Disclaimer: Nuramago belongs to Shiibashi-sensei ^_^

Warning: yaoincest (as usual, overly PDA between our favorite brothers *stomped*), fluff (really it is!), fan service (the usual rated T-scene… -_-;), language, etc… ah, mistypes (as always)

A/N: Um…, well, I can't say anything much for this chapter because it will spoil the fun, but… your reviews are awesome as usual, so…here, a reward! XDD. New chapter for this story! ENJOY!

Chapter 10: A Week of Warm Silence before Storm

The next morning in Nura Gumi Main House…

Rikuo opened his eyes slowly at the first touch of the soft sunlight inside the room and onto his delicate sensitive eyes. He blinked several times, adjusting his vision while trying to make out what the very pleasant and comfortable warmth surrounding and enveloping him was. The first form he saw when his sight and brain were clear enough to process the data was… Rikuou's sleeping face.

Rikuo blinked again once, a little surprised at the very nice peaceful view and was about to panic because, what the hell?—when the entire memory of last night event came crashing down into his head. His face went red as soon as the image of Rikuou's flushed excited face entered his brain.

GYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!—Rikuo screamed hysterically inside his head while drowning his flaming face onto the pillow. His skin (his entire body even), from the top of the head until the tip of his toe, was flushed deep in rosy color. He was absolutely embarrassed beyond belief, that he had let something like that happen outside, at the freaking yard, for GOD's sake. What if someone saw us?

Oh no, Rikuo wasn't regretting what had happened between him and Rikuou last night, but still… for first timers doing something dirty and naughty like that outside the safety of a bedroom was shouting volume that both he and Sandaime Rikuou were indeed still brats. They couldn't think because the teenager hormone was raging inside their system and clouding their judgment, and GOD… how humiliating it would be if someone actually saw them, not to mention, the fact that they were still half brothers….

Rikuo was slightly mortified at that thought because honestly, he couldn't know for sure if what they did had been seen. After all, it was a Yakuza HQ. Somebody was bound to guard the place outside. He could only hope and pray that he and Rikuou weren't loud enough for the guards to hear. It would be very horrifying if anyone saw them because... he was pretty sure that he would be kicked out of Nura Gumi main house for the rest of his life for that. It meant he would be separated from Rikuou.

No, no way, not a chance!—Rikuo absolutely couldn't afford to lose Rikuou after he just got him. No, he didn't want to, and wouldn't lose Rikuou, ever. Well, they could always run away together, but… there was a matter of living expense as well. Rikuo had to think practically with his head, not just with his heart. After all, he was the older brother, and if the situation ever came down to that, he had to make sure that he and Rikuou could survive together.

Rikuo nodded at his thought surely. If he and Rikuou wanted to keep what they had right now, they had to act carefully around everyone, so the others wouldn't find out about the true nature of their relationship. Well, Rikuou wouldn't be exactly subtle with his affection… never had been and never would be, anyway, so that left Rikuo with the task of holding himself back.

I can do that. I'd been doing just that anyway…until last night…—a bead of sweat dropped from his cheek while he was nodding again, still embarrassed but totally convinced as well to do the holding back thing.

But…—the older Nura then turned his face slightly to the still sleeping Sandaime. He was sound asleep, looking oddly innocent and serene as well. Rikuo had to smile at Rikuou's soft expression. Rikuou is indeed really… beautiful…—he sighed slightly, softening his expression even more as he watched Rikuou sleeping.

Rikuou's skin and complexion was pale as usual, paler than Rikuo's. Even though Rikuou was taller and had more muscle than Rikuo, he was still slender and lean compared to the other men Rikuo had met outside. Well, there were a lot of pretty, slender and lean men in Nura Gumi, but compared to Rikuou's beauty… well, let's say that Rikuou was a lot prettier than the rest.

That thought then led him into the zone where Rikuo noticed how defenseless his little half brother was right now. Yeah, the head of Nura Gumi Alliance had put an absolute trust to Rikuo. That was why; Rikuou could sleep unguardedly in Rikuo's presence. However, seeing the usually alerted Rikuou in that state… totally made Rikuo want to 'attack' him, even though it was just metaphorical expression.

Seriously, Rikuou was very beautiful right then. His lips also looked pinker and softer than usual… it made Rikuo want to…

The older Nura unconsciously leaned closer to Rikuou's face, breathing softly and lowering his gaze to Rikuou's lips. And he was just about to peck those sinfully sexy lips when his sense kicked in and he stopped. His face turned a darker shade of pink as he realized what he was doing.

Damn it…! I'm a boy after all…—Rikuo couldn't help it. He knew that overpowering Rikuou was almost impossible, but still… his men' instinct to get the 'lead' role was still there. Might as well go for it before Rikuou wakes up…

Rikuo smiled small before he was slowly closing the gap between him and Sandaime with a light kiss on Rikuou's indeed soft lips. It lasted only seconds, and really it was just a small peck, but Rikuou slowly opened his eyes when he seemed feeling it.

Rikuo pulled back slightly when he saw his half brother gradually waking up from his peaceful slumber. "Riku…?" he questioned slowly in a slur.

Rikuo noticed that Rikuou wasn't completely aware yet, but then, he also almost blushed because he was caught in the embarrassing act. However, rather than giving Rikuou the satisfaction of getting Rikuo blush and stammer explaining himself, he did the opposite of being embarrassed.

Rikuo smiled softly at Rikuou and said, "Good morning, Rikuou," while gazing at Rikuou's eyes like he was drunk, or still dreaming for that matter, it was obviously Rikuou's choice to considerate.

Surprisingly, Rikuou was the one widening his eyes at the unusual act of total fondness, and then, his cheeks started to heat apparently, because they were gradually turning into pink. "Eh…? Um…, huh?" and good lord, Rikuou was stuttering. Stuttering for God's sake! Rikuou wasn't supposed to stutter! He was Rikuou, the badass Sandaime of Nura Gumi Alliance, damn it!

Rikuo blinked seeing the unexpectedly adorable, out of character's response from his half brother. Rikuou was actually embarrassed? The older Nura chuckled slightly in amusement, making the pink face in front of him turn pinker, seeming realizing that he was the subject of that laughter.

Rikuou opened his mouth seeming about to protest in annoyance for being laugh at, but Rikuo beat him to it by surging forward and giving another light peck on the corner of his mouth, successfully shutting Rikuou's up again in a startled gasp.

"Aren't you going to greet me back?" Rikuo asked then, with a teasing smile.

Rikuou touched his lips slowly before it seemed, he got over his initial embarrassment and smirked at Rikuo. "Good morning, Riku," he said and then lunged forward as well, cupping Rikuo's cheek before capturing Rikuo's mouth into a searing kiss. And, unlike Rikuo's light and innocent ones, this was deep, slow and wonderfully breathtaking.

Rikuo had to close his eyes, and gasped a little when he felt the swipe of a tongue on his lower lip. His half brother seemed seeing this as permission for him to invade Rikuo's oral cavity. He moaned softly when Sandaime's tongue touched his, licking and caressing, almost like asking to dance together in heat and passion.

The kiss got even bolder and more intense as Rikuou's body was somehow moving almost on top of Rikuo's, position suspiciously almost straddling him, and Rikuo was relatively sure that if they didn't stop, both of them would get a seriously BIG problem at their south directions.

Rikuo attempted to push Rikuou away because, as fantastically good as it felt, he needed to get air into his lungs before passing out from oxygen depravity. And seriously could Rikuou kiss. He literally stole his half brother's breath away. Rikuo had to gasp more to keep up, and breathing with his nose was a bit difficult noticing how excited he and Sandaime were. His heart rate spiked up, beating faster and harder like crazy and it felt really, really amazing that he felt resisting was futile. His strength was leaving his body, getting him more pliant, like almost turning into a puddle of goo.

"Nnn…," and Rikuo was moaning, about to give up because Rikuou ground his hips down onto his, creating a wonderful friction that made Rikuo feel even better with pleasure surging up from his lower part when he heard the knock on the wooden sliding door.

His sense immediately came back in full force as Rikuo heard the sliding door getting opened and Rikuo hardened his heart and resolution before he pushed Rikuou as hard as he could to get him off of Rikuo's body before whoever behind the door came inside and saw them in that totally provocative situation.

Rikuou seemed surprised and caught off guard with the sudden burst of strength from his half brother and he was actually pushed away quite far until he fell, laying down on his torso and chest with his head on the floor, facing the door in the most uncharacteristically position he had ever made.

Tsurara, who just opened the door, blinked several times finding Sandaime in that almost humiliating position while the young boss was looking away, sitting rigidly on his feet, slightly sweating on his flushing face.

"Um…," Tsurara seemed like not knowing what to say, because she looked totally confused and flabbergasted seeing the odd view.

Rikuo was still a little breathless, but he could gain his composure fast enough to smile at Tsurara a bit sheepishly. "Good morning, Tsurara," he greeted and she was startled.

"Ah, g-good morning, Waka," she greeted back immediately while looking at Rikuo's face before her gaze was attracted back to the Rikuou's position on the floor. "Um… what is Sandaime doing?" she couldn't help asking apparently.

"His sleeping form is bad, huh?" Rikuo chuckled and Tsurara giggled amusedly at his answer.

"Hey!" Rikuou then suddenly woke and sat up, fixing his position immediately while glaring in annoyance at Tsurara and Rikuo both. "It's because you 'kicked' and 'punched' me in your sleep, Riku," he said, deadpanned.

"Eh? No way! Don't spout lies like that to other people!" Rikuo's face was getting warm and it was probably red when he protested, pointing at Rikuou with annoyance as well.

"That's not a lie. You do have bad sleeping habit, Riku," Rikuou smirked as he seemed realizing that the bait was taken very nicely.

"Shut up! You've got no proof!" Rikuo was totally red now, very embarrassed because he himself wasn't sure. What if Rikuou was telling the truth? He had no idea at all because he was asleep, right?

It seemed their small banter was very hilarious for Tsurara because the black-bluish haired girl giggled even louder, attracting Rikuo and Rikuou's attention to her. "Ah, I'm sorry…, but seeing Rikuou-sama and Waka like this always cheers me up," the long haired girl then smiled cheerily at her masters. "I can't be affected too much with the incident to Hihi-sama as well. Breakfast is ready, if you will care to join us at the table?"

Rikuou and Rikuo looked at each other before they snorted and huffed in small laugh. "Okay, Tsurara," Rikuo said with a cheery smile as well. Tsurara's face brightened and she bowed slightly in a happy look as she excused herself from her master's room.

After the door was closed once again, Rikuo exhaled long, relieved. "That was close…."

"Personally, I think it'd be better if she saw," Rikuou snickered at that.

Rikuo narrowed his eyes at his half brother, annoyed. "You do realize we have to keep what we have a secret from everyone, right?" he asked just to make sure. His half brother sometimes could be really dumb after all, despite his intelligence.

"Why? I'm proud of what we have," Rikuou raised his eyebrows now. "Aren't you?"

"That's not the issue, Rikuou. Your position doesn't allow you to have that kind of relationship with me. Think about the family," Rikuo said, trying to talk some senses into Rikuou's thick head.

Rikuou huffed at that. "Riku… last night you said you were willing to throw everything away for being with me. Don't you consider that I can and am willing to do the same thing for you?" he asked while moving closer to Rikuo's side whispering closely into his ear.

Rikuo was startled and looked at Rikuou's sure face. There was no doubt in his enticing crimson eyes. Yeah, Rikuou was always total and certain when he made up his mind about something. He didn't do something halfheartedly. Rikuo realized that it would be very difficult to keep their relationship a secret, but he could at least try.

"You're right. But flaunting what we have around will be a bit embarrassing, don't you think?" Rikuo pinched Rikuou's cheek, making the younger Nura yelp in surprise. "At least I want to make what we have special… just for the two of us," he continued with a small happy smile, earning an amazed look from Rikuou.

"W… whatever you want," Rikuou said while holding Rikuo's hands in front of his chest with totally blissful convinced expression.

It was too easy sometimes to use Rikuo's ability to manipulate people. It was almost scary.

"Now, let's have breakfast together?" Rikuo asked and it seemed, Rikuou was still under his spell as he only nodded dazedly, not letting his gaze stray from him. Rikuo's sweat dropped at that. It was necessary, so even though he felt bad a little, he still had to do that.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Super maximum security prison in the remote area of the border between Kansai and Tokai Region….

"Oi, prisoner number 19! You've got a guest!"

The guard said while clanging the iron bar at the cell of a man, probably in early twenties with short spiky black hair, laying languidly on his bed inside the cell. He yawned slightly and opened one of his eyes. "A guest…? It's not conjugal visit yet, though? Who would come here aside Awashima?"

"I don't know about something like that. It's an order from the top that you have to meet this guest," the guard said, sweat dropping. "Hurry up. You've only got ten minutes," he continued.

"I know, I know, jeez…," the black haired man was slowly getting up while yawning again before he got out of the bed. He then walked to the bars direction as the guard opened his cell and let him out with shackles on his wrists. "At least tell me what kind of guest it is," he said as he was led to the booth where he could meet the mystery guest.

"Ah… a very pretty man with long silver-black hair," the guard answered as he opened the door to the meeting room where the black haired prisoner could see with his own eyes who his guest was. And satisfyingly for his guest (it seemed), the prisoner's eyes widened in surprised.

"Hey, Ittaku! Long time no see," Nura Rikuou, the Sandaime of Nura Gumi as well as the head of Nura Gumi Alliance, waved at him with expression full of spirit.

The prisoner, Ittaku, exhaled long in boredom despite his surprise. "Now, comes this troublesome guy to complicate y life," he said while walking to the booth and sat down on the chair.

"How rude! And I took the trouble to come here in person too!" Rikuou complained as he also sat down on his side.

"You bring nothing but trouble for me," Ittaku said, deadpanned at Rikuo.

"Well, that might be true…," Rikuou glanced away slightly while looking sheepish. "Your last mission was busted because of me, but really, I swear I didn't mean anything harm. You get out of line with your work sometimes, and last time was one of those…," he said, not really explaining himself, but at least it could lessen the hostility from Ittaku's part.

Ittaku narrowed his eyes as Rikuou in suspicion. "Why are you here?" He hated useless chit-chat. He figured if Rikuou came in person, it must have been quite important. The likes of Rikuou only dealt with the likes of Ittaku when they really, really needed them. Aside from that, they preferred not to get in each other's way.

"I have a proposition for you," Rikuou also answered to the point and Ittaku felt he should get away when he could.

"Not interested, good bye," Ittaku said as he stood.

"Ah, wait a second, damn it!" Rikuou protested. "You even haven't heard what it is!"

Ittaku turned his face at Rikuou in annoyance. "What makes you think I want to help you with whatever proposition you have in your head right now after what you did to get me arrested?"

"You're holding grudge towards a kid, Ittaku?" Rikuou raised his eyebrows in amusement, irritating Ittaku even more.

"You are the spawn of a devil," Ittaku glared heatedly at the younger boy, remembering how he got arrested three years ago, dealing with that thirteen year old boy.

"Now, now, don't be so spiteful. I didn't know that that piece of paper was so important and could be an evidence to use against you in court, you know… I thought they'd just punish you and then let you go. I was still a brat and didn't know how the system works," Rikuou said, sweat dropping a little. "Anyway, I only can ask you about this matter, you know. Since you're an expert in this," he smirked then, looking totally confident and so full of himself.

Ittaku sighed long and went back to sit. "What, you want me to eliminate someone you can't handle?" Ittaku mocked Rikuou and the younger boy huffed at him.

"There's nothing I can't handle… well, except if the person is behind bars. The government gets in the way," Rikuou said. Ittaku raised his eyebrows at that.

"You want to kill someone in jail?" Ittaku looked at him as if he had grown a second head.

"No, why are you always associating me with murdering someone? I'm not that nasty, you know," Rikuou's sweat dropped again at Ittaku, looking really annoyed now. "I need your other expertise," he said then.

"Cybercrime one?" Ittaku asked again and Rikuou shook his head. "Ah… extracting information, huh?" he smirked. Coincidentally, that was his favorite job. He could make anyone talk without even touching them. He's very good at that after all.

Rikuou smirked as well. "You are so smart as always," he said, looking at Ittaku appraisingly.

"Huh, that's easy for me. And… care to tell me why do I have to help you with this?" Ittaku asked again, looking at Rikuou's eyes seriously. "I don't owe you anything, and I'm not tied to your family as well. I have no reason to help you at all," he said rationally.

"Nura Gumi Alliance is in danger," Rikuou said somberly. "I need to know what's happening in Shikoku and Kyoto to prepare my family to fight if something breaks out," he continued.

"I could care less about that. What's in it for me?" Ittaku asked then.

"Um… a reduced sentence time?" Rikuou bargained.

"I want out," Ittaku increased the price.

"That's impossible! Nothing can get you out of super max prison whatever I do with the person in charge of your sentence!" Rikuou protested.

"You'll make do something," Ittaku waved him off while standing again.

"Wait, you haven't known the target…," Rikuou spoke up again, but Ittaku just smirked without looking back at him.

"It's that newcomer… who was it again, Hebidayu, right?" he asked, seeming surprising Rikuou because the boy asked.

"How did you…?"

"I don't like that guy when the first time I met him. He was spouting out his grudge towards you and how your family would be destroyed anyway, so I figured… if you sent him here, you'd come to me sooner or later to deal with him," now Ittaku turned his face back at Rikuou, smiling confidently. "Get in touch with Awashima. She'll be our contact. You don't have to show your face here anymore. Bye," he said as he turned back again and asked for the guard to send him back to his own cell.

"Hey! You're still together with 'him'?" Rikuou asked, probably only trying to tease Ittaku but he wouldn't have that.

"It's a 'she', Rikuou, despite the name being Amano Awashima. And yes, we're still together," Ittaku shook his head as he got out of the room. "He's still such a brat," he chuckled lightly, earning a wondering look from the guard.

"Your friend?" the guard asked then, looking slightly interested because Ittaku never paid attention to other people before, let alone smiling for or because of them.

"Something like that…, he's a nasty-nasty spawn of Satan though," Ittaku said with a snicker and the guard seemed getting paler seeing his out of character's laugh.

Well, it seems like a time for Kama Ittaku, the All Crime expert, to come up and hog the spotlight.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"Jeez, he's such a hassle as usual," Rikuou said as he got out of the prison yard.

"Who is this Ittaku guy?" Rikuo who was waiting outside asked, raising his eyebrows in wonder.

"He's a friend… well, I consider him as a friend though. He's a trained freelance hitman, a genius in cybercrime and an interrogation expert. He can do almost anything as long as we pay him with the right price," Rikuou described.

"A hitman?" Rikuo widened his eyes, looking slightly mortified by that fact.

"Ah, even though I said a hitman, he hasn't killed anyone yet. Well, he kind of destroys a lot of people's life through his cybercrime, and sometime they commit suicide over losing their fortunes, but his prey are usually douche bags, so… yeah, I'm friends with bad people, I know…," Rikuou explained, sighing resignedly. "He went a bit overboard three years ago because his partner was wounded by a mob. He went after everyone in the family, not exactly killing them, but making their life a living hell by terrorizing them… there were good people in there too, but he was blind because he was angry, so Nura Gumi had to take him down." He scratched his head a little.

"You mean 'you' take him down," Rikuo commented.

"Yeah, well… they figured a kid wouldn't spook him. He's a funny guy, and I like him a lot," Rikuou said with a nostalgic grin.

"And… he'll help us out?" Rikuo asked again, "Despite what you've done to him?" he sounded doubtful now.

"Well, he never said it, but… he likes me after all," Rikuou looked smug for a moment before he sighed long. "Well, I have to do something to get him out of that place though," a bead of sweat dropped from his cheek now.

"Can you really do that?" Rikuo asked again then, looking pretty surprised.

"Thanks to you, Riku, I have a vast connection with the Chubu Police Department," Rikuou said while giving Rikuo a peck on the corner of his lips, making Rikuo blush because of the public display of affection.

"Stupid," Rikuo pushed his face away from his. "Jeez, can't you control yourself a bit outside?" he hissed, looking annoyed and embarrassed.

"Eheh, but I want to show the world how joyful I am to finally have you, Riku. Besides… no one knows about us here," he held Rikuo's body close, smiling and gazing fondly at him, making Rikuo flush even redder.

"Ah, you are… really…!" Rikuo looked almost exasperated, but he seemed embarrassingly happy as well because he held Rikuou's hand solidly.

This was it. This what Rikuou wanted in his life. Rikuo was everything for him. And fuck would he be happy enough to give up everything just to be by Rikuo's side.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Surprisingly, after the first attack to Hihi Gumi leader, no more attacks came until a week passed. It seemed the perpetrator was laying low. Despite extensive search, no one seemed seeing or hearing anything around. Nura Gumi had no choice except to keep looking fruitlessly and relying on Rikuo's preliminary information about the attacker.

At this point, Gyuuki was no longer bedridden and Gozumaru and Mezumaru were out of hospital. Hihi was still in coma, but he was stable and the doctor informed that he would come out of it okay after he regained his consciousness.

After a week with no sign of follow up to the attack, Shouhei was allowed to see his dad. He looked relieved when he could see Hihi again, but the anger to the attacker was still there, deep inside him that sometimes he looked like he was about to look for the perpetrator himself. Rikuo could talk him out of it, but even he could see that the patience was wearing thin in Shouhei's nerves.

"I'm worried about Shouhei-kun," Rikuo said, sighing while watching Shouhei training with Rikuou in the dojo. Tsurara, Kubinashi and Kurotabou were sitting near him, also watching and encouraging both men to fight harder. Zen was also there, but he was having a chess match with Gyuuki on the patio.

"Huh?" Tsurara turned her face at him, as well as Kurotabou and Kubinashi.

"Worried why, Waka?" Kurotabou asked.

"He's angry," Rikuo said while frowning. "He's young and impatient and he seeks for retribution for Hihi-jisan. My words can only do so much. I think he will definitely do something rash if we don't find any information about Shikoku fellow that almost killed Hihi-jisan soon. Has Ryouta-san sent any report or any information at all?" he asked again.

"Unluckily, Ryouta hasn't got any luck either," Kubinashi sighed as well, joining the conversation. "He said the people in Shikoku are clueless about any Yakuza Activity there. As if… they weren't aware of them at all," he explained.

"Impossible. Inugamigyoubu Gumi is there. They have more than 800 members. There's no way that the people don't know their activity," Kurotabou commented.

"Oh, but I heard Inugamigyoubu Gumi are working quietly lately," Tsurara chimed in.

"Yeah, they don't want to be part of Nura Gumi, obviously, but they are quite civil with us after the Second gave them a friendly visit. The head of Inugamigyoubu Gumi liked Rihan-sama. Well, who didn't? Rihan-sama was charming and witty and smart and he just charmed everyone into liking him and his confidence," Kubinashi sighed, remembering something nostalgic from their time with Nura brothers' father.

Rikuo smiled softly at that totally understanding what Kubinashi was feeling. Rihan… his dad was indeed an amazing person. "I guess," he mumbled slowly, and then looked at Rikuou, who was very similar to his dad, grinning challengingly as Shouhei attacked him with his wooden sword viciously. "Well, at least Shouhei-kun can vent off his stress and frustration on Rikuou for the time being…," he laughed lightly.

"I heard Rikuou paid a visit to the super max security prison at the border of Tokai and Kansai," Gyuuki said suddenly from his spot, "What is he up to?" he asked while killing Zen's knight on the board.

"Crap," Zen cursed as he realized he had lost a knight. "Yeah, I also heard that. Did he visit his 'friend' there?" he also looked up to Rikuo who turned his face at them.

"Yeah, he visited someone named Ittaku. He said he could help us with extracting information from Hebidayu," Rikuo nodded, confirming the story.

"Ittaku? The All Crime expert?" Gyuuki seemed familiar with that name.

"Ah, that guy…," so was Zen.

"Oh, Ittaku-kun… he's still alive?" Kubinashi scrunched up his face.

"Ha, it seems he's expert in survival as well," Kurotabou laughed at that.

"I hope he doesn't hold grudge towards Sandaime for getting him arrested," Tsurara said with a worried expression.

"I believe he does. He asked Rikuo to get him out of jail as a price for helping him," Rikuo's sweat dropped.

"Eeh?" Kurotabou and Kubinashi whined in unison. "That guy can be a total trouble for Nura Gumi if he decides to turn on us," Kurotabou continued.

"Totally," Kubinashi nodded in agreement.

"Ah, but Rikuou said he could trust Ittaku-san. That means something at least…," Rikuou was chuckling now.

"He's still annoying, though," Rikuou suddenly spoke up after he and Shouhei ended their session, and then approached the sideline to Rikuo and the gang.

"Oh, you finished?" Rikuo turned at his half brother now.

"Yeah, Shouhei is exceptionally vicious today," Rikuou said with a smirk, and Shouhei visibly blushed at that.

"I'm sorry…," Shouhei said, looking slightly embarrassed.

"No need to be embarrassed, Shouhei-kun. You totally kicked ass! It's awesome," Rikuo also grinned at him cheerily and Shouhei looked amazed once again by Rikuo's nature.

Rikuou looked a little put out at the exchange between his beloved half brother and Shouhei. "What is it, Riku? You like seeing me losing?" he asked while kneeling in front of Rikuo, leaning his face closely at the older Nura with a teasing smirk.

Rikuo blinked as he felt the hot breath of Sandaime near his face and raised his eyebrows composedly, trying not to blush at the close proximity. "Rikuou… your breath smell," he said, sending a ton hammer to Rikuou's head and made everyone in the room scoffing and snorting in amused laughter.

"W-wha—! I don't have a bad breath!" Rikuou protested with red face, humiliated beyond belief.

"That's for teasing me in front of the others," Rikuo thrust out his tongue at Rikuou smugly, making everyone laugh at their very funny and humorous banter. Even Gyuuki had to cover his mouth, dying trying not to laugh out loud.

"Wha—, why you…! Riku!" Rikuou was blushing madly now, and he was about to grab Rikuo when the older Nura dodged his attack, stood and ran away.

"Not so fast, Rikuou. Remember I'm faster than you," Rikuo grinned at him as he was running out of the dojo.

"Waaaaait!" Rikuou went after him immediately, leaving the others in the dojo still laughing watching them.

"Rikuo-sama is getting naughty as well, isn't he?" Kubinashi commented, still snickering.

"They look really happy, indeed," Tsurara was giggling.

"Waka really made Rikuou-sama blush just now," Kurotabou was sniggering heartily at that.

"As I thought, Rikuo-kun is indeed really amazing," Shouhei chuckled amusedly as well. It had been awhile since he felt this refreshed.

Zen laughed lightly at seeing Shouhei defeated gaze. It seemed he noticed what Rikuou and Rikuo were doing right then. They were trying to cheer Shouhei after all.

Rikuou and Rikuo also looked at each other's eyes when they saw and heard the laugh from their family and both grinned accomplishedly.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"So… why are we here, exactly?" Gozumaru asked the boy beside him with slightly pale face, eyebrow twitching as well.

Both Gozumaru and Mezumaru were sitting on their legs, trying to be quiet while waiting for anyone to come to them and explain why they had to be there in the first place. They didn't really know the detail from Gyuuki, but the head of Gyuuki-gumi ordered them to go there, and they would get the explanation from Rikuou or someone from the main house.

And right now, they were waiting for Rikuou since that Tsurara girl brought them to sit on the guest room.

"I don't really know myself, but isn't it great we're still invited and allowed to come to the main house after what we did?" Mezumaru smiled care freely while setting his cute face to Gozumaru.

"Che, don't let your guard down, Mezumaru. Who knows if that bastard Rikuou wants to torture us? We did drew our swords to him…," Gozumaru's facial expression was grave at the memory of their encounter with the head of Nura Gumi Alliance. It was absolutely… unfair battle. Too heavy on one side, Sandaime's side for that matter, since both Gozumaru and Mezumaru were already wounded when they fought him.

Fighting that Silver Haired Demon alone…, Gozumaru felt like an idiot for even taking the chance. It was obviously a losing battle, but he just couldn't think clearly when his pride had been injured by losing to the civilian, Nura Rikuo. Yes, he was the half brother of Sandaime, but still… Rikuo was raised as a civilian by his mom… so how could Gozumaru who had been raised by Gyuuki since he was a kid lose to someone like Rikuo? That was really-really humiliating!

"Eeh? But Gyuuki-sama already told us that he was already forgiven," Mezumaru whined slightly while frowning at Gozumaru.

"That's for Gyuuki-sama, Mezumaru. We still don't know about our verdict," Gozumaru said seriously. "They might try to cook us alive for initiating the attack…," he wasn't trying to scare Mezumaru, he was just being cautious… not scared, okay? He was just a little bit worried that his bad feeling might come true.

"No way…! What should we do, Gozumaru? I don't want to be cooked alive!" Mezumaru looked at Gozumaru with pale face, looking frightened.

"W-well…, I doubt if Gyuuki-sama would let that happen. Don't worry. If anything should happen, I'll protect you," he said while reaching and grabbing Mezumaru's hand and held it tightly. He was the next leader of Gyuuki Gumi and it was his job to protect his subordinates and serious when he said it. But he didn't think that it would be taken the wrong way when someone chuckled just beside his ear.

"Hee? You can be compassionate too. So it takes this kid over here to fire you up?"

Gozumaru got a Goosebumps hearing the fluid baritone voice and jumped out of his seat as with a surprised shriek, but Gozumaru would deny it if someone asked about it later, as Rikuou threw his head back and laughed amusedly.

"Ri—RIKUOU!" Gozumaru yelled at the head of Nura Gumi Alliance, face flushing in annoyance and embarrassment.

"Haha, isn't it Rikuou-sama for you?" Rikuou smirked sinisterly at him.

"Ugh…!" Gozumaru glared at him hostilely. "You're so childish!" he shouted more while pointing at the silver haired man, totally mad.

"Go… Gozumaru~!" Mezumaru, who seemed also surprised by the sudden entrance of their leader Alliance and Gozumaru's unexpected screech, tried to hold him down so he wouldn't get violent. Yes, Gozumaru tended to do that when he was too excited.

"Childish? Says the person who screamed like a girl over a joke," Rikuou's smirk widened.

"Shut up!" Gozumaru yelled, face getting warmer and redder by the second and Rikuou must have thought that was very hilarious because he chuckled and laughed more. "Don't laugh, damn it!" and he was mad because Rikuou made fun of him.

"You'd better get used to him treating you like that." Now another voice came from the door direction, getting Gozumaru and Mezumaru's attention. They were surprised seeing Rikuo there with his usual school uniform. "It's been a week since our last meeting," Rikuo smiled at them and both looked at each other, confused.

"What do you mean we'd better get used to him?" Gozumaru thought he could have a more civil conversation with the older brother. Even though he also had done something bad to the glasses wearer chocolate haired boy, he was less… intimidating when he wasn't fighting.

Gozumaru hated to admit it, but even a cute harmless looking boy like Rikuo could be scary when he was seriously angry.

Rikuo raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You didn't know?" he asked, seeming not expecting that. He then turned at Rikuou and narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Gyuuki was supposed to tell them. What did you say to him, Rikuou?" he inquired his half brother now.

"I told him not to give these guys the detail. I wanna see their face when we tell them directly," Rikuou snickered at the prospect, apparently, to harass the young boss of Gyuuki Gumi and his head assistant.

"Ah… w-what are you talking about?" Mezumaru looked really worried and scared if they would really be fried in the main house.

Rikuo turned at the boy with straight long dark blue hair with sympathetic look. "Sorry, Sandaime-Rikuou is such a wicked guy," he said while sighing and smiling ruefully. "Sit first. We'll explain," he tilted his head in their pillow seats, a subtle gesture that Gozumaru and Mezumaru caught rightly.

Both boys sat once again while Rikuou was moving to sit beside Rikuo on the other side of the low table.

"Actually, what happened? Why are we here when we're supposed to guard our area? I heard Hihi Gumi leader was attacked last week and shouldn't we protect our leader now?" Gozumaru said, well, almost protesting actually, because he had to leave his base to come there.

"Come on. You guys… protect Gyuuki, really? You can't even beat me who still losing to Gyuuki. I'm sure he doesn't need you guys to babysit him. Moreover, it's probably the other way around, right?" Rikuou smirked at them in totally smug amused look.

"What did you say!" Gozumaru slammed the table and rose to his knee, hissing at Rikuou angrily.

"Gozumaru~!" Mezumaru tried to hold him down again. "Ah, um… so why are we here?" Now Mezumaru initiated the question.

"For punishment," Rikuou said coldly, striking lightening to Gozumaru and Mezumaru's head that they squeaked loudly in shock because their bad omen was coming true!

"He's lying," but Rikuo hurriedly pushed his half brother's face away.

"Ah, Riku! You're ruining my fun!" Rikuou whined slightly and his half brother glared at him.

"Behave," Rikuo scolded with irritated tone and Rikuou shut up immediately.

Gozumaru and Mezumaru's sweat dropped at the exchange between the Nura brothers. "They're so… different when they're not in their fighting stance…," Gozumaru commented ridiculously and Mezumaru had to nod in total agreement seeing what they were seeing.

"So… you must be wondering why you're here," Rikuo began after that, leaving the sulking Rikuou because his fun was snatched away.

"I've been telling you that since the first time," Gozumaru said, more beads of sweat dropping from his head and cheeks.

"Okay then, we'll go to the point. So, as a retribution of the trouble your family had caused Nura Gumi Alliance, both you and Mezumaru will serve Nura Gumi main house from now on," Rikuo said.

There was a moment of pregnant silence before "EEEEEEEH?" Gozumaru and Mezumaru shouted in unison, totally shocked at the announcement.

"Eh, EH! NO WAY! You're kidding, right?" Mezumaru protested, face paling slightly.

"No way…! There's just no way will Gyuuki-sama allow something like this!" Gozumaru also protested, still horrified. Both boys seemed not accepting that news well.

"Of course he's not okay with this. Giving his two most precious kids to another family is probably killing him inside, but unfortunately, it's not for him to decide," Rikuou spoke then with more somber and serious expression.

"Wait, Rikuou… talking that way is…," Rikuo seemed about to stop him, but the Sandaime raised his hand to stop his line.

"You… forced him to turn us into hostage in your family," Gozumaru realized what it was after he saw certain Sandaime's eyes.

"Hostages?" Mezumaru turned his face at Gozumaru with anxious look.

"That term is too barbaric. Well, it's indeed for punishment, but I prefer to call it 'helpers'," Rikuo huffed. "The main house simply needs your assistance, Gozumaru, Mezumaru," he continued.

"And because I like you guys," Rikuou said as well, surprising the boys from Gyuuki Gumi. "You're strong. Nura Gumi loves strong people. I want you in my family," he smirked confidently at Gozumaru and Mezumaru now, seeming sending out his charm to get them hooked.

"Eh?" Mezumaru's cheeks turned slightly pink at that and Gozumaru glared at him.

"Sorry, but we won't exchange sakazuki with you. We already did that with our boss, Gyuuki-sama," Gozumaru said so surely.

"Oh but you will," Rikuou said, lowering his voice and sharpening his gaze into Gozumaru's. "You definitely will… especially after you inherited Gyuuki Gumi later, Gozumaru."

Gozumaru gulped slightly staring into the pools of deep rich crimson, like he was drowning into them.

"Give yourself to me, Gozumaru," Rikuou spoke more with that fluid enticing voice, like he was trying to hypnotize him. "I know you want to."

"Huh?" Gozumaru was slightly dazed and he noticed Rikuou smiling at him coolly, sending shiver down his spine.

"What's with that 'Don Juan' like speech?"

Gozumaru and Mezumaru were snapped out of their dazes when Rikuo spoke, narrowing his eyes at Rikuou skeptically, and Rikuou visibly winced at that.

"Err… what is it, Riku? I don't know what you're talking about," Rikuou turned to his half brother.

"Hmm… I know what you're doing. Forget it, you're not dad," Rikuo dismissed him and a metaphorical ton hammer slammed down Rikuou's head.

"Y-you're so rude…!" Sandaime looked at Rikuo in shocked, distressed look.

"W-what just happened?" Gozumaru was baffled seeing the abrupt change of atmosphere and the Nura brothers bantering again.

"I-I don't know but… I think I understand a little why there are so many people wanting to follow him…," Mezumaru said with a dumbfounded look as well.

"So, that's how it is," Rikuo then smiled at them with a cheery, happy look. "We'll see each other a lot after this. Nice to have you guys here!"

"And for easier access, I already have Gyuuki transfer you to go to school to Ukiyo-e Senior High School. You will guard Rikuo with all of your might," Rikuou added, totally ordering.

"What? We're transferring here?" Gozumaru widened his eyes, surprised.

"Of course. You'll finish your high school in Ukiyoe," Rikuou nodded while pointing at them. "Blend in and do what Riku ask you to do! This is an order."

"You don't have to act so pompous about ordering people around, Rikuou," Rikuo sighed long, a bead of sweat breaking out of his cheek. "I'll be your responsibility for the time being, I hope that's okay," he then turned and asked Gozumaru and Mezumaru politely.

"So… we're going to become schoolmates?" Gozumaru scrunched his face at the thought of him, Mezumaru and Rikuo study together.

"I believe so, Gozumaru," Rikuo smiled at him softly, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Huh…?" Gozumaru didn't know why, but he felt that his heart beat a little faster seeing that smile of Sandaime's half brother. He was slightly confused, but for some reasons, it seemed the Sandaime noticed what he was feeling because he narrowed his eyes in warning at him.

Moreover, Sandaime was putting his hand on Rikuo's waist now, holding him closer as if he was trying to show off and tell the world that Rikuo was Sandaime's and his only. Rikuo looked like nothing was happening though, so Gozumaru assumed he didn't realize it.

The Sandaime was really a brother complex. Gozumaru couldn't help thinking and was wondering even more why Rikuo let that happened.

"So, when are we starting?" Mezumaru then asked, seeming totally okay with that.

"Tomorrow," Rikuou and Rikuo said in unison.

"Wakana-mama will dress you up nicely," Rikuou was grinning mischievously and Gozumaru couldn't help feeling that the Sandaime had planned something very nasty to harass both he and Gozumaru.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

The next morning….

"Noooooo!" heard was the wail of a certain boy from inside the preparation room.

Rikuou was trying his best not to fall in the fit of laughter as he watched the event unfold in front of him.

"Don't move too much, Mezu-kun. It's hard to tie the ribbon on your hair," Wakana said with a smile as she clipped a nice looking red ribbon to the two ponytails of his hair.

"B-bu-buuut! Even though I occasionally wear woman's clothes for undercover work, I'm still a boy! This is embarrassing~!" Mezumaru protested, but he couldn't just struggle because damn it, his hair was at stake!

"Isn't it okay? You're cute wearing sailor uniform," Sandaime snickered from the door direction while Gozumaru was knocking (or banging?) at the door from the outside hard, repeatedly.

"Wait a second, Rikuou! You bastard, what are you doing to Mezumaru, damn it!" and Gozumaru looked slightly panicked because he was still asleep when Mezumaru was abducted from their room this morning.

"What the hell is the racket going on there?" Rikuo also just came out from his room. Surprisingly, he was alone today since Sandaime Rikuo had taken interest in harassing the new members…, well, actually, not exactly the new members since they were already with Gyuuki, but for this Nura household, they were indeed new.

"Ah, Waka…, Sandaime and Wakana-sama are dressing Mezumaru up," Tsurara reported while giggling, totally amused by the humorous idea.

"Eh…? My mom is here?" Rikuo asked in surprise. Then he remembered that yesterday, Rikuou said something about Wakana coming to dress the boys up. "Ah… about that, huh?" he mumbled as he also went to the preparation room direction.

"Hey! Open this damn freaking door before I break it down!" Gozumaru was still yelling and banging the surprisingly sturdy sliding door because no matter how hard he banged, it didn't break.

"Gozumaru," Rikuo called and Gozumaru turned his worried, sweaty face at him. Rikuo's sweat dropped. "Don't panic like that. Rikuou won't do something harmful to Mezumaru," he said.

"I heard him screaming and crying the entire time since I arrived here!" Gozumaru protested.

"Well, he likes making people cry, trust me," Rikuo said, huffing slightly at the memory when he was the target of his pranks. "But I can assure you. He won't hurt Mezumaru," he smiled gently then and Gozumaru was amazed for a second seeing his smile before he snapped back to reality and look away.

"Not again…!" Gozumaru mumbled while blushing slightly.

"Hm? You said something?" Rikuo didn't really catch what was said.

"It's nothing," Gozumaru said sternly before the door was suddenly unlocked and opened.

Rikuou was out of the room still snickering. "Hey! Great timing! You're already here!" he said as he saw Rikuo and Gozumaru in front of the door.

"I'd been banging on the door for freaking ten minutes!" Gozumaru protested heatedly at the Sandaime.

"Really? I didn't hear it," Rikuou said, smirking, obviously lying about that.

"You…!" Gozumaru was very annoyed at this arrogant bully.

Rikuou didn't pay any more attention at his new attendant as he stared at Rikuo now. "Ah, and good morning, Riku," he softened his gaze at Rikuo and leaned closer to the older Nura to give him a loving peck on his cheek.

Gozumaru dropped his jaw as Rikuo didn't even dodge it and let Rikuou's lips touch the soft looking skin of his cheek, very near with the corner of his lips. W-what's with these two brothers!—his mind screamed in total shock and embarrassment for seeing the obvious PDA.

"Ah, don't do something as embarrassing as that in front of other people, Rikuou," Rikuo said, blushing slightly but with a cute pout adoring his expression.

"Riku… so cute…!" Rikuou said while hugging him lovingly.

"Eeei! That's enough!" Gozumaru said, pointing his forefinger at Rikuou. "What did you do to Mezumaru?" he demanded. If Rikuou could be that handsy with his own half brother, who knows what might he had done to Mezumaru.

"I didn't do anything to him, you know. He's perfectly fine over there," Rikuou pointed inside the room and both Rikuo and Gozumau followed the direction to find a teary eyed Mezumaru in a girl's sailor uniform with blue knee-length skirt completed by the red ribbons on the two pony tails, one on each side of his head.

"Uu…! I don't like thiiiis~!" Mezumaru was whining and whimpering with shivering body, all gestures telling the world that he was very-very uncomfortable with that clothes and appearance.

Gozumaru was floored and Rikuo blinked at that view in surprise.

"He's very cute, isn't he? Wakana-mama did a great job picking the outfit for him," Rikuou was sniggering amusedly and Wakana just giggled happily as well for being useful.

"Wh-what are you…! Don't you fucking know that he's a guy!" Gozumaru, who had come around from his initial shock, protested again.

"A guy this cute is better off wearing woman's clothes for the rest of his life," Rikuou cackled aloud at that.

"Wait, Rikuou. Even if it's you, that went too far," Rikuo scolded his brother with apologetic look to the new victim of his usual prank.

"Uwaaan! Rikuo-samaaaa!" Mezumaru then launched himself to Rikuo who understood how humiliating it was for cross-dressing. Rikuo had done the same thing after all (when he was dressed as a girl's dancer in Rikuou's coming of age ceremony), but no one knew about that except Rikuou, Kino and Zen.

"Eeeh? But he's cuter this way," Rikuou whined.

There was a brief pause from Rikuo before he smiled."Cuter than me?" he asked while gazing up adorably at Rikuou and he broke.

"Of course not! Riku is the cutest boy ever!" Rikuo shouted in full spirit while the others' sweats dropping from the back of their head.

"Then, you'll let Mezumaru go with the normal gakuran," Rikuo said again, "right?" his smile turned slightly scary in Gozumaru's thought, but Rikuou didn't seem to notice that.

"Okay, but we take pictures first!" Rikuou bargained and Rikuo thought that was good enough deal.

"Deal," Rikuo said.

"Eeeeh! Nooo! This is really embarrassing!" Mezumaru was still protesting and Gozumaru could only cover his forehead, feeling dizzy suddenly for all of this commotion when Mezumaru was dragged by the very amused and happy Sandaime to get his photo session.

"Your brother is crazy…," Gozumaru commented as they watched Mezumaru pose half-heartedly for Rikuou as he took the picture.

"Rikuou loves taking pictures," Rikuo said with a smile. "He always takes picture if we have a new member in the family. He has a big album with all the family members in it. And the photos he has taken personally are always amazingly good and breathtakingly beautiful. He captures the 'heart' on every picture he takes," he explained then, making Gozumaru look at his direction in wonder.

"Why are you telling me this?" Gozumaru asked suspiciously.

"He loves the subject of his picture, you see," Rikuo said with a gentle smile at Gozumaru."I want you to like him back… because he really likes you."

Gozumaru widened his eyes at the unexpected answer. Rikuo then pointed to Mezumaru whose smile was gradually turning from half-hearted into a full blown sincerely happy smile in front of the camera.

"See… he has taken 'the heart' of this picture s well," Rikuo said with a cheery smile. "Won't you want your photograph taken too, Gozumaru?" he convinced.

"W-well…, I guess…," Gozumaru looked at another way. "I think there's no harm in getting my picture taken by him…," he said slowly.

"Great!" Rikuo said in a smile. "Rikuou, take Gozu's picture too!" he said to the Third who had just closed up the session with Mezumaru.

"Of course. Come here, Gozumaru!" Rikuou waved at him to come to him and Gozumaru couldn't help huffing at his bossy attitude.

"I'm not going to smile for you!" Gozumaru warned.

"Right… that's a challenge?" Rikuou smirked with his camera in hand.

"Bring it on!" Gozumeru shouted, like this was a duel and not a photo session.

Mezumaru was walking to Rikuo's direction in a slightly dazed look. "What just happened?" he asked while holding his own cheek, tilting his head aside in confusion.

"You got charmed," Rikuo chuckled. "Now, you can change into normal gakuran if you want to," he continued, tapping Mezumaru's shoulder lightly.

"Do you really think I'm cute with this kind of outfit?" Mezumaru couldn't help asking because in every undercover role, he always got a duty to distract the enemy with his girly look and girl's clothes. He was afraid he would start to think it was normal for him to wear woman's outfits.

"Hmm… personally, I think Mezumaru is cool for staying cute with woman's clothes," Rikuo grinned good-naturedly and Mezumaru's heart skipped a beat.

It was the first time someone calling him 'cool' rather than 'cute'. He was flattered. "T-thank you," he said, blushing slightly.

Rikuo grinned wider before he turned to look at the photo session again. "Ah, look," he then pointed at the defeated smile Gozumaru wore on his face as Rikuo took a picture of him.

"Whoah, He's smiling! He's totally smiling! I never saw him smiling so naturally like that!" Mezumaru was totally surprised at the unexpected development.

"See? Sandaime Rikuou is totally loveable. You'll be great staying in this house together with him and the others," Rikuo said with a satisfied content smile radiating from his face.

Now, the young boss of Gyuuki Gumi and his head assistant were officially hooked by the Nura Brothers as well…

End of Chapter 10

Tbc…

A/N: Hey, everyone! Yeah, you probably notice that this chapter is more into fluff and character's development. I need to maintain the humor part and lately, it's been too serious, almost bordering to angst direction so I put something light and heart-warming with a lot of funny scene in it. Not really a progress for the plot, but at least, I bring Ittaku out! XDDD I love that Toono youkai… especially when Rikuou said that 'he wants him' XDDD. And if you notice, I gave you hints or Ittaku/Awashima. Anyway, what do you think? Lately, the reviews have gotten decreased for some reasons… is it getting boring? *anxious* Aah, I'm such a worry wart if it comes to less and less reviews. I'll do my best to work harder writing and completing this story, so please… critique or comment or anything at all is fine. Just tell me what I lack in making this… so I can fix it -_-;

Oh, and five days to go before the polling for new stories are closed! Whoever hasn't voted, hurry and vote please! Nura's Golden Days or Kill the Curse!