Disclaimer: Nuramago belongs to Shiibashi-sensei (though I wish I owned Rikuo and Yoru, and Rihan everyday *sighs*)
Warning: AU, blood, violence, hints of shounen ai-ncest, language, oOC-ness
Beta: mittens_220 (LJ) (I trust her with the fixing, so if there are still errors here, it's mine)
A/N: Sorry for making you wait really long for this update. I've been very busy these past days I actually stole some little free times each day to write until this chapter was done. As you can see, I got a beta too and she's great for willing to beta this, considering her own busy schedule and the amount of words in this chapter*sweats*. Anyway, it's me that took long to type this chapter done and my beta is actually very fast since she sent it back the same day I sent the file to her.
Now, I'll stop my blab and let you read…
Chapter 14: All is for Your Love
In Nura Gumi main house after Sandaime moved his men to attack Inugamigyoubu Tanuki HQ…
Nurarihyon was walking leisurely on the corridor in the quiet house when he heard the phone ring. He turned to source of the sound and figured he should pick it up since everyone was on their way to battle. Even Kejorou tagged along.
"Jeez, that hotheaded brat…. Doesn't he have any consideration to leave some guards in the main house? Most of the generals are here. What if this house is attacked when they are marching in town? He's so reckless as always…." The old man mumbled while sighing long as he picked up the phone.
Well, all Nura Gumi Alliance Generals are stronger than everyone in this house combined, though….
"Hello, Nura's residence here."
"…Nurarihyon?"
Nurarihyon raised his eyebrows hearing the low voice from the phone handle. "You… Danuki?" he couldn't help asking. "Why are you calling?"
"It's about my idiotic son…."
"He's picking a fight with my grandson. I can't do anything to stop the young bloods to do what they want," Nurarihyon said with a defeated sigh. "Let them handle it by themselves. Our era is already over," he said.
"I don't have any intention to stop them. It's Tamazusa… no, it's Tamazuki's wish. But I just want to ask for a tiny bit favor from you since his motive is still questionable…"
"Questionable?" Nurarihyon tilted his head aside, wondering. "Isn't that because he wants to conquer Central Island?"
"…Ah, probably, but I'm just suspecting something about Tamazuki's motive since when he left home, he was kind of acting weird. I want to confirm it before everything's too late…."
Nurarihyon was silent for a moment as he noticed the hint of concern and worry in Danuki's tone. He then decided to comply. "Sure, why not? What do you want me to do, my friend?"
"Then… first please pick me up at the station."
"Eh?" Nurarihyon's sweat dropped at that.
0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0
Tsurara, Rikuo and Yura were walking carefully on the corridor to the way out that both girls had known from Muchi.
"But… I'm impressed that you two could actually get away by yourself…." Rikuo couldn't help saying with his eyes still closed due to the very painful irritation caused by the pepper spray attack from Yosume.
"Oikawa-san is surprisingly strong… well, she used her unexpected weapon, though," Yura said with a bead of sweat prickling out her cheek.
"Eh?" Rikuo's expression was not far from Yura's as he heard that. "You… Tsurara, don't tell me you used that?" he asked with a disbelieving tone.
"It… it couldn't be helped. It was a crisis after all," Tsurara turned her face away with a slightly blushing face.
"Ah… but using something as dangerous as that with bare skin…! What if it got to your hand?" Rikuo looked and sounded very concerned.
"Jeez, Waka, you're such a worry wart. Even if I'm like this, I'm your bodyguard, you know. If I don't use my ability when it's needed, there's no point in practicing it every day, right?" Tsurara pouted slightly now.
"But still… Tsurara is a girl. You shouldn't fight at all," Rikuo still protested. Then he turned to Yura's direction which was slightly behind him and said, "Yura-san too, okay?" he smiled ruefully now.
"Saying something like that in this kind of situation is a bit overrated, don't ya think?" Yura asked back, deadpanned.
"Eeh?" Rikuo's sweat dropped again.
"That's right, Waka. We have to fight with all of our might to get out of this place. It's not the time to argue about whether it's okay or not for a girl to fight," Tsurara said, her hold on Rikuo's hand tightening a little bit.
"Tsurara…." Rikuo mumbled slightly with unreadable expression.
"But… I didn't expect Oikawa-san to use liquid Nitrogen as her weapon," Yura said with her forefinger on her chin. "It's questionable if it's legal or not to be walking around while hiding such dangerous substance under the sleeves," she continued, jolting both Rikuo and Tsurara.
"I have the permit to carry this," Tsurara said while turning at Yura, her face slightly pale.
"Really?" Yura looked suspicious.
"It's true! You can ask the Chemistry teacher in my school. I'm allowed to bring it around," Tsurara said with certainty. Though, she didn't mention that she was allowed to bring the thing around as long as she was on the school ground, but Yura didn't need to know the detail.
"Well, that aside, I'm impressed with yer idea of putting it in the small tube and used the small amount of it to freeze the rope so it would be breakable," Yura said before she remembered what Tsurara had done to get them away from Muchi earlier. "And ya subdued Muchi's movement by freezing his hands too…," she added, wondering if it was okay to use it like that.
"He? You used it on human?" Rikuo dropped his jaw in shock while facing Tsurara in front of him.
"I didn't have a choice! Anyway, it's just his hands! He'll live," Tsurra said, flushing and sweat dropping as well.
"Well, whatever. It was self defense, so I guess it's justified," Yura shrugged. "The most ridiculous part was when we ran away from the big guy," she said.
"W-what happened now?" Rikuo was really intrigued. He faced behind him now. Even though he couldn't see anything, it was still polite to face the person you were talking to after all.
"That guy fell asleep on its own accord," Tsurara beat Yura telling Rikuo the story.
There was a brief silence before "Eh?" Rikuo broke it with bewilderment.
"That's right. It's kinda anticlimactic. That guy… the ex-pro wrestler, Arai, fell asleep when he was guarding our room. Well, it was a lucky chance for us though. I doubted we would be able to get away if he was awake. That guy is an idiot, but his strength isn't just for show… he knocked Kurata-san with just one blow after all," Yura said, a little bit worried that they had that kind of threat behind them.
"Kurata… Is Kurata okay?" Rikuo was worried about his other bodyguard now. He had never been concerned over Kurata because he was very strong, but hearing that he had been defeated only with one blow was… very shocking and worrying.
"We don't know. We passed out because they drugged us with something," Tsurara said with a deep frown. "That Yosume girl will pay for that," she gritted her teeth again in anger as she remembered about the little deceiver.
"Tsurara… your killing intent is too strong," Rikuo couldn't help commenting at that as he felt the killing aura from in front of him, his face paling slightly.
"Ah? I-I'm sor—hmp!"
"Shh!" Yura cut Tsurara's line by pressing her palm on her mouth as she pulled both Tsurara and Rikuo to the corner of the wall, peeking behind it.
"W-what's wrong?" Rikuo whispered anxiously.
"What… is that…?" Yura widened her eyes in shock, sweat pricking out of her entire paling face.
"Oh my god…! Is it for real?" Tsurara also whispered in disbelief.
"What?" Rikuo was getting frustrated because he was the only one who couldn't see.
"There are… a lot of people inside that room," Yura exhaled in a slight panicky. "Even outside the exit… we won't be able to get out of here without facing them first!"
"We should tell Sandaime… Waka! There are too many people! The number inside the room alone has beaten the entire residences of Nura's Main House!" Tsurara whispered in urgency at that.
Rikuo smiled as he heard that. "It's okay," he said calmly, earning questioning looks from Tsurara and Yura. "Rikuou already knows the situation. He will prepare everything to get us out of here."
"Waka…!" Tsurara looked extremely relieved as she heard it, but Yura was silent.
Rikuo noticed the silence and turned to Yura's direction. "Yura-san…?"
"To be saved by yakuza… as a part of Keikain Family, I feel ashamed," Yura said, her expression looking troubled.
"This is not the time to talk like that, Yura-chan!" Tsurara said in annoyance.
"I know that. Dying in a place like this will be more shameful after all. I'll owe the yakuza for this once only, accept the help and suck up my pride," Yura said reluctantly at that.
"Thank you for your consideration, Yura-san," Rikuo said with a relieved sigh.
"Now, we just have to focus on how not to get caught again until the help come, right?" Tsurara said surely with clenched fists in front of her chest.
"Yeah," Rikuo said in confidence and Yura nodded seriously.
Now the game begins!
0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0
In the middle of the town, a large number of people wearing matching jackets were marching down the street. The people around who weren't part of the group turned pale as they saw who these people were. The Nura's emblem on their backs revealed their identity to be part of the infamous Yakuza Family in Ukiyoe and in the entire Tokaido Region.
People began to whisper around to each other. What was going on? Why were many members of Nura Gumi marching down the street in the middle of the town? The sun already set, but they could see the fire of fighting spirit from these people.
They were going to have a brawl or something?
No, not brawl idiots! They were going to have a duel with another Yakuza Family!
The wondering whispers turned into arguments, but frankly, Nura Gumi didn't care about the rumors flying around them right then. Moreover, their commander, their big boss, the Sandaime of Nura Gumi Alliances, Nura Rikuou, was leading their way to the battleground.
It was so rare to have their boss lead them in person. Rikuou preferred moving alone, sometimes with a small group to take care of things. That was why; seeing him leading that many people so blatantly and openly like that outside the comfort of Nura Gumi fortress was totally a sight to behold.
Rikuou's top silvery hair almost sparkled, reflecting the light from the town lamps. His steps were precise and sure, not too rushed, but not leisured as well. His face was cool and serious, an expression that showed readiness and conviction to do something dangerous.
Many people couldn't help staring at the Sandaime of Nura Gumi's ethereal feature. He looked so… beautiful and yet deadly at the same time.
Ryuuji dropped the stick from his mouth as he saw the large group of guys passing just across the street. He widened his eyes in disbelief as he saw the emblem on their jackets as well and was shocked even more as he saw the silver haired man with glaring crimson eyes leading the group in the frontline.
A Silver Haired Demon… the rumored current Sandaime of Nura Gumi…! Wasn't that supposed to be the glasses wearer cute boy with dark chocolate hair?
"I can't believe this…," Ryuuji snapped back to reality after the initial shock that rendered him speechless. "Nura Gumi is moving so indiscreetly as if they owned the entire town… What are the Chubu Polices doing letting something like this happen under their nose?"
Ryuuji then took out his cell-phone and dialed a certain number. He waited for awhile until the person on the other line picked up the phone. "Ah, Mamiru? You'd better come here quickly. We're going to 'witness' a 'war' and take some 'evidences' of 'assaults and public violence' to bring down our number one enemy family." He smirked now.
0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0
Tamazuki was annoyed. Inukami wouldn't let him be alone just after the misunderstanding. Of course he knew it was a misunderstanding. Inukami wasn't interested in anyone else but him after all. However, seeing his subordinate leaning so closely onto another person indeed bothered Tamazuki a little.
"Tamazuki~, let me question that guy some more. I can give you information you need," Inukami said while leaning closely to Tamazuki's face from where he stood and where Tamazuki sat in his chair.
"You just want to talk to Rikuo-kun again, do you?" Tamazuki asked, deadpanned. Actually he didn't want to sound jealous, but he couldn't help the sarcasm appearing in his voice.
Inukami blinked several times before he chuckled. "Jealous?"
Tamazuki refused to answer that. He really wanted to throw his sharpened pencil at Inukami's forehead for being too cheeky, but he still needed Inukami's power to attack Nura Gumi head on, so he refrained himself from hurting the boy more after what happened today.
"Anyway, Kakibari is late! What's she doing in the computer room anyway? I need the report from Moki-jii and Inuhou!" Tamazuki huffed in his chair, annoyed.
"Ah, then I'll get her for you, Tamazuki," Inukami said before he skipped out of the room with happy face. It seemed knowing that Tamazuki was jealous put him in such a wonderful mood.
Tamazuki flushed a little bit thinking about that. He wasn't jealous. Why would he? Inukami was just one of his tools to conquer the Central Island after all. Tamazuki fiddled with the hem of his long sleeve in silence. He also thought about his relationship with Inukami.
Tamazuki was pretty sure he had used his words and played his feelings to bind Inukami to him, but after three years they were 'together' Tamazuki felt something strange between them. It wasn't something Tamazuki needed for his plan in conquering Central Japan. It wasn't exactly affection either. He didn't know what it was. Maybe it was a sense of belonging, since Inukami never questioned his motive whatever he did or whatever he said or ordered the boy to do for him.
Inukami put his complete trust in Tamazuki. Honestly, Tamazuki would be lying if he didn't think it was nice. It was… very heartening to have someone who actually cared about him, who actually listened to his dream and responded to it with support and enthusiasm… unlike his own family… who never even regarded that he existed.
Tamazuki smirked. "You'll see… that I can even surpass you," he mumbled while leaning on the backrest of his chair.
However, before Tamazuki could shift to a more comfortable position, the door of his working (study) room was barged open once again by a very flustered Inukami. "Bad news, Tamazuki!"
"What is it?" Tamazuki glared at Inukami, annoyed. He didn't want to admit that he had just joggled in surprise at the sudden rough entrance.
"Yosume said the old hag passed out and Rikuo had escaped from his room!" Inukami shouted in urgency.
"What?" Tamazuki stood, totally shocked that his face paled slightly.
"Moreover, it seemed our system was hacked from the outside! That bastard Rikuo had done something in computer room! All the data in our database is gone because the self-defense mechanism was triggered!" Inukami continued, face also pale and the worry lines visible.
"That little…! He deceived us…!" Tamazuki was enraged. "How the hell he got away from his room anyway?" he slammed the table hard, feeling slightly emotional. It was the first time he felt this angry. He couldn't believe he almost believed that sly little asshole!
"Kangikou passed out in Rikuo's room, bound by the cuffs I left to bind Rikuo earlier. He somehow had lured the man inside his room and stole his keys apparently, because Kangikou's keysets are missing," Inukami reported.
"Where is Yosume then?" Tamazuki asked seriously.
"She said she would look for Rikuo in the base. She damaged his eyes with pepper spray, so he wouldn't run away too far," Inukami said.
Good. This was not the time to think about something unimportant like his strange feelings towards Inukami. Tamazuki had more urgent problem now since Rikuo had somehow managed to run loose in his base and create damage in his computer system as well. Being hacked? Then there was a high chance that Rikuo had contacted someone from the outside?
Police? No. It would get complicated if he involved police here. He was smart, Rikuo wouldn't do that. Then… he called back up from Nura Gumi.
"Then bring the girls here. Rikuo won't do anything as long as we still have the girls…." Tamazuki widened his eyes as he saw Arai pass his room in hurry. "ARAI!" he shouted at the big man and the guy froze in front of his study.
"Ta-… Tamazuki-sama…." Arai looked pale as he turned Tamazuki's way.
"Why the hell are you here? Aren't you supposed to guard the room where the girls are held?" Tamazuki demanded angrily.
"Um… about that…." The big man scratched his muscular neck sheepishly as he explained what happened.
Tamazuki was speechless as he heard the absurd report. "So in short… you FELL ASLEEP when you were SUPPOSED TO GUARD our HOSTAGES and when you woke up they already RAN AWAY?"
Calling Tamazuki angry was understatement. He was furious that his subordinate was such an "IDIOT!" So, he screamed in full blown rage at that. Inukami and Arai cringed as their poor eardrums were assaulted so suddenly by Tamazuki's loud screech. "Find them! I don't care what you do! Just FIND THEM and BRING THEM BACK to ME!" the boss of Inugamigyoubu Tanuki Gumi even jabbed at the door to emphasize his point so they would get the hell out of his room and start to work again.
"At once!" both Inukami and Arai shouted in unison as they scrammed away from the room with frightened faces.
"Useless idiots!" Tamazuki huffed while gritting his teeth. How was he friend with such idiots again?
Tamazuki sat again on his chair, trying to calm his temper. He was supposed to be cooler than this. He couldn't let the anger get to him. He had to think something fast. His hostages were gone. So was his database. Moki-jii and Inuhou hadn't come back from their job, so there was a chance that they were defeated as well. His carefully planned movement seemed already found out since his information system was hacked. He presumed it was Nura Gumi doing.
But…, Tamazuki had inflicted much damage to Nura Gumi economic balance. Even though they still had Yakushi Group, most of their income sources were gone. They would be in economic crisis after everything was over.
Tamazuki just had to hold on for a week or so, but seeing the situation, he was sure that his base had already been found out. There surely would be an attack from Nura Gumi after this.
Tamazuki sighed. "Even though I don't really want to use violence to face Nura Gumi…. It seems I have no choice then. It's time for them to go on stage, huh? My father's followers… who have bought my words to come and be part of my forces," he grinned slightly in sly expression when he thought about it.
Well, to tell that they were his father followers were understatement. After all, Tamazuki had 'bought' their loyalty. He had Koromo Gitsu to thank about it. Without her financial support, Tamazuki wouldn't have enough to buy them after all.
"Maybe sending her Rikuou's head will be a pleasant gift," he chuckled. Well, before he himself devoured her group, though….
0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0
"Sandaime-sama!" Kuromaru ran towards Rikuou.
"Oh, Kuromaru. How is it?" Rikuou asked after he and his group stopped just in front of a certain big building.
"There are three backdoors. We can send some people in since the doors aren't heavily guarded," Kuromaru reported.
"Good," Rikuou nodded surely before he turned to his subordinates. "Now, all of you awesome bastards, hear me out! I'm going to divide you into three parties. First troop, the rescue party! Since you need to be discreet and cautious, I'll assign Kubinashi and Kurotabo as the team leaders," he turned to the blond-black haired man and the long-black haired one who jerked in surprise at the sudden selection. "Listen, Kubinashi, Kurotabo, you're more talented in this area than I am. I'm going to trust you with Riku's… and the other hostages' lives. Got it?"
"Yes! Rikuou-sama! It's such an honor for us!" Kubinashi and Kurotabo almost cried in happiness that Rikuou would give them this very important and big job. They immediately discussed their strategy and decided to part their troop into two more to handle each backdoor, from the right and left side.
"Okay, second troop! Your job will be very dangerous, so if you're not confident enough to do this job, raise your hand and stay outside," Rikuou looked around, but everyone was ready to do anything for him at this point. So, no one backed off. "The second troop will be decoys, meaning you're going to attack straightly from the front entrance door. Your position will definitely be an easy target for shooting or knife-throwing. I don't blame you if you want to back off," he continued once again, making sure that they wanted to do this.
"Don't be such a worry-wart, Sandaime! We're ready to die to save Waka and Tsurara-chan!" one of the guys said and everyone hurriedly followed in spirited shout of agreement.
Rikuou smirked at the response. "Then, I'll leave the opening attack to you guys," he said surely before turning to Aotabo who still looked pissed off after he regained his consciousness and realized what happened in the clinic. "Ao, I know you feel responsible of what happened to Tsurara and Riku's friend, so I'll leave the second troop in your care," he said.
"Surely, Sandaime. I'll open the way for you and then will find the fucking fatty that dared attack me so suddenly. This time I'll crush his bones to pieces!" Kurata growled in bloodlust and in murderous expression.
Rikuo smirked again as he saw the spirit. "Now, the last troop; you'll follow me and we will find Tamazuki and crush him," Rikuou punched his palm while widening his smirk to the point of evil.
"Ooouh!" everyone shouted and yelled and screamed in approval, totally supporting the idea as the first troop moved to the backdoors.
Second troops followed the first troop by attacking the front entrance, and the uproar exploded literally as from inside the building as many people wearing 'Bad Tanuki' jackets appeared like they had known Nura Gumi would come and were ready to greet their attack with 'attack' too.
"As expected from Tamazuki's brain," a bead of sweat rolled down Rikuou's cheek as he felt challenged for real and he was excited, couldn't wait to crunching Tamazuki's skull after this. "Don't be afraid! Attack! And don't die!" he said the last line most loudly and everyone's spirit seemed burning more to fight harder.
This was a battle-fight. Rikuou wouldn't give up. "Wait just for awhile longer, Riku…! We'll definitely save you!"
0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0
Rikuo snapped up as he heard the roar of hundreds people from the room in front of him."What happened? Did they find us?" he panicked at that thought.
"No, that…!" Tsurara's eyes sparkled, brightening tenfold as she saw Kurata charging his way in forcefully and as usual, with his brute strength. "Nura Gumi is here, Waka!" she said enthusiastically.
"Really?" Rikuo's face also brightened as he heard that. Yura wasn't exactly excited, but she could be relieved because finally… there was a way for them to get the hell out of that place.
"Let's find a way to sneak out in the middle of this chaos," Yura said evenly as she stared at the disaster of many people punching, kicking, batting, and even gunning each other. It was totally savage and barbaric, but she could care less about that right then.
#
Inukami looked outside the window as he also heard the uproar. "Che, they're already here?" he clicked his tongue before he started running again. "It's not the time to run around in the base looking for the stupid hostages. I will protect Tamazuki!" he ran even faster back to Tamazuki's place.
"Oi, Arai!" Inukami shouted at the big guy behind him. "You go down to the main entrance! There seems to be a strong guy there that will break our defense if you're not there," Inukami said.
"Eh, what about the hostages?" Arai asked then, a little confused.
"Don't think about hostages now. The war already broke out!" Inukami shouted without looking back at Arai, still running to Tamazuki's office direction.
Arai was silent for a moment before shrugging it off and started to run to the entrance direction and when he was about to reach the front hall, he saw the hostages looming over the wall at the corner.
"Ah, I found the hostages," Arai's low bass voice boomed on the corridor that shocked Rikuo, Tsurara and Yura who turned to his direction with horror on their expressions.
"Oh, no!" Tsurara shouted, panicked.
"Damn it!" Yura also yelled as they were forced to come out to the battlefield to run away from the big monster that now chased after them.
"Aaah!" Rikuo was pulled by the girls erratically. He couldn't see anything, just running blindingly into the crowd of fighting people.
"I saw Waka and Tsurara!"
One of the guys form Nura Gumi, Rikuo noticed the voice as Kara's, the youngest member of Nura Gumi, shouted from somewhere up, alerting the rescuing party who had gathered on the second floor.
"Rikuo-sama!" Kubinashi and Kurotabo shouted, calling him from where they stood. "Tsurara!"
"Kubinashi, Kurotabo! Kara (1)!" Tsurara shouted back from her spot, still dodging the crowd of fighting guys while trying to lead Rikuo. Yura was following them while shoving and slapping away the stray punches and kicks that went to her and Rikuo's ways.
"Riku!"
Rikuo perked up as he heard the baritone voice of his beloved one. Rikuou was there. He came for him… to save Rikuo from this place.
"Riku! Hold on! I'll be there soon!"
Rikuo couldn't see where Rikuou was, but he could always tell Rikuou his current position. Even though he was in total darkness now because his eyes were damaged, he could call out to Rikuou and lead his half brother to where he was now. He knew he could depend on Rikuou for this. He believed that Rikuou would come to him no matter how far they were from each other right now.
"Riku! Damn it! Get the hell away from my path, you Shikoku bastards!"
Rikuo couldn't hold it any longer as he heard how distressed Rikuou's tone and voice was. He seemed trying to open the path to Rikuo's way. Even though Yura and Tsurara were still there and it would be embarrassing afterward, Rikuo didn't exactly care.
"I'M HERE, RIKUOU!" Rikuo shouted loudly, alerting Rikuou of his position.
Now, upon seeing the desperate look on Rikuo's face, Rikuou hurriedly ran to his direction. "RIKU!" he called back while beating the shit out of people who tried to subdue him. "MOVE AWAY!" he shouted at them while giving his strongest blow with his sheathed sword.
It was like seeing a cartoon where the mass of humans were being blown away by Rikuou's power alone. Friends and foes widened their eyes in dumbfounded looks at the display of brutality, their sweats even dropping.
Upon finally reaching Rikuo's place, Sandaime then smacked away the last opponent that was trying to lunge at him before he surged forward and enveloped Rikuo's body in a passionate embrace. Just like getting back home, Rikuou felt the surge of feeling, right, warm, and comfortable feeling that finally… finally he could feel his beloved Riku within his arms again.
"Riku…." Rikuou was panting and breathing heavily near Rikuo's ear and neck while holding Rikuo's body so close to him. "Thank god…! Thank god you're okay…!" he whispered, closing his eyes and tightening his hug, inhaling the comforting and alluring scent of his brother whose clothes were slightly tattered, but he was still very nice to hug and to feel, alright.
"Rikuou…!" Rikuo couldn't help hugging Rikuou back with a relieved sigh, feeling the safe warm arms around his body as well. "Thank you… for finding me," he said slowly with poignant look. He felt like crying, but it must have been because of the sting of irritation in his eyes and not because of something stupid emotion like in shoujo manga (yeah, right).
Their tender emotional moment wasn't last for long though, since they were in the middle of the battlefield.
"Sandaime, watch out!" Tsurara shouted in alert while sprinkling some liquid Nitrogen to a guy who almost got a blow to Rikuou's head when he was busy hugging his beloved half brother and lover.
"Oh!" Rikuou turned to look at Tsurara without releasing Rikuo from his arms. "Thank you, Tsurara! You're a wonderful bodyguard!" he said with a wide grin.
Tsurara flushed at that and stuttered as she kicked out the guy who screamed in pain in front of her because of the sprinkle. "No, it-it's just normal," she said while fiddling with her forefingers.
"Ye'r like a different person, Oikawa-san," Yura said, sweats dropping, and Tsurara flushed even redder. "Anyway, it's not the time to be lovey-dovey!" She then turned to Rikuou and glared at him heatedly. "Ye'r the current head of Nura Gumi Alliances, right, Nura Rikuou? I don't know what yer relationship is with Rikuo-kun, and it's killing me to say this, but I owe ya one for coming here to our rescue, so I'll cooperate with ya this one time to end this stupid brawl," she said with a serious look.
Rikuou was silent for a moment before he turned to Rikuo who was still in his embrace. "Who is she?" he asked, wondering.
"It's Keikain Yura," Rikuo tilted his head up slightly and whispered to answer, feeling a little flustered and nervous even though he couldn't really see. He got the idea that their position looked very embarrassing right then from Yura's reaction and words.
Rikuou widened his eyes as he heard that. "Hey, hey… isn't this going to become a trouble later?" he commented, sweat dropping.
"Anyway! We should really move right now and fight our way out of here!" Tsurara said as she sprinkled another enemy with her weapon.
"Don't say something stupid. We're already here with full force, right? I'll bring Tamazuki down to his knees before I'm out of here," Rikuou smirked evilly in full spirit at that.
"But Rikuo-kun got eyes' trauma from irritating substance! If he isn't brought to ER right away, he may lose his sight you know!" Yura shouted in annoyance.
"What?" Rikuou widened his eyes as he heard that. "Riku…!" he then cupped Rikuo's cheek to look at his face closely. Indeed the sides of the eyes were very red, the skin clearly irritated. "Who did this…?" the rage started to bubble from inside him.
His beloved Riku was tortured like this when he was held? How dare they…!
"Unforgivable…!" Rikuou's pupil constricted in the middle of his crimson irises, glinting dangerously and furiously in total anger. "Tsurara… you and Keikain should get out of this place and bring Rikuo with you. Go to the hospital. Now I don't really want to beat Tamazuki to half dead. I'll kill him all the way…! TAMAZUKIIIIII!" he then roared Tamazuki's name, totally enraged while releasing Rikuo and starting to walk deeper into the crowd. Both Yura and Tsurara were shocked seeing the murderous look on Rikuou's eyes and the losing control of his violence level.
"Wait…, Rikuou!" Rikuo tried to stop his brother because he heard the gravity and seriousness in his voice and tone. Rikuou would kill Tamazuki for real.
"Waka! We have to get out of here!" Tsurara grabbed his wrist, not letting him follow the Sandaime.
"But—!" Rikuo wanted to protest, but he remembered that Yura was there and she mumbled something dangerous.
"What's with him…? Why is he so… angry for yer sake, Rikuo-kun?" Yura asked in confusion.
Rikuo honestly didn't know how to answer that. He couldn't just admit that Rikuou was his brother and lover after all. Yura still didn't know that and she wouldn't know that. Rikuo would make sure of it. He already revealed too much to her. She couldn't know further.
"Let's go! Let Sandaime handle this, Waka!" Tsurara pulled him to the other direction from where Rikuou had gone earlier. "Yura-chan too, come on!" she turned to Yura and urged her to follow her and Rikuo to get away from that battleground.
"O-okay!" Yura responded in a startle. She was still so very curious about Rikuou and Rikuo's relationship though. They acted like a couple just now after all. But Rikuo was supposed to be in relationship with Gozumaru, right?
Impossible… Rikuo was two-timing them? Anyway, wasn't it really absurd to think that Rikuo and Rikuou were 'an item'? Rikuou was a Yakuza boss and Rikuo was a civilian, after all. But…was it possible that Rikuo was that kind of guy?
Yura tried to imagine Rikuo with woman-(man)-izerpersonality, but the image didn't suit Rikuo's cute face at all. Yura felt awful at that.
"What are you thinking, Yura-chan? Your face looks so strange right now," Tsurara asked with a slight pale face because Yura's eyes were narrowed and she looked so serious and curious at the same time. She really hoped that she wasn't thinking too deeply about Nura Gumi matters or the way to bring it down after this.
Yura didn't really respond to Tsurara's words, but more to her own assumption as she glared at Rikuo as well. She tapped Rikuo's shoulder and said "Trying to get on two boats at once will only get ya to fall into the water, Rikuo-kun," with totally serious look.
Rikuo turned to her with question marks all over his face. "What are you talking about?" he was totally confused.
"It's going to bite ya in the ass someday, so stop it before it's too late," Yura moved her face closer to him, but since Rikuo's eyes were closed, and they were running right now, it didn't really affect him that much.
"I'm not sure what it is about, but I'll take it into consideration," Rikuo chose to agree with her for avoiding argument.
They seemed to be getting out smoothly from the crowd of fighting men and some women, but when they were quite away from the battleground, they had to stop because two men unexpectedly appeared before them.
"Ah!" Yura widened her eyes in shock as she saw who they were.
0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0
"Tamazukiiiiiiii!" Rikuou went up to the second floor with some men from Inugamigyoubu Tanuki Gumi hot on his heels. Well, they tried to stop him though, but of course they weren't his equal opponents.
"Wait a sec!" Someone appeared in front of Rikuou and Sandaime was forced to stop and step back as a boy with brown-red hair and reddish amber eyes appeared so suddenly from the next turning point of the corridor, getting in his way.
"Move," Rikuou ordered, glaring down at the shorter boy in the same uniform as his Riku.
"If you want to hurt Tamazuki, you will have to do it over my dead body!" Inukami glared back at Rikuou with fiery eyes. "I won't let you lay a finger on my precious-precious Tamazuki!" he shouted while preparing his stance to fight.
"Tamazuki's dog, huh? Who is it again…? Ah, yeah… Inukami Shiba, the Mad Dog from Shikoku. Now you're just Tamazuki's pet. I'm not afraid of you!" Rikuou struck the first sharp attack with his sheathed sword and Inukami defended himself bare-handedly, surprising Rikuou a bit. He quickly jumped behind again as he drew his sheathed sword at Inukami. "Not bad. It seems I have to get serious with you, Mad Dog!"
"Bring it on!" Now Inukami showed off his implanted fangs, added by his claws which were made from iron and set as gloves for both of Inukami's hands as weapons.
"Really, you're just like dog now, Mad Dog," Rikuou smirked mockingly as he started with another attack and now Inukami countered the attack with his weapons as well.
Inukami attempted to bite Rikuou after gripping the edge of Rikuo's sword, but Rikuo pulled the blade out of its sheath and attacked again with the hilt of his sword. It connected to Inukami's nose and produced a satisfying crunching sound from it. Rikuou had broken Inukami's nose.
Inukami pulled back and groaned, nursing his bleeding broken nose. "Damn you…!" his voice became stuffy and his next attack was so predictable that Rikuou easily deflected it.
Rikuou noticed some new bruises on Inukami's face and his slightly stiff movement as well. They weren't Rikuou's doing, so Inukami must have fought someone else and took a lot of damages before he fought Rikuou.
Rikuou huffed. He wasn't fond off unfair battle, but this was 'war' between yakuza families and his intention was to 'destroy' Tamazuki and his new formed family that was cheeky enough to mess with Nura Gumi. He wouldn't let anyone get in his way.
"You're in the way. Get lost!" Rikuou didn't hesitate as he attacked Inukami again, but for some unfathomable reasons, Inukami still could move so well even in his condition that it didn't land Rikuou any blow to Inukami's already injured body.
"Never. Not even until the hell freezes over." Inukami spat out blood to the floor, while throwing a sadistic glare at Rikuou's direction, "I'll protect Tamazuki until the end of time…. I'll never leave him alone. Ever."
Rikuou was slightly intimidated by the total conviction in Inukami's eyes, tone and voice. This guy was serious, totally-absolutely serious. It was beyond loyalty. The Mad Dog was totally head over heels for Tamazuki and he was obstinate to hold onto that feeling. In fact, the feeling was so strong that Sandaime started to compare this guy to himself who would do everything and anything for his beloved Riku.
"You've become most troublesome opponent here, bastard," Rikuou cursed and attacked again with his kendo technique. "But our beloved ones are too different. I'm not going to lose for someone like you who can fall for a sly asshole like Tamazuki!"
"What are you saying?" Inukami threw a mocking glare at Rikuou."Your beloved Rikuo isn't exactly an angel too, you know. I bet you never knew his intention in getting close to someone like you, huh?" he snickered at that and Rikuou was slightly taken aback at the mention of that.
"What are you talking about?" Rikuou asked with heated glare.
Inukami's smirk widened at that. "I won't tell you. Why don't you ask him yourself? Why do you think he could escape from his captive here? Why do you think we knew where to abduct the girls in the first place? Why was Rikuo willing to come with us? Do the math, Rikuou. It's easy to answer, right?"
Rikuou widened his eyes at that. He had never thought about… no, even the idea never crossed his mind. Indeed if Rikuo was planning all of this together with Tamazuki and his friends, the missing link of how Shikoku yakuza was so familiar with Nura Gumi could be answered easily. However, imagining Rikuo would betray him and his family like that….
Impossible.
It was just impossible. What was this guy trying to do? He wanted to shake Rikuou's trust in Rikuo? He wanted to poison his mind with doubt and paranoia enough to distract him? Did he really think it would work for Rikuou?
"Are you an idiot? Riku will never betray me," Rikuou said surely. His trust wouldn't be so easy to break. Not for Riku. He wouldn't doubt Rikuo in the slightest until he saw Rikuo kill him with his own hands. "We're brothers who are tied by a red-string on our pinkies, you know. We're soul-mates for life," he smirked and struck again with more precise.
"Che, you and I are similar, huh?" Inukami dodged while clicking his tongue. "Well, it's worth a shot," he grinned, extraordinarily in spirit. It had been awhile since he could fight a guy like Rikuou after all, a powerful opponent with strong reason to fight.
"True… too bad you're in the wrong side. We could be good friends too," Rikuou smirked and for a moment the atmosphere between them turned from hostile into the 'friendly match' one, but it didn't last long as someone took appearance from behind Inukami with a gun on his hand.
Rikuou jumped back and hissed as he saw who he was. "Tamazuki…!"
"Welcome to my base, Nura Rikuou." Tamazuki smirked while pointing his gun on Rikuou's head. "You've really ruined my day now. Don't think you will get out of this place alive, Sandaime of Nura Gumi Alliances."
0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0
"O-oniichan…?" Yura was flabbergasted as she saw the scowling figure in front of her and "Mamiru…kun?" the other man, boy, who was standing expressionlessly beside the man she called her brother.
Both were standing in Yura and her friends'… err, acquaintances' way. She wasn't sure if Rikuo and Tsurara were her friends since their background were questionable.
No, Tsurara's background was clear. She was part of Nura Gumi, but Rikuo was still questionable. Tsurara called him 'Waka', but he wasn't part of Nura Gumi. And yet, Rikuo was very close to the boss of Nura Gumi. Yura really didn't know how to pull the conclusion from that confusing information.
"Oniichan?" Tsurara turned to Yura with horror in her face. "They're Keikain too?" She couldn't believe it. Two… two more Keikain were there at the same time. Were they about to do something to them?
"I'm really disappointed, Yura," Ryuuji said with a deep frown. "Why do you mingle with the likes of him and her?" he turned to glare at Rikuo and Tsurara-who took a step back out of surprise.
"It's not like what ya think! This is emergency situation! I was kidnapped, ya know! And they helped me out!" Yura was defensive of her decision. "It's not like I'm friends with them. I'm just returning the favor since I don't want to owe them anything!"
"Yura-san's brother…, please don't get mad at her," Rikuo said suddenly, his eyes still closed so he couldn't see his face. However he felt familiar with the voice. He had ever heard it somewhere… somewhere… not long ago, even though the tone was colder and harsher. "It wasn't her fault that she was involved in something like this…."
"That's right. It's because she hangs out with someone like you, Nura Rikuou," Ryuuji hissed at Rikuo and Rikuo couldn't help stepping back as well.
"Oniichan! He's not that Nura Rikuou!" Yura protested.
"I know. I saw him earlier, the Silver Haired Demon," Ryuuji huffed. "Doesn't mean this boy have nothing to do with him. He has the same name as him after all," he continued.
"No, my name is different. It's Rikuo, not Rikuou," Rikuo tried to correct.
"It sounds the same!" Ryuuji insisted. It seemed he didn't like losing as well. What a troublesome guy. "Anyway, it's clear that you have connection with Nura Gumi Alliance. You can be a perfect witness to bring that family down," he said, startling to plot the demise of Nura Gumi.
"Eeh, but I saw nothing today," Rikuo said, sweat dropping. "My eyes are injured after all," he continued.
"Ah?" Ryuuji turned to Rikuo and saw the irritated skin around his eyes and widened his own eyes. "Pepper spray? Oi, isn't that dangerous? What happened to you?" he sounded concerned now to Rikuo, Tsurara and Yura's surprise.
"I was… abducted too and they kind of…," Rikuo was trying to explain, but he didn't know the right way to say it that Ryuuji seemed pulling his own conclusion just by hearing his partial words.
"What… you're a victim too? Those Yakuza bastards," Ryuuji was angry now.
"Um… it's not Nura Gumi doing. It's Shikoku Yakuza's Inugamigyoubu Tanuki Gumi," Rikuo said before the sound of gun exploded from the building jolted everyone up.
"What…?" Everyone turned to face the building then.
Rikuo suddenly felt a bad feeling about it and forcefully opened his eyes even though they burned like crazy until he couldn't help the tears falling down excessively from them. "Sorry, but I can't just leave him there alone!" He made up his mind and started to dash back to the building where the fight had broken out.
"Ah, wait, Waka!" Tsurara was about to run after him, but Yura grabbed her hand.
"Stop! Ya and I are going to the police station and report this!" Yura said.
"Ah, don't! Involving police in this will be a big trouble for Nura Gumi!" Tsurara protested.
"I don't care about the Yakuza Families! They can destroy each other for all I care. But, I'm worried about Rikuo-kun and this fight will hurt him if it's not stopped! We have to call the police to break the fight and to avoid any more victims!" Yura shouted hard and Tsurara couldn't really defy her because of her reason. She was concerned about Rikuo after all.
"Understood," Tsurara said with troubled defeated look.
"Niichan and Mamiru-kun too, help us out report to the police!" Yura grabbed Ryuuji's hand so suddenly and then pulled him to run with her.
"Geh? Oi! I have to look for evidence of their fi—!" Ryuuji was about to protest, but he was pulled hard and couldn't help but run with Yura to leave the place.
"Ah, wait!" Tsurara quickly followed running after the brother and sister and left Mamiru still standing on his pot looking at the building direction.
"Yura… she did this on purpose," Mamiru said still with his expressionless face. He kind of figured that Yura subconsciously tried to bring his brother and him away from the crime-scene to protect Nura Gumi who had saved her, but he was more curious if she had a special feeling for the boy, Rikuo, that she was willing to do this despite her principle.
"He's a rival, huh?" Mamiru showed a little contempt in his eyes. "Yura… I will be the one who protect her," he continued before turning his body to run after the party that left before him. After all, it was the right decision to report this fight to the police station.
0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0
"Ugh…!" Rikuou couldn't help falling on one knee when he felt the pain exploded in his right shoulder. Damned! It hurt so much he almost dropped his sword. "You—!" he gritted his teeth while grabbing his wound while glaring balefully at Tamazuki who smirked at him.
Though, a bead of sweat forming on his cheek and his smirk was stiff and unnatural. "That's what you get if you try to get in our way," Tamazuki said.
"Heh, 'our' way? You mean 'your' way, right? You treat all your subordinates like tools after all," Rikuou was trying to stand again, holding his pain down.
Tamazuki was silent before speaking again. "You're absolutely right. But they're willing to be used by me, you know. And that's the difference between you and me, Nura Rikuou. I'm willing and gifted with the ability to use people to do whatever I want. But you… what are you? You're just a selfish one and only heir who get everything you want without even trying. Everyone loves you? What a joke. Someone like you is not cut out to be a yakuza boss. You're incapable of control anything with your own ability! You just rely on your subordinates! You…!"
Rikuou saw the hatred in Tamazuki's eyes. Hatred, contempt, envy…; all the things that he received a lot from someone close to him years ago. He had the same eyes as his older half brother when he still hated him.
"You… impossible, are you actually…!" Rikuou was about to say something, but Tamazuki shot him once again on his left arm now. "Argh!" he yelped in pain again as another pain exploded on his limb.
"Shut up! I'm going to kill you. I'm going to kill you and steal your family away from you. Die, Nura Rikuou!" Tamazuki pointed his gun on Rikuou's head and was about to pull the trigger when something else happened in a matter of a split second.
"DIE, TAMAZUKIIIII!"
Tamazuki jerked in surprise and he was just about to look behind when someone else had surged in front of him and a sound another gun exploding followed in a blink of eyes and the red color of life essence splatter on Tamazuki's shocked face.
Then like a slow motion, Inukami's body who since god knew when had been in front of Tamazuki, began to collapse back. Tamazuki dropped his gun in favor to catch Inukami's body, still with widened shocked eyes as he began to collapse too because of the weight from his added by Inukami's.
Inukami coughed and his supposed to be white uniform were colored red in the chest part, warm liquid of blood pouring out from one spot on the right chest and from his mouth.
"Inu…kami?"
"I'm going to get revenge for my boss! DIE!"
Tamazuki was so distracted by the unexpected view of Inukami in his arms that he couldn't even react when the guy in front of him tried to pull another trigger, but Rikuou reacted first and with his uninjured leg, he kicked his fallen sword sheath strongly that it smacked right into the guy's face, sending the guy fly two meters behind and smacking his back to the wall as well. He fell unconscious on the floor a moment later.
"Ugh…!" Rikuou had to kneel again as the pain on both his right shoulder and left arm got intense. "Oi, Tamazuki! Do you hear me?" he called Tamazuki, but the black-haired golden eyed boy who was sitting on the floor with his back facing Rikuou, seemed not hearing what he said and was focused on the body lying in his arms.
"What… are you doing, Inukami?" Tamazuki asked with flat tone; his eyes still widened, his pupil even constricted as he saw the blood and Inukami's pained face.
"Sorry… -cough- wasn't fast enough…! You… -gasp- aren't hurt, right…?" Inukami struggled with his breaths and words as he spoke slowly.
"Stand up. If you're defeated, I'll dump you too," Tamazuki said, still with flat tone.
"Heh, don't be stupid. Who do you think you're –cough-talking to…? I won't be… easily –cough- defeated." Inukami winked at him, still breathing shallow and fast, and despite his claim to be painless, he seemed like in a lot of pain right then.
"Talking big…. Don't you see your blood pooling on the floor?" Tamazuki asked again.
"Hey, Tamazuki!" Rikuou was trying to gain his attention by shouting now, but evidently, in Tamazuki's eyes and consciousness right now, he could only see Inukami.
"Haha –gasp- you… worried?" Inukami forced himself to grin. "It doesn't even hurt…."
"Liar. You're dying," Tamazuki said again without the slightest hint of emotion. "If you died… you know I wouldn't forgive you, right?"
Inukami looked surprised as he heard that. He looked up to Tamazuki's expression. He looked… really angry and murderous now.
"If you're dead… I'm going to revive you so I can kill you myself," the fire in Tamazuki's eyes made Inukami shiver both in excitement and terror. "Don't forget your promise… that you're going to always follow me and stay beside me whatever happens," he gripped Inukami's uniform so hard that his knuckles turned white and his hand shook.
Inukami then realized what happened to Tamazuki. He was… trying so hard not to show it in his expression that he was shaken up by this, but… ha, Tamazuki really did love him after all. Inukami wouldn't mind dying now after knowing that, but leaving Tamazuki alone like this wasn't his wish. Tamazuki was right; he had promised his boss to always be staying by his side. No matter what happened.
Rikuou had no idea what was happening, but seeing the pooling blood on the floor (and it's still adding, damn it!), he couldn't leave it alone.
"Tamazuki, get a grip of yourself!" Rikuou now was behind Tamazuki and smacked his head with his own forehead.
Tamazuki jerked out of 'Tama and Inu' world and turned to him in shock. "W-what was that for?"
"Inukami is bleeding to death, you fool! We have to call an ambulance!" Rikuou yelled at Tamazuki loudly, feeling pissed off.
"Ugh… how dare you… -coughs- call Tamazuki a fool…!" Inukami shook with anger now.
"Shut up! You just lay there quietly or you're really gonna die, idiot!" Rikuou shouted back to Inukami and he turned to the still stunned Tamazuki. "Hand phone, you have it, right? Give it to me!" he said, opening his hand to Tamazuki who was still staring at him dumbfounded. He gave his cell-phone despite his confusion, though and Rikuou called the ambulance despite the fight between families still going on down-floor.
Rikuou sighed and dropped the cell-phone before he himself collapsed on his butt and then leaned his back on the wall near him.
"Why…?" Tamazuki asked suddenly from where he sat unmoving while holding the almost passing out Inukami. He didn't understand what Rikuou was doing. "I tried to kill you, you know? So why…?"
"Ah?" Rikuou turned his face at Tamazuki, slightly annoyed. "Many people want to kill me. It's not something new. I still hate you, yes, but I hate traitor more. What the hell was with that guy just now? He isn't from my family, so he must be one of your subordinates, right?" he asked.
"Hn. One of my brother's followers, I thought I already bought his loyalty," Tamazuki sighed long. "Useless bastard. Now Inukami can't move…."
Rikuou was silent for a moment as he saw Tamazuki looking at the boy in his arms with conflicted expression.
"He's important for you, huh?" Rikuou asked.
"Don't make me laugh. Inukami is just a tool to reach my dream." Tamazuki said expressionlessly.
"Hmm… then why don't you just toss him and take the gun and shoot me in the head right now? You're not even injured. Why don't you make your move?" Rikuou asked again and Tamazuki's hold on Inukami seemed tightening for a second before it loosened again. "You don't want to worsen his condition, do you, by moving him too much?"
Tamazuki glared at Rikuou in warning at that, clearly refusing to answer his question further.
"Ah, do whatever you want. I don't care. Just one thing, though… why are you doing this, Tamazuki? After I think it further, I don't really think a guy as smart as you would start a war between families just because you wanted to try your luck by making me your enemy," Rikuou asked.
"I'm serious about taking over Central Japan and your head," Tamazuki's glare intensified at Rikuou, deeper, more intense and heated.
Rikuou didn't even flinch receiving such nasty glare, but even if it didn't show in his face, he felt a little bothered after all. "What did I do to you? I don't even know you that well. Anyway, Nura Gumi never picks a fight with yours, so what's with the hostility? Why do you suddenly decide to recede out from Inugamigyoubu Gumi and start your own family? Actually, what's your purpose with all of this?"
Rikuou couldn't find the logic in Tamazuki's act. He didn't know why he insisted in making Rikuou and Nura Gumi as the enemies. If he really wanted to control Central Japan, wasn't it easier if he just flocked himself to Nura Gumi as Alliance and worked up from there? Destroying Nura Gumi would make it hard for him to start building everything back from Zero, right?
"Huh, a guy like you won't understand…. Someone who always has everything like you… won't understand a feeling of someone like me who has to fight all my life to get noticed," Tamazuki threaded Inukami's hair slowly with his fingers.
"My father has a lot of children, you know why?" Tamazuki suddenly asked after a few seconds of silence.
"Suddenly changing the topic?" Rikuou asked, sweat dropping. "Huh, probably because he's a womanizer, right?" he guessed. Since his father was like that as well (though, Rihan's sons were only Rikuou and Rikuo).
"He was… how did you know?" Tamazuki looked surprised at that.
"As I thought…," more sweats dropping from Rikuou's head.
"Ah, never mind. Anyway, I'm the youngest son, born from a woman that he didn't marry. Illegitimate child, you see, that's why; I wasn't allowed to be the heir of Inugamigyoubu Gumi," Tamazuki continued, now seemed willing to share his reasons. "My father named me Tamazusa because I was a soft child back then. Laughable, right?" he chuckled darkly as he remembered how he was often insulted because of the name and his slender built. "Tamazusa is a girl's name. He didn't even acknowledge me as son, and made me a daughter instead. He gave his all of his attention to his sons and gave them responsibility to do something for his family, but not with me. I have to work hard every day, every day just so he would notice me. I'm right here! Look at me! I'm smarter than those useless barbaric brothers of mine! Why won't you look at me?"
Tamazuki was panting hard after he screamed everything all, his face desperate as well. Rikuou was stunned seeing Tamazuki lose his cool like that. Surprisingly, this cold emotionless cunning guy was actually… quite passionate.
"They never spared me a glance no matter how wonderful ideas I give them to evolve to be a better family. They never appreciated my efforts… they didn't care about me! If that's how it will be then I decide I will become big with my own ability. I don't need them to grow and then I'll show them that I can be greater and stronger than them. I'm not weak. My power doesn't lay in my strength, but in my head. Using my head, I can conquer Central Japan!" Tamazuki shouted that with all of his might. He believed that idea deeply and he would definitely reach it.
"So… what will happen after you get to the top?" Rikuou couldn't help asking then. Tamazuki turned to look at him again still with obsessed expression. "After you destroy and steal everything from me, and get to be on the top of Central Japan, what will you do? Showing it off to your family? Or are you going to destroy them as well?"
Tamazuki looked extra pissed off as he heard that. "Shut up! You know nothing about me!"
"Of course I know nothing. Who knows what's inside that crazy head of yours? Is it really worth it? All the sacrifices? Even your precious Inukami is dying right now, and you haven't even reached a half to the top. You know that you will never win against Nura Gumi Alliances. People I brought here today are only the guys from the main house, you know. Not even a single general coming with me today. They refused to get involved in children's brawl they said. Those old men…," Rikuou huffed in annoyance when he remembered what the other heads said.
Just like what his grandpa, Nurarihyon, had mentioned, in the Generals' perspective, Rikuo, Sandaime's half brother wasn't really worth the hard work of fighting with other families. His position in Nura Gumi was non-existent after all. They (except maybe Gyuuki and Nurarihyon) still wouldn't acknowledge Rikuo as a crucial part of the Nura Gumi because Rikuo himself hadn't chosen to be with Nura Gumi. So they had refused the order to help Rikuou save Rikuo from Tamazuki.
"What…?" Tamazuki looked surprised at that. "All those strong people… not even one of them is a General?"
"If you count me as one then only me, I guess. But that's the difference between your family and mine. I work hard too to get where I am right now. But I'm still not good enough to get their approval to change their mind about someone very important to me," Rikuou said while looking afar and then like a cue, from the stairs direction someone appeared.
"For me… being a head of Nura Gumi isn't everything," Rikuou said as he saw a mop of dark chocolate hair slowly coming up and up and then a cute worried face appeared after that. "For me… I'm doing everything I can right now only… to have him beside me," he continued with a small smile as his half brother saw him and ran to him.
Tamazuki looked slightly amazed as he saw Rikuou's expression and then turned to the direction of Rikuou's line of sight and saw Rikuo run towards them with very worried expression, and he opened his eyes widely despite the irritation and the tears.
"You might be right that I'm not cut out to be a leader because I'm moved by my heart and not my head. I'm a leader of Nura Gumi Alliances right now just because it's his request. I'll do anything… anything at all to keep him beside me," Rikuou grinned heartily as he forced his painfully injured left hand to wave at Rikuo and then shouted.
"RIKU! Miss me?"
Tamazuki could only widen his eyes as Rikuo jumped at Rikuou and then hugged him tightly. "You big IDIOT!" Rikuo shouted while clutched at Rikuou's back.
"Ow, ow, ow! Riku… the wounds…!" Rikuou almost cried at that.
"Huh? Ah!" Rikuo had just realized that Rikuou had been shot. "S-sh-shoot…!" He turned and glared at Tamazuki after getting over the initial shock and mortification seeing the bloodied Rikuou. "You…!" but before he could yell in fury at Tamazuki, he saw Inukami lying helplessly in Tamazuki's embrace with the pool of blood around them and shrieked. "GYAAAAAH! The-the blood…! Oh crap! Is he dead?" and his feelings turned into horror now.
Emotional roller coaster was flying around in Rikuo's expression. He was confused as well and frightened because he was angry, but also concerned at the same times.
"He's still alive, but barely. If he's not brought to hospital soon…," Rikuou tried to explain.
"I saw the paramedics and ambulance outside. There's police force too. Everyone is trying to run away now. We have to get out of here as well, Rikuou," Rikuo said seriously.
"But…," Rikuou looked at Tamazuki.
"Leave us. There's no point in me running away now. Everything I have is here anyway," Tamazuki said, closing his eyes in defeat.
"Tamazuki," Rikuo called him and Tamazuki opened his eyes again to look at him. "Your father is here," he said and Tamazuki's eyes widened at that.
"What…?" Tamazuki was totally shocked.
"He said, he came to pick you up," Rikuo then turned behind and just right there on the edge of the stairs was Tamazuki's father, Inugamigyoubu Danuki, an old man with long white hair and sharp red eyes. Even though, there were the aged lines on his face, his body was still tall and straight, looking powerful. His face was still handsome as well.
"D-dad…?" Tamazuki almost couldn't believe his eyes as he saw it.
Danuki walked straightly to his direction and when he was just in front of his sitting son, he raised his hand and slapped Tamazuki on the cheek hard, to Rikuou and Rikuo's surprise of course.
"You idiotic, foolish son…!" Danuki looked enraged and the brothers thought he would start punching or smacking Tamazuki again when he suddenly knelt before hugging the shocked Tamazuki in his arms. "Stupid, foolish, son…! You're worrying me, you bastard…!" And his embrace was so tight and powerful that Tamazuki almost couldn't breathe there.
The siren of the police car interrupted the moment though and Rikuo urged them to move before all the officers got to the second floor.
"I won't leave Inukami here," Tamazuki insisted.
"I'll carry him," Danuki said to everyone's, especially Tamazuki's, surprise. But they couldn't get to ask why because of the urgent situation and they were running out of times.
Thus, some blurring moments later, the five were out of the building using the secret passage specially prepared in Tamazuki's study room….
End of Chapter 16
Tbc…
Additional Notes:
1)Kara: it should be Kappa. Yeah, it's Kappa's human name, and it sounds very girly, sorry, but I have no idea to pick other name for him. T_T
A/N: Sorry… I promise you guys fan service in this chapter, but I haven't been able to fulfill it. That's why, next chapter will be the closure of Tamazuki Arc, and the fan service will be put there. Yep, next chapter will be full of fan service! Just wait for it!