A Legend Reborn
Chapter 13
At the palace in Kutou, the Seiryuu seishi named Tomokazu makes his way through the long corridors of the palace to the emperor's chambers. His thick, heavy boots land heavily against the floor with every step.
Recognizing him, the man standing guard at the door salutes him and allows him passage.
"...your majesty, I.... Ah, General Tomokazu....," a priest in the room with the emperor stops seeing Tomokazu enter.
"Your majesty," he bows in the emperor's presence.
The emperor gives him permission to stand with a gesture. "The High Priest has been informing me of the Seiryuu no Miko's progress," he says, "His report is somewhat dissatisfying. It seems that although all seven of the seishi have been located, the girl is hesitating in calling upon Seiryuu and attacking Konan."
"She is under your care, General," the High Priest says, "What do you propose to do about this? She is definitely the girl the scrolls spoke of. We have seen signs of it. All of the priests agree that she possesses a great deal of power. Why does she resist?"
"She says the Suzaku no Miko is her friend and she does not wish to fight her," he replies.
"Friend...?!" the emperor scoffs, "That is impossible! The Seiryuu and Suzaku no Mikos can not possibly be 'friends'. I suggest, Tomokazu, that you do something about this 'friendship'. I do not wish to lose this battle, General. I put my trust in you not to let me down."
"Friendship is a fragile thing, your highness," Tomokazu says, "I will convince the priestess one way or another."
***
Chichiri sets a pile of wood down on a bare spot of ground and surrounds it with a neat circle of rocks.
"REKKA SHINEN!" Tasuki lights it the wood, barely giving Chichiri enough time to pull his fingers away from the blast.
The blue haired monk pats at the small fire on his sleeve, trying desperately to put it out. "Watch where you're aiming that thing, no daa!" he snaps.
Chisa, Ryunosuke, Shinta, Chichiri, and Tasuki have spent most of the day traveling. The night has draped a dark blue blanket over the sky. The group prepares to cook the fish Shinta has caught, cleaned, and gutted for them.
"Good catch," Shinta refers to the fish as he places one on each of five of his arrows, distributing them amongst the members at the camp. They gather around the fire and slowly cook the fish over the flames.
"Here you are, priestess," he says handing the arrow to Chisa.
She makes no answer. She sits with her back against a tree, hugging her knees close to her chest as her chin rests on them. The expression on her face is blank as she stares into space.
"Chisa?" he tries again to get her attention.
"Hmmm? Oh, Shinta..."
"Are you gonna eat?
"...no... thank you...," she rises to her feet, "I'm not very hungry right now..."
"Okay... if you say so, priestess...," he returns to the fireside.
A neighing horse catches Ryunosuke's attention.
"Shhh... good boy...," Chisa's words are barley audible as she pats the horses nose. Ryunosuke looks on as she begins to descend and disappear into the surrounding forest.
Chisa stares at the sky through the canopy of leaves above her as she wanders through the trees. She pulls her necklace out and begins to run her fingers over it again. Thoughts of Misao begin to fill her mind and sadden her. She clasps the red bird tightly in her hands, squeezing her eyes shut as tightly as possible to keep the tears back.
A twig snaps.
Chisa whirls around, "Wh-whos's there...?" she asks the darkness.
A solitary blue flower is thrust into her face.
Chisa looks beyond the flower to see Ryunosuke smiling slightly at her.
She takes it gently in her fingertips.
"For you, m'lady," he bows down on one knee.
A tiny smile creeps up on her face. "Why thank you," she says with a curtsey.
He stands. Taking the flower from her hand, he tucks it behind her ear.
Chisa touches the soft petals gently.
Meeting Ryunosuke's gaze, the blockade she put up against the tears bursts from the pressure. She collapses into his arms and sobbing, buries her head into his chest.
***
The scene at Taiitsukun's retreat is a peaceful one. Everyone is tucked into their beds and sound asleep, including the ghosts who do not technically need sleep.
However, there is one insomniac soul.
A single candlelight burns in Taiitsukun's holy library. There, little Chiriko floats between and through the many shelves of holy scrolls. He scans over them. Spotting one that seems to catch his interest, he gently pulls it from the shelf and setting it on the floor, begins to unroll it.
"Nothing... nothing... nothing...," he mutters as he reads over it, "It's gotta be here somewhere... Let's see...."
"Chiriko...." comes an eerie voice.
He looks away from the scroll to see a pair of eyes and the top of a purple head of hair appear from the floor.
"Aaah!!" he jumps back.
The head grows a smiling face, neck, shoulders, and body as the ghost passes through the floor and into the room.
"Nuriko!" he snaps as softly as possible, "Don't do things like that.
"A ghost scared of a ghost!" Nuriko says through near hysteric laughter, "It's just too funny!"
"Quiet or you'll get us caught!" Chiriko glares at him. "I don't have time for jokes. So if you have nothing better to do I would appreciate it if you would leave..."
"I'm sorry Chiriko. I'll behave," Nuriko winks.
With a roll of his eyes, Chiriko returns to his books.
"What are you doing?" Nuriko floats around to Chiriko's back and begins to read over his shoulder.
"Research," he replies simply.
"Research...?" Nuriko repeats.
"I'm trying to find out why and how Misao and Chisa came to this world. I figured that this was the best place to look," he explains, "I've gone over all these scrolls at least a thousand times and I still can't find anything!!"
"That's because it's not in any of those scrolls," a third party says.
The ghosts look up to see Nyan-nyan.
"Miss Taiitsukun doesn't keep those scrolls with all her others," she says.
"What are you saying...?" Chiriko asks.
Nyan-nyan produces two scrolls from behind her back and offers them to Chiriko.
"Nyan-nyan...," Nuriko says a bit surprised.
"They'll tell you what you need to know... Miss Taiitsukun didn't want you to know about these... but... but I just... Don't tell Miss Taiitsukun, please! I'll get in a lot of trouble!" she pleads, "I know it'll make Miss Taiitsukun angry, but I can't stand to see Lady Miaka and Lady Yui and Mister Tamahome so sad," small tears become visible in the sprite's eyes, "They miss their daughters so much... Please... let me help you..... Miss Taiitsukun doesn't wanna tell you... but I know... I wanna tell you... I just want everything to be happy again... I want Misao and Chisa to be all right....."
***
The full moon looks down upon Misao as she sits on the patio outside of the palace at Kutou, drowning her sorrows in the sweet melody as she plays her flute. Her eyes are closed as she allows the music to soothe her.
Suddenly, the solo becomes a duet as another flutist joins her in the song.
"Oh, Mariko...," Misao says, taking the flute from her lips and opening her eyes, "When did you get here?"
"Just now," she says, "I'm really glad to see you using the flute I made you. You play very well, priestess."
"Not as well as you do.... Back in my world, I play in the school band. I've always loved the flute... It really helps me to relax...," Misao says with a somewhat sad tone to her voice, wrapping her fingers tight around the instrument.
"What troubles you priestess?" Mariko asks, picking up on this, "You've been out here playing for a while now... Have you eaten anything?"
"Oh, it's nothing... really... I'm all right..."
Mariko motions for Misao to come closer. "Well, don't look now, but you have an audience," she whispers in her ear, "My brother's been spying on you."
"Ongaku is here? Where?"
"In those bushes over there," she points. Mariko rolls up her sleeve, "Watch this." Using her fingernail, she scratches out a message on her arm. 'Come out, come out, wherever you are, you peeping tom!' it reads.
"Hey, Mariko!!" Ongaku says angrily as he appears from the bushes, "That's not funny!"
Mariko and Misao begin to giggle.
"Besides... I'm not a peeping tom!" he blushes, brushing the leave from his hair, "I... I have a message for Misao... er... I mean... the Seiryuu no Miko..."
"What is it, Ongaku?" Misao asks.
"Well, I just saw Mayumi leave the palace grounds...," he says, "I-I thought you might want to know...."
"What?! Why would she do that?" Misao says, "She didn't tell me about any of this-....!"
"I sent Mayumi out...," a voice comes from behind her.
"Tomokazu!" Misao places her hand over her heart looking up at the tall, blonde man, "You startled me!"
"Forgive me, priestess," he drops to one knee, "May I speak with you privately for a moment, m'lady?"
"Yes... Of course... Mariko, Ongaku...," she says as a way of politely asking them to leave.
"Yes, priestess...," they excuse themselves.
"You know, I would really appreciate it if you would consult me before you send any of the warriors out like that," Misao says as soon as they are alone.
"Please do forgive me, miko," he stands, "I promise it will not happen again." He runs his fingers gently through her hair.
"I-it's all right... really...," his actions make Misao more than just a little nervous and uncomfortable, however, she does not protest it, "But tell me... where did you send her?"
"You know that I love you, priestess...," he takes her face in his hands.
"Please... don't change the subject...," she blushes.
"I am merely trying to protect you..."
"P-protect me...? From what....?"
"The evil god Suzaku, of course..." He's almost nose to nose with her.
"What?!" her hands to his chest, she pushes him back, "But I told you, Chisa-..."
He silences her by kissing her.
"Tomokazu... d-don't...," she breaks free from the kiss, "What... what about Mayumi...?" she turns her eyes from his gaze, "I thought you and she-...."
"Mayumi is not here now, is she?" he moves closer.
Her eyes become wide and glisten. Her heart rate becomes faster and faster till she feels as though it could burst from her chest at any moment.
He tilts her head up on his fingertips.
Misao closes her eyes in time to miss seeing Tomokazu take a pill from his pocket and places it between his lips just before placing his lips to hers.
Misao's eyes fly open as she feels the round pill slide down her throat. They then glaze over, as though her soul has just been torn from her body. She becomes peaceful once again and settles into the kiss.
Chapter 13
At the palace in Kutou, the Seiryuu seishi named Tomokazu makes his way through the long corridors of the palace to the emperor's chambers. His thick, heavy boots land heavily against the floor with every step.
Recognizing him, the man standing guard at the door salutes him and allows him passage.
"...your majesty, I.... Ah, General Tomokazu....," a priest in the room with the emperor stops seeing Tomokazu enter.
"Your majesty," he bows in the emperor's presence.
The emperor gives him permission to stand with a gesture. "The High Priest has been informing me of the Seiryuu no Miko's progress," he says, "His report is somewhat dissatisfying. It seems that although all seven of the seishi have been located, the girl is hesitating in calling upon Seiryuu and attacking Konan."
"She is under your care, General," the High Priest says, "What do you propose to do about this? She is definitely the girl the scrolls spoke of. We have seen signs of it. All of the priests agree that she possesses a great deal of power. Why does she resist?"
"She says the Suzaku no Miko is her friend and she does not wish to fight her," he replies.
"Friend...?!" the emperor scoffs, "That is impossible! The Seiryuu and Suzaku no Mikos can not possibly be 'friends'. I suggest, Tomokazu, that you do something about this 'friendship'. I do not wish to lose this battle, General. I put my trust in you not to let me down."
"Friendship is a fragile thing, your highness," Tomokazu says, "I will convince the priestess one way or another."
***
Chichiri sets a pile of wood down on a bare spot of ground and surrounds it with a neat circle of rocks.
"REKKA SHINEN!" Tasuki lights it the wood, barely giving Chichiri enough time to pull his fingers away from the blast.
The blue haired monk pats at the small fire on his sleeve, trying desperately to put it out. "Watch where you're aiming that thing, no daa!" he snaps.
Chisa, Ryunosuke, Shinta, Chichiri, and Tasuki have spent most of the day traveling. The night has draped a dark blue blanket over the sky. The group prepares to cook the fish Shinta has caught, cleaned, and gutted for them.
"Good catch," Shinta refers to the fish as he places one on each of five of his arrows, distributing them amongst the members at the camp. They gather around the fire and slowly cook the fish over the flames.
"Here you are, priestess," he says handing the arrow to Chisa.
She makes no answer. She sits with her back against a tree, hugging her knees close to her chest as her chin rests on them. The expression on her face is blank as she stares into space.
"Chisa?" he tries again to get her attention.
"Hmmm? Oh, Shinta..."
"Are you gonna eat?
"...no... thank you...," she rises to her feet, "I'm not very hungry right now..."
"Okay... if you say so, priestess...," he returns to the fireside.
A neighing horse catches Ryunosuke's attention.
"Shhh... good boy...," Chisa's words are barley audible as she pats the horses nose. Ryunosuke looks on as she begins to descend and disappear into the surrounding forest.
Chisa stares at the sky through the canopy of leaves above her as she wanders through the trees. She pulls her necklace out and begins to run her fingers over it again. Thoughts of Misao begin to fill her mind and sadden her. She clasps the red bird tightly in her hands, squeezing her eyes shut as tightly as possible to keep the tears back.
A twig snaps.
Chisa whirls around, "Wh-whos's there...?" she asks the darkness.
A solitary blue flower is thrust into her face.
Chisa looks beyond the flower to see Ryunosuke smiling slightly at her.
She takes it gently in her fingertips.
"For you, m'lady," he bows down on one knee.
A tiny smile creeps up on her face. "Why thank you," she says with a curtsey.
He stands. Taking the flower from her hand, he tucks it behind her ear.
Chisa touches the soft petals gently.
Meeting Ryunosuke's gaze, the blockade she put up against the tears bursts from the pressure. She collapses into his arms and sobbing, buries her head into his chest.
***
The scene at Taiitsukun's retreat is a peaceful one. Everyone is tucked into their beds and sound asleep, including the ghosts who do not technically need sleep.
However, there is one insomniac soul.
A single candlelight burns in Taiitsukun's holy library. There, little Chiriko floats between and through the many shelves of holy scrolls. He scans over them. Spotting one that seems to catch his interest, he gently pulls it from the shelf and setting it on the floor, begins to unroll it.
"Nothing... nothing... nothing...," he mutters as he reads over it, "It's gotta be here somewhere... Let's see...."
"Chiriko...." comes an eerie voice.
He looks away from the scroll to see a pair of eyes and the top of a purple head of hair appear from the floor.
"Aaah!!" he jumps back.
The head grows a smiling face, neck, shoulders, and body as the ghost passes through the floor and into the room.
"Nuriko!" he snaps as softly as possible, "Don't do things like that.
"A ghost scared of a ghost!" Nuriko says through near hysteric laughter, "It's just too funny!"
"Quiet or you'll get us caught!" Chiriko glares at him. "I don't have time for jokes. So if you have nothing better to do I would appreciate it if you would leave..."
"I'm sorry Chiriko. I'll behave," Nuriko winks.
With a roll of his eyes, Chiriko returns to his books.
"What are you doing?" Nuriko floats around to Chiriko's back and begins to read over his shoulder.
"Research," he replies simply.
"Research...?" Nuriko repeats.
"I'm trying to find out why and how Misao and Chisa came to this world. I figured that this was the best place to look," he explains, "I've gone over all these scrolls at least a thousand times and I still can't find anything!!"
"That's because it's not in any of those scrolls," a third party says.
The ghosts look up to see Nyan-nyan.
"Miss Taiitsukun doesn't keep those scrolls with all her others," she says.
"What are you saying...?" Chiriko asks.
Nyan-nyan produces two scrolls from behind her back and offers them to Chiriko.
"Nyan-nyan...," Nuriko says a bit surprised.
"They'll tell you what you need to know... Miss Taiitsukun didn't want you to know about these... but... but I just... Don't tell Miss Taiitsukun, please! I'll get in a lot of trouble!" she pleads, "I know it'll make Miss Taiitsukun angry, but I can't stand to see Lady Miaka and Lady Yui and Mister Tamahome so sad," small tears become visible in the sprite's eyes, "They miss their daughters so much... Please... let me help you..... Miss Taiitsukun doesn't wanna tell you... but I know... I wanna tell you... I just want everything to be happy again... I want Misao and Chisa to be all right....."
***
The full moon looks down upon Misao as she sits on the patio outside of the palace at Kutou, drowning her sorrows in the sweet melody as she plays her flute. Her eyes are closed as she allows the music to soothe her.
Suddenly, the solo becomes a duet as another flutist joins her in the song.
"Oh, Mariko...," Misao says, taking the flute from her lips and opening her eyes, "When did you get here?"
"Just now," she says, "I'm really glad to see you using the flute I made you. You play very well, priestess."
"Not as well as you do.... Back in my world, I play in the school band. I've always loved the flute... It really helps me to relax...," Misao says with a somewhat sad tone to her voice, wrapping her fingers tight around the instrument.
"What troubles you priestess?" Mariko asks, picking up on this, "You've been out here playing for a while now... Have you eaten anything?"
"Oh, it's nothing... really... I'm all right..."
Mariko motions for Misao to come closer. "Well, don't look now, but you have an audience," she whispers in her ear, "My brother's been spying on you."
"Ongaku is here? Where?"
"In those bushes over there," she points. Mariko rolls up her sleeve, "Watch this." Using her fingernail, she scratches out a message on her arm. 'Come out, come out, wherever you are, you peeping tom!' it reads.
"Hey, Mariko!!" Ongaku says angrily as he appears from the bushes, "That's not funny!"
Mariko and Misao begin to giggle.
"Besides... I'm not a peeping tom!" he blushes, brushing the leave from his hair, "I... I have a message for Misao... er... I mean... the Seiryuu no Miko..."
"What is it, Ongaku?" Misao asks.
"Well, I just saw Mayumi leave the palace grounds...," he says, "I-I thought you might want to know...."
"What?! Why would she do that?" Misao says, "She didn't tell me about any of this-....!"
"I sent Mayumi out...," a voice comes from behind her.
"Tomokazu!" Misao places her hand over her heart looking up at the tall, blonde man, "You startled me!"
"Forgive me, priestess," he drops to one knee, "May I speak with you privately for a moment, m'lady?"
"Yes... Of course... Mariko, Ongaku...," she says as a way of politely asking them to leave.
"Yes, priestess...," they excuse themselves.
"You know, I would really appreciate it if you would consult me before you send any of the warriors out like that," Misao says as soon as they are alone.
"Please do forgive me, miko," he stands, "I promise it will not happen again." He runs his fingers gently through her hair.
"I-it's all right... really...," his actions make Misao more than just a little nervous and uncomfortable, however, she does not protest it, "But tell me... where did you send her?"
"You know that I love you, priestess...," he takes her face in his hands.
"Please... don't change the subject...," she blushes.
"I am merely trying to protect you..."
"P-protect me...? From what....?"
"The evil god Suzaku, of course..." He's almost nose to nose with her.
"What?!" her hands to his chest, she pushes him back, "But I told you, Chisa-..."
He silences her by kissing her.
"Tomokazu... d-don't...," she breaks free from the kiss, "What... what about Mayumi...?" she turns her eyes from his gaze, "I thought you and she-...."
"Mayumi is not here now, is she?" he moves closer.
Her eyes become wide and glisten. Her heart rate becomes faster and faster till she feels as though it could burst from her chest at any moment.
He tilts her head up on his fingertips.
Misao closes her eyes in time to miss seeing Tomokazu take a pill from his pocket and places it between his lips just before placing his lips to hers.
Misao's eyes fly open as she feels the round pill slide down her throat. They then glaze over, as though her soul has just been torn from her body. She becomes peaceful once again and settles into the kiss.