Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ The Right Way ❯ Happy Birthday Hotohori! ( Chapter 3 )

Chichiri sighed in relief as the Creator of their realm entered the room. Though Miaka was showing a serious amount of common sense, he was not comforted in it. Her actions were odd to say the least. Then there were her wishes. She could have ended everything and gone back to her world to wait for the day she found Tamahome. That was what they had all expected of her, but she had managed to surprise them. And so he would not say anything unless he needed to, he would wait until the most pressing question was answered. The question of `Why?' Out of the corner of his eye he saw Chiriko move close to Tasuki... they had always gotten along before Chiriko had died. And it seemed that the bond was still there.

Taiitsukun was floating above Miaka and the now dressed Yui. Yui, was unsure of who Taiitsukun was - though more than likely she had heard the name, but there had been no face to add to it. So Yui seemed to have taken the silent road and wait to see what was going to happen. Miaka was still looking rather ragged, being that she had not yet taken the time to change out of her ruined clothing. Happy and concerned, there was a new spark in his priestess' eye and he wondered where it had come from. And with it she faced Taiitsukun with a composure that she rarely had except for when she was resolute about something.

 

 

 

Taiitsukun looked down at the Suzaku and Seiryuu miko. She sighed as she adjusted the shawl draped around her shoulders. Miaka had proven that there was more in her head than the utter attraction to food. Yui, however, had not passed her test and Seiryuu was not pleased with any of his followers - though he was happy that Yui had finally started down the road in which both Suzaku and he wanted the fourteen seishi to go. Miaka was key here. Another sigh, Taiitsukun knew that it would almost be impossible to keep them from killing each other but it would have to be done. There was no other way.

 

“Suzaku no miko. You have realized the true reason why there are two miko at the exact same time. You failed the first time to summon Suzaku because of a deception. You failed a second time because you did not gain the two shinzahou of both Genbu no miko and Byakko no miko even at the cost of two of your seishi's lives. But you redeemed yourself when you made your three wishes. For that Suzaku and Seiryuu favors you. It came late, yes; but it is better late than never.”

 

Miaka held a faint glow to her cheeks as embarrassment crept up on her. She knew that she could not let that information get to her head. There were questions and they needed to be answered, no matter how painful they would be to the people in the room.

 

“Thank you. I have a few questions.” She looked at Taiitsukun for permission to continue. For that she got a smile, and for the first time since she awoke she relaxed.

 

“I'm going to guess that we are on taikyoku-san. Am I right?” A nod and she continued.

 

“What is the exact reason why both Suzaku seikun and Seiryuu seikun have awakened and brought Yui and I here as their miko? What needs to be done?”

 

Taiitsukun's smile deepened. She knew that even though the time when she could fool around with the Suzaku seishi had ended a long time ago, she still had. Now it was beyond past time and things needed to be righted for the balance of this world and quite possibly that of the miko.

 

“You both were called here to save both Kounan and Kutou. In a way your last two wishes, Suzaku no miko, have done just that. However, because of the late Kutou emperor the state of Kutou itself is very bad and it will affect the other three countries in ways that are indescribable. You were supposed to work together to save both countries, not against. But the best laid plans, even those of the gods, don't always work out at the beginning. And so, both groups are faced with a decision... will you or will you not work together to save this world? There is no need to answer now, but it will have to be soon.”

 

Taiitsukun waited a moment for the next question. Miaka nodded her head. “Where is Seiryuu no shichi seishi Miboshi?”

 

Taiitsukun's eyes widened at the question. Particularly since, it was the wrong miko to ask the question. But then again, Miaka had surprised the others with her ability to detect something off, even if she had only let on that she noticed the shichi seishi's lack of presence.

 

“That was up to Seiryuu to bring him back. He was not. There is no unbalance of power because there will be a different Seiryuu no shichi seishi Miboshi, so you do not need to worry about the protection of your seishi from a demon again. Seiryuu no shichi seishi Miboshi is currently in Sairyou. He will join you all at a later date. As for the former Miboshi, he is currently ensconced in Hell where he belongs. Seiryuu has realized that such a creature could not be considered trustworthy in his service any longer. A hundred years ago, maybe. But no longer. Any more questions?”

Miaka thought for a moment before answering. She wasn't completely happy with the answer, but as far as she figured that was about as close to a celestial oops as they were going to get. “None that I can think of at the moment Taiitsukun.”

 

“Excellent. Now here's what needs to be done. You have one month to learn how to get along. This is not a long time, so I suggest you work out all of your differences immediately.”

 

Grumbles were heard from all of the seishi at this proclamation, but none truly could find a thing to do to go against the Creator's orders. Chichiri sighed as he realized that there was one thing that had not been addressed and knew that he would have to speak up before Taiitsukun left and they were placed in a position that would harm more than help.

 

“Taiitsukun-sama, where are we going? Where is the place where we are to work on our `differences'?”

 

Taiitsukun looked at Chichiri in slight surprise, “I thought that would have been apparent. You'll be staying at the palace in Eiyou.”

 

At that simple statement the seishi erupted in roars of disagreement. Taiitsukun merely blinked and chose one of the mass to speak to. The one who would be the most directly affected by this.

 

“Hotohori, what is the problem.”

 

“The problem Taiitsukun-sama is that my wife and unborn child are there. I want them to be safe and I fear that they will not be once those of the Seiryuu Shichi Seishi were to come and live there with us. Is there no other place we can go?”

 

Taiitsukun looked down sadly at Hotohori, understanding the reasons why he felt this way and knowing that there was nothing she could do to relieve his fear. Trust had to start somewhere. Chichiri and Miaka saw Taiitsukun's sad expression and knew what her answer would be.

 

“No. I am sorry, there is no other place.”

 

Hotohori's eyes widened before he bowed his head to hide the tears that filled them.

 

 

 

Miaka felt her heart begin to break for Hotohori and saw that those of Seiryuu were for once respectful and almost empathetic to her silently weeping seishi. In a way they understood. She knew what to do, but who to attempt this with was another story. Who was it that she could get the ball rolling with, so to speak? Who was it that posed the greatest danger to everyone? With a start she knew her answer. Nakago. She smiled, for one who had done as much as he could she would try. And with her back strait, she walked to Nakago and stuck her hand out. Nakago, for all his brilliance, merely looked at her in surprise disgust - silently questioning her. Miaka put down her hand and explained.

 

“I wish to make a truce with you and the Seiryuu no shichi seishi.”

 

“And what do you offer us if we were to accept this foolish proposal?”

 

“You give us a chance to get this done and if you still hate us you can kill me.” Her statement shocked everyone and the silence was only broken by the gasps of her seishi and Yui.

 

“And why would that entice me or us for that matter?”

 

“How many times have you tried to kill me and ended up failing? Would it not show that even if you lost a few measly battles, but ultimately won the war on the attempts of my life? Does that entice you?”

 

This time the silence remained unbroken as almost everyone in that room watched Nakago make his decision. Hotohori was, instead watching Miaka with surprise and poorly disguised relief. Just as Miaka started to shift her feet Nakago spoke.

 

“What are the terms of this truce?”

 

“First and foremost you may not kill, attack, maim, or aim any form of violence, passive or aggressive, at any of the people who are not seishi in Eiyou. Second you cannot kill or seriously main/injure any of my or your fellow seishi. Third you all will give a serious attempt at getting along with one another and my seishi, past experiences aside.”

 

Nakago looked at her, waiting for any other demands. When none were forthcoming…

 

“Poison?”

 

“Passive violence.”

 

“Chi blasts?”

 

“What do you think?”

 

“Bouchuu no Jutsu?”

 

Miaka blinked. “I am so not going there.”

 

“I noticed that you do not ask for the absolute safety of all the seishi. Why is that?”

 

“You all have strengths or powers that regular people do not have. I do not think there will be a day when any of you will not fight - be it training or otherwise. Injuries - mainly light ones are easily healed.” She broke off to look at Mitsukake, who understanding what she was getting at nodded. For that, he got a bright smile in return. She turned back to Nakago. “There may never be complete peace between our two groups. Also tempers and grudges will come to surface, it would be foolish to stop anyone here from fighting.”

 

Again Nakago took a few minutes to process and think over her words.

 

“I will agree if the same rules would apply to your seishi.”

 

Miaka looked at her seishi who nodded in agreement. With a smile she turned back to Nakago and once again stuck out her hand.

 

“Agreed.”

 

Nakago looked at her hand, remembering once when Yui had explained that such a thing was done to seal a deal. He clasped her hand in his, pumping his arm a few time. He received another smile before Miaka slipped back towards her seishi. As she came close enough, Hotohori pulled her into an embrace whispering `Thank you, Thank you' into her ear. She patted his back and moved to his side and looked towards Taiitsukun who had watched the entire proceeding silently, eyes sparkling in amusement.

 

“Are there any more objections to anything before I send you on this path? No? Good. Nyan-nyan!”

 

Both Taiitsukun and Nyan-nyan began to glow as they meditated their energy into sending all fifteen people to Eiyou.

 

 

 

Tokaki and Subaru looked up at the sun as they crossed the desert in Sairyou. They had been summoned by Taiitsukun to go to Eiyou in Kounan. Though the creator did not give them a lot of information, it did not stop them from worrying. From wondering. Shifan was riding in the back of their cart, protected from the sun's rays. It was going to be a long trip.

Subaru sighed as she pulled the protective cloth closer to her body. She worried about the way the world shook not too long ago. The two battling Miko were surely in their own world by now. Though she had not met Yui, she had genuinely liked Miaka and had secretly hoped to see her one more time before she left for her world. Tatara would be proud, or at least he would have been interested in what was going on. She was glad that he was finally able to be with Suzano, even if it was in death. On that note, she began to worry about Tamahome - though she did not know him well she knew Tokaki did and so because her lecherous husband was worried she did too.

The Hokkan border was in front of them, the desert nearing its end was becoming more heavily vegetated and cooler. They all sighed in relief, it seemed that their summer was going to be very hot this year. Subaru shook her head at the drastic change in climate, earning a curious look from Tokaki. She merely smiled and he turned back to the road. They were on a mission and it was imperative that they get it done quickly. Seishi stuck together.

 

 

 

Subaru and Tokaki had gotten in a fight again, this time over the inn keeper's second daughter. Subaru was almost at her wits end with him and was about to send him out like she did those many years before. However before she could give him the proverbial boot, a light blinded them for a moment. There standing, floating, before them was the now aged Creator. After a moment's surprise, both bowed in greeting.

 

“Good day, Taiitsukun-sama. What can we help you with?”

 

Taiitsukun snorted in amusement as she gazed down at Tokaki.

 

“I have a rather long mission for you both, as the two remaining Byakko seishi. I need you to cross over in Hokkan and save Genbu no Hatsui and Genbu no Urumiya. Their lives are in danger and they need to be brought to a safe haven.” She paused.

 

“We accept this mission, Taiitsukun-sama. However, it seems that this is merely the beginning and there is more that you need of us.” Subaru noticed that Taiitsukun seemed distracted, almost as if a great weight was placed upon her small shoulders.

 

“You are correct Byakko no Subaru. You will need to bring them with you when you go to Eiyou to meet with both the Suzaku no shichi seishi and those of the Seiryuu no shichi seishi. You are to represent those of Byakko and help bring peace to all four countries.”

 

Both had looked at her in surprise, but understood that there was more going on than what had been told. And from past experience, both knew that it was best to just go and see what needed to be done rather than play guessing games with a diety who had a penchant for being annoyingly mysterious.

 

“Do you know where can the two Genbu no shichi seishi be found, Taiitsukun-sama?”

 

“Yes, they are in a small village slightly to the north of the capital - Touran.”

 

With that said, Taiitsukun faded away, leaving both seishi alone again. A minute passed and the two quietly began to gather what they would need to make the extended trip to two countries that were not their own. Shifan had come into the room at the last minute of Taiitsukun's visit and helped them.

 

“I wish to come with you.”

 

The request was surprising to both of them. Subaru and Tokaki looked at one another before agreeing with her request. They had, after all, taught her how to fight. From there they had gotten everything they needed finished and headed out towards Hokkan.

 

 

 

They were a few days into Hokkan when they reached the Touran. It looked like it was a beautiful city and getting around both urban and rural areas of Hokkan was rather easy. Tokaki had gone into some of the bars to put his ear to the ground for information about the two Genbu seishi. Subaru and Shifan were walking around the marketplace, replenishing their supplies. A yell came from one of the bars and the two women turned to see Tokaki being chased out of it in a barrage of glasses, bottles, and food. Panting, he leaned against the building.

 

“I know where they are.” He gasped. “We need to get to them right now.” And with that he grabbed both of their arms and began running towards their cart. Quickly hooking up the animal, he got them into a semi-gallop as Subaru and Shifan held on tightly.

 

“What's wrong Tokaki? Why is it that we need to be in a hurry.”

 

“There's a faction here that actually hate the Genbu seishi out of fear. I'm afraid it must be left over from the last time Genbu had been summoned.”

 

“What?”

 

“Those two seishi are going to die if we don't get there quick.”

 

“Tokaki, what are you doing!?” He looked at his wife in question. “We won't get there fast enough this way. Speed it up!” With a look of determination, the face that he had seen many times when they had protected Suzano made its appearance once again. He smiled and pushed the horses into a gallop.

They plowed through the country-side, heading North since that was where the two Genbu seishi were located at that moment. Trees seemed to jump into their path, but they would not collide and the cart could not slow down. Time was of the essence.

After a few hours, they came upon a village. They decided to go through it, just in case it was the village they were looking for. However, when they entered the town square the sight that greeted them was something none of them had expected.

There almost crucified in the middle of the town were two people. Their clothes were torn and blood ran down their bodies in thick rivers as a whip passed over them. The most distinguishing thing about them was the marks that graced their bodies - the marks that labeled them as Genbu's chosen.

 

They had found Hatsui and Urumiya.

 

Subaru stifled a sob. They were only children, no more than eight or nine years old. She pulled her seishi powers together and made both she and Tokaki younger. Tokaki, for his part, took off his earings and threw them at the ones whipping the children. The commotion both of them made was enough to distract the mob at the bottom of the crucifixes from Shifan, who freed the children. Tokaki ran, gathering up the children, his earings, and Shifan he got back to the cart where Subaru was waiting. They needed to get out of there and quickly.

They didn't slow down until they were once again near the capital. While they had escaped Tokaki and Shifan had cleaned and bandaged the children as best as they could. They would have to go back into the capital to do a better job, many of the wounds would need stitches. Thankfully Hatsui and Urumiya had passed out, so there was no screams as the brutal wounds had been cleaned.

Subaru drove the cart to the nearest inn and promptly got a couple of rooms. Just as she and Tokaki were situating the two injured Genbu seishi, they awoke. Fear was evident in their eye and postures.

 

“Easy. We're not here to hurt you. We just need you to lie down so we can take better care of the wounds you received back at that village.”

 

There was no answer, but then again neither one had expected one. Holding up the bandages and herbs, they showed the two young seishi what they were doing. With some, justified, suspicion Hatusi and Urumiya allowed their wounds to be cleansed and dressed. It was painful, though neither one cried out and before the last bandage was wrapped, they both passed out again.

Tokaki and Subaru looked at one another as they left the room and its inhabitants under Shifan's careful gaze. It was not going to be easy getting trust, and they knew it.