FINALLY!
That's right, I've finally updated! I thought I'd get the rest of the fic done over summer, but apparently I'm more lazy than I thought. (And for anyone reading "Hajime", I'm working on chapter 11!) Nice long chapter for ya, enjoy. I would like to point out to readers to look for the real meaning of the title in this chapter. I'd say five more chapters and I'll be done!
To Delphine: Tomite's name is pronounced Toe-mee-teh. Inami is being cowardly about Tasuki, it's part of her personality. I'm glad you notice things like that, na no da! Thank you for your excellent review!
To MaryDFair: Yes, I have my own version of the G7, but it will change in a future ficâ if I ever write it.
To Kaeru Soyokaze: Thanks, I was worried the mini-fic in a fic wouldn't go over too well.
To shinitenshi: I don't think Byakko is god of death, but Genbu is the god of Longevity and Wisdom. Hatsui just mentioned that there is an old legend that portrays genbu as the god of death.
To Amaya-san: How could I kill Uruki off first? Easy, I shot her. Keep in mind I have no sympathies for my characters. ;; Yes, you can tie a few things between Uruki and Chichiri, and Ianmi's slang is a bit more like Tasuki's now. Yes, the "Is your body still pure?" line is one of my favs. Go Hikitsu! loves him
Metajoker: I keep forgetting to review your story! Keep bugging me about it, ok? Heh heh, well, Uruki's isn't a lesbian, but she did at one point have romantic feelings for Inami. It has a lot to do with her back story, which hopefully I'll find a way to bring it up in the sequel. It does have something to do with male-betrayl, and the fact that Inami is a tomboy. oO;;
To Rockie chan: Will Yui die if she summons Genbu? evil laughter We'll have to see
Chapter 79 : "I'll Do Anything"
"Over, just a bit." Empress Houki said, out of bed and very awake. Her stomach was large and round, only a bit of its size hidden by her elegant blue dress.
Nuriko sighed, putting his shoulder to a large granite pillar and forcing it over the floor in the large room where dozens worked in setting up the correct atmosphere for a summoning.
Houki stepped over a bit and rubbed her chin. "You know what? It really did look better over there, the lighting is more... filtered."
Nuriko leaned against the pillar to catch his breath. "Just one more after this, right?"
Houki smiled and nodded. "Now to the left..."
Nuriko put both hands on the pillar and moved it over, careful not to let it tip.
"Stop! Right there." The Empress called out. "There, that looks wonderful." She waved her long sleeves. "All right, now over here."
Nuriko grumbled slightly as he followed his old friend. "Hey Houki, have you seen Miaka around?"
Houki glanced back, her green earrings jingling slightly as she did so. "Hmm... not recently." She placed a hand on the bulge of her belly. "I believe she is with her friend, Yui.
Nuriko brushed his hair away from his face. "Oh, that makes sense."
Houki clapped her hands. "Now, the pillar."
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"They are just spirits, we must remember." Miboshi's snake-like voice insisted as he leaned his slim form against a large window in the Kutou palace.
"They're as physical as the wound on your arm." Soi said, referring to the bandaging on Miboshi's forearm where one of Tomite's arrows had punctured through.
"They couldn't have physical bodies though... but, they were. Physical, I mean." Suboshi said, half of his thoughts lingering elsewhere, particularly on one of the people purposely left out of the current conversation.
Nakago rubbed his chin, his lips curved slightly in his usual smirk. "I can assume that Taiisukun was behind this."
"Taiisukun?" Soi repeated.
Nakago nodded. "The Yin creator of this world. She uses the bodies of small, intellectual children as a temporary flesh form for spirits. It was the same years ago when I fought the Suzaku Seven."
That caught Suboshi's attention. "That's right... one of my ryuseisui bells ran through one of those Genbu warriors. I could see his spirit slightly afterwards, but the dead body of a small girl was left behind."
"Then I am correct."
"On another matter," Miboshi's vocals suddenly interrupted, "We still haven't fully dealt with this girl who arrived two days ago. This... Saori, isn't it? A friend of Mayo's, and an ally of the Suzaku Seven. Surely we can't leave her alone with our priestess, not when Mayo still has her third wish to make."
"What do you suggest?" Soi inquired.
"We owe nothing to her, or her 'friends'." Miboshi said. He held his spindle up. "Just leave it to me and our plans will go forward without a hitch."
"You leave Saori out of this." Suboshi spoke firmly, glaring over at Miboshi. Blue eyes met cold black ones, and the two found themselves in a bit of a staring contest.
"Enough." Nakago called, taking the floor again. "That girl doesn't pose an immediate threat, Mayo is leaned too far our way to go back now, just as the Lady Yui was before her." A glint of enthusiasm suddenly struck his features. "We may actually be able to use her to an advantage."
Suboshi raised an eyebrow, very wary. He waited, but Nakago never let his idea known.
"Mayo will be suspecting us soon. You're adjourned." The general finally spoke, folding his arms as he waited for the others to leave, although Soi didn't budge.
Suboshi hesitated, but finally turned around, taking a different exit from Miboshi. Ever since the demon had found out about his play on Amiboshi, they hadn't been able to keep a mild atmosphere between them.
That was the odd thing. Nakago knew about he and Amiboshi, yet he wasn't punished for it. Why? True, Suboshi was now a much more difficult of an opponent to succumb to Nakago's will, but it was still fairly obvious that Nakago had more power... or at least he could use it better.
Suboshi adjusted the tie on his off-white shirt and he went down the hallway. His mind buzzed with so many thoughts.
Saori... why would she come here? And by herself? Nakago did try to kill her once, wouldn't she be afraid... or was Mayo really that important to her?
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Saori?"
The young girl turned away from the window at the call of her name. Mayo shut the door to he chambers behind her.
"Gomen." The redhead eventually apologized. "I don't know why, but everything just seems to be keeping me so busy... ever since you got here."
Saori smiled a bit. "That's okay." She thought for a moment. It was surprising that the awkwardness that distance had brought on had grown to so much. Saori took a deep breath. "Mayo, I want to talk to you..."
"I told you already, silly. No talking." Mayo pointed out. She reached for Saori's hand. "Come on, I haven't shown you the east gardens yet."
Saori frowned inwardly, but she was getting time with her best friend, so she nodded and went willingly.
But, she couldn't help to wonder how everyone else was doing back in Konan...
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"Yui?" Tamahome asked, knocking on the door to the small room before coming in. He gasped.
The blonde and the redhead beside her both turned around, Miaka smiling giddily. Yui's hair was pulled back, several small braids following the line of hair, and folded in a way that most of her locks were hidden. A dark green dress covered her arms and torso, fitting her form perfectly as it draped down into a skirt, the hem sewn unevenly a little past her knees. A plain yellow skirt flowed past that onto the floor, the same fabric over Yui's chest to give her some modesty. A thin choker with a topaz at the end of it hung at her neck, several prayer beads hanging from her wrists.
"Tamahome, don't stare." Miaka suddenly objected, jealous."
Tamahome gave her an innocent smile. "I wasn't... I just dropped by to see the progress."
"I'm... really nervous." Yui confessed.
"Don't be." Tamahome reassured her calmly. "You'll do fine."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Yui's wasn't the only door to open that morning.
Tasuki suddenly found himself at a loss for words as he stood in the doorway. "...Knew I find ya somewhere," he managed to say a bit humorously.
Inami sat on the large windowsill, arms folded as she stared out to the railing around her. She looked over, but didn't say anything.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Tasuki stepped into the room, letting the door close lightly behind him. He stood there in silence as Inami's gazed looked back out the window.
Well, Tasuki could at least start with thing one, the only way this was getting over with was by being blunt. "I feel like you've been avoidin' me."
A more seconds went by before a reply came. "I have."
Tasuki looked at her oddly. He couldn't quite get over her different appearance, demeanor.
Inami's arms finally dropped and she sat up a little on her ledge. "I've been dishonest, I think." She spoke quietly.
Tasuki paced forward a bit and sat on the edge of the bed near the window.
Inami sighed. "I have a strange feeling that I've deceived you, some how."
Tasuki glanced up. "Yeah?"
Inami smiled faintly. "As though I've had a facade, like I never was who I really was."
Tasuki shook his head. "That doesn't make sense."
Inami shook her head. "Just by looking at me, you can tell. I grew up a rash tomboy, not an etiquette driven ambassador."
"No one can hide who they really are, Akue." Tasuki said silently.
Inami smiled again. "Maybe so." She lifted her flesh-covered hand. "It feels weird, bein' back."
Tasuki stood up, towering a bit above her. "Ya had be worried sick."
Inami lowered her hand. "Gomen nasai." She apologized. "Demo..." she glanced back out the window. "I can't be back for long, Tasuki. I think that maybe I'm one of those people that just can't alter fate, no matter how hard I try." She paused for a moment. "If I really was meant to live, I would have been able to defeat Nakago."
"Tell me."
Inami looked over again, confused.
"Tell me," Tasuki repeated, "Tell me what happened there. I want to know why... what went wrong, why ya had to get yourself killed."
Tasuki's tone was so serious, he was completely out of character. Eventually, Inami consented.
"Alright."
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"What I miss?" Keisuke asked immediately as Tetsuya picked up the phone, not even bothering for the usual "Moshi-moshi?".
"What the hell? You had it with you just an hour ago!" Tetsuya objected, leaning the receiver onto his shoulder.
"A lot of reading can be done in an hour!" Keisuke complained.
"It's late!"
"It's not even 11:00 yet! Tell me what happened!"
"Keisuke, are you all right in there?" A female voice sounded in the background on Keisuke's end.
Keisuke lowered his voice. "What's going on?"
"They're getting ready to summon Genbu." Tetsuya explained. "Yui's really nervous. I'm worried about her..."
"What else?"
Tetsuya exhaled, irritated. "That's about it. Saori's in Kutou... oh, I think she might be in trouble, but I'm not sure. I don't think Mayo would let anything happen to her."
"What? What kind of trouble?"
"I just told you I didn't know!" He opened the book marked with his finger and skimmed. "Let's see, Inami is talking to Tasuki, Yui's going to the room they're using for the summoning..." He flipped the page. "Mayo and Saori are in the garden... oh wait, Mayo just left."
"For what?"
Tetsuya skimmed over the kanji through his sunglasses. "Uh, some servant just called for her attention, she told Saori to stay there."
"Saori's in danger and she's leaving her alone?!" Keisuke raised his voice on the other line.
Tetsuya rolled his eyes. "'Saori waited patiently for the priestess of Seiryu to return as she sat on the grassy hill of the palace. However, after several minutes passed, she grew restless and worried. Rising from her position, Saori entered the palace the same way the two women before her had....'"
"Good... good..."
"Can't I just read it and get back to you?"
"No, I don't want to miss anything!"
"Where's Hikari?"
"Sleeping. Keep reading."
Tetsuya groaned. "'After a few moments of failed efforts, Saori thought it best to return to Mayo's quarters and await for her friend there. After following a long flight of stairs, Saori found herself in a maze of hallways on the second floor of the palace...'"
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Saori rubbed her arm as she walked past a large marble pillar. The halls were so big... but there were so many of them. The castle had to be as least twice the size of Konan's, and it seemed so much colder, emptier. Nothing looked familiar.
"Great job, baka." Saori mumbled, looking around. "How am I supposed to get out of here?" She swallowed. What is she ran into a guard, or Nakago? Not everyone knew she was a guest of Mayo's, she could get thrown in jail... and she didn't trust the prisons here. The whole place gave her the creeps, so matter how nicely it was furnished.
Saori reached a junction and glanced down either way, deciding on the left. Mayo's room had a distant view of the northern ground, and she was pretty sure left was north.
She was wearing her school uniform too... what if a soldier found her, saw the same uniform Mayo had and accused her of being an imposter? Would she be tortured?! Oh God, could she really be tortured in a place like this?! They could kill her too, and...
She felt fingers touch her shoulder and she jumped, screeching a bit as she flew around, her heart leaping into her throat. This was it, she was done for...
She blinked a few times, shoulder relaxing slightly. "Suboshi?" She asked.
Suboshi looked at her oddly. She startled really easily.
That actually was the first time Suboshi had seen Saori since hearing of her sudden arrival. It was strange to be face to face with her in such a well-lit area.
"What are you doing out here?" He asked, a bit hushed.
"N-naze?"
Suboshi grabbed her elbow lightly and turned her back around, walking her down the hall. "You really shouldn't be away from Mayo, Saori. This isn't a very safe place, not for you anyways."
Well, Saori could have guessed that. "But, they wouldn't really do anything to me, would they?"
Suboshi pushed open a door near the end of the hallway and gently nudged Saori forward, closing it after him. Another set of stairs was there, and Suboshi took lead and started down them. "I don't know." He admitted. "But don't trust anyone, got it? I don't even understand why you would come here alone..."
Saori stopped on the stairs, and when Suboshi realized she wasn't behind him, he turned around.
"Saori?"
Saori held the rail loosely. "Well, I can't trust you then, can I?"
"What?"
"You said I can't trust anyone, right?"
Suboshi rolled his eyes and grabbed the hand that held the rail, pulling her back down after him.
Saori started to speak. "Mayo's room is..."
"Lady Mayo's room is in the north wing. You're in the west. It's better to travel down here than out in the open."
"Oh." Saori suddenly felt a bit dumb as they reached the bottom of the stairwell, another door there opening out into a fairly normal-looking corridor.
Suboshi stopped and faced her, Saori almost running into him.
"Saori, why did you come here?" He asked.
Saori glanced up at him, not sure of what to say. Instead of an answer coming to mind, Suboshi's positioning suddenly triggered a memory... the one of the last time they met up, and he...
Then she realized he was still holding her hand.
Saori nervously looked to the floor, a red streak instantly sparking across her nose. "I..."
Suboshi noticed his hand and quickly withdrew it. "Uh..."
Saori laughed a bit. Suboshi raised an eyebrow.
"I guess I don't really have a reason, other than seeing Mayo." She admitted, smiling cheerfully. She started walking down the hall, past Suboshi. "I mean, I know she's not going to suddenly change her mind and come back with me, and even if she did, I don't know how I'll ever get back to Konan..." She stopped walking and sighed. "But, she is my best friend. I'm not too worried. She has you here, right? And your brother." She turned back around.
Suboshi stared for a moment, then shook his head. "You're a really strange person, Saori. At least Mayo makes sense." He glanced around. "Come on, I'll take you to her room."
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Slowly the guests of the Konan palace entered into the dim room, a large triangle of fire burning on an altar in its center. After the Suzaku warriors arrived, Hotohori and Mitsukake in spirit, warriors from the north began to show up, each in their nyan-nyan body. Yui stood on the long bronze-colored carpet that led to the altar, fully adorned in the dressings of a miko. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her as she watched the members enter.
Uruki was the first of the Genbu seishi to arrive, Urumiya right behind her. They both showed their respects to their new priestess, Urumiya with a bow and Uruki with a curtsy. Hatsui was next, then Namame, who did the same as their colleagues before them. Yui was a bit embarrassed. The Suzaku seishi, as well as Miaka, only watched quietly from the shadows.
After a minute or so, Hikitsu stepped in from the doorway, Inami close behind him. For a moment the atmosphere tensed greatly, especially as the two stopped before Yui. Hikitsu bowed, and to everyone's relief, so did Inami. It was several moments later that Tomite arrived, a bit hurried when he noticed he was slightly late.
Houki and Boushin, who had stood at the front of room, bent their heads and slowly followed the carpeting to the door, and exited. Normally the Suzaku seven would have to leave as well, but seeing how Suzaku was still sealed, their life forces wouldn't interact with the summoning.
"Yui, you must read what is written on the scroll before the fire." Hikitsu explained, standing closest to her in the circle the ancient warriors made around the altar.
Yui nodded. Picking up her skirt gently, she stepped forward, moving reverently down the carpet to the stairs that led to a marble altar. Her nerves plagued her mind, leaving her still quiet as she stared into the warm flames before her.
Miaka crossed her fingers, her other hand linked firmly with Tamahome's. If this didn't work... there would be no hope.
"The four palaces of the heavens," Yui's voice suddenly rang out strong and courageous, her tone full of determination. "The four corners of the earth. In the name of sacred law, belief, and goodness, I summon thee, Genbu, lord of the north. I now say these words to thee." Yui swallowed hard, concentrating. "Appear on earth from the seven palaces of heaven for the sake of those here who adore you. Come to us here. With thy holy power, smash the evil which threatens us. Save us! And hear our wishes to thee! Descend to us now from heaven!"
The fire roared higher into the room, startling Yui. She stepped back. Would it work? She held her breath. Nothing was happening, at least not at first.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a laser of light shot forward from each of the Genbu warriors and fed into the fire, turning the heated flames bright green. The fire expanded out of the altar and towards the ceiling, though it didn't burn anything. The light slipped around Yui like a snake, its touch almost burning, but with an icy chill. Yui shivered, her own breath visible before her nose. In a quick, blinding flash of light, a man stood upon the altar, twice as large as a normal human. His skin was lightly tinted green, parts of his chest visible through the almost warrior-like clothing he wore. An hourglass hung from a long strap around his neck, the sand from the top slowly running through the narrow passage, yet never running out.
"Priestess." Genbu's sturdy voice bellowed, "It is you who has summoned me again from my rest."
"Yes." Yui answered, standing tall before the intimidating figure.
"Then you will couple with me, and in exchange I will grant you my power in the form of three wishes. Simply say the word 'Kaijin', and my strength will be at your fingertips."
Yui nodded, and the god extended a large hand to her. Yui grasped it tightly, a falling sensation moving through her body as the man disappeared, changing into a green fog that entered her through the tips of her fingers. As soon as it was done, the lighting of the room returned to normal, the fire before her burning the way it had when she arrived.
Miaka slowly stepped forward, staring at her best friend as she turned around. "Yui?" She asked, hopeful.
Yui met her gaze, but didn't answer. "Kai jin!!" She shouted. A bright, looped figure flashed upon her forehead, her bangs flying around it.
Miaka gasped.
"I wish to give Miaka the ability to summon Suzaku!!" She shouted.
Her body began glowing green, and the brightness shot away from her and into Miaka's chest, nearly knocking her down.
Yui's condition returned to normal, but she suddenly collapsed on the stairs, her energy completely drained. Hikitsu and Uruki were quick to run to her side.
"Yui!" Miaka shouted, running towards the fire.
Yui looked up, a tired smile on her face. "Don't waste any time, Miaka." She spoke weakly. "Hurry, you have the power."
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"Yui..." Tetsuya said softly, running a finger over the inking on the page. He had managed to get off the phone with Keisuke and was reading on his own again. He refocused on the kanji to continue the story. "Using the power her friend had given her, Miaka recited the spell to summon Suzaku, and though the beast god did not appear the way he had in the ceremony just moments before, Miaka, once again the Priestess of Suzaku, and her celestial warriors, suddenly felt a familiar power flow through their veins. And, like her friend had directed her, the miko lifted her hand to the sky and shouted the words "kai jin", making her first wish to seal Seiryu."
Tetusya turned the page, taking a deep breath before going on. "However, much to the priestess's dismay, the god of the east could not be sealed due..." Tetsuya's eyes widened. "Due to the fact that the Seiryu no Miko had voluntarily increased its strength?!! DAMNIT!!!" Tetsuya nearly threw the book across the room. Seeing the literature's condition, it was a good thing he didn't.
He leaned his head back, frustrated. "I should call Keisuke..." He took off his sunglasses. "Ah, hell with it." He immediately returned to the page to continue reading. "'What do we do now?' Tamahome asked. 'Who cares?' Tasuki quickly replied. 'Genrou's back and he's gotta vengeance.' 'Don't worry.' Miaka replied, hope still in her strong heart. 'I can do the next best thing.'"
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"KAI-JIN!" Miaka shouted the infamous words once again. "I wish to end the war between Konan and Kutou, and forever protect this land!!"
A pillar of red light shot up from Miaka's body, flashing through the ceiling and into the sky.
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x-x-x-(flash back)x-x-x-
Saori couldn't see her reflection in the mirror... she didn't have one...
"Saori-san!" Boushin yelled.
"Saori!" Miaka grabbed her friend's shoulders.
Chiriko and Mitsukake quickly ran over.
"Mitsukake!" Miaka yelled. "Do something!"
Right then, a bright, red light emerged from Saori's chest. It spread throughout the whole room, shining through the windows.
Saori looked down. Her arm, once clearly visible, flashed and disappeared in front of her eyes. Her right leg began to do the same.
"SAORI!" Boushin screamed.
Saori screamed as the red light consumed her from her bed in the Konan palace. She opened her eyes frantically. She was no longer surrounded by Miaka and Boushin... her whole room was gone! Instead of walls there was red, shimmering light. She floated in the middle of it, her short hair blowing messily around her face. She felt her body being raised up.
She looked up into the light, and then closed her eyes hard. "Suzaku! Please don't take me back! Not yet!!!" She cried. "I still have to save Mayo! Please! You must let me! Don't make my efforts useless! SUZAKU! I'LL DO ANYTHING!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!"
"Anything?"
Saori opened her eyes, gasping at the thin young man who stood before her, his hair redder than blood.
"Saori, you are not meant for my world. However, if you wish to stay so much, I will allow it if you grant me one favor."
Saori's breathing was shaky. "W-what?"
"When I am summoned, I know I will not be able to obtain the body of my priestess, her heart is too strong. You may stay in this universe if in trade, you allow me to inhabit your body instead."
Saori's looked on in total shock. "My... body?"
x-x-x-x-x-(end)x-x-x-x-x-x
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Saori stopped in her steps from behind Suboshi, a piercing sensation rising in the pit of her stomach. She felt sick, and...
"AAAHH!" She suddenly screamed, falling to her knees.
"Saori!!" Suboshi spun around and darted to her side. Her hands clutched at the fabric of her sleeves, her knuckles going white. Suboshi touched her shoulders. She was shaking.
Saori's breath grew short and hallow as she tried to deal with the overwhelming pain that suddenly consumed her. Her heart and lungs burned like fire, like something inside her was slowly consuming her. The sensations were unbelievable... they were horrific, like nothing she had ever felt before.
"Saori! SAORI!" Suboshi tried to shake her. "What's wrong?!"
Saori couldn't speak, she could barely breath. It suddenly dawned on her tormented mind what was happening.
"SAORI!"
"Su... za..." Saori gasped, losing her balance and falling into Suboshi chest.
"SAORI!" Suboshi tried to figure out what to do. He suddenly went still as the girl shook in his arms. He stared at Saori's back... or more so, the two, curved red lines that were appearing through the white cloth of her shirt.
Saori gasped, her body suddenly relaxing a bit as she fell heavier into Suboshi.
Suboshi still held her shoulders, shock written on his face. He... what was... no, it couldn't be...
Shaking out of his thoughts, he lifted the older girl. "Saori..."
"Gomen... nasai..." She managed to breath, the pain a bit less intense now. "I..." She winced, shaking a bit more. Oh it hurt... it hurt so much...
Suboshi gripped her upper arms painfully and lifted her off the floor, rearranging his hold so that an arm went behind her shoulders, the other swiping her legs up from beneath her knees. Saori didn't object, she seemed to involved with the sudden ailment that racked her body.
Suboshi started running down the hallway. He prayed he was wrong... Saori wasn't the priestess, so why would Suzaku be taking over her body? Wasn't Suzaku still sealed, or...
He didn't care right now. He didn't think he could take her to the infirmary, not with the chance of Nakago...
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"What do you mean?!" Emperor Sanoii exclaimed, grasping General Okiata's broad shoulders.
"They just... all retreated!" The army official tried to explain. "Everywhere, battles that are only half finished have stopped, it makes no sense!"
"This can't really be true, can it?" Prince Seki asked from his father's right arm.
General Okiata was as dumbfounded as the Hokkan Royalty. "I have no idea what happened, but... my army saw a white flag over the hill top, yet several of Hokkan's navy ships suddenly appeared back in port... Konan must be experiencing similar things..."
"Send a message right away." Sanoii ordered. "Hayaku, Okiata. I must know for sure!"
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"Hokkan?" Ami Kaiku asked the night after the secret summoning of Genbu and Suzaku.
Boushin nodded. "Kutou has made a full retreat, you are free to leave."
Mokuba Karu raised an eyebrow. "It can't really be that easy, can it?"
Boushin continued talking with the two Hokkani ambassadors, trying his best to explain the sudden end of the war, and at the same time trying to convince Mokuba that it wasn't just a trap.
"Karu-san?"
"You know him?"
Inami nodded. "He's a man who works directly for Seki-sama at the palace." She spoke to Tomite. They stood in the doorway off to the side of the small room Boushin stood in. "I wonder when he got here..."
"Who's the chick?"
"Kaiku. Ami."
Tomite whistled. "You don't see a lot of blondes around Hokkan. I should introduce myself."
"Baka, She's six years your senior."
"I'm not mentally 16, Ahou."
"True, but you're DEAD."
"Who's over there?" Karu suddenly raised his voice, interrupting Boushin rather rudely. He put his hands on his hips and glared over at the two standing in the doorway. His statement brought the attention of Boushin and Ami as well.
Tomite snickered and pushed Inami out into the room, stepping behind her. "I just happen to be a member of the Suzaku seven, and you?" Tomite questioned proudly, lying smoothly.
"Suzaku?" Karu repeated, frowning.
"Chichiri."
Ami lowered an eyebrow. "Sumimasen, but I've met Chichiri-san. You are not he."
Tomite sweat-dropped.
"Baka..." Inami sighed.
"You," Mokuba suddenly took a step forward. "You look... oddly familiar..."
Inami looked back up, her face flushing. "Uh..."
"Have we met before?" Mokuba asked, almost undressing Inami with his eyes the way he stared.
"Ah.... Sumimasen, Karu." Boushin suddenly stepped up. "She is a close friend of my mother's, she's visiting from... Sairou."
Mokuba glanced back to Boushin. "Those aren't traditional Sairanian clothes, are they?" He glanced back. The two were gone.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Two more for us, Jou-kun!" Uruki shouted in the dimly lit bar, smiling as she lifted a finger into the air, leaning back on her barstool.
"Sure thing, Missie." The man replied, fishing out two more glasses.
"I'm surprised you can hold your liquor the way you do." Tasuki commented. "Of course, you always act drunk."
Uruki shook her head. "Nope." she got close to Tasuki's face. "I just act in a way that makes everyone..." She couldn't finish her sentence, but covered her mouth as she felt an burp coming.
Tasuki laughed. "Nice that someone would come celebrate with me, though. 'Chiri and Nuriko are too much like hardheads, and Chiriko is just too young..."
"Ne, I just hope that Taiisukun-sama doesn't get mad, na no da!" She smiled. The two new drinks were placed in front of the odd couple.
"It's Uruki, then?"
"Hai!" Uruki took a gulp of her drink.
Tasuki leaned on his hand. "It's weird gettin' to meet ya, really. All this crap has got me really confused."
"Hmm... it will get better. We'll leave soon enough."
Tasuki stared down into the light reflection in his drink. "All of you, huh."
"Yep." Uruki blinked a few times and looked over. "Ne, Tasuki-chan. You going to miss me?" She joked.
Tasuki smirked mildly. "Somethin' like that."
Uruki put her glass down. A loud wave of laughter from the back of the bar rose up, filling in would have been an awkward pause.
"Ne, Tasuki-chan, do you really like Inami-chan?"
The bandit was caught a bit off-guard by that question. "Huh?"
Uruki stirred the tip of her finger around in the glass that held her drink. Her smile faded a bit a stared at the amber liquid. "Inami-san was important to you, wasn't she?"
Tasuki sighed and leaned his elbows against the counter. "Yeah, she was. I..." Tasuki seemed a bit flustered, not sure of how to word his next train of sentences. "Ah hell, I dun know what ta do anymore."
"Gomen nasai." Uruki continued. "Demo... maybe Inami-san will be happier this way. She didn't like her old life, I think." She thought for a moment. "But maybe not. I can tell she liked you a lot too. Actually, in a way you guys are a lot a like."
Tasuki raised his head a bit, listening.
Uruki lifted her drink, but changed her mind and set it back down. "Inami-san and I didn't have much in common when we first met." She smiled. "I'm okay with that, though, since we were good friends." She suddenly perked up, flashing a set of pearly white teeth. "Ne, she really loves you though, no da! Who knows what will happen? Celestial warriors are different from regular people, my even being here is proof of that!"
"Uruki..." Tasuki trailed her name. Did Uruki... did Uruki maybe once have feelings for Akue?
"Genki, ne?" She turned on her stool, facing the outside bar. "Who want to buy me my next drink?!" She shouted out into the crowd.
A cheer of men rang out as they spotted the slim girl, standing up from their seats to fulfill her request.
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"Where's Nakago?" Mayo asked rather demandingly early the next morning as she paraded into one of her seishi's breakfast.
"He is a general, Mayo-sama." Miboshi said slickly, looking up from his tea. "Our armies are withdrawing without losses, and he's gone to find out why. I imagine he won't be back for a while."
Mayo's eyebrows furrowed. "Where's Saori? I haven't been able to find her."
Miboshi took his good time with the priestess, testing her patience as he sipped his tea. "I hear your friend as become quite ill."
"Nani?" Mayo questioned.
Miboshi smirked as he looked his calm eyes over his Miko. "She's in one of the guest rooms, I believe. Pity, I so enjoyed her company."
"Damatte." Mayo hissed. She turned to leave, but halted. "Which room?"
"How should I know?" Miboshi coolly flipped a thin braid over his shoulder. "Perhaps you could ask Suboshi. The little mongrel apparently is the one who brought her there."
Without bothering with a thank you for Miboshi's information, Mayo quickly left the room in search of her best friend.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
The door to the small room opened, Suboshi stepping in. The area was fairly well lit with the morning sun. Saori lay awake in the bed on the opposite wall. Suboshi held a small wooden flute his hand tightly as he closed the door behind him.
"Gomen nasai." Saori's voice came as she looked over, hearing his entrance. "I don't mean to be any trouble."
Suboshi didn't say anything, but he did pull up a chair, sitting a few feet from the bed. He looked as if he were thinking.
It was really quiet, though at one time a pair of guards' footsteps passed the door.
"Donna..."
Saori's tired eyes looked over at the boy staring at the carpeting.
"How... could you..." He was so lost. "Suzaku has been summoned, I know this. But why is he not devouring the Priestess's body?!" His voice raised slightly in confused anger.
Saori soon found herself staring at the ceiling as silence again threatened to settle.
"Mayo."
"Nani?"
"Mayo." Saori repeated, her speech light. "It's... it's not Miaka's fault, I chose this. It was the only way... that I could save her."
Suboshi was speechless, though Saori's few words had caught his full attention.
"Mayo, she..." Saori suddenly winced, her hand clutching into a fist under her covers as a wave of pain rush over her torso.
"Saori!" Suboshi leapt from his chair.
"I'm... fine." Saori opened her eyes, taking a few deep breaths. Suboshi hesitantly sat down. "Mayo came into this world without... telling anyone, even me." Saori continued, stopping again for some air. "Her family... is falling apart, she was in love with a man she couldn't have, her school work was suffering... even her new friendships, they started to fail. I don't blame her. I really wanted to tell her that, but I can't." Saori swallowed away at the dryness in her throat. "So I came in after her, that's the only reason I'm here. I didn't know where she was... if Chichiri hadn't found me..."
Suboshi still didn't say anything, only listened. There was a longer pause this time, but again Saori filled up the unused space. "I wasn't here too long before I was sent back... almost. I lost my reflection. I wasn't supposed to be here, in your world. I was in this other world.. limbo, I guess. Everything was a really bright red, I remember. I was crying out to Suzaku, I couldn't go home, I hadn't even gotten to see Mayo yet." Saori felt a faint tear on her eyelash. Why it was there, she didn't know. "Suzaku heard me, and offered me this. If I allowed him to have my body when he was summoned, he would let me stay for as long as I wanted. I... never told anyone, though." She brushed the tear away with a finger. "I'm glad... that Miaka summoned Suzaku. I don't know how she did it, but she finally did. She's been trying to for so hard now..."
"But, you'll die." Suboshi said in a bit of a harsh whisper.
Saori shook her head. "Not really, I don't know what will happen." She hesitated a moment, feeling a lump in her throat. She took a deep breath. "I only wish..." Her voice had a slight whimper to it now. "I wish that I could have had more time, with Mayo. Miaka's only made one wish and I'm so weak that I have to be taken care of? I wanted so badly to bring her home..." She felt tears in her eyes again, larger ones now. "I just wanted Mayo back."
"Doushite?" Suboshi asked, ripping at the floor tiles with his eyes. "Why is she so important to you? Do... do you really care for her so much that would do all this for her?"
Saori nodded. "Hai. Mayo was the closest thing to a sister I've ever had... she's been my best friend for years. She would do the same for me."
Suboshi dug his nails into his knee. "How could you be so sure?"
Saori thought. "She would, I know she would." She smiled suddenly, brushing away her tears again. "Gomen nasai, I shouldn't bother you with that. Is there a reason you came to see me?"
Suboshi looked up, trying to hide the distress on his face. "I thought, maybe you'd like to hear a song. Amiboshi always played for me, so I..."
"Arigatou." Saori whispered, closing her eyes. "I'd like that."
Suboshi smiled warmly. The girl before him was so much stronger than he was. She endured so much for so little, it was ridiculous. She was a lot like his brother.
He lifted his aniki's old flute up to his lips. "Do you know a song you'd like to hear? I don't know many, but..."
"Ne, Suboshi..." Saori said, her voice barely audible as she seemed to almost sleep. "You have really beautiful eyes..." Her sentenced drifted as the fatigue in her body finally engulfed her.
Suboshi smiled. Very quietly, he played a melody his brother had written, the last one Amiboshi had played before he had left.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Miaka had started off the morning in a very good mood. Everything was going right, or it was starting to. Tamahome took the liberty of taking a bath, so Miaka joyously roamed the palace halls herself, she didn't mind. Everyone she passed, even unfamiliar faces, was smiling. The war really was over, and it was probably the most abrupt ending to a war in all of Konan's history.
Miaka back-traced a step and glanced into the room she had just passed, Hotohori's study. Well, it was Boushin's study now, and the prince himself sat at the table, reading over a long piece of paper with small writing on it.
"What are you doing?" Miaka asked. Boushin's expression was the first she'd seen that wasn't pleasant. It was worried. She hoped it wasn't over Saori again.
"These bills..." Boushin answered, not bothered by the interruption. "I have all the papers from the sects of government running over Konan, and we're going to have more problems than I thought with rebuilding. Kutou did a lot of damage."
Miaka frowned a bit, letting herself in to look over the papers herself. "It's not that expensive, is it?"
Boushin chuckled a bit. "These are bills to be passed, Miaka, not bills for money. Though, I won't say that reconstruction is financially secure." Boushin rested his chin in his palm, thinking. "The shelters for our homeless won't be able to hold out for too long, several of our villages on the border have been completely demolished. I found out last night that the Aitsu river through Suzaku village was completely damned off."
Miaka seemed a bit worried herself. "How long will it take to fix everything to the way it was?"
Boushin glanced over to the Suzaku no Miko, and leaned back in his chair. "Well, I haven't looked over everything yet... and the number of available laborers is dependant, but my guess as of right now is two years."
"TWO YEARS?!" Miaka repeated back. "That long? The war didn't even last that long!"
Boushin nodded. "Destroying is a quicker process than creating, I'm afraid."
Miaka leaned passively against the wall by the door. "So some of those people will be homeless for two years?"
"Not homeless, exactly." Boushin tried to explain to someone who really didn't know much about the subject. "They'll have places to stay, shelters and bunking can be provided. But the eastern villages will be more-or-less ghost towns until equipment and men can be sent there. Not to mention medical..."
"That's not fair!" This news was completely demolishing Miaka's chipper mood. "Why should innocent civilians have to suffer for something like that?"
"Miaka-san, there's..."
"Wait." Miaka interrupted, getting an idea. Yui was the priestess of Genbu, right? She still had two wishes there, and Yui would save them, that was sure. It would work out perfectly.
"All right then, I'll fix it." She declared.
"What do you mean?" Boushin stood up.
"I'll wish for Konan to be restored!" Miaka announced happily. "I can do it too."
Boushin's face lit up. "You... would really do that?"
Miaka nodded. "Besides, after that Yui and I have three wishes between us. We can still get home and everything."
Boushin stared at the redhead for a moment, then bowed to her. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Miaka. Your generosity is overwhelming."
Miaka smiled widely. "Where's Hotohori? I want to tell him too."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"You really trust him, Mayo?"
The Priestess of Seiryu glanced over from the window of the room Saori stayed in. The two were alone. Saori was well enough to sit up, her legs off the side of the mattress. Mayo believed her story of just having fatigue and dizziness from travel.
"Yes." Mayo replied as if she were being accused of something. She shot a harsh glance at Saori. "Why wouldn't I trust him? He's been with me from the beginning. Nakago is the only one in this world I can depend on."
Saori's gaze fell to the floor. "What about Suboshi? He's kind to you, isn't he? And Amiboshi?"
Mayo snorted. "Amiboshi left weeks ago."
"Miaka and Yui, Taka, they all care for you, and so do I, Mayo. Don't say that..."
"Don't tell me what to say." Mayo snapped.
Saori sighed. She shouldn't have brought Nakago up, Mayo was instantly rebellious when she did. The distance that had grown between them in the time of the book was becoming obvious now. 10 months, Mayo had said. It had been about 10 months since the two were ordinary high school students.
"I need to use the bathroom." Mayo said, turning away from the window with her arms folded.
"M-matte..." Saori stood up. She really hated being alone in the Kutou palace, she was terrified of who might come to see her. Mayo casually left out the door and started down the hall.
"Matte, Mayo!" Saori called after her from the doorway. What had happened to Mayo to make her so cold?
Saori took a step out of her room, but a splitting pain raced down her backside and into her legs, making her knees buckle painfully. Saori stumbled away from the door, falling to the hard floor of her room as the hinges shut before her. Her nerves became unseemingly alert, sending shockwave of discomfort and pain through every cell in her skin. Starting with her chest and moving out, she began glowing a faint red.
Saori cried and curled up into a ball on the floor, biting her tongue to keep herself quiet as tears fell down her cheeks. Miaka had made another wish. The feeling grew worse and worse with every breath... Suzaku made no hesitation with devouring her. She could almost feel the phoenix moving inside her, its feathery wings like fire against her ribs.
Saori opened one eye in her internal struggle and saw red feathers of light forming on the part of her upper thigh that her skirt exposed. She winced sharply, pressing herself against the uncarpeted floor, a strand of glittery hair falling over her forehead.
"Tasukete..." Saori breathed sharply, just wanting the pain to stop. "Someone... please... tasukete..."
Her shoulders fell limp. The tolerance of a human was nothing compared to that of a god, and Saori's body had shut down, allowing the subtle changes to finish while her mind slept in darkness.
"Saori!" A sudden voice called out. But it was too late.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hours had gone by, the sun had crossed the entire sky and was finishing the process of setting, and the girl still hadn't woken. Her body radiated with a faint red, one that Suboshi only found noticeable once the room had become dark.
He took off the wet rag on her forehead and replaced it with a new one. The damp moisture was warm, and it had only touched Saori's forehead for a minute. Her fever was horribly high, her breathing a little raspy.
Suboshi pressed the cold cloth to Saori's forehead, his thumb lightly caressing over the bridge of her nose. The flickering lantern on the bed table shimmered light off the few strands of hair that had turned red and gold, particularly the ones framing the youth's face.
She'd die, and he knew it. With Miaka most likely oblivious to the pain she was causing Saori, she'd die. Suboshi had only left Saori's side once or twice since he had found her collapsed on the floor, and the footsteps coming down the hall may be from someone looking for him--unless it was a guard or maid on their rounds.
Suboshi brought his forearm in front of him and began tracing the tip of his finger down it. He worked quickly and carefully. He knew what had to be done.
The door suddenly opened, and Suboshi speedily hid his arm behind his back. Actually, of all the people who could have stepped in, Suboshi probably would have preferred her... she tended to be more lenient when she was in a good mood.
Soi raised an eyebrow at the teenager, and glanced over Saori.
"How long have you been down here?" She asked rather lowly.
Suboshi smiled weakly. "Just a few minutes, I was in the vicinity and a physician just asked me to watch her while he got something. I didn't have anything better to do."
Soi seemed suspicious, but just sighed. "Don't do anything stupid, Suboshi." She turned on heel and let the door shut.
After Soi's footsteps distanced themselves, Suboshi suddenly exhaled shallowly and leaned over a bit. It took more of his life force than he thought to fully cover up what was radiating from Saori. If Nakago had been in the palace, Saori would have been long gone after the first incident, yesterday. If he wanted to save Saori, he would have to do it tonight. He had a good idea where in Kutou Nakago was, and that tidbit of information could prove to help him.
Suboshi examined his arm again, seeing a few more scratches there than what he had originally written. He smirked. This was going to be one of the stupidest things he'd ever done.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Though Tetsuya had blown off calling Keisuke earlier, Keisuke didn't wait long before pleasuring Tetsuya with the annoyance of his own call. Tetsuya found himself narrating over the phone, which he really hated doing.
"I think... He's taking her back..." Tetsuya said, a bit confused.
"Back?" Keisuke repeated. "Taking her back where?"
Tetsuya rolled his eyes. "Do I have to explain every detail? He's going to take her back to Konan, that's why he's planning the route around Nakago."
Keisuke was silent. "Are you sure? This IS Suboshi."
click
"Tetsuya?"
"TETSUYA!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tetsuya had been right in his assumptions. It wasn't until much later in the night that Suboshi pulled off his dangerous plan, not until all traces of a sun even existing were hid and every star was visible in the midnight sky. Not until Mayo and the other warriors were finally asleep, and the guards on the southern gate left their shifts. Two novice officials guarded for the early morning shift, Suboshi knew that, and it would be easier to get past them. Suboshi was well known enough to get in and out without any trouble, but as to what orders they followed from Nakago, he couldn't be sure... especially if Suboshi had another person with him.
Saori was wrapped up in her blanket as if it were a cloak, hiding any traces of red from onlookers. Her skin was still drastically hot, and in her frail condition, Suboshi had to be especially careful in transporting her. On horseback the two left the confines of the palace walls, traveling a narrow southwest. Suboshi showed no mercy to the animal he rode on, timing was crucial. He hoped his directions were right.
On the paths of Kutou he knew far too well, Suboshi came into view of the border gates just within the limits of four hours. He was in between legal entrances, but knew an easy way to get over freely.
He slowed his horse down and began scanning over the dark wall. The bundle in front of him shifted slightly.
"Where...?" Saori's whisper came.
"Shh." Suboshi hushed her, holding her tightly. "You're all right, don't worry."
A few more minutes and Suboshi found the spot he had been searching for. A deep tunnel through the wall for irrigation, barred off securely with iron rods. That particular stream was a bit dried, only a foot of water in the center of the hallow. Suboshi carefully brought Saori off the horse, holding her in his arms as he approached the tunnel.
"Wait here." Suboshi placed the barely-conscious Saori down, helping her lean against a tree. The blanketing around her fell a bit, but her tint now appeared normal.
Suboshi walked over and stood a few meters before the desired exit, on the left side of the ditch. He held out his hand and a ball of light sprang forth from his palm, spinning into a perfectly shaped meteor bell. With one aim, he shot the bell at the bars, the iron easily cutting away under the weapon. The bell cut a large hole and returned to its master's hands. Closing his fist, it disappeared back into the atmosphere.
Suboshi returned to Saori and lifted her again, silently ducking the two of them down through the gate, Suboshi's ankles getting wet as he passed to the other side. The land was still Kutou's, but Konan was close.
Suboshi stepped into the shadows and searched around, quickly sprinting through and area of trees before him until he reached a hexagonal clearing. What he was looking for was all ready waiting for him, his right side lit by moonlight.
"Aniki..." Suboshi whispered. It had been the first time he'd seen him since he left.
Amiboshi quickly walked to him, taking Saori from him cautiously. He kneeled down to rest her legs on the ground as he looked over her.
"She has a high fever." Amiboshi said, pulling the hem of the blanket away from her.
"I don't have time to explain to you, Aniki, but somehow Suzaku is taking over her body instead of the miko's."
Amiboshi looked at his reflection. "Suzaku has been summoned then? The rumors are true..."
Suboshi nodded. "Take her to the palace, quickly. I don't think they know about this, but they' only ones who can help her. You'll be welcomed there."
Amiboshi shook his head, brown bangs rushing over his forehead. "I can't be sure to that, but I can hope. They will at least take in Saori." Amiboshi picked her up, standing again. "Suboshi, go back, now. If you don't hurry you'll arrive too late to the palace."
Suboshi nodded. He couldn't have a proper reunion with his brother, but he'd be peacefully living with him again soon.
As Suboshi returned inside Kutou walls, Amiboshi took Saori away from the rendezvous point and back to his own horse, taking off in the cover of night towards the Konan capitol.