by: Asurahime
Chapter 5- Lost Light of Red and Blue
Each of the Suzaku group was given a very fine room in the palace. Since the empereor was on a.... long conquering journey, there were no objections.
After some time in walking, Hotohori couldn't stand the silence anymore and asked, "Where is Miaka? We are not looking for a fight....." At this, their attendant glanced cooly at Tasuki, as everyone else sweat-dropped. "..... except for Tasuki. Tell us where our Miko is, and we will leave."
"..... Miaka?" asked Azeruse.
The Suzaku Shichiseishi exchanged glances. "Yes, she is the Priestess of Suzaku." replied Tamahome. "Where did you put her?"
Azeruse gave him a cold glance in return, a glance which said nothing of what she was feeling. "Do you honestly think that I would tell you something like that out of the blue when it is a state secret? Anyway, you shouldn't ask me, because I don't know myself."
"Demo, who are you anyway no da? I never heard that a 'replacement' seishi was allowed. Not even in my three years of studying under Taiitsukun na no da?", asked Chichiri.
The white figure stopped walking just before they reached the Suzaku Seven's rooms. She turned around and suppresed a grin at seeing Nuriko 'preventing' Tasuki from saying any rude remarks. "I am Seiryuu Seishi Azeruse. Unfortunately, I don't know who this 'Miaka' is... in fact, I can't remember much about my past. And yes, you're right; since Miboshi was truly dead before Yui-sama found him, Seiryuuseikun chose me as his replacement." Then, she turned around, still stifling her laughter, and walked towards the first door.
"What do we do now?" asked Nuriko to his companions.
"Our powers are wiped out because of a very strong barrier someone has erected no do. I don't think that we can get out without forcing our way na no da?" replied Chichiri.
"Neither do I." frowned Chiriko.
"Daaa..."
Tasuki glanced at Azeruse, who was inspecting all the rooms. "Ya know? This one doesn't seem to be like that sadistic bunch of worm-worshipping pieces of $#!^ back there. She won't attack for no damn reason whatsoever, and she seems almost... well, decent!!"
"Which is more than I can say for you Fang-boy." Tamahome went up to Tasuki, smiling mischievously. "Seems to me that Mr. I-hate-girls-because-they-are-cunning-and-they-don't-ply-fair has an attraction to the enemy..."
"Rekka Shinen!!!"
Tamahome was immediately burned to a crisp, again and again.
Tasuki was screaming loudly with both fangs bared in anger. "Urosei Obake-chan!!! Who is the damn %^!$% who had an affair with their priestess behind his girlfriend's back?!? You damn moron!!"
"Don't you ever call me obake-chan, fang-boy!! Or else... I'm gonna kick your ass!!!"
"Who's gonna kick who's ass?? With this fan alone I'm......."
The other kept quiet while the two shouted insults at each other. As they listened, huge sweatdrops formed on their heads.
Azeruse, who was watching the scene with amusement, cleared her throat to get their attention. They turned back to her quickly... some were slower than others (the effect of first degree burns).
"These are your rooms today; and please call me if you need anything. I will call you all for dinner." declared Azeruse. "Now, Tamahome-san, please follow me."
He followed her to the first door. "Is this my room?"
The white-cloaked figure nodded as he entered. "Hotohori-sama, please follow me."
She led him through another door. "Where is your room?" he asked.
Azeruse pointed at the door at the very end of the hall. "Over there, just knock if you need me. Nuriko-san..."
They continued on until Tasuki was the only one left.
"Tasuki-san, this room is yours." pointed the girl.
"Matte!" exclaimed Tasuki as he sheathed his tessen.
"Nande, Tasuki-san?"
"First, you can drop off that '-san' at the end of my name. Why is it that it is you who is the one to assist us? What about the others, or palace helpers?"
Azeruse shook her head and bid him follow her into her room. Tasuki entered after her and was amazed at how this seishi decorated her room, for it was full of hand-drawn portraits and red and silver tapestries. So unlike the palace, which was only decorated with the coldest and most hostile of blue; this room was full of warmth and life, just like Konan.
The white-cloaked girl beckoned Tasuki to sit at the chair at the small table at the side of the room. Azeruse herself left and came back with two cups and tea. As soon as she set the cups and the tea down, she took the seat across form Tasuki.
"For one thing, since I can't remeber a thing of my past, I cannot hold a grudge against people who haven't done anything wrong to me. After all, the others wanted to entertain you in other ways less pleasant." she said collectedly as she sipped her tea.
Tasuki shuddered as he poured himself a cup. "Such as?"
Azeruse seemed to smiled quietly. "Nakago wanted to use you for target practice; Soi wanted to lash you all with lighning; Amiboshi proposed you listen to his new... er... compositions; Suboshi wanted to bore holes through you; Ashitare would have ripped you in shreds; and Tomo was going to put you all in him clam 'Shin' and have you wait on him hand and foot in little red dresses in front of the entire country."
Tasuki turned very white and used his tessen to fan himself as Azeruse grinned with hidden mischief.
"Well, uh... it was a damn good thing they picked you...", he then drank his tea to steady his voice.
"It was them or me... it would have been interesting to see you in those tight red outfits though." said Azeruse as Tasuki glared darkly at her. "But seriously, you may not look it, but you are much too trusting of people, you know?"
"What do you mean?" asked the ex-bandit.
The girl looked at his cup, which was empty. She then poured him another.
"Azeruse, you're not answering me." said Tasuki as he watched her fill his cup.
The Seiryuu Seishi gazed at him. "I mean that you are too trusting because I could have put poison on your tea and killed you, but you drank it anyway."
Tasuki smiled. "I trust you somehow. I don't care that you are a Seiryuu Seishi and are my enemy. I don't care that I have never seen your face and that we will have to be in opposite sides in battle on day. All I know is that there is something about you that earns my trust. Something that sets you apart from the rest of the Seiryuu Seishi."
Azeruse unsheathed her sword and started to clean the small burn marks that Tasuki's spell made on the blade with the edge of her cloak. "Why? Am I so different from Nakago and Soi who live to 'ki-raise' and conquer; or Ashitare, who looks like he has been living in Tomo's closet his whole life; or Amiboshi and Suboshi, who hug each other more often than I see lovers do; or Tomo, who has been lusting after Nakago and loves to mess up people's minds by twisting their reality?"
Tasuki nodded.
Azeruse laughed. "You're right, there's something that sets me apart from them. I do have many faults by the way, and being stubborn to a fault is one of them. Anyway, you are not like the others of the Suzaku Seven either. You act without thinking, which is both a noble and foolish trait."
"I guess. Tama is a money-loving, hopeless romantic; Nuriko is a muscle-bound, cross-dressing sadist; Hotohori-sama is an emperor who looks more feminine than a damn female at times; Chichiri.... is fuckin' strange to say the least; Chiriko's a kid who is too caught up in his studies to begin a social life; Mitsukake is a man who almost never freakin' talks." evaluated Tasuki as he folded and unfolded his tessen.
"Do you see my point?" asked Azeruse as she resheathed her clean sword.
"I don't fuckin' see that much of a damn difference between them and me!!!"
Azeruse gritted her teeth in exasperation at Tasuki's language. "You just proved you're different. Hasn't it come to your attention that you swear too damn much, and that you probably thing getting wasted is an everyday habit?"
"Well yeah, actually, I do."
The girl sighed. "Well, excuse me for wasting your.......!!!!!!"
Azeruse then whipped around, sensing for a life force which just flared into existance. A life that isn't supposed to exist in this world. "Something is very wrong.... I don't feel any of the other's ki."
Tasuki went over to Azeruse and shook her, worry plain on his face. "Azeruse, what's wrong?"
The girl saw who was shaking her and grabbed his arms, forcing him to look her eye-to-eye. "Tasuki, use your ki and scan around if you feel the others of the Suzaku Shichiseishi.
Tasuki was confused at first, but when he did scry, he couldn't feel them. "What in the hell!!!"
"You don't feel anyone either? I could only sense Soi's and Yui-sama's and they are fading quickly, we have to find out what's going on."
From the outside of Kutou Palace came screams that were heard by all.
~*~*~*~*~
"Yamete!!! Minna!" cried Yui as she ran towards the motionless seishi.
Soi was trying to pick herself up off the floor while she tried to concentrated. Where did this thing come from??!
The men of both Suzaku and Seiryuu were suddenly being drawn towards a female snake-like monster.
Still in her room, Azeruse looked out of her window and gasped at what caused the cry. She then turned towards Tasuki. "Tasuki, you said you trusted me, so please there is no time to explain!"
Tasuki blinked in confusion as Azeruse bowed to him, said sorry, and chanted a spell which made him lose control of all voluntary movement, except for talking. "What in the hell did you do, Azeruse??"
Without a word, she grabbed his tessen and placed it back in its holster. Azeruse then grabbed his hand and rushed both of them to the outside pavilion where the commotion was taking place. Soi and Yui--- well at least Soi, was attacking a figure with the strongest attacks she knew.
"Hakuu-Jin-Rai-Hoo!!" Soi shouted the spell as another flash of magic descended form the sky. The figure came into being and didn't even dodge the bolt, but absorbed it and reflected it back to Soi and Yui.
"YUI!!! SOI!!! DAME!!!!!" screamed Azeruse as she ran over to them.
Yui looked up, "Azeruse?? It's up to you... just don't get killed... if there's nothing you can do... promise me... you will..... escape!!"
Azeruse, livid in her fury and recklessness, motioned for Tasuki to guard Yui and Soi.
"What are you going to do?" asked Tasuki as he tried to fight the pull of her spell, but lost.
The girl's white cloak thrashed against her in the wind, showing the rage that she tried to control. Her hood fell back and Tasuki saw that Azeruse had blue hair and the most fascinating eyes he has ever seen, he has never noticed before because his view was always hindered by the shadow of the hood. To Tasuki's, Soi's, and Yui's surprise, a sudden flash of blue light blazed from the character "Ko" which appeared on Azeruse's fore-head. The three of them could feel Azeruse's ki as it rose into violent levels.
Azeruse turned around and drew her sword swiftly, from behind her. "I'm sorry Yui, but I cannot promis that I'll run. But... I do promise to come back."
"No... Aze..." whispered Soi.
The men were only a few feet away from the entity.
"Asura, give me strength. You have fought with me for many battles in another life, and together, we cannot lose. This 'lamia' won't live to regret it's actions." Azeruse whispered this savagely to herself and her sword as she started running towards the monster.
Tasuki was about to run after her, but the spell Azeruse cast held him firmly where he was. He had to be content with yelling out to the girl. "Azeruse, don't you dare!!! Come back her, you moron!!!"
Azeruse just kept on running after she overtook the men, determined to cut off the problem at its source and not heeding a cursing Tasuki's words. She snatched off the white cape viciously and threw it at the lamia's face. The men were free of the spell at the monster's loss of concentration, but they were still powerless from exertion. The monster drained them of their energy, therefore they are powerless to do anything to help the girl with her fight.
The girl stopped in front of the lamia. "For what you have done and what you tried to do..." she ran her her hand over the flat blade of her sword and slashed the air in front of her. "I will never forgive you!!!"
The lamia hissed and sent off poisonous darts, which Azeruse dodged as she delivered her own attack.
"Blizzard!!" shouted Azeruse as she rushed and slashed the monster, as a figure of ice and the character for blizzard appeared on the lamia.
Tasuki knew he was gaping and made no effort to hide it as he saw what she did. The others were also gaping speechlessly, but with a hint of fear for the girl. Azeruse didn't stop and kept her attacks continuous, not letting her opponent get an attack in. She knew that this creature cannot harmed much less destroyed by the other seishi. Because this monster isn't from this world, and only her power from another world can destroy it.
"Tres Flores!" The lamia was surrounded by three multi-colored flowers as petals swirled around Azeruse. Then, she ran forward and slashed the monster upward.
"Moonlight Cut!" A full moon with shooting stars appeared behind the fiend as the girl cleaved a crescent shaped cut on it.
"Shadow Counter!!" Both the lamia and Azeruse were spot-lighted as Asura shone. The adversary then gave off a V-shaped stream of blood.
The enemy got an attack in once, and a cut formed on Azeruse's brow; blood also came out at the side of her mouth as she tasted copper. She counterattacked using "Asura Revenge" again.
"Kuso, you don't die easily do you? Damn the creatures who created you!!" Azeruse cried.
The lamia hissed in return just as it suddenly launched one of its poisoned darts to catch Azeruse on the ankle.
Azeruse swore angrily for dropping her guard, but even though the poison was very potent and worked on contact, Azeruse's determination and spirit was stronger and unleashed her final attack.
"Asura, mou ichido, onegai. Life Sprinkler!!" she shouted.
To everyone's shock, Azeruse split into four images, surrounded the lamia, and began to slash through it mercilessly. Blood splashed and sparks flew as the girl continued her deadly sword dance. Suddenly, the four images froze, threw the unfortunate creature up in the air, formed into one figure again, and ruthlessly sent the enemy back down to the ground. To Azeruse's relief, with a final shriek of agony, the lamia vanished from the world with a trail of black smoke.
Tasuki regained his own will an immediately used his seishi gift of speed to catch a falling Azeruse, who without a doubt, has exhausted all her reserves of energy. He caught her just before she hit the ground, but she was unconscious nevertheless. Likewise, Amiboshi rushed quickly to Azeruse.
"Azeruse, Azeruse!!! Shikarishite!!" yelled the green-haired flutist.
Tasuki finally got a good, clear look at Azeruse without her white cloak.
".... Mi.... aka!? Miaka!?!!" he sighed as Azeruse slowly opened her eyes.
"Wha-What happened? Tasuki, Amiboshi... why are you crying? My body... so hot. Although, as long as everyone is... safe... I......", whispered the blue-haired girl as she once again closed her eyes.
Amiboshi grew frantic. "Azeruse.... Azeruse!! Me o AKETE!!"
Tasuki screamed, "Mitsukake!!! Hayaku!! HAYAKU!!"
The giant healer of Suzaku rushed over to the ex-bandit, the flutist, and the unconscious girl. Without another thought, he placed his hand over her ankle and started his spell.
Finally the other seishi, along with the Seiryuu Priestess rushed over to the four.
Nuriko gasped as soon as he saw the real features of Azeruse. "Miaka-chan... Azeruse... I am not sure if I understand..."
"I do." growled Tasuki as he glared at Tamahome. "You're the reason why she left!! I should have know it from the start..."
"How did she end up in Kutou, no da?" asked Chichiri.
"That is not the question!" answered Hotohori, kneeling next to Tasuki, who refused to let the girl go. "The question is why she looks like this, how can she use those kinds of sword skills, and most of all, why is she a Seiryuu Seishi?!"
"I have a theory, but it may be highly improbable..." said Chiriko.
Tamaome tried to reason with Tasuki. "Tasuki, I never meant to hurt Miaka, I love her too much. It was the kodoku that made me turn against her. I don't love Yui, I love Miaka."
Tasuki falmed him immediately. "Shut up! Don't you all fuckin' understand what happened? What kind of sacrifice she made to save your ass!!? I thought so too... WHEN I FIRST MET HER!!! But when she rammed that fat-ass bastard, Eiken, I knew that there is much more to her than just this 'Miaka' that we were born to protect. Don't think I haven't noticed that you have been a bastard ever since you met her. I know because I asked her how she came upon this world, I could tell by her face that you didn't give a damn about what happened to her and Yui as soon as you found out they had nothing you need. They were lost, damn you, you could at least have helped them!!"
Tamahome was about to take the girl by force, but he was held back by an unseen power. "Nani?? Why can't I..."
Chichiri slowly curled his fingers into a fist and locked Tamahome in place as he removed his smiling mask. "Tasuki...."
Tasuki brushed back Azeruse's hair from her forehead and revealed her still-glowing character. "She doesn't deserve any more suffering that she receives from you. You drove her away, and look at what's happened to Miaka!!! She is a fuckin' Seiryuu Seishi, for the love of Suzaku!!! Even if it costs me my worthless life... I'll never let her go back to you!"
The Suzaku and Seiryuu groups were both startled by this sudden outburst of fury from the red-haired boy. No more words were spoken to contradict the blame, as there was none who would meet the amber eyes of the one who looks as if he was a bird whose wings have been clipped.
Within Azeruse, the battle for survival had been solved by the healing powers of Mitsukake, for even the deadliest poison was nothing compared to his magic. As she drifted off into a peaceful sleep, a fiery, desperate voice called out to her; it was trying to throw her back into consciousness.
~Azeruse, awaken!! A conflict is about to burst forth!!~
Azeruse's inner conscience registered to the command. Asura?? What are you getting at? The Suzaku Shichiseishi are here to take back their 'priestess', aren't they?
~Yes, but that is something that the Seiryuu Shichiseishi are unwilling to let pass. They would rather kill than to have the Suzaku Seven take you... er... the 'priestess' back; that would allow them to summon their beast god, and prevent us from summoning our own.~
I won't let them do that! I'll die first....., declared the girl.
~The wheels of destiny have come to a turning point. The final battle will arive, and if you don't stop this, the bloodshed will never cease.~
Azeruse's inner self flinched. Why me? Why must I stop this battle from coming? I'm just a servant of Seiryuu...
Asura didn't provide her an answer as the sword severed their link. After the link was broked, Asura added, ~You alone can stop this war, for it is you they are fighting for. They are not fighting for power, they are fighting because they love you. Because you have been given a place in their hearts. You are the one who is neither darkness nor light, life or death, silver or gold..... you are lost, my child.....~
Asura, despite that it is not living, is still sentient. It can feel the turmoil in its wielder's heart through its own spirit. ~Azeruse/Miaka, Priestess of Suzaku/Seiryuu Seishi...... you are the light which kindles their future. You are the lost light of red and blue.~
_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Preview of Chapter 6
Learning to Trust, or Knowing to Hate?
"Tasuki." said Azeruse forcefully, causing him to look up. "Your powers are disappearing because your ki is in its lowest levels."
Tasuki turned pale and brought forth whole volleys of abuse until he calmed down enough to ask the emotionless Azeruse a straight question. "Is there anything anyone can do about it?"
Azeruse was silent as Tasuki stared at her hopefully. ".... .... .... ...."
"Well, is there??"
".... .... .... There is only one way...."
"How? I'll do nearly anything, I can't protect you... or Miaka without my powers." cried Tasuki.
The blue-haired girl smiled ironically. "Anything? Unfortunately, it's probably gonna cost us both... but I on owe you... it's your choice."
Tasuki looked at Azeruse confusedly for another moment. "No, it's your choice... I'd risk anything, for I'm the one who's powerless now."
~Your choice, Azeruse...~, stated Asura as it responded to her answer.
Azeruse went up to Tasuki, nodded, and repeated. "A life for a life; my debt will be repaid."
****************************************************************************************************************
Chapter Notes:
Well, now what minna? What will dear Azeruse/Miaka-chan choose to do? will she ever regain her memory again? (yeah, yeah, I'll shut up) Hey, this next chapter's for dear old log-throwing, obake-chan-loving, Chichiri-loving, video-borrowing, picture-scanning (though it didn't work), at-times-screaming Dom-chan. I just finished the next few chapters, but Dom-chan practically bit my head off when she wanted to be the first to read it. (grumble, *******, grumble) Why do you people read this fanfic anyway? It's awful!!! Just please, I need your criticism and comments... I'm like a damn vampire when it comes to these things... DON'T YOU DARE CONTRADICT THAT ANNA-CHAN!!!!! grrrrrr......... I'll post the next few chapters soon if you people want to read it. You probably don't, so I guess I won't post it up (Dominique throws a log). I was just kidding... Please send whatever comments and flames you have to me. Sayonara and Jaa mata ne!!
*****************************************************************************************************************
Disclaimers:
Full list of disclaimers in the Introductions, please.... my hands are f*****' tired from typing this long chapter. I don't have the strength to pull any wise-ass cheap jokes today... Jaa mata ne!!
Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho^^Chapter Four^^Chapter Six