A.N. Hey there everyone! How is everyone? I'm doing pretty good, though I still have not achieved my goal of actually working up the courage needed to ask out the guy I like. Not that I ever will, but yeah. I can still dream can't I? Anywho, I'm afraid I might have lost all respect as an authoress for that last chapter I posted. God I sucked at writing it! I need to get better at writing lemons. How? With the wonderful miracle of Roleplaying! Though I'm sure comments could inspire me to write them more often, thus getting my practice that way. hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge, send me some damn comments Jking jking. I'm in a good mood. Seriously though...BY THE GODS!! I almost didn't post that last chapter I was soooooo embarrassed! Oh! And Tasuki is better in bed I think. I don't know though, they're so different. So we'll have to hold a vote on who everyone thinks is the best! lol.
Lena: Anywho, as you can guess from the title, I unfortunately will be bringing Tamahome back into this story and yes, there will be a conflict. But....between who?
Chichiri: sweatdrop Its kinda obvious Lena-san, no da.
Lena: No it isn't. And I thought I told you to call me Lena.
Tasuki: Yeah it is.
Lena: No it isn't.
Tamahome: Yes it is. We all know I'm going to fight Chichiri and take back Miaka.
Chichiri: Glowing a suspicious red as he grips his staff Touch her and die Tamahome.
Lena: It is not obvious!
Tasuki: Yes it is!
Lena: No it isn't!
Tamahome: running away from Chichiri I'll touch her if I want to touch her! She's mine MONK!
Tasuki: Yeah it is!
Lena: NO IT ISN'T!
Tasuki: Cowering before her No it isn't!
Lena: Nods Good boy. Now then...On with the chapter!
Tamahome: Screams as Chichiri manages to chi-blast him
Chichiri: Miaka's mine bitch! Bow to your master!! ... ... ... ...no da... .
Everyone: staring in complete shock at the monk
Lena: He swore....faints
Tasuki: Should we help her?
Chichiri: Evilly grinning No, no da. Now I can type the story, no da!
Tasuki: Wake up Lena!
Chichiri: Evil monkish laughter
Sunlight filtered through the trees, dotting the small clearing with the soft light of dawn. The sound of feathers brushing against one another was heard as the first birds woke up, calling to one another in a timeless song. Inside the tent, the two lovers woke with them, still held in one another's arms. The monk smiled at her, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Ohayo." He whispered, stroking a lock of hair out of her eyes.
She blinked and smiled. "Ohayo." The miko closed her eyes briefly, drinking in his spicy scent.
They remained that way for several minutes longer, just enjoying one another's company. A loud crash sounded outside their tent, followed closely by an angry growl. Eyes widened as they stared at one another before Chichiri climbed to his feet, reaching for his staff. Chanting the first part of a spell, the monk reached for the tent flaps when a large feline head poked in, causing him to stumble back and trip in the blankets. "Tsuzaru, no da"
"Sorry. I did not mean to wake you, Chichiri." Red eyes looked to the side to see his miko staring at him in surprise. "A good morning to you as well, Miko no Suzaku." Chuckling, the cat withdrew. "Master Monk, you may want to think about putting on some pants before you come out"
Miaka laughed as her lover burned a bright red and quickly spotted the dark green material. She tossed them to the mage, giggling as he hurriedly slipped them on. "You're certaintly a lot shyer in the morning than at night." She joked, much to the monk's embarrassment.
"Daaa, Miaka! That's not funny!" He dropped to a knee before her, cupping her face with one hand. "Though, I think I can be a lot less shy in the morning with some persuasion." He purred, pressing a light kiss to her lips.
She shivered as he pulled away, a satisfied smirk on his face. "Well! Breakfast isn't going to catch itself, now is it, no da?!" Whistling, the monk pulled his shirt on, just before Miaka hurled one of the pillows at him. "Da! Miaka! That hurt, no da!" He complained, rubbing the back of his head with an expression of mock pain.
"That'll teach you to start something and never follow through with it." She grumbled, arms crossed as the leveled a threatening glare at him.
"Hai." He said, his tone matching her own as he picked up the dark blue kesa. "Although, I don't believe I ever stated that I wouldn't follow through." (A.N. Chiri's gone hentai! O.o) He smiled and winked at her before stepping out of the tent, his mask left behind. "Wo ai ni, Miaka." He called back as he walked towards the river with his fishing pole.
"Now aren't you glad you told her." Tsuzaru rumbled from beside him, causing the mage to let out an undignified squeak.
"Tsuzaru, no da"
"That's the second time you've said that this morning. Are you going for a record?" The great cat chuckled. "No need to fish, Houjun. There was good hunting last night. I was able to bring back a deer for you three. And for my breakfast too"
"Did I hear breakfast!" Miaka asked, bounding out of her tent, trying to get her hair back in a ponytail.
The monk and celestial sweatdropped, looking between themselves. Did she ever think of anything but food? They watched as she stared at them expectantly, eyes lit up with hope. No. No she didn't. At least, most of the time.
"Wha' the hell is all the racket about?" Tasuki demanded, stumbling out of his tent, eyes half-closed, yawning. "Can' nobody sleep with you three"
"And he makes his appearance. So early too. Why, from what I know, he shouldn't be up for another four hours." Tsuzaru commented.
"Shut up ya over-grown barn cat." The bandit grumbled.
"Somebody's cranky this morning." Miaka commented.
The bandit turned an interesting shade of red. "Yeah, well I didn' sleep well last night"
The tiger chuckled quietly to himself as all three of the humans burned a bright red. The affairs of mortals were so very amusing to him. They were always so very touchy when it came to the matter of mating. A loud protest from Miaka's stomach broke the awkward moment. "I suppose I should start breakfast then. What did you say you had for us Tsuzaru?" She looked over to the left as the cat indicated that direction and shrieked, jumping back against Chichiri. "You killed a deer"
Tsuzaru looked at her in amusement. "I am a tiger"
She looked at the deer again before burying her face in Chichiri's shirt. "But its head is still on and there's so much blood and it was alive just last night and I can't!" She shook her head.
Chichiri hugged her tightly. "Don't worry about it, no da. Me and Tasuki will take care of it." He glared at the smirking bandit.
"Che! Wimmen. Can' even stand the sight of a little blood without screamin' their heads off." The Wing seishi chuckled at the dark look his friend threw at him. "Ya look like Nakago, ya know. Why don' ya two take a walk or somethin' an' leave the carcass to me an' the koneko here"
Tsuzaru growled lowly. "Hardly a kitten, whelp"
"Who are ya callin' a whelp?!" Tasuki growled right back at him, hand reaching for the tessan.
Chichiri looked at Miaka and grabbed her hand, tugging her lightly in the direction of the woods. He smiled at her confused look. "I don't think it would be wise to be in the general area when those two get past the insulting phase and into the fist...errr...fist and paw phase"
"Oh." She giggled, glancing back to see her seishi and celestial guardian leap at one another before trees blocked out the view. Her laughter echoed through the woods as she faced forward again.
A comfortable silence fell over the two, Miaka allowing her lover to lead her towards the river. They stopped before it, not wanting to break the tranquility of it. He smiled and sat down again one of the trees lining the riverbank, pulling her down to sit on his lap. "Its beautiful here." She murmured, snuggling back against him.
The monk wrapped his arms around her waist, anchoring her securely in place. "Almost as beautiful as you"
"Flatterer." She twisted slightly to kiss him. "I love you"
"I love you too."
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"Well isn't that little scene touching? I think I may retch." The venom in the scathing tone caused the very air to tremble. He whirled away from the image in the globe. "Has the boy been deployed yet? We must move faster to prevent her from finding the key"
The servant, an enslaved nymph this time, nodded quickly. Her wide, luminescent eyes were bright with fear. "Yes, Master. He should arrive there shortly"
"Excellent." Silver eyes pinned the nymph to the spot, raking over her body, a malicious smile forming. "Well well. Aren't you a pretty thing"
She whimpered and cowered down, crawling away from him. She screamed once as he grabbed her, bruisingly kissing her before pinning her against the stone walls painfully. Cold fingers carressed her body as tears spilled down her cheeks and he grinned sadistically. It had been some time since so pretty a plaything had been delivered to him. It would be a shame to waste it now then wouldn't it?
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The two circled one another, growling. Fangs were bared as each looked for an opening in his opponent. This would be it, the decisive and finally clashing to the battle. Neither would back down. There it was! A slight stumble! Tasuki grinned and leaped at the tiger, barreling into him even as Tsuzaru swung a heavy paw, catching him in the side. The great cat was careful to keep his claws sheathed and not to bite. Well, at least as long as Tasuki refrained from doing so and even then he bit as gently as he could.
The two locked together, rolling around on the ground as each seeked a better position and grip on the other. With his weight and size advantage, Tsuzaru easily flipped Tasuki over, pinning him to the ground with a massive paw on each shoulder. He grinned down at the fuming seishi as a breeze blew past them. A strange scent was carried by it, instantly setting the great cat on alert. He leaped off the bandit, drinking in the air and scent.
"Tasuki. Get up. Someone's coming." A growl rumbled from deep within his chest and his ears pinned back, claws unsheathing and tearing into the earth beneath him.
Senses on high alert, the bandit scooped up his discarded tessan and scanned the surrounding forest. A twig snapped, followed by a muttered curse. The two warriors instantly turned to watch a distant figure weaving its way through the woods, cursing a few more times as they snapped a twig or stubbed a toe on a rock. An upraised root snagged the man's ankle and he tumbled forward, landing pratically at Tasuki's feet. The Wing seishi reacted instantly, grabbing both of the man's wrists and yanking the nunchuks from the sash around his waist.
"Who the hell are ya? What're ya doin' here?" The bandit growled, turning the person around to look him in the face. He gasped sharply, dropping the man. "T-Tamahome"
He groaned and shoved the other seishi away from himself. "Damn it Tasuki! What the fuck was that all about?" The Oni seishi rolled to his feet stiffly. "What kind of a greeting is that to give to a brother seishi"
Tamahome smiled at the stunned bandit, grabbing him in a hug. "Long time no see man"
"Welcome, Suzaku Shichiseishi Tamahome." Tsuzaru called from behind him. "Tasuki, I think you should go find the other two and let them know we've found one. I would like to speak with Tamahome alone for a few moments"
Bewildered, Tasuki glanced between them before nodding. "Good t'see ya again Obake-chan." He called back before trotting off in the direction the other two went.
Tsuzaru watched Tasuki leave, waiting till he was out of earshot before looking back to the other seishi, who was half-way into a defensive stance. "Oh straighten up Taka!" He snapped, the fur along his hackles raising. "There's some things I need to learn from you"
"H-how did you know my other name? How did you know either of my names?" Tamahome asked softly.
"You don't need to know that right now. But since you remember that, I'm going to assume you remember everything about your past lives as Tamahome and Taka, am I correct?" Tsuzaru waited for the man to nod before continueing. "Good. This will help us and me in explaining a few things to you"
"Things like what?" Tamahome asked, not liking the shiver that had flowed down his spine at the giant cat's tone and words. It hadn't yet struck him odd to be speaking to a tiger. Of course, he had conversed with a god before and worse things. He'd even seen a werewolf. How was this any stranger?
Distant voices filtered through the woods, two masculine and one feminine. Tamahome swung around to look in the direction they were coming from, eyes wide. "Miaka"
"Yes, she is here. As is Yui"
Tamahome didn't hear the cat though, his sense fully focused on the approaching woman. Fear, longing, and happiness filled him and he started to walk towards them, when a wall of fire filled his vision. Belatedly, he heard the familiar war cry, "REKKA SHIN'EN"
"Do you think he'd taste good for breakfast, no da?" Chichiri asked comically, prodding the smoldering pile of ash at his feet that had once been a man. "Though I think he's a little to well-done for my taste, no da." The monk looked back to where Miaka had halted at the edge of the forest.
Tasuki hadn't said anything about who the person was, only that they were in for a surprise. That Tsuzaru wanted her and Chichiri to return to the camp right away. He had been grinning like a kid in a candy store, she thought. But, nothing could've prepared her for the sight of just who the person at the camp was. She had one hand braced against a tree, the other was pressed firmly to her mouth. Two tears had slid down her cheeks, leaving two shining trails in their wake. She couldn't seem to breathe, her lungs refusing to cooperate.
"Miaka?" The soft question brought emerald eyes to meet and lock onto Chichiri's lone maroon one. Arms wrapped around her, pulling her solidly against him, as the monk stroked her hair.
"Mi-chan? Y'all right?" Tasuki asked, by her side instantly. "What's wrong, why're ya cryin"
She sniffled and wiped her nose on the back of her arm. "Its nothing Tasuki. Don't worry about it, I'm all right"
Tamahome groaned, brushing most of the soot of himself. "Damn it Tasuki." He growled as he got to his feet, looking over to see the bandit and monk on the outskirt of the camp. Auburn hair was visible over Chichiri's shoulder. "Miaka"
The priestess flinched at the questioning call. She stepped back from Chichiri, plastering a smile on her face. She walked out in front of Tasuki and Chichiri, the fake smile still in place. "Hello Taka. Or should I call you Tamahome this time"
Tamahome didn't bother to answer, just strode over to her, grabbing the woman in a tight hug. "Gods, I've missed you"
The Oni seishi didn't notice how Miaka tensed up, muscles going as taught as steel. She stared straight ahead, arms at her sides. "Taka. Please let me go"
The fighter noticed that. He back-stepped from her as if scalded, eyes confused and hurt. hands still holding her firmly by the shoulders. "What do you...Why"
The woman focused on breathing evenly. Unconciously she looked back for support, pleasantly surprised to find Chichiri already right behind. Tamahome looked to where she was and took another step away from her at the anger that seemed to surround Chichiri. The monk snaked an arm around her waist, holding her possesively. Miaka melted back against him, taking the strength she needed from her lover. "Because I don't want you to touch me." Emerald orbs locked fully onto grey. "Not now. Not ever again"
Tsuzaru silently applauded his priestess. "She's gotten stronger." He murmured to Tasuki, who stood before him.
"Yeah...she has." The bandit agreed. "But I kin sense a fights a brewing"
"Hai. But that was inevitable, was it not. The moment you set foot in her world, it was inevitable there would be a fight." Tsuzaru responded.
Tamahome stared at the couple before him, unbelieving. A furious rage began to build within him as he came to understand what 'his' woman was saying, was implying. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean? What the fuck is this?!" He gestured to the two. "Miaka! What the hell are you saying"
She shook a little but she knew she had to end this now. "I don't love you Taka. And this..." A fond smile graced her lips as she looked up at Chichiri, "...is exactly what it looks like"
Rage was rolling off the martial artist in waves now and something inside him snapped. "You fucking bitch! After all that I did for you! Worthless, fucking slut! Didn't I mean anything at all to you?! Or was I just another toy for you"
(A.N.-I would like to briefly take a moment here to say I do realize that Tamahome is in serious OOC violation, but I hate the bastard so its all good)
The color had drained from Miaka's face. Even if she didn't love him, to here he person who had once almost been her husband call her such things...it was devastating. She shrank back against the reassuring solidness of Chichiri's chest, the monk holding her tighter. "Tamahome"
"Shut the fuck up monk! You're a fucking traitor! How dare you, she's mine! And you dare touch her"
Tasuki stepped forward, intending to shut Tamahome's mouth when a paw swiped out and tripped him. "What the fuck was that for"
"Stay here. This is a fight between Chichiri and Tamahome. Interfere now, and you'll only post-pone the inevitable." Tsuzaru commanded, red eyes glowing brightly.
Chichiri gently pushed Miaka behind him, staff appearing in hand. A blue battle aura surrounded him, tinged along the outsides with an angry darker blue. "Tamahome, I suggest you stop right now"
Tamahome sidestepped to where the nunchuks lay on the ground. "Or what? You'll make me? HA! If Tasuki couldn't beat me in one-on-one, what chance do you stand"
Slim fingers positioned themselves along the staff and Chichiri set himself. "A fairly good one." He smirked at the younger man. "You underestimate people. It will kill you one day, Tamahome"
Tamahome sneered at him, lazily swinging the joined rods around. "So be it, brother." Sarcasm dripped heavily off the words. "I'll take back what is rightfully mine"
"She belongs to none but herself"
"That's where your wrong monk. She belongs to me, and only to me"
The two were circling one another, like a pair of wolves, watching and waiting for the perfect opening. Tamahome growled and lunged at the monk, whipping one end of the nunchuks out. Chichiri hopped backward, sucking in his gut to barely avoid the swing, sweeping his staff up to clip the younger man on the edge of his chin. Tamahome's other hand lashed out to grip the staff, ignoring the sting of the hit he recieved, and jerked on it, bringing Chichiri in close. A fist knocked the air from his lungs, causing the monk to stumble and gasp for breathe.
Tamahome dropped to the ground, swinging a leg around to knock the monk on his back. He rolled to his feet, turning around to kick the Well seishi in the ribs once, twice. The third one produced a loud, sharp 'crack!' A hoarse cry worked itself out of the monk's throat and he reflexively lashed out with the staff, catching Tamahome in the side. Pain spiked up his side as Chichiri climbed shakily to his feet. He focused on taking short, shallow breathes as Tamahome faced him, nunchuks in hand. The rib was likely broken.
Miaka sank to the ground, knuckles pressed to her mouth a tears slipping out of her eyes. "Chichiri! Stop! Tamahome, don't hurt him anymore!" Neither combatant heard her plaintive cries and she started to crawl towards the two fighters when a pair of arms held her back. She looked back into amber eyes. "Tasuki? You have to stop them"
The bandit shook his head slowly. "They need this fight, Mi-chan. Besides, not even I could stop 'em now"
The sharp retort of wood smacking against wood drew their attention back to the two fighters. Chichiri blocked another attack from Tamahome, staff vibrating with the force behind the younger man's swing. His fingers were starting to go numb as strike after strike came is way. Suddenly, Tamahome side-stepped towards Chichiri's blind side. The nunchuk caught the monk directly along the jaw, snapping his head to the side. Blood trickled in a thin line from the corner of his mouth, skin darkening in color almost instantly. Chichiri gently fingered his jaw, flinching a little at the feel of it before turning to the young man with a snarl.
Forsaking his weapon, the monk resorted to catching the younger man in a tackle. The two went rolling end over end, Chichiri ending up straddling Tamahome as they finally came to a stop. He held one of the younger man's wrist in his grasp. "Yield Tamahome!" He growled at him.
The 'oni' seishi laughed, bucking to try and dislodge his brother warrior.
The monk's face went grim and he twisted the other's wrist sharply. The sickly wet snap of bones reverberated through the clearing, followed by a shriek of agony. Still, the 'well' seishi gripped Tamahome's shattered wrist, applying pressure on the breaks. The younger man had gone pale, panting for breath that wouldn't allow him to scream again. His eyes widened and he watched in morbid fascination as the bones shifted, grinding against each other. A tiny piece portruded from the skin. Another short, sudden twist dragged a hoarse cry from the blue-haired man, eyes rolling wildly.
Shaking his head at the other's stubborness, Chichiri balled up his other hand, driving it hard into Tama's gut. Reflexively, Tamahome curled up, wrenching his shattered wrist from the monks grasp. The bones tore across nerves, causing the seishi to scream, before falling into the welcome and pain-free world of unconsciousness.
Chichiri climbed shakily to his feet, looking back at the other three with a haunted expression. "So. Now you've seen the real me, huh?" He chuckled grimly before sinking back to the ground, joining his brother seishi in the darkness.
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A.N. :Yawn: I decided I was taking to long with this and to be honest, I got fed up with writing this chapter. So that's why there's such an abrupt ending to it. Anywho, sorry for the wait. But I've been working on all four stories I got going at once and then my comp was gone for a few weeks to get fixed and yeah. Also I had a sudden writer's block and drawing spree. If any of you'd like to see me art work, just go to:
sheriv.deviantart. com
I just posted up two new ones a couple days ago. Which reminds me, I have to finish my FF7 comic. Heh heh. Sephy and Cloud facing each other on DDR and Sephy can't dance. Cruelness. Anywho, glad to see yer still reading this. Again sry for the long wait. But now I have to go. I just finished an entire book report tonight, a speech, and a paragraph. I had a month or more to do all these, but I'm lazy. So I held them off until the very last moment. They're all due tomorrow. Am I stupid or what?
Sheriv: I can't believe I'm stuck with you as an alter-ego.
L.G. Lena: You love me.
Sheriv: I'm going to kill you when I destroy this world.
Lena: But then who will write the stories?
Sheriv: ... ... ...damn... ... .
Tasuki: (off to the side) Why is she talkin' to herself?
Chichiri: Die. Die! DIE!! :looks up from stabbing Tamahome voodoo doll with a needle: Huh? Oh, I don't know, no da.
Tasuki: Uh...Chiri. Yer scaring me with that thin!
Chichiri: Why, no da? :Resumes brutally mutilating the doll by stabbing it slowly to pieces with the needle:
Tamahome: (somewhere in the house, twitching and shrieking as he feels an invisible dagger driving into him)
Tasuki: Why did she give tha' thin' to ya?
Lena: Because he asked for it!