*Clears throat* As I am far too lazy to recreate a scene around page 3 in
this chapter, you'll have to forgive me. You get the jist of it. I
haven't read through these chapters for months. I found a few lines I found
entertaining.
BTW: To the reader who informed me of the anonymous review settings, thank you very much! I didn't know my reviews were set to that. ^_^
Chapter 11 : Missing by Music
Mayo's eyes in the morning looked half glazed over. The candle that was in her room was completely melted through. It had been lit all night. She wondered through the Kutou palace early in the morning until someone stopped her.
"Lady Mayo?" Suboshi asked.
Mayo blinked. "Yes, Suboshi, right?"
The olive haired man nodded. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Take me to Nakago, please." Mayo requested, completely off subject.
Suboshi gave her a strange look, but then nodded. "Follow me."
They walked down several long corridors until finally finding Nakago leaving the throne room.
"Nakago Sir, Lady Mayo wished to speak with you." Suboshi explained.
Nakago nodded. Suboshi looked at the both of them, and slowly left.
"Nakago, I have thought about your proposal." Mayo said flatly.
"Yes, Lady Mayo, what is your answer?" Nakago said in his calm, low voice.
"I will become the Priestess of Seiryu." Mayo declared. A shimmer of violet flashed in her eyes. "Bring me Taka."
Nakago bowed. "As you wish, Priestess."
********************************
"On request to bring her Tamahome, Nakago sent out one of his strongest warriors to bring in a lure. Nakago also planned on taking care of some of the Emperor's business while at it." Keisuke sipped a beer, careful not to spill it.
Yui looked uncomfortable. It was like history was repeating herself. Mayo going into the book, becoming the priestess, and now wanting Taka brought to her. It was as if she was following in Yui's own footsteps.
"Back at the Konan palace," Keisuke sipped again and continued. "Hotohori was re-organizing his armies, recruiting new people in case of another probable battle..."
********************************
Hotohori walked along the lines of dressed soldiers, Akue at his side. It was a warm Konan morning, the third day after the start of the war.
"They seem to be in good shape, ne?" Akue addressed to Hotohori.
Hotohori nodded. "Konan's armies grow stronger with experience. We will surely defeat Kutou again."
Akue looked towards the sun. "I plan to return to Hokkan in a month, Sire. I have dealings there as well."
Hotohori stopped at the end of the line. "Then I hope you will return soon after. We have more things to discuss, Ambassador, for the good of Konan."
Miaka and Taka strolled outside the palace in the several gardens surrounding it. Flowers that were in season neatly budded and bloomed, filling their surroundings with the colors of the rainbow. The paths were neat and paved with stone, and a small creek flowed near the outer parts of the gardens. It streamed into a great lake, which Miaka remembered having troubles with... twice.
Miaka wound her arm with Taka's. She loved spending quiet times like this with him, just enjoying nature and one another. The warm sun shone through the leafy treetops, creating the perfect scenery.
"Taka, do you think if we talked really loud, Keisuke and Yui-chan would read what we're saying?" Miaka asked, snuggling up to Taka's chest.
Taka smiled. "I don't know."
Miaka sighed. For now, she wanted all of her worries to leave her, and just bask in the glory of the sun, flowers, birds, and music....
"Music?" Miaka said, pulling away and looking around. "Taka, do you hear that?"
Taka listened. "It sounds... like a flute..."
Miaka looked curious. "Who would be playing a flute out here?"
The music stopped.
"Priestess of Suzaku, you're coming with me."
Miaka and Taka jumped at the unfamiliar voice. Taka swerved around, but saw no one. "Show yourself, you coward!"
A laughter came from behind the trees. Taka concentrated hard on it, pushing Miaka behind him. It sounded like...
"Suboshi?" Taka asked, his eyes darting from tree to tree.
Finally, a rustle of leaves came from above the couple, and the figure shot up from the trees, landing gracefully a short distance from them. He looked up, a cynical stare in his eyes.
"The priestess of Suzaku is mine, Tamahome!" He shouted, lifting a flute to his lips.
"AMIBOSHI!" Taka and Miaka shouted.
"Amiboshi! What are you doing?!!" Miaka cried. "You're... you're not like this!"
A familiar tune rushed from Amiboshi's flute. The sound seemed to engulf Miaka and Taka like a blanket. The flute reached unbelievable high-pitched notes, scaled down, and reached even higher.
Taka covered his ears hard, trying to cloud out the sound. Miaka did the same. She fell to the ground.
"My head's going to explode!" He shouted. The flowers around him seemed to melt together, swirling around him like a tornado. He felt like there was no ground under him. Like he was falling... slowly at first, then faster.... faster... all the while pain seeping in through his ears, scrambling his brains. He was ready to seep into darkness, when...
"Huh!" Taka inhaled sharply. He was lying face down on the dirt, but he could feel the ground under him. He pushed himself up with his arms. His head ached, but the relief slowly came upon it.
"Miaka... are you okay?" He asked, sitting up.
No response.
"Miaka?" Taka slowly stood up, looking around. "Miaka? Miaka, where are you!" He spun around. Amiboshi was gone too.
"MIIIIIIAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Mitsukake dropped the bottles of medicine he was holding. He looked towards the ceiling. "Wasn't that Taka?"
Nuriko turned to face a large window, as did Tasuki. "What in the world?"
"Let's go." Tasuki ordered.
The new Recruited Konan army was filing back when Hotohori and Akue heard it.
"Who is screaming?" Akue questioned.
"Taka!" Hotohori exclaimed, running towards the sound of the scream.
************************************
"Ah!" Keisuke blurted out, getting Tetsuya's and Yui's attention. He had been reading silently while they played with the baby. "That.... that JERK! How dare he!"
Tetsuya stood up. "What?! What's going on?"
"That.Amiboshi... he stole my sister!!!!" Keisuke was ready to rip the book apart.
"Amiboshi?" Yui asked. "But wasn't he kinda... a good guy?"
"Apparently not!!!" Keisuke shouted. "That..... I'll kill him!!! Get me into this book, I'll kill him!! I'll kill him!!!"
***********************************
Nakago walked with Suboshi down the hallway. The blonde seemed nearly twice the size of the sixteen year old, both in height and width. They were discussing something when they saw someone at the entrance of the castle.
"Amiboshi!" Suboshi ran to his twin brother.
Nakago smirked. "You did well, unlike your brother."
Suboshi shot Nakago a dirty look.
Amiboshi had his flute secured in his belt, and the Priestess of Suzaku flung over his shoulder. He shrugged her off, allowing her to fall into Suboshi's arms.
"I brought the priestess, just like I promised." Amiboshi stated clearly.
"You're reward will come to you." Nakago took Miaka from Suboshi. "Lady Mayo will be quite pleased with you."
"Betcha he's gonna take the credit too." Suboshi whispered to his brother as Nakago carried the girl down the hall.
*************************************
"She GONE?!!" Tasuki shouted in his higher-pitched voice.
Taka nodded. "Amiboshi came..."
"Amiboshi?" Nuriko asked. "Are you sure it wasn't Suboshi?"
"I'm positive. He played the flute just like Amiboshi, I know it was him."
"Amiboshi seemed so gentle natured, no da." Chichiri added. "Even if he was reborn, he still wouldn't fight with the Seiryu, no da."
"Perhaps he's changed his mind?" Chiriko chimed in.
"Lousy ((edited for the kids!))"
Akue looked around, completely lost. "Wait! Who the heck is Amiboshi?"
"He probably took her to Kutou, no da."
"Oh no... Miaka!" Saori wailed.
"We have to go after her!" Taka burst in.
"We'd need a plan first, Taka! We need to look at the facts... come up with some logical explanations..."
"We don't need an explanation Chiriko!" Tasuki interrupted. "We need to kick Seiryu's..."
"Tasuki! Watch your language!" Akue argued, just in time. "Will someone tell me who the heck Amiboshi is?!"
"It doesn't involve you, Moron!" Tasuki shot at Akue. "Your only here for Hokkan business..."
"You idiot! Of course it involves me! Miaka is my..."
"It does NOT involve you! Go off and look at some maps or something!"
"Quiet!" Taka wedged his way in. "Miaka could be in danger..."
"Why don't you make me, Fang boy? Can you even read one?!"
"I know Konan like the back of my hand, freeloader!!"
"That's ENOUGH!" Hotohori shouted.
Akue and Tasuki both folded their arms.
Hotohori turned to Taka. "Tell me exactly what happened."
Taka, hiding his grief, began to speak. "We were out walking in the west garden. Amiboshi came out of nowhere, and started playing some horrible song on his damn flute. I must have collapsed, because when I looked around me I was on the ground and Miaka was gone."
Hotohori's eyes showed sorrowful emotion, and he thought deeply. "What in the world would he want with Miaka?"
Akue let out an exasperated sigh. "Who is AMIBOSHI?"
"Ambassador, perhaps it is best you leave." Hotohori suggested.
Akue was going to argue, but he was right. Though she was concerned, it was not her place as a Hokkan Ambassador to become involved in their private lives. Not looking at Tasuki, she bowed, and left.
Hotohori turned back to Taka. "What would he want..."
"Perhaps, what would Nakago want, no da."
Taka closed his eyes, then punched his fist into his other hand. "If that ******** did anything to her, I'll punch his lights out..."
"Taka, we first need to know if she is indeed in Kutou." Hotohori looked to Chichiri.
Chichiri nodded. He left.
**********************************
"With the Suzaku Warrior, Chichiri, focusing on Miaka's life force, everyone could only wait until his return. Curious and still unsure, Chiriko quietly went looking for Akue..." Keisuke's voice trailed.
********************************
And he found her, in her room. He almost dared to invite her into the shrine again. He just peeked into the door... for now.
Akue was at her desk busily writing down information, and she did so quite fast too. Now Chiriko wanted to see what she was writing. Her behavior in the Shrine could mean it was information he didn't want sent out.
Akue stopped, leaning on her elbows. She rubbed her forehead. She must have had a headache... but she was rubbing the spot Chiriko had noticed a lot lately. The gold band around her forehead... now that he though of it, she never had it off. Chiriko's fast mind quickly went into fast-forward as he calculated and though out several things, which would honestly take me too long to write on this page. :)
"Chiriko?" Saori asked, turning the corner.
Chiriko quickly stepped away from the door. "Saori? Yes, what is it?" He said, walking to her.
Saori had a very unpleasant look on her face. "Do you think Miaka will be alright? She's missing... Mayo's missing... and for all my parents know, I'm missing too!" Saori quickly wiped a tear away.
Chiriko put his hand on her shoulder. "Everything will be fine."
***************************************
Miaka drowsily awoke, finding herself staring up into a purple drape. She had a minor headache, and her ears rang. She must be alive at least... She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, and pushed herself up into sitting position.
"Taka?" She looked around.
But she was in a place she hadn't seen before. She was on a plush bed surrounded my violet drapes with a violet canopy above her head. She pushed the curtains aside and stepped off the bed.
"Where am I?" She wondered, looking around the room.
"Hello.... Miaka."
Miaka turned startled. She couldn't believe her eyes.
"MAYO!" She ran over to the girl. "Mayo, you're here too? Are you all right? We've been worried sick...."
"Get AWAY from me!" Mayo shouted, pushing Miaka hard onto the floor.
Miaka cringed, and looked back up. "Mayo! It's me, Miaka! What's wrong?" She stood up.
Mayo stood from her chair in front of an oval mirror. "What's wrong?" She repeated, her expression sinister. Instead of her school uniform, Mayo now was adorned in a layered robe. "You're my problem, Miaka." She stepped forward.
Miaka quickly got up and stepped back. "Mayo, what are you talking about?"
"I'm taking Taka for myself!" Mayo came right out and said it.
Miaka's eyes quivered with confusion. "What do you mean? You're... You're trying to lure him in!"
Mayo laughed. "I guess you're not as dumb as I thought. As soon as I get rid of you here, Taka will be all mine..."
*****************************
"I sensed her life force in Kutou, Highness." Chichiri stated before Hotohori's throne.
"I see... we must retrieve her. She could be in danger."
"I would recommend nightfall as our shield, no da. I can teleport there like I have before." Chichiri offered.
"She could be dead by night!" Taka burst out.
"Taka! Control yourself!" Hotohori ordered. He walked down the steps to him. "We all care for Miaka's welfare, but we can't risk anyone getting hurt. Chichiri, you may take a small team tonight, but make it speedy and safe. Try not to return in the shape you were in last time."
Chichiri nodded. He bowed and left, followed by Taka.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, who gets to go rescue her?" Nuriko asked, pointing to himself. "The more people, the harder it will be to teleport and remain concealed, no da." Chichiri answered.
"Well, I'M going." Taka insisted.
Chichiri sighed. "Taka, I know you care for the well-being of Miaka, but I want you to stay."
Taka looked enraged. "What? Why?!"
"There could be a number of reasons Miaka was taken..." Chichiri began, "One could be to bring you to Kutou, no da."
Taka folded his arms and haughtily sat down.
"I want to go." Tasuki insisted.
"Me too." Nuriko agreed.
Chichiri nodded. "That would be best. Tasuki, Nuriko, and myself will go, no da." Chichiri announced to everyone standing in the room.
"Is Kutou really big?" Asked Saori, who quivered behind Chiriko and Mitsukake.
"It's three times the size of Konan." Nuriko replied. "But no worry, we're only going to... wait.... where did you sense her life force?"
"The palace, no da."
"Again?" Tasuki tuned in. "Sheesh..."
Taka still looked quite unhappy, but swallowed his pride. "Chichiri, just bring her back safely."
************************************
Keisuke coughed. "Just before sundown, Chichiri, who was speaking to the Emperor, sense an evil presence in the throne room...."
*********************************
"What is it, Chichiri?" Hotohori questioned, alarmed by Chichiri's sudden paranoia.
"I sense an evil presence, no da." He looked about the room. "There!" He put his hand straight and shot out a brilliant yellow spark. It hit the ceiling, revealing a black figure. He dropped to the ground.
"What's going on?' Nuriko asked. He and Tasuki sprinted into the room.
Chichiri held up his staff. "What do you want?!"
The figure was a heavily draped-in-black Kutou spy. The only feature of his you could see was his beady eyes, gray skin, and muddy brown hair, which was pulled back into a bun.
"I have come to offer you a deal." He said, lowly. "By word of Lord Nakago."
Tasuki whipped out his fan by the name.
Hotohori stood, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "What deal is this?"
The spy looked at the four men in the room, all armed. He continued. "If you want your Priestess back, bring the Ambassador to Kutou!" And with that, he leapt into the air to make his escape.
"REKKA SHINEN!!!" Tasuki shouted, whipping fire after him.
But he was gone in the blink of an eye.
"Why the hell would he want that wench?" Tasuki asked Hotohori.
"To eliminate our allies..." Hotohori slinked back into his chair, his head in his hand. "We can't possibly..."
"You shouldn't eavesdrop, no da." Chichiri turned the door in the right wall, interrupting Hotohori.
Akue hesitantly walked into the room, and into the light, slightly embarrassed that she had been caught, however, she got to the point. "Your majesty, allow me to go to Kutou."
Hotohori stood up again. "What? I will not allow you to go!" He said strictly. "I forbid it!"
"Please!" Akue kneeled, begging. "I can go with Chichiri, he's going, isn't he? I'll go just so Kutou sees me there!"
Hotohori shook his head. "There is no way I can..."
"I can act as bait, your Highness! Nothing will go wrong as long as I am under the protection of your warriors!"
Hotohori, very displeased and angry, looked over to Chichiri.
"It would make it easier, but it would be very risky on the Ambassador's part, no da." He stated his opinion.
"Too risky." Hotohori enhanced. "You will not go, end of dis...."
"Believe me Sire! Even if the unlikelyness comes that I would be taken... even killed... Hokkan would still be at your side!"
"It is not just about Hokkan!" Hotohori shouted, stepping again out of the boundaries of his gentle nature.
"The only reason I'm HERE is for Hokkan!" Akue stood up. "I too make sacrifices! But nothing will go wrong if you would just have confidence in your men!!!!"
Akue quickly put her hand over her mouth. She had just yelled and by all means insulted the emperor... she hated it when she did that...
Hotohori's eyebrow quivered. Even Tasuki was shocked that she would go so far as to argue in that manner... with the Emperor....
"Akue Cheinun!" Hotohori called.
Knowing she was in trouble, she figured she'd be told off in dignity. She stood her ground, not taking her eyes off of Hotohori.
Hotohori sighed. "It shows courage to take a position with royalty like that, too much courage. Don't be proud of yourself, you are going only under your stubbornness."
Akue smiled, and bowed. "Thank you, your Majesty."
***********************
Miaka quickly ducked as the knife once again came at her. She ran to the other side of the room.
Mayo pulled the object with some difficulty out of the wall. She turned to her prey. "Damnit Miaka!!!" Mayo threw the knife, but it missed Miaka by a good five feet.
Miaka once again ran to the door, which was still locked. She turned around. "Mayo! Stop it, please!!!"
Then the door opened. Miaka stepped back. It was Suboshi.
Miaka went white in the face and ran behind Mayo. She'd rather be anywhere than near him.
"Priestess, I must ask you to keep the girl ALIVE."
Mayo smirked before replying. "Very well."
Suboshi closed the door. He would like the priestess killed too, but his orders came from Nakago.
****************************
"You mean you teleport through... your hat?" Akue asked, pointing.
Chichiri nodded, and laid out his cloak. "For this many, I'll have to use this, no da."
Tasuki, noting the routine, stepped in, followed by Nuriko, and slowly, Akue.
"Bring them all back in one piece, Chichiri." Hotohori said, almost giving an order.
Chichiri smiled and nodded, jumping onto the cloak himself. In an instant the fabric spun, and they quartet was gone.
Hotohori sighed. "I do hope I made the right decision..."
Saori slapped a smile on. "Don't worry Highness, Chichiri is very smart."
*******************************
A large triangle of fabric appeared in the far end of the Kutou gardens, by a great wall, and the four popped out.
Akue fell over. "I think I'm going to be sick..."
Chichiri stood up. "If it comes to it, you are only to make an appearance, then you are to come back here and hide. Throw the cloak over you and you'll be hidden. Don't think or breath too loudly, or your life force may give you away, no da."
Akue nodded.
Chichiri slowly led the way, Tasuki behind him. Nuriko was behind Akue, making sure to keep her safe.
Soon the lights in the castle were noticeable. Chichiri was behind a tree.
"Nakago... he had long blonde hair and he's a big guy..." Nuriko whispered to Akue, barely loud enough to hear.
"I know who he is..." Akue whispered back, same manner.
Just then, a whizzing ball came right between Tasuki and Chichiri. They both spun around.
"Suboshi!" Nuriko called, jumping down from the ledge he was on.
"Suzaku intruders? This will be fun!" He commented, spinning a meteor on his finger.
"We are here for our priestess!" Chichiri yelled. "We brought the Ambassador no da!" Chichiri pointed back to Akue, who was by the large tree.
"Good! I'll kill her too!" Suboshi threw a spinning meteor bell straight for Tasuki.
*************************
"They found them!" Keisuke fell backwards over the sofa. He got back up. "Suboshi's fighting with them right now!"
BTW: To the reader who informed me of the anonymous review settings, thank you very much! I didn't know my reviews were set to that. ^_^
Chapter 11 : Missing by Music
Mayo's eyes in the morning looked half glazed over. The candle that was in her room was completely melted through. It had been lit all night. She wondered through the Kutou palace early in the morning until someone stopped her.
"Lady Mayo?" Suboshi asked.
Mayo blinked. "Yes, Suboshi, right?"
The olive haired man nodded. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Take me to Nakago, please." Mayo requested, completely off subject.
Suboshi gave her a strange look, but then nodded. "Follow me."
They walked down several long corridors until finally finding Nakago leaving the throne room.
"Nakago Sir, Lady Mayo wished to speak with you." Suboshi explained.
Nakago nodded. Suboshi looked at the both of them, and slowly left.
"Nakago, I have thought about your proposal." Mayo said flatly.
"Yes, Lady Mayo, what is your answer?" Nakago said in his calm, low voice.
"I will become the Priestess of Seiryu." Mayo declared. A shimmer of violet flashed in her eyes. "Bring me Taka."
Nakago bowed. "As you wish, Priestess."
********************************
"On request to bring her Tamahome, Nakago sent out one of his strongest warriors to bring in a lure. Nakago also planned on taking care of some of the Emperor's business while at it." Keisuke sipped a beer, careful not to spill it.
Yui looked uncomfortable. It was like history was repeating herself. Mayo going into the book, becoming the priestess, and now wanting Taka brought to her. It was as if she was following in Yui's own footsteps.
"Back at the Konan palace," Keisuke sipped again and continued. "Hotohori was re-organizing his armies, recruiting new people in case of another probable battle..."
********************************
Hotohori walked along the lines of dressed soldiers, Akue at his side. It was a warm Konan morning, the third day after the start of the war.
"They seem to be in good shape, ne?" Akue addressed to Hotohori.
Hotohori nodded. "Konan's armies grow stronger with experience. We will surely defeat Kutou again."
Akue looked towards the sun. "I plan to return to Hokkan in a month, Sire. I have dealings there as well."
Hotohori stopped at the end of the line. "Then I hope you will return soon after. We have more things to discuss, Ambassador, for the good of Konan."
Miaka and Taka strolled outside the palace in the several gardens surrounding it. Flowers that were in season neatly budded and bloomed, filling their surroundings with the colors of the rainbow. The paths were neat and paved with stone, and a small creek flowed near the outer parts of the gardens. It streamed into a great lake, which Miaka remembered having troubles with... twice.
Miaka wound her arm with Taka's. She loved spending quiet times like this with him, just enjoying nature and one another. The warm sun shone through the leafy treetops, creating the perfect scenery.
"Taka, do you think if we talked really loud, Keisuke and Yui-chan would read what we're saying?" Miaka asked, snuggling up to Taka's chest.
Taka smiled. "I don't know."
Miaka sighed. For now, she wanted all of her worries to leave her, and just bask in the glory of the sun, flowers, birds, and music....
"Music?" Miaka said, pulling away and looking around. "Taka, do you hear that?"
Taka listened. "It sounds... like a flute..."
Miaka looked curious. "Who would be playing a flute out here?"
The music stopped.
"Priestess of Suzaku, you're coming with me."
Miaka and Taka jumped at the unfamiliar voice. Taka swerved around, but saw no one. "Show yourself, you coward!"
A laughter came from behind the trees. Taka concentrated hard on it, pushing Miaka behind him. It sounded like...
"Suboshi?" Taka asked, his eyes darting from tree to tree.
Finally, a rustle of leaves came from above the couple, and the figure shot up from the trees, landing gracefully a short distance from them. He looked up, a cynical stare in his eyes.
"The priestess of Suzaku is mine, Tamahome!" He shouted, lifting a flute to his lips.
"AMIBOSHI!" Taka and Miaka shouted.
"Amiboshi! What are you doing?!!" Miaka cried. "You're... you're not like this!"
A familiar tune rushed from Amiboshi's flute. The sound seemed to engulf Miaka and Taka like a blanket. The flute reached unbelievable high-pitched notes, scaled down, and reached even higher.
Taka covered his ears hard, trying to cloud out the sound. Miaka did the same. She fell to the ground.
"My head's going to explode!" He shouted. The flowers around him seemed to melt together, swirling around him like a tornado. He felt like there was no ground under him. Like he was falling... slowly at first, then faster.... faster... all the while pain seeping in through his ears, scrambling his brains. He was ready to seep into darkness, when...
"Huh!" Taka inhaled sharply. He was lying face down on the dirt, but he could feel the ground under him. He pushed himself up with his arms. His head ached, but the relief slowly came upon it.
"Miaka... are you okay?" He asked, sitting up.
No response.
"Miaka?" Taka slowly stood up, looking around. "Miaka? Miaka, where are you!" He spun around. Amiboshi was gone too.
"MIIIIIIAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Mitsukake dropped the bottles of medicine he was holding. He looked towards the ceiling. "Wasn't that Taka?"
Nuriko turned to face a large window, as did Tasuki. "What in the world?"
"Let's go." Tasuki ordered.
The new Recruited Konan army was filing back when Hotohori and Akue heard it.
"Who is screaming?" Akue questioned.
"Taka!" Hotohori exclaimed, running towards the sound of the scream.
************************************
"Ah!" Keisuke blurted out, getting Tetsuya's and Yui's attention. He had been reading silently while they played with the baby. "That.... that JERK! How dare he!"
Tetsuya stood up. "What?! What's going on?"
"That.Amiboshi... he stole my sister!!!!" Keisuke was ready to rip the book apart.
"Amiboshi?" Yui asked. "But wasn't he kinda... a good guy?"
"Apparently not!!!" Keisuke shouted. "That..... I'll kill him!!! Get me into this book, I'll kill him!! I'll kill him!!!"
***********************************
Nakago walked with Suboshi down the hallway. The blonde seemed nearly twice the size of the sixteen year old, both in height and width. They were discussing something when they saw someone at the entrance of the castle.
"Amiboshi!" Suboshi ran to his twin brother.
Nakago smirked. "You did well, unlike your brother."
Suboshi shot Nakago a dirty look.
Amiboshi had his flute secured in his belt, and the Priestess of Suzaku flung over his shoulder. He shrugged her off, allowing her to fall into Suboshi's arms.
"I brought the priestess, just like I promised." Amiboshi stated clearly.
"You're reward will come to you." Nakago took Miaka from Suboshi. "Lady Mayo will be quite pleased with you."
"Betcha he's gonna take the credit too." Suboshi whispered to his brother as Nakago carried the girl down the hall.
*************************************
"She GONE?!!" Tasuki shouted in his higher-pitched voice.
Taka nodded. "Amiboshi came..."
"Amiboshi?" Nuriko asked. "Are you sure it wasn't Suboshi?"
"I'm positive. He played the flute just like Amiboshi, I know it was him."
"Amiboshi seemed so gentle natured, no da." Chichiri added. "Even if he was reborn, he still wouldn't fight with the Seiryu, no da."
"Perhaps he's changed his mind?" Chiriko chimed in.
"Lousy ((edited for the kids!))"
Akue looked around, completely lost. "Wait! Who the heck is Amiboshi?"
"He probably took her to Kutou, no da."
"Oh no... Miaka!" Saori wailed.
"We have to go after her!" Taka burst in.
"We'd need a plan first, Taka! We need to look at the facts... come up with some logical explanations..."
"We don't need an explanation Chiriko!" Tasuki interrupted. "We need to kick Seiryu's..."
"Tasuki! Watch your language!" Akue argued, just in time. "Will someone tell me who the heck Amiboshi is?!"
"It doesn't involve you, Moron!" Tasuki shot at Akue. "Your only here for Hokkan business..."
"You idiot! Of course it involves me! Miaka is my..."
"It does NOT involve you! Go off and look at some maps or something!"
"Quiet!" Taka wedged his way in. "Miaka could be in danger..."
"Why don't you make me, Fang boy? Can you even read one?!"
"I know Konan like the back of my hand, freeloader!!"
"That's ENOUGH!" Hotohori shouted.
Akue and Tasuki both folded their arms.
Hotohori turned to Taka. "Tell me exactly what happened."
Taka, hiding his grief, began to speak. "We were out walking in the west garden. Amiboshi came out of nowhere, and started playing some horrible song on his damn flute. I must have collapsed, because when I looked around me I was on the ground and Miaka was gone."
Hotohori's eyes showed sorrowful emotion, and he thought deeply. "What in the world would he want with Miaka?"
Akue let out an exasperated sigh. "Who is AMIBOSHI?"
"Ambassador, perhaps it is best you leave." Hotohori suggested.
Akue was going to argue, but he was right. Though she was concerned, it was not her place as a Hokkan Ambassador to become involved in their private lives. Not looking at Tasuki, she bowed, and left.
Hotohori turned back to Taka. "What would he want..."
"Perhaps, what would Nakago want, no da."
Taka closed his eyes, then punched his fist into his other hand. "If that ******** did anything to her, I'll punch his lights out..."
"Taka, we first need to know if she is indeed in Kutou." Hotohori looked to Chichiri.
Chichiri nodded. He left.
**********************************
"With the Suzaku Warrior, Chichiri, focusing on Miaka's life force, everyone could only wait until his return. Curious and still unsure, Chiriko quietly went looking for Akue..." Keisuke's voice trailed.
********************************
And he found her, in her room. He almost dared to invite her into the shrine again. He just peeked into the door... for now.
Akue was at her desk busily writing down information, and she did so quite fast too. Now Chiriko wanted to see what she was writing. Her behavior in the Shrine could mean it was information he didn't want sent out.
Akue stopped, leaning on her elbows. She rubbed her forehead. She must have had a headache... but she was rubbing the spot Chiriko had noticed a lot lately. The gold band around her forehead... now that he though of it, she never had it off. Chiriko's fast mind quickly went into fast-forward as he calculated and though out several things, which would honestly take me too long to write on this page. :)
"Chiriko?" Saori asked, turning the corner.
Chiriko quickly stepped away from the door. "Saori? Yes, what is it?" He said, walking to her.
Saori had a very unpleasant look on her face. "Do you think Miaka will be alright? She's missing... Mayo's missing... and for all my parents know, I'm missing too!" Saori quickly wiped a tear away.
Chiriko put his hand on her shoulder. "Everything will be fine."
***************************************
Miaka drowsily awoke, finding herself staring up into a purple drape. She had a minor headache, and her ears rang. She must be alive at least... She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, and pushed herself up into sitting position.
"Taka?" She looked around.
But she was in a place she hadn't seen before. She was on a plush bed surrounded my violet drapes with a violet canopy above her head. She pushed the curtains aside and stepped off the bed.
"Where am I?" She wondered, looking around the room.
"Hello.... Miaka."
Miaka turned startled. She couldn't believe her eyes.
"MAYO!" She ran over to the girl. "Mayo, you're here too? Are you all right? We've been worried sick...."
"Get AWAY from me!" Mayo shouted, pushing Miaka hard onto the floor.
Miaka cringed, and looked back up. "Mayo! It's me, Miaka! What's wrong?" She stood up.
Mayo stood from her chair in front of an oval mirror. "What's wrong?" She repeated, her expression sinister. Instead of her school uniform, Mayo now was adorned in a layered robe. "You're my problem, Miaka." She stepped forward.
Miaka quickly got up and stepped back. "Mayo, what are you talking about?"
"I'm taking Taka for myself!" Mayo came right out and said it.
Miaka's eyes quivered with confusion. "What do you mean? You're... You're trying to lure him in!"
Mayo laughed. "I guess you're not as dumb as I thought. As soon as I get rid of you here, Taka will be all mine..."
*****************************
"I sensed her life force in Kutou, Highness." Chichiri stated before Hotohori's throne.
"I see... we must retrieve her. She could be in danger."
"I would recommend nightfall as our shield, no da. I can teleport there like I have before." Chichiri offered.
"She could be dead by night!" Taka burst out.
"Taka! Control yourself!" Hotohori ordered. He walked down the steps to him. "We all care for Miaka's welfare, but we can't risk anyone getting hurt. Chichiri, you may take a small team tonight, but make it speedy and safe. Try not to return in the shape you were in last time."
Chichiri nodded. He bowed and left, followed by Taka.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, who gets to go rescue her?" Nuriko asked, pointing to himself. "The more people, the harder it will be to teleport and remain concealed, no da." Chichiri answered.
"Well, I'M going." Taka insisted.
Chichiri sighed. "Taka, I know you care for the well-being of Miaka, but I want you to stay."
Taka looked enraged. "What? Why?!"
"There could be a number of reasons Miaka was taken..." Chichiri began, "One could be to bring you to Kutou, no da."
Taka folded his arms and haughtily sat down.
"I want to go." Tasuki insisted.
"Me too." Nuriko agreed.
Chichiri nodded. "That would be best. Tasuki, Nuriko, and myself will go, no da." Chichiri announced to everyone standing in the room.
"Is Kutou really big?" Asked Saori, who quivered behind Chiriko and Mitsukake.
"It's three times the size of Konan." Nuriko replied. "But no worry, we're only going to... wait.... where did you sense her life force?"
"The palace, no da."
"Again?" Tasuki tuned in. "Sheesh..."
Taka still looked quite unhappy, but swallowed his pride. "Chichiri, just bring her back safely."
************************************
Keisuke coughed. "Just before sundown, Chichiri, who was speaking to the Emperor, sense an evil presence in the throne room...."
*********************************
"What is it, Chichiri?" Hotohori questioned, alarmed by Chichiri's sudden paranoia.
"I sense an evil presence, no da." He looked about the room. "There!" He put his hand straight and shot out a brilliant yellow spark. It hit the ceiling, revealing a black figure. He dropped to the ground.
"What's going on?' Nuriko asked. He and Tasuki sprinted into the room.
Chichiri held up his staff. "What do you want?!"
The figure was a heavily draped-in-black Kutou spy. The only feature of his you could see was his beady eyes, gray skin, and muddy brown hair, which was pulled back into a bun.
"I have come to offer you a deal." He said, lowly. "By word of Lord Nakago."
Tasuki whipped out his fan by the name.
Hotohori stood, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "What deal is this?"
The spy looked at the four men in the room, all armed. He continued. "If you want your Priestess back, bring the Ambassador to Kutou!" And with that, he leapt into the air to make his escape.
"REKKA SHINEN!!!" Tasuki shouted, whipping fire after him.
But he was gone in the blink of an eye.
"Why the hell would he want that wench?" Tasuki asked Hotohori.
"To eliminate our allies..." Hotohori slinked back into his chair, his head in his hand. "We can't possibly..."
"You shouldn't eavesdrop, no da." Chichiri turned the door in the right wall, interrupting Hotohori.
Akue hesitantly walked into the room, and into the light, slightly embarrassed that she had been caught, however, she got to the point. "Your majesty, allow me to go to Kutou."
Hotohori stood up again. "What? I will not allow you to go!" He said strictly. "I forbid it!"
"Please!" Akue kneeled, begging. "I can go with Chichiri, he's going, isn't he? I'll go just so Kutou sees me there!"
Hotohori shook his head. "There is no way I can..."
"I can act as bait, your Highness! Nothing will go wrong as long as I am under the protection of your warriors!"
Hotohori, very displeased and angry, looked over to Chichiri.
"It would make it easier, but it would be very risky on the Ambassador's part, no da." He stated his opinion.
"Too risky." Hotohori enhanced. "You will not go, end of dis...."
"Believe me Sire! Even if the unlikelyness comes that I would be taken... even killed... Hokkan would still be at your side!"
"It is not just about Hokkan!" Hotohori shouted, stepping again out of the boundaries of his gentle nature.
"The only reason I'm HERE is for Hokkan!" Akue stood up. "I too make sacrifices! But nothing will go wrong if you would just have confidence in your men!!!!"
Akue quickly put her hand over her mouth. She had just yelled and by all means insulted the emperor... she hated it when she did that...
Hotohori's eyebrow quivered. Even Tasuki was shocked that she would go so far as to argue in that manner... with the Emperor....
"Akue Cheinun!" Hotohori called.
Knowing she was in trouble, she figured she'd be told off in dignity. She stood her ground, not taking her eyes off of Hotohori.
Hotohori sighed. "It shows courage to take a position with royalty like that, too much courage. Don't be proud of yourself, you are going only under your stubbornness."
Akue smiled, and bowed. "Thank you, your Majesty."
***********************
Miaka quickly ducked as the knife once again came at her. She ran to the other side of the room.
Mayo pulled the object with some difficulty out of the wall. She turned to her prey. "Damnit Miaka!!!" Mayo threw the knife, but it missed Miaka by a good five feet.
Miaka once again ran to the door, which was still locked. She turned around. "Mayo! Stop it, please!!!"
Then the door opened. Miaka stepped back. It was Suboshi.
Miaka went white in the face and ran behind Mayo. She'd rather be anywhere than near him.
"Priestess, I must ask you to keep the girl ALIVE."
Mayo smirked before replying. "Very well."
Suboshi closed the door. He would like the priestess killed too, but his orders came from Nakago.
****************************
"You mean you teleport through... your hat?" Akue asked, pointing.
Chichiri nodded, and laid out his cloak. "For this many, I'll have to use this, no da."
Tasuki, noting the routine, stepped in, followed by Nuriko, and slowly, Akue.
"Bring them all back in one piece, Chichiri." Hotohori said, almost giving an order.
Chichiri smiled and nodded, jumping onto the cloak himself. In an instant the fabric spun, and they quartet was gone.
Hotohori sighed. "I do hope I made the right decision..."
Saori slapped a smile on. "Don't worry Highness, Chichiri is very smart."
*******************************
A large triangle of fabric appeared in the far end of the Kutou gardens, by a great wall, and the four popped out.
Akue fell over. "I think I'm going to be sick..."
Chichiri stood up. "If it comes to it, you are only to make an appearance, then you are to come back here and hide. Throw the cloak over you and you'll be hidden. Don't think or breath too loudly, or your life force may give you away, no da."
Akue nodded.
Chichiri slowly led the way, Tasuki behind him. Nuriko was behind Akue, making sure to keep her safe.
Soon the lights in the castle were noticeable. Chichiri was behind a tree.
"Nakago... he had long blonde hair and he's a big guy..." Nuriko whispered to Akue, barely loud enough to hear.
"I know who he is..." Akue whispered back, same manner.
Just then, a whizzing ball came right between Tasuki and Chichiri. They both spun around.
"Suboshi!" Nuriko called, jumping down from the ledge he was on.
"Suzaku intruders? This will be fun!" He commented, spinning a meteor on his finger.
"We are here for our priestess!" Chichiri yelled. "We brought the Ambassador no da!" Chichiri pointed back to Akue, who was by the large tree.
"Good! I'll kill her too!" Suboshi threw a spinning meteor bell straight for Tasuki.
*************************
"They found them!" Keisuke fell backwards over the sofa. He got back up. "Suboshi's fighting with them right now!"