Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Seeing Beyond the Light ❯ Friendship ( Chapter 5 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I now own three FY CD's. Does that mean I own FY? Not at all!! I don't own Pride and Prejudice either (at least the rights to it). Bonus points for any who can guess where I quoted from that book! Pieces and ideas from "When Dreams Change" by cymberleah and "Flames of the Phoenix" by Kryssa were used with permission. (read author's note at end)

Warnings: Tasuki language (bad boy)...Arguing Gods...conflicting loyalties...minor minor minor spoilers for Eikoden...and spoilers for the end of the first season on.


"..." - Human speak
//...// - Thought speak
*...* - Godspeak
~...~ - Telepathy
^...^ - Twinspeak

Seeing Beyond the Light

Chapter 5: Friendship

She came back into awareness slowly. At first all she knew was that she was no longer in the comforting blackness of unconsciousness, that the darkness was the black of her own closed eyes. The second sensation was of pain, or rather lack there of. She did not hurt, felt no pain. This did not bode well for her still being alive. She checked out her body as much as she could without opening her eyes, and realized that she was in a bed, covered up. //Well, that destroys most of my illusions of the afterlife. Tai Itsukun, am I on your mountain? Am I going to open my eyes to Nyan Nyan?//

*Why don't you find out?* Tai Itsukun responded sensibly.

//Too sleepy...// Indeed, the heaviness of sleep still clung to her like a cloak.

*Indeed.* The creator's voice was wry. *But you are awake.*

//Don't confuse me with the truth.// In truth, Kizuka was a little scared to open her eyes. She did not want to find out that she was, in fact, dead. She still had too much to do for her to have died.

*Just open your eyes, child. You're not dead, yet. Though keeping you alive has been a monumental task.* The aged voice was one she had rarely heared.

//Genbu?// She thought hesitantly.

*Yes, child.* The eldest of the four Gods was amused at her perplexity.

//I don't hear from you all that often. I wasn't sure it was you.// She explained apologetically.

*With age comes wisdom, and the wise know when to speak and when to remain silent. I saved you, so I should be the one to tell you that you aren't dead.* Genbu was practical in His thinking.

//You?// Kizuka was shocked. She knew that the Gods liked her, but to have one of them bring her back from the dead was a little startling, to say the least.

*Yes. You fell onto stone. I, as Kami of Earth, used the chi of the stones to restore your own. Seiryuu might have used the rain, but a non-summoned God does not have the power that a summoned one does. So it fell to me to heal you.* Genbu was going to continue His explanation, but He was interrupted by another voice.

Byakko began to laugh with glee as he remembered the reactions of the seishi. *An' you glowed green, an' the stones started to crumble underneath you, an' the others ran over an' were freakin' out, an'...*

*Shut UP, Byakko.* Once again the Kami of Joy was hushed by three Gods, a Guardian, and the Creator of the Universe.

*WHAT? I was just talkin'!* Byakko was a little put out.

*Yes,* said Genbu. *Too much. The young should be silent.* Genbu was severe on His younger brother.

*I'm just as old as you!* Byakko knew that he could be a little more mature, but never seemed to want to. Perhaps it was the combination of representing both Joy and Youth that made him so uncontrollable.

*As long as you insist on acting like you are a mere 2000 years old, I will continue to treat you as one.* Genbu said, and winced. That sounded like something their mother, Tai Itsukun would say, not the wise and ancient Protector of the North.

*Unfair! Unfair!* It sounded like this argument would degenerate to the level of a three year old.

Kizuka sighed. She knew now that she had to be alive. She couldn't imagine an afterlife where the gods still argued in her head. //You guys do realize that I can still hear you, right?//

*Oops.* Byakko called. *Gomen, Kizu-chan!* The Gods faded from her mind.

Kizuka took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She gave a little squeak of surprise. The Seiryuu imposter was right in front of her face! The imposter had apparently been sitting on a chair next to the bed, but had fallen asleep resting on the bed. She sat up quickly and scooted away to gain some distance. She then felt a little foolish. She cleared her throat a little to catch his attention. When that didn't work, she called out, "Chiriko?"

Amiboshi blinked and woke up. Upon discovering Kizuka on the other side of the bed and his own...compromising...position, he winced and waited for the scream of "Hentai" and the slap.

"Wh-what are you doing in here?" Kizuka relaxed against the wall and drew her feet into a more comfortable seated position.

He opened his eyes again and looked at Kizuka. She was looking back at his curiously, her golden eyes wide. He reddened and lifted an arm to scratch the back of his head. "Ano...I was worried about you. You had been sleeping so long...and...Iwasn'tsureyouweregoingtowakeup." The last was said in one explosive breath, but Kizuka understood.

She looked seriously at him. He was radiating concern and worry, but had none of the awful mix of colors that came with deceit. "Where are the others? And how long have I been asleep?"

"They are waiting for Tamahome to return from Kutou with the Universe of the Four Gods. He went back because he was the only one who could get past the guards. As for you, you've been asleep for nearly a day."

"He went WHERE? I slept for a DAY!? That's impossible! I-" //I would have had too many nightmares to sleep that long.//

"You were dead! Gods, Kizuka, I saw you! You collapsed just as Tamahome came back to himself. You weren't breathing, you didn't have a pulse. And then! Then you started to glow and-" He was beginning to get frantic in his attempt to show her what danger she had been in.

"Calm down, Chiriko." Kizuka scooted over and placed a comforting arm around the boy. "I'm fine. Genbu used his power to save me." She could feel his shoulders shake with suppressed sobs. "At least I got a good night's sleep."

Amiboshi had to laugh at her attempt to lighten the mood. After a few more moments to compose himself, she shooed him out of the room so she could change. He leaned against the rail of the walkway. She had looked better than before. The dark circles were gone from under her eyes, and she was more relaxed then he had seen her since the disastrous rescue effort. He wondered if she had slept more that a couple of hours at a time since then.

His musings were interrupted by an itching on his arm that signaled his brother. Casually resting his arms on the railing he glanced down at he arm.

^Can you talk?^

^Hai.^

^What the hell is going on? Tamahome just stole The Universe of the Four Gods back! Why didn't you warn us?^

^Did you catch him?^ Amiboshi asked tentatively.

^No, he just breezed in here and back out again.^

Amiboshi felt a momentary relief that the plan had worked, then immediately felt guilty. He wasn't supposed to care about the fates of the Suzaku. But he couldn't help feeling glad that Miaka's love was ok. The priestess had wormed her way under his defenses and he found himself worried about all the seishi's welfare.

^Aniki?^

^Gomen...I was just...thinking. I couldn't find a moment to talk to you warn you. I had to show concern for Kizuka and Tamahome.^ He winced at the lie, but knew that Nakago was probably watching. His suspicions were confirmed in the next sentence.

^It's up to you now, aniki. Ganbatte.^ If his brother had been alone he would have teased Amiboshi a little for falling for a girl, then would have said something about missing him. Amiboshi's brow creased in thought. It seemed like ever since he came to the Suzaku, Nakago had slowly been influencing and corrupting his brother, making him angrier, colder. It wasn't any comfort to discover Nakago's lies. Amiboshi saw nothing of the cold hearted, vengeful priestess that Nakago had described. She was immature, yes, but she was barely older than himself. All of the anger, the need for revenge, the selfish disdain for the feelings of others seemed to come from the Seiryuu side. He was in the uncomfortable position of liking his enemies far more than his allies.

He shuddered when he remembered how Kizuka had stood against Nakago's creation. He had known she was tired from helping Hotohori. His ability to manipulate chi also allowed him some limited ability to sense chi. Although he would never be as good as Nakago, he could sense that Kizuka was dangerously low when she started to feed chi to Tamahome. He had wanted to scream at her to stop, to help her out, to do something, anything, but he was frozen by his own indecision. His knowledge came through intensive training; to give any help to Kizuka now would blow his cover as an untrained boy. When he felt her put the last bit of chi into her fight, when he felt her die, he did scream. His cries were covered by the others' shouts of joy over Tamahome, and he ran to her. It amazed him that she would be willing to give up her life for someone she had never met.

He thought back on his brother's words. It was, indeed, up to him. The problem was, he was no longer sure what to do.

* * *

As Kizuka changed clothes she thought long and hard about what to do next. //They think that they have everything for the ceremony, but they don't. The imposter is still here.// She bit her lips as she thought.

//You could fix that. Kill him now, and all your troubles will be over. The ceremony will be saved.// The voice offered its own unique solution.

//But he's just a boy!// Kizuka, for some reason, was quick to defend the imposter.

//He is a Seiryuu,// the voice pointed out practically. //He would do the same thing to you given the opportunity.//

//I'm not so sure of that. The imposter was truly concerned about me.// She offered up a feeble defense at best.

*Why do you insist on calling him "the imposter" or "the Seiryuu"? My seishi does have a name, you know.* Seiryuu was getting annoyed at her constant degrading of his seishi.

//I know, Seiryuu. I haven't decided what to do yet, and I am worried that I'll give him away without meaning to if I start to think of him as Amiboshi, even in my head.// She tried to calm the God down. She did not need another argument in her head.

*Why do you protect him?* Seiryuu was honestly curious.

Kizuka, uncomfortable with the answer to that question, changed the subject quickly. //Why did you save me from Nakago?//

*He was using power he shouldn't have had. I cut off that power. That doing so allowed you to escape was incidental.* Seiryuu spoke quickly and efficiently.

//I thought you couldn't directly control your seishi's powers until you were summoned.//

*It took a great deal from me to do so.* His voice was the smallest bit embarrassed. *That is why I have been...unavailable...for a while. There is an ancient evil in the world that I believe is resurfacing, and Nakago's newfound talent is evidence of that.*

*Don't believe him, Kizuka. He is trying to distract you.* For once Byakko managed to sound more towards his age. *He tried to do the same thing to my seishi.*

Seiryuu was annoyed by the interruption. *I gave Nakago power to manipulate chi, but it needs a physical object to focus on. Someone else gave him the power to be able to harm Kizuka. Who do YOU think it was?*

*Liar! Liar!* Byakko apparently couldn't hold on to the maturity for long.

Kizuka sighed. //If you two are going to continue to argue, please do it somewhere else. I am going to talk to the rest of the seishi and I don't need a distraction.//

With barely an acknowledgement the Gods faded in her mind and Kizuka stepped out the door. The imposter was a problem to be kept in the back of her mind for now.

Amiboshi started when Kizuka opened her door, then quickly covered his arm to hide any remaining telltale marks of his brother. "Are you ready?"

"Hai. Let's go to the others."

* * *

"What I don't understand is how Tamahome was able to overcome the koduku? Hell, even Mitsukake admitted he couldn't do nothin'" Tasuki was complaining as Kizuka and Amiboshi walked in.

"Perhaps the wound that Hotohori gave to Tamahome decreased his chi enough for him to overcome the poison, no da."

Amiboshi open his mouth to correct the matter, but he was interrupted by Tasuki. "Ohh! So Miaka's love went an' destroyed th' last of its power!"

"Let us not forget...Tamahome's love for Miaka." Hotohori gazed out at the stars.

"Tasuki no baka! Heika-sama was listening!" Nuriko defended his saddened emperor in the best way he knew. He whacked Tasuki on the head.

As a small fight broke out among Tasuki, Chichiri, and Nuriko, Amiboshi tried again to point out Kizuka's role in the fight, but a hand on his arm stopped him. He turned to see Kizuka shake her head, then nod at the emperor. Taking the hint for now, and remembering his now hated duty, he slowly approached the emperor.

"Would you like for me to play my flute, Heika-sama?" He said hesitantly.

"Hai. A song would be nice." The emperor was grateful for the interruption of his gloomy thoughts.

Kizuka sighed as the imposter's attention was diverted to Hotohori. As the first notes reached her ears she closed her eyes and relaxed. No matter what one might say about the God Himself, He created a beautiful musician with this one.

*Thanks, I think.* Seiryuu's voice was wry.

Kizuka smiled and opened her eyes, at peace with the world for the first time since taking this duty. She laughed outright at Chichiri and Nuriko, who were still hitting a protesting Tasuki. Her sparkling eyes traveled to the flutist by the window. All of a sudden her eyes widened and she snapped straight to attention. Traveling from the Seiryuu to each person in the room, each person except for her, was a line of dark blue chi. He was feeding his chi into all who could hear! She stood up and started to back slowly away from the Seiryuu and out of the room.

Nuriko glanced up, startled by her movements. Kizuka was staring in shock and horror at Chiriko and slowly backing away. He glanced back at Chiriko, but the boy was innocently playing his flute. "Kizuka," he asked in puzzlement, "What's wrong?"

Kizuka jumped as if his soft question had been a slap. Her eyes snapped to his. "Ohh! Nothing! It's just late, and I was gonna head to bed. If the ceremony's tomorrow, I will need my rest." With that she turned and ran. She stumbled only a little as she reached the walkway, but she didn't let it stop her as she lifted her skirts, kicked off her shoes, and ran full out down the corridor. She barely noticed as she nearly ran over someone in her panicked flight.

Houki was just rounding the corner after observing (well...spying on) the emperor, when her friend ran past, barely missing her. She stood there watching her go and wondering what could have occasioned such a flight. She managed to stop Kourin as she came running in pursuit.

"Kourin? What's wrong with Kizu-chan?"

Nuriko paused in surprise and at the sound of that name. When Kizuka had run out the room like she had the hounds of hell at her heels, he of course had followed her to see what was wrong. However, Kizuka's problems paled in comparison to the situation immediately before him.

"Houki! What are you doing outside the Harem?!" He was shocked at her behavior. Usually Houki only acted up when he was around to encourage her.

Houki colored a bit, reminded of her own situation. "Did you honestly think that you were the only one to sneak looks at the emperor?" She asked with a smile. "After you left it was up to me to keep up the tradition. After all, you could see the emperor everyday. It's only natural that your copy would want to do the same."

Nuriko looked closely at Houki. "My copy? What are you talking about?"

Houki, nervous under her friend's scrutiny, turned to face the garden. "It's just something that the other girls say. They whisper that now they know which one had to have been the copy, and an imperfect one at that. You are the seishi, you have the strength. I am obviously a copy, obviously only a simple peasant girl."

She was surprised by two arms coming around her in a gentle hug. "Houki-chan, you are not now nor ever will be my copy. You are far stronger than I will ever be, to continue loving and hoping when there is little chance the emperor will ever know you. I, at least, knew that I would have some contact with the emperor as a seishi." He turned her around and gently wiped the tears from her eyes. "How do you do it? How do you continue to love so purely against all reason, hope, and logic?"

Houki smiled, the first true smile in what seemed like months. " I always had you to lean on, and then Kizu-chan came only two months or so after you left. She faced down all of the vicious characters in the harem and managed to gain the attention of the emperor. If a girl who had been here only a few months managed to do it, why shouldn't I be able to?"

Nuriko stared at her friend, amazed at her determination. Houki looked peaceful for a moment longer, then a frown creased her brow. "What happened to Heika-sama tonight, Kourin? He seems so sad."

Startled, Nuriko followed Houki's gaze and saw the emperor, who in turn was watching someone over in the gazebo. To be more accurate, two someones, and they were kissing. He turned back to Houki.

"Tamahome was released from a spell last night. The Miko is finally reunited with her love, and Hotohori has lost his forever."

"And we can't even comfort him." Houki sighed. "We are pathetic, aren't we?"

Nuriko sighed in agreement, but began to worry about his friend. Desperate measures were needed to liven the mood. He brought one hand up to his cheek and winked, bringing the other hand into a pinky grip with Houki. "We shall have to persevere! After all..." He waited for Houki to join the pose.

When Houki mimicked Nuriko, the two burst out in comically exaggerated, though quiet, tones, "Who better to love, to comfort, to console the emperor than ones so pure, so beautiful, so perfect as ourselves!"

Both of them dissolved into soft giggles as the mantra of past days was repeated. As her laughter faded, Houki suddenly hugged Kourin from behind, her arms wrapping tightly around her friend's waist and resting her head on Kourin's back. "I missed you so much, Kourin-chan. Why did you never come back to visit?"

Nuriko flinched a little at the innocent question. Apparently no one had managed to mention little fact of his cross dressing to Houki. He wondered how she could have been oblivious to it. Granted, his disguise was good, but she had been around him for a long time. Then he realized that she had never touched him on the chest, and what with the dictates of fashion saying that women should be flat chested...it was entirely possible. The advisors, because of a slip of the tongue by Tamahome, had found out shortly after they had returned from Tai Itsukun's mountain, and had promptly forbidden him from entering the Harem again. He suspected that the only reason he could still parade around in a dress was the fact that he was a seishi, and it was frowned upon to kill them. "Ahh...they wouldn't let me go back into the Harem. Something about me being a seishi, I guess." He winced internally at the half-truth. Lies. . . his life seemed to be full of them.

"However," he said, brightening, "that shouldn't stop me from sending you messages, since you say you're interested in seishi gossip..."

"Oh yes! I would love something to liven up the Harem life."

"Ok. Now, I have to go and see what wrong with Kizu-chan. Don't stay up too late mooning over the emperor."

"Hai, hai!" Houki waved her friend off, smiling and laughing. When Kourin had turned the corner, Houki turned back to the emperor and sighed.

"Never again, Heika-sama," she swore to herself. "If it lies within my power, you will never be unhappy again."

* * *

Kizuka slammed her door behind her and leaned on it, breathless and frightened. The revelations of the evening spun through her head in dizzy circles. Seiryuu's enemy, his rescue of her, the voice's suggestions on what to do with the imposter, the discovery of the imposter's spell...her mind tripped over that one, terrified for the seishi.

//So he was concerned about you, ne? Concerned enough to poison your friends with his chi.//

She groaned and sank to the floor. She did not have the energy to fight with the voice right now. //What do you want to torture me with now?//

//Oh nothing really. I just thought I might point out that the innocent boy you've been protecting is poisoning the rest of your friends.// It was smug in its moment of triumph.

//But he has done nothing that I can truly prevent. He has done nothing active.// Kizuka tried to put up a defense.

//You're fooling yourself, girl.// The voice began to get agitated. //You know what he has planned. He is under Nakago's thumb!//

//He's probably protecting his brother.// Kizuka was pulling at straws. //And you can't kill someone for only planning something!//

//Did you forget that you are supposed to be protecting the Suzaku seishi? He's a Seiryuu!//

//And he's my FRIEND!!//

She practically shouted the last word in her mind, then gasped and opened her eyes wide, hands covering her mouth. With jerky movements she stood up and started to prepare for bed. She blatantly ignored the voice's attempt to argue again, and reviewed her relationships with the seishi. Chichiri had been fun to be around when he was pretending to be the emperor, but had basically ignored her when the other seishi came back. Mitsukake doubted her, Hotohori had shoved her aside, and Tasuki was either terrified of her or horribly rude to her. The miko was a selfish twit who had not spared her a second glance. Tamahome had to know that she had helped save his life, but wasn't there when she had woken up.

And Nuriko? Nuriko knew her secret, and had never promised to keep it. She lay on top of her bed, curled into a fetal position, and laughed at herself. The only one she could come close to trusting in this crazy, messed up world was her enemy. Amiboshi.

Some time later, Nuriko snuck into the darkened room to check on Kizuka. He found her, tossing and turning on top of the covers, moaning softly in the grips of a nightmare. He lifted her up gently and placed her under the covers, tucking her in. He sat by her for a while, stroking her back to calm her, keeping the nightmares away until she was once again resting peacefully. He sighed as he left, and swore to find out what was bothering her in the morning.

* * *

As before, it was black.

Knowing what was going to happen, she was not comforted by the darkness. Her every sense was hyped up as she strained for some sign of her enemy. He had retreated for a bit in the face of a red angel that had appeared from nowhere, but now she was alone and she knew he would return. When he did come she was ready. Her defenses were up and she knew he couldn't touch her.

Not that he didn't try. She laughed as the blue lightening bounced off her shields. Finally the man seemed to tire of this sport, and he sent out a blue tendril into the distance. She waited, unsure about what was going to happen. The tendril slowly drew back, towing another blue being. This one was smaller than the man, and seemed to be controlled by the larger man. Slowly, seven threads spread out and encircled seven red forms that appeared in the distance. She felt the first stabs of fear.

The seven red forms, fighting to escape, drew close to the smaller blue form. As they began to writhe in pain she tried to get to them. Her own shields, the things protecting her from the blue man, prevented her from approaching any closer. As she watched in horror, the smallest of the red forms flickered and died. Throwing common sense to the winds, she dropped her shields and threw herself between the blue boy and the remaining red forms. Her interference landed her in a world of pain as she felt her life force being drawn into the boy. The man laughed at her predicament and sent the blue lightening streaking toward her. She flinched and braced herself for the impact...

Kizuka sat up, gasping. The dreams kept getting worse. She did not want to think about the newest addition to the dream, although she knew in the back of her mind what it represented. She drew in slow, deep breaths, waiting for her heart to calm down enough for her to be able to sleep again. Not that she wanted to face the dream again, but she needed what little sleep she could get to face the day tomorrow. When she was clam again, she slowly lay down and closed her eyes. Blue lightening flashed across the back of her eyelids and she snapped back awake, fear pumping in her veins.

//I am never gonna get the sleep I need like this.//

Dimly she remembered old lessons from her father. If meditation and calming techniques don't work on problems of the mind, use the body. Get the body so exhausted that it take over the mind and sleep will come. //It's time for some exercise.//

She got out of bed and pulled a robe on over her nightclothes. She then remembered an essential flaw in her plan. She had nothing to work out in. Courtesan's robes were very beautiful, but not meant for serious exercise. She did not have Nuriko's experience in fighting in dresses. //I really have to thank you again, Tai Itsukun, for providing me with such elaborate dresses. The size is especially wonderful.//

*Hey! It's not my fault that Nyan Nyan can't sew. Making clothes with magic is not an exact science!*

Sighing, Kizuka exited her room. She used the chi strings to see who was still up. Perhaps Nuriko would have something appropriate. Besides being the only one (other than Miaka) that came close to her in size, he also had the added benefit of being the only one awake at this hour.

She pondered that as she traveled to his rooms. //What could keep him up so late, after all the others had gone to bed? And why was he so scared? Not scared exactly,// she thought, fingering the purple string of chi, //more worried and sad than anything.//

Her train of thought was broken as she realized that she had been standing in front of Nuriko's door for several minutes. She raised her hand to knock when she heard it. Having spent several months without practical sight, her hearing had improved, so she doubted anyone else could hear the sounds. Someone was crying. Sobbing really; the sounds were muffled but there. She quietly pushed the door open and saw Nuriko on the bed, crying his heart out. She slowly walked across the room, being extra careful not to stumble over anything and betray her presence. Upon reaching the bed, she sat upon it, gently reached out, and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Nuriko? Daijoubu ka?"

Nuriko started at the hand on his shoulder. Quickly wiping his face free of tears with his sleeve, he sat up and turned to the young woman on his bed. "Hai!" He said, smiling, "Don't worry, I'm fine!"

"Ano...but you were crying." Kizuka was hesitant, not knowing if Nuriko wanted to talk.

"Oh...I didn't wake you, did I? It's been a bad couple of days for me, with the anniversary of her death and your...revelation. I was trying to be quiet. Gomen-nasai, if I woke you." Nuriko spoke quickly hoping to distract Kizuka.

"No, no. You didn't wake me up," Kizuka hastened to reassure him. "I came here for a different reason entirely, but-"

"What is it?"

Kizuka looked at Nuriko seriously. The seishi was still purple and blue from grief both old and new, but the sparkling yellow of false cheer was quickly taking over. It was obvious he did not want to talk about whatever was bothering him. Another dimly recalled lesson filtered through her mind. //A martial artist knows when to speak and when to be silent. Often one spoken word can betray you to the enemy, but the same word can save many lives.// Her father appeared to be giving her good advice tonight.

"Kizu-chan?" Nuriko began to worry over the long silence. He really hoped she would take his hint and change the subject. He did not want to discuss the revelations that were still fresh in his mind. But Kizuka shook her head and gave him a smile.

"Yes," Kisuka said, acquiescing to the unspoken request. "I just couldn't sleep and was planning on getting a little exercise. However, courtesan's robes are not all that appropriate for a workout and I was wondering if you had anything that might fit me."

"Wai! Wai! I might! You are about my size, by our coloring is so different. I want you to look good! A female should always try to look her best!" Nuriko brightened visibly, this new distraction filling his mind instead of old sorrows.

"Ano..." Kizuka was cut off was Nuriko forcefully grabbed her hand and dragged her over to the dresser. He opened a drawer seemingly at random and began flinging clothes everywhere.

"Light blue? No...not with that dark hair. Orange won't look good with your skin, and yellow would distract from those gorgeous eyes. Ahhh...here we are!" He crowed, and then turned around to show off his choice, only to find Kizuka collapsed on the floor, rolling with laughter.

She sat up, holding her sides in pain. Still giggling, out of breath, she said, "Its for a training session in the middle of the night! No one will see me! So why do you care about how it looks? I swear, sometimes you are more of a girl than I am!"

Nuriko paused, and then began to giggle as well. "Well, I had to fool the servants, advisors, and others for so long that it is a hard habit to break. Now come on. Try this on." He held up the outfit he had been wearing when he had met her. "The red will match you skin tone, and the blues and yellow will highlight your hair and eyes."

"Arigato, Nuriko." Kizuka turned around and slipped out of her clothes to try on the outfit that Nuriko tossed at her.

"Hey! Warn me before you do that!" Nuriko blushed and turned away.

Kizuka turned and winked. "Oh...so not quite all girl, ne?"

"Mou...you're such a tease!" They both laughed as Kizuka gathered her discarded clothes.

"Ne...I forgot to tell you, because you were asleep by the time I got in. Houki-chan says hi."

"Nani? You know her?"

"Of course. We were best friends and chief mischief-makers. At your service ma'am!" He straightened and saluted her.

Kizuka giggled. This was certainly a different perspective than Suzaku had given her on the subject. //Chief mischief-makers? You somehow forgot to let that slip, Suzaku.//

*It was not important to her qualifications as an empress.* His voice was haughty, and she could almost see Him turning up His nose at her.

//Demo...mischief-maker?// Kizuka was insistent that Suzaku acknowledge this aspect of His chosen empress.

*Hmph.* He grumbled *I'm hoping motherhood will mature her.*

//Riiiight.// She knew now that He had known about Houki's inner child, and had loved Houki for it.

*Why are you disturbing me so late, anyway? I need my beauty sleep!* Having let Kizuka win the argument, Suzaku was a little defensive.

Laughing, she felt Suzaku leave her mind. She turned to leave, holding her gathered clothes in her arms. She was stopped by Nuriko's voice.

"Ano...you might want to put down half of those clothes, they're mine. And you might want some more appropriate shoes."

* * *

Finally appropriately outfitted for a good workout, Kizuka dragged her blanket out to a fairly flat portion of the garden and began. She started with the Yang form of Tai Chi. The movements were slow and controlled, requiring extreme concentration and excellent control. Her father had started all her siblings out on this soft form of martial arts. Done properly, the short form could take up to an hour, and leave even the most fit of athletes who were not familiar with it in a winded state. She did the long form. Twice.

After that brief warm-up, she went into one the lighter routines that her father devised specifically for her. Every Miharu started with Tai Chi, but then a routine was tailored just for them. As she spun and kicked, weaning through the complex kata as graceful as any dancer, she thought about what to do with Amiboshi. Obviously he was planning something, and whatever it involved did not include her. He also seemed to care for her, or at least was concerned about her if he to got so emotional over her "death"

She finished her own katas and smoothly transitioned into her elder brother Toji's. He was around the same size as her, but more powerfully built, so his katas emphasized powerful punches and kicks. Power. Strength. Nuriko. He was a problem as well. He knew her secret, which gave him a powerful hold over her. He did not seem inclined to reveal it, but he had not promised to keep it, and that worried her. Nakago had spies everywhere, and a weakness like hers could be easily exploited. She could defend against his most powerful chi attack, but not a knife in the dark.

She was beginning to tire as she finished Toji's katas and transitioned into Rei's. Doing the others routines required more concentration than she normally put into her own. Rei was significantly taller that her, and concentrated on throwing weapons and defense. Instead of avoiding attack, as her katas did, Rei used her height to advantage in creating defenses, shielding herself from airborne missiles. Shielding. She had never been good at shielding others. Even in her training with Tai Itsukun she had trouble forming a shield around other things than herself. She had to put herself between the danger and the object, usually Nyan Nyan, creating the barrier around both of them. That wouldn't work for protecting the seishi, because Amiboshi had not affected her. Perhaps if she...she froze in the finishing position of Rei's kata. That idea was suicide. It was folly. Only a complete and utter fool would even attempt such a measure. It was possibly the only course left open to her.

Breathing heavily now, she rose and began Shinji's kata. It was the most difficult, for it relied on both lightening speed and power, but she went through the motions mechanically, thinking of all aspects of the idea. She could redirect Amiboshi's chi in all of the seishi so that it would go through her first. It was manipulation of Amiboshi's chi and therefore forbidden by oath, but perhaps she could get him to agree to it without knowing what he had agreed to. Shinji's style of martial arts depended on tricking the opponent into thinking that the style was predictable. Once the trap was set, it invariably worked out that the opponent would send a punch into empty air, making it very easy to defeat him.

Plan decided, she concentrated more on the kata, speeding up until her arms became a blur. About halfway through the kata she mis-stepped and went sprawling to the ground. Her body refused to get up again, and she slowly inched her way over to the blanket, exhausted and aching. As she collapsed into sleep, she wondered how many times she would have to complete the exercises again because of the nightmares

* * *

The answer was three times. The dreams would not let her sleep more than a couple of hours without waking her, and each time she had to do at least some of the workout to become so exhausted that she could fall asleep again. The only good thing was that she had to do less and less of the katas each time in order to exhaust herself. The last time she couldn't even make it through her own.

This time she was woken up not by the nightmare, but by someone shaking her. She sat up, still fuzzy from sleep, and glared blearily at Amiboshi.

For his part, Amiboshi had no idea why Kizuka was out here, in the middle of the gardens, asleep. She looked like she had had a very rough night. The dark circles were back under her eyes, and she was blinking at him as if she couldn't really see. Realizing that they had been sitting and staring at each other for quite sometime, he blinked and broke the silence. "What are you doing sleeping out here, Kizuka?"

She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts and said, "I had trouble sleeping last night, so I decided to work out a bit. I guess I must have fallen asleep out here."

Amiboshi could come up with only one explanation for her sleeplessness. "Were you worried about the ceremony?"

"No..." She didn't know why, but the story came pouring out. "Well yes, I am nervous about the ceremony, but that is not why I couldn't sleep. Ever since Nakago pinned my chi in Kutou, I have had horrible nightmares that keep me awake."

"Oh! Why didn't you tell me! Tonight I will play for you to keep the nightmares away!" As he said that he winced. Today was the summoning ceremony. By tonight all of her friends would be either dead or driven insane. He doubted she would accept his help after that.

"Arigato, that would be much appreciated." He helped her up, gathered the blanket, and they began to walk back to the palace. About halfway across the field where he had found her there was a small decorative stone. It was barely ankle high, but clearly visible, and Amiboshi moved to avoid it. Kizuka ran right into it and fell to the ground.

"Are you ok?" He asked worriedly.

"Hai," she said as she picked herself up into a seated position. "Just clumsy, I guess."

"No, you're not. You're one of the most graceful people I know." He watched her as she stared blankly at the rock.

Kizuka winced. He couldn't know about her weakness. She could not let Nakago find out and Amiboshi had to be reporting to him somehow. "I hate to destroy your illusions, but even a dancer is clumsy after a night of little sleep." She sat, staring at the ground, willing him to accept her response.

They sat like that for a while, Amiboshi behind Kizuka, then he sighed. "I don't believe you. The reason that you tripped over that stone was because you couldn't see it. Don't lie to me please." He couldn't stand more lies in his life.

"Prove it."

He sighed again. "I already have. I've been waving my flute in front of you face for the past few minutes."

Cursing Amiboshi and his metal flute she gritted out, "Yes. I am blind. I cannot see things that have never lived. What are you going to do about it?"

Amiboshi blinked. "Nothing really. I just wanted you to tell me the truth."

He wanted anyone to tell him the truth. It was refreshing.

Kizuka gave him a hard stare, but he was being sincere. He really wasn't going to tell Nakago about her weakness; at least he wasn't planning to right now. She let him help her up. "I am sorry for being so sharp. I have just been warned time and time again that no one can know about my weakness, so it can't be exploited. Nuriko found out a little before the fight with Tamahome, and now you...Surely you understand why I was snappish."

"Hai. Its ok."

"Arigato. Don't tell anyone else, though, onegai? Once too many people know it is bound to get back to Nakago, and then I am as good as dead."

"I won't tell anyone." He smiled to himself at the thought of her relying on him not to let it get to Nakago. She really was a little clueless.

"Honto-ni?" She put as much doubtful pleading into her tone as she dared.

He winced under her hard stare. It felt like she could see straight into his soul. She could, he remembered suddenly, blinking, because she could see his chi. He suddenly wondered if she could see somehow that he was a Seiryuu. If she knew about him...but she couldn't, for she had done nothing. Besides, this woman deserved his respect, for facing down both Nakago and the evil Tamahome while blind. "Hai, I will keep your secret."

Kizuka blinked, satisfied. He had wavered for a second, but now she was sure that he would keep his promise. They completed their walk to the palace, talking of idle things.

By the time they reached the building, she could hear the others in the dining hall. They joined most of the others for breakfast. Miaka and Tamahome were not there, but joined them shortly thereafter.

"The ceremony's today! I get hungry just thinking about it." Miaka was bright and cheerful again because Tamahome was safely back.

Kizuka blinked. Half of the food on the table, which she had privately considered overfull before, had suddenly disappeared. She glanced around, but the others seem to consider this normal so she didn't make a comment of it. She did notice, however, that Tasuki seemed not to be eating at all. She leaned over to him. "Are you ok?"

"Bah...Just the sight of this baka makes me nauseous." He indicated Tamahome with a jerk of his head.

Tamahome gave up ignoring the bandit's rudeness. "I don't get it! We just met and already you hate me!"

"Just met! What the fuck!" He spluttered for a bit. "Who the fuck do you think gave me all these fuckin injuries!?"

As they began to fight, Nuriko looked up and casually lifted a plate out of harm's way. He cooed, "Aww...look! They're best friends already."

Kizuka chuckled, then turned to Mitsukake and whispered, "No matter how he behaves, you might was to heal Tasuki fairly quickly." She winced as Tamahome landed a particularly powerful punch. "I can't take much more of this."

"Nani? You're still so closely connected that you can feel his pain?" Mitsukake darkened with worry.

"I have it as light as possible," she reassured him, "but with the extent of his injuries some pain is going to come through."

They were interrupted at this point by a rather startled shout from Miaka, "A WOMAN?!"

Kizuka turned to see Miaka facing Nuriko, her colors swirling madly. Nuriko's chi was churning only slightly less in embarrassment. "Your eyes don't have to bug out so much," he said quietly.

"Besides," he said, adopting a more cheerful pose and voice, "someone has to heal Heika-sama's broken heart!" He turned to grin and wink at the others, who for the most part groaned and looked as if they were contemplating throwing food at him. Kizuka was looking at him sadly. No...not at him exactly, more like over his shoulder. He couldn't look at that golden gaze for long.

To break what had suddenly become for him a tense moment, he called out, "Hey! If anyone has wishes they want granted, Miaka's taking requests!"

"Nani!?"

* * *

After the fiasco of Nuriko's announcement, Mitsukake and Amiboshi joined Kizuka out on the walkway. She had left when the clamor over wishes had gotten particularly bad.

"Didn't you want a wish, Kizuka?" Amiboshi asked.

"I have nothing to wish for. My family is safe and loves me, and I have a duty from the gods to fulfill. What did you wish for?" She was curious about Amiboshi's reaction.

His chi twisted a little in guilt, but there was no hint of it in his voice as he said, "I told her to ask that He keep my brother safe."

"Your brother? But I thought you were the only survivor of your village!" Mitsukake was confused.

Amiboshi chose his next words carefully. "I am the only one that's safe, that I know of for sure. The soldiers killed my parents in front of my...hiding place, but my brother and I...were separated before that. I don't know if he is...safe or not."

Kizuka was startled. That speech was all truth. Well, the piece about he and his brother being separated at the time of his parents' death was a lie, but that was minor in comparison to the truth of the worry over his brother. From what she knew of the Seiryuu told to her by Tai Itsukun, his brother should be relatively safe, in Kutou with...Nakago. Oh.

She was broken out her reverie when Amiboshi turned to Mitsukake and asking him about his wish.

"I wished to bring Shoka back."

Kizuka winced and said very gently, "Not even Suzaku can do that, without a body. From what the others have told me, she's been dead for over a year. You would be too late."

"WHY?"

Kizuka was surprised at the amount of anger that flashed though Mitsukake with that one word. "Why should I always be too late? Why does Suzaku, Kami of Love, prevent his chosen seishi from ever having that love?"

By this time she could hear the despair in his voice as he turned to look out onto the gardens. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I could ask Suzaku that, if you want."

"Hmph. As if we would get an answer." Mitsukake had lost faith in the effectiveness of prayer since she had died.

"You just might." As he turned to her in wonder, she closed her eyes and sought the feminine protector of the South. //Suzaku? Did you hear his questions?//

*Why is it that you always ask the tough questions, dear?* His voice was gentle as He thought about His answer

//Just lucky, I guess.// She grinned cheekily.

She opened her eyes to find both Amiboshi and Mitsukake gazing at her, their surface chi completely taken over by the light blue of awe. She grinned, "I get to speak for Suzaku, since He doesn't have the power to speak to you directly. He says that this will probably be a long explanation, so please, don't interrupt."

She paused, then began to speak as Suzaku spoke in her mind. "The four Gods, before they are summoned, have very little practical power to affect the countries that they are supposed to protect. What power they have is used for general purposes and entirely based on the faith of the subject. The only thing they can control is the calling of the Miko and her seishi. The Gods cause them to be born and can direct their early lives, so that they can more accurately represent the Kami. Byakko chose to shelter his seishi, keeping them from experiencing any negative emotions connected to their symbols. All of the Byakko Shichiseishi feel an intense joy when they serve their God. Genbu tried a different tactic, and treated each of his seishi separately. He had them on a scale from shattered hopes to blind optimism. We didn't know this at the time, but Seiryuu crated his seishi in secret, for only he saw the coming of the Seiryuu no Miko. From the tribes abandoned by the Gods and the depths of the four countries he created them and twisted them with hate. Hate for themselves, hate for outsiders, hate for even the Gods, for hatred fuels the Kami of Anger.

"When it cam to be my turn, I decided on something different. I had Genbu and Byakko as examples, but wanted to put forth a new idea. Instead of directing you in any way, I simply let you live, and loved you. You were the most precious things to me, and I grieved with you grief, and laughed with your joy. It may not have created the most powerful of seishi, but love does not need to be powerful to have the most power in the end. In answer to your first question, Mitsukake, it is not my fault that you arrived too late, no more that it is your fault, or hers, or the fault of the people in the next village that you went to save. I had refused to look into the future, and still do, to avoid the temptation to interfere in you lives. By the time I realized what would happen, there was little I could do except make sure that the sickness-demon was there so that, if both of you were strong enough, you would have the chance to say goodbye. But think of this. If you had been there to save Shoka, then you could not have save so many in the other village, and they would have died. Could you, as a doctor, have lived with yourself for being the indirect cause of so many deaths? It is a cold comfort, but all I have to offer."

Kizuka paused for breath. "That's all that Suzaku has to say. Did it help any, Mitsukake?"

He was silent for a long time. "I need to think," he said finally.

She nodded. When Amiboshi began to play, she winced a little, but controlled her reaction. //Arigato, Suzaku-sama, for taking the time to answer his questions.//

Suzaku voice was almost a whisper as he held back tears. *Arigato-gozaimas, Kizuka, for allowing me to.*

* * *

"The ceremony itself is very simple, no da. We will stand in a circle around Miaka as she recites the incantation. She then throws the scroll into the fire and Suzaku appears." Chichiri glanced up as Kizuka, Mitsukake, and Chiriko walked into the room.

"Honto? That's all there is?" Miaka stared at him with wide eyes.

Hotohori took over the explanation. "You will take a purifying bath before the ceremony, but essentially that is it."

"What is the incantation?" Chiriko asked.

"It is read from the scroll, no da."

"Naaani? I can't read the writing of this world! The characters are way too hard. I would make a mistake for sure!"

Everyone sweat dropped. This was an unforeseen problem. The scrolls did not say what would happen if the priestess couldn't read. Kizuka sighed. //No matter how much you love her, Suzaku, you really chose a ditz for a miko.//

*I chose her for her potential, not her specific abilities. I might point out, dear, that Tai Itsukun did the same with you.* Suzaku reminded her of her place.

Kizuka blanched at the reminder and began paying attention to the conversation again.

"...ne, Kizuaka?" Miaka said.

"What? Gomen, I wasn't paying attention."

"Hotohori was wondering if you had a part to play in the ceremony, and I said that of course you did." She smiled at the Guardian cheerfully.

"I am not sure; lets me ask." She concentrated. //Suzaku?//

*Of course you get a part, dear. You're the only one who knows about Amiboshi! You're treading a very thin line by letting the ceremony continue. You have to be there in order to stop it in time!* Even Suzaku, normally fairly even tempered, was getting nervous.

She winced at the nonverbal blasting, then spoke. "Hai, I am to give a blessing of protection to each of the seishi and the priestess, and stand across the fire from Miaka."

"You're going to bless us?" Amiboshi was unsure if that would work for him.

Kizuka glanced at Amiboshi. "Yes. I will need to touch each of you seishi symbols and put a little of my chi into yours. During the ceremony you will focus you chi into the miko, so I will be there to protect against attack." //There Suzaku, does that make you feel safe? Whatever he decides to do to them will be done to me first.//

*Very ingenious, dear.* Suzaku relaxed, sure in the belief that it would turn out alright.

By this time the maids had arrived to escort Miaka to her bath, and the rest of the people broke up into smaller groups. Chichiri watched as Tamahome started to leave the room after Miaka, but Tasuki came and announced to the world that he was healed. That he did so while stomping on Tamahome's head was a subject immediately brought up by the offended party. He left them to their fight, and turned to Mitsukake. "Your doing, no da?"

"Hai"

"It was quieter before he was healed, no da," Chichiri said with a grin.

Tasuki only had time for a quick, "What did you say?" before being drawn back into the fight with Tamahome. Chichiri watched Kizuka and Chiriko approach, carefully skirting the brawling seishi. There was a complex relationship. They seemed to be friends, and in fact Kizuka seemed closer to Chiriko than to any of the others. He felt a little put out, but with both of their duties he just didn't seem to be spending as much time with her since the rest came back. He was glad she had found another friend, however. Yet sometimes it seemed almost like she remembered something and became more hostile towards Chiriko. Her defensive walls went up. He couldn't quite understand it.

"Are you excited about the ceremony, Chichiri?" Chiriko grinned at him in childish eagerness.

He couldn't help smiling at the innocence of the youngest member of the seishi. Chiriko always seemed so concerned with the welfare of others, making sure that they were happy and playing his flute to cheer them up. It was very easy to like him. "Hai, na no da!"

At this point Nuriko and Hotohori joined them. Nuriko was frowning a little and holding a small ball that was faintly glowing red. "What is it, no da?"

"It's the crystal that Tai-Itsukun gave to us to help find the seishi. It just suddenly started glowing." Nuriko explained.

"But we've already found the seishi, no da." Chichiri was confused.

"Aww...the dern things busted, is all!" Tasuki had decided to grace them with his presence when Tamahome had finally run off to find Miaka.

"It was a gift from the Creator of the world, Tasuki. It does not 'just bust', as you put it!" Nuriko was offended at the mere suggestion.

"Well, that only leaves the one who has been carrying it, gay boy!" Tasuki laughed uproariously even as he ran from a now fully incensed Nuriko.

Chichiri watch them go. "At least Tasuki has learned to run." He smiled at Kizuka, but her walls were back up, and she was frowning at Chiriko.

After a moment of rather awkward silence, the group broke up to prepare themselves for the ceremony. Kizuka followed Hotohori, intending to tell him about the unknown enemy that Seiryuu talked about. "Hotohori-sama?"

He turned and looked at her, and she recoiled from the grief she saw on his chi. The deep blue had almost entirely taken over the more normal colors of his chi. "What's wrong?" She asked without thinking.

"Nani? What should be wrong? Today is the day that Suzaku is summoned and our country will be protected forever. Today is the day that we fulfill our long awaited destiny. What cause have we to be sad?" Kizuka watched, amazed as the crystal outer layer hardened and thickened.

"Hotohori, you forget that I can see your grief." She chided gently. "Would you like to talk about it?"

"Talking would not help." His voice was bitter. "It would not change the Miko's choice."

//Ahhh...// "But it might change your loneliness. You do have others that love you, even if that love can never be fulfilled. You have friends that worry about you, that want to see you happy. If you bottle up everything inside, then you will be blind to those things right in front of you."

Hotohori was silent for a moment. "You're right. I apologize for my rudeness. It's just...I can't talk about it right now. It is still too fresh."

"I'll accept that for now." She agreed, knowing there was a time for silence. "But when you're ready, I am here to talk." ~No matter where I am.~

Hotohori started, but she motioned to the maids that were waiting discretely to the side. He bowed slightly to her. ~It is high time we both got ready for the ceremony,~ he tried tentatively.

She smiled to show that the message was received, then watched him head off. She felt her own clothing, limp from her midnight excursions. Suddenly she felt dirty and bedraggled. She headed off to make some preparations of her own. Everything, it seemed was as ready as she could make it.

Arriving at her destination, she knocked hesitantly on the door. "Nuriko? I would like to return your clothing. Could I ask for more for the ceremony, since I don't have any that fits? If it's not too much trouble-"

She was interrupted by an excited squeal from within as the door was flung open and she was dragged inside.

* * *

Kizuka looked at Nuriko nervously. "Are you sure about this?" She smoothed her hands over the kimono that Nuriko had given her. The fabric alone was richer that any other she had ever worn, and she could feel the intricate embroidery covering not only the upper layer, but the inner-kimono as well.

"Hai, hai, you look gorgeous." Nuriko watched as she fussed. "Now stop patting you hair; you'll mess it up."

"Its not my fault that I can't see it." Nuriko had braided ribbons into her hair, then pulled most of it into a high bun. Three braided loops hung from the bun, one forming a circlet in front and two to either side in the back. He had said at the time that the bun would lend her height by exposing her neck, but she felt vulnerable without the comforting weight of the single braid traveling down her back. "I still think that the sleeves are too long."

Nuriko clucked like a mother hen. "They're supposed to be like that, now stop complaining, because we're there."

The rest of the seishi glanced up as they walked into the antechamber to the shrine. Nuriko had maneuvered so that by the time the seishi had turned around, Kizuka was framed in the doorway. He stepped back to admire his work and the effect it was having on the rest of the occupants of the room. He didn't know why, but he had been particularly careful in choosing the outfit for Kizuka. Gold ribbons gleamed in her hair. Golden phoenixes flew up and down her midnight blue upper kimono, while the colors were reversed in the under kimono. A gold obi around her waist completed the ensemble. He grinned. For once Kizuka was playing the demure female, though that was probably more out of genuine nervousness than anything else. Not that she needed to be worried about her reception. He turned to the others, and if possible, his grin got wider. Every single one of the seishi were proving that yes, indeed, they were male, as they stumbled for words in front of a beautiful woman.

Kizuka was the first to break the silence, glancing nervously down at her clothing. "What's wrong? I knew I shouldn't have let Nuriko talk me into this." She turned to leave.

"NO!! Chotomatte!" Surprisingly, it was Tamahome that stopped her.

She turned back around. "Yes?"

"You-" he gulped and stumbled, struck dumb by the sudden beauty in her, "You look-"

"What the fuck? Ya turned into a woman!" Tasuki, of course, chose that moment to be his usual elegant self. Nuriko refrained from his usual punch, because, while they weren't actually in the shrine itself, it was close enough to make him nervous.

"Brilliant observation, Tasuki. What was I before? A fish?" Comments of that general nature surrounded Tasuki, as well as various expletives from him that were supposed to either defend or explain his actions.

Under all the uproar, Kizuka heard Hotohori say, "As beautiful as my magnificent self." Kizuka rolled her eyes, but turned as the final member entered the room.

"Wow...look at all the soldiers!" Miaka looked curiously at the brawling Tasuki and Tamahome.

The two seishi untangled themselves and Tamahome went immediately to Miaka. Kizuka smiled. She had felt uncomfortable under Tamahome's admiration, but that was nothing compared to the utter love shining out through Tamahome's chi. She could tell that she was completely forgotten. She took a deep breath, fully relaxed now, rolled back her ridiculously long sleeves, and prepared to work. "Alright. I'll need to see you symbols to set up this protection circle."

Nuriko groaned. Kizuka turned to him and winked, aware that she had ruined his carefully staged effect. However, her words had the intended effect of calming the seishi down and reminding them of the task ahead. Somber now, the seishi lined up in front of her.

Tamahome was the first to come to her. She touched the wellspring of the Suzaku mark, the symbol on his forehead. She performed the spell to reroute Amiboshi's chi quickly, then, as she was expected to say something, spoke. "Remember that the Ogre is not necessarily needed; the human can take his place."

Next was Hotohori. As she placed her hand on his neck, she thought about what advice she could give. "As you gaze at the Stars for happiness, do not be blind to what is at your feet."

Nuriko gracefully pulled away fabric to reveal his mark. She steadied her hand over his heart and said, "You are strong, but the Willow can be deadlier when it bends."

Chichiri had a little more difficulty in revealing his symbol, but Kizuka was finally able to kneel in front of his knee and say, "A closed, dry Well helps no one. Only when it is open and full is it at peace."

Tasuki grinned and presented her with an already bared arm, clenched into a fist. She delicately enclosed his symbol in both her hands. "A broken Wing can be healed, but only if the bird has the courage to find the flock again."

Kizuka moved down the line, taking Mitsukake's hand in her own. "The hands that heal have cause for joy as well as Sadness."

Amiboshi had gotten increasingly nervous as Kizuka walked down the line. His fake tattoo definitely didn't glow like the others, and he felt certain the others would notice. But Kizuka moved in close, blocking the other's view with her body. Looking away from her eyes, he brought up his tunic to reveal the tattoo. Staring straight into his eyes, Kizuka lifted her had to hover over his shoulder, over his real symbol. Smiling she then let her hand drift down to the tattoo and rest there, cool on his suddenly overheated skin.

"May the God that protects you lift you into High Spirits again."

Kizuka then turned and headed into the shrine, the other seishi following. Amiboshi was frozen to the spot. //She knows! She has to, because she knew where my symbol was, and in her blessing she said the true name of my symbol, not Chiriko's! What am I gonna do?//

"Chiriko?" Miaka was beside him.

"Oh!" Amiboshi ran to take his place in the procession line. Miaka walked slowly down the live and joined Kizuka, who put her hand on the Miko's forehead in blessing.

As the seishi took their places and the ceremony began, Amiboshi thought fast and furiously. Kizuka knew, and therefore she must die. But he couldn't kill her during the ceremony, and he had deliberately not put any chi into her. It was not specifically in his instructions to kill the guardian, and he had wanted to save at least one of his friends. He would now have to kill her, because he knew she would not give up the seishi's lives so easily. Why hadn't she done something before now? If she had said anything when they had first met, he would have been in prison at best. Had she known even then and remained silent? He suddenly remembered her exact words, "Am...Chiriko!" What he had taken as hesitation could have easily been the beginning of his name.

The ceremony was halfway over now. He would have to decide quickly. He should stop the ceremony now and beg for forgiveness. He had a much better chance of being forgiven if the ceremony wasn't completely ruined. He looked across the room and caught the worried gaze of Kizuka. Maybe she would defend him, having kept his secret for so long. Decision made, he opened his mouth to speak, but felt the familiar itching on his arm. Suboshi. He hesitated again. If he failed in carrying out his instructions, Nakago would have no regrets in torturing Suboshi for it. Enough pain inflicted on one twin, and the other would feel it. He felt certain that Nakago knew just how much pain would be needed while keeping Suboshi alive for the precious Seiryuu ceremony. No, no matter what friends he had made here, he had to protect his bother. Decision re-made, he tried not to look into Kizuka's hopeful gaze again. It was for the best, wasn't it?

When the ceremony had started, Kizuka was wound so tight she wondered how she could breathe. Suzaku was right; she was treading a very thin line. If she as a second too late in stopping the ceremony, it would be ruined. Yet she wanted to give Amiboshi the most opportunity to confess on his own. It would be easier to restrain the seishi's reaction if it was Amiboshi who confessed, rather than her who accused.

*But you will stop it in time, won't you?* Suzaku was getting worried for the second time that day.

//Hai, hai.// Kizuka gazed worriedly at Amiboshi. He looked up and caught her gaze. His chi calmed as he came to a decision, and she felt more than heard his indrawn breath as he started to speak. All of a sudden, his tie with Kutou flared for the briefest of instants. Immediately his chi began churning again, and he refused to meet her gaze. All of a sudden she was grateful to Nuriko for the long sleeves of her kimono, as it allowed her to wring her hands in worry.

*Kizuka, you have to stop this now!* Suzaku was desperate *The ceremony is drawing to a close.*

//No! He hasn't quite made his decision.// She decided to give him a few more seconds. It was for the best, she hoped.

Miaka breathed an inner sigh of relief when she finished the chant. The characters had been hard to read, but she had made it through with no mistakes, thanks to Chichiri. She raised her arm to cast the scroll into the holy flame.

"Stop!"

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

A/N: I will have another chapter out there soon (I hope), but this one's long enough for you to chew on for a while, ne? Professors and real life kinda sucked me in for a while, but I will spend more time on it, I promise.

Note on Ideas: I give a shout out to Sylver, my beta reader, who helped me come up with a blessing for Tasuki. She also came up with the blessing in the Akugi. Also thank you to Kryssa, who took time to read and roast my fic, which encouraged me to go back and improve it! Ideas were used from "Flames of the Pheonix" by Kryssa and "When Dreams Change" by cymberleah. Kryssa put forth the idea that Suzaku deliberately did not interfere with his seishi's lives, and that is why, of the God of Love's seven seishi, only one (Tamahome) finds love at the end. Cymberleah, a fanfic author in the Trigun fandom, gave me the idea of using exercise to help a character to sleep. I highly recommend both of these authors. A warning, though, for both. Only read if you have a couple of hours to spare. Both will suck you in and never let you go!

Big thanks to reviewers! Thank you Draconsis, neko no hime, Otaku Pitcher, LaurelCrowned, Aeris, goku-chan, Ereinion, and Dreaming-Nightingale!

Big thanks to Raye Johnsen, for your information on courtesan fashions in your story, "Starlit Relfections." The Houki scene is dedicated to you!!

A note on Gods and gender (In other words, is Suzaku male or female): the Gods are both genders. Suzaku happens to be more female, because he/she represents the feminine. The characters refer to him as male because it is a male dominated society.

Translators note: Chottomatte-wait, or stop; ne-right? Can also be an attention getter; Daijoubu ka- are you alright? Ka is literally a spoken question mark; aniki-older brother; wai-yea (usually only used by females); Gomen-nasai-I am extremely sorry; Honto-ni- really or are you sure?; Agriato-gozaimas-I am eternally grateful (very formal thank you)

Mou- I am not exactly certain, other than it is an expression Nuriko uses a lot. Could someone tell me?

Seeing beyond the Akugi!

Winsong narrates: Kizuka wrapped her hands delicately around Tasuki's symbol

Kizuka: (thinking) What advice do I give? He needs to grow up, but how can I say that in a beautiful, wise, and obscure way while using the word wing?

*long pause*

Kizuka: Grow up now or Suzaku will shove his Wing so far up your...

Tasuki: *twitch twitch*

Hehehe

Wing-chan