Shiro Den Gaiden One

by kiriel

The first gaiden for the series, Fushigi Yuugi: The Next Generation. As some of my readers requested. This is the 1st of four, and it's about the Suzaku group. A civil war is about to break out in Konan. Only one of the Suzaku seishi can stop it, but

14. Breaking Point

Shiro Den – Gaiden One

Chapter Thirteen: Breaking Point

Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi.  I never did and I never will. 

Author's Note: I've been working on my Gundam Wing fic lately in case any of you who have me on author alert for this story haven't notice.  I tend to prioritize my work based on how many reviews I get for the part.  The Gundam Wing fic has a lot interested people, and I really don't want to make them really wait.  I hope none of you really mind.  I like all my readers equally, but if I don't update the GW fic, I might get death threats ^_^.  Thank you for your patience.  Damn school is really getting to me.  Five more weeks to go.  We get to see Tasuki with his daughter in a flashback.  It's cute…and remember Tasuki only a real softie for his daughter.  Who wouldn't expect that from Mr. I-Hate-Girls. Lei/Hono'o is incredibly sweet.  Is it any wonder why there are people who love her so much?  I've been listening to the Escaflowne soundtrack.  The song "Yubiwa" or "You Can Still Be Free" by Savage Garden has a sad yet almost carefree quality for what I need for the upcoming stuff. 

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            Hono'o was thinking about Shiro.  She knew that he was in Eiyou, but what was going to happen.  No one knew that she had seen him except for Shitsu, although the very observant Kawa might have figured out something was up.  Shumi and Kouji were very happy about Shiro being in Eiyou, but Hono'o could tell that they were worried about him, especially Shumi.  She hadn't seen her eldest son in four years.  Hono'o wondered what that was like.  She thought about a lot of different things.  Perhaps, he was right: she was still a child at heart.  She thought about how cold hearted he had become.  Something was taken from him…he had no hope to left to him.  How could one continue living without hope?  Shumi and Kouji had hope, but they hadn't even laid eyes on him.  Hono'o was sitting in the back of the house looking at the garden.  It wasn't as lovely as Hakurou's, but she could see the sky above her eyes.  Hono'o turned when she felt a touch of hand on her shoulder.  She looked up to see her father standing above her.  Her father was always the big man who took care of almost everything. 

            "What are you doing?" asked Tasuki.

            "Looking at the stars.  Do you think that they'll attack tomorrow, Papa?" asked Hono'o.

            "I think so.  We'll be ready for them," said Tasuki as he took a seat next to her.  She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he gently stroked her red hair which was up in a hair ornament.  No one knew yet that most of it was cut off by Jilun's wind attack.  Hono'o closed her eyes allowing her father's presence to comfort her as she recalled one of her earliest memories.

~*~Flashback~*~

            Lei was three years old, and she came down the stairs during the night because she couldn't sleep.  She saw her papa standing outside looking at the stars in the sky.  Tonight was the anniversary of the first summoning of Suzaku.  Tasuki always took it as another day not just to remember the dead seishi, but the whole thing.  He looked at the constellations in the sky.  It was one of the few days out of the year that Tasuki was solemn because he remembered that day. It was the last day he had a chance to say to goodbye to everyone of the dead seishi and to Miaka, his miko.  However, Lei was too young to understand, so she assumed that he couldn't sleep.

            "Papa?" asked Lei shyly from the doorway that led to the backyard.  Tasuki turned around to see his little girl looking at him with her large amber colored eyes.  He smiled and gestured for her to come to him.  She ran happily to him, and Tasuki gathered her up into his arms.  "What are you doing, Papa?" she asked.

            "I'm looking at the stars," said Tasuki.

            "Why?" asked Lei.

            "Because they make pictures in the sky," said Tasuki. He didn't want to explain what the constellations meant, so he held her tightly. "They remind me of my other family.  My fellow seishi and my miko."

            "Did you love each other?" asked Lei.

            "What?" asked Tasuki suddenly surprised at her question.

            "You said that you were family.  People in a family love each other," said Lei simply. 

            "Yes.  We loved each other," admitted Tasuki.  He was amazed at how a child could come up with such an important question.  None of his sons ever did that, but Lei was different.  He could tell from the moment she was born.

            "Do you love me, Papa?" asked Lei.

            "Of course I do.  I always have.  Even before you were born," said Tasuki; he was surprised again that she would ask some thing like that.

            "How much do you love Lei-chan?" asked Lei as she turned around from his lap to look him straight in the eye.  Tasuki knew that his little girl was going to be a handful, but he wasn't expecting something as cute as her.  He smiled at her because she was just adorable.

            "Do you see the stars in the sky, Lei-chan?  Do you know how many there are?" asked Tasuki coming up with a very special answer for her because she deserved one.

            "No…Lei-chan doesn't know how to count yet, Papa.  You know that," said Lei who was now a little confused.

            "Well, it doesn't matter when you learn how to count, Lei-chan.  Because there are more stars in the heavens than any one can count," said Tasuki with a laugh.

            "You love Lei-chan as much as there are stars up there," said Lei, pointing at the sky.

            "No…I love you even more than there are stars up there," corrected Tasuki.  Lei gave him a beaming smile and settled down in his lap.  She fell asleep listening to her father's heartbeat.  Tasuki smiled at her while she slept.

~*~End of Flashback~*~

            Lei stayed at her father's side.  He knew that she was afraid about the upcoming fight that was coming to Eiyou.  He also knew that she was also a Kuo.  And a Kuo would never admit fear.

*           *           *

            Shiro had decided to stop the impeding battle if he could avoid it all together.  There was no time for fear.  He didn't sleep after cleaning Jilun's blood from his clothes.  He couldn't sleep.  He was mentally preparing for battle with Shi Mengxin.  The man who had single handedly caused so much suffering, and now Shiro knew what to expect from him.  He stood up and went to the garden outside.  There was a large statue there that was a large elaborated pot which held vines.  Drawing his sword silently he sliced through the solid stone pot with his sword.  The entire thing fell apart and crumbled to the ground.  He smiled slightly because it was like getting reacquainted with an old friend.  'I'll have to reimburse Wang for that,' he thought as he put his sword away.  It was time to mediate, and only after that was he able to get some sleep. 

            The next morning, Renbiao served him breakfast, and there was something in the air.  Renbiao knew that something was going to happen today.  Something important.  He was quiet, until Hakurou spoke up.  "I need you to do something for me, Renbiao," he said quietly.

            "What is it, Milord?" asked Renbiao with an eagerness to please him.

            "These are letters.  Each one is addressed to various people.  Please delivery them personally should anything happen today," said Hakurou quietly as he handed Renbiao the scrolls.

            "M—milord…" stammered Renbiao.  However, Lord Hakurou turned away from him.  Renbiao gulped, bowed, and finally said, "As you wish, Milord."

            "Thank you Renbiao.  You've been wonderful.  All of you from the estate have been wonderful," said Hakurou quietly.  "Leave me," he ordered Renbiao.  He stood up, taking the scrolls with him, he left his master in peace.  Each scroll was sealed with a stamp.  Renbiao didn't notice until he got out of the room that the red, wax-seal stamp was not Hakurou, but rather the kanji for the Castle.  Shiro. 

*           *           *

            Odayaka, Taki, and Sei were putting on some armor to get ready for the battle.  Ryu had come at Odayaka's requests, so that he could keep his own sister out of trouble.  Ryu was more than happy to oblige.  He and Odayaka had come to a rough understanding over the past two years about Mariko.  She wanted to go to the battle, but Odayaka only convinced her to stay in the palace because Ryu was there.  It was amazing what an older brother could get his younger sister to do.  Mariko pouted and agreed to stay with Ryu.  She was saying that he was as bossy as when they were younger.  The only thing Ryu could do was smirk at her comments.  Hono'o and Kawa agreed to stay behind at the palace to protect Mariko.  This made Tasuki very happy because Hono'o would be safer in the place.  The rest of the Kuo family, Ling and Tiaowo, were going to Sir Rong's place because it was like a fortress.  Hono'o didn't care about going to the battle. 

            "It's a good day for a battle," said Ryu quietly.

            "You're joking right, oniichan?  My seishi could get killed out there.  And I'm not just talking about Boushin.  I'm talking about everyone," said Mariko with an edge to her voice.

            "By a 'good day', I meant that this was the kind of day I had when we defeated that warlord before.  Besides, I'm optimistic because Shiro is here," said Ryu. 

            "Do you think he'll come to the others?" asked Kawa. 

            "I don't know.  What do you think, Hono'o?" asked Mariko when she turned around Hono'o was gone.

*           *           *

            A cloaked figure rode a stallion to battle.  He had an iron mask that covered half his face; it was black iron just like the claw-like weapon on his right arm.  He was happy that Jilun was dead, but when they found his second in command, he had no choice, but to kill him.  He had appointed another second in command.  Shi Mengxin knew that Shiro had made his presence known.  Underneath his mask, he scowled because Shiro was a nuisance that he couldn't rid himself of. 

            The city of Eiyou was the jewel of all of Konan.  Mengxin's mistake before was cutting a path of attack through Kutou which led to the fight with the very formidable Seiryuu seishi.  He didn't make the same mistake twice.  Instead, he moved his army slowly through Konan to surprise the Emperor and the other seishi.  The only seishi who knew first hand the carnage in Kutou was Shiro.  Would he be as weak as he was before?  Mengxin knew that their fight wasn't a fair one.  He knew that Shiro could have easily killed him if he was concentrating, but Shiro could feel the pain of others. Which, of course, made it almost impossible for him to inflict pain upon others.  Or so Mengxin thought.  The reports of the men who felt pain without touching Shiro were alarming.  Did he find a way around it, or did Shiro master his powers? 

            Mengxin was right about being aware of Shiro, but he didn't noticed the figure that was standing on the rooftops of Eiyou's houses.  He was dressed in a black cloak, and he didn't even need a telescope to see the great army coming.

*           *           *

            Odayaka rode into battle with Sei and Taki at his side.  Shitsu was in charge of providing the weapons for the men.  She was using her powers on the weapons to enhance the abilities of each of the users.  Her brow was sweaty from the heat of the blacksmith shop that she was using.  She went to go open a window, and spotted the dark, cloaked figure standing on the rooftops like a wolf waiting for his prey.  Shitsu smiled and returned to her work.  'Everything is going as planned,' she thought.

            Sei was thinking about dismounting his horse because he felt that he could go faster than the horse.  His powers were speed, but Odayaka made it very clear that they should reserve their chi until they needed to use it.  Tasuki and Chichiri were stationed more inside the city as the second to last line of defense.  Their powers were probably three times the strength they were when they had faced off with Nakago in Tokyo over twenty years ago.  Kouji agreed to stay with Ling and Shumi as per Tasuki's requests.  All of Ling's kinsmen were arming themselves getting rid for the attack.

            "Be careful all of you," said Ling as she kissed Tiaowo on the cheek.  The day was already taking its toll on her.  She was separated from her husband and youngest child. 

            "I'll be fine, Mother.  I have to help Uncle Kouji with the cannons," said Tiaowo as he placed a kiss on his mother's cheek.  Ling smiled, and Tiaowo gave a kiss to Shumi as well.

            "Don't do anything foolish," warned Shumi with a shaky smile.

            "I'm a Kuo.  I don't do foolish things.  Well…not on purpose," said Tiaowo as he walked off. Ling couldn't help but smile at her son's comment.

            Shumi placed a hand on Ling's shoulder, and they went inside the house.

*           *           *

            Shiro watched Shi Mengxin make his entrance towards the city.  He could also see the Imperial Army with Odayaka at the head ready and waiting for them.  The sides looked at each other.  Shiro held his breath.  He looked upwards towards the sky to send up a prayer to Suzaku. 

            "ATTACK!" shouted Mengxin.  The horses charged at each other.  Flaming arrows were launched into the air.  Odayaka activated his powers, so that there was a shielding that protected the Imperial Army and the Suzaku seishi which repelled the arrows. 

            "Return fire!" Taki ordered the archers. 

            The battle had began.  'There's no turning back now,' observed Shiro.

*           *           *

            Lei couldn't stand waiting for the army to come and attack.  The sounds of the battle waging near the entrance of the city could be heard everywhere, even in the safety of the temple.  Lei wished she could be at the battle at this point rather than being allowed to think about things.  She stood before the statue of Suzaku, remember the time she had asked where he was.  Taking the hair ornament out of her hair, she shook her short hair free.  She looked at the statue and did the same thing again, "Where are you, Suzaku?"  She sensed a breeze that tugged at her.  She left going to somewhere, but she wasn't sure as to where. 

            Mariko was in the palace pacing like a caged animal.  Kawa and Boushin's mother, Houki, were having tea while the battle was happening.  Despite, the calm façade, both of them were worried, so they weren't talking.  Ryu looked closed his eyes in deep concentration.  He had to Odayaka how they would attack the city, and he hoped that the techniques haven't changed since then. 

            Everyone who was within the vicinity of the palace were left to their imaginations, and the sounds outside weren't helping. 

            "My husband died during a battle like this one," said Houki quietly.  Kawa looked up at her in surprised and turned to look at Mariko.  Mariko came to Houki's side and gently rubbed her shoulder.

            "Boushin maybe his father's son, but he isn't Hotohori.  We can't predict how this will go, Houki-sama," said Mariko.  Houki took Mariko's hand in a graceful gesture.

            "You're a braver woman than me, Mariko-sama.  My son has chosen well.  When they win this battle, your wedding will be even more joyous," said Houki as she released her hand.

            "Um…there's no telling if they're going to win, your Highness. How do you know?" stammered Kawa in a worried tone.

            Houki looked at her with shining eyes that were not tears.  "The Suzaku seishi can do anything, Kawa-san.  I know that they will win.  Because I just know," she said. 

            "You're stronger than you think, Houki-sama," said Mariko as she took a seat next to Houki.  Houki wrapped Mariko with her arm and with her other hand took Kawa's, and she gave a smile of reassurance. 

*           *           *

            Shiro was waiting for Mengxin, so he stayed on the roof watching the battle with impassive eyes.  The whole thing was ridiculous.  Why were human beings out to conquer each other?  He watched at Odayaka used chi blasts on a group of men, but the numbers of the army was enormous.  Taki was throwing their heavy catapults around like they were nothing.  Their were dead men on either side, but the army still hadn't broken through the Imperial Army.  Shiro knew that the other half of the Imperial Army was deeper into the city, probably under the command of Tasuki and Chichiri.  Shiro shook his head.  'Why not just let them wipe each other out and be done with?' he thought. 

            No, he couldn't let that happen.  It would make him no better than Mengxin.  He sat down after the fight had started; his fellow seishi were doing very well considering.  Ryu told the seishi to look for a man who wore an iron mask, so Sei sprouted his wings and launched into the air to look for him.  When Shiro saw this, he ducked down to a lower roof top from the one he was on that obscured him in the shadows.  Sei made two circles above the armies, and the enemy started launching arrows of fire at him to shoot him down.  One of the arrows of fire nearly hit him, "What the Hell?  Who shot that?!" demanded Sei as he charged a red spirit ball.  He fired it at a cannon on the enemy's side.  "Bull's Eye!  Score one for the good guys!" he said happily.  He landed back on the ground letting his red wings molt.  Odayaka shook his head at him, and asked him, "Did you see him?"

            "No.  The damn arrows came at me.  Sorry, Odayaka," answered Sei.

            "It's alright," said Taki as he punched someone launching him into the air, "At least you took out a cannon."

            "Yeah!  Come on, let's get back to work!" said Sei excitedly. 

            While the three of them were talking, Shiro made eye contact with Mengxin who smiled underneath his mask.  Mengxin turned to tell his new second, "Stay here.  I'll be going into the city on my own."

            "Yes, sir," he answered.

            Mengxin looked to the rooftop again.  Shiro was gone.  "Hmpf," he said as he rode off to meet Shiro.

*           *           *

            Mariko suddenly jerked up which surprised Houki.  "What's wrong, Mariko-sama?" asked Kawa with concern.  Her brother and Houki looked at her also as she went to the window.  "Something's about to happen.  We have to go outside," she said.

            "What?!  No absolutely not!  It's not safe out there," said Ryu immediately.

            "We have no choice.  Something is about to happen.  Come with me, Kawa," Mariko ordered her.

            "Sure," said Kawa.  She couldn't say no because as a seishi she served Mariko. 

            "Fine then, I'll go with you, too," surrendered Ryu. 

            "Be careful, all of you," said Houki. 

            "We will," said Ryu, "Hey!  Wait for me!"  He had to catch up with them because they went ahead of him.  Mariko didn't think about everything else.  She was focusing on something that she couldn't quite identify.  "I don't know what this feeling is, but I hope were not too late."

*           *           *

            Mengxin dismounted his stallion and looked around the deserted market place.  He knew that people took shelter at the palace and other safe locations.  Other people were told to leave the capital until it was safe to return.  He walked along the dirt streets.  The wind gusted up the dust, and when the dust settle again, a cloaked figure appeared.  Mengxin smiled.  The two men stood a good distance apart from each other. 

            "Suzaku seishi.  I didn't think you would survive.  Perhaps, I was wrong to just leave you there and not kill you right a way.  However, part of me has been looking forward to this reunion," said Mengxin.  The cloaked figure stood still looking at him looking at him with impenetrable hazel-green eyes.  "Shall we begin, Shiro?"

            "Let us do this without any masks or cloaks," said Shiro finally taking off his cloak and throwing it down the ground. 

            "Very well, as you wish," said Mengxin taking off his cloak and then his mask.  The black iron claw didn't shine in the sunlight.  Shiro untied his sash which held the scabbard with his sword inside.  He slide his sword out of the scabbard as he did the sun hit the blade causing a blinding light.  Mengxin tried to hide the fact that the glare from it was bothering him, but he couldn't.  Shiro threw the scabbard aside with the sunlight displaying the glory of his sword's edge.  He pointed the blade upwards to the sky and closed his eyes.  'Please protect me, Suzuku.  I can't fail now,' he silently prayed. 

            "Praying to your god?  You don't think he's abandoned you, yet?" asked Mengxin with a smirk. 

            Shiro opened his eyes and glared at him.  "Begin," he said simply.  He let Mengxin come at him first, and he blocked him.  They started their final battle slowly as if trying to make the moment last as long as possible.  Shiro allowed Mengxin to make as many strikes and swipes with his claw as much as he wanted.  Shiro didn't have any problem avoiding any of his attempts.  His mind was focused on the moment.  He wasn't trying to beat him.  He was trying to defend himself.  The claw came at him again and again, but Shiro never let him have the edge.

            "Impressive, Shiro," said Mengxin without attempting to hide his admiration towards his enemy's skill.

            "Likewise," replied Shiro.  He finally launched an attack which Mengxin block.  The speed had picked up.  They block, parried, swiped, and lunged at each other.  The metal hiting metal was causing sparks to fly everywhere.  Shiro didn't look the slightest bit shaken by the Mengxin.  There was no fear.  Just pure and total focus.  The look that Shiro, the world champion, always had on his face.  'He's not afraid,' thought Mengxin.

            "I remember the match at the border where you ripped out a man's spine.  That's the same look you have on your face right now," said Mengxin.  Shiro looked at him expressionlessly.  "You truly are the best warrior out of Konan since Tamahome.  Truly magnificent.  I'm glad I spared your life because I wouldn't have the pleasure of defeating you now!" added Mengxin as he came down to Shiro's ribcage with the claw, slashing him.  Shiro flipped back behind, and he mentally blocked pain.  He countered by slashing Mengxin's face.  "Well done!" shouted Mengxin.  Their weapons met again in a fury of sparks.  Shiro's kanji, which wasn't active before, was now active.  There was a red glow emitting from his body.  Without saying a word, stabbed Mengxin in the torso with his sword.

            "MAGNIFICANT!" shouted Mengxin with a mad gleeful laugh as he charged at Shiro with the claw.  Shiro blocked him by placing the blade in between two of the claws cutting so deeply that the blade came up to his knuckles.  Mengxin managed to free himself from Shiro's blade.  He whacked Shiro in the head causing it to bleed.

            "I didn't know who I was back there.  I've never known who I was until now," Shiro said finally choosing to speak. 

            "DAMMIT!  WHO THE HELL ARE YOU THEN?!" demanded Mengxin.

            "I AM A SUZAKU SEISHI!  THAT WAS WHAT I WAS BORN TO BE!" declared Shiro forcefully as his sword came down upon Mengxin slicing off his arm with the claw on it.  The arm with the black iron claw fell to the ground, sliding slightly.  There was blood dripping off Shiro's sword.  His face was still focused and there was no fury when he declared what he had been trying to deny for the past two years. 

            Mengxin gritted in pain as he looked down at what was left of his arm, and then he looked at the appendage on the ground.  There was blood dripping down combined with unimaginable pain.  He looked at Shiro.  Suddenly, he ran and grabbed on to him without warning.  "I'm dying now!  But, I'm not going to without the satisfaction of making you feel it!  Here's another man you've just killed!" he shouted, tightening his grip on Shiro.  Shiro's impassive mask faded away to a look of horror.  He could feel it all not just the pain he had cause him, but all the pain Mengxin had ever inflicted on anyone.  He was the son of an army captain killed by Nakago over twenty years ago.  Mengxin watched in horror as Nakago vaporized his father with a spirit ball.  Young Mengxin was afraid at first, but as he grew older, he wanted to be like the man who killed his father.  A strong man who could strike fear into the hearts of his enemies, and whose name inspired fear in everyone. 

            Shiro breathed deeply as he looked at Mengxin who gave him a fierce look.  Both men heaved with pain.  Shiro could feel the cut on his body getting worse.  The life was literarily draining out of him in the form of his blood.  The two lower claws had ripped and twisted into his internal organs just below his rib cage, while the other two broke through his two of his lower ribs.  As a reflection of Mengxin's pain, Shiro could no longer feel his right arm, so he could fight him off.  "How does it feel?" demanded Mengxin with a glare as he bared his teeth. 

            "May all the pain you have inflicted be returned to you," gasped Shiro in a whisper.  The glowing from his body never faded not even during the moment where Mengxin had grabbed him.  Shiro's chi got stronger.  Mengxin's eyes widened in horror as he felt the energy suddenly increased.  He could feel sickeningly tingles in every part of his body.  The tingles became shots of pain that spread all over his body. 

            "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! " Mengxin howled in agony as the flesh of his body was being ripped from his bodies, all the while holding on to Shiro whose eyes became focused on him again.   The clothes first peeled off his body, followed by his flesh, and then finally the scream had stopped because his internal organs were ripped out by the force of Shiro's powers.  The last part of burn of his body was his head.  The flesh of his face was pulled back by the energy and ripped off.  Finally, only the skeleton was left.  It turned to dust and blew away.

            "I'm finished," whispered Shiro as he fell forward face first onto the ground.

*           *           *

            Everyone saw the red light glow from the center of the city which was followed by the horrendous, blood curdling scream.  It was so foreign that no one knew what was.  It should like a wild animal, not human at all. 

            Odayaka, Sei, and Taki heard the scream and stopped fight.  Odayaka nodded to the captain, and all three of them charged to go find out where the scream and the light had come from.

            Tasuki who was telling the men to stand their ground stopped, and said, "Suzaku?"

            "No, something else," said Chichiri as he took off his mask.  They looked at each other and without saying another word left to go see what it was.

            Shitsu heard the sound and ran to the follow it.  She feared the worse.

            Mariko, Kawa, and Ryu were just barely off palace grounds when they heard the scream.  "What was that?" asked Ryu.

            "I don't know.  We have to find out," said Mariko as she closed her eyes so that she could focus, "Over there," she said, and they went towards the marketplace.

            Lei heard the scream and saw the light.  She recalled Shiro being in the pillar of light she took off running.

*           *           *

            Shiro laid on the ground bleeding to death slowly.  He flipped himself over so that he could see the sky.  'I wish to be a bird in my next lifetime.  Perhaps, Suzaku will grant it to me because he's a phoenix,' he thought as the looked longingly at the sky.  If he were a bird he could come to the garden at the Kuo house and watch over Lei.  Lei. 

            Footsteps were slowly approaching him.  The person had stopped suddenly.  "Kuairong."

            "Lei?" he whispered without turning his head.  She came to his side slowly.

            "What happened?" asked Lei as she took his blood hand into hers. 

            "Nothing," he could feel her hand loosen its grip, "Please don't leave me I'm scared," he gasped as he tried to hold her, but he failed.

            "I'm not going anywhere, Kuairong.  I'll be here with you," whispered Lei as she held back her tears and swallowed a sob. 

            "Are you crying again, Lei?  I told you not to.  Please don't cry.  I don't want to see you cry.  I can't stand it…it hurts to watch," he whispered.  She touched his forehead and moved his thick, dark hair away from the cut, so that she could see his eyes.

            "I'm sorry," said Lei as she held back her tears for him.

            The sound of other footsteps came and stopped when they saw their fallen fellow seishi on the ground.  Shitsu had arrived at the same time as Odayaka, Sei, and Taki.  Odayaka, taking off his helmet, came to Shiro to look at his injuries, hoping that he could heal them.  Taki whispered, "Shiro," as he hung his head down and rubbed his temple with his finger trying to not cry. 

            "That chi.  It was him," whispered Sei as he closed his eyes tightly holding back the tears that threatened to fall.

            "Your injuries are bad," whispered Odayaka knowing that Shiro already knew.

            "I can't feel my arm.  My left arm," whispered Shiro as if it was something important.  Sei turned to see the arm of Mengxin with the iron claw.  He glared at it and raised his palm to it.  He discharged a red spirit ball vaporizing the flesh and melting the iron to unrecognizable mass.  He turned back at Shiro who gently flexed his fingers.

            "Thank you, Seijitsu-san," whispered Shiro as he swallowed some blood that was coming up his throat. He still held to Lei's hand, or was she was holding his.  He couldn't tell anymore.  Odayaka shook his head. 

            "The injuries are too deep.  There's too much internal damage.  I can't heal him with his chi so low.  There's nothing I can do, but take the pain away," said Odayaka with a shaky voice as he raised his surprisingly steady hands over Shiro.

            "No, don't.  I can take the pain.  I want to feel everything.  Thank you Odayaka-san," whispered Shiro softly as he gave Odayaka a gentle smile.  Odayaka let his arms fall to his sides; he had never felt so useless in his life.  His hands were fists at his sides.

            Mariko, Ryu, and Kawa arrived at the same time as Tasuki and Chichiri.  They stood there in horror when they saw Shiro.  There was blood everywhere.  Tasuki and Chichiri wanted to take a step back…it was like…Nuriko.  They were speechless.  Shiro coughed up blood violently.  Kawa stepped forward.  Odayaka looked up at Mariko helplessly and shook his head.  Ryu held Mariko's hand and hung his head down.   "I'm sorry…Mariko-sama.  I should have been a better seishi to you.  Please forgive me.  I should have been stronger," whispered Shiro as the blood dripped down the side of his mouth. 

            "He drained too much of his chi to defeat the warlord, Mariko-chan.  The cuts on his body are too deep, and that claw tore into his internal organs.  There's nothing we can do," whispered Sei as he suppressed a sob.  Mariko violently shook off Ryu's grip and went forward, but she stumbled on her own feet, falling to her knees.  She broke down crying and sobbing.  Shitsu attempted to offer her comfort, but she shook her off, "No, no, no…this isn't suppose to happen!  No!" she cried

            "I'm not afraid anymore, Lei-chan.  I'm not alone…thank you for being here for me.  I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry," he whispered as a tear came down his cheek.  Lei's hair obscured her face from him as the tears came down her face.  No one saw her cry because her body was so still.  "Let me see your face, Lei-chan.  Please," he pleaded in a whisper.  She turned around to face him and come down lower to him with a single tear coming down her cheek.  He used the last ounce of strength to wipe way the tear.  "Don't cry, Lei-chan.  A smile suits you best," he gasped finally as his hand fell to his side.  He looked at her eyes and slowly closed his eyes.  Lei felt his grip loosen. 

He looked like he was asleep, like the boy he once was.  The boy that Kuo Lei remembered.  Wei Kuairong. 

~*ClareBear's Omake*~

Nuriko: Did you see that look on Tasuki and Chichiri's faces?

Miaka: I remember being like Mariko when you died.

Tamahome: I remember that was in Genbu country.  You ran away and fell on the snow.

Mitsukake: I know how helpless and useless Odayaka must feel. 

Chiriko: I was hoping that this wouldn't happened to my counterpart. 

Hotohori: He didn't die alone.  He die knowing that he was loved by everyone despite everything that he did.

Nuriko: I think he finally said that he loved Lei by saying "A smile suits you best." I think he didn't want anyone to know that he was in the capital because he knew that this was going to happen.  And that they loved him because that's what a family does.  They accept you no matter what.

ClareBear: This was very tough.  It was one thing writing a bunch of seishi dying together, but this was harder.  It's harder because you get to know the character very well.  I always thought of the Suzaku group in Fushigi Yuugi as a family, and I wanted to demonstrate it here.

The End?