Why not?
By: Arysa
Chapter 4: Fighting Fate
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Chichiri turned and faced Ayn. She could see the confusion and inner turmoil that her lover was experiencing and it struck her in the chest. She pulled Chichiri close in an embrace and asked "Do you want to talk about it Chichiri?"
The monk sighed and for the second time that day rested his head on his beloved's shoulder. His face turned in towards Ayn's neck. She could feel his breath softly caress her body and she sighed deeply. "I wish I could do something to help you through this Love … I feel so useless" she muttered.
Chichiri stood up straight and looked deeply into Ayn's eyes and saw the love and trust that reflected from deep inside her soul. He sighed. How was he going to protect the ones he loved from a God? Was it possible to avert the upcoming battle? Would his charges grow from the experience or loose heart as Nakago did in his past life? How could …
Ayn kissed Chichiri stopping his streaming thoughts before he could drown in the flood. Their kiss deepened as the two made their way onto his bed. They attempted to stall the impending disaster with their love as their souls met and joined in harmony.
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The morning sun shone fierce and bright into the teacher's small room. Chichiri opened his eyes, looked at Ayn and sighed deeply. Did she know it had been ten years since their last encounter? Would she believe he had been faithful all this time? He felt her move beside her on the bed and began to rub her shoulders. A smile crossed his features as he realized that this was their second night but first morning together. He began to rub her shoulders, thinking how nice it was to hold her in the morning
Ayn smiled as she felt her body instinctively respond to Chichiri's massage. The two lovers kissed and reluctantly left the bed to prepare for the day. Voices raised in loud debate echoed throughout the school and killed the lethargic beauty of the morning. Chichiri was out the door immediately, forgetting to don his habitual mask.
In the study hall, each group of students were arrayed by the wall that bore their constellations. Seen in such a way, it was blatantly obvious that the Seriyuu sichiseishi, being Tomo, Soi, Miboshi and Nakago outnumbered every other group. By the posture of Chichiri's students, it was also obvious that the Seriyuu sichiseishi were now outcasts. Chichiri approached Soi and asked softly "Has something happened, no da?"
Soi glared at her sensei. "How could you ask that?" she spat. What little control she had over her powers was being sorely tested and her blue aura was clearly visible.
"What did you think would happen?" Tomo asked Chichiri. "If we must be slaves to this stage let's begin the dance and have done with the show." he finished with a small flourish of his hands which revealed a small shell.
Chichiri was amazed; he hadn't known Tomo's powers had matured to the point where he would be able to create such a device. Sadly he wondered how many other students he had misjudged.
The Byakko seishi Subaru and Tokaki approached Chichiri and led him a little away from the Seriyuu seishi. They explained to him that last night the student were visited by their respective Gods and issued a challenge or warning. Apparently, the Gods could not take human form without a Miko, but could be given permanent access to the lands of men through possession of a seishi's soul. No God was willing to eternally give up one of their chosen so the matter had never surfaced in the past. However, now that all the Mikos had come and gone, Seriyuu still craved for release. On waking from their visions, the remaining seishi attacked the Seriyuu chosen in an attempt to neutralize the impending threat. In spite of having the advantage of surprise, they had lost and now the students were divided.
Chichiri looked closer at the Seriyuu seishi and noticed Miboshi rubbing his wrists. As Chichiri scanned the room he could see small injuries on almost every student. He made his way slowly back towards the middle of the room and sat at the long table. At this point, Ayn entered the room and sat down beside him. He immediately put his arm around her and said "Fate can bring much, no da, but you must choose your path."
"My path?" snorted Nakago as he stared at Ayn resting comfortably in Chichiri's arms, "It seems my path always lies alone."
Ayn sighed sadly as she listened to the young warriors words. She wished she could help the child see through the situation to the possibilities beneath, but he wasn't ready and she lacked the skill.
"It seems we are all societal rejects today," said a grinning Miboshi who reached into his jacket and pulled out a spinning top. The top flew up in the air and began to throw blue light around the Seriyuu seishi. The other students gasped in amazement as Miboshi began to levitate three meters of the ground. "I AM fate!" he cried, "Try to fight me this time Chiriko." Miboshi declared as he teleported Chiriko's body to his level.
Chiriko squirmed in a grip of hot blue chi. The other seishi approached the Seriyuu foursome threateningly. Tomo laughed and opened his shell. Nakago placed his hands in front of his body in ready stance while Soi began to gather lightening in her palm.
Chichiri stood up quickly from the desk and beat his staff against the ground three times. He placed a hand in front of his face and red light bathed the room. Each of his students fell asleep on the spot; even Ayn began to get drowsy. He looked down at her, smiled thoughtfully and whispered, "Sometimes you fight fate and other times you embrace it no da, sleep now." He took off his kessa and made a pillow for Ayn, who took it and leaned her head forward on the table and slept.
When all of his charges were sound asleep, Chichiri went off in search of his kasa. It was time to visit old friends about new problems.
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To be continued ...
