Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Night~Mare's Fushigi Yuugi ❯ Sou Kishuku ( Chapter 4 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play

Chapter 4

Sou Kishuku

:Or:

Hey! He started it!

By:

Night~Mare

With help and lotsa matza from:

Annikia Valentine

Dedicated to:
The Mighty Trumpet Loving Frog

----

Author's Quote: Talkamatta, don't ask him for compassion. Talkamatta, don't beg for mercy. Talkamatta, there is no hope. Let's face it, you can't talk 'em outta anything.

---

It was dark and the air smelled of mothballs. Weak light filtered in and made the hardwood floor gleam. The book sat open in front of them. Its white pages were filled with jet black ink wrought into Chinese characters. They were beautiful but unreadable to Sharon's eye.

She took a deep breath and gingerly touched the page. It felt solid under her fingers. She dug her nails into her palm and felt the pain. She was awake. Had she imagined…? Possibly. She hoped not. Besides, since when did she have that good an imagination?

“That was amazing,” Ann whispered. “A touch frightening perhaps.”

“I know,” Amanda breathed. “That guy was cute too.”

“You mean you saw it too? It wasn't a dream?” Excited as she was, Sharon kept her voice just above a whisper. They didn't answer but she knew the answer. It had been real. This was it, no matter what the others said. This was Fooshigee Loogee. It simply had to be. Of course the squash guy didn't seem to fit in anywhere but he was probably an extra or something. She touched the book again and ran her fingers down the page. The excitement vibrated through her. She wanted to go back. She wanted to see that guy again. She didn't know why though. He was slightly annoying. Amanda got to her feet and yelped. Sharon gasped in surprise. She was wearing the Fooshigee Loogee socks that Sharon had brought for her last Christmas. Amanda hated the show.

“My boots!” Amanda cried. Sharon blinked and adjusted her glasses. Her boots were not on her feet. In fact they weren't even in the room. Ann stood to and lifted her floor length skirt. Sharon clapped her hands. She was wearing her socks too! Ann normally blanched even when she saw the adorable Luka, Miaka's cat. Maybe she had gotten them hooked on the show. The thought excited her but not as much as it should. She wondered why that was.

“Ack! These platforms cost fifty bucks.”

“My mother is going to kill me. She spent two weeks looking for those boots!” Amanda cried.

“Oh dang. Doesn't that suck?” Sharon said in a bright voice. “I guess we have to go back and get them then.” She picked up the book, stood, and shoved it toward Ann.

“Shall we?”

The girls backed away from it. Sharon frowned, why did they look so scared? Didn't they like it? She had. It had been cool except for certain parts. Had they no sense of adventure? Didn't they want to see Tomoea? After all they were wearing the socks.

“I don't want to go back Sharon,” Amanda said. She was peering at the book from over Ann's shoulder. She looked like the book was going to grow teeth and eat her.

“Sharon, no,” Ann said. “There is no way. How could you even think of going back after what we've been through? It's way too dangerous and there isn't always going to be someone around to save us.”

“Can we just go back to get the shoes? It'll just take a few seconds. Please?”

“No Sharon, there's no guarantee we'll get back. Just put the book away and let's go.”

“Oh come on Ann. Please?” Sharon gave her a puppy dog look and Ann let out an exasperated sigh.

“Sharon, what part of no do you not understand?”

“The part where you make a D out of it. I mean it's medically impossible but some lawyers think…”

“Sharon…no.”

”No?”

“No.”

“But…”

“No.”

“Oh com…”

“No.”

“Why…”

“No.”

“But.”

“No.”

“Are you…”

“Yes.”

“No?”

“No.”

“No.” Sharon bit her lip. There had to be some way to convince Ann to go back. Why did the girl have to be so stubborn? She looked over the new kanji on the pages and wished she could read them. They might tell her how to get back. Sharon kicked herself for not taking Chinese when they offered it. Then she had an idea. Maybe Ann could be tricked into going. It would take some doing because Ann was smarter then she looked. Still, it was worth it. Wasn't it?

“Fine…could you read the last of the kanji? I mean the new kanji? You know what I mean. Can you? Please?” Ann folded her arms, a sign that she was trying to make a decision. Sharon crossed her fingers and held her breath.

“I don't know Sharon…” she said finally with a glance back at Amanda. The fourteen-year-old waved.

“I can just wait out in the library.”

“I don't think anything is going to happen,” Sharon said.

“Just in case,” Amanda said. “I don't ever want to go back there.” She trotted back into the library proper and curled up in a leather chair. Sharon tried to keep from smiling as she plopped the book into Ann's arms. She watched as her friend began to translate to herself. Ann's fingers ran up and down the page. Every now and then they paused. Sharon waited impatiently. She began to pace around the small room.

Ten minutes later Ann was still translating. Sharon was sitting with Amanda in the library. Amanda was chattering away about something or the other. Sharon found it hard to pay attention. She was too anxious. She wished Ann would hurry up.

“Don't you think so?” Sharon jumped a bit.

“Oh…yeah. Yeah. Sure.”

“You haven't been listening to a word I've said have you?”

“Yes I have. I heard everything. I just forgot. Hey you got any gum?” Amanda sighed and fished a pack from the small pocket on her dress.

“Wow. Sharon come and look at this,” Ann said. Sharon absentmindedly snatched the pack and rushed over to Ann.

“What?” she asked, leaning over her shoulder.

“This story…it's ours. I mean, the book wrote exactly what happened to us. “

“Cool. From whose point of view?”

“I don't know. It's hard to translate this without my book.”

“Oh. Anni. I have an idea. Maybe if we turn the page we can see our future.” Ann stiffened and glared over her shoulder at the sixteen-year-old.

“So that's why you wanted me to translate it. I should have known.”

“What do you mean Anni?”

“Don't act innocent Sharon. You know as well as I do that if I turn the page we go back.”

“Well let's see.” Sharon reached over Ann's shoulder and quickly turned the page. It was blank. Sharon grinned; it wouldn't be blank for long. Her grin faded as nothing happened. But she had been so sure…

“It didn't work…that was close.” Sharon's smile returned as she watched the characters work their way down the page as Ann spoke. She clenched a hand into and fist and tossed back her head.

“MWA HA HA HA HAAAA!” she laughed. The kanji flashed red and a red light enveloped them. The last thing Sharon heard was Amanda's scream.

---

Ann groaned as the world re-shifted itself under her. She felt like she'd just gotten off a roller coaster that was nothing but spirals. She sat up and clutched her spinning head. When her vision cleared and she didn't feel like she would lose her lunch anymore, Ann looked up. She was on a cart piled high with grain sacks. Hundreds of people were following it.

She realized the cart was in a stream of traffic going somewhere, but where? She turned around and her mouth dropped open. A city. Chinese style buildings crammed every available spot and stretched back in the distance. It was definitely no New York but mind boggling all the same. The cart passed through the massive gates on the city wall and Ann couldn't help but stare up at the arch so high above her.

“Cool ain't it?” Ann yelped and whirled as fast as her kneeling position would allow her. Sharon was sitting there grinning. Ann felt her face flush with anger as she remembered what had happened. She forced her hands into fists to keep them from wrapping around her friend's throat.

“Sharon…” she growled.

“Hey Anni. Let's poke around a bit.” Sharon jumped off the cart and began walking away. Ann cursed to herself and got off to follow her. What was the girl, insane? Ann rolled her eyes as she answered her own question. Of course Sharon was insane, that was the point. She chased the black haired girl down the street. When Ann had finally caught up she grabbed a handful of Sharon's hair and pulled. The girl yelped and stopped.

“Owie. What'd you do that for?” she whined. Ann glared at her and Sharon grinned sheepishly.

“Sharon…the next time we go home…if ever…we are staying there,” Ann said. Sharon's lower lip pulled into a pout.

“Oh comon' Anni. It isn't that bad.”

“What if something happens?”

“Like what?”

“Well think about it. Do we have any money? No. Any place to sleep? No. We're easy prey. We could get robbed…or worse. Don't you have any sense in that little head of yours?”

“'Course I do. Like I've been saying, this is Fooshigee Loogee. Haven't you ever watched the show?”

“I'm not into self torture.”

“Yah…well. The good guys always win and get saved y'know? So it won't matter.”

Ann shook her head. How could someone so intelligent be so naïve? She folded her arms. If Sharon wanted to believe this was Fushigi whatever…let her. There were more pressing matters to be concerned about. Like how were they going to get home. Better yet, how were they going to survive? They could possibly get a job, but what kind of job could two young girls all by themselves get in Ancient China? The answer was easy…but not what she wanted. Being a call girl wasn't on her things-to-do list.

They could be bar maids at a tavern. Of course that usually wasn't far from what a call girl was, but if they were careful… Ann suddenly had a vision of a hyper Sharon prancing about and spilling drinks on everyone. She pushed that idea aside. She would use it only if she couldn't think of anything better.

“Hey I know what we could do!” Sharon said. “We could see if Squash-boy is here!”

“Squash-boy? Oh. You mean the guy who saved us.”

“Yah. Why not Anni? Maybe he knows Tomoea.”

“How are we going to find him?”

“We could always ask around.”

---

Tamahome sighed and poked at his small bowl of rice. It was slow today. No one was looking for someone to work. He had thought the job opportunities would be better in Eiou. But apparently people were as poor here as they were everywhere else. Then too, maybe it was the festival that was to blame. People didn't like to spend money elsewhere when a festival was around.

He glanced outside the window and smiled as an enormous elephant sauntered past. The parade was starting. If only he could afford to bring his family here to see this. But times were hard and money was tight and they could barely afford to keep themselves alive. He sighed and stared absently at the table.

Even though the festival's presence took money from him, he appreciated it. It was both a diversion from the bitterness of life and a sign that the Emperor hadn't yet given up hope. Even though the threat of Kutou loomed on the horizon like a dark cloud, the Emperor still believed the miko would come. Tamahome couldn't wait until she arrived. The miko meant a steady job and steady income. That was why he accepted the name Tamahome…and his duty. As long as he was paid, there was nothing he wouldn't do. He'd even protect that whining little aggravation he'd met the other day if he was paid enough.

Remembering that dark-haired brat made his heart leap in his throat. Her and her friends had been wearing strange clothes. Clothes in a style he'd never seen before. Could one of them be the miko? Not the dark-haired one…but maybe the brunette with the hazel eyes? Tamahome shot to his feet. He had to find them again…just to make sure. The sound of someone clearing their throat caught his attention. The innkeeper was fixing him with an evil eye. Tamahome sighed, and threw three copper ryus on the table, flinching a little as it hit the wood. Three whole coppers just for a bowl of rice. The prices in Eiou were ridiculous. He started for the door, managing to shoot a quick glare at the innkeeper.

“I just heard something about some girls wearing funny clothes nearby, “a man said. Tamahome stopped in his tracks. “I heard this rumor that they were looking for some guy with kanji on his forehead.”

“Never heard of 'im,” said the man's companion. Could the girls they were talking about really be the same ones he'd met? Tamahome went over to the table.

“Is that true?” he asked. The two men jumped.

“Who the hell are-” the first man started.

“What do they look like?” Tamahome interrupted, ignoring the men's glares.

“How would I know? Who are you anyway?” the second man asked. Tamahome could have slapped himself. Here he was being rude to potential customers. He went chibi.

“Oh! I'm sorry. My name is Sou Kishuku and I can do just about anything. I'm staying in the inn right across town and if there's anything you want done, I'll do it if you pay me.”

“Er…” the first man said.

“Call at any time day or night…. I have to go now though but I'll be back later!” He bowed a few times then he rushed out the door.

---

The two men stared after him the chibi job hunter. Then looked at each other and sat blinking for a while. The first man finally shook his head and sipped his tea.

“Nice weather we're having.”

“Yep.”

---

“Y…you want me to go to the festival with you?” Sharon asked. She stared at the strange man in shock. He was inviting her? The same Sharon Glace who had been dateless all her pathetic sixteen years? The same girl who used to chase boys around the playground just because they ran? Without waiting for his answer she jumped into the air and squealed at the top of her lungs. Yay! I feel so grown up! She thought as she landed.

“Actually…” the man said a sweatdrop forming on his head.

“Gah?”

“Actually I was asking your friend.” Ann gaped at the man who smiled back at her.

“Oh,” Sharon said. Her head dropped a little and she folded her hands in front of her. Then she looked up with a bright smile. “I hope you'll be very happy together.”

“Sharon!” Ann snapped.

“What?”

“You're welcome to come if you want,” the man said.

“No, I think you two should go alone.”

“Sharon!”

“What?”

“We can't,” Ann said. Sharon giggled at her friend's blushing face. She had never seen Ann this worked up since the Jonathan incident.

“See we're looking for a friend of ours…” Sharon giggled again. Yes that incident had been funny. Especially when Jonathan got the wrong idea and…wait a minute…did Ann just say friend?

“He's not my frie-” she blinked as Ann clapped a hand over her mouth, muffling the rest of her words.

“Oh I know him. He's a friend of mine. I'll take you to him,” the man said.

“Thanks…” Ann said. She took her hand away from the sixteen-year-old's mouth and began following him.

“He's not my friend,” Sharon grumbled.

As the man led them through a series of twisting alleys Sharon began to feel nervous. There was something wrong with the picture. It was too easy. First of all, he invited Ann on a date and was willing to allow a friend along? Wasn't it a bit coincidental that he knew the squash-guy? Sharon just did not trust him. She looked around for a weapon and noticed she was holding something in her hand. She opened her fist and saw the pack of gum. Oh…that was going to be useful. She stuck the pack in her shirt pocket.

“How much further do we have to go?” Ann asked.

“Not an inch,” the man said. Four other guys drifted out of the shadows and grouped around the first one.

“Uh-oh,” Sharon whispered.

“They sure are strange,” one of the men said.

“That's okay. Their clothes alone are worth a fortune.”

“Yeah and my clothes are gonna stay on me perverts so don't even think about it!” Sharon yelled.

“That one's not gonna sell very well,” one of the men said rubbing his ear.

“I'd be surprised if she got sold at all. Maybe we can gag her until they buy.” The men had surrounded them. Ann stepped in front of her friend, fists raised. Sharon cowered behind her. Then she realized something. Hey…this was Fooshigee Loogee. They wouldn't get hurt. She might even be able to kick some perverted butt! She stepped around Ann and rolled up her sleeves.

“So…you wanna mess with Glace huh? Well then, prepare to face…The Glace Strike of Death!” She heard Ann's groan behind her and ignored it. She let her face relax. Her eyes closed and breathing deepened as she concentrated. She slowly lifted her hands over her head and spread her arms just slightly, her wrists were bent so her fingers pointed at the ground. Then she lifted her leg, tucking it under her. She could hear the men's uncomfortable mumbling and almost grinned. They were going to love this.

“Face opponent and…” Sharon's eyes shot open and she jumped toward them. The men backed away. “ Run for your life!” she screamed, turning on her heel. Then she ran for all she was worth. She fearfully looked behind her. That proved to be a mistake. She tripped over a crack in the road and was sent tumbling on her knees and elbows. A hand wrapped around her hair and dragged her back to where her friend was. When they let her go she ducked behind her friend again, tears spilling from her eyes. She realized the truth, the awful truth that she had known since they arrived the first time but refused to acknowledge.

“Hey Anni…” she whimpered as the men closed in. “This isn't Fooshigee Loogee…is it?”

Ann didn't answer…she didn't have too. Ann began to fight. Sharon watched her friend's fists fly. The fifteen-year-old was really good. Sharon wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffled. Her scalp was still throbbing from when the man had grabbed her hair. The fight was over quickly. The men were much to startled to make much of a defense and now they were all on the ground whimpering. Ann was panting, her fists were clenched so tightly her knuckles were white.

“Dang Ann. I didn't know you could fight that well.”

“Let's get out of here before they get up.”

“I don't think they'll be getting up for a while.” Sharon walked up to the guy who had led them and prodded him with her foot.

“See? Out co-” The man shot up and wrapped his fingers around her throat. Sharon tried to scream but couldn't. The man's grip tightened.

“Come one step closer and I'll snap her neck,” he growled. Sharon clawed at his hands. She couldn't breathe. The pressure increased and Sharon started to give up. The world was becoming dark and her lungs were screaming for air. She didn't want to die this way. Why won't Anni save me? she thought. Ann…Amanda…David…Somebody! She could hear Ann yelling at the top of her lungs about something. She couldn't hear her very well and now she couldn't see at all. She heard something zinging through the air and a muffled thud.

She fell and landed hard, but she could breathe again. Sharon took several deep breaths. A shadow blocked the light. Sharon stumbled to her feet and hugged her friend. She was so scared and needed to babble about it. She did…until she realized Anni had gotten really tall all of a sudden. Sharon gasped, pulled away, looked up and grew beet red. Standing there, with a surprised look on his face, was the squash guy. Sharon sweat dropped. How was she going to get out of this one?

“I…” he started. She reached out and slapped him as hard as she could.

“You baka!” she snapped.

“What did you do that for?” he yelled. Sharon folded her arms and tossed her hair out of her eyes. Her fear had slowly begun to dissipate now that she was distracted from it.

“You should know.”

“Well I don't.”

“It's not my fault you're a moron.” His fingers had begun to twitch madly. Sharon noticed this and stuck her tongue out at him.

“Look you little-” he started. Ann was suddenly in front of Sharon, smiling embarrassed at the guy.

“What she means to say is thank you for saving her…again.”

“I do no- Ow! Don't kick me Anni! Kick him. He started it!”

“Thanks for saving me too. I really wish I had a way to repay you,” Ann said. The gentle smile lit the guy's face. Sharon couldn't help but stare. Wow. She'd never seen any guy look like that before.

“I'll take my reward now,” he said in a soft voice. Then he leaned down and gently kissed the fifteen-year-old's forehead. Ann blushed again. Sharon clapped her hands together and squealed.

“Awww…isn't that sweet? Awww…” Sharon cooed. Ann shot her with a death glare that Sharon cheerfully ignored. The guy's gentle eyes became hard as he glared at her.

“You don't have any money on you to pay for her do you?” he asked, jerking a thumb in Sharon's direction.

“Uhhh…” Ann said.

“Didn't think so. When you do get real money I'd suggest you buy a muzzle for that friend of yours.”

“Gah!” Sharon squeaked. Why that little… Well she wasn't about to let him get away with that. With a grunt, she jumped up, wrapping her arms around the man's neck. Everything seemed to happen at once. His hands wrapped around her wrists, she had the sensation of flying and then she was slamming into the ground for the second time that day, breath completely knocked out of her. When she finally got her breath back she opened her eyes and saw two concerned faces hovering over her.

“Sharon are you all right?” Ann asked.

“I'm really sorry. I acted on instinct. I really didn't mean to-” the man started. Sharon jumped to her feet and slapped the Squash-boy again, mid sentence.

“You jerk! You flipped me!”

“Ow! I said I was sorry,” he said, putting a hand to his cheek.

“Do you always go around flipping innocent girls?

“What do you mean innocent?! You attacked me first!”

“I only attacked you because you called me a dog!”

“I did not! I only said you needed a muzzle!”

“You'd better watch it jerk or I'm gonna call the cops on you!” Sharon said, jabbing him in the chest with her finger.

“The what?”

“Hey Sharon,” Ann called. “Stop flirting and look at this.” Sharon sweatdropped and felt her face heat. She ran up to her friend, hands clenched into a fist. The man beat her to it.

“What the hell do you mean flirting?” he yelled. Ann put her hands on her hips and cocked an eyebrow at him.

“Don't you even start yelling at me.”

“Sorry.” He actually looked sorry too. Sharon couldn't believe it. He apologized for yelling at Ann and didn't even bother to say it for flipping her? How rude was that?! She was about to tell him so when an awed gasp from Ann caught her attention. She blinked and peered over Ann's shoulder. Beautiful palanquins were coming down the street. All were decorated in gold and red, although some had more gold then others. Soldiers on horses marched in front of them and every now and then a hand would wave from the shadowed recesses.

“This looks like some sort of imperial procession,” Ann murmured.

“Yeah,” the guy said from behind them. “You see that really fancy one down the street? That's the Emperor's. He's the richest man in all of Konan.”

“Where's Konan?” Sharon asked.

“Right here idiot,” he said. Hey! There was no reason to call her that! It had just been a simple question. Sharon glowered at him and prepared to say something mean right back at him.

“So what's your name?” Ann said quickly. “I'm Ann Jeter.”

“Sou Kishuku…but my friends call me Tamahome.”

“Tama-homie? Well that's…interesting.”

“I'm Shar-”

“I don't care. So…uhh…do you live around here Ann?”

“Me? No. I live far away. We're kind of alone here too…so could we stick with you until we get everything situated?” Ann asked. A pleasant smile lifted his mouth.

“I wouldn't mind…” He looked at Sharon and his smile disappeared. She stuck her tongue out at him. “I guess I'll have to take her too huh?”

“Please?” Ann said, batting her eyelashes at him. “We'll try and pay you.”

“It would take the Emperor's crown to put up with her…” he said, rolling his eyes. Sharon panicked; Ann had a thoughtful look on her face. Would her best friend leave her? She certainly deserved being left, but would Ann do it? Sharon didn't want to take any chances

“Fine!” Sharon snapped, and began pushing her way through the crowd.

“Where are you going?” Ann called.

“To get his payment!”

“Are you out of your mind?!” Tamahome yelled.

She ignored him and continued running. When she saw the Emperor's palanquin she picked up speed. She would jump in it, 'borrow' the crown, then jump out again before anyone noticed. It was a simple plan, but she'd have to be fast. When she got close enough she jumped. She almost didn't make it and was a fraction of an inch from tumbling backwards. Her bruised palms and knees growled at her for the rough treatment. She pushed herself on her knees and glanced at the Emperor… he was young and looked… shocked to say the least, she noted quickly. Without a second thought she reached up and snatched the crown off his head.

Then her common sense came rushing back to her like a freight train and she paled. What…the hell…was she doing? Sharon fell backwards out of the palanquin and for the second time that day landed flat on her back. Sharon stood up and looked at fifteen men in armor that looked none to happy and had painful looking spears pointed at her. She grinned sheepishly and held the crown out to a guard who snatched it away. They closed in.

“Wait!” Sharon said. “I have a good excuse.” She paused until one of the guards snarled:

“Say it but I doubt it will save your life,” the guard snarled. Sharon cringed away from the spears.

“My hand slipped?” she squeaked. Sharon closed her eyes and waited. There was a whooshing sound and the guards began to curse. She found herself being lifted into the air and opened one eye cautiously. It was Tamahome.

“What's wrong with you?” he yelled, “Do you have a death wish or something?”

“No…I just didn't want to be left alone!” she yelled back. “I'm a wimp and a coward and a moron and I couldn't survive a minute on my own! So just shut up!” She couldn't meet his eyes and looked down at her hands. Why did she have to blurt that out loud? The anger passed quickly. She just didn't have the energy. She was emotionally drained and physically exhausted. There was something about being attacked three times in a day that lowered her spirits. Especially since all three of the attacks were her fault.

The quietness of her normally chaotic mind allowed her sensible part to come out and gently poke her. This was real…not some crazy fanfic. She might even die if she was too careless. So from now on she needed to be more careful and less stupid.

“Hey, what's your name kid?” Tamahome asked softly. She wondered why his voice was nice to her now. Probably because she wasn't insulting him.

“Sharon Glace. Look, I'm really sorry for what I did before. Y'know…all that name calling stuff? Could you please take me with you and Ann? I'll…”

“There they are!” a guard shouted. Sharon closed her eyes. Oh no…not again.

“Bastard…you'll pay for that,” one of them growled. Sharon's ear popped and she felt as if ants were crawling over every inch of her body. She looked at her hands and saw them surrounded by a red light. Although her body was fading she could still hear.

“She's vanishing!” someone yelled.

“Your Majesty! That girl is disappearing into the red light!” Eeesh…Sharon thought…thank you Mr. Blatantly Obvious.

“She's a monster!” There was more but the sounds had grown quieter and quieter. She couldn't see, couldn't hear. Soon her vision cleared and what she saw was the tiny room with Amanda hunched over the book.

“Amanda,” Sharon called, but the girl didn't seem to hear her. Sharon reached out for her and stopped herself. Wait. Ann was still back in that world. She couldn't leave her friend behind. But…if she did…maybe Ann wouldn't get into so much trouble, but Amanda would need someone to help her emotionally if anything bad happened to Ann. But what would Sharon do when Amanda was too upset to read anymore? Sharon started to eeny meeny miny moe. She ended up choosing Amanda and reached out for her again. Her ears popped and the light flashed so she had to close her eyes. She ended up hugging someone.

“Gah…” she moaned. Whoever it was it wasn't Amanda. She looked up…Tamahome…again. She seemed to have gained the talent for embarrassing herself today. She smiled up at him. “Hello. Did you miss me?”

“You…you can't be…” he whispered.

“Oh I can be many things, believe me.”

“There you are!” a man shouted. Sharon winced as angry although somewhat frightened guards reappeared with spears ready. She tapped her fingernails against Tamahome's shoulder and looked up at him.

“Have you ever had one of those days…?”

***********

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

Tomorrow's Episode: Sou Kishuku

----------------------------------------------------------------< /div>

Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi is a creation of Yuu Watase

All other characters are under my jurisdiction and cannot be used with my permish although why you'd WANT to use `em I dunno but just in case.