Legend of the Final Maiden
Little Falcon: Hi guys, this is my first Fushigi Yuugi story and I know I'm in over my head by writing using an original character as a focal one but this plot has been in my head ever since I saw watched the series (imagine how long that was?). This is story is meant to quench my bad boy thirst. My favorite FY character, Tasuki deserves a good love story so I was compelled to make one. Hope it turns out well read and review please.
Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!
Prologue: What Dreams may come
His sunset colored eyes looked around and saw the peculiar surroundings. Thick mist formed below his feet but never rose above his ankles; the moon was enveloped by dark clouds; it's dim light barely making him see the shadows of towering trees as he navigated through the forest. By instinct, the warrior withdrew his metal fan, ready for anything that may happen.
Walking into a clearing, his pupils dilated as he came upon something he never expected. Right beside the still lake was a young woman wearing what seems to be a layered robe fit for royalty. Her long wavy hair fell like a soft curtain on her back as the gentle breeze passed. For a long while his unfaltering gaze lingered on her even if he was only looking at her. "Why are you here?" Her voice was mesmerizing, yes, but it also held a lethal edge that made him snap out of his self imposed trance.
Placing his weapon in front of him, "What's it to you?" he sneered then smirked arrogantly.
In a blink of an eye, the young woman crossed the distance in between them and immediately initiated an attack with her golden staff. Thanks to his friends' training, the warrior reflexively parried her strike, making her jump back in defense.
Whoa! He didn't know whether this surprise was because of the strength behind her attack, that could've rivaled his Herculean friend, Nuriko, or because of her breathtaking beauty.
Her ash mauve eyes surrounded by long dark eyelashes interlaced every time she blinked. Her lips were the same color as that of a cherry's when it's ripe for the picking. Her porcelain skin glowed as moonlight peeked through the clouds. Her embroidered regalia completed her features, making her more than magnificent. But what caught his attention was the aura she exuded as soon as she was right in front of him.
Not one woman in his life has ever had this effect on him; he should know because he's been with countless females. Being under her dangerous glare made him feel like he was looking at someone who could be his equal or worse could be better than him. It irritated him instantly but at the same time, he felt a delicious thrill down his spine, he wanted to wipe that haughty look on her face by defeating her effortlessly.
Yes, her features were angelic but her skills were definitely the opposite. There was no hint of mercy or gentleness or even hesitation, each blow was meant to kill. Although he was the one who attacked first this time, he found himself drawing back, receiving a few blows yet unable to retaliate just once.
Calling forth his sacred flame, he thought he can turn the tables around. Through the fierce fire, her staff sliced through and pried the tessen of his grip. Her roundhouse kick made him land on his back painfully. As he tried to stand back up, the cold tip of her weapon touched his throat while her grey eyes narrowed lethally. "Get out," as she was about to deliver his death sentence he felt his heart skip for the final time.
"Get up you sleepy head!" Everything around him dissolved into nothingness, followed by the feeling of his body falling from a great height then crashing into something agonizingly solid. "I said GET UP!" He heard a familiar voice then his eyes flew open as he recognized his threat.
Throwing his hands over his head, "Alright! Alright! I'm awake! Put that down!" Seeing his fellow Suzaku warrior lifting a heavy table like a piece of paper didn't surprise him any longer. Being hit by the furniture in question, however was something that he will never get used to, especially when its his best friend's way of waking him up.
With a loud crash, "No time to be sleeping in, Tasuki. We need to talk about our trip to Hokkan," Nuriko dust off the dirt from his hands. With his girlish face and flawless skin, anyone would've been fooled. It takes a lot of getting used to before he could threat him like one of the boys.
"I know that!" Getting up on his feet, Tasuki felt his body protest at the sudden movement. His joints ached and his muscles strained. No, that can't be possible… his mind recalled the battle that happened before he fell asleep. That's right… we were against Amiboshi… maybe it's the effect of his music.
In spite of his rational explanation, the fire casting warrior found himself recalling his dream over and over again. Reality came crashing in with a heavy slap on his back. "TASUKI!" Nuriko blinked his eyes innocently as if surprised why his friend was writhing in pain. "What's wrong with you? In the morning, you have been staring at Chichiri and now you're gaping at his Majesty. Are you starting to swing my way now?"
Looking up, he saw everyone's worried face. "NO WAY! I just… have a lot on my mind," the meeting droned on while his mind wandered off again. Her staff isn't like Chichiri's… her robes were definitely more grand than Hotohori's… what does that make her? Higher than royalty?
From that day forward, Tasuki dreamt of nothing but her. Every night he would find himself at that same depressing place. Every night she was standing on the same spot. Even though their battles became more interesting than before, he always end up losing and wake up with an annoyed face. Damn! I lost again! There was a strange comfort that no one knew that he was losing constantly to a woman and strangely enough he also looked forward to every battle they were about to have. By day he would train harder yet by night he wound up losing because his opponent displayed new skills, she was holding back.
In the middle of his training, some of his friends approached him. "Yo, flame head!" Their miko's lover, Tamahome and Nuriko approached him with their brows knitted.
Wiping off his sweat, Tasuki regarded them with his raised eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"
"We should be the one asking you that, stupid!" Nuriko smacked his head upon habit.
Caressing his bruised skull, "W…what?"
"You've been out of it for a while now: it's been four days since you last picked a fight with me, we haven't heard you yell in over a week and you're training… WHILE WE'RE ON A SHIP! Seriously man, what's bothering you?"
Mentally, Tasuki was taken aback by his friend's concern but was also greatly insulted when he realized how they know the normal him. After contemplating the future, he let out a resigning sigh. "The truth is… I've been having these weird dreams about a woman by the lake…"
Tamahome and Nuriko guffawed instantly, not waiting for him to finish. Tears were brimming in their eyes in mirth as one said "Here I thought he must be in some sort of slump! Nice one, Tasuki!"
His mouth hang open in dismay as his temper grew close to breaking. "I'm telling you the truth!"
"Tasuki, that woman in your subconscious… was she beautiful?"
He felt his face grew warm upon recalling her unparalleled features. "You have no idea," he muttered then he wished he could take it back, soon after because as his friends heard his reply their laughter grew worse.
Tasuki just stormed out of the docks before he burst in both anger and embarrassment. There are certain reasons why his close friends were rolling in laughter now. First of all, Tasuki was never a person who would dream of the opposite sex; he found all women troublesome and therefore, should be avoided at all costs. Everyone knew he wasn't like Nuriko but he preferred to be in the company of his friends than spending the night in the arms of a passionate woman. Secondly, Tasuki was never a person who knew how to appreciate beauty. If the other warriors sometimes stare after a good looking woman through their travels, he was the one not even sparing a glance. For him to say "You have no idea," was more than enough to make Tamahome and Nuriko die laughing. Lastly, that was the first time he felt his heart skip and see the face of his female opponent so clearly in his head that it made his face flush. No doubt about it, a grown man blushing wasn't exactly something that can't make you chuckle, openly or discreetly.
By the time they stepped on the land dominated by Genbu, Tasuki was already deaf from his friends' blatant mocking. Somehow, the pair discovered a way how to amalgate every normal conversation with a hint of their sarcasm. Needless to say, everyone aboard the large ship can't look at him without grinning.
While everyone was busy unloading, they unconsciously lost sight of their beloved priestess. It was only did they heard her scream, did they realize she was actually gone.
Tamahome was the first to run into the scene to see Miaka overshadowed by a hooded figure. In an act of complete rage, he intended to kick the attacker's body so hard that his inside would come out but he was caught off guard when the stranger expertly jumped up, landed on his elevated leg with his hands, pushed himself towards the air and finally landed a few feet away from them.
"Wait, Tamahome!" Miaka caught gripped his arm as he was about to lunge at his opponent. "That man saved me,"
Upon looking back, it was only then did Tamahome saw the numerous battered men lying in a distance from them.
"Miaka! Tamahome!" The others came running shortly after. When they glanced back at the hooded figure, he was already gone.
Weird… isn't it uncommon for people around here to have such strange colored eyes? This is the first time I saw a person having grey ones.
Little Falcon: After a few years, I finally got to start this story. I congratulate myself! *Throws confetti and pats herself in the back and finally realizes that it was weird*.