Title: Historic Travels

Author: Cheza-chan

Rating: PG-13

Summary: As most Priestesses who travel into the Shi Jin Tenchi Sho, Amai Ritsuko has a similar set of troubling issues and a few new ones of her own. Will her upbeat attitude give her the strength she needs to succeed in her perilous journey? And can she tame the hearts of the Seiryuu Shichiseishi?

Disclaimer: I would never lay claim to any of Yuu Watase-san's work, but if I could… I'd let Miaka and Tamahome die a thousand times over and don't bring them back alive in the end. (laughs evilly)

A/N: Waaaaaaaaaahh! I hate school—or that's what everyone says. You have no idea how much I'm loving my Japanese class! (smiles broadly) And I'm doing okay in my math, as far as I can tell. Surprisingly though, I'm positive I'm having troubles in my film class. But, enough about me… you want the chapter I took oh-so-long to bring forth. Here it is!

Chapter Six – The Others

Kutou soldiers ran rampant through the small village, sending villagers running and screaming for their lives. A lone horse waited impatiently outside one particular house. The fire blazing throughout was reflected brightly in the deep purple eyes. A young boy stared at his reflection, or so it appeared. His reflection smiled even though he didn't. Bu Shunkaku stepped forward, his fists raised angrily. "Aniki! Come with us!"

Bu Kotoku's smile broadened. Though he said nothing, his younger brother heard it all: "There is no reason. Suzaku does not need me. Hahaue and Chichiue are safe."

"Aniki!"

"Suboshi," Kotoku spoke in a soft voice. Shunkaku stepped back, his eyes wide. "You're wasting time. Your Priestess is waiting. I'll let you in on a secret, no matter what, we will always be reborn together." The older sibling's smile returned. "Until then, let my soul live with you so I won't have far to look."

Suboshi ran forward, Ryuusei flying ahead of him. The young man once known as Amiboshi chuckled softly and closed his eyes, focusing on his brother's warmth rather than the searing pain. He raised his hands, clasping Suboshi's face, and covered the younger boy's mouth with his own. Suboshi sniffled softly and allowed his brother to kiss away his tears.

"I will always love you," both whispered.

Kotoku's body fell limp against the Seiryuu seishi and Suboshi lifted it into his arms, Ryuusei now back at his side. He lowered his head and walked from the burning wreckage of his home. Nakago's smirk was as dark as the night behind the flames as he stared down at the boy.

§§§

Ritsuko had both hands clamped tightly over Ashitare's mouth to keep him from howling. Silently, she cried, the raging fire casting shadows over her already dirty face. Nomura had his arms wrapped around the werewolf to keep him from acting recklessly. "Ritsuko-chan, if you wish it, I won't show you anymore," he said softly. R

itsuko shook her head and faced him, smiling weakly. "It's all right. I appreciate what you're doing. We should head back, though, before they catch us up here." She removed one hand and clasped Nomura's. They vanished just as the Kutou soldiers started out of the village.

The Priestess had just settled into her bed when her door was thrown open and Nomura was flung into the room. "What were you thinking, freeing Ashitare?" Nakago growled. "And Soi said you left the palace?"

"You smell like a smoldering fire," Ritsuko said calmly, her hands folded in her lap now that she was sitting up. "You couldn't even have cleaned yourself up after destroying that village?"

Nakago's eyes widened in rage and before he could contain his sudden burst of anger, he had crossed the room. Nomura yelled, reaching toward the woman that fell onto the bed from the backhand slap that still echoed throughout the room. The shogun stepped back, his breathing slightly heavy.

Shinji Sagara had broken her heart years ago and Amai Ritsuko would be damned if she cried now when she hadn't at that moment. "Nakago," she laughed. "What is the Priestess's purpose?" She stared at him from under dark hair, her hazel eyes no longer pleasant. "I could wish for your death once all seven warriors are gathered. Do not lay a finger on Nomura or Ashitare or I swear, you won't be around to see peace come to China."

Nakago clenched his fists at his sides and lowered his head. "Hai, Ritsuko-sama."

"Leave my room."

"As you wish." With his cloak swinging out behind him, Nakago left, staring only ahead of him.

Ritsuko buried her face in her pillow and screamed into it as the door closed. Nomura stumbled to his feet as he rushed to her bedside. He inspected the woman's face, wincing at the dark mark already there. "It took all the strength I had to keep talking…" Ritsuko whimpered.

"I'll go get you some ice," the boy rushed out. He gave her a trembling smile that was meant to be reassuring then disappeared.

Ritsuko sighed and stared up at the ceiling. What was that look that appeared in the shogun's eyes after he had hit her? Regret? Guilt? She had no more time to dote on it because Nomura had returned with a bucket of ice. She smiled then winced.

Ritsuko had never worn so much make-up in her life. The emperor had invited her to breakfast the following morning and her handmaidens had had to figure with the hideous black bruise. Along with her make-up, she had been given a hat with a light veil attached to it to wear. Her gowns trailed behind her as she was escorted to the emperor. The young girls left her in the hands of Nakago.

The blonde stared at her a few moments, his expression unreadable, then turned and opened the doors to the dining hall. Ritsuko's eyes widened at the large, extravagant area being presented before her. The table was several yards long with chairs directly beside each other and neatly tucked in. Blue hung from the ceiling and windows, representing the country and Beast God.

Nakago's hand lightly taking her own brought the young woman back to her senses. He led her down to where the emperor waited at the end of the table.

"Leave us," the man told the shogun, waving a hand. The blonde scowled but bowed, doing as he was told. "Let me see you," he heard the emperor tell the woman. He sighed and closed the doors behind him.

Ritsuko groaned loudly after leaving the hall; she had just experienced the shortest breakfast ever. The emperor, after seeing the make-up she wore—and after calling her an actor and a prostitute—asked her to remove it. He didn't even hide his disgust at seeing her face. She was sent away to find Nakago and seek medical care for the bruise.

'If he only knew.' The veil shuddered as she exhaled deeply. Ritsuko raised her head and blinked at the boy now staring curiously at her. She took a step back.

"Excuse me," he spoke. "Do you know where I can find the Priestess of Seiryuu?"

Smiling, she lifted the hem of her skirts and curtseyed. "At your service. And you are?"

"Forgive me," the boy stuttered. "My name is Suboshi, warrior assigned to you." 'Why are they coming to me? I thought it was my duty to find them.' "It's nice to meet you, Suboshi. My name is Amai Ritsuko." She rose from her current position, releasing her dress.

"Why are you dressed like that?" Suboshi questioned, inspecting her.

"I had breakfast with the emperor. Well, at least, I was supposed to. Suboshi-kun, how are you with… bruises?" Ritsuko had lifted her veil and was smiling at the boy's stunned expression. "I'm absolutely clumsy and ran into the door."

'Sounds like something Suzaku's former Priestess would have done.'

The woman wondered if she had said something offensive as she studied Suboshi's scowl. "If you can't… help… there should be an infirmary?" She lowered the veil and rushed by the boy.

"Forgive me, Ritsuko-sama," Suboshi said, hurrying after the fleeing woman.

"It's all right. I'll just find Nomura-kun—"

"He left with Nakago and Soi a while ago." Ritsuko stopped, dropping her skirts. "I have something I can use," the boy continued. "My aniki made it."

"Oh." Ritsuko smiled, facing the Seiryuu seishi. "You have a brother? I would love to meet him."

Suboshi smiled, raising a hand to his chest. "He lives within me now. He died a few nights ago. We were twins, so you could say… I'm my brother, even though he was older."

"I'm sorry," Ritsuko whispered, bowing her head. 'A few nights… Oh.' Her eyes widened and she raised her head to stare at the youth now holding her hand. 'Was he a casualty of Nakago's fire?'

"Let's go," Suboshi smiled. Ritsuko relaxed and allowed herself to run after the boy. She sat in the large room, her face now tingling cool, whereas before it had been annoyingly prickling.

"Hmm. So you all have your own room in the palace. I think mine's bigger," the woman giggled, folding her hands in her lap. "And it's probably bigger than my house in Tokyo."

Suboshi took a seat beside her, drawing his leg up to rest his chin atop his knee. "I've been to Tokyo," he said, staring down at the woman's hands in her lap. 'Like a lady would…' He smiled absently. "It was bright and crowded." His eyes darkened. "It's where I was killed with my own weapon." The hands tightened and he raised his head to his Priestess.

Ritsuko's hazel eyes sparkled and she reached out to pull the boy into a hug. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.

"No. It's not Ritsuko-sama's fault. I was overconfident in my abilities and allowed myself to get trapped. I'm here before you now. Ritsuko-sama, that's what matters." The boy's purple eyes narrowed and he slid out of the embrace. "They're back."

"Nomura-kun." Ritsuku snatched up the headgear with the veil attached and stood.

"Have you known him long?" Suboshi asked, glancing at the woman as he opened the door for her.

"You could say that," Ritsuko said wistfully.

"Nakago doesn't trust him. Why would Seiryuu-sama create a new seishi? It doesn't make sense."

Ritsuko frowned, allowing the veil to drop over her face. "If Nakago doesn't approve…" She quietly excused herself, walking proudly down the hall after thanking Suboshi for what he did for her. At the mention of the shogun's name, she'd grown cold, an attitude those in Japan had never seen from her before; a side of her she never knew even existed.

The sounds of overlapping footsteps echoed off the outer hallway and Ritsuko spared a glance at the line of people walking beside her. Nakago wore a temperamental scowl and didn't even acknowledge she existed. Soi was icy and distant. Nomura smiled at her and mouthed he'd return.

Ritsuko continued walking, but not back to her room. She headed to the dungeons, discarding the veil along the way. She angrily undid the lock with the key hidden in the sash around her waist and yanked open the cell door. "Ashitare, I want to go out. How are you with being discreet?"

He growled something about Nakago and Nomura and the woman scowled.

"Let's go." Ritsuko opened his chains and ran back out of the cell. "Meet me upstairs," she yelled, running down the hall. She was going to have a complete makeover.