Author's Note: Ugh. there is a really bad cheese scene in here, so I
apologize. This is probably the worst one in the entire story, just to
warn you. Heh. my friend actually drew a picture of it. (that would be the
other Ryuu)
Hey! You find out my little Prince's name in this! I'm sure some of you will figure out where I got it from ^_^
Chapter 36 : New Revelations
Mayo looked out onto the once active field in silence, the chilly breeze blowing in her vibrant orange hair. She had stood there for nearly five hours, perhaps longer, just watching a fight that didn't result how she had wanted it to.
"Why did you let them go?" Mayo asked.
Nakago smirked. "That magician is amusing." he replied. "How clever it was of him to use spell-bound bands for teleportation, and for so many people as well." Nakago looked over into the dense, dark forestry. "And there were Suzaku warriors outside my shield. It seems the Suzaku Seven are not to be underestimated."
"I don't understand how you can be so calm and assertive about it." Mayo sniped, looked back at the pasture. Her expression suddenly changed "Nakago, where is Tasuki?"
Nakago raised an eyebrow, but evaded answering. "Lady Mayo, you should rest for our trip tomorrow. You have been awake too long, and you need your sleep."
Mayo looked at the tall blonde in confusion. "We're leaving tomorrow? But what about Nuriko?"
Nakago's lips curved slightly. "He'll be taken care of."
*************************************
Tasuki sat down just outside a forest in the night, the images being illuminated by several glowing and colorful bubbles around him, as well as a red sign shining on Mitsukake's palm.
"So, you really don't remember ANYTHING?" Tamahome asked again.
Tasuki thought for a moment. "The last thing I remember... I was with Nuriko in the Seiryu camp." Tasuki looked around, the stare of bewilderment still in his amber eyes. "Where is Nuriko, anyway?"
"Do you remember anything else, no da?" Chichiri questioned.
Tasuki thought a little harder. "I remember bein' chained in some really large fancy tent, Nakago and that Mayo girl were there." Tasuki straightened as Mitsukake stepped back. "For some reason that nutshell took my necklace..." Tasuki looked at Tamahome. "Then Miaka was on top of me, I was in some weird field," His gaze shifted, pointing. "And he was about to slice me!"
Hotohori just smiled slightly.
"It's just like," Miaka began, "with Tamahome."
Tamahome looked over to Chichiri and Hotohori. "Tasuki had the necklace on until I broke it."
"I may be able to clear something up." Mitsukake announced. "About a year ago I heard of a poison like substance in Kutou that was derived from Kodoku by a branch of government to enforce amnesia, but the poison ended up being far too deadly and had too many horrid side effects for any use, even against criminals. The government exiled it, even for their own uses."
"I see." Hotohori sighed from his seat on a large rock. "Perhaps it was used on Tasuki..."
"Kodoku?" Tasuki asked. "Wait!" He shouted. "Like Tamahome? That stuff Tamahome was under when I first met him and he broke Miaka's arm?"
Tamahome smacked Tasuki on the back of the head. "You don't NEED to remind us, moron."
Tasuki looked down at the ground. "Then, Nuriko..." He looked around his fellow warriors. "What, exactly happened?"
**********************************
"This is too much." Keisuke sighed, rubbing his tired eyes.
Tetsuya was dozing off every now and then, but managed to open his eyes. "Let's just go to sleep and finish in the morning, okay? It's really... really late."
"All right." Keisuke agreed, "Let me just finish these pages."
"Tell me what happens." Tetsuya said as he finally got under the covers to go to sleep. He rolled over on his side the get comfortable and put and arm around Yui.
Keisuke looked back at the book, ready to turn in himself. "After explaining best they could to Tasuki, the group headed back to the Hokkan palace on horses, a few hours before the sun would begin to rise...
***********************************
~Knock knock~
Inami looked up from her desk and from the papers in front of her, though in her current condition she couldn't write. Saori lay on her bed, but wasn't sleeping either, despite the time.
"Hai." Inami said tiredly.
The doorknob turned and a Hokkan Magistrate stepped partially into Inami's bedroom. "Miss Cheinun," He addressed, taking quick note of Saori, "His Highness wishes to inform you as well as Lady Saori that her party has returned."
A huge wave of relief came over Inami's face as Saori jumped up from the bed. "Are they okay?!!!" She nearly screamed.
The magistrate nodded. "They seemed to be in a moderate health."
"Is Nuriko or Tasuki with them?!" Saori asked again, nearly cutting off the man.
The magistrate gave the young woman an odd look.
Inami urgently stood up. "Did you see a tall man with orange hair or a shorter one with violet?"
The magistrate thought for a moment as Saori eagerly waited for him to get out of the way. "I believe I saw the first, but not the second."
Inami and Saori exchanged excited and slightly disappointed looks and pushed past the magistrate, rushing down the nearest flight of stairs.
Tasuki was bowed over on the floor in front of the others, facing the Hokkan Emperor. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He continuously repeated.
The Hokkan Emperor, a bit tired himself, waved his hand. "It's all right, you are forgiven. I must say you Suzaku Seven have certainly given me a lot to ponder about lately."
Everyone turned and Tasuki looked up as a short shrill came from one of the doors to the throne room and Saori came running in at top speed. She threw her arms around Chiriko, and quickly tackled Tasuki, sending him onto his back.
"What the...?" Tasuki spat out.
Miaka laughed a little bit.
Tasuki patted Saori's back, looking past her and spotting Inami in the far door way.
Saori lightened off Tasuki a bit. "What happened to Nuriko?" She asked.
Everyone frowned slightly.
"We weren't as lucky with him, no da." Chichiri answered, keeping a more cheerful tone. "But we'll look into it further, and with some new info from Tasuki it may be a little easier."
Tasuki stood up and received another hug from Saori. "I'm glad you're back!" She said, loosening after a moment.
"I'm glad I'm back to." Tasuki agreed, rubbing his hand vigorously over Saori's short hair.
Saori turned to Miaka in hopes of some explanations, while Chichiri spotted Hotohori trying to explain to the Hokkan Emperor, Chichiri found it in Hotohori's best interest if he helped.
Meanwhile, Tasuki was walking away from the crowd to the far exit, and in the excitement of the group, no one seemed to notice.
"I'm really sorry about all of this." Tasuki apologized, stopping.
Inami smiled. "I'm just glad you're okay, Tasuki."
Tasuki put a hand behind his head. "I don't remember anything of what happened, but apparently it wasn't good, and that's bad..."
Inami smiled again and shook her head, looking up to the taller man. "It doesn't matter anymore, Tasuki," She said, putting a hand on his cheek. "You're back."
Tasuki looked at Inami for a moment before leaning down and meeting her lips, now officially glad he returned.
"I... Inami?!" Saori gasped, stopping her conversation with Miaka and Tamahome.
Tasuki pulled away and looked back onto the group, who were now all staring.
Inami blushed a little.
"This... is new...." Tamahome trailed off. "Didn't... I thought you two didn't like..."
Chichiri just smiled, as if it was nothing new to him.
Saori and Miaka stared in disbelief for a few minutes.
"This is so cool!!!" Saori shouted.
Tasuki looked back at Inami. "Hey, what happened to your arm?"
*****************
Miaka lay in bed the next morning, Tamahome sleeping soundly next to her. The sun shone in through the large checkered window, highlighting the interior of the guest room. Tasuki was back, but too many other things trouble Miaka's mind.
Nuriko was still gone. Nuriko had been one of the seishi Miaka had gotten closest to upon entering the book for the first time, even if at first they didn't get along. Nuriko always seemed to be there for her, and he had saved her life so many times, even after death. He was still out there, in the hands of Nakago, one of the men she feared most in this world. What if he never came back?
Miaka shuttered at the thought. Not having Nuriko around would crumble her spirits. It had been so hard for her to move on without him when he lay lifelessly asleep in the snow in this very country, she couldn't do it again. And if Nuriko didn't come back, he would die. Mitsukake told her about the side effects and dangers of the drug presumably used on her friends, and it would kill him, completely take over his body like a parasite and snuff his life out.
"Just remind him of who they are, and of who you are..."
Miaka at least had succeeded in getting Tasuki back. She was relieved to at least have done that much. Miaka had no idea how Inami and Tasuki felt about each other, and Inami never seemed to show any of her emotions when Tasuki was away. She never would have known. But she knew why, now she did, at least. It must have been obvious the stress that had been put on her when two of her best friends had been captured and changed like that... Inami must not have wanted to make heavier Miaka's burden.
And what about Saori? The very thought of her brought tears to Miaka's eyes. She hid her emotions better than everyone, always being cheerful. Saori had been trying to lighten Miaka's spirits when she was the one who needed comforting. Mayo was Saori's best friend, and Miaka knew it too well. They were always together. And now Saori had been in the book longer than Miaka herself, and she hasn't even been able to see Mayo. She's been put through so many things, yet all she ever wanted was her best friend back!
Miaka rolled over and tried not to cry, she didn't want to wake Tamahome up.
What about Hikari? Yui? Keisuke? She missed them all so much, she couldn't stand it. She hadn't seen her daughter for months, let alone her best friend and brother.
Miaka shook her head. She shouldn't worry about herself. Everyone around her seemed to support her, and she was only causing more problems, wasn't she?
Boushin back in Konan, and Houki! Houki was pregnant, and her husband wasn't there for her because he was so devoted to his calling. What about Rokou? It would be her fault if he never saw his brother again!
Amiboshi, he was still good. Miaka knew it was his flute music that allowed her to escape from the Kutou Palace, and he never attacked them. She hadn't even seen him so long. And what about Mayo? Mayo had been there in the hospital when Miaka gave birth to Hikari, and everything seemed fine. Miaka admitted to herself that Mayo did seem a little distant before all of this started, but what on earth would cause her to have a totally different personality?
Miaka sighed sadly. They haven't even begun to look for the fourth clue to summon Suzaku. Why did everything have to make it so difficult? They had to summon Suzaku to keep the Seiryu Seven from destroying the book world, and possibly even Miaka's own world. They had to summon Suzaku so Konan could finally have peace, to save Mayo and bring her and Saori back together, so all of her friends could live happily.
But what should Miaka do first? The red head pulled the soft covers of the large bed around her shoulders, thinking over all of her many thoughts again.
That was it. She needed Nuriko back, she wouldn't lose him again. The world would be better if more men were like Nuriko, and he was loved by so many. She would save her beloved warrior, no matter what the sacrifice.
"You have no idea how much I miss cereal..." Saori sighed, sitting down to a table in a small room next to Chiriko.
"Cereal?" Chiriko asked.
Saori let her head fall and hit the table. "Ow... that hurt more than I thought it would..." She mumbled. She folded her arms on the surface and rested her chin on them, looking thoughtful. "Do you know anything about Nuriko yet?"
Chiriko shook his head. "I do know Chichiri and his highness are discussing it today, I'm meeting them in a study." Chiriko scratched his head. "I don't think we're going back to that forest though. If we don't think of something, we may have to leave without him..." Chiriko looked over at Saori, who seemed somewhat depressed. "But, don't worry!" He quickly added. "I mean, he'll come back, I'm sure of it. Yeah, Nuriko's strong, and not just physically. He'll be on his way to Sairo with us in no time."
Saori looked up. "Think so?"
Chiriko nodded, smiling.
Saori sat up and leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms out. "That's good to hear! You know what Chiriko? I should have brought my homework with me, it's gonna really pile up in my absence and I'm sure you'd be ready to help me out!"
Chiriko laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Achoo!"
A loud shattering of glass echoed throughout the palace grounds as a chair was tossed through one of the palace's large stained-glass windows, the colorful pieces of artwork falling to the ground like rain.
Inami looked at the newly formed hole in the east study from the inside with a look of terror on her eyes.
The man behind her had nearly the same expression. "Miss Cheinun! That was a very expensive window!" The young Hokkan prince put his hand on his forehead in utter disbelief.
"Go...men..." Inami stuttered quietly.
"Father is going to very upset when he finds out..." The prince sighed.
Inami turned around with a plastered smile. "Well, I imagine he all ready knows..."
"Much like the whole court from that noise!" The prince said, raising his voice a little. "Honestly, Miss Cheinun, you should be more careful! What if there had been people down there?"
"It's not necessarily my fault..." Inami trailed off, trying not to get into more trouble.
The prince waved his arm in the air, flabbergasted. "And how do you supposed that, hm?"
Inami rolled her eyes, pointing to her forehead. "YOU guys are the one who made me wear that stupid band in the first place, remember?!"
"Yes!" the prince shouted. "So these things wouldn't happen!"
"How the heck do you expect me to control these things when I've been dependant on a piece of gold jewelry since I was eight?!" Inami argued back.
"That wasn't my decision, Miss Cheinun, it was Father's." The prince said, trying to maintain an orderly approach.
Inami sighed. "Sorry, Seki-sama. I'll pay for the window." She muttered as she walked out of the study.
"It is more of an issue I need to bring up with Father." The prince replied, taking a last look at the destruction and turning to leave as well.
"Do it without me." Inami stated as she walked down the hall. "I need to find Ami and discuss our little 'silent war' with her, and I'm going to see what I can do about this arm of mine..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"All is lost!" A magistrate cried, swaying about. "This is the end of Hokkan's régime, I can see it now! It's flashing before my eyes!"
"Hey pops, what's up?" Tasuki asked, he and Hotohori noticing the distressed man.
"It's too much to explain..." The magistrate woed. "Prince Seki will never choose a bride, and all of Hokkan will fall!" The man continued down the hall in his loud, whiny matter, cursing the prince's stubbornness as he went.
Hotohori smiled a little.
"What's so funny?" Tasuki asked as they began walking again.
"Oh, nothing." Hotohori answered. "It just sounds terribly familiar."
Tasuki ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know how much longer I can take it here, man." He looked around the marble walls of the palace. "It's too much... too fancy... too cold! I could never live this far north..."
Hotohori nodded. "It is rather chilly, but we need stay as long as necessary."
Tasuki nodded. "Yeah yeah, I know."
"For now I need to find a way to get Nuriko back with us." Hotohori said a little more glumly.
A little while later Hotohori, Chichiri, and Chiriko were in the small west study, engaged in a rather serious talk.
"I can no longer sense him, your highness." Chichiri spoke seriously. "His life force is clouded to me, as well as the other Seiryu seven."
"I have a severe doubt the Seiryu seven would wish to keep him with them for very long." Hotohori added.
"We need to make a decision." Chiriko said. "If Mitsukake is right, Nuriko doesn't have a lot of time left. The Seiryu Seven are also looking for their shinzaho, and with our delay, even for just a few days, we are falling drastically behind."
"I do not want to abandon one who has been so loyal." Hotohori quietly stated.
"None of us want to lose Nuriko, no da." Chichiri said. "However, if we don't get him back, we'll lose him anyway. I don't know if Miaka can handle it."
"But even if we made the decision to search Nuriko out, if you cannot locate him, the chances of us finding him are slim, and even if we did before this drug killed him, we cannot guarantee we'd be able to bring him back like Tasuki."
"Highness," Chichiri began, "If I may say so, we should make this subject more open. Tasuki is the best bet we have of understanding everything, and Miaka needs to make the decision."
Hotohori nodded. "As always, Chichiri, you are correct."
"He took your necklace," Chichiri said.
"And you seemed to snap out of it as soon as it broke." Tamahome added. "Well, not right after, but there could be a definite link."
All of the Suzaku seven (minus Nuriko) plus Miaka, Saori, and Inami were in a small, cushioned lounge, all in a circle. Tasuki, for once, had no jewelry on except his earrings. Saori sat on the floor in her school uniform, Inami now had full use of both arms, and Miaka was at the edge of her seat.
"Damnit." Tasuki cursed. "If only I could remember..."
"I think I understand." Mitsukake spoke up. "Highness, if this substance being used by the Seiryu Seven is indeed the amplified Kodoku, then much like with any poison internal exposure could result in death." Mitsukake explained. "Thus making any oral dosages of any kind fatal, making the poison useless in this case."
Hotohori nodded. "Please, continue."
The doctor nodded. "I know of other ways to get around such a block. If there is a link between Tasuki's necklace, then it would make perfect sense."
Miaka looked at Mitsukake with full eyes, awaiting the conclusion of his speech.
"A poison such as Kodoku can work by merely touching the skin, but its effects would be vastly weakened." Mitsukake referred to Tasuki, "However, if the substance at hand is stronger, it could be used perfectly, however, it causes a flaw in a continuous strain, as demonstrated by Tasuki's necklace."
"I see!" Chiriko exclaimed. "By using something Tasuki rarely ever takes off that touches his skin, a continuous result is cast using the poison. Once Tamahome broke the conductor, if I may call it so, the poison stopped being, well, refreshed, like a watering can running out of water for a plant. However, since the drug was still being circulated, it took a moment for the effects to wear off, just like even though the plant is no longer being watered, it can survive from the water in the soil!"
"Wow." Inami said.
"I... think I get it..." Tasuki stated.
"Of course!" Miaka perked up. "Chiriko, Mitsukake, you solved it!" A look of overwhelming happiness came over her face. "That must be why Nakago took your necklace, Tasuki! He was poisoning it!"
Tasuki lifted an eyebrow. "You sound awfully excited 'bout it too..."
Miaka stood before the group proudly. "That's how we can break the spell on Nuriko! We just need to find what on him is poisoned as take it away!"
"It may not work as well, Miaka." Chichiri brought up.
Miaka blinked. "Huh? Why do you say that?"
"Well, Nuriko has been exposed longer than Tasuki has, and we don't know how that will effect it, no da."
Miaka refused to lose her confidence. "Well, we have to try. I've made my decision. It's getting late, so first thing tomorrow we'll leave and find Nuriko. Don't tell me it may not be possible, because anything is possible." Miaka stopped and thought for a moment. "Um... what does Nuriko have that we'd have to take?"
"Well, It's obviously got to be something he doesn't take off very often." Inami suggested.
The group was silent for a moment.
"Uh, Miaka?"
"Yes, Saori?"
"What about those bracelets of his?"
Miaka lit up even more. She clobbered Saori in a hug. "That's it! Thank you thank you thank you!"
Tamahome laughed. "Then is it settled?
Hotohori nodded.
Author's note: Hey. that chapter actually wasn't too bad! Oh crap. 37 is next! I'll list reason as to why it sucks later. To those of you who were looking for other stories of mine, I'll be starting a story soon. hopefully. I've actually been planning it since June. I'm not sure if I"ll release the main plot point yet, because I don't have it written and I don't want the idea taken. even if it is in use. I haven't seen a fic like it. But I will say this: It's a VERY VERY Nuriko based fanfiction. (Gosh I love that man.)
Hey! You find out my little Prince's name in this! I'm sure some of you will figure out where I got it from ^_^
Chapter 36 : New Revelations
Mayo looked out onto the once active field in silence, the chilly breeze blowing in her vibrant orange hair. She had stood there for nearly five hours, perhaps longer, just watching a fight that didn't result how she had wanted it to.
"Why did you let them go?" Mayo asked.
Nakago smirked. "That magician is amusing." he replied. "How clever it was of him to use spell-bound bands for teleportation, and for so many people as well." Nakago looked over into the dense, dark forestry. "And there were Suzaku warriors outside my shield. It seems the Suzaku Seven are not to be underestimated."
"I don't understand how you can be so calm and assertive about it." Mayo sniped, looked back at the pasture. Her expression suddenly changed "Nakago, where is Tasuki?"
Nakago raised an eyebrow, but evaded answering. "Lady Mayo, you should rest for our trip tomorrow. You have been awake too long, and you need your sleep."
Mayo looked at the tall blonde in confusion. "We're leaving tomorrow? But what about Nuriko?"
Nakago's lips curved slightly. "He'll be taken care of."
*************************************
Tasuki sat down just outside a forest in the night, the images being illuminated by several glowing and colorful bubbles around him, as well as a red sign shining on Mitsukake's palm.
"So, you really don't remember ANYTHING?" Tamahome asked again.
Tasuki thought for a moment. "The last thing I remember... I was with Nuriko in the Seiryu camp." Tasuki looked around, the stare of bewilderment still in his amber eyes. "Where is Nuriko, anyway?"
"Do you remember anything else, no da?" Chichiri questioned.
Tasuki thought a little harder. "I remember bein' chained in some really large fancy tent, Nakago and that Mayo girl were there." Tasuki straightened as Mitsukake stepped back. "For some reason that nutshell took my necklace..." Tasuki looked at Tamahome. "Then Miaka was on top of me, I was in some weird field," His gaze shifted, pointing. "And he was about to slice me!"
Hotohori just smiled slightly.
"It's just like," Miaka began, "with Tamahome."
Tamahome looked over to Chichiri and Hotohori. "Tasuki had the necklace on until I broke it."
"I may be able to clear something up." Mitsukake announced. "About a year ago I heard of a poison like substance in Kutou that was derived from Kodoku by a branch of government to enforce amnesia, but the poison ended up being far too deadly and had too many horrid side effects for any use, even against criminals. The government exiled it, even for their own uses."
"I see." Hotohori sighed from his seat on a large rock. "Perhaps it was used on Tasuki..."
"Kodoku?" Tasuki asked. "Wait!" He shouted. "Like Tamahome? That stuff Tamahome was under when I first met him and he broke Miaka's arm?"
Tamahome smacked Tasuki on the back of the head. "You don't NEED to remind us, moron."
Tasuki looked down at the ground. "Then, Nuriko..." He looked around his fellow warriors. "What, exactly happened?"
**********************************
"This is too much." Keisuke sighed, rubbing his tired eyes.
Tetsuya was dozing off every now and then, but managed to open his eyes. "Let's just go to sleep and finish in the morning, okay? It's really... really late."
"All right." Keisuke agreed, "Let me just finish these pages."
"Tell me what happens." Tetsuya said as he finally got under the covers to go to sleep. He rolled over on his side the get comfortable and put and arm around Yui.
Keisuke looked back at the book, ready to turn in himself. "After explaining best they could to Tasuki, the group headed back to the Hokkan palace on horses, a few hours before the sun would begin to rise...
***********************************
~Knock knock~
Inami looked up from her desk and from the papers in front of her, though in her current condition she couldn't write. Saori lay on her bed, but wasn't sleeping either, despite the time.
"Hai." Inami said tiredly.
The doorknob turned and a Hokkan Magistrate stepped partially into Inami's bedroom. "Miss Cheinun," He addressed, taking quick note of Saori, "His Highness wishes to inform you as well as Lady Saori that her party has returned."
A huge wave of relief came over Inami's face as Saori jumped up from the bed. "Are they okay?!!!" She nearly screamed.
The magistrate nodded. "They seemed to be in a moderate health."
"Is Nuriko or Tasuki with them?!" Saori asked again, nearly cutting off the man.
The magistrate gave the young woman an odd look.
Inami urgently stood up. "Did you see a tall man with orange hair or a shorter one with violet?"
The magistrate thought for a moment as Saori eagerly waited for him to get out of the way. "I believe I saw the first, but not the second."
Inami and Saori exchanged excited and slightly disappointed looks and pushed past the magistrate, rushing down the nearest flight of stairs.
Tasuki was bowed over on the floor in front of the others, facing the Hokkan Emperor. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" He continuously repeated.
The Hokkan Emperor, a bit tired himself, waved his hand. "It's all right, you are forgiven. I must say you Suzaku Seven have certainly given me a lot to ponder about lately."
Everyone turned and Tasuki looked up as a short shrill came from one of the doors to the throne room and Saori came running in at top speed. She threw her arms around Chiriko, and quickly tackled Tasuki, sending him onto his back.
"What the...?" Tasuki spat out.
Miaka laughed a little bit.
Tasuki patted Saori's back, looking past her and spotting Inami in the far door way.
Saori lightened off Tasuki a bit. "What happened to Nuriko?" She asked.
Everyone frowned slightly.
"We weren't as lucky with him, no da." Chichiri answered, keeping a more cheerful tone. "But we'll look into it further, and with some new info from Tasuki it may be a little easier."
Tasuki stood up and received another hug from Saori. "I'm glad you're back!" She said, loosening after a moment.
"I'm glad I'm back to." Tasuki agreed, rubbing his hand vigorously over Saori's short hair.
Saori turned to Miaka in hopes of some explanations, while Chichiri spotted Hotohori trying to explain to the Hokkan Emperor, Chichiri found it in Hotohori's best interest if he helped.
Meanwhile, Tasuki was walking away from the crowd to the far exit, and in the excitement of the group, no one seemed to notice.
"I'm really sorry about all of this." Tasuki apologized, stopping.
Inami smiled. "I'm just glad you're okay, Tasuki."
Tasuki put a hand behind his head. "I don't remember anything of what happened, but apparently it wasn't good, and that's bad..."
Inami smiled again and shook her head, looking up to the taller man. "It doesn't matter anymore, Tasuki," She said, putting a hand on his cheek. "You're back."
Tasuki looked at Inami for a moment before leaning down and meeting her lips, now officially glad he returned.
"I... Inami?!" Saori gasped, stopping her conversation with Miaka and Tamahome.
Tasuki pulled away and looked back onto the group, who were now all staring.
Inami blushed a little.
"This... is new...." Tamahome trailed off. "Didn't... I thought you two didn't like..."
Chichiri just smiled, as if it was nothing new to him.
Saori and Miaka stared in disbelief for a few minutes.
"This is so cool!!!" Saori shouted.
Tasuki looked back at Inami. "Hey, what happened to your arm?"
*****************
Miaka lay in bed the next morning, Tamahome sleeping soundly next to her. The sun shone in through the large checkered window, highlighting the interior of the guest room. Tasuki was back, but too many other things trouble Miaka's mind.
Nuriko was still gone. Nuriko had been one of the seishi Miaka had gotten closest to upon entering the book for the first time, even if at first they didn't get along. Nuriko always seemed to be there for her, and he had saved her life so many times, even after death. He was still out there, in the hands of Nakago, one of the men she feared most in this world. What if he never came back?
Miaka shuttered at the thought. Not having Nuriko around would crumble her spirits. It had been so hard for her to move on without him when he lay lifelessly asleep in the snow in this very country, she couldn't do it again. And if Nuriko didn't come back, he would die. Mitsukake told her about the side effects and dangers of the drug presumably used on her friends, and it would kill him, completely take over his body like a parasite and snuff his life out.
"Just remind him of who they are, and of who you are..."
Miaka at least had succeeded in getting Tasuki back. She was relieved to at least have done that much. Miaka had no idea how Inami and Tasuki felt about each other, and Inami never seemed to show any of her emotions when Tasuki was away. She never would have known. But she knew why, now she did, at least. It must have been obvious the stress that had been put on her when two of her best friends had been captured and changed like that... Inami must not have wanted to make heavier Miaka's burden.
And what about Saori? The very thought of her brought tears to Miaka's eyes. She hid her emotions better than everyone, always being cheerful. Saori had been trying to lighten Miaka's spirits when she was the one who needed comforting. Mayo was Saori's best friend, and Miaka knew it too well. They were always together. And now Saori had been in the book longer than Miaka herself, and she hasn't even been able to see Mayo. She's been put through so many things, yet all she ever wanted was her best friend back!
Miaka rolled over and tried not to cry, she didn't want to wake Tamahome up.
What about Hikari? Yui? Keisuke? She missed them all so much, she couldn't stand it. She hadn't seen her daughter for months, let alone her best friend and brother.
Miaka shook her head. She shouldn't worry about herself. Everyone around her seemed to support her, and she was only causing more problems, wasn't she?
Boushin back in Konan, and Houki! Houki was pregnant, and her husband wasn't there for her because he was so devoted to his calling. What about Rokou? It would be her fault if he never saw his brother again!
Amiboshi, he was still good. Miaka knew it was his flute music that allowed her to escape from the Kutou Palace, and he never attacked them. She hadn't even seen him so long. And what about Mayo? Mayo had been there in the hospital when Miaka gave birth to Hikari, and everything seemed fine. Miaka admitted to herself that Mayo did seem a little distant before all of this started, but what on earth would cause her to have a totally different personality?
Miaka sighed sadly. They haven't even begun to look for the fourth clue to summon Suzaku. Why did everything have to make it so difficult? They had to summon Suzaku to keep the Seiryu Seven from destroying the book world, and possibly even Miaka's own world. They had to summon Suzaku so Konan could finally have peace, to save Mayo and bring her and Saori back together, so all of her friends could live happily.
But what should Miaka do first? The red head pulled the soft covers of the large bed around her shoulders, thinking over all of her many thoughts again.
That was it. She needed Nuriko back, she wouldn't lose him again. The world would be better if more men were like Nuriko, and he was loved by so many. She would save her beloved warrior, no matter what the sacrifice.
"You have no idea how much I miss cereal..." Saori sighed, sitting down to a table in a small room next to Chiriko.
"Cereal?" Chiriko asked.
Saori let her head fall and hit the table. "Ow... that hurt more than I thought it would..." She mumbled. She folded her arms on the surface and rested her chin on them, looking thoughtful. "Do you know anything about Nuriko yet?"
Chiriko shook his head. "I do know Chichiri and his highness are discussing it today, I'm meeting them in a study." Chiriko scratched his head. "I don't think we're going back to that forest though. If we don't think of something, we may have to leave without him..." Chiriko looked over at Saori, who seemed somewhat depressed. "But, don't worry!" He quickly added. "I mean, he'll come back, I'm sure of it. Yeah, Nuriko's strong, and not just physically. He'll be on his way to Sairo with us in no time."
Saori looked up. "Think so?"
Chiriko nodded, smiling.
Saori sat up and leaned back in her chair, stretching her arms out. "That's good to hear! You know what Chiriko? I should have brought my homework with me, it's gonna really pile up in my absence and I'm sure you'd be ready to help me out!"
Chiriko laughed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Achoo!"
A loud shattering of glass echoed throughout the palace grounds as a chair was tossed through one of the palace's large stained-glass windows, the colorful pieces of artwork falling to the ground like rain.
Inami looked at the newly formed hole in the east study from the inside with a look of terror on her eyes.
The man behind her had nearly the same expression. "Miss Cheinun! That was a very expensive window!" The young Hokkan prince put his hand on his forehead in utter disbelief.
"Go...men..." Inami stuttered quietly.
"Father is going to very upset when he finds out..." The prince sighed.
Inami turned around with a plastered smile. "Well, I imagine he all ready knows..."
"Much like the whole court from that noise!" The prince said, raising his voice a little. "Honestly, Miss Cheinun, you should be more careful! What if there had been people down there?"
"It's not necessarily my fault..." Inami trailed off, trying not to get into more trouble.
The prince waved his arm in the air, flabbergasted. "And how do you supposed that, hm?"
Inami rolled her eyes, pointing to her forehead. "YOU guys are the one who made me wear that stupid band in the first place, remember?!"
"Yes!" the prince shouted. "So these things wouldn't happen!"
"How the heck do you expect me to control these things when I've been dependant on a piece of gold jewelry since I was eight?!" Inami argued back.
"That wasn't my decision, Miss Cheinun, it was Father's." The prince said, trying to maintain an orderly approach.
Inami sighed. "Sorry, Seki-sama. I'll pay for the window." She muttered as she walked out of the study.
"It is more of an issue I need to bring up with Father." The prince replied, taking a last look at the destruction and turning to leave as well.
"Do it without me." Inami stated as she walked down the hall. "I need to find Ami and discuss our little 'silent war' with her, and I'm going to see what I can do about this arm of mine..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"All is lost!" A magistrate cried, swaying about. "This is the end of Hokkan's régime, I can see it now! It's flashing before my eyes!"
"Hey pops, what's up?" Tasuki asked, he and Hotohori noticing the distressed man.
"It's too much to explain..." The magistrate woed. "Prince Seki will never choose a bride, and all of Hokkan will fall!" The man continued down the hall in his loud, whiny matter, cursing the prince's stubbornness as he went.
Hotohori smiled a little.
"What's so funny?" Tasuki asked as they began walking again.
"Oh, nothing." Hotohori answered. "It just sounds terribly familiar."
Tasuki ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know how much longer I can take it here, man." He looked around the marble walls of the palace. "It's too much... too fancy... too cold! I could never live this far north..."
Hotohori nodded. "It is rather chilly, but we need stay as long as necessary."
Tasuki nodded. "Yeah yeah, I know."
"For now I need to find a way to get Nuriko back with us." Hotohori said a little more glumly.
A little while later Hotohori, Chichiri, and Chiriko were in the small west study, engaged in a rather serious talk.
"I can no longer sense him, your highness." Chichiri spoke seriously. "His life force is clouded to me, as well as the other Seiryu seven."
"I have a severe doubt the Seiryu seven would wish to keep him with them for very long." Hotohori added.
"We need to make a decision." Chiriko said. "If Mitsukake is right, Nuriko doesn't have a lot of time left. The Seiryu Seven are also looking for their shinzaho, and with our delay, even for just a few days, we are falling drastically behind."
"I do not want to abandon one who has been so loyal." Hotohori quietly stated.
"None of us want to lose Nuriko, no da." Chichiri said. "However, if we don't get him back, we'll lose him anyway. I don't know if Miaka can handle it."
"But even if we made the decision to search Nuriko out, if you cannot locate him, the chances of us finding him are slim, and even if we did before this drug killed him, we cannot guarantee we'd be able to bring him back like Tasuki."
"Highness," Chichiri began, "If I may say so, we should make this subject more open. Tasuki is the best bet we have of understanding everything, and Miaka needs to make the decision."
Hotohori nodded. "As always, Chichiri, you are correct."
"He took your necklace," Chichiri said.
"And you seemed to snap out of it as soon as it broke." Tamahome added. "Well, not right after, but there could be a definite link."
All of the Suzaku seven (minus Nuriko) plus Miaka, Saori, and Inami were in a small, cushioned lounge, all in a circle. Tasuki, for once, had no jewelry on except his earrings. Saori sat on the floor in her school uniform, Inami now had full use of both arms, and Miaka was at the edge of her seat.
"Damnit." Tasuki cursed. "If only I could remember..."
"I think I understand." Mitsukake spoke up. "Highness, if this substance being used by the Seiryu Seven is indeed the amplified Kodoku, then much like with any poison internal exposure could result in death." Mitsukake explained. "Thus making any oral dosages of any kind fatal, making the poison useless in this case."
Hotohori nodded. "Please, continue."
The doctor nodded. "I know of other ways to get around such a block. If there is a link between Tasuki's necklace, then it would make perfect sense."
Miaka looked at Mitsukake with full eyes, awaiting the conclusion of his speech.
"A poison such as Kodoku can work by merely touching the skin, but its effects would be vastly weakened." Mitsukake referred to Tasuki, "However, if the substance at hand is stronger, it could be used perfectly, however, it causes a flaw in a continuous strain, as demonstrated by Tasuki's necklace."
"I see!" Chiriko exclaimed. "By using something Tasuki rarely ever takes off that touches his skin, a continuous result is cast using the poison. Once Tamahome broke the conductor, if I may call it so, the poison stopped being, well, refreshed, like a watering can running out of water for a plant. However, since the drug was still being circulated, it took a moment for the effects to wear off, just like even though the plant is no longer being watered, it can survive from the water in the soil!"
"Wow." Inami said.
"I... think I get it..." Tasuki stated.
"Of course!" Miaka perked up. "Chiriko, Mitsukake, you solved it!" A look of overwhelming happiness came over her face. "That must be why Nakago took your necklace, Tasuki! He was poisoning it!"
Tasuki lifted an eyebrow. "You sound awfully excited 'bout it too..."
Miaka stood before the group proudly. "That's how we can break the spell on Nuriko! We just need to find what on him is poisoned as take it away!"
"It may not work as well, Miaka." Chichiri brought up.
Miaka blinked. "Huh? Why do you say that?"
"Well, Nuriko has been exposed longer than Tasuki has, and we don't know how that will effect it, no da."
Miaka refused to lose her confidence. "Well, we have to try. I've made my decision. It's getting late, so first thing tomorrow we'll leave and find Nuriko. Don't tell me it may not be possible, because anything is possible." Miaka stopped and thought for a moment. "Um... what does Nuriko have that we'd have to take?"
"Well, It's obviously got to be something he doesn't take off very often." Inami suggested.
The group was silent for a moment.
"Uh, Miaka?"
"Yes, Saori?"
"What about those bracelets of his?"
Miaka lit up even more. She clobbered Saori in a hug. "That's it! Thank you thank you thank you!"
Tamahome laughed. "Then is it settled?
Hotohori nodded.
Author's note: Hey. that chapter actually wasn't too bad! Oh crap. 37 is next! I'll list reason as to why it sucks later. To those of you who were looking for other stories of mine, I'll be starting a story soon. hopefully. I've actually been planning it since June. I'm not sure if I"ll release the main plot point yet, because I don't have it written and I don't want the idea taken. even if it is in use. I haven't seen a fic like it. But I will say this: It's a VERY VERY Nuriko based fanfiction. (Gosh I love that man.)