Here's a nice, good, long chapter for you ^_^ Read, children! (just a note: it doesn't end after this. I'll let you know which chapter it ends at, k?)
Chapter 6 - A New but Familiar Face
Author note: If for some reason you're starting to get bored, don't give up on the story, it get's good, trust me!
--
It had been five days, and Miaka, Tamahome, Tasuki, Chiriko and Mitsukake had not began to search for Chichiri as planned. They have completely accepted Nuriko's death, yet still not exactly over it. Despite that, they are in a good state to find their missing seishi, Chichiri.
Hotohori: You say Taiitsukun couldn't sense Chichiri's life force either?
Tamahome: No...
Chiriko: He was most likely suppressing it with magic for some reason. Taiitsukun only said Nuriko died and that's it.
With that, Miaka looked down and thought about his beautiful face, the cute slur he talked with, how he loved her.
Chiriko: Taiitsukun never told us where he was either.
Tasuki: Damn witch!
Mitsukake: We were just thinking about Nuriko too much to think about Chichiri.
Tamahome: We can go back.
Miaka: No. I want us to find him on our own and put more effort into this.
Tasuki: Oh? Well, where do we start?
Hotohori: I like Miaka's idea. She's brave and willing like a true priestess.
Tamahome nodded, as well as the rest of the group.
***
Chiriko: We've searched all over Konan, Sairou, and Hokkan. All that's left is Kutou and Nyosei.
(note: For those who haven't read the manga, Nyosei is a country that was left out of the anime due to violent content. It is a male-prohibited country and a male who enters has a choice of getting their eyes cut off and serving the woman to be used for breeding, or death)
Chiriko: We can assume Chichiri didn't go to Nyosei, so it must be Kutou.
Tamahome: Why would he be in Kutou?
Tasuki: Where are we now?
Miaka: (yawning): Can we have a break?
Chiriko: Why are you all asking me so many questions? Alright, for Chichiri to be in Kutou would mean something has come up that needs resolving... I don't think there would be any other reason. Tasuki, we're currently nearing the border of Hokkan, going towards Kutou. Miaka, there are still villages so we can rest and have a break if somebody will let us stay in their home.
***
Miaka: More rice please?!!
Woman: Oh, you're quite an eater, aren't you? Here, help yourself.
Miaka and the others have found a nice family, consisting of a man, woman, and a baby, who gladly let them stay for the night.
Man: Honey, I just heard news of a crazed man threatening to kill everyone in Kutou! People are fleeing from there to here in Sairou!
The eyes of the incomplete seishi widened, as Miaka lay her head on the table, disoriented after eating a meal as usual.
Woman: Oh... Honey, what if he comes here?!
Tamahome: Sir, where did you hear this?
Man: I asked some people who left Kutou and came here. They say he's a strangely dressed man with make up all over his face.
Tamahome (eyes widening): M-make up?!
Man (nodding): Yes, do you know this man?
Tamahome ran out of the house to find around a hundred people traveling on horseback... brave men with wives nursing their crying babies, pets coming along as well.
Tamahome: Excuse me, can someone please describe this man who was threatening you in Kutou?
Random man: Yes, he wore black clothing and black, white and blue make up all over his face. ..and a strange crown.
The woman who was behind him on a horse contributed to the description.
Wife: He had a strange laugh. It was very silent and evil. It was like... like...
Another woman: Ka ka ka...
Tamahome: (talking quietly) Just what I thought. (Now louder) Thank you very much!
Tamahome returned to the house.
Tamahome: I asked some of the people traveling outside...
Chiriko: It's Tomo, right?
Tamahome nodded.
Chiriko: I have a feeling that---
Tasuki: That guy! What an asshole!
Mitsukake: Chiriko, it seems you were right about Chichiri having something important to attend to.
Chiriko: Yes. That must be it.
***
Tomo sat in the corner of a dim lit room, light only supplied by candles.
Tomo (talking quietly and evil-like): I've done a good job today. I killed a few hundred people. Aww... poor little people of Kutou fleeing to Sairou. As soon as I kill the rest of them here, I'll go to Sairou and finish the job. (*kakakaka*) Sound like a plan, Nakago?
Tomo stared at the Nakago's dead body on the floor.
Tomo: Looks like the tables have turned, haven't they, Nakago? Unfortunately for you, you're a citizen of Kutou. (*kakakaka*)
***
Chiriko: Miaka, wake up! Wake up! (Shaking Miaka)
Miaka: Ehh? Chocolate?
Chiriko: Not chocolate! Wake up! You need to save your sleep for when we all go to bed!
Miaka: What... I've only been sleeping for a few minutes, right?
Tamahome: Miaka, something bad is happening in Kutou, and we think that's where Chichiri is.
Miaka: I... I had a dream that Nuriko was still alive. He was a hermit living in a cave...
Tasuki: Nuriko, living in a cave?! Oh, he couldn't stand being a hermit for a second...
Miaka: Oh... Nuriko :'( (Miaka put her head down and said a silent prayer for Nuriko)
The group looked at Miaka sadly. She was the one who took it the hardest.
Tamahome put a hand on Miaka's shoulder.
Tamahome: Miaka, do you want to know what's going on it Kutou.
Miaka (nodding): Yes, what's going on? (Eagerly)
Tamahome and Chiriko explained the events to her, and they planned to go to Kutou and stop this the next day.
Miaka: This is horrible! Lives have probably been taken already!
Tasuki: It's gonna be just like old times.
Woman: Dear, it's getting stuffy in here. The trees are looking a bit rustled out there, do you mind opening the window and letting in some wind, honey?
Man: Not at all, honey.
***
It was 9:30 PM and time for Miaka and the others to go to sleep.
Woman: How many beds should I make up for you?
Tamahome: Umm, four! *looking at Miaka with a cheeky grin*
Miaka: Hentai! (pervert)
Woman: I see, you two will be sharing one.
Voice coming from outside (fast and panicky): Oh, this way, this way! Here's the nearest house, na no da!
Miaka (eyes widened): That voice!
Tasuki: Chi- CHICHIRI!!?
Tamahome: Chichiri?
Tasuki ran outside, overwhelmed with excitement to hear his friend after three years.
Chiriko: We found him!
***
Now outside -
Tasuki: Chichiri!!!
Chichiri was surrounded by poor looking people, obviously people who were escaping from Kutou. It appeared he was helping them escape. He looked exactly like how he did eight years ago, same hair, same clothes... now hearing his seishi name being called, he turned around quickly.
Chichiri: T-TASUKI?
Miaka (following after Tasuki): Chichiri, it's you!!!
***
After a proper reunion took place...
Chichiri (pointing to the people around him): We must bring these people inside that house you are staying in, no da. They seem to be developing fevers, na no da.
Chiriko: Oh yes, the people there are very nice and should accept them for the night.
In the distance, there was a monk-like man crawling on the desert ground with three children on his back, he looked quite disoriented... it seemed as if the children had forced him to give them a little pretend horsey ride.
Chichiri (screaming to the man): I'm going to bring this family inside that house, no da, meet me there once you're uhh...done...
Monk Man (disoriented): Ehh...yes... heh... blerghhh...
Family (to Chichiri): Thank you, kind monk.
Chichiri: Mmm, yes, no da. You're very welcome, na no da. Mitsukake, once we're inside, may you heal this family?
Mitsukake (nodding): Yes.
They all went inside, the man and the woman had accepted the sick family, and the family's illness was healed.
Father (from the family): Now that we are well, we can move on. Thank you for your hospitality.
The family left and continued traveling.
Tasuki: So, Chichiri, mind explaining where you've been for the past three years?
Chichiri: Well, for two years I trained with Taiitsukun, na no da ...so did... oh...
Tamahome: So did...who?
There was a pause.
Chichiri: Oh... there is someone I want you all to meet. I'll be back, no da.
Chiriko: He was about to bring up Nuriko, but he stopped.
Mitsukake: He doesn't know we know yet.
Miaka (yawning): I'm tired. I'm gonna go sleep now...
Tamahome: But Miaka, Chichiri says he has someone he wants us to meet...
Miaka: I'll meet the person tomorrow, I'm tired...
Miaka rubbed her eyes and went into her's and Tamahome's guest bedroom.
A few minutes later, the group (excluding Miaka) could hear Chichiri talking to someone as they walked up to the house.
Chichiri: It's been awhile hasn't it? It should be a surprise for them, na no da.
Chichiri knocked on the door, answered by the woman of the house.
Woman: Welcome back. Is this another person of Kutou with you?
Chichiri: No, this is my traveling partner, na no da.
Woman: Ok, come on. ^_^
Chichiri's traveling partner was a few inches shorter than him, he was wearing a kasa, and he must have had either short hair, or none at all, because it wasn't visible.
And in Miaka's guest bedroom, she woke up and had a strange feeling that told her to go into the living room... so she ran fast and got there right when Chichiri and his friend stepped into the house. Huffing and puffing, she bent over, and then put her head up to see the last face she had expected to see. Her mouth dropped and she blinked hard, opening her eyes wide.
The others stared at the man in shock, but then they had smiles on their faces.
Traveling partner: We're all here now, Miaka. We're together now.
He smiled.
Miaka: That voice. It is you! NURIKO!!!
Miaka ran from across the room to Nuriko, with tears in her eyes.
Miaka: You don't even know... you don't even know much I've missed you!!!
Nuriko (manly smile): Don't cry, I'm here now.
Miaka ran into Nuriko with a HUGE hug, shocking Nuriko and making him fall on the ground. Miaka was on top of Nuriko, sobbing into his chest.
Nuriko smiled with his eyes closed and kissed Miaka on the forehead.
Nuriko: I know, I know, it's been awhile but now we're together again.
Chapter 6 - A New but Familiar Face
Author note: If for some reason you're starting to get bored, don't give up on the story, it get's good, trust me!
--
It had been five days, and Miaka, Tamahome, Tasuki, Chiriko and Mitsukake had not began to search for Chichiri as planned. They have completely accepted Nuriko's death, yet still not exactly over it. Despite that, they are in a good state to find their missing seishi, Chichiri.
Hotohori: You say Taiitsukun couldn't sense Chichiri's life force either?
Tamahome: No...
Chiriko: He was most likely suppressing it with magic for some reason. Taiitsukun only said Nuriko died and that's it.
With that, Miaka looked down and thought about his beautiful face, the cute slur he talked with, how he loved her.
Chiriko: Taiitsukun never told us where he was either.
Tasuki: Damn witch!
Mitsukake: We were just thinking about Nuriko too much to think about Chichiri.
Tamahome: We can go back.
Miaka: No. I want us to find him on our own and put more effort into this.
Tasuki: Oh? Well, where do we start?
Hotohori: I like Miaka's idea. She's brave and willing like a true priestess.
Tamahome nodded, as well as the rest of the group.
***
Chiriko: We've searched all over Konan, Sairou, and Hokkan. All that's left is Kutou and Nyosei.
(note: For those who haven't read the manga, Nyosei is a country that was left out of the anime due to violent content. It is a male-prohibited country and a male who enters has a choice of getting their eyes cut off and serving the woman to be used for breeding, or death)
Chiriko: We can assume Chichiri didn't go to Nyosei, so it must be Kutou.
Tamahome: Why would he be in Kutou?
Tasuki: Where are we now?
Miaka: (yawning): Can we have a break?
Chiriko: Why are you all asking me so many questions? Alright, for Chichiri to be in Kutou would mean something has come up that needs resolving... I don't think there would be any other reason. Tasuki, we're currently nearing the border of Hokkan, going towards Kutou. Miaka, there are still villages so we can rest and have a break if somebody will let us stay in their home.
***
Miaka: More rice please?!!
Woman: Oh, you're quite an eater, aren't you? Here, help yourself.
Miaka and the others have found a nice family, consisting of a man, woman, and a baby, who gladly let them stay for the night.
Man: Honey, I just heard news of a crazed man threatening to kill everyone in Kutou! People are fleeing from there to here in Sairou!
The eyes of the incomplete seishi widened, as Miaka lay her head on the table, disoriented after eating a meal as usual.
Woman: Oh... Honey, what if he comes here?!
Tamahome: Sir, where did you hear this?
Man: I asked some people who left Kutou and came here. They say he's a strangely dressed man with make up all over his face.
Tamahome (eyes widening): M-make up?!
Man (nodding): Yes, do you know this man?
Tamahome ran out of the house to find around a hundred people traveling on horseback... brave men with wives nursing their crying babies, pets coming along as well.
Tamahome: Excuse me, can someone please describe this man who was threatening you in Kutou?
Random man: Yes, he wore black clothing and black, white and blue make up all over his face. ..and a strange crown.
The woman who was behind him on a horse contributed to the description.
Wife: He had a strange laugh. It was very silent and evil. It was like... like...
Another woman: Ka ka ka...
Tamahome: (talking quietly) Just what I thought. (Now louder) Thank you very much!
Tamahome returned to the house.
Tamahome: I asked some of the people traveling outside...
Chiriko: It's Tomo, right?
Tamahome nodded.
Chiriko: I have a feeling that---
Tasuki: That guy! What an asshole!
Mitsukake: Chiriko, it seems you were right about Chichiri having something important to attend to.
Chiriko: Yes. That must be it.
***
Tomo sat in the corner of a dim lit room, light only supplied by candles.
Tomo (talking quietly and evil-like): I've done a good job today. I killed a few hundred people. Aww... poor little people of Kutou fleeing to Sairou. As soon as I kill the rest of them here, I'll go to Sairou and finish the job. (*kakakaka*) Sound like a plan, Nakago?
Tomo stared at the Nakago's dead body on the floor.
Tomo: Looks like the tables have turned, haven't they, Nakago? Unfortunately for you, you're a citizen of Kutou. (*kakakaka*)
***
Chiriko: Miaka, wake up! Wake up! (Shaking Miaka)
Miaka: Ehh? Chocolate?
Chiriko: Not chocolate! Wake up! You need to save your sleep for when we all go to bed!
Miaka: What... I've only been sleeping for a few minutes, right?
Tamahome: Miaka, something bad is happening in Kutou, and we think that's where Chichiri is.
Miaka: I... I had a dream that Nuriko was still alive. He was a hermit living in a cave...
Tasuki: Nuriko, living in a cave?! Oh, he couldn't stand being a hermit for a second...
Miaka: Oh... Nuriko :'( (Miaka put her head down and said a silent prayer for Nuriko)
The group looked at Miaka sadly. She was the one who took it the hardest.
Tamahome put a hand on Miaka's shoulder.
Tamahome: Miaka, do you want to know what's going on it Kutou.
Miaka (nodding): Yes, what's going on? (Eagerly)
Tamahome and Chiriko explained the events to her, and they planned to go to Kutou and stop this the next day.
Miaka: This is horrible! Lives have probably been taken already!
Tasuki: It's gonna be just like old times.
Woman: Dear, it's getting stuffy in here. The trees are looking a bit rustled out there, do you mind opening the window and letting in some wind, honey?
Man: Not at all, honey.
***
It was 9:30 PM and time for Miaka and the others to go to sleep.
Woman: How many beds should I make up for you?
Tamahome: Umm, four! *looking at Miaka with a cheeky grin*
Miaka: Hentai! (pervert)
Woman: I see, you two will be sharing one.
Voice coming from outside (fast and panicky): Oh, this way, this way! Here's the nearest house, na no da!
Miaka (eyes widened): That voice!
Tasuki: Chi- CHICHIRI!!?
Tamahome: Chichiri?
Tasuki ran outside, overwhelmed with excitement to hear his friend after three years.
Chiriko: We found him!
***
Now outside -
Tasuki: Chichiri!!!
Chichiri was surrounded by poor looking people, obviously people who were escaping from Kutou. It appeared he was helping them escape. He looked exactly like how he did eight years ago, same hair, same clothes... now hearing his seishi name being called, he turned around quickly.
Chichiri: T-TASUKI?
Miaka (following after Tasuki): Chichiri, it's you!!!
***
After a proper reunion took place...
Chichiri (pointing to the people around him): We must bring these people inside that house you are staying in, no da. They seem to be developing fevers, na no da.
Chiriko: Oh yes, the people there are very nice and should accept them for the night.
In the distance, there was a monk-like man crawling on the desert ground with three children on his back, he looked quite disoriented... it seemed as if the children had forced him to give them a little pretend horsey ride.
Chichiri (screaming to the man): I'm going to bring this family inside that house, no da, meet me there once you're uhh...done...
Monk Man (disoriented): Ehh...yes... heh... blerghhh...
Family (to Chichiri): Thank you, kind monk.
Chichiri: Mmm, yes, no da. You're very welcome, na no da. Mitsukake, once we're inside, may you heal this family?
Mitsukake (nodding): Yes.
They all went inside, the man and the woman had accepted the sick family, and the family's illness was healed.
Father (from the family): Now that we are well, we can move on. Thank you for your hospitality.
The family left and continued traveling.
Tasuki: So, Chichiri, mind explaining where you've been for the past three years?
Chichiri: Well, for two years I trained with Taiitsukun, na no da ...so did... oh...
Tamahome: So did...who?
There was a pause.
Chichiri: Oh... there is someone I want you all to meet. I'll be back, no da.
Chiriko: He was about to bring up Nuriko, but he stopped.
Mitsukake: He doesn't know we know yet.
Miaka (yawning): I'm tired. I'm gonna go sleep now...
Tamahome: But Miaka, Chichiri says he has someone he wants us to meet...
Miaka: I'll meet the person tomorrow, I'm tired...
Miaka rubbed her eyes and went into her's and Tamahome's guest bedroom.
A few minutes later, the group (excluding Miaka) could hear Chichiri talking to someone as they walked up to the house.
Chichiri: It's been awhile hasn't it? It should be a surprise for them, na no da.
Chichiri knocked on the door, answered by the woman of the house.
Woman: Welcome back. Is this another person of Kutou with you?
Chichiri: No, this is my traveling partner, na no da.
Woman: Ok, come on. ^_^
Chichiri's traveling partner was a few inches shorter than him, he was wearing a kasa, and he must have had either short hair, or none at all, because it wasn't visible.
And in Miaka's guest bedroom, she woke up and had a strange feeling that told her to go into the living room... so she ran fast and got there right when Chichiri and his friend stepped into the house. Huffing and puffing, she bent over, and then put her head up to see the last face she had expected to see. Her mouth dropped and she blinked hard, opening her eyes wide.
The others stared at the man in shock, but then they had smiles on their faces.
Traveling partner: We're all here now, Miaka. We're together now.
He smiled.
Miaka: That voice. It is you! NURIKO!!!
Miaka ran from across the room to Nuriko, with tears in her eyes.
Miaka: You don't even know... you don't even know much I've missed you!!!
Nuriko (manly smile): Don't cry, I'm here now.
Miaka ran into Nuriko with a HUGE hug, shocking Nuriko and making him fall on the ground. Miaka was on top of Nuriko, sobbing into his chest.
Nuriko smiled with his eyes closed and kissed Miaka on the forehead.
Nuriko: I know, I know, it's been awhile but now we're together again.