Tears of the Dragon - Chapter 13
Silently the whole time, Suboshi drank in the bitter words Iname spoke. Inside, he felt a swelling river of sadness, of loss, a growing fear. A fear that the one precious thing he had fought for, no matter what, he would stand a chance of losing her. He choked back a soundless sob, feeling an empty feeling in the pit in his stomach. He tried to deny what he was hearing. He didn't want this to be a reality but rather just a tall tale, a rumor meant to test the will and spirits of the couple to test their love and devotion for the other.
'No, I don't believe such a thing, it's...it's got to be a lie! It's got to be! I've practically lost everything...all I had was just Aniki. I finally get something else so precious, so valuable and now...now I'm at the risk of losing such a wonderful being...'
Yui turned her head, looking at Suboshi. She rested her hand on his. "What's wrong? I can feel you shaking."
Sighing, he rested his chin on her shoulder, letting out a breath of air as he placed it down. He didn't speak for a minute, just remained static. Finally, through a barely audible whisper, he replied, "I don't want to lose you...ever. Her words about Byakko no Miko can't be true...even if they are, maybe those two didn't believe enough..."
He shut his eyes. A heavy feeling lurked over his heart from the past. Coupled with this revelation, coping was a little hard, but he wasn't going to give in. He would be terribly upset for a while. Nevertheless, he refused to believe in the prospect of him and his beloved wife.
Yui turned in the saddle. She cupped his face in her hands. "I won't allow us to be separated." She brushed her lips over his. "You are my husband. I will not leave you. Never. Not for anything. If I do call Seiryuu, and he demands that I leave, I will not do it. I will defy anything and everything to stay here with you."
Lying her head on his chest, she snuggled into his arms. "I won't let us be separated. If I have to, I'll use one of my wishes to make sure of that. I love you and I won't leave you."
"If we can't be here...I'll go with you to your home..." He replied. He found his words to be sincere, but there was something else that bothered him about this. He swallowed. 'I know what it is...I don't want to have to chose between her and Aniki...'
Back at the inn, Shinta slipped into his room, unobserved. Opening the cabinet door, he pulled out a small box. Opening it, he pulled out a small clamshell. He turned it around in his hand thoughtfully. 'It will serve them right!'
Clutching the small shell in his hand, he put the box back into the drawer, closing it.
Leaving his room, he headed down the servants' entrance, leaving the inn behind.
The inn was a few days behind his back when he stopped at an unfamiliar landscape. It was open barren desert, yet at the same time, characteristically Hokkan, with the lush greenery and the crisp white snow. He looked around, sniffing the air.
'It must be Sairou-koku...I know one of the Shinzahou is here...I'll help these guys get to it before those slimy Seiryuu bastards get their hands on it. As of now, I'm a Suzaku Seishi.'
He eyed the shell, removing it from the box. He sat on the ground, holding the fragile object in his hand. 'Don't worry, soon I'll have you free. There's got to be a way to break this illusion. I remember Aya-sama telling me something once...'
He paused.
'Hmmm...if I remember correctly, whatever is holding the spell, must be broken.' He looked to the shell in his hand. 'If I break the shell, then the spell should be broken. At least they will be free.'
He laid the shell on the ground. Stepping back, he lifted a nearby rock, smashing it to the ground where the shell was.
In a brilliant flash of blue light, the shell cracked into a million pieces.
Shinta looked up. Sprawled on the ground were six people. One of which was very badly injured. He rushed over to help.
The remaining five, sat up, looking quite stunned, not knowing exactly what happened. The first of those five, the redhead, the leader of the Mt Reikaku bandits spat out indignantly. "Where the fuck are we and what the fuck happened with those damned bastards?!"
The rest of the group, minus Tamahome and Shinta massively sweat-dropped.
The purple-haired seishi spoke up, giving a response to her, or rather his colleague's outburst. "Ne, ne, Tasuki-chan, watch your language, there's ladies around."
The chocolate brown haired one, with a regal posture and air to his person was the next in line to speak on the matter. "Never mind his language, we really ought to find out where in Suzaku's name we are!"
"Daaa...I don't know no da, but I can say that it was an illusion..." Chichiri replied calmly, looking around at the surroundings. He removed his mask, revealing the grotesque scar that had destroyed his left eye. "It seems we're in Sairou-koku no da. Desert land...the west, Sairou."
Tamahome gritted his teeth, the pain excruciating. He looked up into a strange face. "Who are you?!"
"I am a friend. You have been injured..."
"No shit! When I get my hands on that slimy bastard...AH!" His words were cut off as Shinta placed a lotion over his wounds. "Shit! That hurts!"
Miaka rushed over. "Tamahome! Are you all right?!"
Tamahome grunts. "NO! I'm not all right! I'm fucking dying here!"
*SMACK*
"OWW!!!! I said I was dying!"
"Watch the language! I don't care if you are!"
Massive sweat dropping all around.
"Da...Miaka-chan...maybe you should move away..." Chichiri suggested.
"Er...gomen." Miaka replied, hanging her head and moving away.
Shinta continued to tend to Tamahome's wounds. His expression was neutral. He then went on to say, "Suzaku Seishi, Suzaku no Miko, you guys must hurry to the capital of Sairou-koku. The Seiryuu Seishi are in Hokkan, after the Genbu Shinzahou. They will need the Byakko one. I ask of you, don't let them get it! You must get it first! And no, they can acquire both with fair means. because they've got a major ally on their side."
He finished wrapping Tamahome's wounds. "Hmmm, those should heal nicely within a few days, don't do anything too strenuous that might aggravate them."
He stood up and faced the group and bowed. "Pardon my rudeness, I forgot to introduce myself. Shinta. I would like to join up with you people, despite the fact that I'm not one of you."
"Yeah?! why would you want to help us?!" the red-haired bandit demanded.
"They are my enemies, just as they are yours. They are from Kutou. Kutou has done nothing but kill without regard for centuries. They must be stopped!"
"YEA! Get that damned painted freak!"
Chichiri's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he gazed at Shinta. 'I feel a chi from him!' The monk then inquired. "Shinta-kun, I feel a strong chi from you, and you say that you aren't allies of the Seiryuu Shichisei, so that means you're a Suzaku no da?"
Shinta's eyes grew sad. "In words and deeds, I would like to be a Suzaku. I believe wholeheartedly in you. The Seiryuu's must be stopped. At all costs. Their only way now is to gather the Shinzahous."
"Why? Can't they just gather their last seishi?!" the purple haired woman asked.
Shinta shook his head. "No. Because I will not join them."
"WHAT??!!" The redhead, known as Tasuki exclaimed, venom dripping violently from his tongue, as he drew his tessen. "Okay...how the fuck do we know you ain't here to kill us?!"
Chichiri sighed. "Tasuki-kun, he comes in peace. His chi is low, he freed us from the illusion and he's helping us get the Byakko no Shinzahou and informed us about the Seiryuu Seishi no da. I would say he has no ulterior motive no da."
"Hai. Chichiri is right, Tasuki. We must trust him." The long brown-haired man replied.
"Hotohori-sama is right, of course. We must trust him. He's the only one that knows where we are. I've never been here before." The purple haired lady replied.
Tamahome grimaced at his bandages. "Hotohori-sama and Nuriko make an excellent point. We have no supplies, I'm injured, we don't know where
the hell we are! We have to trust him."
Soi, on the saddle behind Nakago was growing quite restless. It wasn't from the long duration of the trip from the township that they were just in to Tolan, it was in fact due to the fact that she hadn't been able to zap anything. Anything such as a Suzaku Seishi in a few days and was itching for the need to. She sighed, resting her head against Nakago's back, listlessly watching the landscape roll by lazily.
'Damn...am I bored...I need to zap something...'
Calling on some lightening, she torched a few random trees in a festival of sizzling and crackling. Soon they were nothing more than a pile of charred remains of wood.
Amiboshi cringed. He looked back at Soi. "Was that really necessary?!"
"Hai. I hate this...I haven't been able to fry any Suzaku ass for so long!" Soi whined, still leaning against Nakago lovingly
"Oi." Amiboshi sighed. He didn't want to know. He didn't want to deal with it. He turned to his brother and Yui.
Yui was fast asleep in front of Suboshi, his arms protectively around her. Amiboshi smiled. "Ne...Su-chan. How are you feeling?"
Suboshi shrugged. "I don't know...I...I feel okay."
"Then why don't I believe you?" Amiboshi brought his horse next to his brother's. "I've always been able to tell when you were upset, even when you were little. Tell me what's wrong."
"I...I...err...I guess...I guess the thing that's bugging me is what Iname-san said...about Tatara and Byakko No Miko being separated." Suboshi replied softly, turning to his brother, tears faintly tracing the bottom of his eyes.
Amiboshi smiled. Bringing his horse so he was right next to his brother, he reached out and brushed the tears away. "Shhh...Shunkaku. It's okay. I won't let that happen. I'll make sure both of you are together. Whatever it takes. Besides, you're forgetting one thing. Didn't Iname-san say that Takiko and Tomite ended up together?"
"That's...that's right." He nodded, yet sighed sadly. "I guess...I'm more worried that something will happened no matter what we do. I know I shouldn't think like that, but I still fear it."
"Remember the old adage, Shun. Love conquers all. Your love for each other will conquer any obstacle. I know that."
"I hope it's right, Aniki...I really do."
"Of course it is! Perhaps Tatara and Byakko no miko weren't strong enough in their love. Perhaps they allowed Tokaki to influence them. I know you won't. And neither will Yui."
He placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. "Think of this. They were not married. You two are. Despite your...restriction, you are still her husband. And she your wife. I don't think even the gods would separate you know."
Suboshi quirked a half-smile that came out with an edge. "Defying the sky...that's always fun! It really is!" He laughed mirthlessly.
"See?! It'll be fun! Now get that gloomy look off your face! Besides, we can always ask Tomite more about it when we see him, ne?"
"True. Goody, we get to talk to the dead...do we need a psychic medium?!"
"Are you sure he's dead?! I mean...if he's her son, shouldn't that mean he's...oh never mind. I have a headache thinking about it." Amiboshi sighed. "We should be there soon. It's not much farther, I hope."
"Nope, it isn't!" Iname called over her shoulder. "And yes, Tomite and Hikitsu are dead."
Amiboshi blinked. "Okay....wait a minute! Then how do they end up together?!"
Iname chuckled. "They were alive when they were together, however, their end is much more tragic than Tatara and Byakko no Miko's. Though my son did get the girl he loved, he wound up dying shortly after an exchange of vows, and at that time, she had also been dying herself."
Amiboshi looked down. "Oh. I'm sorry. That must have been very painful."
"It was." Iname replied, her tone dull. She sighed. "They did make it...to the time of their deaths. I don't know if Takiko did die, but I think she might have."
"You don't know?! How can you not know what happened to your own miko?!" Amiboshi asked, outraged.
"Simple, we encouraged her to return to her world in order to hopefully heal. This was shortly after the death of my son. He died saving her. We had Taiitsu-kun return our Miko, hopefully to save her." Iname replied calmly, though feeling sad, knowing Tomite hadn't let her help him live.
"I'm sorry, Iname. I know it must be hard for you to speak of it." Amiboshi sighed.
"It's okay...I don't mind at all."
"All right." Amiboshi sat in silence. He wondered what could have been wrong with her.
Suboshi had been listening to this part of the conversation in reserved contemplative silence. He had a mass of questions that scrolled rapidly through his mind, questions about what happened to Genbu No Miko. Questions about the Byakko Seishi and why that didn't work whereas the one with Genbu did, although there was death in the end.
'The end looks so bleak, so tragic. One end in death, the other in eternal separation. Neither of the prospects looks encouraging. Is this where our love will end? In one of those situations or will we actually beat the odds...'
He sighed. He was hoping that this fatal seeming situation becomes a circumstance of serendipity. His eyes travelled down, resting upon his dozing love that leaned her weight against him, looking peaceful.
Brushing loose strands of hair from her face, he prayed that it would and must work out.
Amiboshi sighed. He wanted to cheer his brother up, but he feared his conversation with Iname had done the opposite. He sighed pensively, staring out at the landscape. He would do anything to ensure his brother was happy. Anything.
Yui leaned against Suboshi, feeling the reassuring presence of his arms around her. The story that Iname had told Amiboshi had struck a cord within her. 'What if we can't be together? Sure, the Genbu Miko married her seishi, but he ended up dying, leaving her alone. She couldn't bare it if something were to happen to Suboshi. She'd rather die than be left alone without him.
Soi let out a breath. "Che, it's taking so long to get the capital. Wouldn't it have been easier to just have pursued Ashitare and get him to come back with us to Kutou instead of this cumbersome journey?!" Sighing, she looked up from her spot on Nakago's horse.
Over the near horizon was the start of the capital with the gates surrounding it protectively. The first step to Mount Black and the journey up to the cave where the Shinzahou was kept for safekeeping.
Amiboshi shook his head. "It wouldn't have done any good. He's not interested in helping us. And I don't know of any way to force him." He pointed ahead. "Looks like the capital is just ahead."
Yui's ears perked up at the sound of the location of the capital being just ahead. "WAI!" She squealed in delight, causing the rest of the rank and file that was with her to massively sweat-drop and try to pretend to pay attention to something else. She sighed. Gazing up, she scowled at the expression on her koi's face. Jabbed her elbow back; she caught him swiftly in the ribs. "Shun-chan! You're not supposed to roll your eyes at me! You're supposed to like to!" she pouted and gave Suboshi a really *good* view of her cleavage.
At that sight, the poor kid didn't know whether to stare, nose-bleed or faint. "Uh...you're right, Yui-chan."
Amiboshi shook his head. 'Oi...why me? Why am I cursed?' He sighed, turning to Iname. "How long after we reach the capital till we can get to Mt. Black?"
"It's a fifteen minutes ride to the foot of the mountain and an hour climb to where the entrance is." Iname replied. She sighed. "Chuin..."
"Hai?" He replied coldly.
"I'll need you to move the boulder at the top of the mountain."
"Nani?!"
"Boulder?!" Amiboshi's eyes widened. "Okay...uhm...what about these...guardians you mentioned?"
"Tomite and Hikitsu?! They're inside. Only those who can move the boulder can enter. I can't, but because I teleport, I can. So I frequently go to annoy my son." Iname snickered at the thought.
"Uh huh. Okay." Amiboshi was not going there. Uh huh. He'd wait to see about these two seishi.
"And there's four others who like to drop by for a visit...Hatsui, Uruki, Urumiya and that little scamp Naname, another illusionist." Iname added, to keep the group informed.
So...are we gonna have to fight any of these seishi?!" Amiboshi was growing a bit alarmed. It was one thing to deal with two, but all seven?!
"If I'm on your side, you won't have to. Just because they happen to hate Chang...doesn't mean that the rest of you'll have to fight the Genbu Shichisei. Remember, they have to get through me first and I don't die." Iname cackled fiendishly at the thought.
"I mean, he did have Tomite kidnapped, wanted him killed, tried to have Takiko-chan killed as well as the others...doesn't mean a thing when it's two hundred years later..." Iname sweat-dropped, realizing that she was giving away too much information.
"Whoa..." Soi blinked, a little surprised to hear this.
Tomo didn't seem to think anything of it. But then again, Tomo never thought much of anything anyway.
"Really? Then...will they try and stop us? Seeing as we're Seiryuu Seishi like Chang?" Amiboshi queried.
"Not if I have anything to do with it." Iname bluntly shot back. "And it'll mean nothing that Hokkan was invaded two hundred years ago by Kutou under the command of Chang. Because I chose the guardians of the Shinzahou and I have access to it. But Miko-sama still has to pass the test."
"Oh."
Amiboshi smiled. "Don't worry, Yui-chan. We won't let anything happen to you. Right Su-chan?"
"HAIII!!!"
Amiboshi snickered. Yui rolled her eyes.
It would be a while before they arrived at the foot of the mountain, at which point Iname announce it was time to dismount and proceed by *ahem* foot. She smirked and turned back to the group. "Let's have a vote...all in favour of flying raise your hand!"
Amiboshi face vaulted. "FLYING?!"
Yui's eyes went wide. Then grinned in glee. "ME!!!"
"Excellent." Iname clapped her hands together. "Do I hear any more favourable slants towards flying...if not...there's always teleporting to the peak..." She smirked. "Either way...it still takes less than a minute."
Amiboshi rolled his eyes. He got up, dusting himself off. "Fine. I guess. We'll teleport."
Yui pouted. "But flying is so much fun!"
Amiboshi just glared at her. She shrugged.
Iname nodded, trying not to laugh at the youth's blatant irritation. She cleared her throat. "I need everyone to join hands." She stepped between Yui and Soi, taking each of their hands.
Amiboshi smirked. He took his brother's hand. He whispered in his ear. "Don't pout. Your face will stay that way."
"Aniki..." Suboshi groused.
Amiboshi grinned. "Yes, Shun-chan?" He smirked innocently.
"Shut-up."
Amiboshi smirked. It was so much fun teasing him. "Make me."
"FINE!" With that, Suboshi broke off part of the link and tackled him brother, knocking them both into the snow.
"UMHF!!!" Amiboshi looked up at his brother. "You are such a baka. Get off me!"
Yui rolled her eyes. "Oi..." She looked to Iname. "Tell me I didn't marry that idiot?!"
"Sorry...can't." Iname replied softly.
Taking a handful of snow, Suboshi shoved it down his brother's shirt and grinned inanely.
"Ow!!! That does it!" Amiboshi pushed his brother into the snow, taking a large handful he rubbed the cold snow onto his brother's face. "There." He stood, brushing the snow off himself. "Baka."
"GET BACK HERE ANIKI!!" Suboshi then started chasing his brother with a handful of snow.
The rest of the group massively sweat-dropped.
"Eeep!" Amiboshi picked up a handful of snow. Rolling it into a ball, he threw and hit his brother square in the face. "HA! TAKE THAT!"
"ARGH! Aniki! You'll pay for that!" With that, he sent his brother face first into the snow.
Being as defenceless as anyone would be once having snow shoved down one's pant, Suboshi writhed and squirmed at the cold material that froze his skin. "WAH! Aniki hates meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!"
Amiboshi rolled his eyes. "Oi...baka. Get up!" He grabbed his brother by the arm, yanking him to his feet. "Let's go already! Geez..."
"But it's sooooooooooooooooooooooo ccoooooolllldd!!!" Suboshi whined and sputtered, as he stumbled to his feet with help from his older brother.
"Oh shut up!" Amiboshi dragged his brother to the circle again. "Let's go."
"Hmph." Suboshi pouted but reluctantly joined in, wishing he could've been next to Yui and NOT between his brother and Nakago. 'Shit...this ain't fair! I ain't no flamin' gay!'
Amiboshi turned to his brother and gave him a piercing stare. Afterwards, he turned to Iname. "We're ready."
In the blink of an eye, a flash of lightening the group was at the top of Mt. Black staring at the boulder Iname had spoken of. She moved directly in front of it, touching her hand to it. "Chuin...use your illusion to break it."
The painted Seishi did so, making it seem effortless.
Amiboshi shook his head to clear it from the teleportation. He watched silently as Tomo broke the boulder. He looked to the large iron doors. He nodded. "Okay. I guess this is it, guys. Lets go." He looked to Iname. "If you would do the honours?"
"Nope...no need to..." Iname said on cue, as the doors parted without any assistance. "Hm...Tomite must be bored, looks like he decided to open the doors himself."
The doors opened wide. And eerie silence fell. The group walked inside, wary.
Only to have Iname glomped by a dark whirlwind. "OKAASAN!!!!"
"GAH!" Iname and the figure fell to the ground. She then smiled. "Chamka-chan!"
"Okaasan!" The tall figure bent down, lifting her to her feet. He hugged her tightly. "It's been so long...I'm glad you came to visit. Hikitsu and I have been getting bored." He turned his head, frowning. He looked to Iname. "Friends of yours?"
"No. They're Shichisei." Iname replied, not telling of which given god. She smirked. "So...just how bored were you my little scamp?!" She ruffled his hair, knowing just how much it would annoy him. She placed her arm around the shoulders of her son, as they walked back in, leading the group. "They've come in search of the Shinzahou. Usual procedures apply."
Tomite nodded. "Ah. Of course." He made a face at Iname. "We were making stalagmites. Does that tell you how bored?!"
"Oh for the love of Genbu...Chamka!" Iname rolled her eyes.
Tomite smirked. Then grinned innocently. "What?! We were bored! You try staying in this cave for two hundred years!"
"You know the others volunteered to do a shift like schedule! But you were stupid and refused." Iname reminded her son in a blunt tone
Tomite flinched. He looked away. "It...was better this way. At least I can keep myself occupied here."
"Yeah! Bein' pissed bored out of your tree!!" A youthful voice exclaimed, bouncing up to the mother and son.
Iname snickered. "Naname."
"HEY! It's the kyuuketsuki! Killed anyone lately?!"
"Naname..."
Tomite snickered. He took Naname and held him in a head lock. "What are you doing here, brat?!"
"Comin' to annoy you! Man...it's great spending time with Takiko-sama and not having you around for competition!" Name bragged, pulling out of the headlock, looking rather smug.
Tomite snorted. "I'll just bet it is." He crossed his arms and glared at his friend. "Just watch yourself."
"And why should I?! I mean, you ain't around and your mama keeps you in line!"
"Naname...."
"What?!"
"Behave! What have I told you?!"
"That you intend to rip my head off if I don't keep my hands off Takiko-sama..."
"Very good. Keep that in mind."
"Nah! I'm already dead! So...I don't hafta!!"
"There is dead, Naname. And then there is DEAD!!!" Tomite gripped his friend in a headlock again. "Don't make me repeat myself, brat."
"It's bad for your health, which is why I do it, ojiisan!" Naname squirmed out of the head lock. "The only form that is deader than dead is what Iname is."
Iname sighed. "Leave me alone."
Tomite smacked Naname upside the head. "Watch it. That's my okaasan, brat."
Yui massively sweat-dropped. "I don't know how's more stupid you two...or the twins..."
Tomite glared. "And just who are you?"
"Hongou Yui!" Yui replied with a bow.
She was promptly embraced by Suboshi, who glared piercingly at Tomite. "And she's my anata...so don't you even dare do anything to her unless you want me to rip your goddamned fucking head off, Genbu Seishi no baka!"
Tomite sweat dropped. "Oi..." He looked to Iname. "Tell me she isn't the Miko. Please."
"She's Seiryuu no Miko!" Suboshi shot back, sounding extremely defensive and proud of what his anata was. He continued to glare piercingly at the Genbu Seishi. He kept a strong embrace around Yui.
Iname shrugged helplessly. "Gomen ne, Chamka...I can't."
Tomite stepped back. "Seiryuu!" He turned his gaze to his mother. "Okaasan..."
"Trust me...they all equally hate Chang as much as the rest of the world does." Iname sighed, knowing exactly what her son's statement was possibly going to be.
Tomite growled. "I should hope so...after what he tried to do..." He shook his head. "It's a wonder I didn't go crazy."
"Like you weren't already a nut case for the insane asylum," Naname quipped.
"Naname...."
"Sugoi!"
"Baka."
"Ahou!"
"Teinousha!"
"Still just as childish as you two ever were," another voice quipped. It didn't sound distinctly male or female, it sounded between. Over in the far corner came another Genbu Seishi. That one was immediately recognised as Hatsui. He/she was attired in the usual, thus obscuring the true sex. "Iname!"
"Hatsui!" The kyuuketsuki turned and the two Seishi embraced.
Then turning, Hatsui smiled at the Seiryuu side, her/his sights landing on Amiboshi. S/he sauntered over, taking the face of the youth in her/his hands. "Aw...he's cute..." Turning back to Iname, Hatsui asked. "Do you think this one's taken?!"
"No...the other one is though..."
"Excellent." With that, Hatsui, who could've been male or female, planted a kiss on Amiboshi's lips before moving away and standing back beside Iname, who just shook her head.
Amiboshi staggered back, his face turning a beat red.
Tomite snickered. "You always were good at that, Hatsui. So what is this?! A reunion?! What are you and Naname doing here? For real this time!" He glared at Naname.
"Fine...we were bored as all hell in the after life, so we decided to check out the action! There's three more coming." Naname then elbowed Tomite pointedly. "And Takiko-sama's coming..."
Tomite's eyes lit up. "She...she is?"
Amiboshi smirked. He wondered if his brother would be like this.
"Hai...and man is she restless...horny women aren't funny," Hatsui joked, with a half-smirk.
"Well, I could've satisfied her...any day!" Naname exclaimed, only to have debris thrown at him by the other three Genbu Seishi.
A long drawn out sigh was heard.
Hatsui turned. "Hikitsu!! Had a lousy two hundred years with being deprived of any sex?!"
The silver-haired seishi turned beat red. "Hatsui...really..."
Iname snickered. "Well...be honest..."
"Fine....I was..." Hikitsu looked down.
"Aw...don't worry...I'll make up to you..." Iname ran her hand gently over his face. She then turned to Hatsui. "You know...that kid's a virgin...he'll be to your liking."
Amiboshi turned a deep red, almost falling over. "INAME-SAN!!!"
Tomite snickered. "Awwww...that's sweet."
Amiboshi glared.
Hatsui laughed fiendishly and moved back to Amiboshi, in the process dropping off her cloak to reveal rather her scantly clad form. The neckline nearly plunged half-way down her chest, the waist of the dress was tightly tied in, revealing the curves of her hour-glass figure.
Amiboshi's mouth dropped open. He swallowed, turning a deep shade of read. He could feel a nose bleed coming on. Once it struck, he fell flat on his face in a dead faint.
Tomite blinked. "Oi...You did it again, Hatsui..."
Hatsui mildly sweat-dropped and laughed nervously. "I should really watch that, hm?!"
Iname nodded. "Hai. I didn't think he would last as long as he did."
Tomite nodded. "Hai. Not bad. You might have something there, Hatsui. If you can keep him awake enough."
A fiendish grin quirked over her features. "Maybe a nice kiss will help him...." With that, Hatsui scooped up Amiboshi and planted a firm kiss on his lips, cupping her mouth completely over his.
The other Seiryuu Seishi kept busy with a game of "Rock-paper-scissors".
Amiboshi blinked his eyes open. Then his eyes widened. He pulled away and scurried behind his brother for protection.
Tomite sweat dropped. "Oi...You were right, Okaasan. They're nothing like Chang."
Iname nodded. "I'm glad you're finally listening to me...after you see that I was right." She seethed, giving Tomite a piercing glare. At the very moment that she was doing that, a female voice broke through.
"TOMITE!!!"
She tackled the seishi, sending them both to the ground. "WAI! Tomite-chan! I missed you so much!!"
"Umf!" Tomite shook his head, then grinned. He held her against him tightly. "Takiko!" He held her face in his hands, smiling. "You haven't changed. Still as beautiful as ever."
"And you're still the shameless flatterer you always were my dear, Tomite!" Takiko cooed, gently brushing her lips over his. Her eyes eagerly stared up with profound love into his.
Tomite brushed his fingers along her cheek. He leaned in, kissing her on the lips. "Of course I am. I have to keep you somehow. Can't let Naname get the upper hand."
"Don't let him pull your chains, Tomite. We're only friends," Takiko giggled, touching her hand to his face.
Tomite grinned deviously. "I know. Are you going to let me get up now? Or did you have something else in mind?"
"Save it for later...don't worry...." Takiko then lowered her mouth next to Tomite's ear and whispered in a low husky voice. "You better be ready or I'm turning to Naname...I've waited two hundred years..."
Tomite's eyes narrowed, and he smirked evilly. He leaned over whispering in her ear. "Don't worry, my love. I'll be ready...but will you be?" He kissed her behind her ear.
"Of course I will..." She whispered softly, the back up, grabbing him by the collar and scathingly exclaimed. "You've left me feeling horny for the last two hundred goddamned forsaken years! You bet your sorry ass I am!" She then flushed profusely upon realizing that everyone was now staring at them.
Tomite sweat dropped. "Oi...Takiko..." He shook his head. He put his arm around her, holding her against him. He took her hand and helped her up. He turned to the others. "Well...should we get started or wait for the others to get here?!"
"Let's wait for the others. They too may wish to see if Seiryuu No Miko proves to be worthy of the reward of the Genbu no Shinzahou," the Genbu No Miko replied, zeroing her sights in piercingly on Yui. She pulled away from Tomite and motioned for the other to miko to come forward. "Seiryuu No Miko, I presume. Watashi no wa Genbu No Miko, desu."
"Uh...hai. Watashi wa Hongou Yui, mattana, Seiryuu no Miko de moshi masu," Yui bowed with courtesy. "And you...Genbu No Miko-san..."
"Atashi wa Okuda Takiko, desu." Takiko nodded, as her eyes scrutinised the form and appearance of Yui. She then lead the Seiryuu No miko over to wear her Genbu Seishi, minus Uruki and Urumiya had converged. She paused, standing at the head of her group, facing the shorthaired girl. "You agree to a test on your credibility as Miko?"
Yui nodded. "Hai. I am ready. What must I do?"
"Strip down to just your undergarments." Takiko ordered, turning her back to Yui.
"Nani?!" Yui's eyes went wide. She sighed. Then blushed. Swallowing, she did as she was told. Soon, she was clad only in her bra, underwear and slip.
"ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE, GENBU NO MIKO????!!!!!!" Suboshi growled scathingly, as he ran forth, only to collide with an ice wall that had been put up. He hit it with such impact, that his expression was dazed and he fell to the ground.
Takiko sweat-dropped. "Ahou..."
Iname shook her head. "Maybe we should've warn them about Hikitsu's wall of ice..."
Tomite shook his head. "Oi...what a baka..."
Yui turned around. "No! Shunkaku! It's okay! I'll be okay!" She turned back. "Now what?"
Tomite looked at Hikitsu and Takiko and shrugged. "This." He reached out his hand and a green aura surrounded him. Ice began to form at Yui's feet, creeping up her legs. "If you truly are Seiryuu no Miko, you won't have a problem breaking the ice."
There was a collective gasp from the remaining Seiryuu Seishi, including a very faint one from Tomo when the ice began to cover Yui. Suboshi wasn't available for response, as he was still out cold from hitting the wall.
Yui closed her eyes as the ice closed over her completely. If she could move, she would have shivered. It was so cold!
Tomite sighed, watching. He put his arm around Takiko's waist.
Amiboshi swallowed. He knelt next to his brother, holding him. He had checked him and he would be okay. But he was worried about Yui.
Leaning back against Tomite, Takiko piercingly watching the ice savagely covered Yui's scantly attired slim form. She knew it must be painful, but on her visage, so didn't let such a thing be known. She waited until the entire form of the Seiryuu No Miko was covered in the layer of freezing ice before she uttered in a whisper, "if you really are Seiryuu's Miko...break out of Tomite's spell." She challenged, resting her hands on his.
Behind the couple, Iname, Hikitsu, Hatsui and Naname watched, waiting to see the result. They wondered if the girl was going to die if she would prove her credibility in that she was truly the chosen Miko of Seiryuu.
Yui bit her lip. It was easily the most painful thing she'd ever experienced. Her thoughts drifted to what she had to do. 'How do I...' She felt strange...almost lethargic. She realized detachedly that it was the ice...killing her. A tear slid down her cheek, thinking of leaving Suboshi.
At that moment, her ring on her finger flared to life. It glowed a bright blue, filling the ice she was encased in. In minutes, the ice shattered and Yui fell to the ground.
Gasping, all the Genbu Seishi and their Miko witnessed the appearance of the seven blue characters that glowed over the body of Yui before she had fallen to the ground, coughing and gradually regaining body heat.
"The light...a blue light..." Takiko whispered, staring in disbelief.
"Hai...The light of Seiryuu." Tomite replied quietly. He remembered it all too clearly. If it hadn't of been for his mother's interference, he would not have helped. No matter if they were different. Not after what Chang had done. But Takiko did not know about that. At least...he hoped she didn't.
