Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. Yuu Watase-san does. I have merely taken her idea and expanded on it into my own plotline. The characters that are not seen in the canon series, such as the ketsu and the "new" Seishi, are of my own creation and I do own them. Please do not plagiarize either Watase-san or myself.

'Telepathic conversations' are in bold, thoughts are in italics.

Musical Accompaniment: Bu Sarkilar Da Olmasa (Remix Version) by Tarkan (CD – Dudu)

Author's Notes: Many thanks to Roku Kyu for her intensive work on helping me overhaul this chapter.

Between the Lines of Fire

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Touran, Hokkan

Darkness crept through every corner of the room, its fingers wrapping oppressively around the three visitors patiently waiting for acknowledgement. The candlelight refused to stretch beyond the desk where the emperor was seated, making his face veiled and contorted by the shadows. Perhaps such a sight could be expected at this time of night, but more likely the lines of evil kept the light at bay.

Heh, and Tou-san thought I'd never be poetic, Okuda Takiko thought wryly, keeping her expression carefully neutral. When the emperor raised his hand and gestured for her to come forward, Takiko knelt respectfully before her emperor, her head tilted to the floor in obeisance. The two men behind her followed suit.

"Good evening, Takiko-san," Yasaji Hoshitaro said. Takiko hated listening to him talk; his voice sounded like bones rubbing against one another. "I am pleased that we are finally able to converse about our current situation. Tell me of your progress."

Takiko bowed again, and then looked into his dark eyes. "I have found six of the Chosen Genbu no Seishi, your gracious Eminence," she said, flavoring her words with enough honey to choke a bear. "We are in the process of finding the seventh Seishi."

"That is good, but I am not pleased," the Emperor said. "Why has it not been found yet? We have been searching for almost four months now."

Who's we, you asshole? "Due to recent information from one of our Chosen Genbu sisters, we know now that this Seishi does not want to be found. And," she cut off the emperor "even if we were bring him here against his will, he could very well destroy the ceremony if he does not willingly participate."

Hoshitaro growled deep in his throat, but Takiko was unimpressed. She simply bent her head in supplication and waited for the storm to blow over. Finally, he let out a frustrated sigh. "You will find this wayward Seishi within sixteen days' time. We are 'blessed' enough to have the company of the Chosen Suzaku Seishi coming to visit at the end of the month, and it would be most prudent for us to be at full power, wouldn't you say so?" He smiled, his eyes shining with dark and vicious humor.

Takiko's heart sped up at the unexpected news, but she smiled placidly. "My Merciful and Eternal Emperor is too generous. I will do as you wish." Takiko bowed again, rolling her eyes beneath a fall of hair. She gracefully got to her feet and turned on her heel, walking between her Seishi. They followed her without missing a beat, and even the slamming of the chamber doors did not to affect their timed steps.

The trio walked silently through the halls of the Palace. Takiko lead the two men in the direction of the Center, her sharp brown eyes catching the barest hint of motion from random ministers and Seishi watching her go by. On her right, Taan Chamka's hands were suspiciously empty; even at nighttime his fingers often had to be pried off the bow he always carried. However, Takiko could see the hint of ice he was busy forming in his palms and the black Seishi symbol under the cover of his bangs. It was unlikely they'd be attacked in the Palace – never mind propriety, but the Emperor was often more subtle than that about his assassination attempts – but Chamka believed in being prepared for anything.

On her left, Chen Emtato was calmly scanning the roof and the walls for possible eavesdroppers. Even with only one eye, Takiko knew him to be far more competent and aware than most hunters or Warriors she knew. Though they said nothing at the moment, Takiko didn't fancy the idea of leading any unknown Seishi or ketsu into her private chambers. They were blessed tonight; Emtato spotted nothing.

The group had to actually leave the Palace, walk outside into the cold – unnaturally so in the summer month, even by Hokkan's standards – before they reached the Center some ten minutes away. As soon as they entered Takiko's room, double-checking for any spies, she dropped the locks in place and Chamka could keep quiet no longer.

"That man has a skull as hard as Genbu's shell!" the Chosen Tomite Seishi raged. "By the gods, if he wants to go out and freeze his royal balls off to look for the last Seishi, then be my frickin' guest!"

Takiko joined in with her own rants. "It's crazy! You'd think that we weren't trying hard enough by the way he talks. You'd think that we didn't go tramping through five-foot snows or sliding across the frozen rivers on our butts! Ooooo, I hate having these conferences!"

"And did you hear the way he spoke to you?" Chamka said. "It's like he expects us to roll over and do whatever he says, despite the fact that you're the one with power, Taki-chan!"

Emtato, always the calm one, said, "That may be true, but the Emperor is a figurehead here. If we were anything less than appropriately respectful, it is us who would be seen as the villains."

"Despite the fact that he doesn't deserve it!" Takiko said, feeling at her wits end. "This… this really stinks. I'm so sick of my own people, and I'm the one who's got to wish for their well-being." This discussion was nowhere near new, but it always hurt to bring up the fact that Hoshitaro-sama, no matter how evilly he acted, was beloved by those who worshipped the emperor. She did not mention her own father, though the look on both Chamka and Emtato's faces reflected their worry for her.

'Try not to judge your fellow Hokkan-jin too harshly, Miko-sama,' Rei, Emtato's ketsu, said politely. 'Loyalty to Hokkan used to mean loyalty to the crown. It's simply unfortunate that so many believe that the emperor deserves the loyalty we have to offer.'

Takiko sighed, wishing that the snake's words could be so easily absorbed. She was well aware of the truth in what he said, but her spirit wanted to strike out at those who that blindly believed the emperor to be a godsend. How can they not see what is right in front of them?

"Cheer up, Taki-chan!" Chamka grinned, giving her a playful cuff on the shoulder, his own anger forgotten. "What'cha think about what the Emperor said? About the Suzaku's coming by?"

Even Emtato smiled in interest. "The Suzaku no Shichiseishi… it's been centuries since the countries have tried to align with one another, for I can only assume that is why they are coming to visit. Perhaps this will be the start of something grand."

"I hope so," Takiko said. "Hokkan needs something grand to get it moving."

"My worry is that this meeting will not be as… straightforward as Hoshitaro-sama would have us believe," Emtato said. "It's possible he may try to ambush the Suzaku no Seishi if the diplomatic sessions do not progress to his liking."

Chamka growled. "I'll bet he's already made some kind of plan."

"We have no choice at the moment but to play along with the Emperor and pretend everything is going to be nice and pleasant," Takiko said, a quiet fire burning beneath her calm. "We know he'll say nothing helpful during those talks, so it will be our responsibility to let the Suzaku Seishi know the suffering of Hokkan. And if they are truly sympathetic to our situation… we will protect them above all else."

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Shunhou, Kutou

"Miaka is heading to Hokkan?" Yui exclaimed, overwhelmed with shock. "But I thought she summoned Suzaku already!"

"You have been lax in listening to the Center and Court's news, Yui-sama, despite walking through its halls on an hourly basis," Ayuru said reproachfully. She glowered at him, but the blond man pointedly ignored her. "The Chosen Suzaku no Miko was unable to complete the summoning. Thus, from what my men have told me, they are traveling to Hokkan with diplomatic intent within the next few days. Though perhaps they are going to petition for a wish."

Yui frowned. "But that's why we were going to leave for Hokkan next week. We need to make a treaty with them to get a wish."

"Perhaps the Suzaku no Miko is interested in obstructing our last chance for peace. She has already been the cause of your parents' death and the decimation of your village. I know you don't want to remember, but it was the Konan forces that destroyed all those lives, looking for their Chosen Miko."

Yui's face darkened, but she refused to dignify him with a response. She hated it when his manipulations toyed with her emotions.

Ayuru kept going. "I doubt she would be the least bit worried about bringing about the destruction of Kutou, since she wasn't too concerned for your well-being."

"Shut up!" Yui shouted shrilly. "Just shut up and go away! I have no intention of talking with you anymore today!"

Ayuru took her reaction with good grace; but then, he almost never seemed ruffled by anything. He stood up and bowed deeply. "As you wish, Yui-sama. However, I suggest we do not wait to travel to Hokkan. If the Suzaku no Miko were to arrive before us, it would be incredibly difficult to… ensure a proper diplomatic setting. And I know how much you would like to see yourself take from that young lady what she took from you."

Yui did nothing but stare daggers at him until he left the room. And when she finally calmed down, she contemplated Ayuru's words. Much to her dismay, it was good advice. Kutou was closer to Hokkan than Konan was; if their group left today, they would be able to see the Emperor of Hokkan in six days, at the latest. And maybe – just maybe – she would be able to stay long enough to see Miaka's face when the other girl realized that Yui's plans for revenge had only begun.

Yui began to pack for the trip. Hours later, when everything was in order and she was ready, she called for a servant.

"Tell Ayuru-san that we will set sail for Hokkan tomorrow morning. Tell him to bring the Seishi on this excursion. And tell him… tell him I'm prepared to fight."

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Daikongou Sea, in the middle of the Four Countries

"Get your little miko butt outta here before I throw it out!"

"I'm hungry!"

"You're always hungry!"

"Come on, Ryuu-chan! Just a little bite of fish? A small bowl of stew?"

"Hell no! You'll eat the whole damn pot!"

"But I'm – "

"Hungry, I know. I'm only gonna say it one more time. Get going!"

A pouting Suzaku no Miko stomped out of the ship's kitchen. When she thought she was out of eyesight, Yuuki Miaka's irritated expression dropped to one of profound sadness. She leaned against the wall, and covered her face with her hand. The brightness of the noon sun contrasted sharply with her dark frame of mind.

I'm so tired of pretending everything is okay.

She could hardly believe that it had only been five days since the passing of Sou Kishuku and his ketsu. Aside from the fact that he was the Chosen Tamahome Seishi – one of the seven Chosen Suzaku no Shichiseishi destined to bring peace to Konan – he had been her closest friend, and was definitely her first love. Yet almost immediately after they had buried him and Toshi, the group had decided to continue their journey to Hokkan. Duty came before wants and needs – even the need to mourn – and they didn't have the time to waste. So four days after that terrible loss, the Chosen Suzaku Seishi were on a ship headed towards Hokkan, harboring the twin hopes of making peace with the largest of the four countries, and gaining the gift of a wish from the Genbu Seishi.

Thus, Miaka decided that since she couldn't properly mourn Kishuku, she would be the one to keep everyone's spirits up. It usually involved an overly strong interest in food or feigning too much excitement in the daily's events. It was a pretty poor act, but it served its purpose. Ryuuen would act and speak with her using an exaggerated air of playfulness; he and Shun'u brawled nearly every day. She couldn't really tell if Doukun or the Priests bought into it, as well, but they did not discourage it.

But now… the mask of silliness and light-hearted happiness kept getting tighter and more uncomfortable the longer she tried to wear it, yet Miaka had no idea how to act without it. Would being honest and serious erode their tenuous optimism about traveling to Hokkan? Would crying on Ryuuen's shoulder help her feel any better than crying in private? And would she feel more like herself if she stopped trying to be who she was and not who she was forced to be?

Everything had changed, and even though she pretended nothing had, Miaka knew better than to really believe it.

The biggest tip-off was the ketsu. The mind-reading animals of Suzaku were inordinately polite with her; in the many months she had known everyone, Miaka was aware of the fact that one or two of the animals were always keeping a close watch on her. Now, none of them ever initiated a conversation, though they were always around. It was almost as if they were afraid of destroying her fragile self-control with any intrusion.

Even the Seishi treated her differently. The lack of teasing from Shun'u, the quiet deference from the elder Seishi, and everyone's interest in her state of being (and not their own) made her feel less like a friend and more like a respected yet untouchable figurehead. They were more emotionally detached from her than they were from Saihitei, and he was the emperor.

It feels so wrong not having him around, either. But his duties at home are more important than sailing with us to Hokkan.

She reached over her shoulder and touched the hilt of Saihitei's sword for comfort. He had gifted it to her with the purpose of protecting her where he could not, and Miaka was thankful for the gesture. He had infused the blade with a mixture of his and Takeshi's ki, and simply touching the sword gave her the impression that the Hotohori Seishi pair was by her side. She was glad for his support and strength.

And since things weren't complicated enough, Houjun had decided to add to the pile. Just after setting sail for Hokkan, he and Shonin gathered the group for an important discussion.

"We were talking about the most efficient way to keep our identities as the Chosen Suzaku no Seishi a secret and Shonin came up with an interesting idea, no da."

'What if you called each other by your Seishi names?' the fox said, unable to contain her excitement. 'Like, calling Houjun 'Chichiri' or Juan 'Mitsukake'.'

"Why?" asked Shun'u.

'For your protection. Sounds kind of silly at first, but if we started using our Seishi titles as names, it keeps people like the Seiryuu Chosen from knowing who we are. They become less able to attack family or friends if they don't know who we really are.'

"Viewed in a more political light, it will force the Hokkan emperor – and any other Seishi we may come across – to recognize us as the most important Seishi of Konan, no da," Houjun said. "As the Chosen Seishi and the summoners of Suzaku, we are the personifications and avatars of His seven constellations, no da The title would carry an inherent sense of honor and dignity to those who heard it. I believe we should start doing this, no da."

Miaka frowned. "It'd be really hard to suddenly start calling you by your Seishi name. And what about me?" Miaka felt her pulse begin to race. If they started calling me 'Suzaku no Miko'… it would hurt. I'd know for certain that I wasn't a friend anymore.

"Think we could get away with callin' you Miaka," Shun'u said, then turned to Houjun. "It don't sound like a bad idea, even though it'd be hell ta remember."

Juan nodded. "The only problem is that if we were to use our titles on a regular basis, it would immediately single us out as important. Make us a clearer target."

'Not necessarily,' Chie said. 'It affords us a greater amount of anonymity. We don't have to say why we choose to call ourselves by them, simply that we're doing it. But what about us ketsu? Am I to become, say, Chiriko-ketsu?'

"I believe that is a little too complex. Ketsu have a greater amount of anonymity because, and not to be insulting, they're animals. Humans recognize other humans before they'd recognize you," Doukun thought aloud.

"But overall, it's a good idea," Ryuuen said. "I wouldn't mind doing it, for protection if nothing else."

Nods and telepathic agreements cemented the idea. "It will take some time getting used to," Houjun admitted, "but with constant practice, it will help us in the long run, no da."

The constant practice was what was giving Miaka so many problems. She'd never thought of her Seishi as "the Chosen"; using titles took away the personal connection they had formed. She hadn't even remembered their Seishi names, taking for granted the fact that they were under different constellations, and wound up stuttering and tripping over her non-existent memory while trying to call to them. The only person having as much of a problem as she was Shun'u, who made do by using nicknames (a full spectrum of personalized vulgarities) when trying to get someone's attention.

Miaka looked up and saw Chie and Doukun (Chiriko, I meant Chiriko) perched on the flagstaff of the main mast. Turning to peek inside the cabin, she gazed upon a number of furry ketsu curled around each other, preferring sleep to activity. Three of the Seishi were chatting in the kitchen, their pleasant voices carrying up to her. For a moment, the sight and sound of them attempting normality without being over-the-top made her feel a little bit ashamed; they missed Kishuku as much as she did.

I have to be strong for myself and for the others. I'm the Chosen Suzaku no Miko and I shouldn't cry every time I think of Kishuku. But I… I just wish I could have saved him.

For what felt like the thousandth time that week, Miaka started to cry. One hand came to her neck, and when she came upon the small necklace, she bunched her hand around the pendant hidden beneath her tunic.

I know it's not mine, she justified through her tears. I know that it belongs to the Sou family, but I don't think they'll mind that I'm holding onto it. Maybe I'll give it to Yuiren when she's older. I think Ki-chan would have liked that. So it's okay, because I will give it back… just not right now.

Miaka knew that none of the Seishi would blame her for holding on to the red-beaded necklace, but she couldn't bring herself to tell them about it. The ketsu knew – she could hardly keep a secret from them – and they were kind enough to say nothing, but she still knew it was wrong. She just couldn't bear to lose any reminder of Kishuku. Wearing the necklace meant that he wasn't completely gone, that he was still close to her heart.

She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. It was much harder for everyone to pretend all was well if someone were to see her crying.

"Miaka?" a voice called out, and she saw the red-headed bandit turn the corner. She smiled brightly at him.

"Hi… Tasuki," she said, barely remembering Shun'u's "new" name. "What's going on?"

"Nuthin'. Was bored, so I thought I'd come an' bug ya."

"Oh, okay," she said, hiding a twinge of unhappiness. After hearing about the promise he had made to Kishuku, Miaka knew that his attention wasn't completely casual. He was trying to be Kishuku for her, and part of her wilted at the thought. She cared deeply about Tasuki, and she didn't want him to change like that just because of the promise. He was nice as he was. Even if he wasn't looking all that well.

Miaka frowned when she realized that he really wasn't looking as healthy as usual. "Are you all right?"

Tasuki put a hand to his forehead almost reflexively. "Huh? Uh, yeah, I guess the sea's been gettin' to me."

"Why didn't you tell us before? Maybe Ju- er, Mitsukake-san has something you could use."

"He ain't got nuthin'. Says I gotta tough it out. And damned if I ain't the toughest fuckin' person on board!"

Miaka held out her hands in a placating manner. "I know you are. But maybe he's got something to help you sleep off the sickness."

"Not worth botherin' him," Tasuki said gruffly, then turned away. "Anyway, if ya need me, jus' call me or Genrou." Miaka smiled when she saw him head back into the kitchen, incidentally where the Seishi healer could be found.

Deciding that she, too, should probably see how everyone else was doing, Miaka walked around the ship chatting with soldiers and sailors, hoping to inspire their confidence in both her and the mission. She finally reached the bow where Chichiri and Shonin sat, calmly studying the sea.

"How are you?"

"Doing well, no da. And you?"

"Good!" she said, grinning brightly at the pair.

"Glad to hear that, no da," he said blandly, not buying her act. "How is everyone else?"

"They seemed all right, though Tasuki doesn't look so well. Seasickness and all."

Chichiri nodded vaguely, his gaze directed towards the darkening sky. "He might start feeling worse in a few minutes. Looks like a storm is about to roll this way."

As if to punctuate his words, a flash of lightning immediately followed by thunder's rumble caught everyone's attention. Miaka had barely enough time to blink when the rain began to fall with a sharp intensity. Chichiri was already leading her away from the exposed deck as shouts from the sailors and orders from the captain flew through the stormy air. The soldiers were running to any available cabin for protection, and the owls had flown down for cover.

Then she sensed it As lightning streaked across the sky once more, Miaka felt the stab of unfamiliar ki through the back of her skull It made her halt in mid-step at the top of the stairs as she realized what was happening. Thankfully the others recognized it too, and they all came up to cluster around their Miko.

"What should we do?" Ryuuen asked.

Nuriko! Miaka thought angrily, wishing for the hundredth time that she had a better mind. It's Nuriko!

"This is no natural storm; someone caused it, no da."

"Then whoever it is can be fought."

"Best prepare yourselves to do so, no da."

"Fuckin' hell yeah!" Tasuki shouted almost gleefully, pulling out his tessen.

As he held it up, a bolt of lightning struck the metal fan, and the rain helped spread the shock to everyone beside him. Miaka was immediately knocked to her hands and knees, gasping in pain and trying her hardest not to cry. Every nerve felt rubbed raw, so that even her clothes seemed to prick needles into her skin. At the same time, she could barely feel her fingers and watched with detached interest as they spasmed.

Just gonna lay down and let the pain go away and then I'll feel better just need some sleep -

'Wake up!' Genrou yelled at her. The shock of his mindvoice, along with an extra ki boost, helped her focus. She slowly got to her feet, steadying herself against Kohana. The Seishi seemed to be well enough; obviously the attack hadn't hurt them as much as it did her.

Miaka then felt the world rock beneath her feet, and was thankful for the panda's solid bulk to hold steady against. The ship was pitching wildly on the rolling sea, and the wind blew so harshly that it began ripping small tears in the sails. The rain made it impossible to see anything ahead of the prow, and breakers crashed against the ship, flooding the deck.

"We've taken on water!" Chiriko shouted.

"I got this! Rekka Sh-"

At that moment, a huge wave smashed the ship, throwing water all over the Seishi. Tasuki, who stood without any protection or a bracer, was carried overboard. He screamed loudly, and Miaka managed to catch the words, "I can't swim!" over the sounds of the storm.

"Shun!" she shrieked and, without a second thought, dove into the sea –

- And promptly sank like a rock. Miaka had been taught to swim when she was a child, but with Saihitei's sword awkwardly hampering her movements and adding to her weight, it was impossible for her to even tread water.

If I let it go, I can swim back up, she thought desperately. As she tried to struggle out of the strap, her fingers brushed the hilt. An image of the Hotohori Seishi flashed before her tightly clamped eyelids.

No, I won't lose it! He trusted me to take care of it!

Miaka tore her hand away from the sword and instead struggled to pull herself out of the water's grip. Luckily, she felt someone grab the collar of her robe, and within moments had broken the surface. Beside her, Nuriko was treading water and barely managing to hold her head above the churning sea. In the other hand, he held tightly to a length of rope, and Miaka saw Tasuki already climbing for safety. As she grabbed the rope with one hand, another wave smashed into her with such force that her fingers were pulled off the line. Miaka sank again as the tide carried her away from the ship.

Oh my God I'm going to die I'm going to drown and no one will be able to find my body and –

Again, something pulled her from the water and she clung to it like a burr. Nuriko's expression shifted between worried and determined as he held her. "By Suzaku's wings, you are hopeless! Can't even climb a rope correctly!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

"Let me concentrate on keeping us afloat! Try to call our ketsu."

Miaka's heart fell as she watch the boat get farther and farther away; the violent waves quickly pulled her and Nuriko in one direction, while the gusting wind forced the ship's sails in another. She opened her thoughts, letting the symbol of Suzaku spring to life on her forehead, and reached for the ship and the ketsu…

… And was shocked to hear nothing in return.

"Safety!" Nuriko gasped in relief. Spotting an outcropping of rock, he practically threw Miaka onto it, dragging himself out just before another slash of lightning hit the water. Luck was with them; there was an opening carved into the stone. "Get inside."

Miaka did so, and Nuriko turned back to the sea.

'Kohana. Can you hear me?' he sent out.

'Yes … where … you?' she returned, and Nuriko frowned. His connection with the panda was always strong; why would it be so weak now?

'Kohana. What's going on?'

'… know… lightning…'

Nuriko swore loudly at the sky. The storm – and the person inciting it – must have been interfering with their bond. 'Just try and follow my ki, and Miaka's, too. We'll leave ourselves open to you.'

'… you … careful as … hurt …,' and the rest was lost. Nuriko sighed and headed back into the cave. He could feel himself shaking with exhaustion; it'd been too long since he'd been put through such an arduous trial. In addition to that, keeping an open connection for too long would drain his ki like a hole punched in a brimming bucket. He hoped that the ship would be able to find them soon.

Inside, he saw that the cave they found must have been previously occupied, probably by fishermen; in it was a tatami mat to sit on, extra wood, and a few reels of fishing line. Miaka had found some of the leftover wood and was coaxing life from the dry tinder. With Nuriko's help, the duo soon had a respectable fire going.

"Well, guess we just wait now. Miaka, gimme your clothes."

Miaka looked positively scandalized. "What! Are you insane!"

"If you lay about in wet clothes, you'll catch cold, and I'm not about to wait on you while you have the sniffles. Just give me your clothes and I'll dry them over the fire."

Miaka was obviously not willing to strip herself down in front of Nuriko – even if he was her Seishi and wouldn't do anything inappropriate with her – so he lent a helping hand. She let out a small shriek as he deftly unwrapped her robe and its layers, leaving her in only in her underclothes.

"But I'm not supposed to have relations with any Seishi!" she wailed.

"Just because you're undressed doesn't mean I'm going to have my way with you!" Nuriko said with exasperation as he removed his own clothing. "You're so extreme! Now get over by the fire so you don't freeze to death. Baka."

She moved two inches closer.

"Come on, I promise I won't bite."

Miaka slowly sidled up beside him, taking comfort from the fire. After sufficiently warming up, she closed her eyes and concentrated on any ketsu within the area. Sensing a few ki coming from the west, she sent out a broad call for help. Any port in a storm, any ketsu when in danger.

'If you can hear me, please bring help! We're trapped on this rock in the middle of the Daikongou Sea! If there's anyone around, please help me!'

She received the faintest of a reply. '… coming ...'

"Reach anyone?" Nuriko asked as he finished hanging the sopping clothes over the flames and laying Saihitei's sword a hand's breadth away.

"I think I might have found Shonin, but I'm not sure."

"Just keep yourself receptive like I am, and you'll be fine," Nuriko said, indicating his forehead and the glowing yanagi character.

The Chosen Miko blushed in shame. "I… haven't had much practice. Most of my studies at the Center revolved around the Summoning. I don't really know how to just… stay vulnerable like that." As if to prove her point, the Suzaku symbol flickered and died.

"Ah, why didn't you say so before? Lemme give you some quick tutoring then; I know a bit about this stuff."

"Wow!" she gasped, after having stretched out her senses far enough to reach all five Suzaku ketsu. "How do you know all this stuff?"

"Told ya, I wanted to be a Priest for a while."

"So why aren't you now?"

He shrugged. "Wasn't enough excitement, I guess. Protecting you – now that's another story. You're a terrible ball of energy and trouble. You remind me of Ko…," and he abruptly dropped off.

"Of who?"

Nuriko shook his head. "Nothing. It's a story for another time, all right?"

Miaka didn't get a chance to say anything. Lightning suddenly struck the top of the cave with an ear-splitting crack, loosening the stones from the roof.

"Watch out!"

Nuriko tackled Miaka. Shifting to his panda state, he tucked her safely beneath his bulk. She anxiously waited until he moved off of her, and then opened her eyes. Nuriko, human again, was throwing his clothes back on. He tossed Miaka her still-damp garments and shouted, "Get dressed! We're being attacked!"

As she obliged, sudden holes were punched into the rock. "Water's coming in! What do we do?"

"Keep sending your thoughts out!" he shouted, grabbing the tatami mat from the floor and pressing it to the biggest leak. "I'll keep us from getting swept into the sea."

Looking over the dark water, made even more ominous by the low-hanging thunderclouds, Miaka tried to find their ship. 'Please! Help us! Anyone! We're over here!' she screamed.

"Miaka! It's working!" Nuriko yelled. "Look!"

Pointing straight ahead, though battered and burned, was the Konan embassy ship. It was still a ways away, but it was definitely coming towards the duo.

Then a large wave rammed itself against the stone outcropping, picking Miaka off her feet and nearly sweeping her away.

But Nuriko darted out and grabbed her wrist in an iron vise-hold, holding on for dear life. "This is the third time you've tried to get away from me!" he yelled, then gritted his teeth. Miaka saw the strain he was under, and could feel her shoulder begin to burn with the force of the water's pull. She realized that if her body was under this strain, his had twice the pressure to withstand.

"Let me go!" Miaka screamed. "I'll shift into an owl and try to fly away!"

"Fuck that!"

"You're going to kill yourself trying to help me!"

"I am not going to let you go, dammit! Get used to the fact that I am here to help you, save you, and otherwise take care of your useless Miko butt! So have a little faith. In. Me!"

And, reaching for a final surge of ki that he wasn't sure he had, the bracelets gifted to Nuriko from Taiitsu-kun shone with Suzaku-born light. They changed into bright red gauntlets that stretched up his forearms, and he heaved Miaka out of the water with such force that they both rammed into the mat. The next lightning strike fell where Miaka had been submerged only moments ago.

Miaka gazed at her Seishi with adoration. "That was incredible!"

"Yeah, I know…," Nuriko said in stunned amazement. "I just felt all this power and extra ki run up my arms and… wow!"

"And here they come!" Miaka squealed as the ship came close enough to pick up the two overboard Chosen Suzaku children.

"Boy, are you a sight for sore eyes!" Nuriko gushed as he was pulled onto the deck, just before Kohana tackled her Seishi.

'Wasn't too hard. Miaka's telepathic signals were good and strong despite the storm,' Chie said. Miaka winked at Nuriko, a silent thank-you.

"Now it's a matter of getting back on course and away from the attacker, no da," Chichiri said.

A flash of lightning colored the sky, bright enough to blind them. It took a few minutes for everyone to clear the stars from their eyes and realize what was happening.

'Look!' Tama shouted. 'On the prow!'

Standing there was the same Seishi that had saved Shunkaku from Kishuku's wrath, still wrapped in the same black robe that covered him from head to toe. When he raised his hand, lightning flashed down once again, this time to hit the waters on either side of the ship.

"You!" Miaka shouted, stepping forward. "You're the Chosen Soi!"

"Wonderful memory, Chosen Suzaku no Miko," he purred.

'If you continue to attack us, we will fight back! And with the odds of ten to two in our favor, you don't have a chance!' Genrou snarled. The other ketsu mimicked his savage response.

"I have been ordered to kill you, and I will do so."

And as he said that, Soi whipped off the cloak to reveal that he was, in fact, a tall woman dressed in leather-plated armor, with the Seiryuu character of bo upon her forehead. Holding out an arm, a lovely but dangerous-looking hawk landed onto her protected wrist.

"Perhaps there's a way I can even the odds," Soi said, holding her free hand to the sky.

Tasuki moved forward to attack, but the hawk flew off its Seishi's arm with talons exposed. He blocked the swipe with his fanned-out tessen, but the hawk turned quickly and tore a long gash through Tasuki's shoulder. Miaka ran forward, distracting the hawk, as Mitsukake pulled his brother back.

It was enough time for the Soi Seishi to attack. "Hakuujin Raihou!" she shouted, and a blue lightning bolt shot down from the sky with blinding speed. The bolt separated into ten smaller shots, and hit the Suzaku Seishi and ketsu before they could register what had happened. The electricity arced through their bodies; they fell to the deck, unable to move. It was as if the lightning were holding them down, effectively and painfully paralyzing them.

Miaka, standing the closest to Soi, was not hit. She was also the only one who could fight.

It scared the hell out of her.

"Who are you?" Miaka demanded, trying to buy some time for her Seishi. "Tell me who you are!"

The woman raised a delicate eyebrow and answered, "I am Soi. She is Amarante," she said, indicating the hawk in the air. "Stand still. Let me kill you, and your Seishi will live."

For a split-second, Miaka considered sacrificing herself; then her common sense finally kicked in. She began running, jumping, and dodging the lightning in ways no normal human could move.

Soi growled. "You're quick!" She gestured angrily, and four lightning bolts, one to each side of Miaka, struck the deck. Holes were blown into the wood by the sheer violence of the attack.

She was trapped.

Then Miaka remembered Saihitei's sword, still snugly strapped to her back.

It's my turn. The Seishi are always protecting me, and it's my turn to protect them!

Withdrawing the sword from its scabbard, Miaka clumsily held the blade in front of her. Soi sighed.

"You're not going to try using that, are you?"

Miaka grimaced, but said nothing.

"Miaka, put it away!" Tasuki shouted. "The metal'll attract lightning!"

Soi shrugged. "True." And with no more warning than that, she released another lightning attack at Miaka.

Unable to help herself, Miaka screamed in abject terror and covered her head with her hands and the sword. As she stood there, feeling the power of the lightning blast overhead, she realized that she was unhurt. Looking up, she saw Saihitei's blade glowing a deep crimson, pulsing with life and ki as it kept absorbing the electric attack. A voice in the back of her head urged Miaka to attack, to make use of this unexpected power. So taking the sword with all its weighty intensity, Miaka swept it towards the Seiryuu woman. A crescent-shaped blast of ki flew from the shining blade, surprising everyone watching. Soi was so shocked that she didn't dodge the attack. The ki blast hit her full in the torso, and she crashed onto the deck, twitching and moaning.

"I did it!" Miaka cried out joyfully. "I finally did something!"

The lightning holding her Seishi down immediately disappeared. "Fuck yeah, Miaka!" Tasuki shouted as he jumped up. "Let's kick some Seiryuu ass!"

Soi staggered to her feet and grimaced, "I underestimated you, but I still have the advantage."

She raised her hand, gathering all the storm clouds over the ship. The rain beat down harder, and the sea violently tossed the ship and its sailormen off-balance. Miaka let out a cry as she slipped and landed on her posterior, dropping the sword. The Seishi were brought to their hands and knees.

"One last attack," Soi growled. "Hakuujin Raihou!"

Miaka shrieked and ducked under her hands, closing her eyes against the flare of light.

The attack never reached them.

As the lightning shot down from the sky, Miaka could barely see the outline of someone flying above the Suzaku Seishi, gathering the electricity into their hands. When the attack died out, the mysterious figure threw the lightning back at Soi. The latter barely dodged it, her eyes wide with surprise.

The figure landed. "You wanna try taking me on?"

Soi, realizing that she now had a new enemy who could very well equal her talent, turned and jumped off the bow. She shifted into the shape of a hawk and took off into the still-black sky before anyone could move.

"Dammit," the newcomer swore. "Not worth going after her now. Hey, you guys all right?"

Miaka slowly got to her feet, picking up the sword and holding it in front of her. Both Warriors stood to her side. "Who are you?" Tasuki demanded.

The figure turned, and Miaka saw it was a young woman. "Me? I'm Gushiken Shiori. Glad Tairako managed to pick up that telepathic distress signal your Miko was sending out. You could've been really hurt, otherwise."

"You're a Seishi?" Chiriko asked, obviously still disorientated from Soi's assault.

Shiori grinned, and held her hand up to the sky in a similar fashion as the Seiryuu Seishi. But instead of inciting the storm, the rain stopped falling and the clouds dispersed. "When I saw the weird cloud formation – I live pretty close to the sea – me and Tai came to check it out. She caught your call," and Shiori inclined her head to Miaka, "and I saw the lightning user's attack. Sorry I didn't arrive sooner."

"We're glad for the assistance, no da," Chichiri said as the horizon turned into a patch of mountains and sand-lands. "But where are we going?"

"The closest country and my homeland," she answered, a white symbol – ko, for Subaru – gleaming proudly on her forehead. "Sairou."

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Arudo, Sairou

The Dream began very simply. It was daytime, the sun at its zenith in the cloudless, shining sky. She could see the endless blue ocean, massive and powerful as it moved beneath her feet. To her left, white shores of sand ground as fine as talcum sat in wait for someone to admire their beauty. The beach shone in the sunlight, a place of tranquility and warmth. She did not know how long she stood on the placid water, admiring it and wishing never to leave.

Her first notion that something was wrong was the breeze that suddenly pushed at her, tipping her over. She fell into the water, and when she came up, her eyes widened in shock. Minutes ago, where this little beach had been so peaceful and sweet and bright, it was dark as midnight. Clouds had formed low in the sky, rumbling and growling with formless anger. The ocean tumbled wildly, and she could barely keep her head above the water.

As the first bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, she saw it. A small red bird, no bigger than her hand, was flying as fast as possible towards the land. Yet it was having great difficulty flying. Its broken wings tried to support its weight as best as possible, but it kept dipping and falling. She turned when she heard a roaring thundering that had nothing to do with the clouds overhead.

She screamed loudly and shrilly as a large tsunami began building itself higher and higher behind the bird. The water from all around her came to life, throwing her and growing taller and taller. The rain had started to fall in sheets, as if one of the gods had emptied a great vessel onto the earth. The wave of water – no, it was more like a whole wall of water – was almost too vast to comprehend, and that little bird was trying to out-fly it and the rain.

In that moment, she knew it would not reach the land. She made the decision to help the bird, but an almost infintesmal ray of light broke the clouds before she could move. It shone on the bird, and though its wings were not mended, she could feel the faintest of winds on her cheek. She smiled as the bird was carried safely onto the white shores.

Then she felt something pull her leg, and she was dragged under the water, screaming and drowning and crying and -

"Maeko!"

The Dreamer felt someone shake her, and opened her eyes to see Ionya, dressed in her sleeping wear, standing over her. The woman's eyes were worried, her hands on Maeko's shoulders. Just over Ionya's shoulders stood Suzuno and three other Seishi, looking somewhere between sleepy and alert.

Maeko turned back to Ionya. "You woke me up…."

"Little one, you were screaming loud enough to wake the dead. It's barely the third hour of the morning. What happened?" Ionya asked, sitting down on the girl's bed.

"I had a Dream."

The four from the doorway slowly moved closer, listening closely to her words.

"What happened after you were dragged underwater?" Ionya asked.

Maeko began to shake, and she felt that if she closed her eyes, she'd be back in that world with its black waters and storming skies.

Anything… anything but that.

"Maeko?"

"The darkness said my name, and I…," she looked at Ionya and the other Seishi, her eyes reflecting the nightmare, "I think I died."

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Author's Notes (12/23/05):

As some of you may have noticed, the first three chapters have been re-uploaded with my newest work. In addition to my sudden usage of Seishi names (to make it easier to keep all the characters straight, as I have effectively doubled my usable character numbers by having ketsu around), I thought it would be best to add a small table that one can refer to for the Chosen Suzaku Seishi.

Nuriko: Chou Ryuuen, bonded to Kohana (a panda)

Tasuki: Kou Shun'u, bonded to Genrou (a wolf)

Mitsukake: Myou Juan, bonded to Tama (a cat)

Chichiri: Ri Houjun, bonded to Shonin (a fox)

Hotohori: Seishuku Saihitei, bonded to Takeshi (an eagle)

Chiriko: Ou Doukun, bonded to Chie (an owl)

If anyone is interested in more specific information, I have written profiles of all the Chosen Suzaku in BSAG. I will most likely post profiles (and a chart similar to the seen above) of the other Chosen Seishi groups as they start coming into the picture.

Author's Notes (9/14/2005):

This story is a sequel to my completed story Between Seishi and Gods. As you may have noticed, there is a great deal of variance from the canon anime and manga in many important aspects. In order to quickly bring readers up to speed on what's going on in this universe, I've created a little list of Important Things to Know.

The Subaru at the end of this chapter is not the same Subaru that manipulates time. That is because there are more than one Seishi under each star in this story. You will see multiple Nurikos, Suboshis, Tataras, and so forth. However, there are only seven Chosen Seishi per each country; only the Chosen Seishi are the ones who have the ability (together) to call their god. Miaka and her group of Seishi companions are the Chosen Suzaku no Miko and Chosen Suzaku no Shichiseishi.

Each Seishi is bonded to an intelligent animal companion known as a ketsu. The ketsu share a telepathic bond with their bonded Seishi. Seishi have three abilities: they can telepathically talk to their ketsu, they can shapeshift, and they have a special power or ability. For example, Kou Shun'u is the Chosen Tasuki Seishi, so he is called him Tasuki. He is bonded to a wolf named Genrou. He can shapeshift into that form, or he can use his gift of enhanced speed.

Just as there are more than seven Seishi, there is more than one Miko per country. Mikos can telepathically talk to any ketsu and shapeshift into any ketsu form. They are also NOT of a different world.

None of the Beast Gods have been called yet; all four "stories" exist at the same point in time.

This is a very brief outline of information. For a more in-depth understanding of this world, please read BSAG. Also note that I will not be incorporating any of the new Genbu Kaiden characters or storyline.