Author's Note: The mystery of the sketchbooks revealed! Well, if you care
enough. I care, but some people don't.
Chapter 35 : Poisoned Souls
Here they were. As the large orange sun finished diving behind Hokkan's large, violet, snowy mountains, the group of six reached the dense forest they had been at just previously, but hitting it on a more eastern side. Mitsukake and Chiriko were supposed to stay behind the battle unless they were needed, Miaka to be with them.
Chichiri moved forward after a moment of silence. "They're close." He said quietly.
Hotohori nodded. "Remember," He said, keeping his voice low, "We mustn't hold back, we must fight to our fullest, even if our opponents are of the Suzaku Seven. All of you have bands Chichiri has given you for emergency. We cannot fall to them, and if no progress is made tonight, we will have to proceed to Sairo without our friends."
Miaka gasped slightly, trying to muffle it. She leaned her head against Chiriko's back on the horse. "Nuriko.... Tasuki..." her mind pleaded. "Please..."
With Chiriko and Mitsukake quite a ways behind, the warriors proceeded into the forest, following only the light. It was not yet completely dark, luckily. As soon as any battle, between either a Suzaku or Seiryu warrior began, Mitsukake and Chiriko were to stop immediately and protect Miaka.
It was quiet, too quiet. The noises of the horses' hooves on the grass seemed to be louder than anything, almost as if the sound echoed through the trees. It grew darker and darker in the forest, but still it didn't match up to the blackness it had held before. Now Miaka didn't have Tamahome at her side, even if he wasn't too far ahead.
Chichiri pulled his horse to a stop, causing Hotohori's to neigh in objection.
"They're here, no da."
From the trees was a fairly large clearing of long grasses and weeds, completely bordered by forest. In the dimming light and approaching darkness two dark figures stood, calmly waiting for their guests. The sound of hooves stopped entirely, which meant Chiriko and Mitsukake had halted their horses as well for safety.
The taller of the two shadows in the field reached behind him and pulled out a thin shadowed object. With a flick of the wrist, the object opened with a sifting noise of metal, sparkling in the oncoming moonlight. It fanned out widely and smoothly, the other shadow simply watching.
Hotohori, Tamahome, and Chichiri all dismounted their horses, stepping away from the animals and nearing their opponents. Tamahome slid his sleeves up, a magenta band around his wrist. This was a real thing, Tamahome knew it. In order to protect his friends, on both sides, as well as his cherished Miaka, he'd force his powers to come up fully. Tonight, he would return to the real Tamahome, or meet his death.
A slight jingle of a staff followed the unsheathing of a sword. The holders stood ready, waiting.
Finally, the clouds unveiled a full, bright moon, its white light illuminating the misguided warriors.
Tasuki wore black short sleeves and black forearm cuffs, as well as matching pants and boots. His fiery orange hair seemed almost dull and lifeless. He stood with his fan spread out in one hand, his other hand behind him. His partner, Nuriko, raised his hands from his hips and punched a fist into another, watching the Suzaku Seven closely. He also wore black, but had long sleeves and two thin clubs in his belt.
"This is it!" Hotohori said, holding his sword offensively. "Tonight we will meet our fate!"
Tasuki smirked. "Happy dooms day." He said coldly. Finally he brought his hidden hand out from behind him, holding an egg shaped object. In a swift motion he ran it again the blades of his fan, the end of the object lighting and sparking with fire. He calmly tossed the unusual item to Nuriko, who reeled back, and threw it.
"Get down!" Chichiri shouted as the bomb whistled loudly through the air. Tamahome and Hotohori quickly rolled out of the way. The small bomb hit the ground hard and exploded several meters into the air, the sparks dusting off on the three.
"This time, the Suzaku Seven will not get away." Nakago said calmly, watching the new battle. "If these two don't finish the job, I will. The Shidoku will be rid of them soon."
Mayo looked from her trusted warrior to the scene in the clearing below them. Tamahome was down there...
Mayo shook her head sharply. She didn't care anymore, not about anyone, even her past love. She trusted Nakago, not some idiotic weakling who was in love with the enemy.
*******************************************
*Sniff*
Inami looked up from the floor over to the 17-year-old on the small couch in the throne room.
Saori wiped the back of her hand across her eyes, sniffing sharply. Her eyes were turning red, and she sniffed again. "I... uh... I think I'll go to the library." She choked. She quickly stood up and ran out of the large room, tears falling down her cheeks as she disappeared into a hallway.
Inami looked after Saori in pity, then looked back at the other end of the room, towards a large pair of double doors. Just over an hour ago Miaka, Hotohori, and the others were standing there, walking out to their horses. Saori must feel terrible. She was there when Nuriko and Tasuki were taken, she had known the others far longer than Inami had. Saori could understand where Miaka and Tamahome were coming from. This world must be so strange to her, and now the only familiar people to her were in danger.
In a rush of guilt, Inami stood up from her chair and slowly walked to the hallway, following after Saori. Her right arm hung at her right side, swinging lightly with her steps, no longer in a sling. Her forearm was bandage tightly, two splints on either side of it.
Inami pushed past the purple curtain and entered the hallway. Saori was probably in her library, or at least that's what she figured.
As she turned the corner into another hallway, she stopped at a particular doorway. She stepped back and placed her hand on the doorframe, looking into the moderate-sized room. A bed with purple covers and a purple canopy lay in the corner, a few dressers and a nightstand accompanying it. The room was straight and neat, waiting to be used again.
Inami remembered not too long ago when Tasuki had been horribly sick and was lying in that bed, half the time sleeping like a baby. It had taken him forever to get well again, and he would have been there longer if Mitsukake hadn't regained his own health.
Inami stood there for a long moment, just looking at the bed, staring off into space. Finally she stepped away from the room, shutting the door. She continued towards the library and wiped her eyes. "This is stupid..." she muttered. "Why am I getting so upset over a boy?"
***************************************
Keisuke read almost whispering in a chair by a lamp in Tetsuya's bedroom. Yui lay asleep under the covers and Tetsuya sat up leaning against the headboard, gently rubbing her back. He had on a loose nightshirt, and his sunglasses laid folded on a brown nightstand.
"'We've been waiting for you', Nuriko said lowly as Tasuki lit another grenade. The explosion again was nearly dead on, and the hard force from Nuriko's arm increased the power." Keisuke looked up at Tetsuya, who urged him to go on. Keisuke cleared his throat. "The Priestess of Suzaku darted out from the trees as the bomb hit, running to Tamahome, who mostly was uninjured..."
**************************************
"Miaka!" Tamahome yelled, pushing her down to the ground, slightly hidden by the long grass. "Get back to Mitsukake! Now!"
"I won't, let go of me Tamahome!" Miaka yelled in refusal. However, the couple didn't have time to argue before another explosion hit. Though it was further off by Hotohori, Tamahome covered Miaka protectively.
"Go back, please!" He urged. He stood up, leaving Miaka on the ground. He raced out towards the center of the field. Before he arrived he felt a gust of wind by his ear, and he spun around to see Tasuki next to him. The bandit threw a punch, Tamahome blocked. A bright, full symbol of the ogre gleamed on Tamahome's forehead.
Tasuki was fast. After one punch was thrown another came. Out of nowhere a kick would mix in. However, Tamahome's defense proved to be excellent this night, and though he didn't make any hits, Tasuki didn't either.
"Highness, go help Tamahome!" Chichiri yelled.
Hotohori nodded and ran towards the two men fighting.
Chichiri turned around and saw a fist heading right for his face. He barely had time to intercept the deadly blow with his staff, which surprisingly held against Nuriko's strength. Nuriko's bracelet dangled on his wrist, and wasn't formed into an armband at all, which is how Nuriko had them when he was seriously fighting.
"Kai ha!" Chichiri shouted. Yellow light shot out from Chichiri's staff and blew Nuriko away some distance.
Nuriko shook the effect off quickly and was soon on his feet again. He smirked at the monk. "Nice touch." He laughed. He brought his hands forward in a martial stance. "But it won't defeat me, magician."
*********************************
Saori seemed a bit calmer now, and silently ran her fingers over the books on a level shelf while Inami's fingernails tapped on the table in the center of the room. Inami was staring off into space again.
Saori couldn't read half of the titles, some of the Chinese kanji was vastly unfamiliar, and every now and then she'd see a title that looked completely out of her league. At the end of the row, Saori came to a long line of old, thick sketchbooks held by circular binding. She looked over to the woman at the table. "Inami? Can I see these?"
Inami looked up and saw what Saori was pointing to. After a minute, she nodded, and Saori selected a book and pulled it off the shelf.
********************************
An angered young man threw a sundial against the wall of the large tent, venting his frustration. "How can she allow such a thing to happen?!!" He shouted.
Suboshi sat with his elbows on his knees in the corner, silent.
Amiboshi punched one of the walls. "How can they do such a thing to the Suzaku Seven?! Why must we involve them?!"
"Calm calm, Amiboshi." A sourly smooth voice called from another corner of the tent.
Amiboshi angrily turned around to face the oddly dressed man in the corner whose face was painted with different paints.
Tomo smiled slightly, as if enjoying Amiboshi's fit. "We can't leave for Sairo until you calm down." Amiboshi shot Tomo a cold look, and haughtily sat down by his identical brother.
"Dear, what was that look?" Tomo asked lightly.
Suboshi lifted his head up to Tomo, giving him an equally cold stare. His eyes almost said "I killed you once, and I can do it again, just try me."
******************************
Chichiri collapsed down to his knees, holding his staff straight for support. "That hurt, no da..." He said, holding his stomach.
Nuriko spun around and kicked at the magician, but again slammed into a red force field. Those things were REALLY starting to irritate him. Nuriko punched with all of his strength into the dome, but instead of hitting a translucent red wall he hit the palm of Chichiri's hand. Chichiri's fingers enclosed over Nuriko's fist and in a sharp motion Nuriko flipped through the air onto his back.
"Yo sunen shi ki na ji!" Chichiri chanted.
Before Nuriko could get up, the long grass around him sprang to life and quickly wrapped around him, from his ankles to his neck in tight bonds. Nuriko struggled, and burst through some of the bonds with his arm, the grass falling lifeless.
"REKKA SHINEN!!!!!"
Tamahome and Hotohori hastily leapt back from the flames, the front of Hotohori's garments being scorched.
Tasuki lowered his fan slightly and clutched onto the back of his left shoulder, scowling at the Konan Emperor. Tasuki turned his diamond weapon towards Hotohori, raising it up for another attack.
"TASUKI!"
Tamahome and Hotohori whizzed around. Miaka was running across the field toward them.
"IDIOT!" Tamahome shouted. "Get back!!!"
Miaka kept running to Tasuki. "Tasuki, please stop!" She cried. "Tamahome... and Hotohori, they're your friends! Stop, please!"
Tasuki smirked at the Priestess's pleads, and turned his fan towards her. "Rekka..."
"STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Tamahome shouted. Tasuki didn't have time to get the last word out before Tamahome's foot smashed into his chest.
*********************************
"Wow..." Saori said, turning another page of the old sketchbook. These drawings were fantastic! Saori looked up across the table. "Inami, did you draw these?"
Inami shook her head. "I wish I had, but I not quite talented enough. An old friend of mine, Uruki... she drew all of them." Inami pointed to a floral painting on the wall. "She painted that, and..." Inami turned around in her chair and pointed to a marvelous waterfall scenery at sunset on another wall. "And that one too."
Saori, amazed, turned back down to the book, looking at a picture of an extensive necklace. She turned the page carefully, and beheld a large group picture of several people, all perfectly drawn to the last detail.
"Do you know who they are?" Saori asked.
Inami nodded.
Saori pointed to a picture of a young man near the center. "Who's this?"
Inami looked at the picture, which was upside-down to her. "His name was Hatsui." She answered.
Saori focused back on the sketch and traced her finger to another man, and a rather handsome one too, in her opinion. "Who's he?"
"Tomite." Inami replied.
"And her?"
"Takiko."
"Who's she?"
"That's Uruki." Inami answered again. "She's the artist."
"She's really pretty." Saori commented. She looked at another person who stood in the corner by a tall man with an eye patch. "Who is..." She looked harder. "She?" She asked.
Inami laughed a little. "That's me."
Saori gave Inami a strange look and stared at the picture again. "That looks nothing like you!" She objected.
Inami grabbed the top of the old book and turned it around to face her, looking at the group of smiling people. "Maybe if it was colored." She quietly suggested.
********************************
Tamahome's fist came into a hard, loud contact with Tasuki's jaw, sending the bandit back onto the ground. He barely moved to miss Tamahome's next attack.
Hotohori was behind Tamahome, and backing him up nicely. Tamahome ducked down to kick at Tasuki's ankles. Tasuki's agility helped him avoid that attack, but he didn't quite pull free of Hotohori's sword. The blade came down against his right forearm long ways, slicing through one of the Bandit's armbands.
"Tamahome!" Hotohori shouted, referring to Tasuki.
Nuriko's shirt ripped open at Chichiri's next attack, and he finally pulled out the two hard clubs at his side. Chichiri looked on, and saw what he only suspected. The symbol of the willow...
"The symbol of the wing..." Miaka whispered from a little ways off. "It's... it's not..."
Tamahome ignored the absence of the proof Tasuki was of Suzaku and chopped the side of his hand into Tasuki's neck, catching it on the man's beaded necklace and ripping it off. Green, red, and blue beads of different sizes flew off into the air everywhere, the spheres darting to the ground like bullets.
Tasuki had enough. He closed his fan in his hands, using it to block and upward attack from Hotohori. He pushed the enemy sword away, announcing his two favorite words, "Rekka, Shinen!!"
Fire engulfed the emperor.
"Hotohori!" Miaka screamed, standing up.
Luckily, Hotohori emerged from the flames and appeared to have no serious damaged, but he seemed scorched. A look of anger overcame to gentle emperor's face, a look Miaka had only seen once or twice before... a look that terrified her. A man who was always so nice, so gentle, was enraged... and like with Tamahome and Kodoku poisoning, he was now about to fulfill Tasuki's fate.
A bright, vibrant red symbol shined brightly on Hotohori's neck, his body glowing red.
"Chichiri!" Chiriko exclaimed.
Mitsukake put a hand on the young man's shoulder. They had quietly watched for hours on end, going into the night and very early morning, the moon still showcasing the horrid battle.
A black club struck into Chichiri's staff, a second coming around and knocking it out of his hands. Chichiri received a hard blow to his hand in attempt to block the clubs from his head.
The magician leapt into the air and landed some distance away from Nuriko near the trees, and began mumbling a spell. He placed his hands forward, one which was bleeding, in a cross-shaped position. "Ha!" He shouted. Violet light emerged from his hands, not his staff, and intercepted with Nuriko. Nuriko certainly was strong, even under the influence of such an unknown and powerful poison.
"DON'T!!!!" Miaka yelled, leaping forward and running to Tasuki.
Hotohori's brilliant sword swept down onto the injured bandit, a swing that would kill him.
Miaka ran under Hotohori's arms and grabbed onto Tasuki, protecting him with her own body, sending the both of them to the ground...
... Right as Hotohori's sword came down.
*Cling!!!*
Hotohori's holy sword was blocked by a closed diamond fan, right as Hotohori saw Miaka.
"What the hell are you doing?!!!" Tasuki shouted loudly, looking at Hotohori in disbelief.
Hotohori drew his sword back, shocked at what he had almost done at the sight of Miaka, and also surprised by Tasuki.
Tasuki looked at Miaka, who was shaking and clinging to his shirt, and then he looked around the scenery. "What the hell..."
Miaka lifted her head slowly and looked into the extremely confused and bewildered amber eyes of her friend. "T... Tasuki?" She asked.
"Why are you cryin'?" Tasuki asked as Miaka let go of him. Suddenly Tasuki winced as he felt sharp pain from his shoulder and arm. By the wound in his right forearm a bright symbol of the wing glowed.
Before anyone could say anything, Tamahome, Hotohori's, and Miaka's wristbands began to glow brightly themselves, the light engulfing the three. Miaka reached her arms out and grabbed onto Tasuki tightly, disappearing into the light.
Chapter 35 : Poisoned Souls
Here they were. As the large orange sun finished diving behind Hokkan's large, violet, snowy mountains, the group of six reached the dense forest they had been at just previously, but hitting it on a more eastern side. Mitsukake and Chiriko were supposed to stay behind the battle unless they were needed, Miaka to be with them.
Chichiri moved forward after a moment of silence. "They're close." He said quietly.
Hotohori nodded. "Remember," He said, keeping his voice low, "We mustn't hold back, we must fight to our fullest, even if our opponents are of the Suzaku Seven. All of you have bands Chichiri has given you for emergency. We cannot fall to them, and if no progress is made tonight, we will have to proceed to Sairo without our friends."
Miaka gasped slightly, trying to muffle it. She leaned her head against Chiriko's back on the horse. "Nuriko.... Tasuki..." her mind pleaded. "Please..."
With Chiriko and Mitsukake quite a ways behind, the warriors proceeded into the forest, following only the light. It was not yet completely dark, luckily. As soon as any battle, between either a Suzaku or Seiryu warrior began, Mitsukake and Chiriko were to stop immediately and protect Miaka.
It was quiet, too quiet. The noises of the horses' hooves on the grass seemed to be louder than anything, almost as if the sound echoed through the trees. It grew darker and darker in the forest, but still it didn't match up to the blackness it had held before. Now Miaka didn't have Tamahome at her side, even if he wasn't too far ahead.
Chichiri pulled his horse to a stop, causing Hotohori's to neigh in objection.
"They're here, no da."
From the trees was a fairly large clearing of long grasses and weeds, completely bordered by forest. In the dimming light and approaching darkness two dark figures stood, calmly waiting for their guests. The sound of hooves stopped entirely, which meant Chiriko and Mitsukake had halted their horses as well for safety.
The taller of the two shadows in the field reached behind him and pulled out a thin shadowed object. With a flick of the wrist, the object opened with a sifting noise of metal, sparkling in the oncoming moonlight. It fanned out widely and smoothly, the other shadow simply watching.
Hotohori, Tamahome, and Chichiri all dismounted their horses, stepping away from the animals and nearing their opponents. Tamahome slid his sleeves up, a magenta band around his wrist. This was a real thing, Tamahome knew it. In order to protect his friends, on both sides, as well as his cherished Miaka, he'd force his powers to come up fully. Tonight, he would return to the real Tamahome, or meet his death.
A slight jingle of a staff followed the unsheathing of a sword. The holders stood ready, waiting.
Finally, the clouds unveiled a full, bright moon, its white light illuminating the misguided warriors.
Tasuki wore black short sleeves and black forearm cuffs, as well as matching pants and boots. His fiery orange hair seemed almost dull and lifeless. He stood with his fan spread out in one hand, his other hand behind him. His partner, Nuriko, raised his hands from his hips and punched a fist into another, watching the Suzaku Seven closely. He also wore black, but had long sleeves and two thin clubs in his belt.
"This is it!" Hotohori said, holding his sword offensively. "Tonight we will meet our fate!"
Tasuki smirked. "Happy dooms day." He said coldly. Finally he brought his hidden hand out from behind him, holding an egg shaped object. In a swift motion he ran it again the blades of his fan, the end of the object lighting and sparking with fire. He calmly tossed the unusual item to Nuriko, who reeled back, and threw it.
"Get down!" Chichiri shouted as the bomb whistled loudly through the air. Tamahome and Hotohori quickly rolled out of the way. The small bomb hit the ground hard and exploded several meters into the air, the sparks dusting off on the three.
"This time, the Suzaku Seven will not get away." Nakago said calmly, watching the new battle. "If these two don't finish the job, I will. The Shidoku will be rid of them soon."
Mayo looked from her trusted warrior to the scene in the clearing below them. Tamahome was down there...
Mayo shook her head sharply. She didn't care anymore, not about anyone, even her past love. She trusted Nakago, not some idiotic weakling who was in love with the enemy.
*******************************************
*Sniff*
Inami looked up from the floor over to the 17-year-old on the small couch in the throne room.
Saori wiped the back of her hand across her eyes, sniffing sharply. Her eyes were turning red, and she sniffed again. "I... uh... I think I'll go to the library." She choked. She quickly stood up and ran out of the large room, tears falling down her cheeks as she disappeared into a hallway.
Inami looked after Saori in pity, then looked back at the other end of the room, towards a large pair of double doors. Just over an hour ago Miaka, Hotohori, and the others were standing there, walking out to their horses. Saori must feel terrible. She was there when Nuriko and Tasuki were taken, she had known the others far longer than Inami had. Saori could understand where Miaka and Tamahome were coming from. This world must be so strange to her, and now the only familiar people to her were in danger.
In a rush of guilt, Inami stood up from her chair and slowly walked to the hallway, following after Saori. Her right arm hung at her right side, swinging lightly with her steps, no longer in a sling. Her forearm was bandage tightly, two splints on either side of it.
Inami pushed past the purple curtain and entered the hallway. Saori was probably in her library, or at least that's what she figured.
As she turned the corner into another hallway, she stopped at a particular doorway. She stepped back and placed her hand on the doorframe, looking into the moderate-sized room. A bed with purple covers and a purple canopy lay in the corner, a few dressers and a nightstand accompanying it. The room was straight and neat, waiting to be used again.
Inami remembered not too long ago when Tasuki had been horribly sick and was lying in that bed, half the time sleeping like a baby. It had taken him forever to get well again, and he would have been there longer if Mitsukake hadn't regained his own health.
Inami stood there for a long moment, just looking at the bed, staring off into space. Finally she stepped away from the room, shutting the door. She continued towards the library and wiped her eyes. "This is stupid..." she muttered. "Why am I getting so upset over a boy?"
***************************************
Keisuke read almost whispering in a chair by a lamp in Tetsuya's bedroom. Yui lay asleep under the covers and Tetsuya sat up leaning against the headboard, gently rubbing her back. He had on a loose nightshirt, and his sunglasses laid folded on a brown nightstand.
"'We've been waiting for you', Nuriko said lowly as Tasuki lit another grenade. The explosion again was nearly dead on, and the hard force from Nuriko's arm increased the power." Keisuke looked up at Tetsuya, who urged him to go on. Keisuke cleared his throat. "The Priestess of Suzaku darted out from the trees as the bomb hit, running to Tamahome, who mostly was uninjured..."
**************************************
"Miaka!" Tamahome yelled, pushing her down to the ground, slightly hidden by the long grass. "Get back to Mitsukake! Now!"
"I won't, let go of me Tamahome!" Miaka yelled in refusal. However, the couple didn't have time to argue before another explosion hit. Though it was further off by Hotohori, Tamahome covered Miaka protectively.
"Go back, please!" He urged. He stood up, leaving Miaka on the ground. He raced out towards the center of the field. Before he arrived he felt a gust of wind by his ear, and he spun around to see Tasuki next to him. The bandit threw a punch, Tamahome blocked. A bright, full symbol of the ogre gleamed on Tamahome's forehead.
Tasuki was fast. After one punch was thrown another came. Out of nowhere a kick would mix in. However, Tamahome's defense proved to be excellent this night, and though he didn't make any hits, Tasuki didn't either.
"Highness, go help Tamahome!" Chichiri yelled.
Hotohori nodded and ran towards the two men fighting.
Chichiri turned around and saw a fist heading right for his face. He barely had time to intercept the deadly blow with his staff, which surprisingly held against Nuriko's strength. Nuriko's bracelet dangled on his wrist, and wasn't formed into an armband at all, which is how Nuriko had them when he was seriously fighting.
"Kai ha!" Chichiri shouted. Yellow light shot out from Chichiri's staff and blew Nuriko away some distance.
Nuriko shook the effect off quickly and was soon on his feet again. He smirked at the monk. "Nice touch." He laughed. He brought his hands forward in a martial stance. "But it won't defeat me, magician."
*********************************
Saori seemed a bit calmer now, and silently ran her fingers over the books on a level shelf while Inami's fingernails tapped on the table in the center of the room. Inami was staring off into space again.
Saori couldn't read half of the titles, some of the Chinese kanji was vastly unfamiliar, and every now and then she'd see a title that looked completely out of her league. At the end of the row, Saori came to a long line of old, thick sketchbooks held by circular binding. She looked over to the woman at the table. "Inami? Can I see these?"
Inami looked up and saw what Saori was pointing to. After a minute, she nodded, and Saori selected a book and pulled it off the shelf.
********************************
An angered young man threw a sundial against the wall of the large tent, venting his frustration. "How can she allow such a thing to happen?!!" He shouted.
Suboshi sat with his elbows on his knees in the corner, silent.
Amiboshi punched one of the walls. "How can they do such a thing to the Suzaku Seven?! Why must we involve them?!"
"Calm calm, Amiboshi." A sourly smooth voice called from another corner of the tent.
Amiboshi angrily turned around to face the oddly dressed man in the corner whose face was painted with different paints.
Tomo smiled slightly, as if enjoying Amiboshi's fit. "We can't leave for Sairo until you calm down." Amiboshi shot Tomo a cold look, and haughtily sat down by his identical brother.
"Dear, what was that look?" Tomo asked lightly.
Suboshi lifted his head up to Tomo, giving him an equally cold stare. His eyes almost said "I killed you once, and I can do it again, just try me."
******************************
Chichiri collapsed down to his knees, holding his staff straight for support. "That hurt, no da..." He said, holding his stomach.
Nuriko spun around and kicked at the magician, but again slammed into a red force field. Those things were REALLY starting to irritate him. Nuriko punched with all of his strength into the dome, but instead of hitting a translucent red wall he hit the palm of Chichiri's hand. Chichiri's fingers enclosed over Nuriko's fist and in a sharp motion Nuriko flipped through the air onto his back.
"Yo sunen shi ki na ji!" Chichiri chanted.
Before Nuriko could get up, the long grass around him sprang to life and quickly wrapped around him, from his ankles to his neck in tight bonds. Nuriko struggled, and burst through some of the bonds with his arm, the grass falling lifeless.
"REKKA SHINEN!!!!!"
Tamahome and Hotohori hastily leapt back from the flames, the front of Hotohori's garments being scorched.
Tasuki lowered his fan slightly and clutched onto the back of his left shoulder, scowling at the Konan Emperor. Tasuki turned his diamond weapon towards Hotohori, raising it up for another attack.
"TASUKI!"
Tamahome and Hotohori whizzed around. Miaka was running across the field toward them.
"IDIOT!" Tamahome shouted. "Get back!!!"
Miaka kept running to Tasuki. "Tasuki, please stop!" She cried. "Tamahome... and Hotohori, they're your friends! Stop, please!"
Tasuki smirked at the Priestess's pleads, and turned his fan towards her. "Rekka..."
"STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Tamahome shouted. Tasuki didn't have time to get the last word out before Tamahome's foot smashed into his chest.
*********************************
"Wow..." Saori said, turning another page of the old sketchbook. These drawings were fantastic! Saori looked up across the table. "Inami, did you draw these?"
Inami shook her head. "I wish I had, but I not quite talented enough. An old friend of mine, Uruki... she drew all of them." Inami pointed to a floral painting on the wall. "She painted that, and..." Inami turned around in her chair and pointed to a marvelous waterfall scenery at sunset on another wall. "And that one too."
Saori, amazed, turned back down to the book, looking at a picture of an extensive necklace. She turned the page carefully, and beheld a large group picture of several people, all perfectly drawn to the last detail.
"Do you know who they are?" Saori asked.
Inami nodded.
Saori pointed to a picture of a young man near the center. "Who's this?"
Inami looked at the picture, which was upside-down to her. "His name was Hatsui." She answered.
Saori focused back on the sketch and traced her finger to another man, and a rather handsome one too, in her opinion. "Who's he?"
"Tomite." Inami replied.
"And her?"
"Takiko."
"Who's she?"
"That's Uruki." Inami answered again. "She's the artist."
"She's really pretty." Saori commented. She looked at another person who stood in the corner by a tall man with an eye patch. "Who is..." She looked harder. "She?" She asked.
Inami laughed a little. "That's me."
Saori gave Inami a strange look and stared at the picture again. "That looks nothing like you!" She objected.
Inami grabbed the top of the old book and turned it around to face her, looking at the group of smiling people. "Maybe if it was colored." She quietly suggested.
********************************
Tamahome's fist came into a hard, loud contact with Tasuki's jaw, sending the bandit back onto the ground. He barely moved to miss Tamahome's next attack.
Hotohori was behind Tamahome, and backing him up nicely. Tamahome ducked down to kick at Tasuki's ankles. Tasuki's agility helped him avoid that attack, but he didn't quite pull free of Hotohori's sword. The blade came down against his right forearm long ways, slicing through one of the Bandit's armbands.
"Tamahome!" Hotohori shouted, referring to Tasuki.
Nuriko's shirt ripped open at Chichiri's next attack, and he finally pulled out the two hard clubs at his side. Chichiri looked on, and saw what he only suspected. The symbol of the willow...
"The symbol of the wing..." Miaka whispered from a little ways off. "It's... it's not..."
Tamahome ignored the absence of the proof Tasuki was of Suzaku and chopped the side of his hand into Tasuki's neck, catching it on the man's beaded necklace and ripping it off. Green, red, and blue beads of different sizes flew off into the air everywhere, the spheres darting to the ground like bullets.
Tasuki had enough. He closed his fan in his hands, using it to block and upward attack from Hotohori. He pushed the enemy sword away, announcing his two favorite words, "Rekka, Shinen!!"
Fire engulfed the emperor.
"Hotohori!" Miaka screamed, standing up.
Luckily, Hotohori emerged from the flames and appeared to have no serious damaged, but he seemed scorched. A look of anger overcame to gentle emperor's face, a look Miaka had only seen once or twice before... a look that terrified her. A man who was always so nice, so gentle, was enraged... and like with Tamahome and Kodoku poisoning, he was now about to fulfill Tasuki's fate.
A bright, vibrant red symbol shined brightly on Hotohori's neck, his body glowing red.
"Chichiri!" Chiriko exclaimed.
Mitsukake put a hand on the young man's shoulder. They had quietly watched for hours on end, going into the night and very early morning, the moon still showcasing the horrid battle.
A black club struck into Chichiri's staff, a second coming around and knocking it out of his hands. Chichiri received a hard blow to his hand in attempt to block the clubs from his head.
The magician leapt into the air and landed some distance away from Nuriko near the trees, and began mumbling a spell. He placed his hands forward, one which was bleeding, in a cross-shaped position. "Ha!" He shouted. Violet light emerged from his hands, not his staff, and intercepted with Nuriko. Nuriko certainly was strong, even under the influence of such an unknown and powerful poison.
"DON'T!!!!" Miaka yelled, leaping forward and running to Tasuki.
Hotohori's brilliant sword swept down onto the injured bandit, a swing that would kill him.
Miaka ran under Hotohori's arms and grabbed onto Tasuki, protecting him with her own body, sending the both of them to the ground...
... Right as Hotohori's sword came down.
*Cling!!!*
Hotohori's holy sword was blocked by a closed diamond fan, right as Hotohori saw Miaka.
"What the hell are you doing?!!!" Tasuki shouted loudly, looking at Hotohori in disbelief.
Hotohori drew his sword back, shocked at what he had almost done at the sight of Miaka, and also surprised by Tasuki.
Tasuki looked at Miaka, who was shaking and clinging to his shirt, and then he looked around the scenery. "What the hell..."
Miaka lifted her head slowly and looked into the extremely confused and bewildered amber eyes of her friend. "T... Tasuki?" She asked.
"Why are you cryin'?" Tasuki asked as Miaka let go of him. Suddenly Tasuki winced as he felt sharp pain from his shoulder and arm. By the wound in his right forearm a bright symbol of the wing glowed.
Before anyone could say anything, Tamahome, Hotohori's, and Miaka's wristbands began to glow brightly themselves, the light engulfing the three. Miaka reached her arms out and grabbed onto Tasuki tightly, disappearing into the light.