Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ A Story Retold ❯ Chapter 22

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.

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A Story Retold: Chapter 22
By Katrina Kadabra

Images flashed before Miaka's eyes. Images of a small blonde-haired boy and his mother. Together they walked hand in hand down a road, all the while a crowd behind them jeering and yelling out curses at their tribe and their kind. Miaka only saw the images for a brief moment, but for some reason, they brought a tear to her eye. She couldn't explain why.

There Miaka stood, her hands were still locked on the swords' handle. She didn't dare bring her eyes up to look at Nakago. She couldn't. But she did hear a voice directly above her head, breathing heavy with pain, bitterness, and anger. It was Nakago.

"How could this happen?" he asked. "I had all the power of the beast god of war. How could I fail against Suzaku in the form of a little girl?" He looked over to where Yui lay unconscious on the ground. "Congratulations, Lady Yui," he grunted. "You did it. You and you friend... were stronger than me." At this, Nakago closed his eyes; his body began to vanish, becoming fainter and fainter until Miaka stood alone holding her sword. Its blade was clean.

"You did it!" Tamahome flew over to Miaka and embraced her passionately. "You did it, Miaka! You defeated Nakago!"

"Yeah," said Miaka, dropping her sword. "The weird thing was though, I wish I didn't have to do it. I don't know. I was so angry at him, but at that moment when I stabbed him, something happened. I suddenly saw a helpless child, instead of the heartless man I thought I was facing. The funny thing is, I don't regret what I did. I know it was the only way to save everyone. But I still wish I didn't have to." She leaned her head on Tamahome's chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. But then a wave of terror suddenly overtook her. A life force... was fading.

"Yui!" Miaka gasped.

"It's okay," said Tamahome. "Nakago is gone. You can still save her." Miaka nodded and ran over where her friend was laying.

"Now, Suzaku," she thought as she knelt down. "Let me use your power to heal my friend." Miaka held her hands over Yui's body. A red light started to form from them, but at all once, it faded. There was no power. Miaka gasped.

"What's wrong? Why can't I do it?"

"Miaka..." said Yuiren. Miaka looked over at the young woman. She was gripping her arms, her body was shaking as if in a desperate struggle for life. "Miaka, it's Suzaku and Seiryu. They won't let me hold them down any longer."

"You mean Yui and Miaka are going to be devoured?!" Tamahome asked. Yuiren shook her head. "No. But the powers of the beast gods are leaving them quickly. I cannot stop it."

"No!" Miaka cried. "If I don't have the powers of Suzaku, then Yui will..."

Miaka turned around and called out, "Mitsukake, help me!" But the celestial warrior was still knocked out from Nakago's earlier attack. His powers would be of no use until he woke up. And by then, Yui might be gone. Miaka couldn't bear the thought. Tears began to form in her eyes as she touched Yui's motionless face and gently caressed her cold skin. The girl looked like she was in a peaceful sleep - only she wouldn't wake up.

"Come on Yui," Miaka whispered, bringing her face in closer. "Please. The danger's over. We won. So open your eyes now. Please." Tamahome turned his head away. He didn't know what else to do. The situation seemed hopeless. Unless... unless there was still one more hope.

"Miaka," he said, stepping forward. "I don't know if this will work, but I think Yui might still have a chance." Miaka looked up in shock.

"How?"

"Suzaku's power may be leaving you, but you still might have the powers of the celestial warriors inside of you. Which means you might be able to use the powers of Mitsukake." Miaka gasped. Her face changed from a tearful farewell to an ecstatic and thankful smile. She jumped up and threw her arms around Tamahome.

"I didn't think of that!" she said. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"Thank me when Yui's better," said Tamahome, pushing Miaka away from him.

"Oh yes," said Miaka. She looked back at her friend. "I hope I can do this right."

"First thing's first," said Tamahome. "We need to get that knife out of her chest." Miaka cringed. The dagger was still buried deep in Yui's heart. It made Miaka feel faint even to look at it, much less think about yanking it out. But Tamahome was not about to let the few precious minutes Yui had remaining go to waste. He stood up and took Miaka's hands, placing them under Yui's neck.

"Here. You hold her. I'm going to pull the blade out. When I do, you have to use your powers to heal her right away. Understand?" Miaka nodded nervously. Her hands her shaking so badly; she didn't know if she couldn't handle this. Her friend's life was literally resting in her palms. But with Tamahome next to her, Miaka knew, she would not give up. And she would stay strong.

Miaka gave Tamahome a confident nod as he knelt down beside Yui. Carefully, he moved her limp arms away from the wound. Then, laying one hand on her chest, Tamahome drew in his breath and grasped the dagger's handle. In one swift move, the knife was out.

"Now, Miaka!" he said. "Do it now!" But Miaka was frozen. As soon as the blade was removed, blood started flowing heavily from Yui's chest. At the sight of it, Miaka's eyes widened and her skin went pale. Her body refused to move.

"Miaka!" Tamahome yelled. He shook Miaka by the shoulders, but got no reaction. Tamahome scowled; they were precious losing time.

"Miaka, snap out of it!" he called. "Yui needs you! Don't leave her now!" Miaka shook her head. She didn't know what had come over her. Tamahome was right. She had to stay strong. For Yui's sake.

Miaka closed her eyes and held her hand over Yui's body; her head still resting on Miaka's lap.

A red light began to emit from Miaka's skin. Miaka could feel an amazing flow of power, warm and comforting as it flowed through her. Her hair waved as if caught in a gentle breeze. The symbol of Mitsukake appeared on her hand, and at once, the bright red light surrounded Yui as well.

"Oh please," Miaka whispered. "Please let this work." As Miaka prayed, slowly the blood on Yui's clothing grew fainter, and the wound in her flesh began to heal. Miaka could not see what was happening, but she could feel Yui's life force growing ever stronger within her. Her friend was coming back. Miaka began to shiver a bit, the energy was draining her. After several minutes, Miaka could bear no more. The power had completely left her, and she fell over into Tamahome's arms. The red light faded.

"Miaka, are you okay?" Tamahome asked. Miaka slowly opened her eyes.

"Yes," she said weakly. "But I can see... why Mitsukake is always so tired after using his powers." But tired as Miaka was, she still had something she had to find out. With Tamahome's help, she sat up and looked over at her friend. The wound was gone. There was not even a scar, or even a tear in Yui's clothing. She was healed. And slowly, her eyes began to open.

The first thing Yui saw was the familiar face of a brown-haired girl looking down at her.

"M-Miaka?" she whispered. Miaka nodded and threw her arms around her friend once more. Yui's body was warm.

"Yui!" she cried. "I'm so glad! I thought you were gone!"

"So did I," Yui admitted. "Did you save me, Miaka?" Miaka nodded.

"Only with Tamahome's help. I wouldn't been lost if it wasn't for him." Yui smiled and looked over at her friend's lover.

"Thank you, Tamahome." Just then, the three heard a sound overhead. Something like a bird cawing. And the roar of a dragon. Tamahome, Miaka, and Yui looked up into the sky just in time to see the beast gods flying through the clouds, on their way back to their celestial dwellings. They gave one last farewell call to their two priestesses before they vanished from sight.

"I guess that's the last we'll see of Suzaku and Seiryu," said Yui.

"Yeah," Miaka agreed. "I guess so." As she spoke, Miaka felt a strange sensation. Glancing down at her hands, she saw they were starting to fade before her and emitting a soft red glow. Yui's body was doing the same, only she emitted a blue light.

"What's happening?" Miaka asked.

"You of all people should know that," said a familiar voice behind her. Tamahome screamed.

"Arg! It's terrible! Hide me!"

"Taiitsukun!" Yui exclaimed. Taiitsukun nodded. A paper harisen appeared in her hand and she whacked Tamahome over the head with it.

"You keep quiet about my face, you got it?" Tamahome nodded, teary- eyed.

"I should know what's going on?" Miaka questioned.

"Isn't it obvious?" Taiitsukun asked. The beast gods have been summoned. Thus, the priestesses are no longer needed in this world. It is time for you to return home."

"Home?" Miaka said. It had been such a long time since she had said that word or even thought about it. But now she was being pulled back there. Could she really go? Miaka looked back at her beloved Tamahome. This was the hardest part. She didn't want to leave the one she loved behind. She wanted to stay with him and be at his side always. To wake up every morning and say to him how much she loved him and how lost she would be without him. Tamahome seemed to sense Miaka's thoughts and took her hand.

"Don't worry," he said with a smile. "I saw... I have another me, another self who lives in your world. Who will always love and protect you and who will never leave your side." Miaka nodded. It was true. Taka was her knight in shining armor, her beloved Tamahome who had crossed dimensions to be with her. But still...

"And don't you fret about me here," Tamahome continued. "Miaka, as long as I know that you are safe and you are happy, then I can never be sad." He bent in towards her, taking her face in hands. Their lips met in a moment of fiery passion Miaka would never forget. Just let time freeze right now and I won't care, she thought. I love him so much.

But alas, the kiss could not go on forever. And after a few moments, Miaka felt Tamahome pull his lips away from her.

"I love you," he said.

"And I love you," she answered with a smile. "Always." Miaka sighed. It was time. She would miss everyone here. All of them held such a precious place in her heart. But now it was time to leave, to return to her old world - her friends, her family, and Taka. She was ready. But someone else was not.

"Yuiren!" Yui called and reached out towards her daughter. To her shock, she found her hands were slowly fading in front of her. But Yuiren's body was not fading at all; she was staying in this world.

"No!" Yui cried. "Yuiren... I don't want to lose you." She ran over to her daughter and held the girl in her arms with all her strength. Maybe, if she just refused to let go, Yuiren would come with her, back to her world. She didn't know how she would handle things with Yuiren there... her school, her parents, any of it. But it didn't matter. She would figure things out. Somehow. Just that... Yuiren could not leave.

"Don't cry, Mama," said Yuiren in soft, sympathetic voice. "You won't lose me." Yui gasped and looked up; her daughter greeted her with a smile. "You should listen to Miaka," the girl said.

"What?" Yui asked. "What do you mean?"

"Like Tamahome, I also exist in both this world and your world," Yuiren explained. "But there is a difference. My counterpart is your world has not been born to you yet."

"Born to me?" Yui questioned. "Then, in our world... Yuiren, you are still..." Yuiren leaned forward, her face up against Yui's check. Yui could feel the girl's breath on her skin, her soft, fine hair flowing around Yui's body. Yuiren brought her lips to Yui's ear, whispering,

"No matter where I go, whatever world I'm in, you will always be my mother." With that, Yuiren kissed Yui on the check and a soft purple glow surrounded her body. Again, she was changed from an adult to a small child of about five. But still Yui held onto her. Yuiren's words were comforting, but they still could not making leaving her now any easier. None of it had made any sense to Yui before. But now she finally understood. What it meant to overcome her sorrows, and to love and care for another person. Yuiren had taught her that.

"Yui," Miaka whispered. "Yui, it's time to go."

"Just another moment," Yui whispered. But in her heart, she knew she had to let go. Her body was becoming so faint she could barely see her own arms as they grasped her child in them. Gently, she placed Yuiren's feet on the ground.

"I'm miss you, Yuiren," she said. She smiled as the tears flowed down from her eyes. "So much."

"I'll miss you too, Mama," said Yuiren, her child-like tone as innocent and beautiful as an angel's. "I love you."

"I love you too," Yui said. "Always." And in that moment, she was gone.

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Yui slowly opened her eyes. She could hear the bustle and conversation of people off in the distance and the honking of cars as they sped past a nearby window. A cold tiled floor lay beneath her. She was home.

"Yui! Yui!" Someone was calling her name. Yui slowly opened her eyes. Miaka was knelt down next to her, dressed in the green Yosubadai school uniform. Yui looked down to see that she wearing the same attire. Slowly Yui sat up.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"I guess the library," said Miaka. "I can call Taka to come pick us up." Yui shook her head.

"That's okay. I'd rather walk home anyway."

The hike down the city sidewalk seemed endless. The crowded streets, flashing signs, and hurried cars. Home had not really changed much since they left. And why should it have? It was probably a matter of days they were gone, but to Yui, it felt like decades. She gazed longingly into the sky. It was a beautiful day; only a few blotches of white clouds hung on a smooth canvas of blue sky. She wondered what the sky looked like where Yuiren was.

As the two girls walked along in silence, Miaka noticed her friend's unusual stillness.

"You're thinking about Yuiren, aren't you?" Miaka asked. Yui sighed and nodded. Her friend placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Yui," Miaka said. "You'll see her again." Yui nodded.

"Yes," she agreed, at last giving a smile. "Someday, I know I will." Yui paused from her walk to watch the white clouds moving slowly across the sky. There was some sort of comforting presence to them, almost as if Yuiren was looking down from one, reassuring her that everything would be okay. Yui closed her eyes and in her mind, she whispered to the wind,

"Until that day comes, please wait for me Yuiren. I know... I've still got a lot of growing to do. But I'll always be looking forward to the day when I can hold you in my arms again and tell you how much I love you. And I do. I love you always. My one and only. My precious daughter."

The End!

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