"Hearts Aflame" by Ai Yuukan

Chapter 10
"I absolutely refuse to stay here! I'm going with you, Vivi, whether you like it or not!" Samantha said with absolute conviction. "And that's final!"
Kathryn sighed. "But Sammy, Vivien will be all right on her own. She's proven it to us time and time again since we've been here. And we can't just leave Konan entirely."
Samantha sighed. Kathryn was right.. to a point. "You'll be fine here, Kathryn. All of us have our final powers now.. granted we don't know what they are, but we'll figure them out soon enough. Besides, you wouldn't want to leave yourself, anyway. Since Hotohori's staying, you're staying, right?"
Kathryn blushed lightly. "And you want to leave to find Amiboshi, right?"
Samantha didn't blush. "Yes." She retorted. "I'm going to find him again!"
Vivien sighed. "Sammy.. I know what you want to do, but it would be a big help for you to stay here with Kate.. to keep an eye on things, so to speak. And Kate's right; I'll be all right on my own. Since we're going to Genbu, a land of ice, my fire power will really come in handy."
"What are you going to do? Toast my inherited seishi when you get there? Need I remind you, dear sister, that if I'm there, you won't have such a difficult time with them?"
Vivien made a face. "Sorry, Kate. But she's got a point."
"But you're supposed to have a difficult time with them. We've been crossing the line all too boldly lately. Byakko said -"
"Byakko? He's been talking to you?" Vivien's eye widened.
Kathryn frowned, puzzled. "Hasn't Suzaku been talking with you as well?"
Vivien harrumphed. "Not likely."
Samantha's eyes softened. "You're lucky."
"Nani?"
Kathryn suddenly discovered another point in which to dissuade Samantha so she forgot about Samantha's soft remark. "Do you honestly think the others would let you on that ship? It was understood that we would remain behind to stay with Hotohori, to even the numbers."
"I agreed to no such thing!" Samantha protested.
"It was implied." Kathryn smoothly rejoined.
Samantha threw up her hands. "Well, I'm going either way and both of you can't stop me!" Her eyes suddenly shone with unshed tears. "A few days ago, I lost someone very dear to me. I'm going to find him again and no one, not even you guys, can stop me." She said sadly.
Almost at once, Kathryn and Vivien's eyes softened.. in agreement. Kathryn smiled gently. "Well, why didn't you say so? If you want to find him, then that's just fine. After all, you're our sister, Sammy. We love you and do not wish to hinder your happiness. But.. do you truly love Amiboshi, Sammy?"
Vivien nodded in agreement. "You've only known him for a few days, Sammy.."
Samantha cast her eyes down. "I never believed in true love before him, Kate, Vivi.. but I do now. If I had known it was possible to find someone like him, I would have become a believer.. much sooner than this."
Vivien smiled softly. "Then it's agreed." She was happy for Samantha.. "You're coming along. We just wanted you to admit it, Sammy." She confessed, a twinkle in her violet eyes. "We would never want to keep you two apart, and that's a fact. He seems to be a nice-enough guy."
"And definitely man enough for you." Kathryn added wryly. "Did you guys really --?"
Samantha blushed even more and nodded. "It was the night before the ceremony." She confirmed softly. She smiled and looked down, her face in flames. "It was.. wonderful.."
Vivien sighed. "You're one lucky Smith sister, Sammy. So you love him, do you? Fine, then, you're coming. Are you going to be all right here, Kate, on your own?"
Kathryn smiled at her elder sister reassuringly. "Of course." She turned to summon Miyo. "Miyo-chan?"
The lady-in-waiting entered the room. "Yes, Houki-sama?"
Vivien saw Kathryn roll her eyes. Why did she stand for being called a name that wasn't hers? "Could you please find us a set of boy's clothes?"
Miyo nodded her head in understanding. "For Tei-sama? Of course." She turned to Samantha. "Tei-sama, would you prefer the garb of a soldier, noble, or peasant?"
Vivien's eyes widened. To her understanding, Miyo was forever scolding her younger sisters on propriety and such. But now she was willing to fetch a set of boy's clothes for Samantha? And she was giving her fashion choices, too? Odd. Very odd.
"Peasant, please. I would like to blend in with the crew."
Miyo bowed. "I will return with a set of peasant boy's clothes in a few minutes, Tei-sama." She bowed again and exited the room.
Vivien blinked. "Weird."
Samantha and Kathryn exchanged looks and giggled.

Vivien stood out with her sister on the edge of the ship and stared out at the sea as Tasuki helped Miaka burn the only connection she had with her brother. Vivien sighed. Things were going too fast.. but she had to see this through. She wouldn't rest until Miaka had summoned Suzaku. That was her job. Once she had fulfilled her destiny, they could go back home. Home.. to her consternation, her mind was confused at the concept. Where was home?
Home is where the family is.. but in your case, it is where the friends are. It is where you feel you belong.
Vivien nearly threw out her back when she straightened in surprise. Suzaku?!

The one and only. You made quite an impression on Taittsukun.
Vivien closed her eyes. Where had he been? The bird-brain. He showed up now in her mind, of all times! When she could have needed him earlier. You're the cowardly type, aren't you?
I beg your pardon?
How dare the bird-deity sound indignant? She wasn't the one who had abandoned him! You only show up in my mind when it's peaceful, not at the times when I need you. What does that say to me? That you're a wuss. Plain and simple.
You will not take that tone of voice with me, young lady.
Vivien rolled her eyes. Who are you to tell me that? You're not my father.
There was a telling pause. Vivien arched a brow. What happened, bird-boy? Cat got your tongue?
To Vivien's everlasting consternation, Suzaku only sighed. I was afraid of this. You are bitter. You always have been. I come only to offer you luck and good tidings.
Vivien's eyes lit up. Good tidings? It was about time. Well, she asked impatiently.
You are embarking on the second half of your journey. Your adventure is half-done.
Vivien arched a brow. And? Is that it?
No.
Well?!
I have consulted with my fellow deities and we have discovered that unlike the original Mikos, the seishi of Taittsukun will not be forced to leave this world once their respective duties have been fulfilled. You will be able to have choices.
Vivien stiffened. Choices?
I do not know if my brethren will impart what I am about to impart to you to their respectively claimed seishi.. but I tell you this now.. In the end, you and your sisters will be able to choose.. whether to stay in this world or the world where you were raised.. for you are a part of both worlds.
That came to Vivien like a thunderbolt. "Nani?!"
She felt Suzaku's presence disappear.
Everyone turned to stare at Vivien. "Kyo-chan, what is it?!" Nuriko demanded anxiously.
Samantha laid a hand on Vivien's shoulder. "Vivi.. what is it?"
Vivien stared at Samantha, aghast at what she had just learned. "Suzaku.. he just said.."
"SUZAKU?!" Everyone exclaimed.
Vivien nodded dumbly. "He just said I was a.. part of both worlds. What the hell was he talking about?!" She grabbed her head. "Come back, you bird-brain! Come back and tell me what the hell you were talking about!"
Everyone sweatdropped.
"She's lost it." Nuriko murmured.
"Uh-huh."
"You come back here! I want an answer and I want it now! NOW, I tell you!"
You belong to both worlds. In the end, you will need to chose which world will be the foundation for your future. But do not worry. You still have time to decide.
"The heck?! Don't worry?! Hey, you're not leaving me yet mister!" Vivien screeched. "I want some more answers! NOW!" Suzaku disappeared with a note of finality. Vivien screeched in frustration. How dare he!!
Everyone just stared at Vivien, eyes wide with horror and disbelief.
"What's everyone staring at me for?!" Vivien demanded angrily.
Samantha backed away from her sister. "Vivi.. you're.. you're.."
"I'm what?" Vivien frowned. Had she suddenly grown two heads or something?
Tasuki stared. "A red.. falcon.."
"What the devil are you talking about?" Vivien asked, now too confused to be angry. What was going on here? Her friends were looking at her as if she had just turned into a monster or something.
Tasuki stepped forward and extended a hand. "Great Suzaku.. Is that really you, Vi?"
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Vivien demanded.
"Vivi! Look at you!" She fished in her pack for a small mirror and held it up for Vivien to see. Vivien saw a red bird with violet eyes staring right at her and promptly fainted.

Tasuki looked down at Vivien lying down on the sand and stared at her hard. The transformation had only lasted until Vivien had lost consciousness. When she had fainted, she had quickly regained her human form but had remained unconscious when the thunderstorm had hit. Soon after their friends had rescued them from the water and Miaka, Tamahome, and Nuriko had drifted away, they had hit yet another gigantic wave and Vivien had been thrown overboard. Naturally, Tasuki had jumped in after her and had nearly fainted when he had gone under. Oh, how he hated water.. But once he had shifted form, he had easily paddled to shore with Vivien in tow. He had found a cozy cave near the shore and now he patiently waited for Vivien to awaken.
He still couldn't believe what Vivien had turned into.. just like the prophecy.. it was inconceivable.. and yet.. it explained a whole lot. His attention was distracted by Vivien suddenly coughing up water. He waited patiently while Vivien had coughed up the rest of the water and sat up. She wiped away her dripping hair from her face and coughed once more. Then she looked around. Right at Tasuki. ".. Tasuki? Where are we?"
Tasuki sighed. "We're in a cave by the shore. Now I have some questions that have to be answered." He said sternly.
Vivien stared. "Who are you and what have you done with Tasuki?" She demanded of him suspiciously.
Tasuki's lips quirked at that. "No more jokes, Kyoku-sama."
Vivien frowned. Kyoku-sama? "Why so formal?"
"Formality is usually necessary when meeting a stranger."
"Oh." Then her frown deepened. "Stranger? What are you talking about?"
Tasuki's eyes narrowed. "You are not of this world."
Vivien arched a brow in puzzlement. "Yeah.. what about it?"
"And you possess three powers while the rest of the seishi only possess one each. You are not a Suzaku seishi."
Vivien's frown, if it were possible, grew even deeper. "What are you talking about? Of course, I'm a Suzaku seishi. I agreed to be one, so I am."
Tasuki finally looked exasperated. "You do not agree to become a seishi, you either are one to begin with or not."
Vivien shrugged, confused. "I don't understand. Suzaku asked me to become a seishi.. and I agreed.. doesn't that make me a Suzaku seishi?"
Tasuki looked at her for a long moment before running a hand through his unruly red hair. "I think we should start from the beginning. I want to know what you are all about, and that means everything: the who, the where, then when, they why, the what, and the how."
Vivien narrowed her eyes right back. Could she tell him..? The only ones who knew more than she revealed to others were Hotohori and Chichiri. Why should she tell him, anyway.
Just do it, Suzaku said wearily.
Vivien's eyes widened. Suzaku? What the heck are you gabbing about, feather-foot?"
Tell him whatever you want to tell, except for the fact how you actually know most futures and your parentage.
Parentage? But I already told him about my father..
Ah, that is correct. You do not yet know the truth. Very well, tell him all except how you attained your 'fortune-telling' capabilities.
Vivien frowned. She had had enough of bird-boy's riddles. The peacock wanted her to tell all to Tasuki? Then she'd tell all to Tasuki! The hell with riddles!
"Haiyaku, Kyoku-sama.. I'm waiting." Tasuki said, an impatient note in his voice.
Vivien wrinkled her nose in annoyance. "Enough with all the formality already. We're not strangers, Tasuki, okay? Don't you trust me? Even a little?"
Tasuki sighed. "Just tell me already."
Vivien scowled. "Fine." Then she looked thoughtful. "Where do I start?"
"Who. Where. When. Why. What. Then the how. In that order, please."
Vivien rolled her eyes. "All right, already! The name's Vivien. Vivien Smith aka Kyoku, Suzaku/Taittsukun seishi."
"Taittsukun?" Tasuki leaned forward.
Vivien nodded. "I was originally Taittsukun's seishi. Now I'm a Suzaku seishi."
Tasuki's eyes narrowed. Would she ever give him an understandable answer? "Elaborate."
"Hmph. Well, I trained under Taittsukun some years ago for a couple of years.. then went on with my life in Miaka's world. Unfortunately, Taittsukun thought it necessary cast a spell over me and my sisters to make us forget all about our training and this world until I returned."
"Your sisters underwent training as well? Like Chichiri?"
"Yeah, me and my sisters go way back with Chichiri-kun. Okay.. that takes care of the 'who', 'where', and 'when'. Now for the 'why' and 'what'. Taittsukun maintains the balance of this world, and is also a deity.. the supreme deity in fact."
Tasuki was mildly surprised. "Is that so?"
"Hai. Taittsukun also has seishi to protect that balance. I don't know how many but I know my sisters, Lily, Kate, Sammy, and myself are four of her seishis. Now.." Vivien bit her lip. How was she supposed to explain their duties if she couldn't reveal anything of the future? "Er.."
"Yes?"
"Well, you see.. how do I explain this.. er.. Taittsukun foresaw a major.. disruption of balance in this whole Shicho world.."
"Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho."
"Whatever. .. and she offered the services of four of her seishi to the four gods, Suzaku, Seiryuu, Byakko, and Genbu. Apparently, Byakko chose my sister Kathryn to ensure the balance in his sector of the Shicho.."
Tasuki rolled his eyes. He wasn't even going to try to correct her.
".. and Genbu chose Samantha. Seiryuu chose Lilian, and Suzaku chose.. me."
"Are you four the strongest of your sisters?"
Vivien shook her head. "Oh, no. Well, Lilian was always Taittsukun's best student and the most skillful.. but Anne and Erin were stronger than Kathryn and myself."
"Then why did he choose you..?" Tasuki pondered.
Vivien gasped, insulted. "Well, excuse me, but I still do qualify as an adequately impressive seishi, thank you very much."
Tasuki waved her indignation aside. "I didn't mean that."
"Then what did you mean?"
Tasuki sighed. "There's something you should know, Vi.. about your third power."
Vivien sighed and made a face. "I know it was surprising.. heck, I was shocked. My third power is the ability to turn into a bird. Well, Suzaku sure has a warped sense of humor." She said wryly. "What good is that power, anyway?"
Tasuki smiled at that. "You'd be surprised. Your name is in legend, Vi.. as the red falcon, as the Suzaku no Miko was also a legend. Do you know the legend of Scarlet Falcon?"
Vivien wrinkled her nose. "You've got to be kidding. How long have I been in this world? Not long."
Tasuki sighed. "Very well. Allow me to enlighten you."
Vivien settled back comfortably. This could take a while.. yet, strangely, she didn't mind. She had never seen Tasuki like this before - dead, dead-serious. Seriously dead, dead-serious. She was intrigued. "Please do."
"There is a legend.. of the Scarlet Falcon. They say when the Scarlet Falcon appears, it signals the time when the most powerful warriors shall begin to arise to combat the deterioration of this world as a whole. The final, complete destruction of this world."
Vivien leaned forward. This was serious stuff.
"But that's not all. When the Scarlet Falcon appears, it is said the Crimson Wolf shall greet her and shall reveal her own future in his person. Together, the Scarlet Falcon and the Crimson Wolf shall help rebuild the four nations if the legendary Final Warriors succeed in preventing the destruction of this world. In other words, the Scarlet Falcon and the Crimson Wolf will become allies, partners,.." And lovers, Tasuki deigned to mention.
Vivien sat up straight. "Are you saying.. that I'm.. this.. Scarlet Falcon?"
Tasuki nodded. "Yes."
"Then where's this Crimson Wolf?"
"I am he." His eyes gleamed red and Vivien scuttered back, startled.
"You?" She croaked.
Tasuki sighed. "Where do you think I got these fangs that you adore so much? And your flighty attitude?"
Vivien blushed. "I am not flighty." She protested. Then she stared hard at the person she thought she knew so well. "How can you be the Crimson Wolf? Miaka said nothing about -" Vivien caught herself just in time.
Tasuki frowned. "How would Miaka know? I never told anyone.. except for my former leader and Koji."
"Yeah.. right." Vivien looked away. How was all this possible? She didn't know anything about this.. yet she had turned into a bird, there was no arguing that. She looked back at Tasuki. "So I'm the Scarlet Falcon. What.. am I supposed to do about it?"
Tasuki sighed. "Nothing at the moment.. just wait for the moment when this world needs us. I just thought you should be enlightened of one of your future duties.."
Vivien nodded and cast her eyes down. "Of.. course. My duties.." Then she remembered Miaka. "Where are the others?"
Tasuki shrugged. "Who knows?"
Vivien suddenly remembered. "Hey, I think we should get out of here and wait by the shore. They'll land soon. Everyone's fine."
Tasuki eyed Vivien warily as they stood up. "How do you know that?"
Vivien shrugged and gave Tasuki a weak smile. "Intuition?"
Tasuki arched a brow skeptically but he decided to press her. "Let's go, already."
As they walked out of the cave and unto the sands of the shore, Vivien asked. "Ne, Tasuki, could you answer the question I had earlier?"
"Which one?"
"The one where I asked what good is it being a bird?"
"As a bird, not only do you gain the power of flight, but amazing speed and incredible eyesight. As a wolf, I also gain increased speed, claws and fangs, and incredibly enhanced hearing."
Vivien's eyes widened. "Why didn't I think about that?"
Tasuki grinned. "Maybe because my mind's sharper and quicker than yours most of the time?"
Vivien grinned and nudged Tasuki in the ribs. "That's not funny." All of sudden, she stumbled on an overturned clam shell.
Tasuki caught her. "I think it is."
Blushing, Vivien righted herself and quickly put a safe distance between them. She sat down on the sand. "I th-think we should wait for them here. They can see us clearly without any rocks blocking their view of us, and behind us is the only pass to Hokkan."
Tasuki nodded and sat down next to Vivien. "You're right."
A long silence passed between them. Vivien finally sighed and picked up a stone. She threw it across the water. "You know, I can't take this anymore."
"This?" Tasuki queried, looking out across the water.
"Everything. Ever since I came here, everything's been whack."
"Whack?"
"Crazy. Messed up. I don't know what to do anymore. Suzaku said I had a duty.. to ensure that Miaka summons him and has her three wishes granted. That's it. I agreed to help him.. I didn't know it would come to this."
"I know what you mean."
Vivien looked at Tasuki. "You do?"
"I knew I was a Suzaku seishi.. but I didn't want to have my life revolve around that fact, so I agreed to my former leader's offer and became a bandit. When I met you and Miaka.. at first, I didn't want to go. But I.. decided to go to help you guys.. and to do my duty as a Suzaku seishi. It's all about duty now. When can I get my life back on track? When can I have a life that's my own again? Sure, I'm not against fulfilling my destiny as a Suzaku seishi, but things just.. get in the way."
Vivien nodded softly in agreement. "I know.. at first all I wanted was to feel.. a love all my own.. I'm afraid that was my first priority then.. but when I heard Sammy cry.. after she had lost Amiboshi.. I decided I didn't want any of that.. any of the suffering, that is. I decided to focus entirely on my duty.. and that's what I'm doing."
"But it's tempting, isn't it?" Tasuki asked Vivien gently.
"What is?"
"Falling in love. You know, I swore off women for a reason.. or two."
"Because you were fed up with them, having grown up in a houseful of them?" She grinned.
Tasuki chuckled. "That's one reason. The other one was.. I've seen other people fall in love.. and get hurt. Did you see Hotohori.. after Miaka and Tamahome were reunited?"
Vivien nodded softly. "He looked so.. sad. I don't want my heart to be broken, too.. but.. sometimes I wonder.."
"Is love worth the risk?"
Vivien looked at Tasuki. "Yeah.." She looked into Tasuki's eyes and knew she was lost.. She had never known this side of Tasuki.. maybe she had been afraid.. of knowing this side of him. She had known, deep in her heart, how much she could love him if she only tried. But as she looked into his eyes.. she knew falling in love with him had been the easiest thing in the world to do. Tasuki..
She closed her eyes as Tasuki kissed her, accepting the inevitable with a trembling, ready heart. As his lips moved over hers, she began to respond.. igniting a moving, tender fire within Tasuki's heart. He deepened their kiss and knew he was lost when she turned to accept his kiss more fully and opened her heart to his own.
When they broke apart, there were tears in Vivien's eyes. She had never imagined.. it would be so beautiful.. Tasuki cupped her cheek. "Vi.. are you okay.."
Vivien answered him by bringing his head down for another kiss, a kiss to further ignite the flame building in her heart. Tasuki accepted her kiss and knew in that moment.. that they were both lost.
They made love on the sand, oblivious to anything else. As they swore their hearts to each other through their actions, the flames within their hearts blazed more brightly than Suzaku's fire. As they gazed into each other's eyes for one passion-filled moment, their hearts burst into flames and they surrendered themselves to the inevitable. They were in love.. and neither of them had the slightest desire to put out the fire.

"Did it hurt?" Tasuki asked, an hour later.
"Only a little bit." Vivien assured him. They lay on the sand, their limbs entwined, and thought of the future.
Tasuki ran his hand through Vivien's red-gold hair, relishing the feel of the silky strands through his fingers. Vivien.. he should have known.. she had been the one. When he had first learned of the legend of the Scarlet Falcon from the monk who had given him the enchanted strips of parchment, he had not thought it could be Vivien.. She touched him like no one else did.. and moved him with the power of her love.
Vivien looked at her hand lying on Tasuki's tanned chest and wondered why she had been so stubborn.. to accept the fact that she had started falling in love with him a long time ago. She had been afraid.. wrongly so, and had delayed this wonderful feeling.. of love. What she had felt in Shoka's heart for Mitsukake had been a muted echo for what she was feeling now.. because the love had not been her own. She loved Tasuki.. the thought astounded her. Who would have thought she would fall in love with him? She hadn't seen it coming when she had first met him.. and yet.. she could still remember the way she had been drawn to him.. Had it been destiny? Had their love been meant to be? Tasuki.. her heart couldn't be happier. But she had to know something to make that happiness complete. "Tasuki..?" She queried hesitantly.
"Yeah?"
"Do you.. love me?" She closed her eyes and for the briefest moment, she felt the first sting of vulnerability.
Tasuki slowly smiled. "You should know the answer, Vi.."
"Do you?" She had to know.
Tasuki held Vivien close. "More than anything.."
Vivien's heart was awash with happiness. "Then.. I guess I love you too." She said after a moment's thought.
Tasuki blinked and stood up. "You guess?!" Vivien hid her smile against his shoulder. "Do you love me or not?" Vivien's shoulders were shaking. He frowned worriedly. "Vi.. are you crying?"
She was laughing. Grinning, Tasuki tickled her ribs. Vivien shrieked with laughter. "Well?"
"Well what?" Vivien gasped, breathless from the tickling.
Tasuki grinned. "Do ya love me or not?"
Vivien grinned. "Well, I suppose I could.." He tickled her some more. "Okay, okay! I do love you!"
Tasuki chuckled and held her close. "That's better."
Vivien sighed and relished the feeling of Tasuki's heart beating against her hand. Then she realized something. She pulled away. "I better get dressed before the others get here." She grabbed for her clothes.
Tasuki sighed. "If you must."
Vivien arched a brow. "Unless you want Tamahome to be ribbing you for weeks, you'd better think about putting on some clothes, too."
Tasuki chuckled. "If you insist."