=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mixed Greetings Christina Ortega Part 5 (FY) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Hotohori glanced out the window of Konan’s palace, noting the position of the sun in the clear blue sky. It was noon at least. Where were they? Chichiri had left yesterday morning to pray at Suzaku’s temple just outside of Konan which, to him, seemed ridiculous considering that there were shrines and temples all around Konan as well as within the palace grounds. He had never returned. Then, there was Tasuki who was supposed to have arrived yesterday night, and yet the guards around Konan had had not brought word of his presence. The former emperor of Konan sighed and turned to face Houki, his wife even beyond the grave, who was rushing around the large throne room which would hold an elegant banquet that night. Ever since that fateful day two years ago, his wife had been able to see his spirit and they spoke quite frequently. Houki had constantly complained last night and even this morning about her annoyance with Chichiri and Tasuki’s tardiness, but he could tell that she was worried about them much like he was. Right now, Houki was telling guards and other men who worked in the palace what would be expected to be completed by that night before leading Boushin, who was now three and a half years old, to a bunch of maids who would give him new clothes and accessories for that night, as well as bathe him. His wife was like a rose in the middle of a bleak field. Her purple hair, not yet done by the maids for the night, was hanging loosely over her shoulder, and her face was molded into one of quiet concentration, hiding any stress that she might have been feeling at the moment. Suddenly, Hotohori felt the ‘star’ symbol on his neck glow momentarily before fading. This was all he needed, and he smiled before stepping from the window and towards his wife. “Houki?” The woman looked up at his voice, her eyes full of love despite the fact that she could no longer touch him in his spirit form. “Our two friends are arriving now.” Houki’s grin fell from her face, and she crossed her arms over her chest feigning anger through her relief. “It certainly took them long enough! As part of the shichiseishi, you would expect them to have more responsibility...perhaps not Tasuki, but Chichiri certainly!” Hotohori allowed himself an amused chuckle at his empress’ words before looking up as he heard the Minister of the Right who had been meditating outside greet the two seishi and inquiring about Tasuki’s journey from Leikaku. Apparently, so did Houki, and she stormed to the door, opening it and crossed her arms with a huff as the monk and the former bandit smiled at her. “The banquet begins in just a few hours and you two look like...that!?” Sure enough, the pair were a sight. Chichiri’s clothes were wrinkled and dusty from the night he had spent sleeping on the floor. Tasuki, on the other hand, was wearing a gray tunic that was obviously too big for him and black pants that were obviously too small for him. Baring his fangs, Tasuki turned to Chichiri with a snarl. “That’s because HE couldn’t even find clothes that FIT me!” “There’s nearly a foot of snow on the ground no da! Did you really expect any decent garment dealers to be out in this weather na no da!? You should be thankful I didn’t make you walk here in your UNDERWEAR no da!” The monk retorted with a smirk as he watched a Tasuki’s face become red as this idea sunk in. He got no further argument from his fellow seishi and turned to Houki with a proper bow. “Gomenasai, Houki-sama. The storm was so intense after I finished meditating in the temple that I just decided to stay until it let up no da. Then, Tasuki showed up na no da, and we both stayed there for the night. Pardon our lateness.” Hotohori found himself smiling at the thought of the two sleeping on the cold, hard, wooden floor of a temple on the outskirts of town. “Of course, only a baka like Tasuki would make a journey from Leikaku to Konan on foot in the middle of a blizzard.” Before he could even register the source of this voice from behind in his mind, Tasuki felt a hand slap him on the back and, at the power of the impact, he fell to the ground. Houki and Chichiri both sweatdropped. “Oh hohohoho! Tasuki-chan, I always thought you had better balance!” Before he realized what he was saying, Tasuki rubbed the bump on the top of his forehead caused by his plunge to the floor and shouted, “Damn you, Nuriko! If you wouldn’t hit so fuckin’ hard, Baka Okama!” “Nandatte!?” Nuriko, who was standing in the doorway behind the Minister of the Right, Houki, and Chichiri stepped forward and kicked Tasuki, sending him soaring across the room and colliding with a wall. “Hmph. The same as ever.” His eyes sparkling, he put a hand through his hair which was long in the front but still cut in the same fashion as it had been when he had chopped off his braid about four years prior in Hokkan Country. Chichiri looked over his old friend with a wide grin on his face. “Nuriko! I didn’t know you were going to be in attendance today na no da!” He hadn’t seen the purple haired seishi since Taka and Miaka had last left their world. Touching Nuriko’s hand testingly, Chichiri shot him a questioning glance as their skin made contact. “Why are you in physical form no da?” Nuriko smiled at this and winked. “A Nyan-Nyan insisted that I take my physical form. She said to dress up and be happy at this gathering tonight, and what can I say? It was what I had wanted. A whole night hanging around Tasuki and not being able to hit him was too much to bear!” “That actually is a good idea,” Hotohori mused as he walked closer to the three. Chichiri and Nuriko nodded to acknowledge his presence. Tasuki, who had been embedded in the wall for the last few seconds, finally came loose and fell to the ground. “Maybe a Nyan-Nyan would be willing to let me use her form for tonight. Most of the guests that Houki has invited know of my spiritual form.” Houki nodded, obviously thinking that this was a wonderful idea. After all, it wasn’t every day that she got a chance to hold her husband in her arms. Thinking about this for a moment, she realized just how depressing it had been over the last year or so to speak with Hotohori on a near-daily basis without being able to embrace him, kiss him... The Minister of the Right just watched Nuriko, Chichiri, and Houki with a calm expression on his face. Though he could not see the emperor personally, he had seen proof of Hotohori’s continued dwelling within the palace, and instead of being somewhat frightened by this, he was comforted. At least Houki-sama had help in making decisions for the country. At that moment, a group of maids came into the room and bowed before Houki. “We must get you and the others ready for tonight, Houki-sama.” Nodding, the empress watched as the maids led Nuriko, Chichiri, and a reluctant Tasuki who was mumbling about muscle-bound freaks out of the room. “Please try to speak to Taitsukun, Heika,” Houki told her husband with a loving shine in her eyes. “This night would be all the more wonderful if I could hold you...just for a few hours...” Hotohori met her eyes and sighed sadly, knowing that his death still made his empress miserable...still made him miserable, and nodded, promising her that he would. She grinned and turned after a few seconds in order to catch up with the maids and get prepared for that night. *** Night fell on Konan Country, and Chichiri pulled on the neckline of his white silk shirt nervously, obviously knowing that he was the plainest looking of the trio that was about to enter the throne room and join the gathering that had already been in progress for a half hour in his simple shirt, black pants, red satin belt with black ends, and matching black shoes, but he still felt out of place. Though his garments were simple in appearance, they were made out of some of the finest linens in the country. He wasn’t used to this grand treatment. Nuriko, however, was absolutely ecstatic in his purple linen jacket which was tied by a white cloth with black embroidery around his waist. A white buttoned shirt could be seen underneath this outer layer, and the outfit was completed with black loose-fitting pants and shoes to match. The outfit, while masculine, was enough to show off Nuriko’s beauty...and he knew it, too. “Wai! I haven’t gotten a chance to look this good since I was in my original body!” Tasuki snorted at Nuriko’s characteristic self-appreciating and tugged uncomfortably at the black cloth belt keeping his jacket in place. Chichiri didn’t want to admit it to himself, but if the maids had been sure to bring out Nuriko’s natural good looks, then they must have done a miracle on Tasuki. Gone was the rash, inconceivably naive seishi that he had fought side-by-side with on numerous occasions leaving a tall, incredibly handsome young man, his fire-like hair done in such a way that just a small amount of strands were left to fall delicately over his forehead while the rest was smoothed back perfectly. In his black silk jacket with red and orange symbols on the right side symbolizing flames. A white shirt could barely be seen under the jacket, and black pants completed this ensemble along with his normal earrings which he had refused to remove. While he had agreed to take off most of his necklaces, one remained...one with emeralds that were held together with a golden chain. The monk sighed to himself, wondering where these thoughts had come from in the first place, before putting his hand on the door. “Are you both ready?” His two fellow seishi’s eyes gleamed, and they nodded. “If we do separate tonight, I hope you both have a great time no da.” With that, he pushed open the door revealing crowds of well-dressed people eating and talking at tables along the side of the room and dancing in the center that had been cleared as if it were a ballroom. Almost immediately, Nuriko noticed Hotohori, who was looking glamorous as always in his royal robes, sitting with his wife and cradling young Boushin in his lap. The child said a few words every so often before going back to watching the adults all around him. Nuriko smiled somewhat sorrowfully. Though he had given up on Hotohori at the time of his death, sometimes it still hurt to see him with a woman, knowing that he had failed in his pursuit of his beloved. However, the Emperor of Konan was happy. That was all that mattered. Feeling a tug on his arm, Nuriko turned to see a woman with brown hair tied up neatly into a bun, smiling somewhat shyly. “A...ano...I was wondering if you’d care to dance since you walked in without any female company.” The seishi’s heart leaped for joy. For once he hadn’t been mistaken for a woman when he had wanted to be seen as a man! He nodded, and the two left Chichiri and Tasuki standing against the wall near the doorway scoping out the party. “Have you ever seen so many rich people gathered in one room?” Tasuki breathed, practically feeling the wealth radiating off of those gathered. For a minute, the thief in him restlessly turned, but he pushed the feeling down, ashamed by even having the sensation. Noticing his friend’s change in mood, Chichiri motioned towards the table full of food at the back of the room, hoping to cheer him up. “Are you hungry?” These words struck something in Tasuki, and the other seishi nodded, his eyes lighting up. Chichiri smiled to himself. Catch Tasuki at the right time with the notion of food and he could be just as bad as Miaka. After taking part in the tremendous feast which included all types of noodles, meats, soups, salads, and anything else one could think of, the two sat down at a table and observed the others, laughing to themselves as they watched Nuriko try to show off his dancing skills in the center of the room, bumping into another couple by accident. “Are you two together?” Noticing the woman with long blond hair flowing over her well-tailored blue dress, Chichiri almost fell out of his seat at the question. “Nani no da!?” He squeaked at last. Tasuki looked like he was about to pass out at the notion. Finally gaining his composure, Chichiri did his best to answer her. “Um...as friends only.” When he saw Tasuki slap his hand to his forehead, the monk knew he hadn’t sounded as good as he had wanted to. The woman’s smile grew, her rosy lips curving upward in a tantalizing smile. “I didn’t mean to imply anything, but I’ve been watching your friend and wondering if he’s a good dancer.” Her deep blue eyes, glimmering with interest, fell on Tasuki who ‘eeped’ and pointed to himself in wonder. Chichiri sweatdropped at the action and had the strong urge to smack some sense into his best friend. “Yes, you. Would you care to join me?” Tasuki’s eyes widened with surprise, and he glanced at Chichiri who waved his hand casually in a motion that told the former bandit to go for it if he really wanted to. To be honest, the seishi wasn’t even sure if he wanted to. Before, he had hated women, but because of Miaka he could tolerate them and, with a bit of effort, like them...but dancing at a royal event was not his thing. However, since Chichiri was telling him to...he probably should. Besides, Hotohori might get mad at him if he turned to the woman down, so he got up, not noticing as the woman wrapped a slender arm around his, and the two went out to the dance floor together. Chichiri felt ridiculous. After Tasuki’s departure, about three or four women had come to him asking if he would be interested in dancing, but he continually said that he wasn’t feeling that good, maybe later, yadda yadda. He wasn’t exactly sure what was wrong with him. It wasn’t that the women weren’t pretty because they were. The monk began wondering if to qualify as being rich and powerful, a woman had to be drop dead gorgeous. Maybe it was because he had still refused to let go of his old fiancee. That was a good possibility. After all, since Tenmei’s death he had never been able to get close to a woman. Despite the fact that she had betrayed him, he couldn’t bring himself to do the same. However, why was it that his eyes kept wandering onto Tasuki and that woman? He narrowed his eyes at her as a slow song began and she put her head on his shoulder, blond hair touching the silk of his outer garment and falling over his shoulder. There was something about her...something he didn’t like, and Chichiri suddenly found himself feeling like an overprotective parent wondering if Tasuki would be ok which was incredibly stupid. How would he not be ok? This was a dance in the emperor’s throne room! Suzaku, what was wrong with him? Even if something did happen, Tasuki could take care of himself perfectly well. The former bandit didn’t need his help. For some reason, Chichiri felt a chill go through him at this thought. Meanwhile, Tasuki toned out the woman’s small chuckles as she told him some strange story about something that had happened to her in the marketplace and gazed at Chichiri, wondering what was wrong with him. Ever since he had left to dance with this woman, whose name he had come to learn was Kuroino Sakura, the monk had been staring at him, and he had watched a bunch of emotions cross his friend’s face, from sadness to anger. “Tasuki-san?” Pulled out of his thoughts, Tasuki turned from Chichiri and back to Sakura, almost freezing in place as he felt a warm wetness on his right ear. Blond hair brushed against his cheek, and he forced himself to forget whatever was wrong with Chichiri and concentrate on what was going on at that moment. “You’re so quiet. Does this not feel good?” Not knowing how to respond to this, Tasuki just grunted his answer, though the sound came out more as a groan as the tongue touched his lobe softly. “I’m glad,” Sakura responded, and at his angle, Tasuki didn’t see her eyes narrow, and by the time he felt her tense in his arms it was too late. The seishi gasped in surprise and pain as he felt sharp teeth dig into his neck, a small line of blood coming from the wound. “If you want to live, you won’t say a word...not that you could if you wanted to anyway.” Sure enough, Tasuki tried to call out in protest but found that something was blocking his voice from coming out. He swallowed and tried again. Nothing, and when Tasuki tried to pull away, he found that he couldn’t. Everything in the room was spinning, and he couldn’t move. “Are you feeling ill? I’m sorry...the drug is working faster than I expected. Chichiri, Hotohori, and Nuriko are here tonight as well, Suzaku seishi Tasuki, controller of fire.” Sakura laughed lightly, the sound ringing harshly in Tasuki’s ear as she kissed his cheek softly. “However, I just want to speak to you, Tasuki. Only you; not them. My motive is not to kill you. I wouldn’t be that blunt. However, if you’ll allow me the opportunity to indulge myself...” She kissed around the wound on his neck, licking the line of blood away. “...then you will be able to leave me tonight with no injury.” Sakura grabbed his hand and began pulling him through the crowd as the song that had been playing ended, and Tasuki was shocked to find that his feet moved in perfect movement with hers. Unable to turn his head and face Chichiri, Hotohori, or Nuriko, Tasuki could only follow Sakura helplessly and pray to Suzaku that she wouldn’t kill him in this state. With these thoughts, he was led to the back of the room where a small door was located and grunted, the only noise he was capable of, as a large fist hit his stomach. Collapsing, he almost hit the floor when monstrous hands grabbed him pulled him up. That was the first time he saw the man...heavy built, olive-toned skin, and with the fiercest expression he had ever seen. “You will obey my will even after the drug has worn out, Suzaku seishi. Do you understand?” Tasuki couldn’t reply, and Sakura giggled, obviously enjoying his misfortune. The man growled at this lack of response and raised his right fist back behind his head, punching Tasuki in the face. The impact was massive, and Tasuki barely felt his paralyzed body hit the ground as spots of darkness began to block out the world around him. Feeling the man grab him, this time throwing him over his shoulder like a rag doll, Tasuki looked down at the ground helplessly for a few minutes before allowing himself to black out. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Owari! More to come! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=