Me: All right. I am back baby!

Yuki Onna: Well, you're a lazy one!

Me: Okay, in my defense, I was gonna type the next chapter. I had it all written out and everything!

Yuki Onna: Sure, sure.

Me: And then I saw that the second season of Nurarihyon, which I don't own, is finally online! And then I just got so excited, and…internet! Anyway, today's update is the all-important flashback scene!

Yuki Onna: Geez. I hate those. I just hope it's not in black and white.

Me: It is! Black works, white back drop. Or, depending on your preference, vice versa! Duh.

Yuki Onna: Just get on with it.

One Month Ago

Night had fallen, and, for what seemed like the first time in quite awhile, all was quite at the Nura Main House. Even though there were no evil yokai around, Rikuo's Night Form was up and about. Rikuo needed his rest, and he figured his Night Form could use the peace and quiet in the outside world.

Not that this is torturing me or anything, Night Rikuo thought to himself as he gazed upon the cherry blossom tree right outside his room, but I think I actually prefer the action. That's what I get for only showing up when the villains are around. Sighing, he launched himself up onto his preferred seat, a branch protruding from the middle of the tree.

As soon as his cloak had settled down all around him and his back was leaning against the trunk, Karasu Tengu appeared, landing on the bridge of Night Rikuo's nose.

"Mast Rikuo!" Karasu Tengu exclaimed, obviously frazzled. "Where's the danger: a monster or a-a-"

"Everything is fine, Karasu Tengu," Night Rikuo said, the embodiment of calmness. "I am just enjoying the view the night has to offer." Arching an eyebrow, he asked, "Is everything fine with you?"

Karasu Tengu just stood there. Seeing Rikuo in his Night Form had made him worry that an evil yokai was around, but he supposed that even alter egos had to get out everyone once in a while. Then Karasu Tengu remembered his message. "Oh, yes. Master Rikuo, the Supremem Commader has requested your presence on a very urgent matter." Night Rikuo stared at the bird yokai for a long, long moment. "Well, go!" Karasu Tengu exclaimed.

"Do you know the cause of this urgency?"

"Well, no, but-"

Like the wind, Night Rikuo was gone. If the Supreme Commander, his grandfather, hadn't confided in his right-hand bird, then whatever was on his mind was trouble. And not the good kind of trouble, like little pranks.

This was big.

So much for relaxing, Night Rikuo thought as he followed the Supreme Commander's aura. He finally found him in the kitchen along with Gyuki. Nurarihyon was sitting on the counter, sipping a cup of herbal tea.

"Are you sure that you wouldn't like some, Gyuki?" Nurarihyon asked, pointing to the extra cup on the counter. "It's no trouble to make."

Gyuki shook his head. Seeing Night Rikuo, Gyuki bowed slightly, but only enough for the Third Heir to see.

"Grandpa," Night Rikuo said, nodding at Gyuki as he walked to the middle of the kitchen. "Karasu Tengu told me that you had something urgent to discuss."

Nurarihyon took one final sip of his tea, then, taking a deep breath, addressed his grandson. "First thing's first. Is your Day Form getting some rest? Is he okay?"

Night Rikuo closed his eyes, going to his inner self. There, he found his Day Form lying across a bed, snoring quite loudly. "He's currently resting. Do you need to consult with him? I can transform back."

"No, no. This is perfect." Nurarihyon smiled. "See, we have a bit of a problem, and it is essential that the human part of Rikuo Nura remains ignorant of the following information." Night Rikuo wasn't sure if he liked the sound of that. He, as a whole person, had always been involved in every aspect of life, battle, etc. However, he didn't interrupt as Gyuki began to speak.

"Third Heir, Rikuo Nura. As you know, though most yokai in the Nura Clan now honor and respect that title as yours, there are still those who would oppose you, now more than before. They do not agree with our Supreme Commander's choice due to your three-quarter human blood. They feel that you are entirely human and the only reason you have done so well against other clans is that you are lucky. They also believe that they themselves would be better fit to rule, but our commander is either too old or too family-oriented to choose another as the Third Heir."

Night Rikuo waited patiently for new information. "Also as you know," Gyuki continued with a sigh, "I was once opposed to your succession to the title of Third Heir. Therefore, though I no longer participate in anti-Nura functions, I have my knowledge in some…plans to stop your growing popularity throughout the Nura Clan."

"And?" Night Rikuo prompted after a long pause.

It was Nurarihyon who continued the story. "A few months ago, after his defeat, Gyuki came to me with some information concerning an underground group of yokai, predominantly led by Hitotsume. It started four years ago, when I first nominated you to be Third Heir. Ever since then, they have tried to change my mind through heated arguments and certain yokai uprisings throughout the Clan. Pathetic strategy for a group that wants to remained unidentified."

"Before I cut off all my ties with the group," Gyuki said, "I planted Natto Kozo into the group, to inform me of a few plans that were in the works."

Night Rikuo blinked. "Natto Kozo? The little broom yokai?"

Gyuki nodded. "He's so weak that no one considers him much of a threat. Hitotsume didn't see much harm in allowing him to sit in on meetings."

"So, this plan. I suppose it has something to do with showing the rest of the clan just how weak I am?" Night Rikuo said, growing somewhat impatient with the two yokai's roundabout method of explaining things.

"That two-faced, one-eyed yokai," Nurarihyon grumbled. "He has finally set into motion a plan in which your Day Form will be tried to for exactly twenty-four hours. If he transforms, it will show that he is just a human with a yokai's help. If he fails, he's too weak to run any clan, let alone the Nura. If he knows, Hitotsume will just throw something else at him."

Night Rikuo understood. "In other words, my Day Form will have to defeat Hitotsume fairly, so as to show the clan that he is capable of being leader. And you want me to know so that I can somehow keep the transformation from occurring, without letting on why."

Nurarihyon nodded. "Hitotsume has hired two mercenary yokai. One is a rodent, the first round. The second round is Kazeshima. This wind yokai will be much more difficult than the rodent, but the two work together, the rodent to weaken the target, Kazeshima to finish him off."

Night Rikuo nodded once. Gyuki looked up. He had to ask. "Do you think you can keep this a secret from your Day Form and still keep him from transforming?"

A Cheshire cat grin spreak across the night yokai's face. "Certainly. After all, Rikuo Nura hates losing."

Me: All right, that's all I have time for, but the next chapter will be up lickety split.

Yuki Onna: Pinky swear?

Me: …Sure. Anyway, please review. I promise, no more horribly planned updating schedules for this story.