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

15. The Phoenix

Shiro Den – Gaiden One

Chapter Fourteen: The Phoenix

Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi, but I own this story and all the original new characters.

Author's Note: Wow. I got a lot of responses about this fic, and I had to e-mail some of you to reassure you. I told you I always have a trick up my sleeve. I just didn't have the time to continue this story. I put up the first chapter and the cast list for the next gaiden, Seiryuu Den. ^_^ What can I say about this chapter other than…miracles still happen? Aren't people tired of me playing with you yet? ^_^

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Shiro's body was laid down on the ground, despite the blood, he looked like he was a sleep. Hono'o lifted her hand that held his until he died, and it was covered in fresh blood. She seemed to ignore everyone else as she focused her attention to Mariko. "Do something," she pleaded in a soft whisper. "Mariko-sama, please do something. The army is going to break through. And Shiro will die for nothing," she added.

Mariko looked at her and then at Shiro. She nodded because she understood what Hono'o had just said. She got off her knees and stood up. It was now time to summon Suzaku.

"KAI-JIN!" shouted Mariko, and the King symbol of Suzaku was glowing on her forehead. Ryu's eyes widened because he knew that what she was going to do.

"No! Mariko! Stop it! Don't summon Suzaku! If you make the wishes, he'll devour you!" cried out Ryu.

"Mariko! Listen to him! Stop!" shouted Sei when he heard what Ryu said. They looked at each other. Mariko didn't seem to care. The kanji of all the Suzaku seishi past and present were glowing, which included Chichiri and Tasuki's kanji as well. The only one not glowing was Shiro's. Odayaka looked at Sei and Ryu. Ryu's kanji wasn't glowing because he didn't belong in the group.

"I SUMMON SUZAKU, PROTECTOR OF THE SOUTH! HEAR ME NOW, COME DOWN FROM THE HEAVENS ABOVE!" commanded Mariko. Her body rose off the ground as she summoned Suzaku. The sky above their heads began to fill with a massive fireball. The sound of the great phoenix came and soon he was circling above their heads. His massive wings created might gusts of wind. Upon his arrive, the Mengxin's army stopped to see the great God of the South over the city. Mariko's feet touched back down to the ground. The phoenix landed on the ground near Chichiri. The Suzaku seishi were bowing to him out of respect. With a flame surrounding him, he changed to his human form. Mariko walked up to him, smiling she said, "I haven't seen you for a while, Suzaku." The god who had been with her for so long smiled and held up his palms. Mariko pressed her palms against his.

"You have three wishes. Are you ready?" asked Suzaku.

"Please restore the peace to Konan," whispered Mariko.

Suzaku looked at her with intense eyes as he looked at her, Mariko could see what he was doing through his eyes. She saw the army fleeing from the great city while they were still being pursued by the Imperial Army. They surrendered after some hesitation. Mariko felt a burning pain in upper back in between her shoulder blades. Ryu saw a two burned, red marks on her back. He was about to say something, but Sei had his hand on his shoulder. Ryu turned to look at him, and Sei had his finger to his lips as a sign for Ryu to say nothing. Ryu clutched his jaw to stop himself as he glared.

"Are you alright?" asked Suzaku.

"I'm fine. Let's finish this. Please restore everything that army destroyed throughout Konan," whispered Mariko as she winced in pain.

Suzaku closed his eyes this time he could feel her body weakening, but not her spirit. He was now holding on to her wrists to keep her from collapsing. Mariko was now gasping in pain as Suzaku granted her second wish. The seishi could see the burn marks on her back get bigger. They concentrated their chi to give her strength.

"One more left," said Suzaku.

"Give me back my seishi. Please give me back Shiro," whispered Mariko bravely. If Shiro could withstand the pain, then so could Mariko. Suzaku let go of her arms, but Odayaka teleported to her before she was able to hit the ground.

"Are you alright?" whispered Odayaka with concern.

"I'll be fine. I don't care right now," whispered Mariko. Odayaka gave her a soft kiss on the lips.

Suzaku closed his eyes and lifted his arms to the sky and clamped his hands together as he did, a pillar of flame came and surrounded Shiro's body, lifting him off the round. Shiro's body was suspended in midair. The injuries on his body disappeared. Suzaku was making him whole again. His kanji began to glow on his side as a strong red glow, that could be seen through the flames, came from him as well. Suzaku finally placed his body back gently on the ground. Chichiri walked to check Shiro. His skin was warm with life. Shiro was breathing softly. "He's just asleep now, no da," said Chichiri as he put his mask back on.

"Well, if Chichiri is back to his superdeformed mode, then that must mean is everything is alright," commented Kawa thoughtfully.

Mariko was no longer in pain when her finally wish was completed. She looked at Suzaku with a grateful look, "Thank you!" she cried. Suzaku smiled at her as his flames surrounded him. He changed back into his beast form and took off for the heavens above the heads. Mariko looked a little sad.

"Why are you sad, my love?" asked Odayaka with a soft smile on his lips.

"Because I hate to see Suzaku go. I miss him," said Mariko wistfully.

"He says he's always with you. There is no need to feel sad. Let's all go back to the palace. I'll use my powers. I didn't get to do much," said Odayaka with mock disappointment. Everyone laughed as he teleported everyone back to the palace.

* * *

Shiro woke up in a room in the palace. He didn't know what had happened, but he was still alive. He blinked slowly to clear the cobwebs as he tried to remember what had happened, but he couldn't remember. Shiro turned suddenly when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the door. Shumi was standing there with a tray.

"Mother?" whispered Shiro as he sat up.

"Now, now. Stay down. You're still recovering," said Shumi as she gently forced him to lay down. "You look much better now, Kuairong. Now stop looking at me like you don't know me," she added when he continued to give her the same bewildered look that she came in.

"What's happening?" asked Shiro was he stayed down for her.

"You're in the palace. Your father is outside with everyone else. You've been out for the past two days after Suzaku helped you. How's my son doing?" asked Shumi.

"Um..uh…I need something to drink," he answered. Shumi poured him some sake from a decanter and forced him to take a few sips. "Urgh! Stop! I hate this stuff!" he shouted.

"Honestly, you're as childish as your father. It's medicine," said Shumi in an exasperated voice. Her son was being a rather difficult patient. She got more cooperation from the Mt. Leikaku bandits than from him.

"I don't like sake," said Shiro more apologetically because he knew that she was only trying to help.

"You don't like, sake? I'm sorry. I should put the medicine in something else. What do you prefer?" asked Shumi.

"Tea. I don't care what kind, just don't give me sake," he said. With his powers the effects of sake was worse.

"What's going on? What are you doing to our son, Shumi? You're awake," said Kouji as he gave his son a gentle smile.

"I'm giving him some medicine. I'll get him some tea because he wants some," said Shumi as she left the room.

"You know you won't be able to fight her off," said Kouji as he took a seat next to his son's bed.

"Tell me about it. I've been in a lot of fights, and I can't fight her off," said Shiro with a smirk on his face. Kouji laughed at Shiro's comment.

"She's trying to make up for four years, Kuairong. You've been on her mind ever since you left," said Kouji as he raised his hand. Shiro pulled back a little from him and held up his hands defensively.

"Why are you doing that?" asked Kouji.

"Because I remember the last time we talked like this. You smacked me in the head," said Shiro.

"I was only going to move your hair. I can't see your eyes. Besides, I've learned that hitting you in the head is not the best way to get your attention. You have a hard head, so it doesn't work," said Kouji as he gently brushed Shiro's hair way so that he could see his hazel-green eyes. Shiro allowed him to do it, but he looked at his father. He remembered Lord Su, and he thought that the two men would have gotten along great. He smiled softly. "You've grown up a lot. A few more inches, but you've lost weight. We should do something about it," noted Kouji as he studied his son.

"I'm sorry," whispered Shiro.

"It's not a bad thing. Your weight is fine right now. I'm just a little worried," said Kouji.

"That's not what I'm sorry about," said Shiro.

"Oh?"

"I'm sorry that I didn't listen to you and mother before. You were right. I had to learn to be a better person to others and that I was selfish. I shouldn't have left home," said Shiro as he looked at his father steadily.

"Shiro. You had to leave home so that you could fullfill you destiny. I understand, but what I don't understand is why you didn't write home for the past two years," said Kouji.

"Um…I wanted to, but things happened. I thought that you wouldn't want to know to what I um…" trailed off Shiro as he averted his gaze away from him. Kouji saw the pained look on his face and placed his hand on his son's shoulder.

"You don't have to say anything. Love doesn't require any answers," said Kouji firmly as he gently rubbed his shoulder. "You will tell us when your ready. We always waited for you to come home, but like I said before I'm not going to force you. It's your choice," he added.

"You still love me?" asked Shiro softly.

"Of course. You may be a pain in the ass, but you're still my son. Even though I could say that my only consolation is to say just wait until you have a child just like you, but I'm not going to. I wouldn't wish you on yourself," said Kouji with a laugh.

"I love you, too, Father," said Shiro as he closed his eyes to go back to sleep. Kouji left him to slumber in peace.

* * *

The next morning, Odayaka said that the elusive Lord Hakurou had finally agreed to meet with him. They were having a private meeting in another room. Mariko was dying of curiosity just like everyone else. Her curiosity was infectious so everyone was hanging around the entrance of the palace because they knew that Lord Hakurou would have to come through there to exit. Odayaka and Shiro came out of the room looking at the bewildered crowd.

"What's going on here?" asked Odayaka who was superdeformed with questions.

"Um…I thought that Lord Hakurou was meeting with you today, Boushin. I didn't know you were up and about Shiro. Why did you go to the meeting?" asked Mariko looking at Shiro who was dressed in the clothes that his mother had purchased. The clothes were fine because of her refined tastes. Shiro had a slight smirk on his face. He noticed that Hono'o wasn't there, and it concerned him. 'Where is she?' thought Shiro.

The sound of approaching, quick steps came to the palace. Renbiao came to up to Shiro and Odayaka. "Your Highness," said Renbiao as he bowed to Odayaka. He looked at Shiro and bowed to him as well, "Lord Hakurou, I"ve brought your things as you ordered the messenger to tell me to do," he said.

"Thank you, Renbiao," said Shiro kindly as he smiled at him.

"LORD HAKUROU!" shouted Tasuki in surprise. Taki, Kawa, and Sei who knew that he was going to explode, and because they were standing closest to him, so they back away from him.

Shiro looked at him rather amused. "He rules the valley near here. The valley between Eiyou and Mt. Leikaku. Lord Su selected him as his successor. He is a nobleman and a healer for that valley. Shiro is excellent at what he does. Very well educated in over twenty different temples. We had a very lengthy conversation," said Odayaka.

"Hakurou? You choose the old boss's name as your own," said Kouji with a slight smirk.

"I hope you both don't mind. I had to come up with something fast, and it was the first name that I could think of," Shiro smiled as he addressed Kouji and his father.

"Um…your son's…" trailed off Tasuki as he went into a superdeformed mode as he pondered things.

"You were just in a valley that was close by…DAMMIT! You could have been here sooner! Urgh!" shouted Sei as he lunged for Shiro, but Taki held him back. Shiro had a smirk on his face as he shook his head.

"Sorry, Seijitsu-san. I was lost at the time. For a very long time," whispered Shiro as his hair obscured his eyes slightly. His voice still hid the pain that he felt, but he didn't feel as bad as he did before. The release of that much chi relieved him as his younger brother had predicted earlier.

"I have to return soon to the Su Estate and resume my work. I hope that Kanghui and Pei Pei are holding up well. I should check up on them," said Shiro.

"Pei Pei?" asked his mother who had finally recovered from her shock.

"My younger sister. She's Lord Su's daughter," answered Shiro.

"Oh," said Shumi.

"I thought that we had another child without me being told. A daughter? I don't know about girls. Any advice, Genrou?" asked Kouji.

"It's not bad at all. The only bad thing is…they grow up," said Tasuki with a sigh. He realized something when Shiro's body had given out earlier. He knew what was going on, and why Hono'o didn't want to be in the palace. He saw what was happening, but he couldn't fight it. Tasuki carefully observed Shiro's behavior, 'Well, it could be worse. At least, she'll be happy,' he thought. He just wished that she didn't have to grow up. Tasuki walked up to Shiro and placed his hand on his shoulder. Shiro looked at him with slight surprise. "You did very well," said Tasuki softly in his ear giving him his approval. Shiro smiled as he looked Tasuki in the eye. Tasuki smiled wryly and walked off.

"What was that about?" asked Mariko.

"I don't know, but whatever Tasuki just did…Shiro looks happy," said Shitsu. She smiled because Shiro had the push forward that he needed to confront Lei.

* * *

Lei was in her family's garden looking at the birds as they flew in the sky. She turned around in surprise when she heard some footsteps coming towards her. She was sitting on a rock close to a tree for shade. "Shiro," said Lei as she gave him a small smile.

"Hello…I came to say goodbye. I have to back home to the valley. There's work waiting for me. Also, chances are Kanghui and Pei Pei are killing each other," said Shiro awkwardly as he wished that he had come up with a better opening.

"I knew that were going to defeat him even before you showed yourself," said Lei quietly.

"Then, you had more faith in me than anyone else. Including me," he said as he looked at her a gentle breeze came and ruffled his hair.

"Why are you here, Shiro?" asked Lei.

"I came here to say that I was sorry again. I've learned that it's best to know what I'm apologizing for, otherwise it's meaningless. I'm sorry about all the things I said to you earlier. I didn't mean it when I said that you were acting like a child or when I said that you were being naïve. I was angry at everything thing. I don't want to say anything right now. I will when I'm ready," he promised.

"Then, I'll be ready to listen. I should probably try harder to that, but can I have one question?," she asked. Shiro couldn't say no to her, especially with the way she was looking at him.

"Sure," he agreed.

"Why did you work so hard?" asked Lei.

It was a very board question. He knew what she meant. Why did he work so hard for anything? He knew his answer was her, but he wasn't about to say that. "I was following my heart at first, but then I forgot why."

"I don't know if I would go so far for my heart. I don't know what I would do for love," she whispered because she knew that she loved him, but she lacked the courage to say anything about it to his face. Shiro looked vaguely startled because she almost knew what he was thinking.

"Why don't you ask me another question?" he asked softly.

"What would you do for love, Shiro?" asked Lei without pause.

"Everything and anything," he answered promptly.

"Will you come back to Eiyou anytime soon? Or will you just go away again?" she asked without hiding the desperation in her voice.

"Odayaka and I discussed that at great length. He understands my duties as the healer, but when Pei Pei marries, I'll leave. I'll either go back to Mt. Leikaku or serve as an medical advisor to Odayaka. Some of his powers are healing, but he doesn't have any formal training, so I offered to help him. But, the future is undecided at the moment. It's too soon to tell. Pei Pei probably wants me to stay in the valley. But, you'll be the first to know if I go anywhere," answered Shiro. She looked at him with a smile.

"I'm glad," she said softly.

"I have to go, Renbiao says that it's best we leave during the day before nightfall. My parents are coming to the Su Estate because my mother insisted. I can't seem to fight her off. Besides, it's on the way home to Mt. Leikaku," he said with a smile and shrug. He finally decided to do something. He came down to her level and gently lifted her chin, and he gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. He stood up and left the garden after that. Lei looked up at the sky. Suddenly, things were looking a lot brighter.

* * *

"LET GO OF MY HEAD!" shouted Pei Pei at the top of her lungs as she tried to grab Kanghui who was ignoring her as he read his scroll. He was holding her forehead with his long arm, while her shorter arms were trying to grab him. He didn't seem to notice or care.

"Why isn't anyone welcoming me and our guests?" asked Shiro from behind them. Kanghui let his hand drop, but Pei Pei's attention was now focused on her other oniichan.

"Oniichan!" she shouted as she ran up to Shiro. She wrapped her hands around his waist in a hug. She was so happy to see her brother that she didn't notice Shumi and Kouji.

"Father. Mother," said Kanghui as he approached him. He hoped that his mother wasn't mad about him leaving without saying anything.

"How are you, Kanghui? Did you do a good job while your brother was away?" asked Shumi as she hugged him.

"I did fine. With the exception of the brat," answered Kanghui as he gestured at Pei Pei who, in return, stuck out her tongue and pulled the bottom of her right eye.

"Who are these people, Oniichan?" asked Pei Pei.

"These are our parents," said Shiro as he looked at Kanghui who nodded.

"Hello, my name is Shumi," said Shumi as she lowered herself to look at Pei Pei in the eye.

"Hello, my name is Su Pei Pei," said Pei Pei as she gave her a graceful curtsey. "See, Oniichan? I remembered my manners," said Pei Pei as she looked at Shiro for a nod of approval which he willingly gave with a smile.

"Hello, sir," said Pei Pei nervously as he curtsied to Kouji who he thought looked just like Oniichan. An older, wiser version of Oniichan.

"Hello, I'm Kouji," he said with a gently smile.

"Oh my, I didn't notice how big the house was, Kuairong," said Shumi.

"Yes, It's big. I don't know where most of the rooms are myself. That's why I have Kenren here. He takes care of things for me," said Shiro as he introduced the elderly gentleman.

"Milord. Milady," said Kenren as he bowed to Kouji and Shumi.

"Why don't we all get some rest? And will you two stop glaring at each other?" said Shiro without turning around he knew that Kanghui and Pei Pei were engaged in their forth staring contest of the day.

* * *

Three Months Later…

The wedding of the Emperor of Konan to the former Suzaku no Miko too place on a peaceful day. The wedding took place in another location because Mariko fell in love with it when her eyes laid on it. It was the Su Estate. Pei Pei was so excited when she found out her oldest brother was a Suzaku seishi, so she was hero worshipping him more than before. She fitted into the family nice because Shumi finally got the daughter she wanted. Pei Pei kept her distance from Kouji at first because she wanted to get to know him better before getting attached. Shumi and Kouji were still leaving in Mt. Leikaku, but Kanghui stayed with his brother. He was getting extra training before letting their grandfather retire and taking his place in Mt. Leikaku. Rufui attended the wedding as well because he wanted to see his eldest grandson and to meet his new granddaughter. Pei Pei was so happy to be part of a family.

"I can finally die a happy man! Who would have thought that you were actually listening to me, Kuairong?" said Rufui happily. There was a happy, dreamy, and bubbly background behind him.

"Um…well, I was listening," said Shiro with a sweatdrop and slightly blushing. The wedding was finished, but the party was just getting started. Many came to the wedding. The council of the Emperor attended the wedding with their families. Seishi from the four corners of the world came to the wedding. It was the first time in two years since they saw each other last. The Emperors of Kutou, Hokkan, and Sailo sent gifts through the seishi to act as representatives. Mariko's family came with Sei's family. The wedding was massive in scope, but private in execution. The valley was the perfect place to hold the wedding because of its intimate location. Odayaka practically let Mariko plan it with simply saying, "Wherever it will be, and how you want it done it doesn't matter. I'll be there before you even get there." Mariko laughed and told him to just read his scrolls and do his magic.

The wedding was a mixture of both worlds. Keisuke was the one who gave his niece, but not without getting emotional about it. He kissed her on her cheek as he let her go. Yui was smiling with Soki who was now fourteen years old. Tetsuya was on the brink of laughing because of Keisuke's dilemma of letting his niece go, but he was rubbing his best friend's shoulder. Hoshi was with his fellow seishi, but he attempted to hid the smile on his face. He had to maintain his reputation of formidable and overprotective older brother. Sei acted as the best man for the wedding at Odayaka's request.

Sukunami Mariko wore formal robes that were big and long in the back that were traditional in Konan. Odayaka, who still disliked the funny looking hats, wore his hair down with robes that were red to represent his powers as a seishi. Mariko wore a headdress that had a veil attached to it. The world was so wonderful. Everything after Mariko appeared the wedding ceremony was a blur. It ended with the head of the council announcing the new Empress of Konan. Houki smiled at her son throughout the wedding. She kissed Mariko on the cheek at the end of the ceremony and whispered something in her ear. "Welcome to the royal house of Konan. We are family. Always," she whispered to Mariko who smiled back at her and gave her a grateful look.

The banquet was traditional, but it had traditions from the other world. Sei did a toast, but Odayaka did one to thank Shiro for the use of the Su Estate. He also ordered that even after Pei Pei was married, Shiro would still be the ruler of the valley. Thus, the line shift away from Pei Pei to Shiro. Pei Pei was so happy to hear that her oniichan would be staying permanently. She was holding onto Kouji's hand and beaming. She was always on her best behavior in front of Kouji, and at her worst around Kanghui who was learning to tolerate her. Kanghui finally had a younger sibling to push around, but he was now the middle child.

Shiro saw that Tasuki had come with his family including all three of his sons. Lingsu nodded at his direction as he turned his attention back to his wife, Mei. Tiaowo watched him from a distance. He was sure that something was going on because Shiro looked at Hono'o when she wasn't looking at him, and she was looking at him when he wasn't looking. Tiaowo sighed because he noticed that his parents knew about it, but made no move to stop it. He feared the worse; he feared that his father actually approved this. He gritted his teeth, and Wangshi noticed, "What's wrong with you?" he asked.

"Nothing. Great. Everything is great," mumbled Tiaowo.

"Yeah, everything's wonderful," agreed Lingsu. Tiaowo glared at him.

"Come on! Let's party!" shouted Wangshi as he grabbed his brothers' arms to drag them back to the wedding reception.

Shiro left the party for a little while to go off somewhere. He didn't really like big crowds because he wasn't used to them, but everyone was happy. Kenren and his mother saw to the guests. So, he had some time to himself. He walked off to the cliff where he had first met Jilun and Suzaku. He remembered the pillar of fire that he was encased in the first time. The valley was vast and sweeping. He couldn't believe that he was now officially in charge of all of it. Was he up to the task? The villagers didn't say much about him being a Suzaku seishi, but as always, there were mutterings about him. Some were upset that they had trusted him, and he had deceived them. Others were happy to know that someone was more than powerful enough to protect them. Shiro was now feared more than ever, but he had gained even more respect. He took out his telescope to look at everything. He longed to see things more closely, so he could see some detail. Shitsu had returned his sword to him after he recovered. He wore the sword at his side, but it was unused for the most part. There really was no use for it. It was the last symbol of his wanderings in the world. Now that he had settled down, he could rid himself of it.

He decided to walk away from the cliff, until he reached the lake that was nearby. He took the sword off his sash. With the sword still in its sheath, he threw it into the sky letting it go up to the heavens above his head. The hilt of the blade sparkled in the air as it came back down into the water in front of him and promptly sank to the bottom.

"You know that Shitsu went through a lot of trouble to clean and sharpen your sword for you," said a voice from behind him.

"Lei," he said in slight surprise.

"Why did you just do that?" asked Hono'o.

"I just wanted to. It felt right to do it now. I thought about doing that before, but it didn't feel right before," said Shiro with a shrug. He didn't want to explain what he just did to her.

"I understand. You want to let go of the past, so that you can look forward to the future," said Hono'o as the wind caught her hair and played with it. They walked along the shore of the lake together. A drizzle began to come down on their heads. They knew that the party was indoors, but there was also activity outside. Everyone probably moved indoors. They looked at each other as the drizzle became stronger, but neither one of them wanted to go indoors.

"I did everything for you. I would do anything for you," said Shiro in a soft whisper as the drizzle changed to rain. Hono'o looked at him as the rain came down. She took his hand into her hand. The rain was pouring on their heads, but they didn't feel it. Her amber eyes were soft as she pressed her other hand to his cheek. His hand caught her hand on his cheek. Hono'o pressed her head against his chest. Shiro rested his chin on her head. The rain continued to fall on them. It didn't matter what was going on else where in the world.

"Thank you. I don't know why anyone would…I've been blind," whispered Hono'o. The rain was cold, but they felt warm.

"I wanted to be good enough for you. I always wanted to be the best for you. Everyday…I felt this way. I always tried even harder," admitted Shiro.

"You fool…you didn't have to do anything for me. Just be yourself. Just be here for me. I promise to do the same," cried Hono'o as she held on to him tighter. He held her just as tightly. They were now soaking wet, but they didn't care.

"I promise," said Shiro.

Hono'o smiled up at him. Shiro lowered his head as she raised herself up to him. They met each other in a deep kiss. The moment froze in time.

They didn't need to say they loved each other because they knew all along that they loved each other.

The memories of the early days began to play in their minds as they shared the kiss. The memory of childhood, then the memory of growing up. The summoning of Suzaku. Hono'o demanded Shiro's sword, so that she could kill herself to stop the four elements witch from killing Mariko, but he refuse, saying that he wasn't strong enough. The separation that lasted for two years. The day that Hono'o discovered the Su Estate. The day Shiro was tested by Suzaku. Suzaku knew that he loved her, but he tested him to see how far he would go. All of these memories came back in that one kiss, and all of them led up to this moment. Forever frozen in time.

~*~ClareBear's Omake~*~

ClareBear: Thus, concludes Shiro Den. Ah…that was a long story. For the next story, I've ordered special guests who haven't been around since the series. To promote the next gaiden, Seiryuu Den, I thought that it was only appropriate to bring in the Seiryuu seishi of the first generation.

Nakago: Hello readers. I am Nakago.

Soi: Hello everyone.

Tomo: Greetings inferior ones.

Miboshi: Hello.

Ashitare: Grr. Growl.

Suboshi: Hello. I should say hello on behalf of my aniki as well. Hello.

Nakago: I would like to say that the next gaiden will be more exciting than the last one. We might actually show up for the next one.

Suboshi: What will you do if they don't show up for the next gaiden?

Tomo (smiling): It's too painful a thought to think of. (starts cackling)

Suboshi is sweatdropped. The others don't seem to notice.

Suboshi: Just my luck. Hey! I might get to see Yui-sama in the next gaiden.

Soi: Isn't she married?

Suboshi: Yes…DAMMIT!

Miboshi: Doesn't she have two children?

Suboshi: Yes…damn that means that bastard had to touch her more than once. I'll get him. Some day, some how.

Soi: You're dead remember.

Nakago: Don't discourage him, Soi. Where there's a will. There's a way.

Check out the next gaiden: Seiryuu Den!