Chapter 27 : An Ocean of Ice
"Is Hokkan really... cold?" Saori asked.
"It's freezing." Nuriko answered, "But it's actually pretty nice near the southern parts."
"How the heck do we plan to get there?" Tasuki mumbled. "Last time we had a BIG ship to take us, no way in hell I'm walking... or riding that far."
"Inami-san is from Hokkan, isn't she?" Saori asked more questions.
Hotohori nodded. "However, I doubt we'll see her. Like I said before, Hokkan is a massive country, and Miss Cheinun is a very busy woman."
Tasuki shifted uncomfortably to his left side on his horse.
"Highness, it does bring up a question." Tamahome stated. "How do we get to Hokkan? Taking the mountain passages is dangerous. We could go around through Sairo, but that would take forever. Plus, we don't exactly have a ship like before."
Hotohori looked out at the bare stretch of land ahead of them. "I'm not sure, really. When we get to the next town, we should get some rooms in an Inn and discuss it further there. For now though, we should worry about our well-beings, especially Miaka's."
Miaka's stomach rumbled. She blushed a little. "It's that obvious, huh?"
"If we keep our pace, we should reach the next town by nightfall no da." Chichiri explained. "Over those hills are some forestry areas, we can get there sooner by taking the trails through there, no da."
"We should water the horses when we get to water as well." Mitsukake advised.
Saori slumped over in front of Chichiri. "My back hurts... I hope we get there soon." Saori had a strong desire to run into Mayo, some how, along the way to finding the Shinzaho. She knew Mayo would be surrounded by the Seiryu seven, and it wouldn't be safe, but Saori couldn't help but be blind to the defaults. All she wanted was to see Mayo. Now Saori wondered if she had known before entering the book that it would be this hard, if she still would have gone.
"What are you saying, Saori?" She thought to herself. "You had a chance to leave." Saori looked around the group. "The people here really do care about me. They've all been so nice..." Saori looked forward to the approaching hills. "I'm the odd-one-out, aren't I? The Suzaku Seven and the priestess, they belong together. I'm here for what? I'm like a needle in a haystack... or am I a ink spot on white paper?"
"This is the city of Un." Chichiri remarked. "I've been here a couple of times. There is a descent inn about half a mile in, we should see if they have any rooms."
Saori looked behind her. "Hotohori, couldn't... Oh! sorry! Highness, couldn't you just tell them to give us a room?"
Hotohori shook his head. "I wouldn't want to force someone out onto the streets for late timing, and besides, the reason I'm dressed like this is so people won't suspect me of being an Emperor."
"In that case you might want to keep it down." Tasuki retorted.
Saori sighed. Hotohori certainly was a handsome emperor. He looked so much like Boushin. Saori went a little pink and quickly turned away.
Miaka looked at the unfamiliar characters above the Inn Chichiri had recommended upon reaching it. "Tamahome, what does that mean?"
Tamahome looked up at the sign. "White Dragon, I think there's another one like this south of my home village."
Luckily, the white dragon had plenty of rooms, as well as a bar in the basement. They got three rooms, each with two beds. So some did have to share, since they needed their money to last the entire trip. Of course, Hotohori definitely gave them plenty. Saori ended up with her own bed in a room with Miaka and Tamahome; Chiriko, Tasuki, and Nuriko got another room, and Chichiri, Hotohori, Mitsukake, and the cat got the third.
Saori ran out onto the small balcony upon entering her room. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air, which by all means was pointless considering she had been in the fresh air for hours. She looked out onto the town. It looked a lot like the last one, but the buildings were a little bigger.
"Mayo, are you okay? I'm doing fine." She said into the sky. "I hope you're all right. I can't help but worry about you, from the things I've heard about the Seiryu seven... and seen..." Saori shuddered as she remembered some of her encounters. Every time she had seen a Seiryu warrior, it hadn't been good. Soi and her lightening, Ashitare injuring Hotohori, Tomo nearly murdering someone...
"He has the purest blue eyes I've ever seen..."
"Suboshi..." Saori trailed off. She remembered her encounter with him more than the others. Something about the young man seemed, innocent. She couldn't put her finger on it. "He tried to kill Miaka, AND Tasuki... he murdered Tamahome's family..."
Murder was such a strong word. Mayo had tried to make Suboshi sound less guilty when she was telling the story to Saori.
"Well, what would you have done if you thought some guy had killed your mother or something?"
Saori slumped down and put her head on the railing. "I wish I could just wake up, and everything would be better again..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"They have boats for rent," Miaka said, pointing to one of the many papers laid out on the floor in Hotohori's room.
"Wow," Tamahome remarked, "Those boating people must make a LOT of money..."
"It would take more than half our current funds to get a boat that size." Chiriko pointed out. "It would be much cheaper to take a ferry if you want a water route, which would be faster."
"What are the land options?" Hotohori asked.
"We could take the route that borders the ocean through the mountain passes." Chiriko pointed to a map. "But there are a lot of bandits there, and the weather isn't good..."
"Plus the MOUNTAIN part." Tamahome added.
"And then we could take a flat land route by moving through Sairo right here, no da." Chichiri pointed to the map.
Chiriko nodded. "However, that route will take about a month to complete, assuming we travel around eight hours a day. Plus we would have a high risk of having to cross over desert."
Miaka looked disappointed. "How did Inami always get back?"
"I'm not sure," Chiriko began, "But I believe she rides to the Sairo border and takes a boat across. It wouldn't take her so long though, because it's a continuous trip."
"Perhaps we should go that way?" Tamahome asked Hotohori.
"If we left for the Sairo border tomorrow morning and took a ferry, we would get there in about a week." Hotohori said.
"Maybe we need to be more liberal with the money we have, otherwise we'd just use it up traveling by land, no da." Chichiri suggested.
Hotohori nodded. "Very well then, we will leave for the Sairo border, but we will do it tonight. It will be cooler during that time, and perhaps we can gain more ground."
******************************
Keisuke ate cereal with the book in front of him in the morning. Yui and Tetsuya were still asleep on the couch. It was about 6:00 a.m., and Keisuke would have to leave for the school at 8:30, plus he had to stop by his apartment to shower and dress, so he was trying to read as much as possible within the next hour.
"That night the horses were saddled and everyone left the inn, with a few moans from the women." Keisuke read silently in his mind while eating his frosted flakes. "Miraculously, at constant travel, they reached the Sairo border by nightfall the next day. 'We need a ferry pass for nine' the magician, Chichiri, asked at the southwest coast. Tamahome regretfully watched as Chichiri handed over nearly half of their money. 'It's always money with you.' The priestess complained. The Suzaku Seven and their Miko, as well as the girl Saori, were soon on the waves, heading towards the cold country of Hokkan. Aboard the small ferry the traveling party rested after more than a day of no sleep...."
******************************
Saori was jolted awake in the late morning by the rattling of the ship. She rubbed her eyes with her fists, and it took her a while to figure out where she was.
She could feel the ship move slowly up and down on the waves. Ahead of her was a small round window covered with designed pieces of wood. She could smell fresh air and see the distant sea ahead. She had never been on a boat before, and she felt slightly dizzy, but it wasn't anything she couldn't brush off.
Grabbing the rails of her bed, she swung her head down. "Are you awake?"
Nuriko opened a single eye from his position on the lower bunk. "You do know that if I was asleep I wouldn't answer."
"You would if I yelled loud enough." Saori joked.
Nuriko rubbed his eyes and opened them, stretching his arms out in a yawn. "Is it early?"
Saori looked back out the window. "Not real early, the sun is up and everything."
Nuriko sat up and swung his legs off the bed and onto the floor, careful not to smack his head. "We probably slept in since we were so tired. I'm hungry."
"Me too." Saori said. She crawled to the end of her bed and carefully backed down a small ladder to the floor. "Do we have to eat fish?"
Nuriko laughed. "I don't know, I guess we'll find out."
"Are you okay up there?"
"I don't feel too good, Tasuki."
"You were just fine last boat trip."
"It may not be sea sickness..."
"Well, if you feel like you're gonna blow chunks, tell me so I can leave."
"Tasuki..."
"Just kiddin'."
Tasuki got off his bed and stood up to peer at the upper bunk. Chiriko sat up with his head on his knees.
"You're really sick, aren't ya?" Tasuki asked.
"Yes..." Came Chiriko's ailing reply.
"Want somethin' to eat?"
Chiriko shook his head. "I'm not sure I could hold it down..."
Tasuki made a face. "Want me ta getcha anything?"
Chiriko shook his head. "No, thanks anyway."
"How long until we get to Hokkan on this piece of crap?" Tasuki questioned.
Chiriko shrugged his shoulders. "Not more than three days I would think..." Chiriko's stomach made a churtling noise.
Tasuki patted him on the back. "I'll go get you a bucket..."
Miaka was out on deck, watching over the wooden rail at the sea waves. She felt two arms enclose around her shoulders, and looked back to see Tamahome.
"Good morning." She said calmly.
"You didn't wake me up." Tamahome teased.
"You were sleeping like a baby, I didn't want to." Miaka argued.
"Have you seen Mitsukake around?" Tamahome asked.
"Nope." Miaka replied. "Why do you need to see him?"
"I passed Tasuki in the hallway before coming out here," Tamahome explained, "Apparently Chiriko is 'about to barf'."
Miaka turned around. "Is he sea sick?"
Tamahome shrugged.
Two kids around the age of ten passed the couple, tossing a frisbee to each other and laughing. A woman sat in a corner on a mat, reading a book.
"It's a lot different from our first trip to Hokkan, ne?" Miaka asked.
Tamahome nodded. "Let's just hope that the Seiryu seven don't decide to pay us another visit." "I doubt they will."
Miaka and Tamahome noticed Hotohori with them. "If the Seiryu seven are as dedicated to finding their shinzaho as we are, then it would be foolish of them to waste their time with us." Hotohori looked out onto the sea. "It's been quite a while since I've seen Hokkan. I'm glad I could come with all of you this time."
Miaka's face softened. "I'm glad you are here too, Hotohori."
Hotohori smiled. "Why don't we all get something to eat, all right?"
"Hai!" Miaka agreed, suddenly aware that she was hungry... again. Miaka took the liberty of running ahead of the two men.
"Highness, looks like you are popular wherever you go." Tamahome motioned behind Hotohori. A young girl, no older than 15, was staring at the emperor with glazed over eyes.
Hotohori looked back with a smirk. "I can't help it really..."
~
"Why not?!" Saori whined at a small table.
"I told you why, now quit askin'!"
"What's this fuss over?" Nuriko asked, joining the two at the table.
Saori turned to Nuriko. "Tasuki won't let me use his fan!"
Nuriko looked to Tasuki. "Well I can imagine why..."
Saori made a face. "I'd just shoot it over the boat, no harm done!" She turned with puppy dog eyes to Tasuki. "Please? I'd be real careful with it! It's so cool!"
Tasuki folded his arms.
Nuriko sipped a cup of tea. "Well, it's dark all ready, and you all should probably get to bed soon. You've got to be rested for when we arrive in Hokkan. Chichiri says we could be there as soon as Tomorrow."
"WE have to go to bed? What gives the right to tell ME to go to sleep?" Tasuki retaliated.
Nuriko smirked. "Technically, Tasuki, I AM older than you."
"You're only 21!"
"I said technically." Nuriko joked.
Tasuki snatched up his sake glass. "Well, TECHNICALLY I'm ten years older than you."
Saori felt very young suddenly. "How about we all just be... happy?"
"Tasuki's not an agreeable person when he drinks." Nuriko commented.
Tasuki put his Sake glass down. "It ain't like I'm drunk or nuthin."
"Not yet." Nuriko added.
Saori saw it in her best interest to leave. She pushed her chair out. "I... think I will go to bed..."
***********************************
"As Chichiri had expected... Hey! What's the big idea?!"
Yui pulled the book away from Keisuke. "You," She turned to Tetsuya, "AND Tetsuya are both going to be late for work if you don't get out of this house!"
"What about YOU? YOU have a job too!" Keisuke argued.
"I have to take care of Hikari." She turned to Tetsuya. "I'm going to take her back to your place, all right? I'll take the book too."
Tetsuya nodded. "Have the keys?"
Yui reached into her pocket and pulled out several keys on a key ring. "You're going to ride with Keisuke, and I'm taking your car."
"What?! How does that work?" Keisuke objected.
Yui gave Keisuke her "don't-ask-questions-because-I'm-right-and-you're- not" look. "Because if I hold Tetsuya up here to get Hikari's things he'll be late for work, that's why." She stated firmly, VERY firmly.
Keisuke put his hands up. "All right, I'll take him."
Finally Yui managed to push Tetsuya and Keisuke out the door, and she could hear Hikari crying in the background. She ran to get the infant from her crib, changed her, and brought her into the kitchen to eat. Dismantling the tray to Hikari's highchair, she plopped the baby down and grabbed some apricot baby food from the counter. She slowly fed the little girl and opened the book up to where Keisuke left off. "I guess they're headed to Hokkan." Yui said to herself. She began reading out loud as if telling Hikari the story.
"Just as Chichiri had expected, the ferry arrived in Hokkan in mid- afternoon a few days later. Though it was the southeastern border, it was fairly cold..."
******************************
"Cold?" Saori shouted, clutching her shoulders, "It's FREEZING!"
"Just wait until you head further north." Tamahome said.
"Farther north should be where we are headed." Chiriko announced. The clue said it would be very cold, and the climate here isn't even close."
"Can't we at least get some coats?" Saori pleaded.
Chichiri came around a tree with the group's horses, all ready saddled. "We should get going, no da."
Everyone mounted onto a horse, Saori riding on a horse with Tasuki. Chichiri, like always, led the way, Hotohori behind him. The disk, which still hadn't shown any sign that they were close to the second shinzaho clue, was fastened to the top of Hotohori's holy sword, right under the hilt. Miaka as well as Saori hoped to buy some coats, which they did buy a few of. However, the group pretty much passed right through the small harbor city and headed north, where several pine tree forests lay. Most of the towns and cities were located more west, but it would take too long to pass through all of them, a direct route was much more sensible.
Saori now wore a long, dark orange robe over her regular clothes, and a matching hat on her head. Coats were only bought for her and Miaka, who couldn't bring any from Konan.
"Tasuki, why don't you use that fire and give us some more heat?" Nuriko asked.
"I don't use it for stupid things like that ya moron." Tasuki shot back.
Nuriko blinked. "Haven't we had this conversation before?"
Tasuki got a puzzling look on his face. "I'm not sure..."
"We're camping?" Saori asked, disappointed. She sniffed a little with a stuffy nose.
"Well, you don't exactly see any inns around." Miaka said cheerfully.
The sun was setting in the distance. The group had made about 12 miles from the harboring city before finding a flat place in the snowy, pine forest to set up camp. They had about five tents, which were set up in a circle around a large pile of logs. Tamahome was setting up some of the wood in a tepee, and Tasuki decided not to wait for him to finish.
"Rekka, Shinen!" He shouted. Bright orange flames burst from his diamond fan onto the wood, creating a rather nice campfire.
A crispy Tamahome looked at Tasuki with a bit of anger. "Couldn't you have waited just a MINUTE before frying me WITH the fire?!"
Tasuki looked around. "Oh sorry Tamahome, I didn't see you there."
"What do you mean you didn't see me here?!" Tamahome stood up. The sun had now gone under and the large fire lit the view.
"Here they go again..." Miaka sighed.
"Oh dear..." Chiriko added.
"Cheer up guys." Nuriko said, throwing a blanket over them and Saori. "Think of it as a show."
Saori felt her forehead and coughed a little.
"Are you okay?" Chiriko asked.
"Huh?" Saori stumbled. "Oh! Yeah, just a little woozy, that's all."
Once Tamahome and Tasuki had calmed down, Chichiri passed out bread and fruit for everyone as a snack. Miaka ate all of hers and some of Tamahome's as well. Tamahome didn't eat a whole lot anyway, because he said he felt light headed and needed to lie down.
"Hotohori-sama?" Saori asked when everyone was quieting down and getting ready for another night of sleep.
"Hmm?" Hotohori asked, looking away from the fire.
Saori tightened her blanket around her. "Hotohori, look up at the stars. They're so pretty, especially from here. It's hard to see stars like that in Konan."
Hotohori looked up into the deep blue sky. "Yes, they are quite magnificent, aren't they?"
Saori sighed. "Mayo told me that the warriors are named after constellations. Is that true?"
"It is." Hotohori answered. "I am the sea snake, see up there? In the southern part. It's a bit difficult to locate though."
"By the big dipper?" Saori asked, turning her head to cough.
"The big dipper? I've never heard of that." Hotohori calmly stated.
"Oh... sorry..." Saori apologized. "Which way is south?"
~
"Nuriko, we're going to need some more fire wood." Tasuki said as he unrolled a sleeping bag, sniffing a bit.
"All right, I'll go find some." Nuriko said, adjusting the blanket on his shoulders.
"I'll go with you." A tired Miaka said, wrapped up in a blanket too.
Nuriko placed a hand on his hip. "Tasuki, you don't sound too good. Are you feeling all right?"
Tasuki sniffed again. "I'm just fine. Tamahome gave me a cold or something..."
"Well, let's get going." Nuriko spoke to Miaka. "You should get some rest." He told Tasuki.
The two walked past the clearing and began looking for some fallen sticks and branches.
"Kindling will be good to for tomorrow's fire." Nuriko suggested.
Miaka nodded. "All right. Can't we take some branches off the trees?" She asked as she walked further ahead away from the campsite.
Nuriko followed. "Haven't you ever been camping before? Wood on trees is still green, it won't burn, not well at least."
"Oh." Miaka said. "Then the snow probably doesn't help either."
"We'll have to let them dry over-night."
Miaka saw some fallen branches ahead of her, and ran up to get them.
"You're awfully excited for gathering wood!" Nuriko laughed. He stopped suddenly, growing stiff.
"Jackpot!" Miaka yelled, bending over to pick up the wood.
Nuriko heard something whizzing through the trees to their location. He looked up, panicked.
"Miaka!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!"
"Is Hokkan really... cold?" Saori asked.
"It's freezing." Nuriko answered, "But it's actually pretty nice near the southern parts."
"How the heck do we plan to get there?" Tasuki mumbled. "Last time we had a BIG ship to take us, no way in hell I'm walking... or riding that far."
"Inami-san is from Hokkan, isn't she?" Saori asked more questions.
Hotohori nodded. "However, I doubt we'll see her. Like I said before, Hokkan is a massive country, and Miss Cheinun is a very busy woman."
Tasuki shifted uncomfortably to his left side on his horse.
"Highness, it does bring up a question." Tamahome stated. "How do we get to Hokkan? Taking the mountain passages is dangerous. We could go around through Sairo, but that would take forever. Plus, we don't exactly have a ship like before."
Hotohori looked out at the bare stretch of land ahead of them. "I'm not sure, really. When we get to the next town, we should get some rooms in an Inn and discuss it further there. For now though, we should worry about our well-beings, especially Miaka's."
Miaka's stomach rumbled. She blushed a little. "It's that obvious, huh?"
"If we keep our pace, we should reach the next town by nightfall no da." Chichiri explained. "Over those hills are some forestry areas, we can get there sooner by taking the trails through there, no da."
"We should water the horses when we get to water as well." Mitsukake advised.
Saori slumped over in front of Chichiri. "My back hurts... I hope we get there soon." Saori had a strong desire to run into Mayo, some how, along the way to finding the Shinzaho. She knew Mayo would be surrounded by the Seiryu seven, and it wouldn't be safe, but Saori couldn't help but be blind to the defaults. All she wanted was to see Mayo. Now Saori wondered if she had known before entering the book that it would be this hard, if she still would have gone.
"What are you saying, Saori?" She thought to herself. "You had a chance to leave." Saori looked around the group. "The people here really do care about me. They've all been so nice..." Saori looked forward to the approaching hills. "I'm the odd-one-out, aren't I? The Suzaku Seven and the priestess, they belong together. I'm here for what? I'm like a needle in a haystack... or am I a ink spot on white paper?"
"This is the city of Un." Chichiri remarked. "I've been here a couple of times. There is a descent inn about half a mile in, we should see if they have any rooms."
Saori looked behind her. "Hotohori, couldn't... Oh! sorry! Highness, couldn't you just tell them to give us a room?"
Hotohori shook his head. "I wouldn't want to force someone out onto the streets for late timing, and besides, the reason I'm dressed like this is so people won't suspect me of being an Emperor."
"In that case you might want to keep it down." Tasuki retorted.
Saori sighed. Hotohori certainly was a handsome emperor. He looked so much like Boushin. Saori went a little pink and quickly turned away.
Miaka looked at the unfamiliar characters above the Inn Chichiri had recommended upon reaching it. "Tamahome, what does that mean?"
Tamahome looked up at the sign. "White Dragon, I think there's another one like this south of my home village."
Luckily, the white dragon had plenty of rooms, as well as a bar in the basement. They got three rooms, each with two beds. So some did have to share, since they needed their money to last the entire trip. Of course, Hotohori definitely gave them plenty. Saori ended up with her own bed in a room with Miaka and Tamahome; Chiriko, Tasuki, and Nuriko got another room, and Chichiri, Hotohori, Mitsukake, and the cat got the third.
Saori ran out onto the small balcony upon entering her room. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh air, which by all means was pointless considering she had been in the fresh air for hours. She looked out onto the town. It looked a lot like the last one, but the buildings were a little bigger.
"Mayo, are you okay? I'm doing fine." She said into the sky. "I hope you're all right. I can't help but worry about you, from the things I've heard about the Seiryu seven... and seen..." Saori shuddered as she remembered some of her encounters. Every time she had seen a Seiryu warrior, it hadn't been good. Soi and her lightening, Ashitare injuring Hotohori, Tomo nearly murdering someone...
"He has the purest blue eyes I've ever seen..."
"Suboshi..." Saori trailed off. She remembered her encounter with him more than the others. Something about the young man seemed, innocent. She couldn't put her finger on it. "He tried to kill Miaka, AND Tasuki... he murdered Tamahome's family..."
Murder was such a strong word. Mayo had tried to make Suboshi sound less guilty when she was telling the story to Saori.
"Well, what would you have done if you thought some guy had killed your mother or something?"
Saori slumped down and put her head on the railing. "I wish I could just wake up, and everything would be better again..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"They have boats for rent," Miaka said, pointing to one of the many papers laid out on the floor in Hotohori's room.
"Wow," Tamahome remarked, "Those boating people must make a LOT of money..."
"It would take more than half our current funds to get a boat that size." Chiriko pointed out. "It would be much cheaper to take a ferry if you want a water route, which would be faster."
"What are the land options?" Hotohori asked.
"We could take the route that borders the ocean through the mountain passes." Chiriko pointed to a map. "But there are a lot of bandits there, and the weather isn't good..."
"Plus the MOUNTAIN part." Tamahome added.
"And then we could take a flat land route by moving through Sairo right here, no da." Chichiri pointed to the map.
Chiriko nodded. "However, that route will take about a month to complete, assuming we travel around eight hours a day. Plus we would have a high risk of having to cross over desert."
Miaka looked disappointed. "How did Inami always get back?"
"I'm not sure," Chiriko began, "But I believe she rides to the Sairo border and takes a boat across. It wouldn't take her so long though, because it's a continuous trip."
"Perhaps we should go that way?" Tamahome asked Hotohori.
"If we left for the Sairo border tomorrow morning and took a ferry, we would get there in about a week." Hotohori said.
"Maybe we need to be more liberal with the money we have, otherwise we'd just use it up traveling by land, no da." Chichiri suggested.
Hotohori nodded. "Very well then, we will leave for the Sairo border, but we will do it tonight. It will be cooler during that time, and perhaps we can gain more ground."
******************************
Keisuke ate cereal with the book in front of him in the morning. Yui and Tetsuya were still asleep on the couch. It was about 6:00 a.m., and Keisuke would have to leave for the school at 8:30, plus he had to stop by his apartment to shower and dress, so he was trying to read as much as possible within the next hour.
"That night the horses were saddled and everyone left the inn, with a few moans from the women." Keisuke read silently in his mind while eating his frosted flakes. "Miraculously, at constant travel, they reached the Sairo border by nightfall the next day. 'We need a ferry pass for nine' the magician, Chichiri, asked at the southwest coast. Tamahome regretfully watched as Chichiri handed over nearly half of their money. 'It's always money with you.' The priestess complained. The Suzaku Seven and their Miko, as well as the girl Saori, were soon on the waves, heading towards the cold country of Hokkan. Aboard the small ferry the traveling party rested after more than a day of no sleep...."
******************************
Saori was jolted awake in the late morning by the rattling of the ship. She rubbed her eyes with her fists, and it took her a while to figure out where she was.
She could feel the ship move slowly up and down on the waves. Ahead of her was a small round window covered with designed pieces of wood. She could smell fresh air and see the distant sea ahead. She had never been on a boat before, and she felt slightly dizzy, but it wasn't anything she couldn't brush off.
Grabbing the rails of her bed, she swung her head down. "Are you awake?"
Nuriko opened a single eye from his position on the lower bunk. "You do know that if I was asleep I wouldn't answer."
"You would if I yelled loud enough." Saori joked.
Nuriko rubbed his eyes and opened them, stretching his arms out in a yawn. "Is it early?"
Saori looked back out the window. "Not real early, the sun is up and everything."
Nuriko sat up and swung his legs off the bed and onto the floor, careful not to smack his head. "We probably slept in since we were so tired. I'm hungry."
"Me too." Saori said. She crawled to the end of her bed and carefully backed down a small ladder to the floor. "Do we have to eat fish?"
Nuriko laughed. "I don't know, I guess we'll find out."
"Are you okay up there?"
"I don't feel too good, Tasuki."
"You were just fine last boat trip."
"It may not be sea sickness..."
"Well, if you feel like you're gonna blow chunks, tell me so I can leave."
"Tasuki..."
"Just kiddin'."
Tasuki got off his bed and stood up to peer at the upper bunk. Chiriko sat up with his head on his knees.
"You're really sick, aren't ya?" Tasuki asked.
"Yes..." Came Chiriko's ailing reply.
"Want somethin' to eat?"
Chiriko shook his head. "I'm not sure I could hold it down..."
Tasuki made a face. "Want me ta getcha anything?"
Chiriko shook his head. "No, thanks anyway."
"How long until we get to Hokkan on this piece of crap?" Tasuki questioned.
Chiriko shrugged his shoulders. "Not more than three days I would think..." Chiriko's stomach made a churtling noise.
Tasuki patted him on the back. "I'll go get you a bucket..."
Miaka was out on deck, watching over the wooden rail at the sea waves. She felt two arms enclose around her shoulders, and looked back to see Tamahome.
"Good morning." She said calmly.
"You didn't wake me up." Tamahome teased.
"You were sleeping like a baby, I didn't want to." Miaka argued.
"Have you seen Mitsukake around?" Tamahome asked.
"Nope." Miaka replied. "Why do you need to see him?"
"I passed Tasuki in the hallway before coming out here," Tamahome explained, "Apparently Chiriko is 'about to barf'."
Miaka turned around. "Is he sea sick?"
Tamahome shrugged.
Two kids around the age of ten passed the couple, tossing a frisbee to each other and laughing. A woman sat in a corner on a mat, reading a book.
"It's a lot different from our first trip to Hokkan, ne?" Miaka asked.
Tamahome nodded. "Let's just hope that the Seiryu seven don't decide to pay us another visit." "I doubt they will."
Miaka and Tamahome noticed Hotohori with them. "If the Seiryu seven are as dedicated to finding their shinzaho as we are, then it would be foolish of them to waste their time with us." Hotohori looked out onto the sea. "It's been quite a while since I've seen Hokkan. I'm glad I could come with all of you this time."
Miaka's face softened. "I'm glad you are here too, Hotohori."
Hotohori smiled. "Why don't we all get something to eat, all right?"
"Hai!" Miaka agreed, suddenly aware that she was hungry... again. Miaka took the liberty of running ahead of the two men.
"Highness, looks like you are popular wherever you go." Tamahome motioned behind Hotohori. A young girl, no older than 15, was staring at the emperor with glazed over eyes.
Hotohori looked back with a smirk. "I can't help it really..."
~
"Why not?!" Saori whined at a small table.
"I told you why, now quit askin'!"
"What's this fuss over?" Nuriko asked, joining the two at the table.
Saori turned to Nuriko. "Tasuki won't let me use his fan!"
Nuriko looked to Tasuki. "Well I can imagine why..."
Saori made a face. "I'd just shoot it over the boat, no harm done!" She turned with puppy dog eyes to Tasuki. "Please? I'd be real careful with it! It's so cool!"
Tasuki folded his arms.
Nuriko sipped a cup of tea. "Well, it's dark all ready, and you all should probably get to bed soon. You've got to be rested for when we arrive in Hokkan. Chichiri says we could be there as soon as Tomorrow."
"WE have to go to bed? What gives the right to tell ME to go to sleep?" Tasuki retaliated.
Nuriko smirked. "Technically, Tasuki, I AM older than you."
"You're only 21!"
"I said technically." Nuriko joked.
Tasuki snatched up his sake glass. "Well, TECHNICALLY I'm ten years older than you."
Saori felt very young suddenly. "How about we all just be... happy?"
"Tasuki's not an agreeable person when he drinks." Nuriko commented.
Tasuki put his Sake glass down. "It ain't like I'm drunk or nuthin."
"Not yet." Nuriko added.
Saori saw it in her best interest to leave. She pushed her chair out. "I... think I will go to bed..."
***********************************
"As Chichiri had expected... Hey! What's the big idea?!"
Yui pulled the book away from Keisuke. "You," She turned to Tetsuya, "AND Tetsuya are both going to be late for work if you don't get out of this house!"
"What about YOU? YOU have a job too!" Keisuke argued.
"I have to take care of Hikari." She turned to Tetsuya. "I'm going to take her back to your place, all right? I'll take the book too."
Tetsuya nodded. "Have the keys?"
Yui reached into her pocket and pulled out several keys on a key ring. "You're going to ride with Keisuke, and I'm taking your car."
"What?! How does that work?" Keisuke objected.
Yui gave Keisuke her "don't-ask-questions-because-I'm-right-and-you're- not" look. "Because if I hold Tetsuya up here to get Hikari's things he'll be late for work, that's why." She stated firmly, VERY firmly.
Keisuke put his hands up. "All right, I'll take him."
Finally Yui managed to push Tetsuya and Keisuke out the door, and she could hear Hikari crying in the background. She ran to get the infant from her crib, changed her, and brought her into the kitchen to eat. Dismantling the tray to Hikari's highchair, she plopped the baby down and grabbed some apricot baby food from the counter. She slowly fed the little girl and opened the book up to where Keisuke left off. "I guess they're headed to Hokkan." Yui said to herself. She began reading out loud as if telling Hikari the story.
"Just as Chichiri had expected, the ferry arrived in Hokkan in mid- afternoon a few days later. Though it was the southeastern border, it was fairly cold..."
******************************
"Cold?" Saori shouted, clutching her shoulders, "It's FREEZING!"
"Just wait until you head further north." Tamahome said.
"Farther north should be where we are headed." Chiriko announced. The clue said it would be very cold, and the climate here isn't even close."
"Can't we at least get some coats?" Saori pleaded.
Chichiri came around a tree with the group's horses, all ready saddled. "We should get going, no da."
Everyone mounted onto a horse, Saori riding on a horse with Tasuki. Chichiri, like always, led the way, Hotohori behind him. The disk, which still hadn't shown any sign that they were close to the second shinzaho clue, was fastened to the top of Hotohori's holy sword, right under the hilt. Miaka as well as Saori hoped to buy some coats, which they did buy a few of. However, the group pretty much passed right through the small harbor city and headed north, where several pine tree forests lay. Most of the towns and cities were located more west, but it would take too long to pass through all of them, a direct route was much more sensible.
Saori now wore a long, dark orange robe over her regular clothes, and a matching hat on her head. Coats were only bought for her and Miaka, who couldn't bring any from Konan.
"Tasuki, why don't you use that fire and give us some more heat?" Nuriko asked.
"I don't use it for stupid things like that ya moron." Tasuki shot back.
Nuriko blinked. "Haven't we had this conversation before?"
Tasuki got a puzzling look on his face. "I'm not sure..."
"We're camping?" Saori asked, disappointed. She sniffed a little with a stuffy nose.
"Well, you don't exactly see any inns around." Miaka said cheerfully.
The sun was setting in the distance. The group had made about 12 miles from the harboring city before finding a flat place in the snowy, pine forest to set up camp. They had about five tents, which were set up in a circle around a large pile of logs. Tamahome was setting up some of the wood in a tepee, and Tasuki decided not to wait for him to finish.
"Rekka, Shinen!" He shouted. Bright orange flames burst from his diamond fan onto the wood, creating a rather nice campfire.
A crispy Tamahome looked at Tasuki with a bit of anger. "Couldn't you have waited just a MINUTE before frying me WITH the fire?!"
Tasuki looked around. "Oh sorry Tamahome, I didn't see you there."
"What do you mean you didn't see me here?!" Tamahome stood up. The sun had now gone under and the large fire lit the view.
"Here they go again..." Miaka sighed.
"Oh dear..." Chiriko added.
"Cheer up guys." Nuriko said, throwing a blanket over them and Saori. "Think of it as a show."
Saori felt her forehead and coughed a little.
"Are you okay?" Chiriko asked.
"Huh?" Saori stumbled. "Oh! Yeah, just a little woozy, that's all."
Once Tamahome and Tasuki had calmed down, Chichiri passed out bread and fruit for everyone as a snack. Miaka ate all of hers and some of Tamahome's as well. Tamahome didn't eat a whole lot anyway, because he said he felt light headed and needed to lie down.
"Hotohori-sama?" Saori asked when everyone was quieting down and getting ready for another night of sleep.
"Hmm?" Hotohori asked, looking away from the fire.
Saori tightened her blanket around her. "Hotohori, look up at the stars. They're so pretty, especially from here. It's hard to see stars like that in Konan."
Hotohori looked up into the deep blue sky. "Yes, they are quite magnificent, aren't they?"
Saori sighed. "Mayo told me that the warriors are named after constellations. Is that true?"
"It is." Hotohori answered. "I am the sea snake, see up there? In the southern part. It's a bit difficult to locate though."
"By the big dipper?" Saori asked, turning her head to cough.
"The big dipper? I've never heard of that." Hotohori calmly stated.
"Oh... sorry..." Saori apologized. "Which way is south?"
~
"Nuriko, we're going to need some more fire wood." Tasuki said as he unrolled a sleeping bag, sniffing a bit.
"All right, I'll go find some." Nuriko said, adjusting the blanket on his shoulders.
"I'll go with you." A tired Miaka said, wrapped up in a blanket too.
Nuriko placed a hand on his hip. "Tasuki, you don't sound too good. Are you feeling all right?"
Tasuki sniffed again. "I'm just fine. Tamahome gave me a cold or something..."
"Well, let's get going." Nuriko spoke to Miaka. "You should get some rest." He told Tasuki.
The two walked past the clearing and began looking for some fallen sticks and branches.
"Kindling will be good to for tomorrow's fire." Nuriko suggested.
Miaka nodded. "All right. Can't we take some branches off the trees?" She asked as she walked further ahead away from the campsite.
Nuriko followed. "Haven't you ever been camping before? Wood on trees is still green, it won't burn, not well at least."
"Oh." Miaka said. "Then the snow probably doesn't help either."
"We'll have to let them dry over-night."
Miaka saw some fallen branches ahead of her, and ran up to get them.
"You're awfully excited for gathering wood!" Nuriko laughed. He stopped suddenly, growing stiff.
"Jackpot!" Miaka yelled, bending over to pick up the wood.
Nuriko heard something whizzing through the trees to their location. He looked up, panicked.
"Miaka!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!"