The Beginning of the Fourth Heir

Way Back Home

Chapter 16

A year after her victory against the Shikoto Yokai, Riyui decided that it's time to go home to Ukiyoe Town. It's been eight years since she last saw Ryota-Neko and the whole Bakeneko Clan. A pang of nostalgia hits her as she walks the streets of Konoha at night. She saw a couple of stray cats along the way and her desire to go home intensifies. Being away for so long, she wonders if it's the right time to go back home.

After thinking it through, Riyui goes to the office of the Hokage. Lady Tsunade and her assistant Shizune are working late to finish up their paperwork when our heroine came in.

"Annou...Tsunade-sama? May I speak with you?" Riyui asked.

"Oh. Riyui, come in." Tsunade beckons. Our heroine walked inside the office before speaking.

"Tsunade-sama, I was hoping that you'll allow me to go back home along with Yuki and Bon. It's been eight years since I was home and I miss it terribly." Riyui explained. Shizune and Tsunade looked at each other. The Hokage nodded understandingly. She smiled at her sadly and stood up. Riyui thought she was going somewhere but she stopped at the corner of the room. With her chakra, she opened a compartment and took out a katana. She handed it to Riyui who stares at the Hokage quizzically.

"It's my present for you. You have done well for me and the Hidden Leaf Village. Because of you, we can now be safe from evil yokai. And also, be careful on your way home." she said. Riyui bowed. Before she left, she removed her forehead protector but Tsunade shook her head.

"Keep it, Riyui. Show it to your family as a sign that you have become a strong young woman. And I'm proud to have been here to see you grew stronger." Tsunade smiled. Shizune gave Riyui a pat on the shoulder.

"Good luck, Riyui. Be careful on your way home." she said. Riyui grinned and bowed before she left the office.

The next day, she informed Team 7 of her departure to Ukiyoe Town. Jun and Nakago were surprised to hear it. 

"What?! You're leaving the Hidden Leaf Village? But why?" Nakago asked.

"Don't you like it here, Riyui?" says Jun.

"That's not really the case. I like it here. But the thing is, I miss home. My parents...I never grew up with them. To tell you the truth, I don't have a clue if they're still looking for me. I was taken away from them 12 years ago. You can't blame me if I decided to go back home." Riyui explained. Nakago and Jun felt they're being selfish. Sure, they don't want to see their teammate go but they also don't want to see her crying when she misses home.

"Oh. So that's how it was. But did you secure a permission from Tsunade? She won't let you go that easily." Jun said.

"She already said yes. I will leave in two days' time along with Yuki and Bon." Riyui said.

"I see. Wait right here. I'll just have to get something from the house. Be right back." Nakago said and ran off. After an hour, he came back with a lot of manga.

"What's this?"

"That's a manga. It's something to remember me by." Nakago said. Jun smiled and pulls out something from his pocket. It's his kunai knife that he customized for Riyui.

"It was supposed to be a gift for your promotion as chounin. But things got crazy so I wasn't able to give it to you." Jun said and stared at her apologetically. Riyui accepted the gifts. She says goodbye to Team 7 and heads to her apartment. She began packing her stuff. After packing, she went straight to the Ichiraku Ramen Shop for a final bowl of their famous ramen. The shop owner's daughter was there and brightens up when she saw her.

"Riyui-san! How nice of you to drop by. I heard you're leaving Konoha for good." she said.

"Yeah. I would like to stay here for good but I'm getting homesick. I missed my family." Riyui said.

"I see. Well, let me fix you a bowl of ramen. It's kind of my parting gift for you." she said. Riyui smiled. After her meal in the ramen shop, she went to the blacksmith whom she has acquired knowledge in blacksmithing and weapon crafting. She dropped by to say goodbye.

Saying farewell to the people of Konoha hurts Riyui. She couldn't help but cry.

The next day, she left the Hidden Leaf Village with Yuki and Bon. They've traveled for days. They passed down Magnolia, the home of Fairy Tail. Then they went to Kyoto where Hagoromo-Gitsune and her legion of yokai live. And finally, after twelve years, Riyui was home. She couldn't believe that after all this time, the mansion still looks the same with its Japanese-styled roof and a spacious courtyard made of stone.

Meanwhile, Rikuo and his Hyakki Yakko are having a meeting when Natto-Kozo entered the room screaming, "RRRRRRRIIIIIIIKKKKKKUUUUUOOOOO-SAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"What the hell?! Natto, stop barging in the room during meetings. So, what is it this time? Did you drank too many sake in broad daylight?!" Rikuo asked angrily.

"You have mistaken, Rikuo-sama. Your sister, she has finally returned!" he announced. Rikuo froze. He couldn't believe what Natto had just said. The rest of them were too shocked to move. Finally, Tsurara, Rikuo's fiancée, breaks the ice.

"Is Yuki with them?" she managed to ask. Natto-Kozo nodded. That's when Rikuo and Tsurara made a run for the door. The rest of the clan follow suit. When they reached the courtyard, three people were walking towards them. Rikuo rubbed his eyes to see if he was hallucinating. But no. They're moving closer to them. And there she was, his long-lost twin sister, finally returned home. He couldn't believe it. His sister is back.

"Riyui?" he said. However, she looked at him as if he's a stranger. Rikuo was dumbfounded. His own twin sister doesn't even know him.

"Don't you recognize me? It's me, Rikuo. I'm your twin brother." he said. But Riyui shook her head.

"I'm sorry but I don't. I...I was nearly killed by the Shikoto Yokai a long time ago and it seems I lost my memories because of it." she explains. Rikuo drops his hands on his sides and disappointment settles in his chest. Nevertheless, he hugged his sister tight as he fought back tears.

"It's all my fault. I failed to protect you. I'm really sorry." he cried. Riyui feels bad for her big brother. So she hugged him back and reassures him that everything will be okay. That's when Nurarihyon came along with his subordinate Gyuki. The old Supreme Commander couldn't contain his joy at seeing his granddaughter all grown-up and beautiful like his late wife Yohime.

"Soudaisho, is that-"

"Yes. My granddaughter is home!" he announced.