I know it's been awhile. I'm sorry. I needed to think a lot about this chapter before actually posting it. So here it is. it's angsty. All I can say is Don't Lose Hope.
(oh and no, Kumiko does not die in this chapter. Don't freak out...yet)
Chapter 20 – The Summoning
Kumiko let out a soft sigh as she let the Nyan-Nyans dress her in her ceremonial dress. She had never worn or even seen such an elegant dress in her entire life. It was a soft fabric of homespun silk sewn together delicately in an oriental style. The colors were that of the four gods- her pale yellow sleeves draped loosely over her fingers. A deep red made up the outer layer of the dress, with an ice blue peaking out beneath it. A dark shade of green swept to the sides. The dress covered her slippered feet and trailed behind her.
The Nyan Nyan's stood on stools and put her hair into an intricate bun. They wove ribbons in and out of her hair, leaving them hang in the back. They put long, silver earrings through her ears. As a final touch, an ebony comb was placed in her hair to keep the bun in place.
"Look in the mirror! Pretty pretty!" They squealed in delight as they pushed her towards the large mirror.
Kumiko looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was completely unrecognizable. Somehow, she seemed to look more elegant than she would have ever thought herself to be. She nearly laughed at herself.
"Thank you," she told the Nyan Nyan's kindly.
There was a knock on the door and she called, "come in."
Tasuki peeked his head through the door. "Kumiko, I-" he stopped as he let his jaw drop slightly.
"What?" Kumiko asked, a small smirk appearing on her face.
He shook his head. "Nothing. You just look…"
"really strange in a dress?"
"beautiful."
Kumiko felt her cheeks grow hot. Why did she feel so awkward. "thanks."
Tasuki sat down. "I can't believe this is it. You guys are…leaving." Kumiko felt her throat tighten.
"I know," she said softly.
He looked up at her, his amber eyes slightly pained. "you really do look great." He stopped, "although, you're missing something."
"Oh?" she said, "what's that?"
"This," he said. He clasped a tribe necklace around her neck. "I've always had this," he said, "but right now, I'd rather you wore it. I want you to have it when you…" he coughed, "well, you know."
She looked at it, her heart swelling with emotion.
"Tasuki," she whispered, "I want to give this to you too." She unclasped her own necklace around her neck and gave it to him.
Tasuki stared at the gold necklace a long time. He ran his fingers over the smooth metal, and the inscription he couldn't read. "Kumiko," he said softly, "I can't take this. It's yours."
"But I want you to have it," she insisted. "So I can always be with you, the way my dad was always with me."
"Are you sure?" He asked her seriously.
"Of course I'm sure," she smiled. "I want you to remember me. I want you to remember this moment. So that one day when you decide to settle down-"
"It's not happening," he argued. "no girl could ever compare to you. I don't even want to think about settling down with some-"
"Okay okay," Kumiko laughed. She kissed his cheek softly. "You're too flattering."
He looked at her, drinking in everything about her. Her smile, her caring eyes, the way she felt when he held her.
"I am going to miss you," he whispered softly.
She could swear she felt her heart break in that second. She pulled him close and kissed him, hoping this one memory would save her from what was to come. If we could just stay like this she thought hopelessly to herself if only…
"What were you thinking?"
Kumiko tried not to let herself get angry as she was severely lectured by Tai Itsukun. Well, that was stupid she instead mused to herself, smiling inwardly, as she thought of the look on Tai Itsukun's face as she entered the room to see the Priestess of Four Gods making out with one of her guardians.
"I'm sorry Tai Itsukun," she said, "I didn't mean any harm. I realized what Tasuki and I did broke rules severely. But the honest truth is that I already loved him before you told me it was wrong. He drives me to do my best for this world. He's not a distraction," she said, her voice growing softer, more sincere, "he is my partner."
Tai Itsukun silently surveyed the priestess. "Not much we can do about it now," she said shaking her head.
Kumiko let her smile grow to a large grin. For once, Tai Itsukun had seen things her way, and agreed that she had really done something for the best.
At least once…
"Kumiko!" An enthusiastic voice called.
She turned to see Miaka, running quickly down the hallway towards her and Kumiko. Unfortunatley, she was moving to fast for her slipper-clad feet to handle and she tripped over her silk skirt and fell flat on her face.
Kumiko winced. "Miaka! Are you alright?"
She nodded vigorously, her cheeks slightly red in embarrassment. "Yeah, I'm not used to running in these shoes…or a dress this long for that matter."
"you look beautiful," Kumiko commented.
And it was true. Miaka did look lovely. The majority of her dress was a deep crimson, tied with a golden silk bow round her stomach, it swept to the floor. Her red sleeves were short and an almost clear, sheer fabric graced down over her arms. The bottom on her dress was similar, just to get a glimpse of ankle in the front. Her slippers were the same dark red (if not slightly scuffed from her fall) Her hair was held up with a crown of gold and red ribbon.
"As do you," Miaka said, hugging her friend excitedly. "You should see Mischa and Rei! The both look so pretty! I can't believe Tai Itsukun actually got Mischa to wear a dress!"
"Neither can I," Mischa said with a grumble, walking up to join them. She did indeed look as pretty as Miaka had said. Her dress was a deep green and almost seemed to fit Mischa's personality. It covered here to most extremes, as that Hokkan was used to cold. Her sleeves draped longer than Kumiko's and were even tied in knots to keep from dragging on the ground. The top of her dress was a modest cut with a small amount of sheer fabric for the neckline. A ribbon of pure white wrapped around her waist three times and trailed down to the sides of her dress, which made it's way gracefully to the floor.
Her long hair, which seemed to have lost it's red sheen in the past few days, was separated into parts. Half of it was left flowing down her back gracefully, while the other was done into intricate buns atop her head kept in place by jeweled flowers and green ribbon, which met her hair and curled down in streams.
"It suits you," Kumiko said with a nod of approval.
"Yeah yeah," she said, shaking her head. "I don't wanna hear it. The sooner I put pants on, the better." She stopped for a moment. "But these slippers are comfy," she added as an afterthought, letting a green shoe peek out from her dress momentarily. A goofy grin appeared on her face. "They're so cute!"
"Where's Rei?" Kumiko asked.
"Right here," Rei said, making her way behind her. She blushed as Kumiko gasped. She had never seen Rei so elegantly dressed in her life. Her dress was a pale, fragile yellow that accented Rei's blue-green eyes very well. Much to Rei's usual disliking, her hair was tied into braids (to remind her fellow senshi of their former priestess, Suzuno) with yellow ribbon running through it. Gold ornaments were hung in her hair, along with jeweled bands and rings on her hands. The yellow fabric of her sleeves went half way down her arms and ended at the elbow, met by the sheer fabric that flowed down the rest of her arms, just touching her wrists. The dress was bit longer than Miaka's, leaving only the smallest bit of sheer fabric at the bottom of the dress, but enough to see her shoes, which Mischa jealously claimed better than her own.
"They're the same," Kumiko said rolling her eyes. "just different colors."
Miaka sighed. "I wish Yui was here. I wish we weren't fighting and she could be here dressed elegantly with the rest of us."
"She will be soon enough," Tai Itsukun said solemnly, "and I am sure Nakago knows well enough of this ceremony to be have her dressed as you."
"well, that's good…I guess," Miaka said.
"What if she looks better than you?" Mischa teased.
"Not possible," said Tamahome proudly, coming behind Miaka and placing a hand on her shoulder. Mischa rolled her eyes.
"You look regal," Miaka said, a wide grin on her face, "like a prince."
It was true, even Tamahome looked dashing. He was dressed all in red, clad in a decorative pattern of a phoenix across his chest. The rest of the remaining Suzaku senshi made there way behind him, dressed the same.
Kumiko felt her breath catch as she saw Tasuki, standing there reluctantly. She smiled to herself, knowing he would much rather be wearing something more comfortable and suited to his own liking.
Tatara and the Biyakko senshi appeared from wherever they had been and stood beside Rei, complimenting and teasing her. Kumiko felt a pang of guilt when she realized that she had not really gotten to know them all as well as she would have liked.
A sudden ruckus was heard as she turned to see a busy quarreling Uruki and Tomite, still debating over who was more loyal to Mischa. Both were clad in green, as the rest of the Genbu senshi, with a large tortoise with two large heads ensnaring the front. Kumiko giggled to herself, glad that she did not have to deal with seven arguing guardians. Well…most of the time.
Amiboshi found is way awkwardly overly to Kumiko, the only one dressed in blue, a silver dragon across his chest.
"Well I feel foolish," he said looking around, "I seemed to have missed the message to not wear blue."
Kumiko laughed. "No, you should be flattered to be the only one of your kind." She blushed, "well, that is…that's not trying to kill us, well not us two individually, they wouldn't kill you, but us as in -"
He laughed. "Don't feel bad. I know what you mean."
Kokie came up to her and went down on a knee to kiss her hand. "Priestess, you look lovely."
Kumiko smiled at her Biyakko guardian. "As do you, Kokie. You all look marvelous." And so they did. He wore the figure of a tiger proudly across the front of his pale yellow silk shirt.
Tomite, having yelled at Uruki as much as Mischa could stand, made his way over to Kumiko as well.
"Tomite, do you know…well…exactly what it is I have to do at this ceremony? I figured that, well, since you've been through a summoning ceremony before-" Kumiko began.
Tomite shook his head. "I don't know exactly, my lady. You see, our ceremony didn't exactly work as planned. That's why lady Mischa is here…to fulfill what our first priestess Takiko could not," his voice grew quiet as he lost himself in memories. Kumiko looked at him sympathetically, unable to relate to what it must be like to see years and years of repeating history.
She put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she said sincerely, " that I could not do as much for Hokkan and for you as I had hoped. If there had only been time…I feel awful." He shook his head and took her hand, being gravely serious for the first time she had really seen.
"Priestess, you have no reason to feel sorry. Takiko is here with us, now. Lady Mischa has saved us, as you have. I am the one who should be sorry for not being able to serve you more. You are giving everything for our sake…that is the most honorable thing anyone can do." Tomite held tightly to her hand as he spoke. Kumiko gave him a meloncololy look and hugged him tightly.
"Tomite, thank you. It is for people like you I fight for. Thank you for serving me in every way possible."
"We need to get the ceremony started," Tai Itsukun said quietly, but her voice commanded enough presence to shut everyone up. "We will be receiving the rest of our
Seiryuu visitors soon enough. And the sooner we start, the easier things will be."
Kumiko nodded silently.
The procession of people made their way to the courtyard. The tension was so thick, Kumiko could have sworn she could have choked on it.
There were now in the large courtyard. The courtyard was square, in each corner a large fountain- in the middle of which was an altar. Miaka, Mischa and Rei found a corner and were surrounded by their senshi. Only Amiboshi stood alone, in the corner opposite to Miaka. Kumiko and Tai Itsukun stood in the middle, where the largest alter was found.
"Tasuki of Suzaku, Amiboshi of Seiryuu, Kokie of Biyakko and Tomite of Genbu," Tai Itsukun called their names loudly. Each stepped forward and made their way to Kumiko.
She took out for strands of colored ribbon- one for each of them.
"Tasuki- your fearsome courage and fiery devotion have kept you at your priestesses side at all times. Take this strand of ribbon and wrap it around her wrist to give your blessing and show your commitment." Tasuki slowly took the crimson ribbon from Tai Itsukun's shriveled fingers and tenderly wrapped it around Kumiko's small, soft hand. He let his eyes meet hers, and the deep love and loyalty they held for her did not escape Tai Itsukun's view.
"Amiboshi- it is your deep heart and calm mind that kept your priestess safe from harm. Take this, a strand of ribbon and wrap it around the same hand- giving your blessing and commitment." He too took a strand and wrapped the blue ribbon over the red one already there. He squeezed her hand once to comfort her and offered Kumiko a small smile. She smiled back at him, grateful for the gesture.
"Kokie- your will and quick wit that kept you caring for your priestess. Take the strand of ribbon and wrap it around the opposite hand to show your devotion and blessing." He took the pale yellow ribbon and wrapped it carefully around her hand. He again kissed it and bowed his head respectfully.
"Finally, Tomite- it was your strong nature and smart senses that saved your priestess in time of need. Take this last strand of ribbon and wrap it around the priestess' wrists to show her your blessing and devotion." Tomite took the final strand of green ribbon and wrapped it around her hand, tying it neatly and patting her hand in support. Kumiko smiled at him with a silent thanks.
Tai Itsukun cleared her throat. "It is the bonds of friendship and brotherhood that have kept us together so far. Let us remember that this is the final stage to attempting peace- and it will take the effort of every last one of you." She turned to Kumiko and said, "Shi jin no Miko, I leave the prayer to you."
All eyes were on Kumiko alone. She had no idea what she was to say, and her throat felt very dry all the sudden. She looked panickly at Tai Itsukun and then to Tasuki. He gave her an encouraging smile, and a sense of calamity overtook her again.
She close her eyes and began to speak to the gods.
"Gods of Fire, Water, Wind and Earth,
I have now completed your search
We have found your servants, strong and true
So now I have returned to you
The final task is yet to see
Help us to regain the peace
By bringing together friend and foe,
I summon thee, as the Shi Jin no Miko"
There was a sudden gasp and Kumiko's eyes shot open to see brilliant light shooting from the heavens above. The light was a pink hue, shooting colors off in every direction. Everyone looked up to the skies to see the amazing sight that was the gods decending. Kumiko felt herself shake, neither out of fear or excitement. This was the end.
Suzaku came first- the body of a giant bird coming down from the sky. His plumage was a beautiful crimson red- the color of the blood that had been shed by so many. He spred his great wings wide, releasing showers of gold upon the senshi beneath him. Kumiko looked to Miaka who was enveloped in a red light.
Next was Biyakko, surrounded by a pale, but ever strong, yellow light. A ferocious tiger lept from the sky, it's huge paw walking on some invisible ground in the sky. He roared a fearsome roar, shaking the ground beneath him. Rei too was eveloped in bright light- almost in a trance by the sight of the great tiger god.
Genbu came shortly after- a set of snakes for heads, entwined and hissing deeply. The huge tortoise moved slowly through the sky towards the Genbu senshi- each step making them bounce off the ground a bit more. Mischa was soon enveloped in a green light- calm and peaceful as Kumiko had ever seen her.
Finally was the great dragon god Seiryuu, the one everyone had least looked forward to seeing. It's long, blue body snaked it's way from the clouds, leaving a trail of swirling air behind him. He looked around, and not seeing his followers, let out a mighty roar (Kumiko had never known dragons could do that). As quick as she had blinked, Kumiko saw the Seiryuu senshi- along with Yui in a ceremonial dress of ice blue stood in the last corner.
How can this be? Kumiko thought. They just…appeared…
None of the Seiryuu senshi were moving. All stood motionless, staring at the great god Seiryuu. Yui was eveloped in light as well. In fact, no one moved. Kumiko looked around wildy. Everyone seemed to be entranced by the power of these gods.
She suddenly shivered, feeling a cold spell sweep through the courtyard. It was as if some cruel force and breathed down her neck, whispering cruel words upon them all.
"Kill…destroy them all…"Kumiko was knocked to the ground by sheer force as she saw the battle ensue before her. The gods had entered an all out quarrel faster than the speed of light. They sped across the courtyard, firing deadly blows at each other, destroying parts of these secret palace as they went. Kumiko looked around to see if anyone had been hurt, but it all seemed still. They were all standing, staring at their own god. Only Tai Itsukun looked un-affected, looking from figure to figure with a great look of panic on her face.
"Tai Itsukun! What's going on!" Kumiko yelled over the uproar of disaster the four gods were creating.
"Something has gone terribly wrong! They are not supposed to fight!" Tai Itsukun called back, looking around with worry, "they are feeding off the energy of the senshi and priestesses. Kumiko, you have to do something, and quickly!"
Kumiko felt quite helpless, sitting among the rubble of the quickly decaying courtyard. But she knew Tai Itsukun was right. She had to do something, and fast.
Suddenly, the destruction stopped as each god seemed to stop to catch their breath. Somehow, Kumiko knew it wasn't over.
No, she thought, this is getting worse.
The gods seemed to be sucking in the final force of life as they forced it all into one single strand of chi- ready to collide at any second.
Rushing to her feet, Kumiko ran to the middle of the courtyard, just as the blow was being fired.
She stopped as she reached the middle, yelling at the top of her lungs, "Please- STOP NOW!" She threw her arms out wide and shut her eyes tightly.
The last thing she heard before being engulfed in white light was the distressful cry of her name.
Don't Panic. I swear, she's not dead. Just wait for the next chapter! Please Review- I need you to tell me how you like it!
-Lola