Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi, yadda yadda yadda...
Chapter 20: Losses
Jade awoke to find herself in Tasuki's arms, both of them naked. At first, she was slightly confused, but then she remembered what had happened the night before. Sighing with pleasure, she snuggled closer to the bandit. Tasuki felt the movement, and opened his eyes. Amber met emerald as she looked up at him. He grinned. "So, ya recovered?" She laughed before rolling him onto his back and pinning him there. "I think I did, thanks for asking! Now that I have you at my mercy, what should I do..." Growling, the bandit flipped her onto her back. He grinned as he lowered his face to hers. Jade gasped as his lips covered hers. She arched her back as he kissed her deeper and deeper. He ran his hands down her body, lingering on every inch of her skin. A low moan escaped her lips as she ran her hands through his firey red hair. Gasping for breath, the couple pulled away. Jade sat up. "I-I think we should go back to camp..." Tasuki nodded reluctantly, and they dressed quickly before leaving the clearing.
Soon, they all set off on horses. The little boy Tamahome had saved ran up. "Bye Mr. Scary Face! Bye Miss Jade!" Jade waved back from the horse she was sharing with Tasuki, whom was forcing a smile. They soon set out to the capital to find the shrine. As they entered the city Jade gasped with delight. "Snow! It's been so long since I've seen it!" Nuriko smiled. "We don't usually see it in Konan because it's so warm." he explained. Dismounting, the small group entered a dingy bar to plan their next move. While in there, a man came up to Nuriko and Jade. "Woah, what babes! Howzabout you two come have a drink with me?" Tasuki glared murderously, mumbling curses under his breath. Jade punched him, sending the drunk to the floor. Chichiri sighed. "We can't put up with distractions like this, no da..." The purple haired seishi nodded in agreement. "You're right." With that, he pulled out a pair of scissiors and snipped off his long ponytail. The assembly gasped in horror. Miaka's eyes were wide. "But...but..." Nuriko smiled. "This'll make things easier. Besides, I've given up on crossdresing." Jade just gaped. Was this Nuriko talking? She was silent as the groups split up for the day. She ended up with Mitsukake, who acted as a chaperone, and Tasuki. The redhead watched his love truge silently beside them. "Jade? What's wrong?" She looked up at him, and he was surprised to find her eyes full of tears. He pulled her close and stroked her hair comfortingly. "Why are ya cryin'?! Nuriko can grow it back!" Jade shook her head. "T-that's not the reason...I sensed an odd presence...something's going to happen soon, to one of us...but I don't know what. I just feel it." She pulled away before continuing. "A-and I don't know who it will happen to, b-but if something would happen to you, I don't know what I'd do..." she said, turning away. The stunned bandit made to go to her, but Mitsukake stopped him. "Let her go. She'll feel better if we let her calm down..." Tasuki glared at him. "If I want to comfort my girlfriend, damnit, then neither hell or you will stop me!" He stepped around the healer and walked over to Jade. He gently put his arms around her and whispered in her ear "Jade-sama, ya think somethin' will be able to kill me? Just think what all we've been through! You and I survived it, and we'll get through this together. I promise." She turned and looked at him. He pulled her face up gently and kissed her. The Celeste Warrior relaxed in his arms. They gently pulled away, smiling at each other. A small "hmph" from Mitsukake got them moving again.
Later that night, Jade, Tasuki, and Nuriko were sitting in a small bar. The purple haired seishi grinned at his female friend. "How about some booze?" The bandit nodded eagerly, but Jade seemed a little reluctant. "W-wait a sec, I'm ony 16! I can't have alcohol!" Nuriko looked at her oddly. "Of course you can! Who told you that?" The Celeste Warrior said timidly "N-no one..." The older seishi grinned. "Well, okay then! Hey mister! Mix up three glasses of 1 part paichu, 3 parts raochu, and 4 parts shokushu! Also, bring me an order of noodles!" The bartender hurried off to fill his order. Jade looked around nervously. She had never been so close to a bar counter before. Tasuki smiled at her, as if reading her mind. "Jade, don' worry! I'll make sure ya don't get too drunk, okay?" She nodded, still slightly nervous. The man brought them three glasses and a bowl of noodles. Tasuki and Nuriko picked up the drinks and started to drink instantly, but Jade gingerly sniffed hers. Taking a deep breath, she took a sip. It was warm, and it tasted slightly bitter, but she drank some more. "What is this?" she asked. Nuriko grinned. "It's a Nuriko Special! Do you like it?" Jade nodded before finishing it in one gulp. Tasuki chuckled as he watched Jade order another glass. "See? I told ya it was good!" She nodded eagerly before drinking the next glass. Soon, she was wobbling on her chair. "I-I feel sick..." she said weakly before falling off her stool. Tasuki caught her and took her into the inn they were staying. Then, he returned and sat next to Nuriko.
Shaking his head, he laughed. "Reminds me of what happened when I had booze for the very first time..." Nuriko gave him a serious look. "Tasuki, promise me something." The bandit smiled, running a hand through his firey hair. "Sure. What is it?"
"Promise me that you'll take care of Jade and that you two will be together and happy for the rest of your lives." Tasuki turned pale. "Y-You mean marry her? B-because I was planning on it, b-but I don' have a ring or anythin'..." Nuriko shook his head. "I ment, protect her and cherish her. That doesn't mean marry her, but it would be an added bonus. She's one of a kind, you're very lucky. You surprised me, because I thought you were a woman hater." The bandit's eyes softened, and he became very serious. "I was one...I was the youngest in my family, with five older sisters who treated me like shit, especially Aidou. And my ma was even worse. So, when I was fifteen, I left. When I got t' Mount Reikaku, our old boss took me in. I was short and scrawny then. Soon, I became a bandit. Kouji and I were inceperable. We did everything together. As a bandit law, women were seen as objects or belongings. Coupled with th' fact that I had a horrible childhood, due to women, I took that law to heart. I guess I got taller and much better built, because women seemed to like me. Of course, I told them to go...never mind. Then, one day after our old boss got sick, I went out to find some medicine for him. After I found some, I took my good old time getting back. One night, I heard a scream. I ran to see what it was. I saw a group of nomad bandits threating a girl. So, all I had to do was kill the leader, and the girl took care of the rest. She was very pretty, if I recall. She asked me to help her find her way out of the forest, which I wasn't going to, but I decided to take her as a hostage. I took her back to Mout Reikaku, where I found out the boss was dead and that fat bastard Eiken had taken over. Then, I rescued Miaka and brought her back to where I had hidden the other girl. To make a long story short, I then became a seishi. The girl turned out to be pretty cool, and I felt myself deveolp a crush on her. Soon, that crush turned into love, but I was afraid of rejection. I kept telling myself that I was a bandit and that I shouldn't fall for a woman, but it didn't work. She had something other women didn't, and she affected me differenly than anyone else. I was in deep. So, the night of the Stargazing Festival, I told her how I felt, and surprisingly, she felt the same way about me. So, we formed a bond that could never be broken. I live, and would die, for her. She means more to me than life itself. I've never said this before about someone, but...I love her." he finished quietly. Nuriko nodded. "I don't blame you." With that, he left the bar.
Tasuki got up and followed him, going to the room he had placed Jade in. He opened the door softly. The Celeste Warrior was fast asleep. He crept over to her and sat down on the bed. Gently, he took her hand in his. It was slender and delicate, but strong, perfect for wielding a sword. Tasuki's hand was a perfect fit with hers, and he lifted it up and kissed it gently. She stirred in her sleep and groped the air, as if looking for something. "No, don't leave me..." He grinned softly before laying beside her and pulling her into his arms. "I would never leave you willingly..." he murmured as he cradled her head gently. "I have never told you this, Jade, or anyone else, but...I couldn't live without you." he said weakly. Jade's eyes flickered open and she looked up at him. "Tasuki..." she breathed. His amber eyes shone with compassion for her, and she felt her heart racing. There was no one else who could make her feel like this... He kissed her gently, sending them both into a happy slumber.
The next day, the couple continued their search for the Shinzaho with Mitsukake. As they were looking, Jade felt an odd jolt travel up her body. Her eyes grew wide in horror and she looked over at Tasuki, who had felt it too. She turned into a tiger and raced up the mountainside, followed closely by the bandit.
Jade reached the peak before Tasuki did, and what she saw would be etched into her memory forever. Nuriko was slumped over, the snow around him splattered with blood. She transformed back and raced over to her best friend. Supporting him gently, she looked down at his face. His once bright violet eyes were now clouded, and he smiled weakly. "Jade...I-I opened the shrine for you guys to get the Shinzaho..." Jade's eyes filled with tears. "Nuriko, don't talk like that! Once Mitsukake gets here, he can heal you! Just don't leave me!" The purple haired seishi chuckled weakly. "Too late for that, that Seiryu asshole did too much damage. Just promise me that you and Tasuki will be together and happy for the rest of your lives...I want you to be happy and safe most of all. When I was around you...it was like Kourin was alive again. Also, watch over Miaka for me..." The Celeste Warrior nodded, her tears dripping onto Nuriko's face. He looked over her shoulder. "Kourin? You came to greet me?" he said softly before his eyes closed for the last time. Jade looked down at his peaceful face, and started sobbing. Tasuki, followed by the others, walked in at that moment. When the bandit saw her cradling Nuriko's limp form, his eyes widened in horror. "J-Jade?! What's wrong with Nuriko?!?" She looked up at him, tears pouring down her face. "I-I was too late...h-he's..." Tasuki said quietly "No...he couldn't have...You idiot! What was the point?! What's the damn point of getting yourself killed?! You coward! Get up! Stop hurting her like this! Get up!!! Waaaait a mintue..." He walked over to Mitsukake, chuckling. "Mitsukake, we need you! Use your power and heal this sissy! Heh, what a phony! He may have fooled all of you, but he doesn't fool me! Hurry up and heal him, Mitsukake! You can do it, can't you?! Mitsukake? You can heal him, can't you?! Y-you...you can't help?" Tasuki then broke down as well. "B-but he was just here yesterday! I was just with him last night! Why?!" he sobbed, making his way over to Jade. Pulling her close, the two grieved for their closest friend. Miaka said quietly "He isn't dead." Everyone looked at her. Her voice rose and she yelled "He's not dead! He can't be! Nuriko can't be dead!" She ran off, sobbing. Tamahome ran off after her, the others staing behind to tend to Nuriko.
Tasuki held Jade close as he leaned against a nearby rock. The Celeste Warrior watched as Mitsukake healed Nuriko's clothing and wound. She looked up at the bandit, her eyes filled with tears. "N-nuriko wanted us to be together..." she whispered, her voice wavery. Tasuki nodded and rested his chin on her head, tears also streaming down his face. "I know...He told me last night...I intend to keep that promise to him, and protect you with my life." Jade nodded and stood up, walking over to the others. Chiriko was sobbing, and she hugged him comfortingly. "I-it looks like he's sleeping..." the younger seishi weeped. Tasuki felt his heart break at the sight of all of his friends grieving for another. Tamahome returned with Miaka, forcing her to look at Nuriko. "Look at Nuriko, Miaka! Are you just going to let his death go to waste?! What do you think Nuriko sacrificed his life for?! You!" Miaka finally looked at her dead seishi, her eyes filling with tears. Mitsukake presented Miaka with Nuriko's power bracelets. "Here. He would have wanted you to have them." Chichiri lifted the small bag that conained Nuriko's braid and handed it to Jade. Trembling, she untied it and removed four of his hairs, which she wrapped in a hankerchief carefully and placed inside her coat. Then, a small grave was dug for the beloved crossdressing seishi. The bag of hair was placed on top of him, and the grave was slowly filled in. Tasuki held Jade close in his arms, for his own comfort as well as hers. The Suzaku seishi said a final farewell to Nuriko, the biggest hearted of them all.
Sniff...sniff...WAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Poor Nuriko... Sorry this chapter is so long, I had a lot to write.So...sniff...bye for now...
Chapter 20: Losses
Jade awoke to find herself in Tasuki's arms, both of them naked. At first, she was slightly confused, but then she remembered what had happened the night before. Sighing with pleasure, she snuggled closer to the bandit. Tasuki felt the movement, and opened his eyes. Amber met emerald as she looked up at him. He grinned. "So, ya recovered?" She laughed before rolling him onto his back and pinning him there. "I think I did, thanks for asking! Now that I have you at my mercy, what should I do..." Growling, the bandit flipped her onto her back. He grinned as he lowered his face to hers. Jade gasped as his lips covered hers. She arched her back as he kissed her deeper and deeper. He ran his hands down her body, lingering on every inch of her skin. A low moan escaped her lips as she ran her hands through his firey red hair. Gasping for breath, the couple pulled away. Jade sat up. "I-I think we should go back to camp..." Tasuki nodded reluctantly, and they dressed quickly before leaving the clearing.
Soon, they all set off on horses. The little boy Tamahome had saved ran up. "Bye Mr. Scary Face! Bye Miss Jade!" Jade waved back from the horse she was sharing with Tasuki, whom was forcing a smile. They soon set out to the capital to find the shrine. As they entered the city Jade gasped with delight. "Snow! It's been so long since I've seen it!" Nuriko smiled. "We don't usually see it in Konan because it's so warm." he explained. Dismounting, the small group entered a dingy bar to plan their next move. While in there, a man came up to Nuriko and Jade. "Woah, what babes! Howzabout you two come have a drink with me?" Tasuki glared murderously, mumbling curses under his breath. Jade punched him, sending the drunk to the floor. Chichiri sighed. "We can't put up with distractions like this, no da..." The purple haired seishi nodded in agreement. "You're right." With that, he pulled out a pair of scissiors and snipped off his long ponytail. The assembly gasped in horror. Miaka's eyes were wide. "But...but..." Nuriko smiled. "This'll make things easier. Besides, I've given up on crossdresing." Jade just gaped. Was this Nuriko talking? She was silent as the groups split up for the day. She ended up with Mitsukake, who acted as a chaperone, and Tasuki. The redhead watched his love truge silently beside them. "Jade? What's wrong?" She looked up at him, and he was surprised to find her eyes full of tears. He pulled her close and stroked her hair comfortingly. "Why are ya cryin'?! Nuriko can grow it back!" Jade shook her head. "T-that's not the reason...I sensed an odd presence...something's going to happen soon, to one of us...but I don't know what. I just feel it." She pulled away before continuing. "A-and I don't know who it will happen to, b-but if something would happen to you, I don't know what I'd do..." she said, turning away. The stunned bandit made to go to her, but Mitsukake stopped him. "Let her go. She'll feel better if we let her calm down..." Tasuki glared at him. "If I want to comfort my girlfriend, damnit, then neither hell or you will stop me!" He stepped around the healer and walked over to Jade. He gently put his arms around her and whispered in her ear "Jade-sama, ya think somethin' will be able to kill me? Just think what all we've been through! You and I survived it, and we'll get through this together. I promise." She turned and looked at him. He pulled her face up gently and kissed her. The Celeste Warrior relaxed in his arms. They gently pulled away, smiling at each other. A small "hmph" from Mitsukake got them moving again.
Later that night, Jade, Tasuki, and Nuriko were sitting in a small bar. The purple haired seishi grinned at his female friend. "How about some booze?" The bandit nodded eagerly, but Jade seemed a little reluctant. "W-wait a sec, I'm ony 16! I can't have alcohol!" Nuriko looked at her oddly. "Of course you can! Who told you that?" The Celeste Warrior said timidly "N-no one..." The older seishi grinned. "Well, okay then! Hey mister! Mix up three glasses of 1 part paichu, 3 parts raochu, and 4 parts shokushu! Also, bring me an order of noodles!" The bartender hurried off to fill his order. Jade looked around nervously. She had never been so close to a bar counter before. Tasuki smiled at her, as if reading her mind. "Jade, don' worry! I'll make sure ya don't get too drunk, okay?" She nodded, still slightly nervous. The man brought them three glasses and a bowl of noodles. Tasuki and Nuriko picked up the drinks and started to drink instantly, but Jade gingerly sniffed hers. Taking a deep breath, she took a sip. It was warm, and it tasted slightly bitter, but she drank some more. "What is this?" she asked. Nuriko grinned. "It's a Nuriko Special! Do you like it?" Jade nodded before finishing it in one gulp. Tasuki chuckled as he watched Jade order another glass. "See? I told ya it was good!" She nodded eagerly before drinking the next glass. Soon, she was wobbling on her chair. "I-I feel sick..." she said weakly before falling off her stool. Tasuki caught her and took her into the inn they were staying. Then, he returned and sat next to Nuriko.
Shaking his head, he laughed. "Reminds me of what happened when I had booze for the very first time..." Nuriko gave him a serious look. "Tasuki, promise me something." The bandit smiled, running a hand through his firey hair. "Sure. What is it?"
"Promise me that you'll take care of Jade and that you two will be together and happy for the rest of your lives." Tasuki turned pale. "Y-You mean marry her? B-because I was planning on it, b-but I don' have a ring or anythin'..." Nuriko shook his head. "I ment, protect her and cherish her. That doesn't mean marry her, but it would be an added bonus. She's one of a kind, you're very lucky. You surprised me, because I thought you were a woman hater." The bandit's eyes softened, and he became very serious. "I was one...I was the youngest in my family, with five older sisters who treated me like shit, especially Aidou. And my ma was even worse. So, when I was fifteen, I left. When I got t' Mount Reikaku, our old boss took me in. I was short and scrawny then. Soon, I became a bandit. Kouji and I were inceperable. We did everything together. As a bandit law, women were seen as objects or belongings. Coupled with th' fact that I had a horrible childhood, due to women, I took that law to heart. I guess I got taller and much better built, because women seemed to like me. Of course, I told them to go...never mind. Then, one day after our old boss got sick, I went out to find some medicine for him. After I found some, I took my good old time getting back. One night, I heard a scream. I ran to see what it was. I saw a group of nomad bandits threating a girl. So, all I had to do was kill the leader, and the girl took care of the rest. She was very pretty, if I recall. She asked me to help her find her way out of the forest, which I wasn't going to, but I decided to take her as a hostage. I took her back to Mout Reikaku, where I found out the boss was dead and that fat bastard Eiken had taken over. Then, I rescued Miaka and brought her back to where I had hidden the other girl. To make a long story short, I then became a seishi. The girl turned out to be pretty cool, and I felt myself deveolp a crush on her. Soon, that crush turned into love, but I was afraid of rejection. I kept telling myself that I was a bandit and that I shouldn't fall for a woman, but it didn't work. She had something other women didn't, and she affected me differenly than anyone else. I was in deep. So, the night of the Stargazing Festival, I told her how I felt, and surprisingly, she felt the same way about me. So, we formed a bond that could never be broken. I live, and would die, for her. She means more to me than life itself. I've never said this before about someone, but...I love her." he finished quietly. Nuriko nodded. "I don't blame you." With that, he left the bar.
Tasuki got up and followed him, going to the room he had placed Jade in. He opened the door softly. The Celeste Warrior was fast asleep. He crept over to her and sat down on the bed. Gently, he took her hand in his. It was slender and delicate, but strong, perfect for wielding a sword. Tasuki's hand was a perfect fit with hers, and he lifted it up and kissed it gently. She stirred in her sleep and groped the air, as if looking for something. "No, don't leave me..." He grinned softly before laying beside her and pulling her into his arms. "I would never leave you willingly..." he murmured as he cradled her head gently. "I have never told you this, Jade, or anyone else, but...I couldn't live without you." he said weakly. Jade's eyes flickered open and she looked up at him. "Tasuki..." she breathed. His amber eyes shone with compassion for her, and she felt her heart racing. There was no one else who could make her feel like this... He kissed her gently, sending them both into a happy slumber.
The next day, the couple continued their search for the Shinzaho with Mitsukake. As they were looking, Jade felt an odd jolt travel up her body. Her eyes grew wide in horror and she looked over at Tasuki, who had felt it too. She turned into a tiger and raced up the mountainside, followed closely by the bandit.
Jade reached the peak before Tasuki did, and what she saw would be etched into her memory forever. Nuriko was slumped over, the snow around him splattered with blood. She transformed back and raced over to her best friend. Supporting him gently, she looked down at his face. His once bright violet eyes were now clouded, and he smiled weakly. "Jade...I-I opened the shrine for you guys to get the Shinzaho..." Jade's eyes filled with tears. "Nuriko, don't talk like that! Once Mitsukake gets here, he can heal you! Just don't leave me!" The purple haired seishi chuckled weakly. "Too late for that, that Seiryu asshole did too much damage. Just promise me that you and Tasuki will be together and happy for the rest of your lives...I want you to be happy and safe most of all. When I was around you...it was like Kourin was alive again. Also, watch over Miaka for me..." The Celeste Warrior nodded, her tears dripping onto Nuriko's face. He looked over her shoulder. "Kourin? You came to greet me?" he said softly before his eyes closed for the last time. Jade looked down at his peaceful face, and started sobbing. Tasuki, followed by the others, walked in at that moment. When the bandit saw her cradling Nuriko's limp form, his eyes widened in horror. "J-Jade?! What's wrong with Nuriko?!?" She looked up at him, tears pouring down her face. "I-I was too late...h-he's..." Tasuki said quietly "No...he couldn't have...You idiot! What was the point?! What's the damn point of getting yourself killed?! You coward! Get up! Stop hurting her like this! Get up!!! Waaaait a mintue..." He walked over to Mitsukake, chuckling. "Mitsukake, we need you! Use your power and heal this sissy! Heh, what a phony! He may have fooled all of you, but he doesn't fool me! Hurry up and heal him, Mitsukake! You can do it, can't you?! Mitsukake? You can heal him, can't you?! Y-you...you can't help?" Tasuki then broke down as well. "B-but he was just here yesterday! I was just with him last night! Why?!" he sobbed, making his way over to Jade. Pulling her close, the two grieved for their closest friend. Miaka said quietly "He isn't dead." Everyone looked at her. Her voice rose and she yelled "He's not dead! He can't be! Nuriko can't be dead!" She ran off, sobbing. Tamahome ran off after her, the others staing behind to tend to Nuriko.
Tasuki held Jade close as he leaned against a nearby rock. The Celeste Warrior watched as Mitsukake healed Nuriko's clothing and wound. She looked up at the bandit, her eyes filled with tears. "N-nuriko wanted us to be together..." she whispered, her voice wavery. Tasuki nodded and rested his chin on her head, tears also streaming down his face. "I know...He told me last night...I intend to keep that promise to him, and protect you with my life." Jade nodded and stood up, walking over to the others. Chiriko was sobbing, and she hugged him comfortingly. "I-it looks like he's sleeping..." the younger seishi weeped. Tasuki felt his heart break at the sight of all of his friends grieving for another. Tamahome returned with Miaka, forcing her to look at Nuriko. "Look at Nuriko, Miaka! Are you just going to let his death go to waste?! What do you think Nuriko sacrificed his life for?! You!" Miaka finally looked at her dead seishi, her eyes filling with tears. Mitsukake presented Miaka with Nuriko's power bracelets. "Here. He would have wanted you to have them." Chichiri lifted the small bag that conained Nuriko's braid and handed it to Jade. Trembling, she untied it and removed four of his hairs, which she wrapped in a hankerchief carefully and placed inside her coat. Then, a small grave was dug for the beloved crossdressing seishi. The bag of hair was placed on top of him, and the grave was slowly filled in. Tasuki held Jade close in his arms, for his own comfort as well as hers. The Suzaku seishi said a final farewell to Nuriko, the biggest hearted of them all.
Sniff...sniff...WAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Poor Nuriko... Sorry this chapter is so long, I had a lot to write.So...sniff...bye for now...