Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out! I hope it was worth the wait, because this took forever to think up! I even had assistance for this and it was still too difficult… four pages of outlining and the shortest part somehow became the longest… -_-&

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Nijuusei

Chapter 6: The Great Escape and Random Revelations

By Kaen

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"Ow! Why you… Ee! Dammit! Would you stop it?! You will submit to me! Ah! How dare you… you are a LESSER species!!" Kokuei continued to yell mindlessly at his defiant enemy. Ironically enough, this very enemy had a death-grip on Kokuei's head and fought his taming weapon with silent opposition. Kokuei hissed through clenched teeth as he yanked mercilessly on the comb and finally succeeded in removing the stubborn knot. He whimpered slightly in the classic puppy-dog fashion as he smoothed the battlefield with his free hand, attempting to sooth his violated scalp. Growling a few other selected swear words, Kokuei finished combing his light brown hair and held the taming weapon up, observing it closely. It had lost three or four teeth in the previous battle, and it seemed pointless to return a ruined comb, so…

Kokuei clutched the towel around his waste tightly as he reached over for the new clothes he'd carefully placed on the counter. Upon finding the pants, he held open a big back pocket and placed the comb securely within. It's not like they would notice, anyway. When they find out that Kokuei's not "Hiashi," they're going to kick him out. He doubted that they'd notice a missing comb after an incident like that, but what if they make him return the clothes, too? Or charge him with posing as someone else? Or if they found out about the bread he stole? And then there was also taking advantage of someone else's resources that didn't help matters any… Kokuei found himself diligently fighting the urge to hide as he concentrated on his current situation.

Although he'd only been trying to comfort Hiashi's mother, it'd somehow turned out that he was now Hiashi. Kokuei was thankful for the apparently close resemblance between him and Hiashi because he was getting a free shower, new clothes, and a comb, but he was beginning to feel uneasy about playing this role. As each minute passed, he grew more and more paranoid that Hiashi would walk in the door any time now and Kokuei would be busted. Why was he even staying there, though? Hiashi's mother should have been able to tell the difference between some homeless kid and her beloved Hiashi. Maybe she just had really bad vision? She may have also been too distracted to clearly see him… Or maybe him and Hiashi just looked a lot alike? Come to think of it, it's been over half an hour and this "Hiashi" guy still hadn't shown up. Where the heck was he? Kokuei couldn't leave now without upsetting the woman who already looked so stressed out and tired and her presumed husband, but he couldn't exactly wait for Hiashi to come home either.

He sighed heavily as he lifted his new clothing from the bathroom countertop. Placing the sweater aside for now, Kokuei unfolded the pants and blinked as another article of clothing fell out onto the floor. He stared at it, and then blushed. Apparently, Hiashi's mother had thought he'd need clean underwear. Boxers, to be precise. Staring at the boxers on the floor for another minute or so, Kokuei finally gathered the confidence to pick up the fallen garment. He observed the boxers a little while longer as he tried to decide what to do. Taking a stranger's clothes was one thing, but their underwear? But they were definitely clean and he could use a change of clothes all-around…

He put the pants back down on the counter. Blushing an even deeper red than before, Kokuei squeezed his eyes shut as he dropped the towel around his waist and stepped quickly into the boxers. Completely this task, Kokuei hastily reached for the pants and pulled then on while skillfully avoiding the sight of his own reflection in the mirror. When the pants had been securely fastened, Kokuei picked up the towel on the floor and used it to collect the remaining water droplets in his hair. He then reached for the forest green sweater and pulled it on over his head. When he was fully dressed, Kokuei made a strange discovery. It seemed that Hiashi's clothes fit him well. Perfectly, actually. He was expecting there to be at least some discomfort in wearing a stranger's clothes, but they were perfect. Somehow, Kokuei was beginning to see why he was mistaken for Hiashi…

Pulling on his worn sneakers and gathering up his old clothes and prized bread, Kokuei unlocked the bathroom door, opened it, and made a mad dash for what he remembered to be Hiashi's room. When he had arrived without conflict in the room, he closed the door and locked it. The last thing he needed to be now was caught, but right up there with "caught" was hungry. He was reminded of his hunger that had long since been belittled to a dull ache through his abdomen when his stomach let out a weak growl. Kokuei permitted himself a small smile as he put his old clothes on the floor and sat down next to them, clutching his loaf of stolen bread. Without any thought to eating formalities, he snapped off the little yellow bread bag clip and began to happily munch on the first slice. It wasn't until several slices later that Kokuei even thought to check the time. With a piece still half-in, half-out of his mouth, he began to look curiously about for a clock or watch.

Kokuei spotted a watch on a bedside table that was not yet accompanying a bed. He walked over to it curiously and picked it up with the gentleness of an archeologist handling an ancient relic. It was probably worth more than him, so he best not break it. Reading the tiny digits carefully, Kokuei's eyes widened as he inhaled the piece of bread that was currently shoved in his mouth. How could it be 5:18 already?! He coughed violently and hit his chest with his free hand, dislodging the food from his air passageway. Forgetting about the value the watch more that likely had, Kokuei dropped it back onto the nightstand and it landed with a defined "clunk." Hastily returning to his half-eaten loaf of bread, Kokuei resealed it with the yellow clip and wrapped it in his old clothes.

Trying to recall where he was in relativity to Yui's campus, he realized that he would have to run to make it there in time. And it was at least eight miles away. Adding the likely factor of pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks, he was undoubtedly going to be late. Kokuei cringed at the thought of making Yui wait for him. The last thing he wanted was to come across as not caring enough to meet her in the place that he himself had arranged. What if she thought that he was rude and didn't want to see him again after making her wait like that? There was also only so long that Yui would wait for Kokuei so what if she left before he could get there? Somehow, neither of those two options seemed to fit Yui properly, but Kokuei was sure she wouldn't wait for him much longer than fifteen minutes for him, especially if she had to attend her class again that night. Subconsciously, he began to wonder whether it was even worth going…

Kokuei mentally kicked himself. Of course it was worth going! Anything for Yui was worth it. And there it was again! That unexplainable loyalty and devotion to Yui. Kokuei let out a short, low groan as he chewed his lower lip. Right now wasn't the time to be pondering what Yui would do. He would just have to get there and find out himself. Unlocking the door and yanking it open, Kokuei was prepared to run out of the house, but he stopped before he even could get started. He watched in despair as the woman, who had seemed so upset, cheerfully chatted with her husband as she carried boxes from room to room. Fortunately, she hadn't seen him before he could duck back into the room, but his sanctuary was just as much a prison. He had to get out so he could meet up with Yui, but there wasn't any way that he could "escape" without wrecking total havoc on the already unstable situation he was already in.

Kokuei took a deep breath as his eyes scanned the room for any possible means of exiting. His eyes fell on the window and he walked over to it with hopeful midnight blue eyes. The kindle of hope was quickly snuffed as Kokuei observed that the fire escape's latter had been broken away, approximately fifteen feet above the ground. He couldn't afford to attempt a jump like that with one arm injured and one arm occupied with holding his few possessions. But if he could drop the items first and then steady himself with that arm… Stealing another glance out the window, he also noticed that the bars that remained on the ladder were rusted and thin. Kokuei's negative signal was reconfirmed that it would be too risky to try anything like that.

Maybe the ventilation system was precariously oversized and could fit him? Walking over to the metal vent in the wall, it was excruciatingly obvious that it wouldn't work either. Not unless he could compact himself to about six inches round… The fire escape really was his only option, unless, of course, he wanted to risk a real door. He agreed with himself that it'd be less painful that falling fifteen feet, so he'd just have to be stealthy and reach a door to the outside undetected. Peering around the corner cautiously, Kokuei decided that the coast was clear and ran out of the room, down the hall and past the room the lady was in, without her turning around. He had just opened the front door when a shocked, hurt voice rang from atop the steps.

"Hiashi! Where in the world are you going? You should have told me if you were going to go out! You know how I worry when I don't know where you are!" She exclaimed in the typical nagging mother fashion. Kokuei stopped in the doorway, his hand still wrapped loosely around the door's handle. Even under all those layers of motherly nagging, Kokuei could easily identify the worry and sadness in her voice. He could somehow sense tears forming in the woman's eyes and clenched his jaw tightly and stared hard at the concrete of the sidewalk, trying to keep himself from reacting.

Please, not again… Not ever again… Kokuei tore his gaze from the concrete as a shudder passed through his body. That voice… was that him? His conscience, maybe? Whoever they were, what did they mean about again? To the best of his recollection, he'd never posed as someone else before, so how could he have done something like this before?

"Hiashi? Are you all right? You look a little pale… Come here and I'll check you're temperature." Hiashi's mother spoke to him, concern being the distinguishing characteristic in her voice. She really seems to worry a lot, doesn't she? Kokuei thought with a feeling of pity. He finally gave in to the woman's request and closed the door in front of him, laying his possessions down behind some boxes nearby. He turned around and then starting walking up the steps with his eyes downcast. Now she'd surely realize that he wasn't Hiashi and who knows what could happen. He marched up the steps as if they were leading to death row, and stopped two steps from the top of the flight. Hiashi's mother then turned and gestured him to follow her into another room, which Kokuei obediently did and stood silently in the middle of the room. She gave him a strange look when she sat down on the small sofa and he remained standing. Giving him another silent order with a pat of her hand on the space beside her, Kokuei became very tense. He stared for a second, but his logical reasoning was cut short as a heavy and sturdy hand clamped down on his shoulder. Jumping at the sudden intrusion, Kokuei whirled around and looked into the equally surprised face of a man. He was the lady's husband, and she had greeted him with a bright smile. He returned the grin and Kokuei took notice that he didn't look anything like either of them, and if he and Hiashi supposedly looked alike…

"Hey, Hiashi! How's it going? I heard you had a bit of an incident. Care to explain?" asked Hiashi's father curiously, but he abruptly stopped questioning when he saw Kokuei's face better. His face contorted as he said, "You…" That was it. Kokuei was sure he'd been caught and squeezed his eyes shut, awaiting the yelling that was likely soon to follow. A cool hand across his forehead surprised him, and Kokuei opened his eyes quickly.  "You don't looks so good, Hiashi. White as a ghost! You should go lay down and rest. I'll go get you a blanket," announced Hiashi's father and Kokuei nearly fell over. Here he was, less than three feet away from Hiashi's own father and yet he still didn't realize Kokuei wasn't his son! It was too just much! What the heck is up with these people? Are they blind or something? Kokuei felt annoyance and confusion begin to get the better of him, and he found himself speaking without forethought.

"Don't you understand?! I'm not Hiashi! I don't know how you can confuse me with him like that!" Kokuei snapped, but immediately wished he hadn't. If the temperature check hadn't done the trick, this surely must have. But instead of the startled gasps he was expecting, he was instead laughed at. It was a low chuckle at first, bit it soon rang out clearly and was joined by higher pitcher laughter. After several moments, Hiashi's father seemed to have composed himself to wheeze out, "You... never cease to surprise me, Hiashi! It seems that even in hard times, you can say something to add humor to our day. What a kid!" Kokuei was then embraced by Hiashi's father in a huge bear hug and he coughed as the air was forced from his lungs. He felt himself turning purplish and lightheaded, but he was released at that moment. He staggered on his feet, attempting to steady himself. He almost fell again when a heavy blanket was laid over his head, temporarily blinding him. Kokuei struggled with the blanket for a second or two before he could free himself and by the time that he did, Hiashi's parents were walking down the hall, hand-in-hand, still laughing together lightly about Kokuei's/Hiashi's "joke. "

Well, that was it. If he had told them twice that he wasn't Hiashi and they still didn't listen, so it was their own damn problem now. He wasn't trying to be funny and being laughed at didn't exactly make his day. He grumbled under his breath, but a huge yawn temporarily silenced him. He was still tired, but he pushed that feeling aside as he shrugged off the blanket and hastily searched for another method of escape. There was a possibility that the fire escape in this room wasn't as bad as the one he just saw and with that thought he strode over to the window. Checking it carefully for broken rungs or fifteen-foot drops, Kokuei was please to find that there was neither of these and wasted no time in opening the heavy window and removing the screen. As he was climbing out of the window and onto the outside ladder a little above a platform, Kokuei caught sight of a small, framed picture leaning against the wall. He stopped on the narrow ladder as he looked back inside, squinting in attempt to see the photograph. The picture was only a Polaroid snapshot, which made it difficult to see clearly from all the way across the room. From what he could tell it was three people and he couldn't distinguish much more than that. After a few seconds of unsuccessful squinting, Kokuei's curiosity got the better of him and he found himself climbing back inside. Not bothering to close the window, he walked quickly over to the photograph and picked it up while being careful not to get fingerprints on it. He easily recognized two of the people to be the man and woman who mistook him for their own son, but it was the third person in the photo that caused Kokuei's eyes to widen and breathing to shallow. It was like looking into a mirror… And for the first time, Kokuei understood Hiashi's parent's mistake.

He and Hiashi were practically identical. No, they WERE identical… Biting his tongue in apprehension, Kokuei silently prayed that it was just the angle, or possibly the lighting. It must just be the lightning… Staring at the face identical to his own, Kokuei's mind began to dull as his eyes became large and unfocused. How could there be someone who looked exactly like him? In his distractedness, Kokuei unconsciously loosened his grip and the farmed photo picture and it slid from his hand, crashing onto the floor and shattering the glass. Kokuei watched, unable to do anything, as the glass rebounded and began to scatter in many different directions. Just them, Kokuei had the strangest though of the glass becoming shining blue water and joining into an endless blue abyss and he shook his head quickly to clear the mental image.

"Hiashi? Are you okay? We heard a crash…" called Hiashi's mother. Kokuei jumped at her voice. He had to get out of there now! Stealing one last glance at the now unprotected photo, he shuddered and ran to the open window.

"Hiashi? Is there something wrong? Hiashi?! Answer me please! Are you okay?!" Kokuei could hear footsteps approaching the room he was previously in as he climbed down the fire escape in record time. He jumped off the ladder when he was within six feet of the ground. An acute pain shot up his legs, but Kokuei ignored it as he took of at a dead run away from the house in the general direction of the campus. But was he running to Yui, or away from his own image that was reflected in the photograph…?

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Yui sighed as she checked her watch for the third time in two minutes. Kokuei was late. Twelve minutes, fourteen seconds, to be precise and it was getting dark out. Her class will start in three minutes, and this particular professor doesn't take well to those who interrupt her class. Yui bit her lip, suppressing a smile, as she remembered the last time someone had been disrespectful in his class. The professor hadn't wasted any time in spinning around from the chalkboard and hurtling the eraser at the offender. It had hit the culprit square in the forehead, sending chalk dust flying everywhere and completely coating his black T-shirt.  The class hadn't laughed for fear of their own safety and cleanliness, but Yui had heard many people gossiping on the way out.

Yui's watched beeped, signifying that class had started. She had lost track of time! Yui turned to run to the lecture hall, but was stopped before she even got started. There was a group of people staring at her, watching every movement she made. They were all standing across the street from her, but in front of the hall nonetheless. She felt her heart rate jump as she remembered the previous night's episode and dimly noted that Kokuei, nor anyone else, was around. She took as step back and watched as perverse grins spread over their faces and they advanced as much as she had backed away. Her arms wrapped themselves protectively across her waist and bosom, but this just seemed to encourage them more.

A bright light from the corner of her eye caught her attention and she nearly cried with relief. The bright yellow paint and rooftop ads were unmistakable and Yui frantically waved down the taxi. It stopped by the curbside and Yui wasted not time in climbing inside. Placing a hand over her racing heart, she leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.

"So, where to?" asked the cab driver, with a strange accent as he began to drive away. Yui's eyes snapped open. She honestly hadn't thought about that… But why must she be so afraid? Was it because of what happened last night? Or maybe in Kutou…? She was tired of jumping at her own shadow…

"The Police Station, please." She said after a moment's pause, her decisiveness eminent in her voice. The cab driver nodded without any questions and began driving. Yui stared out the window. She just couldn't get used to how New York City could be so different from Tokyo. It seemed that wherever she went, someone was always staring at her. It scared her and she often went out in a hooded jacket. Shaking her head, Yui attempted to focus on a different subject. Ever since she had met Kokuei, she had constantly been trying to figure how he could be here. In her world, that is. There were so many mysteries she didn't, no, couldn't understand.

Come to think of it, how had he managed to die twice? Had Seiryuu given Suboshi another body just so he could die again for her? Maybe Tenkou had given Suboshi a body? No, that didn't make any sense. Tenkou hadn't cared about Suboshi enough to revive him. But if it wasn't Suboshi's body, whose was it-… Yui gasped, her eyes filling with tears, as she realized what had really occurred that night. Suboshi hadn't sacrificed his own body twice; he was somehow using his identical brother's. She cupped a hand over her mouth, keeping herself silent as tears slid down her cheeks. Amiboshi dead? For her? She had never even met Amiboshi and he had allowed Suboshi to sacrifice Amiboshi's body to save her. She remembered that "Suboshi's" clothes looked unfamiliar that night, but had never paid it any heed. Until now, when her eyes were forced open. They were both dead, but with those deaths came the possibility of their rebirth. So Kokuei really is Suboshi…

This revelation brought about as many questions as it did answers, though. For instance, where was Amiboshi now? She'd definitely only met up with Suboshi's reincarnation, but for Suboshi to be alive, Amiboshi must have been born into this world as well.  But where? Could they have somehow been separated? What if Amiboshi's reincarnation still had his memories? When Tamahome had first been brought into her and Miaka's world, he had his memories, but Kokuei didn't seem to remember anything. If neither of the twins knew about their past lives, would it even be Yui's place to tell them? What if they did not want to know? What if they didn't even believe her if she told them? Yui sighed. There were too many damn questions and really no way to answer them. She felt the cab jerk and slow, finally stopping.

"We're here, miss," said the driver cheerfully. Yui nodded and leaned forward, reading the price displayed on the screen. She then opened the car door, stepped out and pulled her wallet out of her pocket, handing the driver twelve dollars; $9.76 to cover the cost and a two-dollar tip. He smiled at her generosity and as soon as she stepped away from the curb, he began to drive away. Yui looked up at the sign reading, "New York City Police Station," lit by two small spotlights. Returning her wallet to her pocket, she began to jog up the steps.  Upon reaching the top of the flight, Yui took a moment to re-establish her poise and breathing pattern and she rested her hand on the cool glass of the door to support herself. When she felt that she was ready to go in, she straightened herself up. Without a moment's hesitation, Yui took hold of the door's handle and walked confidently into the station.

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Oi! Guess what? I have 19 reviews! Isn't that spiffy? I'm so happy! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed thus far! I love you all! Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out; I've actually been sick and then busy so I haven't had much time to write. I hope this chapter wasn't too much of a disappointment. By the way, there seems to be a little bit of confusion about this, so Kaen proudly presents… *drum roll* "The What-the-Heck-is-Going-On-Here Guide!" These is actually just a quick character and name review and also a little bit of a Fushigi Yugi history lesson, so go ahead and read on if you're interested. Thank you so much for reading and please let me know what you think (sorry about the boxers gag; I just had to…). By the way, I promise I'll have the last chapter out sooner than the time it took to write this one.

-Kaen ^^

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"The What-the-Heck-is-Going-On-Here Guide!"

Names of Suboshi:

Bu Shunkaku- This is Suboshi's birth name. He shares this last name with his brother, Amiboshi. Means something to the extent of genius or excellent and is also the word for a beautiful passage of literature in Japanese. Sometimes, I wonder about what Yu Watase was thinking when she chose this name for him… -_-&

Otouto- Japanese for "little brother." Used by Amiboshi when talking to or about Suboshi.

Suboshi- Celestial identification; one of the seven warriors of Seiryuu

Psycho Yo-Yo Boy of Love- …Must I explain? This is Suboshi we're talking about.

'Kokuei'-The name I selected for Suboshi in my fic! It means something like silhouette or dark shadow in Japanese.

Just an interesting tidbit of info: "Shukaku" means angle of light in Japanese. ^^

Names of Amiboshi:

Bu Koutoku- Once again, the birth name of Amiboshi. In Japanese, "Kotoku" means eminent virtue. I think his name makes more sense than his brother's does.

Aniki/Niichan- Japanese for "big brother." Used by Suboshi when talking to or about Amiboshi.

Kai-Ka- When Amiboshi was rescued from the river by the elderly couple who assume the position of his parents, he claimed to have lost all his memories. He didn't want to partake in the war anymore and he kept up this act until he met back up with his brother. He wanted Suboshi to stay with him and his caretakers so that they could live peacefully and gave Suboshi leaves of forgetfulness to help him. Suboshi had initially agreed, but at the last moment decided not to swallow the leaves because he felt he couldn't abandon Yui. Suboshi transferred the leaves back to Amiboshi through a kiss and instead Amiboshi forgot everything for real, and he lived peacefully with the elderly couple with no memories of his life beforehand. At some point in the OAV, Amiboshi  suddenly remembers Suboshi for no apparent reason and I spent way too much time trying to explain what happened. Sorry if this doesn't make much sense; it's just one of those things you'd have to see to fully understand! ^^

"The Other Chiriko"- Amiboshi had fun pretending to be Chiriko of the Suzaku Seven and tried to make their heads explode. The real Chiriko showed up just in time and the ultimate result was a crispy fried Shin Jin Ten Chi Sho and a washed-out Amiboshi. (He fell into a river trying to escape) -_-&

'Hiashi'- The name I selected for Amiboshi in this fic. It basically means daytime or position of the sun in Japanese. I know, I'm a little off…

Nijuusei­- Just in case you haven't guessed it, "Nijuusei" means double star in Japanese. Hiashi wishes on Nijuusei at the end of Chapter One. ^^

Kaen- My pen name! This name is actually Soi's real name and it means many things in Japanese. The definition I prefer means "flame or blaze," but it can also mean "flower garden" or "congratulatory banquet." I'm a really big fan of Soi, but my ultimate female idol from Fushigi Yugi is… Houki!! Yay!

(This author's note is over a page long… So much for a "short" history and name review. Does anyone else think it's odd that I should know all this? Yeah, I thought so… –Kaen ^^&)