Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ A Story Retold ❯ Chapter 17

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yugi. The original story and
characters belong to Yu Watase. Any characters that did not appear in
the original story are my own creation.

Warnings: The story picks up shortly after the episode 52 of the
Fushigi Yugi series. If you haven't seen all of the series not only
will the story probably leave you confused, but it contains some
major spoilers as well. This story has nothing to do with the OVA

Chapter Summary: The summoning ceremony is at last completed. And
just in time, because Nakago is ready to fight to get Yui back. But
what about Yuiren?

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A Story Retold: Chapter 17
By Katrina Kadabra

The strange blue light surrounded Yui's body. A chilling wind rushed
at her face. She could feel it, some sort of presence nearby. A being
of immense strength, emotionless with a spirit of war. Yui struggled
as she shielded her eyes from the blue light radiating around her,
trying to make out her vague surroundings. She thought she saw the
silhouette of a huge serpentine beast coming towards her. The
creature's battle cry echoed in the empty space; its sorrowful voice
all too familiar. Seiryu.

"No," Yui thought to herself. "This isn't possible. I don't have the
right to summon Seiryu. How is it I am even here?" She pushed her arm
in front of her face again, her eyes beginning to ache from staring
into the beams of light around her. Suddenly, the call of the dragon
faded and the light dimmed. The space around her was filled with a
new warm light. The air smelled of lavender, and the wild wind became
a gentle breeze. Yui lowered her arms. As she did, she saw that a
figure was emerging from the mist. A young woman stood before her, a
girl with a childlike expression, a small nose and large crystal blue
eyes. Her long golden brown hair was done up with two flowing
lavender ribbons whose tails seemed to become lost in her locks of
wheat. Her hair and shoes were each adorned with a pair of bells,
sending out a chorus of chimes with each step she took.

"Y-yuiren!" Yui gasped. The young woman nodded and took a step
forward. Yui didn't know how to react. A bit frightened, she took a
pulled away. The girl held out her hand.

"It's alright, Mama. It's just me." Her voice was calm and
reassuring. Shaking, Yui held on her hand and touched the girl's
palm. Her skin was delicate and soft, as if she just been born. Yui's
body was quivering so much she could barely breath.

"Yuiren, it is you," she said. "But what's happened?" Yuiren lowered
her head so Yui could see better. Through the fine strands of her
hair glowed a soft purple light. Yui could just make out the
character formed by the light: star.

"Yuiren?!" she exclaimed. "Then you are...?" Yuiren nodded.

"I am the new warrior. A star that belongs neither completely to the
east or completely to the south, and the final constellation bound
between Seiryu and Suzaku." Yuiren knelt down in front of her mother.

"You see, my star was born perfectly between the realms of Suzaku and
Seiryu," she explained. "Because of this dual nature, I have the
powers of both types of warriors." Yui got down on her knees to meet
her daughter at eye level. For a moment, her heart was beaming with
pride. But it quickly gave way to regret and doubt as she remembered.
She could never fulfil the role of the priestess, even with all eight
warriors. Her body was dirty, unfit to have the beast god enter.

"Your power is wonderful," she told Yuiren. "But it's all a waste on
me," she added, turning head away in shame. How did she tell Yuiren
about what happened to her? Where did she start? Her terrible past
still haunted her like a nightmare she could never fully awake from.
But before she even got a chance to speak, Yuiren gave a soft squeeze
to her mother's hand and met her eyes with a loving smile, as if she
already understood everything.

"Mama," Yuiren said. A tear seemed to be forming in her eye, but a
tear of happiness rather than sorrow. "Mama, no one could ever, EVER,
spoil your body. These hands that held me, breasts which have nursed
me, and this heart which has loved and accepted me. You put away all
your anger and hatred and gave me life. I will always be grateful for
that." Yuiren reached out and touched her mother's face, bringing it
back towards her own. "And you will always be flawless in my eyes."

"You give me too much credit," said Yui, diverting her gaze. "I was
terrible. I spoke harshly to you, I didn't want to take care of you."

"You struggled, yes. It was only to be expected. But in the end you
still came through for me, even risking your life to protect mine."
Yuiren gave a confident toss of her hair and helped her mother to her
feet. She then continued, "But even if your body is still not
flawless in Seiryu's eyes, my power overrides that fact."

"Your power?" Yui questioned. Yuiren nodded.

"I have taken this form because, it is the only way I can fully
utilize my power. My special ability is to calm the sprits of the
beast gods," she said. "I can allow them to enter the priestess' body
regardless of any past. As long her will is strong and her heart is
true." As Yuiren spoke, the dragon's roar could again be heard in the
background.

"Seiryu is waiting," Yuiren said. "You should go ahead. I will see
you when the coupling has been completed." With that, Yuiren faded
before Yui's eyes.

Meanwhile, the Suzaku warriors waited nervously for the ceremony to
complete. They had seen the blue and red light piercing the clouds.
The elegant red phoenix and powerful blue dragon had both descended
to meet the priestesses who had called them. Then there was a white
flash, spreading out from where the girls stood. Somehow, in the
confusion, Yui's daughter had vanished in a soft purple light. Now
there was nothing to do but wait. And hope.

Nakago had watched the summoning ceremony from his position atop the
cliff with complete fascination. He didn't know how it had happened,
that Yui had managed to summon Seiryu without his help. Nakago
detested having his plans set awry, but then again, it seemed that
things might yet work out. His ultimate goal was to have the
priestess summon Seiryu and grant him his wish. The first part was
accomplished; he now only needed to set the second stage in motion.
But it still made him uneasy. There was another power somehow at work
in the ceremony. He did not want anyone alive who could possibly
interfere with his plans. Though Nakago couldn't prove it, he sensed
Yui's ability to summon Seiryu had something to do with that little
girl of hers. During the ceremony, the child's eyes were locked in a
knowledgeable gaze, a look that said she knew everything that was
going to happen. She had a special power, that girl. Nakago would not
go without knowing what it was.

As he clenched his fists in frustration, Nakago suddenly felt his arm
jolt forward. His body was moving again! Perfect, he told himself.
The symbol on his forehead flared as Nakago struggled with all his
strength against the invisible force which held him. Finally, with a
mighty groan, he got himself free. Now the fun would begin.

"I'm getting nervous," said Nuriko. "What's taking them so long? They
should have completed the coupling by now."

"I think we've got bigger problems than that, no da!" Chichiri cried
out, pointing to the horizon. Nuriko turned and looked.

"Nakago!" he gasped.

"Get ready," said Hotohori, drawing his sword. "There will have to be
a battle!" The Suzaku warriors' bodies tensed. They all knew the
power of the enemy charging at them. His life force seemed
impenetrable, an unstoppable force. But maybe, maybe with their
powers together as one, they could be victorious. If only Nakago was
their only opponent.

A bolt of lightning suddenly flew from the sky, landing right in
front of Chiriko, who jumped back in fright. Nakago glanced behind
him.

"Soi," he said coolly. "I see you were able to free yourself as
well."

"I would do anything to protect you," Soi answered proudly. "The
others are on their way."

"Thank you, but I can take care of these children on my own," Nakago
answered. Tamahome stepped forward.

"We won't let you hurt Miaka!" he said. "As Suzaku warriors, we will
defend our priestess until our deaths." Nakago laughed.

"If that is what you wish to waste your pathetic lives on, be my
guest." In his hands he formed a ball of blue energy and hurled it at
his opponents. The blast landed in a explosion, precariously close
the glowing white light that surrounded the two priestesses. As the
smoke cleared, he saw that no one had been harmed, much to his own
disappointment. But the assault still did not go with consequences.
Seeing Miaka put in danger was something Tamahome simply could not
stand. Blazing with anger, he charged towards Nakago, but his
adversary easily dodged the attempt. He then countered Tamahome's
attack with a forceful punch to his gut. Tamahome fell onto the
ground as the pain shot through his body. He could not lose here. Not
when Miaka was counting on him. He struggled to his feet. But Nakago
struck him down again, this time on the face. As blood dripped down
his cheek, Tamahome tried once more to stand and fight. Now Nakago
drew his sword, ready to take off Tamahome's head in one clean swipe.
But he did not get that far.

"Kaijin!" A red light suddenly encompassed Tamahome. As Nakago's
sword fell, it was repelled by the strong barrier that had formed.
Nakago growled in frustration. As he turned, he saw the white light
was fading. And in its place stood the two priestesses.

"Miaka! You're safe!" Chiriko exclaimed. He ran over and hugged
Miaka's legs. Miaka smiled.

"Yes, I'm fine. Are all of you alright?"

"We're okay, no da," Chichiri answered. "But what about that red
light that protected Tamahome? Was that you, Miaka?" Miaka nodded.

"I... I wasn't really sure what to do. I sensed all of you were in
danger, but I didn't know from what. So I wished that the Suzaku
Seven would be protected." Just as Miaka spoke, a wave of pain
suddenly overtook her and she fell to the ground.

"It's Suzaku…" she said faintly. Her shoulder blades were pulsing as
her body tried to resist the metamorphosis. "I can feel it. Suzaku is
trying to overtake me."

Yui quickly ran to her friend's side.

"You'll be okay," she told her. "You fought this before, you can do
it again." Miaka nodded and smiled at her friend. She then passed
out. Yui slammed her wrist down on her knee in frustration. Suzaku
was more aggressive than she thought.

"Are you finished?" called an impatient voice. Yui looked up.

"Nakago!" she gasped.

"If you Suzaku warriors are finished playing, I would like to have
our priestess returned now," said Nakago.

"I'll never go with you!" Yui screamed. Nakago merely shrugged off
Yui's determined refusal. He was far too close to his goal now to let
her resistant attitude stop him. In either case, he had something to
take care of that. Nakago took another step towards Yui, but suddenly
held back when he felt a blade of metal touching his throat. Tamahome
stood behind him holding his sword firm.

"Have you forgotten your opponent?" he asked. "You'll have to get
through me before you come anywhere near Miaka or Yui." Nakago
smiled.

"Have it your way, then." Instantly, he teleported out of Tamahome's
grasp, and Tamahome cursed at himself for not finishing the act when
he had the opportunity. He stayed on his guard, not knowing from
which angle his adversary would reappear. Then from behind him, he
heard the whistling sound of Nakago's sword as it cut through the
air. The blade landed near Tamahome's arm, but before it made
contact, it was again repelled by the same red light. Only this time,
the force of the barrier seemed weaker, as though the sword had
slightly damaged it. Nakago laughed.

"I guess your barrier isn't as impenetrable as it looks," he
teased. "This will be easier than I thought." As he spoke, several
more figures appeared on the hill behind him. The other five Seiryu
warriors had arrived.