Yay! You've decided to read on! Good job, good job. I know the first chapter was short but that's because it's just the history part. Miyamoto's first Fushigi Akugi appears at the end of this chappie! I'm still thinking about how to end this story...so remember to REVIEW after you READ and tell me all your suggestions okay?! I know I'd rather receive a review that says 'OMHIGOD I LOVE THIS STORY ITS MAKING ME HYPERVENTIALATE!' but, if it's a review, I wouldn't mind one that says 'Eh...this story sucks, big waste of my time. Where do you come up with this crap?'
So ANY reviews welcome!!!
Remember what I said last chappie? I don't own Fushigi Yuugi! So don't sue me okay? I'm broke as it is. (Mainly cause I just ordered InuYasha eps 91-102! Mua ha ha ha!)
I stared up into the clear blue sky and twisted my auburn hair between my fingers. I felt uneasy.
"Kumiko, come here dear," Itoe Miyahara, my mother, said walking over to me with a dress in hand, "I want you to try this on. I made it just for you and it's finally done."
I turned around from the deck near the pond behind our house to see my mother walking up to meet me. Itoe had short gray hair tied up into a small bun. She was over 50 years old but she was livelier than anyone I've ever met was. Not that I know a lot of people.
I looked at the dress. It was sewn with threads of dark gold colored silk. It was long and had cupped sleeves. Mokoto Miyahara, my older sister, came up next to mother with three robes in her arms. They were all shades of fall, which mother constantly told me was my colors. The first robe was very thin. The second robe was a little thicker. The third robe was very thick and had velvet edges and lots of cords to tie it together. It also had a lot of designs on it. Mainly the designs were of cranes, falling leaves, and shimmering flowers.
"They look very beautiful mother," I smiled, "But you really shouldn't have."
"Nonsense!" Itoe laughed waving her free hand, "I only wish I could have made them a bit more royal."
"How are yours Mokoto?" I asked her.
"Very nicely made and colorful. I really like them," she said.
I smiled up at Mokoto. She had long brown hair braided in the front and tied back. She had dark green eyes and cream colored skin. She's always been tall and pretty and, even at 18, I doubt she'd ever change.
"Hai, now you must try on mine!" Itoe protested pushing me gently into the house. (1. Hai- Yes)
"Dakudaku," I said waving at Itoe and going inside. (2. Dakudaku- obedient way of saying yes)
"I want to see you in them!" Itoe smiled, handing me the dress.
"Alright."
I slid the door open and shut it behind me. Mokoto put the robes down on the bed and waited with Itoe.
I took off my casual gown and put on the dress. I tied up the neck area and then slipped on the first robe, then the second and finally tied up the third. It was a little hard to move in all of them. But, taking slow steps, I slid open my door and twirled around to let them see.
"It looks great!" Mokoto cheered happily.
"But you shouldn't have to wear all those layers at once Kumiko dear," mother nodded, "I think the third layer is a bit much."
"Can I change back now? I don't want to ruin these clothes," I said, going back into my room and changing into a simple cotton dark blue gown.
"I'm going into town. I need to buy a few things from the market. You girls be good," Itoe winked at us and then hurried out the front door.
"She's so quick to leave," Mokoto laughed, sliding the back door open and sitting down on the deck, "This is a beautiful place to just sit."
"I know," I said sitting down beside her, "…Mokoto…I have a question."
"Hai?" she said staring into the pond.
"…Do you ever think of the world outside of Nyosei?"
"…Hai."
"We are probably the only people that do."
"I know. Everyone here in Nyosei doesn't even think about leaving. I would like to live in a nice place with a husband…but I don't know how comfortable I am with men. I have been in women's company for a long time."
"I want to go to Konan."
"I would like to go too…" Mokoto sighed, leaning her head back to look at the sky.
"Iie…" I said, lowering my head to look at my lap, "I want to go now. Today maybe." (3. Iie- No)
"Are you serious?" Mokoto asked, straightening up and looking at me.
"Hai. I don't really want to leave without anyone knowing where I went…but if I told Itoe she would never let me leave."
"That's true. Mother couldn't bare letting you out into a man's world."
"Hai…but Mokoto…I'm scared too. I don't want to go by myself!" I sighed.
"Kumiko… Do you want me to go with you?" she smiled over at me.
"I would love that but…I can't ask you to."
"Don't worry. I'd probably follow you anywhere. I have to look out for my little 16 year old sister!"
"Oneechan…" I smiled happily, "A-Arigatou gozaimasu!" (4. Oneechan- Sister, 5. Arigatou gozaimasu- Thank you very much!)
"So shall we leave now? Leave a note for mother?"
"You write a note and I'll quickly pack a few things!" I said running inside excitedly.
I got a large leather pack and stuffed a lot of clothes and money and food ingredients in it. Then I took only a few of our best items: a few combs, soap, perfume, Mokoto's makeup, and my small stuffed doll I named Miki, and some pots and pans.
I quickly slung the pack onto my shoulder and ran into the main sitting room where Mokoto sat writing elegantly.
"Are you done yet?" I asked hastily.
"…I am now… Would you like to read it?" she said handing it up to me.
I took it and started to read it out loud.
"Mother, Kumiko and I are fine but we have left to journey the world. We're sorry we couldn't take it upon ourselves to tell this to you in person but we are unable to. Please excuse our behavior. Ai~ Mokoto." (6. Ai- Literally means 'love')
"Does it sound ok?" she asked me standing up.
"It's perfect. Are you ready?" I asked.
"I'm ready."
"Then…let's go!" I smiled taking her hand and running out the front door.
We left and hid in the back of a carriage filled to the brim with hay. It was a cool day and the hay was soft and warm. So I fell asleep. But it was going to be a long ride anyway.
I awoke to Mokoto's persistent shoves and whispering. I blinked at her and suddenly the carriage stopped. Mokoto nervously pulled at my cotton sleeve.
"Kumiko," she whispered insistently, "Kumiko wake up!"
"I'm awake…I think," I yawned stretching, "What's the matter?"
"The carriage has stopped! I don't want the driver to find us! We should leave!"
"Alright lead the way," I said, suppressing another yawn.
She took the bag and jumped off the carriage edge. I followed behind her, although a little less graceful. Then we hid behind a large bush in the forest alongside the road we had been riding on. The driver, a short fat woman with greedy eyes, hopped off the back and started talking to a soldier who was positioned in front of him.
"What are they saying?!" Mokoto whispered nervously.
"Relax," I said crawling closer to hear what they were saying.
"Kumiko wait! Come back here!"
I ignored her and crawled onward. Soon I could hear the driver and the soldier's conversation.
"I told you," the driver yawned in a bored tone, "This is hay for the royal horses in the Konan Empire. I'm just delivering the order."
"And I'm telling you again," the soldier said hotly, "This road leads straight to Konan. I haven't received any order to let you in. We're currently at war with Kutou. You cannot pass."
"Listen," the driver, said, a little more annoyance hinted in her voice, "I'm either going to deliver this hay you've already paid for or I'm going to feed it to my cows at home. It's all your choice. And I'm sure it will come from your paycheck as well."
This made the soldier hesitate, "Well…" he said scratching his chin, "I suppose if it's already paid for…"
"Many thanks for your cooperation," the driver smiled climbing back to her perch.
The soldier slunk back and the driver started back on the road. It was a little sad to see a royal soldier beaten by a simple carriage driver.
I crawled back to the bush Mokoto was still quivering beside.
"I can't believe you did that," Mokoto said clutching my arm, "You could have gotten yourself killed!"
"Please, that soldier was pathetic," I said, dismissing her concern, "I'm just fine."
"Well then," Mokoto sighed, "What where they discussing? And more importantly…where are we?"
"We're in the Konan Empire!" I replied with excitement, "We're actually here!"
"I don't believe it," Mokoto said, obviously relieved, "I didn't think we'd make it."
"But the bad thing is that Konan is at war with Kutou so the soldier isn't allowing anyone inside the border lines because they might be spies or whatever."
"So how will we get in? Where will we go anyway if we do get in?"
"It can't be that hard to get in," I said, checking out the forest behind us, "And once we're there we'll have to wing it. Don't wimp out on me now Mokoto."
"I don't plan to," Mokoto said, gripping the bag harder, "Let's go."
I nodded and we slowly got up and ran deeper into the forest. We ran until we knew we were in Konan's borders. Then we sat down to rest underneath a large tree.
"I'm hungry," I said as my stomach growled.
"What sort of things did you bring?"
"…I don't remember."
"Eh…" Mokoto said falling over, "Well let me look here…"
She opened the pack and looked at what food I brought.
"There isn't much," she sighed taking out a hunk of cheese and breaking some for me, "I suppose you weren't sure on what to pack."
"Hai. Can we make tea? I know I packed bread. I just need a quick meal and then a nap."
"Another nap?" Mokoto almost laughed, "You slept that entire trip!"
"I know," I yawned, "But the closer I get to Konan I feel…more strained. I feel like some imaginary source is draining my energy."
"Strange," Mokoto said getting another concerned look on her face, "Maybe we should turn back if you're feeling sick?"
"No!" I said quickly, "I am going no matter what."
"…Ok," Mokoto said getting a pot and standing up, "I'm going to find some water. I'll be back soon. Don't fall asleep in the mean time. You'd be too exposed."
"I won't," I promised.
She stood for a moment and then walked away into the forest. I sat back into the tree and took out one of Mokoto's mirrors. She had always been obsessed with how she looks when really she didn't need any makeup to make her look perfect. I always envied her because of that.
I looked in the mirror. My reflection stared back at me. A girl with long hair that was a mix of red and brown and shined brightly when the light touched it. A girl with light crème colored skin. A girl with seemingly carefree light blue eyes but behind them, if you looked hard enough, were a pair of troubled eyes. I sighed. My reflection probably knew more about myself than I did. I knew I felt drawn to Konan…but why? And I feel drawn to Kutou as well. Why? Would I ever know?
I put the mirror back and leaned my head back into the tree. Are my parents from Kutou and Konan? Would I know my parents if I looked them in the eye? Coming here seemed like a good idea but would I really have any of my questions answered?
"…Sister…" a voice called.
"Mokoto?" I asked straightening up, "Where are you?"
"…Mokoto? Who is…Mokoto?" the voice called.
"…Mokoto is my sister… Who are you?" I said standing up looking around for the source of the voice.
"I am your real sister…" the voice called, "I am Jiyuuiki. I am the stars in the west and the north."
"Jiyuuiki?" I asked, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You are Kumiko. You are the stars in the east and the south. You are my equal, my sister."
"…Sister…"
"Yes," the voice called, "I am your sister. Your true sister."
"I…still don't understand."
"All will be revealed soon. Just remember what I have said my dear Kumiko and travel safely."
"…What are you talking about stars? …Hello?" I called into the air. Whoever Jiyuuiki was they were not going to respond to me again.
"Kumiko!" Mokoto laughed walking up carefully as not to spill the water, "Talking to yourself are you?"
"Ah!" I blushed stepping back into the tree, "I-I was not!"
"Well there's no one else here but me," she chuckled sitting the water down.
"I was…being called by someone."
"Oh really?" Mokoto smiled, not believing me, "Well go gather some good rocks to start a fire. I'll get some wood and dry grass."
I nodded gratefully as to drop the subject. Maybe the whole conversation was just my hallucination.
I gathered two favorable rocks and then came back to our little campsite. Mokoto was already setting up a spot to start the fire. She took the stones from me and clicked them together and after a period of time she got some satisfactory sparks and the grass crackled to life. We gathered around the small fire quickly because the cool breeze was in danger of blowing it out. Then Mokoto put the pot over the fire and we waited until the water started to boil. I added a good amount of tea leaves and stirred it. We poured the tea carefully into our cups and ate our small meal.
I chewed on a chunk of bread and stared absently out into the forest. I felt my energy being pulled even more now. It wasn't until Mokoto put her arm on my back that I realized I had started to fall backward.
"Are you ok?" Mokoto sighed, another concerned look coming to greet me.
"Not really. I'm being pulled further into the forest. It's…draining."
"Just keep with it," Mokoto smiled, "I know you can do this."
"Yeah…" I said struggling to sit up, "I know I can too."
Finally we cleaned up our campsite and went to sleep just as the forest became black.
***
Fushigi Akugi by Miyamoto
*I put the mirror back and leaned my head back into the tree. Are my parents from Kutou and Konan? Would I know my parents if I looked them in the eye? Coming here seemed like a good idea but would I really have any of my questions answered?*
a voice: …Sister…
Kumiko: Mokoto? *straightens up* Where are you?
a voice:…Mokoto? Who is…Mokoto?
Kumiko: …Mokoto is my sister… Who are you? *standing up and looking around*
a voice: Mokoto is no longer your sister....
Kumiko: ?!
Kumiko: what has happened? What have you done?!...
a voice: she has been promoted, she is now the head of the church...
Kumiko: -.-''' (...and I thought we were Buddhists)
***
A/N: Thank you for reading!