Megumi looked into the warm fireplace and smiled. It will be so much better staying here under a roof than out in the open… She didn't know how much money this would cost, but she didn't really care. If she wasn't going to spend it on comfort, how WAS she going to use her small allowance? She directed her attention back to her companions. The three of them were sitting at a small, round table in the corner of the commons. At the far end of the room, a man was playing a flute for entertainment. The songs sounded a little sad, but also hopeful. In her mind, she could see a story playing along with the music, involving a country and how the people looked to the priestess for protection. Instead of making her feel sad, the tune warmed her spirit, reminding her she would see Amiboshi again soon.
"Megumi?" Soi asked after a moment. "Are you sure it is wise to stay here?" She lowered her voice. "We are in Konan now." Megumi suddenly came out of her daze.
"What?" She said, keeping her voice low. "Already?" Suboshi nodded.
"I just heard the men at that table over there talking about the priestess of Suzaku." That could mean a lot of things… "They hope that she can stall the Kutou advances in the borderlands." Megumi was torn between excitement at being so close to her favorite people, Yumi and Amiboshi, and horror.
"Has Kutou really attacked Konan?" She whispered. Suboshi nodded.
"They say whole villages were wiped out, even the children! I know they are an enemy nation, but…" Megumi looked down at the table, tears welling in her eyes. Why do innocent people have to die? While I can't say I approve of my country, the general IS one of my celestial warriors, and I am their priestess… Will Yumi ever be able to forgive me? I'm killing her people! Megumi felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Megumi looked up to see that Soi had moved to sit closer to her, and her eyes were soft and friendly.
"It's not your fault, Megumi. I can see that you are a good person. Don't punish yourself for things you can do nothing to change. I'm sure Yumi will understand, if she truly knows you." Megumi smiled.
"You're right. All I can do right now is look for my constellations. Then, when I gain the power of Seiryu, I will wish for peace. Right?" Soi smiled slightly, but Suboshi looked around cautiously.
"Shh! Not so loud, Megumi. If these people hear we are… you know… we might have to hurt them to get away!" He whispered, leaning close to Megumi and Soi. Megumi mumbled an apology and looked down at her plate. It was empty. Then she looked down at her stomach, daring it to complain. She looked up again, and Suboshi and Soi were looking at her with the strangest looks on their faces.
"We should get to sleep, right?" She said, more cheerfully than she felt. Soi nodded and stood up. They had managed to get two rooms on the second level, right next to each other. Megumi headed for the larger of the two and was followed by Soi. Suboshi waited until they had shut the door safely before proceeding to his own room. Megumi opened her bag and searched for clothes that would pass for pajamas. She found a comfortable robe and changed into it. Megumi heard rustling sounds from the other side of the room and knew that Soi must be changing as well. She waited until she heard Soi sit on one of the beds before turning around. The woman sitting on the room with her was Soi, but she looked so… different now that her hair was loose.
"Soi?" Megumi said hesitantly. "I think… you should let your hair down all the time." Soi shook her head slightly.
"I can't. It will get in the way." Megumi saw that Soi had a point. Her hair probably hung to her knees, and it was a deep, rich red color unlike any Megumi had ever seen.
Megumi sat on her own bed and thought for a moment. I can try to get her to ditch Nakago… but she's just started to be on friendly terms with me. Meeting Yumi and the Suzaku warriors will strain this fragile friendship enough; I shouldn't pry into her feelings so much… not yet. Megumi blew out the candle and snuggled against her pillow, her head full of confused thoughts. One thought was completely solid though. This bed is definitely more comfortable than the ground.
Hotohori studied each member of his party. First of all, there was Yumi. The priestess of Suzaku, an angel from another world. A tennyo. What else could she be? The priestess was riding Kohaku with Nuriko. He seemed to have straightened out a little, but Hotohori couldn't tell by looking and didn't want to get close enough to find out if he was wrong. Mitsukake seemed to be a kind person, but he was also stern and sad. He must have gone through something terrible. Nothing else could put such a weight on someone's heart. Then he looked at the newest member of their group, Tamahome, the final constellation of Suzaku. He had dark brown hair that hung long in the back and dark, intense eyes. Yumi was busy talking to him excitedly. At the same time, she tried to wrest the reins away from Nuriko and turn the horse around. She still wants to go back to Mt. Reikaku? We already know Tasuki is not there. But… Tasuki WILL return. I hate to admit it, but he won't leave me alone with her for long… Why can't it be me? He sighed. But at least we have found all the constellations of Suzaku… and Konan will be safe.
Yumi suddenly stopped in the middle of describing Chichiri for Tamahome.
"Nuriko…" Her voice sounded a little scared. "What was that?" Nuriko just shrugged and regained full control of Kohaku.
"I didn't feel anything…" Yumi looked imploringly at her other warriors, but no one knew what she was talking about.
"It… it must have been my imagination… I just felt like I lost something… but it's nothing…" Hotohori looked at her intently. She usually doesn't worry about nothing…
Yumi regained her composure and smiled at Tamahome, picking up the conversation where she had left off. Hotohori saw a village ahead and decided they should stop to eat there. He was just about to tell the rest of the group what he was thinking when he noticed something very odd about the village. It was quiet, lifeless. He didn't know why, but a chill ran down his spine. Not a single chimney showed smoke and it was almost time for dinner. Surely someone should be cooking something… As they drew level with the first houses, Hotohori still saw no life. Yumi went silent, looking around. Tamahome looked down and spoke to the priestess.
"Yumi." Tamahome said quietly, "I passed through this town on my way to find you. Kutou attacked. I spoke with the only survivor. He said a celestial warrior of Seiryu was with them. His name was Miboshi." Hotohori studied Tamahome's expression, wondering if he could be lying. Tamahome had no reason to lie, but how could it be the truth?
"Are you sure about this?" He asked. Tamahome nodded sadly.
"Another of the Seiryu seven is revealed." Yumi said softly, looking around at the empty village. Hotohori spotted new graves behind a small cluster of houses. He looked at the ground in shame. What kind of emperor allows his people to be slaughtered? Yumi must have seen the graves as well, because she asked Nuriko to direct Kohaku over to them. Hotohori slipped off of Hana's back and followed his priestess, but Mitsukake and Tamahome hung back. Yumi jumped clumsily from Kohaku's saddle and stood before the graves. Tears spilled from her eyes, and she squeezed them shut. Hotohori couldn't stand seeing her cry. He had only ever seen her tears once before, and that had been when Tasuki was dying. He walked over to her and put an arm around her shoulders. She turned around and looked up at him.
"Why?" She asked. "Why do innocent people have to die?" Hotohori hugged her, trying to comfort her. He sincerely hoped that Tasuki wasn't going to show up in the next five minutes. He might not survive an encounter with the bandit if he saw. But he was willing to risk it, if his embrace made Yumi feel any better.
"Yumi…" He said softly. "Kutou is our enemy. For the most part, they do not care about people, only power. They are cruel and cold. That is why you will save us. You will summon Suzaku and save everyone you can." She grabbed his shirt and looked up at him, suddenly angry.
"But… Megumi is the priestess of Seiryu, right? She wouldn't let her warriors attack Konan, would she?" Yumi looked to him for reassurance, but he didn't know what to say. He didn't want to tell Yumi that her friend was now against her, but he also didn't want to give her false hope, so he said nothing.
"I thought… I thought…" she trailed off. "I don't know what to think." She whispered sadly, almost too quietly for Hotohori to hear.
"Yumi, you know your friend better than anyone. Would she do something like this?" Yumi was silent for a moment, and shook her head.
"No. You're right. This is my fault. I took too long to find the constellations of Suzaku. If I had been quicker, I could have summoned the god already and wished to protect Konan. But instead we wasted time… These people would not have had to die…" Hotohori suddenly realized that the rest of the group had left them alone in search of a place to stay. He put a hand over her mouth, stalling the flood of self-condemnation coming from her.
"It's not your fault, Yumi. You have always done your best. No one can ask for more than that, right?" Yumi looked away from him, trying to hide her tears.
"I know you are strong, Yumi, but I won't think any less of you if you cry. Sometimes it helps." Hotohori tried to comfort her. He couldn't help but pull her closer. He felt Yumi resist, pushing against him, trying to get away.
"No, I'm fine… really," she said, pulling away. Something came over Hotohori, and he wouldn't let her go. Normally, he would have released her, but her struggling just made him want to hold her tighter. Hotohori felt her against him and he knew he wanted to stay just how they were. Her protests were muffled against his shirt.
"Please, let me go!" She cried, but he pretended he did not hear.
"Yumi, I… I cannot deny my feelings for you any longer. I love you!" He said, and pulled her into a kiss. Why can't she see that I love her? He felt her lips against his and rational thought left him. He grabbed her hands and kissed her again, pushing her roughly to the ground. He held her hands down, unable to stop himself.
"Hotohori, stop! Please don't do this!" Her cries fell on deaf ears.
"Yumi…" Hotohori kissed her throat. He felt her struggling against him, and kissed her again. He couldn't stop. When he heard a smack and felt a sharp stinging on his cheek, he realized what that he was no longer holding her arms down.
"I won't hurt you…" he said softly between kisses. "I love you, Yumi… I… I want you to be my empress. I will be faithful, and I can provide protection and security… That's more than what you can expect from Tasuki! Don't you get it? He's not coming back!" She slapped him again, harder this time.
"How dare you!" Yumi screamed at him, her voice rising with rage. "I don't care if he's not rich, or that Tasuki is a bandit. He's always been there for me! I don't want to hear you insult him anymore! I love him, Hotohori. I love him! And he loves me; that's all I need." She was almost sobbing by the time she stopped, but she still managed to look Hotohori in the eye. The anger in her gaze froze Hotohori's heart, and he couldn't look at her. Yumi had grabbed hold of his wrists, pushing him away. She was looking at him with an expression she had never directed at him before. Alongside the fear and anger, she seemed to feel sorry for him. He felt her tighten her grip on his wrists, and watched as she squeezed her eyes shut, fighting back tears. As she did, her expression seemed to melt, giving way to fear alone. He still could not let go.
"Please…" she begged. "Let me go… you can't do this to me!" Yumi's distress seemed to break the spell that had come over him. Hotohori pushed himself up on his hands and looked blankly at his priestess. He was in shock. When he came to himself a moment later, he could not believe what he had been doing. Hotohori looked down at Yumi, pinned beneath him with tears in her eyes. She's so… beautiful. An angel… Suzaku! I'm hurting an angel! Slowly, he got off of her and backed away slightly. He didn't know what to say.
"Yumi… I… I don't know what came over me…" he began, but she sat up and turned away from him. Her shoulders were shaking.
"Yumi, I'm sorry." Hotohori said hesitantly, but he knew he did not deserve to be forgiven. He did not want to be forgiven. He knew he had not given up on her. Not yet.
"Hotohori, I like you well enough, but you can't force me to love you." Hotohori was surprised at how calm she sounded. The girl was resilient.
"In order to summon Suzaku, the priestess must be untouched by man, a virgin." She sounded as though nothing had happened. Hotohori wanted to explain himself, but he knew there was no excuse.
"Yumi. I love you and nothing can change that." He said truthfully, knowing that was the only explanation he could offer.
"Please leave." Yumi said quietly. He reached forward to touch her, whether to comfort her or apologize he didn't know.
"Just leave!" Yumi cried angrily. He stepped back, wondering if she would ever trust him again. He came back into the village, and at the first house he passed, he saw Nuriko in the shadows, arms crossed over his chest. He couldn't see Nuriko's expression because of the darkness. Hotohori froze. Did he see everything?
"You shouldn't hurt Yumi like that, Hotohori-sama."
Nakago looked down at his new catch. Ashitare kneeled before him, awaiting orders.
"Ashitare." He began, and the warrior looked up at him. Nakago was still surprised by the intensity of the man's brown eyes. He was glad he kept the man bound. His raw anger and energy was a little frightening.
"I await my orders, general." When Ashitare spoke, Nakago could see pointed fangs. He decided to begin with a little re-education.
"Kutou and Konan are enemies. Konan is the enemy of Kutou. Therefore, the people pf Konan are the enemies of the people of Kutou. Right?" The fiery haired warrior looked as though he wanted to disagree, but the spell on him forced him into submission.
"Yes. The people of Konan are the enemy of Kutou." He said smoothly. Nakago smiled inwardly. In no time at all, he would deny that he had ever seen the priestess of Suzaku.
"Who is the greatest threat to you?" Nakago asked.
"The Seiryu seven." He answered. Nakago brought out his whip.
"What did you say?" He repeated softly, brandishing the whip threateningly.
"The Seiryu seven are the worst enemies." Damn. He still resists. With a flick of his wrist, Nakago cracked the whip, slashing Ashitare across the shoulder. He didn't even flinch. Nakago hit him again. Damn it, why won't he flinch? Doesn't this hurt? He hit him again, frustrated that the warrior did not cry out in pain. He stopped when he realized that he had caused the warrior to collapse on the floor. He hadn't even noticed how many times he had whipped Ashitare. Ashitare tried to speak.
"Yumi is the priestess of Suzaku. Kutou tried to kill her, so therefore Kutou is the enemy." Nakago cursed inwardly. He picked up a goblet by on a nearby table and brought it to Ashitare. He tilted the man's face back and poured the wine down his throat. No one can resist kodoku. When Ashitare opened his eyes again, Nakago could sense a change in him. Maybe this time will be enough. I have already given him three doses. He began again, and this time Ashitare finally cooperated. Nakago nodded, satisfied, as he listened to Ashitare.
"Konan is our enemy. The Suzaku seven are my enemy. We must kill the priestess so that they may never summon the god." Nakago decided Ashitare was ready to receive his orders.
"You must go to the capitol of Konan. That is where the priestess and all of her warriors are heading. When you arrive, you are to kill the priestess and return here. Do you understand?" Nakago sincerely hoped he did. Another dose of kodoku might kill him, and that wouldn't be any fun.
"Yes, general." Nakago watched with delight as the warrior stood up to carry out his duties. Nakago knew he was sending the man to his death. The Suzaku seven would not allow him to kill the priestess, and the only way to stop him at this point was to kill him. They need the priestess more than they need him, and they must protect her first. He sent one of his servants to tend to Ashitare and give him a new outfit, since the one he was wearing looked a little… shredded. Once he was sure that Ashitare was on his way, Nakago addressed Tomo, who he knew would be close.
"You have done well, Tomo. I have a new mission for you. I need you to make sure, at all costs, that Ashitare does not kill the priestess. Even if that means breaking the spell. I assume that you are capable of such a thing." Tomo bowed and left.
Nakago loved giving orders that contradicted one another. That meant there would always be someone to punish, for it would be impossible for both orders to be carried out. He laughed softly at his own genius.
The Suzaku warriors will kill Ashitare. But he might kill a warrior of Suzaku before he goes down… They need to lose but one warrior and Suzaku will never be summoned. And soon I'll send the real Ashitare to fight the cronies of Suzaku.