The rain was a heavy mist that seeped into everything that day. The only sound was the metallic chime of sword on sword. When the sound ceased, the silence was so thick that it seemed like the whole world was holding its breath. The whole world but Miaka.
"TAMAHOME!!!"
The warriors of Suzaku watched from a distance. They didn't seem to know what to do- to the palace staff watching from the windows, it was an eerie event. To see such powerful men reduced to mortals before their eyes. Two women of the harem had crept out of their chamber and were crouched on a high, secluded balcony. One had deep purple hair, and calm lilac eyes. She watched with tears in her eyes and a hand clutched over her heart as it broke on behalf of the Emperor.
The other woman had black hair that fell in a plait over her shoulder and blue eyes full of panic. She stood and grasped the rail, forgetting any composure. That idiot girl is going to let him stab her! She glanced at Houki, but she was too engrossed in what was happening to pay attention to her friend. She began to chant a small spell, but ceased mid sentence as Tamahome threw the sword down.
"Oh, Houki" she sighed in relief. "I thought that was it for everything." Houki nodded.
"Poor Highness" she murmured, mostly to herself. The dark haired woman smiled sadly and took Houki's arm. Mitsukage was already healing Tamahome, and the warriors were standing close around him. It was astounding her, the bond they already had. She frowned. She only admitted it to herself, but she was jealous of what the priestess had. She'd travelled across the four states and never seen anything like it.
"Reika, should I try to comfort him?" Houki asked. Reika shook her head.
"Leave them be, for now. Come on friend. There's nothing more to see today." She tugged softly on Houki's hand, and they both disappeared around the corner of the building.