Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi does not belong to me, nor do I profit from writing this fiction. I do so purely for entertainment and enjoyment. And because I am an Official Member of the Character Torturers Inc. ^^;;
Note: Eep…this is an odd chapter. Although I do enjoy writing this story, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to portray feelings. Chiriko is fun to write though. ^_^ Anyway, I hope you enjoy this, and go leave a review! Because, even if I say I don't care if I get reviews or not…I really do! Ehehehehe…^^;;
The Girl of Duty, by Bashou-chan
Chapter 3: True Illusion"We…we disappear?" Tasuki's eyebrows shot up to his hairline, surprise written clearly across the delicate, elven features of his face. "What tha fuck does that mean?! Are we gonna fuckin' die if we don't find her in time or something?!"
Smiling bitterly at the apparent and predictable lack of spiritual knowledge, Chichiri took his gaze from the stars back to Tasuki. The cool spite of his smile reflected in his mahogany eye, greatly clashing with the faint glimmer of bemusement similar to that of an older brother talking to a younger one. "Iie. I said disappear, not die. There is a extremely large difference no da."
"Ok…" The younger Seishi nodded slowly, "so they're completely different. So ya gonna tell me how tha fuck they're different?"
The smile on the monk's lips, although slight, died tragically, shoved roughly out of the way by a deep-set frown. Chichiri considered--seriously considered--telling the temperamental bandit the difference between the two. But at that thought, temperamental, he shook his head firmly in his thoughts, concluding to wait. When the whole group was assembled, tomorrow, he would find a silent, brooding moment amongst the Seishi—there would be many—to relate the dire news. It'd be the right mood, emphasising the seriousness of the situation at hand.
He stared straight, and unwavering, into Tasuki's golden brown eyes. "Iie, I can't no da. Right now, all you need to know is that there is a difference."
Tasuki's mouth twitched minutely in irritation, then opened slightly as a heavy, defeated sigh escaped. "Chichiri, I don't fuckin' understand why ya can't tell me…but since you can't, then 'disappearing' must be worse than dying, ne?"
The mentioned monk kept his uncharacteristically hardened stare on the young brigand. Good, he thought. He can at least know that much. He should know that much.
"Yes, Tasuki. It is…far worse. But you'll know in due time. For now, you need to get some sleep; we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow." Chichiri had replaced his mask with a vertical, almost invisibly quick, flick over his face. "After all, Tasuki-kun, we don't want your heavy self sleeping on the horse! They already hate you enough no da!" Then, turning around, he began to walk away towards his bedchamber, a high-pitched laugh echoing in the hallway.
~*~*~*~
Chiriko dressed solemnly, slipping into woollen travelling robes instead of his usual airy, turquoise set. The palace was tranquil, save for the occasional rustling leaves or birdsong. Today, Chiriko thought, is a serious day. Today, we're starting our quest to find Miaka-san. So why am I excited? Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Chiriko opened the door and stepped out into the sunlight. He was sure that he was the first of the Seishi awake. It wasn't unusual; he was accustomed to waking in the early morning to study. Chiriko found it peaceful and refreshing. These days, when he really didn't have anything to study for, he either spent some leisure time in the Royal Library, or went down to the kitchens to talk to Suzue-san. Chiriko smiled at the thought of the old cook. The other Seishi didn't know of her, but Chiriko had become quite fond of Suzue-san. He thought of her as sort of a grandmother.
He popped into the kitchens to give Suzue-san a quick hug and goodbye, before heading off to the library. Opening the heavy, beautifully detailed mahogany door, Chiriko entered the Royal Library, revelling in the fact that he could even be there. When he was younger, he often dreamt of studying there, surrounded by enormous and countless shelves stocked full of various scrolls, waiting for their knowledge to be shared. Countless times he had been in here, yet, every time, his breath had been taken away by the unimaginable vastness of the library. Turning down one aisle, Chiriko steadily climbed the spiralling staircase to the upper level. He stepped off to his left, running his fingers along the subject tabs of the shelf, before coming to a scroll that interested him. Plucking the scroll out, he shuffled to the table in the centre of the room, where he usually sat to read. But in his usual chair sat someone else. A shadow of a large, broad-shouldered man grew at the stranger's feet, spanning towards Chiriko.
"Mitsukake-san?"
Starting, just the slightest, the big doctor twisted around in his chair. "Ahh, Chiriko. Ohayo."
"Ohayo, Mitsukake-san. Forgive me for asking," Chiriko seated himself across the round table, "but what are you doing in the library?"
"I didn't know it was a crime." Mitsukake's eyes creased in amusement, light, teasing mockery tinting his deep voice. "Iie, iie, I was just kidding, Chiriko. I'm reading about the medicinal qualities of the Kodoku drug. I wanted to find out more right after Tamahome was cured, but I never found the time. Neither have I found time this past week that we've been back in the palace, so this morning was all I could salvage. I'm afraid I won't learn much before we need to leave, though. But, what, may I ask, are you doing in here?"
"Oh! I'm always in here, Mitsukake-san! There's so much to learn, it's exciting!"
Mitsukake's laughter rolled off his tongue, the smooth and deep waves vibrating in the closed off room. "Well, Chiriko, that's good to know." He glanced up through the little window near the ceiling, wincing slightly as the sunlight hit his eyes. The younger boy followed his gaze, then sighed, disappointed.
"I think we should go, Mitsukake-san. Chichiri said we should leave early today." Sighing, he looked longingly at the scroll in his chubby little hand. "I guess I'll have to leave this until we come back."
"Don't worry, Chiriko. I asked Hotohori yesterday if I could borrow one of his scrolls for the trip, and he said I was more than welcome to. I'm sure he wouldn't mind you taking one too."
"Really? Are you sure?"
Smiling, Mitsukake pushed his chair back and stood up, offering his large hand to Chiriko. "Positive."
~*~*~*~
The sky was still tinted orange and yellow with the sunrise, when all the Seishi who were travelling gathered at the Palace gates. With the supplies loaded up on the impatient horses, the Seishi were ready to leave. Bidding Hotohori and his advisors farewell, Chichiri pulled his horse around and began to lead the rest forward. Today would be a long day; there would be no doubt of that. Glancing to his right, Chichiri sighed, a heavy burden settling on his heart. He ached to see Tamahome in such a state of depression.
The teal-haired boy sat slumped on his horse, shoulders sagging inwards. His eyes drooped, complimented by dark circles underneath. Chichiri doubted the teen got any sleep last night. The monk sighed again. I can't do anything, he thought. I can't do anything unless Tamahome decides to help himself first. Casting one more glance at Tamahome, Chichiri led his horse up to the front to ride with Mitsukake, the rest of the Seishi trailing behind.
Many uneventful hours passed by, as the group of travellers continued on their journey. The sun had risen from its resting-place behind the mountains, to settle straight up for awhile, before descending once again. Now the sky was tinted a much different colour, a deep purple and mauve blending flawlessly with the increasingly darkening indigo.
Mitsukake had kept his place at the front of the group with Chichiri at his side, and Chiriko in front of him. The calm doctor felt Chiriko's weight slump against him gradually, signifying that sleep had taken over his little body. He can't be used to this much travel, Mitsukake thought. He must be tired.
"Chichiri," he began slowly, "maybe we should rest sometime. I'm sure everyone would benefit from it."
Nodding silently, Chichiri steered his horse a little to the left, where a large patch of buses began. "We could rest there no da. It looks all right now, but I'll have to check it before we can fully rest no da."
The quick search, conducted by Chichiri and Tasuki, proved that the little clearing was indeed safe for the night. As the group settled down uncomfortably for a night of fitful rest, Chichiri declared that he would take first watch. He picked a large tree, positioning himself strategically beside a large boulder, so that he could safely watch over the rest of the group.
Only fifteen minutes into his hour-long watch, Chichiri sensed a strange chi emanating nearby. He stood up franticly but silently, skills acquired from many years as a travelling monk. Grabbing his staff, he walked slowly round the sleeping form of his fellow Seishi, trying to seek out the source of the strange chi.
"Chichiri, what are you doing?" asked the weary, tired voice of Tamahome. "Do you see something?"
"Ah, Tamahome-kun. It's nothing, I didn't mean to wake you up. It's just…I thought I sensed some sort of chi nearby…but it's nothing serious. Go back to sleep, you need all the rest you can get no da."
"Iie, I can't get to sleep. I'll help you with this." Tamahome straightened up, stretched his back and hopped onto his feet. "What did you sense?"
"Some sort of chi…I can't really tell what it is yet no da. I need to get closer."
"Ok…how do I help then?"
"Try to sense the chi, Tamahome-kun."
"Alright…I'll try, but I'm not sure how to do it."
"Just open up to your surroundings and keep your senses keen."
Tamahome gave a surreptitious little nod, then faced the opposite way from Chichiri. Ok, he thought, sense the chi…sense the chi. He stared fixedly into the pitch-blackness that was the forest, looking for some, any, sign of movement. His eyes could see nothing; his senses could feel nothing. Then suddenly, as if a strong gust of wind slapped into his face, he could feel a familiar pang attach itself violently onto his heart, enveloping it, covering it and filling its every crevice and cavity.
"Miaka…" he whispered breathlessly, his voice stolen by the sudden intensity. "Miaka."
"Tamahome? What is it? Have you found something no da?"
"Iie, I haven't seen anything…but I know Miaka's out there! We have to go get her!" Tamahome's volume increased at every word, building up in his chest until it burst from him, setting an alarm off in his mind, willing himself to run. Run; run as fast as he could to Miaka!
"Tamahome, matte." Chichiri grabbed the martial artist's arm, restraining him from running blindly into the danger of the forest. "Repeat to yourself what you have just said, and listen."
"Chichiri, I know it's her! You just try it, try to seek out her chi!"
"I-Tam--"
"Just try, Chichiri!"
Sighing, Chichiri settled a pitying gaze on Tamahome, whose voice held the frantic edge of someone on the verge on insanity. "Alright." Closing his eye behind his mask, Chichiri focused on finding Miaka, zeroing his mind's eye onto things that reminded him of her, things that surfaced her image and self-being. And it came, as he did not suspect it. A shadowy image of her once-vibrant life force, blurred on the edges and desperate sorrow dulling her face.
And then, Chichiri realised that it had not only been his mind's eye seeing her. Floating not less than two metres from where Tamahome and he stood, was the pale mirage that was Miaka. And she was as he felt her. Lost.
~*~*~*~
Tasuki…wake up. Tasuki, wake up!
Whaa…?
Tasuki! Tasuki, get up NOW!
Alright, alright, I'm up!! Just gimme a freakin minute…
This is serious, wake up Tasuki!
Aww, fuck, Nuriko, why ya gotta be so damn annoying?
I'm not kidding about this Tasuki! Get your lazy ass up or I'll punch ya to Suzaku in the heavens!
Fuck, Nuriko, I'm up! Why tha hell you gotta wake me up in the middle of the night anyway?
It's Miaka…
Nani?! Miaka! She's here?!
Yes…well, no, not really. Tasuki, you just have to listen to me, ne? I don't have much time…
What? What do you mean you don't have time?
Just listen…
H-hai…ok, I'll listen just this once, ne, Nuriko?
Arigatou…Miaka…she's not here anymore.
What?? Where'd she go?!
Ne, Tasuki, you promised you would listen! Miaka…she's not really here anymore, she's…going.
Chichiri told me before that her chi was fading…is that what you're trying to say?
H-hai…I guess so. She's going, Tasuki, and you need to make her stay…you need to make her stay!
I'll try, Nuriko. Ne? I'll try.
Iie, Tasuki, you need to keep her here. It's her destiny…but she's going…she'll be gone soon, and the world will be unbalanced.
Nuriko, I said I'd try! I'll do whatever it takes, ne, Nuriko? But I'll need your help!
Tell everyone else…Chichiri, Mitsukake…Hotohori-sama. Do something else for me too, Tasuki.
What is it?
Tell Hotohori-sama I'm sorry.
Che! I don't want to be involved in your love triangle! Why don't you tell him tomorrow morning? Tell him that yourself, then you can help me make Miaka stay, or something like that…you'll do that, right, Nuriko? Help me, I mean.
H-hai…I will. Sayonara, Tasuki-chan…
Tasuki woke. The layers of his bedroll gathered in his lap as he sat up, left there unnoticed. Nuriko…A lump rose in his throat until it burst out, wracking a sharp, desolate sob from Tasuki's soul. Nuriko…you're--you're too cool, he thought. Trying to help us after you're dead…after you're dead…sayonara, Nuri-chan. And remember…you promised to help me.
TBC…
Author's Note: Ahh…two sorta-kinda cliff-hangers. Ehehehe…cliff-hangers are just not my thing…but then there would be no other way to get you guys to read the next chapter!! ^^;; Anyway, it took me just a little longer to put this chapter out, so, gomen to any of those who were waiting.
If anyone was confused, the conversation between Nuriko and Tasuki was a dream. This fic takes place after they come back from Sairo (I'm certain I said that), and, also, after Nuriko's death. ~sob~ Being such a Nuriko fan, I just had to write him in somewheerrrreeee! And no, the conversation was not pointless. I have a reason for it. A very good reason.
And no, again, the whole Chiriko and Mitsukake thing was not pointless…t'will be revisited in later chapters. ~smiles~ Now, I must get getting on with that math homework from hell. Ja, minna, and go leave a review!