AN, read: Thank you minna for reviewing! I'm very happy now! *purring like a kitty* Anyway, as you all might already know, I have already started to plan for Endymion's death, and I just want a show of hands. Do you guys want Naka-kun to kill him, or do you guys want Usagi-chan to kill him? The poll will be on through out the rest of the chapters, until the part when he actually dies. This chapter is dedicated to everyone who reviewed, and especially to Katsutrat, adb, Blue Angel, JLSCORPIO78,
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Sent all of my money on back to school clothes, no more uniform for me! If you sue, all you'll be getting is a kilt and tie.
Chapter 4
"Hey guys! She's waking up!" Miaka's voice could be heard shouting. The Suzaku seishi were currently staying in an inn in Touran. After the incident with Soi, the Suzaku seven learnt from the head of a village that the clues about where the Genbuu Shinzaho was hidden could be found in Touran. Following the old man's instructions, they just arrived in the capital of Hokkan. The mysterious girl who defeated Soi was still unconscious. Leaving the Suzaku seishi with no choice but to bring her along. Tasuki was forced to carrying the girl on his horse because Tamahome was busy with Miaka, and Nuriko already saved the girl's life once.
Soft eyelids fluttered, sending long lashes brushing against pale cheeks. The eyes opened to revel clear pools of deep blue. When they became focused again, the girl gasped as she realized that seven people were staring straight down at her, and six out of the seven were male. Instinctively, she pulled the cover up to her chin.
"No, no. It's okay we're not going to hurt you. We just want to thank you for helping us the other day, no da." one of the men said. Usagi lifted a slim eyebrow, judging by their clothing, she seemed to be in ancient China.
"Are you from another world too? Are you from my world? Tokyo?" this time it was Miaka who spoke. Blue eyes turned to the miko; confused as she saw the brown fuku the brunette wore.
"Hai. Where am I?" Usagi asked in a hoarse voice.
"Wait a minute, I'll go get you some water first," a purple haired guy said. If he hadn't opened his mouth, Usagi would've thought that he was a woman.
"We are in the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho universe. Say, are you one of the sailor senshi?" Miaka asked, then she thought of something else. "How did you come into this world? Since you're here, can you help us find the Genbuu Shinzaho?"
Usagi blinked, where had she heard Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho before? Then it hit her. It's a story about how I met your ojii-san. When I was young, I read a book called the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. This book is a magic book, and the girl who opens the book would be taken to another world… Suzuno's voice repeated in Usagi's head. Kami-sama! Could obaa-san's story be true? I'm also in the book that she got sucked into when she was young. Wait, that means that Naka-kun is part of the book too. I have to find him before Chaos does!
"Uh Miaka," Tamahome poked his girlfriend, "I thing that you should let her rest for a few minutes. She looks like that she just gone into shock." Tamahome looked at the dazed blonde.
"Atashi wa Yuuki Miaka. And these are Tamahome, Nuriko, Tasuki, Chichiri, Mitsukake, and Chiriko," Miaka introduced, snapping Usagi out of her thoughts as she pointed out the seishi one by one.
"Atashi wa Tsukino Usagi. By the way, arigato for saving me," Usagi bowed to the group.
"Anyway, here's some water. If you want, you can join us, we were about to have lunch," the purple haired man call Nuriko invited.
The reaction was immediate. A loud gurgling sound came from Usagi's stomach as she jumped form bed, and practically dragged Nuriko down to the restaurant below.
"Oh great, now we have another Miaka to feed," Tasuki groaned. Just when he finished his words, he suddenly found himself being punched by Miaka.
"What's that suppose to mean?!" A huge face appeared in front of Tauski ominously.
"Nothing, nothing!"
Everyone sweat dropped, someday Tasuki was going to get into big trouble with that mouth of his, they thought as they went down to the restaurant.
"We should split up and search for the clues for the Shinzaho. Since Chiriko is just a kid, I'll team up with him. Tasuki is such a hot head, the even tempered Mistukake should go with him, no da," Chichiri said as he studied over a map of Touran.
"What's that suppose to mean?" the mountain bandit asked dryly as he finished his sake.
"Naturally I should go with Miaka," Tamahome said as he smiled at his love.
"What about Nuriko and Usagi?"
"I prefer to go with Miaka and Tamahome. As steward of his highness Hotohori, I have to protect you in his place," Nuriko said a little sad, "and I'm sure that Usagi can come with us, she did prove herself to be a very good warrior."
"Yeah, except it could get a little complicated," Tasuki said with a little smirk.
The others were about to ask what he meant when a drunken man walked up to Nuriko and Usagi. He put a hand on Nuriko's shoulder and with the other hand he grabbed the blonde girl's chin, "Hey there baby, oh yeah, you're a pretty one. How about you share a drink with me?"
"Sorry buddy, but we're not that kind of girls," Nuriko said as he let his fist kiss the man's face, efficiently sending him against the wall.
"Hey baby, maybe it's not such a good idea for you two to pair up with Miaka," Tasuki said with a sneer.
"I agree, three pretty girls will attract a lot of attention. Especially in a dump like this," Tamahome looked around the room full of leering men.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it, the problem is that I look like a girl," Nuriko reached inside of his bag. To everyone's shock, he pulled out a knife and proceeded to cut off his long braid.
"Nuriko! "Everyone at the table gasped.
"It's okay, I can't look for the Shinzaho with this mane of hair always getting in my way," the former cross dresser said quietly.
"It's decided then, we'll split up and start looking tomorrow no da!" Chichiri tried to change the subject before things could become more uncomfortable. " We should get some rest now, it's going to be a long day tomorrow no da."
Unknown to them, Yui and Suboshi was also on their way to Touran while another Seiryuu seishi had already arrived. "Suzaku no miko. I can smell her tender flesh." An animal growled out from the cliff over looking the city.
*The next day*
"Hey guys look at this!" Tamahome cried out as he stared at the tall monument. "I think that this is what we have been looking for."
The other three members of their quartet were lagging behind. The two girls were talking about girl stuff back in their world, things like the latest fashion, the hottest male idols, and the upcoming high school examinations. Nuriko walked behind the two chattering girls, a look of boredom on his face.
"What does it mean Tamahome? These looks like worm tracks to me," Nuriko said, as he stared at the large rock.
"Excuse me, but could you please tell us the message on this rock?" the boy with the oni symbol asked an old woman.
"Oh that, that is an ancient language that we don't use anymore," the passer by said.
"I can tell you what it means if you follow me," a male voice cut in. Everyone turned to see a man with a smirk on his face. "My father is a learned scholar who understands the ancient text. If you want to find out what it means, then follow me."
"Alright I'll go with you. Nuriko stay here and protect Miaka and Usagi," Tamahome said as he followed the stranger.
"He shouldn't have gone with the guy. I hope for his sake that nothing happens," the old lady commented before walking away.
The two girls and one guy looked at each other, trying to understand her meaning.
"So Miaka, how did you get into this world?" Usagi asked the other girl as they sat down my the monument. Nuriko was standing out of hearing range, waiting for Tamahome to return.
"Well, my best friend Yui and I found this book, called the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. When we opened the first page, we found ourselves being pulled into this world. Somehow, Yui was taken back to Tokyo, and I met Tamahome who helped me. Then I found out about the legend about Suzaku, and I promised Hotohori to summon Suzaku," Miaka quickly said. Leaving out the main parts.
Sensing that there were still many missing parts to her story, Usagi was about to question further when Miaka suddenly walked towards Nuriko.
An animal growl was heard from above them. "Suzaku no miko, I have finally found you, now I will feast on you fresh blood and tender meat," a rough voice snarl out. Without waiting any longer, the speaker who appeared to be a wolf man leaped off the roof he was standing on. Miaka froze, the fear locking up all her muscles, making it impossible to escape the sharp claws of her attacker. She closed her eyes, waiting for the paw like hand to rip through her throat when she felt herself being pushed aside. Looking up at the person who saved her life, she gasped when she saw a pair of pain filled blue eyes. Blood leaked from the deep scratch wounds on Usagi's back on to the snow.
A deep chuckle was heard from the wolf man as the beast lifted its paws to taste the blood on them. It smiled at the horrified look on the Suzaku no miko's face. "This time, I'll not miss my prey." The beast man said as he prepared to slash out at Miaka again. A scream erupted from her lungs as she watched the beast man getting closer. Above her, Usagi was desperately trying to move their bodies from the incoming danger, but the pain from her back prevented her from doing anything. The two girls prepared their death, as Ashitare came closer. It was a miracle, but the girls suddenly felt something wrapping around their waists. With a rough pull from the owner of the ropes, the two girls unexpectedly found themselves dragged far away from charging beast-man. They watched as the rope mysteriously loosened and disappeared. Not a trace was left of their rescuer.
"Miaka, Usagi are you guys alright?" Nuriko cried as he ran towards them, quickly followed by the attacker.
"I'm okay, buy Usagi is hurt. What are we going to do Nuriko?" Miaka cried as she held on to Nuriko.
A fireball flew past them and headed for the wolf man. A howl of rage was heard. Ashitare covered his eye, where the fire had burnt him, before he fled away.
Tracing back the fireball, they saw Usagi swaying on her feet. Hands pressed together, and index fingers pointing towards to where the beast once stood. "So, fire is his weakness," were the only words that left her mouth before she fainted.
*At an inn*
Usagi slowly woke up, conscious only of the searing pain on her back. "Miaka! She woke up," Nuriko said as he gently brushed the bangs out of the blond girl's eyes.
"You know Usagi, I don't know how to thank you for saving our lives for so many times," the purple head said.
"You don't need to thank me, after all, if it weren't for you guys, I would be fish food by now," the sleepy girl murmured.
"Do you think that you are well enough to get up to eat with us?"
At the mention of food, all of her current pain was forgotten. Usagi nodded enthusiastically and allowed Nuriko to carry her down to the restaurant where Miaka and Tamahome were. The two were silently staring down at their tea cups, a tense atmosphere lingered.
"Hey you guys? Did you leave any food for me?" the blond asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Tamahome looked up at her gratefully. "Of course not, we were all waiting for you."
"So Tamahome, did you find out what the words on the monument meant?" Nuriko asked.
"Yeah I did. According to the inscription, the Genbuu Shinzaho is hidden in a cave on Mt. Koku ( I think that's what the mountain is called ), which isn't that far from here. We can go tomorrow to retrieve the Shinzaho."
All the talking stopped when the food arrived. The two guys looked in amazement as the two teenage girls inhaled all the food within five minutes. "If Hotohori wasn't an emperor, I doubt that we could afford the food bills for even one day," a dazed Nuriko said.
"Well I'm done. I'm going to go back to sleep. Good night everybody," Usagi announced as she went out of the room Miaka also excused herself.
*At the Seiryuu Camp*
A howl of pain could be heard in the dark night.
"How dare you come crawling back when you failed such a simple mission?" the cold smooth voice of Nakago said as he cracked the whip in his hand.
Ashitare growled and struggled against the chains that held him. His eyes held fear at his master, who's actions promised punishment for his failure. Part of his face was badly burnt, and the slashes decorating his body only served to remind him of his failure to kill the girl.
Suboshi looked on in the corner. It was his fault that Ashitare was punished. He was the one who failed to protect the blond girl when Ashitare attacked. That was the real reason of Ashitare's punishment. Somehow, Nakago found out about the failure, and the blonde getting in the way of the attack. The boy winced, wondering what's going to happen to him once the Shogun was done with the beast man.
Nakago still played around with the whip in his hand. His anger threatened to consume him again. He had felt the searing pain *she* felt when the claws raked her back. The tightening of his heart and the scream of pain inside of his soul all told him that it was indeed her who was hurt. He had forgotten about everything when he felt the darkness enveloping his soul. For one second, he thought that he lost her again. He had lashed out at everyone that crossed his path. Even Yui, the key to his immortality.
"Nakago, please stop. Ashitare is already suffering from his burns. If this continues, it'll kill him," Soi's voice cut through his anger.
"Ashitare, I will give you another chance. Retrieve the Genbuu Shinzaho for me. I want to see it in front of me by tomorrow," Nakago ordered before he went back to his own tent.
*The next day*
The group of four got up bright and early the early in morning.
"We should split up. I met Yui yesterday, she will probably try to get the Shinzaho before us. So it's best if I go alone and you three go and find the others," Tamahome said as he got on to his horse, a firm hand stopped him from galloping away.
"Baka! Did you forget what we talked about?" Nuriko hissed into Tamahome's ear. Last night, after the girls retired, the two seishi had a man to man talk about Miaka. Nuriko gave Tamahome quite a few brotherly advices on how to keep her heart.
"Tamahome, why don't you take Miaka and Usagi, and I'll go and get the Shinzaho?" Nuriko left before anyone could reject.
*On top of Mt. Koku*
"They certainly picked the right guy to do the job," Nuriko said as he looked at the gigantic rock that blocked the door way to the cave, where the Shinzaho was supposed to be hidden. The mountain was covered by a thick layer of dazzling white. It was even colder on the top then in the city. Struggling through the wet snow certainly took a lot of work, and the rock was not going to move by itself. With no other choice left, Nuriko rolled up his sleeves and moved to lift the obstacle.
A deep growl interrupted him. Nuriko had a bad feeling about it. Slowly turning around, the sight of Ashitare greeted him, half of the beast's face was marred by a large scar. "Thank you Suzaku seishi, you lead me right to the Shinzaho. Now I'll enjoy killing you before destroying the rest of the Suzaku seishi and savoring the tender flesh of the Suzaku no miko."
"I'll never let you hurt any of them! I'm taking you down," Nuriko cried as he got into a fighting stance. The bracelets Taitsukun gave him grew into gauntlets.
Back with Tamahome, Miaka, and Usagi, the three were trying to find the rest of the Suzaku seishi when suddenly Usagi froze on her horse.
"Minna, just go ahead. I'll catch up later," Usagi said over her should as she rode away.
"What was that about?" Miaka asked.
"Who knows, but she should be okay. Let's find the others before it's too late," Tamahome answered before he urged the horse to go faster.
Usagi stopped her horse once Tamahome and Miaka were out of sight. She just had an image of Nuriko dying at the hands of the beast that they fought yesterday. It seemed like Pluto and Mars gave her the power of premonition, to see into the future. Hoping that she was not to late, Usagi turned into an ally, and transformed. Once in her Cosmos form, the silver haired goddess disappeared in a flash of light, concentrating on Nuriko's ki.
*Mt. Koku*
Nuriko grunted as his back hit the mountain again. For such a large and ungainly beast, Ashitare certainly moved fast, and the Suzaku seishi quickly found himself loosing strength at the continuous impacts with the mountain. Finally seeing an opening when Ashitare ripped his shirt open, Nuriko jumped over the beast's head, trapping his head with the tattered shirt, blinding the beast man. With a triumphant look on his face, Nuriko prepared to land, when he caught the sight of Ashitare's red furious eyes. The purple haired man made no noises as the razor sharp claws dug into his stomach.
"Mars Flame Sniper!"
A arrow made out of pure fire flew towards Ashitare. The beast was unable to move because his claws were still embedded inside Nuriko's body. With a soul shattering cry, the beast was consumed in the holy flames.
"Nuriko! Daijoubu ka?" Cosmos screamed out as she ran up to the fallen warrior.
"Usa…Usagi?" Nuriko moaned out, is it time to go already? Surely that's why the tenshi came, to take him to Kourin.
"Nuriko hang on a little longer," Cosmos cried desperately as she tried to free Nuriko from the claws embedded in him. Even though she hadn't known Nuriko for so long, he was kind and befriended her in this new world. She had already been through so many losses and deaths that she would do everything in her power to prevent another person she cared for to die.
"Here, bite into this," the silver haired girl ripped off a piece of her white cloak and put the cloth inside of Nuriko's mouth. Closing her eyes and offering a silent prayer to whatever god was in this universe, Cosmos used all of her strength and pulled Nuriko's body forward. Blood poured out from the open wounds, soaking Nuriko's clothes and dyeing the snow on the ground. "Moon Healing Escalation" Cosmos whispered as she called upon the power of the Ginzuishou to heal Nuriko.
A gentle golden light washed over Nuriko. Is this heaven? Kourin? When he opened his eyes again, it wasn't his sister he saw. Swaying above him, a beautiful diamond in the shape of a flower between her palms was Cosmos. Reaching up a hand, Nuriko found to his surprise that he wasn't in pain anymore. Somehow the wound on his stomach was healed. His eyes widened as the he saw how pale her face was. (AN: I just couldn't bring myself to kill Nuriko-chan)
"Usagi, Daijoubu ka?" a gentle hand touched Cosmos' cheek, bring her out of her trance.
"Daijoubu," the goddess answered before getting up shakily on her feet.
"Nuriko! Where are you?" a voice cried out at the bottom of the mountain as Miaka and the rest of the Suzaku seishi made their way to the fallen couple.
"What happened here? Are you two hurt? Whose blood is that on the ground?" Chichiri asked.
"Don't worry, we're both okay," Nuriko assured the rest of the group while he put a hand to study Cosmos. "When I got here, I was attacked by the same beast man that attacked us yesterday, but Usagi showed up just in time to help me. Come on, I found the entrance to the cave where the Shinzaho is hidden."
The group made their way to the rock that covered the opening to the cave. Handing the swaying Cosmos to Tasuki, Nuriko made his way to the obstacle. He easily lifted the stone and disposed it ten meters away. It seemed like after Cosmos healed him, he had even more strength than before.
"Wow," the group of eight all gasped as they stepped inside. The door of the cave slammed shut, making everyone jump. "It's even colder in here than outside." Everyone was shivering except for Cosmos who was only clad in her thin white fuku.
"Usagi, aren't you cold wearing only that?" a concerned Nuriko asked the girl. It seemed that with the powers of Mercury, she didn't feel the cold anymore.
Inside of the cave resembled a palace covered in ice. "Guys look!" Miaka screamed, and pointed out in front of them. The ice covered floor was littered with human skeletons.
"It's so dark in here. Tasuki can't you use your fan to make some light?" Tamahome whined out.
The boy with the oni symbol suddenly fell forward when a certain fanged boy punched him. "What do you think I am, using my fan to create a light?!"
"Guys stop your bickering," an annoyed Nuriko separated the two boys, carrying one in each hand, like a pair of kittens. "We have to find the Genbuu Shinzaho."
Right after the words left his mouth, green specks lit up the darkness. "Guys look out!" Chichiri warned just when the green specks turned into arrows that perced the ground where Nuriko, Tamahome, and Tasuki stood.
"You who seek the Shinzaho will receive no end of misfortune," a deep voice boomed out as two male figures bathed in green light appeared.
"Who are they?" a confused Tasuki asked
"We shall never surrender the Shinzaho," the same voice said as the light hit the two strangers.
"Who are you?" Usagi cried out, even though she already had an inkling as to who they were. If Suzuno's story was true, then they could be the Genbuu no seishi who protected her great-grandmother Takiko two hundred years ago!
"The girl shows some spirit. His name is Hikitsu, and I'm Tomite. We are the guardians of the Genbuu no miko's Shinzaho," Tomite introduced
"What do you mean…" Chichiri trailed off
"We are of the Genbuu seven," Tomite smirked as he sent more ice arrows towards stunned Cosmos and Suzaku seishi. Tamahome hastily gathered Miaka into his arms, while Tasuki and Nuriko pulled Cosmos out of the way.
"That's impossible! The Genbuu no seishi died two hundred years ago!" Tasuki yelled in disbelief.
Instead of answering however, Hikitsu closed his eyes, and raised his hands. "That's great, then you'll understand too. We are also warriors of …" Miaka didn't get to finish as ice serpents attacked her, the sharp icy fangs digging into her arms.
"We'll show no mercy to thieves. The cold will crawl inside of your mind, and sleep will come. Your body will become of ice and the slightest touch will send it to shatters."
"No Miaka!" Tamahome ran forward.
"Rekka Shien!" The flames managed to free Miaka from the ice serpents, and also managed to BBQ Tamahome. "Watch where you swing that thing will you!" the blackened Tamahome yelled out.
"Fire always beats out ice," the happy fanged boy cried out.
"Do you think that you could defeat us?" sneered Tomite.
"Stop it! The Suzaku seven will not be so easily intermediated. Tasuki you take the one on the left," Tamahome charged at Tomite, the oni symbol shinning. Tasuki prepared to shoot his fire again.
The two Genbuu no seishi chuckled. With a wave of his hand, Tamahome was trapped inside a green energy ring, while the ice serpents Hikitsu sent shattered the flames from Tasuki.
"Guys, if fire doesn't do the trick, why don't we fight ice with ice?" Cosmos observed.
"Well that's easy for you to saw. We of the Suzaku come from the south. None of us possesses the power of ice," Nuriko answered.
"You forgot about something. I'm not one of the Suzaku seven, am I?" a smug goddess quietly said. Before the others could ask what she meant, a blue aura surrounded the silver haired girl. The sign of Mercury appeared in the centre of the eight-pointed star on Cosmos' forehead.
"Shin Aqua Illusion!" The attack from Cosmos froze the green energy ring around Tamahome, allowing the Suzaku no seishi to breakout off the ice ring.
"Who are you girl? Only the Genbuu no seishi are able to control the powers of ice," Tomite stopped his attack to look at Cosmos in shock.
"Wait, please listen to us," Miaka took the moment of peace to talk. "Seishi, I beg of you please let us pass. We need to get to the Shinzaho. I'll do anything to get it. If we don't get the Shinzaho, Konan and the rest of this universe will be destroyed. I beg of you."
Looking at each other, a silent agreement passed between the two Genbuu seishi as they looked at the kneeling Miaka. "Very well then, if you guys can prove that you are worthy of the Shinzaho, then you may be allowed to pass."
A determined look crossed everyone's face. "We agree." Miaka answered for the group.
"Now then, you girl, come over here," Hikitsu looked in Cosmos' direction.
"Wait you can't test her. She doesn't serve Suzaku!" Miaka cried.
"Be quiet girl. You said that you will do everything to obtain the Shinzaho, will you let this little obstacle to stand in your path?" Tomite sneered.
Miaka looked down. She had indeed agreed to these conditions. And if it was the only way to get the Shinzaho, then she was ready to make the sacrifice. The miko sent a pleading look at Cosmos.
"Miaka! You can't do this to her. You don't even know what they planned to do to her. She's not even involved in this!" an enraged Nuriko cried, protective forces surfacing in full force.
"But Nuriko, this is our only way to get the Shinzaho!"
The purple headed was about to reason again when a soft hand touched his own. "Nuriko-kun, it's okay." Cosmos assured him before walking towards the two Genbuu seishi.
"Now, I take off all of your clothes," Tomite ordered.
"What??????????????????????" The Suzaku seven and Miaka's jaw dropped. "You guys are just a bunch of see through hentais!" Tasuki screamed out, rage written all over his face.
"Do you want the Shinzaho or not?"
"Tasuki it's okay, I agreed to do it," Cosmos replied as she de-transformed into Usagi, before taking off her blue fuku. Standing in her bra and panties before the whole male audience, "I'm sorry, but this is as far as I can go,"
Tomite nodded before closing his eyes. Soon the sound of ice forming could be heard. A gasp from Usagi brought everyone's attention. The practically naked girl was being covered up in ice.
"Look minna, he's turning Usagi into ice! You have to stop or else she's going to die!" a frantic Nuriko screamed out. He ran towards the frozen girl, but just bounced back when he hit an invisible ice wall.
"Baka, you didn't even notice when we formed a wall of ice around you.
"If she's worthy of the Shinzaho, then she'll be able to find a way to break out of the ice," Tomite sneered as he increased the speed the ice was forming.
I can't breath. This is like the time that Beryl trapped me in the ice tower. It's so cold, it's pricking my skin. I can't breath Usagi thought to herself as the ice covered the top of her head.
"Can't you see that you're killing her?" Nuriko screamed out as he ran towards the frozen bunny, despite the ice wall separating them.
"She was just a simple girl after all," Hikitsu said as he watched the unmoving figure encased in the ice prison.
You're a born priestess, with both of the priestesses of Byakko and Genbuu as your grandmother, and great-grandmother. The voice of Suzuno sounded again in her mind.
A green symbol glowed on Usagi's forehead that could be seen even through the thick layer of ice that covered her. The sound of ice creaking echoed in the dark cave.
"Masaka! This can't be happening!" Tomite breathed out as he recognized the symbol. It was same one that appeared on the Genbuu no miko's forehead when she summoned Genbuu.
Time stood still as the ice prison shattered to millions of pieces by the green power emitted by the frozen girl. For a moment the green light wrapped the girl in a warm embrace before fading away, leaving a trembling Usagi on the ground.
"Did you see it Tomite? Hikitsu asked.
"Yes, I saw. For a moment, the power of Genbuu embraced her," Tomite replied.
With a snap of his fingers, the wall of ice Hikitsu formed was shattered.
"Usagi!!" Nuriko cried as he ran up to the shivering blond, taking off his own jacket to wrapped around the half naked girl.
The two Genbuu seishi stood in shock. Why did this girl have the power of Genbuu? The only other person who had this power was Takiko, who left for her own world two hundred years ago. "Who are you? Why do you have the power only granted to our priestess?"
Usagi gave a little smile. " Do you know Oukuda Takiko?"
"Of course, she was our miko, who went back to her own world two hundred years ago after she summoned Genbuu," Hikitsu answered.
"Well, she is also my great-grandmother," Usagi said, finally revealing the truth.
The two Genbuu seishi froze before dropping to their knees. "We are very sorry, please except our deepest apologies," The two seishi looked up at Usagi. Their eyes reflecting their sincerity. "Now I can see it, you do resemble her," Tomite said quietly to himself.
"You…you mean…that Usagi is related to the Genbuu no miko?" Miaka asked, "Does this mean that we'll get the Genbuu Shinzaho now?"
"Yes, if you will follow us please," Hikitsu said as he led the group down the hall. The rest of the Suzaku seishi and Usagi quietly followed the Genbuu seishi as they came to a set of closed doors. "The rest of you will have to rest outside, only Usagi-sama can come with us. This room is protected by Genbuu, and only the people with his powers can enter." Tomite explained as the frozen door opened for the first time for two hundred years.
Usagi followed the two Genbuu seishi quietly, relishing the feeling of the coolness around her. This was the place where her great grandmother summoned Genbuu. A spark of light caught her eyes. On a raised pedestal, a stunning golden necklace rested on a pillow. "Is it…is it the necklace that great grandmother wore?"
Hikitsu hid a smile. In all of the two hundred years, all of the treasure hunters who sought out the Shinzaho was only for its power. It was the first time that someone truly saw its inner beauty and meaning. The necklace was the last reminder of their beloved miko. "Yes, it was hers. This necklace was given to Takiko when she summoned Genbuu, and it contains her powers to summon the beast gods. I'm sure that she'll be happy to see that it has passed on to you Usagi."
"Can you tell me a little about great grandmother Hikitsu-san, Tomite-san?"
Tomite smiled. "She was like you. You have the same stubborn will and brave spirit as her. When she first came to this world all she wanted to do was go back home. But after she learnt about Genbuu, and the attacks Kutou made on Hokkan, she decided to stay and summon the god to protect this country. She was greatly loved by her seishi and the rest of the country."
Usagi smiled as she pictured Takiko as the Genbuu no miko. "I've never met her before, she passed on before I was born. But from what my grandmother Suzuno told me about her, I could tell that she was a very kind person."
"Here Usagi, the Shinzaho belongs to you now. But it's up to you if you want to give the Shinzaho to the Suzaku miko. If you decides to, you have to tell the miko that in order to summon Suzaku, she will also have to find the Byakko shinzaho," Hikitsu said as he handed her the necklace.
"These may also help you in this world. These were the clothes that Takiko wore when she was here, and also her miko robes that she wore when she summoned Genbuu. They also hold some of the god's power," Tomite handed Usagi the bundle, before the group walked out of the glittering room to meet the Suzaku seishi.
"Arigato for all of your help Hikitsu-san and Tomite-san," Usagi bowed deeply to show her gratitude. "What will happen to you now that you don't have to protect the Shinzaho anymore?"
"We will go to heaven," Hikitsu answered with a wistful look on his face. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, two hundred years. We will finally see the others," Tomite softly answered before two columns of light took the two seishi away.
"Good bye! Tell great grandmother that I love her," Usagi whispered to the two disappearing figures.
"So guys, here is the Genbuu shinzaho. Please take care of it. Hikitsu-san also said that if you want to summon Suzaku, you will also have to find the Byakko shinzaho," Usagi handed the shinzaho to Miaka as they walked out of the cave.
"What are we waiting for then? Lets go to Sairou!" Miaka cried. The sooner she completed her duty as miko, the sooner she would be able to marry Tamahome. Before her words were even out of her mouth, the Genbuu Shinzaho was snatched from her hand.
"What…" Standing in front of them, a wolf glared at them with the Shinzaho hanging in its mouth.
"Wait a minute, isn't that…" Usagi cried as she recognized the burns that covered the wolf's back as the wolf turned around to run back to its master.
"No stop, I have to get the Shinzaho!" Miaka ran after the wolf, desperate to get the Shinzaho back.
"Miaka!" both Tamahome and Usagi screamed as they chased after the miko.
This won't work, she's too far ahead Usagi thought to herself before an idea hit. She stopped running and stood still. After a minute of concentration, she was able to pinpoint Miaka's life force and teleported herself in front of the miko who fell from tripping on a rock.
"Miaka?" Usagi asked softly as she heard the other girl sob. "Are you alright?"
"No, now I'll never be able to be with Tamahome,"
Usagi's eyes softened. That was why Miaka wanted the Shinzaho so badly. To be with Tamahome. She sympathized with the girl. After all, she would also do everything in her power to be with the man she loved.
"Miaka, pull yourself together!" a rude voice interrupted the girl's crying.
"Ah! Taitsukun don't scare me like that!" Miaka panted as she recovered from shock at seeing the old and wrinkled face.
"Jeez Miaka, I only came to check on how you are doing. Do you have the Shinzaho yet?"
"I did,…but, it was stolen," Miaka answered. "Can you help us Taitsukun?"
"I'll see what I can do," the old hag replied before closing her eyes. "Yes, I found it, it is currently in the hands of the wolf Ashitare, who is also a Seiryuu seishi. He is bring it to Nakago."
Neither of the two noticed when Usagi's frozen form and gasp when she heard Nakago's name.
"You can still get it back you know. There is still a way, but I don't know if you will be will to make the sacrifice to get the Shinzaho back," Taitsukun said to Miaka.
"Tell me what it is. I'll do everything to get the Shinzaho back!"
"The Shinzaho is being protected by Nakago's life force. His life force is incredibly strong. But there is a way to weaken his life force. By having sexual intercourse, a person can control their partner's life force. If you really want to get the Shinzaho back, all you have to do is have sex with Nakago and lower his life force around the Shinzaho," Taitsukun explained.
"I have to get the Shinzaho back, but if I do, I won't be able to marry Tamahome…" Miaka debated with herself.
"Miaka?" a voice broke into her thoughts. The brunette looked over to the blonde.
"I'll take your place," Usagi said with a smile. This was the chance that she had been waiting for. She finally found out where Naka-kun is. After one thousand years, they would be reunited at last, and she'll be damned if she let another girl touch her man.
"Are you sure? Nakago is very dangerous," Miaka asked with hope in her voice.
"I'm sure, I can protect myself. Go back to Tamahome now, he was very worried about you," Usagi said and gave a little wave as she walked towards the direction of the Seiryuu camp. Naka-kun, I'll finally be able to see you again. It's been so long.
After the two girls left, neither noticed that the Taitsukun who was talking to them, changed into a small shell on the ground.
Running as if the hounds of the devil were after her, Usagi had only one thought on her mind, to find Nakago. She didn't even feel the sudden darkness that surrounded her. A familiar voice froze the running girl in her tracks. "Long time no see Usako my love, how have you been?"
Usagi shivered at the voice. She didn't need to turn around to know who the speaker was. "What do you want Mamoru?"
"Oh, my, my, what an attitude. But I think that you know what I want," the dark prince walked up to the unmoving girl and dipped his head down for a kiss.
"Don't touch me," Usagi said coldly as she slapped the hand away. "And no, I don't know what you want."
"Don't be shy. You know that I have always wanted you. After I take over this world, I'll gain enough powers to control the universe. Then my beauty, I'll become the ruler the universe. If you join me, you'll have unlimited power," Mamoru said dramatically and waved his arm over the land to add to the effect.
"Why would I join you? You are offering something that I already have. I'll never surrender the power of the universe to a traitor like you!" Usagi sneered.
"You don't know what you are turning down Usako. If you won't join me, then be prepared to die along with the rest of my enemies. This will be a warning. Next time, you won't find me so lenient," Mamoru said harshly as he disappeared, leaving a black rose where he once stood.
Usagi sighed softly as she relaxed her stiff form. Mamoru was still alive and was still a part of Chaos, but why did he want her to join him when he tried so hard to kill her the last time? Some many questions, but where was she going to start to look for the answers. Right now, her main concern was to find Nakago. A sudden ki blast slashed across her back. The force of the impact sent Usagi falling on her hands and knees on the ice covered ground. Panting, she painful sat up and looked at her attacker. "Jadeite! How can you be alive? You died when we destroyed Beryl!"
"Hello to you too Ms. Moon. As to your question, I was never killed by Beryl. Instead she trapped me inside a crystal for eternity because of my failure to kill you. Prince Endymion broke the seal after your last battle. Now you will pay for all those years that I suffered!" Jadeite cried a look of madness in his eyes as he prepared to fire another blast at the wounded girl.
Usagi stared in shock at the large ki blast zooming towards her, she couldn't dodge it because of the earlier fire ball that burnt her back added to the slashes that she received from Ashitare. It wouldn't kill her because of her immortality, but it would still hurt her. Her only thoughts before closing her eyes and crossing her arms in front of her body was to pray that she would still able to find her way to Nakago. Seconds passed and nothing happened. Usagi cautiously cracked open one of her eyes. Surrounding her was an intense blue light, emitted from the necklace Naka-kun gave her, the image of a dragon curled up around her body.
"NO! It can't be!" Jadeite screamed as he threw another blast towards the fallen girl, only to have it bounce off the blue light. The ball of blue light grew larger, and slowly made its way towards the former general. Before he even had time to scream again, Jadeite was swallowed up by the blue light.
Usagi stared at the place where Jadeite stood before slowly getting up. She swayed dangerously on her feet as blood poured down freely from her back. I have to go on, she thought as she struggle towards the solitary tent down the hill. Each step took all the effort and determination in her body.
The bleeding girl tripped on the uneven ground as she finally reached her destination. Blinking back the fogginess in her eyes, she made her way weakly into the soothing darkness.
"Who are you demon? How dare you steal her body?" a cold deadly voice hissed from behind Usagi, as the girl felt the sharp end of a sword pressed against her neck.
Usagi silently gasped. The voice, it sounds so cold, yet strangely familiar. A voice that she haven't heard for more than a thousand years. Carefully the blonde girl turned around, keeping her eyes locked on the Shogun's own ocean blue ones, ignoring the slow sluggish flow of her blood as it soaked through her fuku. "Naka-kun," the whispered endearment was so soft that he wouldn't have heard it if it wasn't whispered in his heart at the same time. That was all Usagi had the strength to say as she finally let her wariness catch up with her. With a content smile, she sank into the darkness that beckoned to her as her body fell forward towards the cold floor.
A pair of strong arms caught her limp body before it could touch the floor. The sound of the fallen sword echoed throughout the empty tent. Naka-kun There was only one person who ever called him that name besides his okaa-san. Usa-chan he whispered gently in his mind. His hand lifted up her chin and revealed the necklace beneath her uniform. It was the same necklace that he had given her so many years ago as a pledge of his love. The same hand moved lower until it came to her left wrist. There his thumb carefully pushed up her sleeve and rubbed at the small white scar that marred her smooth flesh. Nakago unconsciously touched the identical scar on his left wrist with his other hand. That was when he noticed the blood that stained his hand from holding her.
Muttering a string of curses, he carefully slipped his arms behind her back and legs, brought her close to his chest before quickly making his way to his bed. Gomen nasai for doubting you Usa-chan Nakago thought as he placed his precious burden on the bed so that her back was facing up. Closing his eyes, he ripped the fuku, revealing the numerous slashes and burns on his itooshi's smooth back. Each cut made its way to his heart, leaving the same pain all over again, the same pain he always felt when she was hurt. Clutching his jaws tightly, he immediately proceeded to stop the bleeding and heal the cuts.
*The Next Morning*
The sunlight streaming through the tent flap awakened the sleeping girl. The first thing that she felt was the dull pain that dominated all of her other senses. She was still lying on her stomach, her hair covering her back, so how, it was out of it's buns. Ever so slowly, she pushed herself up on her hands. The cold morning air attacked her uncovered upper body, making shivers run through her uncovered chest. Where am I? Usagi thought sleepily to herself as she turned around to lean against the pillow. Pulling the cover to cover her naked body, she reviewed the events that happened during the past day. The last thing she remembered was seeing Nakago before fainting. Naka-kun! That's right he's here! I have to go and find him! Usagi pushed down the cover disregarding the pain and tried to get off of the bed. A cold wind blew across her naked skin, reminding her of her state of undress when a figure came into the tent. Blue met blue as they both stared at each other, time seemed to stop for them. Suddenly, the moment was broken when Nakago blushed and turned his eyes (AN: can you imagine Naka-kun blush? It would be so cute : ) as he realized that there was nothing blocking his view of Usagi's body, except for her golden mane that flowed around her. It was the first time that he had ever seen her hair down. Noticing his blush and the unexpected coolness on her skin, Usagi finally realized that she was bare the waist up. She quickly pulled the cover up to cover herself.
"I…" they both said at the same time, before blushing.
"You go first," again the looked at each other sheepishly. Just like a couple of new lovers first discovering the thing called love.
To be continued…
AN: A deep breath. That was the longest thing that I have ever written. This should have been separated into two chapters, but since I got some many wonderful reviews, I decided to make it into a single chapter as a form of thank you to all the people who reviewed. I know this chapter sucked, but I tried my best.