A Second Chance
Prologue: Death Doesn't Always Mean the End
By Kaen
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Look! Here's yet another fic that I'm writing to procrastinate on the next chapter of Nijuusei! Please don't hurt me… ^^& Actually, this is a fic idea that I've had for a long time and I finally felt like writing it. I don't know if this plot line has ever been done before, so I'm hoping that this will be original and interesting for anyone who may actually be reading this. The story itself will eventually explain its circumstances, but I'm setting this story in the series after Mitsukake's death. Let's just pretend that Yui never made her second wish and so Miaka is still in the book with Tamahome while Konan is getting its butt kicked by Kutou. With that cleared up, I hope you like this fic and please review!
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"Miaka! Hurry up!" Tamahome shouted over the heavy rain and loud crashes of thunder. Miaka squinted her eyes, attempting to see Tamahome past the darkness that was lit only by the dangerously close flashes of lightning. She looked down at the ground of the steep hill, which was becoming even more treacherous by the second. Swift run-offs were eroding away the already loose gravel of the hill and creating slippery mud puddles. She clenched her left hand tighter around her only safeguard, a thin root that jutted out from surface of ground. Biting her lower lip in determination, Miaka raised a trembling foot to brace against a small ledge. She began to push herself up when lightning suddenly struck a nearby tree, distracting her from her climbing. Miaka could feel panic swelling up inside her as the tree caught fire, despite the heavy rain, and began to tilt perilously towards her. The ledge that she had been standing on crumbled and finally gave way and Miaka fell backwards, screaming desperately.
"Miaka!" Tamahome cried from above, watching helplessly as his love tumbled backwards, only to be caught by a pair of sturdy arms.
"Are you all right?" her savior screamed over the storm, the rain darkening his flame-colored hair. Miaka shook in his arms, but managed to squeak out a meager affirmation of her adequate condition. Tasuki lowered Miaka back onto her own feet before turning to check on the only other remaining member of the Suzaku team. Chichiri seemed to be doing fine, despite the violent storm and was only occasionally slowed by the strong gusts of wind that caught his magical kesa. When returning his amber gaze to Miaka, he saw that she had finally made it past the troublesome ledge with the help of Tamahome and they were both slowing advancing up the hill. Tasuki grunted as he attempted to pull himself up the slippery ledge, every footing he found almost immediately giving way under his weight. He was temporarily startled as a hand dropped from above, offering him help. He took the hand, knowing already that it was Tamahome. After several physically stressful seconds, Tamahome finally succeeded in yanking Tasuki from the slick ledge and Tasuki gasped to catch his breath. Normally, Tamahome wouldn't have had any trouble helping him up, and it was even more likely that he wouldn't have even needed help. Things were so much more difficult since their seishi powers had been sealed away with Suzaku. In his brief reflection, Tasuki had forgotten about Chichiri and was jerked back to awareness by his friend's cry of pain. The tree that had been struck had burned out, but it hadn't been strong enough to support itself any longer and had plummeted to the ground. Chichiri had been scaling the hillside when all this had occurred; "had" being the keyword, Tasuki noted with a growing sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"Chichiri! Chichiri! Are you all right? Answer me!" Tasuki half-pleaded, half-demanded. Jumping carelessly off the overhang he had just arrived on, he scrambled for his footing as he slipped towards the fallen tree.
"Chichiri! Are you okay? Answer me, damnit!"
A faint, barely audible moan was the only response and Tasuki could feel his nervousness growing. Skidding to a halt by the tree, he surveyed the scene his wide eyes. "Chichiri?" he asked, his gaze settling on the familiar form of his companion's kesa. Dropping to his hands and knees, Tasuki cautiously crawled closer, shoving away a few vision obstructing branches. Finally, he could see Chichiri. He appeared to be all right, just trapped underneath. Muttering a few select swear words, Tasuki, who was now forced onto his stomach, inched to Chichiri. Snapping off some twigs that had made it more difficult to see, Tasuki gently but loudly enough to be heard asked Chichiri if he was all right.
"I-I'm fine, Tasuki. But I think I'm stuck and my leg hurts…" Chichiri answered, pressing his voice to be heard over the storm. His mask had been knocked off and was not anywhere in sight, so the clearly pained expression could be seen on Chichiri's real face.
"All right, then… I'm gonna get this thing off of you, ya hear me? Just hold still," ordered Tasuki as he pushed himself back out from the tree's snagging hold. He had thought that he didn't need Chichiri's agreeing nod to know what he had to do, so Tasuki was slightly startled when he heard his friend protest.
"Tasuki, there's no time for it. You three have to keep going! I've caused us enough lost time as it is. Please!" Chichiri pleaded earnestly from his trapped position.
"You're nuts if you think I'm going to let you die here, Chichiri. Now shut up and help me push if you can!"
With this, Tasuki locked his fingers around some of the sturdier branches and began to heave the tree away. The work was slow and demanding, but Tasuki could feel the steady progress. Perspiration began to bead on his forehead, though the sweeping rain quickly washed it away. In a final burst of strength, he succeeded rolling the large scorched tree over onto another side. Quickly releasing it from his grasp, Tasuki lunged for Chichiri and dragged him away from the tree's rebounding course. They both watch with grim expressions as the run-offs caught hold of the tree and with the help of the previous momentum and rains, began to carry it down the hill. Tasuki turned back towards his companion with a relieved smile as he stood and offered a hand up to Chichiri. He took it gratefully and began to draw himself up.
"Ah…" Chichiri breathed while trying to place weight on him damaged leg. He bit his tongue in order to ignore the throbbing pain, but his right leg gave out from under him and therefore made his situation impossible to be hidden.
"Aw, damn, Chichiri! You're really are hurt, aren't ya?" affirmed Tasuki, his brow creasing in concern. After a second of thought, he took Chichiri's right arm and slung it around his own shoulders. "Come on; I'll help you," he told Chichiri, his gaze focused on the hazardous ground of the steep hill.
"I told you this already: just forget about me! You all need to keep moving on without me because I'll just slow you down and-"
"Chichiri?"
"Y-Yeah?"
"Shut up."
Chichiri heaved a sighed as lightning streaked above them. He knew that he had lost to his younger brother warrior, so there was really no point in arguing any further. But he did wish that Tasuki wouldn't be so thickheaded, especially at crucial times like these! Limping towards the slight overhang, Chichiri noticed that both Tamahome and Miaka had waited for him. Damn… Don't they know that I'm useless now? I'll just be a burden… He lowered his eyes as a smile of irony overtook his features, They'd never abandon me, though; not even when I tell them to.
"I'm going to help lift Chichiri up there, okay, Tama?" Tasuki shouted over the encore of thunder roles, already reaching down to make a step for Chichiri's good leg to get up with. Tamahome nodded as he lay down on his stomach, preparing to take hold of the mage's arms in order to heave him up. Chichiri's smaller than Tasuki, so he'll be easier to lift, reasoned Tamahome as he took hold of his friend's outreached arms. Slim digits wrapped around forearms to strengthen the grip as Tamahome easily hoisted Chichiri up. Leading him slowly a safe distance away from the ledge, Tamahome sat Chichiri down so that he could rest and Tamahome could go back to help Tasuki again. Tasuki nodded in confirmation of Tamahome's offering, and was about to reach up towards him when a loud almost swishing noise distracted him. He turned quickly to look towards the noise, but lost his footing as he skidded several feet down the hill. Bracing himself with his arms out and legs spread, bent at the knees, Tasuki looked around guardedly. What the hell was that…? He gasped as he felt something slither up and around his legs, and then spread to wrap itself around his entire body. The retaining substance was strong and caught his clothing, tearing it in some places. It was then that Tasuki realized that he was frozen to the spot, unable to move a single limb.
"What the hell is this…?" he growled, struggling hard against the prickly binds.
"Tasuki!" Miaka screeched, trying to jump down herself in order to help him.
"No, Miaka! We can't do anything…." Tamahome argued, wrapping his arms forcefully around her to prevent her doing anything to worsen the situation. He heard her growl and felt her thrashing, but he refused to loosen his restraints.
"But Tamahome… Tasuki is… please…" she begged, trying a more civilized style of reasoning. He shook his head, his eyes filled with sympathy and sternness. She stared at him for a brief moment before she broke down crying, turning to weep against Tamahome's chest. He stroked her hair in order to offer some comfort, but Tamahome somehow sensed that she didn't need the reassuring right now. He could feel something more ominous approaching and he could tell that Chichiri also felt it by the way he sat rigid and silent. The rain fell heavier around them as the lighting continued its dance of light across the clouds, occasionally releasing loud bellows of thunder that shook the ground.
Meanwhile, Tasuki watched the scene in dull confusion. Why wasn't Tamahome coming to help him? Couldn't he at least try to do something? He shook his head in dismay. There wasn't anything anyone could do now… This is the end? Am I done for? If I am, why are they just standing there?! It's too dangerous to wait up now!"You morons! Get the hell out of here! Do you want to get killed or something?!" Tasuki shouted in his normal ornery voice. Be perfectly firm… I'm doing this for them, so they better get going! "What's taking so damn long? Go! Now!!" He gasped for air as the wire-like binds around him tightened. Miaka had turned from Tamahome to stare incomprehensibly at Tasuki, Why is he being so mean? Doesn't he want our help? Her question was as good as answered as a blue chi blast came speeded at Tasuki, who could only watch in dismay and fear. Clenching his teeth and squeezing his eyes shut, Tasuki felt the blast bury itself in his abdomen and tear out the other side, finally stopping as it collided with the ledge and causing it to crumble entirely. Miaka and Tamahome watched in shock and disbelief as the chi sphere passed completely through their immobile friend, barely taking notice to the blood that dotted their faces and clothes. Several seconds of complete silence passed before any sound was made, Miaka clasping a hand over her mouth as she trembled uncontrollably. Looking from the gaping hole in his abdomen to his three friends, Tasuki's amber eyes filled with a sad warmth that betrayed his stern expression. He offered them a small smile and mouthed, "Get outta here…" His eyes began to drift shut as his face and body relaxed, the wires around him loosening and soon completely releasing Tasuki's form, which collapsed immediately onto the muddy ground.
"Tasuki!!" Miaka screamed, reaching out past Tamahome's arms in a futile attempt to go to her fallen seishi. Billowing tears mixed with the splattered blood on her face as crimson drops fell to the ground. Tamahome watched in utter shock Tasuki's astonishing sacrifice and then the terrible aftermath that had sent his brother warrior's blood splattering in all directions. Being unable to find any expression to fit the tragic moment, Tamahome turned Miaka around and stated flatly, "We must keep going. His sacrifice must not be in vain, Miaka. I will help Chichiri and you must keep up on your own." She stared at him with watery eyes, His voice doesn't match his face at all… You two were good friends and no matter how indifferent your voice may sound, Tamahome, I can still see those tears, even in the rain… Biting her lower lips hard enough to draw blood, Miaka nodded once and pulled away from Tamahome's arms. There was no point in being weak now… She'd see him again soon, anyways. She'd see them all again soon…
By this time, Tamahome had already helped Chichiri up and they were slowly making their way up. Stealing one last glance at Tasuki's fallen form, she wiped her tears from her eyes with the back of her hand and silently thanked him. Miaka bid Tasuki a temporary farewell, turned, and then ran to catch up with Tamahome and Chichiri. The top of the hill was only a little further…
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And the prologue is done… So, who wants to kill me right now? I'm terribly sorry that I killed Tasuki! It's just that his death is essential to this plotline and I will tell you not to worry because I swear he will be back in the story again. It may not be as soon as we would all hope, but it will be there. And just for the record, I love Tasuki. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the beginning of my new epic! I promise that it will get better, and much more interesting. So, what's so special about this mountain/hill? And why are we saying that we'll see everyone again? You'll find out in the next chapters! I know that I'm evil, but I have to keep everyone interested somehow…. Sorry! Please review, though! Chapters come out much quicker with the support of good reviews!
-Kaen ^^