Chapter 9: A Little Time
Hikari:
"Hikari? Amiboshi? What are you both doing here? We were all so worried about you!!! You missed breakfast!" Miaka exclaimed. I had just teleported Amiboshi and I from the village and we both found ourselves in the gardens of the palace.
"Umm.. We were... we were..." Amiboshi struggled to think of an answer.
"Enjoying the scenery!!!" I finished his answer for him. I realized that Miaka was staring at my hands wrapped in the blood stain cloth. I quickly hid it behind me. "Um... I... Umm... I'm feeling tired. I better go and rest." I dashed back into my room, not giving a chance for Miaka to ask anymore questions.
Half an hour later...
There was an urgent knock on my door. I could sense that it was Mitsukake and Chichiri.
"Huh? Um... Come in," I quickly shoved my freshly bandaged hands into my pocket.
"Sorry to bother you demo, Miaka said that you were feeling unwell. Are you sick?" Mitsukake walked over and placed a hand on my forehead.
I quickly shook my head, backing away from him. "Daijoubu, Mitsukake. I was just... umm..."
"By the way, what happened to you and Amiboshi? Both of you missed breakfast and we couldn't find you anywhere," Chichiri said as he frowned.
Onegai, Suzaku!!! I can't keep lying all the time!!!
"Uhh... Watashi wa... erm..." I stammered.
"We both thought we sense someone spying in the garden and went there to investigate it the entire morning," answered a voice.
It was Amiboshi! In the nick of time! He must be passing by and entered my room at the right time!!! I nodded. "That's right!"
"Sou ka?" Chichiri asked, eyeing the both of us.
"Well, whatever the case is, I suppose you're feeling better now and don't need any medical help. Shitsurei shimasu," with that, Mitsukake left the room.
"Amiboshi, can you kindly leave?" Chichiri asked. Amiboshi did as he was told and left the room. Chichiri closed my bedroom door.
"Eh, Chichiri, what are you doing?" I was getting nervous.
"You're such a bad liar."
"Nani? I don't know what you are talking about!" I insisted.
Chichiri sat beside me on the bed. He gently removed my hands from my pockets. "What happened actually?" He asked in concern when he saw the bandages.
I gulped. I didn't want to answer him. He looked at me for a few minutes. I snatched back my hands.
"Doushite? Why are you acting as if you care for me all of a sudden?" I said suddenly.
Chichiri was taken aback. I could see that my words really hurt him. "Is it wrong if I care about you?" Chichiri sighed as he looked away.
"Hai. I... don't like getting close to anyone. I suggest that we remain nothing more than comrades," I said harshly despite the sweet smile on my face.
Chichiri remained silent for a few minutes.
Slowly, he got up from the bed and left the room. I watched him leave sadly. Did I really meant it? Was I that kind of person who had a chunk of ice for a heart?
Silently, a pair of curious golden eyes spied the entire scene from somewhere nearby.
Chichiri:
I stared at my reflections in the water. I knew I shouldn't have taken off my mask. I'd scared everyone!!! Especially, her...
Hikari . ..
"Ohhhh... Chichiri..." Nuriko called my name out loudly, making me wince at the loudness of his voice.
"Nani?" I asked. "Nuriko, if this is about shopping, drag Miaka instead."
Nuriko plopped down beside me on the fresh green grass. "Actually, Chichiri, I need you to answer a few questions. Firstly, can a monk, 'unmonk'?"
I looked at him, surprised. What ever did Nuriko mean by that? "Uhh... I suppose?" I wasn't sure of that question. Why couldn't Nuriko ask at least one question that was relevant in this life, like how to defeat Nakago for instance?
"Okay! Great! Second question, what do you think of... Erm... a certain someone here?" Nuriko looked at me with his eyes as big as saucers.
"Who? Umm... Everyone here is okay? They're great friends? Seriously, Nuriko, what are you getting to?"
"Nuthin'!!! I was just curious!!!" Nuriko gave me the innocent fake big puppy eyes that he always used around Hotohori. I shook my head. This guy was mad. Confirmed. One wouldn't ask such strange questions all of a sudden.
Just then, I saw Hikari approaching us. "Nuriko? Can I talk to Chichiri privately?" She asked as soon as she approached. Nuriko nodded, smiling slyly.
"Chichiri?" Hikari asked nervously.
"Hai?"
"Are you mad at me? About just now? I'm sorry. I... Just never had someone who ever really cared about me before. I suppose the way you treated me was strange. To me I mean! I just... Oh, I don't know. I never... You..." Hikari was beginning to stammer.
A smile slowly crept on my face. "It's okay. You don't have to worry about anything. I suppose I was just rushing things."
"Rushing what?" Hikari asked confused.
"Nothing. I really like to make friends. I hope we can be more than just comrades. Friends?" I extended my hand. Hikari looked at it, thoughtful.
"I suppose."
"And one more thing. Next time, if you have a problem, don't bottle it up. Come and tell me what the problem is. Don't worry, you can trust me. So, why do we take a walk around the garden?" I smiled at her. She nodded her head.
I began to walk away from the pond.
"I'd like to have real friend someday," a small soft voice whispered.
I turned around. "Did you just say something?" Hikari shook her head.
"No." I shrugged and went for a walk with her.
I stared at both our reflections in the still water. It was in the evening now. We both were taking a little break. Hikari had an almost emotionless yet serious look on her face, as of she was in another world, if not, thinking hard about something.
"Daijoubu ka?" I asked.
Hikari silently looked up. She then turned her head to look at me. "Chichiri, where is the highest place in the palace?"
I looked at her in surprise. "The roof I guess..."
"Good." She got up and walked away.
"Where are you going?"
Hikari stopped in her tracks with her back facing me. I heard her sighed and without answering me, she walked off. Not wanting to lose her, I followed.
And...
I ended up sitting on the rooftop of the palace, watching the sunset with Hikari.
"Isn't it beautiful? Every sunset different from the one before. Sadly nothing beautiful ever last for a long time. In a few minutes, the sunset will end," she said, her voice was as low as a whisper.
I nodded, agreeing with what she had just said. I looked at her. The sun's dim rays was reflected in her eyes. Light shone on her face, making her angelic features even more beautiful than it has ever been.
Why?
Why didn't I ever saw Kouran like this before? After all, we were childhood friends. And grew up to be fiancés. So why? What made Hikari different from Kouran? I fell in love with Kouran, only when my father said that we actually betrothed ever since we were three. Our love then... It seemed pretty much artificial. I loved her only because I thought I was suppose to. She did the same, I suppose.
Demo, Hikari... There was another side of her that was waiting to be explored. A mysterious part of her, hidden in the dark. Scary and yet that fact alone makes her look and feel beautiful...
And why in my right mind am I thinking about this all of a sudden? Wasn't I suppose to be remorseful for what I did?!
It was because...
Because..
I searched for the exact words to describe my feelings for Hikari.
Only one came to my mind.
Love.
I immediately snapped out of my thoughts when I realized that Hikari was talking. I looked at her while she talked. Her eyes. They've changed. It used to be slightly dull, as if she was trying to hide her real feelings from the world. But now, her eyes were big, shining with a certain sort of glow... As if the barrier surrounding her softened.
"Clouds represent dreams for us to chase them, reach out to grab them. Sun represents the strength and willpower of one's heart, shining brightly in the sky. The moon represents beauty, inner beauty of one's self. The water reflects us, showing us the truth about ourselves. Evening star represent courage. Courage for being able to shine so brightly after the sun. Stars help guide us for all our problems. They remind us that we are not alone. Birth represents life, the beginning of something new. Death makes us realize the important of loved ones. Day represent the beginning of new friendships and challenges. Night represent the end of all our hardships." Hikari sounded like as if she was now very detached from life, as if observing all us mortals from somewhere high above.
"I didn't know all that stuff. Who taught you that?" I asked, surprised at her little speech.
"Huh?" she snapped out of her daydreams. "I'm sorry. Was I talking out aloud to myself again?" She forced a smile on her face.
I nodded. "The person who taught you that must be someone who is really wise," I commented. "Who is it?"
"Someone. Who was special..."
A special someone in her life? Her lover?
"Demo, I can't remember. That phrase... I knew it as long as I could remember. Perhaps, I overheard someone saying it in my childhood," Hikari sheepishly admitted.
The first few stars were now beginning to appear.
"Let's go eat dinner before Miaka eats all the food on the table," I extended my hand. I was delighted when she actually took it and we both levitated from the roof.
Tasuki:
It was late in the evening. Everyone was waiting for the arrival of Tamahome, Miaka and his family. Since Hotohori insisted that we waited until they came back to eat dinner, I was waiting impatiently outside the gates of the palace. My stomach was growling. Tamahome and Miaka should have returned in the afternoon. But they sure have taken a long time. About the most, they should have taken only two hours. What was keeping them? Did they make out or something? Nah... Miaka needs to remain a virgin...
"Hey!!! Minna!!! Miaka and Tamahome are back!!!" I shouted at the rest of the seishis who were just lazing around in the palace gardens. I looked at the kids walking together with Tamahome and Miaka. One, two, three...
Three?! I thought Tamahome had four siblings? And didn't they live with his father? Why wasn't his father with them? And why were Miaka's eyes so red? Had she been crying? What the fuck happened?
I ran towards them. Tamahome tried his best to smile and pretended to be cheerful.
"You guys took the entire day," complaint Nuriko.
Miaka burst into tears. Nuriko opened his mouth to say something then shut it closed like a fish.
"Miaka." Hotohori rushed to comfort her.
Miaka pushed him away and ran all the way back to her room.
"Nani... Tamahome, what the hell did you to the miko?" I demanded angrily.
Now, it was Tamahome's turn to cry. His younger siblings crowded around him, comforting him. But ended up crying as well.
"What the fuck happened?!" I demanded. I hated to see people cry. Damn it. Why were my eyes suddenly stinging?
In between sobs, Tamahome explained the situation. "They... Disappeared..."
"Nani?" Everyone said in disbelief.
"Listen, Nuriko, Hikari, Amiboshi and Yukiko will go and comfort Miaka now. Tasuki, Chichiri and Mitsukake go bring these kids somewhere warm. Tamahome," Hotohori grabbed his shoulders. "Be a man. Face me and tell me what exactly happened during the day," Hotohori said firmly.
Tamahome sniffled. "My father... And one of my siblings... Dead..."
Author's note: What?! I still have to write disclaimers? I don't own Fushigi Yuugi!!! Sheesh!!! Anyway, I won't be revealing which sibling who died. And how they died will have to be revealed in the next chapter. BWA HA HA!!! Mean, aren't I? So till the next chapter and keep those reviews coming!!!! Yes, Chiriko fans, he's appearing soon. And depending on my mood, he could have a very good introduction.. Then again. Maybe not... Hmmm...
List of Japanese words :
Sou ka – Is that so?