Chapter Four
Everything was black.
Nuriko opened his eyes, blinking against the darkness as he struggled to gain his bearings. Fleeting pictures flitted through his mind of faces and locations that should have drawn forth memories, but instead they seemed like a cascade of useless confetti, littering the floor of his mind and making it difficult for him to see his way. He stumbled forwards, fighting against unseen hands that seemed to grip him tightly around the wrists and the ankles, pulling him back. In the distance, there was the scream of a young girl, and he saw a silhouette suddenly marked out before him in a haze of whiteish light. A monster, something blue glittering on his lower back held the shadow of a young girl in his claws, and Nuriko opened his mouth to yell out, tearing himself free of the tendrils that sought to restrain him. As soon as he had managed to free himself, however, the scene was gone, and instead a slick, spattered trail of red liquid led the way up a mountain path towards a cave, shrouded in darkness.
As Nuriko pushed forward, half afraid of what he'd find inside, he was overwhelmed by the sense of death, and as his eyes became accustomed to the blackness, he saw the figure of the young girl once more, realising that she was the source of the blood. A jagged spike from the frozen cave roof pierced her young form, and as he stumbled towards her, he was aware of her flexing out her hand towards him in a spasmodic, juddering movement.
"Byakuren." The word flickered through his mind, passing his lips before he even realised what he had said. The next minute he was screaming it at the top of his voice, as the whole world seemed to explode into darkness once more.
"Kourin!"
At the sound of his name, Nuriko's eyes snapped open, at first disorientated and confused. Strong arms held him down, but he pushed them away, sitting up as he drew heavy, frightened breaths of air into his body. Every nerve tingled and ached with the memory of his dream, and tears ran unchecked down his cheeks as he struggled to get to grips with his composure.
"Byakuren." He whispered, and at the sound of his voice, the figure at his bedside put a gentle hand on his arm.
"You were asleep. Dreaming." A voice said softly, and Nuriko glanced around him wildly, struggling to place it in the darkened room. As the large figure moved to pull back the heavy drapes that cloaked the daylight from entering the chamber, recollection returned to him slowly and he buried his head in his hands, realising that he was shaking with the force of what he had dreamed. Sweat still coursed his brow, drenching his body in fresh, cold panic and he drew another shuddering breath of air, raising terrified eyes to the other man.
"Tamatama." He murmured, and the transvestite nodded his head.
"You were dreaming." He repeated. "I thought it was probably a bad one, when I heard you scream Byakuren's name...so I decided it would be better to wake you. You put up quite a fight, though - that was the other thing. I thought I should do something about it, before you ripped the whole house to shreds. Father is quite understanding, on the whole - but I don't think he'd take it so well if the house was ripped to shreds while he's attending something in the village."
"A fight?" Nuriko blinked, registering for the first time the devastation of the chamber in which he lay. A desk and some other wooden furniture implement - splintered and no longer recogniseable - lay across the floor, papers and ink scattered over the patterned rugs that covered the cold stone. Even the bed on which he lay had not escaped the force of his panicked struggles and as his eyes widened in horror, he registered a fresh bruise across the transvestite's left cheek.
At his stricken gaze, Tamatama touched his face ruefully, nodding his head.
"You really aren't as much of a lady as you used to be, that's for sure. Hitting a girl like that." He said lightly, although there was a seriousness in his eyes that made Nuriko feel ashamed. He frowned, dropping his gaze as he drew his knees up to his chest, hugging them tightly.
"I'm sorry." He whispered. "What did I..what did I do?"
"I think that you were sleep walking. Or sleep-something. Reliving a memory." Tamatama said pensively. "Or maybe several memories, I don't know. You were taking a nap - you looked all in. Next thing I know the maid is shrieking that there's a monster roaming the house and I'm having to use every inch of my strength just to keep you in this one room. You weren't easy to wake up, Kourin - it must've been some nightmare, that's all I can say about it."
"I...hurt someone?" Nuriko looked worried, but Tamatama shook his head.
"No. Just me, and I can take it. Coming from you, anyway." He replied, sinking his impressive bulk down onto the end of the bed and causing it to creak as he did so. "But the house mightn't have got off so lightly, if I hadn't intervened. This room, well, we can probably do something about that. But you were all for raging through the hallways, too, and I didn't think that was a good idea. I think you were chasing something, or running after something. When you said Byakuren's name...I realised what it was."
"Byakuren." Nuriko repeated the girl's name and a sudden stab of coldness shot through him, causing him to flinch, closing his eyes. Tamatama sighed.
"You came to Yukigase, and I suppose that's why." He said slowly. "Because of Byakuren. You always did want to take everything into your own hands, Kourin. But for you to remember that, of all things..."
"Who is Byakuren?" Nuriko's head snapped up, an urgent look in his eyes. "Tell me, please. I need to know - who is Byakuren!? What happened to her?"
"She was a girl in this village. You met when you stayed here, and you were friends - of a sort." Tamatama pursed his unevenly lined lips. "She was a pretty child, and she and her elder brother lived here with their mother for a while. They were from Eiyou too, originally - I guess you felt a connection."
"What happened to her, Tamatama?" Images of Nuriko's dream washed over him again and he swallowed, feeling giddy and sick. "I need to know that. What happened to Byakuren?"
"She died, up on the mountain, in the cave where the demon was supposed to hunt." Tamatama admitted. "You went there, as I told you, and you fought the demon. You were the one who saved Yukigase from its grip. But Byakuren - she was worried about you. She insisted on following you up the mountain - she didn't want you to be hurt. I don't know...exactly what happened after that. But she...she didn't make it back down again, and I know you...were quite upset."
"I knew it." Nuriko clenched his fists, and for an instant Tamatama could see the edges of the willow symbol glowing brightly against his friend's pale skin. "She died because of me. Because I didn't save her. That's what I dreamed about."
He got to his feet, pushing back the blankets as he moved to the window, gazing down at the village below.
"I let her die."
"No, you didn't." Tamatama shook his head, but Nuriko wheeled on him, anger in his eyes.
"Don't tell me my own memories, when you weren't even there!" He exclaimed. "Don't presume to tell me what happened in my life! You can't rewrite my history leaving out the bad bits, you know. I remember what I dreamed - I know what happened to Byakuren. She died...in that cave...because I didn't protect her!"
With that he pushed past his companion, hurrying down the steps of the house and out into the frozen landscape. Tamatama's voice called his name but Nuriko paid no attention, grief swirling through his heart as he pieced together the pictures of his dream.
"Byakuren." He whispered. "Is this why I came to Yukigase? Because of you? Because I let you die...is this some kind of retribution, then? Am I here...to be punished?"
----------
"So we're just gonna head north an' hope for the best?"
As Tasuki and Chichiri rode away from the mountain city of Souun, Tasuki cast his monkish companion a quizzical glance, noticing that the tension had not gone from his companion's demeanour. "It's already gettin' dark, an' it took us long enough to find horses. Aren't your powers back up an' running yet? It would still be quicker to hat-hop, if you have an idea where we're going."
"I haven't really. Just the northern border." Chichiri said grimly, shaking his head. "And as for my powers, I think they're better than they were. I'm not sure about my kasa, though - I still can't connect a spell to it, or transport us anywhere. If I had been able to, that's what we'd have done when we realised the city was so busy - I didn't know that it was a local festival coming up or that so many people would be needing horses."
He sent his companion an accusing look.
"You could've told me that."
"Didn't think about it." Tasuki admitted. "We've been away for a while, ain't we? I'd forgotten. I don't spend all my time hanging round Souun, you know."
He looked furtive.
"Too close to home." He added. "Too many people know my family there. I'm still "Kou-san's Shun'u", and someone wants to share some new anecdote or borin' story with me about something...it's not my favourite haunt."
"Your village is near to Souun, isn't it?" Chichiri asked. Tasuki shrugged, nodding his head.
"Yeah. Across the mountain somewhat, but yes." He agreed. "People take trade from the village to sell at market in Souun on a good day. That's how people know who I am. Aidou or one of my other sisters would always drag me out by the ear to help them...as if I gave a damn about farm produce or anythin' like that. But then again, if I stopped at home, it was laundry or wood-choppin' or some other such thing."
"So, in effect, you were just lazy." Chichiri reflected. "And you ran away from home because of it."
"Shut your face." Tasuki snapped. "If you'd grown up with my sisters, you'd know why the hell I hate women so much, believe me! And this ain't finding Nuriko - so why are you babblin' on about my family and my village anyway?"
"I don't know." Chichiri looked surprised. "Sorry. I guess I got waylaid."
"Well, get un-waylaid, and start focusing your senses on finding Nuriko's chi again, okay? So at least we gallop in the right direction." Tasuki instructed.
"It really is getting dark now." Chichiri glanced upwards at the sky, sighing as he slowly shook his head. "Maybe we should have waited till morning to leave after all - but I feel better that we're moving. That something's happening and we don't have time to waste sitting around doing nothing."
"Well, impulsive and proactive is a new attitude for you, but I can work with it." Tasuki said frankly, offering his companion a wolfish smile. "At least it's action and it's away from Anzu. If we're away a day or two, it suits me. By the time I get back, she might have got bored an' taken off someplace else."
"Perhaps you could introduce her to your family." Chichiri murmured absently. "Since by your account they'd probably get on famously."
"Chichiri!" Tasuki glared at his friend, and Chichiri shrugged.
"Just an observation." He said carelessly. "I think you underestimate that girl, you know. She came a long way to see you - and you should be nicer to her. She's brave, considering that she just lost someone she loved a lot. You've never been in that position, so you probably don't realise it - but it isn't easy to smile and laugh in the way she does, so soon after someone close dies."
"What do you mean, I haven't?" Tasuki demanded indignantly. "What about Nuriko! Chiriko! Mitsukake! Hotohori-sama! Who are they, if not people I was close to, huh? Don't give me that shit - of course I get it!"
"I don't think you do." Chichiri shook his head, glancing absently up at the sky over their head. "No matter who we've lost, Tasuki, we've always had the rest of the team to turn to. And until recently, the others have still been with us, albeit in spirit form. For Anzu, her sister has passed on. Crossed the divide. They won't see one another again, probably not ever. And she had to deal with that all alone, coming all the way from the Western lands to Kounan in the way she did. You've never been alone with grief. That's what I'm saying. And Anzu's a lot stronger than you give her credit for. That's all."
"So go marry her, then." Tasuki muttered churlishly, and Chichiri tut-tutted, opening his mouth to reproach his friend's sullen attitude. Something in the heavens caught his eye, however, and he hesitated, reining in his horse suddenly and causing it to kick out in protest, nearly causing him to tumble from it's back.
"Chichiri, will you warn me before you hit the brakes?" With a struggle, Tasuki brought his own steed to a halt, casting his companion a look of annoyance. "What gives now? Another feeling? Because you're really starting to piss me off with this, you know."
"No." Chichiri shook his head, raising his hand to point up at the sky. "Just look. Up there. Do you see what I see?"
"I see sky. I see stars. I see the moon. What am I looking for?" Tasuki's expression became non-plussed, as he obediently squinted up at the darkening sky. "Give me a clue, at least. What am I looking at?"
"The stars." Chichiri frowned. "Just look at them carefully, Tasuki. Of all people, you should be able to see what I mean."
"Chichiri, they're stars." Tasuki said, frustrated. "They're little and sparkly and they sit in the sky all the time. What's so special about them this time?"
"Who are you, you great dummy?" Chichiri snapped, and Tasuki stared, startled by the unfamiliar sharpness in his companion's voice.
"Tasuki." He said now, glancing briefly at his arm as the character glittered and glowed against his skin. "And before you say it, yes, I know that it's a constellation. That I'm a Seishi - a Celestial Warrior. That my identity is tied up with the stars - I know that. But what I don't know is why that's important right now."
"So look at the stars carefully." Chichiri instructed. "You know what the constellations of Suzaku look like, don't you? At least, if you don't, you're more stupid than I thought."
"Stop chewing me out, I'm looking already!" Tasuki complained. "Yes, I see them. That one's mine, there, with all those sparklies all over the place. Guess it figures that a bandit has the most diamonds in the sky, huh?"
"And the others? What about them?" Chichiri pressed.
"What about them?" Tasuki looked blank. "There's yours, there. Chichiri. Nuriko. Chiriko. Mitsukake's is that one, and that's the sea serpent, which is Hotohori. What about it?"
"Think about what you just said." Chichiri said softly. "Think about it carefully."
"What I said?" Tasuki was getting impatient now. "Will you just tell me already? You're not saving any time or making any friends with this routine, you know!"
Chichiri sighed, shaking his head slowly.
"Chichiri. Nuriko. Hotohori. Chiriko. Tasuki. Mitsukake." He said quietly. "That's what you said. Right?"
"Right." Tasuki agreed. "But I don't...hey, wait a minute!"
"Yes?"
"Where the hell is Tamahome's constellation?"
"Now we get there." Chichiri buried his head in his hands. "How did you get to be kashira again, Tasuki? Did you just hit people over the head a lot until they agreed to vote you in?"
"Well, if you'd been a bit clearer in your meaning, I'd have got it sooner." Tasuki returned. "But shit...where are Tama's stars, anyway? There's no cloud tonight, right? So...stars don't move. Do they?"
"I don't know." Chichiri admitted, a frown touching his lips. "To be honest...I don't like it any more than the other things I've been feeling. Taikyoku-zan. That red light. Nuriko's chi. All those things. And now Tamahome's constellation is missing from the sky over Kounan."
"Because Tama went to Miaka's world, do you think?" Tasuki breathed. Chichiri shrugged.
"I wonder." He agreed. "Although...something like that...shouldn't be able to move the heavens, should it?"
"You're asking the wrong bandit." Tasuki said soberly. "Tamahome really isn't here any more, though, is he? I mean, it could just be a trick of the sky, but...he ain't a part of this world now...is he? He's really gone. More so than the others. He's totally gone."
"Yes." Chichiri's voice held a pensive, thoughtful note. "Sou Kishuku doesn't exist any more, you know. Only Sukunami Taka exists now."
He frowned, as suddenly something assailed his senses, and he let out a gasp, gripping the reins of his horse more tightly as he did so.
"Chichiri?" Tasuki was alert in a moment. "Nuriko...?"
"No. Not this time." Chichiri shook his head, alarm flickering in his good eye. "We have to go back. Back to Souun - back to the mountain. We have to go back there...right now!"
"Chichi..." Tasuki stared at his companion as if he had lost his mind. "We've just got this far - you want to go back?"
"We have to. We have to...we might already be too late." Was Chichiri's cryptic response, as he wheeled his protesting horse around, spurring it on as he set off at a gallop back towards the distantly twinkling mountain town. Tasuki muttered a curse, but followed suit, the hooves pounding back against the soil as he struggled to keep pace with his companion's fleeter steed. As if real wolves were on his tail, Chichiri urged his beast to go faster, hastening into the city square and causing a few night revellers to dart hurriedly out of the way, one man cursing and waving his fist as the charging animal spattered mud and dust up against his clothing. Chichiri took no notice, however, and to Tasuki's disbelief, it seemed that the monk was set on riding at breakneck speed through the very centre of the still busy city.
"Chichiri, what the hell's going on!" He exclaimed, forcing his own horse on as he tried not to lose sight of his friend. "Where are you going? What's wrong!"
"Genrou! Chichiri!" A voice from the crowd at last made Chichiri falter, slowing his exhausted mare as he scanned the crowd for a sign of the speaker. Anzu stepped out of the melee, confusion on her face as she gazed up at the monk's troubled, frightened expression.
"Chichiri? What's wrong?" She murmured, and Chichiri could see the trail of reins between her own fingers. Relief flooded through his heart.
"You were going to follow us, weren't you?" He demanded. Anzu nodded, alarm in her own eyes.
"I thought you might need help. What's the matter? What's wrong?"
"Go to Reikaku. Go get Kouji and some of the other bandits. Get them and bring them, quickly." Chichiri said urgently. "Tasuki and I will go on ahead, but it may already be too late...it may already be..."
"Finally, I caught up to you!" Tasuki stalled his horse alongside the monk's, casting Anzu a look of surprise. "You again? What are you doing in Souun?"
"She's going to get Kouji." Chichiri said softly. "And we...we haven't time to give these horses second wind. We have to keep going, Tasuki. Through the town. Through the mountain path. We need to get...get to the village. We need to go there...right now. Damn my powers...we need to get there quickly!"
"The village?" Tasuki's eyes widened. "Wait...my village? My damn village?"
Chichiri nodded his head, and Anzu's hand flew to her mouth.
"Something's happened?" She whispered.
"Just go get Kouji. Tell them that Genrou's village is in trouble, and to bring men there. Tell him that's what Genrou wants him to do." Chichiri said swiftly, even as Tasuki's expression underwent a transformation of it's own.
"Hey, wait a minute." He protested. "Stop giving orders in my name and tell me what's going on. Tell me, Chichiri...what's happening in my village?"
"Anzu, go. Go now." Chichiri urged her, and Anzu, who had hesitated at the genuine worry in the kashira's voice nodded, mounting her horse and turning it in the direction of the mountain and the Reikaku-zan bandits. Tasuki sent Chichiri a demanding look, but before he could say anything, a figure stumbled into the centre of the town, gasping for air as he struggled to catch his breath.
"Fire in the eastern village!" He managed to get out. "A demon...fire...laid waste...the whole village is ablaze! If we're not careful, the whole mountain could set alight!"
Characters from the "Gaiden" novels...
Byakuren - a young girl who "Kourin" once competed with for entrance to the Harem. Saved by the Emperor when both were younger, Byakuren just wants to get to the capital to remind him and thank him. However, she was killed by a demon haunting the village of Yukigase, where she and her family lived. It is to carry out her final wishes that Nuriko first entered the Imperial harem and became acquainted with the Emperor at all. Fell in love with Nuriko both before and after discovering his true gender and died in his defence. To Nuriko, another sister figure whose life and dreams he was also determined to take on and live alongside his and Kourin's own. (Yukiyasha Den)
Random Notes…
I know someone's gonna be wondering why Nuriko is focused on Byakuren and not Kourin at the moment! To save the wtf reviews – I have it all worked out in my head so it will make sense. It will, I promise! I have another idea in mind for Kourin.
I think that's all the Gaiden characters introduced for now...I think. Tamatama wasn't going to have an involved role in this at all...aside from Anzu, I didn't want to overly involve characters from the novels if I could help it (they're really there for background/expansion purposes, to keep within canon rather than using OCs). But he amuses me too much, even when he's being serious. Sort of a carbon copy of Mitsukake in drag (And I do so love Mitsukake! Everyone should love Mitsukake – he's lovely!!)
Ahem. Babbling again. Sorry about that...