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Taki's POV
She's gone…
My best friend is gone…
She died trying to save her lover. Never thought she'd go that way. She didn't strike me as the 'I'd do anything for you' type of person, but there are things you can learn even after 16 years.
I looked up at the arches above the courtyard. Nozomi sat there, watching Nakago and Tasuki as if she was watching some sporting event. How could she? She's taking it so lightly. Doesn't she see how important this is?
I closed my eyes and sobbed. Kei's words for a few weeks ago suddenly rang in my head.
"They'll all survive…"
I didn't see it before, but I should have. She didn't really include herself in that. She knew she was going to die. She probably knew for a long time…
I opened my eyes and stared at Nozomi again. Rage was all I felt. Why? Because…because…I don't know. I guess it just hurts to see someone else in place of Kei. No one can replace her. She was special…was…now she's gone…how could this have happened? What made Kei get tied up in this? Why did Nozomi choose her? What little piece am I missing that would probably make all this make sense?
The fight is happening while I'm deep in thought.
Tasuki had already burned most of Nakago's left arm with his first attack, and now he was going for the right. Nakago slashed mercilessly at Tasuki, mostly aiming for his neck. Tasuki either moved out of the way or deflected the blows with the tessen You know, an iron fan didn't strike me as an effective defense or offense, but then again, I never really saw Tasuki fight before.
Sparks flew from the weapons at every clash. It didn't matter whether Nakago attacked from overhead, at chest level or below, Tasuki blocked everything. Did his feelings for Kei make him that much stronger?
A loud ringing pierced the air. Everyone stood still for a moment. Tasuki smirked as Nakago's sword came clattering to the ground about 20 meters away. I stood up. Tasuki had disarmed Nakago! There was really no hope for the blonde general, was there?
"Any last words?" Tasuki pulled a sword from under his coat as he sheathed the tessen onto his back.
"I have nothing to say to you!" Nakago spat at Tasuki.
Tasuki snorted. "Fine." I heard a strangely satisfying sound as Tasuki's sword pierced straight through Nakago's armor and his heart. So…Tasuki killed Nakago. It seemed pretty fast. Both the fight and the death scene. He was dead almost instantly.
I felt like smiling. I wanted to smile! But I couldn't. Nakago may be dead and that's a reason to celebrate, but he did his damage to us before he got off.
Tasuki yanked the sword out of Nakago, making his body lift a bit before dropping and making a dull thud against the ground. Blood dripped off the sword and pooled near Tasuki's feet. Blood was also beginning to pool around Nakago. It was a gruesome scene, no doubt, but it wasn't half the blood that was shed today. Before Nozomi appeared and got rid of all the Kutou soldiers, many from both sides had already fallen. Tasuki sheathed the sword and pulled his tessen out again.
"Like I said before 'No one will recognize you when I'm done with you.' You'll pay for all this." I couldn't see Tasuki's eyes very well, but enough to see they were missing a spark I'd always noticed in him. I think…the moment Kei died, he lost the spark of life he used to have. I've never seen him so serious…then again, I haven't seen him deal with anyone who has hurt Kei before.
Tasuki slowly raised the tessen above his head. He planned to burn the fallen seishi to ashes, not that I blamed him…
"Rekka…" The tessen began to glow, waiting for the 2nd part of the incantation.
"I wish I could let you do that, but I can't…" From out of nowhere, Nozomi flew down from the arches and landed in front of Tasuki. "I can't let you completely destroy him."
"What?" Tasuki glared at her. "Are you on his side or something?" He pointed the tessen at her.
"What?" Nozomi snorted as her wings ruffled slightly. "I'm not on anyone's side. I do have certain duties to perform though…now put that down." She glared at the tessen-wielding seishi.
Tasuki reluctantly put his arm down. "Then what are you planning to do with him?" Tasuki asked what everyone wanted to know.
"I have to help him in anyway I can…"
"Help him? Don't you think you should have done that before Tasuki killed him?" I finally found my voice. My words came out far more bitter and forceful than I wanted.
Nozomi raised a brow at me. "Finally worked up the nerve to speak, did you?"
I clenched my fist. "Just tell us what you're gonna do and get on with it!" Now I didn't mind how bitter I sounded before.
She stared at me. "Do you hate me?"
Regrettably, my jaw dropped. I didn't mean to be surprised, but why would a goddess care whether or not one mortal girl hated her? "W…why?"
"You seem particularly bitter…"
"'Particularly bitter'? Is that what you call it? You're walking around in my best friend's body! After she died too! How the hell am I supposed to act?!?!" I almost lunged at her, but I felt Hotohori hold me back.
"Do you blame me for her death?"
"Yes. She was tied to a fate she didn't ask for. It wasn't fair." I felt my eyes sting with more tears.
"I'm not the one to blame. I had no hand in what happened to her. Her grandmother was the one who made a promise to this world she couldn't keep on her own, so Kei ended up being the one who would fulfill the promise…" Nozomi knelt down next to Nakago's head.
My legs felt weak. So…it was Hikari's fault…Nozomi didn't just choose Kei. How could a goddess be as much a victim as Kei? My hands visibly trembled. "Oh…so…so what are you doing now?"
"Like I said, I have to try to help him."
"Help him how? I already killed him." Tasuki scoffed. "Stupid bastard…"
"Well, if I had let you burn him to a crisp, you would have destroyed his soul, or what's left of it, at the same time. If a seishi's soul is destroyed, it throws the universe off balance. Then it's just a mess." She placed her hands on the sides of his head. I noticed a bit of disgust on her face as she touched the evil general. "Nakago had two chances at life. His first time through, his life was a living hell. That's no excuse for the way he acted though, mind you." Her hands glowed a soft white. Soon Nakago's body was engulfed in the white light. "His actions were a result of not dealing with his past well. His 2nd chance was influenced by his tragic past and his thirst for revenge." Nakago's body began to fade and become part of the light.
"What are you doing, no da?"
"Making a last ditch effort to save his soul…it may be completely hopeless though…" Her brow knitted in frustration as she seemed to fight something in an attempt to get the warrior's soul.
"What will you do with it, no da? If you get it that is…"
She was quiet for a moment, concentrating. The white glow died out and Nakago's body was gone. Nozomi's shoulders sagged a bit as she stared at her hard earned prize. Wasn't much if you asked me though. The 'soul' looked somewhat like a crystal, but it was tinted with dark colors and looked as though it was chipped.
"Is that…?" Jason cocked his head to one side as he stared at the object in her hand.
"Yes. Nakago's soul or what's left of it. Take your pick." She stood up again.
"What are you gonna do with it?" Tasuki stared at it.
"Purify it and send it to a place where he might be happy." She held the crystal in both hands and began to chant. We all watched in awe as the crystal glowed softly and repaired itself. The stained crystal became clear again. It was an entire soul again.
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Tasuki's POV
I glowered at Nozomi. She had a lot of nerve. She saves Nakago's soul right in front of us and she can't do anything about Kei? What a bunch of bullshit. I sheathed the tessen again. I walked away. I couldn't look at her anymore.
No one stopped me. It was better that way. The soldiers instinctively stayed out of my way as I walked down the halls. I stood in front of Kei's room. The door was gone. It lay on the other side of hallway. Wonder how she did it…guess it could have come from Nozomi.
I sighed and continued sadly to my own room. The door was still open as I had left it earlier today and I stepped in, closing the door behind me.
Everything was quiet. Just too quiet. For the past few weeks, I had barely spent anytime apart from Kei, now…now this. I'd never see her again.
I opened a small cabinet next to my bed and found the strongest bottle of sake in it. I stared at it for a long time before opening it and chugging the whole thing.
Immediately, the room began to spin. I briefly thought of trying to go for my bed but I missed. I passed out on the floor, hearing the bottle shatter one the floor somewhere near.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Blackness swirled around me. How could I tell? It was completely dark. Guess it was just something I thought I saw in my drunken dream world. It felt like I was falling. That is until I hit 'the ground' or just something somewhat solid.
"You know, you're gonna have one hell of a hang over when you wake up…" A light, kinda happy voice rang in my head.
I clutched at my head. I didn't think you could get headaches in dreams. "Shut up…" I mumbled, trying to make the happy person go away.
"You can't get rid of me that easily…" A pair of strong, yet soft hands yanked me up into a sitting position. It wasn't dark any more. I shaded my eyes with me hand and waited until I was adjusted. What kinda crazy ass dream is this where things from real life actually apply to it?
"What the…?" I stared up at the person who hauled me up. "Kei…"
She knelt next to me. "Tasuki…" She gathered me into her arms. I was stunned. It was only a dream, but it felt so real. I wished it was real so much.
I clutched at her and started to cry. "Kei…why? Why did you do that?"
She gently ran her fingers through my hair. "Do we have to go through this again?"
"I…I dunno…"
"Tasuki…you know I'll always be with you, right? Maybe not physically, but you'll always see me here…"
I looked up at her. She looked so beautiful. She wore the same dress as Nozomi but her hair wasn't as long and she didn't have the same jewelry or the wings. In fact the only thing other than the dress she wore was the pendant I gave her. "I know…" I murmured. "I just…I want…" I lost my voice.
"I know…" She wiped away my tears and kissed me. It seemed so real. "But…we aren't that lucky."
She seemed so calm. I guess she accepted her own death before I could. I don't think I'll ever accept it. Kei had been the one person I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.
I rested my head on her shoulder. "So how long until I wake up and get my well-deserved hang over?"
"Not long. You were in the swirling darkness longer than you think."
"Oh…" I closed my eyes and nuzzled her neck. "Will I see you in my dreams again?"
"Always, Tasuki…always…" She smiled and hugged me closer. "I'll always be here. If you want to see me, just try to sleep."
"What about everyone else? They all miss you so much…" I recalled Taki's reactions to everything. "Taki was so upset…"
"I know…I'm not sure if I can talk to her though."
I felt myself getting sleepy. Can you get sleepy in a dream? Maybe it's telling me I'm about to wake up.
"I'll see you tomorrow night, Tasuki." Kei kissed me one more time before I woke up.
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I woke on the floor, just where I fell asleep or passed out. Take your pick. It was dark out. Guess I slept through the whole day. Everyone must have figured I fell asleep and decided not to disturb me. I saw the shattered bottle. I cleaned it up despite the pounding in my head.
I took off the tessen, my coat and the sword I killed Nakago with. Now in just my shirt, pants and boots I decided to walk around the palace.
I walked past Taki and Lily's rooms. Empty. Guess they were with Hotohori and Chichiri. Can't blame 'em… After today's tragedy, it just made you want to be with the person you love and try to forget what happened. Too bad I can't.
Jason was with Nuriko. When Jason and Nuriko stayed together, I was happy. Nuriko was always my friend, even if we didn't exactly get along all the time, and I wanted him to be happy. I wouldn't have been able tell Kei how I felt if he hadn't been…how should I say…forcefully encouraging me…Jason and Nuriko are great people, and now I'm jealous of them. I'm a fuckin' jerk.
The pounding in my head was getting much worse. I didn't care, I kept walking.
I wandered into the gardens. How much time had I spent here with Kei? Those had been happy times. Whether I was playfully teasing her or holding her close, I loved all the time I had spent here with her.
I dropped to my knees in the gazebo and cried. Why? Why is fate cruel? I lost her so soon after I finally told her I loved her. Why couldn't I have told her sooner? Why did I have to be so scared to tell her? She felt the same, why didn't I see it? How long were we actually together? Not long. It was only the day after I told her that we went back and now she's gone. I should have told her a lot time ago. There were so many chances that I missed. I didn't try as hard as I could have to tell her.
"It won't do any good to berate yourself over the past…" That voice. Nozomi…she was still here. She flew down from her perch in a tree next to me.
"You're still here…" I wished she wasn't.
"Yes…I'm leaving for places beyond this world in the morning. It's easier to travel in light."
"Why didn't you leave before? It was still early when you came."
"You were passed out. I couldn't leave yet." Her wings neatly folded behind her.
"So?"
She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. "Kei still lingers a bit in me. She wouldn't forgive me if I left you all before you got up."
"Why do you care? You don't need to worry about the feelings of mortals, do you?"
"You try wandering through life for 4980 years by yourself until meeting someone who you can talk to. Then we'll talk." She huffed.
"You…you're 5000 years old?" Almost 5000 years alone? I guess that's why she cares. Kei was the only one she'd every been friends. Of course she'd care.
"Give or take a century or two"
"Oh…"
"I am sorry…about Kei…it never should have been this way."
"I know…there are a lot of things that didn't go the way they were supposed to…" I sighed.
"I should leave you alone. I don't think you want me around." She turned to leave.
I grabbed her arm. "No. Don't. I'd rather not be alone with my thoughts."
"Oh…okay…" She stopped and stood next to me again.
"What was Kei like when she was little?" I don't really know what prompted the question, but I didn't want to stand in silence.
"Kei was…the bravest little girl I've ever seen. Even when she was hurt, she did her best not to cry. Tough too. She didn't need anyone to defend her. There was one boy she met when she was 8 who was mean to her for no reason. She broke his nose when she whipped a basket ball at his face." Nozomi laughed at the memory. "When she was with her friends, she was always so happy. I always hoped it would never end…"
I smiled. Kei hadn't changed as she grew. I wondered what it would have been like to know Kei as a little kid.
Nozomi and I spent half the night talking about Kei. Nothing bad, just the happy times. Nozomi had changed so much since my first time in contact with her. Back in Kutou, she seemed so angry, ready to kill everyone. Now she was a happy person.
We walked out of the gardens and past the palace shine. Nozomi left me there. Apparently, she wanted to sleep there. I let her go and went back to my room. I felt a little better. Not 100% better, but good enough to be on my own.
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The next morning, Nozomi was gone. Everyone figured she left in the middle of the night but I knew otherwise. I still felt her presence a bit in the shrine. She hadn't been gone for long before we explored. Where she went, I don't know though.
I sighed. I wondered what would happen now. Even if Kei was gone, Taki, Lily and Jason were still here. They technically didn't belong here. They would eventually have to leave wouldn't they?
Everyone was in a solemn mood for the next week. What other mood could we be in though?
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Kei's POV
How long have I been dead?
Eight days, huh?
Wow…feels like longer…
I'm lonely.
I've been walking around in darkness for a long time now.
I can't rest and I'm not tired either.
I'm devoid of feeling.
It's kinda funny…not funny funny really, more like morbid funny…but being dead doesn't hurt, it's kinda peaceful, it's the events that lead up to dying that hurt.
Getting shot with an arrow, now that hurt.
But what hurt more? The arrow or seeing Tasuki in so much pain?
I heard a noise from somewhere. I turned in the direction I thought it was coming from. It sounded like a door opening. I saw a light.
A silhouette appeared in the bright light. I began to walk towards it.
"Kei…"
I froze. Whoever or whatever it was knew me. "What?"
"Do you want to go home?"
My throat tightened up. Home? What more did I want? "More than anything…"
"Do you think this is unfair? Dying so early?"
I felt awkward. "Who are you? Why should I answer your questions?"
"My, my…still stubborn I see. Not even death can stop you."
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you here to say something important to me or mock the fact that I'm dead?!?!"
"Kei…" I began to recognize the voice.
"Hoshi-sama…"
"Or Nozomi, whichever you prefer." She stepped into a better light. I now saw her features and her wings.
"Okay…yeah…so what do you want?"
"I can send you back."
"S…send me back? You mean as in be alive again?"
"Yes. Do you want to go back?"
"Of course!" Go back? Was she insane? What made her think there was even a possibility I wouldn't want to go back? "But…wait…there's a catch…isn't there? What do I have to do?"
"Nothing. There's no catch." She extended her hand to me. "Come with me."
"There…there has to be something else to this! How can you just hand my life back to me like it's no big deal?!?!"
"Kei, there isn't much time! Come with me now or you'll never go back!"
I didn't really think about anything else. The last thing I remember before the bright light was hanging onto Nozomi's wrist and being pulled through that doorway.
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Narrator's POV
Tasuki bolted straight up in bed. He was in a cold sweat and his breathing was haggard. 'What the hell was that?!?!' He kicked off his covers and walked to his window.
The sweat on his forehead made his hair stick to his face. He made a half-assed attempt to push the hair aside. 'Who the hell kept repeating 'the shrine'? It doesn't make any sense…' He grabbed a towel from a table and wiped his face and neck off. He closed his eyes, trying to get the voice out of his head.
'Get the fuck outta my head!! It's midnight! I'm not goin' anywhere now!' He growled softly to no one in particular.
'Don't you want to see her again?'
Tasuki's eyes flew open. Her? Her as in Kei? Without another thought, he ran out of his room and down the hall faster than he'd ever before. Tasuki cursed the distance from his room to the shrine as he ran. He was careful not to make a sound as his unnatural speed carried his through the dark halls of the palace.
He stopped in front of the shrine. He had his hands on the doors when he stopped. 'What am I doing? Kei's dead…she can't come back…can she? But then…what else could that voice have been talking about?' He pushed open the heavy wooden doors and walked through the shield protecting the shrine.
The shrine was dark except for a few candles lit around the statue of Suzaku. He stood in front of the statue in silence, apologizing for his intrusion.
Being in the shrine of Suzaku calmed his panicked mind. He took a deep breath.
"Kei…are you coming back?"
His question was answered by silence. Nothing moved, nothing made a sound, the air was filled with nothing. He slowly closed his eyes.
"I shoulda seen that coming…"
Suddenly a small red light began to form in midair at the top of the altar.
"But not that…"
The small light began to grow bigger and brighter and cast a red glow over everything, including Tasuki. He didn't understand what was going on.
It didn't make any sense until the giant ball of light began to form itself into something else…"Something human…" Tasuki murmured. He began to walk up the steps to the altar. "Kei…"
The ball of light responded to him. What looked like a glowing arm reached out to him. He tentatively took its hand. It felt warm…comforting…
The light began to die down and become solid. Kei's figure appeared where the light had been. She had been floating slightly and now dropped into Tasuki's arms, unconscious.
He was surprised by the sudden weight and stumbled to the floor with her. He shifted her so that she was laying on her back and he hovered over her.
"Kei? Kei! Wake up! Please!" He shook her gently.
She lay still for a few moments then suddenly her amethyst eyes shot open. She sat up quickly and took in a deep, labored breath. Her next few were raspy and uneven. He held her up while she regained her senses.
"T…T…Tasuki? Wha…what? Don't tell me you're dead too…" She looked up at his face for the first time in over a week and since she died with big confused eyes.
"No…no…I'm not dead…" He pulled her into a hug. "You're alive…" He felt himself being to cry for joy.
"I…I'm alive? But…but I…" She stared into his amber eyes. "I shoved you outta the way and…"
"And you did die…but you're here now!" He kissed her deeply.
She stared at him for a long time. They both sat there on the floor, confused and happy. Kei smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm really sorry, Tasuki. I must have put you through hell and back."
He shifted her into his lap. "Don't be sorry, Kei. Shit happens, but it's all okay now. It's all okay…" He murmured as he ran his hands though her hair. "It's all okay…"
Kei rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "I'm so sleepy…"
Tasuki smirked. "Didn't think you'd be full of energy after coming back from the dead."
"Ha ha…can we go to sleep now?"
"Sure. Whatever you want…" He stood up, with her in his arms. "We can tell the others you're back in the morning."
Kei began to nod off as Tasuki walked back to his room. His strong stride gently rocked her. Her thoughts began to drift to Nozomi. 'How did she do it? Why am I still alive? Doesn't Nozomi need my body to do whatever she has to do?' She began to try and find Nozomi in her mind. She wandered though the halls of Nozomi's palace in her mind. There was nothing in the palace. Nozomi was gone and so were the gods.
Kei realized something. Maybe Nozomi didn't need a real body to seal the book. Maybe Nozomi had given her a 2nd chance by leaving her. But then…Kei would be alone in her mind. She'd never been alone in her mind before. She had always had someone to share her thoughts with. Now she wouldn't…
'Wait…what am I thinking? I'm not alone…I have my family, my friends, and Tasuki. I never really was alone, I just thought I was because I figured I'd die. I guess I don't need to have her in my mind anymore…it would be nice if she was there, but life won't end because she isn't there…'
"What're ya thinkin' 'bout?" Tasuki laid her on his bed.
"Nothing that can't wait till morning…I wanna get some sleep before I face the onslaught of happy in the morning." She smiled at him.
He chuckled and laid next to her. "You'll need all the rest you can get…"
She snuggled up to him. His strong, warm body reminded her she wasn't dreaming and she really was alive. He pulled her close. He reminded himself to go to the shrine and thank Nozomi in the morning. They both fell into a peaceful sleep.
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Chichiri woke up the next morning feeling a little woozy. Lily helped him out of bed.
"What's wrong, Chichiri? You don't look so good."
"I…I don't know, no da. I have the strangest feeling something big happened last night."
"While we were sleeping?"
"Yes. What ever it was, it was big."
"Well, are you gonna be okay? You look a little shaky…" She laid her hand on his shoulder.
"I'll be fine." He laid his hand over hers. "Thank you though, no da."
"Of course." She smiled and headed for the door. "I'm gonna go change and I'll see you at breakfast okay?"
"Of course." He smiled back and watched her leave.
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Taki slowly opened her eyes. Hotohori sat next to her bed. "How long have you been watching me?"
"Not long. How have you been sleeping?"
"Not good." She rubbed her eyes and started to get up. "I just…I can't sleep and I can't stay awake. I spend most of the night somewhere in between."
Hotohori sighed. He didn't know what to say.
"Does the pain ever stop?"
"Someday…" He let her cry for a while before a maid knocked at the door.
"Heika? Taki-sama?" She nervously opened the door.
"Yes?" Hotohori looked up at the maid.
"Tasuki-sama has asked that everyone meet in the dining room as soon as possible."
"Did he say why?"
"No sire…" She left the doorway and went back to her duties around the castle.
Taki looked up at Hotohori. "Funny…he hasn't come out of his room since she died. Why would he call a meeting?"
"I'm not sure…"
Hotohori waited until Taki was ready and they went down to the dining hall. Nuriko and Jason were sitting down already. Jason set his drink down when Hotohori and Taki came in.
"Message from the maid?"
"Yep." Taki sat next to him. "Any idea why?"
He shrugged. "Nope. We looked for Tasuki before we got here, but he wasn't around."
"That isn't like him…" Hotohori remarked.
"Neither is falling in love and losing that person." Nuriko played with one of his chopsticks. "We're not dealing with the same Tasuki anymore."
"True…"
Chichiri and Lily came into the dining room. Chichiri appeared without his mask and still a bit pale.
"Chichiri, what's wrong?" Nuriko looked worried.
"I just…it was a strange night. Something happened while we were asleep that doesn't sit well with me, no da."
"Something bad?" Hotohori looked up at him.
"No, nothing bad…just…unnatural I guess you could say, no da."
"I wonder if Tasuki knows…" Lily reminded everyone of the meeting they were supposed to have.
"Maybe, no da…"
The heavy doors swung open and Tasuki stood in the middle. "Morning." He walked to the table.
"Morning yourself. Haven't seen you in a while." Jason nodded to the former bandit. "What brought you out?"
Tasuki picked up a water-filled glass. After a quick drink he smiled. "It was a 'who' not a 'what'?"
"A who with a what now?" Taki stared at Tasuki. "Don't speak in riddles."
"Okay…" Tasuki smiled. "She's back."
"Who?" Taki felt her hand begin to shake.
"Who else but me? I'm the only one who died, after all!" Kei suddenly appeared in the doorway of the room.
"Kei?!?!?!?!" The whole room turned to see their formerly dead friend standing there.
"That's me!" She giggled at her friends' confusion.
"Kei!" Taki got out of her chair so fast she sent it flying. Taki ran right into her friend. "Is it really you?"
Kei stumbled back and returned her friend's hug. "Of course. Who else would pose as little ol' me?"
"I dunno…" Taki tried to hold back her tears as they stood embraced.
"Sorry 'bout leaving. I didn't mean to." Kei murmured.
"Just don't do it again. Not until you're old and done with life."
"Promise."
"Hey! Quit hogging Kei, Taki." Lily wormed her way in between the two.
"Sorry."
Kei wrapped her arms around Lily. "Did I put you through hell too?"
"Hell yeah." Lily tightly hugged her. "I shoulda figured you wouldn't stay dead though."
"Oh well. Life goes on."
"It sure does." Kei smiled and let her go. She turned to Jason. "Do I get a hug from you too?"
He rolled his eyes. "Would you be mad if you didn't?"
"Yes." Kei pouted. "It's been a week since I had the chance to get on your nerves."
"Kei, you know I'm not one for…Hey!" Nuriko shoved him out of his chair and over to Kei. "Fine, fine…" He sighed and hugged Kei. "You don't know how glad I am to see you…even if I don't act like it."
Kei stood on her tiptoes to reach him. "Coulda fooled me."
"I know." He smirked. "Don't scare us again. No more jumping in front of enemy arrows, okay?"
"Okay. That wasn't very much fun anyway." She smiled.
"'Fun' she says. Now I know you're insane."
"Who said insanity was a bad thing?"
"Never mind…" He let her go. She giggled at his exasperation.
Lily looked at Chichiri. "Guess something big did happen, huh?"
"Yes. Big and unnatural, no da."
"Not bad though. Just like you said." They smiled and watched Kei continue to annoy Jason like she used to.
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The night was filled with happiness, just like Kei had thought. It wasn't until much latter in the evening that Kei and Tasuki finally had some quiet time. They stood in the gardens. Kei sighed happily as the fireflies flew around them. She caught on of them.
"It's kinda funny. I used to think these were so annoying. Now they aren't so bad…" She watched it blink in her hand.
"Guess you see everything differently after being dead." He embraced her from behind.
"Yeah, everything seems so much happier." She watched the bug fly away.
"Kei?"
"Hmmm?"
"I don't mean to be the bearer of bad things, but you guys aren't staying here forever, are you?"
She sighed. "No…I'm just not totally sure how much longer we have here."
"I do have any idea how much longer?"
"When's the next lunar eclipse?"
"Why?"
"Before I got pulled back into this world, I remember Nozomi telling me we had until the next lunar eclipse to stay here. Then the book gets sealed. Do you know when that it?"
"It's in about a year, I think."
"A year, huh? Wish it was longer…" She turned to face him. "Guess not though, huh?"
"No. We're the tragic heroes of someone's story. No matter what there won't be an entirely happy ending for us."
"I guess so…"
"I guess I'm just happy knowing you're alright though." He ran his fingers through her hair.
"Oh Tasuki, I don't know what I'm gonna do without you…" She studied his face.
He pulled her closer. "Don't think about it now. We still have time."
"Okay. You're right. There's still time." She closed her eyes as Tasuki pressed his lips to hers. 'It's all okay. I'm okay, he's okay, the war's over, my friends are happy and okay.' She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. 'For now, everything is okay.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The year passed by too quickly. Before anyone was ready, it was over. The final night had come. They stood in the torch lit gardens. It was near midnight. They stood around as the eclipse began. Kei felt Nozomi again. She walked away from the group.
"Nozomi? Is that you?"
A figure appeared. It was Nozomi, but she was transparent. "Quite right."
"Before we start, can you tell me how you brought me back? I've been wondering about it for the past year."
"All I did was leave your mind. By me leaving, you were able to come back."
"But…I thought you needed my body…"
"I do. Well, I did. I just needed someone to bring here, that's all."
"Oh…so that's it? You're leaving?"
"I have to. You can't survive with me in your head anymore."
"Why?"
"Because my power is up to the level it should be. A human body wouldn't be able to handle the strain." She held her hands in front of her and opened a portal to the real world. "And now it's time. I wish there was another way…"
Lily turned to Chichiri. "So I guess this is it…" She tried not to cry.
"Yes, no da…" He embraced her.
She pressed something into his hand. "Chichiri…I want you to have this…"
"But Lily…" He stared at the object in his hand. It was the necklace she had gotten from her parents. "I can't take this, no da."
"Please." She kissed him softly. "Give it back to me when we're together again, okay?"
"But we might not…" She covered his mouth with her hand.
"Don't think that way…" She murmured and rested her head on his shoulder. "Don't think that way…"
He wrapped his arms around her again.
Nuriko was already crying. Jason held the smaller man closer. Tears silently rolled down his face. Jason did want to leave and for once he let his emotions show.
"What do you say at a time like this?"
"If I knew I would have said it by now…"
"Thank you for everything, Jason…"
"What? I haven't done anything…"
"You've done a lot for me. I never thought I'd find a guy that would truly accept me for who I am."
"Nuriko…I told you I'd always love you, no matter what." He cupped Nuriko's cheek with one hand. "Nothing will ever change that."
He blushed. "I know…" He reached up and kissed Jason.
Taki studied Hotohori's face for a long time. "Figures…" She muttered.
"What?"
"I finally meet the man of my dreams, he feels the same and I lose him one way or another…" She drew circles with her foot in the grass.
"You aren't losing me. We'll just be separated, for a while."
"For a while? You think?"
"We weren't supposed to be together when we were in your world. There may still be a chance."
"I hope you're right…" She clutched at the phoenix around her neck.
"You still wear it?"
"I wouldn't take it off for anything."
He embraced her. "We'll be together again someday."
"Well, have to be hopeful, don't we?" She clutched at his clothes. "I'll miss you though."
"I'll miss you too. There will never be anyone else in my life like you."
"That might be a good thing." She tried to smile slightly.
Kei stared at the glowing portal. She could see her living room on the other side. "I can't believe it's over. The year went by so fast…"
"Yeah…" Tasuki took her hand in his. "A year isn't long enough."
"I know…" She felt tears running down her cheeks.
Tasuki brushed them away. "Hey…don't cry…I hate it when you cry…"
"But…it gonna be so hard to make it without you…" She sniffed.
"Kei…when I saw you in my dreams, you said you'd always be with me. Don't think it'll be any different this way either…"
"Really?"
"Yeah. I'm always gonna be with you. You can't rid of me." He kissed her passionately.
She held on to him as long as possible.
Nozomi sighed. She felt terrible separating them like this, but the book had to be sealed. But was there another way? Maybe if she…
"I think we're ready now…" Kei and the others stood in front of the portal.
"Alright then. Head through."
The seishi watched with heavy hearts as the 4 disappeared from Konan forever. The portal silently closed. Tasuki said nothing as he dropped to his knees and cried.
Nozomi looked at the disheartened men. "Don't look so sad. There may be a way."
"How? You just sealed the path, no da…" The chain of Lily's necklace dangled from his hand.
"Haven't you ever heard of loop holes? They exist in magic too." She smiled. "Have faith in me and maybe I can work around that pesky little seal."
They all stared at her. They do anything if there was even a small chance.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kei woke up in her bed. It was dark outside. She touched her face. She'd been crying. Jason walked into her room. "You're finally awake. You cried yourself to sleep as soon as we got back."
"I did?"
"Yeah. Can't blame you though."
She rubbed her eyes. "So…how are Lily and Taki?"
"Depressed. Lily locked herself in the mini gym downstairs and Taki has just been sitting in the kitchen staring out the window." He sat down in one of her chairs.
"And you?"
"I'll hold up…somehow, I guess…" He ran his hand though his hair.
"You know…you don't have to act all tough anymore…"
"Yeah, yeah…but it's hard to change, you know? This is the last thing I ever though would happen in my life."
"I guess I can see that…"
"How long did you know? About Nozomi, I mean…"
"How long? I dunno…long time. I heard grandma talking to Tai Itsukun when I was pretty young."
"Weird…" He shook his head.
"I know it's weird, but it's true."
He shrugged. "I oughta know better by now, never doubt anything that comes out of your mouth."
She smiled. "If you say so." She laid back on the bed.
He got up and pulled the covers back over her. "Get some sleep. You still look tired."
"Yeah…I'm still sleepy."
He left her room and turned off the light. "Good night."
"Good night Jason." She turned over on her side and went back to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The End!
Well, the end of the main story anyway. Now I have to write the epilogue. Hmmm, I didn't really have a prologue but oh well! That was really long. Should I have done this in two chapters? Hmmm, couldn't find a place to break it at. It was the longest chapter I've written to date. I should have the epilogue done soon.
~*~Shadow Hawk~*~
1/22/03