Chapter 30 : Rivals Between Gods
*SHING!*
The glass of the window shattered as Tamahome's fist punched through it. He reached around, panting heavily, and undid the latch. He opened the door, he and Miaka walking into the room. He shut and latched the door behind him. "Let's hope... Tasuki and the others were all right." He said.
"Have faith." Miaka said quietly, assuring herself more than Tamahome.
Tamahome looked around. "This is a pretty sweet living." He said. He ran his hands along a wall. "Very nice..." He shuddered. "Expensive... think of how much it would cost to build something like this out here!"
"Taka!" Miaka shouted, using his other name by habit.
Just then, something growled from another room.
Tamahome stiffened. "Did... did you hear that?"
Miaka went pale. "...yes?"
The growl was heard again, followed immediately by a second, which chorused with a third.
Tamahome slowly backed away from the noise into a corner, bumping into a round table.
A few footsteps were heard, and the maker of the sound emerged.
Miaka gulped, clutching onto Tamahome's arm.
It was a fairly large wolf-like dog, which was gray with black tipped ears and a white belly and paws. It's ears laid back on its head, and it didn't look too happy.
"Oh ((edited))." Tamahome cursed.
Miaka quickly moved behind Tamahome. "Did a wolf get in?"
Another growl was heard, and a second dog appeared. It was very similar to the first, but a darker gray and less white. From the other side of the hallway, a third dog appeared, slightly smaller and mostly black. All of them had an offensive look on their faces.
The dogs sprang forward. Tamahome turned around, and he and Miaka quickly jumped onto the round table. A built in book shelf was nearby, and Miaka and Tamahome used it to get higher. Tamahome kicked over a second metal bookshelf, making a temporary gate over the table. The dogs stopped and began pacing back and forth in front of the table, a menacing look to their eyes.
"She said we'd be safe!!" Tamahome shouted, just as one of the wolves tried to leap over the shelf.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~
Nearly an hour later, the front door of the cabin burst open, Inami scurrying in. She noticed Miaka and Tamahome in the corner.
"Shikkari, Haruka, Kobi!!" Inami shouted. "Yamero! Shita! Shita!"
The three large dogs got their paws off the table and turned around, running to Inami, yipping and barking happily.
"Suware." Inami firmly instructed. The three dogs obediently obeyed the command, and sat down. She looked up to Tamahome and Miaka, who were slowly and cautiously stepping off the bookshelf and table. "Are you two all right? I forgot about these, did they hurt you?" Inami asked with a slight sound of urgency in her voice.
"N...no..." Miaka stated still shaky. Once on the floor, she fell to her knees. "I thought I was going to die..."
"We need to hurry." Inami declared. "We have about two hours of daylight left, and if we're out in the middle of no where at night we'll freeze to death. Tasuki's been injured, but he'll survive. We need to meet the others at the Imbezi River so they won't do anything stupid and come looking for us." Inami started back for the door. "Kuri." She ordered the dogs. They followed her outside. Tamahome looked to Miaka unsure, and left the cabin as well.
Outside were two fairly large dog sleds, each hooked up with a team of ten dogs. A few supplies were on each, as well as a second sled on each which was turned upside down. Each sled also had a second line of dogs to the slides, obviously to pull the third and fourth sled when needed. Chiriko sat supporting Tasuki on one, who had his shoulder tightly bandaged, himself looking quite conscious but pale. Tamahome recognized the bandages, and realized Inami had only a blanket around her shoulders.
Inami guided the dogs out to her sled, harnessing with some skill Haruka and Shikkari to her own sled, then quickly pulling Kobi to the front of Chiriko's. By the look on Chiriko's face, he didn't enjoy driving.
Inami looked up after harnessing Kobi. "Tamahome, can you drive a sled?"
Tamahome nodded. "I believe so."
"Good." Inami didn't have an incredibly happy ring to her voice. "Take Chiriko's. Miaka, ride on this one with me. We need to hurry." She went to the sled where Chiriko and Tasuki sat, testing the reigns again. "Here." She said, holding them out to Tamahome.
Tamahome walked up and took them, watching where to put his feet.
"Tasuki lost a lot of blood, he'll be fine, but if we don't get him rest or some kind of medical attention he won't make it too long." Inami said strictly.
"Nice way to put it." Tasuki said slightly quieter than usual.
"Shut up and deal with it like a man." Inami snapped back. She turned to Tamahome. "I'll lead." She walked to her own sled. "Miaka, sit here." Inami pointed to the area right in front of the driver's seat in the cargo room. Tasuki and Chiriko made seats on Tamahome's sled.
After another five minutes, Inami and Tamahome were off, heading northwest for the Imbezi River.
**************************************
Soi placed another damp cloth over a large red mark on Ashitare's arm, removing a separate one and carrying it over to a bowl of water.
"You're incompetent." Nakago said calmly but cruelly. "I should have remembered exactly how unreliable you are."
Ashitare had a bandage on his right shoulder close to his neck, as well as miscellaneous burns and bruises over his body. His right hand was bandaged heavily, his index finger missing.
Nakago felt his whip at his side. "However, it seems they punished you enough, but next time I won't be so lenient." Nakago turned his attention towards Soi. "We are a bit closer to finding the third item of the Seiryu Shinzaho, we'll be heading west." He stated in a monotone voice. He smirked. "I'm nearly done convincing our priestess not to see that girl by the name of 'Saori.'"
A little while later Nakago, Soi, as well as Tomo were quietly meeting together again in the cold cover of the Hokkan night.
"Shidoku?' Soi asked.
"Yes." Nakago said flatly. "Shidoku is much similar to Kodoku, only it is much, much stronger. As a matter of fact, Shidoku is so strong that if any amount is taken orally is causes immediate death."
"How do you plan to use it?" Soi asked, sitting in a shadowed corner. Nakago walked over to the lit candle in the center of the room. "It merely needs to coat something so that it constantly touches the skin, it's as simple as that. Just by taking that action it induces a spell stronger than kodoku ever could." Nakago waved his hand over the candle and turned to the other warriors in the tent. "The plan will be put into action soon, but Tomo still has work to do."
Tomo simply nodded.
"By the way," Nakago continued, "Has Suboshi returned yet?"
"He's returned mildly injured, Amiboshi is tending to him." Tomo said in his thick, eerie voice.
"At least he is not as pathetic as Ashitare." Nakago claimed. "However, we do need to do something with Amiboshi-- he is a strong asset but he will not fight the Suzaku seven, no matter what I try. Putting him under and spell or poison will simply make matters worse with the younger."
"I'm sure some steps could be taken." Tomo replied smoothly.
"We will see." Nakago walked to the door of the large tent. "I have things to discuss with Lady Mayo, you're excused."
********************************************
The large orange sun was nearly finished setting in the west. Nuriko once again scanned the horizon as tents were pitched around them, his hand shading out the light from his eyes. He got a relieved look on his face. "I think I see them!" He shouted.
Chichiri and Hotohori both looked in Nuriko's direction.
"It's about time, no da."
"Let's be glad they are safe." Hotohori commented.
Nuriko squinted. "I think they're on dog sleds..."
And of course, they were. The sound of the running feet of the dogs grew louder and louder, followed by the sounds of the nearly empty sleds against the slow. After a few minutes the first dog team pulled into the camp, followed by the second.
Miaka quickly got off, a dizzy look on her face.
Inami ordered the dogs to sit and ran up to Mitsukake. "Tasuki's injured, please tend to him." She said somewhat urgently.
Mitsukake nodded and went to Tasuki who was being helped off the sled. Tasuki looked very tired and very pale.
Inami turned to Chichiri. "I'm sorry we're so late, we had a run-in with one of the Seiryu Seven. I believe his name was Ashitare, he held us back quite a bit. One of the horses was killed and Tasuki was injured with a deep wound to his shoulder."
"I'm glad you're here now, no da. Everyone is in one piece?"
Inami nodded.
Chichiri got a more serious look. "We were attacked too, no da."
"By who?" Inami asked, worried.
"Suboshi." Saori said, emerging from a tent with a blanket around her.
Tamahome scowled at the mention of the warrior's name.
"Suboshi?" Inami asked. She looked back to Chichiri. "Is that the man from the Star Festival?"
"Yes, he is." Hotohori replied, handing Inami an off-white robe from her belongings.
Inami graciously accepted it and didn't wait to put it on, she was freezing.
Saori, who had been staring off into space, shook her head and hit reality. She ran to Miaka and through her arms around her, talking quickly about what had happened.
Inami turned back to Chichiri. "We need to start a fire before it gets completely dark, Chichiri. It gets well below freezing in these parts."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once the icy night had fallen, everyone was set up in his or her own tents, which of course were shared. A large fire was going, and three sticks held up a large uncovered pot full of boiling water where Nuriko was preparing a late dinner. Everyone was starving.
Inami opened a large barrel from off one of the sleds and opened it, revealing bite-sized brown lumps. She took most of them and laid them out in the snow, allowing the tied dogs to get something to eat.
"This food will last the dogs about two days." Inami informed everyone. "If we're out later than that, we'll have to go hunting."
Everyone was huddled around the large fire, huddling in blankets and warming their hands. Tasuki was now fully healed, and he too had a new robe on, which was similar to his prior one. Nuriko began handing out bowls of food to everyone, who happily ate. The bowls were full of white rice covered in vegetables and a brown sauce.
Inami perked up again and got everyone's attention. "It's very important that you stay warm tonight. Keep your socks... even your shoes on, and keep your heads covered." She stated. "If you wake up in the middle of the night and anything's cold, don't ignore it. Wake up someone else in your tent and get it taken care of. It's very easy to get frostbite out here."
Saori gulped, but then turned her attention back to her food.
"Jeez, how can people live out here?" Tasuki complained.
"They live further south." Inami corrected.
"Yeah, but it's still cold." Tasuki added.
Inami smiled. "I think Konan's too warm, but I think I prefer the warmer weather."
"I'd prefer anything but this..." Tasuki said sarcastically.
"All right everyone, let's go to bed." Hotohori instructed, being the first to stand. "We need as much sleep as we can get so we can travel as much as possible in the daylight."
"We should reach the approximated area by tomorrow, no da." Chichiri added.
Nuriko put any leftovers away and everyone started assembling their blankets. It was going to be a long night, and they had to cover as much ground as possible in the morning.
***************************************
"I'll tell you what, Hikari-chan." Yui began, "If I was ever in the book and Miaka was reading this, I'd get into all sorts of trouble just for payback." Yui sighed. She swore she had never read this much in her life, not even in High school. Yui rolled over onto her stomach on Tetsuya's bed and closed her eyes for a moment. She propped herself back on her elbows and began reading silently now that Hikari was asleep. "The next morning, early in the day and after a safe night, the group began once again to assemble their things. It was at least 30 miles to the boundaries of the Okani territory."
***********************
Tamahome felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned around. "What is it, Saori?"
Saori tried to keep her voice down, and she was bobbing up and down. "Taka... I have to go to the bathroom...."
Tamahome laughed. "There are plenty of trees, Saori."
Saori looked at him in disbelief. "I'm not going to freeze myself and squat by a tree!" Saori lowered her voice again. "I'm not a man, ya know."
"Then hold it." Tamahome suggested.
Saori rolled her eyes and went to look for Miaka. "Impossible..." she muttered.
Nuriko was harnessing the last of the dogs. He walked to the front line and knelt down to pet the leader, Kobi. "How fast can these things go?"
"They can reach speeds up to 35 miles an hour." Chiriko answered, handing Nuriko cords to secure the luggage in with. "But it's safer not to make them go quite so fast, and we should rest every now and then."
Nuriko stood up to fasten everything in.
Chiriko inspected the sled. "Generally the dogs can carry more wait than this, and people don't really ride in them... but I'm sure we can make an exception."
"I think horses would be a bit easier." Nuriko commented.
"Not in this snow." Inami walked up to make sure the sleds were assembled correctly. For once her hair was down back in a braid.
Miaka made herself comfortable on the sled near the driver's place, her red hair was tucked into her robe as if to act as earmuffs. She was riding in the sled Tamahome would be steering. Tamahome, Inami, Chichiri, and Nuriko would be drivers.
Saori rested her eyes in the next sled, waiting for departure. She had barely seen any civilization at all, so any glimpse of Mayo was hopeless. How long had it been since Saori saw her best friend? How many months had gone by?
Saori pulled her purple robe tightly around her, burying her hands in its folds. She had a matching purple hat on her head, which she couldn't help but like, though she hoped she could keep it on once the sleds were moving.
Eventually everything was picked up and ready to go. They even stocked up on firewood in case there were not trees at next camp. With one order to the four teams of dogs, the Suzaku Seven, the Hokkan Ambassador, The Priestess, and Saori were off.
**************************************
"I know that if the Suzaku seven use the shinzahos for their summoning, we won't be able to summon Seiryu." Amiboshi pointed out to his brother. "But I can't fight them. I only wish to use my powers in times of need."
Suboshi sighed, deciding against arguing with his brother. The last time they had to find the shinzahos Amiboshi hadn't even been around, and it had been harder on Suboshi. Even now he rethinks some of the choices he made.
Amiboshi decided to change the subject. "How is Lady Mayo?"
"I'm sure she's fine." Suboshi mumbled.
Amiboshi knew that in Suboshi's eyes, nothing compared to Lady Yui. Luckily Suboshi and Mayo were on better terms now, but Suboshi would never see her as his true priestess.
It was fairly quiet for a while, the brothers just sat across from each other in the large tent, thinking. Eventually Amiboshi picked up his flute and began playing a peaceful tune on it. Suboshi loved his brother's flute music, and though he didn't do anything, he listened contently. He too knew how to play Amiboshi's flute, but he wasn't nearly as skilled and he couldn't use it to attack.
"Amiboshi's playing again." Mayo commented to herself as she folded her school uniform on her foldout bed. Mayo let out a deep sigh. She couldn't stand the cold weather out here, but Amiboshi's music was truly uplifting. She never thought summoning the beast god would be this difficult. It certainly was easier for Yui when Mayo had read the book. Mayo thought of Yui, and then of Miaka. What had happened along the way? Did she really hate Miaka? She had been there when Hikari was born... she thought she was okay with it. Now Mayo was having second thoughts.
Mayo looked down at her school uniform. "It's too late now anyways." She told herself.
That uniform... Saori had one...
"Saori?" Mayo asked. She had nearly forgotten. Saori, the girl she knew from the other world. Funny, for some reason she didn't think much of her anymore. Deep down she wanted to scream out and find her again, but for some reason...
"Lady Mayo?"
Mayo stood up straight. "Yes, Soi?"
"We are almost ready to leave. Nakago wishes to speak with you." The tall girl informed.
Mayo nodded. "Thank you, I'll be right there."
**********************************
"This is a problem, na no da." Chichiri trailed off in his unnatural higher voice.
"This bend goes on forever, I don't think we should go around." Nuriko advised.
Inami looked over the large, flat plain of the frozen Imbezi river. "We'll have to go across." She said. "One sled at a time, but we need be sure we cross at a safe spot." She walked to the edge of the river and put her foot firmly down. It was hard. The ice was probably two to three feet thick, but in some places it could be too thin and break, especially if any cracks had been made or if the water underneath had moved recently.
A little ways away, Miaka walked off by herself to the Imbezi. It certainly was a large river... was it always frozen? Miaka put both feet on the edge of the river. It was solid, no doubt about it. She pushed her right foot down in front of her carefully - still solid.
It was about eighty yards across at the point where they had stopped. A few members of the group slowly walked across, knocking with whatever on the ice to ensure it was thick. They'd have to get all the way across and back to make sure it was safe. However, they weren't necessarily going slow because the ice would break, but it was slick in the parts not covered by the thin snow.
Chichiri reached the other bank and tapped his staff down firmly. "I think this is good, no da!" He yelled back.
"All right." Inami turned back to the drivers. "I want everyone to walk across, not ride. One sled at a time, okay? Don't start on the ice until the sled ahead of you is..."
Inami was interrupted by the sound of something breaking and a quick scream.
"What was that?!" Nuriko asked.
Tamahome got a horrid feeling in his stomach as he looked over to where Miaka had been, and at the hole in the ice.
"MIAKA!!!" He yelled, running from the dogs and over to the ice.
Inami had a look of terror on her face. She and everyone else began running over.
Chichiri was all ready there, he teleported himself. The hole in the ice was pretty big, and it would freeze up soon. The water showed no sign of a struggle. Everyone had to be careful or it would break again. Before Chichiri could make any attempts at a rescue, Tamahome rushed passed him and leapt head first into the water.
"You IDIOT!!" Inami shouted, though Tamahome wouldn't be able to hear her.
"Get them out!" Tasuki shouted.
"Miaka!!!" Saori cried.
everyone looked in panic at the gaping hole in the ice. Inami couldn't believe this was happening. She felt someone pull her back.
"Careful." Tasuki said firmly. Inami looked down. A crack in the ice was spreading, and it had been under her feet. Her and Tasuki slowly backed away so the ice wouldn't break.
Nuriko grabbed the edge of the ice by the hole. With a struggle, the ice snapped a ways back and he lifted the huge chunk and threw it onto the snow, the hole now much bigger.
Tamahome surfaced, gasping for breath. His skin was pale and his lips were blue, and so were Miaka's, but Miaka wasn't conscious.
Chichiri and Nuriko grabbed Tamahome's arms and quickly pulled him out of the freezing water. Miaka began coughing up water as she was made to sit right.
Tamahome, who was white and shivering, sighed in relief to see his wife was okay. As soon as he relaxed some he felt something come in hard contact with his left cheek.
"You idiot!" Inami shouted. "You could have been killed! Do you have ANY idea how dangerous that was?!!!" Inami huffed in frustration. "Mitsukake, we need your help! Someone get some dry clothes, hurry!"
******************************************
Yui looked as if she had a heart attacked. "Luckily, with some dry clothes and Mitsukake's help, The priestess and her warrior were okay, and were saved from hypothermia. Tasuki used his fan to warm the duo up quicker and the sleds began moving over the ice, one by one. 'That was too close.' Saori exclaimed, relieved everyone was all right. 'It seems we can't go a day without something happening.'" Yui couldn't help but feel her best friend was a little on the slow side. "Walking out there like nothing would happen... baka..." She mumbled. She took a deep breath and read on. "Once everyone was okay and the sleds had crossed the ice, the group was off again to the north. The mountains in the distance grew closer and closer. After another eight miles they had a quick lunch. Several things had been holding them back, so they wasted no time in continuing. By mid-afternoon the group had reached the mountains, the border of the Okani's territory. 'I though Mt. Reikaku was big.' Tasuki said. Leaving the dogs the travelers took a few items and began walking on foot..."
****************************************
"And exactly HOW do we plan on getting the shinzaho from these guys?" Tasuki asked again.
"Let us hope they're negotiable to a certain extent." Hotohori said.
"I wonder what it will be this time." Miaka thought aloud.
"What if it was like... a bug or something?" Saori wondered. The thought of having to carry a large insect with them made her shiver.
"I highly doubt that." Chiriko answered. "It's far too cold for much to live up here."
"Could the shinzaho be a person?" Saori asked.
"I don't know, no da. But I wouldn't think so, no da. A living being is far too complicated, no da. Besides, they couldn't be much older than 12, no da." Chichiri responded.
"How far will we have to walk?" Nuriko asked.
"I guess until we find a member of the tribe." Tamahome said.
The group of ten continued walking, mostly up hill, for another half and hour. Miaka and Saori entertained themselves with guessing games. However, not everyone could be entertained.
"This takes too long..." Tasuki grumbled. "It's freezing. Why can't they just come out and say 'look good men, here's your shinzaho!'"
An arrow whizzed by and landed a few feet in front of Tasuki.
Several men came out from hiding places with spears and arrows, surrounding the group. The group stepped back. More men came out, and the travelers were surrounded by about 25 natives.
"Aka aka shibuk!" One of them yelled.
"Happy?" Inami asked.
*SHING!*
The glass of the window shattered as Tamahome's fist punched through it. He reached around, panting heavily, and undid the latch. He opened the door, he and Miaka walking into the room. He shut and latched the door behind him. "Let's hope... Tasuki and the others were all right." He said.
"Have faith." Miaka said quietly, assuring herself more than Tamahome.
Tamahome looked around. "This is a pretty sweet living." He said. He ran his hands along a wall. "Very nice..." He shuddered. "Expensive... think of how much it would cost to build something like this out here!"
"Taka!" Miaka shouted, using his other name by habit.
Just then, something growled from another room.
Tamahome stiffened. "Did... did you hear that?"
Miaka went pale. "...yes?"
The growl was heard again, followed immediately by a second, which chorused with a third.
Tamahome slowly backed away from the noise into a corner, bumping into a round table.
A few footsteps were heard, and the maker of the sound emerged.
Miaka gulped, clutching onto Tamahome's arm.
It was a fairly large wolf-like dog, which was gray with black tipped ears and a white belly and paws. It's ears laid back on its head, and it didn't look too happy.
"Oh ((edited))." Tamahome cursed.
Miaka quickly moved behind Tamahome. "Did a wolf get in?"
Another growl was heard, and a second dog appeared. It was very similar to the first, but a darker gray and less white. From the other side of the hallway, a third dog appeared, slightly smaller and mostly black. All of them had an offensive look on their faces.
The dogs sprang forward. Tamahome turned around, and he and Miaka quickly jumped onto the round table. A built in book shelf was nearby, and Miaka and Tamahome used it to get higher. Tamahome kicked over a second metal bookshelf, making a temporary gate over the table. The dogs stopped and began pacing back and forth in front of the table, a menacing look to their eyes.
"She said we'd be safe!!" Tamahome shouted, just as one of the wolves tried to leap over the shelf.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~
Nearly an hour later, the front door of the cabin burst open, Inami scurrying in. She noticed Miaka and Tamahome in the corner.
"Shikkari, Haruka, Kobi!!" Inami shouted. "Yamero! Shita! Shita!"
The three large dogs got their paws off the table and turned around, running to Inami, yipping and barking happily.
"Suware." Inami firmly instructed. The three dogs obediently obeyed the command, and sat down. She looked up to Tamahome and Miaka, who were slowly and cautiously stepping off the bookshelf and table. "Are you two all right? I forgot about these, did they hurt you?" Inami asked with a slight sound of urgency in her voice.
"N...no..." Miaka stated still shaky. Once on the floor, she fell to her knees. "I thought I was going to die..."
"We need to hurry." Inami declared. "We have about two hours of daylight left, and if we're out in the middle of no where at night we'll freeze to death. Tasuki's been injured, but he'll survive. We need to meet the others at the Imbezi River so they won't do anything stupid and come looking for us." Inami started back for the door. "Kuri." She ordered the dogs. They followed her outside. Tamahome looked to Miaka unsure, and left the cabin as well.
Outside were two fairly large dog sleds, each hooked up with a team of ten dogs. A few supplies were on each, as well as a second sled on each which was turned upside down. Each sled also had a second line of dogs to the slides, obviously to pull the third and fourth sled when needed. Chiriko sat supporting Tasuki on one, who had his shoulder tightly bandaged, himself looking quite conscious but pale. Tamahome recognized the bandages, and realized Inami had only a blanket around her shoulders.
Inami guided the dogs out to her sled, harnessing with some skill Haruka and Shikkari to her own sled, then quickly pulling Kobi to the front of Chiriko's. By the look on Chiriko's face, he didn't enjoy driving.
Inami looked up after harnessing Kobi. "Tamahome, can you drive a sled?"
Tamahome nodded. "I believe so."
"Good." Inami didn't have an incredibly happy ring to her voice. "Take Chiriko's. Miaka, ride on this one with me. We need to hurry." She went to the sled where Chiriko and Tasuki sat, testing the reigns again. "Here." She said, holding them out to Tamahome.
Tamahome walked up and took them, watching where to put his feet.
"Tasuki lost a lot of blood, he'll be fine, but if we don't get him rest or some kind of medical attention he won't make it too long." Inami said strictly.
"Nice way to put it." Tasuki said slightly quieter than usual.
"Shut up and deal with it like a man." Inami snapped back. She turned to Tamahome. "I'll lead." She walked to her own sled. "Miaka, sit here." Inami pointed to the area right in front of the driver's seat in the cargo room. Tasuki and Chiriko made seats on Tamahome's sled.
After another five minutes, Inami and Tamahome were off, heading northwest for the Imbezi River.
**************************************
Soi placed another damp cloth over a large red mark on Ashitare's arm, removing a separate one and carrying it over to a bowl of water.
"You're incompetent." Nakago said calmly but cruelly. "I should have remembered exactly how unreliable you are."
Ashitare had a bandage on his right shoulder close to his neck, as well as miscellaneous burns and bruises over his body. His right hand was bandaged heavily, his index finger missing.
Nakago felt his whip at his side. "However, it seems they punished you enough, but next time I won't be so lenient." Nakago turned his attention towards Soi. "We are a bit closer to finding the third item of the Seiryu Shinzaho, we'll be heading west." He stated in a monotone voice. He smirked. "I'm nearly done convincing our priestess not to see that girl by the name of 'Saori.'"
A little while later Nakago, Soi, as well as Tomo were quietly meeting together again in the cold cover of the Hokkan night.
"Shidoku?' Soi asked.
"Yes." Nakago said flatly. "Shidoku is much similar to Kodoku, only it is much, much stronger. As a matter of fact, Shidoku is so strong that if any amount is taken orally is causes immediate death."
"How do you plan to use it?" Soi asked, sitting in a shadowed corner. Nakago walked over to the lit candle in the center of the room. "It merely needs to coat something so that it constantly touches the skin, it's as simple as that. Just by taking that action it induces a spell stronger than kodoku ever could." Nakago waved his hand over the candle and turned to the other warriors in the tent. "The plan will be put into action soon, but Tomo still has work to do."
Tomo simply nodded.
"By the way," Nakago continued, "Has Suboshi returned yet?"
"He's returned mildly injured, Amiboshi is tending to him." Tomo said in his thick, eerie voice.
"At least he is not as pathetic as Ashitare." Nakago claimed. "However, we do need to do something with Amiboshi-- he is a strong asset but he will not fight the Suzaku seven, no matter what I try. Putting him under and spell or poison will simply make matters worse with the younger."
"I'm sure some steps could be taken." Tomo replied smoothly.
"We will see." Nakago walked to the door of the large tent. "I have things to discuss with Lady Mayo, you're excused."
********************************************
The large orange sun was nearly finished setting in the west. Nuriko once again scanned the horizon as tents were pitched around them, his hand shading out the light from his eyes. He got a relieved look on his face. "I think I see them!" He shouted.
Chichiri and Hotohori both looked in Nuriko's direction.
"It's about time, no da."
"Let's be glad they are safe." Hotohori commented.
Nuriko squinted. "I think they're on dog sleds..."
And of course, they were. The sound of the running feet of the dogs grew louder and louder, followed by the sounds of the nearly empty sleds against the slow. After a few minutes the first dog team pulled into the camp, followed by the second.
Miaka quickly got off, a dizzy look on her face.
Inami ordered the dogs to sit and ran up to Mitsukake. "Tasuki's injured, please tend to him." She said somewhat urgently.
Mitsukake nodded and went to Tasuki who was being helped off the sled. Tasuki looked very tired and very pale.
Inami turned to Chichiri. "I'm sorry we're so late, we had a run-in with one of the Seiryu Seven. I believe his name was Ashitare, he held us back quite a bit. One of the horses was killed and Tasuki was injured with a deep wound to his shoulder."
"I'm glad you're here now, no da. Everyone is in one piece?"
Inami nodded.
Chichiri got a more serious look. "We were attacked too, no da."
"By who?" Inami asked, worried.
"Suboshi." Saori said, emerging from a tent with a blanket around her.
Tamahome scowled at the mention of the warrior's name.
"Suboshi?" Inami asked. She looked back to Chichiri. "Is that the man from the Star Festival?"
"Yes, he is." Hotohori replied, handing Inami an off-white robe from her belongings.
Inami graciously accepted it and didn't wait to put it on, she was freezing.
Saori, who had been staring off into space, shook her head and hit reality. She ran to Miaka and through her arms around her, talking quickly about what had happened.
Inami turned back to Chichiri. "We need to start a fire before it gets completely dark, Chichiri. It gets well below freezing in these parts."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once the icy night had fallen, everyone was set up in his or her own tents, which of course were shared. A large fire was going, and three sticks held up a large uncovered pot full of boiling water where Nuriko was preparing a late dinner. Everyone was starving.
Inami opened a large barrel from off one of the sleds and opened it, revealing bite-sized brown lumps. She took most of them and laid them out in the snow, allowing the tied dogs to get something to eat.
"This food will last the dogs about two days." Inami informed everyone. "If we're out later than that, we'll have to go hunting."
Everyone was huddled around the large fire, huddling in blankets and warming their hands. Tasuki was now fully healed, and he too had a new robe on, which was similar to his prior one. Nuriko began handing out bowls of food to everyone, who happily ate. The bowls were full of white rice covered in vegetables and a brown sauce.
Inami perked up again and got everyone's attention. "It's very important that you stay warm tonight. Keep your socks... even your shoes on, and keep your heads covered." She stated. "If you wake up in the middle of the night and anything's cold, don't ignore it. Wake up someone else in your tent and get it taken care of. It's very easy to get frostbite out here."
Saori gulped, but then turned her attention back to her food.
"Jeez, how can people live out here?" Tasuki complained.
"They live further south." Inami corrected.
"Yeah, but it's still cold." Tasuki added.
Inami smiled. "I think Konan's too warm, but I think I prefer the warmer weather."
"I'd prefer anything but this..." Tasuki said sarcastically.
"All right everyone, let's go to bed." Hotohori instructed, being the first to stand. "We need as much sleep as we can get so we can travel as much as possible in the daylight."
"We should reach the approximated area by tomorrow, no da." Chichiri added.
Nuriko put any leftovers away and everyone started assembling their blankets. It was going to be a long night, and they had to cover as much ground as possible in the morning.
***************************************
"I'll tell you what, Hikari-chan." Yui began, "If I was ever in the book and Miaka was reading this, I'd get into all sorts of trouble just for payback." Yui sighed. She swore she had never read this much in her life, not even in High school. Yui rolled over onto her stomach on Tetsuya's bed and closed her eyes for a moment. She propped herself back on her elbows and began reading silently now that Hikari was asleep. "The next morning, early in the day and after a safe night, the group began once again to assemble their things. It was at least 30 miles to the boundaries of the Okani territory."
***********************
Tamahome felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned around. "What is it, Saori?"
Saori tried to keep her voice down, and she was bobbing up and down. "Taka... I have to go to the bathroom...."
Tamahome laughed. "There are plenty of trees, Saori."
Saori looked at him in disbelief. "I'm not going to freeze myself and squat by a tree!" Saori lowered her voice again. "I'm not a man, ya know."
"Then hold it." Tamahome suggested.
Saori rolled her eyes and went to look for Miaka. "Impossible..." she muttered.
Nuriko was harnessing the last of the dogs. He walked to the front line and knelt down to pet the leader, Kobi. "How fast can these things go?"
"They can reach speeds up to 35 miles an hour." Chiriko answered, handing Nuriko cords to secure the luggage in with. "But it's safer not to make them go quite so fast, and we should rest every now and then."
Nuriko stood up to fasten everything in.
Chiriko inspected the sled. "Generally the dogs can carry more wait than this, and people don't really ride in them... but I'm sure we can make an exception."
"I think horses would be a bit easier." Nuriko commented.
"Not in this snow." Inami walked up to make sure the sleds were assembled correctly. For once her hair was down back in a braid.
Miaka made herself comfortable on the sled near the driver's place, her red hair was tucked into her robe as if to act as earmuffs. She was riding in the sled Tamahome would be steering. Tamahome, Inami, Chichiri, and Nuriko would be drivers.
Saori rested her eyes in the next sled, waiting for departure. She had barely seen any civilization at all, so any glimpse of Mayo was hopeless. How long had it been since Saori saw her best friend? How many months had gone by?
Saori pulled her purple robe tightly around her, burying her hands in its folds. She had a matching purple hat on her head, which she couldn't help but like, though she hoped she could keep it on once the sleds were moving.
Eventually everything was picked up and ready to go. They even stocked up on firewood in case there were not trees at next camp. With one order to the four teams of dogs, the Suzaku Seven, the Hokkan Ambassador, The Priestess, and Saori were off.
**************************************
"I know that if the Suzaku seven use the shinzahos for their summoning, we won't be able to summon Seiryu." Amiboshi pointed out to his brother. "But I can't fight them. I only wish to use my powers in times of need."
Suboshi sighed, deciding against arguing with his brother. The last time they had to find the shinzahos Amiboshi hadn't even been around, and it had been harder on Suboshi. Even now he rethinks some of the choices he made.
Amiboshi decided to change the subject. "How is Lady Mayo?"
"I'm sure she's fine." Suboshi mumbled.
Amiboshi knew that in Suboshi's eyes, nothing compared to Lady Yui. Luckily Suboshi and Mayo were on better terms now, but Suboshi would never see her as his true priestess.
It was fairly quiet for a while, the brothers just sat across from each other in the large tent, thinking. Eventually Amiboshi picked up his flute and began playing a peaceful tune on it. Suboshi loved his brother's flute music, and though he didn't do anything, he listened contently. He too knew how to play Amiboshi's flute, but he wasn't nearly as skilled and he couldn't use it to attack.
"Amiboshi's playing again." Mayo commented to herself as she folded her school uniform on her foldout bed. Mayo let out a deep sigh. She couldn't stand the cold weather out here, but Amiboshi's music was truly uplifting. She never thought summoning the beast god would be this difficult. It certainly was easier for Yui when Mayo had read the book. Mayo thought of Yui, and then of Miaka. What had happened along the way? Did she really hate Miaka? She had been there when Hikari was born... she thought she was okay with it. Now Mayo was having second thoughts.
Mayo looked down at her school uniform. "It's too late now anyways." She told herself.
That uniform... Saori had one...
"Saori?" Mayo asked. She had nearly forgotten. Saori, the girl she knew from the other world. Funny, for some reason she didn't think much of her anymore. Deep down she wanted to scream out and find her again, but for some reason...
"Lady Mayo?"
Mayo stood up straight. "Yes, Soi?"
"We are almost ready to leave. Nakago wishes to speak with you." The tall girl informed.
Mayo nodded. "Thank you, I'll be right there."
**********************************
"This is a problem, na no da." Chichiri trailed off in his unnatural higher voice.
"This bend goes on forever, I don't think we should go around." Nuriko advised.
Inami looked over the large, flat plain of the frozen Imbezi river. "We'll have to go across." She said. "One sled at a time, but we need be sure we cross at a safe spot." She walked to the edge of the river and put her foot firmly down. It was hard. The ice was probably two to three feet thick, but in some places it could be too thin and break, especially if any cracks had been made or if the water underneath had moved recently.
A little ways away, Miaka walked off by herself to the Imbezi. It certainly was a large river... was it always frozen? Miaka put both feet on the edge of the river. It was solid, no doubt about it. She pushed her right foot down in front of her carefully - still solid.
It was about eighty yards across at the point where they had stopped. A few members of the group slowly walked across, knocking with whatever on the ice to ensure it was thick. They'd have to get all the way across and back to make sure it was safe. However, they weren't necessarily going slow because the ice would break, but it was slick in the parts not covered by the thin snow.
Chichiri reached the other bank and tapped his staff down firmly. "I think this is good, no da!" He yelled back.
"All right." Inami turned back to the drivers. "I want everyone to walk across, not ride. One sled at a time, okay? Don't start on the ice until the sled ahead of you is..."
Inami was interrupted by the sound of something breaking and a quick scream.
"What was that?!" Nuriko asked.
Tamahome got a horrid feeling in his stomach as he looked over to where Miaka had been, and at the hole in the ice.
"MIAKA!!!" He yelled, running from the dogs and over to the ice.
Inami had a look of terror on her face. She and everyone else began running over.
Chichiri was all ready there, he teleported himself. The hole in the ice was pretty big, and it would freeze up soon. The water showed no sign of a struggle. Everyone had to be careful or it would break again. Before Chichiri could make any attempts at a rescue, Tamahome rushed passed him and leapt head first into the water.
"You IDIOT!!" Inami shouted, though Tamahome wouldn't be able to hear her.
"Get them out!" Tasuki shouted.
"Miaka!!!" Saori cried.
everyone looked in panic at the gaping hole in the ice. Inami couldn't believe this was happening. She felt someone pull her back.
"Careful." Tasuki said firmly. Inami looked down. A crack in the ice was spreading, and it had been under her feet. Her and Tasuki slowly backed away so the ice wouldn't break.
Nuriko grabbed the edge of the ice by the hole. With a struggle, the ice snapped a ways back and he lifted the huge chunk and threw it onto the snow, the hole now much bigger.
Tamahome surfaced, gasping for breath. His skin was pale and his lips were blue, and so were Miaka's, but Miaka wasn't conscious.
Chichiri and Nuriko grabbed Tamahome's arms and quickly pulled him out of the freezing water. Miaka began coughing up water as she was made to sit right.
Tamahome, who was white and shivering, sighed in relief to see his wife was okay. As soon as he relaxed some he felt something come in hard contact with his left cheek.
"You idiot!" Inami shouted. "You could have been killed! Do you have ANY idea how dangerous that was?!!!" Inami huffed in frustration. "Mitsukake, we need your help! Someone get some dry clothes, hurry!"
******************************************
Yui looked as if she had a heart attacked. "Luckily, with some dry clothes and Mitsukake's help, The priestess and her warrior were okay, and were saved from hypothermia. Tasuki used his fan to warm the duo up quicker and the sleds began moving over the ice, one by one. 'That was too close.' Saori exclaimed, relieved everyone was all right. 'It seems we can't go a day without something happening.'" Yui couldn't help but feel her best friend was a little on the slow side. "Walking out there like nothing would happen... baka..." She mumbled. She took a deep breath and read on. "Once everyone was okay and the sleds had crossed the ice, the group was off again to the north. The mountains in the distance grew closer and closer. After another eight miles they had a quick lunch. Several things had been holding them back, so they wasted no time in continuing. By mid-afternoon the group had reached the mountains, the border of the Okani's territory. 'I though Mt. Reikaku was big.' Tasuki said. Leaving the dogs the travelers took a few items and began walking on foot..."
****************************************
"And exactly HOW do we plan on getting the shinzaho from these guys?" Tasuki asked again.
"Let us hope they're negotiable to a certain extent." Hotohori said.
"I wonder what it will be this time." Miaka thought aloud.
"What if it was like... a bug or something?" Saori wondered. The thought of having to carry a large insect with them made her shiver.
"I highly doubt that." Chiriko answered. "It's far too cold for much to live up here."
"Could the shinzaho be a person?" Saori asked.
"I don't know, no da. But I wouldn't think so, no da. A living being is far too complicated, no da. Besides, they couldn't be much older than 12, no da." Chichiri responded.
"How far will we have to walk?" Nuriko asked.
"I guess until we find a member of the tribe." Tamahome said.
The group of ten continued walking, mostly up hill, for another half and hour. Miaka and Saori entertained themselves with guessing games. However, not everyone could be entertained.
"This takes too long..." Tasuki grumbled. "It's freezing. Why can't they just come out and say 'look good men, here's your shinzaho!'"
An arrow whizzed by and landed a few feet in front of Tasuki.
Several men came out from hiding places with spears and arrows, surrounding the group. The group stepped back. More men came out, and the travelers were surrounded by about 25 natives.
"Aka aka shibuk!" One of them yelled.
"Happy?" Inami asked.