Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Kentah Den ❯ Moon Festival ( Chapter 2 )

Kentah Den

Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi-Yuugi, any of its characters, places, or items. All I do own is the village of Kentah, its people, and Kage Nasumi.

Summary: It has been six months since the war between Khonan and Kutou ended. Tasuki and Chichiri travel with each other along the countryside of Khonan and stray near the border between their beloved country and Kutou. Stopping in a village around during the Moon Festival, they have no idea the dangers that surround them. For ever since the war between Khonan and Kutou has ended, Kutou's scattered troops wander the county-side pillaging and burning villages. And the last two seishi have just happened to stop at the next target. . .

Warning: Will contain yaoi between Chichiri and Tasuki later on.

Whoo! New Chapter! You people are sooooo nice! Okay, I decided about the language thing. I'm only gonna use Chinese/Japanese in long sentences and stuff (haven't figured out which yet) if I want things to be secretly. You can thank my wonderful beta reader Twisted Fool!

Twisted Fool: (insert whatever twisted wants to say kay angie?)

Well here are some replies to reiviews:

Twisted Fool: Kay, I will take your advice. Neh, what was IT talking about Sabrion about? That was a REALLY long review. Hontou! Hehe!

Moonraven: WOWOWOWOW! I read your Chichiri/Tasuki and they're awesome! I really like Songs of the Heart. Kawaii *sniff*. Sorry I didn't review, I'll do so as soon as possible. So I'm just gonna use little short phrases we all probably know. And it's okay about the little lecture. It's constructive advice! It helps a lot too ARIGATOU!

Sky Rat: Arigatou! I know how that is. Yeah, it DOES get a little annoying having to scroll up and down for translations. So do you think I can use just little common words? No, it didn't sound too critical. I'm glad you thought the writing was good.

Cheesy Bubbles: Well that's great that you're looking forward to the next chapter cause here it is! I'm glad you think it's cute. Chichiri and Tasuki are just awesome. So is Kage.

Kitsuna Ri: Ohh! Thank you for reviewing! Happy. You like it? Really? Yeah, its my first. I'm excited. It's hard doing Tasuki's bandit talk cause I'm not really sure about how it should be, but I'm trying!

Xellas: Coolio! I read your Chichiri/Tasuki ficcis and they're so cool! Okay, I'm just using little words that people are probably familiar with. More info on that somewhere around here . . .

Marina: Wai! Hiyo! Look, if you want to kill me then you'll really have to catch me. You knew I was going to write this some time. Honestly, I read so much you would think neh? Well I am special. See yah at school kiddo!

Chapter 1: Moon Festival

"Chichiri! Are yah even fucking listenin' ta me?!" Chichiri heard Tasuki yell from behind. They had just come to the edge of the village and the people were now looking up from their work to stare at them.

"Yes I heard you Tasuki no da." said Chichiri giving the villagers an apologetic wave. They looked at him and shrugged before shaking their heads sympathetically. The poor monk; probably struggling to bring the forsaken young lad to enlightenment . . . and obviously not succeeding.

"NOW can we stop?" pouted Tasuki catching up with Chichiri.

Chichiri gave a tired sigh and nodded, before he knew it, Tasuki had dragged him into the nearest bar for a drink. The young man never changed.

* *

Kage cringed inwardly a bit as his mother scolded him further about leaving the work on the farm like that. On and on she ranted about how his older brother had left the family, and how shameful that was, and how they would not stand having another son like that. She was a kindly middle-aged woman, but when worked up had a temper to match father's.

Thankfully he had made sure he had finished all the rest of his chores before coming to his mom so she had no other things to complain about. "Do you understand Kage?" finished Mrs. Nasumi looking rather blustered as she wiped her hands on a dirty apron they now used as a wash towel.

"Yes ma." murmured Kage giving her a polite bow.

"That's my boy. Now next time you do that you're going to be punished justly understand? Winter is coming up soon and we need to get everything put away. Now help me with some cooking, why didn't Suzaku grant me with an older daughter as well?" said Mrs. Nasumi as she bustled around the small kitchen, "Oh, nothing the matter. A son that can do farm-work and house-work is a blessing enough. Unlike that ungrateful little child before him." Kage sweat-dropped as his mother continued muttering to herself about her children as if he weren't even there.

As she poked the slowly kindling wood in the small stone stove with a long iron rod, a small breeze blew into the kitchen. "Ah, that must be your father. Go and help him if he needs anything." said Mrs. Nasumi tucking a wisp of her mahogany hair back behind an ear.

"Kage! Come help me decorate the bar. May the gods bless us well this year." smiled Xiaozhang his arms full of red paper decorated with the man's elaborate calligraphy, "Business should be good tonight. Mother has helped some of the maids make some moon cakes to sell during the festival tonight. Now let's go out and put these up for some festivity."

Kage took half of the pile of papers from his father and ran through the back doors of the family bar, grabbing a hammer and some nails as he passed by; and a meat bun as well, earning a slap from one of the waitresses on his way.

Quickly he began hammering the signs to the door and shutters.

* *

"C'mon Chichiri! Look, there's a bar right over there! Looks pretty good ta me." cheered Tasuki dragging Chichiri along.

"Daaaaaa!!!!" exclaimed Chichiri as Tasuki added an extra burst of speed to his walking and nearly made the monk loose his balance. They passed by a boy with cerulean hair as he nailed a red charm on the door who looked at them in shock.

Chichiri sat on the stool as Tasuki ordered him a bowl of sake and a 'Nurkio Special' for himself. Tasuki better no drink too much. Chichiri wasn't really planning to deal with a hung-over Tasuki tomorrow morning.

"Gees Chichiri. Lighten up. It's almost evening and da festival's pr'bly's start soon enough." grinned Tasuki baring his fangs at the elder seishi.

"It's alright Tasuki no da. I don't drink remember na no da?" said Chichiri, "You can have mine."

"Suit yahself." shrugged Tasuki as he swallowed all of Chichiri's share as the monk walked away to find the owner of the inn/bar to rent a room for the night.

*

Tasuki took the chance of Chichiri's absence to let himself think more clearly. He ordered another bowl and took another fresh swig of sake and savored the sweet liquid (at least to him) as it rushed down his throat. He glanced to make sure he could still see Chichiri. No telling what could happen to the two of them nowadays.

Mmm, what was happening to him? Every time he was next to that seemingly genki monk, words just seemed to stick to the back of his throat. Strange, it never seemed to happen before around everyone else. Everything about the man was capturing his attention. So much that Tasuki had learned how to read him very well mask or no mask. * Hmm, he's just beautiful. * mused Tasuki, he suddenly bolted upright, * Now since when did I think that? I know he's kinda cute and everything when he gets all small and shit. But beautiful? Where the fuck did that come from? *

"Tasuki! Tasuki what are you staring at no da? Don't tell me you're drunk already no da." said Chichiri waving a hand in front of Tasuki's startled face.

"Wha? Oh, nothin' Chichiri, jus wonderin 'bout somethin." muttered Tasuki, trying to cover up a slight blush staining his face, "Come on! Let's go party!"

He got up and began walking towards the door, his mind still jumbled with strange thoughts when Chichiri's voice stopped him, "Umm Tasuki no da?"

"What Chichiri?" asked Tasuki, a grin plastered on his face.

"The door it that way no da. Are you sure you're alright na no da?" inquired Chichiri, a small sweat-drop forming on the back of his head.

Tasuki slapped himself mentally for being so stupid and righted himself. "Yeah I'm fine. So let's go!"

*

Kage quickly finished posting up all of the red scrolls. He wanted to see the two foreigners as soon as possible. To hear what was really going on in the outside world. And fabulous stories about maybe bigger cities of Khonan. Maybe even about the shichi seishi of Suzaku and their battles against Seiryuu's seishi.

The sky was now darkening and varied from a fiery orange, to shades of red, and then to a dark violet-blue. The lanterns that were strung across the streets glowed brightly illuminating the night that was setting in quickly. Food and game stands had been set up everywhere and the villagers had on their best clothes, reserved only for days such as this.

"Kage-san. I've been looking all over for you! Can you please help me?" asked a silvery voice. Kage didn't know how to react when clinging arms clung to his arm and a pair of brown eyes looked up at him adoringly.

"Ehh..Maru.hi." said Kage, a strained smile stretched across his face that clearly stated that he wanted no part in this. But it was either paid no attention to or gone unseen because Maru just squealed and hugged him tightly. Little sisters . . .the way she acted he highly doubted that they were even related.

"I'm busy right now, maybe I'll see you later." said Kage searching the crowds for maybe even some excuse to leave the younger sibling.

"But Kaaaagggeee!" dragged out the seven-year-old, "I want some help with the ring toss! There's a pretty doll that I really want and I know that you're REALLY good. Please?" her lower lip trembled and her eyes watered up giving him a rather pathetic look. Kage sighed.

"Alright, but just that one thing. I'm busy." said Kage letting his sister lead him to the game stand.

Just as she said, there was a fine china doll, delicately painted and glazed over standing on one of the little stands. "It's that one niisan!" pointed out Maru, jumping up and down in excitement, "The one with the pretty red blouse and pants!"

The owner of the stand walked up to Kage, "Just a bit of money for each round." He held out a hand to receive the money. Kage frowned as he dug out a few bronze coins from his pocket and dropped them one by one into the man's hand. In return he received five roughly round wooden rings.

"What's he doing Maru?" asked a boy around her age.

"My niisan's going to win me that pretty doll! My nissan's the best in the whole world . . . when he isn't ordering me around." praised Maru jumping around and making small V-signs.

The little boy stared at her a small sweat-drop forming as he watched her finish her antics with a loud shout of, "GO KAGE!"

Kage felt a furious blush come on his face when around them people began to stare. "Be quiet Maru! Or I won't be able to get the ring around anything at all." muttered Kage putting a hand on his face.

Maru quieted down immediately at the prospect of loosing her china doll and settled down to tugging her small braids nervously as her brother started off.

A few minutes passed and Maru gave a big cheer and took the beautiful china doll from her brother's arms and ran off to show it off to everyone without a word of thank you, unless you counted excited screaming, cheering, and jumping, thanks. But that was enough for Kage, he was used to it.

"Yah see what I mean Chichiri? Sisters, troublesome things neh?" said a rough and accented voice nearby.

"Not really Tasuki no da. It was rather cute though no da." said another.

Kage turned and saw the two foreigners standing at the corner of the stand and watching him. The redhead turned to the monk with an irritated look on his face, "Jus' wait till we stop at my place! Then you'll see what I fucking mean!"

"Your family lives on Mt. Reikaku no da?" asked the monk.

"No! I mean we're gonna stop at MY damn house. Ma made me promise ta visit every now an' then. By threats from my oldest sister. My head still aches from dat fucking clobbering a' logs." said the other man once again.

"Are you sure it's from the logs no da? It might be from you drinking so much no da." asked the monk. He suddenly seemed to notice that someone was staring at them, "Oh, hello, please excuse Tasuki-kun no da. He's just not really fond of women no da."

Kage's mouth dropped. WHAT? Tasuki seemed to notice his lack of words and a look of realization spread across his face and a hand whacked the monk on the back of the head, "CHICHIRI! You coulda made it sound better. You make it fucking sound like I'm inta men!" shouted Tasuki, a blush was visible on his cheeks.

"Itaii no da." said the Chichiri looking up at his companion, a accusing look on the fox-like face.

Tasuki looked at Kage and flashed a fanged smile. Kage smiled back and looked at the pair in amusement and slight confusion as they walked away. For once, the fifteen-year-old boy had nothing to say.

* *

Outside the village, hungry and loathsome eyes watched anxiously. Staring at the merry people and savoring the smell of food. Soon, it would be over for these naive people.

The sound of a crying loon made them alert. It was time. Slowly they started creeping through the trees towards the small unsuspecting village.

* *

Screams filled the air. Kage froze. These weren't screams of excitement or joy. They were exclamations of fear and terror. He looked and saw flames licking hungrily at the walls of a wooden building. People were running past him panic-stricken.

There was the sound of loud whistling and a thud as a flaming arrow buried itself just a few feet from where Kage stood. He stood frozen to the spot until he heard the cries of Maru not too far away. "KAGE! Niisan! Help! Ahh!"

Kage whirled around and started running towards the source. Maru was huddled against a wall, clutching the china doll to her. A man in dirty and bloody armor was standing in front of her with a perverted look on his face. In rage Kage picked up a rock that lay on the ground and chucked it violently at the man. It hit him in the back with a resounding thud. There was a howl of pain and the man turned to glare at him. There was a look of loathing in the man's eyes. "Run Maru! Go! Hurry!" shouted Kage. She nodded and ran off quickly. But the soldier didn't seem to notice.

* *

Chichiri was breathing heavily as he whirled his staff around with one hand to knock out another man, and reached up to guide a ki blast with another. Behind him he could hear Tasuki swearing even worse than the soldiers and 'Rekka Shinen' every one of them that stood in front of him. The villagers were out of the way, now that most of them had run away and hopefully escaped. Now all that was left in this part of the street were them and the soldiers. The blue tassels on their helmets caught Chichiri's eye and brought back memories of people he hoped never to see again.

* But what were Kutou soldiers doing here? The war hand ended months ago! * thought Chichiri.

"We should go now no da. We've held most of them back and all of the people that we were with escaped no da. It would help at least if we move to a different part of the village to help others no da." said Chichiri.

"Heh, you're right. Come on. Let's go and kick some other Kutou asses." smirked Tasuki flaming a path for them through more soldiers.

* *

Kage stared in horror as the soldier drew his sword and leered at him menacingly. "You're gonna pay boy." he growled with that he lunged at Kage.

Realizing he wasn't armed, Kage did the only thing he could do . . . run. He sprinted as fast as he could in the opposite direction of which Maru ran. Ragged panting and swearing told him that the soldier was not too far behind.

Quickly he rounded a corner, hoping to loose his pursuer. He could hear desperate cries of people around him and even more buildings were burning, casting eerie shadows and giving everything an unworldly look.

Then out of nowhere, an arm came out and dragged him into a dark alley . . .

* * * to be continued . . . * * *

Bwahahaha! Cliffy!

Seth: What sort of cliff-hanger is that? A really lame one.

I'm hurt! Hmph, you're no fun. But I have to admit. You can cook up one good batch of torture or angst!

Seth: That's what I'm here for.

Sabrion: *shakes head* I pity the mortal that will have to suffer under your inspirations in this story.

Seth: Wuss!

Chichiri: *blinks* Tasuki is rather clutzy no da.

He WAS thinking about you! Wow, see how much you can affect him?

Okay, a question to all you people! Do you think I should put the reviewer replies in the beginning or at the end? I'm not sure but I think it might help a bit.

Argh! I have a couple of coolio pictures of Kage Nasumi and his older brother! But I don't have a scanner or a webpage to load them onto! NOOOOO! Twisted, do you have a scanner? Or maybe I can do that as my webpage for school and use the school's scanner. Wonder what 'Beasel' will think? Have to be careful with what piccies I bring then. Hehehehe.

Well Ja ne people! -Fire Pendant