RikZer

RikZer is the term used to refer to the romantic relationship between Riku and Zero.

## Their Relationship

### Hanyo no Yashahime

**The One Behind the Forest Fire**

**Farewell Under the Lunar Eclipse**

**Trap of the Two Perils**

**Secret of the Rainbow Pearls**

Taking place 223 years in the past at Kirinmaru’s ship, Riku is sitting on top as he watches an island. Kyūki tells Kirinmaru that Tōga has been spotted at Kamakura. Kirinmaru hears that Toga is greatly injured from battling Shishinki and Ryūkotsusei. Two of the Four Perils, Konton and Kyūki, urge their master, Kirinmaru to seize the opportunity to attack his rival when he is on the verge of death, so they maybe finally rule the entire land of Japan. Kirinmaru angrily refuses however, seeing attacking his rival when he is weak as cowardly and dishonorable, as he's telling them "a true battle must be one with honor and dignity". Kirinmaru calls on his retainer Riku. Riku teleports right in front of him within seconds of being called and upon Riku’s presence, Kyūki and Konton does not seem fond of him. Kirinmaru orders Riku to gather the finest medicinal herbs that he can find and to deliver them to the Lord of the Western Lands. Riku complies and uses the flick of his earring to teleport, following his orders. Kirinmaru tells Kyūki and Konton that “winning with underhanded tactics will only leave you empty” as he walks out. Zero appears before Kyūki and Konton and chuckles as she holds the Shikon Jewel in her hands. Zero tells Konton and Kyūki that if Kirinmaru wasn’t so obstinate they would already be ruling the land.

Back at Kirinmaru's ship, Riku delivers news to Zero that Tōga died. Zero, who held romantic feelings for Tōga, shows emotions of sadness while looking down at the Shikon Jewel asks were demons not fated to journey an endless path and to wander through an eternal destiny. Zero realized that the Shikon Jewel’s ‘ominous’ prophecy has come true. Riku tells Zero that Izayoi and the hanyō child survived. Zero tells Riku that she knows and those who are loved are fated to end in beauty before tears eyes ran down her face. Riku asks Zero what was it coming from her eyes as it's very pretty and tries to speculate her eyes up close. Zero becomes upset at Riku as she slaps his hand away from her face telling Riku that he has poor taste. Riku questions about tastes. Zero tells Riku to try and use that head of his. Riku wonders about his head as he moves his head from side to side. Zero is still emotional and speaks to the Shikon Jewel in her hand. Zero tells the Shikon Jewel that she doesn’t need demon powers, doesn’t want grief, nor does she want her heart. Zero wishes to never shed “wretched tears” again and makes that exact wish upon the Shikon Jewel. A teardrop from Zero’s eyes falls on the Jewel as she makes her wish and upon contact the 7 Rainbow Pearls are made from the Shikon Jewel as it sealed her emotions and powers. Riku calls the Rainbow Pearls “pretty”. Zero places the Shikon Jewel down as she tells Riku that the Rainbow Pearls contains her demon powers and the power of the Shikon Jewel and good riddance as she is no longer a demon. Riku asks Zero if she isn’t still sad. Zero asks Riku about what. Riku tells Zero that it's nothing. Back in the present time of the Feudal Era, Riku holds three Rainbow Pearls in his hand as he was recalling that flashback. Riku says madam as it won’t be long until he has all seven of the Rainbow Pearls as he holds up the Green, Purple, and Blue Rainbow Pearls up in the air.

Towa points out to Riku that he says some complicated things. Riku stands up and tells Towa that the madam who took care of him used to talk about it often. Towa stands up as she and Riku look at the night sky.

Riku laughs and tells Towa that perhaps a devastating Degenerate Age could begin but she could say that their world has already become corrupted. Towa tells Riku that a lot of demons are after her, Setsuna, and Moroha and they've been attacked for their Pearls a few times. Riku informs Towa that the Rainbow Pearls are the tears of the madam who took care of him. Towa is interested how the madam's tears turned into pearls. Riku tells Towa that he wants to gather all seven of the Rainbow Pearls to return them to the madam. Towa tells Riku that she sees and wonders if he’s also after hers, Setsuna’s and Moroha’s Pearls. Riku tells Towa that she got him there as it seems it’ll have to be that way.

As Towa and Riku are walking together, Towa asks Riku if he was okay. Riku tells Towa 'yes'. Towa tells Riku who is Kirinmaru to him. Riku tells Towa that Kirinmaru is the one who used to be his master. Towa questions Riku that he means that romanticist he was talking about earlier. Riku confirms this with Towa and was thrown away by Kirinmaru. Towa says 'oh no'. Riku tells Towa that he's only survived this far because of the madam who took care of him.

Tōtetsu picks up his sword and calls Riku a castaway puppet and questions that he still betrayed them as Zero, Kirinmaru, and himself will forgive him for his actions as he lunges towards him. Riku becomes annoyed as this really isn't to his taste as he draws out his sword again by the chime of his earring and aiming to attack Tōtetsu.

Riku becomes surprised. Towa's Silver Rainbow Pearl glows in her left eye before she takes it out and happily throws it to Riku. Setsuna and Moroha become surprised. Riku catches the Silver Rainbow Pearl and is shocked to see it in his hand. Riku calls out to Towa and tells her what a tremendously tasteful thing for her to do. Towa tells Riku to give her regards to his madam and asks to overlook Setsuna and Moroha’s Rainbow Pearls. Riku laughs and tells Towa that she's a strange person.

**The Stolen Seal**

**The Three Princesses Strike Back**

**Sesshōmaru's Daughter**

**The Silver-Scale Curse**

**The Barrier of Mount Musubi**

**The Girl Named Rion**

**Takechiyo's Request**

**Nanahoshi's Mini Galaxy**

**Battle on the New Moon, Part 1**

**A Place (Not) for Towa**

**Zero's Wish**

**Kirinmaru of the Dawn**

**Moroha and Family, Together Again**

**The Three Princesses Escape**

## Evidence

* Zero cared for Riku after he was abandoned by Kirinmaru.
* Riku reveals that he intends to gather all the Rainbow Pearls and return Zero's lost emotions to her.

## Quotes

* *"You're leaving things to him?"*―Zero.
* *"Such an indolent person."*―Zero.

## Trivia

* Given Riku's machinations to acquire the Rainbow Pearls, it's entirely possible Zero misinterpreted the prophecy from the Shikon Jewel and simply targeted those of Tōga's bloodline who were part human out of bigotry and paranoia.