Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi or its characters.
Author's note: I know my grammar may not be good but...I hope you could all enjoy reading this fan fiction story. :) I would very much love to know your thoughts guys (bowing)
Once again, to all of my readers BlueRosette23, Abby, Devourer of Stupid Chibis, LeuieFaye, ... THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH. (Heartfelt bow)
ENJOY!
CHAPTER 8: THE FINAL SWITCH
Miaka sighed in relief. The emperor and his people...they really make her feel uneasy. They didn't change even if she is now married to Nakago and Bai. As if marrying her to two men wasn't enough. If Bai had not showed up she would have no choice but to follow them. It was awkward for a moment, that's for sure. Nakago didn't say anything and just nodded his consent. However, she could have sworn she felt a slight drop in temperature. And then, there is the emperor and his advisors or councilors. Somehow, she could tell from their eyes that they personally want...to do something to her. Unconsciously, Miaka rubbed her arms to calm her nerves. 'This people would actually do something...so cruel. But did Nakago...did we actually...'
"Wife?" Bai called beside her. When she didn't respond he repeated. "Wife?"
Miaka jerked slightly from her thoughts and looked up. Bai smiled kindly and chuckled a little. "I was calling you but...you didn't here me."
Unknowing to Miaka, Bai studied her closely but discreetly. It didn't escape his notice. Miaka...remained untouched. He smirked inwardly and fought the urge to ask. In fact he doesn't need the confirmation.
"Eh? Uhm..." She stammered bashfully. Being called 'wife' and all-she is still not used to it, even from Nakago. "Haha, I'm sorry...it's just that-I'm still not used to being called like that."
'Also, can someone please tell me how to act around a second husband?!' She mentally added.
"Oh, I see. Then what do you prefer?"
Miaka's eyes lit up happily and smiled at Bai. "Miaka. You can just call me Miaka."
Bai smiled slowly at this. "Alright." His eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed at her.
Miaka giggled softly as she followed Bai. "Is there anything you want for breakfast, Miaka?" He asked.
"Hmm...anything will do. I'm not familiar with the foods here." She said, scratching her head. No matter how she hates the palace at least the food wasn't so bad. The problem is she doesn't know the names of the palace cuisine
"Do you gobble anything that looks edible?" Bai teased. Miaka blushed, embarrassed. "Hey!"
They both laughed and Bai guided her to a garden gazebo. "The view of this garden looks beautiful today. Do you mind if we eat outside?"
Miaka looked around in awe. The landscapes looked absolutely stunning. "No, I don't mind at all." She smiled at him.
Bai snapped his fingers and immediately a servant came towards them. "Lord Donghai." The girl bowed to him and then turned to Miaka. "My lady." She greeted and bowed to her as well. Miaka, still not used to the formalities, nodded her head shyly.
As Bai talked to her Miaka took noticed of the girl's unique green eyes. She looked beautiful. Nakago, her icy jerk-husband, have stunning cerulean eyes and Bai...have dark red eyes. They all look so stunning. Different and unique. 'Do all people here in Kutou look so beautiful?' She thought quietly. 'Forget the emperor and his ministers. They are not included in the beauty department.'
"Is there something on my face?" Bai asked after the servant left to get their food.
"Eh? Sorry...I just can't help but think that you both look very beautiful."
Bai raised an eyebrow at her, completely surprised. He wasn't expecting she would say that. "You think we are beautiful?" Miaka nodded at him.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "You do not think its strange?"
Miaka looked confused. "Why would I think its strange?" Miaka tilted her head to the side.
Bai fell silent and studied his young wife, almost scrutinizing. He only saw lady Yui a few times before but never approached nor talked to her personally. Lady Yui wore the same clothes as Miaka. However, their personalities are very different. When he first saw Yui, she was...quiet and seemed to keep her thoughts to herself. He heard a rumor of her attempted suicide not long after Nakago brought her into the palace. But Miaka has a cheerful personality...
'...gullible...' Bai added dryly to himself. A word Nakago used when he described her last time when they were having one of those boring meeting. It is by standard her weakness.
Miaka continued to look around her, all the while showing and sounding her excitement.
Bai lightly touched his lip as he watched his wife with growing interest. They only just got married and he thought that there is not much to tell. However, hostage or not...she kept smiling. A smile that Bai have never seen on anyone...not even himself. It is the rarest thing he has ever seen. Questioning himself if its possible for people to even smile like she does. Or maybe its because...she is not from this world.
'Or just plain gullible...' He added mentally again.
Her smile was almost tangible along with her emotions. It made her aura even more purer and bright. Bai's eyes widen slightly at the thought that Nakago...failed to taint her last night. And even he is failing as well, before he could do anything.
Their little wife's soul...remained untainted.
If being gullible would help her remain untainted then...Nakago may have found his match.
Bai smirked inwardly. 'Nakago...what are you going to do now?'
"It doesn't bother you...that we look very different?" Bai asked as if trying to figure out his wife's thoughts.
Miaka looked up from the flowers she was admiring and shook her head. "No. It doesn't bother me." She replied calmly but didn't noticed the strange look on his face.
"I think...you look very handsome. I bet there are a lot of women who would want to be your wife."
Suddenly, Bai laughed loudly and Miaka looked at him, surprised and shock. 'Eh? Did I say something funny?'
Bai covered his face with his hand as if he couldn't believe what he just heard and even doubled over. His unusual laughter echoing in the garden.
"Wah! What's so funny?!" Miaka asked, red face. 'What's with this guy?'
Bai, still quivering from laughing so hard, slowly calmed down and wiped a tear from his eyes. "I'm so sorry. That was very rude of me."
Miaka pouted and crossed her arms. Bai leaned towards her and swiftly placed his fingers under her chin, making her gasped in surprise. He drew her gently to him, making her look into his dark red eyes. Her cheeks turning pink.
'He is too close!'
"A word of advice, Miaka. Do not fall for Nakago." He said alluringly, with a low voice. Miaka felt lost in their dept. She heard him but she couldn't seem to understand what he was saying as everything seemed to blur around her.
Frozen by his piercing gaze, Miaka watched helplessly as Bai leaned closely to her. His lips mare inches away.
'...No...'
Suddenly, someone coughed from behind. Miaka jerked from the trance and move away from Bai's touch. Bai calmly looked over and smiled as if nothing happened. It was Chen.
Chen turned to Miaka slightly and greeted her with a bow.
"How nice of you to drop by." Bai said with unconcealed sarcasm. "And quite timely."
Miaka covered her face to hide her blush. 'Oh my gosh...what were we doing?! At a time like this?!'
Chen gaze back with unreadable expression, undaunted. "There is trouble near the eastern palace boarder." Bai raised an eyebrow at him. Chen ignored him and turned. "I'll head to the other side." He said and left the two. Leaving as soon as he appeared.
"He is a man with a few words." Bai sighed and stood up. "This won't take long, my wife." He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it gently while looking at her intently. "I'll be back soon, just wait here." Speechless, Miaka just nodded and watched him leave.
Alone, she suddenly felt uneasy. She looked down on her lap and touched the jade pendants her husbands gave her. They looked beautiful and expensive but...held no special meaning. As their wife, she has to wear it at all times.
'Everyone...what do I do? Tamahome...' She gripped the pendants tightly and closed her eyes sadly. '...Tamahome, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. I really can't be with you anymore...'
"Hello, lady Miaka." Miaka jump from her seat and saw Soi. Soi smirked and bowed at her mockingly.
"Soi." Miaka frowned and move away cautiously. Putting as much distance as possible. Soi chuckled at her uneasiness.
"Don't worry lady Miaka. I will not hurt you, if it were that easy. Congratulations on your wedding, lady Miaka."
Miaka swallowed and stared at her. She really doesn't look friendly but what did she ever do to her to deserve this kind of treatment. This confrontation reminded her of the girls who bullied her back in school, including those who would verbally attack her for even talking to the cutest guy in school. Miaka felt shivers down her spine as she remembered the time Soi attacked her. Just like Nakago, she is one of the celestial warriors. "You look like you are enjoying your married life. How envious."
"It's not like I wanted to get married." Miaka rebut.
"True." She said calmly and sat on the other side, facing her. "You look like you were moping about something. Do you miss Lord Bai's company already?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand a single thing you just said." Miaka replied, facing her as straight as possible and fixed her posture. Soi stopped smiling, her expression turning serious and she cleared her throat. She eyed the blue jade pendant tied on the girl's sash.
"Lord Nakago, married you but he will never look at you as a woman."
Miaka felt a vein popped on her head as she listen to the woman in front of her ramble on. She was starting to get irritated. She knew, herself, that she doesn't really have the sexy charm to seduce a man like Nakago...or even Bai. But Soi has the gall to point it out.
She is really starting to get on her nerves. "You have no charm. Your looks is so plain. Just like a child."
"How very thoughtful of you to notice. I didn't know you were that worried of my looks." Miaka countered, sassing. It's Soi's turn to look irritated. "The title of the priestess is all you have. Other than that you have nothing. Once you loose the ability to summon Suzaku, he will dumped you like a trash."
"Oh? I'm confused. He went all the trouble to prepare a wedding ceremony and even gave me betrothal gifts just so he could throw me out. Wow, what a waste. He should have done that from the very beginning. Things would have been much easier, don't you think?" Miaka said and showed her a fake smile.
"You don't know anything." Soi almost spat the words. "You will get hurt if you think for even a second that Lord Bai cares for you. He is only interested in you because you came from another world. You are just an entertainment for him. Once he looses interest in you, you will be useless. Useless people like you will be thrown away."
Miaka swallowed, remembering Bai's smile, courteous and gentleman behavior...and just recently, his laughter. Her marriage with Bai is as sudden as Nakago's. The thought of him faking and acting all nice to her to amuse himself made her stomach turn. Miaka suddenly felt sick. She doesn't know anything about Bai. But that doesn't mean she knew Nakago either. Both her husbands are a stranger to her. And she to them. She can't deny the partial truth in Soi's words. It practically made sense. In the end she knew nothing about them.
"Lord Bai...is only flirting with you. He flirts with women who he finds interesting. It doesn't matter who it is. Even he had..." Soi paused a bit then continued. "... prostitutes accompany him several times before."
Soi smiled to herself as she saw the look on the girl's face. She pushed on. "Nakago will never be interested in a child like you. It's obvious nothing happened between the two of you last night."
Miaka looked back at her, surprised. When Soi saw this she gave a small laugh. "Ha! What's this? You don't know? You really are innocent, aren't you."
Miaka's eyebrow knitted and unconsciously touched her abdomen. "Anyone with eyes, know that nothing happened between the two of you. Even I'm sure Lord Bai figured it out."
She looked away a bit and thought for herself. Nakago married her so that he would have full control and authority of her. If he didn't claim her last night, then that means...she can still summon Suzaku. 'Nakago actually...didn't touch me...?'
All of a sudden, she remembered Nakago's strange query.
"Are you really...the Suzaku no miko?"
Miaka sighed a small relief but still find Nakago's actions strange. 'So nothing happened last night. But...why would he ask if I'm the Suzaku no miko or not?'
Soi leaned on the table and eyed Miaka. "Married or not. Nakago-sama...is mine."
Miaka scoffed. She couldn't even believe what the other woman was saying. She is after Nakago. It is almost amusing that someone actually like her jerk of a husband. And here she is, telling her to keep her distance from her husband.
"You're jealous."
Soi raised an eye brow at this and Miaka snorted.
Damn Soi. As much as she dislikes Nakago, he IS her husband. And as his wife, it is her every right to do what she wants with him. It's weird. A competition had showed up in front of her out of the blue and all of a sudden, Miaka felt uncharacteristically possessive of the blonde jerk. Is it because that she is aware of the fact that they are married? Or is it because someone was actually trying to steal him? Whatever it is, Miaka will not allow herself to give up without a fight.
"What?" Soi asked, looking really annoyed, she narrowed her eyes at her. Miaka didn't respond right away and the tension around them increased with the silence.
Nah...it's a girl thing. Miaka grinned.
"Sorry to burst your bubbles but that's not going to happen."
"What?!"
"I'm Nakago...and Bai's wife. What I do with my husbands is none of your business."
...
...
...
Bai calmly and deftly pulled out his sword from the bandit's chest and let the blood drip all the way to the tip of his sword. Blood spilled everywhere, covering the grass and plants with a thick red blanket. Even the tree trunks were not spared. His piercing eyes, completely devoid of any emotion, scanned the area.
A soldier came up to him and bowed. "My lord, we did as you have commanded. We eliminated all of the bandits." His voice trembling slightly.
Bai swiftly flicked his sword, removing the blood with one flawless movement. He didn't reply and walked away. Amazingly, his long white kimono remained clean. It fluttered behind him with eerie fluidity. The soldier looked around, trying hard not to vomit. He almost felt sorry for the bandits. When the lieutenant general came to the scene both his soldiers and enemy felt death was upon them. He didn't wasted any time and immediately ordered them to eliminate anyone in sight,...with a thin smile across his face.
Bai Donghai, the first lieutenant general of Kutou empire, second in command, is as scary as hell and second to the General. The soldier yelp as he helped out in cleaning out the mess...he made. It wasn't suppose to be like this. Something or...someone must have ticked him off. The lieutenant general is known to be highly skillful in using the sword. Before his enemies knew what was happening, they all have been sliced off. And what's really intriguing is that he does it so swiftly and clean. His enemy's blood will only spill once they dropped on the ground. No splashing. No blood on his clothes. Everything looked perfect and clean. But today...he looked to be enjoying a splashing spree. It was a complete out of character the soldiers took note.
'Why is the lieutenant general in a bad mood early in the morning?' He thought as he struggled walking pass the dead bodies and shrieked when he accidentally stepped on someone's...lungs?The soldier turned blue and vomit.
Bai walked towards the gate and found the bored looking third in command, Chen. "That was fast." Bai commented. The soldiers near by straightened up.
"Just a small group." Chen replied and looked behind Bai. "Whatever ticked you off to go overboard?"
Bai tilted his head to the side and smiled. A ominous violet aura radiated from him and the soldiers trembled in fear as they stared helplessly. If they looked away, they will surely die.
"They interrupted my precious time with my wife." He said, without remorse.
'You have got to be shitting me!' The soldiers thought and sweat dropped.
'He really is a...demon...'
...
...
...
Miaka ran as fast as she could, aimlessly. Breathless, she gasped and collapsed against a large column, slid down on the floor.
Gasping, she touched her neck. It felt slightly sore. Soi's words echoed harshly in her mind. Miaka knew Soi would get angry but she didn't expect her to strangle her by the neck. It was so sudden that she didn't have time to react.
No...
No, that wasn't the thing that shocked her the most. No..
Miaka leaned back on the large column and turned her head to the side Miaka leaned back on the large column and turned her head to the side. She blinked slowly and saw...the shrine. Seiryuu's shrine. Miaka swallowed, painfully. She stared blankly at the shrine. Due to the fight three days ago, the shrine was destroyed but by some miracle or unknown power the statue of Seiryuu...remained, cunningly, intact. Her eyes closed tiredly and let the cold wind chill her body. It was quiet. No one was around, strangely. For the first time since she came into the palace she wanted to be alone.
'No...I don't want to remember.' Miaka whimpered and closed her eyes tightly. However, the things Soi said to her kept repeating in her head. Overwhelmed, tears streamed down across her already red cheeks.
'For your information...'
Miaka shook her head in vain. 'No!'
'Lord Nakago and I had been intimate several times.'
"No!" Miaka shouted in a low voice, her eyes still closed. Uncontrollably, flashes of her own imagination of Nakago and Soi together, occupied her mind. The look in Soi's eyes proved enough that she wasn't lying.
'NOBODY DESERVES HIM MORE THAN ME!'
"NOOOO!" Miaka screamed and cried, letting everything out.
'He will never...EVER be faithful to you!'
The tears flowed freely and it didn't looked like it would stop. With trembling hands she covered her mouth but her body shook uncontrollably from all the emotions. She didn't realized...she was holding it all in.
She felt betrayed. Made a fool of even more. She knew deep within her heart that Nakago would never take her seriously and that it is his goal...to stop her from summoning Suzaku. She knew that no matter how gentle and seemingly kind Bai is...his real intentions are unknown to her. There is no way any man, like Bai, would care for her so deeply in a just a short period of time. Even Tamahome. But still,...
The thought of any of her two husbands...embracing someone else, hurt a lot. How could she live with the fact that her husbands could actually cheat on her? People would make fun of her.
Miaka bent over and sobbed even more. How could they do this to her. She couldn't even think of Tamahome the way she used to...because of them. It's all their fault.
She cried a bit more and then leaned back against the column again. Hiccuping, she faced the shrine once again. Her eyes was starting to blur when suddenly...a ghostly voice spoke near her ear.
((('Onee-chan...' )))
...
...
Bai, with Chen in tow, returned to the gazebo where he left Miaka. However, only the servant girl was there. Looking very worried.
"Lord Bai!" The girl quickly bowed, panicking. He looked at the untouched food on the table and frowned slightly. "Lord Bai, I couldn't find Lady Miaka! When I returned here with the food she wasn't around!" She said, hurriedly.
"Did you look around the garden?" Chen asked quietly.
The servant shook her head. "I checked, my Lord, she is not in the garden. But...I did saw Lady Soi."
"Soi?"
Bai turned around and quickly called the soldiers near by to find Miaka. Bai's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Why would Soi enter a private area without his permission?
...
...
Miaka walked unsteadily towards Seiryuu's statue. She wiped her tears from her cheeks and tried to blink the other tears away. Like the statue of Suzaku in Konan palace, the statue of Seiryuu towered over her. She could almost feel the dragon's eyes staring back at her. When she first came into the shrine before, the sight of the dragon scared her. She sniffed, feeling a little better.
Looking at it closely, it looked magnificent. Scary at first but...
Miaka frowned slightly and tilted her head to the side to have a better look. 'Why does it looked like its...sad?' Slowly, she reached out and touched the statue.
The moment her hands touched the cold stone her body froze still. And then a young, ghostly voice whispered near her ear. Not a childish voice but rather...a soft manly, husky voice.
((("My priestess." )))
...
...
Nakago walked out of the throne room, followed by several soldiers, and then suddenly his eyes widen. For the second time, he felt that signatory chi again.
He stopped and looked around which startled the men behind him. Eyes narrowing he quickly searched for the source.
"Sir?"
After a few seconds, his senses finally detected the source and it was coming from the shrine of seiryuu. More alarmingly, it was coming from his...little wife.
Nakago didn't waste any time and quickly headed towards the shrine. His soldiers followed behind him without a word.
...
...
Miaka let out a painful scream. Her heart pounded painfully against her chest. The pain felt like someone was gripping her heart from the inside. Her body was surrounded by a blue aura and slowly felt herself weakening. Her mind dazed and distracted.
Then suddenly, she felt dizzy and numb, making her looked extremely exhausted. Her legs finally gave out but her hand remained on the statue, as if glued to the spot. She closed her eyes and tried to regain control but to no avail. Her energy continued to drain from her body.
(("You're my priestess...from now on."))
'Who..are...you...'
She groaned, her body tilting dangerously.
"Miaka!"
Someone shouted from afar but she couldn't seem to recognize the voice.
It was no use. Finally, her body gave in and her body limply fall to the ground. However, instead of the hard, stoned floor, a strong arm caught her in a nick of time and gently supported her.
Despite her weakened state, she felt someone was beside her. Before finally loosing consciousness she managed to open her eyes slightly and saw a bluish ,silhouetted figure above her...and golden, blonde hair.
...
...
...
Back in Konan Empire:
"Lady Yui, are you alright?" Chichiri asked worried. Yui suddenly dropped to the floor in pain.
"I feel...sick..." She said and covered her mouth. Slowly her skin turning white as sheet.
"Yui!" Nuriko immediately went beside her.
"Someone call the doctor!"
Then suddenly, the most unbelievable thing happened before their very eyes. A red aura suddenly engulfed Yui's body and the pain intensified. Yui gasped, gripped her chest and screamed.
Nuriko held her, surprised and shocked at the same time. 'Suzaku...?' Then Yui collapsed agaisnt him.
"What the hell is happening?!"
End of Chapter 8
Author's note: To all of my readers, thank you so much for reading and thank so much for waiting patiently for this chapter.