Author's note: oO;;, um. when reading this chapter, you'll see. I comment
on it at the bottom, but NO skipping ahead!
Chapter 22 : Storm of Emotions
"If my memory serves me right," Tamahome explained to Miaka as he slipped on a night shirt, "The rainy season in Konan should almost be over. Actually, the rainy season is usually dry..." Tamahome's head popped out of the neck hole of the blue shirt. "Kinda nice to get some rain. It really helps the farmers."
Miaka nodded, herself still dressed. Tamahome was really tired, it may have been the start of the sunset, but Miaka refused to go to bed so early. It had been a few days already since Saori's incident, and Miaka had a lot on her mind.
Tamahome jumped onto the large bed next to her, pulling the covers up over his chest. He rolled onto his side to face Miaka, propping his head up with his arm. "What's up?"
Miaka snapped out of her small trance. "What was the name of that country where we met Subaru and everyone? Sairo, wasn't it?"
Tamahome nodded. "Why?"
Miaka looked at her hands. "I was just wondering, what are they doing during all of this tension? Whose side are they on?" Miaka didn't want to know if they were with who she thought they could be. Kutou alone was enough.
"I actually overheard his Highness talking about it the other day." Tamahome rolled onto his back, his hands behind his head. "Sairo doesn't want anything to do with this war. They want to remain neutral. They're on the other side of an ocean from Kutou, so for now they have nothing to worry about."
Miaka sighed. "I'm actually glad to hear that. I wouldn't want them on Kutou's side." She got up, brushing off her short white skirt. "I'm going to walk around a bit, okay?"
Tamahome waved.
********************************
"I'm back!" Keisuke yelled as he entered Miaka and Tamahome's apartment.
There was silence.
Keisuke through his jacket onto a chair as he walked through the living room. The Universe of the Four Gods laid closed on the sofa, a piece of paper marking the last place read. Keisuke went to the refrigerator for a beer, finding a yellow note posted with a heart shaped magnet. Noticing his name, he grabbed the note. It read:
Keisuke-
I had to go to work, I was just about out of sick days, and I need to save some for when I'm ACTUALLY sick. I'll be back around 5:00, but I might be late. Yui's leaving with me, she needs to take care of other things. She's going grocery shopping, so she'll be back to check up on you before me. Okay? Rocket power!
-Tetsuya
Keisuke rolled his eyes, opening the door and taking a drink. Tetsuya was so weird sometimes, still using the 'rocket power' thing from the old cartoon he and Keisuke watched when they were 12. However, he did appreciate friends like Tetsuya-especially since etsuya made nearly twice as much as he did. Keisuke placed the note on the counter and made himself comfortable on the white couch in Miaka's living room. He opened the book to where it was marked, and read silently to himself, every now and then saying a few words out loud.
'Miaka, restless, decided to go for a stroll through the palace, leaving Tamahome sleeping in their room...'
**********************************
Miaka walked aimlessly, not necessarily having anywhere to go. Everything was so quiet. Miaka wondered where everyone was, and was needy for some uplifting conversation. Stopping, Miaka found herself a few yards away from one of the two holy shrines of Suzaku. She went to the door and opened it a bit, enough to see in. She remembered on her first trip to the palace, after her and Tamahome had escaped from a Konan cell, they had stumbled upon this very room, though she didn't take much time to admire anything.
Miaka spotted a familiar person sitting before the golden statue.
"Chichiri?" Miaka asked.
Chichiri didn't say anything. Miaka quietly closed the door behind her and walked in.
Chichiri's mask laid beside him on the floor. He sat with his legs crossed and his hands together. Miaka kneeled beside him, waiting for any response.
After a moment Chichiri opened his good eye. He brought his hands down to his lap. "Where's Tamahome?" He asked Miaka, half in his cheery voice.
"He's sleeping." Miaka said. "What were you doing just now? Well, I mean, what were you thinking about?"
Chichiri placed his mask back on. "I was thinking about my loved ones, about the war."
Miaka sat more comfortably on the ground. "Were you thinking about Hiiko?"
Chichiri paused. "Yes. I think about him a lot, no da."
Miaka looked up at the statue of Suzaku. It was silent for a moment. She sighed. "This is a really pretty room." Miaka tried to make conversation. "Kind of funny I guess, Inami stays away from this place."
More silence followed.
"Chichiri?" Miaka asked.
"Hmm?" Chichiri replied.
"Do you think you'll ever fall in love again?" Miaka turned to the magician.
Chichiri thought for a moment. "It's not really something on my mind, no da. I'm just a magician, and a traveler. I don't stay in one place long enough to get feelings like that for anyone."
Miaka frowned. "All of us here love you, Chichiri. You're real important to us."
Chichiri smiled.
Miaka yawned a little after exiting the shrine. She wandered through random halls like before. She hoped she found someone in a more lively state. Perhaps Tasuki... Miaka stopped at an intersection. She strained to hear a sound she swore she just heard. She heard it again. Changing directions, Miaka slowly walked down a short, dim hallway, the sound getting louder as she went.
Finding the source, Miaka slid open a thin door.
Hotohori was inside. He didn't wear his usual layers of royal garments, but a single, red robe. His hair was tied back in a loose ponytail. His sword was held in both hands. He swung into thin air repeatedly.
Miaka watched, dazed.
Hotohori swung and spun around, noticing the priestess in the doorway.
Miaka looked around. "Uh... sorry Hotohori. I didn't mean to interrupt."
Hotohori brushed a few strands of free hair away from his face. "It is quite alright Miaka. Please, come in."
Relived Hotohori wasn't mad, Miaka entered the room. The floor was made from long boards of wood, as were the walls and ceiling. Parts of the walls and doors were made from the thick paper so often seen in Japan. A second door led into the room several feet from where Miaka stood.
Hotohori walked over and picked up the sheath to his miraculous sword, putting the blade away.
A question often repeated in Miaka's mind surfaced, now would probably be a good time to ask. "Hotohori? Are you terribly worried? About the war, I mean."
Hotohori looked down upon his sword, resting his eyes for a moment. "An Emperor's duty is not just to rule a country, but to protect it." He replied, looking back up. "In protecting Konan, I can't ignore the greed of Kutou. However, I've made a promise to myself."
Miaka was curious. "What was that, Hotohori?"
Hotohori looked over to Miaka. "In this war, I won't allow myself to perish so easily. I wasn't there for Houki during her first pregnancy, or during Boushin's childhood. This time, I will live to see the birth of my second child."
Miaka smiled, feeling warm and comforted. She always felt like that around Hotohori. His gentle nature just wore off on her. "You'll make it." She said. "I believe in you, Hotohori."
Hotohori nodded. "Thank you, Miaka." Hotohori could only gaze at the priestess for just a moment. In that moment he saw what he had seen so long ago, what had created his love for Miaka.
~
"Having fun?" Miaka asked jokingly, strolling up to Tasuki.
Tasuki was leaned up against one of the outside palace walls. One of his legs bent so that his foot also touched the wall, his arms were folded across his chest. He wore white pants and a white shirt, though a scarlet vest covered the shirt. He had green belts over his waist and vest, and one tied around his left thigh.
Tasuki looked up at the perky redhead. "Hey Miaka." He said coolly.
Miaka frowned slightly upon reaching the bandit. "Why is everyone so serious today? It's a nice, warm day..." Miaka looked towards the sky. "The sun's setting.... it's so nice."
"Yeah." Tasuki agreed. "I ain't mopey or nothing, I'm just thinking."
Miaka blinked. "About what?"
Tasuki shrugged. "Stuff... like what I'm going to eat for breakfast tomorrow..."
Miaka laughed. She sat across from Tasuki on the railing. "I bet I know what."
Tasuki looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What I'm going to eat for breakfast?"
Miaka giggled again. "No! What you're thinking about!"
Tasuki waited for her explanation
"Even if it's not right, your friends, or 'gang,' up at Reikaku are doing just fine. They've gotten along without you before... and Kouji will take care of them."
Tasuki smirked. "My men can take care of themselves." He stood up straight. "I might as well go in, comin'?"
Miaka followed Tasuki into the palace. Tasuki went upstairs to his room. Miaka stayed on the lower level, looking for another person to talk to.
"It's no fun playing with you, Chiriko!" Saori yelled in a whiny voice, picking up the last of her black pieces.
Miaka walked into the lounging room. It seemed every time she walked in there, someone was playing Nisuya.
Saori noticed Miaka. "Miaka-sempai! Chiriko won't ease up! This is the sixth time I've lost to him, just for today!"
Miaka laughed. "Chiriko has a gift for that." Suddenly, Miaka lit up. "Chiriko! How did your exams go?"
Chiriko smiled as he set his white pieces up. "I think I did pretty well, but I won't have the final results for two or three weeks." Chiriko replied cheerfully. "If I do pass though, I won't do anything until after the war. More positions will be open if I wait too."
Miaka smiled. She watched Chiriko make a first move on the Nisuya board, Saori watching it like a hawk.
"Do you know where Mitsukake is?" Miaka questioned.
Chiriko looked up, Saori making a quick move while he wasn't watching. "Mitsukake is asleep, I was with him just an hour ago."
Miaka nodded. "That makes sense. Why do people here go to bed so early? It's barely even dark."
Saori nodded, not looking away from the board. It was obvious she was determined to win. "I stay up way past everyone else. I kinda wish a brought a book... my brains hurts when I read Chinese."
"Well, I'll be on my way." Miaka practically skipped out of the room. As she went, she heard Chiriko say, "You've already lost, see?"
Instead of finding more people to visit, Miaka decided what she really needed was to be alone with her thoughts. She quietly made her way out to the east garden of the palace. This garden, like the south one, was very large. Trees were planted further into the garden, where a small stream passed by. Miaka began walking down the neatly bricked, even paths. Long irises poked up their purple and blue heads, waving in the slight breeze. Miaka clasped her hands together behind her back, enjoying the scenery. The sun behind her was nearly gone, creating a cool shadow over the plants. Staying quiet, Miaka could hear the running water of the close stream.
The irises decreased in number, being replaced with colorful tulips and roses. Miaka could see their vibrancy even in the darkening light. She squinted as a drop of water hit her nose. She looked into the sky. Clouds were slowly moving overhead. It would start raining lightly, but until it got heavy, Miaka decided to enjoy her time.
Miaka walked slowly down the narrow path, reaching the trees. Some of the trees flowered in the spring, some were just a sight for the eyes. A quick wind blew. Miaka pushed her long hair behind her shoulders.
"I wonder how Yui is... Keisuke.... Hikari..." Miaka thought out loud. "I really miss them. Hikari especially. I know is hasn't been as long in Japan though, so perhaps Hikari hasn't noticed Tamahome's and my absence."
Miaka looked ahead. A small bridge arched over the crystal clear stream. She used to sit on that very bridge and think things over. She was there a lot when Tamahome had left for Kutou so long ago. She would pretend he was there with her, holding her hand or keeping her warm.
"Speaking of warm..." Miaka said, "It's a little chilly..."
A wind blew again. The leaves in the trees flustered about, out of tune with the breeze.
Something snapped.
Miaka whirled around. "Huh? What was that?"
Just then, a dozen black, shadowy figures jumped down from the trees, so fast Miaka could barely see them. The wind blew harder, the rain starting to release itself from the clouds. It was dark, but the black of the figures was darker.
Two lunged at her.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tasuki looked up from where he sat on his bed, only one tie at the top of his ponytail holding his hair back. "Miaka!!" He darted up, running for the door.
The hand holding a quill froze, dropping the writing instrument onto the paper. Inami strained to listen again. "What was... that?"
Fearing for the worse, Inami ran to her door and swung it open. She ran out into the hallway, spotting Tasuki ahead of her.
"Tasuki! Did you hear that scream?!"
Tasuki turned for only a moment. "It was Miaka!" He called.
Inami took off, following after the bandit. Tasuki scurried down only a few steps of the staircase before jumping out a window. Seeing how it wasn't too high, Inami did the same.
"Dang he's fast."
The rain was coming down harder now. Tasuki could barely see in front of him. He whipped his fan out from behind him, letting it glow a bright orange.
"Please be alright, Miaka." His mind begged.
Miaka let out a muffled scream as the hand of one of the black figures enclosed over her mouth. She could barely breath. She kicked and flailed, grabbing desperately at the hands on her. Something pulled on her hair hard. Through the corner of her eye, she could see a glint of silver, a knife.
Miaka screamed again, but to no avail. Something hit hard into her stomach, creating a sickly feeling that instantly spread through her cold, wet body.
"REKKA, SHINNEN!!!!"
A blaze of fire came straight at the men holding Miaka. They spread apart quickly, unharmed. Miaka fell hard to the ground, gasping for air.
"Miaka!!!" Tasuki shouted. "Are you all right?!"
Miaka looked up. "Look out!" She screamed again.
The black bodies instantly swarmed over Tasuki. A single one seemed to be in three places at once.
Miaka felt the cold hands return to her, yanking her up by her hair.
"Rekka, shinen!!!!" Tasuki yelled again. A ball of fire grew around Tasuki, expanding outwards. Like before, the shadowy men disappeared and reappeared, unharmed.
Inami finally reached the garden, her own hair and clothes soaked thoroughly. Through the rain and the night, she could see fire and shadowy men.
Another scream escaped Miaka, but it was cut short.
"Rekka, Shinen!!"
"Baka!" Inami shouted, running as fast as she could to the unfair battle. She grabbed the front her headband, hearing a faint snap as it fell off.
"Tashmmmphhhh" Miaka tried to call out. Something was covering her entire face. She gasped for air, but nothing came into her lungs. She saw a slight orange color above her. Again, the bodies around her vanished. Miaka gasped and tried to get up and run, but to no avail.
"Damnit!!! Get off of me!" Tasuki cursed, using his fan like a sword.
A green symbol of the ox floated in the background. There was a short flash of light, then silence. After a few seconds, the paths running throughout the gardens shook, a little at first, then harshly, making clanking noises. The individual bricks snapped and shot out of the ground, floating in the air until their number was high. In a wave like motion, the bricks shot forward quickly, thudding like the rain against the shadows on Tasuki.
"Rekka, Shinen!" Tasuki shouted again, freeing himself of the final shadows.
"Tasuki! They're Kutou spies!" Inami shouted. "Where's Miaka?!!!"
Several more shadows emerged from seemingly harmless trees. They formed a wall, shielding out the Genbu Warrior.
Tasuki had a moment's chance. Using his own speed in competition with theirs, he ran to Miaka. He called again upon the firepower of his fan to free his priestess. He had Miaka with him as he quickly fled as far as he could. Miaka was still choking for oxygen when the shadows returned.
Faint whistling was heard from far to Tasuki's right. A large, half sphere of green energy shot up from the ground, casting a bright spotlight on the cloaked men, only the area around their eyes visible.
Inami pushed her hands outward, sending the circle flying out onto the men. She was vastly out of practice, but she was still a worthy opponent.
Tasuki's fan flew out of his hand. He held onto Miaka tightly, trying to protect her. He sped faster than the wind in one direction, but the spies followed.
Tasuki threw a punch, managing to hit one of the spies. The man flew back, the gap he left being quickly refilled.
"How many are there?!!" Tasuki shouted.
The men lunged for Miaka, but stopped like a bird running into a closed window. A green half sphere now surrounded the two, sparking and flashing.
The Kutou men loomed around it. Any attempts to get in were instantly repelled.
Tasuki looked down onto Miaka, kneeling down beside her. "Miaka! Are you okay?!"
Miaka let out a final cough, and steadily breathed through her mouth. "I'm all right." She looked out onto the men, shuddering. They were so close... she could still fill the sharp chill of their hands on her.
Further out, a second group of spies loomed, though they barely diminished on the figures surrounding the priestess.
Miaka tried to make sense of what was going on, looking at the protective barrier surrounding her and her loyal warrior.
"Inami!" Miaka yelled. "Tasuki, is Inami out there?!"
Tasuki realized it too.
Miaka pulled off Tasuki's grip and ran for her friend. Apparently, the dome around them worked on both sides. Miaka hit her head hard and flung back into Tasuki.
Tasuki stood up. "Idiot! What the hell does she think she's doing?!" He punched the wall, making no break.
"Tasuki?" Miaka asked.
"She can't protect herself if she's doing this!"
Nuriko and Hotohori came running out of the palace behind Tasuki and Miaka. Chiriko and Tamahome soon followed.
"Hurry!" Miaka shouted from her confinement.
Nuriko and Tamahome both had rageful looks on their faces. Nuriko held an arm up, his blue bracelet spreading out to form a wrist band.
Hotohori drew his sword. They charged out into the battle just as Saori peeked her head out of the palace.
A spy seemed to disintegrate into two separate pieces as Hotohori's sword slashed through him.
Nuriko grabbed the nearest tree and yanked it from its firm position in the ground. He saw a shining arrow headed for him. He used the tree as a shield. He smirked and returned the favor, sending the large trunk hurtling for a group of men.
The mass of spies surrounding Inami grew small. Inami flew onto the ground free, the spies heading to the other Suzaku warriors. Inami turned her head and spit blood out from her mouth. She was completely drenched, as was everyone else outside.
Tasuki smacked the wall of the dome again. "Inami! Get me out! Miaka is safe!"
Inami slowly moved upright.
The dome around Miaka and Tasuki vanished. A diamond fan swung up off of the ground, soaring through the air. Tasuki caught it. Tamahome had arrived and joined the duo. Tasuki turned around. "Tama! Take Miaka! I gotta kick these sorry losers' ((edited for a good rating!))!"
"REKKA SHINNEN!!!"
*********************************
Keisuke was at the edge of the sofa, reading out loud. "Soon the number of spies was cut in half. Seeing how there were no more reinforcements and the strength of the Suzaku seven was overwhelming, the spies left the warriors and priestess in the storm. Enraged, all of the Suzaku Seven swore revenge, adding greatly to the tension and war between the enemy countries." Keisuke took a deep breath, relieved his sister was all right. "Miaka was taken inside, leaving only two warriors in the rain..."
*******************************
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Tasuki yelled loudly through the thick rain.
Inami looked away from the taller man. "We should go inside. I don't feel like starting an argument with you." Inami bluntly stated, rubbing her left arm painfully.
Tasuki was truly furious. "If Nuriko and the others hadn't come out, we all would have died. The second you lost consciousness that dome would have broken. You should be wiser when you fight! You can't let every damn thing depend on you!!"
"Shut up!!" Inami yelled back. "You don't know anything, I swear! Why is it such a big deal?!! Miaka is safe, and so is everyone else! It doesn't matter how that came to be!!"
"Everything matters because you won't be so lucky next time!" Tasuki shouted back. "You left me and Miaka defenseless!"
Inami's eyes quivered as she stared at the ground, not answering.
Tasuki was in a fit. "What the hell would drive someone... you would have died too, like a complete amateur! Why would you do something so stupid?!!!"
"You want to know why Tasuki?!!" Inami yelled.
"YES!!!" Tasuki shouted back.
Inami fell silent before speaking again. "Because..."
There was a pause, filled in by the thudding of the rain.
Inami looked back up at Tasuki, speaking barely loud enough to be audible. "Because I don't know why, but I think I'm falling in love with you."
Tasuki's eyes widened in disbelief. Had he heard wrong?
Inami quietly looked at Tasuki for a short moment longer, before turning and heading back to the palace. Along the way a gold band flew into her hand.
Tasuki just stood there, speechless.
Author's note: Gah, I hate this chapter. GAH. that last part makes me sick to my stomach. The characters made me do it, believe me, I didn't want to! But for all those anti-Inami fans, don't worry. There will be less of her, then more of her, and than a lot less of her for a long span of time.
please continue your reviews!
Chapter 22 : Storm of Emotions
"If my memory serves me right," Tamahome explained to Miaka as he slipped on a night shirt, "The rainy season in Konan should almost be over. Actually, the rainy season is usually dry..." Tamahome's head popped out of the neck hole of the blue shirt. "Kinda nice to get some rain. It really helps the farmers."
Miaka nodded, herself still dressed. Tamahome was really tired, it may have been the start of the sunset, but Miaka refused to go to bed so early. It had been a few days already since Saori's incident, and Miaka had a lot on her mind.
Tamahome jumped onto the large bed next to her, pulling the covers up over his chest. He rolled onto his side to face Miaka, propping his head up with his arm. "What's up?"
Miaka snapped out of her small trance. "What was the name of that country where we met Subaru and everyone? Sairo, wasn't it?"
Tamahome nodded. "Why?"
Miaka looked at her hands. "I was just wondering, what are they doing during all of this tension? Whose side are they on?" Miaka didn't want to know if they were with who she thought they could be. Kutou alone was enough.
"I actually overheard his Highness talking about it the other day." Tamahome rolled onto his back, his hands behind his head. "Sairo doesn't want anything to do with this war. They want to remain neutral. They're on the other side of an ocean from Kutou, so for now they have nothing to worry about."
Miaka sighed. "I'm actually glad to hear that. I wouldn't want them on Kutou's side." She got up, brushing off her short white skirt. "I'm going to walk around a bit, okay?"
Tamahome waved.
********************************
"I'm back!" Keisuke yelled as he entered Miaka and Tamahome's apartment.
There was silence.
Keisuke through his jacket onto a chair as he walked through the living room. The Universe of the Four Gods laid closed on the sofa, a piece of paper marking the last place read. Keisuke went to the refrigerator for a beer, finding a yellow note posted with a heart shaped magnet. Noticing his name, he grabbed the note. It read:
Keisuke-
I had to go to work, I was just about out of sick days, and I need to save some for when I'm ACTUALLY sick. I'll be back around 5:00, but I might be late. Yui's leaving with me, she needs to take care of other things. She's going grocery shopping, so she'll be back to check up on you before me. Okay? Rocket power!
-Tetsuya
Keisuke rolled his eyes, opening the door and taking a drink. Tetsuya was so weird sometimes, still using the 'rocket power' thing from the old cartoon he and Keisuke watched when they were 12. However, he did appreciate friends like Tetsuya-especially since etsuya made nearly twice as much as he did. Keisuke placed the note on the counter and made himself comfortable on the white couch in Miaka's living room. He opened the book to where it was marked, and read silently to himself, every now and then saying a few words out loud.
'Miaka, restless, decided to go for a stroll through the palace, leaving Tamahome sleeping in their room...'
**********************************
Miaka walked aimlessly, not necessarily having anywhere to go. Everything was so quiet. Miaka wondered where everyone was, and was needy for some uplifting conversation. Stopping, Miaka found herself a few yards away from one of the two holy shrines of Suzaku. She went to the door and opened it a bit, enough to see in. She remembered on her first trip to the palace, after her and Tamahome had escaped from a Konan cell, they had stumbled upon this very room, though she didn't take much time to admire anything.
Miaka spotted a familiar person sitting before the golden statue.
"Chichiri?" Miaka asked.
Chichiri didn't say anything. Miaka quietly closed the door behind her and walked in.
Chichiri's mask laid beside him on the floor. He sat with his legs crossed and his hands together. Miaka kneeled beside him, waiting for any response.
After a moment Chichiri opened his good eye. He brought his hands down to his lap. "Where's Tamahome?" He asked Miaka, half in his cheery voice.
"He's sleeping." Miaka said. "What were you doing just now? Well, I mean, what were you thinking about?"
Chichiri placed his mask back on. "I was thinking about my loved ones, about the war."
Miaka sat more comfortably on the ground. "Were you thinking about Hiiko?"
Chichiri paused. "Yes. I think about him a lot, no da."
Miaka looked up at the statue of Suzaku. It was silent for a moment. She sighed. "This is a really pretty room." Miaka tried to make conversation. "Kind of funny I guess, Inami stays away from this place."
More silence followed.
"Chichiri?" Miaka asked.
"Hmm?" Chichiri replied.
"Do you think you'll ever fall in love again?" Miaka turned to the magician.
Chichiri thought for a moment. "It's not really something on my mind, no da. I'm just a magician, and a traveler. I don't stay in one place long enough to get feelings like that for anyone."
Miaka frowned. "All of us here love you, Chichiri. You're real important to us."
Chichiri smiled.
Miaka yawned a little after exiting the shrine. She wandered through random halls like before. She hoped she found someone in a more lively state. Perhaps Tasuki... Miaka stopped at an intersection. She strained to hear a sound she swore she just heard. She heard it again. Changing directions, Miaka slowly walked down a short, dim hallway, the sound getting louder as she went.
Finding the source, Miaka slid open a thin door.
Hotohori was inside. He didn't wear his usual layers of royal garments, but a single, red robe. His hair was tied back in a loose ponytail. His sword was held in both hands. He swung into thin air repeatedly.
Miaka watched, dazed.
Hotohori swung and spun around, noticing the priestess in the doorway.
Miaka looked around. "Uh... sorry Hotohori. I didn't mean to interrupt."
Hotohori brushed a few strands of free hair away from his face. "It is quite alright Miaka. Please, come in."
Relived Hotohori wasn't mad, Miaka entered the room. The floor was made from long boards of wood, as were the walls and ceiling. Parts of the walls and doors were made from the thick paper so often seen in Japan. A second door led into the room several feet from where Miaka stood.
Hotohori walked over and picked up the sheath to his miraculous sword, putting the blade away.
A question often repeated in Miaka's mind surfaced, now would probably be a good time to ask. "Hotohori? Are you terribly worried? About the war, I mean."
Hotohori looked down upon his sword, resting his eyes for a moment. "An Emperor's duty is not just to rule a country, but to protect it." He replied, looking back up. "In protecting Konan, I can't ignore the greed of Kutou. However, I've made a promise to myself."
Miaka was curious. "What was that, Hotohori?"
Hotohori looked over to Miaka. "In this war, I won't allow myself to perish so easily. I wasn't there for Houki during her first pregnancy, or during Boushin's childhood. This time, I will live to see the birth of my second child."
Miaka smiled, feeling warm and comforted. She always felt like that around Hotohori. His gentle nature just wore off on her. "You'll make it." She said. "I believe in you, Hotohori."
Hotohori nodded. "Thank you, Miaka." Hotohori could only gaze at the priestess for just a moment. In that moment he saw what he had seen so long ago, what had created his love for Miaka.
~
"Having fun?" Miaka asked jokingly, strolling up to Tasuki.
Tasuki was leaned up against one of the outside palace walls. One of his legs bent so that his foot also touched the wall, his arms were folded across his chest. He wore white pants and a white shirt, though a scarlet vest covered the shirt. He had green belts over his waist and vest, and one tied around his left thigh.
Tasuki looked up at the perky redhead. "Hey Miaka." He said coolly.
Miaka frowned slightly upon reaching the bandit. "Why is everyone so serious today? It's a nice, warm day..." Miaka looked towards the sky. "The sun's setting.... it's so nice."
"Yeah." Tasuki agreed. "I ain't mopey or nothing, I'm just thinking."
Miaka blinked. "About what?"
Tasuki shrugged. "Stuff... like what I'm going to eat for breakfast tomorrow..."
Miaka laughed. She sat across from Tasuki on the railing. "I bet I know what."
Tasuki looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What I'm going to eat for breakfast?"
Miaka giggled again. "No! What you're thinking about!"
Tasuki waited for her explanation
"Even if it's not right, your friends, or 'gang,' up at Reikaku are doing just fine. They've gotten along without you before... and Kouji will take care of them."
Tasuki smirked. "My men can take care of themselves." He stood up straight. "I might as well go in, comin'?"
Miaka followed Tasuki into the palace. Tasuki went upstairs to his room. Miaka stayed on the lower level, looking for another person to talk to.
"It's no fun playing with you, Chiriko!" Saori yelled in a whiny voice, picking up the last of her black pieces.
Miaka walked into the lounging room. It seemed every time she walked in there, someone was playing Nisuya.
Saori noticed Miaka. "Miaka-sempai! Chiriko won't ease up! This is the sixth time I've lost to him, just for today!"
Miaka laughed. "Chiriko has a gift for that." Suddenly, Miaka lit up. "Chiriko! How did your exams go?"
Chiriko smiled as he set his white pieces up. "I think I did pretty well, but I won't have the final results for two or three weeks." Chiriko replied cheerfully. "If I do pass though, I won't do anything until after the war. More positions will be open if I wait too."
Miaka smiled. She watched Chiriko make a first move on the Nisuya board, Saori watching it like a hawk.
"Do you know where Mitsukake is?" Miaka questioned.
Chiriko looked up, Saori making a quick move while he wasn't watching. "Mitsukake is asleep, I was with him just an hour ago."
Miaka nodded. "That makes sense. Why do people here go to bed so early? It's barely even dark."
Saori nodded, not looking away from the board. It was obvious she was determined to win. "I stay up way past everyone else. I kinda wish a brought a book... my brains hurts when I read Chinese."
"Well, I'll be on my way." Miaka practically skipped out of the room. As she went, she heard Chiriko say, "You've already lost, see?"
Instead of finding more people to visit, Miaka decided what she really needed was to be alone with her thoughts. She quietly made her way out to the east garden of the palace. This garden, like the south one, was very large. Trees were planted further into the garden, where a small stream passed by. Miaka began walking down the neatly bricked, even paths. Long irises poked up their purple and blue heads, waving in the slight breeze. Miaka clasped her hands together behind her back, enjoying the scenery. The sun behind her was nearly gone, creating a cool shadow over the plants. Staying quiet, Miaka could hear the running water of the close stream.
The irises decreased in number, being replaced with colorful tulips and roses. Miaka could see their vibrancy even in the darkening light. She squinted as a drop of water hit her nose. She looked into the sky. Clouds were slowly moving overhead. It would start raining lightly, but until it got heavy, Miaka decided to enjoy her time.
Miaka walked slowly down the narrow path, reaching the trees. Some of the trees flowered in the spring, some were just a sight for the eyes. A quick wind blew. Miaka pushed her long hair behind her shoulders.
"I wonder how Yui is... Keisuke.... Hikari..." Miaka thought out loud. "I really miss them. Hikari especially. I know is hasn't been as long in Japan though, so perhaps Hikari hasn't noticed Tamahome's and my absence."
Miaka looked ahead. A small bridge arched over the crystal clear stream. She used to sit on that very bridge and think things over. She was there a lot when Tamahome had left for Kutou so long ago. She would pretend he was there with her, holding her hand or keeping her warm.
"Speaking of warm..." Miaka said, "It's a little chilly..."
A wind blew again. The leaves in the trees flustered about, out of tune with the breeze.
Something snapped.
Miaka whirled around. "Huh? What was that?"
Just then, a dozen black, shadowy figures jumped down from the trees, so fast Miaka could barely see them. The wind blew harder, the rain starting to release itself from the clouds. It was dark, but the black of the figures was darker.
Two lunged at her.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tasuki looked up from where he sat on his bed, only one tie at the top of his ponytail holding his hair back. "Miaka!!" He darted up, running for the door.
The hand holding a quill froze, dropping the writing instrument onto the paper. Inami strained to listen again. "What was... that?"
Fearing for the worse, Inami ran to her door and swung it open. She ran out into the hallway, spotting Tasuki ahead of her.
"Tasuki! Did you hear that scream?!"
Tasuki turned for only a moment. "It was Miaka!" He called.
Inami took off, following after the bandit. Tasuki scurried down only a few steps of the staircase before jumping out a window. Seeing how it wasn't too high, Inami did the same.
"Dang he's fast."
The rain was coming down harder now. Tasuki could barely see in front of him. He whipped his fan out from behind him, letting it glow a bright orange.
"Please be alright, Miaka." His mind begged.
Miaka let out a muffled scream as the hand of one of the black figures enclosed over her mouth. She could barely breath. She kicked and flailed, grabbing desperately at the hands on her. Something pulled on her hair hard. Through the corner of her eye, she could see a glint of silver, a knife.
Miaka screamed again, but to no avail. Something hit hard into her stomach, creating a sickly feeling that instantly spread through her cold, wet body.
"REKKA, SHINNEN!!!!"
A blaze of fire came straight at the men holding Miaka. They spread apart quickly, unharmed. Miaka fell hard to the ground, gasping for air.
"Miaka!!!" Tasuki shouted. "Are you all right?!"
Miaka looked up. "Look out!" She screamed again.
The black bodies instantly swarmed over Tasuki. A single one seemed to be in three places at once.
Miaka felt the cold hands return to her, yanking her up by her hair.
"Rekka, shinen!!!!" Tasuki yelled again. A ball of fire grew around Tasuki, expanding outwards. Like before, the shadowy men disappeared and reappeared, unharmed.
Inami finally reached the garden, her own hair and clothes soaked thoroughly. Through the rain and the night, she could see fire and shadowy men.
Another scream escaped Miaka, but it was cut short.
"Rekka, Shinen!!"
"Baka!" Inami shouted, running as fast as she could to the unfair battle. She grabbed the front her headband, hearing a faint snap as it fell off.
"Tashmmmphhhh" Miaka tried to call out. Something was covering her entire face. She gasped for air, but nothing came into her lungs. She saw a slight orange color above her. Again, the bodies around her vanished. Miaka gasped and tried to get up and run, but to no avail.
"Damnit!!! Get off of me!" Tasuki cursed, using his fan like a sword.
A green symbol of the ox floated in the background. There was a short flash of light, then silence. After a few seconds, the paths running throughout the gardens shook, a little at first, then harshly, making clanking noises. The individual bricks snapped and shot out of the ground, floating in the air until their number was high. In a wave like motion, the bricks shot forward quickly, thudding like the rain against the shadows on Tasuki.
"Rekka, Shinen!" Tasuki shouted again, freeing himself of the final shadows.
"Tasuki! They're Kutou spies!" Inami shouted. "Where's Miaka?!!!"
Several more shadows emerged from seemingly harmless trees. They formed a wall, shielding out the Genbu Warrior.
Tasuki had a moment's chance. Using his own speed in competition with theirs, he ran to Miaka. He called again upon the firepower of his fan to free his priestess. He had Miaka with him as he quickly fled as far as he could. Miaka was still choking for oxygen when the shadows returned.
Faint whistling was heard from far to Tasuki's right. A large, half sphere of green energy shot up from the ground, casting a bright spotlight on the cloaked men, only the area around their eyes visible.
Inami pushed her hands outward, sending the circle flying out onto the men. She was vastly out of practice, but she was still a worthy opponent.
Tasuki's fan flew out of his hand. He held onto Miaka tightly, trying to protect her. He sped faster than the wind in one direction, but the spies followed.
Tasuki threw a punch, managing to hit one of the spies. The man flew back, the gap he left being quickly refilled.
"How many are there?!!" Tasuki shouted.
The men lunged for Miaka, but stopped like a bird running into a closed window. A green half sphere now surrounded the two, sparking and flashing.
The Kutou men loomed around it. Any attempts to get in were instantly repelled.
Tasuki looked down onto Miaka, kneeling down beside her. "Miaka! Are you okay?!"
Miaka let out a final cough, and steadily breathed through her mouth. "I'm all right." She looked out onto the men, shuddering. They were so close... she could still fill the sharp chill of their hands on her.
Further out, a second group of spies loomed, though they barely diminished on the figures surrounding the priestess.
Miaka tried to make sense of what was going on, looking at the protective barrier surrounding her and her loyal warrior.
"Inami!" Miaka yelled. "Tasuki, is Inami out there?!"
Tasuki realized it too.
Miaka pulled off Tasuki's grip and ran for her friend. Apparently, the dome around them worked on both sides. Miaka hit her head hard and flung back into Tasuki.
Tasuki stood up. "Idiot! What the hell does she think she's doing?!" He punched the wall, making no break.
"Tasuki?" Miaka asked.
"She can't protect herself if she's doing this!"
Nuriko and Hotohori came running out of the palace behind Tasuki and Miaka. Chiriko and Tamahome soon followed.
"Hurry!" Miaka shouted from her confinement.
Nuriko and Tamahome both had rageful looks on their faces. Nuriko held an arm up, his blue bracelet spreading out to form a wrist band.
Hotohori drew his sword. They charged out into the battle just as Saori peeked her head out of the palace.
A spy seemed to disintegrate into two separate pieces as Hotohori's sword slashed through him.
Nuriko grabbed the nearest tree and yanked it from its firm position in the ground. He saw a shining arrow headed for him. He used the tree as a shield. He smirked and returned the favor, sending the large trunk hurtling for a group of men.
The mass of spies surrounding Inami grew small. Inami flew onto the ground free, the spies heading to the other Suzaku warriors. Inami turned her head and spit blood out from her mouth. She was completely drenched, as was everyone else outside.
Tasuki smacked the wall of the dome again. "Inami! Get me out! Miaka is safe!"
Inami slowly moved upright.
The dome around Miaka and Tasuki vanished. A diamond fan swung up off of the ground, soaring through the air. Tasuki caught it. Tamahome had arrived and joined the duo. Tasuki turned around. "Tama! Take Miaka! I gotta kick these sorry losers' ((edited for a good rating!))!"
"REKKA SHINNEN!!!"
*********************************
Keisuke was at the edge of the sofa, reading out loud. "Soon the number of spies was cut in half. Seeing how there were no more reinforcements and the strength of the Suzaku seven was overwhelming, the spies left the warriors and priestess in the storm. Enraged, all of the Suzaku Seven swore revenge, adding greatly to the tension and war between the enemy countries." Keisuke took a deep breath, relieved his sister was all right. "Miaka was taken inside, leaving only two warriors in the rain..."
*******************************
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Tasuki yelled loudly through the thick rain.
Inami looked away from the taller man. "We should go inside. I don't feel like starting an argument with you." Inami bluntly stated, rubbing her left arm painfully.
Tasuki was truly furious. "If Nuriko and the others hadn't come out, we all would have died. The second you lost consciousness that dome would have broken. You should be wiser when you fight! You can't let every damn thing depend on you!!"
"Shut up!!" Inami yelled back. "You don't know anything, I swear! Why is it such a big deal?!! Miaka is safe, and so is everyone else! It doesn't matter how that came to be!!"
"Everything matters because you won't be so lucky next time!" Tasuki shouted back. "You left me and Miaka defenseless!"
Inami's eyes quivered as she stared at the ground, not answering.
Tasuki was in a fit. "What the hell would drive someone... you would have died too, like a complete amateur! Why would you do something so stupid?!!!"
"You want to know why Tasuki?!!" Inami yelled.
"YES!!!" Tasuki shouted back.
Inami fell silent before speaking again. "Because..."
There was a pause, filled in by the thudding of the rain.
Inami looked back up at Tasuki, speaking barely loud enough to be audible. "Because I don't know why, but I think I'm falling in love with you."
Tasuki's eyes widened in disbelief. Had he heard wrong?
Inami quietly looked at Tasuki for a short moment longer, before turning and heading back to the palace. Along the way a gold band flew into her hand.
Tasuki just stood there, speechless.
Author's note: Gah, I hate this chapter. GAH. that last part makes me sick to my stomach. The characters made me do it, believe me, I didn't want to! But for all those anti-Inami fans, don't worry. There will be less of her, then more of her, and than a lot less of her for a long span of time.
please continue your reviews!