Epilogue

Back in mountain country at last.

Tasuki gazed out across the horizon, his expression uncharacteristically thoughtful as he surveyed the territory Reikaku-zan presided over. It was another day, like any other day to the citizens of Souun and the villages below, but somehow, in that day, there was something different on the horizon.

Something intangible...and strong, pulling at his thoughts, and making him feel at ease.

"So, everything's done with now, huh?"

At the sound of Kouji's voice, Tasuki turned, casting his number two a grin as he gestured for the other man to sit down. Kouji did so, perching on a rock as he gazed down over the peaks and valleys that surrounded the blessed mountain.

"Somethin' on your mind, Genrou?" He asked at length. Tasuki frowned, then shook his head.

"Jus' thinking over what Nuriko said." He responded slowly. "About livin', and you know, all of that."

"It's not like you. Thinking, I mean." Kouji observed, and Tasuki brought his fist down sharply towards his friend's head at this. Kouji laughed, ducking out of the way.

"Too slow. You're losing your edge, Kashira." He teased. Tasuki grimaced at him, then grinned, shaking his head.

"So what about what Nuriko said? What pearl of wisdom did he drop into your brain, then, before he headed off into the sunset?" Kouji asked curiously. Tasuki's expression became serious.

"That Chichiri an' me, we've still got stuff to do. That's why we're still in this world, in these bodies, livin' these lives." He said, his tones uncharacteristically pensive. "He said that no matter what happens, we gotta live those lives doin' the things we want to do. Not the things other people make us do. He said he never really knew himself, and he regretted that, so he wanted to start over, and try and make sure this time he doesn't make that mistake. And he said that, now the world is safe, Chichiri an' me - we gotta do the same thing. Without the Suzaku Seven, this time...but you know. Just bein' us."

"So what does that mean, then?" Kouji eyed him keenly. "That you're gonna ditch the tessen on me and ride off into the sunset, marry Anzu and become a dude like your pop?"

"Moron." This time Tasuki's fist did make contact, and Kouji winced, glaring at his friend mock indignantly. "Don't you know me at all yet? Like hell I'm gonna do a stupid thing like that. I'm Genrou, ain't I? I'm King of this hill. Why would I throw that away, when I'm finally where I wanted to be all the time?"

"So it hasn't gone to your head, then? All this Seishi business?" Kouji asked, rubbing his skull ruefully. Tasuki shook his head.

"Naw." He responded, holding out his arm as the symbol of the wings blazed brightly against his skin. "I am Tasuki - I mean, I'll always have that. And this, I think. I don't think it's gonna suddenly disappear now that the others have been reborn. From what Chiriko said, it's a permanent thing. Us, existing here...it has somethin' major to do with keeping this world alive. So in that sense, I'm still Tasuki an' I still will be, even when I die. But in this lifetime I'm Genrou too, and it's time I was Genrou full time again. Reikaku-zan was what I wanted when Hakurou-sama was alive, and it ain't changed. Just all fallen into it's proper place now. That's all. If Suzaku ever calls again - or Miaka, for that matter - I'm still here and I know what I gotta do. But for the time being, I'm gonna do what Nuriko said an' live my life as Genrou. That's all."

"I think you've been thinking too hard, or the sun's been getting to your puny brain." Kouji reflected. "What about Anzu in all of this? Are you going to turn your back on her too, now? I thought you and she had reached some kind of agreement."

"Anzu's a bandit too, now." Tasuki shook his head, a faintly sheepish look entering his bronze eyes. "She's proved herself to her kashira, so I ain't got a problem letting her stay."

"I'm sure you haven't." Kouji eyed him speculatively. "Genrou, tell me something, huh?"

"Mm?"

"Why is it always you that the girls fall for?"

"I guess it's just my charm, buddy. You can't match up to me, an' that's why I have the tessen." Tasuki grinned at his companion lazily, and this time it was Kouji's turn to swing a fist in the redhead's direction.

"Stop being cocky, you jerk - who's been running this joint for you for the past few years, huh? You ain't settled down and been kashira consistantly for long enough to talk like that."

"Ah, but I'm here now." Tasuki seemed unphased. "To protect Reikaku-zan, jus' like Hakurou-kashira always said."

"Even with a woman around? You don't hate them any more?" Kouji raised an eybrow.

"Well, Anzu's an exception." Tasuki admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "I guess any girl who's able to put her life in danger for her boss has to have some merit - I mean, on those terms, she's as good as a guy, so..."

He trailed off, and Kouji grinned, a knowing smile touching his lips as he patted his friend on the back.

"Bout time you grew up and started acting like a man. Especially now you're leader, and all." He said reflectively.

"What's that supposed to mean, idiot?"

"If you can't work it out, you're the idiot." Was Kouji's crushing rejoinder. He got to his feet, holding out a hand to haul his friend up.

"Come on, Kashira. Let's go back. We've a lot of things to do, now that the tessen is back full time at Reikaku-zan...we shouldn't be wasting time here. Besides, I'm starving...it must be time to eat."

"True." Tasuki allowed himself to be hauled upright, nodding his head. "I'm coming."

As they headed down the mountain towards the bandit base, Tasuki paused for a moment, casting a brief glance up at the sky. Kouji paused, turning to send him a quizzical look.

"Genrou?"

"I think they're all right. The others." Tasuki said quietly, his tones pensive. "Today feels like the day somethin' new is beginning...this time for real."

"You talk a lot of crap, you know that?"

"Hey, that ain't any way to speak to your boss - do you want me to fry you with this thing?" Tasuki wielded his tessen warningly, and Kouji laughed.

"It's good to have you back on the mountain, Genrou." He said sincerely. "Now get a move on, before there's no food left for either of us!"

-----------------

The sky was cloudy that morning, and a cool wind whipped around the charred remains of the eastern village, disturbing the soft ash and debris that still littered the now deserted settlement. Since the fire, few of the villagers had even tried to come back for more than to find cherished belongings, and as a result, the land lay empty, as if it were one of the villages devastated by war.

As Chichiri stood there, his gaze falling on the blackened buildings, a chill touched his heart and he frowned, forcing it away. The memories of the battles against Kutou and the destroyed villages were ones he knew he'd never forget - not all of his memories as a Suzaku warrior carried a sense of happiness.

"But even so, there's little to actually regret." He reflected, glancing up at the sky. "I can't see the stars, but I know they're there. All of them, now. Crafted by the fact we're all still connected, no matter what happens. The bonds we forged with Miaka are stronger than anything, and they bind Kounan together. When you think of that, you realise...every person's life really is important. And sometimes people go their whole lives without knowing why they were born. Tasuki and I - and all of our friends - we were the lucky ones. We know. And no matter where we are, as spirits or as human beings, we'll always have that. Always."

"I thought I heard someone else in the village."

Chichiri started, swinging around to face the speaker, as she cast him a rueful, droll smile. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that it's you who's come here, Hou Jun, and not my little brother."

"Aidou." Chichiri's expression became a warm smile, and he nodded his head.

"I think Tasuki has a lot of other things on his plate." He added. "But he and his bandits have done a lot to support the villagers who've left and gone elsewhere. Even bandits aren't all rogues, you know - you should remember that, now."

"I think I will. At least where Shun'u is concerned." Aidou stepped carefully over the fallen timbers, lifting her cloak so that the edges didn't trail in the ashy residue that still coated every surface. "As for this place - I doubt people will come back. Not yet, at least. Maybe in time - when families need somewhere new to go, and there's land cheap and begging to be used. But for now, they've moved on. Life demands it. There's no room in this world for sentiment."

"What about you, then?" Chichiri asked her keenly. "Why are you here, if that's the case?"

"Well, I think I've become foolish, like my idealistic younger brother." Aidou looked sheepish, shrugging her shoulders. "Mother and Father - they've gone to the next village to stay with one of my sisters and her family. It was all worked out - Pa's leg is healed now, thanks to Mitsukake-san's holy water, but in the final analysis he and Ma are both getting older. Shun'u had no interest in running the farm anyway, and, well, that's just the way it is. They've decided to cut their losses and leave...but me...somehow I'm drawn back here. Even though I know it's stupid - I think that I might stay."

"On your own?"

"Yes, I suppose so." Aidou said pragmatically. "I'm twenty four, near enough. I'm not a little girl and I'm able to take care of myself. Besides, I have noone to support. It won't be easy, to begin with - but I think I'm ready to branch out and see whether or not I can prove myself wrong. I want to find out if there really is life after death, even for a village as simple as this one."

"Why the change of heart?" Chichiri was curious. Aidou laughed.

"Well, I suppose travelling with you and Shun'u gave me a new look on things." She admitted. "For sure, I'm not such an idiot as he is, but then again, maybe that's a weakness in me. One thing I've come to see is that he never gives up, does he? If he believes...he never stops trying. He has energy enough to power all the stars in Kounan, not just those belonging to his constellation. And I've always called him to task on this or that, but at times on that journey, I was almost ashamed of myself. For trying to curb that energy - that life which, in the end, is part of the reason why everyone in this country is safe and alive today."

"We all want to hit Tasuki occasionally. Even me, and I try not to resort to violence more than I can help." Chichiri mused. "But you are right, you know. He has a knack for living...that's something I've learnt from him, I think. That you don't give up, no matter what gets thrown at you."

He settled himself down on a broken edged wall, gesturing for his companion to join him and she did so, carefully arranging her cloak so as to avoid soiling her clothing too much.

"So this will become your village now then?" He teased lightly. "You'll have all this space to yourself. Won't it be overwhelming?"

"Yes, at first. I've never tried to do anything like this before." Aidou nodded. "But I think, well, if those who protect this land can be reborn, and if they really are protecting this land, well, other things can rise from destruction as well. Suzaku is a phoenix, isn't he? If this is his land, it must be possible. So I'll do it. I'm game to try. And we'll see how it goes."

"Somehow I think you'll manage it." Chichiri offered her a grin. "You're not a weak woman, Aidou...you and your brother, you share that trait."

"Well, I suppose he had to have something of mine rub off on him, considering." Aidou chuckled. "Perhaps I can say for the first time ever I understand my brother, though. Which is progress in itself, I think. And I don't intend on asking him for help with rebuilding the village, you know - I'm not looking to rely on him or anyone to help me do this. But I do know he's there, and I also know he'd come - if I asked him to."

"Yes. He would." Chichiri reflected. "Tessen blazing at top speed, he'd be there."

Aidou was silent for a moment, then,

"That young girl will sort him out. She's stronger than she looks, at first glance." She decided. "He may not realise it yet, but he's taken in a girl who knows her own mind, and probably his better than he ever will. She'll be good for him - when he's old enough in spirit to properly appreciate it."

She tilted her head, eying him quizzically.

"And you?" She asked. "Will you stay at Reikaku-zan, now? Or will you be off to your own home village, to see whether or not you can rebuild your life there?"

"My village isn't quite like yours, you know." Chichiri shook his head. "Shouryuu-gawa's flood was years ago. The wounds are no longer fresh - besides, people do still live there. People have migrated and moved, especially since the war with Kutou. It's a very different village now, I suppose. I could go back, but there'd be no real reason to stay there. The things and people I knew are gone, and I've already been away too long to be a part of the rebuilding. So no. I won't go back there. At least, I may go pay respects from time to time, to Hikou, Koran and my family...but if I do, I won't linger."

He grimaced ruefully, his finger going absently to the scar that still wound sharply across his left eye.

"The people there are discomfitted by this." He added. "Because it's a reminder of past tragedy and the fact that the river could always flood again in the future. Besides, I know it's not attractive to look at. I don't want to scare any small children, and the mask makes me feel like a stranger in my own home. It..it's Chichiri's mask, you know...I don't think it's Ri Hou Jun's."

"So where will you go, then?" Aidou questioned.

"The beauty of my life is that I'm not tied anywhere, you know?" Chichiri shrugged complacently. "In some ways, Taikyoku-zan has been the closest thing to 'home' since the Shouryuu flood - but I don't think that, with Suzaku's work completed, that's a place I can really go to now. I'm still Chichiri, but I am also Ri Hou Jun. And Ri Hou Jun has no place on a holy mountain."

His eyes flickered with humour.

"I'm a terrible monk, you know." He admitted. "I do all of the travelling and not much of the praying. I use the shakujou to cast my spells and I use my spiritual power as Chichiri - but I should probably be ashamed of myself, dressing this way when I've no real intention to live the lifestyle properly. Being a monk was just an excuse not to deal with the aftermath of the flood, or to have to put down roots or any of those things. But I like to travel, and to see places. So when I get restless again, I suppose, there'll always be new land for me to explore. For now, I think I'll head north. After everything, I feel that I ought to go to Hokkan, and the mountains there again. Nuriko is the only Seishi not buried in Kounan, and even though he'll be reborn now, I think I should pay him a visit...and say a proper, formal goodbye. This time, after all, I really won't be seeing him face to face again. After that, I'll probably stop by the others, too. Just as closure. To let them know - if they can know - that Tasuki and I won't forget about them, even if their rebirth means they have to forget about us. Tasuki won't think to do it, even if his heart's in the right place. So I'll do it. Just to make sure."

Aidou was silent for a moment, digesting this. Then she nodded, offering him a grin.

"Well, if you ever need a place to stay near Reikaku-zan when you come back to Kounan, I'm sure there'll be space in my village for a thousand travelling monks." She said evenly. "So keep it in mind."

Chichiri eyed her in surprise, and at his gaze, a faint blush rose in Aidou's cheeks. She got to her feet, pulling her cloak more tightly around her body.

"I shouldn't be sitting around here doing nothing." She reflected. "Shun'u's bad habits are rubbing off on me too much of late - but if I'm going to make any life come back to this village, I've got no time to spare. Good luck on your journey, Hou Jun. No doubt we'll meet again - my brother thinks a lot of you, and I'm sure you'll visit Reikaku-zan at some point in the future, even if it isn't right away."

She turned towards the rubble-scattered pathway that led to the ruined wreckage of the Kou family home, and for a moment Chichiri just stared after her. Then he smiled, flicking his kasa off his head and glancing at it thoughtfully.

"You know, I'll keep that in mind." He called out, and at his voice, Aidou turned, offering him a smile. She nodded.

"I promise not to make you do chores." She said lightly. "But I will hold you to it. You're more responsible a man than Shun'u - and I like a man to keep his word."

Her eyes twinkled slightly as she said this, and Chichiri laughed, tilting his head in acknowledgement.

"Then you can count on seeing me soon." He said softly. "When I get back from my pilgrimage - I'll come see how you're getting on. And you know, I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty. I can't do anything for my own village, but maybe I can help with yours - when I come back."

"Then it's a deal." Aidou said firmly. Chichiri eyed her for a moment, then he twitched his hat again, drawing on his spiritual powers as he transferred himself across time and space to the frozen mountain top where Nuriko had given his life so many years before.

As he paced across the snow towards the tall, wooden branch that stood as sentry to the final resting place of one of Kounan's protectors, his mind flitted back to their adventures as Suzaku warriors, and the things that he had learnt.

"I'm glad that you'll all finally have the chance to make that new start, you know?" He murmured, even as he brought his fingers before his face in the unfamiliar ritual of genuine prayer. "All of you deserve it. And Tasuki and I, we'll see you again, you know. It might not be in this life time, or the next. But we're all still a part of Kounan and a part of Suzaku. So one day, we will. I'm sure of that. Till then, we'll do our best to fulfil all the things left for us to do - whatever those things are. And even if we forget these adventures, somehow I don't think we'll ever really fully forget one another."

For a moment he stood there, eyes closed as he reflected on the events of the past few years. Then, without a word, he turned, twitching his hat once more as he left the barren landscape. As the chill wind blew across Hokkan's mountains, only the footsteps of a lone stranger in the snow indicated that anyone had been to the peak that day.

And yet, somewhere in the furthest reaches of existance, a spirit smiled as he prepared to relinquish the last grips on his old life.

"Thank you, Chichiri." He murmured. "And I'm sure I'll see you all again soon."

---Owari---