Disclaimer: Yume: Luckily for us, Smack does not own Fushigi Yuugi. If she
did, the anime would suck 'cause she'd run out of ideas.
Thanks to the following people:
Otaku Pitcher: I'm sorry about making you wait a while. I've just been busy and have a short attention span so I kept getting sidetracked while typing up this chapter. Chichiri is an awesome character and thanks for the bonus points, but like I said, all of you will be disappointed in this chapter because I'm mean to Shiriko. (It has to be done, sorry) Oh, Yume doesn't have Tasuki yet, they get along ok, but that's it.
Lanen: Yea, I guess Mitsukake does know how far someone will go for an animal. I'm glad you liked the Mits being a wall thing, it made sense to me. (But a lot of weird things make sense to me, so I guess that doesn't count) Yume does seem to have bad luck, doesn't she? I guess I'm a little mean to my characters, but you haven't seen anything yet. (Wait 'til the next chapter, and the one after that, then I'm really mean. But it serves the plot.)
Author's Note: Here is the much-awaited chapter 5 in which Yume is found listening in on Miaka's and Tamahome's conversation. Well, she catches her retreating. How will the wily girl get out of this one? Something happens to Shiriko in this chapter, I'm not telling you what but something does happen. Yume also contemplates her current situation. Actually. . .she doesn't but I don't want to give too much away. On to Chapter 5!
Yume's thoughts will appear like this: '. . .'
Chapter 5: Midnight Encounters!
"Oh, hi Miaka. I'm just taking Shiriko for a little walk. He's full of energy so he needed one," I answered, trying to hide the hurt and anger in my voice.
"So soon after the last one?" I heard Tamahome remark. "I told you something was up. She's probably supposed to meet Tasuki or Mitsukake or someone else," he whispered to Miaka.
"Well, I have to get going. I'm tired and the sooner I get this walk over with, the better," I stated. I was on the verge on tears, but I refused to cry. 'I will not be seen as weak by him.' I turned to walk away and heard Miaka's footsteps behind me.
"I'd like to come, if you don't mind. There's so much I want to ask you, you know, about our world and how things are going there. Besides, you shouldn't go out by yourself in the dark," she said as she caught up.
"I don't mind, but you have Tamahome here and I wouldn't want to intrude. I have my flashlight so I will be able to see fine," I answered, hoping she'd back out or at least not bring Tamahome with her. I have nothing to say to him.
"Oh no, Tamahome doesn't mind, do you?" she asked, or rather, ordered.
"Why doesn't she ask Tasuki to go? Or better yet, Mitsukake?" he muttered. I felt my cheeks grow hot. He was really pissing me off.
"Come on, Yume, let's go. If Tamahome wants to stay here, he can: alone." She followed me down the hallway. "He can be such a jerk sometimes. Watch, he'll come. Just give him a minute."
"Hey! Wait up!" he called after us. We heard him run to catch up with us. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, Miaka."
So the four of us embarked on our little journey. Truth is, I'd rather have been alone. It's so much more peaceful being alone than walking with someone who hates you. But what can you do? I decided to look up at the sky, for any signs of stars. I was met with a huge, beautiful tapestry of glowing lights. The moon radiated down and reflected onto the water creating a spectacular sight. . .at least to someone who can't normally see the stars. I gasped, unable to stop myself. "It's so beautiful. . ." I murmured. I didn't think that anyone would hear me, or that they would respond if they did, but Miaka heard and responded.
"Yea, they are so nice out here. I remember the first time I saw them, I had practically the same reaction," she said, pausing to look at the stars with me. Tamahome shuffled around, waiting impatiently until we were finished.
"I don't get it. What's so amazing about the stars? They're there every night," he stated, annoyed probably more at me than our new fascination with the stars.
"Where we come from, Tamahome, you can't normally see them. To us, they are special," she answered. He sighed and kept silent.
We continued on, Miaka and Tamahome talking, Shiriko and I silent. 'That's exactly why I didn't want them to come,' I thought bitterly, listening to the stupid giggles of Miaka. 'I hate being ignored! Although she is pretty nice, Miaka's gay giggling is getting on my nerves fast! I wish they hadn't come!' We arrived in the garden a few minutes after, and I let Shiriko off the leash. "There! Now maybe you will get rid of some of that energy!" I said, thinking out loud. I guess Miaka had forgiven Tamahome because when I turned around, they were hugging. 'She forgives people too easy. That could be her downfall someday. Or my retribution. . .' I thought. 'Na, I doubt that I could get away with betraying Nakago and live through it. After all, I am just a normal teenager.' "You guys can leave if you want. I got my flashlight and Shiriko so I should be fine," I told them.
"Alright then. See you tomorrow," they said in unison. 'Wow, that didn't take much persuasion. At least they left.'
I sat down, waiting for Shiriko to be done and come back to me. After about ten minutes, I decided to call him. "It's getting late, Shiriko. Come on back so we can go inside." No response. Not even a defying bark that I sometimes get. "Alright Shiriko. Get back here now! I'm not in the mood for one of your games." Still nothing. I got up and walked in the direction he took off in. "Shiriko!" I saw a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned and shined my flashlight, and found nothing. I saw another flash, this time from the other side. I turned and shone the flashlight in that direction, only to find nothing once again. "Alright Shiriko. You've had your fun and this is getting creepy. Now come on back." I decided to walk back to where I was sitting before. I heard a faint rustling of leaves behind me. 'Ok, I know there's no wind, so what is it?' I went to turn around but before I could, I was knocked to the ground. "Shiriko?!? What's the big idea scaring me like that! You big dummy!" I pet my dog and put the leash back on him. "That's enough excitement for one day, eh buddy?"
As we were walking back, I noticed that he was limping slightly on his front left paw. Once we got back to our room, I lit a lamp to get a better look. 'Honestly I don't know how these people live without electricity,' I thought as I lit the lamp. As I suspected, there was a problem with his left front leg. A huge cut to be more precisely. He had blood on the front of him. "Oh my god! Shiriko! What happened to you, buddy? We gotta get a cloth and clean you up." I wasn't sure but I think that whatever did that to Shiriko, was what I kept seeing out of the corner of my eye. He protected me again. I found a cloth and cleaned him up, then bandaged it the best I could. 'It's not too late. . .I should let Nakago know that I'm in. Even if he is trying to sleep, he deserves to be woken up after all the crap he's put me through today. Besides, I don't want him calling me, that'd really blow my cover.'
I decided to change into "my" pajamas first so I could go straight to sleep after dealing with him. 'I do wish I knew what time it was, though. It could be really late. As funny as it would be to wake him up, it might anger him and put my life in danger, too,' I thought as I searched for the god forsaken bead. Just as I was about to call Nakago, I heard a knock on my door. "What now?" I asked in pure frustration. Calling Nakago was hard enough, (well, wanting to anyway), without all these interruptions! I opened the door in my pajamas, expecting to find Miaka there making sure I got back ok or something. Instead, I found Tasuki. "What do you want?" I asked him, probably harsher than I needed to.
"Nice to see you too," he responded. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok. I heard a lot of banging in here." He began to look around.
"Oh, ok. I was looking for something to bandage Shiriko's leg with but I found something so it's ok," I answered. "He hurt his leg while we were out walking, see his leg is all-" I went to point to his leg when the bead rolled out of my hand and onto the floor. I quickly snatched it up, hoping he didn't notice. 'Yea right. Quit dreaming girl. Even he's not that stupid.'
"What's that?" he asked, pointing to my closed hand.
'Think Yume! Think!' "Oh, it's nothing. Just a little bead I found in the alley that I woke up in," I answered. I shrugged to emphasis its pointlessness. "I liked the color so I kept it."
"It looks a lot like Nakago's earring," Tasuki said, eying it suspiciously. "But it's just a little bead so it can't do any harm, I suppose."
"Who's Nakago?" I asked, playing innocent and changing the subject.
"Nakago is one of the Seiryuu seven and basically their leader," Tasuki explained, growing angry. "That asshole has caused us more problems. . . He even had Tamahome's family killed! We were supposed to go on a trip yesterday but discovered his family dead. He will pay. . ." Tasuki's face shone with an anger I knew all too well.
I suddenly felt ashamed of myself. 'He caused all these people loads of pain and here I am, spying on them for him. I feel like such a traitor!' "Wow, he sounds like a really evil guy. I can't believe he did that to Tamahome. . . No wonder the guy is a little testy now," I replied. 'Well, what else could I say? "Hmm. . .That's too bad. I just happen to have made a deal with him and am currently assigned to spy on Miaka. If it makes you feel any better, I had no idea no about how evil he was, this, I assure you." Yea right! They'd kill me on the spot.'
"He is. But don't worry, we'll kill that asshole someday!" Tasuki declared. 'I hope they do, but if they do, will I be able to get back home?'
Tasuki looked at me for probably the first time since he got here. His eyes widened and I remembered how much taller he was than me. I became very self- conscious. I was in pajamas that consisted of baggy pants and a low cut shirt that kept sliding down to an inappropriate level. Tasuki looked down at me dumbly and I pulled up the shirt. 'Fucking pervert.' "Well, if that's all you wanted, I would like to get some sleep," I stated, completely embarrassed by this whole situation. I nervously put my fingers through my hair.
"What if that's not all I wanted?" he asked, that damn smirk back on his face. 'I don't trust that look. Is he playing with my mind again?' I decided not to turn away this time. 'I've got my own little trick for him.'
"Well, what else do you want?" I asked, looking up at him innocently. We locked eyes and it got uncomfortable again, just like when he grabbed me before. 'Damn hormones.'
He began to sweat. 'Good, my mind game is working. I probably shouldn't manipulate him like this: it will just feed the rumors but it's so easy and entertaining.' "Well, I wanted to know if I could use that CD player thing again," he answered, nervously.
"Sure, let me just get my bag." I smirked at him and twirled around, leaving him in the doorway to think about my motives. I moved towards the table that I had left my bag on, but it wasn't there. 'Wait. . .there's only one table and my bags not on it.' "Where's my bag?" I asked, thinking out loud again.
"Oh, you mean this?" he asked, holding my bag, a victorious smirk present on his face.
"How did you? When did you?" I asked, bewildered.
"Told you I was fast," he said simply. He tossed me the bag, smirking the whole time. 'Damn he looks fine with that smirk.' 'Ohh, somebody likes Tasuki,' another voice in my complex mind teased. 'No, I just think he's hot,' I answered. 'I don't like him!'
I reached into my bag and pulled out my CD player, along with a little surprise for Tasuki. "Hey Tasuki!" He looked over. SNAP!
"What the hell was that?" Tasuki asked, his face completely confused.
"This is gonna be a good one!" I exclaimed, ignoring Tasuki and waving around my developing picture.
"Hello? What the hell was that?" he repeated still angry and confused. I shoved the picture in his face. It was great! The expression (in the picture) was a combination of curiosity and superiority. "How'd you do that?"
"With my camera. I can take pictures. Sort of like instant paintings that are actually accurate," I explained.
"You aren't going to show anyone that, are you?" he begged. "Please don't."
"I don't know: maybe, maybe not. Now if you don't mind, I want to go to sleep. Goodnight," I stated firmly. He smirked again.
"You can be evil, can't you? Well, before I go, at least get my good side." I picked up my camera again. This is what I really wanted, but I knew I could never talk him into it if I didn't humiliate him first. I took the picture. "Thanks. Night, Yume."
I shut the door behind him and placed my two pictures in a safe spot. "He's gone and I didn't even have to give him my CD player!" I couldn't be too happy, though. I still had to report to Nakago. I sighed and walked towards my closet. "Let's get this over with."
I pushed the button, hoping it wasn't too late. A screen appeared. Nakago's face formed in the screen. "A report all ready? I guess I picked the right girl," he said. His voice hadn't lost its iciness and neither had his eyes.
"It's not really a report, more of a confirmation. I wanted to let you know that I'm in the palace. The fool priestess let me in even though I knew nothing of the Universe of the Four Gods," I told him. His eyebrows went up. "Speaking of which, how come you didn't tell me about the book?"
"I wanted to test your skills. I guess I did pick the right one, if you got in with them so quickly. May I ask how you did it?" he responded, looking me up and down. 'I swear this place is just crawling with perverts. What am I? Some kind of rare beauty that they all have to check out?'
"I used my charm, of course," I answered. He smirked. 'God I hate that look. On Tasuki, it's fine but on him. It's just plain wrong.'
"Of course. If that's all you wanted, I going to go. Next time, try not to call so late. As much as I love seeing you, I was right in the middle of something. . .hehe. . .important."
I wanted to slap him! If he knew what I'd been through today. . . It angered me just thinking about it! "Sure sorry about that. It's hard to get time alone here." I "hung up" on him after that. I don't care how mad he gets! I'm tired, I'm homesick, and most of all, I'm pissed. I walked over to my bed and blew out the light. The last thought in my mind before I drifted off to sleep was of my home. How I miss it. I wonder if they noticed that I'm gone yet. . .
Author's Note: (I should really change this, other people write stuff here, not just me)
Smack: Here's a hint as to how much taller Tasuki is compared to Yume. He's roughly three inches taller than her.
Tasuki: ::blushes:: I wasn't looking down her shirt!
Smack: Sure. . . Anyway, I'm sorry about having Shiriko get hurt, but I had to do it. It seems like Yume is having a little inner crisis about the side she's on. She doesn't have the will power to switch sides yet. Nor does she have a real reason to. Here's the quote for the next chapter: (it's a long one, too)
"You miss you world don't you? That's what you were thinking about, wasn't it?" he asked. I don't think he was trying to be rude or nosey, I think he was just asking.
"Yes and no," I answered. He looked over at me, obviously trying to let me know that he'll listen but not pry. "I do miss my world a little, but it wasn't like I was leaving much. I was always home alone. I wasn't thinking about home, though. I was just adding salt to an old wound."
Smack: Ah, yes, one more thing. The title, as it stands, the chapter title is "Nightmares and Reflections." Chichiri also gets a bigger role in the next few chapters. Ah no! I gave away too much all ready! Byes!
Thanks to the following people:
Otaku Pitcher: I'm sorry about making you wait a while. I've just been busy and have a short attention span so I kept getting sidetracked while typing up this chapter. Chichiri is an awesome character and thanks for the bonus points, but like I said, all of you will be disappointed in this chapter because I'm mean to Shiriko. (It has to be done, sorry) Oh, Yume doesn't have Tasuki yet, they get along ok, but that's it.
Lanen: Yea, I guess Mitsukake does know how far someone will go for an animal. I'm glad you liked the Mits being a wall thing, it made sense to me. (But a lot of weird things make sense to me, so I guess that doesn't count) Yume does seem to have bad luck, doesn't she? I guess I'm a little mean to my characters, but you haven't seen anything yet. (Wait 'til the next chapter, and the one after that, then I'm really mean. But it serves the plot.)
Author's Note: Here is the much-awaited chapter 5 in which Yume is found listening in on Miaka's and Tamahome's conversation. Well, she catches her retreating. How will the wily girl get out of this one? Something happens to Shiriko in this chapter, I'm not telling you what but something does happen. Yume also contemplates her current situation. Actually. . .she doesn't but I don't want to give too much away. On to Chapter 5!
Yume's thoughts will appear like this: '. . .'
Chapter 5: Midnight Encounters!
"Oh, hi Miaka. I'm just taking Shiriko for a little walk. He's full of energy so he needed one," I answered, trying to hide the hurt and anger in my voice.
"So soon after the last one?" I heard Tamahome remark. "I told you something was up. She's probably supposed to meet Tasuki or Mitsukake or someone else," he whispered to Miaka.
"Well, I have to get going. I'm tired and the sooner I get this walk over with, the better," I stated. I was on the verge on tears, but I refused to cry. 'I will not be seen as weak by him.' I turned to walk away and heard Miaka's footsteps behind me.
"I'd like to come, if you don't mind. There's so much I want to ask you, you know, about our world and how things are going there. Besides, you shouldn't go out by yourself in the dark," she said as she caught up.
"I don't mind, but you have Tamahome here and I wouldn't want to intrude. I have my flashlight so I will be able to see fine," I answered, hoping she'd back out or at least not bring Tamahome with her. I have nothing to say to him.
"Oh no, Tamahome doesn't mind, do you?" she asked, or rather, ordered.
"Why doesn't she ask Tasuki to go? Or better yet, Mitsukake?" he muttered. I felt my cheeks grow hot. He was really pissing me off.
"Come on, Yume, let's go. If Tamahome wants to stay here, he can: alone." She followed me down the hallway. "He can be such a jerk sometimes. Watch, he'll come. Just give him a minute."
"Hey! Wait up!" he called after us. We heard him run to catch up with us. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, Miaka."
So the four of us embarked on our little journey. Truth is, I'd rather have been alone. It's so much more peaceful being alone than walking with someone who hates you. But what can you do? I decided to look up at the sky, for any signs of stars. I was met with a huge, beautiful tapestry of glowing lights. The moon radiated down and reflected onto the water creating a spectacular sight. . .at least to someone who can't normally see the stars. I gasped, unable to stop myself. "It's so beautiful. . ." I murmured. I didn't think that anyone would hear me, or that they would respond if they did, but Miaka heard and responded.
"Yea, they are so nice out here. I remember the first time I saw them, I had practically the same reaction," she said, pausing to look at the stars with me. Tamahome shuffled around, waiting impatiently until we were finished.
"I don't get it. What's so amazing about the stars? They're there every night," he stated, annoyed probably more at me than our new fascination with the stars.
"Where we come from, Tamahome, you can't normally see them. To us, they are special," she answered. He sighed and kept silent.
We continued on, Miaka and Tamahome talking, Shiriko and I silent. 'That's exactly why I didn't want them to come,' I thought bitterly, listening to the stupid giggles of Miaka. 'I hate being ignored! Although she is pretty nice, Miaka's gay giggling is getting on my nerves fast! I wish they hadn't come!' We arrived in the garden a few minutes after, and I let Shiriko off the leash. "There! Now maybe you will get rid of some of that energy!" I said, thinking out loud. I guess Miaka had forgiven Tamahome because when I turned around, they were hugging. 'She forgives people too easy. That could be her downfall someday. Or my retribution. . .' I thought. 'Na, I doubt that I could get away with betraying Nakago and live through it. After all, I am just a normal teenager.' "You guys can leave if you want. I got my flashlight and Shiriko so I should be fine," I told them.
"Alright then. See you tomorrow," they said in unison. 'Wow, that didn't take much persuasion. At least they left.'
I sat down, waiting for Shiriko to be done and come back to me. After about ten minutes, I decided to call him. "It's getting late, Shiriko. Come on back so we can go inside." No response. Not even a defying bark that I sometimes get. "Alright Shiriko. Get back here now! I'm not in the mood for one of your games." Still nothing. I got up and walked in the direction he took off in. "Shiriko!" I saw a flash of movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned and shined my flashlight, and found nothing. I saw another flash, this time from the other side. I turned and shone the flashlight in that direction, only to find nothing once again. "Alright Shiriko. You've had your fun and this is getting creepy. Now come on back." I decided to walk back to where I was sitting before. I heard a faint rustling of leaves behind me. 'Ok, I know there's no wind, so what is it?' I went to turn around but before I could, I was knocked to the ground. "Shiriko?!? What's the big idea scaring me like that! You big dummy!" I pet my dog and put the leash back on him. "That's enough excitement for one day, eh buddy?"
As we were walking back, I noticed that he was limping slightly on his front left paw. Once we got back to our room, I lit a lamp to get a better look. 'Honestly I don't know how these people live without electricity,' I thought as I lit the lamp. As I suspected, there was a problem with his left front leg. A huge cut to be more precisely. He had blood on the front of him. "Oh my god! Shiriko! What happened to you, buddy? We gotta get a cloth and clean you up." I wasn't sure but I think that whatever did that to Shiriko, was what I kept seeing out of the corner of my eye. He protected me again. I found a cloth and cleaned him up, then bandaged it the best I could. 'It's not too late. . .I should let Nakago know that I'm in. Even if he is trying to sleep, he deserves to be woken up after all the crap he's put me through today. Besides, I don't want him calling me, that'd really blow my cover.'
I decided to change into "my" pajamas first so I could go straight to sleep after dealing with him. 'I do wish I knew what time it was, though. It could be really late. As funny as it would be to wake him up, it might anger him and put my life in danger, too,' I thought as I searched for the god forsaken bead. Just as I was about to call Nakago, I heard a knock on my door. "What now?" I asked in pure frustration. Calling Nakago was hard enough, (well, wanting to anyway), without all these interruptions! I opened the door in my pajamas, expecting to find Miaka there making sure I got back ok or something. Instead, I found Tasuki. "What do you want?" I asked him, probably harsher than I needed to.
"Nice to see you too," he responded. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok. I heard a lot of banging in here." He began to look around.
"Oh, ok. I was looking for something to bandage Shiriko's leg with but I found something so it's ok," I answered. "He hurt his leg while we were out walking, see his leg is all-" I went to point to his leg when the bead rolled out of my hand and onto the floor. I quickly snatched it up, hoping he didn't notice. 'Yea right. Quit dreaming girl. Even he's not that stupid.'
"What's that?" he asked, pointing to my closed hand.
'Think Yume! Think!' "Oh, it's nothing. Just a little bead I found in the alley that I woke up in," I answered. I shrugged to emphasis its pointlessness. "I liked the color so I kept it."
"It looks a lot like Nakago's earring," Tasuki said, eying it suspiciously. "But it's just a little bead so it can't do any harm, I suppose."
"Who's Nakago?" I asked, playing innocent and changing the subject.
"Nakago is one of the Seiryuu seven and basically their leader," Tasuki explained, growing angry. "That asshole has caused us more problems. . . He even had Tamahome's family killed! We were supposed to go on a trip yesterday but discovered his family dead. He will pay. . ." Tasuki's face shone with an anger I knew all too well.
I suddenly felt ashamed of myself. 'He caused all these people loads of pain and here I am, spying on them for him. I feel like such a traitor!' "Wow, he sounds like a really evil guy. I can't believe he did that to Tamahome. . . No wonder the guy is a little testy now," I replied. 'Well, what else could I say? "Hmm. . .That's too bad. I just happen to have made a deal with him and am currently assigned to spy on Miaka. If it makes you feel any better, I had no idea no about how evil he was, this, I assure you." Yea right! They'd kill me on the spot.'
"He is. But don't worry, we'll kill that asshole someday!" Tasuki declared. 'I hope they do, but if they do, will I be able to get back home?'
Tasuki looked at me for probably the first time since he got here. His eyes widened and I remembered how much taller he was than me. I became very self- conscious. I was in pajamas that consisted of baggy pants and a low cut shirt that kept sliding down to an inappropriate level. Tasuki looked down at me dumbly and I pulled up the shirt. 'Fucking pervert.' "Well, if that's all you wanted, I would like to get some sleep," I stated, completely embarrassed by this whole situation. I nervously put my fingers through my hair.
"What if that's not all I wanted?" he asked, that damn smirk back on his face. 'I don't trust that look. Is he playing with my mind again?' I decided not to turn away this time. 'I've got my own little trick for him.'
"Well, what else do you want?" I asked, looking up at him innocently. We locked eyes and it got uncomfortable again, just like when he grabbed me before. 'Damn hormones.'
He began to sweat. 'Good, my mind game is working. I probably shouldn't manipulate him like this: it will just feed the rumors but it's so easy and entertaining.' "Well, I wanted to know if I could use that CD player thing again," he answered, nervously.
"Sure, let me just get my bag." I smirked at him and twirled around, leaving him in the doorway to think about my motives. I moved towards the table that I had left my bag on, but it wasn't there. 'Wait. . .there's only one table and my bags not on it.' "Where's my bag?" I asked, thinking out loud again.
"Oh, you mean this?" he asked, holding my bag, a victorious smirk present on his face.
"How did you? When did you?" I asked, bewildered.
"Told you I was fast," he said simply. He tossed me the bag, smirking the whole time. 'Damn he looks fine with that smirk.' 'Ohh, somebody likes Tasuki,' another voice in my complex mind teased. 'No, I just think he's hot,' I answered. 'I don't like him!'
I reached into my bag and pulled out my CD player, along with a little surprise for Tasuki. "Hey Tasuki!" He looked over. SNAP!
"What the hell was that?" Tasuki asked, his face completely confused.
"This is gonna be a good one!" I exclaimed, ignoring Tasuki and waving around my developing picture.
"Hello? What the hell was that?" he repeated still angry and confused. I shoved the picture in his face. It was great! The expression (in the picture) was a combination of curiosity and superiority. "How'd you do that?"
"With my camera. I can take pictures. Sort of like instant paintings that are actually accurate," I explained.
"You aren't going to show anyone that, are you?" he begged. "Please don't."
"I don't know: maybe, maybe not. Now if you don't mind, I want to go to sleep. Goodnight," I stated firmly. He smirked again.
"You can be evil, can't you? Well, before I go, at least get my good side." I picked up my camera again. This is what I really wanted, but I knew I could never talk him into it if I didn't humiliate him first. I took the picture. "Thanks. Night, Yume."
I shut the door behind him and placed my two pictures in a safe spot. "He's gone and I didn't even have to give him my CD player!" I couldn't be too happy, though. I still had to report to Nakago. I sighed and walked towards my closet. "Let's get this over with."
I pushed the button, hoping it wasn't too late. A screen appeared. Nakago's face formed in the screen. "A report all ready? I guess I picked the right girl," he said. His voice hadn't lost its iciness and neither had his eyes.
"It's not really a report, more of a confirmation. I wanted to let you know that I'm in the palace. The fool priestess let me in even though I knew nothing of the Universe of the Four Gods," I told him. His eyebrows went up. "Speaking of which, how come you didn't tell me about the book?"
"I wanted to test your skills. I guess I did pick the right one, if you got in with them so quickly. May I ask how you did it?" he responded, looking me up and down. 'I swear this place is just crawling with perverts. What am I? Some kind of rare beauty that they all have to check out?'
"I used my charm, of course," I answered. He smirked. 'God I hate that look. On Tasuki, it's fine but on him. It's just plain wrong.'
"Of course. If that's all you wanted, I going to go. Next time, try not to call so late. As much as I love seeing you, I was right in the middle of something. . .hehe. . .important."
I wanted to slap him! If he knew what I'd been through today. . . It angered me just thinking about it! "Sure sorry about that. It's hard to get time alone here." I "hung up" on him after that. I don't care how mad he gets! I'm tired, I'm homesick, and most of all, I'm pissed. I walked over to my bed and blew out the light. The last thought in my mind before I drifted off to sleep was of my home. How I miss it. I wonder if they noticed that I'm gone yet. . .
Author's Note: (I should really change this, other people write stuff here, not just me)
Smack: Here's a hint as to how much taller Tasuki is compared to Yume. He's roughly three inches taller than her.
Tasuki: ::blushes:: I wasn't looking down her shirt!
Smack: Sure. . . Anyway, I'm sorry about having Shiriko get hurt, but I had to do it. It seems like Yume is having a little inner crisis about the side she's on. She doesn't have the will power to switch sides yet. Nor does she have a real reason to. Here's the quote for the next chapter: (it's a long one, too)
"You miss you world don't you? That's what you were thinking about, wasn't it?" he asked. I don't think he was trying to be rude or nosey, I think he was just asking.
"Yes and no," I answered. He looked over at me, obviously trying to let me know that he'll listen but not pry. "I do miss my world a little, but it wasn't like I was leaving much. I was always home alone. I wasn't thinking about home, though. I was just adding salt to an old wound."
Smack: Ah, yes, one more thing. The title, as it stands, the chapter title is "Nightmares and Reflections." Chichiri also gets a bigger role in the next few chapters. Ah no! I gave away too much all ready! Byes!