Disclaimer: I currently have about 170 dollars. It's not enough to buy the characters of Inuyasha and Fushigi Yugi, so I'll just be content with buying comics, DVDs and posters instead.
"Ah, so this is the ancient China!" Ai exclaimed. She was standing on top of a high, grassy cliff, watching the land of Konan unfold before her eyes, slightly covered with a thin layer of silver mist. She could see everything, mountains, rivers, villages, and rice fields. This feels so good, she thought as she felt the gentle wind brushing her face, bringing the wetness of the cool morning dew, I could've never done this in the city.
"So, you like it?" asked Nuriko. "Are you kidding? I love it!" Ai said, beaming. "I was raised in a small town by the mountains, and it was beautiful like here. Then my parents divorced and we moved to Tokyo with my mom and brothers when I was about five years old. I always dreamed that one day I would go back to the mountains, to the wilderness, and to the friendly small town people. That's where I belong." "Yeah, Konan's okay," said Nuriko casually. Ai chuckled.
Nearby, Chichiri overheard this conversation and smiled behind his mask. Their miko seemed to like their world, now that's a good start.
Hotohori and Mitsukake came back, each leading several horses. "You are not s-serious, are ya? Horses?" Tasuki gulped. Though no one else noticed, he could've sworn that his horse grinned at him evilly. "Yes Tasuki, you have to ride a horse," said Hotohori, then he turned to Ai, "I'm sorry priestess, but you'll have to share a horse with someone. The stable only had seven horses left. Chiriko will be sharing with Mitsukake, Amiboshi, you get your own horse." The gentle seiryu seishi nodded. "I could take you, Priestess Ai," Tamahome gallantly offered, but Nuriko already hauled Ai up his horse. "Wow, you're strong!" Ai commented after she saw Nuriko lifting her up with one arm. "That was nothing," Nuriko shrugged, "So, are you comfortable?" Ai nodded, she was sitting in front of Nuriko, enveloped in his arms. "Okay, let's go! We must go back to Hotohori's palace before nightfall," said Chichiri. At this, Nuriko led his horse into a slow gallop.
The trip was enjoyable, most of the time. Ai made a lot of conversations with Nuriko. She knew that she liked Nuriko very much because she's very humorous and fun to be with; also she's the only female seishi in the group. (Sakura: oh, you are gonna be VERY surprised priestess) But, even though she's not familiar with traveling in Konan, Ai couldn't help but notice that they didn't make very good time. Part of this, okay all of this, was Tasuki's fault. He seemed to be in a power struggle with his horse. He got thrown off by the horse fifteen times. At the sixteenth time, Tasuki got mad and used his fire tessen, leaving a bald spot on the horse's head. He put one foot on the saddle triumphantly as he heard the horse whimper. The horse, however, was not as intimidated as he led Tasuki to believe. Soon, Tasuki was kneeling down with a hoof mark on his butt, begging. The horse chuckled evilly.
"Okay, that's it! Someone has to share with him," Chichiri said with finality when he saw that the horse made Tasuki carry him. "But the horse won't be able to bear two men, it's too heavy," said Tamahome. "Then I'll do it," Ai volunteered. "Are you sure you can handle it, wench?" asked Tasuki suspiciously. He threw the horse to the ground and got another hoof mark. "Well, anyone's better than you," said Ai matter-of-factly. She then jumped off Nuriko's horse and swung herself up Tasuki's expertly. "Tasuki, hold on to my waist," she instructed, " 'Cause ready or not, here we go!" at this, she kicked the horse into a full gallop. "Whoa!" exclaimed Tasuki. Ai held firm to the rein, the horse obeyed her every command without protests. It's so good to be riding a horse again, she thought as she heard the wind zooming past her. In all her excitement, she never heard Nuriko's sulking complaint: "Thanks a lot, Tasuki. You just have to go and ruin it."
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTomo stood on the top of a stony cliff, watching the small band of people on horsebacks. He noticed that they were enjoying the ride. "They won't enjoy it any longer," he chuckled softly, "The traitor, the Suzaku scums, and their precious priestess will die!" He was just about to jump down when something caught his eye; a band of ruffians were approaching the company. Perfect, he thought, a distraction just makes it all better.
"We'll rest for a while," Chichiri said to everyone after about an hour of journeying. Ai eagerly jumped off the horse after Tasuki had (somewhat reluctantly) let go of her waist. Nuriko immediately approached her, "Want to sit with me?" "Sure," Ai said as they both made way under a looming tree.
"So, how's the ride with Tasuki?" asked Nuriko casually. "It's okay, I rode horses a lot when I lived in the country side. I haven't in a long time so I was really enjoying it and didn't pay any attention to Tasuki," Ai replied. "Is that so? But I bet you would've had a much better time with me," remarked Nuriko. Ai smiled, "I guess so." Nuriko grinned, just when he was about to say something, a strong arm grabbed Ai from behind the tree.
"Ai, are you okay?" Nuriko called out as he swung around. He saw a group of ruffians, each carrying some sort of weapon. One of them held tightly a struggling young girl. "Oh no you don't!" said Nuriko as his seishi mark glowed. And with a growl, he lifted the man up and threw him into a nearby tree.
"Nuriko, what's wrong?" Tamahome asked as he and the rest of the seishis hurried over. "Thanks Nuriko, I'll take it from here," said Ai as she picked herself off the ground. "What?" Nuriko was puzzled. Without answering, Ai ran towards the ruffians. "You are going down," she said as she knocked each of them down punches and kicks. "Now that's a workout," Ai said as she rubbed her hands together, not noticing the gasps and stares behind her. "S-she is good," muttered Tamahome.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Hotohori. The seishis and their miko nodded. "Yeah we're okay. But is it just me or did the sky just turned black?" said Tasuki. Indeed, a fleet of dark, ominous clouds suddenly covered up the entire sky.
Just when everyone was wondering what's going on, they heard a soft chuckle coming from behind them. "Tomo!" Amiboshi realized. "What ails you traitor? You don't deserve to call my name," Tomo smirked. "Let me finish this clown face off, Lekka Shinen!" cried Tasuki as he shot flames towards Tomo with his iron fan. "Is that all you're capable of?" said Tomo calmly as he gracefully dodged the flames. "Damn it!" Tasuki swore. "I believe it's time to spice things up a little, don't you agree?" Tomo then took out one of his seashells and flicked it open. And then, out of no where, a gigantic tidal wave appeared and was rushing towards them, making thunderous noise that could intimidate even the bravest of warriors. "I hate WATER!" yelled Tasuki, he was running at super speed. Still, it wasn't fast enough. Soon a giant wave splashed down on him and swallowed him. "Tasuki!" yelled Nuriko. "Oh no, we're all gonna be under water soon!" shouted Tamahome urgently. "But the tidal wave can't be real," reasoned Ai. "No it's not," explained Chiriko, "he was using his 'shin', or shells to create an illusion." "An illusion… I know!" Ai suddenly remembered the bow and arrows she saw the ruffians carry, yes, it will work. She rushed towards where the ruffians were a few moments ago. She was running as fast as she could, knowing that she must get to it before the water reaches it.
"Ai, what are you doing?" yelled Nuriko, "Come back here!" "Too late," said Tamahome, " 'cause here comes the water." The huge wall of water sped towards them at impossible speed. It was at least ten stories high. The roaring of the waves was thunderous and deafening. It sounded like the growling of a ferocious beast before it strikes down and makes the kill. Any seconds now…
"Break through the illusion!" Ai commanded as she shot her arrow. As it flew, a reddish-pink light surrounded it. The arrow landed right on the tip of the tidal wave. The red light began to spread and suddenly, with a burst of sacred energy, the illusion disappeared.
"Whew, that was close," sighed Tasuki, all of a sudden dry. The dark clouds disappeared and the sun began to shine again like nothing's happened before. "Good work, Ai!" Nuriko complimented, "If it's not for you, we're all goners." "Where did you learn to do that?" asked Tamahome curiously. "It's the Priestess's sacred arrow," explained Ai, "it can break through any spell, barrier, and illusion." "Wow, it's amazing," said Chiriko, deeply awed. Even with his knowledge, he had never heard anything quite like it before. However, their rejoicing was cut short by Tomo's soft chuckling. "Suzaku scums, you might have won this time but you don't have a chance against Master Nakago! Especially when," he paused, looking at Ai, "especially when Suzaku's powers are banished!" He then disappeared into thin air, but his chuckles still echoed through the air.
"That bastard!" Tasuki swore. "Is it true?" asked Ai. "Is what true?" asked Nuriko. "The part he said about Suzaku. Is he really banished?" Everyone fell silent. "Yes, Suzaku's powers had been banished by Seiryu, Kutou's god," answered Chichiri gravely. "But we still have our powers. Taiitsukun suspects that Suzaku had kept some of his powers in a sacred object, untouched by Seiryu, in order to let us keep our constellation powers and protect Konan. As for where or what the object is, we don't know. But we must get it before the enemy does!"
For the rest of the trip everyone was disheartened and paranoid. Tasuki even jumped at the sight of squirrels. And when they finally reached the imperial palace of Konan, everyone was eager to go off to bed. Ai gulped down a few spoonful of hot soup and hurried to her room.
She loved her room at first sight. It was Chinese style and had intricate wooden carvings everywhere, especially on the frame of the big window that faced the moonlit garden. Soft curtains hung by the window and around her bed, gently swaying in the wind. By the red wood table there were a few shoots of bamboo, standing gracefully. There was also a jasmine plant on the wooden stand, filling the room with the sweet, enchanting scent of its delicate white flowers. Everything in the room, from the furniture to the painting and calligraphy that hung on the wall, looked peaceful and serene.
Ai washed herself using the water in a big china bowl. She then used the leftover water to water the plants. She changed into a light purple, kimono-like robe and then blew out the candle, leaving the room in darkness.
Ai lied on her soft bed, thinking about how quiet it was. Back in Tokyo there were sounds even in the middle of the night. Electrical hums of the refrigerator, cars from the streets, but now she could hear nothing except for the soft singing of night birds and crickets. Their music was comforting, as was the silver moonlight. Ai was feeling very peaceful and soon, the exhaustion overcame her and she fell into a cozy slumber.
Ai was floating through the space between the two worlds. It was a strange feeling. She was floating but not on water, and bubbles of colors and twinkles of light floated beside her. All around she could see nothing but reddish colors and light, the space seemed to stretch on and on. Ai could even feel sparks of electricity running through her skin and hair, giving her a tingling feeling.
Where am I? She questioned, what am I doing here?
"Priestess," a deep voice echoed through the time and space. "Priestess," it boomed again. "Who are you?" Ai panicked, swung around. "Don't be frightened, I won't hurt you," the voice said. Ai then saw an extravagantly dressed man with bright red hair and red wings. Although he appeared to be young, his face showed wisdom so deep only time could bring. And there was a soft red glow around him, making him almost, god-like.
"Suzaku," Ai breathed. "Yes, I am the god of love, fire, and summer, Suzaku," the young man said, "and I have something for you that you must guard with your life." Although his voice was steady and calm, he sounded a bit weak. "My time with you is limited, it took me great strength to see you in your dream. As you know, I have been banished by my brother god Seiryu. But I have kept a small portion of my powers in one my feathers to sustain the Suzaku seishis. I hope that one day they will save Konan, with the help of you." The bird god looked at Ai, "I cannot hide the feather from Seiryu any longer, I must give it to you." Suzaku held out his hand, and a flame-red feather held by a string appeared in his palm. "Guard it," he said, "protect it and it will protect you." Ai took the feather from his palm and grasped it firmly in her hand. "I will," she said solemnly. "Also, find the Sacred Jewel." "What?" Ai blurted out, thinking she heard it wrong. "Find the Sacred Jewel," repeated Suzaku, his figure already fading, "and unite it with the feather, then the Sacred Amulet will be complete." "The Sacred Jewel? Shikon No Tama?" asked Ai. "Find the jewel," Suzaku said, his voice now sounded distant, "create the Sacred Amulet, for the enemies have united…" Suzaku disappeared, his voice echoed then faded. Suddenly Ai felt the world spinning around her, with a scream, she found herself sat upright in her bed, panting for breath.
"So it's a dream?" she asked herself, then felt the still warm feather in her sweaty palm. Okay, maybe not. "Find the Sacred Jewel, the enemies have united…" she thought over Suzaku's words, then a realization dawned her, "Ah, does it mean that…" Ai gasped at the ominous thought.
A/N: Do you like this chapter? When I first wrote it, I have no idea where it's going. I just let my imagination takes me. And now it's finished, I think it's not so bad.
For your FYI, the description of mountains and countryside came from my own experiences. I used to live in the mountains then I moved to a big city. As for her room, it just came to me very clearly, I don't know why. And for the jasmine, I love jasmine. I used to have one and I loved it, I cared for it everyday. Then I moved to Canada two years ago and I have to give it to one of my close friends. I hope she takes care of it well.
I also dreamed of riding horses and doing archery. I'm a complete amateur when it comes to horses and I haven't gotten the chance to shoot arrows yet, how sad.
As for the Nuriko gender thing, I know it's confusing but don't blame me. Blame Watase-sensei.
