YUME-MI

A fanfic by Jashi

Author's Note: Gomen nasai about the shortness of the last chapter L I certainly didn't mean to make it THAT short, Otaku Pitcher (hehe)

Chapter 7

Two weeks later….

(AYAKO'S POV)

It's late at night, from what I can tell. I just woke up, and the moon is high in the sky. I shake my head to rid the images from behind my eyes. God, I am so nervous. Great Gods in the sky, look down on me in mercy tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the day I must take the Test of Prophets.

*shiver, shiver*

The Test of Prophets…I don't know what it is. Taiitsukun, the Creator, says my physical features will most likely change.

I stand up, to look in a mirror hanging on the wall.

I am about five feet and five inches. My black, wavy hair gently rests on my shoulders. My eyes are a bright blue. I try to take a deep, steady breath, but it is difficult. I try to calm myself, but I'm shaking and I can't stop. I have never been so scared in my life. Taiitsukun said that no prophet has survived it in the past one hundred years.

Who's to say I will?

Taiitsukun also said that if I survive…I must take a Creed. I must follow the Creed of Seers or I will lead humanity's downfall. I shiver again.

I am afraid.

This is hard to bear. I take my cloak and wrap it around my shoulders. I quietly open my door and walk outside. The night air is sharp, but the wind is soft. I lean over the rail and look at the pond. Mitsukake and I have been working very hard these past two weeks, figuring out two more of the hidden pieces. We still have time, but we are wondering what to do after we have figured out the cure. I sigh. I guess…If I do not live through the Test of Prophets…then I will have made no difference in this world. There will have been no point of me if I do not pass this test. So I vow now, I swear I will pass that test.

I softly laugh, thinking of how corny that sounds. I flex my hands, and think back to the dream I was having when I woke up. I saw nothing, only felt cold, and things ripped through me, but I did not shed blood.

It was odd. It was painful. I have no wish to figure out what it meant.

But I will, sooner or later.

Gods, I am never going to get back to sleep…

In the morning…

I awaken. I shiver again. That is officially old news, Ayako. I hate this, this anxiousness, this fear. Gerrr…

I stretch, and grimace. I ache all over for some reason. Then I realize…God, it's from the dream. About two hours after I awoke and had a small bout of insomnia last night, I gave myself a dream that made me fall asleep…but then the same dream, the dream of cold and blood, it came back. I remember that awful feeling. I shake my head and rid the image. I dress quickly, and splash a little cold water on my face. I walk outside my room. It's a little cooler now, but the weather in Konan is always nice. I would like to visit the other countries, but…

God. Why does death linger in my mind? Why can't I be just a little optimistic?!

It's because of the odds Taiitsukun gave me. No one in a hundred years…

Well…all I can think is "oh well.".

There.

That's an optimistic thought. That's better than nothing. I somehow have a feeling inside…that there is a use for me. That I will be used. I don't know how I know this. I don't really know how I know anything. Ha. That is pretty hypocritical, but that's okay.

It's mid morning, and the day is just starting to begin. I take a sigh of the morning air, and notice a friend.

I met a girl named Mayami right after I first met Mitsukake. She's learning how to be a court musician.

"Ohayo, Mayami-san!" I say cheerfully.

"Ohayo!" she returns the greeting with a smile. She is learning how to play flute and is a year younger than I.

"How is Hiroshi? He's not still biting your head off, is he?" I ask, a smile light on my lips.

She chuckles.

"No, no. I told you he doesn't do that!" she laughs, and gently taps my head with her flute. We giggle, and it reminds me of the little girls that chatter in the courtyard.

Suddenly, ice overtakes me. Fear, fear, fear. It runs through my blood and bones and crushes them like a pebble being rolled by an ocean. I see…

I grab Mayami and shove her against the wall. She cries out in surprise and the roughness of the wall meeting her front. It comes.

A huge black bird-demon screams out of the sky and rushes at incredible speed towards us. I push Mayami as close to the wall as I cover her with my body. The demon screams an awful cry that makes me wince. It flies past us at a speed of something very fast. It's claw catches on my arm and scrapes it as Mayami screams.

"HELP!" I yell, and guess who pops out of nowhere?

Chichiri, of course.

He sensed the demon when it came, and he throws some ki blasts at it. I see a certain red-head throw fire, and finally, a huge rock comes out of nowhere and squashes it like a bug. I take a breath and step away from Mayami who turns and falls to her knees. I place my hands on her shoulders, and shake her just a little.

"Mayami. Mayami. Daijobu ka? Mayami, talk to me, onegai." I say, and stop lightly shaking her. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with fear.

"A-a-arigato, A-a-ayako." her voice quivers. "I'm fine."

I smile. "Phew. That was close, wasn't it?" I speak slowly. She nods, and stands. When I reach out my hand to help her, she pushes it away and walks quickly away. I sigh.

"Oi, Ayako!" yells Tasuki. They walk over, Chichiri, Tasuki, and Nuriko.

"That was a bit rude." remarks Nuriko, looking at Mayami's retreating back. I shrug, and try not to portray the hurt I'm feeling inside.

"It's the general reaction of anyone who's sees …something like that…. first hand." I say, trying to convince myself. I shake my head.

Chichiri cocks his head a little, and I can tell there is an expression of concern under his mask. Thanks, Chichiri, but I don't need it right now. I need to concentrate on the task at hand.

Jesus.

I'm giving the cold shoulder to myself, I'm putting all emotions out of my mind, and becoming like a Communist of a long, black rod of steel.

Wait a minute.

What's a Communist?!?!?!?!

@#@#@#@#@

HA-freaking-HA! The test is not in this chapter! THE NEXT CHAPTER, I SWEAR TO THE LORD ABOVE, WILL BE THE TEST. Heheh.

I hope you like it so far.

I don't own FY. Heheh. Please review, and thank you to all who have reviewed it so far!

~Jashi!~