Title: The Prophecy of Genbu

Series: Fushigi Yuugi

Rating: MA

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THIS SERIES. The Fushigi Yuugi universe belongs to Watase Yuu-san and I do not claim this universe whatsoever. I am only writing a story for fun, not profit. For other notes, please refer to chapter one.

Chapter Eight

For the Love of a Father

"Before you leave," Taiitsukun said, floating before the group as they prepared to leave. "Cassandra, step forward."

It was the next day and the four were getting ready to leave and continue their search and the new mission that awaited them in Kutou. Setting her pack down, Cassandra stepped up to the old woman.

"What is it, Taiitsukun?"

"I am going to awaken your powers as a priestess. It will be up to you however to train yourself and harness your powers. Now, kneel."

Cassandra knelt down immediately, her heart pounding with excitement. Maybe…maybe now I'll finally have a way to defend myself. She didn't know she had powers as a priestess. She hadn't even considered it. It would take a lot of work, that she knew, but Cassandra was determined to learn her powers and how to control them. And she hoped her warriors would help her as well. Taiitsukun placed a finger on Cassandra's brow and black light shone under the tip. For a moment, all was still and as the light faded, the spell was broken. Straightening, Taiitsukun folded her hands into the sleeves of her robe and smiled.

"There, your powers have been awakened. However, only you can determine the time to tap into those powers. Now go, and good luck on your journey Genbu no Miko, Genbu Shichi Seishi."

"Thank you Taiitsukun. Well guys," she turned to her warriors and grabbed her pack. "It looks like we're heading for Kutou."

"Yeah, let's go before it gets too late," Iname agreed.

Uruki still didn't look completely at ease with their mission, but he knew what had to be done. I agreed to this mission. I'm the only one who can pull it off. Gathering up his pack, he paused when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Glancing back, he was surprised to see Iname smiling back at him.

"You're a strong guy, Uruki. I know you can do this and come out smelling like a rose. And this from a guy who hasn't known you very long."

Relaxing, Uruki smiled. "Thanks Iname."

He winked. "I just calls em as I sees em."

"All right, we'd better go. It's a long journey to Kutou and we still have yet to finalize our plan," Urumiya slipped his pack over his shoulders. "But don't worry, Uruki, we'll make certain Nakago doesn't recognize you."

"Urumiya…" he grinned and cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. "I mean, uh, thanks."

Nodding gruffly, Urumiya glanced back towards the door, waiting impatiently for the others to follow him. Cassandra giggled behind her hand and Iname snickered slightly at the way Urumiya was acting like he cared. Uruki simply chuckled and decided not to embarrass the other man anymore. He simply went over to Cassandra and hugged her a little, trying to show how thankful he was for their understanding and friendship. Taiitsukun smiled and sent them back to their horses with her blessings before she vanished. At first and argument broke out as to who was riding with whom, since they only had two horses, but finally it was settled. Cassandra was riding with Urumiya while Uruki was with Iname. The four of them rode until sunset when they decided to set up camp near a stream.

"So…" Cassandra was warming her hands in front of the fire, shivering as the chill of the night descended. "Who's going to escort Uruki into Kutou? Nakago knows what we all look like."

"I'll go," Urumiya draped a blanket over Cassandra's shoulders, his voice gruff. "I will be able to keep calm under the circumstances and with the proper disguise, I can get inside. And stay away from Cassandra, Iname while I'm with Uruki. Can't trust hormonal teenagers."

"Yeah, yeah, sure, sure," Iname waved him aside carelessly. "How are you going to get into Kutou, Urumiya? You need papers to get in."

"Oh no," Cassandra sighed.

"I didn't even think of that," Uruki muttered, putting more wood on the fire. "How are we going to deal with that?"

"That isn't a problem," Urumiya reached into his bags and pulled out some rather worn papers. "Travel papers from when I lived in Kutou. They're old, but the seal is still good, it doesn't expire until next year."

"Urumiya, that's brilliant! We can get into Kutou now!" Cassandra beamed.

"Correction, Uruki and I will be getting into Kutou," Urumiya replied. "You and Iname will be going to Konan in order to find the other Genbu warrior. Now we'll need disguises and codenames for our arrival. This means we'll have to go to the nearest market."

"What've we got for money?" Iname began to rummage in his money pouch. "I've got twenty coppers."

"Three silver pieces and ten coppers," Uruki added as he held out his money pouch.

"Four silver pieces," Urumiya grunted.

"I only have money from my world," Cassandra admitted. "Will seven silver pieces and thirty coppers get us very far? And what are we going to do for food and such afterwards?"

"We can figure that out later. Perhaps Uruki could make off with a few gems of the Emperor's?" Iname snickered under his breath. "That old geezer's probably got loads in that palace of his."

"Not a bad idea," Uruki grinned. "And that could help get old blonde-and-bastardly off my back. He'll be so busy trying to find the thief, he'll be too busy to notice the new 'gift' to the Emperor."

"No."

"What's the matter, Urumiya? Don't think Uruki can do it?" Iname challenged.

"If a thief appears at the same time a new 'gift' arrives then they'll immediately suspect her. Nakago isn't a fool, Uruki, unlike Iname."

"Hey!"

"Nevertheless," Urumiya continued. "We shall think of something. Now, the rest of you get some rest. I'll take the first watch and we still have far to travel before we reach Kutou."

He banked the fire as the others settled into their sleeping blankets. Cassandra waited until Uruki and Iname were laying down before she went over to Urumiya. Her green eyes were gentle as she kissed his cheek.

"Thank you, Urumiya. For everything. Just make sure to get some sleep yourself, okay?"

He cleared his throat, tried not to look flustered, and nodded gruffly. Cassandra was about to turn back and go to her sleeping bag when Urumiya reached out and pulled her into a warm, tight hug. Startled at the sudden change in the man, she glanced up at him, wondering what had brought about this change. Urumiya's eyes were intense as he held her protectively to him. I've always wanted my father to hold me like this. It was comforting, protective, and yet so gentle. He stroked Cassandra's hair tenderly as he stared into the fire. Even Urumiya didn't know what had come over him. The urge to embrace her, to console her, had just flared up and he'd followed through with it. What am I doing…?

Although his arms loosened to release her, Cassandra clutched his arm tight and trembled against him. Glancing down, his silver eyes hid his shock when he saw tears in Cassandra's eyes. Reaching down, he brushed at the tears with his thumb gently, his heart aching when he saw her crying. It's the same I felt for my little girl. I want to hold her close and never let anyone hurt her. He could feel her need to be comforted by someone who could be a father to her. After all, she's a child who needs a father to love her…and I am a father who needs a child to love. Cassandra wept softly into his shoulder and while he could feel her fear, he could also feel her courage. She was becoming stronger, that much he was certain of.

"Now, now," he whispered and stroked her hair. "You'll be just fine. We'll all be here…I'll be here…to always protect you."

"Urumiya…"

"Hush young one," and he released her, tilting her chin up. "Get some sleep. We leave in the morning."

Nodding, Cassandra hugged him one last time before slipping back into her bedroll. Wrapping herself in the thick blankets, Cassandra closed her eyes and drifted off to the evening symphony of crickets and the rustling of grass around her. Staring into the dancing flames of the fire, Urumiya sighed and held his head. He was letting her get too close…he knew that.

"But it doesn't seem to matter now," he muttered and glanced at the moon. "I can count the hours by the moon and sun and yet no matter how I mark the hours in light and dark, I can see my time running out. Yet Cassandra's time has just begun. It's morning and day is breaking in her life. It isn't fair that we're asking so much of her, but we must ask it. You've barely made a start, just one beat in my heart, and I hope you will live on and don't leave us here alone. If I could, I would move heaven and Earth to stay at your side. Your father doesn't deserve you in his life, and I need you in mine. Promise me, Cassandra…that you won't leave us."

Although he spoke softly, Cassandra stirred and he rose to tuck the blanket back in around her. If only I could go with you to your world. If only…if only we could all go with you. But that would mean taking on heaven itself. And he chuckled a little as he stroked her hair. And I don't think the brat's up for that. He was finally beginning to understand what it meant to be a Celestial Warrior. It was so much more than just protecting the priestess and gathering the other warriors to summon Genbu. Even though he could be replaced, it didn't really bother him that much. He would live and die for Cassandra. Now I understand why the priestess can incite such loyalty to the Celestial Warriors. She touches a part of their hearts and brings back happiness and light where there was once sorrow and darkness. His silver gaze went to the fire and he looked at the sky as he thought of the cause of his darkness.

"I can still remember every detail…and it's as painful as it was all those years ago."

Becoming lost in his memories, Urumiya brought up the images that still haunted him in the form of night terrors. He had gone fishing that day and had left his beloved wife and children behind. In his mind he could hear his daughter's laughter, the pounding footsteps of his son, and Urumiya felt as though he could reach out and touch his wife's beautiful brown hair. The scent of cinnamon tickled his nose and he felt his throat tighten. That was always her favorite scent. It had been after the noon meal when he'd taken up his bow and his pole and headed off to go fishing. Urumiya could still hear his eight-year-old son pleading to go with, his pole in hand, and how he said no. I wish I could have taken you with me Bachi. If only I had known…but he hadn't known and so had gone off, leaving Mae, Bachi, and his five-year-old daughter Su at the house. And had sealed their fates.

The quiet hours he had spent fishing had been broken by the sound of screams and he'd realized, with a lead weight in his stomach, that those were the screams of his family. Throwing down his pole and carrying only his bow and arrows, Urumiya had raced back to his home as fast as his feet could carry him. He'd smelled the smoke before he'd seen the fire that engulfed his house. The house he'd spent almost a year building for him and Mae. It was too late. When he arrived, all Urumiya could see was his family and the blood that covered the ground. Wife and son already dead, Su was the only one left as she struggled against the Kutou soldiers. He had shouted his daughter's name and she managed to break free, running to him.

"DADDY!"

Dear Genbu, let me reach her in time! His own screams echoed in his ears as he saw the arrows fly, his little girl crying for him before she was silenced, and in his mind's eye, he caught her as she fell. Arrows pierced her back. One was sunk deep into her heart. Urumiya twitched in his sleep as he felt tears start to run down his cheeks. Su…my little girl…the soldiers parted and the man responsible for the massacre appeared. Long blonde hair didn't quite hide piercing blue eyes and the air of arrogance and coldness that surrounded him was the same. It was the man who haunted his every dream, consumed him in his rage.

"Dong Jia, it appears as though you've finally learned your lesson for abducting a Kutou noblewoman," the young man sneered, his voice was cold as his eyes.

"Nakago…" tears flowed freely now as he hugged his daughter tight. "I'll kill you for this. I swear on her grave!"

The young general had just snorted in contempt and signaled to his men. They mounted their horses and left, with Nakago in the lead. Just as he left, the silver-eyed man roared his anger, loss, and soul-aching sorrow to the heavens. It felt as though the skies trembled that night…

"Urumiya! Urumiya!"

He was suddenly jerked from his memories and realized that he had fallen asleep when they'd consumed him. Uruki and Iname were kneeling beside him, but Cassandra was the one who'd been calling his name and was shaking him awake. Warm, soft hands cupped his cheeks and brushed the tears flowing from his eyes and he choked. Urumiya tried to speak, to tell them that he was fine, it was just a nightmare…but the look in Cassandra's eyes made him falter. She could see into him too well and took him into her arms. Everything finally seemed to come crashing down. Urumiya had never been given a chance to mourn for his family and he wept for them and the memories of them even he could not erase. It was nearing dawn and Cassandra glared at Iname and Uruki, who quietly slipped away.

"Cassandra…I didn't kidnap her. I didn't!" he finally managed to speak, his voice hoarse from his screams. "Mae loved me and came with me. She didn't deserve to die! None of them did! Oh God, I can still hear their screams, I can still see my daughter laugh, as though they were right there in front of me!"

Holding Urumiya tighter, Cassandra tried to fight back the tears that welled up in her eyes. Damn you Nakago. You're a monster and I'll never forgive you for all the pain you've caused. As she quietly comforted Urumiya, Iname and Uruki were riding into town.

"What do you suppose he was dreaming about?" Uruki's voice was uncertain and quiet as they rode.

"He wasn't dreaming," Iname said grimly. "He was remembering. Apparently the memories haven't faded since the day it happened."

"Since what happened?"

"Well…I don't know if I should tell you this…but," Iname paused and sighed. "Urumiya's family was murdered a few years back by Nakago. I don't know the details of it, but apparently he had a wife, a son, and a daughter and his wife had been a Kutou noblewoman before she chose to leave with Urumiya. He was accused of raping and kidnapping her, that's why Nakago was assigned to track them down. That bastard killed them…and now Urumiya has to suffer with the memories. They appear as night terrors as you saw back there."

"That's awful! I can't believe it…" Uruki whispered then frowned. "Yes I can. Nakago's nothing but a demon."

"I agree and that's one of the many reasons I hate his guts. Anyway, we have to get disguises otherwise the old fart will wring our necks. Come on, we won't get anywhere riding around here."

Clicking to his horse, Iname rode faster with Uruki at his side. They rode into town, dismounted and wrapped the reigns of their mounts in their hands, and proceeded through the throng of people in the marketplace. Uruki was in his element and the blonde began to drag Iname to every clothing stand and shop there was. He knew what looked good on his female form and he knew what would look sharp on Urumiya. Iname was amazed at the speed of Uruki's speech and the way he haggled was completely brilliant. He could argue the price until he was blue in the face and the vendor eventually gave in. After a few hours of shopping, Uruki and Iname headed back to camp, their arms loaded with boxes.

"I am never going shopping with you again," Iname grumbled as he loaded up the horses. "I still don't believe you have four silvers left! How in the hell did you manage to talk that one guy down?"

"Skill my dear Iname. Sheer skill and the art of haggling. Now, Urumiya and I will look stylish and it came at an affordable price."

"Only because you argued until you were blue in the face."

"Someday you'll appreciate my talents, Iname, just you wait."

Rolling his eyes, Iname mounted up and checked the ropes once more to make sure their purchases didn't fall off. After all the trouble we went through to get them, I would be pissed if they fell off now. Once he was certain they were secure, Iname clicked his tongue and the two of them rode out.

"Besides," Uruki commented as they rode out. "As a 'gift' to the Emperor, I'm supposed to be outfitted in the very best money can buy. I do reflect beauty and wealth after all so it's all part of the plan."

"And the fact that all these clothes look good on you is just a bonus, right?"

"Precisely!"

Rolling his eyes, Iname shook his head and shut his mouth. It was better to just not argue with Uruki. The two rode back into camp and after conferring with Urumiya, set down their packages and settled in near the fire. All traces of Urumiya's emotional outburst were gone and he was back to being the cool, serious man they knew. He was sitting near the fire just staring into space, his silver eyes unreadable. Cassandra was sitting nearby and writing something on a piece of paper. Uruki crawled over and glanced at the paper over her shoulder. Those look like words to a song or a poem…he became curious and finally said,

"What are you writing Cassandra?"

"Uruki! Don't sneak up on me like that!" and she tried to hide the paper.

"Let me see!" and he tugged the pages from her hands and began to read the words. "This is good. I didn't know you could write poetry, Cassandra."

"They're song lyrics, Uruki," and she took the pages back from him. "I like to sing and I've always wanted to write my own music. I've been writing this song because I don't want to forget all of you and the bonds we share."

"You're so sweet Cassandra," he hugged her tightly.

"Oh!" she blushed darkly. "Uh…thanks Uruki."

A small smile played on Iname's features but he couldn't help but think of the time she would eventually have to leave. No matter what happens though, I swear I'll be with her. Always. Even if that meant him leaving his world and following her. Even if it meant waiting thousands of years to be with her. Iname would wait for her and he wouldn't care how long it took, that much was certain. In his heart of hearts, he was glad that two of their warriors hadn't been reborn. It meant that Cassandra could stay with them longer. Not caring who saw, Iname went over to Uruki and Cassandra, intent on giving his love a kiss…but was stopped when someone gripped his shirt.

"Don't even think about it kid," Urumiya growled and yanked Iname back down. "Not while I'm conscious."

"Geeze you really are like her old man, old man."

"That's right. I have cunning, power, and acres of land in which to bury the body. Be afraid."

Making a sound of disdain and annoyance, Iname leaned against a tree and folded his arms over his chest. Cassandra and Uruki had fallen silent when Urumiya had grabbed Iname's arm and then began to laugh. Looking remarkably like an offended cat, Iname hissed at Uruki.

"Come on you two, don't fight," Cassandra scolded. "We still have planning to do if we're going to get into Kutou tomorrow."

"Yes, so stop bickering and start helping," Uruki thumbed his nose at Iname and chuckled when the teen hissed again. "We have disguises now, Urumiya, so you don't have to worry about that."

Nodding, Urumiya went over to inspect the clothing as Cassandra continued to write the words to her song. The rest of the night was spent planning, discussing, and arguing about the best way to get into Kutou. Eventually, Uruki brought up the subject that had him worried the most.

"What if the Emperor attempts to bed me?"

There was a long pause before Cassandra finally spoke. "Well…you could just do what this princess did in a story I read once. A man who was infamous for killing his wives captured her. To prevent him from killing her, she would wile the hours away with magnificent tales that lasted for a thousand and one nights. At the end of the last night, the man decided to keep her as his wife for he had fallen in love. So, in the end, her life was spared."

"And this helps me how?"

"Sorry, I was getting to that. If the Emperor attempts to bed you, try using a method that will distract him for the night. Like storytelling, singing, or dancing. It'll give you time to stall as long as possible as you search for the Genbu warrior. And you are a master of manipulation Uruki."

"I don't know, Cassandra, but I'll give it a try I suppose. Come; let's get some rest. We should make our way to Kutou once night falls. It'll allow Iname and Cassandra to make their way to Konan as we continue ahead to Kutou," with that, Uruki turned and went to lay down on his pallet.

The others agreed and slept until nightfall. After breaking down their camp and relating their rallying points and such, Iname and Cassandra mounted up and bid farewell to their friends before heading to Konan. Urumiya removed a small box and pulled out a mask that would hide his eyes but would still allow him to see. Slipping it on, he turned to Uruki, who had changed into a female and was dressed accordingly, and the two of them headed for Kutou. There was no conversation, for neither of them felt like talking. After all, they had just bid their companions farewell and were heading off into unknown territory where Nakago resided.

"Urumiya?"

"What is it, Uruki?"

There was a pause as the young woman considered something. "Is it all right for me to be scared? Just this once?"

Silence followed before Urumiya finally replied. "Just this once."

There was nothing after that as the two of them reached the capital of Kutou at dawn's first light. Urumiya was tense. After all, this was the land where he had met his wife and had fallen in love. This was also the land in which his greatest enemy resided. Genbu guide us…and with that, the pair rode into the city.

Thank you so much everyone for reading this story! …Please review if you are? Pretty please with a cherry on top? And I have many more chapters to go…so don't think that the story is going to end so soon :D

Ree