Hello minna-san! I hope you are all enjoying your summer! I also hope that you all enjoyed that last chapter. You now know about Chiriko's secret! The hints I gave to look at: he always wears that outer cloak, which can hide wings, he rarely shows his hands and never his feet, but also look at his hair. It points straight up, with some side hair being down by his ears. Suzaku has the same hairstyle. The only difference they have is that Chiriko's bangs cover his forehead. Something that is also interesting is that the symbol on Suzaku's forehead is Ou, which is also, of course, both the pronunciation and the character that Yuu Watase gave as Chiriko's last name.
I have to apologize for not keeping a promise to Kyra in the last chapter. That will be rectified. :o)
It must be a big surprise to all of you by now, but I don't own anything of the Fushigi Yuugi story. I most especially do not own Chiriko, so fangirls put those weapons down, now onegai?
Chapter 8 Meet a Seiryuu Shichiseishi
"You…you're really not kidding about this, are you? You really are Suzaku's child?" inquired Nuriko.
"Yes."
"But, Chiriko-chan, when you talk about Suzaku and your father, you spoke as if they are two different beings?"
"To me, they always seem to be, just like grandma."
Miaka, who had been sitting quiet all this time, tilted her head and asked, "Grandma?"
With a gentle smile towards her, "Yes, Tai'itsu-kun. You see there are times when they do act like the higher beings that they are and when I should respect them, however there are more, should I say, tender moments when they aren't Gods, but just a loving father and a dolting grandmother."
"Well, I know that you want to keep this a secret from the other Gods, but why didn't you tell us earlier?"
"Gomen, but there have been incidents at my home because I was considered a freak. This is the first chance I've had to make friends, and so I didn't want to leave it to chance that all of you might also hate me."
I find myself, yet again, in a bone-crushing hug that made breathing hard.
"Nu…Nuriko-san…onegai!"
"Ah, gomen Chiriko-chan! It's just that, with all the quirks we have on our team, what made you think that we would see you as a freak?"
"Your quarks don't include wings and claws."
"Okay, true."
After a few moments, I decide to ask what I have deemed the next important question.
"I do want to tell the others. What I want to ask you, is will you stand behind me as I do so? From what I've seen of their personalities, I don't believe that Chichiri-san and Tasuiki-san will have any problems with my differences. I also believe that Hotohori-san will look upon this as a blessing. However, Tamahome-san is watching me for any reason to keep me away from his imouto and Mitsukake-san does not like both dishonesty and surprises."
"Sure! You're one of my seishi and besides, I think your wings are cool!"
"I'll be happy to pound anyone, seishi or otherwise, into the nearest wall, if you want!"
Nuriko-san smacks his fist into his palm for emphasis. Although, I do see a twinkle in his eye, showing that he is being playful.
"Doumo Arigatou gozaimasu, futari-onna. Itsu made mo, Boku wa ongi wo koumutte irimasu. (Thank you very much, {two women}. I'm forever indebted to you.)
"Iie, keiko desu." (No thanks required.)
Nuriko decided to leave and get the others, leaving Miaka-san and I alone.
"So, can you fly?"
"Yes, I've started to learn, seeing how I finally grew my flight feathers last year. However, I don't get to practice much, seeing how my wings are to always be hidden unless my father…Suzakusei-kun…comes for a visit."
"Does He visit you often? What does He look like?"
"He usually gets to visit me on the equinoxes and the solstices. Grandma visits me once every month, just to make sure I'm adjusting to my powers that inherited from my father. She says it will take a couple hundred years before I can fully use them. All I can do right now is use my feathers to create magic barriers and do some devastating fire attacks. As for what my father looks like," I take off my hair tie, allowing my hair to longer be bunched up, it still sticks up, "Imagine my hair to be red, with pure red feathers on my wings, red eyes, and with my family name, Ou, on my forehead. He is about Mitsukake-san's height and I have never seen Him without a gentle smile, even when He was scolding me."
Miaka-san takes this all in for a second before she opens her eyes wide and gasps, "It was you that created the barrier at Tamahome's house! The one that protected his family from Suboshi! Afterwards, Yuiren said that a red feather fell to the floor and she used it on my necklace!"
She takes the acorn and feather necklace out from underneath her shirt, as if to prove her point.
"Yes, when I started to shed all of my baby feathers, I kept them knowing that they would come in handy. Hold on to that feather, Miaka-san, because by using that I can not only protect you from afar, but I can also track you as Chichiri-san does."
Just then, a knock on the door is rapped and Nuriko-san asks me if I was ready. I quickly re-tie my hair and throw my cloak and shoes on. Everyone enters the room, with Chichiri-san holding on to a mirror so that Hotohori-san can hear the discussion. I go through the entire story a second time that evening. My predictions, as usual, are correct. Tasuki-san was a bit mad that I didn't tell him right away, however, I took the headlock and noogie to be an approving gesture. Hotohori-san was ecstatic. The fact that Suzakusei-kun had bothered to create a child to help Miaka-san out was an answer to a pray, apparently. He called in his guards to tell my mother that she most definitely may use the palace's shrine. Tamahome-san was angry and wanted to know why I hadn't told his family this earlier. He also told me that I could forget about seeing Gyokuran. I started to feel my heart breaking, while Miaka-san argued against Tamahome-san in my defense, telling him how it was I who saved his family. They left the room, bickering. Fortunately, Miaka-san was winning. Mitsukake-san stated "I see," and left my room. I will have to talk to him later. Chichiri-san actually surprised me. He grinned and said, "I already knew no da. Tai'itsu-kun asked me to look after you no da. She also said that I was to tell you that She loved you and that She would try to resolve any problems you have with your uncles na no da."
I smiled and was about to give him a statement of thanks when I felt the storm picking up in intensity and felt a foreign ki. I noticed that Chichiri-san picked up on it as well.
"Minna-san, we're under attack no da! Get to the top deck no da!"
We rushed out onto the deck, without any plan. Foolhardy to say the least. There, standing before us is a person covered by a black cloak. As we try to move towards the stranger, lightning flashes from the sky and we nearly avoid the burning electricity. Miaka-san decides on a more direct approach.
"Who are you?"
"I am Seiryuu Shichiseishi, Soi." She throws off her cloak. "I am you death!"
Lightning hit us with a sudden force. I immediately place a protection barrier around my self and through my feather, around Miaka-san. Seeing the others in pain, I quickly grab a hold of Mitsukake-san's hand and yell at him to grab the others' hands, thus including them into my barrier. I can tell that this has not gone unnoticed by Soi-san. She intensifies her attacks and it is becoming harder for me to hold my impromptu and extended shield against such a focused and furious attack. Miaka-san decides to do something against this. I see her walk out, holding Hotohori-san's sword, my feather barrier protecting her. My heart stops. That sword is metal! Even if it is a divine sword, the metal will attract the lightning and I do not know how well my barrier will protect her against intensified electrocution. Soi-san taunts Miaka-san, but I don't listen. I have to do something! A…a fire attack? But, I'm not very skilled at my control or at my aim. Still holding onto Mitsukake-san, I move over to Tasuki-san.
"I need to borrow your tessen!"
"What!? Are ya crazy? No way!"
"Fine, then I will channel my energy through you, and you use the tessen to hold Soi-san back so Miaka-san may accomplish her goal."
"But…"
We hear Miaka-san cry out in pain and the sword draws the lightning. I grab a hold of Tasuki-san's left arm, skin upon skin, and channel my power. Tasuki-san jumps startled by the sudden amount of energy that force into his system. Miaka-san uses the sword to throw the lightning at Soi-san. The lightning manages to graze her arm, thus keeping her occupied from the combination of Tasuki-san's and my power's attack.
"Lekka Shi-en!"
The red blast turns into the shape of a bird before it hits Soi-san square in the chest, forcing her off the ship and into the water. I can feel that her ki is weak, but she is still alive. Unfortunately, we were never able to catch her. But, something inside me, a whisper from my grandmother, Tai'itsu-kun, tells me that she had made it to shore. I have no time to ask her questions, however, as the ship, no longer under the control of the frighten sailors, crashed into a small island, around twenty feet (Is this a far distance? It doesn't seem to be.) from the shore, throwing all of us into the water. Though the water was cold, all but Tasuki-san had no problem swimming to shore. Tasuki-san came to shore care of Nuriko-san cruise line thus translating to 'being dragged.' It was still too dark to go far inland, so we decide to build camp, make at least one small fire to dry our various clothing articles. I take off my outer cloak and strip, down to my fundoshi. I walk away from the fire and stretch out my wings and give five mighty flaps, in order to dry my feathers. It's not as if I'm a duck after all. I'm a peacock. So, like all peacocks, I must admit to a certain amount of pride for my beautiful brown and red tipped feathers. I have never liked the feeling of them being wet and I must primp them to make sure they hold their luster. It is true; Ou Doukun holds many certain things in common with the emperor of Konan-koku. But it also might just be my father in me. I walk back to the fire with five flight feathers in my hand, where Tasuki-san and Chichiri-san move to make room for me to sit.
"Tomorrow, we should scout the land no da. We may be on the outskirts of Kutou-koku no da."
I take the chance and bring up my thoughts.
"I don't think so, Chichiri-san. I do not remember seeing any rock outcrops like that of the one our ship crashed into. I believe that we may even be on Josei-koku."
"Josei-koku?"
"Hai, Tamahome-san. Josei-koku is an unacknowledged country located off the eastern sea border of Kutou-koku. We do not acknowledge this country because they don't believe in any of the four Gods. Also, the fact that they are a purely woman centered country doesn't help relations. Any men they happen to come upon, usually is locked up, tortured and finally crippled so that he cannot fight back as they use him for breeding stock. I have read that they also do this to their own sons, telling them and making them believe that it is an honor to have something such as this done to them so that they can be noticed. On the other hand, they are supposed to have wonderful hot springs, said to cure many ailments. If a person is terribly sick and nothing has help cure them of their illness, then they accept the trading of a young daughter with some food for the use of the springs. Unfortunately, with our male-dominant society, this happens frequently. Women, on the other hand, are allowed to visit at any time and are not bothered if they wish to return home. However, if a woman were found sneaking any men onto the island, she would be considered a traitor and killed on spot. I suggest that we be careful when we scout the land tomorrow and if we find my theory to be correct, then find any means possible to leave the vicinity post haste. In the mean time, minna-san, I want to give each of you one of my feathers. This will allow me to help lend you power, and protect you with the advantage of being able to find you were ever you may go."
"Wait justa minute. So you're sayin' it's a island fulla fuckin' women!?"
"Yes…"
"Chiriko-chan, what if we disguise ourselves?"
Disguise us? Among the Amazons of Josenkyou? (BTW: I know that this is a Ranma reference, however these women did at one time exist.) But to hide among them, we would have to…eto~, I think the others just realized the suggestion as well.
"No FUCKIN' way!"
That went better than expected…
The morning comes too soon. I have nothing against Nuriko-san wanting to dress this way. He is living his sister's life and this is his preference. However, I had never thought or hoped to be in an obvious dress. I'm not happy. Also, this make-up feels weird on my lips, but every time I try to do something about it, I get a scolding from Nuriko-san. Although I must admit that the sight of Tasuki-san and Tamahome-san in full women clothing is a memory that will never fail to cheer me up on a bad day. Just the same, the sight of Mitsukake-san in a dress is enough for me to easily lose my recent meal. I, like the others, try to avoid looking at the poor, poor man. Chichiri-san looks…interesting. Cute, though.
I can't believe I just thought that.
At best, I believe that he was attempting to look like his lost love, Kouran-san. He came very close. Finally, of course, Nuriko-san was in his/her element. He had a lot of fun playing dress up. Though I wish he didn't insist that I had to wear this make-up or have my hair in these little buns. At least this dress hides my talons and it also hides another important part of my anatomy. My Adam's apple. It's small, but definitely growing. Nuriko-san also noticed that I seem to be growing out of my original clothes. What a wonderful time to hit a growth spurt. The funny thing is, I should have seen this coming. I am attracted to Gyokuran, a member of the opposite sex, I receive my flight feathers, I needed new shoes before I left the house and I forgot how much Tai'itsu-kun loves serendipity. No doubt father's having himself a ball, laughing at me. I concentrate and send a little inquisitive thought to him.
"Though I am a bit concerned to see my only son and all of my male seishi dressed as a woman…I have pictures of this painted by the Nyan-nyans. If and when my brothers except you, this will be one of the first stories that they hear."
"Gee thanks, Otou."
snicker "What else are fathers for?"
"Darned if I know."
"Ha, funny. Now, Doukun-chan, Miaka is trying to get your attention."
"Oh, thank you Otou. Wish us luck?"
"I wish all of you luck, indeed. And to you, my beloved child, I give you all of my love. Be careful. You are flying into dangerous winds and I don't know if your grandmother or I can help."
"I understand the trials, however I must do this. I must help Miaka-san and prove to myself that I'm not just a freak like the other people think; that I'm not worthless."
"Never, my sweet Binadori (Now I will tell you the translation: It means baby bird, or chick. :o) Never a freak, never worthless. Aishiteiru."
"Aishiteiru, Otou."
"Chiriko-chan," more shaking, why couldn't they tap me on the shoulder for once? "Chiriko-chan, wake-up!"
"Sorry, just listening to my father snicker at us."
"What? Doesn't he like my clothing job?!"
"It's not that, Nuriko-san, it the fact that five straight men are dressed up as women, trying to act as women and trying to fool real women."
"Ah."
"Ano~ I think we're surrounded no da!"
"Nyao!"
"Who are you, and where do you think you're going?
Ah the welcome wagon. Weapons, armor and all. I just hope they don't look at us too close. I do believe that, if push comes to shove, we can take them…okay maybe not that woman with the purple hair, and what's with those weapons? Bonboris? They way she's looking at us…Oh Suzakusei-kun please don't let Tasuki-san say anything.
"Hey, Bab-"
"Oh, don't mind my friend, here. She had a long trip over the water, which she hates, and is cranky. We will try to keep her under control."
"Were you in that ship that we found on the south end of the island?"
"Yes, that was our ship. We crashed during the storm last night."
The purple-headed woman narrowed her eyes.
"Any man with foreigners? This one look like man."
What's with her? Did she never learn to talk correctly? Though she does have a point about Mitsukake-san…
"There were, but upon realizing which island this was, they patched up one of those little boats and went to the main land to tell those who were expecting us what happened."
"Xian Pu understand. We take you to Great Grandmother. She help you off island and give you too too delicious ramen!"
Okay, now she's scaring me.
"But first we think this one is man. Just trying to fool you. We take him to dungeon."
We all sigh as Mitsukake-san is dragged off, and then attempt to make embarrassed conversation to try and convince the warriors that we really had no idea. Well, emphasis on attempt. We didn't have to do this for too long, fortunately.
"Xian Pu, my love!"
I suddenly found myself in a hug that rivals Nuriko-san's. My first instinct is to freeze, my next is to hit the man until he is either lets go of me or is knocked out. I finally get the man off of me and practically climb up Tasuki-san in order to get away from him. He adjusts the weird things that are covering his eyes.
Before he can comment, a panda runs past us with a red headed girl following close behind. Behind her were a small black pig with a weird collar and then a girl with a giant hammer yelling a name. It sounded like Ranma. Even more people followed her. A girl twirling around, laughing a laugh that would wake the dead, with a ribbon in her hand. A girl with a giant cooking spatula. A man with a wooden sword yelling 'my pig-tailed Goddess.' Finally a man crying 'Akane' and another red headed woman with a real sword, dressed in an interesting dress. (Sorry, I have had a lot of sugar and I couldn't help myself!)
"Nyao!?"
I agree with you, Tama-neko. Where did all these weirdoes come from? Just when I think I'm the freak, my grandmother makes someone worse appear.
"Xian Pu?"
"Over here, stupid Mu Tzu."
"Um, excuse me, but I thought that all men on this island…"
"Usually, yes. All men broken. But Amazons not want stupid Mu Tzu. He blind and no take hint."
"Nuriko, I think we should leave, now."
"No, wait, wait. These people are offering us hospitality, Tama-chan. It would be rude not to accept it.
Which was how we found ourselves at a dining hall. I could see that Nuriko-sam was enjoying himself. Chichiri-san, Miaka-san and Tamahome-san were trying to make themselves seem invisible. They seemed to be doing a good job, too. Tasuki-san…sigh…he's drunk…again. I wonder if Mitsukake-san is okay. I use my feather, which he surprisingly still has and…blush…okay, he's not in any immediate danger. He's in the company of six beautiful women…I snapped the connection right there. It was private and I had no right peaking. Why do I hear my father chuckling again? Oh am I going to hear it later…
"Are you back yet, Little Bird?"
"Oh, Gomen Ko Lohn-san, I didn't mean to drift!" I blush a little and try to hide my face in my sleeve. I try to look demure, however what I sense from this woman is a person who cannot be fooled. She knows that with the exception of Miaka-san, we are all males.
"Drifting, huh? Don't worry, I won't tell."
"I had a feeling that you wouldn't. Doumo arigatou gozaimasu." I give a small bow.
"I have four reasons. One, you do not mean any harm. Two, you didn't mean to crash on our island. Three, you are Suzaku Shichiseishi and although we do not follow your Gods, you are still holy people and finally four, I haven't lived three hundred years without knowing a higher power when I sit next to it. Your father and grandmother would smash my Amazons to dust if we dared to hurt you."
"Then why not tell us before…"
"This amuses me. Besides, from your larger friend, we should have several healthy, new warriors joining us in nine months."
"I…see. Can you help us get off the island?"
"As long as you keep the disguise, yes. If the others knew that I willing accepted men, no matter who they may be, onto our island, there would be nothing but chaos."
"If it helps, I already know that our disguise will be dropped when we rescue our friend. One of the seishi, Chichiri-san, is a monk who was taught magic by my grandmother, Tai'itsu-kun. You can create a story that he used his magic to blind you to the fact of our gender."
"That will work. To get away from here, go to the northern end of the island. There are smaller islands that lead to the main land. But, whatever you do, make sure that none of the girls give you a kiss on the cheek. We call that the kiss of death and unless the men can defeat the women in battle, those who gave the kiss will follow you till the ends of the earth."
Oh, joy.
Everything went as I saw it would. During the escape, Chichiri-san blew his cover and we all ran to the northern end of the island. What Ko Lohn-san didn't warn me about was the sea wall. Unfortunately…
"Damn it, that girl kissed me!"
"DAAA! I'm a monk no da! I can't be with woman na no da!"
The kiss of death!
"Minna-san hurry! We must jump over this wall!"
There were several exclamations from my fellow seishis and Miko as they jumped. They would have to swim to the first island. That's when I heard Tasuki-san.
"FUCK!"
I quickly jump and throw off the cloak. I grab him and open my wings. Now, I have had little practice flying by myself, and I have never attempted to carry anything before. Needless to say, my wings protested this action most profusely. Luckily, I caught an up draft and flapped as hard as I could in order to bring Tasuki-san and I higher until we were flying with the other birds. Now that this exertion was mostly over, I took the time to realize that Tasuki-san was holding on for his life.
"Tasuki-san, shinppai shinaize. I won't drop you. The worst that will happen is that we will crash."
"WHAT!"
"Well, I'm not use to flying for a long time, and I've never had to carry a scroll, let alone a human before, so…"
"SHIT, KID! WE COULD'VE SWAM! I'D BE HAPPY TO SWIM AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T REQUIRE CRASHING!"
We start to fly a bit lower.
"Look, there are the others! Can you wave to them, I'm kind of busy right now…"
"I'M NOT LETTING GO!"
"At least open you eyes? If you relax, you'll see a beautiful sight! The sun's rising just over those mountains!"
"NO!"
"I thought that you were only afraid of water?"
"SO DID I!"
I'm going to circle around. I'm trying to bring us closer to the land."
"okay…"
"Ano~ Tasuki-san are you feeling-"
Humph!
Oh great, he threw up…on me…
I try to pat his back, which was a big mistake. I was distracted enough that my senses warned me a little too late. I crash into a pine tree, which cause me to throw Tasuki-san to the ground while I speed along at a twenty-five degree angle towards the ground. I tumble for some time before coming to a stop. I hurt all over.
"Not the best landing, huh little one?"
I look up, into the face of Seiryuu Shichiseishi Soi. I try to stand, but find my legs protesting the action. Next, I try to fly, only to find one of my wings broken.
"Nakago-sama wants a word with you about your little fire trick."
The next thing I feel is a suddenly pain at the base of my skull. All I can think is, not again…
Okay! That was long! I know it got silly there with the Ranma insertion, but this is taking place in China and in the manga, they do go to Josei-koku, the Amazon Island, before they get to Hokkan-koku. Also, those kisses are important. I will be adding a couple of new characters into the bunch. I mean, c'mon, how hard will it be for Tasuki-san and Chichiri-san to defeat a couple of Amazons? Their seishis, for petey boy's sake! I also have to request that people please review. Let me know if you want to kill me. This gives me time to prepare my escape route :op. Also, I hope you can see the trouble that Chiriko will be in, Kyra!
Ja ne!