Yokai 3 and 4

He stared at the finished video with a dazed look on his face. With his newfound singing skill and the Resonate skill he knew the video he took would be good but this was a level beyond that. Seeing the video from an outside perspective was truly something different. It was rather difficult to gauge how he was doing in the moment but with the video he knew that his little plan was going to work.

The shifting emotions rolling off of him seemed to violently pull whoever was watching it into the video to experience the same. His breathing was steady throughout the song, and while the song itself did not have any notes that were particularly challenging, his newfound skill was evident. Beyond that the emotion he was able to push into his voice was haunting in a way that would force people to sit and listen even without the visual feast he provided in the video.

Not everything was perfect. The audio quality was raw and frankly grating on the ears if you really paid attention. He was not singing directly into a microphone but was using the camera on his phone. Sure, it was the latest model but there was a difference between a phone’s microphone and a professional studio meant to record sound.

The picture quality was not anything to write home about either. It was fine as it sold the homebrew look and his own looks carried it pretty well but it was still a flaw. The editing was also a problem, he did not know anything about editing so he was only able to cut the beginning bit so he was not building up emotions or walking over to sit down on camera. Even that took him an embarrassing amount of time to figure out.

Knowing those things he was tempted to postpone posting this for now. He could afford to record the audio in a studio instead of his apartment as the Nura family certainly had the money to support this project. He may not be the young master of the clan but he was still a part of a very powerful supernatural family, money never really much of an issue.

The only reason he lived in such a small place was his own choice. He always had this small hope that one day he would awaken his Yokai blood and head back to the main compound. So he did not want to waste funds on a place that was more extravagant, he also did not really need anything beyond what he had in this small apartment.

He was not really one for entertainment. He saw it as a waste of time and he studied the supernatural world in his free time and practiced guitar because he wanted to impress Kaori. He was a bit too disconnected from the modern world as he did not even talk to his fellow classmates. So the small apartment fit his purposes for the most part.

There was also the fact that he felt guilt over taking from the clan when he was nothing but the black sheep. A ghost that only took but could not provide a single thing back. A dark reminder of his father and a pale reflection of his brother.

He gritted his teeth and forced those thoughts out, with this system those feelings no longer had a place. He was going to change his fate and awaken his Yokai blood. He took another look at the completed video and frowned.

He could afford to record this in a far more professional way but he was not sure if he could stir his heart in the same way. He poured these relentless bitter years into the song and while it had its flaws there was no doubt that it was enthralling.

There was also an appeal to the raw nature of this song and the vulnerability he was showcasing. This rough diamond was far more suited to the message he was displaying.

So he took a deep breath and posted the thing online. From WeTube to Dotify. He posted his song on as many platforms as he could recall from his admitally spotty knowledge. 

He waited around with baited breath as he looked over at his computer screen with expectations beating in his heart. 

That expectation died a slow and painful death over the course of the next couple of hours. There was not a single view that was not accounted from him refreshing the page to check. He knew that his video was not perfect but it was still good enough to suit his purpose but the issue was no one was seeing it. 

He may have thrown a bigger net but he had thrown it into the largest ocean the world knows. The internet is far larger than anyone gives credit for and there are millions of dreamers who post videos and songs hoping to get famous. He was just another fish trying to catch the eye of others here. He may be a fish with dazzling scales but he was swarmed with millions trying to do the same.

Countless singers and celebrities will tell you that fame is not just about skill or talent. In the end it all comes down to luck, without that you were doomed to be just another face in the crowd.

He bit his lip and tried to figure out what to do. He knew nothing about marketing and building up a platform to draw attention. His big plan was to record a song and just hope the quality of it managed to draw attention.

He could talk to the people in his school and try to show everyone his song. With his looks alone he should be able to get some people to at least look at it once. Once they listen to it the enthralling nature of it should pull them in. After that it was just a matter of that spark building a larger fire.

A shudder went through his body at the thought of doing that. Recording himself and putting a song out was embarrassing enough now he was going to fucking canvas for views in real life? His aloof nature recoiled at the thought as the act felt beneath him but was his pride really worth it? He needed this song to draw views to stir hearts. 

He was never going to get the things he wanted from the System without Fame. He knew that for a fact so he could not afford to let his pride get in the way of things. He was already willing to show his sore spots to the whole world so this was just another step he needed to take.

He grimaced at that but accepted that this was necessary. Well….maybe not. Luck was one path to Fame but it was not the only one. There was another saying that stars loved to parrot, the fame game was all about who you knew. Connections were just as important and it was why Nepo babies were a thing the public talked about.

Being friendly with a good song writer would do miracles for people and the same could be said for a good director. The right people could make the pursuit of fame a fucking breeze and while he did not know people himself he was a fuckign Nepo baby himself. 

The Nura Clan was powerful and they had spread their claws into the mundane world since the dawn of modern society. Sure, they did not focus on the entertainment side of the world but they had their claws in that pie. Hell, even if they did not they had enough money to help boost his song if he pushed.

That little fact slipped out of his mind but having those resources behind him would really be helpful. Even a talentless hack could draw the public eye and shift moods, so with ‘original’ songs of such high quality and the emotional pull from them he should be good.

He took another look at the view count in hesitation but let out a sigh. He hated feeling like a leech to the Nura Clan but it would be a waste to not use everything he had here. The System could offer so much that his own worthless pride was not going to hold him back.

Still, even knowing that this was for the best he found himself sitting at his desk with his legs not moving.

He knew what he was asking would be a rather simple request. Something that his Grandfather would give him without a moment of hesitation. Reiji might not have awakened his Yokai blood but family was oh so important to that ancient Yokai.

It was a rather strange contradiction that the ruthless leader of the West Yokai Faction could be so doting on his own family but that was the reality of this situation. Honestly, the whole Nura Bloodline was far too caring for their own good. Maybe it was because of their passionate love. His grandfather was willing to fight a battle he knew he could not win to save his love and even now his missing heart was a stark reminder of that love.

His father was willing to doom his own bloodline to stay with a woman he knew could never provide him a child due to his curse. It was only that woman running from him that led his father to Reiji’s mother. Even then centuries later his father died at the hand of the woman he loved because he could not bring himself to fight her.

It was a bit embarrassing to compare himself to those two but even his love burned too bright. He was willing to pursue a hopeless goal and even sell out his own race if it meant saving the woman he loved. Sure, he did not want to do so but he knew for a fact without the System and without any other option he would do it.

Honestly, Rikudo had the most normal love life out of all the Nura Yokai. Reiji was kind of jealous of the innocent love Rikudo had but  Reiji envied a lot about his brother.

So asking for help from his Grandfather should not even be something he hesitated over but he certainly did.

He gritted his teeth and stood up and started to get dressed in a more traditional manner. His Grandfather appreciated the style of dress from his own time period and if Reiji was going to ask for a favour the least he could do is cater to his Grandfather’s tastes.

It was not like he was against dressing like this, the style certainly complemented his looks and the kimono was surprisingly comfortable but the high quality silk was probably the driving point on that.

Alright, it was time to see his Grandfather.

(P.O.V Nurarihyon) [Chapter 4]

He knelt at the rowdy table and ate his fill while the party was on going. Smiling faces and drinks spilling out like a wave. The people out here were clearly celebrating something and judging from how they were funneling shots towards a flushed man it was likely that man’s celebrations.

It could be simple workplace culture but the buzz of excitement and smiling faces did not fit that mood. He has been doing this for long enough to understand the table he ate at. Even if he did not pay attention to the mortals around him in his younger days, centuries of experience let him read the mood of a party fairly well.

He swiped a large portion of beef and ate with a mischievous smile on his face. He had a vast amount of resources behind him and if he wanted to eat he could afford the most expensive delicacies this world knew. Things that not even money could buy. Like the Golden Apples from the Greek Pantheon or wines that would literally kill mortals if they ever took a sip but here he was here mooching off of this poor salaryman’s celebration.

He used to do this to feast on their fear. During his time period food was so much more important. An average family was always moments away from starvation so missing food was noticed quickly. The eerie mood around a table as the people realized something was sitting with them but they could not see it was always something to behold.

Now in the modern age food scarcity was not really something most people fear. So that tactic was no longer applicable here. He was also not willing to target those who did fear losing food either. He was no longer the creature who reveled in the suffering of mortals. He was also not doing this to increase his Fear levels either.

His power was well beyond the minor scraps he would earn from frightening the innocent. She would certainly not like that after all. No, the reason he ate at stranger’s tables now was because he truly found free food the most delicious. A rather strange sentiment from someone like him but he was a Yokai so normal statements really did not fit him.

He may be more humane than some of his brethren but he was a creature of darkness and fear at his core. His current actions were actually against his true nature but he was a stubborn old man. One who made promises he intended to keep even if it led him to an early grave.

He was dying. There was no denying it. He knew that for centuries, a Yokai with his power had a lifespan that might as well be infinity but he was decaying and falling apart. Yokai twice his age still looked as spry and able as their power suggested but he was bald and wrinkled just like any other old man.

He knew why that was. He was missing his heart, that blasted Kitsune devoured it and he could never recover it. From the moment she tore it out of his chest his life was on a ticking clock. All his life now was just the final dying moments of a far too stubborn man. It was regretful but if he was faced with the same choice he would have done it over and over again.

His subordinates and friends might hate what happened to him but there was never a moment where he felt the same. If his death was the price to pay to have Yohime live another day he would gladly pay it.

The other price he had to pay on the other hand was decidedly not something he wanted. The curse on his bloodline so he would only birth a child with a human was something that tore at him every day. Not for his own sake but for his child.

He loved Yohime and if he ever was going to have a child it was going to be from her. So when he was faced with that curse he did not even really care about it. The fact that he never sired another child except Rihan should have told the world that it was not because of his curse that he ultimately married a human woman.

But no, for some strange reason certain Yokai got it into their heads that he did not love them because of that curse. Fools.

So the curse never really meant anything to him until his Son fell in love himself. A sweet Yokai who reminded him far too much of Yohime but more tragic. Rihan married that girl despite knowing that he would never have a child.

He grimaced as he recalled those long days. Not because he thought they were a bad match or that Rihan regretted marrying her. No he was sad because he remembered that girl falling apart because she could not give her love the child she desperately wanted. No matter how many times Rihan told her it did not matter or how often he showered her in his affection that girl could not bear the bitter thoughts consuming her.

It was only as he witnessed his son falling apart because his love disappeared that he truly knew that vixen had truly cursed him. It was truly a bitter situation and the girl should have thought about things in a more long term way. Like he said, Yokai lived long lives and the time they spent together was so small.

Rihan may have been just a half Yokai but he could have lived for thousands of years easily. Eventually Rihan would have broken that Curse, He was sure of it because Love always had a way of driving fools and his son was just as foolish as him.

Sadly, that tale would never have an ending they seeked and while Rihan eventually found another person to love he was sure his son never really got over his first love. 

He let out a sigh and drank from the sake cup in front of one of the guests at the table. The person seemed confused for a moment at the lack of alcohol in their cup but they shrugged it off in moments.

The mind had a way with rationalizing things, and the man was drunk.

He truly hoped his Grandsons never experienced the same pain. Then again it looked like that was not something he needed to worry about. Rikudo had made his claim on that human girl rather clear.

Sure, the human side was a bit more shy about it but the Yokai side of Rikudo made it more than clear who he loved. It was a shame for the Yuki Onna following him but the heart wants what the heart wants and that is not her.

Reiji also made it clear where his heart belonged. The boy thought he was being subtle about it but that wistful stare and the urgent practice he went through over and over again to catch her attention was obvious to these old eyes.

He laughed as he thought over the various actions Reiji took to catch her attention. His bloodline really was filled with fools. He took another glass and drank it with a lighter mood.

The girl had someone she liked already and from the report he had on her that love was almost completely solid but he was not too worried. He was sure Reiji would be able to win her over, his blood may be filled with fools but they were fools who knew how to win hearts.

He had already made plans to heal the girl from her disease if they did wind up together as the last thing he needed was another tragic love story for the Nura clan. He was planning on giving hints and driving Reiji in the right direction later to help the boy win her over. Saving someone’s life was a quick way to win their heart after all, maybe this cursed situation would finally do the boy some good.

Reiji just needed to overcome his own troubles and he was sure the boy would sweep her off her feet. With that thought he let out a sigh and left the table no longer feeling in a mooching mood. He strolled out of this restaurant and headed back to the compound.

The problems plaguing his grandson was clear to him but this was something Reiji had to face himself. He could tell that no matter what he said to the boy he would not be able to truly get to him. He would only see it as empty platitudes no matter how sincere he was about it.

The boy was all but banished in his own mind and that fact bothered this old man.

He grimaced as he thought over that situation. While it was true that Reiji could not live at the compound because of the Fear coming from the Yokai living there, the Nura Clan could have gotten an artifact similar to the one his Mother had if they really wanted. Reiji being shuffled out of the Clan grounds was entirely on this old Yokai.

Reiji might not think he was special but he was very wrong. Reiji did not awaken his Yokai blood like Rikudo but he did awaken a different gift. One passed on from his dear wife but Reiji did not know about this. Nurarihyon felt conflicted about that but this gift was more of a curse to the weak boy.

His grandson’s really were almost exact opposites. One inheriting the Yokai blood but looking more Human. The other inherits the human bloodline but looks like a Yokai. Such a strange twist of fate for Reiji that his blood resonated so heavily with Yohime.

Yohime had a gift for healing that was truly something special. Rihan shared that gift and even Rikudo had enhanced recovery from Yohime but Reiji was the only one who really bore the same talent. It just seemed to shift in a terrible direction.

Reiji’s blood had healing properties. Not just a minor healing either, his blood could rival Phoenix Tears in potency. That alone would have people hunting the boy to strap him down and harvest his blood over and over again but that was not the only thing. His blood was also a tonic for Yokai, a tonic so powerful that a young demon could jump to Ultimate level by devouring him.

Only Nurarihyon and his trusted doctor knew this little fact and he hoped that fact would stay buried. Knowing this fact he could not let Reiji live at the compound. One knick and the secret would spread to all the corners of the supernatural world. He trusted his subordinates for the most part but a secret only stayed secret when the people were killed.

Even for a Yokai like himself who did not feast on Human flesh, Reiji was a tempting creature. He could recall the moment he smelt his grandson’s blood and the saliva that pooled in his mouth in an instant. For the first time in his life Nurarihyon felt the need to devour a human and it disgusted him that it was his own grandson.

He could not look Reiji in the eyes after that. He really was ashamed at his body’s response to the boy but Reiji really was a miracle tonic for Yokai. The empty cavity in his chest throbed even more when he smelt that blood and while he was not sure if devouring the boy would heal him completely it would certainly improve his condition massively. That really told you how miraculous Reiji was

With the support of the entire Yokai faction he could not find something that would heal his wound. Not after centuries of searching from himself and his trusted subordinates. 

He would never even think about eating the boy but he could not say the same for other Yokai.

Again he grimaced as he thought about Reiji. He did not have a lot of time left and when he died there would be no one to protect the boys. Rikudo awakened his Yokai side but he was a long way from supporting the West Yokai Faction all by himself like Nurarihyon did.

Maybe he should tell Reiji about his condition so the boy could prepare himself properly. He did not want to burden his grandson with this knowledge but he would lose the subtle protection he Nurarihyon weaved when the old Yokai died.

As if summoned from that thought the guard at the Nura gates told him that Reiji had visited and was waiting in the tea room. He went over quickly shelving his thoughts for a moment as he thought about why his Grandson was visiting. Maybe he found out about that girl's condition and was seeking a way to save her?

That thought had him smirking as he made it to the tea room.