Chapter 40 : Unpleasant Dreams, Crucial Reality
"You got hit pretty badly." Mitsukake said as he looked over Nuriko's wounds. Nuriko's robe, which was ripped in the back, hung loosely around his elbows as Mitsukake looked at the damage. Nuriko's bare back had several bad cuts and scrapes scattered across it, most of them bleeding. The wounds had happened when he collided into the rough bark of a tree.
Mitsukake held his hand out and shone a quick green light onto the injury. The light shaped into colorful bubbles that floated lightly onto Nuriko's back, the wounds slowly disappearing.
Near them, Miaka was finishing wrapping a bandage around Tamahome's shin, tying it off neatly. "It's not too tight, is it?"
Tamahome shook his head. "Just fine, it doesn't even hurt anymore."
Miaka smiled happily as Saori passed her with a new shirt for Nuriko.
"Here you go." Saori said, handing the light blue shirt to the now healed man.
Nuriko took it graciously. "Thanks, Saori. I'll have to get a newer robe in Sairo." He slipped his arms out of the robe's sleeves and took off what remnants of his ripped shirt that he still had.
"We'll need to get a few more supplies once reaching Sairo."
Miaka looked at the folded piece of paper she had gotten out of her parcel. "Chichiri, shouldn't Goko Terrace be near here?"
Chichiri looked up from Chiriko, who only had a few bruises. "About a mile or two ahead, no da." He answered, smiling his normal masked smile.
"I think it's funny."
"Oh shut up."
"What? It is."
"Yeah? Well it's not as bad as being afraid of water. Do you cry every time it rains?"
"That's not funny."
"That's my point."
Inami folded her arms, leaning against the trunk of a tree. She didn't look extremely happy either.
"Here." Tasuki said, handing her a canteen as well as her rod. He was smiling, but trying to hide it.
"It's not funny!" Inami snapped again.
"Sure, sure. I thought Saori and Miaka threw a fit when they saw spiders. But you? You dropped like a fly!"
Inami threw the water bottle at Tasuki's head. "Will you be quiet? I think that's enough humility for one day."
Tasuki chuckled. "I didn't know you had arachnophobia."
Inami rolled her eyes. "Why do I even talk to you? Why do I bother? I don't know..." She said, grumbling to herself.
"Be nice, Tasuki." Miaka said, only half serious.
"I am being nice!" Tasuki complained.
Hotohori stepped away from re-packing the last standing horse, which now had extra weight on it from its previous companions' loads. "I really do hope we don't run into anymore trouble. Chichiri, do you sense anything?"
Chichiri helped Chiriko to stand before addressing the emperor. "We should stay cautious, no da. I have a feeling it's not over yet.
*************************************
"Hmm hmm hmm." Tomo laughed, closing the shell in his hand, looking out over the near barren landscape. "I have completed my goal, Suzaku Seven. You've been slowed down, and that's all Lord Nakago wishes." Tomo reopened shin and peered inside. "However, I think I'll give it one more run... I do find all of this rather enjoyable." A few images began swirling onto shin's smooth interior. "However, it won't be so much fun if you easily defeat my next illusion." He smirked again. "In my illusions I can pin point each one of your weaknesses, each fear, each joy if I so desire. If I do decide to kill any of you, I'll give you a wonderful dream in which to pass away in." Tomo cackled a bit more. "I do know that I am a weakness that isn't an illusion so easily pushed aside." Tomo tapped the inside of shin with a long red nail. "Perhaps I shall give the Priestess of Suzaku a run for her money."
***********************************
Keisuke stood on the sidelines, watching Taka's substitute talk briefly with the basketball team. Not only was he missing his assistant coach, but he was also missing two of his players. Both Mayo and Saori were very good, and had improved during their sophomore year. Both were supposed to try out for varsity league next month, assuming they'd ever make it.
Keisuke shifted his weight. "I wonder what's going on in that book now." His mind began to drift from the noisy gym. What if he had listened to Saori when she said Mayo was in the book? Keisuke always wondered what it would be like to enter the pages of the book himself, but he knew it wasn't meant to be.
But Keisuke was worried now, if things in the real world weren't bad enough. Keisuke was sure he had translated what the book had read a little while ago. The book didn't want Saori, but now, suddenly, it did, and Keisuke was almost sure why. But then again, he could be wrong... and he hoped he was wrong.
But, a mystery still laid in his mind. Why were there lines in the book that were blotted out? What was the book, no, the Seiryu Seven... what were they trying to hide? Whatever it was, someone made sure neither he, Tetsuya, nor Yui would know.
"Could it be something about Miaka?" He thought. No, everything about Miaka he could read. Or maybe it was something so devious the Seiryu Seven didn't want anyone knowing. Could they be trying to kill her? No, that wouldn't make sense... all their other plans to eliminate Miaka hadn't been hidden, so why now?
Something about Mayo? No, Mayo had been there when one of the incidents occurred. Maybe, Saori? If only Keisuke knew what the lines would have said he could be positive on his theory with Saori. He wished he could communicate with the others, but so far it didn't seem to work.
"Coach!" A girl called.
Keisuke looked up. "I'm coming!" He shouted back.
**********************************
"So Sairo does have its nice points." Chiriko explained.
"First really, really cold... now unbelievably hot..." Saori sighed. "Why does life do this to me?"
Miaka thought for a moment. "Tamahome, do you think we'll see Tokaki again? Maybe Subaru?"
"your power is the mind, the mind is what I control."
Tamahome shrugged. "I really do hope so." Tamahome punched his fist into his other hand. "It'd be great to see my old master again after so long."
"Taste my power again."
Inami winced, feeling an immense sense of pressure on her head. It instantly grew stronger, spreading throughout her body. Inami put her hands over her head protectively, the images around her getting blurry. Finally her legs buckles and she fell to her knees.
"Inami?!" Miaka said, stopping and running over.
"Akue?" Tasuki asked, kneeling down.
Inami remembered this sensation all too well. She was fighting a losing inward battle. "Tomo..." She managed to say, humbling more to the ground.
Tasuki pulled his fan out and looked around, expecting to see the Seiryu warrior any moment.
"That's not the only thing you need to worry about."
Everyone turned around, directing their attention to the cold voice.
There was a slight whistling as a round meteor bell spun in threat on Suboshi's middle finger, the second waved behind him, taunting anyone to come near. Suboshi smiled mischievously at the group.
Miaka stepped back behind Tamahome. Why... him?
Suboshi moved his finger and grabbed the rope under the deadly weapon, hurling it towards the Suzaku Seven, towards the priestess.
"Miaka!" Tamahome yelled, grabbing her shoulders and leaping out of the way as the Meteor bell smashed into the ground where Miaka had stood. A small crater lay there now from the impact.
"I've really gotten sick of you recently, Suboshi." Nuriko said, stepping forward and cracking his knuckles. Chichiri stood a few meters in front of him, bending his knees and holding is staff diagonally.
Suboshi only had a joyful yet cold look on his face as the first bell retreated to him and the second took its place, zooming with almost god- like speed at the next target.
Nuriko ran over, the bell hitting against the armor of his wristbands. Saori blinked. She hadn't even seen that coming.
Nuriko spun around. "Saori, get out of here!" He ordered.
"Kai ha!" Chichiri yelled, moving his staff forward. Yellow lightening shot from its gold tip, heading for the young warrior. Suboshi sent a ryuseisui into the ground, giving him extra force as he leapt away, completely avoiding the magician's attack.
"Stop it..." Inami whispered, lower her head, not able to see straight.
"Rekka, Shinen!!!"
A large wall of fire moved perfectly in sync with Suboshi's landing, unavoidable. The fire fanned out when it reached its target.
"What's happening?" Tamahome asked, still in fighting position.
Through the fire a blue barrier could be seen, and the fire slowly kindled to the ground. Suboshi stood in the center of the blue orb, unscathed.
Miaka's eyes widened as she focused on the creator of the field, feeling her heart jump.
"I must say, you warriors are improving."
Nakago stood farther back, his blonde hair cascading over his shoulders and a blue symbol radiating on his forehead, matching the glowing light in his right hand. His armor seemed to be part of him, and his stance alone was terrifying.
Miaka felt an intense wave of fear wash over her. How long had it been? She really hadn't seen Nakago at all since her arrival in the book. She remembered the man too well. Nakago seemed undefeatable, no matter how hard they fought against him. Nakago was the one who took Yui away, who had caused her and Tamahome so much grief. He individually had killed Hotohori, and nearly destroyed Tokyo.
Tamahome ran, charging at the tall blonde, Tasuki to his right. They didn't even touch him before they were easily blasted away with a blue light. The flash acted as a distraction as two ryuseisui hurtled through once again.
Hotohori managed to get on target with one, thought his sword didn't damaged the weapon. He and Nuriko barely had time to turn when the same sphere came at them again. Nuriko pushed Miaka to the ground to keep her low, hoping she would figure out on her own to crawl away.
Saori fell to the ground herself, on her side, wincing. She looked down, seeing the gash in her skin running up her thigh. "Oh no..." She whispered. She looked around, seeing everyone fighting. She managed to push herself into the bushes and trees that luckily were all ready close to her.
She couldn't believe it. Now even Nuriko was joining in, they couldn't get past Nakago's force field alone, and he didn't even seem to be trying. Saori understood now what Mayo meant by "unbeatable" in her telling of the story.
All Saori could do was lie low as her leg bleed and racked itself with pain. All she could do was watch.
Then, Saori caught something, noticing it almost immediately.
She looked back onto the fighting warriors, spotting Chichiri. "Chichiri!!!" She screamed to be heard, "Chichiri, those aren't them! It's another Illusion!!!"
Chichiri heard Saori's call, though she was barely visible from his position. It all technically made sense, and none of Chichiri's magic or Tasuki's fire seemed to be helping. He turned to Hotohori. "Highness, it's another illusion no da!"
"Illusion?" Hotohori asked.
Tasuki, Nuriko, and Tamahome all came flying, none of them landing properly, but skidding against the ground.
Saori grabbed onto a tree trunk to try to lift herself up. "Illusions aren't real!" She cried out. "We can fight them, even defeat them, but they're not real unless you give into them!!! Nakago... and Suboshi, they're not fighting us, they're not even here!" Saori looked back at the two Seiryu warriors. "This physically isn't happening..." She looked down at her leg. "But.. but whatever happens in an illusion. still happens?"
Inami's hand hit the dirt as she blinked hard, looking around. "What the..."
Saori turned her head, hearing a whistling noise coming towards her. It was another meteor bell, heading straight for her head.
Saori shut her eyes hard, ready for impact. "THIS ISN'T REAL!!!!"
She waited.
Nothing came.
Saori opened her eyes. The meteor bell was gone, as well as Suboshi and Nakago. They just, disappeared.
Saori looked over and gasped. The others... they were still fighting! Couldn't they see it?
Saori pulled herself up, managing to stand as she leaned against the white bark of the tree. "Wake up!" She shouted. No one even paid attention to her.
Miaka wasn't fighting, but she was crouched on the ground looking on in horror. That was the best chance she had.
Saori pushed herself away from the tree, walking and limping best she could to get across the field, staying away from the attacks from the Suzaku seven. The scorching pain in her left leg increased, and she fell down into the path. "Miaka..." She mumbled, forcing herself onto her knees. Blood dripping down her white skin, she crawled the rest of the distance to Miaka.
She took hold of her shoulders, shaking her. "Miaka, wake up! Miaka!" she shouted. Miaka didn't even notice her! Saori shook harder. "Miaka, snap out of it! Stop it!" Miaka just seemed to look through her.
"MIAKA!" Saori shouted, slapping her hand across Miaka's face. "All of you, WAKE UP!!!!"
Nakago's blue force faded into the air, he and Suboshi slowly vanishing. Miaka's eyes suddenly became brighter as she stared at Saori, a bit shocked to see her. "Sa... Saori?" She asked. She felt a stinging sensation in her cheek, placing her hand upon it.
Nuriko looked around. "Illusions again? I'm getting really tired of this."
"Ow..." Tasuki said, sitting up from the ground. "He wasn't real? I'd be creamed if I was fighting the real ((edited))"
"Tasuki!" Inami snapped.
"What?!" Tasuki asked.
"Miaka, are you all right?" Tamahome asked, walking over.
Miaka nodded, then looked back to Saori. "Saori, how did you... get over here so fast?" Miaka paused. "Ah! Saori! You're bleeding! Mitsukake! Mitsukake!!"
********************************
Tomo scowled as he slammed Shin closed in his hand. "That girl is irritating... who is she anyway?" He spat. He straightened, cooling himself. "Not to matter, my mission is completed. I need to report to Nakago."
******************************
"I really hate reading this thing." Tetsuya said, closing the book and tossing it onto the couch.
"Are you leaving?" Yui asked, walking into the room, Hikari supported on one of her hips.
"Yeah," Tetsuya said, smiling at the image before him. He took a few steps forward and leaned down, kissing Yui gently on her lips. He stood up, adjusting his glasses. "I'll see ya."
Yui waved. "Bye." She watched as Tetsuya cruised through the living room and out the door, shutting it behind him.
Yui turned her attention to Hikari. "So little missy, are you hungry?"
*********************************
Chichiri handed Mitsukake a pin for the bandages he was wrapping around Saori's leg as Saori spoke with Miaka.
"How did you know it was an illusion?" Miaka asked, curious.
"I guess it wasn't too hard once I took a good look." Saori admitted. "It was actually Suboshi who tipped me off. His eyes were so dark, almost black, they weren't how I remembered them." Saori looked around. "Besides, Chichiri would have sensed them, especially someone like Nakago." She winked. "Right?"
Chichiri smiled and nodded. "You're a real smart one, no da. I think we all owe you some gratitude, no da."
Saori blushed a little. "Thanks... and thank you, Mitsukake, for taking care of my leg."
"It's not problem at all." Mitsukake replied, packing up the medical kit beside him.
Inami looked over to the foursome and smiled, again directing the attention to the small cut on the left of Tasuki's forehead, pressing a wet sponge against it.
"Ouch..." Tasuki said through his teeth.
Inami shook her head and smiled.
Chiriko showed up a moment later, pulling the horse along with him. "Saori should ride since it would be difficult for her to walk."
Tamahome nodded. "That's a good idea, Chiriko." He sighed. "Maybe in the next town we can get more horses... I don't even want to think about what the total expense of this little trip is going to be..." Tamahome almost looked like he was going to cry.
Miaka laughed.
"Pardon me, no da." Chichiri said, carefully lifting Saori off the rock she was situated on and bringing her up onto the horse. He waited until she had good hold of the reins before letting go.
"Thanks, Chichiri." Saori smiled.
The large group walked two more miles southwest, reaching the start of Goko Terrace. Upon arrival, Hotohori, Mitsukake, and Chiriko took care of restocking the supplies, and Nuriko and Chichiri got several more horses.
"Finally..." Miaka breathed, "We're finally in Sairo!"
"You got hit pretty badly." Mitsukake said as he looked over Nuriko's wounds. Nuriko's robe, which was ripped in the back, hung loosely around his elbows as Mitsukake looked at the damage. Nuriko's bare back had several bad cuts and scrapes scattered across it, most of them bleeding. The wounds had happened when he collided into the rough bark of a tree.
Mitsukake held his hand out and shone a quick green light onto the injury. The light shaped into colorful bubbles that floated lightly onto Nuriko's back, the wounds slowly disappearing.
Near them, Miaka was finishing wrapping a bandage around Tamahome's shin, tying it off neatly. "It's not too tight, is it?"
Tamahome shook his head. "Just fine, it doesn't even hurt anymore."
Miaka smiled happily as Saori passed her with a new shirt for Nuriko.
"Here you go." Saori said, handing the light blue shirt to the now healed man.
Nuriko took it graciously. "Thanks, Saori. I'll have to get a newer robe in Sairo." He slipped his arms out of the robe's sleeves and took off what remnants of his ripped shirt that he still had.
"We'll need to get a few more supplies once reaching Sairo."
Miaka looked at the folded piece of paper she had gotten out of her parcel. "Chichiri, shouldn't Goko Terrace be near here?"
Chichiri looked up from Chiriko, who only had a few bruises. "About a mile or two ahead, no da." He answered, smiling his normal masked smile.
"I think it's funny."
"Oh shut up."
"What? It is."
"Yeah? Well it's not as bad as being afraid of water. Do you cry every time it rains?"
"That's not funny."
"That's my point."
Inami folded her arms, leaning against the trunk of a tree. She didn't look extremely happy either.
"Here." Tasuki said, handing her a canteen as well as her rod. He was smiling, but trying to hide it.
"It's not funny!" Inami snapped again.
"Sure, sure. I thought Saori and Miaka threw a fit when they saw spiders. But you? You dropped like a fly!"
Inami threw the water bottle at Tasuki's head. "Will you be quiet? I think that's enough humility for one day."
Tasuki chuckled. "I didn't know you had arachnophobia."
Inami rolled her eyes. "Why do I even talk to you? Why do I bother? I don't know..." She said, grumbling to herself.
"Be nice, Tasuki." Miaka said, only half serious.
"I am being nice!" Tasuki complained.
Hotohori stepped away from re-packing the last standing horse, which now had extra weight on it from its previous companions' loads. "I really do hope we don't run into anymore trouble. Chichiri, do you sense anything?"
Chichiri helped Chiriko to stand before addressing the emperor. "We should stay cautious, no da. I have a feeling it's not over yet.
*************************************
"Hmm hmm hmm." Tomo laughed, closing the shell in his hand, looking out over the near barren landscape. "I have completed my goal, Suzaku Seven. You've been slowed down, and that's all Lord Nakago wishes." Tomo reopened shin and peered inside. "However, I think I'll give it one more run... I do find all of this rather enjoyable." A few images began swirling onto shin's smooth interior. "However, it won't be so much fun if you easily defeat my next illusion." He smirked again. "In my illusions I can pin point each one of your weaknesses, each fear, each joy if I so desire. If I do decide to kill any of you, I'll give you a wonderful dream in which to pass away in." Tomo cackled a bit more. "I do know that I am a weakness that isn't an illusion so easily pushed aside." Tomo tapped the inside of shin with a long red nail. "Perhaps I shall give the Priestess of Suzaku a run for her money."
***********************************
Keisuke stood on the sidelines, watching Taka's substitute talk briefly with the basketball team. Not only was he missing his assistant coach, but he was also missing two of his players. Both Mayo and Saori were very good, and had improved during their sophomore year. Both were supposed to try out for varsity league next month, assuming they'd ever make it.
Keisuke shifted his weight. "I wonder what's going on in that book now." His mind began to drift from the noisy gym. What if he had listened to Saori when she said Mayo was in the book? Keisuke always wondered what it would be like to enter the pages of the book himself, but he knew it wasn't meant to be.
But Keisuke was worried now, if things in the real world weren't bad enough. Keisuke was sure he had translated what the book had read a little while ago. The book didn't want Saori, but now, suddenly, it did, and Keisuke was almost sure why. But then again, he could be wrong... and he hoped he was wrong.
But, a mystery still laid in his mind. Why were there lines in the book that were blotted out? What was the book, no, the Seiryu Seven... what were they trying to hide? Whatever it was, someone made sure neither he, Tetsuya, nor Yui would know.
"Could it be something about Miaka?" He thought. No, everything about Miaka he could read. Or maybe it was something so devious the Seiryu Seven didn't want anyone knowing. Could they be trying to kill her? No, that wouldn't make sense... all their other plans to eliminate Miaka hadn't been hidden, so why now?
Something about Mayo? No, Mayo had been there when one of the incidents occurred. Maybe, Saori? If only Keisuke knew what the lines would have said he could be positive on his theory with Saori. He wished he could communicate with the others, but so far it didn't seem to work.
"Coach!" A girl called.
Keisuke looked up. "I'm coming!" He shouted back.
**********************************
"So Sairo does have its nice points." Chiriko explained.
"First really, really cold... now unbelievably hot..." Saori sighed. "Why does life do this to me?"
Miaka thought for a moment. "Tamahome, do you think we'll see Tokaki again? Maybe Subaru?"
"your power is the mind, the mind is what I control."
Tamahome shrugged. "I really do hope so." Tamahome punched his fist into his other hand. "It'd be great to see my old master again after so long."
"Taste my power again."
Inami winced, feeling an immense sense of pressure on her head. It instantly grew stronger, spreading throughout her body. Inami put her hands over her head protectively, the images around her getting blurry. Finally her legs buckles and she fell to her knees.
"Inami?!" Miaka said, stopping and running over.
"Akue?" Tasuki asked, kneeling down.
Inami remembered this sensation all too well. She was fighting a losing inward battle. "Tomo..." She managed to say, humbling more to the ground.
Tasuki pulled his fan out and looked around, expecting to see the Seiryu warrior any moment.
"That's not the only thing you need to worry about."
Everyone turned around, directing their attention to the cold voice.
There was a slight whistling as a round meteor bell spun in threat on Suboshi's middle finger, the second waved behind him, taunting anyone to come near. Suboshi smiled mischievously at the group.
Miaka stepped back behind Tamahome. Why... him?
Suboshi moved his finger and grabbed the rope under the deadly weapon, hurling it towards the Suzaku Seven, towards the priestess.
"Miaka!" Tamahome yelled, grabbing her shoulders and leaping out of the way as the Meteor bell smashed into the ground where Miaka had stood. A small crater lay there now from the impact.
"I've really gotten sick of you recently, Suboshi." Nuriko said, stepping forward and cracking his knuckles. Chichiri stood a few meters in front of him, bending his knees and holding is staff diagonally.
Suboshi only had a joyful yet cold look on his face as the first bell retreated to him and the second took its place, zooming with almost god- like speed at the next target.
Nuriko ran over, the bell hitting against the armor of his wristbands. Saori blinked. She hadn't even seen that coming.
Nuriko spun around. "Saori, get out of here!" He ordered.
"Kai ha!" Chichiri yelled, moving his staff forward. Yellow lightening shot from its gold tip, heading for the young warrior. Suboshi sent a ryuseisui into the ground, giving him extra force as he leapt away, completely avoiding the magician's attack.
"Stop it..." Inami whispered, lower her head, not able to see straight.
"Rekka, Shinen!!!"
A large wall of fire moved perfectly in sync with Suboshi's landing, unavoidable. The fire fanned out when it reached its target.
"What's happening?" Tamahome asked, still in fighting position.
Through the fire a blue barrier could be seen, and the fire slowly kindled to the ground. Suboshi stood in the center of the blue orb, unscathed.
Miaka's eyes widened as she focused on the creator of the field, feeling her heart jump.
"I must say, you warriors are improving."
Nakago stood farther back, his blonde hair cascading over his shoulders and a blue symbol radiating on his forehead, matching the glowing light in his right hand. His armor seemed to be part of him, and his stance alone was terrifying.
Miaka felt an intense wave of fear wash over her. How long had it been? She really hadn't seen Nakago at all since her arrival in the book. She remembered the man too well. Nakago seemed undefeatable, no matter how hard they fought against him. Nakago was the one who took Yui away, who had caused her and Tamahome so much grief. He individually had killed Hotohori, and nearly destroyed Tokyo.
Tamahome ran, charging at the tall blonde, Tasuki to his right. They didn't even touch him before they were easily blasted away with a blue light. The flash acted as a distraction as two ryuseisui hurtled through once again.
Hotohori managed to get on target with one, thought his sword didn't damaged the weapon. He and Nuriko barely had time to turn when the same sphere came at them again. Nuriko pushed Miaka to the ground to keep her low, hoping she would figure out on her own to crawl away.
Saori fell to the ground herself, on her side, wincing. She looked down, seeing the gash in her skin running up her thigh. "Oh no..." She whispered. She looked around, seeing everyone fighting. She managed to push herself into the bushes and trees that luckily were all ready close to her.
She couldn't believe it. Now even Nuriko was joining in, they couldn't get past Nakago's force field alone, and he didn't even seem to be trying. Saori understood now what Mayo meant by "unbeatable" in her telling of the story.
All Saori could do was lie low as her leg bleed and racked itself with pain. All she could do was watch.
Then, Saori caught something, noticing it almost immediately.
She looked back onto the fighting warriors, spotting Chichiri. "Chichiri!!!" She screamed to be heard, "Chichiri, those aren't them! It's another Illusion!!!"
Chichiri heard Saori's call, though she was barely visible from his position. It all technically made sense, and none of Chichiri's magic or Tasuki's fire seemed to be helping. He turned to Hotohori. "Highness, it's another illusion no da!"
"Illusion?" Hotohori asked.
Tasuki, Nuriko, and Tamahome all came flying, none of them landing properly, but skidding against the ground.
Saori grabbed onto a tree trunk to try to lift herself up. "Illusions aren't real!" She cried out. "We can fight them, even defeat them, but they're not real unless you give into them!!! Nakago... and Suboshi, they're not fighting us, they're not even here!" Saori looked back at the two Seiryu warriors. "This physically isn't happening..." She looked down at her leg. "But.. but whatever happens in an illusion. still happens?"
Inami's hand hit the dirt as she blinked hard, looking around. "What the..."
Saori turned her head, hearing a whistling noise coming towards her. It was another meteor bell, heading straight for her head.
Saori shut her eyes hard, ready for impact. "THIS ISN'T REAL!!!!"
She waited.
Nothing came.
Saori opened her eyes. The meteor bell was gone, as well as Suboshi and Nakago. They just, disappeared.
Saori looked over and gasped. The others... they were still fighting! Couldn't they see it?
Saori pulled herself up, managing to stand as she leaned against the white bark of the tree. "Wake up!" She shouted. No one even paid attention to her.
Miaka wasn't fighting, but she was crouched on the ground looking on in horror. That was the best chance she had.
Saori pushed herself away from the tree, walking and limping best she could to get across the field, staying away from the attacks from the Suzaku seven. The scorching pain in her left leg increased, and she fell down into the path. "Miaka..." She mumbled, forcing herself onto her knees. Blood dripping down her white skin, she crawled the rest of the distance to Miaka.
She took hold of her shoulders, shaking her. "Miaka, wake up! Miaka!" she shouted. Miaka didn't even notice her! Saori shook harder. "Miaka, snap out of it! Stop it!" Miaka just seemed to look through her.
"MIAKA!" Saori shouted, slapping her hand across Miaka's face. "All of you, WAKE UP!!!!"
Nakago's blue force faded into the air, he and Suboshi slowly vanishing. Miaka's eyes suddenly became brighter as she stared at Saori, a bit shocked to see her. "Sa... Saori?" She asked. She felt a stinging sensation in her cheek, placing her hand upon it.
Nuriko looked around. "Illusions again? I'm getting really tired of this."
"Ow..." Tasuki said, sitting up from the ground. "He wasn't real? I'd be creamed if I was fighting the real ((edited))"
"Tasuki!" Inami snapped.
"What?!" Tasuki asked.
"Miaka, are you all right?" Tamahome asked, walking over.
Miaka nodded, then looked back to Saori. "Saori, how did you... get over here so fast?" Miaka paused. "Ah! Saori! You're bleeding! Mitsukake! Mitsukake!!"
********************************
Tomo scowled as he slammed Shin closed in his hand. "That girl is irritating... who is she anyway?" He spat. He straightened, cooling himself. "Not to matter, my mission is completed. I need to report to Nakago."
******************************
"I really hate reading this thing." Tetsuya said, closing the book and tossing it onto the couch.
"Are you leaving?" Yui asked, walking into the room, Hikari supported on one of her hips.
"Yeah," Tetsuya said, smiling at the image before him. He took a few steps forward and leaned down, kissing Yui gently on her lips. He stood up, adjusting his glasses. "I'll see ya."
Yui waved. "Bye." She watched as Tetsuya cruised through the living room and out the door, shutting it behind him.
Yui turned her attention to Hikari. "So little missy, are you hungry?"
*********************************
Chichiri handed Mitsukake a pin for the bandages he was wrapping around Saori's leg as Saori spoke with Miaka.
"How did you know it was an illusion?" Miaka asked, curious.
"I guess it wasn't too hard once I took a good look." Saori admitted. "It was actually Suboshi who tipped me off. His eyes were so dark, almost black, they weren't how I remembered them." Saori looked around. "Besides, Chichiri would have sensed them, especially someone like Nakago." She winked. "Right?"
Chichiri smiled and nodded. "You're a real smart one, no da. I think we all owe you some gratitude, no da."
Saori blushed a little. "Thanks... and thank you, Mitsukake, for taking care of my leg."
"It's not problem at all." Mitsukake replied, packing up the medical kit beside him.
Inami looked over to the foursome and smiled, again directing the attention to the small cut on the left of Tasuki's forehead, pressing a wet sponge against it.
"Ouch..." Tasuki said through his teeth.
Inami shook her head and smiled.
Chiriko showed up a moment later, pulling the horse along with him. "Saori should ride since it would be difficult for her to walk."
Tamahome nodded. "That's a good idea, Chiriko." He sighed. "Maybe in the next town we can get more horses... I don't even want to think about what the total expense of this little trip is going to be..." Tamahome almost looked like he was going to cry.
Miaka laughed.
"Pardon me, no da." Chichiri said, carefully lifting Saori off the rock she was situated on and bringing her up onto the horse. He waited until she had good hold of the reins before letting go.
"Thanks, Chichiri." Saori smiled.
The large group walked two more miles southwest, reaching the start of Goko Terrace. Upon arrival, Hotohori, Mitsukake, and Chiriko took care of restocking the supplies, and Nuriko and Chichiri got several more horses.
"Finally..." Miaka breathed, "We're finally in Sairo!"