The Beginning of the Fourth Heir

The Yokai Within

Chapter 7

Bon and Yui were walking home after school. That's when the crimson-haired girl approached them. She looked contrite over what she did during lunch time but our heroine know better. She saw something in the person in front of her that suggests challenge.

"Hey, newbie! You think you can get away with what you just did to me? Well, no! I'm going to defeat you one way or another! From now on, I'll be your rival, you hear?" she said. Bon was about to say something but Yui's golden eyes held her back.

"So be it. But first, let me know your name." Yui answered calmly.

"I'm Fuyumi Nara. Let me know yours." Fuyumi said.

"I'm Yui. That's all you need to know. Iku zo, Bon." she spoke to her subordinate. Bon followed meekly behind her as they walked home. When they were near the apartment, the sakura yokai questioned her mistress's attitude back there at town.

"Yui-sama, why did you accepted that girl's challenge?" she asked. Yui gave her a knowing smile.

"Because I can see the passion in her eyes. That's what I want in a rival. A strong will and a-" Yui stopped as she felt a familiar dark aura. "I know you're there, Oikawa. You've been busted."

"As expected from the granddaughter of Nurarihyon." a voice said with amusement in its tone. Yuki got out of his hiding place. He was smiling at her, which makes Yui suspiscious of him.

"What do you mean by that?" Yui asked.

"You don't remember, do you? Well, you're just a little girl when the Shikoto Yokai kidnapped you because of your healing abilities. But to think that you have yokai blood flowing in your veins was another mystery." Yuki replied.

"So do you know who I really am? Please tell me, Yuki. I...I want to know my real identity." Yui said. Yuki could see the determination in her eyes but he saw hesitation in them all the same. 

"Maybe you should think it over before you do anything. Anyway, it's best you don't know for now. I'm sure whoever's looking for you will be on the hunt and attack you without realizing it." 

"But I haven't used my healing ability yet. Heck, I'm not even aware that I have such ability!" she said. 

"Hmm... maybe you got it from your grandmother Yohime. If I remember correctly, when I was little, Grandma Setsura told me about Yohime's healing ability. She could heal any wounds and cure any sickness. That's why the Kyoto Yokai leader Hagoromo-Gitsune wants her liver."

"Eh?! So, Hagoromo-Gitsune wants to eat liver?! I suspected that much but she didn't tell me anything. Anyway, we need to go home. It's getting late and we have a quiz tomorrow. See ya around, Yuki." Yui said and she went home with Bon. 

While wandering around the streets of Konoha, Yuki felt the ominous winds blowing in his direction. He felt strange. So he went to the Hidden Leaf Falconry immediately to send a message to his sister Tsurara. 

"The granddaughter of Nurarihyon is in Konoha. She's safe for now, but I'm afraid I sensed an ominous presence coming this way. Don't worry. I'll protect her with my dear life. We will return to Ukiyoe Town safely. Just wait." 

But before he could send the message, a kunai fell on the missive. When he turned around, he saw a guy standing behind him. Yuki drew out his katana but the stranger deflected his blow and the weapon flew over head. It landed on the table. The stranger's face was covered so Yuki couldn't see his face. Before he knew it, the stranger went by him and read the missive Yuki was supposed to send to Ukiyoe Town. After reading it, the unknown man let out a laugh.

"So, she's here in the Hidden Leaf Village, eh? What a delightful turn of events." he said and glanced at Yuki. The latter never let his guard down and used his 'Fear'. However, the stranger was a few steps ahead. He easily nullified Yuki's 'Fear' and kicked him hard on the stomach. Yuki smashed against the wall.

"Bastard... you've already ruined her life... when are you going to be satisfied? She doesn't have anything to do with this!" Yuki said.

"Oh? Is that so? But you and I both know that she has the power to change the world of yokai. She has the appearance of a human but has a strength of a yokai. Doesn't it appear strange to you?" 

"Tch... If I knew, I would've done anything to get her back to Ukiyoe Town by now." Yuki said. The stranger flashed him a scary smile and drew out a katana. But before he delivered the final blow, a streak of white made its way in time for an attack. The next thing Yuki knew, there's a clash of metal with sparks flying everywhere. The newcomer has long two-toned hair of bright gold and jet black. When Yuki looked up, he saw a girl holding a katana. 

"So you've finally showed up, you scum." she said. When she step into the light, the enemy was delighted to see her.

"Oh? If it isn't the granddaughter of the Supreme Commander Nurarihyon. Ah, and I see you've finally awakened, eh?" 

"If you want to live, you'd better leave this village or I'll make sure you'll leave in pieces." she threatened. The stranger laughed maniacally.

"Soon, this village will fall into my hands. You have no other choice but to obey me." 

"You wish! I am nobody's slave. And if you're planning something, I'll make sure that you won't succeed." Yui swore.

"Very well  then. Until we meet again, granddaughter of Nurarihyon." he said and jumped through the window. Yui didn't chase him. Instead, she went to Yuki's side.

"Yuki, are you okay? Who was that guy?" Yui asked. Yuki was prompted up against a wall and he told her everything that has taken place before she arrived.

"So he knows that too, eh? It's just a hunch but I think the one who attacked you was the one who kidnapped me eight years ago. We need to be on guard at all times. He might strike when we least expect it, okay?"

"Thank you for saving me. I owe you my life. And for that, I would like to pledge my loyalty to you." Yuki said and knelt on one knee. Yui smiled and produced a bottle of the finest sake in the Hidden Leaf. She poured some sake on two cups the ritual of sakazuki (exchanging cups of loyalty) was performed.

Now that another yokai joined her Hyakki Yakko, Yui is determined to be the greatest Supreme Commander the world has ever seen.