Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Gems of Blue ❯ Hematite ( Chapter 7 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Ssinurn Solen 
Lazuli led his group back into Konan. He hoped that perhaps, from what he had been told by the people of Makkan Village, that those after the bounty would be less numerous.
Anime/Manga: Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 10.28.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 172 | Status: Completed
Lazuli led his group back into Konan. He hoped that perhaps, from what he had been told by the people of Makkan Village, that those after the bounty would be less numerous.
Anime/Manga: Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 10.28.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 172 | Status: Completed
Chapter 7: Hematite
Lazuli and Lapis traveled the roads far and wide. It did not matter where they went, men after the bounty dogged their paths.
Lapis cut off her long hair. She and Lazuli both dyed their hair a crude shade of brown.
The ruse helped for a while, but before long , the bounty hunters were hot on their trail again. They could not stay more than a day or two in one place.
Finally, while traveling on the border of Sairo, the time came for the birth of the child. Despite her labor pains, Lapis insisted that they keep going until they found a town.
As they rode their horses into Makkan village, Lazuli called out to the first person they came in contact with. "Hey, you! I need a midwife, quickly! My sister needs a midwife right away."
"You are not going to harm us? We are simple farmers."
"No, no." Lazuli sad trying to catch his breath as he leapt gracefully off of his horse. "I just need a midwife. We will be gone from here as soon as my sister is safe. I promise."
Lapis leaned forward on her saddle and let out a terrible cry of pain. Lazuli went to her and carefully helped her down.
"Oh! I see! A midwife, of course. Right this way."
Two other villagers who saw the scene, rushed to help Lapis to the midwife's house.
Her labor was short once she reached the midwife. She had endured most of it while on the back of the horse.
"You have a son. A healthy boy. Do you have a name for him?"
"Yes, he shall be called, Tsuyomi."
"That is a good name. You will be fine but, you should rest here a few days to gather up your strength."
"I will if I am able. Tell my brother that I have a son."
Lapis, Lazuli and Tsuyomi stayed for several weeks. They thought of leaving earlier, but the rains had beconme unusually heavy. They were amazed that no bounty hunter had come across their path.
"This place is so quiet and peaceful, Aki. " Lazuli said to the young, brown haired man who sat beneath the patio roof to talk with him, " We have never found such a peace in nearly a year of travel."
"It is because the soldiers and mercenaries have left this area. War is brewing in Kutou. Many have gone to join the army there. Their general is apparently paying very good wages for capable men. We here have no wish to be involved in any war."
"I understand. It is good that Lapis has recovered and the child is doing well. We will need to leave soon before we cause you any trouble."
"Be careful. The river is flooding badly this year. You may find yourself pulled under before you know it."
"Help! Someone help us please!" a portly woman yelled as she ran towards the two young men.
"What is the matter , Kirei?"
"It's Kaika! He went to the river to help shore it up and he fell in! He is hanging on to a tree root, but he can't hang on much longer!"
Aki and Lazuli ran to the place where the villagers were shoring up the river. If the river broke through at that spot, it could flood all of their fields, ruining the crops.
Kaika was fighting the current as he tried to pull himself up on the root. Several of the village men were trying to form a human chain in order to try and reach him, but he had been washed out far enough that they could not reach.
Lazuli tied a rope around himself He instructed Aki and the others to work together to hold on. He worked his way slowly along the branches and trunk of the felled tree.
"Hold on, Kaika, I am coming!"
"Hurry! The current! I can't hold on much longer!"
Lazuli reached out and grabbed Kaika by the wrist. "Pull!" He shouted as loudly as he could to the team holding the rope.
As Kaika emerged from the water, Lazuli used his free arm to grab him around his waist. he held on tightly as the roots from the tree started to give way.
"Pull Harder!" Lazuli shouted as he tried to walk back along the trunk as quickly as he could.
After what seemed like an eternity, Lazuli pulled Kaika safely to shore.
"Thank the gods!" Kirei shouted as she went to her son and started treating his wounds.
Lazuli untied the rope from his waist and helped Kirei get Kaika home.
It was nearly another month before the rains slowed down enough for safe travel. During that time Kaika and Lazuli became very good friends.
"When are you two and the baby leaving?"
"In a couple of days, as soon as we get our supplies together."
"I have decided to come with you."
"Kaika, that would not be a good idea. Your father needs help on the farm and your mother needs you too. You can't just leave them like this."
"I have already decided. I can be a farmer when I get back. I want to travel some, maybe find a bride. Besides, you saved my life, I owe it to you to travel with you at least some."
"It's too dangerous. As I have told you before, Lapis has a very high bounty on her head. There are many who want to kill all three of us for that bounty."
"Yes, but you also said that she was forced to steal while she was a slave. That means she is innocent of the crime. Besides if she did have a gem that valuable, you would not have to run so much. You could sell it to someone rich and let them take it to collect the bounty."
"True. I have no idea where or if she actually has the gem."
"I will not let an innocent woman and an innocent baby suffer because the Kutou emperor's pride is wounded. You can not talk me out of it. I am coming with you. There is strength in numbers."
"You are too young."
"Hogwash! I am sixteen. I am less than a year younger than you. I am just as much of a man as you are."
"What are you going to tell your parents?"
"That I am going to travel with you, and that they will see me in a few months. I don't plan on traveling with you forever."
Kirei went into hysterics when Kaika told her what he was planning. JieiKa, Kaika's father, also protested heavily.
"Son, I need you here."
"Father, helping Lazuli and Lapis is not my only goal. You have been nagging me for some time to find a wife. There are no girls of age here. I will return as soon as I find a bride, I promise."
"You promise, you will return as soon as you have found a suitable girl?" Kirei said tearfully.
"Yes mother, I promise. I should not be gone more than a season. I should be back in time for the harvest. Don't worry, you are the best parents any boy could ask for. I can't stay away from here for long."
"Take care of yourself, son."
"I will, father."
Lazuli led his group back into Konan. He hoped that perhaps, from what he had been told by the people of Makkan Village, that those after the bounty would be less numerous.
Lapis managed to purchase some fine thread in order to make lace to sell in the capital. She hoped that acting like normal merchants would make them less likely targets.
It worked for a while, until the thugs that patrolled the markets chased them away for non payment. Lazuli managed to find work among the thugs to pay for their tolls.
When the thugs wanted him to capture girls to sell in the slave markets of Kutou, he refused. He managed to help one girl escape. Her name was Takumi.
Takumi's deep green eyes and long black hair captivated Kaika. She was an orphan eking out a living by begging and carving handcrafts from small pieces of wood she collected from nearby trees. She was no stranger to a fight either. She managed to beat up five of the thugs before she and Lazuli made their escape.
Lazuli was captivated by Takumi. "If she continues to ride with us, I will make her my wife" he thought.
Takumi liked Lazuli, but she was more interested in Kaika. Kaika's soft brown hair, dancing blue eyes, and strong build made her blush every time he looked her direction.
Because of the obvious tension between the two men among her, Lapis insisted that Takumi ride with her on her horse.
One evening, after setting up camp in a nearby wood, Kaika and Takumi walked a short ways away from camp to be alone.
"They are taking too long. The rabbits will get cold before they get back."
"Leave them alone, Lazuli. They have not been gone that long."
"Yes they have."
"Perhaps they found the taro root I need to make Tsuyomi's solid food. He is nearly six months old now. He needs something besides my breast milk."
"Tsuyomi is growing very fast. Perhaps we should head to Mt. Reikaku. I am certain Tessen would like to see the baby. He may seem tough, but he is a real softie around kids. That is why he took me in."
"I am sure he would want me to raise him up to be a good bandit as well."
"Perhaps. What in the hell is taking those two so long?"
"Quit fidgeting. They will be back. If you are so hungry, eat. Then go to your blanket and get some sleep."
"Your motherly instincts are driving me insane, you know that?"
"No, I do not. I know what is going through your head, and you should just drop it and leave them alone."
"I am going to go look for them" Lazuli said as he jumped up quickly.
Lazuli went around and searched among the trees. He found Kaika and Takumi sharing passionate kisses under the moonlight. Lazuli jerked Kaika away from Takumi.
"What in the hell do you think you are doing?!" Lazuli said as he started fighting with Kaika
"Lazuli! Stop it! Please, don't hurt Kaika! Please, Lazuli! I love Kaika!"
Lazuli stopped pummeling Kaika as soon as it hit him what Takumi had said.
"Takumi, you can't be serious! He can't love you as much as I do! I adore you! I would die for you!"
"So would Kaika!"
"He is nothing but a farmer! He will take you back to his farm and destroy your free spirit! Do you want to be nothing but a farmer's wife?"
"So you think I should be your wife and live the life of a criminal? I know what you are, Lazuli and I want no part of that life! I Love Kaika. I have always loved Kaika. If I am to be Kaika's wife, then I will happy to be a farmer's wife!"
Kaika got up while Lazuli was talking. Kaika hit his friend's face, knocking him unconscious.
"Come on, Takumi. Lets go tell Lapis we are leaving in the morning. I will take you back with me to Makkan Village. It is nearing the time for the harvest anyway."
"What about Lazuli?"
"Leave him there. He will wake up in a little while."
Lazuli did not wake until morning. He felt his eye where Kaika had hit him. He did not need a mirror to know he had a black eye.
He made his way back to camp. Lapis was there burping Tsuyomi.
"I wondered what condition you would be in when you got back. I told you to leave them alone."
"Where are Kaika and Takumi?"
"Gone. They left back for Sairo shortly before sun up."
"We have to go after them."
"No, let them be. She never loved you. Accept it."
"It is not that. The roads are dangerous."
"Then go by yourself. I will make my way to Mt. Reikaku. You can catch up."
"What if you are caught by bounty hunters? You could endanger Tsuyomi. "
"I will be fine. It is not that far. I am sure to run into one of the far patrols that Tessen sends out."
"Who goes?" A voice came from the trees above the small trail Lapis followed.
"Just a traveler." Lapis said. Her hood was up so none could recognize her face or hair. She knew it was the mountain bandidts, so she decided to have a little fun.
"Well travelers have to pay the toll. I will take that old nag of a horse as payment." Kouji said as he and a half a dozen other bandits jumped from the trees. They grabbed the reins of the horse and surrounded her quickly.
"Oh please, you wouldn't take a horse from a woman and a little child would you?" Lapis said in a squeaky voice.
"Well we are short on horses this year. There is a war brewing. We need the horse to fight. Women can walk." Kouji said as the men around him chuckled.
"Maybe we should take the toll out in another sort of trade, Kouji" one of the bandits said as he reached over and caressed one of Lapis' legs.
Lapis pulled off her hood as she kicked the bandit in the face. "Kouji did not tell you that you could touch!"
"Lapis!" Stars leapt into Kouji's eyes, "It's alright men, she is one of us. It has been over a year! Where in the hell have you been? And, where in the Hell is Lazuli?"
"Lazuli had some business to take care of. He will be along."
Kouji tried to deny it, even to himself, but the year without Lapis around wore on his nerves. He had to admit that he loved her, despite her sordid past. It was not love like he would have for a lover, it was more hero worship. He admired her strength, despite her hardships. It was like the blue hidden within the blackness of a hematite stone. Only those who looked very close could see the true color.
"Right this way, Lapis. The boss is eager to see that little bandit. Boy or girl?"
"Boy. His name is Tsuyomi."
Lazuli gave chase for an hour when he fell upon a grizzly scene. Kaika and Takumi had been cut to ribbons by swords. A Kutou arrow still stuck out of Takumi's shoulder. Their horse was gone. From the looks of the tracks on the ground, the soldiers took the horse.
"Bastards! They killed them over a half-starved horse! How will I tell Kaika's parents?"
Lazuli carefully buried their bodies and said a prayer. He piled the stones on their graves as his eyes blurred with tears.
"Why do I have to bury every true friend I have ever made? Why did I drive them away, and let them get killed?"
Lazuli urged his horse on. He wanted to go meet his sister, but instinctively, he knew she was safe. He headed for Makkan Village to inform Kaika's parents of his and his bride's death.
Lazuli and Lapis traveled the roads far and wide. It did not matter where they went, men after the bounty dogged their paths.
Lapis cut off her long hair. She and Lazuli both dyed their hair a crude shade of brown.
The ruse helped for a while, but before long , the bounty hunters were hot on their trail again. They could not stay more than a day or two in one place.
Finally, while traveling on the border of Sairo, the time came for the birth of the child. Despite her labor pains, Lapis insisted that they keep going until they found a town.
As they rode their horses into Makkan village, Lazuli called out to the first person they came in contact with. "Hey, you! I need a midwife, quickly! My sister needs a midwife right away."
"You are not going to harm us? We are simple farmers."
"No, no." Lazuli sad trying to catch his breath as he leapt gracefully off of his horse. "I just need a midwife. We will be gone from here as soon as my sister is safe. I promise."
Lapis leaned forward on her saddle and let out a terrible cry of pain. Lazuli went to her and carefully helped her down.
"Oh! I see! A midwife, of course. Right this way."
Two other villagers who saw the scene, rushed to help Lapis to the midwife's house.
Her labor was short once she reached the midwife. She had endured most of it while on the back of the horse.
"You have a son. A healthy boy. Do you have a name for him?"
"Yes, he shall be called, Tsuyomi."
"That is a good name. You will be fine but, you should rest here a few days to gather up your strength."
"I will if I am able. Tell my brother that I have a son."
Lapis, Lazuli and Tsuyomi stayed for several weeks. They thought of leaving earlier, but the rains had beconme unusually heavy. They were amazed that no bounty hunter had come across their path.
"This place is so quiet and peaceful, Aki. " Lazuli said to the young, brown haired man who sat beneath the patio roof to talk with him, " We have never found such a peace in nearly a year of travel."
"It is because the soldiers and mercenaries have left this area. War is brewing in Kutou. Many have gone to join the army there. Their general is apparently paying very good wages for capable men. We here have no wish to be involved in any war."
"I understand. It is good that Lapis has recovered and the child is doing well. We will need to leave soon before we cause you any trouble."
"Be careful. The river is flooding badly this year. You may find yourself pulled under before you know it."
"Help! Someone help us please!" a portly woman yelled as she ran towards the two young men.
"What is the matter , Kirei?"
"It's Kaika! He went to the river to help shore it up and he fell in! He is hanging on to a tree root, but he can't hang on much longer!"
Aki and Lazuli ran to the place where the villagers were shoring up the river. If the river broke through at that spot, it could flood all of their fields, ruining the crops.
Kaika was fighting the current as he tried to pull himself up on the root. Several of the village men were trying to form a human chain in order to try and reach him, but he had been washed out far enough that they could not reach.
Lazuli tied a rope around himself He instructed Aki and the others to work together to hold on. He worked his way slowly along the branches and trunk of the felled tree.
"Hold on, Kaika, I am coming!"
"Hurry! The current! I can't hold on much longer!"
Lazuli reached out and grabbed Kaika by the wrist. "Pull!" He shouted as loudly as he could to the team holding the rope.
As Kaika emerged from the water, Lazuli used his free arm to grab him around his waist. he held on tightly as the roots from the tree started to give way.
"Pull Harder!" Lazuli shouted as he tried to walk back along the trunk as quickly as he could.
After what seemed like an eternity, Lazuli pulled Kaika safely to shore.
"Thank the gods!" Kirei shouted as she went to her son and started treating his wounds.
Lazuli untied the rope from his waist and helped Kirei get Kaika home.
It was nearly another month before the rains slowed down enough for safe travel. During that time Kaika and Lazuli became very good friends.
"When are you two and the baby leaving?"
"In a couple of days, as soon as we get our supplies together."
"I have decided to come with you."
"Kaika, that would not be a good idea. Your father needs help on the farm and your mother needs you too. You can't just leave them like this."
"I have already decided. I can be a farmer when I get back. I want to travel some, maybe find a bride. Besides, you saved my life, I owe it to you to travel with you at least some."
"It's too dangerous. As I have told you before, Lapis has a very high bounty on her head. There are many who want to kill all three of us for that bounty."
"Yes, but you also said that she was forced to steal while she was a slave. That means she is innocent of the crime. Besides if she did have a gem that valuable, you would not have to run so much. You could sell it to someone rich and let them take it to collect the bounty."
"True. I have no idea where or if she actually has the gem."
"I will not let an innocent woman and an innocent baby suffer because the Kutou emperor's pride is wounded. You can not talk me out of it. I am coming with you. There is strength in numbers."
"You are too young."
"Hogwash! I am sixteen. I am less than a year younger than you. I am just as much of a man as you are."
"What are you going to tell your parents?"
"That I am going to travel with you, and that they will see me in a few months. I don't plan on traveling with you forever."
Kirei went into hysterics when Kaika told her what he was planning. JieiKa, Kaika's father, also protested heavily.
"Son, I need you here."
"Father, helping Lazuli and Lapis is not my only goal. You have been nagging me for some time to find a wife. There are no girls of age here. I will return as soon as I find a bride, I promise."
"You promise, you will return as soon as you have found a suitable girl?" Kirei said tearfully.
"Yes mother, I promise. I should not be gone more than a season. I should be back in time for the harvest. Don't worry, you are the best parents any boy could ask for. I can't stay away from here for long."
"Take care of yourself, son."
"I will, father."
Lazuli led his group back into Konan. He hoped that perhaps, from what he had been told by the people of Makkan Village, that those after the bounty would be less numerous.
Lapis managed to purchase some fine thread in order to make lace to sell in the capital. She hoped that acting like normal merchants would make them less likely targets.
It worked for a while, until the thugs that patrolled the markets chased them away for non payment. Lazuli managed to find work among the thugs to pay for their tolls.
When the thugs wanted him to capture girls to sell in the slave markets of Kutou, he refused. He managed to help one girl escape. Her name was Takumi.
Takumi's deep green eyes and long black hair captivated Kaika. She was an orphan eking out a living by begging and carving handcrafts from small pieces of wood she collected from nearby trees. She was no stranger to a fight either. She managed to beat up five of the thugs before she and Lazuli made their escape.
Lazuli was captivated by Takumi. "If she continues to ride with us, I will make her my wife" he thought.
Takumi liked Lazuli, but she was more interested in Kaika. Kaika's soft brown hair, dancing blue eyes, and strong build made her blush every time he looked her direction.
Because of the obvious tension between the two men among her, Lapis insisted that Takumi ride with her on her horse.
One evening, after setting up camp in a nearby wood, Kaika and Takumi walked a short ways away from camp to be alone.
"They are taking too long. The rabbits will get cold before they get back."
"Leave them alone, Lazuli. They have not been gone that long."
"Yes they have."
"Perhaps they found the taro root I need to make Tsuyomi's solid food. He is nearly six months old now. He needs something besides my breast milk."
"Tsuyomi is growing very fast. Perhaps we should head to Mt. Reikaku. I am certain Tessen would like to see the baby. He may seem tough, but he is a real softie around kids. That is why he took me in."
"I am sure he would want me to raise him up to be a good bandit as well."
"Perhaps. What in the hell is taking those two so long?"
"Quit fidgeting. They will be back. If you are so hungry, eat. Then go to your blanket and get some sleep."
"Your motherly instincts are driving me insane, you know that?"
"No, I do not. I know what is going through your head, and you should just drop it and leave them alone."
"I am going to go look for them" Lazuli said as he jumped up quickly.
Lazuli went around and searched among the trees. He found Kaika and Takumi sharing passionate kisses under the moonlight. Lazuli jerked Kaika away from Takumi.
"What in the hell do you think you are doing?!" Lazuli said as he started fighting with Kaika
"Lazuli! Stop it! Please, don't hurt Kaika! Please, Lazuli! I love Kaika!"
Lazuli stopped pummeling Kaika as soon as it hit him what Takumi had said.
"Takumi, you can't be serious! He can't love you as much as I do! I adore you! I would die for you!"
"So would Kaika!"
"He is nothing but a farmer! He will take you back to his farm and destroy your free spirit! Do you want to be nothing but a farmer's wife?"
"So you think I should be your wife and live the life of a criminal? I know what you are, Lazuli and I want no part of that life! I Love Kaika. I have always loved Kaika. If I am to be Kaika's wife, then I will happy to be a farmer's wife!"
Kaika got up while Lazuli was talking. Kaika hit his friend's face, knocking him unconscious.
"Come on, Takumi. Lets go tell Lapis we are leaving in the morning. I will take you back with me to Makkan Village. It is nearing the time for the harvest anyway."
"What about Lazuli?"
"Leave him there. He will wake up in a little while."
Lazuli did not wake until morning. He felt his eye where Kaika had hit him. He did not need a mirror to know he had a black eye.
He made his way back to camp. Lapis was there burping Tsuyomi.
"I wondered what condition you would be in when you got back. I told you to leave them alone."
"Where are Kaika and Takumi?"
"Gone. They left back for Sairo shortly before sun up."
"We have to go after them."
"No, let them be. She never loved you. Accept it."
"It is not that. The roads are dangerous."
"Then go by yourself. I will make my way to Mt. Reikaku. You can catch up."
"What if you are caught by bounty hunters? You could endanger Tsuyomi. "
"I will be fine. It is not that far. I am sure to run into one of the far patrols that Tessen sends out."
"Who goes?" A voice came from the trees above the small trail Lapis followed.
"Just a traveler." Lapis said. Her hood was up so none could recognize her face or hair. She knew it was the mountain bandidts, so she decided to have a little fun.
"Well travelers have to pay the toll. I will take that old nag of a horse as payment." Kouji said as he and a half a dozen other bandits jumped from the trees. They grabbed the reins of the horse and surrounded her quickly.
"Oh please, you wouldn't take a horse from a woman and a little child would you?" Lapis said in a squeaky voice.
"Well we are short on horses this year. There is a war brewing. We need the horse to fight. Women can walk." Kouji said as the men around him chuckled.
"Maybe we should take the toll out in another sort of trade, Kouji" one of the bandits said as he reached over and caressed one of Lapis' legs.
Lapis pulled off her hood as she kicked the bandit in the face. "Kouji did not tell you that you could touch!"
"Lapis!" Stars leapt into Kouji's eyes, "It's alright men, she is one of us. It has been over a year! Where in the hell have you been? And, where in the Hell is Lazuli?"
"Lazuli had some business to take care of. He will be along."
Kouji tried to deny it, even to himself, but the year without Lapis around wore on his nerves. He had to admit that he loved her, despite her sordid past. It was not love like he would have for a lover, it was more hero worship. He admired her strength, despite her hardships. It was like the blue hidden within the blackness of a hematite stone. Only those who looked very close could see the true color.
"Right this way, Lapis. The boss is eager to see that little bandit. Boy or girl?"
"Boy. His name is Tsuyomi."
Lazuli gave chase for an hour when he fell upon a grizzly scene. Kaika and Takumi had been cut to ribbons by swords. A Kutou arrow still stuck out of Takumi's shoulder. Their horse was gone. From the looks of the tracks on the ground, the soldiers took the horse.
"Bastards! They killed them over a half-starved horse! How will I tell Kaika's parents?"
Lazuli carefully buried their bodies and said a prayer. He piled the stones on their graves as his eyes blurred with tears.
"Why do I have to bury every true friend I have ever made? Why did I drive them away, and let them get killed?"
Lazuli urged his horse on. He wanted to go meet his sister, but instinctively, he knew she was safe. He headed for Makkan Village to inform Kaika's parents of his and his bride's death.