Disclaimer: The characters used in this story are copyright of Yu Watase and are just being borrowed for this brief interlude.
Why not?
By: Arysa
Chapter 1: Ayn's Arrival
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Ayn was visiting her best friend Arysa for whom she was daily growing more concerned. It seems as though her friend really believed that she had visited Fushigi Yuugi land, and worse, had a very interesting night with Tasuki. Of course, Ayn knew that Arysa was mostly nuts but still she had always seemed to be on the right side of reality. If Arysa refused to visit the specialist she had found, she didn't know what she would do!
"Ayn, what are you thinking of?" asked Arysa as she handed Ayn a teacup. The two friends were having tea in Arysa's living room. The sunlight smiling through the window seemed to laugh at Ayn's fears.
"Arysa, I really wish you'd see Dr. Ekakustim." stated Ayn sadly. Ayn put down her teacup and stared hard at her companion. "I think you need serious help."
Arysa grinned and put down her teacup. Her hand moved to her pocket and she took out two necklaces. Each necklace consisted of a leather thong and a beautiful oriental looking bead. "I'll make you a deal," said Arysa smugly, "you wear this and I'll see the new Quack doctor."
The necklace was gorgeous and the reds and yellows of the bead brought out the highlights in Ayn's hair. The bead felt warm almost like there were flames within. She fingered the necklace and idly wondered about the truth of Arysa's encounter with the fiery Tasuki and giggled. She put on the necklace as Arysa slipped hers over her head. "Thank you." said Ayn. Bending to Ayn's wishes, Arysa immediately made an appointment to see the shrink. Ayn headed for home feeling lighter than she had in weeks.
Their problems had begun last month when Ayn and Arysa shared this weird dream about actually being in Fushigi Yuugi land. Now, Ayn knew about fantasies and reality but sadly, it seemed the distinction was lost on Arysa. Ayn wanted … no … needed to let go of the memories of that mirage. She had a new boyfriend whom she thought she could love but with Arysa trying to make her believe … How could she concentrate on her new relationship if she thought for one minute that we she and Chichiri had shared was real?
Ayn entered her house morosely and closed the door softly behind her. She took of her shoes and padded disconsolately up the stairs. She sat on her bed and looked around her room. Everything seemed gray and dismal compared to the bead on her new necklace. She held the bead tight in her hands and felt it heat up at her touch, though she tried to fight herself she found her thoughts inexplicitly turning to a strange yet familiar land. Ayn fell back on her bed and gave herself to the visions that holding the bead conjured in her soul, her mind, her heart and then … right in front of her eyes!
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To be continued ...