The next day, the group packed up their(few) things and headed off for Konan.
All was strangely quiet, everyone walking with a space between them, and Rain
and Tasuki. Tasuki walked with his arms folded behind his head, staring aloof into
the sky, and Rain stared at the ground. He looked at the group to find Suboshi,
Mitsukake, Nuriko and Tomo staring at him.
"What?!" he challenged them. They all quickly turned to face the front casually, as
if they had just been inspecting their surroundings. Tasuki let out a 'Tch' and turned
back. "Bunch of weirdoes." He grumbled. There was another stretch of silence.
"Aaaah! I can't take it anymore!" Tomo finally shouted. He planted himself in front of
Tasuki and challenged him. "What did you do to Lord Nakago?!" he demanded. Tasuki
and Rain halted, staring at Tomo in surprise, then Tasuki began to laugh.
"What would I want with an insane, crazy ass like that?" he guffawed. Tomo clenched
his fists and gritted his teeth.
"Don't lie to me! I know you've done something with him!" he shouted, grabbing Tasuki's
coat. Tasuki stopped laughing and glared.
"You best let go of my clothes Tomo Homo, or I'm gonna have to get you dirty." He growled.
Tomo growled back.
"I'd just like to see you try it...."
"ALL RIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH!" familiar gruff females voice suddenly boomed. All eyes
turned to Rain, who stared in disbelief at the necklace she'd received from Taits-kun.
The necklace glowed brightly, then a small speck of light floated out of it. The light elongated
into the familiar face of Taits-kun Yin.
"AAAH! GOKU'S RETURNED!" Tomo cried, jumping up into Tasuki's arms. Taits-kun glared at him.
"Oh pipe down feather brain." She stated. Nuriko circled Taits-kun in disbelief, and waved a
hand through her.
"Wow...just like a mirage..." he marveled. Taits-kun watched him with a raised eyebrow. Rain took
a step forward.
"Wait...if you're here...does that mean you're still alive?" she asked. Taits-kun shook her head.
"Of course I'm dead. But like everyone else, I have a spirit that must find a place to go. Now just
shut up and quit your bickering!" she floated over to Tasuki, who was trying to pry Tomo from him,
who hung on for dear life. Taits-kun leaned forward and inspected Tasuki's face thoughtfully. At
being so close to the object of his fear, Tomo fainted dead away, dropping to the ground with a
loud thud. Satisfied at finding something, Taits-kun nodded and drew back.
"It's just as I thought." She said, more to herself.
"Thought what?" Amiboshi spoke up, wandering closer, curious. Taits-kun waved her hand in the air,
a gentle breeze coming from it and blowing Tasuki's bangs apart to reveal the pale outline of 'heart'
on his forehead. She then glanced at Rain.
"Rain has made Tasuki a sort of servant...he is to carry some of the powers until she is ready to handle
them. Sort of a 'hold this until my hands are free' relationship." She turned away from them. Tasuki
stared in disbelief first at Taits-kun, then at Rain.
"W-w-w-WHAT??!" he shouted. "Just because she's upset about the whole deal, how come I get to be
pulled into it too?! Why not Chichiri??? He's the one with magic!" Tasuki yelled to her back. "HEY, ARE
YOU LISTENING TO ME??"
Taits-kun turned and regarded Tasuki with such an authoritative expression, he shut his mouth tight.
Tasuki turned to Rain.
"What the hell are you thinking giving this to me, huh? I'm not some soul-less piece of shit you know!" he
growled. Rain's eyes narrowed and she glared at him, opening her mouth to retaliate.
"She did not do this knowingly, Tasuki. Whether you like it or not, you're now to be her.......since you seem
to dislike the word 'servant', I'll say, 'companion', until she's mastered them all." Taits-kun looked at Rain
in the eyes. "And I mean ALL of them." With that, she turned into a light and disappeared back into Rain's
necklace, leaving Rain and Tasuki to stare at the empty place where she hovered blankly.
-------------------------------------
"This is getting weird." Taka said after awhile. He, Miaka, Yui, Mitsukake and Soi were all seated at a
picnic blanket spread out and stocked for them by Nyan-Nyan. Miaka was already halfway through the
food, Soi watching her with a shocked expression. Miaka looked up at him curiously, a noodle hanging
out of her mouth
"What's getting weird?" she asked. Yui made a face and pulled the noodle off of her chin. Taka waved
a hand in an arc shape.
"This. The world, the whole idea of Taits-kun having a kid then dying! I mean, come on, what's next?
How much weirder can things get?" he exclaimed, exasperated.
"You shouldn't jinx us like that." Mitsukake said, his eyes shut while he ate. Everyone turned to look at
him(minus Miaka, who was busy eating again). He opened his eyes and looked at them. "Well, it's inevitable.
Whenever someone asks how much weirder things could get, they go and get weirder." He stated, matter
of fact.
As if on cue, Tasuki came barreling into their little clearing, Tomo clinging onto his waist and cooing
Nakago's name over and over. Everyone except Mitsukake whited out, Taka dropping his chopsticks on
the ground. Tasuki ran around in a few circles, then dashed back into the woods. Mitsukake nodded to
himself.
"See?" he stated more than asked, and picked up another bite of food.
------------------------------------
Nazo sat in front of the massive mirror he had always watched as a boy and smiled. Things were going
as he had planned, even with Goku's failure. He looked up as someone entered his chamber, and jumped,
then relaxed, a smile on his face.
"I wasn't expecting you, your highness." He smiled. A young man with long brown hair who looked like a
former emperor but was not, kneeled on the floor in a bow.
"I have heard they are in Konan." He said, looking down. Nazo raised an eyebrow.
"Have you. And what would you like to do about it?" he asked, an amused grin playing across his face.
A pre-teen version of Hotohori looked up from the floor, and smiled darkly.
"I wish to be the one to take care of them." He said in a dark tone of voice. Nazo shut his eyes, the smile
remaining.
"But your highness, you could be killed." He smiled, standing up. The boy stood as well and nodded once.
"I am aware of that, but the girl is growing quickly....if she is left, then she may advance to where no one
is able to defeat her!" he said, staring into Nazo's eyes steadily. Nazo's smile left and he regarded him
coolly.
"What...you think that I could not handle a mere girl?" he asked icily. The boys' stare remained constant.
Nazo nodded once. "All right then, you may go. But if you return as Goku did, I shall show you the same
mercy I showed him, is that clear, young Emperor Boushin?"
Boushin's dark grin widened and he bowed once, then walked out of the chamber. Nazo watched after him
for a moment, then glanced to the shadows on his right.
"You don't have to hide there, no one here shall harm you." He purred. A darkly clothed figure stepped
forward slightly, but did not come out.
"The light hurts my eyes." An empty voice came a moment later. Nazo shut his eyes moved his hand through
the air, the lights around him dimming to a deep blue. He faced the shadows with a smile back on his face.
Almost hesitantly, Tetsuya shuffled out, still dressed in the clothes that Nazo had given him, and walked up
to him. Nazo placed a hand on his cheek, stroking his skin with his thumb. Tetsuya stared back at him with
eyes as empty as his, and leaned down to kiss him.
--------------------------------
"AW GAWD, TETSUYA!!!" Keisuke cried, covering his face with the book. Hoshi stirred and shifted, now
sleeping on the couch. He sighed and wet his thumb, flipping the page.
-------------------------------------
It was late afternoon by the time they reached the country of Konan, and the road that would lead them
to the capital. Hotohori seemed to perk up as they started down the road, and walked on ahead of them.
Nuriko smiled wistfully at Hotohori's back.
"His highness will finally be able to hold Boushin in his own arms." He said, sighing. Suboshi raised an
eyebrow.
"Daydream much?" he asked, scoffing. Nuriko's smile never left his face as he brought a hand down on
Suboshi's head, causing him to stumble. Chichiri froze, causing Miboshi, Ashitare and Rain to bump
into his back.
"What's wrong with you?" Miboshi frowned, rubbing his forehead. Chichiri held a hand up to silence
him. Everyone else stopped walking as well and turned towards him.
"What's up?" Yui asked, taking a step forward. Chichiri was silent.
"Something's not right ahead, no da." He murmured. With that, he picked up the end of his prayer
beads and disappeared.
"HEY! KNOCK THAT OFF!!" Tasuki shouted into the air where Chichiri had disappeared. He pouted
and kicked a rock off the road. "Damn, why does he always have to go and be like that huh? Maybe
some of us would like to teleport as we- He was cut off as his body suddenly disappeared from the
air. Everyone blinked at the spot he'd been in, shocked.
"......what just happened?" Chiriko asked.
Tasuki fell from the air, right behind Chichiri. He grunted and pushed himself to his feet and brushed
the dirt off of his coat.
"Well, thanks for deciding to pick me up." He said sarcastically at Chichiri. Chichiri turned slightly and
regarded him, then turned back.
"There's something on your face, no da." He said quietly, Tasuki blinked
"What the hell is that supposed..."he began, but trailed off as he raised his fingers to his face. He felt
a strange puffing of his skin on his cheek, much like a scar. His eyes widened, and he was just about
to ask Chichiri if it were a symbol, when the surprised gasps of the rest of their companions
interrupted him. He turned and saw their shocked faces, then turned back to the city.
It was in ruins. Several fires blazed, speckled about the city, smoke billowing into the air. Hotohori
took a step forward.
"What....happened......to....my....city...??" he breathed in disbelief, taking a step forward.
"Your highness....." Nuriko tried, reaching out. Hotohori glanced at Nuriko, who withdrew his hand to
his chest. He then turned back and dashed out into the city. An explosion boomed from the palace,
causing everyone to jump. Miaka took in a sharp breath.
"What about Houki and Boushin??!" She cried, running after Hotohori. Taka ran after her, calling
out her name to come back. Rain came up behind Tasuki and stood next to him, her eyes wide.
"Someone connected to Nazo did this...." she breathed. Tasuki looked at her sideways.
"How are you sure?" he asked in a low voice. Rain shook her head slightly.
"I don't know...I can just feel it."
------------------------------------
Hotohori ran into the palace, and tried not to see the fallen guards. He had to get to the shrine of
Suzaku to retrieve his holy sword. He had to protect his family from whatever menace had befallen
them.
"Hotohori! Matteo!!" Miaka cried from a distance behind him. She stopped at the palace entrance and
bent over, supporting herself up by leaning on her knees, and panted. "Hotohoriiii!" she cried. Tasuki,
Rain and Chichiri suddenly appeared beside her, and Taka came running up, panting. Miaka turned and
glanced at Rain and Tasuki, who were staring into the palace with large eyes. Tasuki raised his hand and
placed it on Rain's shoulder, then they disappeared again. Miaka's eyes widened, and she dashed into the
palace.
"Miaka! Come back, you don't know what kind of danger is in there!" Taka shouted after her. "MIAKA!"
"We'd better catch her, no da." Chichiri stated, pulling down the brim of his kasa before disappearing.
Taka nodded once and dashed inside, the others trying to catch up to them at a distance.
--------------------------
"Welcome to Konan, Taits-kun." A young voice mocked. Rain froze and glanced around the hall they were
in. Tasuki pulled out his tessen.
"Come out you coward!" he shouted. The voice tsked.
"That's no way to treat your emperor." The voice said again. Tasuki frowned.
"What kind of shit are you pulling? The emperor's just a baby you moron!" Rain took a step forward,
her brows knitting in concentration. The voice laughed.
"Not anymore, he's not!" A boy dropped from a hole in the ceiling, then stood up, grinning at them darkly.
Rain took a step back.
"It....Is that...Hotohori?" she asked, stepping back again. The boy narrowed empty brown eyes. Tasuki
shook his head slowly.
"That's......Boushin...." he said in amazement. Boushin scowled and reached into his billowing sleeve. He
pulled out a sword. Tasuki pushed Rain behind him. "And that's....Hotohori's holy sword!" he said as he
held the tessen out in front of him.
"Glad you recognize my father's celestial weapon." He scowled, bringing the sword up by his face,
the point aimed at Tasuki. "Now resign yourself and die!" he cried as he lunged towards them.
---------------------------------
"Houki!" Hotohori shouted as he entered the shrine. Upon the floor, dressed in only a kimono robe,
laid the Empress. Her long hair was splayed about her, and a deep red spot adorned her chest. Hotohori
rushed to her side and lifted her gently, trying to wake her up. Panicked, he inspected her chest for
the source of the blood, but found no wound. Houki stirred and made a noise, then slowly opened her eyes.
"I had a dream....that you would return...sire..." she said weakly. Hotohori brushed a few stray strands of
hair from her face. He glanced up as Miaka, Taka, and the other Suzaku warriors entered the shrine room.
Yui lagged behind, a faint numb feeling coursing over her, and Ashitare and Miboshi attempted to enter,
nly to be repelled.
"Yes...I have returned, Houki." He said gently. "Who did this to you?" She winced and lifted a hand to
touch his face. She smiled as her fingers contacted flesh.
"It was........" her eyes lowered slightly, her contented smile staying but her voice weakening. She shut her
eyes once, then they snapped open again, and she jerked herself to a sit. "Boushin?! Where is Boushin??"
she cried. She turned to Hotohori and clung onto his sleeve. "Boushin...someone murdered his nurse and
took him from his room! He returned today...but he was different...his eyes were empty!!" Houki began to
sob, and she lowered her face to the sleeve. "Please forgive me sire...I have failed as an Empress and the
mother to the next heir to the kingdom!" she sobbed. Hotohori gently placed a hand on her shoulder and
pushed her away so that she would face him. He put a hand under her chin.
"You have not failed." He said quietly. "I can not explain now, but these events are no one's fault." He
leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Sire...where is your sword?" Nuriko asked curiously, retrieving his armbands from the shrine table.
Houki clutched her dress to her chest tightly and shook.
"It was Boushin....I tried to stop him...but he took the sword and stabbed me.." she felt the blood spot
on her dress. "But strange enough...a look passed his face, and he healed me just as fast..."
"Geez Lady, you sound as if this kid's a real handful for a baby." Taka put in. Miaka pushed his shoulder.
"Be nice! She's the empress!" she whispered loudly. Houki looked up to him, tears welling up in her eyes.
"The people who took him...did something to him....he's older now....and his eyes...." she sobbed and raised
her hands to cover her face. "Oh his eyes!"
Hotohori shut his eyes and placed a hand on Houki's back as he stood. "I want you to stay here." He
murmured, then walked away. Houki stared after him with large eyes, but said nothing. Miaka put a hand
on his arm, stopping him at the entrance.
"Hotohori...what are you doing?" she asked, staring into his face. He didn't look at her, but stared straight
ahead, and set his jaw.
"I'm going to stop my son." He said in a low voice, pulling his arm away from her. Houki gasped behind
them, and began to wail mournfully.
"Miaka, stay here with the Empress." Taka said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "This could get ugly."
With that he turned and followed Hotohori, Nuriko jogging to catch up.
"I'll stay here with Lady Yui." Suboshi offered to the other Seiryuu. They nodded, then turned and
followed the Suzaku into the palace. Miaka stared after them all, then knelt beside the Empress and
hugged her.
All was strangely quiet, everyone walking with a space between them, and Rain
and Tasuki. Tasuki walked with his arms folded behind his head, staring aloof into
the sky, and Rain stared at the ground. He looked at the group to find Suboshi,
Mitsukake, Nuriko and Tomo staring at him.
"What?!" he challenged them. They all quickly turned to face the front casually, as
if they had just been inspecting their surroundings. Tasuki let out a 'Tch' and turned
back. "Bunch of weirdoes." He grumbled. There was another stretch of silence.
"Aaaah! I can't take it anymore!" Tomo finally shouted. He planted himself in front of
Tasuki and challenged him. "What did you do to Lord Nakago?!" he demanded. Tasuki
and Rain halted, staring at Tomo in surprise, then Tasuki began to laugh.
"What would I want with an insane, crazy ass like that?" he guffawed. Tomo clenched
his fists and gritted his teeth.
"Don't lie to me! I know you've done something with him!" he shouted, grabbing Tasuki's
coat. Tasuki stopped laughing and glared.
"You best let go of my clothes Tomo Homo, or I'm gonna have to get you dirty." He growled.
Tomo growled back.
"I'd just like to see you try it...."
"ALL RIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH!" familiar gruff females voice suddenly boomed. All eyes
turned to Rain, who stared in disbelief at the necklace she'd received from Taits-kun.
The necklace glowed brightly, then a small speck of light floated out of it. The light elongated
into the familiar face of Taits-kun Yin.
"AAAH! GOKU'S RETURNED!" Tomo cried, jumping up into Tasuki's arms. Taits-kun glared at him.
"Oh pipe down feather brain." She stated. Nuriko circled Taits-kun in disbelief, and waved a
hand through her.
"Wow...just like a mirage..." he marveled. Taits-kun watched him with a raised eyebrow. Rain took
a step forward.
"Wait...if you're here...does that mean you're still alive?" she asked. Taits-kun shook her head.
"Of course I'm dead. But like everyone else, I have a spirit that must find a place to go. Now just
shut up and quit your bickering!" she floated over to Tasuki, who was trying to pry Tomo from him,
who hung on for dear life. Taits-kun leaned forward and inspected Tasuki's face thoughtfully. At
being so close to the object of his fear, Tomo fainted dead away, dropping to the ground with a
loud thud. Satisfied at finding something, Taits-kun nodded and drew back.
"It's just as I thought." She said, more to herself.
"Thought what?" Amiboshi spoke up, wandering closer, curious. Taits-kun waved her hand in the air,
a gentle breeze coming from it and blowing Tasuki's bangs apart to reveal the pale outline of 'heart'
on his forehead. She then glanced at Rain.
"Rain has made Tasuki a sort of servant...he is to carry some of the powers until she is ready to handle
them. Sort of a 'hold this until my hands are free' relationship." She turned away from them. Tasuki
stared in disbelief first at Taits-kun, then at Rain.
"W-w-w-WHAT??!" he shouted. "Just because she's upset about the whole deal, how come I get to be
pulled into it too?! Why not Chichiri??? He's the one with magic!" Tasuki yelled to her back. "HEY, ARE
YOU LISTENING TO ME??"
Taits-kun turned and regarded Tasuki with such an authoritative expression, he shut his mouth tight.
Tasuki turned to Rain.
"What the hell are you thinking giving this to me, huh? I'm not some soul-less piece of shit you know!" he
growled. Rain's eyes narrowed and she glared at him, opening her mouth to retaliate.
"She did not do this knowingly, Tasuki. Whether you like it or not, you're now to be her.......since you seem
to dislike the word 'servant', I'll say, 'companion', until she's mastered them all." Taits-kun looked at Rain
in the eyes. "And I mean ALL of them." With that, she turned into a light and disappeared back into Rain's
necklace, leaving Rain and Tasuki to stare at the empty place where she hovered blankly.
-------------------------------------
"This is getting weird." Taka said after awhile. He, Miaka, Yui, Mitsukake and Soi were all seated at a
picnic blanket spread out and stocked for them by Nyan-Nyan. Miaka was already halfway through the
food, Soi watching her with a shocked expression. Miaka looked up at him curiously, a noodle hanging
out of her mouth
"What's getting weird?" she asked. Yui made a face and pulled the noodle off of her chin. Taka waved
a hand in an arc shape.
"This. The world, the whole idea of Taits-kun having a kid then dying! I mean, come on, what's next?
How much weirder can things get?" he exclaimed, exasperated.
"You shouldn't jinx us like that." Mitsukake said, his eyes shut while he ate. Everyone turned to look at
him(minus Miaka, who was busy eating again). He opened his eyes and looked at them. "Well, it's inevitable.
Whenever someone asks how much weirder things could get, they go and get weirder." He stated, matter
of fact.
As if on cue, Tasuki came barreling into their little clearing, Tomo clinging onto his waist and cooing
Nakago's name over and over. Everyone except Mitsukake whited out, Taka dropping his chopsticks on
the ground. Tasuki ran around in a few circles, then dashed back into the woods. Mitsukake nodded to
himself.
"See?" he stated more than asked, and picked up another bite of food.
------------------------------------
Nazo sat in front of the massive mirror he had always watched as a boy and smiled. Things were going
as he had planned, even with Goku's failure. He looked up as someone entered his chamber, and jumped,
then relaxed, a smile on his face.
"I wasn't expecting you, your highness." He smiled. A young man with long brown hair who looked like a
former emperor but was not, kneeled on the floor in a bow.
"I have heard they are in Konan." He said, looking down. Nazo raised an eyebrow.
"Have you. And what would you like to do about it?" he asked, an amused grin playing across his face.
A pre-teen version of Hotohori looked up from the floor, and smiled darkly.
"I wish to be the one to take care of them." He said in a dark tone of voice. Nazo shut his eyes, the smile
remaining.
"But your highness, you could be killed." He smiled, standing up. The boy stood as well and nodded once.
"I am aware of that, but the girl is growing quickly....if she is left, then she may advance to where no one
is able to defeat her!" he said, staring into Nazo's eyes steadily. Nazo's smile left and he regarded him
coolly.
"What...you think that I could not handle a mere girl?" he asked icily. The boys' stare remained constant.
Nazo nodded once. "All right then, you may go. But if you return as Goku did, I shall show you the same
mercy I showed him, is that clear, young Emperor Boushin?"
Boushin's dark grin widened and he bowed once, then walked out of the chamber. Nazo watched after him
for a moment, then glanced to the shadows on his right.
"You don't have to hide there, no one here shall harm you." He purred. A darkly clothed figure stepped
forward slightly, but did not come out.
"The light hurts my eyes." An empty voice came a moment later. Nazo shut his eyes moved his hand through
the air, the lights around him dimming to a deep blue. He faced the shadows with a smile back on his face.
Almost hesitantly, Tetsuya shuffled out, still dressed in the clothes that Nazo had given him, and walked up
to him. Nazo placed a hand on his cheek, stroking his skin with his thumb. Tetsuya stared back at him with
eyes as empty as his, and leaned down to kiss him.
--------------------------------
"AW GAWD, TETSUYA!!!" Keisuke cried, covering his face with the book. Hoshi stirred and shifted, now
sleeping on the couch. He sighed and wet his thumb, flipping the page.
-------------------------------------
It was late afternoon by the time they reached the country of Konan, and the road that would lead them
to the capital. Hotohori seemed to perk up as they started down the road, and walked on ahead of them.
Nuriko smiled wistfully at Hotohori's back.
"His highness will finally be able to hold Boushin in his own arms." He said, sighing. Suboshi raised an
eyebrow.
"Daydream much?" he asked, scoffing. Nuriko's smile never left his face as he brought a hand down on
Suboshi's head, causing him to stumble. Chichiri froze, causing Miboshi, Ashitare and Rain to bump
into his back.
"What's wrong with you?" Miboshi frowned, rubbing his forehead. Chichiri held a hand up to silence
him. Everyone else stopped walking as well and turned towards him.
"What's up?" Yui asked, taking a step forward. Chichiri was silent.
"Something's not right ahead, no da." He murmured. With that, he picked up the end of his prayer
beads and disappeared.
"HEY! KNOCK THAT OFF!!" Tasuki shouted into the air where Chichiri had disappeared. He pouted
and kicked a rock off the road. "Damn, why does he always have to go and be like that huh? Maybe
some of us would like to teleport as we- He was cut off as his body suddenly disappeared from the
air. Everyone blinked at the spot he'd been in, shocked.
"......what just happened?" Chiriko asked.
Tasuki fell from the air, right behind Chichiri. He grunted and pushed himself to his feet and brushed
the dirt off of his coat.
"Well, thanks for deciding to pick me up." He said sarcastically at Chichiri. Chichiri turned slightly and
regarded him, then turned back.
"There's something on your face, no da." He said quietly, Tasuki blinked
"What the hell is that supposed..."he began, but trailed off as he raised his fingers to his face. He felt
a strange puffing of his skin on his cheek, much like a scar. His eyes widened, and he was just about
to ask Chichiri if it were a symbol, when the surprised gasps of the rest of their companions
interrupted him. He turned and saw their shocked faces, then turned back to the city.
It was in ruins. Several fires blazed, speckled about the city, smoke billowing into the air. Hotohori
took a step forward.
"What....happened......to....my....city...??" he breathed in disbelief, taking a step forward.
"Your highness....." Nuriko tried, reaching out. Hotohori glanced at Nuriko, who withdrew his hand to
his chest. He then turned back and dashed out into the city. An explosion boomed from the palace,
causing everyone to jump. Miaka took in a sharp breath.
"What about Houki and Boushin??!" She cried, running after Hotohori. Taka ran after her, calling
out her name to come back. Rain came up behind Tasuki and stood next to him, her eyes wide.
"Someone connected to Nazo did this...." she breathed. Tasuki looked at her sideways.
"How are you sure?" he asked in a low voice. Rain shook her head slightly.
"I don't know...I can just feel it."
------------------------------------
Hotohori ran into the palace, and tried not to see the fallen guards. He had to get to the shrine of
Suzaku to retrieve his holy sword. He had to protect his family from whatever menace had befallen
them.
"Hotohori! Matteo!!" Miaka cried from a distance behind him. She stopped at the palace entrance and
bent over, supporting herself up by leaning on her knees, and panted. "Hotohoriiii!" she cried. Tasuki,
Rain and Chichiri suddenly appeared beside her, and Taka came running up, panting. Miaka turned and
glanced at Rain and Tasuki, who were staring into the palace with large eyes. Tasuki raised his hand and
placed it on Rain's shoulder, then they disappeared again. Miaka's eyes widened, and she dashed into the
palace.
"Miaka! Come back, you don't know what kind of danger is in there!" Taka shouted after her. "MIAKA!"
"We'd better catch her, no da." Chichiri stated, pulling down the brim of his kasa before disappearing.
Taka nodded once and dashed inside, the others trying to catch up to them at a distance.
--------------------------
"Welcome to Konan, Taits-kun." A young voice mocked. Rain froze and glanced around the hall they were
in. Tasuki pulled out his tessen.
"Come out you coward!" he shouted. The voice tsked.
"That's no way to treat your emperor." The voice said again. Tasuki frowned.
"What kind of shit are you pulling? The emperor's just a baby you moron!" Rain took a step forward,
her brows knitting in concentration. The voice laughed.
"Not anymore, he's not!" A boy dropped from a hole in the ceiling, then stood up, grinning at them darkly.
Rain took a step back.
"It....Is that...Hotohori?" she asked, stepping back again. The boy narrowed empty brown eyes. Tasuki
shook his head slowly.
"That's......Boushin...." he said in amazement. Boushin scowled and reached into his billowing sleeve. He
pulled out a sword. Tasuki pushed Rain behind him. "And that's....Hotohori's holy sword!" he said as he
held the tessen out in front of him.
"Glad you recognize my father's celestial weapon." He scowled, bringing the sword up by his face,
the point aimed at Tasuki. "Now resign yourself and die!" he cried as he lunged towards them.
---------------------------------
"Houki!" Hotohori shouted as he entered the shrine. Upon the floor, dressed in only a kimono robe,
laid the Empress. Her long hair was splayed about her, and a deep red spot adorned her chest. Hotohori
rushed to her side and lifted her gently, trying to wake her up. Panicked, he inspected her chest for
the source of the blood, but found no wound. Houki stirred and made a noise, then slowly opened her eyes.
"I had a dream....that you would return...sire..." she said weakly. Hotohori brushed a few stray strands of
hair from her face. He glanced up as Miaka, Taka, and the other Suzaku warriors entered the shrine room.
Yui lagged behind, a faint numb feeling coursing over her, and Ashitare and Miboshi attempted to enter,
nly to be repelled.
"Yes...I have returned, Houki." He said gently. "Who did this to you?" She winced and lifted a hand to
touch his face. She smiled as her fingers contacted flesh.
"It was........" her eyes lowered slightly, her contented smile staying but her voice weakening. She shut her
eyes once, then they snapped open again, and she jerked herself to a sit. "Boushin?! Where is Boushin??"
she cried. She turned to Hotohori and clung onto his sleeve. "Boushin...someone murdered his nurse and
took him from his room! He returned today...but he was different...his eyes were empty!!" Houki began to
sob, and she lowered her face to the sleeve. "Please forgive me sire...I have failed as an Empress and the
mother to the next heir to the kingdom!" she sobbed. Hotohori gently placed a hand on her shoulder and
pushed her away so that she would face him. He put a hand under her chin.
"You have not failed." He said quietly. "I can not explain now, but these events are no one's fault." He
leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Sire...where is your sword?" Nuriko asked curiously, retrieving his armbands from the shrine table.
Houki clutched her dress to her chest tightly and shook.
"It was Boushin....I tried to stop him...but he took the sword and stabbed me.." she felt the blood spot
on her dress. "But strange enough...a look passed his face, and he healed me just as fast..."
"Geez Lady, you sound as if this kid's a real handful for a baby." Taka put in. Miaka pushed his shoulder.
"Be nice! She's the empress!" she whispered loudly. Houki looked up to him, tears welling up in her eyes.
"The people who took him...did something to him....he's older now....and his eyes...." she sobbed and raised
her hands to cover her face. "Oh his eyes!"
Hotohori shut his eyes and placed a hand on Houki's back as he stood. "I want you to stay here." He
murmured, then walked away. Houki stared after him with large eyes, but said nothing. Miaka put a hand
on his arm, stopping him at the entrance.
"Hotohori...what are you doing?" she asked, staring into his face. He didn't look at her, but stared straight
ahead, and set his jaw.
"I'm going to stop my son." He said in a low voice, pulling his arm away from her. Houki gasped behind
them, and began to wail mournfully.
"Miaka, stay here with the Empress." Taka said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "This could get ugly."
With that he turned and followed Hotohori, Nuriko jogging to catch up.
"I'll stay here with Lady Yui." Suboshi offered to the other Seiryuu. They nodded, then turned and
followed the Suzaku into the palace. Miaka stared after them all, then knelt beside the Empress and
hugged her.