Disclaimer (by Sango): Rhapsody-chan does not own the FY charcters or storyline, thank you all!
Chapter 3: Revealed Feelings
Tamara heard Miaka's chipper voice from inside her room as she passed. The poor girl seemed so happy even though she had lost her true love. Tamara knew that the girl was just acting that way so no one would worry about her.
"Mm, now you have to heal Tasuki, alright Mitsukake?" The girl's high voice followed Tamara down the hall.
Tamara's footsteps echoed in the unusually quiet palace. She walked past Tasuki's own room and on to the one she shared with Alicia and Deirdre. Deirdre had been sleeping when she had left earlier, she hoped Deirdre still would be.
"She's gone... Just as I thought." Tamara voiced her thoughts as she opened the door, only to find an empty room. The girl's curly hair hung in her face as she sighed and turned out of the room, heading towards the dining hall.
Deirdre laughed as Tasuki yelped. Mitsukake had to bandage Tasuki the old fashioned way, since his powers were used for the day. The bandit groaned again as Mitsukake tied his arm up.
"Could ya be a little softer? I'm dyin' here!!" Tasuki yelled out. Mitsukake shook his head, sighing.
"You have one broken arm, a broken leg, several broken ribs and multiple contusions. If you aren't dead already I don't think you're going to die any time soon." The healer told him as he finished bandaging Tasuki.
Deirdre smiled and yawned. Tasuki's golden eyes flashed up to her before going back to the bed covers. "So, Mitsukake, have you healed Deirdre and Miaka yet?"
The healer frowned. "I have no need of healing Deirdre. She's healing faster than a normal human at about four times. Most of her bruises and cuts are gone already. The only thing left is the cut on her chin. For Miaka... I've healed her exterior wounds, but theres nothing I can do about the wounds to her heart."
Tasuki sighed as Mitsukake left the room, him and Deirdre were left alone now. He caught her staring at him. "What?!" He asked hotly. Deirdre shook her head.
"Nothing, just curious. In my world... Everything is different." She supplied, instead of her original thoughts. Tasuki's eyes searched her face.
"Didn't any of tha' bother ya? At all?" Tasuki questioned, turning his eyes to the ceiling. Deirdre gave him a confused look.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Deirdre laughed, pulling her hair into a make-shift bun. Tasuki frowned in a skeptical way.
"Yeah, ya mean ya don't remember that girl, Faye? Who was she? How did she know ya? You just came to this world. Or, at least that's what ya've said." He told her, his voice growing more angry with each word.
Deirdre snorted. "I did just come to this world and for your information Faye is supposed to be DEAD! You think I'm not shocked about her being alive? You think I want one of my best frends to hate me for a reason I've never heard of?!" Deirdre cried, tears beginning to form at the edges of her eyes.
Tasuki sat there, shocked at her outburst, even though he had only known her a day... Deirdre didn't seem the type to yell like that. Deirdre ran out, not wanting him to see her tears. Even though he already had.
Tasuki sighed and looked at the open door, it was raining outside. He frowned. 'Maybe I shouldn't have said an'thing to her 'bout it. It bothered her a lot.'
Deirdre had went to her room. She had found new clothes there and also a note from Alicia, saying she was to pull a cord fr assistance. Deirdre looked around the room, wanting to take a bath. She found the cord in the corner and pulled on it, then waited outside of her room for the maid.
Deirdre's eyes widend when she saw a young girl approaching her room. The girl looked frightened when she saw Deirdre waiting outside of the room.
"Oh, m'Lady, please forgive me! I took too long, I'm terribly sorry, I won't do it again!" The maid pleaded with her, bowing frequently. Deirdre sighed, the girl was only about thirteen, poor thing.
"It's alright, honey. Can you just lead me to the bath? It's no big deal really." Deirdre said, calming the girl a bit. The girl smiled hesitantly and bowed again.
"Yes, m'Lady! You are so forgiving..." Deirdre shook her head, chuckling about what the girl was saying.
"Listen honey, I'm no 'Lady'. I definetely don't belong here. What's your name?" Deirdre asked as they began walking towards the bath. The maid had been trying to take the clothes Deirdre was carrying but stopped so she could answer.
"Oh, m'Lady. My name is Akai." The girl bowed again.Deirdre sighed.
"Okay, listen Akai, don't bow to me! I'm a normal person-" She started before Akai cut her off.
"M'Lady! You were granted permission by the Emperor himself to stay here! You are friends with the Lord Tasuki as well, are you not?" Akai questioned and then blushed when Deirdre looked at her with peering eyes.
"Do rumors really travel that fast around the palace?" Deirdre asked, laughing, before dismissing her own question.
"Anyways... I'm only being able to stay here because I was brought here for some reason. Chichiri said something about asking Taiitsukun... Well, I don't even know why I'm here, you see? In my world-" Deirdre began before the maid gasped.
"You are from the world of the Priestess?! What is it like m'Lady?" Akai asked excitedly, her eyes filled with enthusiasm. Deirdre furrowed her brow, though she started tot hink about how to explain.
"Hmm, well you see, my world is much more advanced than yours. Instead of candles we have lightbulbs! They're powered by fake light and some sort of turbine I think. Oh, and could you stop calling me 'm'Lady'? I'm Deirdre!" Akai's soft brown eyes turned to the ground as she led Deirdre to the bath.
"M-Deirdre... I wish I could see your world. I want to be able to have a purpose. I want to be more than a maid." Akai sighed.
Deirdre walked into the outdoor space for the bath and started undressing. 'Akai will stay if I'm right. It's the maid's duty or something...' Deirdre thought to herself as she went into the water.
Indeed Akai stayed, standing and watching as Chichiri and Nuriko passed by, talking about the Priestess. Akai frowned as she heard them yell as they got further away.
"Deirdre, Lady, Lord Chichiri and Lord Nuriko are speaking of the Priestess missing. Do you know why?" Akai asked, her eyes still focused on the retreating froms of the seishi.
"Mm... I don't think so, does this place have soap?" Deirdre asked, dunking herself. When she came up Akai was holding out a bar of soap. Deirdre smiled and took it from her and quickly washed herself.
"Akai, did you say they were speaking of Miaka missing?" Deirdre questioned after a moment, her features growing worried. Akai nodded, seeing the concerned look in Deirdre's eyes.
"Crap! Hand me those clothes!" Deirdre yelled, stumbling out of the water and drying herself off as best she could. Akai handed her the clothes quickly. Deirdre slipped the clothes on, scoffing when she saw what they were. Imperial warriors clothes, sort of like Hothori's commoner clothing. She thought for a second and then knew it was Alicia who had requested them for her.
Deirdre took the Chinese shoes Akai was holding out and slipped them on as well. "Akai I'll see you later, I have to run, NOW!!" Deirdre said quickly and then was off, running towards where Chichiri and Nuriko were supposed to be.
She reached the appointed room in record time and stumbled in. Nuriko was running around the room, worry upon his features.
"If you're looking for Miaka we have to get out of here quick! Theres only one place she can be right now!" Deirdre yelled. Alicia and Tamara gasped. realizing what she meant and ran after her. The warriors followed after a split second.
"Why are you leading us to the lake?!" Nuriko yelled from behind Deirdre. Deirdre didn't answer but kept on going and stopped on the shore. Nuriko stopped beside her, as did the other seishi. Her friends lingered behind, unsure.
"Theres nothing here! Now whats-" Nuriko began and was cut off when Hotohori appeared out of the water, Miaka in his arms. He landed softly on the ground and a couple of the seishi rushed over. Deirdre went back to stand by Tamara and Alicia, gasping for air.
"Why'd you do that? They would have found out anyways." Tamara commented. Deirdre shook her head. "I just want to be involved, that's all. Though I don't think I will be very much."
Deirdre headed the other way. Alicia stared after her.
"Tamara, what's happening?" Alicia asked the auburn haired girl. Tamara shrugged. She didn't know what was happening either.
Alicia had been away from everyone for a while now. The seishi and Deirdre, even Tamara, were visiting with Tasuki. 'Or talking about Miaka.' Alicia told herself. She twirled her black-brown hair inbetween her fingers, thinking.
'I'm so bored...' She thought to herself, walking through the halls. She had passed the dining hall, the rooms on the South wing and the edge of the garden.
"Oh!" Alicia gasped as she bumped into someone. She helped them up. seeing as how she had knocked them down. Alicia did a double-take once she saw who it was, Chiriko. 'Or rather, Amiboshi.' She corrected in her mind.
"I'm sorry, when I get spaced out I'm really clumsy!" She exclaimed, laughing as the fake seishi stared at her.
"It's alright. Why do you and the other girls look foriegn to Konan?" Amiboshi questioned, curios for some reason. Alicia stopped laughing, thinking about when Deirdre had shown the anime ot them.
"Well, basically we're from different worlds I suppose. Though we have a culture similar to yours in our world too. China is the actual country. We come from a continent across the ocean called America." Alicia said proudly, thinking herself a genius for figuring this out.
Amiboshi nodded and then shyly blushed. "I'm sorry! I'm not normally like this, really! It just confused me for a moment. Your friend, Deirdre, looks a lot like someone I know in my old country."
Alicia thought for a moment, before realizing who he meant. "OH! You mean in that Kutou place? I heard you lived in a village near there!" She caught herself and ammended what she had spoken.
Amiboshi had the 'deer in the headlights' look for a second. His features calmed themselves once she said 'near'. He nodded, smiling now.
"Yes, who did you speak to about that?" He asked, his suspicions getting the better of him. Alicia almost froze and then came up with the most likely candidate.
"Miaka! I spoke to her the first day we arrived! She was telling me all about you guys! Tasuki, Chichiri, you..." She stopped and then turned chibi, worry getting the best of her.
"Okay, see you later, Amiboshi!" She ran away, laughing and then rounded the corner, before she realized what she had said to him. Alicia leaned against the wall, her breath catching. 'Oh crap...' She thought as she slid down the side of it. Her bum hit the floor as she thought of the consequences ths would probably bring.
Alicia sat for a moment, hoping Amiboshi wouldn't come after her. When he didn't she stood up and poked her head around the corner. Amiboshi was still standing there, though he was focused on his arm. She looked closer to see he had been scratching something into his arm.
"New girl... Unexpected, knows my secret..." He murmured, worry flooding his features. He stared at his forearm, frowning. Alicia bit her lip and held her hand to her mouth. 'Oh god, Dragon god, what am I to do?' She asked her deity as Amiboshi grit his teeth.
Alicia looked back at Amiboshi when she heard his voice. "Nakago says to kill her, immediatly." He said aloud, as if the words stunned him as well. Alicia squeaked and near jumped out of her shoes when he turned at the sound of her voice.
She stood stalk still, hoping he wouldn't see her. His footsteps echoed as he walked the opposite way. Alicia's brown eyes squinted as tears started to form. 'I've done something terrible.' She told herself, before heading off towards Tasuki's room. 'He was supposed to be in there...' She thought as her feet carried her in.
Alicia opened the doors, her face looking grim. "Deirdre, Tamara, I need to talk to you." She said and then straightened when her eyes settled upon Amiboshi. He wasn't looking at her, his eyes were focused on the wall, or closed. He went on playing his flute.
The other girls walked out of the room and closed the doors before Alicia burst into tears. Deirdre sprung forward, hugging the girl and sighing. "What is it, Ally?" She questioned, patting the girl's head.
"Oh damn, I did something terrible and now I'm going to pay. You guys always warned me about me and my mouth! This is what I get for not listening!!" She sobbed into Deirdre's shoulder.
"Ally, what happened?" Tamara asked her, brushing the hair out of her eyes. Alicia bit her lip before pointing back to the room.
"I was talking to Ami-Chiriko and then I spit it out!" Alicia told them, stomping her foot. Tamara raised her eyebrows, confused.
"Ally, spit what out?" She asked, leaning towards the shorter girl.
"I said 'See you later Amiboshi'. I spilled his secret, he knows that I know and that Nakago guy, he wrote on his arm and Nakago said to kill me and now I'm going-" Alicia began to blabber. Tamara stopped her.
"Nothing is going to happen to you. He isn't that sort of person, he never wanted to be involved with this." Deirdre told the frightened teenager. Tamara frowned, shaking her head like a mother.
"It'll be alright, you'll see."
Amiboshi sat away from everyone, still playing his flute, but thinking. 'Alicia, I barely know her, but I can't kill her, I can't! This is not how it's supposed to go...' He stopped playing when he heard the voices and footsteps outside grow fainter.
He yawned. "Alright, you guys, I'm going to walk around okay? Don't want to fall asleep just yet." He winked happily and walked outside, closing the door and going towards his own room. 'No, no, no... I won't do it. I'll just tell them pretend to kill her. I'll report that I did...' He sighed and settled into his room.
"So, Tamahome, are you ready for this?" Faye asked him, her red hair tied into a Chinese warriors bun. He shot a glare towards her.
"Yes, why would you think I'm not?? Why are you here anyways?" He asked the flame headed girl. She snorted.
"Nakago sent me to try and convince one of my own... Dear friends to join us, darling." She spat, her brown eyes giving off an eerie black glow. Tamahome nodded, ignoring what he saw.
"Priestess of Suzaku, I will kill you..." He muttered as he jumped off the edge of the building. Faye watche dhim jump and run a head. She yawned.
"Why do I have to do the dirty work? Elena can do it as well as I. Oh well, it'll give the other two girls more of a shock then." She laughed and went after the brainwashed Suzaku warrior.
"I heard that Tamahome has entered the palace!" Amiboshi old his fellow 'friends'. Deirdre and Tamara were accompannying them, but strangely, Alicia was absent.
Amiboshi knew why.
"Are you sure?" Nuriko asked him, trailing a little to his left. Amiboshi nodded. "Yes, I heard the guards talking about it." He told them, walking down the stairs and stopping before the aforementioned warrior.
"I'm here for the Priestess of Suzaku, out of my way. I have no use for you." Tamahome told them, getting up from his kneeling position. All of them stayed where they were.
"If not, I have uses for you all." A young woman's voice came from above them. A figure jumped off of the building and landed neatly next to Tamahome. She stood, a red tendril of hair escaping her bun. Deirdre yelped and Tamara gasped.
The girl laughed. "You really that surprised to see me, Tamara? Or did Deirdre even tell you about our encounter in Kutou yesterday night?" Tamara's green eyes looked to Deirdre and then back to Faye.
"Faye, you'e supposed to be dead..." Tamara squeaked out. The warriors looked at the girl and back to Tamara and Deirdre, confused.
Faye sighed, putting her hand upon her hip. "Ohh, I suppose not! You spoil all my fun Deirdre!" Faye said, pulling the bow from her arm and an arrow from her back. She notched it and aimed it at Amiboshi first, before winking and turning it to Nuriko, to Tasuki, Mitsukake, Tamara and then to Deirdre.
Deirdre's eyes grew large and Faye felt her powers flare in anger. She then sensed the Emperor's chi growoing closer.
"Tamahome! You will not lay one finger upon Miaka!" Hotohori yelled out, holding a sword in his hand.
At that moment, Deirdre's own power had flared again in anger and the thought came to her just as before, when she had been in Kutou. She spun around, releasing her aura in a circle about everyone. Her eyes focused back on Faye and the shield of chi surrounded them all. Tasuki wasn't startled, neither was Chichiri, for both of them had witnessed this power before. The others had jumped in surprise though.
"Deirdre, what did you do?" Tamara asked in awe. The others stared around them for a second before focusing back on Hotohori, Faye and Tamahome. Hotohori had stopped to watch the spectacle as well before tossing Tamahome a sword.
"Take up that sword there! I will not fight an unarmed man!" Hotohori yelled, pulling his own from his sheath. Tamahome obliged and picked up the sword.
Faye had frowned, puckering her lips in sadness. "Aww, you spoiled my fun again, Deirdre! Oh well, I'll just have to go after that Priestess, or say, our dear friend Alicia. After all, she knows his secret and Nakago won't want her to get away with that!" Faye shot off down one of the palace halls.
Deirdre panicked for a moment before a thought flew into her mind. 'Cut the door and the others will be safe.' She walked up to the edge of the circle and cut a door with her finger, walking out. Deirdre turned around and put the door back up.
She went after Faye, running full speed toward the room she shared with Alicia. Faye had carved something into the door.
'Wrongo deary! She's safe!' Was carved into the paneling. Deirdre reversed the direction and went towards Miaka's and found the door open and a confused Faye sitting on the bed.
"Well, I must say, I'm turned around, aren't you?" Faye laughed, and then Deirdre noticed the arrow she held in her hand.
"This time, you can't save yourself with that shield, unless you want the one around your friends to fall." Deirdre stood still, feeling like her heart was in her throat. Faye pulled the string back, closing an eye and pointing towards Deirdre's heart.
"I'll give you a chance. Join us, and you'll walk away unscathed. Refuse and then you can say bye-bye to your friends and would-be lover." Faye spied the confusion in Deirdre's eyes because of the last few words.
"Yes, thats right. The gods, or in particular, your Guardian; Byakko wanted you to have the love his miko couldn't. You have your soul-mate in that group of warriors. Want to find out who he is? Join me." Faye said, chuckling.
Pieces of Deirdre's life flashed before her. Her 1st year of school, 1st crush, her little sister and a single quote from her dead mother. 'You don't live for love, love lives for you.' Deirdre slowly shook her head.
"Faye, my old friend, I wasn't born for love." Deirdre told the girl. Faye's eyes sparked and she snorted.
"See you in Hell." Faye told the blue-eyed girl, smirking. She loosed the arrow, a bit too late. Deirdre had hit the floor and rolled out of the room. She jumped up and headed back towards the shield. As she appraoched the appointed place she saw Alicia standing outside of it, confused. Miaka was standing on the sidelines. Deirdre saw Alicia, Tasuki, Tamara and Amiboshi turn their eyes towards her.
She frowned when she saw the looks on their faces, and wished she would have realized what they meant sooner; she heard Alicia's scream and Miaka's combined.
Miaka's was for Tamahome, whom had been stabbed in the stomache and lay bleeding. Alicia's was for... Deirdre.
A/n: Okay, second time! Getting frustrated… (Rubs temples) Calm down, calm down… Okay, I'm calm! Anyways, this computer is screwing up because I typed this document on another one and then had to re-format it and convert it and a whole bunch of other stuff! (Rubs temples again) Can't get mad, aggravates allergies… (Rhapsody's eyes become blurry) Shimatta! See what happens when I get mad at the computer? Anyways, I shall re-type the review responses now!
Neko-ane: Just didn't want you to think I was crazier than I am! Can't give me more credit than I deserve! Lol.
DOREMIdan: Thanks, I'm so glad you like it! Well it's only because I have free time that I'm fast at writing them, lol. If I don't have any time, they die and wither and stuff… Anyways, because it's almost summer, and I get more library time during class, I'll have lots of chapter up soon!
Phearel: Thanks again! I really appreciate your reviews, they make me happy! (Looks up) Iie! Not the tessen! (Cowers in fear) I got more chapters ready, okay? You just review and they'll be up!!!!
Chapter 3: Revealed Feelings
Tamara heard Miaka's chipper voice from inside her room as she passed. The poor girl seemed so happy even though she had lost her true love. Tamara knew that the girl was just acting that way so no one would worry about her.
"Mm, now you have to heal Tasuki, alright Mitsukake?" The girl's high voice followed Tamara down the hall.
Tamara's footsteps echoed in the unusually quiet palace. She walked past Tasuki's own room and on to the one she shared with Alicia and Deirdre. Deirdre had been sleeping when she had left earlier, she hoped Deirdre still would be.
"She's gone... Just as I thought." Tamara voiced her thoughts as she opened the door, only to find an empty room. The girl's curly hair hung in her face as she sighed and turned out of the room, heading towards the dining hall.
Deirdre laughed as Tasuki yelped. Mitsukake had to bandage Tasuki the old fashioned way, since his powers were used for the day. The bandit groaned again as Mitsukake tied his arm up.
"Could ya be a little softer? I'm dyin' here!!" Tasuki yelled out. Mitsukake shook his head, sighing.
"You have one broken arm, a broken leg, several broken ribs and multiple contusions. If you aren't dead already I don't think you're going to die any time soon." The healer told him as he finished bandaging Tasuki.
Deirdre smiled and yawned. Tasuki's golden eyes flashed up to her before going back to the bed covers. "So, Mitsukake, have you healed Deirdre and Miaka yet?"
The healer frowned. "I have no need of healing Deirdre. She's healing faster than a normal human at about four times. Most of her bruises and cuts are gone already. The only thing left is the cut on her chin. For Miaka... I've healed her exterior wounds, but theres nothing I can do about the wounds to her heart."
Tasuki sighed as Mitsukake left the room, him and Deirdre were left alone now. He caught her staring at him. "What?!" He asked hotly. Deirdre shook her head.
"Nothing, just curious. In my world... Everything is different." She supplied, instead of her original thoughts. Tasuki's eyes searched her face.
"Didn't any of tha' bother ya? At all?" Tasuki questioned, turning his eyes to the ceiling. Deirdre gave him a confused look.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Deirdre laughed, pulling her hair into a make-shift bun. Tasuki frowned in a skeptical way.
"Yeah, ya mean ya don't remember that girl, Faye? Who was she? How did she know ya? You just came to this world. Or, at least that's what ya've said." He told her, his voice growing more angry with each word.
Deirdre snorted. "I did just come to this world and for your information Faye is supposed to be DEAD! You think I'm not shocked about her being alive? You think I want one of my best frends to hate me for a reason I've never heard of?!" Deirdre cried, tears beginning to form at the edges of her eyes.
Tasuki sat there, shocked at her outburst, even though he had only known her a day... Deirdre didn't seem the type to yell like that. Deirdre ran out, not wanting him to see her tears. Even though he already had.
Tasuki sighed and looked at the open door, it was raining outside. He frowned. 'Maybe I shouldn't have said an'thing to her 'bout it. It bothered her a lot.'
Deirdre had went to her room. She had found new clothes there and also a note from Alicia, saying she was to pull a cord fr assistance. Deirdre looked around the room, wanting to take a bath. She found the cord in the corner and pulled on it, then waited outside of her room for the maid.
Deirdre's eyes widend when she saw a young girl approaching her room. The girl looked frightened when she saw Deirdre waiting outside of the room.
"Oh, m'Lady, please forgive me! I took too long, I'm terribly sorry, I won't do it again!" The maid pleaded with her, bowing frequently. Deirdre sighed, the girl was only about thirteen, poor thing.
"It's alright, honey. Can you just lead me to the bath? It's no big deal really." Deirdre said, calming the girl a bit. The girl smiled hesitantly and bowed again.
"Yes, m'Lady! You are so forgiving..." Deirdre shook her head, chuckling about what the girl was saying.
"Listen honey, I'm no 'Lady'. I definetely don't belong here. What's your name?" Deirdre asked as they began walking towards the bath. The maid had been trying to take the clothes Deirdre was carrying but stopped so she could answer.
"Oh, m'Lady. My name is Akai." The girl bowed again.Deirdre sighed.
"Okay, listen Akai, don't bow to me! I'm a normal person-" She started before Akai cut her off.
"M'Lady! You were granted permission by the Emperor himself to stay here! You are friends with the Lord Tasuki as well, are you not?" Akai questioned and then blushed when Deirdre looked at her with peering eyes.
"Do rumors really travel that fast around the palace?" Deirdre asked, laughing, before dismissing her own question.
"Anyways... I'm only being able to stay here because I was brought here for some reason. Chichiri said something about asking Taiitsukun... Well, I don't even know why I'm here, you see? In my world-" Deirdre began before the maid gasped.
"You are from the world of the Priestess?! What is it like m'Lady?" Akai asked excitedly, her eyes filled with enthusiasm. Deirdre furrowed her brow, though she started tot hink about how to explain.
"Hmm, well you see, my world is much more advanced than yours. Instead of candles we have lightbulbs! They're powered by fake light and some sort of turbine I think. Oh, and could you stop calling me 'm'Lady'? I'm Deirdre!" Akai's soft brown eyes turned to the ground as she led Deirdre to the bath.
"M-Deirdre... I wish I could see your world. I want to be able to have a purpose. I want to be more than a maid." Akai sighed.
Deirdre walked into the outdoor space for the bath and started undressing. 'Akai will stay if I'm right. It's the maid's duty or something...' Deirdre thought to herself as she went into the water.
Indeed Akai stayed, standing and watching as Chichiri and Nuriko passed by, talking about the Priestess. Akai frowned as she heard them yell as they got further away.
"Deirdre, Lady, Lord Chichiri and Lord Nuriko are speaking of the Priestess missing. Do you know why?" Akai asked, her eyes still focused on the retreating froms of the seishi.
"Mm... I don't think so, does this place have soap?" Deirdre asked, dunking herself. When she came up Akai was holding out a bar of soap. Deirdre smiled and took it from her and quickly washed herself.
"Akai, did you say they were speaking of Miaka missing?" Deirdre questioned after a moment, her features growing worried. Akai nodded, seeing the concerned look in Deirdre's eyes.
"Crap! Hand me those clothes!" Deirdre yelled, stumbling out of the water and drying herself off as best she could. Akai handed her the clothes quickly. Deirdre slipped the clothes on, scoffing when she saw what they were. Imperial warriors clothes, sort of like Hothori's commoner clothing. She thought for a second and then knew it was Alicia who had requested them for her.
Deirdre took the Chinese shoes Akai was holding out and slipped them on as well. "Akai I'll see you later, I have to run, NOW!!" Deirdre said quickly and then was off, running towards where Chichiri and Nuriko were supposed to be.
She reached the appointed room in record time and stumbled in. Nuriko was running around the room, worry upon his features.
"If you're looking for Miaka we have to get out of here quick! Theres only one place she can be right now!" Deirdre yelled. Alicia and Tamara gasped. realizing what she meant and ran after her. The warriors followed after a split second.
"Why are you leading us to the lake?!" Nuriko yelled from behind Deirdre. Deirdre didn't answer but kept on going and stopped on the shore. Nuriko stopped beside her, as did the other seishi. Her friends lingered behind, unsure.
"Theres nothing here! Now whats-" Nuriko began and was cut off when Hotohori appeared out of the water, Miaka in his arms. He landed softly on the ground and a couple of the seishi rushed over. Deirdre went back to stand by Tamara and Alicia, gasping for air.
"Why'd you do that? They would have found out anyways." Tamara commented. Deirdre shook her head. "I just want to be involved, that's all. Though I don't think I will be very much."
Deirdre headed the other way. Alicia stared after her.
"Tamara, what's happening?" Alicia asked the auburn haired girl. Tamara shrugged. She didn't know what was happening either.
Alicia had been away from everyone for a while now. The seishi and Deirdre, even Tamara, were visiting with Tasuki. 'Or talking about Miaka.' Alicia told herself. She twirled her black-brown hair inbetween her fingers, thinking.
'I'm so bored...' She thought to herself, walking through the halls. She had passed the dining hall, the rooms on the South wing and the edge of the garden.
"Oh!" Alicia gasped as she bumped into someone. She helped them up. seeing as how she had knocked them down. Alicia did a double-take once she saw who it was, Chiriko. 'Or rather, Amiboshi.' She corrected in her mind.
"I'm sorry, when I get spaced out I'm really clumsy!" She exclaimed, laughing as the fake seishi stared at her.
"It's alright. Why do you and the other girls look foriegn to Konan?" Amiboshi questioned, curios for some reason. Alicia stopped laughing, thinking about when Deirdre had shown the anime ot them.
"Well, basically we're from different worlds I suppose. Though we have a culture similar to yours in our world too. China is the actual country. We come from a continent across the ocean called America." Alicia said proudly, thinking herself a genius for figuring this out.
Amiboshi nodded and then shyly blushed. "I'm sorry! I'm not normally like this, really! It just confused me for a moment. Your friend, Deirdre, looks a lot like someone I know in my old country."
Alicia thought for a moment, before realizing who he meant. "OH! You mean in that Kutou place? I heard you lived in a village near there!" She caught herself and ammended what she had spoken.
Amiboshi had the 'deer in the headlights' look for a second. His features calmed themselves once she said 'near'. He nodded, smiling now.
"Yes, who did you speak to about that?" He asked, his suspicions getting the better of him. Alicia almost froze and then came up with the most likely candidate.
"Miaka! I spoke to her the first day we arrived! She was telling me all about you guys! Tasuki, Chichiri, you..." She stopped and then turned chibi, worry getting the best of her.
"Okay, see you later, Amiboshi!" She ran away, laughing and then rounded the corner, before she realized what she had said to him. Alicia leaned against the wall, her breath catching. 'Oh crap...' She thought as she slid down the side of it. Her bum hit the floor as she thought of the consequences ths would probably bring.
Alicia sat for a moment, hoping Amiboshi wouldn't come after her. When he didn't she stood up and poked her head around the corner. Amiboshi was still standing there, though he was focused on his arm. She looked closer to see he had been scratching something into his arm.
"New girl... Unexpected, knows my secret..." He murmured, worry flooding his features. He stared at his forearm, frowning. Alicia bit her lip and held her hand to her mouth. 'Oh god, Dragon god, what am I to do?' She asked her deity as Amiboshi grit his teeth.
Alicia looked back at Amiboshi when she heard his voice. "Nakago says to kill her, immediatly." He said aloud, as if the words stunned him as well. Alicia squeaked and near jumped out of her shoes when he turned at the sound of her voice.
She stood stalk still, hoping he wouldn't see her. His footsteps echoed as he walked the opposite way. Alicia's brown eyes squinted as tears started to form. 'I've done something terrible.' She told herself, before heading off towards Tasuki's room. 'He was supposed to be in there...' She thought as her feet carried her in.
Alicia opened the doors, her face looking grim. "Deirdre, Tamara, I need to talk to you." She said and then straightened when her eyes settled upon Amiboshi. He wasn't looking at her, his eyes were focused on the wall, or closed. He went on playing his flute.
The other girls walked out of the room and closed the doors before Alicia burst into tears. Deirdre sprung forward, hugging the girl and sighing. "What is it, Ally?" She questioned, patting the girl's head.
"Oh damn, I did something terrible and now I'm going to pay. You guys always warned me about me and my mouth! This is what I get for not listening!!" She sobbed into Deirdre's shoulder.
"Ally, what happened?" Tamara asked her, brushing the hair out of her eyes. Alicia bit her lip before pointing back to the room.
"I was talking to Ami-Chiriko and then I spit it out!" Alicia told them, stomping her foot. Tamara raised her eyebrows, confused.
"Ally, spit what out?" She asked, leaning towards the shorter girl.
"I said 'See you later Amiboshi'. I spilled his secret, he knows that I know and that Nakago guy, he wrote on his arm and Nakago said to kill me and now I'm going-" Alicia began to blabber. Tamara stopped her.
"Nothing is going to happen to you. He isn't that sort of person, he never wanted to be involved with this." Deirdre told the frightened teenager. Tamara frowned, shaking her head like a mother.
"It'll be alright, you'll see."
Amiboshi sat away from everyone, still playing his flute, but thinking. 'Alicia, I barely know her, but I can't kill her, I can't! This is not how it's supposed to go...' He stopped playing when he heard the voices and footsteps outside grow fainter.
He yawned. "Alright, you guys, I'm going to walk around okay? Don't want to fall asleep just yet." He winked happily and walked outside, closing the door and going towards his own room. 'No, no, no... I won't do it. I'll just tell them pretend to kill her. I'll report that I did...' He sighed and settled into his room.
"So, Tamahome, are you ready for this?" Faye asked him, her red hair tied into a Chinese warriors bun. He shot a glare towards her.
"Yes, why would you think I'm not?? Why are you here anyways?" He asked the flame headed girl. She snorted.
"Nakago sent me to try and convince one of my own... Dear friends to join us, darling." She spat, her brown eyes giving off an eerie black glow. Tamahome nodded, ignoring what he saw.
"Priestess of Suzaku, I will kill you..." He muttered as he jumped off the edge of the building. Faye watche dhim jump and run a head. She yawned.
"Why do I have to do the dirty work? Elena can do it as well as I. Oh well, it'll give the other two girls more of a shock then." She laughed and went after the brainwashed Suzaku warrior.
"I heard that Tamahome has entered the palace!" Amiboshi old his fellow 'friends'. Deirdre and Tamara were accompannying them, but strangely, Alicia was absent.
Amiboshi knew why.
"Are you sure?" Nuriko asked him, trailing a little to his left. Amiboshi nodded. "Yes, I heard the guards talking about it." He told them, walking down the stairs and stopping before the aforementioned warrior.
"I'm here for the Priestess of Suzaku, out of my way. I have no use for you." Tamahome told them, getting up from his kneeling position. All of them stayed where they were.
"If not, I have uses for you all." A young woman's voice came from above them. A figure jumped off of the building and landed neatly next to Tamahome. She stood, a red tendril of hair escaping her bun. Deirdre yelped and Tamara gasped.
The girl laughed. "You really that surprised to see me, Tamara? Or did Deirdre even tell you about our encounter in Kutou yesterday night?" Tamara's green eyes looked to Deirdre and then back to Faye.
"Faye, you'e supposed to be dead..." Tamara squeaked out. The warriors looked at the girl and back to Tamara and Deirdre, confused.
Faye sighed, putting her hand upon her hip. "Ohh, I suppose not! You spoil all my fun Deirdre!" Faye said, pulling the bow from her arm and an arrow from her back. She notched it and aimed it at Amiboshi first, before winking and turning it to Nuriko, to Tasuki, Mitsukake, Tamara and then to Deirdre.
Deirdre's eyes grew large and Faye felt her powers flare in anger. She then sensed the Emperor's chi growoing closer.
"Tamahome! You will not lay one finger upon Miaka!" Hotohori yelled out, holding a sword in his hand.
At that moment, Deirdre's own power had flared again in anger and the thought came to her just as before, when she had been in Kutou. She spun around, releasing her aura in a circle about everyone. Her eyes focused back on Faye and the shield of chi surrounded them all. Tasuki wasn't startled, neither was Chichiri, for both of them had witnessed this power before. The others had jumped in surprise though.
"Deirdre, what did you do?" Tamara asked in awe. The others stared around them for a second before focusing back on Hotohori, Faye and Tamahome. Hotohori had stopped to watch the spectacle as well before tossing Tamahome a sword.
"Take up that sword there! I will not fight an unarmed man!" Hotohori yelled, pulling his own from his sheath. Tamahome obliged and picked up the sword.
Faye had frowned, puckering her lips in sadness. "Aww, you spoiled my fun again, Deirdre! Oh well, I'll just have to go after that Priestess, or say, our dear friend Alicia. After all, she knows his secret and Nakago won't want her to get away with that!" Faye shot off down one of the palace halls.
Deirdre panicked for a moment before a thought flew into her mind. 'Cut the door and the others will be safe.' She walked up to the edge of the circle and cut a door with her finger, walking out. Deirdre turned around and put the door back up.
She went after Faye, running full speed toward the room she shared with Alicia. Faye had carved something into the door.
'Wrongo deary! She's safe!' Was carved into the paneling. Deirdre reversed the direction and went towards Miaka's and found the door open and a confused Faye sitting on the bed.
"Well, I must say, I'm turned around, aren't you?" Faye laughed, and then Deirdre noticed the arrow she held in her hand.
"This time, you can't save yourself with that shield, unless you want the one around your friends to fall." Deirdre stood still, feeling like her heart was in her throat. Faye pulled the string back, closing an eye and pointing towards Deirdre's heart.
"I'll give you a chance. Join us, and you'll walk away unscathed. Refuse and then you can say bye-bye to your friends and would-be lover." Faye spied the confusion in Deirdre's eyes because of the last few words.
"Yes, thats right. The gods, or in particular, your Guardian; Byakko wanted you to have the love his miko couldn't. You have your soul-mate in that group of warriors. Want to find out who he is? Join me." Faye said, chuckling.
Pieces of Deirdre's life flashed before her. Her 1st year of school, 1st crush, her little sister and a single quote from her dead mother. 'You don't live for love, love lives for you.' Deirdre slowly shook her head.
"Faye, my old friend, I wasn't born for love." Deirdre told the girl. Faye's eyes sparked and she snorted.
"See you in Hell." Faye told the blue-eyed girl, smirking. She loosed the arrow, a bit too late. Deirdre had hit the floor and rolled out of the room. She jumped up and headed back towards the shield. As she appraoched the appointed place she saw Alicia standing outside of it, confused. Miaka was standing on the sidelines. Deirdre saw Alicia, Tasuki, Tamara and Amiboshi turn their eyes towards her.
She frowned when she saw the looks on their faces, and wished she would have realized what they meant sooner; she heard Alicia's scream and Miaka's combined.
Miaka's was for Tamahome, whom had been stabbed in the stomache and lay bleeding. Alicia's was for... Deirdre.
A/n: Okay, second time! Getting frustrated… (Rubs temples) Calm down, calm down… Okay, I'm calm! Anyways, this computer is screwing up because I typed this document on another one and then had to re-format it and convert it and a whole bunch of other stuff! (Rubs temples again) Can't get mad, aggravates allergies… (Rhapsody's eyes become blurry) Shimatta! See what happens when I get mad at the computer? Anyways, I shall re-type the review responses now!
Neko-ane: Just didn't want you to think I was crazier than I am! Can't give me more credit than I deserve! Lol.
DOREMIdan: Thanks, I'm so glad you like it! Well it's only because I have free time that I'm fast at writing them, lol. If I don't have any time, they die and wither and stuff… Anyways, because it's almost summer, and I get more library time during class, I'll have lots of chapter up soon!
Phearel: Thanks again! I really appreciate your reviews, they make me happy! (Looks up) Iie! Not the tessen! (Cowers in fear) I got more chapters ready, okay? You just review and they'll be up!!!!