Fushigi Yuugi: Death's Enchantment
Episode 11
Resurrection
Misty Schmitt
Began: 11 May 2002
Finished: 11 May 2002

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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 2002.

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Hrmm….? What is this place? It's so…. Warm. I like it here, it's nice. Yeah…. Nice.

Tasuki.

What? Who's calling me!

Tasuki.. you have to fight! Wake up!

Fight? Nah, I'm tired of that. Doesn't seem to get me anywhere, anyways. What would I be fighting for?

You can't be serious, Tasuki…

Why not, dammit! I was enjoying myself here.. and you just had to come and mess it up!

Enjoying yourself! Where in the hell do you think you are? On Mt Reikaku with your friends.. no, Tasuki, open your eyes! Can't you see what's going on here?

No, I can't! And I'll tell you what… I don't want to either! I'm sick of all this drama.. all this death! Everyone close to me dies! Nuriko, Hotohori, Chiriko, Mitsukake – and for what? For some damn bird, that's what! A bird who calls himself a God…. I can't stand it!

Tasuki! Open your eyes! Just once, for the sake of Suzaku, just open them!

I choose not to. Now leave me be. It's easier this way.
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The room was huge. There were no walls, there was no discernable ceiling. It just was. The blackness was overwhelming… but amidst this blackness was a vision of pure white. Aino.

The Shi no Miko sat upon an ivory throne, innately carved in the same manner that the huge door that had led into this room was – all scenes of the death she had brought to this world when she first came… in another lifetime. She wore all white – light and gauzy material flowed all about her, as if there was a gentle breeze in this dead, still room.

"Ai..Aino! You're safe! What's going on!"

"Miaka! So good of you to join us, you and your friends!"

Miaka turned to see that her friends had been brought into the room behind her… but she was the only one without bindings or a gag.

"I shall begin with you, Lady Priestess."

"B-Begin? What are you talking about?"

"Your punishment, of course… that is, unless you'd like to join us…"

At that moment, the demon that had possessed Tasuki's body emerged from behind the white throne.

"Yessss, Priestess of Suzaku.. Join us."

"T-Tasuki? You too? Just what's going on here….?"

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Who's calling me?
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"Boring. Miaka, you were always the dumb one! I'll make this easy for you, little girl. I am the Shi no Miko.. I am here to obtain the ultimate power, one that will transcend all dimensions, going beyond this puny realm, as well as our old home. Since this power will belong to us, it would be most wise to simply swear your loyalty to my dark lord and get it over with. The alternative is death. You will all be given this choice…. So everyone else, start thinking about what you'd like to do tomorrow… eat breakfast with your living friends or have a chat with your poor, pitiful dead friend, Hotohori!"

Tamahome! What should I do now? Suzaku, give me strength to live through this!

"I will never join with you! You disgust me, demon! Using poor Tasuki's body instead of your own – coward! We will defeat you like we defeated Nakago and the Seiryu Seven! Tasuki, if you can hear me.. Hold on just a little longer!"

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Who is that? Miaka... What do you want?
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"Well, it seems you've made your choice, Lady Priestess," Tasuki hissed "Nuriko. Take her away."

The false Tasuki snapped his fingers and Miaka was tightly bound and gagged. Nuriko scooped the struggling Priestess up easily, and started off for the one discernable feature of the room.. that huge, ominous door. As the huge door was closing, Miaka began to scream.. and scream.. and scream…. Her wails filled the infinite space of the room until the doors mercifully banged shut.

"Now, Tamahome.. would you like to go next… ?"

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Why are you still here? I told you to go away!

But Tasuki, you have to hear her mind calling out to you…. At least tell me you heard the screams of your Priestess! Please, will you open your eyes now!

No, dammit! Go away, asshole! All that'll do is get me into trouble……. I can't bear it anymore.
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"You won't mind that we're keeping you bound, I assume."

"What the hell did you do to Miaka! Answer me, damnit…. Answer me!"

Tamahome frantically began to struggle against his restraints…. The Oni symbol blazing red, his hair standing on end, Tamahome became a demon of anger….

Tasuki chuckled with amusement.

"Boy! You think that can help you now? It's over…. You're too weak! This is as strong as you get… look at the ropes you're bound with – they're not even straining!"

"Dammit.. Miaka! Miaka!"

"Oh great.. I can't even talk to him now…" Aino pouted… just then, Nuriko walked into the room… blood on his hands, eyes blank as death.

"You idiot! You should have CLOSED the damn door! Now we have no leverage! They already know she's dead!" Aino screeched at the zombie.

"D-dead!" Tamahome screamed… "No.. no it can't be…. She.. Miaka…. Dead!"

The once great Tamahome hung his head in shame and guilt. "Dead?"

"Yes, Tama… d-e-a-d, dead. Would you like to join her..?"

Tamahome's eyes went as blank as Nuriko's, his body went limp as if all the strength had been sucked from his limbs…

"Miaka?"

"Shit.. he's no good now… take him out, Nuriko.. but don't kill him yet.. I want him to know what's happening to him…" Aino ordered.

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Miaka…dead? I don't want to hear anymore.. no more, do you hear me! I'm warning you…

What will you do Tasuki?

I mean it… can't I have peace?

What will you do…
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"I'm sure the rest of these 'warriors' will follow much the same route… but I will ask them nevertheless…. Chichiri, step forward!"

At that, Chichiri's bindings fell away from him and he was free to move.

"You don't even have to ask. The answer's no, you know. I could never join you."

Chichiri answered in a voice rarely heard – quiet and determined to follow through with his decision.. unto death.

"I'm so glad you made this easy for me, Chichiri!" Aino laughed.

"There is one thing I'd like to know before you send me to my fate, you know…. Why are you doing this?"

"Because it is my choice."

"But, Aino… we're.. we were friends, right? You and me and Tasuki.. I was there for you when you nearly died… it was me who stayed up with you all night, you know?"

"Aino… send him away. He disgusts me!" 'Tasuki' commanded.

"No, no, my love.. he is rather amusing… no one said we couldn't play with our prisoners before we killed them, right?"

"Listen to me.. both of you! You've got to fight this evil before it swallows you both forever, you know! I don't think either of you really want this.. think about it.. Tasuki! Hear me!"

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Chichiri!
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"Nuriko…. He has become tedious… kill him, right here… I want to see." Aino coldly intoned.

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Kill… Chichri! NO! No, don't kill him….
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"NO!" Tasuki roared.

Aino looked up at him with surprise. "Why not, my love…. You said it yourself that he disgusts you…"

"I.. I don't know.. I mean.. I think he can be brought around… just.. put him with Tamahome…"

"Fine… you heard him, Nuriko… go!"

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What was that? The demon inside Tasuki wondered. I can't be losing control to this boy.. no, I won't let that happen!
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I… Chichri, my friend.. I must see you again… I can't stay here.. what was I thinking?
Then open your eyes and see me.

Tasuki opened his eyes and saw.. himself staring back at him.

Wha…?

There is really no time now.. Aino is sinking slowly into the evil.. and you are no better off… a bit longer and it would have been impossible to separate yourself from him.

But.. who are you?

I am you, of course.. only, I lived a long time ago, when Aino first visited our land. But, enough of that.. You have got to fight, Tasuki.. fight him… as far as we know, your priestess has already been killed… how long before Aino uses up her usefulness to him and is killed herself?

Aino! But.. what do I do.. I'm so tired! I can barely keep my eyes open…

Tasuki! Stay awake.. Tasuki!

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"Now.. lastly we have little miss Hongo. You already have more than your share of evil in you.. just let it free, it would feel so good…. So good…"

Nakago! What am I supposed to do now… only I can awaken her.. right.. but how?

"No. I cannot. I will not be used by someone else or turn on my friends again. You are better off not asking me your ridiculous question."

"Boring. I had hoped to corrupt you all a bit before killing you off.. but you are all so valorous… it makes my teeth ache to think about it." Aino sighed "I thought that at least you, Lady Yui, would see the benefit of joining us.. I deemed you more intelligent than that Miaka fool… I was wrong… and now, I will savor your death especially…."

"Why…. What did I ever do to you?"

"I… I.. that's not any concern now… you will die.. that is all that's important right now."

"You can't tell me, can you? Can't you even remember? Can you remember what happened to you even a week ago before all this happened? Can you?"

"Of.. of course I can… my love.. " Aino turned to Tasuki.. to see him clutching his head in agony.

"What's wrong, my love! What is it?" Aino exclaimed as she sprung by his side.

"Boy! You will be beaten.. stop this now or she dies! Stop it, I say!"

"What's going on?" Aino asked in a confused voice…. 'Tasuki' slowly regained his composure and turned to face the worried Shi no Miko.

"Nothing. Everything is fine. Continue with your fun, my dear."

"Please, Aino.. try to remember things as they were… you can, can't you? Remember your old world and everything in it… do you want to destroy it? Do you want to?"

"Silence!" 'Tasuki' screamed.

"Listen to me, Aino.. please, I beg of you. This isn't the man you love.. you love him, Tasuki, don't you? Look at him! He's twisted in hatred and misery… The Tasuki you love is full of life and bad jokes! Please you must see this!"

"Bitch! I said silence!" 'Tasuki' threw a flaming red ki ball at Yui, knocking her to the ground, near death but still pleading…

"Please! I'll.. I'll give you my last bit of strength if only you'll remember!" A soft blue light surrounded the Priestess of Seiryu. "As your Priestess, I command you Seiryu, to heal her memories.. please! For the sake of your world and mine… "

As the horrified demon watched, Aino became enveloped in the same blue light. She was lifted into the air, her garments gently swirling about her….

"Now, fight… for … your love…" Yui muttered as she gratefully closed her eyes….

"Aino?" the demon questioned the Shi no Miko as she slowly touched the ground…

"That was refreshing… but you wasted your energy, you stupid girl! This is my choice and he is my love!"

Then this was in vain. Nakago! It seems I have failed after all…..

A look of momentary relief crossed Tasuki's twisted face….

"Nuriko! Bring in all the prisoners.. I've decided to kill them all together.. right now!"

Nuriko slowly left the room as Aino sidled closer to her false love. She wrapped her arms around her dark lover as she kissed him gently.

"Let me use your Tessen for this… it would make a grand show.. please?"

"Anything for you…" the demon replied as he handed over the holy relic "anything!"

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This doesn't look good.. I'm too weak to get out from him now… That was my best try.. and it looks like it's the end of my friends too.. damn it all…
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Nuriko brought in Tamahome, Chichiri, and the limp, bloody body of Miaka and threw them in a crumpled heap next to Yui.

"Tamahome! Miaka's still alive, you know! She's been hurt very badly.. but she's still breathing…"

"She won't be alive for long! Aino has brought you all in to kill you! Incinerate all of you in one fell swoop!"

"That's right… now all of you.. get ready to leave this place!"

Lady Aino took the Tessen in her hands and raised it high above her head…

"Rekka…."

She began to bring the flaming diamond fan down as she turned… to face Tasuki…

"SHINEN!"

Tasuki had no time to move, no time to dodge the flames and was engulfed in seconds.

"I'm sorry, Tasuki.. so sorry!" Aino screamed through her tears "This had to end.. the demon must be killed!"

Tasuki howled in pain as the fire licked his charred flesh…. The beaten prisoners looked on in amazement as Aino collapsed.

"I'm sorry.. so sorry… why does it have to be this way? WHY!"

"Aino…look!" Yui managed..

The Shi no Miko looked up through her tears to see a smoldering mass where the demon had been.. but where the flames still raged, she could barely see a figure walking through the flames.. as it grew closer, she realized that the figure was…

"No.. this can't be…"

Tasuki.. the real Tasuki, stepped out of the flames, protected by the red wings of Suzaku.

"Yep… it's old Genro.. just wasn't my time…"

Tasuki kneeled down to Aino and put his hand on her hair. She looked up, catching all the beauty of the flame in her tears.

"No, please don't…. don't touch me! I'm too dirty for you.. I don't deserve you! Did you see what I did! Look at them, at your friends! I did that to them!"

"None of that matters now. Let me hold you, please"

With that, Tasuki grabbed the sobbing priestess and pulled her close to him, tears welling up in his own amber eyes.

"I'm sorry I left you.. I'm so sorry, Aino…"

The injured Suzaku group watched on as the couple embraced against the fiery backdrop.

"What in the name of Suzaku went on in here!" Nuriko screeched.

"Yes, what in the world happened?" Chiriko chimed in, "Miaka!"

"Tamahome! Bring Miaka to me now.. she'll die soon if I can't heal her quickly!" Mitsukake demanded.

"Since the demon is dead, the drugs and the spells on them are gone, you know.. go ahead Tamahome.. Miaka's going to be ok, you know!"

Mitsukake had barely used his healing powers on the now unconscious Miaka when the ground began to shake beneath them….

"The whole place is gonna fall down, you know!" cried Chichiri, "We gotta get outta here!"

Chichiri collected Yui on his back and motioned for the others to get onto his cloak.

"I can use my magic now, you know.. let's go.. c'mon Tasuki!"

Tasuki dared on last look back at the cinder that had been himself before he jumped onto Chichiri's cloak with Aino and landed…

..back in the palace in Konan.

"Hey guys! Miaka's waking up!" Tamahome exclaimed happily.

"Yeah.. but Yui's not.. I think she may be… dying, you know!"

Oh no! She gave everything so that I could wake up from that nightmare… I can't.. I can't let her die!

"No. She will not die here." Aino said softly, "I will help her."

The Shi no Miko glided across to the Lady Yui and gathered her into her arms. A soft purple glow surrounded the two girls as Aino infused Yui with her life force…… As Yui began to gain more color in her skin, Aino became ghastly pale until it was obvious that she had little left to give. Yui opened her eyes..

"Stop this!" She screamed, "You'll die!"

Aino sighed and collapsed to the ground. Yui jumped to her feet as Tasuki raced to Aino's side.

"It's alright, Tasuki.. she only fainted, you know!"

"I'm glad to see that you have all returned safely!" a familiar voice intoned.

"I am as well….." another soft, masculine voice added.

"Taiitsukun! Hotohori! How long have you been here?" Tamahome asked.

"Not very long, Tamahome. What, no grandma jokes for me today? It's nice looking a thousand years younger, now isn't it!" Taiitsukun chimed gleefully – which was rather an uncharacteristic thing for her to do… "Now, We have a dilemma on our hands… one that I think should be solved now, before Aino awakens."

"What do you mean, Taiitsukun?" Hotohori asked.

"I mean that this poor girl has been through a lot! She is personally responsible for inflicting pain on each and every one of you… not to mention the fact that she herself was brutally raped and nearly died!"

"Oh no! Raped!" Yui cried.

"Yes, Lady Yui. She was raped by Nakago in a vain attempt to keep her from summoning Seishi. It seems that those of the Seiryu seven knew only one way to keep a priestess from summoning her deity… Anyway, the lady Aino has destroyed the demon without summoning Seishi, which means she can go back to her own world. We should erase her memory of this entire, sad event and send her home…"

"Home! No! We can finally be together and you want to send her home.. to hell with this! She's going to stay here with me!" Tasuki interjected.

"Tasuki, I'm sorry, but this cannot be… this world will only remind her of the pain she incurred here… do you want to see that sadness on her face every time she thinks of the savage way she nearly killed Miaka… or would you like her to have to think of how she was violated every day for the rest of her life? Trust me, Tasuki, this is best for us. She belongs there, not here.. let her go…"

"Tasuki… she'll be better off that way… it's the best thing for everyone.." Tamahome tried to comfort his friend….

"That's easy for you to say.. you get to have your cake and eat it, too, Tamahome." Tasuki spit out Tamahome's name venomously, "You get to be with Miaka, don't you! It's pretty cruel of you to try and smooth this over like that, man!"

"Nevertheless, Tasuki.. it is the best, you know?" Chichiri added.

A look of frustration and sadness crept onto Tasuki's angry face as he looked down at the unconscious priestess in his arms. He remembered the time before, when they were camped by the lake when she showed him exactly what had happened to her. He felt the hot tears coming and fought them back, roughly giving her to Chichiri, saying:

"Fine. Do whatever you like."

And walked out of the room.

I never got to tell her what I wanted to say that day by the lake… that I love her! I love you, Aino!

"Alright, now, everyone who is able please, concentrate your life forces into the Lady Aino. We must erase her memories of this place and send her home – send her to a place where she can be happy!"

Yui, Chichiri, Tamahome, Nuriko, Chiriko, Mitsukake and Taiitsukun all bowed their heads in prayer….

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KNOCK KNOCK! "Miss Aino! Please, answer the door! It's the police!"

"Wha?" cried Aino as she fell off her couch, "I think I just had a dream.. something really freaky and sad…."

"Miss Aino, Please answer the door!"

"Alright, I'm coming! Yes?"

"Aino, we have some bad news for you.. please come with us to the station…"

TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO

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A/N, Part 2: As you can tell by the date I authored this particular chapter, part one barely got finished. I wrote the other 10 chapters within a few months of each other and this last one nearly a year later. I don't know what happened… the story just sort of went away from me.

It's not that I don't know what will happen… I knew what would happen and how it would end the moment I started writing… I just lost the motivation to complete it. What do you guys think? Should I try to finish it now, almost 4 years later?