Me: So, Yuki Onna, on a scale of one to ten, how much do you like Rikuo?
Yuki Onna: W-what? Why do you want to know?
Me: I myself personally don't really care. Honestly, I think you two make an awesome couple. I just wanted to make you feel uncomfortable.
Yuki Onna: Wow, that's so nice. Baka.
Me: Hey, no need for insults! With the little Japanese I know, I still understand "idiot" when I hear it. Anyway, why don't you do the honors?
Yuki Onna: *sigh* Okay. InuApril over here doesn't own Nurarihyon no Mago. There. I'm leaving now.
Me: Aww, but you're going to miss the chapter!
"Kurata!" Yuki Onna exclaimed. So far, she had been leading the Paranormal Investigation Squad in large circles around the school campus, and they were starting to get pretty annoyed. "Thank goodness you're here!" Running up to Ao, who was just exiting his class and getting ready to go to health, met her halfway. One look at the group told him that Rikuo wasn't with his bodyguard. Another at Yuki Onna explained what he needed to do.
"Yeah, Tsurara," he said, hand on the back of his head. "I was just heading to health. But, you know what, there's this really great place to eat lunch just outside the building. Let me show you guys where it is. Come on!" Ao wasn't to upset about the fact that he was obviously going to be late for health. He didn't like that class anyway.
"Now, that's showing initiative, Kurata!" Kiyotsugu exclaimed, wrapping his arm around Kurata's wide shoulders. "Even though you rarely show up to meetings for the Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad, when you do appear, you take the lead. Speaking of which, have you happened to see any yokai today?"
Kurata's eyes wandered over to Tsurara, who was slowly making her way back to the cafeteria. Seeing his helpless expression, she began nodding her head emphatically, pointing toward the school entrance. "Uh, um, yeah. You know, they're usually…outside the entrance of the school?" Tsurara gave him a thumbs up. "Yeah, always outside the school!" Kurata gave a selling smile. Not that he needed it with Kiyotsugu as his audience.
"You had me at 'yeah'. Now, come on, gang, let's go!" Kiyotsugu started marching toward the entrance. Behind him, he didn't even notice the grumblings of, "I haven't even had lunch yet." "We've been going around in circles." And "Ugh."
Slipping by unnoticed, Yuki Onna made her way to the cafeteria.
.-,
Rikuo wasn't sure whether he should be impressed or scared.
But, he didn't really have to worry about that right then. For the first time in what seemed like forever. All he had to do was drink his mom's special anti-posion apple juice, eat, and watch Yura tear that rat yokai to pieces.
And that was some fun entertainment.
Awhile ago, Rikuo had argued with his mom that he would never need some "anti-poison" drink. He was going to a normal, human school after all. But she had insisted that as the Third Heir, it was his responsibility to prepare for everything. Now, Rikuo was so happy that his mom had one that argument. For the first time that day, Rikuo was actually relazing, even with Night Rikuo taunting him in the back of his mind.
You're letting a girl fight your battles? Night Rikuo exclaimed. Rikuo just smiled.
Hey, the best fighters know when not to fight. Besides, I didn't hear you complaining when Yuki Onna defeated that guy who made everyone blind.
That made Night Rikuo pause. Then, Are you insulting me?
No! Never! With that, Rikuo took another sip of that delicious apple juice, already feeling a bit of his strength returning.
After a little pause, Night Rikuo started talking again. Sarcasm not appreciated. Anyway, how's a little apple juice and the food in your lunch box going to help you?
Rikuo rolled his eyes. Hmm, let me think. Well, I'd prefer actual food to a knuckle sandwich any day. I mean, I spend my time studying, and I'm rewarded by yokai during one of the most important meals of the day?
Isn't that breakfast?
Just let me enjoy my meal in peace.
Then the rat was engulfed in a firey explosion that nearly blew the roof of the cafeteria off.
:)
Yura was easily defeating the rat yokai on the roof, and she wasn't even breaking a sweat. Every ofuda hit its target. Now, with several extras in her skirt pocket that she had stitched in, all she had to do was hit its head. One shot, and the yokai would be purified. And the rat was making it incredibly easy for her. It was just up there on the roof scratching, howling, making angry eyes, but staying in one spot. "Purify!" Yura screamed as she released her ofuda. She knew it was going to hit its target. It was right on target. Everything was perfect.
Without even watching to see if the ofuda had hit the yokai, because she was so sure it would, Yura turned and started heading toward Rikuo. He seemed better, eating a sandwich and sipping on some apple juice. He was probably attacked by the yokai before he could eat. He should quickly regain his strength, although a few of those wounds look pretty serious. A few of what seemed like rat bites on his arms had turned an ugly shade of purple, and there was a huge tear from his thigh down to his ankle where a gash was bleeding slightly. Yura thought back to her medical onmyoji training. She could purify the rat bites, but the leg would need to be bandaged.
Then there was an explosion from up above.
Yura was tossed off her feet by the force of the blow and landed beside Rikuo, who was covered in rubble that had fallen from the roof. Thinking quickly, he grabbed her arm, and together, they shimmied under the nearest table before anymore debris could fall.
"Are you okay?" Yura asked, examining Rikuo. He nodded solemnly. "How's your leg? And those rat bites?"
Rikuo squinted, then twisted around so he could see his leg. His eyes widened when he saw the gash. "Hmph. I don't remember that being there." Probably got it from one of those nasty rats. Or maybe it was Kazeshima. Then he looked at the rat bites on his arms. They looked better than a few minutes ago, but they were still pretty gross. Purple was not his color. "Um, I'm fine, Yura. How about you? That explosion blocked my view of the rat yokai."
Yura took this time to take stock of her wounds. There was nothing. All her ofuda had been dead on, and the rat had not been near enough to her to pose any harm. She crawled out from underneath the table and looked up at the roof. Where the rat had been, there was a huge, gaping hole. She didn't see any sign of the rat, but she also didn't see any indication of its purification.
The doors to the cafeteria flung open, and Tsurara appeared. Rikuo looked over, then slowly started getting out from under the table, opposite Yura. She was too busy looking at the hole to notice him walk with a huge limp toward Tsurara.
"Rikuo, are you okay?" Tsurara asked, wrapping an arm around him for support.
"Yeah, I'm fi-" Tsurara and Rikuo both jumped as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Then they looked at each other and started laughing. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so happy to be going back to class!"
Tsurara appraised him. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"
Rikuo nodded firmly. "I've had worse."
"Yeah right!" Tsurara exclaimed, but she still helped him to his next class.
Me: Well, that was interesting.
Yuki Onna: Thank goodness that's over.
Me: Don't forget to review. And you! I thought you were leaving!
Yuki Onna: Well, I couldn't pass off the chance to see Rikuo-sama in action!
Me: Mhm. Face it, you just wanted to see yourself in action.
Yuki Onna: *gasp*…Yeah, you're right.
Me: Aha!