Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi nor any of the characters from it.
For the Sake of Bonds
Author's note: In this fic Taka is fully aware of who he is and has all his memories as Tamahome. He just does not have the powers of a celestial warrior anymore.
Warning: From the next chapter onwards, the rating will go from T to M just to be safe.
-Chapter 4-
Taka awoke with a groan.
"Taka!" Miaka exclaimed when she noticed he had awoken, "don't try to move just yet! You've gotta rest!"
Chuckling, Taka picked himself up from the futon and gently pat Miaka on the head to comfort her, "I'm fine Miaka, no need to worry." Taka then looked away as he continued, "I have to apologize Miaka…I'm sorry I failed you. Having lost the fight, I don't know if father will be willing to allow us to have the Suzaku scroll."
"What are you talking about Taka. You have nothing to apologize for. It was a tie," Miaka said.
"What? A…a tie?" Taka looked shocked from the revelation, "but I passed out! Doesn't that mean Beki won?"
"No, Beki passed out too. Both of you hit the ground at the same time," Miaka said, "so your father asked for everyone to meet in the dojo once you and Beki awoke. I'll go tell them you're awake!"
Miaka left as Taka picked himself up from the futon. He readied himself for a rematch as he stretched his sore body.
Tasuki's heart raced when he saw the mess in his room.
'Shit! Whatever Chichiri was fightin' with musta come back!' Tasuki thought as he scrambled for his tessen and out his room. Rushing up to the watchtower, Tasuki asked the bandit if he had seen anyone leave. When the bandit replied "no" Tasuki was unsure if it meant Chichiri had teleported off again. Swearing under his breath and cursing his lack of chi sensing ability, Tasuki went back into the stronghold to do a manual room by room check.
Taka sat next to Miaka on the dojo floors opposite of his father and Beki.
"Taka my son, you have certainly been keeping up with your training! I am impressed." Inuwashi smiled, "but it would seem that since the match was a draw, I cannot give you this scroll."
Taka cast his head downward, angry at himself for having failed Miaka and the others, "father…I know this is rude of me to ask…but I beg of you. Please, please allow us to borrow the scroll. It is a matter of life or death for us and people very dear to us!" Taka begged as he bowed lowly to his father.
"…so receiving this scroll means this much to you?" Inuwashi asked.
"Yes, father! It means a great deal to me!" Taka answered, head still bowed.
"Rise my son, you have no need to prostrate yourself before me," Inuwashi said, kindness in his eyes, "I merely wished to see your determination. Might I ask if now is the time when I am allowed to know of why you seek the scroll to this extent?"
Miaka and Taka exchanged looks. It was then Miaka that nodded and turned to face her soon to be father, "yes, I will tell you what I can. Though I'm not sure if you'll believe me…"
"I will be the judge of that, once I hear the tale. Please continue," Inuwashi urged.
"There is a book called the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. It is a magical book that swallows readers into it and makes her into the story's heroine. The job of the heroine would be to take up the role as the priestess of one of the 4 beast gods. It is told in each country of the 4 gods that a priestess from another world would appear during times of turmoil and save the kingdom from demise. When the priestess arrives, she would then gather her seven celestial star warriors so that she could summon the beast god and be granted 3 wishes. I was one of those priestesses, the priestess of Suzaku. And Taka was once Tamahome, one of Suzaku's celestial warriors. The country of Konan should have been given peace, but now a new power threatens it and the world of the book, so we have been called back to help. But the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho has vanished and when we saw the scroll, we saw that it was endued with Suzaku's power, so it should be able to bring us back. Please Mr. Sukunami! I'm begging you to let us borrow it! So we can return to the world of the book! We'll even enter it here and now so that the scroll won't have to leave the dojo!" Miaka promised as she now bowed.
Inuwashi and Beki exchanged looks after Miaka's tale, "it certainly is an interesting tale. So this is the quest that has been handed to you and my son?" Inuwashi asked.
"Yes." Miaka and Taka answered simultaneously.
"…very well. The scroll is yours for now," Inuwashi said, a gentle smile on his face, "please make sure to be safe. I would very much like to see the two of you return unharmed."
Miaka gasped as joyful tears slid down her face, "you believe me! Oh! Thank you! Thank you so much Mr. Sukunami!"
Taka went to Miaka and held her in a joyful embrace, then faced his father and bowed once again, "father, thank you."
"Just make sure you take care of her my son," Inuwashi said as he handed Taka the scroll.
"I will. With my life," Taka promised.
Suddenly, a red glow emitted from the scroll in Taka's hand, as if responding to his declaration. The light them spread and engulfed Taka and Miaka before falling to the dojo floor in front of two very shocked individuals.
Chichiri dodged to the right as another chi blast was sent his way. Earlier, when Tasuki had left, the succubus had entered into Tasuki's room with a mesmerized Kouji in tow and attacked. Chichiri had attempted to teleport them elsewhere in hopes of preventing damage to the stronghold, but with his weakened chi he only managed to teleport into another room. Ironically, it was then the succubus erected her own barrier to contain them and thus keeping the battle within the confines of the room. As things were now, Kouji lay in an unconscious heap in a corner of the room while the succubus reverted back to her true form for better combat capabilities. Both contestants were now heavily breathing both from the current and previous battle they had had not too long ago. The two began a stare down, both hoping to regain enough energy to finish one another off.
"Why…why are you after Kouji? Why the Reikaku bandits?" Chichiri asked.
The succubus seemed surprised that the monk had decided to speak with her, but then grinned as she answered, "that one? He was just convenient because he was near celestial warrior Tasuki. I was told by my master to keep watch over him."
"…so you used him? For your master? Who is your master?" Chichiri inquired.
"Of course. We succubus do not attach ourselves to our prey. You should know that very well, monk!" Shinzui answered as she leapt forward, claws extended. Chichiri quickly erected a barrier and side stepped as the claws broke through.
"As for my master, you know him very well," Shinzui laughed as she clawed again at the dissipating barrier and managed to contact Chichiri's arm, drawing blood. But Chichiri didn't flinch, and instead, used this as an opportunity to send a close ranged chi blast at Shinzui. The succubus screeched as she was hit and slammed into a wall from the blast.
"So it is Tenkou…as I feared. What is it that he wants? What is he after?" Chichiri asked when suddenly, he felt cold metal and a sharp pain as a sword grazed his left thigh. Chichiri jerked away from the pain and turned to face his attacker. The monk's eye widened when he realized that it was Kouji, having become the succubus' puppet once more. The injured succubus then reverted to her human form and staggered over to Kouji.
"What my master wants? I do not care to tell you, who is about to die by my hands," Shinzui answered then turned over to Kouji, "Kouji, this man is the one who harmed me. Kill him."
Kouji nodded before readying the now bloodied sword and charged towards Chichiri. Chichiri easily dodged the sluggish man's assault, but was then hit by Shinzui's chi blast. Though weaker in her human form, the blast was enough to shock Chichiri's exhausted body as he fell to his knees. This gave the hypnotized Kouji enough time to land a strike across the monk's back. Chichiri bit his lip to keep from screaming out then spun around and braced himself as he tackled the bandit, pinning him to the ground. When Chichiri had a firm hold on the bandit, he quickly cast a spell on the bandit. Kouji screamed then fell back into unconsciousness as Chichiri leapt to his feet and faced the succubus.
"Impressive…a warding spell combined with a cancellation spell," Shinzui spat as she changed forms and gathered her chi, "I don't need him, I can still win!"
"We'll see,." Chichiri said as he himself also began to gather chi from the surroundings, chanting a spell. He felt the succubus gather power into her claws as she lunged forward. As he watched the succubus approach him, he timed the release of his spell to the moment the succubus launched her attack at him.
"No…no! A reflection spell?" The succubus screeched as she sank to her knees from the pain of her own spell. Raising his shakujo above the now horrific creature, Chichiri prepared to make the final blow.
"Heh, you'd kill me monk?" Shinzui asked, trying to buy time, "have you forgotten? If I die...that man dies with me!"
"You lie...I've severed the bond between you and him, he will live even once you have passed," Chichiri said, though the hand now holding his shakujo quivered ever so slightly with doubt. He then suddenly heard Kouji's voice call to him.
"I'm beggin' ya... Chichiri...just... kill it." Kouji gasped in between strained breaths, half conscious, "if ya don't...the guys here...and Genrou...they'll all be hurt…"
Chichiri looked back, eyes with worry and fear for his friend's life but gave the man a knowing nod. However, this short gesture was just what Shinzui was waiting for. Seeing her chance, the demon swung her clawed arms upwards, hoping to kill the monk while he was off-guard. Sensing the sudden movement, Chichiri jumped back, but not in time to prevent the demon's claws from dragging across his chest, drawing blood and breaking his prayer beads. Chichiri felt the power of Taiitsukun's blessing leave him and fell to his knees from both the sudden loss of chi and blood. He was now not only unable to cast some of his more powerful spells, his chi was also cut in half.
"Fool! Die!" The succubus said as she again plunged her claws at the monk's chest. Chichiri however, was prepared for this and cast a concentrated chi blast at her. Shinzui screamed as she fell foreword nearing her end, "I…I won't go alone! I won't!" Shinzui screamed as she changed forms and lunged at Kouji, "his soul is mine!"
"No!" Chichiri gasped and ran towards Kouji, trying to intercept the succubus and stop her, but he arrived just too late as the succubus latched onto Kouji and he screamed. Chichiri pushed the succubus off with a chi blast that set her flying towards the door and he felt the last of her chi drain from her as she slide down the door onto the floor and out of view.
"Kouji! Kouji!" Chichiri called as he urgently shook the unresponsive bandit. Terrified that he may have died with the succubus' last attempt to take his soul, Chichiri transferred as much of his remaining chi as he could spare into the bandit. After asserting the bandit had indeed been saved, Chichiri stood from where he had kneeled. Seconds later, he looked up in surprise when he heard an anger filled voice call his name.
Miaka and Taka opened their eyes and found themselves in the middle of a vast, dark space.
"Uh…where are we?" Miaka asked, looking around and seeing nothing but more darkness, "do you think we messed up and went into the wrong book?"
Taka held Miaka tightly as he tried to comfort her, "no, I'm sure that was Suzaku's power I felt…"
"You bet it was."
Taka and Miaka then turned around and looked right into the face of the creator.
"AHHHHHH SUNAKAKE BABA!" Taka screamed as Miaka sweat dropped.
Breaking a vain, Taiitsukun glared daggers at the former celestial warrior, Tamahome, "I see some things never change."
"Taiitsukun…where are we?" Miaka asked, comforting a trembling Taka, "this doesn't look anything like Mt. Taikyoko."
"Tenkou has grown strong enough to seal Mt. Taikyoko away, so I have sealed the last of my powers here in this void. I interfered with your arrival so that you would be able to find this place once you arrived," Taiitsukun explained, "now, listen closely! We don't have much time. I trust Miaka has informed you of what's been happening?"
Taka nodded as both he and Miaka faced the creator, intently listening.
"Tenkou's power is growing ever steadily, and his minions have been scouring the four continents looking for the four shinzaho. He has yet to be successful in locating any of them, but he is still gaining power fast."
"But Taiitsukun, how will we be able to find the four shinzaho by ourselves?" Miaka asked, "if Tenkou's army can't find them…how are the two of us going to succeed? Also…I don't even know what my own shinzaho looks like…"
"Idiot, who says you two are the only ones who're going to be looking?" Taiitsukun asked as she produced a necklace out of thin air, "this will aid you in your quest. When you are near a shinzaho, it will respond and point you in the right direction. The only other clue I can give you is that the shinzaho are all tied closely to their priestesses. That includes yours as well, Miaka. It is close to you. A proof of bonds."
Miaka gave Taiitsukun a thanks as she put the necklace on, joyful to be given aid in an otherwise impossible task. Miaka also took care to remember what Taiitsukun said about her own shinzaho, 'a proof of bonds…'
"One more thing!" Taiitsukun said, snapping Miaka out of her thoughts, "it would appear that Tenkou has infused the souls of the Seiryuu warriors with their old bodies."
Taka took a step back, "you mean…all the Seiryuu warriors have been resurrected? Even Nakago?"
"Not all of them," Taiitsukun explained, "the twins were left alone since Amiboshi still lives, but yes, Nakago once again walks the earth. They are now the head minions of the demon, Tenkou."
"…we'll have to fight them all again…damn it!" Taka swore as he cursed his lost powers.
"I understand your frustration. As Taka, you hold not the powers Tamahome once held. So I have another gift for you." Taiitsukun then waved her hands above her and the darkness filled with light. When the light faded, Miaka looked on with happy tears. There, standing before them, were the fallen warriors of Suzaku.
"Nuriko! Hotohori! Chiriko! Mitsukake!" Miaka called as she ran into Nuriko's arms, "I've missed you all so much!"
"We've missed you too Miaka! Have you been well?" Nuriko asked as she fondly pat the young girls head.
Taiitsukun then cleared her throat as she called their attention back to her, "know this, this is only a temporary revival since Tenkou threatens the existence of both worlds. Once the mission is finished, you all must relinquish those bodies and be prepared for rebirth. Now, I am sending you to Mt. Reikaku. Know that once you leave this place, the enemy will be aware of your presence. I wish you all the best of luck."
Taiitsukun then suddenly disappeared, as Miaka and the rest of the celestial warriors screamed while they plummeted downwards.
Tasuki had tried every room in the bandit stronghold and had been unsuccessful in locating either Chichiri or Kouji. After searching for an extended period, he also noticed that Shinzui was now absent as well.
"Damn it! What t' hell's goin' on?" Tasuki asked himself as he tried to think where else they could be. Then a thought struck him: his and Kouji's hiding place! The place where he had brought Miaka when they first met! That was the only place he hadn't looked yet! Using his Suzaku gifted speed, Tasuki made his way to the isolated chamber deep in the Reikaku mountains. When he reached the hideout, he heard the faint sound of something crashing into the door. Tasuki sneaked up to the entrance and opened the doors quietly as to not alert whoever was inside. He was shocked when what he found was a bleeding and beaten Shinzui lying by the entrance.
"…no…Shinzui!" Tasuki called her name as he ran to her. He couldn't see if there was anyone else in the room with them, since the destroyed pieces of the room's furniture had fallen and obscured the view of the rest of the room.
"Shinzui! Shinzui!" Tasuki whispered as he called her name, "are ya alrite? What happened ta ya?"
Shinzui opened her eyes ever so slightly as she cried, "Genrou! Oh Genrou! It's terrible! Kouji…Kouji…he's…why? What did we do to him to make him do this? Why?" Shinzui then attempted to get up but then fell back down to the floor.
"Shinzui! Take it easy! I'll get ya back to t' hideout and patch ya up! Don't move around!" Tasuki said urgently as he tried to restrain her, "yer bleedin'! Stay still!"
"No! Genrou! Kouji's still there! That man dressed like a monk…the one that you said was a friend! He attacked us both! Kouji…Kouji tried to defend me...and he…Kouji's still there!" Shinzui explained as she suddenly started coughing blood, "Kou…ji…" Shinzui cried as she fell foreword and breathed no more.
Tasuki froze as he watched his best friend's wife pass on with those words.
/ "That man dressed like a monk…the one that you said was a friend!"/
"No way…Chichiri?" Tasuki said, as he slowly got to his feet and leapt over the pile of rubble. After scanning the room, he located Chichiri standing over an unconscious Kouji, the older bandit's face twisted in pain.
Seeing his best friends lying probably dead and thinking Chichiri killed both he and Shinzui, Tasuki lost it.
"What's the meanin' of this Chichir?" Tasuki screamed, "ya disappear for an year! An year! Then when ya come back this is what ya do? THIS IS WHAT YA DO?"
Chichiri looked up, startled that he hadn't sensed the bandit enter the room.
"I'm sorry Tasuki...if I didn't do this...Kouji's soul would have been completely taken tonight. I wanted to..."
"SHUT UP!" Tasuki cut in, "JUST SHUT UP!"
Charging forward towards the monk with murderous intent, Tasuki threw a punch at him which
Chichiri dodged. Tasuki fell from the force, next to his fallen friend.
"Tasuki! Wait!" Chichiri begged, "I..."
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Tasuki cut in again, "YA KILLED HIM! YA KILLED MY BEST FRIEND! AND NOT JUST THAT, YA WENT AND SLAUGHTERED SHINZUI TOO! I TRUSTED YA ENOUGH TA BRING YA INTA T' STRONGHOLD! HOW COULD YA? YA TRAITOR!"
Looking down, Tasuki found that Kouji's sword was carelessly discarded, unsheathed and covered in blood.
'He tried ta defend 'imself,' Tasuki thought, 'well don't worry buddy, Suzaki's warrior or not,
I'm gonna avenge ya.' Finishing his silent prayer to his friend, Tasuki gripped the hilt of the sword, not moving an inch as he waited for the monk to slowly advance towards him.
"Tasuki? Tasuki, I'm really sorry, I should've been more careful to make sure…!"
Chichiri stopped as pain suddenly ripped through his lower abdomen. Looking down, he noticed too late that Tasuki had taken Kouji's fallen sword. The same sword that now pierced through the Well celestial warrior. Chichiri let out a cry as Tasuki retracted the sword and launched a second strike, which Chichiri clumsily dodged.
"So how does it feel, huh?" Tasuki asked, eyes now clouded with rage, "just like how ya attacked 'im and Shinzui! I'll make ya feel t' pain they felt! I'm gonna cut ya, then burn ya. I'll never forgive ya. Never."
"Tasuki! I didn't kill Kouji! And Shinzui…"
"SHUT IT! I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT! YOU DIE! HERE AND NOW!" Tasuki snapped in anger.
Tasuki meant it. Chichiri was hurt, the one that he had been closest to all these years refused to believe him, but then again, Chichiri hadn't expected this to turn out well. Knowing full well the younger warrior wasn't bluffing and not wanting to hurt him, Chichiri opted instead to concentrate the last of his chi on a teleportation spell. As the spell came into effect, he heard the sound of metal hitting wood, followed by a string of cursing.
"CHICHIRI! I SWEAR! IF I EVER SEE YA AGAIN, I'LL KILL YA! YA HEAR ME?"
Miaka picked herself up painfully from the ground, then noticed that the ground was much softer than she had anticipated. Looking down, she realized the reason for that was because she was now sitting on top of Taka.
"Taka! I'm so sorry!" she said as she got off him.
The group then slowly picked themselves up and started a friendly chatter to catch up with one another.
"Hey Miaka~ SO! What've you and Tamahome been up to in your world all this time?" Nuriko asked.
"Nothing too much out of the ordinary," Miaka answered honestly, "oh! I almost forgot, this is Taka Sukunami, not Tamahome anymore."
Taka looked embarrassed as the gang eyed him curiously, "what? I'm still me. I just didn't get to rename myself Tamahome in Miaka's world. Feel free to call me whatever you want."
"I believe we should start heading towards the Reikaku bandit's stronghold," Hotohori suggested, "Taiitsukun must have sent us to these mountains for the purpose of finding Tasuki and Chichiri."
"Well that's true~ Speaking of Chichiri, how do you think we're gonna go about finding him?" Nuriko asked.
"Chichiri usually finds us, so if we move to find Tasuki, I am sure we will find Chichiri as well," Mitsukake answered.
"That is true! Chichiri may even be on his way over now!" Chiriko piped in.
"Alright then! Onwards to the stronghold!" Miaka said as she led the way.
"…Miaka…the stronghold's that way," Nuriko said as he pointed in the opposite direction of Miaka's lead.
Chichiri let out a gasp as he landed roughly and tumbled to his side. Laying stunned for a few precious seconds, Chichiri painfully propped himself into a sitting position against a nearby tree and began to inspect his wounds. Luckily, the worst of his wounds had missed his vitals.
'it seems Tasuki has terrible aim,' Chichiri thought, laughing hollowly.
Much to his chagrin, it was then that Chichiri noticed he had left Mt. Reikaku so quickly, he had forgotten to take his shakujo and kasa with him. His neck also felt bare due to the loss of his prayer beads that the demon had destroyed, but he realized he had much more pressing things to worry about at the moment. Chichiri tore pieces of his tunic into long shreds as he worked to bandage his wounds and stop the bleeding. Knowing he had to get to a village soon but not having the strength to move, Chichiri lay against the trunk of the tree lost in thought.
'Tasuki hates me,' he thought, disbelieving that his closest friend and brother would turn a sword against him, 'he didn't believe me, didn't trust me…no…he had every right to be angry. He thinks I killed Kouji and Kouji's wife…but when he sees the succubus' true form and Kouji alive, he'll realize why I did what I did…'
With those thoughts, Chichiri finally allowed his wounded body to rest as he slowly slipped into a deep sleep.
~TBC~