Sorry I took so long to get this chapter out.. I couldn't think of what to write.. My writings been going slow.. But you know, I'm about done..I think I am.. with the story..It's already the longest story that I've ever written so...
And heres the redo..oi, this took a bit.. I think the only one who was able to read, as far as I know, was Otaku and so.. everything's different from.. well, I took out the part where they were fighting and added what happened at night, that I forgot to write, another reason to redo the chapter...
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Chapter 19: Always be with you
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(Kibou's PoV)
"Kibou." echoed the voice of Nuriko.
I looked around and I saw Nuriko, his body emitted a white glow, and his image was a bit blured, as if he was a ghost. Was I dead? I should be by now.. But then, why am I seeing Nuriko? I walked over to the Nuriko that I saw and he smiled when he saw me. "It's ok now, Kibou, your safe now, your in the arms of the one you love."
"The one I love?" I questioned since I thought I was dead.
"Don't be silly, Kibou. Your sleeping in your bed in the Konan palace with Chichiri sleeping right next to you." He said warmly.
I looked at him still confused. "So I'm not dead?"
He shook his head. "Of course not. You wouldn't want to be dead, when you love Chichiri so much. You can't die."
Even more confused than before, I continued to question him. "...How?"
He rolled up his sleeves and took his bracelets off and gave them to me. "Keep these, Kibou, they soon might be useless, but when the time comes, it won't need the power of Suzaku, because it was a gift from Taiitsukun."
"Nuriko.."
"Your like my little sister, Kibou.. That's how I've always looked at you and that's how I cared for you.. I know your older, but I never thought of it that way, you were the little sister that I never had.."
"..Did you die, Nuriko?" I asked almost understanding why he was saying all this..
He only smiled. "You'll live happily with Chichiri, and that's all that matters...And Kibou, promise me this."
"What?" I asked still extremely confused.
"Promise not to cry over me..Can you do that?"
I nodded. "I promise...Though did you tell Chichiri?" I asked out of curiousity.
He shook his head. "Nope, I kept true to the very end, because besides of what I thought of you, we were friends..and that's what friends are for."
"I'll miss you so much Nuriko..You were the closest thing to my best friend in this world..."
"Don't worry, I'll always be near by, no matter what. Physical form, or spirit, I'll look after you, I'll be your guardian angel.."
"Thank you, Nuriko." I said as tears filled my eyes.
He wiped them away and it felt as if he was wiping them away. As if he was right there... But I had to face reality and know he wasn't. "Don't cry, I hate to see you cry. Your such a sweet girl, go on, do your best and don't cry..But if you really need to let it out..do so, I'll be near..and so will Chichiri, who's loved you all this time."
I hugged Nuriko tightly and I could feel him..But it wasn't him, yet my eyes told me it was...Nuriko was holding me as I hugged him...He was there... "I'll miss you..."
"And my gift to you, Kibou..I have one last thing.."
"What? You can't possibly give me anymore! You've done so much!" I cried.
He smiled. A red glow surrounded him and then it enveloped me, I felt as if something came through my mind, something that was missing inside me.. my memories... "You know who you are now, Kibou... But don't worry, Chichiri will be there for you.."
He completely faded away and blackness surrounded me. I felt that I was living..I felt a bed beneath me..but arms were around me, it felt almost familiar..Jason? I opened my eyes and saw the familiar white clothing of Houjuns' and I looked up..It was Houjun... He was sleeping peacefully, I shook him slightly and he opened his eye. He smiled when he saw me awake. "Good morning, Kibou."
"...I'm still..alive...? I'm really still living?"
He nodded. "Of course..Nuriko, he saved you, he took in Miboshi and..he died..."
"...So..Nuriko did die.." I whispered. "Because of me... he died..He's gone because of me.."
"..No.. he did it for both of us, because, he wanted us to be happy."
I sat up and looked around. "So we are back in Konan.." I lifted my wrists and two bracelets dangled there. I touched them almost thinking that they weren't real, but they were..Nuriko's bracelets. "That was more than a dream.."
"I guess that was what the red light was..." Chichiri muttered
I traced my thoughts back into my past.. I knew who I was.. Everything, I knew who I was.. I was the second born in a family of 3, the only born in America, they named me Kibou..meaning Hope.. I moved to America when I was thirteen and went to Nationals in flute competition within a year, and then went back to Japan, went through Jonan with a 4.0 and then came back to America, where I was looking for somewhere to apply for college..before.. everything happened..
"Kibou? Are you ok, no da?"
I nodded. "..Yeah.. I jus-" I remembered.. "Jason had tried to kill me for sending him to that hell hole called jail..."
I looked up to Chichiri, he seemed shocked. "You remember?"
"Yeah.. Nuriko..he gave me my memories.... I remember everything.."
Chichiri embraced me gently. I layed my head down on his chest.. It was so comfortable, I never noticed how much I loved this.. Since I was always too depressed to think about it.. But he did this so much, and it made me feel secure. "..I'll always be here for you..I won't forget what Nuriko gave his life for.. just remember that, Kibou.."
I nodded slowly. I got up and out of bed, I looked around and found my strap with the sword of Suzaku on it. "Where's the sword that has Seiryu on it?" I asked looking around again.
"It was left back at that tower, no da." He said getting up as well.
I strapped the sword around me. "I see.. I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble."
"No, you weren't any trouble at all, no da." he said as he put his mask on.
I suddenly felt something leave me. I looked up to Chichiri, he seemed to have felt something too. "..What happened?"
"I..I felt as if.. my power left.."
"Try transforming,"
He seemed he was trying, but nothing seemed to happen. "..Shit..let me try." A yellow cloud of smoke surrounded me as I turned into Chichiri. "Yep, it still works for me." I said brightly.
Chichiri frowned. "Well, that's because that's not the power that Suzaku granted you, no da."
I smiled. "I know! Mine was wisdom right?"
He nodded. "Yeah,"
"I don't feel any dumber...Ask me a question."
"What's the capital of Konan?" he asked, trying to start with a simple question.
"..Um...Eiyo." I answered after thinking a bit about it.
"Ok..What river is on the border of Konan and Kutou?"
I knew I knew that...That was a really simple question.. Why didn't I know?! "..Um...I don't know..I..forgot.."
"That's strange, no da.. Your knowledge IQ's come back down to what it was before Suzaku granted you wisdom, not many people know that since they don't care, but it seems you don't exactly know.. Come on we ha-"
"AH!!" yelled Tasuki interrupting me and bursting through the door. He held his fan and his shirt was off. "It won't work! It won't work!! Chichiri, what did you do?!" He yelled.
"Nothing, we seemed to have lost our powers, I'm not as smart as I usually am." I said trying to calm the red head down.
"So now your a complete dumb ass?"
I punched him in the face and went to where Miaka was. We came in, it seems it was true, Hotohori confirmed it. Suzaku was gone.. Then afterwards, we went running off around the palace. I went along with Tamahome and Tasuki and Chichiri followed. I was running ahead when I bumped into someone.
"Oh I'm so-" I stoped when I reconized the face. "N-Nuri----AHH!"
All of us started to run off and we burst through the door where Miaka and Hotohori were. "Nuriko's alive!! He's come back from the dead an-"
The door opened and it cut me off. I looked over and saw who I saw was Nuriko. Miaka looked at the person. "NURIKO!!!"
She went and hugged him, but then immediatly pulled away. "Breasts?!?!"
Hotohori stepped up. "Miaka, this is not Nuriko, this is my Empress."
"My name is Houki." she said bowing politley.
Empress?...She looks exactly like Nuriko.. Then I remembered my dream 'I will always be always be near by'...could this be what he meant? "Her resemblence shocked me.. But I felt as if Nuriko brought us together.. And now it's your turn, Miaka."
She looked up to him a bit confused. "Since Tamahome's no longer a Suzaku seishi, and you are no longer Preistess, then you may get married any time you wish."
Married.. Miaka was a bit young for that..What was she, 15? And if they did anything...that wouldn't be good.. "Majesty, Kutou is starting to invade."
Invasion? Of course... They must've wished Suzaku to be sealed away. Then they're starting the invasion.. We all agreed to help, I might not be as clever as I use to be, but I could still fight against them. With the skills that I accquired through the years I stayed in this world, I can do this. I prepared for the next day, it was coming real soon, and I needed rest, and yet I needed training. I sharpened my sword and then put it away. I realized when I was healed, my arm was healed as well, all for the better. Now I can use both hands to fight against Kutou. I don't know how it would go.
Night fell and I went to my room, I took my sword off and slowly put my sword down, then changed into my robe to sleep in. We're going to war.. We're actually going to war.. A maid came into my room. "Would you like anything, Chiriko-sama?"
I thought for a moment.. "Can you get me a towel and bath robe so I can go into the hot spring for a bit?"
The maid bowed. "Of course Chiriko-sama, we'll get that for you immediatly."
"Thank you."
The maid left the room, only to be returning shortly with a bath robe and a towel. "Thank you very much."
"Would you like your clothes cleaned, Chiriko-sama?" asked the maid.
I bit my lip. "..Um.. I guess so..If that's not too much trouble.."
"Of course not, Chiriko-sama." She walked over to my desk and picked up the clothes that infact did need to be washed because they looked horrible, they were in deperate need of wash.. Once the maid left the room, I got into my bath robe and headed to the palaces hot spring.. How convinient to have a hot spring where you live.. At least now, I get the chance to relax, peace and quiet at last.. at least for tonight. I came to the hot spring and the maids opened the door for me and and I went in as they closed it behind me. I took my bath robe off and put my hair up with the towel.
I dipped in the refreshing water, There was a small mountain of rocks in the middle. I came to the other side of the rock and I sat back against one of the rocks and closed my eyes. Everything since I came to this world.. It has been strange.. Chiriko said that it was because I would commit suicide in my own world.. I most likey would've.. Jason trying to kill me.. killing others.. Ellyn falling into a coma, my father dying.. Everything had gone wrong the moment I came back to America.. Now I realized, my life had always been a bit rough.. I shoud've stayed in Japan. Then again.. I would've never found that book if I didn't come back to America..
Then again.. I promised Ellyn that I would come back. Also, my father.. I wouldn't want him to be there by himself for too much longer.. I miss everyone, by now.. if Ellyn didn't get out of her coma.. Then she might be dead by now, or not.. I don't know.. I've been in this book for 6 years..I can't believe how much the time passed with me without my memory.. It was probably for the best, I would've been so homesick if I stayed here that long and remembered everything.. especially when I first came here. I might not have met Toroki, and I would've never gotten to know Namame.. everything would be so different if I had my memories.
"Kibou.."
I opened my eyes and looked beside me. Houjun.. I blinked several times. "How long have I been asleep?" I asked sitting up.
"Five minutes since I got in, I didn't even see you in here, no da..you were on the other side of all these rocks so I didn't see you.. I came over here.. and.." Houjun turned his head away, blushing.
I looked down.. Oh yeah, I'm naked.... I blushed furiously and turned around. For a few minutes, I could only hear the dripping of water around us. "..Um well, I'll let you have your privacy, no da." Chichiri said breaking the extremely awkward silence. I heard water swishing as he moved. I turned around, seeing him leave, I actually didn't want him to. "You don't have to if you don't want to." I said trying to keep him from going.
He slightly turned his head. "..I don't want you to be uncomfortable, no da."
I shook my head. "I don't mind, you don't have to go."
I sat back against the rock and hugged my knees. "Your lucky, Houjun.." I said looking at the water as he sat next to me.
"Why's that, no da?"
"Because you only have to cover your bottom half."
He chuckled. "You don't have to hug your knees, Kibou no da.. The water's up past our chest and I can't see my hands, so I wouldn't be able to see you, no da."
I smiled at the fact that he was avoiding to say certain words. I laid my head on his shoulder. "What's wrong, Houjun? Afraid to say big kid words?" I teased. He put his arm around me. This felt alot more comfortable than anything with Jason... There was a difference.. There was love.. I shivered at the thought of why I loved Jason..
"What's wrong, no da? I know you can't be cold, no da."
"..I thought of why I even loved Jason.."
Chichiri stiffened a bit. "Do you still love him..?"
"Of course not, not after what he did.. He tried to kill me.. And I don't think I ever did.. The only reason I stayed with him.. was because he saved my life."
He seemed to hesitate to ask, but I would tell him.. If he did ask.. "..What did he do?"
"I'll say this first.. It's nothing compared to what you've done for me.. Anyway, Jason always liked me in school, when he asked me for a date.. never having a boyfriend, I said yes.. Then there was one night.. where I was walking home alone.. It was night.. I didn't know how to defend myself then.. Apparently there was someone near me who these people where looking for and there was a drive by shooting.."
"Drive by shooting? What's that?"
"It's where a gang or mob.. maybe hitmen.. I'm not sure, but they pass by in something they can get away fast in and try to kill someone.. The person who they were trying to get fled the sceen but while the shooting happened, apparently, Jason followed me and took a shot in the shoulder.. He survived of course, but I never forgot what he did for me, so I stayed with him, remembering what he did.. But he was so abusive and mean..I'm glad that relationship ended.. I'm glad I'm with you."
"..Kibou.. The war coming up.. I really want you to be careful out there.."
I nodded. "I know..I will, I promise. Nuriko gave his life up for our sake, I won't forget that."
"Kibou, all I have to sa-"
"Cannon ball!!!!!!" yelled the obnoxious voice of Tasuki that was followed by a gigantic splash.
I smiled and got in a little deeper. "I'm going to stay here.. of course not because of you, but Tasuki,"
Tasuki came around the rocks. "Hey Chichiri! Didn't realize that you were in here!"
"Your awfully happy, Tasuki, no da."
"Well, it is the last night we could actually do something before the war, so why not?"
He looked over and saw me. "Kibou, didn't notice you were here either."
"Noticed you, your loud enough," I said in an aggitated tone, although I didn't mean it. "Well, Tasuki.. Your still standing and showing off." I said not looking down there, but knowing it was there.
"What the-- Fuck!!" He covered himself by going deeper in the water. I giggled because he was blushing and started to swim a little deeper. This was a huge hot spring, one part to rest and another to..it seemed to swim around. I really wish I had a bathing suit.. Which reminded me, Miaka had one. I swam to the other side of the rocks and got out. "I'll be right back." I called out and got my bathrobe on and ran to Miaka's room. I knocked on the door and heard nothing. I didn't even hear snoring in there. I opened the door and saw that she wasn't in there. Wonder where she is? I walked over to her backpack.. I know she won't mind.. I dug through her back pack and found a red bikini. I hated bikinis.. I never thought too highly of them.. oh well, it's better than being naked in the hot spring with two guys. They're covered and I have more trouble. I put the bikini on, but I couldn't tie my back. Damn it.. this is another reason I hate bikinis.
I put my bathrobe back on and headed back to the hotspring. The two were in there, I could tell, Tasuki had started a water fight. I held the back of the bikini and went into the water. I came back around and the two stopped fighting when they saw me. I laughed slightly to myself, thinking of Chichiri actually going along with a water fight.. either that Tasuki was just sitting there splashing him to get him to fight back. "What?"
"What the hell is that?" asked Tasuki.
"It's called a Bikini.. or swim suit. It's what girls swim in when they go to swim, in this case, there's you two in here so I put it on."
"Why are you holding your back, no da?" asked Chichiri.
"Oh yeah!.. Um, I couldn't tie the strings on my back."
Chichiri got up. "Here." I turned around and held my hair up and he tied it. "Hey, Kibou, there's a picture on your back,"
"A picture?" I asked puzzuled trying to look at my back. "Yeah, right here." said Chichiri touching my left shoulder. I blushed since he touched it so softly it tickled. I tried to think of what was there. "Oh yeah, Miaka has one too, it's called a tatoo. It's a star, right?"
"Yeah, na no da. A red star, no da."
"Yeah, Miaka and I got it after I got out of high school...It was just something just to have.."
Tasuki got around the rocks to the other side. "Well, we have to get to sleep, and I'm getting tired, so I'm gonna go." he said as I heard him leave the water.
I heard the door open. "Don't DO anything in there!" Tasuki yelled and closed the door.
"We should get to sleep too, no da." said Chichiri heading to the other side.
I nodded and followed him. I waited a bit and headed out, Chichiri helped me up and handed me my bathrobe. "Thank you." I said.
He opened the door and held it open for me and closed it when I was out. He went ahead of me, but he was silent, it seemed a bit awkward, we were together now, but it only changed a little bit between us... it was only because it was awkward.. and Chichiri was no longer a monk, since he was too close to another female.. but he wasn't going to make it go any further.. I guess I should try.. I ran up to Chichiri and wrapped my arm around his. "Can I stay with you tonight, just tonight, it's our last night before we have to go to war.. So can I?"
"Why would I refuse, no da?" he asked looking down to me.
We came to his room and lit a candle. I was about to lay down on his bed, but then he came behind me and embraced me from behind. "Kibou.. I didn't get to say this before.. but all I have to say is..I'll always be with you, now that we're going to war, anything could happen, you might get hurt but I'll do anything to protect you.. I lost Kouran, my family, and Hikou.. I won't lose you."
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I wanted to add that little cute part in there, it was a long part, but at least I got it in.. I'm glad I did that chapter over, I'll get out the next chapter out soon, or I should get the next chapter out soon. Please reveiw!
~*CosmicMoon
And heres the redo..oi, this took a bit.. I think the only one who was able to read, as far as I know, was Otaku and so.. everything's different from.. well, I took out the part where they were fighting and added what happened at night, that I forgot to write, another reason to redo the chapter...
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Chapter 19: Always be with you
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(Kibou's PoV)
"Kibou." echoed the voice of Nuriko.
I looked around and I saw Nuriko, his body emitted a white glow, and his image was a bit blured, as if he was a ghost. Was I dead? I should be by now.. But then, why am I seeing Nuriko? I walked over to the Nuriko that I saw and he smiled when he saw me. "It's ok now, Kibou, your safe now, your in the arms of the one you love."
"The one I love?" I questioned since I thought I was dead.
"Don't be silly, Kibou. Your sleeping in your bed in the Konan palace with Chichiri sleeping right next to you." He said warmly.
I looked at him still confused. "So I'm not dead?"
He shook his head. "Of course not. You wouldn't want to be dead, when you love Chichiri so much. You can't die."
Even more confused than before, I continued to question him. "...How?"
He rolled up his sleeves and took his bracelets off and gave them to me. "Keep these, Kibou, they soon might be useless, but when the time comes, it won't need the power of Suzaku, because it was a gift from Taiitsukun."
"Nuriko.."
"Your like my little sister, Kibou.. That's how I've always looked at you and that's how I cared for you.. I know your older, but I never thought of it that way, you were the little sister that I never had.."
"..Did you die, Nuriko?" I asked almost understanding why he was saying all this..
He only smiled. "You'll live happily with Chichiri, and that's all that matters...And Kibou, promise me this."
"What?" I asked still extremely confused.
"Promise not to cry over me..Can you do that?"
I nodded. "I promise...Though did you tell Chichiri?" I asked out of curiousity.
He shook his head. "Nope, I kept true to the very end, because besides of what I thought of you, we were friends..and that's what friends are for."
"I'll miss you so much Nuriko..You were the closest thing to my best friend in this world..."
"Don't worry, I'll always be near by, no matter what. Physical form, or spirit, I'll look after you, I'll be your guardian angel.."
"Thank you, Nuriko." I said as tears filled my eyes.
He wiped them away and it felt as if he was wiping them away. As if he was right there... But I had to face reality and know he wasn't. "Don't cry, I hate to see you cry. Your such a sweet girl, go on, do your best and don't cry..But if you really need to let it out..do so, I'll be near..and so will Chichiri, who's loved you all this time."
I hugged Nuriko tightly and I could feel him..But it wasn't him, yet my eyes told me it was...Nuriko was holding me as I hugged him...He was there... "I'll miss you..."
"And my gift to you, Kibou..I have one last thing.."
"What? You can't possibly give me anymore! You've done so much!" I cried.
He smiled. A red glow surrounded him and then it enveloped me, I felt as if something came through my mind, something that was missing inside me.. my memories... "You know who you are now, Kibou... But don't worry, Chichiri will be there for you.."
He completely faded away and blackness surrounded me. I felt that I was living..I felt a bed beneath me..but arms were around me, it felt almost familiar..Jason? I opened my eyes and saw the familiar white clothing of Houjuns' and I looked up..It was Houjun... He was sleeping peacefully, I shook him slightly and he opened his eye. He smiled when he saw me awake. "Good morning, Kibou."
"...I'm still..alive...? I'm really still living?"
He nodded. "Of course..Nuriko, he saved you, he took in Miboshi and..he died..."
"...So..Nuriko did die.." I whispered. "Because of me... he died..He's gone because of me.."
"..No.. he did it for both of us, because, he wanted us to be happy."
I sat up and looked around. "So we are back in Konan.." I lifted my wrists and two bracelets dangled there. I touched them almost thinking that they weren't real, but they were..Nuriko's bracelets. "That was more than a dream.."
"I guess that was what the red light was..." Chichiri muttered
I traced my thoughts back into my past.. I knew who I was.. Everything, I knew who I was.. I was the second born in a family of 3, the only born in America, they named me Kibou..meaning Hope.. I moved to America when I was thirteen and went to Nationals in flute competition within a year, and then went back to Japan, went through Jonan with a 4.0 and then came back to America, where I was looking for somewhere to apply for college..before.. everything happened..
"Kibou? Are you ok, no da?"
I nodded. "..Yeah.. I jus-" I remembered.. "Jason had tried to kill me for sending him to that hell hole called jail..."
I looked up to Chichiri, he seemed shocked. "You remember?"
"Yeah.. Nuriko..he gave me my memories.... I remember everything.."
Chichiri embraced me gently. I layed my head down on his chest.. It was so comfortable, I never noticed how much I loved this.. Since I was always too depressed to think about it.. But he did this so much, and it made me feel secure. "..I'll always be here for you..I won't forget what Nuriko gave his life for.. just remember that, Kibou.."
I nodded slowly. I got up and out of bed, I looked around and found my strap with the sword of Suzaku on it. "Where's the sword that has Seiryu on it?" I asked looking around again.
"It was left back at that tower, no da." He said getting up as well.
I strapped the sword around me. "I see.. I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble."
"No, you weren't any trouble at all, no da." he said as he put his mask on.
I suddenly felt something leave me. I looked up to Chichiri, he seemed to have felt something too. "..What happened?"
"I..I felt as if.. my power left.."
"Try transforming,"
He seemed he was trying, but nothing seemed to happen. "..Shit..let me try." A yellow cloud of smoke surrounded me as I turned into Chichiri. "Yep, it still works for me." I said brightly.
Chichiri frowned. "Well, that's because that's not the power that Suzaku granted you, no da."
I smiled. "I know! Mine was wisdom right?"
He nodded. "Yeah,"
"I don't feel any dumber...Ask me a question."
"What's the capital of Konan?" he asked, trying to start with a simple question.
"..Um...Eiyo." I answered after thinking a bit about it.
"Ok..What river is on the border of Konan and Kutou?"
I knew I knew that...That was a really simple question.. Why didn't I know?! "..Um...I don't know..I..forgot.."
"That's strange, no da.. Your knowledge IQ's come back down to what it was before Suzaku granted you wisdom, not many people know that since they don't care, but it seems you don't exactly know.. Come on we ha-"
"AH!!" yelled Tasuki interrupting me and bursting through the door. He held his fan and his shirt was off. "It won't work! It won't work!! Chichiri, what did you do?!" He yelled.
"Nothing, we seemed to have lost our powers, I'm not as smart as I usually am." I said trying to calm the red head down.
"So now your a complete dumb ass?"
I punched him in the face and went to where Miaka was. We came in, it seems it was true, Hotohori confirmed it. Suzaku was gone.. Then afterwards, we went running off around the palace. I went along with Tamahome and Tasuki and Chichiri followed. I was running ahead when I bumped into someone.
"Oh I'm so-" I stoped when I reconized the face. "N-Nuri----AHH!"
All of us started to run off and we burst through the door where Miaka and Hotohori were. "Nuriko's alive!! He's come back from the dead an-"
The door opened and it cut me off. I looked over and saw who I saw was Nuriko. Miaka looked at the person. "NURIKO!!!"
She went and hugged him, but then immediatly pulled away. "Breasts?!?!"
Hotohori stepped up. "Miaka, this is not Nuriko, this is my Empress."
"My name is Houki." she said bowing politley.
Empress?...She looks exactly like Nuriko.. Then I remembered my dream 'I will always be always be near by'...could this be what he meant? "Her resemblence shocked me.. But I felt as if Nuriko brought us together.. And now it's your turn, Miaka."
She looked up to him a bit confused. "Since Tamahome's no longer a Suzaku seishi, and you are no longer Preistess, then you may get married any time you wish."
Married.. Miaka was a bit young for that..What was she, 15? And if they did anything...that wouldn't be good.. "Majesty, Kutou is starting to invade."
Invasion? Of course... They must've wished Suzaku to be sealed away. Then they're starting the invasion.. We all agreed to help, I might not be as clever as I use to be, but I could still fight against them. With the skills that I accquired through the years I stayed in this world, I can do this. I prepared for the next day, it was coming real soon, and I needed rest, and yet I needed training. I sharpened my sword and then put it away. I realized when I was healed, my arm was healed as well, all for the better. Now I can use both hands to fight against Kutou. I don't know how it would go.
Night fell and I went to my room, I took my sword off and slowly put my sword down, then changed into my robe to sleep in. We're going to war.. We're actually going to war.. A maid came into my room. "Would you like anything, Chiriko-sama?"
I thought for a moment.. "Can you get me a towel and bath robe so I can go into the hot spring for a bit?"
The maid bowed. "Of course Chiriko-sama, we'll get that for you immediatly."
"Thank you."
The maid left the room, only to be returning shortly with a bath robe and a towel. "Thank you very much."
"Would you like your clothes cleaned, Chiriko-sama?" asked the maid.
I bit my lip. "..Um.. I guess so..If that's not too much trouble.."
"Of course not, Chiriko-sama." She walked over to my desk and picked up the clothes that infact did need to be washed because they looked horrible, they were in deperate need of wash.. Once the maid left the room, I got into my bath robe and headed to the palaces hot spring.. How convinient to have a hot spring where you live.. At least now, I get the chance to relax, peace and quiet at last.. at least for tonight. I came to the hot spring and the maids opened the door for me and and I went in as they closed it behind me. I took my bath robe off and put my hair up with the towel.
I dipped in the refreshing water, There was a small mountain of rocks in the middle. I came to the other side of the rock and I sat back against one of the rocks and closed my eyes. Everything since I came to this world.. It has been strange.. Chiriko said that it was because I would commit suicide in my own world.. I most likey would've.. Jason trying to kill me.. killing others.. Ellyn falling into a coma, my father dying.. Everything had gone wrong the moment I came back to America.. Now I realized, my life had always been a bit rough.. I shoud've stayed in Japan. Then again.. I would've never found that book if I didn't come back to America..
Then again.. I promised Ellyn that I would come back. Also, my father.. I wouldn't want him to be there by himself for too much longer.. I miss everyone, by now.. if Ellyn didn't get out of her coma.. Then she might be dead by now, or not.. I don't know.. I've been in this book for 6 years..I can't believe how much the time passed with me without my memory.. It was probably for the best, I would've been so homesick if I stayed here that long and remembered everything.. especially when I first came here. I might not have met Toroki, and I would've never gotten to know Namame.. everything would be so different if I had my memories.
"Kibou.."
I opened my eyes and looked beside me. Houjun.. I blinked several times. "How long have I been asleep?" I asked sitting up.
"Five minutes since I got in, I didn't even see you in here, no da..you were on the other side of all these rocks so I didn't see you.. I came over here.. and.." Houjun turned his head away, blushing.
I looked down.. Oh yeah, I'm naked.... I blushed furiously and turned around. For a few minutes, I could only hear the dripping of water around us. "..Um well, I'll let you have your privacy, no da." Chichiri said breaking the extremely awkward silence. I heard water swishing as he moved. I turned around, seeing him leave, I actually didn't want him to. "You don't have to if you don't want to." I said trying to keep him from going.
He slightly turned his head. "..I don't want you to be uncomfortable, no da."
I shook my head. "I don't mind, you don't have to go."
I sat back against the rock and hugged my knees. "Your lucky, Houjun.." I said looking at the water as he sat next to me.
"Why's that, no da?"
"Because you only have to cover your bottom half."
He chuckled. "You don't have to hug your knees, Kibou no da.. The water's up past our chest and I can't see my hands, so I wouldn't be able to see you, no da."
I smiled at the fact that he was avoiding to say certain words. I laid my head on his shoulder. "What's wrong, Houjun? Afraid to say big kid words?" I teased. He put his arm around me. This felt alot more comfortable than anything with Jason... There was a difference.. There was love.. I shivered at the thought of why I loved Jason..
"What's wrong, no da? I know you can't be cold, no da."
"..I thought of why I even loved Jason.."
Chichiri stiffened a bit. "Do you still love him..?"
"Of course not, not after what he did.. He tried to kill me.. And I don't think I ever did.. The only reason I stayed with him.. was because he saved my life."
He seemed to hesitate to ask, but I would tell him.. If he did ask.. "..What did he do?"
"I'll say this first.. It's nothing compared to what you've done for me.. Anyway, Jason always liked me in school, when he asked me for a date.. never having a boyfriend, I said yes.. Then there was one night.. where I was walking home alone.. It was night.. I didn't know how to defend myself then.. Apparently there was someone near me who these people where looking for and there was a drive by shooting.."
"Drive by shooting? What's that?"
"It's where a gang or mob.. maybe hitmen.. I'm not sure, but they pass by in something they can get away fast in and try to kill someone.. The person who they were trying to get fled the sceen but while the shooting happened, apparently, Jason followed me and took a shot in the shoulder.. He survived of course, but I never forgot what he did for me, so I stayed with him, remembering what he did.. But he was so abusive and mean..I'm glad that relationship ended.. I'm glad I'm with you."
"..Kibou.. The war coming up.. I really want you to be careful out there.."
I nodded. "I know..I will, I promise. Nuriko gave his life up for our sake, I won't forget that."
"Kibou, all I have to sa-"
"Cannon ball!!!!!!" yelled the obnoxious voice of Tasuki that was followed by a gigantic splash.
I smiled and got in a little deeper. "I'm going to stay here.. of course not because of you, but Tasuki,"
Tasuki came around the rocks. "Hey Chichiri! Didn't realize that you were in here!"
"Your awfully happy, Tasuki, no da."
"Well, it is the last night we could actually do something before the war, so why not?"
He looked over and saw me. "Kibou, didn't notice you were here either."
"Noticed you, your loud enough," I said in an aggitated tone, although I didn't mean it. "Well, Tasuki.. Your still standing and showing off." I said not looking down there, but knowing it was there.
"What the-- Fuck!!" He covered himself by going deeper in the water. I giggled because he was blushing and started to swim a little deeper. This was a huge hot spring, one part to rest and another to..it seemed to swim around. I really wish I had a bathing suit.. Which reminded me, Miaka had one. I swam to the other side of the rocks and got out. "I'll be right back." I called out and got my bathrobe on and ran to Miaka's room. I knocked on the door and heard nothing. I didn't even hear snoring in there. I opened the door and saw that she wasn't in there. Wonder where she is? I walked over to her backpack.. I know she won't mind.. I dug through her back pack and found a red bikini. I hated bikinis.. I never thought too highly of them.. oh well, it's better than being naked in the hot spring with two guys. They're covered and I have more trouble. I put the bikini on, but I couldn't tie my back. Damn it.. this is another reason I hate bikinis.
I put my bathrobe back on and headed back to the hotspring. The two were in there, I could tell, Tasuki had started a water fight. I held the back of the bikini and went into the water. I came back around and the two stopped fighting when they saw me. I laughed slightly to myself, thinking of Chichiri actually going along with a water fight.. either that Tasuki was just sitting there splashing him to get him to fight back. "What?"
"What the hell is that?" asked Tasuki.
"It's called a Bikini.. or swim suit. It's what girls swim in when they go to swim, in this case, there's you two in here so I put it on."
"Why are you holding your back, no da?" asked Chichiri.
"Oh yeah!.. Um, I couldn't tie the strings on my back."
Chichiri got up. "Here." I turned around and held my hair up and he tied it. "Hey, Kibou, there's a picture on your back,"
"A picture?" I asked puzzuled trying to look at my back. "Yeah, right here." said Chichiri touching my left shoulder. I blushed since he touched it so softly it tickled. I tried to think of what was there. "Oh yeah, Miaka has one too, it's called a tatoo. It's a star, right?"
"Yeah, na no da. A red star, no da."
"Yeah, Miaka and I got it after I got out of high school...It was just something just to have.."
Tasuki got around the rocks to the other side. "Well, we have to get to sleep, and I'm getting tired, so I'm gonna go." he said as I heard him leave the water.
I heard the door open. "Don't DO anything in there!" Tasuki yelled and closed the door.
"We should get to sleep too, no da." said Chichiri heading to the other side.
I nodded and followed him. I waited a bit and headed out, Chichiri helped me up and handed me my bathrobe. "Thank you." I said.
He opened the door and held it open for me and closed it when I was out. He went ahead of me, but he was silent, it seemed a bit awkward, we were together now, but it only changed a little bit between us... it was only because it was awkward.. and Chichiri was no longer a monk, since he was too close to another female.. but he wasn't going to make it go any further.. I guess I should try.. I ran up to Chichiri and wrapped my arm around his. "Can I stay with you tonight, just tonight, it's our last night before we have to go to war.. So can I?"
"Why would I refuse, no da?" he asked looking down to me.
We came to his room and lit a candle. I was about to lay down on his bed, but then he came behind me and embraced me from behind. "Kibou.. I didn't get to say this before.. but all I have to say is..I'll always be with you, now that we're going to war, anything could happen, you might get hurt but I'll do anything to protect you.. I lost Kouran, my family, and Hikou.. I won't lose you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I wanted to add that little cute part in there, it was a long part, but at least I got it in.. I'm glad I did that chapter over, I'll get out the next chapter out soon, or I should get the next chapter out soon. Please reveiw!
~*CosmicMoon