Fateful Dreams*(5/9)By Sakata Ri Houjun ~******************~ Seven people sat around a table, the voices were the same, appearances may have changed some, but the old feeling was shared among all. It had been a lifetime ago since the Suzaku Shichiseishi had all been together, alive. Once they had met up with Tamahome at the restaurant, the group was complete. Despite all this, the mood was not entirely joyous. Tamahome looked nervous as he kept fidgeting and glancing about him. Chichiri seemed tired and weary while the rest were worried about the crisis that brought them together. "Are you certain that Taiitsukun told you right? Tamahome didn't want to believe that his fiancée was in danger again. For him, it had been too soon since the whole Tenkou ordeal even though it had happened almost four years ago. "She told me that the barrier is in danger of being crossed and that Miaka, as we know her, would cease to be. I was told to leave everything I knew behind to gather you all together and change this. So the danger is very real, I'm afraid," Chichiri answered knowing it wasn't what everyone wanted to hear. " had my doubts at first too, but I've been feeling this strange power ever since coming to Japan." "Then we must be ready to combat this force," Hotohori commented. "But how? Other than Chichiri and Tamahome, our powers haven't manifested themselves," Nuriko added, rather worried. "Actually we do have some small measure, a slight residual left from our strong ties to Suzaku," Chiriko responded. Mitsukake looked thoughtful for a moment. "And even if we full regained our powers, they wouldn't be as strong as they once were." "Is there a spell that might return to us some of our power, even temporarily?" Hotohori asked. Chichiri nodded. "But it requires Miaka's participation." "She'll help. I know it." Tamahome smiled and then furrowed his brow. "Why did you insist that I not tell her about all this?" The former monk sighed. "This force has centered itself on her. If she knew before our arrival, then that power night have somehow prevented our gathering." He looked down at the table. "Although I'm afraid it may have already known. It tried once before to prevent me from regaining my powers." "Is it really that powerful?" Nuriko asked, her eyes wide. "Not so powerful that we can't kick its ass!" Tasuki quipped with a grin. Chichiri looked up at his lover, feeling his fatigue beginning to lift at his bravado. "We can't underestimate it all the same. I still don't know what this force is or what it intends to do." Tasuki scoffed. "But we've beaten back demons and even the go Seiryu. Once we're reunited with our Miko, nothing can stop us. We're the legendary Suzaku Shichiseishi!" He pounded the table for emphasis, causing some of the other patrons to glance up sharply in their direction. "Powerless seishi as of now," Hotohori replied and even Tasuki fell silent. ~~~~~~~ Chichiri squeezed his eyes shut in concentration as the others watched. It seemed so odd and yet familiar to watch the former monk use his magic. He had decided to erect a barrier before brining Miaka to the room that way, the presence that targeted her couldn't interfere with the next spell Chichiri was going to perform. Tasuki was leaning against the far wall, his arms crossed while the other seishi sat on chairs or the floor. There was almost an inaudible hum as the barrier shimmered around them. With a final grunt, Chichiri snapped out of his trance and blinked at the others. Tamahome stood and placed a hand on the former monk's shoulder. Chichiri glanced up at his friend and then nodded. With a small smile that did little to belay the mixture of excitement and worry within him, Tamahome left to retrieve his fiancée. Tasuki watched as his lover let out a slow breath and rested his head against his palm. "Are you okay Chichiri?" The former monk looked up wearily and smiled. "Not quite as enduring as I used to be. Luckily, I still have just enough for one more spell, which happens to be an important one too." The other seishi remained silent, tension filling the air. Tasuki glanced around at the pensive faces and sighed before catching his lover's eyes. "Just don't push yourself too hard." Before Chichiri could respond, a feminine voice that was deeply etched into their memories and hearts carried from the other side of the do. "Taka, what is this surprise you've got for me? Just tell me." All faces turned to the door as it opened, revealing a young woman, no more than nineteen. the light from the room caught in her auburn hair as slender hands fluttered to her mouth to stifle a gasp, tears filling her hazel eyes. "Everyone...," Miaka murmured as she took each familiar face n the room into account. "You're all here...How?" Despite the gravity of the situation, everyone broke into a smile at the sight of their Miko. For a brief instant, the danger surrounding her was forgotten as memories sparked to life once more. How much they had loved her, how hard they had fought for her, and how they had been willing to die for her. "Miaka...," Tamahome finally broke the spell as he drew her into the room and steered her towards a chair. "We have something to tell you." "Tell me?" She looked up in confusion at the man she loved while brushing away her tears with a shaking hand. "Yes. The reason we've gathered is because you're in danger," Chichiri stated flatly. "I'm in danger?" Miaka looked incredulous and blinked at her old friends. Each one nodded gravely, the smiles gone once more. "We've come to protect you once more for the Suzaku Shichiseishi will always be by the Miko's side in any form necessary to defend you," Hotohori added. "But we need your help." Miaka turned her attention back to the former monk. "I have a spell that can restore the powers of the others. Besides me, Tamahome,...and Tasuki, the gifts Suzaku had granted us in the last life hadn't manifested. The catalyst needed is love, your love." "We understand if you're scared, Miaka." Tamahome put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "you can help us, but only if you want." "I want to help. I'll do everything in my power to help my friends. You've all done so much for me in the past. It's only right...Tell me what I need to do." "This spell will be similar to when we attempted to summon Suzaku, except we're not calling the god, just his power." Chichiri stood and motioned for Miaka to approach. The other seishi gathered in a circle around her, their faces hopeful yet scared. "Suzaku is the god not only of fire but of love as well," Chichiri explained. "Tamahome was able to regain his skill and powers because of the love you two share." "But you said that both you and Tasuki had...," Miaka tilted her head as her voice died away. Chichiri blushed slightly at her comment, Nuriko began humming innocently, while Tasuki ignored the questioning glances cast his way. The former monk finally cleared his throat. "That's not important." He blushed more as an uncomfortable silence followed. Chichiri shook his head and took his place among the other seishi. "Everyone concentrate. Focus on Suzaku, on Miaka, and on each other. The memories of your devotion and willingness to place another's life ahead of your own must be at the forefront of your hearts. These feelings must pulse within your blood, strengthened by each heartbeat. Let the fire of Suzaku fill you and burn away all other thoughts." Chichiri began chanting then as eight sets of hand were brought simultaneously up to steeple before eight pairs of tightly closed eyes. Their hearts all beat as one, fiercely and strong. An impenetrable silence filled the air, broken only by their collective pulse. a searing warmth wrapped around their bodies and red flames blazed in their minds. there was the sharp sound like the faint crackle of a flame as Tamahome's, Chichiri's, and Tasuki's characters flared to life. The three seishi sent their power to Miaka, whose body then flared as those symbols appeared on her. The very spirit of Suzaku filed the room, overwhelming all present. A surge of energy washed over the powerless seishi as Miaka amplified the god's power and redirected it back towards her protectors. a collective gasp was elicited from all eight individuals. Seven character marks blazed brightly upon the Miko's body and then disappeared into seven balls of light. One by one, each sphere found a body and formed the character mark that each had been destined to wear. Then Suzaku's spirit departed, leaving all those present breathless and in awe. The beast go had appeared before, they had all seen Suzaku with their own eyes numerous times in the past, yet it still humbled the Miko and her seishi to know that the god was so close, pulsing in their very veins. As eyes slowly opened and minds tried to comprehend the full impact of what had happened, Chichiri collapsed. Acting upon instinct and driven by his love, Tasuki ran across the room to cradle his lover. The former monk breathed heavily as his head lolled to one side. "Sorry," he whispered softly while the others gathered around in concern. "It was a bit much for me to take. I'll be fine with some rest." "Don't worry about it. You did your part," Tasuki laughed. "Tasuki," Tamahome spoke up, a little nervous. "There's a spare bedroom. No one will disturb you tonight, uh, I mean..." He looked away as his face reddened. "What Taka means is that Chichiri can rest there." She wrapped her arm through Tamahome's, a slight smile on her otherwise tired face. Tasuki turned back to Chichiri, trying to hide his grin. So, they figured it out. Inwardly he shrugged. It was just as well. They would have guessed eventually and he hadn't planned on pretending forever.