Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. Nor do I claim to have any rights to the characters from it that are featured in this story.

Thanks to...

neppy: Well, you should know I don't give stuff away by now. Ryo is ok. I don't think I've given him enough of a personality yet to say I like him. Though his "holier than thou gentleman" attitude is fun to write.

Wingstar23: The kitty will be explained in this chapter. And why Nephiro hates the gods is in the next chapter, actually, it IS the next chapter. Thanks a lot for the words of encouragement, and, err, sorry it took so long to update.

otaku-no-miko: Thank you so very much.

QueenOfAllEvil: Well, I continued...a year later but I did...

Diana-sama: Me too. If you're going to have a downright evil character, give a good reason. It's the least you can do. I'm rather flattered that you printed them all out, I don't think anyone else has done that. (Well, I have but on a different story, not my own, of course.) And I will let you know if I do. And...sorry it took so long to update...

Author's Note: Wow...I haven't updated this story in over a year...I'm sorry about that. I guess I just kind of forgot about it in my haste to finish my other story. Anyway, I neglected it for far too long and then, the other day, I got an urge to just write it. So I pulled out the dusty old notebook that it was stored in and read over what I had down for this and the next two chapters. I couldn't remember which chapter I left off on so I went onto fanfiction and read what I had posted to get me back into the feel of this story and then I started typing. I had to do some stuff but I decided to finish the chapter today. So I did. It's rather short but not exactly sweet but it was needed. Anyway, I hope you all will forgive me for the lack of updates and give me another shot. I should be working on this more regularly now that Wishful is almost over. Or at least I'll try.

Chapter 9: The Test (Part 2)

I stared into the spot where I had seen the green eyes and felt like screaming. There was no way it could be who I thought it was... At least, I didn't think there was. I took a step forward and the growl intensified, turning almost into a snarl. That is what confirmed my theory. 'It can't be him. He wouldn't appear before me in his beast form; any form other than his human would be stupid to confront me in. Besides, his white fur would stand out and this one is obviously dark of color. And he would never think of growling at me. Purring is more like it,' I thought with a slight twinge of pain. As I got closer to it, the beast was illuminated in the light I was keeping above my hand. It was revealed to be a beautiful black panther, sleek and metallic looking. I sighed.

"A panther, eh? This is a surprise. Ryo, you do try hard, I'll give you that," I said to the sorcerer. He was around here, somewhere. I knew it. I could sense him.

"Oh, Aomi. You really are no fun at all! You were supposed to panic and give yourself away!" he exclaimed, appearing next to the beast. At the sound of his voice, the creature immediately stopped emitting its hostile noise and began, of all things, purring.

"Gee, Ryo. From the sound of that last statement I'd almost think you wanted me to be caught," I snarled.

"Not especially but it would be so much fun to see them approach you. They do fear you, you know. Well, not Byakko but then I suppose he doesn't have anything to fear from you, does he?" His eyes took on a slightly malicious glint. He knew he had hit a nerve; he just wanted to see what I'd do about it. But I wasn't going to play his little game, not this time, not ever again.

"He has as much to fear from me as the other gods. You, however, have far more. I would think that the desire for personal safety would have kept you away from me, as it does them, but once again you prove that there are stupider beings in this world than the gods," I replied pointedly.

"That was a bit harsh, Aomi."

"Yeah, well, it's no more than you deserve," I said, slowly losing my patience. "Now, if you are through with your taunting, I have things to do. Things that do not include you."

"One more thing before we part ways again. Would you mind telling me what it is you're planning? It is quite horrid of you to keep me in the dark like this, you know. And don't play dumb and say you simply wish to live amongst mortals again. I know you better than that. You do not fancy living amongst beings weaker and stupider than you," he scolded.

"Which is why it pains me to be near you for any length of time," I retorted. "I mind telling you, especially since I'm sure you will use anything I tell you to gain some influence over the gods. Besides, I'm sure you have some idea."

"Ah, my dear. You know me far too well." He smiled a close-eyed smile. "But if you would prefer to keep your secrets, I won't press. You always did like hiding things from me."

"Me? You're the one who never told me anything even when it was about me!" I snapped.

"Now, now, now, Aomi. There's no need for such emotion. I dare say that being amongst these humans after so much isolation is not doing you any good. You are beginning to act just like them. I'm here to watch over you, as I have always done, since you were first entrusted to me all those years ago," he replied in a tone of insincere nostalgia. He was, however, still smiling.

"And a fine job you do. Where were you when I was sealed away? Where were all the times I needed you before then, huh, Ryo? I don't need you 'watching out for me'! I can take care of myself," I growled.

He looked a little hurt but I didn't care. I was through with him. "You know that there was nothing I could do about that. I can't go against the will of the gods, even if they aren't my own gods," he said in a quiet voice. "But if you want me to leave, I will. If you need me, I'm here for you. Always." He faded into the shadows, taking his cat with him, leaving me alone once more.

'There if I need you. Yeah right. I've learned long ago not to trust those words, no matter who says them. But that is fine. I will get my revenge. All I need to do now is pass this stupid test.' I smiled, despite the grim mood Ryo's presence tends to put me in, and continued on my way to the hideout. '"Watching out for me"? It's more like stalking.' After about an hour of tracking the trail, the lights from the building became visible. 'Aww...they're waiting up for me. Don't I feel oh-so-special?' I thought sarcastically. And then I was at the door, opening it and entering the fortress, not even bothering to knock.

"What? No welcoming party for the new member? And I was just starting to feel important, too," I said in a mock sad voice upon my entrance. Genrou was the only one there to greet me. He smirked at my words. 'That smirk should be outlawed.'

"Ha ha ha. Important? You? Yeah...right," he replied, moving from where he was (leaning against the wall) so that he was standing in front of me. I fake frowned at him.

"I would think the first girl bandit member would get a little more...appreciation, especially from the leader." I crossed my arms and took on a more thoughtful look. "And to think I was considering letting you give me a special present! Oh well, so much for that. I guess I'll just be going now. I wonder where Kouji is? Maybe he'll be more welcoming." I made to walk by him but he grabbed my arm. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Yes? Is there something else?"

"I...have to give ya yer bandit name still, Nep," he said gruffly. Something about the way he said it made me wonder if that was what he was really going to say.

"Do you have to do that now?" I asked him, acting annoyed. "And a simple 'Wait a second' would have done fine. You didn't have to grab my arm." His face turned slightly red and he let go of my arm hastily.

"Err...sorry. I guess it can wait. I don't have one picked out for ya yet, anyway. Come on then, they're all waitin' for ya."

He led the way into the main hall where, indeed, it did seem that everyone was waiting. When we entered, they all cheered. Kouji was right at the door to greet me.

"Heya, Nep! Ya made it, and in good time, too. Come on, let's have a drink!" he exclaimed, smiling as he took my arm and led me off. Normally it would have bothered me that he just grabbed my arm and led me like I was some sort of dog he could lead around, but for some reason I didn't mind. 'It's the stupid humanity showing again. With my luck, the human side probably finds him attractive. Curse it eternally. I thought I silenced it.'

The whole way there, people I didn't know were congratulating me and asking if I'd stay and have a drink with them. It seemed that now that I was an official member the invisible barrier that was there last night that kept them all from talking to me evaporated and now nothing was standing between them and me. They asked me to do some other things, too, but one look from Kouji was enough to stop that, at least for a bit. He got me a drink and we managed to find a spot to sit and talk.

"Sorry ya had to hear some of dat. They got no manners sometimes. Ya'd swear it was the first time they'd ever seen a girl," he told me, looking rather ashamed of his fellow bandits.

"It's fine, Kouji. Really, I'm used to it. Trust me." 'After several hundred years, you get used to just about everything.' I took a sip of my drink and had to cough to keep from laughing. 'Sake? Trying to get me drunk, is he? Well, he'll need more than just this, that's for sure. I've built up quite a tolerance over the years.'

"I suppose ya would be, lookin' like ya do." He grinned in a slightly roguish way. 'He's slightly attractive and being...close to the boss' right hand man could be useful... And he's so much easier to get along with than Genrou himself.' "So tell me about da test. Did ya see anything out there?"

"Well...apart from a panther, no. The panther didn't stay long or bother me, though," I answered, perfectly aware that the fact that I saw a panther was enough to worry him. 'After all, poor, pretty defenseless Nephiro could have died,' I thought with a mental laugh.

"A panther?!" he exclaimed. I nodded.

"But I'm fine. It was a beautiful animal: like liquid night," I assured him in my most calming voice. I kept my face casual, too, as though panthers were not strange to see.

"Yer pretty lucky to see one of those and get away unharmed. They can be pretty mean if ya find 'em when they're huntin'." I just shrugged.

"You just have to know how their minds work. It's the same with any creature, beast or man," I replied honestly. 'Or god.'

The rest of the night passed quickly. I talked with Kouji for a while before I decided to go out on my own and look for Genrou. I stayed with him until he got so drunk he passed out. Things went downhill after that. People started passing out all over and those that weren't unconscious decided they could hit on me now that Kouji was not around. The combination of alcohol, festivities, and tiredness led to a very unpleasant mix for me. I left soon after the tenth person came onto me in a row and went back to my room to sleep. Morning came too fast but one of the good things about being what I am is that you never wake up tired or hung over, no matter what. I warped back to the hot spring and bathed. I was beginning to get used to this body and found that I was growing quite fond of it. When I returned, I got myself some "new" clothes (another sleeveless dress, only this time red) and put on the cloak Genrou gave me. I was growing tired of all the dresses but figured I would be wearing more appropriate clothing soon enough. I could perform a bit of fan service before then.

"Time to face the day. Let the next stage commence," I said to myself as I opened the door.

That morning it was decided that my name was not to be changed. Nep suited me, apparently.

Author's Note: So that's the chapter. I have the next one pre-written, I just have to type it up. I'm going to try to have it up soon (which roughly means within a week or two; I have school again and my other story needs to be updated first) but I'll give it my best shot. I know it was short but I had to finish up the test and I'm not going into her early days in the bandit's headquarters. The next chapter is going to take place a few months after this one and it centers on Nephiro's past. Well, part of it. So you should enjoy it. I think. I like it. It explains her undying hatred for the gods, Suzaku especially. But I've given enough away about it so I think I'll just exit for now, leaving your quote, of course.

"I should have known better than to trust gods."

Smack