YUME-MI
A fanfic by Jashi
This chapter is rated PG for language and angst.
Chapter THREE
(Ayako's POV)
I wake up, literally frozen to the floor where they threw me. My God, its so freakin' cold down here. I shiver in a corner of the cell, wishing for light, fire, and heat. I shake my head in remorse.
God, I'm freakin' crazy! Trying to get to Saihitei-sama like that, it was an act of recklessness, stupidity, and a thousand other things I can't name. I can't stop myself from shaking. I want to cry at the hopelessness of my situation, but I can't. I'm not small anymore, and long ago I taught my self not to cry. It shows I am breakable. You can break me physically, but never in my mind. Never. I rub my hands together for heat. It helps a little, but if I die when I fall asleep, I'm blaming the cold.
(Chichiri's POV)
I decide to go down to the cell. Walking down the many stairs to get to the bottom level, I realize why they don't need chains down here. The cold keeps the prisoner unmoving and frozen in place. And it's almost totally dark down here. Using my monk's powers, I make a flame in my hand.
I finally reach the last level, and see only a few guards there. I look around and I don't hear anything but the guards.
(Ayako's POV)
Crap. I can hear someone coming down the stairs. I'm the only one on this level at the moment. This is bad. Very, very bad. But, I'm so cold, I can barely move. It sounds stupid, childish I know. I'm afraid of something I can't see. Is this what living has done to me? I just put my hands over my head and hope he doesn't kill me.
(Chichiri's POV)
The guard let's me in, telling me to keep it short. I want to give him a stern look, but my smiling mask won't let me. I set my shakujo by the cell door and make my flame burn slightly higher. I glance around for the girl, but I can't see her.
"um….Hello...is anyone here?…" I whisper softly
"Yes…." I hear a voice, quiet, and breathless, from a corner. I turn to look and see her there, scrunched in a corner with her hands over her head. A light layer of frost covers her hair. My heart softens some. I have a lot of sympathy for people who aren't listened to. Her head jerks up a little and she looks at me. She quickly takes her hands from her head.
I brighten up. This means she isn't afraid I will hurt her anymore. I hold my flame up to my face so she can see me.
"I'm Chichiri no da!" I chirp.
"I'm Ayako. Nice to meet you, Chichiri-san."
I sit down near her. She draws her knees up to her chest as tight as she can and shivers.
"So are you here to interrogate me or what?" she asks with a joking smile on her face.
"Sort of, no da." I say sheepishly
"Well, let me give you the answer. One: I am not insane. Two: I am not insane. Three: I am not sure if I am insane. End of story."
I wince beneath my mask. She's obviously been called insane more than a few times. A prospect I had not hoped for.
"Why do people think you are insane, no da?" I ask softly, knowing this comment will hit home.
(Ayako's POV)
Tell him why people think I'm insane? That is insane! How could I tell a man I met five minutes ago my whole life story? Ai yai yai yai yai! I can't even see his damned eyes! I need time to think.
"Chichiri-san," I say, choosing my words carefully, "If you could come here tomorrow, I will decide whether or not to tell you. No offense, but I have no idea whether to trust you or not."
He seems taken aback, but then smiles.
"Sure, Ayako-san!" he says cheerfully. I'm laughing in my mind. Yeah, I wish I could smile.
He stands up says sayonara, and leaves, taking light and fire and heat with him.
Yeah, I wish I could be happy.
(Chichiri's POV)
I walk away from the cell, making a mental note to bring a blanket for Ayako-san tomorrow. Sighing, I walk to the pond, and I start to fish. I see Tasuki and he comes and sits next to me.
"You seem sad."
"What's the matter with feeling down sometimes no da?"
"Something is the matter when the monk who is always bouncing around and smiling is acting sad.
That's f***in strange to me."
I laugh.
"So who is it? Or what f*** is it?"
Hm. Is it safe to tell Tasuki about Ayako? Now this is strange. Any other time I would not have hesitated to tell Tasuki anything.
(Tasuki's POV)
Aw, geez, now I can tell I've dropped in on a f***in delicate situation here. I think, though,….maybe even I can handle something like this.
I say, trying to sound trustworthy, "Chichiri, ya can tell me if you want."
He looks directly at me.
"I think I can trust you, Tasuki no da. I went down in the dungeon to see a girl who is believed to be insane. Only I don't think she's insane, no da. I'm thinking she has a gift, or magic. I felt an aura around her…."
I nod. I don't really understand a lot of that 'magic aura' stuff, but Chichiri does. A girl who is insane, eh? I've never met anyone insane. I'm starting to think almost no one is and I'm about to say this. But then I remember Nakago and shut up.
"Do you think she is insane, Chichiri?"
"Not at all no da. You can tell when people are insane, because they don't feel right. They don't have control of their minds no da."
I shrug. "Makes sense enough. So she's down in the dungeon?"
"Lowest level no da."
I shiver. I've heard it's terribly cold down there. I like to be warm.
"So yer going to go see her again, right?" I ask.
He nods. "Tomorrow no da. I asked why people thought she was insane, and she said to come tomorrow. She doesn't trust me completely yet no da."
I slap him on the back, almost making him fall forward into the water.
"Cheer up Chichiri!! There's no reason to feel bad if yer tryin' to help her. Now, I am going with you tomorrow to check out this girl." I say cheerfully.
Yeah, this sounds interesting. I have one small, insignificant question.
"What's her name, Chichiri?"
He laughs because he had seemed to forget that small detail.
"Ayako, Tasuki. Her name is Ayako."
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Hi! Jashi here. I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, Yuu Watase does. I hope you like it so far. For those of you who are wondering, there is romance in this story but not until later. There is plenty to keep ya busy till then, I assure you! Please review this! I do not welcome flames, but if you have something critical about my fic, please make it constructive criticism.
Thanks, e-me at chichiri_681@msn.com