So It Ends

Chichiri stared at his best friend and tried not to cry. The once powerful bandit had been reduced, by sickness and age, to a shadow of his former self. There were dark circles beneath the golden eyes and his skin was paper thin and sallow. Tasuki's breath came in painful gasps due to a collapsed lung from a recent war wound. Watching his friend sleep in obvious pain, Chichiri finally closed his good eye and let the tears fall. He'd always hoped not to be the last one left alive, yet something had always whispered that it would be so. Something brushed his cheek and the monk opened his eye to see Tasuki looking at him.

"Ya shouldn't cry for me y'know," the bandit said softly.

Chichiri nodded, trying to dry the tears on his cheeks. "It's not just for you, no da. I never really cried for Nuriko, Chiriko, or Hotohori when they died the first time. I was too busy being strong for everyone else. But now..."

Chichiri bent his head as the tears began to flow again.

"Come here," said Tasuki.

Chichiri knelt at the side of the futon and placed his head on Tasuki's chest as he sobbed. The younger man placed his hand on his friend's head trying to offer what comfort he could. After a time the tears stopped and Chichiri raised his head.

"Gomen, Tasuki," said Chichiri as he wiped his nose on his sleeve, "I got your shirt all wet."

Tasuki let out a wheezing laugh which quickly disintegrated into coughing. The fit was so bad that Chichiri had to help the flame-haired man roll onto his side as he brought up blood. When he was finally able to breathe again, Tasuki laid back on the futon weakly.

"I should go now," said Chichiri. "You need rest."

Tasuki grabbed the older man's hand.

"Chichiri, onegai, don't leave me. I don't want to be alone when I die."

Chichiri's heart constricted painfully but he held onto Tasuki's hand and smoothed the bangs from his forehead.

"Rest now Tasuki. I'll be here when you wake up."

The redhead nodded and relaxed against the futon. For one panic-stricken moment Chichiri thought he had died, so still did he lay. Then he caught the slight rise of Tasuki's chest as he took a breath. Chichiri settled himself cross-legged at the side of the futon and stilled his mind. His intent had been to meditate until Tasuki woke up again, but days and nights of sleeplessness finally took their toll on the aged monk and he slept.

Tasuki slept for a few hours and then woke abruptly. He was about to call out for Chichiri when he noticed his friend sitting nearby, sleeping. A smile touched the ex-bandit's lips as he studied the monk's sleeping face. The years had been kind to the blue-haired man leaving just a few lines on his face and thinning his frame a little. Tasuki couldn't see a trace of the hard life that Chichiri had led on his sleeping face.

After the last battle with Tenkou, Chichiri and Tasuki had wandered the length and breadth of Konan looking for the reborn seishi. It took nearly six years of searching, but all four of them had been found. Tasuki and Chichiri had kept tabs on them, but as they grew older they showed no signs of regaining their powers or old memories. Then the wars had started. Kouji had been killed along with many of the bandits of Mt. Reikaku. Fearing for their reborn friends, the monk and ex-bandit had set out to see them.

They found Mitsukake and Shoka's village in ruins with every person and animal slaughtered and left to rot. A plague had struck Hotohori and Nuriko's village devastating the population and leaving the couple's two oldest children dead. Chiriko was safe in the palace in Eiyou with Emperor Boushin and his young Empress. Boushin lead his armies to victory for three years before following his father to the grave, leaving his wife and two sons behind. Plagues continued to sweep the land taking the lives of many including Chiriko, Hotohori, and Nuriko. Tasuki and Chichiri were truly alone now.

Tired of reminiscing and feeling a growing sense of detachment, Tasuki decided to wake Chichiri. A gentle touch on his sleeve woke the monk.

"Is it time?" asked the blue-haired man.

"Soon," said Tasuki. "Chichiri there are a few things I want you to do."

Tasuki could see the pain in his friend's good eye as he nodded.

"Just name it."

"I want you to take the tessen to the Shrine of Suzaku in the palace. It should rest there with the other Treasures."

Chichiri nodded. Tasuki knew the monk had planned to give his prayer beads and staff to the shrine when he passed on too.

"And, I want you to take my ashes to my family's grave."

Again, Chichiri nodded.

"And one last thing. I want you to go live in the palace. A while ago you were invited to stay there as an advisor to Houki while Boushin was still growing up. I think Empress Ayami and Boushin's sons could use your help now. You may be the last of the Suzaku Seishi but you don't have to be alone."

Chichiri bowed his head, taking the gentle reprimand.

"I'll think about it," sais the monk.

In a surprising show of strength, Tasuki pushed himself up and reached out to catch the front of Chichiri's shirt.

"You'll do it or I'll haunt you, I swear I will."

Chichiri managed a small laugh and removed Tasuki's hand.

"Alright. If it means so much to you."

Tasuki nodded and lay back against the futon and he slept again. This time Chichiri remained awake in a state of meditation. For how long he didn't know, but Tasuki's voice brought him back to awareness.

"What is it Tasuki?" asked the monk.

"It's Nuriko," said Tasuki softly.

Chichiri's heart nearly stopped. The reality of Tasuki's death hadn't really hit him till that moment.

"And Hotohori and Mitsukake. Chiriko. They're all here. Even Tamahome."

"Go with them, Tasuki," said Chichiri as tears streamed down his face. "I'll be along soon. I just have a few things to take care of."

Tasuki turned his face from whatever vision he was seeing and looked at his lifelong friend.

"You'll find me, won't you?" asked the ex-bandit.

Chichiri took Tasuki's hand and squeezed it gently.

"I'll find you, though gods and demons bar the way. No matter what form we're in, I'll find you. We are friends forever."

Tasuki nodded and closed his eyes. The breath left his body in a gentle sigh and his grip on Chichiri's hand went slack. For a moment Chichiri did nothing, then with an anguished cry he leaned over his friend's still form.

"Tasuki!" he screamed.

For the first time since the flood that had taken Kouran and Hikou, Chichiri felt truly alone. He wept bitterly, wishing that death would come and release him from his torment. As his heart grieved a gentle presence touched his mind. He grasped at the presence like a drowning man grasps a lifeline. Slowly his loneliness ebbed and he recognized the presence.

"Miaka," he said, eye wide with wonder.

"But how," he started to ask, when the answer came to him.

She's dying, he thought.

Chichiri bent his head as fresh tears coursed down his cheeks. A tender smile brightened the face of the old warrior as the tears ran. These were tears of gratitude, though, not tears of despair. He took courage knowing that his miko and all his friends would be waiting for him when the end came. Chichiri looked at Tasuki's still form again and a slight smile crossed his lips.

So peaceful, thought the blue-haired seishi as he composed his friend's body. A peace that he never really gained in life he finally gained in death.

Chichiri's hand caught on one of Tasuki's necklaces and he lifted it over the dead man's head.

"I'll keep this to remind me of you," Chichiri said.

The golden medallion winked at him as he put the necklace around his neck. Then taking the tessen, he placed a farewell kiss on his friend's forehead and left the tent. Chichiri gathered his ki and said a quick cantrip. The tent and it's contents flared brightly and then settled into a cheery blaze. When the fire had died, the monk produced an ornate urn from his kasa and gathered the ashes into it. Then he set off for Tasuki's village. Though the trip took weeks, Chichiri didn't seem to notice. His heart was light knowing that when he'd fulfilled his promise to his friend that they'd be reunited.

The monk stopped briefly at the Kou family grave to leave Tasuki's ashes and pray for the family. Then he left for the palace in Konan. Empress Ayami was more than happy to have his help as she raised her sons and prepared the oldest to rule. The oldest son, Saiete, after his grandfather, grew and learned quickly. Under the tutelage of his mother and Chichiri he became a just and compassionate ruler. Chichiri had been at the palace for ten years when he finally passed away.

He had gone into the imperial gardens to meditate. The gardeners moved about quietly so as not to disturb the elderly monk. In the quiet summer twilight Chichiri prayed to his god.

Suzaku, your country is safe and peaceful once again. A good young man sits on the throne and I believe that prosperous times are ahead. I have lived a long life and I am the only living seishi left in this world. I am tired.

Chichiri heard the soft call of a phoenix. A deep voice seemed to follow in it's wake.

You have done well my warrior. Take your rest and be at peace.

Chichiri smiled and his breath left him in a long sigh.

Empress Ayami began to worry when Chichiri didn't show up for supper and when night fell and he still hadn't appeared, she sent out search parties. They found him still in the gardens, sitting under his favorite tree. He seemed to be asleep with his back against the strong trunk and a slight smile on his face. Repeated attempts to wake him failed though and a doctor was summoned. The last seishi of Suzaku was pronounced dead and plans were laid for a state burial.

Chichiri's staff and beads, along with all the other Treasures of the Suzaku Shichiseishi were placed in a spot of reverence in the Shrine of Suzaku and their owners passed into legend.

In the real world, Miaka Yuki lay in a hospital in Tokyo. She was dying at the age of forty-eight. Her beloved Taka had passed on only the month previous. Two weeks ago Miaka had fallen into a coma. The hospital staff had hopes for her recovery because of the fact that she was heard to speak on occasion. Kiesuke, Tetsuya, and Yui had kept Miaka company as she lay in the hospital. They listened as she talked to members of the Suzaku Seishi.

Yui was there the day that Miaka finally passed away. She had come to visit Miaka as she had ever since Miaka had come to the hospital. She walked into Miaka's room and was surprised to see her friend awake.

"Yui," said Miaka with a fond smile.

Yui leaned heavily against the doorframe and raised her hand to her mouth. Then she rushed to her friend's side.

"Oh Miaka," she sobbed.

Miaka placed a hand under her friend's chin and raised her face so she could look at her.

"I can't stay long," said Miaka.

Yui gulped back a sob and nodded.

"They're all gone now," said Miaka, "even Chichiri. That's why I held on so long. He was so afraid of being alone."

Yui tried to remember what she knew of Miaka's blue-haired warrior. The image that came to her was of a strong man on whom everyone leaned. She couldn't imagine him being scared, but then she didn't know him like Miaka had.

"I just wanted to say goodbye."

Yui brought her attention back to the present and her friend. She managed a slight smile through her tears.

"I'm glad you did, or I would've had to sick Tetsuya on you."

Miaka laughed and then her eyes grew distant.

"They're here for me. All of them."

Miaka's eyes misted over, and Yui could swear she felt the presence of seven others in the room.

"Tamahome," the Suzaku no Miko whispered, "I've missed you so much."

I've missed you to, Miaka, came the almost inaudible answer.

"Tama-home," Miaka whispered as her eyes closed.

Warm arms encircled her and seven friendly faces greeted her.

We're all together again at last, she thought happily.

Author's Note:

This story was previously posted under a joint account that I had with Ani Wolfstar under the title 'Circle of the Round'. Since we both never seem to do anything with that account, we've decided to move the story here, and I'm hoping it'll get a bit more publicity here. The 'Wolfe Wolfestar' account will be unused now, so check back here for updates on this story. Thanks!!!