Author's Note:
Yeah, for updating way sooner than I thought I would, but that is what I get for getting out of classes, and having nothing much else to worry about. So yea here is the next chapter for those of you waiting to read it. Can't believe that this story is as popular as it is. Did not think that I was think good of a writer, but I guess I am. So yea.. not much else to say.
Thanks to all that have reviewed and are faithfull readers.
-Jedi Madchen86
"Miaka, shouldn't we let them rest first?" asked Tasuki as he looked towards her.
"Tasuki, Don't worry bout me. I am feeling better," said Alexisa as she pushed herself off of him. "And besides Miaka is right, we need to get the shinzaho."
"Yea, I guess your right," said Tasuki admitting defeat as he hung his head.
"And besides, all of us are here now," said Nuriko with a smile on his face.
"Yea, Nuriko is right. When all of are together there is nothing that we can't do," said Miaka as she smiled "Now where was that door?" she asked facing the mountain once more.
"Same old Miaka," said Tamahome walking up beside her and pointing the door out to her once again.
"And she is supposed to be the one that saves us?" asked Tasuki under his breath to no one in particular.
"Give her a break fang boy," sad Alexisa as she wacked the back of his head very softly.
Tasuki rubbed the back of his head and looked over to Alexisa who was laughing, and smiling. "That was mean," he replied.
"Well you deserved it."
Alexisa took he gaze from Tasuki to where Miaka and Tamahome were walking towards the door. She watched as the other warriors gathered behind her and as Miaka reached her the handle, and pulled the door open, but it would not budge. Miaka tugged on the door harder, but it would still not open.
"Alexisa are you sure this is the door?" asked Miaka as he kept on pulling on the door.
"It has to be. You don't see any other doors on the side of the mountain do ya?" asked Alexisa as she walked towards the group, and stopped in front of the door.
"Miaka why don't you let me give it a try," said Nuriko as he walked towards the door, and pulled on the handle as well, only to have the same effect. "It doesn't work," cried Nuriko in a singsong voice. "Why can't I open it?"
"Only the chosen will enter this sanctuary."
"What was that?" asked Miaka
"No clue."
"Nuriko try opening the door again," suggested Alexisa as she looked at the door.
Nuriko looked towards Alexisa. "You sure?"
"Yea, I think I saw something," replied Alexisa not taking her eyes off the door.
"Ok, if you say so," said Nuriko grabbing the handle once more and pulled.
Alexisa looked towards the top of the door, as Nuriko pulled on the handle. "Stop pulling Nuriko," she called out. Once Nuriko had left go of the door Alexisa saw part of the door light up and speak. "Only the chosen will enter this sanctuary," repeated the door.
"What is that?" asked Tamahome
"It's the door."
"What do you mean?" asked Miaka
"I think what Alexisa means that the door is bewitched with some power," said Chiriko looking at Miaka.
"But who's? And why won't it let us in?"
"Only the chosen will enter this sanctuary, it keeps on repeating that, Miaka why don't you try, you are the Priestess after all, you know."
"I don't know Chichiri, it would not open for her the last time she tried," said Tamahome looking at Chichiri and then Miaka.
"Let me try again," said Miaka as she walked towards the door, and pulled on the handle again only to have the door speak again.
"Only the chosen will enter this sanctuary."
"If it is not Miaka, then who is?" asked Nuriko looking around, to have his gaze fall on Alexisa.
"What?" asked Alexisa as she felt eyes on her.
"You have not tried, Alexisa. Maybe it is you," said Tamahome looking at her as well.
"Why would it be me?"
"You think we know, just try it. Can you think of anyone else?" asked Tasuki
"No, but who says I want to go in there?"
"You don't have much of a choice, you know."
Alexisa looked around at the faces around her, and her gaze fell on Miaka. "Fine, I'll do it, but I get to say I told you so if I can't open the bitch," she said as she walked to the door and grabbed the handle. Only to have the door slowly open, Alexisa pulled the door open to reveal a darkened hallway. "You have got to be kidding me," said Alexisa under her breath. 'And how much do you wanna bet that I have to battle someone else,' she thought as she looked down the hallway. 'I really hate being this Guardian all the time. Why can't they ever fight before me?' she asked herself, as she continued to stare down the hallway.
"Ok, so I opened the door for you folks. Now have fun," said Alexisa as she turned to face her friends only to feel a force pull her into the darkened hallway, and having the door slammed after she was in the hallway. Alexisa felt the force loosen and having no light to see, she fell to the ground beneath her, she could feel sharp objects as she landed.
"Great now what?" she asked the darkness and she gathered her arms and legs under her to push herself to her feet.
"This girl was the one to get past my barrier? You must have immense power."
"I can hear you, you know. What is it with people and darkness? You are not really scaring me, seen to many horror movies for that one to work on me," said Alexisa as she tried to pinpoint the location of the voice. "I'm glad that you all can see, but care to spread some light, unless you want me to do that for you as well," said Alexisa as she held out her palms and a small light appeared in both of them. With the small light that she now had, she could see that what she thought were rocks that she landed on were not rocks, but several skeletons. One skeleton looked as if he were holding a torch, she quickly walked over to him, and lit the torch with the fire from her hands. Once the torch was lit, Alexisa took another glance around the chamber; she could see the door that she had come in about 60 feet behind her.
"Ok, so I opened the door for you folks. Now have fun," said Alexisa as she turned to face her friends only to be pulled in and have the door slam in their faces.
"ALEXISA!" cried Tasuki as he tried to reach the door before it closed, but hearing the loud clank of the door closing before him.
"What pulled her in?" asked Miaka as they all looked on with fear in their eyes for Alexisa.
"No clue, but we need to get in there and help her," said Tasuki tugging on the door.
"Tasuki, Alexisa was the only was able to open the door remember," said Nuriko as he came up beside him.
"I know that Nuriko, but she is in there alone."
"We know that Tasuki," said Tamahome speaking up.
"She should be fine, she does have all of our powers," said Chiriko as he walked up behind Tasuki.
"I know that, but she used much of her strength fighting Ashitare, and I don't know how much more she will be able to hold up," said Tasuki as he banged on the door.
"Ok, you had your fun. Now who are you? And why was I the only one to enter?" Alexisa asked to the space around her.
"You seek the shinzaho of Genbu," said a voice as ice arrows shot towards Alexisa
"Yes I do," replied Alexisa looking around her, and barely dodging the arrows.
"Why?" asked the same voice as she heard footsteps from behind her.
"To summon Suzaku, and so Miaka can return home," she replied turning around and looking at the figure that was approaching her.
"How were you able to enter? Only a person willing to die for their Priestess would be able to open that door."
"Well I guess I would qualify then."
"There is something odd about you, I do not sense just one warrior. How is it that you posses powers from seven different warriors?" asked the figure as more ice arrows shot towards her.
Alexisa's forehead glowed as she used Tamahome's powers to dodged the arrows that were being shot towards her, she also used Tasuki's speed to run up to the figure to see that it was a man, only about 16 or so. She hoped that he would not notice her and tired to punch him, but he was able to dodge her punch.
"How do you have seven powers?" he asked again as he made eye contact with her, and sent an ice arrow into her stomach, and sent her flying back 10 feet, screaming in pain.
"Since you are cooped up in this cave, guess you have not heard of me," said Alexisa as she tried to get up, holding an arm across her stomach, healing herself. "I am the Guardian Of Suzaku," she cried out as she launched herself at him once more.
"Guardian Of Suzaku?" asked the man
Alexisa was right in front of the man, and punched him, only to have her fist make contact with nothing, it went right through him, and with her momentum she fell down to the ground once more, breathing heavily. "What are you?" she asked as he looked up to see him standing over her. The man had brown hair a blue hat, and brown eyes that held much sadness in them. He wore a blue and white coat, with yellow trim along the outside edge.
"I am Tomite of the Genbu Seven."
"But how is that possible?" she asked slowly standing up. "Genbu was summoned over 200 years ago?"
"Long time to wait. I was chosen to guard the shinzaho and to give it to one person."
"Who would that be?" she asked as she reached her feet, breathing very heavy.
"I was to wait for the person, that would lose their life in order to serve their Priestess, one that held all seven powers of the warriors in them."
"Here I am. Can I have the necklace now?" she asked holding out her hand.
"I do believe that you are that person, but I still have yet to see seven powers," said Tomite as he slammed another ice arrow into her stomach. She landed once more, and slowly moved her right hand to her stomach that was bleeding and tried to heal once more, but she could feel her strength diminish.
"I have only seen five of the seven," he said as he walked closer to her.
"You have got to be kidding me?" asked Alexisa as she ripped off a long piece of fabric from her shirt and tied it around her stomach. 'Does this guy want me to die?' she asked herself, and she looked around and trying to find a sword like object, and seeing one about 10 feet from where she lay. Holding one of her arms across her stomach to slow the bleeding, and using a small amount of Tasuki's speed she reached the sword; that now was old and rusty.
"Can't you just take my word for it. That I am the person you have been waiting for?" she asked holding onto the sword.
Tomite continued to walk towards her as he shot another ice arrow towards her; Alexisa was just barely able to dodge the arrow, as she fell to the ground, her blood still seeping out of her. 'There has got to be another way, I won't be able to hold up against him much longer. I can barely stand up,' thought Alexisa as she shook her head to clear her vision, to see Tomite looming over her.
"You are not the person I have been waiting for. Now go and join the rest of those who came before," said Tomite as he prepared another arrow, and pointed at Alexisa's heart.
Alexisa looked into Tomite's eyes, and watched as he slowly pulled the arrow back, and once he was about to release it, a red light engulfed Alexisa, revealing every symbol on her body; Tamahome, forehead, martial arts skill; Hotohori, left side of neck, swordsmanship; Nuriko, on the chest near the left shoulder, super strength; Chichiri, left knee, magic; Tasuki, right forearm, speed; Mitsukake, left hand, healing; Chiriko, left foot, wisdom. The light faded, and Alexisa collapsed to the ground, Tomite could not believe his eyes, this girl was the one that he had been waiting for. He looked down at her, and released the spell on the door.
"We have to do something, she is in there all alone," said Tasuki as he turned around and looked at his friends, when the door slowly opened. Everyone turned and looked at the door, and the darkened hallway.
"Why is the door opening? Do you think Alexisa got the shinzaho?" asked Miaka looking around at her friends.
"Warriors of Suzaku. Please enter," said the same voice.
"You think it is a trap?" asked Nuriko as they all continued to stare into the tunnel.
Tasuki continued to look into the tunnel searching for signs of Alexisa, after a few minutes he began to walk into the hallway calling out her name.
"Alexisa? Where are you?" his voice rang through the hallway. He heard the footsteps of his friends following behind him.
"Hello Warriors of Suzaku," said Tomite as he walked out of the shadows and faced the warriors before him.
"What have you done to Alexisa?"
"Priestess of Suzaku, you must be blessed to have a Guardian watch over you, and one that is so willing to give her life for your sake
"What do you mean?" asked Miaka as she walked closer to him.
"Only one that was willing to give their life in order to serve her Priestess would be able to open that door."
"You mean Alexisa is..." said Miaka as she raised her hands towards her face.
"You BASTERED!" screamed Tasuki.
"Do not fret, your Guardian still lives, she is located further down the hallway. I came to give you this," said Tomite holding out a necklace.
Miaka looked down at the necklace and a smile appeared on her face. "This is for me?"
"Yes, it is rightfully yours," he replied bowing down to her.
Miaka reached out and took the necklace form his out stretched hand, and as soon as the necklace left Tomite's hand he disappeared. 'I finally have the shinzaho,' thought Miaka as she clutched it to her chest.
"Where is Alexisa?" asked Nuriko.
"She must be down further," said Tasuki using his speed and running down the hall, looking for Alexisa. He spotted her lying on the ground. He made his way over to her, she was lying on her side; he could see small cuts over her face and hands. He kneeled down next to her and touched her shoulder, only to pull back his hand. She was freezing; he quickly pulled off his coat and wrapped it around her; then he saw the blood coming from her mid section. He slowly turned her to lie on her back and placed hr head in his lap.
"MITS. GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE NOW!" he yelled as his voice bounced around the hallway. He looked back down at her face; her lips were beginning to get a bluish tint to them. He could her his friends walking down towards him, as he waited he began to rub her arms to warm her up. He knew his friend shad reached them when he heard Miaka gasp, and then the hurried feet of Mits.
"Mits, please help her, she bleeding," said Tasuki looking down at her stomach.
Mits quickly looked at her, she was cold to the touch, and the blood coming from her stomach. He moved her arm only to see no wound, he moved her shit to try to see where the wound was, but there was nothing there.
"Heal her," pleaded Tasuki as he looked down at her face.
"She has no wound."
"But all that blood, there has to be something."
"Tasuki, it appears that she was injured but then was healed, the blood just has yet to dry with it being so cold in here." (A/N: Ok, don't know if that is true but right now I am making it that way.)
"Why is she not waking up though?"
"I have no clue," replied Mits, as he continued to look over her, seeing if he missed an injury or something.
"What happened in here?" asked Nuriko was he came up on the other side of Tasuki.
"She was engulfed in the light of Suzaku," said Tomite appearing behind Mits.
"Suzaku's light?" asked Miaka, as she looked over at him.
"I thought that she was not the one, I was about to kill her, when a red light suddenly engulfed her reveling every symbol of the seven warriors. That is when I knew she was the one that I had been waiting for."
"But why won't she wake up?" asked Tasuki
"I do not now, but I suggest that we leave, keeping her here will not help her at all," said Mits as he stood up.
Tasuki nodded his head and made sure that his coat was wrapped tightly around her and picked her up bridal style in his arms.
"Tomite. What will happen to you now?" asked Miaka
"I will finally be able to rejoin all of my friends and fellow warriors up in heaven, my last task here has finally be completed," he replied as he walked off further down the hallway.
"Ok, come on. Let's go. We need to get Alexisa someplace warm. Chichiri can't you teleport us back to town or something?"
"I am not sure, you know. Might be able to get us at least halfway down the mountain, you know."
"That will have to do," said Tasuki walking over to his friend, as he laid down his kasa.
"Hold on, you know. This could be a bumpy ride," said Chichiri as he closed his eyes and tapped his kasa with his pole. Miaka and the others gathered around, Tasuki and after a few minutes he could feel the ground beneath him giveaway, he looked down at the girl in his arms, and held clutched her to his chest. A few minutes later Tasuki felt solid ground under his feet once more. He looked around and saw that they had almost reached the town.
"You're the man Chichiri," Tasuki said as he walked off towards the mountain.
"You think she will be ok?" asked Nuriko as he watched his two friends walk off.
"I hope so, you know," Chichiri said as she swayed on his feet.
"Easy, buddy. That took it outta you huh?" Nuriko asked as he grabbed a hold of his arm to steady him.
"I think we all have had a long day. Let's get back to the inn and get some sleep," said Tamahome as he followed Tasuki's footsteps and leading the way back into town.