~Nine~

Still Learning Things I Ought to Know By Now

If one's soul could be shattered into a million tiny pieces, then hers definitely was. She didn't realize that, in the mere week she'd been here, how much these people, this new world, had come to mean to her. But something had changed…and she was left alone in her bubble of loneliness while everyone around her grieved about someone she didn't even know.

I just want a friend. Is that so much to ask?

Tasuki-your name means mountain fire. You lived up to it, in so many ways…

A small choking sob rose in her throat as she watched her friend slip away, his lips, once always dancing with his quirky teasing smile, set in a grim line, his eyes, once so fiery and magnificent, dead with pain.

She turned away, too deep in misery to watch any longer.

She felt lost, unwanted. Ototou was caught up in the death of his fellow shichiseishi, forgetful of his older sister. But she couldn't just leave him alone, unprotected, in this barren wasteland.

Maybe a walk would clear her jumbled, nebulous thoughts a little.

She strolled aimlessly through the stunted mountain chaparral, mindless of the biting cold. A short distance away, a small creek ran, the noise of the water clattering over the rocky streambed wiping away all other sound.

The creek broadened, becoming a stream, almost a veritable river. It eventually dropped off a miniature waterfall, a cliff perhaps ten feet high. She paused, letting her thoughts and worries slip away as easily as the crystal water slid over the rock.

A slight noise off to her left caught her attention.

He hadn't planned on any intrusion, anyone finding him in so remote a spot. But it was too late, his mind was diverted from the serene clarity of meditation. He was suddenly reminded of when Amiboshi had still been with them; when, one night, the boy was playing a delicately sweet song on his flute, the notes soaring and pulsating through the cool night air, only to be interrupted…by Nuriko. If only we had listened, Nuriko-sama…you understood he wasn't what he seemed…

She hadn't realized she'd disturbed him. Eyes wide with something akin to fear, she stood tensely, almost as if she wanted to melt into the background. Something about the monk was a little…intimidating, if you will. He was, for one, a guardian of Suzaku, not at all comparable to her little brother. She also didn't know a darn thing about him, except for that Dou-chan seemed to trust him.

"G-gomen. I'm sorry. I'll leave…" she stammered, a bit embarrassed.

He managed the smallest of smiles. "No, it's alright, Akiame. I could use someone to talk to, no da."

She instinctively knew it wasn't really all right, but he was so sweet about it, she couldn't help but join him.

Silence achieved by years of experience reigned over his very soul. What he wouldn't give for a chance to be helped, not to have to be the eternal shoulder to cry on.

Their conscious selves left behind for the moment, the two drifted like lonely asteroids; cold, self-contained worlds ever in danger of colliding with dangerous results.

I don't know what to do. Part of me is scared and sorry, wanting to know how it happened and what I can do to help and the other is glad  it wasn't Doukun! And I hate myself for that. I don't know what I'm doing here. I don't have any place in this.

Will anything be the same after this? It seems impossible now, no da. You did always want us to see things exactly the way they were, Nuriko- ironic, isn't it? But why did you have to leave us like that, just to make us see that this isn't a game, that we've given away our very lives, if need be, to protect our miko?

Akiame sobbed suddenly. "Why? Why? It isn't fair…why did the universe pick Doukun?"
His eyebrows jumped in surprise at her sudden outburst. He tentatively put a friendly hand on her shoulder, not sure how to deal with her sudden outburst. "Calm down, Akiame…"

"He's a child. A child. He can't die like this!" She jumped to her feet. "And you don't even care…"

The remark hit a nerve. Chichiri rose as well, angrily pulling away his mask, revealing the scar of nearly four years hence. The fox-face clattered to the ground as he grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her.

She gasped. She'd never seen the monk without his trademark mask.

One deep brown eye glittered angrily, and the other probably would have if it could. Unfortunately, a jagged scar, slicing across his eye and the bridge of his nose, covered it.

His voice was quiet, with an undercurrent of regret, but still forceful, calm. "I love your little brother as if he were my own. And...I swear to you that I will protect him. He cannot live behind you forever. He's found his place…"

"I'm hun-gry. Nuriko always co-oked…" Miaka's abnormally high-pitched, whiny, singsong voice sliced the stillness.

If she had been looking for a reaction, she certainly got one. Mitsukake visibly tensed, reaching instinctively for his confidante and best pal of a kitty. A spasm of pain flashed across Tasuki's face, bringing tears to his agonized eyes. He buried his face in his hands. The remark flew directly over Tamahome's head, and he continued to sit in ignorant bliss.

And Aiumi…Aiumi totally snapped. It was enough that this girl was just naturally whiny and annoying, but did she HAVE to send everyone into deeper throes of despair? Especially Tasuki, who had already seemed as if he'd never smile again? Her brain promptly took a coffee break and left her emotions in control.

"You…whiny…insensitive…tactless, annoying BITCH! HOW DARE YOU?!?" she screamed, yanking Miaka to her feet by the collar. "I am sick and fucking TIRED of your fucking WHINING! Are you even fucking SORRY about this?"

Holding Miaka and inch off the ground by some feat of anger-fueled superhuman strength, Aiumi continued to scream at the terrified miko. Sill screaming all manner of curses, Aiumi tossed her as far as she could, throwing Miaka into a blubbering heap on top of one of the tents, whimpering all the while for Tamahome.

Said Tamahome, like an obedient cocker spaniel, came trotting to said miko's aid, trying to hold Aiumi back and incurring her hellish wrath.

"Get the FUCK away from me! What are you, some kind of puppet?" Tamahome suddenly found himself flat on his back due to a certain angry girl's lightning reflexes.

Aiumi ran her fingers through her hair, an angry grimace on her lips. She whirled, and walked quickly to a horse tethered nearby, jumping on and spurring it to a gallop with an almost vicious kick.

It took a minute for the last few seconds to truly register in anyone's brain. But everyone noticed the dark, shadowy shape of horse and rider following hers stealthily toward the horizon.

The anger and hostility in their expressions quickly died away, leaving them rather surprised and embarrassed at their proximity to one another. Neither moved, unwilling to admit just how awkward the situation was.

Chichiri was suddenly reminded of the clumsy silence after his proposal to Kouran, Akiame of her mother's reaction to her going against the family's tradition of attending a prestigious university. The poor woman had been stunned into actual silence, something very rare and to be savored.

"Aki-chan?" Chiriko called from somewhere not too far off. Akiame quickly kissed the stupefied monk on the cheek and hurried away, completely and utterly chagrined at what she'd gotten herself into.

"AIUMI!" Tasuki's yell echoed over the rocks.

Mitsukake placed a silencing hand on his shoulder. "It's too late."

"What's wrong, na no da?" Chichiri appeared, apparently rather flustered about something.

Tasuki shook his head, grimacing. He could feel his symbol burning scarlet through the fabric of his coat. Might as well put this seishi power to good use. He was off without a word, the speed granted him by the ancient gods much greater than that of a horse.

She tumbled from the horse's back, landing on all fours on the mossy ground, sobbing silently. Dark thoughts wormed their way into the very corners of her mind. She wanted to get away from them, hurt them somehow.

"Excuse me." The voice was deep, smooth as velvet, educated, noble. She brushed away her tears, turning to face it.

"I couldn't help but notice your plight, young lady. Perhaps I could be of assistance? " His blue eyes glittered coldly, framed by long yellow-blond hair, a cloak that matched those eyes draped across his right shoulder.

He extended a gentlemanly hand, helping her to her feet. "Who are you?" she breathed, a tad distrustfully.

"That matters little. All will be explained in time. Please, come with me."

"Nani? Wait!" she cried, as he jumped onto the back of his ebony steed.

"Don't worry. Your horse will be fine, he'll find his way back. This is a matter of utmost importance."

She glanced back once, uncertainly, thinking she'd heard something screech in agony. She put it out of her mind, deciding she'd been mistaken.

Behind their receding tracks, Aiumi's horse lay, its neck messily broken, blood pooling around the poor animal. The last flickers of icy blue chi faded like melting frost crystals, their destruction done.

~To Be Continued~