FUSHIGI YUGI

The Everlasting Story

This is the story of a girl who possessed the seven stars of Suzaku, and many powers were bestowed upon her. And this story becomes real the moment the first page is turned. In doing so, the Priestess is chosen to protect, defend, and ultimately save this world and ours. Seven stars, seven warriors, or seven lives are also chosen to defend and protect the Priestess, serving her even when it comes to giving up life itself.

This story is not like all stories in life. It's worth is by far much, much more. Love, hatred, death, and life are all sufficient in this book. This is an everlasting story, and anyone who reads of it will be given the ultimate power. This book, also known as…

The Universe Of The Four Gods…

***

"Number three. By definition, a preposition is a relation or function word that connects a lexical word, usually a noun or pronoun, or a syntactic construction to another element of the sentence, as to a verb, to a noun, or to an adjective. This is the basic function of a preposition." The girl sighed and sat back down at her desk.

"Good job, Ms. Sukanami. Now, Mr. Hatsahi, give me the definition to an adjective." The teacher spoke sternly, gesturing to the English words written on the black board.

Megumi smiled and twiddled a pencil between her fingers to keep her boredom down. She loved English class, unlike most of the other students. She had worked at it for a long time now, and her teacher, Mrs.Takani had said that she was the best in her class. Megumi loved reading, writing, and studying. Her mother's friend, Mrs.Kajiwara had always babysat her when she was little, teaching and reading her all the great literature and studies there were. She had grown up loving them, and knew she had excelled higher than anyone in her class.

Megumi had put in a few applications for high schools, hoping to get into one of the best. But she didn't really care, as long as she could expand her mind further and still be close with her family. She loved her mother and father so much, and her uncle and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Kajiwara and their son Ryo especially.

Ryo and Megumi had been best friends since birth, naturally. They'd spent all of their life together and she wasn't sure, but Megumi noticed that Ryo planned to keep it that way. She knew he liked her, he had told her before that he loved her and would do anything to protect her. But she wasn't sure of her feelings yet. She didn't want to base her life on an intimate relationship right now, she felt it was too soon. And with Junior High School Graduations coming up, she didn't want to loose interest in her studies. She knew she would.

Megumi looked to her left where Ryo sat at his desk, intently staring at her. She blushed and turned away, twiddling with her pencil even more. She was only fifteen, and already people were telling her how beautiful she was. Boys in school would always ask her out, of course she'd refuse them. And adults would tell her how much she looked like her mother when she was her age.

Ryo started mouthing something to her, and she tried to read his lips, but couldn't. "What?" She whispered.

The dark haired boy motioned to his backpack, making the aubern even more confused. Ryo rolled his eyes and pointed to his watch that was on his left wrist.

Megumi smiled, seeing it was almost time for the bell to ring and for school to be over until next week. She nodded before stupidly saying out loud, "Oh! I get it!"

Ryo banged his head on his desk just as Mrs.Takani spoke up, "Ms.Sukanami, detention after school. You know better than to be talking in class."

Megumi sighed, sinking down in her chair. "How am I supposed to get into a decent High School with all these detention slips hanging over my head?" she thought to herself.

~~~

The girl sighed, closing up her book as she heard the clock strike six. She put all of her school supplies into her backpack and zipped it up. She stood up, letting the backpack hang over her shoulder. As she walked out of the classroom, she passed the teacher's desk as Mrs.Takani spoke up.

"Megumi, you know you'll have to learn to control those detention slips sooner or later. Your grades and studies are excellent. But those constant detentions are on your permanent record, which is not a good thing." She spoke in a concerned voice. "You're always talking up in class when unannounced, and arguing with fellow students. So many sudden outbursts don't really help you at all for the future you know."

"Yes, Mrs.Takani. I understand. My father tells me all the time, that if I don't stop getting detention, my grades will go down and I'll never get accepted into a good high school." She spoke truthfully.

Mrs.Takani nodded, "You should listen to your father. I'm sure he's tired of telling you these things as well. And also, would you give this note to your parents, please? Thank you, you're dismissed." She handed Megumi a folded piece of paper with the names, Mr. and Mrs.Sukanami on it.

Megumi nodded and accepted it, stuffing it in her backpack. "But father also told me to follow my heart and trust in myself. And I will, even if I don't make it into the top high schools." She told herself as she walked out of the classroom. She closed the door and heard a soft voice from right behind her, "So, you're done then?"

Megumi turned around and saw Ryo behind her, smiling. "I'll carry your books for you."

Megumi smiled, "You waited for me!"

"Of course I did." Ryo laughed and took the backpack from her. As they walked down the hallway together, the dark haired boy laughed again and put his arm on her shoulder. "I am your best friend you know." Megumi blushed, unable to say anything due to the warmth that was building up in her cheeks.

~~~

The moonlight and stars were the only light that shone against the dark sky. It's blue brightness illuminated the streets and sidewalks and everything around the two teenagers as they stood in silence at the girl's entrance to the apartment that she and her parents shared. Ryo, as always, had offered to take Megumi home. And as always, Megumi said yes to keep up the tradition.

"So you wanna do something this weekend, Megumi?" Ryo smiled, putting a hand behind his head.

Megumi wasn't sure of what he was implying, but she went ahead and guessed. "I'm not sure. My mom might have plans."

"Oh, really?" Ryo sounded a bit dissapointed.

"Yeah. I think I told you last week. We're cleaning out the attic so I can have a bigger room." She smiled. "Maybe Papa will let you come over tomorrow and help!"

"Oh! That'd be fun! Maybe a sleep over too, just like we used to have when we were kids, huh?" He laughed and handed Megumi her backpack.

She nodded, "Yeah, that'd be fun!" She leant in to take her backpack, just as Ryo kissed her on the lips, a deep red staining her cheeks. Megumi dropped her backpack on the ground, the world silenced around them. She wanted him to stop, but couldn't seem to pull herself away either. Instead, she leant in more to deepen the kiss.

"Ryo…"

Ryo stopped for a moment, gazing deep into her silvery turquoise eyes. She felt herself back away, yet at the same time tighten her hold around his waist. He held her shivering body close to his, whispering gently into her ear. "Megumi, you know I've always loved you. And I always will. Please, I want you to understand, I love you. …I love you…"

The girl stood still, letting his words soak in as he caressed her back.

After a few minutes, she spoke up. "Ryo, I have to go. My mom, she might see us. A-and I wouldn't want her to." She had tears in her eyes. And she wasn't crying because she was happy either. She was heart broken; not for herself, but for Ryo, her dear best friend.

"I will see you tomorrow, right?" He asked as he let her go.

Megumi nodded, "Yes, I'll call you when you can come over."

Ryo smiled gratefully. "All right! Be c'ing ya!"

"I'm so sorry, Ryo…" She thought, waving to him as she left him standing in the dark, …alone.

Ryo smiled happily to himself as he protectively watched her go into the house, not knowing that would be …the last time he'd ever lay eyes on her again…

~~~

The girl walked up the stairs to her apartment, her faces covered in tears. She couldn't help but stumble on a step or two. After about five minutes of walking up stair cases, she finally reached her front door. She wasn't sure whether to go in or not. Her eyes were probably red from crying and she didn't want her parents to see.

Megumi wiped the tears from her cheeks, praying that her parents wouldn't notice. She took a deep breath and opened the door, slowly entering. She sighed a breath of relief when they weren't there to greet her. She closed the door behind her, locked it, and dropped her backpack to her side. She was glad she didn't have any homework for tonight, and decided to slip up to her room without them hearing her.

But to do that, she'd have to walk into the living room to get to the stairs. Megumi sighed, hoping no one was in there. She hoped a bit to late as she walked right in there, seeing her father on the couch. She was thankful he couldn't see her though, his back facing her.

Megumi looked ahead, deciding whether to take a run for the stairs or quietly tiptoe her way through. She decided on the second one, cautiously and slowly making her way to the stairs. She was just about there, when she looked back at her father and smiled, thinking she'd made it. Of course right until he said something.

"Megumi…" He spoke knowingly, not even turning his head away from the direction of the television.

The girl sweat dropped, knowing her death would probably be soon.

"I know you're there. Why are you so late getting home? It's past ten already." He spoke calmly.

"Taka, who're you talking to?" A auburn haired woman entered the room from the kitchen, drying her hands with a cloth. She spotted her daughter standing by the stairs, looking worried.

"Megumi!" She rushed over to the girl, hugging her into her. Her voice soon changed from joy to anger. "Megumi! Do you know how worried we've been?! We've called the school, the neighbors, and even the police!"

"I'm guessing she was out with Ryo again." Her father stood up and walked over to the two of them, plainly looking at Megumi as he crossed his arms. "Well?"

"Well, Mrs.Takani held me over again so I-" She wanted to smack herself. "I mean, I-um… Well?"

"Well what?" The dark haired man frowned. "Megumi, we've talked about this over and over."

"I know Papa! But it wasn't my fault! I swear! Ryo-"

"Megumi," Her mother sighed, "You can't blame others for your own problems. You have to take responsibility. Now I understand that you're overwhelmed, but-"

"How do you even know what I'm thinking or what I feel?! You don't even KNOW me!!! How can you possibly understand?! You're always saying that I need responsibility and to stop hurting others! I hate you!" Megumi pulled away from them, anger flashing in her eyes. She ran up the stairs, quickly running into her room.

The woman stood still as she heard Megumi slam her door, sorrow apparent in her daughter's voice.

"Miaka… I'm sure she didn't mean it." Taka wrapped his arms around his wife, holding her body close to his. The words continued to run through her head as tears became apparent in her eyes. "Oh Taka… She hates me…" Miaka whispered through her tears. She gripped tightly onto his shirt as it became wet with tears.

"Miaka… She doesn't hate you." Taka whispered to her. "She's just that age is all… And she doesn't know, she doesn't understand what happened to you. Maybe we should finally-"

"No!! I don't want her to know!" Miaka refused. "I don't to run her curiosity even more! I don't want her to ever find that book. Taka… Taka please…"

"I understand. Maybe in a few years, huh? She's at that age when your curiosity just runs wild. Maybe when she's older." Taka spoke in a low voice.

Miaka nodded, letting him hold her.

"By the way, you gave that book to Keisuke years ago, didn't you?"

"Yeah…"

"See, then there's nothing to worry about. He did say he packed it away in old an old box, keeping it in his attic."

"Uh-huh…"

"See? Nothing to worry about…"

~~~

Megumi sat on her bed, dressed in her blue nightgown as she slowly untangled her two braids. She stuck the two bands on her left wrist and grabbed her brush from her bedside dresser. She began to brush through her auburn hair, Ryo's words repeating through her head… "I love you… I love you…"

"Oh Ryo… I can't return your feelings. I love you, but not in that way…" Megumi thought to herself. She ran a hand through her hair, letting the brush fall to the ground. She looked around her room, knowing this wouldn't be in here by next week. She started to remember her mother's words, "I understand…"

"How could she? I don't even understand…" Megumi felt tears in her eyes again, but tried her best to keep them hidden. It was no use.

Megumi fell into her bed, gripping her face against her soft pillow. She cried into it, not caring whether or not it was becoming wet. She had been so stressed with everything that was happening. Graduation was coming up, and she knew her parents were expecting the best from her. "We just want what's best for you."

She wanted to stay by her family and friends for all times, but she'd even felt she had to sign up for distant high schools as well. And all these detention slips hanging over her head, how did she really expect to get into a decent high school. Was she really the best in her class?

Megumi hugged her pillow tighter, starting to wonder if her words had gotten to her mother. She'd seen a sign of weakness in her eyes when she said those words. Had she hurt her mother?…

"I'm so sorry. I've only caused you pain… I don't love Ryo, and I know that's going to hurt him. And I know that's hurting him. Although right now, he's probably happy. …Why did I kiss him back? Now he probably thinks I love him the same way… And Mom, and Papa… They always say they want what's best for me. And they do… They love me… And what do I do? …There isn't one week I don't go without staying after school! …And I am, I'm always blaming others for my own fault… Oh, why wasn't I born with enough responsibility?! All I do is hurt the ones I love… I wish… I wish I could just disappear…" She hugged her pillow even tighter. "Then everything would be better, …for all of us…"

~~~

Miaka stood at the counter top, making something for Megumi to munch on. And while she was up there, maybe they could talk a bit. She'd been thinking, and decided that maybe telling her the truth would be a good idea. She didn't know why, but she thought, "Before it's too late…"

Taka slipped in the doorway and came over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. She smiled and continued to slice up some vegetables on the cutting board. "What're you doing? Making a little night snack for us?"

"Well, I'll make you some too if you want. But this here is for Megumi." She turned to Taka and smiled at him, "I've decided to tell her, Taka."

"Tell her? About Suzaku, and the book, and all of the others?" Taka looked surprised.

"Yes." Miaka picked up the tray, laughing a bit. "I've always wanted to tell her about that picture in the bedroom. Everything. She's always asked since she was little who those people were. I'd always tell her they were old friends and that was all. But they were much more, weren't they? My friends…"

Taka kissed her cheek, "Good luck. With her, you'll need it!"

"I guess I will!" Miaka smiled and headed up the stairs.

As she walked, she felt a warm feeling surrounding her body, almost like that of…

Her eyes widened, and her heart was in her throat…

~~~

Megumi sat in her bed, her tears beginning to dry. She had been thinking, and wanted to go apologize to her mother. She got out of her bed, wrapping her red robe around her body. She walked to the door, reaching for the doorknob when she felt this warm glow encircle her body. She felt like her heart was being tugged from inside, drawing her to the warmth.

The girl slowly opened the door, the warmth getting closer.

As she walked out into the hallway, she noticed that the attic stairs had been pulled out. She tilted her head curiously. Surely Mom or Papa wouldn't have opened them up? There weren't to start cleaning the attic out until tomorrow.

"Priestess of Suzaku…"

"Who's there?!"

Megumi took a step closer and what she saw was breathtaking. A red glow seemed to be coming from the attic as a scarlet feather floated down and landed on her head. She reached for it, but it quickly disappeared. "A bird?" She asked herself.

Her answer was confirmed as she heard a magnificent call, like that of a Phoenix's. She slowly braced herself, walking up the attic stairs, step by step.

Megumi found herself in her soon to be bedroom, looking around for the red light.

She was about to ignore it, thinking she was dreaming, when she felt the warmth again. She followed it, her body feeling like it was being engulfed by flames. The warmth led her to a small box, covered in dust. She picked it up, seeing that it was what had been so warm. "That's odd…"

Megumi opened the box, finding nothing but old papers. She thought that was all, but noticed that something was wrapped in the paper. She sat down on the hard wooden floor, slowly unwrapping the papers. She kept going until there was nothing left, except for an old book. "An antique maybe?"

Megumi felt a warm shiver go up her spine as she read the title. "The Universe of the Four Gods… I wonder what this is?" She opened the book, and noticed it was all in Chinese. She smiled, finally thankful Mrs.Kajiwara had taught her how to read and write old Chinese. She read the book out loud, taking in word for word.

"The Priestess of Suzaku walked up the creaky stairs, finding herself in an old attic. She gazed around the room, finding an old dirty box covered in dust. As she opened it, she felt a warm glow surrounding her entire body… Wait a minute.. Isn't that just what I…" Megumi read, shocked because of it. "The Priestess, finding the Universe of the Four Gods, slowly began to read… And suddenly…"

Megumi closed her eyes as a red glow engulfed her, making her frightful. "W-what is this?!" But before she could do anything, she was gone…

~~~

"Megumi!! Megumi!" Miaka called for her over and over, but couldn't seem to find her.

She wasn't in her room, or her parents' room, or anywhere in the house. And then, Miaka noticed something she didn't want to ever see again. The attic stairs were pulled out and a red glow was coming from within. She dropped the tray of food, running up the stairs as quickly as she could.

And before Miaka, on the floor, was the Universe of the Four Gods…

Her eyes were wide with terror, her whole body was shaking, and she was frightened for not her own life but for her daughter's…

To be continued…