Author's note: I'm SO sorry, especially to Metajoker for events that
happen in this chapter. or more-so the first scene. I was insane when I
wrote it, and too lazy to take it out. I can't believe I even thought of
it. bad Chiharu! Please keep the flames on this first scene. um. well. I'm
just REALLY sorry, you've been warned!
Also, you guys are really spoiling this -I'm the all powerful author who can kill characters- feel for me. SUBOSHI IS DEAD. Thank you. (I told my sister how many reviews I've gotten and she's extremely jealous, so keep it up so I can rub it in.)
To Holly DA: Thank you for your review! I do appreciate them.
To Amaya: Thank you for your review to chapter 42! It made me happy. Oh, and Tasuki said the second Inami heads up for Hokkan, give him a call. Ah, you noticed my little Nuriko-Tasuki humor. *tears up* Thank you!
Chapter 45 : Coyote in the Desert
"Welcome back, it took you long enough." Tasuki said as Tamahome and the others walked into the basement of the inn, which, like always, was a bar.
"Find anything useful?" Mitsukake asked.
"I'm not positive," Hotohori answered, "We'll have to search more tomorrow."
"So that means you did see SOMETHING then, right?" Tasuki repeated.
"Perhaps. I will fill all of you in tomorrow morning, but it is getting late." Hotohori walked past Tasuki. "And we all need a good rest."
"Where's Inami?" Tamahome asked.
Tasuki shrugged. "She's around here somewhere, last time I saw her she was drinking some kind of fruit punch."
"How entertaining." Tamahome joked. Chichiri nodded to them before following Hotohori up the stairs.
"So where were you?" Mitsukake asked.
"Long story, actually." Tamahome frowned for a moment. "Tokaki... and Subaru, they passed away a few years ago."
Tasuki was a bit taken back. "Jeez Man, I'm sorry."
Tamahome smiled again. "It's okay, really. I know they were really old, actually... I mean REALLY old."
"It's just another soul passing on." Mitsukake said. "I think I'm in due need of rest as well, and I hope you won't stay up too late."
"Good night Mitsu." Tasuki waved.
"Oh, there you are Inami." Tamahome said.
Tasuki turned around to see the brunette leaning up against a wall, playing with her hair. "Tired yet?"
Inami smiled, stepping closer to Tasuki. "Do I look tired?" She asked. Without any warning, Inami wrapped her arms around Tasuki's neck, pulling him down and immediately pressing her lips to his, entangling her fingers in his hair and she pressed harder.
Tamahome gawked.
Tasuki put his hands on Inami's shoulders and pushed her away slightly. "Are you feelin' okay?"
Inami stepped closer until she was right up against Tasuki. "Of course, I feel fine..." She said quietly, laughing. She pulled one of Tasuki's necklaces between her fingers and stood on her toes, kissing Tasuki again. Tasuki put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her away. "Akue, are... are you DRUNK?" He asked, confusion in his eyes.
Inami laughed. "No silly, I don't drink! You're such a silly..." Inami wavered slightly, almost falling over before Tasuki grabbed her with one of his arms.
"Uh, Tasuki? I think she is..." Tamahome pointed out.
Inami laughed, looking up at Tasuki through her eyelashes. "Tasuki- kun..." She said, laughing like a little kid. She wrapped her arms around his waist. "It's so cold tonight..." Inami laughed yet again.
Tasuki turned away from the wall and tried to pull Inami a way a bit, knowing what she was trying to do. "Akue, how much did you drink?!"
"I said I don't drink!" Inami shouted. She stepped forward again and lost all her balance, tumbling over. Tasuki caught her just before she hit the ground. Inami groaned and put her hand on her head.
"Tasuki, I think she's really out of it." Tamahome looked over his shoulder.
"You're telling me..." Tasuki looked the woman over. "All right Akue, you're going to bed."
"I don't wanna..." Inami said quietly, not opening her eyes. Tasuki put and arm under her knees and picked her off the floor. "I'll take care of her, Tama. You should get some rest yourself, you looked really tired."
"All right." Tamahome said as Tasuki carried Inami off. He couldn't help but smile... this was going to be fun in the morning.
*************************************
Yui leaned against the cot. She didn't trust anyone enough to let herself fall asleep, so she was ridiculously tired. The only person she had even seen was Nakago, and she was almost sure she heard Mayo's voice.
"Where is everyone?" She thought. Then she remembered. "Oh no... Amiboshi! Amiboshi was going after the others!" If Yui recalled right, Soi and Ashitare were going too... And with the group split up, it may not be a pretty scene. Yui stood up. She placed her hands out in front of her, slowly walking forward. She made about five steps when she saw a flash of blue in the dark and felt her hands repelled like a magnet. She slowly put a finger forward. The force field buzzed lightly and sparked blue. Yui traced her finger along, finding the force field was a bit like a dome. She pulled her hand away and ran to the wall where the cot was. She got on her knees and tried to lift the fabric of the tent. As soon as she grabbed it though, the blue force field propelled her back.
Yui felt like she was going to cry. Amiboshi... he was so gentle, though she had never actually met him before. He was powerful too, powerful enough to stand up to Nakago back in Hokkan. Someone like him could take on a whole crowd of people and come out unscathed.
"Miaka..." Yui whispered. "Be careful..."
**************************************
"Ow..." Inami winced and put her hand over her head, squinting hard. She opened her eyes slowly, the bright morning sun making her head hurt worse. It wasn't just a partial headache, her ENTIRE head was pounding like she was being hit with a sledge hammer. Her whole body was hot, and the light from the window felt like it was burning her eyes.
Inami tried to sit up, finding the pounding on her head to increase and she fell back into her pillow. "Itai..."
"You're awake."
Hand still on head, Inami looked over. She had to blink a few times to get a clear image, but saw Tasuki sitting in a chair next to her bed.
She closed her eyes. "...What happened?" She asked, wondering why he was there and why she seemed to in so much pain.
Tasuki smiled. "I think you have a hangover."
Inami gave him a strange look. "Tasuki... you only get hangovers... when you drink too much..."
"Exactly."
Inami tried to sit up again, and Tasuki leaned forward to help her up. She tried to shake off the effect, but found it not working. "What are you talking about?" She asked quietly and painfully.
"I'm saying you seriously over did it last night. You must have really thrown 'em back."
"What?" Inami asked, raising her voice, though it was a bit hoarse. "I don't drink Tasuki."
"What did you have last night, do you remember?" Tasuki questioned.
Inami leaned her head back onto the wall. "Uh... um... I had some fruit stuff... I think... I don't really. remember." She looked over at Tasuki. "It wasn't..."
"Yes, it was." Tasuki smiled, shaking his head. "Do you remember ~anything~?"
"No..." Inami coughed.
"Good, that's probably best." Tasuki stood up, putting the chair over by the door.
"What do you mean 'the best'?" Inami accused.
Tasuki smirked. "Do ya really want me to tell you?"
"Yes..."
*************************************
"Ame?" Mitsukake asked.
Hotohori nodded. "Yes, he was a friend of Tokaki and Subaru's. Yesterday he graciously allowed Chichiri, Tamahome, and I to visit him and his house. We was a very nice young man who seemed eager to learn about our travel. I'm not sure, but I believe the disk Taiisukun gave us flashed when we entered his home."
"That could be true, but wouldn't it have stayed lit if the clue was there?" Tamahome added. Just then Tasuki and Inami came down to join the group, Tasuki smiling and Inami looking rather flustered.
"We may not have been close enough to the clue itself, no da." Chichiri pointed out. "But it's a good lead."
Tasuki listened in, trying to get the story. "So where was this?"
"Ame, it was in his home." Hotohori answered. "And we have been invited to come back, he wanted to meet the rest of you."
"So, it could be some where in that house?" Tamahome thought. "What about that other girl, Koki? If the disk flashed when we entered the house, she was sitting right there."
"I don't think a person could be a shinzaho, no da." Chichiri pointed out. "Even so, she would have to be no older than 15, no da."
Hotohori shook his head. "That's really not the point. I would like to meet with Ame and Miss Koki again, and perhaps something will come up. If not, then we will simply continue looking elsewhere." Hotohori stood up from the table, ready to leave. "At least one person should stay at the inn at all times, perhaps two just in case. Remember, especially starting tonight, we must also keep a look out for Nuriko, Miaka, and Chiriko."
"I really hope they're okay, no da." Chichiri added. "And Saori is safely with them."
*************************
"Here we go." Keisuke said, leaning forward.
"What?" Tetsuya asked. "Yui?"
"Yeah." Keisuke answered. "Not much, but..." Keisuke quickly looked over the kanji appearing before him on the pages of the book. "She's not good, Tetsuya." He read a little further. "It says she too weak to even stand up, her strength is being taken again." Keisuke looked up to an empty chair. Tetsuya was getting his keys.
"Hey!" Keisuke exclaimed. "Where the heck do you think you're going?!"
"Miaka and Taka's place." Tetsuya answered, peering around through his sunglasses. "I'll need your key, I don't know where Yui's is."
Keisuke closed the book and stood up. "Why are you going there?"
Tetsuya threw his jacket back on. "Miaka... she may just have something that can link us to Yui."
"But Tetsuya..."
"She's in danger Keisuke!" Tetsuya shouted. "I need to get her out of there!"
Keisuke remembered a few years ago when they had their book club at the library, how Tetsuya says if Yui ever went back into the book he'd go with her to protect her. Keisuke sighed. "All right, but I'm coming with you. Just let me get Hikari."
"Fine." Tetsuya said. "Hurry up, I'll be in the car." Tetsuya went to the front door and disappeared, leaving it open.
Keisuke shook his head. "Hold on Yui." He whispered to the book.
**************************
A foot stepped in between two small rocks on the ground, throwing off the step of the traveler, sending her hard into the hard ground covered in thin, hot sand.
Saori winced a bit, pushing herself up. She had to pull her leg a bit to free her shoe. Kneeling, she picked up her jacket again and put it back on her head to cover her somewhat from the heat and sun. Tying the sleeves loosely under her chin, she stood back up, moving the bags with her back behind her. She was just following the lines of rocks now, and she used the larger ones to push herself along.
"No matter... what way I head in... there's gotta be a city somewhere." Saori looked around, a few of the very high boulders ahead of her. "Give me at least a village... a town!" Saori was starting to worry she'd run out of water before she found anything, and had all ready drunken one of the two canteens. Now she only drank when she absolutely had to, and she only allowed herself a few sips.
Saori slowly walked forward to the large rocks, her legs hot and sore. She tried to keep her arms close to her so she wouldn't burn, but had to keep one out for balance. It may be better to find a shady spot and rest for the day, but the days were so long, and she had to find someone. She didn't think she had been this alone in her entire life.
"I need to keep my mind off of things..." She whispered. She continued pacing on, silently for a while longer.
"Kaeru... no uta ga.." She sang softly to herself. "Kikoete kuru yo..."
Saori put her hand against on of the two large rocks she had finally reached, taking a breath and standing for a moment in the mediocre shade. "Kuwa... kuwa... kuwa... kuwa..." Saori swallowed best she could, still panting. "Kero kero... kero kero kuwa kuwa kuwa." The song may have been one only little kids sung, but anything to keep her from...
Saori lifted her head, squinting. "What's... that?" She asked herself. She stood straighter, trying to get a good view, the rising waves of heat blurring the distant image. It was long and flat on the ground up ahead, a bit to the left, and dark from where she stood.
Was it an animal? No, it wasn't a coyote... at least it didn't look like one. It was probably just a rock again, but she wanted to make sure. She thought she saw a horse about two hours ago, and it had just been a cleverly shaped rock. She could really use a horse right now.
Saori walked onward towards the object, slowly like usual. "Kaeru no uta ga... kiko..." Saori shut her eyes hard, blinking a few times before opening them fully. "Kikoete kuru yo..."
Saori stopped, squinting. For once, she didn't think it was a rock. She didn't know what it was. She walked forward, a bit faster. "Kuwa... kuwa.... kuwa..." Saori gasped.
"Oh my gosh, it's a person!" She gaped. She took off at a good jog, the fastest her body would let her move as she approached them. "A person all the way out here..."
She stopped, shocked. The person was collapsed on their stomach, looking lifeless.
"A...Amiboshi?" Saori asked, carefully stepping closer. Then she saw it. Attached to the person like a belt...
"Suboshi?!" Saori gasped, walking closer. "How'd... how'd he get out here?!" Saori looked around, seeing nothing else but the same scenery around her. She was positive, this was Suboshi. But... it didn't make sense.
Cautiously Saori approached, kneeling down quietly next to the boy. She studied him hard, leaning over.
"Oh my gosh!!!" She exclaimed. "He's... he's still breathing!" Saori quickly took the jacket off her head and pushed on one of the man's sides, rolling him over onto his back.
Saori looked on in shock. He was hurt, and badly. He had several cuts through his clothes around his midsection, and the fabric was stained red with blood. The cuts didn't seem to still be bleeding, not badly at least.
Saori quickly removed the three bags with her, lifting them up over her head. If... if this was Suboshi, that meant he's been out here longer than she has, and with these injuries. All she knew was he was out cold, almost dead.
Saori lifted Suboshi's head up a little, opening a canteen and bringing it up to his lips. He wouldn't have had any water... She poured some into his mouth, but he didn't drink it very well.
Saori put his head back down and closed her canteen. This... this was one of the Seiryu seven, one of the people who have tried to kill her... Miaka... everyone countless times, him more than anyone else. But... but she couldn't just leave him out there to die, could she? How could she ever live with herself?
Saori tried to lift Suboshi up, finding him to be quite heavy. She noticed his left forearm was at a strange angle, and she realized it was broken. Taking hold of his right arm, She slung it over her neck and forced herself to stand up, picking Suboshi up the best she could. She put her other arm around his waist, and very slowly walked him back over to the double boulders she had just been at. They seemed to have the most shade around here currently. Saori would have killed for a tree.
She finally reached the space between the two rocks and nearly dropped Suboshi, the strain being a bit much, even at just that. She laid Suboshi back down, again on his back. She looked him over, the impact of just who he was finally sinking in. Saori suddenly felt her heart jump, and felt a sense of fear enter her mind. What if he woke up and saw her?
Saori knelt down and quickly began untying the weapon wrapped around Suboshi's waist. She tugged at the knot hard before it came loose. She lifted the rope and quickly pulled it out from under him, pulling out from under his legs to get it all. She quickly ran a ways away, clutching onto the seemingly harmless weapon and turning back to the man. He didn't move.
"Saori, baka! He's injured!" She gasped. "Ack! He's dieing!" She dropped the ryuseisui and nearly skinned her knees when she dropped down next to him. She put two fingers on his neck, and to her relief he hadn't died in the time she wasted, but his pulse wasn't very strong.
Saori suddenly lit up. It wasn't much, but Saori did have some bandages with the supplies she had pulled off the horses. She opened one of her pouches and pulled out the single roll of off-white bandages. She had to start with the most severe thing, a large cut under Suboshi's ribs. She knew it was still bleeding, some of the blood stains were still wet.
She unraveled a large portion of the bandage and folded it to make it thicker. She looked over Suboshi's dirty clothing. She noticed ties on the side of the orange... well... she didn't know what to call it. She quickly undid them on both side and lifted the jumper-like item over Suboshi's arms and head, having to pull it out from under him as well. Underneath Suboshi has on a short-sleeved dark blue shirt and matching pants. Saori, without thinking twice about it, lifted Suboshi shirt, exposing the wound to its fullest. It wasn't good.
"Crap." Saori muttered, taking the folded bandage and putting over the main portion of the cut. She pressed down on it firmly, trying to stop the bleeding. After a moment she let up and took the rest of the bandage roll, and began wrapping around Suboshi's midsection, nearly having to climb over him to get it under his back and around again. She made it around just enough for a decent job before, sadly, the roll ran out.
Saori noticed the bandaging job still wasn't complete, and though the major cut was taken care of for the time being, there were still more. Thinking hard and finally getting an idea, Saori stood up, running as fast as her legs would let her to the spot where she had found Suboshi. She grabbed her uniformed jacket and turned on her heels, running back and returning to her spot. Saori took two hands to her green jacket and pulled, finding the fabric to be quite stubborn.
"Come on..." She pleaded. She took one end of the clothing and bit it hard, tugging down with both her hands. Finally, she heard a satisfying rip! as the fabric tore a few inches. She grabbed either side of the tear and pulled, ripping the fabric all the way across to the other end. She took the strip and laid it down. She turned the jacket inside out and began picking at the stitches that tied the sleeve to the bodice, with both her fingers and teeth. With a forceful tug the sleeve came loose, dragging dark green threads with it. Saori took the sleeve and folded it a couple of times, and put it over a gash on Suboshi's upper chest, reaching under his shirt to do so. She pressed down to make sure any more bleeding would stop, just like before. Letting up with one hand, she took the strip of fabric and wrapped it under Suboshi's arms to hold the sleeve in place.
"Please don't die..." She whispered. As she finished the bandaging job, she noticed Suboshi's lower ribs moved a bit under her touch. She pulled hands away, frightened. "His ribs are broken too?" She thought. Now she wanted to cry. How was she going to take care of this?
She looked at Suboshi's left arm, which was across from her. The long golden cuffs over it were bent over his arm, but they weren't ripped... not much, at least. Saori, biting her tongue, stepped over Suboshi and kneeled on the other side of him. She had absolutely no idea how to get the golden item off.
Saori looked around his arm, not wanting to pick it up. One, she didn't want to cause more damage, and two, well, it was pretty disgusting to her.
"Come on! No one just plastered it on!" Of course, she didn't know anything about this world's odd clothing. If only she had a knife.
Saori stood up and sprinted over to the meteor bells she had dropped, examining the ends. However, nothing was sharp on them, they were just balls with feathers attached to them. Sighing, she took off the supply bag she had, emptying it out on the ground. There was a bit of dried fruits and vegetables that Saori had been munching on, a few safety pins, some of which Saori used on the bandaging, a few long pieces of jerky, and some rocks, which Saori supposed were flint. Saori shoved everything back into the bag and put it back on. She kept one of the stones out. It had a lightly pointed edge, and it was her best bet.
She carefully walked over to Suboshi, still worried that he would wake up. She walked around him, sitting down by his head. Part of the material, which was some thick kind of fabric, was lifted and a bit ripped, but not a lot. Saori grabbed onto it with one hand and began scratching the rock against it. She did it over and over again, as hard as she could. She was doing little damage, but the thing had to come off.
She hit it again and again, one motion after another. A bit of the gold coloring was starting to tear.
Saori stopped, breathing hard. Her arms was starting to hurt, she didn't have the energy for this. She swallowed. "Gomen." She apologized, this time yanking up on the fabric, probably putting strain on the arm. She pushed the rock down on the material hard and kept swiping, slowly breaking through a strand at a time. After another minute the fabric finally tore apart, quite messily. By pulling and navigating through the fabric, she managed to get half the cuff off. Trying to ignore the fracture for a moment, she tugged down on the remaining material a bit higher up. It slid down Suboshi's arm and over his hand.
Relieved, Saori stood up, hands on hips as she looked around. "Now..." she breathed, "Where the heck am I going to find a splint?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's note: Well, I guess that first scene wasn't too bad, it was shorter than I thought. actually, this whole chapter didn't seem very long.
Also, you guys are really spoiling this -I'm the all powerful author who can kill characters- feel for me. SUBOSHI IS DEAD. Thank you. (I told my sister how many reviews I've gotten and she's extremely jealous, so keep it up so I can rub it in.)
To Holly DA: Thank you for your review! I do appreciate them.
To Amaya: Thank you for your review to chapter 42! It made me happy. Oh, and Tasuki said the second Inami heads up for Hokkan, give him a call. Ah, you noticed my little Nuriko-Tasuki humor. *tears up* Thank you!
Chapter 45 : Coyote in the Desert
"Welcome back, it took you long enough." Tasuki said as Tamahome and the others walked into the basement of the inn, which, like always, was a bar.
"Find anything useful?" Mitsukake asked.
"I'm not positive," Hotohori answered, "We'll have to search more tomorrow."
"So that means you did see SOMETHING then, right?" Tasuki repeated.
"Perhaps. I will fill all of you in tomorrow morning, but it is getting late." Hotohori walked past Tasuki. "And we all need a good rest."
"Where's Inami?" Tamahome asked.
Tasuki shrugged. "She's around here somewhere, last time I saw her she was drinking some kind of fruit punch."
"How entertaining." Tamahome joked. Chichiri nodded to them before following Hotohori up the stairs.
"So where were you?" Mitsukake asked.
"Long story, actually." Tamahome frowned for a moment. "Tokaki... and Subaru, they passed away a few years ago."
Tasuki was a bit taken back. "Jeez Man, I'm sorry."
Tamahome smiled again. "It's okay, really. I know they were really old, actually... I mean REALLY old."
"It's just another soul passing on." Mitsukake said. "I think I'm in due need of rest as well, and I hope you won't stay up too late."
"Good night Mitsu." Tasuki waved.
"Oh, there you are Inami." Tamahome said.
Tasuki turned around to see the brunette leaning up against a wall, playing with her hair. "Tired yet?"
Inami smiled, stepping closer to Tasuki. "Do I look tired?" She asked. Without any warning, Inami wrapped her arms around Tasuki's neck, pulling him down and immediately pressing her lips to his, entangling her fingers in his hair and she pressed harder.
Tamahome gawked.
Tasuki put his hands on Inami's shoulders and pushed her away slightly. "Are you feelin' okay?"
Inami stepped closer until she was right up against Tasuki. "Of course, I feel fine..." She said quietly, laughing. She pulled one of Tasuki's necklaces between her fingers and stood on her toes, kissing Tasuki again. Tasuki put his hands on her shoulders and pushed her away. "Akue, are... are you DRUNK?" He asked, confusion in his eyes.
Inami laughed. "No silly, I don't drink! You're such a silly..." Inami wavered slightly, almost falling over before Tasuki grabbed her with one of his arms.
"Uh, Tasuki? I think she is..." Tamahome pointed out.
Inami laughed, looking up at Tasuki through her eyelashes. "Tasuki- kun..." She said, laughing like a little kid. She wrapped her arms around his waist. "It's so cold tonight..." Inami laughed yet again.
Tasuki turned away from the wall and tried to pull Inami a way a bit, knowing what she was trying to do. "Akue, how much did you drink?!"
"I said I don't drink!" Inami shouted. She stepped forward again and lost all her balance, tumbling over. Tasuki caught her just before she hit the ground. Inami groaned and put her hand on her head.
"Tasuki, I think she's really out of it." Tamahome looked over his shoulder.
"You're telling me..." Tasuki looked the woman over. "All right Akue, you're going to bed."
"I don't wanna..." Inami said quietly, not opening her eyes. Tasuki put and arm under her knees and picked her off the floor. "I'll take care of her, Tama. You should get some rest yourself, you looked really tired."
"All right." Tamahome said as Tasuki carried Inami off. He couldn't help but smile... this was going to be fun in the morning.
*************************************
Yui leaned against the cot. She didn't trust anyone enough to let herself fall asleep, so she was ridiculously tired. The only person she had even seen was Nakago, and she was almost sure she heard Mayo's voice.
"Where is everyone?" She thought. Then she remembered. "Oh no... Amiboshi! Amiboshi was going after the others!" If Yui recalled right, Soi and Ashitare were going too... And with the group split up, it may not be a pretty scene. Yui stood up. She placed her hands out in front of her, slowly walking forward. She made about five steps when she saw a flash of blue in the dark and felt her hands repelled like a magnet. She slowly put a finger forward. The force field buzzed lightly and sparked blue. Yui traced her finger along, finding the force field was a bit like a dome. She pulled her hand away and ran to the wall where the cot was. She got on her knees and tried to lift the fabric of the tent. As soon as she grabbed it though, the blue force field propelled her back.
Yui felt like she was going to cry. Amiboshi... he was so gentle, though she had never actually met him before. He was powerful too, powerful enough to stand up to Nakago back in Hokkan. Someone like him could take on a whole crowd of people and come out unscathed.
"Miaka..." Yui whispered. "Be careful..."
**************************************
"Ow..." Inami winced and put her hand over her head, squinting hard. She opened her eyes slowly, the bright morning sun making her head hurt worse. It wasn't just a partial headache, her ENTIRE head was pounding like she was being hit with a sledge hammer. Her whole body was hot, and the light from the window felt like it was burning her eyes.
Inami tried to sit up, finding the pounding on her head to increase and she fell back into her pillow. "Itai..."
"You're awake."
Hand still on head, Inami looked over. She had to blink a few times to get a clear image, but saw Tasuki sitting in a chair next to her bed.
She closed her eyes. "...What happened?" She asked, wondering why he was there and why she seemed to in so much pain.
Tasuki smiled. "I think you have a hangover."
Inami gave him a strange look. "Tasuki... you only get hangovers... when you drink too much..."
"Exactly."
Inami tried to sit up again, and Tasuki leaned forward to help her up. She tried to shake off the effect, but found it not working. "What are you talking about?" She asked quietly and painfully.
"I'm saying you seriously over did it last night. You must have really thrown 'em back."
"What?" Inami asked, raising her voice, though it was a bit hoarse. "I don't drink Tasuki."
"What did you have last night, do you remember?" Tasuki questioned.
Inami leaned her head back onto the wall. "Uh... um... I had some fruit stuff... I think... I don't really. remember." She looked over at Tasuki. "It wasn't..."
"Yes, it was." Tasuki smiled, shaking his head. "Do you remember ~anything~?"
"No..." Inami coughed.
"Good, that's probably best." Tasuki stood up, putting the chair over by the door.
"What do you mean 'the best'?" Inami accused.
Tasuki smirked. "Do ya really want me to tell you?"
"Yes..."
*************************************
"Ame?" Mitsukake asked.
Hotohori nodded. "Yes, he was a friend of Tokaki and Subaru's. Yesterday he graciously allowed Chichiri, Tamahome, and I to visit him and his house. We was a very nice young man who seemed eager to learn about our travel. I'm not sure, but I believe the disk Taiisukun gave us flashed when we entered his home."
"That could be true, but wouldn't it have stayed lit if the clue was there?" Tamahome added. Just then Tasuki and Inami came down to join the group, Tasuki smiling and Inami looking rather flustered.
"We may not have been close enough to the clue itself, no da." Chichiri pointed out. "But it's a good lead."
Tasuki listened in, trying to get the story. "So where was this?"
"Ame, it was in his home." Hotohori answered. "And we have been invited to come back, he wanted to meet the rest of you."
"So, it could be some where in that house?" Tamahome thought. "What about that other girl, Koki? If the disk flashed when we entered the house, she was sitting right there."
"I don't think a person could be a shinzaho, no da." Chichiri pointed out. "Even so, she would have to be no older than 15, no da."
Hotohori shook his head. "That's really not the point. I would like to meet with Ame and Miss Koki again, and perhaps something will come up. If not, then we will simply continue looking elsewhere." Hotohori stood up from the table, ready to leave. "At least one person should stay at the inn at all times, perhaps two just in case. Remember, especially starting tonight, we must also keep a look out for Nuriko, Miaka, and Chiriko."
"I really hope they're okay, no da." Chichiri added. "And Saori is safely with them."
*************************
"Here we go." Keisuke said, leaning forward.
"What?" Tetsuya asked. "Yui?"
"Yeah." Keisuke answered. "Not much, but..." Keisuke quickly looked over the kanji appearing before him on the pages of the book. "She's not good, Tetsuya." He read a little further. "It says she too weak to even stand up, her strength is being taken again." Keisuke looked up to an empty chair. Tetsuya was getting his keys.
"Hey!" Keisuke exclaimed. "Where the heck do you think you're going?!"
"Miaka and Taka's place." Tetsuya answered, peering around through his sunglasses. "I'll need your key, I don't know where Yui's is."
Keisuke closed the book and stood up. "Why are you going there?"
Tetsuya threw his jacket back on. "Miaka... she may just have something that can link us to Yui."
"But Tetsuya..."
"She's in danger Keisuke!" Tetsuya shouted. "I need to get her out of there!"
Keisuke remembered a few years ago when they had their book club at the library, how Tetsuya says if Yui ever went back into the book he'd go with her to protect her. Keisuke sighed. "All right, but I'm coming with you. Just let me get Hikari."
"Fine." Tetsuya said. "Hurry up, I'll be in the car." Tetsuya went to the front door and disappeared, leaving it open.
Keisuke shook his head. "Hold on Yui." He whispered to the book.
**************************
A foot stepped in between two small rocks on the ground, throwing off the step of the traveler, sending her hard into the hard ground covered in thin, hot sand.
Saori winced a bit, pushing herself up. She had to pull her leg a bit to free her shoe. Kneeling, she picked up her jacket again and put it back on her head to cover her somewhat from the heat and sun. Tying the sleeves loosely under her chin, she stood back up, moving the bags with her back behind her. She was just following the lines of rocks now, and she used the larger ones to push herself along.
"No matter... what way I head in... there's gotta be a city somewhere." Saori looked around, a few of the very high boulders ahead of her. "Give me at least a village... a town!" Saori was starting to worry she'd run out of water before she found anything, and had all ready drunken one of the two canteens. Now she only drank when she absolutely had to, and she only allowed herself a few sips.
Saori slowly walked forward to the large rocks, her legs hot and sore. She tried to keep her arms close to her so she wouldn't burn, but had to keep one out for balance. It may be better to find a shady spot and rest for the day, but the days were so long, and she had to find someone. She didn't think she had been this alone in her entire life.
"I need to keep my mind off of things..." She whispered. She continued pacing on, silently for a while longer.
"Kaeru... no uta ga.." She sang softly to herself. "Kikoete kuru yo..."
Saori put her hand against on of the two large rocks she had finally reached, taking a breath and standing for a moment in the mediocre shade. "Kuwa... kuwa... kuwa... kuwa..." Saori swallowed best she could, still panting. "Kero kero... kero kero kuwa kuwa kuwa." The song may have been one only little kids sung, but anything to keep her from...
Saori lifted her head, squinting. "What's... that?" She asked herself. She stood straighter, trying to get a good view, the rising waves of heat blurring the distant image. It was long and flat on the ground up ahead, a bit to the left, and dark from where she stood.
Was it an animal? No, it wasn't a coyote... at least it didn't look like one. It was probably just a rock again, but she wanted to make sure. She thought she saw a horse about two hours ago, and it had just been a cleverly shaped rock. She could really use a horse right now.
Saori walked onward towards the object, slowly like usual. "Kaeru no uta ga... kiko..." Saori shut her eyes hard, blinking a few times before opening them fully. "Kikoete kuru yo..."
Saori stopped, squinting. For once, she didn't think it was a rock. She didn't know what it was. She walked forward, a bit faster. "Kuwa... kuwa.... kuwa..." Saori gasped.
"Oh my gosh, it's a person!" She gaped. She took off at a good jog, the fastest her body would let her move as she approached them. "A person all the way out here..."
She stopped, shocked. The person was collapsed on their stomach, looking lifeless.
"A...Amiboshi?" Saori asked, carefully stepping closer. Then she saw it. Attached to the person like a belt...
"Suboshi?!" Saori gasped, walking closer. "How'd... how'd he get out here?!" Saori looked around, seeing nothing else but the same scenery around her. She was positive, this was Suboshi. But... it didn't make sense.
Cautiously Saori approached, kneeling down quietly next to the boy. She studied him hard, leaning over.
"Oh my gosh!!!" She exclaimed. "He's... he's still breathing!" Saori quickly took the jacket off her head and pushed on one of the man's sides, rolling him over onto his back.
Saori looked on in shock. He was hurt, and badly. He had several cuts through his clothes around his midsection, and the fabric was stained red with blood. The cuts didn't seem to still be bleeding, not badly at least.
Saori quickly removed the three bags with her, lifting them up over her head. If... if this was Suboshi, that meant he's been out here longer than she has, and with these injuries. All she knew was he was out cold, almost dead.
Saori lifted Suboshi's head up a little, opening a canteen and bringing it up to his lips. He wouldn't have had any water... She poured some into his mouth, but he didn't drink it very well.
Saori put his head back down and closed her canteen. This... this was one of the Seiryu seven, one of the people who have tried to kill her... Miaka... everyone countless times, him more than anyone else. But... but she couldn't just leave him out there to die, could she? How could she ever live with herself?
Saori tried to lift Suboshi up, finding him to be quite heavy. She noticed his left forearm was at a strange angle, and she realized it was broken. Taking hold of his right arm, She slung it over her neck and forced herself to stand up, picking Suboshi up the best she could. She put her other arm around his waist, and very slowly walked him back over to the double boulders she had just been at. They seemed to have the most shade around here currently. Saori would have killed for a tree.
She finally reached the space between the two rocks and nearly dropped Suboshi, the strain being a bit much, even at just that. She laid Suboshi back down, again on his back. She looked him over, the impact of just who he was finally sinking in. Saori suddenly felt her heart jump, and felt a sense of fear enter her mind. What if he woke up and saw her?
Saori knelt down and quickly began untying the weapon wrapped around Suboshi's waist. She tugged at the knot hard before it came loose. She lifted the rope and quickly pulled it out from under him, pulling out from under his legs to get it all. She quickly ran a ways away, clutching onto the seemingly harmless weapon and turning back to the man. He didn't move.
"Saori, baka! He's injured!" She gasped. "Ack! He's dieing!" She dropped the ryuseisui and nearly skinned her knees when she dropped down next to him. She put two fingers on his neck, and to her relief he hadn't died in the time she wasted, but his pulse wasn't very strong.
Saori suddenly lit up. It wasn't much, but Saori did have some bandages with the supplies she had pulled off the horses. She opened one of her pouches and pulled out the single roll of off-white bandages. She had to start with the most severe thing, a large cut under Suboshi's ribs. She knew it was still bleeding, some of the blood stains were still wet.
She unraveled a large portion of the bandage and folded it to make it thicker. She looked over Suboshi's dirty clothing. She noticed ties on the side of the orange... well... she didn't know what to call it. She quickly undid them on both side and lifted the jumper-like item over Suboshi's arms and head, having to pull it out from under him as well. Underneath Suboshi has on a short-sleeved dark blue shirt and matching pants. Saori, without thinking twice about it, lifted Suboshi shirt, exposing the wound to its fullest. It wasn't good.
"Crap." Saori muttered, taking the folded bandage and putting over the main portion of the cut. She pressed down on it firmly, trying to stop the bleeding. After a moment she let up and took the rest of the bandage roll, and began wrapping around Suboshi's midsection, nearly having to climb over him to get it under his back and around again. She made it around just enough for a decent job before, sadly, the roll ran out.
Saori noticed the bandaging job still wasn't complete, and though the major cut was taken care of for the time being, there were still more. Thinking hard and finally getting an idea, Saori stood up, running as fast as her legs would let her to the spot where she had found Suboshi. She grabbed her uniformed jacket and turned on her heels, running back and returning to her spot. Saori took two hands to her green jacket and pulled, finding the fabric to be quite stubborn.
"Come on..." She pleaded. She took one end of the clothing and bit it hard, tugging down with both her hands. Finally, she heard a satisfying rip! as the fabric tore a few inches. She grabbed either side of the tear and pulled, ripping the fabric all the way across to the other end. She took the strip and laid it down. She turned the jacket inside out and began picking at the stitches that tied the sleeve to the bodice, with both her fingers and teeth. With a forceful tug the sleeve came loose, dragging dark green threads with it. Saori took the sleeve and folded it a couple of times, and put it over a gash on Suboshi's upper chest, reaching under his shirt to do so. She pressed down to make sure any more bleeding would stop, just like before. Letting up with one hand, she took the strip of fabric and wrapped it under Suboshi's arms to hold the sleeve in place.
"Please don't die..." She whispered. As she finished the bandaging job, she noticed Suboshi's lower ribs moved a bit under her touch. She pulled hands away, frightened. "His ribs are broken too?" She thought. Now she wanted to cry. How was she going to take care of this?
She looked at Suboshi's left arm, which was across from her. The long golden cuffs over it were bent over his arm, but they weren't ripped... not much, at least. Saori, biting her tongue, stepped over Suboshi and kneeled on the other side of him. She had absolutely no idea how to get the golden item off.
Saori looked around his arm, not wanting to pick it up. One, she didn't want to cause more damage, and two, well, it was pretty disgusting to her.
"Come on! No one just plastered it on!" Of course, she didn't know anything about this world's odd clothing. If only she had a knife.
Saori stood up and sprinted over to the meteor bells she had dropped, examining the ends. However, nothing was sharp on them, they were just balls with feathers attached to them. Sighing, she took off the supply bag she had, emptying it out on the ground. There was a bit of dried fruits and vegetables that Saori had been munching on, a few safety pins, some of which Saori used on the bandaging, a few long pieces of jerky, and some rocks, which Saori supposed were flint. Saori shoved everything back into the bag and put it back on. She kept one of the stones out. It had a lightly pointed edge, and it was her best bet.
She carefully walked over to Suboshi, still worried that he would wake up. She walked around him, sitting down by his head. Part of the material, which was some thick kind of fabric, was lifted and a bit ripped, but not a lot. Saori grabbed onto it with one hand and began scratching the rock against it. She did it over and over again, as hard as she could. She was doing little damage, but the thing had to come off.
She hit it again and again, one motion after another. A bit of the gold coloring was starting to tear.
Saori stopped, breathing hard. Her arms was starting to hurt, she didn't have the energy for this. She swallowed. "Gomen." She apologized, this time yanking up on the fabric, probably putting strain on the arm. She pushed the rock down on the material hard and kept swiping, slowly breaking through a strand at a time. After another minute the fabric finally tore apart, quite messily. By pulling and navigating through the fabric, she managed to get half the cuff off. Trying to ignore the fracture for a moment, she tugged down on the remaining material a bit higher up. It slid down Suboshi's arm and over his hand.
Relieved, Saori stood up, hands on hips as she looked around. "Now..." she breathed, "Where the heck am I going to find a splint?"
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Author's note: Well, I guess that first scene wasn't too bad, it was shorter than I thought. actually, this whole chapter didn't seem very long.