Fushigi Yuugi: Death's Enchantment
Episode Seven
"The Serpent Falls"
Misty Schmitt
3 April 2001

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A/N: I wrote this fic years and years ago. I'm posting it here because I am no longer updating the original site I had dedicated to it. Please be nice when you comment, and remember that I (and my writing style) have changed since 2001.

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"OW! Dammit, you.. why'da go and hit me so hard for! What'd I do!" Tasuki exclaimed as he rubbed his throbbing head…

"I'm SICK of you calling me 'Aino-SAMA'! Its not right, you sound stupid saying it like that, so stop!" Aino countered.

"Jeez, ok… man… but ya didn't have ta hit me, you know…. There I go again with the Chichiri act!"

"Oh, quit whining and let's get going.."

"Alright! Alright! This is turning out to be quite a day…."

"Oh, and Tasuki…"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for… you know… everything.." And with a sweet smile, a wink, and a quick kiss on Tasuki's cheek, Aino walked into the forest to freshen up…

Tasuki's face shone a bright red. Everything, huh? Does she know how I feel about her? Should I tell her? No.. that's definitely not smart, it'll only hurt her more. What if it's like Tama and Miaka? They're always scared that the next day will tear them apart.. That is the destiny of the Miko and her warriors, Taiitsukun said. Well, I won't have her hurt – I WON'T!

As Aino changed into her fresh clothes, she found herself deep in thought – about her hot headed companion. The way he cried for me.. the respect he shows for me now… Could it be that he..? NO! There's no way, or he wouldn't have hung all over that girl yesterday in Konan… I don't see what he saw in her anyway.. just another random girl.. that's all.. I'm much prettier than she was anyway! Oh geez, listen to me.. one would think that I…. I… no way…. Not him! He's such an ass sometimes! But, man, those eyes… and his smile… the way he looked at me this morning, the way he held me last night… the way he… just is. I do, don't I? I can't lie to myself…

"Oh, pretty Priestess of Death.. and I've caught you in such a lovely, awkward moment."

"Who's there!" Aino demanded, "And what do you mean be awkward!" The priestess then realized a breeze was blowing where there definitely shouldn't be one while she was in plain view of another human, especially one with such a masculine voice! She looked down and realized that she was in the middle of changing tunics and was completely topless…. It was her turn to have her face turn bright red… She immediately yanked up on her tunic..

"Who the hell are you, eh! This place is full of perverts. Damn you! Show yourself!"

"Ahh, you don't recognize me, what a shame, especially after I introduced my self to you twice…."

Twice? Could this be….?

Suddenly, Aino was afraid… "You are…. Hotohori, ne?"

The man stepped from out of the shadows. His green eyes sparkled mischievously at her, his hair waving in the slight breeze of the morning. A smile danced on his perfect mouth.

"Yes. You are right, Aino-sama. I have miraculously escaped the clutches of the Evil One and sought you out…"

"Oh, Is that true? Then Tasuki will be soo happy! C'Mon, let's go get him." Aino ran to Hotohori and grabbed his arm, meaning to drag him to see Tasuki… she never expected what happened next.

Hotohori's musical laughter drifted in the air, but he remained still.

"So young and naïve, Aino-san. How can you begin to believe that a pitiful, emotion filled man like Saihitei could even begin to fight the Evil that resides in him now? He hates himself right now, do you know that? He hates being so weak, it's delicious to feel his anger. Would you like a taste? Here….."

The thing that was Hotohori suddenly kissed Aino, and a vision formed before her. Hotohori's spirit floating in the darkness. He was naked and covered with many bloody wounds. His tired green eyes looked up at Aino with extreme pain. Tears flooded into his eyes as he said I have failed you. I am a poor protector and a naïve emperor. You must…. Save yourself, Aino. Kill me. It's the only way. Just let me go back to being a spirit.. I am a waste.

"No… no Hotohori, I can save you like I did with Nuriko, I know I can.. just hang on… I'll fix everything, I promise.. just don't give up… you cannot give up, Hotohori!"

No.. there's no other way, Aino… just kill me now.. you can do it…

"No, I will not.. I refuse to let you give in like this!"

KILL ME… DON'T YOU SEE? I WANT TO DIE! JUST LET ME DIE!

Aino gasped. She didn't exactly know Hotohori very well, but she knew enough to realize that, although he was extremely vain, he was also a kind and very well balanced ruler of men. Now, before her she saw a hollow husk of that once great man. He was pleading with her to end his misery. He wanted nothing of life. The pain was killing her, just to see him. Tears began to stream down her face.

"No…" she whispered.. "No! Stop it… Stop it… YAMETE! Can't you see the pain you're causing? Can't you see the ugliness, you devil!" Suddenly, the image of Hotothori vanished and she was in the forest again, that thing glaring at her.

"Shi no Miko. Do you really think I care about his pain or any ugliness in this world. No. I am having more fun than I have had in millennia. You have no idea how beautiful it is destroying this man's life…"

At that moment, Tasuki crashed into the clearing..

"Aino, I heard screaming… Hotohori-sama!"

"No, Tasuki.. it's one of those….. things…. He's got Hotohori…." Aino sobbed.

"Oh, One of you, huh? Well, Aino'll take care of you…" Tasuki smirked… and waited… and waited… The being that resembled Hotohori and Tasuki both were glaring at Aino.. waiting for what she would do..

"I…I can't summon it! I don't know how I saved your friend Nuriko, Tasuki.. I WAS just a spirit then, remember?"

Tasuki remembered Chichiri's words "I was with her all night, you know…" It was her SPIRIT that saved me?

"Heh," Hotohori smirked, "Then, my beautiful friend, you must be brought to Him. He is ready for you now…."

"I don't think so, you arrogant son of a bitch!" Tasuki screamed "REKKA SHINEN!"

A wave of flame overcame Hotohori -- he disappeared.

"That'll take care a him! Heh, not so bad after all, was he, Aino?"

"I hope you don't presume defeating me will be that easy. Tasuki-chan, do you?" the gentle voice of Hotohori questioned… from behind Tasuki.

"TASUKI! WATCH OUT!" Aino screamed. Too late.

The blade of the Holy Sword had already found its mark. Hotohori's face was a twisted grimace of hate. The look was so alien to him… Aino looked in desperation to Tasuki. His mouth was wide in surprise, a thin stream of blood making its way down his chin. The point of Hotohori's divine weapon was just visible through Tasuki's chest. Impaled. Aino's skin blanched…

"NO! NO! TASUKI, NO!" Aino wailed.

"I'm.. fine… Aino.. just a scratch…." Tasuki managed before the blackness of unconsciousness swallowed him. Aino knew death wasn't far behind him.. she knew that unless she acted fast, she would never spend another night in the arms of this man…

"I will not let you take this from me…" Aino said dangerously.

"And what do you propose to do, Shi no Miko?"

"I will never forgive you for this…. You will DIE!"

Somewhere within, Hotohori smiled. Yes, die…. That will be.. nice…. He closed his eyes and waited for it patiently.

Aino lifted from the ground as the Seishi no hikari (light of Seishi) flowed in and around her body. She opened her eyes as the characters of Seishi appeared upon her forehead.
"Prepare for death, akuma."

A great ball of warm purple energy formed itself above her head. She stretched her arms up towards it, guiding it by her will. She was going to kill, not heal. She did not care… emotion had left her body. She only wanted this thing to suffer; she was willing to sacrifice whomever to reach her goal, even the one she had promised moments ago she would save. The ball had grown to an enormous size, easily as tall as Hotohori himself.

"I don't suggest you do that, Priestess. You will kill the host along with myself… What about your dear Hotohori?" the demon chided smugly.

"Who?" Aino replied coldly.

"Wha…. WHAT!" Fear invaded the voice of the demon. He could sense the tremendous power of the attack all too well…. He knew that if she threw it…

A dark look took over the face of Aino, a cruel smile hovering on her lips.

"I will enjoy this, demon." Aino said quietly.. and threw the ball of energy, directly at Hotohori. A look of gratitude washed over him. His last words were,

"Arigato, Aino-Sama."

The body of the once great emperor incinerated as the ball engulfed him.

Aino awoke as if from a dream. She looked about her and saw Tasuki lying nearly dead on the ground before her, and a little further behind him, a charred Holy Sword penetrated the burned forest floor, a monument to the greatest emperor Konan had ever known.

Tears flew to Aino's eyes… "What have I done? How could I.. I.. killed him! And now, Tasuki.. he's almost dead, too…because of me….. Am…. I… . Evil?"

No, Aino-sama. You are not. You have helped me escape from the hold of… It. For that, I am forever in your debt.

Aino turned to see the spirit of Hotohori – not the devastated vision she saw before, but the real Hotohori. His happy green eyes danced…

"I… Gomen Nasai, Hotohori… I have killed you again…"

No, Shi no Miko, you have saved me. You are, and will always be, my savior. For that reason, I give you my last remnants of life force. Use it to save Tasuki. Save the one you love!

Aino gasped…. A look of confusion shrouding her face..

Yes, I know… being a spirit has its advantages… still, I would have suspected, even without the senses of the dead. You don't hide it very well… Now, do it! Take this sphere of ki and give it to Tasuki. You have no time to waste!

Aino took Hotohori's gift and looked up at him wistfully, rivers of tears flowing across her cheeks.

"Why?.." she whispered, "Why does it have to be this way?"

I.. was never meant to live again. I died that day two years ago when Nakago defeated me.. I was free then and will be free for all eternity. Thank you, Aino.. thank you…
Hotohori faded from sight..

"Goodbye, Saihetei.. Hotohori… " Aino murmured through her tears.

She turned to again face the unconscious Tasuki. "Now! You will not die! Do you hear me? You won't!"

She kneeled next to his body and gently applied Hotohori's Ki to Tasuki's chest. The ball slowly faded into Tasuki, healing his wound and even restoring his clothing. For an anxious minute, Aino awaited his revival, fearing that Hotohori's ki was simply too little, too late. She closed her eyes and offered a prayer up to Seishi.

"Seishi," she prayed, "I don't even know who or what you are, but they say you are my protector. Does that mean you should protect my friends as well? If so, please, please help me! I beseech you, I need your power. Tasuki-chan…. Cannot be allowed to die!"

Aino suddenly felt warm. She opened her eyes and gently gave Tasuki a soft kiss. His eyelids fluttered for a second, then snapped open.

"What in the hell…! Wh… Why are you crying, Aino? Where's Hotohori? Did you save him?"

Aino looked wistfully at the lone sword.

"Yes." Was all that she could manage.

Tasuki looked at her quizzically……

"Then where is he?"

"He is… around…"

"No, AINO… where is Hotohori? Answer me!"

"He's dead, Tasuki. I killed him to save you! Are you happy now?"

"You… killed him? Why didn't you save him, damn you?"

"How can one save someone who doesn't want to be saved? Hotohori longed for death, he begged me for it. I gave him what he wanted…"

"NO! I can't believe this shit! All lies, every word of it. You… you killed my friend again…"

Tasuki got to his feet and walked away from Aino, leaving her alone in the forest once again. She suddenly felt very alone and very broken hearted. Tears renewed themselves upon her cheeks. She wept bitterly…

"I… I want to go home! What did I tell you? Nothing but death and misery here for me. I WANT TO GO HOME! This world is so cruel and hard… no one is spared, not even the kindest person.. no one."

Aino cried herself to sleep in those woods, curled around the blade of the Holy Sword.

"Hey, you. Are you going to sleep the rest of the afternoon?" a familiar voice asked Aino happily.

"Ehh…. Umm…Hisaki-chan?"

"Yeah, Aino… what is it? If you don't get up soon, you're going to miss class, you know?"

"Okay, okay.. I'm getting up.. Geez, you even begrudge me this one pleasure.. Why am I friends with you again?"

Aino rose from the chair in which she had been napping in the student lounge.

"Here I come, Hisaki!" Aino looked up, the smile disappearing from her face the moment she saw… the darkness. Her friend was hanging limply from the wall; dark vines of dripping flesh black with blood cemented her in place. One cold violet eye dangled from its natural place, the other had a look of cruelty to it. Her throat was slit and her bare skin was blue. Aino could see the intricate veins criss-crossing their way across the fetid body of her friend. Dark purple and menacing, the blood of life no longer flowed within them. Her usually bouncy violet hair was plastered to her skull with dark blood. Aino was suddenly aware of a strong smell… it was.. it was the smell of rotting flesh, of decay, of death… Hisaki raised one long, bony-blue finger at Aino…

"Yes, come Aino-sama. Come to me, the evil awaits you…." Hisaki shrieked and shook wildly with laughter.. "Come to me, my old friend… I am waiting… I have been waiting ever so long now… for you… for you…"

"Hisaki-chan.. no…. NO!"

Aino jerked awake to find herself sitting on a horse, riding through the countryside.

"Oh, you're awake," Tasuki said without enthusiasm. "We've been traveling for quite some time now… We'll reach Mt. Taikyoku by tomorrow afternoon."

And indeed, as Aino looked up to the mountain, she realized that it was no longer a finger jutting into the blue sky, it was a looming presence now, huge and terribly dark. Aino was very cold and very afraid. The image of her dead friend haunted her as she tried to control her emotions. All this crying wasn't like her, she didn't like opening herself this way.. the way she almost did back there with Tasuki. She was so happy to see him alive that she was ready to scream how much she loved him, and she didn't care who heard, but the death of Hotohori enraged him… beyond all hope of him loving her back.

It is for the better this way. All it would have brought us was pain. I fully intend to go back home after all this craziness is over…

A small voice inside Aino screamed…. This IS home…!

Aino could no more have slept that night than she could have saved the dead emperor. She stared long into the fire's wild tantric dance of life and feared the cold that she knew lay behind her. The darkness. She felt it on her skin, it brought wild chills to her entire being. No, Aino did not sleep that night, nor would she again for a very long time.