Sarah glared at the screen before her, fingers working furiously against the keyboard. She'd been neglecting her email lately, she'd been so worried about Ryan. He hardly called now, and she never forgot the sound of his voice when she'd last spoken to him. He was so angry... Why couldn't he realize that anything was possible? She was more certain now than ever, after nearly choking on her drink while reading one mailing list's email. It had apparently been piling up for a few days, but one of the members had posted pictures that were taken at a costume party recently held in her home city of San Antonio. Sarah had flipped through the pictures with half interest... most were, of course, people dressed as Fushigi characters. One, however, stopped her cold. People dressed up as characters looked a certain way... but the image she saw was NOT an imposter... if that wasn't Chichiri, she'd give up on anime forever.

She'd emailed the person who posted the pictures, finding out who she was and who the people were. She'd gotten the reply that it was a person from another of her mailing lists, who went by the name Wandering Mage Chichiri. The man she was with was her boyfriend, Chris. Filing that information away for further reference, she immediately sat down and emailed WMC. She didn't quite know what to say, but did her best not to sound like an idiot.

WMC -

You don't know me, or at least not very well. I'm a subscriber to one of your email lists, and recently saw a picture of you at a costume party. This is going to sound strange, but please hear me out. I think that the person you were with was *really* Chichiri. I'm not crazy, so please just have an open mind. The reason I think this is because my friend Ryan is Nuriko, I'm convinced of it. I've even seen the 'yanagi' mark on his collarbone, although he doesn't realize it. You've got to help me, if you can. Ryan doesn't remember anything and has been having extremely bad nightmares. He's pulled away from everyone and the last time I saw him, he looked like a ghost. I'm afraid that the stress of this is killing him, and the only way I see to help is for the other seishi to find him. PLEASE don't just delete this. I'm scared for my friend... and I'm scared for what may happen if he doens't accept himself soon.

Sarah Carter

After that, she just paced, checking her email every few minutes and praying for a reply. It was two days later when she found out that WMC had made a trip to New York, but was hopefully checking email while there. New York? Summertime was vacation time, but the girl who originally posted the pictures said that 'Chris' had gone with her. Were they looking for the other seishi? Sarah knew she wasn't crazy... it may sound impossible, but somehow, the seishi were REAL. Ryan was Nuriko... there was no way to convince her otherwise. She sat down again, fidgeting quietly as she brought up her sent items list and re-read the email that she had sent out. Sighing, she put her head in her arms. "She's going to think I'm psycho."

"Hmm?" Cheree blinked, opening her eyes. She was still curled in the chair where she had been reading, only now her back was hurting her a lot worse than it should have been. Glancing at the clock, she realized why and groaned. 3am... she must have dozed. It wasn't that this place didn't feel safe... just having the seishi around gave her comfort. It wasn't home... and it wasn't *her* bed. That left her plenty of 'awake' time while the others were asleep.

Ren had been ready to kick everyone out of the bedroom. 'No girl in my house will sleep on the floor' he'd said. While it was a noble effort, she had to decline, explaining why she found it so hard to sleep anywhere but home. He had just shrugged and brought her a blanket and pillow just in case. He'd also given her and the seishi free reign on his computer when he wasn't using it. She'd already been planning on checking her email tonight, having spent part of the afternoon on the phone with her parents, her roommate, and looking around for ANYONE who would cover her work shift for her. No one had told her that they'd be gone *this* long... but she should have expected it, really.

She was on her way down the hall into Ren's bedroom where the computer was, when she heard a soft sound from the other side of the bedroom door. Chiriko was sleeping in there, she knew... the older seishi and Jason were in various states of unconsciousness in the living room, which looked like 'Jonestown: the morning after'. She let her hand rest on the door, pushing it open slowly. The boy was sitting on the bed, curled forward with his head resting against his knees. "Chiriko?" She whispered, not wanting to startle him, or wake the others.

Corey looked up, not even bothering to hide his tears. He'd not really known what to expect from this trip... but his memories were strong, and he knew that they were needed. Being gone from home for so long, meeting his friends again after so long... all of this was taking its toll on him, and as Cheree slid to the bed to sit next to him, he found himself leaning towards her and crying. "I missed them all..."

Cheree brought her arm around him, just letting him work through his tears, her voice soft in the silent room. "It's alright, Chiriko... we're getting everyone together slowly. You'll see them all again." She hoped she was right, anyway. No word yet on the missing three, and no clue what to do after they'd been found.

Corey shook his head faintly. There was no way to explain... no way really to tell her how the seishi in his dreams had affected him, both in the past and now. It was a stable point, an outlet that he didn't realize he needed until he felt the strain of the past days laying heavily on his shoulders. The others were relying on him to figure out what was going on... and he wasn't going to let them down. After remaining still for what seemed like an eternity, he finally managed to right himself, wiping his eyes on his sleeve and looking up to Cheree. "I'm sorry... for that. I just miss Nuri-chan. He used to let me cry on him, too, when I had to."

She nodded, smiling softly. "Feel free to cry on me whenever you need to, Chiriko... I don't mind in the slightest." She felt a bit relieved when she saw him smile at that, hugging her tightly. She fought the urge to ruffle his hair, nearly forgetting that the boy in front of her was more intelligent than most adults she knew. He pulled away then, bringing his arms around his knees once more and looking up to her.

"I just... I know what I have to do. I know what my purpose is here. But sometimes, I just want to be a kid. I think Nuri-chan and Chichiri knew that better than anyone."

"Well, then by all means, BE a kid when you feel the urge. Pretty soon, you won't be able to. Either that, or you'll be able to, and then people will look at you funny as a grown man tries to do cartwheels across the grass." She watched his reaction and was pleased to see him get a quizzical look on his face, as if picturing that action... and then collapse into giggles on the bed.

He sighed, bringing a hand to rest on Cheree's own. "Thank you. I needed that, I think." The boy smiled, settling once more and just watching her. "I'm glad Chichiri loves you... I don't remember him ever being this happy before. Taiitsukun is likely enjoying it as well."

She blinked, sitting there for a moment and wondering just what brought THAT on. "I..."

Corey chuckled then, casting his glance towards the other room where the seishi slept. "He'd protect you with his life, you know. As would any of us. You're holding us together at the moment, I believe, until we figure out what is going on. Otherwise, Tasuki would have torched Amiboshi... and Chichiri wouldn't even BE here." He paused, getting that faraway expression that he did while thinking. After he'd been that way a few minutes and showed no signs of stopping, Cheree decided to leave him be and do what she came in here to do.

The computer screen gave off a soft light to the room as she went and brought up her mail. "Mailing list... mailing list... oooooo, Chichiri fic. Pics from the party... about time they showed up." She muttered to herself, going over the mail until one caused her to raise a brow. It wasn't from anyone she knew, but was addressed to her alone. Must be someone from the list inquiring of her. As she read the email, however, her face grew pale. She had to reread it a few times before what it said finally sunk in. "Chiriko..." She said, reaching back behind her without taking her eyes off the screen and trying to jar the boy out of his reverie. A moment later, she felt him move, coming to stand next to her and stare at the screen.

"YES!!!" The boy yelled, letting out a whoop of joy and nearly dancing around the room. Two seconds later, they heard feet coming down the hall and a bleary-eyed Ren standing there.

"The hell is going on... it's 4am, for crying out lou-..." He never got any farthur than that before Chiriko interrupted, the grin on his face shining.

"Nuriko! Tasuki, we may have just found Nuri-chan!!"

"Wha??" The redhead tore across the room, looking to the screen as Cheree pointed to it. His eyes moved over the words and he leaned forward, hugging the surprised girl tightly. "Quick, quick, find out where they are!!" Cheree quickly typed a response, her fingers shaking as she did. The other seishi filtered into the room, awakened by the commotion. Amidst the noise, she heard Ren and Corey answering questions as they arose, and then felt a slender hand on her shoulder.

She turned, smiling up at Chris, who looked down at her with a rather strange expression. "What is it..."

He shook his head, shifting his gaze to the email. "Nothing, no da... just wondering where Nuriko is, is all." That wasn't it... but the dream that had come to him was still far too surreal for him to say anything about it. Instead, he leaned over, resting his chin on Cheree's shoulder, his arms winding around her as she typed.

Sarah, despite how crazy it sounds, I do not think you are crazy. I purposefully posted that pic of us cosplaying as bait, hoping to find more of the seishi. If Nuriko, or should I say Ryan, is having such troubles, I doubt telling him about us would really help, he'd probably run right now... I normally wouldn't ask this, but if you'd divulge his address to me, I'll make sure we stop by for a visit. Or if you feel more comfortable, give us your address, and we can pop up there, and then go over to Ryan's place with you in tow.

Sincerely,

WMC

Sarah nearly flew towards the computer as she heard the email sound go off. She nearly squealed as she saw that it was from the missing WMC, and immediately sat down to read. They believed her!! She could barely stop her hands from shaking as she replied, suddenly feeling as though everything would be alright.

WMC -

THANK YOU! Oh gods, you have no idea what it's been like to watch this happen. Please come as soon as you can, I'll give you my address, as Ryan might react a bit better if I'm there. I don't know though, he's been lashing out at nearly everyone.

5589 Oceanside lane, San Diego, CA 92128

My phone number, should you need it is (619) 555-8938 Thank you again!

Sarah Carter

She smiled, leaning back in her chair and feeling much better about things. They would help... if anyone could get Ryan to see clearly, it was the other seishi. She only hoped they'd get there soon.

To Chapter 11