WOW! I'm just a newbie at all this and I didn't expect such a positive result from people! Thank you everyone that has already read my story and reviewed! I'll try not to disappoint you guys... I thought about using references from Chiriko's book, Yuuai Den, but I don't know the story that well so I decided against it... Oh and I don't know what kind of desserts they eat in ancient China, but you'll see that very soon...
I had a bit of trouble starting this chapter so the beginning might be a bit choppy. Oh and congratulations to Ryochan8 who guessed that Chichiri was my favorite character! Kudos for you!! ::Gives Ryochan8 a big box of Kudos:: In this chapter, my other favorite character gets a verbal beatdown. Can you guess who it is? Try it! It might be slightly entertaining! You too might earn Kudos!
This story is PG-13 and I'm sure it's going to stay that way because I can't think of anything that will bump it up to R.
As much as I wish, I do not own Fushigi Yugi or any of the characters...
Chapter 2: Falling Off Roofs Does Hurt
"It's about time the two of you joined us!" Hotohori grinned softly as Chichiri and Chiriko entered the dinning room, "We salvaged some food for you before Miaka got to it!"
"Why thank you, no da!" chirped Chichiri sitting on one side of Tasuki and Chiriko on the other. Dipping a helping onto his plate, he continued, "I know it's almost night, no da, but what if we have another archery tournament after dinner. The darkness will give it more of a challenge, na no da."
As everyone agreed and Tasuki began to boast about how he would win again, Chiriko mouthed a silent 'Thank you' to Chichiri who nodded back. Soon the conversations returned to normal... well, as normal as it can get with this group which meant there were constant arguments between Tamahome and Tasuki which ended with Nuriko "separating" them.
Emerging from the kitchen came a palace cook carrying a wide tray with different types of sweets, from thick pieces of chocolate cake to several pies with different fruit fillings. He was a plump, older man with long salt and pepper hair tied back in a taut ponytail. Bowing first to Hotohori, the man bellowed in a deep merry voice similar to Mitsuakake's, cheeks flushing a cherry red, "Your highness, Suzaku no Miko, and honored Suzaku Seishi, would it pleasure any of you to have dessert after you meal?"
"OH! I WOULD!" Miaka quickly leapt to her feet and scouted the whole tray, "There are so many! I don't know which one I want to eat first!"
Nuriko immediately drug her away, "How about everyone one else get what they want first and you can have the rest, ne?"
"That sounds good. Which one do you want, Nuriko?" the bubbly brunette squirmed in his grasp.
"Oh I'm not eating any! I'm watching my figure!"
"What figure?" Tasuki grumbled before a chair was promptly thrown at him.
Turning to the others, the chef held out the tray. Hotohori, Chichiri, and Mitsukake all declined while Tamahome chose a small piece of blueberry pie. Reaching across the table, Chiriko quickly took hold of the biggest chocolate pastry ignoring the pout that arose from Miaka.
"Ain't that a bit much, Chiriko-chan?" said Tasuki through a mouthful of cake.
"What is that supposed to mean?" the boy stared back at him in disbelief that the question actually left his mouth.
"I mean ya had three servings already. Jus' making sure ya don't pop open being as small as you are."
Chiriko immediately shot up from his chair, knocking it over with a deafening WAM! His glare plowed into the bandit's surprised eyes, "So just because I'm small means I'm not allowed to eat a lot!? Huh? Is that it!? Would you rather me starve!?"
"Well, no- I just-" the whisper from Tasuki was almost inaudible.
"You just what!? You were so-called looking out for me!? Well stop! I can very much take care of myself, you insensitive, stupid jerk! And that goes for all of you!" Chiriko glanced across the table nailing each of them a threatening stare; he quickly turned and bolted out of their view promptly slamming the dinning room door behind him.
Glancing at the vanilla ice cream slowly crying tears of sugar down the sides of his spice cake, Tasuki sat deathly still and didn't utter a sound for the first time that night. The cake was slowly steaming, radiating heat as if it was blushing along with him. Everyone except Chichiri, who knew perfectly well what the problem was, took slow, confused glances from the fiery Seishi to the door where their youngest member had exited from.
...
"Who does Tasuki think he is?" Sliding open a window wedged between two forgotten bookcases, Chiriko climbed over the pane and lowered himself onto the roof below. The library was one of the few places in Konan's palace that had a second story. One window, in the darkest corner upstairs, led out onto the shingled roof where the scholar loved to sit when it was sunny. He could overlook the garden, the pond where Chichiri often fished, and even parts of the city. It was the only place he could truly think without anyone pestering him.
Arms draped over his knees, Chiriko closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. The air was fresh, free of dust that usually was kicked up from the streets around the palace. Swollen to its borders, the distant river's voice tickled the tips of his ears as he concentrated, sending his chi out into the different rooms and corridors of his new home; Chiriko felt Tasuki and Chichiri quickly approaching the walkway located under where he sat.
"Tasuki-chan! Hold on just a moment, no da!" Their footsteps slowed exactly under the younger Seishi, "Thank you! Now, what's the matter with you, no da? I've never seen you so quiet and... Tasuki... are you alright?"
Chiriko couldn't hear fiery Seishi moving. Tasuki was almost always thrashing about except when he slept or was so drunk he couldn't stand. Another thing was he didn't answer right away. Tasuki rarely stop to think about what he said. These actions frightened the boy.
After several moments, the bandit murmured, "I guess 'm ok. I was hoping t' find Chiriko t' say sorry fer... whatever I did... I didn't mean to make him upset..."
"That really bothered you didn't it, no da? I don't see why. People are always mad at you, na no da!"
"Thanks Chichiri," Tasuki muttered, "That really helps... but yea, it does get to me 'cause," he paused. Chiriko took this opportunity to slink closer towards the edge of the roof to hear them better. Feet almost hanging over the rim, he could barely see their shadows dancing from the torches lighting the walkway.
Finally choosing the right words, the scholar saw Tasuki's darkened silhouette lean against the railing, "I guess 'm down because the fact it was Chiriko who snapped at me. I'm used t' Tamahome or Nuriko but... never from the kid... I jus', I jus look up t' him so much, ya know?"
'Tasuki looks up to me!?' the thought shot through Chiriko's head, almost causing him to slip from his hiding place, 'Why would he do that? He's so much more interesting than I would ever be!'
As if reading his mind, Chichiri ask, "Really? You look up to him? I would think you would look down since he's shorter, no da."
"SHADDUP! Ya now what I mean! The kid's jus' so much smarter than I am!"
"Tasuki-chan, you are smart, no da! You just don't have the best common sense."
"Pff! If you only knew..." there was a touch of regret in his voice or was it shame? Chiriko couldn't tell without being able to see his friend's face. Cautiously leaning forward, the teen saw the tops of their heads. Tasuki was sitting on the banister now and Chichiri copied him from before by leaning on it.
Placing a reassuring hand upon the fire Seishi's shoulder, the monk inquired in a softer voice, "What do you mean?"
The orange locks of hair fell forward as the bandit answered in a whisper. Chichiri quickly released his grip, his mask-forced smile shifting to an expression of shock. Several moments passed as the distant moan of thunder smothered the silence. Glancing up from the unraveling cabaret below, Chiriko noted the building cumulus clouds devouring the waning twilight. 'I guess the rain isn't quite over yet,' he mused returning his view below.
"A-at all?" Chichiri said never removing his gaze from the bandit.
Shrugging lightly, Tasuki muttered, "I can do the basics... ya know, simple stuff like my name and places but not much from there. My family didn't think it was too important an' ya don't need those skills t' rob anyone. My old leader was gonna teach me but he got passed away before he got to."
A sickening feeling emerged in the pits of his stomach as Chiriko realized what they were discussing. 'Tasuki-san must not be able to read very well,' the thought probed his brain, making sure he felt horribly guilty, 'I even called him stupid straight to his face.' The offended look in Tasuki's eyes from earlier confirmed the truth and that the subject was quite sensitive to his friend. Even with the vast amount of knowledge stored in his mind, Chiriko now understood why he was treated so young. He had yet proven himself to be an adult and his bout of name calling was the perfect example. Suddenly he realized that Chichiri had said something and focused once more on their conversation.
"Whenever we get the chance, I'll teach you, no da. Would you like that?"
The red hair shot up and looked at the gravity defying bangs, "Ya would do that?"
"Of course! You're one of my closest friends and I'll help you whenever you need it, no da!"
"I want to help too!" Chiriko cried not able to keep quiet any longer. The guilt had eaten away at him too much. Both the older Seishi snapped their heads up.
"WHAT THE-! Chiriko! How the hell did ya get up there!?"
"Um..." the scholar suddenly realized what he did, "Through the library. I always sit up here and I just-"
"Thought about eavesdropping into our conversation, no da?" Chichiri's squinted mask eyes seemed to narrow even more, "That's quite rude, na no da." Tasuki simply turned his head away in shame.
"I didn't mean to!" now on all fours, Chiriko leaned forward even more, "I can't help that you stopped right under me... Oh, I'm so sorry and-" Suddenly, the end shingle shifted out under his hand and he slipped off the roof.
"Chiriko-chan!"
A blur of orange softened his landing but still knocked the wind from Chiriko's lungs. Losing consciousness for a moment, the boy's eyes slowly peeled apart to reveal the concerned expressions as his friend's leaned over him.
"Chiriko! Are ya okay!?" He felt Tasuki's arms still around him, helping him slowly rise to a sitting position. The fire Seishi was gasping lightly as fear painted its masterpiece on his face, "Say something!"
"I'm alright," he muttered still pulling breaths in and out, each one laced with less pain than the last.
"Well that's good," sitting back on his heels, Chichiri pointed to something about a meter away, "because that could have been you." The monk was lightly shaking and fret worked its way into his tone. Laying in several pieces spreading out the width of the walkway, the shingle was shattered. A vague image of Chiriko's body smashed upon the granite floor, his blood splattering the walls in an abstract portrait of misery appeared in Tasuki's mind.
"Don't ever fucking scare us like that again!" he cried pulling the boy into his body. A single tear escaped from the amber eyes. He reluctantly release the scholar as Chichiri took his turn to hug the boy. Chiriko, finally setting his thoughts straight again, wrapped his arms around the still quivering monk.
"I'm alright you two! Really!" confirmed Chiriko as he stood up and took a few steps, even hopped once to confirm his well being. But the two older Seishi remained seated on the ground; both of their nerves were still shaken. Tasuki leaned on the wall while Chichiri rested his head against the corridor's banister.
Taking hold of the opportunity, Chiriko sat beside the bandit and pulled his knees to his chest, "Tasuki-san... I-I'm sorry. Lately I've been in a weird mood and I took it out on you... and everyone else as well," he stole a glance at Chichiri who nodded for him to continue, "I know I should have let everyone know how I felt instead of bottling everything up but... I don't know... I just never tell how I feel to anyone."
"That's not too smart," Tasuki's voice was raspy, struggling to form words.
"I know," Chiriko shifted slightly, "but I've never really had anyone to talk to in the first place. My father died when I was young so mother was always working. I have an older brother but when he realized I was one of the Suzaku seven he began to push me away. It didn't help being praised all the time for being brilliant. The fights got worse to where," throat tightening up, the scholar glanced away from his friends to watch the rain begin to fall.
"What is it, Chiriko?" Chichiri crawled over to sit on the other side of the boy.
Rolling up the red leggings, Chiriko revealed a jagged scar that started at the top of his thigh and ran down to his knee. "Mother was furious," he whispered pulling his pants leg back down, "but she couldn't punish him because he just picked up a job and we needed the money. After that, Brother and I stopped talking. Quickly picking up cooking, I took care of myself after that and didn't want to ever bother anyone ever again. I even made the decision to not confide in the other Suzaku seven on the carriage ride to Konan palace, but," he smiled gently and looked Tasuki in the eyes, "I met all of you. Right away I knew it would be hard to keep that vow, and after tonight I wish I had never made it. That horrid promise blew up in my face the second I said those things to you, Tasuki-san. I-I never meant to hurt you... I was just mad and snapped... I'm very, very sorry. And I understand if you don't wish to associate with me-"
"What!?" Tasuki draped his arm around the boy, "Why wouldn't I want t' hang out with ya? I mean you are the coolest kid I know and trust me, I hate kids! Don't worry about it, Chiriko-chan, it ain't the first time I've been called a' idiot an' it won't be the last. Besides," his fangs poked out as he grinned, "ya made me a promise along with Chichiri here an' I'm gonna hold ya to it. With your help I'll be quoting... well... whatever the hell you read!"
"Somehow that image scares me, no da!" an SD Chichiri jumped up, and began tugging on Chiriko's foot, "Does it frighten you?"
"Hey! Shaddup! No one asked you!" Chiriko couldn't help but to laugh at his bickering friends.
Suddenly, a scream pierced through the hall causing the three of them to jump up.
"That sounded like Miaka!" Chiriko cried dashing off towards the origin of the sound, the other two on his trail. Several moments passed before they met Nuriko, Mitsukake, Tamahome, and Hotohori.
"What happened, no da? Tamahome-kun, where's Miaka?"
"I don't know! She mentioned going to find Nuriko to talk."
Shaking his head, the purple haired Seishi answered, "I haven't seen her since dinner. Maybe she got lost or-" Another scream, closer this time, pierced their ears.
"The garden!"
The rain was now a deluge; lightening ripped the darkness to shreds as it worked to the chorus of thunder. Just ahead of them, they saw their Miko backing away from four figures that were slowly beginning to close in around her. Tamahome and Chichiri automatically recognized their leader.
"Nakago!" Tama slid to a halt beside Miaka, cradling her in his arms, "What the hell do you want!?" The rest of the Suzaku Seishi formed a protective circle around them.
"We meet again, Tamahome. Good to see you as well, Chichiri."
"Sorry, but I can't say the same for you, no da! And I see you brought some friends with you, na no da."
The blonde warrior chuckled lightly, "That I did. It's my pleasure to introduce my fellow members of the Seriyuu seven: Tomo." a slightly shorter man with long, tied back, jet black hair stepped forward. His face was painted white with black and indigo stripes; on his head was a crown like garb that branched off two long feathers. He bowed slightly to them, "Ashitare." A gruesome beast began to growl as he stood upright on what appeared to be hind legs. He was some sort of wolf/human creature with wild eyes that picked at the Suzaku group like they were plump chickens ready for roasting, "and finally, Suboshi." Taking several steps forward, a green hair boy (the shortest of the bunch) glowered at them, anger raging throughout his entire body.
"He looks like the old Chiriko!" Mitsukake whispered under his breath. Chiriko's eyes widen slightly. This boy, who was only a couple of years older than he was, looked exactly like his impersonator. The day he arrived at the palace, another teen was there pretending to him when in reality he was Amiboshi of the Seriyuu Seishi. Tamahome and Tasuki had chased him from the palace to the river where he stumbled. Miaka tried to save him but he chose his own death and drown. It had only been two and a half weeks ago.
"Of course I look like, Amiboshi," the boy sneered at the comment, "He was my twin brother and you murdered him!"
"No!" Miaka cried out, "I tried to save the old Chiriko but he let go of his flute!"
"How amusing," Tomo cackled lightly, "She still calls him 'Chiriko'."
"ALL LIES!" pulling his ryuuseisui from its strap on his side, Suboshi crouched low as if he might pounce any minute, "You murdered my brother and I will make you pay!"
Yanking his tessen from its pouch, Tasuki smirked, "And how the hell are ya gonna do that?"
As the ball on the end of the ryuuseisui began to float above his palm and spin quickly, Suboshi smiled a devious smile with revenge coating his gaze, "By taking the life of your Miko and draining all of her blood!"
End of Chapter 2
Ryuuseisui- (if anyone can help me on this, feel free) ok, how do I describe this? Well, imagine a whip with a ball (about the size of a softball) on each end. The balls spin very fast and if you get hit with it, it hurts! Suboshi controls it with telekinesis. Please, someone come up with a better explanation than that! HELP!
Ok, ok... I know this chapter was supposed to be a huge fight scene with Suzaku vs. Seriyuu but I came up with the whole concept with Tasuki and... yea... But I promise there will be more action in the next chapter ((for some reason I got the mental image of the Suzaku and Seriyuu Seishi having a tea party... don't ask why...)). But everything is not what you expect and the Suzaku bunch gets tricked! If you really want to know what happens then go read the summary, it's all there I promise you. Chapter 3 is called The Act of Being Tricked.
SOMETHING YOU ALL SHOULD KNOW: Next week school is starting for me so it will get harder for me to update but don't be discourage! I will try to get out a chapter a week (not making promises tho!). And thanks again for those who have left me reviews. It really means a lot to me.
Until next time! Onwards and Upwards, no da! Squ33k!