Okay, I know it's been a couple of days but here's a new chapter. I would have done it sooner but I had a play to perform. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter!
Tasuki and Koujii looked toward the door, the adrenaline already pumping. Both young men glanced back at the Priestess. They would never forgive themselves if something happened to the Priestess.
"Stay close to us Priestess. If ya get separated try to make it back here and lock the door. Don't open it to anyone but us."
Miaka nodded, her heart pounding fiercely like a caged animal in her chest. What was going on? Who would be attacking them in the middle of the night?
"Tasuki!"
The flame haired bandit turned back to the Priestess.
"What is it?"
"Be careful!"
"As a virgin on her wedding night!"
Miaka couldn't keep the grin from her face. Even in the midst of danger Tasuki was still trying to keep her calm.
The three crept quietly into the hall, didn't want to be given away.
"Genrou, what about the boss?"
"…Take care of the boss Koujii, I gotta protect the Priestess."
Koujii moved a blur of shadows. She hadn't even seen him move. Grasping tightly onto the sleeve of Genrou's shirt, the two silent figures moved down the hall. Suddenly one of the newest members of the Mt. Riekkaku came crashing back into the wall behind them.
"Eijie!!! What the hell happened?"
"He's too strong…gotta stop 'im…"
With that the young bandit passed out. He wasn't dead, just exhausted. Miaka felt bad for him. He didn't deserve that bad a beating.
"Where did you take the Priestess of Suzaku?"
That voice! It couldn't be…Miaka looked up and saw the bright red flash of the ogre symbol and knew automatically who had come to Mt. Riekkaku.
"Tamahome?"
"Miaka?"
"Tamahome!!!"
Miaka ran past the now gawking bandits that had filled the hall and flung herself into the arms of her beloved Tamahome. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly against him.
"Did you really think I'd let them take you? Nothing will ever keep me from you Miaka…"
"Oh Tamahome…"
For the first time in a long time the tears that welled up in Miaka's eyes were that of joy, not sorrow.
"You didn't think we would actually leave you here did you?"
"Hotohori!"
"Geaze Miaka, you could at least say thank you."
"Nuriko!!!"
"What the hell is goin' on here?"
The short lived reunion was quickly interrupted by a rather confused looking Tasuki.
"Tasuki…these are my friends…they came to save me…please don't hurt them Tasuki they only came because they thought I was in trouble."
Tasuki looked into the pleading eyes of the Priestess and knew that he could never refuse this girl. After all, she had agreed to help the boss, and she was the one female he didn't get annoyed with. Suddenly Koujii's panic-filled voice rang down the hall.
"Genrou!!! Come quick! It's the boss!!!!"
"Priestess, come with me please."
Grabbing her hand Tasuki and Miaka practically flew down the hall with the others close behind them. Tasuki flung the doors to the room open and rushed to his boss's side.
"Genrou…there is something I must say…now before I go…" he gasped weakly
"Yer' talkin' crazy, yer not goin' anywhere."
"Genrou…listen now…you are a…warrior of Suzaku…and next in line as leader…help them Genrou…help the Priestess…and…make me proud…"
"Boss! Priestess!"
"Miaka stepped forward and placed her hands on the older man's forehead, and took his hand in hers. She knew there was nothing she could do to help him, but she desperately wanted to ease his pain. To heal him.
"Priestess…take care of him…for me…"
"I will…"
With a last breath he said," Lead them well Genrou…lead them well…"
And suddenly he was gone. The bandits of Mt. Riekkaku stood in a shocked silence. They knew their boss was dying, they just never thought he would go so soon.
"…boss…"
"Tasuki…"
Miaka knelt beside the young bandit and took him in her arms, doing her best to comfort him. Tasuki let the Priestess hold him while he wept into her shoulder. The rest of the bandits as well as Miaka's rescue party left the room. Maybe it was a guy thing, but somehow Miaka knew it was more about respect than anything else…
To be continued….
