Author: Deathangelgw
Disclaimer: not mine all theirs yea yea
Warnings: AU, OC, language, sap, angst, dark, violence,
humor, lemon/lime (later), het.
Pairings: in accordance with the show, TamaxMiaka. The
rest…hehehe are up to me.
Rating: PG-13
Timeline: Taking place in the middle of the second season
during the series and continuing from there. Starts with a flashback and then
goes to the episode where they get the first Shinzaho post Nuriko’s death.
Note: I…boobooed in the last part in the spelling of one of
the places. SO, I changed it and such. Sorry about that! Anyhoo, thanks to all
who’ve encouraged me on this and sorry it’s taken me so long!
Feedback: much loved and appreciated.
‘thoughts’
Chichiri looked around the desert as they rode on in the
night, wondering as much as the others if they would ever find their goal.
Sighing, he sweatdropped as Tasuki began another rant about Tamahome leaving
them, then continued on from there on a list of rants, ending with a rant about
how stupid his horse was. Sighing again, Chichiri looked down at the young girl
asleep in his arms as they rode along. Naria had fallen asleep not long after
the sun had set and had been snuggled up to the blue haired Seishi since. He
smiled slightly at this act of trust from the unknown girl, and then looked over
as Tasuki shouted as the now furious horse punched him. Sweatdropping in
embarrassment, Chichiri sighed again.
Naria moaned softly and shifted within his hold and he
looked down. “Naria-san?” he asked quietly, not sure if she was waking up or
just dreaming.
She stiffened slightly, then looked up at him, green eyes
dark in the night. “Chi-chichiri-san? Where…?” she queried, and then whimpered
in pain as she grabbed her head.
“Shh, shh…we’re near Sairou. Just go back to sleep,
Naria-san,” Chichiri replied soothingly as he rubbed her back. They started
moving again as she nestled closer to him and fell asleep once more.
They came up over a ridge after Tasuki finally got his
horse to cooperate and saw twinkling lights in the distance. “Is that Sairou?”
Chiriko asked in curiosity as they stopped at the top.
“I sure hope so!” Tasuki replied in glee. “Nice bed and
food here we come! And we beat those two here! Who’da thunk!” he added as he
started his horse forward.
Mitsukake and Chiriko followed him down on their horse as
Chichiri looked at the distant city. He frowned. ‘Something doesn’t feel right
with this, but it is near the place we were heading for,’ he thought to himself
as he started his horse forward and caught up with his fellow Seishi as they
headed into the city.
*~~**~~*
Naria looked around the strange surroundings as she and the
four Suzaku Seishi stood in an alleyway, watching the people pass in front of
them. Chichiri had draped his cloak over her head to protect her from the sun
and prying eyes as they walked into the city and looked around. She frowned
slightly. ‘Something just doesn’t feel right,’ she pondered silently as she saw
Chichiri stop a passing villager. “Ano, is this the land of Sairou?” he asked
politely and the woman smiled slightly.
Naria frowned as she heard the woman say, “Yes, this city
is right on the border.” Having said this, she walked away before Chichiri could
thank her.
“Hmm, how strange…” Chichiri murmured in thought, his brow
furrowing in slight confusion as he stared after the woman.
Tasuki laughed loudly as he slapped his fellow Seishi on
the back. “What’s so weird?! We made it to Sairou so now all we have to do is
wait for Miaka and Tamahome to get their asses here and we can get the damn
Shinzaho thingy and get back to Konan!” he said in glee as he walked off.
Mitsukake and Chiriko followed the red head warily, but Chichiri and Naria hung
back.
“Ano, Chichiri-san. I have a bad feeling,” Naria mumbled
softly as she peeked out from under the cloak.
Chichiri sighed softly. “You and I both, Naria-san,” he
agreed quietly, and then smiled down at her. She blushed slightly and looked
down quickly then walked with him after the other Seishi.
*~~**~~*
Naria walked quietly along the hallways, looking around
slowly as she searched for Chichiri. Her bad feeling grew increasingly worse as
the days went by. She and the remaining Suzaku Schichseishi had been staying in
the city with no signs of Miaka or Tamahome. What was also bugging the girl was
the fact that as each day went by, she and the others grew visibly weaker, yet
they didn’t seem to sense it. She sighed softly, and then smiled as she found
Chichiri in his room. She knocked softly on the door and smiled slightly when
he looked up. “Chichiri-san…may I come in?” she asked politely, bowing
slightly.
He smiled softly. “You are always welcome, Naria-san, no
da,” he replied gently and she smiled again as she came into the room and sat on
the chair near him. “What seems to be the problem?” he asked politely as he
looked at her.
She looked down at her hands and said, “Something is just
not…right about this place. Can’t…can’t you feel it?” She looked back up at
him, frustration and anxiety on her face.
Chichiri sighed softly. “I have been feeling strange
vibrations, no da. I can feel something of a spell working around here, but I’m
not sure as to where it is coming from, no da,” he answered as he looked around,
and then looked at her. “What does your sense tell you?” he asked quietly.
She quickly looked back down, her hands clenching into
fists. Chichiri and the others didn’t mock her strange abilities, yet she was
still very shy about her powers with them. She sighed softly, and then looked
back up. “There….there is a way that we can see the truth,” she mumbled softly,
and then looked away as she bit her lip nervously.
He cocked his head in curiosity. “You know of a way? Will
you help me then?” he asked softly and she sighed again and nodded.
Getting up, she held her hand out to him. He looked up at
her and took her hand gently, then smiled reassuringly. She took a deep breath
and nodded, smiling back. She led him outside to the courtyard where a bubbling
waterfall stood proudly in the center. She let go of his hand then walked over
to the waterfall slowly. Sitting on the lip of the basin, she dipped her hand
into the water. Staring into the reflection, she chanted softly. “Water of
truth, water of light….show us the now and show us the right. Break through the
sands of deceit and clean the lie. Give new life to that which is nigh.”
Chichiri watched in amazement as a soft glow surrounded the
girl before him briefly then the waterfall disappeared under a spout of water.
As he watched, the water changed into sand and the whole city disappeared around
them. A cloud of sand blew at them and Chichiri realized to his alarm how truly
weak he was and thirsty. Exclamations of surprise around him caused him to look
around and he saw his fellow Seishi looking just as confused as he was. He
turned back to Naria and saw that she was lying on a dune, unmoving.
“Naria-san! Daijoubu ka!?” he cried out as he ran to her side, joined by the
other Seishi swiftly.
She moaned softly as she stirred slightly, but didn’t wake
up. Looking up, Chichiri saw that it was nearing dawn….and that he could sense
Miaka and Tamahome.
Tasuki grabbed Chichiri’s shoulder. “Chichiri! What the
hell just happened?! I was drinking when suddenly the entire city just
disappeared! And what’s wrong with Naria-san?!” he asked as Chichiri carefully
wrapped the unconscious girl in his cloak and picked her up.
Mitsukake came over and took her from Chichiri’s arms, then
checked her ki. “Her life-force is dangerously low. I will bring it up enough
so that she doesn’t die,” he murmured and Chiriko leaned up, looking at her face
in worry.
While Mitsukake did this, Chichiri was looking around,
concentrating. Tasuki growled and glared at the blue haired seishi. “Will you
answer me!?” he growled out angrily.
Chiriko looked over. “Can’t you see, Tasuki-san? It was an
illusion! Naria-san must have somehow broken its hold on us,” he said in wonder
as he looked back at the still unconscious girl.
“She knew something was wrong, no da. So, she used her
strange powers to break the spell. But, she must have help, no da,” Chichiri
commented, and then frowned. “And now, we need to go and help Tamahome-kun and
Miaka-san! They are in trouble!” he added in concern.
Mitsukake stood with Naria in his arms. “Chichiri, are you
strong enough to get us there?” he asked as he and Chiriko walked over to the
other two.
Chichiri nodded, then placed his staff down and
concentrated. A flare of red light surrounded them and they disappeared in the
dawning light.
*~~**~~*
Miaka gasped as she tried to get free of Suboshi’s hold.
Suboshi smirked cruelly at her. “Tomo was going to rape you, but it would seem
he couldn’t make it. I guess I shall do it to pay you back for what you did to
Yui-sama!” he growled out cruelly.
She cried out in fear as she backed up. “Tamahome!” she
shouted desperately, wishing for him to be there right now.
Suboshi laughed cruelly at her struggles. “He won’t help
you now, Suzaku no Miko! The dead can’t help the living!” he mocked as he
laughed again.
“Let her go, Suboshi,” a voice said dangerously and they
both gasped, looking over at the source. Tamahome glared back at him, standing
proudly as he glared. “Let Miaka go…now!” he shouted.
Suboshi growled and pulled Miaka in front of him. “Come one
step closer and she’s dead, Tamahome!” he cried angrily, and then gasped.
Miaka struggled and finally hit Suboshi, then ran.
“Tamahome!!” Miaka cried out in fearful relief as she reached out for the man
she loved.
“Miaka!!” Tamahome shouted as he rushed to her, scooping
her into his arms and holding her close to his chest.
She sobbed softly as she cuddled close to him, wrapping her
arms around his neck. “Tamahome…oh Tamahome. You’re alive!” she cried as she
held onto him.
He smiled gently, then looked up as Suboshi growled
angrily, stumbling to his feet. “You won’t win. How the hell did you
survive!?” he cried out in anger and Tamahome smirked. Suboshi growled, and
then smirked as well. “It doesn’t matter. You both will die when I…”
“REKKA SHIEN!!” A flare of fire shot at the Seiryuu Seishi
and he cried out, dodging the shot.
“Tasuki!” Miaka cried out in relief as she saw the four
Seishi on the ridge above them.
Tasuki grinned at them and commented, “Well…bout time we
found you two!”
They all looked over at Suboshi as he stood up. He growled
softly, and then looked down at the unconscious form of his twin brother. He
snarled as he knelt down. “You haven’t won yet, Suzaku no Miko! We will defeat
you!” he cried out, then scooped his brother up swiftly into his arms and
flipped away, running to safety.
Tasuki and Chichiri made to follow him, but Miaka cried
out, “No don’t! Let him go. He needs to protect Amiboshi.” She smiled slightly
as she stared after the disappearing figures and smiled sadly. ‘Amiboshi….be
safe,’ she thought hopefully, and then looked over as her friends walked over
slowly. She gasped as she saw Mitsukake holding a bundle and realized it was
Naria. “Oh no! What happened to Naria-san!?” she cried out in fear as she
reached a hand out to the other girl.
Chichiri smiled a bit more than his usual perpetual smile.
“Naria-san was able to break the spell Tomo had over us, no da. She’ll be ok
with sleep, no da,” he replied and Miaka sighed in relief.
Tamahome smiled down at her and murmured softly, “I’m so
glad you’re alright, Miaka. I...don’t know what I would have done if you would
have…” He trailed off, choking slightly.
She smiled up at him and hugged him tightly. “I’m just so
glad you are alright Tamahome. Ano…could you tell me why this old man is
staring at me?” she asked softly, sweatdropping as she looked at the old man who
was drooling nearby as he stared at her near naked body.
Tamahome growled. “KEEP YOUR EYES OFF OF HER YOU OLD
PERVERT!!!” he shouted as he kicked the old man.
The old man snarled as he returned the punch. “DON’T CALL
YOUR SENSEI A PERVERT!!!”
Miaka blinked as she watched the two. ‘Sensei?’
*~~**~~*
Miaka smiled slightly as she stared out at the surrounding
courtyard, taking in the beautiful scenery. After they had gotten to Sairou,
they had gone to the home of Tamahome’s mentor, who, to their surprise, was one
of three of the surviving Byakko Seven. His wife was also one. They had seen
to the others, making sure they were put to bed and that Naria was checked
over.
Later, Miaka had gone looking for Tamahome, finding him in
a deep discussion with his mentor. The old man had left and that’s when Miaka’s
world had crumbled around her.
“We can no longer see each other,” Tamahome had said after
kissing her passionately.
Clenching her hand into a fist, she sobbed softly. ‘But why
can’t we be together, Tamahome?! Why?!’ she wondered in anguish then jumped as a
hand placed itself gently on her shoulder.
“Miaka-san? Daijoubu ka?” Naria asked quietly as she looked
down at Miaka worriedly.
Miaka blinked in surprise. “Naria-san! You’re awake!” she
cried happily and Naria smiled shyly, looking down.
“H-hai. I’m…gomen ne if I worried everyone…” she started
but Miaka pulled her down onto the ground by the hand. She squawked as she
fell, and then grinned up at the red head. “Jeez, Miaka-san. I’m not that much
better, no da!” she said and they both giggled.
Sitting up, they both looked out at the scenery for a few
minutes, when finally Miaka broke the silence. “Tamahome broke up with me. Said
he doesn’t want to be with me anymore,” she explained softly, sadness and
anguish in her voice as her eyes teared up.
Naria looked over at her in surprise. “You’re kidding,
right? I mean…he was so gung-ho in being with you and all…and I felt that you
and he love each other, even though I barely know you two,” she commented, then
blushed and looked away quickly as Miaka looked at her, brows furrowed in
surprise.
“You…felt it? Just like you felt when Nuriko died?” Miaka
asked and Naria nodded hesitantly, turning away a bit in shame. Miaka smiled
lightly then put her arm around the other girl’s shoulders. “That’s cool that
you felt that. But…I wonder why you felt Nuriko? Were you and him…oooo maybe
you two were meant to be together! Oh no! He’s dead and now you can’t be
together!” Miaka sobbed melodramatically and Naria laughed softly, then smiled.
“No….there is someone out there. For me that is. He….is
in my dreams and…well….Miaka? Can I tell you something that I’ve never told
anyone else?” Naria asked nervously, picking at her uniform nervously as she
looked down.
Miaka blinked. “Of course you can! I won’t tell anyone,
promise!” she declared solemnly and Naria smiled slightly.
Taking a deep breath, Naria looked over at Miaka and said,
“Well…ever since I…was little, I’ve had this dream. I was walking in a misted
place and a boy would always appear. We…almost grew up together and now….we
long to be together. Recently though, our dreams would always end with a voice
saying that in the time of Seiryuu and Suzaku’s calling, we would be brought
together.” She looked away as she talked, scared to see Miaka’s reaction.
Miaka breathed out a long, “Wow,” then grinned. “Oh cool!
You have a dream boy here in the book!” she cried, her eyes wide with delight.
Naria smiled up at her, and then blinked as Miaka leaned in conspiratorially.
“So…what does this mystery man look like? Is it Chichiri?! I saw how you and he
look at each other! I knew it! It’s him isn’t it!?” she cried out, and then
stood up in triumph….and knocked Chichiri on his butt with a fist to the jaw.
Both girls looked over in shock. “Chichiri!” they exclaimed
together as the monk Seishi groaned and rubbed his jaw. Naria looked away,
blushing brightly with embarrassment as he stood up, rubbing his jaw in slight
annoyance.
“Ne, Miaka-san, you have quite the punch, no da,” he
commented as he walked over to them, peering at Naria as she kept her gaze down.
Miaka giggled in embarrassment as she put her hand behind
her head. “Gomen ne, Chichiri-san! I didn’t see you there! Are you ok?” she
asked as she sat down and watched him. She glanced over and smirked as she saw
the furtive glances that were being cast by the other girl at the monk. ‘I think
I was riiiiiight!’ she thought in triumph.
Naria blushed an even deeper red as Chichiri looked at her
in curiosity. ‘Oh man…how long was he standing there listening?! He isn’t the
one in my dreams, but I’ve grown to like him a lot….oh dear. I…oh what should I
do…’ she wondered as she listened to the other two talk.
Chichiri pulled out a mirror and handed it to Miaka.
“Miaka-san, I want you to look at something, no da,” he said and she frowned in
confusion.
“What’s up with the mirror, Chichiri?” Miaka asked as she
looked into it. Suddenly, she gasped in surprise. “Hotohori-san!?” she cried
out and Chichiri smirked.
Hotohori smiled at Miaka through the image. “Miaka. How are
you? I’m so glad you are alright,” he said in relief and Miaka smiled.
Naria froze as she heard the voice. ‘No…it can’t be,’ she
thought numbly, and then looked up and into the mirror with Miaka. Miaka smiled
at her then tipped it a little so she could see the image. Naria gasped softly
in shock, her eyes wide. 'Oh my…god…it’s him!’ she thought, joy flooding through
her as she saw the man from her dreams reflected in the magical mirror.
Miaka looked over in concern at Naria as she saw the other
girl’s face pale rapidly, her eyes filling with tears. But what really got her
was the utter joy on the girl’s face. Eyes widening in understanding, Miaka
looked back at the mirror and finished her report to her friend. But, by the
time she had finished, Naria had left, quickly walking to the gardens, muttering
something about wanting to be alone. Miaka blinked in surprise, then looked
over at Chichiri and gasped softly. Chichiri’s face was turned, following the
other girl’s form as she walked away, a look of sadness and longing on his
normally cheerful face. ‘Oh no….Chichiri really does care for Naria! And…if I
read correctly….Hotohori is the man from her dreams! Oh no what a mess! It’s as
bad as Tamahome and me!’ she thought to herself, then felt sorrow flood through
her, causing tears to come to her eyes. ‘Oh, if only we could all be happy!’
she thought to herself sadly.
*~~**~~*
Naria stared numbly at the stream in front of her.
“Hotohori….so that’s your name,” she whispered softly, and then smiled brightly,
tears rolling down her cheeks. “After all these years….we can be together and
finally be able to touch!” she whispered, her voice choking slightly. She
stiffened as she heard a branch crack, and then looked over, brushing her face
clear of tears. “Who’s there?” she called out softly, and then blinked as
Chichiri stepped from the shadows. “Chichiri-san? What’s wrong?” she asked as
she saw his sad look. Then she looked again. His mask of perpetual cheer was
gone.
He smiled sadly at her as he walked slowly towards her.
“May I…join you?” he asked her softly and she smiled up at him.
“Of course, Chichiri-san. You’re always welcome,” she said
warmly as she patted the grass next to her.
He smiled again and sat down, then asked softly, “You were
crying? Why?” She looked away and bit her lip and he sighed and looked out at
the stream. “I…heard your dream, Naria-san. I…didn’t mean to eavesdrop on you
and Miaka. But I guess, maybe it was a good thing,” he murmured softly and she
looked up at him, eyes shining with tears. He looked at her and she gasped
softly as she saw the slight mist of tears in his own unscarred eye.
“Hotohori…he’s the man from your dreams, isn’t he? The one you’ve….longed to be
with,” he queried softly and she bit her lip again, sniffing and nodding. He
sighed again and looked back out at the stream. “I…was hoping it was me you
saw,” Chichiri murmured very softly as a single tear rolled down his cheek.
Naria looked at him, eyes wavering with tears, and then she
moved forward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she hugged him tightly.
“Chichiri. I care for you as well. But…I can’t lie to you. I’ve…we’ve…been
searching for each other for so long….and now….oh Chichiri! I never meant to
hurt you!” she sobbed softly as she held onto him.
He smiled tearfully as he turned in her embrace and held
her close to him. “I know. Can I at least be your friend?” he asked softly and
she sobbed, holding him tighter.
“If you weren’t….I don’t know what I’d do,” she murmured
softly, and then looked up at him, both their faces streaked with tears.
He smiled bravely for her as he brought up a hand and
brushed her tears away. “You’d find him and love him….and I’d willingly serve
you,” he whispered softly.
She blinked in surprise. “Serve me? But…I’m not a miko!
How…” she trailed off as he sighed softly and leaned his forehead against hers.
“Hotohori….is not only one of the Suzaku Seven….he’s also
the Emperor of Konan,” he explained softly and she gasped softly in shock. He
smiled sadly again as she stared at him. “I….just hope he loves you as much as
you love him,” he added softly and she smiled at him. He leaned his head in and
gently pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss briefly before pulling back.
“Please don’t leave me, Chichiri,” Naria whispered softly
and they sat together in the sunset, sadness surrounding them as the shadows
did.
TBC
