[A/N: sorry for the late update had to re-re-edit the chapter]
Reaching home, the two took off their shoes and headed toward the living room. The destruction caused my Hachihei that night could still be seen, the wall that divided the living room and kitchen was gone and so was the door that lead to the yard which gave way for the cool winds of the evening to enter the home.
Walking to the living room Rikuo saw Toma still laying on the sofa, his body covered in actual bandages rather than the shirt he wore that night.
"Toma, it's great to see that you are doing alright."
"You as well."
"....."
Still surprised by the fact that Toma was actually a cat yokai capable of speech, Rikuo paused for a moment before continuing with a bit of concern.
"Are your injuries finished healing?"
"No, they are not. I was already injured before that fight, and now with my new injuries..."
Toma passed his paw along his bandaged body especially his abdomen .
"It will take much longer to heal."
"Also, I am sorry. I failed to protect you and your grandfather."
"It seems that I still can't protect anyone."
As Toma said this, he lowered his head toward Rikuo and whispered the last part to himself.
"It's okay. You still risked your life to help us while injured, and that's good enough."
Rikuo paused for a moment before continuing.
"But I do have a question. Do you think it's okay to trust him?"
Whispering the last part, Rikuo pointed his thumb behind him toward Kurotabo, who was in the kitchen searching through the fridge for a beer.
Even though Rikuo did not care who became his guardian in the end, he was still concerned about letting a stranger into his home, especially a yokai. They were a species said to embody mischief and trouble, and even though Kurotabo had saved his life, there was no guarantee he wasn't doing all of this because he wanted something in return.
So Rikuo asked Toma, someone who had been with him for over three months and had risked his life to protect him.
"I know he saved our lives, but trusting a stranger that we have only known for three days to become my guardian is concerning."
Taking her eyes off Kurotabo, who had finally found a beer he liked from the fridge, Toma looked back toward Rikuo.
"Although I would not trust him completely, he is still a monk, and they usually follow a doctrine of honesty. So even though he might be telling us the truth about his intentions, that does not mean he isn't hiding something else."
"Everyone has their own intentions. As long as our goals align, I will trust him to help me break the bond."
As the two finished talking, Kurotabo walked out of the kitchen and sat on the sofa opposite them. Separating from Toma, Rikuo sat in the third sofa facing the telivision as he continue to speak
"Toma, now that I think about it, what is your real name? After all, 'Toma' is the name that I gave you, right? Also, how did you get injured?"
Toma yawn before getting up to scratch her ears, before he answered.
"Oh right, I never told you my name. My name is Kenjiro Yamitsume. You can call me Kenjiro or keep calling me Toma. As for how I got injured... I would rather not say."
[A/N: Might retcon the last name if anyone has suggestions. It must have claw in it.]
Although Toma was willing to say his name with easy even with a bit of pride when saying his last name he was reluctant to say how he got the injuries he had before Rikuo meet him but Rikuo was not paying attention to that.
Hearing his name, Rikuo was stunned for a moment.
"Kenjiro? But that's a guy's name."
"Yeah, and I'm a guy, so it matches."
Rikuo's mouth was left hanging open.
'I always thought he was a girl, and that's why he was so shy about being petted and about me trying to look at—'
Seeing his expression Kenjiro knew exactly what Rikuo was thinking and smirked
"Now that you know, you can stop trying to check my gender."
"My bad, but your voice..."
"That's how all nekomata voices stay when they are in their cat form. Their voices become higher-pitched however it goes away with age."
Rikuo face which once held the expression of shock turn back to normal before looking a bit depressed
"I kind of feel disappointed that you're a guy though."
A tick mark appeared on Kenjiro's head when he heard what Rikuo said.
"Huh"
"Isn't it usually a cat girl in this position? A cat youkai who is in a weakened state, gets picked up and saved by a handsome guy, and then a few months later she reveals her true form as a beautiful girl and confesses to her savior."
*TCH*
"I can still do that, but instead of a beautiful girl, it would be a handsome guy instead."
"Its okay you can stay the way you already are"
As the two bantered between each other the topic changed to their living condition that they will have amongst the 3 of them from now on.
"Well then, since we will be living together from now on, we have to set some rules and solidify your identity as my relative Kurotabo."
Rikuo glanced at Kurotabo.
"Some people might get suspicious about a new relative that was never heard of suddenly appearing out of nowhere, especially my friends."
Pointing toward Kurotabo, Rikuo continued.
"Not only that, but the funeral for my gramps is in a month time from now. I haven't sent out any news to any of my gramps friend or my parents yet, but when they hear about it, I will either have to go live with my dad or my mom. The best case is that neither of them cares, and I don't have to worry about explaining you."
Kurotabo rested his beer on the coffee table and thought over Rikuo's concerns for a moment before replying.
"You don't have to worry about that. If anyone tries to dig deep into my background or your parents try making you live with them, I can cast a spell to make it so I was always a part of your life and another option for a possible guardian for your parents. In fact, that's how I became your guardian."
Hearing that Rikuo was once again shocked
'I knew he did something to become my guardian but i though he just ask some of his supernatural connection for some fake documentation of being my relative'
"I would prefer you not do that to my friends. But I have a question. Can other yokai do that as well?"
Seeing the shocked expression on Rikuo's face, Kurotabo understood what the child was thinking.
"You don't have to worry about other yokai hypnotizing normal people. Most yokai don't even know how to, and that's where the onmyoji and the great families comes in, for the youkais that can use hypnosis."
"As long as it is in their best interest they protect ordinary people from the supernatural world. If a yokai is found causing serious harm to humans or committing crimes, they will hunt them down."
'At least now I don't have to worry about the possibility of the entire city being controlled by a yokai to hunt us down.'
Rikuo was relieved and whipped the sweat of his face
"If that's the case, aren't you worried that they might start hunting you down since you hypnotized people to make you my guardian?"
"I will be fine. It's not like I was planning to hypnotize them for long. It was only until the paperwork was completed, and I only did it to a handful of people. Besides, even if the onmyoji found out, I only did it to become your temporary guardian, which is not enough to label me a malevolent yokai."
"That's good then."
Rikuo let out a quiet sigh before looking around the house.
"Since you'll be staying here for the time being, there are a few more things you should know. My grandfather's full name was Shiro Nura, so if anyone asks about Shiro, that's who they are talking about."
Rikuo then glanced toward the hallway.
"The guest room is the second door on the right. You can use that room while you're staying here."
For a moment, Rikuo hesitated before his expression became more serious.
"And one more thing... don't bring up my grandmother."
Before Kurotabo could respond—
Ding Dong.
The sound of the doorbell echoed throughout the house, drawing everyone's attention toward the entrance.
"Hello! Is anyone home?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Rikuo immediately recognized it. It was Kiyotsugu, and judging by the other voices outside, the rest of his friends had come as well.
"Kiyotsugu and the others are already here?"
Realizing there was no time to properly explain everything, Rikuo quickly turned back toward Kurotabo.
"If they ask about our relationship, just say you're my first cousin once removed. You knew me when I was little, but after so many years I simply forgot about you until you showed up four days ago."
[A/N: First cousin once removed refers to the child of your grandfather's brother or sister's relationship toward you, I think.]
Rikuo paused for a brief moment before adding,
"I've already explained my situation to you over the past three days, so if they ask anything else... just make something up that fits."
Kurotabo gave a small nod, finished the last of his beer, and tossed the empty can into the trash.
"Leave it to me."
For the past three days while Rikuo was in the hospital, only immediate family members were allowed to visit. However, that did not stop his friends from coming to check up on him.
Luckily, his room was not too far from the entrance of the hospital, so even though they could not enter, they were still able to talk with him through the window.
When Rikuo told them yesterday that he would be leaving the hospital tomorrow and they could have a hotpot together, he did not expect them to arrive so early.
Leaving the house and walking toward the large wooden gate, Rikuo noticed that their voices grew louder with every step he took.
Opening the wooden door built into the gate, Rikuo could finally see everyone who had arrived.
Kana, Kiyotsugu, Jiro, Natsumi, and Saori were all there, but they were not alone. Mr. and Mrs. Ienaga and Mr. and Mrs. Torii had also come with them.
Everyone was dressed in casual clothing, looking more prepared for a picnic than a simple visit. The containers they carried only added to that impression, but a picnic was not what had been planned for today. Instead, they had come together to prepare a hotpot.
Each person carried a container filled with ingredients for the meal they planned to share. Some brought vegetables, while others brought meat and other necessities. However, the ones who had brought the most were the Toriis, who had provided a large portion of the ingredients thanks to their family farm.
Mrs. Torii had a gentle appearance, with long dark green hair that reached down to her waist and matching dark green eyes that gave her a calm and warm expression. Standing beside her was Mr. Torii, whose appearance contrasted with his wife's. He was the only one in the family with naturally black hair, though his most noticeable features were his bright blue eyes and the calluses on his hands from years of farming.
Standing beside her parents, Natsumi was a clear reflection of both of them. She inherited her mother's dark green hair and eyes, while her father's blue eyes gave her a unique appearance that blended both of their traits together.
Seeing the familiar faces gathered outside his home, Rikuo looked over everyone before his eyes landed on Kana. The moment their eyes met, she immediately turned her head away.
A little puzzled by her reaction, Rikuo couldn't help but smile slightly before greeting everyone.
"Hi everyone."
"Rikuo, how have you been? Have you healed up well? I heard about what happened, but I couldn't visit you. I'm sorry."
Flexing his muscles he responded
"Oh, no problem. I'm healing up, but the doctor said I shouldn't strain myself. And don't worry about visiting me. If you did, you would have had to stay outside and talk to me through the window."
"Anyways, everyone, come in, come in."
As everyone entered, Mr. Torii, the last person to come inside, closed the door behind him.
Walking toward the house, they passed by the pond.
"Your home is really beautiful. Your grandfather really took care of this place."
"Yeah, he did."
Entering the house, everyone took off their shoes and walked toward the living room.
"Hello there. My name is Kurotabo Nura. Nice to meet you."
"Oh, you must be Rikuo's new guardian. Hello, my name is [] Ienaga."
As the fathers introduced themselves to Kurotabo, the others went toward the kitchen to place down the food they had brought.
"My mom and dad couldn't come because they still had work, so they sent me here with some vegetables and tofu."
"Same. My parents sent me some mushrooms and noodles for the hotpot."
"And I brought the meat," Jiro said proudly as he placed down the container he was carrying.
"I'm grateful for what all of you brought," Rikuo said.
"You don't have to thank us that much. We just wanted to help," Mrs. Torii said with a smile.
After the introductions were finished, Mrs. Torii and Mrs. Ienaga looked over the ingredients that had been gathered.
"Rikuo, would it be alright if we used your kitchen and stove to prepare the hotpot?"
"Of course. Go ahead."
"Thank you. We will have everything ready soon."
With that, the two mothers began preparing the meal together while the children left the kitchen and headed outside onto the veranda.
Jiro, who had brought a ball, began playing catch with Saori in the yard while Rikuo and the others sat on the veranda.
For a while, no one said anything.
It was strange. These were the same friends who had come to visit him every day while he was in the hospital, but now that they were actually sitting in front of him, none of them seemed to know what to say.
They wanted to ask how he was feeling, but they were afraid of bringing up his grandfather. They wanted to comfort him, but they did not know what words could make things better.
Even Kiyotsugu, who usually had something to say about everything, seemed unusually quiet.
Kana especially avoided looking directly at Rikuo. Every time their eyes met, she quickly looked away, unsure of what she should say.
Rikuo noticed their hesitation.
'These are good kids.'
'Even though they don't know how to cheer someone up, they are trying their best not to make me feel worse.'
'Though, because they keep tiptoeing around everything, it is creating an awkward mood. But if I suggest doing something, they probably won't mind.'
"But Rikuo, your home is really big. Not as big as mine though."
Kiyotsugu's sudden comment broke the silence.
'You really love bragging, don't you?'
"I suppose but I have never been to your home before."
"You should come visit sometimes. But with such an old house in the neighborhood, I have heard people say there might be yokai lurking around here ."
"Maybe, maybe we can find a shiryō"
"Kiyotsugu, can you give the yokai thing a break for today? We came here to check up on Rikuo."
"Saori, it's fine. Honestly, I would rather we look around than sit here awkwardly."
'A shiryō huh Kiyotsugu i guess you are trying to cheer me up in your own way'
[A/N: shiryō is the ghost of a passed relative that usually appear to say their final goodbyes]
Everyone flinched slightly at what he said.
Getting up, Rikuo stretched slightly before looking over everyone.
"Ms. Torii and Ms. Ienaga should not be finished preparing the food yet, so we should have time where do you want to look first, Kiyotsugu?"
Kiyotsugu's eyes immediately lit up when Rikuo agreed to search around the house with him.
"Let's start with the right side of the house."
"Sure."
"Well, if Rikuo agrees."
"I just hope it isn't anything scary."
Rikuo looked down at Kana, who was still sitting beside him.
"Kana, do you want to join?"
When their eyes met, Kana immediately lowered her head.
"Sure."
Giving her a hand, Rikuo helped her stand up as everyone went toward the right side of the house to search for yokai, leaving the adults in the kitchen.
Seeing the children leave, Mr. Ienaga spoke up.
"So, when is the funeral?"
"Oh, it will be in a month's time."
"Wow, that long? Why?"
Kurotabo paused for a moment, thinking back to what Rikuo had explained to him over the past few days.
'What did Rikuo say again? Ah, that's right.'
"It's because we are trying to get in contact with everyone, especially Rikuo's parents."
The moment Kurotabo mentioned Rikuo's parents, the room became quiet.
"Oh right... his parents."
"But are you sure you want to invite both of them to the funeral? They might cause a scene if they see each other again."
"They might, but it is what Rikuo wants."
Kurotabo looked toward the hallway where the children had gone.
"He wants his mother to see his grandfather one more time before he is cremated. So we are trying to contact her, but we have not had any results yet."
"Well, if Rikuo wants her to see her father one last time, then I suppose it is alright for the funeral to be delayed."
"Yeah... I think he also needs some time to process everything."
The room became quiet for a moment.
"His grandfather was the person who raised him, so losing him after everything they had been through must have been difficult. I think its only right he give him space to grieve"
"You're right. Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is simply give them the space they need."
Mr Torii seeing the conversation about the funeral die down switched to a new topic
"Oh right, where do you work, Kurotabo?"
'Shit'
"I work-"
As the conversation about the funeral shifted toward Kurotabo's employment, an hour had passed and the children who where looking around the house returned after finding nothing.
"I told you there wouldn't be any yokai here."
"Yeah, you were right, but those statues in that room looked cool though."
As everyone return Ms Ienaga spotted them back in the yard.
"You kids finally returned."
Waving her hand toward them, Mrs. Ienaga called out.
"Everyone, come over. The food is ready."
Hearing that, the children returned from outside and joined everyone around the dining table.
The hotpot was placed in the center, with the steam rising from the warm broth as everyone served themselves. The meal was filled with light conversation as they ate together, with the quiet Nura residence slowly becoming lively again.
For the next two hours, everyone stayed together, enjoying the food and talking about different things. Although they still avoided bringing up Rikuo's grandfather, their presence alone helped make the house feel less empty.
Time continued marching and it was now 3 pm. Seeing the time everyone started preparing to leave.
"Thank you for having us over, Kurotabo and Rikuo."
"No, thank you for coming."
As everyone made their way toward the entrance, Rikuo said his goodbyes to each of them.
However, when Kana reached the gate, she still could not bring herself to look directly at him.
Even after spending most of the time around him, she continued to avoid his gaze, unsure of what to say.
Rikuo noticed her hesitation but chose not to force her.
"bye, Kana."
After a brief pause, Kana quietly nodded before leaving with the others after closing the door and waving goodbye.
"You have alot of people who care about huh kid"
"Yeah i do "
"Well then get some rest because tonight we will start your lessons"
*Yawn*
"Alright"
Rikuo and Kurotabo headed back inside, Rikuo went to bed to take a nap while Kurotabo went to the to his own room to unpack his thing and get settled and so the sun fell and the sky darken as the moon slowly became visible within the sky
[A/N: I want to make something clear. I did not do deep research on Japanese funerals, but from what I looked up, delaying them is generally unusual. However, there can be exceptions. Since this is fiction, I am taking some creative freedom.
So half way through editing this chapter i realize that i never introduce Natsumi in the previous chapters because she was suppose to show up later but i decided to change that. So yeah by bad for the terrible introduction for her
I also realize i missed out a important part but am just too lazy to explain it in this chapter that is how will he train it will be explain next chapter
Anyways if yall see any errors tell me so i can fix it thanks for reading ]