Only One Wish
By Tenshi xx Tsubasa
A/N: I felt guilty about the first chapter being a recap, so I quickly typed this up for you guys! Hope I don't disappoint!
Chapter Two"YER SURE?" Tasuki bellowed out, hobbling along from his injuries acquired from his recent scuffle with the evil Tamahome in Kutou.
"Is it true? Tamahome is—"
"YES!" Nuriko was abruptly cut off by Chiriko. "I overheard the guards talking…" Just then, they spied a lone, shadowy figure in front of them, a dark robe cloaked over him in the relentless, pounding rain. Rain dripped from his hair and face. Cold, glittering eyes were masked with dark, unruly, wet hair.
"Where is the Priestess of Suzaku?" he slowly demanded.
"Tama-Tamahome!", Nuriko gasped, shocked at seeing a fellow seishi in this state of mind, Tamahome the very image of pure, unforgiving evil. Just then, Hotohori appeared. "Your Majesty! Hotohori's eyes reflected his emotions within. Anger, fury, frustration at Tamahome's betrayal. Desperation and determination to protect the miko. He gave off a battle aura, red flames of Suzaku licked at his sword, his hair.
"The Priestess of Suzaku…Miaka is safe from you. If you must see her, you must go through me, Tamahome!" He flung a sword he had clutched in his hand onto the ground in front of Tamahome. "Take the sword, Tamahome! I will not fight an unarmed man!" Memories of Nakago's orders flitted through Tamahome's head. Kill the emperor as well…
"Fine…", Tamahome replied, a smirk present on his face as he withdrew the sword from its sheath. The two faced off in the unrelenting downpour. The sound of clashing swords echoed throughout the palace. With those harsh sounds, realization hit Miaka. Her heartbeat quickened and desperation kicked in. She pounded at the door, yelling frantically for someone to open up. I have to stop them! They might…just for their cause…WHUMP! Something furry and white landed on top of her head. With relief, she recognized the furry lump as Mitsukake's cat. She looked up to see where exactly he had materialized from. A window! All rightie!
SLASH!"Argh!" Tamahome winced at his slight wound on his arm. Hotohori was a better swordsman than he, especially in this situation, when his determination to protect Miaka had strengthened his chi and focused his whole being. Tamahome struggled to defend himself against an unwavering Hotohori, dodging and warding off blow after vicious blow from Hotohori's sword.
"Have you…have you even forgotten your love for Miaka!" Hotohori yelled, brutally clashing his sword against Tamahome's.
"Love? What a…joke!" he bellowed back. The other seishi watched from the sidelines, releasing gasps and shouts every so often, when one or the other gained the upper hand for a few moments. They were unstoppable. There would be no halt in the combat…no one can stop them…until one of them lies dead! Hotohori battled on with a fierce determination. Tamahome, I cannot let you win! As a man, I must defeat you!
On the other side of the palace, Miaka scrambled to stop them. Unless she intervened, one of them would die! Miaka reached the courtyard in time to see the two men charge at each other No! Just then, Hotohori glanced over and his eyes widened in shock at seeing Miaka, his concentration momentarily off the battle. Tamahome took advantage of that moment to leap up in the air, menacingly raising his sword high above his head. He loomed over Hotohori, about to bring down his weapon.
"DIE!"
"NOOO!" Miaka screamed as she rushed towards them, her hand outstretched in desperation. Too late. Tamahome brought down the sword. Hotohori's eyes widened as the sword pierced his chest. Tamahome withdrew his bloody sword, a triumphant gleam present in his eyes as the emperor slowly fell. Miaka stood in shock, not quite believing the scene that had played out before her eyes. Tamahome stood there, panting, gathering himself after his exertion in an excruciating battle. Hotohori laid motionless, blood slowly starting to pool. Thunder boomed from a distance. Everyone was stunned with the turn of events.
"Hotohori…!"