Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi belongs to Watase.Y & the respective companies.

Scroll 4 - Byakko no miko – A Long Day 　（第四章：長く日）

Outside the forest, Amefuri and Kazuko waited patiently, laying low beneath the thick undergrowth while their horses remain hidden among the trees. They were taking precaution in case if Lita would appear.

"Amefuri…" asked Kazuko in very soft voice.

"Yes, Kazuko?" he replied back in the same tone.

"Will Kokie and Toroki be alright?"

"I hope so. We need all 7 seishis in order to summon Byakko. If one of us dies," he shuddered. "I don't think I want to know what the consequences would be like."

"Gomen ne, Ameturi…"

"Huh? What are you apologizing for? You haven't done anything wrong."

"It seems like I'm always putting people in danger. And no matter how hard I try, people will end up hurt or dead, because of me."

"And yet, you bring them hope of being free from the Kagemono," Amefuri gave an assuring smile to her. "The things that you have done proved that the tale of the Byakko no miko was no folktale." He patted her on the shoulder. "Don't be too hard on yourself. As for Kokie and Toroki, I think they would be able to handle Lita. Yoshii… after this, I'm going to train myself harder."

"Watashi mo (Me too). Maybe I can ask Toroki to teach me how to fight…"

"You? Fight? Nah… I don't think so."

"Why? You are simply counting your chickens before they hatch," Kazuko pouted.

"Look at your hands," Amefuri's chin titled sideways. "See?" He pointed the lines of Kazuko's palms. "These aren't the hands of a fighter. These are the hands of a pure maiden. Such hands should not be soiled."

"Amefuri…"

"Listen, Kazuko. I'm your seishi sworn to protect you with my life so that you could summon Byakko to free the people of Sairou. This is your responsibility and sole duty. Alright?"

"Alright," Kazuko agreed. "You know, you could be an official and hold a high ranking position in the palace or something. Ever thought of that."

"Once," Amefuri's lips twitched a bit. "But I don't think that I could. I don't know how to read or write. Besides, my background would provide some inconvenience for me."

"Nonsense, if you try hard enough, you could become one. Anyway, I can get Kokie to teach you if you like…"

"Kokie!" Amefuri grunted. "That guy hasn't admitted that he has lost the bet! I would rather learn from someone else… Like Zan or Toroki for example… Let's hope that the two would be able to marry each other. And maybe we could find out if Zan is a Byakko seishi…"

"I hope so…"

"Hush!!" Amefuri pressed Kazuko's head down. "I sensed someone coming."

Lying completely still like rabbits sensing for danger, Amefuri and Kazuko kept their eyes wide opened and ears on the sharp instinct for any dangerous sounds. They heard the thumping of boots upon the hard dry ground, the clanging of metal rubbing against each other. The intruder walked down like she owned the area. Her red hair gave the smell of death in the air. Kazuko covered her mouth so tightly.

Lita… she is still alive!! Kokie… Toroki…

The demoness' almond eyes scanned the Akkai forest, her pupils enlarged as they infiltrate through the vegetative ramparts. A dark-skinned man was leaning over a fair woman. A wineglass shaped flower which colour was darker than the night lay beside, its golden nectar oozing out from its petals. Lita smirked.

"Another two to go…" She held the ebony wood stick; instantaneously it burst in red-hot flames. Throwing it onto the undergrowth, she watched the flames hungrily ate the grass and twigs, enjoying the crackling sound of its munch.

"That's right, fire, burn this forest. The two lovers can spent their time eternally in death..." She laughed wickedly. Holding her arm up. "Why don't the maiden and her remaining seishi show themselves here?" With a wave of her hand, Kazuko and Amefuri immediately swung up from their hiding places and thrown onto the ground like rag dolls.

"See? Isn't the view clearer here?"

"Why?" Kazuko gasped. "Why do you enjoy hurting people so much?"

"Why?" Lita pulled Kazuko's collar upwards. "Because they worship you, Byakko no miko. They worship a statue that they themselves craved with their own hands. Such idolatry will not be tolerated by us, the Kagemono."

"But you don't have the right to force people in believing in the things that you want them to believe!"

Lita slapped her. "Foolish wretch! You are so easily taken in by the words of Taiitsukun. Do you really think that you are the maiden? Do you think that you could get rid of us by just summoning Byakko?" The red hair flared with hatred. "You are a menace, the cause of the pain that must be removed!"

"LITA!!!!!!"

The scream was thick with anger that the made the hairs on Kazuko's neck stand. Kazuko could see flashes of light appearing and reappearing so quickly. Then, a swift force moved between the 2 women, separating them both to the ground. Amefuri wasted no time catching hold of Kazuko. Lita rolled over one side, her eyes glared at the intrusion.

"I dislike being interrupted!" she hissed.

"And I dislike people like you who exists to destroy the lives of others!!" Rage hardened the outer rims of his eyes.

"Zan…" Kazuko said.

"Please, Byakko no miko. Look after Iria while I take care of this whore. I don't want her death to be in vain."

Kazuko wished to protest but Amefuri pressed her shoulder. "Let him, Kazuko. It's no use, he has already make up his mind." Rising his voice louder. "At the same time, give her a couple of punches for me!"

Lita slid her hand behind her back to reach out for the ebony stick. A flash of light burst out. Lita felt herself being thrown towards a burning tree. She crashed through it and landed in midst of the burning fire. The ebony stick fell into the ravenous flame and became ashes. Zan smirked.

"Do you think that will work on me again?"

"Yeah! You show her, Zan!" cheered Amefuri.

"Amefuri, Iria is losing conscious…"Kazuko shook with fear as she watched Iria's eyelids fluttering. Her pale lips moved continuously. "I don't know what to do. She's so cold."

Amefuri took off his outer garment and wrapped Iria. "We have to keep her warm. Keep talking to her, Kazuko. Slap her face if you have to. Meanwhile, I'll help Zan."

"But…"

"I don't care whether Zan appreciates my help, Kokie and Toroki may be barely alive or dead for all we know. If these two didn't make it, then Zan will probably be facing a suicide mission. As for you," Carrying Iria onto a horse. "You have to move on without me. Ride as hard as you can."

"You are crazy," Kazuko struggled "I can't let you fight her by yourself."

Amefuri shoved her towards the horse. "Don't argue with me, even if we may not survive, there is always another way to summon Byakko. There are 2 more seishis to find. Find them. The main thing is that you live! Get going!"

Kazuko, bit her lip and get onto the horse. Hot tears rushed down her cheeks as she rode.

I don't want them to die… I won't want anyone to die… why… why…

Amefuri smiled as he watched Kazuko riding away and becoming smaller into a dot and disappearing. He took out a water-sack and held it close to him.

Though I may not be strong as Toroki and Kokie, at least I know that my power has something to do with water. This water-sack may not be enough to defeat Lita but at least I can put a fight long enough for Kazuko to escape to the next town or city. Maybe she would be able to find the other 2 seishis and find another way to summon Byakko without the 7 of us.

"You really think that she's the legendary maiden of Byakko," asked Zan. "Somehow, I'm being involved in this because of her."

"Yes, Kazuko is the maiden otherwise Lita won't be after her and us."

"Us?" Zan grunted hostilely. "I'm not a Byakko seishi. Neither is Iria. Why drag us into this mess?"

"Whether you are or not, seemed like Fate has brought us together. I'm sure that Kazuko will find a cure for Iria. Till then, let us live through this."

"If that little girl is able to cure Iria, I might believe that she is the maiden. Still, she poses a danger to anyone who gets near her. The worst thing is that she doesn't even know how to defend herself. Is it worth dying for her?"

"As much you are dying for Iria." Amefuri stood next to him.

Zan gave an amusing smile. "Looks like we are both fighting for our women. If Fate allows it, we could be friends for a very long time."

"That would be nice." Amefuri's eyebrows knitted. "She's here. I felt her presence."

"Same here." Zan's eyes gleamed. "This fight has been going on for too long. Let's end it."

From the burning flame and smoke, sprung out Lita, her cloak was burned, armour tarnished, skin covered with dirt and her red hair was stinted. It was as if she had returned from Hell itself.

Emperor Shimo sensed some sort of chi energy as he rode across the plains after he passed the town of Nas. There was no evil detected but rather something pure and it made his heart glowed and beat a few times faster. He tugged at the reins and pressed his horse to gallop faster. The instinct feeling that was within him, the inner voice encouraging him on. Then, he stopped at a sudden stench in the air. He slowly dismounted from his horse and tread cautiously. The smell was all too familiar – blood and burnt skin. A favourite trademark of someone he knew very well.

There, before him, laid 2 bodies - a man and a woman – in torn clothes and blacken skin. Shimo bent down and checked the man's pulse. He gasped. He was still alive! Then, he pressed his fingers against the neck of the woman's. He sighed relief. Both of them were very lucky people to survive. His fingers brushed around her earlobe, a sudden flow of chi went into his blood veins. Shimo was startled by it, he looked down and he saw a glowing letter on her earlobe. It wasn't shining very brightly but it was bright to see the letter.

"Toroki…" Shimo's eyes widen. "She's one of the Byakko seishis." Looking at the man. "Then, he must be a seishi too." He gave a whistle; the obedient horse came up to him. Shimo stood up, put his hand into one of the pouches and held out a bundle of herbal plants. Placing some on their chests, he placed his hands upon the plants and murmured. Sap leaked from the plants and spread itself across the unconscious seishis, clothing them in luminous light. The burnt areas of their skin were literally scrubbed away, renewing with new supple skin. Bloodstains vanished into the light and the tattered clothes patched themselves together. Shimo watched the fingers of the seishis twitched and curled. Their eyes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly that were ready to fly. The woman was the first to get up. She looked bluntly at him.

"What…" She looked around the charred surroundings. "Where…"

"Relax," Shimo spoke. "You and your companion were injured by Lita. I have just healed you."

"Lita…" Repeating her name in efforts to recall, she scowled in remembrance. "That kagemono whore! We need to have a rematch." She stared at him. "Who are you? How did you know Lita?"

"As just say that we are destined to meet each other," Shimo lifted up his left sleeve. Toroki gaped at the shining white light of the letter.

"My name is Shiro but my seishi name is Tatara."

"Tatara…" Toroki was loss for wards until she heard the groan of her brother. "Kokie!" She shook him very hard. "Get up!"

Kokie yawned like he had awakened from a deep sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he stared bluntly at the shining Byakko symbol of Tatara's.

"I thought I was dead… how did you…"

"My ability is through the usage of plants. The sap of this medical plant has beneficial healing powers, which was enhanced through the power of Byakko. You two are very lucky to survive a fight with Lita."

"You know her?"

"Let's just say that we have an old score to settle."

Kokie grinned a little. "Don't we all? Where are Kazuko, Amefuri and Zan?"

"They should be at the Akkai Forest to save Iria. That's the last thing I could remember. We don't much time to tell you the whole story, Tatara but Kazuko is the maiden of Byakko. Amefuri is another seishi that we found in the village of Shinkou. Zan could be a Byakko seishi even though his symbol hasn't been reveal yet. Iria is the fiancée of Zan whom we rescued in the Town of Nas. Currently, Lita has tricked her into believing that Zan is dead. I hope that the three of them are alright."

"Kazuko…" Tatara whispered softly. "Is that the maiden's name?"

"Look!" Kokie pointed a cloud of smoke standing out against the blue sky. "Could it be?"

"You bet, alright." Toroki got up to her feet. "Time for Round 2."

Kazuko rode on aimlessly till she reached a riverbank with trees growing along the sides. Iria was leaning against her heavily. Kazuko huffed as she half carried and half dragged Iria beneath the shade of a tree. Placing her against the tree trunk, Kazuko hurried to fill a bowl with water from the river. Using a cloth, she soaked it with the river water and dapped Iria's cold lips and forehead repeatedly, telling her to hold on, to hold on until Zan comes.

With faint breaths, Iria spoke something audible, relieving Kazuko and yet frightening her. "Zan… Zan… Zan…"

"Hold on, Iria, Zan is coming. He is coming," Kazuko held Iria's fingers tightly. "Please hold on."

"Zan…" Her apple eyes sparkled with some unknown inner joy. "Knowing you was the most happiest thing in my life. I'm so happy that I am going to be your wife."

"Iria! What are you talking about?"

"Do you remember the first time that we met? I was 10 years old when I wandered into the Akkai Forest. I got lost and couldn't stop crying. I cry and walked to a small pond with only one frail tree by its side. There were flowers growing. Their petals were so dark. Their touch was like velvet cloth," She drew in a deep breath. "And inside, I saw a liquid so golden that it looked like the rays of the sun. It was so tempting that I wanted to drink it…" She smiled. "Then, you came along and stopped me. You were a scruffy little boy. Your skin was so dark, so were your eyes… mischievous…" Another breath. "And kind."

"Iria," Kazuko's tears trickled down Iria's hand. "Please don't say strange things to me. You are going to be Zan's wife like you always wanted."

"We had a wonderful time with each other for the next few weeks and though I have to go, you followed me all the way to Nas. And ever since, you always visit me…"

"Please, don't talk any more. You will make yourself weaker."

"Zan… recently, Father has been joining about the maiden of Byakko." Her eyebrows barely rose. "He thinks that it is a myth but I believe that she really exists. Somehow, I have this feeling that you and I are contacted to her. When we are married, we should look for her…"

"But why?" Kazuko's voice chocked. "She can't fight like Kokie, Toroki or Amefuri. Can't even defend herself. People are dying because of her. And now, her friends may be dead or captured and there is nothing that she could do about it."

"Don't say that about her…. Sometimes, heroes are not meant to have special powers or abilities like all those in story books," Her chest heaved heavily. "The true strength of all heroes lays within their heart. The maiden's purity from the sins that our world is having now. Maybe that's why people adore her. Because she comes from another world that is better than ours. A place where we can't go to but perhaps in death, we may…"

"Iria, you are not going to die!" Kazuko shook her ferociously. "Don't say things like that!"

"I love you Zan, we will be together forever."

Iria closed her eyes and smiled.

"IRIA….

IRIA….

IRIA!!!!"

"Iria…" Zan turned his head to the direction where Kazuko was last seen. "Iria…"

"What the heck are you doing?" Amefuri hollered. "This is no time to daydream." He heard Lita's vile laughter. "And your laughter irritates me."

"At least, not all is lost," Lita walked forward, removing her armour. Her mouth twisted in her endurance with the pain from her injuries. "And I believe that Zan knows what am I talking about." A sadist spark shimmered in the almond eyes. "The nectar of Shibou has its final toll on her…" She smirked. "Tell you what, I'll give you the antidote." An emerald bottle materialized from her scorched hands. Zan gasped sharply. "As long as you leave this kid with me to take."

Sweats clouded the sides of Zan's face as he gnashed his teeth. "Impossible. There is no cure for it."

Lita smirked even further, "I'll show you." She held up a limp Shibou flower. "I managed to save this one from the fire." Turning the flower cup down, its golden nectar dropped onto the ground. As she turned the flower right side up, the lid of the emerald bottle released itself from the seal and the bottle lifted up and poured a few drops of moss green liquid into the Shibou flower. Once gain, she turned the flower cup down, this time, the nectar was white in colour.

"Look at the ants. They are attracted by both of the nectars."

Zan observed the ants. The ants that had tasted the golden nectar were on their backs, their tiny legs helplessly shaking in the air, their bodies wriggling. However, the ants that had tasted the white nectar were actively crawling all over the area, cleaning the nectar off the ground.

"No way," His eyes widen. He looked at Lita. "How?"

"My Master is a great medicinal man who knows how to counteract the Shibou's nectar a long time ago. So, what do you say, Zan? Your love or this Byakko seishi?"

"Don't fall for it, Zan! She's lying."

"It is you who is lying," Lita pointed her finger. "You can't prove that he is a Byakko seishi. Are you willing to let an innocent party die for the sake of Byakko? Remember, Amefuri, you were the one who caused the death of children from the Shinkou village."

"You ordered their deaths!"

"But you were the ONE who lead them into the field to hunt for food. You were the ONE who abandon them when the soldiers came. In other words, Amefuri, you LEFT them to die!"

"No! That's not true!" Amefuri shook his head ferociously. "I try to save them, I try…"

"Did you?" Lita swept her hair behind her ears. "Come on, Zan. It has been a long day for all of us. Why don't you make a happy ending for both you and me? It's obvious that you and Iria are not Byakko seishis. Why bother to be involved in this sticky mess? There is still time to save her. After all, your horses are still here. You can still make it. What do you say?"

"I… I…" Zan stammered. Conflicting thoughts were racing through his mind.

"You love her, don't you? Leave him to save her. And this will be the last time we'll see each other. You and Iria can live happily ever after forever. You do want that, do you?"

"But you wanted me dead…"

"The Mayor of Nas wanted you die, Not I. You were the very least of my concerns." She held out the emerald bottle towards him. "You don't have to feel guilty about leaving him with me. I'm sure that Amefuri doesn't want to have blood on his hands again."

"How do I know that…" Zan struggled for the right words. His throat felt dry.

"Zan…" Amefuri spoke up forcefully. "You better do what she says."

"What?"

"Do it" Amefuri's head lowered. It's better this way."

"Ameturi…" Zan numbly held out his hands.

"That's right, Zan." Lita threw the bottle into his hands. "Take it and leave. It's as simple as that."

Zan, like a controlled puppet, went to one of the horses, mounted and rode off. Lita watched with delight as she finally had another seishi in her grasp. Amefuri said nothing. Opening the water sack, he positioned himself for the coming fight.

"Well, you seemed ready to die." Lita's hands were on her hips.

"Don't get cocky. The day is not over. You haven't won yet." Water from the water sack swirled up and around Amefuri's hand. "I rather die than to be captured by a fiend like you." His Byakko tattoo shined brightly. Water jet-like features burst towards Lita.

"That could be arranged." She lifted her fingers in response. Instantly, the flames from the burning forest flew out, turning the water into hot steam and evaporating. Spontaneously, the flames coiled themselves around Amefuri and tightened, burning his skin. Lita gave a devilish smile as she bent down to take out a dagger from the folds of her boots.

"How should I make an example out of you?" Stroking the tip of the dagger with her finger. "Cut you up limb by limb, disembowel you or dig the vital organs while you are still alive?" Her eyes narrowed at her final decision. "I know… those children back at Shinkou village." Rolling her eyes to one corner. "How would you like to have a taste of what is it like to be straggled to death?"

Within half a blink of the eye, Amefuri felt his feet lifting way high above the ground. He felt curled bony fingers pressing against his throat, the palm tilting to one side, the nails digging into his soft flesh. The fiery bonds twirled around his chest, squeezing the life out of him. Amefuri chocked a cry. His brain and veins were screaming for oxygen.

Lita glee as she watched Amefuri's eyes rolled up into the darkness, his warm blood from the neck flowing down her hand and arm. She pressed even harder and chanted the word 'die' with frenzy lust. Like being in her lover's arms, she moaned as she felt the luxury of Amefuri's last moment of living. It felt good.

But like all enjoyments that ended rudely, an excruciating pain went through her flesh and bone, sending down a shaking sensation in the nerves of her body. She howled and stared at what originally should have a hand. Hot blood covered her handless arm. With outburst rage, her almond eyes looked daggers at the 3 intruders.

"You!" She shirked at the recognition of one of them, holding a bloody vine. "What are you doing here?"

"Doing something that I always wanted to do for a very long time," said the white-haired Tatara. "As you can clearly see, you Kagemono are not all powerful as you think you are."

"Not when you are going to have a rematch!" chipped in Toroki, her arms folded. Kokie was standing next to her, carrying Ameturi in his arms. "Though I think that you are in no condition yourself to continue."

"Why can't you seishis just DIE!!!!" screamed Lita, the flames flooded at them like an insane sea.

"Why don't you!" replied Toroki, sending her chi at the flames. Her Baykko symbol shining as bright as the morning star. The white chi pushed the flames back and straight at the screaming Lita. White covered the burning forest like a hand, reducing the flames to harmless smoke and ashes. There, in the midst of floating ashes, was Lita, being carried by someone in purple cape. Golden hair poked out from the outer folds.

"Damn, there is more of them," cursed Toroki.

"Wait," Tatara pressed her shoulder. "I don't think that he intends to fight."

The stranger in the purple cape, looked at them with blue eyes that was clearer than the skies and dematerialized. Kokie, Toroki and Tatara looked at each other, not knowing whether to rejoice or anticipated another assault. Tatara was the first to speak.

"Let's attend to Amefuri's injuries and then, we look for the Maiden."

"Sure," Kokie laid Ameturi carefully on the ground. "But where's she?"

"More importantly," Toroki frowned. "Where are Zan and Iria?"

"Maybe, they have escaped with the Maiden," Tatara pulled out a handful of herbs from his pouch. "Since the maiden comes from another world, she may not know the land of Sairou very well. She could get lost."

"Maybe…" Toroki said doubtfully.

"Do you think that Zan could be a Byakko seishi?" Kokie sensed her doubtfulness. "I'm afraid that I could be wrong to think of that."

"It's not anyone's fault," Toroki patted him on the back. "Even if he isn't, Kazuko would still want to rescue him. I know I would."

"Guess so…"

"I'll try to heal him as fast as possible," said Tatara, placing the herbs on Amefuri's injured areas. "That way, we could find the Maiden before it gets dark."

"Yeah, you do that." Toroki looked at the hooves prints on the ground. "Kazuko couldn't be far if she travel by this route."

"Really? How would you know, nesan?" Kokie placed his shoulder around her.

"Knowing her, she is capable of one thing. And that is traveling on the main road."

In the modern world of vast developments of concrete buildings and streetlights, underneath the ceiling fan, Ren Sukunami tossed and turned in his bed in futile efforts to sleep. He couldn't.

The lost star roams through lands in search of a maiden, the saver of a world that is at the verge of extinction. Though thou have forgotten thyself, thou shall regain thyself.

"Was I dreaming? I'm sure that I heard someone saying that to me in the library," he said to himself as he got out of bed and walked onto the balcony. The air was cool and the night was painted with tiny stars.

"Stars…" he murmured, leaning on the balcony sill. "Stars… why do I feel that I'm should be familiar with that word?" He turned his head to one side and then to the other side. "Stars… stars… stars…" then, his lips paused for a moment. "The lost star…"

Somehow and strangely, the stars seemed to be in the formation of winged creature. And away from them was a lonely star, shining like a jewel of fire.

At another place where night was almost setting, a purple-caped stranger was sitting next to his unconscious comrade who was lying on a rug made of bear fur. She fought hard against the Byakko seishis today, thought the stranger but not good enough. He stroked her forehead, fingering some stray strands of her hair. Bending down, he held her hair to his nose and smelled. So much like a demoness from Hell, outraged and uncontrolled. Then, he felt a sharp prick on his right side of his stomach.

"Don't even think about it," Lita hissed, holding out her dagger, as the stranger backed away calmly. "Who are you?"

"We both served the same Master, Lita. He sent me to you he knew that the Byakko seishis would be too powerful for you to handle. Now that the Emperor of Byakko has escaped to join the Maiden."

"Yes, he made his presence," She pressed her right shoulder and gasped in horror. "What happened to my right arm?"

"You lost a lot of blood when your hand was cut off. Apparently, the Emperor has placed poison in the weapon that he used to slice your hand off. I had to amputate your arm before the poison spread to the rest of your body. It's regrettable but it has to be done."

"It doesn't matter," Lita looked away, "I vowed to the Master that if I didn't kill the Maiden, my arm will be the price. I was weak in my fight today. I should have done better."

"No, my dear comrade," The purple-caped stranger sat down and threw a dry wooden stick into the fire. "You fought admirably. It was unfortunate that the Emperor Shimo was there to bring the two seishis that you have defeated earlier back to life. You were alone and had to fight them all by yourselves. This shows how weak these seishis are."

"Still, it would have ended better if I had severed their heads. Without all the 7 seishis, the Maiden wouldn't stand a chance in summing the guardian."

"Not necessary," he chuckled, holding out cylindrical object. He opened it, took out an old parchment and unrolled it. "Do you know what this is?"

"That's one of the scrolls about the former Maiden of Byakko." She frowned. "But wasn't all these destroyed?"

"My dear Lita, the Lady has foreseen the coming of the new maidens. Though the Master didn't believe her, he felt that it would be safer to keep some of the scrolls if it were come to pass. Now, it has and we, the Kagemono will exactly know what to do to solve this problem."

"How?" She leaned closer to inspect the scroll. "The Maiden has already gathered most of the seishis. She still has a chance to summon the guardian."

"Gathering the seishis is not the only criteria. She has to find the jewel that the former Byakko Maiden wore at the ceremony. According to the legend, the jewel was last seen at the outer lands, which was originally part of Sairou. Now, that area has become a wasteland. So, we still have some time and time for you to make up for the loss."

"Yes, I suppose you are right." Lita fixed her eyes on the stranger. "What's your name, comrade?"

"Still not trusting me," His fingers went to unwrap his face. "I'm sure that you will recognize me somehow." The cloth fell across his shoulders.

"You…" gasped Lita, her eyes widen in shock.

"Kazuko… Kazuko…. Kazuko," said a warm soft voice. "Time to wake up, Kazuko. You slept long enough already."

Kazuko responded to the gentle shaking with a stir and sleepy eyes. Suddenly, she wore up startled, almost crushing into someone.

"Whoa… calm down, Kazuko," said Toroki. "Don't need to get all excited! Relax! We are under the safe roof of an inn."

"Then what about everybody? Iria? Is she alright?" Kazuko looked all over. "Where are they?"

"My goodness, you do have a short memory," Toroki smiled. "Lita was defeated, we came looking for you after Tatara healed Amefuri of his injuries. It didn't take long since you were traveling on the main road. So, we found you and the lovebirds. Iria was saved by the antidote that Lita forced Zan to take in return for Amefuri's life. To cut the whole thing short, we then traveled on to this inn. By the time we reached here, you were fast asleep. So, everybody had their well-deserved night's sleep and we are waiting for you to wake up. So, get up sleepy head."

"Oh… okay," Kazuko went to change. "Yesterday was a terrible day, I thought I was going to lose everybody."

"Me too," Toroki folded some clothes. "I thought I was dead but luckily, Tatara came to rescue. It's a great thing that he has those medical herbs. These herbs healed me so well it was like nothing happened to me." She smiled amusing. "Not to mention, the way he looked. He said that his family were scholars and the Kagemono had them under house arrest due to their knowledge of the Byakko legend…" The moment she turned around, Kazuko immediately hugged her tight. "Hey, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Because I thought that I was going to lose all of you." Kazuko couldn't stop crying. "I don't want to lose any of you. I was so afraid and wanted to do something and yet, I couldn't. I'm so sorry for all the burden that I'm causing…"

"Look her, Byakko no miko," Toroki interrupted firmly. "There was never a moment that I felt or think that you are a burden. You are and never a burden to anyone. I was chosen to be a seishi and I'm proud that I am. It's my responsibility that I look after you at all times. You are a very important person to me and everyone in Sairou. They are counting on you to summon Byakko." Squeezing her shoulders. "So, don't you ever think of yourself as a burden or a weakling. If you do, I'll going to knock some sense in you again and so will all the seishis." Patting her head. "So, freshen yourself up and come down. The new seishi, Tatara, will be delighted to see you."

"Okay…" Kazuko wiped her tears. "Tell them that I'll be down in a jiffy."

Kazuko washed her face and combed her hair. Looking at the mirror, she noticed some slight changes in her appearance. She looked rather tired, untidy and … not her usual appearance like she was back home and school. Kazuko wished that she had shampoo and the other facial stuffs with her. How she missed the things that she took for granted back home. The television, the radio, the computer and her handphone! How were Yumi, Miwa and Chiaki doing in their respective countries of Genbu, Kutou and Konan? Had they found all the seishis yet? Oh, how she wished that there were a way to find out! Kazuko counted herself lucky that the Byakko seishis were so kind towards her. Then, came along a poem.

Though the journey was rough and though

Not once had it damper the brave spirits

Of the Byakko seishis

Nor wither the courage in them

Each of them with their own unique capabilities

Kokie, intelligent though stern

Toroki, the Maiden's best friend and supporter

Amefuri, the witty protector & companion

Zan, for his undying & devoted love for his wife-to-be,

Iria, the Maiden is grateful for her encouraging words

Though not proved as seishis,

The Maiden is thankful for their merry company

Last to the addition of the group,

Tatara, who saved them from the clutches of the Kagemono warrior, Lita

Whose only destiny is to destroy all that the seishis cherished to their hearts

When Byakko is summoned, may their lives be peaceful and fulfilling…

Kazuko walked quietly down the stairs and into the dining area where she heard the seishis harmonizing in mirth and laughter. She smiled when she felt the friendly heartwarming atmosphere. It was good that the seishis were getting along with each other.

"Ah! Kazuko!" cried Amefuri, getting up from his seat. "Finally you are awake!"

"Yes," She sat beside him. "Sorry I slept so long."

"Daijoubu (It's alright). All of us woke up pretty late ourselves. We were plump tuckered out."

"What were we discussing or debating," Toroki continued. "Is whether Amefuri or Kokie won the bet? Remember the bet that they made back at Nas?"

"Please, you guys have to do this on our account." Iria said. "Zan and I are in your debts. If it wasn't for you, Zan and I could never be together."

"Or alive," Zan held her closer. "I'm apologize for what I did, leaving you with Lita." He gave an apologetic look. "I should have help…"

"Don't let me hear that again." Amefuri held his hand up as he drank from his mug. "You and I did what we had to do. There wasn't much of a choice. In fact, there wasn't any. So, don't you dare to repeat that to me. You hear me? So much for sidetracking, Kazuko, may I introduce Tatara, our newest addition to the group. You two didn't met properly and we would like to know more about him including the lovebirds… so, Tatara, please start with your background."

Kazuko was trying to remain composed as Tatara began his story. He was drop dead gorgeous! His skin was so fair and plaited hair so gray. His appearances were outstanding from the rest; probably he came from a well-bred society of Sairou. The features were so perfect in their precision that Kazuko felt that he was literally created through digital images from the computers.

Tatara was born in the capital of Sairou, into a family of scholars who proudly versed themselves in all kinds, particularly the history of ancient Sairou as it was rumoured to be when the Maiden had appeared. A month after his birth, his parents brought him to the Byakko temple with a gift offering. While they were thanking Byakko for blessing them with a son, Tatara started to cry. His parents discovered that his left wrist was shining brightly. Once his sleeve was lifted up, they found his Byakko symbol. Immediately, his granduncle, an astrologer, was informed and he began studying the stars. After weeks of careful analysis, he predicted that a great disaster would fall upon Sairou and that's when the Maiden and her 7 seishis would appear.

When Tatara became 12 years old, Sairou experienced its worst drought. His family, who faithfully served the royal family, tried to store as much water reservoirs but it was impossible to have sufficient water for the entire country. After the 7 years of drought, the Kagemono mysteriously showed up and produced rain. From what he had heard from his granduncle, the Kagemono had slaughtered the royal family, leaving the heir alive forcing him to degree the ban of Byakko worship and its teachings destroyed. The next day, Kagemono soldiers came and took everyone except him to be executed. Tatara tried to fight back but he was no much for their champion, Lita. In the end, he was placed under house arrest and Lita occasionally 'visited' him, mainly to taunt him for his belief in the Maiden.

Yet, Tatara continued to keep his faith and prayed everyday that the Maiden would come soon. Days turned into months and a year passed with its devastating death toll. Nevertheless, hope sprang out like a budding flower. News about the Maiden and her seishis swept everywhere and Lita's visits became lesser and lesser. It was then Tatara decided to attempt his escape. With a stroke of luck, he managed to pull it off. Starting with the tales of the Maiden performing a miracle at the village Shinkou, Tatara followed their tracks."

"And well, here I am today." Tatara folded his hands. "This is the end of my story."

"The way the Kagemono work sometimes really puzzled me," Kokie spoke. "There are a lot of chances that they could use to get rid of us but they didn't. Why?"

"Probably, they were too cocky and underestimate us," said Amefuri. "That's what all bad guys do. It's their ultimate flaw."

"At least we now know what had happened to the royal family and their remaining heir," Toroki said. "But what's their purpose in keeping him alive?"

"Maybe, it's because not all of the 7 seishis are gathered, so, they still think that they still have time on their hands." Zan chipped in. "Anyway, if I am to be one of the Byakko seishis, then why is it that I don't have any Byakko letters any where on me?"

"But you have the ability to teleport," Kokie replied. "And you were affected by those cursed sticks that the Kagemono placed on you."

"However, I had this ability to teleport since I could remember," Zan objected. "Okay, guess it's Iris' and my turn…"

Zan was born during a winter's eve in the village of Joano. As soon as Zan was able to walk, he began to possess the ability to teleport to different places inside his house. The elders and doctors were completely bluffed by the unusual talent, yet they believed that he was destined for something important in the future. One of the elders offered to coach Zan in controlling in a more effective and fruitful manner. Being a strict mentor, the elder forbid Zan to use his teleporting skills unless it was absolutely necessary. One of the reasons given was that the lesser people know about this, the better!

When Zan became 9 years of age, Sairou was hit by a severe drought. At that time, Zan was quite successful in mastering his teleporting skills in terms of speed and agility. The elder preferred teleporting at short distances to long distances as they often made Zan exhausted. When the drought came, Zan often used his skill to teleport himself to the Kita Mountains where he would collect the hard ice and bring back to the Joano village, which would be immediately used as water for the villagers. The Joano villagers had an ample supply of fishes caught from the sea. Thus, the villagers were grateful that they were not badly affected as the nieghbouring villages and towns.

Three years later, a band of foreign travelers came to the Joano village by ship. The Joano villagers were surprised about the unexpected visitors as nobody would come to a country when it was suffering from a severe drought. The men and the elders went to the shore while the women and children stayed behind at the underground basement as method of precaution. Zan could remember that the visitors wore all black cloaks and moved like they were floating. The oldest of the elders came forth and was about to welcome them when one of the black cloaks drew out a sword and sliced him in half. The black cloak fell to the ground, revealing a young girl, not more than 16 years old. She introduced herself as Lita, the champion of Kagemono. Without further do, her black-cloaked warriors attacked, wiping out the entire village, including the women and children.

The massacre came so fast that Zan was unable to react. Suddenly, someone fell on top of him. It was his mentor…

"I could remember his blood flowing all over me, with his last breaths he told me to use my teleporting skills to flee. He said to me that he knew that there would be a day that I would have to left my home village and go somewhere else to find my destiny. His dying wish was that I survive the massacre and avenge them some day…." A tear glistened at the corner of his eye. "So I did. I didn't know where I was when I woke up. My whole body was aching and I was too exhausted to do anything. The surroundings were filled plants, fruit-laden trees and springs. Within a week, I regained my strength and started exploring the place. I realized that I was in some kind of a forest, a magical forest that wasn't affected by the drought. The thought of leaving the forest was unthinkable because it provided me the sanctuary that I needed. Days passed and then one day, I came across a beautiful pond, its surface was like a mirror and there was an old tree leaning on one side. Then," He looked at Iris lovingly. "I saw an angel who changed an 14 year old boy's life forever."

"I was 10 when I first Zan. We both fell in love and had been love since then," Iris smuggled into Zan's arms. "My past is rather short and simple. My family originated from Konan, we moved to Sairou because my father had bought over an inn. We were traveling around the outer rims of the Akkai Forest due to rumors about the place being haunted. As a child, I was eager to explore anything especially when the word 'haunted' is mentioned. I got lost eventually and that was when I met my destined love. We both don't know why we both felt this way. Deep down, we both knew that we were meant for each other."

"But weren't your family affected by the drought?" Ameturi asked, shifting uncomfortably at the lovely-dovely affection by the lovers towards each other. "All of us were."

"The Town of Nas always has sufficient water as everyone even though there was no rain. It has always been that way." Iris' face saddened. "Until I discovered that my father supported the Kagemono. In exchange, they let his business prospered. I wish that he and mother would be still alive after what I did."

"I'm sure that they will be," Zan patted her hand. "When the Kagemono are defeated, we can go back to Nas and asked your parents to accept us. It will take some time but it will work out in the end."

"It seems that…" Tatara spoke. "That the Kagemono had already infiltrated Sairou long before the drought had started, including the neighboring countries, Genbu, Konan and Kotou. It is obvious that they want to conquer all of the 4 lands and combined them as one for their own. The Kagemono frequently thought the Maidens, as folklore but now, it seemed to a setback for them. Or is it what they want us to think that way? The thing is that, like Kokie had said, they had many opportunities to kill us and we are still alive. It has been never their tactic before…"

"You seemed to think a lot for a guy placed under house arrest," Toroki teased. "But that's enough about them. Let's talk about more cheerful. So, Zan and Iris. When are you two going to tie the knot?"

"Actuality, Iris and I wanted to do it here with Kazuko as…" Zan cleared his throat. "Maiden of Byakko. If it's weren't too inconvenient for you, we would like you to wed us."

"WHAT!!!!" Kazuko spit out her drink and coughed profusely. "I'm not qualified!"

"But you are the Maiden and your position does qualify you as a priest," said Iris. "I know that this may too sudden for you but Zan and I were afraid that if we hire a priest, he could be a Kagemono spy. And we would have to flee again and we may not be able to escape like the last time."

"She's right though…" murmured Toroki. "What do you say, Kazuko?"

"It will be an honour…" Kazuko replied weakly.

"Great!" Ameturi cheered. "At last, something to celebrate about! And one more thing…" He turned to Kokie. "You lost the bet."

"I beg your pardon!" Kokie flustered.

"Let me REFRESH your memory," Amefuri grinned broadly. "The bet was that Zan would rescue Iris on the DAY of the wedding. But that didn't happened because Zan and Iris had already planned to elope on the night BEFORE the wedding. So, you lost. And this means that you have to do the cooking for the next 3 days."

"But!" Kokie defended. "They were captured and we have to help Zan to rescue Iris on the day of the wedding. So indirectly, Zan DID rescue Iris on the DAY of the wedding. Thus, I haven't lost the bet."

"You twister! Don't change the words into your advantage. Why don't you admit that you have lost?"

"Because I haven't!"

"Oh yeah, let's let the rest decide who the winner is!"

"Come on, guys, break it off!"

"Nobody lost the bet."

"It's invalid."

"Because when we interfere…"

"That's why the bet is invalid."

"No way! I'm not going to let him get away."

"It's not getting away. I didn't lose."

"Okay, okay, we heard you!"

"Can we change the topic?"

"Yes, like about tonight's wedding…"

"Don't sidetrack, people. We need to decide the winner…"

"Oh, grow up will you?"

"Hey! I'm already a man!"

"Oh really?"

"Dream on!"

"Wait till you become 20 or older."

"WHY YOU!!!!"

"Gosh! We are never going to end, aren't we?"

http://ayakreuz.tripod.com/fictions.htm

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Book 2: Genbu no miko

Book 3: Suzaku no miko

Book 4: Seiryuu no miko

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