A/N : ...and I forgot that I was supposed to update this two months ago. Damn my short memory orz I forgot because I didn't like the way this chapter going, but then I forgot when I was supposed to edit it. The blame is all mine. =_= so sorry it's short, but the next chapter will be really long. Really. I will try to update this month...or next. Depends on the result of this semester. College, I hate you with so much.

"They think to be a winner they have to be surrounded by lots of people. Even if it's only one person, go out and find someone unique." - Yato, Noragami

Tsurara bit her lower lip in anxiety as she watched the meeting become so chaotic. As if fate had decided to not let her young master have any rest, Rikuo now had to accompany his older brother on another meaningless meeting that only stressed him even further.

She knew, after all, she had observed how Rikuo worked day and night endlessly to make sure no one was getting hurt. He kept going to school, patrolling the town, and planning out strategies along with the onmyouji and her brother. Strategies that would help to minimize the amount of casualties that would result among the, ensuring that no innocent human, weak deity or youkai would get hurt.

But, it only worried Tsurara more and more as Rikuo continued doing these tasks for days. Unlike everyone else in the Nura household, Rikuo's body was more human than youkai. And from what Tsurara understood quite well about humans was that they were really weak. With how little rest Rikuo managed, Tsurara could only hope that her young master would be able to endure it. If anything were to happen to her dear master…Tsurara could just feel the disturbing clench in her stomach as she imagined the worst.

The snow maiden shook her head as she heard Hitotsume demand for responsibility from Rikuo. Rikuo's blank face only angered the daiyoukai further, but Tsurara noticed the tension in his shoulders. Thankfully, Zen and Rikuou quickly defended the young master and the fight continued on until Shouei, Hihi's successor, finally got fed up with it.

The meeting ended at last, leaving a bitter taste for everyone. Rikuo excused himself for a quick break to freshen up before having another discussion with his brother. Tsurara was quick to follow him, waiting impatiently in front of the bathroom.

When Rikuo left the bathroom, he noticed Tsurara was waiting for him, "Tsurara? What's wrong?"

Tsurara fidgeted before taking deep breaths to calm herself, "Rikuo-sama…please rest. Just for tonight, I beg of you!" her hands reached out for Rikuo's cheek, noticing the faint dark circles under his eyes, "I'm worried. Please, take a rest. You look horrible…"

Rikuo gently grasped Tsurara's hand to his cheek, her cold hand comforting him, "I will be okay, Tsurara. Thank you for worrying about me."

"But—"

Rikuo put his hand on Tsurara's shoulder before walking away, "I will rest when all of this is over. I can manage until then." Tsurara opened her mouth to protest, but the sight of Rikuo's back silenced her.

Droplets of tears turned into blocks of ice as Tsurara cried, "Rikuo-sama…why do you never let us help you?"

Rikuo walked calmly to where his brother and Zen were waiting for him, noticing how quiet the night was. Everyone was afraid and anxious. They doubted in him. They doubted in his ability to lead, because he was three quarters human.

If Tsurara could see how weakened he was, he had to work harder so the others could not. Keeping up his strong front, he pushed his body to its limit, trying to prevent the hyakki yakkou from falling apart. Just a little more; he had ordered Gozumaru and Mezumaru (with the help of Gyuuki, of course) to slip in among the enemies and find out their secrets and their base. He also made sure to ask Karasu Tengu's children to patrol nearby, so if anything bad happened, they would be able to rescue them. Zen was doubtful at first, but his brother went along with the plan anyways.

He knew that with the way everyone was doubting him, it would be better if they picked up the pace. The sooner they could attack Tamazuki, the better.

"Rikuo-kun?" Rikuo was a bit surprised when he heard someone calling his name. He found Otome standing underneath the sakura tree in the garden. She looked so beautiful, standing under the falling sakura petals. Otome smiled gently, beckoning Rikuo to come closer with her hand.

Even though he had to return quickly to his brother, the way Otome looked at him with those black eyes as deep as the darkness itself…it was clear that Otome wasn't inviting him; it was an order. He sighed as he knew that he wouldn't be able to refuse and walked to the garden, standing underneath the sakura tree along with her.

It felt awkward, standing with Otome, alone. It was not that it was his first time being alone with his step-mother, but rather that they were usually doing something or at least, talking. But Otome did not start a conversation nor seem to want to start one either, so Rikuo was left feeling tense as the seconds passed. Did she want something from him? Or would she scold him for being reckless in regards to his own body? Or…would she request him to rest just as Tsurara had done earlier?

To Rikuo's relief, the flower youkai finally spoke, "Rikuo-kun, do you know about the 70-30 sakazuki?"

The quarter youkai stared at his step-mother in confusion, "I do." Was there something wrong? "The 70-30 sakazuki was a sakazuki divided into portions for the boss and his subordinates as proof of loyalty."

Otome nodded, "Rihan-sama once said, that the 70-30 sakazuki was an oath that could not been sworn without genuine trust." She tore her gaze off of the falling petals and turned it to Rikuo, "Rikuo-kun, why don't you do the 70-30 sakazuki?"

Rikuo was, but in all honestly, the thought had never occurred to him before, "I… never thought about it before." Suddenly, the falling petals became very interesting to him as he broke their eye contact, "My brother…did he do it?"

Otome didn't mind as she looked towards the falling petals again, "He did, a while ago." As Rikuo didn't ask for further details, Otome continued, "Rikuo-kun…sakazuki was not just a symbol. Sakazuki was an honest, genuine pledge made by two parties who believed in each other. To put their trust in the one they follow, and in return, their leader trusted his back to them. It's a bond that will never be broken, stronger than even blood."

Rikuo let it all sink in, before asking, "Why…are you telling me this?"

Otome just smiled and patted his back fondly, "Because I don't want you to end up like your aunt. She trusted no one, and performed sakazuki with none. That's why, until the very end…she was alone." She massaged his shoulder, easing the tension that he wasn't even aware of, "But Rikuo-kun, there are many that would love to perform sakazuki with you. Your burden isn't just yours alone to bear, there are many who will bear that burden with you. Whenever you feel too exhausted to take a step forward, they will push you along. Trusting others isn't easy and it may take years to be able to fully trust someone with your back, but I assure you that it will all be worth it in the end."

As minutes passed by, Rikuo couldn't find it in himself to answer. As long as he remembered, he trusted no one. Even Yura, his dearest friend, he couldn't trust her. She was an onmyouji and he knew that at any moment she could decide that he was a lost cause and attack him. No one in the Keikain house trusted him, no matter what he did. He even learned onmoyodo in the hopes that they would see him in a better light, but they wouldn't look beyond the youkai blood in his body. Youkai only thought of him as a weakling and a delicacy. Humans looked at him as someone useful to have around.

Could he…could he forget about his past? Could he start to trust in anyone?

Rikuo whispered, "I…"

Their peaceful moment was broken by the sudden shouts and panicked yelling from the entrance. Rikuo quickly asked Otome to hide inside as he ran to the source of the chaos. His trepidation turned into shock and horror as he saw the terrible state of Gozumaru and Mezumaru in the arms of Karasu Tengu's' children.

His brother and Zen had arrived too, "What happened—Gozumaru! Mezumaru!" Zen quickly tended to their injuries while Rikuou ordered someone to bring Gyuuki. Mezumaru was unconscious, but Gozumaru wouldn't be conscious for too long with the injuries he had.

Rikuo shakily stepped towards them, "Gozumaru…Mezumaru…I'm so sorry…" he clenched his hands so tight, but he still couldn't stop the shaking, "It's my fault. You were just acting on my orders, but to think that something like this would happen…"

Every youkai started chattering amongst themselves, their doubt was as clear as day and they were even badmouthing his brother, Gyuuki, Zen, Daruma, and everyone else that counted on him.

Gozumaru angrily snapped, "You shut the hell up! Do you think I would—" he coughed harshly, but his glare didn't waver, "get beaten up because of a human like you? I just wasn't strong enough!" his glare silenced a few youkai, but they still wouldn't stop.

Gyuuki tried to comfort him, "Rikuo-sama, this course of action was one that I recommended. The responsibility for this…lies with the Gyuuki clan."

'That's not true. Stop it, Gyuuki…you did nothing wrong.' Rikuo could feel it, the judging eyes, their displeasure, their doubt, and their disappointment, 'I can't… keep them together. The hyakki…the hyakki that ojii-chan and otou-san trusted me with…it's falling apart.'

He could faintly hear Shouei shouting for vengeance, but no one was responding. Rikuo didn't have it in him to agree nor deny Shouei's request for permission. Everything was falling apart around him, distorting and spinning madly that he felt sick. He felt bile rising from his stomach and he couldn't endure it any longer.

Rikuo fell to his knees, his hand pathetically trying to prevent himself from puking. His consciousness fading away into the darkness, and all that he could hear was as he fell unconscious was his brother calling out his name.

It was summer again. The harsh sunlight and humid air that greeted him upon waking up was unbearably hot. Rikuo groaned as he tried to shelter his eyes from the unrelenting sunlight and he forced his body to sit up. His body strangely felt so weak.

"Good afternoon." A voice called to him, surprising him from his dazed state. "I never thought that we would meet again so soon. Having trouble at home?"

Rikuo quickly looked up to the source of the voice to see a boy with the same face as his looking down at him from his perch on one of the branches of the sakura tree.

"W-who are you?"

The other him gasped in mock surprise, "You mean, you don't know your own face?" seeing the annoyed scowl on Rikuo's face, the doppelganger laughed, "Well, as you can see, I'm you."

"Me?" Rikuo stood up, staring at the mysterious person disbelievingly, "I would try a better lie."

"Hmm…" his doppelganger pondered, "You don't have to worry. At least I'm not your enemy. I'm here to help you stay alive."

Rikuo glared, "Why should I trust you?"

The doppelganger chuckled merrily, "It's not like you trust anyone in the first place." He didn't bother to hide his smirk when he saw Rikuo flinch. "You don't have to trust me. You don't have a say on whether I exist or not, it's just your fate."

Trying to keep calm, Rikuo sighed, "What do you want from me?"

"I have said it before. I want you to stay alive." Rikuo watched warily as his doppelganger chuckled, "By the way, there will be a war soon. Because I want you to survive, I will tell you a secret."

"A secret?"

The doppelganger nodded, "Don't you wonder why sometimes–especially when you or someone precious to you is in danger–there will be a relapse in your memory?" Rikuo had wondered about that, but with all that was going on, he had kind of forgotten. "It's because your youkai blood was awakened. Your human body didn't react well with the power that was usually lying dormant within your blood, so for a few times you were unable to control that power and it went berserk. Don't worry, your body will eventually adapt to it."

As he thought about it, it actually fit with what he had thought. But, why didn't anyone tell him about it? Was it because they were just as confused as him?

"But, there is something preventing that power from awakening once more." The doppelganger pointed at Rikuo's glasses. "It's that onmyouji seal."

Immediately, Rikuo took his glasses off and just as he thought, there were seals painted on it. The ink of the same coloring made it hard to be seen at first, but if he squinted really hard…he could make out some lines from the seal. He recognized the seal; it was one of the Keikain. "Yura-chan…?" she was the one who handed him the glasses when he thought they had been burnt along with the warehouse.

The doppelganger chuckled, amused with his confused face, "I have told you about your power. Whether you are able to use it or not, it's up to you." Suddenly, a fan appeared in his hand and he opened it to cover his face, "Still, it will be better for me if you're alive. It will mess up my plans if you died now."

Knowing that his time was up, Rikuo quickly asked, "Wait! Who are you?"

Before everything went dark and he woke up, he could hear the doppelganger teasing him with his hints, "That is for me to know, and for you to find out."

Rikuo's eyes fluttered open, immediately noticing that he was back in his room with his brother by his side. His left hand felt warm and he knew that his brother must have held it while he was unconscious.

Rikuo weakly called out, his body felt so weak and he was just so tired. "Onii-sama…"

The older Nura quickly snapped out of his musings and held onto Rikuo's hand tighter. "Rikuo…how are you feeling?"

Rikuo smiled so as to reassure his brother, "I'm fine. What happened?"

The silver haired youkai didn't believe him, but he accepted it, "You collapsed from exhaustion. Zen threatened that he would scold you because you didn't take care of your own body once you woke up. Don't worry; he is busy taking care of Gozumaru and Mezumaru for now."

When Rikuou saw the pained expression, he remembered the reason for why he had collapsed, Rikuou comforted him. "Rikuo, it's not your fault. Gozumaru admitted that he went too far and hadn't obeyed the order of not placing himself at risk. Rest now, when you wake up…everything will be over."

Rikuo's eyes widened, "You're going to war…?"

His brother nodded, "Thanks to them, we knew that they had intended to attack soon. Everyone is already preparing themselves as we speak. I came here just to make sure you were alright, but you woke up." Rikuou kissed his brother's forehead. "Zen prepared some medicine. Drink it and go to sleep."

He was about to stand, but Rikuo tugged at his kimono, "W-wait! I can't just rest here while you'll be out there, risking your life! I'll do something…anything…so that it will help you!"

Crimson eyes gazed into his chocolate ones gently, "You have already done enough. Look at yourself; thoroughly exhausted like this…you don't need to overdo it."

Rikuo shook his head, "I'm not overdoing things. If I can't do this much…then what use am I to you as a partner? I'm also Nurarihyon's grandson, I'm also the Sandaime, but I'm not even able to keep the hyakki together!" he clenched his blanket tightly, "I'm…unable to make them trust me."

Wasn't it already clear? Who wanted to trust a third quarter human like him? Who wanted to trust a person that was unable to trust anyone?

"Rikuo." The younger Nura flinched when he heard his brother's serious voice. "The truth is this isn't the way I want it to be. But hell, maybe this is the perfect time."

Rikuo stared at his brother in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"Rikuo, the two of us are Sandaime. But, do you know what makes us different?" Rikuou quickly added, "And no, it's not about the differences in our blood."

Seeing that Rikuo wasn't answering, Rikuou answered it for him. "I am leading my own hyakki yakkou, but you…you're leading our predecessor's hyakki yakkou." Rikuo's eyes widened in shock; "Rikuo, you haven't performed your own 70-30 sakazuki, right?"

"Ah…" Rikuo ducked his head. "Shouldn't I lead the same hyakki yakkou as you? I am your partner, right?"

"We may have the same authority as Sandaime. But, it's up to our subordinates to choose who they want to serve." Rikuou petted his younger brother's head. "The truth is I want to make sure everyone sees that you are capable of being my partner. I want them to choose by their own accord to serve you, not by my or our predecessors' orders. That is why I never brought it up. I didn't think that it would be this bad…it's my fault."

Rikuo shook his head furiously, "No, it's not your fault. Even if we bring that up now, I'm sure no one will want to perform a 70-30 sakazuki with me."

No one spoke after that. The seconds passed by slowly, and Rikuo felt as if the silence was choking him.

Tsurara's voice could be heard from the other side of the door, "Sandaime-sama, are you ready?"

"Ah, just in time. Tsurara, gather everyone in the garden."

"In the garden, Rikuou-sama…?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

As they heard Tsurara's rapid footsteps diminishing, Rikuou didn't waste time and pulled the blanket away from Rikuo, surprising the younger brother. "W-what…?"

Rikuou scooped his younger brother into his arms and carried him carefully, "We won't know until we see it ourselves."

"S-see what?"

Rikuou smiled at his brother. "I'm sure someone will want to perform sakazuki with you."

For all that he remembered he had never felt as nervous as he was feeling now. He sat in the room overlooking the garden, where most of the youkai from the Nura clan had gathered. His brother had told Zen to fetch something for him and Zen had yet to return.

His brother had said that he was supposed to just ask. Not plead or beg. He just had to ask…if anyone wanted to be his subordinates…and then perform the sakazuki

When Zen returned with a bottle of sake in hand, Rikuou spoke up. His voice was loud and clear, confidence brimming from every word. "Shut up all of you! My brother wants to speak to you!"

As every eye turned to him, Rikuo steeled himself and stood. His body still felt wobbly, but thankfully he managed to stand without stumbling. He took a deep breath before asking, in the same voice as his brother. "Will you perform a 70-30 sakazuki with me?"

His question immediately had everyone chattering amongst themselves. He could hear insults and outright denials, but he stood his ground and waited.

It was a hopeless cause that is until someone stepped up. Rikuo was surprised, but he couldn't help a smile of happiness as he saw who it was. "Tsurara."

Tsurara returned the smile with her own, her face radiating with pure happiness. "Rikuo-sama, our time together may have been short…but, with these eyes I have seen your dedication and hard work. How you pushed yourself to your body's limits for our sake, how you protected both the humans and youkai, and how you treasured us. I have the honor of being your friend, and now I will trust you as your subordinate. Even if you only have a quarter youkai blood in you, I still see you as a suitable supreme commander."

Rikuou smiled and poured the sake into Rikuo's cup. "Here, Rikuo."

The youngest Nura accepted the cup in his hands. Tsurara sat in front of him, waiting for her turn.

"Rikuo-kun…the sakazuki wasn't just a symbol. Sakazuki was an honest, genuine pledge made by two parties who believed in each other. To put their trust in the one they follow, and in return, their leader trusted his back to them. It's a bond that will never be broken, stronger than blood."

"That's why, you can trust me. Believe that I will stay by your side no matter what you do and no matter what happens. Even if others can't understand you, I will still stand by your side. Together, we will face this world."

'If…if someone could trust me like that, then I can surely trust them back. It doesn't matter if it's just Tsurara and my brother…these precious bonds, these irreplaceable trusts…I will accept and return it.'

Rikuo drank his portion of the sake, giving the cup to Tsurara who gratefully accepted it and drank the rest of it.

The quarter youkai smiled at his first subordinate. "Thank you, Tsurara. Your trust…I will never betray it."

Tsurara blushed a bit, but she smiled as well. "You are free to use me as you wish, Rikuo-sama. Let me protect your back."

A sudden shout broke through their moment. "Rikuou-sama! It's the enemy, they have started moving!" hearing that, every youkai started panicking.

"Stop cowering!" Rikuou's orders were loud and clear, silencing everyone immediately. "Our opponent is just a little bake-tanuki. Prepare for war!"

As everyone cheered, Rikuo stared at his brother. He was entranced by his brother's Fear, who commanded so much fearsome respect. He had read about his grandfather's legend, and hearing stories from the youkai who had lived to tell the tales. His brother was definitely the successor of Nurarihyon, who was an immense, radiant vessel of power, a spirit resembling a darkness as deep as black lacquer.

He wouldn't be able to charm youkai like his brother, but he would still support his brother. Because, more than anyone, his brother was the one he trusted the most. Now, he could only lead Tsurara…but he would work harder, so that someday…he would be able to lead the same hyakki yakkou as his brother.

Rikuo looked at Tsurara, who was just as entranced as him. "Tsurara." The snow maiden quickly focused her attention on him, ready to accept her first order. "I won't be able to fight with you guys. So please, in my stead…protect my brother."

Tsurara nodded firmly. "Understood. I will protect Rikuou-sama with my life."

Rikuo smiled. "Don't die, okay?"

The ice user chuckled pleasantly. "I will do my best." She hurriedly went to finish her preparations along with the other youkai, leaving only the Nura brothers in the room.

Rikuo stood up with more difficulty than the last time and leaned on his brother. "Don't die. Good luck."

The silver haired youkai carried the exhausted boy in his arms back to his room. "Rest. When you wake up, everything will be over. Now that I think about it, we still haven't spent time together like you had promised." With everything that had been going on, it was not like they had had the time to hang out anyways.

"After this is over…let's hang out in the town." Rikuo snuggled closer to his brother, sleep already taking him.

"It's a promise then." Rikuou laid his younger brother gently in the futon. Rikuo was already asleep.

After this war was over…they would finally have time for themselves.

Rikuo cupped his brother's cheek gently. "After this war is over…I will tell you. I will tell you how much I love you." He leaned closer, kissing Rikuo's lips softly.

He would return victorious, he swore it.

.

.

.

To be Continued...

A/N : Don't worry, Rikuo will get some action too. He just need to rest up a little first XD

No Dictionary this time.