Disclaimer:

Please see chapter one of "Oracle's Destiny" if you want a disclaimer.

Warnings:

Overall rating of PG-13.

Notes:

So we come to the last chapter of this four-chapter post. My, how sticky things are about to get! (rubs hands together gleefully) Read on! Enjoy! ~Sapphire

Oracles of the Four Gods

Oracle's Destiny

By: Sapphire

Part Fourteen ~ Seiryu no Orakuru

"I'm not dead," Chichiri gasped. Aneko felt tears falling down her cheeks, she was so relieved.

"You're hurt," Aneko said. "You're bleeding."

"My head hurts," he said with a grimace of pain. Tasuki carefully lifted Chichiri's head so he and Aneko could inspect the gash.

"He's probably got a concussion, too," Tasuki said.

"Where else does it hurt?" Aneko asked, wiping the tears off her cheeks.

"Everywhere," Chichiri answered gruffly.

"Probably broken ribs," Tasuki said. "He's havin' trouble breathing." Chichiri coughed, and both Tasuki and Aneko could hear a strange gurgle from inside his chest. "I know that sound," Tasuki said. He looked grim. "He's bleeding on the inside. This is bad." They looked at Chichiri. The monk looked between the two of them, then closed his eyes.

"I think you're right, no da," Chichiri said.

"What do we do?" Aneko whispered. She held tight to Chichiri's hand, afraid.

"Can you heal him?" Tasuki asked. "Can you use Mitsukake's powers and heal him?"

"I don't know. I've never tried before." Aneko looked between Tasuki and Chichiri. One was nearly unconscious, the other was looking back at her, pleading. "I can try." She wouldn't make promises she wasn't certain she could keep.

"Be careful," Chichiri managed to warn her. "Mitsukake could heal…only once…in a day." Aneko nodded, touched by his concern for her despite his own danger, then closed her eyes and concentrated.

"I really need your help, Mitsukake," she pleaded silently. She didn't know if her plea would even be heard, or if it would help. She just knew she had to make it. "Please help me use your power." For a long time nothing happened. Then, she felt warmth in the palm of her hand. She opened her eyes and saw a soothing greenish yellow glow. She looked, and saw the symbol for 'sadness' glowing there. With the odd sense of knowing what to do, she held her hand over his heart, and let the healing power do it's job.

Chichiri was breathing easier, and the bleeding stopped. The rasping gurgle in his chest went away, and soon all his wounds were healed. It was a relief just to see the pain gone from his expression. As the greenish yellow light faded, and the symbol disappeared from Aneko's palm, Tasuki helped Chichiri sit up. Chichiri shook his head to clear it.

"How do you feel now?" Aneko asked, slouching tiredly.

"Better," Chichiri said with a little smile. "You did it."

"You're okay?" Tasuki asked. Chichiri nodded reassuringly. Tasuki glanced at Aneko. "You look tired," he said. Aneko smiled wanly and nodded.

"I'm fine," she said. "I can see why Mitsukake could only do this once a day. It took a lot out of me." Chichiri suddenly looked up at the overhanging rock where the demon had been. Both Aneko and Tasuki glanced in that direction.

"What?" Tasuki asked, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

"That power. There was a blue light, no da."

"I saw it too," Tasuki suddenly remembered. "Couldn't miss it. It was blinding."

"Did I do that?" Aneko asked. "Or was it the demon exploding?"

"Neither." Aneko, Tasuki, and Chichiri looked to each other in confusion. None of them had said that. They simultaneously turned to look toward the road.

Black leather boots shined on his feet, and a deep blue tunic with gold edging hung past his knees. Grey leggings, and a tan shirt were visible beneath it. By the way his clothes shimmered in the light, it was easily identifiable as fine silk. A well made, ornamented sword hung at his side, his only visible weapon.

"Who the hell are you?" Tasuki demanded.

Aneko was transfixed. The man was tall, with short, dark, blue-green hair. Her deep blue eyes stared with a strange mixture of disbelief and longing, his bright green eyes stared back, piercing her gaze. His mouth twitched as it slowly curved into a smile. Aneko's breath caught in her throat. She stood shakily and stepped past Tasuki and Chichiri, pausing half way between them and the man.

"The blue light was me, chosen of Suzaku. I'm Seriyu no Orakuru," the stranger said, his voice clear and almost melodic. "It's been a long time, Aneko. Did you miss me?"

"Danno!" she exclaimed, and ran to him. She collapsed into his embrace, somewhat shocked he didn't disappear. He was dead, but he was a real flesh and blood person holding her. She couldn't stop her tears; she could only hold him as tight as he held her.

Chichiri had to look away from the tender scene; Aneko sobbing relentlessly, the man whispering in her ear. She had called him by name, a name he'd heard before, a name belonging to someone dear to her. Aneko had loved him, in the other world, before Suzaku had brought her to Konan. She had been engaged to marry him.

"Hey, what's that about?" Tasuki exclaimed. Chichiri looked up only long enough to see what he hoped he wouldn't have to see. "What's going on? Why is she kissing him? Who's this Danno guy?" He looked pointedly at Chichiri.

"Aneko was engaged to marry him in their world." Tasuki looked dumbfounded.

"But you an' her-"

"I knew," Chichiri said. "I knew about him. She believed he was dead." Suddenly there was no room in her life for him, except as her servant and protector. Whatever there had been between them was over. He should have known better. The mask he'd been without the last few days was quickly replaced.

"Chiri-"

"It's fine," he said. "This is how it is, no da."

~~~~

"It's all right. I'm here now," Danno softly whispered, smoothing Aneko's hair in a soothing manner. "Everything will be okay."

"But how?" Aneko asked through her tears. "You died. I saw you buried."

"I know it's been hard for you," Danno soothed. Aneko released him from her tight grip, and took a good look at him. Danno gently wiped her tears from her face. She looked so fragile. He just wanted to protect her from the world. "We can talk about everything later. Right now, I just want to hold you," he told her, caressing her damp cheek. He leaned down and tenderly kissed her again. They were finally together again and everything was right with the world.

"No, Danno," Aneko said firmly, pushing him away. Her words were cold and frightening. Danno looked down at her, shocked and confused, wondering what her purpose was.

"No?"

"Danno I-" she was searching for words. She was confused, too. Danno tightened his hold reassuringly. "How do I know it's not a trick? You died, Danno."

"That's what you keep telling me," Danno said. "But I'm not. How can I be dead? I'm here, and you're here…" Danno absently brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face.

"But- that night," Aneko breathed.

"I'm so sorry I was late to meet you," he said seriously. "I was driving too fast, I know, but I wanted to get to you, Aneko." There were tears in her eyes, ready to fall but holding back. "There was a blue light in the middle of the road. I lost control of my car. I saw the street lamp, but strangely, I never hit it. I found myself lying in an alley in Kuto when I woke up, and Wataru and Kaori were there to take me to Taiitsukun." Danno reached out and clasped onto Aneko's hand. "How could I be here holding you if I were dead?"

"I don't know," Aneko said, her voice quavering.

"I'm real," Danno assured her. "I didn't want to leave you like that. Seiryu didn't give me a choice. I promise, we'll never be apart again." She didn't avoid his searching, hopeful, longing gaze. "Maybe you wouldn't remember me, but you didn't forget how much I love you."

"I missed you so much, Danno," Aneko said, tears wetting her face once again. "But it's different now. Danno, I have to tell you…" She trailed off. "I love you, you know." Danno smiled, pulling her into an embrace. He was beginning to think something was very wrong until she spoke those words. She pulled away from him, gazing into his face. She was so solemn, he wondered about it. She should be as happy as he was. "Danno, I'm not in love with you." Danno stared in stunned disbelief. He said nothing for the longest time. Then, slowly, the corners of his mouth turned up in a nervous smile.

"You're joking, right?"

"I wouldn't joke about something like this," Aneko said. "Danno, as much as I care about you, I'm not in love with you." Her words hit him like a slap in the face and he froze.

"Why?" the word was strangled as he spoke, his eyes searching her face for answers.

"I'm so sorry, Danno." Suddenly he grabbed her arms, almost violently, and shook her. Aneko looked so terrified, he wanted to stop, but he barely had any control over himself.

"What happened?" Danno demanded harshly. She didn't say a word in response. "What happened to make you stop loving me?" His gaze pierced hers like daggers.

Aneko swallowed hard, frightened of Danno for the first time in her life. This wasn't the man she knew. He had never been like this before, never been so harsh or angry. With a few words he had changed before her eyes into someone she didn't know.

"I wanted to love you," Aneko told him. "I tried to. I kept telling myself I did." He was gripping her arms so tight, she could feel his fingers dig into her flesh. She couldn't keep a grimace from her face. "Danno, please let go. You're hurting me," she begged softly. "This isn't like you at all." Danno seemed frozen in place. "Danno, please," she begged again.

"She asked you to let go," Chichiri repeated forcefully, the character on his knee glowing red. Tasuki was behind him, his character glowing the same brilliant shade.

As if coming out of a daze, Danno noticed the two men standing a few feet from him. Both were furious, and that fury was directed at him. He could feel Aneko tugging to free herself from his grasp. For a moment he was shocked at himself and stared, stunned, at Aneko. She wasn't looking at him, though. Her eyes were focused elsewhere, on her seishi, and they looked ready to beat him away from Aneko if need be. Danno stared, uncertain, at Aneko. She didn't even glance his way. Her gaze held steady on…the monk. Consuming hatred flared up inside Danno.

"You." Danno could hear a roar in his ears, and feel the all-familiar sensation of Seiryu as a faint blue light glimmered around him. "You did this, didn't you?" he accused, glaring at Chichiri.

"Danno, no," Aneko begged, sensing at once the change in him. Danno looked at her , his eyes narrowed in a glare.

"It's because of him, isn't it?" he hissed angrily. "You love him, don't you?"

"Danno! This has nothing to do with my feelings for Chichiri..." Aneko gasped in horror as Danno shoved her aside and faced Chichiri. A blue character flashed on his forehead.

"Nakago!" Chichiri gasped. Aneko knew she was powerless to stop it all.

~~~~

To be continued…

End Notes: What did you think of that? Feel free to comment and review! ~Sapphire