Hello All- Ok so I decided to update early. I think that I got most of the spelling right, but more than likely I missed one or two. Hey, who's perfect right? Oh, Areyasha here is how you say Alexisa's name out loud. (Ah-lex-see-a). I know it is an odd name but I fell in love with it, so I used it. I am about to start a new semester for class, so that is also why I posted this now, since i might not have the time in the future. Still going to try to update once a month, maybe two times, if writer's block does not get me. Since I am past the point in my story that I had it written down, now it is just all out of my head. So yea, nothing else that I can really think of that I need to address, but thanks for those few that have reviewed, and keep on reading. I am happy to say that this is the farest(sp?) that this story has ever gotten. Which I love, since I think I might start getting my other fics up as well. Then maybe I might start my own story that I have been thinking about.
Happy Reading...
-JediMadchen86
Chichiri walked through the halls; as he wondered the halls, he saw Nuriko, Miaka, Mits, Tasuki, and Chiriko. Most were wondering the halls as he was, he told them of the service that was going to be held. Miaka was happy to hear of it and rushed off to tell Tamahome. Nuriko, Mits were also glad that they could say one last farewell to their fallen friend. Chiriko said that he would attend to support the others. Chichiri had trouble-finding Tasuki at first but he walked around the gardens and found the young bandit lying under a tree looking at the sky.
"Tasuki."
"Yea, what do you want?"
"I wanted to notify you of the service that we are holding for Chir… Amiboshi tomorrow," said Chichiri walking up beside his friend and looking down at him.
"So we are going to bury the sucker. Figures," said Tasuki not looking at Chichiri. "Have you told Alexisa yet?"
"No, I was on my way to tell her now. Tasuki, Amiboshi may have been an enemy but he was still a friend and he deserves a proper burial."
"He was a traitor. All this time pretending to be someone else, and you expect me to forget all that because he was a "friend". Chichiri he lied to us, he pretended to be ONE OF US. All because someone told him to, now you expect me to forget all that and see the sucker off with a proper memorial," said Tasuki as he got to his feet, and stared at Chichiri.
"Tasuki, I am not asking for you to forget what he did, nor am I forcing you to go. Just please consider it," said Chichiri walking out of the garden, as Tasuki looked at his retreating back.
Chichiri slowly walked down the halls towards the room that he knew Alexisa was in. Once he reached the room, he raised his hand to knock, he heard someone snuffle cries as he opened the door to reveal a puffy- red-eyed girl leaning against a wall inside the darkened room. Chichiri walked inside the room and over towards Alexisa. "You, know sitting in the dark, is not a healthy thing to do," he said as he walked over to a lamp that was sitting on the table and lit it. "I came to tell you, that we will be holding a memorial service for Amiboshi tomorrow. All the others are going to attend, well I am not sure about Tasuki, but I know all the others are," said Chichiri looking up at her.
"It's my fault," said Alexisa very quietly. "It's all my fault, I should have told everyone sooner, when I first knew, but I didn't and know Amiboshi is dead," she said with new tears streaming down her face.
Chichiri looked over at the girl and sat besides her. Chichiri wrapped an arm around her shoulders; Alexisa buried her head into his chest and continued to cry. Chichiri did not say anything; he just sat there and let her cry. Chichiri knew what she must have been going through, so he sat with her. The room became silent as she fell asleep against his chest, he slowly turned towards her, picked her up and carried her to the bed, and he placed a blanket over her before he turned to leave. As he reached the door Alexisa shifted on the bed and wrapped the blanket around her, and fell into a deep sleep. Chichiri walked out into the hall, and saw that the night sky, he had spent several hours in her room, comforting the young girl. He watched the sky as he walked to his room to get some sleep; he knew that tomorrow would be a long day for the Suzaku Seven. He turned the corner leading to his room when he saw a familiar figure standing outside of his door.
"She does not blame you, you know. Have you changed your mind about tomorrow?"
"I have been trying to figure out why he did it."
"Does it matter?" asked Chichiri as he came up beside Tasuki. "Even though he was born an enemy, he still was a friend."
"How is she?"
"She cried herself to sleep a few minutes ago."
"I don't even know if I will be welcome tomorrow," said Tasuki as he pushed himself off the wall.
"It's late, we should all be sleeping," said Chichiri reaching for the door handle. "Tasuki," he called not looking up. "We all need you there tomorrow, all of us, even Alexisa. So please come," said Chichiri as he opened the door and walked into his room.
Tasuki looked at the closed door and walked a few feet to his door; he put his hand on the handle and slowly opened his door, to reveal a room filled with darkness. Tasuki slowly walked to his bed and let sleep come to him.
Alexisa opened her eyes and looked up at her ceiling. She rolled over on her side and looked out into her room, there was a small stream of sunlight that shone through her window. 'Guess I must have cried myself to sleep, guess Chichiri put me in bed,' thought Alexisa as she sat up in her bed. 'Wonder what time it is?' she wondered as she walked towards her window and opened it up, the sun was still low in the sky and Alexisa could see dew still clinging to some of the leaves. She leaned out the window watching the clouds trace the sky above her. It looked like it was going to be a perfect day, even though she was saying goodbye to one of her friends, She turned away from the window and walked to her door, she opened the door to see Miaka standing on the other side with her hand raised.
"Hey, Miaka."
"Oh, Alexisa. I did not think you would be up."
"If you did not think I would be up, then why would you be knocking at my door?" asked Alexisa as she leaned against the frame.
"Well, the ceremony is starting soon and I thought I would bring you something to eat," said Miaka holding up a tray of food, smiling.
"Thank you Miaka," said Alexisa taking the tray from her hands. And turning into the room.
"Umm, Alexisa," Miaka said looking up at her.
Alexisa looked at Miaka for the first time and saw her eyes were red and puffy. "Why don't you come in," said Alexisa as she walked towards the table.
"Ok," Miaka replied walking into the room and shutting the door behind her, and walking to the table. Miaka took a seat at the table and looked at the food that Alexisa was placing in front of her.
"I know why you are here, you want to talk about Amiboshi. Right?" asked Alexisa as she placed the plate in front of Miaka. Miaka did not take her eyes off the food.
"I don't know what to do?"
"What do any of us do? We go on," said Alexisa grabbing an apple and walking towards the window again. "We still have a mission to complete, I know it is going to be hard but we have a duty to fulfill. Amiboshi would want us to continue what we are doing," said Alexisa looking back at Miaka. Miaka looked up from the table. "Don't you have a friend that you need to rescue from Kuto?"
"Yui," said Miaka softly
"Besides you don't need to worry about anything else Miaka, just summon Suzaku and all of this will be over," said Alexisa smiling.
"I can't summon Suzaku."
"What?" asked Alexisa as her smile vanished from her face.
"That is why I came here, yesterday when Amiboshi was running towards me, I was carrying the scroll, since I wanted to ask Chichiri one last thing. The next thing I know Amiboshi was running towards me, and I dropped the scroll. I felt it leaving my hands but I was frozen, I could not move. Then the flames came, and the scroll was…" said Miaka as tears began to form in her eyes.
"Miaka, what happened?" asked Alexisa as she come closer to Miaka.
"The scroll was caught in the fire and it was burned. I can't summon Suzaku without it," said Miaka crying.
Alexisa looked at Miaka with tears coming down her face. "Who else have you told?"
"You are the first, I wanted to tell you last night, but your room was locked."
"Don't worry, I am sure there is another way to summon Suzaku, maybe Taitsukun knows," said Alexisa.
"You think?" asked Miaka looking up at her friend.
"Yea, all we have to do is to ask Taitsukun for help," said Alexisa standing up. "Now come on. We have to tell the others," said Alexisa holding out her hands to help Miaka up. Miaka took her hands and stood up. "You think that Taitsukun could really help us?" asked Miaka.
"I do, but first we need to say good-bye to Amiboshi."
The two girls walked outside of the room and with Miaka leading, they made their way towards the site where Amiboshi was going to be buried. They walked quietly with their heads hung, Miaka reached out for Alexisa's hand and they joined hands as they approached the area. Alexisa was pleased to see that all the warriors had gathered there, even Chiriko. Alexisa and Miaka gathered with their friends, the Suzaku warriors, and said their last good bye to their friend.
"Even though Amiboshi was not an actual warrior of Suzaku, in his heart he was one. He was a great friend to many of us; we could always count on him to make us laugh. He will be missed by many, most of all me," said Alexisa as she looked at her friends that gathered to say farewell. The ceremony only lasted for a short time, Miaka and Tamahome were among the first to leave, Chiriko, and Hotohori left a short time after talking quietly between them. Mits, and Chichiri left after Hotohori heading towards one of the courtyards. The only two people remained were Tasuki, and Alexisa. Tasuki walked up beside her, and stood next to her.
"I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for, it was my fault. I should have told you all sooner, and I should have protected him."
"It wasn't your duty to protect him."
"Yes, it was. He was a warrior, and I failed to protect him," said Alexisa as new tears came to her eyes.
"He was an enemy,"
"He was a friend, and I failed him. Tasuki," said Alexisa looking up at him with tears running down her face. Tasuki just looked at her with a shocked expression and could not say anything. "I know you think he was a traitor, but he was a friend," said Alexisa as she walked away and back towards the palace.
Alexisa walked back to her room; once she was there she walked to her bed and sat down. She closed her eyes, and layback on her back. Tears started to run down her face again, she brushed the tears away, and she laid her hand back along her side.
"Guardian!"
Alexisa sat up in her bed to see a little girl, with blue hair looking at her.
"Nyan-Nyan. What are you doing here?"
"Guardian looks sad. Nyan-Nyan is here to cheer you up."
"What?"
"Guardian has been crying, and she needs to be happy."
"I am happy Nyan-Nyan, but what are you doing here?"
"Taitsukun sent me to get you."
"Taitsukun?"
"She said that Guardian needs to come and see her,"
"When?"
"Now, come," said Nyan-Nyan as she went into the center of the room.
"Nyan-Nyan, where are we going?" asked Alexisa as she followed the girl.
"To Taitsukun," said Nyan-Nyan as she teleported herself and Alexisa to Mt. Taikyoku.
The room around them disappeared and Mt. Taikyoku appeared around them. Alexisa could see an older women flowing in the air with ribbons floating around her.
"Taitsukun."
"Alexisa."
"I am sorry that I have failed in my duties," said Alexisa as she bowed her head.
"Your duty, was to protect the Suzaku Seven and the Priestess, and that is what you did."
"Amiboshi…"
"Amiboshi was an enemy, but what did your heart tell you? Even though he was not a warrior of Suzaku, his heart was pure from evil. He was a good man," said Taitsukun "Now there is another matter. Am I correct?"
"Yes. There was an accident, when Amiboshi was running away, Miaka dropped the scroll and it was burned. Without it we can't summon Suzaku."
"Do you think the gods would be stupid to only have one way to summon them?" asked Taitsukun looking at her.
"There's another way?"
"I knew that some kid would mess up a summoning so there are several ways to summon a beast god. Miaka and the others should be present for this," said Taitsukun as she transported them back to the Konan palace, in the middle of the throne room.
"Taitsukun, Alexisa," said Hotohori from the throne.
"Hello, Hotohori, could you call the warriors here."
"You don't need to Hotohori, I have told them all, they are on their way," said Alexisa as she stood looking at Taitsukun. They waited a few minutes when the throne room doors were opened to reveal the seven people standing in the doorway.
"Alexisa, where were you? I went looking for you in your room and you weren't there?" asked Tasuki
"Sorry bout that, Nyan-Nyan came and said that Taitsukun needed to talk, so I went to see her."
"When was that?"
"A few minutes ago."
"Taitsukun. We have a problem," said Miaka walking towards her.
"If you are referring to the destroyed scroll, Alexisa has already explained to me already."
"Destroyed?"
"Yes apparently, when Tasuki sent his fire after the boy, somehow the scroll was destroyed in the process," said Taitsukun looking at the group.
"Since the summoning has failed to take place there is only one other option that you can take."
"What is the other option?" asked Miaka as the others grouped around her.
"This journey will be more difficult than your last, you will have to travel a great distance, and your friendships will be challenged. This journey will be hard and even harder to complete," said Taitsukun as she looked at the warriors gathered around her.
Miaka looked at Taitsukun and then looked at each and very one of her friends, hoping that they would take part in this journey with her. She knew that she needed each and very one of their help; she could not do this alone.
"Will you just hurry up with it already. Some of us would like to know what we are getting into here," said Tasuki from the back of the group.
"You mean?" asked Miaka, as she looked at all her friends.
"Miaka, do you really think that we won't help you," said Tamahome ruffling her hair.
"And besides, someone has to keep an eye on you two," said Nuriko
"I am looking forward to embarking on this extensive journey with all of you."
"You will need a doctor on this journey, and someone will need to keep Chiriko company."
"Anything is better than sitting around here doing nothing."
"I will come along, someone needs to keep Tasuki under control, you know."
"I would be honored in helping you once more, Miaka."
"Someone is going to have to keep you lot out of trouble," said Alexisa walking up beside Miaka, and putting a hand on her shoulder. "Miaka, do you really think that we would abandon you, after all we have been through. I thought you knew us better than that," said Alexisa as she smiled and looked at her friend.
"Taitsukun, we will do it. For all those that are depending on me to summon Suzaku. I will do this," said Miaka looking at Taitsukun.
"You will need to travel to Hokkan, the land of Genbu and retrieve the shinzaho."
"The shinzaho?"
"It is an item that was worn by the Priestess of Genbu during the summoning of the beast god. Once you have the shinzaho you will be able to summon Suzaku. Now since you have all agreed to go to Hokkan I am going to give you all gifts, they will help you in the times to come," said Taitsukun as she put together her hands and murmured a spell, then seven orbs appeared in front of each warrior. "Each of these items will improve your powers." Each orb floated in front of the warriors and vanished when they touched them. Nuriko received new bracelets, Chiriko received a scroll, Mits a bottle of healing medicine, Tasuki's fan was turned from iron into solid diamond, Chichiri received her prayer breads, and Hotohori's sword was transformed into a holy sword. Alexisa and Tamahome were the only ones that did not received orbs. Now Alexisa guessed that Taitsukun did this on purpose but Tamahome was upset that he did not receive a gift like the others and tried to steal Tasuki's fan several times. "Now that all of you have your gifts I suggest that you get some rest, the journey ahead is long and tiresome. Alexisa can you stay behind a minute?" asked Taitsukun as she watched the others leave the room. After the doors were shut Alexisa walked up to Taitsukun.
"What was it you wished to see me about?"
"Tamahome and Miaka. They need to stay separate; I am asking you to keep them from each other. The Priestess must remain a virgin in order to summon Suzaku."
"Yes, I know that."
"Then keep them apart from each other at all cost. You can tell Miaka if you so wish to. The other matter that I wished to address was you."
"Me?"
"The gifts I gave to the others enhance their powers, so that means since they are stronger, so are you. I must warn you, now that they have increased strength, if you were to use their powers more than once, you will die. Your body will not be able to take the strain."
"What about those exercises that you taught me?"
"Those will not work. You have to restrain yourself form using their powers. If you do not then you will die. I see that you have mastered the communication technique that I told you about."
"Yes, once I concentrated it came quite easily to me. I do not use it much, since I am close to them at all times. Why do you ask?"
"Soon there will be a time that this specific power will come in handy. In a few weeks, a dark cloud will settle over you all, you must help them through this. Be their light Alexisa. They must continue on," said Taitsukun
"A dark cloud? What do you mean?"
"I am sorry that I can not tell you more. Be careful Alexisa. Most important ensure the safety of Miaka and the others," said Taitsukun as she disappeared fro the room, leaving Alexisa standing alone. Alexisa turned to leave the room deep in thought; she reached the hallway still deep in thought.
"Alexisa," called a voice bringing her out of her trance.
"Huh?" she asked as she looked around to see Tasuki.
"What did she want to talk to you about?"
"That, oh nothing much. Just some stuff," she said looking at him. "So you like your new fan?"
"Yea, this thing is solid diamond now, I would love to see the boys up at Mt. Reikaku see me now," said Tasuki pulling out his fan.
"Tasuki, I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For yelling at you earlier, at the ceremony."
"That is ok."
"No, I had no right to yell at you. I know that you did not mean to kill him; you were just protecting Miaka, like you are supposed to do. Then I go and yell at you for doing your duty. I am sorry that I yelled at you," she said looking up at him.
"You were doing your duty as well, protecting a warrior."
"But he was not a warrior, at least not a Suzaku. But we don't have time to brood over this. We are starting a long journey tomorrow," said Alexisa as she walked down the hall, away from Tasuki.
"Alexisa, wait up will ya?" asked Tasuki as he took off after her.
"What?"
"Don't blame yourself, ok? We don't blame you. We… I over reacted, and I am sorry. He was a good person and your friend," he said as he looked down at her.
"Thanks, Tasuki," she replied giving him a hug. Tasuki soon wrapped his arms around her returning the hug. Alexisa felt an odd feeling coming over her, she felt safe in his arms. She did not want the hug to end, but she felt his warmth leave and she wanted that back. "So I guess we better pack huh?"
"Um…. Yea I guess I have heard that Hokkan is in the north."
"Yea, it is. Had to go up they're for some business a few years ago, and man it is freezing up there"
"Well, I will see you tomorrow, then," she said as she walked towards her room.
Tasuki stood in the hallway lost in thought. When she had given him a hug, he liked it. Like he should be protecting her, and she belonged was in his arms.
"Is bandit boy falling for someone?" asked Nuriko bringing him out of his trance.
"Huh? Nuriko, what do you want?" asked Tasuki as he turned around to see his friend behind him.
"You two were getting cozy a few minutes ago."
"Oh that, that was nothing."
"So that hug was nothing. It did not look like nothing," said Nuriko as he leaned on Tasuki.
"Will ya leave me alone, I told you it was nothing. Shouldn't you be packing?" asked Tasuki as he stormed off down the hall.
Nuriko watched his friend leave, and know that the bandit boy had started to like Alexisa. Nuriko also knew that Alexisa had started to like Tasuki as well, seeing his two friends tonight Nuriko made a promise to himself to see those two get together.