If We Could

by Opaaru Tsuki

Suzaku is troubled by the thought that only one seishi achieved true happiness, so he decides to mend the situation by turning back time and summoning four mortals from our world to prevent history from repeating itself. They must prevent the death and de

1. If We Could Change it

Chapter 1 - If We Could Change It…

If we could all change it,

What would we do?

Would we save those who deserved it,

Or those who held true?

Could we possibly twist

The past in its shell

With the flick of a wrist

Into a present to dwell

Who are we to daunt,

What has long since turned yore?

Who are we that we taunt

What once was before?

Should we just wait,

Let things run their due course?

No! We'll rebel against fate

And the world with our force!

We'll make it all fit

Like once time used to

Since we can all change it,

We know what to do…

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            Suzaku walked towards Mt. Taikyoku calmly. There was something bothering the phoenix kami. Actually, it had bothered him for quite a while. He stared through the canopy of fluffy clouds down at his dominion. Konan was a joyful realm filled with forests and bustling cities. The phoenix kami was pleased to have such a prosperous domain under his protection, yet every time he looked down at his thriving country he felt a pang of sadness. There was so much happiness and hope within Konan, but four of his seishis will never get the chance to see it.

            "Nuriko… Chiriko… Mitsukake… Hotohori…" he spoke their names as he made his way to the border. They had been loyal to his miko, but their loyalty had been repaid with death. It was wrong… it was wrong that they never got to attain happiness within their lifetime. Nuriko never found love… Chiriko never got to grow up… Mitsukake lost everything down to his life… and the young emperor who had been forced to grow up at a very young age, forced to be alone, had died a man unloved. Yes, it was he who pained Suzaku most.

            His miko had failed to alleviate his loneliness. If possible, she had made it worse. Suzaku had struggled ardently to find a suitable mate for him before finding gentle Houki. The phoenix kami had rejoiced at his success, but it was short lived thanks to Seiryu's seishi. His beloved emperor's tragic end sent him into such an uncontrollable rage, had Taiitsu-kun not interfered he would've personally torn the Seiryu seishi and miko to shreds. Once the bird deity's fury had abated, he mourned with Houki. Suzaku had felt her pain as keenly as if it was his own.

            He took a deep breath and fixed his sight on the nearing mountain. If he could only get his way all that would change. His seishi, all of his seishi, would receive the lives they deserved. Then, out of the corner of his crimson eye, he spotted skies that were covered in perpetual gloom.

            A country reflected the strength and dignity of its guardian, much to Seiryu's chagrin. The red headed kami turned his full attention to the dragon's territory and sighed. Despite their rivalries, Suzaku had to feel sorry for his brother. After Nakago assassinated the emperor, Kutou had fallen into disarray. The throne was disputed by several nobles causing civil war to erupt within the very confines of the capital. The few portions of Kutou left unsoiled by the frenzy of war, were soon vanquished by plague and famine. The unfertile ground in that realm was yellow and cracked from lack of water. Then, as if that weren't enough, invaders from Hokkan had come and slaughtered the Northern provinces taking slaves and raiding the feeble villages in their wake. In its entirety, Kutou was slowly but surely disintegrating.
            "What news brother?" snapped an icy voice. Suzaku turned to meet Seiryu's cold blue eyes glaring at him. "Like what you see?" he asked tartly.

                "No, can't say that I do," frowned Suzaku, "you've really let your country go."

            "Mind your own business, bird," replied Seiryu as he glowered at the sunny Konan landscape, "or have you come to see your handiwork?"

            "My handiwork?!" exclaimed Suzaku outraged, "Was it I who appointed your deceitful seishis?! Was it I who allowed the emperor to be murdered, abandoned the people of Kutou, and caused the droughts?!"

            "If I had to do it all over again, I would," said Seiryu coolly, "I appointed my seishis because of their potential. If they went against their original purpose, I can hardly be blamed for that. I allowed the emperor to be murdered because he was unworthy of such honor. I abandoned and neglected my people through the droughts because they have abandoned and neglected me."

            "I understand your reasons, but to turn a blind eye when they are in such dire need…"

            "There is so much treason created by my people that, like smoke, there's a putrid fume rising from Kutou. It sickens me. Not all of us have such loyal subjects or good fortune as you," spat the dragon kami, "Have you business here or did you come only to reprimand my actions brother? Because I believe that is Taiisu-kun's duty."

            Suzaku looked at his brother with an unreadable expression on his face.

            "As far as I'm concerned, I'm still on my side of the border," replied the phoenix kami, "I have no business with you."

            Suzaku turned his back to Seiryu and walked away. The dragon kami scowled.

            "One of these days Suzaku…" he threatened the wind. He looked at a winged back retreating into cumulus masses. His cobalt eyes narrowed as a creeping suspicion manifested itself, "What are you up to?" he whispered.

            Suzaku strode into Taiitsu-kun's chambers and straight up to her throne. She had her eyes closed in supposed deep meditation. The scarlet phoenix did not buy it for a second.

            "I need a word with you, Taiitsu-kun," he announced, "so please be so kind as to stop ignoring me."

            "You have no business here guardian of Konan," replied the ancient figure, "you have been summoned, your miko is content, your departed seishis await reincarnation, and the two survivors are living out the remainder of their days."

            "Konan is flourishing," added Suzaku unperturbed by the woman's harsh tone.

            "As I said, you have no business here."

            "Demo, Taiitsu-kun-sama, I wish to…"

            "Reorder time," interrupted the old woman for which Suzaku raised his eyebrows surprised, "I know you my youngest child," Taiitsu-kun answered his silent question as she opened beady eyes and bore her gaze into him, "you have been pondering this for some time now ne?"

            "Hai," admitted Suzaku irritated that he had become so predictable, "what is your answer?"

            "Iie."

            "Demo Taiitsu-kun, my seishis deserve to be happy! They deserve to have another chance! They deserve to live a complete life filled with accomplishments and honor, not grief and servitude! My youngest was still a child when death claimed him, does he not deserve better?"

            "What you speak are the reasons why they are being reincarnated, Suzaku."

            "Iie!" he yelled and stomped his foot like a child, "What about the people left behind here?! What about Nuriko's family! They will never see their loved one again! And what about Houki? She's a widow! And Boushin? He'll grow up without a father! Is that fair to them?! How could Hotohori's reincarnation in the miko's world possibly benefit them?!"

            Taiitsu-kun remained calm through Suzaku's outburst.

            "I will not allow you to reorder time just because you have a whim, Suzaku," she held up a silencing hand as he was about to challenge her words, "there is too much to be lost. Your belief that your seishis' situation will improve this time around, is not enough to guarantee it so. For all you know things might turn out to be worse than they are, and then what? Will you continue to endlessly loop time until your desires are met? I cannot show you such favoritism. If I am to give you such authority then I must give the other three deities the same opportunity. I have no wish to restart my universe."

            Suzaku sighed heavily and lowered his eyes, but despite his crestfallen appearance his mind was straining to find a solution (A/N: *cough* loophole *cough*). His face then brightened as it came to him…

            "Taiitsu-kun-sama, if Byakko and Genbu relinquish their chance to redo their summoning, then could it be possible?"

            Taiitsu-kun rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. She knew her youngest son would not give her peace until he had some sort of unfounded hope to cling to.

            "IF they forgo such an offer, then it COULD be done," she answered thus freeing herself from any compromise should said kamis actually decline such offer.

            Without further ado, Suzaku immediately summoned his two older brothers. They arrived a bit annoyed at having been teleported without their consent.

            "Suzaku, what is this?" asked Genbu, "How dare you transport us here without leave?"

            "Chiisai akai seems to think of us as his playthings," Byakko told the eldest kami teasingly, "personally, I'm insulted at the very notion."

            "So we're here akai, what do you want?" demanded Genbu.

            "Brothers, I seem to find myself in a bit of a predicament," began Suzaku.

            "You don't say?" asked the Hokkan guardian offhandedly.

            "Honestly chiisai akai, when are you not in trouble?" grinned the western tiger.

            "I'm not in trouble!" huffed the phoenix, "I have a problem."

            "Don't we all?" asked Genbu "Handle it yourself."

            "You've got to stop being so dependent," agreed Byakko, "you're not five-hundred anymore; you don't need us holding your hand all the time. It's bad enough I let Tokaki help you out with Tamahome."

            Suzaku was getting riled by his brothers' insinuations.

            "Can I talk now?" asked the red-head tersely. The two older brothers rolled their eyes and allowed him to continue. Suzaku proceeded to explain his dilemma.

            "So I need you two to give up that choice," he finished.

            The two kami were quiet for a short while.

            "And why would we do that?" asked Byakko, "Why should you get to recreate your summoning?"

            "I want to undo some of the mistakes from the past," Suzaku answered.

            "What makes you think we do not want to do the same?" snapped Genbu irritated by Suzaku's entire proposal, "don't you think we have things we'd like to change? Mistakes we'd want to right?"

            "We do," said the white tiger seriously, "but, unlike you little brother, we accept the passage of time. Mistakes are made so that you learn from them, and despite your arguments that does not include shifting time so that they never happened."

            "Demo…"

            "Iie, Byakko is right," said Genbu, "the past is set in stone, and I will not take part in anything that might change that."

            "So what you're saying that is you were me you wouldn't at least try to change the present?" asked Suzaku fuming.

            Both kami shook their heads. Suzaku's anger lasted for a second more and then it disappeared into a bright smile. He turned about and faced Taiitsu-kun.

            "Well, they've declined your offer Taiitsu-kun," he told her gleefully. Taiitsu-kun smirked amused by her youngest son's cunning.

            "So they have," smiled Taiitsu-kun.

            Genbu blinked stupidly, transfixed by the turn of events. Byakko was silent for a while, before chuckling. Needless to say, it took a lot to keep the kami of happiness down.

            "I'll admit it, chiisai akai, you really got us this time," said Byakko, "Demo, that doesn't mean I approve of your decision."

            "You'll just have to live with it then," said Suzaku. Turning to the creator he bowed, "Taiitsu-kun-sama, it is all arranged then."

            "Not quite," interjected a frosty voice, "Is this a private meeting, or can anybody join?"

            Seiryu stepped out from behind a column. His eyes held a tranquil fury which flashed dangerously at the gathering before him.

            "It seems everyone has been consulted except me. Should I take that as an offense?"

            "You have no say in this matter Seiryu," the phoenix kami replied curtly, "so go back to your realm."

            "I have as much say as any, birdie. A fourth of the universe is mine so you must first have my approval before you decide to tamper with it!"

            "Iie! We-we have already decided!" stammered Suzaku, "Right Taiitsu-kun?"

            "I do not recall such a decision being met," replied the ancient being softly, "Genbu and Byakko have relinquished their choice to be resummoned, other than that, there has been no decision."

            "Demo, you said…"

            "That it could be done", stressed Taiitsu-kun, "but seeing how Seiryu will not allow it, then I cannot ignore his wishes. The majority is against you Suzaku."

            Suzaku looked miserable. He had come so close…

            "Well, seeing how I have no regrets," Byakko announced, "I'll vouch for you Suzaku. I wish to have Suzaku resummoned."

            Taiitsu-kun gave a start; she had not expected this.

            "On one condition," continued the tiger kami, "the fates of Subaru, Tokaki, and Tatara will not be changed."

            "Agreed!" blurted Suzaku scarcely believing his good fortune.

            "So? That only makes two fourths of the universe," scoffed Seiryu, "you're still at a dead end little brother."

            Suzaku turned to Genbu who was still brooding.

            "Onegai, Genbu," pleaded the Southern guardian.

            The tortoise kami turned away, much to Seiryu's satisfaction.

            "I'll not have a part in your foolishness, akai. You're on your own," he answered gruffly.

            "Oh come on Genbu, just give it chance will ya?" said Byakko, "it's not going to hurt you to go with onee-chan this once."

            Genbu pursed his lips obstinately: "Oh? And what exactly do I get out of this?"

            "Anything, name it and it's yours!" exclaimed Suzaku desperately.

            "Anything at all?" said Genbu with thoughtfully.

            "Hai!"

            The tortoise god suddenly grinned slyly.

            "If you fail, you cannot reorder time again," he said calmly, "and you will have to live with the consequences of your actions… for once."

            Suzaku took a deep breath. Should he fail, then he would have to live with the penalties regardless of how horrible those might be. Crimson eyes filled with determination met wise emerald ones.

            "Agreed," boomed the phoenix.

            "All right, now that we're all on the right page," stated Byakko, "may I be so bold as to ask how are you planning to influence the timeline? Surely you realize you can't be in direct contact with your mortals. It would be…"

            "Undignified," finished the Northern guardian.

            "Not to mention chaotic," added the tiger.

            "Iie, I will not go down to them. I plan on…" the redhead paused searching for the right word, "…recruiting help."

            "Help? How will a few more seishi possibly help you do the alterations you have in mind?" asked Genbu shaking his green mane.

            "They won't be from this universe."

            "Surely not from the miko's…" Byakko trailed off as he saw Suzaku's contented look.

"Oh no," gasped Genbu, "You don't mean that horrible place."

"You're joking," Byakko laughed nervously, "please tell us you're joking."

            "It's the only way," asserted Suzaku as he conjured a mirror out of thin air. Its reflective surface shone brightly and dimmed down to reveal a modern city.

            "You don't know what kind of barbaric things live in that place!" protested the eldest kami.

            "Genbu's right, akai. We've only ever gotten glimpses of that cosmos, it is too far!" rebuked Byakko.

            "It is only a bit beyond the miko's world, and it is the only place where I could find the people I need," explained Suzaku, "they know the original timeline and, with the right training, they could easily serve their purpose."

            "You don't know that Suzaku," stated Genbu, "why don't you choose from the miko's world."

            "Iie," said the phoenix stubbornly, "I have made my choice."

            The mirror displayed his choice. The oldest was a girl in her late teens. She had hair that was a deep burgundy hue, tan colored skin, and coffee-colored eyes which hid behind a pair of glasses. The mirror then glowed once more and now it showed a girl roughly thirteen with orange-red hair, fierce jade eyes, and a pale oval face sprinkled with freckles. The mirror once more shifted and showed a different girl. She was younger than the redhead by about two years and had jet black hair, a suntanned skin, and kind chocolate eyes. The mirror changed once more and this time it showed a young boy roughly sixteen with unruly black hair, light skin and mischievous brown-black eyes. The mirror's reflective surface flashed a final time and now it showed all four loafing about a living room. The image then dimmed and dissipated along with the mirror. Genbu had gotten a good look at each choice. He then turned and yelled at Suzaku trying to make him see reason.

            "It has never been done before! You don't even know if you can transport them here from their universe!"

            "As much as it pains me, I have to side with Genbu on this one akai," said Byakko, "Are you sure you won't try the miko's realm, or even our universe? There has to be suitable candidates in either."

            Suzaku shook his head. "My decision has been made."

            Byakko sighed and Genbu threw his hands up in the air with irritation. "Fine! Have it your way! Just remember our deal: if your little plan fails, you stay failed."

            Suzaku grinned. It was all falling into place. Now all that remained was transporting his chosen four and he could turn back time. Suzaku looked expectantly at Taiitsu-kun.

            "Shall we begin Taiitsu-kun-sama?" he asked giddy with excitement.

            "Of course," said Taiitsu-kun, "as soon as you convince Seiryu."

            "Nani?!" exclaimed Suzaku enraged, "I have the majority!"

            "True," Taiitsu-kun nodded, "and had you chosen to transport mortals from the miko's realm I would have been able to comply. However, the world you have chosen is beyond my reach. I need the energy of the four of you to access that universe. Hence if Seiryu refuses to aid you, I cannot bring your choices here. I believe this is also a good time to let you know that I have no intention of training your chosen individuals."

            "NANI?!" cried out Suzaku once more. What was the crazy old hag doing?! His entire plan depended on having them trained and ready to fight by the time Miaka arrived! She was ruining everything! "Demo who will train them then?!"

            "Well, since you're so eager to have them skilled in combat, why don't you train them?!" said Taiitsu-kun with a thick hoarse laugh. Byakko and Genbu chortled as they pictured Suzaku in a cap and gown, complete with a red tassel, teaching four humans the basics. On the other hand, Seiryu looked mysteriously pensive.

            "I don't believe this!" screamed Suzaku above his brothers' laughter.

            "I believe I have found a solution to your problem, brother," said the war kami coolly. Everyone turned to look at him.

"There are four mortals and four of us," continued Seiryu unfazed, "if we each take one and train it, then your burden is considerably lightened. Don't you agree?"

Suzaku looked at his brother suspiciously.

"And what's in it for you?" inquired the phoenix kami.

"I'll go on with your little ploy if I get first choice on who I want to train. You will then let me use that mortal for my own personal purposes."

"And have you make your seishi even more powerful? No thank you. I'm not going to blow my only chance just because I trusted you! I want to bring mortals here to help my seishi not yours!"

"Suzaku," Seiryu spoke to the phoenix as if he were speaking to a child, "concerning my seishi, I told you that I would not change any of the things in the past. I meant every word. If your seishi hadn't finished them off by the time I had granted the third wish, I would've killed them all myself. So you see, I hold no love for them. You can be sure that as long as you don't interfere in my affairs, I will not interfere with your little game."

"Well, what do you think Byakko? Genbu?" inquired the crimson phoenix.

"It's a very intriguing proposition. I would not mind," said Byakko.

"I suppose I could live with that, it would be nice to have living seishi in Hokkan once more. I consent."

"Very well," Suzaku accepted the Kutou guardian's offer warily, "but what are you going to do with your warrior, Seiryu?"

"That is my business," replied the kami dourly.

Suzaku clenched his jaw in annoyance. What have I just agreed to?

"Can we get started now?" the Southern guardian asked impatiently.

Taiitsu-kun frowned. She had run out of excuses. Well, it had been pretty dull in the universe ever since Tenkou had been defeated. That menace was certainly not going to be one of the things brought back with the time reversal. She looked at the youngest kami and exhaled heavily. Why not? It would give her some company other than the wretched Nyan-Nyans running amuck in her place.

"Very well, I shall begin the transportation spell. Make a circle around me. Stand in your respective cardinal points," the kami did as she bided, "Now concentrate your and focus your energy to me."

The four kami then glowed with energy.

Green…

White…

Blue…

Red…

From each kami a beam of light shot off and reached Taiitsu-kun. The swirl of colors blended within Taiitsu-kun and formed a dazzling spectrum. Then, from the depths of her ki, Taiitsu-kun began to emit a golden light. She raised a weathered hand above her head as the light gained intensity. When the light filled the entire chamber, a gold beam burst out of her and soared onto the sky.

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O.T.: (¬_¬) I can't believe you're making me write this. This has go to be the STUPIDEST THING I'VE EVER DONE!!!

Jess: Hey you lost the bet, live with it! ^____^

Nalle: Besides you know you want to… ^_^

O.T.: No I don't!!! Self-inserts and Mary-sues are the lowest form of fic writing!

Jess: True but this is OUR lowest form of fic writing!

Nalle: Now you've learned the problems with betting.

O.T.: *storms off* I am so not writing anymore…*rife cocks*… until people review! *laughs nervously* (.)

Jess: In case you haven't realized it yet, my bestest buddy O.T. here lost a bet. She had a story she had been messing with for some time now and it had four characters in it.

Nalle: So we betted her that she would only get two reviews for the chapter she just posted in her other fic because it was so slow and action less.

O.T.: *mutters* Damn cruel comment if you ask me… *yells* IT WAS A CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER PEOPLE!!! I can't have Hyourin killing monsters and battling dark forces every frikin' chap! This isn't frikin' Dragonball Z!!!

Jess: *ignores her* And she said quote: "I know my public and I'ma get to the good part soon enough."

Nalle: We told her "Wanna bet?" and she said "Fine!"

Jess: So we says "If we win we get to be the characters in the fic you're planning."

Nalle: And she said: "If my writing sucks so bad that I'm only worthy of getting two reviews, not only will I stick you in there, I will stick myself and my BROTHER in there too!"

Jess: *laughs uncontrollably* Imagine the look on her face when she lost!

O.T.: *sulks in a corner* Gah! This is so degrading! (8___8)

Jess: It's not so bad!

O.T.: *whines* Yes it is! Now people are going to think the fic's retarded! No ones gonna read it! It was going to be such a good story too…

Jess: Quit whining! *whacks her on the head*

Nalle: We'll make you a deal, if no one reads this or is remotely interested on what's going to happen next then let us know…

Jess: …and if we're in a good mood we might let you take the story off ff.net and banish it forevermore from our computer screens.

O.T.: Deal.

Nalle: Well, you heard the lady, if you don't review she will not post. Is anyone out there interested on what's gonna happen next…

*silence*

Jess: Anybody at all?