Monk

*(8/8)

By Sakata Ri Houjun

 

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The quickest way to Mount Leikaku would take me through Souun City.   As I ran through the darkened street, I couldn't help but notice the absence of people.  Even though it was late, there still should have been people milling about.  As a precaution, I reached out with my ki and realized that every living being was asleep, soundly.  A part of me was worried. What could have caused this?  I had to stop.

 

I almost skidded in the wet streets.  I turned in all four directions, projecting my ki to sense any evil presence, but found nothing.  I scratched my head in confusion.

 

"Chichiri-sama," came a small voice from behind me.  I turned and found a young girl hidden in the shadows.  I knew that I hadn't felt her there before.  She stepped out into the moonlight and I realized that it was Nanami.  In her hands was my shakujo, its rings jingling softly.

 

"You're going to need this."  Nanami held it out to me.

 

I took my shakujo from her tiny hands and looked at her face.  I noticed for the first time since I had known her that her eyes held life in them.  They were no longer dead!  The smile she wore was genuine!

 

My heart beat joyously as I fell to my knees in shock.  Great Suzaku, I had made a difference.  Nanami's smile softened as she watched me.  Tears began to fall from my eye.  I had put the mask back on after Kouran had left, but I was afraid to remove it in front of Nanami.   With out a word, she reached up and pulled it from my face as if she knew what to do.

 

After staring at my tear-stained face, she hugged me.  I dropped my shakujo and squeezed her small form as the tears continued to fall.   I was sobbing now, much like Tasuki had done earlier only my tears were happy.

 

"Don't shed any more tears for me.  I'll be fine now," Nanami whispered as she stroked my hair.  "Houjun..."

 

I pulled away in shock.  Nanami smiled back at me lovingly.  Her lavender hair caught the moonlight giving her an ethereal appearance.  She suddenly appeared older.  Her gray eyes looked at me, soft and forgiving.  Just like...Just like...

 

Ten years ago, a pair of gray eyes gazed at me from a gentle face framed by lavender hair...  Ten years ago, Nanami had been born...   The resemblance was too strong...  This couldn't be a coincidence...   Nanami was Kouran.  As if in answer, she nodded and pulled me close again.  I could smell lavender in her hair.

 

"How?"

 

"When you used your power to calm my fit, the resonating ki reawakened my past memories.  At first it only came in dreams but I reached full awareness on the day you last visited.  I prayed to Suzaku to give me the power to help you as you helped me."

 

She let me go to look at me again, her eyes full of tears.  "You finally saved me, Houjun.  You no longer have any reason to cling to the past anymore."

 

"Kouran..." I whispered.

 

"No. Not anymore.  I am Nanami now.  Kouran can only be found in your heart and memories."

 

She bent and picked up my shakujo.  "You've delayed long enough...Go to him."

 

"But what about you?"

 

"I'm safe.  My father is gone mow.  Suzaku saw to that and I have a whole new chance of life again because of you."  Her gaze softened sadly.  "I'll always remember you fondly and love you as Houjun in my heart, but there's no point in clinging to the past, is there?"  She turned to away to look up at the full moon.  "By morning, I'll have forgotten my past life again."

 

"Kouran...” There was still so much left unsaid.  She closed her eyes and shook her head.

 

"Go...Chichiri...He's waiting..."

 

I opened my mouth to protest, but a tear was rolling silently down her cheek.  I nodded and stood.  Removing my kesa and spreading it on the ground, I called upon my power to teleport to Mount Leikaku and to Tasuki.  I would get there faster now that Kouran...no, Nanami had returned my shakujo.  Before I left, I took one last look at her beautiful face.  She was crying, but her tears were happy.  I would always remember her that way.

 

I felt balanced.  For once, everything made sense.  My heart no longer needed to follow the beat of my wandering.  I had met my destiny even though the future would remain uncertain.  For Nanami’s sake...For Tasuki's sake...For my sake I was going to be happy...