Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. Duh.
Author's Note: For those of you who have been following this I have not updated in a long time. I get unmotivated when I think no one is interested. I hate to be a dick and nag for reviews but I'm like a boozehound without his vodka when I don't get any new reviews. I don't even have that many to begin with. Flames welcome, I can't afford to turn anything down at this point.
P.S. I was thinking that this chapter didn't need to be as long and boring as it is. Do you think I should cut some of it out or should I just go with what I have scribbled in my notebook?
What If? Part 7 Fever Pitch
Nuriko and Kourin took their usual route through the city, aside from a slight detour to visit their family, telling them the news. Nuriko's mother and father were sad to learn that it was time for Nuriko to engage in the dangerous mission he had been destined for. Now they only had one child left at home, Nuriko's older brother Rokou who would stay to carry on the family merchant business.
After that Nuriko and Kourin did their best to dispel the somber mood their parents had instilled in them by visiting their favorite restaurant. They watched the various street performers from their table, often receiving a special show due to Kourin's beauty.
They returned tot he castle in good spirits, Kourin hiding the robes she'd used to sneak out in in the pack of supplies that Nuriko had taken from home. The guards were none the wiser, having completely forgotten about the colorfully clothed messengers. Some guards, Kourin thought with a proud smirk.
Shortly after entering Kourin's room to put away his things, their happy mood was disturbed. A servant informed them they were to report to Miaka's quarters. On the way he told them how Tamahome had carried Miaka's unconscious body into the palace a few hours previously and how she was now in bed with a high fever. Nuriko immediately began mentally kicking himself for leaving them to fend for themselves. Noticing his concerned and pained expression Kourin laid a hand on his arm and whispered. "It's not your fault. I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Yeah, she'll be fine," Nuriko echoed, not really comforted by the words.
"Um, I thought Miaka's rooms were in the East wing?" Kourin said to the servant as she noticed their direction.
"She was moved to a room that was closer to the doctor. And the emperor of course," the servant said casually as he continued on his way. Of course, Kourin thought with a pang.
The servant finally reached his destination. He stopped in front of the door for a moment for dramatic effect. He felt it was in order when entering one of the most elegant rooms in the palace, but Kourin and Nuriko did not appreciate it. Nuriko shoved him aside and nearly yanked the door off its hinges in his haste, but when he got inside he hesitated uncertainly.
Even the entrance hall smelled of stale sweat and soaked wool; an aura of illness hung in the air. Kourin took his hand and they entered the bedroom together. Hotohori and Tamahome were there; looking on as the doctor examined Miaka, who was still unconscious. The seishi looked up but said nothing, turning back toward Miaka's bed as Nuriko and Kourin moved to stand beside them. They stood like that for what seemed like hours, waiting for the doctor to make his diagnoses.
"The stress of her position as Priestess is too much for her. It has weakened her immune system and the fever now has a firm hold on her that I don't believe it will relinquish anytime soon," the doctor said grimly, standing up and making for the door.
"What can you do for her?" Hotohori said, allowing a hint of threatening command to enter his voice. "Aside from various poultices and teas that I have already administered I'm afraid I can do nothing. The fever is quite a severe one. Perhaps relieving her from her duties." the doctor shrugged noncommittally and fled before anyone could stop him. The seishi considered going after him but concluded that their time would be better spent helping Miaka. somehow.
In the time it had taken them to figure this out Kourin had rushed over to kneel beside Miaka's bed. She was now laying a wet cloth on her forehead and trying to take her pulse. Um, it shouldn't be too strong but it shouldn't be too weak, it shouldn't be too slow but it shouldn't be too fast and it definitely shouldn't. be .erratic. Her heart fell into her shoes. Erratic wasn't good and Miaka's p8ulse was erratic, even though she was comparing it to her own pulse, which was beating fast out of fear for her friend.
"Her pulse is erratic. I don't know much about this stuff but I know that that's not good," Kourin said as she lowered Miaka's wrist gently back onto the bed. Kourin hung her head. The seishi stood motionless, feeling more helpless than they had ever been.
"I suppose we should let her decide," Kourin said, breaking into the heavy silence.
"Decide.?" Hotohori questioned. She turned her gaze from Miaka's face to Hotohori's, her look giving the impression that the answer to that question should have been obvious.
"The doctor told us the fever was a result of stress, which left her immune system weak."
"Perhaps lack of sleep had something to do with it," Tamahome interrupted as he glanced at Hotohori, seeming to suggest that he had something to do with that. The emperor flushed in anger and glared at Tamahome venomously.
"Or perhaps something happened to her while you were escorting her around the city! You never explained exactly what went on, aside from Miaka fainting," Hotohori said accusingly. Tamahome opened his mouth but a sharp hand gesture from Kourin (not that one, people she's a lady!) made him think better of it.
"As I was saying, she has to decide whether she continues in her position," Kourin said, obviously irritated at their bickering.
"And if she says she won't be Priestess anymore, then what?" Nuriko asked, dreading the answer.
"We find a way to send her home. IF she decides to relinquish her position. Of course it would only be temporary," Kourin said, dipping the cloth in water once again and returning it to Miaka's forehead. Another long silence prevailed over the room, everyone lost in thought at Kourin's words. They could only look at Miaka's tortured face and mull over the possibilities. A moan from her grabbed everyone's attention.
Miaka awoke from her fever dreams tot he feeling of the cold cloth on her forehead. As her vision gradually cleared she saw Kourin and the seishi gathered around. She blinked and squinted, looking around for Tamahome who had slipped from the room unable to bear the oppressive silence. Where's Tamahome? Doesn't he care?. After what happened. I guess not. I guess. he never did. Tears began to seep from the corners of her eyes.
Immediately, Hotohori's was sitting beside her angry at whatever Tamahome had done but more concerned with comforting Miaka. Kourin surrendered the wet cloth to Hotohori and left quietly as Tamahome had done. Nuriko followed her out sensing that SHE would be in need of comfort.
* * *
Kourin sat curled up under a large willow tree in the gardens crying silent tears. She had run from Miaka's chambers only minutes before. Although it was night she hadn't bothered to fetch even a candle, and sat crying in the dark. She watched the willow leaves sway, and saw the stars twinkling through her tears and tried to be as quiet as possible.
She wasn't simply sitting; she was hiding. The willow was her sanctuary, where she went to hide from the world, although right now she was hiding from her brother. She heard footsteps approaching but they were coming from deeper in the gardens, rather than from the palace.
Not wanting anyone to see her crying she quickly crawled into the bushes by the willow and crouched low. She had barely been able to get into position before the owner of the footsteps strolled into the clearing. She shifted until she could see through the gaps in the bushes without being seen. The moon was a thumbnail in the sky and illuminated nothing, but when the person spoke she recognized his nasal voice immediately.
"It isn't my fault. All I did was tell her how I felt. She must've had the fever before then. It . oh Suzaku!" She could barely hear his muttering
How he felt? Oh no, she didn't! He didn't! All my plans! Damn!
"She could die. She could die and I'm trying to convince myself that it's not my fault!" He picked up a rock and tried to skip it but it hit the water with a thunk and sank immediately. He huffed in frustration and began to pace.
"Damn doctors can't even do anything about it. I I can't even do anything about it," his voice could barely be heard over the sound of his pacing. She attempted to move closer, but an unfortunate movement brought her foot down on dry leaves and a brittle twig. At the sound of the snapping wood Tamahome's head jerked upwards.
"Who's there?" He shouted, looking right at the bush behind which Kourin was hiding.
"Why do you think her fever is your fault?" Kourin said as she jumped up and stepped out of the deep shadows of the willow. Taken aback by her question and apparent lack of concern at being discovered he was thrown completely of his guard and went into defensive mode.
"It's not," he said, fairly plaintively, almost whining.
"I didn't ask if it WAS your fault, I asked why you THOUGHT it was your fault," Kourin said, taking on the role of stern but fair instructor, a role that Tamahome seemed to respond well to. He hesitated, appearing as if he wanted to confide in her but wasn't sure if he should.
"If you wish it, no one will ever know," she said solemnly, fully intending to honor the promise. She fell silent for a moment, waiting for a reply. When none came she spoke again. "I give my word."
He peered at her through the darkness awhile longer, wondering if her word would be worth so much to her after she heard. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to suppress his need to get this off his chest. He stood silent for so long that Kourin turned to leave, taking his long silence for refusal. This prompted Tamahome into making a decision.
"The crowd got so rough that we had to sneak away. I turned my back for ONE second to get my bearings, and they grabbed her. Some street gang; nothing I couldn't handle. But they were holding a knife to her throat, so I had to go along. I . kinda. offered to sell her to them for 40 gold pieces (I think that was how much). But of course I wasn't really going to!" Tamahome held up a hand to prove his innocent intent at Kourin's enraged and indignant expression. He seemed to know that he'd taken the "playing along" bit too far, so Kourin let it go, reminding herself never to put her life in Tamahome's hands if money were involved.
"After I fought 'em, she. well she was delirious! She was asking why I would do this for her. then she said she loved me! I didn't know what to say so. I rejected her, I guess. That was when she fainted," Tamahome finished, dejected and fearing Kourin's response. Would she blame him? Would she run and tell the others?
"You need to apologize. Extensively," Kourin said, in a tern voice that brooked no argument. It occurred to her that her plan was clicking into place, but she surprised herself, realizing that that her plan wasn't that important to her right now. Miaka was really her friend and she wanted to help her. "Tell her how you feel and be HONEST."
With that Kourin walked off, leaving Tamahome to wonder what she meant by "be honest."
Author's Note: For those of you who have been following this I have not updated in a long time. I get unmotivated when I think no one is interested. I hate to be a dick and nag for reviews but I'm like a boozehound without his vodka when I don't get any new reviews. I don't even have that many to begin with. Flames welcome, I can't afford to turn anything down at this point.
P.S. I was thinking that this chapter didn't need to be as long and boring as it is. Do you think I should cut some of it out or should I just go with what I have scribbled in my notebook?
What If? Part 7 Fever Pitch
Nuriko and Kourin took their usual route through the city, aside from a slight detour to visit their family, telling them the news. Nuriko's mother and father were sad to learn that it was time for Nuriko to engage in the dangerous mission he had been destined for. Now they only had one child left at home, Nuriko's older brother Rokou who would stay to carry on the family merchant business.
After that Nuriko and Kourin did their best to dispel the somber mood their parents had instilled in them by visiting their favorite restaurant. They watched the various street performers from their table, often receiving a special show due to Kourin's beauty.
They returned tot he castle in good spirits, Kourin hiding the robes she'd used to sneak out in in the pack of supplies that Nuriko had taken from home. The guards were none the wiser, having completely forgotten about the colorfully clothed messengers. Some guards, Kourin thought with a proud smirk.
Shortly after entering Kourin's room to put away his things, their happy mood was disturbed. A servant informed them they were to report to Miaka's quarters. On the way he told them how Tamahome had carried Miaka's unconscious body into the palace a few hours previously and how she was now in bed with a high fever. Nuriko immediately began mentally kicking himself for leaving them to fend for themselves. Noticing his concerned and pained expression Kourin laid a hand on his arm and whispered. "It's not your fault. I'm sure she'll be fine."
"Yeah, she'll be fine," Nuriko echoed, not really comforted by the words.
"Um, I thought Miaka's rooms were in the East wing?" Kourin said to the servant as she noticed their direction.
"She was moved to a room that was closer to the doctor. And the emperor of course," the servant said casually as he continued on his way. Of course, Kourin thought with a pang.
The servant finally reached his destination. He stopped in front of the door for a moment for dramatic effect. He felt it was in order when entering one of the most elegant rooms in the palace, but Kourin and Nuriko did not appreciate it. Nuriko shoved him aside and nearly yanked the door off its hinges in his haste, but when he got inside he hesitated uncertainly.
Even the entrance hall smelled of stale sweat and soaked wool; an aura of illness hung in the air. Kourin took his hand and they entered the bedroom together. Hotohori and Tamahome were there; looking on as the doctor examined Miaka, who was still unconscious. The seishi looked up but said nothing, turning back toward Miaka's bed as Nuriko and Kourin moved to stand beside them. They stood like that for what seemed like hours, waiting for the doctor to make his diagnoses.
"The stress of her position as Priestess is too much for her. It has weakened her immune system and the fever now has a firm hold on her that I don't believe it will relinquish anytime soon," the doctor said grimly, standing up and making for the door.
"What can you do for her?" Hotohori said, allowing a hint of threatening command to enter his voice. "Aside from various poultices and teas that I have already administered I'm afraid I can do nothing. The fever is quite a severe one. Perhaps relieving her from her duties." the doctor shrugged noncommittally and fled before anyone could stop him. The seishi considered going after him but concluded that their time would be better spent helping Miaka. somehow.
In the time it had taken them to figure this out Kourin had rushed over to kneel beside Miaka's bed. She was now laying a wet cloth on her forehead and trying to take her pulse. Um, it shouldn't be too strong but it shouldn't be too weak, it shouldn't be too slow but it shouldn't be too fast and it definitely shouldn't. be .erratic. Her heart fell into her shoes. Erratic wasn't good and Miaka's p8ulse was erratic, even though she was comparing it to her own pulse, which was beating fast out of fear for her friend.
"Her pulse is erratic. I don't know much about this stuff but I know that that's not good," Kourin said as she lowered Miaka's wrist gently back onto the bed. Kourin hung her head. The seishi stood motionless, feeling more helpless than they had ever been.
"I suppose we should let her decide," Kourin said, breaking into the heavy silence.
"Decide.?" Hotohori questioned. She turned her gaze from Miaka's face to Hotohori's, her look giving the impression that the answer to that question should have been obvious.
"The doctor told us the fever was a result of stress, which left her immune system weak."
"Perhaps lack of sleep had something to do with it," Tamahome interrupted as he glanced at Hotohori, seeming to suggest that he had something to do with that. The emperor flushed in anger and glared at Tamahome venomously.
"Or perhaps something happened to her while you were escorting her around the city! You never explained exactly what went on, aside from Miaka fainting," Hotohori said accusingly. Tamahome opened his mouth but a sharp hand gesture from Kourin (not that one, people she's a lady!) made him think better of it.
"As I was saying, she has to decide whether she continues in her position," Kourin said, obviously irritated at their bickering.
"And if she says she won't be Priestess anymore, then what?" Nuriko asked, dreading the answer.
"We find a way to send her home. IF she decides to relinquish her position. Of course it would only be temporary," Kourin said, dipping the cloth in water once again and returning it to Miaka's forehead. Another long silence prevailed over the room, everyone lost in thought at Kourin's words. They could only look at Miaka's tortured face and mull over the possibilities. A moan from her grabbed everyone's attention.
Miaka awoke from her fever dreams tot he feeling of the cold cloth on her forehead. As her vision gradually cleared she saw Kourin and the seishi gathered around. She blinked and squinted, looking around for Tamahome who had slipped from the room unable to bear the oppressive silence. Where's Tamahome? Doesn't he care?. After what happened. I guess not. I guess. he never did. Tears began to seep from the corners of her eyes.
Immediately, Hotohori's was sitting beside her angry at whatever Tamahome had done but more concerned with comforting Miaka. Kourin surrendered the wet cloth to Hotohori and left quietly as Tamahome had done. Nuriko followed her out sensing that SHE would be in need of comfort.
* * *
Kourin sat curled up under a large willow tree in the gardens crying silent tears. She had run from Miaka's chambers only minutes before. Although it was night she hadn't bothered to fetch even a candle, and sat crying in the dark. She watched the willow leaves sway, and saw the stars twinkling through her tears and tried to be as quiet as possible.
She wasn't simply sitting; she was hiding. The willow was her sanctuary, where she went to hide from the world, although right now she was hiding from her brother. She heard footsteps approaching but they were coming from deeper in the gardens, rather than from the palace.
Not wanting anyone to see her crying she quickly crawled into the bushes by the willow and crouched low. She had barely been able to get into position before the owner of the footsteps strolled into the clearing. She shifted until she could see through the gaps in the bushes without being seen. The moon was a thumbnail in the sky and illuminated nothing, but when the person spoke she recognized his nasal voice immediately.
"It isn't my fault. All I did was tell her how I felt. She must've had the fever before then. It . oh Suzaku!" She could barely hear his muttering
How he felt? Oh no, she didn't! He didn't! All my plans! Damn!
"She could die. She could die and I'm trying to convince myself that it's not my fault!" He picked up a rock and tried to skip it but it hit the water with a thunk and sank immediately. He huffed in frustration and began to pace.
"Damn doctors can't even do anything about it. I I can't even do anything about it," his voice could barely be heard over the sound of his pacing. She attempted to move closer, but an unfortunate movement brought her foot down on dry leaves and a brittle twig. At the sound of the snapping wood Tamahome's head jerked upwards.
"Who's there?" He shouted, looking right at the bush behind which Kourin was hiding.
"Why do you think her fever is your fault?" Kourin said as she jumped up and stepped out of the deep shadows of the willow. Taken aback by her question and apparent lack of concern at being discovered he was thrown completely of his guard and went into defensive mode.
"It's not," he said, fairly plaintively, almost whining.
"I didn't ask if it WAS your fault, I asked why you THOUGHT it was your fault," Kourin said, taking on the role of stern but fair instructor, a role that Tamahome seemed to respond well to. He hesitated, appearing as if he wanted to confide in her but wasn't sure if he should.
"If you wish it, no one will ever know," she said solemnly, fully intending to honor the promise. She fell silent for a moment, waiting for a reply. When none came she spoke again. "I give my word."
He peered at her through the darkness awhile longer, wondering if her word would be worth so much to her after she heard. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to suppress his need to get this off his chest. He stood silent for so long that Kourin turned to leave, taking his long silence for refusal. This prompted Tamahome into making a decision.
"The crowd got so rough that we had to sneak away. I turned my back for ONE second to get my bearings, and they grabbed her. Some street gang; nothing I couldn't handle. But they were holding a knife to her throat, so I had to go along. I . kinda. offered to sell her to them for 40 gold pieces (I think that was how much). But of course I wasn't really going to!" Tamahome held up a hand to prove his innocent intent at Kourin's enraged and indignant expression. He seemed to know that he'd taken the "playing along" bit too far, so Kourin let it go, reminding herself never to put her life in Tamahome's hands if money were involved.
"After I fought 'em, she. well she was delirious! She was asking why I would do this for her. then she said she loved me! I didn't know what to say so. I rejected her, I guess. That was when she fainted," Tamahome finished, dejected and fearing Kourin's response. Would she blame him? Would she run and tell the others?
"You need to apologize. Extensively," Kourin said, in a tern voice that brooked no argument. It occurred to her that her plan was clicking into place, but she surprised herself, realizing that that her plan wasn't that important to her right now. Miaka was really her friend and she wanted to help her. "Tell her how you feel and be HONEST."
With that Kourin walked off, leaving Tamahome to wonder what she meant by "be honest."