Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi nor any of the characters from it.
For the Sake of Bonds
-Chapter 2-
Miaka was in heaven. Again.
"WHAOOOOW~" Miaka's eyes sparkled with delight as she scanned the mountain of food before her, "TIME TO DIG IN!"
She launched towards the closest pile of food and…hit something soft and silky.
"Huh?" Miaka blinked, confused that the ice cream she launched herself at tasted strangely like cloth.
"Priestess of Suzaku…you never change. I still wonder how Konan managed to sustain that gluttonous appetite of yours during your stay," an old and wise voice spoke.
"Huh….?" Miaka, confused, looked up at the speaker, "TAIITSUKUN!"
In her excitement, Miaka spat out the "ice cream" that had been Taiitsukun's robe and crushed her in a hug.
"Taiitsukun! What are you doing here?" Miaka asked.
"…I think the questions is what are you doing here?" Taiitsukun stated, moving aside for Miaka to see that she was currently on Mt. Taikyoku and not Tokyo.
"EHHHHHH?" Miaka did a double take, quickly letting go of the death grip she had on Taiitsukun, "WHAT HAPPENED? DID I DIE?"
"Ever the excitable one. Calm down and I will explain priestess of Suzaku," Taiitsukun urged.
"Yes!" Miaka said, sitting down cross legged.
"Now…where do I begin-"
"MIAKA! MIAKA! MIAKA!" a group of energetic Nyan Nyan cut in.
"Nyan Nyan! So good to see you!" Miaka said, getting up from her seat.
"Nyan!"
"QUIET!" Taiitsukun clears her throat, "I just got her to settle down, now the lot of you go away or listen quietly."
"Nyan!"
"Where was I… yes the 4 beast gods have all been summoned. But you see, none of the beast gods devoured any of the priestesses," Taiitsukun began.
"Ummm question…isn't that a good thing?" Miaka asked, hand raised.
"Patience child, I am getting to that. The human heart is what truly grants the wishes of humanity. The beast gods are merely a median that help to make those wishes into a reality. In order for the beast gods to grant the wishes of humans, they either require the powers of the human by devouring them, or they use up a large amount of their own powers. Since all 4 of the beast gods did not devour their priestess upon the completion of their 3 wishes, they have been drained of their holy powers," Taiitsukun explained.
"Suzaku…lost his powers?" Miaka gasped.
"Yes. Along with Seiryuu, Genbu and Byakko. But that isn't the problem. Normally, they could just wait and regain their holy powers with time. But an old threat is coming to the surface. Many centuries ago, the 4 beast gods sealed the demon king Tenkou into the very depths of his own domain. This seal is now weakened and barely holds. Tenkou now has the ability to manipulate his minions in the world of the ShiJin Ten Chi Sho and will soon be free himself. He will seek the 4 holy relics: the 4 shinzaho."
"The shinzaho? Why? Aren't those used to summon the beast gods?" Miaka asked.
"Yes. But they hold an incredible amount of power. For they hold the essence of each of the gods. Genbu of wisdom, Byakko of devotion, Seiryuu of power and Suzaku of love. Each of the shinzaho represents the form each god's strength takes. They are also the physical representation of the bonds the celestial warriors shared with their priestesses. Each shinzaho holds enough power to summon a god and to allow the god to grant his priestess 3 wishes. If these can be returned to the beast gods, we will triumph and once again seal Tenkou away. If not…Tenkou will then succeed, gaining the powers equal to that of the 4 beast gods, his ambitions to rule both worlds within grasp. Now, will you assist them priestess of Suzaku?" Taiitsukun asked, looking down to where Miaka was sitting moments ago, only to find her fast asleep on the floor.
"MIAKA!" Taiitsukun yelled.
"Huh? Uh yes! Yes! I'll do it!" Miaka answered, quickly waking.
"…how much did you miss?" Taiitsukun asked, temper rising.
"Uh…not the important parts, I swear! So-uh I just need to find the 4 shinzaho and present them to the 4 gods right? Easy! So! When do I get started?" Miaka asked, getting up to leave through the closest door.
"Settle down!" Taiitsukun said, stopping Miaka in her tracks, "you will need to return to your world first. I have not the powers to keep you here for such a long duration. Find the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. You, the priestess of Seiryuu and Taka."
"Yui?" Miaka gasped, "why? Why Yui as well?"
"The beast gods asked for both the priestesses of Suzaku and Seiryuu; but I saw it fit to summon you first since the priestess of Seiryuu has no one to protect her, having seen the deaths of all her celestial warriors except the elder twin who no longer remembers. I will let you choose. Do you desire for me to summon the Priestess of Seiryuu to aid you in this quest?" Taiitsukun asked.
"No," Miaka answered, downcast, "this world is a painful world for her. She would help me in an instant if she knew that she could be given the choice…so please don't tell her."
"Very well. Now that everything's been settled, I will send you back to your world. Remember. You and Taka must now find the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho and once again take up the role as priestess and protector."
Chichiri sat hidden on the branches of a tree near Tasuki's room, waiting for Tasuki to give him the signal to teleport into his room.
'Moh~ what's taking Tasuki so long no da?'
After an hour of waiting, Tasuki finally gave the signal. Chichiri, grateful to be out of the cold, teleported into the bandits quarters.
"Alright Chichiri, 'member, no one sees ya in 'ere!" Tasuki warned.
"Of course no da! But…how am I going to be able to see who's been marked if I can't travel through the bandit hideout no da?" Chichiri asked, settling down on the floor.
"Aw c'mon Chichiri, isn't this close enough ta the hideout fer ya ta do those spell thingys of yers?" Tasuki asked, "oh, and don't go sleein' on the floor. Yer a girl right now…don't make me look so bad."
Chichiri nodded a thanks and obliged, "how about this Tasuki no da? In the morning I'll pretend to have gotten lost and wondered to the hideout no da! Then you can pretend to take me in and I'll escape or something no da!"
"…fine! Ugh remind me ta never go alone with any of yer crazy plans again!" Tasuki said, settling down at the foot of the bed onto a pile of blankets, "night Chichiri. 'member, get up earlier or somthin' before t' bandits come up ta get me!"
"Night Tasuki no da! Sure thing na no da!" Chichiri then turned over and fell asleep.
"I see you."
Chichiri woke with a start, only to find himself in the same place he was a month ago.
'…I'm dreaming again…'
"This is no dream," the voice, dripping with sinister malice spoke, "welcome to my domain."
Chichiri looked up and saw a shadow. He shuddered, the same chi from before penetrating his very being.
'Who…who are you?'
"I…am Tenkou."
This time, instead of the wind picking up to engulf him, Chichiri found himself in a sea of flames. Searing, and burning, so hot to the touch it felt like ice. Chichiri fell to his knees, but refused to give in to the pain, knowing this was exactly what Tenkou wanted.
"Interesting. You amuse me mortal. Such bravery."
Tenkou smirked, raised his hand and chanted. In the palm of his hand a short spear materialized.
"But can you brave this?"
Chichiri knew what was coming and tried to move, but every inch of his body was frozen with pain and it took everything in him just to keep from screaming out. All his efforts were put to waste however, as the spear flew towards him and pierced through his chest.
Tasuki jumped when his friend, having fallen off his bed, landed on top of him screaming.
"Chichiri!" Tasuki said, rushing to grab his friend and shake him from his fit, "oy Chichiri! Wake up! Yer fine! It's just a dream!"
Chichiri then opened his eye, sweat covering his features and soaking through his tunic.
"Ta-Tasuki?" he asked, unsure and shaken.
"Hey, mornin' Chichiri, I think ya really DID just woke the whole mountain!" Tasuki teased.
However, no sooner had those words left his mouth, did the bandit's door fly open.
"GENROU! YA OKAY MAN?" a panicked Kouji asked as he entered, nearly breaking down the door.
Scanning the room and seeing no sign of attack Kouji breathed a sigh of relief, "uh…looks like yer okay. Huh? Since when did Chichiri drop by?"
Chichiri, wide eyed, noticed now that his spell had been undone, "Daaaaa! Ummm Kouji no da, long time no see! If it isn't too much trouble no da, could you not let anyone else know I'm here na no da?"
Tasuki smacked himself upside the head while Chichiri transformed into his female version.
Now Kouji was the one to turn wide eyed, "man…so uh…were you two…uh…?"
"NO!" Tasuki screamed, "it ain't like that!"
Seeing no other way out of the predicament, Chichiri sighed and began to tell Kouji his tale.
"Ohhhhhhhh I get it now! Man, ya shoulda come ta me insteada Genrou, he's practically useless in t' thinkin' department ya know?" Kouji laughed while Tasuki fumed.
"But if you don't mind no da, I'd like to speak with Tasuki for a minute no da," Chichiri said.
"Sure thing Chichiri! I'll just go get ready fer our play!" Kouji said, leaving the two celestial warriors behind.
"Tasuki," Chichiri said, turning to face his fellow warrior, "Kouji's been near the source of chi that I've been feeling."
Tasuki stared at his friend, silenced from shock.
"I…I will try to find out who he's been in contact with that caused this much of that chi to be around Kouji no da, but I don't know if I'll be able to locate it if it's already starting to affect others na no da…" Chichiri said, worry in his voice.
"Well…uh…listen Chichiri, if Kouji's been hanging out with anyone in particular, it'd be easy ta find out! So don'tcha worry 'bout a thing kay?" Tasuki said, reassuring his worried friend, "'sides, I got somethin' I gotta ask ya too. What were ya dreamin' 'bout that had ya worked up enough ta scream like that?"
Chichiri froze, unsure how to answer the question but decided to tell what he could.
"A man named Tenkou appeared in my dreams. Then surrounded me in a sea of flames before he pierced me through with a spear he materialized…" Chichiri said, avoiding Tasuki's eyes, "I know it was a dream…but it felt so real…"
Tasuki looked Chichiri in the eye, making sure that he didn't turn away, "I don't know who t' hell this Tenkou guy is, but Chichiri, you've got friends here who'll help ya fight 'im, don't go doin' it alone. I promise ya I'll beat t' crap outta 'im if I ever see the bastard!"
Chichiri smiled slightly, perking up, "thank you Tasuki no da. Well, I suppose we should get going no da!"
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door.
"Hello! Who's there? Why it's Kouji here ta see if the boss is done talkin' or not. Oh, Kouji yer patience is greatly appreciated come one in! Thank you~" Kouji recited as he made his way into the room.
Tasuki turned his attention to the door, and to his surprise, found not just Kouji, but another bandit as well.
"Who-? Kouji, what t' hell? Why'd ya go and bring someone 'ere?" Tasuki asked.
"Don'tcha worry Genrou, Anei can be trusted. He's a trainee but he's one of t' best we've got," Kouji said, "well, let's get this started! Operation, kidnap!"
Kouji smiled as he entered the room, but then stared at Chichiri with worry as the female Chichiri looked frozen with fear.
"Well…so you were here," Anei said, a dark aura rising from his body.
"Shit! Kouji, get away from 'im! He ain't human!" Tasuki warned.
But he was too late, the aura surround Anei had now wrapped himself around Kouji and was making a grab for Tasuki as well.
"Bastard! Let 'im go!" Tasuki said, charging forward at Anei.
Anei dodged, then cried out in pain when he was hit with a chi blast from Chichiri's direction.
"Who sent you?" Chichiri asked, recovering from his paralysis.
"Why not discuss this in peace? Move and I'll kill this man," Anei said, dangling an unconscious Kouji in front of the two warriors.
Tasuki gritted him teeth and bit back a remark.
"…please release him and we will talk," Chichiri said, "I promise to abide by your will if you release him."
"Or we can talk here and now and I'll think about releasing him if you cooperate," Anei offered.
"Like hell we're gonna sit back and do as ya say!" Tasuki said, charging at Anei again.
"Tasuki!" Chichiri said, trying too late to stop the man.
Anei had set a trap, now both the bandits lay at the mercy of the man named Anei.
"Well, isn't this convenient. Now, that talk we were about to have?" Anei smirked, facing the monk.
"…what do you want?" Chichiri asked.
"Master Tenkou has sent me. He wishes to test you," Anei said, stepping towards the man.
"Test me…?" Chichiri asked, taking a step back, this motion hiding his true aim.
"Yes, he seems very interested in your show of defiance when he summoned you into his realm," Anei explained.
"I see…well then, I guess I'd better bid him a hello."
With this, Chichiri quickly stooped down and picked up his shakujo, which was now at his feet from his earlier retreat away from Anei. Then in one movement, severed the aura holding both Tasuki and Kouji captive. Chichiri then quickly cast a teleportation spell, and charged at Anei. When all was done, the two bandits alone lay unconscious on the hideout floor.
~TBC~