Seiryuu Den – Gaiden Two
Chapter Five: The River of Death
Kutou
Kaga was looking around his surroundings and paying attention to any thing around him. He was on his way to visit his fellow Seiryuu Seishi, Omoi and Kai. He was known as the Shadow. His powers involved teleportation, phasing through walls, but his most unique ability was fighting using shadows. Truly, his powers could be called dark magic, but Kaga didn't look it. He was kind hearted and loving. Above all, he was a jokester of sorts. His closest friends within the Seiryuu were Omoi and Kai who were only a year younger than him.
He froze suddenly as if he felt a chill in the air. There were forces gathering around Kutou. Dark and malevolent ones that he could feel straight down his spine. Kaga's eyes narrowed. What was this feeling? He decided to use his teleportation powers to get to the Bu residence faster because he needed to see his friends. Kaga stopped when he was at the front door. He made sure that no one saw him because the people of Kutou were still awry of their seishi, even if they had proven that they were a peace loving bunch, they were still not trusted.
The door opened even before he had a chance to knock, and Kaga found himself staring straight into the of Amiboshi. He quickly bowed in respect and felt his cheeks color from embarrassment. Kaga had great respect for his elders, his parents who he lived with near the border with Hokkan taught him to. However, Amiboshi wasn't an ordinary man. "I knew that you were coming," said Amiboshi in his usual friendly tone.
"Hello, Amiboshi-san," greeted Kaga as he lifted his head from his bow.
"Come, they're waiting for you," said Amiboshi as he allowed him to go inside the house. Kaga then let Amiboshi lead him to the backyard, and he was wondering was really going on. When they arrived in the backyard, the chill that Kaga felt got worse. Omoi and Kai had grave looks on their faces.
"There's something wrong," said Kaga as a blanket statement.
The twins nodded in unison and showed him what was wrong: the Seiryuu shinzahou, the earrings that belonged to Yui-sama from the first summoning. Both earrings were glowing a light blue aura all on their own without any from either Omoi and Kai. "We woke up at the same time when these things started glowing. We can't get them to stop," explained Omoi.
Kaga presented his palms to them and they handed the shinzahou to him. The glowing continued as he looked at them. "I don't know why they're doing this. We have to get a hold of Ryu. He might know what to do. He's the only one who can contact Miwa-sama," said Kaga as he returned the shinzahou to the twins.
"For now, Omoi and I can't really move around with these things being unstable like this," said Kai. Suddenly, a hawk squawked through the air and a roll of paper dropped from his talons. Omoi was able to catch it on his hand, and he looked at the seal.
"It's from Mori," said Omoi, showing the blue wax seal on the paper. The Emperor gave gifts to the Seiryuu seishi, one of which were seals that were forged just for them with the kanji etched into them. There were only seven seals made for the latest Seiryuu seishi. They always knew where the messages came from. "Oh my God," he whispered as he read the letter.
"Give me that," said Kai, grabbing the letter from Omoi forcefully. He looked at it and read it out loud, "Hoseki is missing. No one knows where she went. The animals say it was someone who was a Seiryuu, but I am not sure what it means."
"Hoseki?" whispered Kaga.
"It can't be good. Do you think something happen to her?" asked Omoi.
"I don't know. We should wait until Ryu gets here," said Kai.
The three of them nodded, not knowing exactly what was really going on.
* * *
"Hello, this is Miwa Kinomoto. I'm not here right now. Sorry, but please leave a message after the beep," said Miwa's voice on the answering machine. The beep came, but Amai didn't leave a message, instead she hung up the phone. She was trying to reach Miwa because she hadn't called nor wrote any e-mail in days. She chewed her lip with concern. Where could Miwa possibly be? Amai took out her sketchbook to draw as she thought. Amai was the Byakko no Miko and the girlfriend of Tei. She was also close friends with Miwa and the Genbu no Miko, Yoko.
She wondered where Miwa could be. Miwa was currently going to school in Hawaii in the United States. There was something that didn't feel right with Amai. It wasn't like Miwa not to keep in touch for days on end. She picked up the phone to call Yoko. "Hello?" asked Yoko.
"Hi Yoko. It's me, Amai," said Amai.
"Hey! What's up?" asked Yoko.
"Nothing much with me. I was wondering if you've heard from Miwa at all," said Amai.
"No, I haven't. I've been e-mailing her, but she hasn't answered back yet. I was going to call her condo if she doesn't answer my e-mail. Why?" asked Yoko.
"I haven't heard from her in days either. I was thinking of going to her parents' house in Tokyo tomorrow. Do you want to come along?" asked Amai.
"All right. I'll call Ryu for now and tell him what's going on. I know that he's busy, but I think he'd like to know what's going on," answered Yoko.
"Okay, see you later," said Amai. They both hung up, but Yoko dialed Ryu's number right away. The phone rang for a little bit before Ryu answered.
"Hello?' he asked.
"Hey, Ryu. This is Yoko. I was wondering if you've heard from Miwa. We haven't heard from her in days," said Yoko.
"What? I haven't heard from her either. Dammit," he said in annoyed voice. His instincts told him something was wrong. "I'll call her parents and get some information."
Ryu called the Kinomotos and was answered by a frantic woman who was identified as Miwa's mother. She was American and in her distress, she wasn't speaking Japanese. It was a good thing that Ryu was the one who called the house. He found out something that disturbed him. Miwa hadn't called home in days nor had she written anyone. Mr. Kinomoto got a call from the police and found out that Miwa's condo was ransacked and she was missing from the scene. Ryu hung up the phone and looked rather pale. He walked into the living room to find his uncle and Soki playing a video game on the new game console.
Ryu immediately forgot his concern and said, "I thought you were supposed to be writing, Uncle Keisuke."
"I was. But, I'm writing a fantasy novel. I needed to play this new RPG game to get some inspiration," said Keisuke defensively.
"Uncle Keisuke, you have to ask that wizard for help," said Soki as he pointed at the screen. Ryu walked over to the back of the entertainment center and turned off the surge protector with his foot. The television screen went black and the game console died.
"HEY!" shouted Soki and Keisuke. They both glared at Ryu. He knew that it was the only way to get their attention.
"I need to tell you something, Uncle Keisuke. Miwa's gone. She's missing," said Ryu.
"Is that all?" asked Keisuke.
"No, the police in Hawaii said that her place looked like it was attacked. Mrs. Kinomoto said that someone really strong ripped the door off its hinges," he said.
Keisuke looked like he was thinking about it. The phone rang and Soki went to go and answer it. He came back after a few minutes. "My dad's coming out of the hospital. My mom said I have to come home. I'm packing. I'll play later on, Uncle Keisuke," said Soki as he went to Mariko's room to pack up his stuff.
"Is there any trace of her?" asked Keisuke after Soki left the room.
"No. The police say she probably ran for the beach which is out in her backyard. The water washed over the sand, so even if she made it out there…," trailed off Ryu.
"Perhaps, you should go to Kutou and tell the other Seiryuu seishi," said Keisuki.
"I don't have the time right now, and they can't just come here to help find Miwa. It could be nothing," said Ryu quickly.
"I know that you're busy with classes and everything, but tell me do what do your instincts tell you?" asked Keisuke.
"They tell me that something's wrong," answered Ryu solemnly.
* * *
Larissa Chambers was given orders to seduce Hoshi and take his chi from him from Ivan. She didn't know that in this lifetime she would be forced to something like this again. Hoshi looked so much like Tamahome that she knew that it wasn't going to be easily. Ivan and Bryan took the time to look up as much information for her use in her task as much as possible.
As far as anyone knew, Sukunami Hoshi was one of the most popular men in all of Tokyo University. He was known for his intelligence and cool charm. He was also very mysterious and kept to himself. Larissa wasn't sure if he had a girlfriend, but it didn't matter she still had to follow Ivan's orders. What Ivan wanted, Ivan got.
She was on the set of Wings of Heaven waiting to do her scene with Yumeno Hikari to come over so that they could do their scene. He came into the room in the same prima donna fashion he always did. She smirked to herself.
"How are things today for you?" asked Hikari, not that he cared.
"Fine, I got a chance to meet him when he came to the house. How are things with Sensei Ishida?" asked Larissa. None of them were supposed to appear to have direct contact with each other, but the loose connections allowed them to keep in contact.
"Fine. Everything is in harmony," said Hikari.
Larissa nodded and they started to shoot their scene.
* * *
Kutou
Hoseki woke up in a warm place with a blanket wrapped around her. She woke up with a jolt, but a pair of arms pushed her back down gently. As her vision focused, she realized that the person who was helping her was her miko. Miwa had a worried look on her face as she pressed a cup of cold water against her lips. Hoseki felt like her throat was burning and was grateful for it.
As soon as Hoseki felt better, she began to speak, "Miwa-sama? What are you doing here? Where are we?"
"Shh. Don't say anything right now. He's watching us. I know where we are. Remember, that village when we first traveled together where we were put on trial for the crimes of the other Seiryuu seishi," said Miwa.
"Yes. They tortured Ryu in place of everyone else, but we saved them all," said Hoseki.
"Yes, we're here. I've been here for weeks. And I haven't seen anyone, but him," whispered Miwa. Hoseki finally had a chance to see Miwa closely. She looked paler than before and thinner. Her hair was still neat, but wasn't as shiny as it normal was. She was dressed in blue silk robes with sandals on her feet.
"Who's he?" asked Hoseki.
"She is talking about me, Princess Hoseki. My name is Ishida Akira. I am, but a humble priest who lives to serve the Seiryuu no Miko," said a man who came into the room. He looked handsome with his long brown hair tied in a high ponytail. He wore the robes of a Buddhist priest, and he would have looked the very image of a kind priest had it not been for the look of cruelty his eyes.
"Who are you really? Where do you come off kidnapping me and my miko?" demanded Hoseki as her sapphire eyes went ablaze and she struggled to get up, but Miwa steadied her.
"I am who I say I am. I must protect you both from the outside world. There are dangerous things that are coming for you. And I have orders," said Akira. "You are free to go around the village and there is a protective barrier to keep you safely inside."
Hoseki felt the walls close in on her. She had the power to heal others, but not herself, so she went limp in Miwa's arms. Akira left the room after that, but Miwa glared at his back as he left.
* * *
Hoshi decided that he was going to need some help after all. He simply didn't have the time to investigate things himself. He was under so much pressure. The only relief Hoshi got was Uncle Tetsuya's discharge from the hospital.
So many odd things happening. And the worst part was he was going to have to meet Ivan Nicholas at the library. He walked from class and found Ivan in the library with a table already set up for them. He looked up at Hoshi and smiled slightly.
"I got some of the books we'll need," said Ivan.
"That's good," said Hoshi as he took a seat across from him. He had to be tactically away from him. He could sit next to him and avoid the gaze in his eyes or sit across from him and avoid keeping his body near him. Another reason why Hoshi picked that seat was because he could also keep an eye on Ivan.
"I was thinking about a few things. I know so few people around here other than you, Hoshi," said Ivan in English.
"I'm sure you'll met other people," said Hoshi.
"Of course, but you're the first person I trust here," said Ivan.
Hoshi looked at him but said nothing as he got back to work. Ivan smirked at him because he knew that Hoshi was nervous around him. "Do you have a girlfriend, Hoshi?" asked Ivan.
Hoshi looked at him with a surprised look this time, "Why do you ask?"
"Nothing. You look like you don't," answered Ivan. "What I mean is you're so focus on other things. I was thinking that you would be lonely."
"I don't have time for things like that. I have to finish school first and I have to get my career started. It's not a priority. Now, can we get back to work," said Hoshi in a brisk, business like manner. Ivan smirked at his comment and thought that he wasn't a very normal person. Seishi or not.
* * *
Kutou
Miwa looked out the window again and saw how empty the village was. There were no other human beings, other than herself, Hoseki, and that priest. She was free to walk around the village, but she could feel him watching her constantly even if he wasn't really there. She had a bad feeling about him and could still remember the kidnapping that horrible night when that creature took her from home.
And now, Hoseki was in trouble, but why her and not the other seishi? Surely, he would have been able to get them as well if they were important. Miwa wasn't so concerned until Hoseki was brought there. However, there was a strange feeling of familiarity that she felt from Akira. The man's aura seemed like one of her own seishi, but she had no idea why.
By this time, Miwa knew that it was pointless to try and get passed the barrier. It was solid, and she threw rocks at it. The oddest thing was that it glowed blue and she definitely felt the power of a Seiryuu seishi at work, but how was that possible?
* * *
Just downstream from the place where Miwa and Hoseki were being held was a little fishing village. The village made its money from its catch. There were severally small docks and ports set up with lots of boats as well. They cast their nets over the sides of their boats to catch tons of fish in the area.
A fisherman was pulling up his net and among the fish, he saw a human leg sticking out of it. As his net spun around slowly, he could see hands, faces, and arms. He went pale and screamed, "HORRIBLE HEAVENS! WHAT IN THE NAME OF SEIRYUU HAS HAPPENED!"
Slowly, as the nets came out of the water and on to the boats, more bodies were being found. The bodies were starting to wash up along the banks and shores of the village. The bodies were of men, women, and children. Some of the children were clutching their favorite toys. Some of the women were holding their dead babies in their already limp arms. Some babies also washed up or were caught in the nets.
All over the fishing village, the people screamed out in horror. The women began to wail in horror and agony over what happened. The children were taken away into the houses to avoid looking at the bodies, but everyone was sure that the children would have nightmares. The water was filled with bodies. The men started to draw out the bodies one by one until they thought they had everyone out of the water. It was long and painful for everyone.
The men threw up upon the smell of decay of some of the bodies. Flies started to collect on the bodies that they laid out as soon as they were found, so another group of men had to start burying them. "What horrors have befall these people. It looks like there wasn't any struggle from them. We must send word to the Emperor. We must purify this village. Do not eat any of the fish from the water and drink water only from the furthest wells. And may Seiryuu protect us," said the chef elder of the village.
~*ClareBear's Omake*~
Chiriko: I'm going to throw up.
Miaka: This is so sad. I'm going to cry!
Nuriko: OH NO! (sobs uncontrollably)
Tamahome: Not only that but Hoshi's not feeling to well. I hope he catches on to Ivan soon.
Mitsuke: This is so horrible. I've never seen anything like that even when I was alive.
They all shudder as they continue to watch.
AN: Sorry about this being so late. I got a little busy. I got very, very busy. However, I think this chapter sort of pushes the plot further away. Was it scary enough for you? Or eerie enough for you? I thought that the end was pretty good for this chapter. I only hope that there are people out there who still remember this story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi, but Yuu Watase does. ^_~