A/N :I'm really sorry for the late update! I know, I know, I promised I'll be updating at least once a week but so many things happened and I just finished writing this chapter today.
P.S - I don't know how Tsurara addresses Nurarihyon. Too lazy to reread the manga for it.
And more importantly, thank you for reading my fanfic!(and for the lovely comments too./)
Disclaimer : I did not own Nurararihyon no mago, I do not own Nuratihyon no Mago, I will never own Nurarihyon no Mago!
Chapter 4
Looking into his crimson blood eyes, a stinging pain of realization pulls back the scattered pieces of my rationality and self-respect together.
For what I see reflected in his eyes is a girl with a pitiful look of longing in her eyes.
A wretched ghastly girl who promised herself that she would bury the feelings she harbours for her young master and to make sure that she will never act like a pathetic maiden who only knows how to stutter and blush in front of the person whom she holds unwanted affection for.
Rikuo's gestures, especially in his night form, have always the effect to throw me off, to set me confused, to make me feel that there's hope for me, but in the end, what it always brings me is countless miseries.
I don't blame Rikuo for it, for despite his appearance, he's still a naive boy.
It's all because that I assume things that doesn't exist at all that I've brought these sufferings upon myself.
I've already decided to lock that old me in a cage where there will be no key to open it up. I can't make an illusion of a key that will break it open.
Not now, not tomorrow and never forever.
Without giving Rikuo any warning, my lips form into a threatening O shape.
I'm about to blow into him my icy breath when Rikuo, realizing what I am intending to do, abruptly let go of his hold on my chin and takes a huge step back with a bewildered look on his face, followed by an exclamation of disbelief.
" Seriously Tsurara, do you want to freeze my head off?"
Of course, it was just a bluff but there's no way I'm going to tell him that.
I throw him a disapproving glare. " Waka, please refrain from doing such actions from now on. And to your question, yes it's very obvious that you're very well and it's stupid of me to ask you that question in that first place. "
It's true.
The bandage that covered his wound is gone. His skin is also completely back to what it was, devoid of any scars, completely flawless.
A scowl forms on Rikuo's face, though that doesn't do anything to make him less appealing. " Are you mad at me?"
" Yes. Very."
" Geez, just when I had enough of a nagging from my old man." Rikuo grumbles, his scowl deepening.
Despite myself, I find myself giggling. He just looks adorable with that expression of his.
Ah, yes, this is better.
This carefree attitude towards him, this is what I always have before I realized what my affections for Rikuo fully entails.
At times, I wished that I had remained ignorant of my feelings for him so that I would have not plunged myself into this complicated mess that I've become.
But it's all in the past now and I can't turn back time. All I can do is move on, even if my path is littered with thorns.
With these thoughts in mind, I duck my hand for what is supposed to be the pocket where I hid my present for him when my hand meets a cloth barrier.
It's when I realize that I changed my clothes and I wasn't able to get it from the pocket of my uniform.
Such idiocy.
" Uhm Waka, please excuse me for a while. I'll have to get something. I'll be back real quick. " I move to take a sprint away from him but he suddenly takes hold of my wrist and pulls me with him instead. He slides the shoji door of his room open.
" That won't do." Rikuo says simply but with finality that brooks no argument from me that it leaves me completely speechless until he gently pushes me to sit on the table inside his room and he himself sits across me.
A bottle of sake and two empty cups are lying above the table.
Having the slight hint of what Rikuo has in mind for pulling me into his room, I voice out my question for confirmation. " You're not asking me to drink sake with you Waka, are you?"
Rikuo arches an eyebrow at me. He even grins. " Who told you I'm asking you? It's an order Tsurara."
" Waka, I'm not really someone you should go drinking sake with. There's Aotabu, Kurotabu, Kubinashi or even Kejorou- they'd be more than willing than me." I put my hand on the table to push myself up." Now please, if you'll excuse me, I'll have something that I-'
I stop in mid-sentence, eyes having locked at the thing that dangles at the collar of Rikuo's yukata.
I haven't noticed it up until now.
A brand new spectacle, a combination of earth and fire in color.
It's beautiful, much beautiful than what I have bought.
Rikuo must have noticed my silence and the fixed stare I'm giving his chest when he suddenly speaks up, snapping me out from my disorientation.
" Kana-chan gave it to me. I'ts a replacement for the one that got broken today." A small smile is lingering at the corner of his lips, one that is rarely seen on him, making me painfully aware how such gesture from Kana means a lot to him.
How should I respond to Rikuo?
Should I tease him about it?
Or should I say something sensible?
Anything, just think something to respond him with Tsurara!
Anything, as long as I don't keep quiet here and make myself awkward in front of Rikuo.
My head is gnawed with internal turmoil, making it hard for me to even just move a muscle on my lips.
Damn it.
"That reminds me, why didn't you wait for me to wake up before you left the infirmary when I was admitted there? Kana-chan told me that you only stayed there for about a minute and then you just left."
I thought that I could breathe with relief when Rikuo seemed like not to care if I reply or not to his musing about Kana but that little inquiry of his that followed is no better than the other one.
What throws me a little off that I haven't thought that Rikuo will bother himself with such insignificant thing.
" Uh,you see Waka, Ienaga-san is already there so I thought that my presence will be just a nuisance. Besides, I know she can take care of you fine without me."
Upon hearing my excuse, Rikuo stares at me as if I had said something absurd that only a mentally deranged person would think about.
Well, that might be true.
The only difference is that I'm emotionally deranged, not mentally deranged, though maybe, that too applies to me.
'"Ridiculous. Did I ever say that you're a nuisance to me? That aside, would you mind going back to your seat? Your position seems a little awkward to me."
Oh right, no wonder why my knees feel a little uncomfortable.
I immediately sit back on my legs.
"Tsurara..." Rikuo starts again, this time with a solemn voice as he takes the bottle of sake and pours the empty cups with it."...Kana-chan is important to me, and so are you. I hope you don't forget that."
One beat, two beats, three beats, my heart takes eccentric rhythms against my chest.
And it's not because of the sake's fault.
Definitely not that.
Heck, how can that be when I haven't downed a cup yet?
Curse Rikuo and his sweet tongue!
Fighting the turbulent emotions that once again threatens to rip apart the barrier that encloses my heart, I simply smirk at Rikuo in response." Hai Waka."
I have to act cool about this.
I have to live up by my name, I'm a Yuki-onna afterall.
I'm an ice maiden, no more, no less.
Seeing my reaction, Rikuo's lips curve into a smirk too as he passes to me a cup brimming with sake. " Good."
He raises his cup at me, which I also do the same to him, and we both drink the säke at the same time.
The liquor tastes sweet and yet bitter at the same time.
It tastes just like my love for Rikuo.
How mocking is that.
"Anyway Tsurara, what is that important thing you were talking about? You've been adamant to leave eventhough I've asked you to accompany me for a drink tonight."
Rikuo asks, initiating the conversation again as he pours another round of säke on the cups.
Eh?
Has this talk of ours turned into a question and answer portion?
This almost seems like I'm vying for the crown of a beauty queen.
Heh.
I didn't know I have the knäck for dry humör.
Bravo.
" Correction Waka, you did not ask me. You ordered me to."
" And yet you dare to disobey me. That aside, you didn't answer my question yet. "
Wait, where did I hear that line before?
Ah, nevermind.
Rikuo brings the cup to his mouth, his eyes never leaving my face as he does so.
" I'm not telling you." I give Rikuo a sugary sweet smile, indicating that he'll get nothing from me, before I nurse the small cup of sake to my mouth.
Rikuo doesn't respond immediately, he waits for me to finish my drink and pours another one on his cup and on mine when I hand it over to him.
" Then you're not also telling me where you went after school? The brats told me that you had other important plan to attend to that's why you didn't go with them when they visited me here this afternoon."
Brats?
Does he refer to the Kiyo Cross Squad Gang?
Rikuo's not confronting me, is he?
I mean, Aotabu and Kurotabu always disappear from the Nura mansion whenever they like and yet Rikuo doesn't say a thing about it.
" Are you mad at me, Waka?" Now, it is my turn to ask him that.
" Yes. Very."
With that answer, I can't decide whether I should take it seriously or not.
Rikuo looks utterly humorless when he said although the fact that he mimicked what I said earlier points out that it's just a repartee on his part.
So I opt to stay silent for a while instead of throwing another argument at him.
Rikuo seems not to mind it as he takes a swig of his drink.
I follow his action.
I slowly gulp down the content of the cup in my hand.
The liquid sears down to my stomach with a hot streak, making me all warm and fuzzy inside.
And light-headed, if I may add.
" Erhm, Waka. I hope you don't mind me asking. Have you confessed yet to Ienaga-san?"
Ah, stupid säke. Why did those words suddenly tumble out of my mouth?
Change of topic, maybe?
Rikuo makes a pensive look in response." Is it that important? Besides, Kana-chan is still a bit too young. I can wait for another 2 years."
" What a stupid grandson I have. You should go claim her as yours before you cry your ass sorry when somebody else sweeps her away."
A laid-back and mischievous voice barges in, making me fully aware on whom the voice belongs to before I even stare in awe at the old man who trudges in barefoot silence towards us with the trademark smirk on his face.
Old and small as he may seem, the overwhelming aura that he emits makes it an indisputable truth that he is truly Nurarihyon, the First Supreme Commander of the Nura clan and is the grandfather of Rikuo, the Third who ascended him in his position.
" Ah! First!" I manage to blurt out as I immediately stand on my feet and bows in respect to the First. "Ggood evening!"
" You don't need to do that Tsurara. You can go back to your seat." Nurarihyon's smirk is replaced by an amused smile as he motions me to sit again.
Which I do.
He turns his attention to Rikuo, the smirk on his face returning once again." Marry that human girl off as soon as possible and make babies with her! I'm sure Tsurara wants to look after a smäll and cute Rikuo again, not someone with a musclehead like you."
A shade of red creeps it's way unto my cheeks.
I don't mind it though.
If not for the last remark of the First, I don't know what kind of expression I'll be making at all at the flow of their conversation.
" Stop it old man. I'm not even thinking of such things. Anyway, what brought you here?" Rikuo is fairly annoyed, his expression clearly tells that if the biting tone of his voice doesn't give it away yet.
Nurarihyon chuckles, his eyes shining with mirth. " I'm just checking up if you have already told Tsurara what we have discussed earlier. If you haven't yet, I'll talk to her myself."
" I said that I'll do it. Tsurara belongs to my Hyakki Hyakou, not yours. I'll make the decisions here."
" I only told you that first since you're the Supreme Commander now, you have the right to know. I will only take Tsurara's decision in this matter. I'll give you until tomorrow then, I'll be having my leave now. Good night to the both of you."
However, as soon as Nurrarihyon is done with his speech, he unexpectedly snatches the cup in front of me and gulps down the säke it contains.
Taken aback, I can only gape at the old Nurarihyon for his action.
" Damn you old man!" Rikuo yells in aftershock after his grandfather who waltzes out of the room in a matter of seconds just like what he is capable to do.
Sneaky old man.
Amused at the First's childish antic, I can only giggle as I turn my eyes back to the cup.
" Don't touch that filthy cup." Rikuo utters in a vehement voice as he grabs the circular ware away from me.
" That old man never fails to ruin my mood." He continues, this time, muttering to himself although it's loud enough that I can hear him.
" Uhm Waka. What is the First talking about?"
" Tomorrow. I'll tell you about that tomorrow. Now, why don't I accompany you back to your room so that you can have your sleep already? You're turning into a tomato."
" I'm not a tomato. But yeah, I guess it's time for me to retire for the night now."
Although I still want to stay with Rikuo for a little longer, I know I can't.
I am about to stånd on my feet when Rikuo's hand comes into my view.
Chivalry act eh?
To be expected of Rikuo, nonetheless.
I accept his extended hand and he helps me on my feet.
Rikuo's discussion, or more like an argument with the First leaves me completely clueless but since Rikuo tells me that he's going to explain everything tomorrow, I'll just leave it at that.
Our walk towards my room is in complete silence, albeit it is a comfortable one.
We haven't bumped into anybody along the way and I'm pretty grateful for that.
Upon reaching my room which has its door slightly open, we both halt to a stop and I turn to face Rikuo. " Thanks for the sake and the company Waka. Give my regards to Ienaga-san, alright?"
I know Rikuo goes to visit Kana some times during at night and tonight might be one of those days.
Which it really is when Rikuo chuckles.
" Baka. You know I don't show myself to her. Get inside now and get your sleep so that if there's a miracle, you'll be an inch taller in the morning. Just if."
My eyebrows automatically turn into a knot.
Making fun of my height.
I don't like what I hear but I ignore it.
Only for tonight, mark that Rikuo.
" Good night Waka. "
And before Rikuo can answer, I make an eye at him before I abruptly turn around to enter the room and shuts the door close.
Outside, I can hear Rikuo's light laughter.
Ah, what music to my ears.
" Good Night Tsurara. Have a sweet dream. Dream of me!"
" I didn't know that sweet dreams and nightmare have the same pronunciation." I mutter in annoyance, making sure Rikuo whom I know is still standing outside will be able to hear it.
" At the least, I'm one heck of a gorgeous nightmare! " Rikuo argues back before I hear his light retreating footsteps.
I find myself grinning at his somewhat childish declaration, only to have it fäde into a wistful smile later on.
Rikuo is right, he's my gorgeous nightmare, my sweetest nightmare. 1/27/12
So, what do you guys think? If you think this update sucks, please don't hesitate to tell me. I would really love to hear that(I'm not being sarcastic, okay? :Dv)
Replies
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Shizuhara89 - xD. Got that, Kiyotsugu, not Kiyotsugo. I'll be changing the names later, I've already replaced the 3rd chapter with the 4th one. Formatting the document takes time. .
lol, i might really kill Kana in his story if you continue saying that. tehe
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theluckyshipper - the continuation! :D yeeees!
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Straight Guy - now, you don't want to wonder what happened to Tsurara and Rikuo. kekeke
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ELISA - Midterm was finished a week ago. And I only updated today. :(
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AnonymousReader - hmm, I recommend you start reading Nura now. That's what I did after confirming to myself that I'm going to ship Rikuo and Tsurara. :D
You're right, the chapters are a bit short. T.T. It's my limit, my brain can only process that much words and ideas. waah~ Anyway, this chapter is a bit tad longer though it also took me a lot longer to update.
P.S - I'm planning to finish it to the end. Don't worry. tehe
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Pika318 - Well, I always think that Kubinashi is irrational and so, I made him like that in the last chapter. :DD. Besides, Kejorou abused him so he's taking it out to Tsurara. xD
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LogIn - Make Kana suffer? If Tsurara and Rikuo ends up together, she'll surely suffer. tehe. Moar RikuxTsura moments? Here's your cupcake!
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JustPikachu - Awh, I guess with this update, you'd want to turn Kana into a punching bag instead of just smacking her. OMG. .
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Veraozao - Unfortunately, they didn't kiss. .
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Shuuen - This fanfic is turning into an executioner's den. Almost all of you wants to kill Kana. :Dv
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Alias69 - awh, I'm pretty flattered. /. What are you writing? A Tsurara x Rikuo fanfic too? I wanna read it!
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Tsurara Oikawa - and what happened to them is...charan, I know you have already read it
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Aoi Hana 9 - I hope my update satiated your craving on the last chapter. (Ops, did I use the right words?)tehe
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DragoWolf - Sadly, Rikuo and Tsurara didn't kiss. :( Also, I can't tell if the night Rikuo is flirting with Tsurara. He is always like
I might have Kejorou and Kubinashi end up together, it depends if you guys want it.
About Kejorou, no, she's not referring to the seppuku thing, only the assumption that tsurara is doing something absurd. Uh, do you get what I say? .