Three Months Later
------------------
'Finally' Nuriko thought to himself. 'I can finally tell her how i feel about her.' Word had gotten around that Miaka had returned after being away for almost three months. The country was at peace, but Hotohori feared it was more like the quiet before the storm. He was quiet relieved when she had returned.
Miaka zoomed down the corridor, looking for people to tell that she had returned. She rounded a corner, then *SLAMMED* right into Nuriko. They both fell down from the impact.
"Ita... OH! Nuriko! I was looking for you!" Miaka spoke excitedly.
"It appears you've ran into me then..", Nuriko chuckled. He quieted down when he remembered why he was looking for her. "Miaka? Might I perhaps have a moment alone with you?"
Miaka blinked, "Okay..." and followed Nuriko into his room.
Nuriko closed the doors behind them and took a moment. He looked back at her seriously, "It's been three months since I've seen you... and you don't even look like you've aged at all." He shook his head and took a seat on the bed. "Sit please?" he offered. Miaka took a seat next to Nuriko and looked at him with her dark brown curious eyes. He poured two cups of water, handing one to Miaka as he started to talk. "I've missed you... a lot. I know, I bet everyone has said that to you... just... I keep thinking and the more and more I go over it in my mind... I just can't get you out of it." Nuriko took a sip of his water, setting the cup aside. He glanced at Miaka and took a notice to the darker shade of pink that accented her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you." He reached over and squeezed Miaka's hand softly, "I think I've fallen in love with you." Nuriko blushed and kept himself turned at such an angle that he really couldn't face her reaction.
"Nuriko..." Miaka stammered. She looked him over, then suddenly turned and wrapped her arms around him from the strange behind angle, giving a hug to him tightly. Nuriko froze, stunned by the reaction. "I couldn't stop thinking about you either. I was so worried something worse may have happened to you while I was back in my world. I'm so glad you're feeling better." She let go of him.
Nuriko turned and looked at Miaka directly, "I had to get better. If I didn't get better, I wouldn't be able to protect you like my duty says I should." He reached over and touched Miaka faintly on the cheek with his hand like when they had first.met. He caressing softly, heartbeat racing one hundred miles a minute. He hesitantly leaned forward and pressed his lips to Miaka's for a kiss. This time, however, she returned it.
* * *
"What? You're going to go after Tamahome?" Hotohori asked.
"Yes. We need him here to call Suzaku, right?" Miaka asked. "So, we are going to get him so Nuriko and I can find the other four Seishi."
Hotohori nodded. "Quite understandable. When you find him, please return back to here so we could give you all fresh supplies for the journey."
Miaka was ecstatic, "Woo! Thank you Hotohori!"
With that, the two left on horseback to search for Tamahome. They had discovered he'd been working for a local nearby town as a 'Keeper of the peace' if you will. He made sure this group of people were protected for sums of money, depending on how many bandits he'd beaten up that day. When they had ran into Tamahome, something very odd happened. Arrows shot out from somewhere aimed for where Miaka was standing. A pair of hands grabbed her from behind, pulling her into the protective brush. Miaka overreacted and bit the man's hand.
"That hurt, no da!" Stated the fox-eyed man. Miaka blinked a bit confusedly. Later, the same man told Miaka of how she was being targeted and of how innocent people will be victims should she go on as she had been. Before Miaka could blink, the man was gone.
By this point, it was quite obvious to Tamahome that Nuriko and Miaka had come to some sort of conclusion. Regardless of the feelings that Tamahome felt and that he had missed her - he clearly sensed that something was different in the way she acted toward Nuriko. And himself. His worst fear had happened. Someone actually won her over before he even had a chance to say or do anything right. Tamahome was the prideful type and although normally he would have shrugged it off and realized it was meant to be that way, there was something off. Deep down he had a strong sense that this wasn't how it was supposed to be.
These feelings plagued Tamahome the longer he was around Nuriko and Miaka. It had actually bothered Tamahome so much that he was actually annoyed by this whole situation. This had become a feeling he could not shake and he suddenly became extremely bitter about the entire thing. Every moment he thought about the idea of the two together he'd think 'I was beaten by that adrogenous wimp? That... that pretty boy!?' Very negative thoughts had fueled Tamahome for the days he'd fought bandits in the forest. This was about when he snapped.
* * *
A tall man with shoulder length blond locks stood in the darkened room. "Tomo." He said in a commanding voice.
"Yes, Nakago-sama?" Asked another voice from the shadows. The light in the room only hinting at some colorful makeup along this persons face.
"What have you done about our 'Suzaku' problem?"
"The assassins have been deployed... and I also have personally taken care of one of their seishi." You could almost hear the grin, if that were possible.
"How interesting. I want a full report on that later. Yui-sama is still in fragile condition as of the moment, so anything that prevents the calling of the God, Suzaku, is a good thing. However, Tomo, should your plan falter in any way, a back up one has already been formulated. Now, Leave."
"I understand."
* * *
Many thoughts went through Miaka's mind. Finally, the answer had been spelled out for her clear as day. First off, she was being targeted by Kutou assassins. This was generally a bad thing. Secondly, Yui wasn't back at home - so she had to be somewhere here. It finally occurred to her that perhaps Yui may perhaps be in Kutou. This realization triggered Miaka's impulsive behavior as she stumbled out of the Sou household making up some obscure excuse, leaving her (now three) Seishi to blink in unison, baffled.
* * *
"That idiot left to Kutou on her own, I'm going to follow." Tamahome growled, mounting a horse.
"Wait a moment, I'm going with. I couldn't forgive myself if I didn't go." Nuriko stated plainly.
"You have to go back and tell Hotohori-sama what's happened." Tamahome tried determinedly to keep Nuriko out of his personal mission.
"We'll send a messager. I'm not going to miss out on the action again. I am GOING." Nuriko mounted another horse, "Let's hurry already!"
Tamahome frowned. His patience was wearing thin. This Nuriko guy got on his nerves. Unknowing to them both, Chichiri kept along quietly behind Miaka and kept track of her moves. Tamahome and Nuriko raced toward the capital of Kutou-koku.
* * *
As fate would have it, things almost went according to Miaka's plan. She found Yui in Kutou... by posing as 'Seiryuu no Miko'. However, as soon as they found the truth, the Shogun, Nakago had taken possession of Suzaku's 'Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho', or 'Universe of Four Gods' scroll. With that same burst of impulsive direction, Miaka took Yui and ran down the corridors of the Kutou palace. There, they ran into a very surprised Tamahome and Nuriko. Yui hid the wayward Suzaku troop in a room and told them that Nakago couldn't keep her there if she wanted to go with. She would get the scroll and would leave to Konan with them. After a few awkward minutes, Tamahome left the room and stood outside in the corridor instead of inside. His inner conscious argued with him. His body pressed against the wall near the door, forcing himself to to listen to the conversation with his Miko and fellow seishi.
"Are you sure you're okay, Nuriko? You don't look too well." Said a concerned Miaka.
"I'm okay, just a little out of breath from running." He leaned against the wall as he took in slow breaths to calm the pain. "I promise, I'll be fine."
Yui turned the corner and didn't notice Tamahome, but then went to open the door to the room, her eyes widened at the scene before her.
In the room, Miaka reached over to pull Nuriko into a soft hug. His arms circled around her in return, resting his forehead onto her shoulder.
"I can't help thinking that isn't very truthful, Nuriko. You know that I came back here to make sure you were okay, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I don't want to have worry about you anymore like that again. I... I love you." Miaka blurted out, her eyes quivering a bit in the shadowed room.
"...Miaka..." Nuriko whispered. His arms around her gave a tighter squeeze. They stayed wrapped up like that for quite some time.
A voice whispered into Yui's ear. "Disgusting... aren't they?" spoke Tamahome. "I despise them... it's as if we don't exist. I admire her stupidity... and yet I hate her lack of loyalty to you."
Yui stumbled back, "What are you talking about!? Miaka is..." she paused, remembering the line 'You know that I came back here to make sure you were okay, I couldn't stop thinking about you.' in reference to the Suzaku Seishi, Nuriko. Yui's expression darkened, she turned away from the dark haired boy. "So... what are you trying to imply." She said flatly.
"I don't need her... or her people. I think you feel the same on this matter. You're Seiryuu no Miko, you can stay here and tell her and her pretty boy to get lost. Look at what she's done to you and your friendship with her... it's all disgusting." Tamahome's eyes darkened, "I don't need her anymore."
Yui paused, then nodded in understanding. Her voice less shaky than before "Come with me then. I have to lead those two somewhere though..."
Tamahome complied.
* * *
Yui lead the group to a corridor. They hadn't been attacked or tracked by Kutou soldiers any longer. Tamahome stayed focused and generally disinterested with the idle discussions that went on within the troop. His attitude only marked by a snide comment or two. Finally, they paused outside of a hallway. Tamahome then said what was really on his mind.
"This is where it ends. I'm not going back to Konan-koku with you two. Go back and tell Hotohori-sama to find the rest of his seishi and to have a good life, or something." Remarked Tamahome.
"Tamahome..." Miaka said in a shocked voice, "... I don't really understand..."
"You never do understand!" Tamahome bit. "You're so damn dense, it usually takes a few times for it to sink in. So perhaps I'll say it again for you." He took a step behind Yui and placed a hand on her shoulder "I'm denouncing my role as a Suzaku Seishi. I'm going to stay with Yui from now on."
Miaka stood there, baffled by the whole situation. 'This isn't right' she thought to herself.
"Miaka," Nuriko pleaded from behind her. "We should leave now. He's made up his mind."
She took a step forward toward her former best friend and Seishi. "Yui-chan! I came back here to find you. Come back with us to Konan... Pleas--!"
The echoing sound of a slap silenced the young Miko. Her hand reached up to cool the burning flesh of her reddened cheek. "Yui-chan..."
Yui's eyes stared coldly at Miaka, hand lowered to her side peacefully. For a moment within Yui, there was a hint of remorse - only followed by the girl curling her hand into a fist. Yui's eyes closed tightly. Her voice yelling a stern command - "Nakago!"
"Yes, Yui-sama." The armor-clad Shogun seemed to appear from almost nowhere.
"Remove them at once."
The Seiryuu Seishi didn't even blink. His kanji of 'Kokoro' flared in a bright blue light on his forehead. He smirked and sent a huge blast of energy into Miaka and Nuriko's direction.
With a quick teleport, Chichiri appeared before the group, dispersing the energy attack before it did any damage.
"Chichiri... you..." Nuriko stammered. His eyes widened at the situation, as if he were frozen from fear.
"Hurry, no da! You two escape through my hat while I distract them no da!" Spoke the monk. His face mask fell to the floor, revealing a scar over his left eye. "Now no da!"
"But... Yui-chan! Tamahome!" Miaka blurted as she tried to struggle away from Nuriko. His firm grip on her didn't allow for her to escape.
"Come on, Miaka! We can get them later!" Nuriko stated quickly and shoved her into the hat before she could say anything more. He stood up and glared at Tamahome. "What is your problem! I thought you were one of us."
Tamahome looked disinterested for a moment, a smirk on his face. His head tilted to the side as he approached Nuriko. "You thought wrong." Was all that was said. Tamahome's fist plunged into Nuriko's chest, the sound of snapping ribs followed by the Seishi crumbling to the ground in pain.
Chichiri quickly reacted by putting up a barrier around Nuriko and himself. He picked up Nuriko, an eye shifted over to Tamahome for a moment, then he and Nuriko disappeared under the hat.
* * *
The smell of morning dew awoke the sleeping boy. His violet eyes opened to gaze at the soft, silken sheets. His vision was blurred, the soft colors in the room didn't allow his eyes to focus.
"Nuriko..." a voice said off to the side of him.
"Miaka?" His whisper echoed a small amount of confusion, loss. He attempted to sit up - only met with a sharp pain and a fit of coughing.
"Take it easy! Please!" The Miko's hand settled onto his bare shoulder. "Please..." her voice pleaded with him.
His hand rubbed at his eyes, hoping it would let him focus more. When he reopened them, Miaka hovered closely over him. Nuriko's hand reached up and wiped a few tears from her cheek.
"It's okay.." he said in his soothing voice. "It's...okay.", He leaned up and kissed her on the lips. She blushed in surprise, but this only lasted for a few moments. His body settled back down against the bed. He closed his eyes, murmuring, "... it's okay." before passing out once again.
Chichiri entered the room and checked over the two. "He was far more injured than he let on to be no da."
"Chichiri... will he be all right?" Miaka asked, unsure if she really wanted to know the true answer.
"I do believe he will no da. The Nyan-Nyan told me that his previous injury made it difficult to fix all in one sitting, so he will be fine by later today no da." Chichiri seemed content. His smiling face mask on now to block any real facial emotions through.
"He'll be okay from now on?" Miaka asked. Her hand lowered over Nuriko, to brush the bangs away from his sleeping face. "...wonderful..."
By the time Nuriko had awoken again, the Nyan-Nyan had healed him completely. This was something he had not expected. Since he was younger, pain had plagued him day in and day out... and now from this point on, his 'Inner demon' had been stopped. He couldn't wait to tell his sister.
Meanwhile... Miaka met Taiitsukun for the second time. It was explained to her that the scroll had been taken by Kutou, so Taiitsukun gave Miaka a mirror to help find the other three seishi. Although the situation with Tamahome was not mentioned, Taiitsukun made it very clear that *all* the Seishi are needed to call the animal god. This is also when Miaka found out what had happened with Yui those three months she had been back in her own world. Her best friend - treated like that by thugs - she couldn't bear to watch. They were monsters. She stopped the replay before it ended. Miaka honestly had no idea how to cope or how to begin to understand what she could do to make it up. Tamahome's leaving to be in Kutou was only the icing on the cake in this matter. Miaka was then shown how now not only do the choices that she would make have an effect on herself, but also on the people around her. That she is no longer just "Yuuki Miaka" but in fact, "Suzaku no Miko."
* * *
When Miaka returned to Konan, things started to fall back into place. Nuriko, Hotohori, and herself went to search for the other remaining seishi. Chichiri stayed in Konan to pose as Hotohori so that the Emperor could go along with the journey.
The first clue the mirror gave was 'mountain'. It lead them to Mt. Leikaku where Miaka and the gang had been kidnapped and mistaken for women. Miaka later had been kidnapped by a rogue bandit named "Genrou" who wanted to take charge when he had returned, just as the former leader had wanted. After that little mess was over with, Genrou told Miaka, Hotohori and Nuriko that "Tasuki", the Seishi they were looking for was their former leader who had just passed away.
Soon enough, they were lead on a wild goose chase to a nearby town where there was rumored to have a person who could raise the dead. They found a woman by that description with the name of Shoka. She explained that she couldn't leave the city limits though, so they would have to bring the coffin to her. Miaka thought that maybe this woman may be their sixth Suzaku Seishi.
While heading back to Mt. Leikaku, they were attacked by a group of zombies that rose from their graves. Genrou appeared in the moonlit sky, setting fire to them with a shout of "Lekka Shien!" He explained that his best friend took over leadership of the bandits and apologized for betraying them. He lifted his arm to show off the kanji of 'Tsubasa' which flashed with a bright red. He was the Suzaku Seishi, Tasuki, and was the fifth one found.
Miaka fell seriously ill. There was an awful disease that plagued the town with the woman who could raise the dead. That's why she was so useful there. At first, Miaka convinced Hotohori to try and kill her, but he could not. He told her finally that he couldn't do that to someone had he loved so much. She understood and suffered for as long as she could. The three seishi go on the outskirts of town to find a man named "Myojuan" who used to be a doctor. When they explained the situation and who was involved. The man was a bit surprised to hear the name "Shoka". This man explained that she had been dead for over a year. Hotohori felt Miaka may be in trouble, and they went back to where Miaka had been staying. A demon erupted from the woman, threatening to eat Miaka alive. The seishi tried to fight her off, plus any oncoming zombies, but... it was almost useless. Myojuan arrived, defeating the demon who was once his former fiancee, and healing Miaka. This is when they discovered he was the sixth Suzaku Seishi, Mitsukake.
While traveling the way back to Konan, they found an injured boy who played the flute really well. He explained that his village had been attacked and how he had barely survived. He said his name was "Chiriko" and that he was the seventh, final Suzaku Seishi. With that, they headed back to Konan to prepare for the ceremony and to retrieve and convince Tamahome to come back.
* * *
"You've proven to be helpful to us, Tamahome. However... I have a favor to ask of you." Nakago smirked to himself.
"Anything you ask, Nakago-sama."
"Although I have made some preparations... to guarantee that Suzaku no Miko doesn't call the god, is to kill her. Yui-sama isn't aware of this plan and I want it to stay that way. She would disagree with me sending you. Do you understand?" His sky blue eyes turn to focus onto Tamahome, an eyebrow arched awaiting the opposite Seishi's decision.
"I understand. When should I leave for Konan?" Tamahome asked.
"As soon as possible."
* * *