Author's note: End of the pre-written chapters, I need to get ON my lazy butt and watch some FY, then get off it and write.
To noneedforaname: Party huh? Let's celebrate with a million reviews.
To Kyoko Misami: If you get all the way to this point of the story, I congratulate you.
To Amaya-san: Yep, Nuriko has a little infant, she's about a month and a half old. And Chiriko is a sexy beast. I would love to see your fanart! And I like Hachiro and Kazuki, they're fun to play with.
To Poruporu: Every book has its villain, and Hachiro and Kazuki just happen to rock my evil plaza. I was so excited to write the sequel just to show that Nuriko was married! And I'll let you in on something: Hachiro has a connection to someone else in the story.
To Chichiri's Wanderer: Dedication over three years, thank you. If I was really dedicated, I'd be done with this a year ago.
Chapter 3- Pieces to the Puzzle: Entrance to a New World
"Whatever it is, something is indeed wrong." Hotohori spoke solemnly to Chiriko, Nuriko, and Miaka. "An event like the one Miaka spoke of has happened here, and has endangered lives. We must discover what is going on, why, and how to stop it. I do not want to risk any further troubles."
"It seems that this... writing on the wall is a prelude of some sort, or a clue." Chiriko pointed out. "'Book' referred to Miaka's arrival, and 'throne' was the location of the monster."
"But why are they appearing?" Hotohori questioned. "Is this a warning from Suzaku, or the signal of an enemy? We need help in deciphering this."
"I don't know if we can contact Chichiri, he'd be the best one for the task." Nuriko pointed out. "Mitsukake we know the general location of... Tasuki's the only one we can pinpoint right now. He may know Chichiri better than the rest of us, so I think we should get his help first."
Hotohori nodded. "I fear to keep Miaka at the palace as well, for now..." He sighed. "I only wish I could take you there, Miaka."
"I'm afraid I can't, either." Chiriko sadly said. "I can take a leave from Chouan, but it takes up to two days to travel to Reikaku, and I shouldn't leave my duties for four days..."
"I'll take her." Nuriko volunteered.
"But Nuriko..." Miaka said, "what about Seii and Nashuka? I can go with someone else from the palace, a guard maybe..."
"No." Hotohori objected first.
Nuriko cracked a small smile. "Miaka, we don't know what were up against, assuming we're up against anything. If it is something dangerous, it would be better if I took you."
Miaka was hesitant. "...Okay."
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
"Seii!" Nuriko called upon entering the house, holding the door open for Miaka.
Seii came from a portion of the house Miaka hadn't seen yet, it looked like a lounge area... or a really nice living room.
"Ryuuen?" Seii asked, her should covered with a small blanket and Nashuka against her chest. Concern was on her soft voice.
Nuriko opened one of door doors on the left, passing through a small hallway and into the bedroom. Seii followed, but Miaka just peeked from the doorway.
"I have to leave." Nuriko explained.
"What? When?"
"Right now, I'm afraid."
Seii looked at him, confused. "Why? Where are you going?"
"I have to take Miaka to Reikaku."
"Tasuki?"
Miaka stepped from the doorway and leaned against the wall, still listening. She felt absolutely horrible. She would hate it if Taka left her and Hikari alone to go on what could be a dangerous journey. She listened quietly, catching bits of what Nuriko and Seii said.
"I want you to go to Rokou's for a while, I'll be back within a week, I promise."
"Demo..."
Miaka waited patiently as Nuriko pulled open drawers and got some things together. She heard a bit more talk about being a seishi, and Seii came back into the hall, nodding politely to Miaka before going to the baby's room.
"How can she smile at me like that? I'm the one taking her husband away.." Miaka knew that this is the deal you make when you marry a member of the Suzaku seven, just like Houki. She was different... Taka may have been a seishi, but she was a priestess. They did everything together.
Seii left the baby's room, having put Nashuka down, and went into the kitchen to prepare some food for their trip.
"Miaka," Nuriko came into the hallway, noticing the miko's worried features. "It will be okay."
"I know..." Miaka said, glancing into the kitchen.
"Ah." Nuriko said, stepping back. "I see. She'll be fine, I'll have my brother look after her. Hopefully we can be back in four days."
Seii help Nuriko pack the food and water for the trip, and made sure he'd have everything he needed. She even took some of her clothing and packed it for Miaka, since they were roughly the same size. Nuriko owned a few of his horses, and he saddled up one name "Sutarii" for the trip.
"Hold on Miaka, I'll be back in a minute, then we can go." Nuriko told the younger girl, leaving the horse and going back up the porch to the house, he left the door open and ran out of sight for a moment, getting something he had forgotten.
Miaka petted the brown mare's muzzle. "It's going to be a long trip." She told her. It had been a while since she had gotten to ride with Nuriko, and it was ages ago that they went to Reikaku together. She hoped they'd get there in one piece without any trouble from bandits. She told herself not to worry, she really did feel safe in Nuriko's protection... and besides, Tasuki wouldn't let anything happen.
She shivered at the remembrance of the man called Eiken, recalling his fat face and horny greed. Thank heavens that Tasuki took over.
Miaka peered back toward the door, still waiting for Nuriko. Just in case, she started towards the door, but only got a few steps before she stopped, peering in.
She could just barely see Seii, and spotted Nuriko holding her close to him, whispering something in her ear. She watched him gently tilt her chin up and kiss her, saying his goodbyes.
Miaka really did feel bad about pulling Nuriko away from his family, but felt warm at the same time that Nuriko was such a loving husband and father. When Nuriko pulled away, she quickly stepped back to Sutarii so he wouldn't catch her eavesdropping. After all, Nuriko was a master at it.
Nuriko came back outside with a money satchel tied at his waist and helped Miaka on the horse, him saddling up in front of her just like old times. With a wave from Seii at the door, they took off.
xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
"Okay, Hachiro, here's the plan." Kazuki said after the guitarist had updated him on what was happening. "If this works, I want you to write me in to some Chinese clothes so I don't draw attention. I figured I'd have to do something noticeable for it to appear in that book, so if it says I'm doing jumping jacks, bring me back."
"Are you serious?" Hachiro leaned against the armrest. "I believe this magic book thing, but actually disappearing into another world? You?" He chuckled. "This is too much, Kazuki. How much sleep have you been gettin'?"
Kazuki gave Hachiro a cold stare. "Just do it."
With a shake of his head, Hachiro wrote it neat kanji "Hiroma Kazuki entered the Universe of the Four Gods, appearing in Konan."
"There." He said, lifting his pen.
It only took a moment for the red light that had taken Miaka into the book to devour Kazuki, and he was gone.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Hachiro jumped up from the couch, dropping the book and staring at the empty space on the floor. "You've.... You've got to be kidding me!!"
Hachiro stepped onto the carpet and got onto his knees, rubbing his palm over the area Kazuki had been standing seconds before. "This... is too weird..." He turned around and picked up the book, reading the letters. Something had appeared after Hachiro's handwriting, but it wasn't what he expected.
"Ichun Souru entered into the realm of the Miko." He read. "Who's Ichun Souru?" Hachiro remembered about writing Kazuki in Chinese garments, so he did that first before pondering the question.
Balance, it was all about balance, just like the Yin and Yang stuff in Chinese culture, or so he figured. Ichun Souru was a nameless character, most likely, and in order for someone who was not meant to go into the book become part of the story, someone had to give up their place in the Universe of the Four Gods. It was balancing out the realms.
"Nice going, Kazuki." Hachiro sighed. "This Souru guy's probably having one helluva time here in Japan."
xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
"You're using your own money?" Miaka asked as she rode behind Nuriko on the horse. They had just left the Eiyo border.
"Yeah, don't worry about it."
"But can't you get funds from Hotohori?"
Nuriko laughed lightly. "I'm sure if I wanted Hotohori-sama to reimburse me, he would, but it doesn't really matter. After you left three years ago, I decided to join the marketing company Rokou inherited from my father. Anyways, I have enough money to go around, it's not like I'm stretching the limit going to Reikaku. What do you think I am, a pauper?" Nuriko joked.
Miaka tried to smile, but felt uneasy. "I hope we get their safely."
"We will, Miaka. We will."
xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
Red exuberance filled the apartment once again, Kazuki arriving back in what looked like a Chinese robe.
Hachiro stared blankly. "You were gone for twenty minutes!"
"Oh, it was much longer than that, I'm sure." Kazuki grinned mischievously. "It's amazing Hachiro, Amazing. What's happening?"
Hachiro sighed. "Tell me about what you saw, then we'll worry about the book. Oh, and there's something I should tell you."
"Hm?" Kazuki slumped onto the couch.
"When you went into Konan, some guy from that world ended up here in Japan, or at least that's what the book said."
"So?" Kazuki remarked.
"So... every time you go into the book, someone from the book has to come here in order to balance it out."
Kazuki shrugged. "It's not my problem. If that's so, he's back now anyway."
"I'm just saying. So, tell me what happened!"
xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
That night Nuriko and Miaka stayed at an inn called the "White Dragon," rising early to continue their journey north-ward. Miaka found herself saddle sore, having not ridden a horse for a very long time. At one point Nuriko let her steer, but it proved to be a very bad idea that nearly ended in broken bones. The mountain range could be seen at the end of the second night, and by the next morning, their destination came into view.
"There's Reikaku!" Miaka pointed ahead, seeing the mountain in the distance.
"I'm surprised we haven't run into any bandits yet..." Nuriko sounded suspicious. He looked to his left. "Speaking of which..."
Three horsemen were riding towards them very fast, the horses' gallop kicking up dirt clouds behind them. They shouted at the animals to go faster, and soon reached Nuriko, two of the half-shaven men on either side of Sutarii, and one in the front, holding a dagger in his hand.
"Alright bub, you better be gettin' out any of da money in dat pouch of yers, cuz it takes gold t'pass into our territory." The one with the dagger said.
Miaka hugged tighter to Nuriko.
Nuriko on the other hand didn't look threatened at all, more like he was... bored. "Oh really?"
"Yeah, really." The man pointed his dagger at Nuriko's head. "Now pay up, er get lost."
The other two bandits laughed.
Nuriko took up his reigns. "You're the Mt. Reikaku bandits, aren't you?"
"What's it to ya?" One of the side men snapped.
"Sure we are, but who wants ta know?" The dagger asked, licking his lips.
Nuriko groaned. "Listen, I'm on business with your leader, Tasuki or Genrou or whatever you want to call him, and you and your crack robbery are wasting my time."
"How does he know th' leader, Haryu?" The bandit on the left asked.
The bandit in front moved his horse closer. "I dun know how you got th' boss's name, but I ain't dumb enough ta fall for any tricks!" The bandit lunged his dagger at Nuriko, making Miaka scream.
Nuriko grabbed the man's wrist and pulled him off the horse, squeezing until the man dropped his dagger and showed some sign of pain. Nuriko held him by the side of Sutarii, two feet off the ground, with one hand, looking him straight in the face.
"Listen, I'm not in a big kick-your-butt mood right now, so why don't you be an escort for me, hm? It would be nice to get to that mountain without anymore morons getting in my way." Nuriko said dryly, releasing the bandit.
"Nuriko..." Miaka hummed behind him.
"Nuriko?" The man on the left said, watching his comrade drop to the ground. "Hey Haryu! I think he's one of them Suzaku guys like th' boss!"
"Yer... tellin' me..." Haryu moaned from the ground, rubbing his arm. "Ya could of just said somethin' in the first place!"
"Oh joy." Nuriko stated sarcastically. "So, are you going to escort us, or not?"
"Yeah yeah, we'll getcha ta the bloody mountain..." Haryu stood up and pulled his horse away from Nuriko, remounting it. "C'mon."
The three bandits, Haryu, Kishuu, and "Blade," as he called himself, lead Nuriko and Miaka to the mountain, passing a few more men on horses the way there. Upon reaching the base, the group tied their horses up to start the climb.
"Hey you!" Haryu called up to someone ahead. "Go get th' boss and tell 'im dat we got some people who wanna see 'im!" The bandit turned back to Nuriko and Miaka, jerking his head up. "Thisaway." He said, leading the way, Kishuu and Blade following behind. Miaka held onto Nuriko's elbow the whole way up.
Once the seishi and his priestess entered into the actually structure of the bandit hideout, a familiar face was there to greet them.
"Hey, it's you guys!" Kouji announced, shooing Haryu and his friends away. "I was expectin' someone else, t'say the least."
Nuriko smiled. "Long time no see, Kouji."
"And th' little lady's here an everythin'. Genrou will be glad t'see you guys, I'm sure. I myself get sick of all these dirt bags 'round here myself." Kouji chuckled.
"Hey boss, that was harsh." Kishuu frowned, still in the vicinity.
"Ah, you'll get over it." Kouji waved Nuriko and Miaka in. "C'mon this way, it'll be like a surprise party or somethin'."
Kouji led the two down a hallway, up some stairs, through a few doors, and down another hallway to a pair of large, double doors that boasted old engravings carved upon them.
"Knock knock, who's there?" Kouji began the routine Miaka knew well, but Nuriko sweat dropped at it. "Kouji, that's who. What do you want Kouji? Well, I gots some visitors from out of town who would like t'see you, that's what. Oh, visitors? I'd love some company. Come on in. Thank you." Kouji pushed open both the doors to the room to see Tasuki impatiently waiting at the other side.
"Who th' hell is smart enough t'come here?" Tasuki asked. He spotted Nuriko first, and smiled a fang. "Miss me, huh?" Miaka's head poked from behind him.
"Tasuki!" Miaka was the first to speak this time, running up and giving the man a hug.
"What the..." He pulled the 23-year-old away. "Miaka?! Yer back?"
Miaka nodded. "Mmhmm, Nuriko brought me here to see you."
Tasuki raised an eyebrow at Nuriko. "You rode all th' way out here for a reunion?"
Nuriko shook his head. "Not just that, Tasuki. We have a little problem on our hands."
The doors to the room were shut, Kouji taking the pleasure to stick around as Nuriko talked to Tasuki, telling him about the incident with Miaka and about what happened at the palace. Tasuki listened intently, nodding here and there. Then Nuriko brought up the topic of Chichiri.
"Honestly, I don't know where he is right now." Tasuki confessed. "I haven't seen th' monk for nearly two months now... give or take, but last time he dropped by, he said he was headin' t'Hokkan for a while."
"Hokkan?" Nuriko repeated. "Well, that's perfect."
Miaka sighed with disappointment. "Too bad Inami's not around, I bet she could..." Miaka caught two sets of eyes staring at her, and she realized she had brought up a tender subject. "I mean... uh... good thing there's no Tsunamis around here..."
"Anyway..." Nuriko went on, "I don't think there's anyway we're going to get a hold of Chichiri easily, and I'm not going to drag myself around the continent looking for him."
"'Chiri stops by the mountain every now and then." Kouji added in his own two cents.
"He stops by the palace whenever he's nearby too." Nuriko said. "Hmm... maybe if he left two months ago, he'll be back soon. Mitsukake should be easier to find, but Chichiri's the one who has that 'all-knowing' sense about him."
Tasuki grumbled. "Disappearin' signs and monsters that appear outta no where? S'ppose anythin's possible now a days..."
Nuriko inhaled slowly. "Well, we need to get back to the palace. Hotohori-sama wants us to put our heads together, so to speak, and figure out what's going on."
"Hey Genrou... check it out..." Kouji pointed to the wall.
The group turned to see the fading glimmer of two symbols spelling out "palace."
"What the...."
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
"....hell?"
Nuriko, Tasuki, and Miaka suddenly found themselves in the throne room of the Konan palace.
Tasuki jumped. "I was lookin' at th' wall of my room just a second ago!!!"
"Nuriko, Tasuki, when did you arrive?"
The seishi turned to see a tall man garbed in yellow and red imperial clothes.
"Boushin," Miaka spoke up, "you look just like Hotohori."
Boushin's brown eyes widened. "Miaka-san? So it is true, you've returned to our land."
"Boushin-sama, where's your father?" Nuriko asked.
"He is with my mother, I believe. I can send someone for him."
Nuriko rubbed his head. "Please..." He turned back to the bandit and Miaka. "My horse is still down there..."
xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx
"I don't think it would have been that bad to just wait for them to travel back to the palace." Hachiro stated.
Kazuki shrugged, changed back into normal clothing. "I tend to be impatient, Hachiro."
"I'm quite aware."
Kazuki paced the expansion of the living room in thought. "I'll let this story continue for a while, but I need to think up something to make it more interesting."
"We can find that Chichiri guy and bring him in." Hachiro suggested.
Kazuki shook his head. "Something bigger." He glanced out his window again, seeing stars in the sky. "Hmm... it's late Hachiro, I think I'll sleep on it. Be back here in the morning."
Hachiro closed the book and stood up, stretching his back. "No can do, I have band practice. Don't you gotta work tomorrow anyway?"
"I can call in sick. This is much more worthy of my time."
Hachiro picked his guitar case off the couch by the TV. "You're a writer, Kazuki, can't you write this stuff yourself?"
"I'm not a complex man. Be back here tomorrow." Kazuki almost ordered.
Hachiro waved his hand. "All right, I'll be here. Don't do anything stupid."
"And Hachiro?" Kazuki called as the taller man reached for the doorknob.
"Yeah?"
"We'll keep this our little secret."
"Gotcha." Hachiro opened the door and left.
"Besides..." Kazuki picked the worn piece of literature off the couch. "Playtime is so much more fun when you don't have to share..."
--- --- ---
Author's Comments: Just in case you didn't figure it out, just pretend Nuriko's Horse's name is in Katakana. It really doesn't matter, but I thought I'd just point out that the animal's name is "Starry."