Nurarihyon no Mago - Volume 1 - Chapter 3

Nurarihyon no Mago 1st Novel: Ukiyoe Tales
Story 3: Sanba Garasu and the Thousand Nights
Chapter 1
Aware that Rikuo would take a stroll every night these days, Kuromaru felt that he would probably bump into Rikuo occasionally when he’s patrolling.
It should be tonight then. Kuromaru saw Tsuchinoko, floating in midair with Rikuo on its back. He immediately called out, “Young Master”, respectfully.
Rikuo glanced sideways at Kuromaru, who had flew to his side.
“Yo, Kuromaru. How is Ukiyoe tonight?”
“Currently, there are no major infractions.”
“I see. Your haori didn’t get taken, did it?”
Rikuo smiled slightly.

“No, I’m fine.”
Kuromaru answered without any change in his expression. “Young Master’s Nenekirimaru didn’t get taken, did it?” he wouldn’t say something like that as well. He does not like cracking jokes with other people.
Just to elaborate, the joke about the haori originated from a youkai that Rikuo and Kuromaru both meet one after another one night a few days back -- Oitekebori.
Oitekebori is a youkai with the appearance of an old woman. She lives in a pond, and will snatch important items away from those who pass by.
The sword Rikuo uses to protect himself, Nenekirimaru, was taken by Oitekebori once. Kuromaru, on the other hand, lost his haori, the one with the “Fear” symbol printed on it.
“I wonder if that guy is still using that smoking pipe…”
Rikuo said to himself.
The smoking pipe refers to the one used by the Supreme Commander. It was the last item Rikuo given to Oitekebori.
Kuromaru exchanged his haori for Nenekirimaru, then Rikuo exchanged his grandfather’s smoking pipe for Kuromaru’s haori. This series of item exchanges happened that night.
Oitekebori will not let it go if she was not given anything, something must be given to her.
In this world, there are youkai which are bounded by certain rules.