Reversed Reality

Disclaimer: Still don't own Fushigi Yugi

A/N:The male Hotohori (the Emporor) will be reffered to a Mizu, or the Emporor when he appears in the story. Mizu is being used because it mean 'water' and his constellation is Hydra, which means water.

Reviewer Response:
Silver Pain: Yeah it seems wierd to me too to have Miaka fighting. Thanks for the tip, I was thinking I should do that too I'm trying to update as soon as possible before vacation.
Auron's Fan: Yes I HAVE to agree with you, that day will be one to remeber. And thanks! Woohoo for 1 month anaversaries. I think once Chichiri and Tasuki and all of them come into the story I'll really be able to change it up or at least it'll be more fun. Shirtless Tamahome can nothing but good.
Tiki-Chan: I thought it was cute too. Here's the update!

R&R

Miaka watched nervously as Tamahome shifted fretfully on the bed, bead of sweat slowly rolling down his now pallid face.

Miaka, Hotohori, Nuriko and the emporor were all standing around Tamahome's bed.

"Miaka! What happened out there!" Mizu said almost angrily. "It's your duty to protect him."

Miaka looked almost frantic. "I know, you majesty, please I'm sorry! I don't know what happened. He was fine one minute and then the next he collapsed."

Mizu sighed deeply, "Miaka. You must tell me what happened out there. I need every detail, for your answer will affect your future."

Oh God, whaddle I do! Miaka thought as her brain raced to decide what to tell the emporor.

Hotohori had been standing by Tamahome's bed as well, looking very worried and of course Miaka couldn't help but notice that she kept gently wiping the sweat from his face.

"Can't you see how I feel about you!" Tamahome's words echoed in Miaka's head. "I told you, we were surrounded by a gang of bandits, but I was able to dispose of them and then we went to leave. She collapsed. That's all that happened."

Mizu sighed, "I fear we can do nothing. There isn't a logical illness I think that her body and her mind have been taking in too much."

Hotohori stepped in, "You mean we just have to sit here!" She sounded horrified by the idea.

The emporor was about to answer but the stir from Tamahome caught everyone's attention.

"Ke-Keisukue….Yui…Mom.."

"That's it. Tamahome wants to go back…to his world…" Miaka said as Tamahome called out the names.

"Alright, into my room immediately." Mizu said turning to leave.

"Right, your Majesty." Miaka said giving him a tiny salute. She turned went to walk quickly out the door but somehow managed to trip over the invisible bump in the carpet sending herself sprawling to the floor.

The emporor and Hotohori just walked around her, and seconds later she got up and slowly walked from the room, eyeing the carpet suspiciously as she went.

Nuriko turned to look one last time at Tamahome before leaving but when she heard him calling out the names of coins and money she rolled her eyes and left.

"Gold coins, silver dollars, 100-yen pieces…."

"The only solution I can see is putting Miaka back in her own time, for here, she's only getting worse." Mizu said, earning reluctant nods from the others.

"But your majesty-how do we send her back?" Miaka asked.

"That's what we must figure out."

"Wait-what about the woman who gave us the "Universe of the Four Gods?" Hotohori said with hope in her voice.

"Ah, yes. Tai-Yi-Jun, you're right she would know how to let Tamahome back into his world. Bring the "Universe of the Four Gods" in here." Mizu commanded.

Tamahome slowly opened his eyes. "Jeez, that's one hell of a headache. Feels like a bad hangover…" he mumbled to himself as he sat up and placed his forehead in his palm in hopes to stop the spinning in his head.

"Can't you see how I feel about you!" ……. "Sorry, I'm only protecting you because it's my job." He remembered the words he had yelled to Miaka only hours ago. At the thought of that he groaned and let himself fall backwards onto the pillows once more.

His headache thumped in protest to his sudden movement. I can't believe I told her that…It just popped out. Damnit that was so stupid of me! She's just a character in some old book, yet somehow I manages to end up falling for her only to get denied. How messed up is that!

…How can I even look at her now?

There was a tiny knock on his door followed by a soft feminine voice, "Tamahome?"

Tamahome looked up to see Hotohori standing in the doorway of his room. "Hey." he said absentmindedly

"Are you feeling any better? You looked horrible not long ago." She said this with worry.

Tamahome rubbed the back of his neck, "Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry about me."

Hotohori smiled, "I have good news. We've found a way to get you back to your own world."

Tamahome shot up into a sitting position, immediately regretting that choice when his headache flared up. Ignoring the stabbing pain he looked to her, "Seriously!"

Hotohori nodded, "Tai-Yi-Jun will be able to return you so we must travel to her. You and the other constellations will have to reach Daichi-San on your own. It may take quite a while but don't worry, Miaka, Nuriko and myself shall be by your side."

Tamahome nodded, "What about his Majesty?"

Hotohori smiled, "My brother shall stay behind, after all it is his Kingdome to rule and no one will notice a difference since they all think we are one."

Hotohori's smile faded, "The only thing I ask is that when you feel ready, that you come back to us…to me."

Tamahome felt that odd jerk in his chest again at Hotohori's words. Without any warning Hotohori wrapped her arms around him in a soft hug before giving him a kiss on the cheek and leaving.

Hotohori…I know at least she likes me. Thankfully I can go home now and forget about what an idiot I've been. I probably shouldn't even bother saying goodbye to her. She probably just thinks I'm in the way as it is…

Miaka quickly turned away from the door way as she watched Hotohori embrace Tamahome.

Solemnly she walked down the corridor, her face blank.

Without warning an entire bookcase came rocketing down the corridor, knocking her down and giving a nice lump on her head as well.

"Quit pouting! It's not very becoming. Why do you feel bad anyway! Tamahome's the one who should be feeling down because you threw what he said to you back in his face." Nuriko chided her as thought she were a child in trouble.

Miaka sighed, "Well, can't say for sure what he's feeling but 'down's not one of them. If he felt that bad he wouldn't be getting cozy with Hotohori right now, so just drop it ok? You're sure as hell not helping."

Nuriko looked taken aback. "Me! Listen, how am I supposed to even get Hotohori to look at me when she's all enamored with Tamahome? If you would just quit sulking and apologize or go tell him how you really feel that maybe it will work out for both of us! So stop acting like dark, brooding guy! Oh and lighten up, this mood isn't like you…"

Miaka threw a sarcastic smile over her shoulder at Nuriko's last remark, "LAY OFF IT! I'm not jealous! I was going to apologize! AND, I'm NOT acting like a guy!" she bellowed back at Nuriko who's hair was now windswept from the force of Miaka's yell.

"Ok then…someone's a bit touchy…"

A Few Days Later: Operation, Send Tamahome Home

Tamahome had been fidgety all morning. Sure he could avoid Miaka in the castle because it was huge, but now she was traveling with him and the others to Tai-Yi-Jun.

It was going to be a little difficult to ignore her, or, talk it out. Either way he was screwed.

Eventually he wandered into the front courtyard where the horses were being drawn up in preparation to leave.

Tamahome's eyes instantly locked on Miaka's figure only a few feet ahead of him. Both her and Nuriko were tying the luggage to the horses.

As he was looking at her, she turned, her eyes locking with his for a moment but they both nervously glanced away the next second.

Damnit, I can't even look at him! How can I spend the whole weekend with him! Miaka thought as she desperately tried to keep her attention glued to the straps tied to the horse and not on Tamahome. He probably hates me now anyway….

Tamahome mounted his horse and grabbed the reigns, waiting for the others to take the lead. Once again the blanket that was thrown over his body in 'disguise' fell down over his eyes obstructing his vision. With an annoyed sigh he pushed it back.

"Don't worry bout it Tamahome, you can take that off when we get out in the country area where people won't recognize you."

Tamahome gave a small grin before prodding the horse to follow after Hotohori; Nuriko and Miaka on either side of him.

Tamahome chanced a quick glance over at Miaka who seemed to be very interested in the reigns on her horse. Gods, if this isn't an awkward silence then I don't know what it….

Wow, this is really awkward….gotta think of something to say….Miaka thought, still staring at the strips of leather.

Moments later her face brightened, "hey! Ok, so what did the horse say when it fell over!" She continued on without waiting for an answer; not that she would have gotten one anyway. "Help! I've fallen and I can't giddy up! Hahaha…" Her laugh trailed off as she saw that no one was laughing so she quickly averted her gaze back to the reigns.

After a couple more hours of awkward silence and a few moments of forced conversation it was too dark to travel any longer. "We should stop now and rest here for the night." Hotohori said pulling back on her reigns.

In the span of no more that 15 minutes later everyone was sprawled out on the ground fast asleep; except for Tamahome who had taken to sitting up against a tree, his head throbbing. It's just getting worse…. he thought brushing a hand against his forehead.

"Hey!" Nuriko whispered loudly popping out in front of Tamahome from around the tree.

Tamahome only jumped about three feet in the air before throwing Nuriko a glare.

"Alright, being the wonderfully nice person that I am--hey don't give me that look--I'm going to give you a tip. There's a hot spring only a few meters away in the woods where you can relax. It might help your fever."

Tamahome considered for a moment before getting up and walking towards the woods, "Thanks Nuriko."

Nuriko waited until he could no longer see Tamahome before quietly walking over to Miaka.

"Pssst. Miaka!" The girl was fast asleep with her head on one of the cargo bags. "Get up!" She didn't move.

Being the oh so patient person that he is Nuriko gave up and just decided wake Miaka up more forcefully. So he went to nudge her in the side with his foot but instead managed to kick her clear across the clearing.

"Umm, whoops…."

"What the hellwhat that for?" Miaka said angrily storming back over to Nuriko with several large lumps on her head.

"Haha, yeah um….Tamahome says that he wants to talk to you so he'll be waiting at the spring." Nuriko said it quickly to distract Miaka from being any angrier at him.

"Me? Did he really say that?" Miaka asked skeptically.

"Yup." Nuriko said lying through his teeth. "Just don't do what you did last time." He added as she turned to go towards the spring. Miaka threw a glare over her shoulder.

Meanwhile, Tamahome had just found the spring. "Nice…looks I can really relax here."

This better help my fever… Tamahome thought as he began to take off his clothes so he could jump in the hot spring.

But, having his back turned, he didn't see the ripples in the water behind him.