Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play

Season 2

Chapter 16

Unwelcome Surprises

:Or:

Happily ever after…

By:

NightMare

With MSTings and REALLY BAD puns from:

Annikia Valentine

Dedicated to:

My Dad

--

Author's Holiday: Happy Fathers Day! This fic is dedicated to my Dad simply because it's fathers day. (Not that I'm going to let him read it) --;; Come to think of it…this really isn't appropriate…but oh well. ;

--

Sharon leaned over the railing of the ship and stared into the water. It was dark, but it wasn't polluted, well at least not as polluted as the water back home. A sea bird that looked kind of like a gull flew over head, it’s shadow ripping over the water. She looked up to watch it. A fresh breeze blew up from the water and tangled in her hair, she smiled and tilted her face to the wind. Mmm. Turning, Sharon leaned against the railing and looked over the ship itself. She’d never traveled on the water before, well except for the ferry when they went to New Jersey that one time, and the whale watching trip when she was ten, but she’d never had an extended voyage.

Of course, this wasn’t exactly going to be a pleasure cruise. Not only would she be leaving Hotohori and Ann behind, but she was going forward into an even more dangerous future. As if she didn’t get in enough trouble when they weren’t heading into danger. But a miko had to do what a miko had to do and maybe it wouldn’t be so bad…so long as there were no zombies. She shivered in the memory. She really hated zombies. Of course, going against Amanda to get the shinzaho was going to be terrible. Amanda would never understand, but Sharon couldn’t give up. There had to be a way to save both Konan and her friend.

Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, Sharon looked at the docks. Hotohori was there, as was evident by his imperial umbrella, talking to some rough looking man who was the captain of this ship. She didn’t remember his name yet, but was determined to remember it eventually. Looking past them, she blinked as she saw Tasuki sitting on the grass by a tree. It was too far for her to really see his expression, but it was still odd for him to be sitting out there. Usually he was the center of the action.

Hm. Maybe he was sick or something. Curious, Sharon went down the plank. Walking the plank, she thought to herself and giggled. Nuriko was heading her way, carrying two huge bales of something slung over one shoulder and a trunk perched on his other.

“Can I help?” Sharon asked, hoping Nuriko didn’t decide to give her …well anything he was carrying really. It all looked like it weighed more than she did.

“I’ve got this, thanks,” Nuriko said with a smile. “Unless you want to follow me with an umbrella. All this sun is going to kill my complexion.”

“Well I’d love to but the only one I see big enough is Hori-kun’s and we’d hate to see him running around looking tan,” Sharon said, sticking out her tongue a little. Nuriko sighed, a gushy little smile on his face.

“You’re right, he has such beautiful skin.”

“Especially with his shirt off,” Sharon said, waving her hand in front of her face. Woo, she remembered that one well. A touch of red stained Nuriko’s cheeks.

“You’ve got that right,” he said.

“Could you get a move on?” said Tamahome from behind him. “Not everyone’s got the strength of ten men, you know.” Sharon peered around Nuriko and found Tamahome holding one of her trunks actually. Sharon blushed. She could have gotten herself.

“All right, keep your shirt on,” Nuriko said, then turned, with a sly smile on his face, and looked Tamahome up and down. “Or not.”

“Thanks but I’m all ready taken,” Tamahome said, giving him a deadpan look. Sharon grinned and put a hand on Tamahome’s arm.

“That’s okay, Squash-boy. I mean if Nuriko really wants you—“

“Don’t you start,” Tamahome grumbled as Nuriko laughed and went up the plank to the ship. Sharon nibbled her lip, seeing how Tamahome was having a little trouble with her trunk. It looked kind of heavy. Still…

“I can get that,” she said, putting her hands on it.

“I’ve got it,” Tamahome said, shifting it again. “If you really want to do something you can get fang-face over there to help out.” Tamahome jerked his chin over to where Tasuki was sitting. “He hasn’t been near the ship since we got here.”

That was right, he hadn’t been. Was something wrong? Sharon patted Tamahome’s arm absently, then crossed the dock, pausing to give Chiriko’s ponytail an affectionate tug before going to where Tasuki was sitting. He looked up as she came, then went back to ridding the area around him of its grass problem. Sharon plopped cross-legged beside him and he didn’t look at her. Well this was unusual.

“So what’s up?” Sharon asked, pulling her knees up to her chin and looking at him.

“I don’t see why we gotta use this stupid boat,” Tasuki grumbled, throwing a few blades of grass at it. “Isn't there another way? Can’t we walk or somethin’?”

“I think it would be a long way to walk, Tas,” she said. Could they even walk to Hokkan?

“So? We can take horses or somethin’, why does it gotta be over water?” he grumbled. Sharon grinned and leaned close to Tasuki, the temptation to hard to resist. He blinked and leaned away from her.

“That’s a scary face,” he said, sweatdropping. Sharon decided to ignore that.

“What’s wrong? Is the mighty bandit afraid of boats?” she asked, batting her eyes at him. He glowered.

“No the mighty bandit ain’t afraid of boats. I…just can’t stand water.” He said, poking at the ground. Sharon couldn’t resist just one more little push.

“Well that explains the smell,” she said, grinning widely.

“Funny, little girl,” he said, glaring at her again. “I mean water like this! Water that goes over your head.” He waved out over the expanse of the river. Why would he be afraid of the water? Come to think of it, the last time they’d all swum in the lake, he hadn’t even wanted to be dragged in, so much so that he’d been convinced to get Hotohori for her to pull under.

“Is it that you can’t swim?” she asked, blinking at him. He frowned and she knew she’d hit it right.

“A bandit’s not supposed ta swim! Water’s tricky anyway, it waits until you’re all nice and comfortable then tries to suck ya under or little fish try to gnaw off yer legs.”

Sharon sweatdropped. Geesh, he really had it bad, didn’t he? It was kind of sad, in a way. Maybe because she really liked to swim. It was a lot of fun being in the water and just splashing around.

“What if I teach you sometime?” she asked, cocking her head. “To swim, I mean.” She’d never really taught anyone before, but how hard could it be? The worst he could do was…well drown, but she wouldn’t let that happen.

“Che. A bandit doesn’t need to learn to swim, besides it’s not like we have any time to start.”

That was true. There was hardly any time for anything. What would it be like, she wondered, to spend time with her seishi and not have to worry about anything. She sighed a little and leaned her head against Tasuki’s shoulder. He stiffened.

“What the hell are you getting all mushy for, little girl? It ain’t that bad!”

Sharon sat up, feeling her face heat. Gah! She was only just— It was only because-- He had it all wrong! She was just getting used to leaning against people, that was all…and then he had to go say …that and make her feel stupid.

“I wasn’t being mushy, dork!”

“The hell you weren’t, little girl!”

“I know I wasn’t, dork!”

“Little girl!”

“Dork!”

“Little girl!”

“Hmph, like I would really get mushy with a stupid bandit anyway.”

“Whatever, little girl.”

He was impossible. Sharon rested her chin on her knees and tried to keep the blush from her face. Just because she had gotten close to some of her other seishi didn’t mean that she could get close that way with Tasuki. Not that she really meant to! She let herself be still for a while, watching the water. Actually, though, now that she thought about it, she didn’t really know Tasuki that well. Well, she knew him, there was no doubt about that, but she wondered what it was like for him before she met him. She wondered what he was going to do after she left. Probably go back to Reikaku.

“Do you miss being a bandit?” she asked, turning her head to look at him.

“I still am a bandit,” he said with a smirk, folding his arms behind his head and leaning against the tree. “Once Suzaku is summoned I’m goin’ right back there where I belong.”

He hadn’t wanted to leave that life in the first place. She felt a little bad about pulling him away from it. Hopefully, though, they would get the shinzaho quickly, so Tasuki could go back to doing what he loved.

“So tell me what it’s like,” she said.

“What? Bein’ a bandit?” He seemed to think about it a moment. “It’s a nice life, no one settin’ rules, no one frowning at you for drinkin’ or eatin’ too much. Course if you’re me you gotta whole mountain to run with bastards who drink and eat too much.”

Sharon giggled. “And I bet you’re the worst of them all,” she said.

“Well they gotta have someone to look up to, don’t they?” Tasuki said with a grin. He chuckled. “Actually there was this one time where me and Kouji…” he trailed off and looked a bit uncomfortable. “Eh, maybe I should tell you that one.”

“Why not?”

“Well you're a girl and it's kinda…you know….”

“A guy thing?”

“Yeah.”

“Tell me anyway. Unless you think of me as a normal girl,” Sharon said, straightening as she looked at him. He grinned again, showing off his fangs.

“You're definitely not normal….”

--

Ann looked around for something to take a picture of. This was the last day she was going to see everyone for a while and she was determined to take pictures. She adjusted the Polaroid around her neck. It was kind of old and belonged to Jared, actually, but it still worked and took really good pictures. Maybe she could take a picture of Hotohori. She grinned at the thought.

She heard the sound of laughter coming from somewhere behind her and turned. What she saw made her pause. Sharon and Tasuki were sitting under a tree laughing and they seemed to be laughing together, not just at one another. How weird was that? She crept closer, wondering if she should call them out on it.

“Seriously? He must have been so embarrassed,” Sharon said with a laugh.

“I ain't done yet,” said Tasuki. The sixteen-year-old giggled.

“What else could possibly have happened?”

Ann smiled mischievously. They were actually being civil. She should say something. It was too good an opportunity to miss. She opened her mouth but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. Blinking she looked back to see Nuriko. The purple haired seishi wasn’t looking at her, rather watching Sharon and Tasuki with a soft smile.

“Let them have their fun,” Nuriko said, finally looking at her. “As soon as it’s bought to their attention you know they’re going to start fighting again. If you don’t remind them that they’re supposed to dislike each other then maybe they’ll forget.”

Ann nodded. She hadn’t really thought of that. It was kind of funny in a way to see Sharon and Tasuki argue and tease them about it. That chance would happen later, though. Sharon was still Sharon and would never change too much. She would always be her wild and crazy friend…who she was going to miss terribly.

Ann swallowed back the sadness that tried to creep into her throat. There was no time for that. This wasn’t the time or place to be depressed. Oh, she would be, but in private. The fifteen-year-old suddenly had a better idea. She lifted the camera and took a picture of them . The flash wasn’t on so neither of them noticed. The picture came out, a filmy white color and she shook it.

“What…what is that?” Nuriko asked, peering at the developing picture.

“It's a camera,” Ann said, watching the surprise grow on Nuriko’s face. “You point it at what you want to take a picture of and it reproduces it onto the film.”

“That’s amazing,” Nuriko said, leaning closer and staring at it, then looking up at Sharon and Tasuki as if he expected them to be frozen like the picture. “How does it work?”

“Uhh….” Ann looked at the camera thoughtfully. She’d never really thought about it. Oh, she knew the basics, refracting lenses and light and things, but she wasn’t about to go into a science lesson since there would be a lot more to explain. Finally she shrugged. “Let's just call it magic.”

“Makes sense.” Nuriko put a hand to his face. “Oh wow, it looks just like them.”

Ann looked at the picture. Sharon’s eyes were closed as she laughed and both of them were smiling. She smiled too. She would keep this for later. As proof. Next time Sharon, Ann thought. It was strange. She looked a little more mature here. As if somehow, when Ann wasn’t paying attention, she’d grown up. Was that really possible? Had Sharon changed so much in such a short time?

“Can you take one of those things of me, too?” Nuriko asked, pointing to himself.

“Sure!” Ann said. She backed up, and made sure to get Nuriko in focus. The seishi stood there, frozen in place, staring into the camera as if he thought it was going to bite him. “Relax,” Ann said. “Just pretend your posing for a portrait or something.”

“Oh never mind,” Nuriko said, turning away from the camera, his cheeks pinkening a little. “I feel silly just standing here staring into that thing.”

“Hmm,” Ann dropped the camera a little. She really did want a picture of Nuriko. Sharon laughed again and she got an idea. Maybe Nuriko wouldn’t feel so silly taking a picture with sillier people.

“How about if Sharon and Ta-suki take one with you?” Ann asked, hoping Nuriko would agree. The seishi looked a little reluctant and for a moment she didn’t think he was going to, but finally he nodded. Smiling, Ann turned and together they went to where Sharon and Tasuki were sitting. Sharon looked up as they came and smiled.

“Hey guys!” she said. “Ooh a camera! I didn’t know you brought one, Anni.”

“What’s a camera?” Tasuki asked, blinking. Sharon started to answer but Ann interrupted.

“You’ll see in a second,” she said. She didn’t want Tasuki all stiff too or that wouldn’t work at all. Sharon blinked, and even though she didn’t seem to get it, shrugged it off. “All right, you guys stand up,” Ann said. “Ta-suki, you there.” She pointed to a spot. “You can stand there, oniichan,” she said, gesturing to another spot for Nuriko. “And Sharon you get in the middle.”

Sharon fell right into a pose, wrapping one arm around Nuriko’s and with her other hand making a peace sign. Nuriko glanced at her and tentatively tried to copy the peace sign, smiling as if it pained them. It didn’t help that Tasuki was looking at them like they were both nuts.

“Do something, Ta-suki,” Ann said, stepping back a bit so she could fit them better in the picture.

“Like what?” the redhead asked.

“Like anything. Just do something.”

“Uh, okay.” He leaned toward Sharon. Well, that was better than nothing, she guessed. She pressed the button just as Tasuki grabbed Sharon around the shoulders and started giving her a noogie.

“Ahh! Get off, dork!” Sharon said, trying to peel his wrist away. Ann rolled her eyes.

“Comon’ guys, behave!” she said.

“He started it!” Sharon said, rubbing her head. After glowering at Tasuki, she looked back at the camera and made the peace sign again, though flicking her eyes warily to Tasuki from time to time who was giving her a fanged grin.

“And I finished it to,” said Tasuki, just as Ann pressed the button again. Ann sighed and straightened, knowing the next picture would either have Sharon a blur or in the middle of smacking Tasuki upside the head as she had just finished doing.

“Ow that hurt, little girl!” he said, rubbing the back of his head.

“It was supposed to, dork!”

“Little girl!”

“Dork!”

“Guys!” Ann said.

“Here, I’ll take care of it,” Nuriko said. In next to no time, Nuriko had one arm around Tasuki’s neck in a sort of headlock while the other was wrapped around Sharon’s shoulders.

“How’s this?” Nuriko asked with a bit of a smile. He looked like a hunter with his trophies. Ann giggled.

“Perfect!” she took the shot.

“Ooh, let me see,” Sharon said, struggling to get out of Nuriko’s gasp. The man let her go and she took one of the photos that had fallen to the ground and shook it.

“What the hell is that anyway?” Tasuki asked, coming to kneel beside her. Nuriko peered over her shoulder and Ann got in close so that she could see, too. As the picture came clearer, she had to laugh. It was the noogie one and Sharon’s expression was priceless.

“Aaah!” Tasuki yelped, falling back. “How come there’s a little me in there?” He pointed at it. “What the hell is going on?”

“Calm down,” Sharon said. “It’s not a little you. It’s just a picture of you. Just think of it as a really good painting.”

“If you say so,” he said, but still looked dubious. Nuriko plucked the picture from Sharon’s hand and looked at it closely.

“I think this one shows your best side,” he said cheerfully. Sharon deadpanned.

“Hush, you.”

“Hey!” Tamahome said from behind them. Ann glanced over her shoulder to see him coming toward them. He gave her a little nod in acknowledgement, then gave Sharon a dry look. “I thought you were going to bring Tasuki to help out, not distract everyone from it.”

“I’m helpin’ by not hangin’ over the side of the stupid ship and vomiting my guts out,” Tasuki said, glaring at him. “Trust me there’s probably gonna be plenty of that later on.”

Ann winced. That was a mental image she could have lived without. Tamahome glared at him but was distracted by another picture lying on the ground.

“What’s this?” he asked, turning it over, his eyes widening at what he saw. Ann sighed inwardly. She had the feeling she would be saying this a lot.

“It’s just a picture,” Sharon said, beating her to it. “Like an instant portrait.”

“It’s so lifelike,” Tamahome breathed. “And cute, too.” He smiled at Sharon. “I really like this one.” Predictably it was the one where Sharon was looking murderous, her hand coming forward from a front swing and Tasuki’s head being jerked to the side. Sharon giggled. Ann smiled and rolled her eyes.

“Oh! I should get a picture of you guys,” Ann said.

“Who guys?” Sharon asked, blinking.

“You and Tama-homie,” Ann said.

“We could do that,” Tamahome said before Sharon even could. She smiled, standing and brushing the grass off her black skirt. She took Tamahome’s hand completely casually and Ann’s heart did a little gooshy flop. She guided him nearer to the tree, then did the same pose she had with Nuriko, one arm around his, other hand making a peace sign.

“Something a little more romantic then that,” Ann said.

“Spare me,” Tasuki muttered. Nuriko cracked his knuckles pointedly and Tasuki shut up.

“More romantic?” Sharon asked, her cheeks going red. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “What do you want exactly?”

“Maybe something more like this,” Tamahome said, putting both hands around her waist and pulling her gently up against him.

“Tamahome…” Sharon said, putting her hands on his shoulders and looking up at him. A wind blew gently, as if the weather had become thematically convenient, tangling through their hair. Ann smiled, her heart filling with warmth. They were so perfect together. She couldn’t even remember Sharon looking so…so…so grown up…so in love…

Tamahome put a hand to her face as they stared into each other’s eyes. Ann lifted the camera and took the picture quickly, before anything happened…and then another just to be sure. Then she lowered the camera and watched with giddy anticipation as he leaned down toward her.

“Gah!” Sharon said, reaching up and stopping him with a hand on his face. “Stop it, Squash-boy. We can’t do that, remember?”

“Oh yeah,” he said, letting her go and turning away. Ann blinked. What in the world was going on this time?

“Why can’t you kiss?” Nuriko asked, voicing Ann’s thoughts.

“Probably because she doesn’t want to get poisoned,” said Tasuki from where he was still sitting cross-legged on the grass. Sharon put her hands on her hips and glared at him.

“No. For your information, dork, Taiitsukun said that in order to summon Suzaku I had to be pure and untouched.”

Tasuki burst out laughing, earning matching glares from Tamahome and Sharon and a sigh from Nuriko.

“Poor Tama –boy’s never going to get any!” he said undaunted.

“Hey, you-!” Tamahome started. Sharon went red enough to start a fire and folded her arms over her chest.

“What the hell do you mean by that?” she snapped. “He wasn’t going to get anything to begin with!” This only made Tasuki laugh harder. Was that really true? Ann looked at her friend thoughtfully. Sharon had been known to make up stuff to escape uncomfortable situations, but on the other hand, she hadn’t really been that resistant to Tamahome a few moments ago. If that was true then…

“Wow, I guess it’s a good thing that Hotohori never got farther than he did,” Ann said without thinking. There was silence…Ann looked up to see everyone staring at her. Oops. She put a hand to her mouth. That had probably not been a good thing to say aloud given present company. Tasuki was the one who broke the silence by a laugh possibly even more obnoxious than the first one.

“Looks like Hotohori-sama one upped ya!” Tasuki said. Tamahome’s hand clenched into a fist. Then he rushed Tasuki who seemed unprepared for the attack.

“How about a little water, flame-boy!” Tamahome yelled as he fairly carried the bandit toward the water.

“Ahh! No I didn’t mean it, I didn’t mean it! I’m sorryyy!” Tasuki said frantically. Ann was more focused on Nuriko’s reaction and Sharon’s. The miko was watching the purple haired seishi like a deer caught in the headlights. Nuriko’s eye twitched. Sharon yelped and broke into a run. Nuriko took off after her before Ann could even get a word in edgewise. This wasn’t good.

“What is going on here, no da?”

The voice behind her startled her and Ann nearly dropped the camera. She turned and saw Chichiri who appeared to be watching the scene. There was a brief flare of light as a frantic Tasuki flamed Tamahome to a crisp and Ann could see out of the corner of her eye as the blackened seishi fell into the water. Sharon meanwhile was running in frantic circles, trying to get Nuriko off her tail and failing miserably.

“Oh, the usual!” Ann said, not really wanting to explain the whole thing. Instead, to distract him from it, she backed up a few steps and pointed the camera at him.

“Say cheese!” she said.

“Cheese, no da?”

Ann pressed the button.

--

She was gonna die. She was gonna die. She was gonna die. Nuriko was going to twist her into a pretzel and use her for horseshoes. Gah! And he was gaining on her to. Sharon closed her eyes and picked up speed, wondering what she could say to placate him. She could say it had been an accident, except it totally wasn’t. That they hadn’t gone that far at all, but she doubted she’d be able to get past Hotohori pressing her on the bed before Nuriko pounded her into the ground like a tent peg. She widened her circle again, looking for any possible routes of escape. Tamahome was fighting with Tasuki, Ann seemed to be explaining the concept of photography to Chichiri. But there! Up on the dock, Mitsukake and Chiriko were just walking off the dock and toward the tree, probably wondering where everyone had went. This was her last chance! Mitsukake would protect her, wouldn’t he? And even if he didn’t, Nuriko wouldn’t slaughter her in front of Chiriko, would he?

Suddenly her foot caught in something and her ankle twisted underneath her. Sharon shrieked as she went tumbling to the ground, using her hands to break her fall. Then she turned so she could sit and stare death in the face. Nuriko stopped a few inches from her, hands on his hips. She smiled sheepishly at him and he sighed, dropping his head.

“You dummy,” he said, kneeling beside her. “You weren’t supposed to hurt yourself.”

“So you’re…you’re not mad at me?” Sharon asked, wincing a little as Nuriko took her

ankle in his hand. It was only a little tender and it wasn’t as if she hadn’t twisted her ankle before. Nuriko took a while in answering. His expression was closed and Sharon couldn’t tell what he was thinking at all. Was he sad? Angry? Hurt? Finally Nuriko looked up at her and there was a small smile on his face, it seemed faked somehow, as if he was hiding something.

“No. I don’t think I am,” he looked back at her ankle again. “This looks all right. I don’t see any swelling. Maybe we should get Mitsukake to take a look at it.”

“Nah, I’m fine,” Sharon said, getting to her feet and tentatively testing her weight on the ankle. It wasn’t really bad. Not enough to bother Mitsukake over. She offered a hand to Nuriko but the seishi smiled and waved it away, standing to brush bits of grass from his clothes. It was odd. She really didn’t want to press but...

“So…er…if you’re not mad at me, why were you chasing me?”

“Old habits die hard,” Nuriko said with a light shrug. They started back to the tree and Sharon found she could walk without limping with just a little twinge of pain now and again. Anyway, pain didn’t matter right now. She kind of wanted to ask more, to find out what was wrong, why he was acting so strange.

“Are you…are you sure you’re okay?” Sharon asked, anxiously playing with the braid that the red ribbon was twisted in. She realized what she was doing and forcefully took her hands away, threading her fingers together. Nuriko’s smile seemed more honest now.

“I’m fine. Look, don’t worry about me. I just have things to think about, that’s all.” He sighed. “This is all a big change, leaving Konan like this and I guess I’m still trying to get used to it.”

Sharon nodded, accepting the answer for now. They continued back to the tree. Ann looked at the both of them but said nothing. Sharon sat at the base of the tree, Nuriko standing beside her, and she watched Tamahome and Tasuki brawl it out on the bank.

“They can certainly fight a long time, can’t they?” Ann said.

“Daa,” Chichiri said with a sigh. Sharon looked away from them to wave at Mitsukake and Chiriko who were closer now. Chiriko seemed to be watching the fight, looking a little puzzled, but when he caught her eye smiled and waved back.

“Are they okay?” Chiriko asked, pointing to the two seishi on the bank as he came to sit beside her.

“Yeah. Just being boys,” Sharon said, putting an arm around Chiriko’s shoulders. Well, something like that anyway, she noted, as the two started slapping each other’s hands away in what looked very much like a girl fight.

“What are we doing over here?” Mitsukake asked, folding his arms and leaning against the tree. Sharon twisted her head to look up at him and couldn’t help but smile as she saw Tama-neko seemingly asleep inside his shirt, only his head and one paw peeking out.

“I dunno,” Sharon said. “Enjoying the view and taking pictures.”

“Pictures?” Chiriko asked. Ann smiled and turned toward them, lifting her camera.

“Let me give you an example,” she said. A few more pictures and explanations later, Sharon saw Ann check to see how many shots they had left.

“You know we might as well take a group shot,” Ann said.

“Well if that’s the case I guess I better go break those guys up,” Nuriko said, threading his fingers together and stretching his hands, palms out.

“Try not to give them concussions,” Mitsukake said as Nuriko began to walk toward them.

“I guess I’ll go get Hori-kun then,” Sharon said. She glanced at Ann. “Come with?”

Ann nodded and held out a hand to help her up and Sharon accepted it. She was on her feet and starting from the shade of the tree when a thought struck her.

“Oh, and Mitsie-chan?” she said, looking at him. “Let our little bandit friend know that if he ever brings up the Hotohori thing again, ever, that he’s going to get it where it hurts.” She smiled sweetly. “Repeatedly.”

Mitsukake nodded and as Sharon and Ann walked away she heard Chiriko say:

“Sharon-sama is scary when she’s angry.”

--

A few minutes later everyone was together, grouped a little in front of the tree so they were out of its shade. Ann wanted all their faces to be clear so that it would be easy to remember. Sadness welled thick in her throat again, but she pushed it away. Not now. Not yet.

Sharon was in the front, sandwhiched between Nuriko and Chiriko with Chichiri beside Nuriko. Mitsukake was in the back, directly behind Sharon, Tamahome to his left and Tasuki beside him, which probably wasn’t the best idea in retrospect but she wasn’t about to rearrange everything now. Hotohori stood on Mitsukake’s right, in front of Chiriko so that she would be able to see more of him. Of course she’d already shot at least five pictures of him once he realized what the camera did, and would have kept on shooting had she not run down to just three pictures.

“Perfect,” Ann said. “Now nobody blink. On three, ready? One, two…” She clicked.

--

Ann sighed as she looked at the picture she had produced. Well…it wasn't exactly she was hoping for. Tasuki was giving Tamahome bunny ears. Nuriko was laughing openly at that and Chiriko had his long sleeves in front of his face trying to stifle his giggle. Tamahome had an insulted look on his face and a large sweatdrop had appeared on Hotohori's head. As for Sharon, well…she was pulling down her eyelids and sticking out her tongue. As for Mitsukake, well she’d either angled the camera wrong or he’d straightened at the wrong time, leaving him looking like a lobotomy patient who’d neglected to get the top half of his head back. The only one who looked normal was Chichiri…and…well his eyes were closed…in a manner of speaking. Oh well…at least it was accurate.

“I’ve got two pictures left, guys,” Ann said dryly. “You mess this shot up and you’re out of luck.”

Thankfully the second shot ended up normal enough, Sharon had an arm around Chiriko and Nuriko, Tamahome had managed to sneak an arm on one of Sharon’s shoulders and Hotohori had one hand on Chiriko’s shoulders and one hand on Sharon’s. Mitsukake had his entire head back, Tasuki was busy looking badass and Chichiri…well Chichiri still had his eyes closed and had much the same smile as the last one, but that was him, she guessed.

Then she was down to just one picture. For a moment, Ann contemplating getting Sharon to take one of Ann and Hotohori, but in the end, she knew what she had to do. She gave the camera to Chiriko who seemed to be the quickest study.

Then she stood next to Sharon and put an arm around her shoulders. Sharon put her arm around hers and they spread their fingers in the peace sign. The only thing missing was Amanda.

--

Tamahome smiled as Sharon and Ann posed for the…for the picture. He was glad that Sharon still had one of her friends. She looked so happy, her smile brilliant and her face alight with emotion. Ann looked just as happy, as they stood making their strange signs to the camera. Even if he didn’t have any idea who they were, he could tell just from that that they were friends. It was good. No matter what Amanda did, Sharon would always have someone from her world to turn to.

“Ah, it is good to see Sharon smile again,” Hotohori said, coming to stand beside him. “This is the last time she will be able to be with her friend for a long while.” The emperor paused and Tamahome looked up at him, recognizing the distant look on his face. “The last time…for me as well. I will miss her.”

He still loved her, didn’t he? Tamahome couldn’t blame him and felt an unexpected surge of sympathy for him. He didn’t know what he would do if he couldn’t have her. Sharon was…was everything.

“Don't worry, Hotohori-sama. I'll take good care of her.”

“I know,” Hotohori said. They were silent for a moment. The picture had been taken and Sharon and Ann were looking at it, and showing it to Chiriko. Then Nuriko said something to Ann and the two started to look through a small pile of pictures excitedly. Sharon sweatdropped and Tamahome did to as he got a feeling he knew who the pictures were of. Judging by the light sparkle that surrounded Hotohori’s regal form, he knew it too.

“Have you heard from your family?” Hotohori asked. “I met them not long ago. The youngest little girl is precious.”

“She is.” Tamahome smiled at the thought of her. Yurien. He wondered what she was doing. He wondered what they were all doing. It had been so long since he’d seen them. There wouldn’t be any time between now and then, though to go see them, to even tell them he was leaving. He should have written a letter. How could he have forgotten to do that?

“I haven’t heard anything from them for a while,” Tamahome said. “I hope they’re doing all right.”

“It must be hard being separated for so long.”

“Yeah. Maybe I’ll take them with me,” he was joking of course. He wouldn't have taken them even if it weren't dangerous. Father wouldn't have wanted him too. Father wanted him to go out on his own and live his life and not worry about them. How could he do that, though? It was impossible. They were his family…where he had come from. He could never do to that. He loved them too much.

“Or perhaps you can bring them to the city,” said Hotohori with a smile. Tamahome laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head.

“Well I don’t think we can really afford that. City life is so much more expensive.”

“Regardless, I am sure your emperor cares enough about their well being to provide them with a house that has a large garden, servants to attend their every need and a stipend a month for any trivialities they might want.”

Tamahome stared at him, shock resonating through him. Did…did he really mean that? Was he going to…going to… Hotohori’s smile widened and he put a hand on Tamahome’s shoulder.

“Bring them, Tamahome, with great haste. I can promise you they will want for nothing.”

“Thank you,” Tamahome said, with a low bow, and then another. “Thank you, thank you so much.”

“What’s going on?” Sharon asked. Tamahome straightened and took her hands in his.

“Hotohori-sama is going to give my family a house here. He’s going to look after them,” Tamahome said, unable to keep the excitement from his voice. Sharon’s face lit up, her smile just as wide as his. She took her hands from his and squealed, flying at Hotohori and wrapping her arms around him. He laughed and hugged her back.

“I take it this pleases you as well,” he said.

“God, yes,” she said, smiling up at him. “You’re so amazing, Hori-kun. I love you so much.”

“When can we go?” Tamahome asked.

“Now. There are two horses by the dock.” He frowned. “But travel safely. We cannot afford an incident now.”

“We’ll be safe,” Sharon said, giving him one more squeeze before letting him go. “Let’s go, Tamahome,” she said, taking his hand.

“We’ll be back in four or five days,” he said.

“Five days?” Sharon asked. Tamahome nodded.

“It will take two days to get there.”

“Get back as soon as you can,” Hotohori said. “Safely.”

“Well why don’t you guys take wolf’s road,” Tasuki said, choosing that moment to pop into the conversation. Tamahome wasn’t sure to be annoyed by this or grateful.

“I've never heard of that,” Tamahome said, turning to look at him. The redhead smirked and folded his arms.

“'Course ya haven't. It's a bandit road. Runs right by your village. It'll cut off a day.”

“Great!” Sharon said. Tamahome shook his head.

“I don't think so. I would rather go the regular way and not risk being attacked by bandits.”

“Nah. The wolf road's used mainly to get to Eiou…and no one's gonna be using it with security this tight.”

“So how do we find it?” Tamahome asked.

“It’s just outside of the city,” Tasuki said, nodding in the direction. “You’ll see a path marked with a cairn of stones. It looks small but it widens the further it gets from Eiou.”

“Then let's go,” Sharon said, smiling.

--

There were two horses as promised. A guard was holding onto their reins. Both were saddled and bridled. One was brown, the other pale with a blond mane. Sharon grinned. Imperial Lightning. She really liked that horse.

“Which one do you want to take?” Tamahome asked. Sharon clapped her hands and pointed to the palomino.

“That one!” she said. She went up to it, and set her foot in the stirrup. After a only a little difficulty and adjusting of her skirt, she was up on the horse and well seated if she did say so herself. Tamahome stared at her surprised. Sharon grinned at his expression.

“Comon' Squash-boy,” she said, as the horse shifted underneath her, his ears flicking forward and back. “You get to ride behind.”

“When did you learn to ride?” he asked.

“Hori-kun taught me. Comon'.”

He swung up behind her and she had to adjust a little so he wasn’t sitting on her skirt. Stupid skirt. He reached around her for the reins but she nudged the horse into a walk with her heels. The horse started at a steady walk. He chuckled and put his hands around her waist.

“I like it better this way anyway,” he said.

“Yeah, well just keep your hands where I can see ‘em.”

--

Hotohori watched the horse trot off with a smile. He should have known they would be riding together. Then his smile faded. Wait a minute….

“Hey,” Nuriko said from beside him. “Isn't that….”

“Imperial Lightning,” he murmured, then sighed deeply. He should have probably not had that horse in attendance, but he’d thought Tamahome would ride him. Hotohori turned to Nuriko..

“Nuriko, could you possibly….”

“Yes,” Nuriko said. “Permission to strangle her when I get her?”

“Granted,” Hotohori said.

“Can I come with you?” Ann asked, looking between both of them. Hotohori nodded to this as well. He couldn’t see the harm.

“All right, but its going to be a fast ride,” Nuriko said.

--

The horse tore down the road at breakneck speed its blond mane flinging back in Sharon's face. She laughed wildly. She loved this horse. Tamahome was holding on desperately to her waist.

“Pull up on the reins!” he shouted in her ear.

“I can't! They’re over his head!” Sharon said joyously. She leaned forward and closed her eyes. The horse ran so effortlessly. Almost as if it was skimming above the ground. Wheeee. Tamahome let go of her waist and she could feel his arms go around her. She opened her eyes and saw he had grabbed the horse’s mane.

“Woah!” he shouted and pulled back sharply. The horse tried to get its mane away by shaking its head. Tamahome held on stubbornly. The palomino slowed and half-reared, neighing in irritation and sending the seishi falling to the ground. Tamahome rolled to his feet and grabbed the reins before the animal could get away. Then he looked up at her. His hair was wilder then usual and he looked concerned.

“Are you all right?” he asked. Sharon covered her mouth but the giggle came out anyway. Tamahome’s eyes narrowed. He reached up with his free arm and pulled her from the horse. By now she was laughing so hard she could barely stand.

“Ha, ha. Very funny. Next time, I ride in front,” Tamahome said. Sharon nodded and calmed herself down a bit, trying not to think of his expression just before falling off. There was the sound of pounding hoof beats behind them and a sweating chestnut horse pulled up. Nuriko rode it and Ann sat behind, hanging on for dear life.

“Tamahome, there's something about that horse you should know!” Nuriko said. Tamahome deadpanned and looked up at the fellow seishi. Nuriko smiled sheepishly.

“Well I guess you figured it out, huh? It did it the last time too.”

“The last time?” He looked at Sharon. She grinned.

“Why do you think I picked it? That was fun, huh?” she patted the horse’s neck. The others sweatdropped and Sharon giggled again.

“Nuriko,” Tamahome said.

“Ann,” Nuriko said.

“Sharon,” Ann sighed then leaned over and popped her on the head. Sharon giggled and rubbed her head. Tamahome got back on the horse and Sharon climbed up behind him, once again having to adjust her skirt. Blasted skirt. Next time she didn’t care what the rumors she started, she was taking jeans or something.

“So, do we go back now?” Ann asked.

“Well since you’re here,” Sharon said. “Why don’t you come see the family with us?”

“That would be great,” Ann said.

“Can we?” Nuriko asked.

“Sure,” Tamahome said. The two horses started out again. Sharon snuggled behind Tamahome, platonically, and wrapped her arms around his waist, to stay on the horse. She wasn’t feeling his flat washboard stomach at all, no not her, nor the way it rose and fell as he breathed, or the fact that she could hear his steady pulse if she pressed her ear against his back.

“You're gonna love his family,” Sharon said, pulling herself away a bit to distract herself from the thoughts which she should really stop having. “The oldest is Chuei. He's a nice boy.”

“And just like his brother,” Nuriko added. Sharon giggled.

“Yep. Then there's Gyokuran. She acts like the mother.”

“She always has,” Tamahome said.

“She's sweet. Shunkei is cute. He is totally in love with his 'yo'.”

“Yo?” Ann asked.

“Yo-yo.”

“Ah.”

“The youngest is Yurien.”

“She's adorable,” Nuriko said.

“I know. She is so sweet.” Sharon giggled. “She wanted Hotohori to marry his father because he told good stories.” Ann laughed.

“Actually it's not a bad pairing. After all, Hotohori's got the money…”Ann said, wiggling her eyebrows. Nuriko laughed and Tamahome sweatdropped.

“I can see why you're friends,” he mumbled.

--

She clutched the doll to her and picked a small flower growing by the road. It was such a pretty day. The sky was blue and blue and blue stretching back very far, its surface was covered with snow white clouds in little shapes. The rice fields were gray with green stalks sticking out above the surface of the water, looking like drowned grass. Today was a perfect day for playing.

A bird flew from an orchard tree and she watched it go, waving to it. It was then she noticed two people were coming into the village. A young boy walked next to a taller figure in a black hood and cloak. Visitors? Strange people didn't come to the village that often. She glanced at them then raced to the field where her father and brother were working.

“Daddy!” she called. He looked up and waved. Her brother came out of the rice fields to her.

“What is it, Yurien?” he asked.

“People are coming into the village. Strange people,” she said in a soft voice. She hugged the doll tighter and peered at her big brother over it with big eyes.

“I'll tell Father,” Chuei said. “You go inside the house.”

“Kay.” She ran obediently to the door, then paused. The people were closer now and the boy was looking around as if he were lost. Suddenly she recognized him. He was the one that had come with big sister the last time she had visited! He was one of the…se…sesshy…the people that protected her! Excitement brimming in her, Yurien poked her hand inside the house, setting the doll gently on the floor.

“Now be a good girl and stay put,” she ordered it. She watched it to make sure it obeyed her, then ran up to the boy.

“Hello! Are you back? Is big sister with you? Who is that?” she asked, pointing to the person in the black cloak.

“What?” the boy asked he seemed confused. She sighed. Grownups got confused so easily.

“Hi strange person,” Yurien said, waving at the person in the cloak.

“Umm, hi,” the person said. The voice sounded like it belonged to a woman. The girl smiled to show the woman she wasn't scary.

“Are you the one who was really a pretty man?” Yurien asked. The woman sweatdropped and looked at the boy.

“Strange kid isn't she?” the woman said. The boy shrugged.

“Yurien!” Chuei cried. “Yurien I told you to go inside.” Her older brother raced up to her.

“I'm looking for someone-” the boy started.

“Chiriko!” Chuei said, surprised. “What are you doing here? Is the miko here with you? Who is that?” Chuei asked. The boy sweatdropped. Grownups did that an awful lot, too.

“Tamahome lives here, right?” said Chiriko.

“He's our big brother!” Yurien said.

“Why did you ask?” Chuei said, his voice suddenly sounded distrustful. “I thought you knew.”

“Uhh…” the boy said.

“Do you want to come inside?” Yurien asked, cocking her head.

“Yurien…” Chuei's voice sounded as if he was going to tell her no…but he didn't say anymore.

“He's big brother's friend. All big brother's friends are welcome,” Yurien said stubbornly. She smiled again, grabbed the boy's hand and began to pull him toward the house. Chuei was following close beside her and looked up at the boy.

“You remember the bats right?” Chuei asked. Daddy interrupted before the boy could answer.

“Welcome back! Your name is Chiriko right? Is my son with you?” Daddy asked, leading the boy inside.

“Hello, Chiriko,” Gyokuran said with a smile and a little blush.

“Did you bring Tasuki with you? Tasuki's fun.” Shunkei said. The boy smiled. Yurien didn't like that smile. His eyes were cold. She saw that look once on a hungry dog that had scared the village last month. She let go of his hand, not liking the feel of it any more. Her doll was lying in the corner, scared too. She picked up her doll to comfort it and hid herself in the darkest corner of the room. Big brother’s friend didn't seem like a very nice man.

“No one's with me,” he said in a cold, scary voice.

“What's that?” Shunkei asked, pointing to two spindle like things at the boy's side. The boy removed them.

“Ryuuseisui.”

“It looks a little like my yo. See?” Shunkei dropped the little yellow ball on the string and jerked back up again. The boy held one of the Ryuuseisui on his hand. It began to float above his palm.

“Do you want me to show you how it works?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Shunkei said with wide eyes. The ryuuseisui began to spin rapidly. Yurien whimpered and buried her face in the doll's hair. She didn't like this.

“For you, Aniki,” the boy whispered. The madly spinning object lifted itself…then threw itself at Shunkei…. Yurien screamed.

--

They were nearing the village. Sharon couldn't wait. They had traveled the road without any problem at all and even when they had spent the night in the woods, nothing had been stolen. It didn't seem like any bandits were around at all.

They came into the village. It afternoon and very quiet. She wanted to race up to the door, to swing the kids around and sing the news but… But it was strange today. There was something she couldn’t put her finger on. It was probably just a sleepy day. Tamahome jumped off the horse and reached up to help her.

“I can get off myself. You go see your family,” she said, smiling down at him. He smiled and lifted her off anyway.

“Come with me,” he said. “They’re you’re family too.”

Sharon blushed, well not really really. Still she put her hand in his and they walked toward the house. Yes, it was just a quiet day. No birds singing at all. Suddenly Tamahome stiffened. He let go of her hand and walked at a fast pace toward the door, throwing it open. Sharon slowed, watching as he just stood there, frozen. Her heart stopped beating and she came up behind him and saw… and saw… and saw…. She clapped a hand over her mouth and sunk to the ground, her legs not supporting her anymore.

Oh no…. No. God it couldn’t be. It couldn’t be!

--

His heart had completely stopped. The world was utterly silent. His mind refused to believe what his eyes told him. They were all…all…. His father lay on the table, blood pooling around him and dripping on the floor. Shunkei and Gyokuran were lying side by side. Her head was lolling to one side and one side of her face was covered in blood. Shunkei's shirt was covered in blood, it was impossible to tell even where the wound was. The look on his face was one of fear. Yurien was lying on the floor, her doll mangled and bloody was clutched in her arms. Her stomach had been torn, as if by a wild dog. No… No…this couldn’t be happening… Yurien’s little body shuddered and her head rolled to one side and she looked at him, squinting.

“Big brother,” she whispered. Tamahome strode across the room to her, lifted her in his arms. Blood spattered her face as well, dripped down her chin. He cleaned it off the best he could with his sleeve.

“Yurien,” he whispered, trying not to choke on the emotions that welled within him. “Yurien you’re going to be all right… Hang in there…”

“Big brother?” she said, her voice so soft, so distant. “Was I a bad girl?”

“No…of course not. You're a good girl. A very good girl.” He wanted to hold her tighter. To not let go, but she was so hurt. So very badly hurt. She smiled a little then looked at her doll.

“It's broken,” she said, her voice wavery. Her lower lip trembled and tears came to the corners of her eyes.

“I'll fix it,” he said. She nodded and a few tears slipped out of her eyes, mixing with blood and making a pink trail down her face. He tried to wipe those away to, to make her face clean and whole again. To make her clean and whole again.

“I'm broken…fix me too, big brother?”

“I'll fix you too. I'll make you all better again.” He kissed her forehead, brushed away her damp hair with his thumb. There was blood on that too, blood on his fingers. The house was so still. Yurien closed her eyes for a long moment and his heart jumped. Then she opened them again and looked at him.

“I missed you. Are you back forever now? Are you going to stay?”

“Yes… I'll stay… Don't worry Yurien…I won't leave you.” Never. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. And she couldn’t leave him…. Her tiny mouth lifted into a smile.

“Tell me a story, big brother.”

“Once upon a time…” Tamahome had to stop, to clear his voice, to wince the pain from behind his eyes. “O…once upon a time there was a beautiful girl named Yurien…”

“She was a good girl.”

“Yes…she was a very good girl.”

“And her big brother stayed with her and…they…all…lived… “ her voice trailed off. She let out a deep shuddering breath and her hands uncurled as she stared up at ceiling, body limp. He stared down at her uncomprehending. This was impossible. She couldn't be dead. She couldn’t be!

“Wake up,” he whispered. “Wake up. Come on…” He patted her cheek. It was still warm. Suzaku….Sweet Suzaku… He closed his eyes tightly, choking on the sob that rose in his throat, and held her lifeless body close to him.

“Happily ever after,” he said in a wavering voice.

--

Sharon shook the numbness from her head, tried to stand and had to use the door to get up. No…no this wasn’t right. They weren’t dead. They couldn’t be dead. Maybe they were just injured. Badly injured. Right? Right?!

“Nuriko.” she cried, looking for him. He was staring inside, frozen inside, his eyes wide. Tears slipped down his face. She stumbled into him, grabbing his shoulders. “Come on, we have to…have to get Mitsukake. He might be able to heal them.”

“S…Sharon,” he said, voice tight. He shook his head slowly at her, tears streaming unheeded down his face.

“Anni?” Sharon said desperately. Her eyes were wide as well and her lips trembling.

“My god…,” she whispered, she was crying, too. Why…why wouldn’t anyone…why wouldn’t anyone do anything?!

“What a happy reunion,” said a voice. A cold hard voice. Sharon looked up and paled. Oh god. Oh god, could it be…?

“Amiboshi?” Nuriko asked. He looked like Amiboshi. Except his clothes were different, two spindle like things were floating around him and in his eyes were pure hate. There was blood on his face and hands. She felt as if her heart was going to give out. She knew him. She knew…

“S…Suboshi…” she said.

“That’s right, miko,” he snarled, his spinning things whirring violently around him. “You killed my brother! You killed him in cold blood so I murdered them! Are you still laughing now miko? Are you?!” He was grinning but his eyes were narrowed and angry. She shivered, wanting to speak but not finding the words.

“No,” Nuriko said, then louder. “No. That's not true. We didn't kill him!”

“What are you saying, huh?” Suboshi’s voice was harsh. “That he killed himself?”

“Yes!” Sharon shouted. “I don't know why but he did!”

“You lie!” he shouted, throwing one of the spindle things at her. Nuriko pulled her out of the way just in time. She should have moved. She couldn’t move. She could barely feel herself.

“You,” Tamahome said. Sharon looked at him. His head was down and he couldn't see his expression clearly. “You killed them.”

--

Suboshi let his rage fill him, felt himself tremble from it. This was Tamahome. This was the one whose family he'd destroyed. The man looked ready to kill. The fifteen-year-old snarled, anger returning. Well Tamahome would be the one to die! They would all die! For his brother! His only brother! He sent the ryuuseisui toward the man, making as fast as he could.

Tamahome lifted his arms in front of his face, trying to shield himself. It was no use. The weapons tore at his clothes and skin. Suboshi smiled as he watched his enemy's blood well up in long red gashes. He didn't even have a chance. He would tear out his heart next, make the miko watch as he died. She would never laugh again. Never laugh at anything ever.

--

This was how they had died. It must have hurt just like this. He felt it but he didn’t feel it, his heart pumping ice through his veins. They were gone. All gone. Just gone. The painful barrage stopped and Tamahome looked up at his assailant. The boy laughed in a bitter, angry way.

“What's the matter?” he snapped.” Can't you fight back?”

The boy smirked and let one of his weapons float above his palm. “Well, I don't think you should! They deserved to die! Just like you do!” The boy's words echoed in his head. They deserved to die. They deserved to die. Something inside Tamahome snapped.

--

Suboshi's gut twisted as soon as the words came out of his mouth. He had the feeling that he had crossed way over the line. He pushed the fear away. What did he care? What could Tamahome possibly do to him? Tamahome was so weak; he really didn't understand why Nakago had a problem. The Suzaku seishi clenched his hands into fists and red chi erupted around his body, growing brighter by the second.

“What did you just say?” he asked in a harsh voice, looking up. His sign burned fiercely crimson on his forehead like an evil third eye.

“What did you just say?!” Tamahome shouted. The aura around his body flared up and lifted his hair, his eyes had taken on a soft pink glow. Suboshi knew, without knowing how, that he was in trouble. He sent the ryuuseisui after the man again. Tamahome dodged…the ryuuseisui merely shearing off the long ponytail. Oh shit! He blinked and Tamahome was racing at him with blinding speed. Suboshi had no time to think.

Pain exploded in his chest as the man kicked him. He had the sensation of falling, then the ground came up to meet him. Sparks danced in front of his eyes and the breath had been knocked out of him. He could hear the man coming behind him and frantically groped for his weapons. He found it and got shakily to his feet.

Tamahome punched him savagely and Suboshi flew through the air. He saw the wooden fence a split second before he crashed through it and hit a stone wall . There was a dull snapping sound and his arm was in agonizing pain.

--

Kill him. Kill him. Kill him. Tamahome wrapped his hand around the Seiryuu’s throat, hearing the boy choke, feeling the bite of his nails as he tried to get away. Tamahome punched him in the face, and again, and again, screaming, watching the blood flow.

--

Nuriko watched as Tamahome slammed the young seishi against the wall and wrapped a hand around his throat. He should probably stop it…but he remembered what he'd seen. Those innocent children…murdered. Their bodies. He didn't want to stop it.

A blinding stab of lighting shot through the air. Nuriko turned his head away on impulse. When he looked back, all he saw was roiling brown clouds where the Tamahome had been standing. His breath caught in his throat until the smoke cleared and he saw Tamahome standing there, apparently uninjured, the red aura still glowing around him. The boy was gone too. Nuriko looked for him and saw him up on the roof, being supported by someone in a black cloak. That was enough. The battle was over.

Tamahome started to chase after them anyway. Another stab of lightning slammed into the ground, narrowly missing him. This wasn’t right. This wasn’t right at all! It was too dangerous. Nuriko ran up to Tamahome and wrapped his arms around the other man’s waist. Tamahome jerked forward, his body straining.

“Let me go!” he snarled. “I'm going to kill him!”

“Leave it alone! You're injured, too and the other seishi would kill you before you even got close!”

“I don't care!”

The boy and the cloaked figure suddenly disappeared. Tamahome yelled in anger and struggled against Nuriko's grip.

“They're gone. Calm down, Tamahome!”

“No! I won't let him! I'll kill him! I'll kill him!”

Nuriko closed his eyes. Tamahome had lost all his reason. He had to snap him out of it. But how?! He heard a step, another, someone was coming closer. He looked over his shoulder to see Sharon, her hand clenched into a fist.

“Stay back!” he said. The way Tamahome was right now. The way he was…Nuriko wasn’t sure if… Sharon shook her head.

“LET GO!” Tamahome jerked forward so hard Nuriko almost lost his balance. This wasn’t working! Sharon was standing right beside them now. She put a hand on Tamahome’s shoulder and he snapped toward her as if he was going to attack. She flinched.

“You have to c…calm down,” she said, voice hoarse. “Please.”

“Come on, Tamahome,” Nuriko said. “You have to come back. You have to come back for Sharon’s sake. She needs you!”

For a one long moment, it seemed he wasn't going to listen. Then slowly, his body relaxed and the red glow faded. His hair settled down. Nuriko kept holding onto him, but gently. He rested his head against Tamahome's back. Tears ached in his throat. He wished he knew what to say to make everything better…or more bearable…but his mind was blank.

“I'm…okay now,” Tamahome said, gently removing Nuriko's hands from around his waist. Nuriko watched him walk back into his house and closed his eyes tightly against the tears. Sharon collapsed to the ground, hands bracing her and didn’t move. Nuriko took a step toward her…but she shook her head. Shook her head and hugged herself. Nuriko clenched his hand into a fist, wishing…wishing he knew what to do for them. Tears came and he let them, having nothing else to do.

--

Dead…torn from him. His family. Those he held closest to his heart. Chuei. Where was Chuei? Tamahome looked for him and soon found him. He was lying in front of Shunkei, a large knife in his limp hand. His face was so torn it was barely recognizable.

Tamahome lifted his brother's body and held it close against him. The knife clattered to the floor and glittered in the sunlight. Even in the end Chuei had tried to protect his family. He had fought so bravely.

“I'm proud of you,” Tamahome whispered, “Very, very proud of you. Mother would be proud of you too.” He began to cry. Unable to keep the tears back any longer. They were gone. Chuei, Shunkei, Gyokuran…little Yurien…he would never see them grow. Never…never see them smile again… His father…gone as well…. Everyone… The house was so cold now…

He closed his eyes. It seemed like only yesterday he'd seen them…playing out front. Their laughter echoing in the wind. Father smiling…eyes so proud…but now…now….

--

The world seemed still, somehow, frozen in place. Sharon sat where she was, staring at the ground. She felt tired, walled off. Tears burned the back of her eyes but she wouldn’t let them come. She couldn’t cry, not now. This was her fault, her fault for not recognizing Amiboshi, for letting him fall like that and be swept away. If she hadn’t been so stupid…they wouldn’t be…they wouldn’t be….

She swallowed hard, pushing herself to her feet, stumbling a little. She couldn’t just sit there. She had to…to find some way to help. Sharon came to the house and hesitated a moment before peering in. Tamahome was combing out Gyokuran’s hair. She was in a clean dress and she looked just as if she were sleeping. Sharon bit her lip hard and looked down. She’d never liked dead people but they were… they were… She wouldn’t…mind at all if they came back. As she started to leave she saw two buckets by the door, filled with bloody water. The sight of it made her stomach turn over. He must have…used that to wash them with. Sharon took them both, wincing as the water splashed against her legs. She moved away from the house, and saw Ann, crying helplessly in Nuriko’s arms. She didn’t even know them, Sharon thought, but she still cares so much.

Nuriko looked up at her. Sharon tried a little smile, then turned her head away and emptied the buckets behind a low shrub behind the road. It was hard to ignore Ann’s cries and they twisted through her, bringing her own tears perilously close to the surface. She had to get Ann away from here. For Ann’s sake. She left the buckets by the shrub for now and went over to where Ann and Nuriko were standing.

“You should take her back,” Sharon said, unable to get her voice much above a whisper. She put a hand on Ann’s shoulder, rubbing it comfortingly. “Go back and…and tell everyone what…” She had to swallow. “What happened.”

“What about you?” Nuriko asked.

“I’ll be fine,” Sharon said. “Tamahome’s still here. Go... Take the palomino.”

Nuriko nodded. Then let go of Ann and hugged her tightly. Sharon wrapped her arms around Nuriko and hugged him back, as hard as she could, squeezing her eyes shut against the tears. After a while he pulled away a bit and looked into her eyes. His were welling up with tears again and she bit the inside of her lip to keep from doing the same.

“It will be all right,” Nuriko said, then leaned in and pressed a kiss against her forehead. It was too much. To much. Sharon pulled away but smiled, waving a hand to try to let him know it wasn’t him. It was just… Nuriko seemed to understand. Sharon turned walked quickly to where she’d left the buckets. Then she carried them to the stream, looking up to see Nuriko helping Ann onto the palomino who waited patiently. As if he knew… Sharon dropped her head and knelt by the bank, filling the buckets to the brim. She carried them back, the handles biting into her skin, cold water splashing against her legs. She didn’t care. Tamahome came out of the house as if he were looking for them. He looked at her, then looked away. Sharon couldn’t even meet his eyes. She set the buckets down in front of him, then moved to sit a few feet away, waiting in case he needed her again.

Six times she bought the buckets back and forth. The sun was low in the sky, turning the sky red and orange. Except for the soft song of the crickets, the village remained silent. She thought she saw someone peering out of a window, but just as quickly, whoever it was vanished if they had ever really been there at all. Finally she was sitting on the ground, tired and aching but ready to get up the moment she had to. Tamahome left the house, carrying a flat shovel. Sharon’s heart wrenched. She buried her face in her hands, smelling dirt and a bit of blood. She pulled her hands away and twisted her fingers together in her lap. Tamahome was gone now. She didn’t see where he went but she waited, not wanting to go look for him and disturb him. He came back after a while and disappeared in the house. When he left, though, he was carrying a little figure, wrapped in a white sheet. Sharon bit her lip hard. He stopped but didn’t look at her.

“Come with me,” he said, voice low. “I don’t…I don’t want her to be alone…”

Sharon nodded and stood to follow him, hands clenched tightly together. They came to a small cove of cool trees, fireflies winked in and out, dancing lazily. In a clearing was a small memorial, Chinese characters written on it. His mother’s grave? A few feet beside it the ground was dug up, deep brown earth waiting. He set…he set Yurien beside the open earth and Sharon knelt beside her small body.

Twilight had fallen when he finally began to bury them. Wrapped in the white sheets, it didn’t seem like them at all and Sharon half imagined that if she were to go back to the house, they would all still be there, smiling and laughing. Yurien and Shunkei were rested on top of Sen, two small children with their father’s protection. Chuei and Gyokuran were rested together. Tamahome was crying as he worked, shoveling the earth on them, covering them forever.

“There’s…there’s something for you over there,” Tamahome said, gesturing behind him. Sharon looked and saw the baseball cap she’d given Chuei. Her eyes smarted and she felt the cool rush of tears down her cheeks. She scrubbed them away with the back of her hand.

“You should give it to them…” he said. “I’m going to take care of the house…” Sharon nodded, watching him as he walked away. Then she picked up the hat, cradling it to her chest and saw the pearl and gold necklace and the little yo-yo. She came to the first grave, pushing her hands through the freshly thrown earth to dig a shallow hole.

“Yurien…,” she whispered. “You were always so sweet.” She placed the necklace in the hole and covered it. “You can wear this necklace any time you want now. All occasions are going to be special.”

“Shunkei,” she said, creating another little hole and putting the yo-yo inside. “I hope you enjoy knocking things off heavenly shelves.”

“Gyokuran, what you said about me being Tamahome's wife was almost right. He's very special to me,” she gently buried the gold necklace. “Wear this and you'll outshine all the angels.”

“Chuei. You did very well fending for your family. You don't have to any more.” She buried the hat, too. “I've never seen you wear this. I'm not even sure you liked it. I'm sorry.” Finally there was nothing left to give. She still wanted to say something, to give something to Sen. There was nothing she could give. Nothing she had…

“Sen…I’m sorry that I didn’t protect your family,” she said softly. “But…I’ll…I’ll take care of Tamahome the best I can.”

What else could she promise? She didn’t even know if she would be able to stay with him, as much as he wanted her to. She sat there, against the base of a tree, watching fireflies swirl in the air, gentle in silence. The wind ruffled at her hair. After a while, Tamahome came and sat beside her, close enough so that she could feel his warmth but he made no move to touch her. They sat together in silence as the night darkened and stars appeared overhead, bright and blazing. So many.

His arm slipped around her waist. She looked up at him. He wasn’t looking at her, his head was down and his lashes lowered, but he seemed to be asking for something anyway. Sharon wrapped her arms around his neck, shifting closer. He gave a shuddering sigh and rested his head on her shoulder. She stroked her fingers through his now short hair.

“I love you so much, Tamahome,” she whispered, so that he would know, that he would understand. He made a noise in the back of his throat and wrapped his other arm around her as well, burying his face in the side of her neck. She leaned her head against his a little closing her eyes, stroking his hair. At some point she must have fallen asleep, there was a dim flash of light behind her eyelids and, though she was distantly sure her eyes were still closed, she found she was in the middle of the river of white light again. The current ran past her as if she weren't even there. The bright gateway pulsed just in front of her, hurting her eyes.

“Where are we?” Tamahome asked. She looked at him. This was a dream…she knew that…but it was sort of…not a dream. Figures came from the white of the gateway, dark silhouette’s against the white of the river. As they came closer though, it was clearer. Sharon smiled, putting a hand to her mouth. Sen was holding Yurien, Chuei and Gyokuran stood side by side, holding hands …and a woman with long blue black hair held Shunkei and smiled at them with dark violet eyes.

Fight hard, Chuei said, his voice echoing in the non-air, sounding like it came from a distance. Don’t ever give up…

Take care of yourself, too, said Gyokuran. Don’t be sad too long.

If you see a neat bug, catch it for me! Shunkei said excitedly. Tamahome’s parents laughed and Sharon did to.

Give me lots of beautiful grandchildren! Sen said, grinning.

Sen! The woman said, lightly slapping him on the arm. Behave yourself!

I’ll try, love, he said, but he was still grinning. The woman smiled at Tamahome.

We’re all proud of you, Kishuku. We’ll be watching… She blew a kiss to him and so did Gyokuran. The light started to fade, the air turning dark, she could hardly see them anymore. Yurien blew a kiss too.

I love you, big brother. Her words stayed the longest, echoing in Sharon’s head as she sank into peaceful darkness.

--

Tamahome woke with a start. The sky was brightening and only one or two stars remained. Dawn would be here soon. Had that been real? He lifted his head from Sharon's shoulder and looked down at her. She was asleep and looked pale and drained, her face was smudged with dirt. He smiled and kissed her forehead then gently unwound her fingers from her hair. Then, reluctantly stood. They would have to start back right away. There was nothing left for him here.

By the time he had finished getting everything ready, the morning sun was peaking golden rays through the trees. A beam of sunlight fell on her and made the very air around her seem to sparkle. He picked her up and held her close to him. He was so lucky to have her. He looked out over the graves, wanting to smile and wanting to cry. It was done here.

“I love you,” he said, to them, to her. Then, with Sharon tucked comfortably in his arms, he started for the horse and the long journey ahead.