Disclaimer: Nuramago isn't mine and never will be *_*;

Warning: AU, yaoincest, oOC, foul language (cursing, f* word, etc), FAN SERVICE for you guys… Rating is up to T++! =P (be ware for an intense H/C scene…)

A/N: Another sleepless night for me to finish this... and when I hope I could actually meet the deadline this time…T_T *yawns tiredly*. I don't have much to say because I'm sleepy. Please just read.

Chapter 4: The Mark on His Back

Rikuo yawned slightly in the morning as he arrived to his school. He couldn't really sleep last night. Well…, he had a very disturbing dream about his half brother… and the fact that he actually dreamed about him at all bothered Rikuo quite a LOT.

"I must have lost my mind… for actually falling for that guy…," Rikuo sighed while changing his shoes into his indoor shoes.

"Good day, Rikuo-kun."

A girl's voice greeted Rikuo from behind, and he turned over slightly to find Yura there. "Oh, good morning, Keikain… err… I meant, Yura-san," he smiled while greeting the new student back.

"Huh… ya look tired, Rikuo-kun. Something wrong?" Yura then asked while changing her shoes as well.

"No…, it's just a nightmare," Rikuo chuckled slightly. "A bit silly actually, but it kept the rest of my sleep restless last night," he continued while closing his shoe locker.

"Hmm…," Yura stared for some seconds before she also closed her locker. "Rikuo-kun… yer words sometimes sounds so vague, huh?" she commented as they walked together to the class.

"Eh?" Rikuo tilted his head aside, a bit confused. "Vague…, how?"

"Nah…, it's just…, ya know. I'd just realized it last night that ya actually talked me into joining yer supernatural club without I realizing it. Ya have way with words, Rikuo-kun. Ya seem talk a lot about yerself, but never really give any information about something personal. Smooth talker, I believe," Yura smiled at Rikuo as she mentioned all of her speculation.

Moreover… every one of them hit the bull's eye. What a scary deduction ability!—Rikuo paled slightly even though he was laughing awkwardly at those mentioned facts.

"Really? I didn't even have any intention when I started arguing with Yura-san," Rikuo said putting humor tone in his voice while inwardly he was praying to every deity that she was really as gullible as she appeared yesterday. Actually he hoped she really did, because somehow… he began to suspect that she revealed that plan to lure him to do something about it.

Rikuo had to run his own plan carefully. It wouldn't be good if she suspected him even just for a bit.

"Well, I thought that as well though. Rikuo-kun seems really liking supernatural things after all," Yura chuckled as well.

"Right?" Rikuo continued laughing heartily.

She buys it!—while his mind cried in relief at that.

"Good morning, Rikuo-kun!"

Then Rikuo heard another high voice greet him, this time from his class direction. Rikuo looked forward and meet Kana's waving and smiling figure. "Kana-chan! Good morning!" Rikuo waved back with wide smile, eagerly.

Yura then looked forward as well to Kana and then back to Rikuo while narrowing her eyes slightly. Rikuo noticed she stare at him for quite sometimes with calculating look, not saying anything.

Wh-what is she thinking?—Rikuo couldn't help feeling a bit anxious of that curious gaze.

"What's wrong, Yura-san?" Rikuo had to ask again.

"Huh?" Yura snapped and looked up at his face with a surprised look. "Um… I did something strange?" she asked then, a little puzzled somehow.

"Eh…, you look so serious suddenly…," Rikuo's sweat dropped.

"Really?" Yura put her hands on her cheeks. "Oh no… people at home say I won't get any boyfriend if I set my serious face constantly. I have to smile, smile," she slapped her cheeks lightly and smiled again cheerily while saying, "No problem!"

That's the reason?

"Ahaha," Rikuo just laughed again then, more sweats dropping.

"Yura-chan, good morning!" Kana then greeted the dark haired girl with caramel chocolate eyes beside Rikuo as well.

"Good day, Kana-san," Yura waved back at her as well, still smiling cheerily.

The girls then chatted while Rikuo was sighing slightly in gentle smile. His friends were lively, indeed. Just wait for Kiyotsugu to show up with the good news about the progress in creating their new club. It would be booming.

"So… what if today we go somewhere, Yura-chan? You want to visit some places?" Kana offered to accompany her.

"Really? Then I need to know where the cheapest department store… or convenient store. I live alone, that's why I need to arrange my monthly allowance as well. Can't go buy something too expensive for foods," Yura said, smiling sheepishly.

"You live alone?" Rikuo was surprised at that. "But… Yura-san is still in the first year of high school. Is that alright? I meant… is it safe?" he couldn't help feeling worried now. For a girl in Yura's age living alone… He had to make sure that the area was protected by Nura Gumi.

"It's perfectly safe. And the rent is completely reasonable under the budget," Yura looked happy as she said it. "That way I can get more fund for other things that's more important," she continued.

I really want to know what those 'other things' are…—Rikuo couldn't help thinking then.

"You're right, Yura-chan! That way you have more money to play outside," Kana giggled while nodding, totally agreeing.

Somehow… even though they talked about different things completely, the conversation connected perfectly. Rikuo would have laughed hadn't it been seen as an odd thing. He really didn't have any reason to laugh explicitly, even though implicitly, it was really funny.

"But Yura-chan is so mature, huh? Living alone comes along with a lot of responsibility to yourself, right? That's kinda impressive," Kana said again, looking amazed somehow.

"Not really, it's just the matter of order… though sometimes it's quite tough to decide what to eat today," Yura smiled sheepishly.

"Ah, then… if you don't mind, my mom always makes a lot of food despite being just the two of us at home. If you give me your address, I'll bring some foods for you tonight," Rikuo offered then, wanting to know where she lived precisely.

"Really?" Yura's eyes were sparkling as she saw Rikuo like a savior now. "Thank ya very much, Rikuo-kun! Y'er a very nice person!" she held Rikuo's hands, looking totally moved emotionally.

"Y-you're welcome, Yura-san…," Rikuo smiled back, a bead of sweat rolling down his face.

Rikuo vaguely saw Kana stare at Yura and him in a puzzled expression, but there was also a strange glint in her eyes that Rikuo couldn't name.

"Then, Rikuo-kun, would you help us fetch the attendant board before the class starts?" Kana asked him then, with a cute face.

"Sure! I'll bring it right away. See you in a bit," Rikuo said before he turned and ran to the teacher office direction just after releasing Yura's hand from his.

"Thank you, Rikuo-kun!"

Rikuo smiled as he heard the grateful tone from Kana's voice. "No problem!" He raised his right hand without turning anymore before he turned to another hallway up front.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"Wait a second, Rikuou!"

From inside the house, Zen's loud voice was heard.

"Nothing I have to wait for," Rikuou's slightly wavering voice replied in just the right volume.

"Damn it, this is important, you know! I've taken a lot of trouble by coming here to do this by myself. You do realize that this is one of the rituals following the 'official recognition of leader' ceremony, don't you?" Zen insisted from behind him as they entered one of the hallways, passing the kitchen where Kejourou and Kubinashi and some junior staffs were preparing lunch.

"Huh?" Kubinashi looked up upon catching the very troubled look that Rikuou gave Zen, while still walking away from the older man.

"I never said anything like I'd be following all those ceremony bullshits. I'd rather walk around patrolling the town or training than spending my precious time in bed for something as useless as that," Rikuou answered with stubborn look.

"Idiot, this is not useless! It's a symbol that's a head of a family has to bear! It's important!" Zen persisted more with louder voice.

"Ara…, Zen-sama and Sandaime get into fight?" Kino, seemed interested too with the loud voices that were just passing the room walked to the door to see more.

"Kino, don't stick your nose to Masters' business," Kubinashi said, sweat dropping.

"Ah, but Sandaime seems really uncomfortable. And did you hear? He just said 'spending my precious time in bed'…, do you think this is 'sexual related' case?" Kino looked back at Kubinashi with sparkling eyes, looking totally up for gossip.

"Kino…!" More sweats dropped from Kubinashi's head at seeing his best friend getting so excited like that.

"Moreover, why should I bear those symbols on my own body if we have so many places to put the symbol around here?" Rikuou looked completely indignant as he said it to Zen's face.

"You're kidding, right? Are you really asking me that?" Zen looked totally scandalized at hearing the question.

"What? It's just symbol!" Rikuou protested.

"Moron! It's not just symbol! It's deeper than that!" Zen argued more.

"It only looks like a way to show off for me! I don't like it!" Rikuou stopped walking and now faced Zen in annoyed expression.

"It doesn't matter you like it or not! The moment you accept the position of the head, automatically you embrace the idea of bearing the symbol on your body, Rikuou! Why don't you understand?" Zen tried to explain with exasperated tone. "It's a mark for you to remember who you are! What you're supposed to do! How much people depend on you!"

"Even without the mark or symbol, I still can remember what I'm supposed to do!" Rikuou didn't seem to want to back down.

"Damn it, Rikuou! This is not negotiable! The First and the Second also have the symbol on their body!" Zen still stubbornly tried to convince his sworn brother.

"I'm not my grandpa and my dad," Rikuou looked at another with an irritated huff.

"You're their direct descendant. The head of Nura Gumi as well," Zen countered his words.

Rikuou then glared at him. "I still don't like the idea of putting something as horrid as that in my body. Can we just put it in my every clothes?" He sounded suspiciously like begging now, but he did that with total aggravation.

"Clothes can be burnt and it'll be gone. But your skin would remain burnt and it'll still be embedded forever there," Zen said with a confident smirk. It seemed he began to convince Rikuou to accept his fate already.

"My skin can rot too, you know," Rikuou said deadpanned.

"Aaaargh! That's not the point!" Zen scratched his head curtly in frustration, almost falling over at Rikuou's reaction to his analogy.

Zen couldn't believe that Rikuou was still so adamant. Moreover, their negotiation wasn't going anywhere as well. If this continued, Rikuou would definitely refuse to put the mark on his body. But then, an idea came up to Rikuou's sworn brother.

"Well…, if you really hate the idea then…," Zen sighed, appearing almost giving up and Rikuou's face brightened slightly at the prospect that he could get away from this. "At least we can put the symbol on the skin of someone closest to you," the head of Yakushi Gumi then proposed the idea and Rikuou froze on the spot.

"Let see… since it's Nura's main symbol, it has to be from Nura Gumi…," Zen the turned around, giving his back to Rikuou who was staring at him open mouthed. "Moreover, it's a 'head' symbol so it means a lot more if its bearer is the direct descendant as well…. Right, it should be put on Riku—!"

"Hold it right there!" the Sandaime had already reacted by grabbing one of Zen's shoulder even before he finished his last sentence. Zen totally smirked at the hint of panic in Rikuou's voice. "You… you can't be serious about making Riku do this… this atrocious ritual! He's not the head, I am!" he protested hard, oh… very hard.

"You just said you didn't want to go through with it," Zen said with a raised eyebrow.

"I still don't want to and never will! Doesn't mean I want Riku to take my place!" Rikuou glared at Zen as if he were daring the older man to argue back.

Zen didn't disappoint him. "It's his duty as your closest person. He's the only one sharing your blood. If it's not you, it's got to be him," his tone and serious voice sounded final. "Besides, Rikuo might like the idea. At least he gets something permanent to mark him as one of Nura Gumi's leaders."

Rikuou narrowed his eyes at Zen. "He never wants to be a head," Rikuou said sternly.

"Ah… you're wrong. He said he didn't want to. You don't know what he doesn't say, Rikuou," Zen shook his head, prying out from Sandaime's grip, and was about to walk away when Rikuou gave in.

"Fine!" Rikuou said reluctantly. "Fine, I'll take the symbol to my back. Satisfied now?" He looked completely annoyed, sulking that he lost. Zen was dirty for using Rikuo as leverage.

"That's the head of Nura Gumi Alliances!" Zen smiled cheerily at that while Rikuou was glaring at him loathingly.

"In one condition!" Rikuou demanded suddenly, earning a raised eyebrow again from Zen. "I want Riku there, watching me for the entire process," he said with scrunched up, slightly blushing face.

Zen was silent for a minute or so before he burst out laughing. "You… your face…!" and he couldn't stop laughing until he fell in the fit of nasty coughing.

"Shut up!" Rikuou's shouted at him, totally fuming and embarrassed now.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Rikuo was having his lunch with his friends on the rooftop when he noticed someone entering the school gate. True, from the roof they could see the entire school ground, and now Rikuo was watching the gate while eating.

Huh…?—Rikuo seemed familiar with that uniform. He could see yellow dress uniform from the all girl school near his school, but why would a student from all girl school came to Rikuo's school in the middle of the day?

Maybe, she's a student council staff…, coming for a special joined program or something?

Rikuou didn't have time to ponder further when he saw the girl stop to look up at the rooftop direction. He instantly realized who it was when he noticed the long dark hair and golden eyes. "Geh! Tsurara?" he jerked and stood up, surprising the others.

"What's wrong, Nura-kun?" Kiyotsugu asked.

"Uh… I just remembered I have something urgent to do! I'll go first. See you later in class!" Rikuo said with a waving hand as he hurriedly ran to go downstairs, not bothering to look the confused expression and weird looks his friends gave him afterwards.

Yura also stood then, earning a confused look from Kana, Kiyotsugu and Jirou as well. "Yura-chan?" Kana asked slowly.

"Sorry, I want to go wash my hand," Yura said before she walked away too.

"What's wrong with Nura-kun and Keikain-kun?" Kiyotsugu had to ask inquiringly.

"I don't know…," Jirou could only shrug while Kana was silent for a moment before she also stood.

"I want to buy dessert and more drinks. Do you guys want me to buy some for you?" she asked with a smile.

"Oh, that'll be awesome! Thanks, Ienaga-kun!" Kiyotsugu said with happy smile.

"Want me to go with you, Ienaga?" Jirou offered.

"No, I'll take Saori and Natsumi with me on my way back," Kana said while walking to the door as well.

"And now we're left alone," Kiyotsugu said as Jirou and he saw Kana closing the door to the stairs.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"Tsurara!" Rikuo called her name just when she was about to enter the school building.

"Waka, I was just about to go to the office to call you," Tsurara said with a relieved smile.

"Something happened? You look… worried," Rikuo was concerned seeing her expression, but then he realized. "Hey, I'd told you not to call me 'waka' outside the main house!"

"I'm sorry, it's just habit…," Tsurara looked sheepish for a moment before she turned somber. "Right… it's Sandaime," she said then.

"Eh… what's wrong with Rikuou?" Rikuo was getting more anxious now, since it was about his half brother. If Tsurara had to fetch him in the middle of the day like this, it must have been pretty bad.

"I don't know the detail, but Zen-sama called Kurata, and then he informed me that it was an emergency. We have to bring you to the main house now!" Tsurara herself tried to explain with a slightly panicked look.

"Uh…, Zen-nii's there too?" Hearing that didn't lessen his worry. "Let's go then!" Rikuo grabbed her hand without warning and pulled her to run with him, surprising Tsurara.

"Aah, but Wa-… I meant, Rikuo-kun, what about the permission to leave the school early?" she asked then, slightly blushing and frantic because she had to follow Rikuo's speed with her hand in Rikuo's clutch.

"We can worry about that tomorrow! Now Rikuou's more important!" Rikuo said as he concentrated to run faster. He was worried if something bad had happened to his brother.

What if Rikuou was injured severely?—Rikuo was so worried that he didn't realize he was still holding Tsurara's hand while running and didn't notice that Yura and Kana saw the entire thing from the building door.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"Rikuou!" Rikuo slid the door to Sandaime's room so hard that it slammed quite loudly, surprising everyone inside the room, who turned out to be only Zen and Rikuou. Both were drinking sake together and they looked up at him with slightly widened eyes.

Seeing both of the sworn brothers just froze like that on the tatami, Rikuo's vein pop out on his head. "What. The. HELL!" he quickly charged Rikuou by grabbing his collar that the Sandaime dropped his cup on the tatami, totally caught off guard. Good thing it was empty. It'd have been hell to clean if the cup was full.

"W-what?" Rikuou looked at his half brother with a confused look.

"Aren't you completely okay!" Rikuo said while patting his half brother's face, and then his shoulder and chest carefully, making Rikuou's heart skip a beat with the sudden very close contact.

"W-what are you doing, Rikuo?" Zen, still staring at the sudden interruption in dumbfounded look, asked.

After making sure Rikuou wasn't injured for real, he turned his face at Zen with totally annoyed look. "You said it was an emergency!" he protested loudly. "I thought something bad happened, Zen-nii! What the hell! I even left school in the middle of the day!"

"Err… I asked Kurata to fetch you, not to make you worry…," Zen said, still with a dumb look. "It is an emergency though… not the 'life threatening' kind of emergency, but without you here, this stubborn ass of a leader won't even let me near him with the needle," he continued, explaining.

"A needle?" Now Rikuo was the one that was confused.

"Zen wants to tattoo me," Rikuou said, with slightly pale face while Rikuo turned his face at his brother oddly.

"And… why should I be here for something like that?" the young boss asked again totally baffled.

"Rikuou needs moral support because he's a needle phobic," Zen sniggered at that.

"That's so not true!" Rikuou threw a small pillow at Zen with slightly annoyed blushing face, but Zen dodged it readily.

"You're afraid of needle?" That was totally new for Rikuo. He never knew his half brother had any flaw before, aside his short temper.

"It's not like that! I'm not afraid of needle!" Rikuou protested at his half brother now, still blushing, but Rikuo was sure it was from embarrassment now. "I just don't see the point of hurting myself for something as lousy as tattoos! What if I get an allergic attack from the contact with allergen called metal and ink!" Rikuou's argument was completely reasonable, but still, for whoever hearing it, it sounded a lot like an excuse.

He's definitely afraid of needles…—Rikuo thought, sweat dropping.

Somehow, Rikuou seemed reading his mind as he narrowed his eyes at Rikuo, looking bothered. "You just thought that I made an excuse, didn't you?"

"You're thinking too much," Rikuo said, looking away, trying hard not to laugh at Rikuou's very funny flushing embarrassed expression.

"Well, since Rikuo is here, now we'll begin the ritual," Zen spoke then, while arranging his stuffs and tools on the tatami in a speed that was hard to follow by the naked eyes.

Rikuou visibly flinched at seeing the tools that were, even in Rikuo's perspective, quite intimidating.

"Why is there a forceps here?" Rikuou looked skeptical as he stared at the tools with trepidation.

"What, you scared?" Zen smirked teasingly at the Sandaime and Rikuou glared once again at him, totally challenged and heated.

"As if! Bring it on, Zen!" Rikuou smirked back, with a bead of 'uneasy' sweat on his cheek.

"Good, now strip," Zen grinned evilly while raising his pen.

"I really don't see the point of me being here," Rikuo said, sighing long, feeling a bit lost of what he was supposed to do.

"Stay here," Rikuou said as he began to loosen his obi and opened the front part of his kimono.

Rikuo jerked in surprise and blushed slightly as part of Rikuou's chest was revealed and he could see the wide plane of his shoulder blade, torso and a little bit of his six packs. He had to hurriedly look away so as not to blush even harder as the image of two nights ago replayed again in his head.

Damn it, this guy! I know he's hot… but doesn't he have any decency?—Rikuo screeched inside his head while trying hard to control his expression seeing the very provocative body in front of him. He tried not to look at it too… but it was really hard not to! Who in the right mind would look away from such beautiful feature anyway?

Rikuo gulped slightly and once in a while glanced at Rikuou as the Sandaime made his back accessible for Zen. The older spiky haired man then narrowed his eyes, concentrating on the plane of Rikuou's back. Every outline, nook and curve were paid attention to before he washed his hand with antiseptic and touched Rikuou's back with both of his hands, feeling it up.

Rikuo then watched closely as Rikuou winced slightly when Zen touched his back. He looked very uncomfortable. The antiseptic was probably cold….

Huh?—Rikuo then remembered that Rikuou hated letting someone approach him from behind except the one he really trusted. Sandaime didn't have any problem with letting Rikuo there, but for everyone else…. Now he understood Rikuou's reluctance on doing this. Letting someone else situate behind him indeed meant that he was vulnerable to the attacks from behind. Rikuou totally wasn't used to something like that.

Wow… then it was very amazing that Rikuou actually let Zen do this. The Nura Gumi leader must have trusted Zen very much that he showed his bare back to him and let the older man stab him (with needle) from behind later. Might be this was also the reason why Rikuo was there as well. If Rikuo was in front of Rikuou and watched him, he could also watched Zen doing his work, making sure that he didn't hurt Rikuou unnecessarily.

"You okay there, Sandaime? I haven't even begun with the rough outlining," Zen chuckled lowly with a husky voice as he could feel the man in front of him shiver lightly under the touch of his palms.

Huwaaa! What's with the very vague line and strange insinuation! Moreover, what the hell is with Zen-nii's tone!—Rikuo screamed in alarm while pushing his glasses up his nose just because his hand was itching to do something at the very provocative scene in front of him.

"S-shut up! Hurry up and do it!" Rikuou looked over and barked with a slightly strangled voice that sounded heavy and sexy.

That's why… what the hell with the voice and innuendo!—somehow, Rikuo couldn't help catching the sexual hint in every word exchanged by the two people in front of him, and for a strange reason, he became impatient and irritated.

"Patience, Rikuou… can't let this flawless skin of yours gets scarred unnecessarily, can we?" Zen smirked and patted his back lightly, applying some sticky cream on Rikuou's back as well.

"Ugh…," Rikuou made a face. "That feels gross…!" he shut his eyes now.

"Relax…, I'll draw the outline of the tattoos first," Zen said while taking the pen and began to draw on his back now.

"Nn…!" Rikuou flinched again and grumbled, gritting his teeth slightly.

"Don't move, Rikuou." Zen's voice was tense and serious and Rikuou seemed trying very hard to comply.

"It tickles, damn it!" Rikuou yelled with odd very tight expression.

"Shut it and don't move!" Zen yelled back, exasperated.

Rikuo squirmed as he saw and heard everything, feeling very uncomfortable now. He also noticed how his half brother clutched his kimono on the knees part hard until the hands looked shaking.

That was quite strange. Rikuou had always been okay with a little bit of pain. Usually, he even liked it, the masochist. But this irrational fear he saw in Rikuou's face right now… it was probably psychological rather than physical reason.

Rikuo then took a deep breath and clenched his fist tightly; ensuring and convincing himself that he could comfort Rikuou, somehow, to help him go through this.

"Rikuou," Rikuo called then, earning the Sandaime's attention. He opened his eyes and looked at Rikuo. "Hold me," he said with serious look.

"Ah?" Rikuou and Zen set their dumbfounded look at him.

Rikuo blushed a little bit and outstretched his hands at Rikuou. "You can hold on to me if it's hard… or hurts," he said slowly, not looking at Rikuou's eyes.

There was a brief silence before Rikuou abruptly surged forward and hugged the shorter boy in front of him. Rikuo yelped in surprise at the sudden attack and Zen jerked. "Aaah! I told you not to move!" the oldest of the three scolded the Sandaime for moving without prior notice. But after he checked the outline drawing, there seemed no smear of the ink anywhere.

"D-don't hug so tightly, Rikuou!" Rikuo protested because his half brother clutched his back so strongly and firmly. He could even feel the impending wrinkle his uniform would suffer later from his iron grip. Rikuou really was scared, apparently.

"Thank you… just… let me stay like this…," Rikuou whispered lightly near Rikuo's ear, making the older half brother blush deeply, hearing his deep throaty voice and feeling his warm breath on his sensitive skin.

Rikuo almost whimper at the contact, but he tried not to and only put both his hands slowly on the taller boy's hips. "Um… okay…," he exhaled slowly with slightly shaky breath. "It will be okay, Rikuou…," he whispered back soothingly.

Rikuo and Zen could feel that Rikuou was calming and relaxing at his brother's touch. Zen raised a thumb at Rikuo with a grateful grin and continued his outline drawing until he finished.

"Done for the outline," Zen said after some times-could be hours or minutes, Rikuo wasn't sure-and put down his pen. "Now the painful part, Rikuou. Brace yourself and try not to tense too much," he instructed while taking another pen, but the tip of this new pen looked very sharp and there was a specific color of ink on it.

"Um…," Rikuo began, stopping Zen's movement for a moment. "Aren't you going to sedate him first or something? I meant… it's painful, right?" he looked warily at the tip of the big needle-pen.

"That's the sake for, Rikuo. Sandaime had already drunk quite a lot, but like you know, he can't get drunk no matter how much sake he drinks. It's his own abnormal Central Nerve System fault," Zen sighed in defeat.

"It's okay, Zen. Just… do it quick," Rikuou said, his voice slightly muffled by Rikuo's uniform because he hid his face on the crook between Rikuo's shoulder and neck.

"Of course," Zen smirked confidently before he sank the needle on Rikuou's skin.

"Ugh!" Rikuo grunted, visibly tense at the first stabbing pain on his back and his hug on Rikuo's back tightened. Rikuo also tightened his hold on Sandaime's hips.

Zen, without any hesitation, continued with the second stab and third and fourth and soon he increased his speed in stabbing the back repeatedly, creating dot by dot pattern in Rikuo's back continuously, while at some point, he stopped to change the needle-pen with another color on the tip.

Rikuou couldn't help groaning in pain every time the sharp object pierced is skin and marked him. "Ugh…! Ha-ah…! Urgh…! Ah! Ow! Shit…! Fucking HURTS…!"

"Shh…, it's okay…, it's okay, Rikuou…, I'm here…," Rikuo whispered reassuringly, comforting him with his words and light round rubbings on his hips.

"Hah… ah…. Ah! Ri…ku…!" Rikuou whimpered slightly, clenching Rikuo's uniform more tightly while slowly raising his head to look at Rikuo's face.

Rikuo's mouth felt so dry suddenly, his heart beginning to beat really fast seeing how vulnerable his usually strong half brother was. His face was flushed pink, looking dazed, eyes glassed, slightly watery, his breaths shallow, harsh, panting, and hot, and sweats moistening his face, body and hair. The way he called Rikuo's nick-name with guttural voice sent a jolt of pleasure straight to Rikuo's heart… and a certain traitorous male's anatomy organ. His body shuddered pleasantly at hearing the groans and moans from Rikuou.

"Uuh…! Ergh! Oh! Hah… Ri… Ah! Aaah!" Rikuou then stretched his neck and front body by facing up, his back bowing slightly as the needle hit a particularly sensitive spot on his spine.

"Don't move too much, Rikuou!" Zen said more strictly, but his concentration wasn't broken as he was continuously stabbing the patterns.

Rikuo couldn't help getting excited seeing his half brother like this. Half naked, moaning and groaning with defenseless and sexy expression…. He knew, the situation was very WRONG and Rikuou was in a lot of pain, but Rikuou was really HOT! No one, not even Rikuo could deny that! His neck was so… so deliciously alluring! Seemed like begging to get bitten or something!

Aaaargh! Somebody, stop my miiiiind!—Rikuo was crying inwardly because his brain was completely guttered and it was getting really hard not to do something… anything to Rikuou's outspread body. He had to think anything unsexy! Anything at all despite watching the sinful creature in front of him right now! Quick!

"Aren't we done yet, Zen-nii?" Rikuo was getting desperate. For multiple reasons, his heart couldn't bear seeing Rikuou like this much longer.

"Just a bit more! Hold on!" Zen said as his stabbing was getting vicious as well.

At this point, Rikuou didn't even moan or groan anymore. He was practically screaming. Rikuo was sure that the entire mansion could hear his tempting voice. "FUCK!" he cursed so loudly and agonizingly as well now.

We should really knock this guy out first earlier!—Rikuo couldn't help thinking as his grip on Rikuou's hips got rigid as well. Feeling his half brother naked skin was really stimulating and he couldn't really trust himself after what happen two nights ago. Aaah! Why is my self-control getting worse every day!

And then, suddenly, at the particular intense moment, Rikuou who had his hands on Rikuo's shoulders and back, suddenly pulled Rikuo's body to flush against his toned one and inevitably, Rikuo could feel the hard thing on his brother's lower part and worse, Rikuou opened his mouth and latched it on Rikuo's neck.

HIEEEEE!—Rikuo was in total shock and panicky that he couldn't react fast enough as Sandaime bit and sucked his sensitive skin just above is jugular vein, marking Rikuo as well just like the stabbing needle marking Sandaime's back.

"Hyaaah!" Rikuo shut his eyes and moaned involuntarily at the sudden pain-pleasure feeling assaulting his body.

Zen had to triple concentrate even more not to react at that. It seemed the excruciating pain had made the leader of Nura Gumi lose his sense momentarily. "Just a bit more, damn it!" Zen shouted as he changed the needle again and began to stab the last pattern on Rikuou's back.

"Hah… ah… Riku…," Rikuou called his half brother with sensual voice now.

Shit…! Rikuou that idiot! He wants to run away from the pain! He totally lost it!—Rikuo couldn't run away because Rikuou's hold on his body was so unbearably tight. He tried to hold him down, but even though Rikuou was vulnerable right now, his physical strength was still superior to Rikuo. He couldn't stop his half brother at all as Rikuou leaned his face closer to Rikuo's and then kissed his lips passionately. He even used his tongue.

Daaaaamn!—Rikuo had to shut his eyes more tightly at that and didn't have any choice but to kiss Rikuou back.

"DONE!" Zen said loudly as he pulled out the last pen-needle out of Rikuou's skin before he put it down and then began to put more antiseptic on the bleeding wounds. However, it seemed both Rikuou and Rikuo didn't hear him at all as the two were still kissing so deeply and hard that Zen blushed seeing it.

"Uhn…! Nnn!" Rikuo couldn't breathe and his lungs began to burn at the intense French kiss. He tried to push Rikuou away, but he couldn't. He felt really weak suddenly, his vision blurred because of the tears and he thought he was about to pass out from oxygen deprivation when he felt and heard a hard thump on top of him.

Rikuo didn't know what happened but Rikuou suddenly fell down on his chest. "Gaaah!" He panted hard and fast the moment Rikuou's lips were gone from his. And he didn't know since when, but he was already almost in laying-back position with Rikuou actually straddling him.

"Eergh…!" Rikuo was still panting heavily when his vision began to clear. He saw Zen standing over him with a hand in chopping position.

"Jeez… impatient bastard," Zen muttered in annoyance while looking down at the passed out Rikuou who now had a visible bump on his head. "You okay, Rikuo?" he then turned to look at Rikuo's reddening face.

Hiiii! Zen-nii s-s-s-saw it! T-the kiss—! GYAAA! Rikuou morooon!—Rikuo panicked for a moment with totally crimson face before he realized Zen didn't really look like about to judge what happened just now

"Y… yeah…," Rikuo couldn't help stuttering in response, not really looking at Zen, while still panting harshly. Rikuou actually did try to take his breath away… and quite literally as well, the bastard. Good thing Zen stopped him, if not…

Rikuo shuddered again. This time was quite the mix between dread and excitement. Rikuo didn't know what would happen because he wouldn't be able to stop himself and Rikuou for sure.

"He lost it at the quarter to finish. I guess he has more self control than the previous generation," Zen said while turning his back to clean and arrange his tools back inside his bag before sitting facing them again. He then helped Rikuo situate Rikuou's body to lay more comfortably on top of Rikuou's lap with his abdomen facing tatami to dry the ink and ease his battered back.

"Eh?" Rikuo looked up at Zen, puzzled and surprised slightly.

"My father told me. Rihan-jisan couldn't last till the end either when he underwent this ritual. He lost it at the half to end," Zen informed with a wink.

"Really? Dad did?" Rikuo widened his eyes at that.

"Yep, and he said the First could last until one third to the end," Zen grinned conspiratorially.

"Heeeh, Rikuou is quite strong then…," Rikuo was impressed.

"Yep, remarkable indeed," Zen said while ruffling Rikuou's head.

"But… Zen-nii's tattooing skill is really great as well! The mark is awesome! The Budha image and the demons' colors around him are blending pretty nicely," Rikuo looked at the full image in the colors of red, blue, green and golden branded on his half brother back. The Nura Gumi's symbol and the symbols of family alliances were carved there as well beautifying it even more.

"Yep, I've been practicing quite a lot since I heard my dad carve the tattoos on Nidaime's back. I wanted to be the one who'd carve the mark on Rikuou's back after all," Zen grinned cheerily.

"But you should be more lenient to Rikuou… wasn't it okay to put him under sedation first before you started piercing him? You know… like knocking him out first for instance?" Rikuo said while smiling weakly, sweat dropping.

"Well, that wouldn't do," Zen said with a huff. "It's a tradition that a leader's tattoo has to be carved with full awareness, so he'll remember how hard it is to bear that mark on his back. A memento of how important those people that mark represents. It's his duty and readiness to embrace all of them and protect them. That's why this process has been put as one of the rituals after the official 'recognition of leader' ceremony," Zen explained.

"I see…," Rikuo nodded slightly. "Well, it was coincidence that Rikuou's coming of age ceremony was the same time as the official recognition of leader ceremony. He must have been exhausted these past days…," he then ruffled Rikuou's hair as well, being careful so the long strands didn't disturb the ink-drying process.

"Well, he'll be sulky and grumpy for a few days after this, I bet… the tattoos will sting a lot for some times after all," Zen snickered heartily at that and Rikuou couldn't help the sweat dropping as he thought that Zen just wanted to tease the Sandaime.

"You've done your best… Rikuou," Rikuo sighed with a tender smile, still stroking Sandaime's head caringly.

"What about you, Rikuo?" Zen asked suddenly, earning Rikuo's attention back.

"What about me?" Rikuo asked back.

"Tattoo. You want to put some on your back?" Zen offered his skill with a naughty grin.

"Err… I'll pass," Rikuo's sweat dropped. A certain someone would definitely throw a fit if Rikuo did something like putting tattoo on his skin. He would insist knowing who was dare enough to pierce Rikuo's skin without his consent and make sure whoever it was, would never get out of town alive. Even though the tattoo artist was Zen, Rikuo couldn't risk that could he?

"You don't like tattoo?" Zen asked with raised eyebrows.

"No, well… yeah, I like it. It's kind of cool, but I don't like the painful process of making it so… I'll stick with the nonpermanent one," Rikuo said with a sheepish grin.

"You have a non permanent tattoo?" Zen looked surprised at this. "Since when?"

"Since I was thirteen," Rikuo's grin widened.

"Seriously? Where? Let me see it," Zen moved closer.

"On my back," Rikuo said as Zen moved behind him and pulled out his uniform from inside his pants.

"Where?"

Rikuo could hear the older man asked, and he probably was looking for it on the top side of his back. "Ah, a little bit on the lower part, just below the waist," he answered then. He felt his belt being pulled down a little together with the waistband.

And then… "Oh," it seemed Zen found it. "This is…," he went silent after that.

"What? Does it look bad? I reapply it every twoo weeks, though...," Rikuo looked over his own shoulder.

"No. It's just… surprisingly quite provocative of you… for actually getting a tattoo like this," Zen said with hesitant tone.

"Wha—? Provocative? It's just my name there," Rikuo threw Zen a ridiculous look.

"Eh? But the Kanji—," Zen stopped there.

"What?" Rikuo urged him to continue.

"No, well…, it's okay. The Kanji 'Nura' is the symbol of Nura Gumi… is that really okay? I meant; what if people see it accidentally? Won't it be bad for you, Rikuo? You don't want people to know you're one of the members of Nura Gumi, right? So... why did you get that tattoo at all?" Zen asked then, looking rather concerned and curious.

Rikuou smiled small softly. "It's a promise I made with someone..." He spoke quietly before "As for the secrecy, that's why I put it there. No one can see except they undress me first," now Rikuo grinned.

Zen was dumbfounded for a moment before he chuckled. "Haha, you naughty boy~!" Zen tickled him on his sides with two hands.

"Gyahaha! Stop it, Zen-nii! That tickles!" Rikuo squirmed frantically while laughing hearily, trying to get away from Zen's wandering hands, but of course still careful not to disturb Rikuou so much.

Zen laughed hard at that before suddenly he began to fall into the coughing fit that was quite severe.

"Zen-nii?" Rikuo was concerned at Zen's body condition.

"I-cough-I'm fine…," the older guy even wheezed a little after that before coughing again for sometimes. "Seems… my respiratory tract –cough- doesn't agree –cough-cough- with the smell of the ink…," Zen rasped heavily.

"Zen-nii, you should rest on the open place…," Rikuo said worriedly now, since Zen looked paler and sicker than before. "Anyone! Hey, is there someone outside? Please assist Zen-nii!" he shouted then, surprisingly, not waking up Sandaime.

"It's okay, Rikuo. I can go myself," Zen started to slowly stand up and went to fetch his bag.

"A-are you really okay?" Rikuo wasn't convinced. He thought Zen shouldn't be left alone.

"Don't worry. I'll go straight home and rest," Zen smiled at him.

"Ah… alone?" What if he fainted on the way?

"Of course not, I brought Hebidayu with me, you know. I'm not that stupid. With my body, it's impossible for me to travel alone in a dangerous place," Zen grinned as he walked to the door. "Then… see you sometimes soon," he waved before getting out with all his equipment.

Hebidayu…? Who's that again?—Rikuo tried to remember who was the attendant mentioned by Zen. Then he punched his palm lightly as a memory of a middle aged man, whose face was like a snake with pointy eyes, entered his mind, answering his question. The guy dyed his hair green, so he was quite eye-catching… but not in the nice way. Rikuo could never read him because he was always smiling in that haughty expression.

I guess… it's quite normal for him to be proud. After all, he's the personal attendant of Zen, the only young master of the super rich Yakushi Group, but…

Rikuo didn't really know why. He just didn't really like the guy.

Rikuo then turned his face down to Rikuou who was still sleeping. "Jeez… hurry up and wake up, idiot brother," he whispered while bending a little, kissing Rikuou's hair softly.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Rikuou was suddenly woken up with a sharp sting on his back. "Ow!" He had to shout in surprise at how hurtful it was. Even the most vicious training season with Gyuuki had never been this painful. He had to clutch at the sheet under his body hard to hold on and wait until the sting went rather numb.

Then Rikuou remembered what happened. The asshole of his sworn brother did that to his back. That idiot Zen…! Someday I'll pay back the debt along with the interest, damn it!—he thought quite venomously. He still couldn't believe he let the older man tattoo his pale skin. And Rikuou was quite proud with his flawless complexion too.

Rikuou then sighed long weakly while opening his eyes slowly. His vision was blurring for a moment before he could focus his sight, and widened his eyes as he saw Rikuo's sleeping face just slightly up, under his body. "Huh?" He even clutched the boy's uniform on his chest part. "Why did… Riku…?"

Rikuou widened his eyes even more as a piece of scene played in his incomplete memory. "What the hell… is…!" he had to touch his lips as he remembered the sensation of Riku's on his, the soft texture, the hot cavern and then he opened his mouth in embarrassment as he also remembered how he had deep tongued his half brother and marked his neck as well.

Uh-oh!—Rikuou searched the mark on Rikuo's neck, and found it in the left side, perfectly fresh deep red-purplish hickey. He blushed hard at that. W-what the hell was I thinking! Just when Riku's still angry with me…, I add the reasons for him to get angrier! What if he hates me for real after this!

Rikuou panicked for a moment before being reminded that his back was still hurting and he almost yelp in pain as he tried to move his muscle. Fuck!—he had to curse inwardly and gritted his teeth painfully at that. He was panting slightly while trying to ease the pain by loosening his muscle again, and then realized that he was stuck in that position, on top of Rikuo's body because he couldn't really move with that kind of back. Damn it…!—Rikuou had to do something to get out of this situation without waking Rikuo up.

Rikuou thought hard of a way out for a long moment before his back really bothered him, and gave up completely because he didn't find any. He then went relaxed as he watched Rikuo's calm sleeping face. The sun almost set, the light swept inside the room from the open windows illuminating Rikuo's face as well that he appeared blushing. Rikuo's expression was very serene and extremely cute that way, so innocent as well…, totally stunning.

Rikuou felt that he was falling in love all over again. He reached his hand to caress Rikuo's cheek softly. "Why… were we born brothers?" he whispered lightly, wondering, asking, about something that no one had the answer. "Even though I love you this much…. Why… am I not allowed to love you this way…, Rikuo?"

"Nn…," Rikuo whimpered slightly, frowning a bit while trying to change his position, but because Rikuou was on top of him, he settled back to sleep just by turning his face to another way.

"I love you," Rikuou murmured gently near Rikuo's ear. "I love you…, I love you…. I'm in love with you…, Rikuo…. Riku…, my brother…, my love…, my significant other…," he snuggled Rikuo's neck lightly taking his scent, memorizing it, marking it in his head and inside his heart. He closed his eyes and continued, "Forever…."

"… too…."

Rikuou opened his eyes and looked up at his half brother's face again. A single tear escaped the corner of Rikuo's right eye. "Ri-…,"

"…love you…, Rikuou…,"

Rikuou widened his eyes in shock as he realized how much Rikuo loved him too. Even though it was just a sleep talking, even if he didn't mean to say it, it was the most honest truth of Rikuo's feeling. Something that was so preciously kept inside Rikuo's heart…, the heart that Rikuou wanted to possess entirely.

Why… are we brothers? It's not fair…! Absolutely not fair!—Rikuou gritted his teeth painfully. His heart hurt… a lot. More than his battered back, more than everything… it hurt… for loving someone so dearly, but not allowed to touch him with that love.

Rikuou wished so hard that they were in another world right now… where there was no objection and problem in loving whoever you wanted to love freely, where there was no judgment in being in love with someone who shared your blood. But he knew perfectly well that it was just a hollow wish. There was no such thing as alternate universe… or alternate reality. There was only one reality, one world, and one fate. There was no destiny for Rikuou and Rikuo's love.

"Even so…, I still want to love you," Rikuou said slowly before leaning his face closely to Rikuo's, and then kissed him tenderly. "Even though… I have to make this world and fate as my enemy…. I won't stop loving you…not now…not ever." He closed his eyes again and settled himself to sleep once again, snuggled in the comfortable warmth of Rikuo's body.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Gyuuki was in front of Rikuou's slightly opened door when he heard the light rustle from the inside. He had been informed by the people in the family that Rikuou had just undergone the 'marking symbol ritual' performed by Zen at the midday, and just finished around two hours ago. It was almost dinner time. He only wanted to see how the Sandaime was before he went home. He didn't even have any intention to peek inside, just wanted to knock and say his regard.

However, Gyuuki couldn't bring himself to do it as the shadow of two people on the tatami caught his eyes. What he saw froze the middle aged man to the bone.

The Sandaime was… on top of his apparently sleeping half brother, kissing him… on the lips.

Gyuuki clenched his fist tightly. "What are you doing…, Rikuou…?" he gritted his teeth agonizingly, completely pained at the sight in front of him.

"This… is the worst scenario…!" Gyuuki closed his eyes feeling the excruciating heat of anger and fury. He knew he couldn't let this happen. He knew he had to do something. Before everything was too late…!

End of Chapter 4

Tbc…

A/N: No additional note this time ^_^. Err… sorry for the late post as well. Hum… It seems the complication will come out soon. I'm still having a hard time in putting the characters into playing their roles, and I'm itching to put on Inugami and Tamazuki too XD. Well, actually, I'm a little bit disappointed by chapter 3 because there were only a few feed backs. Do I need to continue this story or should I leave it here like this? Because… you know, starting 1st June I'll get really busy and I doubt I can continue writing at all. If no one actually bothers to give feedback, I can't be motivated to write more. Inspiration won't come without your feedback. So… well, it's up to you. The life of this story is depended sorely from your reviews. Really.