Title: Fast Forward to the Stars
Author: modern warfare king
Fandom: Nurarihyon no Mago
Pairing: Yoru (Night!Rikuo) and Rikuo Nura (Day!Rikuo)
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nothing from Nurarihyon no Mago. I only own the plot! I hope you guys enjoy the ride anyway!
NOTE (PLEASE READ): This fanfic is AU. No incest or anything. They totally live on separate worlds. And yes, this is SHOUNEN-AI. No flames or anything of the sort. I've already warned you.

CHAPTER 1 - FATE IS INEVITABLE

It was spring time in Ukiyoe Middle School. The horizon was a clear sky blue and sakuras hovered with the breeze. It was one of the most beautiful times of the year.

A chocolate haired student walked into the campus ground by himself. He enjoyed the soothing breeze and the sakuras along with it. He was so used to the scenery and yet he never grew tired of it.

"Nura-kun!" voices called over to Rikuo Nura.

Rikuo turned around and spotted his group of friends, the Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad, happily walking towards him, waving their arms enthusiastically.

"Morning everyone," he greeted, grinning.

One of his friends, the self-proclaimed leader of their group, Kiyotsugu, threw his arm over Rikuo's shoulder and grinned back.

"Tomorrow's your big match," he said. "We'll be here for you all the way, man."

Rikuo chuckled. "I know."

"We're going to cheer for you like there's no tomorrow," supported Natsumi, giving Rikuo a thumbs up.

"Don't hate me if I lose," Rikuo joked. Rikuo Nura was gifted at kendo ever since elementary school. He won Nationals back then. Now, his opponents were rougher, tougher and smarter. Still, it wasn't much of a problem for him. He didn't look like it but he was confident and proud of his skills, his mother, Wakana said that he most likely inherited that trait from his father, Rihan.

"Yeah, right," Saori said. "Like you ever lose."

"She's right," Kana agreed, smiling warmly. "We've always believed in you and we'll always do."

Words like these from his ever so supportive friends never ceased to melt this heart of his. "Thank you everyone. I swear I'll do you my best tomorrow. For all of you!"

Everyone cheered.

"I can't wait for another one of those victory feasts," Shima said excitedly.

"Eh? You're only in it for the food? You're such a selfish pig!" Natsumi teased.

Shima's cheeks flushed bright red. "Huh? No, of course not! Sure, Nura's mom cooks the best dishes but y'know I implied his victory…"

Everyone laughed and continued their chitchat until they had reached their classroom.

"I've heard rumors 'bout the school where Nura-kun's match will take place," Kiyotsugu started. Shima rolled his eyes, his head resting on the palm on his hand.

"Let me guess, yokai sightings again?" he asked boredly.

"Exactly! One of the students actually caught a photo of a yokai in her cellphone," Kiyotsugu expanded. "Which is why Nura-kun's match tomorrow is just in the nick of time for one of our investigations!"

"Convenient timing, eh?" Rikuo said, smiling. He wasn't as energetic, lively and passionate as Kiyotsugu about yokai but he enjoyed his company. In fact, he enjoyed everyone's company.

"Yeah. We'll definitely look for that students and finally, we would have gathered ourselves evidence that yokai does exist in this world!" Kiyotsugu rubbed his hands excitedly, as if he was scheming.

Most of them sighed while Rikuo and Kana chuckled in unison.

AFTER CLASS

The once sky blue horizon turned into orange. The relaxing breeze swept yet again. It was time for this group of friends to go on their separate ways for the day.

"Practice hard, Rikuo-kun!" Kana yelled as she waved and went on her way home.

Rikuo nodded and smiled. He walked home by himself most of the time so he always had time for self-reflection. This time, he was excited and at the same time, nervous. Tomorrow was his first match after winning Nationals last year. He knew his opponents worked themselves to the bone. He worked just as hard himself. He then sighed. He didn't know why but he felt that something really unexpected was going to happen the next day. He shook the feeling off but it remained stuck in his heart. This made him anxious.

When he safely reached home, he ate with his mother and then went off to their garden to practice his heart out. He wasn't just in it to win it, he loved and had a passion for kendo. It may be the sole reason why he always won his matches. Most of the time, his practices cleared but not this time.

"Maybe this is serious," he thought to himself. "I need to be alert and vigilant tomorrow."

THE NEXT DAY

The Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad and other classmates happily chattered in the school bus heading to Unmei Middle School while Rikuo stayed silent, his bad feeling getting worse by the minute. Weird name for a school but he just shrugged it off.

"Are you all right, Rikuo-kun?" his seatmate, Kana, asked worriedly.

Rikuo blinked and waved his reassuringly. "Just a bit tired, that's all."

Kana nodded. "You should get some sleep during the trip."

Rikuo smiled and leaned his head on the window. "I will…" He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep to no avail. His heart started racing all of a sudden. He bit his lip and tried hard to calm down. He couldn't be nervous because he didn't want it to affect the match.

ARRIVAL

The bus stopped and the chocolate hair opened his eyes. His heart still raced just as fast as earlier. He felt himself shuddering. He felt his worse the moment he rose from his seat. He became light-headed.

"Not now, not now," he thought, clenching his fists.

"Suffering from motion sickness, Nura-kun?" Kiyotsugu asked.

Rikuo shook his head. "Nah, I'm okay. Still a little bit sleepy from the trip."

"Then you should drink coffee! Lots and lots of coffee!" Shima suggested.

"I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight if I drink tons of coffee," Rikuo chuckled. "But a cup of it won't hurt."

After buying take-out coffees from a nearby café, Rikuo and the gang headed to Unmei Middle School, home of the kendo champions. The aura of the school intimidated them, especially Rikuo.

"Oooh! I can feel it!" Kiyotsugu exclaimed. "Yokai energy… There's definitely yokai here! It must be destiny!"

Oddly, everyone felt the same way but Rikuo felt the weirdest among them.

"I just need to win the match then we'll immediately go home after that," Rikuo planned in his head. He knew they weren't welcomed here. One thing was for sure, they were never going back here again.

When they entered the school's covered court, students were already dressed up and prepared. Some were practicing on the spot.

"Good luck, Nura-kun," Saori said as she patted Rikuo's shoulder.

"Yes. I'll do my best today," Rikuo assured.

"I know you will," Natsumi chuckled. His friends went upstairs to sit and watch Rikuo from the bleachers. Rikuo, on the other hand, went to changing room to change into kendo attire.

"The matches will be starting shortly," said the announcer.

Rikuo tightly held his bamboo sword. He had his safety gear and game face on. He was pretty much ready to go.

"Nura-kun! Nura-kun!" all of the Rikuo's schoolmates cheered. Rikuo was a celebrity in the world of kendo in their school. The chocolate hair couldn't help but smile because of everyone's support. He didn't want to let everyone down. He was going to do his very best.

Rikuo's opponent was as ready as he was. He was taller than Rikuo by a few inches and Rikuo couldn't make out his facial features because of the distance between them.

A few minutes later, it was time for the match to finally begin.

Rikuo and his opponent, Nami Onizuka, took their places. They stared at each other before bowing respectfully. They waited for the referee's signal for the match to commence.

"Start!"

Onizuka launched himself towards Rikuo and thrust his arsenal at Rikuo, only to deflect it with his own. It was time for Rikuo to land a hit on the other. He swung his sword in succession and in different angles, confusing Onizuka. Rikuo took this opportunity to hit the handle of the bamboo sword, the weapon flying away from Onizuka's grasp. The chocolate hair pointed his sword at the other and smiled.

"Sorry," he said.

The audience roared at Rikuo's quick yet exceptional performance. The referee raised his arm and declared Rikuo the winner. As expected from Ukiyoe middle school's kendo prodigy.

Match after match, Rikuo used different tactics and won each time. His schoolmates cheered for him even more.

"Yeah, go Nura-kun!"

"Make us proud!"

"Go, fight, win!"

Rikuo chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I get ya'll…" he muttered.

And in the end, he won all matches. He was named undisputed champion of the interschool kendo games. Everyone jumped for joy. Rikuo sighed of relief. It seemed that he still won despite the bad feeling. Yeah, he still felt that something was going to happen, something he would most not definitely like.

"Darn, the student who was our only hope of yokai existence is absent," Kiyotsugu groaned. "I'll ask her friends for info or I might personally talk to her one of these days."

"Kiyotsugu-kun, I think Nura-kun's victory is more important than that right now," Natsumi said, smiling at Rikuo. Rikuo just blinked.

Kiyotsugu slumped. "Okay, fine. Nura-kun first. Then yokai picture later?"

Everyone nodded reluctantly.

"Everyone! How about we visit the shrine not too far from here?" Kana suggested.

"Great idea," Saori agreed happily.

AT THE SHRINE

All of them threw coins and rang the bell in the shrine. They prayed together in silence. All had different intentions in mind.

Rikuo opened his eyes and smiled everyone who were still praying. He glanced around their surroundings. He felt comfortable and secure with his friends. He looked around a bit more and spotted something… or someone on the furthermost corner of the shrine.

When he blinked, he suddenly disappeared. Was he just seeing things? He didn't want to disturb the others so he sneakily walked up to that corner. He walked further inside and saw a huge sakura tree in full bloom, petals falling before him. He sat on one of the strong branches, charismatically looking up at the sky. Rikuo looked at him in awe. Never had he felt such beautiful and strong scenery.

He had long hair. The top half of it was white and the bottom half of it was black. His eyes were as red as blood. He wore a black kimono over a blue robe. He looked… traditional. Who was he?

Rikuo blinked when the other spotted him. Both of them stared at each other which felt like an eternity.

"How did you get all the way up there?" Rikuo asked, smiling.

The other didn't smile back and remained quiet as he continued to stare into Rikuo's brown orbs. The stare was so intense and intent… Rikuo felt goosebumps and the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. This was the first time someone stared at him that thoroughly. Rikuo looked away and bit his lip. He then walked towards the tree, looking up at the other. And for the second time, their eyes met. Rikuo felt weary and weak all of a sudden. It may be that bad feeling but he shook it off.

"I swear I saw you at the corner earlier," he babbled, "then like, poof! You're suddenly here. By the way, I'm—"

"Watch out!"

Rikuo's eyes widened as the crimson eyed stranger jumped from the tree and pinned down Rikuo down the ground.

"W-What the?" Rikuo blinked. Before he knew it, he was face-to-face with the other. Rikuo swore his face was burning hot that moment. His eyes widened. He thought that it was all in his imagination. He thought that they were just legends. He thought Kiyotsugu's dream would forever stay a dream. But no, before them… was a hideous looking yokai.

"It's a—"

"A yokai, I know," the crimson eyed stranger said.

"How do you—" Rikuo looked up and saw holes in the wooden fence beside him just a minute ago. He gulped, looked down and saw the yokai chuckling wickedly. The crimson eyed stranger then erected from his position and took out his sword, a real sharp blade from his waist.

The yokai's eyes widened. It messed with the wrong guy. "That sword… The aura… No, you can't be—"

The yokai was cut off when Rikuo launched himself toward it at breakneck speeds. It didn't have time to escape as it was sliced into half. The threat vanished into thin air as the crimson eyed stranger put his blade back gracefully. Rikuo stared at him in amazement. He couldn't do kendo like that. Never ever. The other then reached out his hand to Rikuo and smirked for the first time.

"How long are you planning to lie there?" he asked. Rikuo's face brightened as he took the other's hand and stood up. Rikuo dusted off the imaginary dust from his clothes and looked up at the other. He stared at Rikuo for the umpteenth time. This time, Rikuo felt more comfortable. The other's expression was soft and less intimidating. Rikuo couldn't help but smile warmly.

"Nura-kun!"

Rikuo blinked and heard his friends calling out for him.

"Nura..." uttered Rikuo's savior.

"Rikuo Nura," Rikuo casually introduced. "How about you?"

"…Yoru," he said. Rikuo nodded and unconsciously took Yoru's hand.

"Thank you for saving my life," Rikuo said. Then he chuckled. "But then again, it's my fault for barging in."

Yoru shook his head and held Rikuo's hand back. The way Yoru held the other's hand made Rikuo's heart race. Yoru's hand was extremely cold compared to his. Odd…

Rikuo pulled his hand away from Yoru and bowed. He didn't want his friends to be even more worried. "I'll be going then. I hope we meet again. Thank you everything, Yoru!"

Rikuo then ran back to his friends and left Yoru standing alone under the sakura tree.

"Rikuo Nura…" Yoru said to himself.

Meanwhile, Rikuo was showered with worry and concern from his good friends.

"Where have you been?" Kiyotsugu asked, shaking Rikuo's shoulders. "We've been looking all over for you!"

"At least I'm here now, right?" Rikuo said, smiling nervously.

Kana nodded in agreement. So did the others.

"The bus is waiting for us," Saori said. "We should get a move on."

The Kiyojuji Paranormal Investigation Squad hurriedly exited the shrine. Rikuo looked back at the shrine. He realized the bad feeling he felt ever since yesterday faded away. Could it be that it warned Rikuo of the yokai incident?

More important, he wondered if they'd ever meet again.

He wished deep in his heart that they meet again.

A/N: Welcome one and all to my second fic in my second account. I've already written a second chapter for it but realized I missed some important points. Oh well, rewriting the second chapter… But before that, I'd like to know what you guys think of this fic? No flames! I already reminded and warned from the beginning that the pairing here is Yoru and Rikuo. Expect shounen-ai. Expect boy love.

And also the title has no relevance to the story whatsoever. I combined my two favorite songs in Nurarihyon no Mago: Fast Forward by Monkey Majik and Hoshi no Arika (The Stars' Whereabouts) by l.m.c. What about it, eh? Isn't it creative? -shot-