Where do I belong?
Disclaimer:
Me: Oh lord… c'mon I've this so many times its getting tiresome! Oh well… I'll just get my choir to say it for me!
Cast: * sings * Fiery-Ice does not own anything except Hirashi Kimiko!
Me: Thank you! Thank you! * grin *
WARNINGS: OOC characters cos I want it that way. NO FLAMES are welcomed. Don't like my fic DON'T REVIEW!! I am only doing this for my fun and the readers who actually want to read it. One more thing MAJOR SPOILERS!
Notes:
Hmm… I think I was quite quick with this one! ^_^ Lol… I won't give anything away now… lol so you gotta read it! I think that my last update disappeared mysteriously from the list… I was soooo annoyed with that one… *sigh* ff.net really hates me… anyways I hope you guys don't! ^_^ I know I left you all with a cliffie the last time but then that's why I'm making up with this quick update ^_^
~ Fiery-Ice ~
Readers delight:
The Shadow Hawk: ROSIE! Look LOOK! One of my quickest updates in AGES! Hope you like it * wink * lol I'm soooo happy I managed to get you to say poor Nakago! LOL knowing that you really don't like him! Glad I could change your mind… well at least for my fic! Keep reading ^_^
Kimna: Wow! Ya know what? Your review was really great! Made me feel good! I feel so honoured that you couldn't stop reading it! Happy! ^_^ But I'm sad to say I see the ending coming up quite soon =P but I'm glad you still read it! And you're here!
Songwind: it's well written? Thank you! Ya know you compliment really well! Lol anyways I think the length of then chapt is about 6 pages as well if I am not wrong. Yum! POCKYYY! Gimme!!! Hee hee * looks satisfied *
Meika-chan: I think I am just gonna keep using this one! Your other nick is tooooooo long! Confused? No worries all will be revealed! And if you still don't understand just ask! I'll be happy to explain.
fangiezz: eee you suck! I was on a writer's block! Darn you! Well here you are! Another chapter! Quite fast if I may add! ALSO I AM GOING TO MURDER YOU IN COLD BLOOD FOR LETTING IT SLIP TO MY SISTER THAT I WROTE THIS! I don't bloody need her to poke her nosy nose into my life! So you better keep your mouth shut around her! Because her mouth is the biggest like the grand canyon! GAH!
Meta Lise: It's allright girl! I understand! Also that reminds me I haven't reviewed your fic! Oops sorry I'll get to it at soon as possible ^_^
FYfangirl26: Nigero means ' run' I was meaning to put that in the other chapter but I forgot to put it in! Sorry! Aww I love it when people tell me that my writing actually made them feel emotions! Yea yea… I'm STILL waiting for YOUR update on Double PHEONIXES! Hurry up girl!
Dragonheart2: Lol yea I know it was evil! But I couldn't resist! Hee hee!
Chapter 18
Love Lost, Found and Lost Again
Kimiko was rising into the air in a flickering ball of aura. Her eyes were closed as if she were feeling everything instead of seeing everything with her eyes. A haze hung around her for a few seconds or so but as it cleared, she wore a robe, jewels and she glowed with an inner light. Her robe had the patterns of her necklace which now pulsed with vigour. The blue water dragon entwined with a fiery crimson phoenix. The robe flowed around her like water and dancing flames. (A/N: Think Miko Robes)
She looked like a megami that she was supposed to be but everyone on the ground were puzzled over the phoenix and dragon together pattern on her clothes when she was supposed to be the Seiryuu goddess. Behind her the battle of the gods raged leaving their mikos drained, tired and in pain as the gods are coupled with the mikos.
~Kimiko~
So peaceful. I was in a place where my two elements brought me comfort, the rain and flames. I've always loved the rain because it hides the sadness of my tears. People won't know I was ever crying and I won't tell them either. The flames brought me warmth encasing me, protecting me from harm.
I can feel something tugging at my conscious. It's calling me back. My transformation is complete. I don't want to go back. My duty. My duty to go back. I have to go.
I can't describe the feeling I felt when I opened my eyes to the Battle. I felt extra sensitive to all emotions. I knew the pain that Miaka and Yui were going through now. It was excruciating. The gods were coupled with the mikos that is why they were in such pain. Oh gods! They are going to die! The gods are using up too much of the mikos' ki destroying the delicate balance that was there.
I gazed once again at the ground below me. The seishi have stopped fighting but only Tasuki and Nakago alone were still fighting. Demo… Naze? Why is he still fighting? I felt myself sinking slowly.
My mind felt like it was going to explode because I felt aware of everything around me. Past, present, future, everything was bursting out in my mind. I needed to know what I needed to do. My mind sifted through looking for what I wanted.
K'so… I knew what I had to do so I got into position as soon as my silk cased feet touched the cool stone ground. I ignored the stares I received as I pulled the mikos into standing position and the three of us levitated 100m above everything. I closed my eyes and then held the mikos hands. My voice echoed as I told the mikos what they needed to do. It was as if they knew all along and they straightened. At that moment I knew why the gods chose them as their mikos.
"Suzaku no Miko, Seiryuu no Miko. Your gods will tear up the earth if this continues. You will die if you do not use your first wishes together to salvage this world. I will act as your balance between the gods so that you have the strength to make your wishes."
My eyes burned as I called upon my powers to perform the duty. My body, my mind, my soul felt the power between the gods and mikos. I was the valve to control power between them. Unbearable pain streaked through me as I writhed. The power so strong as it coursed through me. Molten was agony, gliding threatening to tear my mind, body and soul apart.
I twisted, curled, struggled to find relief and control the power forcing its way through like pressure backed up from a dam. When I heard the screams from below and from my lips issued I nearly went deaf. Then the sweet salvation of the wishes being spoken brought me a second's relief.
"Kaijin! I wish for this world to be saved and restored!" The unified voices commanded with no room for argument.
The gods ceased the fighting granting their mikos wishes. With the last of my might, I used it to levitate the worn and exhausted mikos to the ground. I knew I was going to fall. But I couldn't do anything to stop it. I felt the wind pull my hair straight back as I fell head first towards the ground. My duty was done.
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Tasuki was very pissed, he kept repeating one sentence in his head. That blonde bastard is going to pay. He thought that Kimiko was the Seiryuu goddess because Nakago did something. Dense isn't he? Shrieks of horror alerted the combatants, Tasuki and Nakago, of the scene. Kimiko hurtling towards the ground, the world being pieced back and the unconscious mikos.
Tasuki looked towards the commotion and his reflexes sped into motion. He used his gift of speed to run fast and spring into the air to grab Kimiko. As this happened, Nakago aimed delivered a ki ball true to Tasuki's back.
Both changed course and hurtled to the ground at a frightening speed. Tasuki was seen wrapping Kimiko in his embrace tightly, shielding her, most likely to take most of the impact of their inevitable crash. He said Kimiko's name just before the couple met with the floor.
~Nuriko~
Miaka was sent down slowly unconscious while I saw Kimiko spin dangerously suspended in the air. Her eyes had burned blue and red fires as she had undoubtedly given chance to the mikos to make their wishes with her taking most of the pain instead.
Miaka finally touched the ground and Tamahome being the first to her side, the same with the Seiryuu no miko but Suboshi in the place of Tamahome. I looked up to see Kimiko tilt more to a side. I knew more than I could see satisfied serene smile on her face just before he started hurtling towards us at a reckless speed headfirst. Who cares whether she was Seiryuu's granddaughter. She was Kimi-chan and that's that.
"KIMI-CHAN!" I screamed in horror.
Sweet Suzaku! What are we going to do?! Kimiko! Kimi-chan! Slow down! Slow down. I started screaming frantically. I ran quickly to under Kimiko, estimating where she would smack head first into the rock hard stone floor.
All of a sudden Tasuki came out of no where snatching Kimiko from her fall.
"Tasuki!" I breathed in relief.
But the rescue was short lived because a ki blast was delivered at Tasuki thus sending them once again on their journey towards the ground at a frightening speed.
"TASUKI!" I screamed helplessly.
Closer and closer, they were coming. Kimiko was close enough to be seen. Her eyes snapped open and panic was written all over her face. I didn't realise I had dropped to the ground. She struggled in mid air trying to gather her strength to bring them both to safety but she couldn't. Tasuki held her too tightly and she was panicking.
Nobody noticed the expressions on the Gods' faces as they stood in the background silently observing the scene.
~ Kimiko~
My mind felt like it was being slashed open by a knife. A premonition came to my mind. A premonition that was too late. A blur of orange red holding someone tightly sailed through the air after being hit by a ki blast. I knew it was Tasuki. Who was he holding? He smacked into the ground and I felt ultimate tearing in my soul. My body was wracked with soreness.
A scream ripped through, "TASUKI!"
My eyes snapped open. I felt myself embraced but we were falling. Who embraced me? The familiar embrace and scent told me it was Tasuki. I started panicking.
Chikuso! YADA! YADA! I struggled, hysterically trying to gather enough power to make us stop falling but I was failing miserably. I gripped his arms, digging my nails in mouth open in silent terror and eyes squeezed shut. I heard a choked yell in my ear of my name.
Then that's when the hurt started. I felt the impact that sent shockwaves through my body. I heard cracking. I opened my eyes and I realised I was on top of Tasuki, his arms still holding me in a tight grip, never letting go. I yelped and quickly rolled off him. Itai! My cracked rib throbbing.
I sat up then turned reluctantly to see Tasuki's state. My hand rose to my mouth in disbelief. His eyes were closed, body battered, blood pouring out from his wounds and his usually vibrant face pale.
"Tasuki?" I whispered brokenly. I reached out to caress his cheek. "Tasuki?" I whispered louder, urgently. He didn't move. I moved to place his head in my lap.
Blood was pooling around us from his wound but I didn't see it. Uso… he isn't…he can't be…he saved me… Uso… he wasn't meant to die.
"Gen-chan? Wake up! Please… I know you can hear me. Onegai… wake up? I need you…"I whispered through tears.
A groan. Those eyes I've been waiting to see opened. Clear loving amber, eyes that made me smile.
"Kimiko. Baka." He breathed painfully.
I laughed in tears at the first he said. Idiot. I am one. But I'm his idiot.
"Gen-chan! Tasuki gomen! For pushing you away, for hiding that I'm Seiryuu's granddaughter. G-gomen!" I sobbed incoherently. "I just thought that if I did it first, I wouldn't feel the hurt as much as it would when you would push me away!"
"Shh… f-forget all of t-that. Ai-aishiteru k-koi!" He coughed. Blood… I could tell it was going to be soon. I breathed noisily.
I bit my lip holding his cheek and usually warm but now clammy cold hand.
"Aishiteru koi." I said with all my heart trying to convey how much I loved him. I meant it. I love him. It was because of my phobia of trusting people and love that brought me all this.
With that I knew that quiet declaration bound us together far more than any binding ceremony or marriage will. No more words were said as we stared into each other's eyes knowing it would be over soon. My heart broke as I saw the vibrant light in his eyes fade. He smiled weakly one last feral grin and… he was gone.
I stared unseeingly but saw only the pale, serene face of the one that captured my heart. His smirk was in place even… even… in death. Silent tears ran down my cheeks. Tasuki's hand was still curled around mine.
I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up, my vision distorted by tears. I blinked them away and saw Suzaku in his human form. He cast me a comforting smile.
Seiryuu came to stand on my other side. I looked back down.
"He wasn't supposed to die. But fate plays out. Even we the gods can't change fate. Except you… We didn't see this coming until it was too late. You changed the fate of those who were fated to die… Nuriko…Hotohori… But somehow fate has a cruel sense of humour. Someone had to compensate for those changes. It's all about balance." Suzaku spoke as though speaking his thoughts.
So fate decided to pay me back. Well this is more than enough. I gently cradled Tasuki's head then set it on the ground. I calmly placed his hands on his chest then stood up and got ready to walk away.
I noticed the all the seishis staring at me tensing, trying to guess what I would do next. I started walking away but suddenly Taiits-kun popped up in front of me watching me intently. I spared a glance at her then walked around her.
I could feel eyes boring into my back. I saw my refuge. The doors leading out of this place, I felt that I just wanted to run.
"Kimiko! Aren't you forgetting something?" I halted then spun around slowly.
My voice rang out evenly and in anguish, "No. I don't think so. If you're thinking that I'm going to beg you to spare his life in exchange for mine you are going to be wrong! Tasuki saved me! He risked his life for me and lost but still he saved me! He wanted me to live so badly that he is DEAD to make sure I lived! He…he… is dead."
My voice cracked and whispered the last few words. Tears filled my eyes.
I went on to say incoherently and threatening to break down, "I don't know what I did to deserve a fate like this. But right now I don't care." I turned and walked away once again.
Once I got behind those doors, I dropped to the floor. Oh how badly I want to hold him, to see his eyes, feel his warmth, and bask in his love. I miss him already. I started sobbing. I cried for the love I had lost and everything in my life. I cried for all the powers I had but not being able to use them for the most important thing in my life. But most of all I cried for the sense of belonging I had in Tasuki's arms that I lost.
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Kimiko released everything into that one cry. Chichiri took charge and rounded up the Suzaku seishi while Soi did the same to the Seiryuu seishi. All were distraught with the death, none left unremorseful.
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Notes: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh! Don'T KILL ME!! I'm so so soooooo sorry! * sniff * I killed of Tasuki! How the hell could I do that! My favourite character! Anyways ladies and gentlemen! This chapter is NOT the end! There is still a few more chapters! So stick around =P Sorry… please don't kill me kay? I mean I HAD to kill someone… =( oh well! Lol see y'all in the next chapter!
Arigatou!
Matta ne!
~Fiery- Ice~
P.S: R/R onegai shimasu! Arigatou!!