A Legend Reborn
Chapter 8
"Well, I guess this is where we separate...."
The travelers come to a fork in the road, one path leading south to Konan, the other east to Kutou.
"Take care," Yui hugs Miaka and then Tamahome.
"You, too......"
"Be careful....," Miaka hugs Chichiri and Tasuki, "We don't know what's out there...."
The five of them say their final good-byes and reluctantly part ways.
***
"Oh, Shyoka, Chisa...," Boushin says seeing the girls enter.
"Sorry we are late, sire," Shyoka curtsies.
"So you finally decided to show?"
"Keiko.... I didn't think you were still here...."
"After talking with Keiko, I have discovered that she is the sixth seishi....."
"She's one of the warriors....?"
Keiko pulls down her collar to reveal a red symbol on the upper left part of her chest.
"Nuriko,... the willow..... the seishi whose power is strength....."
"Actually, the first Nuriko was my late uncle.....," Keiko says.
"I can't believe we've already found six of the seven... with almost no effort at all....," Shyoka says.
"This is not the only reason why I have called you here, however...," he continues, "There are more important things we must discuss. I think that now is the time to set out and seek the creator....."
"The creator.....?"
"Yes... Etsuko the creator... she is the author of these scrolls which were given to each of the emperors in each of the four cities," he says, "Chisa.... she is the one who will know of a way to take you home....."
".....home....."
"That is.... if that's what you really want...," Shyoka says.
"I fear that the same thing that happened to your mother is happening to you...," Boushin says, "You have spent too much time in this world......."
"It's really not for me to say, but... it may be what's best for you.....," Shyoka says, "This is a chance for you to go back and spend some time at home and get back to what's familiar..... It's up to you, Chisa....."
Chisa thinks hard about this. Her eyes wandering, they suddenly land on Ryunosuke standing in the corner. Meeting her gaze, he turns and quietly exits the room.
"I really would like to go home...," Chisa says, "Let's go then..... Let's do it.... When should we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Wait... What about Tasuki and Chichiri? They went on a trip to the mountains," Chisa says, "Shouldn't we wait for them to come back?"
"I'm afraid we cannot wait for them... or the seventh warrior," he says, "The best time to go is now..."
"....okay....," Chisa says, "Then tomorrow....."
***
"'Etsuko the creator'....?" Keisuke can't take his eyes off the words. He rereads it to make sure he has read it correctly.
"What about Taiitsukun? Wasn't she the creator....?" Rei asks.
"A second creator....," Keisuke says, "This is more serious than I thought... Tetsuya, wake up! Wake up, man..."
"Wha....?"
"Get up! There're some really weird things going on here...."
"Like what?"
"Like a second creator, for example.....," Rei says.
"A second what?!" Tetsuya asks, so surprised he nearly falls off the couch.
"...a second creator....."
"It doesn't make any sense....."
Tetsuya snatches the book. He reads the words over and over again, not quite believing what he's reading.
"Yui... Misao...," he thinks, "What will happen to you....?"
"All right. I think the best thing now is to break out all those old reference books," Keisuke says.
"Good idea."
"All right then. We'll all go home and meet back here in about an hour."
***
Before anyone knows it, it's the next morning. Saddles and supplies are being strapped to the horses.
"Well, at least I managed to get some sleep last night....," Chisa lets out a yawn as she thinks.
On her way to the palace gates, she passes by the temple room. The door is cracked open slightly. She peeks inside and sees Boushin kneeling, his hands clasped together.
"Suzaku, give us guidance...," he says. He stands and takes hold of a sword laying on the alter. He carefully unsheathes it and looks over it, "Father... give me strength..."
Chisa leaves silently.
"Hi, Chisa! You all set and ready to go?" Shyoka asks.
"Yeah.... I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Here is your horse, miko," one of the guards says handing Chisa the reins of a horse.
"Oh no you don't!" Ryunosuke and Shyoka snatch the reins away just as Chisa gets her hand on them.
"Chisa and I will be sharing a horse, thank you," Shyoka says.
Chisa stands there sulking.
"I guess the only one left is Boushin...."
"I really hate to leave Mii-chan..." Shyoka says, "He's been missing for the past couple of days... What will he do if he comes back and I'm not here?"
"Don't worry, Shyoka. He's a cat so he can take care of himself, can't he?"
"I guess you're right... but still...."
"...mew..."
Shyoka turns to see Mii-chan comfortably resting in the crook of Boushin's arm.
"Mii-chan! I was so worried about you....!" Shyoka says excitedly. The cat leaps from Boushin's arms to Shyoka's.
"I found him hiding under the altar of Suzaku," Boushin says.
"Thank you....."
"He's quite a beautiful cat," he says. Boushin reaches his hand out to the cat. Mii-chan sniffs of it and then rubs up against it. He purrs loudly as Boushin begins to scratch under his chin.
"I think he likes you....," Shyoka giggles.
"Good! You're still here," Keiko comes riding through the gates on horseback, "I'm glad I didn't miss you guys."
"You're coming, too, Keiko?"
"She is one of the seishi after all...."
"Plus, there's no way I'd let you all go off on an adventure like this without me!" Keiko says excitedly.
"I guess that's everyone then....."
"Sire, I highly advise against this," a member of the council says.
"Then I'm glad that you are not the one in charge," Boushin says swinging his leg over onto the horse.
"But your highness, I....."
"I am the emperor of Konan after all," he says, "Does an emperor not have the right to go out into his own land?"
The councilman makes no reply.
"Do not worry. I will return and aid my people in this battle, for I am not leaving to escape them, but to save them....," Boushin says, "And if Chichiri and Tasuki should return while we are out, please tell them where we have gone."
"As you wish....," the councilman bows, "Have a safe journey, your highness... may the gods protect you all..."
With that, Boushin signals his horse to go and he and the others are off.
***
"I told you we should've stuck to the path, but 'nooo'!! You knew a short cut!"
"I know where I'm going...."
Tamahome and Miaka share a horse as they ride through the countryside, Miaka in front, Tamahome seated behind her and steering the horse.
"No you don't and now we're lost! It's just like you... You never ask for directions!"
"It's just like you to nag like that!"
"I am not nagging! It's just that I'm right and you
can't stand it! C'mon... Stop at the next village and ask for directions before we end up back in Japan!"
"I don't need to ask for directions. I told you I know where I'm going.....! I grew up here, ya know..."
"Oh forget it...," Miaka sighs, "I'm sorry to fuss like that... It's just that I want to get to Konan as fast as possible and take Chisa home...."
"I know...," Tamahome says, "We're both just a little stressed out I guess....."
"Tamahome... what do you think she's doing now....?"
"Well, if she's as much like you as I know she is, she's probably eating...."
"Oh, you! You're so mean sometimes, Tamahome!" Miaka nudges Tamahome, "She's probably doing something intelligent like she always does.... like reading or studying or something... She's such a bright girl...."
"Yeah, we have a lot to be proud of....."
"She does so well in school... Not like me.... I was always such a failure to my mom....."
"I'm sure your mom just wanted the best for you just like we do for Chisa...," Tamahome says, "She pushed you because she loved you..... Being a mother of a teenager yourself now you should understand that....."
"I do.... in a way.....," Miaka sighs, "but we've never really had to push Chisa..... She just does well anyway... Tamahome... I really miss her...," Miaka says, "If anything happens to her... I... I...," Miaka's voice breaks into sobs.
"Don't cry, Miaka...," Tamahome comforts her, "Believe me.... I'm just as worried as you.... It keeps me up at night... But she's a strong girl and we have to stay strong... for her..." Wrapping his arms tight around her, Tamahome lays his head gently on her shoulder. Miaka leans back against him and kisses his cheek.
She clasps the charm on her necklace tight in her hand. "Be safe.... my baby.....," she thinks.
***
Chisa sits behind Shyoka on the horse, doing nothing but staring at Ryunosuke on the horse in front of them. The group has been traveling at a pretty relaxed speed all day.
"I wish I could think of something to say...." Chisa looks at Shyoka as they ride next to Boushin's horse, Shyoka and the emperor carrying on a good conversation. "At least the two of them seem to be enjoying this trip...," she sighs, "Ryunosuke......"
"Why are you so sad, miko?" Keiko asks.
"I'm not sad...," Chisa lies, "I'm just a little sleepy is all.... So, Keiko....," Chisa says abruptly changing the subject, "Tell me a little about yourself.... I mean, I haven't really gotten much of a chance to talk to you.... Where are you from?"
"I live with my family in our house in Konan," Keiko says, "I'm the oldest of five kids."
"Five?"
"Yep....."
"It must be great to have brothers and sisters...."
"You can take all four of mine if you want!"
"Well, I'm an only child. I always wanted a brother or sister, but I'm the only one...," Chisa says with a small sigh, "I guess the closest person to a sister I have is my best friend Misao..... My mom and her mom have been friends since they were little so I guess it was only natural that the two of us would become friends...."
"So what about you? Where are you from, priestess?"
"Twenty-first century Japan....," Chisa says simply.
"...okay..." Keiko says not really sure what to make of Chisa's response, "Was your mom really the first priestess?"
"I guess so...," Chisa shrugs, "That's what everybody tells me...."
"Your mom must have known my uncle then...," Keiko says, "He died serving the first miko as one of the seishi. I would've liked to have met my uncle.... just once..., but he died a long time before I was born... I don't even think my parents were married then... I feel connected to him somehow.... through this mark..."
"So how old are you exactly?"
"I'm twelve. I'll be thirteen in a couple of months.... on the same day my uncle was born," she replies, "What about you?"
"I just turned sixteen about a week ago... my friend and I were born on the same day...."
"Really?"
"Yep... I'm the older one... by about an hour....," she says, "My mom and my Aunt Yui are so close they have to do pretty much everything together..... even have kids..."
Chisa suddenly realizes that they have stopped.
"Huh? Why did we stop?"
"It's getting late so we're going to set up camp here and begin again tomorrow," Shyoka says. She jumps from the saddle and ties the horse's reins to a tree, "Could you help me get this tent up?"
"Sure..."
"Ryunosuke, could you find some firewood for me so I can begin cooking?" Shyoka asks.
"okay....," he shrugs.
"Uh... On second thought, Keiko, would you help me with this?" she says, "Chisa, why don't you go with Ryunosuke to get the firewood?"
"Wha...?"
"It's really more of a two person job anyway."
"...but... Shyoka...," Chisa stutters, "... I...I don't know..."
"Are you coming or not?" Ryunosuke asks.
"Go on...," Shyoka smiles at her making a shooing motion.
"All right.....," Chisa sighs.
***
Chisa and Ryunosuke wander through the forest silently, picking up a few sticks here and there on their mission to find firewood.
"Oh, Shyoka...," Chisa thinks, "I know you're just trying to help... but.... don't you realize how difficult this is on me? If only I could get him to talk to me... I can't stand it anymore... I've got to say something...."
"About the other night....," she begins.
"Listen," Ryunosuke interrupts, "I know we met not too long ago so what I said was probably somewhat of a shock, but I told you how I really feel... and I'm not ashamed... and to tell you the truth.... I don't regret it... if you don't feel the same.... there's nothing I can do, right?"
Chisa stands there silently.
"I was never mad at you... just myself... I accept it... so don't feel bad about it...," he says, "I'm sorry if I've upset you... You've probably already got someone.... in your own world..... I just couldn't go without saying it... Just forget abou....."
Chisa's lips on his stop him from continuing.
"Ryunosuke...," she smiles, "You talk too much...."
"Ch-Chisa....."
"Now I want you to listen.... I wanted to say something before.... but I was too shy.... to tell you the truth... I didn't think that I could have been falling for someone that I had just met...," Chisa says, tears welling up in her eyes, "and then, when you said that to me... when you told me that you loved me... I was really very happy inside... I wanted to say something... You don't know how much... but... the words just wouldn't come... but now... It may be all that I can say..... Ryunosuke..., I love you, too......"
Chapter 8
"Well, I guess this is where we separate...."
The travelers come to a fork in the road, one path leading south to Konan, the other east to Kutou.
"Take care," Yui hugs Miaka and then Tamahome.
"You, too......"
"Be careful....," Miaka hugs Chichiri and Tasuki, "We don't know what's out there...."
The five of them say their final good-byes and reluctantly part ways.
***
"Oh, Shyoka, Chisa...," Boushin says seeing the girls enter.
"Sorry we are late, sire," Shyoka curtsies.
"So you finally decided to show?"
"Keiko.... I didn't think you were still here...."
"After talking with Keiko, I have discovered that she is the sixth seishi....."
"She's one of the warriors....?"
Keiko pulls down her collar to reveal a red symbol on the upper left part of her chest.
"Nuriko,... the willow..... the seishi whose power is strength....."
"Actually, the first Nuriko was my late uncle.....," Keiko says.
"I can't believe we've already found six of the seven... with almost no effort at all....," Shyoka says.
"This is not the only reason why I have called you here, however...," he continues, "There are more important things we must discuss. I think that now is the time to set out and seek the creator....."
"The creator.....?"
"Yes... Etsuko the creator... she is the author of these scrolls which were given to each of the emperors in each of the four cities," he says, "Chisa.... she is the one who will know of a way to take you home....."
".....home....."
"That is.... if that's what you really want...," Shyoka says.
"I fear that the same thing that happened to your mother is happening to you...," Boushin says, "You have spent too much time in this world......."
"It's really not for me to say, but... it may be what's best for you.....," Shyoka says, "This is a chance for you to go back and spend some time at home and get back to what's familiar..... It's up to you, Chisa....."
Chisa thinks hard about this. Her eyes wandering, they suddenly land on Ryunosuke standing in the corner. Meeting her gaze, he turns and quietly exits the room.
"I really would like to go home...," Chisa says, "Let's go then..... Let's do it.... When should we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Wait... What about Tasuki and Chichiri? They went on a trip to the mountains," Chisa says, "Shouldn't we wait for them to come back?"
"I'm afraid we cannot wait for them... or the seventh warrior," he says, "The best time to go is now..."
"....okay....," Chisa says, "Then tomorrow....."
***
"'Etsuko the creator'....?" Keisuke can't take his eyes off the words. He rereads it to make sure he has read it correctly.
"What about Taiitsukun? Wasn't she the creator....?" Rei asks.
"A second creator....," Keisuke says, "This is more serious than I thought... Tetsuya, wake up! Wake up, man..."
"Wha....?"
"Get up! There're some really weird things going on here...."
"Like what?"
"Like a second creator, for example.....," Rei says.
"A second what?!" Tetsuya asks, so surprised he nearly falls off the couch.
"...a second creator....."
"It doesn't make any sense....."
Tetsuya snatches the book. He reads the words over and over again, not quite believing what he's reading.
"Yui... Misao...," he thinks, "What will happen to you....?"
"All right. I think the best thing now is to break out all those old reference books," Keisuke says.
"Good idea."
"All right then. We'll all go home and meet back here in about an hour."
***
Before anyone knows it, it's the next morning. Saddles and supplies are being strapped to the horses.
"Well, at least I managed to get some sleep last night....," Chisa lets out a yawn as she thinks.
On her way to the palace gates, she passes by the temple room. The door is cracked open slightly. She peeks inside and sees Boushin kneeling, his hands clasped together.
"Suzaku, give us guidance...," he says. He stands and takes hold of a sword laying on the alter. He carefully unsheathes it and looks over it, "Father... give me strength..."
Chisa leaves silently.
"Hi, Chisa! You all set and ready to go?" Shyoka asks.
"Yeah.... I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Here is your horse, miko," one of the guards says handing Chisa the reins of a horse.
"Oh no you don't!" Ryunosuke and Shyoka snatch the reins away just as Chisa gets her hand on them.
"Chisa and I will be sharing a horse, thank you," Shyoka says.
Chisa stands there sulking.
"I guess the only one left is Boushin...."
"I really hate to leave Mii-chan..." Shyoka says, "He's been missing for the past couple of days... What will he do if he comes back and I'm not here?"
"Don't worry, Shyoka. He's a cat so he can take care of himself, can't he?"
"I guess you're right... but still...."
"...mew..."
Shyoka turns to see Mii-chan comfortably resting in the crook of Boushin's arm.
"Mii-chan! I was so worried about you....!" Shyoka says excitedly. The cat leaps from Boushin's arms to Shyoka's.
"I found him hiding under the altar of Suzaku," Boushin says.
"Thank you....."
"He's quite a beautiful cat," he says. Boushin reaches his hand out to the cat. Mii-chan sniffs of it and then rubs up against it. He purrs loudly as Boushin begins to scratch under his chin.
"I think he likes you....," Shyoka giggles.
"Good! You're still here," Keiko comes riding through the gates on horseback, "I'm glad I didn't miss you guys."
"You're coming, too, Keiko?"
"She is one of the seishi after all...."
"Plus, there's no way I'd let you all go off on an adventure like this without me!" Keiko says excitedly.
"I guess that's everyone then....."
"Sire, I highly advise against this," a member of the council says.
"Then I'm glad that you are not the one in charge," Boushin says swinging his leg over onto the horse.
"But your highness, I....."
"I am the emperor of Konan after all," he says, "Does an emperor not have the right to go out into his own land?"
The councilman makes no reply.
"Do not worry. I will return and aid my people in this battle, for I am not leaving to escape them, but to save them....," Boushin says, "And if Chichiri and Tasuki should return while we are out, please tell them where we have gone."
"As you wish....," the councilman bows, "Have a safe journey, your highness... may the gods protect you all..."
With that, Boushin signals his horse to go and he and the others are off.
***
"I told you we should've stuck to the path, but 'nooo'!! You knew a short cut!"
"I know where I'm going...."
Tamahome and Miaka share a horse as they ride through the countryside, Miaka in front, Tamahome seated behind her and steering the horse.
"No you don't and now we're lost! It's just like you... You never ask for directions!"
"It's just like you to nag like that!"
"I am not nagging! It's just that I'm right and you
can't stand it! C'mon... Stop at the next village and ask for directions before we end up back in Japan!"
"I don't need to ask for directions. I told you I know where I'm going.....! I grew up here, ya know..."
"Oh forget it...," Miaka sighs, "I'm sorry to fuss like that... It's just that I want to get to Konan as fast as possible and take Chisa home...."
"I know...," Tamahome says, "We're both just a little stressed out I guess....."
"Tamahome... what do you think she's doing now....?"
"Well, if she's as much like you as I know she is, she's probably eating...."
"Oh, you! You're so mean sometimes, Tamahome!" Miaka nudges Tamahome, "She's probably doing something intelligent like she always does.... like reading or studying or something... She's such a bright girl...."
"Yeah, we have a lot to be proud of....."
"She does so well in school... Not like me.... I was always such a failure to my mom....."
"I'm sure your mom just wanted the best for you just like we do for Chisa...," Tamahome says, "She pushed you because she loved you..... Being a mother of a teenager yourself now you should understand that....."
"I do.... in a way.....," Miaka sighs, "but we've never really had to push Chisa..... She just does well anyway... Tamahome... I really miss her...," Miaka says, "If anything happens to her... I... I...," Miaka's voice breaks into sobs.
"Don't cry, Miaka...," Tamahome comforts her, "Believe me.... I'm just as worried as you.... It keeps me up at night... But she's a strong girl and we have to stay strong... for her..." Wrapping his arms tight around her, Tamahome lays his head gently on her shoulder. Miaka leans back against him and kisses his cheek.
She clasps the charm on her necklace tight in her hand. "Be safe.... my baby.....," she thinks.
***
Chisa sits behind Shyoka on the horse, doing nothing but staring at Ryunosuke on the horse in front of them. The group has been traveling at a pretty relaxed speed all day.
"I wish I could think of something to say...." Chisa looks at Shyoka as they ride next to Boushin's horse, Shyoka and the emperor carrying on a good conversation. "At least the two of them seem to be enjoying this trip...," she sighs, "Ryunosuke......"
"Why are you so sad, miko?" Keiko asks.
"I'm not sad...," Chisa lies, "I'm just a little sleepy is all.... So, Keiko....," Chisa says abruptly changing the subject, "Tell me a little about yourself.... I mean, I haven't really gotten much of a chance to talk to you.... Where are you from?"
"I live with my family in our house in Konan," Keiko says, "I'm the oldest of five kids."
"Five?"
"Yep....."
"It must be great to have brothers and sisters...."
"You can take all four of mine if you want!"
"Well, I'm an only child. I always wanted a brother or sister, but I'm the only one...," Chisa says with a small sigh, "I guess the closest person to a sister I have is my best friend Misao..... My mom and her mom have been friends since they were little so I guess it was only natural that the two of us would become friends...."
"So what about you? Where are you from, priestess?"
"Twenty-first century Japan....," Chisa says simply.
"...okay..." Keiko says not really sure what to make of Chisa's response, "Was your mom really the first priestess?"
"I guess so...," Chisa shrugs, "That's what everybody tells me...."
"Your mom must have known my uncle then...," Keiko says, "He died serving the first miko as one of the seishi. I would've liked to have met my uncle.... just once..., but he died a long time before I was born... I don't even think my parents were married then... I feel connected to him somehow.... through this mark..."
"So how old are you exactly?"
"I'm twelve. I'll be thirteen in a couple of months.... on the same day my uncle was born," she replies, "What about you?"
"I just turned sixteen about a week ago... my friend and I were born on the same day...."
"Really?"
"Yep... I'm the older one... by about an hour....," she says, "My mom and my Aunt Yui are so close they have to do pretty much everything together..... even have kids..."
Chisa suddenly realizes that they have stopped.
"Huh? Why did we stop?"
"It's getting late so we're going to set up camp here and begin again tomorrow," Shyoka says. She jumps from the saddle and ties the horse's reins to a tree, "Could you help me get this tent up?"
"Sure..."
"Ryunosuke, could you find some firewood for me so I can begin cooking?" Shyoka asks.
"okay....," he shrugs.
"Uh... On second thought, Keiko, would you help me with this?" she says, "Chisa, why don't you go with Ryunosuke to get the firewood?"
"Wha...?"
"It's really more of a two person job anyway."
"...but... Shyoka...," Chisa stutters, "... I...I don't know..."
"Are you coming or not?" Ryunosuke asks.
"Go on...," Shyoka smiles at her making a shooing motion.
"All right.....," Chisa sighs.
***
Chisa and Ryunosuke wander through the forest silently, picking up a few sticks here and there on their mission to find firewood.
"Oh, Shyoka...," Chisa thinks, "I know you're just trying to help... but.... don't you realize how difficult this is on me? If only I could get him to talk to me... I can't stand it anymore... I've got to say something...."
"About the other night....," she begins.
"Listen," Ryunosuke interrupts, "I know we met not too long ago so what I said was probably somewhat of a shock, but I told you how I really feel... and I'm not ashamed... and to tell you the truth.... I don't regret it... if you don't feel the same.... there's nothing I can do, right?"
Chisa stands there silently.
"I was never mad at you... just myself... I accept it... so don't feel bad about it...," he says, "I'm sorry if I've upset you... You've probably already got someone.... in your own world..... I just couldn't go without saying it... Just forget abou....."
Chisa's lips on his stop him from continuing.
"Ryunosuke...," she smiles, "You talk too much...."
"Ch-Chisa....."
"Now I want you to listen.... I wanted to say something before.... but I was too shy.... to tell you the truth... I didn't think that I could have been falling for someone that I had just met...," Chisa says, tears welling up in her eyes, "and then, when you said that to me... when you told me that you loved me... I was really very happy inside... I wanted to say something... You don't know how much... but... the words just wouldn't come... but now... It may be all that I can say..... Ryunosuke..., I love you, too......"