To Chibiface: Is Inami going to give all of her life force to Nuriko? Good
question. Don't worry, you'll find out real soon here. You asked a lot of
good questions... too bad I can't answer any of them! *evil laughter*
To Metajoker: I got the biggest kick out of your review, you'll see why.
To BD: I love Nuriko too! That's why I couldn't kill him! (yet...) Yes, the priestess gets three wishes.... Mayo's just only used one.
To MarydFair: Would I kill off my main-made-up after all this time? I don't know if I'm cruel enough to deprive THAT much... we'll see.
To Amaya: That was a VERY enthusiastic review! And yes, I know you hate Nakago, you'll probably hate him more before this fic is over. ^_^
To KittyNyah: You just so... nice! I'm glad you like my over-dose of drama. I thought I skipped on a bunch of details, but I guess not. Thanks for reviewing.
Author's note: I'm glad I finally got to this chapter! Chapter 67 is coming along. Like 64, this chapter would have come a lot sooner if my computer and ffnet would just make up and get along.
Chapter 66 : Of Rock and Water - The Tortoise and the Dragon
"Miaka! Miaka!!" The door to Miaka's room burst open and Saori ran in, throwing off the covers to the bed in one swipe.
Tamahome rubbed his eyes and looked up at Saori. "What is it now?" He moaned.
"Hurry!" Saori urged, "It's Nuriko!"
"What?!" Tamahome and Miaka both darted up, confused by the happy look on Saori's face.
"What happened?" Miaka asked.
Saori grabbed Miaka's arm. "Just hurry!"
~
"It just goes to show that you never mess with the Suzaku seven." Tasuki said confidently while with Chiriko.
Nuriko smiled weakly and coughed a bit. "Better believe it, huh?" He said weakly.
Saori ran into the room, drawing attention to her with Miaka and Tamahome close behind. When Miaka saw Nuriko awake, she nearly screamed.
"Nuriko! You're not dead!" She felt tears again forming in her eyes.
Nuriko smiled again. "Not yet, at least."
Chiriko turned towards the two. "The doctor checked up on him this morning, and said he's back on track to making a full recovery, it will just take some rest."
"Ya should of seen the look on his face too." Tasuki laughed. He smacked Tamahome on the back.
Tamahome lunged forward a bit. "What, are you trying to kill me?"
Tasuki rolled his eyes. "You ain't worth my time, Tama-kins."
"Stop calling me that!"
Yui came into the room with a tray of hot rice and water. "Well, Nuriko needs to eat something, so let's give him some peace all ready."
"It okay Yui." Nuriko said, his voice still tired. "Thanks."
As they left, they bumped into Inami and Chichiri. Chichiri, with a smile on his masked face, entered into the room.
"Ya look tired." Tasuki pointed out.
Inami yawned. "Well, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."
"I don't think any of us did." Chiriko chimed in.
Inami looked into the room. "Nuriko's doing okay then?"
"Yep!" Saori held up a peace sign. "He'll be back on his feet soon, I know it!"
Inami smiled. "I have to leave in about an hour, so I'll probably see you guys later tonight."
"Leave?" Miaka asked.
Inami nodded. "I'm meeting General Okiata today. His troops are stationed out... well, in the middle of no where, but it's northeast from here."
He's a general for Hokkan, then?" Tamahome asked.
Inami nodded, blinking her eyes quickly to keep her awake. "It will take me a while to get there, so I have to leave early." She turned around. "Speaking of which, I should see Emperor Boushin before I leave..."
~"Emperor Boushin..."~ The name went through Saori's mind. That's right... Boushin is the emperor of Konan now that his father is deceased, even if the people don't know it.
"Do you want us to see you off?" Miaka asked.
Inami smiled. "I'm not going back to Hokkan or anything, I'll be back probably before you guys turn in for bed." She waved. "Ja." She said, going down to hallway to see Boushin. Tasuki put his hands in the pockets of his black coat and followed after her.
***************************
Mayo sat up in her bed, her covers just covering up to her knees. Her light pink robe was tied loosely around her, but since she was alone, she didn't care to make herself modest. She rubbed her temples with her index and middle fingers, trying to relieve a small headache that had been upon her when she had awoken.
She opened her eyes and looked around. It was then that she remembered again. A smile appeared on her face.
She had succeeded. She was the victor, not Miaka. She had summoned Seiryu, and used her first wish to seal Suzaku away. Miaka and her warriors would be completely helpless. After they were gone, she'd get Saori back.
Now the question was, what would she make of her next two wishes? From the start she knew she'd seal Suzaku, but what would she wish next?
Mayo fell back onto her pillow, her arms behind her head as she looked up at the violet canopy above her. "With this war going on, I could use just one wish to give Kutou such an upper hand, Konan wouldn't know what hit them, especially now since all their warriors are helpless."
That would leave one wish left, assuming she did use her second wish for that purpose, which she wasn't sure. She'd use that last wish for herself. Two to help her warriors and country, one to help her. What could she wish for though? She was the priestess of Seiryu already, she didn't need respect, fame, or money. Maybe she could wish for love finally... or maybe she should save her wish for when she really needed it...
****************************
"Ai M'lady! This way!" A man motioned, jumping aboard the front of the coach that would be taking Inami to General Okiata.
Inami, Tasuki, and a guard carrying several scrolls and a small bag followed after him. Tasuki opened the carriage door for the guard since his hands were full, and the guard nodded his thanks and placed the items on one of the seats. He then bowed and retreated back to the palace.
Inami sighed. "Well, this is going to be fun."
"You won't be there too long." Tasuki reminded.
"Hopefully." Inami added. She stepped onto the first stair leading into the coach, then turned around and sat on the floor of the interior so that she still faced Tasuki. She rubbed her eyes.
"Ya sure you're okay?" Tasuki asked again, looking at her.
Inami waved his question aside. "I'm fine, I'm fine..." She removed her hand and looked up at Tasuki, unsure. "Actually, there is something on my mind."
"Yeah?"
"Suzaku." The way she said it sounded like the name was still foreign to her.
Tasuki looked down for a moment, lifting a hand up and running it back through his hair. After a pause, he finally said "You shouldn't worry about it. It ain't like we're all gonna be wussies now or somethin'."
Inami smiled softly. "I know. You said Suzaku had been sealed before, but still..."
Tasuki stepped up to her and kissed her forehead. "You'll be late," he interrupted, "quit worrying and get to work."
Inami looked up at him, seeing her distorted reflection in his amber eyes. She stood up on the stair so that she was taller than Tasuki and kissed him shortly, though when she pulled her lips away it was almost as though she forced herself to.
"Ja matta." she said.
"Ja."
*********************************
"Perhaps now Kutou will finally be at peace, and we'll be saved." The young man said, watching his reflection wave in the pool of Seiryu.
"I hope your ideals become reality, Aniki." Suboshi replied.
Amiboshi looked up at the waterfall ahead of him. "It was amazing."
"Hm?"
"Mayo, that she could do that. I must admit, in the beginning I doubted her, as I know you did, because of Lady Yui. But she really is the priestess of Seiryu... our Miko."
Suboshi's footsteps echoed through the silent room, in beat with the pouring water of the shrine until he stood beside Aniki. "When this is over... if it ever is over, where will we go?"
"Home, I hope." Amiboshi responded.
"How long has it been since we've been there? I almost can't remember it. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't even there anymore."
Amiboshi stood up, his eyes still locked with the water. "Don't think so negatively, brother."
Suboshi glanced over at him, and sighed. "Despite what you say, Aniki, I still see myself when I look at you."
Amiboshi didn't say anything.
"Do you think they'll be waiting for us? Suuki, Yami, and everyone else?"
Amiboshi was hesitant to answer. "I don't know, Shinkaku. When you're born under the god of Seiryu, you never can really choose what your fate will be."
**********************************
Inami leaned her head on her hand as she stared out the window of her carriage. There wasn't much in these parts, which was probably a good thing as far as the war was going. Her carriage rode on a dirt rode, two basins on either side of it. There weren't any trees in sight, at least not on her side of the window.
The carriage bounced a bit on the road, but the galloping of the two horses pulling it continued forward as steady as ever. Inami glanced at the furnishings around her, but her tired gaze soon turned back to the window. She yawned. She'd normally let herself fall asleep, but she didn't know how close she was to General Okiata's troops and she wanted to be as alert as possible when she got there. It wasn't just that she hadn't gotten more than four hours of sleep the night before, but that so much of her energy had been drained as well. She'd be good as new after a good night's rest tonight, and so she looked forward to that more than anything.
Another bump in the road made one of the rolled papers on the seat across from her fall onto the ground. She leaned over to put it back in place. Once she settled back into her previous position, her eyes spotted something in one of the wide basins that didn't belong there. She only saw it for a moment before it disappeared into a cave in the basin wall.
Her eyes went wide as she stared at the cave. Had... had she seen right?
"Nakago..." The name she whispered sounded like a curse word coming from her. Why would the Kutou General be out here in the middle of nowhere? What was in that cave? Was it even he?
Inami stood best she could in the carriage and quickly got to the window above the other seat, opening it so she could see the driver.
"Driver, I must ask you to stop this carriage." She said quickly.
The man looked back at her. "Miss Cheinun, we haven't arrived yet."
"Please," She said a bit more loudly. "Just stop this carriage!"
The driver gave her one more odd look before pulling back on the reigns of the horses, the force of the slowing carriage setting Inami back into her seat.
"Woa, Woa...." He called to the two brown horses as the carriage finally halted at the end of the road formed by the basins.
As Inami stepped out of the carriage, the driver turned to her. "May I ask what the stop is for?"
Inami eyed the cave some distance from them. "I... thought I saw something.... Can you please wait here for a minute?"
"Yes M'am." The driver nodded to her and hopped off the carriage, adjusting the reigns on the horses' bridles.
~
After finding the least steep edge of the basin that was still close, Inami half walked, half skidded down the side of the dip until she reached the floor about 40 feet below. The sand was hot from being in the sun, but not so much that it burned to the touch. Inami again looked across to the cave. She hoped she was wrong... but if it was Nakago, she couldn't let him pull off whatever it was he was planning.
She started across the ground, pulling her robe aside so she go out at a sprint. At that pace, it took her about two minutes to reach the cave entrance.
When she was a few feet from the opening, she stopped to catch her breath. The cave didn't actually look too dark, probably from its positioning on the basin and from any interior holes on the ceiling. It was quiet, and it didn't look too deep.
Inami looked at it with a determination in her eyes, and she pulled away the part of her robe that concealed her golden rod. With one motion she removed it from its holster and let one blade slip out silently. She glanced back at the dot that was her carriage, and entered the cave.
It went straightforward from the entrance, and the dirt and rocks inside of it were the same as they were outside. After a moment of walking, the back of the cave came into view, a ray of sun streaking across it from an opening above. From then it extended a short ways both right and left, but that was about it.
Inami lowered her sword. Maybe she was being paranoid...
But then the first blow came.
Inami flew into the wall to her right, the sudden force making her drop her sword. She slid to the floor and covered her head painfully. Removing her hand, she could see a line of blood on it.
"It's more simple than I would have expected for you to follow." Nakago smirked as he came into view.
Inami was instantly on her feet. She didn't say anything though, because Nakago had a large blue orb forming in his hands that soared at Inami like a hawk.
Inami's forehead lit up and she through her hands out, stopping the blast. However, her symbol flashed erratically and she stepped back a few paces.
Nakago raised an eyebrow, the only change in his calm expression. "Not as strong as I thought, I see." Another disk of blue light shot forward from him. Inami intercepted as she had before, but only enough the lower the blow. The force shot her into the back of the cave. She gasped as she collided with the uneven wall.
"Or you've been careless with you abilities...."
"Damare!" Inami got back up and formed a green blast of her own in her hands, feeling a drop of blood run down her temple. The chi blast shot out at her opponent.
The weak blast was merely brushed aside and Nakago struck out with his fist, hitting Inami in her jaw and pushing her off elsewhere in the cave. A chi blast struck her in the stomach, but Nakago hadn't made it strong enough to kill her.
Inami was thrown mercilessly into another wall of the cave, falling to her knees and coughing harshly from the blow to her stomach.
"I don't believe we've formally introduced ourselves, Ambassador Cheinun." Nakago said with a cruel sound of mockery on his tongue.
Inami looked through her hair at the edge of the rod lying several feet away. She felt a strong grip on her shoulder and Nakago lifted her off the ground and up against the wall of the cave so that they were eye level.
He smiled faintly at the blood on the left side of her head. He got uncomfortably closer to her so that his face was inches from hers. "It's a pity it has to end this way."
Inami's gaze shot passed him and the golden rod on the floor flew into her hands in a matter of seconds, and she swiped suddenly at Nakago. The general released her just in time to avoid being scraped by the smooth blade.
Inami blinked harshly. She felt sick... she hadn't recovered enough to use her powers well.
Nakago pushed aside his cape and drew out his own sword, one that was broader and paler than Inami's. "I did plan on making this quick, but seeing as how much you want to play..."
"You won't make it out of here alive, Nakago." Inami spat out coldly.
"By all means, Ambassador." Nakago raised his sword. "Stop me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where's Miaka, Tamahome?" Chiriko's light voice asked as the first warrior of Suzaku walked into the room.
"She, Saori, and Yui went off somewhere again." Tamahome answered, sitting down on a chair next to Chiriko, who sat cross-legged on the floor. "What are you doing?"
"Just reviewing some of Chichiri's plans."
Tamahome noticed the short explanation, but he knew what the reason for it was. The plans were for war, and Chiriko was reviewing them in the place of his Highness, Hotohori.
"How's Nuriko?" Chiriko looked up again.
"Still sleeping." Tamahome replied. "That's good though. Nuriko always was a fighter. He wouldn't be in this mess if he wasn't so loyal."
"And Houki?"
"I haven't seen her... or Prince... Emperor Boushin, for that matter."
"It's a good thing, no da."
The two turned around when Chichiri entered the room. His voice was serious, as it had been lately. "They shouldn't force themselves to be cheerful, or to stay in the public, no da. Not with such a tragedy, no da."
Tamahome agreed silently.
Chiriko didn't answer, but solemnly continued reviewing the plans laid out on the floor in front of him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The loud sound of clanging metal rang out as a double sword smashed into the hard rocks of the room and retracted on itself. Inami hit the ground and skidded a few inches, a new wound on her right forearm. She winced and tried to get up, but the lack of energy in her body held her back.
Nakago sheathed his sword and grabbed the front of Inami's robe, lifting her up. Inami grabbed his hand to release herself, but couldn't get free before Nakago's large elbow hit her and through her to the opposite end of the cave. She pushed herself up onto her knees, and she coughed so hard that blood came down her lip. Why couldn't she fight back? Was she that pathetic in this form?
Her breathing was hard and shallow as she tried to regain a composure that was long gone from her. Strands of hair that had fallen from their kept places stuck to her hot face. Before she knew it, She was up against the wall again, but this time it was by Nakago's powers, not his hands.
The blonde approached her with the same calm, cocky manner that had started this fight. He had beaten her for about ten minutes now, and Inami was starting to think there was no way out.
"You don't talk as much as I would have imagined either." Nakago said lowly upon reaching her.
"I don't have much to say to bastards like you." Inami snapped, her green eyes furious compared to Nakago's emotionless blue ones.
"Hm." Nakago said, amused. "Hypocritical, seeing that bandit of yours."
Inami looked at him in utter disbelief. A dim symbol flashed on her forehead and she managed to lift her arms from the wall, but Nakago pushed them back with a wave of his hand.
He stepped closer, his power still dominating over Inami's. "Though I would like to see what I've been missing." He said dully. With a quick step forward, his cold lips covered hers, Inami paralyzed against his actions. Luckily he didn't linger there long. He stood back, holding his hand out again, ready to attack.
"Go to hell." Inami said in pure hatred. Finally a green light flashed about her and the "ox" kanji returned to her forehead, and she managed to strike out against Nakago. "Kokoro" flashed on him as well, and he easily evaded the weak blow and struck Inami in the back with his hardest life blast ever, and she collided so hard into the opposing wall that the rock chipped away under her.
"Game is over, Ambassador." Nakago stepped towards her, taking his time as she tried to get herself off the earth beneath her. Nakago's fingers quickly enwrapped themselves in her bangs and pulled her head up, his hand darting out from his cape almost unseen.
Inami gasped, her eyes going wide as she stared mindlessly at the soil of the cave. One hand reached up towards Nakago, and she could feel the new wetness spreading over the front of her robe.
Nakago took the dagger, still in Inami's abdomen, and forced it higher, turning it sharply as it reached her sternum. Inami choked, her shoulder falling limper. Nakago released her hair and turned one swift kick to her neck, sending her again to the ground. He held the silver dagger in front of his face, admiring the deep crimson that stained it. He threw it to the other side of the cave, and walked towards the exit.
"Pity," he spoke, letting Inami's weapon float up towards his hand as he was about to leave, "I expected more of you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Houki..." Nuriko's tired voice trailed off as the empress stepped into his dim room, shutting the door silently behind her. She too looked tired.
"Houki, you shouldn't be here, you need to rest too." He said, watching as she sat on the bed beside him.
"I'm glad to see you're all right." Houki said quietly. "We heard your condition the night before, I..." Her words were choked out by a sob. She hadn't had enough time to calm herself before seeing Nuriko.
Nuriko lifted his left hand from the blankets and held Houki's in it. "Houki-san, I'm sorry."
Houki bowed her head, closing her eyes for a moment to control the tears. "I know.... that... you loved him too..."
Nuriko swallowed, still ill from the poison. "Boushin, is he all right?"
Houki nodded. "He's so brave. I don't think he ever expected to return to the throne this quickly."
Nuriko rested back into his pillow. "Hotohori-sama... he'll be with you in spirit."
"I know." Her quiet response said. "He always has been."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inami's still form lay in the interior of the small cave, her chest rising and falling slowly with every stiff, hollow breath she took. Her robe was soiled from her battle with Nakago, and a long, uneven line of blood stained down her robe like a river, becoming sickly and dark where the dagger had entered into her. She lay on her back, her arms limp beside her and her eyelids drooping, her hair knotted and scattered around her.
She looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling above her, listening to her own breathing, feeling the numb pulsing in her stomach. She coughed, making her breathing thicker. She lifted her forearm up so she could see her hand.
"This... isn't like the first time...." Her weak, clouded voice said to itself. "Funny..." She coughed again. "I always seem to die alone..."
She closed her eyes and felt the strength rush from her arm, but before it could hit the ground she felt cool fingers catch her own, and bring her hand back up.
Inami opened her eyes, but her vision was beginning to get blurry as the pain in her abdomen increased. When her sight cleared a bit, she managed to look over.
She couldn't gasp or show any elements of surprise, but a tear formed at the corner of her eye and ran down the line of her cheek as she looked at the translucent image kneeling beside her, his hand able to touch hers.
"Hikitsu..." She whispered, another tear following the trail of the first.
"I won't let you die alone, Akue." He said, his usual serious tone a bit more than what she remembered.
"Guess.... you were right... huh?" She forced the words. "I'm... I'm stubborn..."
His grip on her hand tightened in response, but the ghost didn't say anything.
"I must... really be..." She stopped and winced as the pain throbbed through her nerves. "Really... be dying.... if... I can touch you..." Her voice grew quieter.
"Genbu has decided your time again, Akue."
"Whatever..." She mumbled. She closed her eyes, and again winced in pain. "It's good... to see you again... Tsuku..." Her words grew airy at the end of the sentence, and her hand fell heavy in Hikitsu's spiritual grip.
Hikitsu's good eye lowered, and his features fell into an air of concentration. Slowly from his hand crystals of ice began to creep over Inami's arm, over her shoulder, chest and body. It spread over her lax face and across the cave floor, climbing up the solid walls and over the hard roof. The frozen water branched off again and again until everything was covered, and it continued on overlapping until the cave was filled, and Hikitsu disappeared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tasuki walked outside, hearing the muted giggling of three girls as he approached their game. They tossed a leather-bound ball around and every now and then tossed it through what looked like a hoop on the side of the palace.
"What the hell are ya doin'?" Tasuki asked.
Yui caught the ball as it was thrown to her, and looked over. "Oh, hi Tasuki!" She said, a wide smile on her face. "Wanna play?"
Tasuki raised an eyebrow. "I can't even tell what it is you're doin'."
"Basket ball!" Saori cheered, grabbing the ball from Yui. "You can be on my team, Miaka and Yui are on the other."
"No fair!" Miaka whined. "You're too good as it is, Saori!" She complained, the sun setting behind her.
"I think I'll pass..." Tasuki stated, leaning against the walk rail behind him. "But I'll watch to see what you're up to."
"Okay." Miaka smiled.
"So Inami's still gone?" Saori asked, turning the ball over in her hands.
"Yeah." Tasuki answered. "But don't worry...
"She'll be back."
To Metajoker: I got the biggest kick out of your review, you'll see why.
To BD: I love Nuriko too! That's why I couldn't kill him! (yet...) Yes, the priestess gets three wishes.... Mayo's just only used one.
To MarydFair: Would I kill off my main-made-up after all this time? I don't know if I'm cruel enough to deprive THAT much... we'll see.
To Amaya: That was a VERY enthusiastic review! And yes, I know you hate Nakago, you'll probably hate him more before this fic is over. ^_^
To KittyNyah: You just so... nice! I'm glad you like my over-dose of drama. I thought I skipped on a bunch of details, but I guess not. Thanks for reviewing.
Author's note: I'm glad I finally got to this chapter! Chapter 67 is coming along. Like 64, this chapter would have come a lot sooner if my computer and ffnet would just make up and get along.
Chapter 66 : Of Rock and Water - The Tortoise and the Dragon
"Miaka! Miaka!!" The door to Miaka's room burst open and Saori ran in, throwing off the covers to the bed in one swipe.
Tamahome rubbed his eyes and looked up at Saori. "What is it now?" He moaned.
"Hurry!" Saori urged, "It's Nuriko!"
"What?!" Tamahome and Miaka both darted up, confused by the happy look on Saori's face.
"What happened?" Miaka asked.
Saori grabbed Miaka's arm. "Just hurry!"
~
"It just goes to show that you never mess with the Suzaku seven." Tasuki said confidently while with Chiriko.
Nuriko smiled weakly and coughed a bit. "Better believe it, huh?" He said weakly.
Saori ran into the room, drawing attention to her with Miaka and Tamahome close behind. When Miaka saw Nuriko awake, she nearly screamed.
"Nuriko! You're not dead!" She felt tears again forming in her eyes.
Nuriko smiled again. "Not yet, at least."
Chiriko turned towards the two. "The doctor checked up on him this morning, and said he's back on track to making a full recovery, it will just take some rest."
"Ya should of seen the look on his face too." Tasuki laughed. He smacked Tamahome on the back.
Tamahome lunged forward a bit. "What, are you trying to kill me?"
Tasuki rolled his eyes. "You ain't worth my time, Tama-kins."
"Stop calling me that!"
Yui came into the room with a tray of hot rice and water. "Well, Nuriko needs to eat something, so let's give him some peace all ready."
"It okay Yui." Nuriko said, his voice still tired. "Thanks."
As they left, they bumped into Inami and Chichiri. Chichiri, with a smile on his masked face, entered into the room.
"Ya look tired." Tasuki pointed out.
Inami yawned. "Well, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night."
"I don't think any of us did." Chiriko chimed in.
Inami looked into the room. "Nuriko's doing okay then?"
"Yep!" Saori held up a peace sign. "He'll be back on his feet soon, I know it!"
Inami smiled. "I have to leave in about an hour, so I'll probably see you guys later tonight."
"Leave?" Miaka asked.
Inami nodded. "I'm meeting General Okiata today. His troops are stationed out... well, in the middle of no where, but it's northeast from here."
He's a general for Hokkan, then?" Tamahome asked.
Inami nodded, blinking her eyes quickly to keep her awake. "It will take me a while to get there, so I have to leave early." She turned around. "Speaking of which, I should see Emperor Boushin before I leave..."
~"Emperor Boushin..."~ The name went through Saori's mind. That's right... Boushin is the emperor of Konan now that his father is deceased, even if the people don't know it.
"Do you want us to see you off?" Miaka asked.
Inami smiled. "I'm not going back to Hokkan or anything, I'll be back probably before you guys turn in for bed." She waved. "Ja." She said, going down to hallway to see Boushin. Tasuki put his hands in the pockets of his black coat and followed after her.
***************************
Mayo sat up in her bed, her covers just covering up to her knees. Her light pink robe was tied loosely around her, but since she was alone, she didn't care to make herself modest. She rubbed her temples with her index and middle fingers, trying to relieve a small headache that had been upon her when she had awoken.
She opened her eyes and looked around. It was then that she remembered again. A smile appeared on her face.
She had succeeded. She was the victor, not Miaka. She had summoned Seiryu, and used her first wish to seal Suzaku away. Miaka and her warriors would be completely helpless. After they were gone, she'd get Saori back.
Now the question was, what would she make of her next two wishes? From the start she knew she'd seal Suzaku, but what would she wish next?
Mayo fell back onto her pillow, her arms behind her head as she looked up at the violet canopy above her. "With this war going on, I could use just one wish to give Kutou such an upper hand, Konan wouldn't know what hit them, especially now since all their warriors are helpless."
That would leave one wish left, assuming she did use her second wish for that purpose, which she wasn't sure. She'd use that last wish for herself. Two to help her warriors and country, one to help her. What could she wish for though? She was the priestess of Seiryu already, she didn't need respect, fame, or money. Maybe she could wish for love finally... or maybe she should save her wish for when she really needed it...
****************************
"Ai M'lady! This way!" A man motioned, jumping aboard the front of the coach that would be taking Inami to General Okiata.
Inami, Tasuki, and a guard carrying several scrolls and a small bag followed after him. Tasuki opened the carriage door for the guard since his hands were full, and the guard nodded his thanks and placed the items on one of the seats. He then bowed and retreated back to the palace.
Inami sighed. "Well, this is going to be fun."
"You won't be there too long." Tasuki reminded.
"Hopefully." Inami added. She stepped onto the first stair leading into the coach, then turned around and sat on the floor of the interior so that she still faced Tasuki. She rubbed her eyes.
"Ya sure you're okay?" Tasuki asked again, looking at her.
Inami waved his question aside. "I'm fine, I'm fine..." She removed her hand and looked up at Tasuki, unsure. "Actually, there is something on my mind."
"Yeah?"
"Suzaku." The way she said it sounded like the name was still foreign to her.
Tasuki looked down for a moment, lifting a hand up and running it back through his hair. After a pause, he finally said "You shouldn't worry about it. It ain't like we're all gonna be wussies now or somethin'."
Inami smiled softly. "I know. You said Suzaku had been sealed before, but still..."
Tasuki stepped up to her and kissed her forehead. "You'll be late," he interrupted, "quit worrying and get to work."
Inami looked up at him, seeing her distorted reflection in his amber eyes. She stood up on the stair so that she was taller than Tasuki and kissed him shortly, though when she pulled her lips away it was almost as though she forced herself to.
"Ja matta." she said.
"Ja."
*********************************
"Perhaps now Kutou will finally be at peace, and we'll be saved." The young man said, watching his reflection wave in the pool of Seiryu.
"I hope your ideals become reality, Aniki." Suboshi replied.
Amiboshi looked up at the waterfall ahead of him. "It was amazing."
"Hm?"
"Mayo, that she could do that. I must admit, in the beginning I doubted her, as I know you did, because of Lady Yui. But she really is the priestess of Seiryu... our Miko."
Suboshi's footsteps echoed through the silent room, in beat with the pouring water of the shrine until he stood beside Aniki. "When this is over... if it ever is over, where will we go?"
"Home, I hope." Amiboshi responded.
"How long has it been since we've been there? I almost can't remember it. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't even there anymore."
Amiboshi stood up, his eyes still locked with the water. "Don't think so negatively, brother."
Suboshi glanced over at him, and sighed. "Despite what you say, Aniki, I still see myself when I look at you."
Amiboshi didn't say anything.
"Do you think they'll be waiting for us? Suuki, Yami, and everyone else?"
Amiboshi was hesitant to answer. "I don't know, Shinkaku. When you're born under the god of Seiryu, you never can really choose what your fate will be."
**********************************
Inami leaned her head on her hand as she stared out the window of her carriage. There wasn't much in these parts, which was probably a good thing as far as the war was going. Her carriage rode on a dirt rode, two basins on either side of it. There weren't any trees in sight, at least not on her side of the window.
The carriage bounced a bit on the road, but the galloping of the two horses pulling it continued forward as steady as ever. Inami glanced at the furnishings around her, but her tired gaze soon turned back to the window. She yawned. She'd normally let herself fall asleep, but she didn't know how close she was to General Okiata's troops and she wanted to be as alert as possible when she got there. It wasn't just that she hadn't gotten more than four hours of sleep the night before, but that so much of her energy had been drained as well. She'd be good as new after a good night's rest tonight, and so she looked forward to that more than anything.
Another bump in the road made one of the rolled papers on the seat across from her fall onto the ground. She leaned over to put it back in place. Once she settled back into her previous position, her eyes spotted something in one of the wide basins that didn't belong there. She only saw it for a moment before it disappeared into a cave in the basin wall.
Her eyes went wide as she stared at the cave. Had... had she seen right?
"Nakago..." The name she whispered sounded like a curse word coming from her. Why would the Kutou General be out here in the middle of nowhere? What was in that cave? Was it even he?
Inami stood best she could in the carriage and quickly got to the window above the other seat, opening it so she could see the driver.
"Driver, I must ask you to stop this carriage." She said quickly.
The man looked back at her. "Miss Cheinun, we haven't arrived yet."
"Please," She said a bit more loudly. "Just stop this carriage!"
The driver gave her one more odd look before pulling back on the reigns of the horses, the force of the slowing carriage setting Inami back into her seat.
"Woa, Woa...." He called to the two brown horses as the carriage finally halted at the end of the road formed by the basins.
As Inami stepped out of the carriage, the driver turned to her. "May I ask what the stop is for?"
Inami eyed the cave some distance from them. "I... thought I saw something.... Can you please wait here for a minute?"
"Yes M'am." The driver nodded to her and hopped off the carriage, adjusting the reigns on the horses' bridles.
~
After finding the least steep edge of the basin that was still close, Inami half walked, half skidded down the side of the dip until she reached the floor about 40 feet below. The sand was hot from being in the sun, but not so much that it burned to the touch. Inami again looked across to the cave. She hoped she was wrong... but if it was Nakago, she couldn't let him pull off whatever it was he was planning.
She started across the ground, pulling her robe aside so she go out at a sprint. At that pace, it took her about two minutes to reach the cave entrance.
When she was a few feet from the opening, she stopped to catch her breath. The cave didn't actually look too dark, probably from its positioning on the basin and from any interior holes on the ceiling. It was quiet, and it didn't look too deep.
Inami looked at it with a determination in her eyes, and she pulled away the part of her robe that concealed her golden rod. With one motion she removed it from its holster and let one blade slip out silently. She glanced back at the dot that was her carriage, and entered the cave.
It went straightforward from the entrance, and the dirt and rocks inside of it were the same as they were outside. After a moment of walking, the back of the cave came into view, a ray of sun streaking across it from an opening above. From then it extended a short ways both right and left, but that was about it.
Inami lowered her sword. Maybe she was being paranoid...
But then the first blow came.
Inami flew into the wall to her right, the sudden force making her drop her sword. She slid to the floor and covered her head painfully. Removing her hand, she could see a line of blood on it.
"It's more simple than I would have expected for you to follow." Nakago smirked as he came into view.
Inami was instantly on her feet. She didn't say anything though, because Nakago had a large blue orb forming in his hands that soared at Inami like a hawk.
Inami's forehead lit up and she through her hands out, stopping the blast. However, her symbol flashed erratically and she stepped back a few paces.
Nakago raised an eyebrow, the only change in his calm expression. "Not as strong as I thought, I see." Another disk of blue light shot forward from him. Inami intercepted as she had before, but only enough the lower the blow. The force shot her into the back of the cave. She gasped as she collided with the uneven wall.
"Or you've been careless with you abilities...."
"Damare!" Inami got back up and formed a green blast of her own in her hands, feeling a drop of blood run down her temple. The chi blast shot out at her opponent.
The weak blast was merely brushed aside and Nakago struck out with his fist, hitting Inami in her jaw and pushing her off elsewhere in the cave. A chi blast struck her in the stomach, but Nakago hadn't made it strong enough to kill her.
Inami was thrown mercilessly into another wall of the cave, falling to her knees and coughing harshly from the blow to her stomach.
"I don't believe we've formally introduced ourselves, Ambassador Cheinun." Nakago said with a cruel sound of mockery on his tongue.
Inami looked through her hair at the edge of the rod lying several feet away. She felt a strong grip on her shoulder and Nakago lifted her off the ground and up against the wall of the cave so that they were eye level.
He smiled faintly at the blood on the left side of her head. He got uncomfortably closer to her so that his face was inches from hers. "It's a pity it has to end this way."
Inami's gaze shot passed him and the golden rod on the floor flew into her hands in a matter of seconds, and she swiped suddenly at Nakago. The general released her just in time to avoid being scraped by the smooth blade.
Inami blinked harshly. She felt sick... she hadn't recovered enough to use her powers well.
Nakago pushed aside his cape and drew out his own sword, one that was broader and paler than Inami's. "I did plan on making this quick, but seeing as how much you want to play..."
"You won't make it out of here alive, Nakago." Inami spat out coldly.
"By all means, Ambassador." Nakago raised his sword. "Stop me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where's Miaka, Tamahome?" Chiriko's light voice asked as the first warrior of Suzaku walked into the room.
"She, Saori, and Yui went off somewhere again." Tamahome answered, sitting down on a chair next to Chiriko, who sat cross-legged on the floor. "What are you doing?"
"Just reviewing some of Chichiri's plans."
Tamahome noticed the short explanation, but he knew what the reason for it was. The plans were for war, and Chiriko was reviewing them in the place of his Highness, Hotohori.
"How's Nuriko?" Chiriko looked up again.
"Still sleeping." Tamahome replied. "That's good though. Nuriko always was a fighter. He wouldn't be in this mess if he wasn't so loyal."
"And Houki?"
"I haven't seen her... or Prince... Emperor Boushin, for that matter."
"It's a good thing, no da."
The two turned around when Chichiri entered the room. His voice was serious, as it had been lately. "They shouldn't force themselves to be cheerful, or to stay in the public, no da. Not with such a tragedy, no da."
Tamahome agreed silently.
Chiriko didn't answer, but solemnly continued reviewing the plans laid out on the floor in front of him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The loud sound of clanging metal rang out as a double sword smashed into the hard rocks of the room and retracted on itself. Inami hit the ground and skidded a few inches, a new wound on her right forearm. She winced and tried to get up, but the lack of energy in her body held her back.
Nakago sheathed his sword and grabbed the front of Inami's robe, lifting her up. Inami grabbed his hand to release herself, but couldn't get free before Nakago's large elbow hit her and through her to the opposite end of the cave. She pushed herself up onto her knees, and she coughed so hard that blood came down her lip. Why couldn't she fight back? Was she that pathetic in this form?
Her breathing was hard and shallow as she tried to regain a composure that was long gone from her. Strands of hair that had fallen from their kept places stuck to her hot face. Before she knew it, She was up against the wall again, but this time it was by Nakago's powers, not his hands.
The blonde approached her with the same calm, cocky manner that had started this fight. He had beaten her for about ten minutes now, and Inami was starting to think there was no way out.
"You don't talk as much as I would have imagined either." Nakago said lowly upon reaching her.
"I don't have much to say to bastards like you." Inami snapped, her green eyes furious compared to Nakago's emotionless blue ones.
"Hm." Nakago said, amused. "Hypocritical, seeing that bandit of yours."
Inami looked at him in utter disbelief. A dim symbol flashed on her forehead and she managed to lift her arms from the wall, but Nakago pushed them back with a wave of his hand.
He stepped closer, his power still dominating over Inami's. "Though I would like to see what I've been missing." He said dully. With a quick step forward, his cold lips covered hers, Inami paralyzed against his actions. Luckily he didn't linger there long. He stood back, holding his hand out again, ready to attack.
"Go to hell." Inami said in pure hatred. Finally a green light flashed about her and the "ox" kanji returned to her forehead, and she managed to strike out against Nakago. "Kokoro" flashed on him as well, and he easily evaded the weak blow and struck Inami in the back with his hardest life blast ever, and she collided so hard into the opposing wall that the rock chipped away under her.
"Game is over, Ambassador." Nakago stepped towards her, taking his time as she tried to get herself off the earth beneath her. Nakago's fingers quickly enwrapped themselves in her bangs and pulled her head up, his hand darting out from his cape almost unseen.
Inami gasped, her eyes going wide as she stared mindlessly at the soil of the cave. One hand reached up towards Nakago, and she could feel the new wetness spreading over the front of her robe.
Nakago took the dagger, still in Inami's abdomen, and forced it higher, turning it sharply as it reached her sternum. Inami choked, her shoulder falling limper. Nakago released her hair and turned one swift kick to her neck, sending her again to the ground. He held the silver dagger in front of his face, admiring the deep crimson that stained it. He threw it to the other side of the cave, and walked towards the exit.
"Pity," he spoke, letting Inami's weapon float up towards his hand as he was about to leave, "I expected more of you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Houki..." Nuriko's tired voice trailed off as the empress stepped into his dim room, shutting the door silently behind her. She too looked tired.
"Houki, you shouldn't be here, you need to rest too." He said, watching as she sat on the bed beside him.
"I'm glad to see you're all right." Houki said quietly. "We heard your condition the night before, I..." Her words were choked out by a sob. She hadn't had enough time to calm herself before seeing Nuriko.
Nuriko lifted his left hand from the blankets and held Houki's in it. "Houki-san, I'm sorry."
Houki bowed her head, closing her eyes for a moment to control the tears. "I know.... that... you loved him too..."
Nuriko swallowed, still ill from the poison. "Boushin, is he all right?"
Houki nodded. "He's so brave. I don't think he ever expected to return to the throne this quickly."
Nuriko rested back into his pillow. "Hotohori-sama... he'll be with you in spirit."
"I know." Her quiet response said. "He always has been."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Inami's still form lay in the interior of the small cave, her chest rising and falling slowly with every stiff, hollow breath she took. Her robe was soiled from her battle with Nakago, and a long, uneven line of blood stained down her robe like a river, becoming sickly and dark where the dagger had entered into her. She lay on her back, her arms limp beside her and her eyelids drooping, her hair knotted and scattered around her.
She looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling above her, listening to her own breathing, feeling the numb pulsing in her stomach. She coughed, making her breathing thicker. She lifted her forearm up so she could see her hand.
"This... isn't like the first time...." Her weak, clouded voice said to itself. "Funny..." She coughed again. "I always seem to die alone..."
She closed her eyes and felt the strength rush from her arm, but before it could hit the ground she felt cool fingers catch her own, and bring her hand back up.
Inami opened her eyes, but her vision was beginning to get blurry as the pain in her abdomen increased. When her sight cleared a bit, she managed to look over.
She couldn't gasp or show any elements of surprise, but a tear formed at the corner of her eye and ran down the line of her cheek as she looked at the translucent image kneeling beside her, his hand able to touch hers.
"Hikitsu..." She whispered, another tear following the trail of the first.
"I won't let you die alone, Akue." He said, his usual serious tone a bit more than what she remembered.
"Guess.... you were right... huh?" She forced the words. "I'm... I'm stubborn..."
His grip on her hand tightened in response, but the ghost didn't say anything.
"I must... really be..." She stopped and winced as the pain throbbed through her nerves. "Really... be dying.... if... I can touch you..." Her voice grew quieter.
"Genbu has decided your time again, Akue."
"Whatever..." She mumbled. She closed her eyes, and again winced in pain. "It's good... to see you again... Tsuku..." Her words grew airy at the end of the sentence, and her hand fell heavy in Hikitsu's spiritual grip.
Hikitsu's good eye lowered, and his features fell into an air of concentration. Slowly from his hand crystals of ice began to creep over Inami's arm, over her shoulder, chest and body. It spread over her lax face and across the cave floor, climbing up the solid walls and over the hard roof. The frozen water branched off again and again until everything was covered, and it continued on overlapping until the cave was filled, and Hikitsu disappeared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tasuki walked outside, hearing the muted giggling of three girls as he approached their game. They tossed a leather-bound ball around and every now and then tossed it through what looked like a hoop on the side of the palace.
"What the hell are ya doin'?" Tasuki asked.
Yui caught the ball as it was thrown to her, and looked over. "Oh, hi Tasuki!" She said, a wide smile on her face. "Wanna play?"
Tasuki raised an eyebrow. "I can't even tell what it is you're doin'."
"Basket ball!" Saori cheered, grabbing the ball from Yui. "You can be on my team, Miaka and Yui are on the other."
"No fair!" Miaka whined. "You're too good as it is, Saori!" She complained, the sun setting behind her.
"I think I'll pass..." Tasuki stated, leaning against the walk rail behind him. "But I'll watch to see what you're up to."
"Okay." Miaka smiled.
"So Inami's still gone?" Saori asked, turning the ball over in her hands.
"Yeah." Tasuki answered. "But don't worry...
"She'll be back."