Neutrals and Seishi

I don't own Fushigi Yuugi or Fruits Basket. This is also a Chichiri/Tasuki pairing. Cause

I like them together, no da. Sorry if you don't like. They are not the main characters in

this though. Honky Tonk Badonkadonk is sung by trace adkins and I don't own.

Kaiya's PoV

Supper at Shigure-chan's house was lots of fun. The infamily fighting was lessened

somewhat, I am very pleased with the influence that Tohru seems to have upon my cousins.

Haru and I decided later that evening to get together the next day for lunch and I am

picking him up at the Sohma estate.

We walk towards the downtown area and are sitting in a restraunt, chatting about Kyo and

Yuki getting along better when I sense the familiar presence of Chichiri. Not too long

after that, Tasuki's aura gets within my range and I once again wonder why I am so intune to

the teacher. This confuses me but I force my attention back to my cousin as our

conversation moves from Yuki to him. As I am talking, I sense Chichiri and Tasuki enter.

"So, Haru. I heard something about you destroying your classroom." He glances up at me and

I sense his sadness. "Yeah, I was dating Rin for awhile and we had broken up. It eventually

just got to me and I went Black." He glances up and I nod at him, understanding in my eyes.

"She made me feel like I wasn't good enough for her and that made me so angry. You would

think that she would realize how important it is for us to stick together." I nod again and

sigh, leaning back. "Did I ever tell you about my foster parents?"

He glances up over his food and shakes his head, I sense Chichiri and Tasuki a few tables

away, but ignore their presence in light of helping my favored cousin. "Since I was 8, I

have been... bred, I guess you can say, to marry a zodiac member. I am not sure if this was

their wish, or Akito's."

His voice lowers and he leans forward. "They knew?" I nod and take a bit, chewing and

swallowing before I continue. "My foster mother's grandmother was a Zodiac. She said that

it was my duty as a Sohma and a neutral to marry a Zodiac and reproduce. They raised such a

fuss when I applied for colleges. I got no help from Sohma house at all for my education, I

still received my allowance, but I went to Princeton on scholarship."

I know Chichiri and Tasuki can hear us in the quiet diner as I feel their surprise at this

revelation, however Haru is simply nodding. "I had heard that. I felt very proud of you,

of course Kagura was very vocal about your achievements to us." He grins at this and I

return the smile.

I sigh and lean back in my chair, my meal done. "I was very surprised when Hatori was able

to get my transcripts from Princeton, via my foster parents. I would have thought that they

would claim they couldn't get them or some such nonsense."

Haru nods calmly, also leaning back, his plate as clean as mine. "Well, Hatori is a zodiac.

Maybe they thought it was his wish you finish college. Besides myself, you are closest to

him after all." I give a thoughtful nod, not realizing that they would think there was more

to Hatori and myself then our friendly relationship. "I have never thought of it that way."

Our check is delivered and I snatch it before he can, a common game between us and we smile

at each other as we stand. I turn and catch his hand, dragging him towards Chichiri and

Tasuki.

"Haru, I want you to meet one of my teacher's from this summer, who is also a friend of

mine, and his boyfriend. This is Houjun and Genrou."

Hatsuharu takes the news they are lovers calmly, him being in love with Yuki after all. "It

is a pleasure to meet you. I take it this is Ri-sensei?"

I nod and Tasuki and Chichiri smile. "Been talkin' about us to your family?" I nod at

Tasuki's question. "Houjun, Genrou, this is my cousin Hatsuharu." Pleasantries are

exchanged and then I explain that I must get going and we leave the two to their meals.

As we walk out, I cast one last glance and exchange a smile with Chichiri, who is watching

me as Tasuki talks. "Do you like him?"

I glance at Haru and smile "Who?" "That guy, Houjun. You seem interested in him, you

barely mention the others alone, but talk about Houjun alot. And then last night, you were

going on about that guy, Dokun."

I sigh. "I don't like Houjun that way, but I do admit that he and I seem to have a

connection. However, I do think Dokun is cute. He and I have alot in common, although I

just met him the other day. Did I really talk about him that much?"

Haru laughs as we cross a street. "Kaiya-chan, you talked of little else last night." I

sigh, knowing it is true, I'm attracted to Chiriko. There is just a freshness about him

that draws me, especially after the darkness of Sohma House and the Zodiac. "I guess I did.

I didn't realize it till now."

The conversation moves back towards Tohru as we walk towards Sohma house and we discuss her

influence on the Zodiac, including her acceptance of Kyo's true form. I have never seen

this form myself, but I know of it's existance and what it is suppose to look and smell

like. As much as I love Kyo, and all my cousins, I am glad deep down that I have not seen

this side of him. That prospects frightens me, for I know what I would need to do if I ever

did see it.

We enter Sohma Estate and I walk Haru as far as Hatori's house, where we say our good byes

and he continues on the one walk he won't get lost on, as he lives only two doors down from

Hatori. I enter the house and knock on Hatori's office door. Myojuan is inside, I can tell

from his aura, even out here. Hatori calls out, enter, and I poke my head in. "Hatori, I'm

sorry, but can I ask you a question? Hello Myojuan."

Mitsukake smiles and greets me as Hatori stands and moves towards me. "Is something wrong?"

I shake my head at him as I enter and Mitsukake stands to leave. I wave our mutual friend

back into his seat. "It's ok if you hear this Juan, I don't mind." He sits back and Hatori

frowns. "What is on your mind, Kaiya-chan?"

I frown. "During my lunch with Haru today, the conversation came around to they way my

foster parents raised me and their aversion to my schooling. I was curious as to how you

convinced them to send you my transcripts, let alone acquire them from Princeton to do so."

My hard stare at my older cousin causes him to uncharacteristically squirm in his seat and I

nod. "I thought so."

He sighs and looks at Mitsukake before continuing, weighing his words carefully. "I was not

pleased with Akito's decision to force you to return here with only one year left till you

got your bachelor's. I did use my influence to convince them that I personally wanted you

to go to school and gain an education." While his words sounded strange to outsiders, Kaiya

caught his meaning and sighed in defeat. "So, now my guardians are under the impression

that you and I..." I let that hang and he nods slightly. "There was no other way, Kaiya.

You must know this."

I nods, looking thoughtful. "Hai, I know, Ha'ri, I just wish that it hadn't come to that."

Mitsukake clears his throat and both Sohma's look at him. Kaiya cracks a grin. "Messed up,

huh, Mits?" He casts her a glance at the use of his nickname, but nods. "I thought

Tasuki's family was bad, those women just smother him, your family..." His voice trails off

and he gestures helplessly. I smile at him, as does Hatori, we understand where his comment

was heading and he was correct.

I sighs and stands, bowing to both men. "I'm sorry I interrupted you two. I just had to

know for sure." Hatori gives a nod. "I'm glad we cleared that up then, Kaiya." I give my

cousin a hug and then hug Mitsukake on impulse too. "See you two later, NO DA" I almost

yell the last phrase, mimicking Chichiri, causing Mitsukake to chuckle and Hatori to look

confused. I leave as Mits is explaining to the sea horse that "no da" is the catch phrase

of another of our friends and I hear him say "You met him earlier, the one with blue hair."

I frown at the thought that Chichiri met the Sohma doctor but shrugs at my uneasy feeling

and head home, preparing to clean my temporary apartment in anticipation of my move into the

dorms in a few weeks.

(Seishi PoV)

Chichiri waits for his fellow Seishi and Miko to gather a few nights later at his apartment.

After examining Hatori and Hatsuharu's ki's and doing some research discreetly, he thinks

that he is one step closer to solving the mystery of the Sohma family.

Once they are gathered he sighs. "I don't know if we should inform Kaiya of this, no da. I

have thought about it and think that members of her family are possessed. She is not

possessed herself, but her ki and aura are very unusual. There is something strange about

that family, but I don't think it affects everyone, no da."

Mitsukake frowned. "Strange how?" Chichiri weighed his words carefully. "I still get the

impression of possession. Various Sohma's I saw at the estate were not affected, but your

friend Hatori is, no da. So is the cousin I met that day, Hatsuharu and the two from the

street. It's very strange though, watching their ki around her, the little blonde boy..."

Chiriko pipes up "Momiji"

Chichiri nods "Yes, Momiji, he and Ayame's aura's were more restless before they came into

contact with Kaiya. Something about her seems to calm the being possessing them. The

spirits in them aren't evil, but I don't believe they are passive. They must affect their

lives somehow. I just don't know if Kaiya is going to be affected by this."

The others nodded, having discussed this before. The only reason they were even

investigating it was to make sure that it wouldn't harm their friend. Chichiri, in

particular, seemed overly protective of Kaiya, although he hid it well from the girl

herself. Unbeknownst to the others, Chichiri and Tasuki had argued about her a few days

before summer classes ended. Tasuki had felt jealous and threatened of Kaiya's seemingly

influence on Chichiri and he had said that she was familiar to him, almost the way Kourin

and Hikou were, but he couldn't place who she was to him. It took a little convincing on

Chichiri's part to convince his lover that he only had brotherly feelings for Kaiya.

"Brotherly"

The group stopped talking around him and all turned to the magician, who sat in shocked

silence as he finally realized how he knew her aura. "Chichiri? What's brotherly?"

Chichiri glanced at Tasuki's worried face and suddenly began to laugh. "I just remembered

where I know Kaiya's aura from, no da."

The group scooted closer, all ears. "Hikou and Kouran weren't the only ones to die in that

flood. I had a sister also. I think Kaiya is my baby sister, Laila. She was 3 years

younger then me but I adored her."

Tasuki was the only one that knew Chichiri had a sister back then, the rest looked shocked.

Finally Miaka spoke "Well, how do you know for certain?"

Chichiri frowned "I can do a spell to release some of her memories of me from then, no da.

Or just let it go." He looked a bit disappointed at this last suggestion and Tasuki sighed.

"Why don' ya let her decide if she wants memories of her past lives back or not?"

Chichiri turned towards the bandit as if seeing him for the first time. "That's a great

idea, Tasuki, no da." He leaned over and kissed the amused bandit before smiling broadly at

the group.

(Kaiya's PoV)

Well, school has started and my roommate, while not Sasha, is very pleasant. We get along

well, although we haven't done more then talk in our room. She seemed very surprised when

Tasuki showed up the first day, along with Nuriko, a upcoming interior designer, carrying

the last of my belongings. Apparently my new group of friends is well known around campus

and that I hang out with them is unusual, being I'm new here.

I go to my first class, an advanced history course that Chichiri teaches me. I have begun

to notice lately that he and the others have become more protective of me. I am not sure

what to make of these latest developments, but let it slide for now. Chiriko is sitting at

the front of the class and I smile as I head down to sit with him. "Good Morning, Chiriko."

He smiles in pleasure at me and I feel my heart turn over. Chichiri enters the class and

approaches Chiriko and myself. "Kaiya, I want to talk to you after class, do you have a

moment?"

I give him a nod and Chiriko smiles as class starts. It flies by, the discussion

interesting and fast paced. I come to the conclusion at the end of the class that I will

enjoy this course. I wait as the class files out and Chiriko waits with me. He apparently

knows what Chichiri wants to speak to me about.

I am shocked when the blue haired teacher begins to talk about past lives. "Do you believe

in past lives, Kaiya?"

I blink and nod "Yeah, I do. Why?"

He sighs. "Have you noticed a connection between us?" I nod at him, surprised he would

realize it too. "I have. I thought it was my imagination though."

He grins, as does Chiriko. "Well, the rest of us remember a past life where we were all

friends. But I just realized where I knew your aura from. I think you and I were siblings

in a past life." I glance at him, then Chiriko. Two of the smartest people I know are

telling me that they think I shared a common past life with at least one of them. My first

reaction is to scoff at their claim, but something within me won't allow this.

"Well, if it's true, how do I remember my past life?" Chichiri grins "I can unlock it for

you, no da." I give him a disbelieving look and Chiriko nods. "Hai, he can do it. Not

right now, but later."

I nod slowly, contemplating this in my mind. I finally decide that there is nothing to lose

by this and agree to have my past life returned to me. Arrangements are made to meet at

Chichiri's house in two days time and Chiriko and I leave to attend our next classes. I

sense that not only is Chichiri pleased by this, but so is Chiriko.

A FEW DAYS LATER!!!!!!!!!

I'm nervous as I sit crosslegged on Chichiri's living room floor. The others are here and I

breathe deeply as Chichiri, holding a shakujou chants softly. I feel a barrier of

protection erect around us and I relax a bit. This man knows what he is doing. He begins

to chant again and the magic touches me and I relax completely, not fighting the intrusion

as it surrounds my being and enters me. My mind slowly unlocks and distorted images come to

me. I close my eyes against the sudden, pressing headache and try and make any sort of

sense of the images. The first that I grasp is one of Chichiri. I know him as Houjun

though and like he said, he is my brother. I also realize what the name Chichiri means and

my eyes fly open and I stare at him and then the others. Realization is fast in coming and

I am flabbergasted. "Suzaku Seishi and the Suzaku no Miko?" The group nods to me, smiling

at my apparent memories and I am in shock.

Chichiri crouches before me and I am smiling suddenly into my brother's familiar face.

"That is a very disconcerting experience." He gives a nod "Hai, no da. Do you remember

now?"

I nod "It's slowly coming back to me, little details, but I remember the larger part. I

take it you survived the flood then, Houjun?" He nods to me and I smile slightly. "I am

glad that you went on and lived. I think I have the rest of you to thank for that." I look

at Tasuki and my smile is watery as tears flow down my face. "I also realize that it was

probably you, mostly, that healed him and his heartache."

Chichiri frowns at me. "You know what happened with Hikou and Kouran?" I nod "I saw you

and Hikou on the banks of the river and had ran back to town to get Kouran to help stop the

two of you when the flood hit." Chichiri nods at my words "They are together in this life,

I will have to introduce you to them later." I smile at his words and he is hugging me

suddenly and I feel peace and calm in my soul to be reunited with this brother I loved and

admired so much.

We spend the evening conversing and I learn about the quest to summon Suzaku. I cry with

Nuriko's death but feel my heart break over the thought of Chiriko dying in such a fashion.

There is also laughter and I learn how Tasuki healed my brother's heart. My eyes show him

my gratitude and he winks at me to show his acceptance of it.

I smile at Chichiri again. "Houjun-chan, this also explains why I have always been

sensative." He smiles and nods and Chiriko leans closer towards me, as he sits besides me,

"What do you mean?"

Chichiri chuckles "My original family was very sensative and at the point of the flood,

Kaiya was more aware of things then I was, my powers did not flourish and grow till after I

started my journey's and began training with Taitsukun, no da." I nod to this "He use to

tease me about it too, saying I should be the one with the symbol upon my knee." My

reincarnated brother and I smile fondly at each other.

The others smile at the obvious joy flowing between Chichiri and myself. Talk flows long

into the night with much laughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A FEW WEEKS LATER!

I find myself studying hard over a long weekend in preparation for some upcoming tests, Taka

and Houjun's classes. I feel comfortable that I know the material for my brother's class,

but it's the textbook from Taka's that has me deep in study. I'm alone in my room, the

roommate out for the weekend with friends when I am abruptly pulled from the material by a

knock on the door.

I glance up and smile at the familiar ki on the other side of the door. "Come in."

The door opens and Chiriko's smiling face peeks in at me. "Hi Kaiya. Want a study buddy?"

I groan and set my book down on the bed, marking my spot. "Actually Chiriko, I'm really in

the mood for a study break. Maybe after some coffee we can study together?"

The youngest seishi smiles at me and nods. I can sense happiness radiating off of him and

wonder about it. "That's fine." I give a cheer at his words and flip onto my stomach,

searching under my bed for my boots. "I don't know why I keep putting my boots under here.

I always end up having to search for them." I toss one boot onto the open floor of my dorm

room and keep searching for the other. I can feel Chiriko's eyes on me the whole time until

right before I straighten, the other boot in my hand. "So, are you studying for Houjun's

class or Taka's?"

I put on my boots as he replies. "Taka's actually. I feel comfortable with Chichiri's

class and the information there." I nod to Chiriko's words as I grab my jacket and the two

of us leave the dorm. "Yes, but we must not forget to review the information anyways." We

grin at each other "Better safe then sorry."

As we move out of the dorm building, towards the direction of the coffee shop, I sense my

brother and look up to see him watching us. I give him a small wave, catching his return

motions before I redirect my attention towards Chiriko. Our walk to the coffee shop

continues on with us discussing general topics.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHICHIRI AND TASUKI!

Chichiri smiles as his sister walks off with his youngest seishi brother and lowers his

hand.

"Who are ya wavin at?" He turns from the window and smiles at his lover's sprawled position

on the spare chair in his office. "Kaiya and Chiriko."

Tasuki's eyebrows rise. "Really? Kaiya and Chiriko huh? Do ya think there is something

there?"

Chichiri shrugs and sits in his desk chair, putting his effort into grading once more.

Tasuki settles back and watches the monk work for a time, well, all of about 2 minutes

before he gets bored. "That would be nice if they hooked up."

Chichiri glances up, brow wrinkling, trying to move his mind from grading to what Tasuki was

saying. The bandit elaborates "Kaiya and Chiriko. It would be nice if they hooked up."

Chichiri smiles at this, bending his head over the papers again. "Yes, it would be nice if

they hooked up, no da. I find Chiriko to be a more then acceptable suitor for Kaiya." He

holds his smirk back at Tasuki's gaffaw's, knowing just as well as his love, what his

sister's reaction to that statement would be if she had heard it. However, serious

mahoghanny eyes rise to meet Tasuki's. "We should let them develop their relationship

without any interference, no da." Tasuki easily catches the seriousness in his love's eyes

and nods. "I'm all for that. How about we do some developing of our own relationship?"

Chichiri glances up and smirks at his love. "Sounds good, say tonight, my place?" Tasuki

grins and nods eagerly. "I'll see you tonight then love." With that the brash redhead

stands, leans over the desk to kiss his lover good bye and then leaves in a flash. Chichiri

just grins and goes back to grading, determined to get it out of the way and off his mind

before nightfall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KAIYA'S POV

An hour later finds Chiriko and myself firmly planted in my room, studying together. At

least I'm trying to study. I know it now, Haru was right, I really like Chiriko, and

definately more then just a friend. Oh man, Sasha would say I have it bad. To have him

stretched out on my floor, reading his notes outloud to me, checking if they match what I

have, it's very distracting.

The phone rings, interupting Chiriko's rich voice and I bite back a curse. I sigh as I push

my way up and lean for the phone, clicking it on as I settle back. "Hello?"


"Hi Kaiya-kun. What are you up to?"

I smile as I recognize Hatori's voice on the phone. "Hi Hatori. I'm having a study session

with a friend. We have tests next week."

I catch Chiriko's smile and slightly confused look as I playfully wink at him, Hatori

continuing on. "Ah, I was curious if you would be willing to help me out with a favor

today? I need to go to the docks and pick up a vehicle for a friend, but no one else with a

license is able to help today and I am hesitant to ask Shigure. I would need you to drive

the vehicle back to the main house for me."

I sigh and glance down at my books. "Well, if my friend can come too, so we can do some

studying on the drive there and he can read the notes outloud on the drive back, then sure.

That is if it is ok with him too." Hatori chuckles over the line, knowing me well enough

that I never asked my friend before I said this. "Well, ask him."

I lower the phone a bit and lean down. "Want to go on an errand with my cousin and I to

pick up a friend's vehicle? He needs someone to drive it back to my family's main house."

Chiriko nods at this. "Yes, that should be fine. We can study on the way there and then

let me read outloud to you on the way back."

I confirm that we'll go with Hatori and find out that he and Momiji, whom he is watching,

will be in front of my dorm in 30 minutes. I hang up and relay this to Chiriko, who leaves

to go grab a few things from his dorm room. This gives me time to change into something

more appropriate, especially since I am going to be seen near the main house of the Sohma

Estate.

I had already gathered my books, after changing and then fixing my hair, before Chiriko

knocks on my door and the two of us move towards the front of my dorms to wait for my

cousins.

The drive to the docks is mostly soft murmuring from the back seat where Chiriko and myself

study together, Momiji and Hatori mostly listening or watching the two of us. Momiji often

questions us about what we are studying. I find this more helpful then disruptive, I know

if I am taking time to explain things to the rabbit, then I will retain and recall the

information easier during the test. I feel Hatori's watchful eye on me at moments during

the ride and catch him regarding Chiriko and myself with a serious expression once or twice.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hatori and I go into the port office to take care of paperwork for the vehicle we are

picking up, Momiji and Chiriko following us around. Hatori is somehow able to keep me from

seeing what vehicle we are getting until it is delivered to us outside. I think I must have

given Chiriko an amusing sight. I'm sure my eyes bugged out and my mouth fell open at the

sight of the large Ford F-150 super crew cab, bright yellow, when it was driven into the

parking area and stopped right in front of us.

Then, if that didn't shock him, the sight of me shrieking and practically glomping Hatori

would. I hear a faint hum of happiness from Momiji, who goes on to tell my friend "That's

her truck, from the United States. Hatori had it arranged wtih her foster parents to have

it shipped. It was a secret."

By this point, I am now dancing around my truck, happy. I stop in front of Chiriko, who has

a very amused smirk on his face, his eyes light with laughter, directed at me. I grin and

hug him impulsively, pleased when he holds him back as I chirp, Miaka fashioned "My truck,

Chiriko!"

I pull back to see him grin and nod. "I see that. It's a nice surprise from your cousin."

I glance towards Hatori and my smile grows more. "Thank you so much for going thru the

effort, Ha'ri."

The Sohma doctor just smiles slightly and says it is no big deal as he waves the keys in my

face. I barely remembered to grab my books from the back of Hatori's car before Chiriko and

I are off. I rev the big truck to life, rolling down the windows to let the stale air out

as FX radio station catches a popular country song. The air is filled with the sound of

blasting Trace Adkins and another joyous cheer from me as Chiriko and I leave the dock area.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I feel Chiriko watching me as I sing along with the song from the radio, smoothly merging

the large vehicle into traffic, settling in for the drive back. As soon as Honky Tonk

Badonkadonk* ends, I turn the radio off, roll up the window and smile to him. "Ok, where

were we on the studying? If you could read outloud, that would be great."

I catch his stare and smile slightly. "What? We need to study Chiriko!"

He grins at this. "You are truely unique, Kaiya-chan. One moment you are hyperly

celebrating at getting your truck back and the next you are in study mode and ready to go

over school work." I grin as I drive, my eyes on the road. "Well, just because my truck is

here doesn't mean I can't keep my grades up, ne?"

Chiriko grins and starts to read outloud from our notes, filling the cab of the truck with

his voice for the next hour until I pull into the parking lot of a restraunt. He glances

up, surprised, when I put the truck in park, having been involved in his reading. "What?"

I grin and shut the truck off. "Supper. Time for another study break, beside, your voice

is sounding hoarse." He clears his dry throat and nods, following suit as I climb from

the truck. "Why such a large vehicle, Kaiya?"

I walk around it and smile at the truck as I do so. I am sure he sees the sadness in my

eyes as I answer him. "I had a neighbor growing up in the United States that I was

particularly close to. He passed away about 2 years ago, right after he bought this truck.

His daughter paid it off and then signed it over to me. Her father had left her

instructions to do this. My trucks name is Big Jim, by the way."

I grin, lightening the mood of our conversation as he opens the door for me, an act that

sends a thrill of joy thru me. "I'm sorry for your loss, Kaiya-chan." I glance at him,

reading the pain in his eyes and take his hand in mine, squeezing it softly. "Thank you,

Dokun."

He blinks as I walk past him, the hostess gesturing for us to follow her. "You almost never

call me Dokun." I look back "I know. But, it doesn't mean I won't use your given name. I

just prefer to call you Chiriko."

He looks confused by this. "Why?" I sigh as we sit and then glance at him, feeling the

truth is the best option here. "Not long after my awakening, I was talking to Houjun and had

mentioned that I didn't know how to address the rest of you now, especially Miaka. He was

quite adamant that I not think of the 8 of you as people better then myself. That I

continue to think of you all as I did before, including calling you by your seishi names.

I'm not totally comfortable using your seishi names, but I'm working on it, as I know he is

correct."

Chiriko smiles "So, you call us by our seishi names in an effort to humanize what we were?"

I flush and look away. "Something like that."

The youngest seishi smiles at me. "You don't seem to have a problem calling Tasuki by both

his names though, and you almost never call Chichiri by his celestial name anymore."

I grin, ducking my head to look at the menu. "Well, Tasuki is too brash and hotheaded to

think of him as a great warrior. Plus, he is dating Houjun and they were together in their

last life too, so he is practically my brother as well. Houjun, well, he's just Houjun. I

always knew he was Chichiri back then and it didn't bother me. He was my brother, I knew he

was human, but I also knew he was capable of great things. Besides, you really can't feel all

that in awe about someone's mystical powers and their role in saving a country when youhave

memories of that person putting frogs in your bed just because you annoyed the heck outta

him in your attempt to follow him and his friends around."

I glance up and giggle at Chiriko's shocked face. "Chichiri really put frogs in your bed?"