Author's Note:
Hello all, sorry it took me a little longer than expected to update. Had a bad case of writer's block, and been trying to get over it, so don't hate me if this chapter is not all that great. Ok as far, as me updating next month, I think what I might due is swith it up a bit... now hold on. I know waht you all are going to think, that I am going to abanden this story, well you are wrong. Like I have said in the past thsi story as already gone on longer than I thought, and I really did not have it planned out this far, so the past few chappters have been straight from my mind yo the page, which is not a bad thing. I just want to eep my story line stairght. Sorry if the spelling is all fucked up, been awake for to long... Ok so back to point, I am going to updated once every two months now, and maybe if I can get enough done then maybe I will post a chapter every month, but dont' hold me it to. Things are getting a little crazy in my life at the moment, there are a lot of family and school obligations that I am going to need to get done over the next few months. So this is far warning that my next update might not be until april sometime... I mean it took me almost a whoel month to get this short chapter out, so please bear with me here folks, and you will be rewarded with longer chapters (at least I hope) and better chapters. Thank you all again for reading, hope you enjoy what's to come...(that is as soon as I figure out whats' to come). So till next chapter have fun reading, and keep the reviews coming.....
-JediMadchen86
Miaka and Alexisa walked through the halls towards the topside of the ship. As they walked they talked, and chatted, like friends do. Once they reached the deck of the ship, they both made their way towards the back where Chichiri was more than likely to be at, and as they neared the back of the ship, they found him sitting looking out towards the sea.
"Hey, Chichiri," they said as they both
neared him.
"Hello. What are you two up to?"
"Nothing much, I was just wondering if you knew when we would reach Hokkan. I am getting a little sick of being on this boat," said Alexisa as she sat down on a crate by Chichiri.
"Chiriko, thinks that we should reach their shores in a few hours, you know."
"Thank god. I just want to have dryland under my feet again."
"I like being at sea," said Miaka "I feel free, and more relaxed." She said as she walked towards the railing and looked out onto the sea.
"I am all about the freedom part, but after a while with all the swaying, I just don't like being on a boat for to long. Give me an airplane any day."
"What's an airplane?" asked Chichiri as he got to his feet and moved closer to where Alexisa sat. Alexisa looked at him, and began to open her mouth to explain when there came a shot over the ship.
"LAND!"
Hearing the news Alexisa, and Chichiri walked over and joined Miaka. They looked at over the horizon and could see a huge mass of land coming into view. "So much for a few hours, looks like we are going to be hitting solid ground within the hour," said Alexisa smiling.
"I guess the wind from the storm carried us farther than Chiriko thought, you know."
"I'm going to go and tell the others," said Miaka running away from both of them. "See you all later."
Chichiri and Alexisa watched as Miaka ran towards the front of the ship to notify the other warriors the good news. Alexisa then returned her gaze to the land that they were sailing towards, she leaned on the railing resting her elbows and putting her chin in her right hand, with her left hanging over the side. Chichiri stood standing next to her looking out at the water.
"What do you think Hokkan will have in store for us?" asked Alexisa
"I do not know, I just know if we face it together, there is nothing that can stop us," said Chichiri as he slid his mask off and held it in his hand. "Listen, I know things are getting hard for you, but know this, we are in this together, and we share that burden with everyone. We all worry about each other; that is what happens when you spend so much time with people you care about," Chichiri said as he continued to gaze at the water.
"I know Chichiri. I know," said Alexisa as she took one last look at the water and walked away.
Chichiri put his mask back on and returned to where he was sitting and continued to mediate. The ship sailed for another hour or so, when they hit land. Tasuki, having his fear of water was the first of the ship with Alexisa laughing at him.
"Hey, I am a mountain bandit, we don't go near water," said Tasuki once his feet meet solid ground he ran to the nearest tree and hugged it.
"And here I though mountain bandits were supposed to be tough," said Alexisa walking down the plank towards him.
"I am a mountain critter, so forgive me," said Tasuki sticking out his tongue at her. Alexisa walked down the plank of the ship, laughing at Tasuki who still clung to the tree. The other warriors walked off the ship and gathered around her.
"You forget how southern Konan is," said Nuriko gathering his coat around him more. The others nodded in agreement, Hokkan was in the north so Hotohori had given them plenty of coats and other items they would need for the journey to the north.
"So now that we are here, where do we start?" asked Miaka looking around at her friends.
"I suggest that we start looking in the capital, that is the most logically place to look, hopefully someone there will know the whereabouts of the shinzaho," said Chiriko pulling out a map of Hokkan and pointing to the capital city.
"How will we get there? That is pretty far away," said Miaka looking down at the map.
"Well god did not give us feet for nothing right," replied Alexisa putting her hands on her hips.
"You're kidding right?"
"Why would I kid Tasuki, how else would we get to the capital city, huh?"
"Didn't Hotohori give us any horses or anything that we can use?"
"No he did not, be happy that he gave us a ship, so we did not have to swim here," said Nuriko "patting" Tasuki on the back, and having Tasuki end up face first into the ground.
"Damn, Nuriko, be careful will ya?" asked Tasuki once he recovered from Nuriko's "pat" on the back.
"Opps, my bad," said Nuriko bringing his heads up towards his face.
"Well looks like we have to start walking," said Alexisa as she looked at the map once more and started off walking in the direction of the capital.
"There is no way that I am walking to that damn capitol," said Tasuki as he crossed his arms.
"Tasuki, listen to me, if you do not start walking I will have Nuriko carry you all the way there."
"Why did you have to bring me into this Alexisa?"
"Nuriko, you know that I would carry his ass there, but I am still not feeling 100%."
"Fine, come here bandit boy," said Nuriko walking over towards Tasuki.
"Ok, ok fine I'll walk."
"Good boy. Now let's get moving," Alexisa told everyone as she continued to walk in the direction she had before, the other warriors followed her, one in particular at a slower pace than the others, and he constantly complained.
"Why is it so cold here?"
"It is the north, Tasuki it tends to get colder here faster. Now stop complaining and walk."
"Alexisa, do you think there will be snow in the capitol?" asked Miaka as she ran up next to her friend.
"I am hoping, no offense to Konan or anything but I think I would have liked to be a warrior for Genbu, I just love the cold," said Alexisa smiling down at her friend.
"Some of us might love the cold, Alexisa, but not all of us," said Nuriko as he wrapped his coat around himself more. "Come on Tasuki, can't you warm us up with that fan of yours," said Nuriko as he looked at Tasuki.
"No, way. This fan is not a toy," said Tasuki as he hugged his fan tighter to him. Alexisa looked back at her friends and a smile appeared on her face. She watched as Nuriko and Tasuki fought over the magic fan. As she watch them fight she noticed that her other friends were quiet, she looked over at them and saw that they were huddled together. 'I guess I am the only one that loves the cold huh,' thought Alexisa as she watched her friends shiver when a cold breeze blew past them.
"Are you guys really that cold?" she asked them. She looked at each of her friends and saw them nod their heads. "Well I am sorry that His Highness did not give us horses, walking is the only way to get where we need to go. Unless…."
"Don't even think it, Alexisa. We can find another way to get there," said Tasuki looking at her.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you were thinking of using your powers to get us to the capital."
"I was not thinking about that."
"Alexisa, if we combine our powers, we should be able to transport everyone, you know."
"Are you sure Chichiri?"
"I don't care, she is not using her powers. Remember the last time she used them," said Tasuki walking over towards her.
"Tasuki, I'll be fine."
"No. No way."
"Tasuki," started Alexisa as she looked at him. "Chichiri, let's do this," said Alexisa walking over to Chichiri's side.
Chichiri laid out his kasa, and he and Alexisa stood to the side as everyone walked on to it. "I still don't want you to do this," said Tasuki.
"Look, bandit boy. I told you, I will be fine. Chichiri won't let me overdue it. Now just get on the mat."
Tasuki took one last look at Alexisa, and then stepped on the kasa. With the last of their group on the mat, Chichiri and Alexisa closed their eyes and concentrated on the capitol city, and combined their powers. Alexisa tried to picture a city that she had never been to before in her head, at first it was hard, but the she felt Chichiri in her mind as well. 'Try not to overdue yourself, let me do the work,' she heard his voice in her mind.
'You know that I can do this. Let me help. I know when to stop, just trust me,' she told him back.
'Fine, but you are going to take the blame then. I hate having Tasuki mad at me. There is only so long that I can take Nuriko as company,' said Chichiri laughing a little.
'Yea, I know what you mean,' replied Alexisa as a smile appeared on her face. She returned her focus back to the city; with Chichiri's help she was able to picture the city in her mind before her. She locked her mind on the city, and she used Chichiri's powers and she felt herself, and the others being teleported to the city, at least to the outer city walls. Alexisa felt her feet hit solid ground and her knees grew weak under her. Chichiri had felt Alexisa sway on her feet, and stood beside her, grabbing her arm to keep her from falling. Alexisa felt his grip on her arm; she turned her head towards the wondering monk, and nodded her head in a small sign of thanks.
"So this is the capitol of Hokkan huh?" Alexisa heard Miaka ask.
"Alexisa are you ok?" asked Tasuki as he caught sight of her. Her face was pale, and her breathing was labored.
"Yea. See Tasuki I told you that I could help out, and this time I did not even pass out like I usually do," said Alexisa as a weak smile appeared on her face.
"Are you sure you're ok?" asked Miaka turning her head and looking at her friend.
"Yes, Miaka. I am fine, just a little tired," said Alexisa as she looked up at Miaka.
"Well, after the past few days that we have had, who can blame ya. I know, let's find ourselves an inn, and sleep in a comfy bed tonight," said Nuriko looking at his friends.
"What about the search for the shinzaho?" asked Chiriko.
"The search can wait till morning. I think we all could use some rest tonight," said Mits walking towards the gate.
"Well, that settles it then, let's go and get some food," said Miaka as she followed after Mits.
"Come on guys. Hey Mits, just don't make it to expensive of a place will ya," said Tamahome as he followed Miaka, and Mits into the city.
Chichiri and Alexisa followed after their friends to the city, Chichiri walking slower than normal to make sure Alexisa would not fall. Tasuki saw his two friends walking slower, and behind the rest. He came up along the other side of Chichiri.
"She ok?"
"Yea, just a little tired, why don't you take over for me huh?"
"Sure thing," said Tasuki as he grabbed her arms over his head, he kneeled down and grabbed her legs on the side of his body, he stood up, and gave Alexisa a piggy back ride into the city. The group looked for an inn to stay at and after a few minutes they found one with several rooms available. Chichiri paid for the rooms, one for Alexisa and Miaka, and then three others for the rest. Finding out which room was reserved for the girls Tasuki carried Alexisa to the room, and laid her on the bed. He looked down at the sleeping girl on the bed.
"I knew you would not listen to me," he said to the sleeping figure on the bed.
He walked over to the door, and walked out into the hall. Once he was out in the hall he walked down the hall to where his friends were waiting for him. Seeing her friend come into the dining room, Miaka waved him over to their table.
"Hey, Tasuki, over here."
Hearing his name called out Tasuki saw Miaka and headed over to her.
"Is Alexisa alright?" asked Miaka as Tasuki sat down beside her.
"She's fine, just a little tired, for once," said Tasuki.
"Well that's good then. I'm glad that she is fine. Well now that we are here. Where do we start looking for the shinzaho?" asked Miaka as she looked around the table at her friends.
"Tomorrow, we should spilt up into groups and search the city for any clues," said Chiriko pulling out a map of the city. "I've been making a grid by with the groups with search tomorrow, and if any one of us finds anything that pertains to the shinzaho then we just need to raise our powers and let Alexisa or Chichiri notice and we can meet up at that location," said Chiriko pointing to the map that he ha laid on the table before them.
"Wow, Chiriko. That took a lot of work, but there is one problem to your plan," said Nuriko looking at him. "We are not the only ones looking for the shinzaho, aren't the Seiryu warriors, looking for it as well," said Nuriko
"That is an excellent point Nuriko, one that I seemed to have over looked. If you all will excuse me, I think I am going to go to my room, and try to think of another plan," said Chiriko gathering up the map and walking to the stairs. The other warriors watched the young genius leave, and hearing their stomachs rumble, they each ordered food, Miaka ordering the most, and they ate to their hearts content, each returning to their own rooms at the end of the night, to sleep away the days' fatigue and any that would soon befall on their shoulders.