Yui's Luck: Seiryuu Recalled
The National Library
He wasn't supposed to reading while he was working, especially this book. "Excuse me?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry." He shoved the book under the counter.
"That's all right. I've never seen you before, I mean working here." She slid her books across the counter, her blue-green eyes full of interest.
"Um, I've worked here for a week. I'm Kado Yujino." He blushed, hiding his violet eyes as he went about his work.
"I'm Yui Hongo. I hope to see you again."
"The same here." Kado handed Yui her books, their fingertips touching briefly.
"Thanks."
He watched her go; her blonde curls resting just above her shoulders, a young man taking her arm. "Well, so much for that," Kado murmured and went back to his book.
Yui looked back. "You were flirting with him."
"I was talking to him, Tetsuya. That's all. Are you jealous?"
"You made him blush." They were in the sun now. "You have that affect on guys."
"Just you."
"And that boy."
"You are jealous," she teased. Yui opened the passenger side door. "He was reading the book, Tetsuya."
"The book…The Universe of the Four Gods?"
"Yes." She kissed Tetsuya's cheek. "Don't worry, it's just residual curiosity."
"Seriously?" Yui gave him a look. "Okay, okay! No death glares, please!"
"Then lay off it, Tetsuya." She stared out the window even as she felt his eyes on her. The Universe of the Four Gods…
"This is Yui Hongo. I'm not here right now, but if you leave your name and number I'll get back to you right away. If this is Tetsuya, I love you. Bye."
"Yui, where are you? It's already eight o'clock. Call me when you get in," Miaka's voice said into the empty room.
The machine clicked off. A moment later, the message came on again. "This is Tokyo General Hospital. If there is anyone there, please get in touch with us as soon as possible to get any information on this girl."
She didn't want to wake up, to come up to where she would feel a great deal of pain. Cold fingers on her cheek made her crack her eyes. "T-T-Tetsuya?"
He kissed her cheek. "Goodbye."
"Don't…go…" Yui moaned and closed her eyes. Goodbye…
"What happened? Where are they?" Miaka demanded of the doctor. Yui had given her the way to check her messages if anything ever happened to her. At nine, she had been worried enough to do it.
"Tetsuya Kajiwara died at eight forty-two pm."
"How?"
"Severe trauma to the brain. He was in a coma after the surgery and never regained consciousness."
"And Yui?"
"The girl's stable, but she wasn't awake on the last hourly check." The doctor looked at her. "Does her family know?"
"They're gone. Yui's the only one left in her family. Can I see her?"
"I'll have a nurse see how she is and then I'll let you know."
"Thank you." Miaka bowed to him and sat down to wait.
"Kado!"
A boy of about eighteen slid into the hallway almost crashing into a wall. "Yes, sir?"
"Kado, go to room 1315 and check on the girl there, okay?"
"Sure."
"And try not to kill yourself in the process." The boy went up the stairs, nearly falling down them twice.
Yui felt the warm fingers on her wrist and asked, "Where am I?"
"In the hospital. You've been in an accident."
"My friend…is he all right?"
"I don't know. I just came on and was told to check on you."
She opened her eyes and laughed a little. "Kado Yujino…"
"Huh? How did you-?" Kado looked at her chart. "You're the girl from the library. Yui," he murmured. "You've got a friend waiting to see you. Do you feel up to it?"
"Yes. Just answer me one question."
"Sure."
"You work here…uh…and the library…why?"
Kado smiled. "I'm working my way through college." Against all regulations, he bent down and kissed her forehead. "Your friend will be up shortly."
"Thanks."
Miaka went into the room. She looked at her friend's face, part of it bandaged from just below her eye to the collar of her hospital gown. "Yui?"
"Miaka…" She opened her eyes. "You've heard about Tetsuya."
"What…" Yui hadn't asked it, but stated it. "Yes, he's dead."
"I know."
"How? Nobody…"
She gave a sad, weak little smile. "He said goodbye. That's how I know." Yui brushed her hair over the bandages. "I seem to be that way for guys. Maybe I should give up on that aspect of life."
"Yui!"
"Lighten up. Do you want hear my news?" Her smile faded a little and her eyes shined with unshed tears.
Miaka came closer and took her friend's hand. "Sure."
"Tetsuya asked me to marry him…and I said yes…" Tears streamed down her face. "Miaka…"
"Oh, Yui!"
She squeezed her friend's hand. "I'll be all right. I'm tired."
"All right." She left the hospital room and was nearly knocked down the stairs. "Hey!"
"Oh, sorry!"
"Hey, you're the boy from before…Kado, right?"
"Um, yes. I work here from nine to three. Um, and you're…"
"Miaka Sukunami. Could I ask a favor of you?"
"Sure." Kado smiled and waited.
"My friend was in an accident and I wanted to know if you could keep tabs on her?"
"Okay. Who is it and which room?"
"Yui Hongo, 1315."
"Of course." He turned and made it halfway down the hall before falling flat on his face.
"Maybe this was a mistake." She shook her head and began to laugh.
"It's four-thirty," came a murmur from a dark room. "Emergency room duty, Kado?"
"Shut up," Kado replied. "I was doing someone a favor."
Koichi stepped in front of his younger brother dressed only in boxers. He was bigger and buffer than Kado, but identical in every other aspect. "Not for one of your teachers! You're not doing what I think you're doing."
"No. NO! Jeez, Koichi! That's gross."
"Well you are naïve, little bro."
"It was at the hospital. There was a girl in an accident and her friend asked me to keep tabs on her."
"An extra hour?" He blushed. "Come and get to bed. You can tell me about it before school, okay?"
"All right."
Two Days Later
"I'm going to take off the bandages…um, it might hurt a little…"
"It's okay." Yui closed her eyes as Kado gently removed the bandages. He let out a breath. "What?"
"Look."
"Hey…" She touched her cheek. "How could this be?"
"Well, I thought you'd be glad-"
"Sh." Yui touched his hand. "My face went through a window…"
"You're very lucky. It may take a year, but those scars will go away." Kado saw the scar on her wrist. "Did you get this too?"
"No, this was…from before. A different accident."
"What kind of accident?" She gently smacked him, letting him know she wouldn't answer. "Okay, sorry."
"I've been here for three days and you've been here all these nights. Don't hospitals normally rotate schedules so you don't end up in the rooms everyday?"
"I…uh, well, I was assigned to watch you on my shift…" Kado's face turned bright red and he turned away.
"Ah." She touched his dark blonde braid. "What about Miaka?"
"She asked me to keep tabs on you too."
"Well, thank you." Yui placed her hand on his shoulder and he stood up. Using him for support, she went to the window.
"I shouldn't be letting you do this. I could get fired."
"See those stars right there? They're the guardians of the East."
"Seiryuu."
"Yes. Ashtaire, Miboshi…"
"Tomo, Soi…"
"Nakago, Amiboshi…"
They looked at each other and said, "Suboshi." She blushed.
"I don't…" Yui rested her head on his shoulder.
"Oh geez, Yui." Kado picked her up and carried her back to the bed. "Are you all right? Are you-"
"I'm fine, Kado." She closed her eyes and appeared to be asleep. He covered her with the sheet. Yui touched his stomach.
"Yui?" Kado pulled away, his stomach feeling like it was ripped open.
"I'm sorry…" Then she was asleep. He bent and kissed her forehead.
"She must really be something to get you here with me."
"Shut up and spot me, Koichi."
He laughed and patted Kado's stomach. "Still, it won't hide that scar."
"I don't care. Spot me!" He grunted his way through his sets. "Enough…jeez, and you do at least twice this much."
"That, baby bro, is progress. You'll get there…eventually…"
"Hey!"
"You've got school in an hour and you stink. Get away from me." Koichi shoved his brother into the women's locker room. "See ya!"
Kado went up to see Yui and was surprised to see her visitors. "Hey, baby bro! Come in here and show off that uniform!"
"Do you realize I hate you?"
"Do you realize I don't care?"
"Thanks to you I'm banned from the gym for a week." He looked at his brother indignantly.
"You'll thank me tomorrow." Koichi looked at Miaka, Taka, and Yui mournfully. "I've had to deal with this for eighteen years."
"You two could be twins," Taka stated.
Kado and Koichi crossed their arms and said in unison, "Not in this lifetime!"
Miaka and Taka began to laugh. Yui smiled and then buried her face in her pillow. "Yui?" The laughter was gone from the girl's voice.
"Now look what you did!" Koichi smacked his brother's head.
"Me?"
The dark-haired girl was whispering to her friend, who was shaking violently. "Miaka?"
"C'mon Yui, breathe."
Yui looked at her friend, wet-faced and smiling. "That was…" She began to laugh again.
"She's lost it."
"Shut up." Kado and Yui's eyes locked for a second and he turned his gaze to the ceiling. "Uh, it was nice meeting you two, but I've got rounds to do."
"I'll come with." Koichi followed his brother, shutting the door behind him.
"Why do you insist on doing this to me?"
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and that's what I'm trying to do for you."
"To embarrass me? Jeez, Koichi!"
"It'll never work."
"What?"
He smiled. "The age difference, the mind ser, and her friends."
"That's all I am." Kado pushed his brother away and ran down the hallway.
"Yui?"
"Um?" She had closed her eyes once the door had shut and Miaka could no longer stand the silence. "What is it, Miaka?"
"That boy, there's something about him…"
"It's nothing. It's The Universe of the Four Gods," she murmured, half-asleep.
"What did you say?"
"The book…he's been reading it."
"But it's been sealed."
"That's why it's nothing." Yui slipped into sleep without another word. Tomorrow she would get to go home.
It was a beautiful day and Kado went into the sunlight. He would say goodbye to her. He let the sun beat down on his face, on his tears, and he smiled.
Yui was excited and scared to leave the hospital. Miaka would pick her up at six, but she wanted to see Kado one more time. He had become a fixture in her life over the last ten days. Disappointment filled her when she found out he wouldn't be on duty and Yui took a nap.
Kado went into the room. After he placed the rose by her hand, he sat down in the visitor's chair and waited.
She saw the flower and whispered, "Kado?"
"Yes."
Yui sat up and looked at him. "I thought…I didn't think…"
"I wanted to say goodbye, that's all. I hope you…" He turned away, his cheeks turning bright red.
"Kado?"
Kado went to her and kissed her awkwardly. They shared a flash of memory that was gone as soon as it came. Yui pushed him away, her hand on his stomach. He turned to go towards the door, but his knees buckled and he fell. In a small voice Kado whispered, "Amiboshi…Lady Yui…"
"Kado, what's wrong?" He slipped forward, his right hand pushing something into a corner, the left smearing blood across the floor. "KADO!" She fumbled for the call button and pressed it repeatedly. Then Yui went over to him, pulling him onto his back. For an odd moment, she thought of Suboshi, how he died. "Kado!"
Koichi found her in her room an hour later. "What happened to my brother?"
"I don't know. His stomach started bleeding-"
"Dammit!" He sat down in one of the chairs and beat his fist against the armrest. "Dammit, that should've healed by now!"
"What? Could you please tell me?"
"You didn't know?" Yui shook her head. "Our parents died in a car accident seven years ago. I was twenty-two and he was eleven. Kado got out of the car somehow, he doesn't remember how, and they found him with a chunk of metal lodged in his stomach, less than an inch from his spine. They couldn't do anything but use a plastic plate to close the wound and a skin graft to cover it." Koichi pulled up his pant leg up to show her his scar. "They used me because Kado was too beat up and we have an exact blood type match like twins do. The…"
"I understand. I'm sorry, I…"
"Excuse me, Mr. Yujino? Your brother's out of surgery; he's doing fine." The nurse smiled.
"When can I see him?"
"Um, you'd have to ask the doctor. He's right down the hall."
"Okay." Koichi nodded to Yui and followed the girl.
Yui sighed and waited for Miaka.
Kado woke up enough to tell his brother he was fine and then slipped back into sleep. After awhile, he felt someone watching him. "Go away. Whoever you are-"
"I just wanted to say goodbye, that's all."
He opened his eyes and saw her in one of the visitor's chair. Yui smiled a little. Kado turned his face to the window, seeing the night sky. "Why are you still here?"
"I told you: I wanted to say goodbye. Your-" She gingerly touched his stomach. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't need to know. You still don't need to know, so what do you care?"
"Because I'm your friend and-" And because without you, I probably would have killed myself. "Isn't that enough?"
"No."
"Then answer me one question: how far are you into The Universe of the Four Gods?"
"Huh?"
"What part are you at?" She went to the door and turned back, awaiting an answer.
"The priestess of Seiryuu just met the seishi known as Suboshi."
"How can this boy interfere with the summoning of Suzaku from here?" Yui walked out, slowly with her cane.
What she had said stung his heart and made him smile at the same time. "How did you know about that?"
Yui was just outside his door with Miaka. "Should we tell him?"
"No, he wouldn't believe it."
"All right." She held out her closed hand to her friend. "I found this in your room."
Yui held hers out, letting the item fall into it. "Oh my god…" A wave of déjà vu struck her when she saw the ribbon. "Miaka, take me home, please take me home."
"All right, it's okay." She took her friend home.
"Kado?" Koichi poked his brother's arm. "Come off it and stop acting like a baby."
"Shut up."
"Not unless you start talking. What's with you anyway? You're acting like a little girl!"
"Shut up!"
"No, I won't. Even if I have to beat you up, I want to-"
"SHUT UP!" Kado backhanded his brother. "You don't understand."
"No, I don't." He smiled and kissed his brother's cheek. "You're not my brother, did you know that?"
"Wha-"
"You're the son I'll never have. You're my only child." Koichi ruffled his wide-eyed brother's hair. "Yes, that's it…now get some rest."
"Koichi, you're…" He gave a small nod. Their eyes met and they burst out laughing. "I can't believe it!"
"Believe it. Are you feeling better? Your stomach, I mean."
"Yeah, but it felt fine since a month after the first surgery."
"It should be all right now."
"Uh-huh. Koichi, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Could you bring in my book? It's on my bedside table."
"Okay. Remember what I said."
Kado nodded. He started thinking about Yui and his heart broke.
"Sorry I'm late, Miaka. I was-"
"Sulking? Come on, Yui. Why don't you go see Kado? You two were getting along great."
Yui huffed and worked her wrist a little. "That's nothing. He's a nurse; he was doing his job."
"He's an intern and he wasn't just doing his job. Kado was really interested in you." She watched her friend stop flexing her hand. "Uh, Yui…"
"You know, one of these days…"
"Sorry, but I'm worried about you. I can't help it."
"I know. Just remember my fiancé just died. I'm not ready for much in that direction." Yui looked away. "Like I said, maybe I should give up on that aspect of life."
"Why do you keep saying that?" She took Yui's hand. "Yui, come on."
"How many guys died because of me? Your friends and mine? It's too much." She got up. "Do you understand?" She ran off before she could have a response.
Miaka answered the phone quickly, hoping it was Yui. "Hello? Yui?"
"Uh, no. This is Koichi Yujino."
"Oh, hi. What's up?"
"Well, I was kind of wondering if you could do me a favor?"
"I guess I could. What is it?"
"I need you to get Yui to go to Kado. I can't get through to him the way she can."
"I was thinking the same thing." She looked out the window. "The problem is getting them together. Yui's extremely stubborn about not going back to the hospital."
"Kado's the same way." There was silence for a moment. "I know! She can take The Universe of the Four Gods to him!"
"He has that?"
"You know about it?"
"Uh-huh. That's perfect, though. Here's her number."
Koichi wrote down the number. "Thanks. I hope this works."
"Me too. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Yui run the doorbell and waited. Koichi opened the door. "Thanks for coming. I don't have time to go to him tonight and I promised to give him this." He held out the book.
"That book…" She took it with apprehension. It's sealed, Yui. It can't harm you anymore. "Okay, I'll take it to him."
"It's much appreciated. I've got to go."
"All right."
Kado awoke with a start when the door opened, but he didn't raise his eyelids. "Koichi?" Of course, he thought, who else would it be?
"Kado."
His eyes flew open. "Yui? Why-" Kado looked away. "What are you doing here?"
"Your brother asked me to bring you your book. He said he was working." She dropped the book on his bed.
He began to laugh. "Koichi works at the apartment," he giggled. She slapped his face and he grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him. "He tricked you. He wanted you to come to me," he breathed against her ear. Yui rested her head on his chest. "What?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Read the book." She clasped his hand momentarily.
"Will you stay?"
"I may as well. I came all this way." She got up and pulled one of the chairs close to the bed. Kado began to read. She watched, in a serene state, and as time went on she fell asleep. He finished the book and went to her. In a foolish gesture, he lifted her face, kissing her as she woke slightly to kiss him back. "Yui." Kado returned to the bed.
"Kado, what?" She looked at him, blinking.
"Take me home."
"Huh?"
"I'm to be released in an hour. Koichi was supposed to, but…"
Yui got up and went to the door. "I can't-"
"You're gonna leave me here?!"
"-stay in here while you're getting dressed." She smiled as she walked out, closing the door behind her. They met outside.
After a few minutes, Kado asked, "What is it I wouldn't believe?"
Yui shook her head. "It's a hell of a story. I have to go to work in an hour, but maybe tomorrow…"
"That'd be nice." He kissed her cheek and she gave a brief shudder. "What-"
"Nothing. Here we are." He got out, leaving the book beside her. "Wait-"
"You'll have to come back now."
She smiled as she drove away.
Yui was exhausted when she finished and Kado wrapped his arms around her. "Come to me."
"I…" She lifted her face, letting their lips touch briefly. He picked her up and covered her face with frantic kisses. "My star…you believe me, you love me," Yui murmured against his lips. "Kado…"
"Yes, I love you." Kado set her down on his bed, releasing her only to shut and lock his door. "Oh, my…"
Yui felt him against her, his hands gently caressing her. Her hands ran down the length of his body. "Kado?"
Kado stopped, pressing his burning face against her bare belly where he had lifted her shirt. "I'm sorry."
She lifted his face. "Don't be sorry, just be patient with me."
"All right. Just one more…" Kado lifted himself over her and kissed her deeply. "Stay here tonight."
"I can't-"
"You can stay in here. I'll be in the living room." He stood, pulled keys from his jeans, which he threw on the bedside table, and stripped off his shirt.
"Come, for a moment." Yui held him once again, sharing several brief kisses. He lies above her, resting on his elbows, and she gingerly traced his stomach. "You don't have a bellybutton," Yui laughed gently against his ear.
"Sleep. I'll lock the door behind me."
"Thank you."
Kado awoke with his brother pounding on his door. "Kado!"
"Shut up," he murmured fiercely from the couch. "Jeez, I'm right here."
"Huh? What are you doing out here? Why's your door locked?"
"She's in there. Now shut up and let her sleep."
"You locked her in there?!"
"No. She has my keys."
Koichi leaned over his brother. "You're insane."
"Yui was upset and exhausted. I didn't want her to drive home like that."
"Yuck. Go away."
"You go away." He heard Koichi shut and lock his door. He drifted. A door creaked open and soft stealthy footsteps came towards him. She was there, pushing the sheet off of him. "Yui…"
"Sh." Kado saw she had on his shirt, which let him see the smallest light blue 'v' of her panties. Her hand shut his eyes. Then he felt her pressed against him.
"My darling." Yui arranged herself against him, finally letting her head rest just under his chin and their bare stomachs pressed together.
"Sh." He wrapped his arms around her and they were soon fast asleep. They stayed that way, oblivious to the blue light that came from The Universe of the Four Gods, surrounding and making them disappear.
The phone rang. Miaka looked at the clock. It's two o'clock! Who- "Hello?"
"Miaka, it's The Universe of the Four Gods! It's glowing and…and they're gone!"
"Calm down."
"There's a blue light…"
"Who's gone?"
"My brother and Yui!" Koichi sighed in her ear.
"Stay where you are. If you can read the book do it, but stay there."
"All right."
Water? Kado held Yui closer. "Yui?"
She tensed in his arms. "No. No, this can't be!"
"Priestess of Seiryuu!" She was standing up and Kado opened his eyes. Two guards were coming towards them.
"Yes. What do you want?"
"The emperor wishes to see you. Lady Yui, who is this?" A sword touched his Adam's apple.
"Leave him alone. He's my councilor."
"Lady Yui, it is highly unorthodox to have a male servant for a lady."
He went to say something, but Yui's thigh smacked his face. "What…" His arm went around her leg. "He's also my husband."
"What?" All three men gaped at her. She closed Kado's mouth and they locked eyes.
Do you mean it? Would you let me? The twinkle in her eyes gave him all the answer he needed. Her eyes closed as her laughter echoed around the shrine.
"Lady Yui, please come with us. You too." He pointed to Kado.
She lifted her boy, locking her arm around his waist. "All right, let's go."
Kado paced the room he shared with Yui, now dressed in a fine kimono, hurt deeply at his separation from the priestess. His shoulder burned. The door came open. "Yui."
"Sh." She closed the door. He went to her, pulling her close. "We have to perform a ceremony tomorrow. I had to agree to it so we could stay together."
"What kind of ceremony?" He kissed he forehead as she looked up.
She smiled. "A marriage ceremony." Her face was pressed against his chest, the fabric becoming damp.
"Do you want it? Will it make you happy?"
"I don't want to hurt you…to have you leave me again!"
"What do you mean? Lady Yui-"
"Why won't you answer me, my star? Why won't you answer!"
"Yui, please-" She tore herself away from him and threw herself on the bed.
How can this boy interfere with the summoning of Suzaku from here? He looked up at her. Her short blonde hair, the pale blue robe, and the look of irritation were too clear.
Then, her holding him, crying, her long blonde hair whipping around her face. Suboshi? Suboshi!
"Brother." Amiboshi held his brother in a fierce hug.
"Finally together, forever." He rested his head on his twin's shoulder. "Amiboshi?"
"I'm afraid you're wrong."
Suboshi looked at his big brother. "What do you mean?"
"You still want to be with Lady Yui. She's your other half."
"No, you are-"
"I am you." He kissed his twin. "Now, I'll always be with you, to watch you-"
"What do you mean?"
"You will be reborn in Lady Yui's world to find her. You won't remember any of this." Amiboshi kissed his brother again. "Goodbye, my twin."
"Amiboshi!"
She was in his arms, but this wasn't Kado or Suboshi. "Are you…Amiboshi?"
"Just in spirit, Lady Yui. I only ask that you take care of my brother."
"I will, I promise." He closed his eyes. Yui saw the symbol on his bare right shoulder disappear and a different one appear on the left. "Suboshi…" She kissed his lips.
"Lady Yui."
"My…"
"Please, don't cry anymore. There is nothing more to shed tears for." He lifted her face. "Oh, please." His lips pressed against her cheeks so he could taste her tears. "Please stop."
"I'm just…I don't want to have you leave me," she murmured in his ear. "Just promise you'll stay with me, that you won't die for me…again."
"I can't."
She turned away, trying to control her sobs. Why would you want to leave me?
"I'll stay with you always." He kept her pressed to him, his arms clasped firmly around her waist. "My priestess." Kado felt her release her sobs and he buried his face in her hair. "I love you."
"I love you too," she whispered back.
Miaka banged on Koichi's door. It came open and she was pulled in fiercely. "What's this book? Why did it take my brother?"
"Yui and I entered the book together, but she got taken back. We switched places at one point. She and I became priestesses, each with our own seven stars. Taka was one of mine, one of the three that lived."
"He was-"
"A character in the book. Yui's celestial warriors all died. One was using her, warping her heart and mind beyond recognition. He changed her so much that even the love of her youngest seishi couldn't reach her. He died for her and called out her name with his last breath."
"What does this have to do with Kado?"
"We were taken back in again, Yui, Taka, and I. Her star, the one who loved her, had an older twin brother who had no memories of what happened. He let his younger twin take over his body to save Yui again, to die for her again. The symbol that marked him as a Seiryuu seishi was 'kaku', sometimes called 'kado.'"
"Kado…'angle'…he's reborn?"
"Just like Taka." She took the book. "They somehow unsealed it."
Koichi sat down hard. "My brother…"
"Can you read it?" Miaka asked as she sat down beside him.
"Yeah. I taught Kado how." He shook his head and laughed, letting the tears fall down his cheeks.
She was so sad, her eyes always full of unshed tears. They were married and Yui kept him close to her. "Yui?"
"Don't say anything." She tightened her grip on him. Though she would hardly let him out of her sight, she tended to ignore him. Kado questioned her once they were alone.
"Why are you doing this?" She turned away from him, but he wrenched her around. Yui found herself pressed against him. "Do you want me to leave?"
"No."
"Then why are you shutting me out? Is it because I can't promise you-"
"Just stop it!" Yui tried to break free. "Let me go!"
"I won't…I won't unless you let me in.!" He threw them both onto the bed. "Do you really think I would leave you for anything in this world?"
"Yes…" She fainted. He stayed there a long time, looking down at her in her peace.
Seiryuu let me do what I have to for her.
A week went by in the same manner. Though they slept in the same bed, Kado felt the distance between them like the winter's first frost. One night he awoke and found her gone. Fear locked his heart and body for a moment. "Yui?"
"Sh." He saw her as she had been that first night, only with a pale blue light emanating from her and tiny ringlets blowing across her face. He sat up. "Kado…" Her lips moved softly against his ear as her hands found the belt of his robe.
"Oh, my lady." He brought his face up to hers, letting the robe slip off. "Please, let me…"
"Be oh so still and oh so quiet." Yui pushed him down with a giggle. She kissed his forehead, his nose, his chest, and finally the line of scar on his stomach. Her breasts brushed against him and he pushed her down. "Yes, be gentle."
"I will." Kado straddled her, undoing the buttons so his fingers caressed her at every move. He gently kissed her up her body, lifting her so she was totally naked. "I will," he muttered against her lips. Soon they were one in body, moving together slowly and clumsily as they consummated their marriage.
He played with her tangled curls, loving her and the way she looked in the early morning sun. She sighed and pressed against him, awakening her desires. "Yui?"
"Don't…" Yui's eyes were slitted and she murmured, "Don't…go…" Tears fell down her cheeks and he kissed the salty streams.
"I won't leave you," Kado whispered in her ear. She curled herself around him, letting him slip into her. "I can't."
"Hush…" Her blue-green eyes glistened and she kissed him. They made love in the strengthening light. When they had finished, Kado kissed her soft, cool belly. She jerked and pushed him away. "Please don't touch me like that…not there."
"I-" Yui pressed against him again, kissing him fiercely.
"I'm sorry." She placed her head on his chest and her hand over his heart. "Let's stay like this for awhile."
"Sure." He kissed the top of her head, breathing in her scent.
We'll have to part soon…I know it and so do you. Keep your heart beating safely for me, she thought.
"The priestess of Seiryuu was told on her first day that she needed to find the relics of her celestial warriors." Koichi rubbed his eyes.
"Are you all right?"
"Just tired. I've been up since two and I went to sleep at midnight. Do you mind if I catch a few hours of sleep?"
"No." She looked at her watch. It was nearly ten o'clock. "I'll be back around two."
"Okay." He watched Miaka leave and then sank into restless sleep.
"The seal was broken when we met?" Yui asked, feeling a little sick. Three months here and she finally had to part with Kado. "The relics…they'll reseal the book?"
"We believe so, priestess."
"Will I be able to go home."
"Yes."
"All right. I'll leave tomorrow." She left, going out to the garden and throwing up in the bushes. Resting against a tree, she sank down to the ground.
"Yui?" Kado went over to her. "Yui?" She didn't look up even when he placed his hands on her cheeks. She was feverish. He lifted her up and felt a slight movement. Yui herself hadn't moved. "Yui!" He laid her down on their bed.
"S-S-Su…"
"You're sick. Just…" He placed a cold cloth on her forehead, watching her labored breathing in sheer terror. Finally Yui's breathing became steady. "Oh god, oh Seiryuu, thank you." He went to touch her forehead but her cold hand clasped his. "My lady…"
"Kado, thank you. I'm all right now. Don't worry." She brought their hands to rest between her breasts. "Are you all right?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
Yui opened her eyes and smiled weakly. "Good." He laid down next to her. They looked at each other for a long time, Kado gently rubbing here forehead. Please forgive me for leaving you tomorrow. She kissed him and let him hold her for a while.
The National Library
He wasn't supposed to reading while he was working, especially this book. "Excuse me?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry." He shoved the book under the counter.
"That's all right. I've never seen you before, I mean working here." She slid her books across the counter, her blue-green eyes full of interest.
"Um, I've worked here for a week. I'm Kado Yujino." He blushed, hiding his violet eyes as he went about his work.
"I'm Yui Hongo. I hope to see you again."
"The same here." Kado handed Yui her books, their fingertips touching briefly.
"Thanks."
He watched her go; her blonde curls resting just above her shoulders, a young man taking her arm. "Well, so much for that," Kado murmured and went back to his book.
Yui looked back. "You were flirting with him."
"I was talking to him, Tetsuya. That's all. Are you jealous?"
"You made him blush." They were in the sun now. "You have that affect on guys."
"Just you."
"And that boy."
"You are jealous," she teased. Yui opened the passenger side door. "He was reading the book, Tetsuya."
"The book…The Universe of the Four Gods?"
"Yes." She kissed Tetsuya's cheek. "Don't worry, it's just residual curiosity."
"Seriously?" Yui gave him a look. "Okay, okay! No death glares, please!"
"Then lay off it, Tetsuya." She stared out the window even as she felt his eyes on her. The Universe of the Four Gods…
"This is Yui Hongo. I'm not here right now, but if you leave your name and number I'll get back to you right away. If this is Tetsuya, I love you. Bye."
"Yui, where are you? It's already eight o'clock. Call me when you get in," Miaka's voice said into the empty room.
The machine clicked off. A moment later, the message came on again. "This is Tokyo General Hospital. If there is anyone there, please get in touch with us as soon as possible to get any information on this girl."
She didn't want to wake up, to come up to where she would feel a great deal of pain. Cold fingers on her cheek made her crack her eyes. "T-T-Tetsuya?"
He kissed her cheek. "Goodbye."
"Don't…go…" Yui moaned and closed her eyes. Goodbye…
"What happened? Where are they?" Miaka demanded of the doctor. Yui had given her the way to check her messages if anything ever happened to her. At nine, she had been worried enough to do it.
"Tetsuya Kajiwara died at eight forty-two pm."
"How?"
"Severe trauma to the brain. He was in a coma after the surgery and never regained consciousness."
"And Yui?"
"The girl's stable, but she wasn't awake on the last hourly check." The doctor looked at her. "Does her family know?"
"They're gone. Yui's the only one left in her family. Can I see her?"
"I'll have a nurse see how she is and then I'll let you know."
"Thank you." Miaka bowed to him and sat down to wait.
"Kado!"
A boy of about eighteen slid into the hallway almost crashing into a wall. "Yes, sir?"
"Kado, go to room 1315 and check on the girl there, okay?"
"Sure."
"And try not to kill yourself in the process." The boy went up the stairs, nearly falling down them twice.
Yui felt the warm fingers on her wrist and asked, "Where am I?"
"In the hospital. You've been in an accident."
"My friend…is he all right?"
"I don't know. I just came on and was told to check on you."
She opened her eyes and laughed a little. "Kado Yujino…"
"Huh? How did you-?" Kado looked at her chart. "You're the girl from the library. Yui," he murmured. "You've got a friend waiting to see you. Do you feel up to it?"
"Yes. Just answer me one question."
"Sure."
"You work here…uh…and the library…why?"
Kado smiled. "I'm working my way through college." Against all regulations, he bent down and kissed her forehead. "Your friend will be up shortly."
"Thanks."
Miaka went into the room. She looked at her friend's face, part of it bandaged from just below her eye to the collar of her hospital gown. "Yui?"
"Miaka…" She opened her eyes. "You've heard about Tetsuya."
"What…" Yui hadn't asked it, but stated it. "Yes, he's dead."
"I know."
"How? Nobody…"
She gave a sad, weak little smile. "He said goodbye. That's how I know." Yui brushed her hair over the bandages. "I seem to be that way for guys. Maybe I should give up on that aspect of life."
"Yui!"
"Lighten up. Do you want hear my news?" Her smile faded a little and her eyes shined with unshed tears.
Miaka came closer and took her friend's hand. "Sure."
"Tetsuya asked me to marry him…and I said yes…" Tears streamed down her face. "Miaka…"
"Oh, Yui!"
She squeezed her friend's hand. "I'll be all right. I'm tired."
"All right." She left the hospital room and was nearly knocked down the stairs. "Hey!"
"Oh, sorry!"
"Hey, you're the boy from before…Kado, right?"
"Um, yes. I work here from nine to three. Um, and you're…"
"Miaka Sukunami. Could I ask a favor of you?"
"Sure." Kado smiled and waited.
"My friend was in an accident and I wanted to know if you could keep tabs on her?"
"Okay. Who is it and which room?"
"Yui Hongo, 1315."
"Of course." He turned and made it halfway down the hall before falling flat on his face.
"Maybe this was a mistake." She shook her head and began to laugh.
"It's four-thirty," came a murmur from a dark room. "Emergency room duty, Kado?"
"Shut up," Kado replied. "I was doing someone a favor."
Koichi stepped in front of his younger brother dressed only in boxers. He was bigger and buffer than Kado, but identical in every other aspect. "Not for one of your teachers! You're not doing what I think you're doing."
"No. NO! Jeez, Koichi! That's gross."
"Well you are naïve, little bro."
"It was at the hospital. There was a girl in an accident and her friend asked me to keep tabs on her."
"An extra hour?" He blushed. "Come and get to bed. You can tell me about it before school, okay?"
"All right."
Two Days Later
"I'm going to take off the bandages…um, it might hurt a little…"
"It's okay." Yui closed her eyes as Kado gently removed the bandages. He let out a breath. "What?"
"Look."
"Hey…" She touched her cheek. "How could this be?"
"Well, I thought you'd be glad-"
"Sh." Yui touched his hand. "My face went through a window…"
"You're very lucky. It may take a year, but those scars will go away." Kado saw the scar on her wrist. "Did you get this too?"
"No, this was…from before. A different accident."
"What kind of accident?" She gently smacked him, letting him know she wouldn't answer. "Okay, sorry."
"I've been here for three days and you've been here all these nights. Don't hospitals normally rotate schedules so you don't end up in the rooms everyday?"
"I…uh, well, I was assigned to watch you on my shift…" Kado's face turned bright red and he turned away.
"Ah." She touched his dark blonde braid. "What about Miaka?"
"She asked me to keep tabs on you too."
"Well, thank you." Yui placed her hand on his shoulder and he stood up. Using him for support, she went to the window.
"I shouldn't be letting you do this. I could get fired."
"See those stars right there? They're the guardians of the East."
"Seiryuu."
"Yes. Ashtaire, Miboshi…"
"Tomo, Soi…"
"Nakago, Amiboshi…"
They looked at each other and said, "Suboshi." She blushed.
"I don't…" Yui rested her head on his shoulder.
"Oh geez, Yui." Kado picked her up and carried her back to the bed. "Are you all right? Are you-"
"I'm fine, Kado." She closed her eyes and appeared to be asleep. He covered her with the sheet. Yui touched his stomach.
"Yui?" Kado pulled away, his stomach feeling like it was ripped open.
"I'm sorry…" Then she was asleep. He bent and kissed her forehead.
"She must really be something to get you here with me."
"Shut up and spot me, Koichi."
He laughed and patted Kado's stomach. "Still, it won't hide that scar."
"I don't care. Spot me!" He grunted his way through his sets. "Enough…jeez, and you do at least twice this much."
"That, baby bro, is progress. You'll get there…eventually…"
"Hey!"
"You've got school in an hour and you stink. Get away from me." Koichi shoved his brother into the women's locker room. "See ya!"
Kado went up to see Yui and was surprised to see her visitors. "Hey, baby bro! Come in here and show off that uniform!"
"Do you realize I hate you?"
"Do you realize I don't care?"
"Thanks to you I'm banned from the gym for a week." He looked at his brother indignantly.
"You'll thank me tomorrow." Koichi looked at Miaka, Taka, and Yui mournfully. "I've had to deal with this for eighteen years."
"You two could be twins," Taka stated.
Kado and Koichi crossed their arms and said in unison, "Not in this lifetime!"
Miaka and Taka began to laugh. Yui smiled and then buried her face in her pillow. "Yui?" The laughter was gone from the girl's voice.
"Now look what you did!" Koichi smacked his brother's head.
"Me?"
The dark-haired girl was whispering to her friend, who was shaking violently. "Miaka?"
"C'mon Yui, breathe."
Yui looked at her friend, wet-faced and smiling. "That was…" She began to laugh again.
"She's lost it."
"Shut up." Kado and Yui's eyes locked for a second and he turned his gaze to the ceiling. "Uh, it was nice meeting you two, but I've got rounds to do."
"I'll come with." Koichi followed his brother, shutting the door behind him.
"Why do you insist on doing this to me?"
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and that's what I'm trying to do for you."
"To embarrass me? Jeez, Koichi!"
"It'll never work."
"What?"
He smiled. "The age difference, the mind ser, and her friends."
"That's all I am." Kado pushed his brother away and ran down the hallway.
"Yui?"
"Um?" She had closed her eyes once the door had shut and Miaka could no longer stand the silence. "What is it, Miaka?"
"That boy, there's something about him…"
"It's nothing. It's The Universe of the Four Gods," she murmured, half-asleep.
"What did you say?"
"The book…he's been reading it."
"But it's been sealed."
"That's why it's nothing." Yui slipped into sleep without another word. Tomorrow she would get to go home.
It was a beautiful day and Kado went into the sunlight. He would say goodbye to her. He let the sun beat down on his face, on his tears, and he smiled.
Yui was excited and scared to leave the hospital. Miaka would pick her up at six, but she wanted to see Kado one more time. He had become a fixture in her life over the last ten days. Disappointment filled her when she found out he wouldn't be on duty and Yui took a nap.
Kado went into the room. After he placed the rose by her hand, he sat down in the visitor's chair and waited.
She saw the flower and whispered, "Kado?"
"Yes."
Yui sat up and looked at him. "I thought…I didn't think…"
"I wanted to say goodbye, that's all. I hope you…" He turned away, his cheeks turning bright red.
"Kado?"
Kado went to her and kissed her awkwardly. They shared a flash of memory that was gone as soon as it came. Yui pushed him away, her hand on his stomach. He turned to go towards the door, but his knees buckled and he fell. In a small voice Kado whispered, "Amiboshi…Lady Yui…"
"Kado, what's wrong?" He slipped forward, his right hand pushing something into a corner, the left smearing blood across the floor. "KADO!" She fumbled for the call button and pressed it repeatedly. Then Yui went over to him, pulling him onto his back. For an odd moment, she thought of Suboshi, how he died. "Kado!"
Koichi found her in her room an hour later. "What happened to my brother?"
"I don't know. His stomach started bleeding-"
"Dammit!" He sat down in one of the chairs and beat his fist against the armrest. "Dammit, that should've healed by now!"
"What? Could you please tell me?"
"You didn't know?" Yui shook her head. "Our parents died in a car accident seven years ago. I was twenty-two and he was eleven. Kado got out of the car somehow, he doesn't remember how, and they found him with a chunk of metal lodged in his stomach, less than an inch from his spine. They couldn't do anything but use a plastic plate to close the wound and a skin graft to cover it." Koichi pulled up his pant leg up to show her his scar. "They used me because Kado was too beat up and we have an exact blood type match like twins do. The…"
"I understand. I'm sorry, I…"
"Excuse me, Mr. Yujino? Your brother's out of surgery; he's doing fine." The nurse smiled.
"When can I see him?"
"Um, you'd have to ask the doctor. He's right down the hall."
"Okay." Koichi nodded to Yui and followed the girl.
Yui sighed and waited for Miaka.
Kado woke up enough to tell his brother he was fine and then slipped back into sleep. After awhile, he felt someone watching him. "Go away. Whoever you are-"
"I just wanted to say goodbye, that's all."
He opened his eyes and saw her in one of the visitor's chair. Yui smiled a little. Kado turned his face to the window, seeing the night sky. "Why are you still here?"
"I told you: I wanted to say goodbye. Your-" She gingerly touched his stomach. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You didn't need to know. You still don't need to know, so what do you care?"
"Because I'm your friend and-" And because without you, I probably would have killed myself. "Isn't that enough?"
"No."
"Then answer me one question: how far are you into The Universe of the Four Gods?"
"Huh?"
"What part are you at?" She went to the door and turned back, awaiting an answer.
"The priestess of Seiryuu just met the seishi known as Suboshi."
"How can this boy interfere with the summoning of Suzaku from here?" Yui walked out, slowly with her cane.
What she had said stung his heart and made him smile at the same time. "How did you know about that?"
Yui was just outside his door with Miaka. "Should we tell him?"
"No, he wouldn't believe it."
"All right." She held out her closed hand to her friend. "I found this in your room."
Yui held hers out, letting the item fall into it. "Oh my god…" A wave of déjà vu struck her when she saw the ribbon. "Miaka, take me home, please take me home."
"All right, it's okay." She took her friend home.
"Kado?" Koichi poked his brother's arm. "Come off it and stop acting like a baby."
"Shut up."
"Not unless you start talking. What's with you anyway? You're acting like a little girl!"
"Shut up!"
"No, I won't. Even if I have to beat you up, I want to-"
"SHUT UP!" Kado backhanded his brother. "You don't understand."
"No, I don't." He smiled and kissed his brother's cheek. "You're not my brother, did you know that?"
"Wha-"
"You're the son I'll never have. You're my only child." Koichi ruffled his wide-eyed brother's hair. "Yes, that's it…now get some rest."
"Koichi, you're…" He gave a small nod. Their eyes met and they burst out laughing. "I can't believe it!"
"Believe it. Are you feeling better? Your stomach, I mean."
"Yeah, but it felt fine since a month after the first surgery."
"It should be all right now."
"Uh-huh. Koichi, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Could you bring in my book? It's on my bedside table."
"Okay. Remember what I said."
Kado nodded. He started thinking about Yui and his heart broke.
"Sorry I'm late, Miaka. I was-"
"Sulking? Come on, Yui. Why don't you go see Kado? You two were getting along great."
Yui huffed and worked her wrist a little. "That's nothing. He's a nurse; he was doing his job."
"He's an intern and he wasn't just doing his job. Kado was really interested in you." She watched her friend stop flexing her hand. "Uh, Yui…"
"You know, one of these days…"
"Sorry, but I'm worried about you. I can't help it."
"I know. Just remember my fiancé just died. I'm not ready for much in that direction." Yui looked away. "Like I said, maybe I should give up on that aspect of life."
"Why do you keep saying that?" She took Yui's hand. "Yui, come on."
"How many guys died because of me? Your friends and mine? It's too much." She got up. "Do you understand?" She ran off before she could have a response.
Miaka answered the phone quickly, hoping it was Yui. "Hello? Yui?"
"Uh, no. This is Koichi Yujino."
"Oh, hi. What's up?"
"Well, I was kind of wondering if you could do me a favor?"
"I guess I could. What is it?"
"I need you to get Yui to go to Kado. I can't get through to him the way she can."
"I was thinking the same thing." She looked out the window. "The problem is getting them together. Yui's extremely stubborn about not going back to the hospital."
"Kado's the same way." There was silence for a moment. "I know! She can take The Universe of the Four Gods to him!"
"He has that?"
"You know about it?"
"Uh-huh. That's perfect, though. Here's her number."
Koichi wrote down the number. "Thanks. I hope this works."
"Me too. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Yui run the doorbell and waited. Koichi opened the door. "Thanks for coming. I don't have time to go to him tonight and I promised to give him this." He held out the book.
"That book…" She took it with apprehension. It's sealed, Yui. It can't harm you anymore. "Okay, I'll take it to him."
"It's much appreciated. I've got to go."
"All right."
Kado awoke with a start when the door opened, but he didn't raise his eyelids. "Koichi?" Of course, he thought, who else would it be?
"Kado."
His eyes flew open. "Yui? Why-" Kado looked away. "What are you doing here?"
"Your brother asked me to bring you your book. He said he was working." She dropped the book on his bed.
He began to laugh. "Koichi works at the apartment," he giggled. She slapped his face and he grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him. "He tricked you. He wanted you to come to me," he breathed against her ear. Yui rested her head on his chest. "What?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Read the book." She clasped his hand momentarily.
"Will you stay?"
"I may as well. I came all this way." She got up and pulled one of the chairs close to the bed. Kado began to read. She watched, in a serene state, and as time went on she fell asleep. He finished the book and went to her. In a foolish gesture, he lifted her face, kissing her as she woke slightly to kiss him back. "Yui." Kado returned to the bed.
"Kado, what?" She looked at him, blinking.
"Take me home."
"Huh?"
"I'm to be released in an hour. Koichi was supposed to, but…"
Yui got up and went to the door. "I can't-"
"You're gonna leave me here?!"
"-stay in here while you're getting dressed." She smiled as she walked out, closing the door behind her. They met outside.
After a few minutes, Kado asked, "What is it I wouldn't believe?"
Yui shook her head. "It's a hell of a story. I have to go to work in an hour, but maybe tomorrow…"
"That'd be nice." He kissed her cheek and she gave a brief shudder. "What-"
"Nothing. Here we are." He got out, leaving the book beside her. "Wait-"
"You'll have to come back now."
She smiled as she drove away.
Yui was exhausted when she finished and Kado wrapped his arms around her. "Come to me."
"I…" She lifted her face, letting their lips touch briefly. He picked her up and covered her face with frantic kisses. "My star…you believe me, you love me," Yui murmured against his lips. "Kado…"
"Yes, I love you." Kado set her down on his bed, releasing her only to shut and lock his door. "Oh, my…"
Yui felt him against her, his hands gently caressing her. Her hands ran down the length of his body. "Kado?"
Kado stopped, pressing his burning face against her bare belly where he had lifted her shirt. "I'm sorry."
She lifted his face. "Don't be sorry, just be patient with me."
"All right. Just one more…" Kado lifted himself over her and kissed her deeply. "Stay here tonight."
"I can't-"
"You can stay in here. I'll be in the living room." He stood, pulled keys from his jeans, which he threw on the bedside table, and stripped off his shirt.
"Come, for a moment." Yui held him once again, sharing several brief kisses. He lies above her, resting on his elbows, and she gingerly traced his stomach. "You don't have a bellybutton," Yui laughed gently against his ear.
"Sleep. I'll lock the door behind me."
"Thank you."
Kado awoke with his brother pounding on his door. "Kado!"
"Shut up," he murmured fiercely from the couch. "Jeez, I'm right here."
"Huh? What are you doing out here? Why's your door locked?"
"She's in there. Now shut up and let her sleep."
"You locked her in there?!"
"No. She has my keys."
Koichi leaned over his brother. "You're insane."
"Yui was upset and exhausted. I didn't want her to drive home like that."
"Yuck. Go away."
"You go away." He heard Koichi shut and lock his door. He drifted. A door creaked open and soft stealthy footsteps came towards him. She was there, pushing the sheet off of him. "Yui…"
"Sh." Kado saw she had on his shirt, which let him see the smallest light blue 'v' of her panties. Her hand shut his eyes. Then he felt her pressed against him.
"My darling." Yui arranged herself against him, finally letting her head rest just under his chin and their bare stomachs pressed together.
"Sh." He wrapped his arms around her and they were soon fast asleep. They stayed that way, oblivious to the blue light that came from The Universe of the Four Gods, surrounding and making them disappear.
The phone rang. Miaka looked at the clock. It's two o'clock! Who- "Hello?"
"Miaka, it's The Universe of the Four Gods! It's glowing and…and they're gone!"
"Calm down."
"There's a blue light…"
"Who's gone?"
"My brother and Yui!" Koichi sighed in her ear.
"Stay where you are. If you can read the book do it, but stay there."
"All right."
Water? Kado held Yui closer. "Yui?"
She tensed in his arms. "No. No, this can't be!"
"Priestess of Seiryuu!" She was standing up and Kado opened his eyes. Two guards were coming towards them.
"Yes. What do you want?"
"The emperor wishes to see you. Lady Yui, who is this?" A sword touched his Adam's apple.
"Leave him alone. He's my councilor."
"Lady Yui, it is highly unorthodox to have a male servant for a lady."
He went to say something, but Yui's thigh smacked his face. "What…" His arm went around her leg. "He's also my husband."
"What?" All three men gaped at her. She closed Kado's mouth and they locked eyes.
Do you mean it? Would you let me? The twinkle in her eyes gave him all the answer he needed. Her eyes closed as her laughter echoed around the shrine.
"Lady Yui, please come with us. You too." He pointed to Kado.
She lifted her boy, locking her arm around his waist. "All right, let's go."
Kado paced the room he shared with Yui, now dressed in a fine kimono, hurt deeply at his separation from the priestess. His shoulder burned. The door came open. "Yui."
"Sh." She closed the door. He went to her, pulling her close. "We have to perform a ceremony tomorrow. I had to agree to it so we could stay together."
"What kind of ceremony?" He kissed he forehead as she looked up.
She smiled. "A marriage ceremony." Her face was pressed against his chest, the fabric becoming damp.
"Do you want it? Will it make you happy?"
"I don't want to hurt you…to have you leave me again!"
"What do you mean? Lady Yui-"
"Why won't you answer me, my star? Why won't you answer!"
"Yui, please-" She tore herself away from him and threw herself on the bed.
How can this boy interfere with the summoning of Suzaku from here? He looked up at her. Her short blonde hair, the pale blue robe, and the look of irritation were too clear.
Then, her holding him, crying, her long blonde hair whipping around her face. Suboshi? Suboshi!
"Brother." Amiboshi held his brother in a fierce hug.
"Finally together, forever." He rested his head on his twin's shoulder. "Amiboshi?"
"I'm afraid you're wrong."
Suboshi looked at his big brother. "What do you mean?"
"You still want to be with Lady Yui. She's your other half."
"No, you are-"
"I am you." He kissed his twin. "Now, I'll always be with you, to watch you-"
"What do you mean?"
"You will be reborn in Lady Yui's world to find her. You won't remember any of this." Amiboshi kissed his brother again. "Goodbye, my twin."
"Amiboshi!"
She was in his arms, but this wasn't Kado or Suboshi. "Are you…Amiboshi?"
"Just in spirit, Lady Yui. I only ask that you take care of my brother."
"I will, I promise." He closed his eyes. Yui saw the symbol on his bare right shoulder disappear and a different one appear on the left. "Suboshi…" She kissed his lips.
"Lady Yui."
"My…"
"Please, don't cry anymore. There is nothing more to shed tears for." He lifted her face. "Oh, please." His lips pressed against her cheeks so he could taste her tears. "Please stop."
"I'm just…I don't want to have you leave me," she murmured in his ear. "Just promise you'll stay with me, that you won't die for me…again."
"I can't."
She turned away, trying to control her sobs. Why would you want to leave me?
"I'll stay with you always." He kept her pressed to him, his arms clasped firmly around her waist. "My priestess." Kado felt her release her sobs and he buried his face in her hair. "I love you."
"I love you too," she whispered back.
Miaka banged on Koichi's door. It came open and she was pulled in fiercely. "What's this book? Why did it take my brother?"
"Yui and I entered the book together, but she got taken back. We switched places at one point. She and I became priestesses, each with our own seven stars. Taka was one of mine, one of the three that lived."
"He was-"
"A character in the book. Yui's celestial warriors all died. One was using her, warping her heart and mind beyond recognition. He changed her so much that even the love of her youngest seishi couldn't reach her. He died for her and called out her name with his last breath."
"What does this have to do with Kado?"
"We were taken back in again, Yui, Taka, and I. Her star, the one who loved her, had an older twin brother who had no memories of what happened. He let his younger twin take over his body to save Yui again, to die for her again. The symbol that marked him as a Seiryuu seishi was 'kaku', sometimes called 'kado.'"
"Kado…'angle'…he's reborn?"
"Just like Taka." She took the book. "They somehow unsealed it."
Koichi sat down hard. "My brother…"
"Can you read it?" Miaka asked as she sat down beside him.
"Yeah. I taught Kado how." He shook his head and laughed, letting the tears fall down his cheeks.
She was so sad, her eyes always full of unshed tears. They were married and Yui kept him close to her. "Yui?"
"Don't say anything." She tightened her grip on him. Though she would hardly let him out of her sight, she tended to ignore him. Kado questioned her once they were alone.
"Why are you doing this?" She turned away from him, but he wrenched her around. Yui found herself pressed against him. "Do you want me to leave?"
"No."
"Then why are you shutting me out? Is it because I can't promise you-"
"Just stop it!" Yui tried to break free. "Let me go!"
"I won't…I won't unless you let me in.!" He threw them both onto the bed. "Do you really think I would leave you for anything in this world?"
"Yes…" She fainted. He stayed there a long time, looking down at her in her peace.
Seiryuu let me do what I have to for her.
A week went by in the same manner. Though they slept in the same bed, Kado felt the distance between them like the winter's first frost. One night he awoke and found her gone. Fear locked his heart and body for a moment. "Yui?"
"Sh." He saw her as she had been that first night, only with a pale blue light emanating from her and tiny ringlets blowing across her face. He sat up. "Kado…" Her lips moved softly against his ear as her hands found the belt of his robe.
"Oh, my lady." He brought his face up to hers, letting the robe slip off. "Please, let me…"
"Be oh so still and oh so quiet." Yui pushed him down with a giggle. She kissed his forehead, his nose, his chest, and finally the line of scar on his stomach. Her breasts brushed against him and he pushed her down. "Yes, be gentle."
"I will." Kado straddled her, undoing the buttons so his fingers caressed her at every move. He gently kissed her up her body, lifting her so she was totally naked. "I will," he muttered against her lips. Soon they were one in body, moving together slowly and clumsily as they consummated their marriage.
He played with her tangled curls, loving her and the way she looked in the early morning sun. She sighed and pressed against him, awakening her desires. "Yui?"
"Don't…" Yui's eyes were slitted and she murmured, "Don't…go…" Tears fell down her cheeks and he kissed the salty streams.
"I won't leave you," Kado whispered in her ear. She curled herself around him, letting him slip into her. "I can't."
"Hush…" Her blue-green eyes glistened and she kissed him. They made love in the strengthening light. When they had finished, Kado kissed her soft, cool belly. She jerked and pushed him away. "Please don't touch me like that…not there."
"I-" Yui pressed against him again, kissing him fiercely.
"I'm sorry." She placed her head on his chest and her hand over his heart. "Let's stay like this for awhile."
"Sure." He kissed the top of her head, breathing in her scent.
We'll have to part soon…I know it and so do you. Keep your heart beating safely for me, she thought.
"The priestess of Seiryuu was told on her first day that she needed to find the relics of her celestial warriors." Koichi rubbed his eyes.
"Are you all right?"
"Just tired. I've been up since two and I went to sleep at midnight. Do you mind if I catch a few hours of sleep?"
"No." She looked at her watch. It was nearly ten o'clock. "I'll be back around two."
"Okay." He watched Miaka leave and then sank into restless sleep.
"The seal was broken when we met?" Yui asked, feeling a little sick. Three months here and she finally had to part with Kado. "The relics…they'll reseal the book?"
"We believe so, priestess."
"Will I be able to go home."
"Yes."
"All right. I'll leave tomorrow." She left, going out to the garden and throwing up in the bushes. Resting against a tree, she sank down to the ground.
"Yui?" Kado went over to her. "Yui?" She didn't look up even when he placed his hands on her cheeks. She was feverish. He lifted her up and felt a slight movement. Yui herself hadn't moved. "Yui!" He laid her down on their bed.
"S-S-Su…"
"You're sick. Just…" He placed a cold cloth on her forehead, watching her labored breathing in sheer terror. Finally Yui's breathing became steady. "Oh god, oh Seiryuu, thank you." He went to touch her forehead but her cold hand clasped his. "My lady…"
"Kado, thank you. I'm all right now. Don't worry." She brought their hands to rest between her breasts. "Are you all right?"
"Yes. I'm fine."
Yui opened her eyes and smiled weakly. "Good." He laid down next to her. They looked at each other for a long time, Kado gently rubbing here forehead. Please forgive me for leaving you tomorrow. She kissed him and let him hold her for a while.
