Oh my God, I didn't know that I replaced chapter 1 with chapter 2. Sucks damn right.

Disclaimer : I do not own Nurarihyon no Mago.

Infirmary.

Just a few more steps towards it.

I hasten my strides, ignoring the complaining sounds that escapes from the restrain of my lips.

Every end of my nerve is charred with fire, my heart is constricted with anxiety, and my body trembles with worry.

My mind is in a heap of disorganized frenzied sound as my steps gets drowned at the noise that comes from outside of the building.

Moments ago, as soon as I arrived to the classroom after coming from the library, I was greeted by Kiyotsugo and the rest of the Kiyo cross squad who told me that Rikuo had gotten into an accident while they were walking along the football field.

Aside from having his glasses broken, it was just a small bruise on his temple, being hit hard by the ball, although he fainted from the impact and he was currently being confined in the school's infirmary.

Recovering from my initial shock and having heard everything that I needed to hear, I immediately excused myself from them and ran my way towards the infirmary.

" Waka..." Rikuo's name comes out as a small whisper as I near the door. It is slightly open and I reach for the doorknob, planning to pull it wide open when I suddenly stop on my tracks. 'Oh, she's here after all?'

I stand still, relief, and at the same time, a pang of pain washes over me.

From the small opening of the door, I can see Rikuo, his eyes closed in a peaceful manner, and I already know that he's alright.

There's even a smile forming on his lips.

A smile of my own forms on my lips, albeit a bitter but acknowledging. Kana is by Rikou's side, looking attentively at him, and she's holding his hand in a comforting grip.

I should be the one in there, watching over him on the time of his vulnerability but-

I can't be selfish, can I?

A chuckle of self-derision recoiled within me.

If only the reason is as simple as that.

For in truth, even if I will be so, I will only make a fool of myself.

I can be selfish all I want but it in the end, it will be Rikuo's decision which will matter, and I know very well whom he will choose. Ienaga Kana, the human girl whom, without a doubt, will bear his name for eternity.

All I can do for him is to be his faithful subordinate, and friend.

Nothing more, nothing less.

That's what I've realized that day, the day that Rikuo confessed to me that he's starting to like Kana not as a mere friend or childhood friend says so himself and knowing him, it means that he's going on serious about his feelings.

And so, however much it tears my heart apart, slowly, I start to let go of Rikuo.

Slowly, I let Kana fill the place that I always have in Rikuo.

As long as I can protect him, as long as I can see his warm smile, my feelings won't matter- I will be contented with just that.

Ah, it's a terrible lie of course, as right now, I feel like I'm losing my mind to the extent that I want to freeze my own heart as to not let it feel the scorching pain anymore but I have no other choice, have I?

I have to endure it for his sake, for that is the sole reason that I live in this world.

And if even I have a chance with him, I will still relinquish it.

I'm a yokai.

And being someone like that, I can't give him the heir that he will want, he will need-the same as the Hyakki Hyakou that he leads.

I will carry it on my burden like a plague that will eat me to the core of my life.

For that, just like Otome-sama, I would have gone and killed myself for being the reason that the Nura bloodline will cease to exist.

Kana-she can give Rikuo everything he needs in his life-much more than me.

'I can't even kiss Waka, lest his lips will get frozen.' A lame joke to myself, not funny at all.

Gaining my composure, my trembling stops and I'm back to my usual self again.

I tighten my grip on the handle before I gently pull it open. Kana's head jerks at the noise, and she seemed stunned at first to see me standing at the door.

She mutters." Oikawa-san..."

I give her a small smile before I walk towards beside her and stare at Rikuo.

His temple is covered in a bandage, small blood clotting in the middle.

His eyes are free of his large spectacles, which are now lying on the table beside his bed.

Worry and regret abruptly comes back to assault my senses.

It doesn't even help that Kana suddenly speaks in a low voice, accusation brimming in her voice.

" Where were you Oikawa-san? Aren't you supposed to be protecting Rikuo? Look what happened to him!"

Anger rises to my chest.

' Oh, should I tell you that I intentionally leave Rikuo's side not because I want to but because I want to give the two of you the time to be together and I'm too pathetic that I don't want to see that because I would be overly jealous and I could have turned you into a statue of ice if I can't help myself? Would that answer be enough to you?'

Of course, I can't say it right into her face, not for the reason that I'm afraid of what she will think about it but because she is right.

I understand why she reacts like that. It's like the same way I feel-the anger is more directed to myself than to her.

I have no reason to condemn her for blaming the accident to me.

It's true afterall.

True, As much as I want to blame Kana for not protecting Rikuo herself, she's just a mere human and her role in Rikuo's life is to be his happiness and light.

Protecting Rikuo is my responsibility.

And Kana already knows that.

" I have no excuse. I'm terribly sorry for my irresponsibility. " I bow to Kana in an apologetic manner before I smile at her. " You must really like Waka a lot, right Ienaga-san?"

Despite the stern look on her face, a shade of red creeps to Kana's face, and whips her head to the side to hide her blushing face from me, confirming what I've said even before she says it." Of course I do!"

Somehow, hypocritically enough, hearing the words from her puts me at ease.

" Thank you Ienaga-san. Please continue to take care of Waka. Well then, I'll be leaving the two of you now that I've confirmed that Waka is okay."

I glance at Rikuo once more.

He's breathing in a steady motion, there's no indication that he's feeling discomfort or pain while he's sleeping.

He's fine, it seems like he's just taking a little rest.

There's no need for me to overreact by wanting to stay here a little longer.

That wound is nothing compared to the ones that are inflicted on him on his recent battles against the Kyoto Yokai's.

Eventhough he's in his day form, Rikuo is still Rikuo, Head of the Nura Clan.

With a steeled yet heavy heart, I walk away from the room.

Closing the door behind me, I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying, let alonne a single tear from escaping my eyes.

Done with chapter 1. I don't know when I'll be updating but comments(if you like it) do make it faster. Well, that's what motivate authors anyway. teehe. I wonder if Tsurara is OOC.