Disclaimer: I don't own FY, as written in the first few chapters. K?
Well, here we are. The next chapter. Coolness, eh? Well, just to tell you now, I have no idea when the next chapter will be out, because I'm trying not to make this corny, but it's still Christmas vacation, and I still have a ton of stuff to think of for this... And just to let everyone know now, this is where updates become further and further apart. But, I'll try to have a chapter out about once a month or every few weeks. All depends on you all reviewing and my time off. *smiles*
~~~~~~~~~~~
Hotohori? How... wait, Mitsukake and Chiriko! But does that mean everyone else is here? And does that mean...
"Oh! How stupid am I!" Heather cried out. She pulled the man behind her-the one who looked like Hotohori- to me, and hurriedly started introductions. "Miaka, this is my husband Shane. Darling, this is Miaka." Heather smiled at me quickly, and let me know that I was fine. That, however, was unnecessary. After all, I was being introduced (or, rather, re-introduced.) to Hotohori. But, nonetheless, I smiled at him politely, and held out my hand, waiting to shake it with him, as if I had never seen him in my life. He shook it gently and said 'hello'. I replied to him politely, and received a weird look from Shane.
"W-what?"
"You look like someone familiar, although I could guarantee I've never met you a day in this life." True- the last time I saw you, you had been a ghost, telling me to live my life with Taka. And what a coincidence now, you meeting me around the same time I had lost the person you told me to live my life with. As the silence continued to grow between us from me trying to think of something to say that wasn't suspicious, I over heard Sage and Heather looking at one of the papers and laughing. I smiled, getting an idea, and opening my mouth.
"I'm sorry, but I think I would remember meeting someone like you, Shane." His mouth curled into a smile, as I thought, 'Bingo'.
"True- it is heard to forget such a beauty as me." Yup. I was right. It is Hotohori. I knew it. Only Hotohori would be that narcissistic, and a trait like that is not easily forgotten. I heard Sage and Heather's conversation fade as I opened my mouth only a minute ago, and as I glanced over, the both of them were smiling and shaking their heads at me, as if to warn me about that little trait. I smiled slightly, and turned my attention back to Shane, who was presently smiling.
"Well, as short as my time here was, I am needed at work. If you three ladies would excuse me," Shane said, as he shook my hand again, and swiftly walked over to the spot where Sage and Heather stood. Sage handed him the papers in her hand, which confused me, considering the fact she had already handed him a few papers. He then kissed Heather's forehead quickly, and walked out as he waved to us. We all waved back, as Heather handed me a small cup of pills.
"These are some pills you need to take now. I don't remember if you were told, but you have a date with the doctor, and he needs you to take these." I took them, and winced at their sour taste.
"Yeah, they do taste pretty nasty. But, it'll help out a bit later wi-" Sage started, but I held up my hand, unable to take anything gross.
"Sage, I am so sorry, but could yo-"
"Hey, it's ok. I've heard how nasty they taste, and I've had a lot of people feel bad after taking them." I smiled slightly, and was hit by a wave of nausea. I fell back onto my pillow, and groaned.
"I'll wake her up a few minutes before she has to go," I heard Heather say. Sage said something back to her as I slipped from being awake to the state of sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Miaka?" I sighed and tried to fall back asleep, but it didn't work, due to the insistence of my brother, who kept calling out my name, wishing for me to wake up and join the world of people who had been awake for some time. So, after much begging on Onii-chan's part, I slowly sat up, and rubbed my eyes, which shut almost immediately when they opened, due to the bright light of the sun and the light from the lamp- which Onii-chan had brought for me- almost directly in front of me, which came from my bedside table.
"What?" I groaned, while Onii-chan sat on the side of my bed. "And where's Mayo-chan?"
"She's went shopping. I'll bring her over later." Onii-chan sighed at me, and kept talking. "I found this in your apartment awhile ago, and I thought you might want to have it with you." From there, he held out a small frame, and I took the frame. I stared at the picture, and tears came to my eyes.
It was our picture, the one of all eight of us. Each face smiled at me- including my own- and they all told of happiness, joy, and hope. I went from left to right, memorizing each face yet again, even though I knew the picture more than I knew my appearance. Nuriko's smiled at me, his hand upon his face. Chichiri looked the same, but even though his eyes were slanted shut, due to his mask, he felt the same happiness we all had felt. Mitsukake smiled at me, and his open arms told me how much he cared for each of us, even though I had already known that from the start. Tasuki winked at the camera, his arm up in victory, as if he knew we would win, and he was celebrating it prematurely. Below Tasuki was Chiriko. He smiled gently, almost afraid of my camera, but his eyes glistened with newfound friendship. Hotohori sat next to him, and his smile and eyes gleamed with the friendship and love each and every one of us had shown him, despite his position as emperor. Next was me. How I wish for the innocence and hope I had, as well as all my friends. My eyes strayed to Tamahome, his smirk revealing to the world that he knew that we would win the battle, and that he would be the one to defeat the Seiryuu Seishi. His hair was still long then, and it had been that very afternoon that Suboshi had slain his family, and his hair was cut short in a hysterical battle, where his rage overcame all common sense he had. Remembering all that misted my dried eyes again, and the tears came down harder than ever. When will be all be together again? Is it possible for all of us to be alive and happy again, just like this? How I wish for that.
Onii-chan stared at me all the while I memorized. Until the tears flowed freely and hard from my eyes, he sat there, waiting. And when they did fall, it was then he held me; He wrapped me his arms as if I was a five year old, and held me tightly. As my tears continued falling, I clutched my brother, not wanting to let go. The picture was held between the two of us, and I held onto it, not wanting to let go. As childish as it sounds, the picture was a source of strength. Every little memory I had from then was kept in that picture. It reminded me of the hard times, the fun memories, our hard work, the love and care we all held in our hearts for each other, both mostly, it held every little sacrifice. Each and every sacrifice everyone made, just so I could call upon Suzaku, and be with Tamahome, was held there too. And in those memories of sacrifice, I was hit the worst by the death of Nuriko, the death of Chiriko, of Mitsukake, and Hotohori. Each of them died for a cause, and each death tore at my heart. Seeing Nuriko, lying in the snow. Looking at Chiriko, sitting on the bed, peacefully. Hearing of Mitsukake's death through Tetsuya, and lastly, reading each of Hotohori's last words. Each tugged at my heart, which now left as if I could never recover from this.
"Wh- why?" Onii-chan let go of me briefly, and stared at me. "Why me? Why did I have to go through all that?"
He understood perfectly. His hands slid to my checks, as he had done many times when I was upset before I met Tamahome, and he spoke. "Miaka, you're asking why you have to go through everything. You're saying, why did I have to suffer through everyone, and why you did live. Right? Well, let me tell you this: you are one of the luckiest people ever. You are the Suzaku no Miko. You were the one who led Konan to its glory. You led your seishi to Hokkan and Sairou, and never lost faith. It was your love for Tamahome that helped create Taka. And, it was also you who met everyone in that book, and you are the one who had the best time of her life there. And you are asking why you had to go through that. Are you saying that you'd rather miss out on all of that, just so you wouldn't have to suffer now?"
I stared at him, hard, and understood perfectly. But, a few small thoughts lingered in the back of my head. Am I being selfish? Do I want to die? And, mainly, am I still alive because everyone is coming back now? Or is it just luck?
~~~~~~~~~~~
After Onii-chan's visit, I fell back asleep. I couldn't help it. I was exhausted after all that crying, and I was still tired from earlier. But, I had understood what Onii-chan had said. And I was ready to get out of this place, and see what else was going on, and see if I could find Nuriko, Tasuki, and Chichiri. I missed them more than before, due to the fact I knew they were here now, and I could find them. That was the one thing keeping me going on now, and I swore to myself I wouldn't leave here until each and every one of my seishi was found, and each remembered each other, Taka, and me. I know it's not going to be easy, but considering how Sage and Heather are married to Mitsukake and Hotohori, and how I knew Chiriko was, I was willing to bet that each of the seishi had somehow come together and knew each other in this live, which made sense to me. Each of them had all been the best of friends in the past, and I would swear upon my life that bonds like those are not broken easily.
"Miaka?" I heard Heather call out my name, and behind her was Sage. I smiled at them, and they both returned the smile. "You were asleep almost all day. Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm just tired. Thanks for your concern."
Sage opened her mouth, ready to respond. "We're your nurses, Miaka. If anything happens to you, we're the ones who know about it first. Besides, we're friends, right?" I smiled at them, nodded, and knew it was true. Even in the past we- wait, Shouka was taken over by that... thing... and I never really knew Houki. But, just like Taka, they aren't the same persons they were from the past. But, it was still worth it, being friends with them.
"So, do you know when I'm getting out of here?" Both Sage and Heather shook their heads, and I sighed, slightly panicking. Then, I clamed down, remembering how Yui-chan told me that sometimes, the seishi can come to the Miko, which now made sense, considering how I already found half of my seishi while restricted to this room.
"Out of curiosity, what are you doing when you leave?" Heather asked me.
"Ahh... I actually don't know. I don't know if I even want to stay here, or go back home to Japan. My brother and his girlfriend are living at my apartment right now, but I'm not sure if I want to stay there." That question through me through a loop. I had no idea what to do when I left here, and I began to panic again. I had no job, and I still wasn't brushed up on English. What am I going to do?
"Well, if you get out, and have no place to stay, I wouldn't mind if you stayed with me. Plus, it'd be easier on Brendan, who's had more baby sitters in his life than I can count!" I smiled, and remembered the picture of Brendan that Heather had shown me almost weeks ago. He was absolutely adorable, and I wouldn't mind baby-sitting him at all.
"I'll think about it."
"And, speaking of Brendan, I got to go. I'm so sorry, but-" Sage and I both interrupted Heather at the same time, the both of us screaming out 'go'. Heather left laughing, while Sage and I giggled.
"Well, I'm so sorry to leave you here, but I really need to go. I'll try to see if there's a time frame when you get out, but I can't promise anything. And Kayla called me earlier, and said she was coming here tomorrow for the kids ward. Do you mind if she steps in for a bit?"
"Not at all." Fits in fine. I can see if she knows about Nuriko, Tasuki, or Chichiri. How, I'll never know, considering the fact I'm not the queen of subtlety. But, I did like Kayla, and didn't mind her at all. She was fun to talk, and I needed someone to laugh with.
"All right. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early. Bye!" I waved goodbye, and laughed a bit. As I began to drift off slightly, I remembered some unpleasant thoughts: how am I going to pay those hospital bills, and keep my apartment?
"Shit!"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, finished that. I typed for three straight days, but I think it was worth it. And yes, I realize Miaka is not the type to swear, but in the show and books, I have seen her swear every so often, and think about it: hospital bills are expensive, and Miaka's only income is Taka's money. I think that would present a problem, don't you? Plus, it was a good place to end it.
Well, it's a few more days until Christmas. Yay!!! I won't get anything out for at least another week or so (at least I don't think so!), because I'm busy until Christmas Eve, and will not be near a computer (actually, on one of those days, I'm seeing 'Lord of the Ring' again! That was the greatest movie!), and then there's Christmas, and next weekend is this huge party for my grandparents. I know, I know, I'm making excuses. But, it's something I'm good at, and I do have a tendency to babble!
Chibi_kaz: Yay!!!!! You figured it out!!!!! I didn't know if anyone would pick up on Kayla, but yay!!!!!! And yeah, the dream did mean something, although now, it could mean anything!
DreamLight: No, Chichiri did not get reincarnated into a girl. I know it's confusing, but hopefully, it'll clear up soon.
Masika: Yeah, neat kinda is a bad word... not that descriptive. And it's not Miaka and Hotohori. Sorry. I already had planned out the pairing, and the fact Ho-ri and Houki were married. Maybe I should try a Ho-ri/Miaka fic someday...
And if anyone wants to guess the pairing, go ahead! I don't care. Of course, it'll take awhile for it to actually happen, but until then... And please review!!!!!! Well, ja! Love ya all! Merry early Christmas!!!!!
~Frenchie
Well, here we are. The next chapter. Coolness, eh? Well, just to tell you now, I have no idea when the next chapter will be out, because I'm trying not to make this corny, but it's still Christmas vacation, and I still have a ton of stuff to think of for this... And just to let everyone know now, this is where updates become further and further apart. But, I'll try to have a chapter out about once a month or every few weeks. All depends on you all reviewing and my time off. *smiles*
~~~~~~~~~~~
Hotohori? How... wait, Mitsukake and Chiriko! But does that mean everyone else is here? And does that mean...
"Oh! How stupid am I!" Heather cried out. She pulled the man behind her-the one who looked like Hotohori- to me, and hurriedly started introductions. "Miaka, this is my husband Shane. Darling, this is Miaka." Heather smiled at me quickly, and let me know that I was fine. That, however, was unnecessary. After all, I was being introduced (or, rather, re-introduced.) to Hotohori. But, nonetheless, I smiled at him politely, and held out my hand, waiting to shake it with him, as if I had never seen him in my life. He shook it gently and said 'hello'. I replied to him politely, and received a weird look from Shane.
"W-what?"
"You look like someone familiar, although I could guarantee I've never met you a day in this life." True- the last time I saw you, you had been a ghost, telling me to live my life with Taka. And what a coincidence now, you meeting me around the same time I had lost the person you told me to live my life with. As the silence continued to grow between us from me trying to think of something to say that wasn't suspicious, I over heard Sage and Heather looking at one of the papers and laughing. I smiled, getting an idea, and opening my mouth.
"I'm sorry, but I think I would remember meeting someone like you, Shane." His mouth curled into a smile, as I thought, 'Bingo'.
"True- it is heard to forget such a beauty as me." Yup. I was right. It is Hotohori. I knew it. Only Hotohori would be that narcissistic, and a trait like that is not easily forgotten. I heard Sage and Heather's conversation fade as I opened my mouth only a minute ago, and as I glanced over, the both of them were smiling and shaking their heads at me, as if to warn me about that little trait. I smiled slightly, and turned my attention back to Shane, who was presently smiling.
"Well, as short as my time here was, I am needed at work. If you three ladies would excuse me," Shane said, as he shook my hand again, and swiftly walked over to the spot where Sage and Heather stood. Sage handed him the papers in her hand, which confused me, considering the fact she had already handed him a few papers. He then kissed Heather's forehead quickly, and walked out as he waved to us. We all waved back, as Heather handed me a small cup of pills.
"These are some pills you need to take now. I don't remember if you were told, but you have a date with the doctor, and he needs you to take these." I took them, and winced at their sour taste.
"Yeah, they do taste pretty nasty. But, it'll help out a bit later wi-" Sage started, but I held up my hand, unable to take anything gross.
"Sage, I am so sorry, but could yo-"
"Hey, it's ok. I've heard how nasty they taste, and I've had a lot of people feel bad after taking them." I smiled slightly, and was hit by a wave of nausea. I fell back onto my pillow, and groaned.
"I'll wake her up a few minutes before she has to go," I heard Heather say. Sage said something back to her as I slipped from being awake to the state of sleep.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Miaka?" I sighed and tried to fall back asleep, but it didn't work, due to the insistence of my brother, who kept calling out my name, wishing for me to wake up and join the world of people who had been awake for some time. So, after much begging on Onii-chan's part, I slowly sat up, and rubbed my eyes, which shut almost immediately when they opened, due to the bright light of the sun and the light from the lamp- which Onii-chan had brought for me- almost directly in front of me, which came from my bedside table.
"What?" I groaned, while Onii-chan sat on the side of my bed. "And where's Mayo-chan?"
"She's went shopping. I'll bring her over later." Onii-chan sighed at me, and kept talking. "I found this in your apartment awhile ago, and I thought you might want to have it with you." From there, he held out a small frame, and I took the frame. I stared at the picture, and tears came to my eyes.
It was our picture, the one of all eight of us. Each face smiled at me- including my own- and they all told of happiness, joy, and hope. I went from left to right, memorizing each face yet again, even though I knew the picture more than I knew my appearance. Nuriko's smiled at me, his hand upon his face. Chichiri looked the same, but even though his eyes were slanted shut, due to his mask, he felt the same happiness we all had felt. Mitsukake smiled at me, and his open arms told me how much he cared for each of us, even though I had already known that from the start. Tasuki winked at the camera, his arm up in victory, as if he knew we would win, and he was celebrating it prematurely. Below Tasuki was Chiriko. He smiled gently, almost afraid of my camera, but his eyes glistened with newfound friendship. Hotohori sat next to him, and his smile and eyes gleamed with the friendship and love each and every one of us had shown him, despite his position as emperor. Next was me. How I wish for the innocence and hope I had, as well as all my friends. My eyes strayed to Tamahome, his smirk revealing to the world that he knew that we would win the battle, and that he would be the one to defeat the Seiryuu Seishi. His hair was still long then, and it had been that very afternoon that Suboshi had slain his family, and his hair was cut short in a hysterical battle, where his rage overcame all common sense he had. Remembering all that misted my dried eyes again, and the tears came down harder than ever. When will be all be together again? Is it possible for all of us to be alive and happy again, just like this? How I wish for that.
Onii-chan stared at me all the while I memorized. Until the tears flowed freely and hard from my eyes, he sat there, waiting. And when they did fall, it was then he held me; He wrapped me his arms as if I was a five year old, and held me tightly. As my tears continued falling, I clutched my brother, not wanting to let go. The picture was held between the two of us, and I held onto it, not wanting to let go. As childish as it sounds, the picture was a source of strength. Every little memory I had from then was kept in that picture. It reminded me of the hard times, the fun memories, our hard work, the love and care we all held in our hearts for each other, both mostly, it held every little sacrifice. Each and every sacrifice everyone made, just so I could call upon Suzaku, and be with Tamahome, was held there too. And in those memories of sacrifice, I was hit the worst by the death of Nuriko, the death of Chiriko, of Mitsukake, and Hotohori. Each of them died for a cause, and each death tore at my heart. Seeing Nuriko, lying in the snow. Looking at Chiriko, sitting on the bed, peacefully. Hearing of Mitsukake's death through Tetsuya, and lastly, reading each of Hotohori's last words. Each tugged at my heart, which now left as if I could never recover from this.
"Wh- why?" Onii-chan let go of me briefly, and stared at me. "Why me? Why did I have to go through all that?"
He understood perfectly. His hands slid to my checks, as he had done many times when I was upset before I met Tamahome, and he spoke. "Miaka, you're asking why you have to go through everything. You're saying, why did I have to suffer through everyone, and why you did live. Right? Well, let me tell you this: you are one of the luckiest people ever. You are the Suzaku no Miko. You were the one who led Konan to its glory. You led your seishi to Hokkan and Sairou, and never lost faith. It was your love for Tamahome that helped create Taka. And, it was also you who met everyone in that book, and you are the one who had the best time of her life there. And you are asking why you had to go through that. Are you saying that you'd rather miss out on all of that, just so you wouldn't have to suffer now?"
I stared at him, hard, and understood perfectly. But, a few small thoughts lingered in the back of my head. Am I being selfish? Do I want to die? And, mainly, am I still alive because everyone is coming back now? Or is it just luck?
~~~~~~~~~~~
After Onii-chan's visit, I fell back asleep. I couldn't help it. I was exhausted after all that crying, and I was still tired from earlier. But, I had understood what Onii-chan had said. And I was ready to get out of this place, and see what else was going on, and see if I could find Nuriko, Tasuki, and Chichiri. I missed them more than before, due to the fact I knew they were here now, and I could find them. That was the one thing keeping me going on now, and I swore to myself I wouldn't leave here until each and every one of my seishi was found, and each remembered each other, Taka, and me. I know it's not going to be easy, but considering how Sage and Heather are married to Mitsukake and Hotohori, and how I knew Chiriko was, I was willing to bet that each of the seishi had somehow come together and knew each other in this live, which made sense to me. Each of them had all been the best of friends in the past, and I would swear upon my life that bonds like those are not broken easily.
"Miaka?" I heard Heather call out my name, and behind her was Sage. I smiled at them, and they both returned the smile. "You were asleep almost all day. Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm just tired. Thanks for your concern."
Sage opened her mouth, ready to respond. "We're your nurses, Miaka. If anything happens to you, we're the ones who know about it first. Besides, we're friends, right?" I smiled at them, nodded, and knew it was true. Even in the past we- wait, Shouka was taken over by that... thing... and I never really knew Houki. But, just like Taka, they aren't the same persons they were from the past. But, it was still worth it, being friends with them.
"So, do you know when I'm getting out of here?" Both Sage and Heather shook their heads, and I sighed, slightly panicking. Then, I clamed down, remembering how Yui-chan told me that sometimes, the seishi can come to the Miko, which now made sense, considering how I already found half of my seishi while restricted to this room.
"Out of curiosity, what are you doing when you leave?" Heather asked me.
"Ahh... I actually don't know. I don't know if I even want to stay here, or go back home to Japan. My brother and his girlfriend are living at my apartment right now, but I'm not sure if I want to stay there." That question through me through a loop. I had no idea what to do when I left here, and I began to panic again. I had no job, and I still wasn't brushed up on English. What am I going to do?
"Well, if you get out, and have no place to stay, I wouldn't mind if you stayed with me. Plus, it'd be easier on Brendan, who's had more baby sitters in his life than I can count!" I smiled, and remembered the picture of Brendan that Heather had shown me almost weeks ago. He was absolutely adorable, and I wouldn't mind baby-sitting him at all.
"I'll think about it."
"And, speaking of Brendan, I got to go. I'm so sorry, but-" Sage and I both interrupted Heather at the same time, the both of us screaming out 'go'. Heather left laughing, while Sage and I giggled.
"Well, I'm so sorry to leave you here, but I really need to go. I'll try to see if there's a time frame when you get out, but I can't promise anything. And Kayla called me earlier, and said she was coming here tomorrow for the kids ward. Do you mind if she steps in for a bit?"
"Not at all." Fits in fine. I can see if she knows about Nuriko, Tasuki, or Chichiri. How, I'll never know, considering the fact I'm not the queen of subtlety. But, I did like Kayla, and didn't mind her at all. She was fun to talk, and I needed someone to laugh with.
"All right. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early. Bye!" I waved goodbye, and laughed a bit. As I began to drift off slightly, I remembered some unpleasant thoughts: how am I going to pay those hospital bills, and keep my apartment?
"Shit!"
~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, finished that. I typed for three straight days, but I think it was worth it. And yes, I realize Miaka is not the type to swear, but in the show and books, I have seen her swear every so often, and think about it: hospital bills are expensive, and Miaka's only income is Taka's money. I think that would present a problem, don't you? Plus, it was a good place to end it.
Well, it's a few more days until Christmas. Yay!!! I won't get anything out for at least another week or so (at least I don't think so!), because I'm busy until Christmas Eve, and will not be near a computer (actually, on one of those days, I'm seeing 'Lord of the Ring' again! That was the greatest movie!), and then there's Christmas, and next weekend is this huge party for my grandparents. I know, I know, I'm making excuses. But, it's something I'm good at, and I do have a tendency to babble!
Chibi_kaz: Yay!!!!! You figured it out!!!!! I didn't know if anyone would pick up on Kayla, but yay!!!!!! And yeah, the dream did mean something, although now, it could mean anything!
DreamLight: No, Chichiri did not get reincarnated into a girl. I know it's confusing, but hopefully, it'll clear up soon.
Masika: Yeah, neat kinda is a bad word... not that descriptive. And it's not Miaka and Hotohori. Sorry. I already had planned out the pairing, and the fact Ho-ri and Houki were married. Maybe I should try a Ho-ri/Miaka fic someday...
And if anyone wants to guess the pairing, go ahead! I don't care. Of course, it'll take awhile for it to actually happen, but until then... And please review!!!!!! Well, ja! Love ya all! Merry early Christmas!!!!!
~Frenchie
