The Beginning of the Fourth Heir

The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 9

Lady Haruhi prayed to her ancestors to heal Yui. After her silent ritual, she casted a healing jutsu on our heroine. That's when she found out the truth about her.

The girl's real name is Nura Riyui. She's 14 years old, a genin from the Hidden Leaf Village. Her parents are Nura Rihan and Nura Wakana. She has a twin brother named Rikuo. A hanyo or three parts human, one part yokai, she was kidnapped by the Shikoto Yokai when she was four years old. Ryota-Neko, leader of the Bakeneko Clan, raised her but she ran away from home. She traveled to a city called Magnolia and became a wizard of Fairy Tail. She would've stayed but the Shikoto Yokai attacked her guild. Knowing the dangers she put her guildmates in, she left on a journey and found herself in the Hidden Leaf Village. After studying at the academy, she became a genin.

Lady Haruhi thought Fate had brought this girl in her palace. Right now, her people needs a strong Commander to lead them in their battle. The Hoshi no Tama is a family treasure and the legacy left by her father. He bestowed it upon her, knowing she could lead the clan until the time when a Supreme Commander of all yokai accepts her as a member of her Hyakki Yakko.

When Yui woke up, Lady Haruhi was relieved. She gave her something to eat.

"Ugh...what happened? Man, I had the strangest dream ever. I saw my self as a little girl. And that black-haired man, who was he? And why did he call me Riyui?" she asked.

"The black-haired man? Was he wearing a black and green yukata?" 

"Yes, milady. Do you happen to know that man?"

"Of course. Who doesn't? His name is Nura Rihan, the Second Heir of the Nura Clan. He was murdered four years ago and his father Nurarihyon was forced out of retirement until the next Heir is named. I've heard his daughter got kidnapped. The Nura Clan tried its best to find the lost daughter but it seems they haven't succeeded yet." she explained. Yui stared at her, confused about her dream. 

"So, the dream I had, was it just a dream? Or was it a memory? I-I don't know who I am, Lady Haruhi. And I'm not sure if I'm really Riyui Nura. Can you help me?" Yui asked.

"You don't believe the truth shown to you by the Hoshi no Tama? Very well then. You will find out soon as the sun sets. The other 'you' will explain everything but you must rest until then. In the meantime, I will leave you in your thoughts." Lady Haruhi said and left the room. 

"The other 'me'? What does she mean by that?" Yui whispered to her self. When the sun set, someone appeared inside the room. Yui was shocked to find a woman with two-toned hair standing in front of her. Her golden orbs stared at her. Though she has a seventeen-year old's body, somehow, she appears to be just like her.

"Hello there. In case you're wondering who I am, don't. I am you. I'm your yokai self." she said.

"Oh. So, the vision I just saw, was it my-"

"Father? Yes. Nura Rihan is indeed your father. You are the long-lost daughter of the Second Heir. I mean, you're already gone for eight years. And I think you have abilities that no one else in your family has. You're destined to lead a Hyakki Yakko." she said.

"But... what if I can't do it? I'm just an ordinary girl. I-I can't possibly-"

"You're a wizard of the strongest guild in all of Fiore. You mastered the way of the sword from Hagoromo-Gitsune herself. And you helped Yuki won a battle without breaking a sweat. You didn't need my help back then. Well, sort of. You can cast elemental magic, for Hell's sake!" she said. Yui was silent the entire time. 

"They need you to lead them, Riyui. The Ookami Clan was waiting for the right Commander. It seems they already found one. I'm sure you can do it. Just embrace your yokai self. Jaa." she said and disappeared before Yui could stop her. She was silent and was just letting the information sink in. She felt doubt within herself. 

"How could I lead a Hyakki Yakko? I'm just an ordinary girl." Yui said in a whispering tone. Despite the atmosphere around her, she managed to fetch her short sword and walked out of the room. Her teammates beamed when they saw her but when they looked at her eyes, they knew something was up. 

"Yui, are you...okay?" Jun asked. Yui looked up and they saw her in a different light: a girl who felt vulnerable because of everything she had just learned about herself. 

"I'm...fine. I just remembered something. Something very important." she replied.

"Something important, you say? What is it?" Nakago asked, his face turned so serious.

"My real name. My real name is Nura Riyui, granddaughter of Nurarihyon, daughter of Nura Rihan, and Young Mistress of the Nura Clan." she replied. She went off, looking like a ghost. 

The two was confused. Seeing their retreating comrade's face, Jun grabbed Nakago and asked the guard the directions to the Royal Library. They were escorted to the library. Jun began searching for books and scrolls until he reached the back corner. He found a book that contains information about yokai and deep magic. 

"Uhm...Jun? What the heck are you doing?" Nakago asked while Jun was busy reading the book.

"Yui mentioned she's the granddaughter of Nurarihyon, right?"

"Uh...yeah, she did. Why?"

"Apparently, she's in a state of shock that time. Do you know why?"

"Duh! Like I know."

"Because her grandfather's a yokai. Nurarihyon is the Supreme Commander of all yokai. He takes the appearance of an old man and...sneaks inside soemone's house and acts as if he owns the place. Weird." Jun answered. 

Meanwhile, Yui was sitting on the steps, looking quite lost and shocked. Kakashi saw her and sat next to her. She doesn't mind anyone intruding her personal space but she couldn't help being indifferent about Kakashi's intrusion.

"Kakashi-sensei." 

"Yui, I can see trouble in your eyes. Tell me what's wrong." he said in a kind and gentle voice. Yui averted his gaze but she breathes in and out before she began. As Kakashi listens intently to her story, he maintains his composure until the story ends.

"I'm doubting myself. It's impossible that I am the long-lost granddaughter of Nurarihyon. I'm facing some kind of uncertainty here. I don't know what to believe anymore." she said.

"Yourself. Look, you may be what people say you are but only you know what your real identity is. Try believing in yourself for once, Yui." Kakashi said and stood up. Yui fell silent as she tries to understand the words of her sensei. When she was about to stand up, her sharp senses tell her that someone is approaching the castle grounds and are not very friendly. Suddenly, an arrow whistled by past her ear.

"We're under attack!!!"

Yui knew what she had to do. She drew out her shortsword and entered the fray.