Chapter Two
Jade groaned in pain; everything on her body hurt. Slowly, she opened her eyes and looked around. The room that she was in swam before her eyes and she held her head, rubbing her temples lightly. Okay........where am I now? she thought. She started to stand up, but as the pain throbbed through her head; she gave a defeated sigh and lay back down.
"Ahhh......I see that you're finally awake," a cold voice commented from the shadows. Nakago stepped more fully into the room, smiling at her slightly. "Looks like my little weapon didn't die after all. Since I couldn't introduce myself before you had your little temper tantrum, I am Nakago, one of the Seiryu warriors. How are you feeling, little weapon?"
Jade scowled up at him from her position on the floor, her gray eyes narrowed dangerously. "What do you mean, weapon? Don't call me that. And how did I get here? The last thing I remember was a bright flash of light. What happened?"
Nakago sat down next to the young girl, crossing his legs Indian-style. He held his chin in both palms and looked at her, his blonde hair falling around his shoulders. "You were upset, and that emotion drove the magic from your body. You aren't a powerful Mage for nothing, after all. While you and the others were unconscious, I transported and carried you here. You, my little weapon, are in the Priestess of Seiryu's territory. This is Kutou. There is no way that the Suzaku warriors can get to you here, little weapon."
Jade's eyes flashed silver once again and she reached out and slapped him on his cheek. She left a bright red hand mark, and Nakago reached up and covered it in disbelief. It had been a long time since someone had hit him......and it had hurt. "I told you not to call me that anymore!" Jade growled, raising her hand again.
Quick as a snake's strike, Nakago reached out and caught her hand before it could strike him again. "Don't you ever hit me," he hissed. "Ever. This is MY territory you're in......and I'm in charge of whether you live and die."
Jade glared back, her expression as furious as his own. "Do you think that that scares me? I don't care anymore. All I want to do is go home.
"And besides, I won't hit you if you don't call me your little weapon," she hissed back. Her eyes narrowed. "Who is this Priestess of Seiryu, and why can't the Suzaku warriors get to me here? Matter of fact, while we're asking each other questions, who ARE the Suzaku warriors?"
Nakago smiled coldly and released her hand, leaning back against his legs. "The Priestess of Seiryu is the Lady Yui......Miaka's old friend. They're now enemies, you know. And the Suzaku warriors can't get to you here because you are deep within enemy territory. And, to answer your last question, the Suzaku warriors are the people you had met earlier, when you first arrived in this world. Does that answer your many questions?"
Looking thoughtful, Jade leaned further back into the soft bed. "Somewhat. I have one more question for you: If you were the one who brought me to this world, and I know you are, why didn't you met me when I first arrived."
Nakago smiled and slowly stood up. He started to walk out of the room; but before he left, he looked over his shoulder and stared at her. "Isn't it obvious? I wanted the Suzaku warriors to see how powerful you are. I wanted them to see just what exactly they are up against." Then, smiling his cold smile once again, he left.
Jade watched him go, her expression thoughtful and searching. If what this Nakago says is true........I'm on the wrong side. After all, it wasn't the Suzaku warriors that suddenly transported me to this world.......it was Nakago. And he's one of the Seiryu warriors. And, if I'm made to fight, I don't want to be fighting for evil. So that means that I'll have to somehow get away. Pain throbbed throughout her head once again. Groaning, Jade hissed, "Just.....not at this particular moment......"
She was interrupted from saying more by the door opening with a soft 'Crack!' Jade looked up, a sour look on her face. Damn it........I bet it's that Nakago again..... So it came as a complete surprise when a young girl, who looked no older than herself, stepped into the room and smiled at her brightly.
"Hi! I'm Yui, the Priestess of Seiryu. Nakago tells me that you're going to fight for our side against the Suzaku Celestial warriors as a Mage. Is that true?" Before Jade could said her reply of 'Not bloody likely,' Yui continued, "It doesn't matter, anyways! It's been so long since I had someone my own age to talk to from my own world." Yui's eyes darkened, "That is...ever since Miaka left me all alone."
Jade blinked in surprise. I have a bad feeling about all of this.......
* * *
"What the hell was that?" Tasuki growled as he sat up and rubbed his head. He frowned darkly, glaring into the distance, saying a few choice curse words.
Chichiri looked at him, and then surveyed the group thoughtfully. "That was a spell, no da. An extremely powerful one. And, if my guess is proven correct, that powerful spell that knocked us out came from that girl from another world. That's why Nakago wanted her so much, no da."
"What is she, a Mage?" Nuriko asked as he slowly stood up. He swayed for a moment, then regained his balance. With a hand, he easily helped Hotohori, Miaka, and Mitsukake stand up. Chiriko was still on the ground, rubbing his sore head.
Chichiri nodded, his look turning even more thoughtful. "If she is, then she is an extremely powerful Mage, no da. And, if Nakago manages to get his hands on her and gets her to convert to this side, it looks like the upcoming battles have just become even harder."
Everyone stared at Chichiri in shock. "If....if that's true," Miaka began, her eyes wide and starting to fill with tears, "doesn't that mean that we could lose?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying, no da."
