Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Dreams Alter Reality ❯ After The Dreams ( Chapter 5 )

Once again dedicated to Miss KittyLynne. May prosperity and health always be hers.

 

Disclaimer: penpaninu does not claim to own Fushigi Yuugi in any way, nor is getting paid to write this. Does claim to see the mysterious play in life however. Boarding house at the end belongs to Takahashi Rumiko, not myself. Inhabitants unless said otherwise belong solely to her.

 

“Dreams Alter Reality” chapter five

After the dreams

 

Naisen and Sadako wouldn't allow themselves to be caught alone ever since that night they spent together. Naisen was certain his foster parents hadn't known he snuck out, and Sadako's parents hadn't even been in town. The guilt of the age weighed on them saying they had gone too far too fast, and they rode the crest of such guilt with ready ease. They were certain they shouldn't have done what they had.

 

But one day, Naisen finally had had enough, and grabbed Sadako's hand. He pulled her around the corner of their school, as his girlfriend resisted. Sadako yelled loudly and beat against his chest but Naisen ignored her. His old confidant voice of the past murmured words through his lips and Sadako's eyes widened as her heart fluttered with the woman of her other life. Her lips crashed against his and the two young students rode the emotions of each other's touch. Sadako's lips were parted from the force of his kiss when Naisen lifted his head. The edges of his longish hair tickled her red cheeks.

 

“Do you still think it was the wrong thing to do?” he asked in a tone far too husky for his age. Sadako held his cheek and kissed him again.

“I truly don't think so… we've been through far too much to believe that,” she whispered. Naisen's cold eyes brightened and Sadako's heart was glad. They embraced tightly. Hiroshi and Toya walked around the corner and loud exclamations filled the couple's ears.

 

“That's it, get a room already!” Hiroshi threatened. Toya guffawed as Sadako blushed. Naisen only rubbed his neck, but refused to feel embarrassed.

 

“So what are we going to do about all of this?” Sadako asked, taking his hand. Naisen smiled down at her and squeezed her fingers.

“We go on as before. But if you don't want me anymore….” He began. Sadako shook her head.

“I'm not saying that exactly. I love being close to you,” she promised.

 

Naisen chuckled then let the subject lie as their friends joined them. They walked home together. Sadako noticed that Toya, who could not hope to win the affections of her boyfriend, sidled up to Hiroshi a lot. The rumors of his sexual preferences of their last life came to mind and she met his eyes, grinning. Toya only flipped the ends of his long hair and sternly gave her a look to keep quiet. Hiroshi was an outgoing young man who didn't mind a friend's arm across his shoulders, and didn't think anything more of it. Sadako watched the earnest hopeful expression on her comrade's face. He truly wanted and needed someone to open up to and love. She wished him all the luck he could hold, and that Hiroshi could possibly open his mind to the possibility at his side.

Naisen squeezed her hand as if hearing her thoughts and nodded. His blue eyes were sad, reflecting the hope that their friend would give Toya a chance if he chose to confess his heart.

 

* * * *

 

“You sure this is what you want?” Tetsuo's mother asked. The fiery-haired youth looked up from his suitcases and gave an easy grin. Graduation had come and gone in its usual pomp and ceremony and he had applied for the cheaper college in Tokyo. His grades had never been great, but they had never been bad and he was afraid for a moment he would be refused. But Tetsuo's wish had been granted and his parents received his acceptance letter. They had worked out the details between them. To save on money, Tetsuo would live in a boarding house and commute to college, and work a part-time job. His parents would send him money for expenditures if he needed them, and when tuition was due.

Tetsuo spent time working his last days in the town market, where he had worked as a bagger since he was thirteen. It was a small place to live, so many people had come to congratulate him and wish him well on his way. Tetsuo spent the rest of his time saying goodbye to school friends. His old girlfriends seemed to come out of the woodwork, wanting dates or more of him before he left.

One such night found him sprawled on the grass, watching the stars with one such ex. Miyako lay half on his chest, conversing with him. Tetsuo gently caressed her cheek then ran his fingers through her dark hair.

“So you're going away to Tokyo for school. Are you excited?” Miyako asked. Tetsuo grinned. He had always liked Miyako's straightforward attitude, and her clear loyalty. They had stayed friends even though they had broken up and Tetsuo enjoyed seeing her one last time.

“I am. I wanted to go there,” Tetsuo smiled. Miyako took his hand and kissed his fingertips.

“Is there any way I can send you off better?” she asked softly. Tetsuo's eyes glazed and he shifted his legs. The night was perfect, and the opportunity was open. But his heart was resolved.

“Sorry, Miyako. This is fine right now. I'm not looking for anything more,” he said. Miyako nodded, her eyes distant. But she smiled and cuddled against him. Tetsuo ran an affectionate hand through her hair.

“That's my girl,” he complimented her. Miyako laughed against him.

“And here I thought I'd be the last you'd have here,” she teased. Tetsuo rubbed her back and leaned his head back on one muscled arm. The stars above winked at him and his right forearm ached.

“We'll see when I come back to visit,” he offered. His heart wasn't in the suggestion but his friend deserved better. Miyako watched the stars of Suzaku with him, not understanding his fascination with the sparkling constellation.

 

“Why did you want to go to Tokyo anyway?” Miyako asked. Tetsuo shrugged under her, his gaze fixed on the constellations above her dark head.

“The stars told me that is where I need to be…” he murmured. When Miyako chuckled, he knew something strange had come out of his mouth.

“You've been acting so funny lately, Tetsuo-kun! But that's okay, you're always going to be my weird friend,” Miyako teased. Tetsuo grinned uneasily and rubbed her back. Far off across the islands, he knew another's heart ached for him to hold her as he was holding Miyako now.

 

* * * *

 

“Mama? Mama, what are you doing?” Hiroshi asked. Miaka shook her head and looked up at her son. He was so tall and slim, like his father.

“I don't know, I guess I was daydreaming,” she smiled weakly. Hiroshi rubbed her shoulders.

“Mama, you should come inside now. I started up dinner. How was work?” he asked. Miaka took his hand and let him lead her inside. Hiroshi was taller now, he was the man of the house. Miaka felt so badly he had to be a man alone. She squeezed his hand.

“It was fine. Yui-chan talked to me about Mariko and she always asks about you each and every day,” Miaka noted. Hiroshi blushed, and sat his mother down in a chair. Miaka looked up at him as he placed a cup of tea into her palms.

 

“Sadako-chan gave me this herb tea so…just drink it,” Hiroshi said smiling. Miaka smiled and sipped slowly.

“You're going to make a lucky girl very, very happy,” Miaka said. Hiroshi scuffed the toe of his slipper into the kitchen tiles.

Miaka sipped her tea as Hiroshi set the table and thought of the fiery-haired youth in her dreams. He was as slim as a reed and pleasing to look up upon. It brought a flush to her cheeks that she wanted to touch him and explore him. The smoldering looks he gave her in those dreams told her he wanted her as much.

Miaka said a prayer to Suzaku. She had a feeling her plumed bird was making her dream of this young man for a reason. He wanted to heal her broken heart and soothe the pain in her soul. She was so old though. What young college man would want an old woman when they could have any pick of the girls out there? Miaka was certain the same man in her dreams were a manifestation of secret desires for love once more. She was the once Priestess of Suzaku, and she wanted to fulfill Suzaku's will of love and life. It had been Taka's last wish.

Miaka regarded her blue-haired son with love in her gaze. Life she had aplenty, carrying Hiroshi inside her. But life she would have to follow and experience once again. She couldn't stay dead inside when Suzaku wanted her to live.

 

“Mama, I wish Sadako would go out with me instead of Naisen. Is that a bad thing to think?” Hiroshi griped. Miaka chuckled and laid her hand over his.

“Oh, no, it's natural to think things like that, my boy. How you deal with those friends and their relationship together is something to be looked upon. Don't let your jealousy make you do something you'll regret,” Miaka advised. She sadly thought of Tasuki and a night so many years ago, and wished him well wherever he was.

 

In Konan, a blue-haired monk shouldered his staff and continued on his pilgrimage. He carried Tasuki's fan with him as a reminder of his deep friendship with his lost comrade. He was the only Suzaku seishi left, and it weighed deeply upon his heart.

In Japan, a red-haired young man boarded a train to travel to Tokyo and to begin his college semester. He shivered and shook his head suddenly as the lingering presence of another's fervent wish descended upon him and squeezed longingly.

 

“I'm coming, mystery woman. Just wait…” Tetsuo took a last look at the town he had lived all his life and stepped into his future.

In Tokyo, Miaka undressed and welcomed a dream of falling into her companion's arms. He had finally come for her.

 

* * * *

 

Saito and Asakura came out of the grocery store each holding a large paper sack. Mariko skipped between them, and cheered when her father and uncle reached down and swung her by her arms over the curb. She grinned up at the tall mirror men above her and both looked down with identical smiles. Her papa had more lines pulling at the corners of his eyes, so she always knew how to tell them apart. That and when Mama went to embrace Uncle Asakura, he would yelp, whereas her papa would melt into her arms. Mariko giggled as they flipped her off her feet once more.

“Hey, look out!” a tall boy with short cropped hair called. He and his companions almost crashed into the tall twins. Mariko was let down to her feet abruptly and she looked up in confusion as her father and uncle waved the three teenagers on. She wasn't so perceptive as to miss the quick glance the two men exchanged.

“Did you feel that?” Asakura asked. Saito nodded, his expression grim.

“The others have come here some years ago it seems,” he answered.

“What's it mean?” Asakura wanted to know. Saito shook his head,

“I don't know, but we should be alert…”

“What are you talking about, Papa?” Mariko asked, tugging on his pant leg. Saito flashed a brilliant smile to his daughter and reached with one arm to lift her to his shoulder.

“Nothing important, sweetie! Come on, your mama's waiting for us,” Saito whistled. Asakura nodded, keeping quiet. And he turned to watch the three Suzaku seishi reincarnations scamper off down the street.

 

“You really should watch where you're going, Mareshi,” Nana giggled. She flung her long purple hair over her shoulder and watched her friend blush with the attention.

“I was, he just came out of nowhere,” Mareshi replied. He shouldered his school bag and jogged to keep up with the other boy of their group.

Hideaki was tall and slender, and his hair cascaded in dark waves past his shoulders. One would have called him effeminate if they hadn't seen his prowess with a lacrosse stick. Nana watched his slim shoulders beneath his uniform jacket and blushed. Sometimes Hideaki liked to wield that sports tool like a sword and his movements always seemed to cut the air in two.

 

“We can't all be as vigilant,” Hideaki chuckled. Mareshi grumbled and nudged his friend in the shoulder.

“Hey, I'd like to see you walk right into someone!” he complained. Hideaki waited for Nana to reach his side and the three advanced down the busy sidewalk as one unit.

“I could, but you'd know it would be on purpose,” Hideaki said. They passed by a small shrine and dodged around the young assistant. Mitsuko bowed as they passed. He felt an inclination of power surging throughout the three walking auras, and regarded the tall teenagers with a shrewd eye.

 

`Seiryuu above, grant me the wisdom to know be they friend or foe,” the shaven assistant cast a silent prayer. The Dragon god above chuckled lowly in his mind and Mitsuko felt relieved.

“Mitsuko, come inside!” The elder priestess called. Mitsuko glanced above his brows and murmured thanks before setting his broom down and sliding the door open. He went about his duties inside when the door opened once more.

 

“Toya, it's good to see you,” Mitsuko said politely. The tall effeminate boy clasped his slender hands and sighed.

“I need to talk to you about something, Mitsuko…” he said. The monk's assistant knelt on his knees and gestured to his friend to sit with him.

“Is it about your crush on Hiroshi-kun?” he asked cheekily. Toya blushed and tangled his fingers through the ends of his long hair.

 

“In way, yes…”

Mitsuko listened as his friend spilled his guts.

 

* * * *

 

Tetsuo stepped off the train carrying three shoulder bags and his jacket. The rest of his belongings would arrive in a few days and for now he would find his boarding house and the surest route to college during the day. Checking a slip of paper for directions, the young man flagged a cab and made his way to his new home.

Tetsuo leaned his forehead against the window glass and watched the city's lights. Tokyo was a wonder to his small-town eyes, but he wasn't here for the activities. He was here for the college education his parents wanted him to have, and for the woman he knew truly existed here. His young impressionable mind scanned over several slim possibilities of the female variety as the cab chugged along, but he shook his head at each glance.

Tetsuo was certain it wouldn't be just any woman though. `When I know it's her, I”ll know it. Hell, may even be struck by lightning.'

“Sir, we're here.” The cabbie announced as he parked the cab before a series of boarding houses. The one he stopped in front of was old and almost ramshackle. Tetsuo gave his future home an askewed look as he tugged his bags out onto the sidewalk. The cabbie waited to be paid so Tetsuo counted out a few paper bills, including a tip. His father told him to do that, and he didn't want to do otherwise.

“Thank you…”Tetsuo watched the cab take off and looked up at the boarding house. `Maison Ikkoku' heralded the entry way in a sign above the door. Tetsuo sighed.

“Looks a bit shabby. Might as well make the most of it,” he thought. The door opened and a slim woman in her early twenties stepped out. She wore a housedress and apron with a chickadee sewn across the bosom. Her long hair was tied back into a ponytail. Her smile was dazzling and Tetsuo was thunderstruck. Could she be?…

 

“Hello! You must be Shinwa Tetsuo. Welcome to Maison Ikkoku!” the woman held her hand out and Tetsuo bowed over the top of it.

“Yeah that's me! It's a pleasure to meet you…” he mumbled.

“Oh, I'm Godai Kyoko. You can call me Kyoko-san,” she winked. No, she wasn't creating a lightning storm inside his skin. She was beautiful, and pleasant to talk to, but she was not the one. Besides, his woman's name was Miaka! And wasn't that a wedding band on her finger?

 

“Thank you for meeting me, Kyoko-san…” he mumbled, shy. Kyoko smiled and turned to answer as a child called from inside.

“Kyoko, she's asking for you,” A tall man peeked out the entryway grinning shyly. Kyoko's smile was warm for him and Tetsuo noticed he wore the matching wedding band Kyoko bore on her left hand.

“Then can you help Tetsuo bring in his bags? This is my husband, Yusaku,” Kyoko informed, and excused herself. Yusaku shook Tetsuo's hand and helped him inside.

 

“You'll be having my old room I think! Number five upstairs. Number six is empty, but you have a neighbor in number four. He's a bit… odd…” Yusaku warned congenially as he and Tetsuo made their way upstairs. Tetsuo looked down to see the first apartment below. Their door peeped open and a short woman seemed to leer up at him. The door closed just as quickly.

Tetsuo looked up. “I'll be sure to watch out!” he said. Yusaku stopped before the door upstairs with the big four on the glass.

“Well, you're home now. Just remember: whatever brought you to Maison Ikkoku, it will always be your home. I learned this the long and hard way,” Yusaku winked. “If you need anything, we're in the manager's office below.”

 

“Thank you, Yusaku-san… and thank Kyoko-san for me as well.” Tetsuo was nothing if not vigilant. He unpacked and opened the window to the neighborhood's sleepy atmosphere. This was a good house even if it was old. That was when the fiery youth noticed the large crack in the wall.

 

“They have rats the size of cats here?” Tetsuo muttered. He knelt on his hands and knees to peer inside. Dark eyes peered back at him and Tetsuo scuttled back like a crab.

“What the hell!”

The eyes belonged to a creepy looking man with short-cropped hair. His lean body was housed in a house yukata and he leered congenially at the college student.

“So we get a new Godai. How are you doing, young man? My name is Yotsuya…”

 

“Uhm, that's great and all, but could you crawl back the way you came?” Tetsuo muttered. He covered his right forearm when his arm burned through his jacket sleeve. Yotsuya watched him curiously and leaned on his belly, propping himself up on one arm.

“I get the feeling you'll be an interesting neighbor. I'll just help you out if you need it…”

 

End for now

 

Like it, hate it? I decided to do an impromptu crossover and throw in the Maison Ikkoku boarding house and its inhabitants. By this point, the series would be over so Akemi would be living at ChaChaMaru and not Maison, leaving room six empty. Or at least until I get a fictional character to occupy it. Yotsuya obviously stayed as well as Ichinose's family on the first floor. Haruka will be a young child and living with her family in the manager's office.

Review! Review, please please you know you want to…

Penpaninu 3/19/06