A.N Well... this is my first fanfic to be posted... period!!! Please, tell me if it sucks... so I know if I should stop!! I would like to thank my best friend... my dear sweet best friend!!!... for comming up with the title!!! It was the most random thing! I called her, and asked her for a good title. She said "A Light in the Darkness" and I asked her where she came up with that. She said that she looked at a light bulb, and that popped into her head! O.O;; Err...
Any ways!!! THANKS SO MUCH VIJITTA TAKASUKI!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
I would also like to thank my editor, Joanna... who like to be called "Jo". She didn't work on this fanfic... but she did all the editing on my others that will hopefull be posted soon!! R&R, PLEASE!!!
Miaka held Yui's unconscious body close. "Don't worry… this will all be over soon…" she whispered. "KIA-JIN!!!" she shouted in a strong voice, Suzaku's symbol appearing on her forehead. A strong wind blew, causing the onlookers to shield their eyes as a blinding red light enveloped her. The god Suzaku stood before her, his eyes burning into her. Miaka faltered… was this the right thing to do? ::Yes! I must do this… it is the only way!:: she thought. "Suzaku! I want all of seishi killed to be brought back to life… and Yui and my self to be sealed into the book, forever!!" she shouted. Suzaku looked at Miaka with what looked to be amusement dancing in his eyes. "You would trap you and Yui in this book… just so that you and Tamahome could be together?" ::Is he testing me?:: "Yes… I would!!" "Isn't that just a tad bit selfish of you?" It was more of a statement than a question. Miaka looked down, not answering. "So be it," Suzaku said, waving his hand in dismissal. Miaka was enveloped in the red light again, and landed on the hard ground, starring into the eyes of *all* her seishi. "You guys… I'm going to be here a long time…" she murmured, before blacking out.
-One-year later-
The sleeping man was beginning to stir. The young woman cursed to herself for being so carelessness, and began to move quicker, searching through the pack for anything of value. Her skillful fingers came across a cloth wrapped object hidden at the bottom of the pack. The bandit quickly unwrapped the object; sitting back on her heals when it fell into her palm. She clutched the ornate dagger in a fist, stealing a glance at the glowing horizon. "It's beautiful…" she breathed, tracing a delicate finger along the magnificently carved hilt of the 12-inch dagger, depicting a blue dragon and a red phoenix locked in mortal combat. Quickly stashing the dagger behind the waistband that held the top of her garment closed, she resumed her search, turning her back on the sleeping man.
The man's mahogany eye opened a slit, to see a hooded figure bent over his pack, tossing unwanted objects on the ground. He silently rose to a crouching position, grabbing his staff, the blue and white fabric of his kesa falling off his bare shoulders. The young man brought down his staff on the would be thief's head with a sharp crack. The bandit gave a startled gasp, before collapsing onto the pack she had been raiding. "Forgive me," the blue haired man whispered in his deep reverberating voice as he began to bind the young bandit's hands and feet with course rope. After that task was finished, he walked off pulling his tunic over his head, fishing pole in hand, towards a near by stream to catch breakfast, wondering aloud about the mysterious bandit he had caught.
The smell of sizzling fish brought the young woman slowly to her senses. For a moment, she saw two of everything, before her vision cleared. "Mmm… wha happened?" she slurred. Her head rolled back, causing her hood to fall, exposing long wavy hair that was such a dark blue hue, it was almost black. "You're a girl, na no da!" The young woman found herself being examined at close proximity by a SD smiling man who poked her arm. The young woman sweat dropped. "Quite…" she sighed. "I am not a mere child! I am 20 years old! I am a woman! I am not a girl!" she pouted. In a puff of smoke, the man was back to normal size. "I'm sorry, na no da! What's your name, no da?" "I'm Aya… can you let me go?" the ropes had begun to cut into her skin. "Can you promise not to run away no da?" Aya looked into the man's odd smiling face. Her vivid green eyes narrowed, but she finally agreed. The man took out a dagger from his sleeve, and cut the ropes. "I'm Chichiri, na no da! It's nice to meet you, no da! But, why were you going through my packs?" A blush crept along Aya's pale cheeks. "I… I'm a bandit… can't you tell?" she asked. Chichiri smiled. "Is that why you dress in man's clothing, na no da?" Aya blushed even a deeper shade of red. Chichiri handed her a plate with two smoking fish of it. Aya tore into the food with rabid speed. Chichiri sweat dropped. She ate like Miaka. "Aya… will you come with me to Konan no da?" Chichiri blurted out. Aya choked on a fish bone. After Chichiri hit her back several times, dislodging the object, she looked at him. "Why me, why Konan? It's so far south, what if I want to say here in Hakkon?" she asked. "Well… Konan because that is where my friends are, na no da. They live at the Imperial City. And you because…" he blushed deeply behind his mask. "A beautiful young woman like you deserves a better life, no da! And you can have that at Konan, no da! You shouldn't have to raid a sleeping man's pack just to get by." Aya blushed. No one had ever called her beautiful before. She thought back to what her current life held. She was the underling of her bandit gang, she wasn't respected, and the others often took advantage of her… in the worse ways possible. She clutched at her stomach. How long had it been since she had lost the baby? A month? Or more? She couldn't remember. Anything… even going off to a Konan with a man she barely knew would be better than going back to her gang. Maybe… just maybe, she could get away from *it* too. Aya studied the man. There was something odd about him. Why did he constantly smile like that, and what was the deal with the constant "no da"s? He handed her some more fish. "Still hungry no da?" She nodded, and took the fish. Having already somewhat filled her empty stomach, she ate with more feminine charm. After finishing her breakfast, she asked Chichiri where the nearest stream was, so that she could bathe. He told her to follow him. She walked quietly behind him, her bare feet barely making a sound as she moved thought the underbrush. Chichiri had a fishing pole in hand, planning on sitting on a flat rock somewhere, and indulging in his favorite pastime. Once they had reached the stream, Chichiri told her that he was going off to fish. Aya begun to strip off her clothes, until she was dressed only in the long undergarment, which was a mid-calf length shirt made of thin white fabric. She waded into the stream, gasping as the cold water caressed her warm skin. She dunked her head under the water, running her fingers though her hair.
Chichiri found a flat rock slightly down stream from Aya, but not so far away that he couldn't keep an eye on her. He wanted to be sure that she wouldn't run off. He watched as the young woman broke the surface of the water, gasping for breath. The thin cloth of her shirt was translucent when wet, clinging to the curves of her body. Chichiri noticed that he was staring at Aya, and blushed, his ears burning. He quickly turned back to his fishing, but he kept catching himself looking out of the corner of his one good eye at the young bathing woman. ::Easy Chichiri…:: he thought. ::You just turned 25! She is only 20… she probably wouldn't even go for someone your age!:: He sighed, shaking his head. ::Why am I even thinking about this? I barely even know her!:: he sighed again. Suddenly, he sensed a strange chi. He dismissed it as a passing traveler.
Aya too felt the chi, but she didn't dismiss it as easily as Chichiri had. She had sensed it before. She narrowed her eyes, looking into the woods on the other side of the river. She saw Chichiri still fishing, and swam down river to him. "Chichiri… there's *something* watching us in the woods…" Chichiri looked at the young woman, her breasts visible through the wet shirt, rising and falling with each ragged breath. His cheeks flushed again, diverting his gaze towards the woods. It was times like this that he was happy for the mask. ::She's scared… but why?:: He reached out mentally with his own chi, sensing the strange chi again. It felt… sinister, angry. "Lets go…" he whispered. The stealthily moved back down river, grabbing Aya's clothing. She shivered, partly from the cold, partly from the eyes she *knew* were watching her and Chichiri's retreating figures. She *knew* those eyes had been following her ever since she had left home… following her in the shadows. Chichiri held out his kesa for her. Aya raised an eyebrow. "I can tell that you are cold…" he looked off, back at the woods, blushing. Aya looked down at her breasts, and she too blushed. She took the kesa, and wrapped herself in it. The warm wool felt good against her cold flesh. Once back at the clearing that Chichiri had made camp at, they quickly began stuffing stuff into bags. Aya could tell that the owner of that angry chi had followed them back to the camp, and was watching them from just beyond those bushes. Chichiri put the packs on the horse, and mounted, telling Aya to get on behind him. The horse nervously pawed the grass with a hoof. ::Even he can feel the chi, or maybe, it can just sense the danger…:: He felt Aya's arms encircle his waist, and he kicked the horse in the stomach. The horse took off at a fast gallop. Aya clung to Chichiri as if for dear life. He could feel her heart beating rapidly as she tightened her grip around his waist. She squeezed her eyes closed, praying to the gods that the owner of that chi didn't catch them. ::If he catches me… I'm dead! I can't die! I'm too young!:: Chichiri gasped for breath as Aya involuntarily tightened her grip even more in response to her thoughts. "Aya… na no da! Don't hang on so tight! I can't breath, no da!" Chichiri could feel himself starting to respond to her closeness, a blush creeping along his cheeks again. ::Stop it, Chichiri! You can think about that later… right now, you have to keep Aya safe!!::
Even though the horse was traveling at such a swift pace, Aya could still feel that chi… and it was still close. Aya!! a voice inside of her head called to her. Aya, surrender! You can't deny your destiny! Surrender you body and soul to me!! A sharp pain raced through the young woman's head, causing her to loose her grip around Chichiri's middle. She fell off the horse, hitting the ground hard. "Aya!!" Chichiri called, pulling back on the horse's reins, causing the poor beast to rear back, throwing him, too. Chichiri ran to the horse, soothing the frightened animal with a gentle voice. He then turned to Aya. "Aya! Aya!" there was distress in his voice as he shook her unconscious body. Her head lolled from side to side, but the young woman didn't wake. Chichiri took off his mask, and turned to the shadows, a jagged scar marred his left eye. "Come out!!" he demanded to the strange creature lurking in the shadows. A handsome man seemed to materialize out of the shadows. This man could beat even Hotohori in a beauty contest, hands down. His straight black hair hung around his shoulders, and his eyes where the clearest blue that Chichiri had ever seen. "Give the woman to me! I have no fight with you… only her!" the man's voice seemed to roll like thunder on the gently breeze. Chichiri's long ponytail fluttered in the wind, as did his bangs. "If you have a fight with Aya, then you have a fight with me!!" Chichiri imbedded his staff in the ground, the rings creating a jingling sound. "Do you feel for this woman, Chichiri?" the stranger asked. Chichiri's good eye widened, the narrowed, an intense fire burning deep within its mahogany depths. ::How does he know my name?:: "And if I do?" he asked. The man laughed, his laugh dry, and humorless. ""Then you have my pity!" the man sneered. "I don't want your goddamned pity!!" Chichiri shouted, holding two fingers in front of his nose. "Before I blow you to bits… tell me this… what do you want with Aya?" he asked, concentrating his chi. "Ah… my dear twin sister Aya… I desire nothing more than to take her home with me!" the man opened his arms wide, as if in a sign of surrender. Chichiri didn't buy the act. "Cut the crap!!" he shouted. Chichiri concentrated his entire chi into a single blast. Red lightning erupted from his fingertips, and raced towards the man. The man laughed, and vanished. Chichiri… you may think you have won, but you are sorely mistaken! I will be back for my sister, and not even you can stop me!! Chichiri heard the voice inside of his head. The chi was gone, not even a trace of it remained. That meant the owner was no longer in *this* world. Chichiri couldn't fathom what this meant. He turned back to Aya, gently cradling her in his arms. It was going to be a *very* long walk to the nearest town. He couldn't ride his horse, not with Aya in this condition. He would have to carry her into town.
Night had fallen several hours prior to Chichiri's arrival in the small town. He had to find a doctor. He didn't know if Aya had seriously injured herself during the fall. He soon happened upon a lighted door way had a white sign with a red cross painted on it, a dead give away. He tied the horse up outside, and walked in the small dwelling, Aya still in his arms. A plump, smiling woman greeted him. "Hello, sir!" the woman gaped when she saw the woman in Chichiri's arms. "What happened," she demanded, looking into Chichiri's one good eye. "She fell off a horse this morning, and it has taken me all day just to reach this town… she hasn't regained consciousness all day!" "Dear me!" the woman clucked, and began to pull Chichiri into the back room. "Lay her down here! I'll go get the doctor!" and the woman rushed out of the room. Chichiri gently laid the young woman on the bed, and sat next to her, brushing dark feathery bangs out of her closed eyes. Do you feel for this woman?… Then you have my pity! The man's words echoed through Chichiri's head. He leaned forward, and gently kissed Aya's fevered forehead, blushing as he did so. Just then, the woman returned, a young man in tow. "…And he says that he had to travel all day just to reach this town! I believe that he carried the poor dear the entire way!" Chichiri stood as the duo entered the room. "Konbanwa! I am Dr. Mikashi! You say that this young woman fell off of a horse?" the doctor immediately began to check over Aya as he asked his questions. "Err… yes." "And what is your relation to this woman?" the doctor asked. Chichiri was taken aback by the question. "W…we're… friends… traveling together to Konan…" Doctor Mikashi nodded his understanding. "Well… she had a concussion… and there is nothing I can do for her… except giver her some herbs that will hopefully snap her out of it," the doctor sighed. Chichiri's chest tightened. "Is she…. Is she going to…" he trailed off. "She should be okay… But I have no idea when she will wake up," Dr. Mikashi shook his head. Chichiri sighed with relief. "You can either go stay at an inn, or there is an extra futon in the cabinet." Chichiri looked up, confused. "Da?" he questioned. "Do you want to say here, or in an inn?" the doctor repeated. "I'll stay with her…" he said, remembering what Aya's brother had said. The nurse clucked again, and got the futon out of the cabinet. "You get some rest, too. You look exhausted!" Chichiri realized that his eyelids were drooping. "We'll be by in the morning to check on you too. Oyasuminasia," Dr. Mikashi bowed, and ushered the nurse out of the room. Chichiri returned the bow, and turned back to Aya. "Please… Aya… wake up soon…" He walked over to his futon, and flopped down. Chichiri was slowly overcome with sleep. But his dreams were troubled by Aya… and her brother. He dreamt that Aya and her brother were born as heavenly beings… but he was pure evil. Twins… one good…one evil. The brother and sister had kept each other in balance, as long as good existed, evil could not rule.
Any ways!!! THANKS SO MUCH VIJITTA TAKASUKI!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
I would also like to thank my editor, Joanna... who like to be called "Jo". She didn't work on this fanfic... but she did all the editing on my others that will hopefull be posted soon!! R&R, PLEASE!!!
Miaka held Yui's unconscious body close. "Don't worry… this will all be over soon…" she whispered. "KIA-JIN!!!" she shouted in a strong voice, Suzaku's symbol appearing on her forehead. A strong wind blew, causing the onlookers to shield their eyes as a blinding red light enveloped her. The god Suzaku stood before her, his eyes burning into her. Miaka faltered… was this the right thing to do? ::Yes! I must do this… it is the only way!:: she thought. "Suzaku! I want all of seishi killed to be brought back to life… and Yui and my self to be sealed into the book, forever!!" she shouted. Suzaku looked at Miaka with what looked to be amusement dancing in his eyes. "You would trap you and Yui in this book… just so that you and Tamahome could be together?" ::Is he testing me?:: "Yes… I would!!" "Isn't that just a tad bit selfish of you?" It was more of a statement than a question. Miaka looked down, not answering. "So be it," Suzaku said, waving his hand in dismissal. Miaka was enveloped in the red light again, and landed on the hard ground, starring into the eyes of *all* her seishi. "You guys… I'm going to be here a long time…" she murmured, before blacking out.
-One-year later-
The sleeping man was beginning to stir. The young woman cursed to herself for being so carelessness, and began to move quicker, searching through the pack for anything of value. Her skillful fingers came across a cloth wrapped object hidden at the bottom of the pack. The bandit quickly unwrapped the object; sitting back on her heals when it fell into her palm. She clutched the ornate dagger in a fist, stealing a glance at the glowing horizon. "It's beautiful…" she breathed, tracing a delicate finger along the magnificently carved hilt of the 12-inch dagger, depicting a blue dragon and a red phoenix locked in mortal combat. Quickly stashing the dagger behind the waistband that held the top of her garment closed, she resumed her search, turning her back on the sleeping man.
The man's mahogany eye opened a slit, to see a hooded figure bent over his pack, tossing unwanted objects on the ground. He silently rose to a crouching position, grabbing his staff, the blue and white fabric of his kesa falling off his bare shoulders. The young man brought down his staff on the would be thief's head with a sharp crack. The bandit gave a startled gasp, before collapsing onto the pack she had been raiding. "Forgive me," the blue haired man whispered in his deep reverberating voice as he began to bind the young bandit's hands and feet with course rope. After that task was finished, he walked off pulling his tunic over his head, fishing pole in hand, towards a near by stream to catch breakfast, wondering aloud about the mysterious bandit he had caught.
The smell of sizzling fish brought the young woman slowly to her senses. For a moment, she saw two of everything, before her vision cleared. "Mmm… wha happened?" she slurred. Her head rolled back, causing her hood to fall, exposing long wavy hair that was such a dark blue hue, it was almost black. "You're a girl, na no da!" The young woman found herself being examined at close proximity by a SD smiling man who poked her arm. The young woman sweat dropped. "Quite…" she sighed. "I am not a mere child! I am 20 years old! I am a woman! I am not a girl!" she pouted. In a puff of smoke, the man was back to normal size. "I'm sorry, na no da! What's your name, no da?" "I'm Aya… can you let me go?" the ropes had begun to cut into her skin. "Can you promise not to run away no da?" Aya looked into the man's odd smiling face. Her vivid green eyes narrowed, but she finally agreed. The man took out a dagger from his sleeve, and cut the ropes. "I'm Chichiri, na no da! It's nice to meet you, no da! But, why were you going through my packs?" A blush crept along Aya's pale cheeks. "I… I'm a bandit… can't you tell?" she asked. Chichiri smiled. "Is that why you dress in man's clothing, na no da?" Aya blushed even a deeper shade of red. Chichiri handed her a plate with two smoking fish of it. Aya tore into the food with rabid speed. Chichiri sweat dropped. She ate like Miaka. "Aya… will you come with me to Konan no da?" Chichiri blurted out. Aya choked on a fish bone. After Chichiri hit her back several times, dislodging the object, she looked at him. "Why me, why Konan? It's so far south, what if I want to say here in Hakkon?" she asked. "Well… Konan because that is where my friends are, na no da. They live at the Imperial City. And you because…" he blushed deeply behind his mask. "A beautiful young woman like you deserves a better life, no da! And you can have that at Konan, no da! You shouldn't have to raid a sleeping man's pack just to get by." Aya blushed. No one had ever called her beautiful before. She thought back to what her current life held. She was the underling of her bandit gang, she wasn't respected, and the others often took advantage of her… in the worse ways possible. She clutched at her stomach. How long had it been since she had lost the baby? A month? Or more? She couldn't remember. Anything… even going off to a Konan with a man she barely knew would be better than going back to her gang. Maybe… just maybe, she could get away from *it* too. Aya studied the man. There was something odd about him. Why did he constantly smile like that, and what was the deal with the constant "no da"s? He handed her some more fish. "Still hungry no da?" She nodded, and took the fish. Having already somewhat filled her empty stomach, she ate with more feminine charm. After finishing her breakfast, she asked Chichiri where the nearest stream was, so that she could bathe. He told her to follow him. She walked quietly behind him, her bare feet barely making a sound as she moved thought the underbrush. Chichiri had a fishing pole in hand, planning on sitting on a flat rock somewhere, and indulging in his favorite pastime. Once they had reached the stream, Chichiri told her that he was going off to fish. Aya begun to strip off her clothes, until she was dressed only in the long undergarment, which was a mid-calf length shirt made of thin white fabric. She waded into the stream, gasping as the cold water caressed her warm skin. She dunked her head under the water, running her fingers though her hair.
Chichiri found a flat rock slightly down stream from Aya, but not so far away that he couldn't keep an eye on her. He wanted to be sure that she wouldn't run off. He watched as the young woman broke the surface of the water, gasping for breath. The thin cloth of her shirt was translucent when wet, clinging to the curves of her body. Chichiri noticed that he was staring at Aya, and blushed, his ears burning. He quickly turned back to his fishing, but he kept catching himself looking out of the corner of his one good eye at the young bathing woman. ::Easy Chichiri…:: he thought. ::You just turned 25! She is only 20… she probably wouldn't even go for someone your age!:: He sighed, shaking his head. ::Why am I even thinking about this? I barely even know her!:: he sighed again. Suddenly, he sensed a strange chi. He dismissed it as a passing traveler.
Aya too felt the chi, but she didn't dismiss it as easily as Chichiri had. She had sensed it before. She narrowed her eyes, looking into the woods on the other side of the river. She saw Chichiri still fishing, and swam down river to him. "Chichiri… there's *something* watching us in the woods…" Chichiri looked at the young woman, her breasts visible through the wet shirt, rising and falling with each ragged breath. His cheeks flushed again, diverting his gaze towards the woods. It was times like this that he was happy for the mask. ::She's scared… but why?:: He reached out mentally with his own chi, sensing the strange chi again. It felt… sinister, angry. "Lets go…" he whispered. The stealthily moved back down river, grabbing Aya's clothing. She shivered, partly from the cold, partly from the eyes she *knew* were watching her and Chichiri's retreating figures. She *knew* those eyes had been following her ever since she had left home… following her in the shadows. Chichiri held out his kesa for her. Aya raised an eyebrow. "I can tell that you are cold…" he looked off, back at the woods, blushing. Aya looked down at her breasts, and she too blushed. She took the kesa, and wrapped herself in it. The warm wool felt good against her cold flesh. Once back at the clearing that Chichiri had made camp at, they quickly began stuffing stuff into bags. Aya could tell that the owner of that angry chi had followed them back to the camp, and was watching them from just beyond those bushes. Chichiri put the packs on the horse, and mounted, telling Aya to get on behind him. The horse nervously pawed the grass with a hoof. ::Even he can feel the chi, or maybe, it can just sense the danger…:: He felt Aya's arms encircle his waist, and he kicked the horse in the stomach. The horse took off at a fast gallop. Aya clung to Chichiri as if for dear life. He could feel her heart beating rapidly as she tightened her grip around his waist. She squeezed her eyes closed, praying to the gods that the owner of that chi didn't catch them. ::If he catches me… I'm dead! I can't die! I'm too young!:: Chichiri gasped for breath as Aya involuntarily tightened her grip even more in response to her thoughts. "Aya… na no da! Don't hang on so tight! I can't breath, no da!" Chichiri could feel himself starting to respond to her closeness, a blush creeping along his cheeks again. ::Stop it, Chichiri! You can think about that later… right now, you have to keep Aya safe!!::
Even though the horse was traveling at such a swift pace, Aya could still feel that chi… and it was still close. Aya!! a voice inside of her head called to her. Aya, surrender! You can't deny your destiny! Surrender you body and soul to me!! A sharp pain raced through the young woman's head, causing her to loose her grip around Chichiri's middle. She fell off the horse, hitting the ground hard. "Aya!!" Chichiri called, pulling back on the horse's reins, causing the poor beast to rear back, throwing him, too. Chichiri ran to the horse, soothing the frightened animal with a gentle voice. He then turned to Aya. "Aya! Aya!" there was distress in his voice as he shook her unconscious body. Her head lolled from side to side, but the young woman didn't wake. Chichiri took off his mask, and turned to the shadows, a jagged scar marred his left eye. "Come out!!" he demanded to the strange creature lurking in the shadows. A handsome man seemed to materialize out of the shadows. This man could beat even Hotohori in a beauty contest, hands down. His straight black hair hung around his shoulders, and his eyes where the clearest blue that Chichiri had ever seen. "Give the woman to me! I have no fight with you… only her!" the man's voice seemed to roll like thunder on the gently breeze. Chichiri's long ponytail fluttered in the wind, as did his bangs. "If you have a fight with Aya, then you have a fight with me!!" Chichiri imbedded his staff in the ground, the rings creating a jingling sound. "Do you feel for this woman, Chichiri?" the stranger asked. Chichiri's good eye widened, the narrowed, an intense fire burning deep within its mahogany depths. ::How does he know my name?:: "And if I do?" he asked. The man laughed, his laugh dry, and humorless. ""Then you have my pity!" the man sneered. "I don't want your goddamned pity!!" Chichiri shouted, holding two fingers in front of his nose. "Before I blow you to bits… tell me this… what do you want with Aya?" he asked, concentrating his chi. "Ah… my dear twin sister Aya… I desire nothing more than to take her home with me!" the man opened his arms wide, as if in a sign of surrender. Chichiri didn't buy the act. "Cut the crap!!" he shouted. Chichiri concentrated his entire chi into a single blast. Red lightning erupted from his fingertips, and raced towards the man. The man laughed, and vanished. Chichiri… you may think you have won, but you are sorely mistaken! I will be back for my sister, and not even you can stop me!! Chichiri heard the voice inside of his head. The chi was gone, not even a trace of it remained. That meant the owner was no longer in *this* world. Chichiri couldn't fathom what this meant. He turned back to Aya, gently cradling her in his arms. It was going to be a *very* long walk to the nearest town. He couldn't ride his horse, not with Aya in this condition. He would have to carry her into town.
Night had fallen several hours prior to Chichiri's arrival in the small town. He had to find a doctor. He didn't know if Aya had seriously injured herself during the fall. He soon happened upon a lighted door way had a white sign with a red cross painted on it, a dead give away. He tied the horse up outside, and walked in the small dwelling, Aya still in his arms. A plump, smiling woman greeted him. "Hello, sir!" the woman gaped when she saw the woman in Chichiri's arms. "What happened," she demanded, looking into Chichiri's one good eye. "She fell off a horse this morning, and it has taken me all day just to reach this town… she hasn't regained consciousness all day!" "Dear me!" the woman clucked, and began to pull Chichiri into the back room. "Lay her down here! I'll go get the doctor!" and the woman rushed out of the room. Chichiri gently laid the young woman on the bed, and sat next to her, brushing dark feathery bangs out of her closed eyes. Do you feel for this woman?… Then you have my pity! The man's words echoed through Chichiri's head. He leaned forward, and gently kissed Aya's fevered forehead, blushing as he did so. Just then, the woman returned, a young man in tow. "…And he says that he had to travel all day just to reach this town! I believe that he carried the poor dear the entire way!" Chichiri stood as the duo entered the room. "Konbanwa! I am Dr. Mikashi! You say that this young woman fell off of a horse?" the doctor immediately began to check over Aya as he asked his questions. "Err… yes." "And what is your relation to this woman?" the doctor asked. Chichiri was taken aback by the question. "W…we're… friends… traveling together to Konan…" Doctor Mikashi nodded his understanding. "Well… she had a concussion… and there is nothing I can do for her… except giver her some herbs that will hopefully snap her out of it," the doctor sighed. Chichiri's chest tightened. "Is she…. Is she going to…" he trailed off. "She should be okay… But I have no idea when she will wake up," Dr. Mikashi shook his head. Chichiri sighed with relief. "You can either go stay at an inn, or there is an extra futon in the cabinet." Chichiri looked up, confused. "Da?" he questioned. "Do you want to say here, or in an inn?" the doctor repeated. "I'll stay with her…" he said, remembering what Aya's brother had said. The nurse clucked again, and got the futon out of the cabinet. "You get some rest, too. You look exhausted!" Chichiri realized that his eyelids were drooping. "We'll be by in the morning to check on you too. Oyasuminasia," Dr. Mikashi bowed, and ushered the nurse out of the room. Chichiri returned the bow, and turned back to Aya. "Please… Aya… wake up soon…" He walked over to his futon, and flopped down. Chichiri was slowly overcome with sleep. But his dreams were troubled by Aya… and her brother. He dreamt that Aya and her brother were born as heavenly beings… but he was pure evil. Twins… one good…one evil. The brother and sister had kept each other in balance, as long as good existed, evil could not rule.