Lola: Look another chapter! Please understand that right now I'm in the musical 'Oklahoma' and don't get to update very often. But after the show is over, I promise I'll be more faithful (that is, if my brother gets his butt of Diablo 2 once in awhile) Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who's reviewed. You're wonderful, and I love you all! And if you (yes you) want to be loved too, please review! (heh heh heh, I'm too corny sometimes) With that, take it away TMM!

TMM: Lola-Gurl doesn't own Fushigi Yugi, but Yuu Watase does. Lola does own Kumiko Inoai though. Mischa Yuki belongs to Paris Rose and Rei Hikagi (doesn't appear in this chapter, but did a while ago) belongs to Lupine Eyes.

Lola: Ok, good, that's one less thing on the list. Thank you TMM!

Key:

thoughts are in italics

Passing of time are these little bars -------------------------------------

Flashbacks are Bold AND Italic!

Shi Jin no Miko

Chapter 10 – Run in with Seiryuu's Minions

Kumiko stood, too scared to move. "Yui," she whispered voice barely above a squeak.

"Kumiko, it is you!" Yui cried, running to embrace her. Kumiko relaxed when Yui hugged her tightly. She could tell her friend was scared, for she was shivering.

"Yui. I'm sorry," Kumiko said softly.

Yui looked at her. "Why? I'm glad you're here, so I'm not alone, but I'm sorry you had to get into this. Have….have you seen Miaka?" She asked. Kumiko reluctantly nodded. "Ah. I see."

"Look, Yui, I understand-" Kumiko began, but Yui cut her off.

"Understand? You couldn't possibly! Whatever Miaka told you, it was a lie! She lied to me, she never wanted to come back for me! All she wanted was that stupid Tamahome."

She shook her head vigorously and replied, "No, Miaka told me nothing! I saw for my own eyes, through Tai Itsukun's mirror. She showed me what happened. I'm sure Miaka wanted to come back for you. She'd never want to abandon you, Yui. Just think about how long you've been friends!"

Yui didn't answer and decided to drop the topic. "Who have you sided with? Of which country are you priestess of?" She asked.

Kumiko was silent for a moment, then said, "None. As of now, there is not a Priestess of Biyakko."

"And Genbu?" She asked.

"Have you ever met Miaka's cousin, Mischa?" Kumiko asked. Yui thought back, then slowly nodded.

"Once, why?" she questioned.

"Mischa's become the new priestess of Genbu. At the moment, she's looking for senshi."

Yui once again turned away. "I suppose she's formed allies with Konan then."

"Yui!" Kumiko clenched her fists desperately. "Please, don't tell me that's all that matters!"

Yui's glare penetrated Kumiko's skin, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. "But isn't it? If we want to escape this place at all? I want to leave this stupid book, and I can't do that unless I summon Seiryuu and wish to escape. That's what matters. I want to leave and never come back!"

"But what about the people here?" Kumiko said softly.

"Kumiko, it's only a book," Yui's voice got softer. "They don't matter. They're not real." These words pained Kumiko on the inside, knowing they were true, and that all she loved was an illusion. When this was all over, if it could ever be all over, the truth would remain: Tasuki was only a character in a book. And nothing could be done about that.

"Kumiko," Yui said, putting her arm around her. "I never meant to make you sad. You…you care about them, don't you?"

Kumiko nodded slowly, throat tight. "It's why I became the Priestess of Four Gods. I know how Kuto and Konan fight, and I've seen the faces of these people. I don't care if they don't really exist; they still go through pain, and agony, just as anyone who is. And nobody, real or not, should have to go through it. I want it all to stop." She hugged Yui and begged, "Help me. Please."

Yui said nothing. She only hugged Kumiko tighter. "I try. But it's so hard. I can't help that I'm enemies with Miaka. As the priestess of Seiryuu, I have to summon him. I-"

She stopped when Kumiko let go of her and said tersely, "Run away. Leave. Come with me. I don't trust that general, Nakago. All he's been doing is feeding you lies. Do you really think it's safe, following him around like that? Please, listen to me. I know he's been kind to you, and he seems like a nice person, but he's not. He's nothing but a twisted-"

"No, please Kumiko! Don't speak of him like that!" Yui said, clasping her head and covering her ears. Kumiko grabbed her hands and pulled them away. There were tears in both girls eyes.

"Please Yui, come with me. I'll make sure that we'll get out of here. Not by war, but by finding peace. I need to gather my three other senshi guardians, one from each other country. And then…I can summon the gods myself, tell them to stop the fighting. I promise, we don't have to fight this out."

Silently, Yui let her tears flow as she once again clasped Kumiko's shoulder. She dampened Kumiko's shirt within seconds as she let the tears fall. Kumiko patted her friend's back comfortingly and soothed her with soft 'shh' noises.

"Don't worry Yui, things will be alright." She began to sniffle softly, then stopped and rubbed her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry like that," She said with one final snuffle.

"Its alright. A good cry is worth it sometimes."

"Kumiko, you said you need to gather three senshi guardians. Who?" Yui asked her, leading her into one of the tents.

"Well, first of all, there's Tomite of Genbu. Then…Kokie of Biyakko. And finally…Amiboshi of Seiryuu. Do you know where he is?" Kumiko ticked off then names on her fingers. Yui looked crestfallen.

"Kumiko, I'm sorry. Amiboshi, Suboshi's twin brother…is apparently dead. The Suzaku senshi are the ones responsible for his death. For that, Suboshi killed Tamahome's family. His actions, though Irrational, were out of vengeance. I'm afraid without Amiboshi, there isn't much to do."

Although it seemed hopeless when Yui said this, Kumiko couldn't help the nagging feeling that Amiboshi was not gone. He has to be alive, he just has to, Kumiko thought to herself.

"Have you been traveling all by yourself, Kumiko?" Yui asked as if this were time for a normal conversation.

Kumiko shook her head. "No, I have one of the Suzaku senshi with me." She immediately kicked herself mentally. Damn! There I go with my big mouth again. What the hell am I thinking?

"Who? It isn't Tamahome is it?" Yui asked, a look of disgust on her face as she said this. Kumiko shook her head again.

"No, definitely not. He probably couldn't live a moment without Miaka. And besides, he's extremely annoying. The senshi guarding me is Tasuki."

Yui nodded nonchalantly, not really paying attention. It was obvious she wasn't set on this topic, but instead was thinking deeply about another.

"Kumiko, if I were to go with you and this Tasuki guy…he'd go after me. I can't escape my senshi. They can sense me, wherever I go."

"But can't you try? Please, it's worth it! I want you to be able to get away from all this…before it's too late for escaping it all." Kumiko stood and clasped her hands, pleading.

Before Yui could answer, a voice interrupted their two way conversation.

"Your eminence I-" They stopped when they saw Kumiko.

The boy, who was their age, looked surprised, and held whatever he was holding tightly in his grip.

"Your eminence, this isn't-"

Yui interrupted him, "No, this is not the priestess of Suzaku, Suboshi. This is Kumiko Inoai, the priestess of four gods."

Suboshi narrowed his eyes. "Oh, I see. You're the one trying to keep the peace." He gave a small laugh. "It's not going to work you know. Kuto will prevail when we summon Seiryuu. We're the one with the Shinzaho from Hokkan."

Kumiko narrowed her eyes as well. "No, you're wrong. Peace will prevail as long has hope remains. I will make sure it will be regained. No country will ever rule over the others. They will remain equals in power. Yui, please…come with me."

"Your Eminence, the priestess of Seiryuu, is not going anywhere!" He said angrily. Both turned to Yui, who looked incredibly torn.

"I won't force you to come with me," Kumiko said simply. "But I want you to know, I'm going to make everything right again. One day, you and Miaka will be friends again. That is my promise."

She left the two and ran as quickly as she could. It surprised her that neither of them followed, which left her with a bittersweet feeling. Nothing felt as bad as leaving something behind, especially when it was a friend like Yui. "Yui," she whispered, tears once again welling up in her eyes.

"Tasuki!" She yelled, not seeing him.

"Behind you," He noted. She turned to see him looking at her casually. She stood silently for a moment, tears still mingling around. "Kumiko, are you okay?" He asked. Before he could react, a pair of arms swung around his waist. Kumiko began to cry softly, muffling the sounds in his coat. "Kumiko," he said softly. "Please don't cry, things will be fine, really." If it was anyone else but Kumiko, he would feel awkward comforting them. But, as that it was the girl he cared about, he didn't mind her clinging to him tightly. Part of him actually enjoyed it, until he remembered how much pain she was going through.

"Please…let's just go. Get the hell out of here and don't look back. The sooner we find everyone else, the better." She looked up at him and smiled, as if she had never cried.

"Alright. We won't be doing much more traveling today though. You stayed there for quite some time. I was almost about to run in there and get you. I would have been happy to kick some ass, you know." She giggled softly and let go, blushing. What was I thinking, clinging to him like that? What's WRONG with me?

"Sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable," She laughed. He shook his head.

"No, it's ok. Just don't do it again." Both of them laughed heartily.

"I'm tired," Kumiko yawned as they trotted slowly at a grueling pace. It was true, she was exhausted from the days events. And she wasn't the only one: The horses seemed exhausted too. Tasuki was the only one with any energy.

"Just a little further, ok? Don't worry, things'll be fine." A sudden whoosh interrupted them as both were flung back. The two fell to the ground, dazed.

"What the hell was that?" Tasuki yelled. But it didn't take them any longer to discover exactly what the hell it was. And what it was, wasn't pleasant.

"Nakago," Tasuki spat.

"Good to know you Suzaku scum still know my name. And you'd have better fear it as well, priestess of four gods." Nakago gave them both a malicious grin, the setting sun's hues making his face look even more sinister.

"And why the hell is that?" Kumiko spat back, getting up. "You wouldn't dare do anything to me, or Tasuki. All I'm doing is saving this world from evils that threaten it! I want to stop the killing!"

Nakago laughed a menacing laugh, making Kumiko's skin prickle. "But wouldn't I? You received my message, didn't you? I told you that if you wanted to live, you'd give up your title. Otherwise you'd die. Don't you remember?"

Kumiko was taken aback. "That…was you?" She asked skeptically. He laughed again.

"Of course. Kuto WILL be the most powerful of the four countries. We WILL summon Seiryuu first, and he will reign over all others, with me in head command. And this world…with be mine. You just seem to get in the way. So you'll need to be disposed of."

"You're a sick person. You don't even deserve such a title. I hope you burn in hell," She said, clenching her fists.

He snickered. "You first." He brought his hands together and concentrated his chi as a blue symbol began to glow on his forehead. A ball of blue energy grew between his hands, which he fired straight at Kumiko. It hit her stomach with full force. She screamed in pain, clenching her stomach as it hit. A light began to surround her as she concentrated on staying alive. No…I can't give in. I have to survive. I have to save the people. I can't let him win. Not now… She thought, clenching her teeth in pain.

She fell to the ground, first to her knees, then her hands. "You bastard," she spat. Nakago did not answer. Infact, he was gone. "Where'd…he go?" She asked confused, before blacking out.

"Kumiko? Kumiko! KUMIKO!" Tasuki repeatedly called her name as she slowly came to.

"Wah ? Where…am…I?"

"You seem to sleep late when you're wounded," said a familiar voice.

Kumiko looked up. "Oh, hey Mischa. Wait, Mischa!" She sat up, and groaned in pain. Her stomach began throbbing as she fell back down.

"Good job moron, you made her sit up," Tasuki mumbled.

"Well what do you expect! She hasn't seen me in quite a while you know!" Mischa spat back.

"Mischa, what are you doing here? And why am I in a bed? WHERE am I in a bed? The last I checked I was in the middle of the woods getting my ass kicked by Mr.I-want-to-take-over-the-world-so-I'll-kill-you."

"It's a long story, are you sure you want to hear it?" Mischa warned. Kumiko nodded. Mischa sighed, and said, "alright. So, I was going to look for my senshi, which I found two of them. Currently, they're at Mt. Taikyoku regaining their bodies." Kumiko gave her a quizzical look. "They're ghosts," Mischa explained. Kumiko nodded, showing that she understood.

"Yea, so I was sent down to Sairou to go find the rest of these guys. And guess where I found them? In the middle of the desert, delirious and disillusioned. And of course, Tamahome and Miaka are nowhere to be found. And currently, we have no fucking idea. But anyway, we found you and Tasuki on our way here."

"So where's 'here'?" Kumiko asked skeptically.

"The capital of Sairou, in the Emperors palace. When you're feeling well enough, there's somebody who wants to visit you."

"I'm well enough!" Kumiko assured her, but Mischa shook her head.

"Hell no. You just woke up. You've been sleeping for about 3 and half days. It's amazing you're not dead. Seriously, it seems Nakago laid some badass moves on you, but you practically shrugged him off without a scratch. Unfortunately, Mitsukake's sorta weak on energy and isn't able to fully heal you. That's what you get for laying out in the desert for almost two days."

Kumiko laughed slightly, but felt slightly sick. Her stomach still ached in pain, and she felt queasy. "By the way, Mischa, what am I wearing?" She asked.

"Oh, those are my pajamas. Aren't the cute? Your clothes were sorta…bloodstained and icky, so I figured they should be washed and all that."

"Uh...Mischa, are these crossbones on your pajamas?" Kumiko asked. Mischa nodded happily, bobbing her head up and down.

"I told you they were cute!" She said smiling.

"You should sleep now Kumiko," Tasuki said. He hadn't spoke in a few minutes, which seemed quite unlike him to stay quiet for that long.

"Alright, I suppose I should. Just wake me up if I've been sleeping too long. I don't want to be out for another 3 ½ days, okay?" Smiling, she fell asleep.

A knock on her door awoke Kumiko. "Hold on a second," She said yawning and rubbing her eyes. She slowly sat up and found the pain had dulled slightly, and it was ok to sit up. "Ok, come in." She said.

Tasuki opened the door and gave her a small smile. "Bandage time," he said, holding up a pile of new ones.

"Where's Mitsukake? Isn't he supposed to do that, being the doctor and all?" Kumiko asked.

"He crashed. He and everyone else are dead tired and went to bed a while ago. He asked me to do it before he feel asleep though."

"Um…ok." Kumiko said shrugging.

Tasuki sat down on her bed and Kumiko shifted the blankets and sat on her legs. "Alright now lift up your shirt," He said. Kumiko glared at him. "Not like that! Just enough so I can change your bandages, jeez! Besides…you know I don't like girls." Kumiko lifted up her shirt enough so the top of her bandages could be seen, about two inches lower than her bra.

"Ow!" she winced in pain at his touch.

"Oh stop being such a baby," he replied, unwrapping the bloody bandages. He didn't wince or even stare at the wound, as any one else would have. He only began to wrap it in fresh bandages.

"You know, what you did was very brave," He said softly. Kumiko sniggered at his comment.

"Brave? Yea right."

He shook his head. "No really, it was amazing. You're very strong, to be able to take that kind of pain. Anybody else would have died easily. I was astonished." His amber eyes met hers and made her heart beat faster once again.

"Oh, it was nothing really. I just…wanted- willed myself to stay alive." There was silence.

"All done," Tasuki said, putting his hands to his sides.

"Thanks…"

She looked at him gratefully. The two froze in position, just string at each other, not knowing what would happen next. All the same, the two leaned closer towards each other, closing the gap between them, until-

"Kumiko, are you in here!" Mischa called, barging through the door. Immediately the two backed away from each other, fearfully looking at Mischa. She blinked and looked back and forth between them. "What the hell's going on here?" She asked.

"Nothing. Just bandage changing," Tasuki said.

Kumiko nodded. "Mitsukake's apparently sleeping," She said, laughing nervously.

Mischa shrugged it off and said, "Hey, well there' somebody who needs to see you. Are you well enough to accept your visitor now?"

Kumiko nodded and said, "Yea, I guess. Let them in." Tasuki stood up to leave the room. As he left behind Mischa, he looked back at Kumiko, an apologetic look upon his face. She felt her cheeks tinge with red as he left. Oh god…she thought, what in the world have I done to myself?

"She says it's ok, you can go in and visit her now." Mischa's voice sounded from outside the door. Kumiko wondered exactly who it was that was going to visit her. The door suddenly creaked open as a well-known face peeked their head through the door. Kumiko's jaw nearly touched the floor.

"Oh my god…"

Lola: Yup, another cliffie. You'll have to read and find out who it is. Thank you everyone for being so patient. I know it was a long wait. I'll try to get chapter 11 up soon. Oh, and please review!