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Part 4
Early the next morning, Lelahn awoke again with a scream that echoed through the large room. Trembling and disoriented, she lay back on the pillows and tried to get her bearings. Thirty seconds later, the door burst open and Tasuki and Tamahome tumbled in. Tasuki tucked his tessen in the belt of his sleeping clothes and went straight to Lelahn's side, but Tamahome stood in the centre of the room, fists raised, looking around wildly. "You okay?" Tasuki asked. "Yeah," Lelahn said gratefully. She'd sat up and opened her mouth to speak further when Tamahome interrupted. "Where are they?" he asked urgently. "Which way did they go?" "Who?" asked Lelahn in confusion. Tamahome made a vague, grandiose gesture. "The assassins, the bandits, whoever it was that made you scream!" "Ahou!" Tasuki cried before Lelahn could answer. "She just had a nightmare." "Oh," Tamahome lowered his fists and sniffed. "Well she didn't have to go waking us up at the crack of dawn like that for a silly dream." With great deliberation, Tasuki turned to face the other boy. He pulled out the tessen and spread it to its fan shape. All the while, Tamahome looked at him in confusion. The blue-haired Seishi was saved from an ignomious death by the sudden arrival of Hotohori. He burst through the door, sword drawn, and did a quick scan of the room. Other than the strange tableau formed by Tamahome and Tasuki, nothing seemed amiss. "What happened?" he asked urgently. By now Lelahn was embarrassed and extremely irritable. :Is this going to happen every time I have a nightmare?: "I'm sorry to disturb you, Heikka, I only had a nightmare." He straightened out of his battle stance and walked over to her bed, unconsciously displacing Tasuki, who glared at him impotently. "Please, Lelahn, you needn't be so formal. To you - and the other Seishi - I am only Hotohori." He paused and smiled at her. "Are you all right, Lelahn?" he asked gently. A flush crept up Lelahn's cheeks under Hotohori's gaze. She felt overheated and fluttery again, as she had when she had thought he was a woman, in the courtyard. "Oh, uh, yes, of course, Hotohori. I'm fine." To distract herself, she looked past him and made a dismissive gesture. "I have dreams like that all the time." "I don't wonder, if what you told me last night is true," he said softly. Behind him, Tamahome's eyes widened, then he blushed contritely. Hotohori reached out slowly, and took Lelahn's hand. At the touch, she started, but didn't pull her hand out from his. "At your convenience, please come and see me. We have much to discuss." "Uh, sure." Her agreement brought another smile to Hotohori's face. He released her hand, nodded to Tasuki and Tamahome, then left. The moment the door closed behind him and a safe period had passed for him to get out of earshot, Tasuki exploded. "That fucking arrogant bastard! Where does he get off touching you like that!" he ranted. He continued to rave until Lelahn got her feet under her again. "Tasuki!" she said loudly. He cut himself off mid-word and looked at her. "Enough, it's all right. He's just concerned because I'm the Miko and he's a Seishi. Just like the two of you." She gave him a sardonic, crooked smile. "He's just a hell of a lot more refined about it than you are." "He's still got no right…" he muttered. "Why, Tasuki? You jealous?" she asked teasingly. His head shot up, his eyes wide with shock. Immediately, he turned away, yawning. "I'm going back to bed," he muttered. "Tomorrow scream a little later, okay, Lelahn?" "I'll do my best," she called after him as he left, still muttering to himself. Tamahome was still standing in the middle of the room, staring fixedly at her. She rolled her eyes at Tasuki's behaviour and glanced at Tamahome. "You all right?" she asked. He seemed startled at her question. "Yeah, uh, I was just wondering if you are." He took a hesitant step towards her. "What was Hotohori talking about? And why is Tasuki so protective of you? He keeps telling me he hates women…" Lelahn smiled. Once she had gotten to know Tamahome a little better, she had taken an immediate liking to the driven young man. Though she didn't trust him nearly as much as she trusted Tasuki, she knew Tasuki was within hearing distance, so she felt at ease alone with him. Even if his shirt *did* gape deliciously to show a perfect, muscled chest. "That's funny, he's never said that to me," she said ironically. Then her face grew serious. "You want to know what happened to me? It's not pretty." He nodded and grabbed the room's only chair, pulling it up beside the bed and settling into it, clearly prepared for a long story. It wasn't really, but Lelahn took a moment to divorce herself from the emotions of it before launching into it. She told him of her village, a small one on her world, but a fairly prosperous one, with many farms all around it. She told him of the time when she was 13 that a group of farmer's sons had taken a liking to her and taken her innocence behind a barn on one of their father's farms. She told him of growing up as a beautiful woman with a razor wit as potent as her looks and of that wit being ignored as everyone around her made comments and sent glances they figured she wouldn't have the intelligence to see. Finally, she told him of the day she was kidnapped by the sorcerer, and of the five hellish years that had followed, up to the day she escaped and was transported to the mountain to meet Tasuki. By the time she was finished, tears ran freely down her face and her confident tone had dropped to a whisper. The thin trickle of sunlight that had tiptoed through the window when she had started speaking had grown to a strong band of daylight, streaking across the floor. She fell silent, staring at her lap, twisting her hands in the fine silk sheets covering her to the waist. Tamahome stared at her for a long time, his lips parted a little, his eyes haunted. "Lelahn..." he breathed sadly. "It's all right, Tamahome," she said quietly. "You don't need to feel sorry for me. I'm here now, and I like it a lot better here. I feel much safer with you than I have with anyone since I was a child." In a sudden, impulsive move, he grasped her arm and pulled them together, wrapping his arms around her. She stiffened initially, then allowed herself to relax and lean her head against his shoulder. "Lelahn, what you needed was a brother to protect you," he said quietly. "Let me be your brother for as long as you're here." :A brother, someone safe, someone who doesn't want me for my body, but who will care about me,: she thought, and burst into fresh tears. "Thank you, niichan," she said. A few minutes later, when she had gotten herself under control, Tamahome released her and stood. "It's still early, get some sleep," he said. "Arigatou, niichan," she said, smiling. Then she lay wearily down on the pillow, and almost immediately fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Tasuki sat leaning against Lelahn's door, trying to get his own tears under control. He had listened to their whole conversation, at first out of curiosity, and then out of a need to hear the truth of what had happened to her. At first, he had been jealous that she would be so open with Tamahome, but had been so flippant with him, but when he offered to act as her brother, he had realized why. :I guess I'm just not a good brother-type,: he thought, thinking of how miserably he and his sisters had gotten along. Then he brightened. :I'm still her number one guy.: Glowing with pride, he dried his tears and jumped to his feet, escaping into his room before Tamahome could catch him eavesdropping. :I guess listening in wasn't the nicest thing to do, but I'm glad I did.: He collapsed on the bed and tried to sleep, but once the initial euphoria of knowing that Tamahome was no longer competition had worn off, he began to think again about what Lelahn had said. He lay awake until full morning, visions of Lelahn, bruised and beaten, circulating in his head.
When Lelahn woke up again, she felt rested and refreshed. A quick look at the sun told her that it was mid-morning already. She got up, almost bouncing gaily. Her conversation with Tamahome had been a catharsis, and she felt as if a weight had been lifted. :I guess I really needed to talk about it.: The closet was stuffed full of what she imagined would be woman's clothing in this world, though it was all so unfamiliar to her. At least most of it looked as though it would fit. She tried on several dresses until finally giving up and putting on the one Tasuki had given her the day before. :Hotohori was nice to give these to me, I guess, but until I get a tutorial in clothing in this world, I'm never going to be able to dress myself in the morning.: Thinking of Hotohori reminded her of his request to speak to her 'at her convenience'. She sighed heavily. :Well, I probably missed breakfast, so I guess now is convenient.: She gave her hair a perfunctory brush, then left her room and asked a nearby patrolling guard where she could find the emperor. He directed her to his chambers and she followed his directions, revelling in the mild breeze and warm sun that beat upon her bare shoulders. When she reached the doors of Hotohori's room, however, she balked. :I wonder what he wants to talk to me about.: Squaring her shoulders, she put away her doubt and knocked sharply on the door. Hotohori's baritone voice was unmistakable. "Enter, please." She slid the door open and entered.
Hotohori sat in his room all morning, alternating between caring for his appearance and studying the Shi Jin Ten Shi Sho. He felt as though he didn't dare leave, for fear that Lelahn would come to him and he would miss her. Thinking of Lelahn never failed to bring a rush of emotions to the fore; excitement, loneliness, joy, all overlaid by a thick layer of terror. She wasn't exactly as he had pictured her; she was far better. Her beauty was only exceeded by his own - and that, he had to admit, by very little. It was clear upon first meeting that she was possessed of a keen intellect, as well. True, she had been deeply frightened by him at first, but she clearly had one of the strongest wills he had ever seen, to have experienced what she had, and still have such self-confidence and self-possession. He had never met a more perfect creature. :But what if she doesn't love me back?: a voice in the back of his mind worried. :Then I will *make* her love me,: he told himself firmly. :I shall charm and woo her, and make her happy, and she will have no choice but to fall in love with me.: His thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock at the door. "Enter, please," he said automatically. He affected being deep in study, and didn't look up as the door slid open. "Good morning, Hotohori. You requested that I come speak to you?" Lelahn said. Startled, having thought it was one of his advisors, Hotohori looked up from the scroll and felt his face transformed by a brilliant, if dignified, smile. :She came!: he thought in exaltation. He rose from his chair, still holding the scroll, and came a few steps towards her. She looked radiant, though she wasn't wearing any of the beautiful dresses she had been given. Even if she hadn't been beautiful to begin with, she would have been transformed by the smile on her lips. Her emerald eyes were sparkling. "Good morning, Lelahn. It is good to see you looking so well," he said honestly. She laughed. "I had a good, long cry on Tamahome's shoulder last night. I guess it's what I needed." A ghost of a frown passed over his face, but he pushed away the flash of jealousy and replaced the smile. "I'm glad he was able to help you," he said, then mentally cursed himself. He hadn't meant to put the emphasis on the 'he'. Perhaps she wouldn't notice. That idea was quashed as a frown flitted briefly over her face. Then the smile was back. "What is it you wanted to talk about, Hotohori?" she asked. He blinked, then looked down at the scroll in his hands, suddenly remembering the official business he had had in addition to his personal desire for a meeting. He rolled it quickly, tied it, and held it out to her. "First of all, I wanted to give this to you." She accepted the scroll. It was old, and set on a red material that protected it from wear, and he noticed with satisfaction that she handled it with appropriate care. "What is this?" :Ahh, she has perfect instincts. What a wonderful empress she would make!: "It is the Shi Jin Ten Shi Sho. It gives clues on how to find the Seishi and also instructions for how to call the animal god. You will find this invaluable in locating the seven Seishi of Suzaku, which we must do with haste." "Thank you, Hotohori. I will be careful with it and study it carefully," she promised. She waited. Hotohori gazed at her for a moment, struggling to find the courage to say what he had planned. "Hotohori? Is there anything else?" she prompted. Helped by her prompting, he found the words. "Yes, there is," he said slowly. "Will you come and sit by me?" He indicated a seat next to the one he had been sitting in at his desk "Of course," she said, confused. She crossed the room and sat, placing the scroll carefully on the desk. Hotohori sat down and turned his chair to face her. His eyes were grave, and hers grew solemn in response. "I must tell you something, Lelahn," he began, choosing his words with the utmost care. She nodded encouragingly and he plunged ahead. "My father died when I was very young, and I was made emperor at that time. In actuality, I was only a figurehead for my mother, until she died as well and I was forced to take up the crown on my own." His golden eyes caught and held Lelahn's. "All my life, I have been alone, surrounded by people who love me only for the fact that I am emperor. Surrounded by people who wish only to use me for the power I possess. When I was young, it was discovered that I was a Seishi, and I was told of the Suzaku no Miko, who would come from another world. At that time, I realized that the Suzaku no Miko would be the only person who could love me for who *I* am, and not only as the emperor. I have spent my whole life wondering what the Suzaku no Miko would be like." He reached out and took her hands in his. "You are all I could ever have hoped for, Lelahn, and far more. I love you, and have all of my life." He could feel her trembling and attributed it to excitement. Surely she had never heard such a thing before! His heart rose in triumph. :I've done it!: Then she jumped to her feet, tearing out of his grasp and beginning to pace the room. "How can you say something like that, Hotohori? You don't know me. You know almost nothing about me," she said in agitation. He stood, hoping to catch her eye, but her head was down. "I know that I love you. My advisors are pressuring me to look for a wife, but I have refused, because I have been waiting for you." Now she looked at him, and her eyes were stricken. Pain clenched his heart as he realized that it had been his words that had struck the smile from her face, and killed the sparkle in her eyes. "No!" she cried. "You said you weren't like that! You can't make me!" she backed away from him. "Lelahn, matte!" he cried out in panic, afraid she would run from him and all would be lost. "You misunderstand me! I spoke the truth when I said I would never hurt you, and that I would never force you to do anything you did not want to do." She stopped, seeming to calm down somewhat. "I-I'm sorry Hotohori, I panicked." "You do not need to apologize to me, Lelahn. It is entirely my fault." He clenched his fists in agony. "I should have waited, until you knew me better and could trust me more readily. It is my fault." He felt a presence in front of him and a gentle hand closed over his fist, working between his fingers to loosen it. "Hotohori, it's all right, I promise." He looked into her soft, green eyes and his heart soared again. He grasped her hands again. "Lelahn, I know you do not love me yet. But know this: I intend to cause you to fall in love with me, by being everything you could ever want. When that happens, I will make you my empress, and we will be together, forever." His words came in a rush, as he tried to get them up before his brain caught up and froze him with reason. Lelahn's eyes widened again, with shock and surprise this time, instead of fear. Before she could say anything, though, there was a strangled yell outside the door. The door slid open, hitting the jamb with a loud bang. Tasuki stood in the doorway, his amber eyes flashing with rage. Tamahome stood just behind him, staring at him with dismay. They had clearly been eavesdropping. The bandit stalked up to them and grabbed Lelahn's arm, pulling her none-too-gently out of Hotohori's grasp and putting her behind him. "Get away from her!" he growled. "You can't have her! She's mine!" Hotohori's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Tasuki, you have been listening in where you are not wanted. You have no right to her. She will be *my* empress!" "Shut up!!" Tasuki yelled, reaching for his tessen. At that moment, Lelahn's voice rang out. "Tasuki! Hotohori! Both of you shut up!" she cried. Both turned to look at her. Tears were standing in her eyes, but her mouth was set in a grim line of determination. "I am not property, damn you! I am neither of your 'woman'!" Tasuki took a step towards her. "Lelahn, I'm-" "If you're going to be like that, then screw you both!" With every part of her body speaking determination, she grabbed Tamahome's hand in a fierce grip. "I'm better off with Tamahome! At least he knows that he doesn't own me!" She reached up and pulled his head down, kissing the surprised boy soundly on the lips. When she let go, he turned bright red and sputtered, but didn't have time to say anything. "Let's go, Tamahome. They can fight over me without me there," she growled, more than loudly enough for the other two Seishi to hear, then she hauled him off down the hall. Hotohori and Tasuki looked at each other helplessly. "That was a really mean thing for you to say," said Tasuki, but without any fire. "As it was for you," returned Hotohori. "I still intend to fight for her," Tasuki continued. "But not that way." "I as well." "We should go apologize." "Aa." Both boys left the room at a run, hoping they could locate their Miko and her Seishi before anything unfortunate happened.
Lelahn ran, still holding Tamahome's hand, out into the gardens, trying to lose herself in the paths and groves she had discovered by accident while wandering the evening before. When her anger ran out, she let go of Tamahome's hand and collapsed beneath a grove of cherry trees, just starting to show their first blossoms. She buried her head in her arms and sobbed. "They're just the same! They're the same!" she cried, her voice muffled. Tamahome sat down awkwardly and stroked her hair. "Neechan, it's ok," he said softly. She shifted so that she was leaning against him, her face turned into the fabric of his shirt, her body mostly in his lap. He encircled her with his arms and buried his face in her fragrant hair. He didn't know what to do, and cast about for something better than just impotently whispering reassurances. He was also painfully aware of the kiss, as though it were still lingering on his lips, but determined not to break this brother/sister relationship until he was sure that was what she wanted. Buoyed by his strength, her sobs gradually lessened to sniffles and she pulled away just enough to wipe her eyes before leaning against him again. "Are you all right?" he asked, stroking one hand down her back rhythmically. "I don't know," she said softly, then she shook her head slightly. "I overreacted again, didn't I?" "Lelahn, you've been through hell, and you only escaped a week or something ago. It's natural that you still react badly to things." "Two days," she said, and sniffled. "What?" Tamahome, concentrating on coming up with reasonable and brother-ish things to say, was startled by her seemingly incongruous statement. "It's been two days. I slept once at Tasuki's hideout, and once here." Tamahome scoffed. "Then jeez, neechan! Of *course* you're overreacting. You get transported to this strange world, get attacked, arrested, and then proposed to, and that after just escaping from that horrible bastard." She sighed. "I suppose." "Don't be so hard on yourself, neechan. You are *strong*, you don't have to be any stronger. Just give yourself some time to heal, okay?" She threw her arms around his neck and squeezed gratefully. "Thanks niichan. I'm sorry I kissed you, I was just using you to make them mad, and that was wrong." "I didn't mind," he said lasciviously. She pulled away to look at him and he shrugged. "Would any living, breathing man? Even one who's your brother?" She laughed. "I guess not." She gave him a broad smile, then glanced back at the palace, a disturbed expression on her face. "That was still bad, though. I can't have them thinking they own me or anything." "I'm sure they don't, not really," he reassured her. "Maybe you should talk to them or something." She looked at him miserably. "I know I should… but I feel so much safer with you, niichan." He tightened his grip, pulling her against his chest again. "Oh Lelahn, I'll always be there to protect you, I promise." "Yeah," she said quietly. "That's what Seishi are for, aren't they." "I never thought about it before I met you, neechan, but I'm starting to think so." There was the sound of rapid footsteps on the path. They looked up just in time to see Tasuki and Hotohori round a bend in the path and come upon them. Both stopped short, then surged forward. "Lelahn! Gomen! I didn't mean it that way!" Tasuki babbled. "Lelahn, forgive me. I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable," said Hotohori at the same moment. "Please don't leave me for Tamahome!" they cried in unison, then looked at each other. The scene was so comic that Lelahn started giggling, even though she tried to glare at them. They both looked at her, twin expressions of relief on their faces. "Don't think I'm not still mad at you," she said when she got her giggles under control. She untangled herself from Tamahome and rose to her feet. "Especially you, Tasuki! After that scene I made with the bandits, I would have thought you would have learned." She could feel Tamahome's presence at her shoulder. Tasuki hung his head shamefacedly. "I, I know, Lelahn." He clenched his fists, but didn't say anything else. "Lelahn, I am deeply sorry," said Hotohori. "I hope to win your heart, but I have begun all wrong." "This, Hotohori, is what I mean when I say that you don't know anything about me," she said severely. He surged forward another step. "But Lelahn, I so *want* to know everything about you." Both Seishi fixed her with such pathetic, mournful gazes that she laughed, back into her earlier spirits. "All right, I forgive you. Just don't let it happen again." She gave each of them a quick hug, then headed off down the path. "Come on, I'm starving. Let's have breakfast or something." The three Seishi followed her gratefully back to the palace. They didn't see the shadow detach itself from a nearby grove of trees and head off in the opposite direction. "Why does *she* get to be so close to the emperor?" the shadow thought grimly. "I must do something about this!"
Hongo Yui lay motionless in bed, her head turned towards the wall. Periodically, a tear leaked from her eye and soaked into the pillow. :Miaka, I wish you were here,: she thought miserably. :I feel so lonely, Miaka.: A vision she had experienced soon after being brought to the palace had told her that Miaka was back in the library reading, but she still missed her terribly. Having only Nakago for comfort left a lot to be desired. Speaking of Nakago, she heard the door open. "Yui-sama," came his deep, solemn voice. "What do you want, Nakago?" she asked tiredly. "We have received reports from Konan that the Suzaku no Miko has been found and brought to their palace." Yui sat up quickly, looking over at Nakago - who was kneeling on the floor near the door - in shock. "They what?" "The Suzaku no Miko has come to Konan, Yui-sama," he repeated. "Then we've got to do something, don't we? Why are you wasting time telling me?" "Do not excite yourself, Yui-sama. It will be taken care of. I am simply reporting to you the news." He raised his head and pierced her with his icy eyes. Though she had grown to trust him over the last few weeks since he had rescued her, she always had to look to find the caring within those blue depths. It was there, though. She always found it. "Yui-sama," he said. "Does this mean that you have decided to become the Seiryuu no Miko?" "Nakago, you told me that they are our enemies." "That is correct, Yui-sama." "And that they will use the power of Suzaku, if the god is called, to destroy Kutou." "Yes, Yui-sama." She looked down at her lap, clenching her fists tightly. The wound was still too fresh, she was still too uncertain, but she couldn't leave this country to be destroyed by the evil Suzaku Seishi! "Then yes, I agree to become the Seiryuu no Miko. I will protect Kutou." Nakago rose and bowed deeply. "Arigatou gozaimashita, Yui-sama." "So what do I have to do? I have to gather the Seishi, don't I?" "Do not concern yourself at this time, Yui-sama. I do not wish to burden you further. When it becomes necessary to search for Seishi, I will help you. For now, rest and heal." He smiled and Yui imagined a look of sympathy and caring passed over his face. "H-Hai, Nakago. I'm sure you know what's best," she said uncertainly. "Thank you for trusting me, Yui-sama," he replied. Bowing, he left the room. Yui lay down on the bed again and closed her eyes. :Maybe getting up and doing something will help me,: she thought. :I could go and look for the Seiryuu Seishi and it'll get my mind off of it.: Then she shook her head slightly. :No, Nakago knows what he's doing. If he wants me to wait, I'll wait.: Fresh tears sprang up in her eyes. :But I really wish Miaka were here.:
Tasuki stood outside of Lelahn's room, his hand raised in an abortive attempt to knock. He was painfully aware of the pair of guards at the end of the hallway, watching him and snickering, but he was too terrified and upset to take offense. :I'll kick their asses later,: he promised himself. He steeled himself and knocked. And waited. When no answer came, he tentatively opened the door and poked his head inside. Lelahn was sitting at the table in her room, her head pillowed in her arms. He could see a scroll peeking out from underneath her arms and he smiled. Lelahn must have been studying the Shi Jin Ten Shi Sho and fallen asleep. He slipped inside the room and closed the door behind him. "Lelahn," he called softly. She stirred and awakened slowly, blinking up at him with wide green eyes. "Tasuki," she yawned, rubbing her eyes. "What is it?" "I, uh," he fumbled. "Hotohori wanted you to know that he's gotten together all the smart and strong people in the area to see if any of them are Seishi. We can go look at them anytime, if ya want." "Oh, okay. Thanks, Tasuki," she said. She smiled at him. "You don't look like that's all." "Well, no." He dropped his eyes for a moment, then surged forward, grabbing her hands in his own. "I...I wanted to say that I'm really really sorry, and I was such a jerk, and you can hit me if ya want, but I don't want ya to hate me, cause I really like ya, 'n stuff..." As the reality of how ridiculous he sounded penetrated, he trailed off, biting his lip in consternation. Lelahn chuckled and pulled a hand out of his grasp to run it affectionately through his hair. "I forgive you, Tasuki, really." "I'll never do anything that dumb again, I promise." "Sorry, you can't promise that," she said lightly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're bound to break that promise." He grinned. "You're crazy, ya know that?" His heart soared at how easily she was acting around him again. He had been incredibly worried that his behaviour had put her off, but she seemed to be back to trusting him. "Yep!" she said proudly. Then she jumped to her feet, pulling Tasuki after her by the hand. "Come on, let's go find the other four Suzaku Seishi." "Whatever you say, Suzaku no Miko-sama," he said, a silly grin plastering itself across his face. He squeezed her hand before releasing it as they walked together towards the courtyard where they could see a crowd had gathered. Hotohori and Tamahome were waiting for them, the emperor seated in a smaller throne and attended by two girls who were waving huge fans at him to try to keep off the mid-afternoon heat. Tamahome waved to Lelahn and Tasuki as they approached and Hotohori visibly brightened. "Lelahn, these are the people I have gathered," he said, indicating the two rows of armoured and dour men ranged in front of them. "If the Seishi are not among them, we will have to go further afield to locate them." "All right, Hotohori, thank you," Lelahn said brightly, moving to stand in front of the men. "Could anyone with a character on their body please step forward?" she called out politely. There was a general, uncomfortable shuffling, but no one moved. Lelahn glanced at the three Seishi in consternation. Tamahome chuckled. "They might not know they have a symbol, Lelahn," he said, cracking his knuckles. "I'll find the Seishi." Tasuki glared at him, and cracked his own knuckles, not to be outdone by the blue-haired bishounen. "*I'll* find the Seishi," he growled. The two boys sprang into action, their own symbols blazing to life as they punched and kicked the unfortunate men. After a moment of surprise, the conscious ones started fighting back, using fists and weapons against the two Seishi. Tasuki was having the time of his life. He could dimly hear Hotohori shouting at them to stop, but since Tamahome hadn't stopped, he was damned well not going to do it. He socked one unfortunate guard in the jaw and he fell back - into Lelahn, who had foolishly waded into the fray to stop the fighting. The man's flailing arm grabbed Lelahn's bodice and ripped it open as he sank, unconscious, to the ground. Lelahn screamed and bolted, headed for a small building held up by marble columns. Tasuki yelled, picked up the man by the collar and punched him again for good measure, then went after the frightened girl. Just as she reached the building and stopped, breathing hard, Tasuki felt something whiz by his head. A thrown hammer, which had probably been intended either for him or Tamahome, connected solidly with one of the columns of the building. In agonizing slow motion, Tasuki saw the cracks in the column widen and the building start to teeter. "Get the fuck out of there, Lelahn!" he yelled, but the girl was still frozen with fear. At the last moment, he threw himself forward and bore Lelahn to the ground under him, protecting her with his body as the building collapsed on top of them. | |
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