Author's Note: Phew! It's been so long since I've updated this story but here I am, once again. Feeling lost but now- Hahaha! Okie! nobody even reads the Author's Note so why should I even bother, LoL XDD

Anywhoo, This is the next chapter which mostly consists of Rihan's thought about Wakana and I might update my other story and post 2 one-shots! I've posted a new story, its entitled Small Fights and Doubts. It's also a NuraHime fic. and it's a series which I really wish that I could update continuously!

Okay, so now I'm bragging XD I deeply apologize for that and here is the next chappie, I suppose :p

Italicized are Thoughts

Bold Italicized are flashbacks ^^

The Story of Our Love

Chapter 10: The Nidaime's Thoughts

Rays of sunshine seeped through the open shoji doors. With the sound of birds and the ever so quiet sound of clothes shifting and ruffling; Brown eyes fluttered open as the distraction made by the sun's beam of sunlight stopped her from fully opening her eyes before she slipped into a peaceful slumber.

Amber-colored orbs observed in silence. He's hands caressing the smooth tresses of hazelnut hair. How is it, that a human managed to turn his world upside down? The mere thought was enough to make him wonder. It was a known fact that the Second Heir of the Nura Clan was born by a human mother and a yokai as a father.

A hanyou. He was one-half ayakashi but, never did he cursed his blood. In fact, he was proud of it. He treasured his human mother who his father also loved to the fullest.

He thought that he was different. He thought that he had finally found his happiness with the woman he had loved first, but all in vain. Yamabuki Otome, the woman who had stole his heart the moment he laid his eyes on her. She was all the reason he managed to live, for her sake. But thinking that he would be happy with her forever, was a mistake.

A letter, a poem, and a kerria flower was all she had left the moment she had ran off.

…..…and with her disappearance. He felt his world come crushing down with him drowning herself in sake'. But he had something to protect and prioritize, the Clan. It was hard for him to pretend that everything is fine when it is clearly not.

Days.

Weeks.

Months.

Even years have passed, and he finally knew how it felt to have a lifespan longer than the average. He saw his friends die, and he saw the times change. Structures of buildings change and the clothes people wore was completely different and he can't help but think, 'Did all of this happened without me knowing?'

"Live your life to the fullest, Rihan-sama! You need to move on!" was what Kubinashi told him the night before 4 years have passed during the absence of his wife.

Though, he knew that these words were true enough. Proof of it, was Kubinashi himself. He was a chivalrous thief who fell in love with a courtesan. Though fate was cruel to the Blonde and the woman whom he loved drank poison on her own accord, dying as a result. The woman's name was Shiragiku; He did and turned into a yokai, a reckless yokai who only seeks for revenge. Killing demons to satisfy or at least diminish the pain that he was going through. But he had Kejoro, who stood with him, becoming his pillar of support and beacon of shining hope for the man.

It was proof enough. But never had he expected that saving the girl in front of him would be the one to heal his heart. It started with him saving her and the casual chat which they had quite often. Then, it grew to something bigger. He remembered the night when he finally managed to reciprocate the smile he thought he lost.

"Waah! The moon is so beautiful and the lights are so bright!" A woman with chocolate brown eyes said as she stared at the beautiful scenery in front of her.

"You act like a kid, Wakana-chan." The Nidaime commented as he watched her with curious eyes, but his face remained calm and no traces of emotions were lingering in his face.

She puffed her cheeks in response before diverting her sight to the beautiful moon, once more. Her smile grew wider aas she felt the chilly air of the night hit her face. All the while, he watched; staring at her with a glint of amusement in his eyes as he observed her intently. Taking note of how her expression changes as if she was a child who has received candy.

A brief flash of jet black hair, pale skin, and a beautiful smile flickered in his mind and a deep frown formed in his face. 'Yamabuki…'

"Rihan-san, you're making an unhappy face again!" She said as she stared at his face "C'mon smile! Happiness comes to those who smile, yes?" she asked but before he could react her hands were on his cheeks, forcing him to smile as she pulled his cheeks wider.

Giving in to the girl as he felt his cheeks stinging at the sensation, he forced a smile on his face as a bead of sweat formed on his cheek.

"Haha! Yey, Rihan-san finally smiled." Wakana cheered with a cheerful smile as she clasped her hand together like a child.

Although, the yokai around them shared questioning glances and curious expressions; Even Kubinashi himself grew slightly curious and somehow unnerved at how the girl was acting quite familiarly with their Nidaime.

Silence reined the air around them before it was momentarily pierced by the subtle question of Wakana that followed,

"So, Rihan-san. How old are you?" she asked as she glanced at him for a moment with a small smile on her face.

"Hm?" He responded with a curious expression as his brow arched in response to the sudden question which has momentarily took him by surprise.

"I'll live longer than Rihan-san. So, I can always look out for you!" She said with a bright smile as she stared at him right at the eyes and the next thing he knew she was bidding him farewell, whilst she thanked him for the night.

But he stared at the place where he had last seen her, with amusement. "Kubinashi…..between Humans and Ayakashi …which was it that has a longer life span, again?" He asked as he felt a small tug on his lips as he stared at space for a moment.

The neckless yokai seemed quite confused by the sudden question but nevertheless answered. "That would be…." But the moment he seemed to give his answer to the Second Heir, he was cut off by the man himself.

"I've come to think that, if it's her then there is no way she won't live longer than me." He said and for once in many years, he smiled. A chuckle following as he grinned in amusement.

A smile formed as the memory arose in his mind because he somehow knew that even after that moment, he had finally learned to move on in his life. To finally learn to love again though loving Wakana wasn't hard at all. She was cheerful, outgoing, and soft-hearted. That it sometimes reminds him of her Mother; the fact that she was also human was a coincidence.

"When I grow up, I want to marry someone like, Okaasan!"

"Is that so, Rihan? Well then, I do know one thing for sure….. that woman will be very lucky to have you, Rihan!"

"Lucky? More like unfortunate. That brat would most likely grow up to be worser than me!"

"A-ayakashi-sama! Don't say such things in front of Rihan. Rihan, don't worry your father is joking. You will grow up to be a very fine man, just like your father!" Yohime said with a cheerful smile as she giggled at the Shodaime's expression.

"T-tch. Like hell he would."

He chuckled at the memory and he felt a pang of sadness as she an image of her Mother flashed in his mind. His eyes diverted to the sleeping woman in the futon and his mischievousness took over him as he slipped under the sheets in a swift movement.

The moment he got under the sheets he wrapped his arms around Wakana. Smiling, as he felt her snuggling close to him. It was warm and it didn't took him a lot of time to feel his lids grow heavy as the stupor of drowsiness took over him.

"Thank you, Wakana…I love you." He muttered with a small smile as he placed a kiss on the crown of her head. Though, before he finally gave in to the night, he swore that he heard her respond ever so softly.

Author's Note:

I will leave it at that for now ^^ But I really do hope that you all liked this chapter. If you haven't, do review. If you simply have comments or corrections, do share!

I thank all the people who reviewed on the previous chapters and I really do hope all of you liked it ^^

Review and If you want someone to talk with or something NEVER hesitate to come by and PM, okay?

Till Next Time then,

Flames 3