At what Rikuo said, my eyes widened. A small smile of hope crept onto my face.

"You're going to defeat me?" Tamazuki huffed at that, "I'd love to see you try."

"Hey, Jean! Over here!"

I looked to the right. A barely audible "Tai?" escaped my mouth.

"Yeah, I just wanted to tell you you're a Night yokai, you control anything that involves the dark, so you can control Rikuo's time as his night self." Tai informed.

"How?"

"You're the addict here, you should know how to control 'fear.'"

At that, he was gone.

Damn you, Tai. I sighed internally. Darn guy has the nerve to send me here then doesn't even want to help me?

Okay… so how do I control my "fear?"

My thoughts were cut, a small "Gah!" escaped Rikuo's lips as he fell to the ground. Tamazuki had thrown him back with the Devil's Hammer.

I disregarded my thoughts of wanting to control my "fear." I put my focus on Rikuo. I wanted to help him. Desperately. I want to help him win. Rikuo has to stay in his night form so he can beat Tamazuki, and I can help him do that. I don't care what the means are, I just want to help him.

At that, the sun rose. Rikuo's hair length was the same as the day form, only the color was the night form's.

"Looks like your time is up, Rikuo-kun." Tamazuki took a few steps closer to Rikuo, dragging me along because his arm was still on me, he put the Devil's Hammer to Rikuo's neck, "I'll ask you one last time, will you stand behind my Hyakki Yakou?" he bellowed.

"I decline." Rikuo smirked, his eyes hidden by his bangs, "Just the thought of exchanging Sakazuki with you… just the thought of walking behindthe likes of you… just the thought of seeing you lead with Kirei forcefully by your side… It makes me sick."

"Fine then." Tamazuki sighed, raising the sword, "Kirei, say good-bye to Nura Rikuo-kun."

My thoughts racing on how I could help Rikuo, I looked to the sky. Soon I saw it. The line of hope that Rikuo can grab onto. There it was, watching. It just stood there, the beautiful moon in the sky.

Seeing the moon, I came to a realization.

"There is a moon in the morning sky." I muttered distantly.

"What was that?"

I looked at Rikuo, my expression determined, "Rikuo, there is a moon in the morning sky, it just simply goes by unnoticed. And as long as I'm here, you havethat moon in the sky next to you."

Rikuo smirked and stood up, "I see…" he said, brandishing the Nenekirimaru, "Looks like there's more to you than I thought, Kirei."

As he moved, his wounds started to disappear and his hair grew longer.

I have come to understand what I am. I am a Night yokai, I control the night. To stand beside the Lord of Pandemonium is my reason for existing. Knowing this, I can use my power to sustain Rikuo's night form.

"As long as that moon is in the sky— as long as I have Kirei by my side, I can't be defeated by any yokai." He said, disappearing with Meikyoshisui.

At that, a smile made its way onto my face. "Rikuo." I muttered.

I felt a hand grab mine, soon I was pulled free from Tamazuki and I lightly thumped against Rikuo. Seems Tamazuki let his guard down, no?

"See? I told you I'd get you away from him." Rikuo smirked.

"You took longer than you promised." I laughed.

I tightened my grip on Rikuo's hand, I could feel "fear" exiting my hand as I did.

"Thank you, Kirei, for believing in me." He smiled.

"Let's not talk," I said, "Why don't you just defeat Tamazuki?"

I could see Tamazuki's one visible eye narrow. He was worried, he knows Rikuo can defeat him now.

What makes me happier is knowing that I'm helping him do it.