*What's up? It's almost New Year's! One of my resolutions for next year:
FINISH MORE FICS!!!! ^_____^ Heheheh. finally some more action in here..
Chapter Three
As soon as the entire household finished breakfast, Miaka and Nuriko bounded over to Shao-Huan.
"Can we get start preparing you now? Please? Pretty pretty please?" Miaka begged.
"Yeah, can we help? I know I'm a boy and everything, but still, I have the soul of a woman!"
Miaka glared at Nuriko. "Hey, I asked first!"
Nuriko raised an eyebrow.
"Grrr." She turned to Shao-Huan. "So can I help?"
Shao-Huan smiled. "Both of you can help. Nuriko, you can help me with my hair and everything since you have more experience than Miaka."
Miaka frowned at Nuriko, who stuck his tongue at her.
The three of them went to Shao-Huan's room and got her wedding dress. Although Miaka and Nuriko had helped her choose her outfit, the two of them both gasped when she unfolded it and lifted it to the sun.
The cloth was ruby red silk with yellow butterflies on the sleeves. The vest had blue flowers embroidered on with green leaves. Miaka lifted part of the skirt up and spotted a blue skirt underneath.
"Shao-Huan, I'm saying this again. This is the prettiest wedding dress I've ever seen! Could I use it when I get married?"
"Who'd want to marry you?" Nuriko said under his breath.
Miaka glared at him. "Tamahome, that's who!"
Nuriko sweat dropped. "Tamahome? Are you nuts? First of all, why would he want to marry you? You're a glutton! He'd go broke because of all the food you'll eat! And you know how much he loves money! And-"
"Nuriko, that's enough out of you. Miaka, of course you may use this."
Nuriko did his cute face. "Can I use it, too?"
"..."
"You're a boy, Nuriko," Shao-Huan kindly pointed out.
"I know!" he cheerfully replied.
Both Shao-Huan and Miaka looked at each other and tried not to laugh.
"Shao-Huan, why don't you put your dress on? Then Nuriko and I can help you with your hair," Miaka suggested, changing the subject.
Shao-Huan nodded.
"Nuriko, go out for a minute, could you?"
He rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Miaka, whatever you say." He shut the door behind him, accidentally causing the entire room to shake.
Nuriko leaned against the wall and sighed. Seeing Shao-Huan reminded him of Kang-Lin all over again. Why were the two so similar? All right, they don't look the same, but the way they act and their eyes. He blew out. When were those two going to finish? He paced around a bit, his hand to his chin. Suddenly, he froze and his braid whipped around and whacked the wall, creating a dent. Was he falling in love with Shao-Huan just like Miaka said? But that was impossible! The person he loved was Hotohori! I'd better stay away from that girl. She's dangerous! Whew. Good thing we're leaving tomorrow.
********
Miaka quickly helped Shao-Huan dress and dusted the gown off for her. Then she held the vest up as Shao-Huan slid her arms through the holes.
"Shao-Huan, what do you think of Nuriko?" Miaka asked as she tied a sash around Shao-Huan's waist.
She turned. "Hm? What do you mean? He's a nice person and everything. I like him."
"Really? That's great!" Miaka finished helping Shao-Huan. "Nuriko, you can come in now!" she shouted.
He opened the door. "About time," he muttered under his breath. Then he froze. "Wow.. Shao-Huan, you look, you look gorgeous! Even more gorgeous than me!"
Miaka whacked him. "Of course she does! You're a man, for goodness sake! How can a man look prettier than a woman?!"
Nuriko poked her, a poke that knocked her to the ground. "You forget one thing, Miaka, I look and sound like a woman. Besides, the bandits at Ligé-San Mountain certainly thought I was a woman. And one much prettier than you. Shao-Huan, do you want me to help now?"
She sat down on a chair. "Thank you both so much for your help. Miao Tai-Tai doesn't have time to help me, what with all the preparations she must make."
Nuriko gently touched a brush to her hair and began combing. "Oh, can I take down your two loops?"
"Sure! I forgot all about them! No, wait, that's all right. I'll take it down myself. You're already helping me so much." She reached up and untied the ribbons, letting the hair fall down loose around her face. "Thank you, both of you. I really appreciate the two of you helping me."
Nuriko smiled. "No problem." He quietly gathered all of her hair and began braiding it, weaving in a red ribbon to top it off.
"Um, Nuriko? Are you sure Shao-Huan wants to do her hair like yours?"
"How dare you! My hairdo is perfect for any occasion! Unlike yours, which you change all the time!"
Miaka pushed her left sleeve up. "Is that a challenge I hear?"
"Yes!" Nuriko replied and flew at her, fists flying.
"Could the two of you please stop bickering? Do the two of you fight like this all the time? Miaka, this is fine. I thank you for your concern." Shao-Huan quietly put in.
Miaka stopped yanking on Nuriko's hair, and Nuriko punched Miaka one more time, which sent her flying to the wall.
"Sorry." He laughed sheepishly.
Shao-Huan smiled. "It's all right. It's just that I hate fighting of any kind." She thought for a moment. "Except when I'm in it, of course! I love fighting!"
Nuriko and Miaka gave each other weird looks and question marks rose all around them.
"Wait a minute, didn't you just say you hated fighting of any kind? And now you're saying you like it?! Did I hear you wrong or something?" Miaka asked.
"I was raised in a Wu-Shu school in this village. My parents taught me how to fight and use weapons, although the village didn't approve it of it since I was a girl. But what I meant was that as long as no one gets seriously hurt, I like to fight."
"Um, yeah, whatever. Now let me finish doing your hair. It's past noon."
"WHAT?! Already? Nuriko, why didn't you tell me?! I'm going to go get lunch! Bye!" Miaka ran out the room.
Nuriko and Shao-Huan blinked. "Ok, guess she's not going to help me," Nuriko said when he recovered. "Now let's see. I'm going to do your hair a bit differently from mine. I'm going to wrap it around your head. You mind?" He asked as he demonstrated. He wound the braid three times and pinned it down. He stepped back. "Hm. Looks nice. Now to put the headdress on.." He reached to his right and gently took the headdress. He carefully positioned it over her head and let the veil down to cover Shao-Huan's face.
"Thank you again, Nuriko," Shao-Huan said quietly from under the veil.
"Your welcome. Feels like I'm getting Kang-Lin dressed for her wedding. You know, the two of you have the same eyes. I, I miss her so much!" He choked out. He sat down next to Shao-Huan and tears began to fall. He quickly brushed them away and smiled at her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't cry, should I? Today's going to be the happiest day of your life. I shouldn't ruin it by doing this."
Shao-Huan gave him a hug. "It's all right. Cry all you want. Losing a loved one is always difficult." Her face clouded over. "I should know."
Miaka opened the door and stepped inside. "Nuriko-, oh, sorry, am I interrupting something? But I have to admit, Nuriko, you did a pretty nice job."
"Why thank y-" Nuriko started to say when the three of them heard screaming.
Suddenly, a gong rang through the village. Nuriko jumped up and grabbed Shao-Huan's hands. He yanked her with him and ran out of the room, the headdress toppling to the floor. Miaka speeded after them and entered the dining room just in time to see Nioh-An arming himself with a sword, although it wasn't the sword in the hidden room. Hotohori was standing next to him, fully armed.
"Nioh-An, Hotohori, what are the two of you doing?" Miaka exclaimed.
"Miaka, stay inside. The Qu-Dong soldiers have attacked Chang-Hong," Hotohori explained.
"What? Is it because of me?"
Hotohori didn't answer. He turned to Nuriko. "Protect the women and Miao Sifu. Nioh-An and I will be guarding the house from the outside."
"Got it." He grabbed Miaka and Shao-Huan. "The two of you come with me. Nioh-An showed me a safe place to hide yesterday."
"Nioh-An, I'm coming with you." Shao-Huan stood her ground and refused to let herself be pulled by Nuriko. "I can fight just as well as you. You know that."
Nioh-An stopped in mid-stride and turned back to Shao-Huan. "No. There is no possible way you are coming with Hotohori and me. You're in your bridal clothes for goodness sake!"
"You are, too!"
"It doesn't matter! At least it's easy for me to fight! You won't be able to defend yourself wearing a dress. Shao-Huan, please, listen to me, don't let yourself be killed! I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you died," he pleaded.
"Nioh-An's correct. Shao-Huan, stay with Miaka and Nuriko," Hotohori put in.
"But-"
"Nuriko, go," Nioh-An quietly commanded. He whirled around and left the room. Hotohori looked back once and left, too. The lock clicked behind them and the room was locked.
Nuriko pulled on Shao-Huan. "C'mon. Let's go. The two of them will be fine."
"Yeah, you don't know Hotohori. He won't let anyone through. And I'm sure Nioh-An won't either," Miaka comforted.
Shao-Huan angrily pushed the two of them away. "You think our safety is what I'm worried about? The two of them could die! Nioh-An's my fiancé! I don't want him to die! And don't you care about Hotohori? Do you understand just how strong the Qu-Dong soldiers are? They are ruthless! They killed my entire family! My entire family! Even my baby sister! I couldn't heal them in time! I only managed to escape because Nioh-An disguised me as his sister!" Tears were streaming down her cheeks now. "We have to stop them!"
"What? But you said your family drowned!" Miaka exclaimed.
"I lied, all right?! They were all slaughtered by the Qu-Dong soldiers fourteen years ago. I don't like people knowing the truth because then they'll just feel sorry for me! And I hate that!" Her eyes were beginning to glow now. "I'm going out now and no one, I repeat, no one, is going to stop me!"
"Shao-Huan, wait," Nuriko started to say.
She whirled on him. "Nuriko, not even you can stop me. If you even try, I'll sap your life chi!" she threatened. "Open this door for me," she commanded.
"But it's really dangerous out there," Nuriko pointed out.
"To heck with it all! I don't care!" Shao-Huan was beginning to have a wild look in her eyes. "I hid when my family was being slaughtered, but I won't hide again. Now will you open it or not? Or do I have to break the door down myself?"
"Miao Tai-Tai, come down! Shao-Huan's going to leave the house! Please, you have to stop her!" Miaka shouted.
Nuriko grabbed Shao-Huan's arms and held them back. "Do I have to restrain you and tie you down with rope? Calm down! The two of them will be fine!"
Shao-Huan said in a dangerous tone, "Let go. Or I shall sap your chi until you do."
"There's no way you can do that!" He exclaimed.
She placed a hand on Nuriko's arm. "Oh? Then how am I doing this?" Her eyes began glowing and a green light shimmered from around her.
Nuriko groaned and felt his strength leaving him. "H-how are you doing this?" He released her and collapsed, hitting the ground.
"Nuriko!" Miaka cried and ran over to him. Miao Tai-Tai hurried over to him, too.
"Shao-Huan, how can you do this?!" Miaka screamed. "You could have killed him!"
Miao Tai-Tai looked sadly at Shao-Huan. "Kwong-Tze, you still can't control these moods of yours?"
"Kwong-Tze? Who's that?" Miaka asked.
"It is my real name. I took the name Shao-Huan after the Qu-Dong soldiers killed my family."
Miao Tai-Tai turned to Miaka. "I think we should just let her go. Until she calms down, she'll stay like this." To Kwong-Tze, "Kwong-Tze, go. I brought this for you." She pulled something from underneath her and brought out a sword. "This was your father's. Use it wisely. And may Suzaku go with you." She bowed her head.
Kwong-Tze took the sword and unsheathed it. Miaka gasped. The sword from the hidden room!
She walked up to the door and brought it smashing down on the lock, causing it to break and fall down. "Nuriko, I'm sorry about what I had to do," were her last words before she left.
Chapter Three
As soon as the entire household finished breakfast, Miaka and Nuriko bounded over to Shao-Huan.
"Can we get start preparing you now? Please? Pretty pretty please?" Miaka begged.
"Yeah, can we help? I know I'm a boy and everything, but still, I have the soul of a woman!"
Miaka glared at Nuriko. "Hey, I asked first!"
Nuriko raised an eyebrow.
"Grrr." She turned to Shao-Huan. "So can I help?"
Shao-Huan smiled. "Both of you can help. Nuriko, you can help me with my hair and everything since you have more experience than Miaka."
Miaka frowned at Nuriko, who stuck his tongue at her.
The three of them went to Shao-Huan's room and got her wedding dress. Although Miaka and Nuriko had helped her choose her outfit, the two of them both gasped when she unfolded it and lifted it to the sun.
The cloth was ruby red silk with yellow butterflies on the sleeves. The vest had blue flowers embroidered on with green leaves. Miaka lifted part of the skirt up and spotted a blue skirt underneath.
"Shao-Huan, I'm saying this again. This is the prettiest wedding dress I've ever seen! Could I use it when I get married?"
"Who'd want to marry you?" Nuriko said under his breath.
Miaka glared at him. "Tamahome, that's who!"
Nuriko sweat dropped. "Tamahome? Are you nuts? First of all, why would he want to marry you? You're a glutton! He'd go broke because of all the food you'll eat! And you know how much he loves money! And-"
"Nuriko, that's enough out of you. Miaka, of course you may use this."
Nuriko did his cute face. "Can I use it, too?"
"..."
"You're a boy, Nuriko," Shao-Huan kindly pointed out.
"I know!" he cheerfully replied.
Both Shao-Huan and Miaka looked at each other and tried not to laugh.
"Shao-Huan, why don't you put your dress on? Then Nuriko and I can help you with your hair," Miaka suggested, changing the subject.
Shao-Huan nodded.
"Nuriko, go out for a minute, could you?"
He rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Miaka, whatever you say." He shut the door behind him, accidentally causing the entire room to shake.
Nuriko leaned against the wall and sighed. Seeing Shao-Huan reminded him of Kang-Lin all over again. Why were the two so similar? All right, they don't look the same, but the way they act and their eyes. He blew out. When were those two going to finish? He paced around a bit, his hand to his chin. Suddenly, he froze and his braid whipped around and whacked the wall, creating a dent. Was he falling in love with Shao-Huan just like Miaka said? But that was impossible! The person he loved was Hotohori! I'd better stay away from that girl. She's dangerous! Whew. Good thing we're leaving tomorrow.
********
Miaka quickly helped Shao-Huan dress and dusted the gown off for her. Then she held the vest up as Shao-Huan slid her arms through the holes.
"Shao-Huan, what do you think of Nuriko?" Miaka asked as she tied a sash around Shao-Huan's waist.
She turned. "Hm? What do you mean? He's a nice person and everything. I like him."
"Really? That's great!" Miaka finished helping Shao-Huan. "Nuriko, you can come in now!" she shouted.
He opened the door. "About time," he muttered under his breath. Then he froze. "Wow.. Shao-Huan, you look, you look gorgeous! Even more gorgeous than me!"
Miaka whacked him. "Of course she does! You're a man, for goodness sake! How can a man look prettier than a woman?!"
Nuriko poked her, a poke that knocked her to the ground. "You forget one thing, Miaka, I look and sound like a woman. Besides, the bandits at Ligé-San Mountain certainly thought I was a woman. And one much prettier than you. Shao-Huan, do you want me to help now?"
She sat down on a chair. "Thank you both so much for your help. Miao Tai-Tai doesn't have time to help me, what with all the preparations she must make."
Nuriko gently touched a brush to her hair and began combing. "Oh, can I take down your two loops?"
"Sure! I forgot all about them! No, wait, that's all right. I'll take it down myself. You're already helping me so much." She reached up and untied the ribbons, letting the hair fall down loose around her face. "Thank you, both of you. I really appreciate the two of you helping me."
Nuriko smiled. "No problem." He quietly gathered all of her hair and began braiding it, weaving in a red ribbon to top it off.
"Um, Nuriko? Are you sure Shao-Huan wants to do her hair like yours?"
"How dare you! My hairdo is perfect for any occasion! Unlike yours, which you change all the time!"
Miaka pushed her left sleeve up. "Is that a challenge I hear?"
"Yes!" Nuriko replied and flew at her, fists flying.
"Could the two of you please stop bickering? Do the two of you fight like this all the time? Miaka, this is fine. I thank you for your concern." Shao-Huan quietly put in.
Miaka stopped yanking on Nuriko's hair, and Nuriko punched Miaka one more time, which sent her flying to the wall.
"Sorry." He laughed sheepishly.
Shao-Huan smiled. "It's all right. It's just that I hate fighting of any kind." She thought for a moment. "Except when I'm in it, of course! I love fighting!"
Nuriko and Miaka gave each other weird looks and question marks rose all around them.
"Wait a minute, didn't you just say you hated fighting of any kind? And now you're saying you like it?! Did I hear you wrong or something?" Miaka asked.
"I was raised in a Wu-Shu school in this village. My parents taught me how to fight and use weapons, although the village didn't approve it of it since I was a girl. But what I meant was that as long as no one gets seriously hurt, I like to fight."
"Um, yeah, whatever. Now let me finish doing your hair. It's past noon."
"WHAT?! Already? Nuriko, why didn't you tell me?! I'm going to go get lunch! Bye!" Miaka ran out the room.
Nuriko and Shao-Huan blinked. "Ok, guess she's not going to help me," Nuriko said when he recovered. "Now let's see. I'm going to do your hair a bit differently from mine. I'm going to wrap it around your head. You mind?" He asked as he demonstrated. He wound the braid three times and pinned it down. He stepped back. "Hm. Looks nice. Now to put the headdress on.." He reached to his right and gently took the headdress. He carefully positioned it over her head and let the veil down to cover Shao-Huan's face.
"Thank you again, Nuriko," Shao-Huan said quietly from under the veil.
"Your welcome. Feels like I'm getting Kang-Lin dressed for her wedding. You know, the two of you have the same eyes. I, I miss her so much!" He choked out. He sat down next to Shao-Huan and tears began to fall. He quickly brushed them away and smiled at her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't cry, should I? Today's going to be the happiest day of your life. I shouldn't ruin it by doing this."
Shao-Huan gave him a hug. "It's all right. Cry all you want. Losing a loved one is always difficult." Her face clouded over. "I should know."
Miaka opened the door and stepped inside. "Nuriko-, oh, sorry, am I interrupting something? But I have to admit, Nuriko, you did a pretty nice job."
"Why thank y-" Nuriko started to say when the three of them heard screaming.
Suddenly, a gong rang through the village. Nuriko jumped up and grabbed Shao-Huan's hands. He yanked her with him and ran out of the room, the headdress toppling to the floor. Miaka speeded after them and entered the dining room just in time to see Nioh-An arming himself with a sword, although it wasn't the sword in the hidden room. Hotohori was standing next to him, fully armed.
"Nioh-An, Hotohori, what are the two of you doing?" Miaka exclaimed.
"Miaka, stay inside. The Qu-Dong soldiers have attacked Chang-Hong," Hotohori explained.
"What? Is it because of me?"
Hotohori didn't answer. He turned to Nuriko. "Protect the women and Miao Sifu. Nioh-An and I will be guarding the house from the outside."
"Got it." He grabbed Miaka and Shao-Huan. "The two of you come with me. Nioh-An showed me a safe place to hide yesterday."
"Nioh-An, I'm coming with you." Shao-Huan stood her ground and refused to let herself be pulled by Nuriko. "I can fight just as well as you. You know that."
Nioh-An stopped in mid-stride and turned back to Shao-Huan. "No. There is no possible way you are coming with Hotohori and me. You're in your bridal clothes for goodness sake!"
"You are, too!"
"It doesn't matter! At least it's easy for me to fight! You won't be able to defend yourself wearing a dress. Shao-Huan, please, listen to me, don't let yourself be killed! I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you died," he pleaded.
"Nioh-An's correct. Shao-Huan, stay with Miaka and Nuriko," Hotohori put in.
"But-"
"Nuriko, go," Nioh-An quietly commanded. He whirled around and left the room. Hotohori looked back once and left, too. The lock clicked behind them and the room was locked.
Nuriko pulled on Shao-Huan. "C'mon. Let's go. The two of them will be fine."
"Yeah, you don't know Hotohori. He won't let anyone through. And I'm sure Nioh-An won't either," Miaka comforted.
Shao-Huan angrily pushed the two of them away. "You think our safety is what I'm worried about? The two of them could die! Nioh-An's my fiancé! I don't want him to die! And don't you care about Hotohori? Do you understand just how strong the Qu-Dong soldiers are? They are ruthless! They killed my entire family! My entire family! Even my baby sister! I couldn't heal them in time! I only managed to escape because Nioh-An disguised me as his sister!" Tears were streaming down her cheeks now. "We have to stop them!"
"What? But you said your family drowned!" Miaka exclaimed.
"I lied, all right?! They were all slaughtered by the Qu-Dong soldiers fourteen years ago. I don't like people knowing the truth because then they'll just feel sorry for me! And I hate that!" Her eyes were beginning to glow now. "I'm going out now and no one, I repeat, no one, is going to stop me!"
"Shao-Huan, wait," Nuriko started to say.
She whirled on him. "Nuriko, not even you can stop me. If you even try, I'll sap your life chi!" she threatened. "Open this door for me," she commanded.
"But it's really dangerous out there," Nuriko pointed out.
"To heck with it all! I don't care!" Shao-Huan was beginning to have a wild look in her eyes. "I hid when my family was being slaughtered, but I won't hide again. Now will you open it or not? Or do I have to break the door down myself?"
"Miao Tai-Tai, come down! Shao-Huan's going to leave the house! Please, you have to stop her!" Miaka shouted.
Nuriko grabbed Shao-Huan's arms and held them back. "Do I have to restrain you and tie you down with rope? Calm down! The two of them will be fine!"
Shao-Huan said in a dangerous tone, "Let go. Or I shall sap your chi until you do."
"There's no way you can do that!" He exclaimed.
She placed a hand on Nuriko's arm. "Oh? Then how am I doing this?" Her eyes began glowing and a green light shimmered from around her.
Nuriko groaned and felt his strength leaving him. "H-how are you doing this?" He released her and collapsed, hitting the ground.
"Nuriko!" Miaka cried and ran over to him. Miao Tai-Tai hurried over to him, too.
"Shao-Huan, how can you do this?!" Miaka screamed. "You could have killed him!"
Miao Tai-Tai looked sadly at Shao-Huan. "Kwong-Tze, you still can't control these moods of yours?"
"Kwong-Tze? Who's that?" Miaka asked.
"It is my real name. I took the name Shao-Huan after the Qu-Dong soldiers killed my family."
Miao Tai-Tai turned to Miaka. "I think we should just let her go. Until she calms down, she'll stay like this." To Kwong-Tze, "Kwong-Tze, go. I brought this for you." She pulled something from underneath her and brought out a sword. "This was your father's. Use it wisely. And may Suzaku go with you." She bowed her head.
Kwong-Tze took the sword and unsheathed it. Miaka gasped. The sword from the hidden room!
She walked up to the door and brought it smashing down on the lock, causing it to break and fall down. "Nuriko, I'm sorry about what I had to do," were her last words before she left.