father's, but Rikuo did not know much about him, even though he did study about him at one point.
"The Koshin…" Aotabou looked annoyed. "He is dead alright, but we killed only one of his four lieutenants. And those four lieutenants are no joke."
"If this is Koshin, then we know what this mist is." Kejorou continued. "Shoumen Kongo was a powerful youkai, and one of his powers was spreading death and disease. This is most likely part of that power."
"One of his Shimas, who is just called Shima, was also able to spread pestilence." Gyuki's voice made everyone turn towards them. He was followed by two youkai, one of whom was Tesshin. And the other…
"Oi, who's that woman?" Setsura and Tsurara said at the same time while looking at the one who was walking behind Gyuki and beside Tesshin. Like the one that kidnapped Rihan, she was a woman and wore a blindfold over her eyes. But she also had a straw hat, her blindfold had red eyes drawn over it instead of some words, and her clothes were a brown robe.
"I apologize!" This woman bowed. "Shikibu is a relative of mine. I haven't seen her in centuries, so I welcomed her when she came to visit. I had no idea that she-"
"You're innocent, fine. I don't have time to listen to you now." The impatient Rikuo cut her words off and faced Gyuki. "Do you know more about this power?"
"Mhm." Gyuki nodded. "The old Koshin had four servants who were extremely powerful. They are all fiercely loyal and fanatical, but this one is more than others. He gave up his original name, and honors his master by spreading death wherever he can."
"Does his power have anything to do with lanterns."
"No, it doesn't." Gyuki scratched his chin and then looked at the green lanterns. "But there is a story long forgotten you see. I won't go into detail, but basically he allowed himself to be killed and his soul sealed in a lantern. He sacrificed his own body to strengthen his power, but I don't really know how it works. Nobody who met thim in this form survived to tell the tale.."
"Well, I definitely felt an immense power when Shikibu used the lantern." Rikuo faced the mist again. "So he is likely here."
"Rikuo, we will take care of him!" Shouei said as he put a hand on Rikuo's shoulder and looked down at his sworn brother through his mask. "You two go after Rihan-sama."
Tsurara seemed to like the idea. "Thank you Shouei, we will go after her and-"
"No." Gyuki cut them all off. "Rikuo-sama, I ask you to leave Shikibu and Rihan-sama to us." Gyuki presented his own plan. "This is no time for heroics, and I still remember fighting a Shima with the rest of the clan. I fear this is an enemy which, amongst us here, only you can defeat." He then looked at Tsurara. "And you'll need someone with whom you can use a strong Matoi. So mistress, I'm sorry to ask this of a mother but please go with the Commander."
"Wha… what are you even… I would never…" Tsurara seemed hysterical for a while, but then took a deep breath and calmed herself down. "Is this guy really that strong?"
"He is." Gyuki said and nodded.
"Can he really not wait for Shikibu to be dealt with?"
"By keeping him busy, you can weaken the power of this poison, and thus, we can survive longer inside it. If you take him down, the poison would be gone, and we all can survive." Gyuki explained. "What's more, if we attack Shikibu, he will likely come and join up with her. I don't want to fight over Rihan-sama while someone as powerful as him is nearby."
"Why do you think that he isn't with Shikibu right now?" Setsura was the one to ask a question this time. "That would be the best course of action, no?"
"I doubt it. They clearly don't want to kill Rihan-sama… at least not at the moment…" Gyuki added with a frown. "So he will keep distance, if only to not hurt Shikibu and Rihan-sama accidentally. And if Rikuo-sama and his wife venture in alone…"
"We'll be bait. Fine enough with me." Rikuo said and turned around. "Enough talk, let's go."
"Yeah!" Tsurara said and created a spear in her hands. "The sooner we get rid of him, the sooner I can see my baby again."
"Then I, Setsura and Aotabou will go inside." Gyuki said. "Kubinashi and Kejorou should keep guard in case more Yashas come."
"No, I won't be fighting this time." Aotabou said with crossed arms. "You may forget about it sometimes, but I'm a monk and I actually learned some spells to fight the Koshin." Aotabou said with a smile when everyone looked at this battle-loving youkai reject fighting. "I'll sit down and protect you all so you can have easier time inside."
"Then I'll go inside with Gyuki-sama." Kejorou said. "Kubinashi can stay behind and keep guard."
"And I'll guard the little one." Setsura said as her arms held the little Ritsura. "And if she comes running out, I'll show her just how sharp a spear of ice can be."
Kubinashi opened his mouth to either agree or protest, but Rikuo was in no mood to talk anymore. "Good. Now let's get going."
~)(~
"You know Tsurara, you can go with them if you want." Rikuo said to his wife as the two walked with hastened, but cautious, steps. "I know you'd feel better, and truth be told so would I."
"I want to… I really do…" She said while biting her lower lip in frustration. "But Gyuki is wise, and if he is this worried and so sure that his plan is the right one, then he must be sure that this youkai is a large threat. I won't let you face him alone." She then let out a sigh. "Besides, I trust in Kejorou and the others. I know they'll save our son. An enemy we have defeated before… Rikuo-sama, do you know anything about them? I wasn't even born when Rihan-sama fought them."
"Yeah, I read and asked about our old enemies. Seimei and Sanmoto were ghosts from the past, so maybe there were some more." Rikuo explained. "And looks like I was right and there really is yet another old enemy who just refuses to stay dead."
"Were he and his clan strong enemies?"
"As I hear, dad barely survived his fight with their leader, Shoumen Kongo… or the Koshin-san, as his followers called him. And even that was only made possible with the help of Kongo's own successor, if what Gramps said was true." Rikuo frowned. "But he is dead, while his servants aren't. There were four of his lieutenants, and the Nura Clan fought only one in that war. It took the entire Hyakki to kill him. It was lucky they attacked while the other three were away." He remembered both what he heard, and what Gyuki and Aotabou said. These four youkai must've been quite something when everyone talks about them at the very mention of the Koshin and his cult.
"And one of those three survivors is now here, if I understood you and Gyuki correctly." She frowned once more, and her steps turned to running. Naturally, Rikuo started moving at the same pace. "Just what do they want to do with our son?"
"I have no idea… but I have no intention of giving them an opportunity to let me find out." Rikuo's clenched his sword, just to assure himself once more that the sword was really there.
"Right! We can't-"
Finally, Rikuo felt the presence from before once more. "This way!" He grabbed Tsurara's arm and turned at the corner. "He's moving around… but we can catch up to him!" Rikuo spoke while they ran through a hallway. On their path, they saw several lanterns burning with green fire, spreading poison. It was hard to breathe and it smelled of rot and death, but Rikuo could feel Aotabou's Fear around them, guarding them from this vicious power.
They ran through the resort, then it's outside and finally into the forest. Finally, the spirit that they were following stopped moving. It took only a few more moments until Rikuo and Tsurara reached a large clearing. It was a pretty view, with trees, stones, a shrine to Umewakamaru, and even a small rivulet that was flowing towards the resort.
And there was a large, green lantern hanging from the largest tree, which was in the middle of the clearing and just above the rivulet.
"Are you done running?". Rikuo asked, and put his hand on Tsurara's shoulder. His wife nodded, after which she turned into her pure spiritual form and fused with Rikuo. As result, shards of ice started floating and dancing around him, more so around his sword. A scarf with zigzag lines was wrapped around and flowing from his neck and arm and leg-guards formed along with his yukata becoming speckled with snowflakes.
"Fufufufufu… Shikibu was right, you really did follow me all the way here." A strong and malignant voice spoke from the lantern. "Great! I much prefer meeting you in such a spacious place, and with no hindrances." The lantern's green fire grew so strong, that the entire lantern got enveloped by the flames. They stank of rot, much more so than the inside of the resort.
Soon, the poison cloud engulfed the entire clearing, and grew so thick that barely anything could be seen through it. The lush trees withered while the squirrels and birds fell in the rain of corpses.
But the thickest part was around the lantern, and it grew until it looked like a circular portal, over three meters in height. A large black hand, as large as Rikuo's entire body, came out of this thick mist. The arm looked like it was clad in armor made of blackish rock, but after a few moments of looking it became clear that it was part of this youkai's body. The nails at the end of its fingers were pitch-black, as obsidian, but the light from the lantern reflected from it. Rikuo had a feeling that the nails were the strongest and sharpest part of the hand.
Then, the youkai's leg came out. It too was clad in armor of blackish rock, and was large enough to stomp him to the ground.
The next came the head and face of the enemy. It was the face of a demonic lion, with sunken, gleaming lime eyes and a wicked smirk on his face. Furthermore, the corners of his mouth were adorned with four-inch fanged molars. As it came out further, it revealed a magnificent burnt-sienna colored mane, whose ends were burning in small white flames.
Then the rest of his body came out, equally adorned with the black, rocky armor everywhere… but on his chest. On his chest, there was a large rupture surrounded by his rib bones, as if someone gutted him out. From that rupture, a strong green light shone, and the poisonous cloud spread out as a devious green tsunami. It was clear that this was the actual source of the pestilence that rose in and around the resort.
The very Fear of this youkai was soul-ravaging, and the environment reacted in kind. The blight spread across the ground and trees, killing anything that was left. The green poison cloud itself grew thicker, and whirled around in force like a blizzard. Even Rikuo started finding it hard to breathe, and felt the poison weaken him. He resisted it with his own Fear, and Aotabou seemed to have just strengthened the spell, but even so Rikuo could feel slightly weakening.
The youkai smiled and crossed his arms. "I'm honored to see that even the mighty Lord of Pandemonium is impressed by my very figure!" A voice which could shatter stones spoke out. "I'm Shima, the Desecrater of Temples, the slaughterer of lesser divines, and the Koshin's greatest Shinigami!"
Rikuo did not reply, he just prepared for a fight. He did not know how long he could last in this poison, so he did not want to waste time talking.
The evil youkai smirked at that, and several disembodied corpses of Yashas fell out of his rupture. Those bodies then rose up, and like zombies slowly moved towards Rikuo. "Right to the point, eh?" He said and quickly took his own fighting stance, which made him look as if he was about to jump into an entire Hyakki Yakou and slaughter everyone with his bare hands. "Good. Your doom awaits you Nura, and I shall be glad to help you reach it!"
~)(~
Shikibu looked at the crying baby boy whom she put down on a table. She did not understand what her master and god, Shoumen Kongo, wanted with this crying whus, but she would soon find out.
Shikibu was a Seer, a person able to see someone's future. It was a curse more than a blessing, for this power forced her to live through tragedies that were to happen to those she cared about, and it also killed any joy for the good futures that awaited.
But she came to adore this power once she met the Koshin, and since then she used it for his glory. She went as far as to steal an eye from an old Kitsune, just because there was a small chance that putting that eye into her own eye socket would make her powers stronger.
And it did. She used to see the future as murky visions, and after getting the eye she learned that it was because there was not only one future, but many possible ones. The Kitsune's eye not only made her visions clearer, but she could see several possible futures clearly… and, most importantly, how to make such futures happen. It was this that her master sought from her whenever he ordered her to act.
However, the Kitsune's evil eye also made her unable to see anything except the worst possible futures whenever she looked far. But that was a small price to pay. Smaller yet, since her master did not care about bright ones.
And she would use that power now, on this very boy. She would glimpse into his darkest future, learn what led to it, and bring this information to her master. The Nuras no doubt thought that avoiding Shima would be enough to save Rihan, and they will no doubt think that they are victorious once they reclaim the boy.
But that was just part of the plan. She would finish using her foresight, and retreat before they reached her. And even if they did reach her, Shima would protect her. And even if they killed her, she would have enough time to let Shima know what their master desired.
"Keep any intruders away." She ordered the Yashas that were with her. "I won't take long, so this should be easy for you." When they left, she turned back to the crying boy and hit the floor with her staff. "Well, little brat…" She trilled in a soothsayer-like manner and removed the bandage, revealing a normal eye and another, which looked like it came from a fox."'tis time to see what makes a perfect champion for our master."
~)(~
Her vision floated through the skies above a city. She quickly recognized this place as Tokyo, though it looked differently: there were new styles of buildings, while the buildings in more familiar styles looked older. The humans below were also dressed slightly differently than she was used to seeing, showing that fashion kept changing.
This was the future, no doubt about it.
But she did not care about buildings and fashions, nor did she need to. She had to look for something else.
And she found it, on the humans. On every face, from old to young, there was bleakness to it. Some looked sad, others tired, and some were hiding their terror. The humans went on with their lives, but it was clear that something was amiss.
What is the cause of these faces? She asked herself, and as always the question was answered by yet another vision.
It was the night now, and her sight floated through streets. She saw youkai everywhere, wandering the city with cruel excitement in their eyes. She saw a few humans run and scream, and the ones caught were put through humiliation or killed, their corpses displayed for everyone to see. She saw youkai scream and hit a house, scaring the people inside. The nature of youkai was such that most of them could not enter a closed home, but that did not stop other humans from breaking those doors, and let youkai inside. To save their own lives, they would sacrifice the lives of others.
Shikibu was impressed. Many said that days belonged to the humans while the nights belonged to the youkai, but this made it clear that this saying was a lie. This was the true example of such a saying, for few humans were able to spend a night without some youkai harassing or scaring them. And few humans were living without seeing someone die by the hands of youkai.
And she saw catastrophes everywhere. Houses were burning or collapsing, so-called gas explosions happened frequently, and Japan was constantly terrorized by typhoons, tsunamis, extreme colds in winters and extreme heats in summer.
Happiness and comfort were gone. Now there was only Fear.
Yet she could feel something else, something which made her happy. She felt the power of the Koshin stronger than ever before. Honoring this powerful deity had become the only way to keep some semblance of sanity in the life of the average person, human or youkai or whatsoever. Thus, this must have been the future where Shoumen Kongo won. This was the future which she sought, and she was glad to have found it so quickly.
Now she had to find out what was Nura Rihan's role in this, and then how to make him follow this path.
Her vision changed again, and she was in a different dark place, looking at place itself was very wide, and just as quiet. There were founding pillars spread loosely over the width of what seemed like the first half of a high-ceilinged, smooth-floored hall, the next half, emptier, with two small lanterns of similar design to her own, lighting the way to a raised platform, where someone leading would sit. The eerie lighting was of a dark orange, giving the entire place a copper-like color.
This was a temple, and there was someone walking walking within its recesses, with soft sounds of boots tapping the ground. He was a man in his mid-twenties, dressed in a dark blue jacket, an orange jersey and black jeans, a short sword tucked underneath the jacket. His hair was black and short, with messy bangs spread over his forehead and spiky at the end, but he was clearly a youkai for his eyes were red. Menacingly red, and his malicious smile just made them look more frightening, even though he apparently had nothing but the empty chamber to stare at.
And his Fear was strong, almost as strong as Shoumen Kongo's in fact. And it was of similar kind, in the way that it spread death and corruption around it. He truly was the Champion of the Koshin.
She looked around again and remembered which tempel this was. This is the temple where Bonnouma-sama currently resides. She could feel the power of the Koshin here, and it got her excited. She felt like something was staring back at her, and she wondered if this future's Shoumen Kongo was looking at her. I shall not disappoint you, my master! Just watch over me!
Rihan walked around, as if waiting for someone. Shikibu heard something from outside, so she shifted her vision to the outside of the temple. There, she saw and heard two groups of youkai fighting one another, outside on the wide stretch of grass that was being strewn with blood. One of them were the Yashas and some other menacing youkai, while the rest were unknown to Shikibu. But she had a feeling that these were different youkai yakuzas.
And then she saw someone slowly walking towards the temple, nobody noticing him pass by. Someone with gourd-shaped, white and black hair and a red haori swishing past. Ah, this must be the Nura Clan. Shikibu would smile if she could while watching sad Nura Rikuo walk into the temple. In the future, as expected, he looked the same, with his stoic face ever so grim, but betraying a little emotion. So many youkai… I wonder if he brought all the youkai yakuza together again, like he did when he attacked Abe no Seimei? How must it have felt, oh Great Lord of Pandemonium, to invite so many youkai to kill your very own son? Hahahaha!
And finally, Rikuo reached the temple hall where his son awaited him. His eyes shook a little, but then he looked up with determination to do what must be done. His son, on the other hand, took a while to turn around and notice him. And when he did, he smiled mockingly. "I wondered when you would come. I even started wondering if I should get out and meet you at the field of battle."
"A duty like this… can only belong to me." Rikuo said while unsheathing Nenekirimaru.
"You won't beg me to change my ways, Father?" Rihan said with his arms crossed, and the smile still on his face. "Or is it too late now that you have invited so many youkai to come and kill me?"
"If you promised to change, I'd protect you with my life. But…" He looked at his son, still from the other end of the enormous hall. "I can only sense malice within you. Would you even consider my words, son?"
Rihan just smiled and turned away. "How do you like this place? This is where my life changed, and I decided to abandon the Nura Clan and follow my own path… and where I killed the girl I loved. It served as a fine hideout since then." He put his hands behind his back. "Not that I needed to hide. By the time you realized that I was your enemy, it was too late."
Rikuo frowned as he looked around. "All I can sense in this place is… nothing good." He turned his eyes back to his son. "What happened to you? If your mother saw you…"
"Mother is dead." For the first time, Rihan showed some irritation in his voice. "At this point, it's meaningless to bring her into this conversation."
"She died fighting for you."
Rihan looked at his father, his eyes showing that he found this discussion to be unwanted. "It was the effect her and sister's deaths had on you that made me disillusioned with you, Dad… and with your empty ideals." Then he looked away again. "And the burden that was put on me since then… it broke me."
Rikuo looked down saddened. "I'm sorry for those days. But…" He then raised his eyes. "That's no excuse for you walking this path. Even if I were different, would it change this outcome."
"No." Rihan turned around. "Remember what the Kudan Prophecy said? That only your death back then would save Japan. You and I were always meant to meet like this." Rihan then made a more earnest smile. "But I'm glad to see that my words did not shake you. I'd hate to battle someone who was constantly apologizing with his eyes" He said while unsheathing his sword. "Come on Dad, it's time for the last two Nurarihyons to put an end to all this."
Shikibu felt excitement. This was not part of her mission, but to see the head of the hated Nura Clan in his most despairing fight was something she did not want to miss.
"Or it would be, if this were not just a fake reality."
After Rihan said those words, she heard the sharp sound of his fingers snapping. Promptly, the one other Nurarihyon in the chamber vanished in a puff of smoke. "C'mon, miss. It's not decent to hide within a temple."
Shikibu was confused at what was going on. But then she felt as if something started pulling her, and soon she could feel cold air on her skin, her lungs moving, and her body falling onto the floor. Somehow, it was not only her vision that was here, but her entire body.
"Ah, Shikibu-san." Rihan made a large, menacing grin. "I've waited so long to meet you."
Shikibu's eyes widened, but she did not say anything. His menacing Fear was now aimed at her, and she was shaking with terror.
"What… how…" She was confused. This was supposed to be a vision of the future, so how could all this happen? "What is this?"
"I don't really know myself." Rihan took this as a question to him. "I just felt something was wrong… and that some weak Fear was behind it all. It took me a while to understand what was going on myself, but then I realized it was you." He looked at her with bloodshot eyes, with such hate that her entire body shook again. "Shikibu… she was a youkai who could see into the future. After that I realized that this was you peeking at me… so you are probably at Nejireme, standing above me… on that night, when my mother died."
Rihan slashed the sword at her, but she jumped back and avoided it, though the wooden floor became deeply cracked and dented as if he hit it with a hammer. Yet, Shikibu was not relieved, for she knew that he was intentionally being slow.
"You saw the possible futures, and then went to do one of the key things that led me to this path." Rihan then smiled, though she could not discern if he was pleased or confused. "I don't even know what to feel… shock that I'm nothing but a mere vision, or pleasure that this horrible life of mine is fake."
"It's not fake… it happened here, and it will happen in my reality too!" Shikibu said while raising herself up onto her legs. There was no reason to be afraid for the Koshin was with her and they were in his temple.
"Oh really?" Rihan put on a mocking smile. "I thought Shikibu had the power to see into many different futures. "
"I choose which one I'll make true!" She pointed her finger at him. "No, my master will choose it. If you know who I am, then you also know who our master is! I'll make sure that this perfect reality becomes-"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Rihan started laughing so hard that the temple shook. "So you did not even peek that much, huh?"
"What?"
"Tell me, Shikibu-san… will you think this is a perfect reality if I tell you…" He then disappeared, and appeared behind her. He did not look like it, but he was a Nurarihyon. "...that I butchered your master and gave him an agonizing and slow death? Or that I stole his power, his servants, and his temples for myself, and am now using them as my playthings to wreck however I want?"
Shikibu did not fully comprehend what he was saying, but she pushed herself away and faced him with horror and denial in her eyes.
"The Koshin is dead! And another Koshin is dead too! Long live the new Koshin, me!" Rihan said while spreading his arms. "Your master was pathetic, so now here I am… greater than he could ever be! Do you still feel pleased, Shikibu-san? It's all thanks to you!"
"You… you are lying! There is no way that-"
"And now you are here too… I feel so ecstatic that I finally have a chance to play with you." There was a sadistic smile on his face as he slowly walked toward her.
"No… NO! You are nothing more than a vision!" Shikibu screamed at him. "I don't know how you managed to do this, but this is MY power!"
"Is it really? It may have become mine at this point." And then he shrugged. "So why don't you just run to your master and tell him that he is too pathetic to rule over me?"
"No… he'll win. I just have to find the future where that happens!" She removed the bandage from her head and the fox eye in her left eye-socket. She closed her eye to destroy this vision, and then opened it to move to yet another one.
~)(~
Shikibu gave the grownup Rihan a bold speech, but inside herself she felt like running away as fast as she could. That panicked behavior was likely what resulted in her falling from the sky and into soft, but wet, ground on a starless night.
She raised herself up, and looked around to make sure that the beast which claimed to have killed her master did not follow her. But it looked safe, and she could not feel even a little of his Fear.
For that reason, she let out a sigh of relief. She then looked around, and saw that she was in the courtyard of the Nura Clan's main household. She knew how it looked, for she stalked the place for a while, intending to break in and kidnap Rihan. But the Nuras gave her a better opportunity by going to Mount Nejireme.
Yet, it did not look like it did before. Parts of it were demolished, though it seemed as if quite a bit of time passed since it happened. It was not abandoned either, for she could hear the voices from inside. Parts of it were fixed, but not much work was done in that regard.
Yet she could sense something else here. There was a strong residual Fear in this place, not belonging to the Nuras. It was malicious, and she could bet that something powerful attacked the place and that attack left quite a mark. And an even greater one mentally, I'd say. If something hasn't been fixed for a while, it'd often be because the owners saw it as a memento of sorts.
But she was not here to sightsee a mansion. She was here on a mission, and was torn between leaving the world of visions in order to tell her master that Rihan was too dangerous, and continuing, hoping to learn more about Rihan.
In the end, she started walking forward towards her original goal. If I leave, I return to my master only with what I have learned. If I go on, I have more to return with. Best case scenario, I learn enough for my master to find out how to tame Nura Rihan.
Although from her perspective she was now walking through the world with a body, rather than only gazing at the world with her omnipresent sight, she was still invisible to those surrounding her.
Her heart stopped for a moment, as her eyes fell on a boy similar to the one from the last vision. But this one was younger, still in his teens, and his hair had tints of dark blue. There was a scarf around his neck, and he wore a light gray yukata.
As he leaned against a wooden pillar and gazed upon the moon, which, unlike the rest of the sky, was not hidden by the clouds, he showed no cruelty or evil intent that his self from the last vision showed. None would be able to confuse this young man with an evil youkai.
But there was something in his Fear, and in his gaze, which would still make one uncomfortable, and the cold air that surrounded him did not help. The Rihan who became the false Koshin felt like a rampaging beast, but this one felt like a calculating and ruthless killer. The eye she stole from Kitsune allowed her to see short glances from this young man's life. She saw him quietly walking into people's homes, and killing them without saying even a word and without any consideration of mercy.
The air grew colder as another ice youkai arrived, though this cold felt less deadly. The person that arrived was a girl and judging by her looks and age, she was likely Rikuo's older child.
Rihan changed his gaze as he realized that she had arrived, and the deadly aura was gone. He bowed to her a little, though his eyes looked empty as he did so.
"Why are you doing that?" The girl, no doubt called Ritsura, asked him.
"One has to show respect to the Commander." Rihan said and raised himself up. "Besides, your annoyance entertains me." He smirked a little, though the smile was kind of pale, just like his eyes a few moments ago. "But you look down, sister."
"Another one of our vassals was found dead." She said with her arms folded as she passed by him. "Throat cut, though there were some signs of battle. But as most others, he did not last long."
Rihan looked as if he was just learning about it, but Shikibu's eye could see more than that. She saw him killing the treacherous vassal, who had to pay for collaborating with the Kyushu youkai. Rihan earnestly befriended that youkai's son, but that did not even make him hesitate when he confronted the vassal.
But nobody had to know about it. It was better if everyone thought that he died as a proud member of the clan. "Do you think it was Otone's doing?"
"Are you kidding?" Ritsura looked at him angrily. "That woman does not just kill people. Ever. You should know that it wasn't her better than anyone." Those words held a double meaning, for Shikibu could see that Rihan knew that woman, whoever she was, well enough… and that Ritsura suspected that this was her brother's doing. Yet, she did not truly believe in that either.
"She's also a cunning one. She might be leading us astray while planning something more diabolical.
"She might. Now that's a throat I wish was cut." Ritsura suggested and leaned against the pillar opposite to her brother's. "What a blunder it was… we should have taken her down before dealing with Shiori."
"If we'd dealt with her first, then Shiori would have risen to a higher ground."
"Indeed. But our old friend was merely evil. This one is more than that." Ritsura looked with annoyance at the part of the ruins. "Not that I regret what was done… especially not after Shiori betrayed our mercy."
During all this, Shikibu kept her eyes on Rihan. She did not know who the two mentioned names were, but at least one of them must have meant something to him as he clenched his teeth a few times. Whoever it is, my master might make use of her.
"Speaking of which, what happened that night?" Ritsura asked, her eyes showing that she was uncertain if she should have. "I know you cared more about Araya than anyone else and don't want to remember it, but…"
Why did she call her Araya?
"There's not much to say." Rihan sighed, and looked up. His eyes had softened quite a bit. "As usual, I went to tell her that it was over, that it was fine to just let it go. That the Nura Clan would protect her, as long as she cut all her ties with the Hyaku Monogatari. Nothing you didn't already tell her, no doubt, but I hoped she'ld care more if I told her that. After all, we…" Rihan stopped talking for a moment. "It doesn't matter now, it was meaningless… but she did make me think, for a moment, that it would be fine. She smiled as she talked with me, proving everything I said, right… but you know the rest. She rejected it all, and sacrificed her own life just to create a Tale that would kill as many as it could. I was the Achilles Heel that got her captured, but she said she wouldn't let me be that twice to her. The rest you know."
"Yeah, we all do." Ritsura frowned. "But what do you think about it now?"
"I wish I'd killed her when I had the chance." He raised his right hand and looked at its palm. "I was naive and that brought the slaughter about… and it was that same naivety that forced her to die that way. If I'd not been that soft, both she and we would've been better off." He then squeezed his hand. "But I'll never be soft anymore, or hesitate. That, I promised myself."
"Just because she betrayed you?"
"And because I betrayed her. She was the one who, at Nejireme, when I faced Bonnouma, helped me find out that the Nura Clan is where I belong. I sacrificed her for the clan, I don't intend to hesitate. The price was too high."
Ritsura frowned at those words. "I can't say that I feel honored. I just want for you to-"
"Want as much as you like, but it won't matter. I've sworn to give my entire soul to the clan, and to you. Nothing else needs to matter." He turned around and started leaving in Shikibu's direction. "See you, sis. I have some business to take care of."
"Hmph." What her eye wanted to show her had passed, so Shikibu started considering what she had just learned. "This does not look like a future I need… no wait… this kind of Rihan could be turned to fit Master's desires, though the fact he had met Bonnouma-sama troubles me." She continued thinking as Rihan walked past her. "But the key might be this girl. She-"
"-is already targeted by your master." As cold words from behind her spoke, the world around her froze in time. "But try as he may, it won't lead to anything. She is a stupidly stubborn woman."
This can't be… not again… Her body shivered, either because she was scared or because it was cold. Or because of both reasons.
"I knew your eye could only see the worst futures. I knew it the moment I felt its Fear!" Rather than this vision's Rihan who spoke in an icy tone, the Rihan now spoke with a more forceful tone, just like in the last vision. "But… you know… I always thought that a happier life waited me in the Nura Clan, no matter what. Either I would not see anything, or the eye would be unable to see anything but a good future. That's what I believed, and with that belief I made you show me this future."
How… how can he do that? It should be impossible! She did not turn around to look at him. She did not want to. She did not dare to, not when he was so angry.
"There is a happier future in this path, I'm sure of it… and it annoys me that I can't see it!" His voice was filled with rage. "Instead, I saw different, horrible futures in this path. In happier ones, I died fighting for the clan… in worst, I saw the Kudan's Curse get inherited by sister's offspring in several following generations." His voice now was cold again, though even that one was raging. "Most beat the curse. A few started succumbing to it, like I did. So I killed them… in some futures, I killed them."
"Do you…" Shikibu managed to muster strength to speak. "...really want to live such a life? Master said that-"
A short silence ensued, after which Rihan seemed to have calmed down somewhat. "I do, but I also like dreaming about how it might have been different. And part of me always wanted to walk the path of a Lesser Evil. The me that walked this path, in this vision, is the me that wanted warmness and happiness most of all." He spoke and got closer to her.
"You can't blame me… It's not like I get to see anything but the darkest futures." She felt as if she were fighting for her life with her words, while his hands landed on her shoulders. "If it was someone else… then maybe you would have seen something nicer. Yes, then-"
"But actually, it's all fine." His voice became brighter. "Do you know why?"
"W… why?"
"Because all of this is fake. Let me list a few facts… you see, in all these futures you've done your job without interruption, and always, someone died at Nejireme. One of the youkai always went with dad to fight Shima, and that youkai perished once you joined up with Shima. So all these futures happened under two circumstances: a death at Nejireme, and you fulfilling your mission. Do you know why that is important? Why that makes it imaginary?"
"..."
"Because it's impossible for you not to meet me this way… always, ALWAYS, there's some 'me' out there who can overtake your visions."
"Why… would that matter? I'll leave this place, meet with Shima-sama, and then-"
"You won't. Because there's another me who wants to meet you…" The world around Shikibu flashed, and she arrived somewhere else.
~)(~
This time, she found herself in an apartment. The apartment was modern and rich-looking, with technology that Shikibu did not understand, so she ignored it. Yet, to contrast their modernism, there were several framed images of Japanese legends, drawn in the ukiyoe style.
One of the walls was made out of thick glass, allowing her to see a promenade of a city at night. She did not recognize the city, nor could she even be able to. The place looked so futuristic that she did not doubt that she was looking at a vision centuries into the future. Shikibu, who was an old youkai, had trouble comprehending what was in front of her, and how far the humans have come. Clearly, it was a future where her Master did not save them.
Yet, this was not a human city per se. Countless Fears, of all kinds, could be felt all the way to this place. The youkai ruled these streets, and the humans knew it. And accepted it, with both terror and admiration.
But she did not feel satisfaction to see such strong Fears. For she was an old youkai, born from Folklore, and these Fears stank of youkai born from Urban Legends. To her, the cityscape was a nightmare where humans reached absolute victory over nature, and where Urban Legends became rulers of the darkness. No, she much prefered the visions where she saw youkai die out as a species.
"Now this is awkward." A voice came from behind her, but she did not turn back. Strangely, this time he did not 'bless' her with the feeling of dread. "I hoped to impress you, but you make such a disgusted face."
Shikibu looked at him, and saw a man with black-and-white gourded hair, and eyes like amber, smoking a pipe and smiling at her. This was most definitely Nura Rihan, but he had a larger stature, his face was rounded, and had started to have wrinkles. To contrast the modern-looking apartment, he wore a yukata which mixed light and dark shades of brown.
His Fear was not like that of the other two. It did not awaken one's primal terror, nor did he feel like a ruthless murderer. But nevertheless, it was strong, and Shikibu had to suppress the urge to honor him, an enemy, with a bow. "You look old." She commented, hoping that the more laidback atmosphere was not just some deceit.
"A lot happened over these hundreds of years. I guess you could say I got a bit worn down." He noted.
"Why are we here?"
"To talk, of course. You did come to learn more about me, didn't you now?"
Shikibu frowned She did come with that goal, but not like this. Though at this point, she considered the mission over. She had to go to her master and tell him that Rihan was too dangerous to become a pawn.
He took her silence as a sign that he could start talking. "You know… though there are countless futures for me, you could classify most of them into one from three groups, each linked to one part of my nature." Rihan said while raising three fingers on his left hand, whereas the right one held a pipe.
Shikibu did not know why he decided to converse with her like this, but had a feeling that she did not have much choice but to listen.
"My human side is, you see, a very flawed kind of human. It enjoys the power that my youkai blood brings to it and though it attempts to live heroically, it's approach is so twisted that it just pushes it further into darkness. If it becomes the dominant side of me, I usually walk the path of the Koshin." He let out a puff of smoke. "I pity myself for it, especially since this part of me always dies young. And only in death do I then find peace."
"Then there's the Yuki-Otoko part of me. Like Mom, he wants to be of use to his clan and to its leader. It is a decent part of me, though the other two parts of me always lead it astray. Or not, your eye doesn't let me see the brighter endings if there are ones, which I believe there are. But be it as it may, he never finds satisfaction and always feels like he's missed out on something. And I know that, whether his future's bright or dark, he never fills that hole in himself. You just can't oppose your own nature."
"And what… about you?" Shikibu asked, still confused at why he was talking to her like this.
"I live in the future where my Nurarihyon side became dominant." He smirked. "That side of me is ambitious, hungry for glory, and with dreams of becoming the Lord of Pandemonium." He then stretched his hands, as if showing her the city in front of them. "For our meeting, I chose the future where I accomplished the most." There was fire in his eyes as he spoke. "This is my city! And beyond it, there's my Japan! All clans of youkai have been forced to accept me as the Lord of Pandemonium! Even the Nura Clan, which I warred with for centuries, had retreated and stopped bothering me! The humans of all ranks, even when they don't know me, bow before me and kiss my hand when I offer it to them! I rule over the million youkai, over the million tales!"
"This does not sound like the worst possible future to me."
"Don't let my bravado fool you. There's a lot I lack… and have lost many more due to my own mistakes." A short silence ensued. He looked at her for a while, and for a mere moment she felt his stare to be cold. "By the way, do you know what happens when you survive, Shikibu-san?"
"Huh?"
"You always manage to inform Shima about what your Master needs to know, and you always cause the death of whoever follows Dad into the fight against Shima at Nejireme." He then looked at her with a comforting smile. "But you merely get captured, and like so many other youkai, the Supreme Commander of the Nura Clan shows you the light."
"...huh?"
"You eventually turn against your old master, and accept dad as your new one. Since then, you use your power for the benefit of the Nura Clan. You took a life, but you save many more in years to come. And though you often perish as a traitor by the hand of the one you used to call Master, you make a foresight which leads to his ultimate defeat. So many times, the glory that deserved to be mine, ended up belonging to sis. With your foresight, she defeats him before I can. In so many futures, I'm just so frustrated by this. My vengeance, stolen."
"No… I would never betray…" Shikibu's eyes shook, rejecting what he had just said. "You want to mislead me and-"
"Why don't you use your eye then?" As he said that, she turned silent. She did not dare to look.
"Come on now, use it." He said, but she felt like he talked to the eye rather than to her.
And then she saw her, the disgusting woman with her face, but kneeling in front of Nura Rikuo, helping the Nuras, and even standing against Shima himself.
"Nooooo!" She rejected this future. She hit her eye, but she did not stop seeing.
"Come on now. If you look at my worst futures, then you should also have guts to look at your own nightmares." He said, and then she regained the control over her eye.
"What did you do to my eye?"
"I'm the King of Fears, a fearsome youkai whom all the weaker spirits can't help but obey." He grinned. "This eye of yours is like a youkai itself, but too weak to oppose me. But I wonder whether you… kneel, Shikibu."
Cold sweat took her over. Was he ordering her? No, I don't need to listen to his orders… but every part of my being is telling me to do it or I will… or I will disobey him?
"I said kneel!" He said with a sterner voice, and this time she obeyed.
"Now, proclaim your eternal servitude to me."
"I…" She opened her mouth. The feeling of happiness to call him a master swayed her, but then she remembered the terror of her real one. "I proclaim… I… no!" She jumped back onto her legs.
"Oh good, so I did not have this profound conversation with a weakling. I'm glad." Rihan said as he sat down on the sofa. "So, you wonder why I brought you here?"
"I wonder… when I'll be able to leave." She tried using her eye to flee, but the eye just stared at Rihan. It was still under his control. "Were you the one who controlled my powers all this time?"
"Depends on what you mean by that question."
"You're the one that has the power to do so. Are the earlier Rihans…"
"No, this particular me did not rule over your eye all the time, if that's what you mean. The one controlling you is the soul of Nura Rihan, and I'm only a mere face of it. As were the other two Rihans." He laughed a little when he saw her confused. "Suffice to say, you used your powers on too strong of a soul. Your journey would've been interesting if you visited sister's soul. Or Dad's. Or, of course, even the Koshin's. You can't just touch a strong soul and expect it to go smoothly. Even less so with that eye, which is supposed to enter one's soul directly, like its real owner does."
"But why… why're you doing all this? Why're you telling me all these things like they matter?"
"Oh they do matter… they matter very much." He said, with a frown that sent shivers through Shikibu. "It relates to all I want, and I want many things."
"Just what could you possibly want from me? Besides me informing my master about what I've learned, that is." This was the one thing she was certain he did not want her to do.
"I have power in this world." Rihan looked at the windows once more. Shikibu was certain that even from sitting at the couch two and so meters away, he was able to see much of the city. "I feel proud for getting that much power, but I'm not too proud with what that's like. Maybe more could've been done."
Shikibu was annoyed that he continued talking, but she could see that this was something he wanted to get off his chest.
He then leaned against the sofa and looked at the ceiling. "Not to mention that I have spent most of my life battling with the Nura Clan, whom I still consider my family. As a matter of fact, they are going to launch an attack at me soon, and this is when this me will perish."
"Let me guess… you want to change these things in my world."
"In the real world, you mean. I'm just a vision of a future that might come to be, created by your power. Another me said it already, didn't he? In any case, I don't fully believe there's anything I can do about this. It's just some hope that beyond what your eye allows you to see, there's something more. But maybe that future might happen if I put some effort into changing that which is constant, and that somewhat fuels my determination."
He finally rose from the sofa. "More importantly, it's a fact that I feel like saving one of my former clan members from you." He took his pipe back into his hands, and started playing with it. "This me sees the Nura Clan's youkai, but I don't hate them. And no matter what path I walk, there's always some sublime pride in me when I help one of those who care about me... Well, at least until I become an enemy." He walked back to the window, looking at smoke which rose from a part of the city.
"Is that really so?" Shikibu thought she should keep her words to herself, but her instinct was stronger. "You say you want to make the world better. You say that you want to have a more beneficial relationship with your old family. And you say that you want to save an old comrade's life."
"Yes, I sure do." He said while he was standing in front of the window, his face turned away from Shikibu's gaze. "What about it?"
"I can feel that you're earnest about it… but your voice and eyes are too cold. These aren't things you care about that much that you would go as far as make me go through all this."
"Hahaha…" He threw a glance at her, revealing a more sincere smile. "You're right. These are not the most important things for me. As a matter of fact, maybe they're not even worth the risks."He closed his eyes. "And yet, it's not like I don't care about those things. My heart truly believes in what I said. And yet, it's not enough for the sin I'll be committing. But ah well, my strongest desire is a selfish one. And for that desire, I'd kill thousands to make it happen." He now turned himself towards Shikibu. "I'm the King of Fears. I'm a King who rules Japan from the shadows. But what is the King without a Queen?"
Shikibu was confused for a moment, but then she remembered the last vision. "...Araya." It was a name which sounded important to that Rihan, even though that person betrayed that Rihan and caused him and his close ones pain.
"Yeah, that's really one of the many names she used." He lowered his hands, while his eyes looked at something only he could see. "We're bound by the red string of fate, or so the cliches say, and she's always of some importance in my life. But to me who walks this path, she's more so. She is the one who always puts me on it, and is in general an irreplaceable woman to me." He crossed his arms. "And so, to this me, the worst futures are the ones where she perishes before she gets the chance to fulfill whatever tale she set up for herself." He raised his eyes, and looked at Shikibu with a strange mix of anger, determination, and regret. "And you're the most common cause of that. You always manage to inform Shima of what you learn, and so Shoumen Kongo knows what he needs to do to hit me where it hurts the most. And if he fails, you always help the Nuras take her down." The his voice became cold. "Do you know what means, Shikibu-san?"
Shikibu knew what. "I have to fail to inform my master…"
"And fail to survive. Don't ignore your bright future just because the current you hates the idea of it." Rihan spoke with sadness in his eyes. "You know, I don't know what she wanted to accomplish. And how, that I know even less. Maybe she will make the world a better place, bring brightness to it." He smiled at that, as if he just told a bad joke. "But that's extremely unlikely. The Hyakku Monogatari and youkai born from horror tales are not the kind to do that, and the ones who create and rule them are even less such. It's highly possible that she becomes an evil which will bring havoc to the world. Under me, Hyakku Monogatari took over Japan. Under her, maybe it will destroy it. Maybe it's by saving her that I will be fulfilling the Kudan Prophecy." He put his hands behind his back, and laughed to himself a little. "But whatever it is, I really wish I was able to see it. To bring havoc together with her… may not be so bad."
Shikibu felt that the talks will be over soon. A staff appeared in her hands, and she was ready to use it to defend herself.
But Rihan did not prepare to fight. He just looked at her, with sadness in his eyes. "You know, I'm the future where you survived. As I look at you, I remember you playing catch-ball with me. I remember you guarding me from some scary youkai once, and like all the other Nuras you were one of my mentors. A youkai called Shikibu is very dear to me." He then started to slowly walk towards her. "To fulfill my selfish goal to save someone who may bring terror to the world, your blood… and the blood of all youkai you would save, and all the humans would save, shall be the sacrifice. This is the sign of my resolve."
Shikibu did not see him take his sword out, nor did she see him move. By the time he was in front of her and his sword pierced her stomach and lungs, it was too late.
There was no pain, nor was there blood. But she wish that it was there instead of this… feeling she could not describe. Her Kitsune's eye rolled and shook, making her see her very soul written as a book. And that book got torn apart, and replaced by another one with different words written in it. He was altering her very being, and writing her destiny.
"I'm sorry, but the rest of your tale shall be written by me." He said and kicked her away. Her body hit the glass, and she found herself falling. It was a long fall until she fell back into the real world.
~)(~
The last part of the vision was so strong that Shikibu felt like she crushed into the ground, but when she calmed down she realized that she was still standing. Though she was sweating and breathing heavily, and mere memories of what happened after she got stabbed made her feel so unsteady that she had to use her staff to keep balance.
It's over… it's done… the nightmare had passed. Finally, she took a deep breath, and let out an even larger sigh. That youkai is no more. Now, there is only 'this'. She lowered her gaze and looked at the pale, black-haired baby crying its tears out. It was hard to believe that this little creature, which was harmless and could not even scratch her, would be able to terrify her to no end.
The weeping baby in front of her was harmless, but not the man that would grow from it. For the first time in her life, Shikibu would disobey any orders that her master gave her. But as she raised her staff and pointed its end at the babe, she thought that he had to die at all costs.
An image of how the baby would look once she pushed the staff down, burst into her mind's eye. The image in her head made her feel sick and she would have given up. but a voice in her head told her that she had to do it.
Too late did she realize that the voice in her head was a voice she still remembered well enough. And the voice's agenda became clear once someone broke the wall in front of her. The youkai that arrived, dressed in a yukata from the bathhouse and with a mask on his face, struck her into the guts before she could move a muscle, and propelled through two or three walls.
How… how could this be possible?! Shikibu quickly raised herself up, ignoring the pain in her bones. She saw the giant masked youkai slowly walk towards her menacingly, the youkai Gyuki gazing at her with eyes that held no mercy, and a long-haired woman who took the small Rihan into safety of her arms.
And she saw the illusion of the grown up Rihan, leaning against what was left of the nearest wall. "I don't think that they'll be as interested in sparing you now." And then he faded away, like the illusion that he was.
She felt the rage those three felt towards her. She still rejected to believe what the visions Rihan told her, but she was certain that without his whispers she might have lowered her spear. But the visions are gone! Gone! How could he… no, I can't afford to think about it now! She took a step back while her two enemies took a step closer. I need to get out of here and reach Bonnouma-sama. Then I can die for all I care, as long as I inform Koshin-san about this threat.
"Kurenai asked me to let you into our home because you are related." Gyuki spoke while his eyes showed murderous intent. "Yet you come and betray my hospitality this way. A lot I can forgive, but not your attempt to kill the young master."
"I pity your ignorance." She said. They would not believe her words, so she did not bother to try and convince them that this boy was as dangerous to them as he was to her side. "I'm surprised you can survive in the poison. It barely affects you…" She said while taking her bandage off. "But it's still 'barely' rather than 'not at all'." She could see the visions of them succumbing to the poison if they spent too much time here, and even sooner if they got too tired.
I can still get out. But I can't risk staying here for too long. She looked around, just to confirm her theory. Nura Rikuo is not here, nor is his wife. That means they must have gone after Shima-sama. Shima-sama is strong, but if someone can force him to weaken the poison, it would be the current Lord of Pandemonium.
"Have you said your prayers?" The masked youkai asked in a cold tone. "Not that there's much point in it, as we'll be sending you to the Koshin soon enough." But he, and the other two, ignored her eye. It would be hard to shock them with visions of their most horrible futures, so she would need to depend on different means.
Shikibu smirked and raised her staff in such a way that she held it horizontally above her head with both of her hands. "I wouldn't bet on that just yet." And then she broke it in two.
As the staff broke, it burnt and turned pitch-black. Her previously elegant kimono slit in many places, got dusted, and torn at sideway points enough to be called tattered.
Pain ensued, enough to make her lean over. Her arms and legs started growing bigger and became harrier, whereas her pretty, shapely face took a more monstrous form, a hybrid of a tiger and an ape, though her right eye was that of a fox. One she was done, she growled and faced her opponents once more.
"I'm Shikibu, the Seer, who leads my Master to those who need him. But I'm also Shikibu the Yasha, the desecrater of Temples! I shall not allow you to stop me!"
~)(~
The plan was for Rikuo and Tsurara to find and defeat Shima, after which they would go and aid the others in retrieving his son. Or at least, they would defeat Shima and this would remove the poison that plagued others as well as him.
But judging by how things were going, Rikuo started thinking that the more realistic outcome was the others saving Rihan and then coming to both their aid.
He was running around the clearing, his eyes looking for his nemesis. The poison cloud was thick, but his enemy's size and black rocky body should have made him stick out like a sore thumb even in this thick green mass.
A few of the zombified Yashas appeared, but Rikuo froze them in a moment. One of them exploded then, and in a bizarre scene, the Shima appeared and struck down towards him with both of his arms, creating a small crater.
Rikuo easily avoided it and then slashed towards Shima, but the youkai smiled and dispersed into the green cloud.
Having gotten used to his style somewhat, Rikuo intuitively turned around and met the gaze of Shima again, who this time appeared behind him and went to strike him with his left claws. Rikuo counter-attacked at the arm, but it then turned into the cloud. The Shima replied with his right hand, attacking seemingly defenseless Rikuo. But a wall of rock-hard ice stopped him, after which Shima's entire body disappeared once again, just before one of the larger ice crystals surrounding Rikuo flew at Shima's head
"Can he just stop doing that already?!" Tsurara was even more annoyed than Rikuo.
"Calm down, Tsurara." Rikuo spoke to her. "Focus on the fight and keeping your Fear up."
"I know…"
Rikuo had hoped that Shima got used to fighting like this, for his next move depended on it. Once again, he started running around, always taking care that he is not too far from the resort, and that he is not so fast that he got tired.
This time, the Shima materialized a good three dozen meters away, and could barely be seen through the woods. Then he started running towards Rikuo, waving his arms around and throwing every tree and rock into the air. Even with his mouth he fought, for the poison went out in form of fire.
Rikuo avoided his rampage by jumping onto his left shoulder, and an icicle flew towards Shima's face. As always, Shima disappeared into the cloud, and materialized in Rikuo's blind spot. Shima's claws struck Rikuo down, but then Rikuo himself disappeared.
"Two can play this game." Rikuo noted as he slashed his sword from behind Shima. The sword cut through the rock, though not deep enough. But his Fear was fused with Tsurara's, and as the sword moved through Shima's body, tiny icicles formed in several places where the blade and the rocky skin met. The icicles then grew large, and pierced Shima through not less than ten points in his body. In other words, there was no part of him that did not have at least one large hole on it.
But Rikuo was not done. Now that he had Shima in this position, he put all of his Fear into his sword, and then thrust the sword at Shima. He could feel his enemy turning into smoke again, but Rikuo's overwhelming Fear stopped him. Soon enough, an explosion of Fear and ice blew Shima into air.
"Did we get him?" Tsurara asked from inside him.
Their eyes answered the question, for Shima reappeared a two dozen meters away, standing one one of his knees and with much of his body torn apart. "What is dead, may not die again!" Then he rose back up, and after a few shakes and growls, he regenerated. He smiled as he faced Rikuo. "I felt that one. I better be careful, I won't survive one or two more of those."
"I'm glad to know that." Rikuo said to him. "Because there's more where that came from."Rikuo then struck his enemy from behind once more, showing that the Rikuo in the front was a mere illusion. Shima did not try to disappear, for Rikuo's Fear held him in place again, but just ran away. Not having expected this move, Rikuo's sword barely grazed one of his arms.
After a few steps, Shima leaned down and jumped into the air. Rikuo used Tsurara's Fear to create more icicles, which he pointed into the sky. He did not see anything, but he could feel his Fear.
He released some of the icicles, hitting the Yashas that started raining. Shima used one of his old trick, where he hid in one of the Yashas and then flew out of it. Rikuo did not forget about it, and the remaining icicles grew in both directions. As a result, the icicles hit into both Shima and the ground, thus keeping him impaled.
This gave Rikuo a nice and easy target, which he made use of. He chopped at Shima's head, with so much Fear that his head blew up. The remaining body quickly rot and fell down. Some of the Yashas rose to fight for their master, but they met an end when spikes of ice grew from the ground, impaling them and raising them high into the air.
"Haa… haaa…" Shima appeared in front of a tree at the distance, leaning against it with his right hand and breathing heavily. He was also smaller than he used to be. This, and the fact that the cloud became weaker and less thick, proved that his Fear was running out. "I guess I got a bit too overconfident there. Just keeping you away might be too much for me." Shima spoke as he started disappearing into the smoke. "My intuition told me that Shikibu would arrive and we would bring real carnage together, but seems that some strange force is driving her somewhere else."
Rikuo had started moving towards Shima, intending to put a stop to him once and for all.
"I'd like to continue this carnage with you, Rikuo-dono, but the Koshin has need of me." Rikuo slashed his sword, but he only managed to cut Shima's arm. The rest of his body disappeared, though his voice remained. "So I will leave you now, and return to my brother."
"What's that? I thought you said you'd bring me to my doom."
"Hahaha! I did not say now, nor did I say I'd do it by killing you!" The voice replied back. "Your doom will come, in time, and we are making our steps everyday."
"You won't get away, Shima."
"Go after me if you must, but know that it was not Shikibu who decorated your friend's pathetic resort with my lanterns. Go after me, if you don't worry about your son and daughter."
Rikuo clenched his teeth, and he could feel Tsurara's own opinions. She wanted to go back, and so did he. He did not even know how well the others were doing, and if their children were safe.
"Until we meet again, Rikuo-dono." The voice became more distant. "Though it won't be us that will bring you doom. No, that which has haunted you so many years ago shall return again, and this time you won't flee it. Your doom shall be brought… by the hands you least expect."
"...I don't remember the last time I heard someone enjoying the sound of their own voice so much." Rikuo frowned, and then he and Tsurara started running back towards the resort.
~)(~
In the form of a Yasha, she slowly ran through the forest, panting and bleeding, hoping that the Nuras were not near her. Her foresight told her that it was fine, and that the Nuras would not come to her. But she remained skeptical, for she feared that she was missing something. So she used her foresight more than she normally would, as to predict if someone was sniping her, or if someone would fly down from the air.
"Maybe now is a good time to run to your Shima-sama?" A man's voice resounded in her head, but she ignored it.
Her foresight assured her that no Nura youkai were close, and that she had successfully fled them, again thanks to the power of the foresight… and the fact that lesser Yashas sacrificed themselves for her.
"What cowardice! Don't you think it would be better if you turned around and showed those Nuras what you were made of? Prove your honor, even if it costs you your life!" A surge of pride and desire to turn around overtook Shikibu for a moment, but she bit her lip and resisted it.
But alongside relief that no nuras were close, and fear that she might have missed something, there was also frustration. She was too focused on escaping and reaching Bonnouma, that she forgot about Shima. This was not only bad from a strategic perspective, but also due to blasphemy. Shima ordered her to come to him once she was done, and she did not do it.
"Did you even learn anything advantageous?" The voice was followed by suicidal ideas. "Rihan might want you to go and tell Shoumen Kongo-sama about him. Preserve your honor and save your master by killing yourself."
But this was not something that she would normally forget. No, it was all thanks to that voice which continuously whispered her to run and run and run…
But maybe it was for the better. True, Rihan saves someone's life, but in all those futures she was either dead or… worse. This not only meant that she might survive, but also that Rihan should have no idea what would happen in the futures where she did not aid Shima. She just hoped that her Master, and Shima, would forgive her.
Another good thing was that she had started to develop resistance to Rihan's powers. There was a limit how much a vision could affect someone, more-so when you knew that you were possessed by such a power, and Shikibu was now more in control. Also, Rihan's words grew weaker, showing that whatever curse he put on her was temporary. A vision could not accomplish more than that anyway, she thought.
She let out another sigh of relief as she felt a familiar presence. She retook her human form, though her clothes remained torn apart and spoiled by blood, and continued on.
It did not take long for her to see Kurenai, who waited at the spot where Tesshin promised he would be. She did not know where Tesshin, who helped her in preparing the ground to strike at the Nuras, was but she was even more glad to see her good-hearted cousin.
She smiled as she reached her. It was then that she remembered that there was no bandage at her eyes and thus she could see someone's future again. But she already knew Kurenai's future which was to…
...there should have been a vision of her crying at Tesshin's corpse, after Tesshin's failed rebellion. She should have said on the sidelines, not choosing to participate in a tragic war between brethren of the Gyuki Clan. She should have…
But things were not as they should have been, and Shikibu wondered why as Kurenai forcefully pulled her back and stabbed her heart with a shortsword.
Now, her future was that of dying by hands of a young Onmyouji man, another victim of Tesshin's pointless rebellion and another dishonorable traitor. This future was far more tragic to her than the last one, and the very fact that Shikibu did not see it before meant that it was impossible.
Shikibu opened her mouth to say something, but Kurenai slit her throat. Should Shikibu be captured by the Nuras, she might spill the beans on Tesshin's treachery. Thus, this Kurenai who decided that she would go with him to death decided that Shikibu had to die here.
She knew who was responsible for this. Though survival was now impossible, as her wound was fatal, she still put all her remaining Fear into this eye that she stole from a Kitsune. She thought that she had to survive not only in order to help her Master, but also to try and save her childhood friend, who was now trying to kill her.
"My power might be merely to alter the tale of the person I slash with my sword." As she gazed at Kurenai, whose eyes were also hidden by a bandage, Shikibu could hear the wretched Rihan's voice again. "But you can't write tale of one character without writing the tales of others. As such, any person important to you is the person whose Tale I can also alter, even if my power is weaker in this case. But clearly, it was strong enough."
Shikibu prayed to someone, anyone, that she survives. But alas, the shortsword got thrusted into her eye.
"Farewell Shikibu-san, you did well enough. But unfortunately, it's your own power, that allows only the worst futures to be seen, that brought you to me."
~)(~
"WAAAAAAAHHH!" The cries of two babies made Rikuo and Tsurara hasten their already fast steps. They both broke into one of the rooms, literally breaking the doors that were in front of them.
""What is going on?!"" They both asked everyone inside, which was all the retainers who followed Rikuo to Nejireme.
"Ah! The Commander and Tsurara!" Everyone turned towards them, but their eyes could only see crying Ritsura in Setsura's arms and Rihan, who was crying much louder, in Kejorou's. Kejorou started explaining. "Umm… the kids got afraid. They don't want to calm -Achoo- down!" The air was colder than it should have been, for obvious reasons.
"Come on sweetie, it's alright now!" Tsurara took her daughter from Setsura and started calming her down by rubbing her head and throwing some cold at her. "Mommy and daddy are here."
"Yeah, the bad guys are gone." Rikuo took his son, and reassured him. "Dad, mom, and everyone else kicked the bad guys out!"
"Yeah! The boogimen are gone!" The two got closer, just to reassure the kids that they were both there. "It'll be alright now."
The kids would not stop crying, but they calmed down a little anyway.
Now that the children were a little bit calmer, Rikuo's more aggressive paternal instincts kicked in. "What's the situation?" Rikuo asked while looking at everyone.
"There doesn't seem to be any more enemies in the resort, at least." Aotabou was the first to report. Thes went on to tell them the rest, including how many enemies they faced, where and in what situation they found Rihan, how they fought Shikibu, and so on.
"But we failed to stop the woman that kidnapped Rihan-sama." Shouei said while looking down. "We gave her a good beating, but I fear she might still be out there somewhere."
"They what are you all doing here?" Rikuo frowned. "Kubinashi, Kejorou… go out and look for any enemies and take care of them!"
"And we find them, do we capture them or-"
"No, kill them." Rikuo said as his crimson eyes shone with rage. "Even if they beg. I have no mercy for those who attack children, less so for those who attacked my children." He said, and equally angry Tsurara nodded.
"As you say, Rikuo-sama." The pair bowed and ran out. "The rest shall stay here and-" He started, but then pain took him over and he coughed out some blood.
Naturally, everyone got worried about it, and even his son started crying a bit louder again. "Rikuo-sama! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. That Shima's poison did some damage to me." Rikuo wiped out his blood. "But it's nothing compared to what a certain demonic painter once did to me." He again looked down at his son, and started gently shaking him up and down. "There there… it's nothing. Dad heals fast."
"Still, we should hurry and see Zen!" Aotabou spoke out. "If he was half bad as that Tenshima bastard we fought once, his powers will be bad news."
"Yea, I'll go see Zen when we get back. But don't worry about me."
"So we failed to kill the damn woman." Setsura spoke out with crossed arms and an angry expression on her face. "Did you guys at least kill the rotten bastard who tried to poison us all?"
"Unfortunately, he got away." Tsurara answered this one. "We did a number of him, even blew him up a few times. But he got away as soon as it got dangerous. And we didn't pursue as we had…" She squeezed Ritsura and petted Rihan's head. "...other things on our minds."
"I see… well, I can't blame you." Setsura shook her head. "I guess that once we return to Tokyo, we shall have toi-"
"Maaaasteeeeeerrr!" Suddenly, a man screamed and ran into the room. "I'm so sooooorry!" Kiyotsugu yelled and threw himself onto his knees while still running. Due to the wet floor, he ended up sliding on his knees. "I invited you here and had you stay at my springs, yet… yet…"
Rikuo was taken aback by his outburst and the radical change in atmosphere. "Um… no Kiyotsugu, this is not your fa-"
"I must take responsibility!" With tears in his eyes, Kiyotsugu took out a pocket knife. "It's small, but it will have to suffice! I'll gut myself many times if nece-"
"No Master Kiyotsugu, this is all my fault." Gyuki said as he walked into the room. "This is my mountain, and it was me who should have kept you all safe. Yet, it was me who invited the evil into this place." Gyuki put on a rare smile. "So calm down. You have a wife and daughter waiting for you."
"I know… I don't think I could have actually dared, but… uhhh! It's so annoying to be able to do nothing!"
"Don't you worry." Gyuki said with another smile and sat down on a carpet. "It's I who has to take responsibility." Gyuki said with the same expression as he unsheathed his sword. "Shouei-san, please be my assistant as I regain my honor." He said to the tall youkai, who got confused.
"Yeah Kiyotsugu, listen to Gyu-" Rikuo started, but then his mind realized what Gyuki was just about to do. "Damn it Gyuki, stop fooling around!"
"I'm not fooling around! I have to regain my honor, for I have lost it today! I have to leave a message to-"
"Okay, that is enough Mr. Honorable!" Setsura ended the show by kicking him down. "Enough with your fooling!"
"Now now…" Tsurara waved her hand. "Gyuki-sama was not serious… probably. At least he and Kiyotsugu-san cheered up the kids!" She said while Rihan and Ritsura laughed at the two men.
"Whatever. I'm sure you two need some peace and quiet now." Setsura said while Shouei helped Gyuki get up. "Come on guys, let's leave! Maybe we get lucky and find someone to kill… maybe even that darn woman."
A part of Rikuo, the one which held good manners, told him to go and tell them to stay. But he decided against it so he just watched as everyone left, and Tsurara did the same with a smile on her face.
And then, after the doors closed, the smile disappeared and Tsurara walked backwards to a wall, and slid down. "Auuuhhh…" She let out a small whine while gently squeezing the little Ritsura.
"Tsurara…" Rikuo looked at her with sad eyes.
"I was so afraid, Rikuo." She spoke without using any honorifics. "Our little ones… I was so afraid… I'm still afraid!" Ritsura too started whining a little, but calmed down as her mother petted her on the head. "I can't but imagine… what if Shima was the one to attack us in the baths? What if, instead of kidnapping for whichever wicked purpose, they came to kill our children? I know I could not do anything to that beast Shima… I imagine only you could fight him… but just imagining that savage and fast beast running at us alone…" She continued talking while Rikuo sat down beside her, pulled her head onto his shoulder. "That nasty woman took my son… from my arms! I failed…"
"She got you by surprise. We were all caught by surprise…"
"I shouldn't have been… Mother even talked to me about it, just before we went to baths. I thought we were strong enough to not need to be afraid, yet…"
"It all ended well, Tsurara." Rikuo tried comforting her, and maybe himself too. "Besides, she had the power to see the future. Such enemies are hard to deal with."
"Even so… ahh, and she could show you horrible illusions. They were so horrible that I want to forget about it."
There was nothing Rikuo could think of to say, even more so since he too wanted someone to give him words of encouragement.
Yet, they did not truly need this attack to know all this. Parts of them already felt like this, but they hid it well… especially from themselves. At some point, telling themselves that everything would be fine became a bad habit.
What he learned was that most people don't realize how dangerous the world is until they become parents. It was not only youkai like Shima and Shikibu that were terrifying, but even trivial looking things like cars, heights and electrical outlets. Everything starts looking dangerous at this point, but worse than this fear was the knowledge that you could not look at your kids for every moment of their lives, thus there was always fear that something bad might happen when one did not look.
This was a parent's burden, but their responsibility was to deal with it. "We will get through… as will our kids." Rikuo squeezed his wife's shoulder. "Remember what Kejorou said? They found Shikibu gazing at our son, and then she suddenly got terrified. Our baby son terrified a centuries old youkai. Now isn't that something?" Rikuo said as he looked down at his son, who was now napping,with pride. He did not know what exactly Shikibu saw in his future, but clearly she could handle it.
"Yes… and while we were still in the baths, Ritsura-chan froze a Yasha when it came too close and scared her." She giggled. "They are definitely the children of the Lord of Pandemonium."
"They are strong children… and will be getting stronger as they grow up. I pity the fools who try to harm them."
"Hai… but still, I can't help but worry."
"I know Tsurara… and we'll worry forever… that's kind of our job, after all."
I-I-I-I-I
Author Notes
And so the long omake comes to an end! Hope you enjoyed it, I sure enjoyed writing a lot of stuff here!
- Once again, we come to Mama and Papa Nura, waiting for a baby and adventures that come after. But Rihan being Rihan, this omake ended up being quite a bit darker. And we also got a chance to see everyone be sentimental about the grampa Rihan
- I for one find it cute how Rikuo sometimes talks with the babies like he can understand what they are saying
- I think I'm starting to see why Kiyotsugu's Hot Spring Resort got closed. Life-threatening tourism just isn't that popular nowadays!
- Oh look, the Koshin Cult is back! And we are even introduced to another Shima... Who is also called Shima. Don't ask me, that's how it's like in folklore! (Bonnouma was also one of the Shima, if anyone still remembers that guy!) Also, some would say that the introduction is one of villain's most important actions, so I hope his flashy introduction was epic enough!
- And so we have a youkai who can see someone's darkest possible futures. As a result, we saw three different futures for Rihan Jr.: the one where he becomes a Koshin, the one where he becomes loyal to the Nura Clan, and the one where he becomes a lonely Lord of Pandemonium. Yet, none of them are TSS Rihan's future… though it should be clear that he might end up in a variation of one or more of these. Will he? Or will he find a happier end? Hmm… stay tuned!
- I think this is the first time that we see Rikuo fight all out in the fic. I hope that both he and Shima were impressive. Trying to write a worthy fight without making either look weak was quite tough
- The last scene must be feeling quite heavy for character involved, and one knows it gets worse later on. When you are that important that everyone cares about you, and so strong that everyone fears dealing with you honorably, a lot of bad people will target those closest to you... like your kids. And since you can't just lock your kids into some pocket dimension available only to you, it's hard to keep them safe... and I imagine it to be much worse when your opponents are youkai. Power and wealth come with their own risks
All in all, thank you for still staying with me, even after such a hiatus. Now that I got used to this new life, I hope the next chap (which will be the Main Story chapter) doesn't come as late! Until then, stay ever vigilant and safe… and for heaven's sake, don't peek into Rihan's Jr.'s future! 'Tis not healthy!