AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Ok, I know that I am posting this in October, but it is going to be September's update. Since I know that I might not get the chace to update again in a few days, I am putting this up now. So no complaints. I think most of this chapter is free from typos, but I am not perfect, so bear with me. Umm that is about it. Again thanks to those of you who did review, I am almost at 10, which makes me happy. :) So yea that is it. Hold it two more things. One; Happy Halloween to everyone. Two; To those who are old enough you better vote on Tuesday, I don't care wo you vote for just vote. I am begging you. People of my generation (early 20s) this election will affect us most of all, since this is ou future. So please vote, I don't care if you vote McCain, or Obama. All i ask is to vote.
Thanks Again,
JediMadchen86
Now with the story...........
Alexisa watched Tasuki leave her room, and she was glad to be alone. She was glad that her friends worried about her and everything, but how she missed being able to be alone. Given that she still could not move from her bed, but just the fact that she could think over her thoughts and not be concerned with others being in the room. Alexisa bought her right and left arm up under her pillow and rested her head back down, winching as pain burned through her back. 'Ok, so maybe I should heal myself, I would love to get up, at least change the way that I have been laying down. Well here's goes nothing,' thought Alexisa as she closed her eyes and concentrated on drawing out Mits power to heal. She felt a small power in her hand and she tried to peel the light that was in her mind over her entire body healing it in the process. As she concentrated she could feel the areas that the light touch be healed, she pulled on the light more and more stretching it over her body. After a few minutes the light enveloped her body, the light only glowed for a minute or so before it vanished. Alexisa opened her eyes ad she no longer felt pain from any of her injures. She pushed herself up into a sitting position, once she sat up she unwrapped the bandages from around her mid section, all that was left under them was clear skin, no trace of the cuts she had received. Alexisa took the rest of the bandages off from her body and sat in bed with the sheets around her. 'Well not that is done, time to go get some food,' thought Alexisa as she slid to the side of the bed, and placed her feet on the floor, only to get dizzy the moment she stood up. 'Well maybe more sleep would be better,' thought Alexisa as she looked at the bed. 'But I really don't want to go back to that,' she thought as she dragged the pillow and blanket on the ground and fell asleep.
"Guardian you must wake up! Hurry, a warrior is in danger!"
Alexis jolted awake and saw that the sky had turned to night, 'How long I sleep,' she thought as she got up from the floor and walked out to the hall way. Once in the hall she saw guards running around, she asked what was happening. Hotohori and Tamahome were about to duel in the West Plaza (someone correct me if this is wrong, don't think they ever mentioned where they fought in the anime). Alexisa ran off to the West Plaza hoping that she was not to let. 'What the hell is Hotohori thinking, fighting Tamahome, doesn't that man know we need him,' thought Alexisa as she ran. Once she reached the West Plaza she saw Hotohori and Tamahome standing at the ready about to fight one another. She used Tasuki's speed and ran in between them.
"What the hell are you doing?" she asked looking at Hotohori
"Move, he has come to kill Miaka, but will have to fight me first."
"No one is going to kill anyone," she said looking at Tamahome.
"Tamahome, listen to me. Remember who you are, remember that you are a warrior of Suzaku, meant to protect Miaka, not kill her," said Alexisa as she looked at Tamahome.
"Guardian of Suzaku, so sorry I did not kill you when I had the chance, a mistake I will soon remedy," shouted Tamahome as he ran towards her.
"Tamahome, listen to me," shouted Alexisa back as he dodged his attack. "We are your friends, I know you can hear me."
"Stop talking and fight me," shouted Tamahome running towards her again. 'Not this again, please Suzaku, I ask you to help him,' she thought as she jumped into the air above Tamahome. When she was in the air a red light emitted from Alexisa and shot towards Tamahome, and surrounded him. The light circled Tamahome and absorbed into his body. Tamahome dropped the sword in his hands and raised his hands on both sides f his head, yelling in pain. Alexisa watched as the light entered his body, 'Please Tamahome return to us, for Miaka's sake,' thought Alexisa as she slowly floated back down to the ground. She reached the ground and looked to where Tamahome was now on his knees, she hoped that the power from Suzaku would bring him back, as she watched she saw a glow from the middle of his forehead, and then darkness as she fainted.
The red light shot from Tamahome's body and returned to Alexisa, once the light returned to Alexisa she collapsed onto the ground. Tamahome released his hands from his head and looked around.
"Huh, where am I? Your Majesty, what are you doing here?" he asked as he looked up from the ground.
Seeing that his friend was back to normal a smile broke out on his face, "Tamahome, welcome back," he said looking at his friend.
"Back to normal? Why am I in Konan? The last thing I remember Miaka and I agreed to meet under the moon at night," he said as he looked around, seeing others coming into the plaza.
"Tamahome," yelled a familiar voice
"Miaka?" he asked looking at the one he loved running towards him.
"TAMAHOME!" she yelled back running towards him and hugging him once they were in each other's arms.
"I sorry that I did not meet you as planned," he whispered in her ear when they were hugging each other.
Nuriko, Mits, Chichiri, Hotohori, Chiriko, and Tasuki all watched as the lovers embraced one another in the middle of the square, all were happy to see that their friend had come back, Tasuki looked over the plaza and saw Alexisa's still form on the ground.
"Alexisa!" he called as he ran over to her.
As Nuriko watched Tamahome and Miaka hug one another in the middle of the plaza he noticed that Tasuki had slipped away from his side and run off down the plaza. Seeing where he was running he noticed Alexisa as well and took off in that direction as well.
"Is she alright?" called Nuriko as he saw Tasuki bend down beside her
"I don't know, Mits over here now!" called Tasuki as he turned her over and placed her head in his arms. Mits hearing Tasuki call his name ran over to him and looked down at the girl in his arms.
"Don't worry, she is sleeping, she will be fine," he said as he looked over her.
Miaka and Tamahome looked away from each other to see the rest of their friends gather around Alexisa, seeing this Miaka walked over to them, with her arms around Tamahome's waist.
"What happened?" asked Miaka when they reached the others.
"I don't know," said Tasuki gathering her in his arms.
"I know what happened, I was about to fight Tamahome, and then Alexisa appeared before us, begging Tamahome to listen, that we were his friends and not to fight us. Tamahome did not heed her warning and started to attack her. She jumped into the air to avoided an attack when a red light shot forth from her and surrounded Tamahome"
"Suzaku?"
"I could only guess that she used her powers to bring Tamahome back, but after the light entered his body, it returned to her and then she collapsed," said Hotohori looking at everyone.
"But with her injures, she should not have been able to move," said Nuriko looking down at her.
Alexisa slowly opened her eyes to see several figures around her. "Now what happened?" she asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"Your awake," said Tasuki looking down at her.
"Yep, can someone please fill me in please," she said as she sat up.
"First of all, what are you doing out of bed?" asked Tasuki
"Huh? Oh that, simple, I healed myself," she said getting to her feet but swaying when she stood.
"You ok?" asked Tasuki moving to her side.
"Yea, just a little dizzy. So what happened? All I remember is praying to Suzaku to help Tamahome, and by the looks of it, he did," she said as she looked around and saw Miaka and Tamahome with each other arms around them.
"So that was what that was," said Tamahome
"Tamahome?"
"I remember a voice inside of my head telling me to remember, and then images of all of you. So Suzaku did that?"
"I guess, I certainly did not do anything," she said swaying again; Tasuki wrapped his arm around her side to steady her.
"I think you need sleep, after using two warriors powers in one day you must be tired, come on," said Tasuki leading her away from the group back to her room.
"I agree with Tasuki, it's been a busy night for all. We will have breakfast together tomorrow to discuss things further," said Hotohori as he looked at the group and turning to leave. Everyone else took the advice and returned to their rooms for the night.
"Genrou, I can walk," said Alexisa as they came closer to her room.
"Huh?" asked Tasuki as he let go of her side, "Oh sorry, thinking about something else,"
"Ok, well thanks, I'll see you tomorrow," she said turning to open her door.
"Alexisa."
"Yea."
"I'm glad you're all right," said Tasuki as he turned and walked down the hall to his room. Alexisa watched him turn the corner and then walked into her room. The blanket and pillow that were on the floor were she left them; she walked over, picked up them and placed them back on the bed. She sat down on the bed thinking over the events that had been happening over the past few days. 'I still have to tell the truth about Chiriko before they start the summoning, kind of glad that we are summoning him yet. Don't think I would be ready to make my choice about whose life he would take. I mean how do they expect me to let Miaka die? I mean I am spending all this damn time protecting her and then they expect me to turn around and say, "Yea, go ahead and eat her up, I don't give," are they serious?' she thought as she looked around the room. 'No point in worrying about it now, I'm to tired tonight, maybe in the morning,' she thought as she curled up on the bed not even getting under the covers to sleep. That night everyone in Konan palace slept better than they had in a while.
The next day everyone woke and headed to the dining hall to enjoy breakfast together. Miaka, Nuriko, and Tamahome were talking like no time had passed since the last time they ate together, Chichiri, and Hotohori were seated at the end of the table talking about the summoning. Chiriko, Mits, and Alexisa were eating quietly until a loud voice erupted throughout the room.
"I can't believe you guys!" yelled Tasuki as he walked into the room.
"Tasuki? What's wrong?" asked Miaka
"You! All of you. Acting like nothing ever happened."
"Tasuki, clam down," said Alexisa rising from her seat. "There is no reason to be angry."
"Did you forget what he did to you?"
"Are you serious? You think I could forget? How dumb do you think I am? But Tamahome is not to blame."
"That does not matter!"
"TASUKI! Tamahome is not to blame," said Alexisa looking at him. "You know that Nakago beat me not Tamahome. Yes it looked like Tamahome; but Nakago was controlling him, he had no control over his body. He was not the one who beat me to an inch of my life. It was Nakago, so if you want someone to be mad at be mad at Nakago, not Tamahome," said Alexisa, as her face grew red. Everyone in the room had grown silent, no one knew what she endured when she was in Kuto, and she had not talked about it with anyone. So hearing her yell it out over the table was shocking to them all. She looked around at everyone's shocked faces, and she knew that they were feeling sorry for her; she looked back at Tasuki's blank face and ran form the room crying. After the door closed behind her, they all looked at each other.
"I beat her?" asked Tamahome looking down at his hands
"No, you heard what she said, you were being controlled by Nakago, and she does not blame you."
"I never knew it was that bad," said Nuriko
"No one did, she never let us know," said Chichiri
"Why did she never tell us?" asked Hotohori
"She did not want you all to feel sorry for her," said Miaka "She never said anything to anyone, but I could tell she felt bad for not protecting us. I mean after all it is her duty as the Guardian of Suzaku right? She has to protect all of us, not just me, and when Tamahome was under Nakago's control, she thought she failed. That is why she kept to herself."
Everyone sat down and ate in silence, Nuriko tried to cheer them up but no one responded to his jokes. The table was being cleared and everyone was about to leave when a voice stopped them.
"Miaka was right." Hearing her voice everyone looked up and saw Alexisa come out from behind the door. "The reason that I did not tell any of you; was not because I did not trust you. I trust you all with my life, but how can you all protect Miaka, when you are worried about me right?" she said walking into the room. "And beside I can take care of myself, Genrou, don't," she held up a hand to prevent him from talking. "My role here is to protect all of you, and I will protect you, even if that means giving my life," she said looking at every single one of them. "While I was in Kuto, I was imprisoned by Nakago, he whipped and beat me quite often, every chance I got I healed myself with Mits power, but it left me very weak. I think Nakago noticed that some wounds were healing and beat me more, he wanted to know what power I had, but I would not tell him, so he beat me more. As for Tamahome," she said looking at him. "I don't blame you for what happened, I really don't, so don't blame yourself. Right now we all just need to focus on the summoning, nothing else matters," said Alexisa looking at everyone.
"What did Nakago want?" asked Miaka
"Nothing, he didn't ask me a thing, he just beat me," said Alexisa looking down at her lap. "But enough about past events, let's all be happy, after all we are summoning Suzaku soon aren't we?" asked Alexisa as she looked at Hotohori.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I had preparations started last night."
"When can we summon Suzaku?" asked Miaka
"Everything should be done in a few days, then we will be able to summon Suzaku," said Hotohori standing up "Now, if you'll excuse me I have matters of state to attend to," he said as he walked out the door.
"And I think we all have a free day," said Miaka standing up and walking close to the door. "Tamahome, aren't you coming?" she asked as she left the room. Hearing his name being called Tamahome got up from the table and followed after Miaka.
Alexisa looked to where Chiriko sat at the table and walked over to him. "Chiriko, follow me please," she said walking out of the room and down the hall. Nuriko, Tasuki, Mits, and Chichiri left the dining hall and wandered the halls of the palace.
"Alexisa? What are we doing?"
"You think I forgot about our talk that we had a while ago," said Alexisa leaning up against a railing.
"No, I have not forgotten."
"So, what are you going to do?"
"I don't want to fight."
"Thought you would say that, now all we have to do is tell everyone else," said Alexisa as he pushed off the railing and crossed her arms in front of her.
"Do we have to tell them?"
"Can you think of another way, cuz I surely can't there pal," said Alexisa looking at him.
"I guess your right."
"Don't worry, I will be there, I am not going to let them harm you," she said putting a hand on his shoulder. "Shall we get this over with," said Alexisa as she led the way back down the hall to Hotohori's office. They reached the door, when it flew open and an attendant walked out, he rushed by them with scrolls filling his arms. "Um, Hotohori," said Alexisa sticking her head into the office, seeing Hotohori sitting behind a desk with advisors all around him. Hearing his name being called he looked up to see Alexisa and Chiriko standing in the hall.
"Hello, Alexisa, Chiriko. I'm sorry I am quite busy and can't talk," he said looking back down at the scroll in front of him.
"Hotohori, I'm sorry but this can't wait," said Alexisa looking at him.
"Oh. What is it?"
"It is regards to the ceremony, and we need to talk privately," said Alexisa looking at the advisors that surrounded him.
"Everyone, please leave," said Hotohori as the advisors left the room. "Now, what is of such great importance," said Hotohori looking at her.
"This will be hard to understand, but please bear with me," said Alexisa "We still have to find Chiriko."
"Alexisa, what are you saying, Chiriko is standing right behind you," said Hotohori pointing to him.
"No, Majesty, this is not Chiriko, but Amiboshi, of the Seiryu Seven," she said looking at his shocked face.
"Guar…!" began Hotohori as he rose from his seat.
"Stop, don't call for guards," she said interrupting his command.
Hotohori stood behind his desk looking at Alexisa and the man before him with a shocked expression. "I demand to know what is going on!"
"Your Majesty, please forgive Alexisa. I was the one to ask her for help. It is true that I am a Seiryu warrior, but please I don't wish to fight," said Amiboshi kneeling before Hotohori.
"Please Your Majesty, please let me speak," said Alexisa bowing her head. Hotohori looked at the two people standing before him. "I demand you tell me what is going on Alexisa," he said looking at her.
"As you wish, he tells the truth. I am sorry to deceive you Your Majesty, but I saw no other at the moment, my plan was to tell you as soon as I could, but events prevented me from doing so. This is the first chance that I have had."
"How long has this been doing on?" he asked sitting back down in his seat.
"Taitsukun told me of Amiboshi, when I was training with her, that is why I returned. Once I returned I went to Amiboshi and asked him the truth, at first he did not tell me, but eventually he told me the truth. Nakago was using him, just like he just Tamahome, and planned to use me. I promised him that no harm would come to him. I hope that you will use your better judgment in deciding his fate. He has agreed to stay in Konan until the war is over, after that I ask that he be set free," said Alexisa, as she looked him into eyes.
"You knew about this?"
"Yes. "
"I'm sorry You Highness."
Hotohori looked at both of them and was at a loss for what to do.
"We have to tell the others," he said getting up from his chair and walking out the door, with Alexisa and Amiboshi following behind him.
"Majesty, what is going to happen to Amiboshi?" asked Alexisa as she walked behind Hotohori.
"I will see what my fellow warriors have to say."
They walked to the Suzaku shine, and Alexisa saw all the warriors, she looked over and saw Amiboshi looked at the ground and did not look up. Hotohori led Alexisa, and Amiboshi over to where the other warriors were gathered. Chichiri saw Hotohori, Chiriko, and Alexisa walking towards them and greeted them.
"Great timing, your Highness, we are just about to start," said Chichiri walking towards them.
"The summoning can not take place," said Hotohori looking down at his friend.
"Sire?" asked Chichiri as he looked back to the rest of the warriors.
"The summoning, can not take place."
"Your Highness, what's going on?" asked Nuriko as he walked towards Hotohori.
"We still need to find Chiriko," said Alexisa looking up at them.
"Alexisa, Chiriko is right behind you," said Tasuki looking at her.
"No. He is not Chiriko, He's Amiboshi of the Seiryu Seven,"
"WHAT?!?!" asked everyone in unison.
"Traitor, how dare you pretend to be one of us," yelled Tasuki walking towards Amiboshi.
Alexisa watched as Tasuki made his way towards Amiboshi, but she stepped in between them. "Tasuki, don't. Back off," said Alexisa putting her hand up to stop him.
"What are you doing? He's a traitor!"
"Stop Tasuki. I promised no harm would come to him."
"Are you insane? You're the Guardian of Suzaku, you are supposed to protect us, and here you are protecting one of THEM!" he yelled looking at her.
"Yes, I am protecting a Seiryu Seven," said Alexisa looking back at Tasuki. "He…"
"I am sorry for leading you on for so many months but Nakago had told me that you were the enemy and were going to destroy Kuto. I was confused and did not know what to do, so I disgusted myself as Chiriko, and I am sorry for that," said Amiboshi walking up past Alexisa and looking at the other warriors that had gathered before him.
"You think that makes everything better?" asked Tasuki as he ran towards the boy, Amiboshi look up in time to see Tasuki running at him and he was able to dodge the attack. Amiboshi jumped back and landed near the door of the shrine, and Miaka walked into the room as he landed.
"Miaka, get away from him, he's a traitor!" yelled Tamahome as he ran towards her. Miaka looked up to see Amiboshi land in front of her and Tamahome, and Tasuki running towards her. Tasuki reached for his fan and called forth the flames.
"REKKA SHIN'EN"
Amiboshi looked up to see the flames coming towards him, he tried to move but he was frozen in place. He then felt a strong force push against him and he began to move out of the path of the flame. Amiboshi glanced at the figure and saw Alexisa's head dug into his chest, he could now feel the heat on his face, suddenly turned his body towards the flames, and Alexisa's away. He felt the flames lick his back and legs, he yelled out in pain and as they flames spread across his back. The flames vanished and Amiboshi stood with his back ad legs, Alexisa looked up at him.
"Why, Amiboshi? Why did you protect me?"
"Not only you but Miaka, it was not my duty, but I am glad to die protecting both of you," said Amiboshi as he looked up at Alexisa.
"Amiboshi," she said kneeling down beside him. "Come on Amiboshi, wake up," she said shaking the boy's shoulder only to be left with no response. Tears began to appear on her face, as she looked down at him, calling his name. Everyone in the room; looked towards Alexisa's sobbing form and bowed their heads. Tasuki looked down at the fan in his hands and slowly placed I back on his back. He looked up to see Alexisa hugging Nuriko, with tears streaming down her face, Tamahome hugged Miaka to his chest, Mits had used his powers to restore Amiboshi before the fire and Chichiri had removed his mask and said a small prayer for Amiboshi. They all bowed their heads for the prayer. After the prayer was said Miaka, Tamahome, Chiriko and Nuriko took one last look at Amiboshi and began to leave the room. Mits stood up and walked over to Alexisa to try to get her to leave Amiboshi.
"He needs a proper burial, he at least deserves that," said Alexisa as she allowed Mits to guide her from the room. She passed Tasuki and did not look at him; she kept her eyes down and did not speak to him as she walked out the door. Once Alexisa left it was only Chichiri, Hotohori, Tasuki, were left in the room. Tasuki stood starting out the door that Alexisa had left; he turned when his name was called.
"Tasuki, you can leave now, His Highness and I will take care of him," said Chichiri looking at his friend.
Tasuki looked at Chichiri, Hotohori, and then glanced behind Hotohori to where Amiboshi lay. He nodded his head and turned and left. Chichiri watched as his friend turned the corner out of the shrine and into the halls, he turned around to face Hotohori.
"Sire, how shall we proceed?"
Hotohori looked at Chichiri and then looked at Amiboshi lying on the floor. "Even though he was a traitor, he does deserve a proper burial. I will have my attendants; bury him outside the palace walls with a small service tomorrow. If you wish to attend you may," said Hotohori turning to leave.
"Sire, what about the others?"
"Notify them, let them know that they do not have to attend, but I know that Miaka, and Alexisa will wish to attend," he said as he walked out the door.
Chichiri watched him leave and then he turned back towards Amiboshi and said another prayer for the boy, within the next few minutes; several attendants were outside the door, waiting to remove the body. Chichiri left them to move Amiboshi so they could prepare him for the burial the next day.