Chapter 28 : Bittersweet
Narrator :
Seiryuu shifted uneasily in his comfy blue throne. "Easier said than done..." he muttered under his breath.
Seiryuu leaned forward, placing his elbows on his thighs as he placed his hands underneath his chin, supporting his head.
Seiryuu let out another sigh.
Now, how many times had he sighed? Was that the nth time he sighed in half an hour?
"Trouble, dear brother?" A smooth seductive voice purred.
Seiryuu looked up to his older brother leaning against a pillar seductively. His long silver hair was left untied and now cascaded down, caressing his back. He was completely stripped naked of all his accessories save for the silver necklace than hung from his slim, slender neck. His pure white shirt which was usually worn underneath his armour was unbuttoned, showing off the rippling muscles on his lean body. A simple pair of black pants tied with a deep navy blue sash completed the outfit which the barefooted God wore.
"Byakko," Seiryuu growled.
Byakko merely snickered.
"Listen," Seiryuu took a deep breath before continuing. "IfyouareheretobothermepleasegetloseforIambusysogoplaywithGenbuinstead," Seiryuu finished the long sentence in one breath.
Byakko let out a purr that sounded more like a chuckle. "Why, dear brother, am I such a pain? I believe not. I think that Suzaku is the topic here, isn't he?"
Seiryuu resisted the urge to bite off the head of his feline brother. Byakko always seemed to be the one who could read the minds of others. That, was an EXTREMELY irritating factor.
In the first place, who gave the white tiger god permission to come barging in his realm, half naked, disturbing the deep-in-thought dragon god?!
"It doesn't concern you... Go make out with Genbu. I'm sure you don't want anyone to disturb your beautiful making out session with Genbu," Seiryuu teased, satisfied that he now had the upper hand over his older brother.
Byakko's cheeks flushed a light shade of pink.
Byakko hissed angrily. "SHUT UP! AT LEAST I'M AT PEACE, YOU OVER GROWN LIZARD!"
Seiryuu roared back, his saliva splattering all over the place. "ANYONE IMBECILE FOOL CAN SEE THAT YOU'RE MAKING OUT, DEAR BROTHER, NOW, LEAVE!!!"
Byakko's pale face now flushed an unusual bright shade of red. "I wanted to help!" Byakko protested, almost whining.
That sentence completely threw Seiryuu off course. Did he just heard correctly? The ever so vain and self centred Byakko wanted to help the rude, loud and barbaric Seiryuu?!
Now, this wasn't something one heard everyday.
Seiryuu leaned back against the fluffy cushions. "What do you propose? After all he did broke a rule. I've been thinking about the whole thing all afternoon..." Seiryuu was suddenly cut off by Byakko's sarcastic remark.
"Oh please, you've only been using the puny brains of yours for half an hour!" Byakko rolled his eyes.
"It's unfair that Suzaku had the nerve to cheat! None of us did that!"
Byakko quickly looked away, his golden eyes filled with guilt. He now seemed so fascinated with the ancient carvings on the pillar he was leaning on.
Seiryuu stood up abruptly, roughly pushing his throne backwards until it collapsed behind him.
"WHAT!? YOU BLASTED ASSHOLES CHEATED TOO!?" Seiryuu's face turned a deep shade of purple.
"Oh, please calm down... It was Genbu who cheated first! I just followed his example! I mean, those sickening mortals would be oh so helpless without my help! I just had to help them!" whined Byakko, his golden eyes flickered mischievously.
Seiryuu stomped towards Byakko. Shoving his middle finger in Byakko's face, he shrieked into Byakko's sensitive ears, "YOU BLOODY BETTER HAVE A GOOD PLAN BEFORE I BLAST THAT SICKENING FACE OF YOURS INTO THE BOTTOMLESS OCEAN!!!"
Byakko chuckled nervously as he took several step back, almost tripping over the carpeted floor. Byakko reached into his pocket before pulling out an silver box, sprinkled with glittering sapphires. Seiryuu stared at it. "Big deal, it's just a stupid box..." Seiryuu's scaly tail swished lazily.
Byakko let out another purr. "This isn't a NORMAL box. Something, a little gift to help your Oracle."
Seiryuu stared at the box, raising an eyebrow. Byakko was someone who was not to be taken lightly. Being as sly as he was... Seiryuu could still remember his childhood days, filled with him stupidly falling for Byakko's childish pranks one after another. How could he be sure that this wasn't another prank?
Byakko yawned, bored. "Doubting me? Fine, I'll let that Chicken win this war..." Byakko placed the box back into his pocket.
Seiryuu hissed and snarled. "Give me that! I'll take it! This better be good..." Seiryuu grumbled as he began digging around Byakko's pocket, searching for the box. Seiryuu grabbed the box and pulled his hand out of Byakko's pocket. "Someone remind me to kill all the cats in my kingdom..." Seiryuu muttered.
"Wait, Byakko, what does it..." Seiryuu's question was left unanswered as the feline god had already dashed out of the door.
"In due time, brother... In due time..." Was all that Seiryuu could hear.
In Konan...
"Your highness!!! Your highness!!!" A young messenger barged into the throne room, his cheeks flushed, his clothes soaked in his perspiration.
Hotohori stood up as officials and servants alike rushed towards the lethargic man, trying to calm him down and help him in any way that they could. The man instead, pushed them away from him and bowed at Hotohori's feet, still panting.
"What brings you here? Is anything - " Hotohori's question was left trailing in the air as the messenger interrupted him.
"Jozen... Jozen... Dead! Villagers... Dead... MONSTER!!!" The man cried out as he panted heavily.
"Jozen?" Hotohori repeated, as the news took some time to sink in.
"JOZEN?!" Hotohori, repeated, now alarmed. Wasn't that the city Chiriko and Nuriko were heading off to?!
Hikari :
Somehow, everything and everyone began to move quickly again after Hikari, I mean... After 'I' left the building, everyone moved in an abnormal speed, it was as if as everything was in a fast forward mode.
Finally, the afternoon turned to dusk. People wearing elegant clothing began entering as waitresses and waiters alike ushered them to their seats. The normal mini restaurant was decorated with banners and expensive table cloths were laid out on the tables. Chairs replaced the normal wooden benches. Bowls and chopsticks were spread out on the table. Several smart looking waiters began serving high quality green tea for the invited guests.
I could see Ling's mother behind the counter, smiling widely at the guests. I knew why she was so excited and happy. The village chief's guests consisted of several merchants coming from other cities and villages. Some of them will be staying overnight here. If they liked the services here, every time they passed by this village, they would most probably be staying here again. And, that would mean more money. Ling's mother had always wanted to open up another inn, this time in the capital city. She just needed more money. Sure, business at the inn was booming but who knows, if some unknown rich merchant wanted to invest some money here and to help build another inn?
I watched worriedly as people began eating their dinner after the village chief finished his little 'thank you' speech.
Anytime now...
Anytime...
Wasn't there another way?! I began racking my brains, frantically thinking of a solution. I paced up and down, worrying. Finally, out of desperation, I got down on my knees. My hands clasped together with my head lowered, I began to pray. A waiter carrying a stack of dirty bowls passed through me casually.
Then, it struck me. I never really knew what happened, did I? All I could remember was when I woke up, I was in the forest, sleeping under a tree. I walked back to the village, just to see the whole village burnt to the ground. I was shocked and scared at first but managed to calm down and buried the charred remains of those who died in the fire.
I never knew what happened to the whole village. My guess was that there was a fire that spread wildly and was out of control...
But I couldn't explain what I was doing in the forest or why my whole body felt funny after waking up. I felt stronger, mentally and physically. As if I had grown much more powerful in my sleep. I soon found out that it was because, I now had powers. Strangely, I could use and control them effortlessly. It was as if I had them before...
Perhaps I had them when I was younger? I didn't know, couldn't know... I couldn't even recalled anything from my childhood. I went around travelling, practicing with my new found powers while looking for answers to my endless questions.
But it was a fruitless attempt. A stupid one at that too. Once, I was chased out of a village by an angry mob of villagers who were convinced that I was some sort of witch. A taboo. All because, I helped save a little girl from some thugs using my powers.
Perhaps, this amnesia was a retribution for being a taboo, a freak. Were the other seishis like me too? Considered a freak for having supernatural powers? But then again, their bodies bore the mark of a seishi. Now, people of Konan have always been praying for them haven't they?
Very few people knew that an Oracle existed. I too, was completely unaware of this until about a month before I was summoned. I tried committing suicide by jumping off a cliff but was saved by none other than Suzaku himself. For once, I felt glad, knowing that I wasn't a freak. I had a destiny to fulfil. I even had secret hopes that maybe the legendary miko had the answers to my questions about my childhood. And what happened to my village and why I had these powers. For Suzaku had told me, that these powers were not given by him. All that he provided me with was the ability of foresight.
Who, or what was I?
I was completely lost in my thoughts, not noticing or sensing the 'monster' approaching the inn...
Narrator :
"I think it's time..." A grey hooded figure began. Two other hooded figure simply nodded in agreement.
"She was not meant to know anything. If not, all our attempts will be fruitless!" The second figure said underneath the navy hooded cloak.
The last and tallest figure wearing a dark forest green cloak sighed sadly. The other two looked at his direction. "It is difficult, dear brother... But for the sake of everyone, for her safety..." The grey hooded figure crooned.
"Then, there is nothing we can do but to..." The green hooded figure paused, uncertain. Maybe, maybe he could just let her knew... No, no he couldn't... It was too dangerous. Damn Motoki...
"Just inform him of what to do, NOW!" His deep voice was filled with anger as he barked out the order harshly. The other two figures scurried off, obeying him.
Wasn't there another way?
Why can't everything be at peace?
Why must everyone be so greedy about power?
Could the power bring back all the lost childhood memories?
No, nothing can turn back time... Nothing, not even fate, could bring back those bittersweet memories...
Nothing...
Not even Motoki...
Damn the bitch Motoki...
If she wasn't so greedy, so foolish...
Maybe, just maybe, they could all be a big happy family...
"Like we once were... Okaa-san..." whispered the figure softly and sadly before he dissolved into thin air.
In Konan...
The brown hooded figure crept in silently, the slightly oversized cloak sweeping the marble floor. He made sure that he didn't not hit or touch anything. The figure stopped at Hikari's bed, pausing to look at the scene before him. The two male seishis were still fast asleep, snoring away. He looked down at the pale red head.
'Man, why am I always stuck doing the dirty job?' The figure groaned mentally.
Couldn't the others do it?! The figure bit his lower lip, his hand trembling as he placed it over Hikari's face. The unconscious girl let out a gasp. She couldn't breath. The hand had covered her nose and mouth. Her body trembled a little.
The figure began chanting softly the ancient words he knew so well. His hand gave out an eerie glow.
'For your sake... And ours...' the figure thought as he watched Hikari struggling, trying to get his hand off her face.
Suddenly, Hikari's eyes fluttered opened, revealing the a pair of green eyes filled with pain and confusion. She stared back at her attacker through the spaces in between his fingers.
The attacker pressed his hand down harder, now completely flattening her nose. Hikari's legs jerked and kicked a little. Her arms were useless. She could barely move them at all. No matter how hard she tried twisted and struggling, her attacker simply refused to let go, his grip was like vice. Hikari choked and coughed, trying desperately to call for help. However, whatever she said was muffled by the attacker's hand. His chanting got louder, loud enough for Hikari to hear what he was saying but not loud enough to wake the others.
Finally, Hikari closed her eyes in defeat as she made a quiet gargle noise. The attacker removed his hand from her face as he finished the last sentence of his wicked spell. He took a step back, his gaze still fixed on Hikari's now stiff and still body.
His spell was completed. He had served his purpose. Sure, there may be side effects of the spell but at least, for now, everyone was safe.
The brown hooded figure took another retreating step before shrinking into a small red ki ball. As if on cue, a cold gust of wind blew and the ki ball flew out of the open window.
Tasuki :
I opened my sleepy eyelids lazily, cursing under my breath. Even though I wore my black coat, I was still shivering from the cold. It was as if it was snowing in here...
It took a while before my eyes finally adjusted to the brightness of the daylight pouring into the room. I looked down at the floor, at the stupid white blanket that had slipped off me. It laid at my feet, covering my toes.
"Fucking blanket... No wonder it was so..." I let out a big yawn.
Damn.
How long had I been sleeping? I turned to look at Chichiri's sleeping form. Chichiri had a huge smile and on his and I couldn't help but to smile back. We were still holding hands, our fingers entwined with each other's.
My smile grew wider.
I now turned to my left only to see my hand underneath the soft blanket, attached to a living breathing lump hiding under the covers.
What the... Where on earth was Hikari?! I snatched back my hand from the lump. "Hikari?" I whispered her name out aloud.
The lump shifted a little.
Taking a deep breath, I yanked the covers off the lump.
What the...
"HIKARI?!"
Tamahome :
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realise that Miaka had awoken. She reached out to touch my face, placing a hand gently on my cheek.
"Tamahome..." She looked up at me smiling.
"Miaka! Daijoubu ka?!" I asked anxiously. Her face was slightly pale...
Miaka gave a small nod. I placed a hand over hers.
I heaved a sigh of relief as I tried to smile at her. I bit my lower lip, chewing on it nervously.
"Tamahome, what's the matter?"
"Nan demo nai..." I answered finally smiling despite sounding slightly harsh.
I pushed Miaka back down onto the bed when she tried getting up. "Rest. The physician said you needed a lot of rest..."
"Tamahome, is everything, everyone I mean, alright?" Miaka asked worriedly.
I nodded quietly.
Somehow, something, somewhere... Everything didn't felt right... Wasn't I happy that Miaka had woken up?
Miaka...
Where did I go wrong?
I was so tempted to ask her right now if she wasn't in bed.
Suddenly, Miaka snatched back her hand. "Gomen..." She quickly turned to face the other side, refusing to look at me.
"Miaka..."
Miaka sniffed but remained silent.
"Miaka..." I called out her name lovingly again.
Once again, she sniffed but there was no reply.
I frowned. Fine, if that's the way she wants it to be...
I got up and left. Just as I was about to open the doors, Miaka jumped out of her bed as she rushed to stop me from leaving by hugging me from behind, her slender arms wrapping around my waist. She buried her face into my clothing. I froze and stiffened, my hand still on the doorknob.
"Tamahome... Onegai..."
"Please what?!" I shot back rudely. I was beginning to feel irritated from the loss of sleep. "Since you don't want me to disturb you, I'll go find my siblings." I paused as I took a deep breath. "Perhaps, I'm not good enough for you, huh Miaka? Hotohori won your heart, is that it!?"
My heart was pounding loudly as the words tumbled out of my mouth. I felt Miaka's grip on my loosen. "You've rejected me... I... I don't know how I've insulted you... Did you know how hurt I was when you said you didn't want me anymore?! Did you know how worried I was when you were in danger last night?!" I raised my voice.
"Tamahome..." Miaka choked, shocked at how I was treating her. She released her grip.
"You know what?"
I turned the doorknob.
"I think we need some time alone."
I left the room hurried, not wanting to hear the sound of her crying.
Was I right to do this? She did hurt me...
A tear slid down my cheek.
And I probably hurt her too...
Was this the right thing to do? To reject her like how she rejected me without an explanation?
I froze in my tracks. No...
No this wasn't correct.
She had the right to dump me anytime... She had her own mind, own heart, own will...
Who was I to control who she loved?
I chuckled softly at this thought. I wiped away the tear with a flick from my finger.
I turned around when I heard my name being called.
Miaka stood there behind me. Tears rolled down her cheeks, dampening them. She had an unreadable expression written all over her face.
"Miaka, I..." I began.
Raising her hand high, she brought it down to my cheek.
Author's notes :
coughcoughIdonotownFushigiYuugicoughcough
GOMEN!!!!!!
I had a serious and terrible case of writer's block so that explained the long update...
Gomen, kept you guys waiting...
Okay, so what did Tasuki see and why did Miaka slap Tamahome? Oh no... Lovers fighting over some sort of miscommunication... This didn't happen in the series but who knows... Their love can't be so oh that perfect, can it? Bwa ha ha!!! Okay, so I find their love slightly irritating so be warned, this story isn't Tama n Miaka friendly... A little too late for that though...
List of Japanese words :
Nan demo nai – Nothing