I've noticed that I still get comments from this fanfic eventhough it's been over a year since I updated it, so I decided to continue with it even if TFoD is not yet finished(seriously, will it ever get finished?). There might be some similarities with TFoD and if you found them, just pretend they're not there. Pretty please, please.
Warning: I've altered some things(facts?) from the manga to suit my plot.
Disclaimer: I do not own NuraNoMago.
I check the table- everything is in order.
Breakfast is ready.
All that is needed is for everyone to show up so that we can already start our morning meal. I release a sigh of relief and without really intending to, I think back to the event last night. As much as the memory gives me pleasure, it also brings a considerable amount of pain with it. I shake my head, willing the thoughts to go away.
Today is a fresh new start and I can't ruin it with my pathetic personal issues.
Gaining control over myself, I try to switch the direction of my thoughts to something that doesn't involve me pitying myself, or anything that can widen the gaping hole in my heart.
Oh, right.
The First had wanted to tell me something important, right? I cannot help but get a bit anxious, seeing how apprehensive Rikuo is about it. I've tried to think what it could be but no idea comes to mind.
It can't be that bad, can it?
I jerk out of my inner monologue when I hear someone approaching the dining room. Or maybe it is the clean minty scent that is all Rikuo that did it. I can't decide and I guess it doesn't really matter. What I know is that I am fully aware of Rikuo's presence whenever he's around and even if I can't see him.
Rikuo looks so adorable with his bedhair and a groggy look on his face as he passes through the open door of the room. Although his features has sharpened considerably and his height has grown a bit, making him look more like his youkai counterpart, I can't help but think that he's still the same cute Rikuo I used to babysit.
"Smells nice." Rikuo says as he trudges slowly towards the table, stopping just across me. He slowly shakes his head, as if he is trying to wake himself up completely. Then, he opens his eyes and glances around the table, appreciating what are laid before him. Afterwards, he directs his gaze at me.
His eyes are a mixture of muddy brown and vivid red. It is an odd combination but it highlights Rikuo's contrasting nature. He has a gentle soul but at the same time, he's an epitome of a fiery personality. He isn't wearing his eyeglasses right now, so I'm able to take it all in.
"Morning, Tsurara." He says warmly, his face lighting up against the warm ray of the sun that filters through the room, leaving me breathless for a split of second.
Thankfully, it did not shut down my ability to utter a response.
" Morning, Waka."
"Where are the others?" Rikuo asks as he looks around. The food being served are still steaming hot so it has to be someone, aside from me, who cooked them. Usually, mine are chilled or cold...but it's not like I can help it. For today, I only help Kejorou and Kubinashi with the preparation of the ingredients and arrangement of the table.
" They'll be here in a while. You're rather early today."
Rikuo looks slightly surprised as his eyes drifts back to me. " Am I?"
He chuckles in amusement as he pulls back a chair and sits on it. He leans his back against the wooden chair and yawns as he closes his eyes again. He's still sleepy, I guess. He is usually the one that arrives last and that somewhat befuddles me, not that I really mind it.
" Did you get any sleep, Waka? "
He grunts, affirming my suspicion. " I don't know. I had a hard time sleeping last night."
Tentatively, I ask again.
" Did you stay up all night watching over Kana?"
I try to sound as casual as possible. We've already had this kind of conversation before, so I'm pretty sure that my voice doesn't sound weird or anything. Like the croak of a frog.
" No, not really." Rikou's eyes flutters open. He turns to me and from the way his lips move, I know he has something more to say when a bustling noise suddenly fills the room. We both direct our attention to the door and there came Kubinashi and Kejorou. I guess they are already back from wherever it is they went to.
" Well, if it isn't Waka. You're up early." Kejorou comments in surprise.
Rikuo only laughs in return. " Yeah, good morning you guys."
Kejorou and Kubinashi both greet him back in unison. I was next. Surprisingly, Kubinashi isn't sharp with his tongue today.
That's rather unusual but I'm not complaining. Thank Gods for small favors.
Not later, Aotabu and Kurotabo arrive and we proceed to eat our breakfast. Finished, Kejorou and I stayed behind while the other others go on their separate ways, to clean up the aftermath of our meal.
Left with nothing else to do, I walk around the house just to see how things are for now. I stumble upon Rikou who seems to be in a hurry. It raises my curiosity.
" Going somewhere, Waka?"
" Yeah. Kana's going to do grocery shopping. She asked me to accompany her. Do yo want to come with us?"
A sting.
I shook my head slowly. With a smile, I reply.
" No, I'll just stay here. Just take care, okay?"
Riko stares at me, his eyes being framed by the eyeglass that Kana bought. Now that he's already wearing it, I can't help but notice that it looks good on him. That it fits him perfectly.
" That new eyeglass suits you. "
I should have kept quiet since the compliment is not really necessary but my voice still found its way on my mouth.
Rikuo blinks. It seems he isn't expecting that comment from me. I swear I can make out a tint of red faintly highlighting his cheeks.
" Oh, this." He says as he adjusts the frame of the eyeglass on the bridge of his nose. He does that when he's turning a little flustered. " Kana-chan gave this to me last night. It' a replacement for the one that got broken yesterday."
There goes the throb on my heart again. I ignore it, as I always do.
" She's really sweet." Hopefully, that comment, as well as the smile that I put up, is enough. I don't know what else to say...or to do.
" Yeah, she really is." Rikuo affirms, although he is giving me strange look. Or maybe it is my eyes playing tricks on me.
" I gotta go. See you later."
Rikuo has already walk past me when I remember something from last night. I hope that whatever it is, it'll only be short. I don't want to hold him up for too long.
" Waka, just a minute."
He halts his steps and looks over his shoulder. " Yep?"
" You said you needed to tell me something today. May I know what it is?"
" Oh, that!" Rikuo frowns, although it is gone almost instantly. " It's about the Nishikigoi clan. They have finally agreed to work with us again. On one condition though, they want you to be the one to oversee them. It's really goods news to us but the condition is a little tricky. I'll think of something to go around this without you getting involved so don't worry about saying no to my gramps, alright?"
Without waiting for my reply, checking for my reaction even, Rikuo waives his goodbye. I just stare at his retreating back as everything that he said sinks into my mind. A wave of mix emotions rush into me.
Nishikigoi region.
It's the territory that used to be under my Mom's protection. It's been a solid pillar for the Nura clan until my Mom disappeared. The clan defected from Nura, deeming anyone not worthy of their loyalty, even Nurarihyon himself. I know that the First has been working on getting the clan to be on our side again and if I admit to myself, there's a wishful thinking on my part about me continuing my Mom's legacy. But...
It's only a wishful thinking. I'm well aware of what I can and cannot do.
Suddenly, I feel a light dizziness overcoming me.
I don't know what to think of it.
More importantly, Rikuo expects me to decline the offer, he is even confident that it's what I will exactly do.
Why?
Is it because he doesn't deem me fit enough to lead?
I will not hold it against him since that's what I think of myself too but...
It just hurts to think.
I walk with heavy footsteps. The First has summoned me. Without doubt, it must be about what Rikuo had told me this morning. I'm still in the state of confusion and I have yet to come to terms that the offer is indeed given to me, much less decide on what answer to give to him.
Upon arriving at his door, I stop short. Rikuo is with him and he is sporting a bored look on his face. I didn't know that he has already arrived. Upon seeing me, his expression perks up. An adorable grin lits up his face which automatically elicits a smile from me. The First motions me to enter, which I did. We exchange pleasantries before I take my seat beside Rikuo.
The smoke that puffs out from the First's pipe fills the room. He eyes Rikuo and it looks like he is giving him a warning look. Rikuo crosses his arms and looks at him defiantly. The First sighs at the stubborn display of his grandson before he turns to me. Without further ado and with a grin that has been his trademark, he asks.
" Have you decided yet, Tsurara?"
Rikuo huffs, effectively preventing me from responding. " I've told you old man, Tsurara's not going to accept your offer."
" I'm not asking your opinion, brat. In the first place, you shouldn't even be here. You just invited yourself in." The First dismisses Rikuo with a puff of his pipe. Fixing his gaze back to me, he says. " Let's just ignore my stupid grandson. He doesn't really matter in this conversation. Anyway, let me fully explain everything to you, in the case Rikuo didn't do it himself. "
" I'ts not nece-"
" Another word from you and I'll have Wakana spank you. She mentioned before that she missed having you disciplined, I'm sure she'll be more than glad to do it again." The First threatens with a wicked grin, causing his grandson to shut up. The situation is comical but I can't find myself to laugh, even giggle.
" To start with, I believe that Rikuo has already told you the reason why I called you here. As you already know, The Nishikigoi region has been an essential part of our clan before. We've put them under our protection, trained their warriors to be stronger while they provided us with great financial backing for our operations. The responsibility of leading the clan was entrusted to Setsura. She's a strong-willed and compassionate woman so it was no wonder that she had gained over the loyalty of the clan, but only to her did they give their loyalty. That was why, when she disappeared all of a sudden, the clan broke off their connection with us. Their warriors have become stronger and more highly skilled than before that they see no problem with becoming independent. Since then, we have been persistent in getting their alliance back but they were quite firm with their rebuff. Personally, I thought that this might have been a lost cause if not for the letter I received from them just recently. They will agree working with us again, on one condition. You have to be the one to handle them. Apparently, they have already researched about you and they see you befitting to lead them." The First stops for a second, letting out another puff of his smoke before he continues. " Also, here's another thing which is important to you. You will have to stay at Nishikigoi once the contract has been sealed. You need to be familiar with them and you have to know the in and out of their business so that you can effectively run the clan. Also, since you will be their new leader, your constant presence is quite necessary for them."
Trying to absorb everything at once, I feel overwhelmed. The information that is being feed to me is too much to handle. The First gauges my reaction for a moment, then gives me an understanding smile. " This must be too hard for you to decide on immediately. I'll give you three more days to think this over. Just remember this Tsurara, we won't have agreed on this if we know you're not competent for the responsibility it entails. We have faith in you."
Looking at the First, I feel a prickling sensation at the corner of my eyes. It's the first time that I heard such words from him and it's causing havoc to my emotions. I can't be crying right now, it just seems so immature.
" I hope by the time we talk again, I'll get a positive response from you. You can go now, Tsurara."
With my voice stuck in my throat, I nod mutely.
The First regards Rikuo and addresses him with a slight raise of his silver eyebrow. " You too, Rikuo, if you have nothing else to do here."
Wordlessly, he stands up and abruptly exits the room. I follow suit, getting confused at Rikuo's odd behavior. When I close the door behind me, he is already nowhere to be seen.
There, done. I hope you guys enjoy it. Please let me know if you find this repulsive, boring, nonsensical, cheesy or whatever. I'd appreciate that.
Damn, this one is full of angst. And to my utter amazement, I finished this in one day. I'm ought to treat myself with pizza.
P.S: I got really amused with your comments in chapter 4( just read all of it today) and that's what actually motivated me to write chapter 5. I hope you didn't get disappointed with it. I'd really like to reply to your comments but I don't know where to start so maybe if I'll get comments on this chapter, I'll reply.