Chapter 1 - Not In Konan Anymore...

Just got this idea while watching the anime for the hundredth time. If Tamahome could do it, why can't Chichiri? xD (Never mind that it was because of Yui in the first place..)

Set after the series and OVA 2. Eikoden never happened, I just can't figure out how to fit it in.

BTW, I can guarantee you that my OC is NOT a Mary Sue. I've got enough experiences with those to know the difference. *shudders* Hope I reassured you somewhat.

Chichiri awoke aching all over and with a killer headache that immediately put him in a bad mood.

He groaned and held up two fingers to his temple, rubbing it in soothing circles. What in the name of Suzaku happened? Did he get forced into drinking sake again with Tasuki? But that's unlikely, because he permanently banned himself from getting near the stuff the first time he got goaded into drinking it. He knew he never did anything to stress himself, nor did he remember hitting his head against anything, so what's with the headache?

He slowly opened his eyes, blinking as he waited for his vision to adjust. The first thing he noticed was the grey sky. He frowned as he realized it's gonna rain soon, so he should get up immediately and find shelter. The second thing that caught his attention was the hard ground. Last time he checked, he never slept on hard ground because of the cramps he would get in the morning, (unless it was absolutely necessary). He usually slept in trees, grass, and the occasional inn. He started feeling the ground, his frown deepening as he did so. It was unusually hard and rough, but it wasn't bumpy, it was flat like it was man-made. People usually don't make an effort of smoothing the ground, because it was easier to just walk on the bumpy road and be on your way. Maybe the townsfolk just got a little more time in their hands?

A rumble in the distance made him jolt back to reality, and he remembered that he should go find shelter from the incoming rain. Chichiri slowly sat up, wincing because his body was so sore. What really happened? The last thing he remembered was praying in the shrine of Suzaku like he usually did on mornings, and the next he was lying in the middle of nowhere. He honestly hoped Tasuki hadn't thrown him out and roughhoused with him or something. His fellow seishi had been complaining that he hadn't had a decent fight in ages, and was always insisting on fighting with him. But Chichiri liked the peace and quiet, and always turned Tasuki down every time. Maybe he got impatient and suddenly decided to haul the monk out of the shrine and engage him in a fight right then and there? But he doesn't remember anything about that happening. Besides, Tasuki wouldn't just leave him out here unconscious.

He finally got up and wobbled from his unsteady feet. He quickly found his balance and sighed. Suzaku, what was up with this headache?! It was slowly developing into a migraine! But no time for that, he could already feel raindrops on his head. He reached for his kasa and shakujou staff, (which was amazingly by his side the whole time) figuring that he would teleport himself to his room in the palace before he got thoroughly soaked. But one look around the area made his jaw drop and his newly-recovered kasa to drop from his hands.

W-Where was he?! It didn't look like any place he'd ever been in. And as a wandering monk, he's been through a LOT. He can't even begin to explain the place. The area he's in was surrounded by these huge looming blocks of rectangular stones, each having so many square holes with glass on them. Those stones were the biggest and tallest things he's ever seen, bigger than any house, temple, or palace. It also extended to the sky as far as the eye can see, and Chichiri wondered how it could stay up when the sheer weight should've brought it crashing down. And all around him, there were these poles jutting from the ground, each with something lighting them from the top. It didn't look like any fire or lamp he knows. There were also these moving metal carts and carriages with all shapes and sizes, rumbling on the road past him. He was sure he saw those before. He quickly turned to look behind him, expecting to see the same thing, but instead seeing a dark alley of sorts. It looked like he was in between two of those huge rectangular stones. All around him were these giant metal containers, which smelled terribly awful, he wondered why he didn't notice those earlier. On top of one of those containers rested a cat, so skinny and dirty that it's clear it doesn't have an owner. It was quietly minding its own business, searching for something inside those containers. Probably food. Since Chichiri wasn't Mitsukake with an insane urge of taking care of any stray cat he sees, he decided to ignore it and return to staring at the incredible sight once again. One thing is certain...

He's not in Konan anymore.

He shook his head, wondering where that thought came from, and stooped to pick up his kasa from the ground. The rain was slowly picking up and he absolutely has no intention of getting wet. He placed it on his head, but made no move to teleport. He knew he couldn't the first time he looked around. He wasn't in any of the places he traveled to in his earlier years as a wandering monk, he wasn't in any of the four lands, he's probably not even in his world anymore.

Suddenly, it hit him. Those huge rectangular stones… he saw those when he journeyed along with Tasuki across time and space to aid his Miko. His Miko was almost even crushed by one before being saved by Nuriko.

He saw those in Miaka's world.

Suddenly feeling dizzy, he leaned against a wall and rubbed his temple again, trying to soothe the headache. No good. Already, he was seeing black spots dancing across his vision. Chichiri was currently feeling an incredible amount of panic, more so than the time when Kutou invaded Konan or when Nuriko and Chiriko and even Mitsukake died. This was different. He was in Miaka's world! Miaka's world! How did that happen? How did he get here? Why is he here? He's certain their mission and the legend was over. Miaka and Taka wouldn't be coming back to their world anymore, so why?

To his dismay, his already killer headache was getting worse. His knees started to wobble and he had to brace his full weight against the wall to prevent himself from collapsing. Oh Suzaku, he's going to faint! He can't afford that now! He's a complete stranger in this world. He'll probably be viewed as crazy and strange like Miaka was labeled when she first got into their world. But unlike Miaka, there aren't legends of people from another world arriving here. At least, as far as he knows.

He's all alone.

He gritted his teeth when he felt his legs getting weaker. No! He can't faint now! He had to find a place to hide, and fast.

Unfortunately, his body wasn't exactly agreeing with his mind. He can't do anything as his whole body collapsed limply against the wall and on the hard ground yet again, not responding despite the frantic thoughts in his head. He barely noticed that the rain was becoming stronger and he was getting utterly soaked to the bone.

I-I have to go… I have to find Miaka! Miaka!

His shock, disbelief, and confusion, accompanied by the killer migraine and the strong rain, proved too much for him to bear and he passed out, his slumped form laying alone in the dark and cold alley.

~oOo~

Head abruptly snapping up, Miaka Yuuki was completely confused. She knew she just felt something. But the strong feelings she felt wasn't hers, she was sure of it. She wasn't feeling terrified, shocked, and panicky at the moment. It was someone else. Someone's in trouble!

"Miaka? You alright?"

Brought back to reality, Miaka glanced at her best friend, Yui Hongo. She was looking at her in concern, probably because Miaka suddenly abandoned eating her favorite chocolate sundae. Both of them knew absolutely NOTHING could tear Miaka away from that sundae. And that just supported the thought that something's terribly wrong.

"Yui-chan… did you just feel that?"

At her words, Yui's expression suddenly became guarded. Anytime she mentions the book, Yui's always getting defensive and anxious. Both of them knew just why, and Miaka completely understands. But right now, she knew she needed Yui's opinion on this, because she's the only person who's been in the book with her besides Taka. And Taka's at work now and probably busy. There was no choice.

"There's nothing Miaka." Yui replied abruptly, her tone bordering on dangerous.

"No, I felt something! Or was it someone?"

"Miaka, you're not making any sense."

Miaka suddenly turned on her best friend, her eyes glassy and scared. "Yui-chan, someone's in trouble. Someone from the book. It's one of my warriors!"

Yui then gasped, her eyes frightened at the mention of those words. Miaka felt really sorry for putting her up to this, but she desperately needed someone's help. One of her remaining warriors is in trouble! She's never felt such a strong barrage of emotions from one of them ever since Nuriko-!

Suddenly, her eyes widened and the tears finally streamed down her face. Yui immediately got up and sat beside her, hugging her tight, her own tears falling, but Miaka barely noticed.

No… she refused to believe it! There is no possible way one of them was dying! The war's over! Peace was finally restored! Tenkou's DEAD! Tasuki and Chichiri couldn't be-!

"No… Tasuki… Chichiri!" Miaka cried and hugged Yui back, tears falling uncontrollably. People were starting to stare, but she didn't care. Her warriors… her friends! There's no wayit happened! No one besides Nakago could beat Tasuki's flames, nor Chichiri's powers. Tasuki and Chichiri were the strongest people she knew!

"What if... what if they-?!" Miaka sobbed. Yui just hugged her tighter in reply. "They CAN'T be dead! I did everything to ensure it won't happen again! EVERYTHING!"

"Shhh Miaka… it's going to be alright. Let's talk about this somewhere else. People can't know about this, okay? Let's go to your place, then tell me everything. I don't care anymore if it affects me badly, I promise I'll help you through this."

Miaka's eyes widened, and she stared at Yui in amazement and wonder. "Y-Yui-chan…!"

Yui only smiled sadly and helped her up. "Shhh, no more talking about this until we get to your place. What you need to do now is pray and hope something bad didn't happen."

She really can't survive without Yui, can she? Miaka nodded and smiled gratefully at her. "Arigatou… Yui-chan."

While Yui lead her out of the shop, chocolate sundaes forgotten on the table, Miaka was silently praying frantically, desperately hoping it wasn't true.

Suzaku… onegai! Take care of your remaining warriors. Let nothing bad happen to them. Keep Tasuki and Chichiri safe!

Guys, please review! Please don't let this story be ignored like everybody else. Show you read it by reviewing! Constructive criticism is welcome!