Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ New Paths ❯ Chapter 1

~New Paths~

Chapter 1:

Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The apartment was unusually quiet, so one could assume that no one lived there, or that it was merely unoccupied for the moment. The lights that usually lit up the room was off, as if it was to mourn over the loss of a loved one, or for one to cherish the darkness for the soundless peace it brought. Some passerbys on the street glanced up at the apartment room, contemplating on why tonight, of all nights, the lights were off, and the cheerfulness that normally shone from the windows had disappeared. It seemed that no one lived there, that it was deserted and ready for the room to be demolished.

 

Strangely, it was not empty.

 

The soft, heart-breaking sound of crying could be heard only in the room. Strands of her wavy, brown hair hid her face from view, and her bangs refused to reveal the brown eyes which usually shone brightly every time she heard that name....Tamahome.

 

But not tonight.

 

What had happened? Why had the Suzaku no Miko's good-natured expression disappeared, only to be replaced by a troubled and sorrowful countenance?

 

The phone rang, interrupting the silver tears that continuously ran down Miaka's face. Her eyes widened, and she ran to the phone, practically snatching it from where it sat on the table. In a breathless attempt to calm herself down and steady her voice, she answered the phone. "..H-Hello? Taka?"

 

A male voice could be heard on the phone. "No, it's Keisuke. Hey....Miaka. I thought that..." He trailed off, not knowing what to say.

 

The priestess tried to keep her voice unwavering, but her eyes held a worried look. "I'm fine, Keisuke. How is...how is Taka? He'll be alright, won't he?"

 

A brief silence settled between the two siblings, saying all that needed to be said. Finally, he spoke up. "..Miaka...Taka didn't make it. He's...gone.."

 

A heart-wrenching sob filled the fear-instilled silence in the apartment, as the young woman slumped to the floor, holding the phone to her heart, as if it would make the pain go away...as if it would make Taka come back...

 

~*~*~*~Flashback~*~*~*~

 

"Hey...what's wrong Taka?" Wide, doe-brown eyes looked into violet eyes with worry. Taka was acting strangely today, and he seemed a bit more secretive than usual.

 

The tall, lean man looked into the round, innocent-looking orbs, flashing a small smile. She was worried over him. That gave him a surge of pride, although he was guilty at the thought of making her worry. He stopped walking, and she did also. He cupped Miaka's face with his hand gently, tilting it up so she looked at him directly. Planting a warm, soft kiss on her cheek, Taka tousled Miaka's hair as if she were a kid. "Nothing's wrong, but I do have a confession to make Miaka..."

 

Miaka's heart practically jumped. A confession for what? Did something really happen? Did Taka...? No...she decided against that firmly. He wouldn't cheat on her, he wouldn't say that. They were the couple that fought against the inevitable! They fought against the odds for their undying love. Nothing could separate us now..she thought in the back of her head. Blinking as if it would shake away all of her previous thoughts, she concentrated on Taka alone. "What is it?"

 

Taka's smile grew even wider, and he dropped his hand to search through his jacket pocket. "I wanted to give you something...something you've been waiting for..”

 

Another loud heartbeat. What was he talking about? It couldn't be...

 

A folded paper was produced from his pocket, and he unfolded it, waving it in front of Miaka's face. He smiled at her in a teasing sort of way, running a hand through his hair. “Do you know what this is?”

 

She blinked, looking slightly confused. Two emotions ran though her, one of disappointment and one of curiousity. She had hoped it would be an engagement ring, although she knew that they wouldn't be able to afford it until she finished her education and got a job. But still..she could at least hope. “No..Taka, what is it?” She stood on her tiptoes to try and reach the paper, but the tall man just lifted it farther out of her reach.

Miaka, after several bouts of giggles and failed attempts to snatch the paper from him, decided to just give up. “ ...Well..what does it say?”

 

Taka flipped the paper around, giving her the opportunity to read the writing. It was typed, no doubt, but in a professional, businesslike way. A messy signature was found at the bottom of the document, with the name typed out neatly underneath it. Miaka's expression still remained the same, a cute smile that would melt the hearts of many men, but inside she felt her own heart sink. This...was a business letter, no doubt.

 

She skimmed the letter quickly, which she immediately regretted. She looked up to her true love, her only love, with the same countenance on her face. However, her eyes gave away the mixture of feelings that had built up inside of her, confusing her and angering her at the same time.

 

Taka's grin slipped into a look of worry. “What's...wrong Miaka? I...thought you would like it, my being promoted at work..it means more work, sure, but a better paycheck, and a chance to live in—”

 

The Priestess's smile faltered, thus revealing her true thoughts. “I thought that..we agreed to stay here, in Japan..with Keisuke and Mom and everyone, at least until I completed my education.”

 

Taka hesitated, carefully watching her reaction to the news. What was wrong with going to Europe and living there? As long as they had each other, there was no reason to have any obstacles in their lives, nothing else mattered really, not to him at least. He truly loved Miaka and Miaka only, and he fought for her, both as a former Tamahome and here, trying to support himself and Miaka with his job. Why would she hesistate?

 

Miaka struggled to keep her emotions under control. Anger, sadness, and confusion swirled through her mind and heart, forcing her to stay silent for the moment until she found something to say about this. Why had Taka applied for a job in Europe, out of all the places?! He knew that she couldn't bear to leave her family, her friend Yui, her life in Japan. Besides, even if she didn't mind about those things, why didn't he tell her before hand? Why didn't he consult her about such an important topic; he just jumped right into the decision making without her opinion..

 

Wait..why was she getting angry over what Taka did? Part of Miaka told herself to just go along with what Taka agreed on...she always did anyways right? She loved Taka to her very soul, they were destined to be together, and they battled every situation that was thrown at them to be together. But why hesistate now?

 

Another part of her knew the answer, but was refusing to admit it. Was Taka taking their love for granted? Did he expect her just to drop whatever she had and give her whole self to him, without talking about it first? No, she wasn't that kind of girl, the one who would just abandon everything she had, all her dreams and goals, for the man she loved...

 

Or would she?

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Miaka looked up at her love, her life, and the person who completed her soul. But something held her back, something that made her hesitate in admitting that very fact. Taka was taking their love for granted, and she noticed it. Was it always like this, or did she discover this just recently? She struggled to recall earlier years, when she was a young, innocent girl of fifteen. It was surprising really, it wasn't that long ago, barely three years.

 

But it tugged at her heart, realizing that Tamahome was never like this, he never took their love for granted. If Taka was Tamahome, then they would have gotten married three years ago---

 

Miaka immediately shut that thought out of her mind, her heart sinking in a familiar way once more. She had overlooked that fact, even though it was right in her face.

 

Taka wasn't Tamahome.

 

The priestess sighed inwardly at those thoughts. What had happened? Why was she thinking these things? It wasn't like her to feel like this towards her Taka. What had changed her mind all of a sudden? Was it her who changed? Or was it Taka?

 

So many questions in her mind, none that could be answered for the moment. It made her almost dizzy with fear and perplexity, but she fought to keep that hidden from showing it on her face.

 

Taka looked at Miaka in concern, and it grew when she put on that apologetic smile, trying to cover up her own thoughts. A strong arm shifted to rest on Miaka's shoulder, then the other followed, embracing the former miko in a hug. Taka could feel her stiffen slightly, then relax. He knelt down slightly and held her shoulders, trying to read her mind through her expressive eyes. Brown orbs flickered with anger, confusion, and fear, or at least, that was what he saw. “Miaka…what's troubling you?”

 

The emotions disappeared, replaced by what seemed to be warmth and love. “Nothing love, I was just thinking to myself…that's all…”

 

The grin slipped back onto Taka's face, as he slipped an arm around Miaka's shoulder and whispered in her ear. “Wo a ni…Miaka..”

 

The smile still lingered. “Aishiteru yo…”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The brown haired woman finally cried to the point that no more tears would fall. The silver rivers of tears still left a mark on her face, revealing to the world the inner turmoil that she held back, that she normally refused others to see. She wept, over both Taka and their fate. Wasn't it fate that was supposed to keep them together? Wasn't it destiny for them to be together, loving each other for eternity, even after they got old and died?

 

Apparently, it wasn't to be.

 

A strangled cry of pain escaped her throat as she gripped the phone tighter, holding it against her chest so her brother wouldn't hear the sorrowful mourning. Those depressing thoughts, they pulled her down into an unseen darkness, one of peril and melancholy. She desperately tried to swim towards the light, hoping for a way to escape, a way to get away from the danger and loneliness, a way to get away from the inevitable truth.

 

But quickly, the darkness enveloped her, as she sank into a horrific bottomless pit, dimly aware of the red light that appeared out of nowhere and covered her like a thin yet impressive blanket. It seemed to comfort her, even in this darkest time; this blanket of light protecting her and, to her, attempting to fight off the demons and the sadness that was rapidly sinking into her heart.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Thud. Keisuke's eyes snapped open at the sound, fearing the worst. “Miaka?! Answer me! What was that?!!”

 

No answer.

 

The older brother's eyes widened, and he held the phone tightly. “Miaka?! Please, say something!” When he received no reply, he threw on his jacket, and ran out the hospital doors, leaving the phone hanging from the phone booth.

 

“Kuso!” His normally calm disposition was going haywire at the moment. First Taka, now…. He shook his head, concentrating on getting there before Miaka did something. He remembered reading how she tried to commit suicide when she said goodbye to Tamahome once, when he was under the control of the diedu potion.

 

Keisuke shivered at the thought, not being able to imagine his younger sister trying something like that. She was always cheerful and energetic, with a lively disposition and an optimistic feeling around her. No… he decided. I'll never let her kill herself, no matter what happens.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

An unusual darkness could be seen for miles, although miles could be an exaggeration. Her eyes couldn't pinpoint the edge of the darkness, where it began, and where it ended. It just seemed to go on forever and forever, without stopping, and with an infinite length. A coldness of some sort surrounded her, though it wasn't a physically icy feel, as far as she could tell. It seemed to come from within her, then spread around her, chilling her to the bone.

 

She knew something was wrong.

 

She waited, for a sign, for anything at all. Moments ticked by, seconds turning into minutes, and minutes turning into hours. Time seemed endless at this point, and the darkness just enhanced that feeling.

 

Strong arms unexpectedly lifted Miaka up, embracing her lightly as if she was fragile, yet keeping a firm hold on her. It seemed like the person holding her was afraid of her leaving. She could hear a whispered conversation between two men, whose voices were familiar. One seemed angry and confused, while the other voice appeared to be calm and composed.

 

At this point, she couldn't tell where she was or who the two people were. Something about them triggered a jolt in her mind, but before she could determine what made them so familiar, she felt the person holding her lean over and lay her gently on something soft. It wasn't a bed, at least, not the one in her apartment. Questions puzzled her to no end.

Realizing that she wouldn't get any questions answered, she struggled to open her eyes, wincing at the bright light that suddenly appeared into her vision. Apparently one of the two men knew, because a sound of shuffling resulted in a darker room. How that happened, she didn't know. Perhaps curtains or sliding the door closed, she mused.

 

Opening her eyes, Miaka adjusted to the darkness of the room, which was much easier than becoming accustomed to the light. What she saw next both shocked and overwhelmed her.

 

Tasuki. Chichiri.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Okashi: So...this is my first real anime/manga fanfiction of Fushigi Yuugi on this website..

Tasuki: ..*sweatdrop* ...Ya haven't written any anime fanfics..

Okashi: ...Oh.....*pauses* ...Oh yeah, huh..that's odd..>.>

Chichiri: *appears out of nowhere* DDAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

Tasuki: O.O CRAP!! 'Chiri, ya scared th' hell outta' me!!! >.<

Okashi: ...strangely, Chichiri and Tasuki sound sorta OOC, maybe I haven't been a dedicated Fushigi Yuugi fan as I should have been...

Mitsuake: ....*shakes his head and watches the chaos unfold*

Okashi: ...*eyes gleam* ...Watching all the episodes...buying all the plushies and manga, the keychains and T-shirts, and the cosplaying...Oh the cruelty of not having a job...*waterfall tears* It is preventing me from being a true FY fan...

Tasuki: ...*shuffles away from her*

Okashi: ...Oh well! I just can't wait until I'm finished with this TasukixMiaka fic!

Tasuki: ..*turns a shade of red and mutters something about women being worse than a million Chichiris*

Okashi and Chichiri:...*looks at Tasuki*

Chichiri: We heard that, no da...

Okashi: *eye twitch* Say that again and I'll throw exploding shoes at you.

Tasuki:...o.0..*WHOOSH*

Okashi: ...Oh yeah..Please R&R!! ^_^