(From Yui)
“There, there, it’s all right little one, go ahead and cry.,” I whispered holding her head. Soi, I’m so sorry Soi. I looked over at her beautiful kimono, ripped to shreds. I felt Soi shiver in her arms. “Are you cold?,” I asked concerned. She nodded slowly. I smiled lightly and took off my jacket. My blouse shirt would have to do, it was the lightest material and it would look like a dress on her. I pulled that off and helped her into it, making sure to be careful with her hair. After that, I put the jacket back on and buttoned it to cover my bra. She smiled lightly and wrote something in the dirt floor. Arigato. I looked over at her, not once had she said a word. “Can’t you speak?,” I asked concerned. She lowered her head and averted her eyes. Poor, poor Soi. Seriyu, I don’t know how she’s alive, but you’ve put her through hell! I hugged her again,” It’s ok, do you have a name?” Again she stayed quiet. Not even a name? “No name?,” I said, a tear slide down her face. I wiped it off with my thumb. “Hey now, it’s ok, how about I name you?,” I said. Her eyes beamed, for the first time since I’d seen her. She looked so much happier when she was like that. “How about I call you Soi, ne? My little Soi-chan,” I said patting her head. Soi’s eyes watered up and she threw her arms around her and squeezed her happily. Then it hit me; did Soi even remember me? Only one way to find out,” Soi-chan, do you know who I am?” She pulled back a little and frowned some. She bent down and wrote her first friend in the dirt. I smiled and pulled her back into a hug. I guess she didn’t. Slowly, my mind turned to other matters. I stood up and glanced at the man, still not moving. I let go of Soi and gave her a look to sit still, and I walked over to the man. Worriedly, I bent down and took his pulse. Dead. I shuddered, just then the door swung open. A man stood there and glanced at me. “Hey you!,” he spat and stormed in. I jumped to me feet and my eyes widened. Again the slap hit me and I hurtled to the ground. Little hands grabbed onto my arm. I looked up to see Soi looking worriedly over me. “He’s dead.,” he stuttered. Finally to me knees, I glanced back and he was glaring at me. “You killed him!,” he spat. I jerked, that hurt. At least he’s accusing me instead of Soi. Soi cowered behind me. He grit his teeth. “Both of you are too much trouble, your both going on the market, now!,” he shouted grabbing my arm. “Let go!,” I shouted back. Another slap. My cheek’s sore, I noted to myself. Soi clutched onto my arm. The man jerked me to me feet and grabbed rope. “No!,” I screamed pulling my arm. Soi ran over to kick the man in the leg. “Stand back Soi-chan!,” I shouted. Another blow to the cheek. The rope went hastily around my legs and arms. “Get out of here Soi-chan!,” I shouted on the ground. She shock her head, she refused to leave me. “Please!,” I ordered.
(in third person)
“The Seriyu no Miko begged for Soi to leave, but her shichisieshi refused to leave.,” Taka read starring hard. Miaka bit her lip,” Please Yui-chan, be all right.” Taka continued flipping the page,” Soi and her Miko were dragged out to a stage in the middle of the town. There, many strangers bid money to get the fair prizes…”
(in Suboshi view)
“40 Gold Taels!,” someone shouted. I ignored it, filthy scum. Throwing away their money and they wonder why they’re poor. I all ready had felt the consequence of claiming Ashitare. Outcast, I scoffed at that. It’s not like I hadn’t been one before. Suddenly a forceful hand grabbed my shoulder. I was spun around. “Hey pal, knock it off!,” I warned. The man chuckled,” I’m surprised you’re not interested in buying those two ladies over there. I’m sure they could keep you much warmer in bed then that dog of yours.” Several others added to the laughter. I slapped his hand off my shoulder. “I’m not desperate unlike you slobs,” I spat. He glared and haled his hand back and slapped my back sending me foreword off guard. Everyone moved back and made an opening clearly making me the only one close to the stage. Damn them! I grit my teeth and got to my hands and knees and glanced up. It-it couldn’t be. No way in hell! I all ready could feel my heart pound out of my chest. I shock my head, I was dreaming, and yet there she was. “Yui-sama!,” I gasped. She was staring at me; she was at the brim of tears. Her skin was dirty and so were her clothes, it looked like she was in a struggle. She was bound and gagged, and still she seemed like an angle. They, how could they treat her like this?! Those bastards! I grit my teeth and started concentrating my chi. Yui-sama shuddered, I seen the all to fimilar glint in her eyes of an unsure fear. Almost at whim, my Ryuuseisui appeared. They spun instantly at my command. The men from earlier had ganged around me. “Look at this,” one laughed. Big mistake. I whipped one around, he jerked and my other one flew around my head going through another. Screams were heard from the crowd, every one fleeing. I glanced at the brothel leader; he wasn’t taking it too kindly. Tough! He was next! And then he did the unthinkable. Yui-sama was snatched and thrown violently off the stage. No! “YUI-SAMA!,” I shouted, my Ryuuseisui all ready heading that way. The brothel leader had anticipated my attack. Yui’s eyes grew wide as it had grazed her shoulder, ripping her jacket. The crimson liquid poured everywhere. Instantly my weapons stopped spinning and I ran over to her. She was on the ground. The other men who hadn’t fallen dead were fleeting. I gently picked up Yui-sama, Gods; I hate seeing her in pain! I glared up at the brothel leader he glared back. He was about ready to call some other thugs. Instantly my character flared brightly and my Ryuuseisui flung to life again. “Let me leave now with her or I will make it well known about your business!,” I snapped. He glared at me and I raised an eyebrow at him. “I’ll make you pay ten fold for this!,” he finally shouted running off. I looked down at Yui-sama in my arms. I saw a faint flicker of warmth in her beautiful ice eyes. With my left hand I touched her check. She cringed and a muffled a groan. Her shoulder! I had forgotten. Baka Suboshi! I undid her gag. “Untie me!,” she hissed. I obeyed, I could never say no to my Miko. After that, she pushed away from me and looked back up the stage where a little girl of seven stood with wavering eyes. She too was dirty, and she was wearing something Yui could possible have warn. “It’s ok now, he won’t hurt us.,” she told the girl. It was the first time I noticed her. She undid her binds and I watched her grit her teeth. “Yui-sama, let me!,” I said. “Keep watch for anyone!,” she hissed. I glanced back and forth, ready at a moment’s whim. “Haiku! We need to get out of here before the Emperor’s guards get here!,” I ordered. She glanced at me, helping the girl down. “Aren’t we going to the Emperor any way?,” she asked confused. I gritted me teeth hearing the clatter of boots. Grrr! I grabbed the girl and placed her over my shoulder and I grabbed Yui-sama’s right arm and we ran.
(in third person)
Miaka flinched and let out a small scream. Taka looked up to see his wife, her left shoulder bleeding. Her face was cringed up in pain. “Yu-Yui-chan got hurt, didn’t she?,” she stuttered through clenched teeth. Taka gulped,” Take off the uniform Miaka” Miaka just shock her head while holding her shoulder. “N-no, Yui-chan sat through this for me. I’m going to do the same for Yui-chan!” Taka nodded slowly, realizing what she meant. He turned back to the book. “The Seriyu no Miko’s reunion was cut short, the shichisieshi Suboshi insisting he take care of her wounds.,” he said snickering at the word Suboshi.
(from Soi)
My friend averted her eyes from our rescuer while he attempted to gently take off her green coat. I was still in her white shirt from earlier, as oddly as it looked, it was comfortable. She winced as he removed it, and my eyes grew wide at seeing how much blood covered her arm and chest. It had only been grazed, right? Please be all right! I glanced at the man who saved us, he was calm, but blushing deep crimson. He grabbed a cloth and wetted it. “This might hurt Yui-sama.,” he warned and lightly pressed it down on the wound. She flinched and groaned slightly, he stopped and then went back to dabbing. “So, uh, Yui-sama, when did you get here?,” he asked unsure of words. She just kept staring at the floor. She was deep in thought. “Yui-sama?,” he asked. She looked back at him surprised,” Oh, I’m not sure Suboshi.” Suboshi was his name, I noted. And what did he call her? Yui-sama? I like the ring of Yui-chan better, but then again, she reminds me of Kasan. I lowered my head. Kasan, why did they sell you? A hand was placed on my shoulder. I gasped and looked up, Yui-chan placed a hand on my check. “What’s wrong Soi-chan?,” she asked kindly. Soi-chan. Kasan never really called me by my real name, so I never knew it. Suboshi gaped in protest,” Yui-sama! I’m not done with your bandages!” Yui-chan smirked and rubbed my head,” You are too serious Suboshi.” Suboshi was taken aback at this, literally gasping and dropping the bandages. “Too serious…?,” he said like he was slapped in the face. She then turned back to me,” Tell me what’s wrong” I just lowered my head, I couldn’t tell her, not yet. She sighed and patted my head, and then kissed my forehead. With a serious face see turned to Suboshi and with help, placed her jacket back on. “Suboshi, I need to get things straight. First off, why aren’t we at the Emperor’s? Second, why are you alive? And third, how come you remember me?,” she asked straight out. “Yui-sama, how could I ever forget you.,” he said in an unusual voice that I picked up on. “What do you mean by me not remembering you?,” he questioned. “Well when I found Soi she remembered nothing.,” she stated confused. What does she mean by remembering anything? “Soi’s alive too?,” he asked just as confused. “Yes, she’s right there.,” she said looking over at me. Alive? What did she mean by that, was I supposed to be dead?! Suboshi glanced over at me and it looked like something had hit him. “Soi, a-a little girl?,” he shock his head,” This is terrific, I’d never expect that she wou-“ “Wait Suboshi, what did you say before about being alive too?,” Yui-chan interrupted him. He nodded,” Yui-sama, I found Ashitare the other day.” Yui-chan jumped up with fear clenched into her eyes. “You did?!,” she shouted. Suboshi put his hands on her shoulders, Yui flinched. He quickly removed them. “It’s all right Yui-sama. He was revived as a dog. A common housedog. He’s perfectly safe as long as no one provokes him. Ashitare, here boy!,” he called. Yui-chan tensed up, and so did I. What were they talking about!? And then a dog about my waist size came bounding into the room. I jumped slightly, unsure to be afraid like Yui-chan or not. The dog ran over to Suboshi and started jumping up and down happily barking. Yui-chan literally shrieked and hid behind a chair. Suboshi smiled some,” Go say hi to Lady Yui.” Ashitare knocked the chair over and pounced on her. I saw her wince. Not a good move Suboshi. Ashitare than lapped at Yui’s face. She had her eyes clenched shut. Slowly she opened them and giggled nervously. Suboshi was half laughing by now. “Get off!,” Yui-chan finally snapped and Ashitare ran over too me. I jumped slightly and held out a hand. He seemed nice. Almost instantly he began to happily groan in ways that dogs often do as I began to pet him. Good doggie! I looked up to see Yui-chan push herself off of the floor, refusing Suboshi’s help. “See Yui-sama, Ashitare isn’t what you-“ whap! I jerked slightly. Yui-chan slapped him. Suboshi’s not getting anything right is he? “Baka! Don’t ever do that to me again! Don’t you remember the last time I saw Ashitare!,” she snapped angrily. Suboshi thought for a moment, this isn’t good for him. Yui-chan spun around and headed towards me. “Come on Soi-chan, we need to find the other shichisieshi.,” she muttered. “Yui-sama! Wait!,” Suboshi said. She grabbed my arm and I refused to be dragged out. She looked down at me confused, and I put on a pouting face. The floor wasn’t dirt, so I made writing motions with my hands. Yui-chan glanced over at Suboshi,” I need some paper” Suboshi looked confused, he was about to say something, and then decided not too. I think he would have gotten himself in more trouble if he did. He came back and Yui snatched the paper away and handed it and a writing quill to me. I wrote:
Yui-chan, why are you talking like you knew me? What’s this about Ashi…? I can’t spell that. And why is he calling you Lady Yui?
Yui read it and looked back down at me. After shaking her head slightly she finally replied,” Have you ever heard of the Seriyu no Miko?” Not really, my mother had briefly gone over it maybe once or twice, not much to grasp upon. But I slowly nodded. “I am the Seriyu no Miko.,” she finally replied. My jaw dropped, Yui-chan was Seriyu no Miko? “And being the Miko, I have seven sieshi, each baring the mark of Seriyu.,” she commented and touched my left thigh,” You have one right here, you represent Soi, and that’s why I call you that.” She glanced over at Suboshi. “He has a mark too, on his left shoulder representing Suboshi, and Ashitare,” she pointed at the dog,” has one on his hip, representing Ashitare.” Suboshi bent down and rubbed my head,” Being a sieshi of a Miko is a great honor. We were born to serve the Miko, to protect and serve her, and help her summon Seriyu in hopes our city will prosper.” How? I’m only seven! I couldn’t possibly be able to help Yui-chan even if I wanted to! My face sank back into a depressing scowl. I caught a glimpse of Yui giving Suboshi a small glare. “I think that was a little too much for her to take!,” she hissed in a whisper. I could hear her perfectly, my hearing is much better than most. Ashitare then whimpered at our feet, wanting some more attention. Yui-chan sighed and looked back at me. “Soi-chan, how about I get you to bed. I’ll even tuck you in.,” she said to me. Suboshi put on a worried look on his face, but said nothing. Good, he was beginning to learn a thing or too about Yui-chan. I stifled a yawn. I was kinda sleepy now that I thought of it, and if it was Yui-chan tucking me in well…
“Does your arm still hurt Miaka?,” Taka asked. Miaka nodded her head slightly,” Not as much though, it’s ebbing.” Taka half smiled and looked back at the book.
(Suboshi)
Yui-sama closed the door with her right hand and flinched her left shoulder. Gods, Yui-sama, you and your pride! Just let me help you! “Yu-Yui-sama,” I finally spoke up. I had to get it off my chest, for the past two years I’ve been thinking it. “Nani?,” she said turning around. “Yui-sama, I’m sorry I never was able to kill Tamahome and the Suzaku no Miko.,” I finally blurted out. I closed my eyes shut and waited for her to slap me again, but she never did. I opened my eyes confused. She stood staring at the ground silent. Baka, you upset her! “It’s all right Suboshi, I’m glad you didn’t. But I’d rather not talk about that now. I need to know why every one is appearing again.,” she stated. Yui-sama, you confuse me! Before you were icy, firm as a rock, and yet I’ve seen you break down. Now, now you’ve changed, and I can’t place my finger on why and how. “Why didn’t we go to the emperor’s?,” she asked me. That was easy. “The Emperor’s a bastard. If we’re ever going to get help or kindness from anyone, it’ll be from the townsfolk, and don’t count much on that either. Besides, if the Emperor ever found out you were back, he’d probably try and capture you for his own purposes, so a run in with him wouldn’t be good.,” I scoffed stretching my arms. Yui frowned,” I see.” No point in not telling her why,” Ever since you left, he was angered by the fact you never wished for the countries’ territory to expand like he wanted. He’s planing on building the army up. Pinching every cent from us, every one in this town is poor. It’s going to be harder this time around to gather every one.” Yui nodded agreeing. “Right, Nakago isn’t around to gather every one, he doesn’t have ties like he used to, and only Seriyu knows how old he is.,” she said snickering at his name. I raised an eyebrow. Another change, she sounds like she hates him. I smiled lightly,” Well, I know where Aniki is, so all we really have to worry about is Tomo, Miboshi, and Nakago.” Yui literally jumped,” We know where Amiboshi is! Why haven’t you gone to get him? Why aren’t you living with him? How old is he, older than Soi?” I sweat dropped and raised my hands up, too many questions. “Hold on Yui-sama, I can only answer one at a time.,” I said,” Aniki never died.” Yui looked shocked,” But Amiboshi drowned.” I shock my head, if only he did, I wouldn’t feel as guilty over my actions with Tamahome’s family. “He traveled down a river, and was found by a couple. He’s lost his memory though, and I can’t bare to bring him back to reality.,” I said rather ashamed. I sniffled some and sat down on a chair. “Suboshi, it’s all right, to cry you know.,” she said rather bluntly. That hurt, where did that come from all of the sudden. “You miss him Suboshi, I understand that, we were both alone once.,” she said actually concerned. She, she never used that voice around me. I looked up at her surprised. “Yui…?,” I said and almost slapped myself. Baka! Lady Yui! Lady Yui! Yui-sama! Get that into your head! She sat down in the chair beside me. I only had two chairs. “Suboshi,” she said in that voice again, it sounded like she was going to cry. “When, when Miaka told me, back then, that you were dead, it hurt.,” she explained looking down,” I-I never realized how much you were there for me, how much you meant until it was too late.” What is she getting at? “Yu-Yui-sama, what are you trying to say?,” I asked, her voice was worrying me, I didn’t want to make Yui-sama cry. Yui looked at me frustrated and angrily. “You baka! Don’t you get what I’m trying to say?!,” she sobbed at tears. “Ever since I saw those men push you to the stage I felt like I was stabbed by a thousand needles! Just the thought you were alive filled me with something I’ve never felt before! Suboshi, I-I,” she sobbed. I grabbed her and pulled her tight up to my chest. Baka! I cursed myself; she’ll never forgive you for this! She didn’t tense up but clenched onto the front of my shirt and sobbed. I wrapped my left arm around her and held the back of her head as she cried into my chest. “It’s ok Yui-sama, please don’t cry. I’m sorry, Yui-sama, I’m sorry I hurt you.,” I whispered. What could I say? How do I deal with a situation like this? The sound of knocking came from the wall. I turned my head to see Soi looking in and knocking on the wall. Soi, I remember when you saved me from Tamahome and the others after I, I shuddered. Don’t think about that. She looked so, angelic and innocent. Gods I hope she doesn’t fall for Nakago again. Yui had stopped sobbing and was looking at Soi. Soi looked at me uncomfortably, as if I had done something wrong. I glanced back down at Yui-sama and blushed. Instantly I let go and coughed averting my head. Gods…I was holding her that close to me! And she let me! Yui stood up some and rubbed her eyes and walked over to Soi. “Soi-chan, what’s wrong did you have a bad dream?,” she asked in that mother voice. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that. She shuck her head and handed her a piece of paper. Yui read it and raised an eyebrow. “Ashitare wet the bed.,” she said and muffled a giggle,” I’ll change the sheets, you wait here.” I saw her get up. “Yui-sama, I’ll change them you shouldn’t work your shoulder like that!,” I shouted stepping up. Yui-sama avoided my face,” My shoulder’s fine. You shouldn’t let Ashitare sleep on the bed if you knew he was going to do that.” I frowned, that was a quick recovery of feelings. She stood up and headed towards the guest bedroom. Soi watch Yui go down the hall. And once she was out of eyes sight, she turned around to look at me and shoved a sheet of paper in my hand. And I read it: I think you’re a baka. If you do anything to hurt Yui-chan, I’ll sick Ash on you. I glanced skeptically at Soi. Ok, maybe she isn’t quite an angel after all… Yui came back into the room,” All right Soi-chan, now get to bed.” Soi smiled and ran off and I shuck my head tossing the letter to the ground. “What was that?,” Yui-sama questioned and flinched. I glanced nervously at her shoulder; blood was seeping through the bandages. “Gods Yui-sama, I warned you!,” I exclaimed rushing over to her. But she slapped my head away. “I told you it was nothing!,” she replied back flinching again. I grabbed her unharmed shoulder,” Yui-sama, please let me help you. You won’t be able to find the others like this.” Yui looked into my eyes weighing what I’d just said. Finally she shuck her head,” All right. Help me get this jacket off.” I gulped at the matter at hand. All ready once today I’d seen her close to naked. How anyone could where such a thing around their chest was beyond me. It looked like it’s be painful to me. And I started to unwind the bandages from earlier, and sighed, and I began to ponder Yui-sama’s words.
(in third)
“Taka, the pains going away now.,” Miaka mentioned loosening her hand on her shoulder. Taka smiled,” I’m glad Miaka.” He frowned though, something stuck in his mind. The book had described, “The Seriyu no Miko was filled with an alien feeling and attempted to express it to the sieshi with the character of angle. Suboshi confused at her words.” He shuck his head. “Taka, what’s wrong?,” Miaka asked worriedly, “What did the book say?” Taka looked up from the book. “Yui never knew, about Suboshi, right?,” he said with a small snicker. Miaka frowned deep in thought, “I don’t think so.” Taka grunted under his breath,” Forget about him Yui, he’s a monster.” Miaka nudged his arm,” Please read me more Taka.” He sighed and nodded and turned the page. “The Seriyu no Miko allowed Suboshi to tend to her wound. Both the Miko and sieshi blushing brightly…”
continued in episode 3...
