Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ New Paths ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

~Chapter 2~

Disclaimer: ….*insert disclaimer here*

 

~*~*~*~*~From previous chapter~*~*~*~*~

 

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.

 

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Tasuki knelt next to her, bewildered and downright confused. Why…is Miaka here? From the corner of his eye, he saw Chichiri slide the door closed, throwing the whole room into a shadowed state. The wolfish grin that usually was apparent on the bandit's face was gone; instead, a grim expression replaced it. What had happened?

 

He noticed the priestess's unusually pale face, and his expression darkened. Did…Tama have anythin' to do with this?

 

His eyes skimmed over the small, delicate figure that lay before him, the scene replaying in his mind.

 

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

 

As he and Chichiri were walking towards the next village, a reddish glow started to become visible above him. He didn't notice at first, for he was too busy arguing with Chichiri, but when the gentle radiance of the light started to spread the warmth on his shoulders, he took notice a bit too late.

 

A petite body fell on him, the weight just enough to knock him down to the ground, but light enough to not cause any damage. The first thing that he noticed, the fragrance, smelled familiar…very familiar to him.

 

A stressmark was visible, but it slowly disappeared, replaced by widened eyes and a mouth left slightly open. “Miaka!”

 

Chichiri appeared next to his side, and Tasuki was sure that he was just as shocked, although the mask concealed any emotion. The monk knelt next to the former bandit, quickly accessing the damage done to Miaka, and to what extent. Finding that she was unhurt, at least physically, he stood up and nodded to Tasuki, signaling him to follow him.

 

Tasuki lifted Miaka into his arms and stood up, following Chichiri to the village. They reached their destination promptly, for they hastened to reach it, but Tasuki slowed the pace slightly as to not hurt Miaka or make her uncomfortable. The two Seishi soon found a place to stay for the moment, the dwelling of the widow of a doctor. The old woman took one look at the three strangers and beckoned them to enter.

 

The younger man gently laid the young girl on the futon, worry clearly evident in his eyes. He turned to the old woman with a questioning look. “Can ya'…check t' make sure everythin's alright?”

 

The old woman smiled, her eyes crinkling from old age, and the wrinkles clearly displayed on her face. “Of course, but I need you two to move to the side for a couple of minutes.” Chichiri nodded, and stepped outside to stay out of the way. Tasuki, although reluctant to leave Miaka's side, stood up and joined Chichiri outside.

 

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

 

The widow was then left to her own thoughts.

 

Almost automatically, she retrieved a bowl of lukewarm water and a cloth, then set it down on the floor next to the unconscious girl. The elder female soaked the soft cloth in the water, then wrung it of excess and laid it on the young woman's forehead. Even after all these years, she knew how to care for a patient, whether it be female or male, bruise or severe cut. A small chuckle escaped her lips as she fondly remembered past years, when her husband was a doctor, and she took care of patients when he was out.

 

Shaking her head, her eyes rested on the pale face that was before her. A sudden curiosity arose, as she gave a second thought to this stranger. “Who is this girl? I have never seen such clothing, even from foreigners who pass through this part of the country. Her clothing, it reveals so much skin, almost a taboo here. Yet…she seems familiar. I have heard of one whom dresses like so.”

 

She looked at the bare wall before her, letting the wall be a canvas for her painting of memories and thoughts. Ideas and arguments ran through her mind. After a few moments, a realization struck her. Could it be…the Priestess of Suzaku? “That's impossible…. It can't be! She's been gone for past a year now…”

 

A small murmuring brought her attention to the girl. The young woman's eyes were shut tightly, with small beads of sweat on her face, and she grasped the blanket with closed fists. “T-Taka…come back…”

 

The old woman laid a hand on the younger one's head, whispering words of comfort. “Shh...you need rest now…”

 

Apparently one of the Suzaku warriors heard, for they quietly came back and sat close to their Priestess. The younger man, the one with the fangs, held a serious, grim look on his face, and the old widow noticed how his eyes skimmed over the young woman. His eyes held worry, anger, sadness…she was amazed how his eyes blazed and gave his innermost feelings and thoughts away.

 

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

 

Tasuki. Chichiri.

 

Miaka struggled to sit up, but she felt fatigued and willingly gave up. The same strong arms as before gently embraced her, then helped her sit up. A masculine, tanned hand was placed just below her shoulders to support her, which the miko was thankful for.

 

“Mi-chan, it's been a while, don't ya' think?” His voice poured over her like honey, warm and smooth.

 

This feeling, of being in a man's arms, reminded the Priestess of Suzaku so much of Tamahome...of Taka…that she started crying.

 

Tasuki was shocked. “Miaka, what's wrong?! What happened to ya?” The concern in his voice did not go unnoticed, which made her cry even more. Tasuki looked confused as to what to do, but his eyes softened and he rubbed her back gently, as if it would comfort her. “Shh…”

 

Chichiri took off his mask, revealing the worried look in his eye as he walked towards Tasuki and Miaka. Being a monk, one of the things he was taught was to not jump to conclusions. However, he couldn't help certain questions run through his mind. Why was Miaka here? What happened to her during her stay in her world? Where was Taka? He recognized the emotional anguish and pain that was clearly written on the Miko's face, only knowing too well of the same emotions that were once on his face. He remembered clearly of his reaction when Hikou drowned; he had lost a friend. Not to mention his love…Kourin…He silently watched Tasuki try to stop Miaka's crying, when it hit him.

 

And suddenly, the blue-haired man wished he didn't know what happened.

 

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

 

Okashi: Sorry for not updating! >.< It's been rather hard with school and everything…but I promise to update again soon! ^^;;

Okashi: Oh, and please leave a review or comment!!