by: Asurahime
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| False Light of the Four Gods by: Asurahime |
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| Chapter 13- A Phoenix, a Serpent, of Fire, and Ice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Will you listen to reason? There is nothing more that needs to be accomplished by violence. There is someone here who needs your support, but all you can think about is searching of what you say is 'proper retribution' for what has been taken." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ".........." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Not hearing a reply to the query, the Suzaku and Seiryuu Shichiseishi turned to face the furious visage of a blonde haired priestess and the blank face of a red-haired boy. The Four Gods merely formed a circle around Azeruse, who was still unconscious with a faint, but still-bleeding cut on her pale white cheek which Mitsukake didn't have the strength to heal. This was not supposed to have happened-- not this way. Breaking the silence was the audible slap of Yui's hand upon Tasuki's cheek. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The priestess was beyond furious, she was livid with rage and vexation. "You can't be going after Tamahome alone!! He works for a demon if you have forgotten!! Do you actually think that she," Yui pointed to Azeruse's unconscious figure. ".... will want you to risk your life in something you understand nothing about!?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I know damn well the risks I have to take!! You wouldn't know how much it hurts me inside to think that someone I love is in agony because with no reason what so ever!! Miaka wouldn't ever even have been in danger if you didn't kidnap her in the first place... and why did you turn against her?? YOU are the one who should follow what your own advice!!" Tasuki shouted this comeback at the girl, but regretted his words once he looked around and saw that the Four Gods were now watching. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hotohori sighed and placed a hand on Tasuki's shoulder. "Tasuki, I know that you are grieving over all that has happened today, but I think that it is YOU who is in the wrong place." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki looked up at the emperor of Konan. "What do you mean?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amiboshi's head snapped up, trailing tears as he shook it in indignation. "Do you think that you are the only one who is in anguish every time Azeruse's life is placed in danger?? Ha! Look around you! Can't you see that everyone here is affected by these turn of events?!!!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _Enough!! The Light still shines..._ said Genbu, meaning the weary girl beside him. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suzaku and Seiryuu stepped forward as one and glared at their respective servants. The others could do nothing but cringe at the sight of two gods staring hard enough that it almost seemed as if the phoenix and the serpent were looking into their souls. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _You all should be ashamed of yourselves..._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _Arguing at a time like this... you have better things to do other than fight with each other. You should never even have attempted this fiasco in the first place._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Byakko leaped forward and stood between the gods and their seishi. _Stop!! They can't help it, they are only mortals. You can chastise them at a more convenient time, but right now, we have to stop Tenkou._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Tenkou??" Nakago looked towards Seiryuu. "That demon really exists?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _Yes, and it is the very same one that is controlling Tamahome. That is why his ki was dark._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chichiri recalled that not only was Tamahome's ki dark, but it was a distinctive color of violet. "We can understand why Tamahome-kun's ki is dark, no da... but I also saw it as purple..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tomo smoothed out his hair as he answered the query. "Have you forgotten? His ki is corrupted." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A faint groan and shuffling of cloth preceded the next reply. "Red is referred to as the color of Suzaku, and blue is the color pertaining to Seiryuu. Tamahome's ki is red, while Miboshi's ki is supposedly blue.... the mixture of blue and red makes the color purple, and the Tenkou's enslavement makes it dark..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki swiveled around and saw an conscious but completely drained Azeruse supporting herself on Genbu to attain a standing position. She was breathing hard, and was haggard with the day's events and revelations. Asura was in her left hand being used as a second support, but the sword that shone just moments before was back to its original state of stasis. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The blue-haired girl looked up and at the company before her. She was beginning to open her mouth to speak, but her gaze rested on Tasuki and she shut it. In his very gaze, she could feel herself being forced remember all that she almost did-- how she almost killed her brother. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| It was Tasuki who broke the dead silence. He walked towards the blue-violet eyed seishi until he was only a couple of feet before her. "I am in disgrace.... forgive me everyone. I shouldn't have acted so rash. I'm sorry Azeruse..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse's expression softened, but he didn't see it because he was looking at the floor. Instead, she threw herself at him, not wanting to let go and not caring that the others saw. "No.... it wasn't your fault. It was no one's fault, for we can't change our fates, we just create them. Just please... promise me two things..." she whispered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Holding the girl close to him, Tasuki couldn't have refused her anything. If she should ask him to take his own life, he would do so without another thought. "Of course... anything." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Don't ever place such guilt on yourself..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki's eyes opened with amazement, this was not something he was expecting. "........ and the other one?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse looked up into his amber eyes with an expression of pure seriousness on her face. "You must promise me before I say it." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The red-haired seishi looked around for support, but realized that everyone else, even the Four Gods have moved further away from them to give them some privacy. Great.... just wonderful... "I won't make a promise unless to tell me wh----" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No, if you truly care about my well-being and others', you will promise me..." Azeruse wasn't going to let the subject drop. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tasuki knew that he was taking a gamble, but he didn't have much choice. Nodding agreement, he waited for her reply. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse lifted Asura between her and Tasuki, casting both of their reflections on the flawless vermilion-colored blade. Cutting Tasuki's and her left wrists lightly, she placed the two cuts together and let their blood mingle until the two became one. "You must keep the promise-- that if there comes at time when the only way out is to take my life to save yours, you must do it..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "NO!!!" With a face as pale as a ghost, Tasuki whispered his answer, this was something that was beyond him. How could he possibly take another life? Much less Azeruse's? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unfortunately, he really didn't have another choice, Azeruse was already heading after the others. Following after, thoughts of him taking her life flashed before his eyes. This cannot happen.... I won't let it... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~*~*~*~*~ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "So, what is the next step to fixing what has happened?" asked Suboshi, who was spinning his Ryuuseisui in midair. "We know who the enemies are, but what tactics are we going to use to beat them?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suzaku shook his head. _No, you have neither the resources nor the power which are able to defeat the likes of the demon Tenkou yet._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soi simply asked, "So what do we have to do then?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If there isn't anything we can do now, then what must be done until our strength is enough to turn things back to the way they used to be?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _You must seek the most prized treasures of the Four Kingdoms... only then will we be able to save both worlds._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But isn't there supposed to be a war against Konan and Kutou?" asked Azeruse as she bandaged her left arm. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _Yes, there is supposed to be a war...._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chiriko's character appeared in a flash. "But I don't think that would be a reasonable thing to do right now, for we have more important things to worry about. Who knows when Tenkou will strike again, and if we fought against each other while that demon is loose, we won't even be fighting for anything." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The kid is right... we must begin the journey as soon as possible!!" said Tomo as he looked into his 'Shin'. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Four Gods looked at the seishi strangely and shook their heads. _No, this journey can only be taken by two of you. The one of fire, and the one of ice..._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ashitare and Nuriko exchanged glances. "What does that mean?" asked Hotohori. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As Tasuki unsheathed his tessen, his hand brushed against his pocket and he heard something like paper crumbling. Immediately, he recalled what Genbu said and one of the lines of the riddle. "Wait!! Maybe this will shed some light into the subject." Tasuki took out the piece of white parchment and handed it to Azeruse. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What is this?" she asked. Then, she looked at the paper and read the message. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "A phoenix... and serpent... of fire... and ice... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A journey to revive... a journey to destroy... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The stars... the sun... the moon... are their only guides... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To seek the truth... or seek the illusion... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three virtues remembered... one virtue gained... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friendship be thy protection... or incredulity be thy downfall... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One of the fire... living to protect one... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One of the ice... shall be of the fire again... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A crimson edge striking the darkness shall take its last stand... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elements shall merge their power into one light... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A warrior shall rise... in one stroke shall save both worlds... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shall ne'er again be parted.... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By ties of blood... nor ties of power..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _....... This is a riddle..... but it is the kind of riddle which you must solve line by line._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What does that riddle have to do with anything?" asked Yui, folding her arms over her chest. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _I was expecting one of you to receive this... this is the map of the journey about to take place. We, the Four Gods understand that it does not make any sense so far, but it will._ Genbu turned around and faced the tiger-god. _Byakko, by this riddle is the only way to do accomplish this?_ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Byakko nodded, then turned towards Tasuki. _Human, what did you see before the message appeared? There must have been something out of the ordinary which caught your attention to lead it to the message._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Actually, there was..." Tasuki took the paper back from Azeruse and answered the wind-tiger. "It was a necklace and a small hand-mirror which threw white light in all directions within my room. The makings of both artifacts aren't from Konan or Kutou. Che, then the damn things disappeared into thin air!! I've had seen better days than today... things disappearing and Tamahome evil..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _The Shinzaho of the Northern and Western countries..... is that what is meant by the 'the four prized treasures of the Four Kingdoms?_ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| _Probably, but we now that we have figured out what to do, who will take the trip?_ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse looked around the silent group. Only two can undertake the journey, but who will go? "...... One of fire, one of ice......" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suzaku and Seiryuu turned around to face the blue-haired seishi. _Fire, one of my servants; Ice, one of Seiryuu's servants...._ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I will go." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Everyone turned to face the speaker and saw that it was Tasuki. They weren't too surprised, and turned to look at Azeruse, who stood up. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I will also go." Azeruse stared defiantly at the Seiryuu Shichiseishi and dared them to stop her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amiboshi looked up at her, but then looked away, not wanting to accept the fact that he might lose her forever. As the silence became too much to bear, he took up his flute and walked out of the hall. "I'm not feeling very well Nakago-sama, Yui-sama.... please excuse me." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Amiboshi...." started Soi, her eyes filled with sympathy. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suboshi started to follow his brother, but to his surprise, Azeruse placed a hand on his shoulder and kept him down. Looking up at the girl, his face conveyed nothing but confusion and crystal-clear concern for his brother. "I have to go to---" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No, let me go." Azeruse faced to Four Gods and bowed, asking for their permission to follow the green-haired flutist. There was something about the way Amiboshi looked at her that made her heart contract with grief. She knew that she could never love another the way she loved Tasuki.... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| After receiving the other's approval, Azeruse ran after Amiboshi. All the way to the Seiryuu seishi's room, an incident from the past replayed itself vividly in her mind... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "............ I don't even know what love is anymore. At least not the forever kind. My past experiences with that kind of emotion left me broken and extremely vulnerable to other's opinions. Although, I don't want anyone to be pained by unrequited love because of me, should that ever happen......" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The blue-haired seishi shook her head, erasing the thought. I don't want anyone feeling any unrequited love because of me...... all because of me.... Amiboshi... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reaching the room, Azeruse opened the door and looked for the boy. "Amiboshi... I know that you're in here. What is wrong? Please tell me..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You would never understand, Azeruse-chan. I don't want to feel about you the way I do, but shikatta ga nai!! You would not understand the feeling I get whenever you are near, but.... there is nothing I can do about it. I sometimes feel that if you are just one dream, I never want to wake up again. I want you to be happy, but it is plain to see that I'm not the one for you... that you love Tasuki..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse scanned around the room and walked towards the source of the voice. When she got there, she saw that Amiboshi had his knees up to his chest and was hiding his face in his hands. Kneeling down next to him, she placed both arms around him and drew the boy towards her. "Amiboshi.... it's true that I love Tasuki, but that doesn't mean that I would just forget about you. If you never wake up just because I am a dream, then that means never seeing the sun. I also want you to be happy, and it hurts me to see you like this. Also, you are wrong about the way things are... you will find the right person, my friend.... it's just not me." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amiboshi raised his face from his hands and wrapped his arms around Azeruse's waist. Azeruse let him and ran her hands through his hair, but then she felt water against her arm. Tilting the flutist's face up, she saw that he was crying. She kissed the sides of his eyes as she paled in worry, then she hugged him closer. "Amiboshi!! Please don't cry!" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The boy simply smiled in return and stood up. "No Azeruse, let me cry. You have given me so much that at least let me cry for your safety. If I cannot have your love, at least grant me one thing." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "And it is?" asked the girl. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bringing the blue-violet eyed girl to her feet, Amiboshi quickly took that moment of instability and kissed her fully on the lips. Holding the girl close, he couldn't wish for anything more than her happiness and her safety. He would give up everything, even the Light that could have been his. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shocked at what was happening, Azeruse didn't have a choice but to let it happen. Tears clouded her own vision when she realized what Amiboshi is willing to give up. He knew more about love than she ever would, and she could not even return his feelings. As she closed her eyes, twin tears spilled from their sides and trailed a fiery line of red along her cheeks. Amiboshi finally broke the kiss and looked down sadly at the girl before him-- the only girl he ever loved was the girl that could never be his. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noticing that Azeruse was crying, Amiboshi kissed her tears away just like she did just a few moments ago. Tipping up the innocent face, his heart calmed to know that at least he told the one he loved how he felt. "Promise ... that you will come back to me as you are now, but with your one true love at your side. I will not have fate come between you and your destiny any other way." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Azeruse nodded as she wiped her eyes. "I will..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "One more thing..." Amiboshi released her and walked towards the balcony of his room. Moving aside the blue curtain, the garden alight with the silver rays of the moon was in full view. Turning back to the girl so that his features were highlighted by shadow and moonlight, Amiboshi whispered one last phrase then left. ".... please, don't forget me...." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Walking slowly to the window where the boy disappeared, Azeruse's line of vision was drawn to a long, slender object with a silver sheen, holes, and a yellow ribbon at the end. Amiboshi's flute. She picked up the instrument and placed it on her belt like Amiboshi did, a constant reminder of her dear friend. "...... What are the chances of me forgetting someone as dear as you?" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preview of Chapter 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A Journey to Revive, A Journey to Destroy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Destroy the Light, destroy the Fire, and help me regain the power that is rightfully mine..." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tamahome rose to his feet as a violet symbol appeared on his forehead. It was a familiar symbol, but the fact that it was a different color made the character achieve an even more sinister meaning. "You can order me around, condemn my soul, even harm me both physically and mentally, but that is one order which I refuse to obey. I will destroy the Fire, but the Light belongs to me. I will not accept to have anything befall her." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Dare you speak to me at that tone?! Foolish mortal! I have given you power and that is more than enough to what you are entitled to! Destroy them both and I will give you more powers beyond your wildest dreams." Tenkou faced the corrupt seishi and fixed his yellow gaze intently at the stubborn face. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Che, I don't care about power. I don't give a damn about them, for the only thing which escapes me is the object of my desire." The seishi pointed a finger to the violet crystal globe of power before the demon. A figure with blue hair, bright blue-violet eyes appeared; but the girl seemed to have noticed that she was being watched, so she swiftly unsheathed her blood-red sword and chanted a few words. White light erupted from the globe and the image faded. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The demon approached the crystal. "I see why you so covet that girl, with that much magical power and a will that strong, her potential is incalculable. Fine, destroy the Fire, but bring the Light to me. She will not be harmed, but her power will be mine." | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chapter Notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| *sigh* Don't worry minna, there is an end in sight. How's the chapter? I myself didn't like the Amiboshi x Azeruse air of this chapter, but I had writer's block and the best I could do was give a mushy scene. You think that was mushy? Just wait and see what I have in store for Tasuki and Miaka in the end!! ^o^ !!! I am having such great fun writing this fic and I sincerely hope that you are having fun reading this thing!! What was that? Some of you will kill me if I don't finish this story already?? *falls flat on the ground* *ack!!!* I know, I know.... update more often... I'll try, but as much work as I have at school, it'll be a miracle if I get a lot of work done. Bye-bye for now... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclaimers: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ........... I am getting reallllllly tired of saying this. This is a FANfic for crying out loud, how in the heck can I own anything?? Standard disclaimers apply.... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho^^Chapter Twelve^^Chapter Fourteen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||