Kida: Here it is! Didn't I tell ya there would be a sequel?!
Naruto: I can't wait to see what happens! Believe it!
Kido: What happens in this chapter, sis?
Kida: Like I'd tell you.
Kido: Why I outta...
Chiriko: Kida Tenshi does now own Naruto or Fushigi Yuugi. She only owns Aika Hitsubasa and possible future OCs. Enjoy!
Having lost the Universe of the Four Gods for good, the Lady Aika learned from Taiitsukun that she must travel north to the Hokan Empire. This land is protected by Genbu and there they will find the Shinzahou which they now need to summon Suzaku. However, in order to achieve this, there is a price to pay.
"I…I'm sorry, Tamahome. I can't. I'm the Priestess of Suzaku and you're one of my guardian Warriors. Us marrying wouldn't be such a good idea," Aika said to him.
"What?" Tamahome asked with slightly wide eyes.
"I had come here to tell you that maybe we should stop this. Goodnight, Tamahome." She then walked out.
"Tell me why. Aika!" Tamahome shouted until he heard the door close. Aika couldn't reply.
'Forgive me, Tamahome,' Aika thought as she cried. Lady Aika was forced to give up her feelings for her beloved Tamahome.
~0~
"The night of the Star Gazing Festival, the Priestess of Suzaku along with her friends, Nuriko, Tasuki, and Kurama, went out to explore and have some fun," Naruto read.
~0~
Aika smiled as she looked around to see everyone having fun. Kurama even liked the looks of it from Aika's arms.
"I have seen something like this since the Sakura Festival," he said to his friend.
"Yeah, I remember how Sakura would pretend the day was about her because of her name," Aika said as the two chuckled at the memory. Aika smiled while looking at the view. "I've been out in the city at night before," she murmured. Kurama saw something.
"Look!" He pointed.
"Huh?" Nuriko looked over to see a food stand.
"Let's go eat," Kurama said drooling.
"Yeah, let's go eat," Nuriko agreed in the same stated. Tasuki and Aika sweat-dropped.
"But we just ate dinner, didn't we?" Tasuki asked.
"That's what I thought. I distinctly remember food on the table and everyone eating it," Aika said with a hint of humor in her tone. The two suddenly spazzed out when Kurama and Nuriko disappeared, over to the stand.
"I'll take one please!" Kurama said.
"Yeah! Me too, mister! One for me!" Nuriko agreed. "This will be out desert."
"Yeah right!" Kurama grinned with him.
"Okay, here you go," the man said giving them their food. Kurama's and Nuriko's eyes sparked at the treat. Aika and Tasuki shared a look before the Priestess smiled.
"Aw, why not?" Tasuki gave in before the two went over. "Give me one too, pops."
"Me too please," Aika smiled.
"You got it," the man replied.
"Heh, I knew you two wanted to try it, Tasuki and Aika!" Kurama smirked. "You just couldn't resist, could ya?"
"No, you couldn't resist, could you?" Nuriko smirked.
"Would you two cut it out?!" Tasuki and Aika snapped at them. Well, Tasuki snapped while Aika exclaimed with embarrassment.
"Ha! Never!" Kurama grinned before he began eating his treat.
"Shut it, fox or I'll turn you into a Nine Tailed plushy. That or a One Tail. Whichever comes first," Aika threatened. Kurama gulped.
"I'm sorry! Believe it!" He said hiding behind Nuriko. Aika couldn't help it, she burst out laughing. Kurama then joined her.
"Y-you've been around Naruto too long," Aika giggled.
"What are we missing here?" Tasuki asked.
"'Believe it' is Naruto's catchphrase. It was how he made it point. It would be something like this. 'One day I'm going to become Hokage so everyone in the village will acknowledge me. Believe it!'" Aika impersonated Naruto, quite well too.
"Heh, you sounded just like he did when he was younger!" Kurama said to her.
"I did, didn't I?" Aika giggled a bit.
"This Naruto fellow sounds like a nice guy," Nuriko smiled. Aika smiled a bit, missing the blonde knucklehead.
"He is. One of the best."
~0~
Tamahome was still at the palace, watching the festival go one and debating whether or not he should go talk with Aika.
~0~
The four each took a bite of their treat and smiled as they ate it, obviously liking the sweet food.
"This is great," Aika commented on the food.
"Tamahome should have come out with us," Nuriko said making Aika choke a bit and cough.
"Yeah, that guy's been real moody for some reason," Tasuki agreed.
"If only you guys knew why," Kurama mumbled quietly as he patted Aika's back.
~0~
Tamahome started spazzing out, flailing his arms.
"I don't get it! I don't! I don't! I don't!"
~0~
"He acts like Aika dumped him or somethin'. We better just steer clear of him for a while," Tasuki said to them. Aika choked on her food again.
"Oy, you don't know the half of it," Kurama muttered as he patted her back again. 'She should really talk with Tamahome. I'm sure he would understand if he knew it was because of what Taiitsukun said. That old hag! From what I've seen, love is a strong key to succeeding. If you make these two try to stop loving each other then they'll be weak! You're lucky I can't get to that damn mountain so I can rip you a new one, grandma!' He thought angrily.
"Never mind that for now. We're here to enjoy the Star Gazing Festival. So let's have fun, okay? It'll be the last free time we have for a while, right, Aika?" Nuriko smiled.
"Yeah," Aika smiled back with a nod. Nuriko stood up then and got into a scouting pose.
"So what do I wanna eat next?" He asked looking around. Tasuki growled and put in a headlock.
"Stop making faces! You look like a starving derelict!" He scolded. Nuriko groaned as he tried to get away.
"Hey! Leave the poor boy alone! It's not like you're any better when it comes to yummy food, ya flame brain!" Kurama told him as he jumped onto Tasuki's head.
"Hey! Get off of me, ya fur pelt!" Tasuki told him.
"Oh you didn't not just go there!"
"So what if I did? What are ya do about it?" Tasuki smirked.
"This!" Kurama then bit Tasuki's ear.
"Ouch! Get off! Get off! Get off! Get off!" Tasuki spazzed out. Aika was laughing at them finding them entertaining.
"Take it back!" Kurama shouted, muffled with the ear in his mouth.
"I-I take it back! Just get off before I get rabies!" Tasuki told him. Kurama let go and smirked victoriously.
'I get it. Nuriko and Tasuki are trying to cheer me up because they're worried about me. And once we set out on our journey to Hokan, we won't have any time for fun things like this,' Aika smiled in thought. She stood up and brought Kurama in her arms. "Okay! Let's try to have as much fun as we can tonight before we go!" She smiled brightly at her friends.
"Yeah!" Tasuki, Nuriko, and Kurama cheered in unison. Fireworks went off as the four laughed and had fun playing games and eating treats. They even saw some small plays they had there. Aika tried a arrow shooting game and got bullseye making her grin. They soon saw a pot lifting contest.
"Come on…" the man struggled to say with the heavy pot over his head. "Can't anyone here…lift something as heavy as this? No one?" He asked before chuckling. "I guess that I win then." He blinked as he and the pot were lifted up by Nuriko who only used one hand. Aika, Tasuki, and Kurama shared a thumbs up before Aika blinked at Nuriko who was now spinning the guy on his hand.
"Okay! How long can I keep him spinning, folks? What do you think, huh? Anybody got a guess? What do you say?" Nuriko asked the people. Everyone was clapping and Aika saw a little boy holding a flute. She frowned sadly as she remember Amiboshi. Aika caught the flute with Amiboshi before he fell.
"Amiboshi…just hang on," Aika said with a warm smile. Amiboshi was surprised to see it before he gave her a smile. He then let go, falling with a smile as Aika's eyes widened. "Amiboshi!' Nuriko came over with something in her arms.
"Hey look! Check it out! I won a prize!" He grinned.
"Alright! Hey, Aika, where to next?" Tasuki asked before turning to look at Aika, Kurama on his shoulder. Their eyes widened when they didn't see the Priestess. "Aika?"
~0~
Aika made it to a bridge that was over a running river, some flowers in her hand. She dropped the flowers into the river before placing her hands together to pray. She heard some footsteps and her eyes opened.
"Saying a prayer for Amiboshi?" Tamahome asked from behind Aika. Aika's eyes widened slightly before turning to see him.
"Tamahome…" she murmured.
"We have to talk," Tamahome said to her. He started walking away. He stopped and looked over his shoulder to see she wasn't following. Aika sighed a bit.
"All right then," she replied before following him. They soon made it away from the festival, in an alley where they wouldn't be heard. Aika looked at Tamahome who looked at her. Tamahome let out a sigh.
"Okay, what did Taiitsukun say to you?" He asked her. Aika frowned.
'Don't tell me Kurama told him!' She thought. "She didn't say anything," she lied. Tamahome was suddenly in front of her, caging her in with his hand to the wall as Aika jumped a bit from the unexpected movement.
"You're lying! I asked you to marry me and I was quite serious! Do you really think I'll just go away?!" Tamahome asked, his expression pained and hurt. Aika was doing her best not to let her tears come. "Tell me why you said 'no' to me! If you don't, I'm gonna…!" He groaned in frustration. Aika looked down as she remembered what Taiitsukun told her.
"One more thing and you must listen very carefully to what I have to say. The trial you now face will be far more demanding and difficult than what has come before," Taiitsukun said to her.
"What do you mean by that?" Aika asked, her eyes narrowed a bit.
"From now on you must not have too much intimacy or be amorous with the opposite sex," Taiitsukun said making Aika frown, knowing what that meant. "Until Suzaku is summoned, the line between the Priestess and the Seven Suzaku Warriors must not be crossed! The Priestess of Suzaku must be a virgin whose body remains absolutely unspoiled and untouched! So if you wish to summon Suzaku, you must abandon your love for Tamahome at once! Abandon your love for him at once!"
"Abandon your love…for me?" Tamahome asked pained. Aika's eyes pricked with tears.
"It was so hard and it hurt so much, but now we can't love each other or it'll ruin everything. Our whole mission," she said looking down, her voice cracking.
"So that's what it was. It's asking a lot. Give up our love? Not to touch you? Don't make me laugh," Tamahome said angered at Taiitsukun. He heard Aika's soft sobs and knew it was hard for her as well. "She thinks we can do that? Until Suzaku is summoned I can't kiss you or touch you or…" he punched the wall that was next to Aika. He pulled his hand back with a small wince. He went to touch her cheek to wipe her tears away, but stopped. He pulled his hand away. "All right then," he said. He ran away a bit making Aika look at him with wide eyes. Tamahome stopped and turned to her with a smile. "Okay, Aika, until Suzaku is finally summoned I will protect you as a Warrior of the Suzaku Seven," he said surprising her. "But once Suzaku is summoned I swear I'll make you the happiest bride in the world, my love!" He declared before running off. Aika smiled, somewhat sad and somewhat happy.
"Once Suzaku has been summoned," she agreed.
"I swear to you, Aika, I'll make you the happiest bride in the world, my love," Tamahome smiled at her.
"Yes, you will. I have no doubt about it. Once Suzaku has been summoned, surely then."
~0~
The next morning, the Konan soldiers were loading the boat that the Warriors and Aika would be using for their travels. Nuriko and Tamahome ran over and the blue haired Warrior looked up at it with awe.
"It's superb!" He smiled.
"My, oh my, it's beautiful!" Nuriko said. The two then turned when they heard the Emperor.
"The vessel now belongs to you. You may use it as you see fit in your journey to the Hokan Empire," Hotohori said to them.
"So we set off tomorrow morning. The time has finally come," Nuriko smiled. Tasuki was hiding behind a tree and peeking out here and there which made Tamahome notice. Tamahome appeared and knelt down to Tasuki's level when he peeked again.
"Hi there. What are you hiding from?" Tamahome asked, giving him a look while Tasuki sweat-dropped. Tasuki stood up quickly and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Nothing! Not a thing!" He replied. Tamahome just gave a deadpanned look.
"Huh, just hanging around doing nothing, huh? You don't say. Ah, you don't know how to swim, do you, Tasuki?" Tamahome smirked. Tasuki spazzed for a second before trying to act cool.
"What are you insinuatin', Señor? That I can't even swim? That I'm some kind of loser 'cause I'm afraid of the water? You gotta be kidding, right? I'm offended and shocked!" Tasuki said before letting out a nervous lap while everyone listened with amusement.
"Let's see!" Tamahome picked him up and ran to the ocean As soon as he made it to the water, he made it look like he was going to dump Tasuki in making the young sorcerer spaz out with fear. Hotohori and Nuriko laughed at the sight.
"So why didn't Aika come to see the boat? Where is she? Kurama too," Hotohori said.
"I don't know, your Majesty. I think they might still be packing," Nuriko replied, a finger to his lips in thought.
~0~
"Okay, let's see. I should take my weapons, my pajamas are packed, I definitely have to bring some healing remedies and bandages. Oh yeah, and I can't forget a few snacks, need to keep our energy up," Aika said as she packed.
"Pack me some beef sticks!" Kurama said to her.
"Don't worry. I'll already packed your precious meat, Kurama," Aika chuckled a bit.
"Please don't tell me you're going to bring your shop list," Kurama muttered when he saw her pick up her notebook.
"Well…"
"No! You kept me awake when you read them off! No, no, no, no!" Kurama said grabbing the notebook. He stuffed it under her pillow. "It stays!"
"Okay, okay, I get it," Aika said to him. She looked at where the list was and sighed. "Almost like that other time," she whispered. Aika ran into her house, eleven years old. She smiled as she ran up to her father who was sharpening weapons. "Papa! Guess what! Guess what!"
"What is it, Little Wing?" Her father asked her as he continued working on sharpening the swords, kunais, senbons and shurikens.
"I talked with Yui today and we've decided to open a shop! Isn't that great? We'll get jobs and earn money so we can own a shop where we can sell weapons, healing necessities, and well, anything a ninja needs," Aika smiled with excitement.
"Aika, it's hard to start a shop," her father said with a sigh. Aika frowned.
"Don't you think we can do it?" She asked him.
"Aika, when it comes to starting a shop, what will you do when it doesn't work? What if no one buys anything? And what if Yui ends up taking the idea for herself later on? When opening a shop, it's better to do it on your own or with family. You can't trust friends with that kind of stuff. Friends easily become competition when it comes to those things. I'm sorry," her father said almost in a firm tone. Aika frowned deeply.
"Why? Why do friends have to fight just because they have the same goal? I hate it! I hate the whole idea!" Aika exclaimed. Aika frowned deeply and sighed to herself. "It's exactly like that time. We have the same goal and have to fight each other for it," she said making Kurama frowned. Aika looked out the window. 'Yui, do you know about the Shinzahou yet? In my heart, I really don't want to have to fight against you.'
"Aika, it'll be okay. You'll see. In the end, Yui will come back and you'll get to be with Tamahome," Kurama said trying to cheer her up. Aika gave a slight smile.
"I hope so."
~0~
"What's this? You want to take the Priestess of Seiryuu to Hokan?" The Kutou Emperor asked Nakago. Around the Emperor was three women almost out of their robes. Nakago was bowing to him, showing respect.
"For our abject and ability to summon Seiryuu and for the loss of a member of the Seiryuu Seven, I'm willing to take full responsibility. I ask only that your Majesty be merciful and generous to give us yet one more opportunity," Nakago said to him.
"Nakago, up till now you have given my army victory time after time. I shall believe in your power and look forward to your success in summoning Seiryuu. You won't let me down, will you?" The Emperor asked him.
"No, this time, your Highness, I shall surely meet your expectations and fulfill your every wish," Nakago replied. A woman giggled as she got attention from the Emperor.
"Good, then go forth. And if you need anything, just ask for it," the Emperor said.
"I thank you, your Highness." Nakago then left the room and was walking down the halls of the palace. Behind one of the pillars was Suboshi who was trying to sneak out. Nakago stopped. "Suboshi," he said making the said boy stiffen. "Where are you sneaking off to?" He asked. Suboshi looked down, not answering. "You've been with Lady Yui almost constantly. Has she comforted you somewhat?" He asked next before Suboshi stepped out into view.
"I can't stand feeling like this anymore! When I think about my brother being killed by them…" Suboshi said, his face contorted with anger.
"You want to avenge Amiboshi murder," Nakago stated.
"Uh huh."
"And what do you think you can do all alone? Unlike your brother, you're abilities aren't developed yet. You must not underestimate the Suzaku Seven," Nakago said making Suboshi 'tsk' with anger. "That's not to say that I don't understand your feelings. I do," Nakago stated surprising the boy.
"Nakago?" Yui's voice rang out. The two looked over to see Yui walking over to them. "Oh, Suboshi, so this is where you've gone off to. Huh? What's wrong?" She asked them.
"Nothing at all, Lady Yui. I was actually on my way to your chamber to see if you had decided to make the journey to Hokan with us," Nakago said to her.
"I didn't become the Priestess of Seiryuu because I had any strong desire to summon the Seiryuu Guardian. I did it because I didn't want to lose to Aika. Besides, when Aika realizes she'll have to do battle with me I seriously doubt she'll fight," Yui said confidently.
"I'm afraid you may be the only one here who believes that, Lady Yui."
~0~
Tasuki was clinging onto one of the Konan soldiers who was rubbing the back of his neck. Aika sweat-dropped when she saw him. Kurama was rolling on the ground laughing at the boy.
"He got carried onto the ship?" Tamahome asked her.
"Yeah," Aika nodded.
"Ah shut up! I'm a mountain critter! I can't help it! What else do you expect?! You sure talk big after being dumped by Aika," Tasuki smirked at Tamahome. Kurama stopped laughing while the Priestess and Warrior stood frozen for a moment.
"Dude, wrong thing to say," Kurama sighed shaking his head. Tamahome glared while Aika looked down a bit.
"What?! I was not dumped by her! I wasn't!" Tamahome shouted. Tasuki smirked then stuck his tongue out.
"You got dumped! You got dumped!"
"You're going over!" Tamahome shouted. He grabbed Tasuki like he did before and laughed as he took him over to the side of the boat. Tasuki started spazzing out in fear again.
"STOP IT NOW!" Aika and Nuriko shouted making the two stop.
"Quit fooling around and lend me a helping hand, will you?" Nuriko asked even though he was carrying a ten foot tall stack of belongings for everyone. Nuriko sighed. "I don't wanna overdevelop my musculature," he added.
"Here, I'll help," Aika said doing a hand seal. "Clone Jutsu!" She called until there was suddenly four of her standing there. She then began helping out with her clones and Kurama as well.
"I wasn't dumped! Sat it!" Tamahome shouted at Tasuki, the two head to head.
"Were too! Were too!" Tasuki shouted before the two started fighting in a cloud of smoke.
"Hey, guys! Look over here!" Aika smiled. They all looked over and Aika took a picture of them. She smiled as the photo came out while the others ran over.
"What is that?" Nuriko asked.
"Look," Aika said as she showed the photo. Tasuki looked and spazzed out again.
"Hey! What am I doing in that thing?!" He asked. "That guy in there is a fake! I'm the real one of me! I'm the real me! I am! I am! I am!"
"Why is he getting so mad at a picture?" Aika muttered while she, Kurama, and Tamahome sweat-dropped.
"Wow, these things from your world are incredible," Tamahome said in awe. Aika smiled until they both saw how close they were making them blush. They leaned away from each other quickly then.
'I almost forgot. We can't allow ourselves to touch one another. If we do even once, we could go too far and cross the line between Priestess and Suzaku Warrior,' Aika thought while the two glanced at each other. She then smiled. "I have an idea, how about we take another one?" She suggested.
"I'll get everyone!" Kurama said before going off to get Chichiri, Hotohori, Mitsukake, and Chiriko. Soon they were all in position. Aika was sitting in the front, in the middle with Kurama in her arms.
"Okay, everybody, stay still," she smiled at the camera. It soon went off and there was a picture of the whole group. "Oh yeah, and I plan to take more pictures."
"What?!" Tasuki asked.
"Well, I want memories of this of course!" Aika said to him. She looked at the picture of the whole group and smiled. 'All seven Warriors are here with me now. I wish we could just meet and summon Suzaku then I wouldn't have to fight against Yui,' she thought.
"Stop thinking about it, Kit. You'll make yourself feel worse," Kurama said to her.
"I know, I know," Aika mumbled.
"I take it you and Tamahome talked," Kurama said noticing the two were on better terms.
"Yeah, I told him everything. He's still intending on making me his bride when this is all over," Aika smiled with a blush.
"Good, you deserve it," Kurama said to her.
"Excuse me, Tamahome," Hotohori said making Tamahome look at him. "I wanted to talk to you about your family. What would you say to having all of them brought here? You probably worry about leaving those young children out there while you're away. I would like to offer them a secure home here in the city," Hotohori said making Aika smile. Tamahome smiled gratefully.
"Oh, thank you so much, your Majesty! Thank you so much!" He said bowing. "I can't thank you enough for this kindness. Oh thank you so much, thank you!"
"That was very nice of you, Hotohori. Even when you're being a ruler, you're a softy," she said patting his arm. Hotohori blushed.
"Ouch, that hurts," he joked, acting like she thought he wasn't soft before.
"Does being embarrassed really hurt that much?" Nuriko joked before everyone else laughed.
"It's great news though I bet Yuiren and the others will be happy and have the time of their lives here. Can we bring them right away?" Aika asked excited and happy.
"Why don't you come along with me, Aika?" Tamahome smiled at her. Aika blinked and Tamahome blushed. "I mean, please don't get the wrong idea. It's just that my family likes you, they like you a lot, that's all."
"They like her? They really like her?" Nuriko teased him.
"And they want me to come along too? Okay! What's for supper?" Tasuki asked. Aika winced in sympathy at the two Suzaku Warriors now laying on the ground.
"Come on. Let's get going, Aika," Tamahome said.
"I'll stay here with Chiriko," Kurama said going over to Chiriko who smiled and picked him up. Aika smiled and followed Tamahome.
"Wait up!" She said catching up to him. They soon made it to the market where Tamahome decided to look for some gifts.
"Okay, I'll get this for Chuei," he pointed to a puzzle cube. "And that one for Shunkei," he pointed to something else.
"Presents for them?" Aika smiled. Tamahome picked up a stick with a pink ball.
"And this is for Gyokuran," he smiled.
"Can you afford to do that?" She asked him, knowing his money ways.
"Huh? Did you say something?" Tamahome asked her in a daze.
'He's got that glazed over consumer look again,' Aika sweat-dropped.
"Oh yeah! I still have to get Yuiren a present! I promised her this time I'd get her a doll," Tamahome said.
"Tamahome, do you love Yuiren more than the other kids," Aika asked him, smiling.
"Maybe. I love them all more than anything in the world, but my mother died giving birth to Yuiren. So I feel closest to her because I sort of raised her myself," Tamahome explained making Aika smiled softly. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to leave you out of all the shopping fun."
"That's okay. I'll choose one for you," she said to him. She began looking around. 'Well, it explains why Yuiren is more dependent on her brother. It's cute really.'
"What about his ball? I think he'll like it," Nuriko said with a creepy tone making Tamahome and Aika sweat-drop and pale.
~0~
"You scared me to death back there! Don't do that or I'll give you something to be scared about!" Aika scolded her friend.
"Oh come on! I thought you barely got scared because of that war!" Nuriko said to her.
"I do barely get scared, that doesn't mean I don't get scared at all! Sheesh!" Aika crossed her arms with a huff.
"Aw cut it out already!" Tamahome said before Nuriko could say anything. "Girls arguments are so noisy. Oh wait, one of you isn't a girl. Sorry, oops," He said faking his innocence at Nuriko.
"Tama…." Nuriko growled while Aika snickered. Tamahome laughed and ran a head. He made it over to his house and open the door with a smile.
"Hey, dad, it's me! I'm home! Chuei! Shunkei! Gyokuran! Yuiren!"
~0~
"Tamahome stepped into his family home and saw…" Naruto's eyes widened. "I-it can't be," he said dropping the book while the others looked at him curious. "No! It can't be true!" He shouted. Sai picked up the book and read it before his own eyes widened.
"No…"
~0~
Tamahome stood there frozen in horror as he saw his family….they were all dead.
Kida: No...I hated this ending!
Kido: Poor kids...WHY DID YOU WRITE THAT?!
Kida: Don't blame me! Blame Yuu Watase for writing it in the first place!
Kido: Good point. Yuu! How could you?!
Kida I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, except for the ending. Please favorite and comment!