She lay there awake, watching the displays of light that the moonlight shone on her ceiling. 'I don't think I have ever been so confused as to what to do in my life before,' she thought, as she tucked her hands under her pillow, beneath her head. 'Nuriko is right though, if there were any feelings of doubt in me, I would not have been able to open that door. But does wishing to live mean doubt? I have been chosen from among countless others to fulfill a destiny that others would probably dream about. I am in ancient China for crying out loud, seeing history right in front of me. How many others can say that they have seen ancient history in the making. Why was I chosen for this?' she asked herself as she turned on her side facing the wall. 'I wonder what Suzaku was thinking when he picked me,' she thought as she let out a sigh.
'Would you like to know?' asked a voice that rang in her mind.
"Huh? What?" she asked as she sat up and looked around. "Who's there?"
'Don't be alarmed Guardian,' she heard again.
Alexisa looked around the room again, only seeing blackness, she was about to lie back down when she noticed a small red floating orb just outside of the window. "What is that?" she wondered as she slowly got to her feet; and made her way over to the window. Once she reached the window the red orb zipped away to the street below. Alexisa pulled her boots quickly and dashed out of the room grabbing a coat; being as quiet as she could to prevent Miaka from waking up. Once she reached the street, she barely saw the red orb, as it had begun to snow. She followed after the glowing orb as quickly as she could, after about five minutes of battling the falling snow, and the harsh wind Alexisa finally saw the orb hover outside of a door. Alexisa reached the door, and slowly pulled it open. Once inside, she shook the snow from her hair, and looked around the room. The orb was slowly floating along the wall; Alexisa rubbed her hands together and followed behind the orb. She could barely make out scenes that were painted on the wall; she could see a young girl with dark haired holding a staff of some sort. The next few scenes displayed the same girl, but she was now joined with several others. First it was just a few, but then it progressed until the young girl had seven people surrounding her. "What is this place?" Alexisa asked herself.
"This is where the Guardians come after the summoning," said the same voice.
Alexisa took her eyes off of the scenes to see that the room was now filled with light, and a man clad in red armor was standing before her.
"You're…"
"I am Suzaku, God of the Konan Empire."
"Suzaku,' said Alexis above a whisper. "But, why am I here? What is this place?" she asked turning around and looking back at the walls.
"The Chronicles of the Guardians."
"Chronicles of the Guardians?" she asked looking back up towards him.
"Yes, you are not the first Guardian that has been summoned to this world Alexisa."
"The Guardian of Genbu."
"Yes over 200 years ago, another young girl was summoned here to help serve and protect the Priestess of Genbu."
"What happened to her? Did she give her life to save her Priestess?"
"I believe that is a tale that I should tell," said another new voice, as Alexisa looked past Suzaku to see another figure walking out of the shadows and into the light.
"Who are you?"
"I am the Guardian of Genbu," replied the girl as she stepped into the light and looked up at Alexisa.
Alexisa started back at the girl. She stood about the same height as Aleixsa, her eyes were a dull green, she wore a white kimono with green flowers, and a dark green trim. Her brown hair was set at the base of her neck, with black hairpins, a rich green ribbon was wrapped around her waist. "I am happy to finally meeting you," the girl replied slightly bowing her head down.
"But how can that be?" asked Alexisa as she continued to look at the girl.
"Lord Suzaku? Why have you bought her here? And where has Lord Genbu gone? I have not been able to locate him," asked the girl with her head still bowed.
"I know how you have been wanting to meet a fellow Guardian Maki," replied the God as he looked down at her.
"I thank you. Lord Suzaku," Maki replied still bowing down.
"Now listen well my Guardian, Maki has much to tell you," he told Alexisa before he disappeared.
"I still don't get this. How are you here? You were summoned over 200 years ago, but you still look like you are 16," replied Alexisa looking at the girl.
"Lord Suzaku is correct. Come I have much to tell you," she replied standing up and walking towards the wall.
Alexisa looked towards the back of Maki head and slowly walked after her.
"It is true that I have maintained by 16 year old body, and that the God Genbu summoned me here to help serve Takiko the Priestess of Genbu. 200 years ago, the land of Hokkan was deep in a war with Kuto, and was slowly losing. The Priestess was strong, but unlike the Priestess of Suzaku, she was not found by a warrior as soon as she entered this world," said Maki, as she stood in front of the first painted scene. Alexisa stood beside her and looked at the war torn scene in front of her. It showed soldiers on horseback riding, into a town destroying everything that they could. "Much of Hokkan was destroyed in the first three months of the war. The Kuto soldiers were merciless; they killed women, children, and elderly. And once the Kuto Emperor learned of the existence of the Priestess he ordered every single last solider into Hokkan to find and kill the Priestess. This is when I was summoned into this world," replied Maki as they passed another painted scene of Maki, with her back looking out onto the destroyed Hokkan Empire. "I arrived here, lost, confused, and alone. I had no idea of where I was, why I was suddenly bought here. I wondered through the countryside looking for anyone to help me. I must have wondered for days, when I finally came upon a village in the hills. They took me in gave me a warm place to sleep and food to eat. They had told me of the Priestess of Genbu and how she would save the Empire of Hokkan, and how the Kuto army was slowly invading Hokkan," she continued as she stopped at the painting that showed the Priestess of Genbu with her seven warriors and the Guardian surrounding her. "One night the soldiers attacked the village, they killed anything that moved, children, women, the elderly. No one was spared. A solider was about to kill a child that was crying. I ran to try to save her, but I could not make it, all I remember is screaming, and then I woke up with the villagers looking down at me. They said a green light came out of my body and surrounded the whole village, killing the soldiers and brining back the dead, but I did not remember any of it. Most villagers thought that I was cursed; others believed that I was a warrior of Genbu, since his light surrounded me. Soon after, I crossed paths with the Priestess, and a few of her warriors. They were being attacked and I felt this power deep within me, before I knew it I was standing in between the Priestess, and her would be attackers. One of her warriors, was wary of me, thought that I had been sent to kill the Priestess. But I soon grew their trust, and I gave them mine. Not soon after that I found out the reason that I had come to this world," finished Maki as she came to stand in front of another painting, but this one was different. Instead of death, and destruction, it was one of hope. The Priestess of Genbu, stood strong with her Warriors, and Guardian beside her, they all looked towards the future, away from the death, and towards hope.
"Maki? What happened when you summoned the beast god?" asked Alexisa as she took her eyes off of the painting and looked back towards the girl.
"As you know. The Guardian's final task is a choice. And a choice that not all would be willing to do."
"Maki? What was your choice?"
"Once I gained the warriors trust, we all began fast friends, we had to. We all knew what was at stake, and how dangerous our life had now become. When we stood together there was nothing that we could not do. As we traveled and protect each other, I soon began to realize that I was falling in love with one of the warriors. I did not think my feelings would be returned so I kept them hidden, and I tried to prevent myself from feeling anything for him, knowing that I would not survive the summoning. I knew that after Genbu was summoned I would die, and I did not want to leave him alone," replied Maki as tears slowly began to fall down her cheeks.
"I had almost made it, it was the day before the summoning, and everyone was so excited to finally be summoning the beast God. I had already come to terms with what I had to do, I did not want to bother anyone, and I never let any of them know the truth that I would die at the end of the summoning. I wanted everyone to be happy; they all had worked so hard for this day. So many people died to help us reach this point, we all had been through so much, and I just wanted them to be happy."
"Maki? What happened? What went wrong?"
"I was on my way to get prepared for the summoning, when he appeared before me."
"He?"
"The warrior that I was in love with. He came to my room and confused his love that he loved me. I think about it now and I think how weak I was. I should have never told him that I loved him, I should have been stronger," she cried, with the tears flowing freely from her eyes and down her face.
"I was so happy, he wanted to marry him, after the summoning was over. I now know that I should have told him the truth, that we could never be together, since I would give my life to save the Priestess, but I couldn't. I wanted to live; I wanted to be with him, I loved him. Until the summoning we were inseparable, since we did not want to others to notice, we spent the whole time in my room, talking about the ceremony, where we would live, and how we would spend the rest of our lives together. We heard the bell sounds meaning that the summoning was taking place in the next hour and we all had to meditate and our minds had to be at peace. Once we were all at peace, we gathered at the shire and began the summoning. The beast god having been summoned turned to face me and asked who would live. I could feel their gaze upon me; I had never told them that this would happen. I looked between them both the girl that I had come to love as a sister, and the man that I loved with all my heart. My eyes locked with hers, and I told the beast god that I wanted to live. He then turned back towards the Priestess and began to devour her. I was so ashamed that I could not even watch, her screams still echo in my ears today. Once the screams died away, I felt all my strength leave me and I fell to my knees. Once I opened my eyes I felt all of them starting at me with anger in their eyes, even the man that I had come to love. I tried to stand, to say anything to make them understand, but I could not make any words. I think I cried myself to sleep, because I woke up in a room. When I woke, I heard voices outside of my door; I lay there crying at what I had done, when my door was opened. I closed my eyes, hoping that who ever it was would leave if they saw that I was still asleep, but they did not. I knew as soon as my hand was held who it was he had come to me. But he did not offer me comfort, he came to say goodbye, he said that he could never love someone that would do what I had done. We had killed countless of other people, but when his Priestess died, so did he. All the other warriors had agreed as well, they all wanted to kill me, but he would not let them. He had come to tell me to run, and hide, they were going to kill me once I was strong enough. He could not stand to see another person he loved be killed. "
"You have been here ever since?"
"I fled to the mountains, stealing food, when I could. I changed my appearance so no one would know who I was. I soon became an urchin, searching, and stealing food, but I often returned to where the warriors had buried the Priestess's body, I visited her often, begging for forgiveness. Hoping that my pleas would reach her wherever she went. Two months after the summoning the warriors began to go about their own lives, I followed my love, I watched as he found another love, and then started a family. I was happy for him, for I knew that I could not give me that life, he had found someone that could, and I was happy. I went to visit her grave one last time, hoping that she had forgiven me; I knew that I would never forgive myself for what I had done. Time passed by, and I soon found myself on my own deathbed, alone, cold, and not a soul around. I had given up the will to live; only five years had passed since the summoning. The grief took over me, and I gave in to it. As I lay there dying I heard a voice, it was one that I had not heard in years. Three words rung in my head, and I will never forget them. 'I forgive you.' Hearing those three simple words; lifted my spirit so much that I no longer cared where I was going; I had been forgiven for turning my back on my friend. I was at peace, and I knew that she should have lived. As I drew in my last breath, my body was again surrounded in a green light, and then I was bought here. The God that I had served all those years ago, had watched me, had seen how my life turned, and the grief that I had. He offered me to stay here, and to tell my story to those other Guardian that might follow the same path as me," finished Maki as wiped away the tears.
"Maki, do you what about your friends. Surely you want to see them again."
"Yes, I do, but I not don't deserve to see them. They are happy. This is where I belong," replied Maki, as she wiped the last few tears away and looked at Alexisa.
"Suzaku," replied Alexisa as she turned away from the girl.
"Yes," the god replied appearing before her.
"Is there something that I can do? I know she did not serve you, but as a God is there anything that you can do?" Alexisa asked him with a pleading look in her eyes.
"She is meant to be here, this is where she belongs," replied the god
"She did belong Suzaku, but she has paid her debt. 200 years she has been here reliving what she did. Can't you see that she has been put through enough. Being here, seeing the paintings, and knowing that she choose her life over her Priestess's?" said Alexisa as she looked up at the god, her voice slowly starting to rise. "Please, Suzaku. You are the God of Love there has to be something that you can do."
"I now see that I chose right."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You will figure that out in time," replied the God looking down at her.
"What about Maki?"
"I will see what I can do for her, but you need to return to Miaka. They are about to fall into a trap set up by the Seiryu Seven. You must have them return to Konan. Here take this it can be used to travel over great distances in a short amount of time," replied the God as he gave a red amulet to her, then he closed his eyes.
"I don't understand, the second shinzaho," replied Alexisa as the room began to disappear, only to be replaced with brightness. Alexisa bought her hand to cover her eyes; once she had adjusted her sight she saw that she was standing in the middle of the dessert, with sand surrounding her. 'Thanks Suzaku,' thought Aleixsa as she looked around her surroundings, only to see miles and miles of sand.
"Great, just great. Well guess I pick a direction and start looking. And time to shed the extra clothing as well," she said as she began to pull off the extra layers. As she sat down in the sand to pull off her boots, she noticed they were no other shoes around her, so instead she just pulled off the extra socks. She pulled her boots back onto her feet, and looked around her. Sand was seen for miles and miles.
"Fantastic. He could have least dropped me off in a better location. At least somewhere near a freaking city!" she cried out, as she looked up into the sky, only to se the sun beating down on her. She bought her hand up and blocked out the sun, she looked down at her discarded clothes, and ripped a few strands from one of her shirts. She bundled her hair into a messy bun then wrapped the cloth around it, she took another strip and tied it around her neck and mouth. Having at least some protection from the sand and heat, Alexisa stood up and began walking, hoping that she would come across someone or something to help her.
"I still don't know why we left without her?" asked Tasuki as he rode with the fellow warriors into the dessert.
"Tasuki, we have been over this. Taitsukun told us that she would re join us later. You can't tell me you forgot bout that now?" asked Nuriko from another horse that rode to Tasuki's left.
"Yea, right how could I ever forget that old hag," he replied thinking back to when Taitsukun appeared at the inn.
****Flashback****
The Suzaku warriors had gathered for breakfast in the dining hall of the inn, they began to eat when one had noticed that there was one of the group missing.
"Anyone seen Aleixsa?" asked Tasuki as he sat down and grabbed a roll of bread.
"No, when I got up this morning her bed was empty I just thought she went out somewhere," replied Miaka as she began to fill her plate.
"Nuriko, you did not come up with the rest of us. Did you see Alexisa last night?" asked the bandit as he looked down at the table.
"Yes, she and I talked about some things last night, but then she headed to bed," replied Nuriko as he took a bit of some bread.
"I hope she is ok," said Tasuki under his breath as he began to eat the roll.
"Come on Tasuki, It is Alexisa we are talking bout, you know."
"She probably just went out for a walk. She probably wanted to enjoy the snow before we head into the dessert," said Miaka in between mouthfuls of food.
"She did say something about loving the cold," replied Nuriko as he took another bite of his bread.
"I am glad that I caught you all together," said Taitsukun as she appeared beside Tasuki.
"Gah, don't; pop up like that old hag!" Shouted Tasuki as he got to his feet, and looked at Taitsukun.
Taitsukun raised her hand and wacked Tasuki over the head.
"Owww, that hurt," replied Tasuki as he rubbed his head.
"As I was saying I am glad that I caught you all here."
"Taitsukun, What are you doing here?" asked Miaka looking up at her.
"Alexisa will join you all shortly."
"Wait. Where is Aleixsa?" asked Tasuki as he stopped rubbing his head and looked back at her.
"She was called away, now for you all. Please continue to Sairou. She will join you shortly," replied Taitsukun before she vanished leaving the Suzaku warriors starting at where she once floated.
"Well I guess that explains why Aleixsa was not in her room," replied Tamahome.
"Where did she go now?" asked Nuriko looking around.
"I don't know, but why does she always leave without telling any of us?" asked Tasuki as he lowered his head towards the table.
"It could be that she was unable to, before she had to leave. More than likely she knew that Taitsukun would relay the message to us," replied Chiriko.
"That makes sense. So are we leaving today then?" asked Miaka as she looked around at her friends.
"I would not see why not. After all Taitsukun said Aleixsa will rejoin us, you know."
"Yeah, so let's head out, we don't want to be caught in the dessert in the middle of the day."
"Yea, you have a point Tamahome, but let me see if I can find any horses to buy," replied Nuriko as he got up from the table and left the inn.
"We should all pack lightly, and remember to drink plenty of water," replied Mits as he too got up.
"It is settled we will leave as soon as Nuriko gets back," said Tamahome as he to stood up and began to walk towards the stairs with his fellow warriors behind him.
****End Flashback****
"Do we even know where we are going?" yelled Tasuki for the third time that day. "We have been wondering around this god forsaken dessert forever."
"Actually Tasuki, we have only been traveling for a few hours," replied Chiriko from a top the horse he was sharing with Mits.
"That's easy for you to say," replied Tasuki as he once again sulked in his saddle.
"Don't mind him Chiriko, bandit-boy is just worried," replied Nuriko as he rode up beside Chiriko and Mits.
"I am not, I just hate the sand."
"Whatever you say bandit-boy. So Chiriko how much longer do you think it will take to reach the city?" asked Nuriko as he looked down at the boy genius.
"By my calculations, we should reach the city within a few hours, that is if Tasuki does not hold us up any longer," he replied pulling out a small map of the area and showing Nuriko.
"Wow, Chiriko. How can you even tell where we are on that thing?" asked Miaka as Tamahome rode up along the other side of him.
"It is quite easy Miaka, all we need to do is keep traveling north, and we should come across the city," he replied looking up at her.
"You're so smart Chiriko!" replied Miaka as a big smile appeared on her face.
Alexisa continued to wonder the dessert, as she walked she felt the presence of the warriors, and began to head in that direction.
"They will be over this next dune, just keep walking and you will do fine," she mumbled to her self yet again. If not then the next time I see you Suzaku, you feather butt is going to be mine," she yelled at the sky, only to have the sun beating down on her as a replay. "But I mean he could not drop me off right by them. Instead I have to wander the dessert. I am so going to take a nice, long, bath once we get back to Konan," she continued to mumble, as he walked over yet another dune. Once she reached the top she closed her eyes, and focused on the presence of her fellow warriors, it was getting stronger, so she was heading in the right direction, just not fast enough. "Come on Alexisa, you can do it, they will be over the next dune," she said again, as he looked towards the ground and started to walk, along with foot prints she also noticed hoof prints as well. "That means they are pretty close."
"YOU DAMN HORSE! MOVE!" she heard a voice shout.
"Yep, defiantly close, that has got to be Tasuki," she said as she quickened her pace. Over the next dune she saw a welcomed sight. Tasuki was in front of his horse trying to pull the beast along, as everyone else looked on, laughing.
"Tasuki, that is not going to help, you know."
"I don't care, he won't move," replied Tasuki as he looked at the horse.
"Maybe if you stopped calling him names then he would," replied Nuriko as he dismounted his own horse and walked over to Tasuki.
"Nuriko is right bandit- boy, you need to respect the horse," called Alexisa as she made her way down the dune and to her friends.
"ALEXISA!" called her friends once they saw her coming down the dune. They all dismounted and came to welcome her back.
"Welcome back," replied Tasuki as he reached her first.
"Where were you? Taitsukun said that you were called away, and that you would come back later," said Miaka as she reached her friend.
"That is a long story, but for now let's get out of this heat," said Alexisa as she looked towards her friends.
"We still have a few hours until we reach Sairou though," replied Nuriko coming up behind Miaka.
"That is ok, we are not going to Sairou. We are returning to Konan."
"What do you mean? We still need the second shinzaho."
"I will explain later, but can we please get out of this dessert, me and heat do not mix," replied Alexisa as she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
"Either way it is still a few hours until we can return to the Hokkan Empire," replied Chiriko.
"I have a faster way to get home," she relied taking out an amulet of her pocket.
"What is that?"
"I got it from a friend, with this we can get home in a few minutes."
"A few minutes?" asked Tasuki
"But it took us weeks to get this far, and this thing can return us to Konan in a few minutes. How is that possible?" asked Nuriko looking over at her with a questionable face.
"As far as me knowing how it is possible I have no clue, but I just want to get the hell out of this heat. So you all ready to go home?" she asked them as she looked around her friends to see them all nod. "Ok, so I guess we should all touch it and think of Konan, and see what that gets us," she replied as she held it out. They all gathered round her and touched the red amulet that was in her hands. After they all had touched it, it began to give off a red light, it surrounded them and they were soon out of the dessert. Once they felt solid ground beneath their feet, they opened their eyes to see that they stood in front of the shrine of Suzaku.
"That is awesome, it even got us back to the palace," replied Miaka as she looked at the shrine before her.
"To bad we did not have that earlier, we would have gotten things done faster," replied Tamahome.
"Be careful men. Be on your guard," they heard a voice say as the doors to the shrine were opened to revile Konan soldiers. "Halt, who goes there?" asked one as he pointed his weapon at them. Once the light came into the room the guard noticed them right away. "My apologizes Lords and Priestess, I did not know it was you. Send for his Highness at once. Tell him that the Suzaku warriors and Priestess have returned," he shouted behind him as another guard ran ff into the distance.
"So Alexisa, where were you?" asked Tasuki as he looked away from the door and to Aleixsa who was at his side, only to find her gone. "Alexisa?" he asked as he looked around to find her looking up at the shine to the Beast God.
"Thank you again, Suzaku. I now understand what I need to do," she was saying as she looked up at the statue.
"Alexisa? What are you doing?" he asked as he approached her.
"What? She asked turning around and looking at him. "Oh, nothing much, just thinking. Did you ask me something?"
"Are you ok?" he asked as he stood in front of her.
"Yea, I am fine. Just glad to be back."
"I am glad that you all are safe and home," said a new voice as the Emperor of Konan came around the door and walked into the room. "How was your trip? Did you receive both shinzahos?" asked Hotohori as he reached his friends.
"Actually, Your Highness, we were traveling to retrieve the second shinzaho, when Alexisa told us that we were returning to Konan," replied Nuriko walking up to Hotohori.
"Is that true? Why return when you have yet to complete your mission?" asked Hotohori as he looked for Alexisa.
"Over here," she called from where she stood at the bottom of the shrine.
"Would you like to fill me in as to why you all have returned here?" he asked walking towards her.
"How bout the rest of us as well. You disappear in the middle of the night, and Taitsukun tells us to continue on Sairou, and you would join us later, then all of a sudden you wonder across us in the dessert," interpreted Tasuki as he looked down at her.
"You disappeared in the middle of the night? What has been going on?" asked Hotohori as he looked around to his fellow warriors for an explanation.
"I know that you all have question, I would be happy to answer them all. But could I possible clean up before I do? I have been wondering the dessert for a few hours and I have sand in places that are really uncomfortable."
"Yes, that would be acceptable, I have some other matters that I need to attend to, I will see you all at dinner," replied Hotohori as he turned from the room, and walked down the hall. Alexisa left the room as well, closely behind Hotohori; she walked straight to her room, happy to see that the Palace servants had kept in clean and neat. She walked over to her chest of draws and pulled out a clean pair of clothes, a light pink wrap around shirt, and a pair of light brown pants. She walked out of her room and towards the bathing ponds. Once there she pulled off her clothing and slowly got in to the water. "God that feels good," she said quietly as she allowed the dirt and grim to wash away form her body. Alexisa stayed in the water until it turned cold, she climbed out of the bath, and pulled on the pink shirt and light pants. After she had tied her hair into a messy bun on the top of her head, she walked out into the hallway and towards the dining hall. As she walked towards the dining hall, Maki words ran through her head. 'Maki, I understand now. We are Guardians, we have a greater duty to fulfill, and we have a duty to save this world, even if it does cost us our life. I can understand how scared you must have been, I am as well, but I know what must be done,' thought Alexisa as she walked the halls to the dining room. She reached the doors and heard her friends talking, and laughing, she pushed open the doors to see Hotohori sitting at the front of the table with a smile on his face, Miaka was staring at the food, and Tamahome was looking at her with love in his eyes. Tasuki was imbedded in a wall, more than likely thanks to Nuriko and his strength, Mits, Chiriko, and Chichiri sat quietly watching their fellow comrades. 'This is what we are protecting Maki, life, joy, and friendship. I hope Genbu, will let you rejoin your friends so you will be happy once again,' she thought as she walked into the dining hall and took a seat beside Nuriko, Tasuki had freed himself from the wall and sat down next to Chichiri rubbing the back of his head.
"Can't you control that strength Nuriko?" he asked as he took his seat.
"Sorry, Tasuki, it's just so hard sometimes," he replied laughing a little.
"Yea, easy for you to say," he mumbled back.
"Now boys play nice," interjected Alexisa as she sat down between the two.
"He started it," they both shouted at once and pointing to each other.
"Now that Alexisa as joined us. We can start to eat," replied Hotohori
"What about the whole thing about us coming back here? Isn't Alexisa going to tell us?" asked Miaka as she looked across the table to where Alexisa sat.
"I thought that you all might enjoy a meal first, but Alexisa can tell her tale before we eat if she wishes to," said Hotohori looking over at her.
"Actually Highness, I would prefer if we could eat. It has been a while since we all had a proper meal," replied Alexisa looking up at him.
"As you wish," replied Hotohori "Dig in my friends," he called to his fellow warriors, as plates clanked, they filled their plates with the food that had been prepared for them. Over the course of the dinner, the warriors talked and enjoyed each other's company once again. Soon a quietness settled over the room as the question of why they had returned began to fill their mind. As the plates were removed and the servants were asked to leave the dining hall, Alexisa could feel all of their eyes on her, all wanting to know the reason for the sudden return.
"Now that we have all had our fill of the fine food. Alexisa would you please tell me as to why you have returned without the second shinzaho?"
"Guess I really don't have a choice huh?" she replied letting out a heavy sigh, and looking around the room. "I guess I will start at the beginning. After we had returned from getting the first shinzaho from Mt. Koko, I woke in the middle of the night and I ventured down stairs in search of food. I found the innkeeper and he told me the legend of the Guardian of Genbu. He told me that his ancestor fell in love with the Guardian, and when it came time to summon the beast god, instead of fulfilling her duty as a Guardian, she choose to live. Not much is known what happened to her after, just that she vanished from Hokkan. We had all agreed to begin the search again. The night before we left I saw a red orb floating outside on my window, I was going to dismiss it, to lack of sleep, but something was compelling me to follow it. I gathered my things and followed the glowing orb through the streets of the capitol. Soon after that I found myself in a darkened room with scenes on the wall. I gazed at the scenes trying to figure out what they were when Suzaku appeared before me. He told me that I was in the Chronicles of the Guardians, a place that keeps record of all the Guardians of the past. Soon after that I met Maki."
"Maki? Who is that?" asked Miaka
"Maki, was the Guardian of Genbu, a young girl that made a choice, and those close to her suffered," replied Alexisa as her eyes began to water.
"What happened to her?" asked Tamahome
"As the summoning was taking place she had been asked a question, and the answer that was given, was the downfall for the Priestess of Genbu. Maki wanted to live, she had fallen in love with a fellow warrior and wanted she wanted to spend her life with him."
"What happened to the Priestess?"
"Maki choosing life, watched as her Priestess was devoured by the beast god. Soon after the summoning the warriors of Genbu had shunned Maki, even the man she loved could not even bear to look at her. Maki was soon overwhelmed with grief, and remorse, and fled to the mountains, stealing and begging to survive. Grief eventually consumed her, and she passed away. Genbu then bought her soul to the Chronicles the Guardians, as a punishment she was to be alone and tell other Guardians that came along her tale, so that we would choose the right path," finished Alexisa as she looked up at her friends.
"What about the second shinzaho though?" asked Nuriko
"All that I know about that is before I left the hall he told me that you all were about to fall into a trap, and that I we must return to Konan. That was all he said before he gave me the amulet. So I searched you all out in the dessert and we came back here."
"What trap?" asked Tamahome looking over at her.
"I am not sure, but I would assume with Miaka having possession of the first shinzaho that they would want to get possession of the second as fast as they could. And they would leave something behind to make sure we would not reach Sairo, at least very easily," she replied once again leaning back in her seat.
"So what do we do now? I mean without the second shinzaho, we can't summon Suzaku. Without summoning Suzaku, I can't go home, and Konan is still in danger," replied Miaka.
"Miaka, I know that you want to go home. I do as well, but there is another way to summon Suzaku. He would not send us back here if there was not," replied Aleixsa as she looked at her. "We will find a way. Just might take us a little longer. Hotohori, does the palace have a records room that we can search for clues about this?" she asked looking up at him.
"The palace does have a hall of records. I am unsure if there will be anything of use in scrolls, and papers. I will have some of the scholars search for any clues."
"I thank you for your help Hotohori, but I would prefer if I could just have a fellow warrior help me instead?"
"I would assume you are referring to Chiriko? Am I correct?" asked Hotohori as a smile appeared on his face.
"Yes, I am. I think the search might go faster if we were to tackle it," she replied with a smile.
"Alexisa, I would be honored to help you look."
"Thanks Chiriko," she replied looking over at the young boy.
"It has been a joy my friends, but I have matters that need to be dealt with," replied Hotohori as he rose from his seat and walked out of the room.
"Alexisa, when did you want to begin the search?"
"Let's start first thing tomorrow morning, after breakfast ok?" she asked him as he got to her feet. "I think we all could use some time to relax, so if you will excuse me," she said as she walked out of the dining hall.
"I hope she will be ok," sad Nuriko as he watched Alexisa leave the dining hall. "From the beginning she knew what had to be done, but I think there was still a small ounce of hope in her that she would live, but after meeting that other Guardian, that hope is now gone."
"Why would Suzaku force someone to give their life?" asked Miaka as she looked down at the table.
"Miaka, I doubt Suzaku is forcing her to, she knows what will happen if she chooses to live, and we all know Aleixsa good enough by now to know that she would rather die than to see any of us hurt," replied Tamahome as he placed an arm around Miaka's shoulders.
"It is just not fair though. Why does anyone have to die?"
"Miaka, I believe you know the reason already," replied Nuriko.
"This is Alexisa's wish, this is what she wants to do, and there is nothing that we can do or say to stop her," replied Chichiri as he slid his mask off.
"Her wish? Wait I can wish her back, after all I do have three. So I will use one to wish her back to life," said Miaka with a small smile appearing on her face.
"Miaka."
"This is what she needs us to do guys," replied Tasuki from his seat. "No matter how much we want to change what will happen, we all know that she will die. She has accepted this and we need to show her that we accept what she is willing to do for us, and for Konan. She has protected us from since she found out her duty here, and I think the least that we can do for her now, is to accept her fate, like she has done," finished Tasuki as he leaned onto the table looking up at his friends, and getting a slight nod back from each of them.
Once Aleixsa left the dining hall, she walked outside to the courtyard and looked at the stars, hoping that Maki, had rejoined her love, and her friends. 'After 200 years, I hope you have finally found peace,' she thought as she looked towards the sky as stars began to appear, and see one twinkle in the distance.
"You know that is a big thing to be accepting," she heard a familiar voice say from behind her.
"Yes, it is Tamahome. At the same time though, every one of the warriors accepted serving and protecting the Priestess. This is no different," she replied turning around. "Did you draw the short straw?" she asked laughing a little.
"This is different, and you know it is. There is nothing that we would not do for you Alexisa. You have done so much for us."
"I know, Tamahome, but this is one task that I must complete on my own. You should have seen how lonely she was Tamahome."
"Maki?"
"Yea, as she was telling me her tale, I could just see the hurt in her eyes, when she choose life. She knew that her Priestess would die, but she was young, she wanted to live her life with the man she loved. Then to have that same man reject her, it just broke her in so many ways. You out of everyone here should understand the most. Miaka and you share this love that is so deep, and knowing that with my death that both of you will live, that is alright with me. I know that deep in my heart Suzaku will find a way to keep you two together; after all he is the god of love. Just do me two favors ok?" she asked as she turned around and looked at him.
"I will gladly do whatever it is you wish," he replied looking at her.
"First of all, honor, protect, and cherish Miaka. You two are meant to be together, and if you stay true to each other, then no matter the distance you will always be together. Second, after I am gone, watch over Tasuki. He sees you like a brother, keep him out of trouble if you can."
"Alexisa, as a Warrior of Suzaku, and as a friend, here is my word that I will do all in my power to do what you ask," replied Tamahome as he bowed his head towards her.
"I thank you Tamahome, from the bottom of my heart," she replied as she to bowed her head. The two friends stood up together, and hugged each other.
"I think for having such a rough start as we did, we ended up being pretty good friends," she replied as she stepped out of the hug, and walked over to a nearby tree and sat beneath it.
"Yea, I think we do," he replied laughing a little. "Alexisa thank you," he said before he turned to leave he looked and saw as she sat beneath the night sky.
As Alexisa sat beneath the sky, she heard Tamahome's words of thanks, she turned to replay but found that he had already left. 'Guess he went in search of Miaka,' her thoughts rang in her head as she turned back up into the sky, to see the several more stars appearing in the night sky. As she sat beneath the tree, her thoughts filling her mind she soon fell a sleep leaning against the tree. Little did she know that Tasuki had been watching her from the moment he stepped out into the hall; He was to far out to hear the words exchanged between her and Tamahome, but he could see a bond between those two. He sat watching her, and soon began to doze himself; he quietly walked over to where she sat sleeping against the tree.
"Out of all of the women out there why did Suzaku pick you? The one woman that I can't seem to get out of my head. Boy would Kouji laugh his ass off, if he heard me now," said Tasuki to the night as he bent down in front of her. "I know why you are doing this, you above all else want your friends to be happy, even if it costs you your own hopes and dreams, there are not many people who would do what you have accepted to do," he continued to speak as he brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. He careful picked her up and carried her to her room, once there he tried to pull the blankets down but with his hands pull with her in his arms, he settled for placing her on top of the blankets. Tasuki looked back down onto the sleeping girl and quietly walked out of the room, pausing at the door looking in on her once more, before shutting the door completely.
Author's Note:
I AM SO SORRY!!!! For how long it took me to update, but things have gotten busy for me. I wil lbe attending UNCG in Jan, so I am again going to ask for patience in this story, with classes, work, and everythign else that I am going to be doing, it will take me longer to update. You can stop reading if you wish, I know I said that I would not do this, but I am sorry I am. I wil lstill update, the chapters might be shoter than what htey have been in the past, but I will still update just not that often. So if you wish to flame me you can, I would not mind, or if you are willing to give me a chacne to get things settled, this story will progress. Again thanks to all of you that are contining to read, and I will aploigize again for the lack of updating. Hope to hear from you all.
-JediMadchen86