Disclaimer: Fushigi Yugi and all its characters are the rightful property of Yuu Watase.

Rating: M

Chapter: 7 (Bar Fight - Part II )

Tasuki was frantic. Outside of the bar he was looking everywhere for Miaka but to no avail.

He thought to himself, "Damnit! She could be anywhere."

Moving further towards the forest he continued to call her name.

"Miaka! Where are you?"

His ears caught the sound of people. Knowing the festival was still in motion he ignored the noise while continuing his desperate search.

"Miaka! Answer me!" he called louder.

Deciding she may still be inside the bar he decided the best thing to do would be to doubled back and try to slip back in unnoticed.

Tasuki turned around and for the first time really saw how much damage he had caused. He stared wide-eyed as he took in the sight before him. The bar's back wall was completely gone with hints of ruble still breaking off in periodic chunks. Flames had scorched a wide trail all the way from inside the bars wooden floor to the grass outside and beyond to the forest. He saw how a couple of trees had caught on fire and were split in two hanging drearily. Small patches of grass were still on fire and some of the bar's chairs and tables were melted from the heat.

Able to see inside the bar due to the non-existent wall. Tasuki could see a bunch of bar maids standing inside the building talking fast as they waved their hands in frustration. They were talking to at least three dozen soldiers covered in armor. Staring harder, Tasuki came to the realization that the guards he saw before him were wearing the same type of amour that the guy he had just fought wore. Before he had time to come to terms with the situation at hand. A couple of angry female voices made him stop in his tracks.

"Thats the one. He's the guy who was fighting!," said a vibrant high pitched girl.

"Just look what he did to our wall!," echoed a sultry older woman.

Tasuki pointed to himself.

"Me? Um...oh shit."

He knew he needed to get back into the bar and find Miaka but he didn't know how without going through all these people. Gritting his teeth he though about what would happen if he summoned another Rekka Shin with his tessen. His mind started to reel with possibilities.

"If Miaka is in that bar the last thing I want to do is hurt her."

Snapping out of his own thoughts. Suddenly soldiers came pouring out of the empty space rushing towards him all at once.

"DAMNIT ALL TO HELL!," Tasuki screamed as he took off running.

Tasuki made his way around the bar and was meet with an even bigger crowd watching the parade from the dirt road. He had difficulty making his way through while the soldiers found their very presence easily made onlookers stand back in terror.

Tasuki suddenly came to a dead end as people refused to move out of fear. Tasuki turned around to face the soldiers. A tall burly man waved his hand in a command and the rest of the soldiers parted in response to make way for him.

"He must be in charge of the entire unit," thought Tasuki.

With a strong grip he held Tasuki firmly and spoke with a slow and strange accent.

"You've been making a lot of trouble bandit...I'll make sure you rot in a prison cell."

A loud crash diverted the soldiers attention from Tasuki.

"What's going on over there!," he yelled.

Tasuki turned his head towards the commotion and saw the soldiers fighting with someone. The lantern light flickers of the parade kept him from making out the mysterious fighters appearance. Watching as the fighter stole a spear from one of the soldiers. The fighter proceeded to defend himself from the soldiers as he effortlessly demonstrated a high jump. Causing him to land directly on Tasuki's own attacker's head. Tasuki took his own opportunity to steady himself and took a defensive stance in the process, ready to fight. Not knowing if he needed to be wary of this new foe. With a swift kick to the soldiers face the mysterious fighter bounced off of his prey and came up slowly to face Tasuki with a big grin.

"Missed me!" replied Kouji to a bewildered Tasuki.

"Kouji! What took you so long!" replied Tasuki as he grabbed him into a bear hug.

Without thinking the two spun around in a continuous circle as they relieved in the joy of seeing each other again.

Kouji replied by hitting him on the head with the spear.

"I would have came faster if someone hadn't removed the arrow we used to mark our path into town!"

Tasuki patted his head in pain as he surveyed the soldiers surrounding them.

"I'll get you back for that later, idiot. Right now we have bigger issues."

Tasuki and Kouji were back to back staring at the large crowd that was watching their plight and the soldiers who were closing in on them.

Kouji muttered to Tasuki, "What the Hell did you get yourself into?"

Tasuki reached for his tessen while responding, "I believe we are in this situation right now and don't worry I am about to end it."

Instinctively, Kouji stood back away from Tasuki. Knowing he would unleash his Rekka Shin at any moment.

Tasuki began to concentrate, staring at his attackers ready to release his final attack. He wanted to make sure he controlled his flame this time and didn't let it extend to the crowd behind the soldiers. As the words came to his lips he suddenly, saw among the crowd a familiar face and it seemed like time stopped.

Big brown doe eyes stared into his soul, making him feel weak and unsure. Her porcelain face was illuminated by the lantern light with her brown hair fluttering in the wind. Dressed in tattered clothes that barely concealed her chest she stood there watching him.

It was no one else but Miaka and she looked terrified.

Tasuki locked eyes with her and screamed, "Miaka!"

The wasted moments gave the soldiers the advantage. As they took the opportunity to fall upon him and Kouji.

The two couldn't fight back against so many soldiers at once and they lashed out blindly.

Tasuki saw Kouji fall to the floor as a soldier hit him from behind.

Turning to help his friend he too was caught off guard with a blow to the head.

Tasuki felt his body go numb and his eyes shut as he fell to the ground in blinding pain.