Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Altered Realities ❯ Another World ( Chapter 9 )

Altered Realities

 

Note: This chapter is for Elf and me, We've worked very hard to make it this far and we deserve a chapter dedicated to both of our hard work. Love ya Elf-chan, you know it wouldn't be half as good without your faith in my ability to make it intense and without your cheerful suggestions and prodding's with the beloved tessen. I will always be here when you need me.

 

Warnings: Mentions of rape, abuse, blood, hentai Chichiri, bad boi Kouji, and other miscellaneous junk. Hope you enjoy!

 

Rating: 17+ (just to be sure)

 

 

Chapter 9: Another World

 

 

It had been weeks since he'd spoken through the water bowl to his double. In that time the Suzaku Seven, minus one member, had made the two-day journey to Mt. Reikaku and settled in to wait for the return of their missing sister.

 

Kouji and Tamahome were busy making sure that life on the mountain moved smoothly; raids were planned, carried out and the riches disbursed among the bandits equally while the Suzaku Seven whiled away their time poking around and admiring the beauty that Reikaku boasted.

 

It was out in the woods surrounding the Stronghold that he had seen it; Miaka was arguing with someone who bore a great resemblance to the shounin. He had seen the drama unfold as he had sat contemplating a small stream and the fish that swam there. At first when he had seen the reflection of them in the water, Miaka had been struggling in Tasuki's grip before she sagged against him. Chichiri had glanced up out of habit to get a look at the opposite side of the small stream when his breath caught. The ghostly outline of two figures locked in an embrace had slowly faded into sight.

 

He had caught his breath and whispered to them, hoping that he might be able to contact them, but his words fell on deaf ears. He could hear their voices, but the water rippled in a slow breeze and their words distorted, becoming unintelligible.

 

He watched in rapt fascination as Miaka punched the shounin look-a-like in the side of the head and loomed over him menacingly. She propped her foot up on his shoulder and seemed to be giving the red haired man both a piece of her mind -if her expression was anything to go by- as well as a peek up her skirt.

 

That startled him for a moment. In the year and a half they had traveled together with their shounin, Chichiri had never seen Miaka look more feminine. Her clothes spoke of otherworldly makers, the same style of clothing that the shounin wore. The short skirt showed off her legs to advantage while the sleeveless man's undershirt was cropped at the waist, showing a fair portion of the female seishi's stomach. He had to admit she was lovelier now than he ever seen her before and his eyes trailed over her form for a moment, taking in the amazing changes a set of clothes had caused. `No wonder Kouji and Tasuki loved her… she really is exquisite!'

 

His mind was pulled from its musings as she leaned back and the shounin look-a-like got to his feet. The breeze stopped for a moment and he could hear some of the conversation.

 

“Do I make yer belly flutter when I'm close t'ya?” His free hand rested gently on her hip and pulled her closer, fitting her against his body. “Do ya want me th' same as I want you? Not a damn replacement, but for who we are?”

 

Miaka had looked at him for a moment and just as she was about to answer, the breeze blew back in to distort the water and whatever she was about to say. Chichiri watched with a raised brow as Miaka leaned up and placed an achingly sweet kiss to Tasuki's lips before she hauled off and punched him.

 

As the man recovered and found Miaka gone, the image began to fade then vanished completely.

 

`Miaka must love him, she has to! I've never seen her act that way before. He must be a very special man to have gotten so close to her in such a short time. It took Tasuki almost three months to get her to kiss him and, from what my double told me, this man has only had a few days with her. He must be very special indeed. I will have to watch him when they get here and make sure that he is a good enough man for her…'

 

“Chichiri! Oi, Chichiri! Its lunch time, come and eat before Kouji's men get it all!” Tamahome's voice cut through his thoughts and brought him back to reality.

 

“I'm coming, ya know! Be right there, ya know!” he called back as he got to his feet. He had things to tell his friends, things that he wasn't sure Kouji or Tamahome would be happy to hear.

 

He ended up being right.

 

As he sat down at an overlarge table with the other Suzaku Seven, he began filling his friends in on the images he had seen while in the woods.

 

“…And then she kissed him on the mouth and punched him and ran away! I was so surprised, ya know. I've never seen her kiss a man the way she kissed him, not even Tasuki, ya know.”

 

Tamahome stared at the mage in shock. “Are you telling me that Miaka, our Miaka, kissed a man willingly after only having known him a couple of days? Did she look like she had been drinking?”

 

Kouji was of the same mind as his wife. “Yer fuckin' shittin' me, man. Gena would never kiss a man after only knowin' `im a few days, she'd be too fuckin' scared! Nah, ya gotta be teasin' er somethin'. Gena's too afraid a men t'kiss one she barely knew.”

 

Mitsukake found his voice and piped up, “Well, you did say that he looked like the shounin, didn't you? She could have mistaken him for Tasuki, or she was possessed… but you're sure she kissed him? She didn't bite him instead?”

 

Chichiri grinned at him and ruffled the smallest seishi's hair, “Mitsukake, not everyone has to be possessed to take an interest in the opposite sex, ya know. Just you.”

 

The youth frowned and pushed the hand away from his head, “Shut up. You know I couldn't help it, it was the incubus demon!”

 

Chichiri smiled and turned back to the other seishi. “I'm serious guys, ya know. She kissed him. It was the sweetest, most passionate kiss I've ever seen and she started it. I plan on checking this guy out, ya know. Making sure that he's good enough for her, that is if she decides that she doesn't love Tasuki anymore.”

 

Nuriko grinned and cocked her head at the Well seishi. “Well, you know that Tasuki doesn't exactly remember her anymore. Maybe this is a good thing; you remember how badly she took it when he left her, she was on the brink of insanity.”

 

Chichiri's smile dropped. “Yes, but that makes me wonder, ya know. She was so broken up about him leaving her but after just a few days with this look-a-like she's seemed to have found love again. I'm worried that either she's supplanting her feelings for our shounin to this new Tasuki or that she never really loved our Tasuki in the first place; that may be why Suzaku refused their wish to be together.”

 

While the seishi looked thoughtful, Kouji looked downright pissed. “Yer tryin' t'tell me that she was never in love with Tasuki, is that it?” His frown deepened. “Forget that. That's one woman I know and she ain't ever said that she loved anyone until she met that redheaded brat. She loves him, not that freaky look-a-like, but the shounin. Ain't nothin' you c'n say that's gonna change my mind. She'll hafta tell me herself.”

 

Kouji got to his feet and stormed out of the room, the bandits watching their second in command as he snatched up a bottle of sake and strode out of the dining hall towards Gena's quarters

 

Tamahome started to stand but was halted as Chichiri's hand gripped her wrist. “He loves her, Tama. He's loved her forever, ya know.”

 

Tamahome pulled her hand back and sat next to the mage, tears standing in her eyes. “You know I overheard him asking her to marry him? She said she couldn't because she was already with someone and her sense of honor wouldn't let her break off her commitment to the shounin.” She forced a laugh as a tear slipped free. “He asked me to marry him three weeks later and I said yes hoping that I could win his love… I guess I was wrong, ne?”

 

 

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

Her lungs began to burn as she tried to out distance the furious man on her heels. She was already tired from her fit earlier and from having run so far but she dared not stop again. That was how he'd caught up to her in the first place.

 

“Miaka, I'm gonna put ya over my knee when I catch ya an' I'm gonna swat yer ass `till it fuckin' glows as red as yer yoku, ya hear me?”

 

Her mind raced almost as fast as her legs did; she had to find a way to loose him and fast!

 

A solid form took shape not far in front of her and- with her momentum- there was no way for her to stop in time. She crashed into a warm chest, knocking them both from their feet.

 

She reared up and looked down at the face below her and felt her terror increase.

 

Kouji smirked up at her, his arms wrapping around her hips to hold her in place. “Well, look at what I caught: a scared little bitch.”

 

“Kouji! Let me go! Tasuki is coming, I have to get away!” she pleaded, knowing almost as soon as the words were past her lips that he wouldn't let her go.

 

His smirk vanished. “Well, we're just gonna hafta convince him that ya don't want him, ne?”

 

Icy cold dread washed over her at his dark tone and before she could blink she found herself flat on her back with Kouji's mouth pressed over hers and his hips between her thighs, grinding his erection against her center.

 

Her hands beat at his back to no avail.

 

He leaned up a bit and clenched a hand around her throat. “Now don't scream, I'll make sure ya enjoy this, sweetheart.”

 

His free hand clenched in her shirt, tearing the thin material from her body and roughly kneading the soft mounds of her breasts as she fought for air. Her hands closed around his wrist, trying to pry away the hand that was denying her oxygen.

 

Her lungs ached for air even as her red chest harness was ripped away from her body and sharp teeth abraded her exposed nipples while his other hand was busily wrenching her skirt up to her hips.

 

Her nightmare had come to pass again; Kouji was going to rape her and this time she couldn't blame it on alcohol.

 

His hand pulled at the laces of his pants, jerking them open and pulling his arousal from within to rub against her cloth covered opening. Her vision was edged in darkness as she felt the last of her clothes give way to his tearing hands.

 

Her eyes flickered, sight was failing her as he continued to squeeze her throat but blessed oxygen swiftly found its way into her starved lungs and the punishing weight of his body lifted.

 

Her thoughts were hazy and her eyes not quite focused but she thought she heard Tasuki calling her name and could almost see his handsome face hovering over hers, his lips moving but his words distorted almost as if she were hearing him from far away.

 

“Tasuki…” she whispered as her vision faded and she slipped into unconsciousness.

 

Ooooooooooooooooo

 

When next she woke, naked but for a blanket, it was to the sight of her own room and she felt oddly fine. There were no aches from her helter skelter dash through the woods, no tenderness from her near strangulation. It was as if it had been a dream, a very bad dream but just a dream.

 

Tasuki and Chichiri walked into the room a few moments later, Chichiri bearing a platter of food and Tasuki a heavy frown. Tasuki's frown and pensive glare let her know that it hadn't been a dream.

 

“Oh gods, it really happened. It did, didn't it?” she asked, her voice sounding the same as always. No roughness from her ordeal at all. `What kind of sorcery is this? I know that I was attacked, why am I not feeling any pain?'

 

Chichiri set down the tray on the bedside table and sat beside her. “Yes, no da. Kouji's under some kind of spell and we think that was why he… tried to force himself on you,” Chichiri said gently, his tone and maskless face showing true concern. “Why were you running away from Tasuki, no da?” He cast a shrewd look at the pacing red head. “He didn't attack you, did he?”

 

“No! No, he didn't attack me. I knew there was something wrong with Kouji but I didn't want you guys to get involved so I was going to try and get home by myself. I was going to try and defeat Tenkou and save Kouji without either of you. I didn't want you to get hurt.”

 

“So ya decided t'run off an' look what fuckin' happened! I knew I should'a held on tighter to ya.” Tasuki broke in. “It's my fuckin' fault this happened. I should'a asked why ya ran instead a tryin' t'get ya t'kiss me.”

 

“Tasuki-kun, no da, this is no one's fault but whoever cast the spell on Kouji. Not yours, not Miaka-chan's, Kouji's or mine. Do you understand, no da?” The blue haired monk stood and went to Tasuki's side, putting one arm around his friend's shoulders. “If anything is anyone's fault, it's that we didn't heed Taiitsukun's warning to stay together at all times. Miaka-chan's going to be fine; Mitsukake's holy water healed her injuries and restored her energy, no da. All we need to worry about is how she's going to deal with this and if she can forgive Kouji.”

 

Chichiri turned to look at the young woman sitting on the bed looking out the window. “Miaka-chan, no da, can you forgive Kouji for what he tried to do?”

 

Miaka looked up at the two men facing her and gave a small smile. “It's not like this is the first time it happened.” She turned her head to look out the window again.

 

Tasuki felt his heart drop; the girl he wanted more than any other had been raped enough times to take this last almost attack in stride. It was enough to break his heart. He shook off Chichiri's arm and went over to the bed and sat down, pulling Miaka into his arms. “Gods, Mi-chan, I'm so sorry that I didn't get there sooner. I never knew ya had been raped, sweetheart.” His voice was soothing and calm even as tears spilled down his cheeks. “Mi-chan, please forgive me fer not protectin' ya better!”

 

She wrapped her arms around his waist and shushed his sobs. “Tasuki-chan. I'm okay, it's alright. Please don't cry, love. You got there in time, ne?”

 

Chichiri's brow went up at the whispered endearment but he said nothing, he only watched silently as the two crying seishi comforted each other.

 

“GET THESE FUCKIN' ROPES OFFA ME, GODSDAMNIT!”

 

The furious yell caused Miaka to jump and Tasuki to flinch. “What was that?” Miaka asked pulling back from Tasuki's embrace.

 

Tasuki growled and glared at the doorway. “Kouji's tied t'the bed in th' next room. We're gonna try ta counter th' spell what's on him, but we hadda make sure you was arright first.”

 

Miaka shuddered and leaned forward into Tasuki's arms again. “Can you just stay with me for a few minutes? I want to talk to you about a few things.” She directed a meaningful glance at Chichiri.

 

“I'll go get things set up in the next room, no da. You guys can come when you're done.” He winked at Miaka and sent her a soft smile as he went out into the hallway and closed the door behind him.

 

“Yer gonna tell me about it ain't ya.” It was more a statement than a question and he pulled her more firmly against his chest.

 

Her voice took on a far away quality as she recounted her tale.

 

“I was 15 when Kouji raped me.” She blurted out, her body shaking as she tried to squeeze herself closer to Tasuki. “I had just gotten back from a five day raid and I was worn out. I was really dirty too, so I went to the bathing chamber and washed up. I was on my way back from washing when I felt a pair of arms go around my hips and the smell of sake damn near gagged me.

 

“I had real long hair back then, you see. It was well past my hips and was very wavy when I let it down; anyway it was down my back and Kouji'd never seen my hair down before. He thought I was an angel, can you believe that? He kept saying how lucky he was to have caught an angel and when he woke up the next morning and realized what he had done… well, he kept telling me how sorry he was. I just ignored him. I couldn't forgive him for doing that to me and so when the Blue Bastard came to the mountain looking for women for his sick pleasures, I sent Kouji away when I was in trouble.” Her words gained strength as anger and fear bled through her story.

 

“The Blue Bastard had me for three weeks; did all kinds of terrible things to me and made me enjoy a few of them… I was slowly dying inside…” she shook her head to clear the images that bombarded her, “I had lost so much blood that my skin was papery and dead white.” She paused when Tasuki's arms tightened further and his face dropped to the curve of her neck, his tears wetting her skin. She leaned back from him and pulled the blanket down to show him the scars across her breasts and upper belly. “See? The Blue Bastard gave me these my first night at his hovel… there was so much blood and I hurt so badly that I passed out. When I came to, I was naked and bleeding from other wounds…”

 

Tasuki gulped and looked anywhere but at her; he had seen the terrible scars before but had never mentioned them for fear of pushing her away.

 

Miaka grinned nervously at his fierce blush and pulled the blanket back up, clearing her throat she continued her tale. “Anyway,” she said as she pulled him back into her arms, “Kouji came to rescue me. He ended up getting the shit kicked outta him but he got me out of that hellhole before he collapsed. I forgave him right then for what he did to me. I was starting to feel safe again after I joined up with Tasu-chan and the other Suzaku Seven. Tasu-chan loved me even though he found out from Kouji what had happened to me. I was so happy that a man could love me even though I was dirty and used, I felt so safe when he held me.

 

“Then we met Mitsukake. He had been possessed by an incubus demon and was working for the Kutou shogun, Soi, as her prime torturer. Tama had been captured and we went to get her out of there. It ended up that Nakago, Soi's pet, snared me and turned Mitsukake loose on me. He only had me a few hours before Chichiri and Chiriko came to my rescue, but it was almost enough to turn me against men entirely. By the time they got to me I was a mess. I had been left in the cell alone and my tessen was the only thing in the room with me… I tried to use it on myself.”

 

Tasuki's head came up and he looked at her in awe, “Gods, Mi-chan how did ya survive?”

 

She grinned at him dimly. “Chichiri. He doused the flames with a spell and teleported me back to the palace infirmary with Mitsukake. He exorcised the demon and we found out he was our last seishi. Mitsukake healed me even though it taxed his frail body. The incubus demon was feeding on his life force and had been for a long time; Chichiri says that he will always be frail and may not live past his 18th birthday.” She trailed off but stayed in his arms, drawing comfort and strength from his warm embrace. “So you see, this isn't that big of a deal. I was barely conscious when Kouji tried… er, to attack me. I don't really remember anything except your face and the breath of air I got before I passed out.” She tried to smile but it fell flat and she just held on to him, laying her head against the silk of his hair.

 

“Mi-chan, I want ya t'know that… well, I-I…” He sighed and pulled back to look in to her face. “I love ya Mi-chan, I know that's th' last thing ya need t'hear right now… but I can't help it. I had t'tell ya. I don't think yer `dirty' or `used', I think yer th' strongest woman I've ever met; stronger than my miko was an' she was a tough little bit a baggage. If ya never return my feelings I understand, ya have a man in yer world an' ya love him. That's okay. I c'n love ya from afar, it's nothin' new fer me t'love someone an' not have it returned.” He tried to smile at her but the shock on her face killed his attempt at humor.

 

“Don't worry `bout it Mi-chan, I already knew ya couldn't-“ His words were cut off as Miaka pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

 

“I-I…Tasuki, you've got to understand; I have to go back to my world and you have to stay here when this is all over. I don't want to break your heart, so it's best if you try to forget about me.”

 

Tasuki shook his head and pulled her close. “No. I'll find a way t'keep ya with me even if'n I gotta go spend t' rest a my life in yer world. I ain't gonna lose you, never.”

 

“UN-FUCKIN'-TIE ME YOU BASTARD! GIMME BACK TH' BITCH AN' LET ME FINISH WHAT I FUCKIN' STARTED WITH `ER!”

 

Miaka shook her head. “Let's go get Kouji back.”

 

oooooooooooooooooooooo

 

A pair of ruby lips quirked up in a deceptively innocent smirk, “Look pet,” she turned the large mirror a bit to show her pet what was happening in the other world, “the bandit girl seems to be having problems. Why don't we invite her to visit?”

 

The pet offered a full fanged grin to his mistress; “Can I play with her, Mistress? She looks kind of yummy.”

 

Tenkou patted her pet and cooed over his enthusiasm, “Of course Tasu-chan, I wouldn't dream of keeping you from her.”

 

Tasu-chan's honey colored eyes flickered for a moment, confusion and fear flashed through their amber depths briefly before resuming their vacant expression. “Yes, Mistress… I can't wait to play with her.”

 

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~O~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

 

Okay, I know it's short but this is sort of a bridge chapter into the next few sequences I have planned. Get ready it's about to get bumpy… er I meant bumpier. I may be in the market for a new beta depending on if the sweet Miss Elf-chan decides whether or not to continue. She has been under a lot of stress and has demands of her time that I do not wish to add to. Anyone willing to take over beta'ing for Miss Elf-chan, if she decides to take her leave, please feel free to send me a message or a private e-mail.

 

Thank you all for reading. I hope you've enjoyed this adventure so far and that you continue to.

 

LOVE!

 

V.M.