Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Circle of Friends ❯ Chapter 1

Circle of Friends

Sei Ayuda

Chiriko has always looked up to Tasuki. What will Tasuki do when it's put to the ultimate test?

"Tasuki-san!!"

A tall bright haired man turned, then smiled, his fangs sticking out faintly.

" Oi! Hey Chiriko-chan!"

The small, brown-haired boy ran up. Under one arm he held his school books, and slung over his shoulder was his book-bag. He smiled, looking up to his other friends.

" Sorry for the wait…"

Another, violet-haired man smiled, rustling the smaller boy's hair.

" No problem! We're still early anyway!"

Tasuki turned, ready to walk down the street.

" Are you guys ready? We still need to get Tama and Hotohori!"

" Hai!" the rest of them answered, and they began walking.

The bell rang. The day was finally over. The five met at the front of the school as they always did, and walk home.

" I hate this school…"

A tall, dark haired man laughed, patting the red-head on the back.

" Do you like any school Tasuki?"

Tasuki growled at his friend.

" Excuse me your royal highness-who gets all A's in all of his classes- show off!"

Hotohori grinned, proud of his title, and smiled. Tamahome smirked.

" You know, if you tried a bit more Tasuki, you could get good grades too. It wouldn't hurt…"

" I could think of something that could Tama!!" he raised his fist.

" Now, now you guys! Don't make me come over there!" Nuriko growled from ahead of them. Both shut up, not wanting to be knocked into the air.

" Have any of you seen Chiriko? He's usually not late…"

Everyone stopped. That was strange…Chiriko was always the first one to meet them on the steps…Tasuki furrowed his brow. Tamahome shrugged.

" Maybe there's a crowd…" he looked at his watch. " We can wait a while."

So they did, but there was no sign of their friend even after twenty minutes. It was then Tasuki decided to go search for him.

" Hey…guys, I'm going to search around the back of the school, if he comes call ne?"

" Okay Tasuki, we'll wait here."

Tasuki nodded, and started walking towards the school gate. He wondered how Chiriko could be late. The boy was always on time. Tasuki rounded the corner of the school into the courtyard. there was nothing, no Chiriko, no noise. The fiery-haired teen was about to turn back around, when he heard something. Voices, coming from around the courtyard. Tauski raised an eyebrow. Who could that be. It couldn't be Chiriko, the voices were much to low. He might as well investigate. He opened the gate and walked into the courtyard, heading towards the corner. As he reached the spot, he began to hear a different voce, a more, high pitched one. Tasuki's mind began to question. That voice sounded a lot like Chiriko. Tasuki frowned and picked up his pace, almost afraid what he'd find around the corner.

But as he did, his thoughts became reality. There were four teenagers. They were maybe a grade below Tasuki, Sophomores. They had gathered around in a circle and were yelling and laughing at something in the middle. From where he was, Tasuki could not see what it was. As he slowly crept closer, he swallowed hard and managed to find an opening in one of the boys legs. He gasped inwardly, as he found was he was looking for. As he suspected, Chiriko was huddled in the middle of the group, on his side, looking a bit afraid. It was obvious he was being picked on. Tasuki growled, getting pissed off that anyone dared to pick on his little friend. He raised his voice, interrupting the circle.

" Hey!"

Everyone turned. The four sophomores gasped and stared at Tasuki. One of them, who Tasuki had suspected the leader, frowned.

" What do you want?"

Tasuki walked closer, and some of the teens looked nervous, as they should. Tasuki had a reputation at the school. He wasn't a bully, but everyone knew he wasn't one to pick a fight with. The teen straightened.

" You must be Tasuki Shun'u. So what are you doing back here? Didn't think you stayed after school."

Tasuki's frown deepened.

" I was waiting for my friend. But it seems you've found him before me. Now Isuggest you get lost."

" You can't mean this little kid can you?"

" Actually yes, and I want to know what you were doing to him!"

" That's none of your business."

" When it involves my friends, it does you no-good punk!"

Chiriko lifted his head from the ground, hearing Tasuki's familiar voice. He smiled a cit, relieved.

" Tasuki-san." A teen, not too far away from the child, growled and kicked him.

" No one gave you permission to speak."

Tasuki's rage was pushed to an all-time high, as Chiriko let out a pained cry and curled into a ball.

" Don't you touch him you ass!" he ran forward and punched the teen, sending him backwards and hitting the ground.

" Hey! You're asking for trouble!" one of the other teens said. Tasuki smirked

" Oh really? What are you going to do about it huh? I could take on all of you and still win!"

" Let's see about that!" all four teens clenched their fists and ran at Tasuki. Tasuki smiled, and got into a position. He ducked easily as a fist came flying at him from the right. Another came barreling from both sides, and Tasuki blocked one in his hand, and countered with a kick to the other. The struck sophomore gasped, as the air was knocked out of him, and he fell back. Tasuki smirked. Obviously these teens didn't know how to fight very well. Tasuki was barely trying.

" We'll get you for that!"

Tasuki sighed, and jumped to the side, as two came running at him. Tasuki punched them both, then kicked back to a third. All of them fell. They all moaned, nursing bruises. Tasuki put his arms down, victorious.

" You shouldn't have messed with me. I went easy on you wimps. I better not see any of you picking on Chiriko again! Do you hear me?" he walked past the defeated teens, and they each moved away as he past. Tasuki walked over to Chiriko, who had sat up, and was rubbing his scratches. Tasuki's gaze softened, and he knelt by the boy.

" Daijobu Chiriko-chan?"

Chiriko nodded, and looked into Tasuki's eyes.

" I am now. Arigatou Tasuki-san!" he smiled, and Tasuki followed, standing, and offering his hand.

" Come, the others are waiting."

Chiriko nodded, and allowed Tasuki help him up. He brushed himself off, and picked up his books.

" Ok, lets go."

When they got to the front of the school again, the others were still waiting. Nuriko turned, and smiled as they walked up.

" There you are Chiriko-chan! Where were you?"

Tasuki frowned a bit.

" Some brats were pickin on him."

Hotohori's eyes widened.

" Are you alright Chiriko?"

" Hai, I'm alright. Tasuki came and helped."

Tamahome sighed. He wondered why Chiriko looked up to Tasuki. He wasn't the best role model, but Tamahome had given up on that subject. He stood from where he was sitting, and slung his backpack back over his shoulder.

" Well, we're glad you're ok Chiriko."

Nuriko and the rest of them nodded, and Chiriko blushed a bit, grateful to his older friends. Tasuki got his backpack and looked to Chiriko.

" I'll walk ya home Chiriko. Incase those punks try to bother you again."

Chiriko blinked.

" O-Okay Tasuki-san!"

" Well, Tasuki, see you tomorrow!"

Tasuki waved them off with an annoyed look, and went off in the other direction with Chiriko.

The next few days Chiriko didn't get bothered at all, and was glad he could get from one class to another without trouble. He got picked on for being in high school at such a young age. Being a boy-genius wasn't easy, and everyone thought you acted better than everyone else. But Chiriko wasn't like that. The boy sighed, as he made his way to his locker. He sometimes hated being who he was. He wished he could fit in more, and be with people his own age.

" Oh well." he said, putting his books in his bag, and shutting the door. But as he went to pick up his bag and leave, it was snatched up from his grip and held out of his reach. Chiriko blinked and looked up, expecting it to be Tasuki or one of the others that had come to say hi. But as he turned around and looked up at the person, he knew at once it was trouble. And just as he was going to say something, a hand pressed against his mouth, and he was dragged off.

Tasuki-san!!!

Tasuki once again, was waiting for his little buddy outside the school, his coat slung over one shoulder. He sighed, the cool breeze blowing his fiery hair softly, the sun creating many different colors. He looked at the school clock.

" He's late again? I hope he's not in trouble again-" he looked a bit worried, and looked to that gate at the side of the school, that had led him to Chiriko the last time. Then Tasuki got a hard jolt down his spine. He froze, his eyes widening slowly. That wasn't a good feeling. Something was wrong. It must be Chiriko. Tasuki swallowed hard, dropping his stuff on the ground and ran to the gate. He flung it open and ran into the courtyard, half expecting it to be hiding his friend, but no one was there this time.

" Chiriko!!" he called, and listened for a response. Nothing. Not good, Tasuki thought, and ran off around the corner. " Chiriko!! Where are ya!!" he called desperately. Where could he be!? The jolt ran down his spine again, stronger, and Tasuki knew he was close. He followed his senses to a door in the back of the school, that led to the basement of the school. Tasuki growled. He must be down there. He ran to the door, and pulled it open roughly, and started running down the stairs. I hope I'm not too late. Chiriko-hang on!

When he hit the end of the stairs, he could faintly hear scuffling noises in the distance, that made Tasuki's blood boil with anger. Whoever was mistreating Chiriko this time wasn't going to get any mercy. This was the last time he was going to tolerate this.

He broke into a run down the small dank hall and clenched his fist as another wave of pain hit him. He's here. Tasuki stopped by the door in the dead back of the basement, and kicked it down. Everything stopped as a very pissed off Tasuki entered, his expression darkening threateningly, as he saw a familiar face in front of him. It was a junior, by the name of Omiji. The Junior had a bad reputation for beating up on people, but Tasuki wondered why it was Chiriko. Tasuki snarled at him.

" What do you think you're doing Omiji!"

The Junior turned.

" Shun'u. I thought you'd come to this boys rescue. My brother tells me you beat him and his friends up not too long ago."

That would explain it. Omiji was the older brother of one of the Sophomores he had taught a lesson to before. Tasuki smirked.

" I had a good reason for what I did. You're punk brother was picking on Chiriko, and I don't stand for that."

Omiji looked to his brother, who was located in the corner of the room, glaring at Chiriko on the floor.

" Is that true bro? Were you asking for trouble? You told me Shun'u here over-powered you, and beat you and your friends up because this brat-" he motioned to Chiriko, " Told him to."

Tasuki's eyes widened in shock, then furry. H glanced to the younger brother with a vengeance.

"Why you little-"

" Yes, Omiji- Shun'u took advantage of us and beat on us. He is just trying to hide it!"

" You shut up you little shit! You're lying!"

Omiji looked back to Tasuki.

" It sounds like you loose Shun'u, you just gave yourself away."

Tasuki clenched his teeth. This was not going his way. It was looking as if he'd have to fight again. Omiji clenched his own fists, and looked at the far wall, where the rest of his small gang were mocking and bothering Chiriko, and jostling him around roughly.

" Hey guys, lets show Shun'u what the consequences are when he beats up on our brothers."

Tasuki swore under his breath. Omiji and his gang were all older brothers of the sophomores. This wasn't good. The other juniors smirked and moved away from Chiriko and walked up beside Omiji.

" I've been curious as to how Shun'u fights, he has quite the reputation."

Tasuki frowned. He definitely wasn't liking this. This had gotten way out of his control. Omiji saw the nervousness in Tasuki, and tugged on his gloves.

" Come now Shun'u, you aren't scared are you?" he mocked, walking up to Tasuki, his followers behind.

Tasuki stood his ground, and took a deep breath.

" No."

" Oh, well that's good." a fist suddenly connecting to Tasuki's stomach, caused the red-head to keel over and gape. He then clenched his teeth and punched Omiji across his open jaw, sending him staggering back. Omiji quickly rebalanced himself and growled, wiping his face. "That does it Shun'u, you've spelled your fate. Lets go guys!" soon, all of them ran at Tasuki, fists clenched, and Tasuki was barely able to get away from them, long enough to get his breath back. He had to use all of his skill to block, counter quick and get out of the way before another strike hit. And before long, he was loosing, outnumbered five to one. Tasuki backed into a corner and wiped his mouth of blood. This wasn't good. They were all too strong to handle at once, and Tasuki was getting tired. He had to find a way to shift the fight to his side. Then he thought of something. And looking to his side, he saw Omiji's brother, leaning up against the wall. Tasuki smirked, and using his swiftness, grabbed the sophomore and placed his arm around the younger boys neck, slightly tightening his grip.

Omiji and his gang stopped, frozen in place. Omiji growled and his eyes blazed.

" You dirty-"

Tasuki interrupted him.

" Look who's talking about dirty fighting. Five against one is hardly fair, now I have the upper hand!"

Omiji shook with anger, and straightened.

" You'd better let him go Shun'u."

" Let Chiriko and me free, and I'll release your pathetic sibling."

" Hey Omiji! Look what we still got!" Omiji turned. One of the other Juniors had Chiriko by the throat, a small pocket knife pressed to the young boy's neck. Tasuki gasped. Chiriko, oh no!

Omiji chuckled and turned back to Tasuki.

" Looks likes the tables have turned yet again Shun'u. you don't want your little friend to get hurt do you?"

" I still have your brother."

" Perhaps, but you won't do anything to him. You don't even have a weapon."

Tasuki growled, frustrated as he was once again in trouble. Now he was in deep shit. Now that he had threatened Omiji's brother, he was really going to get it. Omiji smiled and pointed at his brother. " Now let him go and maybe we'll you go."

Tasuki didn't know what to do. He didn't want to risk Chiriko's life. He sighed roughly, in defeat, and shoved the sophomore at Omiji, who smirked and crossed his arms.

" I knew you'd warm up to me. Now I'd like to see you cooperate. We won't hurt your little buddy, if you take your punishment without trouble."

Tasuki stared down to the floor, knowing he was screwed. Omiji nodded to his friends and they slowly smiled and advanced on the fiery-haired teen.