Hotohori looked about. "This is bad." He barked orders for them to fetch his sword. Tamahome was not going to do what he came to do today, that's for sure. Nuriko stopped Hotohori in the hallway.
"Hotohori-sama... let me fight, please. I have been trained with weapons ever since I was younger. I... have to be the one to fight. Not revenge... but to challenge in return. Please." Nuriko begged.
Miaka looked shocked. She remembered the last time Tamahome and Nuriko really 'had it out'. She had not been there to witness, but the after effects really made her not want to see it happen again.
"All right." Hotohori said, "They cannot have the Emperor get hurt in this sort of situation. Nuriko... you can use my sword."
"Hotohori! No! Nuriko, you can't do this, you'll get hurt again!" Miaka stammered.
"Miaka..." Nuriko started in a low voice, "Of all people, now, I will NOT get hurt. Please... return to your chambers, or you will be in danger." He looked up, then over to a guard. "Take Suzaku no Miko to her chambers and make sure she can't get out."
The guard followed the command and took Miaka to her chambers rather unwillingly. She tried the door. It was locked from the outside. She didn't even have a window to view the fight. This was tearing her apart.
* * *
Tamahome, the former Suzaku Seishi stood predominantly at the end of the courtyard. His body dressed in a black outfit, with golden ties down the center like a traditional chinese top. Around his forehead was a piece of material - tied so that whatever kanji was there before could not be viewed. His expression cruel and disheartening.
"Where is she?" Tamahome's voice asked in a low, dark tone.
"You're not even going to touch her, asshole! I'll kill you before you even THINK about hurting her, got it?!" Nuriko growled. His hand gripped the sword handle tightly.
At first, the voice was low. Then Tamahome's laugh grew louder throughout the rainy Konan afternoon courtyard. It echoed, his hand reached reached up to brush his hair back. "How... how funny." Was all that was really said inbetween chuckles. He calmed enough to say, "Fine. To your death, it is."
Nuriko narrowed his eyes and tossed Tamahome a sword. To at least make it a fair enough fight. He took on a strong stance, holding the sword with two hands in an offensive position. The cloudy sky thundered with lightning. The sound bellowed through the courtyard in an ominous fashion. "All right... let's go!" He yelled out. His body charged with a bright red aura as he leapt toward Tamahome, blade forward.
Tamahome's blade lifted quickly to clash with Nuriko's. A loud 'pang' erupted in the air. Only the onlookers were quite. The group stared wide eyed at the battle before them.
Kourin lifted her hand to her chest, "Oniisama... be strong." Her eyes moved to Tamahome. Only one thought in mind 'He's very good... I hope Oniisama can handle him.'
Nuriko slashed at Tamahome, his keen strength manipulated the blade with strong, fast motions. The battle began.
* * *
-Bang!- -Bang!- -Bang!-
"Someone let me out of here! Don't fight him, Nuriko! Someone, please.... -eh?" Miaka eeped. In mid-sentance, a smiling white cat landed atop her head.
"Tama-chan... where did you come from...?"
Miaka's eyes shifted from the cat who was now in her lap, upward. She took note of the open window above her door frame. 'This is my chance!' The Miko smirked to herself - a plan now instilled within her mind. She was determined to stop that fight. She climbed through the small window and fell into the hallway outside her door with a clumsy -oof-. Miaka stood, then bolted into a running position toward the courtyard.
* * *
Tamahome sneered. His skill was about on par with Nuriko's, save for his strength. Both mens' determination guided the action along. He shifted positions and struck, sword sharply cutting into Nuriko's side. Tamahome pulled back and watched the blood drip from both the sword and his opponent's clothing. He smiled widely.
Kourin took a step forward, only to be stopped by the steady hand of Hotohori on her shoulder. "He must do this himself." The Emperor spoke.
"I can't watch him be hurt like this! His entire life was about struggling to live with a pain... that was my fault! For my sake! Now, finally when he's healthy... his life is in danger again because of some ... some stupid male pride thing!" Kourin snapped at Hotohori.
"You've got it all wrong." Hotohori responded in his regal, yet soft, tone. "It's about his love for Miaka and doing what he was born to do - protect her. I admire his courage and his strong family. Have faith in him, Kourin-san."
"... yes, Hotohori-sama." Kourin spoke softer than before. "I do believe in him." Her eyes looked back to the fight, thoughts reflected more of how she really felt 'I just don't want to lose him... not after everything he has been through'.
Nuriko winced at the pain. He glared at Tamahome, "Is that the best you can do!?" Nuriko touched his hand to his side, the warm blood soaking through his shirt. He narrowed his eyes as his hand moved back to back to grip the sword handle tightly, "I won't let you HURT HER!"
Nuriko growled, his sword positioned firmly in his hands. Tamahome grinned and took a more aggressive fighting stance. It was only a matter of moments... Nuriko flinched, then launched toward the darker haired boy. Tamahome struck at Nuriko again, piercing him in the arm. Nuriko whimpered, but kept his stance before the more skilled seishi.
Miaka ran out to the corridor. Her robe clung to her skin tightly due to the rain. She spotted the dueling men and screamed at the top of her lungs, "STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!"
Tamahome, distracted for that one second gave Nuriko the upper hand. The sword thrusting sharply into Tamahome's stomach. The thunder shattered in the sky, echoing through the Konan palace courtyard. The only sound made would be Tamahome's body thumping against the ground. Nuriko fell to his knees, his sword clanging down against the rough stone ground.
With a moment of indecision, Miaka ran to Tamahome's side. He winced, grasping his sword.
"If you want to really kill me... do it. I'll let you.. I can't stand seeing you like this... this monster." Miaka choked on her words. She placed his hand on her cheek to make him feel the warm tears roll down her face.
Tamahome struggled and lifted his sword. It fell to the ground again loudly. A split moment of confusion crossed his face with the kanji of 'Oni' flashed across his forehead. His fate sealed quickly with a kiss to Miaka's lips.
* * *
The birds chirped loudly on the beautiful, dew filled morning.
It had only been merely a few days since the storm. The palace bustled
with the word of Tamahome's return. The echoes poured down the hallway
and filtered through the walls of the lonesome room. His room.
It had only been two days, but it felt like an eternity. Nuriko had
no right to interrupt Miaka and Tamahome, though his heart wanted him to
do so. The covers rustled as he turned in the bed, covering his ear
with a soft
pillow in hope of filtering out the endless chatter. A warm hand
touched his side and shook just slightly. He pulled the pillow down
to listen.
"Oniisama." Kourin spoke. "You haven't left your room in days. Please, eat something... anything?" She urged.
"I don't feel hungry. I don't feel anything. What are you doing here anyway, Kourin. You should be trying to win over Hotohori-sama or something." His hand brushed Kourin's away with an uncaring edge.
"Listen... I know you're hurt... Hey, listen to me!" Nuriko turned over. Kourin continued to speak, "I understand what is going on in your head, but you're NOT going to solve anything by laying in bed and being depressed all day."
"She's barely even noticed that I've been gone! It's all now Tamahome and Miaka this, Tamahome and Miaka that... I'm invisible! And it hurts! I got hurt just as badly as HE did in that battle, you don't see her all over me--"
Kourin turned Nuriko over. She brought her hand back and then snapped it across her older brother's face. "That's ENOUGH! I'm so tired of this. You SHOULD be happy for Miaka-sama! That she indeed gave you a chance, but she also has given Tamahome-san one as well. At LEAST respect her wishes and stop your DAMNED whining!"
He raised a hand to his burning cheek, surprised and baffled by his sisters' own force. Without a word, she marched out of the room and slammed the door behind her.
* * *
It was a day before the Suzaku Summoning Ceremony. The entire palace staff had designed, polished, and even coordinated every inch of the Summoning rooms decor. The calling of a God was a very important thing indeed, and they didn't want it on THEIR heads if the Emperor didn't like what was prepared.
"Heeeeeey... Tasuki! Buddy... have you seen Miaka around?" Asked Nuriko, putting an arm around the red haired Seishi.
"Not a clue, -pal-." He emphasized sharply. "Last I saw she was with Tamahome." Nuriko frowned. "What's up, lose your girl to the other man?" Tasuki joked, before he found himself embedded into a nearby wall.
Nuriko searched down the corridors of the palace (The echo of Tasuki's obscenities echoed past him) in a quiet hunt for the girl he gave his heart to. 'Konan Palace seemed so huge when you only want to find one person.', he thought. His heart raced, and stopped when he happened upon the scene.
The wind rustled through Tamahomes bangs as he brushed them aside, creating an overly beautiful scene of him and his Miko at his side. She wore a light blue blouse. Around the neck was a tie done up properly, 'Probably a style from her world.', Nuriko thought to himself. Trailing lower, she wore a skirt that matched the top gracefully. Her mouth opened and spoke words to Tamahome that he could not hear.
Miaka looked up at Tamahome as he cupped her face. She seemed as though she may have been crying. Her expression lightened, a smile carefully appeared, then her arms shot impulsively around Tamahome's neck in an affectionate hug.
Jealousy coursed through Nuriko's body. He clenched a fist... then suddenly relaxed. The expression of defeat crept into is expression and replaced the jealousy. "I could never win against someone like him." He sighed. Nuriko lleft the two finally to be alone.
* * *
What Nuriko saw was only a small piece in the puzzle, so, let's just rewind a bit, shall we?
= = =
Miaka sat down near the fishing pond on the Konan Palace grounds. She had a stick in her hand and poked at the water. She watched her reflection of the world through that glass like ripple.
"Ahem." Tamahome cleared his throat.
"Tamahome!! You startled me!" She put a hand over her chest to relax herself again. 'I was hoping it was Nuriko', she thought.
Tamahome leaned against a tree. He placed his hands behind the back of his head, and rested against them like a pillow. "The ceremony is tomorrow. Have you told him yet?"
"No.... I haven't. I'm afraid he'll say no." Miaka threw the branch into the water.
"Idiot. He'd be a fool to say NO to an opportunity like that."
Miaka frowned, "Tamahome... I haven't really spoken to him at all since you've gotten back." She stared calmly into the waters.
Tamahome seemed surprised, "He's your boyfriend... if not your Seishi," He joked. "You should at least have TALKED to him. That's very irresponsible of you."
Miaka stood up and went to punch Tamahomei in the chest. "I -have- been busy! I was helping with Hotohori and Chichiri for the ceremony... and finding out about Kutou from you. Nuriko just got lost in the shuffle. I'm afraid of what he thinks of me now."
"Kourin-san told me that you should talk to him anyway. She really is concerned about what he's feeling.", Tamahome blocked he rpunch with the usual amount of class.
"Maybe I should talk to her. She knows what he's thinking better. I don't feel right, Tamahome. What do I do?"
"Don't ask me. Ask him. I can't say I blame him though. I remember when I lost you to him. It's rather ironic how he must think of me now. The truth of th ematter is that I haven't stolen you away at all. You're just distracted."
"Tamahome..." She lowered her face, wiping away a few tears. "I'm sorry. For everything you've been through. I don't know how to fix things."
"Miaka. You don't have to fix things with me. I'm fine now. That Seiryuu bastard took advantage of a weak point. I'll always be here as a friend, no matter what, okay?" He held his arms open to her, a smile on his face.
She nodded then smiled. She jumped up and hugged Tamahome around the neck happily. 'I'll fix things with Nuriko. I'll make sure he knows how much he means to me!'. "Thank you Tamahome. Things'll work out."
"I hope for you, they do."
* * *
Time seemed to move quickly. The preparation for the Suzaku summoning ceremony went beautifully. Miaka entered the room at the wide door entrance. It looked like a dream. The Miko of Suzaku looked just breathtaking. Dressed in red, gold, and white material that appeared as though it were blessed by a god to make the young girl look that stunning. The material billowed around her arms and legs from the light breeze. Her movements were smooth and graceful, which were rather unlike her usual charm. Miaka's chestnut brown eyes were wide with excitement. Her seven faithful Seishi at her side. Tamahome, Hotohori, Nuriko, Chichiri, Tasuki, Mitsukake, and Chiriko all stood carefully in formation. The handsome men dressed sharply for the arrival of their God. She stepped up to the alter and chanted the words that were inscribed on the sacred crimson scroll before tossing the ancient document into the fire. Miaka's hands locked together in a tight prayer, eyes shut forcefully when the last few words were finally spoken.
"You've failed." Announced the youngest of the Seishi. A boy named 'Chiriko'. Time stood still for that moment. He smirked and announced himself as the Seiryuu Seishi, Amiboshi. Their failure was his fault alone and he took much pleasure in it.
Miaka seemed confused by the words spoken by the boy. He lifted the thin flute to his lips, and played what must have been the worst sounding tune possible... to them. The tune shrieked and echoed through the large corridor.
The entire group covered their ears in pain. Their heads throbbed from the Seishi 'Chiriko's' power. Miaka clutched her hands over hers, voice shakily pleading with him.
"Chiriko!! What are you doing!? Please... stop it now!" The Miko inched slowly toward him.
Pain coursed through their bodies, not a single person able to stop the torturous sound. His chi was so integrated into their everyday lives, now it was just working its way outward. The true effects so crucial that none of them can move.
As if on cue, the music became disjointed and broke. The tune lost in another.
"What is that? It's breaking my melody!" Amiboshi looked around, distracted.
A child stepped out from the darkness, voice speaking in a gentle tone. "It was easy. I disrupted his chi with my leaf whistle."
The disgruntled 'Chiriko' growled and made a dash for the exit. Tamahome and Tasuki quick in hot pursuit! Miaka snagged Chichiri, literally bumming a ride off of him to keep up with the chase and follow her Seishi! No way is Miaka going to let a Seiryuu Seishi go without finding out what's happened with Yui.
It ended at the edge of a river. Amiboshi stood, cornered by the ledge down to a rough river and the opposing Seishi. His eyes shifted from one to the other, finally resting on Miaka. She pleaded with him. Within that split second, he had lost his footing and slipped off the edge, falling backwards and toward the raging water. Miaka made a jump for it. Her hand grasped the metal flute tightly. That object being the only thing that linked the two people together. She struggled to keep hold of him.
Amiboshi heard the water underneath him and the faint plea from a girl who continued to referr to him as "Chiriko". He didn't want to attack her. He never in his life had he been accepted so easily... and it was those same people who are to be his enemy just because of a simple birthright. His eyes softened as Miaka's big brown eyes quivered with reason.
He let go.
"Chirikoooooooooo!!!!!!" Miaka clutched his flute to her chest, staring into the wild river as the waves engulfed him.
Her Seishi walked in silence behind her. They return to the Konan Palace only to find out what they already knew. They had failed.
The real Chiriko introduced himself. Taiitsu-kun badgered the Seishi for failing, but gave them a new mission. With surprise items created by her through their 'failure', it made the group stronger in sense and spirit. The journey ahead was going to be rough and dangerous. This first half was only a cakewalk. After that, Taiitsu-kun demanded to speak to Miaka alone.
* * *