Hello! Once again I have not updated in an extremely long time… and as usual I do not really have a good excuse… um… I got… lost on the path of life!
Kakashi… who comes out of nowhere: That's my line.
…Well, as I'm discussing the ownership of the quote "I got lost on the path of life" with this guy, enjoy the story!
Chapter 10: Kangetsu
"The whereabouts of the Seiryu Temple are under my jurisdiction." Asahi stared wide-eyed at her. The female general had long black-blue hair tied back with a simple light blue ribbon. Long dark bangs framed her pretty face. Her cold eyes slanted upwards, adding to her stern demeanor, and her piercing orbs were of a light blue color, similar, Chichiri realized with a shiver, to Nakago's.
"It's important that we find this temple. Can you please tell us, no da?"
"May I ask why this temple is so important to people of Konan?" At the surprised looks of the Suzaku followers the general smirked, explaining, "Obviously only visitors to this region wouldn't know information concerning the temple is classified. Your features and accent then lead me to the conclusion you were from Konan."
"Your powers of deduction are impressive, General, no da." Chichiri complimented. Whether he was truly impressed or was simply trying to butter the general up no one knew. Spotting the guards' absence, Asahi nudged the monk as if trying to probe their secret out of him.
"If we tell you could you please show us the location of the temple?" Before the general could answer Tasuki stepped forward, his temper lighting like a flare.
"Why the hell should we tell her anything? Look lady, just tell us-,"
"Silence!" The general snapped. Her arm raised and a sudden gust of wind, so fast it was visible, blasted the unfortunate (but foolish) redhead into one of the palace's polished wood walls. Thanks to the general's addition to her less than polite request it was promptly obeyed.
How did she…? Asahi thought, amazed. As she rushed over to the groaning Tasuki her thoughts swirled. The only people I can think of who have such powers are celestial warriors and myself! So how did…
Chichiri appeared to be thinking the same thing (Or could have… Asahi frowned, making a mental note to see what he looked like under that mask… that, or have fun drawing a different facial expression on it), as he assisted in bringing the still, quite literally, winded Tasuki to his feet. His eye widened as a thought struck him.
"I know that you are not a Seiryu celestial warrior," Chichiri began, almost hesitantly, "are you perhaps the Seiryu Celestial Maiden?" His words hit home. For the first time the General's calm demeanor was shattered. Her eyes immediately met Asahi's.
"You are no ordinary woman, are you?" Asahi met her strong gaze, smiling sadly.
"Sometimes I wish I still was." The Kuto general nodded, although she quickly regained her icy composure, all traces of understanding leaving as quickly as they came.
"You are correct, Suzaku seishi Chichiri. My name is Kangetsu, the Seiryu Celestial Maiden." The awe-inspiring moment was broken however, by Tasuki.
"Hah! Don't make me laugh, there's only one celestial maiden around, and that's Asahi-chan!" Kangetsu's glare went from angry to slightly annoyed.
"Your words are so foolish I'm not sure if they are obnoxious or amusing. Yes, there is only one Suzaku Celestial Maiden, but for the other gods, they have selected Ten'nyos to represent them as well, to protect the other three countries from the threat of Tenma." Chichiri nodded.
"That is understandable. Can you perhaps lead us to the Seiryu Temple now that you know of our intentions?" The Kuto general was silent for a moment.
"Very well. Come with me."
()
The eyes of the Suzaku servants were wide as they watched the mountains and trees fly past them. Mist hung in the air and a refreshing cool breeze blew through their hair as they rode to the temple.
"How much farther to the Temple, Kangetsu-san?" Asahi asked above the pounding of hooves. She was a little apprehensive to get there… what would she face there at the Seiryu Temple? Would the god to Konan's former enemy be willing to help their Celestial Maiden now? Perhaps, perhaps not, but she supposed they could only wait for the moment of the god's arrival to know her answer. Chichiri's mind gently brushed her own.
You seem troubled, Asahi-san. Is anything the matter? Her answer was so delayed that Chichiri gently placed a strong hand over her own to remind her of his inquiry.
What if Seiryu is unwilling to help us? Chichiri remained both telepathically and vocally silent for a moment.
Whether or not Seiryu is the god of Kuto, he is most likely aware of the growing threat Tenma is becoming. Don't trouble yourself too much, Asahi-san. I'm sure all will go well. She looked up at him, ad she knew his masked gaze was meeting her own.
"Thank you, Chichiri-kun." She said smiling. He nodded, thankful for the mask hiding his own smile as his arm unconsciously tightened around her.
"We are here now." Kangetsu's voice cut through the air and the horses were pulled to a stop almost immediately, as if they too had heard her announcement. Tasuki's annoyance could be seen on his features. They had stopped in front of an abandoned building.
"This ain't no temple! I told you this lady couldn't be trust-," He stopped as the normally stern general became serene. Kangetsu soon became surrounded by wind. As her lightning blue eyes passed over each person they each became encased in their own casket of air.
"Come." With that she stepped into the darkness of the building. As soon as they did Asahi bit back a scream. She couldn't stop a horrified gasp, however. Chichiri flinched and Tasuki's jaw dropped. The temple was littered with the bodies of dead animals and even some humans.
"Wh…what the hell…?" Tasuki finally managed to croak. Kangetsu explained as she cleared the temple of cadavers with a stroke of her hand and a strong rush of wind.
"I have cast a spell around this temple, preventing anyone from coming out of here alive. There is no air in this sacred place, any other person who steps in here dies within seconds." She sighed with a tinge of regret. This is why the whereabouts to this place are so classified."
"Why is this place so heavily guarded?" Asahi asked. Chichiri turned to her, surprised.
"We never told you, no da?" Asahi shook her head. Chichiri shook his head, amazed with himself. Kangetsu answered her question while throwing a look of distaste at the monk.
"The temples of the gods are the only place in the world where normal people can interact with the country's patron god. It would be quite dangerous if just anyone was allowed to enter the temple.
"The only people who could communicate to the four deities without the use of the temples are the gods' chosen ones, in other words, the Ten'nyos, the celestial warriors, and the priestesses. Such information could never get out to the people, however. If they discovered such a fact, we would never get a moments peace, or possibly could even be killed. That is why your companions have you summon the god in their respective temples, so no suspicion is aroused."
Asahi nodded in understanding. She had the power to summon Suzaku… at any moment. She couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if she had known of that power earlier… But she supposed now it was a little pointless to be wondering of such things now.
"I suggest you commence the summoning; time, I'm afraid, is a luxury we cannot afford." Asahi nodded, and stepped towards the unlit sacrificial fire in the center of the gloomy place. Tasuki and Chichiri followed, and of course, the fire seishi did the honors of breaking the wood's unlit-streak. The glow of the flames cast a yellow glow across the floor and onto the walls, illuminating the anxiety-filled faces of the Suzaku and Seiryu chosen.
As with the summoning of Suzaku, a complete change seemed to sweep over Asahi as she stood in Seiryu's temple. Her shoulders were set back and her posture straightened before her violet orbs shut as she prepared to summon the ryuujin.
"Descend upon me, Seiryu, god of Kuto, from the Eastern skies. Bestow upon me your blessings and upon your people, your guidance and strength!" Asahi yelled with never before seen vigor, as if challenging the very god to show himself.
Almost immediately after she spoke the flames' flickering became a luminous burst of heat and light. It's simple crackling erupted into a roar and everyone present fought not to place their hands over their ears to protect themselves from the auditory onslaught.
The sacred inferno finally ceased its fierce bellow. The flames suddenly blazed a sapphire blue color as they died down to their former crackle. All oxygen encased heads bowed before a handsome blue armor-clad entity that seemed to be one with the cerulean flames. His features were stern, his mouth curved in a slight frown and his jaw was clenched. Instead of human ears he possessed dragon-like fins, and his lightening blue eyes slanted upward in a reptilian fashion. This was the dragon deity of Kuto and war- Seiryu.
As if none of the Suzaku chosen were present, the god turned to his own celestial maiden.
"I see you have lead them here. You are sure these are the ones who are to defeat the threat that hangs over us all?"
Asahi couldn't help the stab of indignation she felt at this. Of course they were the right people! Who else aside from the Suzaku celestial maiden- who had been given the stupid mission from the Oracle herself- and her friends would be in this deathtrap of a temple, trying to summon a doubtful, grumpy old lizard-man?
Asahi's cheeks were tinged pink as she suddenly prayed her thoughts would be seen by her and her alone. She had not come to enemy territory to be turned down by only the second god she had to summon due to her own private complaints and rude names, she thought, surrounding her mind with a protective barrier.
"Yes, Seiryu-seikun. Although they cloak their divine chi they are, in fact, the ones destined to fight Tenma." The dragon god nodded, pleased although he remained indifferent in appearance. He turned to Asahi and his stern face seemed to soften.
"You have a long journey ahead of you, both you and your comrades. I wish all of you the best of luck, and I give you, Suzaku no Ten'nyo, my blessing."
Asahi winced as she felt a searing pain go through her chest, where the Ten'nyo kanji resided. She looked down to see the character, blazing through the cloth of her top. It blazed both red and blue for a moment before the blue died away, leaving the kanji in its original red color. Eventually that too died down and Seiryu spoke once more.
"My gift is… different from Suzaku's blessing of healing, but it will help you nonetheless."
"I am very grateful, Seiryu-Seikun. Thank you so much for your blessing." Asahi replied, giving a deep bow of gratitude to the god of war. He nodded in acknowledgement, a flickering pleading look replacing his stern gaze for the briefest moment.
"Be careful, Suzaku no Ten'nyo. The fate of all four countries rest upon your shoulders." He added, grudgingly, "I have faith in you… Suzaku always had a knack for selecting the best to be his chosen." This praise was abruptly ended, as the god sent a threatening glare in a guffawing redhead's direction.
"Good luck, to all of you," Were the god's last words. The flames once more flashed sapphire, engulfing the god's image, before suddenly going out.
As her eyes began to adjust to the dark Asahi mused over the god's words. Just how difficult was this mission going to be, if even the protector of Konan's enemy was wishing her good luck? Even if she was one step closer to getting the four gods' blessings she had still met one more god that she could possibly let down…. One more god that would remember her and her friends as royal screw-ups as the world came to its end if they failed…
You are quite the pessimist when you want to be, no da. Asahi gave a quick glance over to a certain blue haired monk, whose back was currently facing her.
I will have to use that mind barrier against you more than any enemies we encounter, Chichiri-kun.
I didn't even need to tap into our thoughts, he retorted, the look on your face alone could show anyone you were thinking something apocalyptic. This he replied in a more deadpan tone. I suppose I need to start teaching you relaxation techniques as well, no da.
A light shove was his answer.
()
Outside the demoness stood, waiting, watching. They would be leaving soon, she thought with an ominous smile. A stolid expression quickly replaced it. She turned. The other were restless. Very restless. They would wait no longer. A single bloodthirsty gaze was more than enough to disperse them.
(OO)
"Well, that went pretty well. Looks like we managed to catch Seiryu on a day where he didn't have a stick up his ass." An unfortunate fire-bringer found himself to be on the receiving end of a well aimed kick from an angry Seiyu no Ten'nyo.
"Watch your tongue when you say such things around Seiryu's chosen. He has enough good in him to help you all in your little quest and you repay him with this? Mockery? Insolence?" She snapped, questioningly.
"I was joking!" Tasuki snarled back, nuring his wounded cheek. "If that stupid lizard has a stick up his ass you must have a fucking tree!" Before either could continue the little (and rather pointless) dispute Chichiri separated them, placing them far away from each other. Very far away from each other.
"Those two are just like children, no da!" Chichiri sighed, walking alongside Asahi. She looked behind him before laughing.
"They're worse than children." Sure enough one was spotted making a rather interesting face and gesture to the other, while said other continued to remain silent and imperturbable. But apart from the two warriors' bickering it was strangely quiet…
What has happened to all the birds? Chichiri thought to himself. His grip on his staff tightened. The animals? His eye widened. There it was. That tiny flicker of an unknown presence, a-
"ASAHI-SAN!" Chichiri yelled. At the same time the demons struck, aiming straight for the Suzaku no Ten'nyo.
There was a scream.
(OO)
:Sigh: Short chapter, I know, but I think it was good one!
Tasuki: YOU AND YOUR DAMN CLIFFHANGERS… AND OTHER CHARACTERS WHO HAPPEN TO BE BITCHES!
Kangetsu: Grrr…
Asahi: Uh oh.
Chichiri:brings out popcorn to share with Asahi as they watch the chaos ensue: OOH! It's better than the movies, no da!
Well, to the one wonderful person who completely rocks in all ways, thank you for the great review! And, for being the first (Tasuki:coughONLYcough: … :suddenly gets hit by a 100 pound weight with "love Kangetsu" written on it:) reviewer, you get… Chichiri AND Tasuki!
Chichiri:rocks back and forth: NOT AGAIN, NO DA!
Tasuki: BITCH!
Asahi: Umm… Pil-Z-san, I would like Chichiri too…
…Damn, Chichiri's popular. Looks like we'll have to split you, Monky-chan!
Chichiri:whimpers:
Till next time!