Chapter Text
The breeze from outside was gentle, perfect for a stroll in the garden. Rihan was enjoying the calm weather as he watched his son, Rikuo, playing just ahead of him. The rest of the clan was inside, about their own business.
Days like these needed to be cherished, especially among this clan.
“Oh, what’s that over there? Haha,” Rikuo suddenly ran over to whatever he saw.
“Don’t stray too far, Rikuo.” Rihan called after his son.
He continued his leisurely walking, every now and then glancing at Rikuo. The boy appeared to be picking some flowers. At this, Rihan thought about the flowers they were surrounded by. Yamabuki Roses .
Oh, how walking here made him feel such nostalgia. He had once been all too angry and despaired to dare glance in their direction, but his sorrow had healed with time. He could now stroll by them, and remember how happy these flowers, and the woman they reminded him of, made him.
Like his son, he strolled closer and plucked a few, smelling them and reminiscing the past. He continued walking in the direction Rikuo had run off, pondering the current workings of the clan.
Rihan took a glance at Rikuo, but realized he had lost the boy. He hasented his pace, turning the corner of the house and calling for Rikuo. No answer came.
“Rikuo? Can you hear me?” Rihan grew worried now. How could he have been dumb enough to lose sight of a five year old?! Children could disappear in the blink of an eye and it’s been longer than that. Rihan wondered if he should head back to the house and see if Rikuo returned there, or find out if anyone had seen him.
As it happens, some of the yokai from the house heard him calling for Rikuo, as Kubinashi and Tsurara came over (Kubinashi; concerned as Rihan’s right hand, and Tsurara; concerned as Rikuo’s main attendant and caretaker).
“Master Rihan? Is something the matter? Where’s Young Master Rikuo?” Kubinashi asked.
“I don’t know. One minute we’re walking by the flowers, and next thing I know he’s gone and won’t answer me.”
“Are we sure this isn’t one of his pranks?” Tsurara questioned skeptically.
“I don’t think so, he hasn’t disappeared like this for a prank before. Rikuo? Where are you?” Rihan said.
“Young Master Rikuo! If this is a prank, then maybe we could cancel this one? Young Master Rikuo!” Kubinashi tried.
The three of them began worriedly calling for Rikuo, wandering the area and searching for the lost boy.
“AAAHHHH!” A child’s voice suddenly screamed.
Immediately, the three yokai ran towards the scream, scared of what they might find. Had Rikuo gotten hurt? Maybe he got scared by something?The sound had come from the flower bushes a little ways away, and rusting could be heard as they got closer.
“Rikuo!” Rihan called, hoping for an answer so he’d know Rikuo was okay.
What they found was Rikuo suddenly launched into the air, tied by something as whatever Rikuo found stepped forward.
“Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Rihan-chan.” A yokai grinned as if they were completely safe. “My name is Kosoku.” A feminine face with white eyes and black sclera could be seen. She had white hair tied back in a high ponytail, and upon her face, from her left cheek right through her eye to her forehead, were black lines that rippled everytime she blinked.
“Unhand my son.” Rihan replied as he drew his sword. Kubinashi and Tsurara got their own weapons ready, standing to the side so as to not get in Rihan’s way.
“Aww, you don’t wanna play with me? Too bad. Guess you lose.” Kosoku stepped further out of the flower bushes, Rikuo still tied in the air traveling behind her. She wore a white kimono, with geta on her feet. Around her arms were bloody red ropes, some of which were what Rikuo was tied by.
“Dad…” Rikuo sniffled, tears streaming down his face. “Tsura-Urgh!” His last word was cut off as Kosoku tightened the ropes around him.
“Rikuo! Dammit, what do you want?” Rihan questioned, scared for his son.
“Oh, I already have everything I need. I just wanted to taunt you a little.” She grinned, before she raised her left hand and ropes shot towards them all.
You’d think yokai of Rihan, Kubinashi, and Tsurara’s caliber would be able to avoid getting tied up so easily from such a straightforward attack. But for whatever reason, as the ropes came at them, they suddenly felt dazed, unable to stand or barely blink. The ropes tied them up and disposed of their weapons as if they were the weakest of yokai.
“Ahh, now that is a sight to see. The great Supreme Commander Rihan-chan, down on his knees.” The yokai released an obnoxious laugh. “Before I go, how about I tell you why I’m here? You may be out of it now, but later you’ll recall this better than anything else, and I’d love to see the despair in your eyes.”
The three restrained yokai barley blinked at her words. Slowly, they were becoming coherent, but the ropes had them physically paralyzed.
Kosoku continued, not at all concerned for her well being. “I was sent here by a man named Encho. Have you heard of him?” Rihan couldn’t answer even if he wanted to. While his mind was returning faster and faster, his body was numb. He did his best to glare at her, but she didn’t so much as flinch. “He’s basically our leader. Perhaps you’ve heard of us, the Hyaku Monogatari clan?”
She grinned, watching as his eyes shot open, fury evident in them. Still, Rihan could not move.
“Ah, that’s the look. How delightful~! Now, as payment for your crimes, I’ll be returning with my prize. Good day to you, Rihan-chan.” She winked, and waltzed back through the flowers, a sobbing Rikuo still tied up and following her.
“DAD! DADDY! TSURARA! SOMEBODY HELP!” Rikuo cried.
“Shut up, brat.” Kosoku sent another rope to cover Rikuo’s mouth. By the time anyone from the house had run over and found Rihan, Kubinashi and Tsurara in that state, Kosoku and Rikuo were nowhere to be found.
The clan searched for days, for weeks, months even. Not a shred of evidence told them where Rikuo was or could be.
The main house held what they referred to as a ‘mourning’. Calling it a funeral was too hard and sounded as though they had given in and decided Rikuo was dead.
Kosoku had been right. Rihan grew more and more despaired as time went on. The Nura clan, which had still been doing quite well despite being past his glory days, decayed rapidly.
Truly, the second heir of the nura clan must be cursed. That’s what whispering yokai said. To lose his first wife to ‘mysterious circumstances’ and then his first born to an old enemy of his. How cursed indeed. And once again, Nura Rihan couldn’t look at the Yamabuki roses, as they only caused pain.