Author's note: Like I've been doing a lot lately, something marked like
~~this~~ is in italics, you may need to know that for this chapter.
To Metajoker: Lol. the awaited commentary hits. Yes, Inami was pretty stupid there, huh? I suppose Tasuki would smile a bit after telling Inami she came onto him publicly like thatm just to rub it in. (I'm a bad Chiharu.) I just wonder what you were thinking when you read my warning. Remember, Saori's first aid knowledge is minimal, she only knows the basics, that's why she keeps referring to things like "He's lucky he's still alive in HER care." Just like if anyone else found someone injured like that, you wouldn't just sit there, you'd do what you knew could help. For example, you really shouldn't set a bone when you don't know what your doing. let's just hope she just held it in place. ^_^;;
Wow, I reply to your reviews in lengthy ways. anyway, before I wrote this I kept in mind that Amiboshi is much calmer than Suboshi, seeing as how they're opposite sides of the same coin, so people who didn't buy into chapter 46 are perfectly understandable. However, I think that in my reasoning to all those anti-Suboshi people after he slaughtered Tamahome's family, that if Amiboshi and he had been switched, he would have reacted in a similar way.
To Amaya: Yes, Kokie's personality is strictly sassy. I actually wanted Ame to be more of a character than her, but I suppose with a personality like THAT, it's hard to overlook. ^_^ I believe now there are only three living Byakko seishi left, the other is Toroki, but as of now he will not be in the story. Lol, thanks for your comments, they made me laugh.
Chapter 47 : Life for Loyalty
"Baka..." Inami trailed off as she placed the wet cloth on Tasuki's leg.
Hotohori, who was completely healed, handed a second wet cloth to Mitsukake, who sat on the edge of the bed where Koki was lying.
Ame looked from his friend to the others. "I suppose you would like a bit of an explanation, which I am willing to provide." He turned towards Tamahome, who was bandaged a bit. "You see, as I said, I am very close friends with Subaru and Tokaki, I am one of their fellow warriors, Amefuri. Before Subaru died a few years ago, she cast the spell she had on herself on Kokie and I. The spell makes us youthful physically, but..."
"On the inside you still age, no da." Chichiri finished his sentence.
"I remember, that guy Tatara." Tasuki added.
Amefuri nodded. "Kokie, you see, is a bit unfortunate." He looked back at the unconscious woman on the bed. "She is the oldest warrior to live, she may look merely 20, but inside she's 124 years old."
"124?" Inami asked, looking over. "And here I am thinking I feel old..."
Ame smiled softly. "She can't take the physical strain needed to use her gifts. I myself am only 119."
"No offense pops, but that's pretty ancient still." Tasuki commented.
Ame nodded. "Thank you for tending to her."
"Thank you." Hotohori added. "If it were not for you, we wouldn't be here right now."
Ame looked up. "Oh dear, that's right. Koki will be quite upset... I completely forgot to get her violin." he sighed. "Enough with the dramatics. You, are Mitsukake, is that correct?"
Mitsukake nodded.
Ame counted for a moment. "I see you are not all together."
Hotohori stepped forward. "Two of our warriors are in the search party I informed you of earlier. Nuriko is one whom not even Subaru and Tokaki met, and the other is Chiriko."
"I see. I am very fortunate to meet you all." He looked over towards the bandit. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I know your name."
"Ina..." Tasuki began before being kicked.
Inami stood up and bowed. "My name is Akue Cheinun, and I am an ambassador from Hokkan. I'm currently traveling with the others." She stood straight and smiled. "I'm very glad to meet you."
Ame nodded. "Mutual."
*****************************
Saori had managed to cut a rather uneven hole into the side of an empty canteen. Using the cutout, her hands, and some rocks, she was now busily digging a hole in the shade of the large overhead stones.
Suboshi, who felt weak and uncomfortable still, was sitting up a bit, leaning his back on a boulder. He glanced over at Saori, not showing much of an expression. The reason could be he really didn't care or he was too stiff and sore to do much. However, he finally asked. "What the hell are you doing?" his voice wasn't much, that was for sure.
Saori continued digging, but didn't ignore him. "It's something I learned at camp a few years back." She answered, digging the hole more deep than wide. You see, you take a cup, well, in this case this canteen, and put it in a deep hole in the ground. It's colder and moister down there. You put plastic wrap over the top of the hole, and as the water rises to evaporate, it sticks to the wrap, and falls into the cup, so you collect water." Saori turned her head and coughed a bit. "I'm hoping I can get it to work with the sides of this canteen instead of the wrap though." Saori stopped digging and glanced over at the Seiryu warrior. Her face looked a bit sad. "You don't look too well... are you feeling okay?"
Suboshi gave her a quick cold glance before turning his head, staring off in another direction.
Saori sighed. "I'm trying to help you."
After Saori's statement, Suboshi put his hands on the ground, one connected to a broken arm, and tried to lift himself enough to stand. He grit his teeth together in pain.
Saori quickly got to her feet and ran over to him, pushing him back down. "Please don't! You shouldn't strain yourself in your condition! I only..." Saori's words were cut off as she felt a hand against her, pushing her away. Suboshi wasn't currently strong, but it was enough to get the girl away from him.
Saori stared at the boy in disbelief. "You... You still don't believe I want to help you, do you?" She accused.
Suboshi started to speak in his weakened voice. "I never trust an enemy..." he swallowed hard. "As soon as I get... out of here..."
Suboshi watched as Saori stood up again and marched away from him, not allowing him to finish. After a moment however, she came back into view under the rocks, holding the rope of his ryuseisui in her hand. She walked up to Suboshi and threw them at him. For the first time she looked at Suboshi with anger and disgust. "If you don't believe me, then go ahead and kill me, get it over with." She said harshly. "You probably will when... IF you get better anyway, but I know you have enough strength left to hurl one of those things at me right now." Saori stretched her arms out. "Go ahead. Do it! If I'm lying, kill me! I'm letting you, so DO IT!"
Suboshi looked at Saori confused. He placed his good hand beneath a meteor bell, feeling the rope beneath his fingers.
He let it go.
"Forget it." Suboshi snapped, turning his head away from Saori once again.
Saori stood there for a moment, lowering her arms. She looked at the twin in pity. After a moment, she stepped closer and knelt down next to him again, hoping he wouldn't push her away. "Suboshi..." the sound of his name coming from her sounded strange still.
Suboshi's blue eyes moved over to look at her.
Saori looked down. "Suboshi, tell me... tell me where the Seiryu camp is...
...Please."
***************************
Nuriko shook his head, then pulled back on the reins of his horse, pulling the animal to a stop. Chiriko, behind them, did the same.
"Miaka, we have to head back."
"No... please..." Miaka said, weariness on her voice.
Nuriko turned the horse around. "I'm sorry Miaka, we have to. We've scouted this area over and over."
"Miaka..." Chiriko added, "We're running out of food, and the others are waiting for us."
"Saori... But Saori..." Miaka repeated.
"Miaka." Nuriko said irritately, moving his horse to walk in the opposite direction. "I'll be honest with you. Saori either found a place to stay, or she didn't make it." Nuriko put more hope onto the first option, not wanting to think about "what else."
Miaka looked down sadly.
Nuriko sighed. He was about to say something, but suddenly a strong tinge of force swept throughout his body. He quickly looked over, his eyes growing wide.
~
A smile appeared on the tall man lips as he stood, hands on hips, looking at the three travelers.
"Well well," He said, looking over the small group. "Not only do I get rid of two Suzaku warriors, but their priestess as well. Doing that would make retrieving your shinzaho ridiculously easy."
Nuriko was instantly off his horse, and Miaka was paralyzed in fear. "Nakago..." He said lowly and coldly, "You lay one finger on her and I swear I'll kill you."
Nakago let out what almost seemed to be a light chuckle. "You? You wouldn't even come close to touching me."
"Chiriko." Nuriko said, keeping his eyes on the Kutou General, "Get Miaka away."
"But..."
Two, red armbands appeared on Nuriko's forearms. "Now."
********************
Keisuke put the book down for a moment, wondering what Tetsuya was getting into now. He stood up and looked for him, hearing him in Miaka and Taka's bedroom. He walked in and saw Tetsuya rooting through drawers. He was about to say something when Tetsuya pulled open the far right one, full of shiny pink panties and slips.
"AH!" Keisuke shouted, running in and slamming the drawer shut with a free hand. "What's wrong with you? Cut it out!!"
Tetsuya sighed and pulled away from the drawer. "Keep it down, you'll wake up Hikari." He looked at the book in Keisuke's hands. "What's happened?"
Keisuke lifted the book up and opened it to the page he was on, thinking. "A lot... Ame and Koki are Amefuri and Kokie, warriors of the Byakko Seven." Keisuke didn't wait for a reaction, but continued. "Basically Seiryu attacked, they helped out.. oh, Kokie is in bad condition, but..." Keisuke looked at the page. "It looks like she's getting better. Saori..." Keisuke paused, as if Saori was one of the more important characters. "Saori's going to get herself killed, I know it. She asked Suboshi where his camp is, and I hope she's not planning what I think she is." Keisuke got even more serious. "Then Miaka, Nakago found them."
The sound of that man's name man Tetsuya's expression change drastically.
"I... Nuriko's going to fight him, but..."
Tetsuya grabbed the book from Keisuke's hands. "Just give it to me." He said bluntly. He walked out of the bedroom and back into the living room.
Keisuke hesitated to follow, looking around the room his sister and co- worker shared. He thought for a moment, and whispered quietly, "Please Nuriko... protect Miaka..."
***********************
The flapped door to the tent opened slightly and a young woman stepped in, her light kimono lightly brushing against the ground. She entered the tent, giving a smug look to what she saw.
"So, the ancient prune is really here." She said sourly.
Yui looked up, her body racked with fatigue, and her face expressed it. "Mayo, please stop this. You... you don't understand!" Yui moved into a more upright position. "Everyone... everyone back home wants you back! We still care about you, please, just..."
"Shut up!" Mayo interrupted cruelly. "I will not stand here and listen to you say lies to my face. No one understands me!"
Yui shook her head. "Mayo.. this isn't about Taka anymore..."
Mayo's eyebrows lowered coldly.
"Then why? I know... I know you don't still really love him! You care about..."
"I said SHUT UP!" Mayo shouted again. She pulled her fingers through her hair quickly. "I don't know why I bothered to come in here and see you." Suddenly though, Mayo seemed to calm down a bit. "It doesn't matter for you anyways." Mayo said, turning her back on the girl she once called "friend." "Your powers as Priestess are all ready transferring to me, I can feel them. Soon you'll be of no use to me, and I'll have you taken care of." The last words seemed to be forced of her tongue, and Mayo haughtily left the tent.
"Mayo..." Yui trailed off, standing up from within her confinement. "I understand more than you know... I used to have this hate you're feeling...."
Mayo was again faced with her own anger when she left the tent. She was bored, and no one was around to talk to. She stomped off, trying to cool off.
"No one understands me..." She said, kicking dirt up as she went along. "No one could!"
~~"You know, I'm busy all day long! Unlike YOU!" "I can't believe the words spewing from your mouth woman! I work, I'm the provider for this family!" "Provider of what?" Mrs. Sakaki shouted. "I buy the food, I raise YOUR Daughter, I cook..." "You wouldn't be able to do any of that without MY money!" The father shouted back. "YOUR money, is it?"
Mayo buried her face farther into her pillow, her English book pushed aside. Her hands were clasped over her ears. "Stop it!" She begged. "Just stop it!"~~
~
~~ "Konnichi wa Hikari-chan!" Mayo said, smiling at the small child in Miaka's arms. She lightly stroked the top of the baby's head. "She's so cute, Miaka."
Miaka smiled. "Thank you. Do you want to hold her?"
Mayo looked around the room for a moment, seeing everyone happily conversing. She smiled. "Hai!"
Miaka carefully held her arms out to Mayo, who cautiously took the newborn in her arms. She looked down at Hikari's small face. "Hi little Hikari-chan." She said softly.
Hikari's face started to turn red and wrinkle, and within seconds she let out a long wail, beginning to cry loudly and squirm a bit.
Mayo was a bit taken back. Miaka came and took Hikari. "Sorry," She apologized. "She's just fussy."
"She seemed just fine before." Taka stated, coming over to look.~~
~
~~Mayo turned to the last number of her combination and opened her blue locker, pushing the books in her arms inside. She shuffled around for the yellow folder she needed. Finally locating it, she thought she heard the slight whisper of her name. She looked over, curious.
She saw three girls she didn't know very well several lockers down, quietly whispering and giggling. After a moment one of them looked up, and her laughter spilled over, the others joining in.
Mayo quickly turned back to her books, grabbed some, and slammed the locker shut, walking off.~~
~
~~ "I will now pass back your math tests." The teacher spoke blandly, walking down the aisles and laying papers on students' desks. "Good job, Ami. Yoshiko, study more." He said, making comments as he went along.
Mayo looked back at Saori, who sat a few desks over in the corner. Saori looked up for a moment, winking at the redhead. Finally, the teacher approached Mayo.
"Mayo, you should put in a few more study hours too." The teacher said, dropping the paper and continuing on.
Confused, Mayo picked up the paper and stared mindlessly at the red mark on top. A 62? But, she had studied all night!~~
*****************************
"Miaka and the others should be back by now." Tamahome quietly spoke to Hotohori outside a large home.
Hotohori nodded. "Perhaps something came up. After this we will look for them, and hope Saori is with them."
Tamahome nodded, looking back to the house. "I wonder what all this is about?"
"Are you sure you're all right?" Inami asked.
"Yeah." Tasuki answered. He had an arm around Inami's shoulders for support so he wouldn't put too much weight on his leg. He didn't want to make Mitsukake heal it-it wasn't that bad.
Finally, the door to Ame's home opened, and Koki came sprinting out, Ame walking behind her.
The disk on Chichiri's staff started glowing.
"I figured it out just a while after y'all left." Koki said in her low voice. "A while ago Ame-chan here found some old dagger sheath and brought it back, thinking maybe we could somehow stupidly use it for something."
Ame raised an eyebrow.
"Well," Koki flipped her bangs away from her face, smiling. "I threw it out right before your second visit. I thought it'd be worth a shot." She said, finally holding up the dark brown sheath.
The disk on Chichiri's staff radiated red like mad.
"That's it!" Tamahome shouted, jumping forward and taking the sheath. "This is it, isn't it Chichiri?!"
Chichiri smiled and nodded his head. "Miaka-chan will be happy, no da."
Tamahome practically glomped Kokie, who struggled out of his grasp.
Hotohori smiled brightly to Ame. "I can never re-pay you for your kindness to us."
Ame waved a hand. "It's nothing, really."
Hotohori bowed slightly. "I wish we could stay, but the others are still out somewhere, and we need to find them."
Ame nodded. "Perfectly understandable."
"We'll just say you owe us." Koki added.
~
The group waved their final goodbyes and continued onward, heading towards the end of the city. Several conversations began firing up about the new shinzaho clue, which Tamahome had now put with the others.
However, they didn't get far before almost everyone in the group slowed or stopped, almost freezing.
Inami blinked, looking around. She turned to the man beside her. "Tasuki, what is it?"
"I... I don't know..." Tasuki said, unsure. "I just got... this weird feelin' all of a sudden."
**************************
Tetsuya read the last lines, his mind obviously still wandering on the earlier entry with Mayo. The book had allowed he and Keisuke to read Mayo's thoughts, her memories. Things had seemed to be going so well, but deep inside Mayo was slowly being brought down again.
"Tetsuya."
Tetsuya looked up.
"Keep going man." Keisuke urged him.
Tetsuya slipped his sunglasses off and hooked them onto the front of his shirt, rubbing his eyes. He blinked a few times and looked back into the book. "They're walking back into the desert." He said, not reading the exact lines, just summarizing. He skimmed forward a bit more. "It looks like they're heading in the right direction." A moment more, and he looked up and Keisuke. "It's Nuriko."
Keisuke suddenly seemed all the more interested in what Tetsuya was reading.
************************
Nuriko soared backwards through the air, hitting his backside hard against a tree. He fell to the ground, a small stream of blood running down his face.
"Nuriko!" Miaka shouted.
"Stay... there!" Nuriko repeated, bringing himself back up to his feet.
Miaka was several meters away, kneeling down to the unconscious 16 year old at her side. The horse stood before her like a wall, somehow not too scared of the fight going on.
Nakago smirked as the purple-haired man walked forward again. "You're pathetic." He commented.
Nuriko winced a bit, but held his arms out a bit to his sides. "You will not touch her!" He shouted. No matter what the cost to him, Nuriko would never allow Nakago to harm Miaka in anyway.
"Kokoro" flashed dangerously on Nakago's forehead. "I'll do more than that, boy." He sniped.
Rage swept through Nuriko's body. He raised his fists and again ran towards Nakago.
Nakago casually held out a palm, a blue spark igniting in his palm. Immediately it formed an oval of Chi, which he flew out towards the Suzaku Warrior.
This time Nuriko leapt out of the way of the chi blast, the energy smashing into the ground, blowing the earth into pieces. Nuriko directed his movements as far away from Miaka and Chiriko as possible. He was right in front of Nakago and threw a fist, but felt his body stop in mid-air.
Nakago looked up at Nuriko, no emotions in his cold blue eyes. "You actually think you can win?" He asked. Instead of using a chi blast, Nakago collided his foot hard into Nuriko's stomach, sending the warrior hard into the ground again.
Miaka wanted to get up, she wanted so badly to run to him... but something in Nuriko's voice when he told her to stay kept her weighted down. She knew she couldn't do anything against Nakago, but...
Nuriko sat up enough just to receive a second blow from Nakago's boot, sending him back down onto his stomach. Nuriko pushed his hands against the ground and lifted his head up, coughing up a small amount of blood as he did so.
"Pathetic" Nakago repeated again, drawing his sword. He looked across the ways to Miaka, who could see Nakago clearly from her position. A wave of intense fear coursed through her body.
Nakago smiled. "Priestess, I've been waiting a while to..." He paused, "Re-associate with you." He stated, taking a few steps forward, his sword swinging at his side.
Miaka held on tightly to the sleeve of Chiriko's shirt, pleading the boy would wake up. She tried to move her legs, but she couldn't. She almost couldn't breathe as she stared in total mortification.
"Come now, Priestess of Suzaku." Nakago stopped short. "Surely you remember the lovely moments we spent together?"
Nakago stopped speaking and turned around in time to block a flying tree with a blue force field. He looked past the tree to Nuriko, who wasn't even standing straight.
"Stay... away from her!" He ordered again.
Nakago shook his head. "Perhaps I'll just finish you off first."
**************************
"Not good." Tetsuya said, again stopping.
"Tetsuya, keep reading!" Keisuke raised his voice. He attempted to swipe the book away, but failed.
"Shut up idiot, Hikari is sleeping!" Tetsuya said, waiting for Keisuke to sit back down.
Keisuke did so, letting out a large sigh. "What does it say?"
"Nuriko's losing, bad." Tetsuya said.
"Yes, I know that." Keisuke pointed out.
Tetsuya began reading again. "The sword of the Seiryu warrior, Nakago, ran sharply against the chest of Nuriko. The robe of the Suzaku warrior split, revealing the glowing symbol of 'willow' over his heart."
Keisuke clasped his hands together tightly. He didn't want to think about how this could end-at this rate, Nuriko would lose more than just a battle.
*****************************
Saori continued walking forward despite her own thirst, fatigue, and the new weight on her shoulders. She wouldn't give up, Suboshi's life depended on this.
Suboshi had his good arm around Saori's neck and shoulders, and she helped him walk the best she could, her arm wrapped securely around his waist. Suboshi seemed barely conscious. Despite the hot sun beating down on them and the vast distance they had to go, Saori had a subtle happiness in her heart; she had won Suboshi's trust.
Saori slowed for a moment and bent down more, adjusting Suboshi's weight on her shoulders. She didn't exactly want to drop him, and she was trying not to re-open his wounds. By all means, for someone in her care, he was doing extraordinarily well.
"More north than here, to the east...." Saori repeated on her tongue, looking around as she continued on. "Please Suzaku... or the god of this land... even Seiryu! Please let me bring him to safety, don't let us die!"
*********************************
Feeling the new urge to move forward, the Warriors of Suzaku quickly advanced into the desert, now knowing that something was drastically wrong.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miaka cried relentlessly into her own sleeves, her body leaning against Chiriko's. She couldn't watch anymore, she couldn't. Chiriko had hit his head when Nakago targeted him, and though he stirred lightly, Miaka was in far too much despair to watch. She could feel the static like prickling of soft needles on her skin from the new force field of Seiryu that now surrounded her and her young friend. She could only see its invisible walls when she touched it. Though inside she didn't want to, Miaka raised her head again to watch as her beloved friend fought... for her.
"I'm surprised you've lasted this long." Nakago said quite casually, sheathing his sword. "I do like to toy with my victims, but I've been quite harsh in your case."
Nuriko looked up through his dirty bangs, one of his arms clutching across the wounds on his torso. A thin line of blood escaped his lips, and he was injured severely all over his body.
Nakago stroked his chin. "I am a bit disappointed that the shinzaho pieces aren't with you, it would have made this much easier." He dropped his hand from his face. "You've lost my interest." He said, holding out his right palm and letting blue light flicker upon it. "Your time is up."
"Mi...Miaka..."
Miaka gasped a bit at the sound of her name, and looked up into the pale green-tinted eyes of Chiriko.
Chiriko felt sick to his stomach and dizzy, but managed some comprehension. "Miaka, why are you crying?" He whispered.
"Chi...Chiriko!" She wailed as she collapsed onto him, a new wave of tears flooding over her. It was all her fault. All of it! She looked up again at Nakago, who had that dangerous chi energy of his flaming in his hands. It was her fault Nuriko had been lost to them before, and now it was her fault that he suffered so much now. She could never live with herself... and now she was helpless. She couldn't do anything to help him. What kind of Priestess was she, a pathetic girl?
Nuriko scowled at Nakago from his kneeling position, no longer able to force his body to move. He saw that blue light, the light that had killed Hotohori and so many others, expanding in its holder's hands. He was going to lose to the man responsible for so much suffering and so much turmoil. And after that, Nakago would kill the other two... or worse. He would murder a loyal member of Suzaku seven who still hadn't experienced true adulthood or obtained his dreams, and he would torment Miaka, his priestess, and the only woman he had ever truly loved.
"Now..." Nakago said, his expression serious, "Die."
And with that, the immense ball of burning chi hurtled towards Nuriko, the blinding light in itself blocking the glow of the sun.
~
More Author's notes: Just for visuliation, if you ever heard the Final Fantasy song "Long Distance" or heard Haruka's Japanese voice on Sailor Moon, that's what Kokie sounds like. Also, so visualize Ame better, if you've seen Kazuma off of Fruits Basket, think him only with really light blue hair. I'm sorry. is this a bit off subject because someone is about to become a Seiryu Barbecue? *laughs insanely* Bwa ha ha! Ok. I'm done. I'll go mourn or something.
To Metajoker: Lol. the awaited commentary hits. Yes, Inami was pretty stupid there, huh? I suppose Tasuki would smile a bit after telling Inami she came onto him publicly like thatm just to rub it in. (I'm a bad Chiharu.) I just wonder what you were thinking when you read my warning. Remember, Saori's first aid knowledge is minimal, she only knows the basics, that's why she keeps referring to things like "He's lucky he's still alive in HER care." Just like if anyone else found someone injured like that, you wouldn't just sit there, you'd do what you knew could help. For example, you really shouldn't set a bone when you don't know what your doing. let's just hope she just held it in place. ^_^;;
Wow, I reply to your reviews in lengthy ways. anyway, before I wrote this I kept in mind that Amiboshi is much calmer than Suboshi, seeing as how they're opposite sides of the same coin, so people who didn't buy into chapter 46 are perfectly understandable. However, I think that in my reasoning to all those anti-Suboshi people after he slaughtered Tamahome's family, that if Amiboshi and he had been switched, he would have reacted in a similar way.
To Amaya: Yes, Kokie's personality is strictly sassy. I actually wanted Ame to be more of a character than her, but I suppose with a personality like THAT, it's hard to overlook. ^_^ I believe now there are only three living Byakko seishi left, the other is Toroki, but as of now he will not be in the story. Lol, thanks for your comments, they made me laugh.
Chapter 47 : Life for Loyalty
"Baka..." Inami trailed off as she placed the wet cloth on Tasuki's leg.
Hotohori, who was completely healed, handed a second wet cloth to Mitsukake, who sat on the edge of the bed where Koki was lying.
Ame looked from his friend to the others. "I suppose you would like a bit of an explanation, which I am willing to provide." He turned towards Tamahome, who was bandaged a bit. "You see, as I said, I am very close friends with Subaru and Tokaki, I am one of their fellow warriors, Amefuri. Before Subaru died a few years ago, she cast the spell she had on herself on Kokie and I. The spell makes us youthful physically, but..."
"On the inside you still age, no da." Chichiri finished his sentence.
"I remember, that guy Tatara." Tasuki added.
Amefuri nodded. "Kokie, you see, is a bit unfortunate." He looked back at the unconscious woman on the bed. "She is the oldest warrior to live, she may look merely 20, but inside she's 124 years old."
"124?" Inami asked, looking over. "And here I am thinking I feel old..."
Ame smiled softly. "She can't take the physical strain needed to use her gifts. I myself am only 119."
"No offense pops, but that's pretty ancient still." Tasuki commented.
Ame nodded. "Thank you for tending to her."
"Thank you." Hotohori added. "If it were not for you, we wouldn't be here right now."
Ame looked up. "Oh dear, that's right. Koki will be quite upset... I completely forgot to get her violin." he sighed. "Enough with the dramatics. You, are Mitsukake, is that correct?"
Mitsukake nodded.
Ame counted for a moment. "I see you are not all together."
Hotohori stepped forward. "Two of our warriors are in the search party I informed you of earlier. Nuriko is one whom not even Subaru and Tokaki met, and the other is Chiriko."
"I see. I am very fortunate to meet you all." He looked over towards the bandit. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I know your name."
"Ina..." Tasuki began before being kicked.
Inami stood up and bowed. "My name is Akue Cheinun, and I am an ambassador from Hokkan. I'm currently traveling with the others." She stood straight and smiled. "I'm very glad to meet you."
Ame nodded. "Mutual."
*****************************
Saori had managed to cut a rather uneven hole into the side of an empty canteen. Using the cutout, her hands, and some rocks, she was now busily digging a hole in the shade of the large overhead stones.
Suboshi, who felt weak and uncomfortable still, was sitting up a bit, leaning his back on a boulder. He glanced over at Saori, not showing much of an expression. The reason could be he really didn't care or he was too stiff and sore to do much. However, he finally asked. "What the hell are you doing?" his voice wasn't much, that was for sure.
Saori continued digging, but didn't ignore him. "It's something I learned at camp a few years back." She answered, digging the hole more deep than wide. You see, you take a cup, well, in this case this canteen, and put it in a deep hole in the ground. It's colder and moister down there. You put plastic wrap over the top of the hole, and as the water rises to evaporate, it sticks to the wrap, and falls into the cup, so you collect water." Saori turned her head and coughed a bit. "I'm hoping I can get it to work with the sides of this canteen instead of the wrap though." Saori stopped digging and glanced over at the Seiryu warrior. Her face looked a bit sad. "You don't look too well... are you feeling okay?"
Suboshi gave her a quick cold glance before turning his head, staring off in another direction.
Saori sighed. "I'm trying to help you."
After Saori's statement, Suboshi put his hands on the ground, one connected to a broken arm, and tried to lift himself enough to stand. He grit his teeth together in pain.
Saori quickly got to her feet and ran over to him, pushing him back down. "Please don't! You shouldn't strain yourself in your condition! I only..." Saori's words were cut off as she felt a hand against her, pushing her away. Suboshi wasn't currently strong, but it was enough to get the girl away from him.
Saori stared at the boy in disbelief. "You... You still don't believe I want to help you, do you?" She accused.
Suboshi started to speak in his weakened voice. "I never trust an enemy..." he swallowed hard. "As soon as I get... out of here..."
Suboshi watched as Saori stood up again and marched away from him, not allowing him to finish. After a moment however, she came back into view under the rocks, holding the rope of his ryuseisui in her hand. She walked up to Suboshi and threw them at him. For the first time she looked at Suboshi with anger and disgust. "If you don't believe me, then go ahead and kill me, get it over with." She said harshly. "You probably will when... IF you get better anyway, but I know you have enough strength left to hurl one of those things at me right now." Saori stretched her arms out. "Go ahead. Do it! If I'm lying, kill me! I'm letting you, so DO IT!"
Suboshi looked at Saori confused. He placed his good hand beneath a meteor bell, feeling the rope beneath his fingers.
He let it go.
"Forget it." Suboshi snapped, turning his head away from Saori once again.
Saori stood there for a moment, lowering her arms. She looked at the twin in pity. After a moment, she stepped closer and knelt down next to him again, hoping he wouldn't push her away. "Suboshi..." the sound of his name coming from her sounded strange still.
Suboshi's blue eyes moved over to look at her.
Saori looked down. "Suboshi, tell me... tell me where the Seiryu camp is...
...Please."
***************************
Nuriko shook his head, then pulled back on the reins of his horse, pulling the animal to a stop. Chiriko, behind them, did the same.
"Miaka, we have to head back."
"No... please..." Miaka said, weariness on her voice.
Nuriko turned the horse around. "I'm sorry Miaka, we have to. We've scouted this area over and over."
"Miaka..." Chiriko added, "We're running out of food, and the others are waiting for us."
"Saori... But Saori..." Miaka repeated.
"Miaka." Nuriko said irritately, moving his horse to walk in the opposite direction. "I'll be honest with you. Saori either found a place to stay, or she didn't make it." Nuriko put more hope onto the first option, not wanting to think about "what else."
Miaka looked down sadly.
Nuriko sighed. He was about to say something, but suddenly a strong tinge of force swept throughout his body. He quickly looked over, his eyes growing wide.
~
A smile appeared on the tall man lips as he stood, hands on hips, looking at the three travelers.
"Well well," He said, looking over the small group. "Not only do I get rid of two Suzaku warriors, but their priestess as well. Doing that would make retrieving your shinzaho ridiculously easy."
Nuriko was instantly off his horse, and Miaka was paralyzed in fear. "Nakago..." He said lowly and coldly, "You lay one finger on her and I swear I'll kill you."
Nakago let out what almost seemed to be a light chuckle. "You? You wouldn't even come close to touching me."
"Chiriko." Nuriko said, keeping his eyes on the Kutou General, "Get Miaka away."
"But..."
Two, red armbands appeared on Nuriko's forearms. "Now."
********************
Keisuke put the book down for a moment, wondering what Tetsuya was getting into now. He stood up and looked for him, hearing him in Miaka and Taka's bedroom. He walked in and saw Tetsuya rooting through drawers. He was about to say something when Tetsuya pulled open the far right one, full of shiny pink panties and slips.
"AH!" Keisuke shouted, running in and slamming the drawer shut with a free hand. "What's wrong with you? Cut it out!!"
Tetsuya sighed and pulled away from the drawer. "Keep it down, you'll wake up Hikari." He looked at the book in Keisuke's hands. "What's happened?"
Keisuke lifted the book up and opened it to the page he was on, thinking. "A lot... Ame and Koki are Amefuri and Kokie, warriors of the Byakko Seven." Keisuke didn't wait for a reaction, but continued. "Basically Seiryu attacked, they helped out.. oh, Kokie is in bad condition, but..." Keisuke looked at the page. "It looks like she's getting better. Saori..." Keisuke paused, as if Saori was one of the more important characters. "Saori's going to get herself killed, I know it. She asked Suboshi where his camp is, and I hope she's not planning what I think she is." Keisuke got even more serious. "Then Miaka, Nakago found them."
The sound of that man's name man Tetsuya's expression change drastically.
"I... Nuriko's going to fight him, but..."
Tetsuya grabbed the book from Keisuke's hands. "Just give it to me." He said bluntly. He walked out of the bedroom and back into the living room.
Keisuke hesitated to follow, looking around the room his sister and co- worker shared. He thought for a moment, and whispered quietly, "Please Nuriko... protect Miaka..."
***********************
The flapped door to the tent opened slightly and a young woman stepped in, her light kimono lightly brushing against the ground. She entered the tent, giving a smug look to what she saw.
"So, the ancient prune is really here." She said sourly.
Yui looked up, her body racked with fatigue, and her face expressed it. "Mayo, please stop this. You... you don't understand!" Yui moved into a more upright position. "Everyone... everyone back home wants you back! We still care about you, please, just..."
"Shut up!" Mayo interrupted cruelly. "I will not stand here and listen to you say lies to my face. No one understands me!"
Yui shook her head. "Mayo.. this isn't about Taka anymore..."
Mayo's eyebrows lowered coldly.
"Then why? I know... I know you don't still really love him! You care about..."
"I said SHUT UP!" Mayo shouted again. She pulled her fingers through her hair quickly. "I don't know why I bothered to come in here and see you." Suddenly though, Mayo seemed to calm down a bit. "It doesn't matter for you anyways." Mayo said, turning her back on the girl she once called "friend." "Your powers as Priestess are all ready transferring to me, I can feel them. Soon you'll be of no use to me, and I'll have you taken care of." The last words seemed to be forced of her tongue, and Mayo haughtily left the tent.
"Mayo..." Yui trailed off, standing up from within her confinement. "I understand more than you know... I used to have this hate you're feeling...."
Mayo was again faced with her own anger when she left the tent. She was bored, and no one was around to talk to. She stomped off, trying to cool off.
"No one understands me..." She said, kicking dirt up as she went along. "No one could!"
~~"You know, I'm busy all day long! Unlike YOU!" "I can't believe the words spewing from your mouth woman! I work, I'm the provider for this family!" "Provider of what?" Mrs. Sakaki shouted. "I buy the food, I raise YOUR Daughter, I cook..." "You wouldn't be able to do any of that without MY money!" The father shouted back. "YOUR money, is it?"
Mayo buried her face farther into her pillow, her English book pushed aside. Her hands were clasped over her ears. "Stop it!" She begged. "Just stop it!"~~
~
~~ "Konnichi wa Hikari-chan!" Mayo said, smiling at the small child in Miaka's arms. She lightly stroked the top of the baby's head. "She's so cute, Miaka."
Miaka smiled. "Thank you. Do you want to hold her?"
Mayo looked around the room for a moment, seeing everyone happily conversing. She smiled. "Hai!"
Miaka carefully held her arms out to Mayo, who cautiously took the newborn in her arms. She looked down at Hikari's small face. "Hi little Hikari-chan." She said softly.
Hikari's face started to turn red and wrinkle, and within seconds she let out a long wail, beginning to cry loudly and squirm a bit.
Mayo was a bit taken back. Miaka came and took Hikari. "Sorry," She apologized. "She's just fussy."
"She seemed just fine before." Taka stated, coming over to look.~~
~
~~Mayo turned to the last number of her combination and opened her blue locker, pushing the books in her arms inside. She shuffled around for the yellow folder she needed. Finally locating it, she thought she heard the slight whisper of her name. She looked over, curious.
She saw three girls she didn't know very well several lockers down, quietly whispering and giggling. After a moment one of them looked up, and her laughter spilled over, the others joining in.
Mayo quickly turned back to her books, grabbed some, and slammed the locker shut, walking off.~~
~
~~ "I will now pass back your math tests." The teacher spoke blandly, walking down the aisles and laying papers on students' desks. "Good job, Ami. Yoshiko, study more." He said, making comments as he went along.
Mayo looked back at Saori, who sat a few desks over in the corner. Saori looked up for a moment, winking at the redhead. Finally, the teacher approached Mayo.
"Mayo, you should put in a few more study hours too." The teacher said, dropping the paper and continuing on.
Confused, Mayo picked up the paper and stared mindlessly at the red mark on top. A 62? But, she had studied all night!~~
*****************************
"Miaka and the others should be back by now." Tamahome quietly spoke to Hotohori outside a large home.
Hotohori nodded. "Perhaps something came up. After this we will look for them, and hope Saori is with them."
Tamahome nodded, looking back to the house. "I wonder what all this is about?"
"Are you sure you're all right?" Inami asked.
"Yeah." Tasuki answered. He had an arm around Inami's shoulders for support so he wouldn't put too much weight on his leg. He didn't want to make Mitsukake heal it-it wasn't that bad.
Finally, the door to Ame's home opened, and Koki came sprinting out, Ame walking behind her.
The disk on Chichiri's staff started glowing.
"I figured it out just a while after y'all left." Koki said in her low voice. "A while ago Ame-chan here found some old dagger sheath and brought it back, thinking maybe we could somehow stupidly use it for something."
Ame raised an eyebrow.
"Well," Koki flipped her bangs away from her face, smiling. "I threw it out right before your second visit. I thought it'd be worth a shot." She said, finally holding up the dark brown sheath.
The disk on Chichiri's staff radiated red like mad.
"That's it!" Tamahome shouted, jumping forward and taking the sheath. "This is it, isn't it Chichiri?!"
Chichiri smiled and nodded his head. "Miaka-chan will be happy, no da."
Tamahome practically glomped Kokie, who struggled out of his grasp.
Hotohori smiled brightly to Ame. "I can never re-pay you for your kindness to us."
Ame waved a hand. "It's nothing, really."
Hotohori bowed slightly. "I wish we could stay, but the others are still out somewhere, and we need to find them."
Ame nodded. "Perfectly understandable."
"We'll just say you owe us." Koki added.
~
The group waved their final goodbyes and continued onward, heading towards the end of the city. Several conversations began firing up about the new shinzaho clue, which Tamahome had now put with the others.
However, they didn't get far before almost everyone in the group slowed or stopped, almost freezing.
Inami blinked, looking around. She turned to the man beside her. "Tasuki, what is it?"
"I... I don't know..." Tasuki said, unsure. "I just got... this weird feelin' all of a sudden."
**************************
Tetsuya read the last lines, his mind obviously still wandering on the earlier entry with Mayo. The book had allowed he and Keisuke to read Mayo's thoughts, her memories. Things had seemed to be going so well, but deep inside Mayo was slowly being brought down again.
"Tetsuya."
Tetsuya looked up.
"Keep going man." Keisuke urged him.
Tetsuya slipped his sunglasses off and hooked them onto the front of his shirt, rubbing his eyes. He blinked a few times and looked back into the book. "They're walking back into the desert." He said, not reading the exact lines, just summarizing. He skimmed forward a bit more. "It looks like they're heading in the right direction." A moment more, and he looked up and Keisuke. "It's Nuriko."
Keisuke suddenly seemed all the more interested in what Tetsuya was reading.
************************
Nuriko soared backwards through the air, hitting his backside hard against a tree. He fell to the ground, a small stream of blood running down his face.
"Nuriko!" Miaka shouted.
"Stay... there!" Nuriko repeated, bringing himself back up to his feet.
Miaka was several meters away, kneeling down to the unconscious 16 year old at her side. The horse stood before her like a wall, somehow not too scared of the fight going on.
Nakago smirked as the purple-haired man walked forward again. "You're pathetic." He commented.
Nuriko winced a bit, but held his arms out a bit to his sides. "You will not touch her!" He shouted. No matter what the cost to him, Nuriko would never allow Nakago to harm Miaka in anyway.
"Kokoro" flashed dangerously on Nakago's forehead. "I'll do more than that, boy." He sniped.
Rage swept through Nuriko's body. He raised his fists and again ran towards Nakago.
Nakago casually held out a palm, a blue spark igniting in his palm. Immediately it formed an oval of Chi, which he flew out towards the Suzaku Warrior.
This time Nuriko leapt out of the way of the chi blast, the energy smashing into the ground, blowing the earth into pieces. Nuriko directed his movements as far away from Miaka and Chiriko as possible. He was right in front of Nakago and threw a fist, but felt his body stop in mid-air.
Nakago looked up at Nuriko, no emotions in his cold blue eyes. "You actually think you can win?" He asked. Instead of using a chi blast, Nakago collided his foot hard into Nuriko's stomach, sending the warrior hard into the ground again.
Miaka wanted to get up, she wanted so badly to run to him... but something in Nuriko's voice when he told her to stay kept her weighted down. She knew she couldn't do anything against Nakago, but...
Nuriko sat up enough just to receive a second blow from Nakago's boot, sending him back down onto his stomach. Nuriko pushed his hands against the ground and lifted his head up, coughing up a small amount of blood as he did so.
"Pathetic" Nakago repeated again, drawing his sword. He looked across the ways to Miaka, who could see Nakago clearly from her position. A wave of intense fear coursed through her body.
Nakago smiled. "Priestess, I've been waiting a while to..." He paused, "Re-associate with you." He stated, taking a few steps forward, his sword swinging at his side.
Miaka held on tightly to the sleeve of Chiriko's shirt, pleading the boy would wake up. She tried to move her legs, but she couldn't. She almost couldn't breathe as she stared in total mortification.
"Come now, Priestess of Suzaku." Nakago stopped short. "Surely you remember the lovely moments we spent together?"
Nakago stopped speaking and turned around in time to block a flying tree with a blue force field. He looked past the tree to Nuriko, who wasn't even standing straight.
"Stay... away from her!" He ordered again.
Nakago shook his head. "Perhaps I'll just finish you off first."
**************************
"Not good." Tetsuya said, again stopping.
"Tetsuya, keep reading!" Keisuke raised his voice. He attempted to swipe the book away, but failed.
"Shut up idiot, Hikari is sleeping!" Tetsuya said, waiting for Keisuke to sit back down.
Keisuke did so, letting out a large sigh. "What does it say?"
"Nuriko's losing, bad." Tetsuya said.
"Yes, I know that." Keisuke pointed out.
Tetsuya began reading again. "The sword of the Seiryu warrior, Nakago, ran sharply against the chest of Nuriko. The robe of the Suzaku warrior split, revealing the glowing symbol of 'willow' over his heart."
Keisuke clasped his hands together tightly. He didn't want to think about how this could end-at this rate, Nuriko would lose more than just a battle.
*****************************
Saori continued walking forward despite her own thirst, fatigue, and the new weight on her shoulders. She wouldn't give up, Suboshi's life depended on this.
Suboshi had his good arm around Saori's neck and shoulders, and she helped him walk the best she could, her arm wrapped securely around his waist. Suboshi seemed barely conscious. Despite the hot sun beating down on them and the vast distance they had to go, Saori had a subtle happiness in her heart; she had won Suboshi's trust.
Saori slowed for a moment and bent down more, adjusting Suboshi's weight on her shoulders. She didn't exactly want to drop him, and she was trying not to re-open his wounds. By all means, for someone in her care, he was doing extraordinarily well.
"More north than here, to the east...." Saori repeated on her tongue, looking around as she continued on. "Please Suzaku... or the god of this land... even Seiryu! Please let me bring him to safety, don't let us die!"
*********************************
Feeling the new urge to move forward, the Warriors of Suzaku quickly advanced into the desert, now knowing that something was drastically wrong.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miaka cried relentlessly into her own sleeves, her body leaning against Chiriko's. She couldn't watch anymore, she couldn't. Chiriko had hit his head when Nakago targeted him, and though he stirred lightly, Miaka was in far too much despair to watch. She could feel the static like prickling of soft needles on her skin from the new force field of Seiryu that now surrounded her and her young friend. She could only see its invisible walls when she touched it. Though inside she didn't want to, Miaka raised her head again to watch as her beloved friend fought... for her.
"I'm surprised you've lasted this long." Nakago said quite casually, sheathing his sword. "I do like to toy with my victims, but I've been quite harsh in your case."
Nuriko looked up through his dirty bangs, one of his arms clutching across the wounds on his torso. A thin line of blood escaped his lips, and he was injured severely all over his body.
Nakago stroked his chin. "I am a bit disappointed that the shinzaho pieces aren't with you, it would have made this much easier." He dropped his hand from his face. "You've lost my interest." He said, holding out his right palm and letting blue light flicker upon it. "Your time is up."
"Mi...Miaka..."
Miaka gasped a bit at the sound of her name, and looked up into the pale green-tinted eyes of Chiriko.
Chiriko felt sick to his stomach and dizzy, but managed some comprehension. "Miaka, why are you crying?" He whispered.
"Chi...Chiriko!" She wailed as she collapsed onto him, a new wave of tears flooding over her. It was all her fault. All of it! She looked up again at Nakago, who had that dangerous chi energy of his flaming in his hands. It was her fault Nuriko had been lost to them before, and now it was her fault that he suffered so much now. She could never live with herself... and now she was helpless. She couldn't do anything to help him. What kind of Priestess was she, a pathetic girl?
Nuriko scowled at Nakago from his kneeling position, no longer able to force his body to move. He saw that blue light, the light that had killed Hotohori and so many others, expanding in its holder's hands. He was going to lose to the man responsible for so much suffering and so much turmoil. And after that, Nakago would kill the other two... or worse. He would murder a loyal member of Suzaku seven who still hadn't experienced true adulthood or obtained his dreams, and he would torment Miaka, his priestess, and the only woman he had ever truly loved.
"Now..." Nakago said, his expression serious, "Die."
And with that, the immense ball of burning chi hurtled towards Nuriko, the blinding light in itself blocking the glow of the sun.
~
More Author's notes: Just for visuliation, if you ever heard the Final Fantasy song "Long Distance" or heard Haruka's Japanese voice on Sailor Moon, that's what Kokie sounds like. Also, so visualize Ame better, if you've seen Kazuma off of Fruits Basket, think him only with really light blue hair. I'm sorry. is this a bit off subject because someone is about to become a Seiryu Barbecue? *laughs insanely* Bwa ha ha! Ok. I'm done. I'll go mourn or something.