However, the plotline for this story and all original characters DO belong to me and may not be used elsewhere without my permission.
Special Note: Due to the increased action throughout the ShiJinTenChiSho,
Earth, and certain otherworldly sites, some chapters (such as this one) will
have location headings to let you know exactly where the action is taking
place. Think of it as jumping from scene to scene in a movie - which is exactly
the way this story plays through my mind.
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Chapter 8. Metamorphosis
Part I. Mount Gyokuei (Crystal Mountain)
In an icy mountain range in North Hokkan, in a landscape lit only by the brilliant stars in the sky, a tiny paper bird fluttered around a jagged peak. The origami bird tried again and again to penetrate the mystical barrier but was blown aside by unseen forces. Finally it flew high up above its target, folded its wings and plunged downward toward the mountaintop like a tiny dart. Its creator had crafted it skillfully, for the bird breached the barrier, shooting through a mystical keyhole like a tiny arrow.
It banked and turned through the twisting, crystal-studded passageways, seeking out the intended recipient of its message. Just as it approached a deep inner chamber, it spun briefly out of control, buffeted by the air displaced by the rapid passage of a flying blue-haired girl.
The origami bird righted itself and flew inside the chamber, hovering near a statue of a white tiger as it waited for the optimal moment to approach its target. That target floated agitatedly over a raised dais, her distress signaled by the snaking of her ribbons in random, jerky patterns.
"So the message telling of this sudden massing of those creatures came from the monks of Seiryuu, is that correct, Nyan?"
"Yes, Taiitsukun-sama!" cried the blue-haired girl, briefly dividing into two identical girls, then rejoining as she regained control. "They say they detected a huge energy surge originating at a point in Southern Hokkan, growing in intensity until it suddenly dispersed, almost as if it exploded! They were able to piece together the energy residues this morning, and that was when they deduced that it was from approximately a score or more of the beasts. They also detected a faint trace of dark sorcery."
"Perhaps Seiryuu was correct in his decision regarding that monk from his eastern monastery. I had my doubts about that young man, but we obviously owe this valuable information to his organization." Taiitsukun's hooded eyes flashed as a thought occurred to her. "Wait! Southern Hokkan...dark sorcery - wasn't that the crossover point for Chichiri and Tasuki to the mikos' world?!"
Nyan paled, her blue tresses lightening to almost white. "Yes…and we've been waiting for word from Chichiri-sama. They should have returned by now…"
"Curse it all to the Seven Hells!!" swore Taiitsukun, shocking Nyan with her vivid impression of a certain fire-haired seishi. "We may not have been the only ones waiting for their return! What if the Enemy had somehow found the crossover point and planned an ambush?! Damn the necessity of this crystal-covered refuge! The Enemy may not be able to find us, but we are equally handicapped in our ability to see out!"
At that moment, the origami bird fluttered down from its perch on Byakko's nose and landed in Taiitsukun's lap. Taiitsukun lifted the paper with shaking hands, as it flashed and sparkled with its mystical message. She turned stricken eyes to Nyan's worried face. "I was right," she rasped. "This is a message from Chichiri calling for help. He, Tasuki and Miaka were under attack by those creatures last night! Chichiri intended to follow those creatures to their base, but he sent Tasuki and Miaka fleeing through the woods."
"What about Tamahome-sama?" asked Nyan fearfully.
Taiitsukun met her guardian's gaze, her aged eyes filled with sudden grief. "Dead. Dead in their world, another victim of these accursed beasts, his ki vanishing like all the rest."
Nyan lowered her head, tears escaping from her eyes.
"There is no time to grieve, Nyan. Chichiri also begs help for Yui-sama and her friends, who are under attack in their own world. We must decide whom to send…Hatsui and Urumiya are already out on their mission to raise a resistance force against the Enemy and to check on the elderly Genbu seishi. Chichiri, Tasuki and Miaka are all missing, but we must hope that they escaped the ambush and are now fleeing through Hokkan. I will send a message telling all of the adult seishi to be on the lookout for them and render them such aid as they are able." Taiitsukun refolded the origami bird, imbuing it with a new message and new destinations, then waved her hand abruptly. The single bird multiplied into six separate birds, each shivering as the spell took hold. Nyan scooped them up and tossed them towards the ceiling. They fluttered briefly before swirling on mystical updrafts, winging through the corridors of the caverns on their new missions.
Taiitsukun turned back toward Nyan. "Perhaps we can get word to Byakko no Toroki and Byakko no Kokie to return here…" She paused as a few crystals fell onto her dress. Both Taiitsukun and Nyan looked up at the low ceiling…and that was when they heard the first resounding 'boom.' "What's happening?!" cried Taiitsukun, her features filled with uncharacteristic anxiety. Another deep thunderous boom resounded through the mountain, and more crystals fell from the ceilings and walls.
"They're here! Somehow they've found us!" barked Taiitsukun, all fear leaving her grim features as she prepared to face the Enemy's attack. "They're here for the children!"
She and Nyan instantly transported to the children's chamber. Many of the children were already up and about, awakened by crystals falling upon their bedclothes. Tomite and Chiriko moved between the beds, gently shaking awake any sleeping children. There was a surprising lack of hysteria, even from the children who had not regained their seishi memories, each one seeming to understand the necessity for staying calm under attack. Subaru held one of the Seiryuu twins while their mother clutched the other protectively to her breast. The small six-month-olds were quiet, sucking on their thumbs, content as long as Subaru and their mother kept them within each other's sight.
The thunderous booms increased in tempo and intensity, the sound reverberating until they felt as if they were all trapped within a giant taiko drum. Crystals flew off the ceilings and walls at increasing velocity. "Look!" cried Chiriko, pointing at a widening crack in the ceiling.
"Everyone in the center of the chamber!" shouted Taiitsukun. "Join hands!" The children ran to obey her command, Ryuen scooping up Sai as Chiriko held Juan protectively in front of him. Tomite grabbed Hikitsu, who pulled out of his grasp impatiently, while Tokaki hovered protectively near Subaru, ignoring her scowl.
Taiitsukun next turned her gaze on her blue-haired companion, her voice deepening as her form began to stretch and lengthen. "Guardian of the Seikun, transmute!"
A silver light shot from Nyan's eyes as she sang out a strange keening wail that soon transformed into a feline roar, her form growing, curving over until a giant panther with silver-blue fur stalked around the perimeter of the room. Juan let out a brief sob of fear, but Chiriko picked him up and hushed him.
Where Taiitsukun had floated now stood a seven-foot man clad in celestial robes, ribbons writhing whiplike around his form, his features blurred except for his intense, glittering eyes. "Multiply!" he commanded Nyan, who immediately divided into six pacing panthers, switching their tails as they surrounded the seishi children protectively. The cave resounded with a strange creaking groan, the fissure in the ceiling widening and raining larger crystals and rocks upon the room.
Taiitsukun pulled himself up until he seemed to fill the entire chamber, all of the Nyan expanding with him. His features were clear now, terrifying in their raging beauty, as he raised his arms to the heavens and proclaimed in a voice that rang with celestial might. "The Four Palaces of the Heavens, the Four Corners of the Earth! In the Name of Sacred Law, Faith and Virtue, I Call Upon Byakko, Genbu, Suzaku and Seiryuu! By the Power of the Four Gods, You Shall Not Prevail!"
Just as the last words passed his lips, the mountaintop shattered with an explosive roar, a searing white light enveloping all within. A massive flock of black winged creatures diving from the night sky was blown back by the mighty blast of psi power, the beasts shrieking as they were sent tumbling through the air. Some were fatally injured, but most recovered quickly, pounding into the shattered mountain again and again with their metallic claws, ripping apart every stone until all that remained was crystal-studded rubble.
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Part II. Western Hokkan
In the shelter of a cluster of shrubs verging on the western steppes of Hokkan, a man startled in his sleep and cried out. His companion, resting on his chest, reached up a hand to caress his hair and murmured, "Shhhhh. S'all right, Gen-chan…" before dropping back into deep sleep.
Tasuki snapped awake, his heart pounding with some inexplicable panic…and with shock at the unexpected caress. Did she really…? Or was it a dream? He shifted beneath her warm weight, unable to resist testing her. "Miaka?" he murmured gently, giving her a slight shake.
Miaka gripped Tasuki tighter but failed to wake up, exhausted by their travels that day. "No more ni'mares," she mumbled. "S'all over, Gen-chan…safe now…I lov…" her words were cut off by a soft snore.
"What?!" shrieked Tasuki's mind. Without thinking, he shook her hard. "Miaka! Miaka, what're you…?"
"What?! What?!" she cried, jolted wide awake. "What's wrong? Have they found us?!"
Tasuki flushed guiltily under her panic-stricken gaze. "No! No, everything's okay; go back ta sleep."
Miaka panted, her heart pounding. "How am I supposed to go back to sleep? You scared me to death, Tasuki! What happened?"
"Tasuki," he repeated. "You called me Tasuki, not Gen…"
"Oh, that's right." Miaka pushed off his chest and rubbed her sleep-reddened eyes, frowning in confusion. "I'm supposed to call you Genrou. Sorry, Genrou. But why did you wake me?"
"Errrrr…somethin' woke me up, and you were, er, talkin' in your sleep." He strove for a casual tone. "So I wondered what you were dreamin' about."
Miaka stopped rubbing her eyes and fixed him with a look. "You woke me to ask what I was dreaming about."
"Well, you were mumblin' 'bout nightmares an' things bein' safe an'…" He caught her critical frown and winced. "Never mind. Stupid of me. Won't happen again; jus' go back ta sleep now…"
Miaka relented at Tasuki's obvious embarrassment. "No, I'm sorry. I just get a little cranky when someone shakes me out of a sound sleep." She grinned to show that she was teasing him. "Let's see…" She cast about for the drifting fragments of her dream. "Nightmares, hmm. Oh! I think I was dreaming that you had a nightmare!" She frowned. "Does that make sense?"
"Yeah," sighed Tasuki. "An' it wasn't a dream. Somethin' woke me - some bad feelin' like a nightmare. Ya musta picked up on that."
"What kind of bad feeling?" Miaka pushed up into a sitting position. Tasuki's coat fell away from her, and she rubbed her arms and shivered. "Do you think it was a premonition?"
Tasuki shook his head, sitting up and rolling his shoulders to get the kinks out of his back. "Nah. Didn't have that prickly feelin.' It was more like…" he strove for a description. "More like somebody shot an arrow in my head, but the arrow was made of stars instead of metal, and they all exploded in my brain." He shifted under Miaka's stare. "What?"
"I'm trying to decide whether that's poetic - or just gross!"
"Well, you asked," he grumbled, irritated.
Miaka let out a peal of laughter. "I'm teasing you! Don't you remember how we always used to tease each other?" She stopped suddenly, caught by what she had just blurted out.
Tasuki was equally as arrested. "Yeah, I remember. I jus' didn't think you did. Well, that's one more memory back, thanks to th' nightmare."
Miaka continued to stare out into the darkness. A vision suddenly appeared before her eyes: Tasuki beneath her, his hair in wild red spikes, shirtless (naked?), as he leaned up in bed, laughing as he caught her lips with his own…
"Miaka? You all right?"
She jumped guiltily, trying not to stare at him. Was that a memory…or a fantasy? Until she sorted it out, it was best to keep it to herself. A sudden twinge diverted her thoughts. "Uh…I have to go now."
"Yeah, me too. Grab your stuff, an' we'll take a walk."
Miaka reached around until she found the small bag of "supplies" that Tasuki had thoughtfully provided for her. She was grateful for his casual attitude; it took some of the sting out of the embarrassing necessity for them to accompany one another on these "personal relief missions," as Tasuki had dubbed them to make her laugh.
They had only been traveling together for a day, but they had already settled into a routine. Tasuki pointed out a spot for her, then disappeared. They remained out of one another's sight but had to answer to intermittent calls, or expect the other to come rushing over to check on them.
When she was finished, Miaka walked out and found Tasuki leaning up against a tree. Once he caught her sight of her, he turned and began walking away. "Unfair," she grumbled as she hurried to match his strides. "Men are always so fast!"
"Nope, girls are jus' slow. Don' worry, though - I'm usta waitin.' Hell, I hadda learn ta wait on th' way in! Five older sisters, an' every one of 'em takin' a fuckin' lifetime in th' outhouse. Was an unhappy day fer me when I got outta bottom cloths an' a happy day when I finally learned not ta piss on my shoes!"
Miaka burst into giggles, trying to picture Tasuki as a chubby toddler and utterly failing. They slowed as they arrived at their campsite, and she caught him smiling softly at her in the starlight. "What?" she asked, suddenly self-conscious.
"Nothin.' Jus' good ta hear ya laugh again, Mi-chan. Been a while…" he trailed off, remembering her giggles as Tamahome had teased her outside the club. He swallowed and pushed the memory away. "Come on, let's get back ta sleep," he said abruptly.
Miaka gave a mental shrug as she settled down next to him, feeling him wrap her in the coat again. He certainly seemed to be moodier now than in her subconscious memories, but she would just have to get used to it. According to him, it had been more than eight years since they had last met, so it wasn't surprising that he should have changed. Besides, if she knew Tasuki, he would change back to cheerful before the sun rose. She settled deeper into his warmth, grateful for his presence no matter what mood he might be in. "Oyasumi, Tas - I mean Genrou," she murmured sleepily.
"Oyasumi, Miki-chan." His tones were soft again, and she snuggled deeper against him, letting his warmth wash over her and soothe her…
It seemed only a few minutes later that he was shaking her awake again. "Come on, Miki, get up!"
"What is it now?" she grumbled, really irritated this time.
"Sun's comin' up, an' we gotta move. If we get enough distance between us an' th' ambush site, maybe it'll be safe enough ta light a fire tonight. I don' know 'bout you, but I'm gettin' a little tired of cold food."
Miaka immediately pushed up into a sitting position, the mention of food grabbing her attention as he knew it would.
Tasuki grinned at her burst of energy. "All right, let's ride. Makaze'll find us some water, an' then we'll get cleaned up and stuff."
Miaka rubbed her flanks ruefully. "Do we have to ride so soon? I'm still sore from yesterday…Yiiiii!" she shrieked as Tasuki grabbed her and tossed her up in the saddle. She hadn't noticed Makaze grazing nearby.
"Only cure for a saddle-sore ass is ta keep riding, Miki-chan!" He leaped into the saddle behind her, shouted "Hup!" and they were off, Miaka crying, "Ow, ow, ow, ow!" for the next minute or so.
Luckily, Makaze turned aside after less than a mile, his nostrils flaring as he headed towards a grove of trees that stood out against the rolling plains. Tasuki dismounted, catching Miaka as she nearly fell out of the saddle. "Miss Graceful!" he teased her. "Come on, there's probably a spring or a stream or somethin' in here!"
Miaka stumbled after Tasuki, trying not to groan. Makaze followed her, giving her a gentle nudge with his nose as if he were apologizing. She turned and caressed his velvety muzzle. "Not your fault, big boy," she cooed at him. "I'm just not used to horseback riding. And did I tell you 'Good morning' yet?"
Tasuki called out from up ahead, kneeling before a shallow trickle of clear water that burbled as it flowed over smooth stones. "It's right here!"
"Aren't you a clever boy to find this nice water for us? Do you want a kiss for being so smart?"
Tasuki whirled around, his eyes wide…only to see Miaka deposit a kiss on Makaze's nose. "Talkin' ta th' goddamn horse!" he muttered to himself. Makaze tossed his head and snorted in satisfaction as Miaka patted him fondly.
"He's amazing!" she confided to Tasuki, missing his irritation. "Did he really find this creek by sniffing it out?"
"It's basic survival for him, Miki," grumbled Tasuki as he scooped water into his battered metal pitcher. Makaze thrust past him and ducked his muzzle into the water, drinking deeply. "He'd hafta be able ta find food an' water if he was livin' in th' wild. We're jus' taggin' along an' takin' advantage of what he'd hafta do fer himself anyway."
"Well, I still think it's nice of him." Miaka stroked Makaze's neck affectionately.
Tasuki's irritation slipped away as he watched her coo at the giant horse as if it were an over-large kitten. She really was cute with her short curls blowing around her head. He put a hand to his inside coat pocket, checking for something tucked deep inside. Yes, there it was, safe and sound…that and the ring. He had removed her wedding ring on their first night together while she slept, his bandit stealth assisting him in that task, not to mention her total exhaustion after their frantic flight from the dark beasts. It was the significance of this action that had brought the loss of Tamahome so vividly to his mind, allowing his grief to rise up and overwhelm him.
Throughout the past day, he had watched her carefully to see if she subconsciously missed the ring. Every so often, she would reach her left thumb to rub at the base of her fourth finger as if it irritated her…but then her eyes would go blank for a moment before she returned to whatever she had been doing. Yes, Chichiri's spell was powerful in its scope, as he should know. Tasuki regretted his anger at Chichiri after Miaka had forgotten him; after all, they had been under attack when the magician cast the spell. It was amazing that the spell was effective at all; he could hardly complain that it was a little too effective. "Better safe than sorry," muttered Tasuki, and he resolved to make it up to Chichiri when next they met. And they would meet up again; he wouldn't permit himself to believe anything different.
While Tasuki was lost in his reverie, Miaka slipped around him to the creek and brought a handful of water to her lips. "Brrrrrrrr, it's freezing!" she laughed.
Tasuki felt his heart lift. No matter what danger they were in, no matter the circumstances under which they had joined up again, it was so goddamn good to be with her again! He had been so worried about their survival for the last day that he hadn't permitted himself to feel the joy that she brought to him just by being nearby. He loved her bubbling laugh, her sunny smile, even her fits of temper…and he was determined to keep her laughing, happy, healthy…
Healthy. Next step.
"Okay, Miki, time ta get cleaned up, an' I mean all over! Yesterday, we were in a hurry gettin' away from th' ambush, but today we got a little more time, an' we're gonna take advantage of it. So I'd appreciate it if ya went around those shrubs and occupied yerself while I do my stuff, then I'll give ya the same privacy. Same call-and-answer as usual, of course."
Miaka turned a confused gaze on him as she backed away from the creek. "Behind the shrubs?"
Tasuki grinned at her. "Yeah - and no fair peekin,' 'cause if that water's as cold as ya say, you'd get a real bad impression of me."
"Bad impression?"
"Yeah, like in everythin' I got shrinkin' up and tryin' ta crawl back inta my body for warmth."
"What do you mean…oh!" Miaka's face was bright scarlet. She retreated back towards the shrubs as he pulled off his shirt and began untying his trousers. "I'll, uh, just be back there, just, uh…" 'Trying not to picture you naked,' she finished to herself, sitting on the ground and pulling her knees up to her chin. It was no use; it was the old "green-striped zebra" conundrum - the more she tried to push thoughts of a naked Tasuki out of her mind, the more images kept appearing before her eyes. She tried scolding herself, reasoning with herself and finally fell back on the baseball game imagery that Yui had laughed about with her…but why then was Tasuki playing every base? Naked? She sighed. Baseball had never interested her that much anyway…not until now.
"Hey, Miaka!"
Miaka leaped up in relief and ducked around the shrubs. It had only been a little more than a minute, but he must have already finished…Oh, Gods!!
He must have heard her strangled choke, because he whirled around. "Hey!" he protested, looking around for anything to cover himself, and snatching up the little soap bag. It wasn't much use. "What're ya doin' here?!" he cried.
"You called me!" Miaka's eyes were wide with shock, her face burning hot.
"Dontcha remember our deal, baka girl?! Call-and-answer?!"
"Oh!" Miaka stumbled back. "Oh, that's right. Uh, I'll just…" Words failed her, and she backed away, gesturing weakly towards the shrubs before scrambling back around their sheltering branches. Once there, she collapsed on the ground, knocking her fists against her head. "Baka, baka, baka!" she scolded herself. Now he was going to think that she was a pervert for certain. As for imagining Tasuki naked - she didn't need her imagination anymore. She felt as if the images of him were burned onto her retinas for eternity. And if that was the way he looked after dousing himself with cold water…dear gods, what must he look like when he wasn't freezing to death?! "Enough of this!" she hissed at herself. "You're bad! You're a bad, bad, bad girl! Bad Girl! Bad Girl!"
She must have lost track of time as she ranted at herself, for the next thing she knew, her fists were caught in a strong grip and her chin tilted up. She stared into Tasuki's amber eyes, noting absently that the water had darkened his hair to her shade of dark russet, making his dyed sideburns look less odd. He was thankfully dressed in his trousers again, although his chest still glistened with droplets of water.
He grinned at her, showing his fangs. "C'mon, Mi-chan, quit beatin' yerself up! It was an accident…an' it was gonna happen eventually anyway."
Miaka swallowed, trying to get some saliva in her suddenly dry mouth. "What do you mean, eventually?" she rasped.
"It's inevitable, Miaka - when two people spend day and night together fer a long time like we're gonna be doin', they're gonna run inta each other naked. It's like a weird celestial law…or joke, I dunno which!"
She had to smile at his cheerful good humor. In fact, it was a relief; she had subconsciously been expecting him to rant at her.
"Okay, now it's your turn."
Miaka squeaked in shock. "For you to see me naked?!"
Tasuki laughed. "Not necessarily, baka girl! Jus' make sure that you answer when I call you!"
Miaka felt the chill of his skin beneath her fingers and shivered in sympathy. "Look, Tas…I mean Genrou, you said that maybe we could have a fire tonight. Why don't I wait till then and use some hot water instead…?" She stopped as his eyes went flat and hard.
"There ain't no guarantees that we're gonna find water tonight, Miki. If there's one thing ya gotta learn 'bout survivin' in th' outdoors, it's that ya gotta take advantage of opportunities while ya have 'em." He dragged her to her feet and marched her to the creek.
She stooped and dabbled her fingers in the water once again, this time trying to imagine the freezing liquid against her skin. "Oh!" she squeaked again. "Genrou, I really don't think…" She gasped as he pulled her to her feet, yanked open the shirt she was wearing and untied the loose trousers with a single tug on the string. "Wait, what do you think you're doing?!"
"Gettin' you ready for a cold bath. If you won't do it, I'll scrub yer little ass myself!"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh, wouldn't I?!" His face was scarlet with anger…and embarrassment. "Listen up, Miki, yer gonna hafta clean yerself every day, 'specially…" he coughed but forced himself to go on, "'specially yer female parts. Doesn't matter if th' water's so cold, it stings till ya scream! When we're further north, yer gonna hafta use snow, if that's all we got! 'Cause if ya don't, yer gonna get sick. Yer gonna get open sores, an' there's not a damn thing I can do fer you then, 'cept try ta find a healer, which ain't gonna be easy since we ain't seen another human bein' so far! So I'm orderin' you ta use this freezin' cold water, or I'll take things inta my own hands, an' I promise you that yer not gonna like that!"
Miaka pulled away from him, furious. "Fine! Fine, I'll do it myself! I have no intention of allowing you to molest me!" Something deep inside her cringed at her angry words, for Tasuki turned as pale as he had the previous night.
He didn't gasp for breath this time, however. He merely glared at her, pain fighting with anger for dominance in his eyes. Finally he spoke, and his voice was low and angry. "Good. I'm goin' back behind those shrubs, an' ya better not get any cute ideas 'bout fakin' it. Makaze's not the only one around here with a good sense of smell!" With that, he spun on his heels and left.
Miaka stood gasping on the bank of the creek. How dared he imply….?! He was insulting, he was infuriating, he was…! "Trying to keep me safe," Miaka finally admitted to herself, her anger evaporating with her sense of injustice. He was trying to keep her healthy in a place where there were no antibiotic pills, no anti-yeast creams, no antibacterial douches; where the only things that stood between her and a raging infection were clear, cold water and basic hygiene.
She turned back to the creek, pulling off her clothes and dipping the battered metal pitcher into the water, pouring its contents over her head and body. She gasped and sobbed at the stinging slap of the water on her skin but welcomed it at the same time. She deserved it for all the grief she was constantly giving Tasuki. Another sob escaped her, and for some reason she pictured herself with a branch in her hand, frantically scrubbing at her skin until she gouged deep scratches. She shook her head at that strange image.
"Miaka." His voice was still pitched low as he called out to her.
Probably still furious with me, she thought. "Fine…I'm fine!" she choked. She snatched up the bag of soap and scrubbed herself thoroughly, then poured one pitcher of cold water after another over her body until she was certain that every last trace of dirt, sweat and soap was gone. She pushed her streaming hair out of her eyes, her teeth chattering as she looked around for something to dry herself with. Stupid girl. She had been so busy fighting with Tasuki that she had forgotten to bring a towel. For some reason, this was the last straw, and she sank to her knees, wrapping her arms around her freezing body as she shuddered with helpless sobs.
In an instant, he was there beside her, covering her in a soft thick cloth and pulling her to his body to warm her. She continued to shake and sob, leaning her head against the smooth warm skin of his chest.
"Shhhh, Mi-chan, don't cry. I'm sorry, 'kay? I shouldn't have said that stuff ta ya." His voice hardened. "I can be a right bastard sometimes."
"No," she sobbed. "It's not you, it's me! No matter how much you try to look out for me, I have to act like a b….!" Her voice was cut off as he placed a finger over her lips.
"Hey!" he rebuked softly. "No insultin' my priestess, got it? That's my job," he joked, trying to catch her eye.
She smiled up at him through her tears. "Then you can't insult my warrior, either. I keep him busy enough with my own poisoned tongue…" she started to tear up again.
"Okay, enough of the insults and tears," Tasuki announced briskly, rubbing another cloth through her wet curls. "We're right on schedule, Mi-chan - two fights in two days! At this rate, this long journey's gonna pass by like a brief jaunt. Ya know what they say - time flies if ya keep busy!"
Miaka giggled against his chest, happy to be back on good terms with him. Happy to be sitting on his lap. Again. With nothing but a towel between his skin and hers. Becoming aware of how close their bodies were. Becoming aware that she was nestled against something between his thighs that she didn't have, something intriguingly...different. She flushed as a thought occurred to her. "Genrou…when you ran out here with the towel…you saw me naked, didn't you?!"
"Errrr, no. Well, okay, yeah. But not much." He met her skeptical gaze. "I mean, I didn't stop and stare or nothin' - I was too worried about gettin' you warmed up!"
She fixed him with a frown. "It just occurred to me…"
"What?" His voice was apprehensive.
She suddenly broke into a wide grin. "It occurred to me that we're right on schedule!"
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Part III. Mount Taikyoku
The wind blew harshly through the courtyard of the Temples of the Four Gods, rocking the dark, unlit spheres that hung low in the sky like some strange forgotten fruit. The few pilgrims who had ever reached the guarded confines of Mount Taikyoku would not now recognize the warm, peaceful gardens of that mystical refuge in this forsaken, leaf-strewn expanse. Everything in sight spoke of abandonment, loss, decay…the yellowed willows, the dried up fountains, the swirling, blackened leaves…
Only the temples appeared to hold off the encroaching erosion of this once-powerful stronghold; the small temples of each god along with the huge, brooding palace of Taiitsukun. Yet it was clear that the celestial powers had forsaken this desolate place: the serenity fountains of Genbu and Seiryuu languished in stagnant pools, motionless except for the occasional drip of water, while the flames of Suzaku and Byakko flickered low and blue in their cloudy, untended lamps.
Within the main palace, the wind whistled and shrieked past moaning doors and creaking shutters. It swirled through each room as if seeking out motion, light, warmth…and finding none, continued on its mournful way. Yet deep within, hidden beneath tons of obsidian marble that formed the dais of the all-powerful Oracle of the Four Gods, lay a chamber so secret, so skillfully concealed that most gathered within had never known of its existence in any of their lifetimes. Here was light, and warmth, and life.
Bright yellow flames burned steadily in wall sconces, while glowing braziers provided heat to the low-ceilinged yet extensive chamber. Children sat quietly cross-legged or respectfully in seiza as they waited for the Oracle to finish communing with their patron gods.
Taiitsukun lowered her arms and opened her eyes, her features even more haggard than usual. Nyan knelt respectfully nearby, but her childlike face was drawn and pale, speaking vividly of the tremendous power she and Taiitsukun had been forced to expend to bring the seishi children safely to this last refuge.
The Oracle stared at the children, her harsh features holding something that looked like sadness and regret. She cleared her throat, then spoke in solemn tones. "I must call upon your souls, my children; the souls of the seishi that walked on this plane in your previous lives. Do not be afraid, but open yourselves to the wisdom and knowledge of your former selves."
The children who remembered their previous existences - Chiriko, Nuriko, Subaru, Tokaki, and Tomite - closed their eyes, preparing themselves for the familiar feeling of disconnection as their adult selves manifested. The other children merely sat wide-eyed, waiting but not understanding.
Taiitsukun's voice rang out. "I call upon the souls of the warriors of Genbu: Tomite and Hikitsu! I call upon the souls of the servants of Byakko: Subaru and Tokaki! I call upon the souls of the children of Seiryuu: Amiboshi and Suboshi! And I call upon the souls of the Beloved of Suzaku: Nuriko, Hotohori, Chiriko, and Mitsukake!"
The children became very still, their eyes growing wide and blank as ghostly shapes flowed up from their bodies. The transparent forms gradually darkened, becoming more opaque and corporeal until at last each warrior stood firm and solid on this plane of existence. Ten pairs of eyes of every hue known to man met the sharp and glittering gaze of the oracle, some blinking in confusion while others narrowed in concern.
Nyan swallowed an unexpected lump in her throat at the sight of those whom she had lost to age or battle. She was particularly fond of the Suzaku warriors, especially Mitsukake, beloved friend of Chichiri-sama, who held a place in his heart for all feline creatures. She swallowed again at the absence of Tamahome, the laughing, courageous, warm-hearted miser who no longer existed in this world or any other.
Taiitsukun's harsh tones interrupted her grieving reverie. "Now that you are once more with us, you know the trials of your reborn selves. It has become clear to me and your patron gods that we…" she choked slightly, "that we can no longer protect all of you. It is only a matter of time before the Enemy finds this last refuge and destroys it and all who dwell within. There is little we can do for you, our children…except give you the ability to protect yourselves."
There was a murmur of surprise from the celestial warriors. Nuriko, always bold and direct, called out a question. "Do you mean that you'll give our new bodies all of our former celestial powers?"
Taiitsukun smiled bitterly. "In a way, yes. But I caution you, Suzaku no Nuriko, that this gift comes at a price - a very high price."
"What price?!" challenged Hikitsu, suspicion in his unconcealed eye.
"Years of your lives, Genbu no Hikitsu…perhaps the very best years of your lives."
Subaru blurted out her confusion. "But how? Why?!"
Taiitsukun settled into a stationary hover, her ribbons folding, concealing her thoughts. "As you know, celestial warriors generally do not attain the full extent of their powers until they reach their adolescence; that is the reason for the intermittent manifestation of the powers of intelligence in your last life, Suzaku no Chiriko. You were just entering that phase of your life when you sacrificed yourself for your brother warriors and miko."
Chiriko's large green eyes grew even wider at this simple explanation for the wavering of his seishi abilities in his previous life. He felt a flash of anger that Taiitsukun had never bothered to explain this to him; she might have saved him years of agonized self-doubt about his worthiness to be a shichiseishi!
Taiitsukun continued. "The seikun, your patron gods, have the ability to age your current bodies until they are physically capable of manifesting their celestial powers."
"Yes!" shouted Tokaki, winking at Subaru. She sighed and shook her head at him.
"Do not agree so quickly, Byakko no Tokaki. There are obvious complications with this solution."
"Our current forms may mature physically…but they won't have the mental and emotional development to match. We'll be children trapped in adult bodies."
"Exactly correct, Suzaku no Mitsukake! As you can imagine, it would be of very little use for you to have the physical capabilities of a warrior if your mind is at the level of a four-year-old! So the only way this can work is if we bring your former souls, with all of your former life experiences, into your newly matured bodies."
"I don't see why we need to think this over!" burst out Tomite impulsively. "It sounds like the perfect solution - we'll have our powers and our experiences all back within our grasp!"
"No solution is perfect, Genbu no Tomite. There are reasons why many of you have been reborn; much of it having to do with suffering you had undergone in your former lives, suffering that would no longer have existed in these new bodies. New lives, new choices…you have been gifted with the chance to purify all that was hurtful and dark in your previous existences. Your gods have rewarded you with loving families, bright destinies…and you will be forced to forsake all of that in order to reclaim your seishi abilities. Nor will you ever get these years back again - they will be your sacrifices to your gods and as such cannot be reclaimed."
"There's more, isn't there?" Amiboshi was quietly perceptive, as always.
"Yes." Taiitsukun's eyes slid away from him as he stood behind his infant form. "We, the seikun and I, have not attempted this kind of transmutation of seishi in…many years. Many, many years; further back than any of you here today can remember. One problem that occurred in the past had to do with the acceptance of the new soul by the reborn child personality. Most will blend seamlessly with their former lives, accepting and yielding to the greater experience and wisdom, but…sometimes the new child cannot accept this dichotomy. If this happens, there will be two individuals vying for control of the same body, and…therein lies madness."
There was shocked silence from every person in the chamber.
Taiitsukun drove on relentlessly. "We have studied the few instances where this had occurred in the distant past, and we have found a link between these unfortunate souls; a common fault. They had experienced such pain in their previous lives that they had lashed out and committed cold-blooded murder of innocents. Not accidental or unthinking violence, nor killing in the heat of battle, but calculated, planned destruction of another's existence. When these…flawed souls tried to take up residence with the clean, untouched personas of their new lives, madness was the result. So we cannot allow any of you who have the same kind of bitter past to make this choice. You will have to remain in your current body at your current age…and unfortunately, this means the exclusion of Seiryuu no Suboshi."
Suboshi flushed in anger and humiliation at being singled out for the crimes of his previous life. "Others here have killed!" he protested bitterly. "I am not the only one who has taken a life!"
Taiitsukun's eyes grew soft with sympathy. "You must think again of my qualifications, Seiryuu no Suboshi. You will not find salvation if you continue to deny responsibility in the deaths of the innocent family members of Suzaku no Tamahome. You began to accept your responsibility at the time of your death, and you will find final absolution in your new life. It is out of your god's desire to save your soul that he cannot permit you to sacrifice this new destiny."
Suboshi turned away, his eyes dark with pain. So it was Seiryuu himself who rejected him, after allowing Nakago to manipulate him into unspeakable crimes. Whether or not Tenkou was Nakago's true leader, Suboshi had believed that he was fighting for the future of Kutou and its patron god. The irony of this rejection made him want to choke.
"If my brother cannot make this choice, then neither will I!" rang out a clear, young voice. "I will not abandon him in this life nor the next! If we are to be helpless in the face of this Enemy, then I will die with him!"
Taiitsukun's face remained impassive, but there was a suggestion of relief in her posture. "We have no intention of allowing you to be killed, Seiryuu no Amiboshi - neither you nor your brother." She raised her voice. "Each and every one of you has the freedom to turn away from this offer - each and every one who decides to stay with his or her new life and family will be afforded all of the protection we can give. We will be forced to move from place to place to keep ahead of the Enemy, but we will fight to protect you to the very end."
Her voice dropped. "None of us had foreseen this threat to our world. The seikun and I gave you new lives, new destinies, thinking only of wiping away your pasts and bringing you bright futures. The decisions we made were not made with this eventuality in mind. If there were any other way, we would spare you this sacrifice…and so we say again, you may turn away from this bitter choice…" she raised her eyes, "Suzaku no Seishi Hotohori."
All of the seishi's eyes snapped to the breathtakingly perfect features of the Konan Emperor. He stood straight and tall, his lustrous chestnut hair falling to his waist, his golden eyes dark with determination.
"Hotohori-sama?" Nuriko choked, completely at a loss as to why his love was being singled out for possible exclusion.
Hotohori spared him a brief, wry smile before turning back to Taiitsukun. His voice rang out with all of the majesty and power of his former position. "My country, no, my world is under threat. Do you think that I would turn away from her service, and the service of Suzaku, for fear of pain and difficulty? I exist for the protection of Konan, of the ShiJinTenChiSho, and of the Priestess of Suzaku! To regain my celestial powers, to hold the holy sword of Suzaku high in their defense, there is no obstacle I cannot overcome! I choose to sacrifice sixteen years of this life to reclaim my power as Suzaku no Shichiseishi Hotohori!"
The other seishi couldn't help it; they burst into cheers, shouting their own years to be sacrificed. Only Suboshi turned from the celebration, hot and angry tears sliding down his cheeks. But he suddenly felt a warm presence beside him, and looked up into the tearful smile of his brother. "Otouto-chan," murmured Amiboshi. "No matter what happens, in the end we will be together again. If the others prevail, we will have an entire, unspoiled lifetime before us. Greater happiness I cannot imagine."
Suboshi felt the shadows of his former life recede before his love for his brother. Amiboshi had always possessed the power to push back his darkness…and always would possess that power. "Aniki," he breathed, leaning his head against his twin.
In all of the celebratory uproar, no one but Taiitsukun and Nyan noticed the fading away of the Seiryuu twins, their arms still linked about the other's waist. But their mother bent over their cradle, lifting her sons to her heart as they reached out with tiny, chubby hands to touch one another.
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Part IV. Mount Taikyoku, a short while later
Taiitsukun cleared her throat, clapped her hands for order, and finally shouted, "Silence!"
The chamber immediately quieted, sensing the urgency of their predicament.
"Before we begin the final steps of converting you into your new bodies and former souls, we need to pass urgent information on to you. In the past few days, we have come under attack in more places than just Mount Gyokuei. In the past few days…" Taiitsukun paused, then continued in a husky voice, "we have lost Suzaku no Seishi Tamahome to an attack by the Enemy in his own world. He has…his ki has disappeared from the knowledge of all here, in the same way that we have lost most of the Seiryuu warriors."
"Oh, gods!" burst out Nuriko, tears starting from his violet eyes. "No! No, I can't believe it! Not Tama-chan, oh gods, not Tama!" Hotohori came up from behind and placed a strong hand on Nuriko's shoulder as he wept, trying to convey comfort while fighting back his own tears. Mitsukake and Chiriko were equally as stricken, shaking and pale. The rest of the seishi fell silent in sympathy, feeling the reality of the chill hand of death wielded by the Enemy. Tokaki turned away from the rest, unsuccessfully hiding his grief over the death of his former protege.
"What of Miaka?" questioned Hotohori softly. "And Tasuki and Chichiri? Didn't they go to Miaka's world to help them?"
"They managed to escape the attack on Tamahome, and Chichiri brought Miaka back to the ShiJinTenChiSho to hide her in the Refuge. But they were ambushed by the Enemy when they crossed back into our world."
Chiriko moved his head back-and-forth in shocked disbelief. "No! Not Chichiri-san and Tasuki and Miaka! No, we can't have lost all of them!" Mitsukake said nothing but stood as pale as a ghost, his eyes glittering with rage, while Tomite struggled for control, and Subaru fought back sobs.
"No, they're not dead!" Taiitsukun cleared her throat again. "At least, not to our knowledge. Chichiri managed to send us a message telling of the ambush. He sent Tasuki and Miaka fleeing into Hokkan, while he drew off the attack. His intention was to try to track the creatures back to their lair and discover more of the ways of the Enemy. However…." Her voice dropped, "we have since lost track of his ki."
The seishi flinched under yet another blow. Taiitsukun sought to comfort them, her voice rough with emotion. "However, I for one do not believe that Suzaku no Chichiri is dead. I know him better than any of you - yes, even you, Mitsukake - and I have the strongest feeling that he is more in control of this situation than the Enemy realizes. However, my most urgent message has to do with Suzaku no Tasuki and the Priestess of Suzaku. We have just now detected their ki forces in the western plains of Hokkan."
There was a muted cheer from the Genbu and Byakko seishi, while the Suzaku seishi lifted their heads, desperate hope etched on all of their features.
"How are they doing? Are they all right?" choked Nuriko.
"We cannot tell, Nuriko. We dare not communicate with them along our usual paths, for we feel that this is the way the Enemy tracks the location of the seishi. To send them information or to offer our help may be tantamount to a death sentence for them."
Taiitsukun sighed. "We have been rendered dumb and blind for the sake of the safety of all of the seishi. Therefore, the only way we can communicate is through common human channels - the physical carrying of messages." She looked hard into each seishi's face. "You will all be sent away from here for two purposes - for your own protection, and also to raise resistance forces against this encroaching evil. The only information you will carry will be that which I bestow upon you now. You will be without help, without aid or succor, except from one another or from your seishi brothers and sisters out in the field. We have sent a message to your elder compatriots, letting them know of the necessity to extend aid to Tasuki and Miaka…but they have no idea as to your new existence as adult celestial warriors. We caution you that there are many traitors out there working on behalf of the Enemy, so you must take care as to whom you trust. Likewise, do not be startled if your elder celestial brothers and sisters do not trust you."
" I will now assign you to your separate missions - in this way, you will have at least cursory knowledge of the activities of your fellow warriors."
"Genbu no Tomite and Genbu no Hikitsu - your task is to raise a resistance force in Hokkan. Your god also requests that you make contact with the Emperor of Hokkan; for some reason, he has not communicated with the monks of Genbu in many weeks. Lastly, if possible, you are to pass this information and news of our current status to Genbu no Urumiya, Hatsui, Inami, Uruki and Namame."
"Byakko no Tokaki and Byakko no Subaru - your tasks are much the same as the Genbu seishi, with the exception of the Sairou Emperor; we have no reason to believe there is trouble in the Imperial Palace. Raise whatever armies you can, and try to make contact with Byakko no Kokie, Toroki, Amefuri, and Karasuki."
"Suzaku no Hotohori and Suzaku no Nuriko…" Taiitsukun paused for a moment, then continued in a softer voice. "The Konan Empire is in good hands with the Dowager Empress Houki and the young emperor. Therefore, the most efficient use of your expertise in governing will be in the Empire of Kutou."
Hotohori closed his eyes momentarily, while Nuriko's eyes popped wide open. "Us?! Serve Kutou?!"
"Suzaku no Nuriko, the time for enmity between Kutou and Konan is long past. Most of Seiryuu's warriors are missing, presumed dead. Furthermore, as you have seen with the twins, those that survived cannot take on this mission. The government of Kutou is in constant upheaval, the people suffering and dying in the streets. It will take strong and experienced hands to bring Kutou back to a functional country, let alone a useful ally. We can promise you one ally in this undertaking, but other than that, you will be on your own. Do you think that you are capable of fulfilling this mission?"
Nuriko opened his mouth to ask more questions, but was cut off by Hotohori's firm "Yes!" The violet-haired warrior glanced at his emperor, then waved a hand in acquiescence. "What he said," he replied in a bemused voice.
Hotohori spoke up, his velvety voice hesitant. "Taiitsukun-sama, I would make a single request. Before I depart for Kutou, I would like to visit the Imperial palace in Konan to retrieve my holy sword…and to visit my son."
Taiitsukun frowned. "That could be very confusing for him, Hotohori - and painful for you."
"I do not intend to reveal my identity to him; I wish only to see him one last time."
Nuriko swallowed a lump in his throat, feeling the bittersweet pain that lanced through him each time that Hotohori expressed his devotion to his wife and son.
Taiitsukun scowled in thought, then nodded reluctantly. "We will grant you this request, Suzaku no Hotohori, out of gratitude for all that you have sacrificed in the service of your god." She then turned once again to the warriors gathered before her. "The final task for all of you, should the opportunity present itself, is to render aid to Suzaku no Tasuki and the Suzaku no Miko. Have you any questions?"
Chiriko raised his hand shyly. "Er, Taiitsukun-sama…you forgot to assign a mission to me and Mitsukake."
Taiitsukun turned a dark gaze upon them. "No, I haven't forgotten you, Suzaku no Chiriko…Suzaku no Mitsukake. Your mission is complex and dangerous, and takes you far from help from any of us in the ShiJinTenChiSho. We are sending you to Miaka's world to protect the Seiryuu no Miko…and to gain knowledge of the Enemy using the technology of their time." She held out the burnt and melted computer chip that Tasuki had retrieved from the black beast that had attacked Subaru. Mitsukake scowled, but Chiriko reached out a trembling, awestruck hand to lift the chip, turning it over and over to try to ascertain its purpose.
"You must take care, Chiriko and Mitsukake. You will be battling the same beasts that killed Tamahome and the Seiryuu warriors, but your only weapons will be your seishi powers of intelligence and healing."
"I have more weapons than that," muttered Mitsukake under his breath.
"Very well. Now that you have your assignments, it is time for you to assume your final forms. You may decide how many years of your life you wish to sacrifice, although we recommend that your new form be at least fifteen years old in order to fully manifest your powers." Taiitsukun wearily held a hand up to her head as one last complication presented itself. "One last warning. We are not certain of the magnitude of your celestial powers in your new bodies. It's possible that your abilities will not be as extensive as they were in your last life. We urge you to test out these powers as soon as possible, while you are still safe, to determine their scope."
The voices of the seishi rose in confusion. "But I don't understand!" burst out Tomite. "Isn't the whole purpose of this transmutation to give us back our full adult powers?!"
Taiitsukun flashed a wry smile that reminded some of the seishi of a certain red-haired compatriot. "In the words of Suzaku no Tasuki - it's better than nothing!" She grew immediately serious. "And unfortunately, it's all that we can do."
There were no more questions or protests, so Taiitsukun closed her hooded eyes, meditating to channel the power of the Four Gods. Nyan flew among the children, urging the seishi to make physical contact with their quiet, entranced child selves. Finally, Taiitsukun was ready to begin.
"Genbu no Hikitsu - how many years will you offer to your god?"
"Ten."
In an instant, a seventeen-year-old youth stood in place of the child, his long silvery-grey hair falling across his face and half-concealing his handsome features, as well as his seishi-branded left eye.
"Genbu no Tomite - how many…?"
"Ten!" Tomite interrupted. He grinned at Hikitsu. "I want to be the older one this time!" In an instant, his child form metamorphosed into a nineteen-year-old man.
"Byakko no Tokaki, how many years will you offer to your god?"
"Twelve!" Another nineteen-year-old.
"Byakko no Subaru."
"Twelve," she repeated uncertainly.
Taiitsukun paused. "Subaru, the choice must be yours alone, uninfluenced by the desires of others. Are you certain?"
Subaru paused, thinking of her mother, brother…and father. "I changed my mind," she answered. "Ten."
Tokaki shrugged, unconcerned. "Sixteen, eighteen; it makes no difference to me." He grinned at her. "You'll still be as beautiful and desirable as ever!," missing Subaru's troubled frown.
"Suzaku no Mitsukake, how many years will you offer to your god?"
"Twelve." He looked away from his brother seishi's surprise at his choice of the youngest age so far - sixteen. "I don't want to grow too much older than Shouka," he explained, referring to his reborn ten-year-old love. Before he knew it, his child form had transformed into a tall, thin gangling youth, as awkward as an overgrown puppy.
"Suzaku no Chiriko."
"Thirteen years."
Once again, the Suzaku seishi murmured in surprise. At twenty years old, Chiriko would become the eldest of the reborn seishi.
Mitsukake shook his head. "No. You're not thinking this through, Chiriko. Your past life died at age thirteen. You can't choose a reborn form so much older; you won't know how to handle it."
Chiriko flushed in anger. "I've always had the mental capabilities of someone more than twice my age! I'm tired of being treated like a child - I deserve the age I choose!"
Mitsukake switched to a reasonable tone. "Yes, I won't deny that you were our most intelligent seishi, except for Chichiri. I'm not talking about scholarly knowledge, Chiriko; I'm talking about life experience. There is a huge difference in emotional maturity between ages thirteen and twenty. Surely you understand…"
"I was emotionally mature enough to give my life for all of you." The words were cold and direct, and Mitsukake fell silent in surprise at the resentment carried in the short phrase.
Taiitsukun cleared her throat. "Ahem. One will not contradict that fact, Suzaku no Chiriko. Nor will one discount the wisdom of Suzaku no Mitsukake's advice. However, the choice is a personal one, and as I said before, may not be made except by the seishi himself. So do you still offer thirteen years to your god, Chiriko?"
"Yes." Chiriko was resolute.
Before their eyes, the form of the once small and childlike seishi lengthened, his chestnut hair falling long and loose across his shoulders. Chiriko was a handsome young man, only about five-foot-seven but attractive in his compact grace.
As the reborn seishi gazed at one another, they could detect slight differences in height or musculature or facial features, differences brought forth from their new parentage. Yet those that had known each other in their past lives all recognized one another. Tokaki still possessed a devilish twinkle in his slanted golden eyes, while Subaru's eyes held the mysterious blue-grey depths of a mountain lake. Their brilliant white tresses formed a startling contrast against the deep midnight of Tomite's hair. Hikitsu carried his new form with familiar arrogance. Mitsukake, his gangling limbs lending him a charming awkwardness, still looked out at the world through compassionate blue eyes, eyes that held a trace of sadness.
Nuriko, never one to fade into the background, clapped his hands impatiently. "When is it my turn?!"
"Right now, Suzaku no Nuriko. How many years…"
"Twelve!" The violet-haired seishi grinned cheekily. "I liked being eighteen. It was a good year…my last year, but a good one all the same!"
The other seishi laughed at Nuriko's mischievous humor. His child form lengthened rapidly until he found himself, alive and aware, blinking out of violet eyes higher from the ground than he could ever remember. "Look at me! I think I gained a few inches! Arigatou, Taiitsukun-sama!"
"Thank your parents," she replied dryly. Nuriko was much taller than he had been in his previous life but still of average height, perhaps five-foot-nine. He clowned for the rest of the seishi, striking poses and flexing his muscles, but Taiitsukun sensed his desperate attempt to divert himself from the shock of Tamahome's death. The two seishi had been closer than brothers, and she knew that the loss of Tamahome had been a terrible blow to Nuriko. To all of them. However, there was yet another shock to come.
"Suzaku no Hotohori."
The emperor looked away from Nuriko, his aristocratic features growing serious as he met Taiitsukun's gaze. He stood tall behind the tiny form of the beautiful child he had become.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes. I choose…I choose to give Suzaku sixteen years of my life…and all else he may ask of me."
Nuriko smiled in delight. "Hotohori-sama wants to be eighteen again like me!"
The form of the tiny child lengthened, widened, surging upward like a new shoot seeking the sun. It rotated, turning away from the other seishi as it lifted graceful arms towards the ceiling. Lush chestnut hair fell down its back in a rich cascade, as legs lengthened and waist narrowed. Finally, it stopped, bowing its head in humility before the throne of Taiitsukun. Nuriko noted that Hotohori was shorter than before, matching his own new height. He waited for his emperor to turn around.
"Hotohori-sama?" Nuriko's voice caught in his throat as he noticed another difference in Hotohori. His form was still lean and graceful, but his hips were wider, curving under the drape of his long tunic. Hotohori finally turned and faced the other seishi, tears shining in the dark gold eyes, a sad smile trembling on exquisite rose lips…
…the curve of breasts swelling beneath her tunic.
Nuriko sucked in a hissing breath. "Hotohori-samaaaaaa!!"
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Glossary of Japanese Terms
baka! - stupid!
Arigatou! - Thank you!
-sama - a suffix denoting high respect, translated as "lord" or "lady"
Author's notes: (11-19-03) So the plot thickens…and burgeons and writhes and roils! (Ah, the joy of mixing metaphors!)
This truly was a schizophrenic chapter! First some battle action, followed by some Tasuki and Miaka emotional action, finally settling down into an exercise in logical cause-and-effect. I would like to congratulate all of you who made it through this punishingly exposition-heavy chapter! I can't bring myself to apologize, however, since every single plot point is absolutely essential to the development of the rest of this epic work.
Those of you who have followed me for the past 22 months know that it's very important to me that my plots make logical sense. The aging of the child seishi was difficult to work out in all of its ramifications and foreseeable effects, but I couldn't be satisfied with it until all the pieces locked together like cogs in a gear assembly. All of "Hidden Paths," from this chapter onwards, will build off the information conveyed here. So if for any reason I've been less than clear about the seishi transformations, please write to me and let me know; I will answer you as quickly and comprehensively as I can.
Thank goodness that prior to taking you down this information highway, I gave you a bit of fun with Tasuki and Miaka. But… I really have to blush. Imagine me, Roku, writing a nude scene smack in the middle of this chapter! I realize that this is completely out of character with my modest and shy personality, but this scene really wasn't gratuitous; it was necessary to the advancement of the plot…
All right, you can quit laughing now. I wrote the previous line in case there's anybody reading this fic who hasn't read my other works! ^ ~ A naked seishi, imagine that! And miko as well! However, I am making progress dealing with my literary sex addiction, or at least that's what my support group at Perverts Anonymous tells me. After all, it's taken me all the way until Chapter Eight of "Hidden Paths" to get Tasuki naked, as opposed to Chapter One in "White Stones," Chapter Three in "Casting Stones" and a naked Chichiri (and Doctor!) in Chapter Six of "Bridge." See - some day, I may even write a Chapter Ten that isn't completely hentai! There's hope for me yet! (Kryssa snorts skeptically.)
I would like to say, however, that Tasuki and Miaka's quarrelsome relationship is completely fabricated by my overactive imagination and has no basis in my real life. (Chichiri's Girl chokes with laughter.)
Back to the story. You can probably guess at some of the upcoming conflicts in future chapters: age problems, emotional maturity struggles, sexual identity crises …yep, like I said before, this is a full-service fic. I plan on taking you everywhere and anywhere on this wild coaster ride. I only hope that you're having half as much fun reading Hidden Paths as I'm having writing it!
Speaking of which…I solemnly swear never to neglect this fic for so long again. It's been four months since my last update, minna! I nearly shocked myself silly when I checked and re-checked the previous update date! Aaaaaannnd, to pat myself on the back so hard that I choke, this is the second 10,000 word chapter that I've posted in the past 5 days! I don't think I've EVER averaged 2000 words per day before, not even when I was writing "White Stones!" Ah well, this fact makes me happy…and hopefully serves as a kind of apology to you for my long absence!
See you next time!
Ja ne!
Roku