Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. I do own Yume, Shiriko, the plot
and any other stuff I create.
Thanks to:
Lanen: Yea, sorry about the cliffhanger. I love to write cliffhangers and this was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Mits is getting a pretty good role, eh?
Otaku Pitcher: I couldn't keep Shiriko injured too long. It was too mean. (I can't say the same about the rest of the characters.) I forgot one thing; I came up with a name for your character. "Katana" (light breeze) seems to work for the personality you gave me. So when you see that name, it's you. Just wanted to let you know.
miLady: Well, this chapter answers the "what's around the corner" question, but as for the other ones, only time will tell. You won't have to wait for long, though, because the next chapter twists the plot.
Author's Note: Here's the long (well, not long but that's ok) awaited chapter that answers the "what's around the corner" question that some of you may be thinking about. Two of the character spots have been taken but you guys still have time if you're interested. It's not a SI, if that's what you're thinking; it's just a chance for you to design a character. Oh well, this isn't going to be an extremely long chapter but it's important just the same. On we go. . .
'. . .' are how Yume's thoughts will be represented.
Chapter 7: A Heartfelt Interrogation
Who ever I thought was behind me never caught up and I prepared to turn the corner alone. Shiriko was still growling and I feared that he would soon strike. Maybe I should let him and just turn around and leave. No, that would be cowardly. I turned and saw Nakago standing there, looking at me. His gaze seemed to pierce right through my soul and I recalled the figure from my dream. I felt limp and fell to the ground. I knew not what had happened while I was unconscious but I awoke in my room on my bed. Shiriko was lying down on the bed I made for him watching me. I would have thought that it all was a dream except for the fact that I wasn't wearing my pajamas and I saw Chichiri sitting at the table. He looked terribly upset about something. Hotohori and Tasuki were there too but they were leaning against a wall. They looked upset about something, too. I didn't like the look of this. I wished that I could just drift back off to sleep but somehow, I didn't like the thought of being asleep in a room with three guys. 'I'll just play innocent,' I decided. "What. . .what happened?" I asked, sitting up and holding my head as though it hurt.
"You fainted and we carried you back here," Chichiri answered, unable to look at me.
"It was really nice of you all to stay here. You didn't have to. I'm ok now," I told them. 'Why are they here? What the hell did I do now?' Then it hit me. Or. . .they hit me. 'Nakago. The earring. Shit! Did they find it?'
"We have some questions for you, Yume. It's very important that you answer with complete honesty. Do you understand?" Hotohori asked, not looking at me either.
I searched his face for hints of what of what he was feeling. When that failed, I searched Chichiri and Tasuki. Neither would meet my gaze. The latter, (Tasuki), wouldn't even look at me. "I understand what you are asking but I do not understand why you are asking it! What did I do to cause you to question me like this?" I asked, trying to act shocked and horrified at their distrust in me.
Chichiri looked up from the floor. I think he felt sorry for me but it was hard to tell with that damn smile. But even the smile wasn't that happy. "Do you remember right before you fainted?" he asked. I nodded and he continued. "Well, that was me. I transformed into our enemy, Nakago. Hotohori and the others were still a little doubtful about how you got here so they asked me to make myself look like him to test your reaction. It worked. . .you definitely reacted: in pure fear almost, with a little hint of shock. Then we found this bead on the table. It looks just like one of Nakago's earrings. Yume, if there is something you're not telling us, please, tell us now, before it's too late."
I was trapped and they knew it. "Well, I don't even know how I got here so I can't really explain that. If that's what you wanted to hear, then I'm sorry. I can explain the bead, however. I already told Tasuki how I found it." I searched him for a reaction. He just looked away. "I found it in the alley where I woke up when I first got here. It was pretty so I kept it. As for my reaction," I explained, pausing for a breath. 'How can I explain this?' I asked myself. 'The truth.' "I had a nightmare this morning. That is also why I was up so early. It's a long story so bear with me if you want me to explain it."
They nodded and I went on to explain the dream that kept me from falling back asleep. "In the dream, I was wandering around a house alone. I called out to my mother and older brother, but got no answer. Eventually, I saw them. They were there, but I passed through them and they didn't even notice me. They faded and I was left alone again. I kept walking and called for Shiriko. I thought he heard me because I saw him come running out of the darkness. He just ran through me and disappeared in the distance." 'This is the truth,' I thought. 'Even if it isn't the whole truth it's more than they need to know and it does explain my reaction, sort of. I can use it as a cover story.'
"That's when he appeared. I heard this cold, emotionless voice from behind me. The voice was content to mock me, or so it seemed at first. I turned to see who was there, but I couldn't see the face clearly: it was covered in a shadow. I asked him who he was and what was going on and he just laughed. Even in the dream, the laugh sent chills down my spine." I flinched remembering what happened next, why I was afraid to go back to sleep.
"He pulled out this weird weapon and I tried to run. I wasn't fast enough, it was all happening in slow motion or something. I could feel the weapon slice through me like I was nothing. I fell and he moved towards me, smirking down at me. He started to kick me in the stomach. I begged him to stop," I flinched again. I was about to cry. I didn't want to relive all of this. "But he just pulled out his weapon and swung it again, this time cutting me from arm to cheek. I tried to get up but ended up just falling down again. He laughed and grabbed me by the hair and just dragged me with him. We ended up on a snow-covered mountain. When we reached the top, he threw me into this rock wall. Another guy was waiting there. Then I woke up."
"That guy. . .Nakago or whatever. . . for some reason he reminded me of the guy in my dream. That scared me since sometimes-" I stopped myself. What else could I say? 'Yea sometimes when I see people in my dreams, or when things happen in my dreams they happen? And because of this, seeing Nakago scared the shit out of me? Ha! They'd kill me for lying! And they'd be right, that almost never happens.' I looked up to see their reactions.
"She's not lying, Hotohori. I can tell. Whatever happened in the dream really upset her. Her chi didn't change like it would if she were lying," Chichiri said.
"The hell with her chi! Look at her! How could she make something like that up? She was about to cry!" Tasuki yelled, finally looking at me. This time, I looked away, towards Hotohori instead. He was the one who made the final decision, after all.
Hotohori looked thoughtful for a minute. "I'm sorry about that, Yume. We had to ask you those questions. I do believe you. Both Tasuki and Chichiri had good points," he stated, finally. I would have sighed but that might have been suspicious.
"Thank you your majesty," I said instead.
"Let's leave her to rest. Come on Chichiri, Tasuki, we should go eat breakfast," Hotohori ordered.
"I would like to talk to her for a minute. If she doesn't mind, you know," Chichiri replied, looking at me for an answer. 'Now what? What more could they want of me?'
"I don't mind," I answered, lying. To refuse would be suspicious. God I hate having to think about all my actions. "But I'm not going to rest for long; I can't. There's nothing really wrong with me physically and resting won't cure the rest of me. So, I'd get way too bored."
Hotohori left but Tasuki lingered for a moment. He opened his mouth as though he was going to say something but Chichiri looked at him and shook his head. Tasuki just closed his mouth and left without a word, leaving a confused me alone with Chichiri. I turned to see him watching me with interest. This whole "let's watch Yume" thing was really starting to annoy me. "What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked, growing increasingly uncomfortable under that smiling gaze.
"I wanted to let you know that if you need someone to talk to, I'm here and that I'm sorry about tricking you with the Nakago transformation. Had I known about your dream, I wouldn't have done it, you know," he answered. 'He's such a nice person but I can't help but feel like he's hiding something. He's always smiling. How can someone always be that happy?'
"That's really nice of you, Chichiri," I said. 'What else was there for me to say?' "Well, if that's all, I'm going to go down and get breakfast."
"One more thing. You said you couldn't see the faces clearly but one reminded you of Nakago, right? I was wondering what you were going to say before, you know, back when you stopped yourself," Chichiri stated. He seemed unsure of the kind of response he'd get.
I blinked repeatedly. That was not what I had expected. Actually, I knew if anyone would ask about that, he would be the one to do it. "I was just going to say that sometimes, dreams seem so real, it's almost like a picture of the future: especially because I wasn't seeing things through my eyes. I couldn't control what I was doing, like it was already decided. Then, when I saw Nakago, it seemed like it was going to come true," I answered. I shivered. I had told him the truth. I had known it the whole time but for some reason, saying it scared me. I looked at him to see that stupid smiling face. It annoyed me to no end; I couldn't tell what he was thinking about. 'Now is not the time to ask rude questions, Yume,' my mind reminded me.
Finally, he spoke up. "I understand. I've had a few dreams like that. You just keep reliving them, right?" He laughed pathetically, almost as though he were hiding his true feelings. "My dreams were of the past, though. I couldn't control what I was doing. . .I was. . .powerless." He turned away, his fists clenched. I put my hand on his shoulder; there wasn't much else I could do.
"I don't know what happened, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I'll listen. I'm told it's one of the few things I can do good," I offered, trying to make him feel better. He turned around halfway so I could only see half his face. He was no longer smiling and his expression seemed to be somewhere between grief and anger. "You have really pretty eyes," I added. 'God, I knew I'd say something stupid. Why do I always have to say something stupid? It's a curse, I know it is.' He blinked a few times and turned away. I think he was blushing and I knew I was. . .from embarrassment.
"Uh. . . Thanks, Yume. You seem like a nice kid and I'm sure that there are other things that you're good at. Maybe someday I'll take you up on the offer and tell you about it," he said. He turned back to me, the smiling expression present on his face again. "We should probably go down to breakfast before they begin to worry about us, you know."
"Yea, I suppose. But I'm not a kid," I replied, smirking. His eyebrows rose, or at least I think they did.
"To me you are. How old are you? Fourteen?" he asked. I nodded.
"But my birthday is in a week!" I exclaimed. 'I sound like a little kid. . .' "A week in my world, anyway." I forgot about it until now. 'Another crappy b-day spent alone again. My mom won't be home until late and neither will my brother. Maybe, since I'm here it won't be so bad.' I didn't believe it. Yet another useless hope and dream over the world where I don't matter. I don't matter much here either but at least these people know I exist enough to be suspicious of me. Back home I doubt anyone even realized I was there. 'No more crying,' I reminded myself. I followed Chichiri down to breakfast, walking bitterly, my mood ruined.
Author's Note:
Smack: And thus ends a rather short chapter. Sorry that it's so short but I didn't feel like getting into breakfast yet. So that was what was around the corner.
Yume: What happened, Tasuki? Why did you seem so upset?
Tasuki: ::mumbles:: I can't tell you. Smack told me if I did that she'd cut my pay in half.
Chichiri: Uhh Tasuki? We don't get paid remember? Smack doesn't make any money off of this and neither do we.
Smack: Anyway, moving on, I think it's time for my little preview of the next chapter.
"Hey! Wait just one minute! I don't know who you are or what 'decision' you're talking about, but I'm not here to take crap from some-AHH! WHAT THE FUCK?!?" I exclaimed.
Smack: That's a good enough quote from the next chapter. It's even from the part that changes things. Sometimes I think I'm too nice to you guys. I give you all these little hints. I practically tell you what's going to happen. Oh well, most of the time you don't pay attention to the clues I give you so it's not like I tell you everything.
Tasuki: Shut up already! Suzaku! All you do is complain! They haven't figured it out so shut up! I haven't even figured it out! That's it for this chapter! No more pointless ramblings from Smack!
Smack: That's the last straw, Tasuki. . . You'll pay for this, you will pay. Just wait, I'll get you back.
Thanks to:
Lanen: Yea, sorry about the cliffhanger. I love to write cliffhangers and this was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Mits is getting a pretty good role, eh?
Otaku Pitcher: I couldn't keep Shiriko injured too long. It was too mean. (I can't say the same about the rest of the characters.) I forgot one thing; I came up with a name for your character. "Katana" (light breeze) seems to work for the personality you gave me. So when you see that name, it's you. Just wanted to let you know.
miLady: Well, this chapter answers the "what's around the corner" question, but as for the other ones, only time will tell. You won't have to wait for long, though, because the next chapter twists the plot.
Author's Note: Here's the long (well, not long but that's ok) awaited chapter that answers the "what's around the corner" question that some of you may be thinking about. Two of the character spots have been taken but you guys still have time if you're interested. It's not a SI, if that's what you're thinking; it's just a chance for you to design a character. Oh well, this isn't going to be an extremely long chapter but it's important just the same. On we go. . .
'. . .' are how Yume's thoughts will be represented.
Chapter 7: A Heartfelt Interrogation
Who ever I thought was behind me never caught up and I prepared to turn the corner alone. Shiriko was still growling and I feared that he would soon strike. Maybe I should let him and just turn around and leave. No, that would be cowardly. I turned and saw Nakago standing there, looking at me. His gaze seemed to pierce right through my soul and I recalled the figure from my dream. I felt limp and fell to the ground. I knew not what had happened while I was unconscious but I awoke in my room on my bed. Shiriko was lying down on the bed I made for him watching me. I would have thought that it all was a dream except for the fact that I wasn't wearing my pajamas and I saw Chichiri sitting at the table. He looked terribly upset about something. Hotohori and Tasuki were there too but they were leaning against a wall. They looked upset about something, too. I didn't like the look of this. I wished that I could just drift back off to sleep but somehow, I didn't like the thought of being asleep in a room with three guys. 'I'll just play innocent,' I decided. "What. . .what happened?" I asked, sitting up and holding my head as though it hurt.
"You fainted and we carried you back here," Chichiri answered, unable to look at me.
"It was really nice of you all to stay here. You didn't have to. I'm ok now," I told them. 'Why are they here? What the hell did I do now?' Then it hit me. Or. . .they hit me. 'Nakago. The earring. Shit! Did they find it?'
"We have some questions for you, Yume. It's very important that you answer with complete honesty. Do you understand?" Hotohori asked, not looking at me either.
I searched his face for hints of what of what he was feeling. When that failed, I searched Chichiri and Tasuki. Neither would meet my gaze. The latter, (Tasuki), wouldn't even look at me. "I understand what you are asking but I do not understand why you are asking it! What did I do to cause you to question me like this?" I asked, trying to act shocked and horrified at their distrust in me.
Chichiri looked up from the floor. I think he felt sorry for me but it was hard to tell with that damn smile. But even the smile wasn't that happy. "Do you remember right before you fainted?" he asked. I nodded and he continued. "Well, that was me. I transformed into our enemy, Nakago. Hotohori and the others were still a little doubtful about how you got here so they asked me to make myself look like him to test your reaction. It worked. . .you definitely reacted: in pure fear almost, with a little hint of shock. Then we found this bead on the table. It looks just like one of Nakago's earrings. Yume, if there is something you're not telling us, please, tell us now, before it's too late."
I was trapped and they knew it. "Well, I don't even know how I got here so I can't really explain that. If that's what you wanted to hear, then I'm sorry. I can explain the bead, however. I already told Tasuki how I found it." I searched him for a reaction. He just looked away. "I found it in the alley where I woke up when I first got here. It was pretty so I kept it. As for my reaction," I explained, pausing for a breath. 'How can I explain this?' I asked myself. 'The truth.' "I had a nightmare this morning. That is also why I was up so early. It's a long story so bear with me if you want me to explain it."
They nodded and I went on to explain the dream that kept me from falling back asleep. "In the dream, I was wandering around a house alone. I called out to my mother and older brother, but got no answer. Eventually, I saw them. They were there, but I passed through them and they didn't even notice me. They faded and I was left alone again. I kept walking and called for Shiriko. I thought he heard me because I saw him come running out of the darkness. He just ran through me and disappeared in the distance." 'This is the truth,' I thought. 'Even if it isn't the whole truth it's more than they need to know and it does explain my reaction, sort of. I can use it as a cover story.'
"That's when he appeared. I heard this cold, emotionless voice from behind me. The voice was content to mock me, or so it seemed at first. I turned to see who was there, but I couldn't see the face clearly: it was covered in a shadow. I asked him who he was and what was going on and he just laughed. Even in the dream, the laugh sent chills down my spine." I flinched remembering what happened next, why I was afraid to go back to sleep.
"He pulled out this weird weapon and I tried to run. I wasn't fast enough, it was all happening in slow motion or something. I could feel the weapon slice through me like I was nothing. I fell and he moved towards me, smirking down at me. He started to kick me in the stomach. I begged him to stop," I flinched again. I was about to cry. I didn't want to relive all of this. "But he just pulled out his weapon and swung it again, this time cutting me from arm to cheek. I tried to get up but ended up just falling down again. He laughed and grabbed me by the hair and just dragged me with him. We ended up on a snow-covered mountain. When we reached the top, he threw me into this rock wall. Another guy was waiting there. Then I woke up."
"That guy. . .Nakago or whatever. . . for some reason he reminded me of the guy in my dream. That scared me since sometimes-" I stopped myself. What else could I say? 'Yea sometimes when I see people in my dreams, or when things happen in my dreams they happen? And because of this, seeing Nakago scared the shit out of me? Ha! They'd kill me for lying! And they'd be right, that almost never happens.' I looked up to see their reactions.
"She's not lying, Hotohori. I can tell. Whatever happened in the dream really upset her. Her chi didn't change like it would if she were lying," Chichiri said.
"The hell with her chi! Look at her! How could she make something like that up? She was about to cry!" Tasuki yelled, finally looking at me. This time, I looked away, towards Hotohori instead. He was the one who made the final decision, after all.
Hotohori looked thoughtful for a minute. "I'm sorry about that, Yume. We had to ask you those questions. I do believe you. Both Tasuki and Chichiri had good points," he stated, finally. I would have sighed but that might have been suspicious.
"Thank you your majesty," I said instead.
"Let's leave her to rest. Come on Chichiri, Tasuki, we should go eat breakfast," Hotohori ordered.
"I would like to talk to her for a minute. If she doesn't mind, you know," Chichiri replied, looking at me for an answer. 'Now what? What more could they want of me?'
"I don't mind," I answered, lying. To refuse would be suspicious. God I hate having to think about all my actions. "But I'm not going to rest for long; I can't. There's nothing really wrong with me physically and resting won't cure the rest of me. So, I'd get way too bored."
Hotohori left but Tasuki lingered for a moment. He opened his mouth as though he was going to say something but Chichiri looked at him and shook his head. Tasuki just closed his mouth and left without a word, leaving a confused me alone with Chichiri. I turned to see him watching me with interest. This whole "let's watch Yume" thing was really starting to annoy me. "What did you want to talk to me about?" I asked, growing increasingly uncomfortable under that smiling gaze.
"I wanted to let you know that if you need someone to talk to, I'm here and that I'm sorry about tricking you with the Nakago transformation. Had I known about your dream, I wouldn't have done it, you know," he answered. 'He's such a nice person but I can't help but feel like he's hiding something. He's always smiling. How can someone always be that happy?'
"That's really nice of you, Chichiri," I said. 'What else was there for me to say?' "Well, if that's all, I'm going to go down and get breakfast."
"One more thing. You said you couldn't see the faces clearly but one reminded you of Nakago, right? I was wondering what you were going to say before, you know, back when you stopped yourself," Chichiri stated. He seemed unsure of the kind of response he'd get.
I blinked repeatedly. That was not what I had expected. Actually, I knew if anyone would ask about that, he would be the one to do it. "I was just going to say that sometimes, dreams seem so real, it's almost like a picture of the future: especially because I wasn't seeing things through my eyes. I couldn't control what I was doing, like it was already decided. Then, when I saw Nakago, it seemed like it was going to come true," I answered. I shivered. I had told him the truth. I had known it the whole time but for some reason, saying it scared me. I looked at him to see that stupid smiling face. It annoyed me to no end; I couldn't tell what he was thinking about. 'Now is not the time to ask rude questions, Yume,' my mind reminded me.
Finally, he spoke up. "I understand. I've had a few dreams like that. You just keep reliving them, right?" He laughed pathetically, almost as though he were hiding his true feelings. "My dreams were of the past, though. I couldn't control what I was doing. . .I was. . .powerless." He turned away, his fists clenched. I put my hand on his shoulder; there wasn't much else I could do.
"I don't know what happened, but if you ever need someone to talk to, I'll listen. I'm told it's one of the few things I can do good," I offered, trying to make him feel better. He turned around halfway so I could only see half his face. He was no longer smiling and his expression seemed to be somewhere between grief and anger. "You have really pretty eyes," I added. 'God, I knew I'd say something stupid. Why do I always have to say something stupid? It's a curse, I know it is.' He blinked a few times and turned away. I think he was blushing and I knew I was. . .from embarrassment.
"Uh. . . Thanks, Yume. You seem like a nice kid and I'm sure that there are other things that you're good at. Maybe someday I'll take you up on the offer and tell you about it," he said. He turned back to me, the smiling expression present on his face again. "We should probably go down to breakfast before they begin to worry about us, you know."
"Yea, I suppose. But I'm not a kid," I replied, smirking. His eyebrows rose, or at least I think they did.
"To me you are. How old are you? Fourteen?" he asked. I nodded.
"But my birthday is in a week!" I exclaimed. 'I sound like a little kid. . .' "A week in my world, anyway." I forgot about it until now. 'Another crappy b-day spent alone again. My mom won't be home until late and neither will my brother. Maybe, since I'm here it won't be so bad.' I didn't believe it. Yet another useless hope and dream over the world where I don't matter. I don't matter much here either but at least these people know I exist enough to be suspicious of me. Back home I doubt anyone even realized I was there. 'No more crying,' I reminded myself. I followed Chichiri down to breakfast, walking bitterly, my mood ruined.
Author's Note:
Smack: And thus ends a rather short chapter. Sorry that it's so short but I didn't feel like getting into breakfast yet. So that was what was around the corner.
Yume: What happened, Tasuki? Why did you seem so upset?
Tasuki: ::mumbles:: I can't tell you. Smack told me if I did that she'd cut my pay in half.
Chichiri: Uhh Tasuki? We don't get paid remember? Smack doesn't make any money off of this and neither do we.
Smack: Anyway, moving on, I think it's time for my little preview of the next chapter.
"Hey! Wait just one minute! I don't know who you are or what 'decision' you're talking about, but I'm not here to take crap from some-AHH! WHAT THE FUCK?!?" I exclaimed.
Smack: That's a good enough quote from the next chapter. It's even from the part that changes things. Sometimes I think I'm too nice to you guys. I give you all these little hints. I practically tell you what's going to happen. Oh well, most of the time you don't pay attention to the clues I give you so it's not like I tell you everything.
Tasuki: Shut up already! Suzaku! All you do is complain! They haven't figured it out so shut up! I haven't even figured it out! That's it for this chapter! No more pointless ramblings from Smack!
Smack: That's the last straw, Tasuki. . . You'll pay for this, you will pay. Just wait, I'll get you back.