Kida: Aika kicks some ass in this chapter!
Naruto: Really? How?
Kida: You'll just have to see.
Tamahome: Not even a hint?
Kida: Nope.
Sasuke: Kida Tenshi doesn't own Naruto or Fushigi Yuugi. She only owns Aika Hitsubasa and future OCs.
Lady Aika with six of her Warriors set out by ship for the Hokan Empire. Meanwhile, in the village library back home, Lady Aika's best friend, Naruto, and her friend, Sasuke, discovered and ominous component of The Universe of the Four Gods and urged her to return at once. But Lady Aika decided to remain with her new companions, burning the hair which connected her to her friend as well as leaving the engraved kunai that connected her to her best friend and breaking all contact she had with home. Soon after the Lady Aika's expedition was threatened by a sinister lightning storm that would not let up.
~0~
"Tamahome once again saved the Priestess of Suzaku from harm and then was struck by lightning. Nuriko managed to pull him ashore and onto the rocks just in time, saving his life in return," Shikamaru ready while Naruto and Sasuke were frustrated.
~0~
"Don't worry about me! We have to save Aika!" Tamahome shouted to Nuriko through the sound of the harsh waters, thunder, and wind. He suddenly screamed in pain as he was struck by lightning.
"No! Tamahome!" Aika shouted. Tamahome started to slip until Nuriko and Aika each grabbed a hand.
"Hold on!" Nuriko said to him as they pulled him out of the water. They were soon in the cave and Nuriko made a fire. Aika stayed by Tamahome's side, holding his hand.
'Thank god he's still alive. This is my fault. Had I not been so stupid as to jump into the water, he wouldn't have had to jump in after me,' Aika thought as she looked at Tamahome.
"It'll be all right. At least he's alive. Well, that's what he gets for acting so recklessly. When he wakes up, I'm going to tell him so too. This cave looks like a fishermen's storm shelter, guess we'll have to wait here for a while. The fire's going really strong now, so take off your clothes and hand them over," Nuriko said to Aika. Aika blushed a bit.
"B-but…" she trailed off. After Nuriko was a man, so she was nervous.
"Take them off! If you stay in those wet things long enough, you're gonna catch cold!" He said to her firmly.
"F-fine! I-I'll take them off, just don't look!" Aika blushed darkly, shy.
"Yeah, yeah," Nuriko turned around before Aika started disrobing until she was only in her bra and panties.
"This is freaking embarrassing," Aika mumbled.
"Oh stop pouting. Would you rather get sick?" Nuriko pointed out taking her clothes before he started disrobing as well. Aika turned around quickly.
'Out of everything that's happened, I'm still trying to get used to the fact that Nuriko is really a boy! I-it's kinda creepy,' she thought, blushing from seeing Nuriko's naked torso. Nuriko has seen her blush after taking Tamahome's shirt off. He then smirked a bit.
"What's on your mind, Aika? You thinking about me?" Nuriko asked coming over to her. Aika blushed more. "Uh huh. Now that I don't stand a chance with his Highness, maybe I'll make a switcharoo," he said. He gently grasped her chin making her look at him. "I could go back to being a boy and start chasing girls instead. What do you think?" Nuriko purred. He leaned in like he was going to kiss her until he snickered making Aika blink. Nuriko back up as he laughed. "You fell for it! You actually fell for it!" He laughed.
"NURIKO!" Aika growled which only made Nuriko laugh more until they heard a groan from Tamahome. They looked over to see Tamahome waking up. "Tamahome," Aika smiled in relief until Nuriko got in his face as Tamahome sat up.
"YOU IGNORANT BLOCK HEAD!"
"W-what's the matter with you, huh?!" Tamahome asked, shrinking back a bit.
"NOTHING'S THE MATTER WITH ME! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO ALWAYS HAS TO BE SUCH A DAREDEVIL! And ordinary person would have been killed by that lightning, but somehow you were saved! It doesn't always work that way! You could have died! I know you did it for Aika, but if you don't take care of yourself, you be any good to anyone!" Nuriko scolded, his hands on his hips.
"What good have I been? I've lost my entire family, my parents, my brothers and sisters…I just don't want to lose the only thing left in my life that I care about," Tamahome said looking down a bit. Nuriko's eyes softened.
"Yeah, I understand what you're saying. Everyone's desperately afraid of losing what's special to them. Even I have those feelings," Nuriko admitted slightly surprising both Aika and Tamahome.
~0~
Lightning cracked as the ship moved through the rough currents. Mitsukake was working the sails while Chichiri tried to sense for Aika, Tamahome, and Nuriko.
"Chichiri, this is the wrong direction! We're bearing further and further off the course we set for Hokan!" Chiriko called over the noise.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it! Aika and the others need our help first, ya know!" Chichiri replied. "Ugh! It's no use! These storm clouds are acting like a force field barrier, ya know! They're blocking my ability to sense anything about where Aika and the others are!"
"What about you, Kurama? Can't you sense them?" Tasuki asked.
"I've tried their scents, the rain's made them disappear and as for sensing for chakra, it's the same as Chichiri! I can't sense them at all!" Kurama replied.
~0~
"I've never told anyone what happened," Nuriko mused to himself. Aika gave a small smile.
"Well, you know you can tell us anything, Nuriko. So if you're ready to tell us then we're all ears," she assured making Nuriko smile.
"Thank you," he said before sighing a bit. "It happened when I was only ten years old. I had a little sister named Kourin who followed me wherever I went. We were exactly alike, everything about us. The way we laughed, the way we talked, even the way we looked. We loved each other so much. Kourin was the most special person in my life, but then…"
"Big brother!" Kourin giggled as she waved and ran to her brother. Nuriko turned with a smile and suddenly saw a carriage coming. His eyes widened when he saw his sister was hit by the horse.
"Kourin!" He breathed. He looked at her as she laid on the ground. "K-Kourin? KOURIN!" He cried.
"Ryuuen, Kourin is dead. She's gone forever now. It's best to try and forget about this. Try to forget," his father told him.
'How can I just forget about her? We'll always, always be together because I'll become you and will live on in your place,' Nuriko promised as he dressed in Kourin's clothes. 'I am you now, Kourin. From this day on, I am you.' Aika and Tamahome looked at him with surprised and some understanding.
"So that's why you dressed up in those clothes when we met," Aika frowned, gently taking his hand to comfort him. Nuriko was grateful for it and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"I didn't want to accept that Kourin had died. I thought that by acting as much of a girl as I could, she could still be with me. Sorry to get so serious. It's time for me to move on and stop playing dress-up," Nuriko said with a smile. Suddenly lightning hit the cave making his quake which alarmed the three.
"Look out!" Tamahome shouted when he saw some rocks coming at Aika. He jumped and tackled Aika down she could shield her.
"Tama-!" Aika stopped and blushed darkly when she saw here his face was…in her breasts. "Get off!" She shrieked before getting up and away from him.
"Hey, you two! Quit fighting, throw your clothes on, and get outside! I don't think this place will last much longer!" Nuriko said after getting dressed. Aika quickly put her clothes and such back on as did Tamahome. They soon got out and a part of the cave shot out water.
"Oh no, what do we do now?! This place is falling apart!" Aika said. Nuriko used something to try and stop the water leak.
"I'll try to slow it down as much as I can! Concentrate on Chichiri and the others! They have to find us!" Nuriko told her. Aika nodded and started trying to concentrate on her chakra, as if to let Kurama know where they were. Suddenly lightning hit the rock at her feet making her eyes widen as she fell into the water.
"Aika!" Tamahome shouted. He jumped in and grabbed her. Nuriko grabbed his wrist. "Nuriko! Even someone as powerful as you are can't stop this current! You have to let go, Nuriko!"
"No! I will not just abandon you there! It's too dangerous! If lightning strikes this time, you won't stand a chance!" Nuriko told him.
"But, Nuriko!" Aika said with worry, knowing he couldn't keep this up for long.
"You have to survive! Sure, bad things happen, but the day will come when you look back at them and laugh!" Nuriko stated. He winced a bit. "My arm! And until that day comes, I promise I will not let either of you die!" Nuriko vowed before his bracelets started glowing. They suddenly turned in armbands like gauntlets. Nuriko was surprised before he smirked and pulled the two up just as the lightning was about to strike them.
"What happened, Nuriko? That was amazing!" Aika said surprised.
"The bracelets that Taiitsukun gave me, they transformed into these radical armbands that suddenly made a whole lot stronger," Nuriko said looking at his armbands. The suddenly glowed and were back to being bracelets. "They changed back."
"I guess they only appear when you need them," Aika mused.
"Hey, look!" Tamahome looked over with Aika and Nuriko. "It's the ship!"
"Thank goodness! You all made it through safe and sound!" Chiriko smiled when the three were back on the ship.
"It was pretty difficult to find you three out there, ya know!" Chichiri said to them.
"Yeah, I couldn't even sense your chakra, Kit," Kurama said to Aika.
"Yo, you still alive?" Tasuki smirked until Tamahome grabbed him by the collar.
"This was all your fault! You started it!"
"How's it my fault?! You know I can't swim!" Tasuki shouted.
"Nuriko," Aika smiled at the purple haired man. "Thank you, Nuriko. You sure impressed me," she admitted surprising Nuriko a bit.
"You have to survive! Sure, bad things happen, but the day will come when you look back at them and laugh!" Nuriko stated. Nuriko remembered that and blushed slightly. "Oh that. I just said that to keep Tamahome spirits up. No big deal really," Nuriko said trying brush it off.
"Sure it was," Aika chuckled a bit. Chiriko walked over to the window and saw another flash of lightning.
~0~
"You're absolutely sure we'll get there before the others?" Yui asked from her carriage that was being pulled by a horse. Nakago rode up next to her carriage on his horse.
"We have already struck them down. The Priestess of Suzaku is in our power," Nakago smirked knowing Soi was taking care of them.
~0~
Chichiri and Aika exclaimed when lightning struck the ship. Aika had grabbed her kunai and the sword Hotohori gave her.
"Watch where you're aiming that lightning! I don't want to become fox barbeque!" Kurama shouted at the sky.
"Now what?! What was that?!" Aika asked Chichiri.
"It looks like the ship's been struck by lightning!" Chichiri replied.
"Ah….and that comes with sinking, right?!" Nuriko asked spazzing out a bit with Tasuki and Tamahome.
"Everyone, get down! The cliffs are dead ahead!" Chiriko warned.
"Just one problem after another!" Kurama and Aika exclaimed. The boat then hit the cliffs and stopped as everyone laid on the ground.
"W-what just happened?" Nuriko asked.
"This could have been the end! Maybe we're all dead now!" Tasuki freaked.
"Your loud mouth voice is getting on my nerves!" Tamahome told him.
"We better check out the ship, ya know," Chichiri piped up as Aika stood with Kurama in her arms.
"I hope it's not too bad," Aika said before putting Kurama down and running up to the dock. She then saw the cloaked figure. "You again," she glared knowing that was the figure they saw back in Tamahome's village.
"You actually made it this far. I congratulate you, but now your journey ends!" Soi told her before raising a hand. Lightning struck down.
"Aika!" Tamahome shouted. The smoke cleared and Aika had jumped out of the way.
"Well, that was close," Aika muttered with a glare at Soi.
"You dodged that well, Priestess of Suzaku," Soi mused.
"That lighting that struck, you control it," Aika stated remembering the lightning that struck before when Tamahome fought Suboshi.
"I am a Warrior of the Seiryuu Seven!" Soi said removing her cloak. On her left thigh was her symbol. She wore red armor over olive garb. Her hair was magenta. "Soi. Priestess of Suzaku, you will never reach the Hokan Empire."
"A Warrior? But you're a woman," Aika said a bit surprised. All the Warriors she seen have been male!
"I will destroy the entire Suzaku Seven contingent with one fatal blow!" Soi smirked raising her hand. It's then wind gathered around her hand. Tasuki and Tamahome stood in front of Aika. Kurama was in front of them, growling.
"Aika, be careful!" Tamahome shouted. The lightning struck and the three males let out screams of pain as they flew back. "S-she's too strong!"
"Can't move!" Tasuki said as all the other Warriors were being electrocuted as well.
"No!" Aika shouted with worry.
"A captive audience to watch as I diminish your precious Priestess to a chard cinder," Soi smirked at the Warriors. "Hakojiraihou!" She shouted before more lighting started striking for Aika who easily dodged the lightning. "Oh, you are quick, you little spring!"
'What'll I do? She'll kill me. And Tamahome and the others too. Wait, the sword Hotohori gave me! Watch out, Soi! You're about to see what a ninja can do!' Aika glared at Soi as she drew the sword.
"No! Don't! Aika, don't!" Tamahome shouted.
"Have faith in her, Tamahome!" Kurama snapped making Tamahome look at him. "She's not some weak little girl. She may not wear a Leaf headband like a ninja would, but she has the skills!"
"Hakojiraihou!" Soi shouted.
"Watch out, Aika!" Chichiri shouted. It's then lightning struck the blade of the sword and Aika screamed.
"AIKA!" Tamahome shouted.
"Wha-?!" Soi's eyes widened when she saw the sword glowing red.
"Aika!" Tamahome's eyes widened as well.
"Very clever, but that's not all the electricity I have in store for you!" Soi glared.
'Hotohori's sword!' Aika thought surprised.
~0~
"Aika, my strength be with you," Hotohori prayed to the Suzaku statue, the dagger in his hands.
~0~
"Impudent Priestess of Suzaku! Now you'll die!" Soi shouted throwing her hands up. It's then a large strike of lightning came down.
"That's what you think!" Aika shouted as the sword absorbed the electricity.
"What?!" Soi looked stunned.
"No matter what, I cannot lose!" Aika shouted as the sword glowed brightly. She let out a battle cry as she swung the sword. It's then the light his Soi who screamed. There's was then a big explosion.
"Huh?" Tasuki looked around as the explosion disappeared. Soi stood shakily, holding her arm. "Watch out!"
"Aika!" Tamahome shouted getting up and running over to her making Chiriko and Tasuki sweat-drop. Kurama chuckled.
"What did I tell ya? Aika knows what she's doing," he said. Soi jumped away and Tamahome gathered Aika into his arms.
"Are you crazy? I thought that you were dead for sure. I was so worried about you!" He said holding her tightly. Aika smiled a bit as she relaxed.
"I'm sorry, Tamahome," she replied.
"Heh, looks like she blew a fuse big time," Tasuki said looking around the boat.
"Yeah, Aika, you fought her really well," Nuriko smiled.
"Thank you. I had a feeling it would work. When the lightning struck, the sword started flashing," Aika smiled at them.
"Mhmm, the Emperor's sword is holy. It absorbed all of the lightning's power and then unleashed it right back at her, ya know!" Chichiri smiled.
'A holy sword. Hotohori told me to use it to protect myself when he lent it to me. Thank you, Hotohori,' Aika smiled at the sword.
"I wonder if it also had to do with your chakra too, Kit," Kurama mused.
"Eh? What do ya mean?" Tasuki asked.
"Oh right! My chakra natures are fire and lightning," Aika remembered.
"Right. I think you accidentally focused chakra into the sword to help draw the lightning in," Kurama said to her.
"Really?" Aika blinked before looking at the sword.
"That's actually pretty cool," Nuriko smiled.
"Look at that!" Mitsukake pointed to the cliff. The cliff was breaking and splitting. Some rocks fell into the ocean as the ship began to move. It's then the dark clouds disappeared. Chiriko smiled when he saw land.
"That's Hokan! Through there!" He said.
"Are you sure, Chiriko?" Tasuki asked before they all looked over at the land. "All that lightning opened up a passage way for us and created a short cut!"
"That's great! We can make our way into Hokan. We're finally here. The Land of Genbu and the Shinzahou," Aika smiled.
~0~
The Suzaku Warriors and Priestess made it to land and walked off the ship. They were now traveling on foot.
"Aika, are you all right?" Tamahome asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Aika assured as they walked. She then smiled when she saw the view. "It's a meadow and look at all the fluffy sheep," she said thinking the animals looked cute.
"Oh…sheep meat…" Kurama drooled. Aika sweat-dropped.
'Him and his meat…' she thought.
"They need that wool, it's cold here! Tasuki, use that fan of your and light us a fire!" Nuriko said.
"I don't use it for stupid things like that, you moron!" Tasuki retorted. Niko meowed from Mitsukake's coat.
"So, how do you think we should proceed from here?" Mitsukake asked Chichiri.
"I'm almost sure this land's three times larger than Konan, ya know," Chichiri replied. Behind Tamahome was Tasuki used his fan to make some heat for Nuriko.
"Three times?! So how are we supposed to find the Shinzahou if we don't even know which direction to start off in? We're completely clueless!" Tamahome said to him. There was suddenly crying and they looked over to see a little boy riding on a running horse, scared.
"A little boy!" Aika exclaimed.
"He's about to fall off!" Tamahome finished for her. Aika was about to go help until Tamahome went after the horse. He grabbed the boy then. "You're safe now, kid!"
"Tamahome!" Aika, Kurama, Nuriko, and Tasuki shouted. The horse stood up on its hind legs and stomped on the blue haired man.
"T-Tamahome? Are you okay?" Aika asked worried.
"Mister, are you okay?" The little boy asked as well.
"Fine, fine," Tamahome said with a pained smile.
"Tamahome…you reckless idiot," Kurama said bluntly.
~0~
"Oh bless you, you saved my son's life. How can I ever repay you?" The mother asked.
"How about fifty gold pieces?" Tamahome smiled. Aika hit him over the head, a tick mark on her temple.
"I take it back…you're a reckless greedy idiot," Kurama muttered.
"We need a place to stay. It would be a big help if you could put us all up for the night, ya know," Chichiri smiled at the woman. The woman smiled as she held her son.
"Yes, of course, by all means. You must be tired so make yourselves at home here. And I'd love to hear about your travels," she said to them.
"Is that really a fox?" The boy asked looking at Kurama.
"Yes, his name is Kurama," Aika smiled. The boy lent out his hand to let Kurama see if he was safe. Kurama chuckled a bit surprising the boy.
"I can tell you're safe, kid. Don't worry, when I'm this little, I'm pretty harmless," he assured. The boy smiled and picked him up, though Kurama was pretty big for the boy. The little boy was kind of holding him like a stuffed animal which looked cute and made Aika giggle. The mother made dinner for everyone then.
"Wow, this tastes great. It tastes like yogurt," Aika smiled as they all ate.
"I've never tasted anything remotely like it. Is this sheep meat?" Nuriko smiled.
"Wayfarers, we have brought our elder to meet you," a man said from the door.
"Oh, sure," Aika said a bit surprised. They looked at the old man who had a long white beard.
"I am called Tomoru, high elder of the northern tribe," he said to them.
"Nice to meet you, sir," Aika smiled politely. 'Where are his eyes?' She thought.
"Hi, big brother," the little boy smiled at Tamahome. Kurama chuckled.
"Someone likes you," he said to the blue haired man.
"So, you've come from Konan in search of the Shinzahou," Tomoru said.
"Yes, that's right. Do you know anything about it?" Aika asked, hoping he knew how she could get it.
"Perhaps I do. Please remember though that this is a legend I heard from my grandfather. Supposedly, some two hundred years ago, the Priestess of Genbu came here from an exotic foreign land. At that same time in history, Kutou began a violent expansion and targeted this country for attack, but the Priestess of Genbu and the Genbu Seven rally together to save Hokan for all time," Tomoru said to her.
'The Priestess of Genbu and the Genbu Seven, they had already appeared in this world two hundred years ago? Does that means someone else discovered The Universe of the Four Gods, began to read it and was transported to this world long before Yui and I were?' Aika thought to herself as Tamahome watched her.
"So you're saying the Priestess summoned the Beast God Genbu," Nuriko noted.
"Supposedly. Genbu created the treasure, the Shinzahou, he bequeathed to us," Tomoru said.
"Huh? Elder, that's not right. I heard from my wife's uncles that the Shinzahou is a small jewel and Genbu is sealed inside of it," one man said.
"No, I heard from my mother's brother's friend that the Priestess of Genbu made it from the hair of the Genbu Seven and it has great magical power," the other man said.
"Are you daring to call my grandfather a liar, young man?!" Tomoru exclaimed.
"Well, I think the Shinzahou was a piece of Genbu's shell that was left behind," the first man said.
"That's not what you just said a few minutes ago!" The other man snapped. The others just sat there, sweat-dropping.
"Does it really matter how the damn thing was made?!" Kurama snapped at the two men who jumped back in fright. Tomoru chuckled.
"Interesting fox you have here," he said patting Kurama's head. "In any case, if you go to the central region of Turan, I'm sure you'll discover where to find the Shinzahou."
'It's been done before. Great. Maybe this will work out after all. You see, Naruto, Sasuke, that other Priestess summoned the Beast God safely,' Aika thought to herself.
"Do not summon Suzaku, Aika! Would you rather die?!" Sasuke had asked her.
"Can I ask a question?" Tamahome asked making Aika snap out of though. "The Priestess of Genbu, after she summoned Genbu, did she leave this land and return to her own world?" He asked making her eyes widen. She looked at him.
"Tamahome?"
"Well, that's what I was told, but I don't know the details," Tomoru replied.
"Oh, I-I see…" Tamahome sighed a bit.
'He's thinking about when I said I would most likely go home after this was over. How it might not work between us….Tamahome, if I have the choice, I'd prefer to stay here,' Aika thought sadly. At least here she would have a nice life. Sure, she would miss her friends dearly, but she loved this world. It seemed more calm and serene.
~0~
"I'm cold," Yui whimpered quietly to herself as she stayed wrapped in a blanket. She and the others were already in Hokan and had stayed the night.
"Lady Yui, I've brought some hot tea for you," Suboshi said walking in.
"Thank you," Yui smiled a bit. "It really gets colder here in the northern part of the continent, doesn't it?"
"It seems like it's getting colder as we move into the central region," Suboshi agreed as Yui sipped her tea.
"Where's Nakago?" The Priestess of Seiryuu asked.
"I don't know. Although, I heard that Soi came back to camp late yesterday and from what I hear, she failed to kill any of the Suzaku Warriors," Suboshi smirked.
"I'd like to meet with Nakago to talk about our strategy and where we go to from here," Yui stated.
"Oh, I see. I'll call him for you," Suboshi replied.
~0~
"Forgive me, Nakago. I didn't expect the girl to have a holy sword," Soi said softly to the blonde man.
"Don't worry about it. I'll give you another chance to prove your ability," Nakago replied.
"But the weather here's too harsh. It puts me at a disadvantage. Please forgive me for not being more useful."
~0~
"The Seiryuu Warriors were sorely vexed the Priestess of Suzaku had entered Hokan territory. Nakago prepared to set loose his next plot against them," Shikamaru read. Naruto growled.
"What would I give to kill that bastard?"
~0~
"Yeesh, all Lady Yui talks about is Nakago. I can be useful too, ya know," Suboshi grumbled as he made it to Nakago's tent. "Nakago, sir?" He asked opening the flap. He suddenly blushed and turned away, closing the flap. "I-I'm sorry, sir! L-Lady Yui said she wanted to speak with you right away about what you wanna do next. I mean, about the plan!"
"Tell her that I'll be there as soon as I get dressed and that Soi isn't feeling to well in this cold climate. We will be using Ashitare in her place," Nakago smirked. Suboshi's eyes widened a bit as he remembered a growling man who was locked in chains.
"Ashitare?"
Kida: Ya know, I think Soi and Nakago make a cute couple.
Tamahome: You're talking about the enemy like they're your friends!
Kida: Eh? They are my friends. Where have you been?
Hotohori: You are friends with evil beings?
Kida: Haven't you heard? I'm weird that way. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Please favorite and comment!