AN: Hello again, all! Going to take the opportunity here to urge you all to go back and reread chapters 8-10 as KittyLynne was kind enough to help me edit those and suggested a few small changes. Nothing huge as far as plot goes, but a couple of throat punching emotional lines that I hadn't thought of!
Also I changed it so that instead of Andy having an apartment in Tokyo that he has a house. Because why not. And also it works out for plot reasons. :D
This is the last chapter before the fun stuff starts! So I'll do my best to tie up any loose ends that can't be taken care of later. As always, suggestions are welcome!
Art of Love
Chapter Eleven
Red Courage
The journey from the hospital to her apartment took longer than Miaka would have liked, but being able to spend the extra time with her youngest seishi made the trip well worth it.
Chiriko insisted on escorting her onto the train and, as Miaka discovered, wasn't above using his newly acquired (at least to her) height and weight to jockey for more space during the tail-end of rush hour. He was a perfect gentleman and able to keep the two of them from being overwhelmed by the masses, but being forced into close proximity ensured that if Miaka hadn't already been aware of the changes time had wrought, she would have had to be deprived of all her senses to not be aware of them now.
Once again, she found herself marveling at how different he looked compared to the last time she'd seen him. He stood several inches taller than she, and his face and body had shed the soft roundness of boyhood to reveal the broadened, defined contours of a man. The biceps he'd been so proud of earlier were accompanied by a strong chest and shoulders, eliciting an attraction she'd never dreamed she would ever feel for her youngest warrior.
Bless the overcrowded Tokyo train system. Every time the train stopped, their bodies either bumped or leaned into one another. The first few times it happened, they apologized and blushed, neither of them able look the other in the face as they kept shifting, trying and failing to find a position that didn't end up with them pressed together. Eventually they grew tired of making the effort and gave in to the inevitable.
Miaka looked up at Chiriko through disheveled bangs as the jerking motion of the train had her leaning into him with force once again. Her nose brushed his collar bone, detecting a hint of lovely smelling cologne and she saw him swallow reflexively as he sucked in a breath.
At last the train slowed. "This is our stop Chiriko," she said softly.
He simply nodded, and when the train came to a full stop, took her arm to assist her in disembarking.
The trek from the train station and rest of the walk to her apartment was carried out in relative silence. Miaka could sense Chiriko's nerves were getting the better of him. When they reached her building, he held the door and followed her inside.
As they reached the open elevator, she reflexively reached out for his hand, only to be rebuffed by Chiriko shoving them into his pockets as he entered the conveyance. Thankfully no one appeared to share their ride, but she still waited until the doors had shut to speak.
"Chiriko? Are you okay?"
He was standing a respectful distance away. After their trip on the train, it felt almost too far away. She missed his solid presence.
"I'm fine, just hoping all of this isn't going to be too weird for you to deal with." He said.
Too weird? Truthfully, the more of her Seishi that she found, the more time she spent with them, the less weird the concept of the ceremony became, but now wasn't the time to bring that up. "Quite honestly, things stopped being weird for me right after I realized I got sucked into a book." She said with a smile.
Chiriko's laugh was wry. "Touche."
There was a final sounding 'ding' as the doors slid open.
"This is my floor. I told everyone we were coming. They probably even beat us here!" She said brightly. Her smile was encouraging as they stood in front the door to her apartment. Chiriko returned the smile, but when she opened the door, he hung back, shadowing her as she stepped inside.
"Hey everyone! I'm home!"
"Mi-chan!" Tasuki's nickname for her rang out from the depths of the living room, followed by a chorus of "Miaka!" from Chichiri and the rest of those present. As she'd expected, Nuriko, Tamahome, and even Hotohori had already gathered in preparation for welcoming their second to last comrade. The only one missing was Mitsukake and Miaka knew he would arrive soon as well. The thought of all her warriors together again warmed her heart like nothing else.
"And who's this, Miaka?" Chichiri padded forward, his curious and penetrating gaze trained on Chiriko.
Laughing, Miaka waved a hand at her newest guest. "Silly! This is Chiriko! Remember I told you I was bringing him with me?"
Chichiri's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. "Chiriko?" His voice was a squeak. "Is it really you?"
Tasuki shoved himself off the couch, tentatively closing in on Chiriko and Miaka in the small entryway while Tamahome hung back with Hotohori—the two of them looking equally astonished. "No shit? This is the kid?"
Tamahome and Hotohori stayed in the background, staring, their faces twin mirrors of astonishment.
"It's really me, guys." Chiriko grinned, holding a hand up in shy greeting, laughing nervously as the others gathered round in varying levels of curious appreciation. His other hand clutched the strap of his backpack, perhaps a bit too tightly, and Miaka gently took his arm, drawing him further into the apartment so he wasn't trapped in the entryway.
"Hey squirt!" Tasuki playfully punched Chiriko's shoulder. "Look at you, all grown up!"
"Ow!" Chiriko rubbed his shoulder with a laugh before returning Tasuki's punch with all the gusto of a little brother who knew he could hold his own with his older sibling.
Unprepared for the younger warrior's new strength, Tasuki stumbled backwards. "Oh ho ho! That's how it is, eh?" The overzealous redhead playfully attacked again, moving in for one of his familiar headlocks, and before Miaka knew it, things had devolved into an impromptu wrestling match which had to be broken up by Nuriko.
"Now now! Let the poor boy breathe!" Nuriko ordered, setting the two apart like a pair of cats at the scruffs of their necks before turning an appreciative gaze towards his youngest brother in arms. "Damn, Chiriko! You're even taller than me!" The purple-haired warrior reached out to pinch Chiriko's cheeks affectionately. "And so handsome! So not fair!"
Chiriko was red faced but grinning as he was ushered further into the living room towards a seat on the couch. Seeing him practically glowing at the praise from his fellow warriors as they gathered around him, Miaka was pleased. She knew that being the youngest and physically smaller and weaker had always been a bit of a sore point for the boy genius, and this affirmation meant the world to him.
Hotohori embraced Chiriko fondly, his eyes just a little wet, before letting the youth sit down next to Tamahome.
"So what did Miaka do to unlock your memories?" Tamahome moved to rest a brotherly hand atop Chiriko's head the way he'd used to and settling instead for his shoulder when he couldn't reach comfortably, seeming both a little put out and impressed at Chiriko's new height. But Miaka noted that his usual possessiveness was almost non-existent. Perhaps because he'd always seen Chiriko as a little brother and that fondness outweighed the sexual threat posed by Chiriko?
"Nothing, really." Chiriko shrugged. "I saw her at the library and knew it was her."
There was a brief pause as the other warriors let this news settle, then a jumble of voices uttered a collective "what!"
"So how long have you known?" Nuriko asked.
This time, Chiriko flushed, scrunching his shoulders in an attempt to hide it. "Two weeks. Give or take."
"What?" Tasuki yelped. "And you waited until now to reveal yourself?"
"I—uh, I had exams." Chiriko rubbed the back of his neck, looking both contrite and defiant. "I had to study. And I did so well, I finally could devote myself to helping you without distractions."
"Still an egghead." Tasuki shook his head. "Some things don't change."
"Tasuki. Let him be." Miaka's voice was soft but firm, and it did the trick in silencing the redhead. The last thing she wanted was for any of her Seishi to be given a hard time for having a normal, human reaction to this situation. Distraction indeed! Poor Chiriko had probably thought he was going to have to be the one to explain everything to her and hadn't had a clue with how to proceed.
Luckily for her, further commentary on the issue was diverted by a firm knock at the door. Before anyone could move to answer it, the door opened a crack and Mitukake's face peered at them through the available space.
"It seems I found the right apartment," He deadpanned. "I could hear you all the way down the hall."
Miaka flushed immediately at the thought of her neighbors being able to overhear the sort of conversations that had frequented the apartment lately, but shoved those thoughts away in favor of greeting her seventh and final Seishi. "Mitsukake! Welcome!"
"Mituskake!" Chichiri was the first to embrace the bigger man, his slim frame somehow managing to engulf the larger Seishi. Miaka wasn't sure if it was by sheer force of will or the monk's special shape-shifting abilities that allowed that one.
The next several moments were punctuated by various greetings, hugs, and bursts of conversation as the Suzaku Seven gathered together for the first time in the modest home of their priestess. Miaka stood back and watched, her eyes brimming with pride and love.
"So how did Miaka reawaken your memories, Mitsukake?" Tasuki playfully elbowed the tall doctor in the ribs and waggled an eyebrow, obviously hoping for juicy details. Mitsukake rubbed the palm of his hand, momentarily meeting Miaka's eyes, but thankfully stayed silent, much to Tasuki's disappointment and Miaka's relief. She was still a little embarrassed at how brazen she'd felt in performing such a simple and intimate action in the hopes that it would jog his memory.
"He's patched me up enough in the past, how could he not remember me?" She joked.
This brought on teasing banter, and then, when the conversation had died down a little, Mitsukake went and placed his hand on Chiriko's head in a similar fashion to what Tamahome attempted earlier. Miaka noted that he was the only one still tall enough to do so easily and without looking awkward. "I'm happy to see you have grown into a fine young man, Chiriko. There is much to discuss."
Before the youth could respond, there was a soft crackling noise, reminding Miaka of static on a television and Taitsukun appeared. For once, her sudden reappearance merely caused a few flinches. Perhaps they were all finally becoming accustomed to her abrupt comings and goings? Chichiri had said that after three years he'd gotten used to it. "Taitsukun! Look! I found them all!"
"Well done, Priestess." The Creator smiled fondly at Miaka, her ancient gaze then moving to survey the gathered warriors. Her mouth twitched as her billowing robes and ribbon brushed the ceiling, walls, and furniture as if to highlight exactly how small Miaka's apartment was. "Now of course, the real work begins."
"Real work?" Miaka was perplexed. She wouldn't call what she was about to do with her warriors 'work'. "What do you mean?"
"The preparations for the ceremony!" Taitsukun huffed. "There's the cleansing rituals, the proper incense, and of course, finding an appropriate location…"
"Location?"
"You didn't think that opening a permanent portal in the middle of an apartment in Tokyo would be a good idea, did you?" Taitsukun made a motion with her hands as if gathering the errant cloth and the ribbons obediently shrank inwards.
To tell the truth, Miaka hadn't given it much thought. Although now that Taitsukun said it, it did seem pretty obvious. Every available sitting surface was taken and with the rest of the Seishi sprawled across the floor and it was pretty cramped. No way the seven of them could manage being celestial caretakers here. "Err. No."
Tamahome scratched his head. "Well then where exactly are we supposed to perform this ceremony?" Even from across the room, Miaka could see him going over a mental checklist of possibilities. "Anyone have any ideas?"
Silence.
"How about my place?" Hotohori offered. "Miaka and Nuriko have been there already. I believe it's quite large enough for our purposes."
"That's a great idea!" Miaka agreed. The house, estate really, was on a small amount of property so that the house itself was hidden from the surrounding homes despite still being within the city limits. She hadn't had time to really explore it the other morning, but what she had seen of it seemed more than promising. Nuriko nodded vehemently in agreement.
The rest of the Seishi shrugged, murmuring quietly in agreement, trusting their former Emperor, Priestess, and the arguably most finicky of the Seishi would not steer them wrong.
Taitsukun nodded. "Very well. Chichiri, I trust that you are well versed in the essentials for a summoning, but feel free to contact me if you have any issues."
"Yes, Taitsukun." The monk bowed respectfully, his cheeks coloring slightly in pleasure at the Creator's praise.
Taitsukun turned her gaze back to Miaka, making her and the rest of her Seishi shrink under the intensity. "This ceremony is of the utmost importance. You must be able to absorb the energy of all seven Seishi in order to summon Suzaku again. The process will be intense."
"Right." Miaka blushed, her gaze on the floor. She'd gotten pretty good at that part so far just in trying to find all of her warriors again. But that had only been a little bit of energy. Miaka couldn't imagine what absorbing the energy of all Seven Seishi would feel like. Just the idea made her feel a little faint.
Taitsukun fixed the Seishi with a hard glare. "The energy must be focused and as such must be delivered without any undue loss of chi. Any disruption to the flow of energy from the Seishi to the Priestess will result in a failed ceremony."
"What does that mean?" Tamahome piped up.
"Disruption?" Nuriko probed.
"So we can't stop until …" Tasuki trailed off.
"Not until you are ready to give Miaka the bulk of your chi. That particular act is what will seal the transfer of your chi to Lady Miaka and it must be performed with the utmost care."
Chiriko gulped.
"What about protection?" Nuriko asked, thankfully changing the subject, although Miaka wasn't sure it was any less embarrassing. "Otherwise there's a good chance Miaka is going to end up pregnant."
Taitsukun's eye twitched in irritation at being interrupted. "I'm afraid condoms are out of the question. They disrupt the skin to skin contact needed between Priestess and Seishi. But other methods such as medication shouldn't interfere. Mitsukake is a qualified physician and as such I'm sure can procure appropriate preventative measures as needed."
Miaka was glad someone knew to ask these questions. She'd been so preoccupied thinking about everything else she hadn't given it a thought. She raised a hand shyly out of habit and then spoke up anyway. "Actually, I'm already on the pill." At the surprised expressions of her Seishi she added, "It helps control my cramps. They've always been pretty painful."
"Again, too much information," Tasuki mumbled.
Mitsukake nodded sagely in agreement with her explanation. The other Seishi, particularly Tamahome, relaxed as Taitsukun continued her explanation.
"After each coupling, the Priestess will partake in a purifying bath and rest in preparation for the next. This process will take place over the next seven days, after which, imbued with the energy of all seven Seishi, she will burn the Shin Jin Ten Chi Sho, summon Suzaku, and make her wishes."
The ritual had been described once before, and the prospect had been both embarrassing and sinfully tempting. But, now that the time to actually follow through on it was upon them, Miaka trembled, unsure if she could really handle all that it entailed.
"You'll do fine." Tamahome assured her, giving her shoulders a light squeeze.
"Now the question is… who goes first?" Nuriko asked.
"I will." Tamahome volunteered, as Miaka knew he would.
"Unfortunately, Tamahome, I cannot allow that." Taitsukun said.
"What do you mean you 'can't allow it'?" Tamahome's voice and chi rose dangerously. "Why not?"
"While you love Miaka deeply, and have had the singular honor of being her first love, this ritual requires a bit more emotional control than you have displayed thus far. I've been watching you, and while your love is certainly true, your jealousy is a problem."
"Which is why I should go first," he argued.
Taitsukun shook her head. "Chichiri will go first." The Monk gaped at her, clearly alarmed by this new revelation, and Taitsukun hid a smirk as she added, "he has been my disciple for years and is the only one qualified to instruct Lady Miaka through her part in the ritual. He has done his best to teach the rest of you the basics, and he shall prepare her as well."
Though it was a strange prospect, Miaka felt an odd sense of peace with the Creator's decision. She loved Tamahome and had always imagined him being her first, and still wished he could be. But as Priestess, in this situation, she found that she agreed with Taitsukun's choice. As her disciple, Chichiri was the master when it came to instruction regarding the Ritual, the transfer of chi and guiding her to doing it properly. He was a calm and patient teacher, it made sense for him to be her first, and the idea actually gave her comfort that she wouldn't have to worry about asking questions others may find silly.
"How do we decide who goes next? And so forth and so on?" Nuriko asked. "Do we draw straws, or what?"
The rest of the Seishi looked at each other dubiously, a slight hint of challenge in the air, and Taitsukun raised an eyebrow. "The order after Chichiri I will leave to you, save to say that I believe you would do well to take into account each other's level of comfort and experience and go from there. When you've figured it out, let me know."
With that final pronouncement, she disappeared as abruptly as she arrived, leaving an awkward silence behind.
"Has the old hag gone batty?" Tasuki grumbled. "How does she expect us to figure out something that personal?"
Miaka couldn't have agreed with him more. She was very aware that Tamahome's arm was still slung around her shoulders and she could sense his chi fluctuating wildly with displeasure and discomfort, but she was encouraged that none of it was directed at the monk. She knew he'd wanted to be first. She'd always imagined he would be! But Taitsukun had made a compelling case for his having to wait.
And Tamahome trusted Chichiri, of that much she was sure. Though the older man often joked around, Chichiri exuded composure and control over the intensity of his emotions. She'd had rare glimpses of the monk's hidden passions, and the thought of his casting caution to the winds to make wild love to her made her insides quiver, but it was also reassuring that her initial experience would be with someone who was a master of self-discipline.
But how did that translate to determining the rest of the pecking order?
"Level of comfort and experience." Nuriko muttered, looking around inquisitively. "Any volunteers?" Tamahome, Tasuki, and Hotohori's hands all shot up and Nuriko snorted. "Heh. Can't say I'm surprised! But that's not what I meant."
"What did you mean then?" Tamahome grumbled.
"I mean… that we might have to get a little personal here to decide this." Nuriko maintained a straight face, but his cheeks had taken on tinges of pink. "Back in Konan, I was a nineteen-year-old virgin, but the girls in the harem were provided with, shall we say, adequate reading material, to make sure we would be able to please His Highness."
Hotohori's eyes widened. "I—I had no idea." He looked thoroughly embarrassed, suddenly unable to meet anyone's gaze. "Although it does explain some things…"
Nuriko smirked. "Yes. Your Advisers went to great lengths. They even brought in some older women from the brothels to verbally instruct us on some of the finer details..."
"Details?" Tamahome prompted, when Nuriko paused.
"Hell no! That's way more than we need to know!" Tasuki yelled.
Chiriko's face was aflame and even Mitsukake looked ill at ease.
"Yes, details won't be necessary." Hotohori agreed quickly.
"Nuriko's right, though." Chichiri said. "Since the Priestess is a virgin, it's important to make sure that we coordinate things so that she's not overwhelmed and can… acclimate. So-to-speak."
Face red, Miaka looked at Nuriko. "You mentioned a… box of goodies the other day. Is that true?"
Nuriko nodded. "Apparently certain proclivities can withstand the test of time and space. Although I was a virgin when I died, I can't say that that's true anymore. I was intensely curious as a teenager and I've had my fair share of lovers in this life. Male and female. Let's just say I'm well practiced."
"Huh." Tasuki looked away. "I don't know that Miaka's gonna be ready for that any time soon." He crossed his arms. "I ain't no virgin either, but I don't go for any kinky shit-"
"Yet." Nuriko interjected, laughing as redness crept into Tasuki's ears.
Chichiri smiled at Tasuki's embarrassment. He'd heard tell of the bandit's prowess from the occasional bar maid or lady of the night, but chose to remain silent so as not to embarrass his friend further. "Okay so at least two of you know what you're doing. Your Highness?"
Hotohori looked up. "As you all know I was married. Houki was the only woman I'd ever been with back in Konan, but in this life…" His voice was strained. "Life as an idol is very demanding. One must appear to be both unattainable and yet available at all times. It gets lonely. I have had some experience, yes."
"Mitsukake? Chiriko?"
The doctor had managed to school his features into a semblance of calm. He cleared his throat, a fist raised to his mouth. "Shouka and I were intimate and I've had my share of girlfriends in this life as well."
Chiriko shrank into his seat. "I died young. Obviously, I never had the chance to… you know." He looked away. "I—I've never been with anyone this time around either. I don't know if that means it'd be better for me to go sooner or later."
"Don't be embarrassed, Chiriko. It's nothing to be ashamed of." Chichiri pressed a finger to his lips in thought. "Though I think we should move you down the list so that by the time it's your turn, perhaps Miaka will be more comfortable taking the lead."
The youngest Seishi nodded, looking embarrassed but grateful for the Monk's thoughtfulness. "But...don't put me after anything crazy either," he blurted. "I don't want her to think I'm…boring."
"I won't think that, Chiriko." Miaka said. "I won't think that at all."
"Of course you won't." Nuriko affirmed. "Although I think he should go before me."
Mitsukake rested a hand on his friend's shoulder. "And before me. " He winked. "After all, I am a physician. Educating patients regarding their concerns on sexual matters is all part of my job. I doubt there's anything you could show her, Nuriko, that I'm not acquainted with."
After a moment of surprise, everyone laughed.
"Well then, Mitsukake should go after me." Tasuki's bravado was back and he eyed Miaka intently. "Like I said. I don't go in for any of that kinky stuff like Nuriko, but Mi-chan might appreciate a bit of medical attention when I'm done with her."
Nuriko raised an eyebrow. "Why? Are you planning to set her on fire?"
As Tasuki glared at the indelicate reference to past history, the others laughed, Tamahome a bit more than the others.
In spite of, or perhaps because of, the inappropriateness of the comments, Miaka buried her face in her hands and laughed so hard her stomach hurt. The ice was finally broken. Seeing everyone working together, trying their best to make everyone comfortable was amazing. It gave her hope that whatever happened, that she and her Seishi would remain together. They could make this work!
"Okay," Chichiri began scratching down the partial list that had begun to form. Chichiri, Tasuki, Mitsukake, Chiriko, Nuriko… "Only two left." He glanced at Tamahome and Hotohori and heaved a sigh that Miaka could feel in her very soul. Somehow it always came down to the two of them, didn't it?
Tamahome tapped his fingers against his arms anxiously and Miaka could see the cloud of jealousy rearing its ugly head. Likewise, she could see Hotohori's hackles rise in response; his normally gentle nature always seemed to take a backseat when it came to Tamahome where Miaka was concerned.
Chiriko, surprisingly, spoke up. "I think His Highness should go after Chichiri."
"And why is that?" Chichiri asked.
Chiriko's lips pursed as he studied the list. "Jumping straight from Chichiri to Tasuki might be a little much for Miaka." He looked up innocently. "I mean, you're a monk and he's a bandit… Don't you think Miaka deserves some kind of a buffer?"
Chichiri's lips twitched, but he managed to maintain a straight face as he asked, "And what makes His Highness a better buffer than Tamahome?"
"Actually," Chiriko paused. "I was thinking that Tasuki and Tamahome might be quite similar in technique and that it would be better to space the two of them out a bit. For varieties sake, of course."
"Similar?" Tamahome blanched. "How? Why? What-?"
"He's not wrong." Miaka agreed. Leave it to Chiriko. Logic in the face of lust was difficult, but like with everything else, he had a mature viewpoint on it.
Chichiri updated the list.
"I'll go last then." Tamahome said.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I know I've been letting my jealousy get the better of me all this time, and I think this is the best way for me to overcome that. We are all in this together. I can't worry about being first, or comparing myself to the rest of you or we will fail." He smiled at his priestess. "I just have to love Miaka."
To Be Continued...