Tadaima, Minna-san! I want to thank both Megan and Ruri-chan for the wonderful reviews that I received! I hope that I continue to write stories that you both will like. Mou, Tsuki-chan, magirawashiisoudayane~! I do have two quick questions for all of you. Do you understand my Japanese? I usually speak, and write, in Oosaka-ben (same as Tasuki) due to living in that region for two years and I am trying to write in Tokyo-ben, as taught by my college professors. Boy, do they hate me! :o) I do translate the sentences that I do believe to be difficult, but would you like a glossary to be written for my other words as well?
Anyway, on to chapter 2! Again, this will contain a bit of what was in the Anime and the Manga, but from a different perspective. Also, Chiriko will become more cheerful, yakusokuwayo! Tokoro de, have any of you guessed what Chiriko's secret is, yet? :o)
Again, I do not own any of these characters. I also did not create the Japanese copy of the Shijin Tenchi no Sho that I have written. My copy comes from a book that I bought at the Anime convention in Shinjuku, Tokyo. I do believe that you can buy it in America, now.
Konotabi wa, iroiro gomeiwaku wo okakeshite sumimasendeshita. {bows} ( I am afraid that I have inconvenienced you.)
Shitsurei shimasu
Chapter 2
Early the next morning, the same maid, Jung-Min, brought my breakfast to my room upon request. It does seem that I was the first to wake up, though this does not bother me. I have always liked peace and quiet in the mornings, so that I could start my day with a clear head. I finish my meal quickly and decided to take a better look the maki that Tai'itsu-kun gave to me.
"Shijin to wa, Touzainanboku, shihou no chi wo shugosuru [Seiryuu] [Byakko] [Suzaku] [Gembu]. Korera wa tenkuu no nijyuuhasshuku wo shibunshi,…" (These four Gods, of the East, West, South and North, are the four area's chief defenders [The Blue Dragon] [The White Tiger] [The Vermilion Sparrow (With the name translated literally] [The Dark Warrior]. The sky's 28 constellation are divided by four,…)
I scrunch up my face in confusion. Another copy of Konan-Koku's Shijin Tenchi no Sho? But why? From my understanding, when we proceed with the ceremony, using the Shinzahous we will have no need of burning the Shijin Tenchi no Sho. Curiosity getting the better of me, I unroll the maki, till it reaches the end. There, I find a note from Tai'itsu-kun.
"Chiisaii Binadori, Benkyoushite gambatte kudasai. Tai'itsu-kun. "
I smile as I see that Tai'itsu-kun has added an endearment. Chiisaii Binadori, huh? But still, now I know that She wants me to study the maki contents. Perhaps that is truly wise, for the information given about the Seishis may come to play in our mission for the Shinzahous.
"[Chichiri] Sou men."
The Buddhist Priest with a Mask. I know that Chichiri-san does wear a mask to cover his features, but knowing Tai'itsu-kun, there could possibly be more to this clue.
"[Tamahome] Tou min."
The Fighter for the People. I have learned that Tamahome-san is from the countryside. But, the clue does heavily suggest that he is meant to be the group's main fighter.
"[Nuriko] Kyuu bu."
The Prince of Warriors. This could be the clue for where Miaka-san was to find him, but I can not help but give a small chuckle when I think that it should have been written Hime-dan bu "The Male Princess of Warriors." Oh well, this was something to keep in mind. I highly doubt that Tai'itsu-kun could have made such a mistake about personalities.
"[Hotohori] Kou ken."
The Emperor of Swords. Again, definite clue as to where to find this Seishi, and I know that Hotohori is quite splendid with a sword, but what else does it mean?
"[Chiriko] Chi dou."
Ah, myself! The Knowledgeable Child. I am intelligent and I do happen to be considered a child, but I do think that this clue refers to the other knowledge that I posses. The knowledge that will hopefully come as a great source of help to my Miko.
"[Tasuki] San en."
The Mountain's Flame. Again, I do know that Tasuki-san is from the mountains and uses the fire of the Tessen as his primary weapon, but the clue might also refer to the deep emotions that I caught a glimpse of last night.
"[Mitsukake] Yu i."
The Thoughtful Doctor. I do believe that this description fits. For as far as I have seen and heard, Mitsukake-san rarely speaks, but when he does, his words carry importance.
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu, Tai'itsu-kun. I do think that this information will not only help me in getting along with my fellow Seishi, but also helps to add to the mystery that surrounds my new "friends" that will serve to help keep my mind pleasantly occupied. But, I know that there must be more to the maki then just these written words. I calm my mind down and send out my ki to search for a power that the maki may posses. Hmmm…Ah, there! There is a definite power in the maki, but it is hidden deep. Had I not thought to search for it, I may never have found it! But, why hide this power so deep? I do not know just how powerful of a force that it is and so, I do not believe that I will be able to use this power in fight. Oh well, the answer will present itself to me in due time. For now, I know that in order to protect myself, I have no such need for any outside power.
Looking outside my window, I find that it is already mid-morning! Did I really spend that long looking at the maki? Still, the lost in time is more then made up for the information I have gathered. Now, I must get ready, for that maid, Jung-Min, will be back soon to escort me to Hotohori-san's study. If we are to travel, then we must have something resembling a plan. I feel glad that Hotohori-san asked me to debate with him the best route to take.
The maid arrives, and once again, I am made ill by the perfume. Maybe I could suggest this fact to her… better not. Onii-san has warned me about criticism to women. Demure my Gishi (sister-in-law) may be, but when faced with criticism on how she dresses, does her hair or her perfume, the result is that all males, myself included, will run out of our house at top speed towards the local bar for safety. My Onii-san claims this is due to women having no sense of humor and not truly possessing intellect. My Okaa-san just claims that it is because no matter how smart men might think that they are they are nothing but bumbling idiots when it comes to another person's feelings. Given what little power that they are allowed to have in our society, women will always take great offense when any male believes that he knows more about fashion and the ability to not look like a slob than she. As I predicted, I just thought it was due to hormonal imbalance that my Gishi was experiencing due to her first month of pregnancy. But, I have had little contact to the opposite sex and thus can not use her as my primary test result. And now is not the time for such an experiment.
I arrive at Hotohori-san's study and I am greeted with a gentle smile.
"Ohayou, Chiriko. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, thank you Hotohori-san. The quarters that you gave me were most comfortable and I had little chance of not falling asleep."
"That is good to hear. Now, Chiriko, I want to ask you about this route. I believe that the Seishi should travel to Hokkan-Koku by this mountain pass. Doing so, will allow all of you to reach the capitol within two weeks. If you are to do so, I will send a runner to the emperor, so that will be given accommodations and their scholars' help."
I think about his proposal, and I admit that it does sound appealing to have the "help" of the Hokkan-Koku scholars in finding Gembusei-kun's Shinzahou. I know that I do not need this help, but for appearances… Still, I do not believe that this would be the best way and decided to tell Hotohori-san so.
"No, I believe that we should take the seaway. Though it would be quicker to take the land route and to receive the help of the Hokkan-koku emperor and scholars, we must remember that the Seiryuuu Shichiseishi will also be looking for the Shinzahou. The have already made it known that they have spies and supporters in other countries. Staying with the emperor will make it easier for them to detect us and to split us up. By taking the seaway, we can sneak into the country, hopefully undetected, and quietly ask questions to the object's where abouts. I know that the seaway will take three weeks and that we run the risk of sneaking past Kutou-Koku's borders, but all-in-all, I believe that it will be safer in the long run for both the Shichiseishi and Miaka-san."
I suddenly hear the patter of feet and smell the sent of a female. It takes me less than a second to realize that this sent belongs to my Miko, Miaka-san. Thus case I better be prepared to jump as if alarmed, for the only Shichiseishi I can smell in this wing is Hotothori and myself. Sure enough, as I am restating that the seaway is my decision, Miaka-san come barging…or is that tripping.. into the room.
With their discussion, I find out that Chichiri-san had the same idea as I in travel advice. I knew that I would like him! Tonight is the star watching festival, an event that sounds fun in my heart, but a waste of time in my mind. If Chichiri-san is not attending the festival, I believe I will have a chat with Suzakusei-kun's eldest Seishi. I listen to my Miko, and I have to smile. She is rather light hearted when she can help it, and so far, always seems so innocent and happy. I send a prayer to Suzakusei-kun that despite the trouble that I know we will face, her optimism will not change.
Taking my leave, I do not look where I am going, for I am thinking about possible plans that I could do if Chichiri-san is busy and possible excuses to use if asked to attend the festival. And so, not bothering to look, I make the embarrassing mistake of bumping, head first, into Tasuki-san.
"Oy, kid, ya need to watch where ya goin'. Next time, ya can end up hittin' the post instead."
Blushing from embarrassment, I stutter an apology. Occupied my mind may always be, I rarely lose myself in thought to the point of not watching where I go.
"So, ya goin' to the festival tonight?"
"Um, no. I planned to stay here and study at the place library." Well, that sounded truthful enough. Of course, if I wanted the truth, why did I not tell Tasuki-san that I wanted to stay and talk to Chichiri-san? It is not as if talking to someone else is considered a crime. Ne~ Dokun, white lies will always turn into disasters in the end. So, the question remains, why did you lie?
"Aw, c'mon, kid, there's more ta life than stuydin'. Ya need to have fun once in a while. Didn't ya ever play games when you younger."
My heart picks up when asked about my pastimes.
"You mean, such as Gou?"
"Gou? Naw, I mean like tag, racin' or even just fightin'!"
"Oh, well, I admit that I have never been keen on physical games and that I have never been in a fist fight."
"Ya kiddin'? Well, how abouts we change that, eh? I could teach ya ta fight?"
I smile when I realize that he believes that I have never fought at all. I did say that I have never fist fought, but I have fought in an entirely different way that I do not think that any of my "friends" will understand how it is possible for someone, such as me, to do. Still, learning some Kempo might be of help on this journey and besides I find myself liking Tasuki-san. Though the language pattern he uses is different, he reminds me of Onii-san. This just might be fun.
"Arigatou, Tasuki-san! I believe that I will like that very much."
And so, that is how I spent my first full afternoon at the palace. When we stopped the lessons and headed back to our rooms in order to get ready for our individual nighttime engagements, I readily admit to taking delight in looking back on the afternoon. I had fun! It was not the satisfaction of learning new strategic information, but felt like the rare times when I discover the answers to a difficult mystery or puzzle that had eluded me! My heart was soaring and for once, I neither noticed nor care that there had been no thoughts going on in my mind. I do believed that I looked stupid, trying the moves that Tasuki-san was showing me, but given my height, my lack in physical training, lack in skill and the robes that I was wearing, I believe that I did well for a beginner. I do hope that it was not because I am a Seishi or that I am my father's child. All my life, I could rationalize that everything I could do was because of those two factors. My heart stubbornly defend that this new ability and the overall enjoyment that I could partake with another living being was all because of me, and not because of heritage or destiny.
I hear Miaka-san, Nuriko-san and Tasuki-san coming near and passing my room. Tasuki-san suddenly stops, walks back and knocks on my door.
"Hey, kid, ya still in there/"
I open my door, showing that I have changed my clothing into nothing fancy, but just another outfit looking like the one I wore earlier, only this one was blue, purple and green and lacked the nauseating smell and sight of sweat stains.
"Yes, Tasuki-san?"
"Ya sure ya don't want ta join us?"
"Hai, Chiriko-chan! We'll play lots of games and I believe that Tasuki and I will even let you be Miaka's main escort! There will be lots of good food and you and Miaka could watch the fireworks."
"Thank you, but no. There is much that I need to study tonight for our travels. I do ask you to please bring back some botan for me. (Rice candy. Sticky like taffy, tastes sweet like mochi. If you haven't had mochi, then I have no other way to explain it to you.) I would be most grateful."
"Are you sure, Chiriko?"
Miaka's smile promises a night full of games and candy, and thus fun, but…
"Yes, Miaka-san. However, thank you all for asking."
"Anytime, kid. See ya around!"
"Yes, Oyasuminasai, minna-san."
I take a deep, if somewhat heavy and disappointed, breath as they leave. Besides, my mind points out, Chichiri-san is bound to be just as fun as the festival, no matter how well you and Tasuki-san get along. Plus, you already know that both you and Chichiri-san are bound to be friends as well. That stated, I decided to go off and follow both Chichir-san's smell and ki to its source.
Have a good time, Tasuki-san. My first real friend.
^^^^^^^
I know that this was a long one and I hope you enjoyed it. In all the fanfiction that I have read, I've never seen anyone write out what the Shijin Tenchi no Sho had said about the Shichiseishi. If you would like the full information on the scroll, both in Japanese or translated into English e-mail me. I would be glad to send it to you.
Ja ne!