History was fascinating... in a boring sort of fashion. The specific subject was history of the Seishi/ketsu bond in extensive detail, from the first Suzaku Shichiseishi all the way up to the near present. Kishuku never liked history but there were a few sections in the later parts of the book that he had found interesting (mostly about feline ketsu and their Seishi) and was waiting until they got there.
Kishuku had also found the quick and easy way out of the Center to the city (via Shun'u's rather detailed directions). Toshi had told him to wait a bit before trying to peddle anything there, especially since he was tethered to the Center and couldn't really offer his service as a jack-of-all-trades anymore. So he mostly walked around and took note of the people and kinds of things they needed. Kishuku did eventually manage to catch Donai-san in one of the hallways and the Chief Warrior promised to have him entered into one of the higher skill classes for Warriors, but it would take a week or so. It brightened his day so much that he barely paid attention to his roommate's jibes that night.
As badly as the duo got off on their first meeting, Kishuku and Shun'u actually grew to tolerate each other. They taunted, teased, and beat each other up on a semi-regular basis, but it all seemed to be in good humor. The two even talked together at night, wrapping up their days with mumbled conversation and a sleepy "g'night'. Although nothing deep was shared, they scratched the surface of each other's personalities with almost no time lost.
Kishuku learned that Shun'u used to be the leader of the Mt. Reikaku bandits and, although he didn't admit it, was rather impressed. He did fit the profile for a sake drinking, perpetually cursing, hard-as-nails bandit though, and Kishuku understood why Shun'u was so confident all the time; he had every right to it. Genrou gifted his beloved Seishi with inhuman speed and after spending a few years with the bandits, Shun'u was now a fighter to be reckoned with.
Yet in spite of the tough exterior, the Tasuki Seishi was incredibly dedicated to Genrou and anyone he chose to allow into his world. Kishuku saw the way Shun'u protected Doukun like the other was a younger brother and his respect towards Donai-san. There was even a slight connection growing between himself and Shun'u that neither was ready to acknowledge, but it was there nonetheless.
Lau-sama did a very good job.
But a few days after Kishuku arrived, he realized during the middle of a class that he never visited the Temple. There was something he had to do there and it couldn't be put off any longer...
After he was finished, he found Shun'u in their room and asked him about it.
"Ain't no big shit," the redhead shrugged. "Just go there 'n pray." He was cleaning off what looked like a metal fan, not paying too much attention to his roommate.
"Isn't there a certain day I have to go? And something I have to wear?"
"Look, why don’t'cha find Doukun? Th' kid knows everything and I don't have the fuckin patience to tell you shit," Shun'u said carelessly. Genrou, who was resting at his feet, growled audibly at his Seishi. The yoku character shone on both their foreheads and, after what appeared to be a great deal of mental swearing, Shun'u slammed the fan on his chair and stood up.
"What was that about?" Kishuku couldn't keep the amusement from his voice.
"Genrou thinks I should take you, 'cause I'd be disrespectin Suzaku if I didn't," he mimicked his ketsu's growl. "Fuckin ketsu know-it-all…"
Genrou replied to that by nipping at Shun'u's heels while the Seishi stalked over to his closet. "Gimme a minute to find my damn jacket..." he burrowed through his closet like a rabid dog hunting out a jackrabbit. Muttered curses and irritated words made it back to Kishuku's ears but he merely turned his attention to Genrou.
The red wolf captured more of Kishuku's curiosity than his Seishi. Where Shun'u was hot-tempered, brash, and all around unrestrained, Genrou was calm, sensible, and actually rather wise. It boggled Kishuku's mind that the two of them could even stand to be in the same room with each other, much less share a Seishi/ketsu mindlink.
'And Shun wonders how you and Toshi stay together,' Genrou's mind brushed his own. It's all perspective. The two of us have just as much in common as you two do, just depending on what you're looking for.'
"Found it!" Shun'u declared triumphantly, pulling out a fiery red overcoat and removing his normal black and blue one. Tossing it to the side, he quickly put the new jacket over his shirt and fastened it down the center. The edges were colored like Doukun's except it was in orange and had short sleeves instead of long ones. A flowing orange wrap went over his right shoulder and a black sash tied it to the rest of his jacket.
It was dressy and formal, and completely un-Shun'u like.
Kishuku bowed and spread an arm. "May I have this dance?" he smiled.
"Fuckin bastard," Shun'u stomped him passed to the door, ignoring the trio of entertained faces. "Hurry up, ya asshole. I ain't got all fuckin day!"
He turned back to the ketsu. "You two coming?"
Their reply was to flop to the ground in an ungraceful fashion. 'Been there, done that, prayed to Suzaku,' Toshi yawned. 'Go by yourself, Ki. I've got company here, I'll be fine.'
"Cool. See you two later." And the Seishi began their walk to the Temple of Suzaku.
Originally Kishuku planned to ask about the fan, but Genrou's comment about Shun'u questioning his and Toshi's bond still rattled in his head. He needed to ask. "Hey Shun?"
"What?"
"Genrou said you don't think me and Toshi are a good pair. Why?"
"I think th' two o' ya are a good pair, I just don't think ya have as much in common as me 'n Genrou."
At this, Kishuku looked over at his Seishi friend. "What makes you say that?"
"Shit, what is this, fuckin Ask Me Questions ‘Til I Wanna Beat Yer Head In Day? What's wrong with you?" Shun'u stopped walking and glowered at his roommate.
"Nothing, it's just a question," Kishuku shrugged. Shun sighed and hopped onto a railing and sat down. "If you don’t want to-"
"S'all right," Shun'u said. "But lemme put it this way. Say the first word that comes to yer head."
"Okane." Boy, if that isn't just a reflex! He leaned against a rafter and watched his roommate.
The redhead smirked. "Yeah, that's what I'm fuckin talkin about. In this order, you think about money, yer family, money, Toshi, money, Seishi duties, money, money, and occasionally money. Toshi, however, puts ya ahead of everythin. I mean, shit, ain't like a leopard has that much to worry 'bout anyway, but he still has different reasons why he does things than you. Yer looking out for the easiest way to make a coin, he's looking t' keep ya safe.
"Me 'n Genrou, on the other hand, we're always on the same level. Same ideas, same values, same everything... well, most of th' time. I mean, I know Genrou don't always like the things I do and I can't stand his fuckin carefulness at times, but our bond is deeper than actions y'know? We do things for th' same reason, whether it's ta help Suzaku, the bandits, or each other. So even though you guys are similar character-wise, we're the same principle-wise. You two may act all identical and shit, but you don't think alike and most o' the time I wonder how you guys get anythin done. That's why," he slapped his knee to emphasize his point. "I can't believe Toshi's with you."
Kishuku could only look at his roommate with an incredulous face. This was Kou Shun'u, the smart-ass teen that had a hard time paying attention in class? He couldn't believe that those very true and logical words came from the former bandit's dirty mouth. The only thing he could do was slowly nod.
"So put yer eyes back in yer head and let's keep going," Shun'u jumped down and walked ahead. "Like, now!"
Seeing as how he didn't want to be left in the dust, Kishuku quickly caught up and mused over the words. Shun'u was right, that although he and Toshi acted like they'd come from the same litter their minds didn't run on the same planes. And he had seen the way Genrou and Shun'u moved as if in perfect tandem in mock battles; they knew each other so well, so deeply that they didn't even need to mindspeak when attacking.
I guess I'm learning more than how to read here, Kishuku sighed. Who knew it would take the loud-mouthed troublemaker to teach it to me?
Shun'u showed Kishuku a shortcut through a few of the Palace's old hallways before reaching the Temple. "Cuts off 'bout 5 minutes," he said shortly, stepping carefully out of the wall. It seemed like the bandit knew all the secret passageways and had no qualms about using them. "Now... this is the Temple of Suzaku. Any questions... tough shit, 'cause yer gonna have to ask the priests."
"Anything I should--"
"What the fuck did I just say?"
"--know about the priests?"
He paused. "Yeah, some of 'em are kind of out of it, like fuckin outta their minds. They're so wrapped up in Suzaku they forgot about being human, so just be careful what'cha say, a'ight?" Shun'u explained as he opened the doors to the Temple.
Kishuku's eyes widened appreciatively as he saw, first, the shining golden statue of a beautiful phoenix standing in the center of the room. Then, as his eyes adjusted to the dim room, he saw a backdrop of the twenty-eight constellations and the altar in front of the Suzaku statue. The room was filled with reds, golds, and other incredible colors that both blinded and cleared his eyes.
"This's the individual Shrine," Shun'u said in a hushed tone. He bent down on one knee and Kishuku followed suit. After bowing their heads for a few seconds, both stood up and Shun'u explained further. "This one's for personal matters and always open, but always guarded." He pointed behind them and above the doorway. A hawk was perched there, watching them with a careful eye. "Who knows when some damned idiot would come 'n decide to rob the place?"
"Like a bandit, maybe?"
Shun'u gave him a dirty look and pulled him to a door on the side. "There are four ways to get the Temple of Suzaku. This way (through the smaller shrine), from the Palace entrance, from a door close to the woods, and the central doorway, which is how most people get in. O'course, we ain't most people."
Kishuku couldn't argue that point. So he followed Shun'u through the thick wooden doors and was properly greeted with a flash of color. Shading his eyes, he managed to walk in far enough to see seven glass windows decorating the highest parts of the Temple, each colored with one of the Suzaku Seishi's characters. An altar stood in the center, commanding attention through its demure ivory color. A red mantle was draped over the top and brushed the oaken floor, with identical yards of liquid silk lining the walls. Surrounding the altar on four sides were rows of benches, obviously where Seishi sat during their weekly worship. Flowers decorated the entrances and altar while another golden statue of Suzaku sat proudly on the elegant adornment. An open scroll was wrapped around Suzaku's perch and as the duo walked closer he could practically see the characters dancing with their own light. There was actually a small fire burning inside a golden vessel beside the phoenix with incense sticks framing statue and scroll.
At the moment the only people inside were Shun'u and himself, so when he spoke he almost flinched from the echo of his voice. "This is amazing." They sat in one of the front rows, staring at Suzaku.
"Yeah," Shun'u said reverently. "Really great, ya know? I mean... it's hard t' believe we're a part of this. We're two o' the Suzaku no Seishi. It's just..." and the thought faded off.
Kishuku understood more than he could say, simply letting a nod of his head fill the void.
"Ya missed it a couple weeks ago, when they tossed a scroll." Shun'u kept going. "With all the problems with Kutou going on, the Celestial Suzaku no Miko was forced to burn the ShiJinTenChiSho and make a petition to Suzaku. Every Seishi in the Center, Palace, and city was here. One o' the coolest things I've ever seen, with all the fire and shit."
"I take it it didn't work?"
"Th' petition? Depends on what yer idea of working is," Shun'u shrugged. "Suzaku didn't show up, if that's what'cha mean. But a new ShiJin came back, th' one on the altar now. No one understands it, 'cause it's written in a weird double-talk, but the Priests and Mikos are working on it. The only thing they know for sure is that eight of His Chosen gotta do something, but we have no fu--... er, clue as to the job."
"Guess I came at a good time," Kishuku joked. "Gonna go out and save Konan now!" He struck a pose and Shun'u snorted. "But what about the ketsu deaths? Did it say anything about them or how to stop them?"
Shun'u looked at him with surprise. "What ketsu deaths?"
Kishuku returned the look and said, "You guys don't know?" He was about to explain when the doors of one entrance opened with a squeak. Both boys jumped to their feet, their nerves standing straight on end as a head peeked in.
"Oh I didn't know anyone was in here, no da," an upbeat voice commented as the rest of the body walked in. A man, probably only a few years older than the two teenagers, shut the door after a few seconds of waiting. His sky blue bangs defied gravity while the rest of his hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail. Even though Kishuku hadn't seen any of the Priests before, he had a funny feeling that this was one of them.
"We can go," Kishuku said immediately.
"It's all right, the Temple is open to everyone, no da," he smoothed over their worry. He had a kind face, if not a little... different due to the fox-like features. "Any particular reason why you boys are over here, no da?" He walked over to them and Kishuku could see his attire. His undergarment was comprised of a sleeveless crimson tunic and matching trousers. The Seiryuu blue overcoat covered half of his body; starting with a long-sleeved left arm, it crossed over his chest and was tied in place with a thin red sash, leaving his right arm uncovered.
"Kishuku here wanted me to show 'im the Temple," Shun'u waved his thumb in Kishuku's direction. "He's new here."
Thanks for the blame, he thought lamely.
The man merely grinned and spoke. "I'm glad to meet you both, no da." He casually took a seat and looked at the other two. They sat down just after him, with Kishuku in between. "My name is Ri Houjun, a Chichiri Priest, no da." And no more than a moment later, a fox jumped into lap and looked impatiently at the Priest. It was small, probably only two feet long and maybe fifteen pounds at the most. "And this is Shonin, though I think she's a little insulted I didn't introduce her first, no da." She was rather beautiful; long moonlight-frosted tips hid fur a darker shade of night and her eyes were a dancing gold. Kishuku inclined his head to her with respect.
"I thought'cha said it was a girl," Shun'u tilted his head in confusion.
"Not Shounen, Shonin," Houjun said pointedly while the ketsu bared her teeth to the Tasuki Seishi. He just bared his own fangs in reply.
Kishuku grinned. "I take it she gets that a lot."
"More than we care to remember, no da," Houjun answered with a sigh, his hand on her back. "May I ask who you are, no da?"
"Kou Shun'u, Tasuki Warrior," the redhead said proudly.
"Sou Kishuku, Tamahome Warrior," his opposite purposely emphasized the last word.
"Where are your ketsu, no da?"
Kishuku answered wryly. "They've decided to take a nap instead of join us here. No respect," he shook his head.
Houjun chuckled as Shonin curled up in his lap. "Well, some ketsu don't prefer to come as often as others, just as some Seishi only come once a month, no da."
"Yeah, getting back to the ketsu," Shun'u pulled their attention. "Kishuku said somethin about ketsu deaths."
"Deaths?" Both Houjun and Shonin turned focused eyes to him. "I haven't heard anything of the sort recently, no da. Please clarify."
Kishuku started from the beginning. "Well, from what I know, in a village close to my home there was a Seishi whose ketsu was killed. And I don't mean like an accident, like a doe getting mauled by a wild animal. This happened to a full-grown grizzly bear, and it had pretty much been turned inside out." Actually, Kishuku had heard a much more visual tale, but refrained from saying more.
"Fuckin hell!" Shun'u forgot where he was. "You're shitting us!"
"Shun, I wouldn't even joke about something like this," Kishuku said with deadly seriousness.
"What else did you hear?" Houjun urged, sounding equally serious.
This one would be harder. Kishuku took a deep breath and spoke. "I was coming here, actually, so this happened only about 10 days ago. Toshi--my ketsu--and myself were traveling along the steeper slope of Mt. Reikaku..."
"WHAT?!" Shun'u burst out, his eyes wide.
"Shun'u," Houjun put a hand on the younger man's arm, keeping him from jumping up and shaking the life out of Kishuku. "Let him finish." A nod encouraged the Tamahome Seishi.
"We were running when Toshi heard something, which he swears sounded like a blade leaving its sheath. We crossed the road onto one of the backpaths and, after searching for a long time in a completely deserted area, Toshi found her." He took another breath, remembering every little detail as it burned his memory. "She was holding an eagle in her arms, crying and screaming as if she was the one that had her throat torn out. I wanted to help, but she... she saw us and backed away. She just turned and ran and jumped right off the cliff, still holding her ketsu. Suzaku... I can still smell the blood and her fear and anguish and... I looked over the cliff and couldn't see anything.
"We prayed for a little bit, but Toshi was worried that someone was still around so I took ketsu-form and we just kept going until I couldn't move any farther. I wanted to pray in a Shrine when I first came, but I got swept up in things and forgot," Kishuku finished, his voice getting just a touch uneven. Shonin moved herself from Houjun's lap to Kishuku's, rubbing her head under his chin and radiating comfort and kind emotions. "I don't suppose I could now."
"Of course you can," Houjun said gently. "There's some incense on the altar."
As Kishuku got up, Shonin jumped onto his shoulders and made the shaky journey with him to the shrine. He paid homage to the God of Konan and Shonin mimicked his motion. Picking up an unburned stick, Kishuku let it catch a flame before setting it at Suzaku's talons. Please Suzaku... don't let this happen any more, he fervently prayed. For the woman and her ketsu, for all the other Seishi/ketsu bondpairs that have died, I hope their souls are with you. But Suzaku, my god! Please help us stop this madness!
A small burst of red light came from his shoulder and he saw the sho symbol coming from Shonin's forehead. Shun'u and Houjun were quickly joining them and he saw the Priest's face lit up with the same sign. He bent over and began studying the scroll, fingers flying as he scanned down the words. Shun'u read over his shoulder, as if understanding the complex phrases.
"What's he doing?" Kishuku turned to Shonin.
'The scroll, as you prayed for help, began to change,' Shonin explained, her words a crystal bell-tone. 'Some of the characters disappeared, while others shifted around. At the moment my Houjun is wondering, to quote, how you could have done such a thing, no da.'
He gave the fox a look as she seemingly smiled back at him. "But it is different," Shun'u said, as if clarifying the idea for himself. Houjun nodded and kept talking.
"It makes more sense now, no da," he pointed to a row, his voice rising in excitement. "This is amazing, no da! That's why the Shichiseishi and Miko are being called, no da!"
"Well don't keep us in th' dark," Shun'u said impatiently. "C'mon! What's it say?"
"The first paragraph translates to say, 'War in the rising sun, safety in the new moon of darkest noon. Hope for none is lost to all, with wings offering shelter against the glass. The brightest pair shattered under man's darkness, and the Miko must save her people and the Seishi save their family. Seven in two, eight in one are the Chosen set to travel'."
Confused stillness.
"That still means nothin t' me!" the bandit yelled.
Houjun turned and faced the Warriors. "From the first line, we know war is brewing, no da. It has been for quite some time between Konan and Kutou, but this merely confirms our suspicions, no da. Seiryuu to the east, the direction the sun rises, where the war is beginning. But from what I can tell, the Shichiseishi and a Miko that are supposed to travel the country. I'm not completely sure why, but the reason seems to be to save a Seishi/ketsu pair no da. There's more, but I think I'll need more time before I can truly understand all the parts of this scroll, no da." He looked to Kishuku. "Have you heard any more stories, and how recently, no da?"
"A few, actually," Kishuku thought back. "I can't tell you all the details 'cause I don't know them, but before I left home I must have heard of 2 other ketsu deaths and 3 more while on the road."
Shun'u sucked in a breath and a curse. Houjun shook his head in disbelief. "This is bad. That's too much for just natural causes or accidents, no da. What I can't believe we haven't heard about it here, which really surprises me because we're right next to the Capital no da."
"I've been passing through smaller provinces. Word travels slowly."
The trio looked at each other, silent within their own thoughts. Houjun and Shonin were mindspeaking back and forth while Shun'u waved his hand over the fire pit, teasing the flames. Kishuku watched the incense slowly let up a tendril of sweet smoke and was the one to talk first.
"I'm gonna head back to the room," he said to Shun'u. "Toshi and I will go out and stalk around the city, just... to check for myself that it's still safe." Shonin jumped from his shoulders to Houjun's waiting arms.
"I'll come wit'cha!" Shun'u decided. "Anyone that's been hurtin ketsu should get their assSSSSsskin for a beatin!" He changed the sentence from Kishuku's glare.
"Would you two mind coming back here when you're done, no da?" Houjun asked. "I mean, to fill me in on anything you find, no da? If I'm not here, I'll be in Room 3 at the center of the Palace, no da."
"Gotcha!" both boys agreed and nearly flew out of the Temple.
"Didn't 'spect that to happen," Shun'u chuckled as they went down the secret passages. "Guess th' Temple's still kinda interestin."
"Let's just hope the city's not as exciting as you want," Kishuku said.
"Yer such a prick, ya know that? Takin away my fun!"
The two squabbled all the way back to the room, releasing nervousness they didn't want to have and oblivious as to what they had suddenly been pulled into.
'Houjun, relax! None of this is your fault,' Shonin said sternly to her pacing Seishi. 'You had no idea that would happen. Not even Hisa-sama knew what to make of the new ShiJin.'
The Chichiri Seishi merely shook his head at the reference to the Celestial Miko, the highest ranking of Mikos. "No, we didn't. But I'm worried because I could read more than just what I dictated to the boys."
The fox pricked her ears in his direction. 'Are you going to tell me or do I have to force an answer out of you?'
He sighed, dropping down into a chair and removing his mask. Shonin jumped into his lap and burrowed a comfortable spot for herself, realizing the grimness of the situation. "There are... references to which Shichiseishi will be picked to travel. Those most suited for this dangerous mission," he said softly, stroking her fur. "And three in specific caught my attention."
When he stopped talking, the fox raised her head and licked her beloved Seishi right under his scarred eye, giving him her undying strength and love. 'So that's it...'
'I think I've found three of the eight, and two of them don't even know it.'
