Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play

Season 2

Chapter 12

Conflict of Emotion

: Or:

What is it with you and this?!

By:

NightMare

With FF8 and purple carnations from:

Annikia Valentine

Dedicated to:

The Mighty Royal Trumpet Loving Frog

---

Author's Quote: It's amazing what three little words can do. (Annikia Valentine)

---

It was difficult work. The green simply refused to come off. Sharon was not about to tell Hotohori this, however. The emperor was sitting, head laid back, his long, green hair, resting in a basin with water, which Sharon was washing. It was either that or be left at Nuriko's tender mercies. About the only thing tender about his mercy was that she was going to be tender when he got through with her. She was glad she escaped. Chiriko had as well, on the fact that he was so little. Tasuki, unfortunately, hadn't had anywhere to run.

Sharon winced as she remembered the indentation made in the wall by the bandit's crashing body. Poor Tas. She shook her head and turned her attention back to washing the green hairspray out of the emperor's hair. It was slowly starting to come out. Good.

"Hori-kun, you have beautiful hair."

"I know," he said. Sharon sweatdropped.

"I know you know. Trust me…I know. Can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Could you say thank you when someone complements you? I mean if they know you they know you know you're beautiful. So you can thank them for noticing it, you know?"

"I'll try," he said, light humor in his voice.

"Thanks." There was a soft knock on the door and Ann poked her head in.

"Want some help?" she asked. "I remember last Halloween, that stuff was a bugger to get out."

"It…does wash out. Doesn't it?" Hotohori asked.

"Yeah sure. You've just got to work at it." Ann went to help her friend. Sharon was glad that Ann hadn't mentioned how Sharon's hair had remained slightly green for three weeks afterward. A quietness descended over the room. Sharon was glad another pair of hands was working to get stuff out. Ann giggled and Sharon looked up at her friend curiously.

"Remember that one Halloween? The one with the storm the day before?" Ann asked. Sharon chuckled.

"Oh yes. Vividly. Who was I obsessed with that time?"

"Lestat I think."

"Oh right. The brat prince. Let's see, Amanda was a yellow chicken and you were…"

"A princess," Ann said grumpily.

"Yeah. Your parents were back that year. You were all dressed in pink with a sparkly tiara! I almost died laughing."

"I wasn't the one who dressed up as Shirley Temple; you looked so cute with those little curls."

"That was my dad's idea. "

"That's right. You wanted to go out as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle…didn't you?" Ann said with a laugh. Sharon blushed.

"Hey! The red one kicked butt. Besides…that was when we were children."

"Eleven, twelve and thirteen. Yep. So long ago."

"Hush."

"What's…Helloween?" Hotohori asked.

"It's a holiday. Kids dress up in costumes." Ann said.

"To scare demons away?"

"No. Just for fun. After they dress up they either go to a party or go around collecting candy."

"From who?"

"Oh, people who live near them sometimes. Although I've known some who've gone clear over into another county."

"County?"

"Village, rather."

"They go to another village just to gather candy?"

"Yep," Sharon said. "Although we didn't. We mainly stayed in ours."

"What is this holiday celebrating?"

"The dead," Ann said.

"So you have a holiday, celebrating the dead. When children go out in costumes just for fun and get candy? It's a strange way of mourning."

"It's not exactly…mourning."

"See, it's like one of those holidays that's supposed to be about one thing but nobody pays attention to what it's about and uses it as an excuse to get hyper and or drunk," Sharon said.

"Ah. Like the New Year celebration."

"Yep," she said. A half an hour later Sharon didn't think that they would be able to get any more out, not today at any rate.

"There, I guess that's about done." She removed her fingers from the water and wiped them on her skirt. She looked up at Ann, expecting her to do the same, but the fifteen-year-old didn't. Her fingers were still entwined in Hotohori's hair and there was the strangest expression on her face. Her eyes were soft and a gentle smile lifted her lips.

Sharon grinned a little and shook her head.

"Remember that story where the princess found her prince?" the miko asked.

"Which one? There are millions," Ann murmured, only half listening.

"Oh you know. The one with the glass slippers. Where the princess was at first a commoner, but loved the prince anyway?" Ann lifted her fingers from the water and slowly met Sharon's eyes. The fifteen-year-old's hazel eyes were surprised and a little frightened.

"I haven't heard that story," Hotohori said, sitting up. "Perhaps you could tell it to me." Sharon grinned and began drying the emperor's hair with a soft towel.

"I don't know it so well. It goes something like; a commoner was in love with a prince. There was nothing very special about her, to her mind. She had seen the prince often though since she lived near the palace, so she fell in love with him. One day, the prince was searching for a bride, someone to ease his loneliness and rule by his side. So he decided to throw a ball. The commoner didn't think she was important enough to go; she didn't have the proper clothes or anything. Her sisters went, but she stayed at home and tended the house.

Just after dark, there was a poof and her Fairy Godfather appeared. He made her a fine dress out of rags, four gleaming horses out of rats, a fine golden coach out of squash and glass slippers out of a simple pair of platforms. The only thing she needed to go to the ball was the confidence to get her up the steps.

She went…but had to be back home before midnight…then the magic would fade and everything would be revealed. She danced with the prince all night and he ended up falling in love. At midnight though, she had to leave. She left in a rush but left behind a single glass slipper.

He discovered the precious piece of glass, left like a piece of her heart, and he knew who it belonged to and although he had spent the entire night dancing with her, he had never seen what she looked like. So he searched all over the kingdom, looking for the girl who would fit into the slipper…" Sharon trailed off. She had finished drying his hair and folded up the towel.

"Well, that's all done. I'd better go, you're probably busy," Sharon said, and began to walk away.

"Did he find her?" Hotohori asked. Sharon paused at the door and smiled at Ann.

"I don't know. I told you, I don't know the story that well. Do you, Anni?"

"I'm not sure if you told it right. I mean, I don't think he fell in love with her."

"I remember that part distinctly, he did," she said. Ann joined her by the door and shook her head. Then she left the room. Sharon watched her go, but paused before following.

"You know…. if I were going to give advice to that prince. Know what I'd say?"

"What?" Hotohori asked.

"That he should stop looking at the girls and start looking at the slipper, but that's just my humble opinion. See you later, Hori-kun." She gave him the peace sign and slipped out of the room.

---

She should have taken her own advice. She shouldn't have underestimated Sharon. She might be able to twist the sixteen-year-old around her finger but the miko knew her very well. It was just not fair. How could someone so blatant be so subtle? She knew that story had been aimed at her.

Unfortunately, this fairy tale wasn't going to have that happy an ending. Not for her at any rate. Sharon came up to her side and the two walked down the halls. Ann did not trust the look on the miko's face. She didn't trust it at all. After they had walked a bit, Sharon nudged her with her elbow.

"I think little Anni has a little crushi on Hotohori," Sharon said, a little loudly.

"No I don't."

"Ann Elizabeth Jeter," Sharon said in a mock stern voice. Ann sighed. Sharon knew the truth. She knew. There was no point in denying to her friend. She trusted the girl to keep it secret.

"Yes. Okay. I like him."

"Come on Anni. That was more then just like I saw in your eyes."

"Do you really need me to spell it out for you?" They rounded the corner and nearly bumped into Chichiri…and Nuriko. Ann saw the look in the feminine seishi's eyes and knew he had overheard.

"You're…you're in love with Hotohori?" he asked softly. Buh! Oh phracking buh. How was she going to get out of this? She had to say something! Anything! If only she had Sharon's talent for spur of the moment insanity.

"No," she said with a laugh. "Don't be silly Oniisan. I don't love Hotohori. I love…Chichiri!" She grabbed onto the monk's arm and smiled, what she hoped was, innocently. There was a little tense silence. Now what? Buh. Now what, now what. What could possibly make this stupid? Think Ann, think!

"You've got it wrong, 'Riko-chan. She loves Hotohori just about as much as I love Tasuki. "

"I heard her say…."

"Yeah I know. It's like with me and Squash-boy. I say I love him but who I really love is…Chichiri!" she said, and grabbed onto the monk's other arm. Ann breathed a sigh of inward relief. She owed Sharon a big one. Sharon peered around the monk at the fifteen-year-old.

"I'm sorry Anni, but Chichiri is mine," Sharon said, tugging at his arm.

"Whatever. He's mine," Ann said, tugging at his other arm.

"Da?" Chichiri said confused. They ignored him.

"I saw him first!" Sharon said, pulling his arm in her direction.

"I saw him second!" Ann said, pulling his arm in her direction.

"He's my seishi!"

"You already have two of your seishi! Let me have him!"

"No! Cause I love him!"

"I love him more!"

"Do not!"

"Do so!"

---

The other seishi had gathered in the hall and watched as the argument went back and forth with the poor, confused, monk, stuck in the middle. Sharon was thoroughly enjoying herself.

"You just like him because he wears a mask!" she yelled to her friend.

"Can I help it if I like men of mystery?!"

"Who do you think he is? Austin Powers?"

"Yeah baby, yeah. You just like him because of his hair!"

"I love him for his personality!"

"The only personality you like about him sticks up fifteen inches and is bright blue!"

"Whatever!"

"Well he likes me better, don't you, Chichiri?"

"Well…."

"No…He likes me better, don't you, Chichiri?"

"Uhh…"

"Who do you love better, Chichiri? Me or her?"

"Yeah, Chichiri."

"Help me, no da," he whimpered.

"But I love you!" Nuriko said dramatically and latched onto Ann's arm. Sharon bit back a laugh. This was going to get interesting.

"Oh I'm sorry, Oniisan, you will always be my best friend, but I am desperately in love with Chichiri," Ann said, just as dramatically.

"Please Nuriko! Dissuade her! She cannot take my only love, she cannot!" Sharon cried, getting into the spirit of things. She leaned her head against Chichiri's shoulder and frowned.

"My love, why can't you see it is I who will be better to you?" Nuriko said.

"I do not care, my friend, I love him so!" Ann said.

"I cannot do this any longer!" Sharon pulled away from Chichiri and put her hand to her forehead. "I must say these feelings that burst inside me! I have hid them far too long."

"Speak," Ann said. Sharon clasped her hands to her heart and sighed gustily.

"Chichiri was just a cover for my true feelings. I…I have fallen in love with you, Nuriko!" She grabbed his arm and smiled hopefully up at him. It was just about then that Tasuki came around the corner, watching them with an air of bewilderment.

"Even though you are my miko and my friend, I cannot give my heart to you. I love Ann so."

"Alas, Nuriko when you spurned me, I found I loved Chichiri more and cannot return you're feelings! It is too late my friend."

"Well I am but a simple monk, no da. I can't return you're feelings, no da. You will just have to live your life without me, na no da. May you be blessed, no da."

"Chichiri say it isn't so!"

"It is, no da."

"Alas!"

"I will comfort you! I will be there for you, my own!" Nuriko said.

"Nuriko, it is I who need you! Why can't you see that I need you more?"

"Oof. Whatta load of crap. I think I'm gonna be sick," Tasuki muttered.

"Oh! Sharon. You need not be sad any more! Isn't that one who has just spoken so crudely you're lover returned from the war?" Ann said.

"Gah!"

"It, is Ann!" Nuriko said. "Rejoice Sharon for your love that you thought had died has returned." Sharon…suddenly didn't feel in the mood to play anymore.

"I don't like Tasuki!" she shouted. "Get it through your thick heads."

"Methinks the maid doth protest to much," Ann said.

---

Sharon stared out her window and sighed. Now that the fun had ended the sadness was back, more so then before. She wished there was a way to get rid of sadness forever. Maybe she could make that one of her wishes. She smiled a little at the stupid thought. There were so many other important things to take care of. It almost seemed like too many.

She rested her chin on her hand and winced. She removed her hand and shook it a little. Stupid bandit, why did he have to have such a bony shoulder? She had to hit him after what Ann had said just to prove she didn't like him. Of course the stupid dork didn't seem to realize that and had started another immature argument. Well he'd started it so she had no responsibility what-so-ever.

Responsibility. She shouldn't use that word, she had failed her responsibility. She'd also failed Tamahome. She shouldn't have allowed him to love her in the first place. It wasn't fair to him. She knew from the start that they were never meant to be together. Well maybe not knew precisely, more like had an inkling…no…so fine, she hadn't known. She'd just been…carried along by everything. The warmth… But that was stupid. It was a ridiculous idea anyway. Forever was to long a time and marrying him… It…was just too much. The sound of someone at the door scattered her thoughts.

"It's open," she said, looking briefly to see Ann and Nuriko come into the room. She turned back to the window so they couldn't see her expression.

"Guess what?" Ann said cheerfully.

"Huh."

"There's a star watching festival tonight."

"I went last year, there are fireworks and beautiful lamps and just about anything you could imagine to buy. It's like the whole city is celebrating," Nuriko said. Star Watching Festival? That seemed familiar from somewhere but Sharon just couldn't place it. She shrugged it off, oh well.

"Do you want to come?" Ann asked.

"No thanks," Sharon said. There was a pause. Then the fifteen-year-old said:

"Sharon, are you all right?"

"Yeah. I'm just tired tonight…that's all," Sharon told them, forcing a smile. They weren't buying it. Sharon sighed, and dropped the smile.

"Is something wrong?" Ann persisted.

"No. Like I said. I'm just tired."

They looked at each other then cleared off seats and sat down.

"Haven't you ever heard of tiredness?" she snapped.

"Something's wrong and we're not leaving until we find out what," Ann said, folding her arms.

Sharon knew Ann meant what she said. There was only one thing to do. Sharon got up and left. She was glad they didn't follow her. She wandered about aimlessly. Her mind was full of what she could have done to prevent Chiko from disrupting the ceremony. The only problem with could have dones was that they never got her anywhere. Suddenly something knocked the legs out from under her and sent her sprawling to the floor.

"Ha! Told ya I was gonna get you fer that!" Tasuki said. Sharon stood and straightened her dress but didn't turn around.

"Get me back for what?" she said, resisting the temptation to whirl around and clobber him one. The jerk. He was silent a moment.

"I forgot."

Sharon sighed and continued walking. She did not want to talk to him right now.

"So where are you goin'?" Tasuki said, coming up beside her.

Go away, she thought.

"No wait! I know. You're goin' to flirt with Chichiri again aren't ya?" Tasuki went little, batted his eyes and puckered his lips. "She can't take my love! She can't!" he said in a high pitched voice. "Ah Ha Ha Ha! I've never heard anythin' more stupid in my life."

Sharon stopped walking, sweatdropped and glared back at him.

"I can just picture it, yer kids'll have blue hair, little kasas and from yer side the looks that could break a mirror." He laughed again. If she would have been in a good mood she'd have pounded the twerp through the floor.

"Whatever, Tasuki," she said in a tired voice and walked away from him.

"Hey, where ya goin'?"

"Away."

"Aw comon', little girl. Don't be mad…I didn't mean it." He came up to her again and fell into step beside her.

"Is somethin' wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"You look like there's somethin' wrong."

"Well there's nothing wrong."

"Yes there is."

"No. There isn't."

"Yes there is."

"Just go away."

"I ain't leavin' till you tell me," he said stubbornly. She walked faster. He kept up with her without effort.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!"

"Well if there's nothin' wrong why are ya gettin' so upset about it?" he asked. Sharon gritted her teeth. She was going to— Why did he have to be so unreasonable?

"Ugh. If I tell you will you leave?" She said finally, just wanting to get rid of him.

"Yeah."

"Tamahome. There okay? That's all I'm saying."

"That bastard. What'd he do to ya this time? Whatever it is he ain't gonna get away with it," Tasuki snapped clenched his hand into a fist. Sharon rolled her eyes.

"He didn't do anything to me, Tasuki."

"He must have done somethin' to get you upset," he said, still sounding angry. Gah. Couldn't he take a hint? Did she have to beat him over the head with it?

"No. He didn't do anything. It's just…it's my problem. Can you leave now?"

"Like hell."

"You said you would!"

"Yeah? I didn't promise anythin'."

"Fine. Follow me. See if I care." She proceeded to ignore him, hoping he'd give up. Eventually he did, but he didn't stop following her.

"Hey. The star watching festival's tonight. Wanna come?" He asked after a while. He just didn't give up, did he?

"No."

"Why not? It'll be fun. It'd be better then stayin' here and bein' sad." He got in front of her, making her stop short and gave her a hang dog look. She folded her arms and gave him a bland stare. If he thought she was going to fall for the puppy dog look he had another thing coming.

"No."

"If I got down on my knees and asked would ya come?"

"Yes," she said rolling her eyes. Like he really— Gah! Sharon jumped and blinked at the now kneeling Tasuki who had his arms wrapped around her legs. The hangdog look was still there and it was the only thing that prevented her from bopping him over the head.

"Geez ya, stupid bandit! Get off!" She said, lifting her hands a little, wanting to push him away but unsure how.

"Are ya gonna come?" he asked.

"No!"

"You said you would."

"Ha! But I didn't promise," she said with a bit of grin. See him work his way around that! The cute expression faded replaced by something that seemed a little dangerous. Uh-oh. Tasuki started to stand and leaned forward, pushing his shoulder against her stomach. In a blink of an eye she was hanging over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Gah!" she yelped. What in the heck was he doing?! Again? "What is it with you and this?" she yelled, kicking her legs and hitting his back. "Put me down!"

"Nope. Not until ya agree to go to the festival." He started to walk. Sharon knew what he was doing; he was going to embarrass her until she agreed. Well it wasn't going to work. She was just going to… To struggle that's all!

"You dork! I'm gonna kill you. I'm gonna beat you so bad that…that…" His grip was like an iron bar. Argh! "You'll hurt! Put me down! I'm not goin' to the stupid festival and you can't make me," she yelped.

"I can carry ya there," he said, sounding smug. Ooooh. That…that was it! Suddenly she was inspired. Grinning to herself, Sharon put a hand on his back and pushed herself up. Then she drew the elbow of her other arm forward. If he was going to be a pain in her neck, she was going to be a pain in his. She threw her elbow back. A hairsbreadth from touching him, he reached behind him and grabbed her arm, effectively stopping her. Sharon suddenly found herself in a very awkward position. Well damn. She blew her hair out of her eyes in irritation.

"I hate you," she muttered.

"No ya don't. Take your time giving in. I can carry you all day," he drawled. If he though he was going to win like this, he was wrong. She was not going to give in.

"Go ahead," she said in a serious tone. He'd get tired eventually and she just…just refused to get embarrassed. After a while she fell to brooding and watched the doors as they passed. She was not going to give in. After a moment she realized they were coming on her room. If Ann and Nuriko were still in there…oh gah. Gah gah gah.

"Put me down!" she tried one last time. He didn't say a word. "Fine! I'll go! I'll go!"

"Promise."

"All right. I'll go. Just put me down." Before it's too late! She thought desperately.

"Nope. Ya gotta say, 'I promise I'll go to the festival'."

"Fine! I promise I'll go to the festival!"

"Good," he said. Once she was down, she would knock that smirk, which she knew was there, right off his face. He stopped right beside her door and it slid open. Sharon stared at Nuriko and Ann, Nuriko and Ann stared at her. Oh…fricking…gah… Ann smirked while Nuriko put a hand to his face.

"Would you look at that?" Nuriko said.

"He swept her right off her feet!" Ann said.

"You got it all wrong!" Tasuki yelled. Sharon felt her heart sink as the expressions on Ann and Nuriko's face remained evil. Gah!

"It's kind of sweet actually," Nuriko said, looking down at his partner in crime. "Although Tama-kins would go ballistic if he knew."

"This isn't what it looks like!"

"Oh? Really, Ta-suki?" Ann said. "Then why are you still carrying her?"

"I was trying to convince her to go to the stupid festival," Tasuki grumbled, bending a little to let her down. When he straightened they were practically nose to nose. He looked away from her, grumpy and annoyed. Sharon backed up and flipped her hair over her shoulder and tried to pretend she wasn't blushing.

"I was going to go anyway," she said.

"Of course," Nuriko said.

"Whatever you say," Ann said, sounding entirely too gleeful. Darnit. One of these days Sharon was going to win. She turned her back to them just in time to see Keiki come around the corner. The old servant bowed as soon as he saw her.

"Pardon me Your Grace, Nuriko-sama, Tasuki-sama, His Majesty wishes an audience."

"Oh…" Sharon blinked. That was unusual. He was generally busy at this time of the day. Of course, Hori-kun was almost always busy.

"Can I tag along?" Ann asked. Sharon looked back at her and shrugged.

"Don't see why not." She wondered what it could be about.

---

Ann sat in the room with the other seishi, close to her friend. The audience was about what was going to happen next, what exactly was going to happen. Ann looked around furtively; noting the serious looks on everyone's faces and couldn't help but feel a little out of place. Well why should she? Ann clenched her hands a little into the stool she was sitting on. She was Sharon's friend, too and she looked after her the best she could, even if she wasn't a seishi.

"So…we have to go to another country and get something which we aren't quite sure what it is or how to use it," Sharon said, folding her arms and leaning against the wall. It wasn't a question and no one answered it. "This is going to be tough. I guess you won't be coming with us this time, Hori-kun?" The emperor slowly shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I cannot leave my kingdom again," he said in his oh so smooth voice. Ann felt a stab of regret that he wouldn't be coming with them. Just to be able to be in the same room with him. Buh… But she wasn't going to obsess. Not now. Now was a bad time for it.

"Yeah, I know. It was just an idle hope," Sharon said with a small frown.

"Well it probably won't be that hard," Ann offered. "Taiitsukun wouldn't send us on an impossible mission…would she?"

"Impossible enough the old fart," Sharon grumbled.

"Speaking of which," Nuriko said, looking at Sharon. "What did she say to you in private anyway?"

"Oh…nothing extremely important." Sharon waved her hand dismissively. "Just that Manda's gonna be after the Shinzaho too. That's gonna be a heck of a problem. Not to mention Mr. Poofy Hair."

"Mr. Poofy Hair?" Ann asked, a little confused. That was a new one.

"Nakago," Tamahome said.

"Ah."

"So how we gonna get there?" Sharon asked.

"I think it would be best if we go by ship. It's perhaps, slightly longer, but less dangerous," Chiriko said. Sharon nodded. Ann groaned inwardly. That meant days of seasickness. Depending on how long it took to where they were going, maybe even months. But it was just a small thing to overcome.

"Ships are fine with me," Ann said, lying to her teeth. She suddenly found herself the recipient of eight pairs of eyes staring in her direction. It was positively eerie how everyone practically glanced at the same time. "What?" she asked.

"Anni, you're not going," Sharon said. "It's too dangerous."

Ann gave her the look, folding her arms for extra effect. Like Sharon could really keep her from coming. Ann had been with her through most of this crazy journey and she wasn't about to let her go now. Besides…she could handle danger…somewhat.

"Besides, we have enough to handle with her," Tasuki said. "We don't need some other little brat tagging along stirrin' up trouble," Tasuki said. Ann watched calmly as the bandit was embedded into the wall by an equally calm Nuriko.

"I'm going, Sharon. You can't stop me," Ann said, knowing she was going to win this too. It just made sense. Sharon couldn't go all by herself. Ann had to be there to keep her in line.

"Ann, as much as I hate to admit it, he makes sense," Nuriko said and Ann stared at him, feeling something twist in her. "We're going to have our hands full taking care of Sharon…"

"You make it sound like I look for trouble," Sharon grumbled.

…Not to mention finding the Shinzaho," the purple haired seishi said, purposefully ignoring the girl. "It would be easier if you stayed here and we won't have to worry about you too."

Yeah but… Ann shook her head. They just didn't understand. They weren't abandoning Sharon and neither would she. Besides, they might run into Amanda and Ann was the only one who could calm her down. Sharon would just agitate things more. Sharon and Amanda had never really gotten along to begin with without someone to mediate.

"Look, I came here to protect Sharon and I-" Need to talk to Amanda, she was going to say, but Tamahome cut in.

"We'll protect her," he said.

"No, I'm coming." If Sharon couldn't talk her out of it, Tama-homie certainly couldn't.

"I simply cannot allow that," Hotohori said. Ann pressed her lips together but didn't look at him because she knew it wouldn't be a good look. Why was everyone ganging up on her? This was the right thing, didn't they see that? What was the point of coming back if she didn't go with Sharon?

"I know it's dangerous," she said keeping her voice steady. "But I'm not afraid."

"I believe you," Hotohori said. Was she imagining it or was there a smile in his voice? She must have been because when he spoke again it was gone. "But we…they… will be up against powerful adversaries which you have no defense against. Do you think it's fair for them to have to protect both of you?"

Ann dropped her head. It made sense. A lot of sense. Sharon was a handful and a lot of people were after her. Strong people. Hadn't Ann read that? She knew what was right though. As much as she hated to admit it, she wasn't that strong.

"All right," she said.

"Don't worry, Anni, I'll be fine."

"Famous last words," Ann mumbled. She saw Tamahome come up to her out of the corner of her eye and had to blink back tears when he put his hand on her head. It was such a big brother gesture. Suddenly she missed her family. She missed Matt and Jared and everyone so much that it hurt. She'd come here to be with Sharon, though. She'd given that up to help Sharon and now…

"We'll protect her," Tamahome said. He crouched so that he was level with her face but Ann couldn't look at him for fear of bawling like a baby. "And bring her back to you in one piece." He smiled warmly. "Then you can take it from there."

He was so sweet. She shot him a grateful smile. It did make her feel a little better. Sharon wouldn't be alone after all. Sharon couldn't do it alone.

---

Amanda folded her hands together and stared at her fingers thoughtfully. Now that… what was his name? Amiboshi? Now that he was dead, what was she going to do? She couldn't summon Seriyuu without all of her seishi, right? Why did Sharon have to ruin everything? To steal everything. It just wasn't fair.

"The…the Suzaku no Miko's your friend…right?" Suboshi asked. Amanda looked at the boy. Suboshi seemed to have calmed down a bit. Unfortunately he had the annoying tendency to derail her train of thoughts.

"Was."

"What do you think she…did…to…?" Suboshi trailed off. He was probably talking about his brother. Amanda shrugged, feeling a stab of pity as she looked down at him. She'd never really had any siblings of her own. She couldn't feel too sorry for him though. That was bad. He was…he was just a character in a book. This wasn't about made up characters it was about winning. It was about taking back everything Sharon had taken from her. About being better. It was about making things fair. Sharon deserved to go what Amanda kept having to go through.

"Who knows?" she said. "Sharon's not really into killing people. She probably let her seishi do it for her, laughing her head off all the while," Amanda knew that it probably wasn't true. Then again it might be. She didn't seem to know her friend any more. She barely felt she knew herself any more.

"…Laughing…," Suboshi muttered. Amanda nodded and picked up the Tomoea doll. Now what? Nakago might know what to do. The blond seishi seemed to know just about everything. Everything that Amanda wanted to know anyway. She flicked the doll off the table and rose to her feet and started walking. She didn't know where Nakago was but if she thought about him long enough she usually found him, or he found her. Suboshi followed behind her, like a lost puppy.

"Laughing," Suboshi said again. Amanda rolled her eyes. He was still on that? Talk about a one track mind. She realized she was coming on the Seiryuu shrine. Amanda stopped at the door, fairly sure that Nakago was inside but something stopped her from going in. There was something in the air, like a cold wind going down her spine. She wanted to back away. To run away. She lifted her head. She wasn't going to be afraid. She was the miko here! Anyway, Nakago was in there and he wouldn't let anything hurt her. Steeling herself, she pushed open the door. The general was kneeling on the floor in front of a strange green fire that was blazing in the center of the room. To look at the fire made her cold somehow.

"Nakago?" she said, her voice smaller then she wanted it to be.

"Lady Amanda?" Suboshi said anxiously. She shut the door on him, annoyed, a little afraid. There were too paler green flames flickering in the fire that seemed to be watching her.

"I understand," Nakago said, but he didn't seem to be talking to her. He was ignoring her. Talking to that…that fire thing… Amanda wanted it away. It wasn't good. She could almost feel a presence from it, like something was crawling out from it and probing at her skin. She back against the door.

"I understand," Nakago said, but he didn't seem to be talking to her. He was ignoring her. Talking to that…that fire thing… Amanda wanted it away. It wasn't good. She could almost feel a presence from it, like something was crawling out from it and probing at her skin. She backed against the door.

Nakago bowed his head and the fire flared up, high and strong, but not hot- not hot at all, then suddenly disappeared. There wasn't even smoke curling from the place it had been. What…what…had that been? Nakago rose gracefully and turned a small smile on his face.

"Lady Amanda," he said, holding out his hands. "There's no reason to be afraid."

"I'm not afraid!" She said, straightening. "What was that thing? What were you doing?"

"He is known as Tenkou, god of the Hin, but I don't expect you to know that." Nakago came over to her then and took her hand in his. She expected his hand to be cold, but it wasn't, it was warm and strong. "He has shown us a way we can summon Seiryuu without Amiboshi."

"Oh." That was a good thing, wasn't it? It was. Even though…that thing… There had been nothing good about that thing.

"You don't sound very happy about that, Lady Amanda," Nakago said mildly. "Are you having second thoughts? I didn't think you wanted the Suzaku no Miko to defeat you again."

"I don't!" Amanda said, suddenly annoyed. She took her hand from his and glared up at him, but didn't quite meet his eyes. "I don't want her to have anything ever again."

Nakago smirked.

"As you wish, my lady."

---

The excitement in the air was palpable. It was nearing dark and already the streets were packed. Vendors were crammed into every available spot, hawking their wares. People talked and children chased each other through the crowd. Sharon grinned; coming here had been a good idea.

She and Ann were wearing plain dresses, as the other women were, so no one would know them. Ann had her hair tied up in two buns, one on either side of her head. Sharon had dubbed it 'the Miaka look' earning a glare from her friend. Sharon had simply tied her hair out of her face.

The bracelet with coins hanging off of it was hidden under her long sleeve. Hotohori had given her some money to spend for fun. Tasuki was walking unusually close to her, staring intently at the wrist which the money was hung. She glared at him. He quickened his pace a little, put his arms behind his head and whistled an innocent tune.

"Stupid bandit," she grumbled, switching the bracelet to the other wrist.

"Once a bandit always a bandit," Ann said cheerily.

"Yeah? Well if he tries to steal from me again I'll burn his hair off."

"Ha! You can try. little girl!"

"I've done it before haven't I?"

"Beginners luck!"

"Gimme the fan and I'll show you 'beginners luck'."

"No way, little girl!"

"You're just scared, dork."

"Am not!"

"Are so!"

"Now, now children," Nuriko said, coming between them. "Let's try and be civil. This is a festival after all."

"He started it," Sharon mumbled.

"Did not," Tasuki muttered back.

"Still so mature…" Nuriko said with a small smile.

"Hey, Nuriko, canni ask you something?" Tasuki asked.

"Sure."

"Are you really a fag?"