Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Shi Jin no Miko ❯ Returning Home ( Chapter 8 )

A/N: Gomen, I know it took a long time, but I'm begging for your forgiveness. I've been busy with homework. Lame excuse, but it's very true. Anyway, read, review, enjoy. Any questions, comments or concerns? Then Review. -_-` I know, I sound pathetic.

Disclaimer: *sighs* You know I don't own it, so why should I say it? It belongs to Yuu Watase, not me. But I own Kumiko! Oh yea, I don't own Rei Hikagi, by the way. She belongs to Lupine Eyes, who will HOPEFULLY have a corresponding Fic up soon. But probably not, she's lazy *gets whacked over the head with a roll of newspaper* Ow. Well, happy reading!

Note: If for some reason the symbols don't work, the little thingy ma bobs that are in front and behind Kumiko's name in her note were supposed to be hearts. My format gets screwed up when I put this on the internet. *Sighs*

SHI JIN NO MIKO

Chapter 8: Return Home

Kumiko felt as if she was being sucked backwards by a giant vacuum cleaner. Once again, she was spinning and nausea overcame her. She landed on the library floor with a thud. "Whoa," she said, looking around. She was once again in the national library. Keisuke breathed a sigh of relief. "You're back," he said, helping her off the ground. "Why didn't you warn me?" She asked the two.

"We tried," Tetsuya objected, but Kumiko interrupted, "Look, I won't argue, I don't have time. I only have four hours." With that, she waved the two goodbye and headed out the door. The air was cool on Kumiko's face and the sun shown brightly. She rushed home in a hurry. It was only a few blocks, and she ran the whole way. She reached into her bag, which was around her shoulder and grabbed her key. Opening the door, she asked, "Mom, Are you home?"

There was no reply. "Guess not," She sighed. It was strange that her mother wasn't home. In truth, Kumiko expected to find her lying in bed. She couldn't have possibly gone back to work, could she? Kumiko wondered. "I should take a shower," She suddenly said, talking to herself aloud. Showers made Kumiko happy, especially since she was home. She was excited with anticipation to feel the warm water. , since all she had done inside the universe of the four gods was bathe in freezing cold water.

Taking off her clothes, she shoved them on the floor and got in the shower. She was right, it felt wonderful to get back to the warm water of heated electricity. It's so warm, she thought happily. She grabbed her shampoo and followed the directions fully: In other words, she washed her hair at least three times. She sighed in content. The water was so relaxing. Tasuki would probably be paranoid of bathtubs if he ever encountered one, she thought, laughing to herself. She closed her eyes and saw his face, grinning at her, the way he always did. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled and she suddenly got Goosebumps. Not seeming as warm as before, she turned off the shower and grabbed a towel.

She carefully wrapped it around herself. Although she hadn't been in there all that long, she had completely steamed up the bathroom. She wiped the moist mirror off with a towel and looked at her reflection in the mirror. It had been so long since she had, being gone so long. Her hair was much longer, down to her shoulders, where it had been somewhere around her jaw line when she left school. Something about her looked different as well, although she couldn't put her finger on it. Is it that obvious that I'm in love? She thought stupidly. Or maybe it's about being back home…

She picked up her clothes from the floor and went into her bedroom, where she threw them in her dirty clothes bin. She looked around and smiled. "Just as I left it," She said. She pulled out an outfit from her closet; a pair of dark denim blue jeans, and a white shirt with the words `Libra' across it in pink letters. Beneath it was the symbol for Librans, also in pink. She put it on and looked around her closet. She frowned, for her favorite shoes, her purple Chuck Taylors, were at school. She shrugged and took out her other pair, a pair of bright pink ones. She rushed back into the bathroom and dried her hair. Afterwards, she put it in pigtails.

"Where's my watch?" She asked herself, looking around her room. She founded and noticed she had already spent 15 minutes of her time. She decided to leave the house, in serious need of fresh air. Before she did, she left a note for her mother;

Mom,

I'm hanging out with Yui and Miaka downtown. We'll probably see a movie and go out for dinner tonight, so I wont' bee back `till later.

XOXO,

♥Kumiko♥

This wasn't true, of course, but she couldn't calculate how long she might be gone. She finally left the house, wallet in hand. Since she had nothing better to do, shopping seemed beneficial. She was heading to the mall when she saw a familiar face. "Rei!" She exclaimed, hugging her friend. "Kumiko, I've been looking for you!" Rei said, surprised, her turquoise eyes shining. "I missed you a lot," Kumiko said happily. "What are you talking about? I saw you this morning! What's up with you, you're acting strange." Kumiko was amazed. How could she have seen Rei that morning? She was gone for months! "I dunno, I'm sorta confused. I…ran into a pole," She said, making up an excuse hastily. Rei blinked. "You're so weird." When she turned away for a moment, Kumiko shook her head. A pole? What the hell kind of excuse is that? She thought, smacking her forehead.

"Hey, what's with your hair?" She asked her. "What? Oh, I took a shower," Kumiko said. "No, not that. Look how long it is! You just got a haircut," Rei said, looking at it in amazement. Uh oh, not good. My hair grew out during my time in the book, She thought frantically. "Oh, it just looks longer I guess," she lied. "Okay…So where are Miaka and Yui? You were supposed to introduce me," Rei asked. Kumiko suddenly remembered. That's why Rei was in Tokyo. "They couldn't make it. Both of them got sick. Y'know, you never see one without the other, so they both caught it. Bummer, huh?" She lied nervously.

"That sucks," Rei said, looking disappointed. "But hey, I'm in the mood for a milkshake and a burger, how about you? There's a place downtown here. It's almost 12:30. My treat," Kumiko said. Rei's face brightened. "Sounds good to me," She said happily. The two girls headed off to a nearby 50's style restaurant and ate. "I love these restaurants. With the Genres like this. It's always so lighthearted," Rei said as they sat down in a booth. The two began to talk as they always did whenever they were together. Though she really wanted to, Kumiko decided it was best not to tell Rei about the Universe of the Four Gods. Although she almost slipped a few times whenever she wanted to say `Tasuki did this' or `Tasuki did that'. "Kumiko, is something wrong?" Rei asked her. "You look sorta worried." Kumiko smiled. "Just hungry," She said, biting into her burger. Rei laughed. "There's definitely something wrong with you today."

After eating, they headed out for the mall. Kumiko constantly checked her watch. She quickly purchased basic camping supplies from an outdoorsy store. "Why are you getting all that?" Rei asked. "My mom and I are gonna go camping later during break," She lied through her teeth. "That's really cool! My aunt Kari wouldn't take me camping even if I begged. She doesn't want to leave the temple. At all," She laughed and threw her long dark brown hair over her shoulders. "You know, it'd be easier to manage if you put `em in braids," Kumiko told her. Rei shook her head. "I hate braids, you know that," Rei answered. Kumiko shrugged. "It'd still look cute." "Yes, but cute is exactly what I don't want," she said darkly, making Kumiko shudder slightly. Rei was scary when she did that.

They spent the rest of their time in clothing stores. Kumiko bought three new outfits by the time they were done. Before they left the store, Kumiko spotted something; a small black wishing stone with the symbol for `Yoku' on it. She smiled softly, instantly thinking of Tasuki. She grabbed it, smiling thoughtfully. "Why are you getting that? It just says `Wing' on it," Rei said. Kumiko sighed, and blushed slightly. "I like it," She said, hiding her blush from Rei. She left the mall in complete satisfaction. "Well, I totally burned a hole in my pocket," She joked. Rei nodded. "Same here. That was the last of my spending money. I'll have to get a job one of these days."

"Rei, do you mind if I stop home real quick? I have to get something," Kumiko asked. Rei shook her head, "No, I don't mind at all. I've never seen your house before." Kumiko looked at her watch and saw she had about 40 minutes left. She opened the door to her house and took off her shoes. Rei followed and looked around. "It's nice Kumiko," She said smiling. "Yea, It feels like forever. You know, since December." Rei nodded, she knew what Kumiko meant. She hadn't really been home since her father's funeral last December. "We can just hang out," she said.

She dumped all of the stuff she bought on her bed. "Ok, now where'd those bags go?" She asked herself. She took out two identical duffle bags and started to shove things inside of them. Rei looked at her funny. "What are you doing?" She asked. "Oh, just packing for the trip. I'll forget otherwise," Kumiko laughed. She wasn't very good at lying at all. "Oookay…" Rei shook her head. Kumiko really was acting strange. It was as if she had changed from the time she had last seen her that morning. But how? She couldn't have had some sort of life changing experience could she? Not in half a day, Rei thought.

"Oh crap, I forgot! I have a book to pick up at the library!" Kumiko said, acting as if she had forgotten. "That's no problem, Kumiko. I don't mind hanging around at the library. I've never been to the national library before," Rei said. Kumiko grinned. "You're a great friend Rei. Dunno what I'd do without you," She said. Especially with my other two best friends in the quarrel of the century, she thought. The two headed to the library, Kumiko carrying her duffle bags. "Why are you bringing those?" Rei asked. "I'll tell you later," Kumiko said, deciding that she would have to tell Rei at sometime. Just not now. What if she tries following me inside the book? That'd be chaos, Kumiko thought.

When they entered the building, Keisuke and Tetsuya were sitting in the same spot they had before. I wonder if I could get Keisuke and Tetsuya to distract Rei while I go back in the book, She thought. "Hey guys," She said. They waved. "Has it been four hours already?" Keisuke asked. Kumiko nodded. "How's she doing?" Kumiko pointed to the book. "Oh, well, she's looking for the Shinzaho you know. Mischa's doing well. Found two senshi already." Kumiko grinned. "That's great!" She exclaimed. "What are you guys talking about?" Rei asked completely confused. "Uh, nothing, just a book he's reading," Kumiko said. "Hey Tetsuya, will you show it to her?" She looked at him and jerked her head towards the rows of books. He looked at her confused then gave a look of realization. "Yeah, sure," he said, then turned to Rei, "Follow me." Rei nodded him and trailed behind into the many rows. Kumiko sat down and sighed. "Thank god, I don't know how to tell her about the book. Or if I'm going to at all. She'd freak out if she knew I've been running around trying to be assassinated." And in love with a character in a book, her mind added.

Keisuke nodded empathetically. "I think you should tell her when you come back. I can hold down the fort if she comes looking for you. Just know that she might be angry when she comes back. You can't keep it from her forever." "I know, and I don't want to. I really don't. It's just…I can't tell her now. It'd be too hard. She might not let me go, but I have to," She said softly. She squeezed his shoulder and smiled. "Thanks. Miaka's got a great older brother for one thing," Her smile grew into a grin. He smiled back. "Alright. Get in there," He said. She took a deep breath and exhaled. She opened the book to where Keisuke had left off and let herself (and her duffle bags) get sucked inside.

~*~*~*~

Tasuki sighed and leaned back against his bed. He hadn't gotten a nice quiet moment since Kumiko left. With chasing after Miaka and the Shinzahos and Nuriko gone forever, he was starting to get irritable. And he couldn't help that nagging feeling inside of him. She's going to come back, he told himself firmly, she promised. Yes, she promised, but she is a woman. And we all know women break their promises, a voice inside his head sneered. Yea but she's…different…He instantly argued back. Suddenly, he heard a knock on his door. "Knock knock! Who's there? It's Kouji, friend of Genrou. Blah, Blah, Genrou Who?" Kouji popped his head in and grinned. "Genrou, long time no see, buddy!" Tasuki didn't reply.

Kouji Frowned. "So what's making you so uptight today?" he asked, intrigued by his best friends attitude. "None of your business," he said tersely. "Hmm…what could it be? Did Tamahome kick your ass again? Or did Miaka turn you down for the 15,268th and ½ time?" Kouji pondered out loud. "Will you SHUT UP if I tell you?" Tasuki asked, extremely annoyed at his friend's nosy questions and speculations. Kouji nodded his head vigorously.

He sighed and replied "It's Kumiko. She hasn't come back from her world yet. It's been Months. She promised she'd come back…and she hasn't. It's like she's taking her time on purpose. She promised she'd only be four hours. It's been four months already. What the hell could she be doing that's so much more important?" Kouji blinked. "Kumiko….who's she?" "You know, she was with me last time. She has Brown hair, really strange colored eyes and really stuck up?" He did an imitation of her voice, "Tasuki, stop being an idiot! Tasuki make them stop. Tasuki I'm not talking to you anymore!" "Oh yea! I remember." Kouji laughed, "So, why do you care?" "Well…" Tasuki began.

"You don't LIKE her do you?" Kouji asked, leaning forward, amazed. Tasuki turned away from his friend and turned a deep shade of pink. "-No, it's just if she doesn't come back Konan and the rest of the world is seriously screwed over," He argued. "Riiight. And that's the ONLY reason?" Kouji said. "Well what the hell is that supposed to mean?!" Tasuki asked turning back to his grinning friend, cheeks still red.

"Oh COME ON Genrou. You are so obvious. It's like that time where you tried to cover up the fact that you were the one that burnt the headquarters down. You can't hide anything from me." Tasuki sighed. "What do I have to do to convince you that you're wrong?" Kouji smiled a malicious smile. "Well, you see that's the thing. You can't. Because I'm right…and you know it."

Tasuki was silent. He faced defeat without argument. Kouji's malicious smile grew into a grin. "I KNEW it. I just knew you had a thing for her. So, what do you SEE in her anyway? I thought you said she was Arrogant, Stuck up and stupid." Tasuki shook his head. "That's just what I thought before I got to know her. You have to see the other side of her, the one that isn't so bitchy. She…she's really caring, I guess. Once you get past her `I'm a tough chick, don't mess with me' attitude, she's so much more. She's amazing, but more than that. If she wants to, she won't stop until someone is really happy. And you have to admit that she is physically beautiful. She's just so…" He stopped.

Kouji raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I'm not gonna ask, I'll just try to imagine the little fantasies running through your head. Truthfully, I'm not even sure if I want to. But then why did I have to see the bad side of her?" "Uh, well she calls it PMS, or something like that. I don't know what the hell that's supposed to mean. It must be something they say in her world." Tasuki shrugged. "Well it's about time that my best friend learned the beauty of love." "I'm not sure that's what you can call it," Tasuki said. "Well why not? That's what it seems like? What else could you call it?" Kouji said simply. Tasuki laughed and said, "I don't know. Something less, maybe. I've never been in love, I wouldn't know. You on the other hand," He grinned at his friend. Kouji crossed his arms. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked.

"Rei-Rei of course," Tasuki said. "You liked her. You loved her." "Yea, I did. But she…" He stopped and shook his head. "No use living in the past," he continued. "She's dead, and there's nothing we can do about it. And besides, she liked you." " Maybe she did, but I didn't see her that way. She was a great little sister," Tasuki said reminiscing. "She was the same age as you," Kouji pointed out. "She was just shorter." Tasuki shrugged. "Well, it's what I meant by little." A sudden voice filled Tasuki's head, making him jump. "Go to the Kyoto Temple, Kumiko will meet you there," It said. He recognized it as the voice of Tai Itsukun. He shivered at the sound; Just imagining her face was reason for nightmares. "Great," He said. "What?" Kouji asked.

"Kumiko's coming back. But I have to get there. In less time than it's taken before. Otherwise she's gonna get herself killed, as usual." Kouji grinned. "Well lucky for you, I have a short cut for you to take." "Shortcut? Why didn't you tell me about a short cut before?!" He asked. Kouji shrugged. "Well, I sorta wanted to make Kumiko suffer for ya. I also wanted to see how things would play out between you guys. Looks like they're going well," He winked. Tasuki smacked him upside the head. "Shut up. She doesn't like me like that. I'm no more than her Suzaku Guardian. I'm there to protect her, and that's it. She knows that. Besides, she's afraid of love. Of getting hurt. Can't stand it. She's a pretty sensitive person. How do I know if this'll hurt her or not? It's best if I don't say anything about it. " He said.

"Well, what more reason for you to go in and sweep her off her feet and be all romantic and crap. Do it without saying anything." Kouji said grinning. "I've got no Idea what the hell you're talking about, and you know it." "Watch it if you wanna know about that shortcut." Tasuki shut up at that moment. After receiving directions from Kouji, he headed off. Being mid afternoon, he didn't know how long it would take, but his gut told him it would be a long way, despite the shortcut. I have to get there, he urged. I can't let her be there by herself. God knows what type of trouble she'll get herself in. She's so damn unpredictable. He rode fast, all through the night, willing himself not to sleep. He insisted himself, and his horse, to keep going no matter what.

~*~*~*

Once again, Kumiko landed flat on her butt inside the temple. Her head still spun as she tried to stand up. "I hate Granite floors," She mumbled. "So you've returned," A voice said. Kumiko turned to see a smiling Tai Itsukun. "Tai Itsukun, It's good to see you," She smiled. "Good to see you too, child. Now, I must tell you, Tasuki is on his way. He'll tell you of everything when he comes. But, now I must tell you of things you have not yet learned about your duty. Please sit down," She said. Kumiko said obediently. "The first thing I must tell you, is that you, as the priestess of Four Gods, have boundaries. Quite a few, in fact. The first of which, I imagine won't be all that hard for you to complete. I know your loyalty to the gods, so you must remain entirely open to these rules."

Kumiko nodded. "First, you must remain a virgin for the rest of your days. You must remain pure so that you can wish wholeheartedly for peace. The Gods want nothing to do with women who have devoted themselves to another like that. Second, you must never have any sort of relationship with men. Or women for that matter." Kumiko shot her a look. "I don't swing that way," She said bluntly. "I didn't think you did," Tai Itsukun said, continuing, "You may not fall in love, for if you do, you cannot concentrate on your duty. Third, you cannot use your powers so foolhardily as you have been. It's not safe. It takes away your energy and weakens your chi. You must only use it in the utmost emergency. Although your powers are growing rapidly, your strength of mind and body will not grow as fast. The forth, and final…is the most difficult. The Shi Jin no Miko…must give up her life."

The words ran through her like ice. "My life?" She repeated. Tai Itsukun nodded. " It may occur that your soul will be shattered, wholly. And by that…you may never go to the celestial heavens above. As the priestess, you must be with the gods always, as to keep peace." Kumiko breathed deeply. She had never imagined she would have to give up so much for the sake of this world…but she would. If the killing and fighting would stop, she most certainly would. "Of course. I will do anything to save this world," She said earnestly. Tai Itsukun smiled. "You have a strong heart." She stood up and disappeared. Perhaps you may not die, she thought.

Kumiko stood still for a while. How could she tell Tasuki that she would die? How would he take it, knowing that as soon as she wished for peace her soul would break into a thousand unmendable pieces? And that she couldn't love him? That might be easier, she thought. After all, it's unrequited. I'll get over it as soon as I fully realize he doesn't return them. She thought. But something inside of her argued. In spite of everything, he was the first one, the only one, that left her completely, and utterly…breathless. "Guess I found you," Said a familiar voice. She looked up to see Tasuki, looking quite exhausted. "Tasuki!" She said happily, running towards him. She hugged him tightly, her heart beat beginning to quicken. "I missed you," She said softly.

"Ok, get off," He said, embarrassed. "I don't like you sappy romantic women, you know," he grinned. She knew he was joking. "I know it's only been four hours, but it seemed like so much longer-" she started but he cut her off. "Four hours? Kumiko, it's been four months!" He exclaimed.

~*~*~*

Whooo Cliff Hanger. Well Sorta. Whatever. I'm hoping to update sooner than this time, I know I've been lazy and busy. But I promise, Review and I'll keep writing. By the way, If you don't know who Rei-Rei is, she's a bandit girl that belonged to a rival bandit group. Tasuki's group of bandits kidnapped her, but she stayed with them on her own free will. As you can see, she had a crush on Tasuki, but was liked by Kouji. The rival group, in return, stole the Tessin, which Rei-Rei retrieved in a battle between the two groups. Tragically, she was wounded and died shortly after. T_T Sad, I know. If you want to know more, you'll have to find a translation to Genrou-den (Legend of Genrou)

~*Lola*~