Disclaimer: I disclaim owning FY.
Warning: Very bad pun ahead. For those of you that don't know, shounen means boy or lad (which will make more sense later). And our beloved Shun'u has a dirty mouth so watch out for that. Otherwise… on we go!
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It took a few days for Kishuku to get used to his schedule and life in the Center. Every morning he went from a reading and writing class to a history class and ended with a math course, the latter he found to be more useful in the long run (math and money seemed to go well together).
When he first came to the doors of the reading class, a sense of worry not unlike the feeling he had when he first came to the city crept into his stomach. But with encouragement from Toshi and a literal shove from Shun'u he entered the room, took a seat, and began the learning process. Luckily, there were three teachers there to help different divisions of students. Kishuku found he was just a year behind Shun'u, who had been there for about 2 years now. He did manage to get bumped up in math, which secretly pleased him to no end. Even history, a less than thrilling subject for him, showed a bit of promise at being somewhat interesting.
Kishuku had also found the easiest way out of the Center, with thanks to Shun'u's rather cagey directions. Toshi had told him to wait a bit before trying to peddle anything in the Capital city, especially since he was tethered to the Center and couldn't really offer his service as a jack-of-all-trades anymore. So he mostly walked around and took note of the people and kinds of assistance he could offer.
He also managed to catch Donai-san in one of the hallways. The Chief Warrior had him put through a pretty rigorous set of tests and, when Kishuku was finished and exhausted from the trial, Donai-san promised to have him entered into one of the higher skill classes for Warriors. It brightened his day so much that he barely paid attention to his roommate's jibes that night.
As badly as the duo got off on their first meeting, Kishuku and Shun'u actually grew to tolerate each other well. They taunted, teased, and beat each other up on a semi-regular basis, but it seemed to be in good humor - very similar to the way brothers would bond. The two even talked together at night, wrapping up their days with mumbled conversation and a sleepy "g'night'. Although nothing deep was shared, they scratched the surface of each other's personalities with almost no time lost.
Kishuku learned that Shun'u used to be the leader of the Mt. Reikaku bandits and although he didn't admit it, he was rather impressed by that fact. Shun'u fit the profile of a sake drinking, perpetually cursing, hard-as-nails bandit.
The Tamahome Seishi also came to quickly understand why Shun'u was so confident all the time; he had every right to it. Genrou gifted his beloved Seishi with inhuman speed and after spending a few years with the bandits, Shun'u was now a fighter to be reckoned with. Yet in spite of the tough exterior, the Tasuki Seishi was incredibly dedicated to Genrou and anyone he chose to allow into his world. Kishuku saw the way Shun'u protected Doukun like a younger sibling and his respect towards Donai-san was evident in the way the redhead spoke about the Chief Warrior's competence. There was even a slight connection growing between himself and Shun'u that neither was ready to acknowledge, but it was there nonetheless.
Lau-sama did a very good job.
But a few days after Kishuku arrived, he realized during the middle of a class that he never visited the Temple. There was something he had to do there and it couldn't be put off any longer…
After class was over he returned to their room and found Shun'u in there, so he asked him details about the Temple.
"Ain't no big shit," the redhead shrugged. "Just go there 'n pray." He was cleaning off what looked like a metal fan, paying no more attention to his roommate than he usually did.
"Isn't there a certain day I have to go? And something I have to wear or something I have to bring? Gimme a hand here, Shun!"
Shun'u clapped twice and went back to the fan.
Kishuku was unamused even though Toshi snickered mentally. "Thanks, you s. o. b. Now is it possible you could be helpful for once?"
"Look, why don't'cha find Doukun? Th' kid knows everything and I don't have the patience to tell you shit," Shun'u said carelessly. Genrou, who was resting at his feet, growled audibly at his Seishi. The yoku character shone angrily on both their foreheads and, after what appeared to be a great deal of mental swearing, Shun'u slammed the fan on his chair and stood up.
"What was that about?" Kishuku couldn't keep the amusement from his voice.
"Genrou thinks I should take you, 'cause I'd be disrespectin Suzaku if I didn't," he mimicked his ketsu's growl. "Fuckin ketsu know-it-all…" Genrou replied to that by nipping at Shun'u's heels while the Seishi stalked over to his closet. "Gimme a minute to find my damn jacket…" he burrowed through the clothes like a rabid dog hunting out a jackrabbit. Muttered curses and irritated words made it back to Kishuku's ears but he merely turned his attention to Genrou, who was thankfully quieter than his bondmate.
The red wolf captured more of Kishuku's curiosity than his Seishi. Where Shun'u was hot-tempered, brash, and all around unrestrained, Genrou was calm, sensible, and actually rather wise. It boggled Kishuku's mind that the two of them could even stand to be in the same room with each other, much less share a Seishi/ketsu mindlink.
'And Shun wonders how you and Toshi stay together,' Genrou's mind brushed his own. 'It's all perspective. The two of us have just as much in common as you and Toshi, it just depends on what you're looking for.'
"Found it!" Shun'u declared triumphantly, pulling out a fiery red overcoat before removing his normal black and blue one. Tossing it to the side, he quickly donned the new jacket over his shirt and fastened it down the center. The edges were colored in orange with short sleeves, while a flowing orange wrap went over his right shoulder and a black sash tied it to the rest of his jacket.
It was dressy and formal, and completely un-Shun'u like.
Kishuku bowed and spread an arm. "May I have this dance?" he smiled.
"Fuckin bastard," Shun'u stomped him passed to the door, ignoring the trio of entertained faces. "Hurry up, ya asshole. I ain't got all fuckin day!"
He turned back to the ketsu. "You two coming?"
Their reply was to flop to the ground in a most ungraceful fashion. 'Been there, done that, prayed to Suzaku,' Toshi yawned. 'Go by yourself, Ki. I've got company here, I'll be fine.'
"Cool. See you two later." And the Seishi began their walk to the Temple of Suzaku.
Originally Kishuku planned to ask about the fan, but Genrou's comment about Shun'u questioning his and Toshi's bond still rattled in his head. He needed to ask. "Hey Shun?"
"What?"
"Genrou said you don't think Toshi and me are a good pair. Why?"
"I think th' two o' you are a good pair, I just don't think ya have as much in common as me 'n Genrou do."
At this, Kishuku looked over at his Seishi friend with surprised eyes. "What makes you say that?"
Shun'u stopped walking and glowered at his roommate. "Shit, what is this, fuckin Ask-Me-Questions-'Til-I-Wanna-Beat-Yer-Head-In Day? What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, it's just a question. Don't worry about it," Kishuku shook his head. But being who he was Shun'u just sighed and hopped onto a railing and sat down.
"Lemme put it like this. Say the first word that comes to yer head."
"Okane." Boy, if that's not a natural reflex! Kishuku was a little unsure where this was leading, but he leaned against a rafter and listened to what pearls of wisdom his roommate might drop.
The redhead smirked. "Yeah, that's what I'm fuckin talkin about. In this order, you think about money, yer family, money, Toshi, money, Seishi duties, money, money, and occasionally money. Toshi, however, puts you ahead of everythin. I mean, shit, ain't like a leopard has that much to worry 'bout anyway, but he still has different reasons why he does things than you. Yer looking out for the easiest way to make a coin, he's looking t' keep ya safe.
"Me 'n Genrou, on the other hand, we're always on the same level. Same ideas, same values, same everything… well, most of th' time. I mean, I know Genrou don't always like the things I do and I can't stand it when he's being all fuckin overprotective, but our bond is deeper than actions y'know? We do things for th' same reason, whether it's ta help Suzaku, the bandits, or each other. So even though you guys are similar character-wise, we're the same principle-wise. You two may act all identical and shit, but you don't think alike and most o' the time I wonder how you guys get anythin done. And that's why" he slapped his knee to emphasize his point "I can't believe Toshi's still with you."
Kishuku could only look at Shun'u with an incredulous gape-mouthed stare. This was Kou Shun'u, the smart-ass teen that had a hard time focusing and paying attention to details of life? He couldn't believe that those very true and logical words came from the former bandit's dirty mouth, and the only thing he could do was slowly nod in agreement.
"So put yer eyes back in yer head and let's keep going," Shun'u jumped down and walked ahead. "Like now!"
Seeing as how he didn't want to be left in the dust, Kishuku quickly caught up and mused over the words. Shun'u was right; although he and Toshi acted like they'd come from the same litter their minds didn't run on the same field. Kishuku would do nearly anything for money, but Toshi was always a step ahead of him, trying to keep his Seishi safe and aware of the traps he could be getting into. But he'd also seen the way Genrou and Shun'u moved as if in perfect tandem in mock battles; they knew each other so well, so deeply that they didn't even need to mindspeak when attacking. It was both incredible and intimidating at once.
I guess I'm learning more than how to read here, Kishuku thought grudgingly. Who knew it would take the biggest loudest-mouthed troublemaker to teach it to me?
Shun'u showed Kishuku a shortcut through a few of the Palace's old hallways before reaching the Temple. "Cuts off 'bout 5 minutes," he said shortly, stepping carefully out of the wall and replacing the panel as soon as Kishuku stepped out. It seemed like the bandit knew all the secret passageways and had no qualms about using them for his own devices. "Now… this is the Temple of Suzaku. Any questions… tough shit, 'cause yer gonna have to ask the priests."
"Anything I should know about the priests?" he asked, a sly gleam in his eye.
Shun'u ignored it. "Yeah, some of 'em are kind of out of it, like fuckin outta their minds. They're so wrapped up in Suzaku they forgot about being human, so just be careful what'cha say, a'ight?" Shun'u explained as he opened the doors to the Temple.
The first thing Kishuku's appreciative eyes saw was the shining golden statue of a beautiful phoenix, standing in the center of the room and domination the rest of the details. Ss his eyes adjusted to the dim room he saw a backdrop of the twenty-eight constellations and an altar in front of the Suzaku statue. The room was filled with every conceivable hue and tint of red, gold, and orange until he felt both blinded and clear-sighted.
"This's the individual Shrine," Shun'u said in a hushed tone. He bent down on one knee to pay reverence and Kishuku followed suit. After bowing their heads for a few seconds, both stood up and Shun'u explained further. "This one's for personal matters and always open, but always guarded." He pointed behind them and above the doorway where a hawk was perched and watching the two with a careful eye. "Who knows when some damned idiot would come 'n decide to rob the place?"
"Like a bandit, maybe?"
Shun'u gave him the dirtiest look he'd ever been graced with, and pulled Kishuku to a door on the side. "There are four ways to get the Temple of Suzaku. This way through the smaller shrine, from the Palace entrance, from a door close to the woods, and the central doorway, which is how most people get in. 'Course… we ain't most people."
Kishuku couldn't argue that point, so he followed Shun'u through the thick wooden doors and was properly greeted with a flash of color. Shading his eyes, he managed to catch a glimpse of seven stained glass windows decorating the highest parts of the Temple, each emblazoned with one of the Suzaku's constellations. An altar stood in the center, commanding attention through its demure ivory color. A red mantle was draped over the top and brushed the oaken floor, with identical yards of liquid silk lining the walls. Surrounding the altar on four sides were rows of benches, obviously where Seishi sat during their weekly worship. Flowers decorated the entrances and altar while another golden statue of Suzaku sat proudly on the elegant adornment. And if it were possible, this statue could shame Suzaku himself with its golden beauty and ruby gaze. An open scroll was wrapped around Suzaku's perch and as the duo walked closer he could practically see the characters on the paper dancing with their own light. There was actually a small fire burning inside a golden vessel beside the phoenix with incense sticks framing statue and scroll.
At the moment the only people inside were Shun'u and himself, so they sat in one of the front rows, staring at Suzaku. When Kishuku did speak he visibly flinched from the harsh echo of his voice. "This is amazing."
"Yeah," Shun'u said reverently. "Really great, ya know? I mean… it's hard t' believe we're a part of this. We're two o' the Suzaku no Seishi. It's just…" and the thought faded off.
Kishuku understood more than he could say, simply letting a nod of his head fill the void.
"Ya missed it a couple weeks ago, when they tossed a scroll." Shun'u kept going. "With all the problems with Kutou going on and the way Hokkan's gettin riled up too, the Celestial Suzaku no Miko was forced to burn the ShiJinTenChiSho and make a petition to Suzaku. Every Seishi in the Center, Palace, and city was here. One o' the coolest things I've ever seen, with all the fire and shit."
"I take it it didn't work?"
"Th' petition? Depends on what yer idea of working is," Shun'u shrugged. "Suzaku didn't show up, if that's what'cha mean. But a new ShiJin came back, th' one on the altar now. No one understands it, 'cause it's written in a weird double-talk, but the Priests and Mikos are working on it. The only thing they know for sure is that eight of His Chosen gotta do something, but we have no fu-… er, clue as to the job."
"Guess I came at a good time. Time to go out and save Konan now that I'm around!" Kishuku joked, striking a pose as Shun'u snorted. "But what about the ketsu deaths? Did it say anything about them or how to stop them?"
To his surprise, Shun'u's eyes went wide with horror. "What ketsu deaths?" he demanded, his voice controlled but razor sharp.
"You mean you guys don't know?" Kishuku asked back, surprise very strong on his face. He was about to elucidate when the doors of one entrance opened with a protesting squeal. Both boys jumped to their feet, their nerves standing straight on end as a head peeked in.
"Oh, I didn't know anyone was in here, no da," an upbeat voice commented as the rest of the body walked in. A man, probably only a few years older than the two teenagers, shut the door after a few seconds' pause. His sky blue bangs defied gravity while the rest of his hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. Even though Kishuku hadn't seen any of the Priests before, he had a funny feeling that this was one of them.
"We can go," he said immediately, not wanting to bother anyone.
"It's all right, the Temple is open to everyone, no da," the man smoothed over his worry. He had a kind face, if not a little… different due to the fox-like features. "Any particular reason why you boys are over here, no da?"
As he walked to them and Kishuku could see his attire. His undergarment was comprised of a sleeveless crimson tunic and matching trousers. The Seiryuu blue overcoat covered half of his body; starting with a long-sleeved left arm, it crossed over his chest and was tied in place with a thin red sash, leaving his right arm uncovered.
"Kishuku here wanted me to show 'im the Temple," Shun'u waved his thumb in Kishuku's direction. "He's new here."
Thanks for the blame, Shun. Remind me to pay you back for that.
The Priest merely grinned and spoke. "I'm glad to meet you both, no da." He casually took a seat and looked at the other two. They sat down just after him, with Kishuku in between. "My name is Ri Houjun, a Chichiri Priest, no da." And no more than a moment later, a fox jumped into his lap and looked impatiently at the Priest. "And this is Shonin, though I think she's a little insulted I didn't introduce her first, no da." She was small, probably only two feet long and maybe fifteen pounds at the most, but still very beautiful; long moonlight-frosted tips hid fur a darker shade of night and her eyes were a dancing gold. Kishuku inclined his head to her with respect.
"I thought'cha said it was a girl," Shun'u tilted his head in confusion, totally and utterly destroying the effect.
"Not Shounen. Shonin," Houjun said pointedly while the ketsu bared her teeth to the Tasuki Seishi. He just bared his own fangs in reply.
Kishuku grinned. "I take it she gets that a lot."
"More than we care to remember, no da," Houjun answered with a sigh, his hand on her back. "May I ask who you are, no da?"
"Kou Shun'u, Tasuki Warrior," the redhead said proudly.
"Sou Kishuku, Tamahome Warrior," his opposite purposely emphasized the last word.
"Where are your ketsu, no da?"
Kishuku answered wryly. "They've decided to take a nap instead of join us here. No respect," he shook his head.
Houjun chuckled as Shonin curled up in his lap. "Well, some ketsu don't prefer to come as often as others, just as some Seishi only come once a month, no da."
"Yeah, getting back to the ketsu," Shun'u pulled their attention, his expression going solemn again. "Kishuku said somethin about ketsu deaths. Do you know anything?"
"Deaths?" Both Houjun and Shonin turned focused eyes to him. "I haven't heard anything of the sort recently, no da. Please clarify."
Kishuku started from the beginning. "Well, from what I know, in a village close to my home there was a Seishi whose ketsu was killed. And I don't mean like an accident, like a doe getting mauled by a wild animal. This happened to a full-grown grizzly bear, and it had pretty much been turned inside out." Actually, Kishuku had heard a much more visual tale, but refrained from saying more.
"Fuckin hell! You gotta be shitting us!" Shun'u momentarily forgot where he was, the shock hitting him like a physical blow.
"Shun, I wouldn't even joke about something like this," Kishuku said with deadly sobriety.
"What else did you hear?" Houjun urged, sounding equally serious.
This one would be harder. Kishuku took a deep breath and spoke. "I was coming here, actually, so this happened only about 10 days ago. Toshi - my ketsu - and myself were traveling along the steeper slope of Mt. Reikaku…"
"WHAT!" Shun'u burst out, his eyes wide.
"Shun'u," Houjun put a hand on the younger man's arm, keeping him from jumping up and shaking the life out of Kishuku to get answers. "Let him finish." At his nod, Kishuku kept going.
"We were running when Toshi heard something, which he swears sounded like a blade leaving its sheath. We crossed the road onto one of the backpaths and, after searching for a long time in a completely deserted area, Toshi found her." He took another breath, remembering every little detail as it burned his memory. "She was holding an eagle in her arms, crying and screaming as if she was the one that had her throat torn out. I wanted to help, but she… she just took her hand and it changed into a claw and, oh Suzaku! She… she tore out her own throat! Gods, I can still smell the blood and her fear and anguish and…" Kishuku stopped, suddenly realizing he was this close to hyperventilating. He rested his arm against his knee, and propped his aching head on his hand to steady himself. Silently counting to twenty, he took a series of resting breaths before continuing.
"I had no idea about what to do with her body, but Toshi was worried that someone was still around and might come after us next. I wasn't really in a good state of mind - I'd never seen anyone kill themselves like that. I just took ketsu-form and we just kept going until I couldn't move any farther. I wanted to pray in a Shrine when I first came, but I got swept up in things and forgot. Or made myself forget," Kishuku finished, his voice quiet and uneven. Shonin moved herself from Houjun's lap to Kishuku's, rubbing her head under his chin, radiating comfort and kind empathy. "I don't suppose I could now."
"Of course you can," Houjun said gently. "There's some incense on the altar."
As Kishuku got up, Shonin jumped onto his shoulders and made the shaky journey with him to the altar. He paid homage to the God of Konan and Shonin mimicked his motion. Picking up an unburned stick, Kishuku let it catch a flame before setting it at Suzaku's talons. Please Suzaku… he fervently prayed. Please Suzaku don't let this happen any more. For the woman and her ketsu, for all the other Seishi/ketsu bondpairs that have died, I hope their souls are with you. But Suzaku, my god! Please help us stop this madness!
A small burst of red light came from his shoulder area, and he turned his head to see the sho symbol alive upon from Shonin's forehead. Shun'u and Houjun were quickly joining them and he saw the Priest's face lit up with the same sign. He bent over and began studying the scroll, fingers flying as he scanned down the words. The bandit read over his shoulder, as if understanding the complex phrases and expressions Houjun was mumbling over and over.
"What's he doing?" Kishuku turned to Shonin. "What happened?"
'The scroll, as you prayed for help, began to change,' Shonin explained, her words a crystal bell-tone. 'Some of the characters disappeared, while others shifted around. At the moment my Houjun is wondering, to quote, how you could have done such a thing, no da.'
He gave the fox a look as she seemingly smiled back at him. "But it is different," Shun'u said, as if clarifying the idea for himself. Houjun nodded and kept talking.
"It makes more sense now, no da," he pointed to a row, his voice rising in excitement. "This is amazing, no da! That's why the Shichiseishi and Miko are being called, no da!"
"Well don't keep us in th' dark," Shun'u said impatiently. "C'mon! What's it say?"
"The first paragraph translates to say, 'This is the story of one girl who having gathered the Seven Seishi of Suzaku, and acquired the power to make any wishes come true. The story itself is a spell. The one who finishes the story shall acquire the same power as the heroine and her wishes will come true. As soon as the scroll is unfurled, the story will become the truth and begin.'"
Confused stillness.
"That still means nothin t' me!" the bandit yelled.
Houjun turned and faced the Warriors. "This tells us that the Suzaku no Miko is called so that she may gain the power of Suzaku. Though I may be making an incorrect leap of logic, it has been known that the reason a Miko is called to summon her god is to save her country from devastation, no da. It's a story that even children know, so for Suzaku to state, quite blatantly, that it's time for the story to begin, then it's time to begin looking for the Shichiseishi of legend." He looked at the ShiJin again, reading it as he spoke to Shun'u and Kishuku. "There's more, but I'll need more time before I understand all that Suzaku has said here, and if what we had before is changed, no da." He turned to Kishuku. "Have you heard any more stories, and how recently, no da?"
"A few, actually," Kishuku thought back. "I can't tell you all the details 'cause I don't know them, but before I left home I must have heard of two other ketsu deaths, and three more while on the road."
Shun'u sucked in a breath and a curse. Houjun shook his head in disbelief. "This is bad. That's too much to blame on natural causes or accidents, no da. What I can't believe is that we haven't heard about it here, especially since we're in the Capital itself, no da."
"I've been passing through smaller provinces. Word travels slowly."
"Or someone's been keeping it from reaching here…" Shun'u frowned darkly.
The trio looked at each other, silent within their own thoughts. Houjun and Shonin were mindspeaking back and forth while Shun'u waved his hand over the fire pit, teasing the flames and ashes. Kishuku watched the incense slowly let up a tendril of sweet smoke and was the first one to talk.
"I'm gonna head back to the room," he said to Shun'u. "Toshi and I will go out and stalk around the city, just… to check for myself that it's still safe." Shonin jumped from his shoulders to Houjun's waiting arms. "Maybe I'm just crazy but I'd rather find trouble than let it find me."
"I'll come wit'cha!" Shun'u decided firmly. "Anyone that's been killin ketsu should get their assSSSSsskin for a beatin!" He changed the sentence from Kishuku's glare.
"Would you two mind coming back here when you're done, no da?" Houjun asked. "I mean, to fill me in on anything you find, no da? If I'm not here, I'll be in Room 3 at the center of the Palace. We can use all the information we can find on this subject, no da."
"Gotcha!" both boys agreed and nearly flew out of the Temple.
"Didn't 'spect that to happen," Shun'u chuckled as they went down the secret passages. "Guess th' Temple's still kinda interestin."
"Let's just hope the city's not as exciting as you want," Kishuku said.
"Yer such a prick, ya know that? Takin away my fun!"
The two squabbled all the way back to the room, releasing nervousness they didn't want to have and oblivious as to what they had suddenly been pulled into.
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'Houjun, relax! None of this is your fault,' Shonin said sternly to her pacing Seishi. 'You had no idea that would happen. Not even Hisa-sama knew what to make of the new ShiJin, so how can you blame yourself for not being able to understand the words of Suzaku himself?'
The Chichiri Seishi merely shook his head at the reference to the Celestial Miko, the highest rank of Mikos. "I don't know… I shouldn't be this nervous but I am." He turned to the fox, who sat patiently on his desk and waited for more. "I'm worried because I could read more than just what I dictated to the boys."
Shonin pricked her ears back and forth. 'Are you going to tell me or do I have to force an answer out of you?'
He sighed, dropping down into his chair and removing the mask that hid both his feelings and his face from the world. Realizing the grimness of the situation by his show of such vulnerability, Shonin jumped into his lap and burrowed a comfortable spot for herself. "There are… references to which Shichiseishi will be picked to travel. Those most suited for this dangerous mission," he said softly, stroking her fur. "Those who will be the ones to summon Suzaku and save Konan from war."
If it were possible, Shonin would have gasped aloud. Instead, the fox raised her head and licked her beloved Seishi right under his scarred eye, giving him her undying strength and faith. 'So that's it…'
'I have found three of his Chosen eight… and I have just let two of them travel into the city without warning them of the dangers they might run into.'