Disclaimer: If I owned FY, I'd be giving away stuff like cels and mangas. Unfortunately, I don't. Sad, isn't it?


It seemed like ages as I fell through the black space, hurtling through the black emptiness and feeling no wind even graze my face. I tried to grab at objects, only to feel mere thin air in my hand. I shut my eyes, willing myself to wake up from this horrible nightmare, praying to Genbu that I would wake up. A roar seemed to be echoing around me, and I scrunched my eyes up tight, and opened them to…sunlight.

Wait a minute. Sunlight? I thought it was night the last time I saw the sky. Besides, what are windows doing on the mountain? Surely I wasn't going crazy…ne?

Something moved near my elbow and I jumped back, only to see Hikitsu sleeping on a chair, snoring slightly. What was he doing here? As far as I knew, we hadn't brought any chairs on this trip with us, so did Genbu suddenly take pity and start raining furniture (I noticed the bed I was on and the table beside it too)? I highly doubted so. If he were to take pity on such souls, I wouldn't have lost my parents and get caught up in this entire Genbu seishi thing in the first place, would I?

"Ah, you're awake, Tomite-san!"

I turned and blinked at the sight of Iname in a skirt before rearing back, sputtering and wondering what in Genbu's name had possessed her to do such a thing. Had she finally accepted the fact that she was an onna and not of the other gender? Of course, I couldn't complain. That chest looked rather…huge, come to think of it…

She set down the bowl she was carrying onto the table beside me and signaled me not to disturb Hikitsu. "He hasn't been sleeping well since what happened last week, so give him some time to rest, ne?" she whispered in a low voice and I raised a doubtful eyebrow at him. Him, worry? Iname needn't have worried about such a thing; he worried too much anyway. Wait. Did she just say a week?!

She must have spotted the incredulous look on my face as she dampened the cloth in the water from the bowl and dabbed my forehead slightly after removing a gigantic blood stained bandage. "I think you've most probably lost track of time, ne, Tomite-san?"

I nodded speechlessly, wondering just what the hell a gigantic bandage was doing on the upper part of my head. Besides, where was the head hitting onna? Wasn't Iname injured too? This was getting weird... too weird for me, anyway.

She laughed softly. "We couldn't go on with so many people injured, Tomite-san, so we came back to the village to get everyone treated. Though, you were the worst of course," she added, a slight tint of pink appearing on her rosy cheeks and she looked down and quickly rinsed the cloth in the water again. "We thought you would never wake up ever again."

The last sentence came rather fast and soft, but still within audible range and I gazed at her sharply before letting out a laugh and slapping my chest a few times with a bandaged hand, trying not to wince at the pain that surfaced. "What, me die? It's not that easy, Iname. Someone has to kill me first, see? Or else, I'll always be as good as new!"

I didn't know why, but she seemed to be happy to hear that. Throwing her arms around me, she hugged me tightly and I blinked a few times, not knowing what to do. What exactly would you do if a girl suddenly hugged you for no apparent reason? I couldn't kick her away; she didn't have reflexes like Hikitsu or the power to hit heads like Takiko. Speaking of which…

"Um…Iname? You can stop now, you've suffocated me permanently," I squeaked, feeling the unbelievable strength she had learnt when she was crossdressing. My bones and innards were going to suffer permanent damage if she didn't let go- fast. I think my face was turning blue…

"Demo, I was so worried, Tomite-san!" she spoke, her voice muffled in my shirt as I tried my best to squirm out of her grip, but in no avail. Genbu, how did she get so strong, anyway? Onnas were supposed to be nice and gentle, not like men!

"I thought I would never see you again, after what you did to rescue all of us! Even Hikitsu-san said what you did was the bravest thing he ever saw!"

He did? Genbu, either I must be influencing him, or he's going crazy, but I highly doubted that it was the second one. But me influence Hikitsu? Wouldn't that happen when the sun dies and the moon takes over?

"Actually, I never said such a thing," came a decisive voice from the other side of the bed, and I managed to turn slightly to see Hikitsu standing with his arms folded, one eyebrow raised slightly in amusement. "All I did was comment on how rarely you actually display such courage, Tomite."

"That's nice," I squeaked, breathing in mouthfuls of air as Iname released me and turned tomato red at the sight of Hikitsu. "Next time when you see me almost dying, can't you help?!"

"I don't think that's absolutely necessary, Tomite. You seem to be doing fine by yourself, don't you think?"

I glared at him, grabbing my throat as I inhaled. Damn it, if I was in better shape, I'd do anything to and wipe that grin off his face! Iname, on the other hand seemed to be frantically trying to gather her wits as she quickly wrung the cloth in the bowl.

"I didn't mean to twist your words, Hikitsu-san! It was just that I was so happy to see that Tomite-san was awake…"

"Don't worry about it," Hikitsu waved it off with a slight grin. "I needed some amusement , and I think the both of you have just accomplished that for me. By the way, Iname, how is the miko?"

"Speak of the devil," I spoke, taking in a last gulp of air before turning to look at Iname sideways. "Where is that head-hitting onna, anyway?"

Just as Iname opened her mouth to reply, something shot in from outside and leapt onto me, landing hard on my stomach and giving me yet another suffocating bone-crushing hug, this time even worse than the one that Iname gave. I gestured frantically, knowing that my air supply was running out, and hoping to Genbu that Hikitsu wouldn't take this for amusement again and actually save me before I died.

"You damn baka! You don't know what you did, did you?!" a familiar voice came from the heap on top of my chest, and I blinked, before my eyes widened as I recognized the name that I had just been called. "Don't you know you could've gotten yourself killed?"

"I was never that weak, you damn head-hitting onna," I replied, feeling my face flush slightly and I cursed Genbu under my breath. What the heck was happening to me? "I thought I told you before; it'll take me a long time before I die. I have a much longer life ahead of me than all of you think."

Takiko looked up with a slight frown on her face. "That's no excuse! Do you know that you could've gotten killed out there? If you died, who would summon Genbu?"

Oh, so that was what she was worried about. Baka. She still hadn't grasped her duties as a miko yet, had she?

"Though," I added in decisively, grinning slightly as I managed to push her off with help from Hikitsu this time. "I'm surprised you didn't use your head-hitting skills this time. I'm sure you would've been able to take him out in no time, ne?"

She glared at me. "You know, Chamka, if it wasn't for that bandage on your head, I'd hit you to the next house already," she snapped, not looking very pleased at all with my comment. "You sure don't act like an injured person in your state."

"Of course I don't," I replied with a partially raised eyebrow. "I'm perfectly healthy as you can see, head-hitting onna."

Hikitsu shrugged, quirking an eyebrow at me. "Actually, I think Takiko-san meant that you're as childish as ever, Tomite. For that, I have to agree with her. You haven't changed a bit."

I turned to focus my glare on him. Genbu, not him too! Why was it that all the people I knew were against me?

The long haired miko nodded as she grinned at Hikitsu. "You know, Hikitsu, sometimes I wonder if he really is a seishi. I can tell that you are one, though. Just look at your eye, ne?"

Hikitsu was speechless for once, and I almost cracked up seeing his incredulous eye(s) bulge out from his sockets as he tried to find a suitable reply for her statement. Genbu, what would you reply when someone commented about your seishi symbol on your eye?

"Um…yes, Takiko-san," he finally sputtered out, not meeting her eyes or anyone else's. Finally not being able to withstand it, I cracked up and started laughing until my insides hurt. The look on Hikitsu's face had been so memorable that I was sure that I would remember it till the day I died. That had to be a once in a lifetime chance to see Hikitsu react that way!

Takiko was looking back and forth from Hikitsu who was glaring at me and me laughing until I cried. "…Did I say something wrong?"

Iname herself was trying to restrain her laughter and was silently chuckling away. "Ano, Takiko-san, I think it's better if you didn't comment on Hikitsu-san's eye. I don't think he find it rather (cough) amusing." The cough masked the gulp of laughter that had almost seized her and she erupted into a series of coughs while a helpless Takiko looked on at her.

"Can someone tell me what's so funny?"

"Well, for one thing, it's about hie e-e-eye!" I managed to sputter out before collapsing into another bout of laughter again. This time, poor Takiko looked even more confused and lost, looking at Hikitsu who had gone red faced in either embarrassment or shame for help. I think he was on the verge of killing both me and Iname, but I couldn't help thinking it was so f-funny!

Hikitsu was glaring at me and finally seized my arm. "One more word from you and you're frozen, Tomite. I don't think you want that to happen, do you?" he threatened silently, but I couldn't stop. The tears were streaming down my eyes nonstop as I guffawed and rolled around helplessly on my bed.

It was one frozen arm later that I realized my mistake. Never irk Hikitsu, especially when he was already annoyed. The ice on my hand stung like hell before numbing all the nerves on it, and I grimaced, cursing Genbu for giving that tall seishi such a bad temper. Wasn't being a worrywart and silent enough?

Iname and Takiko didn't look too brave after that as the both of them slunk away step by step, giving me a helpless grin and exiting the room before I could even say anything. I shuddered, remembering that I was now in the same room as Hikitsu- who could be prone to making me into an ice statue as an ornament for the villagers. Nope, this definitely wasn't good…

-------

The entire lower half of my body only managed to thaw after much sitting in a small portion of sunlight near the window. After the other seishi's rather huffed exit (I was thankful that he hadn't turned me into an ice statue…yet), both Iname and Takiko had crept in again. I had cursed under my breath at that moment, because my two hands were frozen to my sides with ice, thus making me unable of teaching those two a lesson they would never forget.

"Sometimes, I wonder how much of a baka can those two be," I muttered under my breath, rubbing my hands to try to get the feeling back in them. They were still rather blue from cold, and I wondered where the nearest fireplace was. After all, the sun was already setting in the west, and most people should have returned home by now to cook. Besides, cooking meant fire.

I stumbled out of the room, praying to Genbu that I would be able to walk, even with these half-frozen legs of mine. It seemed to take a longer time than normal as I stayed close to the stone walls on my sides and dragged my legs, trying to remember where the kitchen was. Now, was I supposed to go straight or go round that corner on my right?

Apparently, my choice to go round the corner proved to be wrong because I suddenly my skin being in contact with the cold air from outside- I had successfully found the back door. The air was nothing compared to Hikitsu's ice- in fact I think it was much milder.

I was just about to turn when my foot caught on something and I began to lose my balance. Fumbling frantically, I tried my best to grab at any nearby solid objects, only to find none. Seeing the soil outside that seemed to near my face, I cursed and scrunched up my eyes as I fell, feeling cold mud splatter onto my face.

I hate Hokkan.

Hearing footsteps nearing me, I cursed yet again, this time getting a mouthful of wet mud that I spat out before looking up. Takiko was looking down on me with very wide eyes. Great. Must Genbu have a good laugh at my expense?

"Chamka, I think you're rather…old to be playing with mud, ne?" she commented, and I wondered why my bow wasn't in reach. Any more stupid comments from her, and the head-hitting onna was going down.

"I appreciate the attention, but could someone help me before the pigs come?" I muttered as she helped pull me up, only to trip and make the both of us land on the mud again with a disgusting squelch in…not a very good position. To explain it concisely, she was on top of me. Genbu, I swear I'll kill you when I arrive at Tengoku!!

"A…Ano…" Takiko's face was red as she tried to get up before slipping on the mud, only to fail miserably and land back on top of me, giving my bones more pressure than they could stand. I tried my very best not to stare at her legs- I think the fall made her skirt flip up a little. Must…resist…

"Look," I spoke up, hoping to tear her attention away from where I was staring at. "Why don't you try to sit up before getting up? It might give you a better chance than trying to get up while you're on your back."

Genbu, I never knew a girl could be so heavy. Watching as she attempted to sit up (with me muttering threats to Genbu about what would happen to him if she couldn't even do that, of course), I crossed my fingers, watching as she pushed herself up onto her two legs, balancing very precociously. Holding my breath, I watched as she jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding a few splashes of mud before giving me a victory sign.

Great. That left me.

I didn't know if my legs would be able to withstand the weight I'd be putting on them, but I simply gave it a wild try. The first time landed me back on the mud, giving very much pain to my behind and I wasn't feeling very pleased when I heard a slight laugh from Takiko. Pushing myself up again, I centered my weight on my feet, giving them strength as I pulled myself up. Finally getting myself into an upright position, I knew it was just a matter of seconds before I would collapse again into the mud. Expertly shifting my weight as I used my many years of experience as a hunter, I jumped to the left, narrowly colliding with Takiko yet again.

"That was not fun," I commented sourly, sneaking a peek to see if she had already her skirt down, but unfortunately, she had already done that and caught me in the act.

WHACK!

"Chamka no baka hentai!"

She brushed her hands clean as I collapsed, swirly eyed on the ground. Glaring at me sideways, she folded her arms. "I should have known better than to actually be grateful you!"

My eyes snapped back to focus as I gazed at her with a puzzled expression on my face. "Be grateful to me? Whatever for?"

The anger on her face subsided slightly as she averted her eyes, not looking at me straight in the face anymore. "For…for saving me. Without you, I'd be dead."

Oh…so that was what all this was about. "I never said that I wanted any acknowledgement," I shrugged it off, but I could feel my face burning as I did so. "You could have said nothing, and I couldn't have begrudged you, you know."

"But…it's not nice, if you know what I mean. You risked your life to save mine- of course I must be grateful!" she whirled around to face me, and I could see that her cheeks were as red as the feathers of Konan's god, Suzaku. "'Tousan…tousan always told me that we should be grateful for whatever we have. Even if he's not here…I should still obey him."

Her eyes were beginning to well up in tears now as she bit her lip and I stared at her worriedly. I didn't understand how homesick she felt- I had forgotten how it felt after losing my parents. I had never depended on anyone nor card for anyone either. It just seemed like too much of trouble, having to do that.

Still, watching Takiko fight back her tears seemed to cause something in me throb in pain, and I patted her shoulder. I had never depended on anyone nor card for anyone either. It just seemed like too much of trouble, having to do that.

Still, watching Takiko fight back her tears seemed to cause something in me throb in pain, and I patted her shoulder. "You were never disobedient in any way, were you?" I whispered softly as she shook her head, still looking down. "Then, he should be proud of you. You've endured so well…in another world too."

Suddenly, she gave me a bright, yet obvious fake smile and gave a small chuckle. "What am I doing?" she spoke, hiding her sorrow behind a suspicious happy exterior. "I should be happy. I had always wanted to try Chinese food- and now I've got my chance. I even have new friends. I should be happy…ne?"

When I didn't answer her, she grabbed me by the collar and pulled me closer. "Ne? Come on, Chamka, answer me! Shouldn't I be happy? I have all I want; I shouldn't be sad, ne?"

I didn't know what to say. She was forcing herself to be happy, to enjoy her time with us.

"…Takiko."

"…Ne?"

The last word was uttered very softly as a small teardrop slid down her cheek. I restrained the urge to wipe it from her skin, watching as she looked down, her hair now blocking me from seeing her eyes.

"Doushite, Chamka?" she whispered, her voice going softer each minute. "Why does life have to be so unfair? Why was I chosen to be the Genbu no miko? Why? Why?!"

This time, I was more than speechless. I knew that she had never taken well to her duties as the Genbu no miko, but this was the first time that I had heard that she was reluctant to hold the responsibility in the first place. Frozen in my position, I could only stare at her as she covered her head in her hands while wild sobs wracked her entire body. I didn't know what I could say at this moment- every thing that came to my mouth either died there or was rejected due to the fact that I was worried that I might make her cry even more.

"Takiko…" I broke the silence finally, and she looked up and hastily wiped her eyes dry. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, not looking at me straight in the eye. "Hai…I feel better now. Thanks, Chamka. I think we'd better go in- it seems to be getting colder out here, ne?"

She looked up at me with a forced smile and I couldn't help sighing inwardly. "Hai. Come on, you're not that well protected, even in that dress. You still aren't familiar with Hokkan's climate yet."

And through all this, I never saw Iname's eyes peeking from behind the back door.


Author's notes:

Okay…BAD chapter. I think my grammar's a little off (I've been suffering writer's block again), so gomen nasai if you see any as I've sacked Sagara from his post as beta reader. Brain not functioning properly for me, you see. .

Hmm…chapter 13 is done! Yet another one of those boring little transition ones of course (I like to stretch my stories, so you might notice that this chapter's a little longer than the others), but you people with have to bear with me. I'm the author of this fic after all, ne? ^_^

Hint: Review! Review! You won't regret it, I promise you! ^_~ v

Yes, more sap (upon request) in this chapter! Have you died from too much waft yet, people? If you haven't, prepare for more in the coming chapters! Remember: little kids and people who are allergic to sap (this kind, I mean), you'd better slow down and tell me if you aren't able to handle the sap, ne? Of course, your request could be overridden by other requests for sap, so be careful! ^_~

On Iname wearing a skirt, that weird idea came to me while writing. As I said, don't blame me; I don't have control over my writing! I'm just a tool for fanfiction…but no, that does not mean you can flame me for that. You can give constructive criticism, though. See? I am nice!

Hikitsu shows the famous temper once again, this time freezing Tomite's lower half! No, you bakas, I wasn't thinking hentai thoughts! He was wearing pants, see? No yaoi!! Of course, I won't say that I'm not an advocate for yaoi… *grins*

Still, the Tomite/Hikitsu pairing will not exist in my fic. Tomite ends up with Takiko, you see? Or maybe not…he dies in the end, if anyone remembers the episodes in Mount Black (Nuriko!! *cries*), he was dead and so was Hikitsu. Only their spirits survived, so…you make your own conclusions. Of course, that part might just be included in the end chapters of this story, so keep reading (and reviewing, of course), people!

By the way, I'm sure you people should have noticed by now that there is a slight repetition in this chapter with previous ones. No, not only for the whacking, but also for the hugging thing. It's natural that Tomite should be irresistible to the girls; Hikitsu's married after all. So, bear with it. Too bad for Iname, though. :p

Woohoo! Jealousy from Iname's side! *sets up ring for cat fight* Annnnndd on the left side we have Takiko! *crowd roars in approval and Takiko bows* Annnnndd on the right side, we have….Iname! *crowd also cheers* 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….START!

*Cat fight ensues*

Tomite: *sweatdrop* Shouldn't you stop them before they kill each other?

*shrugs* They were on the verge of doing that anyway, so what's the difference? (Tomite: -_-;;;;;;) Besides, they're arguing over YOU. You should be proud of that! The only other person who gets that much attention is Hotohori-sama.

Hotohori: I am flattered by that comment, but it should be natural that one of such beauty should receive so much attention, don't you think?

Yup, definitely! Oh, by the way, for any questions that you might have (or if you're lazy to review), you can always send me an email! Just type in yume_no_sadame@hotmail.com into the box. Oh, and please refrain from sending me viruses. I don't like that. >.Oh, and Syane, you're the number one reviewer again!! Of course that soldier got what he deserved: how dare he hurt Tomite!! Kang Xiu, of course you're my number one fan!! You always review my chapters!! ^_^ Oh, and as for Arisu: what do you mean I don't update? I update this fic almost every week. -_-

Okay then, until next time, ja ne~!