Chapter 14

"We're not gonna make it! I just know it! Eisen's gonna be an old married man by the time we get there!"

"Oh, shut up, Big Forehead! With me at the controls, of course, we'll get there on time! Ha ha ha ha! Wouldn't want to be the one responsible for Eisen's loss of freedom to a woman!"

"That's one thing we agree on, Kotengu! Once you're married, that's the end of everything fun and exciting!" Inori couldn't help but join in with Tengu's macho assessment of the situation.

"Damn right! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!"

And with that, Tengu speeds even faster through the air as the remaining passengers roll their eyes at the words just overheard between their two noisy and ill-mannered red-headed companions, before submitting to a more cerebral conversation.

"Tomomasa-dono, I want to thank you for having so much faith in me. You cannot imagine how proud it makes me feel to know that you feel I'm good enough for your---"

"Ah-ah, yes, Takamichi. That'll do." Tomomasa raises his eyebrow at the green-haired man, in a silent warning not to say anything more about Fuji's parental heritage. After all, other prying ears were closeby. "You know I believe you to be the best man I've ever known. Often, I wonder what my own youth and past would've been like if I had been more like you are. To me, you are everything I hoped and aspired to be, but was too weak to accomplish. You are my ideal. And the only one I would want for Princess Fuji." Tomomasa looks out towards the rushing skies with a distant look on his cyan features.

"Tomomasa-dono..." Takamichi is shocked by the words of the elder man. He had always been close to his Byakko partner, but right now, in this moment, he had never felt closer. "...Thank you..." With a simple gesture of gratitude, Takamichi knows that Tomomasa understands all that was in his full heart, though it was left unsaid between the two men.

Yasuaki looks through slit eyes at the enigmatic speech between his Hachiyou partners. He knew there was something up in their secrecy and choice of words, but said nothing. After all, it was none of his business, nor did he even wish to know. He had much better things to do and even now, soaring through the air with Tengu, he had no idea what force compelled him to aid these people. Was it friendship? He doubted it, as he did not feel such a thing towards them. They were companions and partners, but he did not consider them friends---he had none. Was it for the sake of true love then? This was still an even greater puzzle for his mind to ponder. Love was the ultimate emotion he didn't feel, so why should he attempt to help other's love stories?

Unknowing, or rather, perhaps, afraid of the answer, Yasuaki leaves the question unanswered for another time. Right now, he had taken it upon himself to help Ten no Byakko and Chuuguu reach their loves on time to stop a wedding that would bring sadness to so many people's lives.

I AM getting soft... sigh

In Tengu's hand was another pair of passengers, quiet, silent, but nonetheless, determined to reach their goal. Yorihisa, with his arm protectively around Chuuguu's shoulders, grits his teeth. He certainly did not want to go against the Emperor's orders, but how could he just stand by and watch some of his closest friends lose their chance for happiness? Particularly Princess Fuji. She was his responsibility and he wanted to see her sweet face bright and happy again---something it had not been for a long time. He would risk and do anything to achieve this for her, even disobey the Emperor.

But that didn't mean he wasn't upset or worried about his decision. Rather, it just made him all the more anxious to reach the palace. There, he would confront his duty and loyalty. Would it be to his little Princess or his Emperor? Somehow, even now, Minamoto no Yorihisa knew exactly what his choice would be.

In his strong grasp, Chuuguu's eyes were tighly closed. She wasn't afraid of flying through the air, but she was steeling herself for what was sure to come when they reached Kyou. Now that frightened her. How would she act? What could she say? She had left so abruptly, 5 years ago, without a word to the people who loved her and considered her their 'daughter.' How could they ever forgive her? Would they even welcome her back?

And what of Eisen? She had loved him, and still did, but did he feel the same way towards her? She didn't want to face him ever again, but now, she had to. For her sister's sake, as well as for his own. She dared not to, but she could not help but hope against hope that maybe, just maybe, the prince's heart was big enough to allow her back in. She could not imagine he could love her as she loved him, but if they could go back to being the childhood friends of yesterday, that would satisfy her. She deserved nothing but hoped for much and in her silent pleas, she prays for the guidance to do what is right to help her little sister and the one she loved, with no thoughts for herself now.

Shimon looks on wordlessly at his friends surrounding him. Together, truly, the Hachiyou were magic! He closes his eyes and tries to imagine what Ran was doing right now. He smiles at the thought since he knew that she would be like a pillar of strength one moment and then in a panic the next---and probably blaming him for it. He chuckles at her capriciousness and wishes he could be at her side, supporting her.

Ah, soon enough, I'll be there for you, Ran. For always and I will never leave your side.

Sephel looks from face to face all around him, too. He marvels at the differences between the men (and lady) onboard, and how despite it all, they could come together to achieve a common goal. He had never imagined as a young boy, that he would one day be working side by side with humans, but here he was. And not only that, but he was their friend. He looks at the clouds they were fast passing and vows, too, that he would do anything he could to aid the princess.

"All righty, people! There are too many of you!! I can go faster if it's just me and Takamichi! So, get ready for a rough landing! I'm gonna dump you in that nearest rice field---it's all soft and sopping, so ya won't get hurt! HA HA! But I won't be responsible for any losses or damages so I'm tellin' you beforehand! You hear!?" Tengu shouts against the rushing wind, informing the crew onboard him that he was about to drop them.

"WHAT?! Shimon, tell me he's joking!"
"Ummm, I really don't think he is, Sephel..."
"I didn't come this far just to be killed now by a stupid kotengu who can't pull his weight!"
"I heard that, you big forehead!!!"
"Lady Chuuguu, hold onto me tightly. I will protect you."
"Y-yes."
"WHY did I bother to come?"
"Takamichi, I'm counting on you. Don't let me down."

And with those final words, Tengu shakes off first Inori, who was dangling from his sandal, with a loud sloshy PLOP! into a nearby rice swamp field, followed by the rest of the group, save for the green haired Takamichi, who alone rode Tengu's back with fierce determination in his eyes.

'...don't let me down...'

He could hear Tomomasa's words echo in his heart. He just HAD to make it to Fuji on time. Tomomasa was depending on him, and, even more importantly, Fuji was as well.

Wait for me, I'm coming...

With renewed zest, Tengu's speed increases nearly two-fold as he and Takamichi begin a sky dive into the palace grounds.

"Are ya with me, Takamichi?! This is gonna be a shocker to those court fools down there! You sure you want in on this party crashing?" Tengu puts it to Takamichi succinctly.

"Yes, positively. I have never been more certain about anything in my life. Take us in, Tengu!"

And with that order, Tengu nods his head slightly and goes into diving formation.

"Yeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Here Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee COOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE!"