Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Charlotte's Arc ❯ Byakko, how could you? ( Chapter 5 )

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

Hi! Shadow here! This is the fifth story in the `Mirror, mirror' arc. Thanks for all the nice reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. Got it?

Notes: This takes place after `Genbu, how could you?!'

Warning: MS warning!

Miko = Molly

Time passed strangely on Mt. Taikyoku. Charlotte didn't know how long she had been there. She learned magic and folklore from Taiitsukun, chatted with the spirits of dead seishi, got totally annoyed at the Nyan-Nyans, and used Taiitsukun's mirror to check on her the other Genbu seishi and her brother, who was still in the miko's world.

Sometimes, Seiryu would drop by to visit. They actually got along pretty well. After all, they were a matched pair - sort of.

“Was being a Genbu seishi really that bad?” Seiryu asked.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding? Having Serena as a miko was torture!”

“I bet. I wanted to war on Hokkan just for that.”

Charlotte laughed. “Yes, I can imagine it. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that Tomite is still in love with the miko. They're getting married!”

Seiryu stretched. “I'm not really good with love, but I can't really break them up.”

Charlotte sighed. “It's just that I like Tomite. He was like my older brother, and I miss him.”

Seiryu nodded. “I think the worst part is the sealing.”

“Maybe.” Charlotte picked up a book. “I have to be a Byakko sei next.”

“Indeed.” Both Seiryu and Charlotte jumped. Taiitsukun floated into view.

“Seiryu no miko, your time here is almost up.”

“I see.” Charlotte said.

< Is that bad? >

< Of course its bad, Ashitare! > Suboshi shouted. < We're going to be sealed again! >

Miboshi whined.

< Yes, well, deal with it! > Tomo snapped.

“Ahem!” Taiitsukun said. The spirits glared and shut up.

“Yes?” Charlotte asked.

“I'll have to change your appearance as well.” Taiitsukun said.

“Um, why?”

< Yes, why? > Soi seconded.

“Because there can't be more than two girls in a group of seishi, and Subaru and Kokie are girls.”

“Wait a second…” Charlotte said. “I have to be a guy?!”

Taiitsukun nodded.

“No! I won't do it! I mean, what if some girl likes me or something?! AHHHHH!”

“Don't worry!” Taiitsukun said. “It'll just be a very realistic illusion.”

Charlotte sulked.

“Nyan-Nyans!” A bunch of the little blue-haired girls ran in. Seiryu got out of the way as they stripped Charlotte and did the necessary illusion.

Seiryu found himself staring at a glaring boy with waist-length baby-blue hair and purple eyes.

“I hope you're satisfied.” Taiitsukun said. “This is as close to a girl as I can get.”

“It's okay…” Charlotte sighed.

< Hey! I like it! > Nuriko said. < Kawaii! >

< Thanks for your support. > Charlotte said sarcastically.

< But it is cute. > Soi said.

“Well, the miko should be coming along soon.” Taiitsukun said. “Anyways, they'll need a guide to this mountain, and you're going to be that guide.”

“Why me?” Charlotte sighed.

Taiitsukun malleted her

Charlotte groaned. The Nyan-nyans dressed her in clothing from Sailo and left.

Byakko seishi Kokie was just minding her own business when something landed on top of her.

“Ow!” Kokie said. She pushed whatever it was off and found herself staring at a girl in a ridiculously short skirt with a green bow and really short hair.

“Hi! My name is Molly!” The girl chirped.

Kokie blinked. “Um, your clothes… where are you from?”

“Tokyo!” Molly said.

“Tokyo?” Kokie scratched her head. “Never heard of it.”

“I'm from another world!” Molly said happily. “My friend Serena said that she was Genbu no miko, and that if I entered the universe of the four gods I'd be a priestess and find true love!”

“I see…” Kokie said, a tad confused.

“Well, if you're really Byakko no Miko, I'd be honored to serve you.” Kokie said finally. She pulled her hair up in a ponytail, as her symbol flashed on the back of her neck.

“Cool! Let's go find the other seishi!” Molly said.

“Wait a minute! First, I need to find you some suitable clothes.” Kokie said. “You're lucky. My cousin is a tailor. He'll be glad to help.”

Kokie led Molly to a shop. It was filled with clothes.

“Karasuki!”

“What is it?” A voice called. A rather cute boy with short brown hair walked out, carrying a stack of clothes.

“The miko has come!”

“What?” Karasuki asked in shock. “Are you sure?”

Molly waved.

Kokie smiled. “See?”

“Okay. Let me fix you up.” Karasuki quickly handed Molly some more suitable clothes and waited for her to change.

Molly happily dressed herself. They could hear her humming.

“She's strange…” Karasuki whispered.

“Yes, but she's our miko.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, she is from another world…” Kokie whispered back.

“I thought the miko would draw the seishi to her.”

“So did I….”

Charlotte was sulking when Byakko paid her a visit.

“What do you want?”

Byakko paused. “Well, since I don't want you killing my miko, I've decided to grant you a more appropriate seishi power in exchange for tolerating my miko.”

“And that is?”

“Mimicry.” Byakko said smiling broadly.

“Oh! Thanks!” Charlotte gave Byakko a hug.

Byakko left and went over to Genbu. “I bet you the next miko that she'll get along better with my miko than with yours.”

“You're on!” Genbu said. The two seikun shook hands.

Seiryu sweatdropped. “I didn't have to bribe my seishi…”

“Shut up.” Suzaku said, miffed.

Molly had dinner with Karasuki's family that night. Kokie helped her pack for their journey.

“Did you bring anything with you?” Kokie asked.

Molly scratched her head. “Except for my school uniform? I don't think so.”

“That's too bad.” Kokie said. She put a few more changes of clothing into the bag.

“What about food?” Molly asked.

“Well, there's some dried food, tea…”

Molly sighed.

“Plus, Karasuki is bringing some money, so we will be able to buy food if we need to.”

“Oh good!” Molly said.

They quickly finished packing and went to bed.

“Well, at least it started off pretty good.” Byakko said.

Seiryu laughed. “They're not sure if she's the miko? That's hilarious!”

“Ah well.” Byakko yawned. “They'd better figure it out soon.”

Seiryu shrugged and helped himself to a plate of seafood.

The next day…

“Bye dad!” Karasuki called, waving to his family. Kokie and Molly waved too.

“Thanks for your hospitality!” Molly called.

“Well, I guess this is it.” Kokie said, as she shouldered her pack and climbed onto the horse.

Molly rode in front of Karasuki, because she was horrible at horseback riding.

The seishi rode towards the outskirts of town. However, they didn't' count on running into a street gang.

“There's only one guy… we can take him.” The leader said, laughing.

“Are ya sure boss, I heard that one of `em was a Byakko seishi…”

“Just rumors, now on my signal, jump `em!”

Karasuki whirled around when he saw the street gang come out. “Please get out of our way.”

The leader laughed. “There are six of us against one of you, pretty boy. You ain't gonna survive. Just give up while ye're at it.”

Karasuki growled as his seishi symbol flared on his abdomen and showers of rock rained down on a few of the men.

“No! Don't hurt them!” Molly cried with big teary eyes.

Karasuki sweatdropped. “They're trying to kidnap you!” He sent a dagger of rock at the nearest one, killing him.

“But they're poor!” Molly whined.

Kokie stared. “It's either their life or yours, deal with it! They attacked us first!”

“NO!” Molly cried, jumping off the horse. In the process, she broke a leg, because she landed badly.

“Miko!” Karasuki quickly jumped down and picked Molly up. He sent another wave of rock daggers at the men to keep them away as he picked her up.

Kokie was still on her horse. She didn't know what she could do, though. Her seishi power was foresight and interpreting dreams, not fighting!

“You're screwed.” Seiryu said.

“Eh? What do you mean?” Byakko asked. He returned from the bathroom to see Seiryu pointing at the mirror.

“AAHHHH! What is wrong with my miko?!” Byakko asked.

“You need help.” Seiryu said, sighing.

Byakko sighed. “Okay. I can't give Karasuki another power boost, so what can I do?”

“Do the miko-glow!” Suzaku said.

“Oh! Right!” Byakko pointed at the mirror and formed a chi ball.

Molly suddenly glowed green. She raised a hand and chi balls flew out, killing the remaining people.

Molly burst into tears.

“What is it?” Karasuki asked, as he did his best to fix her leg.

“I k-killed someone…” Molly said in horror.

Kokie jumped down from her horse to help Karasuki. “Well, it couldn't be helped.”

Molly continued to cry as Karasuki fixed her leg to the best of his ability.

“It's no use. We'll have to take you to a doctor.” Kokie said. She sighed. “Come on. We don't' have all day.”

They carried Molly to the doctor's.

The doctor did his best to staunch the flow of blood and heal her, but he shook his head.

“I cannot heal her. Her leg bones are too badly broken.”

“But without medical aid, she will die!” Kokie said.

“But I do not have the ability to cure her!” The doctor cried in exasperation.

“What will we do?” Karasuki asked in alarm.

The two seishi pondered this.

“I know! Perhaps in her own world, someone will be able to help.”

“Yes, but how do we send her back?”

“I know.” A voice said. They turned and saw a young man. He was smiling at them.

“Who are you?”

“You can call me Tatara.”

“Oh good! Help!” Byakko said in relief.

“Yeah.” Seiryu said. “You'll need it.”

Suzaku shrugged and continued to stare at the mirror.

Genbu snored.

“Tatara?” Kokie asked.

Tatara smiled and showed them the seishi symbol on his hand.

“Oh good! I've found another seishi!” Molly said. Then, she fainted from the pain.

“We have to take her to Mt. Taikyoku, where Taiitsukun, the creator of the world lives.” Tatara said as they packed.

“How far away is it?”

“Very far.”

And so, the travelers set off for Mt. Taikyoku.

To be continued….

Part 2

Taiitsukun watched as the travelers headed for her mountain.

Charlotte watched too. She was leaning against Seiryu, who was also watching. Byakko and Genbu were getting drunk, while Suzaku was taking a bath.

“So they want to see my mountain… can they pass my test?” Taiitsukun asked.

“A test?” Charlotte looked confused.

“Oh. You never had to go through it. Only pure-hearted people can see my mountain, and the bonds between the seishi and the miko must be very strong.”

Charlotte winced. “I'm glad Serena never came, then.”

Seiryu petted her on the head.

“But I thought I was supposed to lead them here.”

Taiitsukun shrugged. “I've got a better idea. Why don't you go out and test them?”

“Me?!”

“Why not? Your seishi power is mimic, isn't it?”

“Well yes…”

< Go for it! > Tasuki said enthusiastically.

< You will not fail. Don't worry. > Nakago said.

< I'm sure you can do it. > Amiboshi said cheerfully.

< Okay. > Charlotte smiled, before teleporting out onto the mountain.

After two days of travel, Molly had gotten progressively worse. So it was with low spirits that the seishi entered the mist-enshrouded mountain.

“Are you sure this is the way?” Karasuki asked.

“I'm pretty sure….” Tatara said. “But Taiitsukun only shows the mountain to those who are pure-hearted.”

“Are you implying that we're not good enough?” Kokie snapped.

“No, just stating a fact.”

Molly moaned.

“Can't you help her or something?” Kokie asked worriedly.

“No. My seishi power isn't healing.” Tatara said.

As they continued walking, Molly suddenly heard the sound of someone playing the flute.

“What is that?” Molly asked.

“What?” Kokie was tired and worn-out, so she wasn't in a good mood.

“Don't you hear that flute playing?”

“I don't hear anything.” Tatara said.

“I do.” Karasuki said. “Wait here. I'll go find the person and ask them how to get to Mt. Taikyoku!”

Karasuki took off.

“Wait!” Kokie shouted as she ran off after him.

Tatara and Molly were left standing by the road. Molly tossed feverishly and nearly fell off her horse.

Tatara quickly steadied her and started praying that the others would return soon.

Charlotte tucked the flute in her belt and smiled. She quickly shimmied up into a tree and watched as Karasuki and Kokie ran past. In different directions…

“Perfect.” She sighed as she withdrew a shell from her pocket. Pointing it at Kokie, she gave her an illusion of Karasuki and Molly's wedding, while Karasuki saw Kokie dying a horrible death.

“Where am I?” Kokie asked as she looked around.

“Kokie, get dressed!” Karasuki said.

“Eh?” Kokie blinked.

“It's time for my wedding to Molly!”

Kokie looked confused as her seishi symbol glowed. “Wedding?”

“Yes, haven't you been paying attention. We're getting married!”

“NOOOOOOO!” Kokie shouted. Green chi covered the area, before the scene imploded.

Kokie gasped as she woke up. “It was just a dream… but was it a premonition?”

She looked around and saw that she was in a room decorated with tapestries. Feeling tired, she staggered over to the couch and sat down.

“That's one.” Seiryu said to Byakko, who was watching anxiously.

“I hope the others are okay…” Byakko said.

Karasuki found himself dressed in black and carrying a sword. He was fighting against a person dressed in a black hooded cloak, who was shooting arrows at him.

“Ouch.” Karasuki winced as one hit him in the shoulder. He quickly pulled it out and tried his best to staunch the bleeding.

Cruel laughter came from the cloaked figure. “Foolish boy. Do you think you can beat me?”

Karasuki growled and swung his sword, but the figure nimbly leaped over him. Another rain of arrows showered over his body as he cried out in pain.

The figure laughed again.

Karasuki felt blind rage filling him. His seishi symbol lit up on his abdomen as he sent a shower of rocks at the person.

The person faltered.

Grinning madly now, Karasuki quickly sent a spike of rock up from the earth and impaled his opponent.

There was a cry of pain.

Karasuki quickly ran over. When he lifted the hood, he gasped in shock.

It was Kokie, and she was crying.

“Why didn't you fight it?” Kokie asked.

Karasuki paled. “I-I…”

“You let the demon possess you! It hurts…” Kokie's eyes fluttered closed and she collapsed.

“KOKIE!” Karasuki shouted. He toppled forwards in a dead faint.

When he dared to open his eyes again, he saw Kokie lying on a couch. She looked pale, but she was alive, and that was all that mattered.

“Karasuki?” Kokie asked.

“You're alive!” Karasuki said happily. Then, he looked around.

“Wait a minute. Where are we?”

“I'm not sure…”

Tatara and Molly were still sitting by the tree waiting for the others to come back. Suddenly, Molly's horse saw another horse, a pretty one, and took off after it.

“Miko!” Tatara ran after her but he couldn't keep up with a horse.

“AIE!” Molly shrieked.

Charlotte smirked. She waited until Tatara was directly under her tree before she stunned him with a bolt of lightning.

Tatara wound up in the same room as Kokie and Karasuki. They were all very confused.

“This test is for the miko only.” A voice said.

The seishi all blinked.

Taiitsukun shrugged.

Molly found herself in a dark, empty place.

“Where am I?”

She looked for a way out, but there was none. Suddenly, the horse seemed to vanish.

“Nani?!” Molly was very confused by now. “What is going on here?”

“You will find out soon….”

Molly blinked as she saw a huge mirror floating in front of her.

“Eh?” Molly was not pleased when a hand reached out of the mirror and dragged her in.

“Where am I?!”

Soft laughter came from behind her. She turned and saw… herself.

“WHAT?!”

Molly's double laughed. “Enjoying your stay?”

“Wait a minute… you're me?”

“Of course!” Her twin said cheerfully. “Anyways, I'll be back soon. Just hang out for now.”

“Wait!” Molly said, but her twin had already left.

The three Byakko seishi looked up when Molly appeared in the room with them.

“You're okay!” Tatara said. “When the horse bolted, I was afraid…”

Molly frowned. “I'm not weak.”

Karasuki stifled a laugh.

Molly glared at him in anger.

“Well, do you know where we are?” Kokie asked.

“I think we're still on Mt. Taikyoku, but I'm not sure exactly where.” Molly said.

Karasuki yawned. “I guess we'll just sit here and wait!”

“Okay!” Molly walked over and kissed him on the lips.

Karasuki turned blue and fainted.

Meanwhile, in the mirror, Molly was shocked!

“What?!”

“What did you do that for?!” Kokie asked.

“What's the matter, Kokie, do you like him?”

Kokie scowled. Tatara grabbed her hair to prevent her from attacking Molly.

Molly continued to grin. “Because he's as good as mine.”

“Why are you doing this?” Tatara asked. “I don't know you that well, but the molly I knew wouldn't act like this!”

“You're not Molly!” Kokie cried

Molly nodded.

Her doppelganger just smirked. “She's right here.” She pointed to the small mirror tied to her back.

“Well, in that case!” Tatara sent a bunch of vines at the mirror, but the twin sent a blast of magic at him.

Molly started pounding on the mirror frantically.

Charlotte looked up from her perch outside the room. “Well, I think they're screwed now.”

“No! Molly! Come on, I know you can do it!” Byakko shouted.

Seiryu yawned. “Looks pretty hopeless to me.”

Suzaku whapped him with a wing. Seiryu retaliated by biting off one of Suzaku's long, trailing tail feathers.

“Come on!” Byakko shouted.

Genbu walked in. “What's going on?”

“Taiitsukun! How could you do this to my miko?!”

Molly thought hard. “Hmm… if she really is me, than whatever happens to me happens to her too, right?”

Molly looked around. She finally found a pencil.

Molly sighed. “Oh well….”

And stabbed herself. Or at least she tried.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” Byakko shouted.

Seiryu raised his eyebrows. “Wow. She's got courage. But a pencil? How much damage can that do?”

“That's no good! She's gonna die! AHHHHH!”

Seiryu shrugged and turned back to the mirror while Byakko continued to rant.

Charlotte blinked. “Can you really be killed by a pencil?”

The doppelganger keeled over. Tatara took his chance and blasted it with all of his power. The doppelganger faded away.

Molly landed. She was near death. Actually, that was far from true. She just had a very small wound on her chest from the pencil. *Sweatdrop* It wasn't that serious, but it certainly looked that way, because of the blood oozing from the wound.

“Oh no!” The seishi all converged on their wounded miko, not knowing what to do.

“Out of the way.” Taiitsukun said briskly as she turned to Molly. Everyone stared at her appalling ugliness.

“T-Taiitsukun?” Kokie stammered out.

Taiitsukun groaned and blasted her.

Tatara blinked in puzzlement.

Karasuki had revived. He blushed when he saw Molly. Her shirt had been removed so the Nyan-Nyans could tend to her. The Nyan-Nyans had converged on Molly, healing her with their chibi powers.

Kokie whapped Karasuki. “Hentai!”

Tatara closed his eyes so he wouldn't see anything.

Finally, Molly woke up.

The three seishi cheered.

“Now that that's over with, I can begin the process of sending her back to her own world.” Taiitsukun said. “Of course, I don't know if she still wants to go back.”

The three seishi all looked hopeful.

Molly thought quickly. “I need to go back. I have some…unfinished business. Don't worry. I promise I'll come back!”

“Amefuri. You can come out now.” Taiitsukun said. Charlotte walked out and knelt down in front of Molly, who got flustered.

“Oh please! You don't need to bow to me!” Molly said. She was shocked that a guy who looked quite cute was kneeling in front of her, with his eyes closed.

Charlotte inclined her head. “Fine.” She stood up.

“Ahem!” Taiitsukun said. She had the four seishi form a square, while Molly sat in the center.

“Now, concentrate on going home…”

Molly smiled. “I'm going home! Goodbye, everyone!”

Pure white chi flared up from the bodies of the four Byakko seishi. There was a flash of bright white light, and then Molly vanished.

To be continued…

Part 3!

“So you're Amefuri?” Kokie and Charlotte were talking while Taiitsukun had sent the Nyan-Nyans to prepare food.

“Yes.” Charlotte nodded.

“You're cute!”

Charlotte blushed. “Um, thanks, but I'm really a g-.”

She didn't get a chance to finish, before she was run over by several Nyan-Nyans carrying plates of food.

Kokie blinked. “Uh…”

Meanwhile, Karasuki and Tatara were bored out of their minds, so they were wandering around in the halls, peeking into rooms.

“Hey look.” Tatara said, poking Karasuki. They peeked in and saw a blue-haired man talking into… a clamshell?

“Is that Amefuri's brother? They sure look a lot alike….”

“Maybe.” Karasuki said. “I wonder if there's a library here?”

“Let's keep looking.”

In the real world…

“I'm home!” Molly said. “I should go back, but first, I have a date with Jason, and I have to finish my homework, and I need to remember to pack more clothes and some other stuff…”

Molly checked her clock and wall calendar and was relieved to find out that she had only been gone for about an hour.

“Great!” She finished her math homework and then showered and got dressed for a date with Jason.

At seven, Jason showed up.

“Ready for out date, Molly?” He asked. Molly blushed and nodded. She and Jason had been going out for about four months. Jason had dark green hair and brown eyes, and a lot of the girls at school like him. Molly didn't know why he bothered with her, but she appreciated it.

“Yep!” Molly said. She smoothed her black skirt and took his hand. “Let's go!”

First was the romantic dinner, than came the movies. When Molly returned home that night, she was in super-high spirits.

Molly sighed as she looked at the book lying on her bed.

“I know I should go back soon… but I want some more time with him. Besides, he was so nice tonight…”

(A/N: I am using the equation 1 hour = 1 week for calculating time between worlds. Okay?)

Charlotte, Kokie, Karasuki, and Tatara, had waited at Mt. Taikyoku for a week before they decided to quit abusing Taiitsukun's hospitality and go back to Karasuki's house to wait there.

“We're leaving tomorrow.” Tatara said seriously. “I'm sure she will be able to find us when she returns.”

“You could say that…” Charlotte said, remembering how Molly had landed on the seishi's head.

< That was funny. > Nuriko said.

< Really. Well, if anyone ever landed on my head… >

< Oh, loosen up Nakago! > Soi said.

< You know, Kokie is on your arm. > Miboshi said.

< Again? > Amiboshi asked.

< Really? > Charlotte looked down.

“Amefuri? Did you say something?”

Charlotte shook her head as she detangled Kokie from one arm.

Kokie sighed and sat next to Karasuki, who didn't seem to mind the glomping.

Tatara yawned. “Well, I'm going back to my room.”

“Me too.” Kokie said.

Charlotte nodded and headed off to find Seiryu.

< What's the matter? > Suboshi asked.

< Yeah. What is it? > Tasuki prompted.

Seiryu sighed as someone knocked on his door. He hoped it wasn't Suzaku again.

“What?” Seiryu growled.

“Um, can I come in?”

“Oh. Sure!” Charlotte walked in and sat down next to Seiryu. Seiryu was relieved that it wasn't Suzaku.

“What's the matter?”

“I feel… strange. Like I'm having a premonition of something.” Charlotte said. “But none of the Seiryu seishi have that power, and none of the Byakko do… I'm not sure, at least…”

“Actually, Miboshi has visions.”

< That's right. > Miboshi said.

< Shut up. > Tomo said.

“But as for premonitions… I think Kokie has that power.”

“Thanks.” Charlotte gave Seiryu a hug, and Seiryu blinked.

“What was that for?”

“For being the coolest Seikun of them all, of course!” Seiryu grinned at the compliment.

Charlotte returned to her room to ponder the situation.

Molly sighed as Jason kissed her. He had asked her out on another date. But best of all, he had asked her to marry him!

Molly smiled as Jason continued to kiss down her neck…

“Oh no!” Byakko screeched.

“What's the matter?” Suzaku, the ever-compassionate seikun, found his fellow god staring at a mirror in blank horror.

“She-she and her boyfriend- they're!”

Suzaku peeked over Byakko's shoulder, before turning as red as his hair. “You hentai! What are you doing?”

“But this is bad!”

Seiryu, having heard the commotion, walked in. “What is it now?” He hadn't gotten much sleep in the past few days and he was rather cranky as a result.

“LOOK!” Byakko stabbed at the screen angrily.

Seiryu peeked and turned blue. “WHAT?”

“Apparently your miko doesn't know that she has to be a virgin in order to summon you.” Genbu said calmly.

Byakko jumped on Genbu and began to throttle him.

“Why didn't any of the seishi tell her?” Suzaku wondered. “Not that I have anything against true love, but…”

“I don't' know.” Seiryu shrugged.

Kokie and Karasuki both rubbed their eyes and looked at the sky outside. Where had that screaming come from?

“I can't believe it… Taiitsukun knows we have to leave tomorrow morning. Why is it so noisy?”

Kokie shrugged. “I don't' know…. But I had a strange dream…”

“Eh?” Karasuki looked at her expectantly. He knew that Kokie's powers involved dream seeing.

“What was it about?”

Kokie blushed bright red. “Well, our miko was… um… in a compromising position with a guy…”

Karasuki also blushed when he imagined Molly like that.

“Hentai!” Kokie smacked Karasuki. “Quit thinking about it, you pervert! I just don't want anything bad to happen!”

“So do I… maybe she'll break up with her boyfriend?”

“Maybe….”

Molly sighed blissfully as she snuggled up to Jason's body. They would always be together…

Three days later (Or about almost two years later…)

“Are you sure the miko is going to come back?” Subaru asked. “Not that I doubt her, but she's been gone for a looong time… and are you sure she was the real Byakko no miko?”

Tokaki also voiced his fears. Toroki alone of the seishi seemed calm. But that was normal. His red/gold eyes remained focused on the sacred scroll of Byakko. Toroki had been a scholar before becoming a seishi, but that didn't mean he was helpless.

“I'm sure!” Kokie protested.

“She wouldn't just abandon us.” Karasuki added.

Tatara was silent. He looked dejected.

“I do not think Molly would give up so easily.” Charlotte said. “Perhaps she does not know how to come back?”

“Perhaps…” Toroki said softly. * Or maybe not. * He added silently.

“She knows something we don't'.” Subaru said abruptly.

“Really?” Tokaki asked.

Subaru whacked her boyfriend. “I can feel it!”

“Well, then, I'll go ask!” Toroki said, running towards his? room.

Charlotte quickly excused herself. Seiryu had shown her what had happened, and she knew that it would be nearly impossible for Molly to summon Byakko… if she even returned. Still, she had to pass this test as well…

Charlotte looked around to see if any of the other seishi were watching, before she flipped open the star necklace she was wearing. Seiryu's face appeared, looking worried.

“What is wrong?”

“The Byakko seishi are split about half/half. Three of them do not believe that the miko will return, the others still do. If this continues some will leave. And they still believe she can summon Byakko, if she returns. They don't know about… the situation.”

“There is nothing I can do.” Seiryu said regretfully. He stepped through the star and appeared to his chosen miko. “You know that.”

“I know.” Seiryu sat down next to Charlotte and let her cry into his armor. “It's just that….”

“You want to go home.”

“Yes.” Charlotte wiped her tears off. She looked at Seiryu. “Is that wrong?”

“Of course not! Normally, the miko leaves after she summons her god. But in your case…”

“I know.” Charlotte sighed.

Seiryu blinked. She looked so… innocent? After all she had seen and done…

Slowly, almost timidly, he brushed his lips against hers.

Charlotte's eyes closed as she leaned into his embrace.

“Um, am I interrupting something?”

Both seikun and miko spun around to face a very stunned, very pale Toroki. “Er, if you too want some privacy, I can leave-!”

Seiryu vanished.

Charlotte looked miffed. “What is it?”

“Um, Tatara wanted to talk to you.”

“Coming.” Charlotte said. She sounded annoyed and tired.

Toroki's eyes twinkled mischievously. “So, who was he? I never knew you were interested in guys. After all, Kokie likes you…”

Charlotte slapped Toroki to make him shut up, before going out to find Tatara.

“Tatara?”

Tatara looked up from his rosebush. “Oh yes. Amefuri, do you know when the miko will return?”

Charlotte closed her eyes and felt out for Molly's chi. This time, it was closer to Sailo.

“Soon. In about a week.” Charlotte said.

“Thanks.” Tatara turned back to his rosebush.

Toroki had run off to find Kokie.

“You know, I think you should give up on Amefuri.”

“Why? He's cute!” Kokie asked.

“Yes, but…”

“Oh, what is it?”

Toroki blushed. “Well, I walked in on him, and he was kissing another guy.”

“WHAT?!”

Kokie's shook her head vehemently, sending green hair into Toroki's face.

“I'm not lying!” Toroki protested.

“But-but-but….” Kokie was shocked. Amefuri had never shown interest in any of the other seishi, or in any of the lords or ladies at court. And yet…

“Are you sure?”

Toroki nodded.

“Well, I guess we'll just have to spy on him then…”

Byakko yawned. “Well, that was interesting. You kissed your miko?”

“It was a quick kiss!” Seiryu protested.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but it looked very long to me.” Suzaku said.

“You're just jealous!” Seiryu snapped.

“Although the reactions of your seishi are most entertaining…” Genbu said philosophically.

“Aw, shut up, Turtle-snake boy!” Byakko said.

Just then, the gods sensed a rush of power.

“There she is!” Byakko cried excitedly, pointing to his newly returned miko.

“So it is.” Taiitsukun said, freaking out all the gods.

Subaru was cleaning her room when something landed on her.

“Ow!”

Molly quickly got off. “Oh! I'm sorry! Who are you?”

“Byakko seishi Subaru. And you are?”

“Byakko no miko!”

“Really?” Subaru looked interested. “Hey Tokaki! She's here!”

“Who?”

“The miko!”

Tokaki ran in. “Wow! She's pretty!”

Molly blushed prettily. “Thank you. And you are?”

“Byakko seishi Tokaki! I'm happy to serve such a beautiful miko!” Tokaki said, bowing.

Subaru whacked him.

Molly laughed.

Toroki was sitting outside the window of Charlotte's room. He grinned as he waited for the guy to come back.

< You kissed Seiryu? > Soi didn't' know what to say.

< Whoa. > Tomo sounded shocked.

< Was it fun? > Nuriko asked, winking.

< Nuriko! > Charlotte blushed. < It was just a quick kiss. >

< Sure. > Tasuki said.

< Tasuki! >

Charlotte rolled her eyes at her seishi's antics.

Molly and Kokie were walking around in the gardens, chatting.

“So, did you have fun in your world?” Kokie asked.

“Yep! I have this great boyfriend. He asked me to marry him.”

“That's wonderful!” Kokie said. “I'm so happy for you!”

“What about you?” Molly asked curiously. “Did you and Karasuki get together?”

“Karasuki and I are cousins, Molly! Besides, there's this really cute guy named Amefuri that I like…”

“Cool! Does he like you too?”

“I think so…”

“That's great! Maybe you'll get married!”

“Maybe…”

Tatara hummed as he watered his flowers. He felt a lot better than usual.

“Tatara!” Tokaki ran into his room.

“What?”

“The miko has returned!” Tokaki said. “She's cute!”

Tatara shook his head at Tokaki's perverted grin. “Tokaki…”

A while later, Subaru ran in as well. “It's true! She's out walking with Kokie right now.”

“See? We should not have doubted her.” Tatara said firmly.

“Great! She can summon me now!” Byakko said.

“Aren't you forgetting something?” Seiryu asked.

Byakko blinked.

“You must have short-term memory. I can't believe you forgot that she's not a virgin anymore.” Seiryu said.

Byakko sighed. “I tried so hard to forget…”

“Seiryu! You insensitive jerk!” Suzaku cried, as a mallet slammed into Seiryu's head.

Seiryu glared at his fellow seikun before teleporting out.

“I can't believe all the seishi have already been gathered.” Molly said.

“Well, it's hard to explain.” Subaru said. “But Toroki was here in the capital, and he had the scroll of Byakko, so when we started showing up at the palace, he knew we were the real ones.”

“Where is Toroki?” Molly wondered. Most of the others were gathered, but Toroki and Amefuri were mysteriously absent.

“I don't know…' Karasuki said, brown eyes scanning the room.

To be continued…

Part 4!

Toroki glanced around nervously. He didn't know where Kokie was, but she had promised to meet him here. Where was she?

Amefuri was still in his room. The guy was staring at a book on his desk and hadn't moved for a while. It seemed like he was busy.

Toroki shivered. It was getting cold, and he didn't want to freeze to death out here. He pulled his blue coat tighter around his body.

Finally, Amefuri stood up and left the room.

Toroki sighed. He hadn't learned anything. He decided to follow Amefuri.

Amefuri walked towards the main hall. Toroki followed.

He saw all the others seishi gathered there. Was there a meeting?

“Hi!” Charlotte said. “Oh! Molly, you're back!”

“Hi!” Molly said, waving back.

The rest of the seishi started talking again. Toroki walked in and was greeted.

Molly looked at Amefuri. He was pretty cute, but she preferred handsome guys. Kokie was looking at him with dewy eyes.

Charlotte groaned.

< What is it? > Tomo asked.

< The girl's giving me the eye again. >

< Can I ryuuseisui her? > Suboshi asked hopefully.

< Suboshi! She's a Byakko sei! Besides, you can't just go around killing people! > Amiboshi said.

Suboshi stuck out his tongue.

Amiboshi knocked him on the head with his flute.

< Ow! Aniki! > Suboshi whined.

< Doesn't she know you're a girl? > Nakago asked, confused.

< Well, good looks have a downside too. > Miboshi said.

Ashitare growled out. Everyone looked surprised since Ashitare had actually sounded intelligent.

“So we can summon Byakko tomorrow, if you'd like.” Toroki finished.

“That sounds good.” Molly said.

“Wait!” Everyone turned to look at Karasuki. “I haven't finished the outfits yet! Give me another four days!”

“Summoning outfits?” Molly blinked.

“What we wear during the Byakko summoning ceremony.” Kokie explained.

“They're very nice.” Subaru said. The outfits were made of silk, and consisted of a white shirt with a tiger embroidered in gold and black, a dark green sash, black pants and boots, as well as white headbands.

“Oh. Well, in that case, we can wait! Right, guys?”

“Sure.” Tokaki shrugged. “We've already waited over a year. What are a few extra days?”

“Right!” Tatara said.

“Okay! We're summoning Byakko!”

“They're very optimistic.” Genbu noted.

“Why wouldn't they be?” Byakko asked.

“Mine weren't very enthusiastic.”

“You're lying.” Byakko said.

“Sure.” Genbu said.

“But it's not going to work!” Seiryu said.

“At least they're trying…” Byakko sighed.

“Miko-sama?” Molly looked up to see Amefuri kneeling in front of her.

“Oh, get up.” Molly said. “Sheesh, you're the only one who does this.”

Charlotte rose. “Miko-sama, there is something I have to tell you.”

“What is it?” Molly asked.

“I know this is a personal question, but are you a virgin?”

Molly blushed. “Um…”

“Well?”

“No.” Molly said. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Charlotte sighed. “Well, only a virgin can summon a beast god…”

Molly turned pale. “Oh no!”

“Oh no is right. How long were you gone?”

“Only four days…”

“Four days?” Charlotte filed that away. * So not that much time has passed since I was sealed in here. *

“Isn't there another way?” Molly pleaded.

“You have to get the Shinzahos.”

Molly blinked. “The whats?”

“The Shinzahos…. They are objects of sacred power that are created when a miko calls a god.”

“Really? So if I find them, I can summon Byakko?”

“Yep.” Charlotte said.

“Well in that case, where are they?”

“One is in Kutou. The other one is in Hokkan.”

Molly blinked. “Where?”

“I'll find you a map…”

A few hours later, Molly, Charlotte, and Tatara were ready to leave. Tatara had promised not to tell any of the other seishi.

“Well, I guess we can head to Hokkan first. That's the closest.” Molly said.

“Do you know where the shrine is?” Tatara asked.

“Um, no.” Charlotte said. Her eyes flickered briefly for a second.

< You're lying. > Nakago said.

< But how are you going to find it? > Tasuki asked.

< I'll just stumble on it, probably… >

The three seishi teleported to Hokkan and landed on Mt. Black.

“Where are we?” Molly asked. “Brr. It's cold!”

“Well, there's snow here…” Tatara said. He opened the packs on the horse and took out three coats.

“Thanks!” Molly said.

They immediately began to search the mountain. A few hours later, they found the cave.

“Look at that boulder!” Molly said in awe. “How will we move it?”

“I can break it.” Tatara said. He used his vines and moved the rock out of the way, revealing the doors.

“Stop right there!”

Molly froze. So did the rest of the group.

“Who are you? Reveal yourselves!” Molly shouted.

There was a faint glimmer, before Urumiya and Hikitsu stepped out. Charlotte tried to contain her amazement at seeing them again, as they were, well, transparent, and in that case, probably dead.

“Who are you?”

“Byakko no miko!” Molly said.

“Byakko no… miko? It's already been a fifty years?”

“Apparently…”

“Well, they might be thieves.” Hikitsu said. He sent out his ice snakes at Molly, who moved out of the way in time (barely).

“Amefuri! Get the one on the left! I'll take care of the one on the right!”

Charlotte nodded. * I'm sorry. * She turned to Hikitsu. “LEKKA SHINEN!”

Flame billowed out of her fingertips, destroying his ice snakes.

Hikitsu blinked. He started freezing her solid.

Charlotte frowned. She hated being cold. Her purple eyes darkened to gold. She decided to use another tactic.

Hikitsu blinked as a shell appeared in the Byakko sei's hand. Instantly, the world around him vanished.

Charlotte placed the shell in her sash and looked around.

Tatara had used his vines to tie Urumiya up, and had stuffed a root in his mouth for good measure so he couldn't sing anymore.

“Yay!” Molly said.

Urumiya looked shocked. Hikitsu had… vanished to somewhere, and now the miko was demanding the shinzaho!

* Oh no, what am I going to do? * Urumiya thought frantically.

“Where's the other one?” Molly asked.

“In here.” Charlotte held out a hand, and shin appeared.

< Yeah! My powers rule! > Tomo said.

< Shut up! > Soi said, sulking.

< Aw, Soi… > Tomo smiled at her.

Nakago blinked.

The shell opened and Hikitsu reappeared.

Hikitsu stared at Charlotte, somehow managing to see through the illusion. “I-Iname?!”

Urumiya blinked. “Hikitsu?” He managed to say, though it probably sounded like gargling to other ears.

Hikitsu peered into her eyes. “It is you, Iname. But I thought you were staying with Taiitsukun… what's going on?”

Charlotte lowered her eyes. “It's all just an elaborate test. Please, just give her the shinzaho.” She pointed to Molly.

Tatara felt like he was missing something.

Hikitsu sighed and retrieved the hair clip (a.k.a. the shinzaho). Urumiya was set free. As soon as he was out of the vines, he started to rant.

“Hikitsu! What did you do that for? Have you gone mad?”

“Look at him, Urumiya.” Hikitsu commanded. Urumiya blinked, but did as he was told. And yes, he could see through the illusion too. Charlotte's illusion only worked on the Byakko seishi and stuff, so…

“I-Iname? You're still alive?”

Charlotte nodded. “Please. I can't talk now. But I'll tell you later.” She turned around and would have left, but Tatara stopped her.

“I think the miko wants to talk to you…”

Charlotte sighed. * Oh great. Now my past comes to haunt me. *

“How did you do it?” Molly asked. “Did you plan this? And who's Iname?”

“Iname…” Charlotte's form blurred and they saw a short little girl, with brown hair and eyes.

“This is Iname.” Charlotte said in a slightly altered voice.

“I'm still confused…” Tatara said.

“Well, I'll tell you later. But we have to leave.”

“Why?”

“Because when the shinzaho leaves this mountain, it will collapse.” Charlotte said matter-of-factly. Too matter-of-factly, Tatara thought. What does he know that we don't?

Molly fingered the hair clip. “Well, that's one shinzaho! Where's the next one?”

“Right here.” Charlotte said. She reached into subspace and withdrew a pale blue earring.

“YOU HAD IT ALL THE TIME?!” Tatara almost never lost his temper, but he did now.

“That doesn't matter. What matters is that she can summon Byakko now. Good luck.” Charlotte said.

“YAY!” Byakko said.

“I don't like it.” Seiryu said, sulking.

“Ah, you're just jealous.”

“Right.”

They teleported back to the palace... Two days later, the ceremony began…

“Are you ready yet?” Kokie asked through the door.

“Just a minute!” Molly said. She tied the light purple sash around the white robes she was wearing and put on the bracelets.

“Okay! Come in!”

“Kawaii!” Kokie said. She clapped her hands. “Karasuki has outdone himself.”

“You look nice too.” Molly said. The seishi had all dressed in their summoning outfits already.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Molly said. The seishi took their positions and the fire was lit.

The Four Directions of the Sky
The Four Directions of the Earth
By using the way, mind, and goodness
With deep rules
With truth and justice
Please tell the protector of the West, Byakko

Now I will complete the words: Seven Constellations
From the sky to the Earth
Through the Four Ultimates
Fulfill for all living things

Please make extinct every kind of evil
By your godly powers
Protect us.
Only I wish
Please listen to this
From the sky
Please come down to us!

Molly found herself floating in a bubble of white light. In front of her was a handsome man with white hair.

“Who… are you?”

“I am Byakko Seikun.”

Molly smiled. “YAY! I DID IT!”

Byakko sweatdropped. “Ahem. Anyways, I will merge with you three times, and you may use my power three times. To activate this power, utter the words `Kai-jin.' Is there anything else you need to know?” Byakko promptly disappeared afterwards.

Molly descended back to earth. Toroki caught her.

“Did it work?”

“Yes.” Molly smiled happily.

Charlotte slipped away.

Kokie ran after her. She followed Charlotte to her room.

When Charlotte got in, she immediately began packing. “It's time to leave. They don't need me anymore. I don't want to get attached to any of them.”

< Are you sure? > A voice asked.

< Soi, I don't want to talk about this. >

Kokie looked in the window. Amefuri was busy packing at breakneck speed. He looked frightened.

“Amefuri?” She asked as she walked in.

Amefuri looked up and stared at her. “What do you want, Kokie? Shouldn't you be taking care of the miko right now?”

Kokie blinked. “Amefuri? Why are you leaving?”

“Because I don't want to say. I never wanted this.” Amefuri continued to pack while he talked.

“So you were just going to leave without saying goodbye to anyone?!” Kokie demanded.

“Yes.” Amefuri said. His tone was frosty.

“Why? Is being a seishi so hard?” Kokie was genuinely confused, but she was also rather irritated.

“I just don't' want to care!” Amefuri shouted, losing his temper. His seishi symbol lit up on his foot. “You wouldn't understand.”

“What's wrong with caring? There's nothing wrong with friendship, or even love…” Kokie said.

“Well, I know that. But you're going to wind up as my enemy, so…” Amefuri's eyes had dilated to gold and he was trembling.

“What?! What do you mean? Byakko has already been called, so you couldn't have been a different seishi…”

“With the shinzahos, anything is possible.”

“The shinzahos?”

“Do you ever wonder why the priestess was wearing that earring and the hair clip? Did you notice how they vanished afterwards? Do you get the point?”

“So you're a… Genbu seishi?”

“Worse.” Charlotte closed her eyes. “Just leave, Kokie. Please. Just leave me alone!”

“But I love you!”

“No you don't.” Amefuri's eyes were closed. “You only love someone who doesn't exist.”

Kokie blinked. “You exist.”

“Not in the way you do.” Amefuri said. “I only appear when a god is called, afterwards I vanish. Byakko is over and done, so I'll have to wait another fifty years until Suzaku is called.”

Kokie looked extremely confused.

Charlotte saved her the trouble of answering. “I'm ready, Seiryu.” She grabbed her bags as a blue light surrounded her and she vanished.

Kokie was thrown backwards as the blue chi blasted her into a wall.

The other seishi came running.

“Kokie! Are you Allright?” Karasuki asked worriedly.

“What happened?” Tokaki asked.

“A-Amefuri… he… did something…”

Toroki closed his eyes. “Seiryu chi…”

The seishi looked at each other worriedly.

“Do you think that Amefuri could have been… a Seiryu?”

“No.” Tatara said, breaking in the conversation. “When we went to get the shinzahos, the Genbu seishi seemed to recognize him. They called him `Iname'. Iname was one of Genbu's seishi.”

“But he told me he wasn't a Genbu sei!” Kokie protested.

“Maybe he lied?” Tokaki asked.

“It's impossible.” Subaru said, breaking the silence. “Seiryu's cycle was a hundred and fifty years ago. Anybody would be dead by now. If he was a Genbu sei, he'd be pretty old - sixty or seventy, but he'd still be alive.”

The seishi all rubbed their heads and thought hard.

Part 5! (teaser for the next part - Suzaku, how could you?!)

Suzaku strolled down the hallways, whistling. It was time for him to choose his seishi. He peered down to earth, looking for potential candidates.

He paused by Seiryu's room. Years ago, Seiryu's miko had moved in with him. Strange, really, how the two of them seemed to mesh together. Like they were meant to be…

Suzaku's eyes widened. “Could it be…love? Of course! How could I have been so blind? I'm the god of love after all! And those two could use some help…

Suzaku grinned and ran off to plot.

Seiryu yawned and turned to look at Charlotte. “Did you sense something?”

“The last one just died.” Charlotte said. “That means… soon, the cycle of phoenix will begin.”

“Yes.” The two sighed.

The end!

5/19/02 to 6/20/02