Important! Definitely must read my opening info! You will be sorry if you don't! 

Tsukiyo Uchibayashi

Arrgh!!!! It's late, it's late, IT'S LATE!!!!! I am sooo sorry! I had a little argument with geocities, not being able to accept the pic so far (Don't worry, Amy, I will get your wonderful pic up!) Plus, arguing with the EMU library to let me use their scanners! Now, why would I need a scanner, do you ask? Well, how many people can read Japanese out there? C'mon, raise your hands…unless you're in a computer lab, then just raise it mentally. The reason why I ask is because if you do, (or even if you don't, just find someone who does) I want you to pick up the March 2002 edition of Animedia and turn to page 52 (obviously will be in Japanese). I wanted to place that particular article and it's pics on my page and I will do so as soon as I can. Now, next question should be: why? What's so special about it? Well, my answer is because the article states: Shichiseishi Namiran no Saikai! Or Seven Star Warriors Violently Tearful Reunion! Yep, that's right! Japan is coming out with four new half hour episodes! According to what I can find, Watase-Sensei believed that the original story line left a few things open and decided to write more, thus turning into the (official) second OAV of the series. The low down on the story line is this: Something or someone in the realm of the book is trying to get there hands on, and kill, the reincarnated Shichiseishi ten years after they finished their battle with Tenkou. Suzaku informs Miaka of this, but she can't do anything about it, because she is pregnant. So, a 27-year-old Sukunami Taka, 27-year-old Tasuki and a 34-year-old Chichiri must travel around and find their friends. The first one that the find is…CHIRIKO!!!! The picture in the article shows Taka holding the baby Chiriko while Chichiri and Tasuki look on. It is SO cute! Chiriko's new name, though while I don't know the last name, is Gakurei, (If I'm using the correct pronunciation. Watase-Sensei seems to find the most obscure pronunciations for naming her characters) which means "a Study in Politeness." He is known as "The Baby Priest" or if you want a better idea on the level of this title, Chiriko is reborn as the Dahli Lama. At five months, he is already talking like a grown-up, but is obviously still acting like a baby (There is another cute picture below the main one of him having fun tearing up books while his mother looks on in horror!), and it states that Tasuki has taken to the idea of being Chiriko's main protector, even if does mean that he has to comfort Chiriko when he cries, or more importantly when Chiriko throws up all over him! Apparently, at the end of the first episode, we do get to see the reincarnated Mitsukake as well. His new name is Chosei, (again, pronunciation might be a bit off…) or "Long Life" and he is the son of a doctor.

You may now return to the actual fic. Have a nice day! :o)

Disclaimer…Lint ball, get'cha lint ball, right here folks! I'm a poor, poor college student who need the money for food! Will write for food! Lint ball, get'cha lint ball! Already had to pay Watase-Sensei for my first one. Have kitten that is shedding all over the place, happy to make more…

Further note: The first pic has been sent to me by Amy Humphries! Thus, she deserves a part in the fic! Gracias, Amy! I should have consulted you, but I hope you like Suboshi! Suboshi fans, please don't hurt either Amy or I!!! Also, this chapter is not going to be as descriptive as I would like it to be, because I just don't have the time or energy. Sorry! I will do better next chapter! Promise!

Though it seems to take forever, Soi-san directs Suboshi-san to a safe house that she knows of. All the while, I try ever so much to not fall asleep! Suboshi-san's body is warm and I'm very tired. However, there is no doubt that Seiryuusei-kun already knows about this escape and may try to prevent it, or he will just cause me to go insane, whichever is more convenient.

It must be past midnight, judging by the position of the stars. I look up and notice that Suboshi-san look very nervous. Of course, if I had the energy to be so, I guess that I would be nervous too if I knew that either Nakago-san or Ashitare-san might jump out at us at any moment. Soi-san waits, equally nervous, at the door in front of us. It seems to take forever, but finally, the door opens. In the door, I see a girl, obviously of foreign nature, blinking at us in surprise.

"Ka…Kaen ne-chan? What are you…"

"No time to explain, Amy-chan. We need shelter and quickly!"

I watch as Amy-san's confused eyes focus first upon Suboshi-san. When her eyes reach me, they soften and she moves to the side, letting us enter her home.

"I'll go and get some food and clean bandages. Please try and not to wake up my parents."

Suboshi-san holds his tongue until Amy-san has left the room.

"Okay, Soi, who was that and where are we?"

"The girl's name is Amy Humphries. There are many more countries out there, besides our own four. Many of those countries desperately want our countries' silk. So much, that they are willing to pay its weight in gold. The Humphries act as a base camp, ordering ahead of time the silk that the countries want, and then receiving payment when the caravans come to take the silk back to where ever they're from. This home is the base camp. It is protected by their God, and another high being that I have heard them say was his son."

"Okay, then how do ya know them?"

"After Nakago saved me from being raped in the brothel that my parents sold me to, I needed a job. Amy was still young and her parents were always busy. For about five years, I was Amy's nursemaid. When I was called back to Kutou-koku by Seiryuu, they understandably let me leave, saying that if I ever needed help, that I should call upon them. And so, now I'm calling in my favor."

I lift my head up, surprising myself by just how much strength I still possess:

"I'm sorry about the problems that I have caused the both of you. I'm sorry, Soi-san, that you had to waste your favor on me."

Soi-san fixes me a sad smile before responding, "Shinppai shinai wa yo. Hontou ni, Atashi, Nakago-tachi ga dashitatta. Wakai toki ni, Nakago ga tasuketa kara, Atashi wa kare ga ichiban kazen na otoko to omotte ita. Ichiban kanzen na otto to omotte ita. Ima, Atashi wa totemo chigai wo shitte ita wa yo! Mai nichi, Nakago wa atashitachi ga hidoi okonai ga shinakerebanarimasen to itta. Atashi, Jibun to isshou ni iya ni naru wa yo! (Don't worry. Truthfully, I wanted to leave Nakago and the others. When I was young, because Nakago saved me, I thought he was the most perfect man. I thought he would be the most perfect husband. Now, I know that I was very wrong! Everyday, Nakago tell us that we must do terrible things! I am disgusted with myself!)

"Boku mo. Aniki ga shinda toki ni, boku wa okottaze. Soshite, nageki dakara, chotto ki chigai da. Ainiku, kono joutai kara, Nakago wa boku wo riyou shitta. Kare wa Tamahome no kazoku ga korosereba, boku no aniki no ki ga fukushuu wo shita to itta. Shikashi, kare ga shinjitte itaze. Ima, kako ni oboeru toki ni boku wa totemo yamashiize. Hontou ni, boku wa kenka ga suki, demo korosu? Mukashi mukashi kara, kono kammon dakara, zembu kami-sama ga arigatte. Kono kammon wa boku no ki ga tasuketaze." ( Me too. When my older brother died, I was grieved. Plus, because of my anger, I was a bit insane. Unfortunately, because of this situation, Nakago took advantage of me. Nakago told me that if I killed Tamahome's family, then my brother's soul would be avenged. And, I believed him. Now, when I remember the past, I am very ashamed. Truthfully, I like to fight, but kill? Because of that barrier from so long ago, I thank all of the Gods. That barrier saved my soul.)

I decided that I should not tell him that the barrier was my doing. He is thankful to the Gods. That alone should be enough. However, should I tell him that his brother is still alive? No, I decided, I shouldn't. Suboshi-san has just bared his soul. I'm afraid that the truth of his brother's whereabouts would be enough for Suboshi-san to leave us in the middle of the night. We would never see him again. All I answer is that I understand and thus said, quiet fills the room. I take this time to notice the different furniture and style of paintings that the house has to offer. If it wasn't for the situation, then I would have liked to asked all sorts of questions about Amy-san culture. However, now is not the time.

It feels like forever, but finally Amy-san returns with some delicious smelling food and many bandages. Amy-san and Suboshi-san both tend to my wounds, while Soi-san, giggling most childishly, feeds me as if I was a hatchling again. The food, while it was as good as it smells, is quite obviously foreign and so when asked as to what I ate, Amy-san told me that the first was a soup made from vegetables and spices that only grow in the land of India, while the actual solid food was from a cow and cheeze. When I was finished with my meal, I look down at the handiwork; my hands and my poor wing were now in splints. Amy-san looks at my wings, in question, and all I can reply is that the story is too long to be told tonight. Or, at least I think that is what I said. Now that I am safe and feed, sleep defeats my resolves and claims me.

In the famous "white space" I look up to see Seiryuusei-kun glaring down at me.

"You are off the hook, as the humans say. We Gods and even you, have more to worry about than your illegal birth. Through research into the matter, I have found that the one who told Nakago about the existence of the Shizahous is none other than Tenkou, himself. I should have known that this problem would occur, for Nakago's native people looked towards Tenkou as if he was a God."

"I understand."

"However, do not think that this will deem your worth in My eyes. This only means that the test is delayed."

"Hai, Seiryuusei-kun."

"Good. Now, would you like to see how your friends fare?'

"Please."

I try not to show Seiryuusei-kun my relief. I truly did not know how much more of the torture I could take. As I sit, the white picture turns to that of my fellow Shichiseishi, sitting down in a tavern. Miaka-san, apparently, is over to the side, a bit too preoccupied with the food in front of her to listen in on the conversation.

"How does she eat so much and yet not gain a pound?" Seiryuusei-kun mummers.

"I believe, that is one of the greatest mysteries of the world that not even Tai'itsu-kun could answer."

Seiryuusei-kun actually looks at me with a lopsided grin and then we both turn back to watch the events unfold. As I look, Tasuki-san and April-san are sitting next to each other, feeding each other, somewhat romantically. April-san drew the line when it came to drinking from his sake. While she understood that for him to offer his sake was a big ordeal, and while she had no problem with anyone else drinking, she explained to him that she just didn't like to drink. He nodded, saying that he understood and that he would make it up to her tonight. To say the least, Seiryuusei-kun's and my own expression was as such:

O_o

Then, as if He was actually concern about my age, Seiryuusei-kun placed His hands over my ears and mumbled how His little brother was going to kill Him for letting me hear that. Luckily for Him, the scene shifted to that of Chichiri-san, listening to Tamahome-san and Nuriko-san as they talked about Mt. Black, and the trial in order to receive the Gembu Shinzahou, however, the look on Chichiri-san's face was that of pure dread. Apparently, Kyra-san was not back yet from hunting Ashitare-san and that had him worried. Tamahome-san and Nuriko-san obviously noticed as well and tried to comfort him by saying that she was an Amazon. She was trained in fighting and would be back at his side before he knew it. I watched, shocked, as Chichiri-san just gave a look towards the two of them, before downing a large mug of sake. That's right, not a shou, not even a tea glass, but a mug of sake. Tasuki-san must be rubbing off on him. I also notice that while Chichiri-san is distracted, Mitsukake-san seems to be tipping water into the potent drink, trying to ward off a hangover from the monk turned husband soon to turn roaring drunk if the others were not careful. If this is how he acts when he's worried about Kyra-san in a fight, I wonder how he will react when she becomes pregnant. Finally, Mitsukake-san ever being the voice of reason gets up from the table and informs the rest of the group that he is turning in and that, seeing how they needed to get an early start in the morning, that so should the rest of them. Tasuki-san and April-san look wickedly at each other and I hear Nuriko-san mutter to Miaka-san "I doubt we're getting any sleep tonight." Tamahome-san follows Mitsukake-san, seeing how they are sharing a room. Chichiri-san doesn't get up, but continues to gulp down his sake. Mitsukake-san looks as if he's about to say something, when Nuriko-san states, "No, allow me." He gives Chichiri-san an oh so gentle tap to the head, Nuriko style. Needless to say, Chichiri-san is now knocked out and is slung over Nuriko-san's shoulder. When everyone looks at Nuriko-san, he just chuckles and replies "He was going to have a hangover and headache in the morning, anyway."

With this, they all go to bed. Seiryuusei-kun and I just sort of watch, seeing nothing happening for a little while, before we turn towards each other.

"Some of that was…disturbing. Please do not tell your father."

"Hai."

"Shall we look upon my two seishi now?"

"Yes, let's."

The scene changes, yet again, to that of the Humphries house. Soi-san is stroking my hair, as if she was my older sister, while petting my wings as well. Meanwhile Suboshi-san and Amy-san seem to have found themselves in a small argument.

"Look, Suboshi, I appreciate that your worried about me, okay? But you have to face the three important facts. One, from what I've been told, the Suzaku Shichiseishi, especially this Tamahome, will probably kill, if not disable you on sight. Two, the other Seiryuu Shichiseishi will not be looking for me or my ki. Three, both you and Kaen ne-chan are needed here in order to protect Chiriko. There is no way he can do so on his own, right now, even if you say that he is the son of one of the Gods. That's why I should be the ones to inform the Suzaku Shichiseishi of your whereabouts. As Kaen ne-chan said, if you guys are to protect both Chiriko and yourselves from your own seishi, then there is safety in numbers."

"But, you don't even know where they are, much less how to find them! I mean, do you know how to detect ki?"

"Never underestimate a girl and her gossip. Tomorrow, I'll go to a few friends of mine who are shop owners. They are the ones who usually know everything and everyone new that enter the city."

"You've done this before?"

"Only when it became obvious that Kaen ne-chan was going to have to leave us. I know that this is more of a life and death situation, but still…I'm your best hope."

"She's right, Suboshi. For now, all we can do is lie low. Nakago has, without a doubt, discovered our disappearance. You know him just about as well as I do, he's not going to be a happy shougun at this time. For now, I say we give Amy-chan her chance. She's has yet to ever let me down."

Suboshi-san takes about a minute before he finally responses.

"All right, I'll go along with this. I don't like it, because I don't want to see anything happen to you, Amy, because of us, but if Soi trusts you and if you both think it is for the best, then so be it. However, just in case, I want to give you this. Next to one of my aniki's favorite flutes, this is my prize possession."

Suboshi-san hands Amy-san a very well made tantou in a silver and sapphire encrusted saya. By it's looks alone, I wager that selling just the tantou would bring enough money to feed Tamahome-san's family, comfortably, for a year.

"This belonged to my mother. It had been passed down through her family for generations. May it protect you better than it did her."

"I…I…This is …too extravagant! I can't take this! Besides the fact that it belonged to your mother, if I was to lose such a fine blade as this…"

"Don't worry. You're taking a big risk, helping us out like this. For such an effort, you deserve it. Besides, in that dress you are wearing now, it…" Oh my, is he blushing? "It will look good on you."

I take the time to notice said dress. The sleeves are long, for the bottom comes down from her wrist for about a foot. The sleeves are kept in their place by two beautiful rings (one on each middle finger), which are made of silver and already bare sapphires upon them. The rest of the dress is made out of what seems to be one piece, instead of the several different pieces that the women of the four kingdoms wear. The color of the dress is silver until it reaches the bottom foot, where the color turns into a beautiful deep sky blue. Around her waist, there is tied a sash of the same blue, in which one end of the sash travels down and ends in an angle cut about half a foot before the bottom blue. Upon her brow, is another sapphire, suspended on a line that, unless you look closely, is transparent. Though this style of dress is so foreign to my eyes, I cannot help but notice that no other mortal, save my mother or Gyokuran, can top the overall effect in beauty.

"I..I thank you, Suboshi. For the tantou and the kind words."

"You're Welcome, and…you may call me Shunkaku."

"Okay…Shunkaku."

"Ahem!"

Both look towards Soi-san, as she lies down beside me and wraps me, protectively, in her arms.

"You two love birds can do that in the morning, if you two are actually awake enough to do so. I'm going to take after Chiriko, here, and get some sleep."

The two blush and turn their respected ways in order to sleep. Seiryuusei-kun just sighs with a lovesick expression on His face. He finally notices that I have been staring at Him.

"What?!"

"Nothing, nothing! I was just wondering if there is anymore to see tonight?"

"Ano~…no."

"Okay."

Silence passes us by for a few moments before I ask:

"Would you like to play a card game?"

"What… is a card game?"

"It is a past time from the Mikos' world." I generate a deck in my hand "She showed us all how to play this game on the ship. It would be more fun, though, if we can get more than just the two of us playing…"

Mere moments later, Gembusei-kun, Byakko ji-chan, Otou, Okaa and Obaa-san are in front of us in various states of being. Gembusei-kun had been sleeping, Byakko ji-chan had been reading an "interesting" scroll that He had borrowed from one of His seishi, Tokaki-san, Otou and Okaa, had obviously been doing…marital duties, for neither of them were dressed and while my Okaa had the decency to turn away, my Otou looked as if He was ready to kill Seiryuusei-kun. Before Seiryuusei-kun covered my eyes, for no one should see their parents in such a state, I noticed that Byakko ji-chan was blushing, but not looking away from my Okaa. This is what caused my Otou to full out tackle him and choke my poor, if not hentai, ji-chan. Truthfully, I probably would have joined in protecting my Okaa's honor, if not for my Obaa-chan.

"Just what is going on here?!"

We all turned to look at her, and then we all started to scream about being blind. For you see, my parents were not the only ones nude. Apparently, Tai'itsu-kun sleeps in the buff. With some sort of green paint on her face and curlers in her hair. Before we know it, we feel as if three-ton weights were dropped upon us.

"Oh, grow up!"

When we open our eyes, we find that all of those who were not previously dressed before are now wearing evening robes. As for me, all I can say is thank all that be for this small favor.

"So, why are we here?"

I try to give my most innocent smile, which doesn't seem to work as well, now that my body is catching up to my age, and ask:

"Would all of you like to play a game? This one's from the Mikos' world. You see, it's called Uno…

And there we go! I hoped you all liked it. As I said before, Amy, I should have your pic up very soon. What I'm going to do is place the pic on the main Taisetsu na Himitsu page. However, I decided that as more pic, hopefully, come in, that I will place this picture of the page for the chapter where you find out about Chiriko's himitsu, verci? That way, everyone can still se the very first pic that anyone has sent! :o)

Hope to write more soon!

Tsukiyo Uchibayashi