Disclaimer: I OWN FUSHIGI YUUGI NOT.

Chapter 3 - Closer

'Is this real? Is it pretend?' - Alice by Avril Lavigne

Miaka is Yui's best friend for life, that she's sure of.

Albeit the real-deal and insane struggles they found themselves in the book, it proved just how strong their bond was-the brunette first wishing for Yui's retrieval after she got devoured by the dragon and the warmth of their friendship did not entirely change. Of course, being her best friend, Miaka knew almost everything in her life because you know…unspoken best friend rules-Yui could not tell how it became a rule to begin with-no keeping of secrets from one another.

However, there's one thing that the blonde could not bring herself to tell Miaka since before they found the book and she got involved with Taka.

Pure white, changing into a shades darker that made it looks silver and gray but the brightness remains.. It surrounds her in a circular form-a holy, righteous white fire that seemed to incinerate any sinners an instant it was touched.

'My Champion…'

'You are my Champion…'

'You belong to me, the time will come that you will see me…'

'Come here now'

'It's almost time'

Yui woke up in the middle of the night, eyes stinging a bit from the abrupt and unwanted wake-glancing at the clock on her wall, it was half past midnight which made a frown formed on her face. It's too early for her to wake up and she knew she would have a hard time going back to sleep again now that her nervous system is up and running.

"...Damn it" She stretched her stiff arms and took the blanket off her legs.

Because of that dream again.

She never had it when she was inside the book but afterwards it made a grand return when she became a normal school girl again. Had been almost the same dream for the past years since she entered high school; as she scratched her legs through the light blue pajama she's wearing she wondered why the damn dream never left her.

"Why?" A heavy, defeated sigh escaped her lips; she wanted to know why it would not stop and why some weird creeping voice keeps on calling her a Champion of whatever. Yui attempted getting up to go in the kitchen for something to eat but found her legs wobbly and she fell back on the bed, lied flat on her back.

That day was hella tiring, she went home late actually because when the party was over, Miaka still insisted in hanging out without the presence of the boys which they did in the apartment she shared with Taka. They talk for long hours until it was already past 8 that Yui decided to leave, feeling her energy drained from the occasion and a certain blue-haired deity.

Maybe it's time to talk to someone about this issue? She never really thought about opening it to someone in fear that they'd think her crazy. Not even her mom.

The sudden vibration and ringing of her phone jolted her out of the thought train she was at, sitting up she took her phone from the bedside drawer-it was an unknown number which made her eyebrows furrowed more.

Who in the world will call her this late night? Except for Miaka of course.

Shrugging, she pressed the green button and answered, "…Hello?"

"Are you alright?"

Her blue eyes almost popped after hearing the deep masculine voice of the annoying deity who decided to disappear on them in the party.

Yui suddenly found it hard to speak, "H-How did you get my number and how did you get a phone?!"

A heavy sigh from the other line, "Our big brother bought us phones earlier before settling in a hotel and I got your number from Miaka since Suzaku already had hers"

"I see" The blonde priestess finally loosened her stiff a bit and leaned back on her pillows, "To answer your question I am doing okay, Seiryu, you don't need to worry about me"

"I am not worried really" His answer kind of made her feel hurt but she suppressed it quickly.

"Then why did you call if you really aren't?"

"We are still connected my priestess and I felt something strange when you were asleep, then I just had this thought that you woke up although I could not get access in your dream for some reason I felt that it was of high importance"

"I am not your priestess anymore, Seiryuu" Yui told him in a cold tone, she did not intend to sound harsh but becoming close to this god is problematic. "And I am really okay, that dream is nothing important, I will go back to sleep now, thanks for calling though" She did not give him a chance to reply anymore and hung up the phone.

~XXX~

Seiryu stared irritatingly at his brand new phone after his priestess hung up on him, who does she thinks she is to do that to him?! Moving away from the glass window he placed the gadget under his pillow, laid back on the spacious bed and closed his eyes; he was rooming with his turtle-niichan who was already asleep soundly on the other bed while Suzaku and Genbu are in a separate room.

Contrary to what he told Yui, he was concerned about her and he could tell that she's hiding something from him. He just could not bring himself to say openly that he was worried because it will feel awkward and totally unlike him.

But that dream…

Their bond made it still possible for him to get bits of what she was seeing or feeling and when that dream occurred there was something out of normal about it and stirred him awake. When he attempted looking into it to see what Yui was dreaming about, he got blocked and felt a burn on his arms.

Stop.

Wait, what?

Seiryu opened his eyes but instead of the hotel room, he was in vast darkness surrounded by a candid blazing pale fire that switches shade from white to gray.

"What is this?!" Getting up, the god of War tried using his power however he felt an unseen held him back with such force.

Do not think about it, Dragon. I know what you are and you do not belong here.

He is starting to get ticked by this strange happening, "Show yourself to me, coward!" His hands curled into a fist.

You are unworthy of seeing me, I only and will only show myself to my Champion.

You are not from this world, do not interfere with the Universe or it shall bring you destruction.

"I am a God, I am the one who brings destruction" He retorted with a scoff, if not for the strong bind in his power he'd let this whoever get a taste of excruciating pain.

A burst of mocking laughter filled the air as the white fire surrounding him became more ablaze.

Not in this world.

The fire crawled closer to him and wrapped around his being, Seiryu felt pain and a burn that was not only hot but also acid-like; he focused in his energy to exude a barrier and to stop the burning but it was no use.

"Aaarrgghhh!" The blue haired deity fell on his knees, the white fire encasing him now fully.

Your arrival is a hindrance and I will not let you get in the way!

From a distance, he saw a glowing figure approaching closer to him but due to the pain he was in and fire on his face he could see properly who it was. Only the glowing blue floating mid-air before the figure caught his sight and he watched helplessly as it broke into pieces which doubled the pain in him.

When the fire finally disappeared, Seiryu was breathing heavily and although he has no visible wounds, he was overcome by tiredness and the feeling of being burned.

He could not understand a damn thing, why he's being attacked while in this world then some unknown voice asking him to back off.

Now your connection with her is no more.

After that statement, it clicked in his mind what the unknown meant.

"Is this related to Yui?!" His voice came out hoarse, surprise written on his face.

It matters not, she's not yours anymore. Never was intended.

~TO BE CONTINUED~

My apologies it took a while, anyway I hope it's to your liking! More revelations and Seiryu's rivals to Yui will appear XD Y'all have a happy holidays and enjoy your time with your fam, freakies. XOXO