Author's Note:
Ok here you go folks. The nest Chapter, sorry it took me a little longer to update than usual, my classes started again so I now have to deal with the shitton of work from them, as well as working 40 hours a week. So I am trying my best to get a chapter out every month, but please don't sue me if I can not hold myself to that promise. Also, I am trying to add more detail into the story, I was reading it again, and I really don't let you all know how Alexisa looks like and what she has on half the time. Also a friend of mine pointed that out ot me as well, so I am going to try to put detail in where it needs to be. So yea ummmm as for that I think that is about it. Oh yea, keep the reviews coming, love to hear what you all think, and I am open to critism, so don't feel the need to hold back. Let me know if there is somethign that can be done better. As for teh typos I think I caught them all, I treid to at least. So that is about it... so have fun reading......
-JediMadchen86
The ship sailed towards Hokkan and the Suzaku warriors dispersed through out the ship, Nuriko going to the galley to help the cooks with the dinner, Miaka going to her quarters, Chichiri sitting at the rear (bow?) of the ship and Alexisa walking towards the front (stern?) deep in thought. 'Wonder what dark cloud Taitsukun was referring to? Could she have meant Tamahome's family? Or is there something else that is coming towards us?' thought Alexisa as she looked out towards the sea in front of them. 'Will I really be able to help them through it? I mean I am supposed to protect them all, but lately they have been protecting me. Some Guardian I am turning out to be. We are getting closer to the summoning and I am scared. I don't want to die but I don't want Miaka to die either. There has to be another way to summon Suzaku. I mean Suzaku is the God of Love right? So why would he do that to Miaka and Tamahome, who clearly love each other," she continued to think as she looked towards the sea.
"What were you two doing back there?," asked a voice bringing her out of her thoughts and back to reality. Alexisa turned around to see Nuriko standing behind her.
"Nuriko. What are you doing out here? I thought you were in the galley," said Alexisa turning around facing her friend.
"I was, but I was just getting in the way, so I came out here," said Nuriko walking towards her. "Must be some deep thinking."
"Not really. What did you ask me?" she asked turning around and leaning down on the rail, looking out to sea.
"I asked what were you and Tasuki doing in your room before we left?" asked Nuriko leaning down next to her.
"Nothing much, we were talking."
"That all?" asked Nuriko looking at her.
"Yea, he kept on telling me that he should be the one protecting me," said Alexisa meeting Nuriko's eyes.
"Tasuki?"
"Yea, the bandit that keeps telling us that he does not like women, suddenly worried about me."
"I have only known Tasuki for a short time, but I have never seen him this way before, I mean whenever you were hurt he never left your side, even when Mits told him that you would be fine he still stayed and watched over you," said Nuriko leaning back down in the rail. "Come to think of it, all of us are worried about you."
"Why? I am able to take care of myself, you do know that right?" asked Alexisa as she leaned down next to Nuriko and looked over at him.
"Alexisa, listen. The Suzaku warriors are a family, an odd and weird family, but still a family. We all look at you as a little sister, and we want to protect you. We know that you can kick some ass by yourself, but that won't stop us from trying to protect you."
"That is just it Nuriko. I am the Guardian of Suzaku, the one that protects you all, because without all the seven warriors, Suzaku cannot be summoned. So I have to be the first one into danger, I have to protect you all. That is my duty as The Guardian of Suzaku," said Alexisa as he stood up looked out towards the ocean one last time and turned and left.
Nuriko turned around and watched Alexisa walk back towards the middle of the ship. He then looked up at the sky and returned to his quarters. Alexisa walked towards her quarters, and once she closed the door behind her, she slid down the door, with her arms wrapped around her. She looked around her room, which held a bed, small table, and a chair that had her bag sitting on top. 'Why are they worried about me? They should be worrying about Miaka, cuz we all know that she gets into more trouble than any of us combined. I guess it can't be helped, after all they feel more like a family to me than my real family back home. So I guess I will just have to live with it, after all the Guardian of Suzaku fights and lives to protect the warriors,' thought Alexisa as her thoughts consumed her mind, and she drifted off into a light sleep. She was awoken when her body was slammed around her room, she got to her feet and looked out her window to see the waves rushing past her windows and the sky beyond become dark.
"Great, a storm. Just what we need," said Alexisa as she made her way out to the bridge of the ship and saw people running around obeying orders. She took at the sky once more and felt an odd presence about it. She quickly located each of the warriors and sensed that they were below decks as the storm raged on. She was about to turn away when she felt Chichiri's presence come up behind her.
"Hey Chichiri, you heading below deck?" she asked as rain began to fall.
"There is something odd about this storm, you know."
"What do you mean?" she asked as she looked back towards the sky.
"I don't know but keep your guard up," he replied walking towards the stern of the ship. Alexisa watched him walk out of her sight and looked back at the sky, she closed her eyes trying to find what Chichiri might have sensed. She scanned the sky, she almost lost her footing and she was tossed against the side of the ship. She gripped the wood and looked towards the front of the ship, as a bolt of lighting struck at the ship. Alexisa held on tighter to the wood expecting to be tossed to the side but there was nothing.
'Alexisa, come now,' she heard in her mind. She released her grip and tried to make her way towards the front of the ship, but with the wood being slick, she often slipped and fell. Once she made it to the front of the she saw where the lightening had hit the ship, only a burn mark showed where the lightening hit, there was no other damage. Another bolt came down right behind Alexisa, she gathered her feet below her and tried to jump to safety, but she slide as soon as her feet touched the wood, once she found stable footing she looked around for the cause of the bolts, to see a women standing by on of the sails of the ship. She had one hand pointed to the sky, and an evil look to her. Before Alexisa could say anything the women jumped down in front of her landing perfectly, even with the rain running over the floor.
"So this must be the famous Guardian of Suzaku," said the women as she looked down at Alexisa. "You don't look like much," she said pointing her hand towards the sky again. Alexisa knowing what was going to happen, she rolled off to the side to avoid the bolt of lighting. As soon as she stood the bolt of lighting struck where she had been moments before. She looked around the ship and saw that Chichiri was lying down on his back with electrical currents rolling over his body, when he tried to move the currents surged over his body.
"Oh don't worry bout your friend, I just wanted to fight you without interruptions that is all," she said pointing her hand at the sky once more. Alexisa once again moved to avoid the bolt of lighting; she rolled towards where Chichiri lay only to be struck with a bolt. She screamed out in pain, and fell to the floor, pain raced up and down her entire body. She tried to push herself up on her hands and knees only to fall towards the floor once more, the rain had ceased but the remaining moisture on the ship still gave Alexisa little to no grip.
"REKKA SHIN'EN"
The women jumped out of the way of the fire that was sent towards her, she landed a few feet away from Alexisa, looking for the source of the flames. Alexisa saw Tasuki and the others running towards her, she tried to speak but no words would come out of her mouth.
"So these; must be the Warriors of Suzaku. Have you come to save your Guardian?" asked the women pointing over to where Alexisa lay. "Some Guardian you are, having those who you protect coming to save you," said the women to Alexisa.
"Who are you?" asked Tasuki looking at the women.
"I am Soi, celestial warrior of Seiryu," said the women, lifting up her skirt to show them the symbol on her thigh. Alexisa looked up at her friends that stood on the opposite side of the ship. She tried again to push herself to her feet she reached her knees. She looked over at her friends and glanced back towards Soi, the women was looking at her friends and was about to point both her hands towards the sky, Alexisa knew what was about to occur, Alexisa gathered her remaining strength and ran towards Soi. Soi was distracted and Alexisa was able to grab her around the waist, she held tight and ran towards the side of the ship. Once she reached the side, she was not able to stop and fell overboard. She heard her name being yelled, but once she hit the water, all she heard was muffled sounds. She tired to move her arms but they would not respond to her commands, so she sunk further down into the ocean. She continued to fall until she saw a dark shadow coming towards her. She felt a hand grab hers and she felt herself being pulled upwards. She felt her head break the surface of the water, and heard her name being called.
"I have you Alexisa, your safe," she heard a name say to her.
"Tamahome, grab the rope," said a familiar voice.
Tamahome grabbed the rope that Nuriko had tossed him; he wrapped the rope around his arm, and gave a tug. Nuriko pulled Tamahome, and Alexisa out of the water and began to pull them back towards the ship. Alexisa felt herself being pulled from the water, and then onto a hard surface, where she once again felt arms wrap around her.
"What the hell were you thinking?"
"Sorry," she replied as she looked up to see Tasuki's worried expression on his face. "Just did not want to get you all involved," she said coughing a little.
"Let me look at her Tasuki," said Mits kneeling beside the bandit.
"I'm ok Mits," said Alexia waving off the doctor in front of her. She stood up and swayed a little, but was able to catch herself; she leaned up against the side of the ship.
"What the hell were you thinking?" asked Tasuki over at her.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean rushing Soi and going overboard."
"Oh that. Well I know what she was about to do, and you all distracted her and I was able to free myself from her hold, and I knocked her overboard. I tried not to go over, but once I hit the side I just keep going," said Alexisa as she walked closer to her friends.
"You almost got killed," said Tasuki grabbing her arms, and looking at her.
"Tasuki, how many times do I tell you, don't worry about me. I am more than willing to give my life to save you all. After all without each and every one of you, the summoning cannot take place, so that is why I am here. To protect you all, and give my life to save you, if it deems necessary, you might not like it; but that is what I am here for," Alexisa said as she looked at the warriors gathered before her. "I know you all are worried about me, and I love it that you are. You guys have become my family. But all of you need to understand, that I will protect each and every one of you, not just because I am the Guardian of Suzaku, but also because I love you all. Now, I am freakin tired, so I will be in my room," said Alexisa as she slowly made her way back towards her room. Alexisa walked to her room once again, she opened her door, walked to her bed and fell into it. 'Hope they are not mad at me,' thought Alexisa as she fell a sleep.
The warriors of Suzaku watched as Alexisa walked backed towards the middle of the ship and then below decks.
"Is she serious?" asked Tasuki
"Yea, I think she is Tasuki," said Nuriko
"She can't keep this up though, she is going to kill herself."
"Remember Tasuki, as long as she has our powers she will be fine, you know."
"You all don't understand, when our powers got enchanted, so did hers."
"See there is nothing to worry bout then," said Miaka smiling.
"No Miaka," said Tasuki shaking his head. "There is a lot to worry about. If she uses our powers more than once in a day, she could die."
"What?" asked Nuriko, Miaka, and Chichiri together.
"Tasuki, what are you saying?" asked Tamahome.
"I am saying that if Alexisa uses two of our powers in one day, she could die."
"You can't be serious?" asked Miaka looking around at her friends. "There has to be something that we can do."
"No Miaka, I don't think there is anything that can be done, you know," said Chichiri
"But why?" she asked to no one in particular. "Then she just needs to stop using her powers then right?"
"Miaka, when have you known Alexisa, not to uses her powers," said Nuriko
"Doesn't she know that it could kill her?"
"You heard what she said though, Miaka. She won't just sit by and watch us, fight without her. From now on we will just have to watch out for her, and make sure that she does not get into trouble," said Tasuki. "That is all we really can do," said Tasuki as he walked the same path that Alexisa walked only minutes before. Each warrior soon took the same path as Tasuki and went to their own room; they were all deep in thought over the journey that was set before them.
Alexisa woke to the slight swaying on the ship below her; she opened her eyes to look at the white ceiling above her. 'Wonder if we arrived in Hokkan yet?' she wondered as she moved her gaze from the ceiling to the window. Alexisa lay in bed looking at the now clam seas that rushed passed her window. 'I wonder if everyone is mad at me, I mean after the way that I snapped at them yesterday. Guess I cannot blame them if they are though. They need to realize what U need and have to do to protect them, especially Tasuki,' thought Alexisa as she sat up in the bed, touching her feet to the floor. She pushed herself to her feet and walked over towards her bag that was sitting on a chair by the door. She reached into the bag, grabbed out a pair of faded blue jeans, and a light blue shirt. She got dressed and walked back towards her bag and pulled out brush and ponytail holder. As she brushed her hair, thinking of how long she had gone without putting her hair up, she finished brushing and pulled her hair into a partway ponytail, she then wrapped the extra hair around and finished with her hair in messy bun, but a bun none the less. She finished tucking the last bit of hair into her bun, when she heard a knock at her door.
"Yes?" she asked turning towards the door, to see Miaka stepping out from behind the door. "Oh hey, Miaka. What's up?" she asked
"Hey, wow you look totally different with your hair up," said Miaka coming into the room and closing the door.
"Yea, I know," she replied "Are we in Hokkan yet?"
"No, not yet, I think Chichiri said that we would be there later today," said Miaka leaning against the closed door.
"Oh ok, cool," said Alexisa turning around again digging through her bag.
"Umm, Alexisa?"
"Yea?" she asked without looking up from her bag.
"Can I talk to you?"
"Sure, bout what?"
"Yesterday," Miaka said as she walked closer to her.
"What about yesterday?"
"Are you really ready to give up your life?"
Alexisa stopped fiddling with her bag and looked up, her eyes first went to the window, and to the calmness outside, and then they traveled over to Miaka, who was standing right behind her with her hands close to her face. "Miaka, about that, I meant what I said. You all need to be alive more than myself. So…"
"You can't be serious? You can't be ready to throw away your life," said Miaka walking closer to her friend.
"Miaka, listen to what I am going to tell you ok?" said Alexisa as she looked at Miaka. "The summoning of Suzaku cannot take place without the Priestess and her seven warriors. If even one warrior has been killed then you will not be able to summon Suzaku. The only reason why I am here is to protect you all. That is my purpose in this world. Just like yours is to summon Suzaku and protect Konan."
"Then, I won't summon Suzaku then. I don't want you to die Alexisa."
"I knew you would say that. Miaka, come here," said Alexisa as she sat down on the bed, Miaka took a seat next to her. "When you first came here, you promised Hotohori that you would summon Suzaku, you vowed as a Priestess that you would help him save his country from harm. Miaka you have to summon Suzaku, there is no way around it, just as it is your fate. Just like there is no way around my fate. I have come to accept what I have to do. I know you all worry about me and everything, but this will not kill me okay. Just do me one favor okay. I know that the others sent you in here as well, I want you to go and tell them what they want to hear from me okay?"
"You sure?"
"They have enough to worry about at the moment, and they need to be focused on the journey ahead, and not about me. So will you do that for me?" she asked looking over at her friend.
"Yea, sure," said Miaka "Alexisa but promise me one thing though. Promise me you won't die okay?" asked Miaka giving Alexisa a hug.
"Sure thing Miaka. I promise," said Alexisa hugging back her friend. "Well enough of girl talk, now let's go see where were at. Shall we?" asked Alexisa as she up from the bed and walked over towards the door.
"Yea, let's go find Chichiri," said Miaka following her friend out of the room, and into the halls of the ship.