Asking for favours

Disclaimer: I don't own Nurarihyon no mago or any of its characters

Yusuke bit her thumb nail in a bored manner as she sat on the grass between Yukari and Awashima. The all-too-familiar sound of clashing attacks echoed through the arena area as yokai fear emitted from the two sparring males. Both Amezo and Itaku were the ones training while the others sat and watched quietly. Training seemed to be the only pastime in Toono but it was miserably boring to sit and watch for Yusuke. She would never openly admit that, of course, that would just be rude. At this time, Yusuke would most likely be doing her chores but on account of her minor injury, Reira insisted that Yusuke not do them until she had healed enough to use her left hand and until then, Reira would be the one to take care of them. Though it was true that Yusuke was unable to use her left hand very well at the moment, she still fought and politely refused many times but the yuki-onna was much too persistent for the half breed, who was fighting a losing battle the entire time. Yusuke felt quite terrible that Reira had to do her chores all because of her wound, despite said yokai stating that it was no problem for her, considering the fact the she had to do a majority of the chores before Yusuke had arrived in Toono. Yusuke made a mental note to thank Reira and repay her somehow once she was healed.

The half demon subconsciously let a sigh escape her lips as the nail she was biting on was now already too short to nip at. Her hand flopped back into her lap with her back slouching a bit more than it had been before. Yukari took notice of her actions.

"Yusuke, are you bored?" she asked, adding her signature cough at the end of the sentence. Yusuke's posture quickly popped upright at the small girl's words in an attempt to make herself look more enthusiastic.

"B-bored? No, n-not at all! I'm actually quite interested in all of this. Its, uh...e-educational?" the half breed stuttered, unsurely.

"It's okay if you're bored, you know. We can go find something else to do." Yukari spoke before the raven-haired girl vigorously shook her head.

"N-no, I'm fine, really." Yusuke said, clearing her throat afterwards. The conversation between the two girls had now caught the attention of Awashima, who decided to join in as an idea hit him.

"If you're bored then why don't you try sparring? You can use your fear now, right?" Yusuke turned her attention towards the blonde.

"W-well yeah, but I haven't exactly activated it y-wait...how did you know?" Yusuke interrupted herself as realization hit her.

"Itaku told me." he answered vaguely. Yusuke parted her lips to answer but was cut off by an overly sweet voice.

"Oh, Itaku! I'm so glad that I've finally found you!" yelled the voice which seemed to cease the sparring sounds. Everyone's eyes darted towards the speaker, who was none other than the man-eating girl, Ai. Ai had a bright smile of pure glee, plastered to her face as she ran closer to the group of yokai, specifically Itaku. The redhead began speaking, mid-run.

"Oh, Itaku! Where have you been?! I looked all over for you yesterday!" Finally she reached her destination, passing the three yokai sitting on the grass, as if they did not exist and swiftly jumped atop the arena. She quickly ran over, roughly shoving Amezo to the side in order to stand in front of the kamaitachi. Apparently, Ai was much stronger than she looked. The force of her push had caused Amezo to stumble off of the arena and fall roughly to the ground in front of Yusuke. The half breed's grey orbs widened at the sight of the kappa on his back, groaning slightly.

"Ah! Amezo, are you okay?" Yusuke exclaimed as she bolted to her feet and grabbed hold of Amezo's scaly, webbed hand. She helped him up with look of worry folding her face. The kappa brushed himself off before speaking.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He answered as his yellow eyes shot towards his assailant. Yusuke sent a glance towards Yukari and Awashima. Yukari's face bared a slight frown while Awashima had a look of great irritation. Yusuke's gaze drifted towards Ai, who seemed to be the center of attention now.

"Sorry for interrupting your training, I was just so worried after not seeing you most of the day, yesterday." Ai spoke in a very cheer-filled voice. Her ocean-blue eyes had finally picked up on the obvious fact that Itaku was not wearing his bandana. Her large eyes grew even larger as her smile brightened.

"Wow, Itaku! You look so good without your bandana on! I think this is the first time I've seen you without it! You never take it off!" Ai exclaimed loudly, putting greater enthusiasm on the word "never". Itaku remained silent as Ai continued to ramble on about his good looks until finally he spoke up.

"Go back to the temple, Ai" Itaku said, clearly irritated by the blue-eyed yokai's presence. Ai's rambling ceased as her bright smile dropped to a childish pout.

"But I came here to see you, Itaku. I don't want to leave yet." she whined. By now, even Yusuke had felt a slight bit of irritation wash over her.

"Oh, that reminds me! I brought you all a snack to have." Ai said as she began to rummage through the sleeve of her dark green kimono. A few seconds later, she pulled out a small, well decorated box as her bright smile returned.

"Here you go." she spoke as she lightly shoved the box in Itaku's direction. Before Itaku could react, Awashima stepped in, snatching the box out of the red-haired yokai's hands.

"Thanks for the food, you can leave now." he said while using his free hand to push Ai's back, leading her to the edge of the arena. Once Ai had processed the fact that Awashima was attempting to force her to leave, she began yelling in protest.

"But I wanted to stay here with you guys! Hold on! I want more time to talk to Itaku! Stop pushing me, Awashima!" Ai finally managed to escape from Awashima and made a sharp turn back towards Itaku. Before she could take more than five steps, the blonde yokai grabbed hold of Ai's collar. Ai stopped running and began to childishly flail her arms and legs around as she continued to protest.

"Cut it out, Awashima~" she whined in an ear-piercingly high voice. After a few moments of flailing around and whining, Ai sighed irritably. Her face grew dark as she shot a death glare towards the blonde.

"Let go." she hissed, slightly startling Yusuke at her dramatic change in tone. Suddenly a great surge of what Yusuke guessed to be Ai's fear, swept over the sparring ground.

The strength of her fear sent Yusuke stumbling backwards while everyone else stood completely unfazed by it. Obviously, Yusuke was the only one that felt the slightest bit intimidated by Ai's fear (which in her case was not surprising). The half breed quickly regained her posture, returning her attention to the two yokai who now seemed to be having a glaring contest. Yusuke sent desperate glances back and forth between the two. Neither one seemed to back down, as if they were mentally challenging each other. The noticeable tension between them was so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Hell, you could see the sparks of their glares clashing with each other. Yusuke was unsure of what to do in this situation, so instead; she stood with a look of confusion and fear forming on her face. Finally after what seemed to be forever, Itaku stepped in.

"Ai." he spoke firmly with his back facing her. Said demon's head snapped in his direction, her glare being instantly replaced by a sweet smile as her fear suddenly evaporated.

"Yes?" she asked in her usual sweet voice.

"Go back to the temple." he said once again, not bothering to look at her. Ai gave a small pause before answering.

"...Okay, whatever you say." she said, reluctantly. Awashima removed his grasp on her kimono's collar and eyed her as she stalked back to the temple, slowly. Awashima continued to glare daggers at the redhead's back until she was completely out of sight. Afterwards, the blonde yokai jumped down from the arena and made his way back to Yusuke's side, still holding onto the box that Ai had given them. He shoved the item into the half breed's hands, as if it were an offending gesture to hold onto it.

"She just doesn't know when to give up. Damn, she's annoying." he complained to no-one in particular.

"Yeah and not to mention, she thinks that she's so strong just because she can fight. I bet that anyone of us could take her down in less than five minutes." Amezo added. Yusuke semi-ignored their rants and complaints and examined the box that Awashima had thrust to her.

It was a very detailed, black bento box with small white cherry blossoms that were skillfully painted on. Yusuke pulled off the top and slid it underneath the box, containing four rice balls inside. The half demon picked one up from the box and proceeded to nibble on it. The taste was surprisingly sweet, as if someone had sprinkled sugar onto them but despite that, they were rather good. Yusuke began to take larger bites of the rice ball as her face gleamed with content. Yukari reached up, snagged one rice ball for herself and began happily eating it as well. Not long after, both Amezo and Awashima had taken the last two for themselves. It was quite for a moment as they all enjoyed their sweet snack (except for Itaku, who just stood, silently watching).

"Wow, she's a much better cook than I am." Yusuke complimented as she tossed the last piece of her rice ball into her mouth. She then placed the cover back on and set it down on the ground beside her.

"I wouldn't say that. Your cooking is pretty good too, you know." Amezo said between bites. A faint blush spread across Yusuke's face as she hung her head in order to hide behind the curtain that her messy bangs could provide.

"I-I wouldn't say that." she stammered, nervously.

"Stop being so modest, your cooking is a lot better than hers." Awashima chimed in while flicking his finger on Yusuke's chin, causing her head to jolt upwards.

"Um, o-okay." she answered as her head subconsciously hung once again, covering her face. Awashima's brows furrowed at the raven-haired girl's habit. It irritated him the way she always hid her face behind her ragged bangs. Even when not hiding her face, Yusuke's bangs still covered about half of her eyes. Awashima let out a small growl as he shoved the last piece of his rice ball into his mouth. After doing so, the blonde unexpectedly grabbed hold of Yusuke's bangs and pulled them upwards, out of her face. Yusuke let out a small yelp of surprise at Awashima's sudden actions.

"Why don't you just cut these damn things off, already?" he asked as the half breed's hands grabbed hold of Awashima's, trying desperately to pry it off (which only resulted in her pulling her own hair).

"I-I don't know! I just feel better with my long bangs, that's all!" she tried explaining but her reasons did not satisfy Awashima.

"You look a lot better when you're not covering your face with them. Just cut them off." Yusuke didn't reply to Awashima, instead she just continued to pulled at his hand.

"Awashima's right, you look a lot cuter without those bangs in your face." Amezo added while Yukari nodded her petite head in agreement.

"N-no, I like my hair t-the way it is!" Yusuke protested. The blonde yokai grasped the hilt of his sword using his free hand and slowly begun to pull it from its scabbard.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to cut them for you." Awashima joked. A sudden pang of fear washed over Yusuke as she began to panic over the matter, led to believe that the blonde was serious.

"Ah, okay, okay! I'll cut my hair, I'll cut my hair! Just please don't use your sword on me!" she pleaded.

A triumphant smile tugged at the corners of Awashima's face as he slid his word back into place and released Yusuke's bangs. The half breed stumbled back, landing flat on her butt as she attempted to catch her breath. Awashima snickered at the half yokai along with Amezo. Finally Yusuke had realized that Awashima was simply kidding about using his sword.

"I-it's not funny. I thought you were really going to use your sword on me." Yusuke defended.

"Like I would do that." The blonde replied bluntly.

He had a point. Yusuke was sure that Awashima would not actually harm Yusuke in any way over such a small matter. The half breed pushed herself off of the ground, brushing off any dirt clinging to her bum as a small pout formed on her face.

"You really thought Awashima was serious?" asked Itaku from behind Yusuke. Yusuke had completely forgotten that he was even there and hearing him speak all of a sudden resulted in her getting extremely startled. Out of sheer reflex, Yusuke jolted before her fist came whirling around along with her body, sending a bone-cracking punch to Itaku's face. The impact sent the kamaitachi flying, hitting a tree rather hard before his body fell limp on the floor.

"Don't scare me like th-!" Yusuke cut herself off once she had noticed that she had accidentally knocked out Itaku. The impact was so intense that her fist was left red and throbbing with pain.

As the half breed stood with a complete dumbfounded look on her pale features, Amezo and Awashima had burst into loud fits of laughter. Yusuke quickly snapped herself back into reality as she raced towards the unconscious Itaku.

"I'm so sorry, Itaku! I didn't mean to!" she yelled in a panicked state before turning towards the two laughing yokai. "Stop laughing! It's not funny, you guys! Ah, what do I do?!" she yelled loudly.

"Wow, Yusuke is really strong." Yukari spoke softly, coughing at the end of her comment. Yusuke ignored the small girl's words, turning around to continue frantically fussing over Itaku.

Just at that moment, Dohiko emerged from the forest area, entering the sparring ground. Before he could carry out his greeting, he had noticed the current situation taking place in front of him. His gaze traveled from Awashima and Amezo, who seemed to be suffocating from laughter, to an unconscious Itaku and then finally, to a panicked Yusuke who seemed to be experiencing an anxiety attack judging by the state of her now completely colourless face and heavy breathing. Dohiko raised a brow at the sights before him, clearly confused.

"What did I miss?" he asked questionably.

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Yusuke stared down, intently at Itaku, who lay unconscious in her bed (since she was unsure of how to reach the men's bedroom and Awashima simply stalked behind her, unwilling to point the way). A look of pure concern was swept over her features, similar to that of a very worried mother. Awashima sat next to her half demon friend, pouring himself some sake. His gaze drifted to Yusuke who was looming over Itaku, as if he would die at any moment. Awashima sighed silently to himself at the sight before him. Yusuke worried way too much over such little things.

"Would you stop looking at him like he's gonna die?" Awashima spoke irritably, taking a sip of his sake.

"I'm just worried. He hasn't woken up in a few hours." Yusuke answered as she briefly glanced at the blonde, who was drinking, much to her dismay.

"That's because you hit him so hard. Trust me, he'll be fine, so stop worrying like you're his mother. If you ask me, he's pretty lucky that he doesn't have a broken jaw after a hit like that...or some missing teeth for that matter." Awashima muttered the last part to himself, drinking the rest of his sake in one gulp, afterwards.

"...Yeah, I suppose." Yusuke said softly before returning her attention to the kamaitachi.

The room had grown silent just as it had been for the past two hours. Awashima let out another sigh before grabbing the half empty jug of sake and pouring himself another cup. He was beginning to grow envious of Amezo, Dohiko and Yukari who had stayed behind at the training arena. Of course, Awashima had to be stupid and agree to come with Yusuke, to take Itaku back. He had been sitting for two hours, watching in silence as Yusuke fussed over Itaku. After the first hour had past, Awashima figured that the best way to pass the time was to drink and so that was what he had been doing for the past hour. In fact, he was quite surprised that he was still relatively sober-feeling after how much sake he had drank. Awashima allowed his mind to wonder back to the topic of Amezo, Dohiko and Yukari. There was no doubt that they were probably laughing at his expense because of all this. Either that or they were training.

"Those lucky bastards." Awashima thought to himself after taking a sip from his cup.

Awashima's golden eyes drifted from the floor to Yusuke. She sat on her chaffs with her hands folded in her lap, neatly. Awashima's thoughts had trailed off onto another topic, soon after.

"Yusuke hit Itaku so hard that it actually knocked him out. It's pretty hard to knock anyone in Toono out, even more so for her. This completely destroys my thoughts of her being just a simple helpless, weak, half breed. Not only that...but this also really peeks my interest on what her fear will be like...plus I doubt Yusuke even knows her true strength. After all, I was the one who had to carry Itaku back bridal style, since Yusuke said that she was too weak to carry him herself."

Suddenly the haunting memory of Awashima carrying Itaku bridal style had crept its way back into his mind. A cold shiver slithered down his back at that mental image. Sure, Itaku was his comrade and his friend but, despite his female form, Awashima was still a man at heart and had his dignity as a man to look after, so carrying Itaku as if he were a woman was not something that he would want to do on a daily basis...or tell Itaku about, for that matter. Yusuke had finally taken notice of the blonde staring at her with a distant look in his golden eyes. She gave Awashima a curious look as she cocked her head to the side.

"What's wrong, Awashima?" she questioned. Said yokai was pulled back into reality by Yusuke's voice. His eyes had lost they're distant look as he replied. "It's nothing."

"Oh, okay." Yusuke spoke. Her gaze was reverted back to Itaku as she lightly brushed a few strands of raven hair away from his eyes in a caring manner. Awashima let out a small snicker as a sudden thought formed in his mind. Yusuke gave the blonde a questionable look.

"What is it?" she asked, placing all of her attention on the snickering yokai.

"Nothing...I was just thinking that a lot of girls would probably die to be in your shoes right now." He answered between snickers. Yusuke simply gave a look of confusion. After a few moments of deciphering Awashima's comment, Yusuke shot her a stern look.

"Awashima! That's inappropriate." she scolded but her words fell on deaf ears as Awashima continued to snicker happily at her witty joke.

Yusuke simply shook her head in disapproval but was unable to hide the small smile that had formed on her chapped lips. Yusuke would not deny the fact that Awashima was partially right. Who knows what Ai would have done in that situation? But to be honest, Yusuke did not want to know. There was a short silence between the two as Awashima finished his neglected cup of sake. Afterwards, said blonde broke the silence.

"So Yusuke...when do you plan on activating your fear?" he asked, averting her greyish-silver orbs that had now made their way in his direction.

Yusuke sat silent for a moment as she thought it over. Yusuke had not thought of when she would actually gain the courage to activate her fear. Of course, she did want to activate it but for some reason, she had continued to push the thought to the back of her mind every time it appeared. Yusuke was unsure of why she kept her mind off of that matter. Could it be that she was afraid to learn that her fear was weak? But then again, Yusuke had been weak all of her life, so what was she afraid of? That question was simple, she was afraid of everything. But what if, by chance, her fear was strong? Strong enough to fight with? Strong enough to defend what she held dear? What if her fear could open a new way of living for her? If her fear did turn out to be strong, then she wouldn't have to be afraid anymore. She would be able to defend herself in case of danger. She would not be dead weight in a fight and she most certainly would not be vulnerable. But...I order to achieve all of this; she would have to take risks. She would have to be strong and determined. But most of all...she would have to be willing to die trying. Did she really want to take that big of a risk just to gain strength?

"Awashima..." Yusuke spoke in a soft voice.

"Hm?"

"...Can you...do me a favour?"

Author's note: Well, another chapter complete! Sorry if you don't like how I'm not really putting any Yusuke and Itaku moments in yet but I, for one, am against rushing a relationship that has to develop over time. But anywho, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review if you find the time :3

~FlammingAxel