"Hearts Aflame" by Ai Yuukan
Chapter 5
To Vivien's overwhelming gratitude, Lilian somehow managed to smuggle themselves out of the palace and into the courtyard just before chaos erupted. Guards were running everywhere, looking for Yui, Suzaku no Miko, and the mysterious trespassers that had entered the palace grounds. During the chaos, Lilian and Vivien had escaped.
It was dark outside, and unmistakably eerie. The sisters paused for breath. Lilian asked Lilian once she had sufficient breath in her lungs, "Vivi.. how do you know.. Do you know? Everything?"
Vivien was out of breath. "Hai. Miaka told me. How about you? Yui?"
Lilian nodded. "Hai."
Vivien and Lilian were both silent as they tried to catch their breath. "Ne, Lily.. who was that tall hunk with the blond hair?" Vivien asked, praying she wasn't right even though she knew better. Of course it was him. But she wanted Lilian to confirm it.
Lilian stood up. Her blue eyes were downcast. "His name is Nakago."
Vivien's eyes widened with dismay. "Nakago? The Seiryuu seishi?!"
Lilian nodded again, and Vivien observed she looked a little green around the gills. "Hai.. Aren't I lucky?"
Vivien was suddenly fearful. "Lily.. you.. aren't on their side, are you?"
Lilian hesitated. Vivien's fear heightened. Finally, Lilian shook her head no. "I hate Nakago with all my heart for what he's doing to Yui, but stupid Seiryuu said I couldn't interfere! The snake!"
For some reason, Vivien felt envious of her sister. At least her god was talking to her. And Samantha and Kathryn's gods were also speaking to them. And Suzaku wasn't speaking to her. Of all her sisters, she was beginning to feel the least worthy. Her sisters were worth communicating with. Why not her? She forced herself to look relieved. She nearly frowned at herself. She should be relieved! She had been worrying at the prospect of them becoming enemies, like Yui and Miaka were going to be. She looked down. "It's the same with me. I can't interfere." At least, that's what I assume. Suzaku should at least have confirmed that, so I hadn't needed to ask Sammy and Kate about that.
Lilian looked at her sister. "Ne, Vivi, who claimed you?"
"Claimed?" Vivien echoed, confused. Then she remembered that Genbu had also claimed Samantha.
"You know, what seishi are you? Suzaku?"
Vivien's eyes widened, mildly surprised. "How did you know I was a seishi?"
Lilian frowned, suddenly looked annoyed. "Seiryuu did, of course. He made me remember our training with Taittsukun and made me the seishi Taishi! The worm!"
Thunder rumbled. Vivien's eyes twinkled. A god didn't sound too happy upon hearing that. She smiled sadly. "Suzaku asked me to become the seishi Kyoku.." To her surprise, Suzaku suddenly appeared in her mind. And you agreed. Why was that? Surely it wasn't just because of the promised first wish.. You wanted to help someone.. Vivien's eyes widened with realization. "I wanted to help.. Miaka," You did. You did it out of the goodness of your heart. So you did not refuse. ", so I didn't refuse.." Vivien echoed, awestruck. Her cheeks warmed with shame. And she had been jealous because Suzaku hadn't talked to her like his kin-gods talked to her sisters. Apparently, Seiryuu wasn't treating Lilian well. And Suzaku had come to her now.. to praise her. She felt ashamed. Mostly, to divert her thoughts, she asked Lilian. "How about you?"
Lilian was silent for a while, then mumbled, "Ah.. so how are you to help? Seiryuu made me his eighth seishi."
Vivien sighed, her senses returning to her. "Me too. I'm not an honorary seishi, just like you. I guess that means I'm a Suzaku seishi, huh?" She looked away. "It's strange. Kate was asked to accept her role as the seishi Shoshi, and she accepted. But the thing is.."
"Kate! Kate's here too!" Lilian looked dismayed. "But how?"
Vivien looked at her sister and shrugged. "For the same reason we're here, I guess, to restore the balance to the gods. The thing is, Kate was chosen by Byakko. It's strange though.. everyone seems to know her.. They call her Hou-"
"Byakko?"
"Mm.. But Byakko no Miko's already gone.. and the only seishi living are Subaru and.."
"Hold on! Kate can't become an honorary Byakko seishi then?"
Vivien shook her head sadly. "And the surviving Byakko seishi are old now. Kate is alone until she reaches Hokkan. The eerie thing is.. instead of a seishi, Byakko's made Kate his second Miko."
Lilian looked astonished. "Second Miko? Is that possible?"
Vivien nodded. "She needs to summon Byakko and make a wish.. different from the one Suzuno-sama made that couldn't be granted. Hotohori- sama said we, the Suzaku seishi, would help her after we summon Suzaku. Sammy, too."
Lilian blanched. "Sammy? Sammy's here too?" She whispered.
Vivien nodded sadly. "She is.. Genbu made her his second miko, too. It's even harder for her because all her seishi are dead. Fortunately, Kate convinced Hotohori-sama to help her too. Poor Sammy.. she has to make the wish Takaki nevered made in her place."
Lilian's eyes looked troubled. "Kate.. Sammy.."
Vivien's eyes softened, and again she chastised herself. She was ashamed that she had been the one complaining when Lilian was obviously the one who was hurt more.
Suddenly, they heard a commotion on the roof. To their horror, they suddenly noticed Nakago standing in front of them, staring at them hard. Both of them sweatdropped. To Vivien's surprise, Lilian stepped in front of her. "I can explain!" Was that a trace of fear she heard in her sister's voice?
"Kyoku?!" Vivien and Lilian turned. It was Tamahome. He looked angry. "Kyoku! Where's Miaka?"
Vivien made a face. "Tamahome.. I can't.." She said, looking meaningfully behind her, hoping he got the message.
Tamahome only then saw Nakago behind the silver-haired young woman and stared. Nakago saw the red symbol burning on the young man's forehead. "You are.. Tamahome, Suzaku seishi."
Vivien sweatdropped even more. It was official; they were going to die. Suddenly, her sister got all of their attention by frantically waving her arms. "A-ano.. something feels strange.." Vivien's eyes widened. What was going on? "Nakago.." The air before Lilian's fingertips started to bubble water. Vivien and Tamahome stared.
Nakago's eyes widened. "Lilian?"
Lilian looked dismayed. "Oh!" All of sudden, the air surrounding Vivien's sister started shooting thick jets of water all around. Vivien grinned, realizing this was all deliberate and smiled gratefully at her sister. She grabbed Tamahome's hand and ran. She was smiling with relief as she ran - not only because they were escaping the bastard of all evil, Nakago, but also because of her sister's action, she now knew there wasn't a chance of Lilian becoming her enemy. Lilian was on their side. As she ran into the Seiryuu shrine with Tamahome and Chichiri, she tried to forget seeing the disturbance in her sister's eyes upon seeing Nakago. It must have been nerves.. but Vivien couldn't shake off the feeling it had been something else entirely.
Vivien was an idiot. Why had she volunteered to go on this woebegotten trip in the first place?! She had hated riding a horse to Kotou, and now she was spending more time on the horse than on the ground. She hated it. She was miserable. Her horse knew that, and gave it his best to make everything worse. Vivien was fed up with being dumped in ditches, and quite frankly, fed up with everyone. She was fed up with Miaka, who kept on stealing her precious food every chance she got, with Nuriko for bemoaning her unrequited love for Hotohori every step of the way, and even fed up with perfect, gentlemanly Hotohori. She hated him for loving Miaka. She knew she was being cruel, but the damnable Emperor was forcing her to be so. She knew that Kathryn had strong feelings for the Konan Emperor, and his love for Miaka crushed them all the time. He believed he was in love with Miaka. What she wouldn't give to knock some sense into him.. but one didn't just strike an Emperor these days.
She growled irritably. She was in a foul mood and Miaka certainly wasn't helping. She snatched back a rice cake from the Suzaku no Miko. "That's mine, Miaka!"
Miaka blinked. "Gomenasai, Kyo-chan.." Vivien was highly irritable of late. "Did I do something wrong?"
Yes! Vivien's mind screamed. I cut off hands when people touch my food! And I can't cut yours! Suddenly, Vivien came to her senses. What was she thinking? Miaka's question was making the best of sense in her mind. Was Miaka doing anything wrong? Not really. Vivien would have stole some food of her own if she were in a better mood. She would have done the same. Then why was she so angry? "I-Iie, Miaka." She looked around, trying to distract herself. "Are you getting anything on the mirror-thing the old witch gave you?" She finally asked Miaka, referring to Taittsukun.
Nuriko grinned. Miaka shook her head. "Not yet.." She turned to Hothori. "So you were saying? Chichiri's taking your place back at the palace?" She frowned, puzzled. "Why are you doing this?"
Hotohori was silent for a moment. "I was worried about you. Tamahome, too."
Vivien seethed. Miaka tried to look cheerful. "Oh, don't worry. I'll be just fine." Hotohori silently handed Miaka Tamahome's letter. Miaka's eyes softened. "This is.. the note Tamahome left me."
Hothori nodded. "The last part.. do you know what it says? "Aishiteru". He really does love you. Tamahome went into enemy territory for his family, country, and for you, the one he loves." He said softly. Vivien's heart softened at his words and she painfully realized he really did love the Suzaku no Miko.
Miaka's eyes were shining with tears. 'I know.. I know that. But he said he'd stay with me.."
She then looked up at Hotohori and her eyes widened with dismay. Hotohori's own golden eyes were shining. with tears of his own. Vivien had to look away. Kathryn.. poor Kathryn..
"Do.. you love Tamahome that much?" He looked away. "I know I'm not the one you care for. But I.. I love you. I have from the moment I met you."
Vivien's heart wrenched painfully. She knew Hotohori's words were true. But Kathryn loved him too! But his love.. was already spoken for. It hurt her.. that he was hurting Kathryn this way.. but it really was.. no fault of his. Suddenly, something came swinging out of the trees.
"Miaka!" Vivien shouted.
"Hotohori-sama!" Someone struck Nuriko on the back of his head.
Vivien turned and cursed. She was facing several bandits.. armed bandits. "Hey now, what have we got here?"
"You've just gotten yourself in a load of trouble, mister." Vivien told the closest bandit. She blinked away her tears, still recovering from the enlightening scene between Miaka and Hotohori.
He scoffed.
Vivien's eyes narrowed. "You asked for it." She glared at his club and it immediately burst into flame. The man holding the club dropped it to stare at her. Vivien arched a brow. "Didn't I warn you?" She held back her power for a minute. "Now are you going to leave us alone or do I have to roast you?"
The lead bandit glared at her. "You don't want to tempt us, bitch." He threatened.
"Don't I?"
Someone said from the back of the group. "She's going down either way. She's just a woman." Vivien's temper flared. A man with blue hair and a scarred face stepped forward. Vivien's courage wavered. He looked dangerous. He was too confident. Too confident for her own comfort. "Any last words, girl?"
Vivien smirked. "Yeah. You like barbecue?" Her eyes glinted dangerously. "Or perhaps you'd like to be medium rare."
"She's bluffing." The blue-haired man said confidently. Vivien's own confidence wavered. "Does she look like the type who enjoys roasting people alive? She doesn't have the guts to toast us." This was said with even more confidence.
Vivien's courage dwindled down at his words. He was right. She wouldn't be able to carry out her threat , too scared of throwing up her latest meal. Toasted men.. charbroiled skin, fried intestines.. her face turned green. She frowned. "Well, you're not taking my friends!" She stared at the grass and a sudden line of fire separated her friends from the bandits and the infuriating man with blue hair. The man was impossible. He fearlessly stepped over the line of fire and to her consternation, the fire immediately went out. She gasped. How had he..? Several bandits went to pick up Hotohori, Nuriko, and Miaka. She stepped back. "What are you?"
"Not a demon, if that's what you're thinking."
"Then who in the hell are you?"
"My name is Koji. And you are?"
"The name's Vivien. Vivien Smith."
"Your seishi name?" He queried, having seen the suspicious glow from the cloth on her abdomen.
Vivien's eyes widened. "Kyo-Kyoku." She looked around her, wondering which way she could run.
The man read her expression correctly and shook his head. "You have nowhere to run, Kyoku. You might as well come quietly."
Vivien shook her head vehemently. "Not on your life!" She desperately called for Suzaku in her mind. Hey, bird boy! Some help please!
Use the power within you. Vivien's eyes widened. The power? But she had already used her glare-and-toast-someone power already! And it had proved useless against this blue-haired freak of nature! What power was the bird brain gabbing about? You have another power that may prove to be more effective in this case. Your temper cannot help you now. Your quickness may surprise you.
Vivien scowled. She detested riddles! She would just run for it! What did she have to lose? She turned to her unconscious friends and vowed under her breath. "I'll be back for you guys. I promise. She glared at the Koji and wondered why she didn't feel any warmth behind her eyes. Instead, she felt that comforting warmth start pulsing from her heart to flow through her very being. Her muscles were slowly being heated..; she never felt so alive! "I'll be back. Don't you dare hurt them. I will barbecue you then, no matter what." She looked up and suddenly saw, with the keenness of a hawk's eyes, a sturdy branch up ahead, at least fifty feet above her. She saw the bandits slowly approach her and, suddenly more fearful, decided to le this new, mysterious power take over. She closed her eyes. Suzaku encouraged her, let the power go. Release your power! She suddenly turned and stared as body moved as if with a mind of its own, and vaulted unto the nearest branch of the nearest tree. She didn't say anything as she deftly climbed the tree with the quickness of a monkey, and without hesitation, ran away from the bandits. She leapt from branch to branch, tree to tree, gaining impossible ground within minutes. The whole experience was mind-wracking. It was exhilarating! It was wonderful! Simply wonderful! It was all too enjoyable for her, to leap from tree to tree like a lithe tree monkey, that she didn't even notice she was more than a hundred feet from the ground. And she was terrified of heights.
Tasuki sighed as his horse reared up yet again while tethered to the tree. His horse was acting very strange of late. He sat next to his fire, warming his hands. It was too cool of a night for him. And he had always preferred sweltering heat to the shivering cold. He took another swig of his sake and leaned back against a log to think.
He would be arriving home the next day. He had left the baby he had found back in the nearest village, and had promised to return for it. The whole situation had been highly disagreeable with him. He had found his last customers in that village, and to his everlasting consternation, had refused to take the baby back. As it had turned out, they had meant to abandon the little bugger when he had come along and had fortunately taken him off their hands. The little squirt was a bastard, unwanted and alone. Angry, he had arranged for a friend to take care of the baby until he could find someone else to take care of it. His friend was the owner of a brothel.. not the ideal mother for an innocent young baby. He needed someone respectable, but he wasn't the sort of person to have respectful friends. He had quite a dilemma in his hands.
Suddenly, something fell out of the trees and landed right in front of his horse. His horse screamed, reared up, and broke free of his tethers. He ran into the forest, screaming at the top of his lungs. Tasuki scowled and got up. What in the hell was that thing? He walked over to the huddled figure, twigs and dead leaves clinging to it like static. His eyes widened. It wasn't a dead monkey, but a dead girl! He knelt in front of the figure and gaped in astonishment. It wasn't even dead. And the thing was sleeping!
"Excuse me?" The girl didn't move. He poked her with a finger. "Hello? Or are you really dead?" Still no answer. Tasuki scowled. Just what he needed right now! Another person to take care of! First the baby, now a girl! His nose wrinkled in distaste. He never really liked babies, but he detested females. Then by some chance of playful fate, a beam of moonlight suddenly fell on her and his eyes widened with wonder.
Her hair was so beautiful.. like flame.. So lush and beautiful.. it begged for his touch. He touched her hair and was mildly awed that the silken strands were indeed real. He saw her skin and was further dismayed at its golden hue, and at its never flawlessness. If her face were as perfect and lush as her hair and skin, his fate as an eternal bachelor would indeed be doomed. She stirred. Gently, so as not to alarm her when she awakened, he lifted her chin up, to see her face. He had to see her face and wondered if were as beautiful as he were imagining it to be. Good lord, she was perfect. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with her high, softly defined cheekbones, lush mouth, and slender nose. He stared at her spiky red lashes, wet with tears, and wondered what color her eyes would be. Green, the color of temptation? Blue, the color of innocence? Or brown, the color of humanity? Was she human? She was too beautiful to be one.. he willed her eyes to open and they did.
Vivien stared into the warm brown eyes above and thought she was still dreaming. She smiled dreamily. What a dream boy. Brown eyes, hair as red as flames.. so perfect for her. His hair was nearly like her own, red with temper. A temper as fierce as her own. And brown, normal eyes.. eyes that looked they could understand her heart. She blinked as her senses slowly returned to her. "Who are you?" She slowly stood up and pressed a hand to her temple. It throbbed. Had she fallen off her tree? She removed her hand and stared at the blood dripping from her fingers.
"Chikusho.." Tasuki swore softly. He hadn't seen the blood. Partly because it had been nearly invisible in her head of gold-red hair, and he had been too mesmerized by her beauty to think straight. He swiftly cut off a swash of cloth from his long black coat and gently began to tend to her.
Vivien closed her eyes. Such gentle hands.. Her head didn't hurt much.. but she was still dazed from her sleep. "Who are you?" She asked him again as he dabbed at her wound.
Tasuki sighed. She wasn't acting like a female. Usually, when girls discovered they were bleeding, they became hysterical ninnies. But she was calmly asking him his name. Damn, her voice was so husky he became even more uncomfortable. "People call me Genrou."
"Genrou?" The name sounded familiar. Tasuki started to wrap her head with the strip of cloth. "I'm sorry. My name is Vivien. Vivien Smith. You can call me Vi." She smiled slightly. "But lately people call me Kyoku or Kyo-chan." Her eyes, suddenly remembering Miaka and her friends.
"What do you want me to call you?"
Vivien sighed. "Vi would be nice. It's been quite a while since someone's called me that. I like that name better, anyway. Oh, thank you." She smiled at Tasuki gratefully when he had finished wrapping her wound.
Tasuki drew in a sharp breath. Damn, she was beautiful. Was she for real? "No problem. So what were you doing up there in that tree?"
Vivien frowned. "I think I was sleeping."
Tasuki couldn't help but grin. Vivien blinked at the sight of his fangs. They were cute. "You fell in front of my horse and scared him away."
"I'm sorry."
"Hey, no problem. So where are you headed? Town's that way." He pointed north.
Vivien shook her head. "I'm not going to town. I want to rescue my friends. They were kidnapped by the bandits of Mt. Reikaku."
Tasuki raised a brow. Interesting. "So you slept in a tree to pass the night? It's dangerous in these woods, you know."
Vivien made a face. "I was in a tree." She said defensively.
"And you fell."
"Point taken. So do you know the way to their hideout?"
".. Possibly. What's in it for me?"
Vivien's face fell. Geez, he reminded her of Tamahome. Always money. Then she remembered something! She quickly fished in her pocket for some gum. She handed it to him. "Will this do?"
Tasuki frowned. "What the heck's that?"
"Gum. It's something from another world. The Suzaku no Miko's world."
"Suzaku no Miko's..?" That got his attention immediately.
Vivien's eyes narrowed. "You're not from Kotou, are you?"
Tasuki blinked. "No.. why?"
"Because it won't really do for me to betray Miaka. She's the Suzaku no Miko. You see, I'm one of her seishi."
Tasuki arched a brow. "Oh really?" He sounded highly skeptical.
Vivien bristled. "See?" She lifted the hem of her blouse to look for her symbol. Tasuki's blood heated at the sight of her flat, smooth abdomen. He cursed under his breath and looked away. "Where is it? Maybe I have to use my power to make it show.." She mused. She turned to glare at a nearby bush. It immediately burst into flames. She turned to look again at her abdomen. Sure enough, her symbol, Kyoku, glowed red on her skin.
Tasuki had to stare. "You really are Kyoku.."
Vivien dropped her blouse and wrinkled her nose. "Yeah, but please call me Vi." She smiled at them. "So you'll take the gum?"
"Gum? Oh. Nah, I'm on my way there anyway. I'll take you there for free. Just don't do that again."
Vivien blinked. How un-Tamahome of him. "Don't do what?"
"Show me skin. I detest female flesh."
Vivien's eyes widened. "You like males?" Like Nuriko?
Tasuki glared at her, his temper sparking to life. She was making him bloody uncomfortable. "What in the hell are you talking about? I just hate females!"
Vivien couldn't believe it. Her dream boy was gay. She was crushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know.. So you like male flesh better?" She asked, wanting to know for certain if her dream boy was truly unattainable.
Tasuki frowned. "What the hell--?" His eyes widened in realization. He burst out laughing. Vivien just stared at him. "No, I don't like male flesh better than female flesh. Whatever gave you that idea?"
"But you said --?"
Tasuki was grinning. Vivien stared at his fangs. Wow, he was adorable. "I just said I hate females. I never said I didn't appreciate their bodies."
Vivien blushed. "B-but you said you detest female flesh-"
Tasuki chuckled. "I'm a man, Vi. A straight one, of course. There's a thing about appreciation. Too much of it's damn uncomfortable. And you're sexy as hell. I'm too damn uncomfortable around sexy women."
Vivien's face was beet red. He thought she was sexy? He was the hot one! "But you hate women?"
Tasuki's expression sobered. "Yeah, I do. Try growing up with a thousand sisters and anyone's bound to hate women. They're a pain."
Vivien chuckled. "Sisters maybe, but how about other females?"
Tasuki stared at Vivien incredulously. Was she flirting with him? "Now that depends." He looked at her voluptuous figure and grinned. Heck, why not? "I can't stand the oversensitive women who cry like babies all the time and demand jewelry from their men twenty-four/seven. But if they're not.." He grinned at Vivien suggestively.
Vivien's eyes twinkled. Oh, flirting was fun. "I don't cry and.. I prefer flowers."
Tasuki grinned and whistled for his horse. The black stallion came trotting over. Without another word, he vaulted himself unto the horse. Vivien paled when the horse snorted in surprise. Tasuki noticed her expression and chuckled as pulled her up behind him. "And I'm not exactly a horse-lover." Vivien added in a squeak as the stallion reared up a few feet.
Tasuki grinned. "That's no problem. If you can't outride me on a horse, that's fine. I don't really like tomboys anyway." His horse started moving with just a tug of the reins. "Hold on."
My pleasure. Vivien held on to Tasuki's waist as the horse moved. She grinned. Riding a horse wasn't so bad if someone else was directing it.. and one had a hot guy's body in front of her. She was grinning almost on the way to Tasuki's hideout. Not only was flirting fun, but resourceful. She was sure he wouldn't have a problem when she would tell him she had no intention to go all the way with him. He was her dream guy. He would understand.
Chapter 5
To Vivien's overwhelming gratitude, Lilian somehow managed to smuggle themselves out of the palace and into the courtyard just before chaos erupted. Guards were running everywhere, looking for Yui, Suzaku no Miko, and the mysterious trespassers that had entered the palace grounds. During the chaos, Lilian and Vivien had escaped.
It was dark outside, and unmistakably eerie. The sisters paused for breath. Lilian asked Lilian once she had sufficient breath in her lungs, "Vivi.. how do you know.. Do you know? Everything?"
Vivien was out of breath. "Hai. Miaka told me. How about you? Yui?"
Lilian nodded. "Hai."
Vivien and Lilian were both silent as they tried to catch their breath. "Ne, Lily.. who was that tall hunk with the blond hair?" Vivien asked, praying she wasn't right even though she knew better. Of course it was him. But she wanted Lilian to confirm it.
Lilian stood up. Her blue eyes were downcast. "His name is Nakago."
Vivien's eyes widened with dismay. "Nakago? The Seiryuu seishi?!"
Lilian nodded again, and Vivien observed she looked a little green around the gills. "Hai.. Aren't I lucky?"
Vivien was suddenly fearful. "Lily.. you.. aren't on their side, are you?"
Lilian hesitated. Vivien's fear heightened. Finally, Lilian shook her head no. "I hate Nakago with all my heart for what he's doing to Yui, but stupid Seiryuu said I couldn't interfere! The snake!"
For some reason, Vivien felt envious of her sister. At least her god was talking to her. And Samantha and Kathryn's gods were also speaking to them. And Suzaku wasn't speaking to her. Of all her sisters, she was beginning to feel the least worthy. Her sisters were worth communicating with. Why not her? She forced herself to look relieved. She nearly frowned at herself. She should be relieved! She had been worrying at the prospect of them becoming enemies, like Yui and Miaka were going to be. She looked down. "It's the same with me. I can't interfere." At least, that's what I assume. Suzaku should at least have confirmed that, so I hadn't needed to ask Sammy and Kate about that.
Lilian looked at her sister. "Ne, Vivi, who claimed you?"
"Claimed?" Vivien echoed, confused. Then she remembered that Genbu had also claimed Samantha.
"You know, what seishi are you? Suzaku?"
Vivien's eyes widened, mildly surprised. "How did you know I was a seishi?"
Lilian frowned, suddenly looked annoyed. "Seiryuu did, of course. He made me remember our training with Taittsukun and made me the seishi Taishi! The worm!"
Thunder rumbled. Vivien's eyes twinkled. A god didn't sound too happy upon hearing that. She smiled sadly. "Suzaku asked me to become the seishi Kyoku.." To her surprise, Suzaku suddenly appeared in her mind. And you agreed. Why was that? Surely it wasn't just because of the promised first wish.. You wanted to help someone.. Vivien's eyes widened with realization. "I wanted to help.. Miaka," You did. You did it out of the goodness of your heart. So you did not refuse. ", so I didn't refuse.." Vivien echoed, awestruck. Her cheeks warmed with shame. And she had been jealous because Suzaku hadn't talked to her like his kin-gods talked to her sisters. Apparently, Seiryuu wasn't treating Lilian well. And Suzaku had come to her now.. to praise her. She felt ashamed. Mostly, to divert her thoughts, she asked Lilian. "How about you?"
Lilian was silent for a while, then mumbled, "Ah.. so how are you to help? Seiryuu made me his eighth seishi."
Vivien sighed, her senses returning to her. "Me too. I'm not an honorary seishi, just like you. I guess that means I'm a Suzaku seishi, huh?" She looked away. "It's strange. Kate was asked to accept her role as the seishi Shoshi, and she accepted. But the thing is.."
"Kate! Kate's here too!" Lilian looked dismayed. "But how?"
Vivien looked at her sister and shrugged. "For the same reason we're here, I guess, to restore the balance to the gods. The thing is, Kate was chosen by Byakko. It's strange though.. everyone seems to know her.. They call her Hou-"
"Byakko?"
"Mm.. But Byakko no Miko's already gone.. and the only seishi living are Subaru and.."
"Hold on! Kate can't become an honorary Byakko seishi then?"
Vivien shook her head sadly. "And the surviving Byakko seishi are old now. Kate is alone until she reaches Hokkan. The eerie thing is.. instead of a seishi, Byakko's made Kate his second Miko."
Lilian looked astonished. "Second Miko? Is that possible?"
Vivien nodded. "She needs to summon Byakko and make a wish.. different from the one Suzuno-sama made that couldn't be granted. Hotohori- sama said we, the Suzaku seishi, would help her after we summon Suzaku. Sammy, too."
Lilian blanched. "Sammy? Sammy's here too?" She whispered.
Vivien nodded sadly. "She is.. Genbu made her his second miko, too. It's even harder for her because all her seishi are dead. Fortunately, Kate convinced Hotohori-sama to help her too. Poor Sammy.. she has to make the wish Takaki nevered made in her place."
Lilian's eyes looked troubled. "Kate.. Sammy.."
Vivien's eyes softened, and again she chastised herself. She was ashamed that she had been the one complaining when Lilian was obviously the one who was hurt more.
Suddenly, they heard a commotion on the roof. To their horror, they suddenly noticed Nakago standing in front of them, staring at them hard. Both of them sweatdropped. To Vivien's surprise, Lilian stepped in front of her. "I can explain!" Was that a trace of fear she heard in her sister's voice?
"Kyoku?!" Vivien and Lilian turned. It was Tamahome. He looked angry. "Kyoku! Where's Miaka?"
Vivien made a face. "Tamahome.. I can't.." She said, looking meaningfully behind her, hoping he got the message.
Tamahome only then saw Nakago behind the silver-haired young woman and stared. Nakago saw the red symbol burning on the young man's forehead. "You are.. Tamahome, Suzaku seishi."
Vivien sweatdropped even more. It was official; they were going to die. Suddenly, her sister got all of their attention by frantically waving her arms. "A-ano.. something feels strange.." Vivien's eyes widened. What was going on? "Nakago.." The air before Lilian's fingertips started to bubble water. Vivien and Tamahome stared.
Nakago's eyes widened. "Lilian?"
Lilian looked dismayed. "Oh!" All of sudden, the air surrounding Vivien's sister started shooting thick jets of water all around. Vivien grinned, realizing this was all deliberate and smiled gratefully at her sister. She grabbed Tamahome's hand and ran. She was smiling with relief as she ran - not only because they were escaping the bastard of all evil, Nakago, but also because of her sister's action, she now knew there wasn't a chance of Lilian becoming her enemy. Lilian was on their side. As she ran into the Seiryuu shrine with Tamahome and Chichiri, she tried to forget seeing the disturbance in her sister's eyes upon seeing Nakago. It must have been nerves.. but Vivien couldn't shake off the feeling it had been something else entirely.
Vivien was an idiot. Why had she volunteered to go on this woebegotten trip in the first place?! She had hated riding a horse to Kotou, and now she was spending more time on the horse than on the ground. She hated it. She was miserable. Her horse knew that, and gave it his best to make everything worse. Vivien was fed up with being dumped in ditches, and quite frankly, fed up with everyone. She was fed up with Miaka, who kept on stealing her precious food every chance she got, with Nuriko for bemoaning her unrequited love for Hotohori every step of the way, and even fed up with perfect, gentlemanly Hotohori. She hated him for loving Miaka. She knew she was being cruel, but the damnable Emperor was forcing her to be so. She knew that Kathryn had strong feelings for the Konan Emperor, and his love for Miaka crushed them all the time. He believed he was in love with Miaka. What she wouldn't give to knock some sense into him.. but one didn't just strike an Emperor these days.
She growled irritably. She was in a foul mood and Miaka certainly wasn't helping. She snatched back a rice cake from the Suzaku no Miko. "That's mine, Miaka!"
Miaka blinked. "Gomenasai, Kyo-chan.." Vivien was highly irritable of late. "Did I do something wrong?"
Yes! Vivien's mind screamed. I cut off hands when people touch my food! And I can't cut yours! Suddenly, Vivien came to her senses. What was she thinking? Miaka's question was making the best of sense in her mind. Was Miaka doing anything wrong? Not really. Vivien would have stole some food of her own if she were in a better mood. She would have done the same. Then why was she so angry? "I-Iie, Miaka." She looked around, trying to distract herself. "Are you getting anything on the mirror-thing the old witch gave you?" She finally asked Miaka, referring to Taittsukun.
Nuriko grinned. Miaka shook her head. "Not yet.." She turned to Hothori. "So you were saying? Chichiri's taking your place back at the palace?" She frowned, puzzled. "Why are you doing this?"
Hotohori was silent for a moment. "I was worried about you. Tamahome, too."
Vivien seethed. Miaka tried to look cheerful. "Oh, don't worry. I'll be just fine." Hotohori silently handed Miaka Tamahome's letter. Miaka's eyes softened. "This is.. the note Tamahome left me."
Hothori nodded. "The last part.. do you know what it says? "Aishiteru". He really does love you. Tamahome went into enemy territory for his family, country, and for you, the one he loves." He said softly. Vivien's heart softened at his words and she painfully realized he really did love the Suzaku no Miko.
Miaka's eyes were shining with tears. 'I know.. I know that. But he said he'd stay with me.."
She then looked up at Hotohori and her eyes widened with dismay. Hotohori's own golden eyes were shining. with tears of his own. Vivien had to look away. Kathryn.. poor Kathryn..
"Do.. you love Tamahome that much?" He looked away. "I know I'm not the one you care for. But I.. I love you. I have from the moment I met you."
Vivien's heart wrenched painfully. She knew Hotohori's words were true. But Kathryn loved him too! But his love.. was already spoken for. It hurt her.. that he was hurting Kathryn this way.. but it really was.. no fault of his. Suddenly, something came swinging out of the trees.
"Miaka!" Vivien shouted.
"Hotohori-sama!" Someone struck Nuriko on the back of his head.
Vivien turned and cursed. She was facing several bandits.. armed bandits. "Hey now, what have we got here?"
"You've just gotten yourself in a load of trouble, mister." Vivien told the closest bandit. She blinked away her tears, still recovering from the enlightening scene between Miaka and Hotohori.
He scoffed.
Vivien's eyes narrowed. "You asked for it." She glared at his club and it immediately burst into flame. The man holding the club dropped it to stare at her. Vivien arched a brow. "Didn't I warn you?" She held back her power for a minute. "Now are you going to leave us alone or do I have to roast you?"
The lead bandit glared at her. "You don't want to tempt us, bitch." He threatened.
"Don't I?"
Someone said from the back of the group. "She's going down either way. She's just a woman." Vivien's temper flared. A man with blue hair and a scarred face stepped forward. Vivien's courage wavered. He looked dangerous. He was too confident. Too confident for her own comfort. "Any last words, girl?"
Vivien smirked. "Yeah. You like barbecue?" Her eyes glinted dangerously. "Or perhaps you'd like to be medium rare."
"She's bluffing." The blue-haired man said confidently. Vivien's own confidence wavered. "Does she look like the type who enjoys roasting people alive? She doesn't have the guts to toast us." This was said with even more confidence.
Vivien's courage dwindled down at his words. He was right. She wouldn't be able to carry out her threat , too scared of throwing up her latest meal. Toasted men.. charbroiled skin, fried intestines.. her face turned green. She frowned. "Well, you're not taking my friends!" She stared at the grass and a sudden line of fire separated her friends from the bandits and the infuriating man with blue hair. The man was impossible. He fearlessly stepped over the line of fire and to her consternation, the fire immediately went out. She gasped. How had he..? Several bandits went to pick up Hotohori, Nuriko, and Miaka. She stepped back. "What are you?"
"Not a demon, if that's what you're thinking."
"Then who in the hell are you?"
"My name is Koji. And you are?"
"The name's Vivien. Vivien Smith."
"Your seishi name?" He queried, having seen the suspicious glow from the cloth on her abdomen.
Vivien's eyes widened. "Kyo-Kyoku." She looked around her, wondering which way she could run.
The man read her expression correctly and shook his head. "You have nowhere to run, Kyoku. You might as well come quietly."
Vivien shook her head vehemently. "Not on your life!" She desperately called for Suzaku in her mind. Hey, bird boy! Some help please!
Use the power within you. Vivien's eyes widened. The power? But she had already used her glare-and-toast-someone power already! And it had proved useless against this blue-haired freak of nature! What power was the bird brain gabbing about? You have another power that may prove to be more effective in this case. Your temper cannot help you now. Your quickness may surprise you.
Vivien scowled. She detested riddles! She would just run for it! What did she have to lose? She turned to her unconscious friends and vowed under her breath. "I'll be back for you guys. I promise. She glared at the Koji and wondered why she didn't feel any warmth behind her eyes. Instead, she felt that comforting warmth start pulsing from her heart to flow through her very being. Her muscles were slowly being heated..; she never felt so alive! "I'll be back. Don't you dare hurt them. I will barbecue you then, no matter what." She looked up and suddenly saw, with the keenness of a hawk's eyes, a sturdy branch up ahead, at least fifty feet above her. She saw the bandits slowly approach her and, suddenly more fearful, decided to le this new, mysterious power take over. She closed her eyes. Suzaku encouraged her, let the power go. Release your power! She suddenly turned and stared as body moved as if with a mind of its own, and vaulted unto the nearest branch of the nearest tree. She didn't say anything as she deftly climbed the tree with the quickness of a monkey, and without hesitation, ran away from the bandits. She leapt from branch to branch, tree to tree, gaining impossible ground within minutes. The whole experience was mind-wracking. It was exhilarating! It was wonderful! Simply wonderful! It was all too enjoyable for her, to leap from tree to tree like a lithe tree monkey, that she didn't even notice she was more than a hundred feet from the ground. And she was terrified of heights.
Tasuki sighed as his horse reared up yet again while tethered to the tree. His horse was acting very strange of late. He sat next to his fire, warming his hands. It was too cool of a night for him. And he had always preferred sweltering heat to the shivering cold. He took another swig of his sake and leaned back against a log to think.
He would be arriving home the next day. He had left the baby he had found back in the nearest village, and had promised to return for it. The whole situation had been highly disagreeable with him. He had found his last customers in that village, and to his everlasting consternation, had refused to take the baby back. As it had turned out, they had meant to abandon the little bugger when he had come along and had fortunately taken him off their hands. The little squirt was a bastard, unwanted and alone. Angry, he had arranged for a friend to take care of the baby until he could find someone else to take care of it. His friend was the owner of a brothel.. not the ideal mother for an innocent young baby. He needed someone respectable, but he wasn't the sort of person to have respectful friends. He had quite a dilemma in his hands.
Suddenly, something fell out of the trees and landed right in front of his horse. His horse screamed, reared up, and broke free of his tethers. He ran into the forest, screaming at the top of his lungs. Tasuki scowled and got up. What in the hell was that thing? He walked over to the huddled figure, twigs and dead leaves clinging to it like static. His eyes widened. It wasn't a dead monkey, but a dead girl! He knelt in front of the figure and gaped in astonishment. It wasn't even dead. And the thing was sleeping!
"Excuse me?" The girl didn't move. He poked her with a finger. "Hello? Or are you really dead?" Still no answer. Tasuki scowled. Just what he needed right now! Another person to take care of! First the baby, now a girl! His nose wrinkled in distaste. He never really liked babies, but he detested females. Then by some chance of playful fate, a beam of moonlight suddenly fell on her and his eyes widened with wonder.
Her hair was so beautiful.. like flame.. So lush and beautiful.. it begged for his touch. He touched her hair and was mildly awed that the silken strands were indeed real. He saw her skin and was further dismayed at its golden hue, and at its never flawlessness. If her face were as perfect and lush as her hair and skin, his fate as an eternal bachelor would indeed be doomed. She stirred. Gently, so as not to alarm her when she awakened, he lifted her chin up, to see her face. He had to see her face and wondered if were as beautiful as he were imagining it to be. Good lord, she was perfect. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with her high, softly defined cheekbones, lush mouth, and slender nose. He stared at her spiky red lashes, wet with tears, and wondered what color her eyes would be. Green, the color of temptation? Blue, the color of innocence? Or brown, the color of humanity? Was she human? She was too beautiful to be one.. he willed her eyes to open and they did.
Vivien stared into the warm brown eyes above and thought she was still dreaming. She smiled dreamily. What a dream boy. Brown eyes, hair as red as flames.. so perfect for her. His hair was nearly like her own, red with temper. A temper as fierce as her own. And brown, normal eyes.. eyes that looked they could understand her heart. She blinked as her senses slowly returned to her. "Who are you?" She slowly stood up and pressed a hand to her temple. It throbbed. Had she fallen off her tree? She removed her hand and stared at the blood dripping from her fingers.
"Chikusho.." Tasuki swore softly. He hadn't seen the blood. Partly because it had been nearly invisible in her head of gold-red hair, and he had been too mesmerized by her beauty to think straight. He swiftly cut off a swash of cloth from his long black coat and gently began to tend to her.
Vivien closed her eyes. Such gentle hands.. Her head didn't hurt much.. but she was still dazed from her sleep. "Who are you?" She asked him again as he dabbed at her wound.
Tasuki sighed. She wasn't acting like a female. Usually, when girls discovered they were bleeding, they became hysterical ninnies. But she was calmly asking him his name. Damn, her voice was so husky he became even more uncomfortable. "People call me Genrou."
"Genrou?" The name sounded familiar. Tasuki started to wrap her head with the strip of cloth. "I'm sorry. My name is Vivien. Vivien Smith. You can call me Vi." She smiled slightly. "But lately people call me Kyoku or Kyo-chan." Her eyes, suddenly remembering Miaka and her friends.
"What do you want me to call you?"
Vivien sighed. "Vi would be nice. It's been quite a while since someone's called me that. I like that name better, anyway. Oh, thank you." She smiled at Tasuki gratefully when he had finished wrapping her wound.
Tasuki drew in a sharp breath. Damn, she was beautiful. Was she for real? "No problem. So what were you doing up there in that tree?"
Vivien frowned. "I think I was sleeping."
Tasuki couldn't help but grin. Vivien blinked at the sight of his fangs. They were cute. "You fell in front of my horse and scared him away."
"I'm sorry."
"Hey, no problem. So where are you headed? Town's that way." He pointed north.
Vivien shook her head. "I'm not going to town. I want to rescue my friends. They were kidnapped by the bandits of Mt. Reikaku."
Tasuki raised a brow. Interesting. "So you slept in a tree to pass the night? It's dangerous in these woods, you know."
Vivien made a face. "I was in a tree." She said defensively.
"And you fell."
"Point taken. So do you know the way to their hideout?"
".. Possibly. What's in it for me?"
Vivien's face fell. Geez, he reminded her of Tamahome. Always money. Then she remembered something! She quickly fished in her pocket for some gum. She handed it to him. "Will this do?"
Tasuki frowned. "What the heck's that?"
"Gum. It's something from another world. The Suzaku no Miko's world."
"Suzaku no Miko's..?" That got his attention immediately.
Vivien's eyes narrowed. "You're not from Kotou, are you?"
Tasuki blinked. "No.. why?"
"Because it won't really do for me to betray Miaka. She's the Suzaku no Miko. You see, I'm one of her seishi."
Tasuki arched a brow. "Oh really?" He sounded highly skeptical.
Vivien bristled. "See?" She lifted the hem of her blouse to look for her symbol. Tasuki's blood heated at the sight of her flat, smooth abdomen. He cursed under his breath and looked away. "Where is it? Maybe I have to use my power to make it show.." She mused. She turned to glare at a nearby bush. It immediately burst into flames. She turned to look again at her abdomen. Sure enough, her symbol, Kyoku, glowed red on her skin.
Tasuki had to stare. "You really are Kyoku.."
Vivien dropped her blouse and wrinkled her nose. "Yeah, but please call me Vi." She smiled at them. "So you'll take the gum?"
"Gum? Oh. Nah, I'm on my way there anyway. I'll take you there for free. Just don't do that again."
Vivien blinked. How un-Tamahome of him. "Don't do what?"
"Show me skin. I detest female flesh."
Vivien's eyes widened. "You like males?" Like Nuriko?
Tasuki glared at her, his temper sparking to life. She was making him bloody uncomfortable. "What in the hell are you talking about? I just hate females!"
Vivien couldn't believe it. Her dream boy was gay. She was crushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know.. So you like male flesh better?" She asked, wanting to know for certain if her dream boy was truly unattainable.
Tasuki frowned. "What the hell--?" His eyes widened in realization. He burst out laughing. Vivien just stared at him. "No, I don't like male flesh better than female flesh. Whatever gave you that idea?"
"But you said --?"
Tasuki was grinning. Vivien stared at his fangs. Wow, he was adorable. "I just said I hate females. I never said I didn't appreciate their bodies."
Vivien blushed. "B-but you said you detest female flesh-"
Tasuki chuckled. "I'm a man, Vi. A straight one, of course. There's a thing about appreciation. Too much of it's damn uncomfortable. And you're sexy as hell. I'm too damn uncomfortable around sexy women."
Vivien's face was beet red. He thought she was sexy? He was the hot one! "But you hate women?"
Tasuki's expression sobered. "Yeah, I do. Try growing up with a thousand sisters and anyone's bound to hate women. They're a pain."
Vivien chuckled. "Sisters maybe, but how about other females?"
Tasuki stared at Vivien incredulously. Was she flirting with him? "Now that depends." He looked at her voluptuous figure and grinned. Heck, why not? "I can't stand the oversensitive women who cry like babies all the time and demand jewelry from their men twenty-four/seven. But if they're not.." He grinned at Vivien suggestively.
Vivien's eyes twinkled. Oh, flirting was fun. "I don't cry and.. I prefer flowers."
Tasuki grinned and whistled for his horse. The black stallion came trotting over. Without another word, he vaulted himself unto the horse. Vivien paled when the horse snorted in surprise. Tasuki noticed her expression and chuckled as pulled her up behind him. "And I'm not exactly a horse-lover." Vivien added in a squeak as the stallion reared up a few feet.
Tasuki grinned. "That's no problem. If you can't outride me on a horse, that's fine. I don't really like tomboys anyway." His horse started moving with just a tug of the reins. "Hold on."
My pleasure. Vivien held on to Tasuki's waist as the horse moved. She grinned. Riding a horse wasn't so bad if someone else was directing it.. and one had a hot guy's body in front of her. She was grinning almost on the way to Tasuki's hideout. Not only was flirting fun, but resourceful. She was sure he wouldn't have a problem when she would tell him she had no intention to go all the way with him. He was her dream guy. He would understand.
