I blinked the blurriness away.

I stared at the soft ray of light seeping through the shoji. I slowly turned my gaze to the room I was in…

It was a familiar room.

This tatami…the colour of wall…this scent...

It was Rikuo's room.

"I'm alive?" I murmured, looking down to see my arms fully recovered without a scar. I slowly reached behind myself and felt around my back.

It was empty.

It was only natural. After all, no matter how good my recovering ability was, I can never regenerate lost parts.

"You're finally awake." A voice suddenly spoke as I felt a presence behind me. I quickly turned to see a bag dangling in my face. I smiled at the sweet scent coming from it.

"Tea cakes…" I whispered. I gently took the bag into my hand. Once I pulled it out of my view, I found Rikuo sitting beside me. His crimson eyes were smiling at me.

"How long was I out for?" I asked as I pull the bag away and opened the nicely wrapped body to find the tea cakes nicely arranged inside. "Two weeks." Rikuo replied.

Two weeks…

Meaning two weeks since that battle…

"…Is Mouyou–"

"Dead." Rikuo quickly cut me off. I unconsciously breathed out a soft sigh in relief. Of course he is…the fact that we're still alive proved that much.

He's dead.

He's really dead.

But even so…I didn't feel all that joyful as I thought I would be.

Maybe…because it still felt like a dream?

Perhaps I'm dreaming right now?

Feeling hunger overwhelming my thought, I took a rice cake from the box and carefully slipped it through the gap between my lips. A sweet sensation woken the taste bugs on my tongues. There was a flowery scent to the cakes with a soft mixture of honey.

"It's delicious." There wasn't any other word to describe this taste.

Rikuo smiled at my response.

"How is your body?"

"Seems like it healed." I replied.

"Then let's go." Rikuo said, pulling himself onto his feet as I froze. "You're not going to call that a meal are you?" Rikuo asked when he noticed how I haven't moved from the spot.

That's right.

He doesn't know yet.

The reason I couldn't feel the strength to celebrate that monster's death.

Perhaps was this…

"…I can't." I replied, gently closing the box and carefully settles it on my laps. I glanced up to him before a smile swept across my lips.

"I can't walk." I told him as though it wasn't a big deal.

Even now, I couldn't feel it.

From my legs to the tip of my toe, I couldn't feel anything.

"My legs were already wasted. I won't ever walk again." I said as I noticed Rikuo's gaze hardened at that.

My smile widened as I felt a stabbing pain in my chest.

"I understand if you–!" I gasped when the blanket that covered my legs was suddenly pulled off me. An arm slipped itself under my legs and with a pull, I suddenly find myself within Rikuo's arms…again.

"What are you…?" The dryness in my throat captured my voice as Rikuo used his feet to slide open the shoji.

"Dinner." Rikuo replied. I gave him a long stare before his words sank in.

I cleared my throat. I made sure my voice was back before saying, "were you listening to a word I said?"

"What about it?"

I stared at him. What does he mean what about it? He doesn't even seem to have grasped the situation.

"I've chased you for ten years. Did you think I would toss you aside after risking my life just because you couldn't walk?"

"The Supreme Commander of the Nura clan taking in a woman with disability? You'll just be a laughing stock."

"I'm taking in the most beautiful woman as wife." Rikuo corrected. I didn't know why, but when I heard that line, I felt something lightened within me.

"Miu…"

"What now?" I snapped. Somehow, I was unable to look at him in the eye.

"You're warm." My eyes widened as Rikuo brought me close against him. I could hear the sound of our heart beats over lapping. I was then forced to become conscious to the warmth his body was spreading to me.

This is the warmth of another living being…

Come to think of it…when he was holding me during that battle, his arms didn't have the warmth it does now.

He was empty that time. A clone.

This is the first time that we actually had real contact.

I noticed Rikuo parting his lips but sealed it a second later. He was no doubt going to question the liquid flooding down my eyes, but decided not to. He held me tighter as I leaned against him.

I sniffed softly, my body quivering even though it was in midsummer's night.

Mouyou is dead.

I don't have to run or hide anymore.

I can stay here…just right here, with him.

The one who I placed trust in – I can be with him.

'I can…be with Rikuo.' I thought in realization as I clenched onto his kimono.

After the facts finally sank in, the voice of my tears echoed into the indigo night.

I was finally free.

I can be with Rikuo.

That was what I had thought, but such innocent thought only lasted half a month.

…I discovered a truth within the Nura clan.

"What did you…?" I whispered. My voice seemed to be trapped in my throat as I stared at Nobuyuki who stood before me.

"You can't continue the Nura Clan's bloodline." Nobuyuki repeated slowly in a louder voice.

"His grandfather, Nuyarihyon himself got a curse lay on him after slaying Hagoromo Gitsune. He can't bear a child with a youkai."

"That is on Nurarihyon–"

"Nura Rihan's ex-wife was an ayakashi and she left the Nura house because of that." Nobuyuki cut me off.

"If it was a normal curse it'd be easy to remove…but it's a curse from a fox." Nobuyuki loudly identified the key word in his sentence.

"That curse is to put an end to the Nura clan, Miu-sama." He then stopped speaking. His silver gaze met with mine before he released a sigh. "…Think about it carefully." He mumbled while stepping out of my room. I stared at his fully healed wings that began to unfold. With a couple of flaps, he took off into the sky lit by the morning sun.

"…The Nura clan will end?" I stared at the morning sun beaming into my room.

"…Miu-san?" A voice suddenly spoke, snapping me out as I quickly looked up to see Tama silently walking in. He came up to me, his long tails dragged behind him as he walked.

I stared at his rare unenergetic self. His eyes were half open and his ears flopped down.

"…I want to go to the garden." I murmured softly.

Hearing my request, Tama quickly came over and rubbed his soft fur against me. His strong tailed wrapped around my waist and with a pull, he dragged my body onto his back. I held onto his fur, my legs dangling on his side as he carried me out of my room.

"Say Miu-san…that time…how did Rikuo get into the tower?" Tama asked, unable to put up with the silence.

"All I did was created another clone and transfer his spirit. It's the same logic as creating my own clone." I replied at the memories of that day. I could still remember my rotting wing Mouyou placed in there as part of his game. To create a clone outside of my consciousness, my body needed to be intact with my feathers.

He probably never knew…that if it wasn't for his own entertainment, Rikuo wouldn't have been able to materialize in there at that time.

"Come to think of it…" I mumbled as I remembered how things were strangely smooth at that time.

"Tama, how did Nobuyuki knew what I was going to do? Rikuo seemed like he knew as well."

He seemed happy that something had caught my interest since her ears perked up right away.

"Oh, on the ship Rikuo had that guy spill out everything about a Doji's abilities. After hearing about the clone thing, Rikuo said Miu-san would use it for sure if." I smirked at Tama's reply as my eyes flashed down at him.

"So you knew how this ability works…yet you're still asking?" I whispered softly as my hand found its way to his ear.

"O-ow! Miu-san…!" Tama whined as I pinched his ear and tugged it slightly. "I-I just remembered…! Honestly!" Tama laughed…a very fake laugh. Once I released his ear, the air was quiet down again.

It explained it then…

The way Rikuo gave away his weapon to Nobuyuki...it was obvious from the start, I just failed to see it.

When we reached the garden, Tama carefully let me down by the pond.

"Miu-san's wearing lots of kimonos instead of dresses now…"

"I've always liked kimono, but my wings would always get in the way." I replied before looking out around the quiet garden. "I want to be alone." I told him. Although the sentence was short and simple…my feelings were perfectly conveyed across.

Knowing he could say nothing in the matter, Tama turned and began walking away.

"What you heard just now…don't tell anyone." I added in a soft whisper, knowing that the Nekotama can clearly hear me. With a leap, he jumped over the fence and left the manor.

I stared at my reflection within the pond, my mind in a mess.

In the past, I wouldn't have cared about such ridiculous thing as keeping the bloodline running.

But this is the Nura clan's future…

Rikuo's future.

"You seem down for a youkai who is just taken in as the wife to the Nura clan." An elderly voice spoke. I slowly turned to see Nurarihyon himself standing right behind me. My shocked expression quickly melted as I slowly turned my body around. I dragged my legs with me and after some struggles, I was finally able to properly face him.

"For someone who's retired, you sure are busying keeping yourself updated with your clan's privacy, Nurarihyon-sama." I said with a smile. "Were you eavesdropping?"

"Is that how you should speak with your elder?" Nurarihyon asked, his face looking strict as usual.

"And elder is no excuse to invade a woman's privacy." At my reply, Nurarihyon didn't seem insulted. In fact, he seemed so pleased that he laughed.

"You had the face of Otome when she discovered this curse."

"…Otome?" I asked, unable to understand a word Nurarihyon was saying.

"She was my son's first wife. A flower ayakashi." Nurarihyon explained as he walked up to me. He stared at me with a gentle gaze before turning to our reflections in the pond.

"She was a good woman."

"Then you shouldn't insult her by pairing her with me." I chuckled. "I'm not so kind that I would sacrifice something for other's sake."

"Rikuo never told you, did he?" Nurarihyon suddenly asked as I turned to his reflection in the water.

"During the time you were asleep, he came back with a box of tea cakes every noon and midnight. He would set it down beside you and wait for you to wake."

"Rikuo did?" I couldn't hide the surprise in my voice…or my face for that matter. I can still remember the tea cake he offered me, but I thought it was only by chance he bought it that night.

To think that he did something meaningless like that…

"You're a good woman as well. You should know what's best for Rikuo." Nurarihyon said before he walked away. I sat on the soft blades of grass and watched as he disappeared around the manor.

"What's best...huh?" I murmured before looking back to my reflection.

"Otome…" I whispered that name I just learnt of. "So I had the same expression as her?" I stared at my reflection, finding myself beginning to wonder exactly what face did I have that time.

If it was the old me…would I have such an expression?

Since when did I begin to change?

As I pondered over these questions, my mind began to drift off.

I was lost.

What was I supposed to do?

What choice did Nobuyuki expected me to make and what choice did Nurarihyon wanted me to make?

I was troubled by the questions…but what really troubled me was the fact that I was being so considerate to even think about such silly things.

It was so stupid that I couldn't do anything but laugh…

If only I could laugh it off…I wouldn't have felt this strange suffocation.

I opened my eyes to the burning sun. I looked up to the sky, finding that noon had already come.

"Did you sleep well?" A voice spoke just beside my ear as I quickly pulled myself up by reflex. I stared at Rikuo who was sitting beside me. Even though he's human now, I couldn't feel his presence at all.

More importantly…I felt as though it's been a pattern for me to wake in such situation.

"When…did you get here?"

"Before you fell onto my shoulder and went to sleep." Rikuo replied with his warm smile. "I tried calling you, but you didn't seem to hear me." He said before giving me a look of concern. I immediately knew what would be coming.

"Is there anything you want to talk about, Miu?"

"No…not–" I was about to say, but my voice began to trail off. Come to think of it, the words no and nothing was something I often say to Rikuo. I didn't want him to get involved…so I would always say these words to brush him away.

"…Why don't you come for lunch, Miu? I heard you didn't have breakfast."

Perhaps he knew I didn't want to talk about it…that's why he changed the topic. But regardless of what reason, I was thankful to his consideration.

I gave him a soft nod in replied as he gently pulled me into his arms.

These gentle arms…this warmth…

Drawn to him like a bee to the scent of honey, I pressed myself against him and wrapped my arms around his neck. I slowly closed my eyes as I feel the warmth emitting from his body.

"Miu?" Rikuo whispered as I felt a hand gently stroking the back of my head.

"Okonomiyaki*." I mumbled as a breeze blew by. "I feel like eating okonomiyaki."

"Want to go to the usual?" Rikuo asked in a gentle voice. I said nothing but nodded my head in reply.

Just like that, we left the manor.

I sat on my wheelchair with Rikuo pushing me from behind. I stared at the humans walking beneath the vast blue sky.

None of these people could have guessed that only in day did the city belong to them.

Humans wander within the light and youkais dominate the darkness.

A youkai with disability and can't even produce heir…was there any positive side to that?

No matter how I searched, I could only find the negatives.

If what Nobuyuki said is true, then the curse was to end the Nura clan…

Meaning…

The Nura clan will end sooner or later.

With or without me, the clan will one day end with the last heir being a pure human.

However, at the thought of another woman standing beside Rikuo, I felt a slight burn in my chest.

Perhaps…this is what human call heat stroke?

"What's wrong, Miu?" Rikuo asked as he quickly came around me and took my hand. I looked up to those soft gaze, feeling immediately relax by the warm lingering against my skin.

"Nothing…just a bit thirsty." I told him.

At that, Rikuo looked around before finding one of those 'vending machines' human made for their convenience. "Wait here." He said, pushing me under the shade before making his way across the street.

"Wait? Do I have a choice?" I murmured before turning my gaze to my useless legs.

I knew I was being unreasonable asking so much of him. Although I knew, I didn't know why I did it.

I knew I was being unreasonably selfish today, but I couldn't help it. It was almost as though I wanted to see for myself…to what length will be go to help me. Or perhaps…I was just seeking the last bit of warmth from those hands because I knew that someday I would loose it.

"Here, Miu." Rikuo said, returning to my side as he gently pressed the cool bottle of canned tea against my cheek. I felt the burning pain ceased from my chest as I took it off his hand.

"Thank you." I mumbled before observing the foreign object.

I had seen these many times in my life…but this was the first time using it. I fondled around the cool object in my hands, but couldn't discover any openings.

As though knowing my problem, Rikuo overlapped his hands onto mine and carefully steady the can. "You open it like this." Rikuo said as he slipped his finger beneath the strange metal thing. Then with a pull, a popping sound reached my ear and I was staring at the newly formed hole.

I looked up at Rikuo before back to the can. I gently brushed my finger by the little tab Rikuo had just pulled. I glanced up to Rikuo and silently pointed at the hole. When he replied to my silent question with a nod, I pressed the metal against my lips. I carefully tilted the can as cold liquid slid down my throat and cooled my chest.

It was unbelievable how comfortable it was to relax like this.

"Shall we go?" Rikuo asked as I smiled at him. With another silent nod, we began moving down the street again…

At twilight, we were at the mountain, in our usual drinking spot.

The sakura had long withered. The tree filled with lush green leaves and fireflies dancing through the air in preparation for the night.

"If I disappeared, what would you do?" I asked; breaking the long silence as Rikuo looked to me. "…You've always disappear, shouldn't you know that the best?" Rikuo asked me back as though my question just now was a rhetorical one. Perhaps it was…

"If I was to disappear, what would you do?" I shifted at the sudden change in his tone. When I looked up to him, those chocolate coloured eyes I was staring at before were no longer there. It was a gaze not as soft as the one before, but it held the same tenderness beneath.

I looked back to the sky, the light of the sun replaced by the moon's.

If Rikuo disappears…

I have never given thoughts about it.

It was always Rikuo chasing after me…I've never once placed myself in his shoes before. I made a vision of it within my mind, of what would it like be if Rikuo was to disappear.

The minute I grasped the thought, I quickly pushed it aside.

I didn't want to imagine it.

"Do you see now?" A faint smirk played upon his lips as he took a sip at his sake. "It's the one who gets left behind feeling the most pain." I frowned at his words.

I've never once thought about it that way…

Not once.

"You've submitted yourself to me. I won't allow it if you disappear again." At the tone of his voice, my eyes widened as realization slapped me.

Could it be that he…?

"Kappa told me everything."

Kappa?

Kappa was there?

I quickly think back to the scene back then. There wasn't anyone there. I didn't feel any other presence there and since I went with Tama, there shouldn't be any way there would be anyone that cat can't detect.

Unless…

I remembered my reflection as I gazed into the water that time.

Kappa was in the pond?

If that was the case then there shouldn't be any way Nurarihyon wouldn't know – no matter how age would affect him.

That could only mean that Nurarihyon knew yet he still chose to talk there.

…Or did he purposely spoke there because he knew Kappa would tattletale to Rikuo?

"I have no plans to let you go."

"You're going to destroy your own clan's future for the sake of a woman who can't even walk?" I asked. I didn't even know if I said that sentence for the purpose of pushing him away or trying to find a place for myself to be beside him.

"No." Rikuo replied simply as he placed his sake cup on the flat surface of a rock. "You'll be the one to bear my child. The Nura clan won't end." My eyes softened at his words.

"Are you trying to say you'll break the curse?"

"I'll break it." Rikuo replied with full confidence. I couldn't detect a single hesitation or doubt behind those words.

I chuckled at his words…

"What makes you think you can break a fox's curse when neither your father nor Nurarihyon can?" I wanted to say – but I kept it within me. As impossible as it sounds, I found myself believing his outrageous words.

He always speaks of such important matter and making it sound so easy.

"Then you better prepare yourself." I sighed, my body growing weak as my head found its way to his shoulder. I gently grasped his arm as I tasted his sweet scent that caressed my face.

I guess I really am selfish.

"Even if you get on your knees and beg, I won't let you go."

"If you ever disappear again, I'll find you, no matter how much time has passed."

The taste of sake swirled around my tongue as my eyes slowly trailed to the full moon about us.

Sake beneath the moon.

"Hey Rikuo. This year…let's go to the Tourou Nagashi again."

xxTHE ENDxx

Okonomiyaki - a Japanese savoury pancake containing a variety of ingredients.

Phew…finally over! I can't believe this story which was supposed to be only two shots turned out to be so long. It was really fun making this story and I enjoy reading about the comments everyone posted! Thank you all for taking your time and write things down in the review. Some messages encouraged me to keep writing and some kindly pointed out the errors/problems I had.

Although the main story is over, there will be another side chapter told from Rikuo's pov followed by an epilogue. I haven't plan on the update time yet…perhaps the usual (meaning that even I have no idea when I'll be able to get the story out) ^-^'

Everyone! I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your seven months of support!