He was pleased. It had not been his intention to ever introduce them to each other. Miaka's late evening stint for food had led him to this. However, as he stood on a high roof of the city, watching the couple below him, he felt pleased. They were both happier. Obviously something had happened the night he had brought them together.
His expression was thoughtful as he watched them turn a corner and he took off into the air. If Miaka and Kishiku had hit it off that well, then what about the others. He caught sight of the pink hair of Dokun down below and realized they were close to Myojuan's office.
The street was nearly empty, and he flew over Dokun's head and landed before Myojuan's office door. The young scholar glanced up from the book he was examining as he walked, right as the doctor exitted his office, intent on seeing what his protector desired. Both protected were startled when Houjun didn't do more then beckon Dokun towards himself and Myojuan. He then gently pushed the young scholar towards the doctor, thinking the quick minds of the two would match well. He caught their confused faces as he lifted into the sky again and flew off.
After Myojuan and Dokun, he introduced Saiheti and Ryuuen, much to his delight, the two hit it off, much like Miaka and Kishiku. All in all, Houjun was feeling pretty pleased with himself. Next he introduced Genrou to the group that was Myojuan and Dokun. After a rocky start, thanks to Genrou's brashness, they had settled in as friends. He even saw Dokun and Genrou laughing one afternoon on his rounds in the sky.
Slowly, he introduced them all to each other. To his dismay it seemed like Kishiku and Genrou did not get along at all, but they would often meet to argue. It took Houjun hours of observation and thought to realize that they were like siblings, at least what Houjun imagined siblings were like, seeing as he had none. Much to his relief, one he wouldn't acknowledge, Genrou did not show any interest, romantically, in any of the other protected.
His protected was not the only thing to occupy his mind and he was pleasantly surprised that when left on their own, they had all formed a friendship amongst themselves. He expected jealousy at their dependance on each others, but all he felt was pain that he was locked away from them.
Houjun stood, watching the group of his seven as they gathered at Saiheti's house, unaware of what he had caused to occur amongst them. What he had awakened. Feelings of loneliness washed over him and he rose into the sky, winging towards his bleak home as the laughter of his protected floated on the air at his back.
Houjun was confused. Leaning against the balcony walls, he pondered the change in his seven. Towards each other and towards him. Months had passed since he had started to bring them together. He was pleased and proud of their progress and their newfound abilities to seemingly take care of themselves. His protectorate duties were lightening, but that did not mean he saw less of them. They had also taken to calling each other strange names, names that he was sure he had never heard before, but seemed to fit each of his seven better then their given names. Only Miaka kept her name. Unbeknownst to them, he had also taken to referring to their nicknames within his own mind. But why would they call him Chichiri?
However, as confused as their newfound independance from his protecting was, it was their seeming desire to have him join them that confused him the most. Especially Tasuki. His Genrou. Both names fit the firey one. But Tasuki felt more right. Growling in frustration, he turned and stalked back into his home. Just today, Chiriko had seen him on the street and had waved. He hadn't returned his youngest seven's wave, but had flown on. However, he no longer denied to himself that their recognition of him filled his lonely black heart with warmth and light. When he had become their protector, he had not expected this to happen. It was enough for him to watch them. For them to actually accept him and now seemingly want him to join them. What did they think he was? Did they not realize that the blackness of his wings reflected his soul? How could he ever consider joining them.
Wings were a reflection of the soul. Tasuki's was a perfect example. The firey oranges and reds of his wings matched and suited him well. The light pinks and purples of Miaka's told of her innocence. The medium blue of Tamahome's spoke of his warrior spirit. The varying shades of purple for Hotohori and Nuriko told of their grace and strength. Chiriko's seagreen and Mitsukake's emerald greens spoke of wisdom and knowledge. But black, that was self explanitory.
During his reflections and annoyed mutterings, Houjun had ended up pacing around his study. A large circular room, he found the most comfort there. It was in the middle of the room that he stopped short as the room faded away. He stood gasping for breathe as he saw the city crumble as the earth shook. The screams of the people shot thru him and he saw his protected fall, in slow motion, unable to move from his spot to help them.
Suddenly, as quickly as it began, it ended. The study returned and he heard the soft pops of the fire as he spun. Visions. There was nothing new about that. He had been born to be the chosen hero of the city. All the powers were his to do as he pleased. It was the darkness of his soul that kept him from fullfilling their desires to save them all. He cared not for the others in the city, just his seven.
Now he had a vision of an earthquake, one which would destroy and swallow the city below almost whole. He knew he had not much time. It was dawn in the vision. He had just this night to prepare.