A/N: Just a warning, a lot of events in canon are going to be shuffled around or not exist at all. This story is basically me going "Nope!" to some of the more depressing events that happen in Fushigi Yuugi. The priestesses in the series all need a hug and treatment for PTSD.

As always, hope you all enjoy and feel free to leave a review!

Chapter 2

Yoshiko had volunteered to get more herbs for Mitsukake, seeing how the man was starting to run low on medical supplies. Since the teen had arrived, wounded travelers somehow found their way to the man's home for treatment. Mitsukake had been hesitant at first but Yoshiko could see how happy the man was to see a patient on the mend. She often wondered why such a kind man decided to isolate himself from others but decided it wasn't her place to pry.

She walked through the woods, hyper aware of her surroundings. Birds were singing and she could hear small animals running through the underbrush. Yoshiko smiled, Namimori might not have been a big town but there was nothing like living in harmony in nature. Sure she'd had technology withdrawal since she arrived but it became more bearable when Mitsukake had her running errands. The villagers had been suspicious of her at first but she was greeted warmly as soon as she mentioned Mitsukake. There was a guttural snort and Yoshiko froze, were there boars in China? She vaguely recalled that boar could be very aggressive and were a nightmare for farmers to deal with.

"Just calm down Yoshiko. No sudden movements or you'll startle it." She told herself, watching as the animal sniffed the ground. It pawed at the ground with it's hooves, digging for something. Just be quiet, ignore it and it'll ignore you. Yoshiko thought as she edged away from the creature to the trees, gripping her basket close. She gave a startled shriek as an arrow narrowly hit her, pinning her cloak to a nearby tree. The boar squealed, beady eyes landing on the only living thing it could see. Yoshiko gulped.

"If you were going for the boar, you have really poor aim!" Yoshiko exclaims, wincing as her cloak tore. There was another arrow, again it was nowhere near the agitated animal. That meant they were aiming at her! Dropping the basket and vowing to apologize to Mitsukake for leaving it behind, Yoshiko ran.

The man smirked as he stalked his prey through the woods. Everyone was searching for the priestess of Suzaku that the prophecy spoke of, it was a stroke of good luck that he overheard talk of the mysterious girl from the villagers. The general would be pleased when he brought back her head. "You're only delaying the inevitable wench! Come quietly and I shall make your death swift and painless!" He let loose another arrow to scare the girl, taking sadistic delight in her frightened screams. "Why should I believe someone that's trying to kill me?!"

Yoshiko was running on instinct with no clue where she was going. She couldn't return to the village, she had a feeling the man wouldn't care if he killed an innocent person. And why did this guy want her dead anyways, all she wanted was to live peacefully! Was that too much to ask? As she ran further into the woods, she felt something tugging her forward. Whatever it was guiding her, it was eager to find something.

She crashed through the underbrush, stumbling into another teen. He had bright gold hair and narrow brown eyes. "What the hell-" Yoshiko's hand covered his mouth, pressing a finger to her lips. "Do you want to be shot?" She demands, looking cautiously over her shoulder. That man was still stalking her, so why did this stranger make her feel safe?

Tasuki took one look at the girl and scowled. She was clearly terrified, flinching at every sound. Something or someone was chasing after her. He approached her like one would a cornered animal, his movements slow and deliberate. He couldn't see much of her face under the hood, only part of her nose and maybe her chin. "Calm down, you're safe." He says soothingly. The girl flinched and, slowly, started to relax. "Now, mind telling me what trouble I've been dragged into?"

Yoshiko wanted to scream in frustration. "I don't know, okay? One minute I was picking herbs for Mitsukake-sensei, the next some deranged hunter started shooting arrows at me!" There was an orange glint under her hood and he felt heat from his birthmark. His eyes widened for a moment, then he laughed. "Everyone has been combing the kingdom for Suzaku's priestess and you've been hiding here all along!" "Priestess?" Yoshiko then remembered the preface of the story and shook her head. If she started her quest, then she'd have to leave! "But I'm not-" There was another arrow and she froze.

"I've tired of our chase, wench. Now accept your death." Tasuki scowled, taking out two talismans and writing on them. "It's bastards like you that give us bandits a bad name." Green flames dissolved the paper as two wolves appeared, snarling at the now pale hunter. He gave a terrified scream as the beasts chased him. Tasuki scoffed. "Men like him usually talk a great deal but can never back it up. He shouldn't bother us for a while."

The hood fell from Yoshiko's head, revealing an adorable face. Her eyes were already tearing up and Tasuki flailed his arms uselessly as she hugged him. "Thank you. You saved me." Her tone was one of disbelief, like she couldn't believe that someone had helped her. He patted her awkwardly on the back. "It's fine, really. You're getting snot on my shirt." Yoshiko hesitantly let go, sniffling. Damn it, I'm starting to get attached and I've only known her for a few minutes! Tasuki thought with a groan.

"Look, I'll take you to your teacher alright? Just stop crying!" Tasuki exclaims.

XoXoXoXoXo

Mitsukake was wearing a path in his floor but he couldn't help himself. It was almost sundown and Yoshiko still hadn't returned. "What if she was attacked by a wild animal? Or bandits? I shouldn't have let her leave without some sort of protection." He mutters to himself, the stray kitten's ears perked up and it scrambled through the doorway. The doctor followed, sighing in relief when he saw the figure of his charge.

His eyes narrowed with suspicion when he saw an older boy walking beside her with a wide grin, listening to Yoshiko speak with rapt attention. A loud clearing of a throat had broken the flow of whatever story she'd been telling, her expression bright when she spotted the man. "Mitsukake-sensei!"

Tasuki's jaw almost dropped. Mitsukake, the healer that was famous for being able to heal any illness? And was currently glaring at him like he drowned a bag of kittens for some reason. "I'm glad to see you've returned home safely Yoshiko." Mitsukake says with a slight smile, patting her on the head affectionately. Yoshiko's brows furrowed. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to get the herbs Mitsukake-sensei. Some man started shooting arrows at me and Tasuki-kun helped me get away. He even insisted on walking me home." Mitsukake still looked at him with suspicion but nodded. "Thank you."

Tasuki ended up staying the night, due to Yoshiko's stubborn insistence. After Yoshiko drifted off, Tasuki turned to Mitsukake. "You do know that she's the priestess everyone has been looking for, right? There's going to be more men like the one I chased off earlier." He states, staring into the fire. Mitsukake was silent, poking at the embers before addressing the teen. "I am well aware, it's not everyday that one sees flames in the sky moments before a strange girl appears. I did not want to push her, from what little I've learned of her land she was miserable there. Is wanting to see her happiness so selfish?" Mitsukake asks.

Tasuki shook his head. "Figured there was a story behind why she's so jumpy. I don't think any of us have a choice in the matter." Tasuki says solemnly, showing the man the kanji on his arm. Mitsukake sighed. "We are all slaves to fate, whether we like it or not." Tasuki nodded and glanced up. "At the moment I'm on my own journey. The boss got sick and I've been searching for a doctor."

Mitsukake's expression was blank, not revealing his inner turmoil. "Depending on their condition when you left and how long the journey is, even if I agreed to see the man it might already be too late. I can't treat the dead." "I have to try, damn it!" Tasuki shouts, gritting his teeth. He couldn't just watch his boss waste away, especially if his suspicions of the source of the sickness being one of his brothers was correct. Yoshiko stirred, rubbing her eyes. "We can try, can't we sensei?" Yoshiko pleaded, sitting up with puppy eyes. Mitsukake looked at the teens, both were determined. "Alright, but in return I want Yoshiko taught how to defend herself." Mitsukake states, Tasuki grinned. "The little lady will be safe with me!"