AN: I've watched the anime part first before I got to read the manga so I had taken an instant dislike to Kana since she's one useless character (I apologize for that one). I love Tsurara and Rikuo pairing more. Anyway, the first few chaps may have been more of Kana but I believe after the mirror part, she had been less shown in the manga while Tsurara is always there. There is something I noticed by the way. Sure thing, Night Rikuo had saved Kana a few times but there wasn't much reaction from him compared when he always rescued Tsurara. In the Kyusou part, he was enraged when Gezo (?) attempted to hurt her. Another part was when Tsuchigumo hurt her (Although he was enraged that his Hyakki was defeated). Well maybe I was just analyzing it too much. And not to mention how he went too far as to fetch Tsurara. Anyway, enough babbling.

This is my first take on Nura so I am not so confident over it but still, I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to read and share your thoughts.

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Standard disclaimer applies.

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How many years has it been since the Nue was defeated by the very sword that was carved by Akifusa? How many years has it been since things were back to normal and that Rikuo's Hyakki had even expanded farther away? It was recorded in the history of the yokai – that fight against Abe and his minions. And that Rikuo had far surpassed his grandfather and father in that fight alone.

With things being back to normal, Rikuo could now go to school without worrying too much. There are already many yokai that followed his fear and he is satisfied with that as long as he had the ability to protect them all for that is the burden that comes with becoming the master of all spirits. There are still a few yokai here and there that plots to destroy him but his subordinates could take care of them easily. He can tell that many of them had surpassed their limits during the battle against Nue and his minions. Many had become even stronger.

"Oh? Rikuo-kun, good morning," a cheerful voice greeted him and he turned to the speaker to find Maki and Torii waving at him. He walked towards them while remembering something, a talk he had with Kuro a few weeks back.

"My loyalty still remains to you, Master, but I ask you to allow me to look over that child."

"Which one are you talking about, Kuro?" Ao asked with utmost curiosity, surprised to hear Kuro wanting to protect a human other than their master.

Night Rikuo gave a friendly smirk. "Torii? Heh...are you smitten to her?"

Kuro shook his head. "No but I feel like that one needed someone to constantly watch over her."

Tsurara gave Kuro a studied look before she turned to Rikuo. "Master, he may still be blaming himself over that incident years ago. You know, when she almost died in the hands of the Hundred Tales Clan? Torii said that she was looking for him then," she whispered making Night Rikuo look at her. Even Tsurara had wisened.

He nodded his head then spoke. "If that is what you wish, Kuro, then I am in your debt. Protect her."

"Thank you Master."

"Good morning," he greeted with a smile. "Kiyo and Shima are not around?" he looked for another person. "Even Kana-chan."

"Kana called and she's sick," Maki answered.

"Eh? Is she alright?" he asked in worry.

Maki and Torii shared a look. "Well, basically, no. She's having a fever so me and Torii are thinking of going over to visit. Want to come after school?"

He smiled. "Sure."

"Then perhaps you can also bring Ao-san and Tsurara-san too. It would be fun with more people around," Torii suggested. Ever since she almost died by a yokai's doing, her perception had gone sharper. She can see yokai clearly now. Clearly and sharply and so she can see that monk always watching over her. She had named him her guardian which he scoffed about when they talked since she had talked with him a couple of times already. She found him one interesting yokai.

Rikou scratched his head uncertainly. He was sure about Ao but he isn't too sure about Tsurara since she had been busy lately, going to the district where she was given full control. "I'll talk to them," he said.

Torii clapped her hand. "Great. Let's go. Kiyo and Shima are already waiting for us," she said although she allowed Maki and Rikou to go first. She looked around and saw that monk sleeping in a branch, his hat covering his face. "I'll follow ahead. I've to talk to someone."

"Sure," Maki agreed, not at all worried that her friend would disappear again. Torii had assured her that there is someone watching over her.

Rikuo gave a particular tree a single glance and knew Kuro is there. Torii walked over to the tree. "Hello, good morning."

Kuro took off the hat from his face and glanced down at the girl. "You don't have to come over every time and talk to me you know."

Torii only smiled. "That guy there is Rikuo, he's a friend."

"Okay, and?"

She beamed. "Nothing. I'll be going now okay?"

She was chasing her friends now while Kuro watched with a frown before he resumed his sleep. On the other hand, Maki was badgering Rikou.

"Say, Rikuo, do you like Kana?"

The question took the young man by surprise and he stared at her with a tinge of pink in his cheeks. "W-W-What?"

Maki shrugged. "Just asking. Or is Tsurara already your girlfriend?"

The question baffled him even more as his face started to get a shade of red. Maki sighed before she sneered. "Do you like them both?"

"Huuuh?"

"Forget I ask. I was just curious," she said and patted his shoulder. Rikuo was left confused as he followed their lead. Where did that question come from anyway?

"…but Kana had always mentioned that she liked a guy, right?" he heard Torii asked Maki.

"Her phantom guy?" Maki asked in boredom. "She always said it but she never said who it was. Though she said he had white and black hair."

For a moment, Rikuo stopped and realized it was the Night Rikuo they were talking about. Does he like Kana? Why does he feel a little bit perturbed over the fact that she liked the Night Rikuo even more?

He had been mulling over that question the whole time, even when Kiyo and the rest dragged him out of the classroom anymore. "Strange."

The odd voice came from Shima snapped him and he looked at his friend. "Is Tsurara alright? She hasn't been hanging with us anymore."

Rikuo and Ao who was dragged by the rest shared a look. Of course they could not tell them that Tsurara had been busy ever since she was given a responsibility to take over a particular district. "Uhm, she's been busy lately," he supplied. "You know, with her part time job?"

"Oh."

He sighed in relief when they asked no further question. He turned to Ao. "She went there again?" he asked.

"Yes, Master," he whispered. "The yokai in that area had been so sold out to her, you know. I visited there once and they always talked about her."

He smiled in relief knowing that Tsurara had fully gained their trust and that she could handle them well enough. "Have you seen Kuro?"

"He was here a while ago."

He nodded and they continued walking behind the others. "He's kinda protective of her."

Rikuo nodded. "I noticed it too and I am glad that a number of us are now willing to co-exist with humans."

"You're their model," Ao provided. They did not continue talking more about ayakashi and human because Kiyo had taken in-charge of the conversation until they reached Kana's place. She was indeed very sick and Torii had volunteered to cook for her while the rest sat around their friend. As Rikuo watched, he again remembered the question.

Does he like Kana?

He shook his head. He had no time thinking about feelings like that. Besides, if compared against his night self, Night Rikou would definitely win in all aspects. When they were about to leave, Kana held him down.

"Rikuo-kun, what was the name of your friend?" she asked.

"Eh? Uhm,…"

"I wanted to talk to him again. I never did after that mirror incident," she said slipping past delirium. She was giving him a pleading look and for a moment, Rikou looked away with a stab of pain. He forced a smile.

"Uhm, I'll talk to him to come visit you," he said and held her hand. "Just take a rest okay?"

She gave him a grateful smile and drifted back to sleep. Ao was waiting for him at the door. "What was that all about?" he asked with curiosity.

Rikou scratched his head. "She was asking for my name – I mean, the Night Rikuo's name." he felt dejected. "I guess I have to transform to my night form and visit her tonight."

As they walked that afternoon, it was Ao who asked him this time though more for the sake of Tsurara. Everyone knew that Tsurara felt something for Rikou and that their master is oblivious to it. "Master, do you like Kana?"

Rikuo stopped and looked back at Kana's house with a lonely look. "Yes. I think I like her."

Ao scratched his head and wondered how Tsurara would react to this if she heard it. "Ah I see." Another generation that would fall for a human, which would reduce his yokai blood even more.

Night came and Rikuo turned to his yokai form. He sat at the sakura tree for a moment before he fled away towards Kana's house.

"Y-You came…" she whispered when she saw him sitting on the window ledge in his usual outfit.

Like always, he spoke in a way that no one can ever read his thoughts. "I did."

"Can I ask you to watch over me tonight?" she requested, fighting off her sleep.

He did not answer as he stared outside where the snow is starting to fall down. He sighed and stepped down. "Take a rest."

She reached for his hand and held him there as she drifted back to sleep while the Night Rikuo sat with his usual impassive look, his eyes constantly watching outside.

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Morning came and the Nura household gathered for their usual breakfast. When Rikuo took over, he made it a point that he shares his meal with everyone in the house and thus it always turned into a feast.

"Good morning Third!" they greeted in their usual vigor.

He yawned. "Good morning."

"Wakana-chan is preparing the food," Kejoro said and offered him some tea. "You don't look like you've had enough sleep, Master Rikuo."

He smiled. "Ah, I've had my yokai form look after Kana for the whole night."

Kejoro only nodded. "I see." Of course, what their master chooses, they have to accept. So if its human that he likes, then they have to accept her too.

"Rikuo-sama, the Gyuuki Clan has given their sincere apology for leaving so early in the morning," Kubinashi appeared with the laundry. "Ah, I have to hang these first." He ran off like he wasn't just there earlier.

It was the usual routine for everyone which Rikuo was accustomed with already. Wakana had arrived with the food not a few minutes later and everyone started eating. Until his grandfather arrived, his pipe stuck in his lips.

"Rikuo, have you seen Yuki-Onna? I need a word with her," he said.

It was only that time that they realized the ever lively presence of Yuki-Onna not around. "Eh? Where's she?" he asked and looked around.

Kejoro blinked. "Eh? She did not come home last night. I thought she accompanied you."

He slowly shook his head. "No. She did not come home?" he asked and Kejoro nodded. He stood up and asked for his information squad. "Kindly go fetch her from the village." He asked before turning to his grandfather. "I apologize. I did not know she did not arrive home. Is it something important?" he asked.

Nurarihyon shook his head. "Nah. I just remembered something about her mother's past."

"Oh."

"Master, we are going to be late," Ao said and glanced at the time.

He immediately ate his breakfast and left with Ao although he suddenly felt troubled. He brushed the unease away and they both started walking towards school where a barely alright Kana was waiting with both Torii and Maki.

Kana walked towards him and gave him a soft hug. "Thank you so much Rikuo-kun. He did come."

He gave a faint blush when he noticed everyone looking at them with teasing look. "No problem?" he said when she pulled away.

"But you really have to tell me more about him," she urged in a lively voice. "It's been long since I saw him that's why."

"Didn't you ask him last night?" he asked.

"No. I was barely conscious."

They were about to enter the school campus when he noticed the crows spread all over. He turned to Kana. "Ah, sorry but can you guys go ahead? I need to call someone."

Although confused at his hurried voice, his friends nodded while Ao followed him when no one was looking. He chose a perfect spot. Even Kuro arrived.

The tengu siblings descended down and bowed their head. "Our apologies, Rikuo-sama."

"What is it?"

"We couldn't find Yuki-Onna."

"What?" he wasn't sure he heard it right.

The female tengu spoke. "We went there to fetch her but according to the yokai there, she went home last night. It was only then that someone arrived and badly hurt."

What happened? He asked himself and his eyes hardened as he urged them to speak further. Is an enemy approaching?

The other tengu handed him a bag. "That's what we managed to find. The injured one wished to speak with you and the First."

"Gramps? Why?" he turned to Ao and the rest when he heard them gasp. It was then that he noticed he was in his yokai form. It is really strange but ever since his fight with the Nue, he was able to transform in his yokai form anytime he wanted to and that he was already unaffected by the day and night.

"He was spared for a purpose."

"Alright, let's – "

"R-Rikuo-kun?" the voice froze the yokai when they turned and saw Kana and her friends staring at them in horror.

"R-R-Rikuo is a y-y-y-yokai?" Kiyo stammered in his speech but more in excitement than shock.

The atmosphere was tensed as the humans were face to face with yokai. Torii looked at Kuro with a questioning look. But she wasn't looking at them with accusation or with the feeling of being betrayed. She just wanted answer. It was Kana though who looked betrayed.

"Ah."

"Let's go," the yokai master ordered.

"Wait," Kana stopped them with a scream with tears spilling her eyes. "Why?" she asked in a voice laced with hurt.

He did not answer nor did he look back as he disappeared with the rest of the yokai. The humans were left there in stunned silence.

"Rikuo…is that really him?" Maki asked.

Kana stared at the space they have disappeared into. Shima was not paying much attention though while Kiyo was filled with excitement. Torii clasped her hands. So Rikuo knew Kuro too. "I wonder what happened," she said to break the silence. The famous adage that what you don't know won't hurt you probably applies to Kana now seeing as she looked betrayed.

They decided to follow Rikuo out of curiosity but never have they imagined that they would find a secret he was keeping from them all along.

"Does that mean Ao-san is also a yokai? He was with them, right?" Shima asked and they immediately came with another conclusion.

"If that is so – would that also mean Oikawa-san is one of them?" Maki asked and glanced at Kana. "But she wasn't with them yesterday, right?"

Torii tried to force a smile. "Guys, I think we just have to wait for Rikuo to answer those. There seemed to be an important reason that they went in a hurry."

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The First generation Supreme Commander sighed when the injured yokai finished speaking, detailing everything he saw. He rubbed his temple. "It has begun."

"What do you mean?" his grandson asked in an edgy voice. How dare them take his precious subordinate and leave one of his yokais harmed.

"We have a tricky enemy now. One that bore an ill-will," he stated and remembered his subordinate. "She was the one who killed Tsurara's mother."

"She?"

"She takes many forms. She could be a he or she." This scene was familiar too. "It was also like this when we found her injured and dying – Tsurara's mother I mean."

Everyone was surprised when Rikou's sword was slammed on the floor with so much impact that it terrified the yokai living under Tsurara's care. He turned to the badly injured yokai. "Do you know where they brought her?"

His was voice quivering with rage and the weaker ones cowered while his other subordinates were left astounded. "N-N-No Sir."

He turned to the tengu siblings. "Extend your search towards wider areas and look for her at all cost. No one is to hurt any of my subordinates."

Nurarihyon only sat there and looked at the snow that continued raining down while remembering the past.

Rihan held Setsura. "Setsura."

The Yuki-Onna opened her eyes and smiled. "T-They were t-t-too strong." Her eyes started to close once more. "Nurarihyon-sama…I…I know you can never love me romantically and I was satisfied that you love me as one of your Hyakki…" she coughed. "Please…look after my child…"

Nurarhyon went towards his comrade and held her hand. "Entrust her to me, Setsura. I'm sorry I couldn't - "

"You should not be…"

"They will come back for her…" her eyes were pleading. "They will come take my child."

Even until now, he does not know how Setsura was badly injured. Even until now, he doesn't know how strong those whom she fought were and he doesn't know their identity. But apart from the death of his beloved son, Setsura's death was the only one left un-avenged. Anger pulsated his veins.

"Rikuo."

His grandson turned to look at him and everyone was terrified at the bloodshot look in his eyes. "Leave this one to me."

"Nurarihyon-sama?" Karasu-tengu asked worriedly.

"They will not lay a hand on Setsura's only treasure!" he growled in undefined anger.

Rikuo blinked before he fought with his grandfather's glare. "Sorry old man. Tsurara is my subordinate and that's why I will not allow anyone to hurt her. Setsura belonged to your hyakki and I can understand that. However, justice is mine." His words were delivered in cold tone before he stormed off.

Kubinashi spoke. "He always had that enraged look when Tsurara is hurt."

Nurarihyon turned to them. "Watch his back. With Tsurara missing, one of you will have to be his eyes on his back."

"Yes sir."

Nurarihyon turned to watch the snow once more. "Setsura, I hope you can be satisfied with this one. You always felt strongly for me and I can tell your child had the same feelings for my grandson. I sincerely hope you and my wife are happy wherever you are."

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Okay, I apologize for a bit OOCiness there. I wanted to expand and since the manga hasn't shown much interaction between Setsura and the First before I thought why not explore that side? After all, I believe she must be just as loyal as her daughter. This is a fiction anyway, anyone can always try their imagination. Take care everyone.