((Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi. Although if the rights ever go up for auction… I'll have to take out a mortgage on my house… And I don't even own a house. Hmmm…
Thanks to all the people who have reviewed! I love getting reviews, so please put one up!
There's a new symbol:
.::*::. – signifies the end of a dream sequence))
Chapter Three: Tomorrow is Another Year
Rei glanced around her in confusion. She had woken in her own bedroom at her apartment in Tokyo. The surroundings were so familiar, yet…
Something was out of place. Everything was darker, the familiar-yet-strange shapes oddly twisted to her mind's eye.
Why was she here? Had everything been a dream?
The door creaked open slowly, drawing Rei's gaze. A figure stood silhouetted there, outlined by harsh light from the next room. He closed the door behind him, lips curling back in a cruel smile, advancing towards her like a cat stalking a mouse.
"O-Oshi?!"
He remained silent, features changing as he moved. He, too, became twisted in this room, teeth becoming sharp, limbs elongating ridiculously, handsome features becoming more equine. His eyes widened, blazing an insane red.
Rei tried to back away, but couldn't. She was pinned fast by that demon's gaze.
Then he was on her, pushing her down. She screamed mentally as she felt something slimy roughly enter her mouth, twining around her tongue. This wasn't happening! How could her best friend be doing this to her?! Blind terror seized her. She was going to be killed, or worse… Raped and left to live with the pain…
.::*::.
She woke sobbing brokenly. That nightmare… It hadn't returned to her in so long, and now…
Now the pain she had pushed to the back of her mind was tormenting her again. It had been years since the incident, but it still hurt. The betrayal, the sense of worthlessness, the shame. Even after three years…
'Get over it.' Rei told herself harshly. 'Even after something like that, life goes on.' She brushed her tears away agitatedly, annoyed with herself for breaking down like that. It looked like the sun had been up for at least an hour.
Stretching, she stood, grinning half-heartedly as her back cracked. '… I sound like a frickin' 60-year-old…'
The raven-haired woman sighed, picking up the clothing she had received the day before, preparing to pull them on. She paused. Had she only been here one day? It felt like a year had passed since she had last seen the real world. Her world.
Her fingertips ran over the embroidery on the black shirt she had been given absently. Back home she'd be checking her exam scores at Tokyo U… and attempting to dodge businessmen. An involuntary shudder brought her out of the reverie, and she finished dressing, moving to the mirrored dresser. She examined the effect of the clothing critically. Not bad. The black shirt brought out the blue highlights in her hair. The non-descript breeches had been a bit of a problem, being slightly too small for her European hips, but she had managed.
'Gah. My hair looks awful…' Rei thought as her judgmental gaze rested on the rats' nest the ebony locks had become. She ran her fingers through the mess quickly, dislodging some of the tangles and creating others. Clicking her tongue irritably, she walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
~*0*~
"So you're telling me this has happened before?"
Chichiri shrugged. "Essentially, yes. Just not under the same circumstances no da." The mage paused thoughtfully, tapping a finger in the tabletop. He turned to Rei, tilting his head inquisitively. "Rei, aside from falling into the book, did anything -odd- happen?"
" 'Aside from falling into the book'?" she quoted wryly. An impish grin crossed her face. "Well… I met you. You're pretty odd…"
"H-Hey!"
Tasuki snickered at the indignant look on his friend's face. "She's got ya there, 'Chiri."
He rolled his good eye beneath the mask. "Whatever. Other than me, did anything odd happen no da?"
'…no…da? I didn't notice that yesterday… It's kinda… cute.' Rei blinked, realizing what she had just thought, averting her eyes from the masked man quickly. 'Gah! This is not the time to be thinking stuff like that!'
Realizing that the monk and bandit were waiting for an answer, she shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly. "There was a hallucination about a unicorn… and a voice…"
The Suzaku seishi traded glances. From what Miaka had told them, she had seen a phoenix when first entering their world…
"Wha' did th'voice say?" Tasuki asked, taking an interest in the conversation for the first time since Rei had entered the room. Then he had only had enough interest to look the older woman over, admiring the way her breeches fit. He had made a small attempt at flirting, but Rei had shot every comment down deftly. Eventually he had become discouraged, growing quiet.
"Is it important?" Rei asked in surprised tones. "It was just a dream."
"Chances are it was 'just a dream', but we shouldn't discard it as such just yet." Chichiri said. "The voice may have been a spirit of some sort no da."
A spirit? Rei held back a dismissive laugh. Spirits were right up there with ghouls and poltergeists. She didn't believe in them. "It said, 'Look for my temple in the South.' That's all."
Silence reigned in the room. The only noise came from the bandits walking past and the birds singing outside the window.
Tasuki fidgeted uncomfortably. He stood, deciding that the silence had lasted long enough. Walking over to the window, he said, "Suzaku only appears as a phoenix… And his domain is th'South…" A fang flashed into view as a brief grimace marred his young features. "Y'think that consultin' Tai Yi-Jun'll do any good?"
A slight smile touched the corners of Chichiri's mouth. His young friend's reluctance to speak with the Oracle was understandable. She was an imposing figure, all wrinkles and ribbons with a piercing stare. More than a few of the Suzaku Sichiseishi had been frightened by the old woman's way of seeming to know more than she should.
"…That's a good idea no da."
"Well if yer gonna go talk wi'her I can lend ya a horse, but I ain't goin' wi'ya." said the bandit gruffly.
Rei arched a brow at the boy's reluctance. "What's so scary about this person, anyway?"
Tasuki remained silent for a while, trying to think of a way to describe the Oracle effectively. He gave with a shrug. She was simple indescribable. "…You'll find out…" was his ominous answer.
The monk glanced out the window, noting how much time had already been lost. "Either way, we aren't going to get there today no da. We should leave soon." he commented. "We've lost a lost of time already, and we need to bring a few things with us… We have to travel light no da."
Rei nodded. "All I need is a hairbrush. Either that or shears." The latter was said wryly as she pulled a hand through the tangles again. 'Urgh. Medusa…' she thought sarcastically.
Koji walked in, leaning casually against the doorframe. "I can help ya there, luv. C'mon."
Tasuki watched her retreating back, shaking his head. "She's a real piece of work." he commented. "Shikuso, what an attitude problem!" He cocked an eyebrow at the mage. "She's a pretty one, though… Gotta nice ass…"
"Tasuki!" he warned. "You shouldn't talk like she's an object. Rei helped rescue you, after all!"
The bandit ducked his head in shame. "Gomen."
Chichiri sighed tiredly. "It's all right. Just try not to do it again, okay?"
A nod was his answer.
He couldn't help feeling sorry for snapping at the younger man. Tasuki didn't mean any harm by his comments… He just was too blunt about his female-hating tendencies. Although, why he disrespected Rei so much was a mystery.
The monk stood, offering a hand up to the flame-haired youth. "Come on no da. You're going to see us off, aren't you?"
((Yay!! Chapter three is *singsong voice* F-I-N-S-H-E-D!!! I really need to learn to type faster... I'm sure that a lot of you are wondering how I could have something like the dream0sequence have happened to my key character. Don't worry, it actually ties rather deeply into the plot later!
Time to answer a review (yes, I only got one I could answer to! *sob*
Riverwood: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like Rei. I'm trying really hard not to lose sight of her character as the Plot (yes, plot with a capital 'p') unfolds. Sorry, but I can't tell you who she's gonna fall for, although there is a slight hint in this chapter, and the next one is going to be riddled with them!
Okay, folks! That's it for now! Stay tuned for another chapter soon! Coming to a screen near you! (all disclaimers and age limits apply)
Bai!
Neko-ane ^._.^ ))
Thanks to all the people who have reviewed! I love getting reviews, so please put one up!
There's a new symbol:
.::*::. – signifies the end of a dream sequence))
Chapter Three: Tomorrow is Another Year
Rei glanced around her in confusion. She had woken in her own bedroom at her apartment in Tokyo. The surroundings were so familiar, yet…
Something was out of place. Everything was darker, the familiar-yet-strange shapes oddly twisted to her mind's eye.
Why was she here? Had everything been a dream?
The door creaked open slowly, drawing Rei's gaze. A figure stood silhouetted there, outlined by harsh light from the next room. He closed the door behind him, lips curling back in a cruel smile, advancing towards her like a cat stalking a mouse.
"O-Oshi?!"
He remained silent, features changing as he moved. He, too, became twisted in this room, teeth becoming sharp, limbs elongating ridiculously, handsome features becoming more equine. His eyes widened, blazing an insane red.
Rei tried to back away, but couldn't. She was pinned fast by that demon's gaze.
Then he was on her, pushing her down. She screamed mentally as she felt something slimy roughly enter her mouth, twining around her tongue. This wasn't happening! How could her best friend be doing this to her?! Blind terror seized her. She was going to be killed, or worse… Raped and left to live with the pain…
.::*::.
She woke sobbing brokenly. That nightmare… It hadn't returned to her in so long, and now…
Now the pain she had pushed to the back of her mind was tormenting her again. It had been years since the incident, but it still hurt. The betrayal, the sense of worthlessness, the shame. Even after three years…
'Get over it.' Rei told herself harshly. 'Even after something like that, life goes on.' She brushed her tears away agitatedly, annoyed with herself for breaking down like that. It looked like the sun had been up for at least an hour.
Stretching, she stood, grinning half-heartedly as her back cracked. '… I sound like a frickin' 60-year-old…'
The raven-haired woman sighed, picking up the clothing she had received the day before, preparing to pull them on. She paused. Had she only been here one day? It felt like a year had passed since she had last seen the real world. Her world.
Her fingertips ran over the embroidery on the black shirt she had been given absently. Back home she'd be checking her exam scores at Tokyo U… and attempting to dodge businessmen. An involuntary shudder brought her out of the reverie, and she finished dressing, moving to the mirrored dresser. She examined the effect of the clothing critically. Not bad. The black shirt brought out the blue highlights in her hair. The non-descript breeches had been a bit of a problem, being slightly too small for her European hips, but she had managed.
'Gah. My hair looks awful…' Rei thought as her judgmental gaze rested on the rats' nest the ebony locks had become. She ran her fingers through the mess quickly, dislodging some of the tangles and creating others. Clicking her tongue irritably, she walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
~*0*~
"So you're telling me this has happened before?"
Chichiri shrugged. "Essentially, yes. Just not under the same circumstances no da." The mage paused thoughtfully, tapping a finger in the tabletop. He turned to Rei, tilting his head inquisitively. "Rei, aside from falling into the book, did anything -odd- happen?"
" 'Aside from falling into the book'?" she quoted wryly. An impish grin crossed her face. "Well… I met you. You're pretty odd…"
"H-Hey!"
Tasuki snickered at the indignant look on his friend's face. "She's got ya there, 'Chiri."
He rolled his good eye beneath the mask. "Whatever. Other than me, did anything odd happen no da?"
'…no…da? I didn't notice that yesterday… It's kinda… cute.' Rei blinked, realizing what she had just thought, averting her eyes from the masked man quickly. 'Gah! This is not the time to be thinking stuff like that!'
Realizing that the monk and bandit were waiting for an answer, she shrugged one shoulder nonchalantly. "There was a hallucination about a unicorn… and a voice…"
The Suzaku seishi traded glances. From what Miaka had told them, she had seen a phoenix when first entering their world…
"Wha' did th'voice say?" Tasuki asked, taking an interest in the conversation for the first time since Rei had entered the room. Then he had only had enough interest to look the older woman over, admiring the way her breeches fit. He had made a small attempt at flirting, but Rei had shot every comment down deftly. Eventually he had become discouraged, growing quiet.
"Is it important?" Rei asked in surprised tones. "It was just a dream."
"Chances are it was 'just a dream', but we shouldn't discard it as such just yet." Chichiri said. "The voice may have been a spirit of some sort no da."
A spirit? Rei held back a dismissive laugh. Spirits were right up there with ghouls and poltergeists. She didn't believe in them. "It said, 'Look for my temple in the South.' That's all."
Silence reigned in the room. The only noise came from the bandits walking past and the birds singing outside the window.
Tasuki fidgeted uncomfortably. He stood, deciding that the silence had lasted long enough. Walking over to the window, he said, "Suzaku only appears as a phoenix… And his domain is th'South…" A fang flashed into view as a brief grimace marred his young features. "Y'think that consultin' Tai Yi-Jun'll do any good?"
A slight smile touched the corners of Chichiri's mouth. His young friend's reluctance to speak with the Oracle was understandable. She was an imposing figure, all wrinkles and ribbons with a piercing stare. More than a few of the Suzaku Sichiseishi had been frightened by the old woman's way of seeming to know more than she should.
"…That's a good idea no da."
"Well if yer gonna go talk wi'her I can lend ya a horse, but I ain't goin' wi'ya." said the bandit gruffly.
Rei arched a brow at the boy's reluctance. "What's so scary about this person, anyway?"
Tasuki remained silent for a while, trying to think of a way to describe the Oracle effectively. He gave with a shrug. She was simple indescribable. "…You'll find out…" was his ominous answer.
The monk glanced out the window, noting how much time had already been lost. "Either way, we aren't going to get there today no da. We should leave soon." he commented. "We've lost a lost of time already, and we need to bring a few things with us… We have to travel light no da."
Rei nodded. "All I need is a hairbrush. Either that or shears." The latter was said wryly as she pulled a hand through the tangles again. 'Urgh. Medusa…' she thought sarcastically.
Koji walked in, leaning casually against the doorframe. "I can help ya there, luv. C'mon."
Tasuki watched her retreating back, shaking his head. "She's a real piece of work." he commented. "Shikuso, what an attitude problem!" He cocked an eyebrow at the mage. "She's a pretty one, though… Gotta nice ass…"
"Tasuki!" he warned. "You shouldn't talk like she's an object. Rei helped rescue you, after all!"
The bandit ducked his head in shame. "Gomen."
Chichiri sighed tiredly. "It's all right. Just try not to do it again, okay?"
A nod was his answer.
He couldn't help feeling sorry for snapping at the younger man. Tasuki didn't mean any harm by his comments… He just was too blunt about his female-hating tendencies. Although, why he disrespected Rei so much was a mystery.
The monk stood, offering a hand up to the flame-haired youth. "Come on no da. You're going to see us off, aren't you?"
((Yay!! Chapter three is *singsong voice* F-I-N-S-H-E-D!!! I really need to learn to type faster... I'm sure that a lot of you are wondering how I could have something like the dream0sequence have happened to my key character. Don't worry, it actually ties rather deeply into the plot later!
Time to answer a review (yes, I only got one I could answer to! *sob*
Riverwood: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like Rei. I'm trying really hard not to lose sight of her character as the Plot (yes, plot with a capital 'p') unfolds. Sorry, but I can't tell you who she's gonna fall for, although there is a slight hint in this chapter, and the next one is going to be riddled with them!
Okay, folks! That's it for now! Stay tuned for another chapter soon! Coming to a screen near you! (all disclaimers and age limits apply)
Bai!
Neko-ane ^._.^ ))