Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, nor do I claim to.

Thanks to...

neppy: Comic book guy? Lol. Yea, I got a version that I liked.

Otaku Pitcher: I'm glad you liked the chapter. :) The gods...I'll just agree with you. They are quite the characters. (Even though you don't know the half of it. They haven't even begun to mess around in her life, let's just put it that way. ^_~) The four girls are going to be explained in the author's note.

O__O: That's ok if the review is short. The point is that you took the time to write one.

Songwind: I'm glad someone can see both sides of the story. In the world today (not just in my story, I'm trying to make a connection to the real world for once) not too many people can see both sides. And no, I don't think Nuriko will ever be in her head, although that is an idea I hadn't considered before.

Fyfangirl26: Genbu is great, I have to agree. Yume is a pretty cool person but in answer to your question, while some things betweens us our similar, (our birthdays and her location, for example), she's not completely based off of me. All of my deranged original characters are in some way based off of part of me but never completely off me. I did manage to survive until the end of school, somehow.

Chibificgrl_100: Thanks!

Author's Note: Wahoo! I survived the evil thing known as school (now summer, that could be a problem). I took my last Regents yesterday so I'm pretty much free from now through September. For those of you who don't know what the Regents are or don't have to take them, they are New York State's way of laughing at all the kids in school and torturing them with the thought of an impossibly hard test (although it wasn't really as hard as I expected) and the knowledge that if they fail it, they have to repeat the course next year regardless of their averages. Not fun things. Anyway, that's all done and over with so I can do the real author's note now. About the girls...I'm sure I've said this at least five or six times in the actual chapters but people are still confused so I'll say it again: they are there to assist Yume because their bosses (the gods) told them to. If you want more info on who they each specialize in, reread chapter twenty-five, about halfway through the chapter when Seppuka takes over and bluntly tells Yume what her job is. If you're still confused...well, I'll try my best to explain it when I do the "thanks to..." for the next chapter. I think that's all I have to say in this unusually long author's note.

Chapter 27: The Little Pebble that Could (Training Day #1)

"We'll start with something easy," Taiitsu-kun decided. I stood there waiting for her to continue. 'Ok, something easy. Something easy. What is she talking about?' "Seppuka? Throw a pot at Yume." 'Throw a pot?!' 'Yume! Watch out!' Byakko warned. I spun around and was smacked on the forehead by a clay pot.

"OW!!! What was that for?" I exclaimed, rubbing my sore forehead and glaring at the old hag.

"Telekinesis practice. You used the ability before on Nakago so I hoped the lack of reaction time would help you tap into your already open power, or at least I hoped your instincts would kick in," Taiitsu-kun explained irritably. "It probably would have worked if your mind was just yours again. Oh well. I suppose we have more work to do than I thought."

'Tell her we'll leave if it will help you. The sooner you master your powers, the sooner you are useful to us,' Suzaku ordered. "They said that they would leave if it will help me," I told Taiitsu-kun and the four girls.

"Good." I felt my mind empty of the gods. I was alone again. "Seppuka, again but make sure she can see it this time."

A rock came hurtling towards my head. 'I don't wanna get hit in the head again. It hurts. . .' I put my hand up to deflect the blow and shut my eyes, waiting. It never came. I opened one of my eyes, then, slowly, the other. The rock was floating about an inch from my forehead. My hand wouldn't have done a thing! "That wasn't exactly what I was expecting but good job anyway," Taiitsu-kun "congratulated."

"Huh?" I turned around and the rock hit the back of my head. "What was that?"

"Somehow you managed to stop the rock from moving and once you got distracted, it went back to normal," Taiitsu-kun informed me.

"As fun as it is to throw rocks at this wannabe, maybe we should start with nonmoving objects. That way, she'll learn concentration and there won't be as great of a chance of her getting knocked unconscious or losing anymore of those precious few brain cells she possesses," Seppuka suggested.

"Perhaps you are right. Her instincts did kick in so it should be easier for her now," Taiitsu-kun replied. "Ok, Yume. I want you to sit over here. We'll start with something small at first." I sat down where she indicated and she put a round pebble on the table. "You see this pebble? ('No, no I don't. What are you talking about? There's no pebble on this table. Where is it?') I want you to focus completely on this pebble. Put all of your energy into the pebble. Then, make the pebble move. I have other things to take care of so I'll leave you with Fae and Seppuka. They should be able to take care of you. Once you accomplish this, they'll tell me and we'll move on."

Taiitsu-kun, Renee, and Katana left, leaving me alone with the mean ones. "You better get concentrating. There's no telling how long this could take," Seppuka instructed.

So I sat there, staring at a little pebble. It was hard for me to keep my mind on the rock at first. It kept drifting off to how stupid this was or made me think about Tasuki. I mean...how could he ignore me like that? It wasn't my fault. Well, it was a little. But not really. Nope. It was all Nakago's fault. Stupid, stupid Nakago. 'NO! I have to do this first. Then I can figure out whose fault this mess is.' I concentrated entirely on the pebble. There was nothing in my world but this small, gray, rounded rock. I attempted to force all my energy into it. I took in every detail. 'Now then...let's move, shall we?' I tried to push the stone with my mind. It shook a little. 'Rise, pebble, rise!' It started to rise, shaking a bit, into the air, almost like a little kid taking its first step. Then, with a little more bravery, it rose confidently until it was about a foot in the air, hovering. 'Let's have some fun. Go to where and Fae are and get in between them. Then, move back and forth in front of Seppuka's head.' The little pebble started to move towards Seppuka, who was sitting and talking to Fae, oblivious of what was going on. I turned with the rock so I wouldn't lose contact. 'Go little pebble! Go!' It moved in front of Seppuka and waved, taking both her and Fae by surprise.

"Nice trick. Now, can you make it land?" Fae asked, smirking.

'Ok, Mr. Pebble, time to land. Back where you came from.' It sped off towards the other side of the room and landed. "Guess so. Now what?"

"Now we call Taiitsu-kun, tell her we're done, and we get taken off babysitting," Seppuka answered.

"What do you mean 'babysitting'? I'm not a baby!" I yelled.

"To us you are. How old are you? Fifteen?" she questioned.

"Yea about that. But that doesn't make me a baby!" I exclaimed. "How old are you two then?"

"Seppy's nineteen and I'm seventeen," Fae answered for her.

"That's not much older than me!"

"But you have done nothing to earn our respect so you're still a baby to us," Seppuka responded.

Taiitsu-kun chose this moment to check up on us. "Has she completed the task?" she inquired upon entering.

"Yea, she moved it. But it was just a little pebble. Anyone could have done it. It doesn't prove anything," Seppuka replied.

Taiitsu-kun opted to ignore that comment and continued as though it was never said. "I think we'll take a break from your training so you can regain your strength. You didn't eat much at lunch so you can have a small snack before we continue."

So we walked off to get me a snack. I could help but wonder about Shiriko. As far as I knew, he was still here. Somewhere. "Has anyone been taking care of my dog? He was with me when we started my training but he's not here now," I questioned, looking around.

"Renee took him back to your room and fed him. No one has been able to get close enough to even attempt to get a leash on him so he hasn't been walked," Taiitsu-kun answered. 'That's my boy,' I thought, smiling to myself.

"Can I walk him before we resume my training?"

"No." I frowned. "You must continue your training. We don't have time for you to waste walking a pet. Nakago's forces grow stronger by the minute and at the rate you're going, all you'll be able to do is fling a pebble at his head. Your celestial duty is more important than your duty to your pet," Taiitsu-kun replied.

I had my small snack in silence after that. I liked eating with Miaka and them much more than eating with Taiitsu-kun and the girls. As much as I hated to admit it, I missed them already, even Tamahome. I wanted to try and apologize to Tasuki again but he didn't give me the chance. He had been avoiding me since their little version of the Inquisition. 'Gee, I wonder why. The man confesses his feeling for you and you slap him down like he means nothing,' the old voice of my mind said. 'Well, he doesn't. Not that way. He's just a friend.' 'Yea, uh-huh. Sure,' it responded. 'Great, even my mind doesn't believe me anymore.' "YUME!"

"Huh? Wait, what?" I jerked up in surprise. The whole table was looking at me. Seppuka was snickering.

"It's about time you respond. I had been calling your name for at least five minutes," Taiitsu-kun scolded.

"Sorry, I was thinking. What were you saying?" I apologized.

"Humph. Are you finished resting? We need to continue your training," she repeated.

"Uhh...yea but what do I have to work on now?"

"You are to continue working on moving things with your mind until it is time for dinner. Then you are free to do whatever you want for the rest of the night. We start something new tomorrow," she answered.

Thus, for the next few hours, none other than Fae and Seppuka drilled me in my telekinesis. Seppuka didn't want to talk to me much, not that I minded terribly. Talking to someone who not only had a bet going on whether or not I'd pass the test but also was betting that I'd become a prisoner of my own mind did not strike me as something I really wanted to do. I was doing pretty well. It wasn't taking as much thought and concentration to move stuff now. I was up to stopping moving objects in mid air in no time at all. My mind did begin to wander after a while though. I wondered how the others were doing. I hated thinking that Tasuki hated me, not that I didn't blame him or anything. If I were him, I'd hate me too. 'It isn't like I really care. I just don't like it when people don't like me for things out of my control,' I told myself. 'Yup, you just keep telling yourself that,' a familiar voice chided 'Byakko! You're back!' 'Yea but I can't stay. Suzaku wanted me to tell you to keep concentrating. We can't use you until you are able to protect yourself. Use your confusion for you, not against you,' he instructed. 'That's easy for you to say. You're not the one who has been staring at rocks all day.' 'Nope but you still have to do it.'

I sighed and made the pebble that had just been chucked at me float back to Fae with a mere wave of my hand. 'Use it for me. Ok, I'll do my best.' 'That's my girl. It's almost time for dinner. Good luck,' he said before vanishing from my mind. "Hey youngin'! Ready to call it a night?" Seppuka asked.

"Sure," I replied. My mind was tired even though I had only been concentrating half my energy into what I had been doing.

Dinner passed with little talking on my part. I was told that I'd be working on levitation tomorrow and that I was to rest up because it required even more energy than telekinesis. I was dismissed after that. I knew Shiriko needed a walk but I just didn't have the will for it. I wandered back to my room where Shiriko was waiting expectantly. He bounded up to see me, the extra energy seemingly pouring out of him. 'He needs a walk or I'll never get to sleep,' I thought as I watched him bound around the room. Just seeing him do all that was making me tired. "Ok, Shiriko. I'll take you for a walk."

'Now if I just knew where I was going,' I commented as we walked through the enormous palace. It was getting dark and I had no clue where I was heading. Shiriko was prancing around me; he needed to run. "The garden is this way. He should be able to run there," a kind female voice told me.

"Thanks. Renee, right?" I responded.

"Yea. I'll take you there," she offered. She walked towards me but Shiriko got in her way. "This is what happened before. He wouldn't let anyone near him."

I patter his head. "It's ok, boy. She won't hurt us." He backed off but gave her his "I'm watching you" look. "You have to excuse him. He's very protective over me. We have had our fair share of bad experiences here."

"I understand." We walked the rest of the way in silence. Once we reached the garden, Shiriko took off. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure. Ask away," I replied. 'Now what?'

"That orange-haired guy, Tasuki I think his name was, and you seem to have this tension between you. Were you two, you know, involved, by any chance?" she asked.

I had to come up with a convincing lie quick. I don't need my personal life being public knowledge. "No, he just took the whole spy thing a little harder than the others. He's more sensitive to that type of thing," I lied.

I could tell she didn't believe me. "Well, in that case, I'm going to go for him. I thought he was pretty hot but I didn't want to try anything if he was yours." She was watching my face, waiting for my response.

"Go for it. Do what you want. I wish you luck," I replied. "Shiriko! Come on back!" Appearing out of seemingly nowhere, he rushed forward out of the darkness and sat at my feet. "Well, goodnight. Nice talking to you."

"Goodnight, Yume."

I managed to find my way back to my room with no guide except for Shiriko and changed into my pajamas. 'I wish there was a way I could see how they are doing out there or at least say goodnight and I'm sorry to Tasuki,' I sighed. 'There is a way. I can tell him for you,' Suzaku offered. 'Please.' 'I'll try.' About ten minutes went by before he responded. 'I...couldn't get through,' he told me. I could tell that he was hiding from something but I didn't know what. 'Don't worry your mind over it. Go to sleep,' Seiryuu instructed. 'Fine...goodnight...'

Author's Note: What could Suzaku be hiding from Yume? For once, you won't have to wait too long for an answer. It's explained in the next chapter. I hate to say this, but there really isn't that much left for Wishful Thinking, maybe thirteen chapters at the most. Well, there is going to be a sequel but still, the first is almost over. It's been fun. You guys were/are great. Umm. . .I guess that's it. Please review. ::hopeful look:: All I need is two more and I'll finally have a hundred. Besides, I'm giving you two bonus things: a quote and a poll. You cannot resist the poll. . . ::sweat drop:: Ok, here's your quote.

"I'm over her. She has an excuse for everything and I'm sick of it. She can't even apologize to me herself!"

Uh-oh! What could be happening? I'll talk to you all in the next chapter. Until then, goodbye!

~Smack

Oh yea. . .the poll. . .

POLL:
Who do you think Yume will end up with?
a.) Tasuki
b.) Byakko
c.) Nakago
d.) Suzaku

Now, let me know what you think will happen in the reviews and then, when it's all said and done, you can be like: "Hey! I was right!" or "Wow, was I wrong!" Just remember, I am including the sequel in this poll. I know that's evil but deal. Just try and imagine what plot twists I could include in it. None of the choices are farfetched, whether you believe it or not. Anyway, make a good guess.

***Note: The results of this poll have no effect whatsoever on the ending of this story or its sequel. I know, in my mind, which one Yume will end up with. This is merely a test to see if I'm fooling. . .er. . .doing a good job on my construction of plot twists.