Tasuki looked down the broad street in front of him from his perch on the back of his horse. They were supposed to be looking for their fellow warriors, but they didn't seem to be getting anywhere. That jewel thing the old hag had given Yumi wasn't flashing, or doing anything magic at all. Just when he was about to suggest they move to the next village, the pretty-boy spoke up.
"Yumi, I do not believe we will find the next warrior here. Perhaps we should move to the next village?" Tasuki growled deep in his throat. I'm not gonna let that emperor steal my lines! He thought irritably.
"Well I think we should stick ta' lookin' here!" Tasuki shot back, his arms crossed over his coat. He was looking the image of self-confidence, and he flashed a dashing smile in Yumi's direction. At least, he thought it was dashing. He'd never seen it, but Yumi seemed to like it. She looked torn for a minute, before turning to Tasuki.
"Why do you think that, Tasuki?" She asked, looking at him from her seat on Nuriko's horse. The bandit smiled inwardly. It was a good thing he was talented at improvisation.
"Fer one thing, we don't know what the hell that damned jewel does! Fer all we know, ya havta be within ten feet of tha' warrior fer it to do anythin! Plus, how does it react? Does it even do anything noticeable? We don't know!" He said, and was very pleased when Yumi nodded in agreement. He caught the emperor's gaze and sent him a condescending look. Ha! Top that!
Hotohori looked pensive for a moment. He seemed to be trying to decide whether he should argue or not. After a time, he smiled.
"Well if Yumi agrees, then we should do it. She is the priestess after all. I trust her judgment." Yumi smiled gently, her attention returning to Hotohori. Tasuki cracked his knuckles testily. How can tha' pretty-boy make it sound like I don't exist, and compliment her to boot!? He thought. Chichiri turned around and jingled his staff, making Tasuki's protests die in his throat. Stupid monk. Stupid emperor. Stupid cross-dresser…
Well, at least he'd won his case, though in the end it was soured by the emperor's comment. He had a chance to get back at him now, when he heard what Chichiri was suggesting.
"I think we should split up, no da! I can sense a Suzaku warrior's chi if I concentrate, and Yumi's gift should be able to as well, no da!" The fox-faced monk said, placing his large straw hat on his head. Tasuki seized the opportunity and maneuvered his gray stallion over to Nuriko's horse. Before anyone knew what he was doing, he picked Yumi up and deposited her in front of him on his saddle.
"I'll go with Yumi." He said forcefully, shooting a challenging glare Hotohori's way. Yumi didn't seem to be protesting; in fact, she nodded.
"Yeah, I'll go with Tasuki. You three head the other way, and we can meet back here in a few hours, okay?" She said, forestalling any complaints and excuses that Hotohori was about to give voice to. Chichiri nodded, and Tasuki quickly guided his horse in the other direction, careful to keep his arms partially around Yumi. Don't want her to fall, do I?
They didn't talk much as they made their way through the crowded streets, but something was bothering him. He didn't want this to come out the wrong way, but he HAD to know.
"Yumi." He asked. "Yumi, uh, did Chichiri, you know, do anything to you?" Yumi turned in the saddle and looked at Tasuki strangely. He tried to explain himself.
"I know it's not any of my business, but… well… you two were alone together last night, and you seem awful quiet now…" Yumi smirked at him as though she had heard something funny.
"Tasuki. Think about what you just asked me." Obediently, Tasuki thought about it.
"What?" He didn't understand why Yumi was grinning.
"It's Chichiri. Can you see it? What would he possibly do to me? "I love you, no da!'" She said, imitating the monk's voice perfectly. Tasuki realized the obvious and had to laugh at his mistake. But even so, a weight seemed to be lifted off of his chest. Was I actually worried? Chichiri?! What is happening to me? Perhaps I'm just territorial, cuz I was the first one to find her. But Tasuki doubted it, even as he thought about it.
They continued, just taking in the sights of the town until he noticed that a small ball on Yumi's chest was glowing. He tapped Yumi on the shoulder, and she turned around partially, giving him a better view of her… er, the glowing ball on her chest.
"What is it Tasuki?" She asked, her blue-gray eyes looking up at him curiously. He stumbled over a few words, trying to explain it without sounding like a pervert, which would most likely get him smacked. Well, I WAS looking... He blushed lightly. Damn… why do I always blush around her? I NEVER blushed before she came along and now look at me!
"Well, tha' little jewel thing is glowing." He said, trying to guide the gray horse and look at Yumi at the same time. She looked down at the jewel. It was tucked under her shirt, nestled between her… her face flushed when her gaze followed his. She looked up quickly.
"What were you LOOKING at?!" She shrieked, her hand managing to find his left cheek with a SMACK, leaving an angry red mark. Tasuki almost fell off his horse in surprise. Hell, that girl's got muscle! He thought, recovering himself and ignoring the fact that some of the people in the street were staring.
"Just look at the damned jewel, Yumi!" He muttered crossly, pointing at the thing, which was still glowing red. She looked as if she was going to slap him again, but instead she fished out the necklace and stared at the large jewel. Floating within the now crimson orb was a gold symbol, and Yumi grinned happily. Nice smile…
"It's Chiriko!" She exclaimed, looking around quickly. Tasuki smiled, exposing his fangs. It was good to see her happy. He didn't ever want to see her cry again, and he NEVER wanted to be the one to make her cry. Returning to the mission at hand, he patted Yumi on the head.
"Hey, good work! Keep an eye out fer that Chiriko person, got me?" He said, urging the horse forward. They went forward a few feet, and the jewel's glow intensified.
"I think we're getting closer to him!" Yumi said excitedly, almost bouncing up and down in her hyper state. Tasuki took this opportunity to tighten his hold on his priestess. She was liable to fall off if he didn't.
The farther they went forward, the brighter the jewel glowed. Yumi told him that it was like the game where you looked for something, and you could be cold, or warm, or hot. But Tasuki didn't get that comparison. Finally the jewel gave one bright flash, and abruptly dulled, returning to its original pink hue.
"Is it broken?" Yumi asked, when her eye fell on two people that seemed to stand out. They looked as if they were family, an older brother with a younger sibling. Yumi immediately wriggled out of her protector's grasp and jumped off the horse, ignoring Tasuki's protests, and made her way to the man. That had to be Chiriko! Her fifth warrior!
"Hey YOU!" She called, trying to get the man's attention. He paused, and looked confused. His younger brother stopped as well. Yumi stopped to get her breath and then pointed dramatically at the man.
"You! Do you have a symbol on your body?! Are you Chiriko?!" She demanded. Tasuki sighed and tried to get over there before Yumi caused any problems. Watch that guy be some innocent bystander… Tasuki thought, picking up his pace. Yumi was liable to start some trouble at this rate.
The man simply stared at the priestess as if she were deranged. He looked down at his younger brother, who smiled, and then looked back at Yumi.
"Miss… do you mean me?" The man asked, obviously baffled. Yumi took another breath and nodded. Somehow she managed to smile and yell at the same time.
"YES, I MEAN YOU!" She said, advancing on the man. What is she gonna do? Look for his symbol herself? Tasuki thought. At that very moment, Yumi grabbed the front of the poor guy's shirt and proceeded to try to take it from him. Damn! I hate it when I'm right! Yumi wrestled with the man as he struggled to stay clothed without hurting the girl that was stripping him.
"Priestess of Suzaku?" The little boy spoke up. Yumi looked down and the older man backed away hurriedly, taking the opportunity to rearrange his shirt back to the way it was before. Yumi looked down and scrutinized the smaller boy.
"I assure you that my brother is not one of your celestial warriors. My name is Odokun, and you might know me as Chiriko." Tasuki finally reached the spot of conflict and glanced down at the little twerp.
"How old'er you, kid?" He asked, jumping off the horse and looking at the boy. He looked to be about six.
"I'll have you know that I am thirteen. And yes, I am one of the celestial warriors of Suzaku." He said, moving his foot forward to reveal the glowing symbol of Chiriko.
"He IS Chiriko!!" Yumi cried, clapping her hands together. "I've found the fifth one!" Tasuki thought about that for a second, before tapping Yumi on the shoulder.
"Did'n the old hag say somethin' about that jewel an' findin' the new warriors?" He said. Yumi looked thoughtful, before nodding.
"Thanks, Tasuki! I forgot!" Tasuki beamed under the praise. Hah, there's somethin' to show pretty-boy! Why does my competition have to be the EMPEROR, anyway?
Yumi unclasped the jewel from around her neck and let it swing freely in front of Chiriko. He simply stared at it until it began to glow again, and a crimson scroll appeared in his hands. The boy smiled, and looked over at his brother.
"Inform mother that I will be joining the Suzaku celestial warriors. I might not be back for some time." The older man smiled and nodded before making his way down the street. Tasuki grinned. They'd found the fifth warrior, even if he was just a little twerp.
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Megumi woke up feeling empty inside. She sat up, wondering why, until she remembered that Amiboshi had been missing for the last two days. She had been dreaming, and he had come back, smiling and playing a happy tune on his flute. Why? Why does Nakago do this to us? As usual, Suboshi was awake before her. He was sitting by the window, looking outside silently. But there was something odd about him. He looked different than he had last night, less worried.
"Suboshi?" Suboshi looked over at Megumi and smiled happily. He was definitely different. "What's up?" Megumi asked.
"Amiboshi tried to contact me last night." Megumi looked blankly at Suboshi. Then, with a squeal, she jumped out of bed and ran over to grab Suboshi's arm. He had to grab onto the window ledge, or they would both go tumbling out the window and into the courtyard.
"What did he say?" Megumi asked excitedly. He's okay! You lost, Nakago!
Suboshi looked at Megumi in surprise, perhaps at her abrupt change in mood.
"I told you that he TRIED to contact me. He didn't get through, so I don't know what he said, except I can track his chi a little better now. He's south of us, in Konan, I would guess." Megumi tried not to look too disappointed at the lack of information, but Suboshi must have seen the change in her expression.
"Hey, Megumi! It's okay. I can track him now, remember? What do you say we go find him, before he gets into too much trouble on his own?" Megumi smiled happily, but then remembered where they were supposed to be going.
"Isn't Konan an enemy of Kutou?" She asked, a little worried.
"Yes, the countries are enemies, but that doesn't mean the individuals of each country hate the other. And how will they know we are from Kutou?" Suboshi said in a logical manner. Megumi was still a little worried.
"But, Yumi's warriors will know you, right? We need to be careful. I don't think SHE will hurt us, but her warriors, however many she has now, might not be the same if they know you are a Seiryu warrior." Suboshi just laughed.
"Her warriors? Don't worry. From what I saw of them last time, I don't think they pose us too much of a threat. I can protect you, right?"
Megumi nodded and giggled, remembering the time Yumi had come to deliver Megumi's medication. She had only brought two of her warriors with her, but they had been… strange.
"I hope Konan's warriors are stronger than they look, or Yumi will be in trouble." Suboshi said, remembering the cross-dresser and the blue-haired guy with the weird face. Megumi laughed, trying to imagine Yumi in trouble. It was hard. Megumi sat up and went over to her laundry and picked out a clean robe. She was wishing that Yumi had thought to bring changes of clothes. Always dressing in the local attire is getting tiring. She picked up a bag that would suffice, and tossed her medications into it. She pulled on her shoes and looked over at Suboshi. He stood looking at the wall, giving her privacy to change her clothes.