~An American Miko~
Plans & a Painful Start
Chapter Thirty-Two
It was the day after the attack and Myst was much more composed after a night of crying and raging. More composed, and much more determined. She sat, dressed in full Imperial garb on her throne as the eight seishi and Hakurou kneeled before the dais. She was every part the Empress now. She spoke in a hard, collected, determined voice. "So we are beyond a shadow of a doubt then that Nakago, of the Seiryuu Seishi, if not the Emperor of Kutou himself is behind this?"
The seishi all nodded and Kotoku spoke. "Yes Empress. My brother and I are sure that it was his chi we felt. Also, we think it is just him that did this. If the Emperor knew that the Emperor of this country were in his hands, he would stage an attack immediately."
Shunkaku spoke. "If Chiriko is right, and we have no doubt that he is, about those demons being illusions, then it was Tomo's abilities. Once again, Tomo is one of the Seiryuu Seishi, and he was around last night."
Myst nodded, after all they had discussed this many times. "Chichiri, you believe as I do that they have all the other Seiryuu Seishi gathered save for these two correct?"
Chichiri with his mask off nodded. "From what the twins have told us and this bold attack, among other things, yes Empress. It is one of the highest probabilities. They must be trying to take us out so we cannot call Suzaku while they have no Miko."
Myst nodded again. "Very well. Now the new topic, how to get Hotohori back. Chichiri, you have already said that you could get us in and most likely out." Chichiri nodded and Myst went on. "Now, only some of us will go, but are you all willing to go?"
The group nodded in unison without hesitation. Myst nodded again and went on. "It is certain that on of the twins will go to guide us, and one will stay in order for us to send and receive messages."
Shunkaku spoke up again. "My brother and I have already decided that if we should go with this course of action that I would be the one to go. If something should happen, my Aniki might be able to break through one of the barriers from here with his flute and me as a channel."
Myst nodded and smiled slightly. "Good idea. Nice thinking you two. Thank you. Well, for starters, it is certain that Chichiri is coming with us, then Shunkaku, Nuriko, in case we need his strength to break in or out of anything. Tamahome, you'll come along for your fighting skills... don't look at me like that Tasuki. You are a good fighter too, but you can be brash and a bit hotheaded at times and we simply cannot afford that in a situation like this. Plus you have practice at channeling your energy into the tessen. That will come in handy for you to help channel to Kotoku should the need arise."
Tasuki grumbled but nodded.
Myst once again went on. "Mitsukake will stay here for when we get back and will be right there in the likely case that Hotohori needs him. Chiriko will stay he because of how young he is and will be able to help with quick strategies, or if push comes to shove and the worst happens, he will be a good guide for Boushin and this country. Tasuki, that's another thing I leave to you. Protect, my, son."
This was said with conviction and Tasuki nodded firmly.
Myst looked at the last member of the group that hadn't been named. "Hakurou, I would also like it if you would come. You have a good mind, a calm head, your fighting skills are excellent, but most importantly, you aren't a seishi."
Tasuki finally spoke. "Isn't that why he should stay? Cause he doesn't have any powers or anything."
Hakurou looked at his once subordinate. "Yes Genrou. I am a normal man. Which means that I might be able to get into some places undetected where as the others, having the aura of those chosen by a god cannot."
"Myst nodded as she leaned forward and steepled her fingers against her lips. "So we have six people going and seven coming back, because I refuse to leave anyone behind, even if we bring them back just so we can bury them. Mind you this is a very dangerous mission. Some of us might in fact die. Do you all still want to go?"
Myst beamed with pride as they all once again nodded. Tamahome said, "This is what we were born for. To protect the Miko,"
Nuriko, his broken arm splinted and in a sling finished, "and the country."
Myst smiled at them, her first real smile since all this began." Just what I wanted to hear. Now we'll just modify the strategy we had when we were planning to get Shunkaku from Kutou. We will aim to launch this rescue for the day after tomorrow after nightfall. Nuriko will be healed later today and Hakurou tomorrow. And, Dear Suzaku, pray that we won't be too late."
*****
Hotohori woke to find himself lying on his side on something cold and hard and with pain radiating in his arms and shoulders. He groaned almost silently and opened his eyes to see that he was on a stone floor in some sort of dungeon. His arms hurt because his wrists were bound together in shackles that were too tight and pulled painfully high on his back, secured with a chain that wound tightly around his neck and then back to the shackles.
He found that if he struggled or moved too much the chain would be pulled tight across his throat and cut off his air, choking him. His ankles were shackled tightly together as well, and another chain lead from them to where it was imbedded in the moist looking stone wall. His bare feet were numb and cold and his hands were numb from being bound and the cold. All in all he was freezing in the dank cell with only thin silk garments on.
Hotohori closed his eyes and laid his head back down. It was obvious that he was a prisoner, he just didn't know how. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep in his nice warm bed with his wife stroking his hair. "Where am I?"
A strange deep voice from one of the shadowed corners of the cell answered, the unaddressed question. "Ah, so you are awake Your Majesty. Or should I call you Hotohori of the Suzaku Seishi?"
Hotohori lifted his head again and looked at where the voice had come from. A blond-haired, blue-eyed man in armor and blue robes stood there. Hotohori spoke to him, trying to sound calm and confident. "Who are you? If you know who I am then why have you taken me prisoner like this?"
The blonde walked up to him and wrapped his hands in Hotohori's long hair. Hotohori let out a sharp cry as he was dragged to his knees by his hair. The blonde, with one hand still tangled in Hotohori's hair, got close to his captive's face. "Because you are in an enemy country. I too am a seishi. Nakago of the Seiryuu Seishi, Shogun of the Kutou army, and right now, your master."
Hotohori looked at the man with pure hatred and spit in his face in defiance.
Nakago straitened, wiping his face and let go of Hotohori, who stayed on his knees since the only other option was to lie down. Nakago's face seemed to melt into a cold smile as he back and then forward in a savage kick with his metal boot into Hotohori's jaw, nearly breaking it and splitting his lip and cheek badly.
Hotohori was thrown back by the force and landed on his back and painfully bound hands, nearly dislocating a shoulder, and giving a choked cry. He had just managed to turn onto his side and spit out some blood when Nakago kicked him again in the face, breaking his nose and spilling more blood across the pale features and on the floor. And again, this time in the gut and Hotohori tried to curl in on himself, gasping for air and from pain.
Nakago stood above him and coldly said, "I'll talk to you again later. when you're more aware of your situation and you've had time to think."
He stepped over Hotohori's prone form and turned to deliver one more brutal kick. This one hit his lover back, right on his spine.
Hotohori, still gasping to catch his breath could only jerk and grimace, his eyes wide and almost panicked, having never felt the effects of lack of air from a blow to the stomach.
With that and a small chuckle, Nakago stepped out of the cell and locked it behind him. He made sure the barriers he put up around the cell, to block detection, seishi abilities, and escape, were still up and walked away. He tucked the cell key around his neck, into his shirt, not trusting the guards with it and walked up the stairs.
Hotohori lay there, bound, bloody, cold, and in pain, and closed his eyes. He could feel that his abilities were blocked and could see no way out of the situation right now. He didn't even know what they wanted from him. It was obvious that the Kutou Emperor didn't know who he was, or even that he was here, otherwise he would have been there to gloat in person.
Why didn't they just kill him? Or did they want to torture and then kill him? What about Myst? Was she all right? Did they have her somewhere in this cold dark place too? Did they have or hurt his son? Were they even alive?
Hotohori thought about his beloved wife and beautiful baby son, his family, and tears slipped out of his cold eyes and mingled with the blood on his face to drip onto the floor.
*****
Myst Nuriko and Boushin had been moved out of the Imperial halls, since Myst's room was just a little destroyed, and into the seishi's halls to keep Myst and Boushin safe from any possible further attacks. Myst, Nuriko, and Boushin were currently sharing a large room.
Myst was finally asleep in the large bed, having not been able to sleep since the attack. Nuriko's arm and head had been fully healed by Mitsukake and was right now, playing with the baby prince while his mother slept.
They had placed Boushin's crib at the foot of the bed, but Nuriko had spread a small blanket on the floor and was helping Boushin make a tower out of building blocks that Myst had had made for him.
Suddenly Myst sat strait up gasping for breath and looking like she had just seen something terrible.
Nuriko picked Boushin up and went to sit on the bed next to his friend. "Myst? Are you all right?"
Myst sat staring for a moment, then her face crumpled and she doubled over putting her face into her hands, and sobbing for all she was worth.
Nuriko quickly stood up and put Boushin, who seemed to know his mother needed Nuriko, into his crib, then sat back down and pulled Myst into his arms. "Shhh. it's all right. I'm here. You're safe. Just cry. You need it and I'll be right here for you the whole time."
Myst cried and cried as she clutched onto Nuriko like a lifeline, her face buried against his chest, oblivious to everything but her fears and the man that held her as he rocked a little.
Only Nuriko looked up when the door opened. He pulled the sheet up over her shoulder to hide her nakedness, as the other person stuck his head into the room.
Evidently Rouko had been passing by the room with Tamahome and had heard the crying. He silently stepped into the room and pointed at Boushin as Tamahome poked his head into the room.
Nuriko kept up the soothing words while rubbing Myst's back and nodded to his brother who picked up Boushin and slid silently back out of the room.
Tamahome's head stayed in the room a moment longer as he looked sadly and worriedly at his distraught Miko, Empress, and friend. He traded a silent look with Nuriko that spoke volumes and then was back out with the door shut again.
Myst and Nuriko stayed like that for some time until Myst had cried herself out. She leaned against Nuriko, sniffling once in a while. Her eyes burned and her nose felt about the size of an apple. She finally whispered, "I want him back Nuriko. I want to be in his arms, warm and safe in our bed. I don't want to lose him."
Nuriko kept his arms around her and stroked her hair gently. "I know. I don't either. We'll get him back alive. I promise. If we have to go through Kutou's front gate, and tear the palace to dust piece by piece by brute force, then by Suzaku, so be it! You woke up suddenly. Did you have a nightmare?"
Myst nodded against his chest and sniffled again. "They were beating him. Torturing him so badly. All I could see at first were shadows and blood, but I could hear everything. Chains, whips, metal on metal, burning and sizzling... and his screams... that was the clearest thing. Screams so real. Screams with other's or mostly my names at first, then just gut wrenching, mindless, screams. Like he couldn't think through the pain enough to form words anymore.
"And laughter. They laughed at his screams and his pain. Then it got almost unbearably loud and I saw a sharp movement in the shadows and the screaming just cut off suddenly. Then the laughter faded away, like they were just leaving. Then the shadows lifted and I... and I saw..."
She broke down into sobs again. "And I saw his naked, mutilated body just hanging there. He was dead and it was so real! I could still see it when I woke up!"
Nuriko now had tears pouring down his face as well as he rocked and held her tightly. He didn't know what to say or do, but knew that he would make the bastards responsible for this mess pay for daring to start it with his family!
**********
A.N.: I know... it's a little gory... and poor Hoto-chan! But it had to be done... Just gives them more reason to beat the shit out of Naka-bitch later! ^_^ ... I should warn you now if I haven't before... I am an avid Houki hater! And an avid Nakago hater! Houki because she's a spineless fish, and Nakago because... well, I know a guy who looks sounds and acts exactly like him... and he did some horrible things to some friends of mine... therefore, he is Naka-bitch! Oh! And do expect to hear that or another similar phrase from Myst in the near future. MORE ANGST TO COME PEOPLE!!! Be forewarned! BTW... I have a commission art job I'm doing... commissions are my job... so I might not have the next chapter out for a while... Well, ENJOY! And do please review! I got all your last reviews and thank you very much! Now I really do have to go wok on that Mural... JA!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman
It was the day after the attack and Myst was much more composed after a night of crying and raging. More composed, and much more determined. She sat, dressed in full Imperial garb on her throne as the eight seishi and Hakurou kneeled before the dais. She was every part the Empress now. She spoke in a hard, collected, determined voice. "So we are beyond a shadow of a doubt then that Nakago, of the Seiryuu Seishi, if not the Emperor of Kutou himself is behind this?"
The seishi all nodded and Kotoku spoke. "Yes Empress. My brother and I are sure that it was his chi we felt. Also, we think it is just him that did this. If the Emperor knew that the Emperor of this country were in his hands, he would stage an attack immediately."
Shunkaku spoke. "If Chiriko is right, and we have no doubt that he is, about those demons being illusions, then it was Tomo's abilities. Once again, Tomo is one of the Seiryuu Seishi, and he was around last night."
Myst nodded, after all they had discussed this many times. "Chichiri, you believe as I do that they have all the other Seiryuu Seishi gathered save for these two correct?"
Chichiri with his mask off nodded. "From what the twins have told us and this bold attack, among other things, yes Empress. It is one of the highest probabilities. They must be trying to take us out so we cannot call Suzaku while they have no Miko."
Myst nodded again. "Very well. Now the new topic, how to get Hotohori back. Chichiri, you have already said that you could get us in and most likely out." Chichiri nodded and Myst went on. "Now, only some of us will go, but are you all willing to go?"
The group nodded in unison without hesitation. Myst nodded again and went on. "It is certain that on of the twins will go to guide us, and one will stay in order for us to send and receive messages."
Shunkaku spoke up again. "My brother and I have already decided that if we should go with this course of action that I would be the one to go. If something should happen, my Aniki might be able to break through one of the barriers from here with his flute and me as a channel."
Myst nodded and smiled slightly. "Good idea. Nice thinking you two. Thank you. Well, for starters, it is certain that Chichiri is coming with us, then Shunkaku, Nuriko, in case we need his strength to break in or out of anything. Tamahome, you'll come along for your fighting skills... don't look at me like that Tasuki. You are a good fighter too, but you can be brash and a bit hotheaded at times and we simply cannot afford that in a situation like this. Plus you have practice at channeling your energy into the tessen. That will come in handy for you to help channel to Kotoku should the need arise."
Tasuki grumbled but nodded.
Myst once again went on. "Mitsukake will stay here for when we get back and will be right there in the likely case that Hotohori needs him. Chiriko will stay he because of how young he is and will be able to help with quick strategies, or if push comes to shove and the worst happens, he will be a good guide for Boushin and this country. Tasuki, that's another thing I leave to you. Protect, my, son."
This was said with conviction and Tasuki nodded firmly.
Myst looked at the last member of the group that hadn't been named. "Hakurou, I would also like it if you would come. You have a good mind, a calm head, your fighting skills are excellent, but most importantly, you aren't a seishi."
Tasuki finally spoke. "Isn't that why he should stay? Cause he doesn't have any powers or anything."
Hakurou looked at his once subordinate. "Yes Genrou. I am a normal man. Which means that I might be able to get into some places undetected where as the others, having the aura of those chosen by a god cannot."
"Myst nodded as she leaned forward and steepled her fingers against her lips. "So we have six people going and seven coming back, because I refuse to leave anyone behind, even if we bring them back just so we can bury them. Mind you this is a very dangerous mission. Some of us might in fact die. Do you all still want to go?"
Myst beamed with pride as they all once again nodded. Tamahome said, "This is what we were born for. To protect the Miko,"
Nuriko, his broken arm splinted and in a sling finished, "and the country."
Myst smiled at them, her first real smile since all this began." Just what I wanted to hear. Now we'll just modify the strategy we had when we were planning to get Shunkaku from Kutou. We will aim to launch this rescue for the day after tomorrow after nightfall. Nuriko will be healed later today and Hakurou tomorrow. And, Dear Suzaku, pray that we won't be too late."
*****
Hotohori woke to find himself lying on his side on something cold and hard and with pain radiating in his arms and shoulders. He groaned almost silently and opened his eyes to see that he was on a stone floor in some sort of dungeon. His arms hurt because his wrists were bound together in shackles that were too tight and pulled painfully high on his back, secured with a chain that wound tightly around his neck and then back to the shackles.
He found that if he struggled or moved too much the chain would be pulled tight across his throat and cut off his air, choking him. His ankles were shackled tightly together as well, and another chain lead from them to where it was imbedded in the moist looking stone wall. His bare feet were numb and cold and his hands were numb from being bound and the cold. All in all he was freezing in the dank cell with only thin silk garments on.
Hotohori closed his eyes and laid his head back down. It was obvious that he was a prisoner, he just didn't know how. The last thing he remembered was falling asleep in his nice warm bed with his wife stroking his hair. "Where am I?"
A strange deep voice from one of the shadowed corners of the cell answered, the unaddressed question. "Ah, so you are awake Your Majesty. Or should I call you Hotohori of the Suzaku Seishi?"
Hotohori lifted his head again and looked at where the voice had come from. A blond-haired, blue-eyed man in armor and blue robes stood there. Hotohori spoke to him, trying to sound calm and confident. "Who are you? If you know who I am then why have you taken me prisoner like this?"
The blonde walked up to him and wrapped his hands in Hotohori's long hair. Hotohori let out a sharp cry as he was dragged to his knees by his hair. The blonde, with one hand still tangled in Hotohori's hair, got close to his captive's face. "Because you are in an enemy country. I too am a seishi. Nakago of the Seiryuu Seishi, Shogun of the Kutou army, and right now, your master."
Hotohori looked at the man with pure hatred and spit in his face in defiance.
Nakago straitened, wiping his face and let go of Hotohori, who stayed on his knees since the only other option was to lie down. Nakago's face seemed to melt into a cold smile as he back and then forward in a savage kick with his metal boot into Hotohori's jaw, nearly breaking it and splitting his lip and cheek badly.
Hotohori was thrown back by the force and landed on his back and painfully bound hands, nearly dislocating a shoulder, and giving a choked cry. He had just managed to turn onto his side and spit out some blood when Nakago kicked him again in the face, breaking his nose and spilling more blood across the pale features and on the floor. And again, this time in the gut and Hotohori tried to curl in on himself, gasping for air and from pain.
Nakago stood above him and coldly said, "I'll talk to you again later. when you're more aware of your situation and you've had time to think."
He stepped over Hotohori's prone form and turned to deliver one more brutal kick. This one hit his lover back, right on his spine.
Hotohori, still gasping to catch his breath could only jerk and grimace, his eyes wide and almost panicked, having never felt the effects of lack of air from a blow to the stomach.
With that and a small chuckle, Nakago stepped out of the cell and locked it behind him. He made sure the barriers he put up around the cell, to block detection, seishi abilities, and escape, were still up and walked away. He tucked the cell key around his neck, into his shirt, not trusting the guards with it and walked up the stairs.
Hotohori lay there, bound, bloody, cold, and in pain, and closed his eyes. He could feel that his abilities were blocked and could see no way out of the situation right now. He didn't even know what they wanted from him. It was obvious that the Kutou Emperor didn't know who he was, or even that he was here, otherwise he would have been there to gloat in person.
Why didn't they just kill him? Or did they want to torture and then kill him? What about Myst? Was she all right? Did they have her somewhere in this cold dark place too? Did they have or hurt his son? Were they even alive?
Hotohori thought about his beloved wife and beautiful baby son, his family, and tears slipped out of his cold eyes and mingled with the blood on his face to drip onto the floor.
*****
Myst Nuriko and Boushin had been moved out of the Imperial halls, since Myst's room was just a little destroyed, and into the seishi's halls to keep Myst and Boushin safe from any possible further attacks. Myst, Nuriko, and Boushin were currently sharing a large room.
Myst was finally asleep in the large bed, having not been able to sleep since the attack. Nuriko's arm and head had been fully healed by Mitsukake and was right now, playing with the baby prince while his mother slept.
They had placed Boushin's crib at the foot of the bed, but Nuriko had spread a small blanket on the floor and was helping Boushin make a tower out of building blocks that Myst had had made for him.
Suddenly Myst sat strait up gasping for breath and looking like she had just seen something terrible.
Nuriko picked Boushin up and went to sit on the bed next to his friend. "Myst? Are you all right?"
Myst sat staring for a moment, then her face crumpled and she doubled over putting her face into her hands, and sobbing for all she was worth.
Nuriko quickly stood up and put Boushin, who seemed to know his mother needed Nuriko, into his crib, then sat back down and pulled Myst into his arms. "Shhh. it's all right. I'm here. You're safe. Just cry. You need it and I'll be right here for you the whole time."
Myst cried and cried as she clutched onto Nuriko like a lifeline, her face buried against his chest, oblivious to everything but her fears and the man that held her as he rocked a little.
Only Nuriko looked up when the door opened. He pulled the sheet up over her shoulder to hide her nakedness, as the other person stuck his head into the room.
Evidently Rouko had been passing by the room with Tamahome and had heard the crying. He silently stepped into the room and pointed at Boushin as Tamahome poked his head into the room.
Nuriko kept up the soothing words while rubbing Myst's back and nodded to his brother who picked up Boushin and slid silently back out of the room.
Tamahome's head stayed in the room a moment longer as he looked sadly and worriedly at his distraught Miko, Empress, and friend. He traded a silent look with Nuriko that spoke volumes and then was back out with the door shut again.
Myst and Nuriko stayed like that for some time until Myst had cried herself out. She leaned against Nuriko, sniffling once in a while. Her eyes burned and her nose felt about the size of an apple. She finally whispered, "I want him back Nuriko. I want to be in his arms, warm and safe in our bed. I don't want to lose him."
Nuriko kept his arms around her and stroked her hair gently. "I know. I don't either. We'll get him back alive. I promise. If we have to go through Kutou's front gate, and tear the palace to dust piece by piece by brute force, then by Suzaku, so be it! You woke up suddenly. Did you have a nightmare?"
Myst nodded against his chest and sniffled again. "They were beating him. Torturing him so badly. All I could see at first were shadows and blood, but I could hear everything. Chains, whips, metal on metal, burning and sizzling... and his screams... that was the clearest thing. Screams so real. Screams with other's or mostly my names at first, then just gut wrenching, mindless, screams. Like he couldn't think through the pain enough to form words anymore.
"And laughter. They laughed at his screams and his pain. Then it got almost unbearably loud and I saw a sharp movement in the shadows and the screaming just cut off suddenly. Then the laughter faded away, like they were just leaving. Then the shadows lifted and I... and I saw..."
She broke down into sobs again. "And I saw his naked, mutilated body just hanging there. He was dead and it was so real! I could still see it when I woke up!"
Nuriko now had tears pouring down his face as well as he rocked and held her tightly. He didn't know what to say or do, but knew that he would make the bastards responsible for this mess pay for daring to start it with his family!
**********
A.N.: I know... it's a little gory... and poor Hoto-chan! But it had to be done... Just gives them more reason to beat the shit out of Naka-bitch later! ^_^ ... I should warn you now if I haven't before... I am an avid Houki hater! And an avid Nakago hater! Houki because she's a spineless fish, and Nakago because... well, I know a guy who looks sounds and acts exactly like him... and he did some horrible things to some friends of mine... therefore, he is Naka-bitch! Oh! And do expect to hear that or another similar phrase from Myst in the near future. MORE ANGST TO COME PEOPLE!!! Be forewarned! BTW... I have a commission art job I'm doing... commissions are my job... so I might not have the next chapter out for a while... Well, ENJOY! And do please review! I got all your last reviews and thank you very much! Now I really do have to go wok on that Mural... JA!
~Celesta Hellewise Harman