SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1And Now For The Chapter With The Much Wondered About "Past of Rui"!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own diddly squat! 'cept Kura, Ari, and Rui! Yay! I get the red head!! Whoo Hoo! (actually Rui's a dip-shit at times…but that's for later chapters…) Read On!
Suzaku no Hikari
Chapter 6
"Huh?" Ari stared stupidly at Kura, her first – or perhaps second – Celestial Warrior. The woman simply smiled sweetly and leaned back against the old tree stump behind her.
"Ask him yourself."
"Rui?" Ari asked slightly panicky. "What's she saying?" She searched for his eyes in the shadows next to her. He refused to meet them, but let out a long, drawn out sigh, as if to admit that he'd lost.
"This is what she's saying." He held up his forearm; the sleeve of his tunic slid down until it gathered around the crook of his elbow. And right before her eyes, a bright symbol came to life in his very skin. It glowed with a red light that reminded Ari of that which the book gave off before it transported her.
She reached a tentative hand out to touch the symbol. At contact, the light flashed brightly for a second, dimming to its original luster when she pulled back with a gasp. Rui watched her as she stared at his arm, bewildered. She looked up at him, trying to voice her confusion.
"I am a Suzaku Seishi, a Celestial Warrior, as is Kura. Tasuki is one of the constellations under Suzaku, my constellation…I really don't want to explain all of this to you right now. Once we get to the capital someone will be able to tell you the whole story without messing it up like I am."
"That you are." Kura spoke up with out opening her eyes.
Rui cleared his throat impatiently. "The point is that I am, we are, Celestial Warriors and so, are bound to protect you as Priestess." He finished then waited for her response.
Ari's mind raced. There was something wrong with this world's people. All they did was fight and lie…or maybe that was all Rui did. Kura seemed honest enough. Ari shook her head to rid herself of the thought. Rui couldn't be as terrible as to not tell her. This wasn't right!
"Why didn't you tell me?" Her eyes were filled with a wide range of emotions. Surprisingly she didn't yell. Instead, she leaned forward and spoke to him in a voice that sent a shiver down Rui's spine.
"Why did you lie to me?"
"I didn't-"
"Yes! You did!"
Rui said in his defense, "I never actually said that I wasn't—"
"I can't believe you!" She cut him off mid sentence again. "Not telling me something that important is just as bad as lying. Worse even!" The pain in her voice was evident. She moved away from him. Whoever said that "boy's lie" must have had me in mind. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
"Ari…Ari, I had my reasons—" Rui reached out to her.
"Don't." Ari cut him off again, brushing away his hand. "I don't want to hear it." She moved to her bedroll that Rui had stolen from the bandits and tucked her head into her folded arms. "…stupid…" He heard her mumble into the cloth of the shirt that he'd lent to her. He wasn't sure if she was talking about him, or herself.
But really now, this is what you get for trusting a total stranger…I HATE it when I'm right like this!
Rui looked over at his sister for help. She sat with her head tilted back, snoring lightly in her sleep. He laughed through his nose. He would receive no help from her. He stood up and walked over to Ari and sat next to her while she pretended to be falling asleep. She refused to acknowledge him until he started talking.
"I told you I had my reasons right? Well since everyone is so up for stories, this will fit right in." She didn't respond, but he continued anyway.
"I mentioned something about former Priestesses before, right?. Well, each of them had seven Warriors, obviously. The last Suzaku no Miko was very close to her warriors. Each of them had a special relationship with their Priestess."
Rui's voice sounded as though it was repeating a much-loved fairytale or bedtime story.
"The one called Tamahome was the closest to her. In fact, they say that he was reincarnated into the Priestess' world so that they could be together. That's how strong the last Miko's love was."
Rui noticed that Ari was still turned away from him, but listening intently. He continued.
"The warriors were all very loyal to their Miko, as they should be. They all loved her in their own ways. But one loved her in a way that could not be returned. He was called Tasuki. He was as brave and strong as they come. His weapon of choice was a flame throwing tessen—"
"A what?" Ari's voice was flat.
"Never mind. The point is that Tasuki loved his priestess, but would never receive her love in return. This was because her love was for Tamahome alone. Tasuki came to accept this with time, and when she left this world, he wished her and Tamahome only the best."
"Why are you telling me this?" Ari asked suspiciously.
"I'm getting to that. Be patient." Rui smiled. "Tasuki got on with his life after she left, as only the strongest of men can do. He soon met and fell in love with a village woman named Shin'ya. Her dark hair and eyes proved true her namesake…"
Rui stopped, pausing awkwardly.
Ari rolled over to face him. "Go on."
He swallowed and took a breath, gathering himself.
"She was my mother," he said quietly.
Ari remembered the story that Kura had told earlier of the bandits attacking their village and killing their mother. "Wait… So, I take it that, since you say that the Warrior fell in love with the woman you say was your mother, then that means your trying to tell me that the former Tasuki was your father?"
He nodded.
"Whoa. So where was your father when your village was raided? Did he die too?"
Rui laughed a dry laugh. "Not there. Not then. I can't even remember him I was so young when he left my mother. But my mother would always tell us stories about him and the brave things he did."
"That's why…" He closed his eyes. "That's why I couldn't go about saying that I was your Warrior. To me, he still is the Tasuki, and always will be."
"That's not a very healthy way of looking at things."
"I know it's not. But that doesn't change anything."
Ari lay silent for a full minute, not daring to tread any farther on this dangerous path.
"Alright, I can understand that..." Kinda. Geez, I knew all the cute ones were head-cases! "I'll forgive you."
Rui just nodded again.
There was nothing left for her to say. Or nothing she could say. She wasn't sure which. Ari yawned, reminding herself that it was past her bedtime. Rui patted her shoulder.
"You should go to sleep. I'll stand watch."
"But what about you?" She argued, fighting back the fatigue.
"As a Celestial Warrior it is my duty to protect my Priestess. I'll be fine."
"Good." She murmured sleepily. "Because I don't think I can keep my eyes open for another second."
Rui chuckled and tossed a blanket at her. "Go to sleep."
She smiled as she burrowed into the warm blanket.
"Thanks…Tasuki."
"Rui."
"Rui. Right, sorry."
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::Ari's Dream::
She was in the dark. She couldn't see through the gray dimness. The shadows completely surrounded her.
This place was new to her, but strangely familiar. It had a familiar smell; the sort of mustiness that you only smell around…OLD BOOKS!
"I'm in a library." She thought. "But this isn't my library…"
She looked around, her poorly adjusted eyes made out the rows of dusty volumes. "Definitely a library, though."
Walking over to a nearby shelf, Ari pulled a book off the ledge.
Like the whole situation, the ancient, red cover tried to remind her of something, something that she just couldn't put a finger on…
Opening of the book revealed a story written in old Chinese.
That bell was ringing furiously in the back of her head; there was something important she should be remembering…
…A story that began with an incantation…
The book gave off a bright red glow.
"…Herein contains the tale…"
In the distance, she heard the sharp cry of a bird.
"…of a young lady and her quest…"
The light crawled up her arms.
"…to gather the seven Constellations of Suzaku…"
Ari saw red feathers swirl around her in a flurry of light and power.
"…For indeed the moment the page is turned…"
The light flashed.
"…the story will become reality…"
And the world around her disappeared.
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Ari opened her eyes to early morning sunlight. Slowly, she sat up and tried to stretch away the soreness that comes from sleeping on the ground.
Kura had a fire going, and was cooking what smelled like breakfast. Rui was asleep in his bedroll, having stayed up late keeping watch.
Kura noticed Ari awake and nodded to her. "Good morning."
" G'morning," Ari replied, yawning widely.
"Hungry?" Kura handed her a bowl of warm rice and chopsticks.
"Thanks."
She sat down by the fire and tried to eat her food with the utensils she had never really mastered at home.
"Sleep well?" Kura asked her, watching her struggle with the chopsticks with much interest.
"Relatively…I had a strange dream though."
"What about?"
When Ari hesitated she added, "Dreams are very important, you know. They can be read as warnings of the future, or even of the past. A person with power such as yourself is likely to have very potent dreams."
"A person with power…?"
"Well, you are the Suzaku no Miko."
"Right." She looked down into her bowl. "The dream…I don't know. It's hard to put into words."
"Try." Kura prompted gently, as she sat down with her own bowl of rice.
"It was a lot like what happened when I was brought to this world. But different somehow, like it wasn't me…I didn't feel like I was Ari…Does that make any sense?" Laughing at what she was saying, Ari shook her head and tried to eat some more of her breakfast without dropping it.
"I can't say that I know what that means, but it would be good to remember it, for future reference." Kura watched her for a second then let out a poorly contained laugh. She got up and retrieved a wooden spoon from the cooking gear and handed it to Ari. "Here, use this. At the rate you're going, you'll starve before you eat a mouthful."
"Thank you!" Ari gasped gratefully.
"No worries. Can't have the Miko starve, now can we?" Kura's voice sounded serious, but laughter shone from her eyes. "So, have you and my brother made up?"
Ari choked on the spoon. "You were awake?"
"I didn't want to interrupt. Besides, Rui needs to learn to get himself out of his own messes."
"Hmmm. Yeah, we made up."
"That's good. He's been through a lot, that boy." Kura looked over at her brother.
"Both of you have." Ari watched her, and added, "I wish I were as strong as you…both of you."
"No…" She paused. "The strength we have is something gained through much hardship. I hope you never have to be as strong as us... Although, being the Suzaku no Miko will make you stronger, whether you wish it or not."
Ari nodded, accepting what Kura told her. "Where do we go from here?"
"We take you to the capital, and the emperor. There you will officially become the Priestess of Suzaku…and I don't actually know what happens after that. We have to find the other warriors, but I don't know where we start."
"It was so easy to find you two…maybe it will be the same for the rest." Ari said hopefully.
"Beginner's luck," Rui stated from where he stood a few feet away from the women. "This is no walk in the park. They could be anywhere."
"Don't be such an optimist, Rui." Kura gestured at the food. "Eat something, then maybe you won't be such a grouch."
Ari giggled as he scowled at his sister. Her smile faded when she remembered the way she and her own brother would argue.
Kura noticed her change in mood and ruffled her hair. "You homesick?"
"A little bit, but I'll be okay." She forced a smile. "You two just remind me of the way me and my little brother would fight."
"Mmm-hmmm. Family is nice, especially when you're together." Kura nodded wisely. Then she stood up and said, "Enough reminiscing! Time we got going!"
"Right." Said Rui who was already packing up the bedrolls.
Ari stood up to help, and a thought hit her.
This is going to be one hell of an adventure.
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Author's Note:
LA! How was that? I've redone this chapter like twenty times to get it right. I'm just realizing how hard it is to hold a story like this together. I have a new found respect for all fanfic authors. You people are amazing.
Right, now the real thing that's buggin me about this chapter is Rui's explanation of his lineage. Who woulda thought that Tasuki would actually have a family? Not me, that's for damn sure! But I needed a connection…So, that's the way it goes. In my story, Tasuki meets a woman named Shin'ya (Japanese phrase-book say's…Midnight!) and ummm…I'm not gonna say marries her, cause Tasuki, married? That's pushin' it. So he stays with her for two, three years, then takes off, sorry, he doesn't seem the fatherly type either. So that's it…as to him not liking girls, well she's not a girl now is she? She's a WOMAN! Okay, enough of that. One day I'll write another ficcie about their story. One day…(btw, I torture Tasuki because I wuv him so much)
And to the reviewer who reviewed like forever ago, asking for Ari to be more like Yui than Miaka…I ask you this. What kind of Miaka can't eat her breakfast with chopsticks? Hmm? (BTW I happen to be a master of the 'sticks, so no pinning that one on me!)
Now time to thank reviewers! My reviews have like doubled, thanks to a little KT-chan, (hold on a sec girlie, i've got a bone to pick w/ you). First and formost I thank the ever-most faithful Pseudomask!!! (ever-most...is that even a word?) Thank you so much for reviewing, i alway look forward to the encouragement. You Are The Best!(BTW you've got competition for the title of most frequent reviewer in this story...)
Next up is...Dragonheart!!! Thank you for reading, and liking for that matter, my extremely humble story. I'm glad you like it. And i will keep writing don't you worry.
YueMichiruNaragisawaMiko! Which one of you is it that's reading this story? Thanks for reviewing. all reviews make me smile. ^_^
Hmmm...who's left. let me think...(taps a finger to her lips) Oh, yes! KT-chan!
...KT-chan, let me tell you about the last time i went to check my e-mail! I logged on...
*******
Wanderlily is sitting at the computer waiting for her e-mail account to appear. Her hands are clasped together.
Please please please let there be a review...just one, that's all i ask! please!
The screen appears. Her eyes go wide in shock. Her jaw drops to the table.
"Holy Shit! I have SEVEN new reviews!!!"
"What was that, dear?" her mother calls up to her from the base of the stairs.
"Never mind!"
Oh my god! 7 reviews! i can die happy now! Hmmm. what's this say..oh it's from KT-chan! she must have gotten the guilt trip review i just gave her new fic...lets see what she says...hmmm...she thinks my story is cliche...hmmm. SHE THINKS MY STORY IS CLICHE!?!?! WHY ON EARTH WOULD SHE THINK THAT ABOUT MY-
Wanderlily looks back over previous chapters.
You know what...she just might have a point...WAAAAAHHHHH! (SNIFF SNIFF) MY STORY'S CLICHE!!! I HATE THIS! I QUIT! I CAN'T WRITE! I GIVE UP! I'LL NEVER WRITE AGAIN!!!!
Wanderlily moves on to her third stage of writer's-rejection-itis (the first being the denial, the second being the depression, you get the picture) She goes downstairs and eats a tub of Ben-and-Jerry's.
I feel much better now. ^_^
Okay, so there are a few cliches to be found within my story. I never said i was going for originality here now did I? (checks previous author's notes just to be sure.) I wanted to write this story to write a story. I wanted to create new characters that had personalities and even pasts that could be tied back to the original story. Ari is cliche, i agree with that wholeheartedly. But i've made her very emotional and passionate because i believe that is what it takes to be the Suzaku no Miko. She has wit and a potty-mouth because...well, that's just me. This story is my first real one that i've ever written, surprisingly enough. (Monday Night Football was a fluke that i hadn't planned to post but did so anyway for some strange reaseon) And i've spent the past years reading other author's works...instead of trying to write my own. I'm just now figuring out how tough it is to make a story like this plausible, with as few loopholes as possible.
KT-chan...i thank you for telling me my story is cliche. My ego was starting to swell from all the compliments I was getting from other reviewers, (don't you peeps go getting any ideas now...) At this point in time my ego is properly deflated and i'm ready to try writing another chapter. And if it's cliche as well...TOUGH LUCK! I'm kidding. i appreciate all the time and effort you put into reading and reviewing every chapter. Thank You.(one final note, i've actually attempted to aviod quite a few major cliches but you won't get to see those untill later chapters...example of major cliche i've avoided: The good old guy walks in on/ peeps at the main female character whilst bathing. Oh yes i caught that one waaaay ahead of time.)
Thanks again to all reviewers. I wuv you all!
Your's truely, the ever-most ice-cream-hyped-up Wanderlily.
***wanderlily***
R.O.D
(Aka: Review Or Die!)