Hello, this is S.P.! (I couldn't decide between Sakura Priestess and Snowy Plum, so now it's S.P.! This is the latest update. And I know it's late! Bad joke, I know. This chapter has lots of light-hearted humour and Amiboshi-Ai cuteness! Sorry, it's only cuteness at this stage. In the later chapters you might find Ai asking Ami-kun to play songs like Bring Me To Life and Ai No Uta. I know it does not sound appropriate since BMTL is an American song (it is, right?) and Ai No Uta is from the second Inuyasha movie. But I couldn't resist. They are cool songs. By the way, I typed this while listening to Asian pop music. Have anyone noticed that Asian music is lot more dreamier and tend to be a little slower than American ones? A lot of them have this Anime-feel to it, at least the ones I listen to. I guess it's the cultural aspect. They also really take care on doing the background music of the songs, a lot of the songs I listen to have sounds of thunder, rain, flute, or even swords clashing during battle. I guess this is more to my taste than your average American rap, I don't know.
I think I'm starting to sound like Watase-Sensei. (S.P. with dreamy eyes: Watase-sama! My hero!) Gotta lay off on those chat-sections. Anyway, now it's time your read, and then, it's time to review. Got it? Good. (Just kidding, like I would threaten my readers)
Ai walked sullenly towards her home while kicking a pebble absent-mindedly. The test had been a major killer and the lack of studying as well as having ten thousand things on her mind didn't help either. She was not sure if she flunked and if she did, what would Mother think?
The thought of Mother filled her heart with bitterness. She had extremely high expectations on all her children, especially Ai. But she's not around long enough to help them with their studies or problems in life. She was constantly away on business trips and on the days when she was actually at home, she's usually doing paperwork or catching on some rest. It's as if she was escaping from some unhappy memories. The unhappy memory was of course, father. At that, Ai refused to think any further.
When Ai came around the bend, she hesitated. Not wanting to face her brothers just yet, she turned and walked towards the shrine. She pushed open the wooden doors, expecting to find an empty courtyard. Instead, she was nearly deafened by someone shouting "Aieeeee!"
Ai nearly stumbled over. All seven seishis and the Inuyasha gang assembled in the courtyard. Wait, seven? But Amiboshi's here. Where's Mitsukake?
"So, what are you all doing here?"
Ai did not get an instant reply. Now, the people in the courtyard were staring at her as if they had seen a ghost, wearing expressions that were impossible to comprehend. Ai smiled bitterly to herself. She'd have to remember not to wear this school uniform too often, it seemed that it had the power to bring back unpleasant memories…
Finally, Chiriko had the sense to break the uncomfortable silence. "We've come to get you, Ai-san."
"But, it's been only one day," said Ai, puzzled.
"Yes, but something urgent has come up. Yesterday, while in the palace, Hotohori-sama and I both felt awash in chi. It seems like Mitsukake was sending us a warning signal of some sort. He is currently in a village near Kutou, curing people from a plague, but he might be in trouble. And that's not all. A Kutou messenger had dropped some disturbing hints. We need to investigate as soon as we can." Chiriko explained.
"I understand," said Ai, "but if that's the case, then why is Inuyasha here?"
Inuyasha quietly growled. "I'm coming with you. There's been not a stir in my era lately, and I want to find out where Naraku is. Besides, I need to make sure that you don't waste your time. We still have jewel shards to find."
"In other words, he's grown quite attached to you already, Ai-chan," said Shippo matter-of-factly. Inuyasha suddenly grew very red in the face. "Why you…"
"No need to hit a little kid Inuyasha," said Ai sternly, "I'll just organize my backpack then I'll come with you."
"Oh no you don't!" boomed a voice behind her, "Not until you give us a decent explanation of what's going on."
Ai's heart skipped a beat. "Yutaka, what are you doing here?"
"Just about to ask you the exact same thing," said Yutaka, "I know you come here often to help Kaede-obaasan and Taiitukan-abaasan with the upkeep of the shrine, but I'm afraid that things had gone a bit odd lately. And who the heck are these…these…people?" (S.P. (authoress): Yukata, are you racist?)
Ai looked nervously at the two Elders. Kaede nodded. Ai took a deep breath, here it goes!
"So, do you actually believe what I said?" asked Ai fifteen minutes later.
Yukata thought about it for a moment, then sighed, "I'll have to believe it, seeing as evidences were standing right in front of me."
Ai squeaked, "Thanks bro. I knew you'd come around."
"Don't think you're off the hook!" snarled Yutaka, "And you!" he pointed to the stunned men, "If you touch my sister, you DIE!" (S.P.: I, um, think your threat rings hollow)
"Yutaka! You're embarrassing me!" hissed Ai.
"As if!" Haru, Ai's younger brother, chimed in. 'Ai's so clumsy and ugly that she'll never get a boyfriend! But I wouldn't mind one of them though," added Haru thoughtfully, "They are all so cool! I'll finally have a cool brother! Can you really throw fire with that thing, Mr. Scary Face?" he pointed to Tasuki's tessen.
"Are you saying that I'm not cool?" bellowed Yutaka.
"No," replied Haru coolly, "I'm just saying that Ai could marry someone cooler."
"Don't I get a say in this?" said Ai, her eyes twitching.
"No!" said both her brothers together.
An extreme family, thought Tamahome as he watched Ai chasing her brothers around the courtyard.
When it's finally time to set off, another problem arose. The Universe Of the Four Gods would accept the Seishis and the Miko, but Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were a whole different story, literally. Would the portal open for them as well?
When Ai addressed this concern to Chichiri, he replied, "If everything the Priestess does weaves into the Universe of the Four Gods, I don't believe this should be a problem, no da. For the God Suzaku himself had mentioned the Shikon Jewel to you in the dream, it could be that Inuyasha and his friends were meant to be involved all along, no da! But just as a precaution, I suggest you link hands, no da!"
In the end the Seishis stood huddled together near Ai, while she held Sango's hand to help her cross the barrier. Miroku stood next to Sango, his expression lecherous and gleeful. Before he could grab Sango's hand (or behind), Ai jumped in and put Shippo between them. Miroku sighed and grabbed Inuyasha's sleeve, who growled in annoyance. Slowly Ai opened the Scroll (the original Universe Of the Four Gods were destroyed after Miaka's death), a warm red glow enveloped her and the seishis immediately. The light traveled through their linked hands to Sango and the Inu gang. Yutaka's jaw dropped wide open and Haru exclaimed, "Wow, it's real Sis!" Ai would've laughed at them if not for that she's already traveling through the gap between the worlds.
They traveled steadily east. The Seishis rode on five horses. Hotohori once again stayed behind. Miroku also took a horse, and dumped the two kids, Shippo and Chiriko on Inuyasha's back. Needless to say, the hanyou complained loudly about "being stuck babysitting". Not forgetting the problems last time, Chichiri assigned Tasuki a fat, mild tempered mare, much to the bandit's embarrassment.
"Why can't ya just spirit us to wherever we're goin'?" grumbled Tasuki.
"I can only transport a few people before I run out of strength, no da. Besides, Hotohori-sama specifically instructed us to scan the country side, no da."
"Yeah, but ta think that such a manly, masculine bandit leader like me…" Tasuki couldn't continue due to shame.
Ai and Sango flew on Kirara overhead. For a while she forgot about all her problems and missions and enjoyed the ride. Vast terrains passed under them while the cool autumn wind blew on her face. This, she decided, was how absolute freedom felt like.
They stopped at midday to rest and have lunch. A village could be seen ahead. Not wanting to alert anyone of their arrival, they gathered in the woods, well out of sight of the villagers. The small settlement seemed peaceful. The houses were plain, some no more than huts. But there was a serene comfort in the smokes that rose out of the chimneys and the barking and neighing of farm animals. Everything is so…so real in the olden days, thought Ai as she chewed on her pork bun, not like my era, where things are all so artificial and cold.
Soon, they took off again. They passed several small villages without stopping, always taking the longer route around. The view had become boring and the blowing wind made conversation impossible between she and Sango. Ai became increasingly sleepy until Sango's shriek of pleasant surprise woke her with a start.
Ai looked down, and was shocked to find that the usual green landscape and gentle hills had been replaced by the shimmering surface of a broad river. The water shone like a thousand diamonds glimmering in the sun. The current was fierce, steady, and strong; Ai could hear its thundering marching song from Kirara's back. Despite its size the water was pure and clear. Near the shore Ai could see trout two feet long jumping merrily in and out of the water. She was amazed.
On the grassland by the shore, the small band of horsemen halted and signaled them to come down. Kirara dived into descent (another thrilling experience) and landed sturdily on the ground. Ai hopped down and Amiboshi was immediately by her side.
"River Kai," said Amiboshi as they both stood by the shore watching the tumbling river while the strong wind blew on their faces, "one of the biggest rivers in our world. It originates in the Northern Mountains and flows through Konan. Then, when it reaches the Kutou border, it will double back and flow to Sairo. (S.P. : now does that sound like a tourist guide reciting lines or what?)
"Wow Amiboshi," Ai was impressed, "you are starting to sound like Chiriko!"
"Oh he doesn't just sound like Chiriko, now do ya, Amiboshi?" Tasuki's deep growl could be heard coming from behind them, his face hard and unfriendly toward the Seiryu Seishi.
Amiboshi started to have an odd feeling in his stomach, he shifted uncomfortably. Judged by her casual expression, he decided that Chichiri didn't tell her much about his history with the Suzaku Seven. Well, Tasuki's bound to sometimes, thought Amiboshi, though strangely the idea of Ai knowing about his betrayal didn't sound appealing at all. Luckily, Tasuki was whisked away by Nuriko.
"Well, I guess I just have a special history with this river," replied Amiboshi simply, "I know things that concern me. You know, a branch river of Kai flows through Konan's capital, too. It's not nearly as impressive as the main river, and it runs straight for the Sairo border. But…" he let the sentence hang, then stared out into space.
By nightfall they had traveled a great distance along the river, which ran east-westward towards Sairo. They stopped and set up Camp in a small clearing in the woods. Miroku and Tamahome gathered the firewood and Tasuki set it on fire, after he charred Tamahome.
"You know Tasuki, maybe you are a demon," commented Nuriko when they were all sitting near the fire eating supper.
"What's that supposed to mean you #&!" Tasuki exploded, while waving his fan dangerously in the air, "Ain't that Tama Obake-Chan's title?"
"Leave me out of it!' Tamahome shouted.
"You know how the demons we met, Inuyasha, Koga, all have fangs, and so do you. Doesn't that say something? I mean, even Ai-chan's creeped out at them."
Ai grinned sheepishly, "Hey, I just watched one Dracula movie too many, okay?"
"You mean you are really scared of them?" asked Tasuki, for the first time in his life he felt self-conscious by his fangs.
"This is not what I…"
"Why do I have to be like those two mutt demons!" cried Tasuki.
"Hey!" Inuyasha's face grew beet-red, "Don't you dare calling me a mutt! Oh great… I'll have another Koga at my heels."
"Don't you compare me with THAT wolf demon!"
"What? Even Ai said you two were so alike that you could be brothers, right?" Inuyasha smirked.
"Shut up Mutt!"
"What did you say…"
Everyone nearby was starting to have a headache until finally Nuriko pulled them apart and punched Tasuki into a nearby tree.
Ai was content to hear them bicker, until a tune of flute drifted into her ear. It was light and mild, but it managed to rise above the noises of shouting and bodies being slammed around, though no one else seemed to notice…
Amiboshi leaned against a tree trunk, his features silhouetted by moonlight. His fingers danced nimbly on his flute in rhythm with the leaping fire. His face was dreamily focused, and very handsomely so. Strands of golden-blond hair fell elegantly across his face. Behind that veil of golden silk, peeked out eyes that were as warm as the rays of the sun, as sweet as honey, and as clear as a mountain spring.
Ai's body seemed to move on its own. Swiftly she grabbed her backpack and took out a sketching kit, (S.P. : what did you think she was going to do, hentais?)something she had intended to bring along for days. She rested the drawing board on her knees and soon her pencil, too, danced with the rhythm on the smooth white paper.
"Hey Ai, watcha doin' there?" Tasuki yelled when he realized that Ai's been silent for a long while now, and frequently casting glances at Amiboshi, which annoyed him a whole lot.
"Wow, she's drawn a picture of Amiboshi playing the flute, and lookin' good too!" Nuriko said excitedly.
"Hey! How come I don't get a picture?" Tasuki complained.
"Cuz your face is too scary!" teased Nuriko, "You should draw me next Ai-chan! See how pretty I am?"
"You really have talent," complimented Sango, Miroku nodded in agreement.
"It… it's nothing really!" exclaimed Ai, embarrassed. She peeked at Amiboshi, he already stopped playing and was listening in amusement.
Inuyasha growled again,
Side Scene:
Chiriko: Why is that guy Inuyasha growling all the time?
Shippo: Cuz he's jealous.
Chiriko: I still miss Miaka, but not so much now. Ai-chan's great! The books she gave me were absolutely fascinating. Do you think some of the other Seishis still miss her? They were in love with Miaka, you know.
Shippo: Inuyasha likes Kagome-chan, too. But I'd say Ai-chan keeps them entertained quite well. Oh, you win again!" (They were playing shoot-the-pebble)
Chiriko: It's really not that difficult, actually. You just have to find the ratio of the distances between the pebble as well as their geometric relations, then apply the appropriate amount of force and motion…
His character disappeared.
Chiriko?
Ai finally managed to get away from the crowd with Amiboshi. They walked to the edge of the clearing, where through the trees the water of River Kai could be seen glowing under the moonlight, flowing under a thin layer of silver mist.
"I didn't mean to, don't be offended…" Ai strove to explain.
Amiboshi grinned. "Why should I be offended? It's an honour to be drawn in a portrait. You made me look better than in real life!"
Ai looked down at the drawing, the coal-sketched woods were deep and dark, but a soft light surrounded the flute-player-on-paper, his eyes were clear and focused, the music seemed to flow out of the player's mouth, though no sounds came. Oh Amiboshi, said Ai silently, you are much more beautiful in real life…
"If… if you like, the sketching is yours," said Ai.
"R…really?" Amiboshi was excited, only rich people had portraits in his world. "Thank you! I'll play you anything you like!" he said as he took out his flute.
"Can you play Bring Me To Life, or Break Away, or how about songs from Japan? Scarlet, Ai No Uta…" said Ai.
"And they are songs from which tribe?" inquired Amiboshi.
"Err," Ai sweat-dropped, "Never mind."
"I guess I'll just play you a love song from southern Konan. Konan love ballads are the best in the four realms."
"Love… love song? Great, huh," said Ai nervously.
The music flowed, it suited the scenery completely. The melody was dreamy and sweet. At that moment Ai wished nothing more than just than just for this moment to last forever. Ai felt a warm surge inside her. For a moment she thought the Feather of Suzaku she wore around her neck glowed. But when she looked at it again, the feather was laying lightless and peaceful against her chest, if a little too warm.
