Author's note: I actually remotely like this chapter, so I won't complain
about it. I think I just like the ending, but don't skip forward to read
it! Don't worry, I still won't mine constructive criticism!
Chapter 31 : Heaven Sent
Apparently the Okani scouts weren't happy with the strange people trespassing on their land, even if they were only a few miles in from the border. Since they'd have to go to the tribe anyway, the Suzaku seven "surrendered," and were escorted by the Okani scouts to the main Okani camp. It took about an hour of walking in the snow. Tasuki complained a couple times, and had quite a few spears pointed at him.
Once making it over a hill, the group saw the view of the expansive living area, scattered with several huts and tents, as well as a few fires and miscellaneous people and animals walking about. There were quite a few dogs, horses, and yaks.
Saori looked utterly terrified at the huge men around her. They were built tall and wide, with tanned skin and dark hair. Once they reached the village, a few left, probably to inform others of their arrival.
Saori squeaked as she felt a spear against her back. She looked back to see a scary man grabbing her hands and tying them behind her.
"What do these guys think they're doing?!" Tasuki whispered.
"Just be quiet." Inami whispered back.
Miaka's hands were bound next. After that they were walked to a slightly more secluded space near a larger hut, a large wooden pole sticking up from the ground. Tamahome and Hotohori were tied soon after.
"Oku! Shika no tathu!" A man shouted, pointed to Hotohori. The man he had been talking to nodded and removed Hotohori's holy sword, along with the red disk. As they took it away Hotohori noticed a glimpse of the red disk lighting up.
"It is here." Hotohori whispered.
"I think we have other things to worry about..." Saori whispered very quietly as the belt containing Inami's own weapon was taken from her.
"Koko!" A man yelled, addressing Saori.
Saori, who swore she was going into convulsions, snapped up. "Sorry! Sorry!" She yelped.
The man turned away.
"Yanahi, shino mas ka rerctibare!" Inami shouted to the man leaving.
The man turned around and began to say something.
"Inami, you know what they're saying?" Chiriko asked. As he did so Chichiri's staff and Tasuki's fan were taken, and they were being tied up.
Eventually, the first man left, Inami's hands being tied, and she was pushed over to the pole with the others.
"I told you they weren't people-friendly." Inami remarked.
"Inami, you can speak their language?" Hotohori asked.
"Why do you think I was the one who had to come up here a while back? I'm rusty, but I remember most of it." Inami winked. "I got a scholar in it."
Tasuki began rubbing the rope around his hands together. "Just watch me..."
"Tasuki!" Inami said firmly but quietly. "Just go along, don't upset them! For all they know we're traders!"
"Yeah Tasuki." Nuriko agreed. Nuriko obviously was playing along, he could break the rope and lift the pole from the ground if he wanted to.
After a moment, a rather large man emerged from the large hut. He had on thick pelts and a weaved shawl, along with a short weaved headpiece.
"Yanahi shi zokubare fun, ma retteyui shikokino tar hei?" The man asked.
"Yanahi-sama, shinza wa..." Inami thought quickly. "Wa shuzzen go lucactu. Su meshin ko."
"Tarahei goku bifcan!" The man raised his voice.
"What did he say?" Hotohori asked.
"Not people friendly..." Inami mentioned.
(Some translations will now be provided.)
The man, who apparently was the "chief," walked in and out of his hut every now and then, talking to his other men. After about ten minutes he finally began speaking again.
"Maten, Hokkan no uzupai shiki sa? Dosite hafu dorerm shi sofu gakureia?" The chief asked in a not-so-polite way. (So, you are the Hokkan ambassador? Why have you come to visit us again?)
"Sou, Hokkan no uzupai. Tachi wakare su I massupi qisho." Inami replied. Hearing her talk in a strange accent certainly was entertaining. (Yes, I'm the Hokkan ambassador. We are here to discuss a trade for something of yours.)
The man beat his staff on the ground. "Yasoko shi shi, tachi no riwas suu key!" (You have deliberately trespassed on our land!)
Inami furrowed an eyebrow. "Kor sa riwas de Hokkan no Maiji shikes." (This land belongs to the Hokkan Emperor.)
The man made a disapproving face.
Tasuki definitely noticed. "Inami, what are you saying?!"
"Momu la Hokkan no maiji dedterewa chaster hos a byohi I san." The chief spoke strictly.
"Nanzede." Inami replied. She put her head up a little higher. "Yaku, Hokkan no maiji wa len rezedue shi ko ko no uzupai minning hadzo?"
"Makishine oso to hihi I mazu."
Inami thought for a moment to find the right words. "Eki... sotro quesa tregno kachik wa."
"Kormo cop, saito sesei!" The Chief raised his voice again.
"Kachik." Inami replied.
The chief and two of his men turned around and returned to the hut.
Tasuki, who was very confused, spoke up. "What did he say?"
Inami turned to him, keeping her eyes on the hut. "He said he can kill us and make it look like an accident."
"WHAT?!!" Tasuki blurted out. "What the heck are you saying to him? Are you insane?!!"
Inami smirked. "Didn't I warn you? They're not people friendly."
"Chichiri," Hotohori whispered, "How will we find the shinzaho if we are kept like this?"
"I'm not sure, no da." Chichiri answered. "Perhaps I might be able to locate any strong senses of Suzaku here, but I doubt it will work, no da."
Inami leaned against the pole and sat down on the snowy ground. "We might be here for a while... I really don't like these people."
"We could break lose." Tamahome suggested.
"No!" Miaka pleaded. "If we do, we won't get the Shinzaho! Inami, please tell them what we're looking for!"
The Chief, Yanahi, came back out with two of his men again, and began speaking to the Ambassador. You could tell Inami was listening very carefully to decipher the words.
Miaka poked Inami best she could.
Inami sighed. "Tachi ko serkin para Shinzaho des na, tachi cantin so shiza hefti para su hihi ni I dozo." (We are looking for a 'Shinzaho,' and we believe you have it, we'll give a very good deal for it.)
"Toshii wa naze Shinzaho dozo kiseki utani!" (We do not know of this Shinzaho!)
"Kokore tachi so hi I sumza cashi Shinzaho soku, amza fuuwern chikaiyu soushi. Koro riwas tachi jun gakei fugde quesa!" (Let us look for the shinzaho, it is very important. Then we will get off your land!)
Before the chief could answer, one of the men leaned over to him and whispered something, looking at Inami. The only thing she could catch was "Sashi au." (It's gold.)
The chief studied Inami, then nodded to the man. The man approached Inami and pushed her head forward. With some difficulty he undid a few clasps and pulled Inami's headband off, examining it closely. "Ruruiwa!" He exclaimed to Yanahi. (exquisite!)
Inami lit up. "Shisho wa tachi coko Shinzaho make tafe shuzen ima. Tachi sun koro I luko, resenden whome." (Please let us have the Shinzaho. We need it, bad spirits follow us.)
The chief looked at Inami and the others. He took the headband and began whispering to his men.
Inami leaned in towards Chichiri and Hotohori. "The Okani believe in spirits and things as part of their religion. I told them bad spirits are following us. I doubt they'll believe me."
"Why would you say that?" Miaka asked, wishing she could talk to the leader herself.
Inami smirked. "If their dumb, I may be able to make something work."
"Imas!!" The chief called for attention. "Quesar moku luko kasik nata shizo?" (What bad spirits do you speak of?)
Inami quickly looked past the chief to his hut, where a few small shelves full of shoes lay outside. She looked back to the Chief. "Luko wa..."
Suddenly the shelf lifted off the ground and thudded loudly across the path. The Chief and his men turned around and looked at it in disbelief.
"Tachi sunzen shiza!" Inami repeated. (We must hurry!)
The chief began speaking to his men again. Though Nuriko was on the reverse side of the pole, Inami managed to whisper to him. "Nuriko, when they're gone work on loosening the ties enough so they can be shaken off."
Nuriko nodded.
One of the men came up and untied Inami's ropes, allowing her to stand up. He said something quite lengthy to her, and she quickly turned back to the others.
"They're letting me look around under supervision, that disk is in the chief's hut." She didn't have time to finish before she was escorted away.
"Great." Tasuki complained. "This is great."
Nuriko used a now free hand and began untying Saori's ropes slightly, staying in place. "Highness, we need your holy sword to find the shinzaho."
Hotohori nodded, his bonds beginning to loosen. "It flashed near that hut, I know it. It may just be a gut feeling, Nuriko, but I believe the Shinzaho is in there."
"Then run for it." Tasuki said.
"What?" Hotohori asked.
"Well, Akue's got the head guys tied up, no one's looking. I say hurry up, grab that red thing, and see if you find anything!" Tasuki explained.
"It will be risky..." Hotohori said, "But I should try. When I leave, move in a bit more so that my absence isn't as noticeable."
Nuriko put his hands back together as if they were tied. As soon as the coast was clear and no villagers were looking, Hotohori ran the short distance to the hut.
The large hut was truly remarkable from the inside. It was round with a long pole in then center. A thin bed lay at the opposite wall, and the other walls were full of shelves with several magnificent items. Actually, there were tons of things. Hotohori seemed lost for a moment.
He spotted Chichiri's long staff to his right, and noticed the items taken from them were piled messily by it. Everything was accounted for except Inami's headpiece. Hotohori picked up his sword, the disk by the hilt radiating lightly. He held it up, and it glowed brightly as it had back in Konan.
Hotohori didn't have much time. The clue had to be in this tent. He slowly and quietly held the sword over the shelves, moving it up and down. He reached the back of the round hut when the disk flashed and glowed brighter than ever. Hotohori looked. There were several objects, about four in the particular area. There was a gold bracelet studded with different stones, a tall crystal goblet lined with emeralds, rubies, and gold as well, a larger, feathered head piece like the one Yanahi wore, and an old book, its pages turning yellow.
Hotohori looked back, he could just barely see Nuriko's foot from where he was through the slightly opened hide door. He looked back, studying the object. The book could be ruled out, it was obviously too old to be the shinzaho. Hotohori could tell the headpiece was hand-made, so it was ruled out too... but what if one of its feathers were the clue?
Hotohori was mindlessly wasting time. He grabbed all three and quickly put them on the ground, some distance away from each other. Process of elimination: Hotohori held the sword by each, the disk glowing brightest on...
Hotohori perked up. That was Inami's voice, coming nearer and nearer. Having just enough time to solve the puzzle, Hotohori quickly placed the items back and ran back to the pole, placing his hands behind him, barely in time as the chief rounded the corner.
"Kachik so uma chikarikawa masen!" The chief yelled. They tied Inami's hands back up and put her back by the pole, tying her rope to Tasuki's to make room.
"What happened?" Miaka whispered.
"I think we're in trouble." Inami said, unsure.
"Hotohori, did you find it?" Miaka whispered again.
Hotohori nodded. "Inside the hut on the far wall there is a crystalline goblet. I believe that is the clue we are looking for."
"Great... how do we get it, and how the heck are we gettin' outta here?" Tasuki asked.
"We could get it and fight our way out." Tamahome suggested.
"Are you kidding?" Saori whispered loudly, noticing the men were in the hut again. "There are hundred of big, beefy men here! We'll fry!"
"It's no use anyway." Inami added.
"Why not?" Tamahome asked.
"Hello?" Inami asked as if it were obvious. "Do you know what will happen to me if the Okani tell the emperor I attacked them and stole a valuable object? I'll be toast! I have a reputation!"
Tamahome shook his head.
The chief emerged from his hut, alone. He walked up and folded his arms in front of the group. "Ko hiza lani, nata ashi rewasaner artoi." It seemed as if he were addressing Chichiri.
"He said he will consider a trade." Inami translated.
"We'd like to exchange for the goblet, no da."
"Uh... kokoe lani fuuwe I socu tachi chichirensa?" Inami asked. (Do you possibly have a crystal goblet?)
The chief didn't exchange his expression. "Sou." (yes)
"Kalun fonza makea no sukusuku ichiga?" (What would you possibly want for it?")
The chief turned to his hut, then back. "Ko ko tachi no shine retyr, go achi hacku."
"What he say, no da?" Chichiri asked.
"He wants one of the items he took from us." Inami sighed. "Ko, ashi was sine au mash ikita... uh... shikolonsa."
The chief thought. "Sou." He returned to the tent.
"What did you tell him?" Tasuki questioned, worried.
"I told him he can have the gold rod in the leather pouch." Inami answered.
"Inami, isn't that...?" Nuriko asked.
Inami smirked. "I got it under control..."
After a moment, a man came out with a knife and untied everyone, a second man with a spear followed to keep them from going anywhere.
The chief emerged from the tent with a crystal goblet and the group's belongings, returning them. Upon handing Hotohori his sword, though, they pointed their weapons at him, so he wouldn't use it.
The chief held Inami's weapon, though he couldn't tell what it was, along with her headpiece. He looked at the thin gold band and held it up. "Ko wer." (This too.) He placed it by his own forehead, stretching it so it would barely fit.
"Matte!" Inami shouted.
The gold touched the chief's wrinkled forehead and flashed a large spark. The chief dropped it in pain and rubbed his forehead, wincing.
The first man's knife was pointed at Inami. "Shiko nata I fie ta?!" (What happened?!)
"Kor shiza mai o sukuretate." Inami said, a little peeved. (That wasn't part of the deal.)
The man hit Inami upside her face. "Kokochi! Nata mai Kokochi!" (Witch! You're a witch!)
"What's the big idea?!!!!" Tasuki shouted, running forward. A few more men came out at the sound of the yelling, and ran at Tasuki with their own knives.
"Kachik Kokochi, tachu san tachi kiki nate!" Inami argued. (I'm not a witch, now let us pass!)
The man spun Inami around and placed a knife at her throat. "Tachu kiki wane, nata... hashi kokochi suku tachi ne wesaren."
The men holding back the others backed away.
"Inami?" Miaka asked, scared.
"He said you guys may leave with the item, but the witch stays here." Inami said as the blade pointed closer to her throat.
"Inami, we can't possibly do that!" Hotohori shouted.
Inami smiled best she could. "Trust me, go." She said. "I've been in worse situations... you should have seen some of the things Tomite got me into..."
Chichiri placed his hand on Hotohori's shoulder, nodding to Inami.
The man's hold loosened slightly. "Tachu sukun sou, ashi soma." (They agree, I stay.)
Guarded by several men, armed, the nine were lead slowly out of the village, eyes of the natives following them. A few woman and children actually threw rocks. The men escorted them out of the mountain pass, some distance from the village. With a final shove, they yelled something in their foreign tongue, and began walking away slowly, turning around every now and then to make sure the group was leaving.
Miaka held the crystal goblet tightly. "Chichiri!" She cried.
Chichiri only smiled. "Don't worry, no da." He said happily. "We should walk no da, we'll look suspicious."
Tasuki really looked unsure, but kept going. They had some troubles walking through the deeper snow.
"How long were we in there?" Saori asked.
"Quite a few hours, actually." Chiriko answered. "Let's hope the sleds are still there."
Miaka sighed, still a bit worried. "We have the second clue! Only five more to find!"
Tamahome nearly fell over. "Five more?! Like that one?! Then the real thing..." He leaned onto Miaka. "I'm too old for this..."
They were almost to the sleds, they were down the next mountain ledge, when Chichiri stopped walking and shook his staff, the gold rings at the top making a light jingle. He lifted his hat on top of his head, mumbled something, and disappeared.
"Chichiri?!" Miaka yelled.
"Where did he go?" Mitsukake asked.
The hat lay in the snow, Saori knelt down and picked it up. "I don't get that guy, no da."
Nuriko stiffened suddenly, and ran for Saori, pushing her hard. "Look out!" He yelled. Just as he did so, a large bolt of lightening hit perfectly in the spot where Saori had been sitting.
Everyone turned their heads to see the source, dark clouds suddenly whirling overhead.
"You may have missed the first, Suzaku seishi, but my second will strike!" Soi yelled, standing on the next, higher ledge of the mountain. She raised two of her fingers, white mist encircling them, the dark clouds getting heavier in the sky.
"Soi!" Nuriko snapped.
Tamahome pulled Miaka back.
Soi smiled slightly, then pointed her fingers at the seishi. "Ha!!" She yelled.
A large silver bolt of lightening shot out from Soi's fingers, thunder trumpeting in the background. It went as fast as light, barely missing and striking the ledge, collapsing a majority of the pathway, creating a frightening arena for the battle.
Soi was already preparing for another hit.
"Rekka, Shinen!!!" Tasuki shouted. The fire blew up to where Soi was standing. Soi gracefully leapt up and landed higher on the mountain. "Ha!!" She shouted, sending two bolts of light from either hand.
"Rekka, SHINEN!!!!" Tasuki shouted, the fire exploding with one bolt, the second landing beside Chiriko. He flew back and skid into the snow, Mitsukake running to him. As soon as one bolt hit, Soi sent another.
"I will not allow you to do us any harm!" Hotohori yelled. His sword intercepted the lightening, and somehow made it absorbed into the blade. He swung his sword hard, sending the blast back to Soi.
Soi barely managed to dodge, landing behind where the lightening struck. She held her left forearms, scowling at the Konan emperor. "You will not succeed in using my own skills against me!"
From behind the battling octet, a loud, high-pitched melody played.
Nuriko whirled around, noticing the half-cloaked figure behind them. He played a small flute, repeating the same melodic tune.
"A...Amiboshi?!" Nuriko asked.
The man stopped playing, removing his cloak. He too was wearing much warmer clothing. "Suzaku seishi, there is no escape!" He placed the flute in a second belt, removing the first and spinning the deadly ball-like weapons on top.
"Suboshi!" Nuriko yelled.
Suboshi leapt off the ridge and landed in the center of the seishi, two meteor bells immediately flying for a taste of blood. Tamahome left Miaka in Mitsukake's care and went after Suboshi. Like before, it took a moment for Tamahome's sign of the ogre to appear, but it soon did.
Chiriko yelled as a bolt of white light hit his leg. He faltered in his stance and collapsed.
"Chiriko!!" Tasuki yelled. He turned back to the tall scarlet-haired woman, who smiled. "Rekka!" He yelled.
Soi prepared, but suddenly lost site of the bandit.
Tasuki appeared much closer to her suddenly, thanks to his speed. "SHINEN!!!"
Soi suffered a direct hit from the flames, her lightening shooting off, knocking down more of the mountain, rocks tumbling down the snow. She quickly regained her senses and sent a bolt out towards Tasuki, though it wasn't as strong as it could have been.
Soi's darks clouds now filled the sky, making a darker setting for the battle. Though night would soon be at hand, the sun was all ready cast out.
A ryuseisui bell whizzed by Tamahome. Tamahome flipped out of the way, a small cut appearing on his cheek. Miaka cried from the background. Her, Mitsukake, Saori, and an unconscious Chiriko were tucked away.
The ledge created by the sudden lightening made a high and deadly drop to the icy ground. Suboshi used it as an advantage, trying to push both Hotohori and Tamahome into it. He had to move his bells fast so Nuriko wouldn't catch them.
Luckily, Soi helped out. A bolt of lightening struck down on the purple- haired man, sending a painful sensation through his arm. Tasuki fell into the snow near Suboshi and the others, a very large wall of electricity heading towards him.
"Kai ha!!!"
A staff jingled and a great red light emerged from it, disrupting the lightening and directly hitting Soi.
"Chichiri!" Miaka yelled.
"Sorry, no da." Chichiri apologized. With one arm he held his still glowing staff, and with the other he held up a half-unconscious Inami, her braid undone and her free hair cascading around her.
Saori and Miaka ran out to take Inami from Chichiri, and slowly brought her back to wear they were.
"Inami, are you all right?!" Saori asked.
Inami slowly lifted her head. "Like I've said.. I've been worse..."
Chiriko was obviously in pain, Mitsukake tried his best to fully regain his powers to help him.
Suboshi was doing extremely well, considering the odds. His skills with the ryuseisui had improved greatly, they acted as a great offense and a terrific defense. If Amiboshi had been there, the battle would be over.
However, Suboshi's luck was quickly running out. Though two of the stronger warriors were battling Soi, another managed to land a punch, and it may not be who you would think.
Suboshi went flying, swearing he heard a crack in his shoulder.
"Yes!" Nuriko shouted.
Suboshi fell lifeless in the snow, his weapons gently landing around him.
"Kai ha!" Chichiri yelled. In a final blow, Soi was brought down. She landed hard in the snow, trying hard to get back up. She looked at Chichiri and Tasuki in pure hate. "Your defeat grows near." She scowled, blue light flashing. She was gone.
"Nakago." Chichiri whispered.
"Why... do they... always do that?" Tamahome asked, catching his breath.
Chichiri and Tasuki returned to the ledge where the others were. The clouds were slowly departing, but it was still dark, the mountain's shadows and the sun's far setting increasing the effect.
Nuriko brushed off his hands.
Miaka ran out and threw her arms around Tamahome, sighing in blissful relief.
"Well," Nuriko began, "What are we going to do with him?" Nuriko pointed.
Suboshi wasn't there.
"He disappeared too?" Tasuki asked.
He was answered by a Meteor bell shooting out, striking Tamahome painfully in the side. Blood stained the snow, the weapon returning to its owner.
The ryuseisui spun around Suboshi, who held onto his left shoulder in discomfort. "You. WILL DIE!!!" He yelled.
Two solitary meteor bells left their attachments and flung out towards the group. These were the more dangerous kind, not held back by anything, continuously moving until hitting a target.
Tasuki barely countered one with his fan.
The other had a target all ready locked on. Miaka screamed as she tried to run. She stopped short at a ledge, the meteor bell whizzing past her head, forcing its side into her shoulder.
Miaka cried out, the force of the meteor bell throwing her off balance. Her feet skid against her will, she fell forward, and disappeared over the ledge.
"Miaka! Tamahome screamed, his side bleeding still. The Meteor bell whizzed around and went after another member of the Suzaku Seven.
Miaka's shoulder stung like fire. She watched as the cliff seemed to get farther and farther, as if in slow motion. The cold night air blew past her, not being strong enough to keep her from falling. She could feel the ground getting closer and closer... soon to greet her with an icy death. She could barely... just barely hear the fight as she fell, the whistling of the cold clogging her senses. Her eyelids grew heavy.
From above her, a glimmer of pure, white light flickered against the black sky, something emerging from it. Was she hallucinating?
The cold air speeding by nipped at her as her life was slowly over. She looked hard into the sky.
"...Angel?..." She asked quietly. She felt a warm hand grab her own, and she was finally brought into darkness.
****************************
"Miaka! Miaka!" Nuriko shook Miaka's shoulders hard.
Miaka slowly came to, the site of all of her companions in front of her. Light emitted from Tasuki's diamond fan and Chichiri's golden staff. Tamahome knelt by Miaka, his side tightly bandaged.
"Tamahome?" Miaka asked weakly. She opened her eyes more.
"You're a pretty lucky girl, you know that?" Nuriko asked, relieved. "You only fell about ten feet, I honestly thought you were done for."
Miaka sat up quickly. "Suboshi?!"
"He's gone, do not worry." Hotohori spoke.
"Only... ten feet?" Miaka asked.
Nuriko nodded.
Miaka shook her head. "No, no! That's not right..."
"What's wrong, Miaka?" Tamahome asked, confused.
"I remember...' Miaka began, a bit confused herself. "I was falling... an angel..."
"Angel?" Mitsukake asked.
Miaka nodded. "I know it sounds odd, but I'm sure of it. An angel saved me... I don't remember much... he had beautiful white wings..."
"A man?" Tamahome asked, wondering if Miaka hit her head.
Miaka had a warm expression. "An angel with beautiful white wings. I remember, he had dark pants on and kind of long... white hair. He saved me, Tamahome."
Inami looked wide-eyed.
"White hair and wings..." Miaka tiredly repeated.
"Uru... miya?" Inami gasped.
"Hm?" Tasuki asked, turning around.
Inami shook her head. "N... nothing."
"I'm glad that you all are all right." Hotohori said. "We should get our things set up and rest for tonight, and perhaps had back to the capitol tomorrow morning.
Miaka nodded, the peaceful look never leaving her face.
~~*~~*~~
Miaka watched as the cliff seemed to get farther and farther, as if in slow motion. The cold night air blew past her, not being strong enough to keep her from falling. She could feel the ground getting closer and closer... soon to greet her with an icy death. She could barely... just barely hear the fight as she fell, the whistling of the cold clogging her senses. Her eyelids grew heavy.
From above her, a glimmer of pure, white light flickered against the dark sky, something emerging from it. Was she hallucinating?
The cold air speeding by nipped at her as her life was slowly over. She looked hard into the sky.
"...Angel?..." She asked quietly. She felt a warm hand grab her own, and she was finally brought into darkness.
The personage flapped his white wings hard and floated in the air, the young girl sleeping softly in his arms.
"I certainly cannot allow a fellow priestess to die so easily." He spoke quietly in a soft voice, his body emanating with a pure white light. With the priestess of Suzaku securely in his arms, the man flew up the dark passage way without a sound, reaching a nearby ledge. He landed on it and knelt down.
"You are doing a good thing, Priestess. Be brave in your journey, you have a strong heart." He laid Miaka gently in the snow, brushing her bangs away from her face. "Please tell Akue we are always watching over her, and she is never alone." With that the man stood up and flew away, disappearing into the heavens.
~~*~~*~~
Chapter 31 : Heaven Sent
Apparently the Okani scouts weren't happy with the strange people trespassing on their land, even if they were only a few miles in from the border. Since they'd have to go to the tribe anyway, the Suzaku seven "surrendered," and were escorted by the Okani scouts to the main Okani camp. It took about an hour of walking in the snow. Tasuki complained a couple times, and had quite a few spears pointed at him.
Once making it over a hill, the group saw the view of the expansive living area, scattered with several huts and tents, as well as a few fires and miscellaneous people and animals walking about. There were quite a few dogs, horses, and yaks.
Saori looked utterly terrified at the huge men around her. They were built tall and wide, with tanned skin and dark hair. Once they reached the village, a few left, probably to inform others of their arrival.
Saori squeaked as she felt a spear against her back. She looked back to see a scary man grabbing her hands and tying them behind her.
"What do these guys think they're doing?!" Tasuki whispered.
"Just be quiet." Inami whispered back.
Miaka's hands were bound next. After that they were walked to a slightly more secluded space near a larger hut, a large wooden pole sticking up from the ground. Tamahome and Hotohori were tied soon after.
"Oku! Shika no tathu!" A man shouted, pointed to Hotohori. The man he had been talking to nodded and removed Hotohori's holy sword, along with the red disk. As they took it away Hotohori noticed a glimpse of the red disk lighting up.
"It is here." Hotohori whispered.
"I think we have other things to worry about..." Saori whispered very quietly as the belt containing Inami's own weapon was taken from her.
"Koko!" A man yelled, addressing Saori.
Saori, who swore she was going into convulsions, snapped up. "Sorry! Sorry!" She yelped.
The man turned away.
"Yanahi, shino mas ka rerctibare!" Inami shouted to the man leaving.
The man turned around and began to say something.
"Inami, you know what they're saying?" Chiriko asked. As he did so Chichiri's staff and Tasuki's fan were taken, and they were being tied up.
Eventually, the first man left, Inami's hands being tied, and she was pushed over to the pole with the others.
"I told you they weren't people-friendly." Inami remarked.
"Inami, you can speak their language?" Hotohori asked.
"Why do you think I was the one who had to come up here a while back? I'm rusty, but I remember most of it." Inami winked. "I got a scholar in it."
Tasuki began rubbing the rope around his hands together. "Just watch me..."
"Tasuki!" Inami said firmly but quietly. "Just go along, don't upset them! For all they know we're traders!"
"Yeah Tasuki." Nuriko agreed. Nuriko obviously was playing along, he could break the rope and lift the pole from the ground if he wanted to.
After a moment, a rather large man emerged from the large hut. He had on thick pelts and a weaved shawl, along with a short weaved headpiece.
"Yanahi shi zokubare fun, ma retteyui shikokino tar hei?" The man asked.
"Yanahi-sama, shinza wa..." Inami thought quickly. "Wa shuzzen go lucactu. Su meshin ko."
"Tarahei goku bifcan!" The man raised his voice.
"What did he say?" Hotohori asked.
"Not people friendly..." Inami mentioned.
(Some translations will now be provided.)
The man, who apparently was the "chief," walked in and out of his hut every now and then, talking to his other men. After about ten minutes he finally began speaking again.
"Maten, Hokkan no uzupai shiki sa? Dosite hafu dorerm shi sofu gakureia?" The chief asked in a not-so-polite way. (So, you are the Hokkan ambassador? Why have you come to visit us again?)
"Sou, Hokkan no uzupai. Tachi wakare su I massupi qisho." Inami replied. Hearing her talk in a strange accent certainly was entertaining. (Yes, I'm the Hokkan ambassador. We are here to discuss a trade for something of yours.)
The man beat his staff on the ground. "Yasoko shi shi, tachi no riwas suu key!" (You have deliberately trespassed on our land!)
Inami furrowed an eyebrow. "Kor sa riwas de Hokkan no Maiji shikes." (This land belongs to the Hokkan Emperor.)
The man made a disapproving face.
Tasuki definitely noticed. "Inami, what are you saying?!"
"Momu la Hokkan no maiji dedterewa chaster hos a byohi I san." The chief spoke strictly.
"Nanzede." Inami replied. She put her head up a little higher. "Yaku, Hokkan no maiji wa len rezedue shi ko ko no uzupai minning hadzo?"
"Makishine oso to hihi I mazu."
Inami thought for a moment to find the right words. "Eki... sotro quesa tregno kachik wa."
"Kormo cop, saito sesei!" The Chief raised his voice again.
"Kachik." Inami replied.
The chief and two of his men turned around and returned to the hut.
Tasuki, who was very confused, spoke up. "What did he say?"
Inami turned to him, keeping her eyes on the hut. "He said he can kill us and make it look like an accident."
"WHAT?!!" Tasuki blurted out. "What the heck are you saying to him? Are you insane?!!"
Inami smirked. "Didn't I warn you? They're not people friendly."
"Chichiri," Hotohori whispered, "How will we find the shinzaho if we are kept like this?"
"I'm not sure, no da." Chichiri answered. "Perhaps I might be able to locate any strong senses of Suzaku here, but I doubt it will work, no da."
Inami leaned against the pole and sat down on the snowy ground. "We might be here for a while... I really don't like these people."
"We could break lose." Tamahome suggested.
"No!" Miaka pleaded. "If we do, we won't get the Shinzaho! Inami, please tell them what we're looking for!"
The Chief, Yanahi, came back out with two of his men again, and began speaking to the Ambassador. You could tell Inami was listening very carefully to decipher the words.
Miaka poked Inami best she could.
Inami sighed. "Tachi ko serkin para Shinzaho des na, tachi cantin so shiza hefti para su hihi ni I dozo." (We are looking for a 'Shinzaho,' and we believe you have it, we'll give a very good deal for it.)
"Toshii wa naze Shinzaho dozo kiseki utani!" (We do not know of this Shinzaho!)
"Kokore tachi so hi I sumza cashi Shinzaho soku, amza fuuwern chikaiyu soushi. Koro riwas tachi jun gakei fugde quesa!" (Let us look for the shinzaho, it is very important. Then we will get off your land!)
Before the chief could answer, one of the men leaned over to him and whispered something, looking at Inami. The only thing she could catch was "Sashi au." (It's gold.)
The chief studied Inami, then nodded to the man. The man approached Inami and pushed her head forward. With some difficulty he undid a few clasps and pulled Inami's headband off, examining it closely. "Ruruiwa!" He exclaimed to Yanahi. (exquisite!)
Inami lit up. "Shisho wa tachi coko Shinzaho make tafe shuzen ima. Tachi sun koro I luko, resenden whome." (Please let us have the Shinzaho. We need it, bad spirits follow us.)
The chief looked at Inami and the others. He took the headband and began whispering to his men.
Inami leaned in towards Chichiri and Hotohori. "The Okani believe in spirits and things as part of their religion. I told them bad spirits are following us. I doubt they'll believe me."
"Why would you say that?" Miaka asked, wishing she could talk to the leader herself.
Inami smirked. "If their dumb, I may be able to make something work."
"Imas!!" The chief called for attention. "Quesar moku luko kasik nata shizo?" (What bad spirits do you speak of?)
Inami quickly looked past the chief to his hut, where a few small shelves full of shoes lay outside. She looked back to the Chief. "Luko wa..."
Suddenly the shelf lifted off the ground and thudded loudly across the path. The Chief and his men turned around and looked at it in disbelief.
"Tachi sunzen shiza!" Inami repeated. (We must hurry!)
The chief began speaking to his men again. Though Nuriko was on the reverse side of the pole, Inami managed to whisper to him. "Nuriko, when they're gone work on loosening the ties enough so they can be shaken off."
Nuriko nodded.
One of the men came up and untied Inami's ropes, allowing her to stand up. He said something quite lengthy to her, and she quickly turned back to the others.
"They're letting me look around under supervision, that disk is in the chief's hut." She didn't have time to finish before she was escorted away.
"Great." Tasuki complained. "This is great."
Nuriko used a now free hand and began untying Saori's ropes slightly, staying in place. "Highness, we need your holy sword to find the shinzaho."
Hotohori nodded, his bonds beginning to loosen. "It flashed near that hut, I know it. It may just be a gut feeling, Nuriko, but I believe the Shinzaho is in there."
"Then run for it." Tasuki said.
"What?" Hotohori asked.
"Well, Akue's got the head guys tied up, no one's looking. I say hurry up, grab that red thing, and see if you find anything!" Tasuki explained.
"It will be risky..." Hotohori said, "But I should try. When I leave, move in a bit more so that my absence isn't as noticeable."
Nuriko put his hands back together as if they were tied. As soon as the coast was clear and no villagers were looking, Hotohori ran the short distance to the hut.
The large hut was truly remarkable from the inside. It was round with a long pole in then center. A thin bed lay at the opposite wall, and the other walls were full of shelves with several magnificent items. Actually, there were tons of things. Hotohori seemed lost for a moment.
He spotted Chichiri's long staff to his right, and noticed the items taken from them were piled messily by it. Everything was accounted for except Inami's headpiece. Hotohori picked up his sword, the disk by the hilt radiating lightly. He held it up, and it glowed brightly as it had back in Konan.
Hotohori didn't have much time. The clue had to be in this tent. He slowly and quietly held the sword over the shelves, moving it up and down. He reached the back of the round hut when the disk flashed and glowed brighter than ever. Hotohori looked. There were several objects, about four in the particular area. There was a gold bracelet studded with different stones, a tall crystal goblet lined with emeralds, rubies, and gold as well, a larger, feathered head piece like the one Yanahi wore, and an old book, its pages turning yellow.
Hotohori looked back, he could just barely see Nuriko's foot from where he was through the slightly opened hide door. He looked back, studying the object. The book could be ruled out, it was obviously too old to be the shinzaho. Hotohori could tell the headpiece was hand-made, so it was ruled out too... but what if one of its feathers were the clue?
Hotohori was mindlessly wasting time. He grabbed all three and quickly put them on the ground, some distance away from each other. Process of elimination: Hotohori held the sword by each, the disk glowing brightest on...
Hotohori perked up. That was Inami's voice, coming nearer and nearer. Having just enough time to solve the puzzle, Hotohori quickly placed the items back and ran back to the pole, placing his hands behind him, barely in time as the chief rounded the corner.
"Kachik so uma chikarikawa masen!" The chief yelled. They tied Inami's hands back up and put her back by the pole, tying her rope to Tasuki's to make room.
"What happened?" Miaka whispered.
"I think we're in trouble." Inami said, unsure.
"Hotohori, did you find it?" Miaka whispered again.
Hotohori nodded. "Inside the hut on the far wall there is a crystalline goblet. I believe that is the clue we are looking for."
"Great... how do we get it, and how the heck are we gettin' outta here?" Tasuki asked.
"We could get it and fight our way out." Tamahome suggested.
"Are you kidding?" Saori whispered loudly, noticing the men were in the hut again. "There are hundred of big, beefy men here! We'll fry!"
"It's no use anyway." Inami added.
"Why not?" Tamahome asked.
"Hello?" Inami asked as if it were obvious. "Do you know what will happen to me if the Okani tell the emperor I attacked them and stole a valuable object? I'll be toast! I have a reputation!"
Tamahome shook his head.
The chief emerged from his hut, alone. He walked up and folded his arms in front of the group. "Ko hiza lani, nata ashi rewasaner artoi." It seemed as if he were addressing Chichiri.
"He said he will consider a trade." Inami translated.
"We'd like to exchange for the goblet, no da."
"Uh... kokoe lani fuuwe I socu tachi chichirensa?" Inami asked. (Do you possibly have a crystal goblet?)
The chief didn't exchange his expression. "Sou." (yes)
"Kalun fonza makea no sukusuku ichiga?" (What would you possibly want for it?")
The chief turned to his hut, then back. "Ko ko tachi no shine retyr, go achi hacku."
"What he say, no da?" Chichiri asked.
"He wants one of the items he took from us." Inami sighed. "Ko, ashi was sine au mash ikita... uh... shikolonsa."
The chief thought. "Sou." He returned to the tent.
"What did you tell him?" Tasuki questioned, worried.
"I told him he can have the gold rod in the leather pouch." Inami answered.
"Inami, isn't that...?" Nuriko asked.
Inami smirked. "I got it under control..."
After a moment, a man came out with a knife and untied everyone, a second man with a spear followed to keep them from going anywhere.
The chief emerged from the tent with a crystal goblet and the group's belongings, returning them. Upon handing Hotohori his sword, though, they pointed their weapons at him, so he wouldn't use it.
The chief held Inami's weapon, though he couldn't tell what it was, along with her headpiece. He looked at the thin gold band and held it up. "Ko wer." (This too.) He placed it by his own forehead, stretching it so it would barely fit.
"Matte!" Inami shouted.
The gold touched the chief's wrinkled forehead and flashed a large spark. The chief dropped it in pain and rubbed his forehead, wincing.
The first man's knife was pointed at Inami. "Shiko nata I fie ta?!" (What happened?!)
"Kor shiza mai o sukuretate." Inami said, a little peeved. (That wasn't part of the deal.)
The man hit Inami upside her face. "Kokochi! Nata mai Kokochi!" (Witch! You're a witch!)
"What's the big idea?!!!!" Tasuki shouted, running forward. A few more men came out at the sound of the yelling, and ran at Tasuki with their own knives.
"Kachik Kokochi, tachu san tachi kiki nate!" Inami argued. (I'm not a witch, now let us pass!)
The man spun Inami around and placed a knife at her throat. "Tachu kiki wane, nata... hashi kokochi suku tachi ne wesaren."
The men holding back the others backed away.
"Inami?" Miaka asked, scared.
"He said you guys may leave with the item, but the witch stays here." Inami said as the blade pointed closer to her throat.
"Inami, we can't possibly do that!" Hotohori shouted.
Inami smiled best she could. "Trust me, go." She said. "I've been in worse situations... you should have seen some of the things Tomite got me into..."
Chichiri placed his hand on Hotohori's shoulder, nodding to Inami.
The man's hold loosened slightly. "Tachu sukun sou, ashi soma." (They agree, I stay.)
Guarded by several men, armed, the nine were lead slowly out of the village, eyes of the natives following them. A few woman and children actually threw rocks. The men escorted them out of the mountain pass, some distance from the village. With a final shove, they yelled something in their foreign tongue, and began walking away slowly, turning around every now and then to make sure the group was leaving.
Miaka held the crystal goblet tightly. "Chichiri!" She cried.
Chichiri only smiled. "Don't worry, no da." He said happily. "We should walk no da, we'll look suspicious."
Tasuki really looked unsure, but kept going. They had some troubles walking through the deeper snow.
"How long were we in there?" Saori asked.
"Quite a few hours, actually." Chiriko answered. "Let's hope the sleds are still there."
Miaka sighed, still a bit worried. "We have the second clue! Only five more to find!"
Tamahome nearly fell over. "Five more?! Like that one?! Then the real thing..." He leaned onto Miaka. "I'm too old for this..."
They were almost to the sleds, they were down the next mountain ledge, when Chichiri stopped walking and shook his staff, the gold rings at the top making a light jingle. He lifted his hat on top of his head, mumbled something, and disappeared.
"Chichiri?!" Miaka yelled.
"Where did he go?" Mitsukake asked.
The hat lay in the snow, Saori knelt down and picked it up. "I don't get that guy, no da."
Nuriko stiffened suddenly, and ran for Saori, pushing her hard. "Look out!" He yelled. Just as he did so, a large bolt of lightening hit perfectly in the spot where Saori had been sitting.
Everyone turned their heads to see the source, dark clouds suddenly whirling overhead.
"You may have missed the first, Suzaku seishi, but my second will strike!" Soi yelled, standing on the next, higher ledge of the mountain. She raised two of her fingers, white mist encircling them, the dark clouds getting heavier in the sky.
"Soi!" Nuriko snapped.
Tamahome pulled Miaka back.
Soi smiled slightly, then pointed her fingers at the seishi. "Ha!!" She yelled.
A large silver bolt of lightening shot out from Soi's fingers, thunder trumpeting in the background. It went as fast as light, barely missing and striking the ledge, collapsing a majority of the pathway, creating a frightening arena for the battle.
Soi was already preparing for another hit.
"Rekka, Shinen!!!" Tasuki shouted. The fire blew up to where Soi was standing. Soi gracefully leapt up and landed higher on the mountain. "Ha!!" She shouted, sending two bolts of light from either hand.
"Rekka, SHINEN!!!!" Tasuki shouted, the fire exploding with one bolt, the second landing beside Chiriko. He flew back and skid into the snow, Mitsukake running to him. As soon as one bolt hit, Soi sent another.
"I will not allow you to do us any harm!" Hotohori yelled. His sword intercepted the lightening, and somehow made it absorbed into the blade. He swung his sword hard, sending the blast back to Soi.
Soi barely managed to dodge, landing behind where the lightening struck. She held her left forearms, scowling at the Konan emperor. "You will not succeed in using my own skills against me!"
From behind the battling octet, a loud, high-pitched melody played.
Nuriko whirled around, noticing the half-cloaked figure behind them. He played a small flute, repeating the same melodic tune.
"A...Amiboshi?!" Nuriko asked.
The man stopped playing, removing his cloak. He too was wearing much warmer clothing. "Suzaku seishi, there is no escape!" He placed the flute in a second belt, removing the first and spinning the deadly ball-like weapons on top.
"Suboshi!" Nuriko yelled.
Suboshi leapt off the ridge and landed in the center of the seishi, two meteor bells immediately flying for a taste of blood. Tamahome left Miaka in Mitsukake's care and went after Suboshi. Like before, it took a moment for Tamahome's sign of the ogre to appear, but it soon did.
Chiriko yelled as a bolt of white light hit his leg. He faltered in his stance and collapsed.
"Chiriko!!" Tasuki yelled. He turned back to the tall scarlet-haired woman, who smiled. "Rekka!" He yelled.
Soi prepared, but suddenly lost site of the bandit.
Tasuki appeared much closer to her suddenly, thanks to his speed. "SHINEN!!!"
Soi suffered a direct hit from the flames, her lightening shooting off, knocking down more of the mountain, rocks tumbling down the snow. She quickly regained her senses and sent a bolt out towards Tasuki, though it wasn't as strong as it could have been.
Soi's darks clouds now filled the sky, making a darker setting for the battle. Though night would soon be at hand, the sun was all ready cast out.
A ryuseisui bell whizzed by Tamahome. Tamahome flipped out of the way, a small cut appearing on his cheek. Miaka cried from the background. Her, Mitsukake, Saori, and an unconscious Chiriko were tucked away.
The ledge created by the sudden lightening made a high and deadly drop to the icy ground. Suboshi used it as an advantage, trying to push both Hotohori and Tamahome into it. He had to move his bells fast so Nuriko wouldn't catch them.
Luckily, Soi helped out. A bolt of lightening struck down on the purple- haired man, sending a painful sensation through his arm. Tasuki fell into the snow near Suboshi and the others, a very large wall of electricity heading towards him.
"Kai ha!!!"
A staff jingled and a great red light emerged from it, disrupting the lightening and directly hitting Soi.
"Chichiri!" Miaka yelled.
"Sorry, no da." Chichiri apologized. With one arm he held his still glowing staff, and with the other he held up a half-unconscious Inami, her braid undone and her free hair cascading around her.
Saori and Miaka ran out to take Inami from Chichiri, and slowly brought her back to wear they were.
"Inami, are you all right?!" Saori asked.
Inami slowly lifted her head. "Like I've said.. I've been worse..."
Chiriko was obviously in pain, Mitsukake tried his best to fully regain his powers to help him.
Suboshi was doing extremely well, considering the odds. His skills with the ryuseisui had improved greatly, they acted as a great offense and a terrific defense. If Amiboshi had been there, the battle would be over.
However, Suboshi's luck was quickly running out. Though two of the stronger warriors were battling Soi, another managed to land a punch, and it may not be who you would think.
Suboshi went flying, swearing he heard a crack in his shoulder.
"Yes!" Nuriko shouted.
Suboshi fell lifeless in the snow, his weapons gently landing around him.
"Kai ha!" Chichiri yelled. In a final blow, Soi was brought down. She landed hard in the snow, trying hard to get back up. She looked at Chichiri and Tasuki in pure hate. "Your defeat grows near." She scowled, blue light flashing. She was gone.
"Nakago." Chichiri whispered.
"Why... do they... always do that?" Tamahome asked, catching his breath.
Chichiri and Tasuki returned to the ledge where the others were. The clouds were slowly departing, but it was still dark, the mountain's shadows and the sun's far setting increasing the effect.
Nuriko brushed off his hands.
Miaka ran out and threw her arms around Tamahome, sighing in blissful relief.
"Well," Nuriko began, "What are we going to do with him?" Nuriko pointed.
Suboshi wasn't there.
"He disappeared too?" Tasuki asked.
He was answered by a Meteor bell shooting out, striking Tamahome painfully in the side. Blood stained the snow, the weapon returning to its owner.
The ryuseisui spun around Suboshi, who held onto his left shoulder in discomfort. "You. WILL DIE!!!" He yelled.
Two solitary meteor bells left their attachments and flung out towards the group. These were the more dangerous kind, not held back by anything, continuously moving until hitting a target.
Tasuki barely countered one with his fan.
The other had a target all ready locked on. Miaka screamed as she tried to run. She stopped short at a ledge, the meteor bell whizzing past her head, forcing its side into her shoulder.
Miaka cried out, the force of the meteor bell throwing her off balance. Her feet skid against her will, she fell forward, and disappeared over the ledge.
"Miaka! Tamahome screamed, his side bleeding still. The Meteor bell whizzed around and went after another member of the Suzaku Seven.
Miaka's shoulder stung like fire. She watched as the cliff seemed to get farther and farther, as if in slow motion. The cold night air blew past her, not being strong enough to keep her from falling. She could feel the ground getting closer and closer... soon to greet her with an icy death. She could barely... just barely hear the fight as she fell, the whistling of the cold clogging her senses. Her eyelids grew heavy.
From above her, a glimmer of pure, white light flickered against the black sky, something emerging from it. Was she hallucinating?
The cold air speeding by nipped at her as her life was slowly over. She looked hard into the sky.
"...Angel?..." She asked quietly. She felt a warm hand grab her own, and she was finally brought into darkness.
****************************
"Miaka! Miaka!" Nuriko shook Miaka's shoulders hard.
Miaka slowly came to, the site of all of her companions in front of her. Light emitted from Tasuki's diamond fan and Chichiri's golden staff. Tamahome knelt by Miaka, his side tightly bandaged.
"Tamahome?" Miaka asked weakly. She opened her eyes more.
"You're a pretty lucky girl, you know that?" Nuriko asked, relieved. "You only fell about ten feet, I honestly thought you were done for."
Miaka sat up quickly. "Suboshi?!"
"He's gone, do not worry." Hotohori spoke.
"Only... ten feet?" Miaka asked.
Nuriko nodded.
Miaka shook her head. "No, no! That's not right..."
"What's wrong, Miaka?" Tamahome asked, confused.
"I remember...' Miaka began, a bit confused herself. "I was falling... an angel..."
"Angel?" Mitsukake asked.
Miaka nodded. "I know it sounds odd, but I'm sure of it. An angel saved me... I don't remember much... he had beautiful white wings..."
"A man?" Tamahome asked, wondering if Miaka hit her head.
Miaka had a warm expression. "An angel with beautiful white wings. I remember, he had dark pants on and kind of long... white hair. He saved me, Tamahome."
Inami looked wide-eyed.
"White hair and wings..." Miaka tiredly repeated.
"Uru... miya?" Inami gasped.
"Hm?" Tasuki asked, turning around.
Inami shook her head. "N... nothing."
"I'm glad that you all are all right." Hotohori said. "We should get our things set up and rest for tonight, and perhaps had back to the capitol tomorrow morning.
Miaka nodded, the peaceful look never leaving her face.
~~*~~*~~
Miaka watched as the cliff seemed to get farther and farther, as if in slow motion. The cold night air blew past her, not being strong enough to keep her from falling. She could feel the ground getting closer and closer... soon to greet her with an icy death. She could barely... just barely hear the fight as she fell, the whistling of the cold clogging her senses. Her eyelids grew heavy.
From above her, a glimmer of pure, white light flickered against the dark sky, something emerging from it. Was she hallucinating?
The cold air speeding by nipped at her as her life was slowly over. She looked hard into the sky.
"...Angel?..." She asked quietly. She felt a warm hand grab her own, and she was finally brought into darkness.
The personage flapped his white wings hard and floated in the air, the young girl sleeping softly in his arms.
"I certainly cannot allow a fellow priestess to die so easily." He spoke quietly in a soft voice, his body emanating with a pure white light. With the priestess of Suzaku securely in his arms, the man flew up the dark passage way without a sound, reaching a nearby ledge. He landed on it and knelt down.
"You are doing a good thing, Priestess. Be brave in your journey, you have a strong heart." He laid Miaka gently in the snow, brushing her bangs away from her face. "Please tell Akue we are always watching over her, and she is never alone." With that the man stood up and flew away, disappearing into the heavens.
~~*~~*~~