Chapter 35
The Temple stood before them, glistening in the fading sun. They stood, hand in hand, looking up the building, ready to take flight up the long winding steps of the many towers and stair cases.
The plan was simple and good. Tomo and Kailein would go and delay the Suzaku by using their power of illusions to make a separate city out in the desert, and they would watch to make sure they didn't go anywhere. Makiko and Miboshi were heading straight for the temple of Byakko, where they knew the Shinzaho had to be.
Miboshi took Makiko inside, and they made their way through the many halls and stairs, looking for clues, wondering where the Shinzaho might be. Martha probably knew where, but she was back in the camp, nursing Nakago and perhaps a little more, as Tomo and Kailein liked to joke about it.
Makiko stayed close to her Mi-bibi, holding tightly on to his arm. She knew she had nothing to fear when she was with him. His awesome demon power was a deadly weapon upon those who tried to interfere. But why Miboshi? And how?
~~~flash back sequence again~~~
Back in Japan, Makiko had been looting around in the National Library, searching for a book on the History of China for a class of hers. The librarian suggested a good read for Makiko which was only found in the Important Document References Room. With a slip of paper that granted her permission of going in this room, Makiko went in to the dimly lit place full of shelves loaded with books.
While going through the many titles, trying to find what she wanted, Makiko ran into something rather odd. It was a book titled "The Universe of the Four Gods."
"That's strange," Makiko thought to herself in Japanese. "This is just like the book from the anime show, Fushigi Yuugi. I didn't think that show had any real basis, just a made up myth."
Intrigued, Makiko opened the book and began to read, and was not surprised to see that she wasn't falling into the book. Though a bit disappointed at this, she kept reading, though it was not the story of Miaka and Yui, the two girls from the anime show, but more of a history lesson on the constellations that made up the four beast gods of East, West, North and South Ancient China. Because it was a History, Makiko also thought it would do good as something for her school project.
She found something very interesting in that book, though. In a chapter discussing the two controllers of the Universe, Taiiutskun and Naiidoska, Makiko read how the saying of "I wish upon the Seven Stars of . . . " and then name what ever beast god you chose, a celestial warrior would appear to save her from any danger. Makiko thought this was strange and a bit rubbish.
Despite that, she took that book as well as the one the librarian had offered her.
It was raining very hard that day as she made her way home. Riding her bike, she took a shortcut through some woods to get to her house, passing by a steadily rising creek. The rain whipped harshly at her bike, and soon, the bike toppled over on its side, spilling Makiko out into the creek which had swelled up like a river. Some weeds managed to tangle her feet, and Makiko cried out for help as the water began to rise above her head.
She couldn't breathe and was deathly scared. The books washed down stream away from her, though one of them got caught on a rock. Even from there, Makiko could see it was the one titled "The Universe of the Four Gods." She wouldn't say it at first, but continued to scream for help. But no one was near to hear her, and the water was coming up very fast.
Finally, though feeling a bit stupid doing it, but knowing she had nothing to loose now, she screamed out at the top of her lungs, "I wish upon the Seven Stars of Seiryu for my rescuer to come!" Lightening flashed, and Makiko thought she was going to die. She had wanted to say Suzaku, but for some reason, Seiryu had come out of her mouth instead.
It was then that she saw a crazy looking baby floating in mid air before her. Makiko screamed in fright, even as the baby reached down his arm and pulled her up out of the torrent of the creek. She felt something reach below her and bite off the weeds that refused to let go of her legs. But soon, she was up on the bank, stumbling back from the floating baby, utterly confused and scared.
The baby stared, the jewel in the middle of its forehead glowing brightly.
"You summoned me, didn't you? Why are you so afraid?" he asked.
Makiko's lips trembled as she asked, "I. . . I summoned you?" Then, she remembered that crazy enchantment she had just screamed at the top of her lungs. The anime show came back to her mind, and she recognized the Seishi as Miboshi.
Makiko was confused. Why Miboshi? Of all the Seiryu Seishi, she had summoned Miboshi! Did this mean she had some sort of connection with him?
"You looked frightened," Miboshi said, his voice little but evil sounding. "Did you not know you were summoning me? Are you the Priestess of Seiryu?"
"No," Makiko answered. "I'm no Priestess. I'm Makiko. I didn't think it would work, but . . . I've summoned you. I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Miboshi asked, the rain still pounding down hard on the two. "Why are you sorry?"
"I'm not sure," Makiko answered, "I just am. I just. . . I just don't get it!"
Miboshi gave a rare smile. "I like how you say that."
"Like what?" Makiko asked.
"* I just don't get it*", Miboshi imitated Makiko.
"Well, I don't," Makiko replied. "I summoned you . . . what sort of connection do I have with demons?"
"You know my power?" Miboshi asked. "Then you must have some sort of association."
"How will I ever know if I do?" Makiko asked.
Miboshi thought for a moment before replying, "You must follow me."
"Excuse me?"
"I will teach you," Miboshi said, "and if anything demon-like comes about from you, then that is your proof."
Makiko did follow Miboshi's ways, but thus far, has shown no abilities as to holding demon summoning powers. But, after spending so many days, studying the unique ways of Miboshi, she found her self strangely attracted to him, and wouldn't let him go. He stayed with her, only occasionally going back to his world for a talk with the other Seishi. It wasn't until news spread that Martha had become the Priestess that Miboshi took Makiko back to the Four Gods world with him.
And now he had his original body back, and Makiko felt a stronger attraction than before. She sensed that Miboshi didn't want to let her go as well, but he didn't show any signs of true attraction just yet. They appeared to be on friendly terms.
Through the dark halls of the Temple they went, until they heard a noise come from far infront of them.
"There's someone here," Miboshi said, and Makiko shrunk behind him, as they tiptoed down the hall and turned a corner that held a dead end a little more:
The Lone Wolf Warrior.
Miboshi gasped. "What . . . what are YOU doing here?"
The Lone Wolf Warrior gave a wild grin. He held out a shin, and Makiko groaned. "Oh, no," she said, "that's Tomo's shin!"
"What have you done to him?" Miboshi asked, his voice grave.
"Ha, ha," the Lone Wolf Warrior laughed. "I? I've successfully stopped him and his little girlfriend. They are no more. You'll be digging graves for them when you get back to Kutou."
"You're lying!" Makiko cried. "You would never kill Kailein! Please say you're lying!"
The Lone Wolf Warrior shook his head. "I wish I were, I wish I were. But, I'm afraid I had to put a final stop to them. They weren't allowed to live no more. So, they're gone, and that's the end of that story."
"You . . . you fiend!!" Makiko cried, and lunged herself at him. Miboshi caught her, not allowing her to go on. Makiko threw punches in the air, while Miboshi held her back.
The Lone Wolf Warrior just laughed. "You miss them, don't you? Don't worry. You'll be joining them soon . . . in HELL!! Muh-ha-ha ha ha!"
Tears came to Makiko's eyes. She couldn't believe it. He had to be lying. Kailein and Tomo couldn't be dead! They would just crawl away like he did in the anime show, right?
"LONE WOLF WARRIOR!" came the cry, and the wolf man was in his Wolf form before them.
"Get behind me!" Miboshi cried. Makiko huddled behind her Mi-bibi, while the Wolf lunged at them, knocking them both down. Miboshi was fast, and got to his feet. He spun his evil demon dradle, and a wolf-like demon came about.
The Wolf was left to deal with the demon as Miboshi pulled Makiko to her feet and began to run down the hallways. Unfortunately, the Lone Wolf Warrior had worked his magic spells, and the hall no longer bore any corners or doors. They were in a sealed hallway, and merely ran to the other end, pounding viciously on the wall.
Miboshi's demon did not last long. The Wolf managed to tackle him down, and then, he advanced on the Seishi. Miboshi struggled with the wolf, since he had no other weapon but his evil dradle. It fell from his grip and landed beside Makiko's feet. As he was being gnawed and clawed at, Miboshi shouted to Makiko, "Use it!"
Makiko picked up the dradle with no second thoughts what so ever. She spun the dradle and screamed the first word that came into her mind in Japanese.
There was a great poof, and a giant cheez it stood before the Wolf. Makiko cursed herself. She still couldn't do it right!
The Wolf slinked off of the injured Miboshi, who groaned in pain on the ground, his eyes closing him out from the rest of the world for the moment. The Wolf laughed at the giant cheez it standing before him.
Makiko wanted to kick the Wolf, but just then, a mouth formed on the cheez it, with razor sharp teeth, and a nasty growl. Two eyes appeared, staring evilly down at the Wolf. The Wolf stopped laughing, gulped and, using his magic to free the hall way, sprinted away, with the giant cheez it following him, growling all the way.
Makiko ran over to her Mi-bibi, and raised his head from the ground. "Are you alright?" she breathed.
"Yeah," he said, groaning. "I'm just a bit in pain. He . . . he got me in the ribs, that's all. I'm not going to die or anything."
"Thank goodness," Makiko said, and cradled his head in her arms.
"You really love me, don't you?" Miboshi asked, opening his eyes to see the gentle expression of Makiko's beautiful face looking down at him.
"Of course I do!" Makiko said, "how could I not? You've taken good care of me, even when you were in that little baby's body. And did you see my demon? I've finally got it. We were meant for each other. A true, demon connection."
Miboshi gave a large, heavy sigh. "We have to go warn Nakago and the rest. They'll be joining us here at the Temple, I presume. We must find that Shinzaho before the Lone Wolf Warrior does."
"I know," Makiko said. "But you can't walk in your condition!"
"There should be a room there to your right," Miboshi said, wincing in pain. "Leave me there, I'll be alright. You go warn the others."
"Are you sure you want to be alone?" Makiko asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
"I'll be fine," Miboshi said.
"Here, take your evil dradle," Makiko said, handing it over to him.
"No, you keep it," Miboshi said. "I'd hate myself for eternity if anything happened to you."
"But, Miboshi!" Makiko insisted, before Miboshi put a finger to her lips to quiet her down.
"Just do it . . . for me?" Miboshi asked.
"I don't get it," Makiko's lips trembled. "I just don't get it."
"I'll be fine," Miboshi whispered back, then took Makiko's face in his hands and gave her a sweet, long kiss of departure. Makiko had to try very hard not to cry as she cradled his body into her arms and took him into a near by room to lay him in bed and tuck him in.
She didn't want to leave him. Not after all of this! But, she knew she had to go and warn the others. She would have to trust him to be safe within the walls of the Temple, hoping the Lone Wolf Warrior wouldn't come back to look for him. She would have to get the Lone Wolf Warrior to come after her, away from the Temple, that's it.
"Goodbye, Miboshi," Makiko said quietly, blinking hard to stop her tears.
"Don't worry about me," Miboshi said, "I'll be waiting here for you. And when you come back, I'll make you my bride, and then you'll never have to leave me again."
Makiko couldn't stop the tears now. With a sudden joy in her heart, she flung herself around Miboshi and hugged him tight. They exchanged one long, last kiss before she ran off to warn her Priestess and fellow Seishi.
The Temple stood before them, glistening in the fading sun. They stood, hand in hand, looking up the building, ready to take flight up the long winding steps of the many towers and stair cases.
The plan was simple and good. Tomo and Kailein would go and delay the Suzaku by using their power of illusions to make a separate city out in the desert, and they would watch to make sure they didn't go anywhere. Makiko and Miboshi were heading straight for the temple of Byakko, where they knew the Shinzaho had to be.
Miboshi took Makiko inside, and they made their way through the many halls and stairs, looking for clues, wondering where the Shinzaho might be. Martha probably knew where, but she was back in the camp, nursing Nakago and perhaps a little more, as Tomo and Kailein liked to joke about it.
Makiko stayed close to her Mi-bibi, holding tightly on to his arm. She knew she had nothing to fear when she was with him. His awesome demon power was a deadly weapon upon those who tried to interfere. But why Miboshi? And how?
~~~flash back sequence again~~~
Back in Japan, Makiko had been looting around in the National Library, searching for a book on the History of China for a class of hers. The librarian suggested a good read for Makiko which was only found in the Important Document References Room. With a slip of paper that granted her permission of going in this room, Makiko went in to the dimly lit place full of shelves loaded with books.
While going through the many titles, trying to find what she wanted, Makiko ran into something rather odd. It was a book titled "The Universe of the Four Gods."
"That's strange," Makiko thought to herself in Japanese. "This is just like the book from the anime show, Fushigi Yuugi. I didn't think that show had any real basis, just a made up myth."
Intrigued, Makiko opened the book and began to read, and was not surprised to see that she wasn't falling into the book. Though a bit disappointed at this, she kept reading, though it was not the story of Miaka and Yui, the two girls from the anime show, but more of a history lesson on the constellations that made up the four beast gods of East, West, North and South Ancient China. Because it was a History, Makiko also thought it would do good as something for her school project.
She found something very interesting in that book, though. In a chapter discussing the two controllers of the Universe, Taiiutskun and Naiidoska, Makiko read how the saying of "I wish upon the Seven Stars of . . . " and then name what ever beast god you chose, a celestial warrior would appear to save her from any danger. Makiko thought this was strange and a bit rubbish.
Despite that, she took that book as well as the one the librarian had offered her.
It was raining very hard that day as she made her way home. Riding her bike, she took a shortcut through some woods to get to her house, passing by a steadily rising creek. The rain whipped harshly at her bike, and soon, the bike toppled over on its side, spilling Makiko out into the creek which had swelled up like a river. Some weeds managed to tangle her feet, and Makiko cried out for help as the water began to rise above her head.
She couldn't breathe and was deathly scared. The books washed down stream away from her, though one of them got caught on a rock. Even from there, Makiko could see it was the one titled "The Universe of the Four Gods." She wouldn't say it at first, but continued to scream for help. But no one was near to hear her, and the water was coming up very fast.
Finally, though feeling a bit stupid doing it, but knowing she had nothing to loose now, she screamed out at the top of her lungs, "I wish upon the Seven Stars of Seiryu for my rescuer to come!" Lightening flashed, and Makiko thought she was going to die. She had wanted to say Suzaku, but for some reason, Seiryu had come out of her mouth instead.
It was then that she saw a crazy looking baby floating in mid air before her. Makiko screamed in fright, even as the baby reached down his arm and pulled her up out of the torrent of the creek. She felt something reach below her and bite off the weeds that refused to let go of her legs. But soon, she was up on the bank, stumbling back from the floating baby, utterly confused and scared.
The baby stared, the jewel in the middle of its forehead glowing brightly.
"You summoned me, didn't you? Why are you so afraid?" he asked.
Makiko's lips trembled as she asked, "I. . . I summoned you?" Then, she remembered that crazy enchantment she had just screamed at the top of her lungs. The anime show came back to her mind, and she recognized the Seishi as Miboshi.
Makiko was confused. Why Miboshi? Of all the Seiryu Seishi, she had summoned Miboshi! Did this mean she had some sort of connection with him?
"You looked frightened," Miboshi said, his voice little but evil sounding. "Did you not know you were summoning me? Are you the Priestess of Seiryu?"
"No," Makiko answered. "I'm no Priestess. I'm Makiko. I didn't think it would work, but . . . I've summoned you. I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" Miboshi asked, the rain still pounding down hard on the two. "Why are you sorry?"
"I'm not sure," Makiko answered, "I just am. I just. . . I just don't get it!"
Miboshi gave a rare smile. "I like how you say that."
"Like what?" Makiko asked.
"* I just don't get it*", Miboshi imitated Makiko.
"Well, I don't," Makiko replied. "I summoned you . . . what sort of connection do I have with demons?"
"You know my power?" Miboshi asked. "Then you must have some sort of association."
"How will I ever know if I do?" Makiko asked.
Miboshi thought for a moment before replying, "You must follow me."
"Excuse me?"
"I will teach you," Miboshi said, "and if anything demon-like comes about from you, then that is your proof."
Makiko did follow Miboshi's ways, but thus far, has shown no abilities as to holding demon summoning powers. But, after spending so many days, studying the unique ways of Miboshi, she found her self strangely attracted to him, and wouldn't let him go. He stayed with her, only occasionally going back to his world for a talk with the other Seishi. It wasn't until news spread that Martha had become the Priestess that Miboshi took Makiko back to the Four Gods world with him.
And now he had his original body back, and Makiko felt a stronger attraction than before. She sensed that Miboshi didn't want to let her go as well, but he didn't show any signs of true attraction just yet. They appeared to be on friendly terms.
Through the dark halls of the Temple they went, until they heard a noise come from far infront of them.
"There's someone here," Miboshi said, and Makiko shrunk behind him, as they tiptoed down the hall and turned a corner that held a dead end a little more:
The Lone Wolf Warrior.
Miboshi gasped. "What . . . what are YOU doing here?"
The Lone Wolf Warrior gave a wild grin. He held out a shin, and Makiko groaned. "Oh, no," she said, "that's Tomo's shin!"
"What have you done to him?" Miboshi asked, his voice grave.
"Ha, ha," the Lone Wolf Warrior laughed. "I? I've successfully stopped him and his little girlfriend. They are no more. You'll be digging graves for them when you get back to Kutou."
"You're lying!" Makiko cried. "You would never kill Kailein! Please say you're lying!"
The Lone Wolf Warrior shook his head. "I wish I were, I wish I were. But, I'm afraid I had to put a final stop to them. They weren't allowed to live no more. So, they're gone, and that's the end of that story."
"You . . . you fiend!!" Makiko cried, and lunged herself at him. Miboshi caught her, not allowing her to go on. Makiko threw punches in the air, while Miboshi held her back.
The Lone Wolf Warrior just laughed. "You miss them, don't you? Don't worry. You'll be joining them soon . . . in HELL!! Muh-ha-ha ha ha!"
Tears came to Makiko's eyes. She couldn't believe it. He had to be lying. Kailein and Tomo couldn't be dead! They would just crawl away like he did in the anime show, right?
"LONE WOLF WARRIOR!" came the cry, and the wolf man was in his Wolf form before them.
"Get behind me!" Miboshi cried. Makiko huddled behind her Mi-bibi, while the Wolf lunged at them, knocking them both down. Miboshi was fast, and got to his feet. He spun his evil demon dradle, and a wolf-like demon came about.
The Wolf was left to deal with the demon as Miboshi pulled Makiko to her feet and began to run down the hallways. Unfortunately, the Lone Wolf Warrior had worked his magic spells, and the hall no longer bore any corners or doors. They were in a sealed hallway, and merely ran to the other end, pounding viciously on the wall.
Miboshi's demon did not last long. The Wolf managed to tackle him down, and then, he advanced on the Seishi. Miboshi struggled with the wolf, since he had no other weapon but his evil dradle. It fell from his grip and landed beside Makiko's feet. As he was being gnawed and clawed at, Miboshi shouted to Makiko, "Use it!"
Makiko picked up the dradle with no second thoughts what so ever. She spun the dradle and screamed the first word that came into her mind in Japanese.
There was a great poof, and a giant cheez it stood before the Wolf. Makiko cursed herself. She still couldn't do it right!
The Wolf slinked off of the injured Miboshi, who groaned in pain on the ground, his eyes closing him out from the rest of the world for the moment. The Wolf laughed at the giant cheez it standing before him.
Makiko wanted to kick the Wolf, but just then, a mouth formed on the cheez it, with razor sharp teeth, and a nasty growl. Two eyes appeared, staring evilly down at the Wolf. The Wolf stopped laughing, gulped and, using his magic to free the hall way, sprinted away, with the giant cheez it following him, growling all the way.
Makiko ran over to her Mi-bibi, and raised his head from the ground. "Are you alright?" she breathed.
"Yeah," he said, groaning. "I'm just a bit in pain. He . . . he got me in the ribs, that's all. I'm not going to die or anything."
"Thank goodness," Makiko said, and cradled his head in her arms.
"You really love me, don't you?" Miboshi asked, opening his eyes to see the gentle expression of Makiko's beautiful face looking down at him.
"Of course I do!" Makiko said, "how could I not? You've taken good care of me, even when you were in that little baby's body. And did you see my demon? I've finally got it. We were meant for each other. A true, demon connection."
Miboshi gave a large, heavy sigh. "We have to go warn Nakago and the rest. They'll be joining us here at the Temple, I presume. We must find that Shinzaho before the Lone Wolf Warrior does."
"I know," Makiko said. "But you can't walk in your condition!"
"There should be a room there to your right," Miboshi said, wincing in pain. "Leave me there, I'll be alright. You go warn the others."
"Are you sure you want to be alone?" Makiko asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
"I'll be fine," Miboshi said.
"Here, take your evil dradle," Makiko said, handing it over to him.
"No, you keep it," Miboshi said. "I'd hate myself for eternity if anything happened to you."
"But, Miboshi!" Makiko insisted, before Miboshi put a finger to her lips to quiet her down.
"Just do it . . . for me?" Miboshi asked.
"I don't get it," Makiko's lips trembled. "I just don't get it."
"I'll be fine," Miboshi whispered back, then took Makiko's face in his hands and gave her a sweet, long kiss of departure. Makiko had to try very hard not to cry as she cradled his body into her arms and took him into a near by room to lay him in bed and tuck him in.
She didn't want to leave him. Not after all of this! But, she knew she had to go and warn the others. She would have to trust him to be safe within the walls of the Temple, hoping the Lone Wolf Warrior wouldn't come back to look for him. She would have to get the Lone Wolf Warrior to come after her, away from the Temple, that's it.
"Goodbye, Miboshi," Makiko said quietly, blinking hard to stop her tears.
"Don't worry about me," Miboshi said, "I'll be waiting here for you. And when you come back, I'll make you my bride, and then you'll never have to leave me again."
Makiko couldn't stop the tears now. With a sudden joy in her heart, she flung herself around Miboshi and hugged him tight. They exchanged one long, last kiss before she ran off to warn her Priestess and fellow Seishi.