Chapter 11

(the same day as chapter 10, but with the Suzaku senshi)

"That girl. Even when she wakes she can not control her mouth, you know." Chichiri chuckled to himself and dabbed her forehead. "Lady Kioko. You must wake up now Lady Kioko, it is time to leave."

"…huh?..." she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She then yelped and pulled the blanket over her.

"We leave for the search for the Shinzaho in Hokkan, and will be stopping by the village where Chiriko lives." He nodded and still had a blank face. Only his scar got any attention now, not a brilliant smile.

"I will be dressed in a minute."

"Very well priestess. I shall be outside with the rest of the caravan." He nodded and walked out. But not before Kioko saw a black ribbon wrapped around his wrist. That looks a little girlie…oh well. She slipped out of bed, and smacked her hands over her mouth when Huang stared at her from her perch.

"Good morning Suzaku no Miko. Say good morning and stop gaping."

"oh, erm, good morning." She bowed. "May I get dressed?"

"Of course." She took her clothes into her bed, and pulled the drapes around her for privacy. When she was ready, she jumped out in her rose pink cheer uniform, and franticly tied her shoes. She then brushed her hair and started to brush it back into a French braid. "So, did you have a good night's sleep last night Miko?"

"…why would you ask?" she narrowed her eyes.

"I was simply inducing a polite conversation child. We shall need to work on those manners. After all, you will need them when you give your apology to Lord Suzaku."

"Humph." She straightened herself out, and stuck her arm out. "Need a lift Huang?"

"…do I look like a parrot?" she spat and fluttered to the floor. "Oh, and you are not fully dressed."

"What!" she looked down, but couldn't see anything missing.

"The necklace on the bed you silly girl. Put it on immediately. You must wear it at all times, to be connected to your sister…" and Suzaku…

"Oh, alright." She ran back and lowered the large chain over her neck. she yelped when it shrank on her. "I can't get it off!"

"You are not supposed to, silly girl! Now, hurry." Kioko hurried after the mini phoenix and saw the courtyard. There were 6 horses. All were grey, except for one. That one was white and had the imperial colours and decoration on it. And, Hotohori was sat on it.

"Lady Kioko. Good morning." He bowed on his shores, and turned back to talk to Houki. She was crying slightly and holding one of his hands.

There was also Tamahome, who was on his horse, Mitsukake who was checking all the medicines he had on his horse, Nuriko, who was smiling to her and holding the reigns to another horse, and Chichiri. He was tending to the final horse, and there was a perch on it, so she knew it was for Huang. Damn spoilt bird… she chuckled.

"You ready to go, you know?"

"Sure am."

"Then let's go, you know." He held his arm out, and she raised a brow.

"…o…k…" she hooked arms with him, and then raised her brow higher. He had just put his Kasa on her head. "Erm, what are you doing?"

"The two spare horses are for Huang, and Chiriko once they get him, you know." He raised his shakujo, letting the metal rings jungle.

"Aren't we having horses. And what did you mean once 'they' get him? Aren't we even going?" she panicked as he pulled his Kesa off, and threw it up in the air.

"We are going, but I always liked to walk you know. So, we are going ahead of the other Suzaku senshi, to look for the Shinzaho there you know."

"Huh…I thought you said we didn't have a horse? How can we go ahead of them, if we don't go?" Kioko sweat dropped anime style when he just chuckled. "How will we get there?"

"Magic, you now." The Kesa fell on them, and shrank into the floor, dragging them with it.

"AAAAAAAGETMEOFFTHISTHINGBEFOREIHURL!" she screamed and clung to Chichiri's arm.

"We are almost there, you know." And then the Kesa slipped off them and fastened around one of his shoulders, like normal. "See, safe and sound. I wouldn't have let anything happen to you, you know." He walked off, and wrapped his Kesa around him tighter.

"Oh my god it is FREEZING!" she shivered, wishing she hadn't worn a skirt today, and her teeth chattered.

"Here, you know." He took his Kasa off her head, and reached inside. "This will do." He pulled out a large woollen coat, and wrapped it around her. "Better?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Now, this gives us a chance to talk, you know."

"Yeah…" if that monk tries to lecture me about what I said to his god, when he deserves it, I will scream. I already had a little 'chat' about that with Huang before bed. Damn she never shut up. "Why not…"

"Did you have a nice dream last night Lady Kioko?"

"Alright, stop right there!" she stomped her foot down, and it covered in snow instantly. She was now in the snowy woods of Hokkan, near a village from the smell of smoke. "What?"

"Erm…what…what?" Chichiri scratched the back of his head.

"What the hell is going on! Huang asked me about my dreams last night too! Is there something going on here, that you two aren't tell me!" her face was red, at the thoughts of what happened, of what almost happened and with who. It was just a dream, but damn it was real. I can't believe I almost made love, to a god, who I am angry at, in my dreams. Oh that is so bad.

"I was simply making light conversation, you know."

"Don't give me that! That is what Huang said!"

"Then perhaps we both sensed the distress in you upon wakening, you know. You did shout the name of Suzaku out loud before collapsing again. Huang tried to bring you back before that, but we worried after wards, you know."

"I had a peachy night's sleep!"

"You know…if you happened to be visited by Suzaku in your dreams…you would be very honoured. And perhaps…if he was in your dreams…you could ask him for forgiveness and send Huang back where she came from." He hinted at the end, and smiled at her knowingly.

"It was just a dream, and I was not visited by Suzaku last night! I mean, he is a god! He wouldn't enter anyone's dreams, never mind the one who said what I did."

"Are you sorry for it now?" he probed.

"…is that Hokkan?"

"Yes, now could you tell me why you were dreaming of the very being you despise so, if he wasn't the real Suzaku?" she blushed and stood her ground.

"I have no way of proving if it was him or not. I mean, I wouldn't be in his good books anyway, right?"

"He did send down that heathen of a minion down here you know…"

"You don't like her either?" Kioko chuckled. She knew Chichiri wasn't about to admit that.

"…I have been a monk long enough to know the correct way to pray to my god, you know. I do not need anyone else to tell me how, thank you, you know." Kioko laughed and walked forward. "If you were to pray with me, I would like that you know."

"Pray…why?"

"…sigh it's the prince…"

"How is Boushin?" Chichiri knelt down in the snow and sat on his heels. He put his hands together, and looked at her with one eye.

"His condition has gotten so far along to death's doorstep, that he sweats constantly. He can't even drink or eat for himself. He is as hot as a raging fire, and cries when he should sleep."

"That is awful."

"I have a request from the Empress for you." He closed his eye, and looked to the sky.

"Oh?" she knelt down next to him, and saw her breath come out of her lips like smoke. It was that cold.

"Houki asked me to beg you…to…"

"To what Chichiri? If it will help I will do anything. I don't want Boushin to have to go through any pain at all, if it helps, I'll do anything." She put her hands on her knees.

"I was hoping you would say that you know. So…put your hands like mine." She cupped her hands together. "Face towards the heavens." She tilted her head upwards. "Close you eyes." She did. "And pray to our lord Suzaku."

"Hold it!" she opened her eyes.

"You said you would do anything to help Prince Boushin. Have you changed your mind?"

"He isn't about to listen to anything I say anyway." She folded her arms and look away. "Not exactly his favourite person in the world. And he isn't mine."

"Kioko!" his voice was so harsh, it reminded her of when they first met. Oh his voice was almost as cold as the icicles hanging from the trees. "You are the Suzaku no Miko! Even Suzaku accepted you as his Miko! You have a responsibility as the Miko to your people. And who needs you more now, then the prince? I am not asking you to put your pride and ego aside for any other reason, than to pray for the life of a dying boy." He sighed. "Could you just pray to Suzaku, for little Boushin? For his sake?" she had her eyes closed and her head hung forward. She said nothing. Chichiri looked down at his right wrist, and ran his fingers over it. "Hana would…Hana would pray for him every night, and every day if she knew how. Hana swore she would not rest until little Boushin was laughing and in his mother's arms. She is a better Miko than you, and she isn't even here." He whimpered to himself. "She is the one taken…why couldn't they have taken you instead?" he stood up and walked away.

"Chichiri…"

"I sense no evil here. You can stay here while I see if I can find anything out about the Shinzaho in the village. Use the Kasa around your neck to transport to me if need be." And he walked off, his heart heavy and his back to Kioko all the way.

And a single tear fell from her face and into the snow, freezing instantly. She sniffled, and started to cry. She forced her hands together, and looked up at the white and grey sky.

"Suzaku, if you can hear me, please listen." She sniffed. "I may not be the perfect Miko. I think I am only who I am because Hana couldn't do it on her own, and I don't mind. See the thing is, the thing is I know she is a good Miko. She could do so much better than I could…it is Hana who should be hear, praying to you right now…not me…not me…I never did anything special to be here, I don't deserve to be here…Hana is so kind. Chichiri told me how she smiled so warmly, how she is beautiful, modest, shy, funny, graceful; elegant…she is the perfect Miko. So why am I here!" she stood up. "Why am I here when Hana is captured by those brutes? Why? Why didn't you bring me in time to save her? Why didn't you bring me, so they could take me instead? I can't do any good, but I bet she could. I bet Hana could have prayed to you better than I could, got at least one of the Shinzaho by now, and be half way to Saito by now." She whimpered and held herself. "I don't know if you were in my dream or not…I don't know if it was you…but if it was…why? Why did you rescue me, after all I said to you? After I called you a monster, you held me with so much care…why? Just tell me why…" she fell to her knees and fisted the snow. Tears froze in the snow and her French braid was messy.

"Because I needed to show you." She gasped in her throat and knelt up. Slowly she stood up and looked around. Leaning against a tree, was Chichiri.

"Chichiri? What are you doing her? I thought you went into the village." She brushed the snow from her and rubbed her eyes. She was a little embarrassed at being caught crying.

"He is still in the city. I feel his loss from here." She raised a brow, and her eyes went wide when she saw a certain red mark.

And it wasn't on his knee. "Yes Lady Kioko, congratulations. You have channelled a direct séance with me."

"Suzaku…"

"The one and only, 'you know'." But his voice wasn't that of Chichiri. It was like…the one from her dream. "Now, continue." He folded his arms, aloof as he watched her with one brown eye.

"…you mean with my break down?" she held herself.

"No, with your questions."

"Oh…" she shuffled her feet. It was one thing asking him things when she was angry, but she was still sniffling from crying. She wanted him to go away… "Well…ahem," she cleared her throat.

"Having problems?"

"Can I say something important to you first?" she put her hands together and held them to her chest.

"Go on."

"…can I say…"

"Yes?" he pulled away from the tree, anticipating something.

"…there is a boy. He is really ill. His name is Boushin."

"I know of this." He sighed and leaned against the tree again, looking disappointed.

"Well…could you heal him?"

"Yes."

"Oh you can!"

"But I can't." he contradicted.

"But you just said-"

"I said I can. I didn't say I will." She frowned.

"And why not?"

"Because I am forbidden for doing anything like that unless coupled with a priestess. If I could just use my omniscient powers at will, that would defeat the object of having you, now wouldn't it?" he rolled his eyes.

"So if I wished with my sister for you to heal him, you would."

"Yes."

"Oh good. Can you watch over him until then."

"Are you asking me?" she shivered. "What was that for?" he said sterner.

"Cold…sorry…" she pulled her coat around her and then sneezed. "I am sorry…achew!" she shivered and sneezed. Then, she felt really warm from her neck and looked down. Her feathers were glowing red and acting like a body warmer. Then she felt arms around her from behind. 'Chichiri' held her close and shared his warmth with her.

"Now…are you asking me to watch over Boushin?"

"…actually…his mother is. Empress Ho-"

"Houki, I know." He released her and waked away from her. He sounded so cold now, like she had hurt him.

"Please!" he stopped and tuned his head slightly. "…if I asked you too…even though I have no right to…would you watch over him?" he slowly turned and smiled.

"Yes, yes I would. So ask me." He turned to face her and folded his arms. "I am waiting Kioko." Kioko shuffled over to him, and knelt down.

"Please watch over Boushin while we gather the Shinzaho and my sister, and the other worriers too. Keep him safe, please." She felt hands on her shoulders, and he knelt down with her.

"I will. And now, to address another issue."

"There isn't any other issues." She quickly added with a shake of her head. But he held her hands and brought them to his chest.

"You asked me a few other questions too, didn't you?" although from the tone of his voice, he wasn't asking. "You asked me, 'Why are you here when Hana is captured by those brutes? Why? Why didn't I bring you in time to save her? Why didn't I bring you, so they could take you instead?' Is that right Kioko?"

"Yes…" she looked to the ground. But he held her hands to his chest with one hand, and lifted her chin with the other.

"I like to see you face when I talk to you Kioko. Now, first of all. Why are you here when Hana is captured by those brutes? That is simple. That was fate. Fate had Hana find the way here by herself with my feathers and go through the ceremony to become Miko. And because you and her are connected, I saw you both and made you both my Miko."

"Why both of us?"

"Because I love twins?" He chuckled.

"Don't try and be funny in Chichiri's body. It isn't right." He frowned.

"You are right…I chose you both because neither could perform the job of Miko alone, but could together. And together, you are exactly what I want in a Miko. The intelligence, subtly and soft kindness of Hana, and the commanding leader, courage and fighting spirit of you Kioko. Apart you are falling apart…but together you are a force to be reckoned with. So as Amiboshi and Suboshi are the same worrier in title, you and Hana are Miko in title. Next, why? Why didn't I bring you in time to save her? Because I brought you when you were needed and not sooner. I couldn't."

"Why not!" she begged. "If I were there, I could have helped! Hana wouldn't be a hostage now if I were here!"

"No, you would both be hostages instead." She hadn't thought of that… "Next question? Why didn't I bring you, so they could take you instead? Why don't you tell me that one?"

"I...I can't answer for you. You're a God…" he sighed and kissed her hands.

"I didn't let them take you instead, as I needed you here, with my senshi. You think you are doing no good, but you are. You have given hope to Houki and Hotohori for their son. You have inspired people with your leadership skills. You do matter and you do so your part Kioko. You are important."

"But I am not helping Chichiri…I hurt him. I share the same face of the one he loves…"

"Aren't you helping him?" he smiled knowingly. "He is cold at the moment, and he does worry people. But you could reach him. You have a trusting face and listen well, and care if what you says hurts people…most of the time…" he frowned.

"…so was it you?"

"Was what me Kioko?" but he already knew.

"Was it you in my dream?" she closed her eyes.

"…yes." He le go of her hands and started to walk away.

"Wait! Why did you save me!" he stopped. But he didn't turn around.

"Why did I save you?"

"It was just a nightmare, it wouldn't have hurt me." She slowly stood up. "How did you know I was upset, in my dream? How did you even know where I was now, how are you talking to me? How did you know where to find me, and how did you come to me in my dream?"

"…I just can." Large red wings exploded from his back.

"Don't leave! Please!" she ran forward and hugged his back from in between his wings. "Thank you!" when he was silent, she was grateful. At least he wasn't leaving. "Thank you…for doing what you did." She blushed. "I mean from the wolves…and…"

"And?"

"…and for healing me…and…"

"And?" he spoke softer, and turned. Now she held his waist from the front. Her face was the same colour of his wings. He cupped her face, and she was captured in his eyes. "And?" he prompted.

"And for listening to my request."

"And?" he hoped.

"And for watching over Boushin…for me…and Houki."

"Can you still not say you are sorry?" he pulled away from her. "Yes I am a God Kioko. Yes I am immortal. And yes, I am the God of love. You said I was cruel because I consumed the Miko after she has had her three wishes. You said I was cruel because it was forbidden for my Miko to love anyone, as she must remain pure. As she must love only her God. But is it not cruel that I, Suzaku, the very God of love…is also forbidden to love?" Chichiri's form vanished, and she was looking once more upon the God with all his glory. Even if he was only here in her mind.

"You are a God…you can do as you like."

"No, no I can't. I can't make the laws, and then break them. It goes both ways Kioko. The Miko is bound to her God…but her God is also bound to his Miko."

"You said the Miko can not love anyone but her God…and if you can not love anyone but your Miko…then…" she gasped and covered her mouth. "You can never love unless…"

"Unless I fall in love with my priestess. But because of the rules, I remain in my world, and you remain in yours. I have waited millions of years for the one I love to enter the world I may meet her. And now she has."

"…Hana." Kioko smiled. "And like Chichiri, I look like her so it hurts."

"Not everything is about Hana!" he shouted and made Kioko fall back into the snow.

"But…then…"

"Yes Kioko. I have finally been given a chance to love. And I do love." He knelt down and cupped one of her cheeks lovingly. "I love you."

"But…why?"

"Because you are my soul mate. I have waited for you, watched you from afar as you grew up, made the flowers in your garden and our shrine blossom for you, made you feel warm in the rain." He pulled her up onto her knees, and held her hands. "It was selfish of me to, but I had to see you. I entered your dream because I was not patient enough to wait for the day you summon me." He pulled her forward and hugged her. "It was I who waited until the danger had passed before bringing you here. I have made it so you have an enchanted guardian added to your arsenal. It was I arranged for you to land in Konan, where you would be instantly cared for. I made it so that you would share the life of your sister, and your sister your life. She knows of you, deep in her subconscious now. She just needs you to meet with her, and tell her. Alas…she thinks Chichiri dead. But if you told her he wasn't, she would believe you. So yes, you are a good Miko. My Miko."

"That's why you got so upset when I called you a monster…because you…love me…"

"Yes, I love you Kioko. I truly do." He pulled back, and she gulped.

"I…I don't know what-"

"Shhhh. Don't say anything. Just close your eyes and know I will always be with you." His hands rested on her back, and over her necklace. "Physically too."

"So these fathers are yours."

"From my own wings. If you ever want me, call to me with them like Chichiri would his prayer beads. And I will hear you above all others." He made he jump when he pressed his lips gently against hers. "Chichiri comes." He pulled her to her feet, and started to fade away.

"But how can you love me! I'm not anything special! I'm a waste of space compared to Hana!"

"You are special Kioko. You are special to me." And he was gone.

"Who were you talking to?" Chichiri heard her last sentence. Did I make her feel she was nothing compared to my beloved? I was pretty hard on her, you know.

"Suzaku is watching over Boushin."

"What…" he stammered. He wasn't expecting that. But Kioko smiled with tears in her eyes.

"Boushin is in good hands. But the sooner we get the Shinzaho, the sooner we can heal him. Are we ready to go?"

"…How did you."

"Come on!" she laughed, final tears leaving her happy face. She had never felt loved before. And her feathers did feel warmer now. "We don't want to be caught out in the snow, do we?"

"I am afraid priestess, it is not the snow you should be concerned with." Chichiri stood in front of her, his Shakujo at the ready, and his face scowling.

"Nakago!"

"Chichiri. I didn't expect to see you…alive. But none the less, you are pleasantly outnumbered my friend."

"Who are you?" Kioko asked.

"Miko get back! That is Nakago. He is one of the Seiryu seven. So stay behind me."

"And don't forget about us, monk." Kioko looked to see they were now surrounded by black horses. Nakago in front in full armour. A woman to his left. A boy to her left, and to his left and Nakago's right…was a beast.

"AAA!" she jumped up and held onto Chichiri. "I think now is a good time to go." She clutched her feathers, and felt the warmth increase. Don't let anything happen to Chichiri Suzaku. Please don't let them kill him. Hana needs to know he is alright.

"Stay behind me priestess. I will have to defend you."

"Amiboshi." Nakago called. "Get the girl, before Ashitare drowns in his own drool."

"My pleasure." He chuckled, and jumped down. Then Kioko thought.

"Amiboshi!" she called out. Chichiri tried to stop her, but she ran to him. "You know my sister don't you?" he looked her up and down, and stepped back in shock.

"You know what, I think I might. A twin?"

"Yes. But she doesn't know it. She has lived her life, without a mother, without a loving father, and without me, her sister. She only knows in her heart I exist. Please tell her for me. You are a twin too, so you can only imagine the pain of not having your other half." Then Chichiri yanked her back behind him.

"We are leaving." The Kesa wrapped around them. But not before she called out again.

"Tell her Amiboshi, and tell her I love her."

And they were gone.

"Stupid boy. You should have taken her like I ordered." He clipped him over the head.

"I was shocked. No one told me Lady Hana had a twin."

"Well, now you and the rest of Kutou know. As you were not the only one left in the dark about that fact. Soi."

"Yes my love?"

"Did you hear the monk call her his Miko?"

"Yes I did."

"I fear this situation just escalated beyond what we were first prepared for. I will relay this new information to our lord Shenlong. Continue our search for the Shinzaho, and I will return when I can with Miboshi. He may be of use to us."

"Yes my lord."

"And Amiboshi?"

"Yes sir?"

"Stay with my wife. And for now, your orders are to comprehend the other Miko if seen, but keep her alive. And untouched. We might need her…"

"Yes my lord." Nakago whipped at his reigns, and ploughed through the snow for the palace. I can only hope that lady Hana does not know of her twin, or she may try to contact her.

AN: thanks to all reviewers

AwayukiLeafunia

DarkMystic

Everqueen

girldisturbed

r and r soon, and if you are a new reviewer, I will put your name in the next chapter, unless you ask not to be

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Draguna .