Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Night~Mare's Fushigi Yuugi ❯ Another World ( Chapter 3 )

Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play

Chapter 3

Another World

:Or:

Boo.

By:

Night~Mare

With help and lots of insanity from:

Annikia Valentine

Dedicated to:

The Mighty Trumpet Loving Frog

 

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Author's Note: Not so bad eh? ^_^ You ain't seen nothing yet.

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Sharon, Ann, and Amanda were walking down the wide road. They were still a bit startled at what had happened to them. Sharon couldn't believe that this wasn't Fooshigee Loogee. She had been so sure. She wondered if maybe this was still Fooshigee Loogee but in a different setting. Something inside told her that it wasn't.

It was warm, spring weather. Long grasses waved in the slight breeze and birds chirped hidden in the field. The road was dirt and easy to walk on. Where it led to, she couldn't see. She wished she knew where they were and what was going on. After all, one didn't get sucked into a book everyday.

An exciting thought occurred to her. Maybe this was Fooshigee Loogee, but instead of having Miaka, Sharon or one of her friends would take the protector's place. Or even take the place of one of the senshi. It was entirely plausible. After all, this was magic. A smile broke out across her face and her spirits lifted.

She could almost work it out in her head. Ann would obviously take Miaka's place; Ann was just so good. Sure Ann and Miaka weren't exactly alike, but, Ann deserved it. Sharon and Amanda would take two of the senshi's places. Sharon hoped she was the one that represented Venus. Sure the girl was blond and a slight ditz but she had a bishonen boyfriend. Of course that meant that Ann would get Tomoea, but that was okay. Sharon didn't really mind. Sure Tomoea was cute, but she wouldn't wish his attitude on anybody.

The only problem with this reasoning was that…well…they weren't in Egypt. Or any place that resembled Egypt. That little doubt started to play havoc on her mind again. She thought herself around in a circle until she came to the same conclusion. This had to be Fooshigee Loogee.

After a while a little dot appeared on the horizon. Slowly, the dot became a village. By now, Sharon began to see a few scattered huts. They were placed seemingly haphazardly in the field, but when Sharon got a closer look she saw that they were following a large brook.

As they began to enter the village, something caught Sharon's attention. The clothes that the natives were wearing looked like bathrobes. Surely it couldn't be that early in the morning. Could it? She shook her head; it was probably just their native wear. She glanced at a sign hanging above a door. Instead of English it had Chinese kanji on it.

All three girls had stopped and were staring around them. They had no idea that they were receiving equally curious stares, especially Amanda. Sharon lightly poked Ann in the shoulder.

“Uh?” the girl said without looking at her.

“Where are we?” Sharon asked.

“I don't think this is Egypt, Sharon,” Amanda said.

“I know, I know. So where are we?” Sharon asked. Ann finally made eye contact with her friend. The look she had made Sharon blush. It was the, I know you have a brain up there so use it, look.

“Where do you think we are?” she asked in a deadpan voice. Sharon attempted to redeem herself by acting exasperated.

“How should I know?”

“Oh! Oh! I know!” Amanda chirped.

“That's good but this is something for Sharon to figure out. Now, where was that dream set in?”

Sharon's blush grew darker and she mumbled out an answer. Ann didn't take her eyes from the embarrassed girl.

“China.”

“And what language was The Universe of the Four Gods written in?” her voice had grown sugary sweet. Sharon whipped off her glasses and made a show of cleaning them.

“Chinese.”

“What kind of Chinese?”

“Mandarin?”

“Sharon…”

“Ancient Chinese.”

“So where could we possibly be?” Ann clapped a hand to her face in mock worry.

“Well this could be a different world…you don't know…” Sharon started, Ann didn't move an inch. Sharon growled and poked her glasses back on her face.

“Okay, okay…we're in another world representing Ancient China and despite the scene change it's still Fooshigee Loogee and Tomoea is around here somewhere. Happy?”

“You're hopeless,” Ann said, but couldn't hide the smile on her face. Amanda giggled. Sharon grinned proudly and gestured toward the road.

“Shall we continue?” Sharon asked. The others nodded and they set off again. They chatted amiably among themselves for a while. Pointing out things and exclaiming over how cool things were.

Sharon had the slightest twinge of déjà vu. She remembered this part from the dream and shrugged it off. She wasn't about to make the same mistake again regarding a meal. She wasn't that stupid.

Sharon was starving but didn't want to mention it. All her thoughts began to center on food. She began to compare people to vegetables. As the time passed she found fifty carrots, a potato or two and five peas. She started to make a game of it. At being ignored her hunger went away to sulk and appear at another inconvenient time. She was trying to discern if a woman was a string bean or asparagus when Amanda nudged her in the ribs. She jumped a bit and glanced at her friend. Amanda grabbed onto her arm with one hand and pointed with the other.

“Check that guy out,” the fourteen-year-old whispered. Sharon looked in the direction she was pointing and raised her eyebrows. He looked almost like a squash. He'd have to be more yellow though and more squashy. In fact he didn't even look like a squash. There was just something about him that gave out that squashish effect.

“Cute, ne?” Amanda's voice interrupted her thoughts again. Sharon blinked and her cute male vision came back to her. A string of drool tried to seep out her mouth and one thought circulated through her head. ` Cute…cute…cute…cute…'

He had wild blue-black hair tied in a pony tail that hung down his back. His eyes were purple, a very pretty purple. It was then Sharon realized she was staring and he was staring back. His stare however wasn't very friendly. She looked away, another blush splashing across her face. She tried to look disinterested and let her eyes rove over the other people in the small crowd. She noticed four men lurking by a building. They were leering at her and her friends. She didn't trust them. With a small gesture she brought Ann's attention to them. Ann began to walk faster, Sharon falling into step beside her. Amanda was almost left behind until Ann grabbed her arm and dragged her along.

“What's…” the young girl started. Ann cut her off with a look and the three walked faster. Sharon spared a quick look back at the men. They weren't following, but one of them gave her a smile. She didn't like it, it promised things she didn't want.

The three girls pushed through the small crowd. Ann's face was, as always, impassive. Sharon wondered if her friend ever panicked. She was beginning to. She knew that the men were following them. She could feel their eyes boring a hole into the back of her neck. She dug her nails into Ann's arm and whimpered. The fifteen-year-old slapped her away.

“Pull yourself together, Sharon,” she whispered. “Don't you dare make `Manda go into hysterics. If you do we won't have a chance and you know that.”

Sharon tried to calm herself. Instead of mimicking Ann's facial expression she put on one of her own. Forcing a goofy grin to her face, she changed her panicked walk to something more relaxed. Amanda smiled a little, seeming less worried.

They roamed about the village for a while, walking in large circles as they tried to stay in the thinning crowd. It was nearing noon, though, and there were fewer people in the streets. The men were still following them too. Not close enough to cause any alarm with the villagers, but too close for her comfort. Sharon's nerve was beginning to falter. The only people on the streets now were them, the men and a handful of young boys playing a game beside a hut. The boys were quickly ushered inside leaving them alone.

Ann began to walk out of the village in long purposeful strides. Amanda mimicked her. Sharon looked back. The four men had stopped and were conversing. After a minute they began coming toward them. Their faces were shining with greed…and something else.

“Ann…” Sharon said, smile disappearing.

“I know…just keep walking,” the fifteen-year-old said. Sharon looked over her shoulder again. The men had started to gain on them.

“Ann…” her voice cracked and every strand of common sense in her body was screaming for her to run.

“Just keep walking. Don't run…not yet. I have an idea.”

Sharon did what Ann said. Her smile was gone now and she was wringing her hands. Amanda's breathing quickened and she began to tremble. Sharon spared just one more glance at them. They were so close. She began walking faster. One of the men chuckled. Sharon took off.

She left her friends behind and ran ahead aimlessly letting her instinct guide her. The only part of her mind that wasn't panicking poked a reminder into the part that was. This had been in the dream as well. Sort of. She shoved the thought to the back of her head and picked up her speed.

Arms shot around her waist and jerked her back. Sharon stumbled and found herself in a rough hold. She was too scared to struggle. The man grabbed her wrist and began dragging her back the way she had come. She obediently followed his direction. When he stopped she almost cried. Ann was being held back by two men. She was red faced and yelling. The fourth man was holding a weeping Amanda and running a hand up her leg.

Sharon began to scream. She tried to get away from the man holding her. Not to save Amanda, but to run. Run as far as she could so the same thing wouldn't happen to her. The man forced a hand over her mouth silencing her effectively. She tried to break his grip but he was too strong. Sharon knew it was hopeless when she saw another guy. This one was younger then the four middle aged men, but he was still dangerous. He sauntered up to the man who was holding Amanda and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Wait your turn,” the man snapped. A thought penetrated through Sharon's frightened mind. That was the…the guy. The squash guy! Maybe he was there to help them. She crossed her fingers mentally and prayed. The squash guy tapped the man on the shoulder again. “It would be best if you don't annoy me right now.”

“Only cowards wrestle with girls. And y'know…I think she's winning.”

“You wanna say that again, punk?” the man snarled, whirling around to face the squash guy. Their strange rescuer didn't look the least bit intimidated. In fact, he smiled.

“You really expect to hit me?” he asked. The older man scowled and punched at him. The squash guy easily avoided it and kneed the man in the stomach. The man dropped.

“Let's him!” snarled one of the men who was holding onto Ann. Both men let go and charged the squash guy. As soon as Ann was free she ran over to them. Sharon breathed a sigh of relief. Ann would save her somehow. After all, she always had in the past. There was nothing to worry about. The fifteen-year-old brought her fists in front of her face like a boxer. Her hazel eyes were furious.

“Listen buddy, let her go…now,” she snarled.

“What are you going to do, little lady?”

“Ha! Don't try to stall,” Ann said. “You know you can't beat me.” The man laughed.

“What do you intend to do, girlie?”

“Something that has been passed down in my family since time began. The Jeter Secret Technique…don't say I didn't warn you.” The man let Sharon go, stepped around her and was suddenly sent flying by a sudden kick to the jaw. That had not been from Ann. Sharon's mouth dropped and she turned. The squash guy was standing there. He was staring ahead, eyes narrowed. Sharon's eyes widened even more when she saw that his forehead was glowing. Or rather a tattoo or something on his forehead was glowing. Slowly the glow and the symbol faded. Sharon shook her head to clear it and looked again. The symbol was gone.

“Gah?” she said to herself. Then she realized she was staring…again.

“I want to go home, Ann. Can we go home?” Amanda said weakly. Sharon quickly rushed over to her youngest friend, squash guy temporarily forgotten. Amanda was crying. Ann went over to the fourteen-year-old and began to pat her back comfortingly, then looked up at Sharon.

“Are you all right?” she asked. Sharon nodded and dropped her eyes to the ground, suddenly ashamed. Why had she ran? Why couldn't she have listened to Ann? She was such a coward. This was all her fault and she knew it. If it weren't for her maybe Ann's idea, whatever that was, would have worked and they would have been safe. But no, she had to be a moron and run away screaming. Someone cleared their throat. Sharon looked up and noticed the squash guy was standing in front of them.

“Are you girls all right?” he asked. Sharon had to clap her hand over her mouth to keep from giggling. His voice was just so cute! Amanda sniffled and pulled away from Ann. She wiped the tears out of her eyes and smiled at the guy. Her eyes were shining with something else now and Sharon knew she had the same look in hers.

---

Ann rolled her eyes at their reaction. They were so boy crazy. She walked up to their rescuer and held out her hand.

“Thanks. I wish there was some way I could re-pay you,” she said. The guy raised an eyebrow.

“Is there something wrong with them?” he asked, gesturing to the girls. Ann looked over her shoulder and sweatdropped. The two were practically drooling. They acted as if nothing bad had happened at all.

She wished she was like them. Able to bounce back like that. It was all she could do to keep her cool face about her. Inside she was screaming. Being sucked inside the book was enough to shake her up. The men did the rest to almost completely wipe out her rationality. She was so close to flipping out.

She stared at them absentmindedly. Amanda wasn't paying attention to her at all. Her eyes were all for the guy. Sharon met her gaze, smiled and made the peace sign. Ann smiled, as crazy and annoying as they were; they got her nerves back in order. There was just something about the two that made everything seem brighter. Ann turned her attention back to the guy.

“They're fine,” she said. “Just a bit warped.”

“I'll believe that… So, you talked about paying me back. Got any money on you?”

Ann blinked. “Buh?”

“Money, you know. Little metal disks with holes in them? Preferably gold?”

Ann sweatdropped and gave him a deadpan look. That sarcasm was definitely not called for. As he had saved them, though, she decided not to kick him just yet.

“Well I-“

“Isn't a thank you enough for ya?” Sharon interrupted. Ann jumped as the girl popped up by her side. Her fist was clenched and her brown eyes snapping. Ann groaned…why did she always get mad at the wrong time? The squash guy shrugged.

“Gratitude isn't worth much.”

“Oh yeah? Are you saying that Ann's thank yous ain't worth anything? Then maybe you should take mine!” She rolled up her sleeve and drew back her arm. Ann rubbed her temples. This was either going to get dangerous or extremely weird. She almost hoped it was the latter, almost, but she wasn't that desperate.

“Go on,” the guy said. “Hit me.” Sharon growled deep in her throat.

“You keep patronizing me and I just might.”

“Uh-huh. Hit me. I dare you.”

Sharon swung her fist toward his shoulder. She stopped herself before she actually touched him. Ann smiled in amusement. They were having a staring contest now. The guy looked a trifle annoyed but not angry. Ann could tell that her friend wasn't angry anymore. In fact the girl looked a tad scared, but that was okay. Sharon needed all the fear she could get. Maybe it would give her some foresight…after a while. A long while. The guy folded his arms.

“Well?” the guy said. Sharon jumped. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder with her knuckles. Ann could see the guy was starting to smile. “Boo.”

Sharon yelped and ran behind Ann using her as a shield. Amanda came up to Ann's side and stared up at the guy. Then she too ducked behind Ann. Ann laughed to herself. She had to admit one thing; her friends were defiantly unique.

“Sorry I don't have any money,” Ann said.

“I do,” Amanda whispered. Ann held out her hand and Amanda plopped a dime in it.

“All we have is a dime,” Ann said and gave an apologetic shrug.

“Well I have twenty bucks and he ain't getting any of it!” Sharon's voice bounced around Ann's skull. The fifteen-year-old winced.

“Do you mind not shouting in my ear?”

“Oops. Sorries, Anni.”

“Money, huh?” The guy picked the dime out of Ann's hand and turned it over in the light. Then he shot them an annoyed look. “I'm not stupid, okay? This isn't even real silver.” He flicked it back at them.

“If you ever get any real money look me up okay? Remember, you owe me.” He started to walk away.

“We don't owe you nothing!” Sharon snapped, starting to go after him. Ann grabbed her arm and glared at her. Sharon blinked.

“But Anni, he-“ the girl started.

“No,” Ann said.

“But I-“

“No.”

“But we-“

“No.”

“Are you su-“

“Yes.”

“No?” Sharon asked with a frown.

“No,” Ann said, glaring deep into the older girl's eyes. Sharon sighed.

“No…” she finally agreed. Ann sighed with relief. Well that was one problem taken care of. She glanced at their now unconscious attackers. There was no telling how long they would stay that way, and were bound to be pretty angry when they woke up. It definitely would be a good idea to get out of there before that happened.

“Come on, guys,” she said, putting a hand on either of her friends' shoulders and beginning to guide them down the road. “Let's go…find a bus station or something.”

After only half-an-hour of walking, both her friends were a little tired. Ann wasn't so fresh herself. Now they were resting under a small tree. Sharon was leaning against the trunk and staring up through the branches. Ann wondered if she was daydreaming again. She did that a lot. Amanda had picked a `sanitary' spot on the ground and was absently biting a hangnail. Ann pulled off her four inch platforms and wiggled her toes. The shoes looked cool but were murder on her feet. Amanda had taken off her shoes as well and lain them carefully on the ground beside her. Ann glared enviously at Sharon's worn black sneakers. How could the girl get away with wearing something so comfortable? Probably because those were the only pair of shoes she owned.

“The problem is,” Sharon said. Her voice was distracted and slow. When she didn't finish her sentence Ann thought she was talking to herself. That was normal Sharonish behavior.

“What?” Amanda asked.

“The problem is how are we going to get home?” Sharon finally looked down and looked first at Ann, then Amanda. Ann propped her chin on her fist. Now that was something she hadn't thought of.

“Maybe we have to find a matching book here,” Amanda suggested. Sharon waved her hand in dismissal.

“Yah but who cares? I mean we're here, right? Let's enjoy it. I was thinkin' we could go to the capital you know? They gotta have one. Anyway, we go to the capital and get a job as waitresses or something, just to get some money to buy food and junk. Then we can go find squash-boy again…”

“Squash-boy?” Ann asked.

“Yeah, you know, that dude who insulted us.”

“You mean saved us.”

“Yah, yah. Whatever. Pay him then go out and look for Tomoea! He's gotta be around here somewhere.” Ann groaned. Not the Fooshigee Loogee thing again. Suddenly her ears began ringing and the world became red. 

 ***********

 

A red book flips open and the words at the top say…

Tomorrow's Episode: Sou Kishuku

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