TA: Wheee! New chappy!! Hope Y'all like it. I had to go by what I remember seeing I don't yet have volume 7 of the manga and I'm too lazy to hunt through my DVDs to find the episodes with this stuff. It should be kinda accurate. Enjoy no da!
Disclaimer stuff: Come on, if you're read to here you KNOW who I own and who's Watase-sama's. Although I wish I owned Nuriko, because he's such a good muse, and Chichiri, just because…well…I luv 'im =P
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 16 – Guardian Angel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What did Taiitsukun have to say, Nikyia?" Chichiri asked as she exited the shrine. All the others had left with Miaka's exit. Nikyia hadn't even noticed him, lost in thoughts as she pushed open the door to the shrine, Arafae at wing behind her.
"Not very promising news…" she sighed. The eyebrows on Chichiri's mask furrowed together.
"That doesn't sound good no da."
It's not, Arafae concluded, coming to rest on Nikyia's shoulder. Needless to say unless you act quick there's not going to be any action with your lovergirl.
A smack later Arafae was slammed into the shrine wall. Chichiri blinked.
"What'd he mean no da?" Nikyia lowered her eyes to the ground.
"Arafae and I…we…can't stay here."
In an instant, the mask was gone from Chichiri's face, his good eye wide in shock.
"What do you mean you can't stay here?!" he nearly shouted, hands grabbing her shoulders roughly.
"Didn't think you'd take this very well…" Nikyia smirked, pulling his hands off gently. "It's because of Jaden. Taiitsukun doesn't want you all to be endangered by my traveling with you when you leave for Hokkan."
"So where will you be going instead?"
"Back to Miaka's world. Somehow…while we're there…one of us has to die…" the words flowed off her tongue all too easily, as if she somehow knew he was expecting that. He wasn't. The hands returned to her shoulders tighter than before.
"Nikyia…tell me you're kidding about that."
"I'm-"
"You can't be serious! You're – you're joking! Taiitsukun was joking! She wouldn't – she can't! She can't make you leave! Not now! Not just as we-" Chichiri's rant was abruptly cut off by a kiss he hadn't seen coming. Nikyia pulled away a moment later, feeling his grip relax.
"Chichiri, I'm not leaving right away. Not until you leave, okay? You don't have to start worrying just yet."
"Too late no da."
Nikyia smiled and hugged him gently.
"I'll be careful. I promise."
"Would there be any possibility I could come as well?" he whispered, returning the hug.
"You'd have to talk with Taitsukun about-"
"AAAAAWWWWW!"
Both parties sweatdropped as they looked down the stairs in front of the shrine. Who else stood there but Nuriko.
"Nuriko…" Nikyia muttered as he walked up the stairs to next to them.
"Whaaat?" Nuriko put on his most innocent face. "You KNOW I've got to be here for every romantic moment you two go through." He added a wink for effect. The sweatdrops doubled. "So! What's all the huggy kissy stuff for here?"
After a quick explanation, Nuriko had joined in the hug fest.
"YOU CAN'T LEAVE US!!" he sobbed.
"I'm not leaving immediately, you fool!" Nikyia couldn't help but laugh. Nuriko would never cry. Not for real. Not unless she got killed. Herself or anyone close to him.
"Well then!" the purple haired seishi perked back up. "You two going to the Festival of Lights?"
Chichiri blinked.
"I haven't really thought about it no da," Chichiri replied, replacing his mask on his face. His good eye was left blinking as the flimsy magic face covering was pulled out of his hand. Nikyia held it now, grinning.
"I don't think so, monk," she said, a smirk on her face. "If I'm only going to get to see you a few more days, you can kiss the mask goodbye until you leave."
"Oh c'mon no da…"
"No."
~~~~~~~~~
"What's takin' those two so damn long?!" Tasuki cursed, looking between the direction Nuriko and Nikyia would be coming in. Miaka, Tasuki and Chichiri were waiting for them to head off to the Festival in the city. Chichiri had convinced Nikyia to give him back the mask for the night.
"Women always take forever Tasuki na no da!" Chichiri chimed, getting a glare from the bandit king.
" 'S why I fuckin hate 'em-" he glanced at Miaka, who glared dangerously at him. "MOST of 'em!!"
"We're ready!!" Nuriko bounded around the corner. "Nikyia just needed a little fixing up."
"I was FINE Nuriko…" Nikyia's voice rebounded from the area Nuriko had arrived. The seishi paused and looked back in her direction. He turned and went back around the corner. A moment later he reappeared, easily dragging the demi-goddess behind him. The goddess had usually dressed in traditional male garments (for better movement she explained) but now Nuriko had done her wardrobe…and hair, and makeup, and just about everything. And the goddess didn't seem to enjoy it. Her dress was obviously of clothing Nuriko had gathered from fellow harem members: dress, sash, shoes, all red, except for a gold trim on the dress. Nuriko had also taken the liberty of redoing her now mid-back-length hair into a small braid.
"Chichiri, close yer mouth! It ain't that impressive!"
Chichiri smiled softly as Nuriko dragged her the rest of the way to the group.
"It is when you've known her as long as I have no da."
"I've got the money!" Nuriko practically sang. "Let's go have some fun!"
The crossdressing seishi grabbed the two closest (Miaka and Tasuki) and took off running towards the city. Chichiri sweatdropped, then looked at the blushing goddess. She couldn't keep her eyes off the garments Nuriko had supplied.
"If you want to change, hurry up no da. We don't want to miss the light show."
Nikyia blinked at her date, then beamed.
"Thank youuuu!!" she squealed, tackling him into a hug before running off. Five minutes later she was back, just as she was normally.
"You're welcome no da," Chichiri grinned, offering his arm to Nikyia. Still beaming, she took the offered arm and together went off in search of the money bearing one. When they found Nuriko, he and Miaka were chowing at a vendor while Tasuki sweatdropped.
"Tasuki-kun no da!!"
The red haired bandit looked up, as did the two eaters. Nuriko made a face (as best he could with a full mouth) and swallowed.
"Nikyiaaaaaaa!!!!!" he whined. The goddess made a point of sticking her tongue at him.
"Our taste of clothes don't correspond."
"I spent an HOUR trying to get that outfit together…" Nuriko put on his best pouty face as Nikyia walked over to him and Miaka. Nikyia rolled her eyes.
"I know."
"So, Nikki-chan…" Miaka had taken up calling Nikyia that when she wanted something.
"Hm?"
Miaka smirked and pointed over her shoulder. Nikyia turned her head just in time to see some man performing a fire show, albeit a bad one. However, the spectators were amazed. The goddess rolled her eyes.
"You want me to show 'em a real show?"
Miaka nodded furiously. Nikyia smirked.
"Wait right there."
With purpose, she strolled over to the fire maker's crowd.
"Now this'll be fuckin interestin'…"
"See, ladies and gentlemen, the wonder of Asiirai!" the man announced, raising his hand into the air. He had lit it on fire and now showed no pain. Nikyia had seen that trick before. Mitsukake had taught her on the way back to Konan. When a certain herb was added to water, fire could burn on it, and if something flammable was placed in the water, it could be set alight with no harm done to the item. As the audience oohed and ahhed, Nikyia cleared her throat.
"Lame!!"
In the moment she called out the word, a silence sunk over the crowd. The man quieted.
"Who dares insult my powers?" he hissed.
Show time…Nikyia thought as she made her way through the crowd to the fire performer. "I do."
The man narrowed his eyes at the teen in front of him.
"So, you say my powers are not impressive. I suppose you can do better?"
Nikyia looked around at the onlookers. They seemed expectant.
"As a matter of fact, I can."
Taking a breath, Nikyia faced the crowd and put her hands out towards them. "Konan. It is the land of the fire god, the god of love, Suzaku. He watches over his children, the people of this land. He blesses us with his gift." She closed her eyes and turned her palms towards the sky. "His wrath is mighty should one turn against him. Yet as a god…" She summoned her powers, and from her hands shot a burst of flame into the sky. The crowd gasped as the fire began to twist and take shape. From a hovering ball of flames, a neck emerged. The ball lengthened and two wings pulled out from the sides of it as a head formed on the neck. Finally, a long, feathery tail emerged. "He is glorious." The fireball had been shaped into that of a phoenix. There was silence in the crowd as the fire phoenix vanished in front of their eyes. And then, there was applause. The "fire magician" was stunned to the point of being speechless. Nikyia chuckled and bowed before walking away.
As she joined her friends again, the goddess found herself being tackled by a flying priestess.
"Nikki-chan, that was awesome!"
"No fuckin kidding!" Tasuki piped in.
"She's had practice no da."
Nuriko had seemed to have forgiven Nikyia for changing clothes after that. It wasn't long after that he got a chance to show off as well when a strongman lifted a large pot and held it over his head. He unwisely put out a challenge to anyone who would try to lift it. Nuriko complied by lifting not only the pot, but the overweight lifter as well on one hand and sent them both spinning, offering a bet on how long he could keep it up. Chichiri had to support Nikyia to keep her from falling over with laughter as Miaka and Tasuki exchanged a thumbs up.
"Miaka, where ya goin'?" Tasuki's voice hit Nikyia's ears over her laughter and that of everyone else. Nuriko had finally put the now very dizzy man down and rejoined his friends. Miaka had vanished into the crowd without an answer to Tasuki.
"Why'd she run off no da?" Chichiri blinked. Nikyia had still refused him his mask, and he wasn't getting as many strange looks as the group had expected.
"Hey, Chiri! Looky! A magic show!" Nuriko pointed at a group of people.
"Does that mean it's my turn no da?"
"Hell, I'm doin' this with ya!" Tasuki grabbed his tessen off his back, took Chichiri by the arm and dragged him off towards the show. Nikyia leaned against Nuriko and grinned at him. The purple haired seishi rustled her hair as the NEW show began. Tasuki and Chichiri seemed to be putting on a fake fight right besides the magician.
"REKKA SHINEN!!" Tasuki shouted. A small flame shot out towards Chichiri, but was extinguished by a barrier shooting up around him. There was another barrier around the two with enough area to move around, but no one else could be hurt.
"Now THIS is entertainment," Nuriko chuckled as the crowd began to move towards the new mages.
~~~~~~~~
By the time the festival was over, along with the impressive fireworks light show at the end, the four were worn out. There was still no sign of Miaka, but everyone somehow knew she was alright. As they arrived at the palace, they found Miaka and Tamahome speaking. They'd been avoiding each other since the summoning. Nikyia guessed Tamahome must not have taken to Taiitsukun's command well, but things seemed to have improved with them.
Nuriko was still whining over the fact Nikyia had gone and changed her outfit, but it wasn't as bad. Tasuki carried a large bag of money he had procured from the crowd during the fight between Chichiri and himself. As Nuriko and Tasuki departed for their rooms, waving goodnight, Chichiri looked up at the star filled sky.
"You know, it's a nice night out. I might fish a bit before going to bed."
Nikyia paused. It had been a long time since she had even touched a fish, the memory of the meal that never happened two years again. A tear slid down her cheek as memories of that last day filled her mind. It didn't go unnoticed. Chichiri's hand rested on her shoulder.
"It's kinda funny…but ever since then, I haven't caught a single fish no da."
Nikyia smiled as she wiped away another forming tear.
"We should be starting our own journeys tomorrow," Chichiri smiled sadly at her before kissing her forehead. "Get some sleep."
"Don't stay up too late fishing," she whispered, pulling him into a hug.
"I won't no da."
With a final smile, Nikyia released her blue-haired love and turned for her bedroom. However, she paused by a nearby plant.
"Thanks for not interrupting that time," she smirked before walking off. A moment later, Nuriko's purple-haired head poked up through the branches.
"How'd you know I was there?"
But his question went unanswered as Nikyia vanished around the corner.
~~~~~~~~~
The next morning, everyone was loading the ship with supplies, a member of the "supplies" being Tasuki. The group had discovered the bandit held a strong dislike of water and being anywhere near it except for with it confined in a small cup. A soldier had to carry him onto the ship. He and Tamahome were having a taunting contest when Miaka pulled out an object familiar to Nikyia: a camera. Everyone else was amazed at the black box with people like themselves inside. Nikyia and Miaka explained as best they could before Miaka got everyone together for a group shot. She instructed a soldier on the rudiments of "look through the box and press the button." It would have been a wonderful shot if Nikyia hadn't decided to put bunny ears on Nuriko. Nuriko retaliated a picture later with a noogie.
"Tamahome." Hotohori stopped the seishi as his arms were loaded with the last of the supplies. Their voices lowered for a moment before the whole crew was interrupted from their activities by a whoop of excitement. The emperor had bought a home from a man on the outskirts of the village who had a large plot of land. Tamahome was to retrieve his family and relocate them to it.
"Miaka, Nuriko, Nikyia! Come on! I can't wait to see the look on Dad's face!" Tamahome exclaimed as he ran off the boat, Miaka a few steps after him. Nikyia shot Chichiri a "help me" look as Nuriko latched onto her arm and dragged her off. Chichiri only laughed and waved, watching Arafae take flight after them all.
The group made it to the village in an hour, slightly detained by Tamahome's need to buy presents for the younger siblings. Usually a bustling town, it was silent now. No one was out, and not even a bird was singing.
This does not bode well…Arafae's voice seemed nervous. Nikyia had to agree. The other three didn't seem to notice it, nor the growing aura of death that grew stronger as they neared the house. Nikyia couldn't help biting her lip, praying she wouldn't find what she feared. Her fear was Tamahome's father was dead, or one of his siblings. The truth came out as they reached the abode of Tamahome's family. It was worse. Much worse.
Nikyia's hands shot up to her mouth at the sight in front of them all. Tamahome stood erect, petrified by shock, and Nuriko instinctively pulled Miaka closer to him. Tamahome's father sat, slumped over at the dining table. Blood dripped over the edge to the ground. The stench of blood was unbearable.
"Tama….home…" a small voice whispered. Yuiren. The murder had not even spared her, the littlest, sweetest girl. Tamahome ran over to her, gently taking the little girl into his arms.
"You…came…back…" she smiled. It seemed like she was unaware of the life flowing through a hole in her stomach. A cold shiver ran down Nikyia's back. This scene. It was happening again. She was watching it happen all over again. That wasn't Tamahome holding Yuiren. It was herself and Genrou. The father at the table was her own. Mama was gone. Papa was dead and Genrou was dying. All over again. And someone was screaming. Painfully. Loudly. It was herself. And she couldn't stop.
"NIKYIA!"
Two hands resting firmly on her shoulders brought her back to the present. Nuriko was in front of her, blocking her view of the scene. A cold sweat covered her arms and face, and her hands were white from gripping her own arms. Weakly she fell into Nuriko's grip. Silently, she wished it were Chichiri's, but Nuriko was her best friend. And he was there. He was the one holding her this time, whispering that everything would be alright. Over his shoulder though, Nikyia could see it all again. Arafae sat on the edge of the table, not really caring that blood was getting on his talons. His hawk-eyes held pity for both mourners. Tamahome was being comforted by Miaka as he held Yuiren's limp body in his arms. He was still in shock. Now, Nikyia didn't know why, but she smiled. Still weak from her intense flashback, she pushed herself out of Nuriko's hold and stumbled towards Tamahome, coming to kneel beside him. Her hand brushed a small lock of hair away from Yuiren's face, and Tamahome looked up at her. He gave the impression of being ready to either cry or destroy something. Nikyia smiled softly at him, and she found herself whispering, "You've got a guardian angel too."