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All characters involved in this fanfic with spoilers are the property of Watase Yuu sensei. Please give Virgo-chan comments on how you feel about it and tell her. For any prove read error, tell me.
²Ä¤G³¡ ÇÇÇïÇ©ÇR«æ®i¶}!(Dainibu Nikini Kyuutenkai ~ Second part quickly starts with popularity!)
Part 1: Preparations
by Virgo-chan
As the sunlight filtered through the Venetian blinds, the lump of blankets and clothes groaned and turned over, effectively tossing himself from the bed all together. Once again he tried to face the morning with squinting and rapid blinking, then flopped his upper torso on the bed and groaned again, trying to get a few more hours rest. After five seconds he gave that up and, instead, looked around his foreign surroundings.
The room was furnished with many small trinkets and pictures, trophies and a silver flute resting on the shelf. He himself was on a risen bed, yet still low to the ground. The mahogany headboard and bedspreads were warm and comfortable, yet not as richly tailored as the beds in the palace. There was a simple, cherry finished desk with open back shelves next to the bed; the shelves were lined with books of varying size and colors. Below the shelf was a large, off-white box, the black face pointing out. Below that, on a roll-away shelf was a small board covered in numbers and characters written on the keys.
On the other side were several more shelves, connected on either side by a long metal rod. Another side has a darker box sat upon it. Once again the blank screen faced out, several smaller, longer boxes scattered below it. There was a dresser with a mirror next to it. Chichiri carefully walked up; noticing all the wounds he suffered from the battle had disappeared without so much as a scar. Then something caught his eye; a familiar face smiling at him from a - what did Miaka call it? A fo-to?
"Ohayo, Chichiri-san."
In the mirror, Amiboshi's reflection smiled at him.
"Amiboshi-kun, ohayo. Ore wa doko ni iru noda?"
"In my home, in Tokyo."
"Tokyo?" He said slowly, rolling the name off his tongue. "This is where Miaka and Yui-san live, no da." He suddenly realized something. "Tasuki-kun! Kare wa doko ni iru no da?"
The flutist lowered his head slightly. "I'm not sure." He cleared his throat. "However, we should be able to find our Mikos. After all, their Shichiseishi should be near them."
Chichiri turned back to the mirror, hands braced against the dresser. "Ah." He replied, wincing inwardly at the thick disappointment in his voice. However, Amiboshi failed to notice as he routed around in the closet.
"If we're going out on the streets, there's a few things we need to do. First, you should stop with the 'no da'; we don't say them often here. Also, it would be best for you to call me Rei until we leave the house; my parents might get a little suspicious, especially since I'm bringing a stranger out of my room. And second-"
"Chotto, you've parents? Does that mean that-"
Amiboshi paused. "Iie, I've been adopted. I don't know where Ototo-chan could be. I'm hoping he's with Yui-sama." He then cleared his throat and laid out a pair of cargo jeans and shirt on the bed. "Anyway, you should change clothes, we don't want you to draw attention to yourself." He walked to the door. "Call me when you've finished changing."
Amiboshi leaned against the wall, heaving a deep breath. He was glad to be reborn on Earth; at least he'd be able to be with his brother again. However, he was positive that Nakago would also be hanging around somewhere and the shogun was the last person he'd want to meet back up with. After a few minutes, he knocked on the door timidly. "Chichiri-san? Are you finished?" There came a muffled 'Hai, no da!'
He stepped in and tilted his head to the side, a brow raised at the mage. "Ano... Chichiri-san, something's not quite right..." He snapped his fingers. "It's the hair and the mask! That's easy to take care of, though. I have a hat you can use. Can you take the mask off? That might be better. Ano... the scar is a dead give away. Hold on, I think I can swipe Oto-san's ray bans, then we'll be off!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At the hospital lobby there was a very... strange scene - that being every present seishi was arguing with each other. Mostly those were Suzaku arguing with Seiryuu, sometimes Seiryuu with themselves, but all in all, someone was yelling at someone else. That is, of course, a loud, clear and all-round pissed voice shouted above the din.
"SHUT UP!"
They all turned, stunned, at a glaring Mitsukake. Most turned away from his titanium melting glare and those that looked him in the eye did it falteringly. With a deep growl in the back of his throat, he said menacingly, "I may be a Suzaku Shichisei, but I am first and foremost a doctor. I will not tolerate any bickering in the hospital nor allow you to disturb any of the patients. If you want to continue this childish arguement, take it outside and far away from here. If I hear anyone yelling from within the lobby, I will not hesitate to call the police. Even if," he sent a withering look to Tamahome and Nuriko, "you're my friends. Understood?"
To the surprise of those in the audience, all twenty-three Seishi walked from the hospital with tails tucked between their legs. 30 seconds later:
"I do NOT!"
"Feh, say what you want, but you can't stay in your little world forever!"
"You are SO delusive!"
"Oh, and you're not?"
"Watch what you call her, pal!"
"That had better not be a threat!"
And that burst into a complete and utter break down of peace on the hospital steps. The nurse patted Mitsukake's shoulder while Tama-neko meowed cutely in his ear.
"You tried, Doc, at least you got them out of the hospital."
"Yes, well," he rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, "could you hand me the phone please?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two hours had gone by since the police broke up the destructive group, hauling a few of them in, as well. So it was relatively peaceful when Chichiri and Amiboshi arrived at the hospital. The only sign of what had happened were the few people still buzzing about it and the damage on the sidewalk, road and the bent, defenseless road signs.
"Ano..." Chichiri murmured his voice softer and lower than usual, "is this place always so beaten up?"
The shorter let his eyes roam over the scene, glancing nervously as some people pointed and stared at him. "Iie. Something must have happened." The monk strolled purposely forward. "Chichiri-san, where're you going?"
Since the monk was well learned in the ways of chi, he tuned into what he felt was most likely to be Miaka; Amiboshi followed without question. "I have a feeling that Miaka-san is in here. If that's true, there's a good chance that Yui-san is, as well." He said quietly.
The flutist stopped. "Yui-sama? In there? But I can't feel any of the Seiryuu Seishi. I know we're not the most honorable Shichiseishi, but we'd never leave our Miko's side if we had the choice."
"Wakatta," the other said simply, "I can only sense one other Suzaku Seishi, and it's not Tamahome-kun, I can tell you that."
They walked quietly into the hospital lobby; more stares greeted them. Or, to be more precise, greeted Amiboshi, who was shifting nervously. He cleared his throat at the nurse working behind the counter. She blinked her brown eyes at him.
"You again!? What are you doing back here? Didn't you hear what the doctor said?"
It was his turn to be startled. "Ano... I was here before?"
"Hai, I thought the police took care of you."
"The police?"
Chichiri nudged Amiboshi with his elbow. "Sumimasen, do you have Hongo Yui or Yuuki Miaka?"
"Hai," she said passively, "nan desu ka? Are you their family or friends?"
"Friends."
"You two aren't going to start another fight, are you?"
They looked at her like her face turned into a cabbit. "Nani? Why would we do that?"
She looked at them like they were talking bushes. "You really don't know?" They shook their heads. "All these people came in, asking for these four girls, those two you mentioned and a Kaze Taiyo and Nami Umiiro. Funny thing is, Kaze-san was the only one not sick." She waved that thought off. "Anyway soon these people started arguing and making outrageous claims like: 'You killed my family', 'You sold me to slavery', etc, etc, really childish. Then the doctor starts scolding them, it was actually pretty funny when you think about it, and sends them all running for the door, threatening to call the cops. When they started arguing outside, he picked up the phone and dialed." The intense look was back on Amiboshi. "I'm positive that the police took you. I remember because Hong-san brought you in before she got sick."
Amiboshi leaned against the counter, head in his hands and wondering just what his brother did this time.
From down the hall, Keisuke popped his head out of girls' hospital room. He smiled broadly. "Chichiri-san! Chichiri, down here!" He waved and jogged to the desk. "Daijobu, they're close friends and they won't do any harm." The nurse looked at him before nodding them ahead. The elder Yuuki then got a look at the person next to Chichiri. "Oi! What are you-"
Chichiri waved his hands with a sweat drop on the back of his head. "Keisuke-san, that's not Suboshi, that's his twin brother!"
He blinked. "Oh... Amiboshi, ne?"
The flutist nodded. "Hai."
"Okie," Keisuke took a deep breath and walked back to the room. "Maybe one of you could help us figure out just what's going on with the girls. You see, not even the doctor is certain what's wrong with them. They've all got different symptoms, but basically the same thing is wrong with them."
"Ano, who is the doctor?" The door opened before the three and inside where three young girls, each laying in a slim, hard bed. The one next to the window had a breath regulator over her mouth and was sleeping fitfully. The one next to her had several green hospital blankets over her body and shivering badly. The last had an IV standing next to her. The tube running into her arm as a pitcher of ice water and a glass stood on the tray next to her.
"Nani ga okorun da? Dou shita no, Keisuke-san?" Chichiri asked, horror on his face. Hesitantly he knelt next to Miaka, brushing the almond bangs off her cold forehead. "Miaka-san? Miaka-san?" Her eyes opened slowly as she trembled.
"Chichiri-san..." She said happily, "I'm so glad you're back. What happened to your cute little 'no da'? I thought they were funny."
He smiled back at her and replied in a kawaii high-pitched voice. "Kon'nichi wa, Miaka-san, no da. Daijobu?"
She giggled as his fingers moved lightly against her skin, checking her temperature, pulse, flow of her chi, anything that could give him answers. His eyes narrowed slightly behind the sunglasses, but the smile still remained on his face.
"Daijobu, Chichiri-san." She tilted her head to the door and saw Amiboshi standing awkwardly, hands clasped behind his back and shuffling his feet. "Amiboshi-kun, ne?" He nodded slightly. "Could you play me a song? I always thought your music was beautiful."
He opened his mouth to say something, but the pleading look in Miaka's eyes made him close his jaw with a 'click'. He dug into the backpack he'd brought and took out the same flute Taiitsu-kun had given him back in the Shijin Ten Chi Sho. He brushed the claws and beads to one side of the flute before licking his lips and blowing a gentle melody from the instrument. The lines that creased the girls' faces slowly melted away and they all fell into a dreamless sleep.
Keisuke gently tugged Chichiri out of the door as Amiboshi played. Once outside the room, the former looked at the monk expectantly. "Did you find anything wrong with her?"
"Iie. I would like to talk to the doctor though, maybe I could get more from him."
The other smiled thinly. "I'm sure you'd be glad to see him, too. I'll be right back. I think you should check on Yui and Umiiro while I'm gone." Chichiri nodded and went back into the room.
He checked the clipboards that hung at the foot of each bed. Hmm... He thought to himself. I wonder what happened to this Taiyo-san. Who is she? Where is she, now?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Hush, it's okay. You're safe, now."
With great effort, Taiyo opened her midnight blue eyes, searching the man's face as he shifted her into a sitting position. With careful, gentle fingers, he opened her mouth and fed her. Normally Taiyo would be disgusted that someone would baby her like this, but she sat obediently, savoring the taste of the soup as it warmed her throat.
He turned his golden brown eyes to her. "Mou daijobu?"
Her breath caught in her throat. "H-hai." Taiyo blushed deeply, unable to draw her eyes from his. There was something about him that was familiar... why couldn't she remember? She cursed inwardly. Shimatta! Why can't I remember where I saw him? I don't understand how I could forget someone as handsome as him!
The man smiled, as if he could hear her thoughts, dark bangs falling charmingly in his eyes. "Daijobu, Miko-san. I swear to never let you be harmed, and I will keep my word."
Finally, she understood. "Tatara-sama?"
"Oboetan da ne."
Despite her weakened state, Taiyo threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly to herself. "I missed you so."
He let his hands run threw her raven hair, free from its braid. "I know. And I'd never forgotten you."
Suddenly she pulled back. "No, this isn't right. You don't love me; you don't even know me. I can't do this. You love Suzuno, not me." Weakly she fell back on the bed, brushing her hair from her face. "But I am grateful that you've taken care of me. Arigato."
"Ah, but you are only part right. You may not be my Suzuno, but she lives inside of you. You both have the same selfless, beautiful heart that I've loved. You care about truth and others more than yourself." Tatara smiled as he absently stirred the soup, sitting himself on the bed.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Simple. Not just any girl from another world can be a Miko. It takes a very strong and courageous heart to overcome the trails and survive. The four Gods are very thorough in who they pick as a Miko. She must be strong-willed and true to her heart. That is why I loved Suzuno, and that is why I love you." He chuckled to himself. "As cliché as it sounds, I fell in love with you the minute I saw you, it felt like I've known you forever. Can you understand that?"
"I-I guess... maybe..."
He brushed her bangs back and placed a sweet kiss upon her brow. "Sleep. You need to regain your strength." He walked to the window and pulled the curtains closed, then moved towards the door.
"Tatara-sama?" He turned from the doorway. "Would you still love me, even if I wasn't Byakko no Miko?"
The small smile on his lips grew. "Who wouldn't." He replied cryptically before disappearing through the door, leaving Taiyo to her thoughts and a dreamless sleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To any person, the four sitting in the local café could be any other person that walked on the streets. To someone that knew their immediate background might have found the gathering a little strange - A mediocre college student, a well-known and well-liked doctor, a high school student and inspiring musician and someone that seemed to have just popped into existence (which isn't too far from the truth). To those that actually knew their entire story, they'd either be a little concerned or they'd just shrug it off.
As it was, Mitsukake decided to take an early lunch break seeing that he had no one to see for a few more hours while Tama-neko stayed at the hospital. He needed to talk to Chichiri about the three girls' conditions and anything that had to do with Miaka was automatically Keisuke's business and Amiboshi wanted to know what was happening to his Miko.
After the waitress placed their orders in front of them, Keisuke asked in a low voice. "What's going on? What's wrong with Miaka?"
The two Suzaku Seishi looked at each other. The healer cleared his throat. "It's not too clear. Her temperature is dangerously low, I think the best thing to do is keep her warm. Maybe give her food - though she might not be hungry, she'll need to eat. Hopefully it'll burn off into energy, which will undoubtedly get her blood flowing at a faster pace, thus generating heat."
Amiboshi stirred his tea idly. "You're grasping at straws, Mitsukake-san. What's wrong with them?" The two exchanged glances again. This time Chichiri spoke.
"We're not sure. Like Mitsukake said, Miaka-san's temperature is extremely low, Yui-san is dehydrated and Umiiro-san appears to have trouble breathing." He lifted his chin up. "But one thing for sure, they're all weak and their chi are very weak. The strange part is that it seems the majority of their remaining chi has been..." he searched for a word to properly fit the description, "well... overlapping is the best I can describe it. It's like something is slowly taking over their bodies via their chi."
They sat in silence for a while before Chichiri spoke again. "Did they all fall ill at the same time?"
His comrade shook his head. "Iie. First it was Yui-san, then Umiiro-san, then Miaka-san." The blue-eyed Seiryuu Seishi glanced up briefly but said nothing. "Funny thing was, after Miaka-san collapsed, their friend-Taiyo, I believe-suddenly left. A little while after, we all suddenly remember everything from the Shijin Ten Chi Sho."
"Just out of curiosity," Amiboshi asked, not bothering to look up, "how does Umiiro fit in all this."
Keisuke scratched the back of his head. "You know, it's really strange, you see... her brother said that she was the new Genbu no Miko. It was also weird because Miaka told me that Yui's cousin, Taiyo, was the new Byakko no Miko. But Suzuno died only last year, so it couldn't have been reincarnation."
"First Yui-sama, then Umiiro and Miaka-san, finally Taiyo. Seiryuu no Miko, Genbu no Miko, Suzaku no Miko, Byakko no Miko..."
Chichiri looked up sharply; understanding what Amiboshi was heading to. "It makes sense, it makes perfect sense."
The other two blinked. "What are you two talking about?"
"Before we arrived, we had to defeat the four Gods' guardians. First we destroyed Seiryuu's guardian, then Genbu's, then Suzaku's, then Byakko's."
The elder Yuuki sat back. "But, how would the deaths of the guardians affect Miaka and them?"
Amiboshi weaved his fingers together and rested his chin upon them. "Well, I recall Taiitsu-kun saying that it took a lot of chi to cross between worlds, perhaps it was the same for the Gods?"
"Iie." Chichiri paused as he sipped his tea. "Hotohori-sama mentioned that the four Gods were drawing a lot of energy, that caused all the Shichisei to be reborn on Earth. Taiitsu-kun also told me the only way to get the Seishi to remember was to have all twenty-eight on Earth. If the Gods felt that their Seishi would be a bother, they would send someone to stop us. Undoubtedly they would have found that they failed, that's why they're drawing even more energy from their Mikos. They're probably hoping that they can gather enough energy before we move out to stop them."
The other three thought on this piece of logic. "What do they want, anyway?"
The monk shrugged and looked out the window. A passing thought crossed in his mind as he let his crimson eye take in all the details of the buildings and people, wishing to find his friend once more.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~