Fushigi Yuugi A Continued Continuation

by Chiharu Kamoshiro

This is a continuation off the Eikoden. It's a bit of everything, and it gets better as it goes. What twists develop? Old enemies? New romances? R&R! (Part 1 COMPLETE, Sequel up)

78. Reminisce: Warriors Of Sorrow

Author's note: This is the longest chapter I have ever written in my LIFE. It's 27 freakin' pages long! (size 12 font) Don't get excited though, most of it isn't relevant to current plot line, though the beginning is. This is kind of a mini-fanfiction inside a fanfiction. If you want, as soon as you hit the flashback you can actually stop reading and not miss anything, but if you're a Genbu fan like me, you may want to keep going.

Replies to reviews:

To Crazy-VampireSlayer: A Hotohori fan? Wow. I don't see you guys too often! I'm a huge Nuriko fan too, I plan to give him a lot of spotlight in the sequel. And I'm glad Miaka is less pathetic in this story! And Genbu fan's are always high up on my list.

To Angelavender: Good, I love Saori fans. She rocks my socks, one of my favs. In this fic. Another for the anti-Inami club? That's all right. You'll really hate her after you read a few pages. I love it when Saori fights, but we'll have to see if she gets another chance to. I've gotten dozens of questions asking who Saori ends up with, lol! Why not Boushin? He's loveable, ne?

To Kaeru Soyokaze: Tomite and Hatsui are cool! (Well, Hatsui is less cool) And Amiboshi will make an appearance very soon!

To Metajoker: I've been told to lengthen and shorten chapters! I take note of your review, so I apologize for this chapter!

To Amaya-san: One of the few expressing pity for Tasuki. I'm sure he appreciates it. I'm glad you like the interaction, I try.

To Polynesia: My Uruki is quite different from Watase's that's for sure. In the next FY fanfic I will someday write, Namame will be a girl as well. I can't say an assassin... I start to feel bad for Inami, she's getting a lot of hate mail.

To Shinitenshi, MaryDFair, and Rockie-chan: Thank you for reviewing, I always appreciate it!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 78 : Reminisce: Warriors of Sorrow

Everyone at Boushin's rectangular table spoke with excitement, some barely even able to sit down--particularly the Suzaku seven, their priestess, and Yui. Boushin had suddenly called all of their attention to this meeting room, though as to why, he didn't say. The tone of his voice though meant it was something good... hopefully. Even the Genbu spirits had been assembled, each in a body of flesh and blood. Most of them talked quietly amongst themselves, Inami and Uruki's conversation looking particularly serious. Finally, Boushin and Hikitsu walked into the room, the magistrate behind them closing the door, leaving himself out. Normally the entrances to the room weren't confined like that, which intrigued the others more.

"Boushin-sama, what's going on?" Nuriko asked, sitting up in his chair. His seat was right near the head chair, where the emperor himself was always seated.

"Please everyone, calm down." Boushin spoke, raising his hands. He waited a moment for all to return to their seats. "Is everyone accounted for?"

"Yes." Tamahome answered.

Boushin turned to the taller man beside him.

"We are all gathered as well, Highness." Hikitsu answered, his arms folded.

Boushin went to his chair, but didn't sit in it, only stood behind it, placing the backrest under his hands. "Then I will allow you to explain. Please, Hikitsu-san, tell them what you told me."

"Please." Miaka pleaded a bit, hands clasped tightly with Tamahome's.

Hikitsu gave a gentle smile to Miaka, and nodded. He looked over the large group, every chair at the table filled.
"Taiisukun has allowed us to come to Konan, even so in the flesh bodies of her loyal servants, the Nyan Nyan. Though perhaps our protection against the Seiryu seven may be needed, I have become aware of, perhaps, another purpose."

Tomite glanced over, his chin resting in the palm of his hands.

"Another... purpose?" Miaka asked.

Hikitsu nodded. "I am aware that you no longer have the Shinzahos of Seiryu and Suzaku, however, there may be another way for you to summon Suzaku."

"WHAT?" Miaka launched from her chair. "Summon Suzaku? Really? Is that still possible?!"

"But, after the shinzahos, there isn't another way." Tamahome stated.

"The shinzahos from Genbu and Byakko have been taken as well." Mitsukake brought up. "And Miaka's current stature doesn't allow us to summon the beast god, even in flesh."

"The scroll no longer exists as well." Hotohori mentioned.

"I am aware." Hikitsu broke the chain of misguided conversation. "However, I believe there can be a way, pending."

"Pending?" Inami, Nuriko, and Miaka all said at once.

"What the hell are ya talkin' about?" Tasuki asked.

Hikitsu turned towards Yui, who was beside Miaka. "It depends on you, Yui."

Yui felt a nervous sensation run down her spine. "M-me? What do you mean?"

Inami suddenly stiffened.

"I am aware that it is not my place to ask such a personal question, but I need to know." Hikitsu spoke softly, but firmly. "Yui, is your body still pure?"

Yui felt her cheeks burn so hot that her eyes watered slightly. "Am....Am I...." She could barely speak.

"Yui?" Miaka asked to Hikitsu. "Why does it matter?"

Yui bent her head down, embarrassed. "I... Tetsuya and I..."

The room was dead silent, making it all the more harder.

"We... well, we...." She stuttered further, covering her face with her hands. "Well, technically... we haven't..."

"Good." Hikitsu interrupted before Yui had to say much more.

"Hikitsu, are you suggesting...?" Uruki asked.

Hikitsu stepped closer to Yui. "Yui, do remember entering the book a second time, about 14 years before now?"

Hatsui and Urumiya exchanged glances.

"14 years...?" Yui looked up again. "Time in the book, it passes differently..." She went wide-eyed. She remembered. She remembered everything. She had gone into the book after stealing it from the library when she and Miaka were in high school, she remembered Tenkou, she remembered Hatsui and Urumiya at her side, only they were much younger.... she remembered Suboshi, she remembered...

"Okuda..." She whispered. "I remember."

Hikitsu looked at the other warriors for a moment, then to Boushin. "If you would allow it," He refocused to Yui, "Yui, with all of the Genbu seven available, would be able to summon Genbu. Our god has no restraints against it, and though the powers of Seiryu have been drained from your body, the powers you once received from Genbu are still dormant there. With your first wish, you could allow the Suzaku no Miko to summon her god as well."

There was a stunned silence.

"I... could do that?" Yui asked.

"It would work, it's faultless." Namame said.

Miaka cried out, throwing her arms around her best friend. "Yui, can you believe it?! We'll be able to summon Suzaku!" Tears ran down Miaka's cheeks.

"I accept." Yui said, her own tears coming up.

"Awesome." Tomite stood up. "We're back in business."

"It's possible? It really is?" Hotohori asked.

Hikitsu nodded. "With all the preparations made, it can be done."

"All right no da!" Chichiri piped in.

"Hell ya!" Tasuki added on.

Soon the whole group was celebrating at the news. With Suzaku summoned, they may just have the power they needed to destroy who was left of the Seiryu seven. Konan would be saved, and Miaka and Yui could finally go home... with Saori and Mayo as well.

"No."

The few people who heard the comment spun around. It came from one of the few still sitting down, and she didn't meet the gaze of any who stared.

"Inami-chan?" Uruki asked.

Inami shook her head. "I won't do it."

"Nani?" Miaka asked, stepping closer. "What... What do you mean?" She asked. Inami had to be talking about something else, she had to be.

"Akue," Hikitsu began.

"You heard me, I refuse!" Inami suddenly raised her voice, looking over to Hikitsu. "I want Suzaku summoned as much as anyone else, but I REFUSE to let THAT WOMAN ever take the place of Takiko!! Don't you remember what happened last time?!"

"Akue!" Hikitsu stopped her. "We all have loyalties to Takiko, but she has passed on, and this is their only chance."

"I DON'T CARE!" Inami stormed up from her seat, sending it to the floor. "There's only one priestess of Genbu, and her mission has been completed! I won't take part in a ceremony that makes her soul suffer!" She stormed past Miaka and Hikitsu towards the door.

"So that's it, huh?!" Tomite shouted after her, making Inami stop. He smirked. "So, you're just gonna give up on all of us because you're too stubborn to accept the facts? Hear it from someone who knows, Inami." Tomite's hands brushed against the table that separated him from the one he spoke to. "Takiko is dead, and with the chance we have, how can you NOT help? Hell, all you got to do is show up, we're not asking any special favors. Or is that simple task too much for someone like you?"

Silence. Dead silence. Eyes moved from Tomite back to Inami, who still faced away.

She didn't say anything. Instead, her backside seemed to waver a bit, fading until her entire body became transparent, a small Nyan-Nyan suddenly floating behind her. With a few more quick steps she left, moving right through the wall behind Boushin, and out of sight.

No one said anything, because no one knew what to say. They were still. Their moment of happiness had been shattered.

After a minute, a small shuffle in the back of the room was heard, and Tasuki made his way around everyone, heading for the door they had entered through. His hand quickly grabbed the knob and opened it.

"Don't."

Tasuki turned to see Hikitsu watching him with his one good eye. "Don't go after her." He spoke. "It's times like these that she wants to be alone."

Tasuki stared at Hikitsu for a few seconds before hastily shaking his head and heading out the door, being the second to leave.

Hikitsu exhaled slowly and refocused back to the room. "Priestess, do not lose your hope, Genbu will be summoned, tomorrow, if possible. Yui, please prepare yourself, and thank you. Please, you are adjourned."

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

"Hikitsu?"

"Yes, that is his celestial name, Hikitsu. I had the opportunity of meeting him a few years earlier on a short trip of mine, and I've stayed in touch with him in case I ever was to meet the Priestess of Genbu."

The young girl tucked a strand of long, black hair behind her ear. Her stance was timid, but sure. She eyed the young man before her, his strange clothing matching what everyone in that world seemed to wear, his long, gray hair, and the eye patch that covered a portion of his face.

"You are the Priestess?" Hikitsu asked.

Takiko blinked a few times. "I... I suppose so. I've only been here a week, though. But that's what..." She glanced to the other man in the room, recalling his name, "Emperor Sanjin has told me."

"I see." Hikitsu stepped forward and bowed, getting down on one knee. "Tell me, what is your name?"

"Takiko." She answered him promptly. "Okuda Takiko."

"Takiko..." Hikitsu sounded the name on his tongue. He stood back up. "Takiko-sama, I am Entato Chen, but like his Highness has informed you, my celestial name is Hikitsu. I will be sure that no harm comes to you while you are in our world."

Takiko nodded. "Hikitsu, will you also help me find the other warriors? There are seven..."

"Yes." He answered. "It is my duty."

Emperor Sanjin nodded. "Very well. Hikitsu, I put the Miko's life and well being in your hands. Do not let anyone or anything bring harm to her, understand?"

Hikitsu nodded. "Completely."



"Palace, that's the first one, and..." Takiko strained to interpret the Chinese kanji on the green and beige scroll in her hand. "Maiden, that's the second, I think..." She handed the scroll to Hikitsu so that he could judge.

Hikitsu nodded. The two sat on the plush bed in the priestess's room, studying the Scroll of Genbu to find the next warrior.

"Palace... then he... or she... is here, right?" Takiko asked.

"I would believe so, this one is the only palace in Hokkan." He responded.

"Great!" Takiko jumped off the bed. "Then that narrows it down a lot. The other one, Maiden, right? That means it HAS to be a girl."

Hikitsu was slow to reply. "It would seem that way, perhaps the first warrior won't be as hard to locate as I had first presumed."

"I know one of Sanjin-sama's daughters, she's only seven though." Takiko thought for a moment. "Is there an age limit?"

Hikitsu finally stood as well, rolling the scroll up. "The celestial warriors should all have been born fairly close together in years, so I wouldn't think a warrior would be that young... and I highly doubt the princess is who we're looking for."

Takiko nodded. "We just need to find a green symbol, right?" She studied Hikitsu for a moment. "Hikitsu, where's yours?"

Hikitsu smiled. "It is well hidden, Priestess. But perhaps when we are more familiar with each other, I'll show you."

Takiko's eyes instantly trailed downward, and she blushed. "Uh... Anyway, let's go."

- x – x-

Takiko yawned, pulling the braid of her hair back behind her shoulders as she walked along the exterior of the palace. It had been two days since she and Hikitsu had started looking for the second warrior, and no luck had come of it. Every female she passed in the palace she'd check, or stare at, trying to find that symbol. She had to gather the other six, or...

Takiko halted as she turned the corner, seeing a young woman about her age on her hands and knees, packing down the dirt around a yellow flower by the palace wall. She wasn't familiar, so Takiko probably didn't check her yet... but she was so tired of doing the same thing that she didn't care.

The gardener finally noticed her. "Ne, Miss, are you lost?" She inquired.

Takiko shook her head. "No... not really. I'm just thinking."

The gardener stood up, brushing her hands off. A pink skirt fell over her legs.

"Hey," Takiko said, getting her attention, "Do you by chance have a green symbol somewhere one your body?"

"Green symbol?" The woman asked, raising an eyebrow.

Takiko waved her hand. "Nevermind, forget about it."

As Takiko walked away, the girl watched calmly after her. "Who would ask such a thing...?" She thought to herself. "Could... could our priestess finally have come?"

- x – x-

"Did you find anything?" Takiko asked hopefully, entering the throne room where Hikitsu spoke with Emperor Sanjin.

Hikitsu shook his head.

"'Maiden' and 'palace', isn't it?" Sanjin asked. "Well, I could call all the women here forward for you to look at, Hikitsu."

"Is it possible that she may not know she's a warrior?" Takiko suggested.

"Unlikely." Hikitsu answered. "I know for me, at least, that my symbol first appeared when I was young. And though the abilities tend to not develop until later, the symbol is the only proof one needs to know their destiny."

"They may be afraid to step out." Sanjin added.

"Afraid?" Takiko inquired. "Of what?"

Hikitsu stepped forward, taking the question himself. "There are several groups in Hokkan who fear us, we may seem more extraterrestrial. They tend to not be cooperative, usually violent when they come across a seishi."

Takiko's hand flew up to her mouth. "That's horrible."

"Ah, Iiyu." Sanjin suddenly said, looking past the other two guests at his young daughter entering the room. She was older than the one Takiko had suggested earlier, about 15. Three young ladies trailed after her, one Takiko recognized as the girl from the garden, another she knew from questioning the day before.

"Chichiue, I need someone to fix that gown for me, the blue one?" Iiyu said, a bit worried.

"The silk one?"

"Hai." She answered. "I was modeling it for mother, and I caught the sleeve on a sliver of wood on the desk.

"Very well," Sanjin stated. "Perhaps I could find Teira to do it."

Iiyu smiled. "Arigatou gozaimasu."

Takiko gave an odd look to the gardener with the priestess. She kept... staring. Why...?

"Mada, do you think you could help me prepare myself? Onii-sama and I want to go out for the festival tonight."

"Hai." The unfamiliar lady-in-waiting answered.

"Why is she staring?" Takiko's mind boggled.

Iiyu gave one last nod to her father, before she and her servants turned to leave the room.

"Lady-in-waiting..." Takiko thought, watching as the raven-haired woman began to leave. Suddenly, she lit up. "A hand maiden!"

"Hm?" Sanjin glanced over. "Why, are you in need of one?"

Takiko shook her head. "Hikitsu, a lady-in-waiting is also a hand maiden! 'Palace' and 'Maiden', right?" She turned to the Emperor. "Please, quickly, what is the name of the one in the pink dress?" She pointed towards the girls exiting.

"Pink dress?" Sanjin looked over. He rubbed his head. "Let's see... I know her mother... what is it... Bai... Bai-ling, I think...."

"BAI-LING!" Takiko quickly shouted, running in her kimono to the girl about to disappear.

The gardener turned around. "Hai?" She asked.

Takiko stopped quickly in front of her. "Bai-ling, I know it's you, it has to be. You fit the description... and... well, I just have a feeling."

Bai-ling blinked. "Have a feeling? That I'm what?"

Takiko noted the way Bai-ling spoke. Every word she used was the most feminine form possible, especially the pronunciation of her "u"s. "I know I'm right. I know I am!" She turned to Hikitsu. "You showed me the star charts, and one of the symbols we're looking for is 'woman', isn't it?" She refocused on Bai-ling. "And that's you, I'm sure of it!"

"Bai, what's the hold up?" Iiyu asked.

Bai-ling smiled. "If you know that, you really must be the Miko, ne?"

Takiko lit up.

Hikitsu stepped forward, shocked. "You mean...?"

Uruki brushed her hair behind her shoulder, closing her eyes. In a moment, the symbol of "woman" lit up on the front of her neck. She opened her eyes again, looking at Takiko. She suddenly got down on one knee.

"Genbu no Miko, I really can believe that you're the one." She spoke.

Takiko sighed with relief. "Hikitsu, we did it! We found number 2!"

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - - xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Akue!" Tasuki shouted outside, jumping the railing and looking around in the bright afternoon. He still hadn't gotten a chance to speak with her, and after that... "Akue!" He called again.

Inami spun around, hearing Tasuki calling her name. With a shake of her head, she held her arms out and allowed her spirit to float upwards and out of sight as Tasuki rounded the corner.

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

"Takiko-chan, what does it say next?" Uruki asked, sitting down at the inn table with a small pitcher of sake and some glasses.

Takiko reached into her long sleeve and pulled out the scroll, handing it to Hikitsu as Uruki served them kindly. After finding the second warrior, Uruki, the 18-year-old lady-in-waiting and a gardener, the three had left the palace in search of the third warrior.

Hikitsu unrolled the scroll just enough to read the clues for the third warrior. There were two, like always. Every warrior had two, and those simple kanji marks were the only things they had to find all seven of them. His own had been "eye" and "distance", though Takiko didn't need the hints to locate him.

"'South' and 'boy'." Hikitsu read.

"South and boy?" Uruki repeated. "Ne, those aren't very good clues..."

Takiko took the scroll back and looked at it herself. "Well, we could always skip ahead..."

Hikitsu shook his head. "The scroll orders the warriors in order that they are easiest to locate. We'll stay here and head south in the morning. I imagine that since 'south' is a clue, it will be closer to the border."

"The border?" Uruki's normally cheerful voice suddenly got serious. "Do you really think we should be getting that close...? There is a war brewing, Hikitsu."

"A war?" Takiko asked. Why hadn't anyone told her?

"We will go. Under our protection," Hikitsu looked at his priestess, "No harm will come to her."

- x – x-

"Boy..." Uruki sighed. "I'd rather have a more specific clue than gender, that only narrows it by 50 percent, no da."

Hikitsu stopped Uruki, which in turn stopped Takiko, whose face was hidden by a dark shawl.

"Uruki, do you sense that?" The older man asked.

Uruki held still, focusing.

"What is it?" Takiko asked.

"A life force." Uruki answered. "It's about time too, we've been searching for a month."

The three headed down the path, several trees lining their way. It was much warmer down south, and in the late spring months, there wasn't any snow on the ground.

Soon enough, a new street of houses came up, the closest one having what looked like a brawl in the front yard. On closer examination, however, it looked like four young men playing a very rough sport.

"Hui! Catch it!" A tall brunette stepped back as a shorter one tackled hard into his stomach. A cone shaped ball flew from his hand, caught by a similar looking man, though obviously older.

"Nice work Akio, hurry up!"

Dirt flew up off the ground as the game went on. Hikitsu and Uruki found themselves being spectators at the end of the lawn. The faint aura was coming from here, they were sure, but it could be any one of the boys.

The youngest grabbed the ball and started running, catching sight of the three strangers and skidding to a halt. He had a thin ponytail falling over one of his shoulders.

"Who are you guys?" He asked.

"Akio, what's the hold up?" A higher voice asked as the shortest brunette called over.

- x – x-

"Genbu seven?" The mother of the children asked, placing a cup of cool water in front of Hikitsu. Though her children were old, she seemed rather young herself, as though she was barely touching her forties.

"Yes." Hikitsu explained, scanning over the three boys alongside the large kitchen room. One of them had been a girl, oddly enough, and a younger daughter stood near the mother, only about ten. Unlike her sister, she wore the usual dress, her light honey-colored hair up in two buns. "I believe," Hikitsu went on, "That perhaps one of your sons may be the next warrior we are searching for."

"Warrior?" Akio, the youngest boy, asked.

"Hai!" Uruki chimed in. "Our scroll pointed us in this direction, and Hikitsu-kun and I sensed something around your home earlier."

"And who is she?" The older girl asked, referring to Takiko.

Takiko looked up, taking the hood off her head. "My name is Okuda Takiko."

"She is our Priestess." Hikitsu said.

"Miko?" The girl repeated.

"You really think one of us is the third warrior you're searching for?" Hisaki, the oldest asked.

Hikitsu thought. "Perhaps."

Uruki stood up from the table. "So, do any of you boys have a green symbol on your body somewhere?"

Very hesitantly, and slowly, the three boys shook their heads.

"Well, you are welcome here, by all means." The mother insisted. "Do have a place to spend the night?"

"No, we don't. Would it be too much trouble...?" Takiko asked.

Miho, the little girl, grinned. "Mommy always lets strangers stay when they're homeless!"

Uruki twitched slightly at that comment.

The mother nodded. "We can put you up for the night, and please, do whatever you need to for your journey." She turned to her children. "Please, manners, and cooperate with them, understood?"

"Hai..." The four agreed.

- x – x-

Hikitsu loaded the saddle back onto his horse, adjusting the packing carefully.

"Ne, Hikitsu-kun, we're leaving already?" Uruki questioned, stepping up beside him. They had spent the night, it was nearly noon, but none of the men in the house seemed to be who they were looking for.

Hikitsu nodded.

Uruki sighed. "Well, 'south' and 'boy' isn't very good, but I really had a strong feeling coming from this house."

Hikitsu looked back to see Takiko emerging from the house, receiving a care bag from the mother with a smile. The two walked out to the horses.

"Are you sure everything is all right?" The older woman asked.

Hikitsu nodded with a smile. "Please, do not trouble yourself. You have three very fine, young sons, but they are not who we are looking for. I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality."

The woman nodded. "All right, please be safe, and take care of young Takiko." She patted the priestess's shoulder.

A few more words were exchanged, and Hikitsu, Takiko, and Uruki rode off down the road, still on their long search for warrior number three.

After watching them for a moment, the woman turned back into her house, walking quietly through the living room, the hallway, the kitchen, and out the back door into the large yard behind the house, several trees from the woods rooting themselves there. She crossed the grass, passing by a few trunks until she reached one a little further off. She shielded her eyes from the sun and looked into the branches.

"Akue dear, are you sure you don't want to go with them?"

The daughter in the tree, dressed in the same clothing as her brothers, looked down to her mother. She sighed. "Iie..."

The mother folded her arms and looked back at the house. "They seemed nice, Akue. That young girl has come all the way from another world to find you. I still won't say anything, and neither will your brothers, it's your choice. But do reconsider."

- x – x-

Uruki yawned, riding just a few steps behind the horse that Hikitsu and Takiko shared.

"Ne, I'm tired, Hikitsu-kun. Where are we going?"

"I'm not sure."

She sighed. "We ride for six more hours, doing nothing... ne, I'm saddle-sore!"

"Uruki..." Hikitsu stopped his sentence, hearing the distant galloping of hooves behind them. The small group turned around, looking back to see a rider slowly coming closer, the steps of the horse getting louder. Finally the rider came into view; it was the girl from the home they had stayed at that morning. She kept riding, her horse at a run, until she reached the three. She pulled back at the reins, passing them a bit before turning the mare around.

"All right," She panted. "I'll go with you."

Uruki blinked. "N-nani? You?"

Akue nodded, still catching her breath. "You guys... were hard to track down." She cleared her throat.

Takiko leaned forward a bit. "You're not... are you a warrior...?"

"It said 'BOY'." Uruki pointed out. "And as you can see..." She stopped, looking over Akue. "Wait... it said 'boy', not 'man', right...?"

Akue smiled. "If I have it checked right, this things means I'm Inami." She lifted her brown bangs up, a faint symbol flashing on her forehead.

"T-t-tomboy?" Uruki sweat dropped. "Ne, that wasn't a fair clue..."

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

"'Arrow' and 'hunter'?" Inami asked. "How the crap is that supposed to help us? Should we just dress up in deer skins and wait until we get shot or what?"

"I don't think that will be necessary." Hikitsu sighed. The four were at a small inn after heading north for quite a while. Almost an entire month had passed since they found Inami, who still complained regularly about the difficulty of their task. At the moment, a snowstorm was blowing outside, making the room rather cold, despite the heat lamps.

"Ne, Takiko-chan, you still cold?" Uruki asked. Takiko was huddled by one of the lamps, and blanket around her shoulders.

Takiko glanced up. "I'm fine, really..." She shivered. "Well, just a little."

"This is why I live by the border." Inami chimed in. "Sure, snow is all fun and stuff, but frostbite isn't my thing."

"In the morning, after it passes, we can head out again. I don't think it will be strong enough to keep us in for too long."

"Oh joy."

"Ne, Inami-chan, cheer up."

- x – x-

"ITAI!" Inami shouted as a young teenager ran by her, slamming into her shoulder. He didn't even give a look back, just kept running after someone else, a pack of arrows on his back.

Inami rubbed her shoulder. "AHOU!" She shouted. "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!"

"Yes, two rooms, please." Hikitsu said at the counter outside the inn.

"You're lucky." The keep said, "last two we got. How long will you be staying?"

"Only the night." Hikitsu answered.

"Ne, who gets to share a room with Hikitsu-chan?" Uruki asked as they were permitted entrance into the Inn. "Not Takiko, she's too innocent."

"Exactly what are you assuming I'm going to do?" Hikitsu inquired.

"I'll share." Inami said, putting her hands in her pockets. "Besides, it's nothing I haven't seen before."

Hikitsu put a hand on his forehead and sighed, Uruki laughing. "I hope the next warrior is a boy, that way Hikitsu can have a bunk buddy."

The few men scattered in the bar room of the inn looked over at Uruki's comment, eyeing them suspiciously.

"Hikitsu..." Takiko stepped in closer to the taller man.

"Uruki," Hikitsu whispered, "it is odd enough to see three women with one man, but do remember that we're trying to keep our identities to a minimal."

"Gomen ne..." She apologized.

Inami rolled her eyes. "Let's go out. I don't want to eat here."

"We should put our things away first." Hikitsu mentioned.

"I'll pay."

"I'm coming!" Uruki piped in. "You two find something fun to do, okay?" Uruki grabbed onto Inami and dragged the other girl out.

- x – x-

"TAKIKO!" Hikitsu ran up to the burning building he had just returned to. The inn they were staying at had caught fire, and now the entire building was going up in flames. Takiko had run in, hearing the cry of a young child.

"What happened?!" Inami yelled, coming up on to Hikitsu. A large crowd was surrounding the scorching inn.

"She's in there!!!" Hikitsu ran forward, but a wave of fire pushed him back into the snow-packed ground.

"Uruki, DO SOMETHING!" Inami shouted.

Uruki looked around frantically. There were so many people... what about the low profile? There were a lot of hunters around here who would like their shot at a seishi...

"I... I..." Uruki stuttered.

"LOOK!" A spectator called out.

The three warriors looked at the building. The fire started to die down slowly, and a sheet of ice began crawling out the windows, coating down the sides of the building.

"Ice?" Uruki questioned.

Soon the entire building was engulfed by the slick solid, the ice sparkling like a diamond under the moonlight. The fire had been put out, and was replaced by smoke venting out the windows.

The front door burst open, and Takiko limped out, carrying a small toddler in her arms. The toddler squirmed under her grasped and she let him down, he in turn running into the arms of his waiting mother.

"Takiko?" Inami said, shocked.

Behind Takiko came another person, a taller one. He held and unconscious girl in his arms; she was only about 10.

"Someone come and get her!" He shouted. After a pause, a few men ran up and took the child out of his arms, giving him wary looks as they did so.

The three celestial warriors ran up to Takiko, who, other than being a little smoky, seemed all right.

"What happened?" Hikitsu questioned.

Takiko looked back at the boy standing a little way behind her. "Him..." she spoke, coughing.

- x – x-

Now, at a new inn, the group of four and the new boy sat at a square table, very late at night. Laughing men swarmed around them, each having a little too much to drink.

"You're Tomite then?" Takiko asked quietly, though loud enough to be heard over the background noise.

"You could call me that." Tomite said, wiping down his bow with an old rag.

"So number four is a 16-year-old bounty hunter, great." Inami said, swirling a finger around a glass of water.

Takiko looked very relieved, very happy. "That's great. Thank you again for helping me."

"No problem." Tomite said casually.

"We found number four." Takiko said to no one in particular.

"We can go to number five now, no da." Uruki pointed out.

"Whoah... hold your horses." Tomite said slyly. "Who said I was going with you? I'm doin' just fine where I am, thank you."

"What?" Takiko asked, suddenly devastated.

"You heard me." Tomite stated.

"Demo..." Uruki seemed confused. "You're a celestial warrior of Genbu. Without you, Takiko can't summon him."

"Tough luck." Tomite said, putting his bow down. He leaned in a little. "Listen, I know you guys are tryin' to do what you think is right, but get real. Anyone finds out that I'm a celestial warrior, and it's..." Tomite made a sickening sound and drew his finger across his neck. "And how do I know you're really a priestess? Listen, just keep going on, do what you want, but I ain't stupid enough to tag onto your little death sentence, got it?"

FWAM!

Tomite suddenly was sent over the bench he sat on and down onto the floor, a hand quickly rushing up to the sharp pain going through his cheek bone.

"Inami!" Takiko shouted.

"What kind of a cocky loser are you?!" Inami shouted, rage written across her face, her fist up.

"What the hell?!" Tomite shouted back.

Inami jumped the table to get closer to him. "I'LL BEAT THE SNOT OUT OF YOU FOR SAYIN' THAT!!!"

"Inami-chan!" Uruki quickly jumped over the table to grab the older girl. Hikitsu made it around to stand in between the two.

"That is enough!" He shouted.

Inami squirmed. "You think you can just mock what we've been trying so hard to accomplish? You dirty son of a..."

"Take it outside." A bartender said coolly, wiping the rim of a glass. He obviously was used to stuff like this. "C'mon, calm down or take it outside."

"I'll take it outside!" Inami shouted.

Tomite was back on his feet. "I don't usually fight girls, but ugly ones like you PISS ME OFF!"

Inami shook desperately to get Uruki off of her. "LET ME AT HIM!" She shouted.

Hikitsu suddenly found himself holding the newcomer back as well.

"I said OUTSIDE!" The bartender raised his voice. Within a minute, the five found themselves in the cold of the night, the inn door shutting behind them.

The two brawlers were released.

"Inami, could you PLEASE act a little more your age!" Hikitsu said rather angrily.

Inami folded her arms, glaring at Tomite.

"See how much I'll help you now." Tomite said sharply. "Forget this, I'm goin'." He turned away from the inn and back into the night.

"Matte! Onegai shimasu!" Takiko pleaded, sprinting after him.

Tomite turned around.

Takiko threw herself at his feet, touching her forehead to the ground before him.

"What are you doing?!" Inami objected.

"Onegai shimasu Tomite-san." She pleaded. "I can't go home... I can't do anything until I summon Genbu. I know it can't just be because you don't want to be found out... if that were it, you wouldn't have saved me and the others in the fire."

Tomite didn't say anything, but his stance did seem to lighten a bit.

"So please... please come with us. We won't make you do any work, and you can eat whatever you want, and..."

"Fine."

Takiko looked up, a few tears on her eyelashes. "H....honto ni?"

"Yeah, if you're gonna be like THAT." Tomite sighed. "I'll go, just let me tell my family first."

Takiko stood up, staring. "ARIGATOU!" She said, flinging herself onto him and embracing him tightly.

A jagged blush instantly formed on Tomite's cheeks.

"Yay!" Uruki cheered. "Tomite-chan is one of us now!"

"Ch-chan?" Tomite mumbled.

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

"Tomite, how much longer do I gotta hold this thing?"

"Sh! Hold on, I have one more thing to do."

Inami and Tomite stood outside a long, log cabin, the place the group of five had stayed that night. It was very early in the morning, though the sunlight was enough to illuminate the thick two feet of snow that blanketed the ground as far as the eye could see. It had been over a month all ready since Tomite had joined the group, and the young lad was getting restless.

You see, Tomite had a bit of a reputation as a prankster, but he didn't like doing some of the larger things alone. So, Inami stood at the window, symbol flashing, a very, very large ball of snow hovering over Hikitsu's head as he slept.

"Tomite...."

"Hold on!"

"My head is starting to hurt..."

Tomite stuck his head through another open window, lifting his hands up. With a moment's concentration, a thin shield of slick ice began covering the floorboards inside the cabin, growing around the posts that held the beds where Uruki, Takiko, and Hikitsu still slept. He didn't cease until there was so safe place to stand on.

"Let's see how grandpa likes being woken up at dawn." Tomite smirked, getting his revenge for all the lost sleep Hikitsu had taken from him in their search for the fifth warrior.

"He's gonna kill us..." Inami mentioned, though a smile was appearing on her face.

"Ready?"

"Yeah."

Tomite took a few steps away from the cabin. "GO!"

Inami quickly released her hold on the floating mound of snow, sending the mass colliding onto Hikitsu's sleeping form.

Tomite grabbed her arm. "RUN, BAKA!" He shouted, dragging her away.

The two got a fairly good distance from the cabin before hearing Hikitsu shouting their names. They would be in a whole lot of trouble, but the few minutes of laughter would be worth it.

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

"I'm really sick of walkin'." Tomite complained as the group wandered through a new village. They were pretty far north, and the chill of the evening was starting to set in.

"Let's hope we can find an inn, the town doesn't seem very big." Hikitsu spoke.

"Yeah, which means they probably don't get a lot of tourists." Inami added. "Thus, inn open, I sleep, we're all happy."

Takiko laughed a bit.

- - "Yeah, didja hear that?"

"What, about the flight tonight? Yeah, I heard about it."- -

Uruki cocked her head a bit, trying to listen as she tightened a coat around her shoulders.

"All right, you boys off my porch step." An elderly store keeper said, swatting the boys off with her broom. The two young men left, which Uruki took as her time to approach.

The storekeeper saw her. "Why, hello. Is there something I can get you?" she asked, hoping to make a sale.

Uruki smiled. "I was wondering, what were those two talking about just now?"

The woman eyed her for a moment, then sighed. "Well, you must be a visitor if you don't know about that." She stated bluntly. "For a little while now, on and off for the past half year really, but mostly in recent months..." The woman realized she was rambling and corrected herself. "There've been rumors about some angel flying about overhead, or some winged demon, or perhaps large bird at that, and everyone goes out so often to get a glimpse. I've never seen it myself, so I couldn't tell you. I think everyone's just hallucinating from the cold. They should really take better care of themselves. My own sister..."

"Angel?" Uruki thought quietly as the woman continued on with her now pointless speech. Uruki's mind raced back to what the scroll had said about the fifth warrior. "Angel" and "Calm." Could this be the one they're looking for? And after two months... perhaps their patience had paid off.

"And so I said 'no, the stew ISN'T made from squirrels!'" The woman sighed. "To think, what could his parents be teaching him?"

"Arigatou." Uruki quickly said as the woman paused. She bowed quickly and turned around, running back to the group that had gotten way ahead of her.

- x – x-

Not being able to sleep, Uruki found herself out in the middle of the cold, dark night, wandering away from the few lanterns that were kept outside homes and shops. Her coat and a blanket were around her, keeping most of the nipping cold out. She sighed. Insomnia was an unpleasant thing, but it was better than being plagued by a few unwanted memories that had decided to haunt her sleep that night.

Her blue eyes glanced up at the half-moon in the sky. It was very bright tonight.

Her eyes widened, and she squinted to seethe sky better. Something had moved...

She gasped. Against the deep blue sky, a very hidden black form was moving, fairly high in the distance. It was too long to be the usual bird. Could this be the 'angel' that the old woman had told her about?

She held still and watched it, losing it once or twice. She saw it finally pass in front of the light of the moon.

She gasped. It... it really did look like an angel...

The silhouette flew slowly past the light given by the moon, two wings flapping a few times to keep it in the air. Uruki watched curiously as a much smaller, faster object soared towards it from the ground. It flew... flew... and struck. The creature flapped hard, but spun a bit and started falling towards the earth.

Uruki gasped again. Someone had shot it?!

Throwing off the blanket around her, Uruki tried best she could to run through the thick snow, having to navigate around several pine trees as she left the border of the small village. She ran straight, trying to find where the angel had fallen. The snow began biting harshly at her ankles, since she didn't have the appropriate snow boots on. She kept running, clouds of her breath forming smoky circles that quickly passed by her face.

She saw a clearing up ahead, untouched snow illuminated by the moonlight. Something was lying there, was it...?

Uruki stopped, panting at the edge of the clearing. She looked over the odd form, not quite be able to make it out. That was, until a head lifted up and looked at her.

It was a man.

"Please," He spoke, breathless. "I..."

Uruki waded out into the snow, quickly getting to the injury. The man was kneeling, but hunched over. Choppy locks of pure white hair hid the sides of his face. The man didn't have a shirt on, which meant he could easily get hypothermia if not treated soon.

Uruki stopped by him, dazzling over the long, white wings that folded slightly behind him, just like an injured bird's. Looking away, she dropped down to her knees, placing her hands on the man's arms and lifting him up a bit.

There it was. A long, black arrow, embedded right under his rib cage, his right side. Shadowed blood flowed down his abdomen, disappearing from the lack of light.

"You're hurt badly..." Uruki spoke, her voice suddenly much more serious from its usual tone. She placed her hand around the wound. "Breathe in, quickly."

The man did so slowly, but inhaled much quicker when the arrow was forced out of him and tossed into the snow.

Uruki looked at the wound. "I'll get you into a town, you should be okay if..." Uruki spotted a bit of light from under her fingers on the man's right arm. She lifted her hand up, a white symbol of "roof" appearing right above his elbow. It slowly went green, then white again, over and over. The man's life force was weakening, and his breathing was getting unsteady.

"You're..." She spoke, but was interrupted by the sudden orange glow that surrounded them.

"Look, he does exist!" A man said from behind her.

A smack was heard, than a gruffer voice. "Well, it's rare to find a lady out here. Back off, we caught that thing, and I don't wanna get any other people involved, got it?"

Uruki turned her head, her eyes narrowing at the men. There were about six of them, three with lanterns, the others with pitchforks and arrows. "This is a human being, you can't hunt him. He's been injured, and with this cold, he needs medical attention. Go." She said, her voice low.

"Go?" The leader asked, laughing a bit. He began walking forward in the snowy clearing. "Miss, if I do say so, you'd betta get leavin'. I'm tryin' my hardest to be nice, now GET OFF MY MONEY!"

Uruki turned back towards the fallen man. "Come on. "She put her hands on his left arm, trying to help him up. "We need to go."

The man's eyebrows furrowed. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He cursed quickly and reached under his vest, grabbing a long, thin dagger by the blade. He stepped back a bit and threw it, soaring the weapon right to Uruki's back.

"Miss..." The angle whispered.

In a split second, the weapon was upon Uruki, and...

ding!

A light chime from the dagger rang out as Uruki shifted her head and caught the handle between her middle and ring finger. She turned around and stood up, examining the weapon.

"What the..." One of the men called out.

"What gives man any right to hunt their own kind..." Uruki asked, lowering her head to the men. "Run."

"W-what?!" The leader called out.

Uruki's head shot back up, anger written over her face. "I said RUN!" She shouted.

Before the leader could even see it, he felt his own dagger embed itself fully into his large thigh, making his foot suddenly go numb.

"Fair warning." Uruki crouched down just a bit before surging forward, around the leader and to the men behind them.

The men screamed as two of their lanterns fell into the snow, making the atmosphere darker than it all ready was. Uruki quickly shed her coat before delivering a harsh blow to a man's nose with her elbow, ducking around to swipe out another's feet from under him. A hit to the gut, a choking smash to the throat, and the hunters began dropping like flies.

After a minute, two, beefy arms suddenly wrapped around Uruki's shoulders, lifting her feet off the ground in a tight hold.

"You B!" The man swore, squeezing the smaller body tightly. "Koso, get her!"

One of the men stood up and grabbed his pitchfork, running towards the captive woman.

Uruki shut her eyes tightly, her hands going into fists.

"URUKI-KUN!!!"

Her own voice rang out through the trees, echoing repeatedly. Suddenly, a massive tornado of snow-filled wind shot upwards from her body, instantly forcing away the two remaining men. The whirling snow hid her from sight for a moment, and when it died down, the clearing was dark again, except for the constant shine of moonlight.

Uruki turned back to the winged man, who had been watching her with a bit of shock. "Woman" shone on her neck, casting a shadow over her chin and collar bone.

The man tried to sit up a bit. "You... are a celestial warrior?"

Uruki suddenly smiled. "Hai!" She quickly stepped over a few bodies and returned to the boy's side. "Hayaku, we need to get you fixed."

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

Three months later, the group of six found themselves more lost than they had been since the whole journey started. After finding Urumiya, a seventeen-year-old boy who Uruki had run into in the forest, the wandering warriors had only one task at hand when it came to finding number six.

And they had been in just about every Genbu shrine and church on the east side of Hokkan.

"'Holy'..." Takiko said, sitting upon a horse behind Tomite. "And 'protect'?" She leaned her head forward, resting it on Tomite's back. "Will we ever find him?"

Tomite's tanned face blushed just slightly. He cleared his throat. "Don't worry, Takiko. We'll find him soon enough."

"Hikitsu."

Hikitsu looked over to the girl beside him. She gestured to a group of green dressed soldiers.

"Kutou men couldn't be up here, could they?" Inami whispered.

Hikitsu looked away from them. "I don't know." He looked over to Tomite. "Tomite, switch positions with Takiko, keep a close eye on her."

Tomite pulled on the reins to get the animal to stop. "H-hai..." He said, dismounting. Takiko carefully moved up on the saddle before Tomite got back on, in the back this time. He reached around Takiko for the reins again, feeling the heat in his cheeks once again rise.

"I can scout at night." Urumiya offered.

"Ne, we may actually need it too." Uruki pointed out. "Urumiya-chan is very helpful!"

"Uruki!" Tomite whispered harshly. "What did we say 'bout the loudness of our names?"

"Ara?" Uruki blinked a few times. "Oh, right. Gomen ne, Tomite- chan."

Tomite frowned. "I'm not that much younger than you, baka." (Referring to 'chan'.)

Uruki smiled. "Ne, but I even call Hikitsu-chan and Inami-chan 'chan'!" She ran up and grabbed onto Inami's arm, hugging it to her. "And they're older than me!"

"Yeah, but the way you say it, it sounds like we're all your... lovers or something." Tomite pointed out.

Uruki shook her head. "I don't think so." She held herself a bit closer to Inami.

"Uruki..." Inami spoke a bit uncomfortably.

Uruki looked up, and then let go. "Gomen ne, Inami-chan. I get a bit carried away."

- x – x-

"If I have to sleep in one more cold tent..." Inami sighed as they passed an Inn, Hikitsu not bothering to see if it were free.

"You could try looking for number six instead of a place to sleep." Tomite brushed his sleeve off.

"I'm lookin' harder than you." Inami said, turning around threatingly.

"Minna." Takiko called, looking over a bit. "What's that?" She was looking at a tall arch off to the south, standing out against the snowy mountains.

"I'm not sure." Urumiya said, looking over it.

Uruki lit up. "Hey, I bet it's one of the three barrier shrines of Genbu! I've heard about those, never seen one though."

"Barrier... shrines?" Takiko repeated.

Uruki nodded. "There are three shrines marked with stone arches in Hokkan, and if that's one, I bet it's the northern. Ne, we could check it out, it may be a clue to our little warrior friend." Uruki smiled and tilted her head. "If not, we could still get free stay there tonight!"

"To the arch!" Inami announced.

"It sounds like a good idea." Takiko agreed. She looked back to Tomite. "Let's go that way."

Tomite nodded and turned the horse, heading to the stone arch.

- x – x-

"Are you in need of a coat? A blanket?"

Urumiya shook his head. "As far as warmth goes, I believe we're all fine."

The young temple boy nodded. "Very well, I will get you some food then."

"You're gonna feed us? Hell yeah." Tomite cheered.

"Excuse me." Takiko went up to the boy who was only about as tall as she. "Is it at all possible for you to put us up for the night? We don't have much money, but I'm sure there's something..."

The boy smiled. "Please, it's more than fine." He counted all the people. "You sure do have a lot here, why do you all travel together?"

Takiko looked back, unsure.

"Uh... he works in a Genbu SHRINE." Inami pointed out. "We can tell him."

Takiko nodded, and turned back. "My name is Okuda Takiko, and these five are my celestial warriors. You see, there's seven, and..."

"Seishi?" The boy inquired. "No wonder I could sense your presence."

"Presence?" Urumiya asked.

"What is your name?" Takiko continued.

"Thian Konyo, Takiko-san." He hesitated. "Then... then you are the girl of legend, the Genbu no Miko?"

Takiko nodded.

Konyo's eyes shook. He got down on one knee. "My fathers scrolls were true then. Takiko-sama, I am very glad to meet you."

Takiko sweat dropped slightly. "You.. don't have to do that..."

Konyo looked up. "Oh! Your meal, please, one moment..."

- x – x-

"'Holy' and 'protect'?" Konyo repeated, sitting in a small room with Takiko, Hikitsu, and Tomite.

"Yes, those are the only clues we've had to go off of for the last few months." Hikitsu explained.

Konyo nodded. "I would think that 'holy' would refer to the person himself, or the environment."

"And 'protect' means he's a protector." Tomite added.

"Or he is protected." Konyo palmed a large, dark green stone in his hand, one that hung from a low necklace.

"Maybe." Tomite added.

Konyo sighed.

"I feel a presence here," Hikitsu began, Konyo lighting up a bit, "But we feel that with every shrine we enter. We may end up scowering the rest of Hokkan before finding either Namame or Hatsui."

"I've seen the constellation, Hatsui." Konyo pointed out. "It's very bright here."

"Really?" Takiko asked. "I'll have to look for it."

A bit of disappointment over came the boy's face. These people just wouldn't get it, would they?

-"Konyo, I need you to promise me something."
"Chichiue?"
"I can watch you here at the shrine, but I will not always be there. I want to protect you, Konyo. Please, don't ever tell anyone your true identity. Promise me that. Many of Genbu's people don't understand that the seishi are here to protect us, and you're so young..."
"H-hai!" Konyo responded. "I won't tell, I promise."-

Konyo stared at the floor. He would never break a promise to his father, but how many more hints could he possibly drop?

The door opened, and an older, tall man stood in the doorway. He looked over the four and smiled.

"Konyo as told me about you." His gaze went to Takiko. "Priestess, you are welcome to our shrine. If you need anything, please, just ask."

- x – x-

After a restful night's sleep, several of the warriors decided that scanning over the vicinity for the day could help in finding their sixth member. With that said, they went out, Urumiya staying at the shrine with Takiko. The others had been gone for most of the day, even as the sun began to set.

"I sense danger." Urumiya suddenly said, looking out the window of the main room in the temple.

"Danger?" Takiko repeated, a worried look coming over her face. "Urumiya, is someone in trouble?"

He shook his head. "No, the life forces of the others are still very strong, just distant. They really are searching hard."

"They should return soon, it's getting dark." Konyo said, entering the room with a shawl in his arms. "Perhaps they are trying too hard to find him."

No answer. Oh well, worth a try.

Konyo handed the shawl to Takiko, who gratefully accepted it with the chill starting to settle in.

"Where did you get that?" She finally asked, lifting a finger to the stone around the priest boy's neck. "It's very pretty... but it looks heavy."

"It really isn't." Konyo took the stone and held it up. "It protects me, I guess. My father made it." He thought of the best way to say the story simply. "When I was younger, it was hard for me to keep all my strength inside, so he put a spell on this jade to help out."

"Takiko."

"Hm?" She turned around.

Urumiya had a worried look on his face. "Takiko, Konyo! They're coming!"

"Who?" The two asked in unison.

Urumiya ran down to their position on the floor. "Kutou soldiers, they're heading straight for the shrine! I can see their torches!"

"Miko!" Konyo said, nervous.

Urumiya looked back to the door. "I don't dare try to fly you out... my weight keeps me from traveling long distances, and with an extra load, I may not be able to get off the ground... they could see me too..."

"We don't have time to waste." Konyo's father said, appearing by the large jade statue of Genbu. "Konyo, Take the priestess and go to the tunnels under the shrine. Hurry."

"Chichiue, you..."

"I will not fight them, but I will make sure you are safe. Go."

Konyo nodded, and grabbed Takiko's wrist, heading towards the back exit of the room.

"These tunnels, where do they lead?" Urumiya questioned.

"To the base of the mountain." The man replied. He began walking to the door. "I will stop soldiers from destroying this holy place."

"Nani?" Urumiya asked, following after him. "You can't take them on by yourself, you're not even a fighter!"

"There are some things you can't understand." The priest explained. "Please, take care of Konyo and the Miko."

"You told him you'd be right behind him!" Urumiya objected strongly. "This does no good, it only wastes your life!"

The priest kept walking, stopping in front of the door. "They want the Miko, they know she exists. With her powers, she could stop Kutou completely, and they won't allow..." The priest's eyes suddenly sprang open, then his eyelids drooped slowly. He tilted back, falling into Urumiya.

"What are..." He asked.

Urumiya's hand was on the side of the priest's forehead. "It will just make you tired." He explained the power he was using. "I'm sorry, but I won't let you die for an unrighteous cause."

The priest wanted to object, but sleep finally came over him.

Urumiya slugged the man over his shoulder, and began running the same way Takiko had gone. He could hear shouts from Kutou soldiers now. Why would they attack such a small town? Is the priestess really that important to them? Nevertheless, Urumiya had to keep her safe, no matter what.

- x – x-

"Hayaku! Hayaku!" Konyo pushed open a heavy door in the tunnel, dim light finally showing. He pulled Takiko out onto the snow.

"Urumiya, what about him?!" Takiko asked.

"He is with my father, he will not die, don't worry. I can sense his life force, he's fine."

"Life force? But how...?"

"Quickly, Takiko-sama." Konyo once again held the older girl's wrist and began leading her away from the icy mountain. "We need to get distance, they can't know you're here."

The two ran and ran in the cold, night quickly taking over as they sped. The shivering air burned their lungs, begging them to stop. Takiko's socks were frozen and wet from the snow, her legs numb. She kept slowing down, but Konyo kept pulling her. Finally, Takiko couldn't move anymore, the numbness devouring both of her feet.

"Takiko-sama!" Konyo barely caught her, though they both landed in the snow. He shook her. "Takiko-sama!"

Takiko tried to get back up. "Gomen..." she apologized.

Konyo felt her forehead. She was burning up.

"Takiko-sama, I can carry you if you get on my back." He panted.

Takiko forced herself back up. "No.. I can keep running...."

WHOOSH!

"TAKIKO!"

Konyo quickly threw himself over the girl, taking and arrow to his back as they again hit the snow.

Konyo!" Takiko cried, realizing what happened. "Konyo, are you..."

Konyo winced in pain as he pushed himself up. He looked back. A large group of Kutou soldiers had spotted them.

"Stay down, Takiko-sama." He ordered, standing back up. "I won't let them..."

WHOOSH!

A second arrow hit his thigh, sending him down again.

"KONYO!" Takiko screamed, tears in her eyes. She looked at the warriors closing in. "Save us! TASUKETE!"

Once again, Konyo managed to stand, ignoring pleas from Takiko. He reached back and pulled the arrow out of his back, then bending over to rip the one out of his thigh. He turned around to face the intruders.

"You will not have her!" He shouted to them in the cold night air.

Takiko shook, staring at Konyo. She gasped. Through the tear in his clothing, she watched as the wound in his back grew smaller and smaller, until it completely disappeared. The one on his leg was gone too.

A third arrow, but it brushed by the boy, not injuring him. Konyo turned around and knelt down by Takiko. Takiko suddenly felt sick, her fever getting stronger. "I..." She leaned forward into him without meaning to. Her strength was gone.

Konyo wrapped his arms around the Miko as soldiers began charging at them. He closed his eyes, the stone around his neck starting to glow.

Suddenly, to the view of the Kutou soldiers, the image of the Priestess and the boy began to waver, going out of focus. One by one each of the soldiers began feeling dizzy, so much that a nauseous feeling began swarming over them. Several dropped to their knees, but more kept charging.

"There are too many..." Konyo whispered, keeping his grip on Takiko. The symbol of "house" began shining through his robe over his right abdomen.

More soldiers dropped, but more were getting closer.

"There are too many of them..." He, now revealed as Hatsui, looked up, seeing faltering soldiers closing in. They were only a few feet away. A sword came up, but the soldier fell, succumbing to the power of the fifteen-year-old. But... six more behind him, would they fall in time?

Takiko felt heavy in his arms. She needed help. If only he could heal others... not just himself...

Closer, closer...

"No." Hatsui whispered. "I've waited my entire life for you, Takiko- sama. I won't let you die." Hatsui lifted the chain off his neck, raising it and the stone into the air. He looked out onto the advancing soldiers. "YOU WILL NOT HAVE HER!"

With one swoop, Hatsui flung the stone into the rocky mountain base behind him, the gem shattering into thousands of pieces.

The power was released. In a large orb of bright green light, the waves of dizziness fanned over the Kutou soldiers, instantly knocking them down one by one. It was all over in a few seconds. Not a man was left standing, except for Konyo.

Hatsui looked at the shattered pieces of the jade. He had never been able to control the power, and put dozens of people in danger when he was younger. His father, the priest, took the power from him with a spell and put it in that stone so he would no longer have to deal with the pain. With the stone broken, the power was gone. It returned up to the heavens where it had come from.

"Takiko-sama..." Hatsui trailed off. Takiko was out cold, but her body was burning up. Hatsui stood up, taking a moment to get Takiko onto his back. He looked back towards the distant shrine. Urumiya was running towards him.

- x – x-

Back at the shrine, all of them, Hatsui finally revealed. The front of the shrine was bashed in, bits of torment from the soldiers clinging to the walls. The statue remained untouched.

It was near morning, but none of them slept. Only Takiko, who was conscious, but resting. Inami and Tomite sat by her bedside. The Priest was asleep as well, in his quarters.

"I'm sorry I could not say anything earlier." Hatsui apologized again.

"Daijoubu." Uruki smiled.

-"That is one close call you can't afford again."-

The group of seven looked up at the sound of the strange voice. Suddenly, a quick pop of yellow light appeared near them, an old woman floating in the air.

"GAAAH!!!" Tomite screamed, falling over Takiko and onto the floor. "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!!"

Taiisukun frowned. "I am Taiisukun, the keeper of this world. And you, Tomite, are an idiot."

"Taiisukun?" Hikitsu asked, shocked. "You... why are you here?"

"She... exists?" Uruki gasped.

Taiisukun looked over to Hatsui. "A force of power returned to my mountain, and I have been wing you for some time now."

Takiko managed to sit up. "You are the ruler of this world?"

Taiisukun nodded. "You are only one of the four who will come here, Takiko." She explained. "But your cause is good, and I feel it now necessary for me to help you. You're taking too long gathering your warriors anyway."

"Well, considering our circumstances." Inami said, folding her arms.

She sighed. "Though your journey is near the end, I sense danger in your futures, both near and far. In that case, I will provide you with one more bit of help." Once again the old woman clapped her hands together, mumbling a few words. Balls of light appeared before the other six warriors.

Uruki's changed first. Two, silver daggers floated before her eyes. "Kirei!" She exclaimed as they shone before her. "Demo... I've never fought with these."

"With those martial skills of yours, these will come in handy." Taiisukun said, hands still together.

Before Hikitsu appeared a dark eye patch, designed differently than the one he had on. The bow off Tomite's back merged with the orb before him, becoming longer, the bow smoothed over with blue jade.

"Those gifts will increase your powers from what they were." Taiisukun explained. "And Tomite, the strong of your bow will never break."

"SWEET!" Tomite grabbed the bow, looking it over.

Before Inami, a golden rod was floating, a small ruby and emerald studded into either end of it.

Inami looked at it, brushing it with her fingers. "What's this?"

"Take it."

Inami did so, wrapping her right hand around the center of the rod. Two long blades suddenly shot out, startling the girl to the point that she almost dropped it.

"Wow..." she said. "But, I don't know sword..."

"Learn." Taiisukun ordered again. She unclasped her hands, turning to Urumiya and Hatsui, their orbs still floating before them.

"Urumiya, loosen your robe." Taiisukun directed.

Urumiya blinked a few times. "H-hai..." He loosened the tied in the front and shrugged off the shoulders of his clothing a bit.

Taiisukun floated closer and placed her hand under the sphere of light. "Take my hand."

Urumiya reached out and did so. The moment he touched her, his eyes widened in shock. The ball of light shrunk into his hand and shot back through his body, his wings instantly piercing out of his back. They stretched out, the light passing over them. The feathers grew larger, turning into a color whiter than the snow.

Taiisukun released him. "You will now be able to fly for long distances, as well as carry more weight." She turned towards Hatsui. "You boy, have done a very brave, yet stupid thing."

Hatsui wasn't sure what to say. Should he apologize?

"The power that you released has completely left your body." Taiisukun explained. "I am able to return some of it to you, but not all. You may have some difficulty using it."

Hatsui nodded. "Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Taiisukun-sama. I apologize for your trouble."

"Hm." Taiisukun folded her arms. The light entered into Hatsui's chest. He glowed for a moment, then returned to normal.

"That is all the business I have with you." Taiisukun announced. "Rest up, you have a lot of work to do in the morning!"

With that last statement said, Taiisukun's imaged fluttered a bit, and she disappeared into the air.

"Freak out..." Inami turned her new weapon in her hand, the two blades suddenly retracting. "How the heck do they fit in there?!"

Hikitsu reached back under his hair, untying the string of the patch her wore over his right eye. The cover gently fell off, and he opened his eye, looking down on the new one before him.

"Hey, you finally took it off!" Inami called, stepping closer.

"Yes." Hikitsu turned the patch around, seeing how it went on.

"But why..." Inami gasped, stepping back again. Hikitsu's right eye lit up and flashed, emitting a very eerie green essence from it.

Inami stared for a moment. "That's... creepy..." she said.

Hikitsu closed his eyes, putting the new patch over the right and tying it behind his head. "I know, that's why I keep it covered. I can't see very well out of it anyway."

"Wow." Uruki piped in. "So the story behind the eye comes out."

"I think it's cool." Takiko pointed out, putting her feet over the side of the bed and onto the floor. "You shouldn't have to hide it."

Hikitsu smiled. "Domo." He said. "However, especially in today's time, I'm afraid others begin to fear me when they see it."

"What if you like, had the symbol on your tongue?" Tomite randomly spoke. "THAT would be weird..."

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

"Demo, Hikitsu, you said that the warriors of Genbu would be born close in years with each other." Takiko mentioned, glancing her tired eyes at the scroll before her.

Takiko and three of her warriors sat at a small wooden table in a very uncrowded inn, talking over the next part of their search.

Hikistu nodded, rubbing his chin. "I know... at least, that's what I was told."

"Elder..." Takiko repeated the symbol on the scroll.

"So, accordin' to this, we're looking for some old guy who's on his last leg?" Tomite asked.

"It doesn't necessarily mean he's ill, Tomite." Urumiya pointed out. "'bed' could be referring to something else, or it could be a small part of a bigger picture."

"Like with Inami." Takiko looked around. "Where... are the others?"

"Eh, Hatsui, Uruki, and 'Nami are sleeping. Too early for them, I guess." Tomite explained.

Urumiya shook his head. "This coming from the one who's always the last one up."

Tomite made a face.

"Namame." Takiko said the name of the last constellation. "Who are you?"

"Sumimasen."

The four turned to see the holder of the voice. Near them was a slim girl, a pale green dress covering most of her figure. She had long, dirty blonde hair, the top of it pulled into a bun behind her head.

"Yes?" Hikitsu asked, curious.

The girl, who seemed to be around 20, brought her hands together in front of her shyly. "You... are you the Genbu Seishi of legend?"

The four suddenly looked at each other, startled.

"What's it to you?" Tomite asked, immediately getting an elbow in his ribs from Urumiya.

"Miss, you know of us?" The white-haired man inquired.

She nodded. "My name is Koun Yuriko, and I couldn't help but over hear..." She shifted uncomfortably. "You... you are looking for a man named Namame?"

Hikitsu turned fully around. "You... you know him?"

Yuriko nodded. "Hai, I do. I could take you to him, if you wish."

"Hell ya!" Tomite cheered, getting up from his seat.

"If it's not too much trouble..." Urumiya insisted.

"M-matte! What about the others?" Takiko asked.

"Who cares?" Tomite shrugged. "They can take care of themselves."

- x – x-

Yuriko had taken the four through the village they stayed at. The home she brought them to wasn't too far from the inn, though it did take about 20 minutes walking. She opened the door and quietly gestured them in.

Hikitsu, Tomite, Urumiya, and Takiko found themselves in the living room, waiting a bit uncomfortably for Yuriko.

"He's this way. Please, follow me." She directed. Hikitsu was the first to go, followed by Takiko and Tomite, then Urumiya. Yuriko lead them into a bedroom, where a broad shouldered brunette man sat, reading a book quietly on his bed.

He glanced up. "Yuriko?" He looked at the unfamiliar company. He smiled.

"Tohru," The blonde spoke, "These men are..."

"The Genbu Seven, yes, I know." Namame answered for her.

Hikitsu stepped back. "How... how do you know who we are?"

"I sense your presence yesterday, actually." Tohru explained.

Yuriko went to the man's side. "That is why you wanted me to go to the inn, isn't it?"

He nodded.

"What the hell is goin' on?" Tomite asked.

"if this confuses you." Tohru put the book aside. "I detected your familiar chi energy through a toned form of telepathy. It is one of the gifts given to me by Genbu."

"Genbu? Demo, you're not an elder..." Takiko insisted.

Tohru laughed. "No yet, anyway. I'm only 30."

"30?!" Tomite and Urumiya called in unison.

"Let's see..." Tomite counted on his fingers. "Hikitsu's the oldest... and he's..." Tomite glanced back up. "Well, I can see why 'elder' was a clue, that's a nine year age gap!"

"And 'bed'?" Takiko asked.

Namame watched her for a moment, before nodding. "I see, so those were the clues the scroll gave you?"

"This guy's kinda creepy..." Tomite whispered to Takiko.

"Tohru isn't able to stand, you see." Yuriko answered for him.

Confused looks.

"His legs have been paralyzed since he was 12. It's very difficult for him to get around." She explained further.

"I see!" Urumiya exclaimed. "He's bed ridden!"

The others looked at him oddly. "He makes it sound so... great..." The mumbled.

"So you are Namame!" Takiko sounded happily. "We can summon Genbu now!"

Namame nodded. "Yes, suppose so."

Yuriko looked around, unsure. "Will he have to travel far?"

Hikitsu nodded. "The temple for ceremony is near the capitol, I'm afraid."

"Are you his care taker or somethin'?" Tomite asked.

Namame smiled. "No, Yuriko is my fiancée."

"F-f-fiancée?!"

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

"Come to us now from the heavens above!!!" Takiko shouted out the last line of the spell on the scroll. The ground around her broke as a pillar of green light shot upward, blinding the warriors around her.

"Takiko!" Inami and Hatsui called out.

From inside the pillar, Takiko shut her eyes hard, her long black hair whipping around her. The long silver skirt she wore blew towards the ceiling with the wind, and she used one hand to hold the front of it down. Finally, the wind died down, and she dared to open her eyes.

She gasped. Before her stood a broad man, his feet hovering off the floor. He seemed young, but the aura's he let off were far beyond his years. A long necklace with an hourglass on it hung from his neck, and his skin emanated a faint green tint. A solid headband rested on his forehead, short metallic spikes sticking out from it. The front of his chest was bare, drapes of shirt covering his sides, large shell-like plates on his shoulders. A loopy, "8"-shaped symbol shone between his eyes.

"Priestess, it is you who has summoned me?" His low voice asked.

Takiko nodded, entranced.

Genbu held out his arms. "I am Genbu, the god of wisdom and longevity. In exchange for your body, I will grant you three wishes of whatever you desire, simply by calling out 'Kaijin'." He extended one hand towards Takiko. "If you wish for my blessings, Priestess, then couple with me."

Takiko swallowed hard, and extended her hand out to the man. Her frail fingers touched his palm, and the god's form turned into a saber of light, passing through her fingertips and into her body.

Takiko felt very warm for a few long moments as the light both around her and inside her began to die down.

- x – x-

Takiko released Hikitsu and stepped over to Inami, embracing the warrior tightly.

"Arigatou to you too, Inami." She spoke, tears in her eyes. "Thank you for watching me, even for those mislead adventures we got into trouble for."

Inami smiled, hugging the shorter girl back. "I can't believe it's been a year..."

Takiko let go of Inami and nodded, stepping to the last warrior, Tomite. They quietly looked at each other for a moment, but then Takiko grinned widely and through her arms around his neck.

"I'll miss you so much, Tomite-kun!" She said, a tear running down her cheek.

Tomite held Takiko close to him, taking in the scent of her thick hair. He didn't know what to say... or at least was worried that if he spoke, his voice would crack from the emotions swarming around his mind.

"Please don't give Hikitsu anymore trouble." She joked lightly, pulling back from him a bit to look him in the face.
Tomite smiled, his eyes watery. "You're really somethin', Takiko." He said softly.

Takiko pulled out of his hold, reaching her hands behind her neck and pulling off a long beaded necklace, a gold and lavender ornament handing on it. She put it over Tomite's head. "Here. I guess this should stay here anyway." She stated. She stepped forward and kissed Tomite on the cheek, then whispering "Don't forget me, okay?" in his ear.

"Hai." He whispered back.

Takiko smiled a sad smile and stepped away from the line of warriors. Namame was absent, having returned to his home the night before. She walked forward out onto a spot of grass outside the boundary of the capitol where the sun was shining. A patch of snow was at her heels, and she bent down and scooped a ball of it into her hands. She turned back to the seishi.

"Arigatou minna!" She called, crystal tears resting on her dark eyelashes. promise to remember all of you!"

"Sayonara, Takiko-chan!" Uruki waved back.

"I promise that one of my wishes will be for you! I'll make it as soon as I get back home!" She called.

"Don't over exert yourself." Hikitsu said knowingly.

"Hai!" Takiko took in a shaky breath. "You've all been so kind to me, you're the best friends I could ever ask for."
Several of the warriors sniffed a little, seeing their beloved priestess go.

Takiko wiped the back of her wrist across her eyes. "Sayonara, minna." She looked up at the sky. "Kaijin!" She shouted.

A circle of green light appeared on the ground around her, a sudden wind blowing upwards.

"I wish..." Takiko started, "To be sent back home, back to Tokyo, Japan!"

The circle shot upwards into a pillar of light, the sky darkening above the seven. Takiko was blinded from vision, and the pillar soared towards the clouds, disappearing into a small sparkle in the distance.

The seishi waved after her, even once she was gone from sight. Takiko Okuda would be one woman who would never leave their hearts.

However, they didn't have long to recover from her departure. The Kutou-Hokkan war had flared up more recently, and their country needed them for battle.

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

"HA!" Uruki shouted out, slashing one of her silvery daggers at the chest of a Kutou soldier. The charging man dropped his spear and fell to the ground.

Uruki saw a short clearance in soldiers. "Inami-chan! You still okay?!" She shouted up to the nearby slope where Inami was fighting with her.

A spear stopped short above her head, the symbol of the ox glowing madly on her forehead. She took the double sword in hand and sliced it across the soldier, releasing her hold on his weapon and sending him to the earth. "HAI!" She called, back, readying herself for two more soldiers coming her way. The earth below their feet cracked and they found themselves toppling over without being hit.

Uruki looked back to see a sword swing at her, and she ducked down just in time. She sprang back onto her hands, smashing away the soldier's arms as her feet whizzed in the air after her. She landed upright, falling onto her palm and kicking the soldier's legs out from under him. She sensed more soldiers coming from the left.

"URUKI-KUN!" She called out, hunching over and shutting her eyes. Snow soared up from the ground, enveloping her body as it spread out towards the sky. She expanded out her arms and sent it around the small perimeter, knocking a few more enemies off their feet. The snow around her died down, and she stood back to normal stance, twirling a dagger in her hand. "Daijoubu!" She called out.

WHOOSH!

Uruki turned as she heard the arrow hurtling through the air..... but not in time to stop it.

Inami felt her body go cold as she looked over, seeing Uruki plummet to the ground. Her green eyes widened in terror.

"URUKI!!!!!!"

She pulled back and swatted away a single soldier quickly before sliding down the slope, jumping off and landing hard on the ground. She quickly regained her balance and ran to the fallen girl, the warrior only a year her junior.

"Uruki!" She called out, diving to her knees at the woman's side. "Uruki! Uruki!" Inami turned over the shivering girl.

She gasped. There was an arrow... straight through Uruki's chest... right through her back...

Inami shook, fear instantly on her face. "Uruki!" She sat the girl up a bit, breaking off the arrow head that was richly covered in blood from Uruki's back, gripping onto the tail and ripping it back out of her friend.

Uruki coughed, a thin line of blood running down the corner of her mouth. "I....Inami..."

Inami shook her head, looking at her crimson stained hands. "Iie.... Uruki, you're..." Inami quickly sat the fragile girl up, pressing her back against her, putting her hands over the wound in Uruki's chest. She had to stop the bleeding... she had to save her...

"TASUKETE!" Inami shouted, looking around for any aid. There was none. No one was there, barely even a Hokkani soldier.

Tears began running down the tomboy's cheeks. "Uruki, hold on! Just hold on! Onegai!"

"I.....na.... mi...."

Inami turned Uruki upright so that she was facing up. Her crystalline blue eyes had just a few tears in them, balancing lightly off her dark eyelashes.

"Please..." Inami spoke, her voice becoming choppy. "Please don't die... just hold on... you can do it..."

WHOOSH!

A second arrow soared through the air, landing in the dirt right by Inami's knee.

"YAMERO!" Inami shouted, looking out at a line of Kutou soldiers running for them. One strung up another arrow and another swung his sword.

"YAMERO!!" Inami shouted, her forehead again flashing up. A dome of spinning light surrounded she and Uruki, and it flew outwards, knocking the soldiers off their feet and sending them flying back.

Uruki smiled lightly as red blood continued to soak the front of her chest. "Ina.... mi.... I...."

"Damare!" Inami shouted, more tears falling from her eyes. She looked over Uruki. She was dying. Uruki's own blood covered Inami's torso and hands. "Don't talk!" She ordered harshly, her voice cracking as she cried.

"I..." Uruki weakly went on, not listening. "I al...ways l- loved.... you... Ina.... mi...." She barely whispered the last few words.

Inami's eyes widened in shock. "Don't say that! Don't die Uruki, please don't die!!!"

Uruki smiled one more time before her eyes closed and her body fell limp in Inami's arms.

Inami gasped. "Uruki!!" She shook the girl. "Uruki! Open your eyes, URUKI!! Don't leave me! URUKI!!! URUKI!!! URUKI!!!! IIE!!!!"

"URUKI ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !"

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

Tomite open the door of the small army hut and stepped in, out of breath. He saw Hikitsu and Inami on a bench against the back wall.

"Thank god..." Tomite said in between breaths. "Urumiya and Hatsui are okay too... I just... got this horrible feeling when I was out there." He swallowed and stood up, getting a better look at the situation.

Hikitsu was watching him, but a look of sorrow rested in his violet eye. Inami was beside him, but her head was on his chest, her hair hiding her face from the young boy. Once Tomite had stopped talking, he could hear the muffled sobs coming from the girl.

"Inami?" He asked. He looked straight at Hikitsu. "Oh no..." He shook his head. "Hikitsu... where's.... Where's Uruki?"

Hikitsu closed his eye, shaking his head as he gently rubbed Inami's back.

Tomite stood there, unmoving.

"She's... sh-she's gone..." Inami's weak voice spilled out, her lungs involuntarily squeezing for air through her tears. "She d-died... and I c-couldn't h-help her... I... I c-couldn't s-save her...."

Suddenly a new burst of sadness erupted from Inami, and her shoulders began to shake violently as floods of tears washed down her red face. She collapsed even more, her head resting now against Hikitsu's lap.

"No..." Tomite fell to his knees, dropping his bow to the floor. His eyes began to water. "No... Not Uruki..."

"I.... I c-couldn't... I c-couldn't return h-h-her feelings...." Inami cried out, a bit louder now. "G-gomen nasai, Uruki!!"

Hikitsu looked up as the girl cried into him, the soft whispers of Tomite's harsh curses mixing with them unevenly. He tried to blink away tears, but one ran smoothly down his cheeks from under his eye patch, looming over his jawbone. Another followed the same trail, making the first drop down from his face. With one hand he grabbed the front of the patch, pulling the wet leather off his eye and behind his head.

"DAMMIT!" Tomite finally burst out, salty drops falling directly to the floorboards. "DAMMIT ALL TO HELL!! WHY HER GENBU?! WHY THE HELL DID YOU TAKE HER?!!" Tomite started sobbing, unable to control himself. "Damn..." He whispered. "Why her? It... it's not fair..."

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

It was only two weeks after the death of Bai-ling Sou before the next news came.

"Nani, Tomite?" Urumiya asked from inside a home in Hokkan.

Tomite looked off into the distance, not answering at first. His troubled soul could be easily seen through the windows of his green-tinted eyes.

"Tomite?" Urumiya repeated, stepping forward. "Doushita...?"

"Namame." Tomite finally said, looking at his fellow warrior. "He's dead."

Urumiya leaned backwards a little. "N-nani? Namame?"

"He died this morning. I'm sure you felt it."

Urumiya slowly nodded. "Demo..."

"Soldiers raided his home in the Sanjo territory. They killed him in his bed. He...' Tomite took a moment to regain his voice, not so much of sadness, but of anger. "He couldn't even... defend himself..." His fist tightened.

"No..." Urumiya didn't know what to say. He had just barely gotten over the death of Uruki. True, Namame wasn't as close to the other warriors and had only been with them for the short time to summon Genbu, but he was a seishi, and shared something with the others that no normal human could ever share. Tomite seemed to be handling it with suppressed anger, which was better than how he handled the first death.

The two warriors stood there, silently, for what felt like an eternity until Urumiya spoke again.

"Who's going to tell the others?" Urumiya asked.

"Hatsui." Tomite breathed. "He was with me when we found out, he headed to the battle field to tell Inami and Hikitsu."

Five warriors left. One who had befriended them all, and one who would leave a lover behind.

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - -

Inami waded up through the 24-inch snow, carrying several long poles under her arm. She neared the other four, sticking one into the frozen soil before moving on.

"Kutou soldiers are retreating like mad." Hatsui said. "We didn't have any prominent victories, but all of them are slowly leaving. There is only a handful of armies left."

Hikitsu nodded. "Something out of our hands, I'm sure."

"Takiko, perhaps."

They turned to Urumiya, even Inami stopped marking the trail at the Miko's name.

"Takiko still had two wishes when she left a few weeks ago." Urumiya reminded. "She said she'd use one for us, so perhaps she kept her promise."

"Takiko did that? Saved Hokkan?" A smiled crept onto Inami's face. "She really kept her promise."

"Damn I miss her right about now." Tomite laughed.

"Minna." A very light voice whispered.

"What was that?" Hatsui asked, looking around.

"Minna...."

The seishi turned around, seeing the faded image of Takiko a short distance from them. She wore the same odd style of clothing she had arrived in, but she was barely there, and the ground behind her could still be seen.

"T-t-Takiko?!" Inami gasped.

Takiko smiled. "Ohayo." Her voice was so light, so weak. "I came to see you one more time. I saw Uruki and Namame too."

"But, how could you...?" Urumiya questioned.

Tomite's eyes went wide. "Takiko... you're..."

"I came to say goodbye one more time." Her faded voice whispered. "I couldn't make my third wish, I'm sorry"

"Who did this?!" Tomite shouted, stepping forward. "How... you couldn't just die!"

Takiko only smiled. "Sayonara." Her image quickly faded.

"TAKIKO!" Tomite shouted after her, his hand outstretched to where she had just stood, though no prints revealed her existence in the snow.

"She didn't... she was killed too?" Inami's voice whimpered. "No... not Takiko..."

"K'SOU!" Tomite shouted.

"In some legends..." Hatsui looked his tear-filled eyes to the ground, speaking quietly. "I've heard Genbu is the god of death. Perhaps this... had been foretold..."

- - - x - - - x - - - x - - - x - - - xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"The preparations for the summoning were almost finished, and at dawn of the next morning, the ritual would take place." Tetsuya read, sitting on the loveseat in his apartment. "For the third time, the beast god Genbu would be summoned."