~An American Miko~
Chapter Nineteen
Visions & Wolves
When Nuriko and Myst walked into the still noisy yet somewhat subdued commons room, they were greeted by Mitsukake, who was handing out some concoction to help with the hangover. Myst shrugged. "I didn't drink enough to get drunk."
Nuriko just waved it away with a smile since his hangover was already gone. I indeed looked like he had never suffered from one. Some of the bandits were staring at him and grumbling that it wasn't possible and that he couldn't be human.
The two of them walked over to the rest of the seishi and sat with them watching them sip Mitsukake's concoction and make faces at the taste. Hotohori and Tamahome looked about as they usually did except for the matching scowls and bloodshot eyes. Chichiri looked a little green around the edges of his mask.
Myst looked at the monk sympathetically and stopped one of the passing bandits on his way to the kitchen. She asked if he could bring some hot willowbark tea and some buttered bread. She looked back to the group when he nodded, and she reached across to take Chichiri's hand. "It'll help with the nausea. I don't know how Nuriko even goaded you into that little match, but it was something memorable I will say that."
Chichiri squeezed her hand back and said, "Yeah and the morning after will remind me never to take him up on the offer again no da."
Myst smirked and picked up a bowl of sake. "Don't like the hangover eh?"
Chichiri shook his head and thank the bandit who brought out the tea. Just then Hakurou walked into the room and sat with the seishi next to Hotohori.
Hotohori cleared his throat and gained the attention of the seishi and his wife. "Hakurou and I have been speaking this morning about the other reason we are here. I think it would be best if he spoke for himself."
They nodded and Hakurou leaned forward speaking mostly to Myst. "His Majesty said that you are here because a vision you had of another one of your seishi. Tell me what you saw Majesty and I will tell you what I know."
Myst nodded and leaned forward so her voice would only carry to those at the table. Kouji sat down and Hakurou was about to tell him to leave when Myst nodded to the scarred bandit. "Thank you for coming Kouji. I wanted you to hear this as well. You were in the vision too after all."
Kouji raised and eyebrow but didn't say anything. Myst leaned on her forearms. "Okay. Everything went black and suddenly I heard a deep beautiful voice in my head. I'm surrounded by a bright warm red light and the voice says, 'Miko. Miko the time has come. The gap is short. You will find the sixth. There is a suffering heart, not of my chosen, but kindred none the less. Away soon for his time is short.' Then it was all images and other voices. I saw Hakurou as I first had, only in the process of his final breaths, and this image caught fire and melted into a mountain shaped like a howling wolf. I saw bandits running after a raid. It focused on Kouji running and a voice called his name and he turned. He called out the name Genrou and a phantom wolf ran up to him to run with him. The wolf had red fur and after a while they came to a group of bandits surrounding Hakurou who was passed out on the ground coughing up blood. Hakurou opened his eyes for a moment and reached up to pet the wolf who whimpered. Kouji said something like, 'If only we could do something for him.' The wolf looked up and nodded sternly. It pawed three scratches in the ground as if saying how long he would be gone. Then it turned and ran into the woods. Before it disappeared it stood running on two feet as it changed into a man with fire-red hair wearing a long black coat with teal trim. He turned around suddenly and had a metal fan in his hand. His right forearm was glowing and as he turned, fire whipped from the fan and circled around him. The flames turned into the fiery shape of wolves running about him for just an instant and with a wolfs howl, it died away. I only saw his face for an instant, but what stuck out in my mind was his odd amber eyes and fangs. The red phoenix flew over him and a red feather fell onto his glowing forearm, then the whole vision burst into flames again and I was holding that same feather in my hand just as I always do."
Myst leaned back and Kouji let out a low whistle. "Wow. Ya pegged Genrou right. He always was a dramatic one. He left about three months ago when the boss couldn't feel his legs or even sit up in bed anymore. He said he was going to find a cure. I don't think he would have made it back in time. Hell, the boss woulda died that night you came if ya hadn't. I don't know about this glowing mark thing though."
"I do."
All eyes turned to Hakurou. "Do you remember how fast he is Kouji?" Kouji nodded and Hakurou went on. "I noticed a glow under his sleeve on time while he was running. I pulled him to the side to take a look and saw the glyph 'wing' on his forearm. I knew that day that he would one day leave us to serve the one that would come from another world."
Kouji shook his head. "But you still chose him to succeed you. How can he leave when he's the next boss?"
"He is a good natural leader and the men trust him. He is equal with you. I knew you would work something out. I trust his decision as my own."
There was silence for a few moments as Myst spoke up. "If you had died, that fat bastard Eikin would have caused trouble."
Hakurou nodded and laced his fingers, leaning his lips on them as he leaned his elbows on the table. "I know. I also know about his involvement with the conspiracy with Mt. Kuou and the Emperor's older brother. I just have been too ill to do much about it until now. Yet I want to catch him in the act of betraying me before I do anything more."
Myst's eyebrows drew together. She looked at her husband with an odd look on her face. "Conspiracy with your brother?"
Hotohori raised a hand. "I shall explain later. For now, what do you plan to do with this traitor and how do we fit in?"
Hakurou shook his head. "You don't. Unless he tries something while you are here, I will deal with it."
They all nodded. One of the bandits came out of the other room and leaned down to speak with Hakurou. The bandit leader nodded and excused himself from the table, saying that there was something he needed to look over. With that the rest of the table began eating breakfast.
Just as they were finishing there was a sudden burst of air that slammed the door open and made everyone shield their eyes. When they looked up again the empress was gone. The seishi were on their feet all at once, Hotohori with his sword drawn.
Their attention was called to the window where a new voice spoke out. "Che! I'm gone fer a little less than three months and the fuckin mountain's gone co-ed? Or maybe she just doesn't know her place. Either way, she's sittin at the bosses table an we can't have that can we?"
Kouji spoke up. "Ge.Genrou! Yer back!"
Genrou smirked. "Kouji! We'll have a proper greeting later, but right now. who the hell is this broad?"
Hotohori raised his sword to defend his wife and miko who at this time was held with her arm twisted high on her back and held tight against Genrou, who also held a dagger to her throat. Before Hotohori could say anything a clam deep voice spoke from the doorway behind them.
"That 'broad' as you so elegantly put it Genrou, is the woman I owe my life and health to."
Genrou raised his fiery eyes to see Hakurou leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. Genrou's eyes widened. "B.boss! Yer alive!"
Hakurou pushed off the doorframe and slowly walked forward. "Yes, and quite well thanks to her. Now take your blade from her throat and release her."
Genrou did as he was told without hesitation. As soon as she was free, Myst whirled and her fist connected with his jaw. The redhead flew to the side and through a table where he lay unmoving.
Myst turned back around cracking her knuckles. "Oopsies. Must have been a muscle spasm." Came the light reply and Nuriko stepped up to pat her on the back and playfully wipe and imaginary tear from his eye.
"You make me so proud."
Myst smiled at her small friend as Hotohori stepped up to her. Myst smoothed the hair away from Hotohori's face and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Mmm. you look like hell warmed over lover."
Hotohori wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. "I was so scared he would hurt you. Are you all right?"
She relaxed against him, letting him hold her tight as she nodded against his chest. "Yes, nothing a little shoulder rub won't fix later."
Tamahome looked over at the new bandit and Kouji and Hakurou checked on him. "Who is that guy anyway?"
Myst cracked an Eye open at him, but did even twitch in her husbands warm, loving embrace. "Oh, just our next seishi. You didn't feel his energy when he came in? That speed of his is his seishi ability."
Nuriko sighed in exasperation. "And you think he's going to join us now? I can tell he's a bit of a sexist and you, a woman, just happened to knock him out."
Myst shrugged and pulled away a little. "Yeah well, he pissed me off. He even knicked me a little."
Hotohori grabbed her shoulder with one hand and her chin with the other and tilted her head up and away. "What?!" His eyes grew dark and narrowed as he saw the cut and the thin line of crimson running down the smooth skin of her throat.
Myst jerked her head away and took hold of his hand. "Easy lover. The head is attached."
Hotohori's voice was low and dangerous. "His will not be for long."
He started to redraw his sword and she stopped him. "Easy big guy! You're overreacting!"
"You are the empress!"
"And he's a seishi, whoopdefuckindo!"
"He cut you!"
She grabbed his face in her hands and brought them eye to eye. "Saihitei! Chill!"
He seemed to deflate and placed his hands on her hips. "I just don't want to see you hurt."
Myst smiled and kissed his full lips.
There was a groan and they turned to see that Genrou was sitting up. "Who hit me?"
Hakurou put a hand to his shoulder. "That would be your hostage. She has quite a hook."
Genrou stood, rubbing his jaw and glaring. "The bitch took me by surprise. Che! That's why I hate women."
Myst stepped up to him with her head held high. "Ha! You haven't had a reason to truly hate women!" She cracked her knuckles again. "Get on my bad side and then you'll have a reason to hate women."
He held his ground and stared down at her. "HA! If ya hadn't a saved the boss' life, I'd show ya where yer place is! Then again." He turned and waved a hand. "Ya are just a woman. It'd be no competition."
He stopped in his tracks as a dagger snicked passed his head, taking a few of his hairs with it, to land in the wall with a solid thunk.
Myst's angry voice followed the dagger, "Don't turn your back on me boy!" Genrou turned to see Myst with a scowl on her face and her arm still outstretched. She had three daggers ready between the outstretched fingers of her right hand and two in her left. "Next time, I draw blood! But you are right. Since I am a woman, it'd be no competition. I'd wipe the floor with you." She put her daggers away as he turned bright red.
"What the hell's that supposed ta mean?! I'd kick yer ass!"
She moved up to him. "Sounds like a challenge. So you're attempting to grow a backbone are you? So how about it?"
"Che! I wouldn't fight a woman!"
"Do you have any sisters?"
"What the hell does that have to do with it?"
"Just answer fangboy!"
"Yeah I do. Why?!"
"Well, I was thinking that since you're too afraid that maybe one of them could give me a real challenge. I mean honestly. did you're sisters get all the balls in the family? They probably wiped the floor with you too."
That was the last straw and his jabbed his finger in her face. "Yer on bitch! GAA!" He jerked his finger back when she snapped her teeth and grazed the end.
"It's rude to point. Why don't we make it interesting? You're a gambling man right?"
He glared at her with a hint of interest in his narrow eyes. "Yeah. What ya got in mind?"
"If you win, me and my friends will serve you for half a year. Whatever you wish, we'll do." No one in her group objected since they trusted her fully, even though they didn't understand. "If I win, all you have to do is do me a favor."
"A favor."
"Uh huh."
"So what are the rules of the fight?"
"No rules really. Whatever weapons you want. Don't be afraid to draw blood. If one of us forfeits, that's it the match is done. And lets try not to kill each other. This is not a fight to the death. I would also like to keep all limbs attached to where they should be."
He nodded. "Sounds good. Late afternoon today then."
"I just hope you're well rested from your journey. Either way, you'll be resting tonight."
"Yeah. Comfortably as one of my new maids cleans my room." He snorted and he and Kouji left the room.
Tamahome turned to his empress. "I don't like him. He has a bad attitude and he shouldn't be so disrespectful to you."
"Chill Tama. He doesn't know who I am."
There was a mew and they all looked up at the furry lump on Mitsukake's shoulder. Myst laughed and reached up to pet Tama-neko's head. "Not you Neko-chan. I'd almost forgotten about you. You should come out to see us more often. I have a nice ball of string for you in my pack."
Tama-neko perked up and jumped onto Myst's shoulder to rub against her cheek. Nuriko put his hand on her other shoulder. "Tamahome's right. Let one of us fight for you."
Myst rolled her eyes. "After all I just said? No way honey! There's also no way he going to win."
Chichiri cocked an eyebrow. "How do you know no da?"
Myst grinned almost evilly. "I have it on good authority." She raised her hand for all to see. The seishi all looked and nodded. Hakurou's eyes widened. Myst continued. "And what Suzaku wants, Suzaku gets." With that the red feather shimmered and vanished.
**********
A.N.: I really like that chapter. This next one is going to be fun too. BTW, the reason that Myst is so different now is because of the influences around her. She's just being more aggressive because of where she is. It won't last long. There's going to be a lot of blood in the next chapter, so be forewarned. Well, keep reading and drop me a line some time ne?! ARIGHATOU NO DA!!!!!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman
When Nuriko and Myst walked into the still noisy yet somewhat subdued commons room, they were greeted by Mitsukake, who was handing out some concoction to help with the hangover. Myst shrugged. "I didn't drink enough to get drunk."
Nuriko just waved it away with a smile since his hangover was already gone. I indeed looked like he had never suffered from one. Some of the bandits were staring at him and grumbling that it wasn't possible and that he couldn't be human.
The two of them walked over to the rest of the seishi and sat with them watching them sip Mitsukake's concoction and make faces at the taste. Hotohori and Tamahome looked about as they usually did except for the matching scowls and bloodshot eyes. Chichiri looked a little green around the edges of his mask.
Myst looked at the monk sympathetically and stopped one of the passing bandits on his way to the kitchen. She asked if he could bring some hot willowbark tea and some buttered bread. She looked back to the group when he nodded, and she reached across to take Chichiri's hand. "It'll help with the nausea. I don't know how Nuriko even goaded you into that little match, but it was something memorable I will say that."
Chichiri squeezed her hand back and said, "Yeah and the morning after will remind me never to take him up on the offer again no da."
Myst smirked and picked up a bowl of sake. "Don't like the hangover eh?"
Chichiri shook his head and thank the bandit who brought out the tea. Just then Hakurou walked into the room and sat with the seishi next to Hotohori.
Hotohori cleared his throat and gained the attention of the seishi and his wife. "Hakurou and I have been speaking this morning about the other reason we are here. I think it would be best if he spoke for himself."
They nodded and Hakurou leaned forward speaking mostly to Myst. "His Majesty said that you are here because a vision you had of another one of your seishi. Tell me what you saw Majesty and I will tell you what I know."
Myst nodded and leaned forward so her voice would only carry to those at the table. Kouji sat down and Hakurou was about to tell him to leave when Myst nodded to the scarred bandit. "Thank you for coming Kouji. I wanted you to hear this as well. You were in the vision too after all."
Kouji raised and eyebrow but didn't say anything. Myst leaned on her forearms. "Okay. Everything went black and suddenly I heard a deep beautiful voice in my head. I'm surrounded by a bright warm red light and the voice says, 'Miko. Miko the time has come. The gap is short. You will find the sixth. There is a suffering heart, not of my chosen, but kindred none the less. Away soon for his time is short.' Then it was all images and other voices. I saw Hakurou as I first had, only in the process of his final breaths, and this image caught fire and melted into a mountain shaped like a howling wolf. I saw bandits running after a raid. It focused on Kouji running and a voice called his name and he turned. He called out the name Genrou and a phantom wolf ran up to him to run with him. The wolf had red fur and after a while they came to a group of bandits surrounding Hakurou who was passed out on the ground coughing up blood. Hakurou opened his eyes for a moment and reached up to pet the wolf who whimpered. Kouji said something like, 'If only we could do something for him.' The wolf looked up and nodded sternly. It pawed three scratches in the ground as if saying how long he would be gone. Then it turned and ran into the woods. Before it disappeared it stood running on two feet as it changed into a man with fire-red hair wearing a long black coat with teal trim. He turned around suddenly and had a metal fan in his hand. His right forearm was glowing and as he turned, fire whipped from the fan and circled around him. The flames turned into the fiery shape of wolves running about him for just an instant and with a wolfs howl, it died away. I only saw his face for an instant, but what stuck out in my mind was his odd amber eyes and fangs. The red phoenix flew over him and a red feather fell onto his glowing forearm, then the whole vision burst into flames again and I was holding that same feather in my hand just as I always do."
Myst leaned back and Kouji let out a low whistle. "Wow. Ya pegged Genrou right. He always was a dramatic one. He left about three months ago when the boss couldn't feel his legs or even sit up in bed anymore. He said he was going to find a cure. I don't think he would have made it back in time. Hell, the boss woulda died that night you came if ya hadn't. I don't know about this glowing mark thing though."
"I do."
All eyes turned to Hakurou. "Do you remember how fast he is Kouji?" Kouji nodded and Hakurou went on. "I noticed a glow under his sleeve on time while he was running. I pulled him to the side to take a look and saw the glyph 'wing' on his forearm. I knew that day that he would one day leave us to serve the one that would come from another world."
Kouji shook his head. "But you still chose him to succeed you. How can he leave when he's the next boss?"
"He is a good natural leader and the men trust him. He is equal with you. I knew you would work something out. I trust his decision as my own."
There was silence for a few moments as Myst spoke up. "If you had died, that fat bastard Eikin would have caused trouble."
Hakurou nodded and laced his fingers, leaning his lips on them as he leaned his elbows on the table. "I know. I also know about his involvement with the conspiracy with Mt. Kuou and the Emperor's older brother. I just have been too ill to do much about it until now. Yet I want to catch him in the act of betraying me before I do anything more."
Myst's eyebrows drew together. She looked at her husband with an odd look on her face. "Conspiracy with your brother?"
Hotohori raised a hand. "I shall explain later. For now, what do you plan to do with this traitor and how do we fit in?"
Hakurou shook his head. "You don't. Unless he tries something while you are here, I will deal with it."
They all nodded. One of the bandits came out of the other room and leaned down to speak with Hakurou. The bandit leader nodded and excused himself from the table, saying that there was something he needed to look over. With that the rest of the table began eating breakfast.
Just as they were finishing there was a sudden burst of air that slammed the door open and made everyone shield their eyes. When they looked up again the empress was gone. The seishi were on their feet all at once, Hotohori with his sword drawn.
Their attention was called to the window where a new voice spoke out. "Che! I'm gone fer a little less than three months and the fuckin mountain's gone co-ed? Or maybe she just doesn't know her place. Either way, she's sittin at the bosses table an we can't have that can we?"
Kouji spoke up. "Ge.Genrou! Yer back!"
Genrou smirked. "Kouji! We'll have a proper greeting later, but right now. who the hell is this broad?"
Hotohori raised his sword to defend his wife and miko who at this time was held with her arm twisted high on her back and held tight against Genrou, who also held a dagger to her throat. Before Hotohori could say anything a clam deep voice spoke from the doorway behind them.
"That 'broad' as you so elegantly put it Genrou, is the woman I owe my life and health to."
Genrou raised his fiery eyes to see Hakurou leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. Genrou's eyes widened. "B.boss! Yer alive!"
Hakurou pushed off the doorframe and slowly walked forward. "Yes, and quite well thanks to her. Now take your blade from her throat and release her."
Genrou did as he was told without hesitation. As soon as she was free, Myst whirled and her fist connected with his jaw. The redhead flew to the side and through a table where he lay unmoving.
Myst turned back around cracking her knuckles. "Oopsies. Must have been a muscle spasm." Came the light reply and Nuriko stepped up to pat her on the back and playfully wipe and imaginary tear from his eye.
"You make me so proud."
Myst smiled at her small friend as Hotohori stepped up to her. Myst smoothed the hair away from Hotohori's face and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Mmm. you look like hell warmed over lover."
Hotohori wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. "I was so scared he would hurt you. Are you all right?"
She relaxed against him, letting him hold her tight as she nodded against his chest. "Yes, nothing a little shoulder rub won't fix later."
Tamahome looked over at the new bandit and Kouji and Hakurou checked on him. "Who is that guy anyway?"
Myst cracked an Eye open at him, but did even twitch in her husbands warm, loving embrace. "Oh, just our next seishi. You didn't feel his energy when he came in? That speed of his is his seishi ability."
Nuriko sighed in exasperation. "And you think he's going to join us now? I can tell he's a bit of a sexist and you, a woman, just happened to knock him out."
Myst shrugged and pulled away a little. "Yeah well, he pissed me off. He even knicked me a little."
Hotohori grabbed her shoulder with one hand and her chin with the other and tilted her head up and away. "What?!" His eyes grew dark and narrowed as he saw the cut and the thin line of crimson running down the smooth skin of her throat.
Myst jerked her head away and took hold of his hand. "Easy lover. The head is attached."
Hotohori's voice was low and dangerous. "His will not be for long."
He started to redraw his sword and she stopped him. "Easy big guy! You're overreacting!"
"You are the empress!"
"And he's a seishi, whoopdefuckindo!"
"He cut you!"
She grabbed his face in her hands and brought them eye to eye. "Saihitei! Chill!"
He seemed to deflate and placed his hands on her hips. "I just don't want to see you hurt."
Myst smiled and kissed his full lips.
There was a groan and they turned to see that Genrou was sitting up. "Who hit me?"
Hakurou put a hand to his shoulder. "That would be your hostage. She has quite a hook."
Genrou stood, rubbing his jaw and glaring. "The bitch took me by surprise. Che! That's why I hate women."
Myst stepped up to him with her head held high. "Ha! You haven't had a reason to truly hate women!" She cracked her knuckles again. "Get on my bad side and then you'll have a reason to hate women."
He held his ground and stared down at her. "HA! If ya hadn't a saved the boss' life, I'd show ya where yer place is! Then again." He turned and waved a hand. "Ya are just a woman. It'd be no competition."
He stopped in his tracks as a dagger snicked passed his head, taking a few of his hairs with it, to land in the wall with a solid thunk.
Myst's angry voice followed the dagger, "Don't turn your back on me boy!" Genrou turned to see Myst with a scowl on her face and her arm still outstretched. She had three daggers ready between the outstretched fingers of her right hand and two in her left. "Next time, I draw blood! But you are right. Since I am a woman, it'd be no competition. I'd wipe the floor with you." She put her daggers away as he turned bright red.
"What the hell's that supposed ta mean?! I'd kick yer ass!"
She moved up to him. "Sounds like a challenge. So you're attempting to grow a backbone are you? So how about it?"
"Che! I wouldn't fight a woman!"
"Do you have any sisters?"
"What the hell does that have to do with it?"
"Just answer fangboy!"
"Yeah I do. Why?!"
"Well, I was thinking that since you're too afraid that maybe one of them could give me a real challenge. I mean honestly. did you're sisters get all the balls in the family? They probably wiped the floor with you too."
That was the last straw and his jabbed his finger in her face. "Yer on bitch! GAA!" He jerked his finger back when she snapped her teeth and grazed the end.
"It's rude to point. Why don't we make it interesting? You're a gambling man right?"
He glared at her with a hint of interest in his narrow eyes. "Yeah. What ya got in mind?"
"If you win, me and my friends will serve you for half a year. Whatever you wish, we'll do." No one in her group objected since they trusted her fully, even though they didn't understand. "If I win, all you have to do is do me a favor."
"A favor."
"Uh huh."
"So what are the rules of the fight?"
"No rules really. Whatever weapons you want. Don't be afraid to draw blood. If one of us forfeits, that's it the match is done. And lets try not to kill each other. This is not a fight to the death. I would also like to keep all limbs attached to where they should be."
He nodded. "Sounds good. Late afternoon today then."
"I just hope you're well rested from your journey. Either way, you'll be resting tonight."
"Yeah. Comfortably as one of my new maids cleans my room." He snorted and he and Kouji left the room.
Tamahome turned to his empress. "I don't like him. He has a bad attitude and he shouldn't be so disrespectful to you."
"Chill Tama. He doesn't know who I am."
There was a mew and they all looked up at the furry lump on Mitsukake's shoulder. Myst laughed and reached up to pet Tama-neko's head. "Not you Neko-chan. I'd almost forgotten about you. You should come out to see us more often. I have a nice ball of string for you in my pack."
Tama-neko perked up and jumped onto Myst's shoulder to rub against her cheek. Nuriko put his hand on her other shoulder. "Tamahome's right. Let one of us fight for you."
Myst rolled her eyes. "After all I just said? No way honey! There's also no way he going to win."
Chichiri cocked an eyebrow. "How do you know no da?"
Myst grinned almost evilly. "I have it on good authority." She raised her hand for all to see. The seishi all looked and nodded. Hakurou's eyes widened. Myst continued. "And what Suzaku wants, Suzaku gets." With that the red feather shimmered and vanished.
**********
A.N.: I really like that chapter. This next one is going to be fun too. BTW, the reason that Myst is so different now is because of the influences around her. She's just being more aggressive because of where she is. It won't last long. There's going to be a lot of blood in the next chapter, so be forewarned. Well, keep reading and drop me a line some time ne?! ARIGHATOU NO DA!!!!!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman