Three
The late-night train sped out from Tokyo. Unseen, a centipede spirit flew in its wake. A dozen other shadows raced through the rice paddies on either side of the tracks, never letting the train get too far ahead of them.
Though most of the businessmen who were returning home for the night could not see the yokai, the supernatural activity left them all feeling nervous. They glanced furtively in the direction of the two ordinary-looking High School students who sat in the far back of the very last train car. To anyone who didn't know them, the girl and the boy looked like a couple who'd just had a bad fight. The girl seemed exasperated and the boy was trying very hard not to look at her.
"Can't this train go any faster?" Rikuo complained. He gazed listlessly out the window at the night sky.
Tsurara sighed heavily. It was obvious that Rikuo was restless and she knew that it was useless to encourage him to relax. It had been five days since the affair at Hayakawa Mansion and Rikuo had not slept at all. He hadn't attended school either, despite the fact that Jiro had stopped by the house to pick him up every morning. Tsurara suspected that Rikuo had already missed his big exam and wondered if he would get Rikuo thrown out of Azabu High School. He'd certainly be in trouble for missing a week of classes without any excuse. He couldn't very well tell anyone that a vicious yokai was trying to kill his grandfather. That sounded preposterous, even if it was true.
Tsurara worried for Rikuo, but she said nothing. Drawing attention to Rikuo's current weakened state would only make him more irritable. Despite all the years she had spent serving as his bodyguard, Rikuo still maintained that it was hisduty to protect her.
Thanks to Kiyotsugu and his "Paranormal Experts" crew, a very dangerous yokai had been freed from a long imprisonment. The Baku's chief desire was to devour dreams and nightmares. With that purpose in mind, it had stolen Rikuo's exorcist sword Nenekimaru and was currently hunting for his grandfather Nurarihyon. Worse still, Rikuo had lost more than his primary weapon. The Baku had absorbed all of his Fear and was currently using Rikuo's powers of illusion to masquerade as Rikuo's yokai self.
"You know how far it is to Shikoku, Rikuo-sama." Tsurara replied. "Why are you so impatient?"
Rikuo snorted but did not respond. Tsurara heaved another sigh. She frosted the window with her breath and smiled slightly as Rikuo pulled his nose away from the glass, startled by the sudden cold.
"What was that for?" He demanded.
"You're brooding, Rikuo-sama. Stop it!" She ordered.
Rikuo rolled his eyes. "I'm not brooding!" He protested. "It's just..."
"You'd rather be out there?" Tsurara suggested.
Rikuo nodded glumly.
It was plain to see that he would have preferred to be out running alongside the train, enjoying the beauty of the night. When she considered how many years it had been since they'd last traveled by any mundane means, Tsurara found that she couldn't actually remember the last time she had seen Rikuo wearing his human form after sunset. It had become his habit to change at twilight so that he could take full advantage of every hour of night. He had to, busy as he often was. But Tsurara also suspected that Rikuo felt uncomfortable dealing with yokai as his "Day" self.
Not that she blamed him for that. Even knowing about his condition, some of the more foolish little spirits who served the Nura Clan persisted in treating "Day" and "Night" Rikuo as if they were two different people.
But the Rikuo-sama that Tsurara sat beside on the train bound for Shikoku was not the same "young master" who'd tried to deny his yokai heritage for so many years. Even when he wore his human form, there was a fire in his eyes. He was intimidating whether he believed he was or not, very nearly six feet tall and both strong and fast. His reputation at Azabu High School was nothing like his Junior High reputation had been. Would-be bullies learned to fear "The Kendo Club" and especially Rikuo, who was widely acknowledged as the senior student that nobodywanted to pick a fight with. And that was a reputation he'd earned without using his supernatural powers at all.
With every passing year, Rikuo reminded Tsurara more strongly of his father, Rihan. Tsurara did not doubt that one day his legend would surpass that of the Second Heir of the Nura Clan, but she still kept silent. There was no use in singing the young master's praises when he was so utterly convinced of his own helplessness. He felt like he'd failed his clan in allowing the Baku to be set free, and he was very worried about his grandfather, who did not know that he was being hunted.
Tsurara considered Gyuki's ominous warning about the Baku and wondered what would happen if someone besides Rikuo were to kill the monster. If the Baku was slain by an onmyoji, what would happen to Rikuo's Fear? Would his powers return to him, or would he remain human? It was no small problem. Though Tsurara herself was willing to follow Rikuo however he appeared, not all of the yokai under his command would feel comfortable with the idea of a mere mortal leading a Hyakki Yagyo.
The old Supreme Commander had sure picked a terrible time to sneak off in search of one last adventure.
They passed a station and Tsurara craned her neck to read the sign. "Two more stops!" She informed Rikuo. "We're nearly there."
"Gyuki is probably meeting with Inugamigyobu Danuki already." Rikuo replied. The chief guardian of the Nura Clan's most distant territories, Gyuki had spent the past week organizing the retainers who usually hung around the main family's house drinking and gambling. Every yokai who was a competent fighter was traveling to the outskirts of Tokyo and preparing for a possible attack.
Once Gyuki had been satisfied with the defenses of the main house, he'd headed off to Shikoku to meet with Inugamigyobu Danuki, leader of the Hachijuhakki Yagyo. The 88 Demons of Shikoku still owed the Nura Clan a favor for sparing the life of Inugamigyobu's irresponsible son five years ago. Gyuki had decided that with Nurarihyon missing, it was probably a good time to pay the tanuki a visit.
After all, enemies who had long avoided testing the combined might of the Nura Clan would most definitely strike it they learned that the young Lord of Pandemonium could not do anything to stop them.
But Rikuo and Tsurara were not only traveling to Shikoku in order to meet with Inugamigyobu and his subordinates. Despite what had happened at the Hayakawa Mansion during the filming of the ninety-ninth episode of "Paranormal Experts", Rikuo's friend Kiyotsugu and his fellow yokai hunters had refused to cancel their special one-hundredth episode.
The planned reunion of the Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol at the inconceivably dangerous, extremelyhaunted Shikoku Power Plant was still scheduled to take place on Saturday night, a mere two days away. There was virtually no chance that Rikuo would succeed in finding and slaying the Baku before then, and that made Tsurara very nervous.
Rikuo had agreed to accompany the reunited Paranormal Patrol beforehe'd lost his Fear. Though it would have been safer for him to remain in Tokyo and not risk stirring up the nest of another old yokai, Tsurara suspected that he had insisted on keeping his promise to Kiyotsugu because he was absolutely convinced that the Paranormal Experts would need his protection. Tsurara had tried to convince Rikuo that his old friend, the onmyoji Keikain Yura, would be more than sufficient to deal with any yokai that might be living at the Shikoku Power Plant. But hearing Yura's name mentioned had only made Rikuo even more determined not to bow out.
Rikuo's friend Jiro and the other former members of the Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol would all be arriving in Shikoku in the morning. Rikuo knew that had to finish his yokai business before the sun came up, regardless of how tired he already was.
"We'll be on this train for another thirty minutes, Rikuo-sama." Tsurara paused. "Maybe you should close your eyes for a little while. You'll be no good to anyone if you don't get some sleep."
"How can I sleep at a time like this?" Rikuo demanded. His eyes drifted towards his kendo bag which held the sword that he'd borrowed from Awashima. He itched to have it on hand, but when he couldn't disappear on a moment's notice he didn't dare carry a weapon openly. People tended to be quite shocked when they saw someone running down the street with a katana. Yokai only got away with that sort of thing because they were naturally invisible to most humans.
"I still can't believe that I was beaten do easily!" Rikuo cursed. "And even if we do find this Baku, how am I supposed to slay it? I can't beat a yokai like that with an ordinary sword. I already lost to it once." He finished.
"You didn't know what it was, Rikuo-sama." Tsurara reminded him. "And anyway, I've been thinking. Your Matoi technique works because you're part human – isn't that so?"
Rikuo considered Tsurara's words. "Well, it's more because my subordinates place their trust in me." He turned to look out the window again. It was awkward to discuss the subject with Tsurara. Her faith in him was so unshakable that it made him feel undeserving.
"Then you'll never be powerless." Tsurara replied with conviction. "Because I will always trust you."
The two sat in silence until the train pulled into the station.
The very last passengers to disembark, Rikuo and Tsurara were met on the platform by all of the Nura Clan yokai who had followed them from Tokyo. A few went to scout the area for signs of trouble, leaving Aotabo and Kurotabo to join Gyuki, Rikuo, and Tsurara for their meeting with Inugamigyobu Danuki.
Gyuki's two most loyal subordinates, Gozomaru and Mezomaru, were sitting perched in a nearby tree looking insufferably bored. Rikuo suspected that they'd been ordered to watch the train station until he arrived and probably escort him to Inugamigyobu's lair.
But then Rikuo realized that Gozomaru and Mezomaru were not alone. A breeze tossed a flurry of bright green leaves at Rikuo's feet and he blinked in surprise as he caught sight of a familiar silhouette. Inugamigyobu Danuki's son Tamazuki had come to meet him in person. The tanuki's unexpected presence caused Rikuo to reach for his borrowed sword, which he drew clear from his kendo bag.
"You won't be needing that, Rikuo." Tamazuki chided. "I don't even have a weapon."
"So I see." Rikuo replied, steeling himself. "Forgive me, it's been an eventful week."
"So I've heard." Tamazuki nodded. "My father was not happy to learn that the Baku was freed. I understand that some humans were responsible for damaging the seal which kept it below Hayakawa Mansion?"
"That's true." Aotabo nodded.
"I've also heard that not one of your Hyakki Yagyo could scare those humans out of that house, despite the fact that you promised them a prize if they succeeded?" Tamazuki continued.
"Kiyotsugu doesn't scare easily." Rikuo replied grimly.
"My Hachijuhakki Yagyo would have sent them running. You Edo yokai must really be getting soft." Tamazuki replied, using the antiquated term for Tokyo that some of the more traditional spirits preferred.
"It was only supposed to be a game!" Tsurara protested. "No one was supposed to get hurt!"
Tamazuki snorted with disdain. Rikuo scowled.
Years ago, he and Tamazuki had come to blows and very nearly killed one another. Though everything he'd heard from Shikoku in recent years suggested that the heir apparent of the 88 Demons of Shikoku had changed his ways, Rikuo was still unsure of how far he could trust Tamazuki.
It did not help matters that he could not conduct the meeting as his yokai self. Tamazuki was fairly intimidating when he wasn't masquerading as human – and of all of his Inugamigyobu's hundreds of children, he had inherited the greatest amount of his father's magical powers.
Still, Rikuo had come to Shikoku on behalf of the entire Nura Clan, and he wasn't about to allow one arrogant, spoiled, tanuki princeling make him look like a subordinate! The 88 Demons of Shikoku paled in comparison to his Hyakki Yagyo. "Just take me to your father." Rikuo replied coolly, smiling just a little as Tamazuki's expression soured.
"As you wish, oh Lord of Pandemonium!" Tamazuki bowed in a particularly rude manner and led them off into the forest.
All of the 88 Demons of Shikoku were gathered at the feet of Inugamigyobu Danuki when Rikuo and the other representatives of the Nura Clan arrived in the tanuki's sacred grove. Little yokai skipped about, eager to hear the whisperings of their betters. Tamazuki sat at his father's right side and sipped a cup of sake, his eyes fixed firmly on Rikuo whose presence caused quite the alarm. The older and more powerful yokai were shocked to see that the rumors were true and that the Third Heir of the Nura Clan was completely without his Fear. The smallest spirits fled at the sight of a human in their grove.
A table was brought out for Rikuo, Aotabo, Kurotabo, and Tsurara to sit with Gyuki in front of the leaders of the Hachijuhakki Yagyo. A wobbly little kodama poured sake for each of them, somehow managing not to spill a single drop. Though it was impolite not to accept such an offering, Tsurara did not touch her drink. She stared intently at Tamazuki, as if daring him to say something cruel that would prove that he had not changed as completely as he claimed that he had.
"It has been decided." Inugamigyobu proclaimed. "The 88 Demons of Shikoku will assist the Nura Clan in hunting the yokai known as Baku."
"Your help is appreciated, Inugamigyobu-sama." Rikuo smiled slightly. As difficult as Tamazuki was, his father was a paragon of stability. Rikuo found it strange strange that his own grandfather had always liked Inugamigyobu Danuki so well - they were complete opposites!
"Not so quickly, Rikuo-sama." Inugamigyobu interrupted. "You should know our whole reason. The Baku is especially fond of devouring tanuki. Our Fear is not unlike the Fear of Nurarihyon. We are natural illusionists like you, the makers of the dreams and nightmares which nourish the Baku. There is a good chance that if the Baku succeeds in hunting your grandfather, it may come after my children next."
Some of the littlest tanuki squealed in fear and scurried off to hide in the bushes.
"I appreciate your honesty." Rikuo nodded. "And I won't be wasting too much more of your time. But I do have one more question for you."
"Ask." Inugamigyobu nodded solemnly.
"Are there any dangerous yokai living in the old Shikoku Power Plant?" Rikuo wondered.
"No, I do not think that anyone lives there anymore." Inugamigyobu admitted. "Why did you ask?"
"Well, there are some paranormal investigators from Tokyo who are planning on searching that Old Power plant for yokai this weekend." Rikuo paused, realizing he'd almost said too much about his relationship with Kiyotsugu and the rest of the Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol.
"So? If something happens, maybe those humans will stop poking around where they aren't welcome." Inugamigyobu suggested.
"I doubt it." Rikuo shook his head.
"I will never understand how you worry so much about humans." Inugamigyobu sighed.
"I don't want anyone – yokai or human to get hurt." Rikuo explained.
"Admirable response. I will send out a message to all of my subordinates warning them to stay out of that area when the investigators arrive. That's all the help I can give you." Inugamigyobu replied.
"Very generous of you, Inugamigyobu-sama." Rikuo smiled.
"It's the least I can do." He nodded cordially. "Now about this Baku..."
It was nearly sunrise when Rikuo's meeting with the 88 Demons of Shikoku drew to a close. The front desk manager of the hotel nearest to the train station seemed surprised that someone wanted to check in at such a strange time. Rikuo put his belongings in the closet and sat down on the bed, thinking. He noticed Tsurara peeking through the blinds of her room, which was across from his.
Tsurara had not approved of Rikuo's insistence that they reserve two separate rooms. It was very difficult, she protested, to be the bodyguard of someone who was sleeping in another building. Still, with the rest of the old Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol due to arrive soon, Rikuo did not want to give any of them the wrong ideas.
For certain, Kiyotsugu and Yura both understood that Tsurara was his bodyguard and not his girlfriend, but that still left the camera men and everyone else who worked on the television show. He was seventeen, after all – and he shouldn't be sharing a room with a girl he wasn't related to. It didn't matter that he been an adult by yokai standards for more than four years. In the human world, it just wasn't right.
Despite his intentions to stay away, Rikuo found himself nodding off.
Some time later, the sound of footsteps approaching shocked him awake. He leapt to his feet and swiftly drew Awashima's sword from his kendo bag. Rikuo clung to the shadows of the room and listened intently, wishing once again that he could use his Fear. Though his powers chiefly worked at night, he'd learned that he could tap into them very slightly when the sun was up and conceal his presence when necessary.
Without even the slightest bit of Fear to manipulate, he felt very obvious.
The knob on his door turned and Kiyotsugu craned his neck to peer inside. "Rikuo-sama?" He wondered.
Rikuo sighed in relief and stepped into the light. Kiyotsugu jumped.
"Oh! I didn't see you! You scared me." He admitted awkwardly. "I suppose that's a complement?" He wondered, raising an eyebrow in Rikuo's direction.
"Nice to know I can still scare someone." Rikuo smirked. "Is everyone here?"
"Yura-chan just arrived." Kiyotsugu nodded. "You should she the arsenal she brought with her! She really takes being the head of the Keikain family very seriously. Apparently, she's also brought along an onmyoji-in-training. He's very excited about meeting the infamous Lord of Pandemonium."
"Well, that little exorcist is probably going to be very disappointed." Rikuo sighed.
"Tsurara told me. You really have no powers at all?" Kiyotsugu wondered.
"I have to kill the Baku to get them back. And I have no idea where to find it." Rikuo admitted.
"Are you sure you should be filming the show with us tomorrow night?" Kiyotsugu asked.
"I've already checked with the local yokai yakuza." Rikuo replied. "We shouldn't be in any serious danger."
"Oh." Kiyotsugu frowned. He sounded disappointed.
"That doesn't mean we won't run into any yokai!" Rikuo added quickly. "If you want, I could order my subordinates to make a disturbance for your show."
"I'd like it better if we found something unexpected." Kiyotsugu admitted. "This is the reunion of the Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol, after all. Getting into trouble will make it just like old times."
"You're crazy." Rikuo rolled his eyes. "So, what's the plan for today?"
"Well, Chiaki is taking our camera crew to film a little bit around Shikoku so we have some footage to add to the history part of the episode." Kiyotsugu explained. "Atsushi-san is taking care of everyone from the television station until we meet for filming at six o'clock tomorrow. I thought that today the Paranormal Patrol could spend some time together. It's been a long time since Junior High. Did you know that Saori has started her own clothing design company? And Natsumi is in college now, studying to be a lawyer. Jiro wants to try to get into her school next year. The way he's been following her around since she arrived, I think maybe he might finally be getting over 'Oikawa-san'!" He laughed.
Rikuo looked pensive.
Kiyotsugu paused. "Jiro told me that you missed your Chemistry test. Are you really going to drop out of Azabu High School? You worked pretty hard to get in there."
"I did. Though sometimes I'm not sure why I'm still in school at all." Rikuo admitted. "It's not like I get to choose what I want to do when I graduate."
"Yura is in the same position as you." Kiyotsugu reminded him. "She always knew that the Keikain family would be her responsibility. But she isn't dropping out of High School and you shouldn't either!"
"You're right." Rikuo replied. "Let's go catch up with everyone."
They stepped out of Rikuo's room and headed in the direction of the lobby. As they were about to turn the corner and pass through the doors that lead into the hotel courtyard, a beautiful girl approached the front desk. She carried a single suitcase with a dozen airport tags and was dressed in a long white coat. Her nails were done with a French style manicure and her long auburn hair was pinned up with a seashell comb. Whoever she was, she was obviously rich. Rikuo watched her for a moment with curiosity and then stared in disbelief as he noticed that she was carrying a very familiar, especially hideous yokai doll.
Kiyotsugu slowly turned around to see what Rikuo was looking at and grinned very broadly.
"Excuse me?" Kana asked the concierge. "But is this where the Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol is having their reunion?"