Chapter Three: The Journey Begins
There was a general feeling of excitement in the air as Yui and Nakago made ready to leave on their important quest to find the rest of the Seiryusichisei. To her surprise, Yui found that a festival had come to town in her honor; celebrating her arrival and the imminent summoning of Seiryu.
"It's hard for me to believe that they're doing this all 'in my honor'. I still say that I'm no one important." Yui murmured, as she and Nakago meandered through the marketplace, and watched as the street vendors set themselves up for business.
"Don't understate yourself, Yui. Your coming is very significant for Kutou, thus it demands that something special needs to be done to make you feel more welcome here." Nakago murmured, even though he was wondering, deep down, why he was even saying such things.
"I obviously don't mean it...And yet, I want to keep Yui from feeling any more sorrow from the loss of her mother...at least, for a short while." Nakago mused, as Yui gently squeezed his hand to get his attention, and he looked down questioningly at her.
"There's a fortune-telling booth over there, Nakago! Let's go and see what is in store for us!" Yui said, her blue eyes sparkling with childlike excitement, as she pulled him towards the booth. For a moment, Nakago thought of refusing; then looked again into Yui's bright blue eyes and felt his resolve crumble. He didn't have it in him to refuse.
"I'm becoming a pushover." Nakago thought, with some disgust at himself, as he allowed himself to be playfully dragged to where an amused-looking young man sat, watching them.
"I take it you two would like a reading?" the man asked, with a friendly smile.
"Hai! What can you tell us?" Yui questioned, getting a chuckle from the man, in turn, as he gently took her hand and cupped it in both of his.
"Let's see...Hmm...Now this is rather odd...It seems that you, young lady, are not from around here...The power of Seiryu surrounds you and protects you...and that, as of today, you are beginning your search of the Seiryu Sichisei. Am I right?" the young man asked, as he gave both of them a questioning look.
"Yeah, that's right!" Yui exclaimed, amazed by the young man's ability to see what had happened so far, and their impending quest.
"Also, the man standing with you is one of the Sichisei...Nakago, is that correct?" the young man again asked. Nakago gave him an almost suspicious look, and nodded.
"That's correct...How are you able to discern so much?" Nakago in turn questioned; more worried about Yui's safety, than the thought of being scammed by a fraudulent psychic, at this point. The young man gave him a secretive smile.
"Both of you come to the alley, and I'll tell you." the man responded, as he stepped out of his booth, and led them to the quiet of the alley.
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Yui was more than a little bewildered by the fortune-teller's odd behavior, but dismissed it when she somehow sensed that he meant her no harm.
"His presence almost reminds me of Nakago's...It makes me feel safe and secure." Yui mused, as the young man turned to face them, and gave them a speculative look.
"I had doubted, ever since a few days ago, that her Eminence, the Seiryu no Miko, had actually arrived in this world...But now I see the truth before me, and I feel safe in telling you both the truth." the man said, looking a little bit relieved that he was getting an invisible weight off of his young shoulders; a weight that, Nakago knew from firsthand experience, was almost an unbearable one.
"What exactly do you mean?" Nakago asked, even though he could sense that something was about to happen that would be to their benefit. The younger man smiled again, this time a little bit bashfully.
"I am known to this troupe as Chuin Ruo, but my celestial name is that of the Seiryu Sichisei known as Tomo. I'm one of those you are seeking, your Eminence." the man said, as he pulled up his tunic and showed them one of the very signs they had been only beginning to search for. There, just above his right pelvic bone, was a bright blue symbol; shining brilliantly, even in the early afternoon sunlight.
"Nakago! It's true! There's Ti! And right where the scroll said it would be, too! We've found Tomo!" Yui whispered, excitedly, unable to believe the incredible luck that had come their way. They hadn't even left the city yet, and already they'd found the next seishi!
"It does seem almost too good to be true,...and yet, here he stands." Nakago said, also admitting his disbelief.
"Will you be able to come with us, Tomo-san?" Yui asked, as she gave the newly-found seishi a warm, almost giddy smile.
"You needn't even ask, Seiryu no Miko-sama! I'll follow you to the end of the earth, if need be! I am destined to be at your side!" Tomo replied, eagerly.
"Then pack up only what you are going to need for the road. We leave within the hour." Nakago said, getting a nod and a smile from Tomo in response.
"Tell me where and I'll be there! You can count on it!" Tomo promised.
"All right! By the way, my name is Yui. It's good to meet you, Tomo-san." Yui said, pleasantly.
"And it's certainly good to finally meet you, Yui-sama. I look forward to traveling with you." Tomo added, with a smile that made Nakago secretly jealous...And again, he didn't know why.
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As the trio left the bustling city behind them, Yui could almost sense that her future was changing dramatically, as the path she took led even further into the unknown.
"I can only hope that this story can have a happy ending...and that justice will be found for my mother's murder." Yui thought, somberly; jumping slightly when Nakago gently caressed her cheek with a calloused hand, having somehow sensed that the ever present sorrow had returned.
"I made a promise, Yui, and I don't intend to break it. I will protect you from the evil that had killed your mother, even if it should take my life." Nakago softly swore; keeping his voice low so the cheerful Tomo wouldn't overhear. Yui smiled sadly and nodded.
"Thank you, Nakago...I just hope it doesn't come to that. I don't want to lose you, too." Yui murmured, her words softening Nakago's frozen heart even further.
"You won't." Nakago promised, then silently added, "Even the gods won't prevent me from remaining by your side." Little did Nakago realize just what that sort of promise entailed...and what it would do to their individual futures...
"I want the happiness and peace that is owed me...Seiryu owes me that much, at least." Nakago thought, as he held on to Yui just a little bit tighter; not realizing that an emotion that was even stronger than his hatred of the Kutou emperor was beginning to shine through...if only a little bit.
Author's Note!
Okay, I realize that the events in this chapter happened a little too quickly, but I am trying to get back into writing in this story again. I just hope that it was easy to follow. I'll try to make the next chapter a little bit longer, so hang tight, minna!
Gemini14