The Beginning of the Fourth Heir

Crushed by the Odds

Chapter 26

Riyui waited for her husband to come home. She would've stood outside the station for a whole year if it weren't for the message she received from Harada's uncle Hitotsume. Though the two have a strained relationship with one another, the old yokai treated Harada as his own son. So, Riyui went home to Ukiyoe Town. 

When she came home, the whole clan was wearing black kimonos. Her twin brother Rikuo was sitting on a wheelchair. His right arm was amputated. He turn around, just in time to see his sister who was still in shock. Riyui slowly approached the throng of people. Kuroumaru, one of the Sanba-Garasu made his way towards her. He was holding something and gave it to Riyui. When she removed the cloth, she couldn't stop herself from crying. Because in her hands is Harada's ninjato. She broke down in front of everyone. Rikuo bid Kubinashi to push his wheelchair. The blonde yokai obliged. 

"Sis, I-I'm so sorry. We...we couldn't save Harada. He was...fighting Tsuchigumo. But he got overwhelmed." Rikuo spoke. This didn't end well. Riyui keeps on crying. Kuroumaru held his mistress until she calms down. 

Puroizen arrived wearing her black kimono. She expressed her condolences to the widowed Riyui. However, the Young Mistress was overcome with grief. The shinigami knew that her friend is trying to be strong, for the sake of her unborn child. Though she managed to look okay, Riyui couldn't help but cry.

-x-x-x-

While our heroine was sitting under the cherry tree, Hitotsume approached. Riyui has changed so much after her husband's funeral. She no longer smiles. She still writes though she finds it meaningless now that Harada's gone. She even refused to go to a book signing event with Kana. She became a recluse.

When Riyui saw Hitotsume, she scowled. The old yokai looked at her with disappointment. 

"What are you doing here?" she asked. Hitotsume sat next to her. The old yokai sighed. 

"You know, Harada told me that you have a feisty nature. And you're pretty strong too. But I guess he was wrong." he said. Riyui's golden eyes flashed in anger. She drew her sword and pointed its tip to his neck. Hitotsume was shocked when he saw her eyes. They remind him of Rihan, the Second Heir when he's angry. 

"You don't know anything about me. So stop pretending that you care!" she said with tears in her eyes. Hitotsume sighed. 

"Losing someone who matters most to you is painful. But you have two choices: either let your pain consume you, or stand up and continue on living, no matter how hard. If my nephew is here, Young Mistress, he would prefer to see you moving on rather than beating yourself up. Look at you. As far as I know, your grandmother is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. But she's more than a pretty face. She's a strong woman, just like you used to be." Hitotsume spoke and walked away. But before he left her to ponder the words he said, he turned to her.

"There's a meeting going to be held tomorrow evening. All of Nura clan's allies will be there. Your brother wants you to attend. He has some announcement. Until then, I will see the real you. Smart, brave, and strong." Riyui couldn't believe this. She was astounded by the old yokai's faith in her. And to think that she used to hate him once. 

The meeting of the council members of the clan was presided by Rikuo. The generals are sitting in two columns in front of him and his twin sister. Riyui was silent all throughout the meeting. She keeps on soothing her stomach. She's now four months pregnant. Little did she knows, her brother's announcement will about to rock her world.