Author's Notes: Namaste everyone. I know it has taken a month or so to get this new chapter up, and I apologise for the whole ordeal. I was on vacation through my whole entire Holiday break (though I thought I could use the time to get a significant proportion of this fanfiction done, I guess I could not). However, with the goal in my mind, though not a necessarily set-in-stone goal, I had a nagging voice in my head to keep me on my heels. So fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), I did not forget to move onto Chapter four.
Again, I love the constructive criticism that I am receiving. It is honestly a blessing, whether there is praise or not...it all helps me, A LOT. In this chapter, I am hoping to bring out more of the post-traumatic stress disorder and nightmare problem that tends to follow trauma victims, especially raped victims...so for those who do not like grim situations, you have been warned. My writing style tends to include both light and dark elements - the dark elements sometimes take rather horrifying aspects, for lack of better words.
Another thing I am going to introduce is basically how I would perceive the Hell (s) in Fushigi Yuugi. Granted, I am more familiar with the Indian culture as opposed to the Chinese culture, but I know that according to some interpretations of certain mythos in the region (keyword: interpretation, the language barrier and confirmation bias can alter things from the truth), there were a several Hells...I am going to implement that aspect in this.
Considering the fact that I dig into the religious and spirituality area of things, I may even introduce a glimpse of how other cultures view things later on. I know that I will definitely have to work on Saint Jin a bit, since he is an Asian Catholic who, for all I know at the moment, may end up either "seeing different things from what he is normal to seeing" or seriously converting because of his past life...who knows? Nothing against the Catholic Church or Christianity, but the circumstances in this story will make at least this individual question things. Anyway, that will be a mystery to all of us at the time! Here is a teaser question, that is yet to be answered: what of the other seishi? ;)
By the way, a fair warning to Tasuki fans: he is going to be a tad more humble in this chapter, but you will see why. Do not worry, I do not plan to totally ruin his personality over Miaka. As a matter of fact, even though this fanfiction is considered a Tasuki x Miaka fanfiction, their love is not going to be the biggest thing going on - the Return of Tenkou will be just as big of an event. :)
Enjoy Chapter 4! I also fixed a major bug on the Prelude, where I had a few of the other chapters clumped in it. I will check later to make sure the changes were implemented.
Blessings,
Saraswati
Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, nor have I claimed to...may the sue-happy people not sue me.
Chapter Four
Woes of the Dreaming Worlds
Dusk kissed the skies of Tokyo as Miaka stirred violently in her sleep, her eyes shut tight. Her body was tense and the statistics on the machinery attested to this. As opposed to a normal heartbeat, her heartbeat gradually, but surely, was increasing. Moisture surrounded her body, causing her to produce sweat.
She has grown up indeed, as a matter of fact, the meat is nice for the taking, echoed the voice of Tenkou. Miaka whimpered, stirring while arching her back. She "opened" her eyes, seeing the avatar of Tenkou before her, with a sadistic smirk curved upon his lips. His nails dug into her shoulders, drawing blood. The girl could only let out a scream in pain.
"Please, leave me alone...leave me and my friends alone!" cried out Miaka, her back arching once more in an attempt to cope with the pain she felt. "I beg you, please..."
Tenkou laughed manically, as one hand ran down Miaka's body, the nails still digging into her flesh. Her sheets and her pajamas were soaked with crimson stains, her nerves sending intense messages of agony to her brain. Miaka suffered from spasms all over, unsure of the fate that awaited. Her lips quivered, her heart beating faster and faster by the second. Not only did she feel physically violated, but she spiritually felt the agony of her assaulter.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" screamed the girl.
Miaka struggled with the agony that fell upon her, before her mind took over and recalled something: Tenkou fed on agony. He always fed on the agony of people; hence why the Hells are his sanctuary, if any sanctuary at all. If Miaka continued to let in on the pain, she would only feed Tenkou. Though the task was difficulty, Miaka attempted to shun away the pain, exhausting all of her willpower to do so. She started to relax, temporarily exhibiting an apathetic demeanor.
When Miaka thought Tenkou would go further with his plans, he stopped and simply relaxed, remaining straddled on the girl. Tenkou only cackled wickedly. "That is right. You would not care about what I did to you anymore...but..."
Miaka blinked, then continued to stared at her assaulter.
"...What if, I was to go after those you love?" suggested Tenkou. Miaka's eyes widened beyond belief, confirming what Tenkou thought. The demon smirked, turning his head away while his eyes narrowed down to the Miko. "Ah...your weakness, it is."
The girl began to tense again, her heartbeat picking up ever more rapidly. The visions of the day her husband suffered brutality, combined with the sharp words of the demon before her caused her to let out a scream. Her heart almost exploded, but before it could do so, an unexpected force shook Miaka.
"Miss, are you alright!?" a hasty, but concerned voice asked in Miaka's ear. Miaka opened her eyes for real, looking at the source of the voice. It was an average, but frail looking nurse.
"He...he was here," a traumatized Miaka whimpered. "He had...had his nails in me...and, and..."
"And what?"
Miaka looked around, then at herself. The wounds she felt were not there at all. "He clawed into me, drawing...blood?"
"I do not see any open wounds, miss," said the nurse. "You were probably experiencing a horrible nightmare. Well, in psychological terms, a night terror."
The reddish-brown haired girl shook her head, closing her eyes as a tear crept out of her left eye. "When will it end?"
"You went through a trauma, it takes time to heal," insisted the nurse. "Do not worry. You are in good care here. However, you will be staying for a few more days. I would say two to three days at minimum, to make sure you are okay physically...for sure."
Miaka sighed, giving a slow nod while scanning the room one more time. She frowned, and though the images she endured not so long ago no longer pose a danger to her physical health, they still haunt her mind. The nurse patted Miaka on the back whispering in her ear, "Get some rest dear. I will be next door if you need me."
Miaka nodded again, before resting her head on the pillow, turning to the other side with tears still streaking her face.
"...Was that necessary?" Shikome's voice echoed in Tenkou's throne room. Tenkou sat back in on his crystal throne, looking over to his female servant.
"If it serves the original purpose, it is," murmured Tenkou. "You, one of the four new Demon Kings, should understand this."
Shikome nodded slowly, pacing about before coming up with another response. "There were other ways to deal with the girl in such a manner, yes?"
"Indeed, but I preferred that way at the time," replied the Demon Emperor. "Worry not about my actions, focus on your revenge."
"...Very well," Shikome said while turning to the exit of the throne room. Before she could leave, though, Tenkou stood up, catching her attention.
"Be sure to check on our 'new visitors' for me, it would be rude to not give them a proper greeting," purred Tenkou.
Shikome gave a nod, then walked out of the room, her head lowering in a frown. Despite the fact that her sin, vengeance, was so great in her heart, it did not mean that she condoned everything that happened in the Hells. As a matter of fact, she would not have many sins at all if it were not for the fact that she had vengeance. The woman, back in her mortal years, was aloof - just like now. The only loved she had remained to her family, namely her sister and the other family members she sympathized with. Like Haku Kaen or better yet, Soi, Shikome was sold by her parents, as well. As a matter of fact, Shikome, being the oldest, was sold before Soi even appeared in their mother's womb.
The female demon closed her eyes, remembering clearly what happened during the last day she saw her sister...
"Sister, what do you mean escape when the opportunity comes?" asked little Kaen, a concerned expression in her eyes. She clenched onto her pale robes, following with another question: "Is something going to happen to me?"
"I did not say that, just do it when you can," said an older version of Kaen, which obviously represented young Shikome. Shikome knelt down before Kaen, looking deeply in her eyes, showing a deep concern that the 'modern Shikome' rarely expresses. "You do not deserve to be here. Forget what you know of here, after you leave. There are better things for you than this place."
"What about you?"
"Forget even me. I will stay here."
"Why? Why wont you come with me, if I ever take the opportunity to escape?"
"I am the strongest between the two of us."
Kaen frowned.
"Just listen to big sister, okay? I want you to find a good and caring man, get married, and live in a better world. You deserve better than this blasted brothel."
Kaen slowly nodded, a tear running down her eyes. Shikome released a sigh, wrapping her arms around Kaen. "I will be watching you, somehow. Just forget about me when you find the opportunity to leave this place. This place, all together, is not worth remembering."
Shikome opened her eyes, becoming aware of her surroundings once more. Not much happened when she entered the hall. Nonetheless, she continued to remember the past, while walking toward the exit of the citadel.
It was not long before the opportunity for Kaen to escape made rise. A cloaked and teenage Shikome silently made her way down the stairs of the brothel and toward the direction of Kaen's customer's territory. The Kotou army arrived within seconds. Fortunately for Shikome, she found a good hiding place behind a ruined shack not so far from the customer's house.
The screams of Kaen echoed in Shikome's ears, causing her stomach to turn within her. However, she had to control herself, unless she be caught in a grievous conflict. Further commotion filled the air, before the Kotou army marched away. Unfortunately, Kaen was found by one of the commanders and a group of men. Her head turned to face the new presence.
"You! Hold your place!" demanded the commander. Shikome stood in thought for a moment before turning around, completely facing them and completely still. The commander smirked, acknowledging the obedience. "Let us see your face, stranger."
Shikome thought for a moment, then looked to the other side to see her sister follow Nakago and his group of men, before complying to the commander's orders. For whatever reasons, the men liked what they saw. Despite all the possibilities ahead, Shikome remained calm.
"Do you think she would impress his Majesty?" asked a soldier.
"I would think so," answered the commander. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. "You are coming with me to the Emperor, or you are to serve me...since the commanders have the spoils of war over the men."
"...I will see if his Majesty finds me appealing, then I will be yours if not," Shikome said ever so calmly. The men stood there in shock, astounded by the woman taking the situation well...as a matter of fact, she took it TOO well.
"Very well, then," replied the commander. The men surrounded Shikome, then urged her to walk behind the commander. Shikome went along ever so willing.
Shikome shook her head at the irony of the situation she reminisced. Both not only were able to escape that day, but Shikome also had a better chance of watching Soi closely in the Emperor's Harem, which was not difficult for the woman to become a member of at all. The girl even went to extremes of cutting her hair and growing out her bangs so that her young sister could not recognize her and thus, made it easier for her to watch. Before Shikome could reminisce further, a hissing voice cackled with glee. The demoness recognized the voice all too well, "Kurai."
"Kan'ya Shikome, warrioress of the Hells, most renown or should I say, notorious in the demon ranks," a voice said. A tall, dark-skinned, and handsome figure materialized before Shikome. Flowing to his chin were locks of dark green hair and in his eyes were orange orbs, ever filled with a cruel passion - much unlike Shikome's eyes, which held a rather cold demeanor. His armor was crimson, crimson as blood in both fresh and dried forms. He began to pace around the girl, taking in every bit of her. "Enough with the formalities - how are you?"
"What do you want?" hissed Shikome, her eyes narrowed to the man pacing her.
"To have a normal conversation, of course!" enthusiastically said the demon. "Ever since you stepped your pretty foot in this place, you never bothered to have one with me. Why is that? Am I not good looking enough?"
"I simply keep to my duties."
"Ouch, I am so hurt," sarcastically commented Kurai. "Such a cold flower. I suppose that is the price one pays for embracing the extremes of yin chi. The only thing that seems to live with you, is your ability to function, want revenge, and your ability to arouse others, despite their preference. Why is that, you dare not to have a little fun with your abilities, hmm, hmm? It would not hurt, I assure you. Come...us demons get a little lonely down here."
Before Kurai could put an arm around Shikome, Shikome walked away. "I care not for your little games. Tenkou wishes for me to torture the newer souls. I take no pleasure in it, but I shall keep to my duty."
Kurai laughed, then shook his head in disbelief. Then he came up with a question, the glint in his eye expressing the desire to probe Shikome to discomfort, "I heard you did not approve of the Master's way of dealing with his female enemy, is that true?"
"I merely stated there were other ways, I did not suggest that I approved nor disproved," responded Shikome, before she exitted the citadel.
Kurai watched the woman walk away, a smirk curving upon his lips. "It astounds me to see such a prude soul as the right hand of Tenkou."
Tasuki, Chichiri, and Yui sat in a bus. The three of them toured the major sites of the city, from the biggest mall in Tokyo, to the park, and the wonders in Japan. During the process, Yui helped the two warriors get accustomed to the ways of her world, helping them reduce their anachronistic outlook on it. The only problem the three faced all day was the strange glances and stares they received from the general public. As a matter of fact, one man approached the three once and asked them when the Renaissance Festival arrived in town. Otherwise, they had little problems blending to the basic customs of the modern world.
Moukou tired out before everyone else and even fell asleep in between Yui and Tasuki - ironically, he fell asleep right on Tasuki's lap! Despite the fact that the boy irritated Tasuki, Tasuki did nothing but stare at the sleeping boy during the whole bus trip. He definitely saw the resemblance of Tamahome or better yet, Taka in the boy. At the same time, he could not help but to take notice of the traits from the boy's mother, as well.
Yui and Chichiri took things a bit well, considering what all happened, but noticed almost instantly how troubled Tasuki appeared. Chichiri, being Tasuki's 'brother-at-arms', per se, spoke out first. "What is wrong Tasuki? Is it Miaka?"
Tasuki remained silent.
"Be shamed not if so, no da," added the monk. "Please tell. You been like this off and on, all day."
"I just, feel somethin' painful inside of me - beyond painful," replied the bandit.
"Something to do with Miaka, correct?" asked Yui.
Tasuki pursed his lips, not so willing to admit the truth. Chichiri then advised, moreso out of an attempt to comfort Tasuki, "Please tell us. You can trust us, no da."
Releasing a sigh, Tasuki responded honestly, "Yes...her. For years, I kept telling myself that I looked at her like a little sister, you know. Now, I am not sure where my boundaries lie anymore. Now I worry about her more than ever...even much more than I did those many years ago."
"We are all worried about her; hence we are heading to the hospital to check on her one last time before calling it a night," Yui said, looking out the window.
Tasuki gave a slow nod, then released a sigh, rolling his sleeve a bit to look at that one bracelet he kept as a memoire of Miaka. Yui quickly narrowed her eyes at it, recognizing it all well - despite her not seeing it for over eight years. She inquired, "Did Miaka give that to you?"
"Not directly," humbly replied the bandit. "She...left it behind, and I wanted to keep it as something to remember her by."
"You feel for her more than you let out, don't you?" inquired Yui.
Tasuki just remained silent. Yui tilted her head, noticing that she was pushing beyond his comfort level and therefore, did not push further. Her and Chichiri were humbled by what happened as well, though it was obvious by Tasuki's facial expressions, that he had a hard time taking things as well as they. Then again, she almost expected it - after all, Tasuki always possessed a natural affinity for feeling his Miko's emotions, not to mention protected her feelings more than the other seishi.
A minute after the conversation ended, the bus stopped at the corner of the hospital. Yui woke Moukou up, nearly dragging the sleepy boy off the seat, and walked out, paying for the bus ride. The two seishi followed as everyone walked straight toward the hospital building, repeating the procedure from the morning. Yui reached out for a nurse near Miaka's doorway, inquiring, "How is she?"
"Despite her night terrors, she is physically healthy. However, we ask for her to stay for another day or two at minimum. After that, we strongly recommend her to seek counseling. The night terrors are not our area of expertise. If you need help finding any professionals, let us know," reported the nurse. Yui clearly understood the situation, but Moukou and the two seishi remained confused.
"What are night terrors? Are they a type of monster?" Chichiri asked, scratching his forhead.
"If they are, point dem' at me, I will kick their fuckin' ass!" exclaimed Tasuki in an intense, yet solemn voice. The bandit scanned his surroundings intensely, taking notice of the few alerted workers' puzzled expressions.
"Tasuki, one more thing?" Yui asked while whispering harshly in his ear. "You do NOT use obscene language in most buildings. It makes people look at you like you are a total idiot. Over all, it is not our custom to use such language in front of children!"
Tasuki pursed his lips, one hand going behind his head as he glanced at the workers one more time before saying, "Err...okay. My bad." Obviously, he was not in the mood to play a full-fledge punk.
Moukou was too tired to say anything obnoxious. However, with his mother on his mind, he suddenly asked Yui a question in a groggy voice, "We get to see mammy, right Aunt Yui?"
Yui nodded. "Yes, we do." Without further words, the four walked into Miaka's room, where they found a sleeping woman.
"To answer your question, Chichiri..." softly began Yui. "Night terrors are like nightmares, except that they cause stress on the body as well as the mind. They are very real to the person experiencing them, until they are snapped out of it."
"Poor Miaka, no da," commented the monk. He then found his eyes staring at the machinery next to Miaka, a piece of machinery that had wires connecting to Miaka in various parts of her body. Chichiri pointed to the machine, "What is that?"
"It keeps track of Miaka's basic health, especially her heart rate," answered Yui. "It says that her heart rate is normal, so until a nurse or doctor says otherwise, we have nothing to worry about."
Everyone simply stared at Miaka, in both awe of her angel-like sleeping state and how peaceful she seemed. The staring continued for five minutes, until Yui concluded, "I guess she is doing ok--"
A pleading cry interrupted Yui's statement. The cry was incoherent at first, then became obvious. "Taka...Moukou......Yui...Keisuke......Tasuki, Chichiri..."
The four saw Miaka turn her head to the side, her eyes clenching tightly as a tear streamed down her eyes. Yui widened her eyes, then released a sigh. "I guess not. She is experiencing night terrors again."
Tasuki quickly pushed between everyone and knelt before Miaka's side, nudging her awake. "Miaka! Snap out of it."
Miaka widened her eyes, then looked to Tasuki, then to everyone else. Her eyes expressed anguish at first, but when she saw her son, she forced a smile on her face. "Hello Moukou. Have you been a good boy today?"
"I be good boy!" Moukou said, then nodded vigorously. Tasuki raised a finger to protest, but then dropped the hand to Miaka's side. Then Moukou proceeded, "Mammy be okay?"
"Mommy be okay," humbly said Miaka while she tried to force another smile. She looked to Yui, then said, "Please take Moukou home for me? Do not want him to miss anymore days of school. Plus, he probably had a long day, considering how early he...woke up..."
Yui nodded, then reached for Moukou's hand. Moukou quickly pulled away, running to Miaka's other side, and hugging her tightly. Miaka returned the hug, ever so tightly in both affection and desperation. Another tear streamed down her eye as she hugged her son. Then she whispered in his ear, "Mommy loves you, okay? Be a good boy. I will treat you to ice cream after I am allowed to leave, okay?"
Moukou slowly nodded, saying, "Moukou be a good boy. Promise." Reluctantly, Moukou withdrew, walking back to Yui's side and taking her hand. "Mammy get some good sleep, okie? I be good boy for mammy."
Miaka forced another smile on her face, before laying back and closing her eyes. Chichiri headed toward the exit, letting Yui go out with Moukou, then turning his head to Tasuki, "Coming, no da?"
The red-headed bandit shaked his head. "I am watchin' over her. You watch over the other two."
Chichiri opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed his mouth, nodding to Tasuki. Turning his head to the exit, he headed out.
Tasuki released a sigh, looking over the resting body of his Miko. He stood up, walking over to a chair and setting it next to Miaka's bed. Miaka stirred, then turned her face to Tasuki's side. She slowly opened her eyes, looking in his direction, once more trying to give off a strong demeanor. "You do not need to stay here for me. I am a woman now, and I learned how to fight from Taka."
"Even if ya' kicked my ass in a fight, I would still stay, ya' dummy," the bandit commented, trying to smile a bit before returning to his solemn expression. "Ya' don't need to act tough around me."
Miaka slowly nodded, her happy demeanor fading.
"What happened?" Tasuki quickly asked.
The question raised by the bandit was, in fact, the last question Miaka wanted one to ask her. She released a sigh, then pursed her lips, tensing while she reluctantly answered, "T..Tenkou." After reciting his name, Miaka's eyes stared abroad, as if seeing something that Tasuki could not see. "He...did this..."
"Tch, the bastard!" snarled the bandit. "He had no right to...to, do this to ya'. Was he the one who killed Taka, as well!?"
Miaka slowly nodded, whimpering a bit as the memories flooded her mind.
The bandit growled almost wolf-like, then slipped out of the chair to kneel before his Miko once more. "I am sorry, Miaka. I did not make it in time. I really, really, am sorry..."
Shaking her head vigorously, Miaka leaned as forward as she could, wrapping her arms around Tasuki's neck. "Don't you dare apologise!"
Tasuki looked ahead, one of his arms wrapping around Miaka. His eyelids lowered, as did his head. His nose nuzzled in the Priestess of Suzaku's thick locks of hair. She felt so warm, and her closeness ever so tempted the bandit, but he abstained from taking further actions, knowing the pain the woman went through at the time. Miaka, choking in her tears, continued, "I so wanted to die...oh was the pain unbearable. His body...body, violated me. He should have killed me right there! I could not do anything, not even save Taka. He should have killed me right--"
"Stop it...just stop it Miaka," harshly hissed Tasuki in irritation. Tasuki wrapped his other arm around Miaka, holding her tightly. "When this is all over, I am going to make sure you find happiness...whether it be with the seishi, with wealth - with something. Just stop talkin' about you dyin', okay? Promise?"
Miaka's tears continued, but more in a silent than hysterical state. Tasuki continued to embrace her, knowing only half of the pain that the woman went through in her mind. Slowly, Tasuki withdrew, holding Miaka by her shoulders and looking deeply into her green eyes, "Now ya' try to get some rest again, okay? I am not sure how long you are expected to suffer from this, nor am I sure how much I can do to hasten yer' recovery, but I will be here for ya', okay?"
Miaka stared at the bandit briefly, before giving a slow nod. Tasuki slowly inched Miaka on the bed, then gently released her. The girl turned to him, saying, "Oyasuminasai."
Tasuki nodded. "Good night."
The bandit sat back in the chair again, not taking his eyes off his Miko.