Chapter Six: The Journey Begins

Sakura started packing the bag that Nuriko had given her. (I wonder where Tomite is? I thought he was right behind me. I thought I saw jealousy in his eyes when he walked in. Does he think that there is something between me and Hotohori? Is he jealous of Hotohori? That's absurd.) Just then, Tomite burst into the room just like he had done earlier while Sakura was in Hotohori's room. "Tomite! What if I was changing my clothes!? Don't you know how to knock?" Sakura exclaimed.

Tomite ran over to her and picked her up. "What's with you and Hotohori? You're always with him!" Tomite exclaimed frantically.

"Nothing," Sakura said. "We're just friends."

"So, you love me and not him, right?" Tomite asked.

"Of course, I told you that last night," Sakura said. "What? Do you think I was lying?"

Sakura looked angry. (How could he think that I would lie about something so personal!?! What a jerk! I thought he loved me to. If he loves me then why won't he believe the words that come out of my own mouth.) Tomite saw the angry look in Sakura's eyes. (She's mad at me now. I know it. I shouldn't have doubted her. Oh, I feel so bad now.) "I'm sorry," Tomite said finally. "It's just that…Hotohori was saying stuff and I started to get confused."

"What? You thought that I loved Hotohori? He's a friend, Tomite. F- R-I-E-N-D! Friend! Nothing more and nothing less," Sakura said.

Tomite put his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "I know that now," Tomite whispered. "I'm sorry that I doubted you."

Sakura rested her head against his chest. He's so warm. I wish we could remain like this forever, but I have a feeling that I'm going to have to fight for that wish to come true. Sakura looked up and kissed his cheek. "You don't have to worry about me loving anyone else, Tomite," Sakura said. "I've got all I ever wanted…in you."

Sakura kissed him quickly again and then went back to her packing. Tomite watched her silently. (That's right. I'm the one that she loves, and I will always be by her side now, no matter what.)

That afternoon, Mitsukake came knocking on Sakura's door. Sakura opened it and smiled. "Hello, Mitsukake," Sakura greeted. "Did you need something?"

"Chichiri has prepared the boat. Did you have anything that you were going to bring? If you do, I will carry them onto the boat for you," Mitsukake said.

Sakura opened the door a little wider, and pointed to the bag sitting in the middle of the floor. "That's all," Sakura said as Mitsukake walked over and picked it up.

Mitsukake smiled. "Hotohori would like you and Tomite to follow me to the ship. Where is Tomite?" Mitsukake asked.

"Right behind you," Tomite muttered from behind him in the doorway.

Mitsukake turned around and saw Tomite standing behind him with his bow and arrow over his shoulder. Sakura smiled and they followed Mitsukake to the ship.

The ship was huge. It was docked in the river to the east of the palace. Hotohori and the other Suzaku Seven were in front of the ship waiting for Sakura and Tomite. Hotohori smiled when he saw Sakura. "Hello, Sakura. Tomite. Are you ready to go?" Hotohori asked politely.

"You bet," Sakura said.

Hotohori put out his hand toward Sakura. She took it and he escorted her onto the ship. Tomite's anger began to rise again, but Chiriko pulled on his silk shirt. "Don't be mad, Tomite," Chiriko said with a smile. "Hotohori has been lonely for many years. He seems to be much happier now that Lady Sakura is around."

(He's been lonely?!? I've been lonely too. But, I haven't had as much pressure on me as he has probably had on him. That still doesn't make it right, trying to steal my girlfriend away from me.) Tomite followed Chiriko onto the ship and the rest of the Suzaku Seven followed. Sakura couldn't believe the size of the ship. It was huge, the mast was almost as high as the mountains. "This is amazing, Hotohori," Sakura said with a smile.

"It's all because of Chichiri," Hotohori said pointing to Chichiri.

Sakura smiled. "Chichiri, you're awesome!" Sakura exclaimed.

Chichiri smiled happily. "Let's start moving," Hotohori ordered the men and the ship departed from Konan.

Sakura watched as the ship slowly drifted away from the dock. (I don't think I've ever been on a boat this big. Mother would be too scared that I would fall off. But with Hotohori, the other Suzaku Seven, and Tomite around, I'm sure that will never happen.) Sakura walked down the stairs to inside the ship. There was a kitchen and 9 bedrooms inside. One of the rooms had Sakura's stuff inside. "That's your room," Tasuki said.

He looked a little green. "Tasuki, are you feeling alright?" Sakura asked helping him up the stairs. "You look like you need some fresh air."

"I don't think I ever want to leave land again," Tasuki muttered.

Nuriko walked over and saw Sakura helping Tasuki. "Tasuki, are you getting sea sick?" Nuriko laughed.

"Shut up!" Tasuki snapped.

Sakura giggled and saw Tomite sitting on the stairs. Sakura walked up behind him. She sat down and put her arms around his neck. "It's beautiful, isn't it? Back home, we don't have a lot of beautiful scenery like this anymore," Sakura sighed.

"What do you mean? Every place has got beautiful scenery," Tomite said curiously.

"Nah, not from where I come from. The people build huge buildings, malls, houses, grocery stores, offices, just about anything, destroying all of the land. The animals are getting hit by cars, and soon will have absolutely no place to live other than the zoo. It's horrible," Sakura sighed.

"That's terrible," Tomite said. "Do you like your home?"

"Yeah," Sakura said. "All my friends are there. Aki used to be there, but he's here now. But it doesn't compare to this place."

"Why not?" Tomite asked. "If you have all of your friends there…"

"Because…I have you here," Sakura said with a smile. Suddenly, a huge splash of water came onto the boat and took the form of a woman. Sakura gasped at the sight of it. (A water sprite?!? I never thought I'd see one here.) Then it started coming at Sakura. (It's after me?! I've got to destroy it.) Sakura stood up and started running toward the back of the ship.

"Sakura! What are you doing?" Tomite exclaimed.

As she got closer to the end of the ship, she jumped off. Tomite gasped. "Sakura!" Tomite exclaimed as he ran over to see where she had went. Chichiri saw Sakura swimming around and saw the water sprite chasing after her.

"Tomite, what is that?" Chichiri asked.

"I don't know. It just kinda jumped on the ship," Tomite said. "Sakura just started running, and then she jumped off the boat."

Sakura swam as fast as she could, but the water sprite quickly caught up with her. The water sprite swam circles around her and started a whirlpool. Sakura's leg got caught in it and was slowly dragged under. "Sakura!" Tomite exclaimed.

Sakura struggled free and jumped out of the water. The water sprite jumped out after her. Sakura stood on the ship, soaking wet, staring at the angry water sprite. (Why is it chasing after me?) "What do you want from me?" Sakura asked angrily.

"Death must be brought to the Celestial Twins," the water sprite hissed. "You, daughter of Ceres will be the first to die."

Just then, Aki appeared next to Sakura. "Sakura," Aki said. "I knew there was a reason mother sent me here."

"Aki?" Sakura asked.

"Who's that?" Tamahome asked.

"Her brother, Aki," Tomite said as he pulled out his bow and arrow. He pulled out one of his arrows and shot it at the water sprite. It landed right at the water sprite's feet and slowly began to freeze her.

"What!?! What's happening to me?" the water sprite hissed. "I'm freezing…over!"

Finally, the water sprite was gone. Frozen by one of Tomite's ice arrows. Sakura ran over to Tomite and hugged him tightly. "Tomite…" Sakura muttered.

"You're safe, for now," Tomite sighed with relief as he dropped his weapon and hugged her. "Aki, how'd you get here?"

"The same way I got inside the Temple of Genbu," Aki said. "I'm Sakura's twin. I can find her whenever she calls for me. She called…or at least someone called for her."

"Aki, someone is trying to kill us. But why?" Sakura asked her twin brother.

"I don't know, Sakura, but I'm staying by your side until it's over," Aki said reassuringly.

Sakura walked over to Aki and hugged him tightly. "I was so scared, Aki," Sakura cried.

Aki smiled and hugged her back. "It's alright, Sakura. Not only am I here, but so is Tomite," Aki said happily.

"I know," Sakura sighed. "I'm lucky."

(Thank goodness that I have a brother like Aki. I don't know how much longer I could've lasted. And thank goodness for Tomite. If he hadn't used his ice arrows on the water sprite, I think it might have been the end for Aki and me.)

***Coming soon: Chapter Seven: Return to Hokkan