2

Warning: Violence

Chapter Seven


Miaka rode in front of Hotohori as the group headed in the direction of the nearby town. She looked behind her at the newcomers, wondering how things were going to go. They needed to find only two more seishi. Ryo sighed softly as he looked over at Touma, who was riding next to him. He felt a soft touch on his mind from Shin's direction and smiled. /Yes, Shin?/

/Oh, just wondering what the hell are we doing here and has anyone else thought about the Mashos?/ Shin said softly and Ryo knew he had widened their 'talk' to include the others.

/Well, let's just get our bearings and we'll go from there./ Ryo said soothingly, then looked over at their allies. /Oh, and you guys. Keep a look out for these other seishi. I have a feeling that we are closer than they know./

/You too?/ Touma thought and smirked. Shu snickered softly as they rode along, moving easily with the horses they were on. Genrou rode behind the group, watching everything intently. What were these guys really up to? He had no intention of letting them in on his secret, at least not yet. Instead, he decided to watch and evaluate them.

Shin looked over his shoulder at the one named Genrou and got his horse to hang back a bit. 'Might as well be polite.' he thought to himself as he smiled slightly at the redhead. "So, you are the leader of the bandits in these mountains?" he asked politely as he glanced at Genrou.

"Hn. Yeah...what's it to you?!" Genrou growled, turning his gaze to the redheaded young man. "What exactly do you want or did you just show up for some 'small talk'?"

Already used to Shu's abruptness, Shin just smiled and said, "We were raised to be polite to strangers. And since you are our host, I thought I'd use my manners and talk to you. No secrets, right?" he said and smirked slightly as he glanced at the redhead, his eyes twinkling with knowing humor.

Eye twitching, Genrou snorted. "Fine. Whatever."

Chuckling softly, Shin started asking questions about the country, who the neighboring countries were, what the myth was behind Suzaku....basic information pumping. He smirked as he felt his friends listen in to their conversation, when he asked suddenly, "So, you know who this Tasuki person is, right?"

"Yeah so? What's it to you." Genrou snorted, grudgingly admitting it. It wasn't a total lie, after all. Shrugging nonchalantly, Shin just smirked at Genrou as he rode along.

Shu snickered as he looked back at Shin. "Shin's good." he said softly and Seiji winked at him, grinning.

Ryo sighed and Touma wondered softly, "Why don't we just tell him we know?"

Shu snickered again. "Because it's fun and you know it," he said and Touma stuck his tongue out at the Kongo warrior.

Shin looked at Genrou and said, "So who was that fan toting idiot that tried to flame us?"

Genrou shrugged, his eyes glaring at Touma, Ryo and Shu as he spoke. "Just some asshole who thought he could take over while I was gone seeing to our old boss' burial."

Nodding once, Shin said, "Grave robber."

Genrou blinked. "Nani?! No...the boss gave me the fan before he died. Eiken just stole it from my quarters when I was gone."

Shrugging, Shin said, "He still was a grave robber. He was taking something that wasn't his from someone who was dead and had handed it over to another."

"Uh huh." Genrou replied intelligently.

Chuckling softly, Shin shook his head as he looked ahead. "How much farther?" he asked as they rode along a winding path.

"Not too much farther. Should just be right over that ridge." Nodding again, Shin sent the information to his friends and they nodded. "............"

Ryo looked around at his surroundings and looked over at Touma again. "Touma. How do you think we got here?"

Touma shrugged. "I don't know, Ryo. Something tells me that Arago's power mixed with that book and bam...we're here." he said as he shifted in his seat. Ryo nodded once and sighed softly. Ignoring the others, Genrou rode ahead of the group. Miaka blinked, her eyes growing fuzzy. She was so dizzy all of a sudden...

Seiji looked forward all of a sudden then rode his horse up, sidling up next to Miaka's horse. "Miaka? Is everything alright?" he asked in concern as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Hai...Just dizzy..." Miaka smiled, shaking her head to clear it. Which only made it worse.

Concern growing, Seiji looked back at Ryo. "We need to stop. Something's not right." he said as he stopped her horse and his own.

"Hai...I agree." Hotohori replied, concern for Miaka in his voice. She smiled up at him gratefully. She did want to go on, but was suddenly so very tired.

Seiji dismounted, noting that his friends did the same, then helped Miaka off of her horse. Ryo came up by him and asked softly, "Can you?" Seiji nodded and took her hand into his own. A green glow surrounded his hand as he called upon Korin to heal her.

Miaka blinked, then poked Seiji on the forehead. "You're glowing. Are you going to puke too?" The others sweat-dropped profusely.

Ignoring her as he concentrated, Seiji heard Ryo say soothingly, "He's healing you. It must be serious if he's doing it, so just relax." Shu was trying very hard not to burst out laughing and Shin was poking him silent.

"Oh." Miaka blinked. Things were still going so fuzzy....

Unfortunately, Seiji's power wasn't working. Whether it was the fact they were foreign, or only the power of Suzaku could heal her, no one could say. Miaka just blinked, trying to get her vision to focus. "I'm hungry...."

That did it. Shu bust out laughing as Seiji blinked, breaking his focus. Shin and Ryo hid their smiles behind their hands as Touma said lightly, "Well...hunger does tend to get one a bit...woozy. Maybe Miaka should ride with someone until we get there so she won't fall off." Seiji smirked up at Touma and Touma winked at him playfully.

Nuriko shook his head. "Nah...she's always hungry. It's something else. But we should get going..." He stopped in mid-sentence, growling. A dozen or so men and women suddenly surrounded the group. They appeared to be the townsfolk of the town just ahead. But there was something decidedly unusual about them...

Ryo and Seiji stood up slowly, Seiji supporting Miaka as they looked at the group. Shin, Shu, and Touma moved closer, brows furrowed in concern as they looked at the group.

"Hey...Nuriko. Something doesn't feel right." Shu said softly as he stood nearby the other man's horse.

"No....you think?!" Nuriko said sarcastically, getting off his horse. He went to the first man and held out his hand. "Hello sir! I'm....eeep!!!" That last was said in regards to the fact the hand that Nuriko had tried to shake had come off. So close to them, the others could smell the stench of the corpses that were slowly walking towards them. "They're dead!"

Shu snorted as he did a roundhouse kick on one of the zombies. "No, ya think?" he retorted sarcastically as he ducked under a suddenly flying fist and knocked the body into a tree.

"This is disgusting..." Ryo said as he punched through a couple of the walking dead.

Touma snickered as he did his flying spin kick on a group of them. "You'd think you'd be used to it, Ryo." he said and smirked as Ryo tossed him a one-fingered salute.

Growling, Nuriko took a handful of the zombies and sent them flying into a tree. Narrowing his eyes, Genrou pulled out his fan. "REKKA SHIEN!!!!!!!!" A wall of flame shot out, incinerating the group.

Blinking in surprise and disappointment, Shu crossed his arms and said, "Aw man...there went our fun."

Seiji and Touma laughed as Shin shook his head. Ryo smirked as Shin looked at him and said, "Next time, you can flame the zombies, ne, Ryo?" Ryo nodded and smirked.

"Oh shut up." Genrou growled, putting his tessen away. "Now what?!"

"Er...."

Shu chuckled as he looked around, then wrinkled his nose. "Man the stench takes away an appetite real fast." he said in an almost whining tone. Seiji whapped him over the head and mock glared at him.

Ryo frowned in thought. "We aren't in the Youjakai...so where did these zombies come from?" he said softly as he toed one of the crispy corpses.

"From a demon."

The others looked up, to see a young woman. Long blonde hair framed her delicate face as she smiled sadly. "My name is Shouka. I can see you're new to this place."

Hotohori nodded. "Hai. And one of our number is ill..."

"Come inside."

The Troopers all eyed the woman in distrust. "Ne, Hotohori-san. I don't think we should go in. Something's not right." Ryo said softly as he came up beside Hotohori. Seiji scooped Miaka up into his arms as he nodded once.

Shouka blinked, then bowed. "I can heal her, if you wish. She seems to be afflicted with the illness that has struck this town."

Touma frowned as he looked at Shouka. "Seiji couldn't heal her...so what makes you different?" he asked as he looked at Miaka.

"I have experience in this illness." Shouka replied.

Miaka shrugged. "Anything's worth a try."

Seiji frowned. "I strongly don't recommend it." he said softly, but then took her into the house. He could feel his friends' distrust and wariness, but Miaka had made her decision.

Bowing them inside, Shouka waited until they placed Miaka in bed. She then leaned over the young girl. Sighing, she shook her head. "Just as I feared. She does have the illness. But it is too far-gone. I cannot help her. Not in this condition."

"What condition?!" Nuriko frowned, coming up to shield Miaka.

Shouka sighed. "My power does not include the healing of this illness, except in the first stages. Once past that...there is only one way I can help her."

"How?!"

"She must die. I can then revive her."

"Bullshit!" Shu said angrily as he came up next to Nuriko. He glared at the woman, as if daring her to come near Miaka.

Seiji came over to Miaka and touched her forehead. The green glow came again, but it didn't go anywhere. He frowned, confused at this, but listened as Ryo said, "This is nuts! You can only revive her....and how fast is this stupid plague??"

"The plague travels very fast. I've seen others succumb to it within a matter of days." Shouka replied sadly.

"I don't believe you....and I don't think Miaka is sick." Seiji said quietly, challenging her.

Shouka blinked. "Oh? Then how do you explain her condition?" Miaka grimaced on the bed, a sharp pain moving through her abdomen. She was scared. She couldn't see...and now this...

Seiji glanced down at Miaka and put a soothing hand on her forehead. "Something not of this world is causing this." He said softly, then looked at Shouka thoughtfully.

/She's awfully pushy to have Miaka dead./ Shu growled softly to them and the other Troopers nodded slightly.

"True and I don't know what it is. But there is said to be a man on the outskirts of the town that might." Shouka replied sadly.

The Troopers looked at each other, then Shin said, "Well, why don't a couple of us go over to this man and see if he can help out Miaka. I don't know about anyone else, but if another death can be avoided then we should go for it." The other Troopers nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps all of you should go. Give your friend a chance to rest peacefully." Shouka suggested, bowing her head.

Alarms went off in Ryo's head and he knew that his friends said the same thing as he replied lightly, "No, I think Seiji and Shu can stay here, while Shin, Touma and I go to check out this guy." Looking at Hotohori, he asked, "Sound good? Did you want to go?"

"I think Nuriko and I both should go. Genrou can stay here as well." Hotohori replied. Genrou narrowed his eyes, but said nothing after looking at Miaka. The Troopers nodded once, and then Shin, Touma, and Ryo led the way out.

Seiji looked at Shu, then sat down on the floor next to Miaka's bed. Shu joined him and glared at Shouka. /I don't trust her one bit, Seiji./

/Join the club./ was all Seiji said as he crossed his arms across his chest and let his head fall to his chest. Shouka sat in a chair at the other end of the room, waiting for all of them to fall asleep. She'd make her move then. Genrou yawned hugely, taking a seat against the wall. He watched all of them closely. He was certain the others had realized his secret. But why hadn't they said anything? Shu kept his gaze on Shouka, but Seiji looked over at Genrou, whom they were sure, was really Tasuki. Shu and Seiji both knew that they had to keep an eye on Shouka.

Ryo and Shin walked swiftly, following the path. Touma had jumped up into the trees, running along the branches and doing a search as he went. It was a habit with them to have one on higher ground and both Shin and Ryo knew Touma was somewhat nervous about the town. Hell, they all felt that way. Bad vibes were surrounding the town like a cloth.

Not seeing the two warriors watching her every move, Shouka drew out her dagger. Walking slowly over to the sleeping priestess, she raised it, determined to end the girl's suffering. Moving swiftly, Seiji and Shu were up and between Miaka and Shouka in seconds. Shu pinned Shouka in a half Nelson as he said, "I don't think so, girl! You ain't gettin near Miaka!" Seiji reached up and grabbed the dagger, forcing it out of Shouka's hand.

"NO!!!!!! Let me go!!! Please I don't want to hurt you but..." Shouka groaned, feeling something beginning to emerge. She tried to suppress it but it was so hard...

Snorting derisively, Shu held his stance easily. Seiji tossed the dagger, hearing it thunk into the wall next to Genrou's head and said dangerously, "Lady, we aren't scared of you. We've seen worse." Screaming, Shouka's body began to break up, dissolving into nothing but flesh and bone. A large putrid green beast emerged, tentacles flying. One picked up Miaka, who screamed and thrashed.

Backing up, both Troopers called on their armors. "That is DISGUSTING!" Shu said in disgust as they both jumped up, aiming to get Miaka out and to attack the beast.

"Hell if I know!" Seiji said he kicked at the eye of the beast.

"It's a fucking disease demon you fucking morons!!!!" Genrou growled. He had seen one like it before, in his old hometown. He dodged one of the tentacles that swiped for him and danced back to the Troopers.

/You know...remind me to hit that blockhead when we are done here./ Shu growled to Seiji as they flipped back to land next to Genrou.

Seiji glared coldly at Genrou as he said, "Then what do you suggest...Tasuki?" he cocked his eyebrow at the redhead as Shu dodged some tentacles.

"Well you can quit standing there like a fucking moron!" Genrou didn't even blink when he was called by that name. He sidestepped another tentacle, his tessen frying it. The creature roared in pain, advancing upon the young Troopers, Miaka still grasped tightly in its tentacles.

Looking at Seiji and nodding, Shu called upon his armor along with his friend. Seiji leapt up. "Rei..Kou..ZAN!!" Slashing the air, he aimed his attack at the beast, narrowly missing Miaka, who was protected by Shu, as he took the backwash of the attack for her. Miaka screamed, the beast's blood spurting out in a torrent as it was sliced open. The beast roared, the spiky tail slashing outward.

Using his naginata, Shu sliced through the tentacles holding Miaka and jumped down, carrying her. With a grunt, he handed her roughly over to Tasuki, then went back into the fray, where Seiji was hacking at tentacles and a tail. Twirling his naginata, Shu shouted, "GENTESSAI!!!" A blinding white light rumbled towards the creature, bathing it in rock and light. Sagging against Genrou, Miaka closed her eyes and fainted.

Genrou rolled his eyes. Women were so weird. Placing her down, he stood and drew his tessen once more. Aiming it, he cried out, "REKKA SHIEN!!!!" The creature screamed then fell as it crumbled to dust.

Seiji and Shu panted a bit then went over by the other two. "Well that was disgusting." Shu said with a grimace.

Seiji nodded then saw the young woman Shouka. Saddened, he went over and picked her up, then looked around as the house disappeared. 'An illusion.' he thought to himself grimly.

"Well, I'll be damned. The whole thing was an illusion!" Genrou blinked, looking around. In the distance he could see Nuriko, Hotohori and the others returning. A tall man walked behind them.

Shu looked over and waved at Ryo, Shin, and Touma as they ran up. "Hey guys! Sup?" he said cheerfully.

Seiji walked up as well, carrying the woman as he frowned at Shu. "Baka." he said softly.

"Oh nothing much. We just destroyed an evil demon, that's all!" Genrou growled sarcastically.

Cocking an eyebrow in amusement, Touma smirked. "Goodness...you'd think he never saw a demon before..." he said with a smirk and Shu snickered.

Seiji sighed as he looked down at Shouka. "This poor woman was possessed. I'm afraid we had to kill her in order to destroy the beast." he said sadly.

"Oh dear..." The tall man pushed his way past them and took Shouka into his arms. He sighed, bowing his head as he prayed for her soul to find rest.

Seiji stepped back as he looked up at the man, then his eyes saddened. "I am sorry for your loss." he said softly. The other Troopers bowed their heads in sadness. Another innocent soul lost.

The black haired man looked up and nodded wordlessly. He placed Shouka down and went over to Miaka. She blinked, staring up at him, even though she couldn't see. He smiled briefly, then lifted his hand to her face. A red character appeared on his palm, the light engulfing her. Miaka sighed, opening her eyes. She blinked, then smiled. The pain was gone and she could see! Her eyes took in the young man before her. "You're..."

"Hai. Suzaku Shichiseishi Mitsukake."

Looking at each other, the Troopers smirked. "Looks like all we have to do is find the last of the seishi." Shin said as they watched the group.

"Nani?! No we don't. We still have Tasuki to find. And Chiriko..." Miaka replied, frowning. Genrou hid his tessen and started to inch away.

Shu snickered as he came up behind Genrou, clapping him on the shoulder...and effectively holding the redhead there. "Nah...he's right here. Right...Tasuki?" he asked with a sneer and the other Troopers snickered.

"Eh?!! I don't know what the fuck you're...oh hell." Genrou growled, pulling away. "Fine! I'm Tasuki." He pulled up the sleeve of his shirt, and a red character could be seen on his arm. Miaka sweatdropped.

"Atta boy! Glad you finally 'fessed up!" Shu said as he clapped Tasuki on the shoulder again. Seiji shook his head in amusement as Ryo, Touma, and Shin snickered some more. Tasuki growled and slammed his fist into Shu's face. Shu had turned his head at that moment to smirk at Seiji, then frowned as he was jolted. "Why you!" he snarled out and threw a punch at Tasuki.

"Knock it off, Shu. You know you're stronger than him!" Ryo said sharply as he glared at the two hot heads.

"Oh really..." Tasuki growled, diving into the fray once more. He'd show this baka who was stronger, damnit!!!!!

Miaka sweatdropped, rolling her eyes. "Well...at least now all we need is Chiriko! Then Tamahome can come home!!"

Shu snarled in glee as he fought back, then finally pinned Tasuki in a half Nelson. "You are an idiot for fighting me," he whispered softly into the redhead's ear.

The other Troopers sighed as they watched the scuffle, then Ryo looked at Miaka. "It will be nice to meet this...Tamahome. We've heard a lot about him...sorta," he said, then grinned.

"Oh he's so dreamy!!!" Miaka gushed, clasping her hands together as she thought of her love.

Growling, Tasuki fought free and aimed his tessen, frying Shu where he stood. "HA!!!!!! NO ONE DEFEATS TASUKI!!!"

Shu growled as he dove at the redhead. "ASSHOLE!!" he tackled Tasuki and pinned him easily.

Ryo sweatdropped at Miaka's oozing and sighed softly before looking at Nuriko. "Is she always like this about Tamahome?" he asked.

Nuriko rolled his eyes. "You have no idea..."

"ARGH!!" Tasuki growled, slamming his knee into Shu's stomach. He then smirked and fried the Trooper again in glee. Coughing up smoke, Shu glared and tackled the redhead again. He punched Tasuki in the gut, then pinned him firmly, using his weight as well as his strength to hold him down.

Ryo sweatdropped as he smirked at Nuriko. "Well, that's fair warning...." he said as he looked back at Hotohori and Mitsukake.

"Right...sure..." Nuriko rolled his eyes. "Let's get going. We aren't that far from Tamahome's hometown. I'm sure his family wouldn't mind us staying with them."

Snarling in glee, Tasuki tried to shove his tessen up Shu's nose. This was fun! He'd never had such a great time before!

Nodding once, Ryo turned back, then sweatdropped as Shu snarled and pinned Tasuki even more. /Does he know what position he's in?/ he asked his friends.

Seiji and Shin were both trying to stifle their snickers as they shook their heads. Touma swallowed his laughter as he said, "Hey Shu! Stop playing with your lover! We have to get going!"

"EEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!" Tasuki smacked Shu in the face and stood up, shuddering. He glared at Touma, a blush creeping over his cheeks. "I wouldn't have that baka for a lover if he was the last thing on earth!!!!!!!"

Muttering as he rubbed his face and got up, Shu glared at Touma. "Man, you are gonna get it for that one, Touma." Shu growled softly as he walked over to his friends.

Touma batted his eyelashes as he said, "Can I have that in writing?" Ryo and Shin snickered evilly as Shu smirked.

Seiji shook his head and looked at their companions. "Shall we get going? Long journeys begin with a single step." he said softly.

"Aw man...here he goes again with the quotes!" Shu said as he rolled his eyes.

Nuriko sighed. "You guys are so strange. And it isn't that far! Gah!" He smacked Touma on the back. Forgetting his strength, he watched as the young man went flying. "Ooops...Gomen ne..."

Blinking as they watched Touma come back, brushing his clothes, the other four Troopers looked over at Nuriko. "Well now...that was one way to get him to fly!" Shin said with a grin and Shu broke down into laughter.

Touma smirked as he straightened his shirt, then winked at Nuriko. "If you wanted me to take off, there are better ways to do it," he said with a wicked smirk.

Nuriko rolled his eyes. "That was a blatant come on. I may look like a woman but I don't fall for that crap. You want to take another journey into the wild blue yonder?!!!" He cracked his knuckles and smirked.

Miaka sighed, rolling her eyes. "Men...can't live with them, can't live with out them but I'd sure like to try...."

Rolling his eyes, Seiji stepped between the two and said, "You two can be macho like Tasuki and Shu later. Right now, let's get going." He sighed softly as Touma pouted at him, but they all nodded in agreement.

Touma looked at Nuriko and winked, "Next time then, sweet thang." he said and saluted.

Nuriko growled, then smirked. "Sure thing!" He clapped Touma on the back and watched as the Trooper fell face first into the dirt. "Ooops...I really need to control my own strength, ne?" He snickered, walking away, whistling. Miaka snickered, bounding off. They only needed one more and Tamahome could come home!!!!

Touma sighed as he stood up, and then glared at Ryo as he said, "Just losing your touch, huh Touma?" Shin snickered as well as Touma gave him a one-fingered opinion of Ryo's statement before walking off behind the others.

Tasuki snickered. "That was...easily the most pathetic come on I've ever seen."

Shu snorted as he looked over at the red head. "Oh...and I'm sure you can do MUCH better, right?" he said snidely and shook his head in disgust. "You wouldn't know how to flirt even if it hit you in the head." He said derisively and smirked challengingly.

"Oh yeah?! Well maybe I choose not to?! It's a fucking waste of time that's all it is!" Tasuki growled, making a face.

"Oh really..." Nuriko narrowed his eyes dangerously.

"Yep. It's stupid and..." Tasuki's howl could be heard as he went flying over the heads of everyone. Nuriko huffed, dusting his hands before taking the lead.

Shu howled with laughter, tears streaming down his face as he held his sides. Ryo and Shin weren't any better and Touma had a decidedly smug look on his face. Seiji smirked as well, locking eyes with Touma. /Fun time indeed./ he said to Touma, who just grinned evilly.

+ Book I : Chapter Six +

+ Book I : Chapter Eight +