The Seven Shichiseishi of Suzaku

(Fushigi Yuugi Chapter Three part II)

Above her, twisted by the effort of holding the sheer weight, Tamahome's face trembled, and his breath rasped through his lungs. Faintly, from beyond the stone rubble, Hotohori cried their names.

The Emperor of Konan thew himself at the mound of debris and desperately began to toss aside bits of the broken structure. His retainers hopelessly watched him.

"Leave this to me," a demure female voice stated from behind Hotohori's kneeling form. The Emperor jerked around to stare up in surprise.

*******

"Shit--" Tamahome gasped out, sweat beaded on his face. His trembling body fought against the massive weight. A single bead of moisture fell. It landed, sparkling, upon Miaka's cheek.

"I--I can't hold it anymore!"

Miaka watched, terrified, as the tonnage slowly forced Tamahome's straining body closer to her own. "T--Tamahome!"

*******

With absurd ease, the lady of the court tossed a huge slab of Azumaya roof behind her. Column stones, beams, ties of wood--each one went sailing off the pile to land, crashing, behind her. Hotohori could only blink at the sight of the slip of a woman, handling the chunks of structure as they were formed of fluffy pillows.

The last column was uplifted to reveal Miaka and Tamahome. Amazed, the girl stared up at her rescuer, who looked down upon them with detached surprise.

"Goodness, they're alive," the woman commented, the column still held in her arms. She tossed it behind her, where it loudly impacted into the ground. "You have the devil's own luck."

Who is that? Miaka wondered, face still frozen.

The woman pulled a pink handkerchief from the depths of her extravagant dress and dusted off her hands.

"Are you two all right?" Hotohori ran to them.

Tamahome gasped out, his voice shaking, "Emperor, I'm not okay."

"Tamahome!" The Emperor helped him sit back, respect echoing through his words. "You aided Suzaku no Miko very well."

"Do I get a reward?"

"It wasn't done well at all!" Miaka yelled at Tamahome from her perch on the steps that had once led to the graceful Azumaya. "You may be my protector and guardian, but if you had died--then what?!

Tamahome's eyes closed, and he smiled.

"Nani-yo?" she demanded at his expression, most annoyed.

He pointed at himself with a gritty thumb. "I do what I want to do. Sooner or later, you'll have to give me a reward, Miaka."

Miaka blinked once, then blushed and quickly began to study her toes. "Ar--arigatou."

"Anyway, that hurt a lot!" Tamahome stretched his tired muscles.

Still contemplaing her shoes, Miaka was in turmoil. Tamahome...when you did that.... The vision of Tamahome, fighting to hold the rubble off her helpless body, played through her mind. ...the feeling in my heart....was overwhelming. She watched the man who had saved her life.

"Itai-yo," he complained to Hotohori, who was wiping his face with a damp cloth.

You went so far....was it only because I am Suzaku no Miko? Her eyes trembled. Or...could it be...? The traitorous blush returned to her cheeks.

When he had done what he could for Tamahome, Hotohori addressed the woman who had handled tons of stone with such incredible ease. "Are you a princess of the realm?"

"Hai."

"That strength...could it be?"

A red shimmer suspiciously glinted from her left breast, the edge barely visible from around the edge of her robes. Entranced, Hotohori stepped towards her, one arm outstretched, reaching towards the cloth.

"What are you doing?!" the maiden gasped and clutched her arms protectively to her bosom.

Hotohori backed up a step, himself shocked at what he had almost done. "Uh...well...no..." he trailed off, embarrassed. "You have," he pointed to the place on his own broad chest. "Right here..."

"Ah! You mean this?" she asked with a smile. She pulled the collar of her robes aside just enough to reveal the mark. With a bright flash, a Shichiseishi symbol burned on the fair skin, high up on her bosom. "My name is Korin." Her demure, sophisticated voice purred, "also known as Nuriko."

"You're one of the seven Shichiseishi," Hotohori said with amazement.

Miaka ran to him and clutched his arm with disbelief. "The third Shichiseishi is a woman?!" she gasped out, eyes wide.

His arm being bandaged, Tamahome laughed with delight.

"Tamahome, what is so amusing about that?" Hotohori asked him, his voice serious.

"Oh, nothing." Tamahome smugly grinned and studied the sky, smirking unashamedly.

Miaka ran a few steps toward the woman. "Good, it didn't take very long to find you!" She said with delight. "Thanks very much for helping us. It's a pleasure to meet you." The girl smiled brightly and held out her right hand. "I'm Yuuki Miaka."

Nuriko glanced at the proffered hand, then stepped past her Miko.

"Huh?"

The woman walked towards her unsuspecting prey. "I wanted to help....this man."

Tamahome looked up to see her glowing down at--of all people--him. "Huh?" he asked, wide-eyed.

Her pale hands reached out to frame his shocked face. She leaned forward and elegantly kissed him.

Miaka and Hotohori gasped.

"No! TAMAHOME!!" Miaka cried with anguish.

*******

"Suzaku no Miko washed the blood from her clothes."

Yui gazed at the simple drawing of the girl, perched on a stool before a basin full of water, before she turned the page and continued reading.

*******

Miaka held up her skirt, dripping wet, and smiled with relief. "It's finally gone! Blood is so hard to remove--Ow!" Miaka frowned down at her bandaged thigh. Dressed only in panties and her bra, she scowled at nothing and thought dark thoughts. Now that I think back on Nuriko....why did she do that to Tamahome? It pisses me off!

But she's a Shichiseishi of Suzaku. And to escape this world, I need all the Shichiseishi. There is no other way. It's asking way too much for me to get along with her, but I have to.

Nuriko's sophisticated face, smiling victoriously, passed through Miaka's mind.

But to get along with her... She grimaced. To get along with her... She brushed off the evil thoughts and forced herself to cheer up. "Yoshi!" Hands behind her back, she worked at the clasp of her bra. When I'm finished washing my underwear, I'll pay a visit to her room. Miaka lowered the bra into the basin.

Tamahome slammed open Miaka's door, his face a parody of anger and frustration. "Miaka!" he yelled at the bare-breasted girl, then realized what was--or rather, was not--in front of him. His face flamed.

"Hentai!" Miaka screamed with a bright blush, arms covering herself in vain.

"You're wrong!" Tamahome protested, arms waving. He closed his eyes and tried not to look too closely. "I wanted you to hide me!" Unable to stop himself, he cracked open one eye.

A white sash sailed out from beyond the doorway and lassoed him about the ankles. He fell forward with a loud smack onto the floor. At the other end of the sash, Suzaku's lavender-haired Shichiseishi gripped it tightly in determined hands.

"Nuriko?" Miaka said with disbelief.

"Oh, Miaka-san!" Nuriko gaily called to her. "Pardon me!" She regarded her catch, still prostrate upon the floor, with smug confidence. "He is hesitant to be alone with me." Nuriko pivoted about and left the room, dragging Tamahome behind her. "Come now, Tama-chan! Let's go!" She laughed.

Miaka clenched a trembling fist and shook it after the departing forms. "What is it with that woman?!"

*******

"Why do I have to kiss up to her?" Miaka complained to the blue sky. "There's no way I can keep this up!" Her voice turned plaintive, then slowly moved to tears. "But if I don't...I can't obtain the power of Suzaku. I'll be marooned here." With a resigned sigh, she stepped into Nuriko's chambers.

Nuriko paused from massaging lotion onto her pale hands to watch Miaka over her shoulder. "A maid? You want to serve me?" she asked.

"R--right." Miaka forced herself to answer.

"Get off me!" Tamahome gasped out from the floor. He wriggled, helplessly bound up in Nuriko's sash, pinned against the floor by the woman's shapely derriere. "No more!"

Nuriko ignored her perch's protests. "That will be fine." She resumed applying her lotion.

"I'll take good care of you," Miaka managed to strangle.

"There's just one thing."

The girl looked up, wondering what could possibly be added onto the situation. "Hai?"

Nuriko hugged a protesting--and blushing--Tamahome to her bosom. "You mustn't disturb Tama-chan and me," she demurely purred.

"Hey, stop it, will ya!?" Tamahome ineffectively demanded, his voice muffled by her robes.

Miaka clenched her eyes shut, jealousy and anger ripping through her. "I wouldn't even think of it!" she snapped.

Nuriko giggled and snuggled her face against Tamahome's, which had finally become glazed with shock from female overload.

What the hell is with Tamahome?! Miaka's mind blazed, bright with anger. 'I'll protect you.' Oh, he sure TALKS big!

"Kawaii!" Nuriko giggled.

"Don't! Don't!" Tamahome protested, laughter eminent. No doubt he was being tickled.

One of Miaka's eyebrows quivered, and a sweat bead made a grand appearance. She clenched her jaw, trying not to listen to "Tama-chan's" increasingly loud guffaws. She has him under her thumb! Baka!

"Miaka," Nuriko called to her. "Fix my hair!"

With a jerk, Miaka remembered why she was there. "Hai!" The girl gathered up Nuriko's long lavender tresses. The luxurious purple waves were heavy in Miaka's hands.

"Miaka, isn't my hair pretty?" Nuriko asked.

She paused for only a moment before giving the expected answer. "Yes!" She stroked the locks as if they were a fine cat.

"You hurt me! Don't tug so!" the woman screeched and threw a cupful of water into Miaka's face.

Miaka forced herself to count to ten.

*******

Outside her room, Nuriko pointed at the wooden walkway floor with a sharp gesture. "There's some dust! Wipe it up!"

"Hai." Miaka, on hands and knees, wielded the cloth with displeasure.

"If you miss any, I won't feed you," Nuriko informed the girl as she turned her back and walked away.

If I clean it, will you be happy?! Miaka inwardly snarled.

Behind her, Nuriko upturned her incense pans, one in each hand. The ashes floated to the floor, most effectively covering it with dust.

"Nani?!" The woman exclaimed with dismay. "It's still dirty!"

"Huh?" Miaka sat back and turned to stare in horror at the mess behind her. "What did you do?!"

"Ah, gomen nasai!" Nuriko cried, one hand to her cheek. "My hands slipped!" She tossed her immense table onto Miaka with one arm, flattening the girl on her back.

"Tama-chan!" She simpered. "Let's leave her and go eat!

Miaka somehow managed to move the table aside an inch or two. "What a bitch she is," the girl choked out before unconsciousness claimed her.

"Don't tease Miaka!" Tamahome protested, still bound from shoulders to ankles in Nuriko's long silk sash.

"Tama-chan, why are you angry?"

"I--you!"

Nuriko raised her hands to her mouth and whimpered out behind them, "Do you hate me?" A faint blush crossed her face. "Do you hate me?" she asked again. "Are you saying she's better than me?"

Sweat drop prominent, Tamahome grimaced. "No, I didn't say I hate you."

"Really?!" Nuriko squealed with delight. "You don't hate me?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, I'm soooo happy!" Her voice achieved the impossible and grew even more ecstatic. "Do you love me???!?"

"I didn't say that!"

Pulled back into consciousness by the woman's sounds of happiness, Miaka opened her eyes to be greet with the sight of Nuriko dancing about with the still-bound Tamahome.

She is SOOOO vain! Anger flowed through Miaka's veins, granting her the strength to shove off the table, leap to her feet, and heave the heavy wood at the couple. Nuriko turned her captive about and watched with feigned surprise as the table slammed into the back of his head.

"Itaiiiiii!" Tamahome whimpered.

"Tama-chan!" Nuriko shrieked with dismay.

Miaka stood there glaring at them, teeth bared and growling.

*******

Sunset bathed the imperial palace in a beautiful wash of reds and violets. Sitting inside one of the covered walkways that spidered over the vast lily ponds, Miaka contemplated the competition.

Nuriko, eh? She makes me so mad! But she sure has a thing for Tamahome. Miaka sighed, then glanced up to see an angry Tama-chan scootching towards her, still cuccooned in the sash. "Tamahome!" She giggled at the sight. But her cheer did not last, and her expression dimmed. She unwound the poor man.

"What's the matter? Not being pampered enough?" she spitefully asked.

"I escaped while she was gone."

Miaka had reassumed her position, leaning against a column. Tamahome stood beyond it, watching her.

"Well good for you!" She told him. "You're loved by a beautiful lady!"

He silently processed her words, not moving. He finally spoke. "Are you serious?"

Miaka started. Her wide eyes were staring out over the glistening water, but they did not see the beauty before them.

"Do you think I'm happy about it?" he slowly asked.

Miaka hugged her knees. "But--but--"

At the sound of his footsteps, she jerked to her feet, afraid he was leaving. "Tamahome!" Her weak leg gave out and the girl landed on the floor with a most graceful oof!

She gasped when Tamahome knelt before her. "Baka," he chastised with a gentle smile. "You're putting too much strain on the leg."

*******

In the library, Yui leaned over The Four Gods' Sky and Earth.

"The man was worried about the cut on Suzaku no Miko's leg. As he nursed it, his eyes...were serious and bright."

Yui swallowed once, her heart pounding.

*******

"Don't move."

Miaka made a soft noise in agreement, leaning back on the hand rail that ran around the edge of the structure. Tamahome knelt beside her, his warm hands upon her injured thigh. Her own heart thumped wildly in her breast.

** end episode three **

• On to Chapter Four: Part I
• The Novelizations Index
• Glossary to Gateway Japanese words A - M
• Glossary to Gateway Japanese words N - Z
• FY Novelization Liner Notes eps 1-5
• Honorifics Explained
• Back to the Gateway Index