Disclaimer: Please keep note that I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, but am merely a major, major fan, and that it was probably the best anime I've ever seen. Of course, I own this story no da. Yet I have no idea why I have to bother saying this note, because it only takes common sense to tell that I don't own it, because why would it be called ' fanfiction?" Despite that, here is the first piece of the story, please send reviews.
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Fushigi Yugi~ The Star Essence
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-Parentual Guidence. Rated 16+ Some coarse language, violence and mature situations-
Note: This takes place after Fushigi Yugi OVA and before Ekoden, in which Ekoden had never taken place. This also means that Miaka and Taka's son is a little boy (According to the OVA ending) instead of a little girl. ( as Ekoden shows)
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There is an added scene in the prologue as well as things added in and taken
out-
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Prologue: Forsaken Night----------
Mt. Reikaku lingered with silence facing the heavens with its great height as is howling to it. Nightfall was present. The only sounds heard were the crickets chirping a few songs in tribute to the stars. Gracefully shining through the cloud-blending night with such texture, the stars were perfectly fixed in the deep ocean sky; so perfect that they almost smiled with pride as it twinkled down in fine patterns through the rich, navy and dark background.
Despite its beauty, it gave a mysterious mood to its gazers. Tonight it gave the full attention to one individual who was just as arcane. In addition the pale moon granted a symbolic memory.
Against the star gazers' will his eyes slid closed in the moons' mercy…
….and his flashback began.
Now the shrouded mist of recollection took hold so strongly that everything began to shift to another world. All of Mt. Reikaku sank deeply into isolation from the new existence of the past. A fog of vague images illustrated themselves in for presence. It would not be perfectly accurate because it was impossible to sharpen such an ancient thing—it wasn't meant to but destined for another day that will be delivered by fate and with its true purpose.
All things were set to replay in an old, new setting but the bright moon remained.
It had the exact level of the luminous glow it did before many years ago.
It was the exact same day….
…the exact hour.
…even the exact moment.
But it was an eerie red.
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This night was a cold one that foretold death. Nonetheless it was the promised night. The night they would finally escape.
Eyes from the shadows starred at the ghostly layout carefully. No time was wasted when the amber gleam blinked clear in judgment of critical planning. A gloved hand felt the stone, boarder walls and a frosted breath followed stressed in calmness. The figure was cloaked as night and with his keen eyes he scanned their dark path. That's when the guard caught his eye and he pressed back into the deeper shadows.
He couldn't be seen. Not yet. He couldn't afford it.
He had to take out that guard quickly…
Cautiously he slid closer to the edge daring to take a quick peek at the guards' position.
The guard saw his frightening ambers.
They both stood.
Tense
Quiet.
The guard attempted the greatest threat by giving the notation of screaming out an alarm to summon reinforcements.
Provoked, he shot a vicious glare at the guard desiring his enemy's death and was ready to strike. Suddenly the guard gave a cry and sank to the freezing ground before the cloak individual could make his move. He gazed at his unexpected aid.
" Yokio."
It was a simple statement of fact. There was not any question or incredulity in his tone. It was mere surprise. Mainly the notion of seeing a comrade so abruptly without warning who just executed an action that did not suit the youth.
The young one, Yokio, gave a small grunt and looked at his comrade. The boy was on the verge of self-explanation but the older one saw the timid fear hiding behind that forced fierce show. So he cut in. His voice was sternly hollow.
" I told you to wait….look you're shaking…"
The youth was indeed trembling with a terrifying first experience of such an act.
" I-I know….but I couldn't."
" It's your first…."
He starred at the boy mutely who gave a soft, scared shiver and he could tell Yokio was trying to be strong for him. So he spoke again.
" Your body and mind isn't ready…"
Through hushed voices the two dashed stealthily from shadow to shadow exchanging few words. The mature one was steadily doing most of the talk since his haunting words of philosophy took greater effect and gravity.
At last they came to a point of utter silence. Their hearts raced with their preparation for the action to unfold.
It began to rain.
He spotted their obstacle then spoke again with no emotion filling his words.
" Just tonight…you must endure the rain of blood….then tomorrow you can forget everything…"
His eyes narrowed in a complicated sorrow reflecting an apology as he repeated,
"…..Everything……."
He grasped his weapon and locked his eyes on the enemies he sighted.
" Let the sky bleed…"
And he attacked.
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Kouji made his way through the deep bushes noisily having the rustling heard in the air. After wadding through the bushes and other random tall plants like water, he stepped out of the thick branches that lead to a dead-end of a wall of thick trees. Giving a slight groan the Mt. Reikaku bandit leader advanced toward the line of trees, pulled back a long branch that blocked his path and slid through an opening. As expected he entered a small, serene area not too far from the Mt. Reikaku stronghold.
The area was remote, almost mystical, but that wasn't what caused Kouji to slightly falter in a dead pause. Despite whatever powerful and breath-taking impression the small region left, Kouji wasn't focused on that. It was a beautiful place though, Kouji admitted. It's not that he despises the place or anything, but sometimes he wandered what made it so interesting with such extreme levels.
He swept his eyes around the secret grounds.
Well, there was a miniature, gleaming pond rested in the center with a crystal mirror surface, reflecting the stars and moon illuminating the water with silver outlines. Around it were dark, lush greenery surrounding it like burnt emeralds. It was isolated from the other woods and areas by a fine wall of thick, strong trees to make it almost secret to the world.
If Kouji looked up, which he did briefly, he could see the leaves and branches bunched together on the trees overhead leaving a wide gap like a viewing window above. Almost like a dome to watch the stars and the moon.
Aside from that, the pond was also encircled with few smooth, large rocks and logs that were at its edges perfect in shape for a bench. And there one specific shadow was perched on one. And at the moment, Kouji's eyes were slightly glowering at it, forming a frown.
Sure the area was quiet, just nature's sounds gently humming, but it won't be for long when the leader starts to get agitated.
Kouji gave a slight frown again as if half annoyed but also suppressing his curiosity at his main focus, which was the reason he dragged himself here—again.
" Knew I'd find ya here again." Kouji stated casually to the figure seated on the slanted rock. " Whatcha doin now?" He asked for a finish, sounding exasperated but almost grinned.
The dark person minimally highlighted with silver rays from the moon had it's back on Kouji. The person was covered in the shadows and practically blended with it. At Kouji's loud voice the figure stiffened in a half flinch almost startled. Was extremely still for a few moments as if taking awareness that Kouji was present. Finally a deep and steady reply calmly breathed out. "…Just looking at the Stars..."
Kouji's frown deepened as he stared at the strangers' back.
" Ya been lookin' at the stars every single night! And damn late too!" He complained, arms akimbo, starting to glower. " So what's so interesting this time?" Kouji breathed and strolled over to seat himself at the lone wolf's side, whose amused sneer was heard.
" The constellations of course." Was the stranger's answer. He kept his eyes on the stars not paying too much attention to the former leader.
Kouji forked an eyebrow having his attention begin to rise. " Ya? That so?" He found himself say, unable to think of anything else better. The only response he got was a snicker from the well-hidden man in the darkness. It was almost as if it were a habit for that guy to cloth himself as night's color.
For some reason Kouji found the question roll out of his tongue.
" Of Suzaku?"
The cold stranger glanced at Kouji's questionable eyes with a piercing and aloof gaze but with an amused flicker of golden amber. " Right…" Then he smiled almost in a mock and resumed stargazing with intense eyes.
There he goes again! Kouji thought mutely gnarling. Always acting like he had more authority or power than others! However, Kouji was slightly awe struck and surprised that this lone-wolf knew more things about the war and the four beast gods better than the other blunts in the stronghold.
Strange as the man's appearance, Kouji noted that he carried a unique type of sword that Kouji had never experienced in battle before. Nor had he ever seen him wield it but always kept it strictly hidden in its black sheath. The mere weapon was the first thing Kouji noticed besides the man's piercing eyes when they first met. The sheath practically dragged on the floor so it was impossible to miss.
Not to mention he carried it with him as a close companion: There was never a time in the past month since he joined, Kouji ever saw him without that ridiculously long sword by his side.
Even now at the very moment, the man had his foreign sword obediently propped beside him.
Kouji's face hardened at the man. He wondered why this arrogant man suddenly walked up to their doorstep and let himself into their organization brushing Kouji off stating how he knew Kouji isn't the real leader. Most of all Kouji wondered why he allowed this loner to have such a privilege. On first impression Kouji was expecting something impressive from the stranger but he was given no show.
Truth is, the newcomer never displayed his skills at all. Possibly because the occasion had never risen or it may have been the lone wolf's free choice of simply refusing to use it.
The only thing he did to prove his worth was scare off a group of intruders by his mere posture, eyes and demeanor. Could Kouji blame the invaders for fleeing so cowardly? After all, the guy always had a dark, morbid status about him. So looking at him in the eyes was like starring at a demon.
…and possibly like a demon he remained closed off to socializing with people in his own league taking orders from no one and do whatever he pleased. That included taking off without a word and coming back in the same silence.
The only active thing the ' gloomy, dark guy' or ' wolf', as some of Kouji's men labeled him, had been doing was stick around as grim company. Occasionally the wolf would pose questions or suggestions, but mainly he'd almost scare one of Kouji's men half to death with that glare of his whenever provoked or irritated.
The only good thing his presence ever did for Kouji was pull down everyone in his dark gravity and utterly silence a pair of bickering bandits who were about to declare a wild duel by merely starring.
Still…
Kouji could feel the narrowing of his own eyes and the clenching of his teeth.
That still didn't mean that the loner could be on the verge of insubordination to him!
Sure that was the main piss-off, but Kouji at certain moments, he liked to have him around. Perhaps just for the simple reason of having a nameless wolf good for back up threats and possibly further protection and strength as a benefit. Though, Kouji doubted the stranger would fight for anyone except his ominous self….
…and judging the stranger by his cold, rock-serious exterior, maybe the wolf will attempt to sink his fangs on Kouji instead of saving even a child about to be slain.
Kouji eyed the man cautiously. He wondered if it was really a good idea to sit beside this somber man. Fortunately the man kept characteristically quiet and was showing no signs of interest of Kouji. Just the stars…
Kouji uncoiled feeling a little more relieved.
Ironically enough, Kouji was curious and wanted to learn why this man was hanging around in his stronghold. Multiple times this man often insulted how things were done and how low they were in snarling disgust but he always came back. Even when he stormed off so aggravated he returned.
That's why Kouji would nearly have his heart spring out of his chest from extreme surprise when the stranger returned and would suddenly emerge from the shadows for his entrance.
He was like some lost raptor bird taking off for a hunt and returning for a roost. Never came back with an explanation or a heads up that he was back….
Now Kouji wasn't careless or stupid like some of his bandits. The leader could clearly sense the strong, dark and dangerous essence dwelling deep inside and all around that man.
Kouji gave the man a scowl look. If Genrou was here we'd confront this asshole long time ago! Yet no matter how loud or confident Kouji's thoughts were, he never personally confronted the man himself. How was it that he managed to put up with the dark man? Perhaps it was some fear because Kouji could swear he could feel that man always radiate with such an unspeakably fatal element…and Kouji didn't want to get himself caught in some complex web of strung up stories.
Despite Kouji's views, the man always stayed quiet and come here every single night. Looking at those blasted stars.
So Kouji wanted to know why.
Why did it seem that somehow this stranger was held back in his stronghold? Why was such a mysterious bastard biding his time here like he was keeping some forbidden secret?
Wait….
Why should Kouji even care? He was getting himself horribly lost. That loner wasn't his problem, just a very uncouth natured shadow that should be melted away by something holy. In conclusion the only thing the stranger meant to Kouji was a dark shadow following and only assisting for a reason meant to be unshared.
However, there were even more mind boggling mysterious that made Kouji addled and confused.
It was the fact that the stranger knew so many things and enigmas about Suzaku and the other beast gods that made Kouji feel suspicious.
He even knew about the priestess, the warriors, the war between Kounan and Kutou—The Suzaku Seven and Seiryu Seven as if he were involved. There were even some occasions the man even asked the whereabouts of some of the Suzaku warriors.
There was even one time he just plainly asked about Nakago for a reason Kouji may never know. There were so many various impressions the man left him—and they weren't all decent.
Geeze, even thinking about him made Kouji pissed!
Kouji let out a frustrated groan and was about to throw his hands in the air to show it, but immediately stopped noticing his boot was planted in an extremely damp portion of soil and mud. He wasn't too pleased to see his boot plastered in the revolting, wet mud and grass on it, and cursed out loud.
The Lone wolf however, was immensely silent and rigid.
Kouji didn't care at the moment, he was too occupied trying to scrape off the junk on his boot and hissed another curse.
" It….can't be…. Suzaku…."
Kouji's attention immediately snapped over to the lone wolf who was had just murmured Suzaku's name out of nowhere. The had such a serious and a unreadable expression on his face, gazing off somewhere with all thought put into it. Kouji found himself following the stranger's gaze at a unique cluster of stars. Where a single glow of red winked out in a small sparkle. It then faded in a dark shade to match the steady yet tense environment.
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Darkness had always been confusing, for it meant many things. So many possibilities, so many reasons.
An eternal sheet of blackness and he was caught in it.
Was it night? Perhaps it was just that there wasn't any light. Or maybe he was dead, but then again maybe he was just be asleep.
Nakago woke up.
All he saw was darkness everywhere. It was hard to determine between two possibilities: Was he in a pitch-black room? Or were his eyes shut?
He concluded that his eyes were closed because he didn't feel himself blinking. So he tried to open his eyes, but they hurt to do so and even more to move any part of his body. He stayed perfectly still and thought about it for a while seeming flustered.
Aches in his body, a few sore spots and stings on his face, eyes burning, and hair starting to itch…
…that means he was very much alive and definitely not dead.
The next thing he noticed was that there were noises all around.
Soft, gentle sounds beating on the ground.
So many of them.
Water drops?
No. It was rain.
He attempted to move, even get up, but his body protested in pain forcing him to stop. He waited for a few moments and realized he was laying on a somewhat damp surface. It felt hard under the wet and tender layer he was lying on. Small, long and slender, it flattened under him, and he felt something moist begin to gush out as he pressed his back on it getting his back soaked.
It felt familiar though. Possibly grass?
The earthly odor of moist plants and soil confirmed his answer.
He was indeed outside and in the rain, possibly at night due to the scent of the crisp air of dusk he recognized.
An entire weight lifted from his shoulders as if discovering such knowledge made the world rotate again and alive like it just unfroze and hit reality again.
He felt the rain hit his body and drip down. His sweat tickling along his back and forehead, hair plastered against his neck and face sticking to it. He felt completely drenched, and so cold; it was almost cruel.
He felt a little refreshed though, even breathing became easier but he felt abandoned and flushed with numbness from the cold, almost sick. As he felt a rain drop slide along his lips, he soon gained enough confidence to open his eyes.
As color entered his world of vision, he saw blurry, dark colors blending into view, looking watery like a smudged and dewy painting. Soon the shapes and shades sharpened and the gray, blue, and black colors formed a clouded sky in various textures.
The rain was sympathetic now. Some brighter and vivid specks of color greeted him kindly in the gloomy scene.
Stars.
He began to feel something crawl into his mind and recall something, but his collection of memory quickly escaped before he could even catch anything. His head spun making him feel abused with such pain forcing him to wince.
Where was he?
He made sure his eyes had adjusted to the landscape before attempting to sit up. The sudden movement caused some creaky bones to ignite, feeling like his muscles were tearing up. He uttered an exiguous grunt and lolled his head to the side. His cheek pressed against the moisten earth.
His eyes suddenly trailed along to the horizons. He saw the region he embedded on was an endless field with a grim look appearing foggy as far as he could see. What was this place? He felt he should've known, but couldn't. It almost felt like he was just born or awakened from a super naturally long slumber.
But something scared him deep inside.
He couldn't remember anything. Nothing. Not even who he was or if he even had a name.
Slight panic arose in him, his heart fluttered and pounded. He quickly climbed up into a half seat position with supporting elbows.
What should he do? Can anyone help him?
He forced himself to his feet bringing his knee up first, then pushing the rest of his weight up, even though the aches pulled on his constricted muscles very harshly. He stood and took a survey around his surroundings seeming bewildered.
Suddenly he saw something.
Something that made him give a startled gasp and stagger aback almost loosing balance, but he managed to find his footing in time.
Not too far from his direction and at the lining of the horizons shined forth a blinding red light like the sun. Nakago squinted. It evolved into a crimson shade having silver sparks emit from it. The uncommon pair of colors glowed, luster brighter, bigger, until it nearly blinded him forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut and bringing his hands in front as a shield.
He felt the light getting closer. So close, he felt such amazing warmth and heat from it. He peeled open an eye. The light gave him a strange feeling as if he were supposed to know something—a reason.
It suddenly began to reduce in size, but beckoning the area with lucid rays. It then without warning, shot up into the sky like a bolt of lighting, striking the heavens in a huge pillar, then vanished into small dissolving fragments.
Nakago was terribly frustrated. He didn't know either to be relieved the overwhelming light disappeared or to get upset by the event it was gone.
He as interrupted by a sharp pain drilling into his head. He detected a bright, but extremely brief flash of black and white, two shadows, before falling to his knees holding his head in agony. He breathed deeply in a gasp then felt the rain return. He waited patiently for the pain to cease then gradually grew silent for a very long time.
When he finally raised his head, there was a shadow towering over him.
Nakago narrowed his eyes and glared at the stranger.
Pure instinct told him this was someone he should not be happy to see and certainly not to trust.
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The red glow vanished completely. Not a trace left and the entire other cast of stars seemed to flinch for a moment by winking in a very unnatural order.
Kouji caught in the stare blinked blankly, unsure what to think. He'd swear his eyes were probably deceiving him and playing a nasty trick. Unfortunately the trance and alerted look in the eyes of the man beside him told the leader other wise. The strangers' eyes seemed to slightly widen that was hardly noticeable as if expecting or realizing something—or possibly fear deep inside. Now those penetrating eyes looked so intense and hard that were now narrowing.
Finally, he gave a long, pausing blink.
Now that kind of freaked Koiji out. He opened his mouth to ask the man what was that all about but got cut–off. The wolf had suddenly got up and turned in such haste it nearly half stunned Kouji making him jerk back in a flinch as a reflex. Kouji gave an evil glare translating into ' Hey, hey, hey! The hell is that!?' but the wolf paid no attention.
" I'll be leaving now, leader." The lone wolf informed in a mutter and started to step into the shadows. His long, dark hair was swaying in beat of his movement.
Stomping his foot heavily Kouji sprung to his feet. "Hey! Where ya going!?" he demanded vehemently.
The man paused shortly in pace, but still advancing forth in motion as he briefly glimpsed over his shoulder. His face was still naturally hidden within the shadows and his only visible earring was agleam in a strangely alien glow.
" Personal matters…leader." He answered coldly and the last word in his reply was almost cold and taunting at Kouji. Infact it was!
Unfortunately the man had already slipped into the shadows and was gone. Leaving the now gaping Kouji to render speechless in anger
" Ya Bastard! Always coming and going!" Kouji hollered, and kicked the dirt violently.
That was the last time he would ever see that man—not for a long time until a planned day will arrive…and from the stranger's lips never uttered a given name to Kouji.
Now that was an additional point for Kouji to get annoyed about.
He was about to through a fit of rage, (Due to the fact the man left—again and completely ignored him—again, and always had a habit of mocking him! Again!) but suddenly paused and looked at the shimmering stars in silence. Not to the fact that Kouji made a solution that the aloof bastard wasn't worth to get all distracted and frustrated about—even though the shadow dressed man could really piss him off sometimes, but because of another thought.
One of a completely different category put together.
Kouji crossed his arms.
" Wonder how Genrou is doing?"
Unfortunately for both men neither of them could ever expect what will happen. However it wasn't only these two who are unaware of a cunningly, nefarious scheme was at hand. Even celestial beings and immortals could not predict that this perfectly planned plot would start this very day.
This was the night that should not have been forgotten. That should have never been thought of. For it gave birth to the nightmare that had slept for too long…
Now it finally breathes and even the gods feared this day would ever occur.
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Author's Notes
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Yay!!!! Yaaayyy! Italics worked! Yay yay yay yay! *Happy dances*
Wow that took a while to redo that didn't it? I would like to apologize to everyone for such a ridiculously long time to finish this and without even the second chapter. I can however, offer you the promise that I am working on the second chapter right now as we speak and hopefully I can finish it soon.
Now I would like to especially thank Kitty Lynne and Otaku Pitcher for being so patient and interested in my story despite how long I haven't worked on it. I am truly grateful to the two of you and cannot thank you enough, your review and loyalty means very much to me. Thank you so much! ^_^ It is people like you who helped restore my motivation and inspiration to carry on with this fanfiction, without you guys I wouldn't be working on it right now. So thank you again so much!
Ok! Updates on news! as you guys have read there has been an added scene in the prologue, and some things added as well as some things taken away. All for story purposes! Yes and for the better. I really hope you have enjoyed my revised version of the prologue! I worked pretty hard on it. (Wow in total this prologue has been redone about five times!) The first chapter, not much was changes, just a few bits and pieces, but you can read it again if you want and leave a review! ^_^ Plus good time to backtrack and remember what's going on!
Thank you everyone for reading this story and keeping it alive! Thank you so much Kitty Lynne and Otaku Pitcher! I owe you guys a lot! I promise to have my second chapter delivered soon and I intend to keep my word for you guys!
As for everyone else thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Please R&R!
Thank you for reading!
~TheDemonSwordsMan~
