"BEHIND YOU!" Rain shouted. Tasuki dodged Boushin's attack, blocking the sword with
his tessen. He pushed out of their lock, and jumped back, panting. His clothes were cut
in several places, small cuts bleeding on his skin. The three marks flared for a moment as
he glared at Boushin, the third being a white symbol that read 'foot' now right below his
left eye.
"Shit....you're lucky your Hotohori's kid, otherwise I'd flame you right now." He panted,
grinning. Boushin mocked his grin darkly.
"Enough games. My master is waiting for my success." He growled, then lunged at Tasuki.
Tasuki held out his tessen again, ready to block his attack, when Hotohori jumped in between
them and stared down at Boushin. Boushin faltered, and the sword was knocked from his
hands.
"That's enough, Boushin." Hotohori said evenly. Boushin stared up at him in shock.
"F-father?" he breathed. His eyes slowly regained their life as he stared at Hotohori, but
he winced, returning them to their blank state. He covered one eye with his hand
"NO! My father abandoned mother and I for the Priestess of Suzaku! You're a coward!" he
shouted. He reached out his free hand and clenched the air. Tasuki's eyes widened as tiny
threads pressed and cut into his skin.
"Tasuki!" Rain shouted. She moved towards him, then stopped. She looked down to find small
cuts in her pants, she too covered in the small sharp threads. Hotohori continued to stare at
Boushin and took a step forward.
"Stop!" Boushin shouted, pulling back his fist. More threads closed in on Rain, pressing into her
neck tightly. He laughed insanely. "Any more father, and I'll kill Taits-kun." Hotohori stopped
and shut his eyes.
"Yeah well, you kinda forgot about us here, sport." Nuriko said, pinning Boushin's arms in an arm
lock. Boushin's eyes widened as the rest of the Celestial warriors came into view. He nodded to
Chichiri. "Can you get them down?"
"No problem, no da." He said, taking a step forward.
Rain looked over to Tasuki as Chichiri neared them. He was strung into the air like a marionette,
his wounds bleeding freely. As Chichiri took another step forward, his foot went down on a tiny
string. The line tightened around Tasuki's neck, and he barely let out a soft noise of surprise,
when the line sliced his head neatly off.
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" She screamed, covering her eyes and falling to her knees. The lines bit into
her skin, causing more cuts, but she didn't notice. A steady stream of blood began to run down
her face, its start a new symbol upon her temple.
Chichiri froze, one foot in the air, and Tasuki turned his head with effort to look at her. She
continued to sob, her face hidden.
"I'm not going to fail like Goku!" Boushin laughed. He looked to the side and raised his hand. In
the corner, Hotohori's sword lifted into the air, then came flying towards him. Hotohori's eyes
widened as the sword point was aimed for Boushin's chest.
"NO!"
Boushin's eyes widened as Hotohori jumped in the way of the sword, the holy relic stabbing him
through the chest. Hotohori sunk to the ground, clutching at the hilt. There was no blood.
"SIRE!" Nuriko, and the other Suzaku shouted. Nuriko released Boushin and dashed to Hotohori's
side, Chiriko, Chichiri and Mitsukake following him. Boushin could only stare at his fallen father,
releasing the lines that held Rain and Tasuki. They both fell to the ground, Rain still covering her f
ace.
You've failed Boushin.
A jolt running through them all, several of the Seiryuu and Taka turned towards the voice. "Who's
there?!" Soi demanded.
Outside, Yui felt a strange feeling pass through her, and she lifted her head. Suboshi blinked at
her.
"Lady Yui...are you all right?" he asked, gently touching her shoulder. She jumped to her feet.
"Tetsuya!" she breathed, and ran into the palace. Suboshi's brow knitted in confusion, and he dashed
fter her.
Taka's eyes widened as Tetsuya slowly blinked into visibility, lowering from the air, his arms folded
across his chest. He had a scowl firmly in place on his face, and his eyes appeared as empty as Boushin's.
"Tetsuya.....what.....happened to you?" he asked, taking a step towards him. Tetsuya's eyes narrowed.
"I do not know you." He glowered, then turned to Boushin. "You failed, after you promised to succeed.
I have come to deliver you mercy." He said in a low voice. Boushin trembled, his eyes slowly regaining
their life once more.
"Like hell you will!" Tasuki suddenly shouted. Tetsuya raised his head just as two rings of light came
spinning through the air towards him. He jumped out of the way, the rings spinning past, narrowly
missing him, and embedding themselves in the wall. He cursed and raised his hand.
"Moron." He scoffed, small dark blades forming in the air around him.
"TETSUYA!" Yui cried from behind him. Tetsuya turned his head at the sound of his name. His eyes
widened as Yui came into view, and the dark blades fell to the ground.
"Yui...?" he asked, uncertain. A square of light appeared behind her, as Suboshi opened the door
into the dark hall from the outside. Tetsuya winced and drew away, covering his face. Without a
glance to anyone else, he jumped into the air and disappeared. Yui stared at the air, then stumbled
backwards, fainting into Suboshi's arms.
Still wounded, Tasuki limped his way over to Rain, and knelt down beside her. Her arm was caked
with blood, as was her hand and now her face. He put a hand on her shoulder and tilted his head.
"Hey...." he said softly, gently pulling her hand away from her face with his free hand. She stared
at the ground in shock, and didn't move. "Hey..." Tasuki said again, while lifting her chin up to face
him. She stared through him for a few moments, then blinked.
"T.....Tasuki?" she whispered, uncertain. He lifted both eyebrows.
"Yeah it's me...where you expecting anyone else?" he asked, rubbing away some of the dried blood
from her cheek. She blinked rapidly and put a hand to her temple and rubbed it. She turned her head
so Tasuki could see it.
"What's that say?" she asked, rubbing some of the blood away from it. Tasuki squinted at it.
"It says 'room', no da." Chichiri stated, kneeling on her other side. "It's the character of the Genbu
seishi Hatsui, no da. His talent was to see events that would occur in the very near future, no da."
Rain cast her eyes down.
"Oh that's great...so I'm going to see stuff like....what I saw all the time?" she asked sullenly. Chichiri
shook his head.
"No, only when you can change the outcome, no da." He said, standing up. Tasuki absent-mindedly
rubbed her back and sighed. Rain's eyes widened as she realized the action.
"Yeah, well, don't feel too bad...I can throw ki rings now like Tomite did." He grumbled. She glanced
at him, then back at the rest of the seishi.
The sword had been pulled from Hotohori, the wound sealing up as soon as the sword was removed,
and he was currently staring down his son, who knelt on the floor. Boushin shivered, and had his eyes
cast away from his father.
"BOUSHIN!" Houki screamed, dashing in from the temple. Miaka jogged close behind her. Houki was
on her knees by her son's side in moments, covering him with her body and staring at Hotohori with
a pleading expression. "Please sire....he's better now...please don't hurt him!" she cried. Hotohori did
not move, but continued to stare down at Boushin.
"No, mother.....I must accept my punishment." He murmured, pushing himself away from Houki. He stood
boldly and squared his shoulders, looking into Hotohori's eyes. "I'm ready, father."
Hotohori held the sword out, then stood back raising it, the point facing the center of his son's chest.
"Hotohori!!" Miaka exclaimed, shocked that he would do such a thing.
"Hey you idiot, that's your kid you're going to skewer!" Miboshi shouted. This was followed by protests
from the rest of the seishi. Hotohori ignored them all, and continued to stare at his son. Boushin did
not move or speak, or even blink, but stared back. A single tear escaped his living eyes and trailed
down his cheek. Hotohori relaxed, his face softening, and dropped the sword. He then took Boushin
into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"I would never hurt my own flesh and blood." He murmured into Boushin's hair. Boushin froze with
shock, then relaxed and fell into his fathers hug.
-------------------------------
"Touching, but I think I'm going to be ill." Hoshi suddenly said. Keisuke jumped, quickly wiping a
few stray tears from his eyes and looking behind him. She was staring at the page, munching on a
stick of celery.
"I didn't hear you get up." He said nervously. She pointed to the page.
"You were too much into your story there to hear me." She said, walking around him and sitting back
down on the couch. "So, what, can they come home yet?" she asked, propping her legs up on the table.
"Nope...not yet. Rain's stubborn about learning the other seishi's powers." He said, turning he page.
Hoshi snorted.
"Well, I would be too if I were in her shoes." Keisuke looked up at her, and she groaned. "Oh, come on
Keisuke! How would you like it if you were told that you had to leave everything behind to become
some major deity in a world that didn't even exist?" she exclaimed. Keisuke stared at her for a moment,
then his eyes began to shine. Hoshi rolled her eyes. "New analogy." She muttered.
---------------------------------------
It was evening when things began to finally calm down in Konan. There weren't any causalities that
were Boushin's fault, the real killer being the falling buildings and the fires. Houki had set the travelers
up in their own rooms, keeping the return of the emperor a secret from the courtiers.
In her own room, Rain attempted sleep, but only sunk into one nightmare after another.
She saw Lai-Lin's village, just rebuilding and the people finding a reason to smile once more. More
spider-monsters than ever suddenly poured out of the forest like stampeding cattle, and into the village.
"No...." she said aloud in her sleep, her face sad.
Tetsuya stood on the cliff that she had stood upon before she ever entered the world, and watched the
carnage. The screams of the villagers met deaf ears.
Rain sobbed once, aloud.
She saw the vast city where she was now, succumbing to an earthquake, Boushin and the empress falling
to their deaths within a split that broke the palace apart. In her dream she walked slowly through the main
hall, no destination apparent, as the walls shook. Pillars fell upon servants and courtiers, but she did not
look. She came to a balcony and stopped, her eyes wide. Trembling, she sank to her knees.
Nazo turned and looked at her, a dark smile on his face. Behind him, were the hung bodies of Taka, Miaka,
Yui and Tasuki. The marks that Tasuki had acquired now flared on Nazo's body. He knelt in front of Rain
and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Give me Yang." He whispered, leaning towards her. Her eyes shutting as he kissed her, she found her
strength and shoved him away. She stumbled to her feet and over to the balcony railing, and looked up at
Tasuki's body. Her face wavering as she contained her mournful sob, she glanced once behind her and put
a foot up on the railing. Nazo stood and regarded her expressionlessly.
"Don't be foolish." He said in a low voice. "It will do you no good. Things will not change." He said, putting
a hand out to pull her back. Ignoring him, she turned back and stood up on the railing. "You idiot!" Nazo
suddenly cried, and lunged forward, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her. She cried out and began
to kick her legs.
"Let me go! Let me GO!" she cried, struggling.
"Don't be an idiot! I thought you had more sense than this!" Tasuki grunted, pulling her off of the railing.
Behind him, standing in the doorway to the main hall, were the worried faces of Miaka and Soi. Rain made
a mournful noise as Tasuki backed away from the railing. She collapsed limply onto the tiling of the floor.
"Raini-Chan....?" Miaka asked softly, kneeling beside her. Rain had her eyes shut, still asleep. She shook her
shoulder gently. "Raini-chan?" she whispered. "Raini-chan, wake up...."
Rain's eyes snapped open and she stared wide-eyed beyond Miaka, then focused on her, her eyes welling with
tears. She shut her eyes and swallowed, the realization that it had all been a dream slowly sinking in.
"I'm fine now Miaka." She said, taking in a shuddering breath. "I think I'll go back to bed now." She stood
shakily, and stumbled back into the main hall.
"You're bleeding again." Soi said gently, stopping her. Rain lifted her fingers and felt the warm trickle sliding
down her face, then inspected her fingers. She turned her head and smiled sadly.
"I know." She said, then continued walking. Tasuki watched her from by the railing, scowling as always. Soi
and Miaka glanced at each other, then turned to walk back to their own rooms. Tasuki glowered for a few
more moments, then marched off after Rain.
"Like hell she's fine." He growled to himself.
---------------------------------
Nazo opened his eyes slowly and sat up. He sighed, raising a knee for him to prop his elbow upon.
"Damn that Suzaku-blessed cur." He murmured, rubbing his own temple. Next to him, Tetsuya opened his
eyes and pushed himself to his knees.
"What is it?" he asked, tilting his head to look into Nazo's face. Nazo stared blankly for a moment, then
turned and smiled at Tetsuya.
"She has gotten strong." He said, shutting his eyes. He sighed and laid back down. "I'll send one more
person....." he said more to himself than to Tetsuya, ".....but if they fail, then I'll have to do it myself."
"Will you send me?" Tetsuya asked, laying down on his side so he could still look at Nazo. Nazo glanced at
him and placed a hand against his cheek.
"No. Not yet. You're my prized bird....I can not allow for those Celestial dogs to take you from me." He smiled.
Tetsuya shut his eyes, then laid down fully. Nazo waited until Tetsuya's breathing was slow and even before
raising his head and staring into the dark.
"Lai-Lai." He murmured. The spot of light in the floor appeared and Lai-Lai emerged from it, bowing.
"Yes master?" she said weakly. Nazo frowned and glanced back at Tetsuya. Ever since he'd helped Lai-Lai try
to heal Goku, her spirit seemed to have fallen. Nazo decided to ignore it.
"Lai-Lai.....I want you to go on a trip for me...." he began. Her head lifted and she stared at him with large
eyes. His dark smile returned.
-------------------------------
"Nyan-Nyan make Taits-kun a sleep helper?" Nyan-Nyan inquired curiously, placing a glowing hand on Rain's
temple and healing it for the time. Rain opened her eyes slowly and looked at the little blue-haired girl. Nyan-
Nyan was holding her hand over the symbol on Rain's leg now, and stared at her expectantly.
"No...that's fine. I'm not too tired now, anyway." She said, pushing herself to a sit.
"Don't obey that Nyan-Nyan, you make her that remedy or whatever it is you're offering to give her." Tasuki
said as he stepped into the doorway. Rain's eyes widened, then narrowed.
"Just what are you doing in my room?" she challenged, pulling her blankets around her. Nyan-Nyan planted
herself in front of Tasuki and held her arms out.
"Taits-kun no want to see you now!" she stated bravely. "You go!" Tasuki raised an eyebrow at her, and
walked past her. Nyan-Nyan made a surprised noise, and dashed back around him, blocking his way again.
"Nyan-Nyan say go!!" she tried again. Tasuki lowered his eyelids at the girl, then looked up at Rain.
"It's all right Nyan-Nyan.....he can stay for now....." Rain said, sighing. Nyan-Nyan turned and blinked at her.
"But Taits-kun....." she started. Rain held up a hand, then smiled.
"I'll be fine now. How about that drink you were talking about?" she asked good-naturedly. Nyan-Nyan
bowed and hopped up into the air, turning into a pastel-colored ball and floating out of the room.
Pulling up the chair that sat at the small table next to Rain's bed, Tasuki sat heavily upon it and slumped
down, folding his arms. Rain frowned at him and scooted to the farther side of her bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked, clutching her covers tightly around her. She had pulled them up so they c
overed her like a cape. Her face and fingers were the only things visible. Tasuki propped one leg upon his
knee.
"I'm making sure you don't pull any more stupid stunts like you did earlier." He said, scowling at her. Rain
looked at him in surprise. He was watching out for her? Rain curled up on her side, her back facing him.
"Why do you care? If I died, then you wouldn't have to be my....'companion' anymore." She curled up into a
tighter ball. Tasuki was silent. She turned slightly to glance at him.
"......I don't want Nazo as the next Taits-kun either." He said in a low voice, then added "Besides, someone's
gotta watch out for a troublemaker like you." He grinned. Rain sat up and puffed her cheeks out at him.
"Trouble maker my as-"
"Nyan-Nyan brings drink!" Nyan-Nyan proclaimed, popping onto the bed and interrupting Rain. She grinned
broadly and handed Rain a steaming teacup. Looking in surprise at Nyan-Nyan, then at the cup, she hesitantly
accepted it and took a sip.
The liquid inside was a dark magenta color, and tasted like some foreign berry. She raised her eyebrows
thoughtfully at it, then took another sip. Nyan-Nyan turned to Tasuki.
"Taits-kun go sleep now! You go!" she stated, pointing to the door. Tasuki frowned at Nyan-Nyan then stood
up.
"Fine, I'm going." He huffed, turning towards the door. Rain hurriedly swallowed her mouthful of drink and
set her cup on the small table next to her bed.
"Wait..." she called after him. He turned slightly to look at her. Glancing around the room nervously, her
hands unconsciously kneading the blanket, she cleared her throat. "Um...you can stay....if you'd like..." she
attempted. Tasuki turned around to face her fully, not hiding his surprised confusion. Nyan-Nyan stared
at her with a shocked look.
Grinning triumphantly at the pale-faced Nyan-Nyan, Tasuki returned to his seat and sat down. "All right."
He said, looking at Rain. Smiling slightly, Rain laid back down, this time facing him, and shut her eyes.
his tessen. He pushed out of their lock, and jumped back, panting. His clothes were cut
in several places, small cuts bleeding on his skin. The three marks flared for a moment as
he glared at Boushin, the third being a white symbol that read 'foot' now right below his
left eye.
"Shit....you're lucky your Hotohori's kid, otherwise I'd flame you right now." He panted,
grinning. Boushin mocked his grin darkly.
"Enough games. My master is waiting for my success." He growled, then lunged at Tasuki.
Tasuki held out his tessen again, ready to block his attack, when Hotohori jumped in between
them and stared down at Boushin. Boushin faltered, and the sword was knocked from his
hands.
"That's enough, Boushin." Hotohori said evenly. Boushin stared up at him in shock.
"F-father?" he breathed. His eyes slowly regained their life as he stared at Hotohori, but
he winced, returning them to their blank state. He covered one eye with his hand
"NO! My father abandoned mother and I for the Priestess of Suzaku! You're a coward!" he
shouted. He reached out his free hand and clenched the air. Tasuki's eyes widened as tiny
threads pressed and cut into his skin.
"Tasuki!" Rain shouted. She moved towards him, then stopped. She looked down to find small
cuts in her pants, she too covered in the small sharp threads. Hotohori continued to stare at
Boushin and took a step forward.
"Stop!" Boushin shouted, pulling back his fist. More threads closed in on Rain, pressing into her
neck tightly. He laughed insanely. "Any more father, and I'll kill Taits-kun." Hotohori stopped
and shut his eyes.
"Yeah well, you kinda forgot about us here, sport." Nuriko said, pinning Boushin's arms in an arm
lock. Boushin's eyes widened as the rest of the Celestial warriors came into view. He nodded to
Chichiri. "Can you get them down?"
"No problem, no da." He said, taking a step forward.
Rain looked over to Tasuki as Chichiri neared them. He was strung into the air like a marionette,
his wounds bleeding freely. As Chichiri took another step forward, his foot went down on a tiny
string. The line tightened around Tasuki's neck, and he barely let out a soft noise of surprise,
when the line sliced his head neatly off.
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" She screamed, covering her eyes and falling to her knees. The lines bit into
her skin, causing more cuts, but she didn't notice. A steady stream of blood began to run down
her face, its start a new symbol upon her temple.
Chichiri froze, one foot in the air, and Tasuki turned his head with effort to look at her. She
continued to sob, her face hidden.
"I'm not going to fail like Goku!" Boushin laughed. He looked to the side and raised his hand. In
the corner, Hotohori's sword lifted into the air, then came flying towards him. Hotohori's eyes
widened as the sword point was aimed for Boushin's chest.
"NO!"
Boushin's eyes widened as Hotohori jumped in the way of the sword, the holy relic stabbing him
through the chest. Hotohori sunk to the ground, clutching at the hilt. There was no blood.
"SIRE!" Nuriko, and the other Suzaku shouted. Nuriko released Boushin and dashed to Hotohori's
side, Chiriko, Chichiri and Mitsukake following him. Boushin could only stare at his fallen father,
releasing the lines that held Rain and Tasuki. They both fell to the ground, Rain still covering her f
ace.
You've failed Boushin.
A jolt running through them all, several of the Seiryuu and Taka turned towards the voice. "Who's
there?!" Soi demanded.
Outside, Yui felt a strange feeling pass through her, and she lifted her head. Suboshi blinked at
her.
"Lady Yui...are you all right?" he asked, gently touching her shoulder. She jumped to her feet.
"Tetsuya!" she breathed, and ran into the palace. Suboshi's brow knitted in confusion, and he dashed
fter her.
Taka's eyes widened as Tetsuya slowly blinked into visibility, lowering from the air, his arms folded
across his chest. He had a scowl firmly in place on his face, and his eyes appeared as empty as Boushin's.
"Tetsuya.....what.....happened to you?" he asked, taking a step towards him. Tetsuya's eyes narrowed.
"I do not know you." He glowered, then turned to Boushin. "You failed, after you promised to succeed.
I have come to deliver you mercy." He said in a low voice. Boushin trembled, his eyes slowly regaining
their life once more.
"Like hell you will!" Tasuki suddenly shouted. Tetsuya raised his head just as two rings of light came
spinning through the air towards him. He jumped out of the way, the rings spinning past, narrowly
missing him, and embedding themselves in the wall. He cursed and raised his hand.
"Moron." He scoffed, small dark blades forming in the air around him.
"TETSUYA!" Yui cried from behind him. Tetsuya turned his head at the sound of his name. His eyes
widened as Yui came into view, and the dark blades fell to the ground.
"Yui...?" he asked, uncertain. A square of light appeared behind her, as Suboshi opened the door
into the dark hall from the outside. Tetsuya winced and drew away, covering his face. Without a
glance to anyone else, he jumped into the air and disappeared. Yui stared at the air, then stumbled
backwards, fainting into Suboshi's arms.
Still wounded, Tasuki limped his way over to Rain, and knelt down beside her. Her arm was caked
with blood, as was her hand and now her face. He put a hand on her shoulder and tilted his head.
"Hey...." he said softly, gently pulling her hand away from her face with his free hand. She stared
at the ground in shock, and didn't move. "Hey..." Tasuki said again, while lifting her chin up to face
him. She stared through him for a few moments, then blinked.
"T.....Tasuki?" she whispered, uncertain. He lifted both eyebrows.
"Yeah it's me...where you expecting anyone else?" he asked, rubbing away some of the dried blood
from her cheek. She blinked rapidly and put a hand to her temple and rubbed it. She turned her head
so Tasuki could see it.
"What's that say?" she asked, rubbing some of the blood away from it. Tasuki squinted at it.
"It says 'room', no da." Chichiri stated, kneeling on her other side. "It's the character of the Genbu
seishi Hatsui, no da. His talent was to see events that would occur in the very near future, no da."
Rain cast her eyes down.
"Oh that's great...so I'm going to see stuff like....what I saw all the time?" she asked sullenly. Chichiri
shook his head.
"No, only when you can change the outcome, no da." He said, standing up. Tasuki absent-mindedly
rubbed her back and sighed. Rain's eyes widened as she realized the action.
"Yeah, well, don't feel too bad...I can throw ki rings now like Tomite did." He grumbled. She glanced
at him, then back at the rest of the seishi.
The sword had been pulled from Hotohori, the wound sealing up as soon as the sword was removed,
and he was currently staring down his son, who knelt on the floor. Boushin shivered, and had his eyes
cast away from his father.
"BOUSHIN!" Houki screamed, dashing in from the temple. Miaka jogged close behind her. Houki was
on her knees by her son's side in moments, covering him with her body and staring at Hotohori with
a pleading expression. "Please sire....he's better now...please don't hurt him!" she cried. Hotohori did
not move, but continued to stare down at Boushin.
"No, mother.....I must accept my punishment." He murmured, pushing himself away from Houki. He stood
boldly and squared his shoulders, looking into Hotohori's eyes. "I'm ready, father."
Hotohori held the sword out, then stood back raising it, the point facing the center of his son's chest.
"Hotohori!!" Miaka exclaimed, shocked that he would do such a thing.
"Hey you idiot, that's your kid you're going to skewer!" Miboshi shouted. This was followed by protests
from the rest of the seishi. Hotohori ignored them all, and continued to stare at his son. Boushin did
not move or speak, or even blink, but stared back. A single tear escaped his living eyes and trailed
down his cheek. Hotohori relaxed, his face softening, and dropped the sword. He then took Boushin
into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"I would never hurt my own flesh and blood." He murmured into Boushin's hair. Boushin froze with
shock, then relaxed and fell into his fathers hug.
-------------------------------
"Touching, but I think I'm going to be ill." Hoshi suddenly said. Keisuke jumped, quickly wiping a
few stray tears from his eyes and looking behind him. She was staring at the page, munching on a
stick of celery.
"I didn't hear you get up." He said nervously. She pointed to the page.
"You were too much into your story there to hear me." She said, walking around him and sitting back
down on the couch. "So, what, can they come home yet?" she asked, propping her legs up on the table.
"Nope...not yet. Rain's stubborn about learning the other seishi's powers." He said, turning he page.
Hoshi snorted.
"Well, I would be too if I were in her shoes." Keisuke looked up at her, and she groaned. "Oh, come on
Keisuke! How would you like it if you were told that you had to leave everything behind to become
some major deity in a world that didn't even exist?" she exclaimed. Keisuke stared at her for a moment,
then his eyes began to shine. Hoshi rolled her eyes. "New analogy." She muttered.
---------------------------------------
It was evening when things began to finally calm down in Konan. There weren't any causalities that
were Boushin's fault, the real killer being the falling buildings and the fires. Houki had set the travelers
up in their own rooms, keeping the return of the emperor a secret from the courtiers.
In her own room, Rain attempted sleep, but only sunk into one nightmare after another.
She saw Lai-Lin's village, just rebuilding and the people finding a reason to smile once more. More
spider-monsters than ever suddenly poured out of the forest like stampeding cattle, and into the village.
"No...." she said aloud in her sleep, her face sad.
Tetsuya stood on the cliff that she had stood upon before she ever entered the world, and watched the
carnage. The screams of the villagers met deaf ears.
Rain sobbed once, aloud.
She saw the vast city where she was now, succumbing to an earthquake, Boushin and the empress falling
to their deaths within a split that broke the palace apart. In her dream she walked slowly through the main
hall, no destination apparent, as the walls shook. Pillars fell upon servants and courtiers, but she did not
look. She came to a balcony and stopped, her eyes wide. Trembling, she sank to her knees.
Nazo turned and looked at her, a dark smile on his face. Behind him, were the hung bodies of Taka, Miaka,
Yui and Tasuki. The marks that Tasuki had acquired now flared on Nazo's body. He knelt in front of Rain
and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Give me Yang." He whispered, leaning towards her. Her eyes shutting as he kissed her, she found her
strength and shoved him away. She stumbled to her feet and over to the balcony railing, and looked up at
Tasuki's body. Her face wavering as she contained her mournful sob, she glanced once behind her and put
a foot up on the railing. Nazo stood and regarded her expressionlessly.
"Don't be foolish." He said in a low voice. "It will do you no good. Things will not change." He said, putting
a hand out to pull her back. Ignoring him, she turned back and stood up on the railing. "You idiot!" Nazo
suddenly cried, and lunged forward, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her. She cried out and began
to kick her legs.
"Let me go! Let me GO!" she cried, struggling.
"Don't be an idiot! I thought you had more sense than this!" Tasuki grunted, pulling her off of the railing.
Behind him, standing in the doorway to the main hall, were the worried faces of Miaka and Soi. Rain made
a mournful noise as Tasuki backed away from the railing. She collapsed limply onto the tiling of the floor.
"Raini-Chan....?" Miaka asked softly, kneeling beside her. Rain had her eyes shut, still asleep. She shook her
shoulder gently. "Raini-chan?" she whispered. "Raini-chan, wake up...."
Rain's eyes snapped open and she stared wide-eyed beyond Miaka, then focused on her, her eyes welling with
tears. She shut her eyes and swallowed, the realization that it had all been a dream slowly sinking in.
"I'm fine now Miaka." She said, taking in a shuddering breath. "I think I'll go back to bed now." She stood
shakily, and stumbled back into the main hall.
"You're bleeding again." Soi said gently, stopping her. Rain lifted her fingers and felt the warm trickle sliding
down her face, then inspected her fingers. She turned her head and smiled sadly.
"I know." She said, then continued walking. Tasuki watched her from by the railing, scowling as always. Soi
and Miaka glanced at each other, then turned to walk back to their own rooms. Tasuki glowered for a few
more moments, then marched off after Rain.
"Like hell she's fine." He growled to himself.
---------------------------------
Nazo opened his eyes slowly and sat up. He sighed, raising a knee for him to prop his elbow upon.
"Damn that Suzaku-blessed cur." He murmured, rubbing his own temple. Next to him, Tetsuya opened his
eyes and pushed himself to his knees.
"What is it?" he asked, tilting his head to look into Nazo's face. Nazo stared blankly for a moment, then
turned and smiled at Tetsuya.
"She has gotten strong." He said, shutting his eyes. He sighed and laid back down. "I'll send one more
person....." he said more to himself than to Tetsuya, ".....but if they fail, then I'll have to do it myself."
"Will you send me?" Tetsuya asked, laying down on his side so he could still look at Nazo. Nazo glanced at
him and placed a hand against his cheek.
"No. Not yet. You're my prized bird....I can not allow for those Celestial dogs to take you from me." He smiled.
Tetsuya shut his eyes, then laid down fully. Nazo waited until Tetsuya's breathing was slow and even before
raising his head and staring into the dark.
"Lai-Lai." He murmured. The spot of light in the floor appeared and Lai-Lai emerged from it, bowing.
"Yes master?" she said weakly. Nazo frowned and glanced back at Tetsuya. Ever since he'd helped Lai-Lai try
to heal Goku, her spirit seemed to have fallen. Nazo decided to ignore it.
"Lai-Lai.....I want you to go on a trip for me...." he began. Her head lifted and she stared at him with large
eyes. His dark smile returned.
-------------------------------
"Nyan-Nyan make Taits-kun a sleep helper?" Nyan-Nyan inquired curiously, placing a glowing hand on Rain's
temple and healing it for the time. Rain opened her eyes slowly and looked at the little blue-haired girl. Nyan-
Nyan was holding her hand over the symbol on Rain's leg now, and stared at her expectantly.
"No...that's fine. I'm not too tired now, anyway." She said, pushing herself to a sit.
"Don't obey that Nyan-Nyan, you make her that remedy or whatever it is you're offering to give her." Tasuki
said as he stepped into the doorway. Rain's eyes widened, then narrowed.
"Just what are you doing in my room?" she challenged, pulling her blankets around her. Nyan-Nyan planted
herself in front of Tasuki and held her arms out.
"Taits-kun no want to see you now!" she stated bravely. "You go!" Tasuki raised an eyebrow at her, and
walked past her. Nyan-Nyan made a surprised noise, and dashed back around him, blocking his way again.
"Nyan-Nyan say go!!" she tried again. Tasuki lowered his eyelids at the girl, then looked up at Rain.
"It's all right Nyan-Nyan.....he can stay for now....." Rain said, sighing. Nyan-Nyan turned and blinked at her.
"But Taits-kun....." she started. Rain held up a hand, then smiled.
"I'll be fine now. How about that drink you were talking about?" she asked good-naturedly. Nyan-Nyan
bowed and hopped up into the air, turning into a pastel-colored ball and floating out of the room.
Pulling up the chair that sat at the small table next to Rain's bed, Tasuki sat heavily upon it and slumped
down, folding his arms. Rain frowned at him and scooted to the farther side of her bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked, clutching her covers tightly around her. She had pulled them up so they c
overed her like a cape. Her face and fingers were the only things visible. Tasuki propped one leg upon his
knee.
"I'm making sure you don't pull any more stupid stunts like you did earlier." He said, scowling at her. Rain
looked at him in surprise. He was watching out for her? Rain curled up on her side, her back facing him.
"Why do you care? If I died, then you wouldn't have to be my....'companion' anymore." She curled up into a
tighter ball. Tasuki was silent. She turned slightly to glance at him.
"......I don't want Nazo as the next Taits-kun either." He said in a low voice, then added "Besides, someone's
gotta watch out for a troublemaker like you." He grinned. Rain sat up and puffed her cheeks out at him.
"Trouble maker my as-"
"Nyan-Nyan brings drink!" Nyan-Nyan proclaimed, popping onto the bed and interrupting Rain. She grinned
broadly and handed Rain a steaming teacup. Looking in surprise at Nyan-Nyan, then at the cup, she hesitantly
accepted it and took a sip.
The liquid inside was a dark magenta color, and tasted like some foreign berry. She raised her eyebrows
thoughtfully at it, then took another sip. Nyan-Nyan turned to Tasuki.
"Taits-kun go sleep now! You go!" she stated, pointing to the door. Tasuki frowned at Nyan-Nyan then stood
up.
"Fine, I'm going." He huffed, turning towards the door. Rain hurriedly swallowed her mouthful of drink and
set her cup on the small table next to her bed.
"Wait..." she called after him. He turned slightly to look at her. Glancing around the room nervously, her
hands unconsciously kneading the blanket, she cleared her throat. "Um...you can stay....if you'd like..." she
attempted. Tasuki turned around to face her fully, not hiding his surprised confusion. Nyan-Nyan stared
at her with a shocked look.
Grinning triumphantly at the pale-faced Nyan-Nyan, Tasuki returned to his seat and sat down. "All right."
He said, looking at Rain. Smiling slightly, Rain laid back down, this time facing him, and shut her eyes.