All I can say is, you had better appreciate this chapter. I watched Episode 33 over again to write this
Disclaimer: If you've read this far and you still think I own FY, I suggest you seek help.
Warnings: Oh, come on. Like you don't know he story's yaoi by now
--------------True Happiness--------------
We all felt it at the same time.
It was a horrible, cold grip at our hearts, part physical pain, part intense sorrow.
Chiriko looked up at me.
"Did you feel that, just now, Chichiri-san?"
"Something must have happened to one of our warriors," I replied. Tasuki?
I knew it wasn't, though. I knew that chi.
I kicked the horse into a gallop and headed for Mt. Black. I could feel the life-force of my injured companion draining away.
Suzaku, let Mitsukake get there in time"
Chiriko and I met Tasuki and Mitsukake at the foot of the mountain. They were both wearing the same expression, which closely matched Chiriko's. I imagined I must look much the same.
Without speaking, we started up the mountain, only to be stopped by a wave of cold that reached into our very bones and left with a piece of our hearts.
We ran.
We raced up the mountain as though our lives depended on it, as though only by running could we escape the truth that was slowly working its way into our minds.
The top of the mountain was a glittering, snow-white expanse, broken only by a hill with a door set into the side. Beyond that door, we knew, lay the Shinzaho.
None of us cared.
Our attention was focused on the three figures in front of the door, two of them leaning over the third. He was lying on the snow he himself had tamped down during his fight, snow that was spattered with his own blood.
Tamahome rose, trying to tell us what he didn't want to admit to himself. To tell us what we already knew, but didn't want to believe.
Nuriko was dead.
I took off my mask. I didn't cry. I couldn't understand it enough to cry.
But Miaka did, and Chiriko, and Tasuki
Tasuki
It was painful to watch him. Painful to see him telling Nuriko that he couldn't be fooled as easily as Tamahome. Painful to watch his orders for Nuriko to get up grow more urgent. Painful to see him turning and begging, ordering, pleading with Mitsukake to heal Nuriko. Painful to see his pleading turn into frantic denials, saying that Nuriko had been laughing and talking only yesterday
It was painful to see him finally slump against a rock, his eyes empty, tears streaming down his cheeks.
But I didn't cry until later, until after we'd retrieved the Shinzaho, only to have it stolen by the wolf-man who'd killed Nuriko. After that, the whole day crashed in on me, and I finally let myself be sorrowful.
I cried for Miaka, for the loss of the man who, strange as it might seem, had been like a sister to her. I cried for Tamahome, who must be sad himself, but who felt he had to remain strong for the girl he loved. I cried for Chiriko, who had o know the pain of a death so young. I cried for Mitsukake. I knew he must blame himself for not being there, though no one else blamed him. I cried for Hotohori, who had felt the loss, but couldn't understand it. I cried for Tasuki who had lost his lover and one of his best friends.
But most of all, I cried for Nuriko.
He died so young, with so much of his life ahead of him. So many years f hope, joy, pain, laughter and tearsgone. Never to be lived. I cried for all of that.
It was only hours later, when I'd cried myself out, that I realized that there was someone I hadn't cried for.
Myself.
---To Be Continued
Ok, it was awful, I know, but I've never written an Episode 33 fic beforecan you cut me a little slack? And don't worry, of course I'm going to write a chapter about getting the Shinzaho. It'll be Tasuki POV, I think. I've been on Chichiri for a whileAnyway, tell me what you think! Don't think that just because you reviewed once I don't want to hear from you again. I value all of my reader's opinions.
~Mikazuki
