Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Firebird ❯ The First Battle ( Chapter 17 )

Vera-chan: Hiya, my loving reviewers!

Avia-san: We noticed there were a few questions about the recent chain of events, so we've decided to clear them up!

Luna-sama: ::Playing with Chibi Chichiri.::

Vera-chan: ::To Avia.:: She forgot her line………

Avia-san: ::To Vera:: oh well………I guess we get to cover………

Vera-chan: Okay………First of all………Metajoker: In most religions, a Miko must stay a virgin, however I'm not sure that necessary applies to a Miko to one of the Four Gods, I could be wrong but, hey! If Suzaku didn't want her to have a baby, she wouldn't, right?

Avia-san: Also, about their ages, Both Hotori and Mire are over 13. Hotori is 18 and Mire is 16.

::Avia and Vera look at Luna who is still playing with Chibi Chichiri.::

Vera-chan: ::Sighs, shakes head.:: I'm supposed to be the chibi junkie………Anyhoo, on to Alex: Thank you for your many reviews, they are greatly appreciated.

Avia-san: And to answer your question; no one was very upset (Besides Tamahome) because they had an out of character rational moment and figured she was safe and there was nothing they could do.

::They look at Luna again. Luna is still off in her own little world.::

Vera-chan: I know Chichiri doesn't say "no da" after every sentence, but I decided to exaggerate for humor purposes.

Avia-san: And although no one's brought this up yet, there's the rule on the Anime that goes something like "a Miko can not fall in love with her Senshi".

Vera-chan: Hotori isn't breaking this rule because technically, Hotohori was her mother's senshi. And Mire won't be breaking this rule with her at the moment mystery pairing………

Luna-sama: ::Isn't distracted any more.:: Wanna see what I taught Chi-chan?

::Vera and Avia exchange worried looks, and huggle their own FY Chibi Bishies. Mits-kun for Vera and Amiboshi for Avia.::

::Luna starts music and Chibi Chi-chan begins to bounce off the walls.::

Chichiri: They're coming to take me away, no da! They're coming to take me away, no da! They're coming to take me away, no da! They're coming to take me away, no da!

Vera & Avia: @__@;;

Luna-sama: ^_____^

Vera-chan: Anyhoo………This chapter is dedicated to my best two little reviewers: Metajoker and Alex, enjoy!

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"Firebird"

Ch. 17 "The First Battle"

Mire looked out the window, trying to imagine what her friends in Konan were up to. She missed Chichiri and Okami, and she missed Hotori. She didn't understand much about what was going on, but she knew she and Aoi wouldn't be able to see their friends for a while, if ever.

"Are you okay, Mire-san?" Amiboshi asked from the door.

"Yes." She lied.

"You miss the Suzakus, don't you?"

She nodded.

"Between you and me, I'd rather be with them myself." He smiled. "They're really great, it's too bad I couldn't meet them differently."

Mire smiled. It was nice to have someone besides Aoi that understood how she felt.

Aoi sudden bolted into the room closeting the door behind him.

"What's the matter, Nii-san?" Mire asked.

"I thought I was talking to Ari, but it was Hina." He took a deep breath. "Ari came up, and Hina acted like she'd told me it was her, so now Ari's mad at me."

"Hina's a trickster. Didn't you know?" Amiboshi chuckled. "I'm sure glad Suboshi doesn't do that to me."

"He wouldn't be able to." Mire smiled. "I can tell the difference between the two of you."

* * *

Hotori sat in the throne room with her mother and Hotohori.

"I'm just saying it's never too early to start thinking of names………"

"Okaa-san, we've got plenty of time for that later!" Hotori was getting increasingly embarrassed the more Miaka pressed the subject.

"Sire! Sire!" a few guards cam running in. "We've just gotten word. Ashitare the wolf beast has attacked some villages along the border!"

"I'll get the Senshi on it right away!" Hotohori replied, and started outside to find them. Hotori and Miaka followed.

After alerting the Senshi, it was decided that Washi, Tasuki, Nuriko, Sekai, Tsuru and Mitsukake would go. (AN: 4 to fight, 2 to heal.)

They started out, Hotori following excitedly.

"Where do you think you're going Miko-Sama?" Washi asked, turning to face her.

"With you guys." Hotori replied. "If it involves the Senshi, I should be there………Miko's rights!"

"Maybe you should stay here, nee-chan." Nuriko said.

"It is safer, Hotori-san." Tsuru confirmed.

Hotori sighed, and silently admitted defeat.

"If you see Mire and Aoi………try and bring them back." She wished her friends luck and they left.

* * *

"You and your shortcuts, Fang-Boy." Washi growled. At the moment they were stuck behind a cart full of pigs in the middle of the market area of one of the small towns between the palace and the eastern border.

"Forgive me, but when I have to go East, this is the fastest way!"

"Just because you get lost in the forest." Washi countered.

"Hey Mai, look! It's Kou-baka!" One woman with familiarly red hair said to another.

"You're right Aidou!" The one known as Mai replied. "Hey Kou-baka, what are you doing here?"

The two women made their way to Tasuki and Washi's horse.

Tasuki looked panicked but saw no escape.

"I'm on a mission right now………" He silently preyed the pig cart would hurry and move.

"Aren't you going to introduce us to your friends?" Aidou asked, a mean smile on her face.

"You know………I would but we're very busy right now………"

"Then bring them by for dinner some time!" Mai cut in.

"Okaa-san and Oto-san would love to meet them. Aidou added.

"So would Jiang, Lian and Paliu." Mai smiled.

"But………" Washi and Tasuki started in unison.

"Ja, Onii-baka!" The two redheads waved, and walked off laughing.

"My beautiful sisters." Tasuki mumbled, as the pig cart finally moved and they were able to start back on their way.

* * *

They rode up to find him attacking a village of a cliff. Although it was now mostly deserted, Ashitare seemed to be enjoying tearing up the buildings.

"I'm going to go look for injured………" Tsuru said, getting off the horse and starting towards one of the ruined houses.

"Be careful." Mitsukake called.

As everyone dismounted, Washi pulled out one of her spears, lit the end (AN: Her spears can be used like her version of Tasuki's Tessen.) and sent it flying towards the large wolf beast. He growled as the building he'd been tearing up caught fire, and moved swiftly towards the Suzaku Senshi. Nuriko heaved a very large, very heavy piece of debris at him, making straight on contact, but he didn't seem to notice. Tasuki lit up Tessen, and shot enough fire to back him up nearly to the cliff's edge. He slashed and roared, trying to attack, but only grazing them, if he was lucky. Washi fired another flaming spear and hit him in the leg. The great monster roared in pain, and tried to rip it out. Sekai saw this as her chance, grabbed an uprooted tree, and ran towards him, intent on knocking him off the cliff and sending him to certain death. Ashitare pulled the spear out and flung it to one side, the grabbed the top of Sekai's tree, and flung her, tree and all to one side. She flew into a nearby rock formation and was rendered unconscious.

"Sekai!" Nuriko called. He looked as if his heart were breaking.

"I'll take care of her." Mitsukake said. "You focus on the battle."

With that, he rushed over to her, and began using his powers on a wound at the back of her head.

Nuriko turned back to the wolf beast, an ominous shadow over his face. With a small growl of his own, he rushed forward and seized one of Ashitare's large hands in each of his. The others could hear the bones snapping as Nuriko twisted his arms. The monster howled in pain, but Nuriko showed no signs of stopping until suddenly, and with a speed that nearly rivaled Washi's, he let go, and kicked the beast's massive chest, sending him fling over the edge of the cliff. The three Senshi still standing walked to the edge, and looked down to see him lifelessly sprawled on the jagged rocks below.

"Sekai!" Nuriko exclaimed again, running towards where she still lay. He dropped down beside her and took her hands in his. At this moment, Tsuru approached with three small girls, and a baby.

"Their orphans." She explained. "They watched Ashitare kill their parents………"

"Don't worry." Mitsukake smiled at her. "We can take care of them."

* * *

Hotori was overjoyed with the appearance of the small children, Daru, age 6, Ishou, age 5, Joushi, age 3, and their baby brother, Akago. They clung to Tsuru and Mitsukake, adopting them as their new parents.

Before long, it became clear that Tasuki could no longer avoid dinner with his family and begged Washi to go.

"No way, Fang-Boy!"

"Please, for me?"

"No."

"If you don't………they'll never let me live it down………" Tasuki looked as if the world were crashing down around him.

"Fine………"Washi sighed. "But don't think it's a date………because it's not………"

"Thank you!" He smiled happily. "We'll go tonight then."

"What have I gotten myself into?"

* * *

They arrived at the small house full of redheads just as it was starting to get dark, and right off, his mother cornered Washi.

"How long have you known Kou-chan?"

"A couple years now, I suppose………"

The red headed woman turned to Tasuki.

"How come we're just now meeting her?"

"Um………we've been busy with………Senshi stuff………"

Dinner was promptly served, and Washi got the distinct feeling his mother thought they were an item.

"What kind of relationship would you say you have?" Jiang asked, smirking.

"None." Washi replied quickly and flatly.

"We're just friends." Tasuki added, although he looked as if this saddened him.

"I see." His mother replied. "But you live together?"

At the same time, both replied:

"No." Washi said.

"Kinda." Tasuki said.

They then looked at each other confused.

"Nani?" they asked in unison.

His five sisters were now laughing so hard, their faces matched their hair.

"Well, Okaa-san………I mean………" Tasuki began to blush. "We both live at the palace………with at least a hundred other people………"

Washi nodded vigorously.

Dinner couldn't have been over soon enough.

"We must go." Washi said.

"We have to………" Tasuki tried to think of something.

"Patrol the borders tomorrow………" Washi finished

"Do come back soon, Washi-chan." Mai smiled.

"Yes, we must do this again." His mother added.

They left and rode home as quickly as possible neither one saying a word.

* * *

All of the Senshi crowded into the throne room, discussing the recent battle with Ashitare.

"It's obvious they're planning to start a war, no da." Chichiri said. "We should be on our guard, no da."

"It could be a trap, no da." Okami pointed out.

Hotori was about to say something when suddenly Nakago shimmered in in front of them. Hotori nearly fainted, clinging to Hotohori's arm. She realized it couldn't be the real Nakago, however, because it looked kind of see through with a bluish tint.

"Miko………I've come to deliver an ultimatum." He announced. "You and your Senshi must come engage in the final battle against me and mine. I warn you, your siblings' lives hang in the balance. Come to the palace here in Kotou in a week's time. This battle shall decide the true fate of all!"

With that he shimmered out, and Hotori, now very pale, looked from her husband to her parents, then to her Senshi and wondered one thing. Were they ready for this?

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Vera-chan: Avia-san………I'm so very sorry………I know you wanted Ashitare to live, but it just worked out better this way in my mind. I wanted desperately to please everyone, but it just didn't work that way. I hope you're not too upset, and understand my point of view. I love you Nee-chan, and still hold you as my dear muse. Thank you for all the help you've given me with this fic.