Chapter 7

In the dark night sky, even the moonlight could not lift the spirits of the young man known as Fujiwara no Takamichi.

Dejected, he aimlessly wanders, not in the direction of home nor anywhere in particular. He was feeling lost and alone, knowing he had ruined his only chance with Princess Fuji. She was his everything and now...she was lost to him forever...

Forever...

Tomomasa thrusts open the door to the Vice Minister's residence, ready to give his protege a few quick pointers on what and what not to do to win over a woman's heart, when he discovers, to his dismay, that the man in question was nowhere to be found.

"Takamichi?"

Tomomasa calls out softly just to be certain of the fact he had already known--

He's not here...

Where on earth can you be at such a time! I was counting on you to save my daughter---I even begged you to do so---and what happens? Your foolish emotion of jealousy causes you to do just the opposite! Young people these days...

Sigh

Tomomasa exits the rooms and looks up into the night sky for solace, He finds himself being pulled into its depths by the soft glowing aura surrounding.He closes his eyes, trying to think of what he could do to somehow salvage what seemed to be a lost cause.

He couldn't give up---he'd never give up. Usually a laid back and...shall we say, lazy man at times, but this time, he wouldn't stop. No, he would do all in his power and beyond to bring happiness his only daughter.

"But how...how can I do it? Houtaru...please...guide me once more...Help me, help me to save...our child."

Forlornly, a young man, with his head hung, wanders the darkened streets of the city aimlessly. In stark contrast to his normal set behavior, Takamichi walks slowly, going nowhere in particular, with head down and eyes lowered. He had much administrative work waiting for him at home, but he cared not.

Nothing matters but you...and now, I've lost you...Before we've even begun, it's over...

Sadly, with tears stinging at his eyes, Takamichi clenches his fists in anger at himself for his lack of control earlier.

How could I have been so foolish? My...jealousy...I couldn't control it! When I saw him leaning over her...kissing her...kissing my Fuji...I just couldn't stop myself...And yet...Was I so wrong? I know I should've deferred to the prince, but...I am still a man, and she is the woman I love...

Pondering these thoughts, Takamichi, unaware of his surroundings, turns down from the side street towards the center of more busy Suzaku Highway main road.

But it doesn't matter...it's all too late...she...she told me to leave her alone. It's the first time she has ever used that tone of voice with me and her eyes----Her beautiful eyes danced with true anger towards me. I've hurt her, and I can't take it back or make it right again...All my dreams...will only ever be just that----I was a fool to think otherwise. How could I have thought I could ever be worthy of her? I'm not, nor ever will be, good enough for her...But how can I go on without her? Without her light, my world is utter darkness...

...My beloved...

The clouds seemed to agree with his sentiments as they wafted over the bright glow of the moon, leaving it in complete blackness, dashing away the beams that reached out the world below it.

Just at that moment, a wagon with a team of horses was coming down the street at an unusually fast pace. The driver, having had too much sake to drink that evening, had been using the moonlight to help him navigate through the streets when it suddenly grew darker. He could no longer see what was in front of him and he rubbed at his eyes. He tried to slow the horses into a steady gait, but they seemed eager to reach a brighter area and galloped faster and faster.

They had become so scared and harried that the driver could no longer control their movements and he was trying all he could to slow their frenzied pace down the main highway of the city.

But he didn't see the lone man standing still in the middle of the street, and, it was too late, as the horses reared back and stopped their frantic race, only to find they had already trodden over the man, who was now laying lifeless on the ground.

The driver, in a panic, jumps from his seat and rushes to the man, seeing if he could do anything to help him.

But it was terrible sight he saw when he reached him.

Takamichi had been caught unaware, in his sad reverie, and had been trampled over by the pair of frightened horses and the full wagon. He was bloodied and unconscious, and the driver was loathe to come near him when he saw his condition.

"Aghhh! It's the Vice Minister!"

The driver recognized the attire of the Vice Minister and backed away in a panic. Looking around, he sees no one in sight and so, quickly jumps back aboard his wagon and whips his horses back into their flurried gallop, guiding them as far away from this town as possible. He had no intention of being punished for killing one of the most important men in this city and he wanted nothing to do with it. It was an accident after all, and he felt no guilt in leaving the terrible scene.

It's--it's too late for me to do anything----the man's obviously dead---couldn't be anything but, after being trampled by a team of horses and a full wagon! Why should my life be ruined for a dead man's? No, I'm not going to go down for this! It was an accident that he's dead and I won't be punished for it!

With that, the driver and team dash away into the darkened night, without another glance or thought back at the poor man laying in the street, dying.

But fate was shining down on Takamichi that night, as Abe no Yasuaki was passing through that very street, on his way back to his mountain home. He was going back to his teacher, to study and focus more on his powers, to learn more and gain more knowledge of his mission.

His keen sense of danger alerted him that something was amiss and his sharp eyes darted around, looking for the cause, but it was difficult to see anything in the sheer darkness of the moonless night.

Just at that moment, the dark clouds passed and moonlight once more rained down on the city of Kyou. Yasuaki watched as a definite beam seemed to touch down, precisely on the spot where a crumpled form lay on the ground, unmoving.

Yasuaki squinted his eyes as he raced down the street, fast as the wind, towards the unfortunate being.

Upon reaching the area, Yasuaki immediately recognizes the man as his fellow Hachiyou, Fujiwara no Takamichi. If Yasuaki had any human feelings, he would've turned his head away in horror at the sight of the poor Takamichi.

But, things being that Yasuaki didn't have any emotions, he took up Takamichi's arm and felt for his pulse. He could barely make it out and so he leaned his ear close to the Vice Minister's face, to hear if he was still breathing.

He was, but the breathing was erratic and faint and Yasuaki knew that Takamichi hadn't long to live. He smoothed back Takamichi's errant, bloodied hair from his face and looked down upon him with something akin to sadness.

If Yasuaki had been the being he once was---before Miko had come---he would've just given Takamichi up for dead and carried him home to be prepared for a funeral without a tear or second thought.

But now, now he had become more human, though he didn't want to admit it, and he felt a pang of...something.

Was it friendship or concern for the man himself? Was it duty and loyalty to Miko to save one of her Hachiyou?

Whatever it was, Yasuaki could not help but take pity on Takamichi and with great gentleness and care, slings him over his shoulder and races into the night, towards the high mountains that had always sheltered and strengthened him.

I will bring you to my true home, Ten no Byakko...

...I won't let you die...

"Mnnnghhhhhnnnnnn..."

Where am I...?

Deliriously, Takamichi slowly tries to open and focus his eyes but found he could not. He struggles to raise himself but, despite his efforts, cannot even lift his head, let alone his body.

"Lie still. Don't try to move yet. You are unable...Rest."

A low, calm voice reaches Takamichi's ears and he willingly obeys the words.

Yes...rest. But...there's no time...I...I know there's something I must do...Princess...Fuji...I must talk to...

"You, woman, make yourself useful and tend to his wounds and fever."

Through a misty mind, Takamichi barely hears Yasuaki ordering someone about to take care of him.

"Very well."

His battered body overtakes his curiosity, as a restless and feverish sleep arrests him and he once again becomes unconscious.

Yasuaki looks to him, not with concern, but with factual knowledge of Takamichi's predicament. He knew the man was near death when he found him, and that it would be something akin to a miracle if he didn't die.

Yet, still, the dispassionate Onmyouji brought him here, to his old master's home---to find some way to save the man.

A young woman with unusual short cropped dark purple hair and the graceful air of being well-bred, places a cool cloth to Takamichi's head and carefully redresses the bloodied wounds on his head, arms and legs.

She was dressed in plain robes, though, without any trace of richness or nobility about her. Though her face was beautiful, it held an aura of sadness which could be felt by anyone who met her.

Yasuaki considers the girl as she attends the tasks he had assigned her. She had much changed since the day he took her in. Why had he accepted her into this house, those 7 years ago, when she came pleading to him, tearful and emotional, to teach her how to lead a simple and useful life, alone, away from society? Did he feel sorry for her? It couldn't be that, as the green-haired priest did not have the feelings to feel sorry with. Was it then because he understood her desire to wish to be alone all her life? He shakes his head quickly at his unproductive thoughts to his more current problem.

What is wrong with me? First her and then him? I must be getting soft...

Once the quiet girl completes her duties, he casts a spell of protection over the sleeping Takamichi and leaves the room.

He was unusually disturbed by the situation and was frustrated with himself for his lack of clarity.

Why does it matter to me if he lives or dies? Every human must die some time, so why am I trying so hard to save this one man now? It makes no sense. In addition, why do I care if that woman lives in sadness? What is it to me?

As he walks out towards the gardens, he ponders his thoughts and wondered if it was because he considered Fujiwara no Takamichi a friend.

Friend?

Do I have the capacity for friendship?

Yasuaki walks into the garden, near the room where Takamichi lay. He could see the man clearly in the window and glanced in his direction for a second before kneeling down to gather certain planted herbs that would hopefully help in Takamichi's recovery.

You are fortunate, Ten no Byakko...

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, Yasuaki hears a loud, albeit tiny, screaming voice coming right at him.

"YASUAKI!"

"Tengu?"

Yasuaki looks up from his work to find the small, redheaded sprite flying towards him at reckless speed.

"SAVE ME, YASUAKI!"

Kotengu cannot stop his flight but Yasuaki deftly, and calmly, holds up his palm into which the annoying little Tengu smacks into and falls to the ground in a daze.

SMACK!

THUD!

"uuuuuhhhhhnnnnnnnn..."

"Tengu...Stop playing. Why have you come here to bother me?"

Kotengu's eyes stop swirling and instead flash with anger and renewed spirit as Yasuaki gingerly picks him up with two fingers and holds him to his eye level.

"YASUAKI! Hide me! Big Forehead is chasing me!"

"Big Forehead...?"

Yasuaki is puzzled as to who Kotengu is referring to and tilts his head, awaiting an answer.

"Can't you tell who 'Big Forehead' is! Sheesh, Yasuaki, you're sure stupi----I mean, of course you wouldn't know! Ha ha heh eheh heh he..."

Kotengu realizes his error and quickly tries to rectify his thoughtless words. After all, he needed Yasuaki's help right now!

"Tengu...stop your nonsensical babbling. What is it you want of me?"

"Just hide me, Yasuaki! Big For---I mean, Inori, is after me and he's mad! I think he's going to rip my wings off!"

Tengu gives Yasuaki huge puppy dog eyes to try to win his sympathy, but he needn't have tried.

Yasuaki has no sympathy to give, especially to Kotengu. He drops him like a hot potato and bends down once again over his gathering.

"Begone, Tengu. I am too busy to contend with your insanity."

"YASUAKI! You're cruel! After I helped save you and Eisen!"

Sigh
I knew it would come to that...He never fails to mention that whenever he needs my help...

"Fine, then, Tengu. What do you require? Make it fast, as I said, I've no time to deal with you today."

"Finally! Geez, Yasuaki, you sure are a thick headed numbskull! All I want is for you to hide me and tell Big Forehead that I'm not here and you haven't seen me. That's all!"

Yasuaki rolls his eyes as the imp's lack of integrity. But he merely points to his herb bag on the ground and Kotengu flutters quickly into it.

Presently, Yasuaki's keen ears hear the running footsteps of Inori but he just continues to search for a certain herb.

"Yasuaki! huff huff Have you seen that Kotengu! He's been causing trouble again in town!"

Yasuaki again wordlessly gestures to the bag on the ground and Inori grabs it up in joy.

"Aha! I've got you now, you little troublemaker!"

Inori gleefully watches as Kotengu emerges angrily and in shock from the depths of the bag. He was covered in seeds, herbs and leaves and he shakes them off in dismay.

"YASUAKI! You traitor! How could you give me away! You--you---you---"

"Tengu, talk coherently or I cannot understand you."

Yasuaki, in his calm monotone, continues his work, ignoring Kotengu's gyrations and anger towards him.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! YASUAKI!"

Kotengu, seeing red, flaps his wings overtime and starts to ram into Yasuaki once more.

But again, his attempts are thwarted as Yasuaki, without looking, just lifts the bag and Kotengu crashes into it, falling on the ground again with a thud.

"Ha hahaha ha! Haha hahaha!"

Inori can't help but double over laughing at the scene playing before him.

That Kotengu is getting his just desserts without me even lifting a finger! Good one, Yasuaki!

"Go for it, Yasuaki! Yeah!"

"Inori, if you want Tengu, take him and leave. I've much to do without children's nonsense to annoy me."

"HEY! 'Children'! Who are you callin' a child! I'm 20 years old!"

Now it is your turn to act like a fool, I suppose.

"That is correct. You are 20, but you still behave as a child."

"Wh-what! Yasuaki! How dare you!"

Inori's ire was up and his red eyes were flashing and his fists were clenched. And now, it was Kotengu's turn to laugh.

"Hahahah hah ha! Big Forehead is getting told off! Ha ha haha! I knew you wouldn't let me down, Yasuaki!"

And with that, Kotengu blows a raspberry at Inori with his hands on his hips.

"Why you---!"

Inori grabs Kotengu by the throat and shakes him while Kotengu's eyes bulge out, popping back and forth and he sputters and struggles against his attacker.

"Enough!"

Yasuaki had clearly had enough of this eternal squabble and turned his back on them as he started back towards the building with his found herbs and leaves.

After another minute of fighting, the two fiery redheads realize Yasuaki had departed and they abruptly cease their arguing.

"Huh? Where's he going?"

"Let's follow him! He looks like someone who needs some fun to liven up his day!"

"You're on!"

Sneakily, the two stealthily skulk around the columns supporting the building and peek their heads out to look for Yasuaki's whereabouts.

"Where'd he go?"

"I dunno...Why didn't you keep an eye on him, Big Forehead!"

"Kotengu, you little rat! Go inside and see if you can't find him!"

"Me! You go inside! That's a scary place full of other creepy guys like him and I'm not going in!"

"You 'fraidy cat! I knew you couldn't be depended on! Fine! We'll go in together!"

"Who's afraid! I am the great Tengu, afraid of nothing!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. We've all heard that before, but it's just big talk from a LITTLE dog!"

"INORI!"

As Kotengu was just about to descend upon Inori once more for a fight, the pair suddenly see Yasuaki come into view and they cease their endless argument.

"Shhhhh!"

"Shhhhh yourself!"

Inori covers Kotengu's mouth and pulls him under his arm as he silently trots into the building's interior.

"Mmmmhghnn..."

"Shut up! You aren't capable of being quiet so I had to silence you this way! If you don't struggle, you won't get hurt! Now, SHHHHHH!"

Inori whispers hurriedly to Kotengu, who, realizing his situation, does quiet down and just looks wide-eyed and silent at his surroundings.

They come to the room that both had seen Yasuaki disappear into and peer in, trying to remain unseen by the keen Onmyouji.

Gasp!

Both Inori and Kotengu gasp in shock at the vista before them. Yasuaki's back was turned to them, as he was creating some kind of remedy near the far wall. Near the bedside was a young woman with long, long purple hair, keeping vigil, but they could not make out her face, as she too was turned away from them.

But Yasuaki's back was not what had shocked the two, nor was it the girl sitting next to the bed. No, it was the seriously wounded man laying unconscious and hurt in the middle of the room.

"It's Takamichi...!"

Inori whispers to Kotengu, who simply nods in agreement at the assessment.

Suddenly, they hear Yasuaki call out behind him, jerking his head around with eyebrows furrowed.

"Who's there!"

He rushes to the doorway to confront his uninvited guests. But when he looks up and down the connecting halls, there was nothing to be found.

Empty.
How could they have moved so quickly? I know they were here...I just hope those 'children' don't cause any undue trouble now that they've seen him.

Yasuaki looks back at Takamichi, who was laying in a feverish state, eyes shut tight in pain and----sorrow. The woman was rushing around frantically, trying to comfort the wounded man.