Chapter 13: Fleeting Ecstasy
Ichidou stood shivering at the base of Mt. Leikaku. She looked up the mountain, and then back the way she had come. She had left Amiboshi and Suboshi in a forest a while back, while they were looking for firewood. She stole Amiboshi's horse and rode back to Mt. Leikaku.
"I'm sorry Amiboshi-Chan. But I don't feel right being with you. You're aren't the one for me." She whispered into the wind. She mounted the horse and rode up the mountain.
Mihara had just finished packing her things. They would be leaving the next morning. All that day, she and the other seishi questioned the bandits and other inhabitants of the mountain about the Suzaku no Miko. Once again they had been unsuccessful.
"Oi! Mihara!"
Mihara sighed and followed the sound of Koji's voice. "Yes?" She stopped at the sight of the blond Seiryuu no Miko standing in front of her. "Oh. Ichidou. What are you doing back here?"
Now that Ichidou thought about it, she wasn't entirely sure what her excuse for coming back was, now that she was there. "I-I," she stuttered. She cast her mind about and her eyes fell on a necklace that one of the bandits was wearing. "I was wondering if you and some of the Suzaku sei would like to accompany me on a journey to retrieve the Byakko Shinzaho." She avoided Koji's gaze, and looked back to her friend.
"I don't know," Mihara said thoughtfully. "I guess we do need a break from searching for the Suzaku no Miko. And if we go along, Kyuu would gladly give it up. Plus the sooner you summon Seiryuu, the sooner I get my memory back."
"What's up?" Tasuki had came up and put an arm around Mihara's waist.
"Tasuki, do you and some of the others want to go with me and Ichidou to Sairo to get the Byakko Shinzaho."
Tasuki glanced at Ichidou, who kept looking at Koji and blushing. "Sure. Sounds fun to me. OI TAMA! NURI! CHICHIRI! WANNA GO WITH MIHARA AND ICHIDOU AND ME TO SAIRO!"
"I want to go, no da!" Chichiri had appeared in front of Tasuki, scaring the holy crap out of him.
Tamahome sauntered in. "Will I get paid?" He asked stubbornly.
Nuriko snuck up behind Tasuki and whispered in his ear. "You sure you wanna go over water?"
Tasuki yelped and fell over with a crash.
Everyone burst into laughter as Tasuki stood up, rubbing his ears and muttering.
"So when do you want to leave?" Mihara asked, turning her attention back to Ichidou.
"I-I don't know." Ichidou stammered. "We could leave tommorrow if you like."
"Tommorrow." Mihara echoed increadously. "But don't you need supplies and bodyguards and stuff like that."
Ichidou laughed hollowly. "I've got plenty of supplies with me. As for bodyguards, I've got you guys don't I? I'll be fine."
"Okay," Mihara agreed, uncertainly.
"So what are the others to do once we've left."
"They should probably go back to the castle until we get back," Nuriko suggested.
"I'll go tell them," Mihara said, and turned and headed into the back rooms.
Ichidou glanced around and then approached Tasuki. "Oi, Tasuki." She said casually. "Can I ask you something?"
Tasuki shrugged and Ichidou pulled his ear down to her mouth. After a few moments Tasuki straightened and broke into a wide grin. He glanced at Koji, who was looking very bewildered, and worked hard to control his laughter.
"Well?" Ichidou said through gritted teeth.
"Yeah yeah sure sure," Tasuki said, waving an impatient hand. "I'll hook you guys up. But right now I'm hungry." He sat down and yelled at the top of his lungs for a waiter.
Later that night after everyone else had gone to bed and Tasuki and Koji remained alone....
"So, what do you think of Ichidou," Tasuki asked casually, taking a sip of his drink.
"Mehhh, she's cute I guess." Koji said uncomfortably.
"I think she likes yeh."
"So," came the reply.
Tasuki took a deep breath adn smoothed back his hair. "So."
"So," Koji agreed.
"So why doncha just hook up with her and see if you like her?"
Koji drained his drink. "Why are you pushing this?" He asked seriously.
Tasuki shrugged and looked down into his glass. "Coz she's a friend of Mihara's and she's doin' a big favor for me and Mihara. Can't I return the favor for her?"
Koji remained silent for a few minutes.
Just when Tasuki was beginning to regret his ever bringing up the topic his blue-haired companion spoke again.
"I guess." He said simply, then stood. "Well Genrou ole buddy, I'm off to bed." He left the room and a very confused Tasuki.
"I'm guessing thats a yes." And then he went off to join Mihara in bed as well.
The next morning the Suzaku seishi, Mihara, Ichidou, and Koji departed Mt. Leikaku and headed in one general direction. After a while Hotohori, Chiriko, and Mitsukake headed in the direction of the palace and the others continued westward.
When they got to the harbor, they quickly loaded their things onto the boat. All except for Tasuki, who wanted as little time on the boat as possible. Mihara carried his things onto the ship as well.
Koji stood on the dock and made sure everything was good to go.
"You're aren't coming with us," Ichidou called down dissappointedly from the deck.
Koji shook his head. "I gotta be gettin' back to Mt. Leikaku. The bandits'll riot if I'm gone to long. Don't worry I'll be here when yeh get back."
Ichidou grinned and gave him the thumbs up.
Mihara ran down the ramp and back onto the dock. "Okay Tasuki," she called. "We have to go."
Tasuki poked his head out from behind a tree. "I don't wanna go up there," he said in a little kid voice. "Its scary."
Mihara did her best to supress her laughter as she grabbed the collar of his shirt and dragged him up the ramp and onto the boat, Tasuki flailing the whole way. Once they were on the deck she let go of him and knelt beside him. "Listen," she said soothingly. "We're only going to be on this boat for less then a day. We'll spend the night in Sairo and then we'll head back home. We'll be on the boat for a little less than a day and a half total."
"I still don't see how you talked me into coming."
Out of the corner of her eye, Mihara could see Ichidou slap her forehead. "Tasuki you opted to go. You don't have to come you know."
Tasuki began serious at once. "And leave you alone in a strange country with a money hungry weirdo, and - and him." He glanced at Nuriko, who had Tamahome in a headlock, giving him a well-earned noogie.
Mihara gasped. "You are mad at Nuriko."
Tasuki looked away. "Its fine. Just don't talk to me about it."
"But Tasuki-"
"I said don't talk to me." He walked away into the cabin.
Mihara sighed.
"It's okay." A voice said.
Mihara looked to her right. It was Ichidou was glancing in the direction of the cabin. "Its okay." She repeated. "All relationships have their little bumps. But don't push the conversation. It'll make him more mad than he is."
Mihara smiled. "Arigatou Ichidou-chan. By the way..." she paused giving Ichidou a sly look.
"N-Nani," Ichidou asked, confused.
"How are things working out between you and Koji-kun?"
Ichidou reddened. "H-How did you know about that."
Mihara gave her friend a look that said 'puh-lease.' "You're telling me you were actually trying to hide it? Its so obvious. The way you look at him. So..." She lowered her voice. "Are you gonna...you know... get together with him?"
Ichidou looked down into the water. "I hope so. Tasuki said he'd talk to him. But I don't know."
Their conversation was peirced by the sound of the captain of the ship yelling: "Okay! Let 'er loose!"
The boat began moving suddenly.
Mihara glanced at the cabin again. "I better go make sure Tasuki- Chan's okay. You know he doesn't like water." She sighed, her face set and then walked into the cabin.
Tasuki was lying face down on the bed, with his hands falling loosely at his sides.
Mihara smiled gently and sat on the edge of the bed next to him. She laid across his back, and wrapped her arms around her. "Tasuki-chan? Are you asleep?" She whispered.
No reply.
Mihara closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, enjoying the warmth his body was giving off. "Tasuki. Gomen nasai. I don't want to be a bother. I make you worry to often. I don't want to hurt you. Do I ever annoy you?" She paused and then laughed slightly. "Ah, what am I doing? You're asleep. You can't hear me." She stood up and headed for the door.
"Mihara. What makes you think that you annoy me?"
Mihara whirled around.
Tasuki flipped over onto his back, and gave Mihara an intense look. "I've just been a little touchy with Nuri after that night. Him and Tama are still my best buddies from the Suzaku sei. But -" he sighed and looked at the ceiling. "I just don't want to lose you to him."
Mihara smiled. "Baka-chan. I would die to keep you from pain. I would never ever leave you."
Tasuki returned the warm look. He scooted over slightly and patted the space beside him. Mihara giggled and jumped in the bed beside him, and soon the pair of them were snoring over the sound of the crashing waves.
"Oooh risque!"
Nuriko looked up. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think its cute," Ichidou chimed in.
The three of them: Ichidou, Nuriko, and Tamahome had decided to poke their heads in on the sleeping couple.
"Should we tell them we're there."
Nuriko, forgetting his strength, smacked Tamahome in the back of his head. "Baka! Duh!"
Tamahome went soaring through the door and into the wall across the room.
Mihara rolled over and opened her eyes. Fighting the strong urge to scream, she sat up giving Tamahome's legs, which were kicking out in order to free themselves from the wall, a questioning stare.
Tasuki woke moments later. "Might I ask WHAT IN THE HOLY HELL IS GOING ON HERE??!!"
"Ahh," Nuriko said sweatdropping. "Gomen, gomen! I forgot my strength again."
Tamahome's foot swung out of nowhere and gave Tasuki a hard kick in the jaw.
A loud scream cut through the air.
Finally the five of them walked down the ramp onto the dock in Sairo, Tasuki nursing a bloody jaw.
"Yeh gonna get it for this one," the firery-haired bandit scowled. "Both of yeh." He shook his tessan threateningly in Tamahome's and Nuriko's direction.
Ichidou sweatdropped three times over. "Ano...I guess it would be best if we got the Byakko temple as quick as we can."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," a cold voice said. "Seiryuu no Miko. You're coming with me."
Before Mihara knew what was going on, a pair of hands was lifting her up. She looked over and found that Ichidou suffered the same fate.
"Protectors of the Seiryuu no Miko, if you want to see you're precious women again come to Hokkan country. Kitsune-Sama would like a word with you." And with that the two Hokkan messangers left, Mihara and Ichidou with them.
End Chapter 13
Aaahhh! Gomen nasai! Things have been so hectic that I haven't been able to work on this chapter in ages. Okay I admit it. The worst case of writers block came over me. I didn't know what to write next after the Confession two-parter was finished. What was a poor writer to do. Nothing.
To tell the truth, I got an email that motivated me to write the next few chapters. ARIGATOU! You know who you are!
Okay okay okay! I'm sure many of you are thinking "Will that psycho b*tch make up her mind?" Okay here's the deal! YES! Ichidou and Koji WILL get together. That's my final answer. Whew, I'm glad I have that out of my system.
This chapter is fueled by three things the email I mentioned and two songs I listened while writing this. The opening to Sakaiden Houshin Engi (Soul Hunters) called Will and the opening to Inuyasha (which is my new anime fling) called I Will Change the World. Those two songs are the only ones I listened to while writing this chapter. They just seemed so inspiring. If you like either of those animes YOU ROCK! And if you haven't seen them you so definately should.
I am somewhat pleased and somewhat saddened to make my next announcement: This series will be ending soon. As you might gather that after Ichidou gets both Shinzaho's that she will summon Seiryuu and Mihara will get her memory back. One thing will lead to another and eventually Mihara will end up back in her world. But never fear! I, Kerry-Chan, you're faithful fanfic author is here. My fellow miko's and myself have been plotting out strange things to happen after Mihara returns to America. So for those of you who are greived to know that this series will be ending (please Suzaku let there be many of them)...ahem...wake up Kerry.... me and my fantasies...Anyway for those of you that enjoy this series I hope you'll like the next series as much as you did this one.
Okay I'm going to stop blathering now. Ja ne!!!
Ichidou stood shivering at the base of Mt. Leikaku. She looked up the mountain, and then back the way she had come. She had left Amiboshi and Suboshi in a forest a while back, while they were looking for firewood. She stole Amiboshi's horse and rode back to Mt. Leikaku.
"I'm sorry Amiboshi-Chan. But I don't feel right being with you. You're aren't the one for me." She whispered into the wind. She mounted the horse and rode up the mountain.
Mihara had just finished packing her things. They would be leaving the next morning. All that day, she and the other seishi questioned the bandits and other inhabitants of the mountain about the Suzaku no Miko. Once again they had been unsuccessful.
"Oi! Mihara!"
Mihara sighed and followed the sound of Koji's voice. "Yes?" She stopped at the sight of the blond Seiryuu no Miko standing in front of her. "Oh. Ichidou. What are you doing back here?"
Now that Ichidou thought about it, she wasn't entirely sure what her excuse for coming back was, now that she was there. "I-I," she stuttered. She cast her mind about and her eyes fell on a necklace that one of the bandits was wearing. "I was wondering if you and some of the Suzaku sei would like to accompany me on a journey to retrieve the Byakko Shinzaho." She avoided Koji's gaze, and looked back to her friend.
"I don't know," Mihara said thoughtfully. "I guess we do need a break from searching for the Suzaku no Miko. And if we go along, Kyuu would gladly give it up. Plus the sooner you summon Seiryuu, the sooner I get my memory back."
"What's up?" Tasuki had came up and put an arm around Mihara's waist.
"Tasuki, do you and some of the others want to go with me and Ichidou to Sairo to get the Byakko Shinzaho."
Tasuki glanced at Ichidou, who kept looking at Koji and blushing. "Sure. Sounds fun to me. OI TAMA! NURI! CHICHIRI! WANNA GO WITH MIHARA AND ICHIDOU AND ME TO SAIRO!"
"I want to go, no da!" Chichiri had appeared in front of Tasuki, scaring the holy crap out of him.
Tamahome sauntered in. "Will I get paid?" He asked stubbornly.
Nuriko snuck up behind Tasuki and whispered in his ear. "You sure you wanna go over water?"
Tasuki yelped and fell over with a crash.
Everyone burst into laughter as Tasuki stood up, rubbing his ears and muttering.
"So when do you want to leave?" Mihara asked, turning her attention back to Ichidou.
"I-I don't know." Ichidou stammered. "We could leave tommorrow if you like."
"Tommorrow." Mihara echoed increadously. "But don't you need supplies and bodyguards and stuff like that."
Ichidou laughed hollowly. "I've got plenty of supplies with me. As for bodyguards, I've got you guys don't I? I'll be fine."
"Okay," Mihara agreed, uncertainly.
"So what are the others to do once we've left."
"They should probably go back to the castle until we get back," Nuriko suggested.
"I'll go tell them," Mihara said, and turned and headed into the back rooms.
Ichidou glanced around and then approached Tasuki. "Oi, Tasuki." She said casually. "Can I ask you something?"
Tasuki shrugged and Ichidou pulled his ear down to her mouth. After a few moments Tasuki straightened and broke into a wide grin. He glanced at Koji, who was looking very bewildered, and worked hard to control his laughter.
"Well?" Ichidou said through gritted teeth.
"Yeah yeah sure sure," Tasuki said, waving an impatient hand. "I'll hook you guys up. But right now I'm hungry." He sat down and yelled at the top of his lungs for a waiter.
Later that night after everyone else had gone to bed and Tasuki and Koji remained alone....
"So, what do you think of Ichidou," Tasuki asked casually, taking a sip of his drink.
"Mehhh, she's cute I guess." Koji said uncomfortably.
"I think she likes yeh."
"So," came the reply.
Tasuki took a deep breath adn smoothed back his hair. "So."
"So," Koji agreed.
"So why doncha just hook up with her and see if you like her?"
Koji drained his drink. "Why are you pushing this?" He asked seriously.
Tasuki shrugged and looked down into his glass. "Coz she's a friend of Mihara's and she's doin' a big favor for me and Mihara. Can't I return the favor for her?"
Koji remained silent for a few minutes.
Just when Tasuki was beginning to regret his ever bringing up the topic his blue-haired companion spoke again.
"I guess." He said simply, then stood. "Well Genrou ole buddy, I'm off to bed." He left the room and a very confused Tasuki.
"I'm guessing thats a yes." And then he went off to join Mihara in bed as well.
The next morning the Suzaku seishi, Mihara, Ichidou, and Koji departed Mt. Leikaku and headed in one general direction. After a while Hotohori, Chiriko, and Mitsukake headed in the direction of the palace and the others continued westward.
When they got to the harbor, they quickly loaded their things onto the boat. All except for Tasuki, who wanted as little time on the boat as possible. Mihara carried his things onto the ship as well.
Koji stood on the dock and made sure everything was good to go.
"You're aren't coming with us," Ichidou called down dissappointedly from the deck.
Koji shook his head. "I gotta be gettin' back to Mt. Leikaku. The bandits'll riot if I'm gone to long. Don't worry I'll be here when yeh get back."
Ichidou grinned and gave him the thumbs up.
Mihara ran down the ramp and back onto the dock. "Okay Tasuki," she called. "We have to go."
Tasuki poked his head out from behind a tree. "I don't wanna go up there," he said in a little kid voice. "Its scary."
Mihara did her best to supress her laughter as she grabbed the collar of his shirt and dragged him up the ramp and onto the boat, Tasuki flailing the whole way. Once they were on the deck she let go of him and knelt beside him. "Listen," she said soothingly. "We're only going to be on this boat for less then a day. We'll spend the night in Sairo and then we'll head back home. We'll be on the boat for a little less than a day and a half total."
"I still don't see how you talked me into coming."
Out of the corner of her eye, Mihara could see Ichidou slap her forehead. "Tasuki you opted to go. You don't have to come you know."
Tasuki began serious at once. "And leave you alone in a strange country with a money hungry weirdo, and - and him." He glanced at Nuriko, who had Tamahome in a headlock, giving him a well-earned noogie.
Mihara gasped. "You are mad at Nuriko."
Tasuki looked away. "Its fine. Just don't talk to me about it."
"But Tasuki-"
"I said don't talk to me." He walked away into the cabin.
Mihara sighed.
"It's okay." A voice said.
Mihara looked to her right. It was Ichidou was glancing in the direction of the cabin. "Its okay." She repeated. "All relationships have their little bumps. But don't push the conversation. It'll make him more mad than he is."
Mihara smiled. "Arigatou Ichidou-chan. By the way..." she paused giving Ichidou a sly look.
"N-Nani," Ichidou asked, confused.
"How are things working out between you and Koji-kun?"
Ichidou reddened. "H-How did you know about that."
Mihara gave her friend a look that said 'puh-lease.' "You're telling me you were actually trying to hide it? Its so obvious. The way you look at him. So..." She lowered her voice. "Are you gonna...you know... get together with him?"
Ichidou looked down into the water. "I hope so. Tasuki said he'd talk to him. But I don't know."
Their conversation was peirced by the sound of the captain of the ship yelling: "Okay! Let 'er loose!"
The boat began moving suddenly.
Mihara glanced at the cabin again. "I better go make sure Tasuki- Chan's okay. You know he doesn't like water." She sighed, her face set and then walked into the cabin.
Tasuki was lying face down on the bed, with his hands falling loosely at his sides.
Mihara smiled gently and sat on the edge of the bed next to him. She laid across his back, and wrapped her arms around her. "Tasuki-chan? Are you asleep?" She whispered.
No reply.
Mihara closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, enjoying the warmth his body was giving off. "Tasuki. Gomen nasai. I don't want to be a bother. I make you worry to often. I don't want to hurt you. Do I ever annoy you?" She paused and then laughed slightly. "Ah, what am I doing? You're asleep. You can't hear me." She stood up and headed for the door.
"Mihara. What makes you think that you annoy me?"
Mihara whirled around.
Tasuki flipped over onto his back, and gave Mihara an intense look. "I've just been a little touchy with Nuri after that night. Him and Tama are still my best buddies from the Suzaku sei. But -" he sighed and looked at the ceiling. "I just don't want to lose you to him."
Mihara smiled. "Baka-chan. I would die to keep you from pain. I would never ever leave you."
Tasuki returned the warm look. He scooted over slightly and patted the space beside him. Mihara giggled and jumped in the bed beside him, and soon the pair of them were snoring over the sound of the crashing waves.
"Oooh risque!"
Nuriko looked up. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think its cute," Ichidou chimed in.
The three of them: Ichidou, Nuriko, and Tamahome had decided to poke their heads in on the sleeping couple.
"Should we tell them we're there."
Nuriko, forgetting his strength, smacked Tamahome in the back of his head. "Baka! Duh!"
Tamahome went soaring through the door and into the wall across the room.
Mihara rolled over and opened her eyes. Fighting the strong urge to scream, she sat up giving Tamahome's legs, which were kicking out in order to free themselves from the wall, a questioning stare.
Tasuki woke moments later. "Might I ask WHAT IN THE HOLY HELL IS GOING ON HERE??!!"
"Ahh," Nuriko said sweatdropping. "Gomen, gomen! I forgot my strength again."
Tamahome's foot swung out of nowhere and gave Tasuki a hard kick in the jaw.
A loud scream cut through the air.
Finally the five of them walked down the ramp onto the dock in Sairo, Tasuki nursing a bloody jaw.
"Yeh gonna get it for this one," the firery-haired bandit scowled. "Both of yeh." He shook his tessan threateningly in Tamahome's and Nuriko's direction.
Ichidou sweatdropped three times over. "Ano...I guess it would be best if we got the Byakko temple as quick as we can."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," a cold voice said. "Seiryuu no Miko. You're coming with me."
Before Mihara knew what was going on, a pair of hands was lifting her up. She looked over and found that Ichidou suffered the same fate.
"Protectors of the Seiryuu no Miko, if you want to see you're precious women again come to Hokkan country. Kitsune-Sama would like a word with you." And with that the two Hokkan messangers left, Mihara and Ichidou with them.
End Chapter 13
Aaahhh! Gomen nasai! Things have been so hectic that I haven't been able to work on this chapter in ages. Okay I admit it. The worst case of writers block came over me. I didn't know what to write next after the Confession two-parter was finished. What was a poor writer to do. Nothing.
To tell the truth, I got an email that motivated me to write the next few chapters. ARIGATOU! You know who you are!
Okay okay okay! I'm sure many of you are thinking "Will that psycho b*tch make up her mind?" Okay here's the deal! YES! Ichidou and Koji WILL get together. That's my final answer. Whew, I'm glad I have that out of my system.
This chapter is fueled by three things the email I mentioned and two songs I listened while writing this. The opening to Sakaiden Houshin Engi (Soul Hunters) called Will and the opening to Inuyasha (which is my new anime fling) called I Will Change the World. Those two songs are the only ones I listened to while writing this chapter. They just seemed so inspiring. If you like either of those animes YOU ROCK! And if you haven't seen them you so definately should.
I am somewhat pleased and somewhat saddened to make my next announcement: This series will be ending soon. As you might gather that after Ichidou gets both Shinzaho's that she will summon Seiryuu and Mihara will get her memory back. One thing will lead to another and eventually Mihara will end up back in her world. But never fear! I, Kerry-Chan, you're faithful fanfic author is here. My fellow miko's and myself have been plotting out strange things to happen after Mihara returns to America. So for those of you who are greived to know that this series will be ending (please Suzaku let there be many of them)...ahem...wake up Kerry.... me and my fantasies...Anyway for those of you that enjoy this series I hope you'll like the next series as much as you did this one.
Okay I'm going to stop blathering now. Ja ne!!!