Author's note: *waves* Kon'wa Minna! I will say this, I like the title!
Okay, this is a warning, especially to Metajoker. This is a very Inami- filled chapter, and I believe it may possibly be the last one so based on her. Mostly because unlike the other characters, she didn't have aseries and 3 OAVs to develop her character!
Chapter 37 : Death Match in the Courts
Miaka's shoes lightly tapped in the hallway as she followed a fairly tall man in imperial robes. He was one of the many magistrates she had seen in this expansive palace.
Just a few minutes earlier, though it was getting late, she had requested to see the Hokkan Emperor, Sanoii. She had been meaning to speak privately with him for some time now.
The magistrate stopped outside a door and knocked gently on it. "Sire, the Priestess of Suzaku has requested a word with you." The man spoke clearly.
After a short pause, and answer came. "Please, send her in."
The magistrate turned to Miaka and gestured towards the door, bowing.
Miaka returned the bow and waited for the man to leave before approaching the room. She lightly placed her hand on the doorknob, turning it quietly and opening the door.
It was a small room, furnished in red carpeting and oak-stained walls. A small table was in the center, and a few candle lanterns provided light. The curtains on the back window were drawn, revealing a nearly full moon in the dark blue sky.
The Emperor, who was in slightly more casual but radiant robes, sat in a velvet chair, leaned over a book. A pair of thin black-framed glasses balanced on his nose. His eyes finally left the papers of his literature and looked up to Miaka. "Priestess, whatever brings you to my presence?"
Miaka bowed. "I would just like to personally apologize for all the trouble we've given you, as well as thank you for your sincere kindness and generosity. We'll be leaving tomorrow, and I mean officially this time, so we won't be bothering you any longer." Miaka bowed again.
The emperor smiled and removed his glasses. "Please, the Priestess of Suzaku and her warriors are always welcomed in my palace, for how ever long you wish to stay." The man chuckled slightly. "I will admit though you have improved my patience." A bit more serious look over came the emperor's features. "I did hear about your friend, Nuriko, and I send my remorse."
Miaka nodded. "Highness, if you don't mind me asking, what is the latest on the war?"
"Luckily," the emperor began, "Kutou attacks have been at a very minimum, and unless Kutou insists on firing up another long battle, Hokkan will stay on an alert rest. It's a good thing we have Miss Cheinun with us... she is a handful at times but she has proved to be very helpful." The emperor stood up and closed his book. "I don't suppose she's told you, but she was in the lines with the other Genbu Seven in the great Hokkan-Kutou war over 200 years ago, and she seems to know their tactics well."
As Miaka left and began walking back to her and Tamahome's room, she pondered on what the emperor had said. She didn't even think about it until then. Was Inami coming with them to Sairo? She should probably ask.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So anyways, I didn't buy a word of it." A man dressed in uniform explained to another as they walked around the palace gates, using a long spear as a walking stick. It was pitch dark, and very late at night. The cold air was still, everything mostly silent, minus for the small conversation of the guards.
"I'd laugh if you did." The second replied. "I mean, c'mon, that would be pathetic."
The first laughed. "I know. I think I'd permanently ruin my reputation!"
"Well I..." The guard didn't get a chance to finish when he felt something hit him hard on the back of the head, sending him instantly into unconsciousness. It wasn't long before his friend joined him.
"And his name is Koji?" Inami asked.
Tasuki nodded as he walked, hands in pockets. "He's great, seriously."
"I'll have to meet him," Inami said, "but I must say living in a mountain full of bandits doesn't sound like my cup of tea."
"Are you kiddin'?" Tasuki asked. "It's a heck of a lot better then living in this place..." Tasuki looked around. "I mean, come on..."
"What?" Inami questioned. "An imperial palace doesn't suit your needs?"
"AAAAH!!"
"What the hell?!" Tasuki said, turning around towards the sound.
"Saori!" Inami called.
The two jumped the small fence bordering the walkways and ran towards the sound as fast as they could. They ran across several garden paths and plants, Tasuki staying in the lead. It wasn't too long before they found the scene.
They stopped at a lighted court by a lake. Saori was on the ground holding her side, looking on with terror at her attacker.
It was Nuriko... or at least it was Nuriko. The man had the prince of Hokkan in his grips, hands pushing his head up and about ready to snap his neck.
"STOP!!!!" Inami screamed, shooting her hand out. Nuriko's grip instantly let go on the prince as he noted the two, his body being thrown into a gazebo wall.
Inami ran to the fallen prince, dropping to her knees at his side. "Seki- sama! Seki-sama!" She shouted, shaking the prince's shoulders. She turned around to Tasuki. "Tasuki, get the others! Hurry!!!"
Tasuki was frozen for a moment, this was the first time he had seen Nuriko in such a condition.
"TASUKI!" Inami shouted again.
Tasuki quickly nodded and took off towards the palace, a gust of wind following after his quick steps.
Inami placed her hand an inch above Prince Seki's mouth, and to her relief he was well and breathing.
"Look out!!!" Saori screamed.
Inami turned just in time to see Nuriko's fist come down onto her. Nuriko's fist froze about a foot above Inami's head, Inami's hand outstretched in front of her face. The sign of the ox glowed slightly on her forehead. Her hand started to shake as Nuriko tried to push down against the belated powers of her mind.
"He's... strong..." She thought. He was a little too strong, a little too close. His hand slowly but surely got closer and closer to Inami's head.
Trying desperately to keep Nuriko's fist away from her, Inami's left hand fumbled around her side, grabbing onto the cold metal it had been searching for.
*Shing!*
Nuriko pulled his hand away and faltered back, a small cut on his hand. However, he gave Inami a menacing look, smirking. "Inami of the Genbu seven, I'll enjoy this fight." He said coldly.
Inami stood up and took a step away from her fallen prince, placing her narrow sword into her right hand, not taking her eyes of Nuriko. "I didn't want to fight you, Nuriko." She said quietly. "However, as soon as you put Hokkan or its leader's in danger," Inami held out her weapon and allowed the second blade to shoot out. "I have no choice but to stop you."
Nuriko seemed to take her words into his dark eyes with humor. "Goody."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tasuki? What is it?" Hotohori asked as Tasuki burst into the room.
"Nuriko's here!" Tasuki shouted. "I don't have a damn clue what's going on, but Saori and Akue are down there!"
Chiriko and Hotohori stood up quickly. "Where?!" They shouted.
"By the east garden, where that lake is." Tasuki said urgently.
"Chiriko." Hotohori began quickly, "Get Chichiri and Tamahome." He turned to Tasuki. "We must hurry!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"HIGHNESS!" A guard shouted as he ran out into the court, followed by two others.
"Is he all right?!" Another guard asked.
"Yes, he seems to be..." The first answered, relieved. "Sire, are you all right?!"
Seki opened his eyes, wincing slightly. The guards helped him to sit up. "Saori..." he mumbled. "Where... is Saori?!"
"Nuriko, Inami, stop it, please!" Saori cried, trying to stay near the wall away from the fight. She had followed the two to a new arena, trying to ignore the burning pain in her side.
Nuriko's martial arts skills were somewhat better than Inami had predicted, and his clubs didn't help either, they were solid steel.
A loud clanging of metal was heard repeatedly as blade hit club over and over.
"Stop it!" Saori shouted again.
Inami and Nuriko's weapons were locked in a short stale mate, Nuriko's long, thin club pushing onto the gold handle of Inami's double sword. "Shut... up... Saori..." Inami muttered. She quickly ducked around, her blades following her movements. Nuriko easily evaded both of them, coming down again onto Inami. Inami darted out of the way, a loud noise echoing throughout the courts as Nuriko collided his fist and steel bar into the ground, leaving a large and very deep crater.
Nuriko let go of the perpendicular handle of his club, grabbing the end and yanking it out of the ground. He smiled and ran back to Inami, who was regaining her position.
As Nuriko approached his clubs met with several times with the golden double sword, which was spinning wildly. Inami noticed the bracelets on both of Nuriko's wrists, and took her aim.
*Cling!!*
"What?!" Inami gasped as her sword deflected, dodging another one of Nuriko's attacks. Her sword had come in direct contact with the left bracelet, and it didn't even crack.
Nuriko swung around and blocked a blade with little injury to himself, his fist whizzing past Inami's ear. Though he missed his main target, he grabbed onto Inami's long hair, yanking it down and grabbing onto the back of her neck, squeezing harder and harder.
"One will be reborn to protect the land..."
Finally the green symbol on Inami's forehead flashed to its fullest, a green dome emerging from the air and forcing Nuriko away from Inami. Saori ran as fast as she could to avoid being hit by his body slamming into the wall where she stood.
Just then, Hotohori and Tasuki ran out from behind a branch of the palace to where the new battlefield was laid.
Inami lowered her sword, Looking up to one of the many windows of the palace. She lifted her hand to one of them, not removing her stare. Her symbol glowed vibrantly.
Several sounds of cracking filled the night air, until finally the large window gave way and shattered, the pieces falling to the ground... and stopping before hitting.
The glimmering pieces of sharp glass lowered into the court, floating threatingly above the ground. As Nuriko stood, the glass pointed, aimed, and shot off in his direction like thousands of knives.
"Akue!" Tasuki shouted as he ran in.
Nuriko leapt away from the glass, but the field was so wide he couldn't avoid all of it. A few larger pieces pierced through his upper left arm, side, and thigh, as well as causing some spread flesh wounds. Nuriko fell onto the ground, but didn't stay down for long, standing up and leaving several bloodstains on the gray stone.
"Akue, don't kill him!" Tasuki shouted, grabbing the handle of Inami's doubled sword.
"He doesn't know when to stop!" Hotohori yelled.
Red light began to glow in the center of the court, three personages being formed. The images of Chichiri, Tamahome, and Miaka entered the scene. The sounds of guards and soldiers from the palace walls were running in as well to apprehend the injured Suzaku Warrior. Nakago must have known all of this would happen--sending in only one man, no matter how strong.
"Nuriko!" Miaka cried, seeing the heavy and still growing bloodstains on his robes.
Nuriko returned her gaze with a truly evil stare. He smirked, picking up one of the larger pieces of fallen glass and hurdling it through the air towards the red head.
"Miaka!" Tamahome shouted, blocking Miaka's body with his.
Hotohori drew his sword and swung it quickly, cutting the glass and stopping it before it reached either of them.
As Tasuki hesitantly drew his fan, the Chinese symbol on Inami's forehead dimmed and completely vanished, both blades of the long weapon retracting into the hilt.
"Akue?" Tasuki asked, wondering if she was all right.
Inami looked back sideways. "I can't let them see me out here." She said, referring to the guards. "They aren't supposed to know..." Inami's eyes shot forward along with Tasuki's at the sudden sound of intensive battle. Tamahome and Chichiri had caught up with Nuriko, who despite his injuries was ready to kill himself.
"Ko su mi ana to chi!" Chichiri shouted.
Nuriko froze. He didn't move, he was stopped in his place. However, Nuriko's strength was still a factor in physical spells, and his arm shook as he tried to break free.
Tamahome ran for him, reaching him just as Chichiri's spell broke. Tamahome felt a swift kick to his stomach, and flew across the ground. Saori ran to him and Hotohori took Tamahome's place.
"Taka! Are you okay?!" Saori asked.
Tamahome looked up wincing, but smiled. He opened his hand. He had one of the two bracelets.
Suddenly Nuriko grasped both of his hands to his head, letting out a mixed scream of madness and pain. His body shook, and he fell to one knee, his fingers entangling with his dark hair.
"The Shidoku..." Miaka whispered, tears streaming down her face. She looked up, collapsing to the ground. "Chichiri!!" She cried, perhaps the hardest she had in a while, "Chichiri! Please help him!!"
Chichiri heard Miaka's words with regretful remorse. Nuriko finally calmed down some and forced his injured body to stand, turning to the weeping priestess. All he had to do was kill her, and his pain would be gone.
"Inami!" Tasuki shouted as the brunette took off away from the fight towards the east walls. He didn't have time to think though. He turned around and held his fan steady. Had... had he been like this? Nuriko didn't even look the same... one of his closest friends may leave forever before his very eyes, and he never even saw it coming. Was there still time for Nuriko to be saved?
Tasuki shook his head, his red and blue earring reflecting the light. "Rekka..."
"SHINEN!!!"
"Stop!" Inami yelled, holding a hand out in front of the lead guard of a large group.
"Miss Cheinun! Run, get out of the way! There's a dangerous man around!" The guard shouted, running around the Ambassador.
"I said STOP!!" Inami shouted again, not allowing the guards to pass. "You will NOT advance further, do you understand?!!"
"WHAT?!" The guard shouted. "YOU don't understand, Miss Cheinun! The prince, he..."
"I understand better than you do. This is not an issue to be discussed! Go inform Sanoii, and leave!!"
The bewildered guards quieted, slowly backing up. "Hai, Cheinun-san." The front one said, slowly turning around as if Inami had made a huge mistake. True, Inami only was an ambassador, but because of her hidden rank she was viewed much higher among the courts, though most people didn't know why.
Cold sweat dripped down Nuriko's forehead as he forced himself again to stand, red liquid dripping off his clothing.
Instead of calling out more, Saori was covering her face with her hands, praying for the battle to end.
"Chichiri!" Hotohori called. "We cannot stay out here!!"
Chichiri nodded, bringing his hand up to his face as Nuriko stood to force another punch. He ran at Chichiri, forgetting what strength the magician had against him, especially in his state. As he ran in for a hit, he met with a strong red barrier. Nuriko screamed in pain as a burning sensation swiftly flew throughout his body, forcing him into the air. As Nuriko flew, the bracelet on his right hand shattered into pieces, and his body glowed red and vanished, along with the others in the court.
Okay, this is a warning, especially to Metajoker. This is a very Inami- filled chapter, and I believe it may possibly be the last one so based on her. Mostly because unlike the other characters, she didn't have aseries and 3 OAVs to develop her character!
Chapter 37 : Death Match in the Courts
Miaka's shoes lightly tapped in the hallway as she followed a fairly tall man in imperial robes. He was one of the many magistrates she had seen in this expansive palace.
Just a few minutes earlier, though it was getting late, she had requested to see the Hokkan Emperor, Sanoii. She had been meaning to speak privately with him for some time now.
The magistrate stopped outside a door and knocked gently on it. "Sire, the Priestess of Suzaku has requested a word with you." The man spoke clearly.
After a short pause, and answer came. "Please, send her in."
The magistrate turned to Miaka and gestured towards the door, bowing.
Miaka returned the bow and waited for the man to leave before approaching the room. She lightly placed her hand on the doorknob, turning it quietly and opening the door.
It was a small room, furnished in red carpeting and oak-stained walls. A small table was in the center, and a few candle lanterns provided light. The curtains on the back window were drawn, revealing a nearly full moon in the dark blue sky.
The Emperor, who was in slightly more casual but radiant robes, sat in a velvet chair, leaned over a book. A pair of thin black-framed glasses balanced on his nose. His eyes finally left the papers of his literature and looked up to Miaka. "Priestess, whatever brings you to my presence?"
Miaka bowed. "I would just like to personally apologize for all the trouble we've given you, as well as thank you for your sincere kindness and generosity. We'll be leaving tomorrow, and I mean officially this time, so we won't be bothering you any longer." Miaka bowed again.
The emperor smiled and removed his glasses. "Please, the Priestess of Suzaku and her warriors are always welcomed in my palace, for how ever long you wish to stay." The man chuckled slightly. "I will admit though you have improved my patience." A bit more serious look over came the emperor's features. "I did hear about your friend, Nuriko, and I send my remorse."
Miaka nodded. "Highness, if you don't mind me asking, what is the latest on the war?"
"Luckily," the emperor began, "Kutou attacks have been at a very minimum, and unless Kutou insists on firing up another long battle, Hokkan will stay on an alert rest. It's a good thing we have Miss Cheinun with us... she is a handful at times but she has proved to be very helpful." The emperor stood up and closed his book. "I don't suppose she's told you, but she was in the lines with the other Genbu Seven in the great Hokkan-Kutou war over 200 years ago, and she seems to know their tactics well."
As Miaka left and began walking back to her and Tamahome's room, she pondered on what the emperor had said. She didn't even think about it until then. Was Inami coming with them to Sairo? She should probably ask.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So anyways, I didn't buy a word of it." A man dressed in uniform explained to another as they walked around the palace gates, using a long spear as a walking stick. It was pitch dark, and very late at night. The cold air was still, everything mostly silent, minus for the small conversation of the guards.
"I'd laugh if you did." The second replied. "I mean, c'mon, that would be pathetic."
The first laughed. "I know. I think I'd permanently ruin my reputation!"
"Well I..." The guard didn't get a chance to finish when he felt something hit him hard on the back of the head, sending him instantly into unconsciousness. It wasn't long before his friend joined him.
"And his name is Koji?" Inami asked.
Tasuki nodded as he walked, hands in pockets. "He's great, seriously."
"I'll have to meet him," Inami said, "but I must say living in a mountain full of bandits doesn't sound like my cup of tea."
"Are you kiddin'?" Tasuki asked. "It's a heck of a lot better then living in this place..." Tasuki looked around. "I mean, come on..."
"What?" Inami questioned. "An imperial palace doesn't suit your needs?"
"AAAAH!!"
"What the hell?!" Tasuki said, turning around towards the sound.
"Saori!" Inami called.
The two jumped the small fence bordering the walkways and ran towards the sound as fast as they could. They ran across several garden paths and plants, Tasuki staying in the lead. It wasn't too long before they found the scene.
They stopped at a lighted court by a lake. Saori was on the ground holding her side, looking on with terror at her attacker.
It was Nuriko... or at least it was Nuriko. The man had the prince of Hokkan in his grips, hands pushing his head up and about ready to snap his neck.
"STOP!!!!" Inami screamed, shooting her hand out. Nuriko's grip instantly let go on the prince as he noted the two, his body being thrown into a gazebo wall.
Inami ran to the fallen prince, dropping to her knees at his side. "Seki- sama! Seki-sama!" She shouted, shaking the prince's shoulders. She turned around to Tasuki. "Tasuki, get the others! Hurry!!!"
Tasuki was frozen for a moment, this was the first time he had seen Nuriko in such a condition.
"TASUKI!" Inami shouted again.
Tasuki quickly nodded and took off towards the palace, a gust of wind following after his quick steps.
Inami placed her hand an inch above Prince Seki's mouth, and to her relief he was well and breathing.
"Look out!!!" Saori screamed.
Inami turned just in time to see Nuriko's fist come down onto her. Nuriko's fist froze about a foot above Inami's head, Inami's hand outstretched in front of her face. The sign of the ox glowed slightly on her forehead. Her hand started to shake as Nuriko tried to push down against the belated powers of her mind.
"He's... strong..." She thought. He was a little too strong, a little too close. His hand slowly but surely got closer and closer to Inami's head.
Trying desperately to keep Nuriko's fist away from her, Inami's left hand fumbled around her side, grabbing onto the cold metal it had been searching for.
*Shing!*
Nuriko pulled his hand away and faltered back, a small cut on his hand. However, he gave Inami a menacing look, smirking. "Inami of the Genbu seven, I'll enjoy this fight." He said coldly.
Inami stood up and took a step away from her fallen prince, placing her narrow sword into her right hand, not taking her eyes of Nuriko. "I didn't want to fight you, Nuriko." She said quietly. "However, as soon as you put Hokkan or its leader's in danger," Inami held out her weapon and allowed the second blade to shoot out. "I have no choice but to stop you."
Nuriko seemed to take her words into his dark eyes with humor. "Goody."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tasuki? What is it?" Hotohori asked as Tasuki burst into the room.
"Nuriko's here!" Tasuki shouted. "I don't have a damn clue what's going on, but Saori and Akue are down there!"
Chiriko and Hotohori stood up quickly. "Where?!" They shouted.
"By the east garden, where that lake is." Tasuki said urgently.
"Chiriko." Hotohori began quickly, "Get Chichiri and Tamahome." He turned to Tasuki. "We must hurry!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"HIGHNESS!" A guard shouted as he ran out into the court, followed by two others.
"Is he all right?!" Another guard asked.
"Yes, he seems to be..." The first answered, relieved. "Sire, are you all right?!"
Seki opened his eyes, wincing slightly. The guards helped him to sit up. "Saori..." he mumbled. "Where... is Saori?!"
"Nuriko, Inami, stop it, please!" Saori cried, trying to stay near the wall away from the fight. She had followed the two to a new arena, trying to ignore the burning pain in her side.
Nuriko's martial arts skills were somewhat better than Inami had predicted, and his clubs didn't help either, they were solid steel.
A loud clanging of metal was heard repeatedly as blade hit club over and over.
"Stop it!" Saori shouted again.
Inami and Nuriko's weapons were locked in a short stale mate, Nuriko's long, thin club pushing onto the gold handle of Inami's double sword. "Shut... up... Saori..." Inami muttered. She quickly ducked around, her blades following her movements. Nuriko easily evaded both of them, coming down again onto Inami. Inami darted out of the way, a loud noise echoing throughout the courts as Nuriko collided his fist and steel bar into the ground, leaving a large and very deep crater.
Nuriko let go of the perpendicular handle of his club, grabbing the end and yanking it out of the ground. He smiled and ran back to Inami, who was regaining her position.
As Nuriko approached his clubs met with several times with the golden double sword, which was spinning wildly. Inami noticed the bracelets on both of Nuriko's wrists, and took her aim.
*Cling!!*
"What?!" Inami gasped as her sword deflected, dodging another one of Nuriko's attacks. Her sword had come in direct contact with the left bracelet, and it didn't even crack.
Nuriko swung around and blocked a blade with little injury to himself, his fist whizzing past Inami's ear. Though he missed his main target, he grabbed onto Inami's long hair, yanking it down and grabbing onto the back of her neck, squeezing harder and harder.
"One will be reborn to protect the land..."
Finally the green symbol on Inami's forehead flashed to its fullest, a green dome emerging from the air and forcing Nuriko away from Inami. Saori ran as fast as she could to avoid being hit by his body slamming into the wall where she stood.
Just then, Hotohori and Tasuki ran out from behind a branch of the palace to where the new battlefield was laid.
Inami lowered her sword, Looking up to one of the many windows of the palace. She lifted her hand to one of them, not removing her stare. Her symbol glowed vibrantly.
Several sounds of cracking filled the night air, until finally the large window gave way and shattered, the pieces falling to the ground... and stopping before hitting.
The glimmering pieces of sharp glass lowered into the court, floating threatingly above the ground. As Nuriko stood, the glass pointed, aimed, and shot off in his direction like thousands of knives.
"Akue!" Tasuki shouted as he ran in.
Nuriko leapt away from the glass, but the field was so wide he couldn't avoid all of it. A few larger pieces pierced through his upper left arm, side, and thigh, as well as causing some spread flesh wounds. Nuriko fell onto the ground, but didn't stay down for long, standing up and leaving several bloodstains on the gray stone.
"Akue, don't kill him!" Tasuki shouted, grabbing the handle of Inami's doubled sword.
"He doesn't know when to stop!" Hotohori yelled.
Red light began to glow in the center of the court, three personages being formed. The images of Chichiri, Tamahome, and Miaka entered the scene. The sounds of guards and soldiers from the palace walls were running in as well to apprehend the injured Suzaku Warrior. Nakago must have known all of this would happen--sending in only one man, no matter how strong.
"Nuriko!" Miaka cried, seeing the heavy and still growing bloodstains on his robes.
Nuriko returned her gaze with a truly evil stare. He smirked, picking up one of the larger pieces of fallen glass and hurdling it through the air towards the red head.
"Miaka!" Tamahome shouted, blocking Miaka's body with his.
Hotohori drew his sword and swung it quickly, cutting the glass and stopping it before it reached either of them.
As Tasuki hesitantly drew his fan, the Chinese symbol on Inami's forehead dimmed and completely vanished, both blades of the long weapon retracting into the hilt.
"Akue?" Tasuki asked, wondering if she was all right.
Inami looked back sideways. "I can't let them see me out here." She said, referring to the guards. "They aren't supposed to know..." Inami's eyes shot forward along with Tasuki's at the sudden sound of intensive battle. Tamahome and Chichiri had caught up with Nuriko, who despite his injuries was ready to kill himself.
"Ko su mi ana to chi!" Chichiri shouted.
Nuriko froze. He didn't move, he was stopped in his place. However, Nuriko's strength was still a factor in physical spells, and his arm shook as he tried to break free.
Tamahome ran for him, reaching him just as Chichiri's spell broke. Tamahome felt a swift kick to his stomach, and flew across the ground. Saori ran to him and Hotohori took Tamahome's place.
"Taka! Are you okay?!" Saori asked.
Tamahome looked up wincing, but smiled. He opened his hand. He had one of the two bracelets.
Suddenly Nuriko grasped both of his hands to his head, letting out a mixed scream of madness and pain. His body shook, and he fell to one knee, his fingers entangling with his dark hair.
"The Shidoku..." Miaka whispered, tears streaming down her face. She looked up, collapsing to the ground. "Chichiri!!" She cried, perhaps the hardest she had in a while, "Chichiri! Please help him!!"
Chichiri heard Miaka's words with regretful remorse. Nuriko finally calmed down some and forced his injured body to stand, turning to the weeping priestess. All he had to do was kill her, and his pain would be gone.
"Inami!" Tasuki shouted as the brunette took off away from the fight towards the east walls. He didn't have time to think though. He turned around and held his fan steady. Had... had he been like this? Nuriko didn't even look the same... one of his closest friends may leave forever before his very eyes, and he never even saw it coming. Was there still time for Nuriko to be saved?
Tasuki shook his head, his red and blue earring reflecting the light. "Rekka..."
"SHINEN!!!"
"Stop!" Inami yelled, holding a hand out in front of the lead guard of a large group.
"Miss Cheinun! Run, get out of the way! There's a dangerous man around!" The guard shouted, running around the Ambassador.
"I said STOP!!" Inami shouted again, not allowing the guards to pass. "You will NOT advance further, do you understand?!!"
"WHAT?!" The guard shouted. "YOU don't understand, Miss Cheinun! The prince, he..."
"I understand better than you do. This is not an issue to be discussed! Go inform Sanoii, and leave!!"
The bewildered guards quieted, slowly backing up. "Hai, Cheinun-san." The front one said, slowly turning around as if Inami had made a huge mistake. True, Inami only was an ambassador, but because of her hidden rank she was viewed much higher among the courts, though most people didn't know why.
Cold sweat dripped down Nuriko's forehead as he forced himself again to stand, red liquid dripping off his clothing.
Instead of calling out more, Saori was covering her face with her hands, praying for the battle to end.
"Chichiri!" Hotohori called. "We cannot stay out here!!"
Chichiri nodded, bringing his hand up to his face as Nuriko stood to force another punch. He ran at Chichiri, forgetting what strength the magician had against him, especially in his state. As he ran in for a hit, he met with a strong red barrier. Nuriko screamed in pain as a burning sensation swiftly flew throughout his body, forcing him into the air. As Nuriko flew, the bracelet on his right hand shattered into pieces, and his body glowed red and vanished, along with the others in the court.