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Chapter Thirteen


Miaka rolled her eyes, poking them in the ribs. "Are you guys okay?! You're awfully weird..." Her words cut off as she looked ahead of them. A glad cry escaped her and she ran ahead of everyone. They had been journeying for a day again, heading for Tamahome's home town and had been goofing around as usual

"TAMAHOME!!"

She glomped a young man that was just ahead of them, carrying a pitcher of water. He gave an 'uhmpf' and fell to the ground.

All of the Troopers sweatdropped. Leaning over to Nuriko, Shin asked, "Um...is that Tamahome? I thought he would be...taller."

Nuriko sweatdropped profusely. "Er...no...."

"Miaka-san?! It's me...Chuei." The young Tamahome look-alike replied, blinking at the clinging Miko.

Miaka blinked, then blushed and let go. "Oh, gomen Chuei!!!"

"It's okay. Follow me. I'll bring you and your friends' home. Otousan will be glad to see you."

"Hai!! Arigatou!!!"

Seiji snickered at Nuriko, then smirked over at Hotohori. "You're awfully quiet, Hotohori. Are you feeling alright?" he asked softly out of concern. Hotohori said nothing, looking around. It was the first time he'd ever been among his subjects like this. It was...amazing.

Ryo snickered. "Jeez Miaka. Why don't you look before you glomp?" he asked as they followed the young boy.

Turning, Miaka stuck out her tongue at Ryo. "Hush up you."

Chuei blinked, then shrugged and led them into his family's home "Otousan!! We have guests!!! It's Kishiku's okusan and her friends!!!!!" Miaka turned bright red.

The Troopers started snickering again. "So...when's the wedding, Miaka?" Shu asked cheekily as he laid his arm on Ryo's shoulder. Seiji smirked, then watched Hotohori, unnerved by his rudeness.

"Grrrrrrrrrrrr..." Miaka narrowed her eyes and took a swipe at Shu. Hotohori looked around and felt tears come to his eyes. His people lived like this?! It was so horrible...such squalor, but they were happy! Shu chuckled as he dodged her swing and started whistling a wedding march.

Seiji blinked as he saw tears in Hotohori's eyes. "Hotohori? Are you alright?" he asked softly so as not to alert anyone else.

"What? Oh...yes. Fine." Hotohori bowed formally to Tamahome's father. "Arigatou for allowing us to stay."

The old man nodded, smiling. "Of course! My son's friends are always welcome. Rest yourselves. Night is approaching and I'm sure you all need your rest."

The Troopers all bowed deeply to Tamahome's father before Ryo said, "Yes honorable sir. We thank you for the hospitality."

The elderly man smiled, nodding. "You are quite welcome young man. Any friends of my son's are friend's of the family."

Ryo smiled down at the elderly man. "Arigatou, sempai." he said respectfully.

"Come. Dinner is almost ready..."

"DINNER??!!! FOOD!!!!!!!" Miaka jumped up in glee, nearly drooling. All the Troopers groaned and sweatdropped as they hid their faces in embarrassment. Miaka smiled sweetly.

Tamahome's father chuckled. "Of course, Miaka-san. Don't worry, there is enough for you as well."

"WAIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!"

"My god...she doesn't stop." Seiji mumbled as he tried to hide his face even more. The other four just nodded mutely, several more sweat drops appearing. Miaka turned to them, blinking. They were so strange...

Chuei giggled, bounding to the table. He laid out the various bowls and dishes. With the money Tamahome had been sending home, they had been able to save a lot of food. "Dinner's ready!"

"Alright! Time to eat I'm starving!" Shu crowed and his friends groaned in embarrassment.

"Ok, I take it back...Shu beats Miaka." Seiji said softly, ignoring the snicker that came from a certain blue haired archer as they all sat down to eat.

"Uh...I'm not sure of that..." Nuriko replied, sweat dropping. Miaka had immediately set to the table, stuffing her face with anything she could get her hands on.

All of the Troopers stared at Miaka, sweat dropping. "Ugh, I think I'm going to be sick." Ryo said in disgust as he laid down his fork.

Shin looked over at Shu, who was shoveling his food in at a lesser pace, but no less in need. "Shu...how the hell can you eat with Miaka eating like that?" he asked in wonder.

Shu swallowed and smiled at Shin. "Simple....I ain't watching her." he said, then winked.

"Yep...that's the key, really." Nuriko replied, looking down as he ate at a slower pace. Hotohori nodded, keeping his own head down. Shrugging, Tasuki ate at a pace near to Shu, but not quite as fast. Sighing almost in unison, the other four followed the example and ate heads down.

Soon the meal was finished and the dishes put away. Chuei and his sibs were soon put to bed and all was quiet in the house.

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The night sounds filled the air, bringing with it a sense of tranquility. The sound of crickets chirping could be heard, along with the other sounds of the night. The inhabitants of the small village were quiet, slumbering along with the rest of the world. The moon shone brightly down on the small cottage, illuminating it. In the nearby forest, all was dark and quiet. Until something disturbed the solitude of the area.

It was a flute, gentle music filling the entire area with its beautiful notes. The flutist was nowhere to be seen, but his music carried, drifting over the small cottage.

Miaka rubbed her eyes, waking instantly. The sound...it was like what she had heard before. Looking around, she noted everyone was asleep. Getting up, she padded over to the door and opened it. Seiji woke up slowly, but instantly focused. 'There it is again.' he thought to himself, looking down at his bed partner. Ryo had snuck into his bed again. They never really did anything but cuddle, but it sure was cute. Seiji felt a warm smile cross his lips, but then frowned as he heard the flute again. Slowly, he got up, then blinked as he saw Miaka leave the house. /Shit!/ he inadvertently sent out, waking Touma, as he ran out and followed her.

Rajura sat under the tree where Amiboshi was playing. He heard the music, smiling softly, but knew it wasn't for him. He was going to stay nearby until Amiboshi was safely believed. The music continued and Miaka seemed drawn to it. As soon as she was outside, it stopped. She frowned, looking around. Where was the person playing? Who was it? It was so beautiful...

The others woke up as Miaka began to scream. Seiji ran in front of Miaka, trying to block the bats as they attacked. "Miaka! Head back for the house!" He shouted as he hit some of the bats into the trees around him. An arrow went flying in, stabbing one of the bats to a tree and Seiji smiled up at his friend as Touma appeared. Another arrow took flight, then another as the two tried to protect her.

Rajura smirked as he made some illusionary bats appear, multiplying them. 'Foolish Troopers....' Unfortunately for Touma and Seiji, the bats just kept coming. They swarmed over Miaka, tearing her clothes, shredding it into bits.

Tasuki had heard the commotion and stormed out. "What the hell is going on?! Miaka lay down!" She did as she was told and felt the heat of his fan move over her, incinerating bats. But more just replaced them.

"Cho Ryu HAA!!!" Shin called out and blue light struck the bats surrounding the trio, Seiji and Touma sheltering Miaka. Rajura chuckled softly as another swarm of bats 'appeared'.

Touma cursed as he let fly some more arrows. "The hell are they coming from!?" he snarled out. From everywhere it would appear. The bats continued until something strange happened. The bats began to screech, falling into trees, dying. They all seemed to shudder and lose their focus.

Miaka looked up, blinking. "It's that music again!" Only it was different this time. The music turned hard, cold, and painful to the ears. The last of the bats fell to the ground, dead. Just as it died, a lone figure came walking down the forest path. Tattered garments could be seen as the young man held a flute to his lips, his eyes closed as he walked. A scream came then, and a black clad figure fell from a low hanging branch of a nearby tree. He convulsed then lay still in death.

Shin, Touma, and Seiji all watched the figure cautiously. /Seiji...is that the music?/ Touma asked. Seiji's eyes narrowed and he shook his head slightly.

Shin walked over slightly towards the dead body, then watched with wide eyes as some of the bats 'disappeared'. "K'so! A Masho must be near by!" He shouted out, then looked around.

Rajura chuckled, but he knew they wouldn't find him. He instead watched as his lover walked through the forest, seeing how the moon caressed the youth's skin delicately. He felt his eye sadden and a lump formed within his throat. 'Ai shiteru....Koutoku.'

Miaka looked up, watching as the boy stopped. He lowered his flute and stared at her for a moment. She gave a cry, moving quickly as the boy's eyes rolled in the back of his head and he collapsed to the ground. "Minna!!! Come help!!!" Miaka was the first to reach the boy and she put his head in her lap, stroking his blondish hair. He was so young...no older than her! Her eyes widened even further as she gazed down, seeing his torn shirt. A red character could be seen...

"Minna!!! It's Chiriko!!!!"

Distracted by her announcement, the three Troopers called off their armors and went by her as well. Seiji placed a light hand on the boy's forehead, checking for injuries. Shin knelt down next to him as well. Something felt wrong, but the mark was unmistakable. Still....he couldn't put his finger on it, but the boy had a sense of....Rajura around him. Rajura watched silently as they surrounded his lover. He bit back the instant mark of protectiveness and stayed hidden.

The young boy Miaka had called Chiriko opened his eyes. He looked at them worriedly, then relaxed. "It's all right. You're safe now." Miaka said worriedly, the others surrounding them. "What's your name?"

"Bu Koutoku...but people usually call me Chiriko. My village was burned down by Kutou soldiers and I came in search of the Suzaku no Miko." Chiriko replied weakly.

Touma leaned down and looked at the youth then locked eyes with Seiji. Seiji nodded. "He doesn't have too many injuries, just exhaustion." Seiji said softly, a green glow forming around his hand as he brushed it through the blond locks. Rajura's eye closed as he listened to them talk, clenching his hand into a fist.

"Let's get him inside, ne?" Nuriko suggested, helping the young man up. Miaka nodded a slight smile on her face. They had all the seishi now! Tamahome could come home! Nodding, but still suspicious, the three Troopers looked out at the forest, trying to sense the very faint trace of a Masho. But, it faded.

Rajura sighed softly. "Koutoku.....please be careful and return to us safely." he whispered softly as he watched them leave.

+ Book I : Chapter Twelve +

+ Book I : Chapter Fourteen +