Chapter 2- Priestess of Seiryuu (Seiryuu no Miko)

The wind ruffled his hair as he sat on the ramparts of the palace. Next to him his brother blew on the flute artfully causing a soothing meoldy to drift from it. Soi’s laughter echoed through the area, making Suboshi turn beet red.
“don’t worry about her Shun,” Amiboshi said, stopping his flute music for a second. The blushing seishi lowered his head, grumbling obscene things under his breath. Amiboshi elbowed him, pointing downward. Both twins stood up, Nakago was entering the palace area. An unconcious girl in odd clothing draped over his horse.
“Is that?”
“Can it be?” They both asked at the same time and scrambled down the walls easily. They reached Nakago just as Soi stalked out. Suboshi and Soi stood on opposite sides of the horse and glared.
“Seiryuu no Miko has arrived,” The voice he used was different, Suboshi had known Nakago for a year, this was his ‘business’ voice.
“Hai, shall I take her in?” Suboshi asked quickly, maybe too quickly by Soi’s smirk. That taunt she had sent at him earlier still stung. I’m a man, not a boy or a girl no matter what she says! She can’t hurt me with her stupid @#&^&* insults..... he thought angrily as he swept the girl up in his arms. Nakago nodded once and led his horse to the stables.
“See you later Waif,” Soi said, elbowing Suboshi hard as she passed him. Amiboshi rubbed the same spot on his side.
“You two should try to get along,” Amiboshi said softly, helping his brother with the doors as they entered the chamber prepared for Seiryuu no Miko. The bed in the middle was large and extranvagent, the sheets died an exotic blue.
“Easy for you to say,” With a grunt he laid the girl down and went to the windows. Two dark blue shades were drawn over them, keeping the light from entering this ‘sacred’ place.
“She’s heavy. I wonder what kind of food they eat in her world.....” Suboshi wondered aloud pulling the drapes back. The sunlight streamed in a gave the room a new life. Amiboshi just laughed. Slinging an arm over his brother’s shoulders they exit
the room, giving orders to the servants to attend to the girl’s every needs and whims. Seiryuu no Miko had arrived, and it was a time to rejoice.

“Are you sure Nakago-sama?” Tomo asked, this was a subject that worried him very much. The girl’s virginity was what kept her useful, without it.....
“Hai,” The same dry tone as before, Suboshi noted and carefully composed his face to the one that everyone was used to seeing. The cocky self-centered jerk. Inwardly he grinned and pure bliss settled in his mind, nakago was seated to his right and a
ki to his left. The two people he loved the most.
“What will the wishes be?” Soi’s voice broke into his blissful thoughts. Anger clouded his mind. That f****** B****! underneath the table his hands clenched involuntarily and he knew a scowl spread across his face even as he fought to compose it again. They were in a meeting, about the summoning of Seiryuu and the remaining Seishi, Miboshi, that they needed to find.
“hn, should we even keep playing this useless game after we can make the wishes? The emperor of Kutou and anyone who will not agree can easily be disposed of, after we have that power” Suboshi said, adding his comments to the pile. To his satisfacti
Soi glared at him. He had made his point.
“We shall see when we come to that. Any news about Miboshi?” Nakago directed this question droadly, but his eyes lingered for a while on Suboshi. The blue depthes smiled at him, even though his facil expression had not changed.
“none yet, Nakago-sama. We may have a lead in Sairou somewhere, but that’s it,” the inhuman growl from the shadows followed by wet slurping noise easily made Suboshi grimace. His first meeting with Ashitare had not been pleasent. The beast gains coherent speech for a whole sentence! Amazing what dumb beasts can do! he thought viciously.
“Where’s Amiboshi?” Soi questioned. A smirk fell over nakago’s face.
“The Suzaku seishi will have a surprise coming when they try to summon Suzaku. A deadly surprise,” Wrapped in a pakage of my reflection. Aniki, come back to me..........Suboshi thought miserably. The meeting went on as they continued arguing about the wishes. However, Shun’s thoughts drifted away from the present and to his aniki. How they parted, and...... how much it hurt.

“NANI! WHY’D YOU VOLUNTEER! YOU PROMISED!” Shun screamed at his brother. Amiboshi looked sad. Shun raised his fist as if to strike his brother, and stared horrified at it.
“aniki.....”
“Shun-chan, I had too! We’re the only people who can! demo.... I didn’t want you to be hurt! You just... and... love.............” Amiboshi stumbled over the end of his sentence. So unlike his beloved aniki. Shun swallowed his anger.
“but for you to go instead... aniki!” Shun threw his arms around his brother.
“I’ll come back. Because.... because I can’t go breaking my promises can I?” Amiboshi asked, smiling a little as tears ran down his face. Shun tried to smile too and hugged his brother tighter.
“Isn’t this touching!? Don’t you know anything? The Suzaku Seishi are merciless once they find out its six on one and Amiboshi’s dead,” Soi commented, grinning evilly. Shunkaku slapped her his rage fueling his ryuuseisui as it spun around the twins
“Soi, leave,” Amiboshi said, his voice full of steel. The other seishi laughed again and raised her hand.
“That child’s toy can’t harm me!” the lightning came down to meet her hand.
“Let’s see about that! Come and Get ME!” Shun yelled, pulling ryuuseisui towards him and crouching down. The blue ‘kaku’ symbol flashed on his shoulder.
“As you wish! HAKU-JIN RAI-HOH!” she yelled and released the lightning at him. Rolling to his left he released the weapon. The whirring was comforting to his ears and it was if everything slipped away. He only saw Soi and his ryuuseisui. He watche
in satisfaction as she turned tail and ran.
“Sayonara, ototo-san,” Amiboshi whispered as he slipped away unnoticed by his brother. Suboshi turned around, and frantically looked for his brother. When he hid his ki no one could find him.
“ANIKI!? ANIKI!!!!!!!!!!!” He called, getting very afraid now. Amiboshi covered his ears and ran, leaving his brother behind with an incomplete goodbye lingering on his lips and in his mind.

“I see, you want to wish for world domination, Tomo?” Nakago was asking. Still at, don’t they get it!? Only one wish is promised to us, that damned girl could wish for whatever she wants. The customary sneer spread across his face.
“How long will it last? How long before the people tire of you?” Suboshi asked, entering the conversation again. Tomo gave him a deadly look. Guess I’m not too popular with the fans....he thought wryly and excused himself. He had no need to talk a
ut world domination and such. He passed the miko’s room and paused. The heavy gold handles were greatly adorned with Seiryuu on them. The dragon of War He ran his fingers over the gold inlay and fumbled at his belt for something. A battered and worn
lute met his fingers. Aniki’s flute.... his eyes teared up unconciously as he clutched the only item he had that reminded him of his brother. Amiboshi had several flutes, but this one was the one he’d used, when Tou-san and Kaa-san had died......

“run Shun! hide in the barn and wait for your aniki!” Kaa-san screamed, shoving the little boy outside. Shun looked at her, his blue eyes wide as a sword slashed into her back. She fell down screaming for him to run, he was frozen in fear, clutching
sock-puppet tou-san had made for him. Tears started pouring down his cheeks.
“Shun! RUN!” His father yelled, pushing him and standing in front of him holding kaa-san’s body as the soldiers advanced. He could still remember the soldier’s face and his armor. The armor of Kutou’s regulars. His face was thin and ratty with stub
e growing on his chin. A leer on his face and two squinty little black eyes. the sockpuppet fell from his hands as he wrenched his eyes from the scene. As he ran he heard his father’s agonized scream. He climbed into the loft in their barn and curle
up, hiding his face in his hands.
“aniki....hayaku aniki... don’t leave me alone!”

He slowly lifted the flute to his lips, and through his tears started playing.

Amiboshi sighed and lifted his flute up. The man from Kutou was already on Suzaku no Miko and the bats were hurting her. For you Shun, I’ll only kill for you, He began to play. The same hauntingly beautiful melody his twin played that the same momen
Sending his ki with the notes, killing the man and moving the bats. They hit the tree one by one, and he could almost feel their life force drain away. He felt woozy and sick as he tottered out to meet the Suzaku Sei, the paint on his skin reading ‘Stretch’.


The miko looked down at the boy kneeling in front of her. She sighed inwardly, he was young and immature she was sure. The cocky grin and sure look in his eyes told her as much.
“hajimemashite, Yui-sama,” he said, barely showing any respect. Yui decided she disliked him already, not even having seen him during her time in the palace.
“Nakago, how is he supposed to interrupt the ceremony if he’s here?” she directed the question at the tall blonde man behind the boy. He had saved her, and for that she was indebted to him, and loved him.
“You must forgive Yui-sama Suboshi, she seems to be in a foul mood today,” Yui was angry that Nakago dare ignore her! And even worse! He valued the boy, and talked to him first. Suboshi raised his head and smirked, an evil looking sadistic kind of
irk that Yui immediately compared with the men who had wronged her. He will never raise in my opinion, Nakago why do you value him so highly?

Amiboshi looked behind him, no one. Ducking behind the building he looked around again, as if suspecting them to jump him. I’ve done my job, maybe too well. I have friends now, but........ friends or family? He raised a fingernail, ready to tell Nakago the ceremony was starting. His thoughts quickly turned to Miaka. She smiles so much, and is really kind. Not at all like the people in Kutou-koku. I wonder.......... He studied his arm, contemplating the results of his acts. Nakago would never hurt Shun, but I’m expendable. Miaka-sama......... ARGH! I don’t know what to do.... maybe I’ll send the message, interrupt the ceremony and run away........ Ototo-san..... With his mind made up Amiboshi quickly scratched the symbols on his arm.

“unh....” Suboshi made a small noise. Nakago turned his attention to the boy as he began unwrapping his arms. Yui looked over in surprise, thinking What is he doing?
“Its come?” Nakago asked smoothly. Suboshi smirked again.
“Hai Nakago-sama, the ceremony is about to start.” Yui blinked.
“How does he do that?” She asked, studying Suboshi over.
“Twins have an unusually strong bond of both mind and body.....” Nakago went on but she stopped paying attention to him and started to withdrawl some of her mental barbs about Suboshi. Well hidden circles under his eyes showed worry for his twin. The smirk was fixed in place, but his eyes, they were windows to his soul. How could she have missed it? he was sad, waiting for his brother, but something else was hidden in his deep blue eyes. Love.... for Nakago? They weren’t different, but Nakago lo
d him and not her, she put a hand to her chest, and made a fist. Gomen, I judged you to harshly, I hope your brother makes it back, Suboshi.

The Suzaku Sei stared at the fire, nothing. Their eyes opened in shock.
“What went wrong? Nothings coming out!” Tamahome cried. Amiboshi exhaled and slowly lifted his flute to his lips. Very quietly at first, then louder Amiboshi began to play on his flute. Six pairs of eyes turned to look at him.
“Ch-Chiriko!” Miaka said. He lowered the flute for a second. His lips forming a smirk, a shield, something he’d seen his brother do so often.
“iie. You have failed Suzaku no Miko,” Tasuki’s eyes buldged out of his head and he started ranting.
“Then who! REKKA SHINEN!” He didn’t finish his sentence before sending a blast of fire at Amiboshi. It ‘splashed’ on his shoulder, revealing the blue ‘ko’. He smirked again and began to play. They screamed in pain as he continued to play, sending
is ki through the melody.
“Itai no da!”
“My head!”
“CHIRIKO!!!!!” Miaka cried, stumbling towards him. He stopped playing, in shock. She had the will to walk? He would destroy her! Miaka, my dear Miaka-san.... gomen nasai..... Licking his lips Amiboshi placed the flute at his mouth.
“Yamate! ONEGAI CHIRIKO!!!!” Miaka screamed at him, her hair ornaments snapping by the force of his ki. You baka! Turn back! onegai turn back Miaka-san! Amiboshi thought despretely. She kept coming, still smiling at him. He stopped playing his flute.
“onegai.... turn back Miaka-san... or surely I’ll kill you,” he said softly and once more began to play. Her eyes opened wide and she stopped for a second, thinking about what he’d said. Her foot raised, and she walked closer. Unable to see her face
in pain as a small stream of blood trickled from her temple Amiboshi turned and ran, slamming the doors open he hit the two soldiers standing closest to it and jumped onto the roof.
“Matte! COME BACK!” Tasuki and Tamahome began running after him.
“Chichiri, take me after them!” Miaka demanded, wiping the blood from her face. The monk nodded and put an arm around her.

“Mister! I need a boat!” Amiboshi said to the older mand standing there smoking a pipe. The man shook his head.
“We can’t send boats out today, the waters too high several people have been swept away already. Amiboshi swallowed and clutched his flute as Tasuki and Tamahome caught up with him. Tamahome bore slight char marks, curtosy of Tasuki’s tessen.
“How many of the Seiryuu Seven have been gathered besides you and Nakago!?” Tamahome asked, glaring at him. Amiboshi took a step back, refusing to asnwer.
“Don’t waste your breath Tamahome. We sheltered him and fed him and he repays us with this! TRAITOR!!!!!!!!” The red-headed bandit spewed off a line of obscene things. Amiboshi almost smiled, that was Tasuki for you.
“wait!” Miaka’s voice rang out. Only seconds later she and Chichiri fell on top of Tamahome in a heap.
“Chiriko! Chiriko! Please..... tell me your not.... are you? Chiriko....” She rambled incoherently about him not being a traitor. He hung his head slightly, looking at her through his bangs. You idiot.... I’m your enemy...... stop thinking of me
Chiriko... I wish.... I wish I had been Chiriko, but I’m not. Miaka, stop calling me Chiriko! He jumped up, flute raised high, ready to end this here and now. Tamahome saw the attack and moved between the Seiryuu Sei and his miko.
“I’m Seiryuu Shichi Seishi Amiboshi!” He called back to Miaka. Tamahome and Tasuki got into battle positions.
“Yamate! Stop fighting!” Miaka cried. Amiboshi took a step backwards, and the rock under his feet crumbled away. The wind rushed around him as he fell, for what seemed forever. Flashes of his past ran through his mind as Time seemed to slow down.


“Aniki! ANIKI! Look!” Shun-chan waved a flower in front of his brother’s face. Koutoku laughed and took it, tickling his brother’s nose with it.
“Come on aniki! Kaa-san and Tou-san are waiting!” His brother smiled to innocently.
“race you!” Both twins set off across an empty field, running. They laughed and tumbled down in the grass. Koutoku looked at his reflection, the scene was priceless, one of his favorite memories. Why couldn’t it all have stayed like that?

Kaa-san was dead, and Tou-san was dying. What had they ever done?! His brother would die too if he didn’t help him. With a last look at his parents he took off to get Shunkaku.

Shunkaku clung to his sleeve as the soldiers advanced. They joked about killing HIS brother, they’d pay! The flute sent forth such a beautiful melody, like the hidden thorns of a rose the ki took affect.
“aniki.....”

He looked at Shun’s retreating back as his blue ‘ko’ sign glew. It was seperating them, the one person he loved.
“Shun-chan, gomen nasai.....” His reflection, his throat caught and unshed tears.

He stepped from the cover of the trees, his mind a jumble of thoughts. He’d heard about the Suzaku Seishi, evil and full of crud. But- they seemed so nice, was Soi wrong?

Miaka was so beautiful, not only on the outside but her inside was just as beautiful. She was so caring and gentle...
“Chiriko!” Miaka-san was calling.....

“Chiriko!” miaka’s tear stained face looked down at him as he fell. Don’t be said Miaka-chan.... I’m free now... The raging waters consumed him with a violent splash.

Water... there’s water all around. I can’t breath! ANIKI! ANIKI!!! Suboshi thought, the ryuuseisui dropping from his hands and bouncing on the floor. He pulled his arms around his chest, soft sobs building up.
“Aniki? I can’t feel aniki’s ki! The Suzaku Sei must have... no! ANIKI!!!!!! ANIKI!!!!!!” Suboshi screamed his throat protesting. He let loose a cry that a wound animal makes, and collapsed onto himself on the floor.
“ANIKI!”

Nakago felt a tremor pass down his spine and a scream was cut loose from Subohi’s room. A tear formed at the corner of his eye.
“Amiboshi.......” He started alking towards the Twin’s hall. On his way there he passed Soi, she was staring in shock at the floor. Ashitare was whining. Tomo, was Tomo unaffected by the loss of the Seishi. It only disturbed him because this loss
uld affect his wishes. Yui-sama was standing in front of her door, a shattered tea cup lay at her feet.
“Nakago, what was that?” She asked, softly. The look in her eyes begged him to tell her she was wrong.
“Amiboshi, Suboshi’s twin brother has failed and was killed,” The ever so calmness of his voice sent her to tears. Her seishi, one of her seishi had died. It wasn’t a game anymore, who win or get their wishes first. But life, and Yui had just learned that the hard way.

“Shunkaku?” he asked, rapping lightly on Suboshi’s door. The teenager was curled up in the middle of the floor sobbing. Each and every sob tore at Nakago’s heart, but he knew that Suboshi needed to cry. Or all that emotion would be pent up, and that was too dangerous for someone as unstable as Suboshi to have.
“anikianikianikianikianikianiki.....” Suboshi was crying. Each time he said the word another sob fell from his throat. Carefully, Nakago eased the door open and walked into the room.
“Shun-chan........ I-I’m sorry.....” He didn’t know what to say. He’d never comforted anyone before, and after a death this tragic with a bond so close... Suboshi pulled away from him and curled up tighter. The ryuuseisui turned in knots above their
heads, showing his anguish.
“Let it out Shun........” he whispered and pulled his cape off his shoulders. Wrapped Suboshi in it he let the boy lay on the ground crying. As he left the room Yui entered it and walked over to Suboshi. She didn’t understand how Suboshi knew his brother was dead, or how close the bond, but she hugged him and talked to him.
“You’ve lost someone special haven’t you?” his tear stained face met hers and he yelled at her.
“SHUT UP! You don’t understand!!!!!!!” His shoulders heaved with a suppressed sob.
“I think I might, cry all that you need to. Cry all you want....” she held him as he cried. Thank Seiryuu.... I want to... oh Seiryuu! Shun, I want to hold you...... Nakago sighed to himself and his heart gave an involuntary wrench at the site an
he left the room. Several minutes later Yui followed.
“He’s still crying, and proably will for a long time. Nakago..... do you love him? He loves you.... and......” Yui trailed off, being confronted by two piercing ice-blue eyes.
“Yui-sama, you are in over your head; return to your room and rest. Today has been stressful,” He intoned emotionlessly. She was taken aback, but did as she was told and returned to her room. Did you tell her Shun? Or is Yui-sama more observant then I took her for?

Aniki, what happened to you? You said you’d come back! You promised! Liar... aniki...Two large tears welled up and spilled over running down his face. His hands balled into fists and pounded the ground mercilessly.
“aniki!” You... promised! The Suzaku Seishi did that to you didn’t they? I’ll kill every one of them for that! I’ll make them suffer just how we suffered aniki! Homeless, without food, beaten and hurt. I’ll make them pay!
“Suzaku Seishi.........” He yelled and hit the ground so hard his fist broke the tile, and the tile also broke his hand.
“i-tai... aniki.......” he felt foolish. Yelling at the Suzaku Seishi. They had done nothing wrong, he would have similarly done to any other their spies what they had done to his aniki. But Seiryuu! It hurt so much.
“itai aniki... it hurts...” He lay there, as if waiting for his aniki to come in and tell him it was a bad dream. To hold him and play his flute, his favorite song to make him sleep. Aniki never came.
“You’ll never come again, ne aniki?” He laughed to himself, a not-very-sane laugh. His blue eyes bloodshot and barely open.
“aniki? Play that song...... would you, onegai?” In his mind he heard his brother laughing at him, and playing the flute. A pair of hands entered his blurred vision.
“Okaa-san? Oysaumi, kaa-san, tou-san...” His mother and father’s laughter swirled around him as he was lost in the sea of memories, drowning in his sorrow.


Miaka stood on the bridge, looking down at the dark waters. The water that had so easily taken a life yesterday. Amiboshi’s life. A wreath of flowers were held in her hands, the blooms trmbled with the uneasyness in her stoumach. Nuriko, Tasuki and
er were having fun, while someone who had been so close to her heart was dead.
“Amiboshi.... gomen... I couldn’t save you....” a tear fell from her eyes and landed on the flowers. Arms wrapped around her, Tamahome.
“Miaka, don’t blame yourself! It wasn’t your fault,” Tamahome whispered as he held her. Miaka shook her head.
“No, I could’ve saved him! I could have grabbed him when he went over, but.... a small part of me held back. So instead I just stood there and called his name! I could have saved him!” She cried, tears running down her face. Tamahome just held her,
hispering in her ear as she threw the flowers high and they watched them float away in the river. Sayonara, Amiboshi.


“They’ve headed for Hokkan-koku then?” Nakago asked, questioning the black clad spies. The leader nodded.
“In search of the Shinzaho a magical item that allows them to be able to summon the Beast God,” The hoarse voice rasped out from under the black cloth. Nakago nodded and dismissed them.
“I’m thinking of sending Suboshi with Yui-sama to Hokkan. Ashitare will deal with the seishi there,” he thought outloud.
“Is that wise? Suboshi doesn’t seem like a very..... stable individual and after his brother’s death......” Tomo interjected.
“The loss of Amiboshi was greater because his brother was everything to him. We need to make Yui-sama more important in his eyes, he never wanted to come. It was his brother that lured him here,” Soi answered the question and raised her face to meet
omo’s eyes. The two constantly bickered, and the only time they got along is when threatened or when something particuarly malicious was going on.
“Shinzaho. We need it now, since we are down a seishi,” Tomo said, to no one in particular. The door behind the trio creaked open and Suboshi stood there. He had brushed his hair and bandaged his bloody hands. He also wore a new set of clothes and looked fairly presentable. His face was a wreck. Two bloodshot eyes set deep . He hadn’t eaten for a while as well. He didn’t answer. Only knelt before Nakago.
“konichi wa Nakago-sama. Tom-san, Soi-san,” he aknowldged her then and preceeded to sit on the floor.
“I’m sending you to Hokkan with Yui-sama. Its best that you go. The Suzaku Seishi are familar with myself and will be with Lady Soi. I prefer to keep Tomo hidden until he is needed and Ashitare will harry them when they get there,” Something flashed
across Suboshi’s face, but it soon resumed its dead look.
“hai,”

Yui sighed impatiently as he strapped their bags to the side of the horse. Why send Suboshi? He looks terrible! Why not come yourself Nakago? She questioned this decision but kept her mouth shut. Suboshi gave the packs one last tug and swung himself up into the saddle.
“Hold on tight Yui-sama,” he isn’t even paying that much attention to me! How special could his brother be that after two days he’s still as depressed as if his brother just died! She wrapped her arms around his waist and waited.
“iku,” at her word he flicked the reins of the horse and dug his heels in a little. They took off like an arrow.
“Is that really wise?” Soi asked as the shogun watched them leave.
“hn,” Nakago made a non-commitale noise.
“I’ll just go now....” Soi left Nakago standing there as the wind blew. The wind can blow, and be as cold as it can get. But I cannot feel it, only the cold ice that sits on my heart. He raised a hand and touched the area above his heart. Okaa-san
would you ever forgive me?



Suboshi sat stiffly in the saddle, his heart racing as fast as the horse ran. He did not notice Yui-sama’s odd looks at him, for his thoughts were elsewhere.
“hn, still crying? Like a child!” Soi scoffed. Suboshi’s fist clenched.
“Aniki.....”
“He’s dead boy. Forget about him!”
“Doya-pan!” he snarled back at her. Soi laughed.
“Quite right, I may sell my body, but my heart belongs to Nakago. The Nakago you took from me! Do you want to know who killed your brother? Suzaku Shichi Seishi Tamahome did. He brutually murdered your brother.............. and the same fate awaits
ou at his hands! Fitting isn’t it?” She casually pushed him away and sauntered out of his room.
“che......”

Yui felt the horse surge under her, the animal’s harsh breathes were heard easily. She felt secure, with her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. Miaka, whats happening? I’m..... I’m losing myself! Everytime I look in the mirror, its not Hongo Yui
... its someone else. Someone bad..... I’m scared Miaka, MIAKA!!!!!!!! She held in tighter, trying not to scream her friend’s name. Miaka had been the one with all the friends, all the support all the love. Both her parents worked and her older brot
r Hiro was already at college and would be for a long time. It had been Miaka who betrayed her trust and chose a character in a book over her. How could you!? We ........... were.... no ARE best friends! MIaka..... I’ll never forgive you........ The wind whipped over them as they rode on towards Hokkan. Yui had made her decision. As they rode by a stream a reflection caught her eye. A young man with blonde hair and blue-gray eyes sat in front on a black steed. He wore green tunic and black pan
. Behind him sat a lady wearing a gossamer robe with a long trail of white silk behind her. Seiryuu no Miko. Yui blinked, and vision was gone and she only saw a confused boy and girl riding on a plain brown horse. Seiryuu no Miko?