updated 6.2000

Fushigi Yuugi is copyrighted to Watase Yuu, Bandai, Tokyo Television, Flower Comics, and others. No infringement is intended!

Word List: otousan=father
yadayo=no/i don't want
honto=really
gomennasai=very sorry
iya=no



Chapter 9: The Shadow of a Raven

Namame spotted Urumiya first.

Kamei slid off the horse and walked up to Urumiya with fearful eyes. She asked him in a small voice, "Hatsui...?"

"He's all right Kamei," Urumiya smiled tightly, relieved. He felt as if a ton of burden has been lifted off of his shoulders. "I'm just glad that you are all right. Hatsui is recovering in that house over there."

Namame nodded a little and clasped Urumiya's arm. "We've found two more Genbu seishis."

Urumiya looked behind the taller man. One of them, a young man maybe about the same age as him, dressed in the clothes of the Ha tribe, looked at him with intense blue eyes. The other had silvery hair, but he didn't look that old, and was dressed like one of the Kan tribe.

"We're so lucky to have found them already," Urumiya sighed, "Only two more to go..."

The door to Orume's home burst open without even a knock.

"A polite lady, aren't you?" Orume scowled.

The other girl didn't seem to hear. "Hatsui...?" she asked.

"In there," Gyuulou spoke kindly, pointing to a door, which got him a glare from Orume.

"Thank you..." she said. She stood in front of the door a moment before making up her mind and going in.

"Genbu no Miko?" Orume asked him, and Gyuulou nodded.

In contrast to the outside room, it was pitch black and it took her a second until her eyes adjusted to the dimness. Kamei looked around the room and saw a figure sitting up.

"Hatsui...?" she asked softly.

The stuffy air choked her voice, and she walked over to the window and opened it, letting the early spring air in.

By the light, she could now see Hatsui clearly. His eyes were closed, and his face pallid. The bandage on his shoulder was crusted by dark dried blood. Kamei's heart broke at the sight of him, and she knelt down by the bed.

"I'm sorry..." she said to the unconscious man, "I'm sorry..."

She found tears rolling down her face and covered it, sobbing softly. She could do nothing, and yet, everyone was getting hurt because of her.

A hand landed gently on her shoulder and she almost jumped out of her skin. Looking up, she saw Hatsui's half-open eyes focus.

He swam in the darkness, trying to break out of it. All the while, Hatsui felt something was missing. He could feel dimly Urumiya's presence, but it was not that light that he was looking for.

Ever since she had appeared, it seemed as if a light had come into his life, a warm green glow. He had a purpose now, and something to live for.

But he had lost that light, and he was afraid it was lost forever...

"Kamei!" Life came back into the dazed eyes and Kamei was clutched into a stifling hug.

"Hatsui...your wound," she said.

"I thought you and Namame were gone when you went over that cliff..." his words came muffled.

"I'm glad you have recovered Hatsui," a voice said from the doorway.

"You know me!" Hatsui suddenly let go and flexed his arms.

Kamei turned around to see Namame standing there, a blank expression on his face.

"You'll be up to your usual trouble-making self in no time," Namame said, with that controlled smile of his, and then left the room.

"We've found two more seishis Hatsui," Kamei told him.

"See, I told you this will be no trouble," he said and ruffled her hair.

Suddenly, he clutched his shoulder, yelling out in pain.

"Hatsui?!" Kamei stretched a hand towards him.

"I'm all right," Hatsui said, settling back with a wince.

"I'll take care of this," a female voice said and Kamei saw the young woman that she had seen the first time she came in the house. "Please leave, you will only get in the way."

Bit by the coldness of the other's voice, Kamei said a meek "Hai," and left them.

When Kamei joined the men outside, they were talking to the kind youth who had directed her to where Hatsui was. His hair was gathered in a bun with wisps of dark saber strands escaping here and there. He seemed nice, smiled a lot, and Kamei found herself liking him immediately.

"Kamei, Namame, Tomite, Hikitsu, this is Gyuulou and the lady in there is Orume," Urumiya was introducing them.

"Thank you for taking care of Hatsui and Urumiya," Namame was saying to him, and gave him something, "The crown of Hokkan will reward you handsomely."

"It was nothing," Gyuulou said, "Orume's father is a very kind man. He would never have forgiven us if we left people in need to the wiles of the wilderness."

"Are you and Orume siblings?" Namame inquired.

"No," Gyuulou's smile broadened. He seemed very happy to give that answer. "We are not, but we have grown up together since we were little." He turned towards Kamei suddenly and his face grew serious, "If you don't mind me asking...are you Genbu no Miko?"

Kamei looked at the others then back at him. "Yes..." she said hesitantly, "Yes...I am." That was the first time she had ever acknowledged herself as the Miko.

"Well, now that it's certain," Orume suddenly spoke from behind them, "There are some things I would like to say to you."

"Orume..." Gyuulou started saying, but a look from her made him reconsider.

Orume looked back at the young girl standing in front of her and narrowed her chestnut-brown eyes. "I don't know who you are little girl, but I am not going to give up my life just because you have been granted some title," Orume said hotly.

"But..." Kamei protested.

"And where are your manners?? Anyway, by looking at you, I doubt that you can save this country. I will not join you, no matter how you beg me," she finished with an angry glare and folded her arms.

"Orume!" a man's voice came from the front door, "Why are you speaking like that to a guest?"

"Otousan!" Orume spun around. A happy smile suddenly broke out on her face. In the blink of an eye, her face was unrecognizable from the sullen mask it was before. "You're back!!"

"Orume," her father smiled, "Gyuulou, I hope you kept my daughter out of trouble."

"Otousan!" Orume wined a little. Kamei blinked at this girl who was a completely different person than the one that had been biting her head off.

"You should be proud of your daughter Sou-san," Gyuulou said to Orume's father, "She has been handling the situation like a true professional."

"Yes," Orume's father replied, "I was never blessed with a son, but my daughter is a more than competent replacement."

"Better than a son, if you ask me," Orume pouted.

Kamei stared at the man's face. The way he smiled...the way he seemed so welcoming...he reminded her of...

"Now Orume," the man said, "Aren't you going to apologize to this young woman over here?"

"Apologize?" Orume furrowed her brows, but relented under a stern look from her father. "I'm sorry Miko-sama. I didn't mean to be rude," she said blandly.

"Miko-sama?" Sou's eyes widened. "Genbu no Miko?"

"Yes, father, Genbu no Miko," Orume said quietly.

The man's face remained shocked for only but a second, and then a warm smile broke out on his face. "Welcome welcome!! The legendary maiden, in my humble home, imagine that! You must stay for the night."

"Thank you for your hospitality," Kamei bowed, and looked unsteadily at Orume's father... So alike...

"Ne Yui-chan, the seishis don't seem to have a lot of respect for their Miko..." Miaka murmured.

"Read on..." Yui urged.

"Otousan, there you are," Orume found her father outside, sitting on a log, gazing at the sky.

"There is your constellation Orume, Genbu seishi Uruki, the stars you were born for" he said softly. "I always knew this day would come, but so soon..."

"I am not leaving," Orume said firmly.

"What are you talking about child? This is your destiny." he replied.

"This is my life," she retorted angrily, "I won't let some preordained fate dictate what I choose to do. You need me here!"

"Orume!" Sou scolded her, "Haven't I taught you better than that? You are not only choosing for yourself!" His tone softened, "I would like nothing better than to have you stay and take over this healer's lodge when I leave this world, but... They can't succeed without even one seishi Orume, you know that. You are not only choosing for yourself. Your choice will affect every man, woman, and child of our vast country."

"Yadayo," Orume's voice quivered, her eyes brimming with tears. "Why must I make the sacrifices?! What will you do without me?"

He hugged his dear precious daughter, "I couldn't have prayed for a better child than you Orume. It breaks my heart to have to let you go... We can't be selfish though. If you don't go, I know you will regret it. Deep down inside, you know it too. This is the way your stars lead. It's the road you must take..."

"You should be able to leave tomorrow," the healer informed Hatsui.

"Thank you Sou-san, Orume-san, Gyuulou-san, for all of your care," Namame bowed gratefully.

"There is one more thing," Gyuulou said as they all were dining. He glanced at Orume and she gave a curt nod. "There are two more seishis you need to find, am I right? Well you need to look no further."

Tomite dropped his bowl and Gyuulou's words sank in. All eyes turned to him.

"I bear the sign of Iname, and Orume was born for the constellation Uruki," he finished.

"Honto?!!" Tomite exclaimed. He seemed like the only one capable of speech.

Urumiya looked at Namame, Namame looked at Hatsui, and Hatsui looked at Kamei.

"The last two..." she whispered.

"Ha! I didn't think it would be this easy!" Tomite grinned, "Ne Hikitsu, you were wrong after all. You thought we would have many more months of searching!"

"I can't say I'm not happy I'm worng," Hikitsu went on calmly eating.

"I can't believe it...the search is over," Kamei smiled for the first time in a long time. "I can go back to my own world."

Namame and Hatsui looked at her in time to see her face darken. Amiboshi...Toka

Kamei sat outside, gazing at the starry sky, by the pond. She had to admit, it was beautiful here, a world away from any city lights. The blazing fire of Tokyo city usually blotted out the stars, and pollution as well.

A gentle breeze stirred and a sleepy bird chirped somewhere above her head. So peaceful... She thought, as tears once again brimmed her eyes and overflowed. So beautiful...so dangerous...useless... She drew in her knees and sobbed softly into her arms.

Namame watched the Miko from the well near the house. He could feel her sadness faintly, blending with his own. In a way, he could understand her...and because he understood, he couldn't stand watching her being so sad all the time.

With a start, he looked up to see Hatsui across the clearing from him, also looking at the Miko. Hatsui looked up and saw him as well. The two men gazed at each other.

She is the Miko...I am but a seishi... He nodded at Hatsui with a faint smile, and then disappeared into the healer's home.

Hatsui blinked once, and then twice. What just happened? He looked back at Kamei and walked towards her. In a few steps though, he stopped, looked back at the door where Namame had disappeared into, and then at Kamei again. Sighing, he turned back and walked towards the healer's home with his hands in his pockets. I can't comfort her...it will be better to leave her alone.

"Miko-sama?" a kind voice broke through Kamei's shell of sadness.

Kamei looked up to see Orume's father standing near her and wiped her face hurriedly.

"Perhaps it is time to go to rest," he smiled, "Don't want you to catch a cold now, do we?"

"I--I'll be right in..." Kamei stuttered and turned away. After a while, she still didn't hear the man walking away and looked back. The fatherly man stood, gazing at the round moon, a peaceful look on his face.

"Do you see this beautiful sight Miko-sama?" he asked quietly, "My wish is for this place to remain as it is, peaceful and serene." He looked down at her and his face became sad. "Why is it, if you don't mind me asking, that such a young woman as you would carry such a heavy burden? What troubles you child?"

Kamei turned away, feeling like she was about to cry again, and cursed herself for acting like such a wimp.

"I see you can't tell me," he replied softly. "It must be hard for such a young one to bear the burdens of the fate of this whole country. I never understood why the gods must shove the burden on such young people. They haven't even lived their lives...!"

Orume's father walked to the pond's edge and knelt down. Seeing that Kamei watched him, he touched a blade of long grass to the mirror-like surface. Where the grass tip touched the surface, the rings of ripples spread, faintly disturbing the whole face of the pond.

"Even a weak blade of grass such as this, can cause such a big change. One action can become great," he said. "Don't despair Miko-sama. Even if we humans have no control over what life gives us, at least we can control how we take it. Everybody has fears and doubts, but the truly great and courageous plod on despite it all. Do your best, don't be too hard on yourself, and trust in the people who want to help you... That's all you can do and nobody would expect anymore from you."

Kamei was standing up now with tears still running down her face. These tears, though, weren't tears of sadness. "Thank you..." she said.

"It's only an old man's mumblings," Sou laughed.

"Thank you...your words mean a lot to me..." Kamei said truthfully.

"I only said what a father would say to a child," he told her with a warm smile. "Now, another fatherly advice young one. Go to sleep!"

"Hai," Kamei smiled tentatively and ran back towards the healer's home.

"It's a cruel thing...this fate..." Sou shook his head sadly.

His eyes narrowed at his reflection in the dark mirror. Even in the tinted mirror, his eye color and his hair color was unmistakable. The eyes under darker conditions seemed roan, but by the light of the candle, they looked like two dark rubies. His hair, although white, had an almost blue glow.

Tomo scowled at his reflection, brooding darkly, and snuffed out the flame.

"Tomo-sama!!" a cheerful voice opened the door and the sunlight shot into the completely black room.

His eyes flared and a yelp of pain came from the owner of the voice.

"Gomennasai!" Miboshi threw herself at his feet, "I didn't mean to disturb you!!"

"Get out!" Tomo growled.

"I--but I have good news--" Miboshi stuttered.

"GET OUT!!" his eyes started glowing and he turned away, covering his eyes.

"Hai..." she said meekly and closed the door, the darkness enveloping him once more.

Miboshi rubbed her bare shoulder where Tomo's blow had struck. "A little pain now...the more pleasure later..." she sighed wistfully. "I guess I'll just have to bring the good news once I'm finished. That will make him happy...maybe a little reward for me..."

*Orume and Gyuulou will be referred to as Uruki and Iname from now on*

"Otousan," Uruki furrowed her brows, "Are you sure you will be all right?"

"Don't worry about me," he laughed, "I think I can take care of myself."

Uruki nodded and turned away, not wanting to look weak in front of her father.

"Thank you for your care Sou-san," Hatsui bowed.

"Just keep yourself out of trouble young man," he replied and Hatsui laughed.

"Good bye," Kamei said softly.

Uruki's father held out his hand and Kamei took it, her small hand disappeared in his reassuring grip. "It was a pleasure to have you as a guest, Miko-sama, come back anytime. I wish you a swift journey and I am sure you will succeed. Just looking at you all gives this old heart hope."

And so they parted, the Genbu seven seishis, now complete, with their Miko, traveled towards Mount Shinjin.

"Ne, Yui-chan? Where are they going?" Miaka asked her friend.

"I think they mentioned something about going to see Initsu-kun," Yui said.

"Is that like Taiitsu-kun??" Miaka remembered the scary looking sunakake babaa with a smile. In the end, although she had thought it was impossible, she had grown used to the face.

"I guess," Yui sounded distracted.

"What's wrong?" Miaka asked with a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"I don't know..." Yui looked at her, "But, don't you think it has been a little too easy....?"

"Time to go to work..." Miboshi chanted.

Loud banging came on the healer's door.

"What is it?" Sou opened the door to see figures cloaked from head to toe.

"Where is Genbu no Miko?" they demanded.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Sou replied without a fear in his heart. He wouldn't give away his daughter, or the Miko for anything in the world, not even his life.

"Is that so...?" the men sneered.

!.........

..........!

"What is it Uruki?" Iname suddenly drew his horse to a stop and the others looked at them.

Uruki's face was completely white. She whirled her horse around, not even taking the time to breathe, and pounded back on the path. Otousan...!

The others followed closely behind.

"IYAAAA!!!!" the scream sent flocks of crows who had started perching on the house's roof into abrupt flight.

"Kamei!! Wait!"

Kamei jumped off the horse even before it stopped and Hatsui couldn't stop her.

The house was dark and the smell of blood permeated the air. Her legs turned to water and she fell on her hands, not believing what she saw.

Uruki saw her and turned savagely, "HOW DARE YOU COME IN HERE?!!"

Iname restrained her with his arms, "Uruki...Uruki calm down," he said shakily. Sou-san had been like a father to him...

"LET GO!!!" Uruki's power burned like fire around her.

Hatsui drew Kamei to her feet and led her out.

"IT'S ALL HER FAULT!! SHE'S TO BLAME FOR THIS!!!" The rest were lost as she broke down, shuddering with each breath.

Kamei staggered away from Hatsui and from them all, motioning for them not to follow. She came to the ponds edge and knelt down. Last night, he had been alive, he had encouraged her to believe in life, and now, he was dead. And it's my fault...

There can be little explanation for what had happened. They had come looking for her, and not finding her, they had killed a kind innocent man. All because of me...

"Miko, I wish to speak with you," Uruki's voices suddenly sounded behind her, making Kamei jump.

"Miko-sama," Namame stepped towards her.

"It's okay...Namame," Kamei said and followed Uruki.

"Ah, I'm sure she'll scream if anything happens. She screamed loud enough even though I trying saved her," Tomite nudged Namame and the other man shot him a look. Shrugging, he turned back and saw Hatsui was giving him an evil look as well. "What? What did I say? Hikitsu, Urumiya, what did I say?" Tomite asked.

"Can...can somebody help me...?" Iname spoke softly.

"I will say this once so listen carefully." Uruki's voice was strictly controlled, her back facing the miko. "I will not be joining you on your foolhardy quest. I am going to stay and manage this place for my father."

Kamei's mind spun. If they didn't have Uruki, she couldn't call Genbu, and go back to her world. "But Uruki...your father wouldn't have wanted that..." In essence, it was the truth, "I know you are upset, I understand--"

Kamei was cut short by a slap in her face.

"Don't you DARE tell me you know how I feel. This is all because of you...you worthless trash... YOU'RE NOTHING!! You're leading all of us to doom!" Uruki yelled at her, tears streaming down her face.

Kamei stepped back, more hurt by her words than the pain on her face. "I--I..."

Uruki glared at the other girl and her eyes widened as she looked into the younger one's eyes. She saw there, reflected, the same pain that she felt...

A raven crowed. It was a huge thing, with wings as black as a starless, moonless night. Flapping its wings, it veered lower and lower, its shadow passing over the ground. It seemed as if wherever the shadow passed, it left areas devoid of life. The shadow passed over Kamei and she stood swaying on her feet. Night seemed to be descending on her as her vision narrowed. Darkness closed in on her.

Genbu no Miko swayed and then fell backwards, as limp as a doll, and landed with a dull thud.

"Miko...Kamei..." Uruki whispered. "Kamei!?"

The rest of the Genbu seishi dropped what they were doing and looked at each other. All as one, they rushed toward where Uruki and Kamei had disappeared. Something had happened to their Miko...

Ahhhh, so what happened????? Till next time!!