Chapter 44
"Mitsukake!"
The doctor of Suzaku spun around, and found himself being hugged by the Emperor of Konan. "Y-Your Highness?" "Thank you so much, Mitsukake!" Hotohori said, "If it weren't for you, I don't know what I'd do with out our dear Priestess! You're such a life-saver. If you want or need anything, money to pay for medicines or whatever, please name the price. You deserve it!"
Hotohori pulled away, and his face went straight, noticing the damage Mitsukake was in. The doctor had just left Kristin's room and was heading to his own.
"Mitsukake . . . what happened to you?"
"Uh. . . " Mitsukake stuttered, afraid of what Hotohori might do, "I have a confession to make."
"Confession?"
"Caitlin-sama . . . you know how her mind works. She got me up to it. Kristin-sama . . . she was never dangerously ill with a sickness demon. I made that up. She . . . she simply lost her voice due to cold weather and stress. I've healed her of that, but there was nothing to fear of death. I'm sorry, your Highness."
Hotohori stared at Mitsukake, not blinking. Then,
THONK!!
and Mitsukake slithered to the ground with a large bump on his head. "I'm getting it from everyone today," he muttered as the Emperor walked off.
Upon entering the royal throne room, Hotohori found that all the warriors were gathered round. Caitlin looked up at the seriousness on Hotohori's face, and cringed, but the Emperor smiled and said, "Don't worry. I would never hurt a woman. I took my anger out on Mitsukake instead. He's a big man. He can handle it."
"Your Highness," Official Number two said, coming out of the crowd. "I've got great news. The troops of Kutou . . . they've returned to their country. The war is over, I believe the Priestess of Seiryu might have something to do with this."
"Then I was right," came the voice of Kristin. Everyone turned to see her enter the room, looking better than ever.
"Kristin-sama," Caitlin cried, "You're alive!"
"Don't bother," Hotohori said, "I got the truth from Mitsukake."
*flash to picture of Mitsukake still laying on the floor where Hotohori hit him *
"But this is great," Nuriko said. "We got the Priestess of Seiryu on our side! She's going to let us live!"
"I can't believe she's already coupled with Seiryu to get her wishes done," Chichiri said, and all nodded their heads in agreement and joy. A frown washed down Kristin's face, turning her pale.
"Kristin-sama!" Hotohori said, immediately going to her side, "What's wrong?"
"Oh, no," Kristin said, "I completely forgot . . .!"
"Forgot what?" Hotohori asked.
"The Coupling!"
"Oh, no!" Caitlin said. "I mean . . . what ever do you mean, Kristin-sama?"
"When the beast god couples, then he devours the Priestess as well," Kristin said, her face downcast. "Martha knew that . . . and she's so weak. How's she going to manage to fight off the power of the beast god?"
"We should've let Katie be Priestess after all!" Caitlin said.
"Let's not be mean," the Author, Miss UOTS, inquired.
"You're too nice," Caitlin pouted.
"Well, too bad. Now go apologize."
"I'm sorry, Katie," Caitlin said to no one in particular. "I know I shouldn't be too mean . . . you know how I am . . . I've got a fiery personality . . . which makes me perfect for a certain somebody . . . "
Katie pops out of a corner and says, "Okay-dokie! Just so long's I'm still in the story with my Tamahomie!"
"Woah," Kristin said, as Katie popped back out of sight again. "That was both weird AND Katie like."
(By the way, if you can't tell, Miss UOTS is in a weird mood today, and just feels like being nice to everyone, cause that's the way she LOVES to be! I love you all, yeah!!)
"So, what should we do?" Number two asked.
"Are you sure the beast god will devour you?" Hotohori asked, his face overly concerned.
All Kristin could do was nod her head.
"Then what DO we do?" Tasuki said. "How do we summon Suzaku without loosing Kristin?"
"I have to be very strong," Kristin said.
"Yes," Chichiri said. "Now that you mention it, I believe that the Priestess of Genbu was strong and survived her summoning. It was Byakko's Priestess who almost didn't make it, I'm sure of that."
(How Chichiri knew that, the world will never know)
"Don't worry, Hotohori," Kristin said, "I'll make it through. For you, and for everyone else. How could I just leave behind you all? I've been through everything because of you guys . . . um, I mean I've been through everything with the HELP of you guys, heh, heh. Though, I think it works both ways. Anyhow, how could I not miss the wonderful gayness of Nuriko?"
Nuriko smiled. "I'm a good girl, aren't I?"
"Or the stupidness and loud obnoxious Tasuki with Caitlin combined?"
"Who are you callin' stupid?" Tasuki said.
"Calm yourself," Caitlin rebuked him.
"Or what about wise Chichiri, who held good conversations with me and pulled cheez its out of his hat whenever we really needed them?"
"Ah," Chichiri said, "thanks, no da!"
"Or the wonderous healing of Mitsukake, who sadly isn't in the room with us right now."
* dizzy eyes from Mitsukake, still laying out in the hall where we left him*
"Or quiet little Chirko who needs to do something in this story before we forget that he exists?"
"Thanks, Miss UOTS," Chiriko muttered to the ceiling.
"I'm sorry!" Miss UOTS screamed back. "I'll give you a part, I promise!"
"Or the wonderful, beautiful, ever so magnificant, powerful, stylish, gorgeous, best of the best of the best, the one and only Emperor of Konan, Hotohori?"
* Sweat drops from everybody *
"Alright, alright," Kristin said, "so I took that a little too far. What I meant to say is that I'll miss you all, but I want you to know that I'm doing this all for you guys so that this country can be in peace and . . . "
"But with Kutou no longer attacking," Hotohori said, "then you don't need to wish for our safety. We've been saved. You have an extra wish for yourself."
Kristin paused, thinking about this. Hotohori was right. But what else did she really need to wish for? And was she ever going to be able to get her wishes? Would she be strong enough to manage Suzaku devouring her body?
"Oi," Nuriko spoke up, "What do we do about Soi Sauce?" He shifted the bag he had been carrying on his back.
"I haven't thought about that," Kristin said.
"Is she even still alive?" Caitlin asked.
Nuriko dropped the bag to the ground and peeled open the bag. A head popped out, gasping for breath.
"Oh, sorry, Soi Sauce," Nuriko said, sweat dropping. "Didn't mean to suffocate you in there."
"I'm sure you didn't," Soi gasped out. "Baka! Take me back to Kutou. If the armies are no longer advancing, then what do you need me for, huh?"
"Uh . . . " Kristin said, trying to think of a good excuse.
"Do you want the Wolf Lone Warrior to make you his bride?" Tasuki spat.
"His bride?" Soi asked. "Why me?"
"We don't know!" Caitlin cried. "But he showed Tasuki and me the ring before attacking us back in the West Land. If you stay with us, you won't get attacked by him."
"I can get the same protection from my own fellow Seishi," Soi said, struggling to get out of the bag.
"But, you can't!" Kristin said.
"Sure, she can," came a voice from the ceiling. Everyone looked up to see Boboshi 3 staring down at them, his voice muffled from the black cloak wrapped tightly around him.
"You!" Kristin shouted. "What are you doing here?"
"To collect Miss Soi Sauce," Boboshi said. "She's been missing from the Seiryu number for too long. Besides, I'm sure she'd be glad to know that Nakago rejected Martha-sama . . . he, he he!"
"Don't you mean, Muh-ha ha ha?" Tasuki snarled. "That's a lot more manly than a silly girl-giggle."
"Nakago rejected the Priestess's love?" Soi said, a smile crawling over her face. "I knew it! He's all mine, just the way we were meant to be. How did that little girl ever think her stupid LOVE would ever heal the man?! I'll get him back just the way I always do . . . with my BODY."
"The Priestess is NOT stupid!" Boboshi said, glaring at Soi.
"Oh, you ARE Boboshi 3, aren't you?" Soi asked. "I heard you've had a crush on the Priestess for quite some time. So, you wanted me to take back Nakago so that you can take her? Well, that's fine by me!"
"First, you have to apologize," Boboshi 3 said, his face red in embarrassment and anger.
"Why should I apologize?" Soi asked.
"She's your Priestess!" Kristin cried. "You apologize to Martha, right NOW!"
"Never," Soi said.
"Fine, I'm not taking you home," Boboshi 3 said. "I hope Martha-sama DOES get Nakago. You bitch!" And Boboshi 3 disappeared.
"Oh, alright! I apologize!" Soi cried out. But it was too late. Boboshi 3 was gone.
"Mitsukake!"
The doctor of Suzaku spun around, and found himself being hugged by the Emperor of Konan. "Y-Your Highness?" "Thank you so much, Mitsukake!" Hotohori said, "If it weren't for you, I don't know what I'd do with out our dear Priestess! You're such a life-saver. If you want or need anything, money to pay for medicines or whatever, please name the price. You deserve it!"
Hotohori pulled away, and his face went straight, noticing the damage Mitsukake was in. The doctor had just left Kristin's room and was heading to his own.
"Mitsukake . . . what happened to you?"
"Uh. . . " Mitsukake stuttered, afraid of what Hotohori might do, "I have a confession to make."
"Confession?"
"Caitlin-sama . . . you know how her mind works. She got me up to it. Kristin-sama . . . she was never dangerously ill with a sickness demon. I made that up. She . . . she simply lost her voice due to cold weather and stress. I've healed her of that, but there was nothing to fear of death. I'm sorry, your Highness."
Hotohori stared at Mitsukake, not blinking. Then,
THONK!!
and Mitsukake slithered to the ground with a large bump on his head. "I'm getting it from everyone today," he muttered as the Emperor walked off.
Upon entering the royal throne room, Hotohori found that all the warriors were gathered round. Caitlin looked up at the seriousness on Hotohori's face, and cringed, but the Emperor smiled and said, "Don't worry. I would never hurt a woman. I took my anger out on Mitsukake instead. He's a big man. He can handle it."
"Your Highness," Official Number two said, coming out of the crowd. "I've got great news. The troops of Kutou . . . they've returned to their country. The war is over, I believe the Priestess of Seiryu might have something to do with this."
"Then I was right," came the voice of Kristin. Everyone turned to see her enter the room, looking better than ever.
"Kristin-sama," Caitlin cried, "You're alive!"
"Don't bother," Hotohori said, "I got the truth from Mitsukake."
*flash to picture of Mitsukake still laying on the floor where Hotohori hit him *
"But this is great," Nuriko said. "We got the Priestess of Seiryu on our side! She's going to let us live!"
"I can't believe she's already coupled with Seiryu to get her wishes done," Chichiri said, and all nodded their heads in agreement and joy. A frown washed down Kristin's face, turning her pale.
"Kristin-sama!" Hotohori said, immediately going to her side, "What's wrong?"
"Oh, no," Kristin said, "I completely forgot . . .!"
"Forgot what?" Hotohori asked.
"The Coupling!"
"Oh, no!" Caitlin said. "I mean . . . what ever do you mean, Kristin-sama?"
"When the beast god couples, then he devours the Priestess as well," Kristin said, her face downcast. "Martha knew that . . . and she's so weak. How's she going to manage to fight off the power of the beast god?"
"We should've let Katie be Priestess after all!" Caitlin said.
"Let's not be mean," the Author, Miss UOTS, inquired.
"You're too nice," Caitlin pouted.
"Well, too bad. Now go apologize."
"I'm sorry, Katie," Caitlin said to no one in particular. "I know I shouldn't be too mean . . . you know how I am . . . I've got a fiery personality . . . which makes me perfect for a certain somebody . . . "
Katie pops out of a corner and says, "Okay-dokie! Just so long's I'm still in the story with my Tamahomie!"
"Woah," Kristin said, as Katie popped back out of sight again. "That was both weird AND Katie like."
(By the way, if you can't tell, Miss UOTS is in a weird mood today, and just feels like being nice to everyone, cause that's the way she LOVES to be! I love you all, yeah!!)
"So, what should we do?" Number two asked.
"Are you sure the beast god will devour you?" Hotohori asked, his face overly concerned.
All Kristin could do was nod her head.
"Then what DO we do?" Tasuki said. "How do we summon Suzaku without loosing Kristin?"
"I have to be very strong," Kristin said.
"Yes," Chichiri said. "Now that you mention it, I believe that the Priestess of Genbu was strong and survived her summoning. It was Byakko's Priestess who almost didn't make it, I'm sure of that."
(How Chichiri knew that, the world will never know)
"Don't worry, Hotohori," Kristin said, "I'll make it through. For you, and for everyone else. How could I just leave behind you all? I've been through everything because of you guys . . . um, I mean I've been through everything with the HELP of you guys, heh, heh. Though, I think it works both ways. Anyhow, how could I not miss the wonderful gayness of Nuriko?"
Nuriko smiled. "I'm a good girl, aren't I?"
"Or the stupidness and loud obnoxious Tasuki with Caitlin combined?"
"Who are you callin' stupid?" Tasuki said.
"Calm yourself," Caitlin rebuked him.
"Or what about wise Chichiri, who held good conversations with me and pulled cheez its out of his hat whenever we really needed them?"
"Ah," Chichiri said, "thanks, no da!"
"Or the wonderous healing of Mitsukake, who sadly isn't in the room with us right now."
* dizzy eyes from Mitsukake, still laying out in the hall where we left him*
"Or quiet little Chirko who needs to do something in this story before we forget that he exists?"
"Thanks, Miss UOTS," Chiriko muttered to the ceiling.
"I'm sorry!" Miss UOTS screamed back. "I'll give you a part, I promise!"
"Or the wonderful, beautiful, ever so magnificant, powerful, stylish, gorgeous, best of the best of the best, the one and only Emperor of Konan, Hotohori?"
* Sweat drops from everybody *
"Alright, alright," Kristin said, "so I took that a little too far. What I meant to say is that I'll miss you all, but I want you to know that I'm doing this all for you guys so that this country can be in peace and . . . "
"But with Kutou no longer attacking," Hotohori said, "then you don't need to wish for our safety. We've been saved. You have an extra wish for yourself."
Kristin paused, thinking about this. Hotohori was right. But what else did she really need to wish for? And was she ever going to be able to get her wishes? Would she be strong enough to manage Suzaku devouring her body?
"Oi," Nuriko spoke up, "What do we do about Soi Sauce?" He shifted the bag he had been carrying on his back.
"I haven't thought about that," Kristin said.
"Is she even still alive?" Caitlin asked.
Nuriko dropped the bag to the ground and peeled open the bag. A head popped out, gasping for breath.
"Oh, sorry, Soi Sauce," Nuriko said, sweat dropping. "Didn't mean to suffocate you in there."
"I'm sure you didn't," Soi gasped out. "Baka! Take me back to Kutou. If the armies are no longer advancing, then what do you need me for, huh?"
"Uh . . . " Kristin said, trying to think of a good excuse.
"Do you want the Wolf Lone Warrior to make you his bride?" Tasuki spat.
"His bride?" Soi asked. "Why me?"
"We don't know!" Caitlin cried. "But he showed Tasuki and me the ring before attacking us back in the West Land. If you stay with us, you won't get attacked by him."
"I can get the same protection from my own fellow Seishi," Soi said, struggling to get out of the bag.
"But, you can't!" Kristin said.
"Sure, she can," came a voice from the ceiling. Everyone looked up to see Boboshi 3 staring down at them, his voice muffled from the black cloak wrapped tightly around him.
"You!" Kristin shouted. "What are you doing here?"
"To collect Miss Soi Sauce," Boboshi said. "She's been missing from the Seiryu number for too long. Besides, I'm sure she'd be glad to know that Nakago rejected Martha-sama . . . he, he he!"
"Don't you mean, Muh-ha ha ha?" Tasuki snarled. "That's a lot more manly than a silly girl-giggle."
"Nakago rejected the Priestess's love?" Soi said, a smile crawling over her face. "I knew it! He's all mine, just the way we were meant to be. How did that little girl ever think her stupid LOVE would ever heal the man?! I'll get him back just the way I always do . . . with my BODY."
"The Priestess is NOT stupid!" Boboshi said, glaring at Soi.
"Oh, you ARE Boboshi 3, aren't you?" Soi asked. "I heard you've had a crush on the Priestess for quite some time. So, you wanted me to take back Nakago so that you can take her? Well, that's fine by me!"
"First, you have to apologize," Boboshi 3 said, his face red in embarrassment and anger.
"Why should I apologize?" Soi asked.
"She's your Priestess!" Kristin cried. "You apologize to Martha, right NOW!"
"Never," Soi said.
"Fine, I'm not taking you home," Boboshi 3 said. "I hope Martha-sama DOES get Nakago. You bitch!" And Boboshi 3 disappeared.
"Oh, alright! I apologize!" Soi cried out. But it was too late. Boboshi 3 was gone.