Disclaimer: Do not own the anime Fushigi Yuugi. All original characters and plot belong to me.
Author notes: AHHH!!! I'm so sorry for such a late update! I've been trying to get through the beginning of this school year, and trying to get through the now over cross-country season whilst I nearly begged for a weekend off to sleep! However, when the running slowed down, I got my weekend and inspiration came with it. So enjoy!
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This is it. I'm getting out of bed, and leaving it behind. I've had enough of this... I want to sleep, but I can't. Might as well just forget about it, and stay up.
Miaka sat up and looked around the glowing room, tainted by the morning sun. She smiled sadly at her bed, the sheets and pillows a mess around her body, drowning her legs. A sigh fell from her lips, and she stood, walking over to the window, stumbling over her feet a bit as she walked. Stopping, she knelt over the windowsill, and watched as the rose-tinged sky slowly revealed and illuminated the landscape before Miaka. She smiled, silently adoring the beauty before her, not noticing anything other than the still glory before her.
It's so peaceful and serene... Why can't my life be like this every day? I love who I am, but I just wish things wouldn't be so stressful everyday. I wish things could start to be as predictable as the sun rising and setting. I hate not knowing what to expect, ever since...
"So, there is other life around here besides me?" Miaka jumped up, and gasped, not realizing that someone was standing in front of her. The man smirked, then gave a one fanged smile. "Did I scare you?"
"Maybe a bit..." Miaka admitted unwillingly. Genrou raised an eyebrow.
"Good to know..."
"Why?" Miaka stared at him, clueless about his last statement.
"No good reason," was his answer. He then turned, leaning against the wall, and stared ahead, not looking at Miaka. She sighed, then leaned against the window, unwilling to let Genrou ruin what she originally wanted to do alone. And, without a word spoken, the two stood next to each other, staring at the rising sun, until Genrou turned to Miaka. When Miaka had realized his eyes were on her, she jumped.
"What?!" Genrou smiled at her.
"You're awfully quiet..."
"It's morning." Genrou shook his head at her.
"Not an excuse. I don't think you want to know how early I have to wake up." Miaka's face scrunched up.
"I hate waking up early." Genrou stared at her for a moment before laughing.
"Now I know another reason you're in the harem!" Miaka's jaw dropped as she heard that statement.
"What!?"
"You're a girl, through and through. Makes sense to me..." Miaka stood rooted to the ground, looking at Genrou with a shocked look upon her face.
"Excuse me, but there are other reason besides the fact that 'I get to sleep in' every morning. So don't assume anything!" Her face grew darker as the words came fluidly out of her mouth, and every word she spoke made her heart pound more and more, much to her surprise.
I'm over this... It's over. I can talk about this, and it won't mean a thing... I won't cry either. I will never cry again about this... It's over. Never will it haunt me again.
Genrou nodded at her vicious words flung at him, and turned his head as he offered a low apology. Miaka stared at him, and her eyes filled with tears suddenly as she remembered everything she wanted to forget. Blinking back the tears, she focused only on his red hair, not the memories he had helped to recall from his meek apology. She sniffled, wanting to forget it all, and just fall asleep into a usual dreamless sleep, but as soon as she tried to walk away, Genrou was behind her, holding her back.
"Shit... Don't cry. Never meant to hurt ya at all... I just didn't think." His thumb, so masculine compared to the feminine shape of her jaw, lightly brushed the tears away that gathered at the corners of her eyes. As her eyesight cleared, the first thing she noticed was his gentle smile.
"Tha... Thank you."
"Nah, don't bother. I started it." She gave him a gentle smile, all the while wondering what was going on with what started out to be such a clear relationship that the two had.
He has such a soft side... I never knew that. Of course, if anyone found out...
"And what are you giggling about?" Miaka threw her head back and burst into laughter, letting go of her emotion once she heard his tone of voice, full of confusion. Once she heard his sigh, revealing he was ready to stop questioning why she was laughing, she laughed harder, only causing more confusion to Genrou. Only when he stopped, accepting the fact that she was unexpectedly mocking him, was she able to calm down.
"I'm sorry... I just... Sorry!" She flashed him a quick smile before letting her giggles consume her.
"Suuuuuure..." She giggled, then stopped.
"Seriously, I'm sorry."
"Don't want your pity." Miaka rolled her eyes at Genrou.
"Fine. Stay like that." Genrou turned to her, nodded, then turned around, looking at the fully risen sun. Miaka smiled as she watched him as he leaned against the wall stiffly, refusing to turn to look at her as she visibly admired him.
"Genrou!" The two jumped, and Miaka leaned over her windowsill to see the man who cried out for her companion. She immediately recognized the man, someone she regularly saw, but never spoke to. She watched as he spoke silently, but quickly with Genrou, who's face showed no emotion about what was so urgent. Miaka watched as the man walked away, and noticed the stark look upon Genrou's face.
"Is it bad?"
"Bad enough for anyone awake to be rounded up this early..." Genrou stared ahead, refusing to meet Miaka's eyes. He walked forward a few feet, then turned back to Miaka, looking as he needed to say something. However, the silence filled moments after did nothing but create an awkward atmosphere.
"Can I do anything?"
"Go back to bed, and forget what just happened. Don't worry about it." With that said, he walked away, leaving behind a bewildered Miaka. She leaned over the window, and watched as Genrou walked away with the man, the two not talking as they ran further away from her.
I thought I heard... But it couldn't be, could it? It's ok... Right?
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"Aren't you quiet..." Miaka looked quickly at Ai as the girl across from her smiled at her.
"Ohh..."
"Do you really need to be so silent?" Miaka opened her mouth, prepared to say something, but she was beaten to it.
"And do you have to be so nosy!"
"Kourin, sweetie, I doubt that I'm being nosy. After all... I've known Miaka now for how long? We're just like sisters!" Ai drawled with a sickeningly sweet voice, her words dripping like acid from her tongue.
"Oh, shut up."
"Kourin, let Miaka say what she needs to! You can't speak for her all her life..." Ai said, her eyes flashing. Miaka sighed, then stood slowly, letting her presence be known.
"Kourin..." She let the word out slowly, hoping that her friend would catch the tone of voice, which she did. She turned to Ai next, after realizing Kourin understood what she didn't want to say, and smiled. "Thank you for your company, however, I need to take a walk. Good day!" She then turned away from the two and walked to the door slowly, not allowing anyone to get under her skin, especially now.
Just when I wanted a day off... Now I get this. Apparently, I must have done something wrong; if this is the way life is going for me now.
"Hey." Miaka didn't look up.
"Hey. Did you hear abou-" Her mouth was quickly covered, and her eyes grew huge at the sudden movement.
"You're not supposed to know anything. Even I'm not supposed to know what's going on." Miaka turned to Kishuku at this comment.
"But you do. You know much more than you should."
"And I regret it. I wish I knew nothing. And how do you know anything about this?" Miaka's cheeks began to glow a rosy pink, and she turned away.
"I... I overheard a few men from earlier." Kishuku sighed.
"Until I get this straightened out between me and him, I want you to stay as you are. You are not to change. Got it?" Miaka looked into his eyes, a fearful look on her eyes.
"It's that bad?"
"You remember how it all ended, right?" Miaka nodded, and leaned against the wall.
"I never want to go through that again."
"Then why? Why do you insist on going through the same charade every day?" Miaka gave him a small smile.
"Because I have to." Before he opened his mouth again, Miaka quickly placed a sole finger over Kishuku's lips. "And now, I shall obey your instructions. Could you just make sure that 'I' don't get into any trouble?" Kishuku smiled at Miaka's retreating back.
"I think you can do that. Just go see the doctor. He's taken care of you before, remember?" Miaka turned to Kishuku one last time, and gave him a smile.
"Yes... I think it's time to pay him a visit again." Kishuku waved her away.
"Tell him I said hi." Miaka turned to him one last time.
"I won't forget!" She called back.
"Now, where have I heard those words before..." Miaka giggled as she ran away, remembering why the words came out.
I wasn't that great of a girl when I was younger... Always running around, causing a mess, coming home muddy. It's no wonder I am the way I am today... But why is everything coming back now?
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"Well! It's nice to see you again." Miaka looked up and smiled at the gentle doctor.
"It has been a long time, hasn't it?"
"It's a good thing that it's been too long." He paused, pushing his shaggy hair out of his eyes, then motioned to a chair. "I doubt you'll take a long time, but if you want, you can sit." Miaka smiled.
"I won't take long, I need to get back. But, could you do me a favor and help me out again?" The doctor paused for a moment.
"Is it urgent?" He asked as he sat down slowly, his eyes focused on Miaka.
"Probably- I don't know why, but Kishuku's awfully worried, and I don't want anything to happen to me. You do know what will happen if they find out, and I think Kishuku's worried that the ultimate will happen to me if I keep going with..." She trailed off, not wanting to hurt her chances of safety.
"I could help you out... How long does Kishuku want you hidden?"
"Until he says it's ok... I'm not sure when. The only problem is that the issue I think is at hand is that the problem has been around forever. You remember me telling you when we first met, right? Well... All I can say is that the problem is back." The doctor sighed.
"I'll help Kishuku take care of everything. Stay away from him Miaka... Remember why you left?" She nodded, shutting her eyes tightly.
"I remember, unfortunatly," she said in a sad voice. "I can't go through that again... Never again." The doctor nodded, his dark hair falling into his narrow eyes again. He rose, and moved towards Miaka.
"Don't worry about anything. For all people know, you're in here, lying on a bed this close from death." Miaka gave him a small, almost scared smile, her eyes blinking frequently.
"Thank you," she said before reaching out, giving the doctor a gentle hug. He leaned down, and gave her a small hug. She pulled away after a moment, and smiled up at him as he reached his full height.
"You know you can leave now, right? I've got no reason to keep you here, and I can tell you're already gone."
"Alright... Thank you for everything." She turned and waved at him, and left, shutting the door quietly as the doctor watched her intently.
"Such a gentle girl... I hope that she turns out ok in the end." He then turned away, his thoughts occupied by something else.
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"So, now you're stuck with me for the next few weeks?"
"Hopefully not... You know me though. But I do need to stay close for a while... I hope Kishuku takes care of everything," Miaka said to Kourin. Kourin sighed, and put down her brush with one hand as she twisted Miaka's hair up with the other.
"Sweetie, as much as I love you, you really need to listen this time. If anything happens..."
"That's why everyone is so worried!" Miaka exclaimed as she turned, letting her hair fall down her back. Kourin sighed as she watched her masterpiece fall apart, but faced Miaka nonetheless. "I understand why they're worried, but I want to do what I want to do."
"And what is it that you want to do?" Miaka stopped for a moment.
"... I don't know," she said meekly. Kourin sighed again.
"Miaka..."
"I hate the fact that he's around her. I thought that it was all over... And now look where I am. Back at the beginning. It was once the greatest thing to be near him, and now it scares me to death. And I hate that feeling. I hate it with such a passion." Miaka's fists were clenched in a ball as she spoke slowly, her words filled with the fear she felt. Kourin's hands reached for her friend, prepared to comfort her, when a strong knock on the door interrupted everything.
"What... the hell?" Miaka giggled.
"Language, sweetie!" Kourin sighed as she climbed off the bed, refusing to listen to Miaka as she walked across her room. She flung the door open when she reached the other side of the room, and promptly turned, a scowl upon her face, when the person behind the door was revealed.
"What?"
"Kourin... I'm sure that is no way to greet someone- especially when they come to see you!" Ai said as she drifted into the room. Kourin rolled her eyes as the girl spoke, but made no move to remove the girl from her room. Miaka watched as Ai carefully inspected the room, her eyes running around the room, making careful note of everything. When her eyes landed upon Miaka, both Kourin and Miaka noticed the quick look of disgust upon her face before she hid it with a wide smile. "Why, Miaka! I was looking for you earlier..."
"Why?"
"Because I needed to ask you about something... Oh, but it doesn't matter now! I can't even remember what the silly question is... Although I am sure that I could recall it in a few moments..."
"Can you recall why you're in here?" Kourin asked, her voice desperately trying to sound sweet.
"I actually needed to borrow this!" Ai said as she held up what she needed. Kourin nodded tersely at her, then bluntly pointed at the door.
"Oh, don't be silly! I want both you and Miaka to come to my room! Almost all the girls are in there, and it'll be a blast to have you both there too!"
"... Almost all the girls?" Kourin asked. Ai visibly chose not to listen to her, and her eyes were on Miaka, waiting for her answer, which Ai knew Miaka would say yes to.
"I guess so..." Miaka said. Ai's eyes widened, and she shrieked as she grabbed Miaka, pulled her off the bed, and ran out the door, the girls hair both flying behind them. Kourin followed them laughing as she watched Miaka's almost scared face.
As soon as Ai reached her room, Miaka still right behind her, she let go of her, and walked in, letting her energy fill the room. The other girls in the room smiled, and Miaka nervously gave the others a smile. Kourin walked in soon, and led Miaka to where all the other girls were sitting as an obviously fake smile never left her face.
"Remind me again why we did this," Kourin asked through clenched teeth when she and Miaka sat down.
"Because I'm too nice to say no," Miaka said in a low voice.
"... I need to teach you how to be nastier." Miaka giggled, and watched as the girls around her and Kourin-with a skilled ease- primped one another, all the while gossiping about someone who wasn't in the room with harsher words than needed. Kourin's nose wrinkled as she smoothed out Miaka's hair, prepared to try putting it up again as Miaka dazed off, not even bothering to listen to anything she heard.
"So, out of curiosity," asked a girl Miaka barely knew, "Who here thinks that a great number of the soldiers that guard these halls are hot?" Miaka and Kourin both jumped out of their worlds, and listened to the other girls, curious to see what they were saying.
"I like-" started one girl Miaka was on a friendly basis with, but was swiftly interrupted by a girl that Kourin had frequently argued with.
"We all know that you like that guy with the long brown hair! It doesn't need to be said!" The girl stared at the other, more violent girl before shrugging her shoulders, and continuing to brush her friend's hair.
"And who do you like?" Asked a girl Miaka was almost positive was named Kaiyo. "Come now, Sachi! You have to tell!"
"If you really must know... The guy who's always really quiet. You know... the one Genrou hates. I think he's adorable." Miaka's face turned bright red, and Kourin giggled.
"Does anyone know his name? I'd love to find out what his name is..." said another girl.
"I... I have no clue. I've never bothered to ask him."
"We'll just have to ask him next time we see him," Sachi said. Miaka and Kourin giggled.
It'll be a while before you see him again...
"Well, of course you all know who I like..." Ai said, letting her voice fill the room's presence. "And you all do know that he is mine, and you are not allowed to even touch him, correct?" The girls all nodded, and smiled at each other.
"Why would we want what is truly yours, Ai?" asked one of Ai's closest friends, whose name Miaka couldn't think of.
"Besides, why would we want to touch him?" Asked another girl, named Nami.
"Because that makes the chase so much more fun!" Ai said, her voice bursting with energy. "I know for a fact that Genrou is tied around my finger, but even if you try to take him away from me... You won't have him!"
"I don't know Ai... You do know that his attention has been directed at someone else... correct?" Ai laughed.
"Oh, he won't be hers, I can guarantee it! I just need to... slut things up a bit." She laughed as the other girls in the room glanced around, letting out a tiny laugh. Then Ai stopped, and stared directly at Miaka.
"What?" Miaka asked quietly, not expecting the room to stare at her.
"Do you, or do you not like Genrou?"
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