Julius Caesar: Fushigi Yuugi

Characters:

Caesar – Hotohori

Octavius – Mitsukake

Antony – Chichiri

Brutus – Tamahome

Cassius – Nakago

Casca – Soi

Trebonius – Tomo

Ligairus – Ashitare

Decius – Miboshi

Metellus – Suboshi

Cinna – Yui

Artemidorus – Amiboshi

Soothsayer – Taiyijun

Clitus – Chiriko

Strato – Tasuki

Pindarus – Nuriko

Calpurnia – Houki

Portia – Miaka

Setting: Ancient China, Hong-Nan

Scene 1

            At a public place in Hong-Nan, during a race.

[HOTOHORI enters with HOUKI, MIAKA, MIBOSHI, TAMAHOME NAKAGO, & SOI.]

Hotohori: Houki.

Soi: Quiet! Hotohori speaks!

Hotohori: Houki.

Houki: Yes, your Highness?

Hotohori: Stand in Chichiri's way when he runs. Chichiri.

Chichiri: Sire? [Teleports on, stripped for running in race]

Hotohori: Do not forget your speed, Chichiri, to touch Houki; for the priests say that the barren, touched in this holy chase, will bear children. Chichiri: I will remember, ya know. When your Highness says, "Do this," it is done, ya know.

Hotohori: Now go.

Taiyi-jun: Hotohori…

Hotohori: Huh? Who calls?

Soi: SILENCE!

Hotohori: Who called to me?

Taiyi-jun: [appears suddenly in front of HOTOHORI] Beware the ides of March.

Hotohori: [Stumbles back] AHH!

Tamahome: Taiyi-jun bids you, your Highness, to beware the ides of March.

Hotohori: Bring her here

Nakago: Come, and look upon the Emperor.

Hotohori: What do you say now? Speak.

Taiyi-jun: Beware the ides of March.

Hotohori: She makes no sense. Let us leave.

[All exit except NAKAGO and TAMAHOME]

Nakago: Are you going to watch the race?

Tamahome: Not this one.

Nakago: Why not?

Tamahome: I would rather not bet on a race with Chichiri in it. Besides, I am not much

into sports. I lack Chichiri's quick spirit. Do not let me change your plans,          Nakago. I will leave you.

Nakago: Tamahome, you do not seem to be yourself.

Tamahome: Nakago, do not be fooled. I have turned my troubles upon myself. I have

been troubled lately by mixed emotions. I hope my friends will not misunderstand           my actions.

Nakago: Then I have misunderstood you, Tamahome. Tell me, have you seen your face?

Tamahome: No, except by a reflection.

Nakago: Too bad you do not have something to show you your inner qualities. Many

citizens suffering under Hotohori's rule wish that you could see how much better            you are than he.

Tamahome: What is that supposed to mean, Nakago?

Nakago: Let me show you for what you truly are, Tamahome. If you think I am a fool, or

I try to win the affections of the people, then think of me as dangerous and do not trust me.

[Flourish & Shout]

Tamahome: What is that shouting?

Nakago: Hmm, do you fear it?

Tamahome: I would not, Nakago, yet I love him well. Why do you keep me so long? If

you are thinking of the good of Hong-Nan, I would face honor or death to do what must be done.

Nakago: I know that virtue is in you, Tamahome, as well as I know your outward favor. I

cannot tell what you and others think of this life, but myself, I would rather die, than live under someone inferior to me. I was born as free as Hotohori, and so were you; we have eaten as well, and can endure winter as well as he. Once, during a storm, when the river was rising, Hotohori said to me, "Dare you, Nakago, leap in with me into this angry flood and swim to yonder point?" Upon the word, I jumped in and beckoned him to follow, and so he did. We swam against the tide, but before we arrived at the point, Hotohori cried, "Help me, Nakago, or I will drown!" Therefore, I helped him when he could longer swim. He had a fever in Qu-Dong, and when the fit was on him, I marked how he shook. His lips turned pale and his eyes loss their shine. The same voice that led villagers to remember his speeches, cried out like a sick girl. It is amazing that such a weak man should get ahead of the rest of the world and appear as the victor by himself.

[Shout. Flourish.]

Tamahome: More shouts. I fear that the applauses are for new honors that are put on

Hotohori.

Nakago: It was not the stars, Tamahome, which determined out fate; we are inferiors

through our own fault. It is a shameful time in which to be living.

Tamahome: Whatever you are trying to get me to do, I can only guess. I will tell you

later what I think about this topic. For now, I ask you not to try to convince me further. I will consider what you have said; I will hear what you have to say, and find time to both hear and answer these things. Till then, think upon this: I would rather be a villager than to be seen as a son of Hong-Nan.

Nakago: I am glad my words have struck you do to show fire from you, Tamahome.

[Voices & music are heard approaching.]

Tamahome: The race is over, and Hotohori returns.

Nakago: As they pass, stop Soi, and she shall tell you anything important that happened

today.

[Reenter HOTOHORI & followers.]

Tamahome: I will. But look! Hotohori looks angry, and the rest of them look as if they

have been scolded. Houki is pale.

Nakago: Soi will tell us what happened.

[HOTOHORI looks at NAKAGO & turns to CHICHIRI.]

Hotohori: Chichiri.

Chichiri: Your Highness?

Hotohori: Nakago looks like he may be dangerous.

Chichiri: Do not fear him, your Highness. He is a noble citizen.

[Trumpet sound. HOTOHORI & all followers exit, except SOI, who stays behind.]

Soi: Would you like to speak to me?

Tamahome: Yes, Soi. Tell yes what happened during the race that made the prince so

upset.

Soi: Were you not with him?

Tamahome: Would I be asking if I was?

Soi: Er… no. He was offered to become emperor, but refused. Thus, the crowd cheered.

Tamahome: The second cheer?

Soi: That too.

Nakago: What about the third?

Soi: Same reason.

Tamahome: The crown was offered to him three times?

Soi: Yes, indeed, it was.

Nakago: Who offered it?

Soi: Chichiri.

Tamahome: Tell us about it.

Soi: After the third offer, Hotohori put it aside. Then he fainted.

Nakago: He fainted?

Soi: He fell, foamed at the mouth, and was speechless.

Tamahome: He does have the falling disease.

Nakago: It is not Hotohori that has it, but we have the falling disease.

Tamahome: That is why he is so sad?

Soi: Yes.

[All exit]

D/C: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. Ya'll should know that is owned by Yu Watase and all those companies. I also do not own Julius Caesar. It was own by Shakespeare, but someone else owns it now.

A/N: I hope ya'll enjoyed the first part of my FY version of Julius Caesar. I will most likely have a second part up by tomorrow. And bear with me while I skip parts… even a few scenes. I'm doing this for an English assignment. Anyways, please review, no matter what you have to say.