Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Charlotte's Arc ❯ Suzaku, how could you? ( Chapter 7 )

Ohayo! Shadow is writing the last part of her `mirror, mirror' arc. Yay!

 

Disclaimer: Oh, can I have FY for my birthday? It's in June…

 

Notes: Suzaku seishi will probably be a bit different, in appearance and powers…

 

Note: Pairings! Tasuki/Chichiri, Hotohori/Nuriko.

 

Part 1

 

“It's getting dark.” Byakko observed.

 

“Shut up.” Suzaku said. He was in a foul mood, as the mother of `Mitsukake' had accidentally miscarried, and that meant he had to find a replacement.

 

“Touchy, are we?” Seiryu asked. Suzaku growled and flung a plate of meatballs at his fellow seikun.

 

With a bit of chi manipulation, Seiryu adjusted the flight path of the plate so it crashed into Genbu's face.

 

Genbu blinked. “SUZAKU!” He was wondering why his `ally' seikun was throwing food at him. He tried to recall what he had done to Suzaku recently, without much success.

Suzaku noticed that Seiryu's miko was giggling. He debated whether or not to fling a plate at her as well. Noticing the plate of chicken at his elbow (why can't mother remember that I can't eat poultry?), he flung it at the laughing miko.

 

Charlotte waved her fingers and a second plate flew into Genbu's face. This time, the tortoise was not as forgiving.

 

“That's it!” Genbu shouted. “It's war!” He immediately started flinging plates of noodles and fish at the phoenix.

 

Suzaku did a bit of chi manipulation himself, causing one to hit Charlotte and another to hit Seiryu.

 

Both of them glared.

 

Taiitsukun sweatdropped. “Children…” She joined the fray by tossing a handy bowl of foul-tasting bokuyaku broth (How did that get there?) at the snickering tiger god. Byakko winced as soup trickled down his beautiful white hair.

 

“Okay, that's it!” He declared. “Nobody messes up my appearance and gets away with it!”

 

Byakko immediately got involved by throwing pickles at Taiitsukun, who retaliated by throwing Nyan-Nyans.

 

Charlotte ducked a Nyan-Nyan and snatched up a bowl of soup. She managed to hit Suzaku's left wing.

 

Suzaku winced. Getting annoyed, he sent a heat-seeking bolt of fire at her.

 

She ducked behind Seiryu, who got scorched.

 

Seiryu didn't appreciate this turn of events and drenched Suzaku.

 

Byakko and Genbu were hurling drumsticks and broccoli at each other. There wasn't that much enmity between them, but they were too far-gone into the food fight to care about the fact at the moment.

 

Finally, Taiitsukun decided to put a stop to the fighting, as a stray plate of corn smacked her upside the head.

 

“The next one who throws anything will get turned into a Nyan-Nyan!”

 

This impeding and imminent threat quickly shut the quarrelers up.

 

 

Taiitsukun dusted her hands with satisfaction. “Ok, Suzaku, since you started the fight, you are responsible for cleaning up this mess.”

Suzaku groaned.

 

The rest of the brawlers trooped out, laughing, and brushing bits of vegetable and sauce off each other's clothes. Even Genbu had joined in the laughter, quiet as he usually was.

 

Suzaku sighed as he picked up a mop and began to clean the floor very slowly. Taiitsukun tossed him a container full of Lysol and sat back to watch in a soft, comfy pink armchair she conjured up. Several Nyan-Nyans came over with trays of soft drinks and popcorn.

 

“Ah, this is the life.” Taiitsukun sighed, propping her aching, tired feet up on a little black cushion. She leaned back to enjoy the view.

 

“Why is life so hard? Seiryu's got a miko who adores him - can you believe it? And I'm stuck with no seishi yet!”

 

Suzaku continued to mope as he mopped. *Sigh. *

 

“Life is so unfair…”

 

 

Earth, a couple of years later…

 

“Great. I'm lost!” The little flame-haired, nine-year-old kid said. The dark forest was scary! He had gotten separated from his mother and four sisters at their picnic. Now, he was quite irrevocably lost.

 

He looked around warily. It was starting to get dark, and he was scared! Suddenly, he saw glowing yellow eyes around him. He began to panic. * Oh no! I can't die! Dad said that I'm a Suzaku shichiseishi, which means I have to protect the miko! I can't die now! * His seishi symbol, `Yoku', lit up on the side of his arm as he frantically tried to formulate an escape plan.

 

“Here goes nothing.” Tasuki murmured. “LEKKA SHINEN!” Flame billowed forth from his fingers, forming a tiny spiral, which did hit something, as evidenced by the clamorous howl that originated from the bush.

 

However, this was actually not a good thing, since the remaining wolves charged. Tasuki gulped and began running towards the nearest tree. “Help! Somebody help!”

 

Tasuki clambered up into the lowest branches and attempted another Lekka Shinen attack, but this one only made the wolves angrier. They began snapping at his legs, which were just out of their reach.

 

 

“Oh no!” Suzaku said frantically. “You can't die on me, Tasuki!”

 

Seiryu sidled up to the firebird. “Having some problems, I see.” He said, peering into the battered mirror.

 

“What can I do?!” Suzaku demanded as he began to hyperventilate. Seiryu sat back to watch Suzaku freak out. It was actually rather interesting.

 

Genbu ambled in, carrying a cup of sake and a deck of playing cards. “Anyone want to play hearts with me?”

 

“Genbu! Help!” Suzaku said, clamping onto the tortoise's legs. “My seishi is going to die! He's too young to die! I gotta do something!”

 

“Are any of your other seishi close by?” Genbu inquired. Suzaku's eyes lit up.

 

“Chichiri is! I'll send her to save him!” Suzaku quickly dashed to the mirror and began to pull on the seishi threads, to send Chichiri to save Tasuki from almost certain death.

 

 

Tasuki was ready to give up hope when someone suddenly materialized in front of him. He blinked.

 

“Stay back.” The person said, before shouting out an incantation that sent several wolves flying. The rest took off, still howling loudly.

 

Tasuki gaped. “Wow… thanks for saving me.”

 

The person turned around to face him. Just then, the moon came out from behind a cloud, bathing them in silver radiance. Tasuki gasped. It was a girl, a few years older than him. She had light blue hair done up in two little loops, beautiful light brown eyes with silver sparkles in them, and was dressed in a white tunic and pants, with a dark blue shawl covered with little white bubbles thrown over her shoulders. In one hand was a golden staff with little clinking rings on it. But what caught Tasuki's attention was the fact that there was a red symbol glowing on her left forearm.

 

“A symbol… you have one too?” Tasuki asked.

 

“I'm Chichiri.” She said. “How did you get yourself into this mess? I would have expected a Suzaku no shichiseishi to be more mature.”

 

Tasuki blushed. “I got separated from my family, and than it got too dark to see.”

 

“I see.” Chichiri regarded the child in front of her. There were streaks of dirt on his face, but she could see that he looked strong. He was dressed in a dark blue cloak over white trousers and a red shirt. He had longish, flame-colored hair and golden eyes. And he was obviously a Suzaku seishi.

 

“Do you know where they are? I might be able to take you there.” Chichiri said.

 

“Um, they're in a clearing next to the small stream that runs through the forest.” Tasuki said, remembering what had happened earlier in the day before he stormed off after Aidou had teased him yet again.

 

“Okay. Take my hand.” Chichiri said. She lay the shawl down on the ground and then jumped in, dragging Tasuki after her. They materialized in a tree about six yards away from the Kou family encampment.

 

Tasuki stared at Chichiri in admiration. She was so… ethereal and otherworldly. And she was pretty cute too!

“Hey, Shun'u, what are you doing in that tree?” Aidou asked.

 

Tasuki blushed. “Um…”

 

“Oh! I didn't see your little friend there! Hey, mom! Shun'u actually got himself a girlfriend! Maybe we should start the wedding preparations!”

 

Tasuki and Chichiri both blushed simultaneously. “NANI!?”

 

“We just met!” Tasuki said defensively.

 

Tasuki's mom waddled over. “Well, he is a bit young, but we'll see if an engagement can be arranged. Where did you find her, Shun'u?”

 

“In a tree.”

 

“In a tree?” Aidou repeated in disbelief. “Well, they say that the gods work in strange ways. Maybe you two are destined to be.”

 

“I'm too young to get married!” Tasuki said.

 

Chichiri laughed and took his hand. “Why don't we get out of here first?” Tasuki looked relieved. The two disappeared, via another teleportation spell.

 

And that was the beginning of a long friendship.

 

 

“That worked nicely.” Suzaku said in satisfaction. The foundation for their future was now secured and set.

 

“Nice job.” Genbu commented from his sake cup.

 

“Thanks, Genbu. I think I can relax now. Are you up for a game of poker?” Suzaku asked, sitting down next to the tortoise.

 

“Of course! What do you want to bet?”

 

“How about some of the unclaimed seishi powers?”

 

“Okay!” The two soon were occupied with a rousing game of poker.

 

 

Somewhere else in Konan…

 

Ryuuen and her friend Saihitei were lying in the long grass next to the pond in the imperial palace. They were watching the koi swimming around in the pond leisurely. Unbeknownst to most, the two nine-year-olds were actually engaged. Saihitei was the future emperor of Konan, while Ryuuen was Suzaku seishi Nuriko. Nuriko's father was one of the advisors, and the two children had met at a very young age and hit off almost immediately.

 

“Do you think the miko's going to come anytime soon?” Ryuuen asked as she tossed a rock into the pond, startling one of the fish.

 

“I don't think so.” Saihitei replied, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Do you think nine-year olds could do anything to protect her?”

 

“Well, I'm pretty strong.” Ryuuen said defensively as she demonstrated her power by picking Saihitei up.

 

“I know you are, but what about me?” Saihitei asked. “My seishi power isn't visible yet, although I'm a pretty good fencer. But what good is that going to do in a fight against Kutou assassins or something like that?”

 

“I don't know.” Ryuuen confessed. To break the solemn mood, she tossed Saihitei into the pond. He immediately came up, spluttering.

 

“Hey! I could have you jailed for attacking the emperor!”

 

“But you won't.” Ryuuen said, pulling him out. “Besides, I don't like these robes. Now you have an excuse to change.” Saihitei sighed, Ryuuen usually did get the best of him. But she did have a good point.

 

Ryuuen laughed as she dragged him off towards his humongous chambers. “Well? Let's go!”

 

The two children ran through the palace corridors, laughing happily.

 

 

“Game set.” Suzaku said. “Those two will make good rulers from my country, when the time comes.”

 

Seiryu looked up from his magazine. “Are you planning to pair up all your seishi?”

 

“In one way or another, yes.” Suzaku said. “Four males, three females, and a miko. Four sets. Quite good, wouldn't you say?”

 

“I don't do romance.”

 

“Sure…” Genbu taunted. “Was it fun kissing your miko?”

 

“Shut up!” Seiryu threw down his magazine in a huff and stormed off. The two seikun shrugged and resumed their fascinating card game.

 

 

 

“There you go. All done.” Mitsukake said. The fourteen-year-old healer patted the now fully healed puppy on the head.

 

“Thanks!” The girl said. “I was afraid that nobody would be able to help Little White!”

 

“You're welcome.” Mitsukake said pleasantly. Then, he turned to his next patient. “What is it?”

 

 

The Universe of the Four Gods, which had remained dormant for a long time, slowly began to glow a pulsing red.

 

Suzaku began to draw his miko towards him. By the time she appeared, he would be ready and his seishi would be old enough to deploy as protectors. Seiryu's meddlesome miko had already been taken care of, in his own way.

 

To be continued…

 

 

Part 2!

 

Amy stared at the glowing… book in front of her. Normal books did not glow. This was something completely out of the ordinary. And where had that glowing bird come from?

 

Amy sat down and began to read. “This is the tale of the young girl who obtained the power of Suzaku and made all her wishes come true…”

 

“… And as soon as the page is turned, this story will become reality?” She finished several minutes later. “Sounds like some sort of fairy tale, but what can I lose? It's just a story anyways.”

 

With that thought in mind, Amy flipped the book open.

 

Instantly, she was engulfed by a wave of blinding red light and vanished right off the face of the earth.

 

 

 

“YES!” Suzaku cheered. “She's here! My miko is here! Isn't that great? Mom, she's here!”

 

“That's nice.” Taiitsukun said grumpily. “Does this involve any work for me?”

 

“Probably not.” Seiryu remarked, as he took up residence next to the mirror. Where had Charlotte gone? He hadn't seen her for a long time.

 

Genbu hopped in and sat down also. After all, there were only so many times you could play solitaire before you got bored.

 

Byakko heard the commotion and came in to investigate. Seeing what was happening, he sat back to enjoy the show.

 

 

Amy found herself in a desolate wasteland. “Where am I?” Looking around, she confirmed the fact that she was most definitely not in the library.

 

“Okay… this is weird.” She muttered. She would have talked more except that some slavers suddenly appeared.

 

“Check it out!” One of them said. Amy pinched herself to check if it was an exceptionally vivid dream. Alas, it was not.

 

“Look at her! We'll be able to make a killing! Good figure, quiet-looking. Some lord is going to pay a lot for her.”

 

Amy blinked as she was suddenly tossed over one man's shoulder. “Hey! What's going on here?”

 

“Just keep quiet, girl, and we won't hurt you.” One said.

 

Amy finally realized the imminent danger she was in. “HELP!”

 

“Quiet!” One man threatened, shoving a dirty rag into her mouth. Amy spluttered angrily and began to panic. * Oh no! What's going to happen to me? Help! *

 

A pale red light began to surround her.

 

 

“Yeah! Do the miko-glow!” Genbu said. “That works.”

 

“Maybe I'll just summon the nearest seishi.” Suzaku muttered. “Let's see, who's the closest?” He peeked through a smaller mirror. “Aha! Chiriko will do.”

 

“Wait a minute…” Seiryu said suspiciously as he peered through the mirror. “I thought Chiriko was a little kid.”

 

“Ehehehe…” Suzaku said nervously.

 

“Suzaku! You turned my miko into a male?! Again?! I forgave Byakko, because he granted a good seishi power, but I'm going to kill you!”

 

“Apparently.” Byakko said from his perch on the very comfortable white plush couch.

 

“Suzaku! I'm gonna kill you!”

 

“Too late!” Suzaku said gleefully, tugging on a thread and sending Chiriko flying through the air. He landed next to Amy.

 

Amy blinked. Wow! Cute guy! Her mind immediately responded.

 

Charlotte spun around and faced the slavers, as dark red threads started surrounding them. She lifted one arm, and all of the slavers jerked and then were still.

 

Amy immediately got all teary-eyed. “Thank you!” She began babbling her thanks profusely, but Charlotte ignored her.

 

“You are the Suzaku no miko, correct?”

 

“Yeah, I think so…” Amy said, shocked that her tirade had been ignored.

 

“It is not safe to remain out here. I will take you to a more suitable place.” With that, Charlotte picked Amy up and began jumping from rock to rock. Amy clung onto her frantically.

 

Her mind was in overload. *So this is what its like to be miko. Wow, this sure is a weird dream. I've been sucked into a book, attacked by weird guys, and saved by this hunk who wants to take me somewhere safe. How cool is that? *

 

Soon, they reached a cave set into the rock.

 

“This is my home.” Charlotte said with a bow. Amy looked around. It was small, but tastefully decorated. There were pale blue rugs on the floor, a sleeping pad/bed in one corner, a few piles of clothes, a table and a few chairs, a makeshift bookshelf with a few books on it, and some jars of medicine set in an alcove.

 

“Wow…” Amy said. Even though it wasn't fancy, this small room still held its own type of appeal.

 

“Make yourself comfortable. I'll go get us dinner.” Charlotte said. With that, she headed for the entrance. “Oh, and by the way, there's some tea if you want it.”

 

“Thank you.” Amy said. She settled herself down on the rug and began looking around. She had some mint-flavored tea, before she decided to explore a bit.

 

The piles of clothes were just that - piles of clothes, all about the same size. There were both male and female attire, which Amy found very strange, since her rescuer was obviously a male. Next, she checked the medicinal shelves, but she couldn't read the labels, so she left them alone. Amy didn't feel like looking for a hidden doorway or anything like that, so she finally turned her attention to the books.

 

The first two were written in Chinese, so she could only pick out a few phrases. They seemed to be storybooks. The third, however, was written in a mixture of English and Japanese.

 

“Where did this come from?” Amy wondered aloud. She flipped it open to a random page and began reading.

 

Damn Suzaku! He told me that he would be sending me soon, and his tone brooked no refusal. It was either obey or be trapped forever. He gave me partial memory loss, that's what Seiryu told me earlier, after he zapped me with his `holy red light'. Now, I'm stuck with this again, but at least I know how to deal with stuff now. The seishi power is odd though. I can't remember anything besides my quest and people's names, which is awful! But I know one thing. I'm not going to make this easy for him.

Amy blinked. “Weird. This makes no sense whatsoever.” She closed the book and sat down on the floor, trying to figure out what to do. She checked her pockets and discovered that she still had her lunch money, student I.D. card, a mechanical pencil, and a pack of cards. Feeling frustrated, she sat down and began to play solitaire.

 

A while later, Charlotte returned, carrying a pheasant. Amy turned pale.

 

“We're not going to eat that, are we? It's so pretty!”

 

Charlotte sweatdropped. “Yes, we are. Besides, don't you normally eat chicken?”

 

“Well yes, but!”

 

Charlotte shrugged and ignored Amy as she built a fire and spitted the pheasant. Soon, the aroma of roasting fowl filled the air.

 

Amy ended up eating the pheasant anyways. After all, there was nothing else to do…

 

8/14/02 to 10/4/02