Memories of the past

As time passed the intensity of this longing emotion became apparent as memories started to play in his mind.

"What do you think Youhime? Aren't you glad you came with me?", Nurarihyon spoke with a smug look while showing off Edo, the territory that he ruled.

Youhime looked at the bustling city with sparkling eyes, "Oh yes, Ayakashi-sama!" Living her life as a bird cage holed up in her father's estate, the view of this City looks extremely beautiful in her eyes, "It will be wonderful for this place to become a good home for our little one," she added as she looked at the baby in her arms.

Nurarihyon walked towards her and took the baby, raising him in the sky, "From now on, both humans and ayakashi will grow in number, You've been born in a lively era, Rihan!!" His laughter caused the baby to be startled and start crying.

Youhime took Rihan back in her arms as she looked at Nurarihyon with worry apparent in her eyes, "Don't be so reckless, honestly!" She appeased the child.

"There, there."

She looked at the child with eyes filled with love, "Now, Rihan...Your father is the master of all spirits..the strongest and most attractive..most respectable man there is?.." Youhime seems to suddenly felt losing her strength.., "Nn?"

Nurarihyon on the side noticed this and appeared beside her in a flash, catching both his wife and child. He looked at the unconcious princess as he started to panic.

"Youhime?!! What's wrong, Youhime?!!"

The surroundings suddenly changed and what Hannya saw is the figure of Youhime laying in bed.

A small crow, checked her temperature and looked towards Nurarihyon, "She's probably overtired. She'll recover as soon as she get some rest."

A large figure wearing a Noah Mask spoke, "it is expected.. bringing up a child in Edo..an unfamiliar place."

"Oh my~! She has a cold!! Just goes to show how weak humans are, hohoho~" Setsura mocked jokingly.

Nurarihyon glared at the three yokai's, "You guys are too noisy!" , He then glanced at Youhime," You just take it easy today, Okay, Youhime?"

The latter nodded and replied, "I'm sorry..Ah but please don't do anything dangerous." Her voice is filled with worry.

Nurarihyon nodded and spoke with overwhelming confidence, "Just leave everything to me, I'll look after Rihan." He took the child and put it on his shoulder like a bag of sand and walked out of the room while humming.

Everyone in the room were left speechless as they saw this scene, the confident words he spoke earlier dissappeared in the air.

"Will it be really alright?" Youhime was worried about Rihan as she tried to shook off her bad feelings.

The way he put Rihan on his shoulder looked so unconvincing.

"Probably.." Karasu Tengu tried to speak with confidence but what came out of his mouth was different.

Hihi used his right to remain silent at this moment while Setsura remarked, "I guess, he'll manage it somehow?"

Nothing happened in the following days, everything remained the same, just that everyone noticed Youhime condition worsened as time passed, she even started to lose her healing powers.

Nurarihyon became worried and called out the entire Zen Clan who specialized in medicine to heal Youhime but it was all for naught.

Nurarihyon looked at the figure of Youhime becoming thinner, such scene made him feel like his heart was pierced with countless blades.

A month later, Youhime finally breathe her last.

Ding! System reward for Sub-Quest 1.0

Details: Due to a sudden eruption of emotions filled with longing a new reward has been decided. If Rihan wins the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament host will receive the item.

New Additional reward: Youhime Revival Token

Hannya woke up from stupor as he received a notification from the system.

Are those Nurarihyon's memory and feelings? It feels kind of strange yet the longing in his heart seems real. A sudden realization struck him, he did truly fused with Nurarihyon.

Though he felt love for Youhime as Nurarihyon, he was also attracted with Setsura as Hannya, though the feelings are a bit different.

Nurarihyon's feelings for Youhime is totally real, while Hannya's feeling for Setsura is mixed with genuine, pity and attraction. He couldn't really call it love at this moment but it's starting to form into those feelings. He could tell..

Hannya is currently filled with mixed emotions.

Rihan, the child of Nurarihyon who now became truly his after their fusion.

In Rihan's mind, he know that his mother was already dead. After he was summoned he never cried and always put on a strong front, though Hannya could tell that kid is missing his mother. He is still ten years old, at that age he just supposed to play yet right now he's starting to share a bit of Hannya's responsibility making him feel a bit guilty.

Settling his emotions, his eyes shone with decisiveness as he ordered everyone to follow him.

...

New Moon City, Dark Moon Inn.

Mezomaru entered a room, saying, "According to the news we currently have on hand, a group of individuals were intentionally leaking the news about our Clan, though I don't know what they would achieve in doing so we still can't let our guard down.

Karasu Tengu considered, "Do you have an accurate detail about their numbers? We need to obtain more details so we won't be caught unprepared if something happens."

"Hmm, it's been a few days since we got here but those people seems efficient in hiding so we don't know how their current numbers." Mezomaru was a bit agitated, " Well, since this people doesn't want to show themselves, How about I personally go and take a look at their traces? and also see if I can lure them out in the open."

The abnormalities within the New Moon City, the Elders of multiple clans suddenly appearing and blocking the gates, as well as the Governor's strange movements on the side, had caused the Nura Clan to become the center of attraction that restricted them to make any movements.

Good thing they didn't come together with Rihan and the others or they would also be stuck in the same situation.

Although the New Moon City received informations about the Nura clans actions from the massacre of Silver Dragon Mercenary, it was obviously not enough to justify their movements.

As he held heavy responsibilities, Mezomaru couldn't just sit still and let those people use them.

"You can do that, but always make sure to keep yourself safe. If you think it's dangerous don't risk it." Thought for awhile and approved his plan.

This Yokai under the Gyuuki Clan is efficient in gathering information since he specialized in communication, although Karasu Tengu can command a large number of crows to detect the movement of their enemies in large scale, he couldn't do much in a city where they don't know which one among those countless people were the true enemies.

Mezomaru nodded as he left the room.

The only one left inside is Karasu Tengu and his wife, Nuregarasu. She looked at her husband and spoke in a low voice," It seems like the situation isn't so simple."

Karasu Tengu stayed silent for awhile, if possible he wanted to investigate it alone but his current understanding in this world is miniscule and the current situation is restricting him, with that being said, he doesn't have a choice but to thicken his face and ask for Nurarihyon's foresight about this matter.

One more important thing, A few days ago he ordered the crows to leave New Moon City and check if there's anything suspicious going on.

Based on the intel that he received, seven individuals with unknown background seems to be making their way towards the New Moon City. Five of them have reached the peak of Sky Profound Realm while the strength of the other two is unknown which is a bit worrying since only Gyuuki, Draig and Rihan can handle them if they turn out to be an enemy, he still doesn't have the confidence to completely hold them back since they are outnumbered.

Those people doesn't seem to be an onmyouji but his gut is telling him that those people are the one pulling the strings.