The Genbu Gambit
By David Myers

A Fushigi Yuugi Fanfic.  Watase Yuu owns most characters contained within and I do not 
intended to infringe upon anyone's rights and all dat stuff.

What has gone before: The new Genbu Seishi have declared war against the Suzaku Seishi, 
Chichiri and Tasuki.  The Genbu Seishi are being manipulated by the Kutou Lord Furinan, 
whose motives remain unclear.

Authors Note : Contains Spoilers for the 1st OAV and T.V series.  

Japanese Injoke: A famous skit performed by Yoshimoto, the Osaka Comedian group, 
involves two or three men standing around talking.  One of them makes utterly stupid 
comments on various things that are obviously incorrect, whilst another usually says 
"Nani nu Kashitomne Bokke!" ('What the Heck are you talking about you idiot.'  This is 
Kansai dialect BTW.  My Spelling maybe incorrect) and then corrects the first man.  
The first man will interrupt by saying Sukomi, and make another stupid comment. After 
which the second corrects him again and so on.  Timing is critical apparently. 
 
Oops:  For those of you watching closely I've screwed up. Everyone knows Hikitsu and 
Tomite from ep 33. In the OVA two new Genbu Seishi rocked up.  When I first started 
writing this, I had lent out my copy of the OVA so unfortunately my Hatsui, and the 
Hatsui from the OVA are two completely different people.  The Hatsui from the OVA 
looked like a younger version of Tomite whilst my Hatsui is a young girl.  Bummer!  
Which means I've had to rewrite Chapter one and re-organise the characters  to coincide 
with this mistake.  Umm.. yeah... Sorry.... Boy do I have egg on my face. 


Chapter 2.
Konan Capital slept in darkness.  Dogs howled into the midnight sky as a guard unit 
marched through the rough streets attempting to maintain order.  The palace too slept, 
protected by only a third of the guards that had once stood watch whilst Emperor 
Saishitei had ruled.   The war with Kutou had produced many casualties and even now 
the small country struggled to recover. The guards stood by the front gates, in the 
courtyards, and along the outer walkways.  Although all was silent they remained 
alert, watching and protecting their infant ruler.  But despite their continuing vigil, 
they were not alone.  Two shadowy figures crept through the gardens.  Silent and hidden 
from the eyes of the Konan palace guards.  The darkness served them well, as they ran 
from shadow to shadow.  Finally the two stopped hidden behind some bushes.
"I really must protest Umiyame-san, all this creeping about is playing havoc with my 
clothes.  These are quite expensive you know."  Inami, Genbu Seishi complained quietly 
to his companion. Umiyame stopped silently cocking his masked face to one side listening 
to the silence.  Inami studied his companion. 
Clothed completely in black the Genbu Seishi Umiyame could easily have passed as a Kutou 
assassin.  The main differences were the tighter fitting clothes and the black cloth that 
wrapped over his head, hiding his forehead and hair.  Only his brown eyes, and thin 
eyebrows were visible from behind his mask.  For that matter the rest of his body, also 
remained hidden beneath his distasteful choice of black attire. Other than 
that only his hands, half hidden beneath black gauntlets, were exposed to the night air.  
Despite his distasteful choice of fashion sense, however, Inami had to admit that his choice 
of attire did the job.  It hid his face from the world, and distanced himself from his 
companions. Umiyame was not very sociable and never removed his clothing, hence Inami knew 
next to nothing about him.  The only thing he did know was that the Genbu Seishi was good.  
One of the best martial artists and swordsmen that he'd ever met. However, besides his 
incredible fighting ability and his power to turn invisible at will the man remained an 
enigma.
"You have very pretty eyes Umiyame-san" Inami teased.  His companion glared at him in 
surprise, his eyebrows constricting into a frown. 
"Silence!" He whispered urgently, "They will detect us. Proceed with the plan!"    Inami 
grinning mischieveously backed into the darkness of the bushes.  His masked companion 
watched for a moment before his Genbu Symbol "Danger" flared to life on his wrist.  A 
second later he vanished.


The Palace guards looked up in shock as a pan pipe whistled melodically through the 
trees.  Bearing arms they scrambled through the palace grounds searching for the source.  
Inami watched them seductively over his pipes sending his chi out to the animals throughout 
the grounds.  He could feel them responding to his call and the birds that nested by the 
great lake soared up into the air.  They flew joyously across the grounds eager to meet 
and obey his summoning.  They Flew through trees and bushes, air and men alike.  The guards 
struggled against them chaotically.  Unsure, how to defend themselves from their animal 
aggressors.  Few thought to attack the source, and for those that did Inami soon found 
countless bird-like defenders willing to protect him.  The holy warrior of Genbu smiled, 
finding it ironic that these fools who worshipped a bird were being defeated by the very 
creatures that they chose to hold in such awe.  

Umiyame crept easily through the palace, unseen by all.  He didn't need the distraction that
Inami was providing, but it remained a neccesary precaution.  If the Suzaku Seishi were in 
the palace grounds Inami's display would flush them out.  The Genbu Seishi's real mission 
was to be executed by himself.  He slipped past guards unseen feeling for powerful Chi but 
finding nothing.  He nodded before proceeding cautiously.  Even invisible it would not call 
to be cocky.  His encounter with the Suzaku Seishi had proven that to him.

The Suzaku Seishi... never before had he encountered warriors such as these.  The tall one 
Chichiri had sensed his presence even invisible and had managed to counter his powers at one
point.  As for the other,  Tasuki, never before had anyone defeated him in combat whilst he'd
remained invisible.  Tasuki's Chi was so strong it was unsettling.  Umiyame's defeat had left 
him feeling melancholy and the humiliation and loss of face was unbearable.  He would need 
to remain cautious to ensure that this event never happened again. He looked up as finally 
he reached his destination, the Suzaku Shrine where Furinan-sama had told them Genbu no Miko 
was being held.  
Two soldiers stood guarding the entrance to the Shrine.  They seemed concerned by the 
commotion being caused by Umiyame's companion but each dutifully held their post.  The 
Genbu Sichiseishi considered taking each out.  It would be a simple job.  Even standing in 
front of  them in plain view his powers rendered him undetectable by all.  He considered this 
for a moment weighing up the opposition. No, no it would be better to slip in take what 
was needed and slip out again.  Unseen and undetected by all.  He crept forward, pausing as 
he passed both guards, looking at each to ensure he hadn't been detected.  Smiling 
satisfactorily he crept into the shrine.  No sooner had he placed a step over the shrine 
entrance when an incredible red light, with a power the likes of which Umiyame had never 
before encountered struck him in the chest.  It sent him spinning through the air and he 
tumbled over and over as he hit the ground some fifteen feet from the shrine.  
"Halt who are you!"  The first surprised guard demanded.  Stunned Umiyame looked past him at 
the shrine entrance, which again was calm and peaceful.  "Where did you come from?" The 
guard demanded again lowering his spear threateningly.     Astonished he realised the red 
light had rendered him visible. Clenching his fist his Genbu Symbol "Danger" flared with a 
divine green light and he again vanished.  
The guards leapt forward unsure but determined.  A flash of red splattered against the wall 
as a wound appeared across the second guards chest.  He fell to the ground blood oozing 
through his fingers.  The first guard swung his spear wildly before his head fell from his 
body.  Severed cleanly from the neck. His dismembered body fell to its knees and then to 
the ground.  Anyone listening closely would have heard padded footstep fading into obscurity.  
    
       
Inami fell back as he sensed a presence, chi stronger than he'd ever before detected, flaring
briefly from the palace.  "Good Heavens what was that?" He muttered.  "Surely even Tasuki and
Chichiri couldn't be that strong." He was forced out of his silent musings as one of the 
palace guards crashed into him.  
"Bastard! Who are you?" Inami fell to the ground scraping his arm against some rocks, tearing 
his tunic's sleeve.  The guard determined lowered his spear threateningly.  "Surrender in the 
name of the Emperor!" 
Inami glared at his torn sleeve and snarled angrily at the guard.  
"Do you have any idea how much this cost me?" A green light appeared from his elbow.  A symbol 
"Cow" shone forth and Inami was filled with the power of Genbu.  "You bastard!" He leapt 
forward twirling easily past the spear and struck his opponent in the stomach.  Inami held 
the guard aloft using only his fist.  The guard eyes widened and he vomited blood.  "It's 
unforgivable." The Genbu Seishi hissed quietly.  
"Inami." A voice called out.  "Stop playing with the guards. We leave now." The holy warrior 
of Genbu blinked once and his face returned to its normal relaxed expression.  Inami smirked
quietly to himself  in the watery moonlight.  
"Of course Umiyame-san. Did you get the scroll?"
"No!"
"What a pity."   Inami muttered shaking his head. He turned and leapt into the darkness 
as more guards descended into the clearing.  Too late to stop the intruders. 
  
 The last time Koji had been to Konan capital had been during the war.  The streets had been 
nearly deserted then as civilians had fled the city towards the hills.  Desperately trying to
escape the battle between Hotohori's troops and Nakago's invading army.   Now the streets 
were heavily packed with merchants and the like, trying to hawk off their wares.
Koji had always detested cities.  Preferring the lawless wilderness where life was hard and 
the bandits were harder.   Cities made him uncomfortable, and although he had received an 
Imperial pardon for his past crimes during the war, he still felt edgy around soldiers and 
city guards.  Distrustful of any form of authority.
   Nethertheless he pushed through the crowd with a single minded purpose.  Clothed in a 
cloak which hid his hair and distinguishing scar, he followed the three Genbu Sichiseishi 
through Konan capital's streets.      
A life of thievery had served him well, and he remained undetected.  He'd followed the three 
from the mountains, across the wilderness and past the city walls.  Against greater opponents,
Koji doubted he could have avoided detection within the wilderness as long as he had.  
But despite their obviously fantastic powers these three were still inexperienced warriors.  
  The giant Hatsui had returned to a less distinguishing size, allowing the three to maintain 
the illusion of anonymity.  But each walked with a certain arrogance, unable to blend into 
the crowd.  Koji had noticed this trait in each of the few Seishi he'd had the pleasure, 
or displeasure as the case sometimes was, to meet.  
Genrou the Suzaku Seishi Tasuki, despite being his best friend had always been both loud 
and obnoxious.  Not the kind of man to blend into the wood work.  He was usually found 
screaming at anyone and everyone who stood in his way.  The Emperor Hotohori  had stood with 
a commanding presence almost regal, whilst Nuriko had been all too quick to show off her, ah 
his strength.  
Despite Chichiri's humble role as a monk the Suzaku Seishi had adopted a bizarre hairstyle and 
a speech pattern that distinguished him from the norm.  As for the Seiryuu Seishi Nakago, in 
an army of thousands of men his presence had commanded the battlefield in the war against 
Konan.  
It was as if the Sichiseishi had to stand out.  Even the most inconspicuous of them had 
still resonated with power.  Or loud clothes or weird hairstyles that alienated them from 
common men and women.  Perhaps this trait was ingrained into their being.  Like their 
Symbols, making it easier for their respective miko's to find them.  Koji didn't know, but 
for whatever the reason, it made his job easier.  People parted before the three Genbu 
Seishi almost unconsciously.  Sensing the power that resonated from within them.  Koji 
smiled pleased by his display of stealth.  Thanks to his single mindedness and vigelance, 
it wouldn't be long now before they lead him to either their base, their boss, or Genrou. 
Then... then the fun would begin.  Now nothing, nothing could stop or distract him.
"Oh my it looks like rain!"  A somewhat staged voice called out loudly.  Koji in mid step 
halted and looked up at the sky which was devoid of all clouds.
"What are you talking about bokke! There are no clouds in the sky."  A second man called out 
also in a staged voice.
"Sukomi, But it is so dark!" Replied the first man.  
"What are you talking about bokke!  It is the middle of the day."
"Sukomi, Oh that is such an ugly dog!" cried out the first pointing at a small cat.
"What are you talking about bokke! That is a cat." 
Koji Watched in wide eyed delight at the antics before him.  His face a mask of ecstasy and 
he roared with laughter as the two joked, and hit each other with paper fans.  After a 
few minutes of this he turned back in the direction the Genbu Seishi had been walking only 
to discover they had disappeared.   Running into the middle of the street, the two comedians 
forgotten.  He looked left and right for his quarry.  "Shit!" He muttered angrily and 
disappeared back into the crowd.
   
Tasuki sat at the table across from Chichiri.  A saucer of Sake (Tasuki's was empty) lay 
discarded before each of them.  Tasuki slowly and repetitively banged his head against the 
table in a measured and even rhythm.  A look of utter boredom was etched on his face.  
Chichiri sat looking at him uncertainly a large sweat drop on his head.
"I'm going outta my fucking mind here!" He declared suddenly looking up.  "Lets go find 
some Genbu Seishi and kick their butts!"  He grinned a big toothy grin, his fangs evident.
"**Sigh** na no da.  That's not a good idea until we know what's going on no da."
"Why the hell are we waiting for them to make a move?" Tasuki demanded resting his chin 
against his hand which was propped up by his elbow.
"Can't be helped no da, we don't know what it is they want na no da."  Chichiri replied 
suddenly serious. 
"So then what are we gunna do?" Chichiri sat back and regarded his fellow Seishi.  
"There are too many things going on here that I don't understand.  It might be best if I 
consult someone on this no da."
"Who?"
"Taitsu kun... There's something very wrong with this whole business no da.  Something I cant 
put my finger on, and if we are going to be fighting Genbu's SichiSeishi we will need to 
understand what it is we are fighting for no da."  Tasuki grimiced.
"I don't wanna see that old Baba! Why cant we find a nice pretty thing to serve us some 
drinks instead?" 
Chichiri stared at him disapprovingly.  
"Then stay here if you like, It'll be quicker of I go by myself anyway no da" 
"Yoooosh, and what'll I do while you're gone?" Tasuki asked sitting upright as he was filled 
with new purpose. 
"Just stay out of trouble na no da." Chichiri stared at his friend for a moment who had 
resumed banging his head uselessly against the table.  "Anooo.... Ano..... " Another sweat 
drop appeared on his head.

"A red light?" Uruki asked confused.
"It caught me completely unprepared." Umiyame answered.  "The power of Suzaku is.... 
Formidable. I was... not strong enough to defeat it." Umiyame fell silent as he regarded 
his feet.  The other Genbu Seishi could see how humiliated he felt by his recent failure.  
Few of their number knew him well, but they were all aware of the emphasis he placed on 
honor.  For him this loss of face was nearly unbearable.  Inami solemnly placed his hand
sympathetically upon his companions shoulder.  His usual playfully mischieveous grin 
replaced by an uncharacteristically grim expression.   
"A Barrier..." muttered Hikitsu tapping his finger against his lip.  "It makes sense that 
they would protect their shrine from intruders."
"So how do we break through?" Hatsui asked.
"Perhaps..." Namame the young girl began uncertainly.
"Yes Namame-chan."
"Perhaps seven might succeed where one could not." Umiyame looked away disgraced and stood to 
his feet brushing Inami's hand away stoically. Inami stared after him unhappily.  "I don't 
think their barrier could hold against all seven of us." Namame continued. "I think we 
could break through if we combined our Chi's.  If we do that we could break through Suzaku's 
barrier" Meanwhile Tomite brushed his forehead wearily.  
"Why does this feel so familiar." He murmured uncertainly.
"Something wrong Tomite-sama." He blinked looking up at Hatsui who stared down at him somewhat 
concerned.  He smiled weakly and shook his head.  The giant raised his eyebrows, still not 
entirely convinced.  But, rather than explain himself Tomite dropped his hand to his side 
and returned to the conversation.
"What are the defenses to the palace like?" Hikitsu asked. Inami smiled cruelly.
"Dreadfully inadequate." The effiminant fellow responded his face cracking into a sinister 
grin.

Tasuki looked sourly at the glass of sake before him.  "This Sux!" He muttered as he lazily 
spun the liquid about in his glass.  Wondering  what it was he was going to do until 
Chichiri returned.  He hated being at the mercy of others.   Waiting for them to point him 
in the direction of the bad guys.  He muttered to himself moodily as he tapped his Tessen 
against his leg.
"Hey did you hear the palace was attacked last night?"
"Really?"
"Yeah someone tried to break into the Suzaku Shrine." Tasuki grabbed the bystander by the shirt
and lifted him up to eye level.  He grinned psychotically at the older fellow. His eyes full 
of a renewed fire.
"Why don't you tell me all about it?" He asked the hapless peasant threateningly.


There was a flash of light as Chichiri appeared in his superdeformed three foot tall midget 
form inside Taitsu-kun's palace.
"DAAAAA!" He cried playfully. As if to reply several bubbles floated toward him. There was a 
pop as they turned into cute purple haired little girls.
"Nyan Nyan!" They all cried in delight.  Equally pleased to see them Chichiri smiled looking 
at them eye to eye.
"Daaaaaaa!"
"Nyan Nyan"
"Daaaaaaa!"
"Nyan Nyan"
"Daaaaaaaa!"
"Nyan Nyan"
"Daaaaaaaa!"
"Ano this is getting rather repetitive." Taitsu kun interrupted. "To what do I owe the 
pleasure of your visit Chichiri?" Much to the Nyan Nyan's dismay Chichiri returned to his 
standard form and regarded Taitsu-kun gravely.
"The Genbu Seishi have again appeared and are attacking both Tasuki and I na no da." 
"Hmmm" The old woman thought gravely. 
"Genbu Seishi are powerful!" One of the Nyan Nyan interrupted leaping in the way. Obstructing 
Chichiri's view of Taitsu-kun.
"Yes very, very powerful." Another cried leaping in front of  the first.
"But they're all dead now."
"Yes dead and buried!"  The Nyan Nyan all cried in pain as Taitsu kun sent each of them 
into orbit.
"I'm trying to think here!" The old woman cried in her gravelly voice. She turned to Chichiri 
who had a large sweat drop on his head. "The Genbu Seishi have returned then?"
"Hai na no da"
"I'm afraid I will not be able to aid you in this battle, as I did with the Seiryuu Seishi."
"Why not?"
"Nakago was working for Tenkou on that occasion.  Hence I was required to give you more aid 
than I am normally able." Chichiri stood looking thoughtful for a moment before nodding.
"In that case can you provide me with information na no da? How could Tenkou have brought
 the seven Genbu no Sichiseishi back to life no da?"


"HAHAHA Gen-chan has returned." Tasuki all but screamed as he strode confidently through the 
Palace grounds, his Tessen sitting lazily upon his shoulder. 
"Ahh Tasuki-san" the Impirial chancellor cried. 
"Heard 'bout your troubles and thought I'd fix 'em." Tasuki explained.
"Excellent" The Chanellor cried clearly pleased. "Is Chichiri-san with you?" Tasuki's 
eyes narrowed.
"No!"
"Tamahome-san?" Tasuki face darkened.
"No."
"Miko-sama?" Tasuki's knuckles whitened as he gripped his Tessen tightly.  A large sweat 
drop appeared on the chancellor's head.

Two palace guards stood by the Warriors Entrance Gate at alert.  Their eyes widened as 
seven individuals boldly approached the gates. "Halt who goes there?" One of the guards 
challenged. Tomite smiling raised his arm into the air and threw a bright light at the two 
guards.  The guards struggled in vain as they were encased in bindings of ice.  
"Hatsui!" Hikitsu cried.
"Hai!" Hatsui replied his genbu symbol 'Encampment' flared brightly.  Then he began to grow, 
and increase in size. Ten feet, fifteen, twenty feet tall he grew. His body adjusting in 
proportion to his increase in height.  The Giant Hatsui picked up a huge metal wrecking ball 
in one hand and threw it into the Palace gates which shattered beneath the destructive 
force.  Countless guards scrambled into action all eager to protect the Palace grounds.  
Hatsui spun the giant wrecking ball in a large circle before unleashing it onto his smaller 
opponents.  Guards were sent flying as the iron ball smashed it's way through their ranks.  
Uruki leapt boldly into the grounds crying "Kaji Hebi" in a loud voice.  A snake of fire
slithered into action, scattering the guards.  
Tomite lowered his bow and sent countless ice arrows at the guards.  Hikitsu attacked using 
Ice snakes which attacked a group of guards freezing them in place.  Inami played his 
hypnotic tune which summoned numerous birds who eagerly flocked about the guards, hindering 
they're advance.  Umiyame didn't even bother to turn invisible.  Sweeping through the guard 
patrols like a whirlwind he cut each to pieces with his sword.  He stopped at regular 
intervals pausing only long enough to unleash a volley of throwing stars, before returning 
to his sword play.  In short, it was a massacre.

"Chancellor-sama!" A guard cried in alarm.  A large sweat drop appeared on his head as he 
watched Tasuki beat the chancellor repeatedly over the head with his Tessen.  "Anou, 
sumimasen Chancellor-sama, we are under attack. Seven strangely dressed individuals are 
fighting their way towards the Suzaku Shrine."

"What the Fuck? Why didn't you say so sooner!" Tasuki screamed sprinting off through the 
Palace halls.  The chancellor lay in a mess on the ground.

After making short work of the guards the seven Genbu no Seishi, led by Umiyame swiftly 
made their way to the Suzaku Shrine.  "Moment of truth." Muttered the huge Hatsui.
"Remember everyone, together!" Hikitsu urged.
"One moment please." Namame cried.  She turned regarding each of the pillars to either side 
that stood behind the holy warriors.  Reaching into her cloak the small chinese girl removed 
two slips of paper, each with a complex Kanji character displayed.  She placed one on 
either pillar and turned smiling up at her fellow Seishi.  "Rune magic, We wont be 
disturbed now." She explained.  Nodding the seven Genbu Seishi as one stepped across the 
barrier into the Suzaku shrine.  
"We did it!" cried Tomite happily. "Now we can get the scroll."
"LEKKA SHIEN!!!!!" In alarm the seven all turned as Tasuki's flame attack rocketed towards 
them.  Instinctively Uruki raised her hand and the fire blast hit an invisible barrier.  
The defensive technique did not pass without taking its toll though as Uruki fell to her 
knees.  
"What the Fuck?" Tasuki cried surprised at the girls powers. Uruki's eyes widened as she gazed 
at the warrior standing before them.
"Who... who is that?" she murmured to herself.
"TASUKI!" Umiyame spat.  
"So you're the Suzaku Seishi, Tasuki" Inami said softly.
"Yeah that's me. Suzaku Seishi Tasuki located in the vicinity of Crater and Hydra, but which 
has never been identified with certainty but is widely regarded as representing the wing 
of Suzaku. Key star: Alpha Crt, Day: Tuesday, Element: Fire, Planet: Mars, Animal: Snake. 
Please ta meet ya! Now get the Fuck outta the Shrine of Suzaku or I'll kick all your arses."  
"It's the scroll containing Genbu no Miko that we're after. Hand it over." Tomite challenged.
"Not a chance. Lekka Shiennn!!!" Again Tasuki attacked, sending a blast of fire at his 
opponents. 
Again Uruki manipulated the blast so it ricotied away.  Tasuki frowned focusing his Chi.  
"LEKKA SHIEN!" Again he blasted the Genbu Seishi but this time Uruki was set flying backwards 
as the fire strengthened by Tasuki's Chi broke her own control.  Tasuki's eyes went wide 
though, as the Giant Hatsui's wrecking ball struck him in the chest.  He flew through the 
shrine, slamming into the back wall, a trickle of blood dribbling from his lip.  
Tomite advanced sending an ice arrow flying. It found its target in Tasuki's shoulder whose 
eyes widened in pain.  Inami still surrounded by birds used them to attack the Genbu Seishi's 
nemesis.  Despite his injuries Tasuki leapt forward swinging his Tessen and incinerating 
them all.  However, it left him open to Hikitsu's Ice snakes who wrapped themselves around 
him.  
"Surrender!"
"Suzaku Seishi are too stupid to give up.  C'mon, all at once or one at a time." Tasuki 
stretched shattering his bindings. "It makes no difference ta me ya slags." 
"So desu ne." Inami smiled cruelly. Uruki, however, could only stare at him in awe.
"Who is this man?  How could he be so fucking stupid? What is this feeling?" Uruki confused 
placed her hand over her breast as she stared in disbelief at the Suzaku Seishi, her sworn 
enemy.
"YAAAAAA!" Cried Hatsui who again unleashed his wrecking ball.  Tasuki leapt on top of it 
dodging out of the way, but Hatsui jerked it back and Tasuki was thrown into a pillar. The 
wrecking ball destroying much of the shrine.  Tasuki stumbled to his feet only to have the 
giant iron ball hammer into his body.  He screamed as he felt his ribs crack and break 
beneath its awesome power.  Hatsui again jerked back and caught the ball in his giant hand.  
Tasuki wounded fell to the ground, blood staining his clothes and a pool spread across the 
holy temple's floor.
"It's finished." Hikitsu muttered.  "Come! The scroll." He commanded.
"Not... gunna let.. ya.... have .... it...." Tasuki muttered, trying desperately to 
regain his feet.
"He's still alive!" Namame cried is astonishment.  Tomite shook his head.
"Foolish man.  Hatsui." The giant nodded raising his wrecking ball.
"No wait!" cried Uruki.  Everyone stopped in surprise. Uruki, perhaps the most surprised of 
all. "Its not right! He can't even defend himself." She argued.
"I'm sorry Uruki-kun, but we cannot let anything stand in our way." Hatsui said sadly.
"But..." She protested a tear running down her face.
"Uruki! Enough of this nonsense. This is for Genbu no Miko, remember." Inami cried commandingly 
"Hatsui do it."  Hatsui grimly turned and unleashed his wrecking ball at Tasuki who crouched 
over in pain watched death approach.  
Suddenly there was an explosion.  A bright red light engulfed the room blinding the Genbu 
Seishi, who fell to the ground clutching their faces.  After a few seconds the light cleared 
and they again rose to their feet.
"What was that?" Inami asked.
"Suzaku's fire?" proposed Namame.
"Heh Heh Heh, wanna keep playing?" Tasuki asked, standing cockily with his Tessen over his 
shoulder.  His wounds had all vanished and blood no longer stained his tunic.
"What! Impossible." Umiyame cried.
"Yaaaaa!" roared the giant Hatsui who again unleashed his Wrecking ball at the Suzaku Seishi.  
However, about ten feet from it's target  the wrecking ball stopped in midair.  The 
astonished Genbu Seishi watched as the ball hovered suspended about the ground.  There was 
a flash of Red light as a gauntlet appeared beneath the ball.  Then a young man appeared 
from no where holding the ball up by one hand. 
"You'll forgive the interruption, but we can't have a stingy old bandit protecting the Suzaku 
shrine from thieves." He declared cheerfully. 
"OI! NURIKO WHO YOU CALLING STINGY!"  Nuriko smiled and with one hand threw the wrecking 
ball back at Hatsui which hit him fair in the chest. The force from the blow sent him 
flying backwards.
Hikitsu surprised unleashed his Ice snakes which cracked and bent their way through the air 
towards Nuriko.  There was another flash of red light and the ice snakes shattered.  A long 
thick lock of brown hair appeared attached to the beautiful former Emperor of Konan who held 
his Deity sword in a defensive position.   His Suzaku symbol "Star" Shone brightly from his 
neck.
"You dare to violate the Suzaku Shrine? This is an offense that I Hotohori cannot let pass."  
"Please leave here." Mitsukake implored, standing behind Tasuki with his hand raised, 
revealing his glowing red Suzaku Symbol, 'Rare Cart'.  Tasuki in fright leapt into the air 
grabbing hold of the statue of Suzaku.
"WILL YOU STOP DOING THAT.  IT SCARES THE HELL OUTTA ME.  YOU TOOK YOU'RE FUCKING TIME!  WHERE
WERE YOU WHEN THEY WERE BEATING THE SHIT OUTTA ME!" 
"Timing is important if you want to make a dramatic entrance." Chiriko explained cheerfully
"Also you looked like you were having so much fun we didn't want to ruin it." Added Nuriko.
"Arsehole!" Tasuki angrily swung his Tessen at his fellow Seishi which passed right through 
his etheral form. Nuriko stuck his tongue out in defiance.
"Hand over Genbu no Miko!"  Hatsui declared.  
"Genbu no miko? Miaka's friend?" Nuriko asked.  "We don't have her."
"Enough of your lies." Tomite spat and unleased a volley of arrows at Suzaku's gay Seishi.  
Nuriko crouched into a combat position and his guantlets flared with a red light, but the 
arrows passed through his body.  
"Sorry we're already dead you cant hurt us."
"For that matter so are all of you." Chiriko added.
"What?" Inami asked in disbelief.
"Do you remember our previous encounter at the Genbu Shrine, Tomite, Hikitsu?  You gave us 
the Shinzaho remember." Tomite and Hikitsu stared at Chiriko blankly.  
"Enough of this." Whispered a voice from behind the Suzaku Seishi.
"Chiriko look out!" Hotohori screamed as black blur leapt through Chiriko. He summersaulted 
once before spinning and regarded his opponents from a crouch.  
"I have it!" Umiyame cried holding up Chiriko's diety scroll.  "We leave!" 
"No don't" Chiriko cried in alarm.  
"Oi give it back!" Tasuki yelled angrily.  He ran forward to attack as the Genbu Seishi 
withdrew.   Hikitsu concentrated for a moment and the floor to the Suzaku Shrine turned to 
ice.  Tasuki slipped head over heals and slid quickly into a wall. "Yaaaaaaaaaa!" The Genbu 
Seishi fled as Nuriko and Hotohori both advanced to the Shrine gates.  Tasuki ran to their 
sides and proceeded outside a step before turning to regard his companions.  
"Sorry this is as far as we go." Nuriko said.
"If Miaka were here we could lend you more help, but otherwise we are restricted to the 
shrine." Hotohori explained.
"Tasuki whatever happens they must not break the seal." Chiriko cried.
"C'mon I'm not a total idiot.  Seeya later then." Tasuki turned and ran off.
"Oi be careful." Nuriko cried after him.

A shadow appeared by the Palace gates and then Chichiri appeared holding his staff aloft in 
one hand.  He slapped it on the ground once and listened to the golden rings chime against 
one another.  A second later Tasuki ran into him knocking both of them to the ground.
"CHICHIRIII WHAT ARE YOU DOING LOAFING AROUND.  THE GENBU SEISHI STOLE CHIRIKO'S SCROLL!  
MOVE YOUR BUTT!" Tasuki screamed before sprinting off over the palace wall.  
"Daaaaaa?" Chichiri moaned from the ground.

The Genbu Seishi raced from roof top to roof top through Konan.  Leaping to the street the 
seven sichiseishi rushed to a man sitting by the Canal smoking a pipe.  "A boat now!" Hatsui 
demanded.  
"Why of course good sirs.  15 Gold ryu please." Money changed hands and the seven warriors of 
the North pushed their newly acquired craft into the Canal.  The boat moved swiftly into 
the center of the rushing water, and for the first time the Genbu Seishi allowed themselves 
to smile.
Tasuki raced to the edge of the Canal and looked down at his escaping enemies.  He leapt one 
foot onto the wall and jumped up into the air.  "LEKKA SHIEN!!" He cried blasting the small 
craft with his attack. The boat caught afire but, Uruki concentrated causing the fire to leap
into the air and then into the canal saving the boat from serious damage. Tasuki scowled down 
at her, Uruki frowned looking equally determined.
"TASUKI NO DA!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING NA NO DA!!" Chichiri cried out in alarm still a hundred 
yards from the canal.  Tasuki floated suspended above the canal for a full second and his face
faulted, as he realized what was about to occur.  
"AAAAARRRRGGGHHH" Spash!  Tasuki spluttered about thrashing wildly as the water turned him 
head over heals.  "Chi.... **cough** Chichiri.... Help **splutter** **cough** Heeelp."
"Tasukiiii!" Chichiri cried helplessly from the edge of the canal as his companion 
disappeared beneath the raging torrent. 
"Uruki-chan what are you doing? Uruki chaan!" 


Chichiri watched from the edge of the Canal as Tasuki disappeared beneath the water. He ran a 
few paces, throwing his staff to the ground and prepared to dive into the Canal.  He stopped 
with a shudder as his one good eye widened and a chill shook him to his bone.  He felt cold 
and was almost unable to move.  It was a feeling he had encountered only four times before. 
"Tasuki no.....No, not you too." Collapsing to his knees his mask fell to the ground and he
clutched his head willing this feeling away. He shook his head trying to deny what he knew to 
be true.  Finally he looked up tears streaking down his face "Now I truly am alone."

End of Chapter 2. 

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