Paranormal

By Treasure

Chapter XIX

10102012

Disclaimer: I do not own NNM, but this adaptation is mine.

"Father, there had been some activity around Naoya; heard that a small group young men in their late teens were caught while trying to held up a convenience store near a small park. It was said that the police were alarmed at around 1 a.m. today by an anonymous person, saying that the convenience store was being robbed, but when the police arrived at the scene of the crime, the youths, five of them, were already tied up with an unusual red string and were babbling incoherent things like yokai and rolling heads." The golden haired Tosakamaru reported.

"Hmm, this is something new, if this capture really involves yokais." Karasu Tengu remarked.

"And we heard that those teens are also suspected to be the ones involved in the money changer hold-up in Ukiyoe, where master and Yuki-onna had been part of the collateral damage." Said Koroumaru.

"Huh? So where are these teens now? Are they still with the Naoya Police custody?" The older crow asked. He needed full details, especially when he reported this to the Nura leader.

"Yes father, they still are with the Naoya police, the authorities are still gathering evidences to tie the youths in both crimes to get a heavier punishment than petty theft." Sasami replied

"You said that the teens were speaking about rolling heads and ghost and were being tied by a red string, could it be the work of . . . . " The older crow cut his question in mid air.

"We would not confirm on that, sir. Maybe you could ask him, before the full report is submitted to the supreme commander or master Rikuo." The bespectacled crow suggested.

"You need to call on Kubinashi then."

Rikuo had been sitting beside Tsurara's futon for quite some time now; trying to check if the ice maiden is having a comfortable sleep. Though the chaff on her lips had considerably been less and the rope marks on her wrist and ankles were paler; there still had been a bout or two where she was dreaming of falling, and Rikuo was quick to sooth her.

Kejoro witnessed it all. Somehow the young master was not able to sense her presence lately, too busy attending the ice maiden; therefore she was able to see every now and then how the young Nura treasure his head bodyguard. And if that was the case, Kejoro try to busy herself with something else to give young master more time and space with the sedated girl.

Rikuo decided to heed his grandfather's advice to strengthen him by training in the remote village of Toono. This wouldn't hamper school as he was scheduled to go by the end of the term, no excuses need. He needs it to be able to protect his friends and lead his Night Parade comrades. He will miss this fiery bodyguard of his for the time being, she's safe here at the mansion, all will be back to normal, her smile would grace her cute face once more.

"Kubinashi has nothing to do with this." Rikuo calmly put his tea cup down after hearing Karasu Tengu's report about the captured youths earlier.

"But the signs are all there, why must he strike alone, without even consulting the elders/clan chiefs? Although I could say he had done a good job, teaching them a good lesson, messing their minds before turning them to the police for good measure." The old crow gave a smirk and a chuckle.

"If there's anyone here that needs reprimanding, it would have been me. I did it, though I did borrow some rope length from Kubinashi."

"Rikuo . . . . ." His grandfather merely stared at him.

"I did what I have to do. It was not revenge. I merely stopped their wrong doings." Rikuo slowly pushed his tea cup and stood. "If you'll excuse me." He bowed and left the small meeting room.

"Your grandson really is showing great leadership potential and fairness, supreme commander; master Rihan would be proud of him."

"Yes Karasu Tengu he does, but this time I know he's motivated differently. We must proceed with Plan B as soon as he's gone for Toono."

"You look a little pale today, Oikawa-kun." The golden haired boy finally got the chance to get close to the ice maiden after the school bell rang indicating that school was off for the day. He tried speaking to her during their earlier breaks; as for him she looks ill, but she's gone with a blink of an eye during those breaks, to where, he's too shy to ask.

"Really, Shima-kun? But I've been asleep mostly this weekend." She briefly glanced at the other youth before settling her sight on her folded hand.

"Are you covering-up for Rikuo? I mean, is he harassing you at home, or making you work harder these days?"

"Oh no, no. You must not think of something like that about master or his family. You've been at the mansion several times and I don't think you've noticed any violence among those who live there, his grandfather is very kind to all of us." She gave him a soft smile. Like Rikuo, Shima is sweet and thoughtful but sometimes lacks confidence.

"Maybe you should go and visit the infirmary right now, it's still open, and I'll accompany you. Maybe some vitamins would perk you up."

"That's very sweet of you Shima-kun."

"You know what? Maybe we should go to an ice cream shop now; it'll definitely perk you up. It would be great, you'll see."

"That would be . . . . ." Tsurara was about to say something when the brown haired boy interrupted their conversation. "Hey Shima-kun I think Kiyo was looking for you back there at the library." He shyly scratched his hair before pointing towards the school building.

"Thank you, Nura-kun." The golden haired boy stood up and looks back at Tsurara. "Can I call you later, Oikawa-kun?"

The ice maiden could not answer at once. She tried reading Rikuo's facial expression, and only when he mouthed the word "Ok" she did respond to him. "I guess that would be okay." And she quickly lowered her sight to her folded hand. Shima was happy to hear that and left them in a jiffy towards the library.

The silence between master and the head guard lasted for a few seconds and sensing that the yuki-onna would not start a conversation, Rikuo broke the silence. 'We should head home before the rain starts,"

"Maybe we should wait for Aotabo a few minutes more, waka. And are you not going to help with the garbage today?"

"No. It wouldn't hurt if I skip with the garbage today, and I've asked Aotabo to go ahead today."

"Oh . . . . We should start for home then." She offered a half smile, carried her school bag and fell behind her master. After two corner blocks, Rikuo suddenly squats before her. "Waka?"

"I better give you a piggy back ride. I can hear your hitched breathing from a few feet away."

"Waka?" She can't believe a word he was saying. "It's either that or we're going straight to a hospital. They do have this large and painful syringe needle . . . ."

"I choose the piggy back ride, waka." She answered not before the paleness was hinted with a blush.

The soft skin of her thighs gave Rikuo some goose bumps, he forgot that she's in her short skirt of their school uniform, but it's too late to back off from his offer; and it will be difficult to carry her if she transformed and be in her kimono. The slow regular breathing on his shoulder told him that the ice maiden has fallen asleep not even five minutes after he had carried her.

Relishing that moment, Rikuo decided to walk all the way home and not bothering with the train. "I hope we could do this a few more times." Rikuo said to himself.

Not wanting to alarm the mansion household, Rikuo called on to his passenger a few blocks away from home. "Tsurara, Tsurara you can wake-up now. We're almost home."

Somewhat disoriented from sleep, Tsurara almost jump off when it came back to her that he piggy back ride her. To prevent her from falling to the ground, Rikuo quickly pulled her arm, caught her waist and patted her head. "Don't want to hurt yourself now do you?"

Tsurara could not believe what the young master was doing, he's being generously kind and thoughtful and sweet and romantic . . . . wait, romantic? Where did it come from? "Waka?" Rikuo gave her one of his sweetest smile and pulled her before she could ask another question. "Let's go, they must be wondering why we're late.

But wanting to free her pent-up gladness, she pulled her arm back and called Rikuo. "What?" His brows are arched in wonder. "Ano . . . you've been so kind to me, I wanted to thank you." She walked steps closer, aimed for his cheek and closed her eyes, but Rikuo moved his head and the kiss of gratitude landed on his lips than on his cheek. She then opened her eyes and was shocked to see what she had done.

"Gomen! Gomen!" She went down her knees asking for forgiveness for the enormous offense she had made. "I was trying to thank you, I'm sorry that I WENT too far, you can punish me, master!" "Would you please stand up; ants will bite you if you'll stay that way." He helped her up. "Okay, I'll punish you, if that's what you want, but let's head home first."

Right in front of the mansion gate, Rikou decided to give Tsurara's punishment for kissing him. "Here's your punishment, so that all of the mansion could see." He held Tsurara's face and kissed her on her lips moments before and after he turned to the night Rikuo, and the gates opened.

A/N – hope you liked this chapter. Aishteru! Please read and review. Thank you.

Special thanks to Kunikohime Madoka Tanuki and Dennou writer for supplying me the names of Karasu Tengu's children. Yes, I should have researched for their names; I'm not being lazy, just too busy with my day job though.