Chapter Five: Friendship of the Suzaku Seven
The next morning, Sakura woke up and found herself next to Tomite. (He looks so peaceful. I shouldn't wake him, it's just too early in the morning. He might get mad if I do. I'll just go take a short walk, by the time I get back, he'll still be asleep.) She put on some clothes and walked out of the room. She walked happily down the hall and saw Tamahome practicing his martial arts. Sakura smiled and walked over to Tamahome. "What are you doing?" Sakura asked.
"Oh, Lady Sakura, good morning. I'm just training, that's all," Tamahome said.
"Do you need a partner?" Sakura asked. "I could help you train."
"You? I couldn't fight a girl," Tamahome laughed.
"You'd be amazed," Sakura said. "So, if I attack you? Would you fight back?"
"No. You're a girl," Tamahome said.
"Alright, well I'll just have to find out for myself," Sakura said as a golden glow surrounded her body. Sakura started running at Tamahome and started punching him. Tamahome blocked some, but suddenly found that she was too quick and she landed a punch across his face. Tamahome went flying backwards, crashing into a wall. "So?"
"You're done," Tamahome laughed as he charged at Sakura.
They goofed around for about two hours before they called it quits. "That was a lot of fun," Sakura giggled.
"I haven't had a work out like that in years," Tamahome laughed. "Where'd you learn to fight?"
Sakura shrugged. "It just came to me one day," Sakura laughed and the golden glow disappeared. "I've got to go wash up. Where's the bathing room?"
"Do you mind if I join you? There's a wall blocking two sides, we can talk and bathe at the same time," Tamahome said.
"Sure, I guess," Sakura said with a smile.
Tamahome led her away to the bathing room. He was right, there was a wall separating the two sections. Tamahome walked over to a cabinet and pulled out two towels. He handed one of them to Sakura. Then he pointed to a dressing room to her right. "You can get undressed in there," Tamahome said.
"Thanks," Sakura said as she walked away to the room. (I hope Tamahome's not like the guys back home, always wanting to just see a girl's body. What perverts!) She took off her clothes and folded them. Then in her towel she made her way to one side of the bathing spring. Tamahome was already on the other side. (I guess he's not. I guess he's actually a gentleman.) After about a half an hour of relaxation, Sakura wrapped the towel around her body and waited for Tamahome to come out. He came out shortly after.
"You need some clothes?" Tamahome asked. "Nuriko can help you with that."
"Why? He's not a girl," Sakura said.
"He's a cross-dresser and has the heart of a young woman, I'm sure he has some clothes that will suit you," Tamahome said leading her to Nuriko's room.
Tamahome knocked on Nuriko's door and Nuriko answered it. (Oh no. Nuriko's going to get the wrong idea with us both being in towels, especially with me being in a towel!)
"Yeah? Why are you two in towels?" Nuriko asked curiously.
"Hey! Don't get the wrong idea," Tamahome snapped. "Listen, Lady Sakura needs some clothes. Could you lend her some?"
Nuriko nodded. "Actually, Hotohori asked me to give you this outfit," Nuriko said. "He said he thought it was your size. Here, you can get dressed in my room."
Nuriko walked out of his room and closed the door behind him. Sakura put on the clothes and folded her towel. It was a red outfit that looked very pretty on her. When she opened the door, Tamahome and Nuriko couldn't help drooling. "Do you like it?" Sakura asked.
"You look great," Tamahome said.
"You should show it to the Emperor," Nuriko suggested.
"I will, thanks," Sakura said as she walked away.
Tomite woke up and found that Sakura wasn't in the room at all. He quickly got dressed and hurried out of the room. (Where could she be? Is she trying to make me go insane?!? I've never run around like this…for anybody!) Tomite was lost in thought until he completely ran over Chiriko.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Chiriko exclaimed from the ground.
Tomite stopped and saw Chiriko lying on the ground. He looked angry, but then he smiled at Tomite. "What's the rush?" Chiriko asked as Tomite helped him up.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Chiriko. I didn't see you there," Tomite said.
"Ah…don't worry about it. No one ever seems to see me," Chiriko said. "So where are you headed?"
"I'm trying to find Sakura. She wasn't in the room when I woke up," Tomite said. "Have you seen her?"
Chiriko thought for a little bit and then his face lit up. "Yes, I have. I think I saw her in Hotohori's room. They were talking, I think," Chiriko said with a smile.
He saw Tomite's eyes start to fill with jealousy. "Oh, they weren't flirting or anything…" Chiriko said frantically, but Tomite already stormed off before he could finish.
(That jerk. Who does he think he is? He's the emperor of this here country, but what does he want with Sakura? She's mine not his.) Tomite ran to Hotohori's room and flung the door open. Hotohori and Sakura were sitting on his bed laughing. "Oh, hello, Tomite," Hotohori greeted happily. "Sakura was telling me about her birth place. It sounds exciting."
"You never told me about your world," Tomite said angrily.
"You never asked," Sakura said with a smile. "Well, Hotohori, I think it's about time that I return to Hokkan. My brother is probably worried about me now, so, Tomite, we should get going."
"Now?" Hotohori asked. "Are you sure? You could stay much longer, if you'd like."
Sakura shook her head. "The ceremony should be ready soon, shouldn't it, Tomite?" Sakura asked.
"By the time we get back to Hokkan and to the Temple of Genbu, Hikitsu should have everything ready," Tomite replied.
Sakura turned back toward Hotohori. "I'm sorry. After the ceremony, I will come back and visit all the time though," Sakura said with a smile. "That is…if I don't have to return to my world."
Hotohori threw his arms around Sakura and held her tightly in his arms. Then he pulled away. "If that is your choice, then we, the Suzaku Seven, will accompany you and Tomite, to Hokkan and observe the ceremony," Hotohori said with a smile.
Sakura's eyes lit up and she threw her arms around Hotohori. "Oh, Hotohori," Sakura said happily. "You're such a good friend."
Hotohori blushed and then he let her go. "You should go pack some things before we head off to Hokkan. I'll have Chichiri get a ship ready. We'll head to Hokkan as soon as possible," Hotohori ordered as he ordered one of his servants to fetch Chichiri.
"Hotohori? Are you serious?" Sakura asked.
"Of course I am. Why would I joke about such things?" Hotohori said as he lifted Sakura's lips to his own. Sakura felt the sweet touch of his lips touch her's. Tomite's eyes grew wide. (Grr…I hate him.) Sakura smiled at Hotohori and Tomite, and then ran back to her room. Hotohori stood up and saw Tomite staring at him with anger in his eyes. "Are you jealous of me, Tomite?"
"Jealous!?! Of you, the Emperor of Konan!?! That's absurd," Tomite said angrily. (Jerk. You kissed her right in front of me. Of course, I'm jealous of you. You're all friendly with Sakura and she barely talks to me. I'm the one that she loves, not you. Me. She said so last night. I ought to kill you for even coming so close to Sakura.) "Why would you think of such a thing?"
"The jealousy that fills your eyes," Hotohori said. "It's not like you two are married, Tomite. To her, she sees me as a friend, but one day that will all change."
Hotohori smirked at the thought of Sakura. "I will win her love, and she will become my empress and rule at my side for the rest of her life," Hotohori said. "And you, will be back in Hokkan."
"You jerk! She would never marry you," Tomite snapped as he charged at Hotohori.
Hotohori pulled out his sword and pointed it at Tomite's throat. Tomite stopped and stared at the sharp point. "I'd watch your back around Sakura, Tomite," Hotohori said. "You never know when I will swipe her off of her feet."
Tomite backed away from the sword and ran back to his room. (That jerk! How dare he point a sword at me! I should've killed him right then and there.)
***What happens on the journey back to Hokkan? Just wait until Chapter Six: The Journey
The next morning, Sakura woke up and found herself next to Tomite. (He looks so peaceful. I shouldn't wake him, it's just too early in the morning. He might get mad if I do. I'll just go take a short walk, by the time I get back, he'll still be asleep.) She put on some clothes and walked out of the room. She walked happily down the hall and saw Tamahome practicing his martial arts. Sakura smiled and walked over to Tamahome. "What are you doing?" Sakura asked.
"Oh, Lady Sakura, good morning. I'm just training, that's all," Tamahome said.
"Do you need a partner?" Sakura asked. "I could help you train."
"You? I couldn't fight a girl," Tamahome laughed.
"You'd be amazed," Sakura said. "So, if I attack you? Would you fight back?"
"No. You're a girl," Tamahome said.
"Alright, well I'll just have to find out for myself," Sakura said as a golden glow surrounded her body. Sakura started running at Tamahome and started punching him. Tamahome blocked some, but suddenly found that she was too quick and she landed a punch across his face. Tamahome went flying backwards, crashing into a wall. "So?"
"You're done," Tamahome laughed as he charged at Sakura.
They goofed around for about two hours before they called it quits. "That was a lot of fun," Sakura giggled.
"I haven't had a work out like that in years," Tamahome laughed. "Where'd you learn to fight?"
Sakura shrugged. "It just came to me one day," Sakura laughed and the golden glow disappeared. "I've got to go wash up. Where's the bathing room?"
"Do you mind if I join you? There's a wall blocking two sides, we can talk and bathe at the same time," Tamahome said.
"Sure, I guess," Sakura said with a smile.
Tamahome led her away to the bathing room. He was right, there was a wall separating the two sections. Tamahome walked over to a cabinet and pulled out two towels. He handed one of them to Sakura. Then he pointed to a dressing room to her right. "You can get undressed in there," Tamahome said.
"Thanks," Sakura said as she walked away to the room. (I hope Tamahome's not like the guys back home, always wanting to just see a girl's body. What perverts!) She took off her clothes and folded them. Then in her towel she made her way to one side of the bathing spring. Tamahome was already on the other side. (I guess he's not. I guess he's actually a gentleman.) After about a half an hour of relaxation, Sakura wrapped the towel around her body and waited for Tamahome to come out. He came out shortly after.
"You need some clothes?" Tamahome asked. "Nuriko can help you with that."
"Why? He's not a girl," Sakura said.
"He's a cross-dresser and has the heart of a young woman, I'm sure he has some clothes that will suit you," Tamahome said leading her to Nuriko's room.
Tamahome knocked on Nuriko's door and Nuriko answered it. (Oh no. Nuriko's going to get the wrong idea with us both being in towels, especially with me being in a towel!)
"Yeah? Why are you two in towels?" Nuriko asked curiously.
"Hey! Don't get the wrong idea," Tamahome snapped. "Listen, Lady Sakura needs some clothes. Could you lend her some?"
Nuriko nodded. "Actually, Hotohori asked me to give you this outfit," Nuriko said. "He said he thought it was your size. Here, you can get dressed in my room."
Nuriko walked out of his room and closed the door behind him. Sakura put on the clothes and folded her towel. It was a red outfit that looked very pretty on her. When she opened the door, Tamahome and Nuriko couldn't help drooling. "Do you like it?" Sakura asked.
"You look great," Tamahome said.
"You should show it to the Emperor," Nuriko suggested.
"I will, thanks," Sakura said as she walked away.
Tomite woke up and found that Sakura wasn't in the room at all. He quickly got dressed and hurried out of the room. (Where could she be? Is she trying to make me go insane?!? I've never run around like this…for anybody!) Tomite was lost in thought until he completely ran over Chiriko.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Chiriko exclaimed from the ground.
Tomite stopped and saw Chiriko lying on the ground. He looked angry, but then he smiled at Tomite. "What's the rush?" Chiriko asked as Tomite helped him up.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Chiriko. I didn't see you there," Tomite said.
"Ah…don't worry about it. No one ever seems to see me," Chiriko said. "So where are you headed?"
"I'm trying to find Sakura. She wasn't in the room when I woke up," Tomite said. "Have you seen her?"
Chiriko thought for a little bit and then his face lit up. "Yes, I have. I think I saw her in Hotohori's room. They were talking, I think," Chiriko said with a smile.
He saw Tomite's eyes start to fill with jealousy. "Oh, they weren't flirting or anything…" Chiriko said frantically, but Tomite already stormed off before he could finish.
(That jerk. Who does he think he is? He's the emperor of this here country, but what does he want with Sakura? She's mine not his.) Tomite ran to Hotohori's room and flung the door open. Hotohori and Sakura were sitting on his bed laughing. "Oh, hello, Tomite," Hotohori greeted happily. "Sakura was telling me about her birth place. It sounds exciting."
"You never told me about your world," Tomite said angrily.
"You never asked," Sakura said with a smile. "Well, Hotohori, I think it's about time that I return to Hokkan. My brother is probably worried about me now, so, Tomite, we should get going."
"Now?" Hotohori asked. "Are you sure? You could stay much longer, if you'd like."
Sakura shook her head. "The ceremony should be ready soon, shouldn't it, Tomite?" Sakura asked.
"By the time we get back to Hokkan and to the Temple of Genbu, Hikitsu should have everything ready," Tomite replied.
Sakura turned back toward Hotohori. "I'm sorry. After the ceremony, I will come back and visit all the time though," Sakura said with a smile. "That is…if I don't have to return to my world."
Hotohori threw his arms around Sakura and held her tightly in his arms. Then he pulled away. "If that is your choice, then we, the Suzaku Seven, will accompany you and Tomite, to Hokkan and observe the ceremony," Hotohori said with a smile.
Sakura's eyes lit up and she threw her arms around Hotohori. "Oh, Hotohori," Sakura said happily. "You're such a good friend."
Hotohori blushed and then he let her go. "You should go pack some things before we head off to Hokkan. I'll have Chichiri get a ship ready. We'll head to Hokkan as soon as possible," Hotohori ordered as he ordered one of his servants to fetch Chichiri.
"Hotohori? Are you serious?" Sakura asked.
"Of course I am. Why would I joke about such things?" Hotohori said as he lifted Sakura's lips to his own. Sakura felt the sweet touch of his lips touch her's. Tomite's eyes grew wide. (Grr…I hate him.) Sakura smiled at Hotohori and Tomite, and then ran back to her room. Hotohori stood up and saw Tomite staring at him with anger in his eyes. "Are you jealous of me, Tomite?"
"Jealous!?! Of you, the Emperor of Konan!?! That's absurd," Tomite said angrily. (Jerk. You kissed her right in front of me. Of course, I'm jealous of you. You're all friendly with Sakura and she barely talks to me. I'm the one that she loves, not you. Me. She said so last night. I ought to kill you for even coming so close to Sakura.) "Why would you think of such a thing?"
"The jealousy that fills your eyes," Hotohori said. "It's not like you two are married, Tomite. To her, she sees me as a friend, but one day that will all change."
Hotohori smirked at the thought of Sakura. "I will win her love, and she will become my empress and rule at my side for the rest of her life," Hotohori said. "And you, will be back in Hokkan."
"You jerk! She would never marry you," Tomite snapped as he charged at Hotohori.
Hotohori pulled out his sword and pointed it at Tomite's throat. Tomite stopped and stared at the sharp point. "I'd watch your back around Sakura, Tomite," Hotohori said. "You never know when I will swipe her off of her feet."
Tomite backed away from the sword and ran back to his room. (That jerk! How dare he point a sword at me! I should've killed him right then and there.)
***What happens on the journey back to Hokkan? Just wait until Chapter Six: The Journey
