Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi nor any of the canonical characters.
Author's Notes: Many thank-yous to Ryuen for her immense beta-reading efforts.
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Touran, Hokkan
Standing before two steel doors, one thought filled Chiriko's head.
I would rather be anywhere in the world than right here.
Though Chie was perched on his arm – her weight silently reminding him that he wasn't alone – the child in him wanted to run and never look back. He wanted to fly as fast as owl-wings could carry him, knowing that whatever was behind these doors meant him no good. This instinctive need to escape the unknown darkness, warring with his honor-bound responsibilities, left him rooted to the spot as his mind remembered the events of the day.
When they had arrived in Touran late the previous night, it was prudently decided to wait until the next day for the visit with Hokkan's emperor. However, still in owl form and flying lazy circles over the city, Chiriko was awake enough to take in the sights and sounds of the city. It was far bigger than Konan's capital – almost twice the size – and seemed to be quite prosperous, but a troubling fact stood out in his mind.
Chiriko realized that no matter how hard he looked, how many people he saw going by, he could find no Seishi anywhere. The most telling sign was the lack of ketsu; newly-bonded Seishi pairs traveled everywhere together, and Chiriko couldn't spot a single animal that wasn't related to carts or food. In Eiyou, where the Center of Konan was placed, young Seishi would roam about, gaining their bearings and adjusting to life as a bondmate through daily walks around the city. Even Ryutaro disappeared after leading them into the city, saying that since he completed his duty, he would leave them to their own devices.
It made Chiriko feel extremely conspicuous, as if a target were painted on his and Chie's wings.
In the morning, Chichiri had sent Mitsukake and Miaka to the Hokkan-jin Palace with a scroll written by Saihitei and marked with his seal. It would give the emperor enough time to prepare for their coming, and the Suzaku Seishi one last chance to polish their story.
"Remember," Chichiri said to the newest two. "As far as anyone is concerned, you two are Chosen Seishi, no da. Do not believe otherwise, or else a malicious ketsu or Seishi may catch the wavering of your thoughts, no da."
"Don't worry about us; we'll do our part," Tenkei said firmly, and Nezumi nodded in agreement. "Anything else we should know?"
"Just the information that pertains to everyone at this table, no da," he said. "I will do much of the talking, but we are all here as representatives of Konan, no da. All I ask is that you keep your eyes bright and your ears pricked." Chichiri gave a small smile. "For better or worse, we are Konan's last hope."
At first, Chiriko felt himself pale with the knowledge that he was one of eight people holding Konan's fate so tightly. Yet he quickly found his resolve hardening, his mind becoming set on accomplishing this task of bringing Hokkan and Konan together. Maybe he wasn't a Warrior who could protect his friends with nothing but his bare hands, but he was a Judge with the power to change two lands for the better. That thought gave him courage.
"I will do my best. For Konan and her children."
"Yeah, and for us, too," Nuriko said.
"And Hokkan," Nezumi said.
'For everyone,' Tama added, bounding into the room. 'And I'm sorry to interrupt, but the emperor of Hokkan is awaiting our arrival, and we cannot delay any more than we already have.'
Looks were shared across the table. "Here we go," Tenkei said softly. "Suzaku be with us."
"Be with us," multiple voices repeated, and the group stood as one and left the comfort of the inn.
Once they made it to the palace doors and were pointed inside, the Suzaku Seishi were almost immediately swooped down on by a few Palace servants. The servants babbled half-hearted apologies for making the travelers wait outside as long as they did, all the while leading the group through the convoluted hallways. The palace itself was beautiful, though almost utilitarian in its splendor. On the walls were weapons, and paintings of Genbu or the many emperors long deceased. Though the Emperor lived in the palace, there was no sense of his character. Each corridor was large enough for even Zouge to fit through without feeling cramped, yet Chiriko felt no sense of awe.
Mostly apprehension, and no small amount of paranoia, he thought. But it's not paranoia if we really are being watched. Chie didn't offer any warnings, though her plume feathers were so puffed up she looked more like a toy than a lethal ketsu.
And so they now stood before the doors to the throne room, a tense quiet filling the outer hallway. The servants had taken their dööls and day-sacks, leaving the group to brush their wind-blown hair or straighten their outfits. Saihitei had told everyone to bring their finest, most splendid robes for this ceremonial occasion; Tenkei and Nezumi purchased gowns while in Sairou. Altogether, decorated in red silks and velvet, they looked to be the living personification of Suzaku's fire.
"You are now fit to enter the presence of Hoshitaro-heika," the eldest courtier said, bowing shallowly. "Go and do homage to our great lord." He opened the metal doors with great ceremony, and the sound of them rasping against the floor causing the already nervous Chiriko to flinch.
'Here we go, beloved,' he said to the owl, stroking her breast with his free hand. 'Wish me luck.'
'All the luck in the world, and more.'
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The throne room of Emperor Hoshitaro's palace was not well-lit, nor was it filled with a large number of court advisors as Chiriko would have expected. Candles lined the hall, casting a soft but unsettling light over the room. There were no windows, and the air in the court felt unbelievably thick – almost impossible to breathe through. The hall was made mostly of stone, and he could hear the echoes of everyone's footsteps as they walked across the ever-stretching floor. Behind them, the large stone doors slammed shut, and the sensation that he walked into a trap was becoming stronger and stronger. As they got closer to the throne, Chiriko noticed that there were a multitude of bright candles around the emperor's head. Such a corona made it difficult to look directly at the man and see his expressions, and Chiriko was fairly certain that this is what the emperor had planned.
Kneeling in the seiza position behind the emperor were the Chosen Genbu no Shichiseishi; at least, that's who Chiriko assumed they were. All were regally dressed in black, their individual outfits decorated with colors unique to each Seishi. Chiriko wouldn't have been surprised to find out that they were wearing silks and rare jewels. Yet their expressions were blank and indifferent; the chill of Hokkan was more welcoming than these people of hostile and contemptuous glares. Their ketsu must have been sitting behind them, but the only ones he could see were a polar bear on one end and a horse on the other. He caught a glimpse of specifics – there were four women, three men – before his musings were interrupted.
"Halt."
The emperor's voice shook Chiriko from his reverie, and the only thing that prevented him from falling over was Nuriko's quick grasp on the back of his robe. Cheeks flaming with embarrassment, knowing that the emperor caught his slip-up though chose to say nothing, Chiriko estimated that they stood about thirty paces away from the throne. Close enough to hear the emperor's words without straining, yet far enough away to insinuate that the Seishi were not truly worthy to stand before the Emperor.
"Bow before us."
Tasuki opened his mouth to retort, more out of genuine surprise rather than anger, but a gentle bite from Genrou silenced his voice. As one they knelt and bowed before the Emperor of Hokkan, their foreheads touching the ground in humble supplication. Likewise, the Konan-jin ketsu bowed alongside their partners.
Within a few moments, long enough to imply respect on both parties, the Hokkan-jin Emperor spoke again. "Boy-child." Chiriko flushed, knowing very well to whom the emperor was speaking to. "I ask that you sit up and speak with us."
The youngest Seishi complied, allowing Chie to now perch on his shoulder. Emperor Hoshitaro did not indicate that the others should do so as well; it could be seen as an indignity, but Chiriko wondered if the emperor simply wanted only one person to speak with.
And if that is so, then why me? Why not Chichiri-san, as was planned, or Mitsukake-san?
'Perhaps he views you as the weakest, the youngest in a group of youths,' Chie said, speaking matter-of-factly.
A flash of indignant anger shot into his stomach. 'Then he will be sorely, sorely mistaken.'
"Tell us your name, boy-child."
"Chiriko, Your Grace."
"That is your title, not a name."
"Your Highness, it is as I have said. My name is Chiriko, for I am the Chosen Chiriko no Seishi, and whole of my existence is this character." To (carefully) emphasize his point, he allowed his symbol to softly rise on his forehead. The emperor hummed in understanding.
"Are we to believe that the Seishi here are also Chosen?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Then show us the symbols of your god's favor."
One by one, the Suzaku no Seishi sat up and let their characters light up, though they too kept their eyes downcast. But all wore looks of certainty, and Chiriko could have believed Nezumi and Tenkei were Chosen. Apparently satisfied by what he saw, he turned back to Chiriko.
"You have traveled long and far before reaching our lands," Hoshitaro began, his voice surprisingly accepting, though it never lost its commanding tone. "We have been awaiting your arrival for many days. What has been so important as to delay the coming of the Chosen Suzaku Seishi to our awaiting lands?"
"The delays themselves were of no importance other than as reminders that there are those who would prefer to see us never arrive," Chiriko answered.
The emperor chuckled, a humorless sound. "And now that you are here, what have you come for?"
This is it, Chiriko thought, his pulse quickening. One wrong word and I could make this journey completely worthless.
'Or, you could say just the right thing and win our country back some hope.'
A subtle warmth filled him and gave him strength to speak. "We have come to offer an alliance with Hokkan, to bring two powers together so that together we may bring peace to the Four Lands." Pulling out a scroll written and signed by Saihitei's hand, Chiriko bowed his head and held it out. "The words of my emperor are here for you to read."
"Have your bird bring it to us," the emperor said. Chiriko frowned; Chie was no mere messenger owl. But she pecked his hair – 'I don't mind; perhaps I will get a better look at the people who sit behind him' – and lifted from his shoulder. Soundlessly, she plucked the scroll from his fingers and took it to Hoshitaro. While the emperor studied the written text, Chie returned to her bondmate and they quickly conversed.
'What did you see?'
'As you did; four women, three men. The one seated directly behind Hoshitaro-sama seems to be their Miko; you'd recognize her by the light blue-gray hair. She definitely didn't look happy.'
'About what?'
'I'm not sure. But she kept staring daggers into Hoshitaro-sama's back, as if he would drop dead if she willed it hard enough.'
'Which is odd, considering he's talking to us and, for the most part, offering us his courtesies. It makes me curious as to what she'd be unsatisfied with. And if there are only seven people here… where's the eighth? The missing Seishi that Shiori-san mentioned?'
'Perhaps he or she is still in the process of making it here.'
"Children of Suzaku," the Emperor said, interrupting Chiriko's musings, "Ambassadors of Konan, after having studied the words of His Highness Emperor Saihitei I have come to a decision. We will allow an alliance to be made between Hokkan and Konan, to bring us together so that we may be victors in the battles that eat our lands alive."
It was only through his rigorous court training that Chiriko kept his jaw from dropping. He heard Tenkei and Nuriko let out sighs of relief, and Miaka breathed an almost inaudible "thank Suzaku".
"There will be further details that we will need to make firm before signing all the required documents your Emperor requests, but let it be known to him that we are willing to merge powers with those of great potential. May we do well for each other today and in the tomorrows to come."
"We sincerely hope to fulfill that dream," Chiriko said, bowing and touching the floor with his forehead. He heard the others follow suit. "But there is something else that I humbly wish to ask of you, Your Excellency."
The emperor waited a few moments, testing the silence. "What is your request?"
"That the Chosen Genbu no Miko and her Chosen Genbu Shichiseishi relinquish onto us a blessed wish from Genbu."
A soft gasp came from behind the emperor, but he paid it no attention. "Why do you have need of one, when you have all eight Chosen Suzaku no Sei? Cannot Suzaku be summoned? Was an attempt not made little less than a month ago?"
Beads of sweat ran down the back of Chiriko's robe. Knowing how closely he blurred truth and lies, he answered, "Your Highness is perceptive. An attempt was made, yet…," he reached for the right words, "yet we lost our ShiJinTenChiSho to unforeseen complications."
"Similar complications that have kept you from reaching Hokkan in due time?"
His face burning with shame but still bent towards the floor, Chiriko replied, "I beg that Konan not be viewed as a nation of weak wills. We have come to offer of ourselves as promise that we will fight with and for Hokkan; if we chose to make excuses, we would not be here risking everything for our land."
"Bold words, child," Hoshitaro said. "We wonder how wise you are despite your lack of years."
Chiriko had no answer – nothing that didn't sound like artificial self-affectations – so the emperor continued. "Let us imagine what it is you ask. Perhaps by 'wish', you are hoping that our Chosen Genbu no Miko shall wish for peace and happiness to reign over Konan. A straightforward, honorable wish that any country would be glad to give for any of their brothers. We assume that since you are unable to do it yourselves, you would beg of us to save you."
Through Chie's eyes, Chiriko saw his Suzaku brothers and sisters turn red at the implied statement of Konan's helplessness.
"Or…," the emperor said, drawing out the words with almost physical pleasure. "do you mean that you want the Chosen Genbu Seishi to wish for the presence of Suzaku? That Genbu's Miko will, in essence, summon Konan's god?"
His words were a slap in the face to all present, and it was obvious that he meant them to be that way. Chiriko knew that they were toeing the fine line between success and defeat. He could still back down, accepting the peace treaty and losing their chance to summon Suzaku. Sairou was still an option; it was possible that they would be more accommodating. Continuing after this dangerous request could destroy the tenuous bond they were forging.
But we need them, Chiriko thought desperately. There's no certainty that Sairou will help us any more than Hokkan will. We need to summon Suzaku, even at the risk of our pride. We must make sacrifices.
Saihitei-heika… I'm sorry we will have to resort to this.
Chiriko finally spoke, his voice tight. "Your Eminence, we realize wholly of what Hokkan will relinquish for the sake of their brother country. You were correct; we are relying a great deal on Hokkan's generosity to provide us with the presence of Suzaku. Yet that generosity will not go unrequited. In exchange for the wish that will summon Suzaku, Konan will gladly relinquish a wish of ours to the Chosen Genbu no Miko."
Hoshitaro drew in a sharp breath; the only indication Chiriko had heard yet that the emperor was listening. "That is a surprisingly fair offer that Konan makes. Yet we question whether or not you, child, have the authority to back up this offer."
"I do not," Chiriko admitted. "But Saihitei-heika and Yuuki-sama do." He pulled out a second scroll, tucked away inside the innermost pocket of his robes. "Our heika has written out the terms of this agreement. He accords with this necessary sacrifice that Konan must make." Chie, once again, flew the scroll to Hoshitaro's hands. "All that is left is for the Chosen Suzaku no Miko to voice her concurrence."
"Then sit up, Suzaku no Miko, and speak your words."
Oh Miaka-san, please agree. For the love of Suzaku, just say yes.
"Do you willingly agree to bequeath a wish of Suzaku into the hands of the Chosen Genbu no Miko?"
"I agree," Miaka said, her voice a breathy, worried whisper.
The room nearly rang with the emperor's satisfaction. "Then we accept the terms of your treaty. Once the Chosen Genbu no Seishi are ready to summon Genbu, you shall be given the third and final wish. In return, we will receive your first wish. And we will begin diplomatic peace conferences as soon as possible."
This time, Chiriko couldn't help but let his shoulders slump. "Thank you, Your Most Gracious Highness. Hokkan and Konan's children will sing of this day for generations to come."
"Since you have been kind enough to make the journey to our honored country, we can do nothing except offer you a place to stay. Would you deign to accept a room in the Palace of Hokkan and enjoy our hospitality for one night?" the emperor said, and something urged the boy to agree.
"We accept your gracious offer."
"It was an honor to meet you," Hoshitaro said, and he inclined his shadowed head to them. "You are excused from our presence. Servants, take them to the guest floor and make them feel welcome."
At this point, Chiriko felt so uplifted by the emperor's good-willed generosity that he could have joyfully flown back to Konan, but he made the slow journey back to the rooms in silence. When they did arrive, with their equipment carefully placed in the three adjacent rooms, the Suzaku no Seishi piled into a single room and proceeded to voice their joy. Miaka was nearly in tears, so happy to know that she could summon Suzaku. The newest two, though they didn't say as much aloud, seemed beyond pleased that their illusion had succeeded and their work was over. Chiriko himself, not known for emotional outbursts, was laughing with Tasuki.
The only one who looked less than satisfied was Chichiri.
"What's wrong?" Mitsukake asked, the first to notice his brother's disquiet.
"This doesn't seem right, no da," Chichiri said, sitting on the nearest bed. "Shiori-san was very adamant about the emperor's unkind nature. Even Tamahome," and Tenkei turned at the sound of her name, "was not quiet in telling us about the Genbu Seishi's viciousness. Something doesn't fit, no da."
"What'cha worryin' about, 'Chiri?" Tasuki said heartily. "He wasn't no fuckin' Sai-san, but he was willin' ta help us. We're gettin' a wish, an' that's all that matters."
Chichiri shook his head. "It's not enough. I don't believe Shiori nor Tamahome are lying; either we're being played by the emperor, or…."
A knock at the door interrupted Chichiri's comment, and Nezumi answered. Standing there was a bored looking courtier, holding out a folded piece of parchment. She took the proffered paper, thanking the man, and shut the door without touching it.
"What's it say?" Nuriko asked as Chichiri took and read the letter.
The Priest frowned and answered, "It's an invitation to dinner, taking place in one hour."
"That's good, right?" Tenkei questioned. "Perhaps we can discuss some of the more immediate actions that can be taken before you get a wish."
"It's not from the emperor, no da," Chichiri said, sounding genuinely surprised. "It's from the Chosen Genbu no Miko." The Seishi pairs gathered around the monk, sounds of disbelief or interest coming from all around. He pulled out a smaller roll of paper from the letter. "She was kind enough to send us a map, too."
He immediately passed it off to Chiriko, who said, "It is telling us there is a dining hall only a few corridors away. I assume that is where this impromptu meeting is to be held."
Mitsukake looked at Chichiri. "I see what you mean. Does it strike anyone else as suspicious that, not more than twenty minutes after meeting with the emperor, she wants to speak with us? Didn't Ryutaro mention the fact that she and Hoshitaro-sama do not get along?"
"But he was extremely cautious in dealing with us; I would almost call that good diplomatic form," Nezumi said.
"I'll bet that, unless we go talk with them, we're not going to get any answers," Nuriko said. "So… who's up for dinner?"
It was prudently suggested that they change out of their formal wear – Chiriko paled at the thought of accidentally spilling his food or drink on the childhood robes he had borrowed from Saihitei – and mentally prepare themselves for any and everything.
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Forty minutes later, the Suzaku Seishi arrived outside a large metal door, not unlike the one that protected the throne room. A pair of guards stood outside, and when they saw the eight arrive, they opened the doors.
"Takiko-sama and the others are expecting you," one said, gesturing for them to enter. "We will continue to stand watch, if you have need of us."
They thanked the guards and entered a brightly lit room, so far removed from the darkened, shadowed throne room that Chiriko had to blink and let his eyes adjust. Regaining his sight he noticed the grand oaken table that could easily seat twenty people, and on that table were near innumerable dishes of exotic quality. His stomach softly growled.
Oh yes, Chie and I haven't eaten since this morning.
And standing around the table, precisely scattered so the Suzaku no Seishi could take every other seat, were the Chosen Genbu no Seishi. Ketsu of every sort filled the corners and sides of the room; Chiriko gaped at the sight of a polar bear sitting with a monkey atop its head. At the head of the table, the place closest to the door, was a young woman dressed in a white tunic set with a red vest. Her dark brown hair was carefully coiled on top of her head, held in place with a crimson hat, and her expression was one of regal strength and reserve. Chiriko realized that the girl who had sat behind the emperor – whom Chie had seen – was not this girl.
This is the Chosen Miko. This is the presence and power of the woman to inherit Genbu's power.
Yet that regality turned to shyness as she smiled at Miaka and said, "I am Okuda Takiko, Chosen Genbu no Miko, and I welcome you to Hokkan, Chosen Suzaku no Seishi."
Following the Chosen Suzaku's example, the Chosen Genbu introduced themselves by their sei symbol. Then Takiko, the Miko, pointed out everyone's seat, and everyone arranged themselves accordingly. Chiriko found himself to the right of Takiko and Chichiri took the place at her left. To his left sat Tomite, followed by Nezumi, Urumiya, Tasuki, Hikitsu, Tenkei, and then Miaka at the opposite end of the table, a show of equal status between Takiko and Miaka. To Miaka's left sat Hatsui, then Mitsukake, Uruki, Nuriko, Namame, and then Chiriko himself.
Namame turned out to be the blue-haired girl whom Chie originally mistook for the Miko. Her introduction had been to say, "You're cute," and flash a brilliant smile at him. Chiriko turned pink as he tried to ignore Nuriko's knowing wink. He replied with a murmured "thank you" and quickly turned to face Takiko, somehow the less intimidating of the two girls. "Miko-sama, we are very grateful for the invitation."
"Call me Takiko. I realize that we were unable to talk with you earlier and I'm sorry for that. But please, enjoy the dinner first. I don't want to ruin our cooks' efforts with tasteless subjects."
The ketsu had left together; the Genbu animals promised to help their Suzaku counterparts find a satisfying meal. Chiriko had no time to question Takiko further before he was caught up in a whirlwind conversation with Namame. She seemed thoroughly taken with him for some reason. It left Chiriko feeling more than a little out of his sphere of comfort to be the center of her attention.
"So what's Konan like? Is it as warm as they say, that you don't even need to wear clothes in the peak of summer?"
Chiriko choked while taking a sip of water. "I… I've never had that experience," he said, and from the corner of his eye he saw Nuriko's shoulders shake and Chichiri smile widely.
"But it's warm there?" she asked. "I've never left Hokkan, and it's terribly cold here in the winter. I hate the winter, and ever since the Emperor angered Genbu it's been cold all year round."
"Namame," Urumiya, a woman of maternal grace, said with hint of a warning.
Chiriko courteously saved the girl, though he'd have liked to hear more about the Emperor. "It is very warm in Konan, and I admit that I've only seen snow once or twice in my life. This expedition to Hokkan has been enlightening."
"Hokkan is really wonderful, though," Namame said, her energy returned. "I used to travel with my family all around, so we've been everywhere. From Altay, which is really pretty during the fall season and the only place worth going to for a good autumnal equinox celebration because they have just begun harvesting and the food is fresh, to Hulun, which is close to Kutou and kind of run down but the people are so generous and love a good show. What do you do?"
Caught utterly off-guard by the topic change, Chiriko said, "… I work for the Cardinal Judge of Konan."
"Oh wow! You're pretty smart then! But you were the one talking with Hoshitaro-sama and being all polite, weren't you? That'd make you a genius and a saint!"
"Shan'ere!" Urumiya snapped.
"What!" she snapped back. "I'm telling the truth. And besides, he's going to hear all about it when Taki-san starts talking."
"That may be so, but she's not talking about it now," the older woman said with a glare. "I'm sure there are other things you'd rather discuss."
Namame grudgingly pushed the conversation, though it seemed that no, she'd rather like to discuss the Emperor. Chiriko found that he didn't actually have to try to hard to chat with her; Namame liked to talk and he was equally content to listen.
But once dinner was finished and the places were cleared away, Takiko called for everyone's attention. Every head snapped in her direction; the room had been slowly filling with nervous excitement, and her words cut to the heart of the matter.
"I want to, again, welcome the Chosen Suzaku no Seishi to Hokkan, and to apologize for this afternoon's events," Takiko said. "We did not have the chance to be properly presented before you. Hoshitaro-sama, though he recognizes the importance of our existence, doesn't particularly care to acknowledge us on a regular basis."
"No shit," Tomite muttered, earning a look from both Urumiya and Takiko, the latter of whom kept talking.
"We are honored to have you present with us at this time. I am unsure of your knowledge on our situation, but the timing could not have been better. There are things we are in grave need of discussing. First and foremost, the wish from Genbu." All the Suzaku Seishi leaned forward. "I was beyond shocked when the emperor agreed to the terms of your truce. I thought we'd be on our knees apologizing for Hoshitaro-sama's malice. And although I hold personal doubts about the emperor's motives, there are bigger things at work here.
Takiko looked Miaka directly in the eye. "I want to summon Genbu tonight."
"Holy fuckin' hell, that was quick!" Tasuki said after a beat.
"Are you serious!" Nuriko asked. "I thought this kind of thing took some personal preparation. And where is your seventh Seishi?"
"We expect our Chosen Inami Seishi to arrive tonight," Uruki said, her dark eyes hooded and somber. Chiriko felt his pulse suddenly speed up and he turned back to Takiko.
"Takiko-san, if you are serious about this, about performing the ceremony tonight… do you know about the ketsu?"
The Genbu no Miko looked puzzled. "What about them?"
Chiriko glanced at Chichiri, who nodded and took the lead. "Perhaps it's different for the Genbu no Seishi, but in the Suzaku no ShiJin it is stated that the Chosen ketsu are given as a willing sacrifice to summon Suzaku. We had also heard it was likely the Seishi would survive the separation, no da."
The room began to buzz with frenzied dialogue; Takiko grabbed the bag to her left and began rutting through it as the Genbu Seishi turned to their neighbors. Chiriko felt as if he'd been hit in the stomach. Though the knowledge of what had to be done was not new, the thought of giving up Chie to death hurt like nothing else in the world.
He saw Tasuki nearly dive across Urumiya's lap and cover Nezumi's mouth with his hand; the Hotohori Seishi looked dangerously close to screaming in shock. It took a moment for Chiriko to understand why he'd done it; she and Tenkei were supposed to be the Chosen Seishi and supposed to know about the summoning's requirements. If either made a sound of surprise, it could end this conversation very quickly and (possibly) violently.
But Nezumi simply put her hand over Tasuki's and carefully removed it; she seemed to be in control of herself by this point. Tenkei, to her credit, simply turned to Miaka, who gave a tight-lipped nod. Nezumi and Tenkei had worried expressions that Chiriko hoped the Genbu Seishi would interpret as the two women's unhappiness over their own imminent losses.
Namame tugged on Chiriko's sleeve, and he faced her. "Chiriko-san, are you serious? Is that what it means for the Suzaku no Seishi?" she asked, brown eyes wide and helpless.
"Yes."
"Do you… do you think it means the same thing for the Genbu no Seishi?"
He didn't want to answer. He didn't want to tell her what he truly thought. But he respected Namame, and so he said, "Yes, I believe so."
She leaned back in her chair, but didn't let go of his sleeve. "That's what we thought too."
"Ah hah!"
Chiriko jumped as Takiko slammed a black scroll on the table and laid it open. Her eyes danced across the paper until she found what she was looking for. Then she jabbed her finger, condemning the words. "Hatsui, Hikitsu, read this and tell me what you think!"
Two men immediately went to her side. The brunette – Hatsui – frowned as he read the phrase aloud. "'And Genbu, god of wisdom and infinity, asks for the sacrifice not of the body but of the mind and soul, that the ketsu of his beloved children, whom are beloved themselves, be given…,'" and his voice trailed off. "By Genbu's fangs, you're right. Hikitsu, you're right."
Hikitsu nodded, though the expression on his face was not one of satisfaction. "That character doesn't mean 'victim', but 'sacrifice'. The Seishi aren't the victims, but the ketsu are the sacrifice."
"So you knew about it," Mitsukake said. "You knew that the ketsu have to be… given to the gods for the summoning to work."
"In a way," Hatsui said as the two men took their seats. "The ShiJin was extremely vague, and we were purposely looking for a way to mistranslate. The thought of giving up Nogai," and he flinched, "causes me physical pain."
"As it does for the rest of us," Urumiya said, patting her wrist, and Chiriko spied a small lizard-like ketsu huddled beneath her sleeve.
Tomite asked Miaka, "Was your ShiJin any clearer than ours? Did it make more sense than what was written here?"
"No, it wasn't," she said with hint of sadness. "We already tried once to summon Suzaku, and nearly died because we messed up so badly."
"Oh!" Namame gasped. "That's why you don't have a ShiJin anymore! You burned yours."
"Yup," Tasuki nodded. "Hurt like fuckin' hell, too. So is this gonna push yer summoning back a bit, Takiko-san?"
She bit her lip. "I… don't think so. We were all expecting that's what the ShiJin meant, even if we didn't want to. But we just have to convince the Inami Seishi to go through with it-"
"-And I'm on the doubting side that it's gonna happen," Uruki said flatly. "I know him, the Chosen Inami, and there is no way, come heaven, hell, or high waters that he's gonna give up his ketsu."
"That's a big complication," Nuriko said.
"You think?" Uruki said, crossing her arms. "But back to subject; we are going to summon Genbu tonight, no matter what. I'm tired of waiting and listening to Hoshitaro-sama demand stupid-ass shit from us."
Tenkei raised an eyebrow. "You're not one of his supporters then?"
Uruki curled her lip. "Hell fucking no! None of us are, but some of us are more tacit about it."
Tomite grinned. "Although people know that Taki-chan's a supporter of the Dispossessed, few know that she's one of the three head insurgents. When we summon Genbu tonight, we're gonna use the last wish to change Hokkan."
Chiriko felt his Seishi symbol flash momentarily. "Are you speaking about issues that are more than a little… dangerous to speak of within the confines of the Palace?"
"Very much so," Hikitsu said. "One could even label this conversation as treasonous under certain definitions."
"Is this something that could put us in danger, no da?" Chichiri questioned, turning to Takiko. "I will put up a barrier of silence around the room if need be, no da."
"It would be very much appreciated," she said, and Chichiri nodded. He murmured a quick spell and the walls suddenly took on a light reddish tinge. "Thank you, Chichiri-san."
"What are you going to say that requires such protection?" Mitsukake asked.
Takiko took a deep breath and replied, "If Genbu is with us, this conversation will be the beginning of a revolution. When we summon Genbu tonight, we're going to ask that Genbu give us an emperor who will run this country with a just hand, heart, and mind."
"You're going to wish to overthrow your emperor," Tenkei whispered.
"We're going to try. And we need your help; in summoning Genbu tonight, we're going to wish for the Kutou-jin to be driven out, for Hokkan to be healed and protected for all time, and for you to summon Suzaku. And you, in return, will immediately wish to gift us a new emperor."
Silence.
The whites of Nezumi's eyes reflected the lamplight. "Oh my god. I can't believe we're having this conversation. This is beyond treason. This is murder."
"It's not murder!" Tomite said, his face turning red. "You don't have to wish him dead; you just have to wish that he's no longer emperor, and Suzaku will take care of it."
Chiriko felt the room start to spin around him, and he took a deep drink to restore what little composure he had.
"We can't wish for death for him," Uruki said, sounding almost casual. "By the beliefs of the Hokkan-jin, he's the personification of Genbu's will on earth. We know better than to believe that bullshit, but in case it's more than a little true… I doubt Suzaku cares what's going on in Hokkan as long as it's not hurting Konan. So you wish our emperor to be dethroned and that's that."
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Tasuki shouted. "Are you fucking with us? We can't do that!"
Uruki snorted. "Sure you can. It's really easy. All you say is, 'Suzaku, I wish that the emperor of Hokkan would be overthrown and replaced with a more suitable person'. See? You can do it, right Miaka-san?"
The Suzaku no Miko had turned nearly ghost-white; the last time she had looked this unwell was when she had been told of her duties by Taiitsu-kun.
"It's not that you can't do it, but that you do not want to," Urumiya said, her voice dropping down to a whisper. "I do not completely support this idea, myself, and Hoshitaro-sama is the emperor of my country."
"I am not particularly comfortable with it either, but I promised Takiko-san I'd follow her," Hatsui admitted.
"What if we don't want to?" Tenkei asked, holding her hands up when Uruki and Tomite glared daggers at her. "This is rhetorical, but what happens if we decide that we can't simply wish for the deposition of a foreign emperor."
Takiko, though she looked pained, said with brutal honesty, "It's a conditional wish that I will make; you can only summon Suzaku if you promise, on your life, to remove our Emperor."
"Holy fuckin' hell!" Tasuki said, jumping up. "Holy. Fucking. Hell. What kind of fucked up shit is that! After all the shit we went through ta get here, yer not gonna give us a wish unless we agree to fuckin' overthrow your emperor!"
"I'm willing to do anything to heal Hokkan, even if it means I momentarily alienate my allies," Takiko said, her voice tight. "I don't want to do that, I don't want to force that move. I want to make alliances that last forever between Hokkan and Konan. I want peace to reign over the four countries, but where Hokkan is right now makes that impossible."
Gazing around the table, Chiriko saw what he didn't want to see. All the Genbu Seishi were sitting in defensive postures; even Namame had withdrawn her hands to her lap and was staring down at her empty place-setting. They were absolutely certain, absolutely determined that this is what needed to be done. And Chiriko knew, just as he knew things because of his Seishi-blessed intelligence, that they had no choice.
We have to agree to treason and murder.
Chichiri had obviously come to that same conclusion, and he stood up. He went to Miaka's side, where she and Tenkei were talking in hushed voices, and they fell silent when he bent down.
"Miaka," he said, his voice dropping again to a dark tenor. "I'm so sorry, my blessed Miko."
"I know what you're going to say," she said, letting her voice carry and blatantly ignoring its wavering.
"We have to do this," he said. "It's not fair that such a thing is being asked of us – of you – but we have no choice."
Miaka nodded, her face tightening with helplessness, but looked straight at Takiko. "Can I wish that the emperor just… has to leave his position so that someone better can take his place?"
Takiko's face softened; she practically radiated relief. "Yes, that is acceptable."
"Then I agree to do it, Takiko-san."
"And I support her," Chichiri said.
"We all do, I assume," Nezumi said, looking around the table. Nods and sounds of concurrence gave strength to her words.
"Perhaps we should end this discussion. The emperor will not come for you tonight; with Genbu and Suzaku's blessing, he will not come for you ever again," Takiko said, standing up. All others followed suit, a newborn tension humming between the two Seishi groups.
"We'll send someone to you around the midnight hour to keep you abreast of the situation," Hikitsu said. "Until then, you should rest. I hear you've had a long journey."
"Yes," Chiriko said vaguely. "I believe we can find the guest rooms by ourselves." He found the words catching in his throat, but he said, "Thank you for your hospitality."
The Suzaku no Seishi left the room quickly enough to leave a cloud of dust in their wake. They entered Chiriko and Nuriko's shared room, and after Chichiri set a spell of silence around the walls – Suzaku forbid someone to hear them – all hell broke loose. Voices were raised in anger, impassionate and disbelieving. Tenkei and Nezumi had ganged up on Chichiri, adamant that he tell them about the ketsu sacrifice. Chiriko could see the fear in their eyes, not asking the obvious question of whether or not that sacrifice would be demanded of them.
He, however, had a different cause to be worried. No matter what Takiko-san says, death is the only way to release an emperor from his duty. It is the way of succession; there is no abdication. We have agreed to murder.
And he had no idea how to tell Miaka and the others of this fact without destroying their chance to summon Suzaku or getting themselves killed in the process.
Suzaku, tell me what to do.
A scratching at the window, followed by Chie's pleading of, 'Please let me in, beloved! It's really cold out here!' caught Chiriko's attention. He and Tasuki went to the window, the latter of whom tried to open it.
"Damn fuckin' piece of… SHIT! This goddamn window won't open!"
"I'll bet it's purely decorative," Nezumi said, studying the frame. "Why would a cold-weather country need windows that open?"
"Move over, I'll get it," Tenkei said.
"What'cha gonna do, break it?"
"No point in letting in the winter chill," she said simply, and laid her hand against the pane. "Come on in, guys."
Much to Chiriko's shock, Chie came flying through the still-closed window, followed by the two foxes and Tama. Tenkei pulled her hand away for a moment, took a deep breath, and Kohana and Genrou jumped in.
'It's awfully crowded in here now,' Tama said, climbing up onto Mitsukake's shoulders. 'Good thing Zouge's not cold.'
'Are you kidding me? Shun'u, I'm in desperate need of your help! I've got a big pile of wood that practically screams for your tessen and its applications.'
"You got a suggestion about how I'm gonna do that?"
With a sadistic smile, Tenkei grabbed Tasuki's arm. "Hold your breath."
"What! Get your ha-FUCK!" and Tenkei walked with him through the window before he could further resist. Sounds of swearing and a vibrant 'Rekka Shin'en!' reached Chiriko's ears, and he allowed himself the pleasure of laughter and its release. Warm firelight colored the window pane, and a few seconds later both Seishi returned through the glass.
"Fuckin' crazy female," Tasuki grumbled. "Shoulda warned me 'bout what the hell yer up to."
"Zouge should be warm for a time," Tenkei told Nezumi. "When he needs the fire relit, you know who to ask."
"Ne, Tamahome, what's your power? I've never seen anything like that before," Nuriko asked.
"I call it ghosting, for lack of a better term," she said, releasing Tasuki to pick up Kangeki. "I can walk through walls and take people with me, or make objects untouchable."
"Ain't no good in a fight," Tasuki muttered.
"I can take perfectly good care of myself," she replied frostily.
"If I could have your attention, no da," Chichiri said, sounding worn and weary beyond all reasoning. "I need to contact Saihitei-sama; we must tell him what has happened. And warn him about the summoning and how he will most likely need to prepare himself for the loss of Takeshi, no da."
"So you're absolutely certain you don't need me or Tenkei to sacrifice our ketsu," Nezumi asked, pounding the question at the High Priest. "Because I don't know if I can."
"I know you don't need to, no da. You're not the Chosen Seishi – I don't believe your ki can be used in lieu of Saihitei-sama's or Kishuku."
"But Kishuku is dead," Tenkei said as her hold on Kangeki became tighter.
"Then it's more likely that Suzaku has his and Toshi's ki within him at this moment, no da. Please trust me," Chichiri said, pulling out the mirror and sitting down. "Let's try and make this quick; Saihitei-sama might have to prepare himself for many losses before the night is over."
And we prepare to lose the best part of ourselves, Chiriko thought, stroking Chie's breast for both his and her comfort.
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Author's Notes – 5/29/06
I feel that I should thoroughly apologize for the fact that this chapter took almost 6 months to put out, despite the fact that half of it had been written since January. But you know, that whole "Real Life" thing gets in the way. Bah.
However, I am going to try my damndest to get as many chapters out in the next year as possible. June, despite how crazy-busy I'm going to be, will probably be rather productive thanks to the FYA group and their critiques of the next two (maybe three or four?) chapters. God bless 'em. I'm also going to start finishing up the profiles of each Seishi and Miko. For all the new Seishi (i.e. ones that you don't recognize as canonical) I'm going to post their "equivalency" photos on an online account so people can see what I see. I might even do a bit of photoshopping for good effect.
Me? Over the top with details and the like? Nooo!
Anyway, thanks for your time and energy. Jaa, mata!
