Lola: I'm SORRY! What can I say, it's up now! I'm going to bed!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yugi or it's characters. Rei belongs to Lupi. Mischa belongs to Rosebane (formerly known as Parisrose) I own Kumiko & family. : )

Chapter 19: Final Refinement

Everyone was very quiet that evening on Mt. Taikyoku. They all knew what was coming. Once the gods were summoned Miaka, Mischa, Rei (and even Yui) were going home. The situation was even worse for Kumiko and Tasuki, the only two who knew that her life was coming to an end.

Kumiko sat on the bed that she had been sleeping in for the past two days, lost in thought. She was more scared than she had ever been in her life. She had never feared death before, it wasn't a naturally occurring thought. Now it loomed over her relentlessly. It was bad enough having such a fate, but waiting for it to happen, she decided, was worse.

There was a quiet knock on the door. She slipped off the bed and opened it. Tasuki stood on the other side smiling sheepishly. Kumiko smiled.

"Hey," he said casually.

"Hey yourself," she said, opening the door wider, "come on in." He did and neither of them spoke. There was an awkward silence – both of them knowing what tomorrow would bring.

Finally, Kumiko spoke. "If tonight is my last one alive… I want to spend my time with you."

"I was hoping you'd say that," he said, hugging her tightly.

Again, silence.

"You're not going to cry are you?" he asked her, looking down. She shook her head and smiled slightly.

"No, I think I've done too much of that. I'm scared…but crying won't make it any better." She sighed. "I've been doing an awful lot of that lately, haven't I?"

"A lot would be a bit of an understatement," he said, "I don't think I've ever met a girl who cried so much."

She glared at him and replied, "Then you haven't met many." She laughed slightly. "But I've been crying a lot, yes. I think I've cried more in the past few months than I have in the last three years. I'm not much for emotion sometimes, especially after dad died…" She grew quiet.

"Go on," Tasuki urged her. She shook her head.

"No, no. I'm just rambling. It's not important," she smiled, but it was obvious to Tasuki that she was faking her happiness.

"Kumiko, can I ask you something?" He asked.

"Sure," she replied, what is it?"

"What was he like?"

Kumiko was quiet for a moment, almost in silent thought. "Forget it," Tasuki said hastily, "it was a dumb question, I was just wondering-"

"No, no. There's nothing wrong with the question." She looked at him seriously. "He was a wonderful person. He used to spoil me a lot. About a year or so ago, when I found out I was going to a preppy boarding school instead of the one I wanted to, I hated both my parents. Before I left he gave me my necklace," she reminisced, smiling gently, "It says 'To My Darling Kumiko' on the back in English. My mother wasn't very fluent, but dad was. He was teaching me."

Suddenly reminded, she went to her black bag, which lie on the floor. She rummaged through it until she found a white piece of paper, folded neatly. She thrust it in his hands.

"What's this?" He asked.

"A letter. But you can't look at it yet. I wrote it yesterday, after I came back to normal," she said, then stopped, "well, as normal as I get, anyway."

"When can I read it?"

"After I'm gone. That's how I want you to remember me." She gave a weak smile.

"I'll never lose it," he promised.

"Good," She said, "because if you did I'd find a way to come back and kick your sorry ass."

When she woke the next morning, Kumiko felt ill. The gripping thought of death ceased to leave her. She had always figured, when she was younger, that she'd like to know when she was going to die, so she could say goodbye to everyone and go peacefully. Now she wasn't so sure.

Tai Itsukun hastily made her way in and told her that she needed to prepare for the ceremony the afternoon. Kumiko got up and brushed her hair and quickly dressed. She found herself unable to eat- whatever she would eat she surely thought she'd throw up.

"Kumiko, now is not the time to stand around! We have lots to do!" Tai Itsukun bustled back in and pushed her along out of the room.

"Tai Itsukun," Kumiko interrupted, "don't we need all four of the other priestesses to summon the gods? Don't we need Yui?"

Tai Ituskun smiled, "Not necessarily, but I'm glad you asked. We'll have a better chance with them here. Your Seiryuu guardian Amiboshi can come in contact with his brother, if I recall?"

Kumiko nodded. "Yeah, at least I think so…why?"

"Good. I'll have him contact his brother. They are already on Miaka's tail for the Shinzaho, so I doubt they're very far from us."

Tai Isukun continued to lead Kumiko down the mountain.

"Where are the others?" Kumiko asked.

"They're already down there. You slept in," Tai Itsukun gave her a disapproving look.

"Hey, give me a break. I'm dying today," Kumiko said, her temper stirring.

"Just follow me," Tai Itsukun said tersely. They had reached the bottom of the mountain and were nearing the Kyoto Temple. Instead of going into it, as Kumiko had expected, they went right passed it to a grove of trees nearby. Kumiko groaned.

"We're going into the woods? Now?"

"Hush, child. Do not judge until you see what it is we are going into," Tai Itsukun warned raising her staff and tapping one of the trees.

"What are you talking about? We're looking at a bunch of trees," Kumiko said sarcastically.

"You should take my advice. It is what got you into this job in the first place," Tai Itsukun said, "I'm disappointed. I know you have grown more than that on this journey…so why do you act this way, as you did when you first arrived? Do not answer- simply think."

So Kumiko did. Tai Itsukun was right. She had thought that becoming the Shi Jin no Miko would be an easy task, a few people to find, a few objects to retrieve and she could go home. Now she knew that going home would never happen. And she had changed, quite a bit. Upon arriving she had been scared, selfish, mean and still hurt from her father's death. Now she was still scared, a little less selfish and kinder (or at least she hoped)

She sighed. "I'm sorry. Tai Itsukun, I' sorry to admit it, but I'm scared…I don't want to die."

"I know you don't. But the loss of your life will not go to waste. You are saving our entire world- so please, feel our undying gratitude," Tai Itsukun placed her staff between two trees and turned it clockwise. The ground shook slightly and the trees parted to reveal a large stone door. Engraved in it were etchings of the four gods.

"That was cool," Kumiko admitted. "How much else do you hide around here? And how come you didn't tell us about your little spot up their on the mountain?" She frowned. "Come to think of it, I don't even remember mountains the last time I was here."

Tai Itsukun smiled slyly, "Ah, you're beginning to see what I'm talking about. My mountain is enchanted; those with greedy intentions can't see it."

"So you're saying I was greedy?" Kumiko asked.

"Everyone is greedy, Kumiko. I keep Mt. Taikyoku for those who really need it. Few have seen it, besides. Now follow me." And so Kumiko did, through the large stone hallways, lit by woodland sunlight. She was finally brought to a large granite chamber. A large fountain stood in the middle of the room.

"What's this?" Kumiko asked, pointing to the fountain.

"Come take a look," Tai Itsukun directed, waving her over. Kumiko did so, and looked at her reflection.

"Man I look terrible. You'd think that for my last day on earth I could be beautiful at least once?" She winced at her reflection. She looked tired, anxious and utterly horrible.

Tai Itsukun simply ignored her. "Do you recognize this?" She asked.

"Uh…it's water."

"Other than that," Tai Itsukun said, sounding slightly petulant.

"…No."

" Then give me your hand," she demanded. Kumiko did as instructed and held out her hand to Tai Itsukun. She promptly drew her fingernail across her palm, drawing a thin line of blood and a deep pain.

"Ow! What was that for!" Kumiko hissed, pulling her hand away and tending her fresh wound.

"Put your hand in the fountain," Tai Itsukun said, gazing down into the crystal clear water.

Kumiko stuck her hand in and immediately knew what Tai Itsukun had cut her for. She was very familiar with this water.

"Yeah, I know what this is. We found this flowing stream of this stuff- and I got sick."

"Yes, the water does have great healing properties, but toxic if ingested. One of life's sweet ironies. It is used to bathe as well, to cleanse the mind and body," Tai Itsukun gestured to the fountain, "get in."

"Now?" Kumiko asked.

"It is vital for the Shi Jin no Miko to be completely cleansed before the ceremony," Tai Itsukun answered smoothly.

"Do you have to be here? I have a problem with being naked around other people," Kumiko said, flustered.

"Yes I have to be here. I am going to guide you through the self cleansing process," Tai Itsukun said.

"Can I at least keep my undergarments on?" Kumiko pleaded.

"Do what you must, just get in the pool."

Reluctantly, Kumiko stripped down into her undergarments and stepped into the fountain of water. It was a large fountain and left her plenty of room to lie in. She found it surprisingly soothing, just as she did the first time.

She gave a tranquil sigh as she felt the tension momentarily lift off of her. All that existed was the water.

"Now I want you to listen closely," Tai Itsukun said in a hushed voice, "look inside your mind. Sink beneath the surface of your problems, your fears. Find the core of everything- and then confront it. Release everything."

Kumiko let her breathing become completely even, her limbs lithe. With no thoughts but of determination, she delved into the inner workings of her mind.

Soon she found herself walking a path – it was a dirt path, but quite a certain one. She followed it along without question. Nothing seemed to lie beyond this path – no distractions or problems.

Somehow, she felt as though something was bothering. Something was not right. She frowned slightly, but continued on the path, unaware of where she was going. As she continued she felt more and more press against her. Suddenly her path was no longer as clear as it had once been.

Things began to stick out from the sides of the path – people were talking and objects were flying at her. Yet she continued on in utmost determination. She had to get to the end, wherever it was.

Finally she came to a clearing. All noise in her head stopped: everything was silent. Kumiko looked around, expected to find something – somewhere. She felt disappointed, like she had gone all this way for nothing at all. Suddenly she heard a soft voice call her name. It was almost a whisper, the trees calling her name. She turned her head slightly and saw a figure walking towards he: a very familiar figure.

"Daddy?" She asked, uncertain of what to believe.

"My darling Kumiko," he smiled at her. He didn't look different from the last time she saw him – he was still smiling in his enlightened disposition. His hair was dark, but for a few gray hairs that sprouted from the front. Kumiko had always claimed they were from her own mischievous acts throughout her childhood. "I'm very happy to see you again."

"Daddy I missed you!" Kumiko cried happily, running into his outstretched arms. She closed her eyes in complete and utter bliss. She abruptly pulled away, looking angry and scared.

"Why did you leave me? Do you know how hard it is without you? Mom's deteriorating more and more everyday! Daddy, our family's falling apart – we need you!"

He gave her a sad smile, "Kumiko, it was not my choice. If it had been, I would never leave you or your mother. But if you think- I've never really left you. I've been watching over you all this time."

"But how? You're dead! This is all a figment of my imagination again!" Kumiko argued.

"You're wrong. I have been here all along. Think Kumiko. You're a clever girl," he said looking at her in almost a stern manner.

"You…" she looked down and fingered at her necklace.

"Exactly. That gift was something to show you how much I love you – although a material object can never represent something like that. I've been inside you the entire time- and I'm keeping an eye out and seeing to the fact that you're making good decisions," he stopped and looked at her seriously, "well, almost always."

"But how am I going to explain this to mom? 'Don't worry, dad's there in your heart?' I don't think that's going to stop her alcoholism," Kumiko said skeptically.

"You'll know what to say when the time comes. But right now, you need to concentrate on the task at hand. You have people relying on you to help them. Now go out there and make me proud," he said.

She nodded. "I love you, daddy."

"And I love you, dear Kumiko. Now go."

Kumiko opened her eyes and sat up.

"Have you taken care of everything?" Tai Itsukun asked her. Kumiko nodded wordlessly.

"Good. Now come with me. We need to get you dressed for the ceremony."

It's getting there…..please review (with suggestions and comments, I'm in dire need)

Love ya,

Lola