To Poly: I said this to another reviewer once, Amaya. I'll kill whomever
I want to!!! Now, Tasuki may or may not die from this incident, only time
will tell. You review isn't pointless, and I love your opinions!
To BD: Wow, second review in a row that tells me not to kill Tasuki in the first line. oO;; I'm glad you like the war. Lol, I didn't notice I misspelled his name. I mean. yes! Of course it's a nickname, what do you think, I'm stupid?
To New Readers: I suddenly got a lot of comments referring to this. In my story I chose o leave the Suzaku Seven as they were in the end of the Eikoden, so they stayed in their original forms. As for the other questions, they'll be answered if you're reading this, considering you've gotten to chapter 61. ^_^
To Metajoker: Wow, I could sense some deep hate there. ^_^;; Well, Inami did a little in the last chapter, but she's kinda slacking off, ne? It's my mission to create angst by death, and I find it greatly entertaining. just keep reading and see who else I may or may not kick off, ne?
To Amaya: You can't kill me even if I do kill him, because I'm across the country! Bwa ha ha ha! But I'm glad you over-all like the chapter. Well, off to do/kill more things, I need to write THIS chapter!
Chapter 61 : Paper Flowers
"This isn't good, no da."
Hotohori sighed and shut the door to the dark room. "My doctors say that miraculously, nothing vital was hit. The wound was in his lower left abdomen. Surgery didn't take long... I believe he had to have his appendix removed as well."
Chichiri, who had nothing to mask his face, looked at the door with his good eye. "Has he woken up yet?"
Hotohori shook his head, concealing his hands in the layers of his robe. "Not since Koji brought him in. He's resting now. He should heal... but I wish Mitsukake were here."
Chichiri nodded. "He's moved several times over Konan, I can sense his life force about 10 miles from the Reyo district, no da."
Hotohori gazed down the hallway. "I should return to Houki, she's again not feeling well."
Chichiri's staff shook slightly as he turned, placing a pale mask over his face. "I'll be near, Majesty."
~
Miaka lay cuddled with her knees to her chest on a lush chair in the small lounge room, staring off with sad eyes into thin air. Yui stood close to her, but had given up on comforting words a while ago; nothing seemed to cheer her up... Miaka hadn't even spoken for hours.
A man by the name of Koji had been in here earlier, sitting in the chair across from them, silent in the same way Miaka was, his hands clenched together in front of his chin. He was a friend of Tasuki's, and had been the one who brought him in. Yui sighed. She was sure that if Miaka had just gotten to see him she'd feel better... that was, assuming he pulled through. Last time they checked was a while ago, and the doctors wouldn't let even the Miko in.
"Miaka?" The blonde finally spoke. "I'll be right back, okay?" She placed a hand on her best friend's shoulder.
Miaka's stance didn't change.
Yui slowly pulled her hand away, and quietly walked away from the scene into the halls of the palace. She looked around as she went. She never had gotten a chance to walk on the interior of the Konan palace. It was a lot different that Kutou's... it was smaller, but seemed warmer. The roofs were a bit lower, and the halls were narrower, and they didn't have the huge pillars so dominant back east. The walls inside were more of wood, or so Yui supposed, and she thought they looked friendlier than the cold stone in Kutou.
Then something that had happened earlier, before Tasuki came in, sprang to her mind. It was something that bothered her a bit.
~"Do you miss them?" Yui asked.
Miaka nodded. "I'm sure you miss Tetsuya a lot too Yui. And I miss Keisuke so much..."
"What about Hikari?"
Miaka looked up. "Hikari?"
Yui looked at her oddly. "Your daughter?"
Miaka's eyes widened a bit. "Oh! I almost forgot about her..."~
Yui shook her head. It was the book, she knew it. It was cursed with something, and Miaka had almost forgotten...
~
Boushin sat at a long table in a small study, several bright lanterns illuminating the room. Before him were a few open books, and a long scroll with ink neatly and evenly written across it. The prince dipped the long white quill in his hand and continued his work.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he startled a bit, turning around.
"Saori?"
The young girl smiled at him lightly, a plate in her hands holding a warm cup of tea. "I brought you this, you've been in here for a long time."
Boushin's brown eyes thanked her and he gracefully took the plate from her. "Arigatou."
Saori stepped around him and peered over what he was doing. "Are you tired?" She asked, seeing as how it was late.
Boushin shook his head. "Not really." He glanced back up at the girl so close to him. "But you should get some rest, Saori."
Saori pulled up a chair and sat by him. "It's all right, I'm fine."
Boushin wrote down another kanji on the scroll.
"Am I bothering you?"
"Iie, not at all."
Saori looked around the room. She used to think all her homework was tough, being the ruler of a country would have to be mind wrenching.
It was silent for a moment.
"You haven't been yourself lately, if I may say so."
Boushin stopped writing and looked over at her. He placed his quill down gently and placed his hands together in his lap, facing her more. "I'm sorry if I have't. A lot has been going on."
Saori waved her hand. "Oh no, don't apologize." She relaxed a little. "I know that the war is hard on you... on everyone... and I know you'll have a new brother or sister soon."
Boushin's lips curved slightly.
"But don't worry!" Saori quickly added. "Everything will work out just fine, you'll see."
Boushin nodded. "Your optimism is very helpful, Saori. But... I can't help but think that there may be no hope."
Saori listened, but didn't speak.
Boushin slowly returned back to his work.
After another minute, Saori reached across the table to get a plain piece of paper from a stack beside an open book. Boushin looked at her curiously, but didn't say anything.
Saori folded a corner up, then some spare parchment down, making a crisp crease. She unfolded it and carefully tore it off, forming a square. She then went about making several folds, turning the paper over every now and then. With Boushin watching, she eventually turned the paper into an origami flower.
"Here." She said, handing the piece to the prince.
Boushin brought a tan hand up and took it. "What is this for?" He asked.
"It's a paper flower." Saori explained, her voice soft. "You see, a paper flower never fades. It can live all year and still be the same as when you first made it."
Boushin raised an eyebrow.
Saori laughed a bit. "A paper flower is like hope. This one is yours." She touched a leaf of her creation to raise it up a bit. "That means your hope will never fade."
Boushin looked down at the simple flower in his hands, a calm expression overcoming his features as he studied it. Eventually his gaze went back up to the young woman before him. The glow of the dimming lanterns reflected off her chestnut colored eyes like gold, her short hair was plain and down, framing her young face like a picture.
"Saori..." Boushin said her name as if it would break. He stood up, pushing his chair back. "You truly are a beautiful person." He leaned down slightly and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you."
*****************************
Keisuke walked down the sidewalk of Tokyo the next morning, Hikari fully dressed and secured in his arms.
"You get to come with Uncle Keisuke to work today!" Keisuke said with a young enthusiasm. "We just can't get a babysitter for you today."
Hikari mumbled lightly, her small hands fixated on the collar of Keisuke's shirt.
The basketball coach reached an intersection where a few others were standing, and patiently waited for the light to turn so he could cross. He didn't have to be to Yotsubadai High School as early as the students, but his classes did start second period, which meant he should hurry. He bounced Hikari lightly and looked around. It so happened that an older woman walked by him as he did so, her gaze on her feet as she walked.
"Sakaki-san." He said, seeing as the woman didn't catch him in the small crowd.
The brunette looked up, a small smile forming on her face. "Keisuke, I haven't seen you in a while."
Keisuke nodded, shifting Hikari over. "How have you been?" The tone in his voice was more serious.
Mrs. Sakaki held a small grocery bag in both hands. "Things have been tense lately, as I'm sure you could imagine."
Keisuke nodded, not sure now what to say.
Mrs. Sakaki smiled. "She's cute," she stated, referring to Hikari. "Is she yours?"
Keisuke shook his head. "No, this is my niece. You know Miaka."
"Ah yes." Mrs. Sakaki replied. She looked ahead of her. "You're light's turning, and I should get home. It's nice to see you again."
Keisuke nodded. "Good luck with everything."
As the mother of the Seiryu no Miko left, Keisuke moved with the now larger crowd across the streets as the light held traffic for them.
"Mayo..." He thought. "If only you knew how many people still care for you here..."
*************************
Ashitare bounded at a moderate pace through the Konan forest, the green grass feeling soft against his knuckles. It was easier to run this way, especially since he only had nine fingers to balance his weight on.
A man... or beast... like him wasn't fit to fight in the current war, not on the lines with the other soldiers. Not many of the other Seiryu seven fought in it either, only Nakago since he was a general and occasionally Suboshi.
Ashitare's tongue hung out of his large mouth as he ran, drops of saliva gliding down it as air blew past.
Then, the wolf man skidded to a quick stop. He smelled something, something in addition to the scent of human flesh. This very light scent was familiar, to a point where Ashitare's hair stood on end. This was a delicious scent... one which Ashitare wanted to savor.
Slowly he moved through the forest, following his keen senses towards the prey that had drawn in his attention. Despite his mass size and rugged looks, this warrior was very quiet and agile, just like a wolf. Weaving flawlessly through trees, it took him only a few minutes to find what he was looking for, and his eyes narrowed angrily at the sight.
"Warrior of Suzaku..." he mumbled under his breath, watching the man through the trees.
.
Nuriko slung the bag that held a tent over his shoulder, the rope of it wrapped around his hand. He had two white water jugs in the other, which he had filled up at the stream behind him just a little while ago. Chichiri had left just earlier... Nuriko wondered what on earth had happened. .
Ashitare's cold gaze watched him like a cat watches a bird. He crouched down below the shrubs and trunks, concealing himself. He could take that scrawny man out in one leap. His ears perked up intensively, listening to every footstep his prey made. Then finally, he bounded.
A large roar escaped him as he flew out of the forestry, but when he landed, his target was no where to be seen.
Then he felt a hard blow to the back of his head, and the massive monster flew across the clearing and into several trees, breaking them on impact.
Nuriko let go of the branch and dropped down from the tree, cracking his wrist as he watched the opposing warrior get up.
Ashitare turned his head towards the purple haired man, hate on his face. Without words, he bounded again, hurtling his body at the smaller.
Nuriko reached to his side and quickly pulled out a long sword, arming himself as Ashitare attacked.
The beast leapt, and twisted in the air, avoiding and blast from the blade, and he grabbed the hilt with the claws of his back foot and ripped it from Nuriko's grasp. He landed, and threw the weapon to the side.
"You will not defeat me, puny man." Ashitare's harsh voice mocked.
Nuriko raised his hands in a martial stance. "You forget, Ashitare. You're on my territory now." His voice was low and icy.
For some reason, that simple remark angered Ashitare more, and he charged again, this time fully connected with the ground. As he was ready to hit though, Nuriko's image suddenly vanished from his line of vision for a moment. Ashitare felt his thick arm grasped by two smaller ones. The monstrous body lifted up into the air and flew with a terrific force down into the ground, dust from the dry area flying up.
Nuriko quickly stanced up again. "In a battle of strength, you can't win!"
Ashitare leapt up, not even taking the time he had before for a "recovery." With a speed that seemed fast than light, he landed behind Nuriko and instantly grabbed his hair in a massive pawed hand. He pulled Nuriko sharply back into his grips.
"Now I will show you the same pain you gave me!" He bellowed, his muscular, hairy arms encircling around Nuriko's head and neck. Nuriko winced and brought his hands up to Ashitare's forearm, but he couldn't budge it off of him. The pressure against his throat was increasing. Ashitare's hand was pushing against the side of his head.
Desperate, Nuriko dug his fingers into Ashitare's arm, pulling in as much of it as he could into his palms. "Get... off...." He gasped.
~*SNAP!*~
Ashitare pulled back, raising his left arm painfully over his head. The gray limb bent awkwardly near the wrist.
Nuriko ran from his previous position and inhaled a fresh breath of oxygen, rubbing the side of his neck painfully.
The stubborn wolf man charged again, running on his back legs instead of all four. He intercepted with Nuriko, pushing him back with his brute vigor. However, the small river came in the path, and both warriors fell into its cold waters.
Ashitare's force didn't stop until Nuriko felt the sandy bottom hit his back. Ashitare's large hands pushed against his neck and his mouth, pressing hard to suffocate him. At any rate, Nuriko would run out of air from being underwater anyway. The young man brought his feet up from under Ashitare's torso and pushed him off, dirt from the river bed stirring up and clouding his vision. He managed to swing a punch into Ashitare's face on his way up to the surface.
Nuriko gasped for air as he emerged from the river, quickly leaping out of the water before his opponent could bring him down again. He ran from the river, closer to the bordering trees of the forest.
After a very short moment Ashitare leapt out of the water fully, waves of it flowing around his body as he flew through the air like a sprung canon ball. However, before he could land, he saw something soaring at him with an even greater speed.
And it hit him, square in the chest.
Ashitare fell like a rock to the ground, the impact shaking the dirt like and earthquake. A long, uneven branch had pierced right through him, coming out several feet from his back.
Nuriko finally appeared on seen, breathing hard from the fight. He saw Ashitare's body sprawled out lifelessly, and his mouth and eyes were still gaping open.
Still catching his breath, Nuriko looked down at his hands. A bracelet glinted back up at him in the sun. He had forgotten to use them.
He slowly walked due to the sudden weary wave that overtook him towards the other end of the clearing. He reached down and picked up the hilt of the sword lying in the grass. Nuriko allowed the tip of the blade to drag on the ground as he again approached Ashitare's body.
"This time..." Nuriko breathed, "I won't let you come back."
And with that said, he lifted the sword into the air, and brought it down sharply onto Ashitare's head.
**********************
Back at the palace, it was morning. Miaka stood on the outdoor walk of the palace, her elbows leaning against the railing. The others would be again returning within the week, and though it was unlikely, she hoped it would be today. It had been a long night for her. Yui had slept in her room with her, to keep both of them company. Despite everything, Miaka was glad to have Yui back. That girl constantly seemed to remind her as to just why she was her best friend. The two had stayed up very late. Miaka realized just how much Yui missed Tetsuya. She had been away from him far longer than Miaka had been separated from Tamahome.
She had finally gotten to see Tasuki too. Hotohori had let her in just earlier. He was sleeping soundly, so she wasn't able to speak with him. Hotohori told her that he was going to live, and he needed to rest so his body could heal from the trauma caused to it. She had been so worried about him. Koji had left in the morning to go back to the Mt. Reikaku bandits, but made it clear he would be back to update on "Genrou."
With every thing going on, Miaka couldn't help but feel selfish for thinking about the shinzaho. It was in a safe position in the treasury... but Suzaku couldn't be summoned without the other one. If she could just summon Suzaku, she could fix everything. She could end the war, protect Konan, bring happiness to all her warriors and friends... bring Mayo back for Saori... and finally go home.
Miaka scanned over the grounds again. She hadn't seen Mitsukake in what felt like forever. Nuriko had left, and she worried about him too. Chichiri said he had been with him before he arrived, which meant that he could be alone. Honestly, other than Tamahome, Nuriko had always been the warrior closest to her, even more so than Hotohori. Miaka decided that when he got back, she'd spend some more time with him.
A floating petal in the wind caught Miaka's eye. She looked up and watched it. It was a pink cherry blossom, and she was surprised to see it here. There was only one, and it played along the breeze as if to stay in her vision for as long as possible. Finally, the wind picked up and it flew high above her head, turning into a small speck against the sky.
***************************
Several cherry blossoms blew in the sudden breeze, falling gently onto the white snow that covered the ground. They flew from a wrapped bouquet full of the pink flowers. A single petal landed on a rounded stone.
"Entato Chen" were the engraved markings on it.
The holder of the blossoms pulled the fabric of their robe under their knees and knelt on the small patch of dry grass before the grave. She lightly placed the flowers beside the stone.
"I can't help but feel that this war is far from over." Inami said quietly, looking down at her hands. "It's like history is repeating itself... so much of it is the same."
A cold breeze blew lightly again, pulling a few strands of Inami's hair in with it.
She sighed. "I think after this is all over, I'll tell the emperor I wish to resign from my position. I sometimes think it would have been better never to have accepted it in the first place... but I can't complain, really. I may have never of met the others if I had chosen my own path."
There was silence.
Inami lifted her hand up and touched the cold headstone. "I'm pretty sure I'll be sent back to Konan in a week or two, I all ready have new discussions I need to bring up with his Highness Saihitei." Inami suddenly smiled. "You know, I think that if you were here you'd have a good laugh at me. I know I would." Inami looked around a bit, removing her hand from the grave. She stood up, brushing any snow off her robe. "I can't be out here too long, I have a lot of work to do."
~
And the war rolled on....
To BD: Wow, second review in a row that tells me not to kill Tasuki in the first line. oO;; I'm glad you like the war. Lol, I didn't notice I misspelled his name. I mean. yes! Of course it's a nickname, what do you think, I'm stupid?
To New Readers: I suddenly got a lot of comments referring to this. In my story I chose o leave the Suzaku Seven as they were in the end of the Eikoden, so they stayed in their original forms. As for the other questions, they'll be answered if you're reading this, considering you've gotten to chapter 61. ^_^
To Metajoker: Wow, I could sense some deep hate there. ^_^;; Well, Inami did a little in the last chapter, but she's kinda slacking off, ne? It's my mission to create angst by death, and I find it greatly entertaining. just keep reading and see who else I may or may not kick off, ne?
To Amaya: You can't kill me even if I do kill him, because I'm across the country! Bwa ha ha ha! But I'm glad you over-all like the chapter. Well, off to do/kill more things, I need to write THIS chapter!
Chapter 61 : Paper Flowers
"This isn't good, no da."
Hotohori sighed and shut the door to the dark room. "My doctors say that miraculously, nothing vital was hit. The wound was in his lower left abdomen. Surgery didn't take long... I believe he had to have his appendix removed as well."
Chichiri, who had nothing to mask his face, looked at the door with his good eye. "Has he woken up yet?"
Hotohori shook his head, concealing his hands in the layers of his robe. "Not since Koji brought him in. He's resting now. He should heal... but I wish Mitsukake were here."
Chichiri nodded. "He's moved several times over Konan, I can sense his life force about 10 miles from the Reyo district, no da."
Hotohori gazed down the hallway. "I should return to Houki, she's again not feeling well."
Chichiri's staff shook slightly as he turned, placing a pale mask over his face. "I'll be near, Majesty."
~
Miaka lay cuddled with her knees to her chest on a lush chair in the small lounge room, staring off with sad eyes into thin air. Yui stood close to her, but had given up on comforting words a while ago; nothing seemed to cheer her up... Miaka hadn't even spoken for hours.
A man by the name of Koji had been in here earlier, sitting in the chair across from them, silent in the same way Miaka was, his hands clenched together in front of his chin. He was a friend of Tasuki's, and had been the one who brought him in. Yui sighed. She was sure that if Miaka had just gotten to see him she'd feel better... that was, assuming he pulled through. Last time they checked was a while ago, and the doctors wouldn't let even the Miko in.
"Miaka?" The blonde finally spoke. "I'll be right back, okay?" She placed a hand on her best friend's shoulder.
Miaka's stance didn't change.
Yui slowly pulled her hand away, and quietly walked away from the scene into the halls of the palace. She looked around as she went. She never had gotten a chance to walk on the interior of the Konan palace. It was a lot different that Kutou's... it was smaller, but seemed warmer. The roofs were a bit lower, and the halls were narrower, and they didn't have the huge pillars so dominant back east. The walls inside were more of wood, or so Yui supposed, and she thought they looked friendlier than the cold stone in Kutou.
Then something that had happened earlier, before Tasuki came in, sprang to her mind. It was something that bothered her a bit.
~"Do you miss them?" Yui asked.
Miaka nodded. "I'm sure you miss Tetsuya a lot too Yui. And I miss Keisuke so much..."
"What about Hikari?"
Miaka looked up. "Hikari?"
Yui looked at her oddly. "Your daughter?"
Miaka's eyes widened a bit. "Oh! I almost forgot about her..."~
Yui shook her head. It was the book, she knew it. It was cursed with something, and Miaka had almost forgotten...
~
Boushin sat at a long table in a small study, several bright lanterns illuminating the room. Before him were a few open books, and a long scroll with ink neatly and evenly written across it. The prince dipped the long white quill in his hand and continued his work.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he startled a bit, turning around.
"Saori?"
The young girl smiled at him lightly, a plate in her hands holding a warm cup of tea. "I brought you this, you've been in here for a long time."
Boushin's brown eyes thanked her and he gracefully took the plate from her. "Arigatou."
Saori stepped around him and peered over what he was doing. "Are you tired?" She asked, seeing as how it was late.
Boushin shook his head. "Not really." He glanced back up at the girl so close to him. "But you should get some rest, Saori."
Saori pulled up a chair and sat by him. "It's all right, I'm fine."
Boushin wrote down another kanji on the scroll.
"Am I bothering you?"
"Iie, not at all."
Saori looked around the room. She used to think all her homework was tough, being the ruler of a country would have to be mind wrenching.
It was silent for a moment.
"You haven't been yourself lately, if I may say so."
Boushin stopped writing and looked over at her. He placed his quill down gently and placed his hands together in his lap, facing her more. "I'm sorry if I have't. A lot has been going on."
Saori waved her hand. "Oh no, don't apologize." She relaxed a little. "I know that the war is hard on you... on everyone... and I know you'll have a new brother or sister soon."
Boushin's lips curved slightly.
"But don't worry!" Saori quickly added. "Everything will work out just fine, you'll see."
Boushin nodded. "Your optimism is very helpful, Saori. But... I can't help but think that there may be no hope."
Saori listened, but didn't speak.
Boushin slowly returned back to his work.
After another minute, Saori reached across the table to get a plain piece of paper from a stack beside an open book. Boushin looked at her curiously, but didn't say anything.
Saori folded a corner up, then some spare parchment down, making a crisp crease. She unfolded it and carefully tore it off, forming a square. She then went about making several folds, turning the paper over every now and then. With Boushin watching, she eventually turned the paper into an origami flower.
"Here." She said, handing the piece to the prince.
Boushin brought a tan hand up and took it. "What is this for?" He asked.
"It's a paper flower." Saori explained, her voice soft. "You see, a paper flower never fades. It can live all year and still be the same as when you first made it."
Boushin raised an eyebrow.
Saori laughed a bit. "A paper flower is like hope. This one is yours." She touched a leaf of her creation to raise it up a bit. "That means your hope will never fade."
Boushin looked down at the simple flower in his hands, a calm expression overcoming his features as he studied it. Eventually his gaze went back up to the young woman before him. The glow of the dimming lanterns reflected off her chestnut colored eyes like gold, her short hair was plain and down, framing her young face like a picture.
"Saori..." Boushin said her name as if it would break. He stood up, pushing his chair back. "You truly are a beautiful person." He leaned down slightly and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Thank you."
*****************************
Keisuke walked down the sidewalk of Tokyo the next morning, Hikari fully dressed and secured in his arms.
"You get to come with Uncle Keisuke to work today!" Keisuke said with a young enthusiasm. "We just can't get a babysitter for you today."
Hikari mumbled lightly, her small hands fixated on the collar of Keisuke's shirt.
The basketball coach reached an intersection where a few others were standing, and patiently waited for the light to turn so he could cross. He didn't have to be to Yotsubadai High School as early as the students, but his classes did start second period, which meant he should hurry. He bounced Hikari lightly and looked around. It so happened that an older woman walked by him as he did so, her gaze on her feet as she walked.
"Sakaki-san." He said, seeing as the woman didn't catch him in the small crowd.
The brunette looked up, a small smile forming on her face. "Keisuke, I haven't seen you in a while."
Keisuke nodded, shifting Hikari over. "How have you been?" The tone in his voice was more serious.
Mrs. Sakaki held a small grocery bag in both hands. "Things have been tense lately, as I'm sure you could imagine."
Keisuke nodded, not sure now what to say.
Mrs. Sakaki smiled. "She's cute," she stated, referring to Hikari. "Is she yours?"
Keisuke shook his head. "No, this is my niece. You know Miaka."
"Ah yes." Mrs. Sakaki replied. She looked ahead of her. "You're light's turning, and I should get home. It's nice to see you again."
Keisuke nodded. "Good luck with everything."
As the mother of the Seiryu no Miko left, Keisuke moved with the now larger crowd across the streets as the light held traffic for them.
"Mayo..." He thought. "If only you knew how many people still care for you here..."
*************************
Ashitare bounded at a moderate pace through the Konan forest, the green grass feeling soft against his knuckles. It was easier to run this way, especially since he only had nine fingers to balance his weight on.
A man... or beast... like him wasn't fit to fight in the current war, not on the lines with the other soldiers. Not many of the other Seiryu seven fought in it either, only Nakago since he was a general and occasionally Suboshi.
Ashitare's tongue hung out of his large mouth as he ran, drops of saliva gliding down it as air blew past.
Then, the wolf man skidded to a quick stop. He smelled something, something in addition to the scent of human flesh. This very light scent was familiar, to a point where Ashitare's hair stood on end. This was a delicious scent... one which Ashitare wanted to savor.
Slowly he moved through the forest, following his keen senses towards the prey that had drawn in his attention. Despite his mass size and rugged looks, this warrior was very quiet and agile, just like a wolf. Weaving flawlessly through trees, it took him only a few minutes to find what he was looking for, and his eyes narrowed angrily at the sight.
"Warrior of Suzaku..." he mumbled under his breath, watching the man through the trees.
.
Nuriko slung the bag that held a tent over his shoulder, the rope of it wrapped around his hand. He had two white water jugs in the other, which he had filled up at the stream behind him just a little while ago. Chichiri had left just earlier... Nuriko wondered what on earth had happened. .
Ashitare's cold gaze watched him like a cat watches a bird. He crouched down below the shrubs and trunks, concealing himself. He could take that scrawny man out in one leap. His ears perked up intensively, listening to every footstep his prey made. Then finally, he bounded.
A large roar escaped him as he flew out of the forestry, but when he landed, his target was no where to be seen.
Then he felt a hard blow to the back of his head, and the massive monster flew across the clearing and into several trees, breaking them on impact.
Nuriko let go of the branch and dropped down from the tree, cracking his wrist as he watched the opposing warrior get up.
Ashitare turned his head towards the purple haired man, hate on his face. Without words, he bounded again, hurtling his body at the smaller.
Nuriko reached to his side and quickly pulled out a long sword, arming himself as Ashitare attacked.
The beast leapt, and twisted in the air, avoiding and blast from the blade, and he grabbed the hilt with the claws of his back foot and ripped it from Nuriko's grasp. He landed, and threw the weapon to the side.
"You will not defeat me, puny man." Ashitare's harsh voice mocked.
Nuriko raised his hands in a martial stance. "You forget, Ashitare. You're on my territory now." His voice was low and icy.
For some reason, that simple remark angered Ashitare more, and he charged again, this time fully connected with the ground. As he was ready to hit though, Nuriko's image suddenly vanished from his line of vision for a moment. Ashitare felt his thick arm grasped by two smaller ones. The monstrous body lifted up into the air and flew with a terrific force down into the ground, dust from the dry area flying up.
Nuriko quickly stanced up again. "In a battle of strength, you can't win!"
Ashitare leapt up, not even taking the time he had before for a "recovery." With a speed that seemed fast than light, he landed behind Nuriko and instantly grabbed his hair in a massive pawed hand. He pulled Nuriko sharply back into his grips.
"Now I will show you the same pain you gave me!" He bellowed, his muscular, hairy arms encircling around Nuriko's head and neck. Nuriko winced and brought his hands up to Ashitare's forearm, but he couldn't budge it off of him. The pressure against his throat was increasing. Ashitare's hand was pushing against the side of his head.
Desperate, Nuriko dug his fingers into Ashitare's arm, pulling in as much of it as he could into his palms. "Get... off...." He gasped.
~*SNAP!*~
Ashitare pulled back, raising his left arm painfully over his head. The gray limb bent awkwardly near the wrist.
Nuriko ran from his previous position and inhaled a fresh breath of oxygen, rubbing the side of his neck painfully.
The stubborn wolf man charged again, running on his back legs instead of all four. He intercepted with Nuriko, pushing him back with his brute vigor. However, the small river came in the path, and both warriors fell into its cold waters.
Ashitare's force didn't stop until Nuriko felt the sandy bottom hit his back. Ashitare's large hands pushed against his neck and his mouth, pressing hard to suffocate him. At any rate, Nuriko would run out of air from being underwater anyway. The young man brought his feet up from under Ashitare's torso and pushed him off, dirt from the river bed stirring up and clouding his vision. He managed to swing a punch into Ashitare's face on his way up to the surface.
Nuriko gasped for air as he emerged from the river, quickly leaping out of the water before his opponent could bring him down again. He ran from the river, closer to the bordering trees of the forest.
After a very short moment Ashitare leapt out of the water fully, waves of it flowing around his body as he flew through the air like a sprung canon ball. However, before he could land, he saw something soaring at him with an even greater speed.
And it hit him, square in the chest.
Ashitare fell like a rock to the ground, the impact shaking the dirt like and earthquake. A long, uneven branch had pierced right through him, coming out several feet from his back.
Nuriko finally appeared on seen, breathing hard from the fight. He saw Ashitare's body sprawled out lifelessly, and his mouth and eyes were still gaping open.
Still catching his breath, Nuriko looked down at his hands. A bracelet glinted back up at him in the sun. He had forgotten to use them.
He slowly walked due to the sudden weary wave that overtook him towards the other end of the clearing. He reached down and picked up the hilt of the sword lying in the grass. Nuriko allowed the tip of the blade to drag on the ground as he again approached Ashitare's body.
"This time..." Nuriko breathed, "I won't let you come back."
And with that said, he lifted the sword into the air, and brought it down sharply onto Ashitare's head.
**********************
Back at the palace, it was morning. Miaka stood on the outdoor walk of the palace, her elbows leaning against the railing. The others would be again returning within the week, and though it was unlikely, she hoped it would be today. It had been a long night for her. Yui had slept in her room with her, to keep both of them company. Despite everything, Miaka was glad to have Yui back. That girl constantly seemed to remind her as to just why she was her best friend. The two had stayed up very late. Miaka realized just how much Yui missed Tetsuya. She had been away from him far longer than Miaka had been separated from Tamahome.
She had finally gotten to see Tasuki too. Hotohori had let her in just earlier. He was sleeping soundly, so she wasn't able to speak with him. Hotohori told her that he was going to live, and he needed to rest so his body could heal from the trauma caused to it. She had been so worried about him. Koji had left in the morning to go back to the Mt. Reikaku bandits, but made it clear he would be back to update on "Genrou."
With every thing going on, Miaka couldn't help but feel selfish for thinking about the shinzaho. It was in a safe position in the treasury... but Suzaku couldn't be summoned without the other one. If she could just summon Suzaku, she could fix everything. She could end the war, protect Konan, bring happiness to all her warriors and friends... bring Mayo back for Saori... and finally go home.
Miaka scanned over the grounds again. She hadn't seen Mitsukake in what felt like forever. Nuriko had left, and she worried about him too. Chichiri said he had been with him before he arrived, which meant that he could be alone. Honestly, other than Tamahome, Nuriko had always been the warrior closest to her, even more so than Hotohori. Miaka decided that when he got back, she'd spend some more time with him.
A floating petal in the wind caught Miaka's eye. She looked up and watched it. It was a pink cherry blossom, and she was surprised to see it here. There was only one, and it played along the breeze as if to stay in her vision for as long as possible. Finally, the wind picked up and it flew high above her head, turning into a small speck against the sky.
***************************
Several cherry blossoms blew in the sudden breeze, falling gently onto the white snow that covered the ground. They flew from a wrapped bouquet full of the pink flowers. A single petal landed on a rounded stone.
"Entato Chen" were the engraved markings on it.
The holder of the blossoms pulled the fabric of their robe under their knees and knelt on the small patch of dry grass before the grave. She lightly placed the flowers beside the stone.
"I can't help but feel that this war is far from over." Inami said quietly, looking down at her hands. "It's like history is repeating itself... so much of it is the same."
A cold breeze blew lightly again, pulling a few strands of Inami's hair in with it.
She sighed. "I think after this is all over, I'll tell the emperor I wish to resign from my position. I sometimes think it would have been better never to have accepted it in the first place... but I can't complain, really. I may have never of met the others if I had chosen my own path."
There was silence.
Inami lifted her hand up and touched the cold headstone. "I'm pretty sure I'll be sent back to Konan in a week or two, I all ready have new discussions I need to bring up with his Highness Saihitei." Inami suddenly smiled. "You know, I think that if you were here you'd have a good laugh at me. I know I would." Inami looked around a bit, removing her hand from the grave. She stood up, brushing any snow off her robe. "I can't be out here too long, I have a lot of work to do."
~
And the war rolled on....