Chapter Eight: Opening Up

Once Iname had placed the Priestess of Genbu back in her quarters, the questions that had been on the Suzaku seven's minds had been asked.

"How could you guys possibly know anything about Nakago?" Tasuki stated.

"Yea. I mean he was after your time you know" Chichiri added.

"Tell me something" Tomite replied as he turned to Yui, "This Nakago of yours, can you describe him?"

"Sure" she nodded as she noticed Taka and Namame clench their fists at the very mention of his name, "Well, he's pretty tall. Has a fair complexion. His hair is long and blonde. And his eyes are a piercing blue."

"That's what I was afraid of" Tomite said.

"Can it really be the same Nakago though?" Uruki spoke up.

"What difference does it make?" Namame said angrily, "If it's Nakago you can count me out."

"Namame" Iname protested with his hand up.

"You don't understand!" he shot back, "I want nothing to do with that bastard!"

He trudged out of the throne room, leaving the entire company minus Taka, stunned by his actions.

"Maybe you should tell us a little more about the Nakago you know about," Nuriko suggested to Hikitsu.

"Iname?" Hikitsu turned to his comrade, "What do you think?"

"They have the right to know" Iname replied as the other Genbu warriors watched his expression.

"Would you stop talking about us as if we're not here or something" Tasuki demanded, "What's going on?"

While Iname conferred with his friends, the Suzaku seven whispered amongst themselves. Miaka, who had been sitting with Yui suddenly stood up and walked out the door without anyone realizing it.



She walked through the palace, heading for her and Takako's room. She knocked lightly on the door, but no answer came so she entered in. Inside, kneeling near the bed, holding onto Takako's hand was Namame.

"Oh" Miaka started when she saw him, "Forgive me your highness. I didn't know that you were in here."

"Priestess of Suzaku" he replied without even looking up, "It's all right. There's no way that you could of known."

"How is she?"

"She's sleeping right now. But I imagine it's not a peaceful one" he stood up, "Still, rest is what she needs. So I will take my leave of her right now" he walked towards the door, with Miaka right on his heels.

"Namame!" she called as he stopped abruptly in one of the many gardens that led to his room.

He looked back as she stopped right behind him.

"What is it? Do you need something?"

"Actually I was wondering if you needed something."

"What?"

"If you need to talk. I'm a good listener."

"Thanks but I don't need to talk about anything."

"Not even Nakago?"

"Uh" he grimaced, "Did you have to mention his name?"

"I'm sorry, but it can't be helped. Namame, do you realize how serious the situation is?"

He looked at her straight in the eye, as if asking her to continue.

"Genbu and Suzaku. All four warriors are in terrible trouble. And not only that, your world and my own are in danger of Tenkou's power. That's why we have all been summoned back. That's why the Genbu seven are alive. Just like you. But in order to save the four Gods we need all 28 warriors and that includes Nakago."

"You don't know what your asking of me do you? Do you have any idea what that man put me through? Or what sorts of things he put Takiko through. I don't think so."

"I may not know what he put you through, but I know what he put us through."

"What?"

"Do you think he changed much in all the years you've known him? He didn't. Nakago did terrible things to us too you know. Horrible things. He turned my own best friend Yui against me. He took people away. He hurt so many of my friends to achieve his goals and to stop us from summoning Suzaku. I gather that it's no more different then your situation with him."

"Then I don't understand. Why would you want to side with someone who did those things to you?"

"Why? I don't like it. Yui doesn't like it either. But it is what we have to do because we are Priestesses. It is what we have to do to save everyone we care about. It's difficult and it's hard, but if we didn't do it, then why are we here? Why would Suzaku depend on me? I don't particularly like Nakago, but I will do what I can to defeat Tenkou and save everyone I love. In my world, and this one."

Namame stared at her in awe and gave a huge heavy sigh as he sat on one of the benches in the garden. He smiled slightly as he patted the seat, beckoning her to sit with him.

"Tomite and Hikitsu told me when their spirits left this world and retuned to heaven, that when they met you Priestess that you're were unlike any woman they had ever seen. I see now what they meant."

"Does this mean that you will reconsider your decision to join us?" she asked.

He sighed again and then turned to her.

"Priestess."

"Miaka."

"Hmm?"

"My name is Miaka Yuki. And I would like if you would call me Miaka."

"Very well" he nodded, "Miaka. Perhaps if I do tell you what happened, since you have told me the sorts of things that happened to you. I think it's fair."

"Only if you really want to," she replied as he nodded his head after.



"Meanwhile" Keisuke continued to read; "Nakago, Soi, and Tomo had just arrived in Hokkan with a regiment of Kutou soldiers. Oh no" he exclaimed.

"What's wrong Keisuke?" Tetsuya asked as he came back from the bathroom, "Is it Yui?"

"No" Keisuke shook his head, "But yes. It's all of them. Nakago has just arrived in Hokkan. And he is near the Capitol as we speak."

"Oh no" Tetsuya repeated, "Let me read for awhile."

"Okay" Keisuke agreed, "My voice is getting tired anyway."

Tetsuya took the book and sat down. He frowned at the next line and began to read.

"Nakago, Soi, and Tomo of the Seiryuu seven arrived in Hokkan with a regiment of soldiers, intent on finding the Priestess of Seiryuu and the Seiryuu warriors. Yui" he whispered.



"To start the story" Namame began, "I should probably say that Takiko and I."

"You were in love with each other weren't you?" Miaka said simply.

"Huh? How did you know that?"

"It's not hard to tell" she smiled, "When you've been in love as long as I have, you always can tell."

"Yes well, you're right. Takiko and I were in love with each other. I fell in love with her the moment I met her."



In the throne room Iname was telling the same story to the Suzaku seven, Yui, and her warriors as well. He was standing near a pillar with his arms crossed.

"We had all been gathered by that time. All seven of us. The truth is we thought it would be very simple to summon Genbu. How wrong we were."

"Indeed" Uruki replied, "It was not so easy. And we had one major obstacle in our way."

"One?" Tasuki said.

"Mhm" Tomite nodded, "Tenkou."



"Tenkou?" Miaka exclaimed, "Tenkou was your obstacle?"

"Yes" Namame nodded, "He never wanted Genbu to be summoned and he did everything in his power to stop us. That included sending one of his finest warriors."



"Nakago?" Yui replied stunned, "Nakago was Tenkou's servant?"

"That's right" Hikitsu said continuing.

"Oh yea" Chichiri replied, "I remember now. Tenkou said that on the mountain the last time that we faced him you know."

"Hey that's right" Tasuki said, "He said that the last time we were on the mountain with Tama here."

"I don't remember that" Taka spoke up.

"You wouldn't remember that Tamahome you were sort of drugged at the time" Chichiri explained.

"I was?"

"Yea but that's beside the point" Tasuki added.

"But how can we be so sure that it is the same Nakago?" Suboshi asked, "I mean you guys are at least two hundred years older than us."

"I admit that it doesn't make a whole heck of a lot of sense to us either" Iname replied, "But your description of Nakago was accurate. That's exactly what he looked like back then."

"Okay, whatever" Nuriko said, "But why is your Prince so upset about this situation? It was almost as if it was personal."

"It is personal" Tomite replied, "And it has a lot to do with Takiko."



"But what did Nakago want with Takiko?" Miaka asked Namame.

"He wanted her for himself" he replied.

"What?" Miaka exclaimed.

"That's right" Namame said, "He was in love with her. Dangerously. Deeply. To die for in love with her. So much on love that he did the worst possible thing. You see Nakago was my best friend."



"His best friend?" the entire throne room roared.

"That's correct" Uruki replied, "Nakago was on our side. Or so we thought."



On the outskirts of Hokkan, Nakago stared at his surroundings. He remembered things from long ago. Soi watched his expression change from a frown to sadness in a matter of moments.

"Nakago" she replied, "We should go."

"Yes" he agreed as he followed behind her on his horse.

He looked to the horizon and gazed at the clouds softly rolling in the heavens, as the night sky became an inky black.

"Takiko" he whispered so low that no one could hear but him.



Authors Note: Good day everyone! Here is the first chapter of the day. Expect two more! I changed the chapter title because I didn't like the first so I hope you don't mind?

Next Chapter: Nakago vs. Namame

The Seiryuu general and the Genbu warrior come face to face after two hundred years. See what happens next time!