Hi!!!!! It's been SO long!!!! I started making my web site, when my computer had problems. To make it worse, because I don't live on campus, I can't use the Internet in the library's computers! But, now I do have my computer back, and I plan to make up for lost time during the upcoming break. Gomen ne~

-_-

Well, the disclaimer, I don't own Fushigi Yuugi, nor do I own Chiriko. However, he has been haunting my dreams and has had Tasuki there to kick my butt into gear, so…

My mind opened into a white, blank landscape. My mind's eye. This must mean that I'm unconscious. Thanks to my father's blood, I never really slept; my astral presence just floats to a different dimension. I usually take this time to review over certain events that had recently taken place and then learn what I could about said event and the people involved. I also knew for sure that I was in trouble and by all calculations, one of the Seiryuu Shichiseishi would be the first to find me. I sighed as well as one's astral being could and began to review what I can about the storm and the attack from Soi-san when I fell a little prick in the back of my mind.

Before a second could pass, that "prick" became a full migraine and attack as Seiryuu-seikun appears before me.

"You insignificant little brat! How dare you enter my land without permission?!"

"Demo, Sei-Seiryuu-jii Boku wa…"

"Plus, you dare to speak to me informally? You will address me as Seiryuu-seikun. Furthermore, I do not acknowledge any bloodlines with filth like you. You are a mistake, a freak and I, for one, am glad that this is a problem that I can take care of without the assistance of a Miko."

I saw the rush of blue power that my uncle expelled from his fingers. I only had a few seconds before the blasts would reach me and so moved to dodge. I'm relieved when I successful tumbled to what passed for ground without being hit. Unfortunately, while still rolling, Seiryuu-seikun fired another array of blast. Several of the blast hit me in the side and I find myself being thrown in the air. Before I hit the ground, however, I fell myself being caught and when I tilted my head up, my eyes were looking into the eyes of my father.

"It's okay, Bina-dori, I'm here and for now, you are safe."

I looked over at my enraged uncle to find my white-haired uncle, Byakko-seikun sitting on top of Seiryuu-seikun, pinning him, with a cocky smile upon his face. Meanwhile, my eldest uncle, Gembu-seikun just looked on to his middle siblings and shook his head with disgust at such childish behavior.

"What are all of you doing here unannounced?! How dare you do this to me?! Just wait until I tell Tai'itsu-kun! When she hears of this.."

"When I hear of this, I'll treat you like a Nyan-nyan and punt your sorry butt off my mountain!"

Whatever reply Seiryuu-seikun had, died when Tai'itsu-kun gave him a penetrating glare. She then proceeded to my father and I and looked me over.

"Nothing that a Nyan-nyan can't cure. Nyan-nyan!"

A purple bubble appeared and popped into a little, sugar-high, girl with blue hair.

"Nyan!"

"Come over here and heal your nephew."

Within a few second, I felt just as new, but with the rarity of seeing my father, refused to leave Suzaku-seikun's lap.

"Waze waze, sumimasen, Obasan. Boku wa warukutakunai deshita. Matsu dakara, Boku wa fuhoushinnyuu shimashita. ({Very formal} Thank you very much, Gradmother. I didn't want to be bad. It's because of a pine tree that I trespassed.)

"I know, and so does your uncles. But, now that you have been reveled to them, it is time that we must talk."

They gathered into a circle, Uncle Byakko-seikun still using Seiryuu-seikun for a bench.

"Byakko…" Tai'itsu-kun states in a warning tone of voice.

"(Sigh) Hai, hai." He then gives me a wink.

"Now, as you four already know, I forbade you from having children with mortal mates, however, this time was an exception. You, Seiryuu, messed in the dealings of fate, purposely trespassing into Suzaku's territory in order to kill the rightful father of this seishi, this boy. Thus, Suzaku was allowed to be the father. Unlike last time, I have been keeping a close watch on this boy and I am looking for any…mishaps…he may cause. As for him trespassing on your lands, I believe that this makes up for you, Seiryuu, and your first trespassing. Now, any thoughts or comments from the four of you?"

"I believe that all of you will know what I would say. As his father, I see no problems with him, or Tai'itsu-kun's beliefs. Byakko?"

"Welcome to the family, kid! Just wait until you get to my land, we're going to have some fun! I'll teach to wrestle, play pranks and we'll go girl watching with Tokaki! All the important things a boy should learn!"

My father whispers into my ear, "Please do not pick up any bad habits. I love Byakko, he is my favorite brother, however, he is a bit…childish."

"What about you, Gembu?"

"I do not like this bend of the rules. My daughter lost her life, partly due to the mixture of blood and her own misguided sense of superiority. I say that this boy should be tested. Surely if he was given a hard test, one that proved that he would not use his powers against both us and the mortals in malice he would be able to prove that he is worthy of not only being related to us, but his own life."

"Well stated, Gembu. I, Seiryuu, agree with our oldest brother. Let him pass a difficult test. One that does not use intellect, but the strength of his will and determination. That will be the only way I will…accept…him as well. It is because of him, that one of my seishi, Amiboshi, is dead."

I could swear I heard Byakko-seikun mutter "Yeah, right." with a smirk on his face.

"Furthermore, I believe that this test should start immediately."

"What? Now? Genmbu, Seiryuu, he's only a child! I think it's safe to say that both Suzaku and I don't think such a test would be fair!"

"Silence, all of you. Ultimately, the decision lies in Chiriko. Though he does not look it, Byakko, Chiriko is thirteen, now. By the traditions of this land, though he may not be old enough to wed, he is a man, grown up. Whether he decides to take the test is his choice."

Now, all of them looked at me. I could feel my father's eyes, pleading with me to decline. But within me, there are conflicting emotions. I know that I don't want to feel pain, that I don't want to go through torture in order to be accepted by my uncles. We're family! What right do they have to say that in order to be accepted, to be loved, I have to past a test? But…if I say no, then I will look bad in front of Grandma. I know that she loves me, but she can't risk another one of her grandchildren to become a threat to her world. Besides, my uncles may help me out if I have trouble someday, if I earn their trust.

"I accept."

"Bina-dori!"

"If this is the way to gain my family's trust, than so be it."

"If you are sure, then here is the test. During the day, Nakago will be trying to get information out of you. He knows that you are intelligent, and that you possibly know where the Gembu Shinzahou is. No doubt, this will include torture. However, at night, in your sleep, you will come here, and your soul will be tortured and mocked by Seiryuu. You will not be allowed top fight back. You may try to block, but no hitting back. You will not be released until either group found the Gembu Shinzahou. At that time, whether you are in Nakago's grasps or Seiryuu's, you will be set free and you will have to make it back to your own group. Do you agree to these terms?

"Yes."

"So be it. The test will start once you have woken up. Good luck Doukun-chan. Gambatte kudasai."

All disappear, but my father. He grabs me in a fierce hug and tells me with a trembling voice to be careful and good luck. As he leaves, he tells me not to worry, that no matter what, he'll always love me.

After they have all left, I decided that I have couple of hours before I will wake up, so I might as well se what happened to the others. The plain white landscape suddenly becomes washed in colors as I look at the events that had just transpired in the forest. I sigh in relief as I find that Tasuki-san wasn't hurt and that Chichiri-san found him easily. However, I became worried when the others put off their travel to Hokkan-koku in order to look for me. I t was decided by Miaka-san that they had to try and look. Chichiri-san agreed, but I knew that with Seiryuu masking my ki, it would be impossible. I believe that Chichiri-san knows this, too. He told Miaka-san that if they didn't find me that night, then they would have to press on and hope that I catch up. Though that may upset my friends, especially Tasuki-san, Chichiri-san knows that I want them to press on in my absence. He either knows or believes that I will see them again. One of the things I hate about the astral plain is that I can see events that had happened or are happening, but only when I'm awake may I see the future. No doubt, Grandma will take away that ability so that I won't know my outcome. Oh well, I…pain? Someone's slapping me! No doubt Nakago-san wanting me to wake up. Hmpf. So it begins.