To Amaya: Nope, no one has died. (*cough* yet *cough cough*) Thank you
for reading, and your compliments always make me flutter. Except that one
time when I got caught in that net.
To Metajoker: ah, our favorite anti-Inami fan. Thanks for keeping with me and for putting up with my OC crap! I like your honesty. out of all my chapters, 37 is my least favorite. I had to do something for my story, and I couldn't figure out how the crap to do it, but since I was delaying for so long without any ideas, I had to just write it. So any "critisism" on the chapter will be fine, since I hate it too. You'll see. My friend said she liked it, but I didn't.
To Fire pendant: Where are the real Nuriko and Tasuki? who said they're gone? J/k. It's revealed in upcoming chapters, but if you backtrack in the story, it's easy to find out what happened to them.
To Amaya again: Who said his hand DIDN'T bleed? He could have wrapped it with something first! Just kidding. Probably just one of those things I overlooked. ^_^
To BD the Pixie: Dang I'm writing a lot of comments today.. Chichiri is referred to a "magician" once or twice in the series, also a wizard. (Especially by Nakago.) I couldn't quite understand your comments with the fight scenes, but I'll just smile and nod my head.
Chapter 34 : Battle Between Friends
"He's under a spell, something..." Chichiri thought, holding his staff out in front of him. A light red shield glowed brightly in front him, Nuriko staring at it intensively, his face showing both laughter and frustration. "This is like Tamahome..." Chichiri thought. "If the same is happening now as then, then where is Nakago? He couldn't be too far..."
Chichiri's shield sparked and shook as it was hit. In both of Nuriko's hands were long, thin clubs, each with a short handle held in the fist. Nuriko smirked and spun one around his arm, striking into the shield again.
"I can't hold it forever!" Chichiri whispered, concerned. Did Saori and Inami get to safety? With Inami in her condition, Chichiri couldn't count on her to take care of Saori if something happened.
"Give it up, Magician!" Nuriko chuckled. A club bashed in perfect perpendicular form to Chichiri's shield.
The shock forced Chichiri to step back. He didn't want to hurt Nuriko, but did he have a choice?
Chichiri looked through his mask at the eyes of Nuriko. They were dark, cold. No. he didn't have a choice.
"KAI HA!"
"What's... going on?" Inami whispered and Saori helped her walk.
Inami had been conscious for twenty minutes, was she just coming to? Saori sighed. "We need to find Tamahome and Miaka, Chiriko..." Saori gasped as Inami's weight lifted off her and the tall brunette fell to her knees on the ground, holding onto her mangled arm.
"Inami! Please stand up!" Saori knelt down. She hated it when she had to be the brave one. "Inami!" She urged. She heard a faint yell in the distance, the word of it giving her chills. She turned around, scanning the scenery and not seeing anyone.
"Shinen?" She whispered. Was that Tasuki? He must be nearby! She turned quickly to Inami, Pushing her onto her feet by her shoulders. "Come on, Inami, walk!"
Inami did finally stand up again, but she looked like a small child who had been spinning around in circles for an hour. How hard had Nuriko hit her?
Saori and Inami walked for about five more minutes, Saori trying to determine where she had heard the shouting. As if guiding her, she heard it again, the words Tasuki used to expel fire from his fan. Then, as if by luck, she saw a glint of orange fire. A wave of relief fell over her.
"Saori!" Chiriko called, standing up suddenly.
"Chiriko!" Saori yelled. She could barely see the young man's face.
Chiriko motioned for her to be quiet and hurry over, which she did. She was in better spirits until she saw Miaka curled up into a ball crying, leaning against Mitsukake.
"What happened?!" Saori and Chiriko asked simultaneously. Chiriko helped get Inami to the ground by Mitsukake.
"Why are you guys hiding?" Saori asked, yipping as Chiriko yanked her down out of view.
"Tasuki..." Miaka cried, trying to be quiet.
"Tasuki?" Saori looked at the group, confused. "Where's Tamahome? Hotohori?"
"Something has taken control of Tasuki." Mitsukake explained. "It could be Kodoku."
Saori felt a shiver run through her spine. "Ko... doku?"
~~Tamahome was put under Kodoku poisoning in Kutou, Nakago gave it to Yui. He forgot everything, and even broke Miaka's arm!~~
Saori remembered Mayo's words when being told the story. "Then..." She whispered, "Nuriko..."
"Nuriko?" Miaka asked, sitting up, tears flying off her cheek.
Saori looked away from her Sempai. "Nuriko... he attacked Inami, at least I'm pretty sure. and Chichiri is fighting him right now..." She said, almost about to cry herself.
More tears swelled up in Miaka's eyes and her lip quivered. "Why...?" She asked.
"His highness and Tamahome are dueling Tasuki." Mitsukake said, looking around the tree at the distant fight. "I should... go help..." He said suddenly, getting ready to stand.
"No!" Chiriko ordered, grabbing onto Mitsukake's arm. "If something happens, we need you to heal the others. You'll put more people in danger if you get hurt."
Mitsukake looked at Chiriko for a moment, then finally relaxed back into his sitting position.
"So... all we do is wait for someone to die?!" Saori raised her voice.
"His majesty told us to stay here." Chiriko said sternly. "We cannot allow any harm to come to our priestess, or you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It's even better than when we had Tamahome under our grasps." Nakago said calmly. He watched the battle alongside Soi from a distant hill, under the cover of darkness.
Hotohori's figure charged at Tasuki, the scene again filling up with fire.
"How can something so simple do so much to their minds?" Soi asked.
"Like I said before, Shidoku is much more powerful than Kodoku." Nakago stated. "Even if Tamahome broke free of Kodoku, breaking the curse of Shidoku would be ten times harder. Shidoku is so powerful, not any amount can be swallowed without causing immediate death. They will forget all the memories of being members of the Suzaku Seven, and eventually the Shidoku will strain and poison their bodies so much that they'll meet a rather unfortunate end."
Soi looked from the tall blonde back onto the scene. "Nakago!" She said, pointing.
Nakago looked over. "Ah, I see this is about to get more interesting." He said, his eyes calmly gazing at the battle. "After we rid ourselves of the Suzaku Seven, all we'll need is..."
******************************* "What?!" Tetsuya yelled.
"What is it?!" Yui and Keisuke asked, jumping to their feet.
"Like you said before, Yui..." Tetsuya trailed off, "This sentence, it's all gibberish! I can't read any of it!"
Yui looked over the page Tetsuya was on. "Oh no..." She whispered. What was Nakago saying that they couldn't know?
******************************
Tamahome forced himself to stand behind Hotohori, wiping a streak of blood away from his mouth. Just as Tasuki's fan was about to come down on them, a large spherical red barrier sprouted around Hotohori and Tamahome, repelling Tasuki's attack back into him.
"Chichiri!" Hotohori exclaimed as the monk popped in behind him.
"That's not Tasuki, no da!" Chichiri tried to explain before Tasuki struck again. "Well, it's Tasuki, but it's not Tasuki, no da!"
"What are you talking about?" Tamahome asked, standing up.
Chichiri lowered his voice a little. "I think Nuriko and Tasuki have been put under a spell, no da. I would say it is quite similar to Tamahome and Kodoku, no da."
Tamahome looked as Tasuki, who was tapping his fan in his hand, looking at the barrier. Had this... had he been like this when Miaka had come for him? The thought of it sent shivers down Tamahome's spine.
Tasuki turned around at a sound from the bushes behind him. Nuriko slowly walked into the small clearing, eyeing the three Suzaku warriors evilly.
"Where's the Miko?" Nuriko asked.
Tasuki shook his head.
Nuriko made a fist and punched his other hand. "Oh well, I guess we'll just have our fun with these guys!"
Tasuki smiled.
Nuriko spun the clubs around in his hands to bring them up vertically in front of him.
"Rekka, Shinen!!!!"
*********************************
"The priestess of Suzaku cried the last tears within her, watching her friends and loved ones fight against one another. Feeling helpless, the priestess finally fell into a solemn world of despair." Tetsuya took a deep breathe. "Tamahome, after being in the Miko's world for so long, had lost much of his ability, even though it was slowly being regained in his journeys. With another hit, Chichiri's barrier came down. The surrounding trees were blown away by Tasuki's fire and Nuriko's strength. A sharp wind bringing in a storm began to blow, as if joining into the fight..."
******************************
"Get down!" Mitsukake yelled, bending over just in time as the top of the tree they were hiding behind blew off. The sudden wind grew even stronger, as if a tornado were on its way. Miaka's hair blew like whips over her face.
"Mitsukake!" She yelled over the howling of the wind.
Inami, despite the weather, finally managed to sit upright. She looked out onto the scene that had been going on for nearly an hour, the pieces of the distorted puzzle matching up in her mind.
"Chiriko!" Saori cried, grabbing onto him in the dark.
Nuriko stumbled back, a thin tear forming in his clothes at his midsection. He turned around at looked at the swordsman, a little peeved. "Don't even try!" He yelled to the one he had once cared so for deeply a long time ago. He spun around a club and pelted it at the Konan Emperor. Hotohori managed to block it with his sword, but the strong impact sent him tumbling back.
"REKKA SHINEN!!!!" Tasuki yelled. Tamahome dodged the fire just in time. However, the flames, still at large, flew by him towards the hide- away. Fortunately, they were repelled by a green half-sphere.
Inami clutched onto her broken arm tightly, a few tears welling in her eyes.
"Ko su min hachi su sen!" Chichiri chanted, whipping his staff around and pointing it forward. Yellow lightening spun out like a funnel, hitting the ground in front of both Tasuki and Nuriko.
"Tamahome!" Chichiri yelled as the earth in front of him exploded. "We need to leave here, they're after Miaka!"
Tamahome nodded. He ran around to Hotohori.
"Tamahome!" Miaka screamed, attempting again to run out to him. Again Mitsukake held her back.
"Nuriko..." Saori cried.
Above their heads a blue and white tunic formed, spinning around against the wind. Hotohori and Tamahome ran over, getting everyone together.
Chichiri tensed up and formed his shield suddenly, a pellet of white lightening hitting the top of the it. It was Soi.
Chichiri teleported out of his individual shield and over to the others. Teleporting such a large group would be a huge strain on him, but it had to be done.
"Ka nai!" Chichiri shouted. His cloak began to glow red, engulfing light around the others in the party as Nuriko and Tasuki watched calmly.
As Miaka held on tightly to Tamahome, a single tear ran down Inami's face. "Tasuki..." she whispered.
And with that, they were gone, leaving the Seiryu Seven...
... As well as their friends.
******************************* *******************************
"I don't understand it." Miaka whispered, being cradled in Tamahome's arms.
"Mitsukake and I both think that was something more than Kodoku, no da." Chichiri explained from the room in the Hokkan palace. "He says he cannot heal it, no da."
It was morning in Hokkan, a calm, mild day. After returning to the palace, a quick explanation was given. They did not plan to stay long. Upon their arrival Chichiri had nearly lost consciousness, but after some rest he was back to his usual self.
"We will not lose Nuriko and Tasuki so easily." Hotohori said, trying to cheer up his beloved priestess. "We will return tonight if possible."
Chichiri nodded.
"It's my fault..." Saori cried softly.
"No, it is not." Hotohori reassured, placing a hand on the seventeen- year-old's shoulder. "There was nothing you could do to fight the Seiryu Seven." He looked around the current small group. "Chichiri, we need to find a better way to help them. We may have been too reckless yesterday. Is everyone doing well?"
"For the most part, no da." Chichiri answered, putting on his usual cheery look. "Everyone here seems to be all right, but Mitsukake is upstairs with Inami, no da."
"OW!!!!" Inami screamed as Mitsukake pulled the bandage tightly around two splints on her right arm. "That really hurts!"
"You'll have to deal with it for now." Mitsukake ordered. "You're lucky your skull didn't crack open to go along with your arm.
Inami felt her forehead. Bare. What had happened to her headband?
Inami squirmed as her arm was bandaged. "You're supposed to be a respectful doctor, right? Can't you be a LITTLE more gentle?"
Mitsukake ignored Inami and continued tending to her arm. "You're forearm is broken in eleven different places, Inami. There's no gentle way to go about it."
Inami sighed and stared at the ceiling.
~Come looking for me?~ ~Don't tell me what to do!~
Inami winced as pain emitted again from her arm. "I'm going to get an earful, you know."
Mitsukake looked up.
"The emperor's going to fry me. I can see it now... and I thought it was bad when you guys found..." Inami shook her head. "Never mind."
Mitsukake stood up, walking to the door. "You're arm is set and should be fine now."
Inami bent her elbow and moved her arm around a bit. The bandages and splints were set tightly. "Thanks, Mitsukake."
"It's what I do." Mitsukake stated simply as he left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miaka stood silently outside a room, her hand resting on the side of a door the doorframe. She had cracked the door open slightly, and didn't dare to go in. Through the thin crack she could see green carpeting, silver walls, and part of a giant silver statue of Genbu, surrounded by hundreds of emeralds, some embedded in the statue itself. Genbu was a god a little different from the others. It had the body of a turtle with snake like serpents emerging from its shell. Miaka remembered her experience in a shrine of Seiryu, as well as Inami in the Suzaku Shrine, so she didn't want to risk stepping in. Even so, it was a holy room, and she had no permission.
Miaka quietly kept her eyes fixated on the statue, taking a deep sigh. "Am... am I really a good priestess?" She whispered, as if asking Genbu. Miaka looked down at her feet, which were bare except for a pair of white socks. "Everyone is so nice, and they really believe in me... but do I deserve it?" Miaka remembered four years ago, though it was much longer in the book, when Chichiri had told her how her actions could and would effect other people. Did her actions... did her actions as Priestess have to do with the result of Tasuki and Nuriko? Was that her fault? When Tamahome had been under Kodoku poisoning, she was the one who didn't keep a better eye on him and keep him from going to Kutou. She had innocently fallen asleep, like a child. And now... now Nuriko and Tasuki were no longer with them.
"I should have tried harder to help them." Miaka choked, swallowing her tears in remembrance of last night. She looked back into the room, quietly closing the door. "If Tamahome can turn back, surely Nuriko and Tasuki can. I'll never forgive myself if we lose them."
Saori leaned quietly against the wall, barely around the corner of where Miaka was. Miaka was silent again, no longer talking to herself. Saori took a deep breath and stood up, rounding the corner, surprising Miaka a little.
"Miaka," Saori began quietly, "It's because you're such a good priestess, and such a good person that everyone has so much faith in you... So don't give up, because I know you can save Nuriko and Tasuki if you can remind them of who they are, and who you are." There, she said it.
Miaka, a little shocked than she had been over heard, softened a little and nodded appreciation to Saori. Perhaps that was the little push she needed to regain her confidence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a fairly larger study, the group of travelers, as well as the Hokkan Prince, sat around a circular table as Hotohori discussed the final plans for retrieving Tasuki and Nuriko.
"Chichiri has informed me that Nuriko and Tasuki haven't moved." Hotohori sighed. "However, Chichiri is having a very difficult time reading Nuriko and Tasuki's life force, so we must act quickly. We will return to the forest better prepared than before. Though it may feel wrong, we must fight both of them if we do not wish to suffer ourselves. Remember, Tamahome himself was healed after a battle.
Miaka looked down at her hands. She remembered that battle, and how badly she had felt afterwards for what she had done to Hotohori. After a moment, Saori's words returned to her, and she looked up with a determined attitude. "I'm going along, Hotohori."
Hotohori blinked at Miaka's sudden statement. "Miaka, I don't..."
"I'm the priestess of Suzaku, right?" Miaka asked, sitting up straight. "I was the one who helped bring Tamahome back, I'm going with you to that forest, and I'm going to bring Tasuki and Nuriko back too."
Saori smiled.
After a moment, Hotohori nodded. "Very well, but I will insist you stay back with Mitsukake." Mitsukake and Chiriko were also coming, Chiriko for any more knowledge or strategy they needed, and Mitsukake in case an emergency occurred and immediate healing was needed. That was why Mitsukake hadn't healed Inami earlier; he had to save in strength just in case.
Hotohori cleared his throat to speak again. "Inami and Saori will stay at the palace while we are out."
"Highness!" Inami said, standing up, her arm in a thin sling. "I have to insist on coming, I..."
"You're injured and you should stay behind." Hotohori interrupted.
"But Sire, I really think I should come. It's only a broken arm, and it feels just fine. I could really..."
"A 'no' is a 'no', Inami." Hotohori repeated firmly.
"Majesty, you can't simply say no so easily before listening to my argument!"
"Miss Cheinun, please..." The Hokkan Prince whispered from beside Inami.
"Inami, you will not win this argument." Hotohori said loudly and clearly.
Inami opened her mouth to object again, but then haughtily sat back down.
Now the prince himself spoke up, brushing a thin strand of black hair back. "My father understands everything, Emperor Saihitei. We can send soldiers with you if you'd like."
Hotohori shook his head. "No, I do not want you or your men involved in this matter, but thank you for your offer." Hotohori looked over the remaining Suzaku Seven. "This is a matter among celestial warriors, and we will keep it that way."
The prince nodded. "Very well." Suddenly, the prince lit up in remembrance. "Oh yes, Emperor Saihitei, we have recently received word from your son, Emperor Boushin. It seems Kutou is at rest with the battles currently, perhaps do to the fact that one of Kutou's lead generals is away."
Hotohori nodded. "Thank you for informing me."
About an hour before sunset Chichiri, Tamahome, Miaka, Hotohori, Chiriko, and Mitsukake were all mounted on Hokkan horses, leaving the confines of the palace walls to head west, where Nuriko and Tasuki, as well as the Seiryu seven were.
Author's Note: Well, that chapter wasn't too bad, was it? *Is in love with the Hokkan Prince for some reason.* I don' think I've mentioned his name yet. have I? Oh well, you find out what it is later. I think in. *gulp* Chapter 37.. ugh..
Also, to our little anti-genbu-warrior fans, like lovely metajoker, after the "30's" chapters, this story will be more friendly towards you. And thank you to all those who review!
To Metajoker: ah, our favorite anti-Inami fan. Thanks for keeping with me and for putting up with my OC crap! I like your honesty. out of all my chapters, 37 is my least favorite. I had to do something for my story, and I couldn't figure out how the crap to do it, but since I was delaying for so long without any ideas, I had to just write it. So any "critisism" on the chapter will be fine, since I hate it too. You'll see. My friend said she liked it, but I didn't.
To Fire pendant: Where are the real Nuriko and Tasuki? who said they're gone? J/k. It's revealed in upcoming chapters, but if you backtrack in the story, it's easy to find out what happened to them.
To Amaya again: Who said his hand DIDN'T bleed? He could have wrapped it with something first! Just kidding. Probably just one of those things I overlooked. ^_^
To BD the Pixie: Dang I'm writing a lot of comments today.. Chichiri is referred to a "magician" once or twice in the series, also a wizard. (Especially by Nakago.) I couldn't quite understand your comments with the fight scenes, but I'll just smile and nod my head.
Chapter 34 : Battle Between Friends
"He's under a spell, something..." Chichiri thought, holding his staff out in front of him. A light red shield glowed brightly in front him, Nuriko staring at it intensively, his face showing both laughter and frustration. "This is like Tamahome..." Chichiri thought. "If the same is happening now as then, then where is Nakago? He couldn't be too far..."
Chichiri's shield sparked and shook as it was hit. In both of Nuriko's hands were long, thin clubs, each with a short handle held in the fist. Nuriko smirked and spun one around his arm, striking into the shield again.
"I can't hold it forever!" Chichiri whispered, concerned. Did Saori and Inami get to safety? With Inami in her condition, Chichiri couldn't count on her to take care of Saori if something happened.
"Give it up, Magician!" Nuriko chuckled. A club bashed in perfect perpendicular form to Chichiri's shield.
The shock forced Chichiri to step back. He didn't want to hurt Nuriko, but did he have a choice?
Chichiri looked through his mask at the eyes of Nuriko. They were dark, cold. No. he didn't have a choice.
"KAI HA!"
"What's... going on?" Inami whispered and Saori helped her walk.
Inami had been conscious for twenty minutes, was she just coming to? Saori sighed. "We need to find Tamahome and Miaka, Chiriko..." Saori gasped as Inami's weight lifted off her and the tall brunette fell to her knees on the ground, holding onto her mangled arm.
"Inami! Please stand up!" Saori knelt down. She hated it when she had to be the brave one. "Inami!" She urged. She heard a faint yell in the distance, the word of it giving her chills. She turned around, scanning the scenery and not seeing anyone.
"Shinen?" She whispered. Was that Tasuki? He must be nearby! She turned quickly to Inami, Pushing her onto her feet by her shoulders. "Come on, Inami, walk!"
Inami did finally stand up again, but she looked like a small child who had been spinning around in circles for an hour. How hard had Nuriko hit her?
Saori and Inami walked for about five more minutes, Saori trying to determine where she had heard the shouting. As if guiding her, she heard it again, the words Tasuki used to expel fire from his fan. Then, as if by luck, she saw a glint of orange fire. A wave of relief fell over her.
"Saori!" Chiriko called, standing up suddenly.
"Chiriko!" Saori yelled. She could barely see the young man's face.
Chiriko motioned for her to be quiet and hurry over, which she did. She was in better spirits until she saw Miaka curled up into a ball crying, leaning against Mitsukake.
"What happened?!" Saori and Chiriko asked simultaneously. Chiriko helped get Inami to the ground by Mitsukake.
"Why are you guys hiding?" Saori asked, yipping as Chiriko yanked her down out of view.
"Tasuki..." Miaka cried, trying to be quiet.
"Tasuki?" Saori looked at the group, confused. "Where's Tamahome? Hotohori?"
"Something has taken control of Tasuki." Mitsukake explained. "It could be Kodoku."
Saori felt a shiver run through her spine. "Ko... doku?"
~~Tamahome was put under Kodoku poisoning in Kutou, Nakago gave it to Yui. He forgot everything, and even broke Miaka's arm!~~
Saori remembered Mayo's words when being told the story. "Then..." She whispered, "Nuriko..."
"Nuriko?" Miaka asked, sitting up, tears flying off her cheek.
Saori looked away from her Sempai. "Nuriko... he attacked Inami, at least I'm pretty sure. and Chichiri is fighting him right now..." She said, almost about to cry herself.
More tears swelled up in Miaka's eyes and her lip quivered. "Why...?" She asked.
"His highness and Tamahome are dueling Tasuki." Mitsukake said, looking around the tree at the distant fight. "I should... go help..." He said suddenly, getting ready to stand.
"No!" Chiriko ordered, grabbing onto Mitsukake's arm. "If something happens, we need you to heal the others. You'll put more people in danger if you get hurt."
Mitsukake looked at Chiriko for a moment, then finally relaxed back into his sitting position.
"So... all we do is wait for someone to die?!" Saori raised her voice.
"His majesty told us to stay here." Chiriko said sternly. "We cannot allow any harm to come to our priestess, or you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"It's even better than when we had Tamahome under our grasps." Nakago said calmly. He watched the battle alongside Soi from a distant hill, under the cover of darkness.
Hotohori's figure charged at Tasuki, the scene again filling up with fire.
"How can something so simple do so much to their minds?" Soi asked.
"Like I said before, Shidoku is much more powerful than Kodoku." Nakago stated. "Even if Tamahome broke free of Kodoku, breaking the curse of Shidoku would be ten times harder. Shidoku is so powerful, not any amount can be swallowed without causing immediate death. They will forget all the memories of being members of the Suzaku Seven, and eventually the Shidoku will strain and poison their bodies so much that they'll meet a rather unfortunate end."
Soi looked from the tall blonde back onto the scene. "Nakago!" She said, pointing.
Nakago looked over. "Ah, I see this is about to get more interesting." He said, his eyes calmly gazing at the battle. "After we rid ourselves of the Suzaku Seven, all we'll need is..."
******************************* "What?!" Tetsuya yelled.
"What is it?!" Yui and Keisuke asked, jumping to their feet.
"Like you said before, Yui..." Tetsuya trailed off, "This sentence, it's all gibberish! I can't read any of it!"
Yui looked over the page Tetsuya was on. "Oh no..." She whispered. What was Nakago saying that they couldn't know?
******************************
Tamahome forced himself to stand behind Hotohori, wiping a streak of blood away from his mouth. Just as Tasuki's fan was about to come down on them, a large spherical red barrier sprouted around Hotohori and Tamahome, repelling Tasuki's attack back into him.
"Chichiri!" Hotohori exclaimed as the monk popped in behind him.
"That's not Tasuki, no da!" Chichiri tried to explain before Tasuki struck again. "Well, it's Tasuki, but it's not Tasuki, no da!"
"What are you talking about?" Tamahome asked, standing up.
Chichiri lowered his voice a little. "I think Nuriko and Tasuki have been put under a spell, no da. I would say it is quite similar to Tamahome and Kodoku, no da."
Tamahome looked as Tasuki, who was tapping his fan in his hand, looking at the barrier. Had this... had he been like this when Miaka had come for him? The thought of it sent shivers down Tamahome's spine.
Tasuki turned around at a sound from the bushes behind him. Nuriko slowly walked into the small clearing, eyeing the three Suzaku warriors evilly.
"Where's the Miko?" Nuriko asked.
Tasuki shook his head.
Nuriko made a fist and punched his other hand. "Oh well, I guess we'll just have our fun with these guys!"
Tasuki smiled.
Nuriko spun the clubs around in his hands to bring them up vertically in front of him.
"Rekka, Shinen!!!!"
*********************************
"The priestess of Suzaku cried the last tears within her, watching her friends and loved ones fight against one another. Feeling helpless, the priestess finally fell into a solemn world of despair." Tetsuya took a deep breathe. "Tamahome, after being in the Miko's world for so long, had lost much of his ability, even though it was slowly being regained in his journeys. With another hit, Chichiri's barrier came down. The surrounding trees were blown away by Tasuki's fire and Nuriko's strength. A sharp wind bringing in a storm began to blow, as if joining into the fight..."
******************************
"Get down!" Mitsukake yelled, bending over just in time as the top of the tree they were hiding behind blew off. The sudden wind grew even stronger, as if a tornado were on its way. Miaka's hair blew like whips over her face.
"Mitsukake!" She yelled over the howling of the wind.
Inami, despite the weather, finally managed to sit upright. She looked out onto the scene that had been going on for nearly an hour, the pieces of the distorted puzzle matching up in her mind.
"Chiriko!" Saori cried, grabbing onto him in the dark.
Nuriko stumbled back, a thin tear forming in his clothes at his midsection. He turned around at looked at the swordsman, a little peeved. "Don't even try!" He yelled to the one he had once cared so for deeply a long time ago. He spun around a club and pelted it at the Konan Emperor. Hotohori managed to block it with his sword, but the strong impact sent him tumbling back.
"REKKA SHINEN!!!!" Tasuki yelled. Tamahome dodged the fire just in time. However, the flames, still at large, flew by him towards the hide- away. Fortunately, they were repelled by a green half-sphere.
Inami clutched onto her broken arm tightly, a few tears welling in her eyes.
"Ko su min hachi su sen!" Chichiri chanted, whipping his staff around and pointing it forward. Yellow lightening spun out like a funnel, hitting the ground in front of both Tasuki and Nuriko.
"Tamahome!" Chichiri yelled as the earth in front of him exploded. "We need to leave here, they're after Miaka!"
Tamahome nodded. He ran around to Hotohori.
"Tamahome!" Miaka screamed, attempting again to run out to him. Again Mitsukake held her back.
"Nuriko..." Saori cried.
Above their heads a blue and white tunic formed, spinning around against the wind. Hotohori and Tamahome ran over, getting everyone together.
Chichiri tensed up and formed his shield suddenly, a pellet of white lightening hitting the top of the it. It was Soi.
Chichiri teleported out of his individual shield and over to the others. Teleporting such a large group would be a huge strain on him, but it had to be done.
"Ka nai!" Chichiri shouted. His cloak began to glow red, engulfing light around the others in the party as Nuriko and Tasuki watched calmly.
As Miaka held on tightly to Tamahome, a single tear ran down Inami's face. "Tasuki..." she whispered.
And with that, they were gone, leaving the Seiryu Seven...
... As well as their friends.
******************************* *******************************
"I don't understand it." Miaka whispered, being cradled in Tamahome's arms.
"Mitsukake and I both think that was something more than Kodoku, no da." Chichiri explained from the room in the Hokkan palace. "He says he cannot heal it, no da."
It was morning in Hokkan, a calm, mild day. After returning to the palace, a quick explanation was given. They did not plan to stay long. Upon their arrival Chichiri had nearly lost consciousness, but after some rest he was back to his usual self.
"We will not lose Nuriko and Tasuki so easily." Hotohori said, trying to cheer up his beloved priestess. "We will return tonight if possible."
Chichiri nodded.
"It's my fault..." Saori cried softly.
"No, it is not." Hotohori reassured, placing a hand on the seventeen- year-old's shoulder. "There was nothing you could do to fight the Seiryu Seven." He looked around the current small group. "Chichiri, we need to find a better way to help them. We may have been too reckless yesterday. Is everyone doing well?"
"For the most part, no da." Chichiri answered, putting on his usual cheery look. "Everyone here seems to be all right, but Mitsukake is upstairs with Inami, no da."
"OW!!!!" Inami screamed as Mitsukake pulled the bandage tightly around two splints on her right arm. "That really hurts!"
"You'll have to deal with it for now." Mitsukake ordered. "You're lucky your skull didn't crack open to go along with your arm.
Inami felt her forehead. Bare. What had happened to her headband?
Inami squirmed as her arm was bandaged. "You're supposed to be a respectful doctor, right? Can't you be a LITTLE more gentle?"
Mitsukake ignored Inami and continued tending to her arm. "You're forearm is broken in eleven different places, Inami. There's no gentle way to go about it."
Inami sighed and stared at the ceiling.
~Come looking for me?~ ~Don't tell me what to do!~
Inami winced as pain emitted again from her arm. "I'm going to get an earful, you know."
Mitsukake looked up.
"The emperor's going to fry me. I can see it now... and I thought it was bad when you guys found..." Inami shook her head. "Never mind."
Mitsukake stood up, walking to the door. "You're arm is set and should be fine now."
Inami bent her elbow and moved her arm around a bit. The bandages and splints were set tightly. "Thanks, Mitsukake."
"It's what I do." Mitsukake stated simply as he left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miaka stood silently outside a room, her hand resting on the side of a door the doorframe. She had cracked the door open slightly, and didn't dare to go in. Through the thin crack she could see green carpeting, silver walls, and part of a giant silver statue of Genbu, surrounded by hundreds of emeralds, some embedded in the statue itself. Genbu was a god a little different from the others. It had the body of a turtle with snake like serpents emerging from its shell. Miaka remembered her experience in a shrine of Seiryu, as well as Inami in the Suzaku Shrine, so she didn't want to risk stepping in. Even so, it was a holy room, and she had no permission.
Miaka quietly kept her eyes fixated on the statue, taking a deep sigh. "Am... am I really a good priestess?" She whispered, as if asking Genbu. Miaka looked down at her feet, which were bare except for a pair of white socks. "Everyone is so nice, and they really believe in me... but do I deserve it?" Miaka remembered four years ago, though it was much longer in the book, when Chichiri had told her how her actions could and would effect other people. Did her actions... did her actions as Priestess have to do with the result of Tasuki and Nuriko? Was that her fault? When Tamahome had been under Kodoku poisoning, she was the one who didn't keep a better eye on him and keep him from going to Kutou. She had innocently fallen asleep, like a child. And now... now Nuriko and Tasuki were no longer with them.
"I should have tried harder to help them." Miaka choked, swallowing her tears in remembrance of last night. She looked back into the room, quietly closing the door. "If Tamahome can turn back, surely Nuriko and Tasuki can. I'll never forgive myself if we lose them."
Saori leaned quietly against the wall, barely around the corner of where Miaka was. Miaka was silent again, no longer talking to herself. Saori took a deep breath and stood up, rounding the corner, surprising Miaka a little.
"Miaka," Saori began quietly, "It's because you're such a good priestess, and such a good person that everyone has so much faith in you... So don't give up, because I know you can save Nuriko and Tasuki if you can remind them of who they are, and who you are." There, she said it.
Miaka, a little shocked than she had been over heard, softened a little and nodded appreciation to Saori. Perhaps that was the little push she needed to regain her confidence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In a fairly larger study, the group of travelers, as well as the Hokkan Prince, sat around a circular table as Hotohori discussed the final plans for retrieving Tasuki and Nuriko.
"Chichiri has informed me that Nuriko and Tasuki haven't moved." Hotohori sighed. "However, Chichiri is having a very difficult time reading Nuriko and Tasuki's life force, so we must act quickly. We will return to the forest better prepared than before. Though it may feel wrong, we must fight both of them if we do not wish to suffer ourselves. Remember, Tamahome himself was healed after a battle.
Miaka looked down at her hands. She remembered that battle, and how badly she had felt afterwards for what she had done to Hotohori. After a moment, Saori's words returned to her, and she looked up with a determined attitude. "I'm going along, Hotohori."
Hotohori blinked at Miaka's sudden statement. "Miaka, I don't..."
"I'm the priestess of Suzaku, right?" Miaka asked, sitting up straight. "I was the one who helped bring Tamahome back, I'm going with you to that forest, and I'm going to bring Tasuki and Nuriko back too."
Saori smiled.
After a moment, Hotohori nodded. "Very well, but I will insist you stay back with Mitsukake." Mitsukake and Chiriko were also coming, Chiriko for any more knowledge or strategy they needed, and Mitsukake in case an emergency occurred and immediate healing was needed. That was why Mitsukake hadn't healed Inami earlier; he had to save in strength just in case.
Hotohori cleared his throat to speak again. "Inami and Saori will stay at the palace while we are out."
"Highness!" Inami said, standing up, her arm in a thin sling. "I have to insist on coming, I..."
"You're injured and you should stay behind." Hotohori interrupted.
"But Sire, I really think I should come. It's only a broken arm, and it feels just fine. I could really..."
"A 'no' is a 'no', Inami." Hotohori repeated firmly.
"Majesty, you can't simply say no so easily before listening to my argument!"
"Miss Cheinun, please..." The Hokkan Prince whispered from beside Inami.
"Inami, you will not win this argument." Hotohori said loudly and clearly.
Inami opened her mouth to object again, but then haughtily sat back down.
Now the prince himself spoke up, brushing a thin strand of black hair back. "My father understands everything, Emperor Saihitei. We can send soldiers with you if you'd like."
Hotohori shook his head. "No, I do not want you or your men involved in this matter, but thank you for your offer." Hotohori looked over the remaining Suzaku Seven. "This is a matter among celestial warriors, and we will keep it that way."
The prince nodded. "Very well." Suddenly, the prince lit up in remembrance. "Oh yes, Emperor Saihitei, we have recently received word from your son, Emperor Boushin. It seems Kutou is at rest with the battles currently, perhaps do to the fact that one of Kutou's lead generals is away."
Hotohori nodded. "Thank you for informing me."
About an hour before sunset Chichiri, Tamahome, Miaka, Hotohori, Chiriko, and Mitsukake were all mounted on Hokkan horses, leaving the confines of the palace walls to head west, where Nuriko and Tasuki, as well as the Seiryu seven were.
Author's Note: Well, that chapter wasn't too bad, was it? *Is in love with the Hokkan Prince for some reason.* I don' think I've mentioned his name yet. have I? Oh well, you find out what it is later. I think in. *gulp* Chapter 37.. ugh..
Also, to our little anti-genbu-warrior fans, like lovely metajoker, after the "30's" chapters, this story will be more friendly towards you. And thank you to all those who review!