Twin Rivalry

Disclaimer:

I do not own any Sailor Moon or Fushigi Yuugi!

Last Chapter: Usagi stuns the Seiryuu Warriors with her appetite while Amiboshi and Minako have an unexpected meeting with each other in the moonlight. The next day, the Suzaku Warrior and their priestess, head out to look for the final seishi when they are attacked by the Seiryuu assassins. Escaping this, they camp at night while Amiboshi and Suboshi, who's in the Seiryuu palace, are stranded in their thoughts.

Chapter 5: The Fire Bandit and Advice

Minako tried to keep her eyes open as her grip on the reins tightened. She wasn't able to sleep well that night since her mind wouldn't stop thinking. She thought about what her life was leading her to, her missing sister, Usagi, these weird feelings for Amiboshi. And many others stuff invaded her that night as well.

Minako felt her eyes shut close from exhausted when she felt strong arms hold her from falling off her horse. The blonde opened her eyes to see Nuriko.

"You ok?" he asked in a worried tone.

He had his left arms wrapped around her back for support as he as held on his horse. Minako realized that she had almost fallen off while snoozing off.

"Yeah, thanks Nuriko" Minako said nervously giggling while trying to get a comfortable position on her horse again.

Hotohori, the second in the lead, turned around to Nuriko and Minako.

"What's the matter?" he asked when seeing them fall behind.

Amiboshi and the others stopped and turn around as well. He felt guilt form at the bottom of his stomach when seeing Minako. Amiboshi was the closes to her then Nuriko and if he was paying attention, he could have helped her instead.

"Nothing, I'm fine" Minako confided as she gave them all assuring smiles.

Falling for Minako's winning grin, Hotohori nodded and tugged his horse towards the direction they were heading just seconds ago. The rest fallowed suite as Minako tried to keep her eyes open again. She tried to look around to get the tired feeling out of her.

The priestess noticed that Nuriko had kept his horse in pace with hers as Hotohori and Amiboshi slowed down theirs for her to catch up. Minako couldn't help but smile after observing it. After all, three hot guys protecting you could make anyone feel like in heaven.

But unluckily the tired feeling was still in control and moments later, Minako's eyes shut closed as she felt her body slide off her horse.

"Minako!" she heard from everyone before everything went black.

Suboshi searched around for a certain teammate in the Seiryuu palace as he was fighting with his thoughts. He wasn't sure what he was doing. Was he going crazy? How could he be going to someone asking for advice on...love. And worst of all, why did he choose to ask HER about it. He could have gone to one of the other maidens in the palace instead, couldn't have he?

The young boy shook his head as he started to get irritated with his mind. He knew what he was doing, right? I mean... what could go wrong? Sure SHE was grumpy most of the time to him but he knew her since he came to Kutou with his brother. He could trust her to keep a secret, right?

Not truly knowing what the warrior was getting himself into, he soon caught the woman wondering in the halls with a maid by her side, talking. When he came closer he heard that the older woman ordering the maid around to get her things.

Taking a deep breath, Suboshi went forward and waved at her saying, "Hey Soi."

Both of the women looked up at him. The maid just smiled politely while Suboshi received an irritated expression from Soi. Just as he predicted, he got no reply from the other Seiryuu warrior as she continued to talk to the maid and walk pass him.

Taking another deep breath for courage, Suboshi went after her. "Hold on Soi, I need to talk" he called out as Soi's face scowled.

She turned to him with daggered eyes. Just staring at her made Suboshi winch. He was starting to regret what he had in planed.

"Be gone" Soi said aggravated.

Suboshi bowed his head as he turned to walk away when he felt a strong grip on his shoulder.

"Not you imbecile! I was talking to the maid!" Soi explained in her harsh tone.

"Oh" Suboshi peeped when the maid walked away from them.

"What do you want?" Soi asked, getting Suboshi's attention. She stood straight and tall, towering over him. One hand was on her hip as she bent one of her knees slightly.

"Uh... well...um..." Suboshi stammered as he stretched his collar away from his neck. He was starting to feel hot all of a sudden. He hadn't noticed the red color on his face with embarrassment.

The silence was then interrupted by the inpatient tapping of Soi's foot and the nerve-racking heart beat of Suboshi, due to humiliation.

'Darn it! Why did I ever think of doing this?? This is Soi!!!' Suboshi thought quickly when he noticed Soi's expression grew colder.

"Spit it out boy!" she finally screamed, making Suboshi jump out of his skin.

"Well... I just wanted to... um... ask for... ad...ad...-vice." He finally spat out as Soi raised an eyebrow.

No one had ever gone to her for advice before. This put her in an uncomfortable position and yet, it made her curious. What could this stupid teen ask her for advice on?

"What kind of advice?" Soi finally asked in a low tone.

"Well... it has to do with... um... a certain... someone..." he stammered while looking at his feet.

"And who's this someone?" Soi asked.

"It... it's a... g...g-irl" Suboshi explained. His attention now was on his fingers as he fumbled with his thumbs.

"WOW!!!!!!" Soi all of a sudden let out, eyes wide open, mouth dropping to the ground.

"You???? And a girl????!!!" she asked, pointed to the boy before her as she covered her mouth from surprise.

But then, a high pitch laughter filled Seiryuu's palace halls.

"Oh Seiryuu!!!! HAHAHAHAH!!! You?!!! HAHAHA!!!! And a girl??!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

Suboshi gritted his teeth as he tried to hold back his anger. He had to restrain the temptation to kick the taller Seiryuu Warrior when she fell to the ground, roaring with laughter as she rolled back and forth.

"Stop laughing" Suboshi said lowly as he turned his back to his teammate. He closed his eyes shut, trying to concentrate on not hearing Soi's why too high mirth.

But Soi just made it worst by laughing harder, one hand holding her stomach, the other pointing to Suboshi. She kept rolling on the floor as tears left from her eyes. She was laughing so hard that it made her cry.

"Darn it! I should have known never to ask you for anything!" The youngest of the twins finally let out as he stomped away. He was filled with humiliation and anger at the same time. He just made a fool out of himself for no reason at all.

"Hey wait, hahaha, Suboshi," Soi said between giggles when realizing the boy was walking away. She lifted herself off the floor still holding her stomach. She tried her best not to laugh but failed miserably. It just made Suboshi irritated to see the wide grin on the woman's face.

"Sorry... hahaha..." Soi tried to say but burst out laughing again.

After a few more laughers from Soi, and swearing from Suboshi, everything was quiet again as Soi sat on the floor wiping away the tears.

"Ok...... Suboshi... who's... this girl?" Soi asked through chortles. She was a bit anxious to hear this answer. She was sure he didn't have a crush on her because he wouldn't even go near her if he did. Maybe he had a crush on one of the maidens. Or maybe a peasant outside the palace. Or maybe... Soi stopped laughing as her face grew solemn. Could it be? Could it be the priestess? Nah, she was sure he couldn't. Who would fall for a weak crybaby, globe-headed girl like her?

Well... she was sure Nakago had and couldn't help feeling jealous. She could see it in his eyes whenever he looked at her.

'Grr... that wench!' she growled to herself.

"Well... it's um... uh..." Suboshi tried to say, bring Soi back to reality from her thoughts. She listened carefully not holding a smile or even a smirk anymore.

"Well??" she asked, trying to encourage him. She prayed to the gods he didn't like who she thought he liked.

"It's... my... I mean our... um... it's... Usagi!" he finally said his secret crush's name swiftly as he closed his eyes shut. He was expecting to hear Soi brake into laughers again but did not hear any of it.

Opening his eyes he saw Soi with her usual somber expression. She was off the floor now, hand folded in front of her chest.

"Usagi huh" Soi said in her low tone. She was getting very irritated now. 'How could Suboshi fall for her? She is so annoying. And plus she eats way too much!'

"Yeah..." Suboshi sighed as he leaned on the wall. He was grateful that she didn't laugh at him again. But he was a bit taken aback by her mood swings. First he saw her rolling on the floor like a pig would do with mud. Then the next minute she's up and standing like a statue with an expression as if a pidgin had popped on her.

"Soi?" he asked worriedly as he saw Soi's hand turn into a fist. Her eyes were holding nothing but pure evil; her lips in a frown.

"Why? Why does every blasted guy have to fall for that stupid idiotic pig?!!!" Soi finally screamed from the top of her lungs. She was sure her yell went through the whole palace but did not care one bit.

"Huh? Who else likes her?" Suboshi asked wide eyed. He did not expect to hear this. Was someone else in this palace falling for the priestess too?

"Of course yoyo-head!!!" she screamed at him. But then she calmed down as she looked depressed. "Nakago......" she whispered, loud enough for Suboshi to hear.

That was all that was said for a long time to past. The two warriors stood in the hall, Suboshi thinking, Soi feeling miserable. But then, after the time of silence passed, Suboshi spoke.

"Wait Soi... if Nakago likes Usagi, and you like Nakago... then how about you helping me get Usagi. If it works, then Nakago won't have anyone but you."

Soi scowled at the idea but then she began to think. 'What if I helped Suboshi get globe-head to fall in love with him? Then that meant the hog would be out of the picture of Nakago and me!' A smile spread across her face.

"Good thinking yoyo-head!" Soi said, slapping him on the back. "I'll do it!"

After recovering from the hard blow in the back, Suboshi and Soi shook hands to make sure the deal was on.

Minako rode on Hotohori's horse, in front of him, as she leaned on his chest. Sure she was blushing furiously but she found herself there when waking up a few seconds ago.

She remembered falling off her horse because of lethargy but didn't expect to end up in the cute emperor's arms.

"Minako, you're awake" Hotohori greeted her when she stirred a bit in his arms.

"Yeah..." she said meekly, trying to stop the red color on her cheeks appearing.

"Minako!" she heard Chiriko say when seeing him maneuver his horse towards the two.

"Are you ok?" the small boy asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine" Minako answered as she sat up in a more comfortable sitting position. She saw Chichiri and Mitsukake in front while Nuriko and Amiboshi were behind, her horse with them.

She waved at Amiboshi when he looked up at her. He smiled and waved back as a crimson color appeared on his cheeks.

"Your majesty!" Nuriko called out as he galloped his horse closer to the emperor's.

"What is it Nuriko?" Hotohori asked before they began to talk softly to each other.

"This place has many bandits. Are you sure we should go farther. It's getting dark." The purple haired boy explained as Hotohori halted his horse. Mitsukake and Chichiri heard their horses stop and headed back to the group.

Minako was able to hear some of the conversations. Like bandit and dark. Unfortunately, this did not help her one bit. After being attacked yesterday, she wasn't very calm after it.

She did notice it was getting pretty late too. The sun was starting to set in the west leaving a beautiful orange/yellow/red color in the blue sky.

"Fine, we stop around here and rest until daybreak." Hotohori commended as he got off his horse and helped his priestess.

Minako smoothed out her skirt as she shook her right foot. It had fallen asleep while riding on the emperor's horse for a long period. After fixing her hair as well, Minako took a look around her surroundings. She saw they had stopped near a hill.

After asking if anyone needed any help, receiving "no"'s right and left, Minako decided to sit on the end of the hill. When going there, she noticed as village below not too far away. And she also saw a mountain from afar.

"Wow" she breathed. It was beautiful spot. Minako had a perfect view of the sunset and the beautiful glow from the sun on the village.

Minako took a seat on the cliff, keeping her legs in front of her chest as she laid her head on her open palms. She closed her eyes, feeling very peaceful. The soft breeze would swept by her, making her hair dance with the wind.

"Mind if I join you?" a male voice asked.

Minako opened her eyes to see Amiboshi kneeling in front of her with a grin. She smiled back as she patted the space next to her. The flute player gladly took the seat and gazed at the beautiful picture in front of them.

"Wow, this is beautiful" he commented as the wind blew his hair in front of his eyes.

Minako held her hair away from her face as she nodded. "Back at my place it's really rare to see this kind of scenes. I mean with the village and all."

Amiboshi turned to her. With the sun's glow, it made Minako look like an angel. All she needed was the white wings.

Minako noticed the warrior's stare from the corner of her eyes and turned to him. This action made Amiboshi shoot his eyes in front as he blushed. The blond smiled before turning away again.

Nuriko held up two stones to light up a fire. He was at it for sometime now, frustration getting the better of him.

"Come on you stupid thing!" he yelled at the stones as he tried to speed up the motion. But friction wasn't coming on the two rocks. It was only taking his energy away.

The purple haired Suzaku Warrior and the others did not notice that they were being watched. A group of bandits were hiding in the bushes with their swords out, ready to do wrong.

"AH!!! Darn it!!!" Nuriko threw the stones by a near by bush. He said a few curses before trying to get his breath back. But he then realized that he heard a small whine coming from the bushes he threw the rocks at.

He swiftly got up in a fighting stance. "Who's there?" he asked in a commanding voice.

His question got the other warriors' attention as they looked around their surroundings.

The rocks that were thrown hit an unexpected target. No one suspected that the stones would come flying by and hitting one of the bandits in his weakest spot. He fell to the ground trying not to cry out loud.

The other bandits saw one of their men fall down. The head of that group raised his sword and dashed out of the bushes. He ran straight for Nuriko while the other went after Hotohori, Chiriko, Chichiri, and Mitsukake with Tomo on his shoulder.

"Quick, get Minako out of here!" Chichiri yelled out as he blocked one of the swords with his staff.

The commotion at the camp made Minako and Amiboshi turn around. They gasped before quickly getting up their feet.

Amiboshi heard Chichiri's order and took Minako's hand and headed down the hill.

"Come on Minako!" he called as they speeded down the steep mound.

Minako reached Amiboshi's side as she went faster. The slope was going to make her fall and she knew it.

"Amiboshi, we have to slow down or we'll fall!" she explained as Amiboshi tried to dig his feet to the ground. Dirt filled the air as the boy slowed down their speed.

"We have to go back. What about the others?" Minako asked. She swiftly got her hands freed from Amiboshi's grip and headed back up the hill.

"Minako! Come back! They're bandits! They want money, food and girls!"

Amiboshi went after the blonde priestess. He was amazed at how fast she was. But his eyes went wide when seeing one of the bandits coming down the hill on a horse with a sword in his hands.

"Minako!" he warned, making her see.

Minako let out a small gasp as the bandit raised his sword and swung it at her. Luckily, Minako was good at tag and dodge ball when she was very little. She could doge any ball or hand that went her way, unlike her sister Usagi. This gift came in handy as Minako dodged the sharp blade.

She managed to doge another but fell on her back. On the ground, she was helpless as the bandit jabbed his sword towards her.

"Minako!!!!" Amiboshi yelled as he pushed the bandit off his horse. The bandit fell on a rock and died instantly as Amiboshi landed hard on his head, falling unconscious.

"Amiboshi!' Minako called out with worry as she tried to get up. But she felt a tight grip on her arm as she turned to see another bandit. He placed a sword near her neck to silence her cries.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Cliffhanger! I know Soi was kind of OOC but, I tried my best. Sorry! Review please! I'd like that a lot!