Disclaimer: Nuramago OWNS me, but not the other way around T_T

Warning: none… this time, just hints of Rikuou/Rikuo… some Zen/Rikuo…, and if you squint, Gyuuki/Wakana… (looks at the other way), language… not really, but just to be safe…, light violence.

A/N: Gaah, I'm so sorry for making you wait this time. My reason for being late in posting is at the A/N bellow the story. Oh, and please read the after note because there's something important I want you to help me with! *winks* I promise, it will be worth your time XDDD. Saa, now enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 7: Interlude ~Zen~

Yakushi Zen…, the head of Yakushi Group, which front face was the most prominent medical and pharmaceutical company in Central Japan, but on the back was actually one of yakuza families with the strongest financial background; He was a sworn brother of Nura Gumi's Alliances head, Nura Rikuou, and specialized in making poison and medicine. His study in medical faculty was done to support his role in backing up the alliances and he was known as a prodigy in his world, a doctor with a very promising career ten years down the road.

Even though Zen was very awesome in his own way, he had a tiny bit of flaw…. It was his fragile body. He was born with a defect in his immune system that he was so easy to get sick. He had to drink a lot of medicines everyday as sustenance so he could do his daily activities normally, and when he was sick, it always took him a pretty long time to get better again. That was why; he tried not to get sick so often.

Luckily, with his family's money and advance medical researches and products, he could survive until these days. Well, he wasn't naïve to think that he could find something to cure his genetic defect, but with continual research and invention of new medical products, there was always hope to live longer than most people believed. If not, he just had to break the jinx himself. He was quite positive thinking after all.

Moreover, he had a crush on someone and he would like to at least have a chance to get a date or two with that someone.

That was right; it wasn't a secret to everyone in Yakushi Gumi that he had a crush on the young boss of Nura Gumi. Ah, it wasn't Rikuou per se… He was the Sandaime, the big boss. Zen's crush was a lot cuter than that ruler of the dark world. It was actually Rikuou's half brother, Nura Rikuo.

That boy with adorable big round chocolate eyes wearing glasses and had the softest looking brown hair… who always claimed wanting to live a civilian life with his mother, but at the end of the day would definitely come back to Nura Gumi to protect it from the threat outside regardless any danger….

Rikuo was such a dear and a nice boy. He was such a fresh warm spring breeze inside a cold old house filled by bunch of barbaric men. Zen understood why even the Sandaime of Nura Gumi had special feelings for the boy.

That was true; Rikuo was really popular amongst the guys in Nura Gumi. Aside Zen and Sandaime Rikuou, there was Shouhei. Though the younger boy was always more subtle and reserve in showing his affection to Rikuo, but Zen had ever seen him looking at the boy longingly from afar. Shouhei was conscious enough not to offend Rikuou after all. Shouhei adored their Sandaime and totally because Sandaime would send a death ray with his glare if he caught anyone looking at his half brother the wrong way, but Zen was a little different from Shouhei. He loved the sportive rivalry between him and Sandaime.

Don't get Zen wrong. He totally supported Rikuou as the Sandaime, and he would die for him if it was necessary, but he was more like an older brother to the boss. There was always more interest in challenging Rikuou to be a rival in his love life. Even though Zen knew that his crush also had special feeling for Rikuou, and he was bound to be heartbroken in the end, he couldn't really give up. After all, Rikuou and Rikuo were half brothers. They have a connection that no one could break no matter what they did. They were closer than anyone he had ever met and they would be closer and closer in the future.

Zen didn't know when, but it was just a matter of time until they crossed that last line. Even so… they'd still be half brothers in the end… and probably, happily ever after was overrated. There was also an issue of producing an heir to succeed the head title. Looking at it logically, it wouldn't end well at all.

Zen wasn't being negative, he was being realistic. In the world as dark as Yakuza world, many things could go bad very quickly and unpredictably. He just hoped with all of his heart that both Sandaime and Rikuo could face the challenge head on. And Zen… he just wanted to see Rikuo smiling happily no matter what, so… if being close to Rikuou could make Rikuo happy… he would watch their backs from behind… supporting them.

And now…, Zen was off to Nura Gumi main house to check up on Rikuo, his crush. After the fight with Gyuuki the day before, he was quite banged up pretty bad. Zen still couldn't believe that Gyuuki betrayed Rikuou. He hadn't heard the detail because Rikuou hadn't said anything about that when he came back from the fight. He said he would explain everything in another General Meeting he wanted to hold soon enough after Gyuuki woke up to deal with his punishment.

Zen was quite shocked himself that Rikuou hadn't killed the old man. The hot headed Rikuo actually refrained from killing the one responsible of treason…. Well, he guessed Rikuou was also human, and Gyuuki was like a father to him at some point, but Zen always had this image that if it was for protecting Rikuo, Rikuou could go as far as he could, even if he had to kill for that. But… it probably would make Rikuo upset, so he refrained himself from killing.

Anyway, Zen was given a task to treat Rikuo and Gyuuki's wounds at Nura Gumi main house. And he planned to use the privilege as a family doctor to undress the boy and check his body. After all, Sandaime couldn't even protest about it since it was necessary and he was the one ordering him in the first place.

"Sorry for interrupting," Zen said as he opened the door to Rikuo's room and found the boy sleeping in the arm of his half brother. He sighed. "Couldn't even let the boy sleep on his own, huh? This brother complex of a boss…," he shook his head as he sat down beside the Nura brothers.

Zen stared at the sleeping features for a moment, noting how long Sandaime and Rikuo's lashes were. Looked at every aspect, there wasn't single thing similar between Rikuou and Rikuo. They looked totally like complete strangers. Rikuou was considerably paler than Rikuo since the chocolate haired boy was often out under the sunshine. Rikuou was rarely outside because he was so eye-catching with his unusual appearance. He was still quite bothered with the way people look at him sometimes. Even though Rikuou didn't say it, Zen knew because he always looked uncomfortable when he had to meet someone new for his job. That was why; Sandaime usually only came out at evening or night.

Well, since Rikuou was pointed out as Sandaime and had to face a lot of trials from friends and foes to test his capacity as a leader, he was out more often. But that was also because Rikuo made him. At the beginning, Rikuo was the one pointed first as the Sandaime… but he declined the position.

Zen still didn't know why Rikuo had declined it. He thought Rikuo wanted to be recognized as the heir as well and it was a golden chance to prove that he could be better than Rikuou. After all, Rikuo's life was quite bitter being treated like a spare item for Rikuou. It was a story from when they were still little kids and probably, it was just because Rikuo was jealous, but even Zen understood why Rikuo wanted to be recognized. He only got to see his dad on weekends. He was raised outside the main house and he was often kidnapped because he had the almost same name as Rikuou. Frankly, Zen was surprised that Rikuo didn't hold any grudge towards his half brother. If it was Zen… he probably would be Rikuou's antagonist for the rest of his life.

But… that was what made Rikuo so attractive and interesting. Despite everything that happened, he was willing to look at the person for who they were and not for what they were, at the inside and not just outer shell. Moreover, he was loyal, and prioritized everyone else's needs above his. And the fact that the kid was gorgeous was a bonus. More people would fall for him someday… and more rivals would come up as well to claim him.

"It's going to be very hard for any of us… no pun intended," Zen chuckled and he was about to ruffle Rikuo's hair, but before he could touch him, a hand came up and grabbed his wrist.

Zen blinked and looked down to meet the owner of the hand, who was glaring at him from beside Rikuo. "Ah, you're awake, Rikuou?" he grinned at the Sandaime.

"Since you entered the room, Zen," Rikuou said as he slowly woke up to sit. "What are you doing here so early?" he asked when he moved as slowly and as lightly as possible so as not to wake Rikuo up.

"What are you saying? You were the one ordering me to come here today to check up on Rikuo, weren't you?" Zen raised one of his eyebrows at the Sandaime then.

"Yeah, but NOT as early as this, Zen…," Rikuou sighed in annoyed look. "You always show up in ungodly hour without prior notice…."

"I'm an early riser," Zen smiled happily.

"Or you just purposely do this just to bother me," Rikuou accused.

"Well… I want to see Rikuo quickly, so…," Zen was still smiling and honestly, he loved seeing the annoyed face of his sworn brother.

"You…," Rikuou made a sour face at him and Zen just wanted to laugh at him.

"He regained consciousness last night?" Zen asked then, for business as usual, not letting the Sandaime rant at him first.

"Yeah, and he seemed okay," Rikuou said, looking musing about something as he stared at Rikuo's face intently.

"What about you? You okay?" Zen asked then, understanding that his sworn brother was bothered about something.

"Frankly… I'm not feeling okay," Rikuou sighed long and looked up at the ceiling. Zen was quiet, waiting obediently for Rikuou to continue because he felt the Sandaime wasn't finished yet. "I became the Sandaime to protect Riku… and everyone else in Nura Gumi,"

Hey, hey, what's with the pause between Riku and everyone else? You prioritize Rikuo more than Nura Gumi?—Zen couldn't help thinking while sweat dropping. Sometimes Rikuou was unreasonable like that. He always considered Rikuou accepting his position because Rikuo asked him to.

"I never thought that I'd let something like this happen to Riku…. I felt totally useless and humiliated right now I thought I wanted to die," the Sandaime continued while covering his face.

"Even if you're joking, it's not funny," Zen looked at Rikuou disapprovingly. "Please don't say you want to die so easily. I know you sometimes feel that you have no value whatsoever unless you're useful for Rikuo and Nura Gumi, but Rikuou… we love you because it's you. Don't sell yourself so low," he said surely, connecting his reddish amber eyes to Rikuou's crimson ones.

Nobody should ever hear this conversation between Rikuou and Zen. It was confidential that Rikuou had some issues with his self esteem. He always appeared strong and confident on the outside, but from close look and a lot of consideration, Rikuou was always insecure about his ability. Since the first time his half brother was pointed as Sandaime first before he declined and threw the position to Rikuou instead, Rikuou was always questioning if he lacked something compared to his half brother.

Since Rikuou was little, he always believed that his position as the heir would never get threatened, but last year after his dad passed away and Rikuo was actually pointed first… that was probably a big shock for Rikuou in so many ways. Luckily, Rikuo refused the position and gave it to Rikuo… but… probably Rikuou thought he had that head position because Rikuo gave it to him, and not because of his own capability.

In a way… it was probably Rikuo's way to show Rikuou that he wasn't a replacement. But Zen was sure to his core that Rikuo didn't think it that way. That boy only wanted to live a normal life as a civilian… though he was already quite involved with Yakuza world deep enough it would be impossible for him to live as civilian anymore. Rikuo was living dual lives now… just a matter of time until he was forced to pick one.

"Zen…," Rikuou's expression softened as he heard Zen's answer. "Do you think…, would it be better if… Riku was the one… leading this family?" he asked slowly while looking down. Zen widened his eyes at that but before he could say anything, Rikuou spoke again, "I… have noticed it this past months… the way Riku can lead everyone with only his words…. Surely he isn't strong physically, but he has that qualification as a natural leader more than I do. He makes people want to protect him and follow him around not because they have to… but because they want to… just like Dad and Grandpa. And most of all, he prioritizes Nura Gumi more than anything…,"

"Rikuou…," Zen tried to stop him because Rikuou's expression had begun to turn into that scared and frightened child, and it was never good to let him think that far about something that was baseless and conjured up from his paranoia.

Yet, it seemed Rikuou didn't hear him as he continued. "I can't do that… for me, Riku will be the most important thing in my life. I'm already… totally besotted by him. There's no way I can live my life without him anymore…. Sometimes…, I even think that my every move is controlled by his expectations…. I know this is totally crazy, and that Riku will never have that kind of intention in million years because he's the nicest human being I've ever known around, but this darkness inside me keeps whispering that I'm chained up to him, that I'll never be free because he'll always be shadowing me…, and that someday… someday he'll leave me too… just the way Mom and Dad left me…,"

It was beginning to get uncontrollable. When Rikuou had this episode of self-deprecation and negative thoughts… after stressful events… like the case with Gyuuki, it probably woke some old, dark memories within him. It could go very far, just like after Yamabuki passed away. Zen was there seeing him fall so deep into darkness, and he was almost too far gone to come back if Rikuo didn't come to pick up the pieces… what was left from Rikuou at that time anyway, and saved him.

Zen didn't know what Rikuo had done to bring Rikuou back. But right now, if the subject to his worry was Rikuo himself… what could Zen do to bring him back from the land of darkness?

Before Zen could say anything to slap Rikuou out of his reverie, Rikuo had opened his eyes and woke up slowly, surprising Zen.

Crap! Rikuo woke up! How far has he heard our conversation? I should have picked a better place before asking Rikuou!—Zen was a little bit panicked, but he was totally in shock when Rikuo didn't even regard Zen's presence there and just sneaked his arms around Rikuou from behind, hugging the younger boy tenderly with unreadable expression.

And then Rikuo seemed whispering something into Rikuou's ear while stroking and rubbing his chest and his silver hair lovingly. Zen squinted hard to make out what Rikuo was whispering into Rikuou's ear. He couldn't hear but from the movement of Rikuo's lips, he could guess.

"Wake up…, wake up…Rikuou…. I'm here…. It's just another nightmare…. Wake up for me…. I'll always be by your side…. I'll never leave you alone…."

Those were… quite ordinary but heavy lines Rikuo was whispering to Rikuou. But the effect was incredible. Zen could visibly see the change in Rikuou's demeanor after those words were whispered to him. A realization… awareness creeping back into his consciousness, as if his eyes were slowly seeing the light for the first time after being engulfed by the darkness for so long.

The final move was a little too cheesy for Zen's taste because Rikuo closed his eyes and kissed Rikuou's temple and then Sandaime reached up to hold the arms that were embracing him while sighing in relief.

"You okay?" Rikuo asked lightly, seeming tightening his hug.

"Yeah…, yeah…, thank you for bringing me back, Riku…," Rikuou responded to him by leaning closer.

Zen was honestly fascinated by this. Forget about coming between the two of them. They were acting just like a married couple. After witnessing such deep and intimate exchange between the half brothers… there was just no way could Zen still hope for any chance to get a date or two from Rikuo. Even before he said anything to the boy, he was already heartbroken. But…, strangely, he didn't find it saddening despite being brokenhearted. Those two… Zen was quite convinced that Rikuo and Rikuou were meant to be together, brothers or not. He could even call them the fated ones if it wasn't too much, probably endgame as well.

Sometimes Zen couldn't help thinking that he was just too good of a person. He couldn't even bring himself to get jealous of Rikuou although the Sandaime always hogged Rikuo' attention to himself. Maybe… it was a sign that his crush on Rikuo was just a simple crush. Well, he still minded if Rikuo ended up with other person, but if it was with Rikuou… he could be happy for them.

Even so…, until when are they going to stay like that?—a vein popped up on Zen's head.

"Yeah, yes… will you keep the PDA to minimum level, please?" Zen purposely interrupted their moment by sounding irritated.

Rikuo seemed realizing his presence for the first time and looked up at him in shock. "Zen-nii!" and he hurriedly loosened his hug from Rikuou.

"Ugh…!" Rikuou seemed not wanting to let go and held his arms tightly.

"Let him go, Rikuou. Don't push your luck," Zen deadpanned at the silver haired boy and removed his hands from Rikuo's arms so he could release him, earning a surprise yelp from the Sandaime.

"Aah! Hey!" Rikuo was protesting the sudden unfriendly treatment and glared at Zen in annoyance while Rikuo was laughing awkwardly at the probably childish behavior. "What do you mean my luck? It's clear that Rikuo gets the hot for me," he said, unbelievably overconfident with himself.

Incredible indeed. Rikuo could turn that mess of self-deprecating boy into this… shameless arrogant bastard just in seconds. Rikuo indeed really did have ways with words. Then… not everything Rikuou said in his episode earlier was baseless. It wasn't visible… but the subtle truth was there. After all, who knew about what other people were thinking inside his head?

Zen sighed long. "I have to check his wounds, Sandaime Rikuou. Step aside and let me work, please?" he continued ruefully.

"Ah, yeah, of course…," Rikuou then moved away slightly to give Zen room. Well, it wasn't unexpected. As much as Rikuou hated other people touching Rikuo, it seemed he was willing to let Zen do his thing if it was for Rikuo's sake.

Aah…, he's s totally love-struck by Rikuo, indeed. No question in that area…

Zen was chuckling slightly in amusement when he was touching Rikuo's bandage, earning a questioning look from the younger boy.

"Um… what's wrong, Zen-nii…?" Rikuo asked slightly.

"No…, it's not about you," Zen chuckled again while loosening Rikuo's yukata to inspect more into his already bandaged wounds. There was no bleeding and opened wound. It was good enough. He just had to change the bandage and put some more antiseptic and painkiller to relieve the pain that would surely attack him a little bit later.

"It'd better be not about me," Rikuou said with a pouting look.

Zen ignored the Sandaime and smiled at Rikuo. "I'll change your bandage now. Can you undress?"

"Yeah," Rikuo nodded and slowly opened his yukata until the upper part of his body was revealed.

"Aaargh! Zen! How dare you—! Even I haven't gone that far!" Rikuou went berserk seeing it and Rikuo went red before he threw a pillow at Rikuou's face.

"Shut up! You shameless perverted brother!" Rikuo yelled at his half brother with totally blushing face.

"Ow! W-why do you always have to get so violent, Riku…!" Rikuou looked at Rikuou with shocked look for so suddenly being attacked by the pillow.

"That's your own fault for being unreasonable!" Rikuo yelled some more, looking totally embarrassed.

While the two brothers were bickering, Zen could only sigh long. "Well, I guess you're totally okay if you can still fight like that," he spoke while smiling awkwardly, sweat dropping.

"Ah," Rikuo looked at Zen again and laughed clumsily as well. "Um… I'll take the yukata off now…," he said while slowly showing his wounds again to Zen, still looking embarrassed.

Zen only chuckled at that and began opening the bandage slowly. The gashes from the cuts on his hands, wrists and arms were the worst and still wet, but some minor scratches here and there were already quite closed. Rikuo's wounds were pretty minor compared to Gyuuki and his subordinates.

"Um… Zen-nii, have you check up on Gyuuki-ojisan?" Rikuo asked after that while Zen was changing his bandages.

"I haven't. He's probably still out anyway," Zen said with a rueful smile.

"I see…," Rikuo looked thoughtful for a moment before he looked up again. "But, he's okay for visitor, right? Can I go see him?"

Zen looked at him and raised one eyebrow in wonder. "I'm surprised you still want to see him after what he did to you," he said, not really understanding Rikuo.

"Well, there was a reason for him to do what he did… and I only want to say something to him first thing after he wakes up," Rikuo was pretty vague in explaining his reason for wanting to see Gyuuki, and Sandaime didn't say anything to object him.

Rikuou was okay letting Rikuo talk to Gyuuki after what happened? Wow, this was bigger than Zen had thought before. The usual Rikuou would have had a fit right about now. Rikuo indeed had influenced Rikuou a lot this past year….

"Of course you can see Gyuuki and you can yell at him if you want to. Just wait for him to wake up first," Zen said while finishing the re-bandaging. "Yosh, you're good to go."

"Thank you, Zen-nii," Rikuo smiled cutely at Zen, he the older man couldn't help blushing lightly. Rikuo was really adorable indeed. It was always so nice seeing his smile.

"Stop creating your own world!" Rikuou gave a chop to Zen's head but he was ready and caught his hand instead.

"You're such a kill joy," Zen smirked at Rikuou who smirked back at him challengingly.

Rikuo's sweat dropped at the 'friendly' sight in front of him and sighed long after that. "I'm going now," he said while slowly standing before walking to the door.

"Ah, wait, Riku. I want to go too," Rikuou stood as well and left to follow his half brother.

Zen just shook his head at that before he as well stood and walked out of the door, following the Nura brothers. He was going to check up on Gyuuki anyway. He just went along together with them.

Arriving in front of the guest room, Rikuou didn't even have the decency to knock first as always and opened the door. The sight greeting the three men inside was quite shocking. Well, shocking couldn't even begin to cover it.

Inside the room, Gyuuki, already woken up apparently, was sitting on his futon holding Wakana in his arms, and she was crying on his chest to boot and there was a suspicious handprint on Gyuuki's cheek as well.

Everyone was silent seeing it, widening their eyes in total astonishment, even the Sandaime was speechless.

"Um… mom?" Rikuo was the one breaking the silence some minutes later, and he seemed surprising Gyuuki and Wakana who quickly released their 'hug'. It was totally a hug, right? "What… are you doing here?" the chocolate haired boy was pale now, seeming not sure about what happened in front of them.

"Rikuo…!" Wakana covered her mouth with glassy eyes before she stood abruptly and ran to her kid before hugging the boy dearly. "Thank god…! Thank god you're okay…," she sniffed before beginning to sob.

"E-eh? Mom… wait a—why are you suddenly crying?" Rikuo seemed panicked seeing his mother cry and frantically tried to reassure her that he was completely okay and she didn't have to get worried about him.

Zen and Rikuou were still silent, not knowing the right time to inform that they were also there. Anyway, WHAT the hell was that about, just now?

Both the Sandaime and the family doctor couldn't help staring open mouthed at the sight of Gyuuki, who apparently noticed their presence and quickly looked away with… a strange expression. Well, as strange as it could be, Zen would still call that kind of look very close to the expression of shame and embarrassment.

Gyuuki was totally flustered and Zen thought the world would end soon… without him knowing.

Zen was sweating a lot for this, and it didn't have any to do with his weak body. "What the hell just happened?" he had to ask that. He just… had to.

"Are you asking me?" Rikuou asked back, his face completely looking panicked because he probably didn't know what to say to that either. He didn't even know what to expect.

Well, according to their point of view… Gyuuki and Wakana seemed… well. Zen didn't want to think what he was thinking, but… if it was true…, no. there must have been a more reasonable explanation for it, but… it was just so impossible!

It can't be that way, can it?—Zen couldn't help thinking with cold sweat breaking out his entire face.

Zen looked beside him, and Rikuou was as confused and as shocked as he was, so the Sandaime was probably thinking about the same thing. He just didn't show it with words. His stare to Gyuuki was quite strange as well, as if he couldn't believe what he saw. Gyuuki also didn't say anything and just looked down. His expression was back to cold, even, and unreadable.

Really… how complicated can this become?—Zen couldn't help thinking and sighing in defeat facing all of this.

0oo—Yakushi Zen Yakushi—oo0

Rikuo was still trying to reassure his mother that he was okay as the situation calmed down a little bit. They sat down together near Gyuuki's futon. The atmosphere was quite tense and no one seemed willing to break it. Zen, being the doctor was left with the responsibility to create a little more productive atmosphere for patient recovery, and not a situation as stressful as this.

Zen sighed long again in defeat. He was really too good of a person. "How is your feeling, Gyuuki?" he asked then, breaking the very uncomfortable silence in the room.

"I'm fine," was Gyuuki's even reply.

That wasn't helping at all. "Okay… any painful feeling? Headache? Nausea?" Zen asked again the more specific questions.

"No, I feel okay," Gyuuki answered dutifully.

Really, Gyuuki was the worst patient ever. "Let me see your wound then," Zen said while sighing again in defeat.

Gyuuki paused for a moment before he slowly removed his yukata. He didn't look uncomfortable undressing in front of the others, not even in front of Wakana who for some reasons, refused to look at Gyuuki. She seemed angry about something… well, she probably was angry. Gyuuki tried to harm her son after all. What he couldn't understand was the fact that she came to Gyuuki first before fussing over Rikuo.

The day before was quite hectic… with so many injured people… and then when Rikuo was brought in and Rikuou denied everyone from entering the room to let the boy rest fully… he even only allowed Zen and Wakana to see his half brother. That, and yet he didn't allow them to stay there to look after him.

Zen then inspected the wound on Gyuuki's chest carefully. The older man needed stitches the day before and blood transfusion. He should have been brought to hospital, but since all his men were already transferred there; there was no spare room for him. Moreover, Rikuou ordered Zen to treat Gyuuki in the main house because he needed to be watched. Luckily, the wound wasn't that bad. Some arteries were nicked, so there was a lot of blood, but it wasn't deep. The wound was clean after all. In a week, it would have been closed.

Zen inspected it some more before re-bandaging it again. "Okay, take it easy for some days. Don't move too much, yeah?" he said slowly to Gyuuki and the older man nodded while fixing his clothes.

"Thank you, Zen," Gyuuki said coolly.

"That's perfectly fine. It's my job after all," Zen responded without smiling. He also wanted to know why Gyuuki betrayed Rikuou in the first place. Actually, he was kind of angry with him to be honest. Rikuo said Gyuuki had a reason, but it still didn't excuse him for trying to kill the boy. Rikuo was Zen's crush for god's sake. He didn't know if he would ever be able to forgive Gyuuki for this treason, but he didn't want to let the older man die as well. After all, Zen was a doctor. He saved life, not ended it.

"But still, thank you."

Gyuuki looked sincere when he thanked Zen, so Zen only closed his eyes and replied "You're welcome."

"Gyuuki-ojisan," Rikuo then opened his mouth and called the older man.

Zen opened his eyes again to turn his face at Rikuo who looked at Gyuuki with a smile on his face. Zen really wondered how this boy could still make that kind of expression to the man who had almost killed him yesterday.

"Hey, ojisan… there's something I really want to tell you," Rikuo said while moving closer to Gyuuki.

"What is it?" Gyuuki asked slowly.

Rikuo looked down and then glanced around while fidgeting a little, seeming a bit uncomfortable with everyone around.

"Maybe we should go outside first," Zen began to stand and slowly walking away, grabbing Rikuou's sleeve on the way and dragging his protesting ass to get out, giving Rikuo, Gyuuki and Wakana some privacy to talk.

"Wait a mi—, Zen! Why did you drag me out?" Rikuou threw Zen a heated and annoyed glare.

"Read the atmosphere. Rikuo looks really uncomfortable. He wants to talk to Gyuuki, alone," Zen said after they were some meters away from the door to Gyuuki's room.

"He already told me what he wanted to say to Gyuuki last night. He was uncomfortable because you were there," Rikuou sniped curtly.

"Really? What does he want to say?" Actually, Zen was quite intrigued as well.

"Like hell I'd tell you," Rikuou humped and walked away, stomping.

"He can be such a brat sometimes…," Zen's sweat dropped at Rikuou's childish act and laughed awkwardly. Well, he could always as the older Nura later. Now let him have some words with a man Rikuo had considered as his own uncle.

0oo—Yakushi Zen Yakushi—oo0

Zen was home sometimes after lunch time. He had checked the Gyuuki Gumi people who were treated in Yakushi's private hospital and there was no serious damage in their condition. Their prognosis was good. They could even be released after two or three days. The young boss of Gyuuki Gumi and his assistant had also woken up. Their wounds were a bit serious because they fought Rikuou, but they were alive. They could be released in a week.

Now Zen would just rest for a bit before he went to his university to attend his class this afternoon. He could catch the train to Nagoya before 15.00. His class started at 16.15. There should be enough time to prepare.

Well, that was his plan, but… something like this could also happen in Yakuza world.

"What are you doing, Hebidayu?" Zen asked his attendant with tired face. He really didn't need this surprise element just a day after experiencing the attack from Gyuuki Gumi to the main house.

"I get tired of your lack of ambition, Zen-sama," Hebidayu, the snake faced man (Rikuou and surprisingly, Rikuo's word), said with a sneer to his boss while holding him at gun point.

Zen sighed long. He had been told multiple times that this man couldn't be trusted, but… for being attacked in his own home was a little bit too unexpected even with the warning and heads up.

Frankly, Zen quite liked Hebidayu because he was ambitious and strong. Making him his friend gave Zen a lot of advantage because he wasn't really interested with the politics of Yakuza family. He loved studying as a doctor and when he was studying, he could throw Yakuza-related case to Hebidayu. Well, he wouldn't give his position as one of generals of Nura Gumi to Hebidayu, though, but other than that, he wasn't interested in going around the street picking fights with other groups… or expanding territory.

Yakushi Gumi role was to support Nura Gumi financially and medically and Zen was doing his job quite well to fill that role. But it seemed, Hebidayu wasn't satisfied with it.

"After finally there was that ruckus yesterday, and you'd given the position of the head replacement of the Alliances, why did you only support that brat by treating the wounded ones? You could actually move more people to beat the shit out of Gyuuki Gumi! Why are you always so reserved? If you just showed them a little bit of your guts and what you could do in combat… they probably would revoke the Sandaime's title from that brother complex and made you the head instead!" Hebidayu protested heatedly at him, and judging from his look, the older man probably meant his every word.

"Taking over… the head position or Nura Gumi Alliance…," Zen mumbled slightly before "Pft—, ahahahahaha," beginning to laugh at the ridiculousness of the idea. "Ha… are you nuts?" he asked the pathetic man in front of him.

"What's so funny with that?" Hebidayu glared at him with a very furious look.

"Idiot, use your head a little, will you. What's the point in taking the head position of Nura Gumi if I can't even protect the members? Starting war for a position only creates more victims than gaining any merit. Your way of thinking is too barbaric, Hebidayu. Don't forget we're businessman in this era. We think with our head and not our fist anymore. Our life is perfect as the support of Nura Gumi. We're living peacefully in mutualism symbiosis now. What's unsatisfying with all the privilege we've got this far?" Zen huffed in annoyance. Trully, Hebidayu was strong and ambitious, but he could be so dense at times… or idiotic precisely.

"Living peacefully…? You and Nura Gumi Alliances are too blind to see the real threat out there, aren't you, Zen-sama? Drowning in your own illusion of perfect symbiosis… yakuza in a peaceful world? I should be the one asking if you're out of your mind. Do you have any idea what's happening right now in Shikoku and Kyoto?" the older man asked with sinister look.

Kyoto… and Shikoku?—now, that piqued Zen's interest.

"What are you talking about?" Zen asked seriously now.

"Huh, doesn't matter. You and your weak body won't do much good anyway. Then, just give the head position to me, Zen-sama. I promise I'll use your family money for something more productive than research of medicine and medical products," Hebidayu said while holding the gun closer to Zen's head.

Zen sighed again. "Impossible. Killing me won't make you the head of this family, you know. I already set my will to give all of my family fortune to the Sandaime of Nura Gumi if something happens to me and I haven't had any heir," he informed.

"What!" Hebidayu looked shocked.

"Yes, actually, it was more like my grandfather's will rather than mine, but that's true. If I haven't had any heir until I die, the family fortune goes to Rikuou. Killing me won't give you a penny. You'll be dealt as a traitor and hunted down by the enraged Rikuou and all the Alliances, do you think it will be worth it?" Zen asked again, looking down at the older man.

"Ugh…," Hebidayu looked as if he were constipated. Zen could see the man measuring the pros and cons of his idiotic idea.

And when Zen could almost feel certain that Hebidayu would give up because really, who in their right mind would disturb Nura Gumi peacefulness? Unless they had a death wish, that was. He knew that his reasoning was completely logical and sane people would follow the logical choice. But sometimes… there were some people who only just cared about his superego and completely disregarding the logical choice.

"Shut up, you…! As if I'd back down just because of some words…! I'm not a coward like you! If something like that has to happen, I'll deal with it later. Now I just want to blow your head off for being too sickening!" Hebidayu shouted.

"How rude…! I see, you're the type of those morons who can't even think with their heads," Zen was prepared to die, but he wouldn't let Hebidayu get the last line.

Just before Hebidayu pulled the trigger, something flew pass Zen's head and smacked Hebidayu right in the face. Zen blinked and stared at that thing which made the older man double over in pain while holding his face.

"A… a geta (1)? Zen was confused before he looked behind and saw Rikuo and Rikuou there.

"Sorry for interrupting," Rikuo smiled sweetly at Zen and at the cursing man.

"We let ourselves in because the door was open," Rikuou said with cold expression. Zen's sweat dropped. He was sure he locked the door earlier. The Sandaime must have picked the lock because he was too arrogant to visit like normal people.

"We're not interrupting something important, are we?" Rikuo, still with his saintly sweet smile offered a box of cake to Zen while Rikuou was walking inside passing him to deal with Hebidayu.

"Ah, no… well, yeah, we're actually having a big conversation about something unimportant but, thanks for the treat," Zen said with a grateful smile while accepting the box.

"I see. Well, that's good. It's a thank you gift for being awesome yesterday and today as well. We owe you a lot this time," Rikuo said a little bit loudly as the scream of Hebidayu filled Zen's mansion.

"Ah…, you don't have to be so polite. I'm Sandaime's sworn brother after all," Zen chuckled and glanced behind a little to look whether Rikuou killed the man or not. He wished he wouldn't stain his house with blood though… that was probably hoping too much.

"Don't worry. Rikuou won't kill him. But I second for half killing him for trying to point his weapon to you," Rikuo said, still smiling reassuringly and Zen suddenly understood why Rikuou said that Rikuo had that qualification of being natural leader. Even in near death situation, he managed to comfort Zen's feeling that everything would be okay and he only needed to trust him, them, Rikuou and Rikuo.

Rikuo wasn't doing anything special. He just talked to Zen, and let Rikuou dealt with the heavy lifting. He was using his brother quite gracefully. But Rikuo probably didn't mean to do that. It was just like… balance between the two brothers. Like Yin and Yang. Light and Dark. Two sides of a coin. Where one was present, the other would always be there as well. Just how many people had thought about Rikuo and Rikuou that way?

"Hah… I know you guys had warned me about him being too ambitious but… I thought we had better understanding, and I though he wasn't as idiotic as this…," Zen sighed in defeat. "I quite liked him though… we just can't see eye to eye because I'm weak," he closed his eyes as he admitted his flaw. "He was tired suppressing his ambition for a weak guy like me. Poor him…," he continued quite dejectedly and Rikuo put a calming hand on Zen's shoulder.

"You're never weak, Zen-nii," Rikuo said with a smile.

"That's right," now Rikuou said after kicking Hebidayu down the floor hard enough to make the guy pass out. "If you were weak, I would never make you my sworn brother, Zen," he continued while looking at Zen's reddish amber eyes surely. "After all you're the smartest guy after Riku in our Alliance, and you're an important doctor. Without you around, I don't know what will happen to the barbaric members of yakuza family we own," he smirked.

Zen chuckled at that. "Well, then I guess I'll just have to study and work harder so I can be more useful for Nura Gumi Alliance, huh… to make up for my lack of physical strength?"

"That's the smartest idea I've heard today," Rikuo grinned happily while hugging Zen's arm, making him blush a little.

"Che, I'll let you off the hook this time for being too close to my Riku," Rikuou said with an annoyed look. "And train your body more, Zen! Being fragile doesn't excuse you from physical training!" he added boldly that a bead of sweat was dropping from Zen's head again.

Well, Zen wouldn't protest too much though. His own family and his body condition weren't the best, but he always could seek consolation from his extended family. Nura Gumi was his extended family even though his sworn brother was a bit unstable and his crush was totally into his sworn brother. They were still nicer than his own family sometimes,

And Rikuo…, Zen's crush was really a nice guy. If he asked, the boy probably would agree to go on date with him just to make him happy. Well, he would be bothered and get yelled at by Sandaime Rikuou, but it was probably worth it.

"Okay, I get it, Sandaime," Zen smirked at him. "I'll make myself cooler than right now, so I can make Rikuo like me more than he does you," he continued, making Rikuou choke and Rikuo sputter while blushing slightly.

"Hey!" Rikuou began to yell at Zen again and oh how interesting his face was when he was jealous like that.

As Zen thought, he loved seeing the both boys together, one for his annoyed expression and one for his shy smile. Maybe his crush wasn't simply Rikuo.

Maybe… it was the Rikuo who was together with Rikuou like that.

End of Chapter 7

Tbc…

Notes:

1)Geta: wooden sandal.

A/N: Uh… not much progress in this chapter, I know. Like the title says, it's just an interlude. The relationship of Rikuou and Rikuo being seen from Zen's POV. I revealed a little information regarding future chapters in this chapter, but it's not much. Well, it can be a good lead since Hebidayu seems knowing something the other don't. And I plan to make him confess under Rikuou's scrutiny gaze. Anyway, I'm so, so, so sorry for not updating last week. I was sick. If you read the other fic (Girl's Speculation) you probably had known. That's why, this week I planned to post double chapters. The next chapter will be posted at Sunday night or Monday morning.

And oh yeah, I'm planning to make new stories for Nuramago. There are two ideas, and I want you to pick which is more interesting to make first. Please vote between these two:

a. Nura's Golden Days (Nuramago-English): A misshap happens when Rikuo is fighting a certain youkai and he's blown off back to the past, where Rihan is still alive and depressed because he has just been left alone by Yamabuki. Can Rikuo bring Rihan's spirit back to life? It's his mission now... while looking for a way to get back to his own timeline. (Rating: T-negotiable; Genre: humor/drama-romance; Pairing: Rihan/Rikuo; Warning: light incest, multichapters)

b. Kill The Curse!(Nuramago-English): At the end of his fight with Hagoromo Gitsune, Rikuo is cursed to lose his ayakashi side, but it seems instead of losing the youkai, the youkai is blown out of Rikuo's body! What happens now when Rikuo becomes ordinary human and youkai Rikuo is let loose? Will they come back to be one person? Or will youkai Rikuo do something MORE than just becoming one again with his human self? (Rating: T-negotiable; Genre: humor-romance, Pairing: Y!Rikuo/h!Rikuo, Warning: light Riku-cest, multichapters)

For the vote, you can go to my profile. The vote is attached above it! And you can always PM me if you want or just simply put your choice in the review this time! I'll pick the fic based on your choice! Hurry! The poling will be closed in July 21!