Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi belongs to Yu Watase, therefore I am only borrowing it. I made up Jade Stevens, Tara Robinson, Taran the hawk, and the altered storyline.
Chapter 12: Rescue
Mitsukake returned, his eyes red from crying for his dead fionce. Jade felt her heart break. Poor guy... no wonder he didn't want to treat humans. She smiled softly as the cat they had seen earlier walked up, meowing softly. The healer picked him up gently and placed him on his shoulder. Taran waddled out, screeching happily. She laughed at the hawk. Then, she realized that she was still in Tasuki's arms. But for some reason, that didn't bother her. In fact, she was enjoying it. Nuriko grinned slyly at them. You two pretty cozy over there?" he snickered. Both blushing furiously, Jade wriggled out of his arms. She stormed over and started yelling at her purple haired friend. "It's not like that, you baka! Tasuki-chan and I are just friends! You are discusting!" Nuriko grinned even more. "I doubt that! You two are definitly dating material!" With that, he ran off laughing. Tasuki and Jade both ran after him, yelling curses. Hotohori and Miaka laughed at the threesome.
*************
They stopped to rest in a small inn. Miaka sat up. Shaking Jade, she whispered. "Hey Jade! Do you hear a flute?" The Celeste Warrior glared at her . "No, I don't hear a damn flute! Goodnight!" She rolled over and pulled her pillow over her head. Beside her, Nuriko yawned. "What are you yelling about now, Miaka? Can't a person get a good night's sleep around here?!?" The Priestess turned to him. "Do you hear a flute?" The seishi shook his head. "Sorry, but no." Flopping back down, he was asleep in minutes.
*************
Jade yawned as she walked between Tasuki and Nuriko. "Damn it, Miaka! You just had to keep us awake for some stupid flute that you could only hear!" she growled at the surprised Miko. Hotohori, who was mounted on the horse behind Miaka, glared at the complaining girl. "If Miaka says she heard one, I believe her!" Miaka pointed at a nearby village. "Look, it's Tamahome's village!" Nuriko nodded. "Yeah, it's been a while since we were last here. Come on, let's go check on his family!"
*************
Suddenly, a young boy ran out of an alleyway. "Has anyone seen the doctor?!?" he yelled. Miaka gasped. "It's Chuei, Tamahome's brother!" Chuei stopped in front of them, breathing hard. "Priestess! Our father is very sick, and I can't find the village doctor!" Mitsukake stepped forward. "Where is your home?" Chuei led him to the small dwelling of Tamahome's family. Inside, they stopped beside the bed of Tamahome's father. Mitsukake put out his hand and healed the old man. "Where...am I?" he asked, confused.The healer smiled. "You're healed now." Chuei thanked him profusely as the other children hugged their father. Miaka grinned. "I'm so glad we could help!" Shunkei turned and questioned "Priestess, where's big brother?" The Miko closed her eyes and pretended she was asleep. Jade whacked her over the head. "Don't pretend to be asleep!" Meanwhile, Hotohori was looking at the poor conditions. "People in my country actually live like this?!? Show how good of an emporer I've been!" Yuiren pulled on his sleeve. "What is it, child?" he asked her gently. "Are you big brother's wife?" The emporer smiled. "No, I am a man."
"But you're so beautiful!"
"So innocent, but so honest." he sighed. Tasuki and Nuriko fell over behind him. Mitsukake pulled out a few coins and handed them to Chuei. "Go buy a fish for your father." His cat popped out and mewed. The healer ruffled his fur, laughing. "And for him, too."
*************
Jade sat at the kitchen table, chatting with Tasuki. He was such a cool guy! She sat dreamily, her hand propping up her chin. He was telling her about his family, but all she could focus on was his face...those gorgeous amber eyes...that messy red hair...those awesome fangs... She sighed inwardly. Of course, he's the one who doesn't like girls! Meanwhile, Tasuki stopped talking. Jade had seemed to lose interest... He wonderd why. He quickly scanned her face. She seemed to be a little out there. 'She's so cute when she's thinking! Those green eyes...that melodious laugh...her expressions... Waaaaaaait a second, you baka! You're not supposed to like women, remember? She's one of your best friends anyway, so she doesn't feel the same way.' Sighing, he knew that his conscience was right. What did he have to offer? He was a runaway, and a bandit at that. No girl wants that! Snapping out of his depresssion, he noticed she was still a little dreamy. To get her attention, he leaned forward until their noses were touching. "Jaaaaade...Jaaaaaade...come back, Jaaaade." he whispered. He grinned as she snapped out of her thoughts. But instead of her shoving him away, she blushed slightly and averted her eyes. "Um..." was all the astonished bandit could say. She smiled softly and closed his mouth by pushing up his jaw with her finger. He blushed brightly and stared deeply into her brilliant green eyes. She stared back, and they were locked into that intimate position. Suddenly, Chuei burst open the door. "I got the fish!" The two immediately flew apart, blushing furiously. Jade looked over at the boy and almost did a double take. Chuei, who normally wore his hair in a bun, had let it down and tied it into a ponytail. He looked almost identical to his older brother! Miaka obviously couldn't tell the difference as she pounced on him. "TAMAHOME!!!" she screamed happily. "But, I'm Chuei!" the boy tried to yell out. The Priestess, realizing her mistake, got off the boy instantly. Nuriko laughed as he bent over to pick up the fish. Jade got up and requested "I want to help make cook!" The seishi nodded and the pair walked into the kitchen, leaving a flustered Tasuki sitting at the table.
*************
Jade was gutting the fish as she turned to Chuei. "Were did you get such fresh fish?" she asked. The boy beamed. "I caught them at the river so I could save the money with the other money Tamahome gave us. It started as just one small coin, then it grew and grew! Onii-chan always told us to save our money carefully, and I did." Nuriko laughed and ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "You're just like your brother where money's concerned!" Taran waddled in, clacking his beak. Jade cut off a small piece of the fish. "Here Taran-" she said. The hawk swooped up and took the piece. Startled, the girl stared at the soaring hawk. "But how..." Mitsukake walked in, smiling. "I healed him for you." Jade ran over and hugged the healer. "Thank you so much, Mitsukake-san!" she cried happily. The seishi smiled at her gently. "No problem." Jade walked over to the hawk, who had perched on the back of a chair. "Well, Taran, you're free now. You can fly wherever you want, nothing's stopping you now..." she said softly. The hawk cocked his head at the girl. Fluttering over, he landed on her shoulder and nibbled her ear. The shocked girl asked "Do you want to stay with me?" Taran bobbed his head happily. Everyone cheered as the hawk soared around the house, screeching happily.
*************
That night, Jade watched as Miaka fearfully looked out at the bats. Rolling over, the Celeste Warrior fell into a deep slumber. Meanwhile, Miaka stood at the window watching the bats. After about an hour, she cautiously opened the door and walked outside. Jade woke with a start. "Miaka?" she said as she searched for the Priestess. Finding her missing, she softly swore as she grabbed her sword and ran out the door. Miaka was looking up at the bats, and Jade noticed a man up in the tree. "Miaka, watch out!" she yelled, but it was too late. The bats attacked her fiercely. Jade ran forward, slicing at the bats. They overwhelmed her, and she screamed out as they bit into her flesh.
*************
Tasuki sat up instantly. Hotohori shot up beside him. "Did ya hear that?" he asked the emporer. He returned the nod. "It sounded like Miaka!" The bandit stared at him. That was Jade he heard! Why did Hotohori worry about Miaka so much? He snorted softly as he grabbed his tessan and ran out the door, followed closely by Hotohori.
**************
Jade transformed into a tiger and began batting away the bats. Unfortunately, a tiger being a large animal, the bats attacked even more fiercely. A blast of fire hit the bats. Before they had a chance to return, Tasuki ran in and cried "Jade, change back! These are vampire bats!" Without hesitating, the girl transformed into a human and dove into his arms, not caring if she was naked or not. Meanwhile, Hotohori was shielding Miaka. The bats returned even more thickly. Jade pressed against the redhead as much as she possibly could. Tasuki could feel her terror, and pulled her closer. Suddenly, the bats started crashing into trees. The man, who had been staring at the naked Jade in fascination, started twitching. He gasped and his eyes rolled back into his head, after which he fell, stone dead. They could hear a flute gently playing, and a figure stepped out of the mist, carrying a flute. Jade shivered as she snuggled up to the blushing bandit. He pulled off his shirt and gave it to her, which she put on greatfully. The figure was a teenage boy, who collapsed in front of them. The foursome bent over the boy. "Are you okay?" Jade asked worriedly. The boy nodded. "I am Chiriko. I was the one who killed the bats." Miaka glanced at his leg, which had a symbol on it. "You must be the final warrior!" she gasped. The boy nodded. Helping Chiriko up, they took him back to the house.
**************
They bid goodbye to Tamahome's family, setting out for the palace. Jade couldn't wait to see Chichiri again. She laughed happily. Tasuki cocked his head. "What's so funny, Jade?" he asked. The Celeste Warrior grinned at him. "I can't for you to meet Chichiri! You two will get along great!" The bandit gave her a fanged grin. "I dunno..." She shoved him playfully. "You are full of it, Tasuki-chan!" He grinned even wider. "Oh, are ya sure about that?" he growled. He grabbed her into a playful headlock and the two of them began wresting. "Ahem." The two immediately stopped to look up at an annoyed Nuriko. "Can we get back to the palace without any stupid obstacles?!? Is that too much to ask?!?" He picked up the pair, one in each hand. "Now, I know you two like each other, but wresting isn't very romantic..." Suddenly, he found himself the target of horrible curses. Letting them down gently, he chuckled to himself and ran to catch up with the others, Tasuki and Jade in hot pursuit.
MUAHAHAHAHA!!! Sorry, that came out of nowhere... Next chapter coming soon!
Chapter 12: Rescue
Mitsukake returned, his eyes red from crying for his dead fionce. Jade felt her heart break. Poor guy... no wonder he didn't want to treat humans. She smiled softly as the cat they had seen earlier walked up, meowing softly. The healer picked him up gently and placed him on his shoulder. Taran waddled out, screeching happily. She laughed at the hawk. Then, she realized that she was still in Tasuki's arms. But for some reason, that didn't bother her. In fact, she was enjoying it. Nuriko grinned slyly at them. You two pretty cozy over there?" he snickered. Both blushing furiously, Jade wriggled out of his arms. She stormed over and started yelling at her purple haired friend. "It's not like that, you baka! Tasuki-chan and I are just friends! You are discusting!" Nuriko grinned even more. "I doubt that! You two are definitly dating material!" With that, he ran off laughing. Tasuki and Jade both ran after him, yelling curses. Hotohori and Miaka laughed at the threesome.
*************
They stopped to rest in a small inn. Miaka sat up. Shaking Jade, she whispered. "Hey Jade! Do you hear a flute?" The Celeste Warrior glared at her . "No, I don't hear a damn flute! Goodnight!" She rolled over and pulled her pillow over her head. Beside her, Nuriko yawned. "What are you yelling about now, Miaka? Can't a person get a good night's sleep around here?!?" The Priestess turned to him. "Do you hear a flute?" The seishi shook his head. "Sorry, but no." Flopping back down, he was asleep in minutes.
*************
Jade yawned as she walked between Tasuki and Nuriko. "Damn it, Miaka! You just had to keep us awake for some stupid flute that you could only hear!" she growled at the surprised Miko. Hotohori, who was mounted on the horse behind Miaka, glared at the complaining girl. "If Miaka says she heard one, I believe her!" Miaka pointed at a nearby village. "Look, it's Tamahome's village!" Nuriko nodded. "Yeah, it's been a while since we were last here. Come on, let's go check on his family!"
*************
Suddenly, a young boy ran out of an alleyway. "Has anyone seen the doctor?!?" he yelled. Miaka gasped. "It's Chuei, Tamahome's brother!" Chuei stopped in front of them, breathing hard. "Priestess! Our father is very sick, and I can't find the village doctor!" Mitsukake stepped forward. "Where is your home?" Chuei led him to the small dwelling of Tamahome's family. Inside, they stopped beside the bed of Tamahome's father. Mitsukake put out his hand and healed the old man. "Where...am I?" he asked, confused.The healer smiled. "You're healed now." Chuei thanked him profusely as the other children hugged their father. Miaka grinned. "I'm so glad we could help!" Shunkei turned and questioned "Priestess, where's big brother?" The Miko closed her eyes and pretended she was asleep. Jade whacked her over the head. "Don't pretend to be asleep!" Meanwhile, Hotohori was looking at the poor conditions. "People in my country actually live like this?!? Show how good of an emporer I've been!" Yuiren pulled on his sleeve. "What is it, child?" he asked her gently. "Are you big brother's wife?" The emporer smiled. "No, I am a man."
"But you're so beautiful!"
"So innocent, but so honest." he sighed. Tasuki and Nuriko fell over behind him. Mitsukake pulled out a few coins and handed them to Chuei. "Go buy a fish for your father." His cat popped out and mewed. The healer ruffled his fur, laughing. "And for him, too."
*************
Jade sat at the kitchen table, chatting with Tasuki. He was such a cool guy! She sat dreamily, her hand propping up her chin. He was telling her about his family, but all she could focus on was his face...those gorgeous amber eyes...that messy red hair...those awesome fangs... She sighed inwardly. Of course, he's the one who doesn't like girls! Meanwhile, Tasuki stopped talking. Jade had seemed to lose interest... He wonderd why. He quickly scanned her face. She seemed to be a little out there. 'She's so cute when she's thinking! Those green eyes...that melodious laugh...her expressions... Waaaaaaait a second, you baka! You're not supposed to like women, remember? She's one of your best friends anyway, so she doesn't feel the same way.' Sighing, he knew that his conscience was right. What did he have to offer? He was a runaway, and a bandit at that. No girl wants that! Snapping out of his depresssion, he noticed she was still a little dreamy. To get her attention, he leaned forward until their noses were touching. "Jaaaaade...Jaaaaaade...come back, Jaaaade." he whispered. He grinned as she snapped out of her thoughts. But instead of her shoving him away, she blushed slightly and averted her eyes. "Um..." was all the astonished bandit could say. She smiled softly and closed his mouth by pushing up his jaw with her finger. He blushed brightly and stared deeply into her brilliant green eyes. She stared back, and they were locked into that intimate position. Suddenly, Chuei burst open the door. "I got the fish!" The two immediately flew apart, blushing furiously. Jade looked over at the boy and almost did a double take. Chuei, who normally wore his hair in a bun, had let it down and tied it into a ponytail. He looked almost identical to his older brother! Miaka obviously couldn't tell the difference as she pounced on him. "TAMAHOME!!!" she screamed happily. "But, I'm Chuei!" the boy tried to yell out. The Priestess, realizing her mistake, got off the boy instantly. Nuriko laughed as he bent over to pick up the fish. Jade got up and requested "I want to help make cook!" The seishi nodded and the pair walked into the kitchen, leaving a flustered Tasuki sitting at the table.
*************
Jade was gutting the fish as she turned to Chuei. "Were did you get such fresh fish?" she asked. The boy beamed. "I caught them at the river so I could save the money with the other money Tamahome gave us. It started as just one small coin, then it grew and grew! Onii-chan always told us to save our money carefully, and I did." Nuriko laughed and ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "You're just like your brother where money's concerned!" Taran waddled in, clacking his beak. Jade cut off a small piece of the fish. "Here Taran-" she said. The hawk swooped up and took the piece. Startled, the girl stared at the soaring hawk. "But how..." Mitsukake walked in, smiling. "I healed him for you." Jade ran over and hugged the healer. "Thank you so much, Mitsukake-san!" she cried happily. The seishi smiled at her gently. "No problem." Jade walked over to the hawk, who had perched on the back of a chair. "Well, Taran, you're free now. You can fly wherever you want, nothing's stopping you now..." she said softly. The hawk cocked his head at the girl. Fluttering over, he landed on her shoulder and nibbled her ear. The shocked girl asked "Do you want to stay with me?" Taran bobbed his head happily. Everyone cheered as the hawk soared around the house, screeching happily.
*************
That night, Jade watched as Miaka fearfully looked out at the bats. Rolling over, the Celeste Warrior fell into a deep slumber. Meanwhile, Miaka stood at the window watching the bats. After about an hour, she cautiously opened the door and walked outside. Jade woke with a start. "Miaka?" she said as she searched for the Priestess. Finding her missing, she softly swore as she grabbed her sword and ran out the door. Miaka was looking up at the bats, and Jade noticed a man up in the tree. "Miaka, watch out!" she yelled, but it was too late. The bats attacked her fiercely. Jade ran forward, slicing at the bats. They overwhelmed her, and she screamed out as they bit into her flesh.
*************
Tasuki sat up instantly. Hotohori shot up beside him. "Did ya hear that?" he asked the emporer. He returned the nod. "It sounded like Miaka!" The bandit stared at him. That was Jade he heard! Why did Hotohori worry about Miaka so much? He snorted softly as he grabbed his tessan and ran out the door, followed closely by Hotohori.
**************
Jade transformed into a tiger and began batting away the bats. Unfortunately, a tiger being a large animal, the bats attacked even more fiercely. A blast of fire hit the bats. Before they had a chance to return, Tasuki ran in and cried "Jade, change back! These are vampire bats!" Without hesitating, the girl transformed into a human and dove into his arms, not caring if she was naked or not. Meanwhile, Hotohori was shielding Miaka. The bats returned even more thickly. Jade pressed against the redhead as much as she possibly could. Tasuki could feel her terror, and pulled her closer. Suddenly, the bats started crashing into trees. The man, who had been staring at the naked Jade in fascination, started twitching. He gasped and his eyes rolled back into his head, after which he fell, stone dead. They could hear a flute gently playing, and a figure stepped out of the mist, carrying a flute. Jade shivered as she snuggled up to the blushing bandit. He pulled off his shirt and gave it to her, which she put on greatfully. The figure was a teenage boy, who collapsed in front of them. The foursome bent over the boy. "Are you okay?" Jade asked worriedly. The boy nodded. "I am Chiriko. I was the one who killed the bats." Miaka glanced at his leg, which had a symbol on it. "You must be the final warrior!" she gasped. The boy nodded. Helping Chiriko up, they took him back to the house.
**************
They bid goodbye to Tamahome's family, setting out for the palace. Jade couldn't wait to see Chichiri again. She laughed happily. Tasuki cocked his head. "What's so funny, Jade?" he asked. The Celeste Warrior grinned at him. "I can't for you to meet Chichiri! You two will get along great!" The bandit gave her a fanged grin. "I dunno..." She shoved him playfully. "You are full of it, Tasuki-chan!" He grinned even wider. "Oh, are ya sure about that?" he growled. He grabbed her into a playful headlock and the two of them began wresting. "Ahem." The two immediately stopped to look up at an annoyed Nuriko. "Can we get back to the palace without any stupid obstacles?!? Is that too much to ask?!?" He picked up the pair, one in each hand. "Now, I know you two like each other, but wresting isn't very romantic..." Suddenly, he found himself the target of horrible curses. Letting them down gently, he chuckled to himself and ran to catch up with the others, Tasuki and Jade in hot pursuit.
MUAHAHAHAHA!!! Sorry, that came out of nowhere... Next chapter coming soon!