Author's Note: Again, the italics are very important in this chapter, so
watch for the markings.
To Meajoker: "Man, you're good at doing cliffhangers." -Thank you. Yes, it's fun to kill people..
To Amaya-san: Kokie has the abilities to disrupt chi, yes. And Ame is cutie ^_^. He actually can do more with his own abilities.
Hey, Yuu Watase killed Nuriko off early, why can't I? And sorry, I can't kill Miboshi. He's not in this fic. ^_^
Chapter 48 : A Wish Fulfilled
~"It's funny, but ever since I cut my hair I've felt more and more like a man."~
~ "What, what is it?"~ ~ "Something that I won't say."~
~ "Miaka, why are you crying? You're such a crybaby sometimes... always worrying about everything..."~
~"Even when I'm gone, I'll still protect you."~
~"Miaka, I want you to be happy..."~
~ "Nuriko... is...is it really you?!"~
~ "Honestly, as a man, I think I've always loved Miaka...."~
"Suzaku... give me strength...."
The Chi of Nakago zoomed in on the single warrior with enough power to wipe out half of the Konan palace. The blazing heat became sharper and sharper and it drew closer and closer.
Nuriko looked up at the blinding light hurtling at him. Through his ripped clothes the red symbol of "Willow" suddenly shone brightly, so much that Nuriko's own light almost seemed to surround his entire body. As Nuriko watched the Seiryu destruction about to meet him, he found himself standing, almost as if he wasn't touching the soil beneath him. The red armbands around his wrists glowed increasingly, escalating the radiance of his stanza. Nuriko looked straight into the force meant to send him into another world and lifted his arms up, crossing them in front of him.
"YOU... WILL NOT... TOUCH THEM!!!" He shouted as the ball of energy slammed into him.
~
Nuriko felt that he was definitely connected to the ground as he was forced back, his feet digging into the soil as the chi forced him to a further retreat. Finally Nuriko stopped himself, looking at what lay before him.
The immense blue sphere more that twice his height and ten times his width was spinning madly in front of him, being stopped by his arm bands. Where the sphere and the bands connected sparks flew and a sharp whistle was heard, as if metal was being run over a grinder. Nuriko looked from his bracelets and into the light, letting out a near victorious sigh. Then, finally, Nuriko shot his arms forward, sending the massive destruction back where it came from, faster now than it had been coming forward.
Nakago was too surprised by this outcome to see his own powers zooming back to him, and he was hit in a display of shooting light.
Finally, the brightness died down, revealing reality.
Miaka lifted her head up, feeling the force field around her gone. Chiriko managed to sit up beside her. Miaka's hazel eyes shot desperately around the scene. Nakago wasn't there anymore, and the horse was a little ways away. What had just happened?
Miaka interrupted her own thoughts when she saw Nuriko's body lying in the dry, sparse grass. She quickly got up and ran to him, screaming his name.
"Nuriko!" She shouted, collapsing to her knees at his side. His armbands were now rusty, scratched bracelets. His violet hair was scattered over his face and neck, and his faint pink robe was stained with crimson blood.
"Nuriko!" Miaka shouted again, feeling Chiriko's presence at the scene. She placed her hands on his cheeks and said his name, a bit quieter. "Nuriko..."
Nuriko squinted and slowly opened his eyes, looking at Miaka. His face was pale and even the violet color of his eyes seemed faded. "Miaka... you're... all right..."
Miaka's tears ran down her face and dropped warmly onto her knees. "Nuriko, please be okay, please..." She pleaded. Chiriko now sat beside her and looked over Nuriko, now realizing what Nuriko had done for the both of them. He tried to analyze the situation as his head pounded mercilessly.
"He's... badly hurt..." Chiriko said, his voice shaky. "Nuriko, you'll... be all right. I promise."
Nuriko smiled a bit, slowly blinking his eyes before focusing on Miaka. "Miaka, why are you crying so much? You... You'd think..." Nuriko winced hard and coughed a bit. "You'd think you'd... be used to this by now..." Nuriko's voice was weak and raspy.
Miaka looked at Chiriko frantically for something to do. "Nuriko, stop talking..." Miaka looked at the gruesome wounds over Nuriko's torso. Finally remembering a bit of first aid, she took her light jacket off from around her waist and folded it a few times, placing it over a large portion of the wounded area. She pressed on them lightly, increasing pressure very subtly as Chiriko raised Nuriko's head to make it easier for him to breathe.
Nuriko winced sharply at the pressure Miaka was using in an attempt to stop the bleeding. There were so many deep wounds though, it wasn't working too well. Slowly Miaka's jacket began to only absorb Nuriko's blood.
Miaka noticed their dilemma and began crying again, harder.
"Miaka..." Chiriko said, pure worry on his face for his priestess, but more so for his friend.
Miaka collapsed her head on top of the jacket, crying into it. She felt Nuriko's hand lightly on her back, and glanced up to him, face red and full of tears.
"Miaka... don't..." Nuriko coughed hard, cutting off his words.
Chiriko held tight, concentrating. If by chance anyone was around them, perhaps he could call out to them. The symbol on his foot began to pulse with light.
The horses raced through the hot air of the desert, the loose sand on the ground flying up with each step. Chichiri, like always, led the way, and the group was fanned out a bit, looking for any sign of Miaka or the others.
All of them had terrible feelings in their hearts, as if they had lost a warrior. Well, all except Inami, who bluntly had little idea what was going on.
Chichiri's horse slowed for a moment, and he brought his voice up. "Chiriko! I sense Chiriko's life force!"
Hotohori was beside him. He closed his eyes for a moment. "I sense it too, Chichiri!" He shouted.
At that word, Chichiri pushed his horse faster.
Tamahome rode with strict worry for the welfare of his wife. What in the world could have happened? Could they have possibly met with a Seiryu Warrior?
Chichiri spotted a small line of dried trees in the distance to his right. They were one of the few clumps of life in this desert. For a moment, Chichiri thought he could sense Chiriko's life force coming from there... and then...
"A horse, no da!" Chichiri shouted, barely audible over the sound of the horses' hooves as he began to turn towards the spot. The horse looked like it was saddled too. It had to be Chiriko's or Nuriko's.
The group charged their horses over to where the lone animal stood.
Miaka perked up for a moment, hearing noises through her sobs as Nuriko's breaths grew short and choppy.
"Chiriko, people!" She yelled.
Chiriko was looking too. Someone was headed their way. He stood up and began waving his hands in the air, hoping to grab their attention. He squinted, and his face lit up! "Miaka! It's... the others!"
It seemed they caught sight of him, because the herd of horses were aiming in their direction.
Finally they arrived. Everyone jumped right off their horse.
"Nuriko!" Chichiri exclaimed, running over, almost ignoring the other two. He saw Nuriko was still breathing, but badly. "Mitsukake, hurry over here no da! Hurry!"
Mitsukake ran over panting, and knelt beside Nuriko. "He's in terrible condition." He said, opening his hand and letting a soft light course down from it.
Miaka spotted Tamahome, whom she hadn't seen for days, and collapsed weary and still sobbing into his arms.
Tamahome held her tightly, kissing the top of her head. "Miaka, what happened?" He asked, looking at Nuriko.
"Na... Nakago..." Miaka choked.
Tamahome looked down at her in disbelief. "Nakago was here?" His voice was filled with rage. "He did this!?"
Miaka nodded.
"Nakago?" Tasuki repeated. "That B******* was here?"
"Tasuki." Inami scolded.
Tasuki waved a hand at the girl. "Well, what happened to 'im then?"
Miaka shook her head. "I don't... I don't know..."
By now Chiriko had walked over. He put a hand on Miaka's shoulder. "Don't worry Miaka, Nuriko's going to be all right." He looked at Tasuki and Tamahome. "I'm afraid I don't really know what... happened either." Chiriko rubbed the back of his head. "I think I was unconscious for most of it."
Miaka nodded. She suddenly perked up and pulled away from Tamahome. She gave him a last glance and ran over to Nuriko.
Nuriko was almost sitting up, Chichiri lifting him. Mitsukake was almost done. The blood from his clothes was gone, though they were still ripped. Despite the healing from Mitsukake, Nuriko still looked weary.
Mitsukake closed his hand, closing his eyes and taking a few deep breaths. It was obvious he was spent from using his energy to heal. "His wounds are healed... he will be fine." He said, opening his eyes again, glad to have saved a friend. "I do not have enough strength in me to restore his energy, but he just needs some rest."
Miaka hugged Mitsukake tightly. "Thank you so much..." She whispered. She pulled away and looked at Nuriko, held by the smiling Chichiri. Nuriko seemed only half awake.
"Nuriko?"
Nuriko lifted his eyes and looked at Miaka, smiling lightly. "Yes, Miaka?" He said quietly.
Miaka slowly wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Nuriko, you're the best friend a girl could have."
****************************
Keisuke looked like he was about to ball.
Tetsuya raised an eyebrow and laughed a bit. "Cut it out." He joked.
"But... but it's so happy!" Keisuke stupidly shouted. In his mild hysterics he managed to snipe the book away from Tetsuya.
Tetsuya looked at a hand clock on the wall. "It's late. I say we get some rest while we're off on a happy ending, we both have work tomorrow, and we both gotta get up pretty early to take care of it."
Keisuke stayed at Miaka's apartment and Tetsuya drove home to his. After Keisuke made a small bed up on the couch, he couldn't help but take one more peek into the book, and he silently read to himself.
"The others noticed Saori was not with them, and sadly heard the news that the three had not been able to find her. However, with the constant Seiryu attacks and the time lost, the warriors could not continue their search. If Saori were alive, she'd have to be on her own for a while. Miaka was delighted that they had found the fifth shinzaho clue, and possession of the items was restored to her. Finally, using Chichiri's magic, the group managed to teleport back to the Konan palace."
****************************
Saori stumbled, but barely managed to stay upright. Her head was starting to pound, and occasionally a dizzy sense would overflow her. Her mouth and throat were parched and her stomach burned. Her feet were hot and sore and her whole body wanted her to collapse. Despite that, she kept telling herself the same thing. Suboshi was in much worse condition than her. Every now and then when she stopped she'd make sure he was still even breathing.
Saori looked up over the terrain. No camp in site. What if they moved? It would be hopeless. Saori was determined, but she knew neither she nor Suboshi would survive much longer.
****************************
"Empress, Empress!" A magistrate barged into the room where Houki was resting in a rocking chair and humming a tune to herself. She startled a bit.
"What is it?" She asked. She was worried until she saw the smile on the man's face.
"His Highness! Our Lord has returned!"
~
"Chichue!" Boushin said with excitement, forgetting everything and running to his father in the throne room. "I am ever glad to see you again!"
Hotohori smiled. He looked up and saw Houki coming forward too, whom starting to show her pregnancy. It wasn't until then that Hotohori realized how much he had missed his family.
Chiriko and Mitsukake were extremely happy to see the inside of the palace again. Traveling about for so long was truly exhausting.
The next couple to enter was Miaka and Tamahome, who were in their more "cheesy" phase. It seemed as though they didn't care where they were as long as they were with each other.
"Kourin!" Houki exclaimed, still used to calling Nuriko by his sister's name.
Nuriko was being supported by a smiling and radiant Chichiri. He was conscious and well, just physically tired. He looked up a bit through his bangs and smiled.
"He's had a bit of a run in, no da." Chichiri said, calming the worry. "He's fine, no da, just needs some rest no da."
"Where's the food?!" A loud voice finally entered the vast expanses of the throne room. "I'm sick of eatin' this travelin... whatever." It seemed even Tasuki could use a well-deserved nap. But first, he wanted the top quality food of the palace.
Inami smirked and looked at Tasuki oddly, but didn't say anything as she entered in as well.
Boushin looked at everyone, then at Hotohori, curious. "Father, where is Saori-chan?"
Hotohori bowed his head a bit. "I'm afraid it's a long story which I'll inform you of later. Right now however we need rest. We cannot stay for long and we should head out tomorrow."
Boushin frowned, apparently more so at Saori's absence. "Did... did something happen to her?" He asked, worried.
"Boushin." Houki said strictly.
"Boushin," Miaka began softly, "In Sairo Saori lost us. We had a run in with some wild dogs. Nuriko, Chiriko and I went to look for her, but so far..."
"Sairo?!" Boushin interrupted. "She's stranded in that desert?! Perhaps a larger search party need be sent..."
Hotohori placed a hand on Boushin's shoulder and faced the others. "Chichiri, where are we headed next?"
"Kutou, Sire." Chichiri explained. "The sheath we've uncovered is of Kutou origin."
Miaka shuddered.
Hotohori nodded. "I have come to the decision that I will not be with you on this next trip. I've been away from my post too long, and I'd hate to think what would happen if Kutou found out its enemy Emperor was nearby."
********************************
"Are my legs still moving?"
"Am I still going forward?"
Saori's answer seemed to come by the sweat that stung her eyes. She was still alive, but she felt weak, hot... her skin was hot yet clammy and her face was pale. Looking desperately up through her droopy eyelashes however, she swore she saw a large structure up ahead. More than one, actually. They were a gray kind of white. It could just be her hallucinating again though.
"Su... boshi?" She asked, barely audible.
She got no answer.
After a weak moment, she looked up again. The structures were a bit closer, but not by much.
"I can't move..." Saori told herself, though she was going forward slowly. "I... I can't breathe..."
~
"Hai, Mayo-sama." Amiboshi said a bit dully, leaving his priestess's tent for a moment. He walked across to the next nearest when he saw something out of his peripheral vision. Amiboshi turned and put his hand above his eyes to block out the sun, and squinted. The heat waves hovering over the ground blurred the site greatly, but after a moment, he was pretty sure it was people.
Amiboshi stepped back, and turned towards the tents. "Civilians! Civilians are approaching the camp!" For all he knew it was Suzaku warriors, or some one who had come to wrong way for worse. He grabbed his flute from his belt and began sprinting out.
Mayo looked up towards the door. "What in the world is he ranting about?" She wondered. Curious, she stood up and slowly made her way to the door, still uncomfortable in this heat. The Seiryu still had a shinzaho to find here though, so they hadn't left yet.
The figures, definitely two, came clearer as Amiboshi approached. Clear enough that Amiboshi saw himself.
Amiboshi stopped, wide-eyed. It couldn't be, could it?
"Shinkaku!!!!" Amiboshi shouted, running towards the two. It was his brother, his brother! Another, unfamiliar girl was with him, supporting almost all of Suboshi's weight on herself. Amiboshi ran up and took Suboshi from her, supporting his brother with his arms.
"He's... alive..." Saori said weakly as she helped hand Suboshi over. She had done it, accomplished what she had set out to do, though in her condition she didn't seem to realize it.
"Suboshi!" Amiboshi called out his brother's name. Suboshi was badly hurt, but he was alive! He was...
A soft "thump" was heard as the carrier fell to the ground, lifeless.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two eyes squinted hard. It suddenly became apparent that cool water was rushing into her mouth, and she was drinking madly without realizing it. She was lying down on her back, a cool cloth on her head. A headache was next to come, but a cooling sensation flowed up and down her body, making her feel almost instantly better.
Finally, Saori opened her eyes, her brown irises revealing themselves. She didn't know the place. It had gray tinted walls and roof, almost like a large tent. The water pouring onto her face and mouth stopped, and the images cleared. Saori looked over, and saw...
She choked.
"MAYO!!!!!" She screamed, shooting up in bed ignoring any ailments that plagued her. In a waft of dizziness Saori flung her arms around the redhead's neck and sent them both hurtling to the ground.
Saori suddenly felt quite nauseous.
"Saori!!" Mayo said, not in scolding, but for once in happiness. She did manage to sit up, but hugged her friend back tightly. "Baka!"
"Mayo! I missed you SO MUCH! I've been looking EVERYWHERE for you!" Saori's eyes began to tear up madly as she clutched tightly to her best friend. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Saori had found what she had been looking for all this time.
****************************
"That's the best night's sleep I've had in ages..." Tasuki yawned as he entered the room where new horses were being stocked with fresh, new supplies. "Do we have to go out already?"
"You should be used to traveling." Inami pointed out, handing Mitsukake a box. She was wearing a new robe, which made her happy enough.
"Yeah, but I get lazy." Tasuki added scratching the back of his head.
"You are lazy." Tamahome chimed in, appearing with another horse. "I'm walking when we head out, I'm so saddle sore it's not funny."
Inami laughed a bit. "Men do tend to get it worse."
Tasuki and Tamahome exchanged confused looks. However, Miaka started laughing.
Inami just shook her head and loaded more saddlebags.
***************************
"They're heading out again." Keisuke looked up from the book hidden by gym towels and watched the game a bit. The sub was directing half the girls on getting the most out of two-point shots, and the other half were separated into four teams playing against each other. Keisuke frowned a bit. He was so used to seeing Saori and Mayo playing on the senior's team, and now the more than familiar faces weren't there. Well, next class was the beginning team, which meant he'd have to put the book down and instruct more, but at least it would keep his mind off things.
~
"I put the files on your desk Takeno." Tetsuya said, turning in his swivel chair and typing something on the open laptop. "Did you try looking?" Tetsuya listened to the phone and hit enter on the laptop, a printer on a near shelf coming to life. He swiveled a bit more and pulled open the top drawer to his desk, shuffling through the papers. "Well, it's not here." Tetsuya closed the drawer. "I gave it to you." Tetsuya pushed his chair to the left a ways and picked up the paper from the printer, glancing over it through the lenses of his sunglasses. He laughed a bit. "You see? I told you it was there. Check for all the pages though." Tetsuya wheeled back over to his desk and opened the bottom drawer. "Yeah, that's right. I just..." Tetsuya glanced down at the small black box on top of the papers in the drawer. He stared at it for a moment, forgetting he had left it there. He snapped out of the small phase. "Yeah, sorry. I just need the editing done for that..."
**************************
"What were you doing out here Saori?" Mayo asked, worried from across the small table that was set up.
"I..." Saori realized where she was and decided to keep that part quiet. She really wasn't scared as long as Mayo was with her. "I got lost, and I found Suboshi. He wasn't in great condition..."
"I saw him when he came in an hour before you woke up."
Saori gasped. "I was out for an hour? Are you sure?"
Mayo nodded. "Amiboshi brought Suboshi back before he went out to get you." She smiled. "When I saw you I about screamed!"
Saori grinned madly. This was so right, her and Mayo being together again, and her finally getting some real food in her stomach. "I'm glad I got him here. Is. is he okay?"
"I'm sure he will be." Mayo put her elbows on the table and sighed. "I can't believe he's still alive! Saori, thank you. Really. You saved one of my warriors."
Warriors? That was right. Saori's mind buzzed. Mayo was the priestess of Seiryu! Saori had to get her out of here, but...
"Mayo, I..."
"Oh no!" Mayo spoke up, standing from her chair. "I didn't even realize your condition! I have fresh clothes for you to wear!"
Saori didn't get the chance. Mayo would come back with her though, she knew it. Mayo had told her such terrible things that the Seiryu seven had done before, she couldn't possibly be happy.
*****************************
"Ja mata Hotohori!" Miaka waved happily, almost turned completely around on her horse. Tamahome rode behind her, and his arms were the only things keeping her from falling to the ground. Nevertheless, he was happy to have Miaka back with him.
"Hey Chichiri," Tasuki began, "If we're headed to Kutou, won't it be. well... risky? I mean we could run into the Seiryu Seven at any moment."
Chichiri nodded. "I don't sense them in Kutou, but there's always the chance, no da." Chichiri again took the lead of the group, but now Chiriko rode behind him instead of Hotohori. "That's why it's important that when we get there," Chichiri paused for a moment as his horse stepped over a rise in the ground, officially leaving the palace grounds. "That when we do arrive in Kutou, we don't use our powers, na no da."
Miaka blinked. "Why's that Chichiri?"
Chiriko took the liberty to answer. "If any of the Seiryu warriors know we're in Kutou, we're done for. Since we're in their guarded country, they could sense our presence very easily. We can't use our powers because it would raise our life force too much."
"That makes sense." Nuriko said, fully healed and riding a bit in front of Tasuki. "Let's hope we're not there too long."
"Uh-huh." Miaka agreed. She didn't have pleasant dreams of the war- torn country. She re-directed her attention. "Nuriko, I'm glad you're better."
Nuriko smiled at Miaka. "I'm glad too." He joked.
Miaka's gazed softened, and in a tone that Tamahome could barely hear she whispered "Thank you."
Nuriko nodded. Miaka didn't want to get sappy on him in front of everyone.
"How long has it been since I've been to Kutou?" Inami thought out loud. "It's a place I never really go... gladly..."
"Same here." Tasuki added. He muttered something about the place under his breath.
"Let's hope we're in and out quickly." Nuriko stated. "I don't trust staying in any inns or camping out there. We need to stay out of sight, in case we're recognized." Nuriko's voice was a bit more serious than usual. "This may be the most dangerous task yet, more so than the Okani." He seemed almost to be talking directly to Miaka.
"I told you they weren't people friendly." Inami reminded.
"We got that." Tamahome smiled painfully at the memory. That was an experience he didn't want to go through again.
Miaka brightened. "They were interesting!" She said.
A sweat drop rolled down the back of Tasuki and Nuriko's head. "She doesn't remember bad things, does she?" Tasuki commented.
Miaka didn't notice the bland looks directed towards her. "We got the prettiest clue there too!" Miaka announced, sifting through her parcel for the crystalline goblet. It was then that she realized she left the shinzaho pieces in the care of the Konan palace. She frowned. "But that language was really impressive. I was surprised you knew it Inami!"
Inami looked up at the sound of her name. "Huh? Oh, well, I needed it to get the Scholarship..."
Miaka beamed. "Hey Chichiri, do you..." She looked forward. Chiriko was looking around too. Chichiri and his horse were both gone. "Chichiri?" Miaka asked again. "Where'd he go?"
"I'm... not sure..." Chiriko answered.
Tasuki turned around. "Hey Mitsukake, did you see him?"
Mitsukake shook his head.
"I wouldn't worry about him." Nuriko spoke up. "He's done this before. He'll be back."
"I hope you're right." Tamahome said.
To Meajoker: "Man, you're good at doing cliffhangers." -Thank you. Yes, it's fun to kill people..
To Amaya-san: Kokie has the abilities to disrupt chi, yes. And Ame is cutie ^_^. He actually can do more with his own abilities.
Hey, Yuu Watase killed Nuriko off early, why can't I? And sorry, I can't kill Miboshi. He's not in this fic. ^_^
Chapter 48 : A Wish Fulfilled
~"It's funny, but ever since I cut my hair I've felt more and more like a man."~
~ "What, what is it?"~ ~ "Something that I won't say."~
~ "Miaka, why are you crying? You're such a crybaby sometimes... always worrying about everything..."~
~"Even when I'm gone, I'll still protect you."~
~"Miaka, I want you to be happy..."~
~ "Nuriko... is...is it really you?!"~
~ "Honestly, as a man, I think I've always loved Miaka...."~
"Suzaku... give me strength...."
The Chi of Nakago zoomed in on the single warrior with enough power to wipe out half of the Konan palace. The blazing heat became sharper and sharper and it drew closer and closer.
Nuriko looked up at the blinding light hurtling at him. Through his ripped clothes the red symbol of "Willow" suddenly shone brightly, so much that Nuriko's own light almost seemed to surround his entire body. As Nuriko watched the Seiryu destruction about to meet him, he found himself standing, almost as if he wasn't touching the soil beneath him. The red armbands around his wrists glowed increasingly, escalating the radiance of his stanza. Nuriko looked straight into the force meant to send him into another world and lifted his arms up, crossing them in front of him.
"YOU... WILL NOT... TOUCH THEM!!!" He shouted as the ball of energy slammed into him.
~
Nuriko felt that he was definitely connected to the ground as he was forced back, his feet digging into the soil as the chi forced him to a further retreat. Finally Nuriko stopped himself, looking at what lay before him.
The immense blue sphere more that twice his height and ten times his width was spinning madly in front of him, being stopped by his arm bands. Where the sphere and the bands connected sparks flew and a sharp whistle was heard, as if metal was being run over a grinder. Nuriko looked from his bracelets and into the light, letting out a near victorious sigh. Then, finally, Nuriko shot his arms forward, sending the massive destruction back where it came from, faster now than it had been coming forward.
Nakago was too surprised by this outcome to see his own powers zooming back to him, and he was hit in a display of shooting light.
Finally, the brightness died down, revealing reality.
Miaka lifted her head up, feeling the force field around her gone. Chiriko managed to sit up beside her. Miaka's hazel eyes shot desperately around the scene. Nakago wasn't there anymore, and the horse was a little ways away. What had just happened?
Miaka interrupted her own thoughts when she saw Nuriko's body lying in the dry, sparse grass. She quickly got up and ran to him, screaming his name.
"Nuriko!" She shouted, collapsing to her knees at his side. His armbands were now rusty, scratched bracelets. His violet hair was scattered over his face and neck, and his faint pink robe was stained with crimson blood.
"Nuriko!" Miaka shouted again, feeling Chiriko's presence at the scene. She placed her hands on his cheeks and said his name, a bit quieter. "Nuriko..."
Nuriko squinted and slowly opened his eyes, looking at Miaka. His face was pale and even the violet color of his eyes seemed faded. "Miaka... you're... all right..."
Miaka's tears ran down her face and dropped warmly onto her knees. "Nuriko, please be okay, please..." She pleaded. Chiriko now sat beside her and looked over Nuriko, now realizing what Nuriko had done for the both of them. He tried to analyze the situation as his head pounded mercilessly.
"He's... badly hurt..." Chiriko said, his voice shaky. "Nuriko, you'll... be all right. I promise."
Nuriko smiled a bit, slowly blinking his eyes before focusing on Miaka. "Miaka, why are you crying so much? You... You'd think..." Nuriko winced hard and coughed a bit. "You'd think you'd... be used to this by now..." Nuriko's voice was weak and raspy.
Miaka looked at Chiriko frantically for something to do. "Nuriko, stop talking..." Miaka looked at the gruesome wounds over Nuriko's torso. Finally remembering a bit of first aid, she took her light jacket off from around her waist and folded it a few times, placing it over a large portion of the wounded area. She pressed on them lightly, increasing pressure very subtly as Chiriko raised Nuriko's head to make it easier for him to breathe.
Nuriko winced sharply at the pressure Miaka was using in an attempt to stop the bleeding. There were so many deep wounds though, it wasn't working too well. Slowly Miaka's jacket began to only absorb Nuriko's blood.
Miaka noticed their dilemma and began crying again, harder.
"Miaka..." Chiriko said, pure worry on his face for his priestess, but more so for his friend.
Miaka collapsed her head on top of the jacket, crying into it. She felt Nuriko's hand lightly on her back, and glanced up to him, face red and full of tears.
"Miaka... don't..." Nuriko coughed hard, cutting off his words.
Chiriko held tight, concentrating. If by chance anyone was around them, perhaps he could call out to them. The symbol on his foot began to pulse with light.
The horses raced through the hot air of the desert, the loose sand on the ground flying up with each step. Chichiri, like always, led the way, and the group was fanned out a bit, looking for any sign of Miaka or the others.
All of them had terrible feelings in their hearts, as if they had lost a warrior. Well, all except Inami, who bluntly had little idea what was going on.
Chichiri's horse slowed for a moment, and he brought his voice up. "Chiriko! I sense Chiriko's life force!"
Hotohori was beside him. He closed his eyes for a moment. "I sense it too, Chichiri!" He shouted.
At that word, Chichiri pushed his horse faster.
Tamahome rode with strict worry for the welfare of his wife. What in the world could have happened? Could they have possibly met with a Seiryu Warrior?
Chichiri spotted a small line of dried trees in the distance to his right. They were one of the few clumps of life in this desert. For a moment, Chichiri thought he could sense Chiriko's life force coming from there... and then...
"A horse, no da!" Chichiri shouted, barely audible over the sound of the horses' hooves as he began to turn towards the spot. The horse looked like it was saddled too. It had to be Chiriko's or Nuriko's.
The group charged their horses over to where the lone animal stood.
Miaka perked up for a moment, hearing noises through her sobs as Nuriko's breaths grew short and choppy.
"Chiriko, people!" She yelled.
Chiriko was looking too. Someone was headed their way. He stood up and began waving his hands in the air, hoping to grab their attention. He squinted, and his face lit up! "Miaka! It's... the others!"
It seemed they caught sight of him, because the herd of horses were aiming in their direction.
Finally they arrived. Everyone jumped right off their horse.
"Nuriko!" Chichiri exclaimed, running over, almost ignoring the other two. He saw Nuriko was still breathing, but badly. "Mitsukake, hurry over here no da! Hurry!"
Mitsukake ran over panting, and knelt beside Nuriko. "He's in terrible condition." He said, opening his hand and letting a soft light course down from it.
Miaka spotted Tamahome, whom she hadn't seen for days, and collapsed weary and still sobbing into his arms.
Tamahome held her tightly, kissing the top of her head. "Miaka, what happened?" He asked, looking at Nuriko.
"Na... Nakago..." Miaka choked.
Tamahome looked down at her in disbelief. "Nakago was here?" His voice was filled with rage. "He did this!?"
Miaka nodded.
"Nakago?" Tasuki repeated. "That B******* was here?"
"Tasuki." Inami scolded.
Tasuki waved a hand at the girl. "Well, what happened to 'im then?"
Miaka shook her head. "I don't... I don't know..."
By now Chiriko had walked over. He put a hand on Miaka's shoulder. "Don't worry Miaka, Nuriko's going to be all right." He looked at Tasuki and Tamahome. "I'm afraid I don't really know what... happened either." Chiriko rubbed the back of his head. "I think I was unconscious for most of it."
Miaka nodded. She suddenly perked up and pulled away from Tamahome. She gave him a last glance and ran over to Nuriko.
Nuriko was almost sitting up, Chichiri lifting him. Mitsukake was almost done. The blood from his clothes was gone, though they were still ripped. Despite the healing from Mitsukake, Nuriko still looked weary.
Mitsukake closed his hand, closing his eyes and taking a few deep breaths. It was obvious he was spent from using his energy to heal. "His wounds are healed... he will be fine." He said, opening his eyes again, glad to have saved a friend. "I do not have enough strength in me to restore his energy, but he just needs some rest."
Miaka hugged Mitsukake tightly. "Thank you so much..." She whispered. She pulled away and looked at Nuriko, held by the smiling Chichiri. Nuriko seemed only half awake.
"Nuriko?"
Nuriko lifted his eyes and looked at Miaka, smiling lightly. "Yes, Miaka?" He said quietly.
Miaka slowly wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Nuriko, you're the best friend a girl could have."
****************************
Keisuke looked like he was about to ball.
Tetsuya raised an eyebrow and laughed a bit. "Cut it out." He joked.
"But... but it's so happy!" Keisuke stupidly shouted. In his mild hysterics he managed to snipe the book away from Tetsuya.
Tetsuya looked at a hand clock on the wall. "It's late. I say we get some rest while we're off on a happy ending, we both have work tomorrow, and we both gotta get up pretty early to take care of it."
Keisuke stayed at Miaka's apartment and Tetsuya drove home to his. After Keisuke made a small bed up on the couch, he couldn't help but take one more peek into the book, and he silently read to himself.
"The others noticed Saori was not with them, and sadly heard the news that the three had not been able to find her. However, with the constant Seiryu attacks and the time lost, the warriors could not continue their search. If Saori were alive, she'd have to be on her own for a while. Miaka was delighted that they had found the fifth shinzaho clue, and possession of the items was restored to her. Finally, using Chichiri's magic, the group managed to teleport back to the Konan palace."
****************************
Saori stumbled, but barely managed to stay upright. Her head was starting to pound, and occasionally a dizzy sense would overflow her. Her mouth and throat were parched and her stomach burned. Her feet were hot and sore and her whole body wanted her to collapse. Despite that, she kept telling herself the same thing. Suboshi was in much worse condition than her. Every now and then when she stopped she'd make sure he was still even breathing.
Saori looked up over the terrain. No camp in site. What if they moved? It would be hopeless. Saori was determined, but she knew neither she nor Suboshi would survive much longer.
****************************
"Empress, Empress!" A magistrate barged into the room where Houki was resting in a rocking chair and humming a tune to herself. She startled a bit.
"What is it?" She asked. She was worried until she saw the smile on the man's face.
"His Highness! Our Lord has returned!"
~
"Chichue!" Boushin said with excitement, forgetting everything and running to his father in the throne room. "I am ever glad to see you again!"
Hotohori smiled. He looked up and saw Houki coming forward too, whom starting to show her pregnancy. It wasn't until then that Hotohori realized how much he had missed his family.
Chiriko and Mitsukake were extremely happy to see the inside of the palace again. Traveling about for so long was truly exhausting.
The next couple to enter was Miaka and Tamahome, who were in their more "cheesy" phase. It seemed as though they didn't care where they were as long as they were with each other.
"Kourin!" Houki exclaimed, still used to calling Nuriko by his sister's name.
Nuriko was being supported by a smiling and radiant Chichiri. He was conscious and well, just physically tired. He looked up a bit through his bangs and smiled.
"He's had a bit of a run in, no da." Chichiri said, calming the worry. "He's fine, no da, just needs some rest no da."
"Where's the food?!" A loud voice finally entered the vast expanses of the throne room. "I'm sick of eatin' this travelin... whatever." It seemed even Tasuki could use a well-deserved nap. But first, he wanted the top quality food of the palace.
Inami smirked and looked at Tasuki oddly, but didn't say anything as she entered in as well.
Boushin looked at everyone, then at Hotohori, curious. "Father, where is Saori-chan?"
Hotohori bowed his head a bit. "I'm afraid it's a long story which I'll inform you of later. Right now however we need rest. We cannot stay for long and we should head out tomorrow."
Boushin frowned, apparently more so at Saori's absence. "Did... did something happen to her?" He asked, worried.
"Boushin." Houki said strictly.
"Boushin," Miaka began softly, "In Sairo Saori lost us. We had a run in with some wild dogs. Nuriko, Chiriko and I went to look for her, but so far..."
"Sairo?!" Boushin interrupted. "She's stranded in that desert?! Perhaps a larger search party need be sent..."
Hotohori placed a hand on Boushin's shoulder and faced the others. "Chichiri, where are we headed next?"
"Kutou, Sire." Chichiri explained. "The sheath we've uncovered is of Kutou origin."
Miaka shuddered.
Hotohori nodded. "I have come to the decision that I will not be with you on this next trip. I've been away from my post too long, and I'd hate to think what would happen if Kutou found out its enemy Emperor was nearby."
********************************
"Are my legs still moving?"
"Am I still going forward?"
Saori's answer seemed to come by the sweat that stung her eyes. She was still alive, but she felt weak, hot... her skin was hot yet clammy and her face was pale. Looking desperately up through her droopy eyelashes however, she swore she saw a large structure up ahead. More than one, actually. They were a gray kind of white. It could just be her hallucinating again though.
"Su... boshi?" She asked, barely audible.
She got no answer.
After a weak moment, she looked up again. The structures were a bit closer, but not by much.
"I can't move..." Saori told herself, though she was going forward slowly. "I... I can't breathe..."
~
"Hai, Mayo-sama." Amiboshi said a bit dully, leaving his priestess's tent for a moment. He walked across to the next nearest when he saw something out of his peripheral vision. Amiboshi turned and put his hand above his eyes to block out the sun, and squinted. The heat waves hovering over the ground blurred the site greatly, but after a moment, he was pretty sure it was people.
Amiboshi stepped back, and turned towards the tents. "Civilians! Civilians are approaching the camp!" For all he knew it was Suzaku warriors, or some one who had come to wrong way for worse. He grabbed his flute from his belt and began sprinting out.
Mayo looked up towards the door. "What in the world is he ranting about?" She wondered. Curious, she stood up and slowly made her way to the door, still uncomfortable in this heat. The Seiryu still had a shinzaho to find here though, so they hadn't left yet.
The figures, definitely two, came clearer as Amiboshi approached. Clear enough that Amiboshi saw himself.
Amiboshi stopped, wide-eyed. It couldn't be, could it?
"Shinkaku!!!!" Amiboshi shouted, running towards the two. It was his brother, his brother! Another, unfamiliar girl was with him, supporting almost all of Suboshi's weight on herself. Amiboshi ran up and took Suboshi from her, supporting his brother with his arms.
"He's... alive..." Saori said weakly as she helped hand Suboshi over. She had done it, accomplished what she had set out to do, though in her condition she didn't seem to realize it.
"Suboshi!" Amiboshi called out his brother's name. Suboshi was badly hurt, but he was alive! He was...
A soft "thump" was heard as the carrier fell to the ground, lifeless.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two eyes squinted hard. It suddenly became apparent that cool water was rushing into her mouth, and she was drinking madly without realizing it. She was lying down on her back, a cool cloth on her head. A headache was next to come, but a cooling sensation flowed up and down her body, making her feel almost instantly better.
Finally, Saori opened her eyes, her brown irises revealing themselves. She didn't know the place. It had gray tinted walls and roof, almost like a large tent. The water pouring onto her face and mouth stopped, and the images cleared. Saori looked over, and saw...
She choked.
"MAYO!!!!!" She screamed, shooting up in bed ignoring any ailments that plagued her. In a waft of dizziness Saori flung her arms around the redhead's neck and sent them both hurtling to the ground.
Saori suddenly felt quite nauseous.
"Saori!!" Mayo said, not in scolding, but for once in happiness. She did manage to sit up, but hugged her friend back tightly. "Baka!"
"Mayo! I missed you SO MUCH! I've been looking EVERYWHERE for you!" Saori's eyes began to tear up madly as she clutched tightly to her best friend. For the first time in what seemed like forever, Saori had found what she had been looking for all this time.
****************************
"That's the best night's sleep I've had in ages..." Tasuki yawned as he entered the room where new horses were being stocked with fresh, new supplies. "Do we have to go out already?"
"You should be used to traveling." Inami pointed out, handing Mitsukake a box. She was wearing a new robe, which made her happy enough.
"Yeah, but I get lazy." Tasuki added scratching the back of his head.
"You are lazy." Tamahome chimed in, appearing with another horse. "I'm walking when we head out, I'm so saddle sore it's not funny."
Inami laughed a bit. "Men do tend to get it worse."
Tasuki and Tamahome exchanged confused looks. However, Miaka started laughing.
Inami just shook her head and loaded more saddlebags.
***************************
"They're heading out again." Keisuke looked up from the book hidden by gym towels and watched the game a bit. The sub was directing half the girls on getting the most out of two-point shots, and the other half were separated into four teams playing against each other. Keisuke frowned a bit. He was so used to seeing Saori and Mayo playing on the senior's team, and now the more than familiar faces weren't there. Well, next class was the beginning team, which meant he'd have to put the book down and instruct more, but at least it would keep his mind off things.
~
"I put the files on your desk Takeno." Tetsuya said, turning in his swivel chair and typing something on the open laptop. "Did you try looking?" Tetsuya listened to the phone and hit enter on the laptop, a printer on a near shelf coming to life. He swiveled a bit more and pulled open the top drawer to his desk, shuffling through the papers. "Well, it's not here." Tetsuya closed the drawer. "I gave it to you." Tetsuya pushed his chair to the left a ways and picked up the paper from the printer, glancing over it through the lenses of his sunglasses. He laughed a bit. "You see? I told you it was there. Check for all the pages though." Tetsuya wheeled back over to his desk and opened the bottom drawer. "Yeah, that's right. I just..." Tetsuya glanced down at the small black box on top of the papers in the drawer. He stared at it for a moment, forgetting he had left it there. He snapped out of the small phase. "Yeah, sorry. I just need the editing done for that..."
**************************
"What were you doing out here Saori?" Mayo asked, worried from across the small table that was set up.
"I..." Saori realized where she was and decided to keep that part quiet. She really wasn't scared as long as Mayo was with her. "I got lost, and I found Suboshi. He wasn't in great condition..."
"I saw him when he came in an hour before you woke up."
Saori gasped. "I was out for an hour? Are you sure?"
Mayo nodded. "Amiboshi brought Suboshi back before he went out to get you." She smiled. "When I saw you I about screamed!"
Saori grinned madly. This was so right, her and Mayo being together again, and her finally getting some real food in her stomach. "I'm glad I got him here. Is. is he okay?"
"I'm sure he will be." Mayo put her elbows on the table and sighed. "I can't believe he's still alive! Saori, thank you. Really. You saved one of my warriors."
Warriors? That was right. Saori's mind buzzed. Mayo was the priestess of Seiryu! Saori had to get her out of here, but...
"Mayo, I..."
"Oh no!" Mayo spoke up, standing from her chair. "I didn't even realize your condition! I have fresh clothes for you to wear!"
Saori didn't get the chance. Mayo would come back with her though, she knew it. Mayo had told her such terrible things that the Seiryu seven had done before, she couldn't possibly be happy.
*****************************
"Ja mata Hotohori!" Miaka waved happily, almost turned completely around on her horse. Tamahome rode behind her, and his arms were the only things keeping her from falling to the ground. Nevertheless, he was happy to have Miaka back with him.
"Hey Chichiri," Tasuki began, "If we're headed to Kutou, won't it be. well... risky? I mean we could run into the Seiryu Seven at any moment."
Chichiri nodded. "I don't sense them in Kutou, but there's always the chance, no da." Chichiri again took the lead of the group, but now Chiriko rode behind him instead of Hotohori. "That's why it's important that when we get there," Chichiri paused for a moment as his horse stepped over a rise in the ground, officially leaving the palace grounds. "That when we do arrive in Kutou, we don't use our powers, na no da."
Miaka blinked. "Why's that Chichiri?"
Chiriko took the liberty to answer. "If any of the Seiryu warriors know we're in Kutou, we're done for. Since we're in their guarded country, they could sense our presence very easily. We can't use our powers because it would raise our life force too much."
"That makes sense." Nuriko said, fully healed and riding a bit in front of Tasuki. "Let's hope we're not there too long."
"Uh-huh." Miaka agreed. She didn't have pleasant dreams of the war- torn country. She re-directed her attention. "Nuriko, I'm glad you're better."
Nuriko smiled at Miaka. "I'm glad too." He joked.
Miaka's gazed softened, and in a tone that Tamahome could barely hear she whispered "Thank you."
Nuriko nodded. Miaka didn't want to get sappy on him in front of everyone.
"How long has it been since I've been to Kutou?" Inami thought out loud. "It's a place I never really go... gladly..."
"Same here." Tasuki added. He muttered something about the place under his breath.
"Let's hope we're in and out quickly." Nuriko stated. "I don't trust staying in any inns or camping out there. We need to stay out of sight, in case we're recognized." Nuriko's voice was a bit more serious than usual. "This may be the most dangerous task yet, more so than the Okani." He seemed almost to be talking directly to Miaka.
"I told you they weren't people friendly." Inami reminded.
"We got that." Tamahome smiled painfully at the memory. That was an experience he didn't want to go through again.
Miaka brightened. "They were interesting!" She said.
A sweat drop rolled down the back of Tasuki and Nuriko's head. "She doesn't remember bad things, does she?" Tasuki commented.
Miaka didn't notice the bland looks directed towards her. "We got the prettiest clue there too!" Miaka announced, sifting through her parcel for the crystalline goblet. It was then that she realized she left the shinzaho pieces in the care of the Konan palace. She frowned. "But that language was really impressive. I was surprised you knew it Inami!"
Inami looked up at the sound of her name. "Huh? Oh, well, I needed it to get the Scholarship..."
Miaka beamed. "Hey Chichiri, do you..." She looked forward. Chiriko was looking around too. Chichiri and his horse were both gone. "Chichiri?" Miaka asked again. "Where'd he go?"
"I'm... not sure..." Chiriko answered.
Tasuki turned around. "Hey Mitsukake, did you see him?"
Mitsukake shook his head.
"I wouldn't worry about him." Nuriko spoke up. "He's done this before. He'll be back."
"I hope you're right." Tamahome said.