Disclaimers: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi.
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Narrator's POV
Tomite sat on the ground as Taiitsukun chanted something in a strange, guttural tongue. Hikitsu was also there, but only to watch. Slowly, the already transparent form of Tomite disappeared completely. Taiitsukun turned to her disciple, harsh tones softer as she spoke.
Don't you want to go with him? You also have one that you love there where he is, do you not want to see her?
I will not go.
But why?
If I go, I will never want to leave. If I stay, I will only hurt her. Besides, knowing Uruki, she will try to see me when she cannot. Who knows what she will try. I do not want to risk it. I will not risk hurting her again.
No, Taiitsukun. Besides, eventually, my feelings will just fade away... Hikitsu didn't sound too sure of himself, though.
Meanwhile, Tomite found himself floating above the palace. Now, all I need to do is find Takiko, he said to no one in particular. Quickly he floated down and through the outside wall, going towards Takiko's room. But on the way, he met someone unexpected. As he rounded a corner, he zoomed right through someone.
"What the--
He turned and saw, to his surprise, Uruki.
That was weird. Almost as if my body turned to ice for a second... she mused aloud. Oh well. It must have been my imagi........ She trailed off. At the corners of her awareness, she could sense something. But it couldn't be... He was dead... Could it?
Uruki whirled around. Tomite! Tomite! Come out here! Tomite! Tomite...? But of course, all she could see was air. I... I must be going crazy. He..... He's dead.... Tomite stared at her. She had sensed him, but not seen him... Just as Taiitsukun had said. He slowly floated up to her. He hadn't been able to see it before, but now he could see how awful she looked.
Has she been..... Crying?' He thought. It couldn't be. He couldn't imagine such a thing! But he could see the tear streaks on her cheeks. And they were blotchy, too.
He said softly. But he didn't have time to dawdle. He wanted to stay and do whatever he could for his friend, but Taiitsukun had put him on a time limit and he had to get to Takiko, so he sped off. He turned a sharp corner and in front of him was Takiko's door. Instead of speeding, like he had been all over the rest of the palace, he slowed down and floated slowly into the room. On the bed lay Takiko, curled up into a small ball. She was whimpering, and he could see that the thin bed gown was soaked in sweat.
What's wrong with her?' He thought, quickly floating over to her.
Oh, Genbu... It hurts... Oh.... What's happening to me? She looked at her shoulder, and both of them could see the faint outline of ivory-green tortoiseshell. She whimpered again in pain and fear. Tomite floated up to her, his heart breaking. It hurt so much to see her like this. He tried to put a hand on her shoulder – tried to comfort her – but his hand only went through her body, making her shiver even more violently.
Suddenly, her body went rigid and she screamed.
Tomite yelled.
He didn't know what was going on. He didn't know what to do. All that he could do was sit there. He yelled over and over again. And that's when he saw it; the area of green-white expanding slowly, now engulfing parts of her neck and upper arm. He knew that couldn't be good. He had to stop this. But how?
TAKIKO! TAKIKO, STOP! Tears were running down her cheeks. She screamed again. And the shell print widened.
She stopped as suddenly as she began, still sobbing.
she whispered.
Can she see me?' Tomite thought, surprised. But soon his hopes were dashed.
Oh, Tomite... Why did you have to leave me... why now, when I need you most?
He whispered. He didn't expect anything to happen when he said that, but her head snapped up.
Takiko! You can hear me?
But... How?
You won't be able to see me, so don't try. I'm only a sprit, here to give you my last goodbyes.
But... But Tomite... I want to see you... I need to see you... Tomite....
I know, Takiko. But there's nothing I can do.
A single tear rolled slowly down her cheek.
Oh, Takiko, don't cry. Please don't cry." Tomite tried to wrap his arms around her, but he only went through her. Please... Don't cry...
I'm scared, Tomite. Something's happening to me. But I don't know what. What's happening to me, Tomite? What's happening to me?!
I.... I don't know...
That's what everyone says. That's what everyone says! But what am I supposed to do? Just wait for it to go away? Tomite didn't know what to say. There wasn't really anything to say. So instead, he offered a prayer to Genbu. Genbu... If you will grant this one wish, I will never, ever bother you again. I know that you can't save Takiko. For all I know, you're causing her illness. But please, let her see and touch me, one last time.'' He didn't expect to get an answer back. But inside his head, the god talked to him.
Tomite... You ask for much... You have already asked to see her so that you could say goodbye, and now you ask for me to make you a mortal man, even for only a few moments. However, I do owe you...'
Owe... Me...?'
Yes. For as you guessed, I have caused your miko's illness. So... I will grant your wish. But Tomite, do not get used to such favors. I have the feeling that I've been spoiling you and your fellow seishi.'
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Takiko's POV
Tomite didn't answer me. I didn't know where he was. I stuttered. No answer. Where was he? Had he left me here alone? Had he only been my imagination? I turned my head, looking for him, even though I knew that I wouldn't be able to see him. But he was nowhere. Finally I curled back up into a ball, trying to endure the pain that was going through my body. It felt like I was being eaten alive from the inside out. Oh, Genbu it hurt. I whimpered, shutting my eyes tighter.
Despite all the pain, I still felt the hand that rested on my shoulder, the gentle warmth radiate through the... things... that were already growing out of my skin. I turned. It was Tomite. I could see him!
He wrapped his arms around my waist and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I'm sorry Takiko. I'm so sorry.
Why are you sorry?
Because.... I lied to you. I left you before you could say goodbye to me...
Is that all?
I forgave you for that the moment I heard your voice. It would be impossible for me not to. I love you to much.
I love you, too.
I know.
And he kissed me. I wanted that moment to last forever, but all good things must end, I suppose. Slowly, he began to become transparent. My hands slipped through his body.
I... I have to go now... My time is up. Good bye.
Goodbye. I... I love you.
I love you, too. I always have, I always will. And with that, he was gone. I just stared at the place where he had been, and cried. It was all I could do...
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~End of Chapter 44~
Okay. No more side tracking. I know that this entire thing was pointless, but, heck, I liked it. Also, I'm sorry if it seems like I'm just dragging this all out. I'm really not trying to. There's just so much to wrap up. But then why am I writing useless chapters like this, right? *sigh* Whatever.
Also, after I complained about that flame, I got a lot of encouraging reviews. I would like to thank all of you so much. I really couldn't ask for a better group of people to have reading a fic. The only way that I can really thank you is to get more chapters out, so I'll get writing! Thank you so much!!! ^_^ More coming soon. Please review!
