Author's Notes: Konnichi'wa, beloved fans! Dost your eyes deceive you…? Is this just a trick of the imagination…? No. I actually…TYPED my chapter. I'm so sorry about the delay…I'm bad. Bad, bad Krissy-chan. I'm sure you've all given up on me by now… ;___; I'm so sorry! Forgive me all… *begs for forgiveness*. Erm, anyway… ^__^ Tuesday is my birthday, and you wanna know what I want as a birthday present? Reviews. Yes…glorious reviews considering my fans didn't dessert me…so onegai shimasu…? Enjoy my chapter…I hope it was worth the..er…what was it six month wait…? Bad, Krissy-chan…bad. ._. Hehe, now hopefully it doesn't take another six months for the next one. You all must hound me to get my fanfics done! ^^ Thank you for all the reviews the last time…and this chapter is dedicated to Fallon who gave me my 100th review. Arigatou gozaimasu!
The dish washing was moving in a steady shuffle, a synchronized pattern that almost seemed a bit mechanical. Yui wiped one clean, rinsing it off and handing it to Suboshi. Suboshi, in turn, dried it and handed it off bitterly toward Kouji. And Kouji just found its appropriate place until the cycle started all over again. The Seiryuu no Miko found the silence exasperating, and listening to the sloshing of water against the sink drove her to the edge. It grated deeper and deeper on each of her nerves until finally she couldn't take it any longer and snapped to the rest, desperate for any means of conversation.
"Cooking itself can be fun, but it's the cleaning up part afterward that makes it not so worth it. Darn pancake batter. Just seems to be a tough little thing to scrub off without…dish detergent," The corner of her mouth tugged downward.
"Dish detergent…?" Kouji's eyebrow raised in question.
"Un! Something you put in the water to make it all bubbly and disinfect your dishes."
"Is it…magic, Yui-sama?" Suboshi blinked, a puzzled expression befalling his features.
"Iya! Iya! Just science. You'd be amazed at all the things we have there. Why, I should have packed some of it up just to show you. Of course, it wasn't as though I was given much time at all to plan out what I could bring. I barely had time to catch my breath before I was sucked up into this world again…" Her eyes lowered slowly.
Shunkaku's expression saddened, "Yui-sama…"
"Ooi, cheer up, Yui-san. We'll protect ya! We're all in this together now, jus' like you got a whole new group of seishi or somethin'…"
"Yui-sama doesn't need anymore seishi. Aniki and I would protect her just fine," His words were caustic, yet spoken with obvious suppressed anger. Suboshi was doing his absolute best to keep his temper in check.
Yui glanced between them and then shook her head slightly. "I really do appreciate your help, Kouji. Yours, Chichiri's, and Tasuki's. I didn't ask for your aid in all of this, and to be quite honest, I really don't think it's something I deserve after all that I did to hurt you. Demo, you put aside your differences with the Seiryuu side in general and decided to help me regardless. Arigatou. For all of that."
"Yui…" Kouji offered a slow setting smile. "Un, not a problem. It's the least I could do for the maiden in distress…since I am a noble bandit, after all."
Suboshi rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest, "Yui-sama, we could finish up the dishes for you if you don't want to do them."
"Er…well…" She didn't exactly trust Suboshi in such close proximities with Kouji…alone…without attempting to kill him. It wasn't really safe to leave him there with either of the bandits. Yui still never found out what happened between him and Tasuki, but she didn't want him to be upset again. "I don't know if it's such a good idea to leave you two alone together…" She finally admitted.
"I can do it all if you want, Yui-sama. Probably much better than having him help me," A dirty look was flashed in Kouji's direction.
The bandit smirked somewhat, "Nah, you're hurt, Suboshi. Couldn't possibly take on all this work by yourself…" He stole a glance between them, and then stepped over to Yui, giving her a light, urging nudge in the seishi's direction. "Go, you two. Have fun. I'll take care of the mess."
Suboshi blinked in surprise, but that shock turned to a glare. Just what was he up to?
Yui, however, canted her head aside, "Are you sure, Kouji?"
"Un! Course I am. Though, yer not gettin' off completely free. I expect ta spend some time with ya at some point," Kouji grinned toward them both. That's right, if I can let Suboshi and Yui be alone together without showing any jealousy, I might prove I can be mature about all of this. Yui seems to like mature. I'll make up for the time I hogged while he was injured, and make peace for now, but this isn't over yet, Suboshi.
"If…you're really sure about this, Kouji…" The Miko couldn't help but frown some, after all, there were quite a few dishes left to be done, and she felt bad about leaving him completely with all of that work to do.
"Un, un…I'm more then sure! S'long as I get breakfast in return…"
Yui smiled a bit, "Agreed."
"All right! Now…you two run along and have a good time," He waved them off, looking toward the pile of yet-to-be-washed bowls. "I'll find…some way to do these."
"Good luck!" She closed her eyes happily. "Arigatou, again."
The Miko looped her arm around Suboshi's, tugging him in the direction of the dining area. He blinked in surprise, but stumbled along anyway; quite pleased that he was getting to spend time with her, though confused as to why Kouji would let them. Could…he…have been wrong about the bandit all along? Maybe Kouji realized that he never stood a chance from the beginning. A grin crossed his lips. Well, this was great. It put a new perspective entirely on things.
"Wasn't that nice of him?" Yui spoke up, allowing her gaze to rest on the younger twin's face. "He even considered you too, Suboshi. I'd think you might stop being so hostile toward them, I mean, they're all really nice."
"To you, Yui-sama," His shoulders rolled back slightly. "It's not the same for me."
"Well, maybe if you just…try," She gave him a light nudge with her shoulder before her features lit up. "Nee, why don't we go out with Amiboshi and Xi Fang? That might be fun, hm?"
"U-un!" Suboshi smiled somewhat. That would be a really nice idea, since it meant a little bit of time away from the Suzakuu seishi, and a bit more with the people he cared about. So, as a matter of fact, he really liked the thought.
Yui guided the twin around the cleanly vacant table, peeking into the living room. Chichiri sat there basically alone save the cat that was curled up on his lap. His chin was propped up on his palm, and the elbow resided on the arm of the couch. Slowly, Yui separated from Suboshi, who stood back and watched her advance into the room. The monk blinked (although it really couldn't be seen behind his mask), and he glanced in her direction, tilting his head.
"Yui-chan, what brings you out here, no da?"
"Well, I was wondering if you've seen Amiboshi or Xi Fang."
"Hn…well Amiboshi-kun went to talk to his parents. Something about unfinished choirs I think, no da. And Xi Fang-chan went into the back to take care of cleaning up feathers or something, no da."
"Hmm~mm, arigatou!" Yui moved back over to Suboshi, clasping her hands behind her back and rocking forward on heels. "Suboshi, could you go find your aniki? I'll go get Xi Fang and we'll make up the plans, okay?"
"Hai, Yui-sama," Shunkaku smiled and headed off to find his twin. For one of the first times in a while, he was actually pretty happy…looking forward to this. It meant, that even if this was for a few short moments, he would be with two of his most favorite people. And that made the Seiryuu seishi quite pleased.
* * *
"They left, ne?" Kouji didn't bother to turn around when he heard Tasuki step into the kitchen just as he was putting up the last dish.
"Uh…if yer talkin' 'bout Xi Fang, the twins, an' Yui…then…un," The leader rested against the wall with his arms folded over his chest.
"Thought so. Ah well, they got the day together. I got breakfast with her tomorrow."
Tasuki raised a brow, "Y'really got it bad for her, don't ya? I'll never get what it is about girls that can get even the toughest guy wrapped around their finger."
Kouji laughed, turning around at that point with a helpless shrug, "I doubt we'll ever be able to answer that question."
"Demo…is the Seiryuu no Miko really worth all the trouble yer goin' through for her?"
"Oh, she's worth it all right," He nodded quite a few times as he gazed out the window toward the sun-drenched surroundings. "Did you ever just meet someone and feel this instant connection? It's like, the way lightning comes up…not so subtly and when it hits, it does it with so much force that it leaves you numb and weak, yet at that same time a bit in awe that it didn't take your very life…"
The Suzakuu seishi eyed him blankly, scratching the side of his head as though trying to figure out what he was talking about. The other merely snickered.
"I shoulda known it'd go over your head, Genrou. Let me just put it simpler for ya…I like Yui a lot. It's not just because of her good looks, believe me, she's beautiful. And it's not just her personality or the fact that she's a miko. It's just that…she makes me feel whole. She…she fills this gap somewhere inside of me, something that died when Reirei did. Yui made it…begin to spark to life again…"
Tasuki's features saddened for a moment at the mention of Reirei and he slid to a seated position on the floor, "If ya feel that strongly about her, then ya should go for her. Yanno, she'd be makin' a mistake in lettin' ya get away…demo…"
Kouji joined him, sinking to his boss's side and tucking his legs beneath himself, "Nani?"
"Suboshi…he's loved her fer a while from what I can tell. Kouji, yer my best friend, I don't want ya t'have t'suffer again if she cares about'im instead."
"Like you and Reirei, ya mean? How I watched and stood by, seein' her love you over me…" The bandit sank into silence, glancing ahead of himself.
Tasuki lowered his gaze and reached into his pocket, withdrawing the hairpin that once belonged to the female thief, "I wanted ya t'be happy, so I tried to put ya two t'gether. Don't go blamin' me for nothin'! She was the one who loved me n'matter how much I tried t'push her away, ne?"
He laughed with little humor, "I ain't blaimin' ya…it's just this time, I hope it's different. This time, I hope I get her. I know it's probably selfish t'want Suboshi to lose this, demo I can't help what I feel…"
"Un. I know what ya mean."
"Can I see that?"
Genrou looked between his friend and the pin before he slowly placed it in his palm. Kouji closed fingers around the object, bringing it closer for inspection. Jade-hued oculars danced over the markings, observing the details…imagining the pretty face of the girl from Mount Kaou. The way she used to smile and her independent nature, it all allowed a forlorn expression to seize his slightly bronzed features. The hair accessory was brought closer to his chest, and his head shook slowly.
"Havin' one little piece of her…sure does make ya miss her a lot, ne?"
"Un…demo…she wouldn't want us t'mourn…" Tasuki fluidly snatched away the item, shoving memories of Reirei away in his pocket once more…where they could remain until he was ready to deal with them again.
Kouji blinked, but then smirked, "So, who is it yer interested in, huh, Genrou?"
"Nani?! Iie! I ain't interested in no one! I told ya, I hate girls…"
"That Xi Fang is pretty available…"
"Eh, there's gotta be somethin' goin' on between her an' Amiboshi."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Demo, why don't ya go and talk t'Chichiri? Get him to decide what time we should leave t'night or tomorrow for drinks."
"Un. Gotcha," Tasuki pushed himself upright, slipping out of the room.
Kouji looked after him, "An' I'll just go think up somethin' good t'do with Yui tomorrow. Somethin' that'll be sure to impress her…"
* * *
Tomo swirled the cloth around his wash basin, then brought it up to wipe away the makeup. Light peach became visible beneath the layers of face paint and his amber eyes regarded his reflection. Slender fingers wrapped around the cloth, freeing excess liquid from it before he brushed it along the last traces of alabaster. Once that was completed, he scrunched his nose, peering into the casted reflection. He preferred to be masked by his costume quite frankly. It just felt much better to be hidden behind such elegant artistry, rather than appear 'normal.'
But alas, Chuin had to look like an average person if he was to spy. Hesitantly, he reached for one of the various cosmetics, uncorking the cap and spreading the liquid contents over a singular ball of cottonweed. He couldn't bear to watch as he removed the polish from each pointed nail. Once they were clear, he went through the most difficult process, clipping them short. A whimper sounded after each snap and he watched the tips become a pile, leaving behind his normally shortened nails.
A sigh unveiled itself past his lips and he looked back toward the mirror, "All right, Tomo. Now you are to play your most difficult role yet. The part of the average…ordinary…handsome male. I certainly hope I don't have to stay on the boat too long with Kaen."
He rose to his feet, making his way to the closet. A cloak was removed from inside and he slipped it over his slender shoulders. Thin ties that hung in front were laced at the base of his neck, and once he checked his appearance one final time, Tomo gathered his bags and lugged them out the door. He stopped immediately in the hall, peering around until he spotted a guard with his back turned to him.
"Excuse me…" He began, setting his items down on the floor.
The young soldier turned his head, tuffets of black visible beneath his helmet and bright green eyes sparkling at the address. His handsome visage mirrored his happiness and he scrambled over immediately afterward, "T-Tomo-san! How are you? Is there something you need? I'll do anything!"
Tomo blinked once or twice, almost instantly regretting having started a conversation with him. This soldier in particular had a tendency to be a bit too enthusiastic about speaking with him. True, he was attractive, and true, he did sleep with Tomo a few days ago, but he didn't have to act so casual about it now. Chuin's nose crinkled for a moment until he spoke up again, "Un, I need you to take these down to the boat."
He looked to the luggage, but then toward the man, "Oh, you're…leaving?"
"Un, I have very important business to take care of in Sairou. So, if you could take those with you now, I would appreciate it."
"Will…you be gone long? I was really looking forward to your show…"
"I don't really know," Chuin rolled his eyes, but then searched for a name. "Anou…?"
"Haoyu. Quan, Haoyu…" The guard grinned, extending his hand. It was a bit strange to be introducing himself after everything they had done together, but so long as he got to at some point.
Tomo eyed the hand, but ignored it, "Well then, Haoyu…take my things to the boat. I have some unfinished business to attend to…"
Haoyu frowned somewhat, lowering his arm, "Hai. I'll take care of it right away."
The soldier stooped down to lift them, offering a smile before he turned, heading away. Tomo eyed his backside with a faint smirk and then shifted in the opposite direction. He reached within his pocket, removing the shin from there. While working it through his fingers, a hum escaped his throat, following the notes of the solo in the current show he was working on. Perhaps, if he was lucky, there would be extra time to spend with Nakago. Little did he know that at the moment, Soi was taking full advantage of just that…
* * *
"First, you stomp on my cooking territory and now you interrupted my time alone with Amiboshi. What aren't you going to do today?" Xi Fang furrowed her brows playfully toward the Seiryuu no Miko.
Yui giggled in response, closing one eye for a wink, "You know I'm just doing it to annoy you."
"Hai, hai…I figured that out already. Leave it to the Miko to think she can get away with whatever she wants."
"Naturally…"
The two girls grinned at each other, quickening their pace to catch up with the twins. Yui slipped up beside Suboshi and Xi Fang, Amiboshi, as they walked through the streets of Makan Village. Many people stopped to stare at the identical boys, for they may have known the Kai-Ka story, but no one knew Kai-Ka had a twin. Shunkaku peeked at a gaping old couple and then chuckled, nudging his second half's arm.
"Aniki, we should both get identical outfits and trick everyone in town!"
Amiboshi laughed, looking at him, "Demo, I think Kaasan and Tousan have a hard enough time telling us apart without going to extra lengths. We don't need more people to be confused, ne?"
"Un! Especially me!" Xi Fang rolled her eyes. "I don't know how Yui-chan does it so easily."
"Well, it's not so hard to know Suboshi. I saw him nearly every waking minute of every single day," Yui smiled playfully at her seishi, giving him a little shoulder tap.
Shunkaku released a weak laugh, wearing a rather flustered expression, "I wanted to keep you safe, Yui-sama."
"And that's a real compliment. You should have seen how much he hated girls before. Poor Touka was forced to endure the Tasuki-san like speeches," Amiboshi snickered quietly.
"An~i~ki!" Suboshi stressed each syllable, emphasizing the fact that he didn't want to be compared to the bandit again.
But, Xi Fang's keen hearing (and natural jealousy sense) picked out the one out-of-place word in that sentence, "Touka…?"
Koutoku nodded, "A very nice girl who was involved with some…hardships Shun and I faced."
"I bet Nakago put her to death," Suboshi's eyes narrowed somewhat. "The bastard."
"Iie…he didn't…" Yui contributed to the conversation.
Amiboshi paused, glancing toward his miko in surprise, "You know that for a fact, Yui-san?"
"Un…because it was me who saved her."
"Thank goodness," Visible relief showed itself on the musician's face.
Xi Fang eyed him with a little frown, but then glanced off absently, "I'm sure we could find some very nice fabric in that store up there."
"Un! Let's go!" Amiboshi smiled, stepping off with his twin brother.
The two girls walked together; the raven haired one closing fingers around themselves and leaving her gaze to the dirt path. Stray strands tumbled over her shoulders and her feet just shuffled along. Yui smiled somewhat, looking after the brothers, but when her gaze returned to Xi Fang, that smile vanished. Her head tilted aside and one hand moved upward, slipping around the other's arm as means of comfort.
"Xi Fang…?"
"Hm?" Snapping out of whatever thought she was in, her eyes shifted toward the miko. Soon afterward, she realized what was being asked by tone and with a weak laugh, her eyes closed happily. "Gomen! I was just thinking. Come on, let's catch up to the others. I'm sure you don't want to spend too much time away from Suboshi, ne?"
Before Yui got a chance to reply, Xi Fang had scurried ahead, leaving her there by herself. The Miko pursed her lips somewhat, but slowly followed after them. One guess would say that it was the mention of Touka that had Xi Fang feeling that upset…
* * *
Soi had unloaded the last of her bags to a few soldiers, smiling somewhat as they brought them down the hall. Now that everything was taken care of, she had some time to speak with Nakago. Not that the shogun was a very social person, but she had no idea how long she was going to be gone for. The least she could do was have a meaningful conversation with the man without Tomo getting in the way. And chances were, Tomo took longer to pack than she did.
The seishi inched along the corridor, walking at a brisk pace toward the general's room. After a moment's pause, she lifted one hand toward the door, knocking lightly against it. Silence fell over the area until she picked up the sound of shifting and then saw the chamber open. Nakago stood there, shimmering gold draping over his shoulders. In the daylight, he almost looked like a God, every fair feature accented in the natural brightness. Soi drew in a breath, meeting the steel-blue eyes with her own. His lips pinched downward for a moment; Nakago wasn't normally one to show emotion, but slight impatience could be read on his face.
"What is it, Soi…?"
She straightened up and searched her mind for the best thing to say, "Can…I come in?"
Nakago didn't confirm or decline, he simply turned away from the entrance, walking toward his desk again. Soi looked on as he seated himself before she took the still-open door as an answer and slipped in herself. A palm moved back to seal it closed and she lingered in quietude, trying to decide her next course of action. But as the silence weighed far too heavily upon them, Soi just blurted out the first available thought.
"Nakago, why did you send me on this mission?"
He didn't turn from the papers he was looking over, "Because I believe that you can handle the job."
"Demo…with Tomo?"
"You and Tomo have worked together in the past, so I don't believe there will be any problem with it."
"Hai, we work to please you, demo…"
He glanced up toward her, "Nani?"
"Demo, I…" Soi met his gaze slowly, her features saddening. "This mission you're sending me on…to seduce Chichiri, I thought that I was more important than that…"
"Soi…" The name was stretched out calmly. "You are important. You're one of the only seishi who's powers have not been hindered completely. And in that respect, we must use whatever powers we have to gain this information."
The nineteen year old shook her head quickly in protest, "That's not what I meant! I…I thought I was more important to you."
"Soi…" He sighed deeply, not making an effort yet to respond. Though, it wasn't like Soi gave him much of a chance anyway.
"Nakago, from the moment you rescued me as a girl up until the moment I died for you, I always loved you. No matter what you did, I always thought I could reach your heart. And every time we shared out bodies, it's meant so much more to me than just a transfer of ki. Now that I'm alive again, and now that we're together again, I wanted to tell you…ai shiteru…"
The Hin tribesman fell silent, drawing his shoulders together as he rose to his feet. The longer he didn't say anything, the more Soi's hopes began to rise. But, naturally, Nakago crushed them with his next statement, "Is that all you have to say?"
A choked sound rose up in her throat, and she wrung her hands together, "Nakago…I…" Drawing up the last of her desperate courage, the woman advanced forward, bringing fingertips to meet his broad arm. "I hoped you felt the same way…"
Nakago stiffened a bit at her touch, lowering his eyes toward her own. His jaw twitched as though he was clenching his teeth, but finally he spoke, "Love is for the weak, Soi…"
Her eyes widened in surprise and she took a step back, not uttering one sound as the shogun finished off his sentence.
"And I am not weak."
Soi's gaze averted from his own, darting teary eyes over the items on the floor. With overwhelming emotion, she turned quickly and tossed open the door, rushing out of the room. Nakago sighed, trailing after her only until he reached the entrance of his chamber, slowly sealing it closed. Fingertips remained against the paneling and cobalt spheres shifted aside. At that, brows drew together in resolve and he repeated only to confirm conflicting feelings within himself.
"I am not weak…"
* * *
"Oniichan…! O~nii~chan. ONIICHAN!"
Keisuke's eyes widened as he found the support he was sleeping on just taken away. His arms flailed about, and he landed on the floor with a grimace. One eye closed painfully and he raised his attention to his little sister, who wore an expression of annoyance as she glared down at him. The college student clawed for the surface of his bed, pulling himself upright and a heavy yawn escaped his mouth.
"Nani, Miaka…?"
"Baka! I've been trying to wake you up for the past ten minutes!" She rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. "Tetsuya called. He said he's coming over."
"Hn, with Taka?"
"Well, not together. Demo, Taka is coming over…" A worried expression flickered across her features, but it immediately brightened. "Kaasan made a great breakfast this morning."
"Un, and is there any left?" Keisuke peered at her suspiciously, laggardly gathering some clothes off the floor that looked semi-clean.
She brought a fingertip against her lower lip, "Anou…there might be."
"Heh, I doubt you'll ever change."
"What's that supposed to mean…?"
"Eh heh! Nothing, nothing! You should just go wait for Taka while I get dressed…"
Miaka glanced up at him with a solemn expression, "Oniichan…do you think this'll be the last time we see Taka…? Do you think he'll go into the book?"
His features softened at the visible anguish on her face, and he stepped forward, pulling his sister into a gentle hug. The former Suzakuu no Miko melted into him, releasing a weak cry against her own will. Keisuke sighed somewhat, brushing a palm across chocolate hued strands. He didn't want to tell her what he thought was going to happen. After all, Taka, having once been Tamahome in a past life, was very noble. Going into the 'Universe of the Four Gods' to help protect Yui was the right thing to do, because unlike when Miaka was in the world, there was no one to protect the Seiryuu no Miko from serious death threats. Even if the first time around, Yui was Miaka's enemy, she never would have let anything truly bad happen to his little sister. Taka's return was heroic. Tetsuya going there was just plain stupid.
"If he does, Miaka…" Keisuke began in a soothing tone. "Then know that you're not alone. I'll be right here to comfort you."
"Oniicha…" The word ebbed in her throat, but a placid expression took place. "Arigatou."
"Ooi…that's what Oniichan's are here for, ne?" He smiled warmly. "Now…why don't you wait for them? Get started on your fourth or fifth portion of breakfast and just keep yourself happy. You deserve it to try."
Miaka blinked and then tightened the hug for a moment, slowly drawing back, "Hai!"
Leaving in fairly good spirits, the Yotsubadai student closed the door behind herself, letting Keisuke alone. He moved back a step, pulling the slightly wrinkled shirt over his body. After stepping into his jeans, they were drawn up his hips and fastened at the waist. The outfit smelled vaguely of sweat, but it was nothing a little cologne couldn't fix up. Keisuke reached forward, collecting some of the masculine fragrance on his fingertips and patting his cheeks before applying it to other places. After a quick glance in the mirror, he picked at his bangs, fixing them up appropriately. There. He was ready.
Tiredly, he sank onto the edge of his unmade bed, blue eyes skimming his wall absently. But, that gaze caught on a framed picture that hung in the middle of the posters of half-nude women. This was an image that had been taken a few years back, after the first snowfall of the year. He, Yui, and Miaka were bundled up in winter attire, but certainly didn't appear cold. The trio stood beside a snowman they had built, in which Keisuke and Yui had gathered a few leftover dumplings and attached it to the sides of the frost-made-figure, referring to it as Miaka. His sister naturally got mad because it was a waste of perfectly good food, but wore a smile for the picture. To her right was Yui with long hair, much longer than Miaka's. It was before she cut it all off to avoid the interest the boys were finding in her. And Keisuke stood in between them with an arm around both and a grin on his face.
Slowly, he pushed himself up, removing the picture from the wall and drawing it near, "Yui…you gotta come home safely, so we can have more times like this…"
His eyes shifted toward the open book. He had almost forgotten, after all, he had to warn Tetsuya what was happening in there. The worn piece of literature was pulled closer and he began to skim over the page when a voice rose up from the other room.
"ONIICHAN! Tetsuya and Taka are here!"
Keisuke jerked in the direction of the call, causing the book to topple off of his lap and become a messy heap on the floor. He groaned, scooping it up, along with Yui's written version, carrying it into the kitchen slowly. Upon emerging in the doorway, he noticed Miaka gorging as many pancakes as could possibly fit in her mouth and Taka sweatdropping beside her, shaking his head. Tetsuya leaned against the table with his arms crossed. His chin tipped upward and behind dark lenses, his features seemed to brighten. Keisuke sighed. That could mean one thing only.
"Dey falked ur dus ornin," The girl tried to state through a mouthful, but was unsuccessful.
"Either eat or talk, Miaka…you can't do both," Her brother spoke plainly, which naturally, Miaka chose to finish her food before responding.
"Taka and Tetsuya walked here this morning," The sentence was much more intelligible.
Keisuke nodded slowly, raising his attention toward his best friend. Tetsuya shifted in stance, but then stepped forward, catching the blond's shoulder and leaning in, "Let's talk in the other room…"
In silent agreement, both turned and walked over to the living room. Keisuke stopped, regarding the other who just flopped down on the couch. Neither of them said a word for a while and as that noiseless minute stretched on, thoughts wracked both of them. Tetsuya scrutinized the coffee table for a long, hard, contemplative moment, as though it would deliver all the answers in the world. Unfortunately, he got none and so, he met his friend's face with lense-covered browns.
"I wanted to give them sometime to themselves…"
"Un. So that means…?"
"Yeah. Taka agreed to go. Didn't want to leave the car in the driveway for as long as we could be gone. So, we parked near his place, got a bus and got dropped off nearby to walk the rest of the way."
"Heh…I suppose it's good Taka's going back in there. Demo, I still don't think it's a good idea for you to—"
"Baka, I don't want to hear it. You should know by now that when I get an idea, I'm not gonna change my mind."
"I know…I just don't want to see anyone hurt…"
"And that's just 'cause you're the nice guy, ya know? Don't worry, Keisuke…" Tetsuya's eyes traveled toward the doorway of the kitchen, vaguely making out the shadows of the two in there. "They've survived even tougher things than this. And I'm sure everything'll work out in the end…"
"Un…I hope you're right, Tetsuya. I really do…"
Miaka finished off the last of her meal, scanning the table for the possibility of more, only to release a disheartened sigh. Taka regarded her with a sweatdrop, but that expression was replaced with a faint smile. She would never change…her eating habits anyway. His head lowered somewhat and a soft chuckle sounded in his throat. The girl blinked, raising her brows in question.
"Nani…?" A hand moved up to her face, swiping at it to make sure it was clean. Of course, when she picked up some syrup, she immediately licked that finger clean.
"Iya, iya. It's nothing…just watching you eat…" His features softened. "I certainly hope you can at least be a bit daintier at our wedding."
Her brows furrowed, "I can be, baka!" That expression became playful and she crumpled up her napkin, tossing it at him.
The paper hit the side of his head, plopping to the floor by his sneakers. Taka smirked somewhat, stooping to pick it up. He, then, threw it toward the garbage causing the item to bounce off the rim and into the opening. Miaka gave him a little nudge with her shoulder, rolling her eyes at the showing off. He glanced down at her and for a moment, hesitated his next actions. But, he knew every minute wasted equaled much, much more in the book.
He turned toward her slowly, bringing his hand up to frame her cheek. Miaka leaned easily into his guidance and closed her eyes once their lips met. A feather soft touch, growing a bit more passionate…a bit more emotion felt. Taka lowered his hands around her back; the plastic gem stone of the cheap ring they got to vow their love before, sparkled lightly from the morning sun. Her arms looped around his torso, feeling a bit of dizzy enjoyment…a fuzzy sort of warmth from their closeness. He slowly toned the intensity of their kiss down to butterfly pecks and finally withdrew, keeping his forehead against her own.
"Ai shiteru, Miaka…"
"Taka…" She opened her eyes, looking deeply into his.
He brought fingers through her hair and spoke quietly at last, "I've…decided to go back into the 'Shijin Tenchi Sho.'"
A soft gasp of surprise escaped from her, even though it wasn't really surprising, the emotional impact she felt from it certainly was.
"Gomen ne, Miaka. I don't want to leave you. Demo, I do want to get Yui back here as soon as possible. Then, everyone can stop worrying…"
Her bottom lip trembled just slightly, "D-demo…demo!" A single tear crept down her cheek, and she spoke in a barely audible whisper. "There has to be another way, ne? Nee, Taka? Ne? One that we can both go…"
"Iie…you can't. Undoing a wish is nearly impossible unless it was wished away. And none of us have the power to do that. I'm sorry, Miaka…" Taka rose to his feet, looking toward the ceiling, afraid to look at her crying face. "You know, from the very moment I met you, it got to me…when you were upset, that is. I'll be careful back in my world, I promise…demo, I'm sure even you know that we can't let Nakago get away with this."
Miaka nodded slowly, fighting to remain strong, "U-un…"
"Maybe…you should keep this with you…while I go…"
She looked up, watching as he slid the plastic band from his ring finger, offering it toward her. Olive-hued eyes quivered slightly, and she quietly gazed at his face.
"It'd mean that…no matter what happens, my love is with you…and that I'll return to you. After all, I have to get my ring back, ne?" He forced a smile, but then emphasized the offering by bringing his hand closer.
Miaka reached forward, cupping it within her hands. Her eyes lifted to him again and she forced out the word, "A-arigatou…"
He nodded somewhat, turning away, "Then…we should get this done…"
"U-un…"
Taka stepped into the living room, causing Keisuke and Tetsuya to glance up. Trailing behind him was a solemn Miaka, her eyes locked on the floor beneath her and her hands closing and unclosing around the fake ring. No one needed to say a word to know what was going on, and the brother was the first to rise to his feet, followed by his best friend. He turned toward Tetsuya, opening the book and pulling out one of Yui's written pages. Miaka looked between them and then toward Taka, who simply placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I think…that like how Yui opened the gateway to the book world, you could write yourself in…" Keisuke took a pencil from the coffee table, offering it in Tetsuya's direction.
"N-nani…? Tetsuya's going too?" Miaka questioned, regarding the lense-masked face.
"Un. I decided to help out in there, Miaka-chan…I promise…we'll get Yui-chan back and return here as soon as we can…"
"Tetsuya…" The miko's brother began.
"Un?"
A long sigh emitted from his throat, "Be careful."
"Un!" He grinned somewhat, but then looked over at Taka. "Are you ready to go?"
"As ready as I'll ever be…" The reincarnated form of Tamahome advanced, closing his eyes painfully.
Miaka flinched somewhat at his words, her olive spheres quivering and filling slowly to the brink with tears. He met her gaze and for a moment, neither said a word. It wasn't until a soft cry ebbed from the girl, that she rushed forward, flinging her arms desperately around his form. Too many times…too many times had they been forced to leave one another. Separating and getting back together in so many different ways, it should have made this easier…just knowing that more than likely their love would return him in the end. But, somehow this felt as though it was more permanent. Could it really have been the last good-bye?
Taka's brows stitched together sadly and his hands rested on her form, keeping the comforting embrace before he withdrew, "Miaka…ai shiteru. Always and forever. Demo…I have to go now…"
"Ai shiteru…" She sighed, stepping away only to attempt to muster up enough courage to let him go. That was a task that was easier said than done, however.
"Keisuke…" Tetsuya flattened the paper on the stand, preparing to write. "I got one of those disposable cameras. I'll be sure to get you quite a few pictures…"
"U-un…good luck…"
He simply offered a smirk and without so much as another word, the tip of the pencil wrote both his and Taka's names amidst the middle of the forming sentence. For a moment, they all fell silent, but almost instantly after that quietude, there was a brilliant flicker of light. It caused all to shield their eyes while it stretched out as far as the hallway. As Miaka regained the ability to see, her arm lowered and her gaze settled on the form of Taka's.
He's going…he's leaving me. Iya…onegai…Taka!
Miaka…I'll return to you soon…just keep my ring until that moment.
Taka…
Frozen in place, she could only stare on with doe-eyed helplessness. Keisuke had, at some point, placed fingertips upon her shoulder, but she hadn't even noticed. As if in slow motion, the book's powers engulfed them, and Miaka finally regained her senses enough to rush forward. Crying out for her departing loved one, she reached her hand out to touch him one final time. This was one time too late, and her legs wobbled forward as she dropped to the ground where Taka had been standing previously. A single tear fell…followed by the succession of others. Each lined the ground, followed up by more.
With her vision obscured by saline, Miaka slowly raised her attention toward the farthest wall. Her back teeth clenched, trying the best she could to not start sobbing then, "Ta…ka…"
Keisuke frowned deeply, stepping forward slowly. His shadow hovered over the crouched form, and she turned to gaze up at him, blinking back a few warm droplets. Sympathy and compassion were all given off by his very stance, which were all greatly accepted by his sister. As he kneeled to her level, she nearly threw herself against him, crying to her heart's content. The ring Taka had given to her slipped easily between her fingers, rolling across the carpet some distance away. He was gone…he was really gone…
The college student lowered his chin against her head, sighing softly, I know, Miaka. I know you're upset…demo, Taka can survive in there… He glanced toward the open book with a concerned expression. It's Tetsuya that I'm really worried about…
* * *
Amiboshi and Suboshi waited outside as Xi Fang and Yui picked out fabrics for their kimonos. Neither of them really knew the first thing about sewing material, so decided it would be a safer bet to let the girls choose. The elder of the two sank onto the end of a bench, raising his eyes toward the crowd. It was great news that Touka was alive and well, and he was sure Shunkaku felt the same way. Amiboshi may have been the one she loved, but it was Suboshi who knew her longer even if they didn't bother with each other. Deep down, his twin did care for her on some level, Koutoku just knew it.
As morning seemed to make the transition to noon (seeming so sudden, yet the time had passed on the group's walk around town), Amiboshi looked up at the sky. Puffy clouds covered patches of blue and a few birds chattered as they crossed by. He smiled some then took out his flute, bringing the instrument to his lips. Such lovely sound did escape, and Shunkaku turned his head toward his brother; a serene expression coming over his face. If only things could have always been so simple as this seemed. Just a jovial melody to lighten up everyone's hearts, make their daily burdens slightly more bearable. Suboshi couldn't help but grin, looking off into the distance as well.
"That song's new…" He finally spoke up.
Amiboshi blinked, taken by surprise as Suboshi communicated with him, "Well…it's really not. It's one I made up on my trip to Konan."
"Are you going to teach me how to play it someday?"
"Do I have to teach you…?" He smiled teasingly. "I'm pretty sure you'd already know if you searched through our bond."
With a slight chuckle, he shook his head, "Aniki, I don't think our bond's that strong."
"Iie, perhaps not. Demo, it would be nice, ne? To just be able to learn things by looking into the other's body…"
"Un!" Suboshi grinned somewhat, nudging his brother lightly. "Then I could just look into your emotions and see how you really feel about Xi Fang."
The music Amiboshi had been playing suddenly hit a shrill note and he looked toward the identical visage, "Otouto! There's nothing going on between either of our feelings!"
"Hai, hai…"
"Baka! Wipe that grin off your face, I'm telling the truth!"
"I believe you, aniki…"
Koutoku closed his eyes in annoyance, bringing his flute down lightly upon the other's head, "Why do you sound so sarcastic, then…?"
"Itte…" He bitterly rubbed at the side of his head, furrowing his brows some before he smirked. "Because you don't look very convincing as you deny your feelings…"
"I…" Amiboshi paused, lowering his gaze toward the wooden instrument. "You don't see me trying to force you to talk about things with you and Yui-san."
"Iie. That's because I'm open and honest with you."
"Otouto…" He shook his head with a sigh.
"Demo, if you want to drop the subject, I will." Suboshi went silent, obviously sinking into thought. And suddenly, he perked up. "Aniki, you know what I think…?"
Amiboshi blinked a couple times in surprise, "Nani…?"
"I think we should try to increase our bond. Since we don't have our powers anymore, it would give us an advantage over Nakago and the others. And just one more way to help me protect Yui-sama…"
Koutoku considered this for a moment, studying his brother. It probably would be useful to the others, if not for anything else, advanced espionage or sneak attacks. If they could increase the connection, there was probably no limit to what they could do. And therefore, the idea was something he agreed with. Amiboshi's head dipped downward for a nod and his eyes closed with sheer happiness.
"Hai! I think it's a great idea, Shun! We can start thinking of ways to do so and practice a bit when we find the chance."
"Un! And then, hopefully by the time we get to Kutou…we'll have everything down pact!"
Amiboshi grinned, sharing in his twin's enthusiasm. For once, there was something they could do. Something he could do for his miko. Something…that was bound to make up for all the things he had done in the past that were cowardly. Something that would help them to win this all, and protect all the innocent lives that might suffer…whatever Nakago's true intentions might be. Finally, in all of his fifteen years, Koutoku truly felt in his heart that he could live up to the name Amiboshi and his destiny as a Seiryuu Seishi.
* * *
"So, there you are…"
Tomo had poked his head into the women's wash room, finding Soi applying some makeup in the mirror, "Hmph, and I thought I was bad…"
The nineteen year old lowered the various paints, shifting her gaze aside. It was too much to try and hide her tears or hurt emotions. Even if she disliked Tomo and never wanted to give him the satisfaction of knowing she was upset. Still, her heart ache was wrenching and without any witty comment, she stated quietly, "Let's just go…"
"Ooo…is Kaen-chan upset? Let me guess…you found out I'm the only one Nakago loves, ne?" He grinned darkly at the thought. To have Nakago all to himself would be like the ultimate wish coming true.
Soi didn't say a word, and that was one thing the actor found strange. Normally she'd yell, normally she'd have some sort of retort. True, he was happy if this meant one less threat standing in the way of his dream, but with his fellow seishi's dismay, he found himself rather…uncharacteristically…feeling sorry for her.
"Soi…" Tomo began in a tone completely serious. "What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it…"
How dare she! He was actually trying to be kind and she pushed that away like the woman she was, "Well, fine then! I didn't want to hear about it. As a matter of fact, I'm glad, since I'm almost positive it has something to do with Nakago…"
"Then be glad for all I care. We have a mission to do. That's all I'm focused on."
Heeled footfalls carried her form to the doorway. Soi pushed her way past the 'normal' form of Tomo, heading out for the entrance. His lips pursed and he quietly followed her. Quite frankly, he didn't have a single smart remark to say. Or maybe he just didn't want to. Maybe, just for this time alone, Tomo decided to keep quiet and allow Soi the time she needed to herself. Who ever said Chuin couldn't be considerate if he wanted…?
* * *
The sky seemed to open up, dropping the two forms from the other world onto the ground. Tetsuya grunted, bringing an arm into the dirt to brace himself. Sunglasses sat crookedly atop his nose, but at the moment he didn't dare fix them. How could he even think of doing so when there he was in a simulated reality of ancient China…? Everything seemed so much more…realistic than he imagined. And it was for the first time that moment, that the Shijin Tenchi Sho had become more than just words on paper to him…
"Could have dropped us off softer, ne…?" Taka rubbed his backside with a wince.
"Huh? Oh…un. Un, but I don't mind. This is your world, huh? It's got actual people in it and everything! I mean, I knew it had people. It says so in the book, but I never thought they were actual people…" Tetsuya watched in awe as a few males in the distance seemed to be engrossed in conversation. "Sugoi! If I wanted, I could go talk to them, and then…they would be mentioned in the story too!"
A single sweatbead appeared over turquoise locks, "I'd say you're a bit too excited for your own good, Tetsuya-san…" His voice trailed off as he rose to his feet. "Especially since we wound up right in Kutou…"
It took a moment for the words to be digested, but as soon as they were, brows drew up high over his sunglasses, "Nani?!" Tetsuya flew to his feet, grasping onto Taka. "If we're in Kutou that means we've got Nakago here. And that dirty hentai Tomo. And Miboshi, and Ashitare, and…"
"Soi?" Taka smirked.
"Well, un, Soi's here. So, I suppose it's not all that bad…"
"It's your fault, you know."
"How's it my fault?!"
"Baka, if you would have looked before you just wrote us into the sentence…"
Tetsuya's voice cracked, "Maybe you got a point…" He trailed off, slicking back brown strands and straightening out his glasses. "Demo, not to worry, 'cause we'll just play it cool, and—WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" The college student attached himself to the other as a fairly large insect scuttled past.
Sweatdropping once again, Taka plucked the arms away, "Different things exist in different worlds. Do you want me to kill it for you…?" He grinned in a sugary sweet manner. "Man, you're worse than Tasuki and his water, Tetsuya."
"Am not! It just…caught me by surprise is all…" He straightened out his shirt, watching the bug complete its journey to the pile of rotted wood beside them.
The former Suzakuu seishi said nothing. Instead, he took a few advancing steps, regarding the landscape silently afterward. Kutou…the harsh conditions hadn't changed. This was the country where so many times, he fought. The place that he came to rescue Miaka the first time, and then, where all those blurred kodoku memories took place. Kutou still housed Nakago…a man he couldn't forgive even after having seen his past. He was so positive he had killed him. So…what had gone horribly awry? How was he supposed to make sure that this time around…the man stayed dead?
"Ooi, Taka…?"
"Huh?" He broke free from his thoughts, looking back at Tetsuya.
"What're we supposed to do now? I mean, Sairou's a whole country away…"
"We'll go to Konan. Can't exactly walk around in these strange clothes, can we?"
"Hmph. There's nothing strange about my clothes…"
"Hai, hai…"
"Don't go sayin' that all sarcastic-like neither!"
Taka rolled his eyes, cracking a smile toward him. He had a feeling that no matter what, Tetsuya at the very least would provide amusement on the way. Even so, he seriously hoped that he wasn't hurt in their journey. Though he was once a seishi, Taka still had to get back in touch with the dormant warrior that lay within. And what a better way to do that…than to go back and visit his oyaji's grave…?
"Is that…?" A singular voice rose up behind them, forcing the two to stop in their tracks.
Taka slowly turned his upper body, peering over his shoulder. And upon what he saw, a subtle breath caught in his throat. Tetsuya remained there obliviously, not quite knowing who the two figures were.
Smirk etched over Tomo's lips darkly, "Welcome back…Tamahome…"
**Next Chapter Previews:
Two separate worlds…the Universe of the Four Gods, and present day Japan, held together by a strange book. But with people crossing the dimension to the world in the pages, is it possible for the other way around? As if things weren't making sense enough, Miaka-sama and her brother Keisuke stumble across something that adds much more depth to this story. But is it just another piece to a puzzle that can't be solved? Next time in 'The Ties that Bind.' No matter where you go; no matter what you do; somehow, some way…things will always be connected.