The Seven Stars of Sunnydale
Willow ran down the hallways of Sunnydale High, shouting for Giles. She knew that if she could only find him, he could explain to her everything that was happening. "Giles! Giles!" She ran, screaming for him, "Please, where's a watcher when you need one?"
Suddenly, she saw him, standing at the end of the hallway. She reached out and grabbed his hand, "Giles!"
"I'm not your Watcher."
"Of course you aren't, you're Buffy's watcher..."
"I'm not a Watcher."
Willow stepped back from the man in front of her, and he slowly faded away. "I'm not your Watcher." She blinked and saw Oz...no, Tamahome sitting on the edge of her bed. She blushed deep red and spun around so he couldn't see her face. "What are you doing in here!?"
"Fine!" He said, sounding only slightly angry, "Is that any way to treat me when I was just here to see if you were alright."
Willow turned again and looked at him. "Really? I'm sorry, I was just startled." She looked around at the lavish room Hotohori had furnished her.
Tamahome smiled, "The Emperor is worried about you too."
***
Hotohori looked in the mirror, turning his face first one way and then another. He never took his eyes off of his reflection. His advisors looked on, waiting patiently for the Imperial wisdom that he was considering.
"I'm so beautiful, it's scary." He sighed.
His advisor's sweatdropped.*
***
"The Emperor? Really?" Willow smiled. She was glad that she had two familiar faces now, even if they weren't familiar minds behind them. She just wished she knew what was going on.
Suddenly, she felt herself being pulled to Tamahome, as he enveloped her in a hug. "You just looked like you needed a hug." He smiled.
Willow smiled, and tried to keep from crying as she felt the warmth of Tamahome's arms. She missed everyone so much, and Oz was right on the top of the list. She had to keep reminding herself that Tamahome was not her boyfriend.
"I'll even be your watcher, whatever that is. No extra charge." At that, Willow lost it. She started to cry.
Tamahome stayed silent for a few moments more. "You know, if you want to go back to your world, I may know a way."
Willow pulled back and looked at him. He smiled, "Well, if you're granted the power of Suzaku, you could just wish yourself home."
Willow's face brightened. She jumped up from the bed and ran down the corridors towards Hotohori's room. She yelled out his name as she entered the door, not wanting to stop for fear that she'd...
...crash directly into him. Once Willow stood back up, and finished blushing, she smiled at Hotohori. "Xan...I mean, Hotohori, I was wondering what it took to call upon Suzaku."
"I knew you'd ask soon enough," Hotohori smiled and pulled out a scroll written in ancient Chinese.
Willow gasped, "That's...the Universe of the Four Gods!"
"You know it?"
"I know of it...Giles had it." Willow grinned, thinking that perhaps she was finally going to find out what in the world was happening.
"Taitsu-kun, the creator of this world gave this scroll to our first emperor, Taiso. Our sky is divided into four regions, protected by the four gods. There are seven constellations in the Southern region that is protected by Suzaku: Chichiri, Tamahome, Nuriko, Hotohori, Chiriko, Tasuki, and Mitsukake. Willow gasped as Hotohori pulled down the collar of his robe, revealing a bright red glow; "I am Hotohori, the Sea Snake."
She turned to Tamahome, whose forehead was glowing again with the symbol she had seen before. "He is Tamahome, the crab. In order to summon the power of Suzaku, you must first find the other Suzaku Seishi.*
"As Suzaku Seishi, we are your protectors."
Willow smiled. "So all we have to do is find the other five Suzaku Seishi, and I can wish to go home?"
Hotohori nodded, he grinned as if to say "Watch this!" and spread his arms, calling in a loud, imperial voice, "Call all in the kingdom that excel in martial and literary arts!" Willow grinned, "That's just like Xander, flaunting his power..." she thought as advisors and servant scampered to carry out the order.
***
Tamahome, Willow, and Hotohori gathered on a raised platform in the courtyard. Willow scanned the crowd of soldiers that had been assembled, "These aren't the ones that excel in the literary arts, ne?"
Hotohori laughed, "I don't suppose so. Well then, how shall we test them?"
Tamahome jumped up, and pointed his thumb to his chest; "I'll do it! Let me show you how it's done. I hope the other five are beautiful women myself."
While that remark should not have upset Willow, she was still having trouble distinguishing between her boyfriend and her Seishi. "I hope the other five are handsome men!" she shouted after him, but Tamahome didn't hear. He was already in the process of defeating soldier after soldier.
He stopped for a rest after the fifteenth man fell. Hotohori sighed, "I see we are getting absolutely nowhere with this."
Willow smiled, "Well then, we could just ask them, Hey!" she raised her voice, hoping it would carry to the edge of the courtyard, "Who here has a character on their body?"
You could hear birds chirping on the opposite side of Konan through the silence. Tamahome stood and walked towards his Miko.
"The symbol just doesn't appear because you want it to. Some of them might not know they're Seishi."
Willow frowned, and tried to think of a spell that might make the character appear.
***
If one was watching these proceedings, and paying enough attention, they might notice a beautiful purple robe barely visible behind a column in the corner of the courtyard. The face that the robe belonged to spoke quietly, in a melodious voice. "So is that the girl of legend that everyone has been making such a fuss about?"
A servant spoke quietly, "Yes ma'am. Lady Kourin, let's leave. If they catch you here, you'll be in trouble."
Lady Kourin smiled, "She and the emperor are cozy, but she doesn't look like a princess. I doubt she's a bridal candidate at all."
"No ma'am, I suppose not."
"Who is that man with them?" Kourin's eyes narrowed, focusing on the male form next to Willow.
"I believe his name is Tamahome. He is one of the seven Suzaku Seishi."
Kourin smiled, and continued to watch from her hiding place.
***
Willow suddenly remembered, some time ago she had learned a spell to "reveal a person's true character." She had hoped it would help her identify vampires before they attacked, but perhaps it would work here. She slowly began to chant, moving her hands carefully, hoping no one noticed what she was up to. But she forgot that one side effect of the spell was a small electrical charge, which resulted in a light blue glow forming around the finger tips.
"She's a witch!"
Her eyes snapped open, and she saw all of the soldiers staring at her. She jumped as they advanced towards her, and the electricity shot from her fingers to one of Hotohori's advisors. He yelped and ran, cowering behind another advisor.
"Protect the emperor!" A soldier shouted, and suddenly, they all advanced on Willow at once. She saw the angry looks in their eyes, and her fear took over. She ran for a small pavilion in the corner, hoping to make it inside the palace before they could attack her.
"You idiots!" She heard Tamahome shouting, but didn't turn to see what was happening, "How dare you attack an innocent girl!" She heard the sounds of a struggle, and turned in time to see Tamahome fighting all of them at once. He was doing rather well, and quickly defeated them. But before he could take out the last of them, a soldier threw a large axe towards Willow with all of his might.
Willow screamed and closed her eyes, and heard the axe make contact. When she opened them, she saw that it had only one of the pillars supporting the structure she was standing under. Unfortunately, it also caused the pillar to collapse, and the entire pavilion began to fall on top of her.
Hotohori screamed for her to run, she saw Tamahome turn and his eyes grew wide as he realized what was about to happen. Willow looked up again just in time to see the roof begin to give way.
***
Buffy cringed, "What in the world?" She looked at her thigh, where blood began to seep through her jeans. She frowned, and gently pushed the spot where she was bleeding, but found no wound. She went back to her reading, hoping it would explain what was going on.
"The Suzaku no Miko's clothing was stained bright red with her blood, her leg wounded severely..."
***
Willow moaned as she came back to consciousness, "Note to self," she muttered, "Stop using witchcraft."
She opened her eyes, wondering how she was still alive, and her gaze met Tamahome's intense stare. She looked past him, suddenly realizing that as the structure collapse, he had thrown himself under it, hoping to protect her. He was supporting the weight of the roof with his own back, his arms on either side of Willow.
***
"The Suzaku no Miko had survived the collapse of the building, she and Tamahome were still in grave danger..." Buffy gasped. She had long since abandoned the dictionary, and was reading full speed.
***
"Willow!" Hotohori screamed as he rushed to the building, "Quick, start digging them out!" The Imperial advisors shook their heads, "All of the warriors were knocked unconscious, and we can't budge this rubble!"
"Then I'll do it myself!" Hotohori began moving the rubble, stone by stone. His advisors only stood by, muttering things about how unbecoming it was for an emperor to get his hands dirty. Hotohori felt his heart breaking when as he realized how many stones he would have to move, he knew there was no hope of reaching them in time, but he had to try! He wasn't sure why, but the moment he met Willow, he felt like she had been by his side since he was young. He knew that if she had been, she would have helped him through everything, been his closest advisor. He couldn't let someone that trusted perish without trying!
"Your majesty," a sweet voice spoke next to him, "allow me."
He felt himself being pushed aside, and through his tears only saw a glimpse of purple cloth move towards the debris.
***
Willow's eyes widened as she saw Tamahome strain to hold up the rubble. "Tamahome, don't...you'll hurt yourself!"
"Baka. I told you I'd take care of you. Did you think I was lying?"
As his left arm threatened to give in, the symbol of the ogre shined on his forehead, so brightly that it hurt Willow's eyes.
***
Hotohori's jaw dropped as he saw the petite lady walk up to the debris, pick up a piece roughly the size of her body, and toss it behind her as if it were made of paper. Advisors ran from the flying pieces of rock that the woman tossed behind her non-chalantly.
Willow blinked as the sunlight hit the two of them, Tamahome finally collapsing on top of her as the weight was lifted from his back. She looked past his shoulder to see a lady with purple hair and a pale face standing in front of them, holding half of the roof with one hand, "You're still alive? You have the devil's own luck." She tossed the section of roofing behind her and leaned over to help lift Tamahome from the remains of the pavilion.
***
Willow stared as attendants rushed to help bind Tamahome's wounds. They had taken care of her quickly, finding it no problem to wrap her leg. "Tamahome," Hotohori also turned to his fellow Seishi after Willow assured him that she was okay, "Are you alright?"
"No sire, I'm injured."
Willow's resisted the urge to say duh. Hotohori turned to their rescuer; "You are a member of the Imperial harem, are you not?"
The woman nodded, and Hotohori gasped, reaching out for her collar. "SIRE!" she pulled away from him, "What are you doing?"
He stopped, suddenly realizing what he was doing, "Oh, I didn't mean to...it's just, the mark!"
She smiled, "You mean this?" and gently pulled at the collar of her gown, revealing a shining red mark on just beneath her collarbone.
"The Willow!" Hotohori smiled, looking at the newest member of the Suzaku Seishi. Willow smiled, and walked over to the pair.
"Yes sire, I am called Lady Kourin, but my given name is Nuriko."
Willow stretched out her hand, "Wow, it didn't take long to find you! I'm Willow, thanks for saving us!"
Nuriko looked at Willow disdainfully, and turned her head, "The one I was trying to save, is this man here." She walked over to Tamahome and kissed him gently, trying not aggravating his wounded body. Willow only stared at the two of them.
***
Buffy looked down at her jeans leg, where the stain slowly faded. "The Suzaku no Miko washed the blood from her clothing and thought about the day's events..."
***
Willow frowned as she scrubbed her jeans, and began talking to herself to calm down, "I thought this stain would never come out." She sighed and fidgeted on the chair she was seated on. Hotohori had provided her with clothing, but in all honest, she couldn't figure out how to put it on.
"That Nuriko, she really annoys me and I don't know why. But I guess I'll have to get along with her, she's one of the Seishi." Willow pulled her T-shirt over her head, and dunked it into the water, reaching for the robe Hotohori had provided. Just as she thought she had figured out how to wear the long piece of flowing cloth, the door flew open, and Tamahome stopped short as he realized that Willow was less than dressed.
"Tama-HOME! Can't you KNOCK?" Willow shrieked and hurried to cover herself.
"No I can't, I'm running away, you've got to hide me, please!" Tamahome looked around fervently, trying to find a hole to crawl into. Suddenly, a white blur flew through the doorway and Tamahome fell, face first into the ground. Willow stared at Tamahome, who was now bound from shoulder to ankle in white cloth, and she followed the cloth out the door...
...to Nuriko's hands. Nuriko laughed melodiously, "Forgive us Willow, we were just playing a little game and it's Tama-chan's* turn to be tied up!"
Willow's jaw dropped as Nuriko picked Tamahome up with one hand and waltzed out the door, laughing the entire time. She surpressed the scream that welled up inside her and put on her clothes. She had to get along with Nuriko, she had to get home, but dammit, she didn't have to like it.
***
"My maid?" The purple-haired bridal candidate smiled at Willow; "You want to serve me?"
Willow bit her tongue and nodded. She didn't know why she decided this was a good idea, it just occurred to her and she volunteered.
"Very well then, on one condition. When Tama-chan and I want to be alone, you won't interfere."
"Oh, that won't be a problem," Willow couldn't help but let the patronizing phrase slip out. Watching Nuriko and Tamahome sickened her, why would she want to interfere?
"Willow! My hair needs brushing." Nuriko seated herself in front of her vanity, and held out a comb to Willow. "Isn't my hair just beautiful in this light?"
"Oh yes ma'am." Willow tried not to grit her teeth. If she could deal with Principle Snyder, she could deal with a bossy Suzaku Seishi.
"Hey! Stop pulling!"
Maybe.
***
Willow sighed. She was worn out from running errands for Nuriko all day, and decided to take a rest in a lovely gazebo facing the pond as the sun was setting. She concentration on stopping the flow of tears that threatened to fall, it was the last thing she needed. She turned slightly as she heard something that sounded like it was crawling towards her.
Tamahome lay on the ground, still bound in strips of white cloth. "Oh," Willow turned her back on him again, "Shouldn't you be with her highness or whatever?"
Tamahome finally broke loose and stood to stretch, "I got away while she was complaining to the servants about dinner."
"Well, you two make a wonderful couple." Willow closed her eyes, wishing she didn't still feel from Tamahome. He wasn't Oz, but just seeing someone that looked like Oz...with someone else...it was tearing her apart.
"Do you really think that?"
She looked up, still unable to face him.
"I could never be happy in a relationship like that." She heard him turn and start walking away. Without even thinking she stood, and reached out for him, but her wounded leg gave out, and she landed on the ground hard.
Tamahome turned when he heard her fall, and leaned down to help her up, "Baka.* You should be taking better care of your leg." He smiled and walked her over to the railing, and sat her on it. He gently took her leg in his hand and unwrapped it. Willow smiled as he pulled a new bandage from a pocket she hadn't noticed before. He slowly wrapped a fresh bandage around her thigh, taking care not to pull it too tightly. Neither of them saw Nuriko spying on them from behind a nearby tree.
***
Buffy smiled as she read what was happening to Willow, "Well then, Tamahome isn't with that Nuriko woman after all. See Wills, told ya!"
***
Willow smiled down at the blue hair on top of Tamahome's head. She had been tended by no less than three court doctors, but none of them had so gentle a touch. She tried to remind herself that this man was not Oz, that she had a boyfriend already...but it was futile. They were too much alike, and she couldn't help herself.
End of Chapter Three
Seishi: Okay, the word Seishi technically means warrior... In this story, a Seishi is a protector, a guardian. The seven Seishi protect their Miko, and help her to summon Suzaku. The Pioneer people make them "The Suzaku Seven" and "Constellation Warriors" which is a corny way of saying the same thing.
-chan: In Japan, they use honorifics at the end of names. In this case, Nuriko is calling Tamahome by Tama-chan, which is a pet name. As WhiteCat says: "-chan: An affectionate diminutive, usually used for those younger than you, girls, close friends/lovers, and pets. (i.e., Botan-chan, Keiko-chan)"
Baka: Baka means silly, stupid, idiot, dumb...pretty much anything like that depending on what tone of voice is used. Tamahome tends to mean "silliness!" when he says it to Willow.
Coming soon:
Willow is determined to get along with Nuriko, no matter what it takes. But when everyone begins to reveal their emotions, there is nothing heartbreak and pain, and enough to go around. Can Willow survive this?
Chapter Four: Uneven Communications- Not even the Hellmouth was this complicated.
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