Disclaimer: Nurmago belongs to Shiibashi-sensei.

Warning: AU, yaoincest, implicit sex-scene, foul language, more dramas, etc…

Beta: mittens_220 (LJ) or pika318 (ff net), always thank you very much for the suggestion and edit! I can't really post this chapter without your help! XD

A/N: Sorry for making you wait so long for an update. I have no excuse except being busy working on other fics and drawing (yes, I'm addicted to it right now, so… T_T). Oh, and I need help from you with something at the after note. Please read carefully, okay?

Thanks for reading, faving and reviewing! Now, enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 20: Suzuran*

Rikuou and Rikuo had fun in the market, looking at the stalls one by one for unique products. The undercover yakuza boss even bought something for Rikuo when he mentioned that he loved one of those things.

"This will look good on your wrist, Riku," Rikuou said, putting a very nice looking watch on Rikuo's left wrist. It was golden metal watch with beautiful red stones surrounding the clock face. Also, there were fire-like shapes carved on the golden metal.

"Is it really okay? This looks pretty expensive," Rikuo asked, looking uncomfortable with such a nice looking thing just being given to him freely like that.

"What are you saying? Of course it's totally FINE. After all, I work hard in the family so I can spoil you, Riku," Rikuou said, staring at the shorter, chocolate-black haired boy ridiculously.

"I see," Rikuo's sweat dropped before glancing at the watch and then smiling with soft expression. "Thank you, Rikuou."

Rikuou smiled as well happily, pulling the older half brother into a hug. "As long as you're happy, Riku," he said, kissing the top of Rikuo's head.

"Ah, then let me buy something for you too, Rikuou," Rikuo then looked upward slightly at the Sandaime. "I can't really buy something expensive, so…" He then looked around, considering what kind of merchandise he could pick and buy for Rikuou.

"Ah!" Rikuo seemed to have found it as he ran to one of the stalls. The stall sold many kinds of jewelry and Rikuou was blinking in surprise when Rikuo went back to him bringing one of the metal rings on the display.

"You're buying me a ring?" Rikuou looked at his brother disbelievingly.

"Yeah, this skull-shaped one will surprisingly fit you," Rikuo chuckled slightly in humor and Rikuou burst out laughing at his antics.

"Man, Riku… I thought you were going to propose me or something," Rikuou was still laughing and the other customers, even the sellers gave him a weird look. But, the now dark haired boy decided to ignore them in the favor of laughing some more because that was such a hilarious thought.

Rikuo visibly blushed and covered his face with one hand, looking pretty embarrassed. "Idiot…! Come on, just pick one!" he insisted, pulling Rikuou closer so the taller guy could see the choices better.

"Then…" Now, after Rikuou was calmer, he could see the rings better and he kind of liked them. Some of the rings had interesting shapes after all. "What about this one?" he then pointed at the one with the zig-zag shape. It was a little bigger than his ring finger, but he would put it in his middle finger anyway.

"That one? That's… plainer than the others," Rikuo blinked, looking slightly surprised.

"That's fine. The others ornaments are too big, it will get in the way when I hold a sword," Rikuou said, giving reasonable explanation. If he was going to get something from Rikuo, he'd like to be able to wear it all the time, after all.

"Oh, right… then," Rikuo then turned to the seller. "Excuse me, we'll take this one," he said to her.

The seller took the ring out and gave it to Rikuo who then put it on Rikuou's middle finger. "That looks very good on you, Mr. Customer," she said, praising.

"Thank you," Rikuou said while smiling slightly at her and she turned a bit pink, looking embarrassed.

"How much is it?" Rikuo asked her, seeming to hold down his chuckle at her cute reaction.

"Um… that will be 2000 Yen, Sir," she said.

"Okay, here," Rikuo paid her before he and Rikuo moved on to the next stall to see what kind of products they had.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

In the end, by the time the needed to go back to the Keikain house after Masatsugu called them, the day had almost turned into night. The sky was quite grey by then, unlike the white winter sky in the day. It was almost 5 p.m. after all.

They didn't buy anything else after the watch and the ring, though they did buy some snacks because they were hungry. But now, they kind of wished they had bought something warm to take with them because it was currently really cold.

"I… I'm going to buy a hot can of chocolate from vending machine right there… you, wait at the bench over there," Rikuo said, pushing Rikuou's back to sit on the bench near the park while he walked to the vending machine a few blocks away.

"Eeh? Just let me come with you," Rikuou protested a little.

"It's fine. Only just for awhile. You're tired right? Just rest there," Rikuo said, smiling as he started to jog away to warm his body.

Rikuou sulked, but he stayed on the bench. Rikuo chuckled as he speeded up a little. He wanted to get there faster and hurry back to Rikuou's side after all.

#

Rikuou sat on the bench while sighing. He had no idea walking around the mall (market) could exhaust him to this extent. He was the super strong Sandaime from Nura Clan, and yet… going shopping (not exactly) was tiring him more than fighting.

Rikuou looked up at the grayish sky and chuckled slightly as the snow started to fall. "Damn… snowing now, really? No wonder it's very cold…."

"Ufufufu…."

Rikuou blinked slightly as he heard the feminine laughing voice from just behind him. He turned to face the owner of the voice, but he didn't see anyone there.

…

…

"A ghost?" Rikuou asked aloud and he heard a sneezing sound from behind a tree. "Ah… a human," he repented, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek.

Someone with a dark blue sailor uniform was peeking at him from behind a tree and Rikuou widened his eyes in surprise as he saw her. He stood up suddenly and jumped over the bench to run to her. The girl looked surprised in reaction and she seemed about to run away. "Hey, you, wait!"

However, Rikuou was faster and he grabbed her shoulder, making her yelp. "Ah!" She then turned to Rikuou, looking at him with her dark colored eyes. Her straight long jet-black hair fluttered slightly because of the wind.

Rikuou widened his ruby colored eyes even more as he could see her face and feature more clearly. He was immediately reminded by someone that had been very dear for him since he was little. "Okaa-sama (1)…?" he whispered lightly in disbelief.

It was impossible after all. Rikuou's mother had passed away when he was turning thirteen. It was just simply…!

"Um… huh?" the girl looked at Rikuou with a confused look.

"You… who…?" Rikuou was sweating profoundly now. This girl, even though she looked younger than his mother, her face was like a splitting image of her. "Who are you…?"

"Err… could you at least release your hand first? I'm not sure about giving my name to a suspicious person," the girl said, looking at Rikuou's hand on her shoulder with a wary look.

Rikuou blinked slightly before "Ah," he released her. "Sorry, that was… Wait, I'm not a suspicious person!" he said, looking at the girl while shaking hands around frantically. It would be bad if she started screaming because she thought that he wanted to attack her.

The girl chuckled slightly at seeing the panicky in Rikuou's face and Rikuou blinked again, looking at her in confusion. "You are an interesting guy," she said, laughing slightly in amusement.

Rikuou blushed slightly, embarrassed for being laughed at. "You… are you from here?" He asked then, after several minutes of hearing the girl chuckle. He could calm himself from the shock of seeing her face now and he was rather interested in knowing who the girl was.

"Yes, I'm Koromo Gitsu (2). May I know who you are as well?" She, who then introduced herself as Gitsu, asked Rikuou for his identity as well.

Koromo…?—Rikuou couldn't help noting her name.

"Koromo… are you by chance… a member of that Koromo Corporation?" Rikuou ignored her question and didn't hold back in asking more about her. After all, he was here to find more information about that certain corporation whose name always popped up when Ryouta was digging deeper about the 'merging' family in the area.

"Hmm… you know Koromo Corporation? Yes, I'm the daughter of the CEO, though… I'm not supposed to tell you that, so… keep it a secret, okay?" Gitsu smiled at Rikuou and once again, he was reminded of how he had missed his mother's kind smile.

Rikuou was amazed. He knew that this girl wasn't his mother in the head, but his heart yearned to have his mother close to him so much, so much, that for a moment, he didn't care that she wasn't her.

Gitsu had Yamabuki's appearance and Rikuou wasn't in his right mind when reached out and suddenly hugged her. The girl seemed to be surprised at the sudden gesture, but she didn't struggle, instead, she reached her hands on Rikuou's back.

"Um… what-what happened?" Gitsu asked, seeming to be wondering.

"No… just… let me stay like this for a moment…" Rikuou said, slowly closing his eyes as he remembered how he used to hug his mother like this. Even though at that time, he was a little shorter than her. He remembered smelling her comforting fragrance just like this.

It had been awhile since Rikuou felt this way… and he didn't want to let his mother go anymore.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Rikuo had just come back from his little trip to vending machine and he brought back a can of warm coffee for Rikuo while he was drinking his hot chocolate. He stared at the empty bench in front of him with a huff.

"Jeez, where is Rikuou? And I told him to wait here too…" Rikuo grumbled as he looked around for his little brother. "Rikuou! Where are you?" He started calling his name a moment later, trying to find him.

Rikuo walked around the park until he found a certain spot with the biggest tree and when he turned to side, he saw it.

Rikuo widened his eyes when he saw Rikuou, his little half brother, his supposed to be lover, hugging another person, a woman… with long dark hair. Rikuo didn't see her face because she had her back on him, but… Rikuo saw Rikuou's expression.

Extreme adoration…. Soft, gentle, happy smile beautified Rikuou's gorgeous look. That expression… the expression which was reserved for Rikuo only all this time… Rikuou was wearing that expression while hugging another person.

It was… honestly shocking to the boy. "Why…?" For a moment, the time seemed to stop. Rikuo couldn't comprehend this. He thought there was no other people beside him and maybe a very few people in the family that could make Rikuou show that expression. He thought… that was a privilege for Rikuo and Rikuo only… to see Rikuou lower all his masks and show his most caring expression.

Who is that person…?

An ugly fire called jealousy was lit in Rikuo's heart. Suddenly, he wanted to rip apart that woman who was enveloped by those fine arms. Those warm arms were his…! That spot was Rikuo's…! How dare she…! She didn't have a right to be there!

Rikuo didn't know what kind of expression he was making right then, but he was getting angry, and he was as sure as hell that his face looked very ugly.

However, Rikuo couldn't move. Even though his heart was burning, his feelings raging to yell at them, he didn't move even a muscle to stop it.

Don't bother….

Rikuo's brain spoke louder than his feelings. Because Rikuo knew… even though he was dreading this moment, even though he didn't want this moment to come… there would be a time when Rikuou found the one.

Rikuou had a responsibility to produce an heir, someday, and of course, it would be with a woman who would become his wife. Though, Rikuo didn't expect that time to come this fast. He didn't know who that woman was… but, the fact that Rikuou even showed that kind of expression to her… was enough to convince Rikuo that his half brother cared so much about her.

After all, Rikuo knew how much Rikuou loved him that he only showed that expression to him, usually. If this woman could make Rikuou show her that expression too, then….

Isn't it the time for me to back off?

Rikuo… was the older brother. He was the mature one…. He had repeatedly convinced himself that he would be okay as long as he could stay beside Rikuou even though it was just as his brother. It wouldn't change his feelings for him. He would still love him very much, so it would be okay, but…

Why… why did Rikuo's heart hurt so much? Why didn't he want to accept it?

Is it possessiveness? Love is supposed to be giving… not owning… but why am I feeling this way? Why do I want to shout that Rikuou is mine and mine only? How… how does mom live knowing that dad was together with Rikuou's mom?

Rikuo closed his eyes, his hands going limp on his sides. He dropped the can of hot coffee he had bought for Rikuou and been holding before he turned his back on that scene. "Walk away," he told himself. "Walk away!" Then he ran away from there.

#

Rikuo jerked in surprise when he heard something drop on the ground. He opened his eyes and looked up from his position and saw Rikuo, a defeated expression on his face "Ri-…" but he couldn't help widening his eyes when the shorter chocolate-black haired boy turned around and then ran away from the place.

"Riku!" Rikuou hurriedly released the girl he was holding and immediately ran after the other boy.

"What? Hey!" Gitsu was surprised when she was suddenly shoved aside and Rikuou could hear the "How rude!" comment, but he didn't care about that right now.

Rikuo had seen him embracing another person, but it was misunderstanding! He just remembered about his mother. Rikuo had to know about that before he concluded anything.

Besides… if Rikuo was jealous, why…? Why didn't say anything and opted to run away? He could have yelled. He could have punched and kicked Rikuou and gotten angry… but did why he run instead? Did he… did he think there was no difference? Was Rikuou unworthy of Rikuo's jealousy?

Indeed, all this time, Rikuou was the one who acted possessive towards Rikuo. He was the one who was after him, always… always… but… he thought Rikuo had the same feeling as him now. Didn't he want to possess Rikuou as well?

Didn't Rikuo love him enough to tie Rikuou to him?

However, Rikuou also didn't care about it right now. He had been putting an effort all his life, spending all his time trying to convince his own older brother to love him back, to become his, to make sure that they were good together. He wasn't about to give it up only because Rikuo didn't fight for him. He didn't care… at least, not care enough to let Rikuo go.

"Wait, Riku!" Rikuou shouted while running, wondering why he couldn't shorten their distance even though he was running at full speed.

Oh yeah, Rikuou forgot that Rikuo was faster than him.

"Don't come here!"

Rikuou heard the shorter boy shout back at him, but he wouldn't be the Sandaime of Nura Gumi if he would just listen. It encouraged him to run faster and faster. If he was going to outrun Rikuo, he could only rely on his physical endurance which was far better than his half brother. He would wait until Rikuo was exhausted and slowed down, and he would catch him.

"I said WAIT!" Rikuou shouted more.

"And I said… DON'T COME HERE!" Rikuo retaliated louder.

It was practically a game of tag between the two brothers until Rikuo seemed to get tired of running and like Rikuou had thought, he slowed down.

Chance!—Rikuou increased his speed and in the end, he tackled the smaller boy to the ground. Both boys collapsed, rolling on the cold damp road while panting, breathing hard.

"Shit—!" Rikuo coughed several times, his breath turning into white puffs as he landed on his back, Rikuou on top of him.

"Wait… a second…!" Sandaime said, gasping and wheezing as well, holding Rikuo down tightly.

"Why…? Why were you running after me…?" Rikuo asked, covering his eyes with one of his arms.

"Why were you running away then?" Rikuou asked back, demanding an explanation. "Aren't you jealous seeing me hug another person? Why do you make a defeated expression instead, as if you knew something like that would happen?"

Rikuo jerked in surprise as he heard it and Rikuou narrowed his eyes at the smaller older Nura who uncovered his face from his arm and looked upward at him with perplexed expression, probably wondering how he knew. "You did think about it, right?" he accused then. "You thought… I'd choose someone else over you, didn't you?"

"I… I just… want to be prepared… that someday… someday you have to choose a woman to be your wife… so an heir can be born… I…!" Rikuo stuttered and Rikuou couldn't hold back his annoyance anymore.

"You idiot!" Rikuou shouted at his half-brother before he leaned down to kiss Rikuo's lips hard and deeply, surprising Rikuo.

"Nnnh…! Hn…!" Rikuo couldn't help moaning and closing his eyes as Rikuou's hand held his ones above his head, his tongue deep in his throat while he ravaged his mouth.

They were slightly breathless when Rikuou released his deep kiss. He looked at Rikuou's eyes intensely and powerfully. "How many times do I have to tell you… that I'm in love with you, Riku? How much do I have to show you, so you can believe me that I don't want anyone else…? Only you… I want you and only you, Riku…!" he said, feeling that maybe, it was hopeless.

Maybe Rikuo gave in because he no longer wanted to deal with Rikuou's annoying one-sided pursue. Maybe he just couldn't say no anymore because he didn't want to make Rikuou sad despite his own feeling saying the other. Maybe, he would never have the same feeling as Rikuou.

"Rikuou…?" Rikuo looked startled as he saw Rikuou's expression.

"I don't care about the future… I don't want to have a wife or a child… if the family wants a Yondaime, then they should pick one from the family…" Rikuou said again, moving slightly so he could pull Rikuo up to sit before hugging the smaller boy in his warm embrace. "I only need you in my life… please… believe me…"

It was a prayer. Rikuou was hoping that he could have his half brother for the rest of his life. He didn't want to see Rikuo turning his back on him.

Rikuo seemed to be hesitant before he hugged Rikuou back. "I'm sorry… I just… don't want to appear very ugly in front of you…" he said quietly.

"Huh?" Rikuou pulled back to look at his older half brother, and the shorter boy were turning slightly pink from embarrassment. What was ugly from this very adorable creature? Rikuou couldn't understand how his half brother's mind works.

"Jealousy… is like Suzuran, you know. It always exists inside every love which blooms beautifully like its flower… but it sucks the kindness of your heart, contaminates it like poison in its root… I'm… scared… of this love between us…" Rikuo said timidly, very softly that Rikuou almost couldn't hear him.

"Why…?" Rikuou asked, tightening his hold once more to Rikuo's body.

"I'm scared… that I might do something very-very bad… if I'm unable to control this feeling…!" Rikuo confessed, clutching at Rikuou's coat while closing his eyes, gritting his teeth painfully.

"Riku…" Rikuou was moved seeing how distraught Rikuo was. He was struggling with his own feeling and yet… all Rikuou do was pushing him around. "Rikuo… it's okay… I'm not going anywhere…"

"It's NOT okay!" Rikuo shouted suddenly, surprising his half little brother. "It's not okay at all… because… I've become obsessed with you…! It's scary… I might kill you just to make sure that you won't leave me…! Are you okay with something like that?" the glasses wearing boy asked, slowly looking upward to Rikuou again, showing the Sandaime how cornered he was, how heavy the extent of this feeling was to him…

Rikuou was once again amazed at how good his brother was in surprising him. How well he was in hiding his feeling until it almost exploded like that. It was his bad habit. Thinking about things too far and deeply, it was totally unnecessary. Why couldn't he just have faith in himself?

Well, if that was what Rikuo wanted from him, Rikuou would give it to him.

Sandaime pulled back slightly again only to grab one of Rikuo's hands and then brought it to his chest, right on top of his heart where the beat could be felt most clearly. "Rikuou…?" the chocolate-black haired boy seemed to be puzzled at the gesture.

"I already told you… that this heart beats only for you. You own my heart, Riku… my life as well. If you feel like it, you can take it. I don't care if you want to gauge it out and eat this heart, I'll gladly hand it over to you on silver platter," Rikuou said seriously.

Rikuou wasn't kidding. He would even take his heart out himself if Rikuo wanted him to. He was willing. He would do anything for Rikuo and if Rikuo wanted to use his feeling for his own benefit, then Sandaime wouldn't care either.

"Ri—!"

"Take it…! Take this heart…! Take this body…! Take me…, Riku…!" Rikuou said and Rikuo widened his eyes, looking completely shocked when Rikuou suddenly kissed him again.

However, Rikuou's kiss wasn't demanding. He just put his lips on Rikuo, waiting for his Rikuo's reaction. Only when he felt Rikuo kiss back that he opened his mouth. He let the smaller boy lead the kiss and do anything he wanted to him.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

In the end, both Rikuou and Rikuo didn't return to Keikain Family residence. They were staying the night in a hotel and that night… was the first time in his life that Rikuou let Rikuo take him.

"Rikuou…" Rikuo kissed the younger one's lips, thrusting deeper inside Rikuou who gasped at the feel of his older brother's length, moving inside him, brushing the spot that could send his mind reeling with pure pleasure, despite the pain of being invaded for the first time.

Rikuou had no idea how frightening it was… to have someone else have that kind of power over him, to trust someone so deeply that he let him have his heart and body completely, getting very vulnerable like this. Was this how Rikuo was feeling every time they made love?

Did Rikuo also think it was scary to let Rikuou have his way with him the first time? It felt very hot, yes, and very intense, but it made him feel like crying, even though he was positive that he wanted to do this.

Rikuou wanted to feel how Rikuo felt as well. Rikuo had given everything up in his life to be with Rikuou and Rikuou had promised that he would do the same as long as they could stay together.

"Ri-… Riku…!" Rikuou couldn't help moaning, calling his brother's name as the tears were pooling in his ruby eyes. He reached out to curve his hand on Rikuo's neck.

Rikuo looked at him with gentle eyes, seeming to understand, or he did understand what Rikuou was feeling right then. He leaned down to give him a reassuring kiss, going deeper inside him and touching his deepest core.

"I love you… Rikuou…!" Rikuo whispered while going faster and harder, earning more gasps and moans of pleasure from Rikuou.

"Ah..! Oh…! More…!" Rikuou was losing all his control. He was begging and yet he didn't care. He wanted Rikuo to give him more despite how embarrassing it was.

"Rikuou… I'm almost…!" Rikuo's pace was faltering, getting erratic with his movement while his free hand was stroking Rikuou's member faster.

"Ah! Hah! Ri—!" Rikuou couldn't hold it any longer as his vision turned white, his mind exploding at the same time as his climax, wetting Rikuo's hand, his own stomach, and his chest. Rikuo thrust for the last time before he groaned and released his seed deeply inside Rikuou.

They rode their orgasm together until the high was receding, and finally, they came back to earth. Rikuo fell down on top of Rikuou's body, panting, totally exhausted. "Ri… Rikuou, are you okay…?" The older one asked slightly, seeming to be worried because Rikuou was unusually quiet.

"Yeah…" Rikuou said, draping his hand on Rikuo's back, hugging him. "Riku… thank you…" he whispered then, feeling moved and whole as he felt Rikuo push up to look at him with wonder.

"Isn't it reversed? You just gave me your virginity, you know," Rikuo asked.

Rikuou chuckled slightly at that. "Yeah… and I want it for you," he said. "And… you are the first and the last person who can do this to me…"

Rikuo smiled fondly at Rikuou before he leaned down once more and kissed him on Rikuou's lips.

'I love you…' was whispered between the two before they cuddled and fell asleep together in each others' embrace.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Gitsu had just come home and she looked pissed.

"Onee-sama, what's wrong?" Kyouko asked, looking at the older woman concernedly.

"I just came back from greeting our target," Gitsu said, smiling slightly while ruffling Kyouko's long wavy dark hair.

"Um… you look kind of mad. Did something happen?" Kyouko asked again, amber eyes looking upward at the taller woman curiously.

"The bastard actually shoved me away to run after the midget. So rude!" Gitsu huffed, looking extremely annoyed.

"Whaaat? The silver haired demon was able to resist Gitsu-nee's charm? Unbelievable!" Kyouko shrieked at that. "How rude! Too rude! A person as rude as that doesn't deserve to live! Waaah! Dokuro-chaaaan! You have to kill him! Kill that rude person for humiliating Gitsu-nee!" then the kid started to cry and scream that a very tall person, probably over eight feet, actually came to her, trying to calm her down.

"Milady, please stop crying," the tall man said.

"No! I won't stop until you bring that guy here! I want to slap and punch and kick him!" Kyouko cried harder and the man sighed deeply.

"Well, if that's what Milady wants… this Gasha Dokuro will bring you your order," the man said with a smirk before he stood up again.

"Really? Then, bring him here! Bring him here!" Kyouko immediately stopped crying and jumped up and down. "Onee-sama! Onee-sama! Dokuro-chan will bring the silver haired demon here! You can do whatever you want with him later!" she exclaimed happily.

Gitsu laughed amusedly at seeing how excited the little girl was. "Oh, Kyouko… how adorable you are," she said, caressing the little girl' cheek while smiling. "Can't wait to seeing him again, can we?" she chuckled then while Kyouko was smiling happily for being complimented by her beloved onee-sama.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"Where were you?" Yura shouted at the two boys agitatedly when they showed up once again in Keikain Residence the next morning.

"We're very sorry, Yura-san. Something came up and we were kind of stuck…" Rikuo said, blushing slightly in embarrassment.

Rikuou didn't say anything and just looked another way, looking a little bit guilty for some reasons.

"It's because of you, huh?" Yura glared at the now dark haired Sandaime of Nura Gumi, totally accusing because everything that went wrong in this world was his fault.

"Wow… what a one-sided accusation. Help me, Riku. She's bullying me," Rikuou said, totally teasing.

"Quit it!" Rikuo elbowed the Sandaime hard on his side. "Stop teasing her and making her even angrier!" he whispered warningly while the taller boy was nursing his abused side.

"Whatever, but at least, please notify us if you couldn't make it. You are my guest and in this city, you are my responsibility. If something happens to you, I don't know how I will face your mother, Rikuo-kun," Yura said seriously.

Really, those two were worrying her to death yesterday. They couldn't be contacted and they didn't contact her back even after Masatsugu called and left them the message. She thought they got involved in something dangerous. Kyoto was pretty risky these days after all.

"I know. That's why I'm very sorry. It won't happen again," Rikuo said, looking at her with his puppy eyes that she couldn't stay angry with him.

Yura sighed deeply after that. "Well, you are here, so… get inside. I'll update you with what I know so far," she then led the two boys inside her house. "Special for the undercover man here, this is a onetime thing. Don't think you can move freely inside this house after this. If you aren't with Rikuo-kun, I'll get you arrested for trespassing," she warned without looking at her intended target, but she was sure the guy knew that she was serious.

"What a vicious girl…" Rikuou muttered slightly and Rikuo's sweat dropped at that.

After they were all seated on the guestroom once again, and the servants brought them their warm cups of tea and some snacks, Yura started the discussion.

"What do you want to know?" Yura asked.

"Yura-san is conducting an investigation on the death of your family, right? How far have you gone to investigate it? Is there anything I… we can do to help?" Rikuo asked back, looking slightly concerned.

"To put it bluntly, I don't want to get any help from that guy over there," Yura tilted her head at Rikuou's direction.

"I don't actually want to help either, but since Rikuo insists…" Rikuou retaliated patronizingly and a vein popped on Yura's head. She wanted to kick that guy out so badly right now her body was trembling.

"Don't talk like that, both of you…. This incident might have something to do with the incident with Inugamigyoubu Tanuki Gumi last year," Rikuo said, seeming to try to calm them both.

"What makes you think that way, Riku?" Rikuou asked then, looking a little surprised.

"Just a hunch, I guess…" Rikuo shrugged. "This mission that your brothers had been doing before they got killed in the accident, was it related to Yakuza matters, Yura-san?" he then turned to Yura, attempting to confirm something.

"I never recalled that I told you about the mission. How did you know it was yakuza-related…?" Yura was also surprised at how accurate Rikuo's guess was. Was that really a hunch?

"I have heard some rumors…" Rikuo said, looking thoughtful.

"What rumors?" Rikuou looked at the other boy with a confused look. It seemed Rikuou didn't know the extent of Rikuo's ability to gain information. Well, Yura didn't blame him. After all, she was fooled once too.

Since the first time Yura met Rikuo, the boy had been able to make her say what's on her mind without even trying. He looked so harmless that she thought it was perfectly okay to trust him. Who would guess that he was somehow related to Yakuza? And he even dated guys from Yakuza families to boot.

Really, Rikuo was amazing in so many ways. Yura couldn't help thinking that he had many faces despite his constant innocent look. He probably wasn't as innocent as everyone, including her, thought. She had to be careful with him as well.

"It's going around certain circles of the students," Rikuo said and Rikuou seemed to turn serious all of sudden.

"What is it?" Rikuou asked again, looking tense now.

"It's said that there's an important gathering in Kyoto and all the members will show up during the winter vacation," Rikuo said, extra stern as well.

"What gathering?" Yura asked as well, getting absorbed by the heavy atmosphere in the room.

"I have no idea. It's just… I heard the motor gang talk about it once, but they immediately shut up when I walked past. I'd been trying to look for some information about that again, but… an annoying bug was obstructing my way…!" A vein visibly popped up on Rikuo's head. He looked very annoyed for some reason.

"Is it him again?" Rikuou asked, also visibly mad.

"Huh?" Yura tilted her head aside a little bit. "What are you talking about?" she didn't understand it.

"It's Keira-sensei!" Rikuo huffed.

"The bastard was trying to touch my Riku…! Unforgivable!" Rikuou clenched his fists at that.

"Jeez… you guys…" Yura sighed, a bead of sweat dropping from her cheek.

"Anyway, it's been on my mind the whole time since I overheard it, but because it was such ambiguous information, I didn't tell the main house. After all, it could be just a gathering for their motor gang or something, but… one thing caught my attention," Rikuo continued.

"What?" Both Yura and Rikuou asked in unison, making them look at each other before looking away from one another as well.

"Koromo Corporation," Rikuo said and Yura tensed slightly. Rikuou also widened his eyes at that. "Their motorcycles… there were stickers of Koromo Corporation stuck on them, and they were quite big too. I thought it was strange because the brand of each motorcycle was different. To think that they got the same stickers of the same corporation is a bit suspicious, right?" he continued again.

What deduction ability…—Yura couldn't help thinking. Even though what he saw was quite insignificant, he could store everything in his head and connected them like that. It was such a waste that Rikuo wasn't in Keikain Family.

"I see…" Yura sighed deeply again, closing her eyes slightly.

"Is this corporation somehow involved?" Rikuo asked, looking at Yura curiously.

"They are involved," Yura said surely. "My brothers were investigating the true nature of this giant corporation. They have branches almost everywhere in Japan. Of course, unlike yakuza, their business is legit. But for some reasons, every time they open a new branch, at least one Yakuza Family will disband. It's very strange and raises questions… so they investigated it under the order of the Kansai Police Department by doing undercover work. Unfortunately… before they could report to the station and the main house of what they had found, they got into an accident.

"Their car was hit by a truck. It was a messy death and the car was wrecked so badly that everything inside the car was burnt or destroyed. I tried to investigate the accident itself, but the truck driver went missing and his personal information was somehow deleted from the server. It was as if… the guy that hit my brothers with the truck didn't exist in the first place. I couldn't help thinking that someone in the Police Department tried to cover this incident…!" she then gritted her teeth in annoyance.

"You suspect an inside job," Rikuou nodded, seeming to understand.

"I don't want to suspect that any of the good guys is a dirty cop, but… what if it was really like that?" Yura was depressed whenever she thought about it. Of course, she didn't have any hard proof, but telling this suspicion to the Keikain Family was also impossible since she was afraid that if the one responsible was inside the family as well.

"Yura-san…" Rikuo looked at Yura with slight solemn eyes.

"If you allow it, I can help you with procuring the evidence," Rikuou suddenly said, surprising Yura and Rikuo.

"W-what…?" Yura looked up in shock at the dark haired man. "What do you mean…?"

"Your hands are tied because you have to do it legally, but it doesn't apply to me and my family, right?" Rikuou smirked. "Anonymous tips can get you a warrant, right?"

"What… what do you have in mind…?" Yura asked, very interested so suddenly. She couldn't believe that she was doing this, but… if this could clear things up… if this could get her brothers justice they deserved…!

"Just leave it to me. You'll know when you and your family have to move after I'm done with them," Rikuou said, smirking in victory.

Somehow, Rikuo looked at the Sandaime with a concerned look.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

"What are you planning, Rikuou?" Rikuo asked then after they got out of the Keikain Residence.

"I got my way in on the corporation, Riku," Rikuou answered evenly. "But… you're not going to like it," he then turned to Riko with a slightly sheepish look.

"What is it?" Rikuo asked curiously.

"The girl I hugged yesterday… the one who looks like my mother… she's the daughter of the CEO of the Koromo Corporation," Rikuou said, looking slightly hopeful.

"Ah… you want to see her again," Rikuo nodded, understanding it completely.

"It's for helping your friend," Rikuou nodded surely.

Rikuo looked away before looking down. "But you promised me not to see her again," he whispered slightly so as not to be heard by his little half brother. He knew this was for helping Yura, but… would it be a selfish thing if he didn't want Rikuou to see her again?

Even though Rikuou had explained everything concerning the misunderstanding, it didn't change the fact that her appearance could make Rikuou care for her. Rikuo didn't know what kind of girl she was, but… if she could make him mellow with just her looks, then she was a mortal rival to Rikuo.

No one had ever stolen Rikuou's attention based off their appearances except Rikuo before this. It was such disheartening thing.

"It's alright, Riku. Seeing you jealous over me is very flattering. It makes me very happy, but you can be sure that I won't cheat on you, ever. I will only befriend her, and maybe ask some things… you don't have to worry about it," Rikuou seemed to know Rikuo's concern about it and he touched Rikuo's cheek before leaning down and kissing his lips lightly.

"Yeah… of course…" Rikuo said, smiling slightly.

However, somehow… Rikuo couldn't shake the feeling that this could turn bad. He didn't know why he felt terrible about it. He wanted to trust Rikuou. He was supposed to trust him completely after last night, but…

What is this uneasy feeling…?

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Things were pretty uneventful and the days passed quickly when Rikuou was trying to find the girl. In the mean time, Rikuo was helping Yura with the sorting of information. Some guys from the Nura Gumi whom Rikuou had brought along helped Sandaime find the girl while Shouhei was left with the task of guarding Rikuo from the shadows.

Rikuo had personally looked into the daughter of Koromo's CEO in secret. Her name was Koromo Gitsu and just like Rikuou had mentioned, she looked exactly like Yamabuki Otome. Only, she was younger. She was currently in her senior year of high school.

By the look of her features, she is the type of lady from a rich family. There was nothing suspicious about her. Rikuo doubted that she had anything to do with how the company worked, but… was it coincidence that she met Rikuou… and somehow managed to gain Rikuou's attention?

Rikuo couldn't help feeling that this was too easy. It smelt like a trap. He sighed deeply as he read another resume of the Keikain Family members. He saw Akifusa's face in the photo and then read the next of kin information.

Apparently, Keikain Family members weren't exactly related by blood. Many of the members were originally ordinary people, usually orphan children who then later were taken into the family to be raised to be the law enforcement officers.

Yura and Ryuuji were brother and sister by blood, but Mamiru was their foster brother. He was taken in when he was six to be part of Keikain. Ryuuji and Yura's parents were responsible for him before they passed away.

It was also the same for Akifusa. Unlike Masatsugu who was the direct cousin of Ryuuji and Yura, Akifusa was also a foster child. He came into Keikain family with his little brother, Pato. Pato was 12 now, but it seemed he was very smart such that he needed specialized education.

The list could go on and on because the numbers of Keikain Family members were overwhelming. They had even more members than Nura Gumi. It hurt Rikuo's head to think that they had to check on them one by one based on the suspicion that someone on the inside might have been involved in the matter of the death of Yura's brothers.

"Do you notice something strange in their resumes?" Yura asked.

"Not yet," Rikuo answered which was an understatement because he doubted he could get anything by reading resumes. After all, he was the type to know someone by talking to them face to face.

"We'll keep looking until we find something," Yura said surely, going back to her share of resumes.

Rikuo sighed deeply and was about to continue reading when his cell-phone rang. He picked up the phone immediately. "Hello," he greeted.

"Riku, it's me,"

"Rikuou?" Rikuo immediately recognized the voice from the phone. "What's the matter?" he asked then.

"I found her," Rikuou said, sounding pretty excited.

"Ah… then you're going to execute the plan now?" Rikuo asked again.

"Yeah, after this, I may not be able to go back for several days, but… wish me luck," Sandaime said softly, and Rikuo could almost see the full spirited expression his brother was making, somehow.

Rikuo softened his expression as well. "Good luck," he whispered lightly before they hung up. He then turned to Yura. "Good news. Rikuou found the girl. He'll try to squeeze some information out of her after this," he continued.

"…I owe him once." Yura said, seeming to be reluctant, but she didn't have a choice in this matter. She had to rely on the Sandaime of the Nura Gumi. Just this once, Rikuo thought it wouldn't be such a big deal.

0oo—Rikuou x Rikuo—oo0

Rikuou hung up the payphone before he turned and then approached the girl in the park. Of all places… to be seeing her in the first place they met was kind of fate. Maybe she wanted to see him again, that's why, but Rikuou wouldn't know that.

"Yo, we meet again," Rikuou greeted the dark haired woman who looked up slightly from the swing. She looked kind of surprised at first before smiling gently. Rikuou didn't know why, but she could almost mimic his mother's look perfectly. It was kind of scary.

"You're the rude guy who shoved aside a lady to run after another guy," she said, still smiling, but he could see the anger in her gesture.

"Look at that, even your angry face looks like my mother's," Rikuou chuckled, feeling nostalgic seeing it.

"Really, you're comparing me to your mother?" Gitsu looked at Rikuou in disbelief. "I'm not that old. That's extremely rude," she said, almost pouting.

"You don't seem to be angry too much about it, though," Rikuou then sat beside her. "I want to see you again, I admit," he said, glancing at Gitsu with a small smile on his face.

…

…

"Are you flirting with me?" Gitsu asked and Rikuou blushed slightly at that. She chuckled seeing his expression and he narrowed his eyes, annoyed at her.

"Way to go to ruin a moment," Rikuou huffed and Gitsu had to cover her mouth so as not to laugh aloud.

"Really, you are a very funny guy," Gitsu said, still giggling. "Oh, I'm beat. Why is it that you want to see me again, handsome?" she asked then, smiling at Rikuou, seeming to like him just fine.

"Oh, right… I haven't told you my name, right? My bad. I'm called Yoru. Nice to meet you, Gitsu," he said, smiling back, getting confident with everything because he had found an opening from her. He would get close to her and slowly… he would get to know her and her family more personally.

Maybe Rikuou could even ask about the family business and all the secrets of the company. Well, he couldn't be too hasty or it would look suspicious.

"Suddenly we're in first name basis? How bold… You must like me very much, huh?" Gitsu asked, chuckling again and a bead of sweat dropped from Rikuou's head. "Sounds good… Yoru, huh? 'The Night', it matches your hair color," she said again before she reached out and touched Rikuou's hair.

"Now, who is bold here? Suddenly touching me like that…" Rikuou smirked.

"You don't seem too mind," Gitsu was still smiling. She looked at him deeply in the eyes with her dark ones. Suddenly her face was so close with him and Rikuou didn't have a chance to react when she pecked him on the corner of his lips.

Rikuou widened his eyes and jerked backward in shock while Gitsu pulled back with a shy smile. "I like you. Do you have time for a cup of tea?" she asked then with that smile that reminded Rikuou so much about his mother.

Rikuou knew he should back off now. He was just kissed by a stranger on the lips! But… but it was for undercover work…. But… how far could he go for work? Did it count as cheating if it was for work?

"You know… I'm the conservative type…" Rikuou said, slowly standing up. "Maybe next time?" he said, holding his smile in place.

"Really?" Gitsu's smile was widening a fraction, somehow.

"Yeah…" Rikuou was about to walk away when suddenly, he felt his feet wobble. "Huh?" He felt the ground moving and suddenly, he was on one knee on the cold soil. His surroundings were kind of spinning for some reasons.

"Are you alright?"

Rikuou could hear Gitsu's voice. She approached him and put her hand on Rikuou's shoulder. Rikuou was panting, fighting losing consciousness as he looked upward to her.

"I don't… suddenly…" Rikuou's eyelids became heavy for some reasons and slowly, the world turned into darkness when he passed out on the ground.

#

Gitsu stood up and took her cell phone. He dialed a certain number and then "Hello, it's me. I got him. Dokuro is kind of useless in searching for him since he doesn't know his appearance, but he found me in the park anyway. He can't resist my looks." She chuckled before she went silent and listened from the phone. "Ah, get the car? There's no way I'd use my own hands to bring him to the place… yeah. Get ready for the stage. We're going to make a video…and lots of pictures…"

Gitsu smirked seeing the unconscious man in front of her before she hung up her phone. She then knelt beside Rikuou. "Yoru, really? You look so much like that that man, Rikuou… There was no way I'd not recognize you," she chuckled, grabbing Rikuou's hair and pulled it up, smirking.

"There's no next time anymore, dear nephew. You'd fall into my hand… one way or another," she continued before she laughed heartily and evilly….

End of Chapter 20

Tbc...

Additional Note:

*Suzuran: a beautiful small white flower which usually grows on the ground. Its root is very poisonous.

1)Okaa-sama: it's the same as okaa-san, ofukuro, hahaue, everything means 'mother'.

2)Koromo Gitsu: the human name for Hagoromo Gitsune.

A/N: Man… I'm so sorry it takes so long to update this one. I kinda tried to move the plot as fast as I could, so it was rather difficult to stage the scene *sighs*. This chapter is shorter than my previous one, but please bear with it. I have to cut it here. I have no excuse aside I'm still preparing what kind of devious thing Gitsu was planning.

Also, I need you to see my profile to help me choose my next fanfiction project. The poll is at the top of the profile, and there are some snippets for you to read, to help you vote which one is more interesting to make first as well at the bottom of the profile. Since it's a blind poll, you and I won't know the result until the due date (July 21st). It's just so there won't be any bias in the choice. Help me, okay?

Thanks for reading! See you in next chapter! Don't forget to review, okay?