Happy Wednesday to you all! As I wrote before, here's the next chapter! It's going to be a little short, so the next part will come out tomorrow! I thought I would have enough time to write today, demo…

Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. If I did, I would be out in the Caribbean on a sail boat, sailing from island to island. (Sigh) Sunlight and warmth! Michigan has already set its rainy fall.

The Pains of Travel part 1

With sleep came my Grandmother. Though I was ecstatic to see her, there are times when I wish I could just fall into oblivion, like so many others. The fight with Nakago-san and having to deal with an emotional Miko can drain a lot out of you. Still, I do have a few questions that I would like to ask her and now would be a perfect time to do so.

"Good evening, little one. Also, congratulations on your recent success. Not only have you obtained the Gembu no Shinzahou, but you have successfully defended it."

"Thank you, Obaa. Did you receive the necklace?"

"Don't worry, I took it away from the Nyan-Nyans before they could do anything to it. But now, what else are you wanting to ask? You seem lost a confused. No, more like you are very worried! Come, tell me what bothers you so."

"I'm…I'm afraid that I'm beginning to lose control. I suddenly get angry, when before I would have just sat down and thought my situations out. I tend to avoid physical confrontations, but not only did I go head on into a fight with Nakago-san…I enjoyed it!"

"Tell me this: are you still overly bright and curious about everything around you?"

"Yes…"

"But at the same time, you've grown taller, your Adam's apple has begun to develop and you have physically become stronger?"

"Yes…but what does that have anything?"

"You're power is that of intelligence, you should be able to think this out. I'll see you in a couple of hours. For now, why don't you ponder what I have asked and watch the trouble that your fellow seishi have gotten themselves into during your leave."

I suddenly find myself in a snowstorm. Within the lee of some pine trees, my friends sit. Tasuki-san has his Tessen letting out constant heat, while everyone snuggles closer to him. April-san is snuggled down close to him, sharing the same blanket. Looking down at a pit in the ground, I see the attempts of a fire. In all of their faces I see discomfort. Doing what I can, I charge my feathers so that they will give off some heat. This is when I notice that Tamahome-san is not among the group.

"Obaa, is it possible for you to show me what happened before?"

This picture blurs, and I am brought to the road where my friends ride on towards Sairo-koku. Mitsukake-san and Soi-san are having a nice discussion about plants with their various properties, Chichiri-san is using his mirror to give a report to Hotohori-san on our progress, through it, I hear an overly excited emperor talking about an upcoming engagement. Notice that Nuriko-san looks a bit said, but also seems to hold a look of acceptance. Tasuki-san and April-san are talking over how they had rather joined the fight than travel without Miaka-san and I. I notice that Kyra-san is constantly looking at the map and then, back to the road. I believe that she sees what I do as well, last year's thaw had wiped out the original road. This road was made in haste, so it didn't match what was shown on the map. Meanwhile, at the rear of the group, Suboshi-san and Urumiya-san talk about their lives, while blushing. Finally, I see Tamahome-san, looking back over his shoulders towards where Miaka-san and I had left the group.

Needless to say, I am not surprise when I here him tell the others that he going back for us. Before they can even argue, he turns his horse around and heads back.

They continue to ride for a while, before both Soi-san and Urumiya-san sit up in shock.

"Everyone, we have to find shelter, now!"

"Ano, Urumiya, there's still plenty of daylight no da. We need to move as fast as possible with the least amount of ki no da!"

""So, that's why ya refused to just transport us there, huh?"

"Hai no da."

"Even still, Urumiya-san is right! I'm sensitive to the weather, and there's a freak blizzard heading this way!"

Everyone looks up, and there is not a c loud to be seen. Looking back at Soi-san, everyone but Kyra-san gives the Seiryuu-fujin looks of uncertainty.

"If they say it's true, I would believe them. This area is known for it's weird weather."

"Kore wa hontou no da, Kyra-san?"

And thus, the picture returns to them, lost in the snow. I do not get a chance, however to look upon them further, before being shook awake by Miaka-san.

"Chiriko…Chiriko!"

"Ha…Hai, Miaka-san?"

"Onaka ga tsuita!" (I'm hungry!)

If I wasn't sitting down, I would have face faulted.

"Sou…ka? Well, what would you like to eat?"

"Fish?"

Nodding, I get up and wade into the small pond that we have camped near.

"How many?"

"Ten?"

Any other person, and I would have asked if they were out of their minds. However, knowing Miaka-san, this is a light snack. In no time, thanks to speed, I have caught Miaka-san's fish. This is where we both run into trouble. I have always been waited upon, I never had to cook for myself. It is amazing to note, that Miaka-san and I have about the same amount of cooking skill. That is to say, none what so ever. When we were both done trying to cook fish, which I always thought sounded simple enough, those poor ten fish that were killed, died in order to become pieces of charcoal. Yet…she still ate them…Dear Suzaku, she will eat anything! Tasuki-san wasn't kidding about this! Looking up at the stars, I note that it must be about two hours before dawn (In Chinese sense, this would mean four hours. The Chinese broke there days up into twelve hour increments, calling a two hour period one hour. What more, they named these hours after their zodiac symbols. Just FYI) I lay back down and fall back asleep, only after checking the area and jumping up only once in alarm when hearing Miaka-san yell at someone named Keisuke to give her back her something called a cha-co-let bar. Settling down and falling asleep, I come upon the white space once more, finding not my Obaa, but my Byakko ji-chan waiting for me.

"Hey, kiddo! Long time no see! Have you figured out the answers to Tai'itsu-kun's questions yet?"

"No…"

"Well, they do have an important reason! Come, sit over here. Now, your Obaa originally wanted your father to do this, but She was afraid that he would just mumble his way through this and feared that you wouldn't learn a thing. And so, after asking both of your other uncles and having a response similar to Hell No yelled back in Her face, which They did pay for by the way (Insert evil laughter of your choice here), She had no choice but to fall back on Me."

"Um…for what?" I'm was almost too afraid to ask…

Grinning like a maniac, "It's time you and Me had a little talk! What do you know about the birds and the bees?"

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Alright, next chapter tomorrow! Hope you liked it and can see where I'm going with it!

Tootles!