by Kourin
 

Disclaimers:  Fushigi Yuugi and all related characters, etc. are created, owned, etc. by Watase Yuu, Shogakukan, Studio Pierrot, TV
Tokyo, etc. etc.  I'm not making any money out of this, don't sue me.
 
 

             'Suboshi' restlessly shifted on his cot.  He and his brother were traveling to the capital of Kutou-koku.
The brothers were Seiryuu Seishi, two of the seven 'blessed' by the god Seiryuu with powers to protect their
miko.  Why?  That's what he was wondering about.  He glanced at his brother, who seemed to be blissfully
sleeping in the next cot.  Satisfied that at least one of them was having a good night's sleep, he tossed and
turned again a bit, trying to find out if shifting around would help him get some sleep.  He closed his eyes in
another attempt.

            "Otouto, what's troubling you?"
 
             The younger brother's eyes shot open.  "Aniki, you're awake?  I'm sorry if I woke you up with my tossing
and turning."

            "I haven't even fallen asleep yet, otouto."
 
             "Ah.  So it's bothering you too, aniki?"

             "Of course.  I'm just wondering, otouto.  Is this really the path to peace?"

             "I hope so, aniki.  If we protect Seiryuu no Miko and she manages to successfuly summon Seiryuuseikun,
Kutou-koku will finally be at peace!"

             "I know that, otouto.  But as Seiryuu Seishi, don't you think we'll be called upon by the head shogun to
fight, possibly kill?"

            The younger brother remained quiet at his older brother's comment.  He closed his eyes and was
suddenly attacked by a barrage of flashbacks.
                                              *******

             "Aniki..."the young boy held on tightly to his older brother.  They were in a small corner by the side of a
road.  Horses with Kutou soldiers riding them thundered by.

             The two brothers held onto each other, trying to forget the scene they just ran away from.  They were
about to come out of their room for lunch.  Kaa-san had called out to them, like usual, in her sweet voice.  She
made spring rolls, their favorite.  All news about a civil war were like strange stories from faraway lands, even if
the war was just a few towns away.  Like it was in another world.  But it wasn't.

             The older twin opened their door's room a bit, ready to race his brother to the dinner table.  He
immediately shut it.

             Loud crashing sounds were suddenly heard from outside their door.
He took his otouto's hand, signaled for him to keep quiet and led him to the window.  The younger twin panicked
at his brother's strange behavior and the horrible noises that just stopped from beyond their door and ran to it.
His brother followed.  They immediately wish they just ran away.

            The tables and chairs in their house were knocked over.  Dinner was thrown about everywhere.  But they
didn't see those things.  They were too shocked with the sight of their parents on the floor, in a pool of their own
blood.
                                              *******
 

             "Aniki, don't you think that maybe even if we do kill some people, it may eventually justify everything?"

             "I don't know about that, otouto.  Don't you think our country has been involved in war too much?"

             "I still believe the ends could justify the means, aniki."

             "Do you remember the promise we made before we..."

             "Before we ran away when we found okaasan and otousan---"

             "Dead?  Yes.  I promised to them that I would take care of you."

             "And you've done a good job.  You've gotten pretty nifty with focusing your chi through that flute of yours.  I
wish I was as good with my Ryuuseisui---"
 
             "I also promised that we'd live up to the be the Seiryuu Seishi they wanted us to be."

             "Yeah, yeah, when we were little, they said they wanted us to somehow be different, to be Seishi of the
god of Defensive Warfare instead of being Seishi of the god of plain old war---"

             "I want to be a Seishi of the god of Defensive Warfare."

             "Aniki, be practical!" He quickly sat up and glared at his brother.

             "I mean it, otouto."  He closed his eyes for a moment, his expression still serene.  He had always been
the more mature, patient twin.

             Silence.

             "Otouto, I promised I will take care of you.  But just because I still long for peace doesn't mean I won't fight
for you."

             The younger twin sighed.  "I know, Aniki."

             "But I'm still going to try to be a Seishi fighting for peace."

             "I don't know how you're going to accomplish that, aniki, but I wish you luck.  I just want you to know..."

             "What?"

             "I'll fight for you no matter what.  If anyone even tries to hurt you, Aniki,"  The younger twin clenched his
fists.  His ryuuseisui, sitting in the corner where he left it, rose a bit and glowed with energy.  "Don't try arguing
with me on that one."

             "Okay.  I don't want to argue anymore."

             A heartbeat of silence.

             "Nee, aniki..."

             "What is it, otouto?"

             "I wonder what Seiryuu no Miko looks like?"

             The older twin just laughed.

             "No, really, aniki."

             "I have no idea what she might look like.  I just hope she's a kind person.  Someone who doesn't live for
war."
 
             "Suuuure, aniki.  Suuuure."

             'Aniki' just threw his pillow at his little brother.  "We better get some sleep.  We need all of our energy to
get to the capital as soon as possible."  He brought out his flute and started to play.  His chi was sent out in a
calming frequency.  Soon, his younger brother was asleep.  He retrieved his pillow from where he had thrown it
and lied down.  "Peace... can I truly fight for it as a person born to serve under the god of war?"

             The dark night offered no reply.
 
 

Daa!  I hope you liked it!  I haven't written any fanfics in sooo long.  Comments and criticisms may be sent to
Kourin@mindless.com

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