There's something about the look in your eyes.....
Something I noticed when the light was just right.....
It reminded me twice that I was alive.....
And it reminded me you are so worth the fight.....
Your biggest fear will be the rescue of you.....
Strange how it turns out that way, yeah.....
Could you show me, dear.....
Something I'm not seeing....
Something infinately interesting.....
Lyrics: Echo by Incubus
Nuriko looked up at Miaka. "Tamahome's gone." he told her.
Miaka laughed. "Y-you're joking, ne Nuriko? Ne?" She was laughing, but her voice shook as she spoke.
Nuriko shook his head. "I'm afraid not Miaka. He went to Kutou."
"N-nan des de!? Why is he in Kutou???" she asked worriedly.
Nuriko took the note and read it aloud.
"Dear Miaka,
I'm sorry, but I have to go.
I have no choice, the soldiers
from Kutou said they'd attack my
village if I didn't go with them.
Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.
Go back to the palace, I'll come back
as soon as I can.
Wo ai ni, Miaka.
Tamahome"
Miaka's hands trembled. "T-Tamahome.....TAMAHOME!!!" she cried. Miaka fell to her knees. Tears rolled down her face. "I-I was so close....Yui-chan and I....could have been friends again, and....and I could be with Tamahome......why.....?"
Seika had been going to her room to get Miaka when she heard her voice a little further down the hall. She sounded upset. Seika rushed down the hall to the room with the door that had been pulled off it's hinges. She peeked in and saw Miaka on her knees, crying.
Miaka felt lost. It felt as if time had slowed to a crawl, and she was trapped in slow motion. Each tear that rolled off her cheek fell a million miles until it hit the floor with a great splash.
Seika hurried to her side and kneeled down beside her. "Miaka, what's wrong?!" she asked.
"Ta-Tamahome went to Kutou." she sobbed. "He could be killed...I'll never see him again, I won't be able to call Suzaku, and Yui-chan'll hate me forever..."
"Hey, calm down." Seika said in a soothing voice. "It'll be okay. You'll see....everything'll be just fine...." she said as she wiped the tears from Miaka's face. "C'mon, you're Suzaku no Miko, remember? There's an entire country who believes in you. You can't give up just because of a small bump in the road. But of that entire country, no one believes in you more than me or the Seishi. I trust you Miaka. I have to, we all have to. Without Suzaku no Miko, there's no hope. Not for Konan, or Yui, or anyone."
"She's right." Nuriko said firmly. "You can do anything you set your mind to Miaka! We believe in you."
Miaka had stopped crying for the moment. She stared at the ground. ::That's right....an entire country....And Hotohori...He believes in me more than anyone....probably even more than I believe in myself....I can't let him down! I can't give up and let everyone down, I can't! And Yui....She's Seiryuu no Miko now.... I'll get her and Tamahome back, and then I'll call Suzaku! No matter what the cost.....:: Miaka slowly stood up, her legs shook a bit. "I'm fine...." she said. "Let's go back....Hotohori's waiting...."
* * *
Seika walked down the path, kicking up the dirt with her good leg as she went. What a grand day this was. Miaka was upset, they were missing a Seishi, ......and Chichiri was avoiding her. Or at least that's how it seemed to her.
Nuriko walked up to Seika with a smirk on his face. "So, wha'd Chichiri want?" he asked her.
Seika turned to him. "Oh...he never showed up." she said dismissively. "And Nuriko....why are you looking at me like that....?" she said regarding the rather interesting expression on his face.
"Demo.....demo.....demo....demo......"
"What? Is there something wrong Nuriko?"
"C'mon, you can tell me what happend."
"Nothing happened. He didn't show."
"Yes he DID! He HAD to!"
"No, he didn't. What can I tell you if he never showed up?"
"But I SAW you two in the garden!!! You kissed!" he blurted out in his frustration.
She laughed. "Kissed? I have no idea what you're talking about...you must of been dreaming, Nuri-chan." she said airily. "Or maybe it was some one else...."
Fine. If she was going to deny it, he'd talk to Chichiri. HE wouldn't lie about it. "Ne Chichiri....so, did Seika tell you what she wanted to talk to you about?"
"Hm? Oh, she didn't show up, no da. I waited for 15 minutes."
"What!?" Nuriko asked. "But she said you didn't show up!"
Chichiri shrugged. "We must've just missed each other, no da."
"But now you're lying too!!!!! You were BOTH there!"
"Would I lie to you Nuriko, no da?"
"Obviously, because that's exactly what you're doing...." he grumbled.
"You certainly do have a wild imagination, na no da....."
Sieka suddenly felt something clinging to her arm. She looked down to find an SD Nuriko with a death-grip on her arm. Seika sweatdropped. "Itaaaaiiiiii! Nuriko, that hurts! GET_OFF_ME!!!!" She yelled going SD herself and waving her arms about frantically. "Let go let go let go let go let go let go let go let go let go let go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
p "Not until you tell me the truth!" he growled determinedly.
"The truth? About what!? Nothing happened, baka! Now get oooooofffffff!!!!!"
* * *
Yui was in her room when a knock came on the door. "Who is it?" she inquired.
"Yui-sama, it's Nakago." came the voice behind the door.
"You may enter." she said.
Nakago opened the door and walked into Yui's room. "Yui, I have a present for you." he said, smirking.
Yui looked at the blond-haired, blue-eyed shogun. "A present?" she asked, curious.
"Yes, if you'll come with me...." he said gesturing to the door.
Yui followed him, but she wasn't prepared for his 'present'. There were six soldiers in all, and they had Tamahome. His hand were tied behind his back, and he looked as if he had been mistreated; he had a large purple bruise on his cheek, and there were tears in his clothing. "Release him this instant!" she cried.
They did as she said without questioning her. She rushed to Tamahome, and undid the rope that bound his hands. "Daijobou?" she asked him concernedly.
Tamahome nodded and forced a smile. "I'm fine, arigato Yui."
Yui turned and glared at the soldiers. "Leave us! All of you!" she said harshly. The room cleared, and only Yui and Tamahome were left. "What did they do to you?" she asked as her expression and voice softened.
"I'm fine." Tamahome reassured her. "They were angry because I put up a fight until they threatened to attack my village. Once they had me tied up, the cowards took advantage of the fact that I couldn't fight back."
"I'll make sure you're treated a guest, not a prisoner. Come, we'll find you some clothes, those ones are a mess...."
"Arigato, Yui-chan......"
Later that night, another knock came on the door of Yui's room. "Enter." she said, not caring who it was.
Nakago came in.
"Yes?" Yui asked expectantly.
"Yui-sama, you have a visitor. He wishes to see you." he told her.
"Yes, he may enter." she replied.
A boy walked in. He looked like he was about the same age as Tamahome, but she couldn't be sure; his face was shadowed because of the lighting in the room.
"Seiryuu no Miko," he said, adressing her. "I was sent here to you because of a dream." he took a step forward and kneeled down in front of her. "I am Seiryuu no Miko's tsukebito. I'm here to help you with what ever you need and to do you're bidding until such time that you call the God, Seiryuu, I can not return home until then. Please accept my services."
Yui looked down at the boy kneeling by her feet. He had black hair that spiked wildly in all directions, and he was dressed in black clothing. He had brilliant green eyes. His face was still shadowed, but they shone like gems in the darkness. His eyes were fierce and passionate, but behind that, they also seemed pained. After thinking about what he had said for a few moments, Yui spoke. "Very well. I will call for you when I have need of you. You are dismissed." she said turning away from him.
The boy bowed respectfully and left the room.
* * *
Another night, another inn, in another small town. According to Nuriko, there was at least one more full day of walking ahead of them.
Sieka lie awake in her bed. She couldn't sleep. She restlessly shifted to a different position, which turned out to be even less comfortable than the first. Try as she might, she couldn't even close her eyes. She sat up and sighed. She got out of bed and put her clothes back on.
Seika slowly crept to the door. She opened it and looked down the hallway. It was empty and silent, just as it should be at this time of night. She quietly crept down the stairs, went down to the bar and took a seat.
She ordered her drink and the bartender handed her a glass. She glanced around and noticed that Chichiri was sitting at the end of the bar. Chichiri noticed her at the same time. They both pretended to be interested in their drinks.
Seika ran her finger around the rim of her glass. "What're you doing here Chichiri?" she asked.
Chichiri shrugged. "I couldn't sleep, no da."
"Neither could I. Look, Chichiri..." she blushed and looked back down at her glass. "You're not angry with me, are you?"
"Angry with you, no da? No...." he replied, half lying. He wasn't exactly *angry*....
"Oh, well...I thought....never mind. I'm sorry Chichiri."
"Sorry for what, no da?" he asked.
"Well, last night....I should've left it. We should have just gone back to the inn. Demo...." she sighed. "I'm an idiot. I'm sorry."
Chichiri smiled. "You're not an idiot, no da. There was no damage done, and we had fun, ne? And we were acting, so it doesn't matter, no da."
Seika smiled too. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I must admit, the kiss was a nice touch, I didn't even think of that. It's got Nuriko going crazy. 'But you were there! You kissed!'" she said, imitating Nuriko. "And we did have a lot of fun last night, didn't we?"
Chichiri nodded. "Hai, no da!"
Seika smirked. "There's only one thing I didn't lie about."
"What's that no da?" he asked.
"The mask! I swear, if you didn't wear it, females would be clawing at you left and right!!!! You'd be ripped apart!" she joked.
They both laughed. The two talked for a while longer, finished their drinks, and Chichiri walked Seika back to her room.
Seika hugged him. "Glad you're not angry with me. I thought I was kind of a bitch last night and today. Well, G'night Chichiri."
Chichiri laughed. "You were not, no da. Good night Seika." He said as he turned to leave.
Seika dissapeared into her room and Chichiri walked down the hall to his own room. This wasn't so bad, being friends with Seika......It was probably better this way.
Seika closed the door, and quickly lit a candle. The room was bathed in a dull golden light. She breathed a sigh of relief. So he wasn't mad at her. Her clothing fell in a heap at her feet, and she grabbed her pajamas from their place on the bed. She put her pajamas back on, picked up her clothes, folded them and placed them on the nightstand. The light flickered across the room as she streched. She bent over, blew out the candle and crawled into bed.
* * *
Chichiri opened his eye. The figure of someone was standing over him. He sat up in bed. It was her.......his former fiance....he blinked...
She spoke. "Houjin..." she whispered. "Ai shiteru....."
It'd been a long time since anyone had called him by his real name.... He stared at her, her lips formed a loving smile. "Kouran....?"
She took a step closer. "Sssh..." she said. She placed a hand on his cheek, while she reached into her robes for something. "Houjin, I'll love you until the day I die."
Chichiri pulled away. Something was wrong, her expression had changed drastically.
"Or at least until the day you do." Chichiri barely had time to react. He saw what she had pulled from her robes: a knife. It happened quickly. The dagger plunged deep into his chest, and then withdrew.
Chichiri clucthed his chest as the blood covered his hands. Then he saw that there was someone else in the room, in the shadows. "Ta-tasukete...." he pleaded.
The figure stepped into the light, Kouran moved to his side. It was Hikou, his childhood friend. He smirked. "Always getting yourself into trouble, ne Houjin?"
"H-Hikou....."
"You let go, Houjin, and I drowned. It was YOUR fault. And now you need my help. How ironic."
"Hikou... I-I didn't mean to let go!" Chichiri said as tears of emotional and pysical pain streamed down his face. "I never ment to let go....I didn't want to lose my best friend....I didn't want it to happen that way....I'm sorry." the tears fell onto the red-stained bankets. "I was a child, I let my anger get the best of me....."
Chichiri had had this dream before. He didn't have it very often anymore, but he had had it many times. But there was something different about it this time....there was one more person in the shadows.
Chichiri winced at the pain in his chest. "Who's there!?" he asked. "Please! Tasukete!"
The figure stepped forward into the light. Chichiri recognized the person immeadiatly, and couldn't believe it. She walked to the edge of the bed, and kneeled down. She pulled Chichiri's hands away from his chest, and placed her hands on his wound.
To Chichiri's amazement, at her touch, the flow of blood began to slow, and then, eventually, stopped all together. The wound wasn't completly healed and the pain was still great, but it had stopped gushing blood, and the pain was less then it had been. He looked at her. "Seika....?" he asked in a raspy, disbelieveing voice.
Seika smiled and nodded, and held his hand, while she ran the other through his hair.
His former fiancee, Kouran smiled at them. "Houjin, we never ment to hurt you." she stated, refering to Hikou and herself. "Just as you didn't mean to let go of Hikou, no matter how mad you were. We know it was an accident. Please, forget about us, and continue with your life. Please be happy, Houjin."
The dream had never come this far before. Usually Kouran and Hikou had watched him as he bled, uneffected, until he woke up. But now they were slowly fading into the background. "Wait! Hikou! Kouran!" he shouted. "I don't want to forget you! Don't leave!"
"Houjin, you were a good friend. I know you didn't mean to do what you did, we all did things we regret. I forgive you, Houjin. You don't have to forget us, but don't let us stop you from being happy. I know you loved Kouran, and still do, but I love her too. I'm sorry. And I think you have feelings for the girl at your side. More than you know."
The two were still fading, and within a few seconds, they were gone.
Chichiri looked back at Seika, who was still at his side. She stared intently into his good eye. She smiled at him, and then....she went SD.
^-^ "Waaaaaaiiiii! I didn't think it would work, but it did! You feelin better Chichiri?"
Chichiri sweatdropped. "Hai, Seika no da....."
* * *
Chichiri sat up in bed and looked around. The empty room was filtered with the early morning sunlight. He streched and yawned before putting his mask on. ::Strange dream.....:: he thought to himself. He paused for a moment. "But it would be just like that baka to ruin a serious moment.....I shouldn't be thinking like that anyway, no da, we're friends......" he said aloud to himself as he got dressed.
He gathered his things and left the room. As he was walking down the hall, he passed Nuriko, who seemed to be in a hurry. "Ne, Chichiri, can you do me a favor?" he asked, near panic.
"Sure, no da." he replied. "What do you need, Nuriko?"
"Could you please go wake Seika up? We need to leave soon, and I still need to wake Miaka and Tasuki up!" he said, frusterated.
"No problem, no da!" Chichiri said as the both went in opposite directions. Chichiri stopped in front of Seika's door, and was about to knock when-
"BAKAAAA!" came a yell from inside the room.
Chichiri jumped. Was she awake? He knocked on the door. "Seika...? Seika, Chichiri desu, no da...."
A growl came from inside. "Michiko, I swear to god I'll kill you.....you dumb assed hentai! ........"
Chichiri sighed. "You're asleep, ne?" he opened the door and walked in.
"Shaddup Yoshiomo! It's not funny, stop laughing!....I'll kick your ass too!"
Her SD figure lie underneath the covers. She made a punching motion with her right fist and scowled. "Coward....."
Chichiri laughed, then walked over to her and shook her shoulder. "Seika? Seika, wake up, no da."
"YOSHIOMO, YOU BASTARD!!!" she exclaimed as she sat up. Before she knew what she was doing, and before Chichiri knew what was happening, Seika had punched him in the face. Seika sweatdropped. o.O "Chi-Chichiri? How did Yoshiomo turn into you!?"
"Itaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiii! You're too strong for your own good, no da...." an SD Chichiri whined. "I thought Yoshiomo was your friend....why would you punch your friend like that? Itai desu!"
"A-ano.....I usually punch him harder actually....kinda like, 'the more I hurt ya, the more I really love ya'. I have a strange way of showing my affection for my friends...." she said, laughing nervously.
"Really? I didn't notice, no da...." Chichiri replied with a note of sarcasm.
Seika smirked. "oooOOOooo, there's a side I haven't seen of you before; sarcasm. What other emotions do you have hiding there? It's impossible to be happy all the time...."
"You'll see them if I choose to show them, no da." Chichiri sighed. "But you need to get ready to go, we want to make it by nightfall, no da."
Seika streched. "Hai, hai...."
Chichiri grabbed her wrist. If he hadn't been wearing the mask, his good eye would've been wide with shock. "Seika.....Seika why is there blood on your hand, no da?" he asked.
"Hm?" she asked, ignoring his nearly paniced tone. She looked at her hand, her plam had a small blood stain on it. "Oh, I must have cut myself or something last night....nothing to get worried about." she said casually.
".......Hai, no da."
Seika picked her clothes up, turned around and blushed. "Ano....Chichiri? Would you mind...you know, leaving? I need to get changed."
Chichiri blushed. "Oh...gomen nasai, no da!" he said as he left.
* * *
By nightfall, they had reached the city, as Nuriko had predicted. They walked through the city and finally reached the palace. Seika looked up at it in awe. Why would the seishi Hotohori be here? She shrugged and followed the others.
Finally, they came to a room, which Seika realized was the throne room. She realized that Miaka must be reporting into the emperor, she was, after all, the miko of his country.
They filed in, and kneeled. Except for Miaka. Seika glanced up nervously at her, but not daring to say anything. ::Kneel baka! Kneel!:: she silently pleaded with Miaka.
The emperor stood and began to approach Miaka. Miaka ran up to him and hugged him. Seika couldn't believe her eyes.
The emperor laughed. "I'm glad to see you've been well, Miaka."
Miaka nodded. "Hai! You too! See, I've gathered the Seishi! That's Tasuki, and that's Mitsukake, and that's Chiriko! They're great, ne??"
"Hai, that's wonderful." he said studying the group. "But where's Tamahome? And who is that girl with you?" he asked with an expression of utter confusion.
Miaka looked at the ground. "Tamahome....went to Kutou. They threatened to attack his village, and, fearing for his family, he went with them to Kutou."
"I see.....but, the girl, why is she with you?"
"Oh, that's Seika, she's my tsukebito, and was sent to help me by a dream."
Seika nodded. "Technically, I am Suzaku no Chuubuko*. I am here to help Suzaku no Miko until the time when she calls Suzaku."
The emperor nodded. "Well, it is an honor to meet you, Suzaku no Chuubuko. I am the emperor of Konan, as well as the Suzaku Shichi Seishi, Hotohori ."
Looks of surprise crossed Tasuki, Mitsukake, and Chiriko's faces. The last seishi was the emperor!? Seika nearly fell over. Hotohori looked at her inquzzitively.
"Are.....you alright?" he asked.
"Hai......I'm fine...." an SD Seika replied sweatdropping. "Just fine...."
*Author's Note: Chuubuko means faithful servant, Suzaku no Chuubuko meaning 'Faithful Servant of Suzaku'. I also forgot to mention that 'tsukebito' means 'assistant', so Seika is Suzaku Miko's Assistant. Bleh...I'm so dumb...
* * *
Seika slid the door open and left her quarters. She looked around the vast expanse of the palace grounds. The sun, a bright golden disc, slowly crept into hiding, everything in the distance; the trees, the mountains, the city, looked black against the orange sky. Seika held her breath. She'd never seen a sight so beautiful in her life; it was simply amazing. She couldn't think of any other way to describe it. She looked out across the scene with a troubled expression on her face, deep in thought. She jumped as a voice spoke from behind her.
"It's beautiful, ne?"
Seika turned around to find herself face to face with the emperor. Seika bowed clumsily. "Gomen nasai, Hotohori-sama, I didn't see you coming."
"It's alright. I didn't mean to startle you."
"You can startle anyone you want, I suppose." she said with a shrug as she went back to staring. "I'm sorry, I'm kind of rude at times..." she apologized for her previous comment.
Hotohori leaned on the rail too. "Daijobu, you're probably not used to the formality of courtly life."
"You're right though....it is beautiful...." Seika replied distantly.
Hotohori sighed. "I've seen it a hundred times before. After a while, it's all the same...."
"I know what that's like. Day after day, the same routine. Before I was sent to help Suzaku no Miko my life was like that. Nothing new, just the same as it always is." she shrugged. "But such is life, ne?" Seika couldn't believe what she was doing. She was making small talk with the emperor of Konan. How stupid she must sound to him....
Hotohori smiled. "Exactly. Most people think being an emperor would be the greatest thing in the world, but it isn't. It's like being stuck in the same day forever, but you get older. Some days are better and some are worse, but in the end, it all seems to be the same as it was yesterday."
Seika suddenly remembered the ninth necklace; it was Hotohori's. He'd probably laugh at her, it couldn't even compare to the beauty of the emperor's ritches. Regardless, she reached into her pocket and grabbed the cloth.
Hotohori glanced at it. "What is that?" he asked curiously.
Seika unfolded it to reveal the last necklace. She held it up. "This is for you. I bought one for myself, the Miko, and all the Seishi, for good luck. I suppose to you this looks really pathetic...." She said looking at the ground.
Hotohori smiled and took the necklace. "Not at all. It's a very nice necklace." He said as he put it on.
"Well, I'm glad you like it. I think I'm going to go to bed now. Nice to meet you, Hotohori." She said as she turned to walk away.
"Meet? You met me earlier today...." Hotohori said, confused.
Seika paused for a moment and looked back at him. "Nope. Earlier today I met the emperor. Just now I met who he really is. Good night!"
"Good night." he replied as she walked away.
* * *
"The Seishi Hotohori looked out over the courtyard before turning and walking in the opposite direction of Suzaku no Chuubuko." Keisuke read from The Four Gods Sky and Earth.
* * *
Seika lie in her bed, awake and troubled. She was worried about Yoshiomo, Michiko, and her family. She wondered if they were safe and happy at home. Another thought crept in and out of her mind. Chichiri. Had the kiss ment something? He had said himself he was acting, but deep down she hoped he was lying. With Chichiri she couldn't quite tell, he hid behind a mask, a false smile. She was confused, she didn't even know her feelings for Chichiri. Her thoughts drifted to Miaka, who was extremly upset over Tamahome's absence. But she was like Chichiri, hiding behind a false smile....Eventually, Seika fell into a dreamless sleep.
Finding my way back to sanity again....
Dont wanna really know what I'm gonna do when I get there...
Take a breath and hold on tight.....
Spin 'round one more time.....
And gracefully fall back to the arms of grace....
'Cause I am hanging on every word you say....
And even if you dont wanna speak tonight, that's all right, all right with me....
'Cause I want nothing more than to sit outside heavens door....
And listen to you breathing, that's where I wanna be...yeah.....
Where I wanna be......
Lyrics: Breathing by Lifehouse
Something I noticed when the light was just right.....
It reminded me twice that I was alive.....
And it reminded me you are so worth the fight.....
Your biggest fear will be the rescue of you.....
Strange how it turns out that way, yeah.....
Could you show me, dear.....
Something I'm not seeing....
Something infinately interesting.....
Lyrics: Echo by Incubus
Nuriko looked up at Miaka. "Tamahome's gone." he told her.
Miaka laughed. "Y-you're joking, ne Nuriko? Ne?" She was laughing, but her voice shook as she spoke.
Nuriko shook his head. "I'm afraid not Miaka. He went to Kutou."
"N-nan des de!? Why is he in Kutou???" she asked worriedly.
Nuriko took the note and read it aloud.
"Dear Miaka,
I'm sorry, but I have to go.
I have no choice, the soldiers
from Kutou said they'd attack my
village if I didn't go with them.
Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.
Go back to the palace, I'll come back
as soon as I can.
Wo ai ni, Miaka.
Tamahome"
Miaka's hands trembled. "T-Tamahome.....TAMAHOME!!!" she cried. Miaka fell to her knees. Tears rolled down her face. "I-I was so close....Yui-chan and I....could have been friends again, and....and I could be with Tamahome......why.....?"
Seika had been going to her room to get Miaka when she heard her voice a little further down the hall. She sounded upset. Seika rushed down the hall to the room with the door that had been pulled off it's hinges. She peeked in and saw Miaka on her knees, crying.
Miaka felt lost. It felt as if time had slowed to a crawl, and she was trapped in slow motion. Each tear that rolled off her cheek fell a million miles until it hit the floor with a great splash.
Seika hurried to her side and kneeled down beside her. "Miaka, what's wrong?!" she asked.
"Ta-Tamahome went to Kutou." she sobbed. "He could be killed...I'll never see him again, I won't be able to call Suzaku, and Yui-chan'll hate me forever..."
"Hey, calm down." Seika said in a soothing voice. "It'll be okay. You'll see....everything'll be just fine...." she said as she wiped the tears from Miaka's face. "C'mon, you're Suzaku no Miko, remember? There's an entire country who believes in you. You can't give up just because of a small bump in the road. But of that entire country, no one believes in you more than me or the Seishi. I trust you Miaka. I have to, we all have to. Without Suzaku no Miko, there's no hope. Not for Konan, or Yui, or anyone."
"She's right." Nuriko said firmly. "You can do anything you set your mind to Miaka! We believe in you."
Miaka had stopped crying for the moment. She stared at the ground. ::That's right....an entire country....And Hotohori...He believes in me more than anyone....probably even more than I believe in myself....I can't let him down! I can't give up and let everyone down, I can't! And Yui....She's Seiryuu no Miko now.... I'll get her and Tamahome back, and then I'll call Suzaku! No matter what the cost.....:: Miaka slowly stood up, her legs shook a bit. "I'm fine...." she said. "Let's go back....Hotohori's waiting...."
* * *
Seika walked down the path, kicking up the dirt with her good leg as she went. What a grand day this was. Miaka was upset, they were missing a Seishi, ......and Chichiri was avoiding her. Or at least that's how it seemed to her.
Nuriko walked up to Seika with a smirk on his face. "So, wha'd Chichiri want?" he asked her.
Seika turned to him. "Oh...he never showed up." she said dismissively. "And Nuriko....why are you looking at me like that....?" she said regarding the rather interesting expression on his face.
"Demo.....demo.....demo....demo......"
"What? Is there something wrong Nuriko?"
"C'mon, you can tell me what happend."
"Nothing happened. He didn't show."
"Yes he DID! He HAD to!"
"No, he didn't. What can I tell you if he never showed up?"
"But I SAW you two in the garden!!! You kissed!" he blurted out in his frustration.
She laughed. "Kissed? I have no idea what you're talking about...you must of been dreaming, Nuri-chan." she said airily. "Or maybe it was some one else...."
Fine. If she was going to deny it, he'd talk to Chichiri. HE wouldn't lie about it. "Ne Chichiri....so, did Seika tell you what she wanted to talk to you about?"
"Hm? Oh, she didn't show up, no da. I waited for 15 minutes."
"What!?" Nuriko asked. "But she said you didn't show up!"
Chichiri shrugged. "We must've just missed each other, no da."
"But now you're lying too!!!!! You were BOTH there!"
"Would I lie to you Nuriko, no da?"
"Obviously, because that's exactly what you're doing...." he grumbled.
"You certainly do have a wild imagination, na no da....."
Sieka suddenly felt something clinging to her arm. She looked down to find an SD Nuriko with a death-grip on her arm. Seika sweatdropped. "Itaaaaiiiiii! Nuriko, that hurts! GET_OFF_ME!!!!" She yelled going SD herself and waving her arms about frantically. "Let go let go let go let go let go let go let go let go let go let go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
p "Not until you tell me the truth!" he growled determinedly.
"The truth? About what!? Nothing happened, baka! Now get oooooofffffff!!!!!"
* * *
Yui was in her room when a knock came on the door. "Who is it?" she inquired.
"Yui-sama, it's Nakago." came the voice behind the door.
"You may enter." she said.
Nakago opened the door and walked into Yui's room. "Yui, I have a present for you." he said, smirking.
Yui looked at the blond-haired, blue-eyed shogun. "A present?" she asked, curious.
"Yes, if you'll come with me...." he said gesturing to the door.
Yui followed him, but she wasn't prepared for his 'present'. There were six soldiers in all, and they had Tamahome. His hand were tied behind his back, and he looked as if he had been mistreated; he had a large purple bruise on his cheek, and there were tears in his clothing. "Release him this instant!" she cried.
They did as she said without questioning her. She rushed to Tamahome, and undid the rope that bound his hands. "Daijobou?" she asked him concernedly.
Tamahome nodded and forced a smile. "I'm fine, arigato Yui."
Yui turned and glared at the soldiers. "Leave us! All of you!" she said harshly. The room cleared, and only Yui and Tamahome were left. "What did they do to you?" she asked as her expression and voice softened.
"I'm fine." Tamahome reassured her. "They were angry because I put up a fight until they threatened to attack my village. Once they had me tied up, the cowards took advantage of the fact that I couldn't fight back."
"I'll make sure you're treated a guest, not a prisoner. Come, we'll find you some clothes, those ones are a mess...."
"Arigato, Yui-chan......"
Later that night, another knock came on the door of Yui's room. "Enter." she said, not caring who it was.
Nakago came in.
"Yes?" Yui asked expectantly.
"Yui-sama, you have a visitor. He wishes to see you." he told her.
"Yes, he may enter." she replied.
A boy walked in. He looked like he was about the same age as Tamahome, but she couldn't be sure; his face was shadowed because of the lighting in the room.
"Seiryuu no Miko," he said, adressing her. "I was sent here to you because of a dream." he took a step forward and kneeled down in front of her. "I am Seiryuu no Miko's tsukebito. I'm here to help you with what ever you need and to do you're bidding until such time that you call the God, Seiryuu, I can not return home until then. Please accept my services."
Yui looked down at the boy kneeling by her feet. He had black hair that spiked wildly in all directions, and he was dressed in black clothing. He had brilliant green eyes. His face was still shadowed, but they shone like gems in the darkness. His eyes were fierce and passionate, but behind that, they also seemed pained. After thinking about what he had said for a few moments, Yui spoke. "Very well. I will call for you when I have need of you. You are dismissed." she said turning away from him.
The boy bowed respectfully and left the room.
* * *
Another night, another inn, in another small town. According to Nuriko, there was at least one more full day of walking ahead of them.
Sieka lie awake in her bed. She couldn't sleep. She restlessly shifted to a different position, which turned out to be even less comfortable than the first. Try as she might, she couldn't even close her eyes. She sat up and sighed. She got out of bed and put her clothes back on.
Seika slowly crept to the door. She opened it and looked down the hallway. It was empty and silent, just as it should be at this time of night. She quietly crept down the stairs, went down to the bar and took a seat.
She ordered her drink and the bartender handed her a glass. She glanced around and noticed that Chichiri was sitting at the end of the bar. Chichiri noticed her at the same time. They both pretended to be interested in their drinks.
Seika ran her finger around the rim of her glass. "What're you doing here Chichiri?" she asked.
Chichiri shrugged. "I couldn't sleep, no da."
"Neither could I. Look, Chichiri..." she blushed and looked back down at her glass. "You're not angry with me, are you?"
"Angry with you, no da? No...." he replied, half lying. He wasn't exactly *angry*....
"Oh, well...I thought....never mind. I'm sorry Chichiri."
"Sorry for what, no da?" he asked.
"Well, last night....I should've left it. We should have just gone back to the inn. Demo...." she sighed. "I'm an idiot. I'm sorry."
Chichiri smiled. "You're not an idiot, no da. There was no damage done, and we had fun, ne? And we were acting, so it doesn't matter, no da."
Seika smiled too. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I must admit, the kiss was a nice touch, I didn't even think of that. It's got Nuriko going crazy. 'But you were there! You kissed!'" she said, imitating Nuriko. "And we did have a lot of fun last night, didn't we?"
Chichiri nodded. "Hai, no da!"
Seika smirked. "There's only one thing I didn't lie about."
"What's that no da?" he asked.
"The mask! I swear, if you didn't wear it, females would be clawing at you left and right!!!! You'd be ripped apart!" she joked.
They both laughed. The two talked for a while longer, finished their drinks, and Chichiri walked Seika back to her room.
Seika hugged him. "Glad you're not angry with me. I thought I was kind of a bitch last night and today. Well, G'night Chichiri."
Chichiri laughed. "You were not, no da. Good night Seika." He said as he turned to leave.
Seika dissapeared into her room and Chichiri walked down the hall to his own room. This wasn't so bad, being friends with Seika......It was probably better this way.
Seika closed the door, and quickly lit a candle. The room was bathed in a dull golden light. She breathed a sigh of relief. So he wasn't mad at her. Her clothing fell in a heap at her feet, and she grabbed her pajamas from their place on the bed. She put her pajamas back on, picked up her clothes, folded them and placed them on the nightstand. The light flickered across the room as she streched. She bent over, blew out the candle and crawled into bed.
* * *
Chichiri opened his eye. The figure of someone was standing over him. He sat up in bed. It was her.......his former fiance....he blinked...
She spoke. "Houjin..." she whispered. "Ai shiteru....."
It'd been a long time since anyone had called him by his real name.... He stared at her, her lips formed a loving smile. "Kouran....?"
She took a step closer. "Sssh..." she said. She placed a hand on his cheek, while she reached into her robes for something. "Houjin, I'll love you until the day I die."
Chichiri pulled away. Something was wrong, her expression had changed drastically.
"Or at least until the day you do." Chichiri barely had time to react. He saw what she had pulled from her robes: a knife. It happened quickly. The dagger plunged deep into his chest, and then withdrew.
Chichiri clucthed his chest as the blood covered his hands. Then he saw that there was someone else in the room, in the shadows. "Ta-tasukete...." he pleaded.
The figure stepped into the light, Kouran moved to his side. It was Hikou, his childhood friend. He smirked. "Always getting yourself into trouble, ne Houjin?"
"H-Hikou....."
"You let go, Houjin, and I drowned. It was YOUR fault. And now you need my help. How ironic."
"Hikou... I-I didn't mean to let go!" Chichiri said as tears of emotional and pysical pain streamed down his face. "I never ment to let go....I didn't want to lose my best friend....I didn't want it to happen that way....I'm sorry." the tears fell onto the red-stained bankets. "I was a child, I let my anger get the best of me....."
Chichiri had had this dream before. He didn't have it very often anymore, but he had had it many times. But there was something different about it this time....there was one more person in the shadows.
Chichiri winced at the pain in his chest. "Who's there!?" he asked. "Please! Tasukete!"
The figure stepped forward into the light. Chichiri recognized the person immeadiatly, and couldn't believe it. She walked to the edge of the bed, and kneeled down. She pulled Chichiri's hands away from his chest, and placed her hands on his wound.
To Chichiri's amazement, at her touch, the flow of blood began to slow, and then, eventually, stopped all together. The wound wasn't completly healed and the pain was still great, but it had stopped gushing blood, and the pain was less then it had been. He looked at her. "Seika....?" he asked in a raspy, disbelieveing voice.
Seika smiled and nodded, and held his hand, while she ran the other through his hair.
His former fiancee, Kouran smiled at them. "Houjin, we never ment to hurt you." she stated, refering to Hikou and herself. "Just as you didn't mean to let go of Hikou, no matter how mad you were. We know it was an accident. Please, forget about us, and continue with your life. Please be happy, Houjin."
The dream had never come this far before. Usually Kouran and Hikou had watched him as he bled, uneffected, until he woke up. But now they were slowly fading into the background. "Wait! Hikou! Kouran!" he shouted. "I don't want to forget you! Don't leave!"
"Houjin, you were a good friend. I know you didn't mean to do what you did, we all did things we regret. I forgive you, Houjin. You don't have to forget us, but don't let us stop you from being happy. I know you loved Kouran, and still do, but I love her too. I'm sorry. And I think you have feelings for the girl at your side. More than you know."
The two were still fading, and within a few seconds, they were gone.
Chichiri looked back at Seika, who was still at his side. She stared intently into his good eye. She smiled at him, and then....she went SD.
^-^ "Waaaaaaiiiii! I didn't think it would work, but it did! You feelin better Chichiri?"
Chichiri sweatdropped. "Hai, Seika no da....."
* * *
Chichiri sat up in bed and looked around. The empty room was filtered with the early morning sunlight. He streched and yawned before putting his mask on. ::Strange dream.....:: he thought to himself. He paused for a moment. "But it would be just like that baka to ruin a serious moment.....I shouldn't be thinking like that anyway, no da, we're friends......" he said aloud to himself as he got dressed.
He gathered his things and left the room. As he was walking down the hall, he passed Nuriko, who seemed to be in a hurry. "Ne, Chichiri, can you do me a favor?" he asked, near panic.
"Sure, no da." he replied. "What do you need, Nuriko?"
"Could you please go wake Seika up? We need to leave soon, and I still need to wake Miaka and Tasuki up!" he said, frusterated.
"No problem, no da!" Chichiri said as the both went in opposite directions. Chichiri stopped in front of Seika's door, and was about to knock when-
"BAKAAAA!" came a yell from inside the room.
Chichiri jumped. Was she awake? He knocked on the door. "Seika...? Seika, Chichiri desu, no da...."
A growl came from inside. "Michiko, I swear to god I'll kill you.....you dumb assed hentai! ........"
Chichiri sighed. "You're asleep, ne?" he opened the door and walked in.
"Shaddup Yoshiomo! It's not funny, stop laughing!....I'll kick your ass too!"
Her SD figure lie underneath the covers. She made a punching motion with her right fist and scowled. "Coward....."
Chichiri laughed, then walked over to her and shook her shoulder. "Seika? Seika, wake up, no da."
"YOSHIOMO, YOU BASTARD!!!" she exclaimed as she sat up. Before she knew what she was doing, and before Chichiri knew what was happening, Seika had punched him in the face. Seika sweatdropped. o.O "Chi-Chichiri? How did Yoshiomo turn into you!?"
"Itaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiii! You're too strong for your own good, no da...." an SD Chichiri whined. "I thought Yoshiomo was your friend....why would you punch your friend like that? Itai desu!"
"A-ano.....I usually punch him harder actually....kinda like, 'the more I hurt ya, the more I really love ya'. I have a strange way of showing my affection for my friends...." she said, laughing nervously.
"Really? I didn't notice, no da...." Chichiri replied with a note of sarcasm.
Seika smirked. "oooOOOooo, there's a side I haven't seen of you before; sarcasm. What other emotions do you have hiding there? It's impossible to be happy all the time...."
"You'll see them if I choose to show them, no da." Chichiri sighed. "But you need to get ready to go, we want to make it by nightfall, no da."
Seika streched. "Hai, hai...."
Chichiri grabbed her wrist. If he hadn't been wearing the mask, his good eye would've been wide with shock. "Seika.....Seika why is there blood on your hand, no da?" he asked.
"Hm?" she asked, ignoring his nearly paniced tone. She looked at her hand, her plam had a small blood stain on it. "Oh, I must have cut myself or something last night....nothing to get worried about." she said casually.
".......Hai, no da."
Seika picked her clothes up, turned around and blushed. "Ano....Chichiri? Would you mind...you know, leaving? I need to get changed."
Chichiri blushed. "Oh...gomen nasai, no da!" he said as he left.
* * *
By nightfall, they had reached the city, as Nuriko had predicted. They walked through the city and finally reached the palace. Seika looked up at it in awe. Why would the seishi Hotohori be here? She shrugged and followed the others.
Finally, they came to a room, which Seika realized was the throne room. She realized that Miaka must be reporting into the emperor, she was, after all, the miko of his country.
They filed in, and kneeled. Except for Miaka. Seika glanced up nervously at her, but not daring to say anything. ::Kneel baka! Kneel!:: she silently pleaded with Miaka.
The emperor stood and began to approach Miaka. Miaka ran up to him and hugged him. Seika couldn't believe her eyes.
The emperor laughed. "I'm glad to see you've been well, Miaka."
Miaka nodded. "Hai! You too! See, I've gathered the Seishi! That's Tasuki, and that's Mitsukake, and that's Chiriko! They're great, ne??"
"Hai, that's wonderful." he said studying the group. "But where's Tamahome? And who is that girl with you?" he asked with an expression of utter confusion.
Miaka looked at the ground. "Tamahome....went to Kutou. They threatened to attack his village, and, fearing for his family, he went with them to Kutou."
"I see.....but, the girl, why is she with you?"
"Oh, that's Seika, she's my tsukebito, and was sent to help me by a dream."
Seika nodded. "Technically, I am Suzaku no Chuubuko*. I am here to help Suzaku no Miko until the time when she calls Suzaku."
The emperor nodded. "Well, it is an honor to meet you, Suzaku no Chuubuko. I am the emperor of Konan, as well as the Suzaku Shichi Seishi, Hotohori ."
Looks of surprise crossed Tasuki, Mitsukake, and Chiriko's faces. The last seishi was the emperor!? Seika nearly fell over. Hotohori looked at her inquzzitively.
"Are.....you alright?" he asked.
"Hai......I'm fine...." an SD Seika replied sweatdropping. "Just fine...."
*Author's Note: Chuubuko means faithful servant, Suzaku no Chuubuko meaning 'Faithful Servant of Suzaku'. I also forgot to mention that 'tsukebito' means 'assistant', so Seika is Suzaku Miko's Assistant. Bleh...I'm so dumb...
* * *
Seika slid the door open and left her quarters. She looked around the vast expanse of the palace grounds. The sun, a bright golden disc, slowly crept into hiding, everything in the distance; the trees, the mountains, the city, looked black against the orange sky. Seika held her breath. She'd never seen a sight so beautiful in her life; it was simply amazing. She couldn't think of any other way to describe it. She looked out across the scene with a troubled expression on her face, deep in thought. She jumped as a voice spoke from behind her.
"It's beautiful, ne?"
Seika turned around to find herself face to face with the emperor. Seika bowed clumsily. "Gomen nasai, Hotohori-sama, I didn't see you coming."
"It's alright. I didn't mean to startle you."
"You can startle anyone you want, I suppose." she said with a shrug as she went back to staring. "I'm sorry, I'm kind of rude at times..." she apologized for her previous comment.
Hotohori leaned on the rail too. "Daijobu, you're probably not used to the formality of courtly life."
"You're right though....it is beautiful...." Seika replied distantly.
Hotohori sighed. "I've seen it a hundred times before. After a while, it's all the same...."
"I know what that's like. Day after day, the same routine. Before I was sent to help Suzaku no Miko my life was like that. Nothing new, just the same as it always is." she shrugged. "But such is life, ne?" Seika couldn't believe what she was doing. She was making small talk with the emperor of Konan. How stupid she must sound to him....
Hotohori smiled. "Exactly. Most people think being an emperor would be the greatest thing in the world, but it isn't. It's like being stuck in the same day forever, but you get older. Some days are better and some are worse, but in the end, it all seems to be the same as it was yesterday."
Seika suddenly remembered the ninth necklace; it was Hotohori's. He'd probably laugh at her, it couldn't even compare to the beauty of the emperor's ritches. Regardless, she reached into her pocket and grabbed the cloth.
Hotohori glanced at it. "What is that?" he asked curiously.
Seika unfolded it to reveal the last necklace. She held it up. "This is for you. I bought one for myself, the Miko, and all the Seishi, for good luck. I suppose to you this looks really pathetic...." She said looking at the ground.
Hotohori smiled and took the necklace. "Not at all. It's a very nice necklace." He said as he put it on.
"Well, I'm glad you like it. I think I'm going to go to bed now. Nice to meet you, Hotohori." She said as she turned to walk away.
"Meet? You met me earlier today...." Hotohori said, confused.
Seika paused for a moment and looked back at him. "Nope. Earlier today I met the emperor. Just now I met who he really is. Good night!"
"Good night." he replied as she walked away.
* * *
"The Seishi Hotohori looked out over the courtyard before turning and walking in the opposite direction of Suzaku no Chuubuko." Keisuke read from The Four Gods Sky and Earth.
* * *
Seika lie in her bed, awake and troubled. She was worried about Yoshiomo, Michiko, and her family. She wondered if they were safe and happy at home. Another thought crept in and out of her mind. Chichiri. Had the kiss ment something? He had said himself he was acting, but deep down she hoped he was lying. With Chichiri she couldn't quite tell, he hid behind a mask, a false smile. She was confused, she didn't even know her feelings for Chichiri. Her thoughts drifted to Miaka, who was extremly upset over Tamahome's absence. But she was like Chichiri, hiding behind a false smile....Eventually, Seika fell into a dreamless sleep.
Finding my way back to sanity again....
Dont wanna really know what I'm gonna do when I get there...
Take a breath and hold on tight.....
Spin 'round one more time.....
And gracefully fall back to the arms of grace....
'Cause I am hanging on every word you say....
And even if you dont wanna speak tonight, that's all right, all right with me....
'Cause I want nothing more than to sit outside heavens door....
And listen to you breathing, that's where I wanna be...yeah.....
Where I wanna be......
Lyrics: Breathing by Lifehouse