Fushigi Yuugi: The Next Generation - Part 29
Disclaimer: Yuu Watase owns Fushigi Yuugi. I own all the new characters and this story. Don't steal. I'll find you! ^_-
Author's Note: The Suzaku group is having some minor problems. They can't seem to find the last seishi, and their 3rd seishi has lost her powers. Zhenyou/Zai Rei hasn't been around for quite sometime. We are getting closer to the summoning, but some more things are going to happen. I'll be going to the other groups in a different order, but it should all make sense later. The reason why we've been with the Suzaku group for so long is because they have the most problems. Remember the TV series was fifty-two episodes long. This series is also long, but it's not going to be fifty-two. I've got other fics to work on.
Hono'o woke up early in the morning in her bedroom at home. She had gone right to bed when she returned home. Hono'o's mother and brothers assumed that the trip had taken a lot out of her. Tasuki explained about Miss Zhang. They all agreed to go easy on Hono'o. Hono'o's weakened state was regressing quickly.
Ling thought it was unusual for Hono'o to sleep for so many hours. Her brothers were being nicer because they could sense that there was something truly wrong with her. Lingsu had returned late from the previous night. He said nothing about the competition. He thought it was very interesting that the final match was against Kouji's son. Hono'o came down for breakfast before Lingsu.
"Good Morning, Lei," greeted her mother.
"Morning, Mother," replied Hono'o happily.
Tasuki was present. He smiled at the both of them. Wangshi had taken the past few days off from his studies to watch Lingsu fight, and to spar with him before the matches. Tiaowo was making money off the crowds by making bets with them. Lingsu finally showed up for breakfast.
"Are you ready for today's final competition?" asked Tasuki. He didn't have to know that Lingsu was in the final competition.
"Yes. You'll never guess who my final match is against, Father," said Lingsu as he drink some water.
"Who?" asked Tasuki.
"Kouji's son, Wei Kuairong," announced Lingsu.
Because there were several matches taking place at the same time as Lingsu's matches, none of them had seen Wei Kuairong. Hono'o and Tasuki were busy with seishi business at the palace.
"You mean Uncle Kouji's brat!" exclaimed Tiaowo. This earned him a glare from his father. "I mean his son. That scrawny kid we used to pick on when we went to Mt. Leikaku for visits," said Tiaowo in a tone of disbelief.
"Actually, we don't know if he's scrawny anymore, Tiaowo. He left two years ago to go training by himself," rebuked Wangshi in a logical tone.
"That's true. Kouji was pissed off as all Hell when he found out that Kuairong had gone off like that. I should tell him to go home for a visit after the match," said Tasuki.
Hono'o remembered Kouji mentioning his son. It made her want to shudder slightly. She was hoping that her father wouldn't think about marrying off to anyone, including his best friend's son. She remembered Kouji's son a little bit. They were only a year apart. Her older brothers would pick on him by dunking his head into a fountain near her grandparents house. Her brothers had been to Mt. Leikaku's stronghold often because she was a girl, her father didn't think it was a very safe place for her. She and Kuairong would play together because her brothers wouldn't let him play with them. Kuairong was the closest thing to a childhood friend that Hono'o had. She wondered what he grew into. It had been more than two years since she saw him. She was twelve and he was thirteen the last time they saw each other.
Ling was holding the log that Tasuki had brought home last night. She looked at it and at him.
"Your sister?" asked Ling with an eyebrow up. Tasuki just nodded, and Ling handed him the log. Wangshi looked at his father and the log.
"Are you sure there's no mental illness in your side of the family, Father?" asked Wangshi.
"Stop acting like a smart ass, Wangshi. How would you like it if I threw this log at you?" asked Tasuki.
"No thank you, Father," said Wangshi respectfully as he held up his arms.
* * *
Mariko had come up with a plan to locate the last seishi. Hono'o wouldn't be searching for the last seishi with them. Tasuki and she would be watching the last match because her brother was in it. The other seishi would be around the arena searching for the last seishi. Mariko wasn't sure if he or she would be in the crowd or in the ring.
"Okay, this is what we're going to do: we're going to split up and look around. Look for anything unusual. We'll be in two groups. Taki, Shitsu, and Kawa go into the stands. Odayaka and Sei, you're with me. We'll be looking closer at the ring and preparation areas. Met back here at this stand in an hour. Let's go," instructed Mariko.
Sei, Odayaka, and Mariko had the tougher job of going through the crowds.
"Why don't you just say you're Emperor and get these people out our way?" Sei teased Odayaka.
"While we're at it, why don't you say the world is ending?" challenged Odayaka. They glared at each other. It was only a little game they like to play with each other. They were the best of friends.
"Now, you two. Now is not the time for that game. Focus," chided Mariko.
"Right!" said Odayaka and Sei in unison.
Taki, Kawa, and Shitsu weren't having much luck either. Kawa spotted Hono'o and Tasuki. They were with the rest of their family and Chichiri.
"Hello, Hono'o," greeted Kawa.
"Hey!" greeted Taki.
"You're here with your family, Hono'o, " said Shitsu simply.
"Yes. These two are my older brothers, Wangshi and Tiaowo. This is my mother, Ling," said Hono'o with a smile.
"You're Suzaku seishi," said Wangshi in a tone of awe. One would think he would be used to it by now. His sister and father were seishi.
"Yes," answered Shitsu.
"Any luck finding the other seishi?" asked Hono'o.
"No. We've got to get back to Mariko, Sei, and Odayaka in about twenty minutes. I think. Isn't that right, Taki?" asked Kawa.
Taki wasn't paying attention he was watching the fight. "Upper cut! Come on get up!" shouted Taki with Hono'o's brothers.
"TAKI! PAY ATTENTION FOR SUZAKU'S SAKE!" exclaimed Shitsu as she hit him upside the head.
"OW! I was just watching the fight," said Taki.
"We have to look for the last seishi!" scolded Kawa.
"I'll help you go look since Taki here is indisposed," said Hono'o. Taki was watching the fight again. Shitsu hit him again.
"Will you stop that?" demanded Taki.
Chichiri and Tasuki were having a good laugh.
"I thought you were suppose to be looking around," came an exasperated voice from behind them. They turned around to see Mariko with her hands on her hips and tapping her left foot expectantly at them.
"We were just um…" trailed off Taki.
"Taki wanted to look at the fight, Mariko," said Kawa.
"Hey! I was just…" trailed off Taki again.
"POW! Right in the kisser! "exclaimed Sei.
"He'll have him knocked out in five seconds," predicted Odayaka.
"Wait! Stop that all of you! Except you, Hono'o," said Mariko. She had her fist up, and there was a visible vein sticking out.
"Come on, Mariko. Let's just watch one match. The last match with Hono'o's brother in it. Pretty please?" asked Sei as he batted his eyelashes at her. Mariko rolled her eyes at him. She let out a sigh. Sei knew that he had won.
"You're hopeless. Fine. One match. That's it, but we get right back to work. We must find the last seishi while everyone is still here," said Mariko as she surrendered to the demands of her seishi.
Tasuki and Chichiri laughed at Mariko. She glared at them. This didn't shake them in the slightest. She looked so much like her mother.
"The final match will take place. Last year's reigning champion, Kou Lingsu will face off against a first time competitor in this championship, Wei Kuairong," said the announcer.
"There will be no time limit for this match. The winner must do a technical knockout on his opponent," said the mediator.
Lingsu entered the ring. There came a cheer from the crowd. He waited for Wei Kuairong. 'It's been three years since I've seen him. I wonder if he's changed any,' thought Lingsu. He had to be something if he made to the final round.
Wei Kuairong entered the ring. He was taller than he was two years ago. He filled out very nicely. Lingsu's eyes widened. The other brothers' eyes widened. It was unbelievable. He was taller than Lingsu by an inch or so. Kuairong had a cool, poised look on his face.
"Look time no see, Kuairong," said Lingsu.
"Likewise," responded Kuairong in a rich baritone voice and a smirk on face. Hono'o recognized the voice. It was the voice of the young man. She was pissed again. 'That sexist pig was Kuairong,' thought Hono'o.
Lingsu and Kuairong bowed to each other. The mediator held his hand in between the two young men. They both got into battle stances. The mediator took down his hand and moved out of the way.
Lingsu took the first shot at Kuairong. He dodged Lingsu. Lingsu tried again. He tried several hits. Kuairong dodged or blocked everything that was thrown at him. Lingsu never laid a hand on him. 'It's like he knows all my moves. God, he's fast,' thought Lingsu.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! DAMN YOU! FIGHT BACK ALREADY!" uttered Lingsu in a loud voice. He felt like Kuairong was just playing with him. Kuairong stood there in a defensive battle stance. Lingsu came at him again. Kuairong flipped over the top of his head and landed behind him. He kicked Lingsu in the back while he was at it. He stopped in midair to do it.
"Oh my God, Mariko! It's like that movie, 'The Matrix'," said Sei in a tone of awe, "He can really kick air."
"What's 'The Matrix'? What's a 'movie'?" asked Odayaka.
"Never mind, Odayaka. You're right, Sei. He's really something," agreed Mariko.
Lingsu was knocked down on his stomach. He quickly got back up by using his hands. He turned quickly. Kuairong had moved again. Lingsu had to turn again to face him.
"I wanted to give you a chance before I fought back," remarked Kuairong with a smile.
"DON'T DO ME ANY FAVORS!" yelled Lingsu. He was losing his composure. His anger was getting the better of him. 'How the Hell can he stay so calm?' thought Lingsu.
"Very well. If that's what you want," replied Kuairong. He came at Lingsu. Lingsu was actually able to land a punch on him. 'That was a sympathy punch, Lingsu,' thought Kuairong as he wiped a trickle of blood off the side of his mouth. That was a good punch. Kuairong's shirt was partly opened now. Actually, it was untucked at the side. Hono'o worried about her brother. She didn't like the way this fight was going. Kuairong could kill him, and she knew it. She gritted her teeth. Hono'o glared at Kuairong. His shirt was opened, and Hono'o couldn't help, but notice something glowing on his side. It was a red kanji. Her eyes widened.
'I don't believe it. He's the last seishi,' thought Hono'o. Lingsu wasn't doing very well in the ring. Kuairong was just too fast and too skilled for him. Lingsu jumped up, and took a flying leap at Kuairong. He used some pressure points deftly with his lightning quick hands. He moved out of Lingsu's way quickly. Lingsu landed in a heap unconscious.
The crowd was shock beyond belief. Someone had defended Kou Lingsu. Kuairong walked over to Lingsu and checked for his pulse. He smiled when he found it. He looked up at the mediator. The mediator nodded: "The match goes to Wei Kuairong."
The crowd stood up with a standing ovation for Kuairong. He smiled and left the arena before anyone could notice. Except for Hono'o. She took off running.
"Hono'o! Where are you going?" shouted Mariko after her.
"That fighter's the last seishi!" shouted Hono'o.
"What?" shouted the other seishi in unison.
Hono'o was way ahead of them. Tasuki's powers were speed he was able to catch up with his daughter. He ignored his first impulse, and let her do her work. 'Just let her do it. She knows what she's doing,' Tasuki told himself.
"STOP!" ordered Hono'o in firm voice. Kuairong turned around. He looked a little surprised.
"Well, hello again, Doll Face," said Kuairong with a smirk.
"Will you stop calling me that?!" snapped Hono'o with a slight growl. She drew out the tessen. "LEKKA SHINEN!" shouted Hono'o. Tasuki wasn't expecting that.
Kuairong moved fast. He flipped until he landed on a rooftop and avoided the flame. "Well, what do ya know? The tessen. Lei?" asked Kuairong. His childhood friend just tried to fry him, and earlier she had whacked him with that iron fan. Lei jumped up to the rooftop with almost the same speed as Kuairong. She was now in a battle stance. Kuairong thought that she had lost her mind. "I don't fight girls, Lei," said Kuairong calmly.
"I'm a seishi like you, Shiro," said Hono'o. His eyes widened. Hono'o took a little effort, but she glowed the kanji on her neck. Shiro's aura was so strong that it was glowing in a red haze around him. His kanji showed through his light shirt. The kanji was glowing brightly on his right side just below his ribs.
Mariko and the others had caught up by Odayaka teleporting them over to where they were. "Stop it! Both of you!" ordered Mariko, "Come down here this instant!"
Hono'o knew that she couldn't disobey Mariko's orders. She jumped back down with a flip. Tiaowo was impress with her feat of gymnastics. Hono'o looked back up at the roof expectantly only to find that Shiro was gone. No one saw where he had gone.
"DAMN HIM TO HELL!" swore Hono'o in loud voice. She was now pissed off. She stalked off to go look for him.
"Where are you going, Hono'o?" asked Sei.
"I'm going to look for him. He probably went back to the training and preparation grounds," answered Hono'o in an angry voice. People were parting out of her way because they were afraid of her wrath. Her body may have been weakening, but her determination was stronger. Everyone else followed her with sweatdrops. Tasuki, Chichiri, and Tiaowo had never seen her angry like that.
They followed her until she found Shiro looking over his weapons. He turned and looked at all of them. Hono'o was going to seriously hurt him…if it wasn't for all the witnesses. Shiro knew what was going to happen. He figured out that the girl who got Hono'o to listen to her was the miko. His miko. He looked straight into Mariko's eyes and folded his arms over his chest.
"Well?" asked Shiro.
"You're the seventh seishi. The last one," said Mariko.
"Sorry. I'm not interested," said Shiro as he turned his back. Hono'o snapped.
"WHY YOU SELFISH…ARROGRANT…SMUG…SON OF A BI-" shouted Hono'o just before Taki clamped his hand over her mouth and pulled her back away from Shiro.
"What Hono'o is trying to say is 'Welcome to the Team'," said Taki.
Tasuki knew that his daughter had full command over the vocabulary he used often. It was a good thing that Taki had stopped her.
"What do you mean you're not interest?" demanded Shitsu.
"I'm not interest. I didn't ask to be a seishi. I answer to no one. Not even to you, Suzaku no Miko," replied Shiro.
"What? You should serve your miko. That's what it means to be a seishi. That's why Suzaku gives you powers in the first place. It's your duty and responsibility. I ordered you to serve our miko," said Odayaka in a firm voice.
"Who the Hell do you think you are? Emperor or something?" asked Shiro with a smirk on his face.
"As a matter of fact, I am the Emperor of Konan," stated Odayaka. This caused a mummers among the crowd that had gathered. Taki and Kawa looked surprised. Was he really Emperor? Judging by the looks on of satisfaction on Tasuki, Chichiri, Mariko, Sei, Hono'o and Shitsu's faces, it had to be true.
"Like I said before I answer to no one. Besides, I don't believe you. The Emperor of Konan wouldn't be seen in public without his royal entourage," fired back Shiro. Odayaka clutched his jaw, and said nothing more. He was going to, but he was close to snapping at the fool.
"Suzaku demands service from you. The world is ending!" shouted Sei in an attempt to appeal to the last, extremely stubborn, seishi. This cause an uproar in the crowd.
"Way to go, Sei. Odayaka," said Mariko with her arms crossed in front of her chest. "Let a professional take it from here." Mariko stepped forward she had some coins in her hand she was tossing them up and catching them again. Tasuki and Chichiri thought that the gesture looked familiar, but it wasn't Miaka's.
"What are you going to do, Mariko?" asked Kawa.
"Don't worry, Kawa. I'll handle this. You seem to like a challenge," commented Mariko to Shiro. He answered her with a shrug. Mariko stepped up to him still tossing the coins and catching them. "You don't really care about hearing about winning the fight. You only care about knowing that you won for yourself."
Shiro's eyes widened in surprise. 'How did she figure that out? After so many competitions, it just becomes a game,' thought Shiro.
"Tell me, Shiro, do you gamble?" asked Mariko as she toss the coins and caught them.
"Not really," answered Shiro as he lifted a suspicious eyebrow at her.
"Come on now. It's a challenge. I don't typically gamble. Not in the normal sense. I usually don't want to get my hands dirty in things like that, but you leave me no choice. How about a game?" asked Mariko.
"What kind of game?" asked Shiro with increasing suspicion.
"The rules are very simple. You pick the game. If you win, then you get to leave here with no questions asked. If I win, then you join us. Other than that there are no rules. If you agree to these terms, then the rest of these people are witnesses," answered Mariko with a slight smile. She tossed the coins and caught them again.
"I don't know," said Shiro with doubt in his voice.
"What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of losing to me?" dared Mariko. She really knew how to play mind games with people.
"I AM NOT AFRAID OF LOSING TO YOU! I ACCEPT YOUR TERMS!" bellowed Shiro.
"Fine. Pick the game," instructed Mariko.
Everyone shifted uncomfortably. Sei had heard of rumors of Mariko and a gambling ring in Jonan. He didn't pay attention to them because he didn't think Mariko would do something like that. Sei realized that he was wrong. Now he knew why Kinomoto Miwa had it out for her. Shiro looked around. He didn't want to do a hand-to-hand fight with Mariko. 'She's still a girl,' thought Shiro. He had to pick something that she couldn't possible be able to do. He surveyed the preparation area. 'Bricks. That's it,' thought Shiro.
"Well?" asked Mariko with an expectant look on her face. She still had the coins in her hand.
"The brinks. I challenge to break as many bricks as I can," said Shiro.
"That's insane! Mariko!" cried Taki.
"Fine. I accept. You go first. Sei, hold my coins. I know exactly how much I have, so I expect to get that much back," said Mariko as she handed over the coins to Sei.
"What does it matter, Mariko? You don't need the money. Besides, it sounds like you don't trust your own best friend," said Sei with a pout.
"That's right. I don't trust my best friend," said playfully Mariko with a wink. Sei pulled down below his right eye and stuck out his tongue at her. Everyone else laughed at their exchange. Shiro looked at the both of them strangely. 'Weird people,' he thought.
"We'll start off easy. Five brinks," said Shiro with a smug grin.
"Go ahead," said Mariko as she folded her arms over her chest.
"AYAH!" shouted Shiro as he hand went through the five bricks. When he was done he stacked another five bricks. Mariko stood there watching him. "Your turn."
Mariko crossed her wrist in front of each other. She concentrated. The bracelets on her wrist activated and became gauntlets. Chichiri and Tasuki gasped. She brought her arms down to her sides, and walked over to the stack of bricks. Mariko held out her right hand over them, and slammed her hand down upon them smashing them to bits. Shiro's eyes widened in surprise. Sei, Odayaka, Hono'o, Shitsu, Kawa, and Taki gave her a round of a applause. Chichiri and Tasuki turned around to see them sitting in a mini stands. "Where do you think they were able to get those cheering flags from?" asked Tasuki.
"I think Odayaka had materialized them," answered Chichiri.
"Moving on. Ten bricks," said Shiro. 'She's more than what she seems.'
Shiro broke through ten bricks without any problem. He stacked ten more. Mariko broke through them also. She had a very happy grin on her face. There came whistles and cheers from the stands. Shiro was pushing the limit at fifteen bricks. He may know pressure points, but he also knew his limits. 'More than fifteen, and I'm cooked,' thought Shiro. Mariko broke through the fifteen bricks without any problem. There came another cheer from the other seishi. Shiro stacked twenty bricks with a little more effort he was able to break them. Mariko broke them with the same ease the last time. Shiro was a quick study.
"Those gauntlets. That's how you're able to break the bricks so easily!" exclaimed Shiro.
"They belonged to one of the past seishi, Nuriko. You heard the rules. Remember, there was nothing forbidding the use of magical talismans," said Mariko with a smug look on her face as she shoot her finger at him. Hono'o burst out laughing hysterically. She just couldn't keep it in any longer. Her laugher was contagious as the seishi succumbed to laughter as well.
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!" exploded Shiro. Mariko remained calm. His chi was rising out of sheer anger. Chichiri and Tasuki took a step back. He stacked twenty-five brick and broke through them.
"You didn't break the last one, no da," said Chichiri. Shiro's eyes widened. Mariko held up her hand as a signal to allow her to stack the bricks by herself. She broke through all twenty-five bricks cleanly.
"I win. You're coming with us," announced Mariko with a smile. The gauntlets returned to bracelets.
"Very well. I accept these terms like I said I would. I am your last seishi. I am known as Shiro. The castle," said Shiro with a formal bow to his miko.
~*ClareBear's Omake*~
Miaka: Finally! They got the last seishi! And they for sure that he's a seishi.
Nuriko: I'm glad the bracelets help Mariko get him.
Tamahome: He's a stubborn one. But, it's amazing what my little girl can do. She can win a sword duel and she can convince someone to join them. (Has large happy eyes)
Hotohori: Yes. Who would have thought being a gambler was a good thing?
Tamahome: She's not a gambler. She's a bookie!
Miaka: I thought that you weren't happy with that.
Nuriko: I still don't understand how she could use those bracelets.
Chiriko: I wonder where the summoning is going to take place.
Mitsukake: Do you think one of the other groups have figured it out. I think that Suzaku is the last group to assemble again.
Tamahome: NOT AGAIN! WHY ARE WE ALWAYS BEHIND?! WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE PROBLEMS?! FIRST NAKAGO, AND NOW THEY HAVE THAT CRAZY WOMAN!
He's superdeformed and waving his arms around. Nuriko stops him with a punch in the head (kinda like Hayama in Kodocha). Tamahome passes out.
Nuriko: Calm down, Tama-chan.
Miaka: I think you did that too hard, Nuriko.
Mitsukake and Chiriko are checking him out. Tamahome has swirls in his eyes.
Nuriko: I did?! Oops! I'm sorry, Tamahome.
Hotohori: Don't bother he's out cold.
Disclaimer: Yuu Watase owns Fushigi Yuugi. I own all the new characters and this story. Don't steal. I'll find you! ^_-
Author's Note: The Suzaku group is having some minor problems. They can't seem to find the last seishi, and their 3rd seishi has lost her powers. Zhenyou/Zai Rei hasn't been around for quite sometime. We are getting closer to the summoning, but some more things are going to happen. I'll be going to the other groups in a different order, but it should all make sense later. The reason why we've been with the Suzaku group for so long is because they have the most problems. Remember the TV series was fifty-two episodes long. This series is also long, but it's not going to be fifty-two. I've got other fics to work on.
Hono'o woke up early in the morning in her bedroom at home. She had gone right to bed when she returned home. Hono'o's mother and brothers assumed that the trip had taken a lot out of her. Tasuki explained about Miss Zhang. They all agreed to go easy on Hono'o. Hono'o's weakened state was regressing quickly.
Ling thought it was unusual for Hono'o to sleep for so many hours. Her brothers were being nicer because they could sense that there was something truly wrong with her. Lingsu had returned late from the previous night. He said nothing about the competition. He thought it was very interesting that the final match was against Kouji's son. Hono'o came down for breakfast before Lingsu.
"Good Morning, Lei," greeted her mother.
"Morning, Mother," replied Hono'o happily.
Tasuki was present. He smiled at the both of them. Wangshi had taken the past few days off from his studies to watch Lingsu fight, and to spar with him before the matches. Tiaowo was making money off the crowds by making bets with them. Lingsu finally showed up for breakfast.
"Are you ready for today's final competition?" asked Tasuki. He didn't have to know that Lingsu was in the final competition.
"Yes. You'll never guess who my final match is against, Father," said Lingsu as he drink some water.
"Who?" asked Tasuki.
"Kouji's son, Wei Kuairong," announced Lingsu.
Because there were several matches taking place at the same time as Lingsu's matches, none of them had seen Wei Kuairong. Hono'o and Tasuki were busy with seishi business at the palace.
"You mean Uncle Kouji's brat!" exclaimed Tiaowo. This earned him a glare from his father. "I mean his son. That scrawny kid we used to pick on when we went to Mt. Leikaku for visits," said Tiaowo in a tone of disbelief.
"Actually, we don't know if he's scrawny anymore, Tiaowo. He left two years ago to go training by himself," rebuked Wangshi in a logical tone.
"That's true. Kouji was pissed off as all Hell when he found out that Kuairong had gone off like that. I should tell him to go home for a visit after the match," said Tasuki.
Hono'o remembered Kouji mentioning his son. It made her want to shudder slightly. She was hoping that her father wouldn't think about marrying off to anyone, including his best friend's son. She remembered Kouji's son a little bit. They were only a year apart. Her older brothers would pick on him by dunking his head into a fountain near her grandparents house. Her brothers had been to Mt. Leikaku's stronghold often because she was a girl, her father didn't think it was a very safe place for her. She and Kuairong would play together because her brothers wouldn't let him play with them. Kuairong was the closest thing to a childhood friend that Hono'o had. She wondered what he grew into. It had been more than two years since she saw him. She was twelve and he was thirteen the last time they saw each other.
Ling was holding the log that Tasuki had brought home last night. She looked at it and at him.
"Your sister?" asked Ling with an eyebrow up. Tasuki just nodded, and Ling handed him the log. Wangshi looked at his father and the log.
"Are you sure there's no mental illness in your side of the family, Father?" asked Wangshi.
"Stop acting like a smart ass, Wangshi. How would you like it if I threw this log at you?" asked Tasuki.
"No thank you, Father," said Wangshi respectfully as he held up his arms.
* * *
Mariko had come up with a plan to locate the last seishi. Hono'o wouldn't be searching for the last seishi with them. Tasuki and she would be watching the last match because her brother was in it. The other seishi would be around the arena searching for the last seishi. Mariko wasn't sure if he or she would be in the crowd or in the ring.
"Okay, this is what we're going to do: we're going to split up and look around. Look for anything unusual. We'll be in two groups. Taki, Shitsu, and Kawa go into the stands. Odayaka and Sei, you're with me. We'll be looking closer at the ring and preparation areas. Met back here at this stand in an hour. Let's go," instructed Mariko.
Sei, Odayaka, and Mariko had the tougher job of going through the crowds.
"Why don't you just say you're Emperor and get these people out our way?" Sei teased Odayaka.
"While we're at it, why don't you say the world is ending?" challenged Odayaka. They glared at each other. It was only a little game they like to play with each other. They were the best of friends.
"Now, you two. Now is not the time for that game. Focus," chided Mariko.
"Right!" said Odayaka and Sei in unison.
Taki, Kawa, and Shitsu weren't having much luck either. Kawa spotted Hono'o and Tasuki. They were with the rest of their family and Chichiri.
"Hello, Hono'o," greeted Kawa.
"Hey!" greeted Taki.
"You're here with your family, Hono'o, " said Shitsu simply.
"Yes. These two are my older brothers, Wangshi and Tiaowo. This is my mother, Ling," said Hono'o with a smile.
"You're Suzaku seishi," said Wangshi in a tone of awe. One would think he would be used to it by now. His sister and father were seishi.
"Yes," answered Shitsu.
"Any luck finding the other seishi?" asked Hono'o.
"No. We've got to get back to Mariko, Sei, and Odayaka in about twenty minutes. I think. Isn't that right, Taki?" asked Kawa.
Taki wasn't paying attention he was watching the fight. "Upper cut! Come on get up!" shouted Taki with Hono'o's brothers.
"TAKI! PAY ATTENTION FOR SUZAKU'S SAKE!" exclaimed Shitsu as she hit him upside the head.
"OW! I was just watching the fight," said Taki.
"We have to look for the last seishi!" scolded Kawa.
"I'll help you go look since Taki here is indisposed," said Hono'o. Taki was watching the fight again. Shitsu hit him again.
"Will you stop that?" demanded Taki.
Chichiri and Tasuki were having a good laugh.
"I thought you were suppose to be looking around," came an exasperated voice from behind them. They turned around to see Mariko with her hands on her hips and tapping her left foot expectantly at them.
"We were just um…" trailed off Taki.
"Taki wanted to look at the fight, Mariko," said Kawa.
"Hey! I was just…" trailed off Taki again.
"POW! Right in the kisser! "exclaimed Sei.
"He'll have him knocked out in five seconds," predicted Odayaka.
"Wait! Stop that all of you! Except you, Hono'o," said Mariko. She had her fist up, and there was a visible vein sticking out.
"Come on, Mariko. Let's just watch one match. The last match with Hono'o's brother in it. Pretty please?" asked Sei as he batted his eyelashes at her. Mariko rolled her eyes at him. She let out a sigh. Sei knew that he had won.
"You're hopeless. Fine. One match. That's it, but we get right back to work. We must find the last seishi while everyone is still here," said Mariko as she surrendered to the demands of her seishi.
Tasuki and Chichiri laughed at Mariko. She glared at them. This didn't shake them in the slightest. She looked so much like her mother.
"The final match will take place. Last year's reigning champion, Kou Lingsu will face off against a first time competitor in this championship, Wei Kuairong," said the announcer.
"There will be no time limit for this match. The winner must do a technical knockout on his opponent," said the mediator.
Lingsu entered the ring. There came a cheer from the crowd. He waited for Wei Kuairong. 'It's been three years since I've seen him. I wonder if he's changed any,' thought Lingsu. He had to be something if he made to the final round.
Wei Kuairong entered the ring. He was taller than he was two years ago. He filled out very nicely. Lingsu's eyes widened. The other brothers' eyes widened. It was unbelievable. He was taller than Lingsu by an inch or so. Kuairong had a cool, poised look on his face.
"Look time no see, Kuairong," said Lingsu.
"Likewise," responded Kuairong in a rich baritone voice and a smirk on face. Hono'o recognized the voice. It was the voice of the young man. She was pissed again. 'That sexist pig was Kuairong,' thought Hono'o.
Lingsu and Kuairong bowed to each other. The mediator held his hand in between the two young men. They both got into battle stances. The mediator took down his hand and moved out of the way.
Lingsu took the first shot at Kuairong. He dodged Lingsu. Lingsu tried again. He tried several hits. Kuairong dodged or blocked everything that was thrown at him. Lingsu never laid a hand on him. 'It's like he knows all my moves. God, he's fast,' thought Lingsu.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! DAMN YOU! FIGHT BACK ALREADY!" uttered Lingsu in a loud voice. He felt like Kuairong was just playing with him. Kuairong stood there in a defensive battle stance. Lingsu came at him again. Kuairong flipped over the top of his head and landed behind him. He kicked Lingsu in the back while he was at it. He stopped in midair to do it.
"Oh my God, Mariko! It's like that movie, 'The Matrix'," said Sei in a tone of awe, "He can really kick air."
"What's 'The Matrix'? What's a 'movie'?" asked Odayaka.
"Never mind, Odayaka. You're right, Sei. He's really something," agreed Mariko.
Lingsu was knocked down on his stomach. He quickly got back up by using his hands. He turned quickly. Kuairong had moved again. Lingsu had to turn again to face him.
"I wanted to give you a chance before I fought back," remarked Kuairong with a smile.
"DON'T DO ME ANY FAVORS!" yelled Lingsu. He was losing his composure. His anger was getting the better of him. 'How the Hell can he stay so calm?' thought Lingsu.
"Very well. If that's what you want," replied Kuairong. He came at Lingsu. Lingsu was actually able to land a punch on him. 'That was a sympathy punch, Lingsu,' thought Kuairong as he wiped a trickle of blood off the side of his mouth. That was a good punch. Kuairong's shirt was partly opened now. Actually, it was untucked at the side. Hono'o worried about her brother. She didn't like the way this fight was going. Kuairong could kill him, and she knew it. She gritted her teeth. Hono'o glared at Kuairong. His shirt was opened, and Hono'o couldn't help, but notice something glowing on his side. It was a red kanji. Her eyes widened.
'I don't believe it. He's the last seishi,' thought Hono'o. Lingsu wasn't doing very well in the ring. Kuairong was just too fast and too skilled for him. Lingsu jumped up, and took a flying leap at Kuairong. He used some pressure points deftly with his lightning quick hands. He moved out of Lingsu's way quickly. Lingsu landed in a heap unconscious.
The crowd was shock beyond belief. Someone had defended Kou Lingsu. Kuairong walked over to Lingsu and checked for his pulse. He smiled when he found it. He looked up at the mediator. The mediator nodded: "The match goes to Wei Kuairong."
The crowd stood up with a standing ovation for Kuairong. He smiled and left the arena before anyone could notice. Except for Hono'o. She took off running.
"Hono'o! Where are you going?" shouted Mariko after her.
"That fighter's the last seishi!" shouted Hono'o.
"What?" shouted the other seishi in unison.
Hono'o was way ahead of them. Tasuki's powers were speed he was able to catch up with his daughter. He ignored his first impulse, and let her do her work. 'Just let her do it. She knows what she's doing,' Tasuki told himself.
"STOP!" ordered Hono'o in firm voice. Kuairong turned around. He looked a little surprised.
"Well, hello again, Doll Face," said Kuairong with a smirk.
"Will you stop calling me that?!" snapped Hono'o with a slight growl. She drew out the tessen. "LEKKA SHINEN!" shouted Hono'o. Tasuki wasn't expecting that.
Kuairong moved fast. He flipped until he landed on a rooftop and avoided the flame. "Well, what do ya know? The tessen. Lei?" asked Kuairong. His childhood friend just tried to fry him, and earlier she had whacked him with that iron fan. Lei jumped up to the rooftop with almost the same speed as Kuairong. She was now in a battle stance. Kuairong thought that she had lost her mind. "I don't fight girls, Lei," said Kuairong calmly.
"I'm a seishi like you, Shiro," said Hono'o. His eyes widened. Hono'o took a little effort, but she glowed the kanji on her neck. Shiro's aura was so strong that it was glowing in a red haze around him. His kanji showed through his light shirt. The kanji was glowing brightly on his right side just below his ribs.
Mariko and the others had caught up by Odayaka teleporting them over to where they were. "Stop it! Both of you!" ordered Mariko, "Come down here this instant!"
Hono'o knew that she couldn't disobey Mariko's orders. She jumped back down with a flip. Tiaowo was impress with her feat of gymnastics. Hono'o looked back up at the roof expectantly only to find that Shiro was gone. No one saw where he had gone.
"DAMN HIM TO HELL!" swore Hono'o in loud voice. She was now pissed off. She stalked off to go look for him.
"Where are you going, Hono'o?" asked Sei.
"I'm going to look for him. He probably went back to the training and preparation grounds," answered Hono'o in an angry voice. People were parting out of her way because they were afraid of her wrath. Her body may have been weakening, but her determination was stronger. Everyone else followed her with sweatdrops. Tasuki, Chichiri, and Tiaowo had never seen her angry like that.
They followed her until she found Shiro looking over his weapons. He turned and looked at all of them. Hono'o was going to seriously hurt him…if it wasn't for all the witnesses. Shiro knew what was going to happen. He figured out that the girl who got Hono'o to listen to her was the miko. His miko. He looked straight into Mariko's eyes and folded his arms over his chest.
"Well?" asked Shiro.
"You're the seventh seishi. The last one," said Mariko.
"Sorry. I'm not interested," said Shiro as he turned his back. Hono'o snapped.
"WHY YOU SELFISH…ARROGRANT…SMUG…SON OF A BI-" shouted Hono'o just before Taki clamped his hand over her mouth and pulled her back away from Shiro.
"What Hono'o is trying to say is 'Welcome to the Team'," said Taki.
Tasuki knew that his daughter had full command over the vocabulary he used often. It was a good thing that Taki had stopped her.
"What do you mean you're not interest?" demanded Shitsu.
"I'm not interest. I didn't ask to be a seishi. I answer to no one. Not even to you, Suzaku no Miko," replied Shiro.
"What? You should serve your miko. That's what it means to be a seishi. That's why Suzaku gives you powers in the first place. It's your duty and responsibility. I ordered you to serve our miko," said Odayaka in a firm voice.
"Who the Hell do you think you are? Emperor or something?" asked Shiro with a smirk on his face.
"As a matter of fact, I am the Emperor of Konan," stated Odayaka. This caused a mummers among the crowd that had gathered. Taki and Kawa looked surprised. Was he really Emperor? Judging by the looks on of satisfaction on Tasuki, Chichiri, Mariko, Sei, Hono'o and Shitsu's faces, it had to be true.
"Like I said before I answer to no one. Besides, I don't believe you. The Emperor of Konan wouldn't be seen in public without his royal entourage," fired back Shiro. Odayaka clutched his jaw, and said nothing more. He was going to, but he was close to snapping at the fool.
"Suzaku demands service from you. The world is ending!" shouted Sei in an attempt to appeal to the last, extremely stubborn, seishi. This cause an uproar in the crowd.
"Way to go, Sei. Odayaka," said Mariko with her arms crossed in front of her chest. "Let a professional take it from here." Mariko stepped forward she had some coins in her hand she was tossing them up and catching them again. Tasuki and Chichiri thought that the gesture looked familiar, but it wasn't Miaka's.
"What are you going to do, Mariko?" asked Kawa.
"Don't worry, Kawa. I'll handle this. You seem to like a challenge," commented Mariko to Shiro. He answered her with a shrug. Mariko stepped up to him still tossing the coins and catching them. "You don't really care about hearing about winning the fight. You only care about knowing that you won for yourself."
Shiro's eyes widened in surprise. 'How did she figure that out? After so many competitions, it just becomes a game,' thought Shiro.
"Tell me, Shiro, do you gamble?" asked Mariko as she toss the coins and caught them.
"Not really," answered Shiro as he lifted a suspicious eyebrow at her.
"Come on now. It's a challenge. I don't typically gamble. Not in the normal sense. I usually don't want to get my hands dirty in things like that, but you leave me no choice. How about a game?" asked Mariko.
"What kind of game?" asked Shiro with increasing suspicion.
"The rules are very simple. You pick the game. If you win, then you get to leave here with no questions asked. If I win, then you join us. Other than that there are no rules. If you agree to these terms, then the rest of these people are witnesses," answered Mariko with a slight smile. She tossed the coins and caught them again.
"I don't know," said Shiro with doubt in his voice.
"What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of losing to me?" dared Mariko. She really knew how to play mind games with people.
"I AM NOT AFRAID OF LOSING TO YOU! I ACCEPT YOUR TERMS!" bellowed Shiro.
"Fine. Pick the game," instructed Mariko.
Everyone shifted uncomfortably. Sei had heard of rumors of Mariko and a gambling ring in Jonan. He didn't pay attention to them because he didn't think Mariko would do something like that. Sei realized that he was wrong. Now he knew why Kinomoto Miwa had it out for her. Shiro looked around. He didn't want to do a hand-to-hand fight with Mariko. 'She's still a girl,' thought Shiro. He had to pick something that she couldn't possible be able to do. He surveyed the preparation area. 'Bricks. That's it,' thought Shiro.
"Well?" asked Mariko with an expectant look on her face. She still had the coins in her hand.
"The brinks. I challenge to break as many bricks as I can," said Shiro.
"That's insane! Mariko!" cried Taki.
"Fine. I accept. You go first. Sei, hold my coins. I know exactly how much I have, so I expect to get that much back," said Mariko as she handed over the coins to Sei.
"What does it matter, Mariko? You don't need the money. Besides, it sounds like you don't trust your own best friend," said Sei with a pout.
"That's right. I don't trust my best friend," said playfully Mariko with a wink. Sei pulled down below his right eye and stuck out his tongue at her. Everyone else laughed at their exchange. Shiro looked at the both of them strangely. 'Weird people,' he thought.
"We'll start off easy. Five brinks," said Shiro with a smug grin.
"Go ahead," said Mariko as she folded her arms over her chest.
"AYAH!" shouted Shiro as he hand went through the five bricks. When he was done he stacked another five bricks. Mariko stood there watching him. "Your turn."
Mariko crossed her wrist in front of each other. She concentrated. The bracelets on her wrist activated and became gauntlets. Chichiri and Tasuki gasped. She brought her arms down to her sides, and walked over to the stack of bricks. Mariko held out her right hand over them, and slammed her hand down upon them smashing them to bits. Shiro's eyes widened in surprise. Sei, Odayaka, Hono'o, Shitsu, Kawa, and Taki gave her a round of a applause. Chichiri and Tasuki turned around to see them sitting in a mini stands. "Where do you think they were able to get those cheering flags from?" asked Tasuki.
"I think Odayaka had materialized them," answered Chichiri.
"Moving on. Ten bricks," said Shiro. 'She's more than what she seems.'
Shiro broke through ten bricks without any problem. He stacked ten more. Mariko broke through them also. She had a very happy grin on her face. There came whistles and cheers from the stands. Shiro was pushing the limit at fifteen bricks. He may know pressure points, but he also knew his limits. 'More than fifteen, and I'm cooked,' thought Shiro. Mariko broke through the fifteen bricks without any problem. There came another cheer from the other seishi. Shiro stacked twenty bricks with a little more effort he was able to break them. Mariko broke them with the same ease the last time. Shiro was a quick study.
"Those gauntlets. That's how you're able to break the bricks so easily!" exclaimed Shiro.
"They belonged to one of the past seishi, Nuriko. You heard the rules. Remember, there was nothing forbidding the use of magical talismans," said Mariko with a smug look on her face as she shoot her finger at him. Hono'o burst out laughing hysterically. She just couldn't keep it in any longer. Her laugher was contagious as the seishi succumbed to laughter as well.
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!" exploded Shiro. Mariko remained calm. His chi was rising out of sheer anger. Chichiri and Tasuki took a step back. He stacked twenty-five brick and broke through them.
"You didn't break the last one, no da," said Chichiri. Shiro's eyes widened. Mariko held up her hand as a signal to allow her to stack the bricks by herself. She broke through all twenty-five bricks cleanly.
"I win. You're coming with us," announced Mariko with a smile. The gauntlets returned to bracelets.
"Very well. I accept these terms like I said I would. I am your last seishi. I am known as Shiro. The castle," said Shiro with a formal bow to his miko.
~*ClareBear's Omake*~
Miaka: Finally! They got the last seishi! And they for sure that he's a seishi.
Nuriko: I'm glad the bracelets help Mariko get him.
Tamahome: He's a stubborn one. But, it's amazing what my little girl can do. She can win a sword duel and she can convince someone to join them. (Has large happy eyes)
Hotohori: Yes. Who would have thought being a gambler was a good thing?
Tamahome: She's not a gambler. She's a bookie!
Miaka: I thought that you weren't happy with that.
Nuriko: I still don't understand how she could use those bracelets.
Chiriko: I wonder where the summoning is going to take place.
Mitsukake: Do you think one of the other groups have figured it out. I think that Suzaku is the last group to assemble again.
Tamahome: NOT AGAIN! WHY ARE WE ALWAYS BEHIND?! WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE PROBLEMS?! FIRST NAKAGO, AND NOW THEY HAVE THAT CRAZY WOMAN!
He's superdeformed and waving his arms around. Nuriko stops him with a punch in the head (kinda like Hayama in Kodocha). Tamahome passes out.
Nuriko: Calm down, Tama-chan.
Miaka: I think you did that too hard, Nuriko.
Mitsukake and Chiriko are checking him out. Tamahome has swirls in his eyes.
Nuriko: I did?! Oops! I'm sorry, Tamahome.
Hotohori: Don't bother he's out cold.
