Black feathers and midday kisses: Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I do NOT under any known circumstances own any fushigi yugi characters. (mumbles*But soon I shall take over the world withmy army of bishonen and we'll soon see who's laughing! Muah ha ha ha!!
Okay, enjoy this chappie! ^ u ^
Keone got up from reading the last sentence slowly, her mind filling with hate for her once-friend inside the Universe of the four Gods. How could she, that stupid ass jerk, get a boy that she just met to fall in love with her? How come she got to find a nice guy like that when she was left with the memories of...him. Those memories haunted her dreams every waking moment. How could she?
"Um, Keone-chan, are you okay?" Saiyuri spoke up finally. She could have sworn that for a second her friends eyes were filled with some unknown hate...An utterly blank, insipid look of loathing. But as soon as it had been there, it was replaced with a small smile.
"Just reminiscing...Hey I know! Do you guys want some cookies or something? I made some yesterday for my mom."
Saiyuri turned around to see if it was alright with Miyuki, but she the snoring girl spraddled out on the carpet next to the bed. She sighed. 'I guess that coffee this morning wore off already.'
"Well?"
She nodded. "Do you have any candy bars or anything? I'm in a real chocolat- y mood."
Keone rolled her eyes. "Of course! I almost forgot about the chocolator!" She smirked. "Remember when you ate all the chocolate in the lunch room after that pie eating contest?"
"How could I not? That was the best day of my Earthly life!"
"Be right back." She shut the door behind her.
She walked into her kitchen and raided the cookie jar for her secret stash of chocolate-y happiness and tip toed back up stairs. 'The least I need to worry about is my mom or someone coming home and finding me playing hooky.'
She came back to the room and set the plate down next to the book. At first she thought she was seeing things. When she looked at the book she saw a black tread lying on the page. She blinked but it was still there. "Hey, Saiyuri, was this here before?" She reached for the thread.
"Um, I guess so." She picked up a piece of chocolate idly.
When Keone picked the thread up, a black glow imminated from it.
Sairyuri closed her eyes in pure bliss as the chocolate hit her tongue. "This is so good! Did you make this too?" She turned to see her friend but the only thing remaining was an empty spot on the ground covered in black ash next to the book.
~~~~~^~~~~~ Aiko looked at her reflection in the river as crystalline droplets fell off the backs of her now dry hands. How long had it been since she'd last heard her friends? About half a week ago? No. It was only a few days ago. She sighed and leaned back on the bank looking up at the starlit sky.
The trio was only about two hours from the capital now, but she really didn't want to go. What if the guards were mean? What if there was something weird like a big gigantic dandelion attacking the capital right as they got there? 'Things are so weird here...I just wish that I could here my friends again...'
She picked up a small rock along the bank and sent it skipping merrily...until it hit something....
"Ow! Shit! Where am I?" Aiko jumped up at the sound.
"Ke-Keone?!"
She heard the gentle splashing of water and soon saw a moonlit figure of her old....enemy.
"You? Great! Now I'm stuck with you huh? I must have ate too much chocolate or something."
Aiko narrowed her eyes. "Gee. And here I thought-" She stopped suddenly as she heard footsteps behind her. Amiboshi poked his head out of the brush.
"Oi, I came to tell you dinner's ready...." He looked at Keone for a second. "Um, is this a friend?"
Aiko scoffed. "Yeah, only in an alternate universe."
She looked back at the wet form in front of her. 'Great. Now I know we have to help her...Oi veh.' "Do we have another blanket at the tents?"
"She can use mine I guess..."
Before Aiko or Amiboshi could say anything else Keone ran up to Amiboshi and hugged him. "Thank you sooo much! We could share if you want..." She pouted and looked him dead in the eye.
"Uh....Well, I don't think..." He was blushing hard.
"Please?" She nuzzled his shirt with her wet cheek. "It's not like I bite."
The young warrior just sighed. "I don't need to sorry. Why don't you show her back to the camp." He looked around at the deserted lakeside. "Aiko?" ~~~~~Aiko's POV~~~
That scank!!Eeeerrrr!! I hate her sometimes! She just comes up on him and starts this, this, this innocent junk!!!
"Look at me! I'm just the scankiest person around! Don't worry Amiboshi honey dear love!!!! I'll keep you warm at night! By the way, my name's Keone!" She kicked a large stone. "Hentai."
Great! And now I'm lost again!
I sigh and sit down on the soft grass. 'Am I jealous?' One side of my brain screams, "Well you have reason to be! Look at what she just did!" The other side whispered, "No! Why should you be? It's not like you care anyway! He's just some stupid person..Besides.Now he's all Keone's. Her little lap dog."
~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~^^;; She felt as though her heart was burning in her chest causing her vision to turn blurry. She could see fine, but her thoughts were so jumbled up that she couldn't think.
In the distance she saw smoke wafting up from some unknown place. She supposed it was the campfire and finally got up to follow it.
~~~~~~^ ^~~~~~~
"Hey, guess what I can do?" Suboshi said to Keone who was watching him intently.
"What's that.Shun right?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"Um, guess?"
"Oh, okay. Here, watch!" He took out his Ryuuseisui and put his hand above it. Not soon after, the ball started spinning.
"Awesome...That's really cool! How do you do it?"
Suboshi smiled a large smile. "Magic."
Amiboshi walked over to the fire. "Um, otouto...Have you seen Aiko?"
Suboshi shook his head. "How long has she been missing?"
About that time, a rustling sound came from the forest and Aiko emerged.
Keone rolled her eyes. "Look what the cat drug up."
"I'm going to bed," was all Aiko said as she past the small campfire.
~~~~~~~
The next day, the group finally reached the country's capital. The girls couldn't help but awe at the grandeur of the Chinese city. Busy city streets bustled with business. Childern ran through the streets playing and laughing whole heartedly.
The youngest twin shook his head. "Something's not right."
"What's not right Shun?" his brother questioned.
"It's just....The capital. Doesn't it seem a little bit too...black?"
He motioned towards the busy streets. All of the buildings and shops had at least some black on them.
"Well, maybe it's just what happened after the war."
Keone crossed her arms. "What war?"
Aiko scoffed. "Haven't you been paying attention? The war between Konan and Kutou! Duh!"
"Not it all."
"Son of a biscuit eater."
"Whatever. Let's just-" A ball hit her leg. "Ow! What the hell?"
A little boy about the age of ten ran towards them and cautiously picked up the ball. He wore a black and silver robe and had his silver hair flowing freely around his face. "Sorry miss."
"Brat.Just don't do it again."
"Why are you dressed so funny?"
Aiko could have sworn Keone was about to burst. "Don't you know anything about fashion?"
"I know that you look weird..."
"Listen you little jerk, If you don't stop I'll-"
"You'll do what?" A young man stepped in front of the small boy.
"Onii-chan's mad now!!" The kid smiled maliciously.
The boy ran a hand through his jet-black hair. "If I were you, I'd step away from my brother and leave him alone."
"So who are you? Mr. Big man on campus or something?" Keone huffed.
The boy smiled. "Of course!" He winked at Keone before turning away. "If you ever need a great costume to go with that mask of yours just yell."
"You little pimp!! Come back here!"
"You fit in well Keone." Aiko said with a smirk on her face.
"Oh shut up."
~~~~~
Aiko stared transfixed at the palace before her. Only one word could sum up her feelings, "Wow."
"Yeah. It's been ages since we came here, ne Shun?"
"Yeah..." Suboshi looked at the path sort of melancholy.
"Are you alright?" Aiko didn't understand why Suboshi had been so straight- faced and serious since they arrived at the capital. Something told her that he had some bad memories.
"I'm fine okay?" He looked around at the guards in front of the door. "So, what should we tell them?"
Keone smiled. "Well, we could just ask them if we could go in."
Aiko and Suboshi shot her weird looks.
"What?! It's worth a shot!"
"I have an idea guys," Aiko piped up, shaking off the since that Keone was a total idiot. "We could just tell them that I'm the priestess thing and I'm here with two seishi people and a friend and we need to talk to the emperor or whatever."
Suboshi was about to retort when a hand landed on his shoulder. He turned around and saw a large soldier standing above him. "Is there a problem here?"
Amiboshi looked at everyone and then back at the guard hopping that someone else would speak in their behave but no one moved. He took in a large breath. "I am Seiryuu shichiseishi Amiboshi and that is my brother Suboshi. This," he gestured towards Aiko, "is the Seiryuu no miko."
The guard gave them a disbelieving frown and yelled for his friend to come over. "Go to the emperor and tell him that there are people claiming to have the priestess." When he saw that the other guard just gawked at him he knocked him in the head and yelled, "Go now!!!"
The younger looking guard ran through the gates like his pants were on fire.
~~~~
Suboshi~~~~
'Back again, huh?' he leaned against the wall. 'Why does everything in my life have to center around this place?'
Suddenly a thought hit him. "Aniki, who is supposed to be the emperor? I thought that old fat dude died..."
Aniki blinked a few times trying to remember what happened. I wish that whole incident never happened. No river, no Suzaku, and...no Yui...I hate to admit it, but if none of that had happened, I would have never met her.
"Didn't the emperor have all those....girls?"
"Yeah, but Nakago killed them all. At least that's what I heard."
That new girl, Keone was sitting on the ground next to Aniki, but when she saw his guard down, she yawned and pretended to fall on him asleep. Aniki gave a kind of sigh and tried to push her of, but she held on tighter. He finally gave up.
I rolled my eyes and he wrote something on his arm. I looked down at the letters that appeared on my arm and laughed.
"What's up?"
I looked up at Aiko who was still standing. "Um, the sky?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Bad pun. I meant what are you laughing at?"
I pointed at Keone and Aniki who was trying yet again to stand up but to no success. That stupid girl...She rally gets on my nerves.
Aiko didn't even bother looking. She turned away and strode off to who- knows-where. I don't understand it. I know something's been going on between Aniki and her.but now she acts like she couldn't give a care. Girls troubles.... ~~~~~ The other guard came back in a few minutes and ushered them inside. The emperor was very interested in them. They walked through the all-to- familiar hallways of the palace, every few minutes they would stop because the girls were lagging behind, but they eventually arrived at two large and heavily decorated doors.
The guard pushed open the left door willing them to enter.
"Come in! Come in!" said a tubby man in a palace robe. "His highness has been waiting for you."
A female voice came from behind a big curtain that surrounded the thrown. "Leave us be, guard. I am to talk to them for my son." The curtain opened as the guard left to reveal a heavily ornamented woman in a blue robe. She pushed back a strand of her long black hair in order to talk without its interference.
"You claim to have the priestess with you. Show me."
Amiboshi put a hand on Aiko's shoulder who stepped forward. "My lady, I am Aiko. I-I'm the priestess of S-Seiryuu." She cursed herself mentally for having stuttered.
The woman smiled. "Thank the heavens!! We have waited two years for you!!" She threw her hands back. "I offer you my humble services. My son shall be very pleased."
"Y-your son?" Keone asked hesitantly.
"Yes. He has been out in the village for an hour. He shall return soon." Her smile widened. "Come! A feast is in order!"
"Is there chocolate?!" Aiko almost bounced with joy.
"Y-yes....If that is what you wish..."
"Oh my GOD!!! CHOCOLATE!!"
Keone leaned in towards Suboshi. "Now I know we're in trouble."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see." The teens were shown to their rooms; Keone and Aiko near the bath's and the twins not to far from the gardens and the girl's rooms. Aiko slumped down on the bed.
"I'm starting to like this place already!" She exclaimed as she felt the silken sheets underneath her. Keone had went to the bath's complaining about her hair and the complaining about the lake leaving Aiko to herself.
And before she knew it, she had dozed off wearing one of the palace Yukatas.... ~~~~~
Keone stepped in the hot water. A tingling sensation shot through her entire body.
The bath houses were outside surrounded by many cherry trees, which, at the time, were in the last stage of their bloom. She tilted her head back into the luke warm water wishing that the bath would last forever, then she heard a noise. It sounded like a twig snapping.
She shot back out of the water. "Hello? Who's there?"
No reply.
"Darn squirrels." She again started to dive under the water when she heard a snicker.
"I know someone's there!!! Come out pervert!!"
This time she was greated by a jovial laugh. "Now what have we got here?"
"Who are you!" She took her towel and slipped it around her protectively.
"No one that would matter to you."
That voice...It was..."You!!!" She pointed to where she had heard him before. "Why are YOU peeping on me?!"
A shadowed figure stepped out from behind a tree, his jet black hair gleaming in the twilight sun. "You remember me eh?"
"G-get out! You pervert!!"
He clicked his tongue. "Now now! Is that any way to talk about the emperor?"
Keone let her towel slip. Him? The emperor!! "I-I don't care who you are! Get out!! NOW!!"
The boy strode over to the side of the bath. "You got your towel wet you know that?" He smirked.
"Get out!!!"
"Fine fine." He opened the door again. "By the way, the name's Yuan. Ja!"
Keone was furious to say the least. 'If that dude's the emperor, I'm doomed as hell!' ~~~~
The brothers made their way to the dining hall. The lady from before was there along with Keone, who was in a very flustered sate. Keone looked up at the twins.
"Hey guys! Where'd the butt-head go?"
"She's our priestess." Amiboshi muttered.
"Oh...Well, she's a brat to me."
Suboshi leaned in and whispered something that made his brother laugh.
"What? What's so funny?"
"N-nothing!" Suboshi covered up. "Why don't you go get her Aniki?" He elbowed his brother.
"Oh...Uh, sure...I will be back soon."
He walked out of the hall thankful that he didn't have to put up with Keone for a while. 'That girl pushes my buttons. I wonder why she's so upset? She didn't even say hi...Thank Seiryuu she didn't.'
He turned the last corner and arrived at the girl's rooms. He knocked on the door, but no one answered. He knocked again. Still no answer. Finally, he pushed open the door.
"Aiko? It's time for dinner." He peeked inside.
The breath caught in his throat as he looked in. Aiko was sprawled out on the first bed sleeping soundly, her hair fanned gently over the pillows. Her room was unbelievably cold from the midday storm that still raged outside and she shivered slightly.
Amiboshi stepped inside and closed the door. The faint pitter-patter of rain droplets hitting her window made a haunting yet soothing melody. He didn't dare move again in fear of waking her.
Aiko turned over in her sleep and started mumbling something. Cautiously Amiboshi walked closer trying to hear what she was dreaming about. Every step, in his mind, sounded like an elephant. Every minute that passed seemed an eternity.
Gently he bent down and ran his hand through her fine locks. It was like silk he thought. Then, it happened. All at once, Aiko grabbed his hand in her sleep and turned over dragging him with her. He felt his face turn scarlet. He was inches from falling on her. Over and over he cursed himself mentally. 'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Shit!'
He tried to wriggle free but she kept a firm grip on his hand. In his last feeble attempt, he put his other hand beside her head and tried pulling in the other direction. This time, he managed to pull his arm free of one of hers, but she started to turn again. He watched her face grow paler in fear. Whatever she was dreaming, it must have been a nightmare. Tears started rolling down her cheeks and she looked like she was lost or...afraid of something.
"Keone...don't go...don't take...away..." she mumbled next to his hand. He had no choice. He laid down on the pillow next to her and wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug. Aiko stopped moving and muttering things. Silently she fell into an even deeper slumber feeling a warmth envelope.
Amiboshi tried to calm her down. Aiko could hear a distant voice whispering things. Telling her...she was alright...nothing was wrong...I'm here. Slowly she started to regain consciousness. She felt a tickle in her ear and someone say, "You're safe now...just go back to sleep."
Slowly she opened her eyes still not aware of what was happening. She saw Amiboshi...holding her...wait a minute here! There was something majorly wrong with this picture!
Her eyes widened when she realized the full extent of what was happening. He was holding her! In her bed!! She went to slap the living daylights out of him. Her hand got halfway to its desired designation then stopped. Should she slap him, he'd let go and leave her. She didn't want that. Resting her hand on the back of his neck she drew in all the warmth she would allow herself to feel.
"I see you're awake," the voice said again.
Aiko's eyes snapped open and she felt a light blush paint her cheeks. She smiled up at him. "Uh, yeah..."
"I came in to tell you that the, um, feast was ready..." He started to disentangle himself but was stopped by Aiko.
"It can wait. I just w-want to stay in here for a little bit."
Amiboshi smiled and went back to his previous spot.
~~~
Suboshi twirled his rice around. What was taking his brother so long? He hadn't felt anything from their link.so, what was wrong?
A black-haired man had just stepped into the room. "Hello mother. Wasn't I invited?" He crossed his arms and feigned a pout.
"Oh, of course you were. This is my first son, Yuan."
Yuan smiled and winked at Keone who snorted and turned away blushing with fury.
"He is the emperor and also a seishi."
Suboshi almost jumped out of his skin. "What did you say?"
Yuan took the seat next to Keone across from Suboshi. "You heard right my dear fellow! I am Seiryuu's finest, shichiseishi Tomo at your service."
Keone raised an eyebrow at Suboshi who had dropped his chopsticks and went rigid at the name Tomo.
"Oh dear God..."was the only thing heard in the almost absolute silence following the initial reaction.
~~~~~
There! See? I did it! Ha ha ha! One seishi found!
So what do you think? This chapter was a real sap! I thought sap was pouring out of my ears while writing the last part, but hey! Who could live without their daily amount of sap?
I hope to post the next chapter when Christmas holidays start here. I only have three weeks till then, and no spare time for a while. - -;;; Rose is right. School feeds off of your energy and leaves you high and dry after a few weeks of torture.
See you guys latter! Fell free to review if you want to! I like getting them in my mailbox, but as long as people at least read this, I'll keep it going. Not getting a load of reviews is not going to kill me. Trust me on that one. ^ ^;;
Ja ne wani! ~Amanda
Disclaimer: I do NOT under any known circumstances own any fushigi yugi characters. (mumbles*But soon I shall take over the world withmy army of bishonen and we'll soon see who's laughing! Muah ha ha ha!!
Okay, enjoy this chappie! ^ u ^
Keone got up from reading the last sentence slowly, her mind filling with hate for her once-friend inside the Universe of the four Gods. How could she, that stupid ass jerk, get a boy that she just met to fall in love with her? How come she got to find a nice guy like that when she was left with the memories of...him. Those memories haunted her dreams every waking moment. How could she?
"Um, Keone-chan, are you okay?" Saiyuri spoke up finally. She could have sworn that for a second her friends eyes were filled with some unknown hate...An utterly blank, insipid look of loathing. But as soon as it had been there, it was replaced with a small smile.
"Just reminiscing...Hey I know! Do you guys want some cookies or something? I made some yesterday for my mom."
Saiyuri turned around to see if it was alright with Miyuki, but she the snoring girl spraddled out on the carpet next to the bed. She sighed. 'I guess that coffee this morning wore off already.'
"Well?"
She nodded. "Do you have any candy bars or anything? I'm in a real chocolat- y mood."
Keone rolled her eyes. "Of course! I almost forgot about the chocolator!" She smirked. "Remember when you ate all the chocolate in the lunch room after that pie eating contest?"
"How could I not? That was the best day of my Earthly life!"
"Be right back." She shut the door behind her.
She walked into her kitchen and raided the cookie jar for her secret stash of chocolate-y happiness and tip toed back up stairs. 'The least I need to worry about is my mom or someone coming home and finding me playing hooky.'
She came back to the room and set the plate down next to the book. At first she thought she was seeing things. When she looked at the book she saw a black tread lying on the page. She blinked but it was still there. "Hey, Saiyuri, was this here before?" She reached for the thread.
"Um, I guess so." She picked up a piece of chocolate idly.
When Keone picked the thread up, a black glow imminated from it.
Sairyuri closed her eyes in pure bliss as the chocolate hit her tongue. "This is so good! Did you make this too?" She turned to see her friend but the only thing remaining was an empty spot on the ground covered in black ash next to the book.
~~~~~^~~~~~ Aiko looked at her reflection in the river as crystalline droplets fell off the backs of her now dry hands. How long had it been since she'd last heard her friends? About half a week ago? No. It was only a few days ago. She sighed and leaned back on the bank looking up at the starlit sky.
The trio was only about two hours from the capital now, but she really didn't want to go. What if the guards were mean? What if there was something weird like a big gigantic dandelion attacking the capital right as they got there? 'Things are so weird here...I just wish that I could here my friends again...'
She picked up a small rock along the bank and sent it skipping merrily...until it hit something....
"Ow! Shit! Where am I?" Aiko jumped up at the sound.
"Ke-Keone?!"
She heard the gentle splashing of water and soon saw a moonlit figure of her old....enemy.
"You? Great! Now I'm stuck with you huh? I must have ate too much chocolate or something."
Aiko narrowed her eyes. "Gee. And here I thought-" She stopped suddenly as she heard footsteps behind her. Amiboshi poked his head out of the brush.
"Oi, I came to tell you dinner's ready...." He looked at Keone for a second. "Um, is this a friend?"
Aiko scoffed. "Yeah, only in an alternate universe."
She looked back at the wet form in front of her. 'Great. Now I know we have to help her...Oi veh.' "Do we have another blanket at the tents?"
"She can use mine I guess..."
Before Aiko or Amiboshi could say anything else Keone ran up to Amiboshi and hugged him. "Thank you sooo much! We could share if you want..." She pouted and looked him dead in the eye.
"Uh....Well, I don't think..." He was blushing hard.
"Please?" She nuzzled his shirt with her wet cheek. "It's not like I bite."
The young warrior just sighed. "I don't need to sorry. Why don't you show her back to the camp." He looked around at the deserted lakeside. "Aiko?" ~~~~~Aiko's POV~~~
That scank!!Eeeerrrr!! I hate her sometimes! She just comes up on him and starts this, this, this innocent junk!!!
"Look at me! I'm just the scankiest person around! Don't worry Amiboshi honey dear love!!!! I'll keep you warm at night! By the way, my name's Keone!" She kicked a large stone. "Hentai."
Great! And now I'm lost again!
I sigh and sit down on the soft grass. 'Am I jealous?' One side of my brain screams, "Well you have reason to be! Look at what she just did!" The other side whispered, "No! Why should you be? It's not like you care anyway! He's just some stupid person..Besides.Now he's all Keone's. Her little lap dog."
~~~~~^~~~~^~~~~~~^~~~~~^^;; She felt as though her heart was burning in her chest causing her vision to turn blurry. She could see fine, but her thoughts were so jumbled up that she couldn't think.
In the distance she saw smoke wafting up from some unknown place. She supposed it was the campfire and finally got up to follow it.
~~~~~~^ ^~~~~~~
"Hey, guess what I can do?" Suboshi said to Keone who was watching him intently.
"What's that.Shun right?"
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"Um, guess?"
"Oh, okay. Here, watch!" He took out his Ryuuseisui and put his hand above it. Not soon after, the ball started spinning.
"Awesome...That's really cool! How do you do it?"
Suboshi smiled a large smile. "Magic."
Amiboshi walked over to the fire. "Um, otouto...Have you seen Aiko?"
Suboshi shook his head. "How long has she been missing?"
About that time, a rustling sound came from the forest and Aiko emerged.
Keone rolled her eyes. "Look what the cat drug up."
"I'm going to bed," was all Aiko said as she past the small campfire.
~~~~~~~
The next day, the group finally reached the country's capital. The girls couldn't help but awe at the grandeur of the Chinese city. Busy city streets bustled with business. Childern ran through the streets playing and laughing whole heartedly.
The youngest twin shook his head. "Something's not right."
"What's not right Shun?" his brother questioned.
"It's just....The capital. Doesn't it seem a little bit too...black?"
He motioned towards the busy streets. All of the buildings and shops had at least some black on them.
"Well, maybe it's just what happened after the war."
Keone crossed her arms. "What war?"
Aiko scoffed. "Haven't you been paying attention? The war between Konan and Kutou! Duh!"
"Not it all."
"Son of a biscuit eater."
"Whatever. Let's just-" A ball hit her leg. "Ow! What the hell?"
A little boy about the age of ten ran towards them and cautiously picked up the ball. He wore a black and silver robe and had his silver hair flowing freely around his face. "Sorry miss."
"Brat.Just don't do it again."
"Why are you dressed so funny?"
Aiko could have sworn Keone was about to burst. "Don't you know anything about fashion?"
"I know that you look weird..."
"Listen you little jerk, If you don't stop I'll-"
"You'll do what?" A young man stepped in front of the small boy.
"Onii-chan's mad now!!" The kid smiled maliciously.
The boy ran a hand through his jet-black hair. "If I were you, I'd step away from my brother and leave him alone."
"So who are you? Mr. Big man on campus or something?" Keone huffed.
The boy smiled. "Of course!" He winked at Keone before turning away. "If you ever need a great costume to go with that mask of yours just yell."
"You little pimp!! Come back here!"
"You fit in well Keone." Aiko said with a smirk on her face.
"Oh shut up."
~~~~~
Aiko stared transfixed at the palace before her. Only one word could sum up her feelings, "Wow."
"Yeah. It's been ages since we came here, ne Shun?"
"Yeah..." Suboshi looked at the path sort of melancholy.
"Are you alright?" Aiko didn't understand why Suboshi had been so straight- faced and serious since they arrived at the capital. Something told her that he had some bad memories.
"I'm fine okay?" He looked around at the guards in front of the door. "So, what should we tell them?"
Keone smiled. "Well, we could just ask them if we could go in."
Aiko and Suboshi shot her weird looks.
"What?! It's worth a shot!"
"I have an idea guys," Aiko piped up, shaking off the since that Keone was a total idiot. "We could just tell them that I'm the priestess thing and I'm here with two seishi people and a friend and we need to talk to the emperor or whatever."
Suboshi was about to retort when a hand landed on his shoulder. He turned around and saw a large soldier standing above him. "Is there a problem here?"
Amiboshi looked at everyone and then back at the guard hopping that someone else would speak in their behave but no one moved. He took in a large breath. "I am Seiryuu shichiseishi Amiboshi and that is my brother Suboshi. This," he gestured towards Aiko, "is the Seiryuu no miko."
The guard gave them a disbelieving frown and yelled for his friend to come over. "Go to the emperor and tell him that there are people claiming to have the priestess." When he saw that the other guard just gawked at him he knocked him in the head and yelled, "Go now!!!"
The younger looking guard ran through the gates like his pants were on fire.
~~~~
Suboshi~~~~
'Back again, huh?' he leaned against the wall. 'Why does everything in my life have to center around this place?'
Suddenly a thought hit him. "Aniki, who is supposed to be the emperor? I thought that old fat dude died..."
Aniki blinked a few times trying to remember what happened. I wish that whole incident never happened. No river, no Suzaku, and...no Yui...I hate to admit it, but if none of that had happened, I would have never met her.
"Didn't the emperor have all those....girls?"
"Yeah, but Nakago killed them all. At least that's what I heard."
That new girl, Keone was sitting on the ground next to Aniki, but when she saw his guard down, she yawned and pretended to fall on him asleep. Aniki gave a kind of sigh and tried to push her of, but she held on tighter. He finally gave up.
I rolled my eyes and he wrote something on his arm. I looked down at the letters that appeared on my arm and laughed.
"What's up?"
I looked up at Aiko who was still standing. "Um, the sky?"
She wrinkled her nose. "Bad pun. I meant what are you laughing at?"
I pointed at Keone and Aniki who was trying yet again to stand up but to no success. That stupid girl...She rally gets on my nerves.
Aiko didn't even bother looking. She turned away and strode off to who- knows-where. I don't understand it. I know something's been going on between Aniki and her.but now she acts like she couldn't give a care. Girls troubles.... ~~~~~ The other guard came back in a few minutes and ushered them inside. The emperor was very interested in them. They walked through the all-to- familiar hallways of the palace, every few minutes they would stop because the girls were lagging behind, but they eventually arrived at two large and heavily decorated doors.
The guard pushed open the left door willing them to enter.
"Come in! Come in!" said a tubby man in a palace robe. "His highness has been waiting for you."
A female voice came from behind a big curtain that surrounded the thrown. "Leave us be, guard. I am to talk to them for my son." The curtain opened as the guard left to reveal a heavily ornamented woman in a blue robe. She pushed back a strand of her long black hair in order to talk without its interference.
"You claim to have the priestess with you. Show me."
Amiboshi put a hand on Aiko's shoulder who stepped forward. "My lady, I am Aiko. I-I'm the priestess of S-Seiryuu." She cursed herself mentally for having stuttered.
The woman smiled. "Thank the heavens!! We have waited two years for you!!" She threw her hands back. "I offer you my humble services. My son shall be very pleased."
"Y-your son?" Keone asked hesitantly.
"Yes. He has been out in the village for an hour. He shall return soon." Her smile widened. "Come! A feast is in order!"
"Is there chocolate?!" Aiko almost bounced with joy.
"Y-yes....If that is what you wish..."
"Oh my GOD!!! CHOCOLATE!!"
Keone leaned in towards Suboshi. "Now I know we're in trouble."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see." The teens were shown to their rooms; Keone and Aiko near the bath's and the twins not to far from the gardens and the girl's rooms. Aiko slumped down on the bed.
"I'm starting to like this place already!" She exclaimed as she felt the silken sheets underneath her. Keone had went to the bath's complaining about her hair and the complaining about the lake leaving Aiko to herself.
And before she knew it, she had dozed off wearing one of the palace Yukatas.... ~~~~~
Keone stepped in the hot water. A tingling sensation shot through her entire body.
The bath houses were outside surrounded by many cherry trees, which, at the time, were in the last stage of their bloom. She tilted her head back into the luke warm water wishing that the bath would last forever, then she heard a noise. It sounded like a twig snapping.
She shot back out of the water. "Hello? Who's there?"
No reply.
"Darn squirrels." She again started to dive under the water when she heard a snicker.
"I know someone's there!!! Come out pervert!!"
This time she was greated by a jovial laugh. "Now what have we got here?"
"Who are you!" She took her towel and slipped it around her protectively.
"No one that would matter to you."
That voice...It was..."You!!!" She pointed to where she had heard him before. "Why are YOU peeping on me?!"
A shadowed figure stepped out from behind a tree, his jet black hair gleaming in the twilight sun. "You remember me eh?"
"G-get out! You pervert!!"
He clicked his tongue. "Now now! Is that any way to talk about the emperor?"
Keone let her towel slip. Him? The emperor!! "I-I don't care who you are! Get out!! NOW!!"
The boy strode over to the side of the bath. "You got your towel wet you know that?" He smirked.
"Get out!!!"
"Fine fine." He opened the door again. "By the way, the name's Yuan. Ja!"
Keone was furious to say the least. 'If that dude's the emperor, I'm doomed as hell!' ~~~~
The brothers made their way to the dining hall. The lady from before was there along with Keone, who was in a very flustered sate. Keone looked up at the twins.
"Hey guys! Where'd the butt-head go?"
"She's our priestess." Amiboshi muttered.
"Oh...Well, she's a brat to me."
Suboshi leaned in and whispered something that made his brother laugh.
"What? What's so funny?"
"N-nothing!" Suboshi covered up. "Why don't you go get her Aniki?" He elbowed his brother.
"Oh...Uh, sure...I will be back soon."
He walked out of the hall thankful that he didn't have to put up with Keone for a while. 'That girl pushes my buttons. I wonder why she's so upset? She didn't even say hi...Thank Seiryuu she didn't.'
He turned the last corner and arrived at the girl's rooms. He knocked on the door, but no one answered. He knocked again. Still no answer. Finally, he pushed open the door.
"Aiko? It's time for dinner." He peeked inside.
The breath caught in his throat as he looked in. Aiko was sprawled out on the first bed sleeping soundly, her hair fanned gently over the pillows. Her room was unbelievably cold from the midday storm that still raged outside and she shivered slightly.
Amiboshi stepped inside and closed the door. The faint pitter-patter of rain droplets hitting her window made a haunting yet soothing melody. He didn't dare move again in fear of waking her.
Aiko turned over in her sleep and started mumbling something. Cautiously Amiboshi walked closer trying to hear what she was dreaming about. Every step, in his mind, sounded like an elephant. Every minute that passed seemed an eternity.
Gently he bent down and ran his hand through her fine locks. It was like silk he thought. Then, it happened. All at once, Aiko grabbed his hand in her sleep and turned over dragging him with her. He felt his face turn scarlet. He was inches from falling on her. Over and over he cursed himself mentally. 'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Shit!'
He tried to wriggle free but she kept a firm grip on his hand. In his last feeble attempt, he put his other hand beside her head and tried pulling in the other direction. This time, he managed to pull his arm free of one of hers, but she started to turn again. He watched her face grow paler in fear. Whatever she was dreaming, it must have been a nightmare. Tears started rolling down her cheeks and she looked like she was lost or...afraid of something.
"Keone...don't go...don't take...away..." she mumbled next to his hand. He had no choice. He laid down on the pillow next to her and wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug. Aiko stopped moving and muttering things. Silently she fell into an even deeper slumber feeling a warmth envelope.
Amiboshi tried to calm her down. Aiko could hear a distant voice whispering things. Telling her...she was alright...nothing was wrong...I'm here. Slowly she started to regain consciousness. She felt a tickle in her ear and someone say, "You're safe now...just go back to sleep."
Slowly she opened her eyes still not aware of what was happening. She saw Amiboshi...holding her...wait a minute here! There was something majorly wrong with this picture!
Her eyes widened when she realized the full extent of what was happening. He was holding her! In her bed!! She went to slap the living daylights out of him. Her hand got halfway to its desired designation then stopped. Should she slap him, he'd let go and leave her. She didn't want that. Resting her hand on the back of his neck she drew in all the warmth she would allow herself to feel.
"I see you're awake," the voice said again.
Aiko's eyes snapped open and she felt a light blush paint her cheeks. She smiled up at him. "Uh, yeah..."
"I came in to tell you that the, um, feast was ready..." He started to disentangle himself but was stopped by Aiko.
"It can wait. I just w-want to stay in here for a little bit."
Amiboshi smiled and went back to his previous spot.
~~~
Suboshi twirled his rice around. What was taking his brother so long? He hadn't felt anything from their link.so, what was wrong?
A black-haired man had just stepped into the room. "Hello mother. Wasn't I invited?" He crossed his arms and feigned a pout.
"Oh, of course you were. This is my first son, Yuan."
Yuan smiled and winked at Keone who snorted and turned away blushing with fury.
"He is the emperor and also a seishi."
Suboshi almost jumped out of his skin. "What did you say?"
Yuan took the seat next to Keone across from Suboshi. "You heard right my dear fellow! I am Seiryuu's finest, shichiseishi Tomo at your service."
Keone raised an eyebrow at Suboshi who had dropped his chopsticks and went rigid at the name Tomo.
"Oh dear God..."was the only thing heard in the almost absolute silence following the initial reaction.
~~~~~
There! See? I did it! Ha ha ha! One seishi found!
So what do you think? This chapter was a real sap! I thought sap was pouring out of my ears while writing the last part, but hey! Who could live without their daily amount of sap?
I hope to post the next chapter when Christmas holidays start here. I only have three weeks till then, and no spare time for a while. - -;;; Rose is right. School feeds off of your energy and leaves you high and dry after a few weeks of torture.
See you guys latter! Fell free to review if you want to! I like getting them in my mailbox, but as long as people at least read this, I'll keep it going. Not getting a load of reviews is not going to kill me. Trust me on that one. ^ ^;;
Ja ne wani! ~Amanda