Switched Identities
Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah, I don't own anything!!! I especially don't own any of the hot guys from FY. I only own any original characters that I may throw in (though I'm not sure if I'll use any for this fic).
A/N: Thanx to all my reviews, I'm so sorry that it took me soooo long to update this fic. I hope you can forgive me and decide to continue with this fic. So finally after too many months, the next Chapter!!!!!!
Chapter 4
Restless
A calm breeze swept through the night air. Nuriko couldn't help but shiver as the air streamed across his body. Everyone in the camp was asleep except for him. Almost immediately after Hotohori had ordered the two groups to disembark for their separate missions Nuriko and his group left as well. Thus far, the trip has been uneventful. The party rode for the whole day and then decided to make camp. Everyone fell asleep right away. But for some reason, Nuriko just couldn't fall asleep.
Actually for the past few nights, sleep had eluded poor Nuriko. But the reason for this is even at a loss for him. 'I'm not sick and I know it's not because I'm not used to the outdoors because I had to make do in a lot of strange places when we were looking for the other seishi.' But just that was part of the problem. Things just didn't seem right somehow, though he couldn't explain it. But most of the awkwardness was centered around his miko.
Something was not quite right with her or something. Lately she has definitely gotten really edgy. Except towards Tamahome. But even that relationship wasn't quite how he remembered it. But that's just it. Nothing seems quite how he remembered it. Every time he'd look back on his memories of earlier events of his miko and his fellow seishi he was never able to see a complete picture of them. Those events were all fuzzy like he had just woken from a dream. But nonetheless because of these feelings he had trouble falling asleep.
Feeling a little restless, he decided to get up. He just knew if he sat there much longer looking at the same spot in the sky he was surely to go crazy. After making his decision, he slowly got up and headed towards a nearby pond. He was oblivious of the presence watching him retreat.
He slowly approached the pond. Seeing a place to lean on, he maneuvered his way towards an old stump that at one time had been a tree. As he leaned back he began to survey the sky again. He skimmed the sky crossing over the respective seishi stars of the other countries. Once he reached Suzaku's he stopped. One by one he went through the stars and matched them with their appropriate face. There was really no need in doing this considering he already knew them all so well and even knew the stars so well that he could find them anywhere. But this gave him some sort of comfort. Seeing these stars always made him feel loved, like he was needed.
If nothing else, he did this to pass the time. He could tell by the dew that it was definitely late in the evening, but by looking at the sky, he knew that it was no where near time for the sun to rise. So all he could do is wait… Though this new activity did pass some time, it was unable to solve the main problem for his insomnia. If anything it intensified. That feeling of uneasiness would not go away. As he passed over with his eyes his friends in the sky he couldn't help feel that something was wrong even if he had absolutely no idea as to what it is. With nothing left to lose Nuriko stared in the middle of the stars. 'Suzaku, please help me figure out what's wrong. I don't know what it is; I just feel it's wrong. I need to know, Suzaku. If anything should happen to my friends I'd…'
Nuriko lost his train of thought as a hand was laid upon his shoulder. 'Geez, Nuriko, you were so preoccupied with your own self-wallowing that you didn't even notice someone followed you. I can only hope it's one of my friends,' Nuriko thought as he slowly turned to face his intruder.
To his relief, he saw that it was Tamahome. 'He must have heard me get up. He has ears of a hawk,' he thought before he had a chance to say anything to Tamahome. But he was unable when just as he opened his mouth Tamahome began speaking.
"I know you've felt uneasy lately especially about Yui, but I can assure you that nothing's wrong. You're probably just feeling a little worried about our trip. Now that we know of this other miko, we might be heading towards some trouble. I just want you to know that I'll be here for you no matter what, all of us will. And even if I'm wrong about why you're upset, I still promise to be here for you if you need someone to talk to. You're always so strong both physically and emotionally. But I worry about you when you try to take on so many things by yourself. I don't want you to let anything bottle up inside of you."
"Thanks Tamahome, I bet you are right. Things have changed so much in the past few months; it's probably just getting to me. But you better get back soon, or Yui will go all berserk looking for you. So shoo, get out of here." "Yeah, you're right she'd probably let out search dogs to find me if I stay too long." He took about ten steps towards the base camp and stopped. He slowly turned around and said one last thing. "Just remember, Nuriko, we're all here for you. I'm here for you. So don't feel like you're alone." With that and a last wave of his hand saying goodbye he was gone.
'I hope you're right Tamahome. I hope this feeling is just nerves. But if I'm wrong… I just hope you're right Tamahome.'
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A yawn escaped Nuriko as he got off of his horse. To the passer-by, he looked fine, but if you were to look just a little closer you could see the dark circles forming from the lack of sleep the seishi had. He was unable to fall asleep completely even after Tamahome left. He had stayed there looking at the pond for a little while longer and decided to try and go to bed. Try was the key word. Unfortunately, sleep was a mystery for him. Surprisingly though, the rest of the evening went by fairly quickly so he didn't have to wait for too long. But he decided to keep his insomnia on the low down and forced himself up at least thirty minutes earlier than the rest. That way they could think he just got up early instead of worrying about him. He truly didn't want to trouble anyone over himself, especially when he was unsure as to why he was troubled. It was probably nothing anyway. But to be on the safe side just incase something really might be wrong he decided to keep it to himself.
The rest of the party disembarked as well from their horses. They had found some city. It was a fairly large city but nothing as big as the one they just came from. But nonetheless it looked like a nice place. They were all hoping that their search had been concluded. They only had a vague idea of where to look thanks to the annoying little Taitskun. But with all her advice, it fell short of being that helpful. If nothing else this would give them a chance to rest and stay in a nice bed with nice food and maybe give them the opportunity to get some information from the locals as to how close they were to the Shinzaho.
No one had said anything since they had gotten there. Chiriko was the first one to step up. "I think it would be a good idea to get something to eat and then figure out a way to tackle the city, so to speak." Everyone agreed and followed the youngest seishi to the nearest food establishment.
Approximately thirty minutes later they were all thoroughly fed and were now about to "tackle," as Chiriko put it, the matter at hand. "Well, it's obvious that we really don't know what we're looking for or even where it would be. I think that the best way is to just start asking around this village and hope we can find some clue as to where to go," Tamahome stated directing the group. "I think that's an excellent idea, Tamahome," Chiriko added, "But I think it would be a good idea if we didn't all go together. It's best for us to split up." "I agree," said Tamahome, "But how?"
Yui had been relatively quiet during this whole thing. She really didn't care for the rest of her seishi. She couldn't explain it; they just rubbed her the wrong way. 'Probably due to the fact that I used to be their enemy. I guess some of that negativity has just stuck with her'. She had paid very little notice to the discussion in front of her, it all being trifle in her opinion, until word came up of splitting up. Taking this opportunity, she jumped to give her two cents. "I have an answer to that question Tama baby." All of the seishi turned their attention to her, shocked that after so long of silence she would speak up finally. "It's simple. Tamahome, you and I go together in search of the Shinzaho on the west side of town while Chiriko and Mitskake will search on the east side." She got up from the table and went over to Tamahome pulling him up out of his chair in an effort to show her readiness to leave. But there was one problem with this idea…
"But what about Nuriko?" Tamahome asked voicing the one flaw to Yui's almost flawless idea. "Oh, yeah, him." Yui stated completely overlooking her all-time favorite seishi. 'I completely forgot about him. Damn! I almost get away from them when this happens. I just know he'll want to come with us. Grrrr, I don't know if I can stand anymore of this.' She calmed down a bit and thought of something. 'Maybe it won't be a problem. I can just blow him off. Works all the time in school. We can only hope.' "Nuriko's a big boy he can take care of himself," Yui declared secretly crossing her fingers behind her back.
Unknown to her, one person had seen her crossed figures. Nuriko. 'If this didn't clinch it about my wariness I don't know what will,' he thought, with a glimpse of sorrow shining through those violet eyes. "But Yui, this is a big city, none of us should be left alone. What if something were to happ…" "It's ok Tamahome, I'll be fine." Everyone, including Yui, stared at Nuriko in complete shock. 'I really didn't think he'd go along so easily,' Yui thought as a mental grin formed in her head.
"But Nuriko," Tamahome began again, "I really…" "No Tamahome, I'm perfectly capable of going on my own. Anyway, it gives me a break from you two lovebirds. You sometimes make me so envious," Nuriko bated hoping that by changing the subject a little he might have convinced them that he was all right. To his better judgment, and to Nuriko's relief, Tamahome let it be. "If you say so Nuriko. You can start looking north. We'll meet up in about three hours right back here. Good luck everybody." And with one last look back, Tamahome left with Yui at his side.
Seeing them leave, Nuriko resigned and turned to go on his own little quest when a slight touch caused him to stop. He turned around to find Chiriko. "Nuriko, if you want to you can come with us. We don't mind." Nuriko couldn't help but smile when he saw the worry in his eyes. "That's ok Chiriko, thank you for your offer, but this will give me some time to think." "Well, if you change your mind we'll be on the east side." Chiriko gave him one last bright smile and then too went off in hope of finding any information.
'I guess it's just you and me brain,' Nuriko thought to himself. 'I don't know what you're talking about, you're on your own,' retorted his brain. Nuriko frowned. 'Thanks for the vote of confidence. I guess I'm truly on my own.' Nuriko thought as he too left.
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Nuriko walked for what seemed like forever and without any luck. He asked practically everyone he saw about the Shinzaho with no luck. Most had no clue and the few who had actually heard of it only knew that. They had sparse news barely relevant. 'Uhhhh' Nuriko groaned 'this is frustrating'.
He was currently walking down the middle of a very busy city street. There were people everywhere in the streets so much that he couldn't walk anywhere without being bumped by some unknown person. But he didn't mind too much. It was typical of any normal thriving city. But what really was on his mind was his loneliness. He tried to not let it get to him, but it did. Ever since that fateful day when Kourin died, he had felt alone, not just because he had lost a sister but also in the way he dealt with her death. With taking up her name and throwing anything that defined him as Ryuen away, he caused himself to lead a very secluded life.
He didn't intend to do that. Part of it had to do with wanting to be alone trying to push everyone away as a way with dealing with the loss. But it also had to do with the lie. Even though he tried with all his might to be her and not lose her memory, he could never truly be her. Deep down inside he was Ryuen and because of this lie and the heartache that surrounded it, he was unable to truly be close to anyone making him feel more and more alone.
Yet, this feeling was almost distant, more like a memory. Ever since Yui came and he had a purpose in life and also was actually able to be just him, with no false pretenses, he was finally able to feel better. He had his brothers who he knew that no matter what that they would be by him. He even knew that some of them, like Hotohori, had the same feelings of loneliness, even if it wasn't exactly in the same way. But nonetheless, he actually felt happy and loved.
Unfortunately, this feeling, he realized, was not just a mere memory like he wished it was. It was very much real and he was experiencing it right now. The recent events had just masked it, not got rid of it.
But why had this come back? Yui. Today when she had apparently forgotten of his presence when deciding how to split up had brought Nuriko quickly to reality. Despite Chiriko's and Tamahome's offers of camaraderie, he was unable to forget just how alone he was. Even though they were all his brothers they in their own ways had either secluded themselves or buddied off. It was obvious that the two lovebirds were going to pair off, it was a given and it could have been deduced that even the scholar Chiriko and the medic Mitskake were going to pair off as well, leaving Nuriko high and dry. 'Though it wouldn't be any different if it had been any of the other seishi here,' he thought, 'Chichiri and Tasuki would almost undoubtedly gang up and even though it would be my absolute dream if Hotohori would join me, I know it would only be out of pity. I'm not saying that he doesn't like me as a friend or any of the others in that matter (actually I'm even positive that Chichiri would have paired with me). It's more that they all have their first dib seishi and I'm not one of them. But what can I expect when I spent almost all of my life alone, why would it be any different?'
Involved in his own thoughts, Nuriko solemnly walked barely noticing the various people as they walked by. But then all of a sudden it hit him. Something was definitely not right. Someone was following him.
At first he hadn't really paid attention, being too caught up in his own thoughts. But after walking for at least three blocks with the same person behind him following his every move, he knew something was up. He couldn't tell who it was or even what gender for that matter. The only thing he knew was someone was following him. The only reason he knew was due to his seishi skills. Despite his individual seishi skill of strength, he also obtained other honed instincts including eyesight and hearing. Hearing was the one currently aiding him. He could clearly distinguish the pitter-patter of whomever's feet behind him.
He didn't want to come to conclusions. He wasn't really positive someone was following him. Those footsteps had been right on his tail for a long time, but he had to admit that he had been walking down the same street in the same line the whole time the individual had been following. It was probably just coincidence.
To test this theory, he decided to move a little, first left then right on the same street. It sounded a little ridiculous, but it would prove easily if someone were following him. So, he was off. He gracefully moved through the crowd so that he was on the far left side of the road. The footsteps followed. Not wanting to chance it he decided to move to the far right, thinking maybe the individual behind him had either moved to talk to someone or to buy something. Again he worked his way through the crowd and again the footsteps followed.
That concluded it; someone was definitely following him. 'But what to do, I sure can't confront him here in the middle of the street. For one thing that's dangerous and secondly if I turn around he'll undoubtedly see me and may run or resort to some other means of escape, mainly via hostage.' That was a risk he was not willing to take. 'The only thing to do is to get him off guard.' And with that in mind Nuriko quickly spotted a close alleyway and turned into it.
After he turned the corner he stopped, far enough inward that his follower couldn't see him, and then turned around ready to confront his "admirer". Almost on cue, the footsteps came closer and even quickened as if the person had begun to run. Nuriko braced himself for the event to come. The person came around the corner fast and…Thud, ran right smack into Nuriko. Caught a little off guard by the hit, Nuriko quickly settled himself, determined to discover who the perpetrator was. He shifted his eyes towards the individual…and was shocked to see who it was.
A/N: Ahhh an evil cliffhanger!!! Sorry, it just seemed like the most logical place to stop (especially since the chapter is turning out way larger than my other ones). But I do promise that I will update again soon, maybe within the week. I already have the next chapter written, just want to wait on reviews. So, please review (again constructive criticism is allowed, but no flames!). Thanx SpcVxn(^-^)
