Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Fever Dreams ❯ Comfort ( Chapter 2 )

A few days later, Chichiri had recovered, and was eating and drinking normally. Tasuki had been so relieved to see the monk feeling better. Chichiri had apologized many times afterwards, but Tasuki pushed it aside. He was just glad Chichiri was better. Chichiri soon cheered up, but Tasuki had some questions. He confronted him, asking what had driven Chichiri out in the rain. Chichiri winced. Tasuki waited.

" Well…it's just…"

Tasuki listened patiently, not rushing the monk. Chichiri sighed." My past Tasuki…"

Tasuki didn't understand.

" Yeah?"

Chichiri went quiet. He felt his chest tighten.

" It's not important Tasuki…don't worry about it…" he went to put his mask on, which infuriated Tasuki. He walked up and tore the crutch off Chichiri's face. Chichiri had a look of pure shock on his face. Tasuki furrowed his brow angrily.

" Don't think you can just push me away Chiri, and say it's alright….cause I know it's not! Then you'll go off and wear that damn mask! You hide you're feelings from everyone, and everything. You can't keep it locked up in there forever…it'll tear you apart…" his voice lowered, and calmed. He looked down, still holding the mask. " …And I don't want to see that happen to ya Chiri…"

Chichiri felt very vulnerable without his mask. He couldn't hide his feelings now. He turned away from the bandit. Tasuki looked back up to him.

"Talk to me Chiri…yer my best friend…you can talk with me about anything…"

" I don't want to Tasuki…"

" Was it that bad?" he didn't just realize what he just said until it was too late. Chichiri tensed, and whirled around. His eye flared angrily.

" Yes it is Tasuki! I don't want to talk about it!"

Tasuki, shocked at his friends reaction, went on the defensive.

" Feh! Well fine! Wha'd ya do?! Kill someone?!"

Chichiri twitched.

"…Do you really want to know?" he walked up to Tasuki, looking straight in the eyes. Tasuki winced.

" Chiri…"

Chichiri's eye watered and he clenched his fists.

" I didn't just kill someone…I killed everyone!! My friends, and my family, along with the village!"

Tasuki backed up, and gave the insecure monk room to breathe.

" Chiri…Gomen ne…I shouldn't have asked…"

Chichiri didn't reply, just looked away. He turned to walk away, when Tasuki spoke up.

" Want to talk about it?" his voice was soft and understanding. Chichiri paused.

" I…don't know."

Tasuki walked up, and gently shifted his friend against the near wall. Chichiri looked at the ground.

" Chichiri?"

" I…don't-" he couldn't speak. Tasuki noticed, and squeezed the monk's shoulders.

" I'm here if you want to…"

" No."

" I just want to help…"

" Tasuki…let me go."

" Talk to me."

" Let-me. Go."

Tasuki didn't.

" Tasuki…" Tasuki recognized a threatening voice anywhere, and knew Chichiri wasn't bluffing.

" Please let me help…I just-" before he could say more, he was shifted and slammed against the wall. Tasuki shook his head.

" Chiri!-" he was shocked. Chichiri had just attacked him. Tasuki stood. "Chiri…why'd ya do that? That's not like you…"

" Just leave me alone…Onegai."

" Not until you talk to me…I'll help ya I swear!"

" I don't want to…"

" Then I ain't stopping'!" he walked up to Chichiri again. Chichiri was a bit surprised, but quickly took a hold of himself. He cast a barrier around himself. Tasuki gritted his teeth and walked into it. It repelled him, but Tasuki fought. Chichiri was shocked.

" Tasuki!"

" Will ya talk?"

" Tasuki please-" Tasuki smiled. "Tasuki! I'll destroy you!"

" Heh, you won't let that happen…"

Chichiri knew it was true. Tasuki began to get tired. "Let's talk…please?"

" Are you really that determined?" Tasuki's smiled answered his question.

Chichiri smiled a bit, and released the barrier. Tasuki stumbled, not having the barrier to lean against. Chichiri caught his friend quickly and steadied him. Tasuki smiled.

" You takin' me up on my offer?"

" Alright Tasuki…" he sighed. Tasuki nodded. " Nine years ago, I had two friends I had lived the past eighteen years with…Hikou and Kouran."

" You were mumbling those names while you were sick…"

" Oh…well…Kouran and I were engaged and were to marry soon…but one day she came up to me and told me…"

Tasuki waited. "She told me couldn't marry me anymore."

" Why?" he shut up. Chichiri continued.

" She didn't tell me, so I didn't know….I assumed it was because she fell in love with Hikou. But I had a temper back then, and didn't quite take it well. So that night I went out to get revenge for myself. I…wanted to kill Hikou…I confronted him at the river and managed to stab him…" Tasuki gasped.

" Stabbed him?!"

" Before I could do anything else, Hikou slipped and fell backwards into the raging river. I quickly forgot my anger and grabbed his hand. I held on to him as best I could. He was scared, but I told him I wouldn't let go…but the current was too strong and I couldn't quite pull him up. The next thing I know is Hikou telling me to look out. I turned upstream just as a log strikes me in the face. Out of reflex I let go, and heard Hikou scream. The last thing I saw was my best friend being swept down stream and disappear." he stopped. His shoulders were shaking. Tasuki's heart went out to his friend. "Then it flooded, and my village was destroyed. Nothing, and nobody was left behind…"

Tasuki's stomach tightened in sympathy.

" Chiri…"

Chichiri clenched his teeth.

" And it hurts me…this scare will forever more remind me of that day." he looked away, his eye closed, tears falling. Tasuki shuddered.

" That's terrible…poor guy…nothing left…"

" Chichiri…I had no idea…" Chichiri didn't speak. Tasuki went to Chichiri and pulled him close into an embrace. He couldn't think of anything else to do to comfort his friend. Chichiri tensed, but soon relaxed.

" Tasuki…"

Tasuki soon noticed Chichiri sinking to the ground, and followed, still holding Chichiri.

" Shh…Chiri…just let it out…I'm here…"

Chichiri sank to his knees, and shook, not being able to hold everything in anymore. He allowed himself to be comforted. Held in his friend's arms. He was glad he had someone who understood, and was willing to care for him. He leaned into Tasuki, glad for the support.

Tasuki held the distraught seishi against him, cradling him in his lap. He rubbed Chichiri's back and whispered comforting words in his ear. He began to quietly rock the body in his grasp, hoping to calm his friend. But he knew Chichiri's tears wouldn't end soon. Yet he still stayed, letting his friend cry onto his shirt, and let out his grief and stress. He was glad he could finally help. And he was glad Chichiri respected him enough to let him in…as he held his dear friend and companion to him, he promised himself to always be there for Chichiri…

The next day, Chichiri felt a lot better, now that he had talked about what had been. He also thought had strengthened the strong friendship he had with Tasuki. He was lucky to have such a great friend. And he hoped it would remain that way for a long time…

" Tasuki?"

" Nani Chichiri…?"

"…Arigatou…"

" Heh…no problem…my friend…"