Chapter 30:

Part 2:

Cold gray orbs clashed with frightened violet ones.

" Hello." Menesku greeted the man coldly. "So how long have you been spying on us?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

For a while the man stared at the wicked edge of the blade, then the fear in his eyes were overridden by a look of defiant anger.

"Long enough." His voice shook a little.

"Indeed." Menesku's lips parted into a cold smile. He looked at Hotohori. "What should we do with him my Lord?"

"Give our exalted guest a seat Menesku." Hotohori said lazily, leaning back into the cushions.

Menesku withdrew his sword. "Please get up and take a seat." The polite note in his voice did not match with the steely gleam in his eyes.

The man got up and took a seat fixing a smoldering eye on Hotohori. Silently Menesku took a place behind the man, the still naked sword hanging innocently from his hand.

"Are you comfortable?" Hotohori enquired politely, though the reddish tinge in his eyes intensified.

"Yes." The man raised his chin defiantly.

"Okay 'ere's the question." Liang bends forward. "Why the hell were ya spying on us? And even if ya were spying what idiot of a spy lets himself get caught? Yer a shitty spy and yer wasting our time and yers. Why don't ya spill the beans and get outta here with the skin on yer back."

"You do not scare me."The man's nostrils flared with anger. "And I am not a spy!"

"Yeah right. And meself is a dancing donkey. Ya were eavesdropping right outside. The ice-block caught ya red handed. "

"Liang, please." Hotohori cut in smoothly, turning at the man. "Okay, considering for once you are not a spy, then who are you?"

"I am Shizimi."His eyes were wistful, and then his eyes became baleful once more. "I do not know who you are but I be damned if I allow you to carry arms into my land. "

"Your land?" Hotohori was confused.

"Yes."

"I do not understand. Why will I carry arms into your land? Where are you from?"

"Why does everyone in Nobu wear masks? Your pretension at innocence disgusts me." Shizimi's voice was bitter. "Not two moments ago you were speaking of going to island, weren't you?"

Comprehension dawned on Hotohori. "Fa Sang? You are from Fa Sang?"

"Are you surprised? "

"Yes."

Liang peered into Shizimi's face. "What proof do ya have that yer not some fool paid to mislead us?"

Shizimi's mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Your opinion matters little to me. But, the fact remains that I will not allow any bloodthirsty mainlander to soil my land. "

Hotohori frowned. It appeared that Shizimi was indeed telling the truth. "We are not unnecessarily bloodthirsty Shizimi." He said quietly. "And we do not wish to harm your people. Truth to be told we did not even know that Fa Sang was inhabited. "

"And would you have abandoned your quest had you known otherwise?"

"No."

"Exactly what I thought. "

"Shizimi do you know why we wish to go to Fa Sang?"

"Fa Sang hides many secrets. You wish to acquire one such secret in thehope that it will make you stronger."

"No Shizimi. I am afraid you misunderstood me."

"Did I now? I overheard you saying that you wished to reach Fa Sang before your rival so that you may acquire the article before her. You said that it would tip the war in your favor. Tell me now that I heard wrong."

"No." Hotohori sighed. "You heard correctly. You see my country has been in war with my neighboring country for many years causing a great loss of both men and money. The suffering caused by the war is great. This has to end. "

"In other words you wish to buy happiness for your country with the tears of your neighbor." Shizimi's mouth twisted into a dry smile. "I am afraid I do not understand your logic."

"I only care about my house Shizimi. Call me selfish if you will but I am only concerned with the welfare of my country and I will do whatever is necessary to ensure peace and prosperity in my lands."

"Even if you are called tyrant by others."

Hotohori paled. Then his face turned grim. "Even if others call me tyrant." He looked directly into Shizimi's eyes. "Arms will be brought into Fa Sang Shizimi. Either by me or by her. Now the question is which side will you chose?"

"And why should I chose you?"

"Because I give my word that I would not hurt your people and I will assist you against all external threat."

"And why should I believe you? "

"Look 'ere we got a lot of unfinished business to take care of."Liang cut inwithan irritated voice. "Ya only gotta say yeah or nah, say it, okay. Yer yakking on and on. We ain't no crook. Take us for our word or bug off."

"Liang, do shut up." Menesku fixed Liang with an icy glare. "But he has a point Shizimi. Take us for our word because frankly you do not have anything but your word to support your claim and my experience says that a person's word is highly untrustworthy. Despite of that and against my better judgment, I will take you for your word. "

"That... is true." Shizimi agreed. "I want to go home. I want to leave Nobu. And therefore, against my better judgment, I will lead you to Fa Sang. However, I have a request."

Hotohori raised an eyebrow.

"If you succeed in getting what you want, you will make an attempt at peace ... at least once. "

For a while Hotohori wondered if there could be any peace between Konon and Kutou. Then he raised his face.

"I will try, but there can never be any peace between Konon and Kutou."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

The tiny shack squeezed conveniently between a set of large rickety houses with their ramshackle architecture and forbidding aspect, was usually overlooked. It often served as a stable for the horses of the less fortunate or as a place of a maid's nightly tryst. Most of the tiles that had once graced its roof were now gone and the floorboards were moth eaten and rickety. A smelly tattered sheet of cloth served as a door of the shack and even though it had four walls and a roof, it offered little respite from the cruel Nature. At present it housed four sheep, a really underfed horse and three humans.

One of the humans sat on the pile of hay kept at the corner of the room. She was shivering and drew her cloak closer around herself to shut out the cold.

"Lee." One of the other humans, a boy knelt before her. "Are you all right?"

' Now that is a stupid question. ' The voice in her head snapped. ' We're hungry, cold, bruised ... Does it look like we are all right?'

Lee smiled, her teeth chattering. "I am fine Faraco."

' Though if we don't find Hotohori soon and get someplace warm you'll be frozen like that mummy thingy you saw on Discovery.' The voice in her head sounded ominous. ' And then, centuries later people will dig you up and keep you in a museum.'

"Faraco, come here." The other female who had been observing the house opposite to the shack from behind the smelly curtain that served as the door called out in a restrained whisper.

Faraco came forward." What is it Chulivey?"

Chulivey pointed towards the house. It looked like any other house in Nobu except that it had two torches burning in the front door.

"Lord Hotohori is inside that house." Her voice was not above a whisper. "I want you to go and check it out first. Work quickly. "She glance worriedly at Lee. "Lady Lee is not used to such harsh conditions."

Faraco nodded and concentrated.

Chulivey had a hard time not shouting out aloud when the furry yellow creature turned its red eyes towards them. "A mouse..." She took a deep steadying breath. "Well good luck Faraco."

She watched Faraco scuttle across the cold stone street before turning around to join Lee. She watched Lee rub her hands vigorously together. The night vision she had acquired because of her spell showed that Lee's lips were awfully out of color. She plopped down beside her.

"You are cold Lady Lee."

"Yeah."Lee's lips chattered. "But do not worry. This is nothing." She lied valiantly.

Chulivey felt a small smile touch her lips. She brought her hands together and concentrated. A soft scarlet glow seemed to emanate from her hands encasing both of them in a slightly luminous scarlet globe.

"Oh wow." Lee felt warmth wash over her. "This is good."

"Its a pretty useful spell. " Chulivey agreed. "Its keep you warm in extreme cold temperatures. It is also very easy to invoke, as it does not require much ki. There is just one problem."

"What is it?"

"Firstly, you have to be stationary while invoking this spell and secondly, it doesn't stay for long."

"Oh." Lee was disappointed.

"But hey, we are nice and toasty for the time being."

"That we are." Lee agreed. "You are pretty good."

"So I thought. " Chulivey said bitterly. ' The only time I failed was the time it mattered most. I could not save Aoki. Hell... I could not even save myself...'

"It wasn't your fault Chulivey. Suraco caught you in your unawares."

"Suraco always catches me off guard. "The bitterness in her voice did not decrease, but she fought down the deep blush that threatened to stain her cheeks.' And besides Suraco has little to do with this.'

Lee was quiet for a while staring unseeingly at her feet. "Chulivey do you think that we will succeed in stopping them from releasing Seiryuu?"

"If the sky was clear I could have shown you the constellation of Seiryuu. "Chulivey looked up at the dark ceiling of the shack. "People say that the stars in that constellation have never shone so brightly in the last hundred years."

Lee paled. "What does it mean Chulivey?"

"Here is a real question for you Lady Lee, a table needs four legs to support itself. What will happen if one of the legs break?"

"That is a silly question. It will fall down. "

"Exactly." Chulivey lips curved up into a cynical smile. ' Then how is it that our world is still standing?'

Lee stared at Chulivey for a while trying to figure out what she meant, but her face was inscrutable and her eyes held a haunted dissatisfied look. Hesitatingly she laid an hand on Chulivey's arm.

"Chulivey, what is wrong? What are you so worried about?"

' What is she so worried about? Now that is a dumb question. Really dumb. ' The voice in her head sighed. ' We are chasing after a psychotic warrior who keeps coming back like the villain of a Slasher movie...' There was a small pause.' Now, that is a disturbing image.'

"Lady Lee, you say that your grandmother often told you stories of this world. "Chulivey began slowly.

"That she did."

"Did she then tell you anything about the origin of the Four Gods?"

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Shizimi stared at Hotohori for a while. "Very well. " He sighed. "I will take you to Fa Sang. But know this that I do not wish for my people to become involved in a war that is not their own. "

"I ... will try." Hotohori said quietly. "How quickly do you think that we can reach Fa Sang?"

"That depends. The Ku Youg Sea is very tricky. We would require a strong ship that can be steered easily."

"Hmm. I suppose we will have to trust you to choose an appropriate ship for us. "

"What choice do you have?"

"None." Hotohori agreed dryly.

"Perhaps I should tell you that all the ships in Nobu are under an Overlord. Previously, it was sung. " Hotohori could see the look of extreme hatred that passed over his feature. "Now it is under Izuke's control. "

"Persuading Izuke is our problem. However, it is you who must chose the right ship. "

"Very well. I wish to be away from this place as soon as possible."

Hotohori's lips curved into a lopsided smile. " You are not alone in that wish. "

There was a timid knock on the door and a servant popped her head inside. Her gait was hesitant as she approached them.

"Pardon me for this intrusion my Lord. But, Lord Izuke instructed me to clear the table. He also asked me to enquire if you required anything. "

"Very well." Hotohori moved to a side. "When you are finished kindly go and inform Lord Izuke that we have made our decision. "

The servant nodded and with practiced ease loaded the remains of Izuke's repast on the tray she carried. Balancing the tray gracefully on her hand she bowed once again before opening the door. Something furry zoomed in between her legs... and then there was chaos.

The maid gave a frightened shriek. The laden tray went flying as she bunched her skirt around her legs and desperately tried to climb onto a higher ground.

"Calm down wench. " Liang winced. "Its only a rat."

"Aaaaah..."

That was the maid.

"My Lord I have found you."

"Oh look the rat is Faraco. Meself always knew there was something rattish about you."

Faraco glared at Liang.

The maid had stopped shouting. She stared with large horrified eyes at the golden haired boy. Liang sighed.

"Yeah, yeah. T'was a rat. It became a boy. Big deal. Now go and scream elsewhere."

The maid gave another frightened squeak and fled the room.

"Faraco." Hotohori frowned, his brow clouding with worry. "What are you doing here? Where is Lady Lee? Is she all right?"

"Yes." Faraco nodded. "Some men tried to capture us at the inn. We had to leave. Chulivey thought that it would be better if we joined with you. " He was suddenly sullen. "They weren't that tough. I could have taken them on. "

"Never mind that." Hotohori said impatiently." Where are they?"

"Outside."

"Outside? Menesku."

"I will accompany them inside. Come Faraco. " Menesku opened the door and walked outside.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

"The origin?" Lee repeated. "No she never told me anything about that. But, they are Gods. They must have always existed. "

"Yes I suppose..." Chulivey smiled. Then she stilled, her body tense, her hand closed tightly over her staff.

Lee felt the familiar sense of dread creep up her spine. "Chulivey?" Her voice shook a little.

"Ssh." Chulivey's voice was tensed.

If seemed that an idle wind blew through the flap that served as the door of the shack. Before Chulivey could react she found herself pinned to the wall of the shack, her head forced back by the strong arm that curled around her throat.

Lee gritted her teeth. Her hand curled over first thing she laid her hand on. "Let her go, you moron." She threw her self-made missile at the assailant.

' Hay? You threw hay at him! ' The voice in her head scoffed. ' Brilliant. Your foolishness knows no bounds. '

The man half turned. Still holding Chulivey by her throat he raised another hand. The bunch of hay disintegrated into dust before touching him.

Lee eyes widened.

' You do realize that is going to be you sometime later.' The voice in her head was nervous.

Chulivey felt her legs dangle in the air. The man held her effortlessly, almost like a rag doll. The grip around her neck was bruising but it appeared that the man had no wish to strangle her, yet. Lady Lee's somewhat unsuccessful attempt had failed but it had distracted the man. Her hands curled over a fire arrow. She let it go.

She could feel the arrow collide with the man's abdomen and felt warm blood splatter over her tunic. The grip around her neck tightened. Her eyes widened.

Lee saw the streak of light leave Chulivey's hand and collide with the man's stomach. She took an involuntary step backwards. The man seemed unfazed. To her surprise he started to laugh. A deep sarcastic chuckle that came from deep within his throat.

"Pathetic." His voice had a raspy quality that was strangely pleasing to the ears. "Do you call that an attack?"

"Run." Chulivey's voice was urgent. "Go!"

"But I can't leave you!"

"Go!"

"But..."

' You can't help her you fool. ' The voice in her head snapped. ' Get Faraco. '

"Don't worry. I'll get help." Turning she ran half hoping, half fearing the man would follow her. She found her self in the street running hard at the house Chulivey had pointed out earlier.

She felt herself collide with somebody. Startled she looked up.

"Menesku?" Her voice tremulous. " Oh thank God."

Menesku put out a hand to steady her. "Lady Lee?"

"Chulivey...Please help her."

Menesku was already running towards the shack, his sword free of its confining sheath.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Chulivey felt relief flood her as she saw Lee vanish outside in the mist.

' At least Lady Lee will be safe, for the time being. '

She turned her attention to the hand that held her. She understood that the man could have broken her neck easily for the way he held her indicated great strength. It was almost as if he was toying with her.

' Well playtimes over.' Gritting her teeth she concentrated.

Putting up both her hands she grasped the fist that held her neck. Slowly a red glow enveloped her hand, as her palms grew hotter and hotter. In the faint red glow she could see the heat burning through the leather gloves that the man wore. Soon, the smell of burnt flesh wafted up to her nose as the heat continued to burn deeper and deeper.

' Suzaku is this man human? '

Suddenly she felt herself flung into a corner where she landed ingloriously in a undignified heap. The man lifted his burnt hand for inspection. Chulivey could see that the flame had burned him to his bone and the long skeletal finger appeared ghostly in the red light that the night vision provided.

"Interesting. "His voice was amused. "But nearly not good enough. "

Chulivey watched horrified as in front of her eyes flesh seemed to grow over the bones healing the hand before she could blink.

' Oh Suzaku!'

She could feel Menesku's ki nearing fast.

' Hold on Chulivey. Help is coming.'

She concentrated. A shimmering tear appeared in the darkness in front of her forming itself into a fully drawn bow of light.

"Now."

The arrow flew tearing the darkness in its wake scorching everything in its path towards the man. Chulivey heard the man chuckle before lifting his hand to catch the arrow between his fingers and in the next moment she found herself pinned once again to the wall, this time the grip on her neck made it difficult for her to breathe.

"You skills are pathetic. You are not good enough to fight Him." His voice was harsh.

His other hand curled around an cackling ki sphere that he brought near her face. Chulivey had never felt anything so strong, its mere aura was causing her hair to fly in an invisible current. In the strange bluish light of the ki sphere she saw blue eyes staring at her.

' Menesku ...what is taking you so long?'

The light of the ki sphere was hurting her eyes. Her eyes widened a little as tiny tentacles of light emerged from the sphere and began to burn away the hood that covered her face. She could feel the heat on her face, yet none of the tentacles singed her. Despite herself, she had to wonder about the man's control.

' He can crush me like a bug. What is stopping him?'

Her hood disintegrated exposing her face. She felt the grip around her neck tighten further as her head was forced back. She was having difficulty breathing. Gritting her teeth she concentrated once more. She clawed at the restraining hand, letting the wicked poison eat at his skin with a slight hissing sound.

"Fool." His voice was mocking. "And they say that you are a threat to Him! Let me see your face little one. "

He brought up the ki sphere near her face letting its blue light shine on her face. She felt the man bend towards her. Suddenly she was free. Her legs collapsed under her as she gasped for breath feeling suddenly lightheaded. The man knelt in front of her. She tried to move but he effortlessly pinned her hands above her head with one hand and observed a lock of her hair with another.

"You are not she." His voice was a strange mixture of relief, pain and frustration. It was as if he was speaking to himself.

"Chulivey."

It was Menesku. Chulivey felt relief flood her.

The man chuckled. " You are certainly not she. "

And then he was gone, like fickle lightning on a thunder cast sky. The flap moved once before settling down.

Chulivey tried to calm her breath.

' Does he want to harm Lady Lee? Menesku is outside. He will allow no harm to come to her.'

"Chulivey?" She felt a soft hand on her shoulder.

"Lady Lee." Chulivey jerked up, looking at a grim faced Menesku. "Menesku... Faraco. Forgive me, but I am feeling a tad lightheaded."

"Its all right." Lee patted her hand gently. "That awful man probably cut off the oxygen supply to your brain. "

The three of them stared at her.

' And what makes you think that they understood that?' The irritating voice in her head spoke. ' By the way just because they don't know what you are talking about, you cannot go about sprouting anything you know. Is that even true? Does strangulation even does that. I thought that the medulla oblongata will be punctured by a sharp end at the end of the spinal cord ...or something like that...I think.'

"Oh shut up." Lee snapped inwardly, patting Chulivey's hand absentmindedly.

Chulivey frowned. ' The man who attacked me went out of the door. Menesku must have entered almost immediately. It was only a time gap of a few heartbeats perhaps. How come Menesku did not run into the man?'

"Menesku." She turned towards the grim man. "Did you see him?"

"Who?"

"The man who attacked us left only moments before you entered. "

"I saw no one." Menesku said quietly.

"How can it be possible? He must have gone out at almost the same time you entered. I only closed my eyes to catch my breath and Lady lee was there. You and he should have met midway. It ... just does not make any sense?"

"I saw no one."

"Did... you sense his ki? Tell me you sensed his ki. "

"I did not sense his ki. I only sensed a battle aura. " Menesku's lips were set into a straight grim line. "Which makes me wonder if this was an illusion."

"Well, lets see." Faraco smiled transforming into a large brown dog and turning to inspect the shack. Sometime later he transformed back.

"Many things have been in this shack. But most of the scent here is old. The recent scents include Chulivey's, mine and of course Lady Lee's. However." He took a deep breath. "However, there is another scent that does not belong to any of us. A scent that vanishes at the doorway. "

"Is it anybody we know?"

Faraco shook his head. "No. But one thing I can say is someone was definitely here. This was no illusion. "

"What did he want, that awful man. "Lee questioned.

"Good question Lady Lee." Chulivey stumbled up. "Perhaps we should go inside."

"Yes." Menesku said calmly." Faraco, please escort Lady Lee inside. I will assist Chulivey."

"Okay." Faraco gallantly offered Lee his arm, leading her inside.

"I am fine Menesku."Chulivey smiled refusing Menesku's arm.

"Are you?"

Chulivey saw Lee and Faraco had moved up ahead. She turned at Menesku. "He said, you are not her, with an emphasis on her."

"Pardon?"

"Well that's what he said. Can you make head or tail of this?"

"No." Menesku admitted. "Perhaps we should discuss this later. "

"Yeah. "

"Cheer up Chulivey. At least there is one good news. We found a ship and a person to take us to Fa Sang."

"I wonder if that will end our problems."

"Oh no Chulivey." Menesku gave one of his rare smiles. "I am persuaded that it has just began."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

' The origin of the four Gods?' Yang yawned stretching back, sipping into the extra sweet tea she had concocted for herself. ' Lee has a point though. They are Gods, they must always existed.'

She closed the book once more carefully inserting a bookmark on the page she was currently on and went to stand by the window. Come to think of it getting the book out of the library had been surprisingly easy. For once she had been pleased with the utterly mechanical way Madam Lena handled her work. She had checked out the books Yang had handed her with the same look of bored detachment from behind her thick square rimmed spectacles. But it was only when she had reached the sanctuary of her room that she let out the sigh that she did not know she was holding in.

She messaged her neck.

' How exactly did my grandma keep on reading the book without getting a backache?' Yang frowned. ' But if I remember correctly Grandma told me that the first time both she and Grandaunt Miaka had been transported through the book. It was then that slavers attacked them and Tamahome saved them. Then my grandma was transported back. But this time only Lee was transported through the portal. Of course, since Seiryuu is sealed, then I suppose there cannot be a Seiryuu no Miko.'

Sighing she turned at the small notebook in which she had written down her observations and ran her eye over the generally squiggly handwriting.

Lee is a fool. She has got us in deep shit.

It ran.

I reiterate that. Really deep shit.

Faraco - Weird shape shifter guy. Really cute.

Hotohori- Smoking. I think Lee feels that way too. Of course, she always tends to favor cute men. Now, if it was me...

Menesku- Cool. I mean cool.

Chulivey- I think she is suffering from a Romeo and Juliet syndrome. Now I think that it goes like this:

Suraco O Suraco, Wherefore art thou Suraco,

Deny thy country, deny thy name …

Does it really go like that? I have to brush up on my Shakespeare.

Liang - I totally like bad boys... Sigh...

Keeah- Confusing. I suppose that she is Nakago's equivalent in my story.

Note to self: When the hell did I start referring to this mess as my story?

Anyway, I just can't figure her out.

Note to self :Why does the head honcho of Kutou always be confusing ?

Note to self : How the hell does she manage to keep her skin so smooth especially with the way she goes trotting all over the country.

Note to self : Eww. I hope she doesn't say something like, I bathe in goat's milk.

Sotisku- The cute one. Sigh...I like the cute ones too... I am becoming perverted.

Note to self : If I am going to be the Seiryuu no miko then I refuse to pine and get all jealous over my best friend's boyfriend. If I am gonna be in that world then I demand to have a hot boyfriend. One that will not use me.

Note to self :Get tea . You are beginning to sound deranged.

Suraco- Hot. Sizzling hot.

Note to self : Stay away from handsome golden haired men. Remember what grandma said. Gold hair multiplied by devilish smirk is always equal to trouble.

Note to self : Too Bad.

Note to self :You are spending too much time on the people of Kutou.

Note to self : Naturally, they are the ones I'll have to handle.

Conclusion: I should have ditched Lee ages ago .

Deduction: I can't do that. She is my best freind.

Remarks : I am as big an idiot as her.

Sighing she picked up the pencil and began to jot down her thoughts.

I have closed the book for a while. I am sure Lee would not mind, with two fine lusty young men like Hotohori and Faraco wooing her.

Note to self : This is so not fair .

She frowned and turned to writing again.

But then again, nothing is fair. One cannot have too much ice- cream or chocolate. Too many calories.

That is so unfair.

I am deviating from my topic.

Lets see.

The first miko was the Genbu no Miko. What was her name again ? Ah yes, Takkio...I think.

Second was the Byako no Miko. Drat. I can't remember her name. Must ask grandma.

Note to self : Ask discreetly. We cannot let them know what kind of a hole we have dug ourselves into.

Note to self : Perhaps we should ask for their guidance.

Note to self: Scratch that. No need to make them worry.

Moving on.

Next was:

The Suzaku no Miko : Miaka.

The Seiryuu no Miko :Yui

Both of them entered the realm of the four Gods at the same time. Now that is strange. I don't remember two miko co-existing at the same time before that. Or did I miss that part ?

Note to self : Next time pay attention.

Here is a theory. There were two mikos because both my grandma and grandaunt Miaka opened the book at the same time.

How does the book function anyway ?

Why did Miaka become the Suzaku no miko ?

How exactly is the miko chosen ? Why them ? Why us ?

Is this like a lottery ?

Or a pure probalistic problem ?

Okay, they had to return to that world once or twice, my grandma once had become the Priestess of Genbu. But ultimately, the world reset itself.

Now if a new circle has indeed begun, then shouldn't the same pattern be followed ?

Shouldn't Lee be the Genbu no Miko ?

Then again, if the circle is going backwards, then Lee should be the Seiryuu no Miko, since Seiryuu was the last in the line.

But then again, Seiryuu is sealed. So, I suppose the previous pattern cannot be applied in this case.

Note to self : This is so confusing .

There was a sharp rap on the door. Startled Yang dropped her pencil and looked up.

"Yang ?"

Yang got up and opened the door. "Hello mom." She stifled a yawn, running a hand through her messy hair.

Her mother frowned. "You look like a mess Yang. Was your day okay ?"

Yang suppressed a desire to snort. ' My day was a blast mom .'

Luckily she was saved from answering by the insistent ring that came from the pocket of the smart suit she wore. "Excuse me for a while dear." She smiled apologetically at Yang.

Yang shrugged and went to sit by her desk, slipping her notebook inside her worn blue backpack.

Her mother fished out the sleek mobile from the depths of her pocket . "Hello, this is Keiko Watson speaking." Her voice had dropped into the sweet polite voice she usually used to converse over the phone. "Oh Jonathan ... How are you ?"

Yang suppressed another yawn, her mother's voice appearing like a drone to her tired ears. She picked up the pencil and began to doodle on one of the spare papers that littered her desk.

"Yang your room is a mess."

She jerked up. Apparently her mother had finished talking. "I know mom." She admitted. It would seem that her caffeine-induced energy was running out. "I will clean it ."

Keiko frowned. "You look tired Yang. Don't push yourself too hard. "

"Schools tough mom." Yang lied valiantly. "I supposed I overworked myself. A nice sound sleep will refresh me."

"Yes. Nothing as refreshing as nice relaxing sleep. Will you come down for dinner ?"

"Could I please have my food here mom. I am really tired."

"Very well ."Keiko smiled. "I will send a tray up. " She bends down to kiss her forehead. "Goodnight Yang."

Yang smiled, feeling terribly guilty for lying to her mother. But then again she did not think that her mother would believe her if she told her that Lee was sucked in inside a book and she expected to be dragged in soon.

"Goodnight mom ."

Yang watched her mother close the door behind her. She picked up the pencil again.

Here is an really important question. Why does it have to be a priestess ? Why aren't boys ever pulled in ?

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

When the door closed behind Menesku an uncomfortable silence fell on the remaining people in the room. Then Shizimi spoke.

"I suddenly realized that I have agreed to take you to Fa Sang, but, I do not even know your name."

He addressed Hotohori.

"You had only to ask."

"Well what is it ?"

Hotohori contemplated for a while if he should tell Shizimi his real name. Then he spoke. "Hotohori."

"I am surprised that you told me your real name. "

"Was there any reason to do otherwise ?"

"I don't know." Shizimi shrugged. "I am just surprised that you decided to trust me so easily. "

"Trust has little to do with it Shizimi. I just find the truth much easy to deal with. "

Shizimi's eyes darkened with some unknown emotion. "Sometimes, it is the hardest to deal with. " His face was grim. "I do not think that I will ever trust again."

"Well, that's yer problem." Liang cut in dryly. "Now cheer up. Yer depression is affecting us all. Now since ya and me are gonna be buddies why don't ya tell us how ya ended up in this godforsaken place?"

"We are not going to be buddies." Shizimi said icily. "I have spend the last month as slave in Nobu. I have whiled away hours in a desperate struggle to reach my goal... To be free... I shall lead you to Fa Sang only because it will help my cause. Nothing more. Nothing less."

"Spare me the melodrama Shizimi. Sung is dead. You are free now." Hotohori said quietly.

"Free ?" Shizimi lowered his head, his loose bangs fell over his eyes shielding them, and a very cynical smile played on his lips. "I am not free. "

Hotohori was startled. But before he could press the point the door opened and Lee rushed in. "Hotohori." She walked to him with a big smile on her face. Then her nose scrunched up. "Eww." She looked around the room, littered as it was with food. "Who had a food fight in here ?"

"Faraco alone is responsible for this carnage." Menesku said quietly, his eyes swept over the room resting for a while on Shizimi before returning to Lee.

"Hey !" Faraco protested angrily.

Hotohori's eyes however rested on Chulivey. "Chulivey ?"

Chulivey smiled a little. She realized that she must have looked like a mess and that she was limping a little. "We ran into a spot of bother my Lord."

"It was horrible Hotohori ..."Lee began. Chulivey limped forward and put a hand on her shoulders to silence her.

"Lady Lee , perhaps we should discuss that later. "

Hotohori's looked at Menesku his eyebrows raised in a silent question. For a while a silent conversation flowed between them and then Hotohori once again turned to Chulivey.

" Chulivey, Lady Lee, this is Shizimi." He waved a hand in Shizimi's direction. "He will take us to Fa Sang."

"You will ?" Lee bestowed one of her most brilliant smiles on him. "Oh thank you Sir."

Shizimi looked extremely uncomfortable." Yeah ... all right." He grumbled. There was slight color on his cheeks as he self-consciously moved aside an offered a seat to Lee. "Here. Sit. "

"Thank you ." Lee said kindly. For a while her cheeks puffed up in a desperate attempt to contain her mirth and then she burst out into a fit of uncontrolled giggles.

Shizimi looked mortified. "What ?" His tone was defensive and sullen.

"Sorry." Lee wiped her eyes. "Look."

Everybody turned at Shizimi to see a vicious fluid slowly seeping down the side of his head and down his violet locks. It would seem that a large dollop of curry had deposited itself right in the center of his head. Lee's laughter was infectious as the rest of the room broke out into a fit of laughter.

Shizimi reddened. "It is his fault." He glared at Faraco.

"It would seem so." Menesku's calm gaze was fixed on his face. Unlike the rest he had not joined in the laughter. Moving ahead he handed Shizimi a clean piece of cloth. "Here. Clean yourself."

Grumbling Shizimi accepted the cloth and began to clean him. Lee stopped laughing and smiled sheepishly at him.

"I hope you are not angry Shizimi. I did not mean to insult you or mock you in any way. "

"It's all right. "Shizimi said with extreme nobility, then his face broke into a soft smile and his eyes looked wistful and lost in thought. "It's just that it has so long since I heard anybody laugh so freely." He gave a small wistful laugh. "I had almost forgotten the sound of laughter. "

"Oh. I am sorry."

"Don't be." Shizimi's piercing eyes rested on her face. "Unless you loose something really important to you, you never realize how important it really is. "

A tense silence descended on them when Shizimi stopped. Then Hotohori spoke .

" Cheer up Shizimi. You will see your family soon enough."

Shizimi's lips curved into a strangely bitter smile. "Will I ?"

Once again Hotohori was startled and unsettled by the unreadable emotions that played in his eyes, but he did not have any time to dwell on that because a sharp rap on the door distracted him. The door opened and Izuke stepped inside.

"Gentlemen." His eyes rested on Shizimi. "Shizimi ?" His voice was surprised.

"Izuke." Hotohori spoke up in the coldly formal tone that he employed towards the mercenary. "We have reached our decision. You will supply us with a ship. Shizimi will choose the ship in our stead. "

"You will ?" Izuke looked at Shizimi.

"I wanted to go home Izuke. " Shizimi said quietly. "An opportunity presented itself. I merely seized it. "

"I see." Izuke smiled. "Well then my Lord. My ships and crew are at your disposal for a price. "

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

The greenish light played on the crystalline structure in the underground cavern of Tur. The shadowy shapes lurked around the ice coffin mewling and scratching at the unyielding structure. Suddenly a hush descended on the shadows and they scampered off into the darkness. The shadowy shape of a man stepped in front of the crystal structure.

"Pathetic." His voice was bored.

He lifted the sword he carried letting the light shine dully on its large flat blade and brought it down with a resounding crash. The cavern shook and the ice cracked sending large splinters of ice in all directions. The still figure that was inside the structure fell out gasping for breath.

"Hello Sairi."

Yellow eyes looked up at the man, the light shone on the sharp canines. "You."

The man laughed. "Why must I always clean up the mess you make ? "

Sairi hissed and jumped at the shadow. The shadow merely sidestepped the lightning fast attack and kicked her away like she was a stray dog. She crouched away from him licking her wounds.

"Do not be so sure that you will do any better." Her voice was vicious.

His aura flared briefly and she crouched further away from him, fear shining through in her yellow orbs.

"Let me see." His voice was slightly mocking. "The only reason you lived through this was you ability to lower to your body functions to almost an non-existent level. This enabled you to survive the harsh conditions inside the coffin. Pathetic really. To be tricked so easily by somebody with such a non existent power level."

"But she tasted so sweet." Sairi's voice was whining. "So sweet and soft. Her skin cut so easily and the blood that flowed was like ambrosia."

"Interesting. She read you like an open book. "

" She is my prey."

"Correction. She was your prey. Now I will try my luck." The man said dryly.

"No." Sairi stood straight, suddenly angry. "It is only me that has the right to kill her. I alone have the right to feed on the warm blood that will spurt from her heart when I tear it from her bosom."

"Do not delude yourself Sairi. Why don't you go and find some rodent to feed on like a good little feline and guard Tur as you were originally supposed to do."

Sairi gave a angry shout and launched herself at the man. He gave a bored yawn and parried her attacks with a kind of bored disinterest.

"Sairi, you bore me."

His leg viciously collided with Sairi's stomach sending her flying into the columns. Sairi stumbled up in the midst of the rubble blood running from the cut on her temple. She ran her hands over the cut staining her fingers with the warm fluid. She brought down her fingers and ran a small pink tongue over the long digits.

"It has been so long that I had almost forgotten how forceful you were." She purred sensuously, fear and lust battlingfor dominance in her eyes. She stretched herself languorously. "Did I tell you that you turn me on ?"

"I am flattered." His tone was mocking. "However, that is not why I am here. "

"No ? But I am a demon in the sack. Literally."

"That's nice. Now do not forget your job. You are to guard Tur and its secrets. Do not fail again, because abhor the task of being a messenger. "He turned to go.

"You are leaving." Sairi whined. "Will you visit me sometimes. We could have a lot of fun."

"Pray that you never see me again, because the next time I see you I will cut your head off. I have little use of such worthless people." He was gone.

Sairi watched him go. Absently she twirled a lock between her fingers, her yellow eyes were speculative. "He says he will behead me. I wonder will I be able to hear the gurgle of blood that spurts from my neck when he chops it off ? That would be nice. "

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Keep Reading !

Please Review !