To Metajoker: Yes, Genbu seishi's have green symbols. Was there part of
the story where I messed that up?
To readers: Thank you so much for reviewing. I'm starting a Fruits Basket fic now, but it's not great. yet. *evil laughter* But anyway, I've seen a lot more new reviewers come in and I'm EXTREMELY grateful for your comments.
Author's note: I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I've had this chapter doen for weeks, I was just too lazy to double space it. ^_^;; So there may be a few more mistakes than usual in here, only because I just want to get it up,but there shouldn't be too many. Also, you may have to reflect back the OAV 1 to understand a scene in this chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 57 : Even Stars Must Fall
"Nakago, what is it?" Suboshi asked.
Nakago looked back east, towards the palace that wasn't visible. "I sensed a strong Suzaku life-force," was all he had to say.
****************************
Tetsuya was reading the book, standing on the entrance to the hallway of his apartment, leaning against the wall. He read silently, like he usually did.
Keisuke, again, was rooting through his fridge. "Tetsuya, do you got any beer..." He looked over to see Tetsuya sink down to the floor, limply holding the book in his hands. "What's wrong man?"
Tetsuya leaned his head back as if he didn't hear Keisuke, quietly whispering the words "Thank god... Yui..."
****************************
A thin ray of light cascaded through the glass, a quick chirp or two following its movement.
"Yes, Suboshi was the one who helped me."
Miaka sighed, though whether in desperation or relief, Yui couldn't tell. "Then I thank him for that." She finally said. Another thought sprang into her mind. "Yui, what was happening before you came into this world? Keisuke? Tetsuya? Are Hikari and mom okay?"
Yui smiled lightly. "They're all right. Keisuke and Tetsuya are very dedicated to this, I'm sure they're reading right now. And Hikari is still a happy, bouncing baby." Yui's eyes suddenly lowered a bit. "But..."
"But?" Miaka repeated.
Yui rubbed her upper arm. "Saori and Mayo... this is different from when you and I were here our first time." Yui explained. "Their parents have both filed missing persons reports... there wasn't too much new on it by the time I left though."
Miaka frowned. This wasn't good at all.
"Here you go no da!"
Miaka and Yui both jumped a bit at the sudden exclamation.
"Chichiri!" Miaka chimed happily.
Chichiri smiled, handing Yui some folded cloth and a small try of food. "You should eat, no da. And these are some clothes for you, no da."
Yui accepted the items gratefully. "Thank you."
Miaka looked back at the open door from the floor of the small bedroom. "Chichiri, has..."
"His Highness, Emperor Boushin, has been informed of Yui's arrival, no da." Chichiri instantly replied. He looked over to Yui. "You're very welcome to stay here, no da."
"Thank you so much..." Yui said, a bit quietly. "I really, really appreciate all of this."
Chichiri nodded.
"Chichiri, have you heard any word on the war?" Miaka asked.
Chichiri shook his head. "I'm afraid not much, no da." He stated, his voice slightly lower now. "I myself may have to return out soon."
Miaka looked down at her knees, but then she smiled again. "That's okay. Everyone is still safe..."
"I should be going, no da." Chichiri piped up again. "I imagine you two still have a lot of catching up to do, no da." And with that, the magician turned and headed out the door, shutting it quietly behind him.
The two sat silent for a moment.
"Mayo."
"Hm?" Miaka asked.
Yui looked towards the window with her light blue eyes. "Mayo's still there... Miaka, I can't help but think... she reminds me... well, of me."
"Yui..." Miaka spoke sympathetically.
"I see so much pain in her eyes, Miaka." Yui continued. "I really believe that not all of her trusts in what she's doing."
"I haven't seen her in a long time, but I'd always have to agree with you." Miaka pointed out. "None of it's your fault, Yui. If anyone is to blame, it's me. I remember telling Tamahome that if she wasn't happy after catching my bouquet at my wedding, then..."
A sudden knock came at the door, and the knob turned, a new person entering.
Yui went wide eyed and stood up. "Saori!" She yelped.
"Yui!" Saori exclaimed, running in to embrace the blonde. "Boushin was right, you are here!"
Yui let go of the shorter girl and looked her over, glad to see she was in good health. "Saori... everyone's been so worried about you..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Koki, grab that last package."
Ame and Koki had stopped their inward battling and switched to delivering medical aid and supplies to the small, scattered centers over the battlefield. Though Boushin had made it clear to them that they didn't have to do any of this, they insisted.
"Where to Majjie?" Kokie asked a magistrate in the room.
The man looked up. "These need to go closer to the front lines, we have a lot of men down."
"Enough said, then." Ame spoke up. "Come, Koki."
"I take it you want me to bark now?" Koki's voice rang out as the two left down a hallway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yui looked over the woman at the desk carefully. "So... you're Inami?" Yui had only read about her.
Inami looked up at Miaka, Yui, and Saori slightly confused, before something seemed to piece together. "Oh! You must be Yui then? The girl Chichiri got from Kutou?"
Yui nodded.
Inami suddenly looked a Yui with a tinge of curiosity. "That's odd... you really look strangely familiar..."
Yui perked her lips slightly. "Really? Believe me, we've never met."
Inami nodded, waving a hand. "Yes, you're right. I'll think of it eventually though." She picked up her quill and continued writing on the long parchment in front of her.
"Have you heard about anyone coming back yet?" Saori asked.
Inami directed her quill to the floor. "Ask the guys down stairs, I have no clue.
~
"Have you heard about anyone coming back from the battle yet?" Saori asked hopefully to a Magistrate in one of the front rooms of the palace.
"Miss, this is a war, it could be that none of our warriors will be returning for quite a while... weeks even." The man tried to explain. Just as his sentence was finished, about four men rushed by him towards the front.
"What is all this?" The magistrate asked.
One of the men, who looked almost like a doctor, turned in response. "We have some injuries returned, that's all I know!"
"Injuries?" Yui repeated. This war she had walked into... it was real. However, before she could take a second look, Miaka had darted after the doctors, Saori quick on her heels.
~
"Take this one." A tall man said, a bandit of Reikaku slung over his shoulder. He helped lower him onto a stretcher with the help of the palace men. Two more men were with him, one of them with a hurt arm. Koji was next to him.
"Tasuki!" Miaka called out as she made out one of the warriors.
Tasuki looked up at the call of his name. His clothes were fairly dirty, and he looked tired. Miaka then noticed Koji, who was the other uninjured bandit.
"Tasuki, are you okay?" Saori asked, finally reaching them.
"You girl shou'nt be out here." Koji scolded.
"That's all right." Tasuki breathed. He rubbed his forehead with a gloved hand. He looked over to the stretchers carrying away one of his men. "We... just need ta rest."
*****************************
"Hanali."
The blonde looked up as she finished tying off a bandage. "Hai, Mitsukake-san?"
Mitsukake removed his hand from the forehead of an unconscious man. "Will you please fill up the water jugs by the door, we need more."
Hanali nodded, standing up and heading towards the doors of the tent.
*****************************
"Are you the ones with the supplies?" A desperate nurse asked as the flap to the large tent of the Aid Center opened.
"Yes, we are." Ame replied. The large package in his arms was instantly taken by the doctors in the long structure.
Koki emerged into the tent next, carrying a package as well. She looked around. There were several cots and stretchers in the crowded building, injured men filling up each one. They were in bad shape-it was a good thing they brought the supplies when they did. It looked as though all the injured were Konan soldiers... though one man had green pants on.
A doctor brought out a short knife to cut through the bindings of the supplies. The box opened to reveal several small jars and capsules, cords, and large quantities of bandages and dressing. Koki's package was taken next, and it held about the same, along with whiskey for a painkiller and some antiseptic.
"Is this all?" An older doctor asked.
Ame shook his head. "No, one more shipment is allowed for this base, I'll retrieve it." Ame left the tent back into the war field back to the cart on the nearest road.
Koki watched as the nurses began unloading bandages and carrying them over to the casualties, the worst seeming to be in the back. Koki looked around with a look of sad pity in her eyes. Sairo hadn't been in war for so long... she had forgotten what the toils were.
"Let me help you." She suddenly said, kneeling beside a nurse.
The nurse looked up, unsure for a moment before she realized they could use all the help they could get. She handed Kokie a gray wrapped bag. "Take this to him, please." She said with a quiet urgency, pointing to a tall man in the corner.
"Hai." Koki replied, standing with the item and managing her way over to another side of the tent.
Ame reached the cart in the brisk air, a light wind blowing. He nodded in recognition to the patient driver before going to the back and pulling a blanket off the cart, revealing it to be half-full of supplies. He placed his hand on the next package, but before he picked it up he turned and looked into the distance behind him. He listened intently. It was the sound of loud cries... not of sorrow, but of war. They slowly grew louder and louder, heading in his direction.
Ame dropped the blanket cover. "Oh no..." He whispered. Not here... not now...
He saw the top of the Calvary leader-a blonde, before the ultimate sense of urgency over took him.
~
"Please, hand me the shears beside that bed." The doctor instructed.
Koki turned around, scanning her surrounding before spotting the scissors on the sawdust floor. As she knelt down to get them, she heard the quick galloping of an army--her eyes went wide.
"Doctor!" A nurse screamed out. "Doctor, we're being attacked!!!"
The sound of screaming and trampling horses passed by the tents, gutted cries from soldiers following after.
Kokie went rigid. "Get down!" She shouted, grabbing the nurse's shoulder and forcing her to the ground. Right as she did so something moving too fast to see came hurtling at the tent, ripping of a portion of the roof. A harsh wind blew, the new hole revealing the musty clouds in the sky.
The nurse held onto her shawl as the wind blew about her. "Someone get some defenses! Cover the patients, please!" She cried out.
The walls of the Aid Center waves around wildly with the lack of central support like a weak tent in a sand storm. On the north wall a spear pierced through as Calvary men rode by. Just by the sounds one could tell the Konan army was intercepting them, but the damage was still being done.
A mounted soldier suddenly barreled through the entrance to the structure, waving a sword around like mad. Doctors and nurses screamed as they tried to get out, minimally injured victims trying to do the same. A few doctors farther away tried to save some of the more serous casualties.
The nurse beside Koki got up to run, but Koki quickly pulled her down again as the Kutou man's sword swung above her.
"This way, hurry!" Koki said, pushing the young girl under a cot towards another entrance. "Get out of here, go!"
Koki had to quickly roll out of the way as the sword came down beside her, and she forced herself under another bloody cot. She grabbed a bedpan and chucked it at the soldier, distracting him enough so she could run through the line of death he had created to the outside battlefield.
She choked.
Now the foot soldier could be seen in the distance, but the Calvary, though the majority was passed, swung swords and spears around, not caring if they hit a woman or injury. A Konan soldier whizzed passed her on his own horse, intercepting weapons with a Kutou man up ahead.
Koki looked around sharply, blocking blowing dust with her arm. "Ame! Ame!" She called out. She ran around the front side of the tent, looking around frantically. From what she could see of the road, the cart was gone. "Ame!" Koki ducked down under a loose rope whipping about to the other side, looking in front and behind her. Finally she squinted and looked to her left, seeing Ame standing to fight in the distance. Before him was a mounted Calvary. Koki began to run to him, and her eyes widened as the soldier opened his hand, a blue light sparking forward, growing into a beam, and shooting out.
Koki ran... but the light.. it moved faster...
"Yame..." Kokie whispered, outstretching her hand. "YAME!"
"AMEFURI!!!!!"
**************************
The chair scooted back sharply, falling to the ground from the force.
"Inami?" Miaka asked, looking up from the table.
"I know it now..." Inami spoke coldly, anger in her eyes as she stared at the girl, Yui, in the corner. "Now I know who you are!"
Yui blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?!"
"Takiko!" Inami shouted. "You're the one... the one who tried to erase her, tried to erase TAKIKO!" Inami instantly pulled a golden rod out from its hoister, a sharp blade springing forward. "You the one who tried to become the second priestess to Genbu nearly 15 years ago!!" Inami shouted, moving forward in a threat. "You the one... you almost erased her from existence!!!"
"AKUE!" Tasuki shouted, grabbing the arm that held her weapon and pulling her back. "Akue, stop this! Now!"
Yui looked at the warrior with fear in her eyes, a hint of shame coming into them. That was right... she had nearly forgotten... only about 3 years ago for her, she had tried to enter the book as the priestess of Genbu, and the real priestess's grave had nearly vanished. Tears began to spring forth in Yui's eyes as she replayed both that past and this present scene in her mind as she looked up at Inami. She couldn't make out what they were saying now for some reason, but Miaka and Saori were both up to.
Inami took another sharp glance towards Yui, her green eyes showing a hatred that made Yui gasp. Inami's strange weapon withdrew and she stocked madly out of the room, not bothering to look back.
"Yui!"
Yui finally snapped out of her trance as Miaka's face popped up before hers. "Yui-chan, are you okay?" She asked, placing her hands on her shoulders.
"I... I didn't...." Yui stuttered.
Tasuki sighed and watched Miaka try to console what had just happened, looking back at the entrance to where Inami had left. He had been there when that incident had happened... for some reason, he didn't remember it until now.
"What... what just happened...?" Saori asked timidly to Tasuki, confused as Yui tried to wipe away her sudden tears.
"It's a long story, kid." Tasuki sighed. "I don't think that you or me could really understand it and all..."
Saori looked up at Tasuki before pulling herself away and slowly walking towards Miaka, pulling her skirt down a bit as she went.
Tasuki ran a hand through his hair. "Better go find her before she does somethin' stupid..."
***************************
"AME! Matte, just hold on!" Kokie cried and she knelt over the man, her hands shaking wildly as she looked over the wound in his chest. "Hold on, please Ame!"
Nakago raised an eyebrow at the sudden scene, the background of battle seeming to be just an echo. He raised his hand again, a blue light forming in his palm.
"Ame..." Koki tensed and look up at the soldier on the horse, a blue symbol on his forehead. A shot of the same blue light shot from his hand and headed straight for her.
Kokie's own blue symbol glowed on her cheekbone, and as the chi blast neared, it slowed down and shrunk, until it glimmered away right before hitting her head. The glow in Kokie's eyes died down a bit and she began breathing hard, as if using her power had been more of a strain.
Nakago looked at the woman with cold, emotionless eyes, before pulling the reigns of his horse and riding off.
Kokie looked back down at the man before her. "Ame, please... please... don't die on me..." She begged as she ripped part of her shirt and pressed it on the wound. She looked back frantically to what was left standing of the Aid Center. "Ame, just stay here for a minute... I'll go get help." Kokie instructed. She pushed her hands off the ground to stand.
"Chinmei..." The faint whisper came.
Kokie gasped and turned back around, supporting back to her knees beside her friend. "Ame... don't talk..."
Ame winced, but lifted his left hand slightly to touch Kokie's cheek. "Kokie.. it will... be all right..." He shut his eyes and coughed hard, a long sigh escaping him before his blue eyes appeared again. "It... it will be good to see them again...."
Kokie grabbed Ame's hand and held it tightly. "Ame! No, don't! Don't you dare even think about leaving me here! Damnit Ame!"
Ame's hand fell limp in her grasp.
Kokie's eyes shot wide open as she squeezed his hand tighter. "AME! AME!" She cried out, putting a hand across his cold cheek. Her body shook as her chest seemed to sob. "No!!! AMEFURI! NO!!! PLEASE DON'T GO!!! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE! AME! AME!"
Kokie screamed his name over and over again... before lowering her head to his body, weeping.
To readers: Thank you so much for reviewing. I'm starting a Fruits Basket fic now, but it's not great. yet. *evil laughter* But anyway, I've seen a lot more new reviewers come in and I'm EXTREMELY grateful for your comments.
Author's note: I'm sorry it took me so long to update. I've had this chapter doen for weeks, I was just too lazy to double space it. ^_^;; So there may be a few more mistakes than usual in here, only because I just want to get it up,but there shouldn't be too many. Also, you may have to reflect back the OAV 1 to understand a scene in this chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 57 : Even Stars Must Fall
"Nakago, what is it?" Suboshi asked.
Nakago looked back east, towards the palace that wasn't visible. "I sensed a strong Suzaku life-force," was all he had to say.
****************************
Tetsuya was reading the book, standing on the entrance to the hallway of his apartment, leaning against the wall. He read silently, like he usually did.
Keisuke, again, was rooting through his fridge. "Tetsuya, do you got any beer..." He looked over to see Tetsuya sink down to the floor, limply holding the book in his hands. "What's wrong man?"
Tetsuya leaned his head back as if he didn't hear Keisuke, quietly whispering the words "Thank god... Yui..."
****************************
A thin ray of light cascaded through the glass, a quick chirp or two following its movement.
"Yes, Suboshi was the one who helped me."
Miaka sighed, though whether in desperation or relief, Yui couldn't tell. "Then I thank him for that." She finally said. Another thought sprang into her mind. "Yui, what was happening before you came into this world? Keisuke? Tetsuya? Are Hikari and mom okay?"
Yui smiled lightly. "They're all right. Keisuke and Tetsuya are very dedicated to this, I'm sure they're reading right now. And Hikari is still a happy, bouncing baby." Yui's eyes suddenly lowered a bit. "But..."
"But?" Miaka repeated.
Yui rubbed her upper arm. "Saori and Mayo... this is different from when you and I were here our first time." Yui explained. "Their parents have both filed missing persons reports... there wasn't too much new on it by the time I left though."
Miaka frowned. This wasn't good at all.
"Here you go no da!"
Miaka and Yui both jumped a bit at the sudden exclamation.
"Chichiri!" Miaka chimed happily.
Chichiri smiled, handing Yui some folded cloth and a small try of food. "You should eat, no da. And these are some clothes for you, no da."
Yui accepted the items gratefully. "Thank you."
Miaka looked back at the open door from the floor of the small bedroom. "Chichiri, has..."
"His Highness, Emperor Boushin, has been informed of Yui's arrival, no da." Chichiri instantly replied. He looked over to Yui. "You're very welcome to stay here, no da."
"Thank you so much..." Yui said, a bit quietly. "I really, really appreciate all of this."
Chichiri nodded.
"Chichiri, have you heard any word on the war?" Miaka asked.
Chichiri shook his head. "I'm afraid not much, no da." He stated, his voice slightly lower now. "I myself may have to return out soon."
Miaka looked down at her knees, but then she smiled again. "That's okay. Everyone is still safe..."
"I should be going, no da." Chichiri piped up again. "I imagine you two still have a lot of catching up to do, no da." And with that, the magician turned and headed out the door, shutting it quietly behind him.
The two sat silent for a moment.
"Mayo."
"Hm?" Miaka asked.
Yui looked towards the window with her light blue eyes. "Mayo's still there... Miaka, I can't help but think... she reminds me... well, of me."
"Yui..." Miaka spoke sympathetically.
"I see so much pain in her eyes, Miaka." Yui continued. "I really believe that not all of her trusts in what she's doing."
"I haven't seen her in a long time, but I'd always have to agree with you." Miaka pointed out. "None of it's your fault, Yui. If anyone is to blame, it's me. I remember telling Tamahome that if she wasn't happy after catching my bouquet at my wedding, then..."
A sudden knock came at the door, and the knob turned, a new person entering.
Yui went wide eyed and stood up. "Saori!" She yelped.
"Yui!" Saori exclaimed, running in to embrace the blonde. "Boushin was right, you are here!"
Yui let go of the shorter girl and looked her over, glad to see she was in good health. "Saori... everyone's been so worried about you..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Koki, grab that last package."
Ame and Koki had stopped their inward battling and switched to delivering medical aid and supplies to the small, scattered centers over the battlefield. Though Boushin had made it clear to them that they didn't have to do any of this, they insisted.
"Where to Majjie?" Kokie asked a magistrate in the room.
The man looked up. "These need to go closer to the front lines, we have a lot of men down."
"Enough said, then." Ame spoke up. "Come, Koki."
"I take it you want me to bark now?" Koki's voice rang out as the two left down a hallway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yui looked over the woman at the desk carefully. "So... you're Inami?" Yui had only read about her.
Inami looked up at Miaka, Yui, and Saori slightly confused, before something seemed to piece together. "Oh! You must be Yui then? The girl Chichiri got from Kutou?"
Yui nodded.
Inami suddenly looked a Yui with a tinge of curiosity. "That's odd... you really look strangely familiar..."
Yui perked her lips slightly. "Really? Believe me, we've never met."
Inami nodded, waving a hand. "Yes, you're right. I'll think of it eventually though." She picked up her quill and continued writing on the long parchment in front of her.
"Have you heard about anyone coming back yet?" Saori asked.
Inami directed her quill to the floor. "Ask the guys down stairs, I have no clue.
~
"Have you heard about anyone coming back from the battle yet?" Saori asked hopefully to a Magistrate in one of the front rooms of the palace.
"Miss, this is a war, it could be that none of our warriors will be returning for quite a while... weeks even." The man tried to explain. Just as his sentence was finished, about four men rushed by him towards the front.
"What is all this?" The magistrate asked.
One of the men, who looked almost like a doctor, turned in response. "We have some injuries returned, that's all I know!"
"Injuries?" Yui repeated. This war she had walked into... it was real. However, before she could take a second look, Miaka had darted after the doctors, Saori quick on her heels.
~
"Take this one." A tall man said, a bandit of Reikaku slung over his shoulder. He helped lower him onto a stretcher with the help of the palace men. Two more men were with him, one of them with a hurt arm. Koji was next to him.
"Tasuki!" Miaka called out as she made out one of the warriors.
Tasuki looked up at the call of his name. His clothes were fairly dirty, and he looked tired. Miaka then noticed Koji, who was the other uninjured bandit.
"Tasuki, are you okay?" Saori asked, finally reaching them.
"You girl shou'nt be out here." Koji scolded.
"That's all right." Tasuki breathed. He rubbed his forehead with a gloved hand. He looked over to the stretchers carrying away one of his men. "We... just need ta rest."
*****************************
"Hanali."
The blonde looked up as she finished tying off a bandage. "Hai, Mitsukake-san?"
Mitsukake removed his hand from the forehead of an unconscious man. "Will you please fill up the water jugs by the door, we need more."
Hanali nodded, standing up and heading towards the doors of the tent.
*****************************
"Are you the ones with the supplies?" A desperate nurse asked as the flap to the large tent of the Aid Center opened.
"Yes, we are." Ame replied. The large package in his arms was instantly taken by the doctors in the long structure.
Koki emerged into the tent next, carrying a package as well. She looked around. There were several cots and stretchers in the crowded building, injured men filling up each one. They were in bad shape-it was a good thing they brought the supplies when they did. It looked as though all the injured were Konan soldiers... though one man had green pants on.
A doctor brought out a short knife to cut through the bindings of the supplies. The box opened to reveal several small jars and capsules, cords, and large quantities of bandages and dressing. Koki's package was taken next, and it held about the same, along with whiskey for a painkiller and some antiseptic.
"Is this all?" An older doctor asked.
Ame shook his head. "No, one more shipment is allowed for this base, I'll retrieve it." Ame left the tent back into the war field back to the cart on the nearest road.
Koki watched as the nurses began unloading bandages and carrying them over to the casualties, the worst seeming to be in the back. Koki looked around with a look of sad pity in her eyes. Sairo hadn't been in war for so long... she had forgotten what the toils were.
"Let me help you." She suddenly said, kneeling beside a nurse.
The nurse looked up, unsure for a moment before she realized they could use all the help they could get. She handed Kokie a gray wrapped bag. "Take this to him, please." She said with a quiet urgency, pointing to a tall man in the corner.
"Hai." Koki replied, standing with the item and managing her way over to another side of the tent.
Ame reached the cart in the brisk air, a light wind blowing. He nodded in recognition to the patient driver before going to the back and pulling a blanket off the cart, revealing it to be half-full of supplies. He placed his hand on the next package, but before he picked it up he turned and looked into the distance behind him. He listened intently. It was the sound of loud cries... not of sorrow, but of war. They slowly grew louder and louder, heading in his direction.
Ame dropped the blanket cover. "Oh no..." He whispered. Not here... not now...
He saw the top of the Calvary leader-a blonde, before the ultimate sense of urgency over took him.
~
"Please, hand me the shears beside that bed." The doctor instructed.
Koki turned around, scanning her surrounding before spotting the scissors on the sawdust floor. As she knelt down to get them, she heard the quick galloping of an army--her eyes went wide.
"Doctor!" A nurse screamed out. "Doctor, we're being attacked!!!"
The sound of screaming and trampling horses passed by the tents, gutted cries from soldiers following after.
Kokie went rigid. "Get down!" She shouted, grabbing the nurse's shoulder and forcing her to the ground. Right as she did so something moving too fast to see came hurtling at the tent, ripping of a portion of the roof. A harsh wind blew, the new hole revealing the musty clouds in the sky.
The nurse held onto her shawl as the wind blew about her. "Someone get some defenses! Cover the patients, please!" She cried out.
The walls of the Aid Center waves around wildly with the lack of central support like a weak tent in a sand storm. On the north wall a spear pierced through as Calvary men rode by. Just by the sounds one could tell the Konan army was intercepting them, but the damage was still being done.
A mounted soldier suddenly barreled through the entrance to the structure, waving a sword around like mad. Doctors and nurses screamed as they tried to get out, minimally injured victims trying to do the same. A few doctors farther away tried to save some of the more serous casualties.
The nurse beside Koki got up to run, but Koki quickly pulled her down again as the Kutou man's sword swung above her.
"This way, hurry!" Koki said, pushing the young girl under a cot towards another entrance. "Get out of here, go!"
Koki had to quickly roll out of the way as the sword came down beside her, and she forced herself under another bloody cot. She grabbed a bedpan and chucked it at the soldier, distracting him enough so she could run through the line of death he had created to the outside battlefield.
She choked.
Now the foot soldier could be seen in the distance, but the Calvary, though the majority was passed, swung swords and spears around, not caring if they hit a woman or injury. A Konan soldier whizzed passed her on his own horse, intercepting weapons with a Kutou man up ahead.
Koki looked around sharply, blocking blowing dust with her arm. "Ame! Ame!" She called out. She ran around the front side of the tent, looking around frantically. From what she could see of the road, the cart was gone. "Ame!" Koki ducked down under a loose rope whipping about to the other side, looking in front and behind her. Finally she squinted and looked to her left, seeing Ame standing to fight in the distance. Before him was a mounted Calvary. Koki began to run to him, and her eyes widened as the soldier opened his hand, a blue light sparking forward, growing into a beam, and shooting out.
Koki ran... but the light.. it moved faster...
"Yame..." Kokie whispered, outstretching her hand. "YAME!"
"AMEFURI!!!!!"
**************************
The chair scooted back sharply, falling to the ground from the force.
"Inami?" Miaka asked, looking up from the table.
"I know it now..." Inami spoke coldly, anger in her eyes as she stared at the girl, Yui, in the corner. "Now I know who you are!"
Yui blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?!"
"Takiko!" Inami shouted. "You're the one... the one who tried to erase her, tried to erase TAKIKO!" Inami instantly pulled a golden rod out from its hoister, a sharp blade springing forward. "You the one who tried to become the second priestess to Genbu nearly 15 years ago!!" Inami shouted, moving forward in a threat. "You the one... you almost erased her from existence!!!"
"AKUE!" Tasuki shouted, grabbing the arm that held her weapon and pulling her back. "Akue, stop this! Now!"
Yui looked at the warrior with fear in her eyes, a hint of shame coming into them. That was right... she had nearly forgotten... only about 3 years ago for her, she had tried to enter the book as the priestess of Genbu, and the real priestess's grave had nearly vanished. Tears began to spring forth in Yui's eyes as she replayed both that past and this present scene in her mind as she looked up at Inami. She couldn't make out what they were saying now for some reason, but Miaka and Saori were both up to.
Inami took another sharp glance towards Yui, her green eyes showing a hatred that made Yui gasp. Inami's strange weapon withdrew and she stocked madly out of the room, not bothering to look back.
"Yui!"
Yui finally snapped out of her trance as Miaka's face popped up before hers. "Yui-chan, are you okay?" She asked, placing her hands on her shoulders.
"I... I didn't...." Yui stuttered.
Tasuki sighed and watched Miaka try to console what had just happened, looking back at the entrance to where Inami had left. He had been there when that incident had happened... for some reason, he didn't remember it until now.
"What... what just happened...?" Saori asked timidly to Tasuki, confused as Yui tried to wipe away her sudden tears.
"It's a long story, kid." Tasuki sighed. "I don't think that you or me could really understand it and all..."
Saori looked up at Tasuki before pulling herself away and slowly walking towards Miaka, pulling her skirt down a bit as she went.
Tasuki ran a hand through his hair. "Better go find her before she does somethin' stupid..."
***************************
"AME! Matte, just hold on!" Kokie cried and she knelt over the man, her hands shaking wildly as she looked over the wound in his chest. "Hold on, please Ame!"
Nakago raised an eyebrow at the sudden scene, the background of battle seeming to be just an echo. He raised his hand again, a blue light forming in his palm.
"Ame..." Koki tensed and look up at the soldier on the horse, a blue symbol on his forehead. A shot of the same blue light shot from his hand and headed straight for her.
Kokie's own blue symbol glowed on her cheekbone, and as the chi blast neared, it slowed down and shrunk, until it glimmered away right before hitting her head. The glow in Kokie's eyes died down a bit and she began breathing hard, as if using her power had been more of a strain.
Nakago looked at the woman with cold, emotionless eyes, before pulling the reigns of his horse and riding off.
Kokie looked back down at the man before her. "Ame, please... please... don't die on me..." She begged as she ripped part of her shirt and pressed it on the wound. She looked back frantically to what was left standing of the Aid Center. "Ame, just stay here for a minute... I'll go get help." Kokie instructed. She pushed her hands off the ground to stand.
"Chinmei..." The faint whisper came.
Kokie gasped and turned back around, supporting back to her knees beside her friend. "Ame... don't talk..."
Ame winced, but lifted his left hand slightly to touch Kokie's cheek. "Kokie.. it will... be all right..." He shut his eyes and coughed hard, a long sigh escaping him before his blue eyes appeared again. "It... it will be good to see them again...."
Kokie grabbed Ame's hand and held it tightly. "Ame! No, don't! Don't you dare even think about leaving me here! Damnit Ame!"
Ame's hand fell limp in her grasp.
Kokie's eyes shot wide open as she squeezed his hand tighter. "AME! AME!" She cried out, putting a hand across his cold cheek. Her body shook as her chest seemed to sob. "No!!! AMEFURI! NO!!! PLEASE DON'T GO!!! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE! AME! AME!"
Kokie screamed his name over and over again... before lowering her head to his body, weeping.