AN:I don't like how this chapter turned out, but I hope you will enjoy it.
Back with the girls, the topic of crushes continued.
"Okay," Maki says as they all finally calm down from teasing Tsuna. "Let's stop planning Nura-kun and Tsuna-chan's wedding, lest she passes out from embarrassment."
"Thank you, Saori-chan, you're so generous," Tsuna says dryly, face still a bit red.
Kana giggles at her cousin's quip before turning to Tsurara. "And who do you like, Oikawa-san?"
"Huh?" Tsurara says, finally snapping from her thoughts where she cursed future Decimo in various ways. "I'm sorry, what did you ask?"
"I was asking who do you like, Oikawa-san," Kana repeats kindly.
"Uh," Tsurara says awkwardly, casting a subtle glance at Tsunami. How to describe Rikuo-sama in such a way, so Sawada-san wouldn't catch on? "Well," she starts and a delicate blush adorns her cheeks, "You don't know him, but he's kind. Strong. Smart. Charming. Someone you'll follow to the ends of earth if asks you to. That's the kind of person I like."
"He sounds wonderful, Tsurara," Tsuna says with a soft smile as the other girls agreed with her. Thanks to her Hyper Intuition and the things she noticed, she has an idea who Tsurara talks about. "I'm sure he will return your feelings if you tell him."
No, he won't, Yuki-Onna thinks bitterly. She can tell that Sawada-san means it sincerely, and this is worse than if she lied to Tsurara's face. Because you already have his heart.
Then the topic is switched and the sleepover goes on until the girls fall asleep.
It's been a few days since the trip and the yokai attack. Thankfully, everything was peaceful, which Tsuna has been using to her full advantage by spending time with her family and hanging out with her new friends, and making sure to keep everyone back in Namimori up to date, excluding the yokai bits, of course.
In short, she's very busy during the day.
It's in the evenings that she allows herself to slow down before it is time to sleep. Currently, she was reading a book in her bed, with Natsu purring in her lap when a noise drew attention. Raising her head, Tsuna saw that it was Yoru who came through the window as usual.
Something is off about him, though. Her eyes instantly zero in on the way he holds himself. Usually he does so with confidence, a cocky grin in place. Now, on the other hand? His moves are stiff, careful, like it hurts, like…
…Like he is about to fall over, the brunette thinks. All of it takes seconds to realize, and she's at his side in a flash, right before he almost loses his balance.
"Hey, Princess," he greets her as Tsuna helps him to steady himself. He tries for his trademark grin, but it comes out strained, pained. "Missed me so much that you went for the hug the moment you saw me?"
"More like you missed me more what instead of letting your body heal, you came here, straining it even further," Decimo says dryly as she looks the young ayakashi over. His whole face is in cuts, bruises, some fresh, some days old, and Tsuna sees a bandage peeking from his kimono. A bandage which has blood on it. She frowns in displeasure and worry, then tugs him to the bed. "Sit. You need that bandage checked."
"As you wish, Princess," Rikuo drawls in low tone and tries not to wince as he sits down, and the movement makes his battered body ache in protest.
Tsuna merely presses her lips in a thin line in response, looking unimpressed with him, and goes to find the first aid kit.
Rikuo sighs at that. Yep, she's upset with him, which is expected. Maybe visiting her while like this wasn't such a good idea like he thought at first.
Something touches his thigh in that moment, snapping him out of his thoughts. Rikuo looks down to see a lion cub with a Sky Flame as a mane, amber eyes looking at him curiously.
"Why, hello there," Rikuo says gently, stretching the cub under the chin, causing the cub to let out a soft 'Gao'. "Aren't you adorable."
"I see you've met Natsu," Tsuna says, choosing that moment to return with the first aid kit. "He seems to like you."
"I'm very likable," Rikuo grins, glad his childhood friend didn't seem upset with him anymore. "Natsu, huh?"
"Don't ask. He already had that name when I got him," the future Donna says as she sits down and opens the first aid kit. "Could you…um, expose your torso so I can see the bandage?"
She immediately regrets the question as Yoru's expression turns sly. "Why, Tsuna, if you wanted to see me shirtless, you didn't need an excu-Itai!" He exclaims in pain and sees the scratches from Natsu's claws on his hand. He glares at the lion cub who glares back. "You little scoundrel! You scratched me!"
"Serves you right for being a shameless flirt, " the brunette says with a snort. "Good job, Natsu. Now let me see that bandage or I'm kicking you out."
Rikuo let out a huff. "Fine, fine. So bossy."
As Yoru slides down his haori and kimono, his back is revealed. As she already suspected, it is covered in injuries and bruises, partly healed thanks to his yokai nature, partly bleeding due to the strain Yoru put them under. Tsuna can't help but note he's very fit.
Then a second later, she realizes what she thought about. Did she just-! She couldn't think of him in that way! They barely knew one another! Besides, she has patched up her Guardians countless times by now, so why her reaction to Yoru is so different?
Nope, not thinking about it!
Blushing, she starts to work on patching him up, and asks as a way to distract herself:
"Did you get in trouble or something? Those look serious."
"Hm?" Rikuo hums, distracted by how good Tsuna's cool fingers felt against his bruised skin. "No, I wasn't in trouble. I was training. My mentor is good at what he does, but he's brutal and a slave driver."
"Sounds a bit like Reborn, the tutor who helps with my Flames," Tsuna's tone is one of sympathy and understanding, her previous embarrassment forgotten for the moment as she keeps working on his injuries. "He also makes me train for hours, and by the end of it, I can't feel my body."
"Ouch."
Tsuna laughs at the ayakashi's reaction. "Yeah, that about sums it up." Suddenly, her eye catches a tattoo on Yoru's back. Or rather several tattoos. Her eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "You have tattoos?"
"Ah, " Yoru says as he looks over his shoulder at what caught Tsuna's attention. "They are not tattoos, per se. They are symbols of my bonds with my Hyakki Yako. Proof that we trust each other completely."
"I see," she says simply. Her eyes linger on his lips, and Daniela's words resurface in her mind. Seriously, why do such thoughts pop in her head now?! She hurriedly averts her gaze from his lips.
Rikuo's ruby eyes lit up as an idea occurs to him. Thankfully, he didn't notice her staring at his lips. Or if he did, he chose not to comment on it. "Since we are apparently playing questions, my turn to ask. What is Natsu, exactly?" he asks with a glance at the cub who was making sure Rikuo wouldn't make another inappropriate remark towards Tsuna by watching them intently. "I can see he has your Flame, but what is he?"
"He's my partner and friend, and helps me fight whenever I need it."
"Sanba Garasu said as much when they reported back."
"So it was you who sent them," Decimo says. She already suspected it was the case, he just confirmed it. "I'm sure they relayed my thanks, but I'll say it again: thank you for your help."
"It's my job as the head of the Clan to protect humans, so don't mention it."
"Still," Tsuna insists. "Not many would go out of their way to protect humans. "
"I thought we already established I'm a special case?" Rikuo asks cheekily.
"We did," Tsuna agrees with a laugh as she finishes her work. "I'm done. You can stand up and dress now. "
Rikuo did just that. "Thanks," he says as he goes to the window and Tsuna follows him. "Sorry for the trouble."
"It was no trouble," the brunette assures him. "Though, next time just rest after training, instead of going here. I like seeing you, but your health is important. Take care of yourself first."
"I'll try,"he says, but something tells Tsuna he would pull off something like that again in the future and he knows it too. "See ya, Princess."
"See you," she returns. Natsu also lets out a "Gao"as a goodbye from Tsuna's arms where he jumped when she stood up to follow Yoru. With one last grin and a wink to accompany it sent her way, Yoru disappears into the night.
Once he's gone, her embarrassment over what happened returns full force.
"Oh my gosh," she mumbles, her face hot and red. "Why is this so embarrassing?"
"What is?" Daniela asks as she and Primo appear as usual post such visits. "The fact that you helped with his injuries and found him attractive? That's normal, sweetie."
"But I do the same for my Guardians and this never happened with them."
"That's because you see them as friends and family," Primo points out. "With Yoru it's…. something else, hence the reaction."
Tsuna groans at that. Sure, Yoru is a shameless flirt, but he can't like her that way, can he? And she him. She likes Rikuo, not Yoru!
Ugh, this is so confusing!
"Damn Yoru and his flirt…" she mutters into Natsu's warm mane.
Giotto and Daniela could only offer sympathetic smiles to the girl. Natsu also let out a comforting "Gao", sensing his owner's state.
Oh, the joys and woes of young love.
Nura Mansion.
At the same time, back at the Main House, Rikuo was getting an earful from Zen.
"Dammit, Rikuo, you idiot," the poisonous yokai grumbles. as he checks his sworn brother's injuries. "I get you're smitten with that girl, but it's no reason to put your body under strain. It needs to rest, not jump across rooftops to your lady love."
"Save it, Zen," Rikuo says. "I already got a lecture from Tsu."
"Oh, you did?" Zen asks with a raised eyebrow. "Well, it seems she has common sense and a good head on her shoulders with your 'headache-inducing Nurarihyon gene.'
Rikuo scoffs in reply, and looks at the moon. Maybe the idea to visit in his state wasn't the best, but he got to spend time with her and discover new fact about her, so it wasn't all bad.
Also, he has been considering something these past few days. Perhaps, it was time to move past simple visits. So far, he interacted with her in his yokai form the most and noticed her reactions towards 'Yoru'. Of course, it could have been simple shyness, but it gave him hope that his feelings are returned.
In any case, it was time for his human form to take the spotlight and take her out on date. He already has an idea for one.
Rikuo smiles. He is a Nurarihyon - and they never shy away from anything and this isn't an exception.
It is time to make his intentions and feelings known.
AN: That's a wrap for now. Next chapter is the date - and not only that - so I hope you will like it.
Quick question to those who follow me: would you like read a crossover between KHR and BNHA from me? I've been reading those fics (mainly with Dabi since I like him, even though he's an ass) these last few days and want to try my hand at it even though my knoweledge is limited to Dabi and the mess that is Todoroki Family. What do you think? Should I do it?
That's all. Until the next time!
Edit: Added the piece at the begininng of the chapter because somthing was missing and I finally figured out what.