Chapter 33
It had come at last. Kristin was the victor. She stood below the great monument, looking at the strange foreign writing that even Chichiri could not read.
"We've found it!" she cried. "We're for sure going to get the Shinzaho before Martha does!" Then, she checked the roof above the monument, making sure there was no wolf man ready to pounce on her. But Kristin was happy. She was making progress! Nothing could ruin her good mood now except.
"Kristin-sama, Kristin-sama!" came three voices from behind the two. Kristin turned to see Caitlin, Nuriko and Tasuki running towards them. Nuriko and Tasuki were both bloodied, and Caitlin had a face of pure horror. Kristin's smile dropped.
"What happened to you two?" she asked, concerned.
"The Wolf Lone Warrior," Tasuki panted. "He. he got there first!"
"Got where?"
"And Tamahome," Nuriko breathed hard, "he's one of them, now. Tamaafro!"
"Tamaafro?" Chichiri mused. "That doesn't sound good, no da."
"Calm down you guys," Kristin said. "What happened exactly?"
"Oh, Kristin," Caitlin wailed, "please forgive us. We spotted the monument, you know, but we saw that Martha and her seishi were already there! We didn't know what else to do! So, we listened to their conversation, and realized that Suboshi had gotten information as to where the Shinzaho lay. Then, the Lone Wolf Warrior came and challenged us. Suboshi ran to the mountain where the Shinzaho was, so we followed, but Martha and Amiboshi followed us! And then, we were all racing to the top when we were stopped by the Lone Wolf Warrior and friends! Tasuki was in battle with the Lone Wolf Warrior, Nuriko was against Tamaafro, Suboshi I think got killed by Ashitare, Amiboshi was in battle with Katie and I got stuck with Phil!"
"That's terrible!" Kristin squeaked. "Are you guys alright?"
"That isn't all, though," Caitlin said, her face dropping. "While all of this was going on, apparently Martha managed to get the Shinzaho by help of Tomite. I'm so sorry, Kristin, but. the Seiryu have the Shinzaho!"
"There's a second Shinzaho we have to get, though," Kristin said.
"What?!" Tasuki and Nuriko screamed. "What do you mean, a second one?"
"Uh, Naiidoska told me so in private," Kristin said. "It's in the West City. If we can get that before them, we may still have a chance."
"If we both hold a shinzaho," Chichiri wondered aloud, "then we'll end up in battle to see who will get the other."
"I can handle them Seiryu," Tasuki said, "but what if that damn Wolf Lone Warrior shows up?"
"Lone Wolf Warrior!" everyone, including passer-bys, screamed at Tasuki.
"Sorry," he said, sweat dropping.
"Alright, alright, stay calm," Kristin said, "let's just collect the rest of the warriors together, and we'll try to think a way out of this."
"Perhaps we should go to camp," Chichiri suggested.
"Good idea."
As evening fell, the Suzaku Seishi all sat around in their tent, serious expressions on their faces. Everyone was silent and watching Kristin, who seemed to be meditating on a thought. What was she going to do?
Kristin tried to remember what had happened in the anime. Miaka would have gone to the Seiryu camp, mislead by Tomo with an illusion of Taiiutskun. But Taiiutskun had nothing to do with them, and Kristin had no intention of sneaking into Seiryu's camp where the very dangerous Nakago lay. She decided that the only thing to do was . . .
"We're going to the West City," Kristin finally said. "We leave early tomorrow morning. I don't want any late sleepers. Things are going to start turning serious now, kids. We musn't let the Shinzaho fall in the wrong hands. It's one thing to have it fall into Martha's, for she'll be able to summon Seiryu, and we're not quite sure whether she'll seal our powers or not. But it's a far worse ordeal if it lands in the hands of the Lone Wolf Warrior. You know how he is. He's been after me since day one to crown me his Priestess of the Wolfdom, and now, according to Caitlin, Tasuki, and Nuriko, he wants Martha to join his side. I know she won't, so we're safe there, but let us all remember that he has won Ashitare of the Seiryu on his side, and Tamahome of the Suzaku on his side. We must stay close to each other and vow not to fall under his spell!"
"I'm scared," Chiriko remarked, hiding behind Chichiri.
"It's alright," Tasuki said, "we're not going to let anything happen. We're gonna get that Shinzaho first, and we're gonna kick some Wolf ass on the way, yeah? Yeah? Who's with me?"
"I am!" Nuriko cried, showing muscle. Chichiri gave a sigh. Mitsukake didn't seem to show any emotion at all.
"So," Kristin concluded, "we should be going to bed now. Have your cheez its, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow."
"I'm still scared," Chiriko said, "what if something happens while we're sleeping?"
"Nothing is going to happen while we sleep," Kristin assured him. The young seishi trembled as everyone got back to their tents and fell into deep sleep for the night.
Meanwhile, things seemed to be looking up in the Seiryu camp.
"We've got the Shinzaho!" Tomo and Kailein cried, clapping hands together, as they sat around a fire with Miboshi and Makiko.
"We're so cool," Kailein said, "we got the Shinzaho!"
"Martha says we still have another one to get," Makiko said, "so don't get too excited just yet."
"So what do we do?" Kailein asked, snuggling up against Tomo. "Do we go after the second one? Where is it?"
"In the West City," Makiko replied.
"In Byakko's temple," Miboshi said, "that's where Nakago says we should be heading next. I worked there in the body of the Temple guard, and I still have many tricks up myself for that place. You should realize, Nakago's been in a pissed off mood for a while now, with or without cheez its."
"We should be having our turns," Tomo announced. "I want to do some illusions . . . "
Just then, Martha emerged from Nakago's tent, her face rather down.
"Martha-sama," Miboshi said, as she approached the seishi, "Is something wrong?"
"Did Suboshi die?" Tomo asked, trying to hide a glint of happiness in his voice. The boy was a menace with those yo-yos, and for some reason he really hated homos, even though Tomo argued he wasn't queer any more. Just ask Kailein.
"No, Suboshi's alright," Martha said, "His brother is with him, he looks like he's doing fine. In a lot of pain, but he's fine."
"Then what's got you down?" Makiko asked.
Martha heaved a big sigh. "Nakago's been struck with a fever. The Boboshi's say it's from too much stress dealing with the antics of the Lone Wolf Warrior. We've lost two of our number, thanks to him."
"Nakago's ill?!" Miboshi cried. "But he's the best one out of us! We don't stand a chance against the Suzaku, you know that. We're the bad guys. If we don't have Nakago on our side, we're doomed to fall!"
"Yes, I know," Martha said, her face down. "That's why I'm asking you guys to do your best in getting the other shinzaho. We're very close to summoning Seiryu. As soon as we do, it'll all be over, and we won't have to worry no more."
"But what about Kristin?" Kailein asked. "She's still our friend, you know. If we summon Seiryu, then she'll be in more danger of the Lone Wolf Warrior, won't she?"
"Don't worry about Kristin," Martha said. "I have plans."
"Plans?" Tomo inquired. "If you don't mind my saying so, I realize that you and the Priestess are good friends, but I don't think Miboshi and I like this too much. She's supposed to be our enemy. How do we win without upsetting the both of you Priestesses?"
"I don't know, I don't know!" Martha cried, slumping to her knees in distress.
"Tomo!" Kailein scowled. "Do you want to send Martha into a fever? She's your Priestess, give her respect. Besides, Kristin and Caitlin are friends of Makiko and I as well."
"Yeah," Makiko said, "we don't want any one getting hurt. Look, even if the Lone Wolf Warrior has gotten some Seishi, no one's been killed."
Miboshi and Tomo growled a bit, but said nothing. They just wanted their moments. Martha got to her feet. "Please, work something out," she pleaded with a sad tone before leaving the seishi.
The four sat around the fire, looking at each other's faces, trying to think. Suddenly, Miboshi's face held a smile, and he cried, "Oh! I know! Come on, let's huddle!"
They all lunged into a huddle, banging foreheads together. With a lot of "ows!", they withdrew themselves, rubbing their foreheads before slowly going back into a huddle. Miboshi whispered furiously to everyone a secret plan that the author doesn't know of yet. Then, after a few minutes of this, the seishi pulled back, wide grins on their faces.
"Let's do this!" Makiko cried. They all put their hands in the middle like a circle. Then, they released their hands, htough not knowing what to say, everyone screamed something different.
"Demon Power!" came from Miboshi.
"Ka, ka, ka!" came from Tomo and Kailein.
"Cheez its!" came from Makiko.
Then, Tomo and Kailein jumped up and ran over to Nakago's tent. They didn't open the flap, but spoke through it, saying, "Don't worry about us, Nakago. We've got a plan, an awesome, awesome plan!" And the two skipped off into the dark woods, cackling as they went.
Miboshi and Makiko packed their bags as well, and made their way out of camp, leaving a note behind to say where they were going. The plans of the Seishi were set. They were going to get back the Shinzaho first before the Suzaku.
Meanwhile, Suzaku Seishi lay fast asleep.
Meanwhile, Martha sulked into Nakago's tent, seeing the boy of the general curled up under a lot of sheets, sweat trickling down his pale face, and his cheeks flushed a bright shade of red. Martha sat down at the edge of his bed, and gently began to stroke his pale blonde hair.
"You really are so beautiful," she whispered, stroking the hair. Then, her finger moved up and stroked his face against the contours of his cheek bones, and then his forehead, and finally, she ran a finger across his lips. Feeling both sad and happy for some reason, Martha lay down next to Nakago, in his arms. All the Boboshi's wanted everyone else to start packing so that they could go to the West City into the Temple of Byakko.
Nakago's tent never moved. It stayed just where it was as everyone left the two behind; with Nakago fast asleep in fever, and Martha sleeping in his arms.
It had come at last. Kristin was the victor. She stood below the great monument, looking at the strange foreign writing that even Chichiri could not read.
"We've found it!" she cried. "We're for sure going to get the Shinzaho before Martha does!" Then, she checked the roof above the monument, making sure there was no wolf man ready to pounce on her. But Kristin was happy. She was making progress! Nothing could ruin her good mood now except.
"Kristin-sama, Kristin-sama!" came three voices from behind the two. Kristin turned to see Caitlin, Nuriko and Tasuki running towards them. Nuriko and Tasuki were both bloodied, and Caitlin had a face of pure horror. Kristin's smile dropped.
"What happened to you two?" she asked, concerned.
"The Wolf Lone Warrior," Tasuki panted. "He. he got there first!"
"Got where?"
"And Tamahome," Nuriko breathed hard, "he's one of them, now. Tamaafro!"
"Tamaafro?" Chichiri mused. "That doesn't sound good, no da."
"Calm down you guys," Kristin said. "What happened exactly?"
"Oh, Kristin," Caitlin wailed, "please forgive us. We spotted the monument, you know, but we saw that Martha and her seishi were already there! We didn't know what else to do! So, we listened to their conversation, and realized that Suboshi had gotten information as to where the Shinzaho lay. Then, the Lone Wolf Warrior came and challenged us. Suboshi ran to the mountain where the Shinzaho was, so we followed, but Martha and Amiboshi followed us! And then, we were all racing to the top when we were stopped by the Lone Wolf Warrior and friends! Tasuki was in battle with the Lone Wolf Warrior, Nuriko was against Tamaafro, Suboshi I think got killed by Ashitare, Amiboshi was in battle with Katie and I got stuck with Phil!"
"That's terrible!" Kristin squeaked. "Are you guys alright?"
"That isn't all, though," Caitlin said, her face dropping. "While all of this was going on, apparently Martha managed to get the Shinzaho by help of Tomite. I'm so sorry, Kristin, but. the Seiryu have the Shinzaho!"
"There's a second Shinzaho we have to get, though," Kristin said.
"What?!" Tasuki and Nuriko screamed. "What do you mean, a second one?"
"Uh, Naiidoska told me so in private," Kristin said. "It's in the West City. If we can get that before them, we may still have a chance."
"If we both hold a shinzaho," Chichiri wondered aloud, "then we'll end up in battle to see who will get the other."
"I can handle them Seiryu," Tasuki said, "but what if that damn Wolf Lone Warrior shows up?"
"Lone Wolf Warrior!" everyone, including passer-bys, screamed at Tasuki.
"Sorry," he said, sweat dropping.
"Alright, alright, stay calm," Kristin said, "let's just collect the rest of the warriors together, and we'll try to think a way out of this."
"Perhaps we should go to camp," Chichiri suggested.
"Good idea."
As evening fell, the Suzaku Seishi all sat around in their tent, serious expressions on their faces. Everyone was silent and watching Kristin, who seemed to be meditating on a thought. What was she going to do?
Kristin tried to remember what had happened in the anime. Miaka would have gone to the Seiryu camp, mislead by Tomo with an illusion of Taiiutskun. But Taiiutskun had nothing to do with them, and Kristin had no intention of sneaking into Seiryu's camp where the very dangerous Nakago lay. She decided that the only thing to do was . . .
"We're going to the West City," Kristin finally said. "We leave early tomorrow morning. I don't want any late sleepers. Things are going to start turning serious now, kids. We musn't let the Shinzaho fall in the wrong hands. It's one thing to have it fall into Martha's, for she'll be able to summon Seiryu, and we're not quite sure whether she'll seal our powers or not. But it's a far worse ordeal if it lands in the hands of the Lone Wolf Warrior. You know how he is. He's been after me since day one to crown me his Priestess of the Wolfdom, and now, according to Caitlin, Tasuki, and Nuriko, he wants Martha to join his side. I know she won't, so we're safe there, but let us all remember that he has won Ashitare of the Seiryu on his side, and Tamahome of the Suzaku on his side. We must stay close to each other and vow not to fall under his spell!"
"I'm scared," Chiriko remarked, hiding behind Chichiri.
"It's alright," Tasuki said, "we're not going to let anything happen. We're gonna get that Shinzaho first, and we're gonna kick some Wolf ass on the way, yeah? Yeah? Who's with me?"
"I am!" Nuriko cried, showing muscle. Chichiri gave a sigh. Mitsukake didn't seem to show any emotion at all.
"So," Kristin concluded, "we should be going to bed now. Have your cheez its, it's gonna be a long day tomorrow."
"I'm still scared," Chiriko said, "what if something happens while we're sleeping?"
"Nothing is going to happen while we sleep," Kristin assured him. The young seishi trembled as everyone got back to their tents and fell into deep sleep for the night.
Meanwhile, things seemed to be looking up in the Seiryu camp.
"We've got the Shinzaho!" Tomo and Kailein cried, clapping hands together, as they sat around a fire with Miboshi and Makiko.
"We're so cool," Kailein said, "we got the Shinzaho!"
"Martha says we still have another one to get," Makiko said, "so don't get too excited just yet."
"So what do we do?" Kailein asked, snuggling up against Tomo. "Do we go after the second one? Where is it?"
"In the West City," Makiko replied.
"In Byakko's temple," Miboshi said, "that's where Nakago says we should be heading next. I worked there in the body of the Temple guard, and I still have many tricks up myself for that place. You should realize, Nakago's been in a pissed off mood for a while now, with or without cheez its."
"We should be having our turns," Tomo announced. "I want to do some illusions . . . "
Just then, Martha emerged from Nakago's tent, her face rather down.
"Martha-sama," Miboshi said, as she approached the seishi, "Is something wrong?"
"Did Suboshi die?" Tomo asked, trying to hide a glint of happiness in his voice. The boy was a menace with those yo-yos, and for some reason he really hated homos, even though Tomo argued he wasn't queer any more. Just ask Kailein.
"No, Suboshi's alright," Martha said, "His brother is with him, he looks like he's doing fine. In a lot of pain, but he's fine."
"Then what's got you down?" Makiko asked.
Martha heaved a big sigh. "Nakago's been struck with a fever. The Boboshi's say it's from too much stress dealing with the antics of the Lone Wolf Warrior. We've lost two of our number, thanks to him."
"Nakago's ill?!" Miboshi cried. "But he's the best one out of us! We don't stand a chance against the Suzaku, you know that. We're the bad guys. If we don't have Nakago on our side, we're doomed to fall!"
"Yes, I know," Martha said, her face down. "That's why I'm asking you guys to do your best in getting the other shinzaho. We're very close to summoning Seiryu. As soon as we do, it'll all be over, and we won't have to worry no more."
"But what about Kristin?" Kailein asked. "She's still our friend, you know. If we summon Seiryu, then she'll be in more danger of the Lone Wolf Warrior, won't she?"
"Don't worry about Kristin," Martha said. "I have plans."
"Plans?" Tomo inquired. "If you don't mind my saying so, I realize that you and the Priestess are good friends, but I don't think Miboshi and I like this too much. She's supposed to be our enemy. How do we win without upsetting the both of you Priestesses?"
"I don't know, I don't know!" Martha cried, slumping to her knees in distress.
"Tomo!" Kailein scowled. "Do you want to send Martha into a fever? She's your Priestess, give her respect. Besides, Kristin and Caitlin are friends of Makiko and I as well."
"Yeah," Makiko said, "we don't want any one getting hurt. Look, even if the Lone Wolf Warrior has gotten some Seishi, no one's been killed."
Miboshi and Tomo growled a bit, but said nothing. They just wanted their moments. Martha got to her feet. "Please, work something out," she pleaded with a sad tone before leaving the seishi.
The four sat around the fire, looking at each other's faces, trying to think. Suddenly, Miboshi's face held a smile, and he cried, "Oh! I know! Come on, let's huddle!"
They all lunged into a huddle, banging foreheads together. With a lot of "ows!", they withdrew themselves, rubbing their foreheads before slowly going back into a huddle. Miboshi whispered furiously to everyone a secret plan that the author doesn't know of yet. Then, after a few minutes of this, the seishi pulled back, wide grins on their faces.
"Let's do this!" Makiko cried. They all put their hands in the middle like a circle. Then, they released their hands, htough not knowing what to say, everyone screamed something different.
"Demon Power!" came from Miboshi.
"Ka, ka, ka!" came from Tomo and Kailein.
"Cheez its!" came from Makiko.
Then, Tomo and Kailein jumped up and ran over to Nakago's tent. They didn't open the flap, but spoke through it, saying, "Don't worry about us, Nakago. We've got a plan, an awesome, awesome plan!" And the two skipped off into the dark woods, cackling as they went.
Miboshi and Makiko packed their bags as well, and made their way out of camp, leaving a note behind to say where they were going. The plans of the Seishi were set. They were going to get back the Shinzaho first before the Suzaku.
Meanwhile, Suzaku Seishi lay fast asleep.
Meanwhile, Martha sulked into Nakago's tent, seeing the boy of the general curled up under a lot of sheets, sweat trickling down his pale face, and his cheeks flushed a bright shade of red. Martha sat down at the edge of his bed, and gently began to stroke his pale blonde hair.
"You really are so beautiful," she whispered, stroking the hair. Then, her finger moved up and stroked his face against the contours of his cheek bones, and then his forehead, and finally, she ran a finger across his lips. Feeling both sad and happy for some reason, Martha lay down next to Nakago, in his arms. All the Boboshi's wanted everyone else to start packing so that they could go to the West City into the Temple of Byakko.
Nakago's tent never moved. It stayed just where it was as everyone left the two behind; with Nakago fast asleep in fever, and Martha sleeping in his arms.