Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Charlotte's Arc ❯ Genbu, how could you? ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

This is the story following `Seiryu how could you?!” This is the third story in the `Mirror, mirror' arc.

Story order:

Sort-of prequel: Mirror, mirror

Actual story: shattered mirror

Test 1: Seiryu how could you?!

Test 2: Genbu how could you?!

Test 3: Byakko how could you?!

Test 4: Suzaku how could you?!

Disclaimer: As I said earlier, I do not own FY! I wish I did.

Notes: As a Genbu shichiseishi, charlotte now cannot use any of her seishi's powers unless it's an emergency.

< > Is telepathic communication between miko and spirits, ** is thoughts, and () are author's notes.

More notes: I use Mandarin pinyin for names and stuff, since I'm not Japanese. Also, this is AU, so some stuff may deviate from the storyline. Ok?

Glossary of terms:

Meimei- little sister

Oniichan - older brother (Japanese)

Yet more notes: Well, the Genbu no miko is Serena. Serena is NOT Usagi, ok? I don't like Serena.

Potential Mary-Sue warning!!!

Chapter 1

Genbu yawned. “It has been seventy years since Suzaku no miko was killed. Can I bring my newest seishi to Hokkan yet?”

“Can't you wait?” Seiryu asked. “Almost all of my shichiseishi have died from old age already. Miboshi is the only one left and he's dying. Just a few more weeks, okay?”

Genbu sighed exasperatedly. “Fine. I don't' know why she had to stay…”

“Because I want her to!”

“SHUT UP!” Taiitsukun shouted.

The two gods glared at each other, but shut up.

“Just look at you! Squabbling like a couple of kids!” Taiitsukun scolded. “Seiryu, when the time comes, you will allow her to leave. Genbu, when she has laid her seishi to rest, she will go to Hokkan. Stop your bickering now.”

Both gods nodded, chastised.

“Miboshi, don't die on me, please!” Charlotte said, looking at the frail body of the monk. Miboshi's eyes fluttered closed and he went limp in her arms.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Charlotte screamed. “Once was enough! Why?” The pain of losing a seishi ripped through her body and she passed out. She was brought to when a maid discovered her lying on the floor and had the kindness to revive her, although Charlotte didn't see it that way.

“He's gone now. I'm the last one.” Charlotte said. Truth be told, she hadn't aged much. She didn't know whether it was Seiryu's doing or not, but she still resembled a young girl, even though she was much older by now.

Charlotte sighed as she wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “I guess I passed the first test.”

< You did. > A voice told her.

< Thanks, Nakago. >

< Now you have to prepare for the next test. > Soi said. < I think you'll be a Genbu seishi. >

< That's the way the cycle is. > Tasuki told her.

< You won't be able to talk to any of us this time, unless you really need to. > Tomo told her.

< Good luck! > Nuriko said.

< Good-bye! > Suboshi and Amiboshi said together.

< Good-bye. > Charlotte said. There was a brief silence, before Charlotte felt the same sealing power. She tapped the key at her waist and found herself back in Kutou, back in her own universe.

Charlotte changed her clothes into something warmer, and resolutely headed towards Hokkan. Seiryu wept.

“Happy?” Seiryu asked huffily.

“Yes.” Genbu said, sticking his tongue out.

Seiryu hit him.

“Who am I?” Charlotte asked herself. “I don't know which Genbu seishi I am… and I won't know for sure until Genbu no miko comes. I wonder who she is?”

“Let's see… seventy years have passed since Seiryu was called… that means thirty years in the cycle before Genbu no miko comes… at least that's how it was in the other world, but I'm not sure how much time has passed here…”

When Charlotte reached the border, she found guards blocking her way.

“What do you want?”

“Seiryu no miko, I presume?” One inquired.

“Not anymore.” Charlotte snapped.

“We cannot allow you to enter Hokkan. Kutou needs you!”

“Why? I already brought peace. There will be peace until Suzaku is called, and that's three hundred years away.”

“That may be true, but you cannot leave our country. We are here to prevent you.”

Charlotte smirked. “You think you can keep me here? I `d like to see you try. Invisibility!” She winked out of existence and slipped past the guards. However, one seemed to have magical training, and sent a throwing knife at her, trying to impede her process.

“Shield.” Charlotte said as it flared up. It bounced off and fell to the ground. Charlotte quickly gathered the last remaining shreds of her magic and flung it at them in the form of sleep-inducing waves. As she placed her foot across the invisible border, she felt her powers wink out. The key - repaired, by Taiitsukun's magic - and the Seiryu no Shinzaho - also fixed - disappeared.

Charlotte immediately felt herself falling. She had a brief glimpse of the sky before she fainted.

“You're giving her amnesia?! You bloody tortoise!” Seiryu shouted.

“She's in my territory now. I can do whatever I like.”

“But!”

“It's my turn now.” Genbu said, sticking out his own tongue.

Seiryu growled.

“QUIT IT!” Taiitsukun shouted. “You two! It's like living with a bunch of kids!”

The gods scowled and shut up.

Suzaku shook his head. “You're so touchy, Seiryu.”

Seiryu growled and stomped off.

When Charlotte woke up, she was a three-year old girl.

“Mom! Meimei is awake!” Eight-year old Chamka Tan, later known as Tomite, called.

“What happened?” Charlotte asked.

“You were out getting water. I think you were attacked.” Her mother said. “Does your head hurt?”

“Uh-hum.”

“That's normal.” Her mom said. “Now, why don't you go play with your older brother?”

“Okay!” Charlotte said as she ran out after Tomite, who threw a snowball at her. The two giggled as the played.

“Do you think I should tell her?” Gwanghuei asked her husband.

“No. What would we say? We think you're from Kutou. We found you lying half-dead in the snow a few months ago, and we nursed you back to health?”

“I get your point.” Gwanghuei said.

Six years later…

Charlotte happily skipped along with her older brother. He was older now, and it was hard for him to find time to play with her, since he was usually busy with the other boys, but he still managed to be with her as often as he could. She smiled. It was nice having an older brother who took care of you.

“Do you see it?” Tomite asked.

“The rabbit?”

“Yes.” Tomite picked up his bow and arrows and took aim. A moment later, the rabbit was dead.

“Wow!” Charlotte said.

Tomite petted his little sister on the head. “I know you're not good at archery, but I hope you didn't mind coming along.”

“No. I'm happy that you asked me.” Charlotte said truthfully. They went through the woods, hunting more rabbits.

When it started to get dark, the two of them headed back to camp. A horrifying sight met their eyes. While they had been gone, the Xin tribe, their enemies, had attacked the camp and stolen the horses, slaughtered the people, and whatever was left was burning. Some of the Xin tribespeople were still wandering around, gathering up dropped possessions and laughing.

“No.” Tomite whispered. “NO!” As Charlotte watched in shock, his seishi symbol lit up on his lower back and he charged down the slope into the camp, firing his arrows. Charlotte noticed that they were ice arrows, but she was too scared to think.

“Oniichan!” Charlotte cried, running down after him as fast as nine-year-old legs could carry her. * I want to help older brother! I want to avenge our family! Why? And why do I feel like this has happened before? *

Tomite fired more of his ice arrows at the attackers, but he couldn't hold all of them off at once. As one man fought his way over to his side, Tomite prepared to die.

“ONIICHAN!” Charlotte shouted. She felt something in her hands and reached out, blindly folding. A minute later, there were six giants towering over the men. They ran.

“Oniichan!” Charlotte cried again, running to Tomite's side. “Are you hurt?”

“I'm okay.” Tomite said. “What was that?”

Charlotte blinked. Tomite pointed to the glowing green symbol on her forehead.

Charlotte blinked until Tomite handed her a mirror.

“A green…symbol?”

“It means you're a Genbu shichiseishi, one of the chosen who have to protect Genbu's priestess when the time comes.” Tomite said.

“Oh.”

“I think I'm a seishi too. Genbu seishi Tomite.” Tomite said. “And you have the sign of `Cow', so you'd be Iname.”

Charlotte blinked and promptly fainted.

Tomite picked up his little sister. The combined shock of discovering their home destroyed, as well as her seishi powers, had obviously taken a toll on her.

He sighed as he started looking around in the ruins for some supplies. He managed to scavenge some food and several blankets. He wrapped her in one, before turning his attention to the tents. There was one that hadn't been burned too badly…

When Charlotte woke up, she found herself in a tent. A pot of stew was boiling.

“Mommy? Daddy? Oniichan?” she asked.

“Are you awake?” Tomite asked.

“Hai. Oniichan, where is mommy-.” Charlotte stopped, when she remembered the sight that she had seen. She burst into tears.

“Now, now.” Tomite said, bending down and picking her up.

“Where will we live?”

“I don't' know yet. We can't stay here much longer, though. The raiders might come back.”

“We have to leave?” Charlotte asked tearfully.

“Yes.” Tomite said. He wished he had better news to convey, but he didn't.

“Do we have to walk? Where will we go?”

“I'm not sure…” Tomite said.

“Well, if we leave, we'll probably need a horse.”

“I suppose.” Tomite said thoughtfully. “But we don't have one.”

“A horse…” Charlotte said thoughtfully. She picked up a piece of paper and began to fold.

A minute later, a rather deformed four-legged creature stood there.

Tomite sweatdropped. “Um… is that a horse?”

“I can't fold origami!” Charlotte said. “But I'll try again.”

Three tries later…

Tomite looked at the fourth horse. At least this one vaguely resembled a horse, aside from the bright pink polka dots on its body.

“Come on!” Charlotte said, climbing on.

Tomite inwardly swore he would die first, but swallowed his pride and climbed onto the `horse'.

The two seishi headed for the nearest city. They didn't know what would happen, but before they left, they promised to stay together forever.

To be continued….

Chapter 2

In the god's realm

“Genbu! I can't believe it! You gave her the power to fold paper?!” Seiryu shrieked.

“Why not?”

“She can't fold paper!”

“I noticed.” Genbu said dryly.

“You're being cruel!”

“I know.”

“I hate you!”

Genbu simply turned back to his salad.

Back in the mortal realm…

Their `horse' attracted many stares from passerby. Tomite kept his hat over his eyes the whole time.

“Why, oh why, is it pink?” Tomite asked.

“Because I can't fold paper well.” Charlotte said.

“Is that your seishi power?”

“Yes.”

Tomite groaned. “Is that it?”

“I think so.” Charlotte said.

Tomite just wanted to wither up and die. Why, oh why, couldn't Genbu have given his sister better powers if she had to be a Genbu seishi?

“Excuse me, sir. Would you sell your horse?” A man asked.

Tomite looked up. “Eh?”

“I'm talking to you, country boy. Would you sell your horse for fifty-five gold ryo?” (Note: Not sure how much a horse is worth, but Miaka was about 50 gold ryo… I figured a different-colored horse could be worth at least as much.)

Tomite's eyes widened. “Sure!” He picked the sleeping Charlotte up off the horse and jumped down. He handed the horse's reins to the man, who paid him the money. Tomite first bought a money pouch, to hold his money. Then, he went towards the inn and got a room.

Charlotte woke up. “Oniichan?”

“Charlotte, I sold the horse. I hope you don't mind. I got a lot of money for it.” Tomite said.

“No, I don't mind. What are we going to do now, oniichan?”

“I don't know…” Tomite admitted. “Maybe I can find a job.”

As luck would have it, Tomite got a job as a guard. Meanwhile, Charlotte spent her days working as a maid at their inn.

Three years passed.

“Charlotte! GET YOUR BUTT OUT HERE!” The lady called. “We have important guests!”

“Coming.” Charlotte said, controlling her temper so she wouldn't fold another paper creature. The last time, she had created a dragon, and it had nearly burned down the inn. Fortunately, nobody had seen her glowing seishi symbol.

Charlotte carried a tray with cups of tea on it towards the table. There were three people. One was a tiny girl with blonde hair in odangos, another was a handsome, silver-haired man with an eyepatch over one eye, and a black-haired guy.

“Hello. I'm Genbu no miko Serena! I want to know if there are any Genbu seishi around here!” She chirped.

Charlotte blinked.

“CHARLOTTE! GET OVER HERE!” the landlady yelled.

“Coming, coming!” Charlotte said.

“Miko-sama, are you sure there is a Genbu seishi here?”

“Sure! I felt it!” Serena chirped.

“Whatever you say.” Hikitsu said. “I think I'll retire to my room now.”

Hikitsu left the scene.

“I did feel some Genbu chi, but I'm not sure where it is coming from…” Hatsui said.

“Do you think that serving girl was a warrior?”

“Probably not.”

Back in her room, Charlotte folded a swan. She brought it to her lips and breathed on it. Instantly, it took shape. It was a blue and orange miniature swan, but a swan nonetheless.

“Swan, please go find Tomite and bring him back.” Charlotte said.

The swan nodded and flew off.

Hikitsu looked up. “Was that Genbu chi?”

Hatsui shrugged. “I think.”

“But where's it coming from?”

Tomite was on his way home when he spotted a tiny, blue and orange swan. He sweatdropped. “Let me guess. Charlotte wanted to tell me something.”

The swan nodded its head up and down emphatically.

Tomite walked faster. In a few minutes, he reached the inn.

“Did you feel that?”

“Yes. He must be very close.” Hikitsu said.

They looked out the window and saw a young man in a big furry blue hat, accompanied by a blue and orange swan.

“That must be him.”

Tomite was climbing the wall up to Charlotte's room when someone grabbed his leg.

“Let go!” Tomite said, kicking, not knowing that he had just kicked his miko in the face. The girl let go and Tomite pried open the window to Charlotte's room and jumped in.

“What is it?” Tomite asked.

“The Genbu no miko and two of her seishi came to the inn today. They're looking for the other Genbu seishi.” Charlotte said.

“Oh.”

“Yes. What should we do?”

“Well, it is our duty to protect the miko…”

“All right…” Charlotte went downstairs to find the miko. Tomite followed.

They saw Serena rubbing her head.

“YOU!”

Tomite looked at her in puzzlement. “What?”

“You kicked me. Me! Do you know how important I am?”

“Um.. no?”

“That's Genbu no miko.” Charlotte said, sighing.

Tomite instantly became apologetic. “I'm sorry! I didn't know!”

“It's okay.” Serena said.

“I have something to say, but it would probably be better if you came with me.” Tomite said.

“Fine.” Serena followed Tomite and Charlotte back to their room.

Charlotte locked the door, took out a piece of origami paper, and folded a flower. Then, she blew on it. Her symbol lit up on her forehead.

“Genbu seishi Iname.” Charlotte said, handing the now real but purple flower to Serena.

“Oh! Cool!” Serena said.

“Genbu seishi Tomite.” Tomite said, making a little bow.

“Yay! I found two!” Serena said. Her cheer brought Hikitsu and Hatsui running.

“I found the next two Genbu shichiseishi!” Serena crowed.

“Good job.” Hatsui said.

“WHAT?! That's such a ditzy miko!” Seiryu cried. “And my miko has to serve her?”

“Aw, serves ya right.” Suzaku said.

Seiryu threw a rock at Suzaku.

Suzaku ducked and it hit Genbu.

Genbu opened his eyes and glared at Seiryu.

“Uh-oh…”

Some days just weren't worth waking up for. This, Tomite decided, was one of them. Charlotte was already up, making breakfast for the five travelers, while Serena was snoring - snoring! She was the miko, but did she have to make his little sister slave this way? She was only twelve…

Hikitsu and Hatsui were out searching for possibly edible wild plants. Tomite yawned and rubbed his eyes. He might as well get up.

“What's for breakfast?” Tomite asked.

“Oh, just some bread, tea, and honey.” Charlotte said.

“Honey?” Tomite looked at the green-tinged syrup that was being poured over the bread.

“Well, it tastes like honey. It's just that, the colors never come out right…” Charlotte admitted.

“Either that or they have extra parts, or they're super deformed, or they turn out dead.”

“I know. Why didn't Genbu give this power to an artist or something?” Charlotte asked no one in particular.

“Because I felt like it.” Genbu said, observing the scene thru his mirror.

“Let me see!” Seiryu said, pushing him out of the way. “What did you do to my poor miko?”

“Green honey? Blech.” Genbu said.

“I thought you liked green.”

“Not as food….”

Hikitsu and Hatsui weren't too pleased when they returned, but they said that it tasted all right. Neither mentioned that it was just a tad too sweet.

Charlotte could only gape in shock as Serena inhaled no less than sixteen slices of bread.

“You must be really hungry!” Hatsui said.

“Uh-hum.” Serena said, stuffing her face.

Charlotte picked up another piece of paper and folded it into a pot of stew. Tomite tasted it, before falling over, blue.

“Oniichan! Are you all right?” Charlotte asked, running over.

“Charlotte, that's not stew, its soap!”

“Oops.”

Hikitsu smiled. It was cute how the third seishi never seemed to get anything right, but the way she and her brother interacted made him wish he had a younger sibling as well.

Hatsui walked over. “Let me try!” His attempt was even less successful, as he managed to conjure up a washbasin full of soapy clothes.

Charlotte giggled.

Tomite chuckled. Ever Serena joined in.

They were riding (Yes, riding) to the next city. Hikitsu and Hatsui had rather normal horses, as they had always been horses.

Serena clutched Tomite as they sat on a six-legged, black-and-white striped horse. It was half a foot shorter than an average horse. Tomite wondered idly how Charlotte had managed to fold a six-legged horse.

“It was supposed to be a fish.” Charlotte said, as if guessing his thoughts. She herself was riding a horse that did have four legs, but it also possessed three tails and only one ear.

“Well, we can't attract more attention than this.” Serena said. She was annoyed from the horseback riding. She wished that she were still home. That way, she could have her maid doing all the work.

Charlotte looked down. “Its not my fault.”

“Yes it is!” Serena snapped. “You and your stupid tricks! You're useless as a seishi! All you can do is fold paper monsters! Tomite can shoot ice arrows, Hikitsu can freeze people and summon ice snakes, while Hatsui can create earthquakes! But you're useless!”

Tomite gasped. Even Hikitsu and Hatsui were stunned.

Charlotte was stunned silent.

Up in the heavens, Seiryu was seething. He was about to blast Genbu's miko out of the universe of the four gods, but Taiitsukun stopped him.

Even Genbu was a bit shocked at his miko's behavior.

Charlotte stared at Serena for a brief moment, before suddenly kicking her horse's side and taking off. Wings sprouted out of the horses back as Charlotte folded a second piece of paper. They weren't particularly elegant, but they worked.

“Charlotte!” Tomite cried, breaking out of his stupor. His horse charged after her.

Serena shrieked. “What are you doing?!”

“She's my sister.” Tomite said grimly as he continued to chase.

Serena soon discovered that a six-legged horse could run much faster than a four-legged horse, even a flying four-legged horse with a head start of about a minute.

“Just let me blast her!” Seiryu shrieked, crackling with power. “How dare she do that to my Maiden!”

Taiitsukun and three of the other four gods were hanging onto Seiryu's arms and legs, respectively.

“Let me go!”

Charlotte was so busy running away that she didn't even notice that she had ridden off a cliff. As it was, it wouldn't matter, because the horse had wings. However, the one Tomite and Serena were riding on did not.

“HELP!” Serena screeched as the horse tumbled over the edge. Charlotte was just going to let her fall to her death, but she noticed that Tomite was also on the horse. She pulled another piece of paper out of her pockets and folded a rainbow. It solidified underneath the falling horse and caught them. Charlotte and her horse flew down.

“Oniichan, are you ok?” Charlotte asked.

“I think so…” Tomite said. “The question is, are you?”

Charlotte shook her head. “I-I never wanted to be a seishi…”

Serena was still ranting huffily when Hatsui and Hikitsu came down, with the aid of Hatsui's ground powers.

“Miko-sama, normally I wouldn't contradict you, but that was harsh. She's just a child.” Hikitsu said.

Hatsui nodded vigorously.

Serena crossed her arms. “Well, its true. Her powers are worthless.”

Something inside Charlotte snapped.

“She's breaking the seal!” Seiryu said ecstatically.

“That's impossible.” Suzaku breathed. “She's not even in Kutou!”

“Uh-oh.” Genbu said, fearing for his miko. Even if she was a ditz…

To be continued….

Chapter 3

`Kokoro' blazed on Charlotte's forehead, replacing `Cow'. Her eyes narrowed to mere slits as she raised a hand. Inside her, the spirits cheered.

< She did it! > Suboshi cried.

< This is so cool! > Nuriko said.

< Finally! > Miboshi said.

Nakago just smirked.

Serena barely had time to blink before a blue chi blast knocked her into the yawning chasm.

“Iie!” Serena shrieked.

“Hurts, doesn't it?” Charlotte asked, in a voice that was definitely not her own. “This is only a tiny bit of the pain I had to bear.” As she spoke, her clothes dissolved into Tomo's elaborate costume and makeup. Shin opened and some vines caught Serena, as Tomo's symbol flared up on her hip.

“W-what are you?!” Serena asked in fear.

“Me? I'm just me.” Charlotte said. She cackled.

“Charlotte! Snap out of it!” Tomite cried, worried about his sister.

That broke her concentration. In an instant, shin dropped from her hand as she reverted back to herself and fainted.

< NOOOOOO! > Ashitare cried as the Seiryu seishi were re-sealed.

“Damn!” Seiryu said. “She was so close!”

“You're cheating.” Genbu said. “She's supposed to pass the trial without any help.”

“Yes, but-.” Seiryu was cut off when Suzaku whacked him.

“Ow!”

Tomite looked at his sister worriedly. * What was that strange power? It wasn't her seishi power, was it? At least, I don't think so… and it was blue! Seiryu is blue, but she's a Genbu seishi! What's going on? *

Charlotte rubbed her head as she woke up. “Oniichan?”

“What happened?!” Hatsui asked. “You were glowing blue! And I know those weren't your seishi powers!”

“I-I don't' know.” Charlotte admitted. “It felt like I was breaking something.”

“I can't believe you had the audacity to attack me! I'm the miko! All of Hokkan's hopes are resting on me! Hokkan needs me!” Serena screamed in her face.

“Hokkan needs me…” Charlotte's eyes went blank for a second, as she spoke. “Kutou doesn't need me. They have peace, they'll be fine until Suzaku is summoned.”

Tomite was about to snap her out of the trance when Hikitsu shook his head.

“Who are you?”

“Me? I was… Seiryu no miko… Suzaku seishi Chiriko… then Seiryu seishi Ashitare…Seiryu… sealed them inside me… I miss them… all… cycle renewing… now I am Genbu seishi Iname…”

Tomite gasped. “Seiryu no miko… then Suzaku seishi Chiriko… and Seiryu seishi Ashitare? And now, you're Genbu seishi Iname?”

“Yes.” Charlotte looked like she was going to say more, but then her eyes cleared and she collapsed into Hatsui's arms.

“What was she babbling about?” Serena asked.

“Our world is divided into four countries- Kutou, Konan, Sailo, and Hokkan. Each country worships a different god. Every one hundred years, a miko will come from another world, gather her seven seishi, and bring peace. The cycle goes Genbu, Byakko, Suzaku, and Seiryu. I think she's a bit confused, but if that was true, she is no longer a miko or a seishi because the cycle has restarted. That might explain her powers, though.” Hikitsu said.

“Powers?” Serena asked.

“The chi blasts - Seiryu seishi Nakago had that power. The illusions? That's Seiryu seishi Tomo.”

Serena tossed her hair. “Well, she still has no right to attack me.”

Hatsui looked up. “You did provoke her.”

“Who's side are you taking?” Serena asked.

“Well… I was just stating a fact…”

“Why her?” Tomite asked. “She's just a little girl.”

“I assume she was older in her other lives.” Hikitsu said. “But right now, we'd better not mention this. I don't think her powers will resurface. Those of a shichiseishi only do so in times of distress, so…”

“I see.”

“I hate your new miko.” Suzaku commented.

“Really?” Genbu looked up. “I think she's okay.”

“Excuse me?!” Seiryu asked. “Look what she did to my miko!”

“She's your miko no longer. She's one of my seishi now.” Genbu stated.

Seiryu scowled. “You're just jealous, because your miko is horrible!”

A mallet flew out and knocked both gods out.

Charlotte woke up and saw Hikitsu leaning over her. She blinked.

“Charlotte! You're awake!” Tomite said, running over.

“I'm okay.” Charlotte said. “Why do you all look so worried?”

“It's nothing.” Serena said quickly.

Charlotte looked at Serena, puzzled, but accepted her reasoning.

“Well, we should keep looking for the other seishi.” Hatsui said. “Come on!” They climbed back on their horses and left.

Three days later…

Urumiya sang as he rode along. The rest of the seishi looked faintly annoyed.

“What?” Urumiya asked.

Serena clamped her hands over her ears. “What did I do to deserve this… that's the worst singing I've ever heard!”

Urumiya looked hurt.

“Don't pay attention to her.” Charlotte whispered.

Urumiya shrugged. “This must be Genbu's idea of a joke. My seishi power is the power of bad song. It's so annoying that anyone hearing it would run away.”

Charlotte looked sympathetic. “Mine is folding paper objects, but they always come out wrong.”

“Oh.” Truth be told, the horse Urumiya and Charlotte was riding on had four eyes. It had one purple eye, one blue eye, and two brown eyes.

Tomite and Hikitsu were chattering away, while Serena moped as Hatsui described how his seishi power worked.

“We need money.” Serena said, cutting in.

“Money?” Charlotte looked up. “How much?”

“Quite a bit.”

“Money…” Charlotte took out a piece of paper and began to fold. A minute later, Serena saw a mountain of gold coins.

“Good enough?”

“I guess.” Serena said, gathering up the money.

“Well, at least you can do something right.” Serena mocked.

Charlotte's hands clenched into fists, but she didn't cry.

“Char? Are you okay?” Tomite asked, running over.

“H-hai.” Charlotte said.

Tomite picked her up. “Are you hurt?”

Charlotte shook her head. During this time, Urumiya noticed that Serena was looking at Tomite with a loving expression. He turned his attention back to the two siblings.

A few moments later, Tomite went back to his own horse.

“I think I know why Serena doesn't like you.” Urumiya whispered.

“Why?”

“She's in love with Tomite.”

Charlotte's eyes widened to the size of saucers. “What?!”

“I'm not kidding!”

“But I'm not in love with Tomite!” Charlotte protested. “He's my older brother.”

“Well, I can't see the family resemblance, but Tomite pays more attention to you than he does to Serena.”

“He's my older brother.”

“Aw, Charlotte, I didn't mean anything.” Urumiya said, ruffling her hair.

“Sure.” Seiryu said, looking down. “Well, they're not really sister and brother…”

“Seiryu, are you implying that my seishi are perverts? That's Byakko's seishi!”

“Well…” Seiryu was interrupted when a flowerpot brained him and he promptly fainted. Byakko dusted off his hands in satisfaction. Genbu snickered but was cut off when a second flowerpot hit him in the head as well.

The six travelers rode on.

“When do you think we will find the next seishi?” Urumiya asked.

“Why don't we just put up a proclamation or something. `If you're a Genbu seishi, come here'?”

“Because that would attract vagabonds and Kutou assassins.” Hikitsu explained patiently to Serena.

“Why?”

“Because, they'd kidnap you and force you to be Seiryu no miko.” Charlotte said. * Those idiots. *

“Hah!” Serena said. “I'd like to see them try.”

“Don't tempt fate.” Tomite said. “Are we stopping at that city?”

“Uh-hum.” Hatsui said.

“Oh good. I'm looking forward to a nice hot bath.” Serena said. She pocketed a lot of the gold.

“Dragon Rage!” Seiryu shrieked as he sent a whirlwind at Serena.

Genbu woke up from his nap just in time to see his miko flying across the screen of the magic mirror.

“Seiryu! You little-!”

Seiryu stuck out his tongue.

The rest of the seishi looked shocked at their miko flying across the sky.

“Eh?” Was the most intelligent comment they had come up with.

Serena would have died, had not Genbu seishi Namame been on the scene. He caught her with his wind lasso.

“I'm saved!” Serena crowed. “And I've found another seishi!”

Namame sweatdropped.

“You know, if it hadn't been for Namame, you'd be so dead.” Genbu told Seiryu.

Seiryu snarled.

Suzaku patted him on the head. Seiryu bit him.

“Ow!”

They continued on their way to Hokkan's capital.

“Why are we going there again?” Charlotte asked.

“Because they have the scroll there.” Hikitsu told her.

“All this work just for a scroll?” Serena asked, shocked.

“You'll need it for the summoning ceremony.” Namame told her.

“Oh.”

The sky looked dark and stormy.

“You know, I think it's going to snow.” Namame said, looking at the sky.

“How do you know?” Serena asked.

“I have some perception of weather. And I really think it's going to snow. We'd better find some shelter.”

“Good idea.” The seishi split up into groups- Hikitsu and Tomite, Charlotte and Urumiya, and Hatsui, Namame, and Serena.

While they were still looking, the storm struck.

To be continued…

Hikitsu quickly used his powers to build an ice wall around him and Tomite.

“It's cold.” Tomite said, his teeth chattering.

“Don't worry. I've got two blankets in here.” Hikitsu said, opening his pack. He handed Tomite a blanket and wrapped himself in one. Then, they sat together and waited for the storm to end.

“Take my hand!” Hatsui yelled to Serena. Namame was using his wind power to try and keep some of the snow away from them, as Hatsui used his ground powers to dig a hole in the ground. He jumped in, along with Serena. Namame sealed the hole with wind and then jumped in himself.

“Brr!” Serena said.

“Does anyone have anything?” Namame asked. “I have an extra coat. Here, miko-sama.”

Serena gratefully took the coat.

Hatsui worked on building a fire, while Namame unpacked their packs.

“You never answered my question….”

“This is bad.” Urumiya said, looking up at the sky.

Charlotte nodded and started folding a shelter. A mountain suddenly appeared.

Urumiya was so grateful for some sort of shelter that he didn't comment that the mountain was purple-and-pink striped. The two of them entered the small cave near the base and waited for the storm to end.

“You know, its getting cold.” Urumiya said.

“Do you know how to build a fire?” Charlotte asked. She blushed. “I don't.”

“We don't have any wood though…”

“I can make some.” Charlotte said. She folded some logs, while Urumiya pulled out his flint and quickly lit a fire.

“Let me see what we have.” Urumiya said, searching through the packs. “Oh! We got all the food!”

“Hey, that's good.” Charlotte said. The two of them chewed on some bread and dried venison while they waited.

“You trapped my miko in a blizzard with your most annoying seishi?!”

“At least she's not with my miko. And she's my seishi now, remember?” Genbu said placidly.

Seiryu growled. “But he's a pervert!”

“No he isn't! Besides, I want them to get together.”

“WHAT?!” Seiryu shouted.

“Genbu's playing matchmaker?” Byakko asked, shocked.

“Wow…” Suzaku said. “Wait a minute! That's my job!”

As it grew colder, Tomite snuggled up to Hikitsu, since it was cold and they did not have a fire.

Hikitsu wrapped his arms around the smaller seishi.

Tomite blushed. “I'm not a pervert. It's just that body heat is the only warmth here.”

“I understand.” Hikitsu said. He pulled the larger blanket over both of them.

Tomite fell asleep. Hikitsu stroked the younger seishi's hair and smiled.

“He's so innocent… I wish I had a younger sibling.”

Serena stared at Hatsui and Namame, who were sharing a blanket.

“Are you two gay or something?”

“No!” Hatsui said, which Namame seconded. “It's just that since you're the one with the fur coat, while we're freezing!”

Namame nodded. “And we don't have much firewood left. If it burns out, we'll be even colder.”

Serena wrapped the coat around her more tightly and began to hum a song.

“So, how did you find out you were a seishi?” Charlotte asked. She was braiding Urumiya's long blonde hair out of sheer boredom. They had the best living conditions out of all the seishi.

“Let me think…” Urumiya thought back, before he snapped his fingers. “Got it. I think I was five. Anyways, it was my mother's birthday, and I wanted to sing her a song. Well, when I started to sing, my seishi symbol started to glow on my left hand. She was so pleased! Even though the song didn't sound that good…”

“Oh. Did you have any siblings?”

“Yes. I had a twin sister.” Urumiya said. He looked thoughtful. “I miss her a lot.”

“Uh-hum. I wonder how Tomite and Hikitsu are doing?”

“Don't worry! They have ice powers! They'll be fine!” Urumiya reassured her.

“I guess…”

Hikitsu and Tomite were trying to solve the food problem.

“We're going to starve.” Tomite said gloomily.

“I'm sure we'll think of something.” Hikitsu said.

Tomite looked doubtful. “Do you really think so?”

“If all else fails, we can find some way to leave this plain. As long as the ice wall is around us, we need not fear the blizzard.”

Tomite decided that it was a good idea.

Serena was digging into the food they had.

“How much is there?” Hatsui asked.

“Not much.” Serena said.

“Oh great. We're all going to die.” Namame spoke.

“Well, I hope not…”

Urumiya and Charlotte chatted for a while longer, before sleeping.

Two days later… the storm has died down somewhat

“Okay, Hawk, go find Tomite!” Charlotte said, sending out her miniature blue hawk.

Tomite looked up. “We've been saved!”

“Eh?” Hikitsu noticed a tiny blue hawk struggling against the winds, with a rope tied to one of its legs.

“We'll follow the rope back to the others!” Tomite said. He and Hikitsu walked for a while before the found the `mountain'.

“Hi!” Urumiya said.

“Hi. Have you seen the miko?”

“Sorry, but no.” Charlotte said. “I thought she was with you.”

“She wasn't. She was with Hatsui and Namame.” Hikitsu said. “They're also the ones with the food.”

“Don't worry. She grabbed the wrong bags. We've got the food.”

“Oh?” Tomite looked at the food and dove in. Hikitsu followed. (Hey! They were hungry! 3 days in w/o food in a blizzard is not fun at all.)

Serena looked at the empty food sack sadly.

“We're going to starve.”

“We're already starving.” Hatsui said, annoyed. “Since you ate all the food.”

“I'm the miko!” Serena screeched.

“I don't care.” Namame said irritably. * I shouldn't have saved her… *

“Hey Genbu! Your seishi aren't too pleased…” Seiryu said gleefully.

“Shut up!” Genbu hissed.

Byakko patted the turtle on the head. “Now, now, not everyone can have a good team.”

“Just you wait, Byakko!” Genbu shouted.

Seiryu giggled.

Hikitsu looked out. The blizzard was still raging. “We should try and find the miko and the rest of the shichiseishi.”

“It's too dark.” Charlotte said, peering out. The swirling snow obscured everything.

“Well…” Tomite looked doubtful. “If we had lanterns…”

“Lanterns?” Charlotte went to get her paper. A few tries later, everyone had a bulgy lantern that was glowing green, but nobody minded. They set out to search for the lost miko.

Several hours later…

“I found them!” Urumiya shouted. He had fallen into the hole that had been occupied by the shichiseishi.

“Saved!” Namame crowed.

“Yay!” Serena shouted.

Hikitsu and Tomite lowered a rope and pulled out the miko. Then, Namame used his powers to calm the storm.

“So, they only have to find Uruki.” Genbu said in satisfaction.

Seiryu snorted.

Genbu whacked him.

“Ow!”

“Where are we going?” Serena asked.

“Hokkan's capital.” Namame said. “We'll find the scroll and (hopefully) the last seishi there.”

“Oh.”

They continued to ride on.

Uruki looked out her window. “I wonder where all the others are?”

“Lady Celestia! The emperor requests your presence.” A maid said.

“Coming.” Uruki quickly tied her long blue hair in a ponytail.

Celestia walked into the throne room, where she was suddenly assaulted by a wave of heat.

“What?” *this is … Genbu chi! That means those people must be the other seishi! *

“Lady Celestia.” The emperor said. “These people claim to be Genbu seishi. I need you to test them. If they truly are Genbu seishi, then give them the scroll.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Uruki said, bowing. `Nu' shone on her left leg.

“Well, I guess I'll have to give you a test.” Uruki said, snapping her fingers. A guard appeared.

“Take them to the courtyard.”

“Yes, your ladyship!”

“I'm confused.” Serena said.

“I think she's going to test us to see if we're really Genbu seishi.” Hikitsu said.

“Well, we are.” Namame said, annoyed.

“Excuse me.” The guard indicated the empty yard.

Uruki pulled on her wrist guards and pulled out her two daggers. “Okay!”

Serena smirked and shoved Charlotte into the arena.

Charlotte looked confused.

The emperor looked amused. “She's just a child… how can she be a Genbu seishi?”

“Step back.” The guard said. Tomite's eyes widened. “Wait!”

“You'll have to wait your turn.” The guard said.

“No!” Hatsui said. “She's just a little girl.”

“Too bad. If she's a Genbu seishi, she'll be able to at least survive.” The guard said.

Serena cackled.

Something in Charlotte looked annoyed. < That's my laugh! >

“Come on!” Uruki called. The air around her glowed with green chi as she prepared to attack.

Charlotte immediately started folding paper monsters. They all attacked Uruki as one force.

Uruki used her powers to whip up a snowstorm, which sent Charlotte flying into a wall.

“Ouch.” Urumiya said, wincing in sympathy.

“Why did you make her go first?!” Tomite asked, eyes blazing with indignation.

Serena shrugged.

Charlotte folded another piece of paper, forming a firestorm. The fire was purple… but it worked.

Uruki countered with another blast of ice.

Charlotte thought for a second, before creating a phoenix. It was deformed, but that didn't matter. The phoenix spat a wave of flame at Uruki before she could attack.

Uruki recalled her ice powers. “Okay, you win. Next!”

Serena glowered.

Tomite immediately volunteered.

“No! You can't!” Serena shrieked.

Tomite looked confused. “If Charlotte can do it, I can too. Besides, she's my younger sister.”

“I know, but still!”

Urumiya started to hum. Serena glared but shut up.

Tomite jumped around, avoiding Uruki's ice blasts.

“Come on, fight back!” Uruki said, annoyed as she sent another ice blast at him.

Tomite shrugged. “Fine.” He shot a barrage of ice arrows at her. She proved to be as agile as he was, green eyes glinting with amusement as she jumped around.

“Ice Storm Bomb!” Uruki said, sending balls of ice at Tomite. One hit him over the head and he staggered back.

Tomite rubbed his head as he stood up. “That hurt. Maybe I should use a different approach…” He concentrated and froze Uruki's feet to the floor.

Uruki tried to use her own ice powers, but to no avail.

“Okay! You pass too.” Uruki said.

Tomite unfroze her.

“I'll go next.” Hatsui said. The character for encampment glowed brightly on his right arm.

Uruki quickly took a few sips of water before facing her newest opponent.

Hatsui immediately caused the ground underneath their feet to crack, making Uruki fall into a deep hole.

Uruki slowly pulled herself out. “You're pretty good.”

Hatsui smiled at her.

Uruki, sensing that her seishi powers might not be that good, threw two daggers at Hatsui, who narrowly avoided them, but was caught in the middle of an ice whirlwind.

Hatsui panicked. However, that was actually good, in his case, because when he panicked, he caused the ground underneath his feet to form into a wall around him. When the storm died down, Hatsui sent a wave of blinding sand at Uruki.

Uruki washed out her eyes as Hatsui left the arena, smiling.

“Is this really necessary?” Hikitsu asked.

The emperor shrugged. “You could be imposters…”

Hikitsu sweatdropped. Namame was busy using his wind powers to chase some attractive-looking girls around, while Urumiya was singing in a futile attempt to get a court lady away from him.

“How about if we just show you our seishi symbols?” Namame asked.

The emperor frowned. “I guess.”

Hikitsu removed his eyepatch, while Namame rolled up his pant legs. Urumiya simply stood there. Their seishi symbols flashed in unison.

“Are they the ones?” The emperor asked.

“Hai.” Uruki said.

“Very well. Since all the seishi have been gathered, we shall call Genbu as soon as possible!”

To be continued…

Three weeks later…

Serena fidgeted as she looked at her semi-transparent robes.

“What's wrong?” Uruki asked.

“They're… indecent.” Serena said.

Uruki shrugged. “That's what the miko has to wear.”

Tomite ran by. Charlotte was chasing him. “Give me back my sash!”

“Nyah, nyah!” Tomite said.

Tomite ran into a pillar. Charlotte giggled and reclaimed her sash.

Hikitsu smiled at them. Tomite rubbed his head and sat up.

“All right. You win.” Tomite sighed.

The rest of the Genbu seishi trooped in. They were all wearing black pants, dark green shirts with Genbu embroidered on them, light green sashes, and black boots.

Serena was still fidgeting.

“I suppose that you can wear a shawl…” Uruki said as she held up a white shawl, covered with silver embroidery. Serena hastily wrapped it around her shoulders.

The guards took up their positions on the outside of the shrine as the seishi and maiden trooped in.

“Well, I guess that's that.” Genbu said.

Seiryu looked angry. “Are you so sure the ceremony will work?”

“What could possibly go wrong?” Byakko asked. “They're all Genbu seishi…”

“Unless your miko is too weak-willed…”

“Please come down to us!” Serena cried, the last line of the chant, as she tossed the sacred scroll into the flickering black flames.

There was a bright flash of light. Genbu appeared in human form and faced his miko.

“Hah! In your face, Seiryu!” Genbu crowed, before he realized that his seishi were staring at him very strangely.

“You have summoned me.” Genbu told Serena. “You may merge with me three times, and use my power three times. When you wish to use my power, you will utter the words Kai-jin.”

“That sounds easy.” Serena said confidently.

Up in heaven, Seiryu was seething. But he didn't' know what to do.

Genbu disappeared.

“Well? What are your three wishes?” Namame asked.

“Right!” Hatsui said. “Tell us!”

Serena shook her head. “Not right now.” She walked out of the shrine.

The seishi shrugged and returned to their temporary quarters.

Serena looked up at the moon. “I want to go home…”

“Can I come in?” A voice asked.

“Come in.” Serena said. Urumiya walked in. He looked nervous.

“Yes, Urumiya?”

Urumiya blushed. “Well, Serena, I sort of like you, and well, I was wondering if you would marry me.”

Serena looked confused. “But you never showed it!”

“I know. But will you marry me?” Urumiya held out a box with a ring.

Serena sighed. “I can't tell you now. I'll tell you tomorrow.”

Urumiya left.

“I thought you wanted Urumiya to pair with Charlotte.” Seiryu said.

Genbu shrugged. “Well, it seems that he has his own ideas.”

“Doesn't Serena like Tomite, though?” Byakko asked.

“Indeed. That could be a problem…”

Seiryu shrugged. “Oh well. As long as my miko stays safe…”

Urumiya was pacing in the gardens.

Charlotte and Tomite were trying to decide what they would do after Serena left. After all, Genbu had been summoned, and they weren't sure what to do. They couldn't go home….

“Do you think we could live with somebody?” Charlotte asked.

“You can live with me!” Hatsui said. “My mother would be happy to adopt two more children. I don't have any siblings.”

“Really?”

“Sure, why not?” Hatsui asked. His black eyes sparkled merrily.

“That seems like a good idea.” Charlotte said. She yawned. “Well, I'm going to bed.”

“I'll take you there.” Tomite said. He walked her back to her room.

Hikitsu and Namame were playing chess.

“Do you like Serena?” Hikitsu asked.

Namame shook his head violently. “No!”

“Really?”

“Yes. Why? Do you like her?” Namame asked with a mischievous glint in his blue eyes.

Hikitsu laughed. “Don't try to matchmake, Namame. I don't love her.”

Namame pouted and returned his attention to the chessboard.

“Well, this is boring.” Seiryu said, peering at the mirror with disgust.

Genbu shrugged and poured himself a glass of sake.

Seiryu started braiding a sleeping Suzaku's tail feathers.

“Kai-jin!” Serena shouted. “Genbu, please bring peace to Hokkan!”

All the people gathered in the capital to witness the first wish cheered.

Tomite caught Serena as she fell.

Serena blushed prettily.

Urumiya noticed this and clenched his fists.

“What's wrong?” Charlotte asked.

“Nothing.” Urumiya said.

“Do you like Serena?”

Urumiya turned red. “How did you know?!”

“I'm not blind, you know.” Charlotte said. “I've seen the way you look at her. I hope you get to be with her.”

“But she loves Tomite.” Urumiya said glumly.

Charlotte shrugged. “She'll go home after she makes her third wish. So why bother?”

Urumiya sighed. “Why did I fall in love with her in the first place…”

Namame and Uruki were having a rather animated conversation of their own.

“Uruki, do you think the emperor would let me stay at court?”

“Probably.” Uruki said. “After all, you're a Genbu seishi. Plus, you're my friend!”

Namame blushed. “We barely know each other…”

“Well, we'll get to know each other well.” Uruki said playfully.

Namame grinned. “Well then, can I accompany you to the ball tonight?”

“Of course!” Uruki said.

Namame and Uruki shook hands on it.

Hikitsu and Hatsui were off shopping in the city. Don't ask why.

Serena was trying to figure out what to wish for next. Suddenly, she had the perfect idea.

“Kai-jin! Genbu, make Tomite fall in love with me!”

Genbu shrugged.

“That's my job!” Suzaku screeched.

“Aw, losing status as the god of love?” Seiryu asked.

Suzaku flamed Seiryu.

Seiryu responded by drenching Suzaku.

Serena grinned. “Well, then, for my third wish. Kai-jin! Send Tomite to my world!”

Tomite suddenly disappeared.

“Oniichan?!” Charlotte asked. “Oniichan!”

Serena disappeared as well.

Hikitsu came running. “What is it?”

“The miko and Tomite are gone!” Charlotte said. “Oniichan was just going to get a drink of water, and than he vanished!”

“What?!”

This caused all the Genbu seishi to freak.

Of course, Genbu, being a god, decided to try and clarify the situation.

“Tomite has gone to the miko's world with her.” Genbu said matter-of-factly.

“No way!” Charlotte said.

“Yes way.” Genbu said, annoyed. “Anyways, your test's over. You can have your memories back now.”

Charlotte blinked. “Test?”

“Here.” Genbu dropped the key and star necklace in her hands. Charlotte placed it around her neck and promptly fainted as the memories overwhelmed her.

When Charlotte woke up, she was not happy.

< What are you going to do? > Nuriko asked.

< I can't do anything, unfortunately. > Charlotte said bitterly.

< That was cruel of Genbu. > Soi said.

< I feel sorry for Tomite… > Suboshi said, looking horrified.

< That's not all of it. Tomite was Charlotte's `older brother'. They lived together for a long time. With him suddenly gone is not helping the situation. > Nakago said.

< And with him in love with Genbu no miko! > Tasuki said.

Charlotte growled.

“Charlotte? Are you Allright?” Hikitsu asked.

“No.” Charlotte said. “Why did she take Tomite?”

“I don't know…” Hatsui said.

“Who will guard the shinzaho?” Genbu asked.

The seishi all looked up. “What?”

“The shinzaho. In this case, it's a hair clip.” Genbu said.

“I'll do it.” Urumiya said. Hikitsu nodded also.

“Very well. The rest of you may go. I have to talk to Iname for a second.”

“Nani?!” Charlotte looked up.

Genbu waited until the others had left, before he spoke to her. “I know that I made my test very difficult for you, but you have passed.”

Charlotte nodded. “I know. But where is my oniichan?”

“He is in the other world - your world, actually - with Serena. You cannot call him back.”

Charlotte sighed. “I wish I could… I did love him, even if he wasn't my real brother.”

“I know.” Genbu said. “Don't worry. He will be reborn here after he dies in the other world. Your next test is as a Byakko seishi.

Charlotte sighed. “When will that happen?”

“Not for a while.” Genbu said. “Taiitsukun invites you to stay on Mt. Taikyoku with her until it happens.

“Why not?” Charlotte asked. She smiled. “Okay.”

There was a flash of light, and then she and Genbu were gone.

The end!

4/19/02 to 5/18/02