Embrace the Memory
Chapter Three
Pain
Miaka lunged at Yui with Hotohori's sword, Yui yelped as she barely dodged the blade, she had her school uniform's bow clutched tightly in her hand.
"Miaka! Onegai! Miaka!!" Yui cried. Yui's foot landed on something slippery, mud. Yui's leg gave away under her and she fell backwards. Right over the wall of the bridge and into the river.
"Yui-chan!" Miaka grabbed for Yui, her hand wrapped itself around the bow in Yui's hand.
"M-miaka? Why...?" Yui asked, clearly confused.
"Like you said, we've been friends since kindergarten, right? Yui, onegai! Hold on!" Miaka begged. It was then Chichiri managed to get close enough to Miaka and Yui to see them through the raging storm.
"Miaka! Yui!" Chichiri cried. This had gone too far. Any moment now....
"Arigato, Miaka..." Yui smiled and let go of the bow.
"Yui-chan!" Miaka suddenly had a flashback of Amiboshi letting go of his flute. That was her fault too, "Amiboshi, Yui-chan..." Miaka put one foot on the wall of the bridge, then another. Chichiri realized she was going to jump.
"Miaka!" He rushed over and placed his arms around her waist, it was as high as he could reach with her on the bridge wall.
"Let me go! It's my fault! Amiboshi and Yui-chan... They're gone and it's my fault!" Miaka thrashed in Chichiri's grip. Her foot caught him in the stomach, Chichiri winced and his grip loosened a bit. Miaka lost her balance and fell forward, dragging Chichiri with her. They both landed in the swollen river.
"REKKA SHIEN!" Tasuki vaporized the rain around him, "Chichiri! Miaka!" Tasuki caught sight of them in the river, "Chichiri! Miaka!" Chichiri still had his arms around Miaka's waist. Chichiri released her, putting her left arm around his shoulders and his right arm around Miaka's shoulders. He began to swim to the river bank. Tasuki was panicking.
"I can't swim! I have to help them! Hey, what did I just say, I can't swim! They're in trouble and I have to help them! I sound like Koji now..." Tasuki ended up flat on his stomach on the river bank, "Chichiri! Come on! You can do it! Hurry!" Chichiri was having a lot of trouble fighting the current. Miaka was pulling him down. He felt the darkness in the depths of his mind threatening to take over and draw him into a deep slumber. He couldn't! He had to save Miaka! Chichiri fought harder. His progress was beginning to show. One inch, five inches, a foot...
"Tasuki! Take her!" Chichiri cried, shoving Miaka towards the younger man.
"Alright!" Tasuki stretched his arms out and took Miaka. He pulled her free of the river. He then leaned back and offered a hand to Chichiri whom gladly took it. Chichiri's whole body trembled with exhaustion. He tried to stand but landed on his hands and knees, panting. He tilted his head towards Tasuki.
"Is she...?" He asked.
"She's fine, she just fainted, but then again look at you! If you're this bad, we're lucky she's not worse!" Tasuki laughed, then stopped, "Where's Yui?"
"She fell, into the river..." Chichiri sighed.
"What?! Shit! Oh, yeah, Tamahome's missing too," Tasuki stood up.
"Don't bother looking for him," Nakago appeared a few feet away from them
"Nani?!" Tasuki yelped in surprise.
"He's dead. He came to me and said, 'Fight me,' I obeyed. I have taken care of him," Nakago disappeared as swiftly as he came.
"Bastard!" Tasuki began to follow him.
"Stop," Chichiri called, "He teleported, he's long gone," Chichiri found the strength to stand. He then scooped Miaka up in his arms and cradled her broken body close. He unconsciously pressed his lips against her forehead before continuing back to the camp.
"C-chichiri...?" Tasuki asked as he followed, "Wasn't he to weak to stand moments before...?"