Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Bedlam and Vertigo ❯ Rift ( Chapter 8 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Sorceress Elcyion Bonedancer 
Miaka attempts to push Tasuki away. Kouji attempts a calculating idea. And like always, Kurai attempts to find his target. He'll have to get rid of whoever is in his way first, though.
Anime/Manga: Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Suspense | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.12.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.2K | Visits: 236 | Status: Completed
Miaka attempts to push Tasuki away. Kouji attempts a calculating idea. And like always, Kurai attempts to find his target. He'll have to get rid of whoever is in his way first, though.
Anime/Manga: Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Suspense | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.12.2008 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.2K | Visits: 236 | Status: Completed
A/N: Sorry about the two-year gap there. My interest in fanfiction had been going from "yay~" to "meh" all the time. But welp, I'm back, finally. To make up for lost time, I made this chapter longer than the other ones. Er... I made some things (like the size of the bandit headquarters, for example) different than what they really were in the manga/anime, but you'll have to live with that stuff. :)
DISCLAIMER: Fushigi Yuugi and its characters do not belong to me. They belong to their respective owners... and such. I just write stories about them.
Miaka woke up the next morning feeling absolutely horrid. She sat up in bed, staring at her feet underneath the sheets. What do I do now? she wondered. Taka... what do I do? She climbed out of bed and sat down on the floor by the door, a place that had become her niche in a way. She didn't know why, but she always sat here to think.
She patted down her hair and sighed deeply. It was wrong for her to just to tell Tasuki off like that, saying that he shouldn't talk to her anymore. But what else was she supposed to do? She felt terrible about rushing into a relationship with him while she was still getting over Taka. She wished she could take that kiss back, but then again... she got so caught up in the moment that she couldn't help feeling the way she did. She just felt so loved by him.
Maybe I should go back to my world, she thought. If I do, then I wouldn't feel so conflicted with this. And that guy won't find me. She thought of running away from the bandits' headquarters, but then thought, Still, more people will end up like Kiku. And I was the one who brought him here.
It wasn't her fault, per se, but he was still her responsibility. "I guess I should be the one to take him out," she resolved softly. She didn't want to face Tasuki, nor even Chichiri. She was certain Tasuki would stay away from her and she didn't want Chichiri worrying about her or getting into that business. She definitely shouldn't involve her seishi. This was her messed up problem, not theirs.
It was her that the killer wanted, anyway.
Yes... she'll definitely run away from here. I'm sorry, Chichiri... Tasuki... call me stupid, because this is probably a really dumb idea, but it's something I have to do...
Her stomach grumbled painfully, distracting the brunette from her thoughts. She hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. It was an odd feeling, because Miaka had always been gluttonous and liked to stuff her face with food. Obviously, she was a lot less of an embarrassment about it now that she was older, but she still loved to eat.
She wanted to go down to the dining hall to grab a quick bite, but she was afraid of spotting Tasuki there. Miaka didn't want to get those feelings for him again. And anyway, it wouldn't work out, she told herself. He's an entire world away from me...
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on her door. She jumped a little in surprise. Fearing it was Tasuki, she didn't answer. But fortunately for her, it wasn't. "Miaka-chan, no da," called a voice from the other side. "Are you awake?"
Chichiri. "Ha.... hai," she answered hesitantly.
"Let's go eat, no da," the monk said. "I'm starving and I'm sure you are too, no da."
"I don't feel well."
"Sou ka? Too sick to eat, no da?? Let me come in and feel your forehe--"
"No," Miaka answered firmly. "I... don't want you to catch my cold."
There was a long and somewhat awkward pause. "... Ne, I'll get Tasuki to bring you something to eat, no d--"
"No!" she interrupted, almost too quickly. "Can... can you do it yourself, Chichiri? Please? And bring me a lot too... more than usual. I'm super hungry. Haha..."
Yeah, that didn't sound forced at all, Miaka.
".... Um, okay," came the reply. "I'll be back, no da." She heard his footsteps fade away. When the sound disappeared, Miaka put her plan into action. She searched the closet for any type of bag to put in the few things she had. She was going to sneak out.
She grunted in frustration when she couldn't find one. So instead, she removed the pillowcase from one of her pillows. That would have to do. She looked around the room for things she should take with her. She had only been in this world a few days, so she barely had anything but that dress, some nightgown Tasuki found in one of the other bandit's closet (thank Suzaku he washed it after discovering it... who knows what it's been through), the clothes she came into the world with, and a small comb.
Not very good. Miaka tapped her chin in thought. She needed money. But I guess... what I have now will have to do. Maybe she can work for somebody for money. So she dressed into her modern clothes (not caring if anyone stared at her), and then stuck the dress (it was too pretty to just leave there) and the comb inside. She tied the pillowcase the best she could and set it by the door. Now all she had to do was wait for Chichiri to get her the food. Hopefully there was something portable. A plate of just-made Chinese cuisine would be hard to take with her if to-go boxes hadn't been invented yet.
As if on cue, she heard a knock on her door. "Chichiri?" she called, standing in front of her door.
"Uh... no, it's me."
Tasuki. Miaka felt her heart start to race. Act like you don't care.... it's for the better. "Um... what is it? I told you--"
"I know, Miaka, but... can we talk?"
"I don't feel well."
"I heard from Chichiri." He paused. "I.... I wanna see how you're doin'."
Miaka sighed. "No. I can't... " Don't do this, Tasuki. Don't. This is wrong. She was afraid that his pleas would make her stay after all. The way he spoke to her was irresistible. It was as if she could never say no to that voice.
Ironically, she heard a chuckle on the other side, although it sounded bitter to her. "Miaka... c'mon. Don't be like this. It's stupid."
"Please," she said softly, probably too soft for him to hear. "Just.... please....."
There was a long pause and then, "Okay, Miaka. I... understand." Beat. "But when you're ready to talk to me again.... I'm .... ya know, here, I guess." After that, she heard him walk away. Miaka was starting to feel bad again, but Taka still ruled her heart in the end. She didn't want to betray her former fiancé.
Almost right after Tasuki left, she heard another knock. "Ch-Chichiri?" she called, hoping it was him this time.
"Hai, hai no da," came the reply. "I have a big, sort of heavy tray of food for you, so if you don't mind... can you open the door, no da?"
"Just leave it there, please," she told him. She heard the clank of the tray hit the ground and then, "Da... is something else wrong, Miaka? Other than being sick?" Chichiri asked rather suspiciously.
Miaka panicked. "No... I just don't feel like seeing anybody when I'm sick like this. And..." She tried to think of another excuse. "Aaand... it's a girl thing. I'm already embarrassed about it as it is, so..."
Chichiri laughed a little. "Sou...? Well, then, you could've said that in the first place, no da. Ja, I'll talk to you later, then." With that, he left.
Miaka quickly opened the door a little to grab (or rather, drag) the unusually large tray. On it was a plate full of big, tasty-looking rice balls, a plate of four dried fish, a large bowl of brown rice, two mangoes, and two plates of noodles, plus the obligatory set of chopsticks and a glass of water. She told Chichiri she wanted a bigger portion than usual, but there was only so much he could carry to her, she guessed. But anyway, she decided to save the mangoes... and the rice balls, but she needed to wrap something around them so they don't fall apart in her pillowcase. Her stomach grumbled again. Oh, screw that, she'll just eat the rice balls and everything else but those mangoes. She put the fruit into the pillow case and then looked at the rest of the food. "Itadakimasu," she said quietly, picking up her chopsticks.
Kurai meandered around until he found himself way on the outskirts of town, near a mountain base that sunny afternoon. He found a tattered wooden sign pointing to it. It said "Mt. Leikaku." He looked up at it curiously. In the distance, he could barely make out some sort of ..... building?
Wanting to see more, he decided to climb up the mountainous path.
Miaka had just finished her food when she heard another knock. She sighed and looked to the door. "Yes?"
For some reason, she was expecting Chichiri to be at the door, but her eyes grew in alarm and her heart pound in her head when she heard Tasuki's voice on the other side.
"Uh... sorry," he spoke up awkwardly. "About earlier... and now... I mean... fuck."
She could imagine him staring at the ground nervously and shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably. It was probably hard for him to talk to her like this. Tasuki had a lot of pride and didn't like to get in touch with his unguarded side. "Miaka, I just... eh... I can't really wait, ya know? I wanna talk. I promise I won't do anything."
She decided that she needed to leave before Tasuki barged in on her. I'm sorry... I have to do this... she apologized silently. After sitting there for a few seconds, a part of her reluctant to go through with her original plan, she finally stood up.
The miko wiped her mouth clean with her sleeve quickly, in case there were any crumbs of some sort. She darted around the room, stuffing all she had planned to take into the pillow case.
While this was going on, Tasuki kept talking outside the door. "Look, I know I told you that I'd wait for you to be ready to talk about what happened, but..." She could hear an audible sigh. "Oi, can I come in, Miaka?"
The miko unlocked the Western-style window, quietly swinging it open. She looked over to make sure she had secure footing on the other side.
"Miaka?" the bandit repeated. "I won't do anything, I promise. I'll stay at least ten feet away from ya, if that's any better. I just wanna talk face-to-face."
I can't let him become too suspicious, she thought urgently. She picked up the pillow case and swung it over her shoulder. After that, she put her hand on the window sill, ready to jump over it.
"Hey, if you don't answer, I'm gonna open the door," he continued impatiently.
Crap.
"Um, don't," she replied to Tasuki. "I'm..." her voice trailed off as her gaze averted to the floor. "I'm not ready to see you." It was true. And the truth hurt, for Miaka's heart sank. She had never felt so torn. She felt horrible about losing Taka one day and then a few days later make out with Tasuki without thinking of the consequences. The many, many consequences she didn't want to face.
I don't want to betray Taka again.
"But..." she heard him say. His tone was softer, very unlike him. "I can't stand this."
Miaka froze, finding that hearing Tasuki sound so dejected was almost unbearable. "Tasuki..." she said softly, without realizing that she had spoken. Her chest ached, but she immediately remembered all that had happened since she arrived at her mother's apartment that unfortunate day.
She knew that she couldn't change her mind.
Forcing herself to turn to the window, she leaped over the window sill and left quietly. She didn't look back.
From the other side of Miaka's room, Tasuki leaned against the door, his hand on the doorknob. He had been quite fidgety when he arrived at her door the second time, but as his patience grew thinner, he felt more emotionally weary. He was even considering giving up on trying a relationship altogether... it would be better for his miko, anyway.
But even so, he couldn't stop feeling the way he did for her. That was what made him come back again even after offering to give her space.
“Miaka,” he called through the door after a moment of silence. He waited for a response. She's really adamant about not seeing me...
But he had already threatened that if she didn't answer, he would open the door. With that, he twisted the knob and pushed the door open, revealing the Western-style room he has seen before.
With no Miaka.
His eyes darted around the room carefully, noting the open window, some of her missing personal belongings, and her absent pillowcase. She didn't run away, did she? ... Fuckin' hell...
“Miaka?” Tasuki began to search the room, peering under the bed and looking into her closet. Frustrated, the bandit leaned over the window. She couldn't have gone far.
“Miaka!” he called, hoping that his feeble attempt would reach her ears. After a pause, he ran his hands through his hair in frustration and swore under his breath. He paced around the room, contemplating his next move, as well as the ones he had made before.
But FUCK. I don't have time for this, the bandit concluded to himself. That little idiot ran off when that killer is on the fuckin' loose! Plan-less and impatient, he quickly hopped over the windowsill. Balancing himself carefully on an adjacent rooftop, he eyed every part of his surroundings, hoping for any sign of his priestess.
“Miaka!” he yelled. “Goddammit.... Miaka!” He took a few steps forward, stopping at the edge of the roof he was on. There was absolutely no sign of her, which surprised him. He thought that maybe she hadn't been gone that long, and that he could catch her before she went too far.
Tasuki jumped onto the roof of another building. Again, he searched his surroundings for any trace of Miaka, but to no avail. He thought maybe she was hiding somewhere in the mountains, implying that she knew he would be looking for her.
“Miaka, if you're trying to run, that's a bad fucking idea!” the orange-haired seishi warned into the mountains. “And ya damn well know why!”
After a moment of no reply, he sighed and jumped down to the ground, feeling annoyed and worried. There was an urgency inside of him that told him to go after her, but where would he start? Did she go further into the mountains or did she go to the base of the mountains with the intent of going to town? He had no time to search both. Hell, he felt like he had no time to even ask for help from his fellow bandits.
As if by some miracle, he heard a shuffle behind him. A shifting of feet. He spun around, ready to chew Miaka's head off about running away like that, but...
Instead of the brunette, Tasuki found himself staring at the end of a handgun.
Miaka didn't know how long it took her to get to the bottom, but by the time she reached the base of the mountain, she felt like she was going to die, her body tired and aching. She decided to take the harder way down the mountain, climbing down every scaffold until she finally hit the ground. It was hard and quite scary, but she was determined to get it down. The normal path from the headquarters would be too obvious; he would easily catch up to her that way.
Even so, she took a good glimpse behind her suspiciously. Just to make sure. She had heard him yell distantly, calling her name, probably, but she didn't want to turn back. She couldn't.
He wasn't important right now. What was most important was taking out the killer who followed her into the book.
After resting for a while, Miaka began trudging the rest of the way to town, looking for a good place where she could stay inconspicuous and hidden.
She had been coming three times a week, usually on weekdays.
Kurai had made it a routine to spy on her through the window of his door, watching every move she made. She would always walk down his hall with a receptionist to some room at the end of it. He assumed her destination was one of the other lobbies, where some of the patients would be let out of their rooms to congregate with visitors or volunteers.
But why would Tani be among those volunteers? Did she come just to mock him?
Kurai knew he had to be careful around her. He had to watch her. He just knew that she was planning something... and he had to make sure he was a step ahead of her.
He could no longer wait to see what she was going to do next. He had to take action and prevent it. The time for it was now.
Kurai was tired from the trek up the mountain. However, the beautiful sight before him, this group of buildings in the midst of mountains, was breathtaking. Still, he didn't have time for leisure. His mind was racing with all sorts of possible ways he could get to Tani.
If he couldn't find her in town... then maybe she would be here. He smiled at the thought.
“Miaka! Goddammit... Miaka!”
Kurai's ears perked up at the sound of a male voice. It seemed to be coming from somewhere higher than him. A roof? He moved closer to where the voice had come from, his eyes searching the roofs the best he could. He sauntered in-between buildings to find the source. This source may know where Tani is. He had to take his chances.
“Miaka, if you're trying to run, that's a bad fucking idea!”
Who's... Miaka?
“And ya damn well know why!”
The sound now seemed to be coming from the building in front of him. He looked up to find a lean man with brightly-colored hair standing with his back to him. The stranger jumped down to the ground before him, which was on the other side of the building where Kurai himself was.
Taking quiet steps around the building, Kurai clicked the safety off of his gun. When he stopped about a foot away, turning a corner so that he could see this orange-haired man clearly, he lifted his weapon. He aimed straight at his chest.
As if sensing him, the man turned around, his eyes showing surprise at the gun aiming at him.
Kurai was amused. So he was one of them, these people in this world who have never seen a gun before. It was entertaining see the people in the town scatter when he fired at that little girl. So much chaos... fear.
Kurai was feared and he loved it.
The man quickly recovered from his initial shock and gave him a hard look. “Who are you?” he asked angrily. His hand reached behind him to grab on to something. A concealed weapon, Kurai supposed.
“Where's Miaka?” the orange-haired man added, his voice rising in volume. “If you fucking hurt her, I'll burn your ass to the ground!”
the mental patient shook his head. This man was getting more furious by the second. He needed to calm down. Kurai himself was, but then again, with his gun, he had the upper hand. Only one bullet left, but it was all he needed if it came down to shooting him.
“You killed Kiku....” he went on, as if in realization.
How noisy.
“You son of a--”
“--bitch!”
A younger Kurai fell to the ground, reeling from the hard backslap his father had given him.
The boy looked up at him, a strong, generous, reliable man to the world, but a frequently drunk abuser to him.
Not even his mother stopped him.
Kurai felt tears welling up in his eyes. Not out of feeling hurt by his father's actions, -- it was something he had grown accustomed to -- but of anger.
His father sneered down at him, his eyes more fiery than he had ever seen them. “Why are you so fucking scared, huh?! You killed your family! If you weren't such a pussy--”
“I-I'm not scared!” Kurai's voice shook, but he said it with certainty, although his words may have not rung true. “I'm not scared of anything!”
His father shook his head. “No, you're a stupid, worthless--”
“I'm not worthless,” Kurai whispered, staring threateningly at the orange-haired man. He had those same fiery eyes his father had. Those same damn eyes...
He pulled the trigger.
All Kouji did the entire day was lay in his bed and mull over the day before. His mind was stuck in the recent past, and all he could here was that odd, dangerously sharp pop echoing throughout the marketplace.
He didn't know what it was that killed his niece. It was a strange, helpless feeling... not knowing how someone he cared about deeply died. The cause of her death was something beyond his comprehension.
However, he knew that Miaka would know. Ever since she suddenly showed up from her world, Kouji noticed that something was off. It wasn't only the fact that the priestess herself was there; he already knew that her appearance meant some sort of danger she had to resolve, but... it felt different this time. Despite his humorous outward attitude, Kouji was pretty intuitive when it came to people.
The more he thought about Miaka's appearance, the more he thought that it was her fault that Kiku died. Although his mind was in a warped state, still reeling from the young girl's death, this conclusion about Miaka had never made more sense to him.
Miaka wasn't supposed to be here in Konan. There was no danger in this world. He could tell by how peaceful everything was. Kouji couldn't understand how she was able to come back. He also didn't know why she brought someone with her.
This person was dangerous, no doubt, and Kouji wouldn't be able to explain his appearance in Konan. He also wasn't supposed to be there. He didn't know if he knew the whole story, only what Genrou had told him. He just knew that the miko freaked out whenever he was mentioned, since she had been running away from him in her world for some reason.
But if it weren't for Miaka... Kiku's untimely death would have never happened.
It's her fault, Kouji thought confidently. He squeezed his hands together in a fist. That.... that bitch! He didn't want to do anything too horrible to her, since Genrou was in love with her and he couldn't hurt his best friend like that, but he wanted to get rid of her somehow.
Maybe I could make her go back to her world, he thought, trying to think of a plan. If she goes back, then that asshole would go back too... It would prevent anymore fucking unnecessary deaths.
It wasn't enough to make Kouji feel completely better, since it wouldn't bring Kiku back, but still, he felt like it was something he needed to do.
The dark-haired bandit sat up for the first time that day and started the trek to Miaka's room.
Upon the loud sound of the bullet firing, Tasuki instinctively dodged, not knowing what else to do with a weapon like his opponent's. To his chagrin, he wasn't fast enough. The bullet hit his left upper arm cleanly. An unfamiliar pain jolted the orange-haired bandit's body as he cried out through gritted teeth. What the hell is this?! was what he couldn't stop wondering in his head, but without hesitation and without a second to spare, he grabbed his tessen like he had so many times before.
“Rekka shinen!”
A rolling cloud of flames came barreling out of Tasuki's fan, the fire barely missing the building they were standing in front of.
Momentarily stunned, the gunman before him froze, probably as confused about his attack as Tasuki had been about the shot. He then backed up until he was around the corner, where it looked like he began to sprint in-between the other buildings. If he had stayed a second longer, he would have been fried.
When the flames had faded away, Tasuki re-sheathed his tessen and held his hand over his wound carefully to stop the bleeding. After a second's pause, he began to race after the killer.
Chichiri felt stupid.
As he came to check up on Miaka, since she had told him that she wasn't feeling well, he noticed that her door was open. At first, he thought that maybe she was feeling better and was out and about in the headquarters, but when he stepped foot into her room, he discovered that her window was open. Some of her things were missing, and it was then the seishi put two and two together.
He should have known something was off about Miaka. He should have seen through her lies.
Naturally protective about his priestess, Chichiri was ready to run out the door and look for Miaka, but before he could do anything, the sound of footsteps reached his ears. He craned his head to see who had arrived. It was Kouji standing in the doorway, looking, for some reason, determined.
“Oi, Chichiri,” the bandit greeted. He skimmed the room and cursed under his breath. “Where is she?”
Chichiri raised an eyebrow. Why would Kouji be looking for Miaka? Remembering how the indigo-haired man acted toward Miaka the day before, he pursed his lips together, wondering what he was thinking. Instead of inquiring about it, though, he chose to act clueless. “I don't know, no da.”
“Maybe Tasuki knows,” Kouji reasoned, folding his hands behind his head. “Shit, maybe she's with him now.”
Chichiri shook his head, now facing Kouji fully. “From what I gathered here, it looks like Miaka-chan left... or is trying to leave the headquarters, no da.”
“Rekka shinen!”
Both startled at the familiar cry, Chichiri and Kouji rushed to the window. The lower roof was blocking their view, so they had no choice but to climb out of it like Tasuki and Miaka had done before. Chichiri was the first to emerge outside. The seishi noticed remnants of Tasuki's flames near the edge before they disappeared.
What was going on?
With Kouji silently following behind him, Chichiri gracefully hopped off the edge, landing on the ground with ease. He did so just in time to see Tasuki turn the corner of the building and out of sight.
“Tasuki!” Chichiri called confusedly. He started going after the bandit leader.
“The hell?! What the fuck's he doin'?!” Kouji wondered out loud. “Oi! Genrou!”
After running for about fifteen minutes, the pair stopped somewhere in the middle of the complex of buildings, noticing a person slumped against a wall, breathing hard and holding his bleeding upper arm with his blood-stained hand.
“Genrou!” Kouji exclaimed worriedly. He rushed to his friend and kneeled down next to him. “What happened to ya?!”
Tasuki only shook his head, his expression showing pain and frustration. The anger in his eyes looked like they could burn the ground in front of him.
Chichiri crouched by Tasuki's other side and forced the hand off his arm. He held a gasp when he saw the circular wound there. And if he remembered correctly, it was the same kind of injury Kiku had sported. “Tasuki,” he began in a low tone. “It was... him, wasn't it, no da?”
“Him?” Kouji repeated unsurely. He glanced from one celestial warrior to the other.
Chichiri nodded. “Sou. Look at the wound on Tasuki's arm, no da. It should look familiar to you.”
The dark-haired man's eyes slowly fell onto his best friend's arm. His face grew hard. “Kiku's killer....”
Tasuki finally spoke up, his voice a little weak. “Tried to get him, but I couldn't catch up.” He sighed in an annoyed manner. “And that... gun or whatever Miaka called it... the thing that came outta that hurts like hell.”
“Da, we need to get you inside,” Chichiri said urgently. “We need to take care of that, no da.” He and Kouji helped Tasuki up and began to lead him back into the headquarters, the injured seishi's arms around each of their shoulders.
“Miaka...” Tasuki murmured. The monk frowned as he saw the bandit's eyes soften a little. “She ran away.”
“We'll find her Tasuki, no da,” he reassured him. “I'm a seishi, too... I don't want to wait around when our miko could possibly be in danger. But we can't have you die in the process, can we, no da?”
Tasuki didn't seem to register his words fully, but still replied with an agreeing “Aa.”
Chichiri offered a small smile in his direction. “Ii na no da!” He shot a glimpse at Kouji, who had been quiet the entire time. He didn't like the look on the dark-haired bandit's face. There was a clear sadness tracing the usual laid-backness he usually had, but somehow, there was also something almost... calculating about it as well. And he wanted to see Miaka? he recalled in his mind. Does he still hold a grudge against her?
“Oi, what ya starin' at me for?” Kouji snapped lightly at Chichiri. He smirked. “Like what you see?”
It would be moronic on his part to blame our miko, the monk continued in his head. “Just wondering how you're doing, no da,” he told Kouji. It wasn't a total lie, he was wondering how the bandit was doing. It's just that he wasn't referring to Kiku like Chichiri hoped he would think.
Tasuki slowly turned his eyes toward Chichiri, not bothering to turn his head. He was able to tell by his voice when he had something up his sleeve. He didn't say anything, though.
Kouji sighed as his expression fell a little. He avoided eye contact by facing front. “It's tough.”
“Da... thought so,” Chichiri replied lightly. “I just wanted to make sure you weren't... losing yourself over this, no da. Do you know what I mean?”
The three of them entered through some doors in the headquarters, the one that led to a small infirmary. As the door shut behind them, Kouji replied with, “Of course.”
If it was sincere or not, Chichiri couldn't tell. There were bigger things for them to worry about, anyway.
“It's... hard to believe you're here,” Empress Houki uttered quietly, blinking at Miaka's presence.
Miaka had planned on staying at a cheap inn, but instead, went straight to the palace, hoping for a word with the woman before her. It was probably safer there than any old place in town, anyway.
At first, the guards were not very willing to let her in. But it was until Houki passed by and recognized her. The priestess gained entrance immediately after that.
“I'm really sorry to intrude like this,” Miaka explained nervously, staring at the ground, “but I had nowhere to go.”
“Please don't take this the wrong way, Miko-sama,” the violet-haired woman spoke up, “but what happened to your seishi? I recall you having one living in the mountains... do you not have contact with him?”
Miaka's heart beat against her chest painfully. “.... No. I don't know where he is.” She felt bad about lying to Houki, but she didn't want to have any reason to go back.
Houki frowned. “Well, that's a shame.” She sighed. “Well, I'll bring my son here so you may talk to him.”
The brunette raised an eyebrow. She could only imagine that Boushin being a little kid. What would she be able to talk to him about? But then again, she remembered how the time lapse between this world and hers differed. She shouldn't have been surprised that the Boushin she would be seeing would probably be a lot older and possibly wise beyond his years.
“You're free to stay here, of course,” Houki continued. “You're the legendary miko and a dear person to my late husband.” She smiled warmly. “Don't be afraid to make the palace your home.”
Miaka smiled fondly back at her, remembering a vain, but unbelievably caring man who sacrificed his life for the sake of Suzaku. Hotohori... “Hai.” She bowed deeply. “Thank you so much.”
The empress nodded. “You're always welcome.” She then turned to a nearby servant. “Please fetch my son from his quarters.”
The servant bowed and obediently left.
“Miko-sama,” Houki muttered softly. Her smile faltered as her facial expression turned serious. “You look... troubled. And I know from the legend of Suzaku... you only appear when there is danger. As the mother of the ruler, I must know if there is anything I should be aware of.”
“Okaa-san?”
The two of them turned toward the direction of the voice. A boy, looking no more than around ten years old and dressed in regal clothing, set foot into the throne room with the servant from before walking in after him.
“Boushin,” Houki greeted. She gestured toward Miaka. “This is... the legendary priestess I told you about before. Miaka.”
Boushin gave her a short nod of greeting and grinned. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miko-sama. Ano... I assume there is something going on if Okaa-san called me here.” He glanced at his mother.
Miaka smiled sadly at the two of them. It was time to begin telling them her ugly story.
Sorry if my writing style has changed for the worst. It's been a while since I've been back in the fanfic scene. I did my best, though! Thanks for reading.
One more thing... there will be only two chapters left of this story (I think).
DISCLAIMER: Fushigi Yuugi and its characters do not belong to me. They belong to their respective owners... and such. I just write stories about them.
Bedlam and Vertigo: Rift
by Elcyion Pitye
by Elcyion Pitye
Miaka woke up the next morning feeling absolutely horrid. She sat up in bed, staring at her feet underneath the sheets. What do I do now? she wondered. Taka... what do I do? She climbed out of bed and sat down on the floor by the door, a place that had become her niche in a way. She didn't know why, but she always sat here to think.
She patted down her hair and sighed deeply. It was wrong for her to just to tell Tasuki off like that, saying that he shouldn't talk to her anymore. But what else was she supposed to do? She felt terrible about rushing into a relationship with him while she was still getting over Taka. She wished she could take that kiss back, but then again... she got so caught up in the moment that she couldn't help feeling the way she did. She just felt so loved by him.
Maybe I should go back to my world, she thought. If I do, then I wouldn't feel so conflicted with this. And that guy won't find me. She thought of running away from the bandits' headquarters, but then thought, Still, more people will end up like Kiku. And I was the one who brought him here.
It wasn't her fault, per se, but he was still her responsibility. "I guess I should be the one to take him out," she resolved softly. She didn't want to face Tasuki, nor even Chichiri. She was certain Tasuki would stay away from her and she didn't want Chichiri worrying about her or getting into that business. She definitely shouldn't involve her seishi. This was her messed up problem, not theirs.
It was her that the killer wanted, anyway.
Yes... she'll definitely run away from here. I'm sorry, Chichiri... Tasuki... call me stupid, because this is probably a really dumb idea, but it's something I have to do...
Her stomach grumbled painfully, distracting the brunette from her thoughts. She hadn't eaten since yesterday morning. It was an odd feeling, because Miaka had always been gluttonous and liked to stuff her face with food. Obviously, she was a lot less of an embarrassment about it now that she was older, but she still loved to eat.
She wanted to go down to the dining hall to grab a quick bite, but she was afraid of spotting Tasuki there. Miaka didn't want to get those feelings for him again. And anyway, it wouldn't work out, she told herself. He's an entire world away from me...
Suddenly, there was a loud knock on her door. She jumped a little in surprise. Fearing it was Tasuki, she didn't answer. But fortunately for her, it wasn't. "Miaka-chan, no da," called a voice from the other side. "Are you awake?"
Chichiri. "Ha.... hai," she answered hesitantly.
"Let's go eat, no da," the monk said. "I'm starving and I'm sure you are too, no da."
"I don't feel well."
"Sou ka? Too sick to eat, no da?? Let me come in and feel your forehe--"
"No," Miaka answered firmly. "I... don't want you to catch my cold."
There was a long and somewhat awkward pause. "... Ne, I'll get Tasuki to bring you something to eat, no d--"
"No!" she interrupted, almost too quickly. "Can... can you do it yourself, Chichiri? Please? And bring me a lot too... more than usual. I'm super hungry. Haha..."
Yeah, that didn't sound forced at all, Miaka.
".... Um, okay," came the reply. "I'll be back, no da." She heard his footsteps fade away. When the sound disappeared, Miaka put her plan into action. She searched the closet for any type of bag to put in the few things she had. She was going to sneak out.
She grunted in frustration when she couldn't find one. So instead, she removed the pillowcase from one of her pillows. That would have to do. She looked around the room for things she should take with her. She had only been in this world a few days, so she barely had anything but that dress, some nightgown Tasuki found in one of the other bandit's closet (thank Suzaku he washed it after discovering it... who knows what it's been through), the clothes she came into the world with, and a small comb.
Not very good. Miaka tapped her chin in thought. She needed money. But I guess... what I have now will have to do. Maybe she can work for somebody for money. So she dressed into her modern clothes (not caring if anyone stared at her), and then stuck the dress (it was too pretty to just leave there) and the comb inside. She tied the pillowcase the best she could and set it by the door. Now all she had to do was wait for Chichiri to get her the food. Hopefully there was something portable. A plate of just-made Chinese cuisine would be hard to take with her if to-go boxes hadn't been invented yet.
As if on cue, she heard a knock on her door. "Chichiri?" she called, standing in front of her door.
"Uh... no, it's me."
Tasuki. Miaka felt her heart start to race. Act like you don't care.... it's for the better. "Um... what is it? I told you--"
"I know, Miaka, but... can we talk?"
"I don't feel well."
"I heard from Chichiri." He paused. "I.... I wanna see how you're doin'."
Miaka sighed. "No. I can't... " Don't do this, Tasuki. Don't. This is wrong. She was afraid that his pleas would make her stay after all. The way he spoke to her was irresistible. It was as if she could never say no to that voice.
Ironically, she heard a chuckle on the other side, although it sounded bitter to her. "Miaka... c'mon. Don't be like this. It's stupid."
"Please," she said softly, probably too soft for him to hear. "Just.... please....."
There was a long pause and then, "Okay, Miaka. I... understand." Beat. "But when you're ready to talk to me again.... I'm .... ya know, here, I guess." After that, she heard him walk away. Miaka was starting to feel bad again, but Taka still ruled her heart in the end. She didn't want to betray her former fiancé.
Almost right after Tasuki left, she heard another knock. "Ch-Chichiri?" she called, hoping it was him this time.
"Hai, hai no da," came the reply. "I have a big, sort of heavy tray of food for you, so if you don't mind... can you open the door, no da?"
"Just leave it there, please," she told him. She heard the clank of the tray hit the ground and then, "Da... is something else wrong, Miaka? Other than being sick?" Chichiri asked rather suspiciously.
Miaka panicked. "No... I just don't feel like seeing anybody when I'm sick like this. And..." She tried to think of another excuse. "Aaand... it's a girl thing. I'm already embarrassed about it as it is, so..."
Chichiri laughed a little. "Sou...? Well, then, you could've said that in the first place, no da. Ja, I'll talk to you later, then." With that, he left.
Miaka quickly opened the door a little to grab (or rather, drag) the unusually large tray. On it was a plate full of big, tasty-looking rice balls, a plate of four dried fish, a large bowl of brown rice, two mangoes, and two plates of noodles, plus the obligatory set of chopsticks and a glass of water. She told Chichiri she wanted a bigger portion than usual, but there was only so much he could carry to her, she guessed. But anyway, she decided to save the mangoes... and the rice balls, but she needed to wrap something around them so they don't fall apart in her pillowcase. Her stomach grumbled again. Oh, screw that, she'll just eat the rice balls and everything else but those mangoes. She put the fruit into the pillow case and then looked at the rest of the food. "Itadakimasu," she said quietly, picking up her chopsticks.
Kurai meandered around until he found himself way on the outskirts of town, near a mountain base that sunny afternoon. He found a tattered wooden sign pointing to it. It said "Mt. Leikaku." He looked up at it curiously. In the distance, he could barely make out some sort of ..... building?
Wanting to see more, he decided to climb up the mountainous path.
Miaka had just finished her food when she heard another knock. She sighed and looked to the door. "Yes?"
For some reason, she was expecting Chichiri to be at the door, but her eyes grew in alarm and her heart pound in her head when she heard Tasuki's voice on the other side.
"Uh... sorry," he spoke up awkwardly. "About earlier... and now... I mean... fuck."
She could imagine him staring at the ground nervously and shifting from foot to foot uncomfortably. It was probably hard for him to talk to her like this. Tasuki had a lot of pride and didn't like to get in touch with his unguarded side. "Miaka, I just... eh... I can't really wait, ya know? I wanna talk. I promise I won't do anything."
She decided that she needed to leave before Tasuki barged in on her. I'm sorry... I have to do this... she apologized silently. After sitting there for a few seconds, a part of her reluctant to go through with her original plan, she finally stood up.
The miko wiped her mouth clean with her sleeve quickly, in case there were any crumbs of some sort. She darted around the room, stuffing all she had planned to take into the pillow case.
While this was going on, Tasuki kept talking outside the door. "Look, I know I told you that I'd wait for you to be ready to talk about what happened, but..." She could hear an audible sigh. "Oi, can I come in, Miaka?"
The miko unlocked the Western-style window, quietly swinging it open. She looked over to make sure she had secure footing on the other side.
"Miaka?" the bandit repeated. "I won't do anything, I promise. I'll stay at least ten feet away from ya, if that's any better. I just wanna talk face-to-face."
I can't let him become too suspicious, she thought urgently. She picked up the pillow case and swung it over her shoulder. After that, she put her hand on the window sill, ready to jump over it.
"Hey, if you don't answer, I'm gonna open the door," he continued impatiently.
Crap.
"Um, don't," she replied to Tasuki. "I'm..." her voice trailed off as her gaze averted to the floor. "I'm not ready to see you." It was true. And the truth hurt, for Miaka's heart sank. She had never felt so torn. She felt horrible about losing Taka one day and then a few days later make out with Tasuki without thinking of the consequences. The many, many consequences she didn't want to face.
I don't want to betray Taka again.
"But..." she heard him say. His tone was softer, very unlike him. "I can't stand this."
Miaka froze, finding that hearing Tasuki sound so dejected was almost unbearable. "Tasuki..." she said softly, without realizing that she had spoken. Her chest ached, but she immediately remembered all that had happened since she arrived at her mother's apartment that unfortunate day.
She knew that she couldn't change her mind.
Forcing herself to turn to the window, she leaped over the window sill and left quietly. She didn't look back.
From the other side of Miaka's room, Tasuki leaned against the door, his hand on the doorknob. He had been quite fidgety when he arrived at her door the second time, but as his patience grew thinner, he felt more emotionally weary. He was even considering giving up on trying a relationship altogether... it would be better for his miko, anyway.
But even so, he couldn't stop feeling the way he did for her. That was what made him come back again even after offering to give her space.
“Miaka,” he called through the door after a moment of silence. He waited for a response. She's really adamant about not seeing me...
But he had already threatened that if she didn't answer, he would open the door. With that, he twisted the knob and pushed the door open, revealing the Western-style room he has seen before.
With no Miaka.
His eyes darted around the room carefully, noting the open window, some of her missing personal belongings, and her absent pillowcase. She didn't run away, did she? ... Fuckin' hell...
“Miaka?” Tasuki began to search the room, peering under the bed and looking into her closet. Frustrated, the bandit leaned over the window. She couldn't have gone far.
“Miaka!” he called, hoping that his feeble attempt would reach her ears. After a pause, he ran his hands through his hair in frustration and swore under his breath. He paced around the room, contemplating his next move, as well as the ones he had made before.
But FUCK. I don't have time for this, the bandit concluded to himself. That little idiot ran off when that killer is on the fuckin' loose! Plan-less and impatient, he quickly hopped over the windowsill. Balancing himself carefully on an adjacent rooftop, he eyed every part of his surroundings, hoping for any sign of his priestess.
“Miaka!” he yelled. “Goddammit.... Miaka!” He took a few steps forward, stopping at the edge of the roof he was on. There was absolutely no sign of her, which surprised him. He thought that maybe she hadn't been gone that long, and that he could catch her before she went too far.
Tasuki jumped onto the roof of another building. Again, he searched his surroundings for any trace of Miaka, but to no avail. He thought maybe she was hiding somewhere in the mountains, implying that she knew he would be looking for her.
“Miaka, if you're trying to run, that's a bad fucking idea!” the orange-haired seishi warned into the mountains. “And ya damn well know why!”
After a moment of no reply, he sighed and jumped down to the ground, feeling annoyed and worried. There was an urgency inside of him that told him to go after her, but where would he start? Did she go further into the mountains or did she go to the base of the mountains with the intent of going to town? He had no time to search both. Hell, he felt like he had no time to even ask for help from his fellow bandits.
As if by some miracle, he heard a shuffle behind him. A shifting of feet. He spun around, ready to chew Miaka's head off about running away like that, but...
Instead of the brunette, Tasuki found himself staring at the end of a handgun.
Miaka didn't know how long it took her to get to the bottom, but by the time she reached the base of the mountain, she felt like she was going to die, her body tired and aching. She decided to take the harder way down the mountain, climbing down every scaffold until she finally hit the ground. It was hard and quite scary, but she was determined to get it down. The normal path from the headquarters would be too obvious; he would easily catch up to her that way.
Even so, she took a good glimpse behind her suspiciously. Just to make sure. She had heard him yell distantly, calling her name, probably, but she didn't want to turn back. She couldn't.
He wasn't important right now. What was most important was taking out the killer who followed her into the book.
After resting for a while, Miaka began trudging the rest of the way to town, looking for a good place where she could stay inconspicuous and hidden.
She had been coming three times a week, usually on weekdays.
Kurai had made it a routine to spy on her through the window of his door, watching every move she made. She would always walk down his hall with a receptionist to some room at the end of it. He assumed her destination was one of the other lobbies, where some of the patients would be let out of their rooms to congregate with visitors or volunteers.
But why would Tani be among those volunteers? Did she come just to mock him?
Kurai knew he had to be careful around her. He had to watch her. He just knew that she was planning something... and he had to make sure he was a step ahead of her.
He could no longer wait to see what she was going to do next. He had to take action and prevent it. The time for it was now.
Kurai was tired from the trek up the mountain. However, the beautiful sight before him, this group of buildings in the midst of mountains, was breathtaking. Still, he didn't have time for leisure. His mind was racing with all sorts of possible ways he could get to Tani.
If he couldn't find her in town... then maybe she would be here. He smiled at the thought.
“Miaka! Goddammit... Miaka!”
Kurai's ears perked up at the sound of a male voice. It seemed to be coming from somewhere higher than him. A roof? He moved closer to where the voice had come from, his eyes searching the roofs the best he could. He sauntered in-between buildings to find the source. This source may know where Tani is. He had to take his chances.
“Miaka, if you're trying to run, that's a bad fucking idea!”
Who's... Miaka?
“And ya damn well know why!”
The sound now seemed to be coming from the building in front of him. He looked up to find a lean man with brightly-colored hair standing with his back to him. The stranger jumped down to the ground before him, which was on the other side of the building where Kurai himself was.
Taking quiet steps around the building, Kurai clicked the safety off of his gun. When he stopped about a foot away, turning a corner so that he could see this orange-haired man clearly, he lifted his weapon. He aimed straight at his chest.
As if sensing him, the man turned around, his eyes showing surprise at the gun aiming at him.
Kurai was amused. So he was one of them, these people in this world who have never seen a gun before. It was entertaining see the people in the town scatter when he fired at that little girl. So much chaos... fear.
Kurai was feared and he loved it.
The man quickly recovered from his initial shock and gave him a hard look. “Who are you?” he asked angrily. His hand reached behind him to grab on to something. A concealed weapon, Kurai supposed.
“Where's Miaka?” the orange-haired man added, his voice rising in volume. “If you fucking hurt her, I'll burn your ass to the ground!”
the mental patient shook his head. This man was getting more furious by the second. He needed to calm down. Kurai himself was, but then again, with his gun, he had the upper hand. Only one bullet left, but it was all he needed if it came down to shooting him.
“You killed Kiku....” he went on, as if in realization.
How noisy.
“You son of a--”
“--bitch!”
A younger Kurai fell to the ground, reeling from the hard backslap his father had given him.
The boy looked up at him, a strong, generous, reliable man to the world, but a frequently drunk abuser to him.
Not even his mother stopped him.
Kurai felt tears welling up in his eyes. Not out of feeling hurt by his father's actions, -- it was something he had grown accustomed to -- but of anger.
His father sneered down at him, his eyes more fiery than he had ever seen them. “Why are you so fucking scared, huh?! You killed your family! If you weren't such a pussy--”
“I-I'm not scared!” Kurai's voice shook, but he said it with certainty, although his words may have not rung true. “I'm not scared of anything!”
His father shook his head. “No, you're a stupid, worthless--”
“I'm not worthless,” Kurai whispered, staring threateningly at the orange-haired man. He had those same fiery eyes his father had. Those same damn eyes...
He pulled the trigger.
All Kouji did the entire day was lay in his bed and mull over the day before. His mind was stuck in the recent past, and all he could here was that odd, dangerously sharp pop echoing throughout the marketplace.
He didn't know what it was that killed his niece. It was a strange, helpless feeling... not knowing how someone he cared about deeply died. The cause of her death was something beyond his comprehension.
However, he knew that Miaka would know. Ever since she suddenly showed up from her world, Kouji noticed that something was off. It wasn't only the fact that the priestess herself was there; he already knew that her appearance meant some sort of danger she had to resolve, but... it felt different this time. Despite his humorous outward attitude, Kouji was pretty intuitive when it came to people.
The more he thought about Miaka's appearance, the more he thought that it was her fault that Kiku died. Although his mind was in a warped state, still reeling from the young girl's death, this conclusion about Miaka had never made more sense to him.
Miaka wasn't supposed to be here in Konan. There was no danger in this world. He could tell by how peaceful everything was. Kouji couldn't understand how she was able to come back. He also didn't know why she brought someone with her.
This person was dangerous, no doubt, and Kouji wouldn't be able to explain his appearance in Konan. He also wasn't supposed to be there. He didn't know if he knew the whole story, only what Genrou had told him. He just knew that the miko freaked out whenever he was mentioned, since she had been running away from him in her world for some reason.
But if it weren't for Miaka... Kiku's untimely death would have never happened.
It's her fault, Kouji thought confidently. He squeezed his hands together in a fist. That.... that bitch! He didn't want to do anything too horrible to her, since Genrou was in love with her and he couldn't hurt his best friend like that, but he wanted to get rid of her somehow.
Maybe I could make her go back to her world, he thought, trying to think of a plan. If she goes back, then that asshole would go back too... It would prevent anymore fucking unnecessary deaths.
It wasn't enough to make Kouji feel completely better, since it wouldn't bring Kiku back, but still, he felt like it was something he needed to do.
The dark-haired bandit sat up for the first time that day and started the trek to Miaka's room.
Upon the loud sound of the bullet firing, Tasuki instinctively dodged, not knowing what else to do with a weapon like his opponent's. To his chagrin, he wasn't fast enough. The bullet hit his left upper arm cleanly. An unfamiliar pain jolted the orange-haired bandit's body as he cried out through gritted teeth. What the hell is this?! was what he couldn't stop wondering in his head, but without hesitation and without a second to spare, he grabbed his tessen like he had so many times before.
“Rekka shinen!”
A rolling cloud of flames came barreling out of Tasuki's fan, the fire barely missing the building they were standing in front of.
Momentarily stunned, the gunman before him froze, probably as confused about his attack as Tasuki had been about the shot. He then backed up until he was around the corner, where it looked like he began to sprint in-between the other buildings. If he had stayed a second longer, he would have been fried.
When the flames had faded away, Tasuki re-sheathed his tessen and held his hand over his wound carefully to stop the bleeding. After a second's pause, he began to race after the killer.
Chichiri felt stupid.
As he came to check up on Miaka, since she had told him that she wasn't feeling well, he noticed that her door was open. At first, he thought that maybe she was feeling better and was out and about in the headquarters, but when he stepped foot into her room, he discovered that her window was open. Some of her things were missing, and it was then the seishi put two and two together.
He should have known something was off about Miaka. He should have seen through her lies.
Naturally protective about his priestess, Chichiri was ready to run out the door and look for Miaka, but before he could do anything, the sound of footsteps reached his ears. He craned his head to see who had arrived. It was Kouji standing in the doorway, looking, for some reason, determined.
“Oi, Chichiri,” the bandit greeted. He skimmed the room and cursed under his breath. “Where is she?”
Chichiri raised an eyebrow. Why would Kouji be looking for Miaka? Remembering how the indigo-haired man acted toward Miaka the day before, he pursed his lips together, wondering what he was thinking. Instead of inquiring about it, though, he chose to act clueless. “I don't know, no da.”
“Maybe Tasuki knows,” Kouji reasoned, folding his hands behind his head. “Shit, maybe she's with him now.”
Chichiri shook his head, now facing Kouji fully. “From what I gathered here, it looks like Miaka-chan left... or is trying to leave the headquarters, no da.”
“Rekka shinen!”
Both startled at the familiar cry, Chichiri and Kouji rushed to the window. The lower roof was blocking their view, so they had no choice but to climb out of it like Tasuki and Miaka had done before. Chichiri was the first to emerge outside. The seishi noticed remnants of Tasuki's flames near the edge before they disappeared.
What was going on?
With Kouji silently following behind him, Chichiri gracefully hopped off the edge, landing on the ground with ease. He did so just in time to see Tasuki turn the corner of the building and out of sight.
“Tasuki!” Chichiri called confusedly. He started going after the bandit leader.
“The hell?! What the fuck's he doin'?!” Kouji wondered out loud. “Oi! Genrou!”
After running for about fifteen minutes, the pair stopped somewhere in the middle of the complex of buildings, noticing a person slumped against a wall, breathing hard and holding his bleeding upper arm with his blood-stained hand.
“Genrou!” Kouji exclaimed worriedly. He rushed to his friend and kneeled down next to him. “What happened to ya?!”
Tasuki only shook his head, his expression showing pain and frustration. The anger in his eyes looked like they could burn the ground in front of him.
Chichiri crouched by Tasuki's other side and forced the hand off his arm. He held a gasp when he saw the circular wound there. And if he remembered correctly, it was the same kind of injury Kiku had sported. “Tasuki,” he began in a low tone. “It was... him, wasn't it, no da?”
“Him?” Kouji repeated unsurely. He glanced from one celestial warrior to the other.
Chichiri nodded. “Sou. Look at the wound on Tasuki's arm, no da. It should look familiar to you.”
The dark-haired man's eyes slowly fell onto his best friend's arm. His face grew hard. “Kiku's killer....”
Tasuki finally spoke up, his voice a little weak. “Tried to get him, but I couldn't catch up.” He sighed in an annoyed manner. “And that... gun or whatever Miaka called it... the thing that came outta that hurts like hell.”
“Da, we need to get you inside,” Chichiri said urgently. “We need to take care of that, no da.” He and Kouji helped Tasuki up and began to lead him back into the headquarters, the injured seishi's arms around each of their shoulders.
“Miaka...” Tasuki murmured. The monk frowned as he saw the bandit's eyes soften a little. “She ran away.”
“We'll find her Tasuki, no da,” he reassured him. “I'm a seishi, too... I don't want to wait around when our miko could possibly be in danger. But we can't have you die in the process, can we, no da?”
Tasuki didn't seem to register his words fully, but still replied with an agreeing “Aa.”
Chichiri offered a small smile in his direction. “Ii na no da!” He shot a glimpse at Kouji, who had been quiet the entire time. He didn't like the look on the dark-haired bandit's face. There was a clear sadness tracing the usual laid-backness he usually had, but somehow, there was also something almost... calculating about it as well. And he wanted to see Miaka? he recalled in his mind. Does he still hold a grudge against her?
“Oi, what ya starin' at me for?” Kouji snapped lightly at Chichiri. He smirked. “Like what you see?”
It would be moronic on his part to blame our miko, the monk continued in his head. “Just wondering how you're doing, no da,” he told Kouji. It wasn't a total lie, he was wondering how the bandit was doing. It's just that he wasn't referring to Kiku like Chichiri hoped he would think.
Tasuki slowly turned his eyes toward Chichiri, not bothering to turn his head. He was able to tell by his voice when he had something up his sleeve. He didn't say anything, though.
Kouji sighed as his expression fell a little. He avoided eye contact by facing front. “It's tough.”
“Da... thought so,” Chichiri replied lightly. “I just wanted to make sure you weren't... losing yourself over this, no da. Do you know what I mean?”
The three of them entered through some doors in the headquarters, the one that led to a small infirmary. As the door shut behind them, Kouji replied with, “Of course.”
If it was sincere or not, Chichiri couldn't tell. There were bigger things for them to worry about, anyway.
“It's... hard to believe you're here,” Empress Houki uttered quietly, blinking at Miaka's presence.
Miaka had planned on staying at a cheap inn, but instead, went straight to the palace, hoping for a word with the woman before her. It was probably safer there than any old place in town, anyway.
At first, the guards were not very willing to let her in. But it was until Houki passed by and recognized her. The priestess gained entrance immediately after that.
“I'm really sorry to intrude like this,” Miaka explained nervously, staring at the ground, “but I had nowhere to go.”
“Please don't take this the wrong way, Miko-sama,” the violet-haired woman spoke up, “but what happened to your seishi? I recall you having one living in the mountains... do you not have contact with him?”
Miaka's heart beat against her chest painfully. “.... No. I don't know where he is.” She felt bad about lying to Houki, but she didn't want to have any reason to go back.
Houki frowned. “Well, that's a shame.” She sighed. “Well, I'll bring my son here so you may talk to him.”
The brunette raised an eyebrow. She could only imagine that Boushin being a little kid. What would she be able to talk to him about? But then again, she remembered how the time lapse between this world and hers differed. She shouldn't have been surprised that the Boushin she would be seeing would probably be a lot older and possibly wise beyond his years.
“You're free to stay here, of course,” Houki continued. “You're the legendary miko and a dear person to my late husband.” She smiled warmly. “Don't be afraid to make the palace your home.”
Miaka smiled fondly back at her, remembering a vain, but unbelievably caring man who sacrificed his life for the sake of Suzaku. Hotohori... “Hai.” She bowed deeply. “Thank you so much.”
The empress nodded. “You're always welcome.” She then turned to a nearby servant. “Please fetch my son from his quarters.”
The servant bowed and obediently left.
“Miko-sama,” Houki muttered softly. Her smile faltered as her facial expression turned serious. “You look... troubled. And I know from the legend of Suzaku... you only appear when there is danger. As the mother of the ruler, I must know if there is anything I should be aware of.”
“Okaa-san?”
The two of them turned toward the direction of the voice. A boy, looking no more than around ten years old and dressed in regal clothing, set foot into the throne room with the servant from before walking in after him.
“Boushin,” Houki greeted. She gestured toward Miaka. “This is... the legendary priestess I told you about before. Miaka.”
Boushin gave her a short nod of greeting and grinned. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Miko-sama. Ano... I assume there is something going on if Okaa-san called me here.” He glanced at his mother.
Miaka smiled sadly at the two of them. It was time to begin telling them her ugly story.
Sorry if my writing style has changed for the worst. It's been a while since I've been back in the fanfic scene. I did my best, though! Thanks for reading.
One more thing... there will be only two chapters left of this story (I think).