AN: *waves a white rag tied to her tail* I surrender, here's the next chapter…
Thanks to: Gakkuri Naishinnou (man, you have a hard name! Glad that you liked it ^_^), Celes (…*giggles* but it's fun to torture characters! *ducks rotten vegetables*), Alexandrea Orozco (…dogs?…I have to get my dog bones supply then), Love Nuriko ( sorry that I didn't email you, I've been very busy, but Aidenn-chan's story is called This Use to be My Playground), Bluejello (*laughs evilly*), Tegasus, Sailor Cardcaptor Ryoko (I'll be looking forward to read your stories ^_~.), Selene ( *falls on ground in shock* there's actually someone who likes Mamo-baka? Hehe, it's okay, everyone has their own tastes ^_^), Uranus2000 (*glomps Uranus200* you're like the only one out there who appreciates Furball *sniffles*), kylieras (was that an order?), Chibi Michi Hii-chan (Happy New Years to you too ^_~), Queen Cosmos (Where is the funny if we don't have a lot of evil people? ^_~), Jordan, Katrina ( I agree!), Dawrn86 (FY…*sigh* the ultimate bishie wonderland!!!), JLSCORPIO78 (Good heart? What's that? Muhahaha!! .), Galexz (here's your chapter ^_^), Chaska (of course I can. I'm the author aren't I?), Jaye (…thanks…I guess…), Seeking Serenity ( my guess is that, if you can find a diamond sword, then it might just work ^_^), Queen Celestia (Hehe, you'll find out…), Usa-chan (*a pile of muses falls on Purr*, anything? Hehe, I can think of quite a few things ^_^), Aidenn-chan (WAI!!! I like the shark bait idea!!! Or maybe a bit full of starving tigers ^_^), Craza2k, themoonmaiden (*sweat drop*, you know, I may be saving you the trouble of coming up to Montreal, since I'm going to Toronto tomorrow…), Tenshi Cat, Princess Selene, Mika-chan (COOKIES?!?! COOKIES?!?!?! You better saved me some!!! Or else *hiss*. Exams…hehe, I rather not talk about it *looks innocent*, I haven't received the marks yet), and Chibi Dark (…shot gun?…right…I need to find a safe place to hid from violent and unstable readers ^_^)
Chapter 12
"To summon Seiryuu, all you have to do…" Endymion paused, "…is to sacrifice Tsukino Usagi!"
The prince's words rang in their heads. Even though Endymion already disappeared into the dark night, the mikos and their seishi still stood rooted to the ground, in the after shock of hearing their enemy's words.
Nakago held the still body of Usagi tightly in his arms. Sacrifice? He would kill anyone with his own bare hands, if they even approached her. From now on, he was not going to leave her side even one step. It didn't matter if she hated or despised him, as long as she was safe, he would live forever in her contempt.
"We can still summon Seiryuu! I can still get my revenge and go back home…" a hopeful whisper came from Yui, a new light shinning in her dark and selfish eyes. "We don't need the shinzahos anymore, but my wishes will still be granted…"
Even Soi looked at her miko with uneasiness, as the short haired girl turned her excited eyes to stare in sick happiness, at the unaware blonde pair.
"Yui-sama…"
"What is it Suboshi?" the Seiryuu no miko turned her frighteningly glowing face to the seishi, as the younger twin hesitated.
"I don't think that sacrificing Tsukino Usagi is a very good idea Yui-sama," the young man bowed his head, when the happy expression immediately darkened.
"That's right no da!" Chichiri continued for the shaking boy, "I think that Taitsukun said, during my training at Mt. Taikyoku, that sacrificing humans is the deepest offence to the gods, no da. Those who commit such crimes are punished by the gods. The offenders are not allowed to be reborn after death, and their souls are left to wonder forever, in the darkness of the world of death, no da."
"Those are just old wives tales Suzaku seishi," Soi sneered, even though she had no confidence in her own words. "Just because there hadn't been a need to offer the life of a human to serve the beast gods, doesn't mean that it is forbidden."
"Demo…" the powder blue haired monk argued.
"Minna!" Subaru shouted before another heated discussion could turn into a fight between the young hot heads. "It's been a long day! I'm sure that everyone's tired. Why don't we talk about this when we get back?"
Not waiting for the others, Nakago wordlessly walked away, carrying the limp Usagi in his arms. Seeing the object of their argument disappearing, the miko and their seishi quickly followed, not waiting to lose their only hope of summon the beast gods.
"Anata?" the female Byakko seishi sighed, ending her spell, as her body returned to its proper age. "What are we going to do now?"
"I don't know Subaru," her husband answered his wife, still supporting Tatara with his shoulder. "I thought that our seishi days were long over, but I guess we have to go back to our fighting days…"
"Even though we fulfilled our duties to Byakko, we can not just sit back and watch everything get destroyed."
"Subaru. I will take Tatara back to the Byakko shrine You go home first. I don't think that Nakago alone can keep the others from harming Usagi. I don't know how we can face Suzuno and Tatara if Usagi is hurt in anyway."
"I know. They are already dividing before they face the enemy. This is what Endymion wanted to do right? To cause the seishi to break up and fight within themselves. For sure, Yui and Miaka will want their wishes granted. But Nakago will go against anything to protect Usagi." The old lady said quietly.
"Let's just hope that he is strong enough to fight against his own destiny…"
~*~*~*~
"Miaka, we need to talk."
The Suzaku no miko stopped her wondering, and smiled brightly at the sound of Tamahome's voice. "Is anything wrong Tamahome?"
Silently, without waiting for her, the blue haired young man turned, and led the way to the forest. A frown crossed Miaka's features, at her beloved's strange behaviour. He had been acting so cold ever since they got back from the Byakko shrine. No stolen kisses, no secret caresses, not even a warm look. It reminded her of the time when Nakago drugged Tamahome, except this time, he acted on his own free will.
"Tamahome? What is it?" her voice shook, as Miaka stopped, and leaned against a pine tree, waiting nervously for her seishi's answer.
"Miaka…" the young man hesitated, before he looked up, pinning down the miko with his intense stare. "What are you planning to do now?"
"Tamahome…What do you mean?" swallowing the thickness lodged in her throat, she continued, "You are going to be with me aren't you? You and minna? No matter what happens…"
"Miaka, that's what I don't know!" the seishi cried out. "I don't know what's happening anymore! First we have to work with the Seiryuu seishi. Then an enemy appears from another world. And now, we find out that in order to summon Suzaku, we have to offer Usagi-san as a sacrifice! I don't know what to do anymore!" Tamahome cried out in anger, blindly punching the tree he was standing next to. And I don't know my own feelings anymore. He added silently to himself. "Are you going to summon Suzaku?"
"I…I don't know. I don't want to kill Usagi. But I promised Hotohori that I would protect Konan by summoning the beast god. And…and I want to be with you Tamahome!" Miaka cried, tears falling down her face as she covered the distance between them, and threw her arms around the unmoving seishi, face buried in his back. "I don't care what I have to do, as long as I can be with you. Ai shiteru…Tamahome…"
A tear slipped from his closed eyes. The body in Miaka's arms shook. Did he still love Miaka? He didn't know, after seeing Nakago and Usagi's feelings for each other. He had thought that the ice shogun was not capable of loving anyone. But Nakago's devotion to the silver haired goddess put his own feeble attractions to Miaka to shame. It made him question if his feelings for Miaka was truly love, or…just a magnified attraction between miko and seishi? Even if they managed to summon Suzaku, would they be allowed to stay together? Or would they be torn apart like the Byakko no miko and her seishi Tatara? Tatara and Suzuno loved each other so deeply, and yet they were forced apart, to live in loneliness after knowing the sweetness of love. Would he be able to live if his beloved left like that? Did he even love his miko? Back at the temple, Miaka shocked everyone with her cold speech. Usagi had unselfishly saved them all so many times in the past, putting herself in danger for a group of strangers. She was in love with Nakago, and yet, that did not stop her from helping the Suzaku seishi. Next to Usagi, Miaka suddenly seemed like a spoiled child.
"Tamahome?" Miaka cried out in fear, as she felt him pull out of her embrace. The red haired girl tried to hold on to him, but it was too late. The seishi was already out of her reach.
"Tamahome?"
The blue haired young man didn't stop when he heard his miko's anguished cry. Part of him wanted to go back and comfort her, despite the confusion churning inside his heart. The other part wanted to run, as far as possible before he was chained to Destiny's plans.
"Why? Tamahome why?" the Suzaku no miko asked the empty forest, falling onto her knees. He left. He left without saying anything…
A shrill scream rang through the forest, sending the birds flapping into the night.
A dark figure smiled, amusement glowing in the narrowed eyes.
~*~*~*~
"Nakago-san? Nakago-san?" Xi Fang quietly called out at the humped figure sitting by the bed Usagi was resting on. The young woman sighed, but was not surprised by the lack of response. It became a pattern, with first Usagi then with Nakago. The blond man hadn't left the silver haired girl's side ever since he came back with her unconscious form in his arms. No one dared to disturb the couple after Tasuki almost got blasted to ashes from trying to go into the room. Except for Xi Fang who brought the meals, and the two Byakko seishi, everyone else who approached the bunny's chamber were chased off wither by a chilling glare, or a well aimed blast.
Xi Fang set the tray on the small table by the distraught shogun, and walked out after giving the heart wrenching tableau one last look. No one could recognize the suffering man as the once heartless leader of the Kutou army and the Seiryuu seishi. Sitting there, holding on to the bunny's limp hand tightly in his own, his clouded blue eyes staring into the blank wall.
How could he have been so careless? He should've known from Soi's jealous nature, that the red haired seishi was not going to let his Usa-chan go without a scratch. But in this case, the scratch could cause Usa-chan her life…
This was no ordinary spell. This was more of a curse, the cruellest in the art of black magic. Not even he could break it…Even Miboshi, the one who cast the curse could not break it. This particular spell was special, in that it draws the ki of its victim, using the victim's own life force to create a living nightmare in the victim's mid. The curse does not end the life of a person fast, but drags on for years, forcing the person to be trapped in their personal Hell, suffering for their imaginary sins, until their ki had been sucked dry. It was an end that Nakago would not wish to inflect even on his most hated enemy. Now watching his itooshi lying there, her waxy features masking her inner pain…the pain that he could feel through their bond, and the knowledge that there was nothing he could do…the helpless feeling was tearing him apart inside.
Nakago clutched his fists, as another thought crossed his mind. Miboshi would never listen to Soi. The sorcerer would only take orders from the shogun himself, or the Seiryuu no miko…Blue ki flared into life as the full impact of the realization hit him. No matter, whatever Usa-chan felt, he would make Soi feel…only much, much more painful. As for Yui, a quick decision was made up, after a quick glance at the Bunny's pale face. There was no way in hell he could continue to serve the little witch anymore. What was the point of having immortality and unlimited power, when the reason to have them was not there to share them with him. He made the promise to be immortal so he could be with Usa-chan, but…now, it was just going to be another promise left broken.
"Nakago?"
The quiet whisper broke his trance, as Subaru and Tokaki soundlessly approached the bed. A small nod from the emotionless blond man acknowledged their presence.
"We brought ome medicine for Usagi-chan," the old lady said, stirring the steaming cup in her hand. "It might not be able to break the spell, but it will help in preserving her ki longer.
Wordlessly, the shogun nodded again, gently pulling the goddess's limp body up, to lean against his chest. Subaru gave a wan smile, before holding a spoonful of the black liquid to the bunny's lips. The three watched in dismay as the medicine dripped down from Usagi's lips, instead of being swallowed. Subaru hastily brought out her handkerchief, and stopped the liquid before it could stain Usagi's white dress.
"She won't swallow the medicine," the white haired lady gave a troubled look to Nakago and her husband. "What are we going to do?"
"We make her drink it down then."
Before the female Byakko seishi could gasp out in surprise, the medicine cup was snatched from her hands. Tokaki and Subaru watched in astonishment as Nakago took the cup, and poured the contents into his mouth. Any expression from the bitter pungent taste of the medicine was covered up by a blank mask of indifference.
Carefully tilting Usagi's chin up with a calloused finger, Nakago gently pressed down, parting her silky lips. Giving her a small smile, he lowered his mouth to meet hers, lips parted to let the medicine flow from his warm cavern to hers. His mouth prevented the liquid from leaking out, and forced the bitter brew to be swallowed. A tear dropped form his clear blue eyes and ran down her pale cheek, as her lips gave no response to his own.
The two Byakko seishi watched. Subaru covered her mouth, muffling the sob that threatened to escape. Watching the two struggle was like being reminded of the other pair of lovers who were forced apart ninety years ago. Why couldn't the gods ever grant them any happiness? Tokaki gently pulled his wife into his arms, all the while trying to stop the witness in his eyes.
"Let's leave them alone now," the old man whispered in Subaru's ear, and led her out of the chamber, closing the door on the younger couple.
~*~*~*~
"Tamahome…why?" Miaka cried out between bouts of tears. She didn't understand. Was it something she did or said? But she couldn't remember doing anything that could force Tamahome to break up with her so suddenly. Everything she did was for him, to make sure that they would stay together. So why?
"Miaka?"
The Suzaku no miko quickly wiped away tethers when she heard the familiar voice calling her name. "Yui-chan? Where are you?"
"Miaka," the short haired girl said again, walking out of the tree she was hiding behind. "Why are you crying?…Is it because of Tamahome?" The Seiryuu no miko asked softly.
Miaka gave a sob, before lunging herself into her best friend's arms, tears falling freely from her swollen eyes.
The blonde girl gently rubbed the other girl's back. A sweet smile on her face. "Shh, tell me what happened."
"I…I don't know," the crying miko chocked out. "He's been acting so cold ever since we saved Usagi-chan…And after we got back…he dumped me…and he didn't even say why!" Fresh tears poured down, soaking Yui's shirt.
"Miaka?" The Seiryuu no miko asked after a brief silence. "Do you want to have Tamahome back with you?"
The sudden question stopped the red head's tears and made her snap up her head to look into Yui's glowing eyes.
TBC…
AN: *sweat drop* sorry the chapter is so short, but I'm going to Toronto tomorrow, and I still haven't packed. ^.^;;; Anyone lives in TO? Drop a line in the review, and maybe we could meet or something ^_^.