The Hidden Power of
Suzaku
Frozen.
I was
frozen in place.
Unable to stop
the man I love from turning into the person I saw before me now.
The lovely
eyes of Amethyst that Tamahome possessed were gone, but were replaced by
inhuman white gates to hell.
He was out
of control. His family gone…the one
thing he cared about the most was gone.
He had
watched helplessly as his 5-year old sister, Yuiren, died in his arms.
And now…
The man who
had killed his family was here and had no chance against the empowered Suzaku
Warrior.
A fellow
warrior, Nuriko, held back his enraged comrade and tried to talk some sense
into him, but only succeeded in getting elbowed in his face.
Shaking.
Subtly at
first, but they grew until I was shaking uncontrollably.
And tears…
I was
scared beyond comprehension. I had
never seen him like this. The gentle
man I loved was now so full of anger and hated. His red skin and red aura blazed like fire around him.
He had to
stop.
Stop before
he killed himself.
Don't
leave me Tamahome…
Please…
Then
I heard Nuriko shout something. "Think
about Miaka! It's hurting her to see
you like this!"
Time stood
still until I saw the red light die down and his familiar blue hair and purple
eyes return.
But I
couldn't move.
I was still
frozen in place, shaking and crying in anguish.
"Miaka…" I heard
him say.
Then he
turned and walked back in into the house.
I still
stayed until that tree…
…And I
cried.
Tamahome…
"Tamahome!!" Miaka shot up in bed, covered in a cold
sweat.
A dream.
It was just
a dream, but it did happen, just a few days ago.
They were
in another kingdom, searching for the Shinzaho.
"Miaka!?" Tamahome came running to her
"Tamahome!" She embraced him and cried. More in relief that he was still his normal
self than actual fear.
"What's
wrong? I heard you scream. What happened?"
He embraced back.
"White
eyes! Red light! White eyes!" She wept.
Tamahome
gasped and held her tighter in understanding.
She was still reliving that day.
He never realized the damage it would do to her.
"Shhh. Shhh.
Don't worry, my love." He
comforted.
"Don't ever
leave me!" Miaka begged.
"Never. Never again." He assured, hugging her tightly.
I swore on my father's grave
I would always protect you and I will do just that.
Six
of the seven Suzaku Warriors rode in the countryside, accompanied by their
priestess. Having had some experience
on horses, Miaka had decided to ride on her own horse. It was a beautiful white Arabian mare. A white mane and a white tail blew slowly in
the winter wind. Tamahome rode on a
black stallion thoroughbred.
Nuriko and
Chiriko rode on Palomino mares and Tasuki, Chichiri, and Mitsukake rode on
brown and white spotted Appaloosas.
Nuriko
chimed in. "It was really nice of those
folks to lend us these horses!"
"That's
really gonna cut down on expenses, ya
know." Chichiri said with a smiling
face.
Miaka
smiled over at Tamahome. "That was
really sweet and brave of you to save that boy."
Tamahome
stared down. "He…reminded me of Chuei.
I had to help him."
"I see…"
Miaka sighed. I wish I could help
him, but I don't know howt.
"Don't
worry."
Miaka's
head shot up. "Huh?"
"I'll be
fine. I have to move on. I have to focus and protect you." He said.
"I swore by blood to do so."
Miaka
nodded and left it at that.
Tasuki leaned
over to Nuriko. "What exactly happened to him, huh?"
Nuriko
sighed, but couldn't respond.
Chichiri
moved over. "It was his family, ya
know. One of the Seiryu Seven killed
all of them."
"He had a
father and four siblings as I recall."
Chiriko said.
Tasuki
gasped. "I…I had no idea." Now the bandit felt bad for his
rival/friend.
Nuriko
nodded. "His…little sister, Yuiren,
died in his arms."
That
silenced everyone. Mitsukake, who
hadn't said anything, wish he could have been there. To save that one life.
Soi stood
in the distance, with the young Suboshi.
She hid their presence from the Suzaku Seven and watched them with pure
hatred. That girl beat me once but
not again! I will have her killed! Soi gave Suboshi the signal and he raised his
own flute. A slow, smooth beat began to
quicken and rise in pitch. The tune
filled the air around them around the two Seiryu warriors and rode the winds'
breeze to their enemies.
Upon
hearing the noise, Miaka's horse reared back on its hind legs, scared and
annoyed by the sound.
"Miaka!" Tamahome shouted.
"Tamahome!" Miaka shouted back. Her eyes were closed and her hands held
tightly onto the reins as the horse came back down on four hooves and began to
gallop uncontrollably.
"Miaka!" Nuriko cried out worriedly.
Tamahome
kicked his horse and began riding after her.
"We should
help, ya know!"
"Where's
that sound coming from?" Chiriko
asked. He recognized the flute, but did
not seem affected by it like the others were before.
"It has to
be Suboshi!" Nuriko said.
Tasuki took
out his fan. "Where is he? Let me at him!"
Soi
appeared behind them and used her powers to throw the Suzaku warriors off their
mounts.
"There she
is!" Mitsukake shouted and pointed
towards Soi.
"Rekka
Shinen!" Tasuki immediately attacked
with his flame.
"Mizu
ho!" Water came forth from Soi's open
palm and extinguished Tasuki's fire.
"What!?" He stared in disbelief.
"Now you
will die!" And Soi went in to attack.
Miaka cried
out for her loved one and, at the same time, begged the horse to slow
down. But the horse wouldn't
listen. The sound of the flute was
driving it crazy.
Suboshi
watched in amusement as he saw the Priestess of Suzaku screaming for her
life. Now you will pay!
"Miaka!" The Suzaku warrior, Tamahome, came riding up
behind her, riding on his own horse.
Suboshi
gasped. This guy was getting on his
nerves. I will kill the last thing
that's important to him! Suboshi
played his tune higher now, making the horse run faster.
Miaka
screamed and held on with all her might.
She didn't even see where the horse was running to, but Tamahome did.
"Miaka! Look out!"
He shouted getting into a standing position, while galloping! "I'm coming! Hang on!"
They edged
closer to the cliff…
Suboshi
smiled evilly. Now! He changed the melody to the music and
caused Miaka's horse to start bucking wildly.
She screamed and went flying off the horse…
…And over
the cliff…
"Tamahome!!"
Tamahome
neared the end when his horse stopped cold at the edge of the cliff and dove
head first after her.
Suboshi
smiled. You are both dead now.
Nuriko went
flying and hit a tree, pain erupting in his head. Hot liquid poured down from his wound and down his face. Soi closed in. "Watch as another Suzaku Warrior falls!"
Chiriko
appeared from besides the tree and played his leaf whistle.
Soi grabbed
her head in pain. How could such a boy
do something like this, without training her mind to adjust to it, like
Amiboshi had done before? They were
powerful.
Mitsukake
pulled Nuriko aside and healed her wound, since Chiriko's song did not affect
them.
Soon
though, as Soi fell to her knees in pain, Suboshi appeared and countered
Chiriko's spell with his won, breaking the spell.
Soi
recovered, so Chichiri attempted a quick blast of energy, but she easily
dodged. "You measly warriors are on a
futile mission! Our Priestess of Seiryu
will find the Shinzaho first and Konan will fall!" Then she and Suboshi disappeared.
"Hey where
are Miaka and Tamahome?" Chiriko asked.
Miaka felt
the wind around her as she fell. She
screamed and prayed that everyone would be able to go on without her.
"Miaka!!" Tamahome shot down after her until he was at
arms' length.
Miaka felt
strong arms wrap around her. She gasped
and opened her eyes. "Am I…dead?"
"No
silly. Not yet." Tamahome chuckled with a smirk.
"Tamahome!" She said in shock. "Are you crazy? You're
going to get yourself killed!"
"Not
today! I swore I would always protect
you! I will never let you die!"
Miaka clung
to him as they fell together.
Tamahome
gritted his teeth as their descent speed increased. What do I do? If I
don't think of something, we're both going to die! Then he remembered being told of Hotohori's
amazing display of power, in order to save Miaka from a raging river. He had called upon Suzaku. Could it work for Tamahome too?
Tamahome
hung onto Miaka, refusing to let go.
Suzaku! Please! Aid me now!
As a warrior of the Suzaku Seven and servant to you, please! Lend me the power!"
Tamahome's
body glowed with a red light.
Suzaku had
heard his call…
…And here
came his answer…
Pain
erupted throughout Tamahome's back as bright red angel-like wings burst forth
from his shoulder blades, showering the sky with feathers.
Tamahome
gasped and acted quickly, spreading his wings, slowing their descent, and
shooting back up the cliff.
Miaka
watched in awe as he rose into the air, away from harm.
Tamahome
smiled. "I will not break my
oath." He said gently.
Miaka
nestled her head in his chest and allowed him to carry her to safety.
Her love,
was now also, her guardian angel…
Mitsukake
did a quick check on Nuriko, who insisted that he was fine, while Tasuki
punched a near by tree.
"That's
gotta hurt, ya know." Chichiri said
worriedly.
"She was a
distraction! That Seiryu witch! Now we've lost the Priestess!" Tasuki said, kicking the tree.
Chiriko
sighed in dismay and turned his head.
He gasped. "Look!"
Over the
hill came Miaka and Tamahome, his wings retracted and everything appeared to be
normal. They thought it best to keep a
secret like this for now. They walked
towards their comrades besides their horses.
Nuriko shot
to his feet. "Are you two alright!?"
Miaka
nodded. "Yeah, we're fine." She looked at all the Suzaku warriors. "What
happened here?"
"We were
attacked by Soi!" Tasuki said angrily.
"She was a
distraction, ya know."
"So, it was
all about Suboshi getting to Miaka."
Tamahome deduced. He's trying
to kill the last thing I hold dear to me.
Think again Suboshi! You will
not hurt Miaka! Not as long as I draw
breathe! Tamahome clenched his
fists.
Miaka
looked towards the city. "Then we must
be getting closer, right? She told her
companions. "Let's keep going then!"
Everyone
cheered, remounted, and set off.
I will not lose you, Miaka… Tamahome rode besides her quietly. For Yuiren and all the others…we will
survive…
