Alatáriël: Hello, people! What's up?
Kate: The sky...
Alatáriël: *smacks Kate beside the head*
Kate: Ow!
Alatáriël: Chichiri? Disclaimers, please.
Chichiri: Okay, no da! All Alatáriël owns that could be considered hers would be Kate... and this cute plushie of me, no da! *holds it up for everyone to see*... She made my back lumpy, no da!!!... One arms is slightly longer than the other too, no da.
Alatáriël: Hey! It's pretty good for my first try... I had no clue what I was doing... O_O;; It's cute, but his shoes keep falling off... *tapes them to his feet*
Kate: Show time, 3 seconds!
*everyone runs off stage*
Chapter 11: "Hello, Nakago!"
Kate slowly made her way up beside Miaka and tapped on the ice. The second her knuckles touched the ice it cracked and Kate jumped back in shock. "I didn't do it, I swear!", she yelled as Miaka broke free. Tomite and Hikitsu stared in shock. Miaka quickly sank to the ground gasping for breath.
"Miaka!", Tasuki and Tamahome yelled and ran up to her as Hikitsu broke the wall. Kate looked over to Tomite and Hikitsu, feeling like she was being stared at. Hikitsu motioned for her to come over to him with a wave of his hand.
She blinked and walked over. "Can I help you?", she asked, slightly nervous. "I noticed you seemed to know what was going on...", Hikitsu said. Kate blinked. 'Did I mouth the words?', she thought and Tomite raised an eyebrow.
She laughed uncomfortably. "Umm... Long story... Let's just say I have my ways", Kate said with a grin. She loved messing with people. Tomite and Hikitsu exchanged a glance. "Like...? You aren't a warrior, are you?", Hikitsu asked. "Nope... I'm just your average girl", she said with a grin.
Tomite looked over at Miaka. "She is the priestess... She has the flame of Suzaku... Is it not?", he asked. Kate nodded. "Umm... Would you guys do me a favor?", she asked. They looked at her strange. "Don't mention anything you saw, ok?", She asked with a laugh. They shrugged then turned toward Miaka.
"You have demonstrated your power, priestess of Suzaku", Hikitsu said kindly. "O-okay what's th' sudden mood change?!", Tasuki asked sourly. "Power? I don't get it", Miaka said. "We apologize for the trouble we have caused", Hikitsu said. "So... Then you'll let us through?!", Miaka asked.
"Exactly. Allow us to guide you to the shinzaho... Agreed?", Hikitsu said. "Yeah. I suppose so", Tomite replied and they walked into the cave. Kate smiled at Chichiri, "Traveling with you guys is never boring, you know?", She asked with a smile. He just shook his head slightly with a smile.
Five minutes later they reached door. "Wow! This door is huge!", Miaka commented. "We sealed the door through our will. And we have guarded it for the past 200 years, but now is the time when we shall open it", Hikitsu said as Tomite chanted a spell to open the doors.
They entered a huge room that shined like diamonds. It looked like a palace. "Wow", Miaka commented as she stepped up to the alter. No one else was allowed to go near it. Kate was getting anxious. She knew the shinzaho of Genbu would not be their hands long and frowned as everyone else rejoiced.
"Excuse me... I don't mean to rain on your picnic, but that's not enough to summon Suzaku", Tomite said and everyone minus Kate went shock. "Whaddaya mean we can't summon Suzaku!?", Tasuki yelled.
"We questioned one of the thieves... They mentioned that if one didn't combine the powers of this with the shinzaho of the Western Nation of Sairo, there won't be enough power", Hikitsu informed. Little clouds of depression hovered over everyone except Kate, who looked bored.
"Now that I recall, Tai Itsukun did say FIRST go to the country of Hokkan...", Chichiri said. "Okay, but she shoulda come clean up front! Right Tama--", Tasuki asked. Tamahome was out of it and was crying, chibi.
"I'll do it! If we have to go to Sairo, we go! We already have one shinzaho, right? We can do it again!", Miaka shouted. "She's got a point", Tasuki said. "I'm sure we can do it", replied Chiriko. Tamahome looked away. "Tamahome?", Miaka asked.
"What are you wasting your time here for? Are we going to Sairo or not?", Tamahome asked, looking irritated. Miaka latched herself to his arm. "Yeah!", she cheered. Kate grinned. "There's a short cut to Sairo. Cross the desert, just south of Hokkan", Tomite said.
"What about you two?", Miaka asked. "Us? Our job's over and done with", Tomite said happily. "We shall close the door and return to heaven", Hikitsu said. "You kept us waiting 200 years", Tomite said with a single tear going down his face. "True", Hikitsu said.
"Take care", Tomite said as the door began to close. "Goodbye", Kate said and gave them a grin. The group turned and walked down the cave's tunnels. "I'd would have liked to have talked with them more", Miaka said. Kate was beginning to feel sick. Ashitare was right around the corner.
"I was wonderin' if Suzaku could bring a guy back t' life", Tasuki said. "I'm sorry to say... that is unlikely, no da... When someone dies, the body is given back to the earth. A soul needs a vessel to return to", Chichiri answered.
They were so close to the light. Kate couldn't stand it. She thought she was going to scream. She hadn't realized it but she had stopped in her tracks, causing the others to turn around.
"What's the matter?", Tasuki asked. She stood there wide eyed and her face was pale. "I-I... nothing... Let's go", she said and shook her head. She was given worried glances, but dismissed it as nothing and walked outside.
Just as they immerged from the cave a wolf form of Ashitare took the shinzaho. Kate immediately took after it. Miaka was right behind her. Kate was aware that Miaka was falling behind and she glanced behind her.
... Just then she way aware of bright light just as she ran into a tree... damn tree. She woke up with a pounding head ache. She cringed as she reached up and touched her head. There wasn't any blood, but it hurt like hell. She quickly looked around. Miaka was no where to be seen, but she heard something.
"For now, worry less about stealing stuff back, and more about making it back to Sairo", she heard Tomo's double of Tai Itsukun say. Kate growled. She hated this part. "You get the other shinzaho then you can worry about the stolen one. I'll look after Miaka", Tai Isukun said. 'This is SO full of crap! Why can't they see this?!', Kate thought and rolled her eyes. She didn't want to hear anymore. She took off running after Miaka.
A few hours later she saw Nakago's camp. She had stumbled onto Tama-neko and they had made a "plan"... Now things were going to get interesting... Oh yes, very interesting indeed.
She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. A scream filled the air and she cursed, rushing into the camp. Miaka was up against the tent's wall with a force holding her there. Nakago was looking at Kate, surprised.
"Get away from her you son of a sheep!", she yelled and threw a punch at him. He easily dodged her and she cursed. She saw him bring his arm down to strike her and blocked it. "Miaka! Are you ok?!", Kate asked. Miaka seemed to ignore her as she yelled, "Give Yui back to me!!!" Kate sighed. She had gotten here just in time. A minute later and Miaka would have been unconscious.
Nakago just smirked. "Not very smart are you?", he asked Kate, who had gotten into a fighting stance. "Smarter than you", she said with a smirk that mirrored Nakago's. He held out his hand and a ball of energy began to form. Her smirk disappeared. "SHIT!", she yelled and ducked, turning her back to Nakago.
She began running in a zig-zag (trying to make a moving target) and felt a ball of energy coming her way. She froze and bent over in a last attempt to HOPEFULLY stay alive. She felt the energy ball fly into her, but it didn't hurt her. A red grow had formed itself around her backpack, making a shield. She blinked. 'The mirror?', she thought. She turned around and saw that Nakago's energy ball had been sent back to him.
He looked pissed. Kate stood up carefully. Her legs wobbled slightly but she didn't fall. "You tried to kill me you jack ass!!!", she yelled angrily and pointed an accusing finger at him. He just glared and crossed his arms over his chest. "I would ask how you did that, but i'm running out of time... Leave now and I won't come after you", he said, sounding bored.
"Go kiss a turkey!", she said and stuck out her tongue. Miaka looked scared. Kate walked up to Miaka, not letting Nakago out of her sight, and tapped on the energy bands keeping her there. She got shocked and cursed.
She was aware that Nakago was slowly stepping near. She shot him a glare and took a fighting stance. He kept walking toward her lazily. Suddenly he lashed out and she jumped back. His hand somehow was able to latch itself onto her neck and lifted her off the ground.
'I'm out of time!', Kate thought went the world suddenly went black. She had thought she had died. It would have made sense. After all, Suzaku had warned her to stay near Chichiri when she hadn't, but he should have known better.
Kate woke up a while later with the same headache she had earlier that afternoon. "Miaka?", Kate asked and opened her eyes. Tamahome was standing in the door way with a look of horror on his face. "Damn it", Kate mumbled and looked over to Miaka. She was awake and looked like a puppy that didn't know if it was in any danger or not.
Kate was mildly surprised when she saw Chichiri walk into the hut behind Tamahome. 'This didn't happen in the manga', she thought and looked over herself and Miaka carefully. "Are you two ok?!", Tamahome asked.
"I think i'll survive", Kate said with a grin and got up. Chichiri helped her to her feet and she staggered a little. Miaka was crying into Tamahome's shoulder and Kate sighed. "Did you run into Nakago?", Kate asked. Chichiri nodded grimly. "...What did he say?", Kate asked.
Chichiri took off his mask and sighed. "He got the shinzaho and left. He didn't say anything... Why? What happened?", Chichiri asked. Miaka looked like she had taken a walk into a bad ally somewhere. Kate was sure she didn't look much better and shrugged.
Kate kept an eye on Miaka. She wasn't doing anything but crying and talking about how scared she was. "I came in here and Miaka was in trouble. I tried to help, but got knocked out... You'll have to get the rest on the information from Miaka", Kate said. Suddenly a grin formed her face. "But I do have a gift for you guys", she said and pulled the shinzaho out of her pocket.
Miaka was now looking up at her in shock. "How?", she asked. Kate just smiled and Tama-neko jumped onto her shoulder. "Tama-neko switched the real one with a fake one while I distracted Nakago!", Kate said happily.
Everyone looked at her like she was nuts. "You could have been hurt! What were you thinking?!", Tamahome screamed. Kate shrugged and threw the shinzaho at him. "Now we can get the other one! ", Kate said with a grin and Miaka suddenly flung herself at her.
"ACK!", Kate screeched. "HOW?!!! Oh my god, Kate!", Miaka yelled as Kate tried to get away from the hyper priestess. Finally she did. "Ok... Ok... Let's get going, ok? I don't want to stay here any longer... It gives me the creeps!", Kate said and left the tent, but she was kind of worried. What had happened after she had gotten knocked out? Miaka seemed fine and so did she.
A few hour later they had set up came a few miles from where the other camp had been. Tamahome went to go fishing and seemed in high spirits. Miaka was over joyed about getting the shinzaho back. Chichiri had on his mask so it was hard to see how he was feeling. Tama-neko rested on Chichiri's shoulder. Kate smiled, but was still worried.
She had altered the plot and was starting to feel a little scared. She wasn't sure what was going to happen and now things were going to get difficult. She needed to get some time by herself so she could look into the mirror.
Tamahome asked Kate and Miaka to go find some wood for the fire while Chichiri was more than happy to help fish. When they were out of hearing range Kate spoke up. "What happened in Nakago's camp?", Kate asked. Miaka looked at her with guilt. Kate sighed. "You can skip the reason... That I know... Tai Itsukun was a fake... Yeah, I know... I mean after I got knocked into la la land", Kate said with a seriousness she rarely showed.
"Kate.... You knew?", Miaka asked meekly. Kate nodded as she bent down to pick up some sticks. Miaka went silent. "I can't believe I fell for that... Kate if it hadn't been for you I might not be here right now...", Miaka said sadly. Kate just smiled a little. "Nakago had to leave soon after you passed out due to Tamahome's arrival. He stole something from your backpack and then left. It was all very weird.
Kate's eyes widened and she quickly took her backpack off and went threw it... Her mirror was still there but she couldn't find her toothpaste. She sweatdroped. "Um... ok..", She said and continued to pick up twigs. 'He took my toothpaste', she thought with a small smile. This was too funny.
A few minutes later Miaka and Kate returned to the camp site with the twigs and dry logs they had managed to locate. 'If only Tasuki was here', Kate thought and thought of a way to make a fire. 'Let's see... I think you are supposed to rub two sticks together till they catch fire...', she thought with a frown. She did NOT want to do that. It would take her hours AND she would hurt her hands.
'Ok... flint...', she thought. She was so caught up in her thoughts of what she had seen in old Native American movies she hadn't noticed that Tamahome had already made the fire. She blinked when she noticed the small fire in front of her and sweatdroped.
She then helped Tamahome clean the fist, which she decided she hated doing with a passion. "Tamahome, this is nasty", she said with a frown as she ran her dagger along the fish. "What's so nasty about it?", he asked. "Isn't there a Wall- Mart or something you can buy fish from?", she asked. He just laughed.
About 30 minutes later the fish was being cooked and the sun was down. Kate cringed. She hated being outside at night time. Her mind always played tricks on her. Right now she was thinking that at any moment someone was going to jump out of the bushes and attack her. If only she knew how accurate for once that paranoia was. (10 points to anyone that can guess who it is!)
She sighed and tried to concentrate on something. She looked across the camp fire where Chichiri was sitting, smiling happily and off in his own little world. Across from him Tamahome was staring lovingly at Miaka, who was staring lovingly at the fish that was cooking. Oh yes... This was a very entertaining group indeed... not.
Kate stared down at her dagger in disgust. It smelt like fish and she could still recall where it had been mere minutes ago. She frowned and decided to watch the fire. 'Wish we had some marsh mellows and some gram crackers', she thought longingly which made her think of home.
A pain of longing formed in her stomach. She was surprised. She didn't expect to miss anyone, but thoughts of her mom flooded her mind. Her dad was gone a lot so she didn't miss him as much. She remembered her little dog and the screaming that sometimes filled the house. She hoped her mom wasn't too worried, but knew she was. 'Oh well, nothing I can do about it, so why worry?', she thought.
'What if I had stayed there? My future would have been filled with nothing. I'm not really good at anything', she thought with a sigh. She didn't belong in her home world. All they cared about was money. Nature mattered not. Trees were cut down daily for log rental cabins. Animals were dying and did anyone care? No! All they cared about was the money in their pockets. It made her sick.
She looked around herself at the trees. Here people only took what they needed. 'A lot like the Native Americans... They seem to respect nature', she thought with a smile. 'This is much better', she thought.
A fish being thrown in her direction took her off guard and she barely managed to catch it. Surprisingly it didn't burn her hands. It was wrapped in something that looked like banana leaf. She smiled her thanks to Tamahome, who was watching Miaka eat her fish as he nibbled on his. She rolled her eyes and took a bite out of the fish.
It didn't have a lot of taste, but it was good. Suddenly she felt like someone was staring at her and got a little scared, paranoia returning. She shivered, but looked up to see Chichiri looking at her. She blushed slightly and smiled at him. "Something wrong, no da?", he asked. She laughed. "I don't like the dark", she answered sheepishly.
Chichiri nodded and Tamahome grinned. "You don't like the dark? You scared?", Tamahome asked in a teasing tone. Kate frowned. "No... I'm not scared... I just don't like it that's all", she answered. She noticed her voice wavered. "Awww... I dare you to walk over to those trees over there", Tamahome said pointing to some trees not far off, but barely visible. It looked dark over there.
"F-Fine!", Kate answered and got up. She gave Tamahome a look of I'm-better- than-you before turning away from the group and walking to the trees. She tried not to seem to fast, but it took FOREVER to get to those trees. In what seemed like forever, which was actually more like a few minutes, she reached the trees.
After she got there a plan formed in her mind. She walked into the woods and began collecting pine cones. Oh this was going to be fun. Soon she had her backpack filled with pine cones, or something that looked like them, and had climbed into a tree. Soon she heard calling. "Kate?", it was Miaka. She sounded worried. "Oh, she's ok", Tamahome said. Chichiri remained silent.
Kate couldn't see them, but could imagine what was going on. "Tamahome...", Miaka whined and gave him a look. "Ok, ok, I'll go look for her", he said with a sigh. He walked into the forest and began calling her name. "GUYS! I'M LOST!!!", Kate yelled so loud it would take a while for him to figure out where the voice had come from. Meanwhile she walked back to camp.
Chichiri and Miaka gave her a look of what-are-you-doing as she made a motion for them to be quite. Kate grinned as she walked up to Tamahome's bed roll and began stuffing pine cones in it. After she was done she whispered to Chichiri and Miaka. Miaka giggled. "We found her, Tamahome, no da!", Chichiri shouted toward the forest.
Within minutes Tamahome immerged. Miaka giggled slightly, but otherwise said nothing. Tamahome grinned at Kate. "Poor kid", he said and ruffled her hair, stealing her hair tie in the process. She glared and jumped him from behind.
He hadn't expected this and let out a "WHOA!" as he tried to regain his balance. "Die!", Kate yelled playfully and Miaka giggled. Chichiri chucked, but tried not to show it. Tamahome reached behind him and tried to thrown her off. She held on tight at first until he got smart and used both hands. Suddenly she found herself laying on her back on the ground laughing.
He sighed and snapped her hair tie in her direction. "I'm going to bed, guys", he called and gave Miaka a kiss. Kate grinned as she heard him scream "THE HELL?!" a minute later. Life was good. In all the play no one had noticed someone looming in the shadows.
Soon Miaka turned in and it was just Kate and Chichiri left awake. They were silent for a little while, enjoying the sound of the fire and an owl in the distance before Chichiri's voice interrupted it. "So... no da. We never did finish our conversation a while ago... You always seem bothered by something... What is it, no da?...", He asked hesitantly.
Kate's eyes widened slightly. "Wh-What?!", She asked. "I notice a lot about you... You didn't panic when Miaka was covered in ice... You didn't want to leave the cave...", He said but left the last part to her. She sighed. He had figured it out... The mask was off. " I knew about Miaka... I knew about Nuriko", Kate said and sighed.
"Chichiri, I knew Nuriko was going to die... I couldn't stop it... Listen...", she said and glanced up at him. "I need to tell you something, but you might hate me for it", she said and looked back down at her backpack. She opened it and took out volume 8 and handed it to him.
He looked at her questionably before scanning threw it. He eyes widened as he did so. "These our us... except", he looked up at her and she nodded. "I'm not there", she added. "If I hadn't gone to help Miaka today she would have thought she had gotten... hurt... I had to help her", Kate noticed she couldn't say exactly what would have happened.
Chichiri glanced up at her. "It's reckless... You should tell me fist before you do something like that again, ok?", he asked and she nodded. "Chichiri, Nakago was supposed to keep the shinzaho in that world", she said pointing to the book. Said treasure was being kept in Chichiri's care.
"I'm kind of scared, Chichiri. I don't know what is going to happen anymore...", she said with a frown and hugged her legs to her chest. Chichiri moved closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be ok, no da.... I know it will", he said, "It has to be". At that she felt tears roll down her checks.
She rubbed them away. Chichiri didn't say anything. "You're right... It has to be", she said and new tears ran down her face. "But... at what cost?", she asked. Chichiri frowned. "Anything is worth peace... For war to end... Nuriko knew this... So do the others...", Chichiri said and Kate cried. Kate felt Chichiri press his lips to her forehead. "It'll be ok. I'm here for you, Kate-chan", he whispered and Kate smiled slightly.
If only a love between them could form. If only...
Alatáriël: Whew! That chapter was hard to write!!!... O_O From now on i'm going to have problems with the story... I'll keep trying, but don't flame me if I get something wrong... The good thing is that it is getting more creative! Yeah!
Kate: I want to do the reviews!
Opaaru Tsuki: *bows* I'm SO sorry!!! I really tried to save him. It just couldn't be done! Please have mercy on my worthless soul. *Grins* Just kidding! Don't worry... He'll be back. ^_~
Mikari: Sorry! I couldn't save him... *giggles* You like me? *Blushes* Thank you so much! I hope you liked this chapter too!
Jedi of Oro: Yeah I know. Nakago is a------ *insert words* Yeah, it IS depressing. Glad you like it, M! Thanks for reviewing!...
Neko-ane: Cute!!! Neko-ane is also very original! I like that! *nods* Thanks for reviewing. LOL! Thank you for defending me also! I needed that. Ha ha ha... *giggles* Thank you for the nomination! Heh heh heh. I feel loved! I hope you like this chapter!
Songwind: Ah! Some one who understands! *laughs* Yes, That is what is meant... But I will miss Nuriko dearly.. Long review! LOL. I feel loved. Yes, Tasuki will get a trick played on him. It'll most likely be in the next chapter too. ^_~
Holly: I agree with the love thing. Some people say it is love at fist sight, but I like to get people to know each other first... Yes, death is important! A lot more than people realize! Heh heh. Hope you liked this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Selene Serenity: *laughs* You scared me! I was like O_O "Oh No!"... Hope you liked this chapter!!!
chiri26: Being a human pop sickle would NOT be fun!... Sorry about Nuriko, but it'll all get better soon!
Queenie: *blushes* Thank you so much!!! Ha ha ha. I love FY!!! ^__^ Hope you like this chapter and thank you for reviewing!... Yeah I guess I like romance because I have no love life! LOL
Alatáriël: Sorry it took me so long to up-date! I'll make it up to you all with the next chapter, Ok!.. Sorry about the spelling... My computer isn't working well....
Alatáriël's mom:*bursts threw the door and sweatdrops when she sees Chichiri, Kate and Alatáriël huddled around the computer. They look at her like deer in head lights*... Hey, It's dinner time...
Alatáriël:Uhhhh... I got to go. *runs out of the room followed by the others*
Kate: The sky...
Alatáriël: *smacks Kate beside the head*
Kate: Ow!
Alatáriël: Chichiri? Disclaimers, please.
Chichiri: Okay, no da! All Alatáriël owns that could be considered hers would be Kate... and this cute plushie of me, no da! *holds it up for everyone to see*... She made my back lumpy, no da!!!... One arms is slightly longer than the other too, no da.
Alatáriël: Hey! It's pretty good for my first try... I had no clue what I was doing... O_O;; It's cute, but his shoes keep falling off... *tapes them to his feet*
Kate: Show time, 3 seconds!
*everyone runs off stage*
Chapter 11: "Hello, Nakago!"
Kate slowly made her way up beside Miaka and tapped on the ice. The second her knuckles touched the ice it cracked and Kate jumped back in shock. "I didn't do it, I swear!", she yelled as Miaka broke free. Tomite and Hikitsu stared in shock. Miaka quickly sank to the ground gasping for breath.
"Miaka!", Tasuki and Tamahome yelled and ran up to her as Hikitsu broke the wall. Kate looked over to Tomite and Hikitsu, feeling like she was being stared at. Hikitsu motioned for her to come over to him with a wave of his hand.
She blinked and walked over. "Can I help you?", she asked, slightly nervous. "I noticed you seemed to know what was going on...", Hikitsu said. Kate blinked. 'Did I mouth the words?', she thought and Tomite raised an eyebrow.
She laughed uncomfortably. "Umm... Long story... Let's just say I have my ways", Kate said with a grin. She loved messing with people. Tomite and Hikitsu exchanged a glance. "Like...? You aren't a warrior, are you?", Hikitsu asked. "Nope... I'm just your average girl", she said with a grin.
Tomite looked over at Miaka. "She is the priestess... She has the flame of Suzaku... Is it not?", he asked. Kate nodded. "Umm... Would you guys do me a favor?", she asked. They looked at her strange. "Don't mention anything you saw, ok?", She asked with a laugh. They shrugged then turned toward Miaka.
"You have demonstrated your power, priestess of Suzaku", Hikitsu said kindly. "O-okay what's th' sudden mood change?!", Tasuki asked sourly. "Power? I don't get it", Miaka said. "We apologize for the trouble we have caused", Hikitsu said. "So... Then you'll let us through?!", Miaka asked.
"Exactly. Allow us to guide you to the shinzaho... Agreed?", Hikitsu said. "Yeah. I suppose so", Tomite replied and they walked into the cave. Kate smiled at Chichiri, "Traveling with you guys is never boring, you know?", She asked with a smile. He just shook his head slightly with a smile.
Five minutes later they reached door. "Wow! This door is huge!", Miaka commented. "We sealed the door through our will. And we have guarded it for the past 200 years, but now is the time when we shall open it", Hikitsu said as Tomite chanted a spell to open the doors.
They entered a huge room that shined like diamonds. It looked like a palace. "Wow", Miaka commented as she stepped up to the alter. No one else was allowed to go near it. Kate was getting anxious. She knew the shinzaho of Genbu would not be their hands long and frowned as everyone else rejoiced.
"Excuse me... I don't mean to rain on your picnic, but that's not enough to summon Suzaku", Tomite said and everyone minus Kate went shock. "Whaddaya mean we can't summon Suzaku!?", Tasuki yelled.
"We questioned one of the thieves... They mentioned that if one didn't combine the powers of this with the shinzaho of the Western Nation of Sairo, there won't be enough power", Hikitsu informed. Little clouds of depression hovered over everyone except Kate, who looked bored.
"Now that I recall, Tai Itsukun did say FIRST go to the country of Hokkan...", Chichiri said. "Okay, but she shoulda come clean up front! Right Tama--", Tasuki asked. Tamahome was out of it and was crying, chibi.
"I'll do it! If we have to go to Sairo, we go! We already have one shinzaho, right? We can do it again!", Miaka shouted. "She's got a point", Tasuki said. "I'm sure we can do it", replied Chiriko. Tamahome looked away. "Tamahome?", Miaka asked.
"What are you wasting your time here for? Are we going to Sairo or not?", Tamahome asked, looking irritated. Miaka latched herself to his arm. "Yeah!", she cheered. Kate grinned. "There's a short cut to Sairo. Cross the desert, just south of Hokkan", Tomite said.
"What about you two?", Miaka asked. "Us? Our job's over and done with", Tomite said happily. "We shall close the door and return to heaven", Hikitsu said. "You kept us waiting 200 years", Tomite said with a single tear going down his face. "True", Hikitsu said.
"Take care", Tomite said as the door began to close. "Goodbye", Kate said and gave them a grin. The group turned and walked down the cave's tunnels. "I'd would have liked to have talked with them more", Miaka said. Kate was beginning to feel sick. Ashitare was right around the corner.
"I was wonderin' if Suzaku could bring a guy back t' life", Tasuki said. "I'm sorry to say... that is unlikely, no da... When someone dies, the body is given back to the earth. A soul needs a vessel to return to", Chichiri answered.
They were so close to the light. Kate couldn't stand it. She thought she was going to scream. She hadn't realized it but she had stopped in her tracks, causing the others to turn around.
"What's the matter?", Tasuki asked. She stood there wide eyed and her face was pale. "I-I... nothing... Let's go", she said and shook her head. She was given worried glances, but dismissed it as nothing and walked outside.
Just as they immerged from the cave a wolf form of Ashitare took the shinzaho. Kate immediately took after it. Miaka was right behind her. Kate was aware that Miaka was falling behind and she glanced behind her.
... Just then she way aware of bright light just as she ran into a tree... damn tree. She woke up with a pounding head ache. She cringed as she reached up and touched her head. There wasn't any blood, but it hurt like hell. She quickly looked around. Miaka was no where to be seen, but she heard something.
"For now, worry less about stealing stuff back, and more about making it back to Sairo", she heard Tomo's double of Tai Itsukun say. Kate growled. She hated this part. "You get the other shinzaho then you can worry about the stolen one. I'll look after Miaka", Tai Isukun said. 'This is SO full of crap! Why can't they see this?!', Kate thought and rolled her eyes. She didn't want to hear anymore. She took off running after Miaka.
A few hours later she saw Nakago's camp. She had stumbled onto Tama-neko and they had made a "plan"... Now things were going to get interesting... Oh yes, very interesting indeed.
She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. A scream filled the air and she cursed, rushing into the camp. Miaka was up against the tent's wall with a force holding her there. Nakago was looking at Kate, surprised.
"Get away from her you son of a sheep!", she yelled and threw a punch at him. He easily dodged her and she cursed. She saw him bring his arm down to strike her and blocked it. "Miaka! Are you ok?!", Kate asked. Miaka seemed to ignore her as she yelled, "Give Yui back to me!!!" Kate sighed. She had gotten here just in time. A minute later and Miaka would have been unconscious.
Nakago just smirked. "Not very smart are you?", he asked Kate, who had gotten into a fighting stance. "Smarter than you", she said with a smirk that mirrored Nakago's. He held out his hand and a ball of energy began to form. Her smirk disappeared. "SHIT!", she yelled and ducked, turning her back to Nakago.
She began running in a zig-zag (trying to make a moving target) and felt a ball of energy coming her way. She froze and bent over in a last attempt to HOPEFULLY stay alive. She felt the energy ball fly into her, but it didn't hurt her. A red grow had formed itself around her backpack, making a shield. She blinked. 'The mirror?', she thought. She turned around and saw that Nakago's energy ball had been sent back to him.
He looked pissed. Kate stood up carefully. Her legs wobbled slightly but she didn't fall. "You tried to kill me you jack ass!!!", she yelled angrily and pointed an accusing finger at him. He just glared and crossed his arms over his chest. "I would ask how you did that, but i'm running out of time... Leave now and I won't come after you", he said, sounding bored.
"Go kiss a turkey!", she said and stuck out her tongue. Miaka looked scared. Kate walked up to Miaka, not letting Nakago out of her sight, and tapped on the energy bands keeping her there. She got shocked and cursed.
She was aware that Nakago was slowly stepping near. She shot him a glare and took a fighting stance. He kept walking toward her lazily. Suddenly he lashed out and she jumped back. His hand somehow was able to latch itself onto her neck and lifted her off the ground.
'I'm out of time!', Kate thought went the world suddenly went black. She had thought she had died. It would have made sense. After all, Suzaku had warned her to stay near Chichiri when she hadn't, but he should have known better.
Kate woke up a while later with the same headache she had earlier that afternoon. "Miaka?", Kate asked and opened her eyes. Tamahome was standing in the door way with a look of horror on his face. "Damn it", Kate mumbled and looked over to Miaka. She was awake and looked like a puppy that didn't know if it was in any danger or not.
Kate was mildly surprised when she saw Chichiri walk into the hut behind Tamahome. 'This didn't happen in the manga', she thought and looked over herself and Miaka carefully. "Are you two ok?!", Tamahome asked.
"I think i'll survive", Kate said with a grin and got up. Chichiri helped her to her feet and she staggered a little. Miaka was crying into Tamahome's shoulder and Kate sighed. "Did you run into Nakago?", Kate asked. Chichiri nodded grimly. "...What did he say?", Kate asked.
Chichiri took off his mask and sighed. "He got the shinzaho and left. He didn't say anything... Why? What happened?", Chichiri asked. Miaka looked like she had taken a walk into a bad ally somewhere. Kate was sure she didn't look much better and shrugged.
Kate kept an eye on Miaka. She wasn't doing anything but crying and talking about how scared she was. "I came in here and Miaka was in trouble. I tried to help, but got knocked out... You'll have to get the rest on the information from Miaka", Kate said. Suddenly a grin formed her face. "But I do have a gift for you guys", she said and pulled the shinzaho out of her pocket.
Miaka was now looking up at her in shock. "How?", she asked. Kate just smiled and Tama-neko jumped onto her shoulder. "Tama-neko switched the real one with a fake one while I distracted Nakago!", Kate said happily.
Everyone looked at her like she was nuts. "You could have been hurt! What were you thinking?!", Tamahome screamed. Kate shrugged and threw the shinzaho at him. "Now we can get the other one! ", Kate said with a grin and Miaka suddenly flung herself at her.
"ACK!", Kate screeched. "HOW?!!! Oh my god, Kate!", Miaka yelled as Kate tried to get away from the hyper priestess. Finally she did. "Ok... Ok... Let's get going, ok? I don't want to stay here any longer... It gives me the creeps!", Kate said and left the tent, but she was kind of worried. What had happened after she had gotten knocked out? Miaka seemed fine and so did she.
A few hour later they had set up came a few miles from where the other camp had been. Tamahome went to go fishing and seemed in high spirits. Miaka was over joyed about getting the shinzaho back. Chichiri had on his mask so it was hard to see how he was feeling. Tama-neko rested on Chichiri's shoulder. Kate smiled, but was still worried.
She had altered the plot and was starting to feel a little scared. She wasn't sure what was going to happen and now things were going to get difficult. She needed to get some time by herself so she could look into the mirror.
Tamahome asked Kate and Miaka to go find some wood for the fire while Chichiri was more than happy to help fish. When they were out of hearing range Kate spoke up. "What happened in Nakago's camp?", Kate asked. Miaka looked at her with guilt. Kate sighed. "You can skip the reason... That I know... Tai Itsukun was a fake... Yeah, I know... I mean after I got knocked into la la land", Kate said with a seriousness she rarely showed.
"Kate.... You knew?", Miaka asked meekly. Kate nodded as she bent down to pick up some sticks. Miaka went silent. "I can't believe I fell for that... Kate if it hadn't been for you I might not be here right now...", Miaka said sadly. Kate just smiled a little. "Nakago had to leave soon after you passed out due to Tamahome's arrival. He stole something from your backpack and then left. It was all very weird.
Kate's eyes widened and she quickly took her backpack off and went threw it... Her mirror was still there but she couldn't find her toothpaste. She sweatdroped. "Um... ok..", She said and continued to pick up twigs. 'He took my toothpaste', she thought with a small smile. This was too funny.
A few minutes later Miaka and Kate returned to the camp site with the twigs and dry logs they had managed to locate. 'If only Tasuki was here', Kate thought and thought of a way to make a fire. 'Let's see... I think you are supposed to rub two sticks together till they catch fire...', she thought with a frown. She did NOT want to do that. It would take her hours AND she would hurt her hands.
'Ok... flint...', she thought. She was so caught up in her thoughts of what she had seen in old Native American movies she hadn't noticed that Tamahome had already made the fire. She blinked when she noticed the small fire in front of her and sweatdroped.
She then helped Tamahome clean the fist, which she decided she hated doing with a passion. "Tamahome, this is nasty", she said with a frown as she ran her dagger along the fish. "What's so nasty about it?", he asked. "Isn't there a Wall- Mart or something you can buy fish from?", she asked. He just laughed.
About 30 minutes later the fish was being cooked and the sun was down. Kate cringed. She hated being outside at night time. Her mind always played tricks on her. Right now she was thinking that at any moment someone was going to jump out of the bushes and attack her. If only she knew how accurate for once that paranoia was. (10 points to anyone that can guess who it is!)
She sighed and tried to concentrate on something. She looked across the camp fire where Chichiri was sitting, smiling happily and off in his own little world. Across from him Tamahome was staring lovingly at Miaka, who was staring lovingly at the fish that was cooking. Oh yes... This was a very entertaining group indeed... not.
Kate stared down at her dagger in disgust. It smelt like fish and she could still recall where it had been mere minutes ago. She frowned and decided to watch the fire. 'Wish we had some marsh mellows and some gram crackers', she thought longingly which made her think of home.
A pain of longing formed in her stomach. She was surprised. She didn't expect to miss anyone, but thoughts of her mom flooded her mind. Her dad was gone a lot so she didn't miss him as much. She remembered her little dog and the screaming that sometimes filled the house. She hoped her mom wasn't too worried, but knew she was. 'Oh well, nothing I can do about it, so why worry?', she thought.
'What if I had stayed there? My future would have been filled with nothing. I'm not really good at anything', she thought with a sigh. She didn't belong in her home world. All they cared about was money. Nature mattered not. Trees were cut down daily for log rental cabins. Animals were dying and did anyone care? No! All they cared about was the money in their pockets. It made her sick.
She looked around herself at the trees. Here people only took what they needed. 'A lot like the Native Americans... They seem to respect nature', she thought with a smile. 'This is much better', she thought.
A fish being thrown in her direction took her off guard and she barely managed to catch it. Surprisingly it didn't burn her hands. It was wrapped in something that looked like banana leaf. She smiled her thanks to Tamahome, who was watching Miaka eat her fish as he nibbled on his. She rolled her eyes and took a bite out of the fish.
It didn't have a lot of taste, but it was good. Suddenly she felt like someone was staring at her and got a little scared, paranoia returning. She shivered, but looked up to see Chichiri looking at her. She blushed slightly and smiled at him. "Something wrong, no da?", he asked. She laughed. "I don't like the dark", she answered sheepishly.
Chichiri nodded and Tamahome grinned. "You don't like the dark? You scared?", Tamahome asked in a teasing tone. Kate frowned. "No... I'm not scared... I just don't like it that's all", she answered. She noticed her voice wavered. "Awww... I dare you to walk over to those trees over there", Tamahome said pointing to some trees not far off, but barely visible. It looked dark over there.
"F-Fine!", Kate answered and got up. She gave Tamahome a look of I'm-better- than-you before turning away from the group and walking to the trees. She tried not to seem to fast, but it took FOREVER to get to those trees. In what seemed like forever, which was actually more like a few minutes, she reached the trees.
After she got there a plan formed in her mind. She walked into the woods and began collecting pine cones. Oh this was going to be fun. Soon she had her backpack filled with pine cones, or something that looked like them, and had climbed into a tree. Soon she heard calling. "Kate?", it was Miaka. She sounded worried. "Oh, she's ok", Tamahome said. Chichiri remained silent.
Kate couldn't see them, but could imagine what was going on. "Tamahome...", Miaka whined and gave him a look. "Ok, ok, I'll go look for her", he said with a sigh. He walked into the forest and began calling her name. "GUYS! I'M LOST!!!", Kate yelled so loud it would take a while for him to figure out where the voice had come from. Meanwhile she walked back to camp.
Chichiri and Miaka gave her a look of what-are-you-doing as she made a motion for them to be quite. Kate grinned as she walked up to Tamahome's bed roll and began stuffing pine cones in it. After she was done she whispered to Chichiri and Miaka. Miaka giggled. "We found her, Tamahome, no da!", Chichiri shouted toward the forest.
Within minutes Tamahome immerged. Miaka giggled slightly, but otherwise said nothing. Tamahome grinned at Kate. "Poor kid", he said and ruffled her hair, stealing her hair tie in the process. She glared and jumped him from behind.
He hadn't expected this and let out a "WHOA!" as he tried to regain his balance. "Die!", Kate yelled playfully and Miaka giggled. Chichiri chucked, but tried not to show it. Tamahome reached behind him and tried to thrown her off. She held on tight at first until he got smart and used both hands. Suddenly she found herself laying on her back on the ground laughing.
He sighed and snapped her hair tie in her direction. "I'm going to bed, guys", he called and gave Miaka a kiss. Kate grinned as she heard him scream "THE HELL?!" a minute later. Life was good. In all the play no one had noticed someone looming in the shadows.
Soon Miaka turned in and it was just Kate and Chichiri left awake. They were silent for a little while, enjoying the sound of the fire and an owl in the distance before Chichiri's voice interrupted it. "So... no da. We never did finish our conversation a while ago... You always seem bothered by something... What is it, no da?...", He asked hesitantly.
Kate's eyes widened slightly. "Wh-What?!", She asked. "I notice a lot about you... You didn't panic when Miaka was covered in ice... You didn't want to leave the cave...", He said but left the last part to her. She sighed. He had figured it out... The mask was off. " I knew about Miaka... I knew about Nuriko", Kate said and sighed.
"Chichiri, I knew Nuriko was going to die... I couldn't stop it... Listen...", she said and glanced up at him. "I need to tell you something, but you might hate me for it", she said and looked back down at her backpack. She opened it and took out volume 8 and handed it to him.
He looked at her questionably before scanning threw it. He eyes widened as he did so. "These our us... except", he looked up at her and she nodded. "I'm not there", she added. "If I hadn't gone to help Miaka today she would have thought she had gotten... hurt... I had to help her", Kate noticed she couldn't say exactly what would have happened.
Chichiri glanced up at her. "It's reckless... You should tell me fist before you do something like that again, ok?", he asked and she nodded. "Chichiri, Nakago was supposed to keep the shinzaho in that world", she said pointing to the book. Said treasure was being kept in Chichiri's care.
"I'm kind of scared, Chichiri. I don't know what is going to happen anymore...", she said with a frown and hugged her legs to her chest. Chichiri moved closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "It'll be ok, no da.... I know it will", he said, "It has to be". At that she felt tears roll down her checks.
She rubbed them away. Chichiri didn't say anything. "You're right... It has to be", she said and new tears ran down her face. "But... at what cost?", she asked. Chichiri frowned. "Anything is worth peace... For war to end... Nuriko knew this... So do the others...", Chichiri said and Kate cried. Kate felt Chichiri press his lips to her forehead. "It'll be ok. I'm here for you, Kate-chan", he whispered and Kate smiled slightly.
If only a love between them could form. If only...
Alatáriël: Whew! That chapter was hard to write!!!... O_O From now on i'm going to have problems with the story... I'll keep trying, but don't flame me if I get something wrong... The good thing is that it is getting more creative! Yeah!
Kate: I want to do the reviews!
Opaaru Tsuki: *bows* I'm SO sorry!!! I really tried to save him. It just couldn't be done! Please have mercy on my worthless soul. *Grins* Just kidding! Don't worry... He'll be back. ^_~
Mikari: Sorry! I couldn't save him... *giggles* You like me? *Blushes* Thank you so much! I hope you liked this chapter too!
Jedi of Oro: Yeah I know. Nakago is a------ *insert words* Yeah, it IS depressing. Glad you like it, M! Thanks for reviewing!...
Neko-ane: Cute!!! Neko-ane is also very original! I like that! *nods* Thanks for reviewing. LOL! Thank you for defending me also! I needed that. Ha ha ha... *giggles* Thank you for the nomination! Heh heh heh. I feel loved! I hope you like this chapter!
Songwind: Ah! Some one who understands! *laughs* Yes, That is what is meant... But I will miss Nuriko dearly.. Long review! LOL. I feel loved. Yes, Tasuki will get a trick played on him. It'll most likely be in the next chapter too. ^_~
Holly: I agree with the love thing. Some people say it is love at fist sight, but I like to get people to know each other first... Yes, death is important! A lot more than people realize! Heh heh. Hope you liked this chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Selene Serenity: *laughs* You scared me! I was like O_O "Oh No!"... Hope you liked this chapter!!!
chiri26: Being a human pop sickle would NOT be fun!... Sorry about Nuriko, but it'll all get better soon!
Queenie: *blushes* Thank you so much!!! Ha ha ha. I love FY!!! ^__^ Hope you like this chapter and thank you for reviewing!... Yeah I guess I like romance because I have no love life! LOL
Alatáriël: Sorry it took me so long to up-date! I'll make it up to you all with the next chapter, Ok!.. Sorry about the spelling... My computer isn't working well....
Alatáriël's mom:*bursts threw the door and sweatdrops when she sees Chichiri, Kate and Alatáriël huddled around the computer. They look at her like deer in head lights*... Hey, It's dinner time...
Alatáriël:Uhhhh... I got to go. *runs out of the room followed by the others*
