Nemesis: Forgotten Anathema

by Cheetara

[Complete] Some doors should never be opened. Some secrets should remain as they are, buried in the dark soil of the past. But the past always holds the key to the future and the children must bear the consequences of the sin of their forefathers.

51. Chapter 40

Standard Disclaimers Apply.

Chapter 39:

Hotohori walked down the silent hallway, mouth pursed into a thin angry line. Golden sunlight flooded the passageway through the long narrow windows, which bordered it on either side. The northern wind flirted through the halls, laying a carelessly caressing icy finger on his heated cheeks. Hotohori paused, absentmindedly staring out of the window. His nostrils flared and the White Plains seemed to turn red in front of his eyes.

'Damn it.' He growled, his fingers curling into a fist.

He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath to calm himself. It did not help at all. Neither the ache in his heart decide to subside, nor did the overwhelming desire to beat the living daylights out of somebody... anybody. Strangely, that anybody had golden hair and melting brown eyes.

Hotohori massaged his forehead, trying to force that idea out of his head. Faraco was a Suzaku seishi, his fellow warrior, comrade in arms and a host of other things, which made him pretty much immune to Hotohori's more violent tendencies. Besides, there was no point in beating up somebody just because they happened to like the one girl he adored.

Strangely, that logic brought him little comfort. Actually, it brought him none.

'Maybe, I need to meditate.' Hotohori frowned. 'That should give me some perspective.'

"Good Morning my Lord."

Hotohori let out an almost audible groan. 'Suzaku, please, let it be anybody but her!'

Hotohori turned around, plastering a huge fake smile on his face. "Good Morning my Lady Keeah." He would have executed a prim bow if he did not feel so sore. So, he settled for a slight inclination of his head.

Keeah's lips curved up into a small smile. "I think this is going to be a great day." The gleam in the depths of those fathomless eyes made him distinctly uncomfortable. "Don't you?"

Hotohori felt a stab of annoyance. 'Of course its a glorious morning. It's just that I am in no mood to tolerate anything so ... shiny in my present state of mind.' He favored her with another smile, which did not touch his eyes. "I do, my Lady."

Keeah chuckled; there was a sardonic gleam in her eyes. "I am sure you do."

The urge to clobber something returned with a vengeance. His eyes narrowed, it was with an effort that he kept his voice even. "So, where are you headed my Lady?"

Keeah moved to stand across him, the rays of the sun casting golden highlights on her hair. "To get some food naturally." She favored him with another of those searching looks, which he had come to loathe. "Why don't you join me?"

Hotohori gritted his teeth. "I must humbly decline your offer. I do not feel very hungry right now."

Almost as if in response to his words his stomach growled loudly to present a very embarrassing paradox.

The gleam of sardonic amusement in Keeah's eye deepened. "Your stomach would not agree with you my Lord."

There was a tinge of pink on Hotohori's cheeks. "I don't feel like eating right now." The mask of politeness was cracking. "So if you excuse me."

He turned to go; painfully aware that his limping gait was only a pale shadow of the graceful exit he wanted to deliver. A soft chuckle froze him midway.

"You know who you remind me of right now?" Keeah's voice was mocking. "You remind me of a silly boy whose candy just got stolen."

Hotohori's felt the world turn red in front of his eyes. With a snarl he whirled around. "You know nothing about me witch."

"No?" There was an unreadable expression in Keeah's eye, the slow smile on her lips was calculated to make him uneasy. "But Hotohori, you are so transparent!"

"Transparent?" He repeated between gritted teeth, fingers closing over the staff he was using to support himself, all his anger focused on the being in front of him.

"You, Faraco and your Miko." His tormentor was in the process of examining her nails. "You three are the only source of amusement around here."

"Amusement?" Hotohori feverently hoped that his staff would somehow magically transform into Keeah's neck.

"The eternal triangle between the Emperor, the Miko and the seishi ... How touching."

With a superhuman effort Hotohori controlled himself. "I am glad that I could be of some use to you Princess." He was at his most charming, though his voice was heavily laced with sarcasm.

Keeah raised an eyebrow. "You could be of more use to me if you join me for breakfast."

"Very well." Hotohori smiled. 'Since you have foist your presence on me I'll just have to grin and bear it.'

"I am honored."

"No, no Princess." Hotohori's lips curved into a sardonic smile, his voice taking on the husky drawl which he employed on formal occasions and when he needed to impress somebody, especially a lady. "You honor your most devoted slave with your hallowed presence." There was only the barest tinge of mockery in his voice.

Keeah's eyes widened a little, fathomless depths fixed on his face. Again he felt that stirring inside him, that coiling unease in his stomach.

"My most devoted slave?" She moved to stand in front of him, the dark pools trapping his piercing gaze in their bottomless depths, her lips curved into that same mocking smile she had bestowed on him in Nobu. "Demon, are you so easily tamed?"

Her last words were nothing but a whisper, drowned by the passing wind, but Hotohori felt them flick like a whiplash across his back. Again he felt that stirring inside him, almost as if something was clawing up his being, desperate to answer her challenge. He was not aware that his fists had curled around Keeah's upper arm in a crushing grip.

"If I am tamed witch, it shall not be by you."

The enigmatic gleam on Keeah's face faded, haughty indifference taking its place. "Don't flatter yourself fool." Her voice was glacial. "I would loath to waste my time on a man who makes his weakness so painfully evident."

Hotohori could not quite identify what he felt. But anger stood out in the midst of his jumbled up emotions. "Curse your riddles witch." He spat.

"Riddles? If you were not so wrapped up with your Miko you would understand exactly what I was talking about. It would seem that love has robbed you of your brain."

"Heartless witch. What do you know of love?"

"Nothing!" Keeah's voice was sharp. "Seiryuu..." She detached herself from his grip. "Hotohori." Her voice was dreadfully calm. "When we were fighting with Shizimi, you managed to nick him."

"I ... I injured Shizimi?" Hotohori blinked, anger suddenly taking a backseat.

"You didn't injure him. You just cut him ... a little." Keeah stared at him. "You don't remember?"

Hotohori squeezed his eye shut. "No." His voice was exparated.

"Hmm. I thought as much."

"Would you care to explain yourself?"

"I would have if you joined me for breakfast." Keeah shrugged. "But you need to clear your mind first. Demon, you seriously need to look beyond your Miko."

She was gone.

Hotohori stared at the retreating figure, a little flabbergasted. 'Look beyond your Miko ... and what does that mean?'

"My Lord."

Startled Hotohori turned around. "Chulivey." There was some heat in his greeting. 'What is this? Annoy-Hotohori-because- he -wants-to-be-left alone day?'

"I brought you something to eat." She smiled at him, showing the laden tray she carried in her hands.

"Thank you." He put out a hand to take the bowl but Chulivey turned away from him. "But why don't we find a place to sit?"

Hotohori sighed. Obviously it was too much to desire to be left alone. "Very well." He sighed, resigning himself to his fate.

He followed Chulivey down the corridor into an open balcony, suspended over the inner courtyard. There was a small shade in the middle of the balcony, the stone benches under it still somewhat intact. Chulivey deposited the tray on one of the benches before taking her place on the other side. Hotohori followed her suit, his hatred for the so-called glorious morning increasing in leaps and bounds.

Chulivey handed him a bowl and for a while they sat in companionable silence savoring the aromatic delight.

Hotohori smiled. 'This isn't so bad.'

"My Lord, there is something you should know."

'Well, all good things must come to an end.'

"I ... sort of overheard your conversation with Lady Keeah."

Hotohori stiffened. "You did?"

Chulivey frowned a little, setting down the bowl. "I was just around the corner ... I didn't want to intrude." She snuck a look at him. "Sorry."

"It would be much better if you had Chulivey." Hotohori said tersely. "It would have..."

"She is right you know."

"What?"

"She is right." Chulivey repeated patiently. "We do not look beyond our Miko."

"Suzaku." Hotohori groaned. "I tire of riddles Chulivey. But if this has anything to do with Lee..."

"Of course it has nothing to do with Lee." Chulivey smiled. "I mean, why would Lady Keeah give a damn about who you woo."

"Exactly." Hotohori paused, eyes narrowing. "Wait, is it that evident?"

"To the observant eye, yes."

"And people find this situation amusing?"

Chulivey wisely chose to ignore the challenging look directed at her, choosing instead to direct her energy towards scooping a second helping into her bowl.

"What I meant is..." She said, diligently observing her handiwork. "We are obsessed with the Miko."

"I am not obsessed with Lee." Hotohori retorted, stung.

"Not Lee." Chulivey snapped impatiently. "The Miko. We are obsessed with the lore of the Miko."

For a while Hotohori was silent. "That we are." He said at last. The frustrated look on his face was slowly replaced by a small smirk. "And you know what. So is she!"

'She? Oh, I think he means Lady Keeah.' Chulivey's eyes narrowed. "Yes, she is. But she does not look at the Miko the same way we do. She thinks of the Miko as a weapon, a potentially dangerous one, something that will give her edge in battle." Chulivey frowned. "If she finds another weapon which she thinks is stronger than the Miko, she will not even glance twice in that direction."

Silence descended. Finally Hotohori spoke.

"You know Chulivey, Keeah is a lot of things." There was a cynical smile on his lips. "But, she is not stupid. Of course she thinks of the Miko as a weapon but she is not fool enough to be dependant upon a weapon she cannot control. After all, isn't that the same mistake Nakago made?" His eyes hardened. "She released Seiryuu for the seishis, not for the Miko."

"I..."

"Menesku said that the Black Warrior tires after he uses a powerful spell. But if he had Seiryuu's power to back him up..." Hotohori chuckled. "Skill she already commands, power she wants to back it up."

For a while Chulivey was silent as she digested Hotohori's words. "But there was no grantee that Seiryuu would bestow his power on the Black Warrior or any body she knows. It could be a civilian, somebody... anybody."

"Naturally." Hotohori leaned back. "But it was a gamble worth betting on."

"Yes ... it was."

For a while they sat in silence, absorbed in their thoughts before Chulivey stirred. With a soft sigh she put down her empty bowl on the tray, eyes fixed at a distance, an unusually grave expression on her face. It was almost as if she was trying to make up her mind about something but with little success. She pursed her lips into a thin line, forcing herself to come to a decision. Untying the small pouch that was attached to her waistband she brought out a yellowing parchment, holding it out to Hotohori.

"What's this?" Hotohori took the parchment from her hands.

Chulivey looked away. "It is the real reason why I was looking for you this morning."

Hotohori suspected that she held back something. "Indeed."

"Go on. Read it." Chulivey got up. "I ... We will talk about it later."

Picking up the soiled tray, she prepared to leave.

"What is so important about this Chulivey?"

Chulivey stopped midway, a colorless smile on her lips. "That is an answer I am searching for as well my Lord."

OoOoOoO

Sairi yawned, stretching herself languorously. Translucent green eyes surveyed the shadowed ruins. The crumbling structures stood as they had centuries, bathed in the strange twilight and silent as a graveyard.

'Nothing new.'

With a smooth fluid jump she alighted on the ground. The shadows around her seemed to come alive, slowly crowding around her. She lifted a hand carelessly caressing a shadowed head.

"It is getting dreadfully boring in here, is it not?"

The shadows mewled, almost as if in agreement to her. Sairi laughed.

"Ah yes, I know. You are hot for the taste of blood are you not?"

She licked her lips, looking at the path that sloped upwards leading to the surface. The cold winds of the Northern Plains would greet her, ripping at her face with their icy talons. And they would bring the scent of her prey. Sairi's eyes narrowed, her breath coming short and fast. She could almost taste the fear and the feel the warm blood that flowed sluggishly from a still beating heart.

"We should go to the surface my pets. I tire of this inactivity. My claws itch for a hunt."

"You would be better served if you obeyed Him instead."

The shadows around her bristled, teeth bared as a low threatening growl emerged from deep within their throat.

"Hime." Sairi growled, facing the source of that ice-cold voice. "I have a good mind to let my pets greet you."

A silvery laugh washed over the cavern. A figure glided out of the darkness of the ruins, letting the light shine on her pale golden hair.

"Hmm. I had thought you might." She raised a hand, the pale skin almost translucent against the deep crimson robe she wore, icy blue ki swirling around her exquisitely painted talons. "After all you were always so predictable."

Sairi hissed. "Is that so?" Her voice was mocking.

The ki swirling around Hime's palm slowly froze into a long ice whip, her fingers closing around it. She flicked it cutting through the air with a satisfactory swish.

"Definitely." Painted lips parted in a mirthless smile. "I come bearing an important missive. It would be in your best interests if you listened."

Sairi's eyes narrowed. She raised a hand; the shadows retreated melting back into the darkness of the ruins.

"Speak."

"Is it true that you had guests Sairi?"

Sairi growled.

"So, it is true. You were defeated by children."

"I was..."

"Tricked? Distracted? The Sairi I knew would not be so easily distracted."

"But her blood was so sweet." Sairi argued. "Do you know how long I have not hunted?" She ran a pink tongue over her lips, eyes narrowing with bloodlust. "The smell of her fear made me drunk."

"Disgusting." There was a barely contained contempt in Hime's pale blue eyes. "I had not thought that you could be so easily swayed from your purpose."

Sairi stalked forward, circling Hime slowly like the predator she was. "Do you how long I have not hunted?" She paused, green eyes resting on the pale flesh of Hime's swan-like neck. "How long I have waited to hear the slow thump of a beating heart as life slowly drains out from it?" Her face was dangerously close to Hime's. "Do you know how long I have waited to smell the intoxicating scent of death once more?"

"Hmm. My heart bleeds for you."

"Does it?" Sairi sounded hopeful. She lifted her nose, sniffing delicately. "I wouldn't know. You still smell the same. Cold."

"You flatter me Sairi. However, I did not come here to make such inconsequential conversation." Hime sounded bored. "You know how He feels about failure."

Sairi's eyes narrowed, a tinge of fear in their translucent depths. "Have you come to deliver the sentence then?"

"Do not be foolish Sairi. You have served him long and faithfully. Sometimes, He is also merciful. And fortunately for you, He has decided to give you another chance."

Sairi cocked her head to a side. "Indeed?"

"There is a simple task that needs to be executed and you shall be the one to do it."

"A task." Sairi repeated slowly. "What is it?"

"Patience Sairi." Hime moved away from her. "Come."

Sairi nodded, following her through the silent city. Her shadows followed them; leaping over the roof tops, green eyes intent on their movement. They moved out of the city to stand beside the still waters of the lake. Hime stepped into the water, the green fluid lapping gently around her ankles. She held out her hands, mouth moving in a silent incantation. The waters began to swirl, rising up in a mist that slowly solidifying into a familiar shape.

"I suppose you know this is?"

With a small snarl Sairi launched herself at the watery figure, her claws slashing through its shape before landing with a soft splash in the water.

"Its her. The human female."

"The one who defeated you?"

Sairi snarled.

Hime smirked. "I'll take that as an yes."

Sairi straightened, eyes narrowing. "The female is still alive? But didn't Ryutoshiki..."

"No."

"He failed." Sairi gave a small crow of laughter. "Hah!" She looked at Hime. "Don't you find it strange that the Master never questions his actions?"

"Ryutoshiki is and always was..."

"Above the law." Sairi purred. "I know. He is still the way I remembered him, fire and ice. If only he knew how eager I was to be burnt."

One delicately arched eyebrow rose mockingly. "Control yourself Sairi and pay attention." Hime turned her attention to the waters once more. The swirling waters rose once more, molding themselves into the broken columns of a crumbling ruin. "I trust you know this place."

Sairi moved ahead. "It used to look different."

"I suppose it did." Hime agreed. "But then, the world has changed much. These days this place is called the Old City."

"I see."

"When you reach the surface you will find yourself in a country called Hokkan."

"A human country?" Sairi's eyes shone.

"Keep strict control on your bloodlust and your creatures in their leashes."

Sairi moved away, gracefully leaping on a broken column. "Spoil sport. Can't have one little village?" She whined. "Please?"

"No." Hime said sharply. "Under no circumstances are you to draw attention to yourself. His instructions are very specific. Your prey is in the Old City."

"Oh." Sairi leapt in front of her. "The human female?"

"There are others with her. They should not be a problem to you." The blue eyes rested on Sairi's face. "Take care that you leave no survivors."

"I won't." Sairi grinned. "Come my pets." She called to her shadows. "We are going on a hunt."

"For your sake Sairi I hope that this time you will not fail."

"I will not fail." Sairi turned to go.

"Oh Sairi." Hime lifted her hand flicking off an infinitesimal speck of dust from her robe. "There is something you should know. Rashim guards the portals of the Old City."

"Rashim?" Sairi chuckled. "Oh he shall not be a problem."

She was gone.

OoOoOoOoOoO

Chulivey stopped midway, a colorless smile on her lips. "That is an answer I am searching for as well my Lord."

Hotohori's eyes narrowed. 'Another riddle?'

He looked up. Chulivey was gone.

Frowning, Hotohori opened the parchment. 'What the hell was Chulivey being so mysterious about?'

He was not familiar with the handwriting, the parchment was crinkled and frayed at the ends, and the brushstrokes could not be described as elegant. It conveyed the necessary information but the failed to capture the penmanship, which gave a different grace to any work. With a small sigh he began to read.

It was just as my Lord Shinwa had predicted.

Hotohori froze, eyes widening. 'Shinwa? But...'

He bit his lips, forcing himself to concentrate on the parchment.

It was as my Lord Shinwa had predicted. The sweet taste of success, which had whetted His appetite for the last five years, had spoiled Him for the bitter taste of failure. His victories over two of the most powerful nations in the world had been ridiculously easy and after the battle of Waadi-e-Dozak, very few dared oppose Him. He was like a plague, spreading like a poisonous miasma over the Western and Middle Kingdoms. Countries surrendered without a fight when He appeared at their portals, sending their strongest men and their beauteous maidens to appease him. He was like a God, the providence of Nations putty in His hands, like them He believed that He was invincible. Yet, all it took was a small peace-loving country and their hard headed Monarch to rip apart that cloak of invincibility He had wrapped around Himself and lay His mortality naked before the world.

Burzahom had fallen, slain by the golden dragger of treachery but the damage was already done. In their last, desperate stand the Forgers had put up a ferocious struggle, taking an apparently easy win to a battle of almost apocalyptic proportions. He had underestimated the Forgers and He paid dearly for it. Even with the Nameless One by His side, his army was near defeated. It was a hard won victory and the losses he suffered were tremendous. He had lost many of his finest warriors, many of those well-disciplined Elite who made his army so formidable.

There was also something else. Our sources said He had faced the Forger Queen in a duel to the death. In all possibility he had wanted to make an example of her. Lets just say that she was not quite ready to comply with his plans. That battle left him with grave injuries. When we intercepted a small contingent of soldiers carrying a supply of important and rare medicinal herbs to the camps in Burzahom we knew that the news was true.

He was weak. His army was only a shadow of its original strength. It would take months for the reserve troops to reach the shores of Burzahom from the Western Camps. The time to strike was now.

Before Burzahom there had been flickers of rebellion all over the territory He had conquered. I myself was a part of the resistance. But ours was a resistance in name only. Any rebellion was crushed ruthlessly and I know only too well the consequences of opposing Him. My people will wear the scars of his wrath for all eternity. Still, we could not allow Him to take away what we held so dear to us, our freedom. Yet one could say that the defiant spirit of Burzahom instilled new hope in our hearts. We began to regroup again, hoping to reach Burzahom and fight one last time to regain that what was truly ours.

At that time a small faction of Northern warriors joined us, led by my Lord Shinwa. They had left the misty Northern lands to aid us in our battle. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. My Lord Rustam handed over the leadership to my Lord Shinwa and together we had decided to aid the Forgers. But I curse the Gods who did not allow us to reach there in time. I also curse that vile being who the Nameless One had sent to intercept us. Though we defeated that vile creature and his henchmen, they had succeeded in achieving what they set out to do.

We were irrevocably delayed.

One could say that the fall of Burzahom came as a blow to us as well.

A few days later we suffered from another blow. Tur had fallen. He now had access to the wild expanses of the Eastern Lands.

Hotohori paused, looking up. His brow crinkled. 'Tur?' He frowned. 'I have heard that name somewhere.'

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, sifting through his memory. One particular conversation he had with Sotisku a few days earlier returned to his mind.

"No." Sotisku's answer was quiet. "Everything is not all right."

Hotohori paled. "Menesku..."

"Is getting worse." Sotisku continued bluntly, with remarkable absence of tact. "And Suraco is only marginally better. With the resources that I have at present, there is only so much I can do."

"You are running out of medicine?" Keeah bit her lips.

"Princess, I am running out of medicine and time. Menesku and Suraco need that sort of attention, which cannot be provided on this ship. I do not have the resources to carry out the proper healing techniques, which they require. We need to dock somewhere, peaceful, mind you and..."

"We cannot return to Tur." Keeah said firmly.

"Tur?" Hotohori questioned. "Where is that?"

"Long story." Keeah frowned. "We are in no position to fight Sairi again."

"Or anybody else." Sotisku reminded her.

"Or anybody else." Keeah agreed.

Hotohori frowned, turning the conversation over and over in his mind. The thousands of questions, which had been clouding his mind for the last few days, crowded his reasoning. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath to clear his mind.

He had once told Menesku that he expected to find Keeah in Fa Sang. He believed that like him she was obsessed. She was obsessed with releasing Seiryuu and he was obsessed with stopping her. Yes, he had no doubt that she would reach Fa Sang. What he wondered now was how she managed to achieve this.

'Taasha is a good sailor. But he took an awfully long time to negotiate us through the foggy expanse of the Ku Youg Sea. ' Hotohori leaned back. 'And he kept consulting...' He sat up straight, eyes widening. 'That's it. He was using a map!'

The web in his head began to clear, a soft light shone on the cow webs that crowded in his mind making their pattern clearer to him.

'Suzaku! I have been blind!' He groaned audibly, buring his head in his hands. 'If it was indeed the first time Shizimi stepped out of Fa Sang, as he claimed, then ... he would not know the way back. After all, Fa Sang had been isolated from the rest of the world for centuries! And even if he did, he would be doubtful about the path he took because technically that would be the first time he was negotiating that path.'

Hotohori rubbed the bridge of his nose, a troubled expression in his eyes, the days he had spend traveling to Fa Sang floating in front of his eyes, the little things that had missed before now glaringly apparent to him.

'Shizimi was so precise. He maneuvered the way almost as if he could negotiate the entire path blindfolded.' He could a bitter taste fill his mouth. 'The signs were all there but I was too preoccupied to notice.'

He chewed his lips. 'Shizimi must have known what Fa Sang was really like. It's clear to me now. He was placed in Nobu for the specific purpose of luring us to Nobu.' He felt the blood rush to his ears and a slow familiar flicker of anger in his heart when he remembered his long and futile struggle against Shizimi. 'He made me appear like a monkey with a stick; against him my skill was non-existent. He could just as easily disposed of us in Nobu. Why go through that entire farce? But more importantly why did he try to kill us? Was it for money?'

He frowned, leaning back more confused than ever. His ears began to heat up when he remembered the slow curving mocking smile, which anointed Shizimi's lips, the unreadable eyes, the taunts ... it did not take long for the embers of his rage to burst into a raging fire. Yet one thing stood ridiculously upright in the burning fields of his mind. He could not convince himself that Shizimi was in it for the money.

'It wasn't the money?' He reiterated firmly.

"So 'ere's where ye are hiding?"

Startled Hotohori looked up. "Liang?"

Liang sauntered up, amber eyes gleaming with amusement. "Did I startle ya?"

"Yes, I..."

"It ain't a good sign when ye are talking to yerself, ya know."

"I was..."

Liang did a perfect imitation of his voice. "It wasn't the money!" He repeated.

Hotohori felt blood rush his cheeks. He hadn't realized that he had spoken those words out aloud. "I didn't..."

"Yeah, well, me thinks that ya need to brood less."

"I was not brooding."

"No?" The gleam in Liang's eyes deepened, before resting on the open parchment in his hand. "What are ya reading?"

Hotohori frowned, searching for the right words. 'A scroll, which Chulivey was being all mysterious about.'

"A story." He said instead.

"Cool. Meself likes a good story."

"I haven't finished it yet. I ... got sidetracked."

"Sidetracked?" Liang grinned. "So ya were brooding."

"Well I..." Hotohori paused. "Yes, I was."

"So what on yer mind?"

"Its really ... Liang, so you think that we are obsessed with the miko?"

"I ain't obsessed with no woman!" Liang looked affronted. "Them women, nothing but trouble."

"I agree." Hotohori chuckled. "Thing is, I did not mean the Miko. I meant the lore of the Miko."

"Of course we are." Liang shrugged. "But then, who ain't. It's like a shortcut to happiness. Every goddamn person wants a shortcut."

"Is that what you think?"

"Don't ya?"

Hotohori was silent for a while. "You know Liang, you are right." He said at last. "But it makes me feel so ... selfish."

"Did ya want to become a God?"

"NO!"

"Did ya become immortal or some such shit?"

"Liang..."

"Ya just wanted to wish something for peace and prosperity in Konon, didn't ya?"

"Well ... yes."

"Ye're allowed that kind of selfishness ya know." Liang paused. "Though, I kinda wonder whether it's that easy to just wish for peace."

Hotohori stared at Liang. "Liang..." His voice was awed.

Liang flushed. "Whatever. All this philosophy stuff is giving meself a headache." He held out a hand. "Come 'on. What ya need is food. Me and Taasha caught some fish today and we're gonna roast it over an open spit and serve it hot. Bang up, Mount Leikaku style!"

Hotohori's lips twitched. "You are going to cook Liang?"

"Ya don't think I could?"

"No, no Liang." Hotohori held up his hand placatory manner. "I do not doubt your skill."

"Ya better not!" Liang warned. "Come on. I ain't so bad a cook."

Hotohori got up, rolling the parchment and placing it carefully inside his robes. "Lets go." He limped forward. "Did you invite the others as well?"

"Its only fair meself does. I mean Taasha caught the fish after all." Liang peered at Hotohori. "Do ya mind?"

"No, no." Even to his own ears his denial sounded rather hasty.

Liang peered at Hotohori once more but he wisely chose not to press the point.

"Oh well, let's go then."

"Very well." Hotohori agreed.

OoOoOoOoO

Keeah paused outside the door, softly knocking once before pushing the door open and entering the room. She found Sotisku at his usual seat by the window pouring over various parchments. At the sound of her feet he looked up, face breaking into a smile.

"Princess."

Unbidden a smile rose to Keeah lips. "Good Morning Sotisku." Her eyes wandered to other invalid occupant of the room. "How is he?"

"See for yourself."

Keeah moved to the bed, anxious eyes surveying Suraco's prostrate form. She was glad to notice that some color had returned to his pallid countenance and his breathing wasn't as laborious as before. The purple bruises that marred his handsome face had begun to fade away and wounds appeared to be healing.

"He looks better."

"He is better." Sotisku arranged the papers strewn on the table, carefully stacking them in one corner. "But you are late today."

"I know." Keeah took a seat at the edge of Suraco's bed. "First I waylaid Hotohori who was sulking in the corridor. Then Taasha waylaid me. We are to join him for breakfast. We are having fish."

"Really?" Sotisku sounded interested. "Are you cooking?"

"No. Liang is."

"What?" Sotisku sounded somewhere between appalled and amazed. "Now that I think about it, I am not feeling that hungry."

"Coward." Keeah chuckled. "Do you lack the guts to try exotic new cuisines?"

Sotisku glared. "Yes!"

"Cruel." Keeah's eyes fairly shone with mirth. "Do you abandon me to cruel a fate?"

"Yes." Sotisku repeated firmly, with remarkable lack of chivalry.

"Oh come on Sotisku..."

"No!"

"Please..."

"Hell no!"

"Now don't make me sound like a whiny girl."

"Oh very well." Sotisku relented, dramatically flinging up his hands. "I am resigned to my fate." He glared at Keeah. "If I die from food poisoning, let it be on your head!"

"Don't worry Sotisku." Keeah smiled, laying a reassuring hand on his palm. "I'll protect you."

Sotisku snorted loudly.

"Now that, that's settled, let us proceed to breakfast. I am rather hungry."

"Very well." With a small sigh Sotisku got up. "But would you mind if I take a detour and check on Menesku before we head down."

"Not at all."

Sotisku nodded. Getting up he checked Suraco's pulse once more. Nodding his head in a silent approval he adjusted the covers over him. Satisfied, he straightened walking out of the room and gesturing Keeah to follow. Keeah complied bestowing a fond smile on Suraco before exiting the room. She closed the door softly behind her before turning to Sotisku.

"Whenever I come to see him, he is sleeping. When is he going to wake up? I hope there is nothing..."

"You don't have to be worried about anything Princess." Sotisku said quietly. "The medicines that Lao Shin have prescribed for Suraco and Menesku contain a large amount of sedatives. This sleep they are immersed in right now is actually helping or rather accelerating their healing process."

"Oh." Keeah frowned. "But are you sure that it is all right to use this amount of sedatives? I have heard that an overdose could..."

"That is right. An overdose could cause hallucinations ... or even death. Why I heard of a great general who once..." Sotisku paused. "But ... I have checked the patients very carefully. I found no side effects. You have nothing to worry about."

Keeah gazed at Sotisku. His tone had been business like but she found that his face had the same wooden look he had when he was disconcerted or when he was withholding something.

"Sotisku..."

"We are here." Sotisku paused outside a door pushing it open. "You were telling me that you found Hotohori sulking in the balcony. Do you know why?"

Keeah realized that Sotisku did not wish to continue with their previous conversation. With a sigh she allowed the subject to be changed.

"I can hazard a fair guess."

"Can you?" He had moved to bed residing in one corner of the room bending to examine the man who occupied it. "He came to visit Menesku today and was very pleased with the progress Menesku made."

"Was he?"

"Yes." Sotisku picked up one of Menesku's hand, feeling his pulse. "I told him that Menesku was a fighter. Its only natural that he would respond quickly to the right medicine."

"Yes, I agree having told him something similar myself. I told him that Menesku had an irritating habit of returning from the dead." Keeah chuckled limping forward. "Strangely, it did not reassure him the least."

"I can't imagine why."

Keeah grinned a little, coming to stand beside Sotisku looking down into Menesku's pale face. The smile on her lips melted away giving way to a serious somber look. With a sigh she moved away going to stand beside a window.

"You needn't worry Princess. Very soon he'll be up and breathing down our necks."

A small smile graced her lips. "I am glad."

"Good." Sotisku straightened, meticulously arranging the covers over Menesku. "Shall we resume our journey then?"

"Certainly." Keeah agreed. "Let's go." Her eyes rested on Menesku for a while. "You know something Sotisku, deep in my heart I knew they would survive this ordeal."

"You did?" Sotisku coughed.

Keeah looked into Sotisku's eyes. "If Shizimi wanted to kill us, we'd be dead."

For a while Sotisku was silent.

"You are right." He said at last.

Keeah was aware of a strange dissatisfaction in Sotisku's voice. Glancing in his direction she realized that he was wearing his wooden look, a sign that he was not ready to continue this conversation in its present line. He was not ready to discuss whatever it was that was troubling him ... yet. But before she could speak Sotisku spoke up.

"Why did he attack you?"

"That, my dear Sotisku is a question worth millions." Keeah smiled grimly, closing the door behind her. "And I think, I have a really disturbing answer to that question."

"You do?"

"He attacked us for the same reason Sairi attacked us." Keeah paused frowning. "Someone told him to."

"What!"

"But it just doesn't add up."

"What doesn't add up?"

"When I fought Sairi, I knew that for all her strength she was a weapon, a pawn, to be manipulated in the careful hand of a general. But Shizimi ... Shizimi is too powerful a weapon to controlled by anybody."

For a while they were silent.

"It would seem that Shizimi has shaken you up a bit." Sotisku was the first to break the silence.

"Not Shizimi." Keeah countered. "Fa Sang has shaken me up ... a lot."

"I agree."

They relapsed into silence once more, their mood decidedly more somber. They walked side by side absorbed in their own thoughts before Keeah decided to pull themselves out of the pool of despondency they seemed to be sinking in.

"Don't look so depressed Sotisku. Even if Liang's cooking sucks at least the side show promises to be amusing."

"Side show?" Sotisku repeated blankly. "Oh! So that's why Hotohori was sulking in the hallway."

"Yes." Mischief danced in Keeah's eyes. "I saw that look once before, on the face of two sad little boys when they heard that Lady Taria had bestowed her hand on Lord Kuro."

She had the satisfaction of seeing Sotisku's cheek heat up. He bristled. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Don't you." Keeah's grin widened. "Why I can remember you and Suraco damning women to perdition just because..."

"That so not true. Suraco was the one who had the crush on her, not me."

"Right." Keeah chuckled. "But I don't see why you are being so embarrassed. Half the young men in the court was suffering from that malady."

Sotisku glared at her, but then his face broke into a sheepish smile. "She was very beautiful, was she not? But then, a crush is a crush. It passes."

"It does?"

"Yes. I met her this spring festival after two years and I found that I could hold a perfectly decent conversation with her without stumbling over my words like a tongue tied boy."

"Really?"

"Of course she was the one who was doing most of the talking. I just listened. Which was a real pain I must add and when she started talking about whether she should have boiled leeches in order to present her Lord with a son, I realized what a great escape I've had."

Keeah choked, trying to control her laughter. "Boiled leeches Sotisku?"

Sotisku's eyes danced. "I was almost tempted to tell he that unless Kuro gets his act together she will not be presenting her Lord with anything."

Keeah gave a crow of laughter. "I am sure she'll manage."

"What!" Sotisku eyed her scandalously.

"Court gossip Sotisku." Keeah patted his hand reassuringly. "Not meant for you innocent ears."

"I am royal doctor Princess. I am not as innocent as you think I am. I can tell you..."

"Spare me the grim details."

"If you insist." He paused. "But I think this is Hotohori's first love. Give the poor man a break and don't tease him so much."

"Sotisku you wound me." Keeah was the picture of innocence. "What made you think I would do anything like that?"

Sotisku rolled his eyes.

"Okay, okay." Keeah put up her hand in a placatory gesture. "Maybe I did tease him, a little. I couldn't help it!"

"Really?"

"Yes." Keeah paused, suddenly serious. "I wanted to talk to him and I was determined to be nothing but polite. But when I saw him ..." Keeah made a helpless gesture with her hand. "The temptation was too great."

"I can understand." There was a tinge of sarcasm in Sotisku's voice. Then he sobered up as well. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"During our battle with Shizimi Hotohori cut him, the veriest pinprick... but..." Keeah frowned. "I wanted to ask him if he remembered something."

"And?"

"He doesn't."

"And that's bad?"

"I don't know." The frustration was evident in Keeah's voice.

Silence descended between them as thick as the fog on the cold Ku Youg Sea only to be ripped asunder by a loud voice calling out to the both of them.

"Yo." There was no mistaking Liang's voice. "Hurry up you two. We ain't got all day ya know."

They moved with unhurried steps to meet up with Hotohori and Liang at the other end of the corridor. Keeah could not stop the sly grin, which rose to her lips.

"Liang." Her voice was gracious and her smile blinding. "And my Lord Hotohori."

She could feel Hotohori stiffen and favor her with a jerky inclination of his head. "My Lady Keeah."

Liang had gravitated to Sotisku's side, favoring him with one of his careless smiles. "Ya know Doc, me self has a major treat in store for ya."

Sotisku rolled his eyes. "I hope its not ash."

"Ash?" Liang looked affronted. "Me self's a great cook."

"So they all say."

"Smartass. Ye'll eat yer words, ya fucking bastard."

"If your skills in cookery is as good as your mouth then words are all I'll be eating."

A gleam of reluctant admiration rose in Liang's eyes, his face broke into a wide smile. "Yer good."

Sotisku's blue eyes reflected Liang's mirth. "I try." He said humbly.

"For a fucking bastard of Kutou yer all right." Moving ahead Liang linked his arm with Sotisku propelling him down the stairs to the main hall on the ground floor.

"I am touched." Sotisku's voice was laced with sarcasm.

Keeah felt a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, her eyes dancing as she watched their lighthearted banter. She glanced in Hotohori's direction. Though an amused smile flitted across his lips, his eyes had an faraway look in them. It was as if even though he saw what was going on in front of him, the events did not register in his mind. It was almost as if he felt her eyes on him he turned to face her.

"Shall we my Lady?" His smile was perfunctory and his voice polite.

"Certainly." She inclined her head gracefully.

They followed in Liang and Sotisku's wake but unlike them there was little conversation between them. She did not mind the silence, very much. It helped her think. And frankly she had a lot to think about.

"How did you get to Fa Sang?" Hotohori's question was abrupt.

Keeah raised an amused eyebrow. "In a ship naturally."

"I know that." Hotohori snapped impatiently. "How did you know the way?"

"That is a stupid question Demon." Keeah's lips curved upwards into that slow smile, which she knew made him uneasy. "I had a map."

"Naturally." Hotohori's brow creased into a frown. "I just wanted to hear it from your mouth."

"And what purpose would that serve?"

Hotohori's lips pursed into a thin line, almost like he was having an epic internal struggle.

"What is the matter Demon? Spit it out." Keeah's voice held a faint command.

Hotohori glared at her. "Where did you get the map?"

"Does it matter?"

"Did you get it from a place called Tur?"

It was her turn to be startled. It was with some effort that she kept her face impassive. "Perhaps." She looked at him. "Why do you want to know?"

"Just curious I suppose."

She knew that he was holding something back.

"Oh." She said quietly.

He favored her with one of his piercing looks. That look could have ruffled a lesser human but it merely glanced off her armor.

"So are you going to tell me?"

Keeah's eyebrow rose in faint hauteur. "No." She smiled. "You hold on to your secrets and I hold on to mine."

She saw Hotohori's nostrils flare. "I see." He said stiffly, turning away from her.

She instinctively knew that he knew where she had got the map to Fa Sang. But he couldn't clarify that doubt without betraying some newfound knowledge he had gleaned.

'Hmm. Interesting.'

By this time they had reached the main hall. She felt Hotohori's aura flare slightly. Following her gaze her eyes rested on the Suzaku no Miko. She was sitting by the fire talking animatedly with Chulivey.

Faraco sat beside her, chocolate orbs fixed worshipfully on her face.

Keeah smiled. Even though Lee's attention seemed to be focused on Chulivey, the slight stiffness of her form indicated that she was more than aware of Faraco. There was a slight blush that dusted her cheeks and the way she tucked one loose strand behind her ear showed that she was a little nervous.

She could feel Hotohori's ki steadily darkening even though the smile he had on his face was calculated to produce unseemly butterflies in a Lady's heart.

"He looks like a lost puppy does he not?" She addressed Hotohori in an under voice, gesturing towards Faraco.

Hotohori did not answer, though the smile on his lips looked a little strained.

"So do you my Lord?" Her voice was teasing. "Are you angry that Faraco is your Miko's favorite puppy Demon?" She chuckled. "Poor baby."

Hotohori's eyes narrowed but he ignobly chose not to rise to her bait. "I will not even answer that."

Keeah grinned. "Spoil sport."

The end of Hotohori's lips twitched. "Whatever you say."

"There ya two are." Their presence had been noted as Liang's loud voice greeted them. "Meself was beginning to think that ya got lost or something."

"We were just trying to delay the inevitable Fang Boy." Keeah smirked taking a place beside Taasha.

"Ya were?" Liang's eyes narrowed as he viciously tackled an onion impaling it on an iron stick along with pieces of the fish. "Well..."

"Calm down." Hotohori interrupted Liang's would be impassioned speech, taking a seat beside him and patting his arm reassuringly. "I trust you."

Liang looked at Hotohori suspiciously as if trying to gauge any hidden meaning under his words before turning his attention towards his handiwork once more.

Keeah settled herself more comfortably on the cushion running a lazy eye over their seating arrangements. Sotisku was sitting across her, blue eyes dancing as he took in Liang's running commentary about the wonderful cooking styles and sake in Mount Leikaku. Beside him Chulivey sat, talking or rather listening to whatever her Miko was talking about. Faraco sat beside her sometimes joining in absentmindedly in an one sided conversation with Taasha who seemed to be remarkably patient with the love struck boy. She sat between Taasha and Hotohori who completed the circle with Liang.

It could have been a really cozy gathering, the operative words being could have. There was a palpable tension in the air. The little defiant glances which Faraco was directing at Hotohori was not helping the cause nor was the permanent blush which stained Lee's cheeks and the shy, slightly nervous looks she kept directing at both Hotohori and Faraco. To top it all, Hotohori's smile, suave and polite was dazzling to the point that it hurt her eyes.

She pitied Liang and could not abandon him to the fate of being the only one to keep up the constant flow of conversation. Yet try as she might she could not come up with a proper subject or the right sentences.

'I guess I have not required any skill in making innate conversations during my long and boring sessions in court.'

And then she remembered the eternal maxim: When lacking a subject for striking up a conversation, talk about the weather.

"Its cold." She said abruptly.

"What?" Liang stopped midway of a long and colorful recital of something that included him, some other people and their bloody gut.

She shivered a little, suddenly feeling the truth of her words. "Its cold."

She looked around, frowning. The light from the bright sunny morning had suddenly dimmed, almost as if somebody was spreading a fine black gauze over the sun. The wind suddenly had a frosty bite to it; it's pace picking up rapidly.

Taasha got up moving to one of the long windows and peering outside. "I think a storm is coming."

"What?" Chulivey looked a bit surprised. "But the weather looked fine this morning."

"I guess the weather changes fast here." Taasha withdrew his head, pulling the shutters close as he did. "I think we should close the windows."

"That we should." Sotisku readily accepted his proposal, pulling himself up. "Lets go Taasha. We need to secure all the bolts before the storm hits us."

Taasha nodded, both of them heading for the stairs from the main hall which led to the sleeping quaters upstairs.

With a sigh Keeah pulled herself up. The main hall was huge, hemmed in by tall windows on all sides. They needed to be closed and secured as well.

She moved to one of the windows, putting out a hand to pull the shutters in. The wind had picked up and the snow was beginning to swirl like a whirlpool. Blinking she pulled the windows close. She frowned, resting her hands against the window.

Moving to the next window she repeated the process. Once again she felt it. The crease on her brow deepened. Closing her eyes she forced herself to concentrate. She could sense nothing other than the rage of Nature outside.

She could not classify what she felt as unease. She had learnt the true meaning of unease when she was in Fa Sang. What she felt now could not be compared to that nauseous feeling. It was almost like what she felt when she could not solve a particular difficult problem or concoct a spell or snub a well meaning but totally boring matron.

In the end she put her feelings into one solid conclusion.

'There is something very ... off with this storm.'

OoOoOoOoOoO

Sairi crouched in the snow, the white fur cloak she wore merging her with the pristine environment around her. The undulating snowfields sloped downwards from where she was hiding to where the Old City lay exposed like a seven course meal in front of her. She smacked her lips, eyes gleaming in anticipation of bloodletting.

"What can I do?" She yawned, the light shining a little on her sharp canines. "Red looks rather good on white."

Lifting her nose in the air she sniffed delicately, savoring the clear air. Still on her belly she moved a little ahead. From her position she could smell the humans and see the ringlets of smoke curve upwards before melting away in the air.

"There are nine humans inside." She smiled happily. "Patience my pets. This hunt promises to bring rich rewards."

She stiffened a little suddenly feeling the wind grow colder as a dark shadow seemed to cover the sun. Lifting her nose, she savored the air once more. Her eyes widened, teeth bared she searched for her quarry.

"Forger." Her voice was a low, sensual hiss. "Show yourself."

"Certainly Sairi." The voice, which answered her, was bored.

The wind picked up even more, the snow swirling like fireflies around her before moving away and slowly solidifying into a human form. The tattered blue cloak he was swathed in stood in a stunning contrast to the White Plains, their frayed edges whipping in the wind like the wings of a caged bird. Through the layers of cloth, which covered his face, a pair of cold blue eyes regarded her.

Sairi circled him. "So, it is you. Fancy entry."

The man's laugh was mirthless. "One the many advantages of being a mage is that you can make a fancy entry."

Sairi's eyes narrowed, as she continued to circle him like the huntress she was. "Leave Forger. This does not concern you."

The wind around her picked up, tearing at her face, her limbs.

"Sadly Sairi." The blue eyes held her transfixed. "It does concern me. Perhaps, it is you who should leave."

Sairi growled. "You will not deny me my hunt."

"No?" His voice was mocking.

The wind howled around her, suddenly turning into a raging beast clawing at her with long icy nails. The snow almost blinded her and the force of the wind nearly knocked her off her feet. She growled, trying to find a footing for herself.

"Kinta." She shrieked. "You fool! Do you wish to die?"

She could hear his low mocking laughter over the scream of the wind.

"Leave Sairi." Kinta's voice was frozen.

"No." She dug her feet into the ground.

Sairi's eyes widened as she saw the wind swirl into the shape of a gigantic wolf, icy teeth bared savagely at her.

"Then die fool!"

The wolf charged at her and Sairi crouched ready to evade, though the possibility appeared decidedly slim. Almost at once she felt a pull behind her and found herself propelled backwards from the snowy fields to the dark sterile environment of Tur.

Eyes blazing she turned around.

"Hime, how dare you interrupt..."

Hime regarded her contemptuously, icy eyes bored. "At this moment you have no chance against him."

Sairi growled.

"What you need Sairi, is some intellect." Hime flicked her hair. "And a rein on your temper. After all, even he cannot keep that up forever."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

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