Title: Star Dreamers pt. 3/?

Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: oh the wishes if I could own them!!! But…that is another sad tale…

Warnings: same as the other two only an added ANGST and DEATH and SAP level!!

Pairings: well, TamaxMiaka, but also some Chichiri+oc, and now we know it’ll end up Hotohori+/xOC!

Rating: R for this one for death, violence, and swearing.

Note: ah….sheesh, I had to seriously look up names for this one! ANYHOO, thanks to all who’ve read up with me on this! Hope you still will!

Feedback: muchos appreciated!

‘thoughts’

Miaka frowned slightly as she waited for her friends to sit down.  She looked at them all nervously as they stared uncomprehendingly at the food arrayed before them.  She sweatdropped then looked over as she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked into Naria’s gentle green eyes.  Naria smiled reassuringly, and then looked at the assembled group.  She urged them with a look to eat and they each took up a bite warily.

Naria and Miaka both flinched slightly as they all got slightly blue in the face and seemed unable to swallow. “Ano…is everything alright?” Xi Fang asked quietly as she looked on as well, concerned.

They all tried to swallow and began muttering.

“Wow...this is…”

“I don’t think I can even categorize the contents inside.”

“I need some water…”

“I don’t think I have any medicines for this.”

“It’s awful.”

Miaka flinched and gasped softly at this last statement…said by Tamahome.  Her eyes filled with tears as he continued flatly. “I can’t eat this garbage. I don’t even know what to make of it!” 

Miaka’s fists tightened as she looked at the floor, struggling not to cry.  Tasuki glared at Tamahome. “How can you be so cruel!? Even though it is awful it’s…ack…” He froze, realizing what he had just said. 

Miaka sobbed softly and ran from the room.  They all looked at where she had gone, getting up to stop her, but were stopped by the furious look in Naria’s eyes. “How…dare you,” she gritted out as her own hands clenched into fists.  They all swallowed hard in fear as she stared at them in rage.  “She put a lot of her heart into that meal and you couldn’t even be polite enough to spare your comments,” she spat out angrily.  She turned to glare at Tamahome, who visibly flinched at her gaze. “And you….how dare you call yourself a man and a Suzaku Seishi.  You are lower than a Seiryuu,” she said lowly and his eyes narrowed in anger.  She held his gaze, daring him to refute her and he said nothing, looking down.  She glared at them again. “So much for friends…you can’t even encourage her when she was doing this for love,” she added in disappointment, and then walked out to search for Miaka.

Tamahome swallowed hard at her words, staring at the bowl of food before him.  The other Seishi shifted uncomfortably as they sat quietly then looked up as Tamahome said softly, “Give me the food Miaka made.”

They all stared at him like he was mad. “Tamahome? Are you mad?” Tasuki asked incredulously.

Tamahome glared at them all. “I said…give me all of her food. I will eat it,” he ordered.  They all solemnly handed over the food they had been choking on and watched as he ate every bit of it.

*~~*~~*

Miaka sobbed softly into her knees as she sat on the steps outside the courtyard again.  She felt a gentle arm around her shoulders and leaned into the embrace as Naria rocked her soothingly. “He hates me!” she sobbed as she sniffled, turning her face into Naria’s shoulder and crying.

“No…he doesn’t hate you. I think…that he was trying to push you away,” Naria replied softly, soothingly as she rubbed the other girl’s back.

“Well he succeeded!” Miaka spat out then sobbed again, trembling. “What am I going to do, Naria?! I love him so much! And now…he doesn’t want me at all! Did I do something wrong??” she sobbed out as she clung to her friend.

Naria smiled sadly. “When did he start acting differently?” she asked quietly as she held the red haired girl.

Miaka was silent for a minute as she calmed down, then said thoughtfully, “Right after I saw him talking to Tokaki-san.  He….kissed me passionately, then…said we could no longer love each other…” She trailed off as more tears came to her eyes.

Naria frowned thoughtfully, and then smirked. “Miaka…I’m going to let you in on a secret.  I don’t think Tamahome wants to do this at all.  I think he DOES want to be with you more than anything,” she whispered confidently and Miaka leaned up, staring at her in disbelief.

“What do you mean? He said so himself!” Miaka said in shock and hope.

Naria smirked.  “Because….if he wanted to stop being with you….then he would stop looking at you,” she replied softly and watched as realization dawned in Miaka’s shining eyes.

“You mean…” Miaka said hopefully and Naria nodded giggling.  “Oh Naria! Arigato!” Miaka cried in joy as she hugged the other girl hard, tackling her to the ground, giggling.  She sat up suddenly, a determined look on her face. “But how do I get him to confess it?! I know!  There was a legend that Xi Fang told me about this tower that lovers could meet up at around sunset. It’s said that if they meet there before sunset, than their love is eternal! SO! If Tamahome and I go up there….oh this is so perfect!!” Miaka squealed and tackle-hugged Naria again, who laughed. “Arigato, Naria-chan!! I have to go talk to Tamahome right away!” she proclaimed, then ran off to go talk to Tamahome.

“Good luck!” Naria called after her, and then smiled. “You’ll need it I think,” she murmured softly, and then looked out over the city.  She smiled, and then frowned slightly as her gaze fell across a strange caravan entering the outskirts of the city. “Who is that?” she wondered aloud, and then got up, walking carefully so she could get a better look. 

When she got close enough to see them as they walked past, she gasped softly as she saw the dragon emblem on the curtains of the carriage. ‘Seiryuu? Oh no! I have to warn the others!’ she thought in worry. 

But she didn’t get anywhere as a hand reached through the bushes she was watching from and dragged her out.  She screamed slightly in shock, and then gasped as she looked up at the tall woman who had her arm. “Well well, what have we here?” the woman asked as she smirked cruelly down at the frightened girl.

“Soi…what have you found?” a man’s deep voice asked and Naria blinked as a blond haired man stepped from the stopped carriage.

The woman named Soi looked over and pulled Naria along. “Nakago-sama. I’ve seemed to have found us a spy,” she replied as she pushed Naria forward, causing her to stumble to a halt.

Nakago smirked down at the frightened girl.  “A spy, huh?” he murmured softly as he stepped closer, locking eyes with her as he brought a hand up, touching her face.  She flinched slightly, but didn’t pull away. He smirked and licked his lips slightly as he looked at her. “What is your name, little spy?” he purred out as he grasped her chin.

Naria swallowed hard, but whispered, “Tasaki Naria.”  She brought her arms up protectively in front of her chest as they stood in a staring match.

“Nakago? What is it?” a young voice called out from the carriage as another girl with short blonde hair and dressed the same as Naria stepped into view.

Nakago looked over his shoulder at her. “It would seem that you and the Suzaku no Miko aren’t the only visitors from your world, Yui-sama,” he replied softly in amusement, and then looked back at Naria, an almost predatory look in his eyes.  Naria flinched and jerked away fearfully as he watched her, then looked over as the girl who he had addressed came into view.

Yui stared at Naria in shock for a minute.  “You…are from my school, aren’t you?” Yui asked softly as she stepped forward, placing herself between the scared girl and the shogun. Naria nodded slightly, her eyes going between the two blondes.  Yui smiled reassuringly and held her hand out to the raven-haired girl. “Don’t be afraid.  These are my friends. They won’t hurt you,” she said soothingly. 

Naria stared at the hand, then reached up and took it.  For some reason, she knew that Yui wasn’t really going to hurt her, just like Miaka wouldn’t.  She smiled slightly up at Yui, and then looked away from Nakago in fear.  She bit her lip slightly and followed Yui back into the carriage, knowing she should warn the Suzakus, but then had a feeling that she should stay where she was to find out why this battle was happening in the first place.  She and Miaka had talked about Yui, so she knew the whole sad story.  She wanted to help those two become friends again.  She firmed her resolve and talked with Yui, learning both sides of the story and tried to figure out how she could stop all of the pain from increasing.

Nakago rode alongside Soi, his eyes trained on the carriage as they rode along.  He smirked again as he caught glimpses of the two and licked his lips again, finding for the first time in his life that he desired something….and plotted on how he could get what he wanted.

Soi silently watched Nakago, and then glared at the carriage. Now…she had two competitors to deal with.

*~~**~~*

Miaka looked out over the city at the sunset.  After she had found Tamahome in Xi Fang’s arms, then had told him her plan, she had run over to the tower, filled with even more doubts than before. ‘He was kissing her….or at least…I think he was. Maybe…Maybe I’m wrong….’ she thought to herself in doubt, and then looked down.  She frowned then as she focused on a nearby caravan that was heading for the other tower nearby.  She gasped softly, as she looked closer and saw Nakago and Yui.  Just then, she saw Nakago look her way and ducked down quickly. ‘I hope he didn’t see me…’ she thought to herself frantically. 

She waited a couple of minutes, and then peeked up over the edge of the banister.  She sighed in relief as she saw that they were gone, then frowned. ‘They were heading for the temple of Byakko. That means they are going after the Shinzaho! I have to stop them!’ she thought to herself in determination, and then stopped as she looked up at the sunset. ‘But…Tamahome is coming here soon….and if we don’t meet here, then…’  She looked down sadly, and then clenched her fist in determination.  Reaching up, she untied her hairtie and tied it around the girder near her.  She then turned and walked swiftly out, heading for the tower….and Yui.

*~~**~~*

Tamahome clenched his teeth together as he stared out over the yard towards the tower.  He looked over as he heard Tasuki come in. “Here we have some peaches! Miaka would you…like….some, hey where is she?” the red head asked as he looked around. He frowned as he saw Tamahome. “I knew it…you hurt her again, didn’t you? You are such a jackass!” he growled out angrily as he glared at the other Seishi.

Tamahome sighed softly and said, “I…need to go to that tower.”

Tokaki glared at the young seishi. “Don’t you dare go over there, Tamahome! If you do that then only heartbreak and sorrow will come of it!” he shouted angrily at Tamahome. “Do you think that you will be able to stay with her?! Wish for a life together?! It won’t happen! It’s the one wish the beast gods won’t do!” he declared grimly as he locked eyes with Tamahome. “It would be best to just forget her now and move on….before you fall in love.”

Tamahome smiled softly as he looked at his mentor. “It’s already too late for that. I…love her so much already,” he murmured almost sadly as he smiled.  “You see…I can’t live without her…and…it hurts me so much to see her cry,” he added as he looked over at the tower.

“Then be ready for heartbreak,” Tokaki replied in regret, then looked up as running footsteps came down the hall.

“Naria-san is missing!!” Chiriko cried out as he and Chichiri ran up, panting for air.  Tamahome and Tasuki looked at them in concern as Mitsukake came up behind Tokaki, listening intently.

Tamahome frowned in concern and looked at Chichiri. “You can’t find her anywhere here?” he asked and Chichiri sighed softly.

“We searched all of the grounds, no da. We can’t find a trace of her, no da,” Chichiri answered, obviously agitated.  Tamahome frowned slightly at the unusual actions of the monk, but said nothing.

Tasuki sighed softly. “Women…they are so untrustworthy. Miaka goes off to some tower and Naria disappears! Why can’t they just learn and stay home?” he ranted, but the worry was underneath the bravado clear as day.

Tamahome looked over at the tower where he was supposed to meet Miaka. “I know where Miaka is,” he said softly, and then jogged away, ignoring the calls of his friends as he ran for his love.

*~~**~~*

“You will talk now, Tatara. Tell us where the Shinzaho is!” Soi growled out as she slapped the chained Byakko Seishi.

“No! Please stop hurting him!” Naria pleaded softly as she ran to his side, blocking the Seishi from further harm.

Soi growled softly as she glared at the interfering girl, but Yui stepped in. She frowned softly, and then said harshly, “Tell us then where the Shinzaho is then!”

Naria looked at the Byakko soldier, seeing his wise eyes look into hers with a certainty that she had seen from the two ancient Genbu seishi.  He smiled gently at her and said softly, “Leave…I can handle this.” She opened her mouth to protest, but the slight shake of his head silenced her.  She bowed her head and nodded slightly, then stood up.  Looking at Yui, she sighed and left the room.

Yui’s eyes watched her go, confused, but then they focused again on the Byakko Seishi as Soi said, “Now….answer Yui-sama’s question.”

*~~**~~*

Naria sighed softly as she walked down the hallway. ‘Why would Yui do that? She…she shouldn’t be hurting them….or letting others hurt them,’ she thought to herself, and then stopped, blinking.  “Miaka…I can feel you nearby…but…something’s wrong…” she murmured softly in concern as she grasped above her heart.  She picked up her pace and went around the corner, then gasped as she came face to face with an armored chest.  She looked up in fear into Nakago’s softly leering face. “Nakago…” she said fearfully, then stepped back.

But he stopped her, pushing her into the wall as he purred, “Well now….I don’t have to go looking for you now, do I?” He smirked at her as she struggled slightly, fear in her eyes. “I wonder….what would it be like to have one from your world? Shall I be the first to taste you?” he asked softly as he leaned in, then pressed his lips roughly to her own. She whimpered in shock, struggling to fight him as his hand traveled slowly up her leg under her skirt.  He chuckled softly as she tried to push him away, tearing her mouth from his. She screamed softly as his hand went between her legs as his leg forced hers open. “Mmmm….yes…I shall have you,” he whispered softly, and then grabbed her breast in a tight grip, causing her to cry out in pain.

But before he could do anything else, he grunted as he was flung away from her, slamming into a wall.  Naria slid to the floor, trembling in shocked surprise, then turned her head. “Chichiri!” she cried out in relief as he relaxed from his attack, anger clear on his face.

He ran to her side, kneeling next to her and holding her close as he glared at the blond shogun as he stood up, chuckling. “Nakago! I will not allow you to harm Naria!” Chichiri snarled out as he held her trembling form closer to him.

Nakago smirked as he tossed his head. “We shall see, Chichiri of the Suzaku Shichseishi. Now, I must leave so that I can help Yui-sama call upon Seiryuu,” he commented and chuckled softly as he walked away.

Chichiri snarled softly then looked down at the trembling form that he held. “Naria? Naria…it’s ok. You’re safe, no da. I have you,” he said softly as he held her close.

She sobbed softly as she clung to him. “Chichiri…he almost…almost….and he wouldn’t stop…and…” She sobbed and he rocked her gently, soothing her softly.

“Chichiri!” Tamahome’s voice called out as he ran down the hallway, then stopped and knelt next to them, concern on his face as he saw Naria’s trembling form. “Nani? What happened?” he asked as the other Seishi came up as well.

Chichiri growled softly, surprising his friends as he held the sobbing girl gently. “Nakago almost raped her,” he replied lowly. Chiriko gasped in horror and Tasuki and Tamahome frowned, clenching their teeth in anger.

“That bastard is going to get it now!” Tasuki swore as he started off.

“No…wait…” Naria whispered softly, sniffling as she sat up.  Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she forced a tight smile as she wiped her face. “I’m…ok. Chichiri got to me in time. We need to find Miaka-san though. I sensed earlier that she was in terrible trouble, but ran into Nakago before I could find her,” she explained softly as they watched her in concern.  She stood up; wobbling slightly until Tamahome steadied her with a hand and smiled in gratitude to him.  “We have to hurry! They were trying to get the Shinzaho from Tatara when he made me leave! We have to help them!” she said urgently, pleading with her eyes.

Tamahome smiled softly. “You got that right, Naria-san. And we also then need to stop Yui and Nakago from succeeding,” he replied with a grin to Tasuki.

Naria frowned slightly as she looked away. “We….please…we have to help Yui and Miaka get back together,” she murmured softly and they looked at her in surprise.

“Naria….you never did tell us how you got here in the first place, no da,” Chichiri commented suspiciously and she sighed softly.

“I’ll explain on the way. But we need to find Miaka,” she responded, then turned and started running down the hall, followed quickly by the Suzaku Seishi.

*~~**~~*

Miaka gasped as she stood with Tatara, facing against the demons that had suddenly appeared before them, conjured by the Seiryuu Seishi Miboshi.  Miboshi chuckled cruelly as he floated behind the beasts, his dream wheel whirling quickly in its spellbinding.  Tatara turned to Miaka, “Go…quickly. Find Yui and get the Shinzaho back,” he ordered softly, and then turned back as the monsters approached.  He raised up an arm and a blue glow surrounded him. Suddenly, vines appeared out of no where, slashing at and through the monsters as they attacked.

Miaka gasped softly, and then frowned in determination. She ran out to find Yui….only to run into Nakago.  Nakago chuckled softly as he held her struggling form. “Well well…it would seem to be that kind of day, ne Suzaku no Miko?” he asked with a cruel smirk as she fought him.  She tried to scream, but with Miboshi’s spell, she couldn’t say anything. “Well….looks like Yui-sama will win….now that she has the other Shinzaho, Seiryuu will be summoned and then….we shall triumph,” he said with a chuckle as he shoved her.

She fell to the ground, and then looked up at him in angered fear. ‘No…I have to stop Yui-chan from summoning Seiryuu! Nakago is only using her and he’ll kill everyone!’ she thought desperately as she scooted away from him.

“NAKAGO!!” Tamahome shouted as he attacked, rage filling him as he saw the Seiryuu blond attacking Miaka. "Get away from her NOW!” he cried out as he swung at the shogun.

Nakago smirked as he dodged the hit, and then stepped back.  He looked over and saw the other Seishi with Naria. “Well...seems I won’t have to look far for you, little one,” he purred out softly and Naria shrunk away in fear.

Tasuki stepped up, waving his tessen. “You BASTARD!! You keep your hands off of Miaka and Naria!” he commanded angrily.

“Tatara!!” Naria cried out as she saw the lone Byakko Seishi fighting the monsters.

Miboshi chuckled cruelly, and then looked over his shoulder. “Yui-sama…please leave here and leave these weaklings to me,” he suggested respectfully, albeit with an evil gleam in his narrowed eyes.

Yui locked gazes with Miaka and Naria, hesitant. Nakago came over to her, opening his cloak for her. “Yui-sama…we must go.  We need to prepare you for the summoning,” he suggested softly and she looked at him.

“No Yui! Please….don’t do this!! Nakago is only using you! You’re too good for this!” Naria cried out as she rushed towards her, and then screamed as a blue power sent her flying, crashing to the ground in pain.

“Naria!!” the Suzaku Seishi and Yui cried out as the other girl struggled to her feet.

She glared at Nakago and snarled out very softly, “You will not win this battle, Nakago. Yui is her own person….she has no need for you!” Naria’s eyes narrowed in rage and her hand came up. An invisible wall shot out, slamming into both Seiryuu Seishi and sending them flying into the wall.

Yui and the others gaped at the show of power by the normally shy girl and watched as the two men stood up, glaring at her. “That was pretty good, Tasaki Naria. But…Yui-sama has a greater destiny and she must fulfill it,” Nakago retorted quietly, anger showing in his blue gaze.  He turned to Yui and said softly, “You must come with me, Yui-sama. Trust me…and our love.” She stared into his eyes, and then nodded.

Before any of them could say anything, she stepped close to him and allowed him to place his cloak protectively around her.  He smirked in triumph as he stepped through the wall, disappearing from their sight.

“Yui!!” Naria cried out then collapsed to her knees. Chichiri was next to her in a second, holding her closely as she leaned against him weakly. She was confused as to where her powers had come from, but now they had bigger things to worry about. They watched as Tatara used Miboshi’s own monsters against him, shielding himself from the final blow with Miboshi’s body.

“Tatara!” Subaru cried out as she and Tokaki ran to him as he fell to the ground with the dead Seiryuu seishi, the monsters disappearing with the loss of their master’s will.

They gathered around the dying Byakko warrior, hearing of his wish to be with his love, Byakko no Miko.  Chichiri looked at Naria as he held her close. “Naria…what was that you did earlier? I’ve never felt such a power,” he whispered.

She sighed softly. “I wish I could tell you…but I don’t even know,” she replied softly.

“You don’t even know what the heck you did to slam Miboshi and Nakago into a wall!? Sheesh, you are one crazy girl!” Tasuki said, but relief and humor were in his scathing tones.

She smiled slightly up at him, and then gasped softly in fear. Her head whipped around as she stared at the fallen Seiryuu seishi, then they all looked over as Chiriko cried out in shock and pain, grabbing his head. “Oh no!! It can’t be!” she cried out as she struggled to her feet.

Chiriko laughed softly, floating up off the ground into a lotus position.  He called the dream wheel to him and it whirled to life as he said, “But it is, Naria-san. I, Miboshi of the Seiryuu Seven, take this body for my own!”

“Miboshi?! You’re dead!” Tasuki shouted lamely, horrified as they saw their friend float above them.

Miboshi chuckled cruelly. “I was almost dead, but I saw this young child waiting for me and took what I wanted! Now….you shall die!” he said and his dream wheel whirled even faster. 

Chichiri gasped and brought his prayer beads up, raising a shield up as a powerful wave shot out towards them.  Huge sinuous snakes appeared roaring and hissing before the possessed Chiriko. “He’s sending out a powerful wave of power, no da! I don’t know how long I can keep this up, no da!” he shouted as he fought the magic that was coming at them.

Miaka frowned, and then jumped into the middle of the field, reaching out for Chiriko. ‘Chiriko! I don’t know if you can hear me, but you have to fight this!’ she thought desperately.

“Miaka!! Get out of there now!!” Tamahome shouted as they watched in horror as she was grabbed by the demons.

Miaka screamed in pain as she was squeezed and bitten, while Miboshi laughed cruelly. “Watch as your Miko dies, Suzaku Seishi!” he cackled out. 

Miaka screamed more as she was lashed, desperately trying to reach Chiriko. ‘CHIRIKO!!!’

Miboshi gasped in shock and pain as he felt a force inside of him fight free. Chiriko gazed in alarm as he saw Miaka getting attacked. “No! Miaka-san!” he cried out, but then was silenced by Miboshi as the Seiryuu monk regained control of his body.

The other Seishi looked up in shock as Naria said, “That was Chiriko! This means he’s still in there!”

Before they could really do anything, a blur came through, slashing at Miboshi and destroying the monsters.  They gaped as they saw a much younger looking Tokaki holding Miaka as he glared up at the Seiryuu Seishi.

“You?! How dare you!” Miboshi cried out in rage and Tokaki chuckled softly as he teleported back to the group.

“S-sensei? Is that…you?” Tamahome asked in disbelief.

Tokaki grinned at his stunned pupil and said, “Hai…how else do you think I could get to Miaka?” He winked.

“But how did you do that, old man?” Tasuki asked in confusion as he scratched his head.

“I used my powers on him,” a soft woman’s voice answered.

They all looked over at the young woman and stared in shock. “Subaru?!” Tamahome asked in disbelief.  She nodded and smiled, then came over and knelt next to Tokaki, placing a hand over Miaka’s face.  A soft glow flowed out and Miaka moaned as she woke up slowly, then jumped forward and latched onto Subaru’s breast.

They all sweatdropped as she pulled back, grinning sheepishly. Subaru smiled indulgently and said, “I returned your body back to the way it was yesterday. So, even the spell that was on you is now gone.”

Miaka blinked in surprise, and then looked over in shock as Miboshi chuckled again. “That is all very well and good…but you can not stop Seiryuu no Miko now! And I will destroy you…with my most powerful demon!” he cried out, and then they watched as a bright blue glow surrounded him.  The ground beneath them began to quake, breaking and cracking beneath their feet as a body began to form.

“We have to get out of here now!” Chichiri shouted and grabbed Naria’s hand, pulling her out as they ran.  The monster that held Chiriko’s body as its eye came after them, destroying the walls and ground as they ran.

“Chiriko!! Fight him!!” Miaka cried out as she ran with them, and then shouted as she tripped and fell.

“Miaka!!” Tamahome shouted in alarm, frozen as they watched one of the demon’s fists plunge straight for Miaka, Miboshi cackling evilly.

Miaka opened her eyes, surprised to see herself in one piece, and then gasped as she looked up.  Naria stood directly in front of her, hands up, as a shield stalled the path of the dangerous fist.  Naria groaned under the strain, and then looked straight up at Miboshi. Suddenly, Miboshi howled in pain as he grabbed his head and the fist backed off. But Naria stayed where she was, rigid with concentration. “Chiriko! Use my strength to defeat Miboshi!! Hurry!!” she cried out, pain lancing through her as she fought mentally with the powerful mind of the Seiryuu Seishi.

“How…is she doing that?!” Tasuki asked, stunned as much as the others at the intense battle going on in front of them.

“She’s using some sort of magic to bridge herself to Chiriko and is holding a sort of control over Miboshi, no da!” Chichiri explained in worried shock. ‘Naria can’t keep this up for much longer.’

Miboshi snarled in rage as he fought both minds, and then lashed out with the demon. The fist connected with Naria, sending her flying into a wall with a scream of agony, silencing her suddenly as she hit the wall and slid down.  The Seishi and Miaka gasped in horror, but Miboshi only laughed as he brought the fist up again, intending to smash the Suzaku no Miko.  Miaka screamed in fear, but then another howl of pain came from the monk.  They looked up in shock as they saw that Chiriko had broken through the hold that Miboshi had on him…and had stabbed his own arm with the dream wheel. “I may not have my symbol…BUT I WON’T LET YOU HURT MY FRIENDS!!” he screamed in rage as Miboshi struggled within him.

“I won’t be defeated by a mere child!!” Miboshi hissed in anger and the demon reared up again.  Chiriko screamed in rage as he took the dream wheel and stabbed his own leg, causing the demon to land heavily, leg crackling to dust.  “NO! I will not be defeated!!” Miboshi screamed out in terror as he felt his power slipping.

“I…am…still…a Suzaku Seishi!! AND I WON’T LET YOU WIN!!” Chiriko screamed, then brought up the dream wheel…and plunged it into his own heart.

“CHIRIKO!!!!” Miaka’s scream was heard as the demon crumbled away, leaving the once Suzaku Seishi lying in a pile of rubble.

Chichiri grabbed Naria, and then ran with the others over to their fallen comrade.  Mitsukake was looking Chiriko over, and then grunted in satisfaction. “Yes…I can definitely still heal him,” he said softly, but then was stopped by Chiriko.

“Don’t….Mitsukake. If you do, then the monster inside of me will survive as well….and then he will try to hurt you again,” Chiriko whispered in pain as he tried to smile.  He looked over at the girl being held by Chichiri, who was slightly conscious as she looked at him. “Heal…Naria-san….for without her strength, I wouldn’t have been able to break through completely,” he requested softly.

“No…Chiriko. Use…use the link and destroy Miboshi…” Naria whispered softly, pain filling her.

Chiriko’s eyes widened as realization hit him, and he smiled softly. “You still have it up….gomen nasai, Naria-san. I can’t allow that. Miboshi may figure out a way to get to you through it and then….I can’t let it happen. You see…I now know what your purpose in our world is. You….are the link outside of the Mikos.  You….are needed,” he whispered softly, and then coughed in pain.  Naria curled into herself in pain as well and they all realized that she was feeling his pain as well as her own.  Chiriko smiled gently at her and then blinked. 

Naria gasped in shock and she clutched above her heart. “No…Chiriko why??” she whispered softly, tears streaming down her face.

Chiriko smiled again then looked at his friend. “Onegai, Mitsukake. Heal her…she’s been badly injured because of me,” he said softly. The healing Seishi nodded once in reluctance, and then moved over to Chichiri and Naria.  She looked pleadingly up at him, silently begging him not to, but he could only smile sadly at her.  He brought his hand up and a soft green glow flowed out, healing her gently.  Her eyes closed as tears ran down her face as the glow faded.

Chiriko looked over at Miaka and smiled sadly. “Gomen nasai, Miaka-san. I failed in helping you. But…you must go and stop Yui-san before Seiryuu is summoned,” he ordered, gasping softly in pain.

Miaka growled, tears rolling down her cheeks. “No! I won’t leave you! You have to get better, Chiriko! You are my friend and comrade! You can’t die!” she cried out, sobs choking her as she leaned over him.

He smiled sadly at her. “I can’t live, for then Miboshi will live. Let me do this last act for you, Suzaku no Miko,” he explained softly and she sobbed. “Go…quickly. You must stop…Yui-san before it is…too late,” he whispered and she nodded.

Naria looked over at Miaka. “I’m coming too. I saw what a good person she is, Miaka. I can help,” she said softly and Miaka smiled gratefully at her.  They got up and went off, followed by Tamahome and Chichiri.  Mitsukake and Tasuki had insisted on staying by their dying friend’s side…till the end.

*~~**~~*

The four youth ran down the hallways, searching for the way to Yui and the summoning.  All of a sudden, Naria cried out a warning and lightening lanced out at them, barely missing them.  They looked up in shock as Soi faced them, smirking in contempt as she gazed at them. “You will go no farther to Nakago-sama and the Seiryuu no Miko!” she called out as she crossed her arms across her chest.  She raised up a hand, calling on her lightening once more, only to have it blocked by Subaru and Tokaki.

They looked over their shoulders at the stunned group. “Go! We’ll take care of Soi!” Tokaki ordered and they nodded before running off as the two Byakko Seishi faced off with Soi.

The four ran down a hall, towards a stairway, when all of a sudden Chichiri cried out and was slammed back into them. “He used his ki, no da…” he murmured in surprise as he fell to the ground.

“Chichiri!!” Naria and Miaka cried out as they held him, then looked up as a soft laugh floated down to them.

“He took most of that blast and dissipated it with his own ki. Impressive,” Nakago commented snidely as he looked down at them.  Naria snarled in rage as she glared up at him, holding tightly to the weak Chichiri.  Nakago smirked. “Well, Tasaki Naria…it would seem that you have more powers than is normal. You could be a great ally…join us and you shall have even greater power,” he purred out, licking his lips as he gazed at her.

“I would rather die than join you, Nakago! You won’t win!” Naria shouted angrily and the blond Seishi laughed.

“Is that so? At this moment, Yui-sama is preparing to summon Seiryuu….and there is nothing that you can do to stop us,” Nakago retorted in amusement as he crossed his arms.

“Think again, Nakago!” Tamahome snarled out as he charged up the stairs and swung a fist at the shogun.

Nakago smirked as he caught the fist in his own hand, holding it. “Tamahome…You I haven’t forgotten.  I shall pay you back for your little antics later,” he promised softly, and then pulled the seishi forward, punching him in the stomach.  He leaned in a little as Tamahome gasped in pain and said softly, “Your Miko tasted so sweet and delicious. Shall I show you what I did to her?”  Tamahome growled, and then gasped as Nakago kissed him hard.  Staring in disbelief, Tamahome wasn’t prepared for the shove that quickly followed. 

Tumbling backwards and landing hard on the ground, Tamahome snarled as he glared up at the chuckling blond as he stepped back and disappeared behind the doors behind him.  Miaka cried out as she ran up there. “NO! Give Yui-chan back to me!!” she shouted as she pounded on the door.  Forcing them open, she ran out….onto an empty balcony.  “Nani!? Where’s Yui-chan?!” she cried out in shock, and then gasped as she saw the platform…across the city. 

The other three youth followed her out, gasping in shock as they watched Yui call upon Seiryuu. Miaka and Naria cried out in horror as the dragon light that flowed out engulfed their friend, and then gasped as the ground beneath them shook.  “She called upon Seiryuu, no da! This place is going to crumble, no da!” Chichiri cried out as he held Naria close to him.

“You must go! Return to Konan!” Tokaki ordered as he and Subaru appeared, carrying Tatara’s body between them.  Mitsukake and Tasuki also appeared carrying Chiriko’s body, solemnly gazing at the growing blue light that emanated from the platform nearby.

“Demo…what about you!?” Miaka asked in fear and the two Seishi smiled gently at her.

“We will survive, Suzaku no Miko. Go quickly back to your country and prepare,” Subaru replied gently.

Chichiri took off his cloak and laid it out.  Plunging his staff in, a red glow emerged, engulfing them as they said their farewells.

TBC