The Right Way
Happy Birthday Hotohori!
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their realm entered the room. Though Miaka was showing a serious amount of
common sense, he was not comforted in it. Her actions were odd to say the
least. Then there were her wishes. She could have ended everything and gone
back to her world to wait for the day she found Tamahome. That was what they
had all expected of her, but she had managed to surprise them.
would wait until the most pressing question was answered. The question of
‘Why?’ Out of the corner of his eye he saw Chiriko
move close to Tasuki... they had always gotten along before Chiriko had died.
Yui. Yui, was unsure of who Taiitsukun was – though
more than likely she had heard the name, but there had been no face to add to
it. So Yui seemed to have taken the silent road and wait to see what was going
to happen. Miaka was still looking rather ragged, being that she had not yet
taken the time to change out of her ruined clothing. Happy and concerned, there
was a new spark in his priestess’ eye and he wondered where it had come from.
with a composure that she rarely had except for when she was resolute about
something.
She sighed as she adjusted the shawl draped around her shoulders. Miaka had
proven that there was more in her head than the utter attraction to food. Yui,
however, had not passed her test and Seiryuu was not
pleased with any of his followers – though he was happy that Yui had finally
started down the road in which both Suzaku and he wanted the fourteen seishi to
go. Miaka was key here.
Another sigh, Taiitsukun knew that it would almost be impossible to keep them
from killing each other but it would have to be done. There was no other way.
reason why there are two miko at the exact same time. You failed the first time
to summon Suzaku because of a deception. You failed a second time because you
did not gain the two shinzahou of both Genbu no miko and Byakko no miko even at
the cost of two of your seishi’s lives. But you redeemed yourself when you made
your three wishes. For that Suzaku and
Seiryuu favors you. It came late, yes; but it is better late than never.”
embarrassment crept up on her. She knew that she could not let that information
get to her head. There were questions and they needed to be
answered, no matter how painful they would be to the people in the room.
looked at Taiitsukun for permission to continue. For that she got a smile, and
for the first time since she awoke she relaxed.
taikyoku-san. Am I right?” A nod and she continued.
seikun and Seiryuu seikun have awakened and brought Yui and I here as their
miko? What needs to be done?”
though the time when she could fool around with the Suzaku seishi had ended a
long time ago, she still had. Now it was beyond past time and
things needed to be righted for the balance of this world and quite possibly
that of the miko.
Kounan and Kutou. In a way your last two wishes, Suzaku no miko, have done just
that. However, because of the late Kutou emperor the
state of Kutou itself is very bad and it will affect the other three countries
in ways that are indescribable. You were supposed to work together to save both
countries, not against. But the best laid plans, even
those of the gods, don’t always work out at the beginning. And so, both groups
are faced with a decision... will you or will you not work together to save
this world? There is no need to answer now, but it will have to be soon.”
no shichi seishi Miboshi?”
Particularly since, it was the wrong miko to ask the question. But then again, Miaka
had surprised the others with her ability to detect something off, even if she
had only let on that she noticed the shichi seishi’s lack of presence.
was not. There is no unbalance of power because there will be a different
about the protection of your seishi from a demon again. Seiryuu no shichi
seishi Miboshi is currently in Sairyou. He will join you all at a later date.
As for the former Miboshi, he is currently ensconced in Hell where he belongs.
Seiryuu has realized that such a creature could not be considered trustworthy
in his service any longer. A hundred years ago, maybe. But no longer. Any more
questions?”
She wasn’t completely happy with the answer, but as far as she figured that was
about as close to a celestial oops as they were going to get. “None that I can
think of at the moment Taiitsukun.”
You have one month to learn how to get along. This is not a long time, so I
suggest you work out all of your differences immediately.”
this proclamation, but none truly could find a thing to do to go against the
Creator’s orders. Chichiri sighed as he realized that there was one thing that
had not been addressed and knew that he would have to speak up before
Taiitsukun left and they were placed in a position that would harm more than
help.
is the place where we are to work on our ‘differences’?”
surprise, “I thought that would have been apparent. You’ll be staying at the
palace in Eiyou.”
in roars of disagreement. Taiitsukun merely blinked and chose one of the mass
to speak to. The one who would be the most directly affected by this.
and unborn child are there. I want them to be safe and I fear that they will
not be once those of the Seiryuu Shichi Seishi were to come and live there with
us. Is there no other place we can go?”
understanding the reasons why he felt this way and knowing that there was
nothing she could do to relieve his fear. Trust had to start somewhere.
Chichiri and Miaka saw Taiitsukun’s sad expression and knew what her answer
would be.
head to hide the tears that filled them.
and saw that those of Seiryuu were for once respectful and almost empathetic to
her silently weeping seishi. In a way
they understood. She knew what to do, but who to attempt this with was another
story. Who was it that she could get the ball rolling with, so to speak? Who
was it that posed the greatest danger to everyone? With a start she knew her
answer. Nakago. She smiled, for one who had done as much as he could she would
try. And with her back strait, she walked to Nakago and stuck her hand out.
Nakago, for all his brilliance, merely looked at her in surprise disgust –
silently questioning her. Miaka put down her hand and explained.
Seiryuu no shichi seishi.”
accept this foolish proposal?”
you still hate us you can kill me.” Her statement shocked everyone and the
silence was only broken by the gasps of her seishi and Yui.
matter?”
ended up failing? Would it not show that even if you lost a few measly battles,
but ultimately won the war on the attempts of my life? Does
almost everyone in that room watched Nakago make his decision. Hotohori was,
instead watching Miaka with surprise and poorly disguised relief. Just as
maim, or aim any form of violence, passive or aggressive, at any of the people
who are not seishi in Eiyou. Second you cannot kill
or seriously main/injure any of my or your fellow seishi. Third you all
along with one another and my seishi, past experiences aside.”
demands. When none were forthcoming…
no Jutsu?”
absolute safety of all the seishi. Why is that?”
regular people do not have. I do not think there will be a day when any of you will
not fight – be it training or otherwise. Injuries – mainly light ones are
easily healed.” She broke off to look at Mitsukake, who understanding what she
was getting at nodded. For that, he got a bright smile in return. She turned
back to Nakago. “There may never be complete peace
between our two groups. Also tempers and grudges will come to surface, it would
be foolish to stop anyone here from fighting.”
and think over her words.
to your seishi.”
agreement. With a smile she turned back to Nakago and once again stuck out her
hand.
when Yui had explained that such a thing was done to seal a deal. He clasped
her hand in his, pumping his arm a few time. He received another smile before
Miaka slipped back towards her seishi. As she came close enough, Hotohori
pulled her into an embrace whispering ‘Thank you, Thank you’ into her ear. She
patted his back and moved to his side and looked towards Taiitsukun who had
watched the entire proceeding silently, eyes sparkling in amusement.
before I send you on this path? No? Good. Nyan-nyan!”
as they meditated their energy into sending all fifteen people to Eiyou.
they crossed the desert in Sairyou. They had been
summoned by Taiitsukun to go to Eiyou in Kounan. Though the creator did not give
them a lot of information, it did not stop them from worrying. From wondering.
Shifan was riding in the back of their cart, protected from the sun’s rays. It
was going to be a long trip.
sighed as she pulled the protective cloth closer to her body. She worried about
the way the world shook not too long ago. The two battling Miko were surely in
their own world by now. Though she had not met Yui, she had genuinely liked
Miaka and had secretly hoped to see her one more time before she left for her world.
Tatara would be proud, or at least he would have been interested in what was
going on. She was glad that he was finally able to be with Suzano, even if it
was in death. On that note, she began to worry about Tamahome – though she did
not know him well she knew Tokaki did and so because her lecherous husband was
worried she did too.
Hokkan border was in front of them, the desert nearing its end was becoming
more heavily vegetated and cooler. They all sighed in relief, it seemed that
their summer was going to be very hot this year. Subaru shook her head at the
drastic change in climate, earning a curious look from Tokaki. She merely
smiled and he turned back to the road. They were on a mission and it was
imperative that they get it done quickly. Seishi stuck together.
and Tokaki had gotten in a fight again, this time over the inn
keeper’s second daughter. Subaru was almost at her wits end with him and
was about to send him out like she did those many
years before. However before she could give him the proverbial boot, a light
blinded them for a moment. There standing, floating, before them was the now
aged Creator. After a moment’s surprise, both bowed in greeting.
day, Taiitsukun-sama. What can we help you with?”
snorted in amusement as she gazed down at Tokaki.
have a rather long mission for you both, as the two remaining
in danger and they need to be brought to a safe haven.” She paused.
accept this mission, Taiitsukun-sama. However, it seems that this is merely the
beginning and there is more that you need of us.” Subaru noticed that
Taiitsukun seemed distracted, almost as if a great weight was placed upon her
small shoulders.
are correct Byakko no Subaru. You will need to bring
them with you when you go to Eiyou to meet with both the Suzaku
no shichi seishi and those of the Seiryuu no shichi seishi. You are to
represent those of Byakko and help bring peace to all
four countries.”
had looked at her in surprise, but understood that there was more going on than
what had been told. And from past experience, both knew that it was best to
just go and see what needed to be done rather than play guessing games with a
you know where can the two Genbu no shichi seishi be
found, Taiitsukun-sama?”
they are in a small village slightly to the north of the capital
that said, Taiitsukun faded away, leaving both seishi alone again. A minute
passed and the two quietly began to gather what they would need to make the
extended trip to two countries that were not their own. Shifan had come into
the room at the last minute of Taiitsukun’s visit and
helped them.
wish to come with you.”
request was surprising to both of them. Subaru and Tokaki looked at one another
before agreeing with her request. They had, after all, taught
her how to fight. From there they had gotten everything they needed finished
and headed out towards Hokkan.
when they reached the Touran. It looked like it was a
beautiful city and getting around both urban and rural areas of
had gone into some of the bars to put his ear to the ground for information
about the two Genbu seishi.
Subaru and Shifan were walking around the
marketplace, replenishing their supplies. A yell came from one of the bars and
the two women turned to see Tokaki being
chased out of it in a barrage of glasses, bottles, and food. Panting, he
leaned against the building.
to get to them right now.” And with that he grabbed
both of their arms and began running towards their cart. Quickly hooking up the
animal, he got them into a semi-gallop as Subaru and Shifan
held on tightly.
Why is it that we need to be in a hurry.”
the Genbu seishi out of
fear. I’m afraid it must be left over from the last time Genbu
had been summoned.”
are going to die if we don’t get there quick.”
you doing!?” He looked at his wife in question. “We
won’t get there fast enough this way. Speed it up!” With a look of
determination, the face that he had seen many times when they had protected
the horses into a gallop.
plowed through the country-side, heading North since
that was where the two Genbu seishi
were located at that moment. Trees seemed to jump into their path, but they
would not collide and the cart could not slow down. Time was of the essence.
a few hours, they came upon a village. They decided to go through it,
However, when they entered the town square the sight that greeted them was
something none of them had expected.
almost crucified in the middle of the town were two people. Their clothes were
torn and blood ran down their bodies in thick rivers as a whip passed over
them. The most distinguishing thing about them was the marks that graced their
bodies - the marks that labeled them as Genbu’s
chosen.
and Urumiya.
children, no more than eight or nine years old. She pulled her
part, took off his earings and threw them at the ones
whipping the children. The commotion both of them made was enough to distract
the mob at the bottom of the crucifixes from Shifan,
who freed the children. Tokaki ran, gathering up the
children, his earings, and Shifan
he got back to the cart where Subaru was waiting. They needed to get out of
there and quickly.
didn’t slow down until they were once again near the
capital. While they had escaped Tokaki
and Shifan had cleaned and bandaged the children as
best as they could. They would have to go back into the capital to do a better
brutal wounds had been cleaned.
drove the cart to the nearest inn and promptly got a couple of rooms. Just as
she and Tokaki were situating the two injured
was evident in their eye and postures.
here to hurt you. We just need you to lie down so we can take better care of
the wounds you received back at that village.”
one had expected one. Holding up the bandages and herbs, they showed the two
young seishi what they were doing. With some,
justified, suspicion Hatusi and Urumiya
allowed their wounds to be cleansed and dressed. It
was painful, though neither one cried out and before
the last bandage was wrapped, they both passed out again.
room and its inhabitants under Shifan’s careful gaze.
It was not going to be easy getting trust, and they knew it.