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
In the middle of the night, Seika woke up to hear noises outside her room. She got out of her bed, slipped on a silk house coat, and slid open the door. Miaka was sitting a few feet away curled up in a ball, sobbing loudly.
The wood was cold on her feet as Seika made her way over to where Miaka was sitting. She crouched down. "Miaka? Miaka, daijobu?"
Miaka shook her head, her breaths were quick and short as the tears cascaded to the ground.
"What's wrong?"
"T-Tama-Tamahome....he-he was here."
Seika frowned. "Here? What do you mean?"
"He was here...and he came to me and said that-that he loved me. Then he-he said g-goodbye and that I'd never see him again. I-I tried to follow him, but he ran too fast.....that way..." she said pointing down the corridor.
Seika looked at her sympathetically. "Oh, honey, you were sleepwalking, it was a bad dream. C'mon now, let me help you up." Seika said comfortingly, as if speaking to a child afraid of a monster under the bed.
Miaka nodded and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her pajamas. "Usually my bad dreams are about having no food..." she sniffled.
Seika smiled at her. "Yeah, I bet this one kinda scared you huh?" She held out her hand to Miaka. Seika was experienced with this sort of thing, having a little brother and two little sisters.
As Seika helped Miaka to her feet, another door slid open. The fanged red head stepped out, tessen in hand. "What's goin on out here?" he narrowed his eyes and glared suspiciously upon seeing Seika. "Why the hell ain't the two of ya asleep?"
Seika sighed. "Tasuki, I don't have time to argue with you. Miaka had a nightmare. Would you please take her back to her room for me? And quit pointing that damn monstrosity at me." she said, reffering to the tessen.
"Hn. The little brat wants me to do her a favor? What do I get?" he said, sliding the tessen into it's holster and turning his back to her.
Seika had tried to be nice, but he sent her off the edge. "Look, asshole don't do it for me, do it for the Miko you're supposedly protecting. And if you don't, I'll rip your heart out, show it to you before you die, and then shove it down your throat, okay? I'd tell you the rest of what I'd do to you, but I don't wanna upset the Miko anymore than she already is." she said severely.
"Fine!" he agreed quickly. "What's yer fuckin' problem onna? Just remember, this ain't a favor, and ya better not expect it again."
Seika massaged her temples. "Tasuki, I don't care. I don't want to hear it. Just shut up, take her to her room, and make sure she goes to sleep." she turned to Miaka and smiled. "Good night Miaka. I'm sure you'll have a pleasent sleep with a nice dream." she said softly. "I'll see you in the morning, ne?"
Miaka nodded and smiled. "Hai, good night." she replied as Tasuki led her down the corridor towards her room.
Seika sighed as she entered her room and shut the door. She took off the house coat and threw it to the ground, too tired and stressed to even fold it as she usually did. She flopped down on her bed and crawled under her covers.
She shook her head. Having to deal with Miaka just now had reminded her how much she actually missed her family; her mother, her grandfather, her older brother, and her three younger siblings. She was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. Before long, she had slipped into a deep sleep.
* * *
Yui walked aimlessly through the many halls of the palace. She was tired, but she couldn't sleep. She curiously explored, making her way from one empty room to the next. Normally she would have seen Nakago by now, but he was nowhere to be found. Tamahome was sleeping peacefully in his room; Yui had checked on him earlier.
She moved into another room, where a candle was burning brightly. She was surprised to find that she was not alone, there was another person awake, sitting in the room.
Her tsukebito, the boy with the bright green eyes, looked up at her and smiled, it was the first time she had seen a non-serious expression on his face. "Good evening Yui-sama." he said cheerfully.
Yui scowled. "What are you doing awake at this hour of the night?"
He stood and stretched, he towered over her by at least a few inches. "Well, I could ask you the same thing, ne? Ah, but I couldn't sleep, so I was cleaning my bow." He said pointing to the weapon on the table beside where he was sitting.
"I see...." Yui said, studying his appearance. He looked much more presentable than he had when she had met him yesterday. His wild black hair was pulled back neatly, and it looked as if his clothes had been washed.
When he was happy, she noticed, his eyes seemed to burn more brightly than ever.
He bent down to pick up his bow. "Don't be so serious Miko-sama! Trust me, you look much nicer without the scowl. If you're not careful, you'll end up as boring and serious as the rest of this palace...." he joked.
He seemed to have a good personality, one of those people you couldn't help but like. Yui found herself smiling, something she hadn't done in quite a long while.
The boy smiled and nodded. "There you go! That's a good start!"
"You certainly are an interesting tsukebito." she told him.
"Why thank you my dear Miko-sama. My only wish is to serve you." he said playfully and took a bow. "But seriously, If I'm going to serve you, you might as well be happy, ne?"
Yui studied his smiling face. "So, why weren't you like this yesterday? You were 'serious and boring', as you put it."
"Introductions, my dear Miko-sama, introductions. When I met Nakago he was so serious, I decided it would be safest to be serious also. And so I also decided it best to keep it up, at least until I met the Miko. Which is you." he smiled as her.
"I know who I am." Yui stated simply as she gave him a blank stare.
"And apparantly, I don't." he grinned widely at her. "So, tell me Miko-sama who are you?"
Yui smiled at his sudden interest and was about to speak when another voice cut her off.
Nakago stood in the doorway. "Yui-sama, you should be in bed, asleep."
Yui returned to her normal self in an instant. "I can take care of myself Nakago."
"It didn't seem that way when I found you....." he replied.
Yui ran out of the room as fast as her legs would allow her. He had to bring it up again, didn't he? She didn't want to think about it anymore. She ran into her room, tears welling up in her eyes.
Nakago entered moments later, she'd left the door open. "Yui-sama, I'm sorry." he told her. "But I know what's best for you, try to understand that. If I hadn't saved you at that time, you may not be here at all. Everything I do is in your best interests, please get some rest. Good night Yui-sama."
"H-hai.....good night Nakago...."
Seiryuu no Chuubuko wandered the halls, attempting to find the way back to his quarters. He was somewhat angry, why would one of the Seishi deliberately upset Seiryuu no Miko, just when she was happy? He was also curious....curious as to what could upset Yui that much....
* * *
Seika woke up the next morning, it was dreary and grey outside, and she could hear the constant pounding of raindrops on the roof.
She got dressed and folded up the house coat she'd left on the ground.
The door of Seika's room slid open. "Good morning, Seika, no da." Chichiri said with a smile.
"For some people, I suppose...." she replied turning away from him. "Don't you knock?" she asked irately.
Chichiri paused. Her voice was so...cold....Seika was usually a warm and caring person. "What's wrong, no da?" he asked concernedly.
She shook her head. "Nothing...it's nothing....It's just that...never mind...."
"What is it, no da?"
She sighed. "I'm just homesick, Chichiri. That's all.....It's stupid. I'm just being selfish..." she said as she wiped her eyes.
He walked over to her and saw that her cheeks were tear stained. He put a comforting arm around her. "It's okay Seika, no da." he tried to reassure her. "Once Tamahome returns, the Miko can call Suzaku, and then you can go home to your family, na no da."
"You don't understand Chichiri!" she yelled at him. She was extremely upset, and her voice shook as she spoke. "I'm sorry...." she said softly. "I didn't mean to yell, but..." She collapsed into Chichiri's arms, any attempt she had made at holding back her tears had failed miserably. "I haven't seen them in months....they probably think I ran away because I don't love them any more or...." she paused. "...or that I'm dead." she finished. She began crying harder than ever.
"Why would they think that, no da?" he asked hesitantly.
"When I had the dream, I was told that I must set out immediately. So I did. It wasn't my choice."
"You left without telling them, no da?" he asked in shock.
She nodded. "H-hai. I didn't want to go....I didn't want to hurt them....demo..." Seika couldn't finish. The only sounds were the constant pounding rain and her muffled sobs.
Chichiri patted her back, attempting to calm and comfort her. His voice became more serious. "I know how you feel. I've lost ones I loved too, but you can at least return to yours...C'mon Seika....maybe being around the others will cheer you up."
Seika nodded and wiped her eyes again. She took a deep breath. "I'll be fine." she sighed and smiled. "I'll just act as if nothing's wrong...I've done it before, I can do it now."
* * *
Seika tried to be as cheerful as possible while around Miaka and the others, as it stood, Chichiri was the only one who knew she was upset at all, the others didn't even suspect it.
Within a few hours, she had nearly forgotten about the incident that morning, and had returned to her regular genki self.
When she had stopped worrying about her own problems, she noticed that Miaka was rather unhappy. She was doing the same thing Seika was. She was making a good effort at being her normal self, but you could see it in her eyes. Not having Tamahome around was tearing her up inside.
Seika slipped away to talk to Hotohori about it. She bowed when she entered the chamber he was currently sitting. "With your permission, I'd like to go to Kutou, your majesty." she told him.
Hotohori tilted his head. "On your own?" he inquired.
Seika nodded. "If I must, then I will. I don't know if the others would like to come, but I need to go to Kutou. For Miaka."
"For Miaka? Did she ask you to?"
"No, I'm going on my own accord. I'm going to get Tamahome back for her, whether the others help, or I do it on my own." she said deteminedly.
Hotohori shook his head. "You aren't a Suzaku Seishi, I can't allow you to go alone." he told her.
She looked at him rebelliously. Hotohori could tell she felt defeated, she was just too proud to show it. She was about to leave, but he stopped her.
"I'll arrange for a few of the seishi to accompany you there." he offered.
She flashed him a quick smile. "Domo arigato Hotohori!" she exclaimed.
"You're welcome Seika." he replied. He turned to one of his attendants. "Bring Tasuki and Chichiri to me. And the Miko, she should know what's going on as well."
The attendant nodded obidiently and set off in search of the three said people.
* * *
Chichiri entered the chamber Hotohori was sitting in. "You called for us, no da?" he asked referring to himself, Miaka, and Tasuki, who had entered only moments after him.
The emperor nodded. "Hai. Chichiri, Tasuki, you will be accompanying Seika to Kutou."
Seika gave the victory sign from where she was standing at the corner of the room and smiled.....then she turned to glare at Tasuki, who was making ridiculous faces at her.
Miaka and Chichiri looked at Hotohori with confused expressions on their faces, while Tasuki continued to silently taunt Seika.
"Your task it to get Tamahome and bring him back here, to Konan." Hotohori explained.
Miaka's eyes lit up. "Y-you're bringing him back!? Thank you Hotohori!"
He shook his head. "Don't thank me, Miaka. It was Seika's idea, she was very worried about you, she was willing to go alone."
Miaka turned to Seika, speechless. "A-arigato...." she managed to say.
Seika smiled. "No problem, Miko-sama. No more nightmares, ne?"
"Hai...." Miaka said with a smile.
"Waitaminit, there is no fuckin' way I'm voluntarily goin' anywhere that little brat!"
Seika flashed him an innocent smile. "Then we'll just have to take you involuntarily, bastard." she replied. She stuck her tongue out at the red-haired seishi. "You don't have a choice in the matter!" a gleeful SD Seika taunted.
Tasuki glared resentfully at Seika, who smiled happily back at him. "Stupid warugaki-onna...." he grumbled.
"Brat-woman????" Seika asked, outraged. "I'll show you 'Brat Woman', you jerk!!!" Seika charged at him angrily.
Tasuki smirked and pulled out the tessen.
Seika stopped dead in her tracks. "GET THAT THING AWAY FROM MEEEE!!!!" she cried in a panic.
"I'll go." Tasuki stated. "You'd just better stay out of my damn way."
She crossed her arms. "Fine asshole." she replied bitterly. "You'd just better stay out of mine."
Hotohori smiled. "You'll be leaving tomorrow evening, that'll give you time to tell Tamahome you're coming."
Miaka had been silent for a long while. "I'm going too." She said suddenly. Everyone turned to her.
"What? But Miaka..." Seika began.
"I-I want to go with you." she said "You're going because of me. I'm coming too."
The emperor nodded solemnly. "Hai." He could prevent Seika from going if he chose to do so, but the Miko was another story.
Seika sighed. "Then it's settled. We'll leave...tommorow evening? Any objections?"
Hotohori nodded his head. "That's best. You will be transported there by Chichiri's magic, if that's all right with him. No sense in walking, if you go that way, you may be detected days before you even arrive." He glanced at the monk to confirm the method of transport.
Chichiri nodded. "Hai, that should be fine."
"You are dismissed." Hotohori said to everyone.
They all filed out of the room.
Tasuki sighed. "Great. I get to be stuck on a friggin' rescue mission with you. Dammit! Why does everythin' bad happen to me!?"
"Hmph. I know a lot of men would love to be stuck somewhere with me."
Tasuki chuckled. "Yeah, desperate ones."
Chichiri snapped, tired of listening to the two of them argue. "Leave her alone, no da! You've given her nothing but a hard time since she got here!"
"But I-she-It's not MY fault!" Tasuki spluttered. "Whad're ya blowin' up on me for? It's the girl that-waitaminit..." a sly grin crossed his face. "I get it now! You like her, don't ya 'Chiri!? That's what it is! That's why yer stickin up fer her!" Tasuki faked feeling betrayed. "So this is what I get ne? After bein' yer buddy, ya dump me for the first pretty face that crosses yer path! I'm so hurt!"
Chichiri blushed a bit. "I don't *like* her, no da...." he mumbled.
"Oh shove it Tasuki. Chichiri is my friend. Friends stick up for each other, simple as that. Heh, waitaminit. YOU JUST ADMITED THAT YOU THINK I'M PRETTY! You gave me a compliment! WAH HA HA HAH HA HA HA!!! You admit that I am beautiful!!!!" Seika cried with glee.
"I NEVER SAID THAT ONNA! I TAKE IT BACK!" Tasuki yelled back at her.
Seika went SD and danced around his feet. "Baka! Baka! If you never said that, then how can you take it back? Baka!! You admit it! You admit it!" she teased happily.
"THAT'S IT!" Tasuki went SD and grabbed his tessen. "No mercy, even if ya are a girl! YER A DAMNED ANNOYING GIRL!!!!!"
"Piiiiiida! You can't catch me!!!!" she said as she took off into the palace courtyard.
"Ya wanna fuckin' bet??" Tasuki replied as he ran after her.
Chichiri and Miaka just stared at the two rampaging SD figures in complete bewilderment. "A-ano....."
* * *
Keisuke sighed. "The miko, her tsukebito, and two of her seishi prepared to go into enemy territory, Kutou, to retrieve the Suzaku Shichi Seishi, Tamahome." Keisuke shook his head. "Imouto, if you get hurt, I'll kill you myself....."
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......
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
In the middle of the night, Seika woke up to hear noises outside her room. She got out of her bed, slipped on a silk house coat, and slid open the door. Miaka was sitting a few feet away curled up in a ball, sobbing loudly.
The wood was cold on her feet as Seika made her way over to where Miaka was sitting. She crouched down. "Miaka? Miaka, daijobu?"
Miaka shook her head, her breaths were quick and short as the tears cascaded to the ground.
"What's wrong?"
"T-Tama-Tamahome....he-he was here."
Seika frowned. "Here? What do you mean?"
"He was here...and he came to me and said that-that he loved me. Then he-he said g-goodbye and that I'd never see him again. I-I tried to follow him, but he ran too fast.....that way..." she said pointing down the corridor.
Seika looked at her sympathetically. "Oh, honey, you were sleepwalking, it was a bad dream. C'mon now, let me help you up." Seika said comfortingly, as if speaking to a child afraid of a monster under the bed.
Miaka nodded and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her pajamas. "Usually my bad dreams are about having no food..." she sniffled.
Seika smiled at her. "Yeah, I bet this one kinda scared you huh?" She held out her hand to Miaka. Seika was experienced with this sort of thing, having a little brother and two little sisters.
As Seika helped Miaka to her feet, another door slid open. The fanged red head stepped out, tessen in hand. "What's goin on out here?" he narrowed his eyes and glared suspiciously upon seeing Seika. "Why the hell ain't the two of ya asleep?"
Seika sighed. "Tasuki, I don't have time to argue with you. Miaka had a nightmare. Would you please take her back to her room for me? And quit pointing that damn monstrosity at me." she said, reffering to the tessen.
"Hn. The little brat wants me to do her a favor? What do I get?" he said, sliding the tessen into it's holster and turning his back to her.
Seika had tried to be nice, but he sent her off the edge. "Look, asshole don't do it for me, do it for the Miko you're supposedly protecting. And if you don't, I'll rip your heart out, show it to you before you die, and then shove it down your throat, okay? I'd tell you the rest of what I'd do to you, but I don't wanna upset the Miko anymore than she already is." she said severely.
"Fine!" he agreed quickly. "What's yer fuckin' problem onna? Just remember, this ain't a favor, and ya better not expect it again."
Seika massaged her temples. "Tasuki, I don't care. I don't want to hear it. Just shut up, take her to her room, and make sure she goes to sleep." she turned to Miaka and smiled. "Good night Miaka. I'm sure you'll have a pleasent sleep with a nice dream." she said softly. "I'll see you in the morning, ne?"
Miaka nodded and smiled. "Hai, good night." she replied as Tasuki led her down the corridor towards her room.
Seika sighed as she entered her room and shut the door. She took off the house coat and threw it to the ground, too tired and stressed to even fold it as she usually did. She flopped down on her bed and crawled under her covers.
She shook her head. Having to deal with Miaka just now had reminded her how much she actually missed her family; her mother, her grandfather, her older brother, and her three younger siblings. She was mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausted. Before long, she had slipped into a deep sleep.
* * *
Yui walked aimlessly through the many halls of the palace. She was tired, but she couldn't sleep. She curiously explored, making her way from one empty room to the next. Normally she would have seen Nakago by now, but he was nowhere to be found. Tamahome was sleeping peacefully in his room; Yui had checked on him earlier.
She moved into another room, where a candle was burning brightly. She was surprised to find that she was not alone, there was another person awake, sitting in the room.
Her tsukebito, the boy with the bright green eyes, looked up at her and smiled, it was the first time she had seen a non-serious expression on his face. "Good evening Yui-sama." he said cheerfully.
Yui scowled. "What are you doing awake at this hour of the night?"
He stood and stretched, he towered over her by at least a few inches. "Well, I could ask you the same thing, ne? Ah, but I couldn't sleep, so I was cleaning my bow." He said pointing to the weapon on the table beside where he was sitting.
"I see...." Yui said, studying his appearance. He looked much more presentable than he had when she had met him yesterday. His wild black hair was pulled back neatly, and it looked as if his clothes had been washed.
When he was happy, she noticed, his eyes seemed to burn more brightly than ever.
He bent down to pick up his bow. "Don't be so serious Miko-sama! Trust me, you look much nicer without the scowl. If you're not careful, you'll end up as boring and serious as the rest of this palace...." he joked.
He seemed to have a good personality, one of those people you couldn't help but like. Yui found herself smiling, something she hadn't done in quite a long while.
The boy smiled and nodded. "There you go! That's a good start!"
"You certainly are an interesting tsukebito." she told him.
"Why thank you my dear Miko-sama. My only wish is to serve you." he said playfully and took a bow. "But seriously, If I'm going to serve you, you might as well be happy, ne?"
Yui studied his smiling face. "So, why weren't you like this yesterday? You were 'serious and boring', as you put it."
"Introductions, my dear Miko-sama, introductions. When I met Nakago he was so serious, I decided it would be safest to be serious also. And so I also decided it best to keep it up, at least until I met the Miko. Which is you." he smiled as her.
"I know who I am." Yui stated simply as she gave him a blank stare.
"And apparantly, I don't." he grinned widely at her. "So, tell me Miko-sama who are you?"
Yui smiled at his sudden interest and was about to speak when another voice cut her off.
Nakago stood in the doorway. "Yui-sama, you should be in bed, asleep."
Yui returned to her normal self in an instant. "I can take care of myself Nakago."
"It didn't seem that way when I found you....." he replied.
Yui ran out of the room as fast as her legs would allow her. He had to bring it up again, didn't he? She didn't want to think about it anymore. She ran into her room, tears welling up in her eyes.
Nakago entered moments later, she'd left the door open. "Yui-sama, I'm sorry." he told her. "But I know what's best for you, try to understand that. If I hadn't saved you at that time, you may not be here at all. Everything I do is in your best interests, please get some rest. Good night Yui-sama."
"H-hai.....good night Nakago...."
Seiryuu no Chuubuko wandered the halls, attempting to find the way back to his quarters. He was somewhat angry, why would one of the Seishi deliberately upset Seiryuu no Miko, just when she was happy? He was also curious....curious as to what could upset Yui that much....
* * *
Seika woke up the next morning, it was dreary and grey outside, and she could hear the constant pounding of raindrops on the roof.
She got dressed and folded up the house coat she'd left on the ground.
The door of Seika's room slid open. "Good morning, Seika, no da." Chichiri said with a smile.
"For some people, I suppose...." she replied turning away from him. "Don't you knock?" she asked irately.
Chichiri paused. Her voice was so...cold....Seika was usually a warm and caring person. "What's wrong, no da?" he asked concernedly.
She shook her head. "Nothing...it's nothing....It's just that...never mind...."
"What is it, no da?"
She sighed. "I'm just homesick, Chichiri. That's all.....It's stupid. I'm just being selfish..." she said as she wiped her eyes.
He walked over to her and saw that her cheeks were tear stained. He put a comforting arm around her. "It's okay Seika, no da." he tried to reassure her. "Once Tamahome returns, the Miko can call Suzaku, and then you can go home to your family, na no da."
"You don't understand Chichiri!" she yelled at him. She was extremely upset, and her voice shook as she spoke. "I'm sorry...." she said softly. "I didn't mean to yell, but..." She collapsed into Chichiri's arms, any attempt she had made at holding back her tears had failed miserably. "I haven't seen them in months....they probably think I ran away because I don't love them any more or...." she paused. "...or that I'm dead." she finished. She began crying harder than ever.
"Why would they think that, no da?" he asked hesitantly.
"When I had the dream, I was told that I must set out immediately. So I did. It wasn't my choice."
"You left without telling them, no da?" he asked in shock.
She nodded. "H-hai. I didn't want to go....I didn't want to hurt them....demo..." Seika couldn't finish. The only sounds were the constant pounding rain and her muffled sobs.
Chichiri patted her back, attempting to calm and comfort her. His voice became more serious. "I know how you feel. I've lost ones I loved too, but you can at least return to yours...C'mon Seika....maybe being around the others will cheer you up."
Seika nodded and wiped her eyes again. She took a deep breath. "I'll be fine." she sighed and smiled. "I'll just act as if nothing's wrong...I've done it before, I can do it now."
* * *
Seika tried to be as cheerful as possible while around Miaka and the others, as it stood, Chichiri was the only one who knew she was upset at all, the others didn't even suspect it.
Within a few hours, she had nearly forgotten about the incident that morning, and had returned to her regular genki self.
When she had stopped worrying about her own problems, she noticed that Miaka was rather unhappy. She was doing the same thing Seika was. She was making a good effort at being her normal self, but you could see it in her eyes. Not having Tamahome around was tearing her up inside.
Seika slipped away to talk to Hotohori about it. She bowed when she entered the chamber he was currently sitting. "With your permission, I'd like to go to Kutou, your majesty." she told him.
Hotohori tilted his head. "On your own?" he inquired.
Seika nodded. "If I must, then I will. I don't know if the others would like to come, but I need to go to Kutou. For Miaka."
"For Miaka? Did she ask you to?"
"No, I'm going on my own accord. I'm going to get Tamahome back for her, whether the others help, or I do it on my own." she said deteminedly.
Hotohori shook his head. "You aren't a Suzaku Seishi, I can't allow you to go alone." he told her.
She looked at him rebelliously. Hotohori could tell she felt defeated, she was just too proud to show it. She was about to leave, but he stopped her.
"I'll arrange for a few of the seishi to accompany you there." he offered.
She flashed him a quick smile. "Domo arigato Hotohori!" she exclaimed.
"You're welcome Seika." he replied. He turned to one of his attendants. "Bring Tasuki and Chichiri to me. And the Miko, she should know what's going on as well."
The attendant nodded obidiently and set off in search of the three said people.
* * *
Chichiri entered the chamber Hotohori was sitting in. "You called for us, no da?" he asked referring to himself, Miaka, and Tasuki, who had entered only moments after him.
The emperor nodded. "Hai. Chichiri, Tasuki, you will be accompanying Seika to Kutou."
Seika gave the victory sign from where she was standing at the corner of the room and smiled.....then she turned to glare at Tasuki, who was making ridiculous faces at her.
Miaka and Chichiri looked at Hotohori with confused expressions on their faces, while Tasuki continued to silently taunt Seika.
"Your task it to get Tamahome and bring him back here, to Konan." Hotohori explained.
Miaka's eyes lit up. "Y-you're bringing him back!? Thank you Hotohori!"
He shook his head. "Don't thank me, Miaka. It was Seika's idea, she was very worried about you, she was willing to go alone."
Miaka turned to Seika, speechless. "A-arigato...." she managed to say.
Seika smiled. "No problem, Miko-sama. No more nightmares, ne?"
"Hai...." Miaka said with a smile.
"Waitaminit, there is no fuckin' way I'm voluntarily goin' anywhere that little brat!"
Seika flashed him an innocent smile. "Then we'll just have to take you involuntarily, bastard." she replied. She stuck her tongue out at the red-haired seishi. "You don't have a choice in the matter!" a gleeful SD Seika taunted.
Tasuki glared resentfully at Seika, who smiled happily back at him. "Stupid warugaki-onna...." he grumbled.
"Brat-woman????" Seika asked, outraged. "I'll show you 'Brat Woman', you jerk!!!" Seika charged at him angrily.
Tasuki smirked and pulled out the tessen.
Seika stopped dead in her tracks. "GET THAT THING AWAY FROM MEEEE!!!!" she cried in a panic.
"I'll go." Tasuki stated. "You'd just better stay out of my damn way."
She crossed her arms. "Fine asshole." she replied bitterly. "You'd just better stay out of mine."
Hotohori smiled. "You'll be leaving tomorrow evening, that'll give you time to tell Tamahome you're coming."
Miaka had been silent for a long while. "I'm going too." She said suddenly. Everyone turned to her.
"What? But Miaka..." Seika began.
"I-I want to go with you." she said "You're going because of me. I'm coming too."
The emperor nodded solemnly. "Hai." He could prevent Seika from going if he chose to do so, but the Miko was another story.
Seika sighed. "Then it's settled. We'll leave...tommorow evening? Any objections?"
Hotohori nodded his head. "That's best. You will be transported there by Chichiri's magic, if that's all right with him. No sense in walking, if you go that way, you may be detected days before you even arrive." He glanced at the monk to confirm the method of transport.
Chichiri nodded. "Hai, that should be fine."
"You are dismissed." Hotohori said to everyone.
They all filed out of the room.
Tasuki sighed. "Great. I get to be stuck on a friggin' rescue mission with you. Dammit! Why does everythin' bad happen to me!?"
"Hmph. I know a lot of men would love to be stuck somewhere with me."
Tasuki chuckled. "Yeah, desperate ones."
Chichiri snapped, tired of listening to the two of them argue. "Leave her alone, no da! You've given her nothing but a hard time since she got here!"
"But I-she-It's not MY fault!" Tasuki spluttered. "Whad're ya blowin' up on me for? It's the girl that-waitaminit..." a sly grin crossed his face. "I get it now! You like her, don't ya 'Chiri!? That's what it is! That's why yer stickin up fer her!" Tasuki faked feeling betrayed. "So this is what I get ne? After bein' yer buddy, ya dump me for the first pretty face that crosses yer path! I'm so hurt!"
Chichiri blushed a bit. "I don't *like* her, no da...." he mumbled.
"Oh shove it Tasuki. Chichiri is my friend. Friends stick up for each other, simple as that. Heh, waitaminit. YOU JUST ADMITED THAT YOU THINK I'M PRETTY! You gave me a compliment! WAH HA HA HAH HA HA HA!!! You admit that I am beautiful!!!!" Seika cried with glee.
"I NEVER SAID THAT ONNA! I TAKE IT BACK!" Tasuki yelled back at her.
Seika went SD and danced around his feet. "Baka! Baka! If you never said that, then how can you take it back? Baka!! You admit it! You admit it!" she teased happily.
"THAT'S IT!" Tasuki went SD and grabbed his tessen. "No mercy, even if ya are a girl! YER A DAMNED ANNOYING GIRL!!!!!"
"Piiiiiida! You can't catch me!!!!" she said as she took off into the palace courtyard.
"Ya wanna fuckin' bet??" Tasuki replied as he ran after her.
Chichiri and Miaka just stared at the two rampaging SD figures in complete bewilderment. "A-ano....."
* * *
Keisuke sighed. "The miko, her tsukebito, and two of her seishi prepared to go into enemy territory, Kutou, to retrieve the Suzaku Shichi Seishi, Tamahome." Keisuke shook his head. "Imouto, if you get hurt, I'll kill you myself....."
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......