The Beginning of the Fourth Heir

The Young Mistress vs The Tanuki

Chapter 15

After their battle, Yuki and Bon approached Riyui. The ice yokai qualified for the semi-finals. Bon, on the other hand, was eliminated after her defeat in Nakago's hands. The two saw their mistress's unease. 

"Riyui-sama, is something wrong? You look so upset." Yuki said. Riyui sighed and faced Yuki. He found fear and trouble in her eyes. He immediately became protective of his mistress. Bon noticed it as well.  

"There's a yokai in the perimeter, isn't it?" Bon asked. She became tensed and alert. 

"I felt a really strong yokai's presence lingering in the surroundings. We must never let our guard down. Who knows what would happen." Riyui ordered.

"Understood, Milady." Bon responded. 

The next match is going to take place soon. It's Nakago versus Tamazusa from the Hidden Grass Village. Riyui's match is not due til tomorrow so she gets to watch her friend's match. Yuki and Bon are with her. While waiting for the match to start, Riyui felt the evil presence again. She became vigilant for any signs of the intruder. Her hand is on the hilt of the katana that Lady Haruhi gave her as she scanned her surroundings for any signs of trouble.

On the arena, Nakago is now ready to face his opponent from the Hidden Grass. But he noticed something strange about him. Though he looked normal, Nakago can tell something is wrong with his opponent. 

"Are you guys ready?" the jonin-in charge asked. 

"Yes." the two replied.

"Well then, begin!" 

Nakago went into fighting stance and concentrated on his opponent. But when he suddenly realized he couldn't move, he began to panic inwardly. An overwhelming fear began to cloud his senses and he suddenly found himself paralyzed. He couldn't think straight because of the panic. He was shaking violently.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" his opponent mocked. Nakago silently cursed himself. Meanwhile, Riyui was watching her friend getting succumbed by a yokai's "Fear". 

"Nakago! Snap out of it. He's using your fear to control you! Nakago!" Riyui shouted. However, it was just a far-off cry to Nakago. He's trying to get out of the illusion that his enemy has laid out but no such luck. He still couldn't move. 

"Now how would Riyui feel if I hurt one of her precious friends? Would you like to find out?" Tamazuki said. When he raised his hand, a sword materializes. But before he makes the blow, another sword clashed with it and disarmed Tamazuki. He was startled at first but he smiled wickedly as Riyui jumps in to the fray from the stands. She manages to disable the spell that Tamazuki casted. Nakago moves.

"Riyui..."

"Stay away from my friends, you creepy raccoon!" Riyui snarled and pointed her katana on Tamazuki's throat.

"My, my. Such temper. How did you know it was me?"

"I know a filthy yokai when I see one. It didn't take much to figure out who you are. You're emitting large amounts of yokai energy. What are you doing here anyway?! Why are you disrupting the peace of Konoha?"

"Riyui, Riyui. For such a strong girl, you lack the brains. Very well then. I would be more than happy to explain. I wanted to destroy you as well as your twin brother Rikuo. You've wrecked my reputation as the leader of the Shikoto Yokai. Because of you, I was being laughed at by my subordinates."

"Ha?! That's what's getting you worked up? Dude, you brought that to yourself. Why blame others if you're the one who's at fault?! Jesus, that mentality will get you nowhere. Instead of beating others up, why don't you use your time in improving your self for the future?"

"Tch! You don't have the right to give me a lecture like that. Prepare to meet your doom!" Tamazuki said and summoned his Hyakki Yakko. Lady Tsunade was alarmed, so was the other jonins in the vicinity. Yuki and Bon jumps into the fray. Riyui believes that the whole Shikoto Yokai faction is not with Tamazuki. Unfortunately, she was wrong. The whole Shikoto clan is armed and ready to wage a war.

"Oh crud. They're in full force. I wish there's someone who will help us." Riyui said.

"The other jonin will be able to take them on." Yuki suggested.

"Negative, Yuki. This battle is between yokai only. No humans will be involved. Tell them to evacuate the premises. I'll deal with Tamazuki."

"But Milady!"

"There's no time. You need to go, Bon. Yuki and I will handle the fort here. Now go!" Riyui ordered. Bon had no choice but to abandon her post and helped with the evacuation.

"Oh. Putting yourself before others? That's really noble of you, Riyui. But that's what I hate the most about you. Finish her off!" Tamazuki ordered.

"Not today, dog!" the girl replied and made hand seals.

"Yokai no Jutsu: Flashing Fire!"

Pillars of fire surrounded Tamazuki and his Night Parade. However, he manages to undo her jutsu with his "Fear".

"What the-?! How did you-?!"

"Your 'Fear' is not strong enough to beat mine. Still think you will ever beat me?" Tamazuki said.

"Tch."

Riyui gathered up her courage to face Tamazuki. But she knows the odds are against her. She didn't train hard enough to muster enough "Fear" to win. If only she could win using her abilities as a human...

"You are nothing compared to your father and brother. You will never be a Supreme Commander just like them. You're weak. You don't belong here in the world of yokai. Only those who can evoke fear in humans are the true yokai! Farewell, Riyui Nura!" Tamazuki said and with his sword, dealt the blow. Riyui prepares to block her enemies blow but an arrow whizzed past between them. The two of them are in a state of shock until Riyui turns around and sees Lady Haruhi and the entire Ookami army.

"Haruhi-sama!"

"Sorry for being late, Riyui-dono. The Hoshi no Tama told me you were in trouble." Lady Haruhi explained and turns her attention to Tamazuki. The tanuki grimaces at the sight of the wolf spirit fighting on Riyui's side.

"Lady Haruhi Ookami...I'm surprised to see you here. But why did you choose to side with her? She's not a real yokai." Tamazuki asked.

"I care not what you think of her. For me, she's worthy of the title of Supreme Commander. She has a heart like no else in this world. I won't let you hurt her comrades and everyone else she cares about!"

Tamazuki smirked.

"Very well then. You get to fight along side your worthless master!" Tamazuki said and the battle ensued.

The Yokai War of the Hidden Leaf waged by Tamazuki and Riyui lasted for months and Konoha became the battlefield. Metals clashed; battle cries yelled; it's one heck of a battle.

After a month of battling yokai, Riyui's army faced Tamazuki in the Hidden Leaf Forest. Riyui was helped by the Exorcist Division of Konoha which is a platoon of Shikigami users. With their help, Riyui achieved victory.

Tamazuki lost and fled from Konoha. The people rejoiced at Riyui's victory. The next day, the exams resumed and our heroine passed. She became a chounin along with Yuki, Bon, and Nakago.

"I wonder what Riyui-sama looks like. It's been a long time since we last saw her. I bet she's a knockout." Kurotabo said.

"Well, I can't wait to see her. She must be a young lady by now. The last time we saw her, she's just a little girl." Kubinashi replied with a gentle smile. The two yokai are drinking sake under the cherry blossom tree. Today is a special occasion because Nura Rikuo, the Third Heir of the Nura Clan is engaged to Oikawa Tsurara, his girlfriend.

"Soon... we will meet again, dear sister." Rikuo whispered as the wind blew around the cherry tree.