Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Shi Jin no Miko ❯ Crossing the Line ( Chapter 9 )

A/N: WOW, two chapters in one night! I rock, I SOOOO rock. But It's been way overdue for the longest time, ne? Anyway, I hope you enjoy. I got my format fixed ^_^ Don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: If I have to say it one more time, I'm going to barf. You know the drill. So I'm not saying it anymore.

Thoughts

~*~* Passing of time

Tai Itsukun's Talking to Kumiko again. Whoopee.

Also works for flashbacks!

Shi Jin no Miko

Chapter 9: Crossing the Line

Kumiko couldn't believe her ears. "Four months?" She repeated. He nodded. "Yea, last time I checked." He put his arms around her again, hugging her closer. "I missed you too, ya know." She blushed. "I can't believe I've been gone Four Months. Tai Itsukun was right when she said time passed quicker here." "Time must move pretty slowly in your world. And what's up with the pigtails?" He teased. She stuck out her tongue and took them out. "Better?" She asked. "Much," he gave her an awkward smile and let go of her. Kumiko's heart still pound like a jackhammer against her chest. Hiding a blush, she said hastily, "Well, we should catch up. Tell me, what's been happening while I've been gone? How's everybody? Still the same I guess."

Tasuki let go of Kumiko and looked away from her slightly. "Uh, Kumiko I hate to break it to you, but um…Nuriko, he's…-" "Don't tell me he's still swooning over Hotohori-sama," Kumiko laughed. "No, he's…dead." Tasuki's words brought chills up and down her spine. Dead? No, that isn't possible. Not Nuriko. He was always so strong; he could have never kicked the bucket just like that…She thought. "You're kidding me," She said, looking at him. He shook his head. "No. We…ran into the Seiryuu Senshi in Hokkan. One of them, Ashitare, fought and killed Nuriko. We were able to get the Shinzaho, but it was only to be stolen afterwards." Kumiko slumped to her knees. "I…just can't believe it. How could Nuriko die? He's always been so invincible and strong. I admired him," She said, her eyes stinging.

He kneeled beside her. "I know. I miss him too." She fingered at her necklace. Why did the people she cared about always have to leave her? Would they all leave her one by one until she was alone? She clenched her fists. "I'm going to find the other senshi guardians. And I will stop this: My duty has just become more important," She said, her voice filled with Tenacity. Tasuki smiled slightly. That's the Kumiko I know…he thought.

"We can't dwell on Nuriko's death. That's not what he wanted." "I guess," She said. Suddenly, she stood up remembering something. "Hey, I forgot to tell you. I brought something back with me. I brought a souvenir." She searched through her bags, taking it out and grinning triumphantly. "Here," She placed it in his hand. "What is it?" He asked her. "It's a wishing stone. But hey, look at what it says." He looked at it closer, and smiled. "You're clever," he said, flashing her a smile. This made her happy, the emotion easily showing through her face. " Why thank you. What do you say we celebrate?" She asked brightly. "Celebrate?" He asked. She jerked her head towards his sake jug. He gave her a weird look, then grinned, understanding what she meant. "I know just the place," he said, taking her hand.

Within half an hour, the two sat in a nearby bar. They were back in Konan, in a fairly deserted town. Kumiko sat staring at the glass. "I've never had alcohol," she said honestly, "Mostly because I'm underage. But I suppose you don't have those kinds of laws." She took the glass and drank a small amount. The effect was overwhelming as she blinked her watering eyes. "Look, Kumiko you don't have to drink it if you don't…want to." He stared at her as she polished it off within a second. "Whoa," She grinned. Tasuki smirked. "Let the fun begin."

"We'll drink and drink and drink and drink and then we'll drink some more! We'll dance and sing and fight until the early morning light, then we'll throw up, pass out, wake up and then go drinking once again!" The two sang happily, slightly off key. Another half an hour had gone by and the two were totally and outright…drunk. "That's such a great song! We should sing it more often, Kumiko!" Tasuki said happily. "This is so fun! I can't believe I've never done this before. You should've told me how great this was," Kumiko laughed. "Didn't I tell you? This is a bandits life!" Tasuki replied, taking another drink. Kumiko burped and turned to him. "You gotta promise me one thing: You're not gonna take advantage of me and all that shit. Otherwise, I have to hurt you. Or something. Go all psycho oni-demon on you. Actually… I don't remember what Tai Itsukun said." Tasuki shook his head. "I don't like women, remember? I've told you a thousand times." Kumiko blinked and replied, "You mean your gay?" He shook his head. "No, women are just cause me trouble that's all."

Kumiko scrunched her eyes closed, then opened them again, seeing that things were less blurry. "I think we should leave at some point. Otherwise, we'll get kicked out," Kumiko said logically, for the first time in the past hour. Tasuki nodded. "Yea, you're probably right. Although, I seem to be having a problem standing up," he said. "You moron, you are standing," She pointed out, giggling. He looked down at his legs, which felt like jelly. "Oh, I suppose I am." The pair made their way (eventually) out of the building. Feeling quite rational, Kumiko asked, "So where are we going to stay the night? An Inn isn't going to take us if we're drunk and inane." Tasuki shrugged, and was ready to collapse. Four or Five Kumiko's danced before his eyes. "Wait…which one of you asked that?" He said, confused.

With that, he collapsed on the ground. Kumiko blinked slightly. "I don't think he's getting up." She said aloud. She sighed, and dragged him carefully. Why does he have to be so damn heavy? She asked herself irritably. By the time Kumiko had dragged the sleeping Tasuki into a shaded area, she was about ready to collapse herself. The area was surrounded by trees. "We better not have to do this all the time." She groaned, leaning against one of the trees. She quickly slipped out of consciousness, exhausted by the amount of alcohol in her system.

Luckily for Kumiko, the sun's morning rays couldn't penetrate the barrier her eyelids had set upon her eyes. Most unluckily for her, It was Tasuki that woke her up. "Come on Kumiko, we need to get moving. If you want to start finding the other senshi guardians you can't sleep all morning." She groaned, and turned over. Her head hurt like hell, along with the rest of her body. Her stomach hurt most off all. "What in gods name did I do to deserve all of this?" She said, clutching her aching head. "Um, we got drunk. Last night. Remember?" Tasuki reminded her, giving her a hand up. The memories returned, but unfortunately, her ability to stand did not, and she went toppling back to the ground.

Tasuki winced. "Looks like you've got one hell of a hangover. The first time is always that way, I guess. I remember my first hangover, at least I think. It wasn't so bad if you think about it," he went on, but Kumiko wasn't listening. She was too busy trying to reduce the amount of nausea she began to feel. She stood up again, wobbling slightly. "Oh shut up. I'm not-" She stopped, pausing to run over to a nearby tree in order to vomit. A bitter taste filled her mouth as she threw up the previous night's alcohol. "Feeling good." She finished weakly. Tasuki nodded sympathetically. "Sucks to be you."

"Never again," She said, wiping her mouth from excess vomit. "What do you mean never again? We had fun didn't we?" Tasuki looked disappointed, as if she told him that she was canceling Christmas. "Yea, but this," She pointed to the tree, that had been so horribly abused, "Is not fun." "Oh come on Kumiko. Don't get so worked up about it," He said. "I should be! I mean, if my mom knew that I was getting drunk with a guy a year older than me, who just happens to do it VERY often, she'd freak! I mean, really! I've never overstepped these boundaries before!" He snickered.

"What? What's so funny about it?" "Nothing," he answered, turning away from her. She furrowed her eyebrows and said, "No, it isn't nothing! Tell me, I wanna know." He just shook his head and answered, "You care so much about what she thinks. I thought you rebelled against her." Kumiko unclenched her fists and sat down. "I…did. But I can't HURT her. She cares about my `well being'" She quote un-quoted her fingers as she said this. "She wouldn't want me to end up like her." Tasuki gave her a quizzical look.

"I told you she's an alcoholic right? Her daily schedule goes as so: Get up at Noon, have a beer and some Raman noodles, Sleep. Watch Tv. Cry. Go to the bar, get drunk off her ass, come back at 1:00 in the morning. Sleep. Repeat. Everyday, that's how it was, after my father died. She took a sabbatical from working, and hasn't gone back. My father's death was almost two years ago." She sighed. "I don't want to be like that. I'm an honor student at a proclaimed prepatory school, or so she says. I can't be doing this kind of thing regularly. Please understand my situation." He nodded in reply. "I didn't say you had to all the time. I just don't want you to be so uptight whenever I want to go drinking." He imitated her voice. "You're going to get your ass kicked Tasuki! Only ONE and then we leave! Ugh, you're such an embarrassment!"

She folded her arms in protest. "I never said that!" He shrugged. "You would." "And I don't sound like that," She added. "You'd be surprised," he muttered. She punched his shoulder slightly. He grinned at her and replied, "Looks like your back to your regular bitchy self. That was a quick recovery." She noticed how his eyes glimmered brightly when he said this. She covered her blush by sticking out her tongue. "Yea well, I'm still going to have to take some Advil or something. My head isn't the only thing that's killing me." She got up and looked through her bags. "Hmm…I KNOW I have it somewhere. Ah! Here it is!" She grinned and took out the medicine.

"What is it?" He asked, coming over to look at the bottle. "Medicine. You probably don't have them in convenient little pills, do you?" He shook his head. "What else do you have in these bags of yours?" He asked, looking through it. "Go ahead and look around, I have to take these," Kumiko said, opening the bottle.

She grabbed her water canteen swallowed the two painkillers, then turned around when she heard Tasuki's voice. "What's this?" Tasuki asked. Kumiko looked up to see him holding one of her most precious of personal belongings: her bra. Face turning pink, she said, "Tasuki give it to me. NOW!" "What is it?" he pressed on. "That doesn't matter, I'll tell you later, just give it." He shook his head. "Not until you tell me what it is." Kumiko once again felt her anger flare. "TASUKI GIVE IT TO ME!" She tackled him to the ground, his hand holding her bra out of reach. "Tasuki, this isn't funny! Give it!" Suddenly he stopped, a deep blush across his face.

She was completely unaware until that moment that she and Tasuki had been in quite a compromising position. She had been completely on top of him, their noses almost touching. Thus, both of them found the situation quite uncomfortable. She quickly grabbed her bra from Tasuki's open hand and shoved it back in one of the bags. Both their faces turned a deep shade of red. For a moment they sat in silence. Then, "Sorry," She said. "You should be. That was disgusting," Tasuki said shuddering. "Well you were the one that grabbed my bra! I mean seriously, don't you respect a woman's privacy?!" She yelled. "Well how am I supposed to know what it is when you won't tell me!" He scoffed. Kumiko stopped and sighed. This wasn't going to make her headache any better. "Ok, I know you don't understand what that is, and that's perfectly normal seeing that women here, in this world, probably don't know what they are either." "So nobody knows what they are?" He asked dumbfounded. "Yea, except people from my world." She answered. "Miaka and Mischa both know. THEY use them."

"But I want to know what it is!" He urged, sounding childish. She sighed again and took it back out of her bag. She held it up to her chest and said bluntly, "It's what keeps things where they're supposed to be." Tasuki's eyes widened and nodded, face blushing furiously. "Oh. I didn't realize that it was…that. Sorry." Kumiko giggled slightly. "That's alright. Just…don't go around telling people you know what it is, okay?" He nodded. "Wait, you mean I can't brag to Tama that I know what those crazy things are for?" She shook her head. "No!" That was the last thing she needed. "Miaka can tell him about it herself." "And it isn't really anything to brag about," She added.

"Why do you even use one? I mean, you don't really need it, do you?" He said bluntly. Kumiko blushed furiously and stood up. "Tasuki, I'm seriously gonna kick your ass for that!" She rushed at him, but unfortunately for her, he was much faster. She was on the ground within seconds. "You'll have to work better than that," He said, grinning. She suddenly made a scared face and said, "Tasuki, let me up, I think I'm going to puke again." He immediately jumped away from her and she sat up laughing. "You fell for that one, didn't you, Tasuki-kun?" She laughed heartily, her stomach burning. "Not funny," He said. She nodded vigorously, face turning red. "Oh yes it was!" She said between gasps of air.

A few minutes later, she stopped laughing. They both sat in silence for a moment, until Kumiko fully collected her composure. "Well, I suppose we can't sit here all day," She said slowly. "Yea, guess your right." He said. "Hey, if this is about the whole situation, it's in the past! I mean, I don't care! You didn't know what it was so you asked and it's my fault and I shouldn't have been such a bitch about it just stop being sulky!" She said hurriedly, yelling for no apparent reason at all. She just needed to yell. Suddenly Tasuki smirked, which grew wider until he started laughing. "What is so damn funny?" She asked heatedly. "You just did exactly what I thought you were gonna do," He answered, grinning.

She quirked an eyebrow. "This was all a test?" She said slowly. He shook his head. "No. But it happens the same every time. You apologize when I do something wrong. Or Stupid. Or whatever." She looked surprised. "Wow, you actually thought of something logical. Congratulations." He glared at her and a smirk crossed her face. "There we go, all better. Come on Tasuki lets go!" She said this in a slight sing-songy voice. Tasuki shook his head. This girl had issues.

Why is it that 15 minutes ago she was tired, crabby and hangover and now she's jumping around happily? And just seconds ago she was yelling. Must be that medicine she takes. Bet it makes her act so psycho, He thought, pondering Kumiko's weird personality disorder. She turned around. "Hey, you coming?" Her voice was now serious. He smiled and nodded. She smiled back happily, turned back around and continued walking. That's why he liked her. Her ability to be so versatile. Versatile? Where'd that come from? She's not all that versatile at all… This thought confused him slightly, but he only shook his head.

~*~*~*

"So, where exactly do you think we go?" Kumiko asked. They had been traveling out of the area, and now where at a crossroad. "I dunno." She sighed. He wasn't making this any easier. "Ok, well, you met two of the Genbu senshi when you were finding the Shinzaho, didn't you?" He nodded. "Yea, but I didn't catch their names." Kumiko looked slightly downfallen. "Ok. Bummer. Well, we could go to Kuto, but I highly suggest we go elsewhere. I don't think they'd be happy to see me, even if Yui was. Heck, Yui doesn't even know I'm here," She said, slowly trailing. Tasuki could see the look on her face as she mentioned her friend. "If you want, we could find her there. See how she is." Kumiko shook her head. "No. You were there; you remember what that horrible General did to Tamahome. No way I'm risking it. Besides, I'm supposed to be neutral, and you're the only one I'm traveling with, so they could easily think I'm siding with Konan. I think it best to find the others first."

He nodded, feeling slightly better that they wouldn't have to go back to Kuto. He flinched at the sound of it; he remembered being beaten by Tamahome: It was an embarrassment. "The Genbu senshi said something about returning to heaven now that their quest was over." Kumiko bit her lip. "Not good. We could have gotten answers from them. Well, I guess that leaves us with Biyakko." Tasuki nodded. To Sairou it was.

"I'm starting to despise this `staying wherever we find a hidden area' idea. It's not to comfortable," Kumiko said. Tasuki laughed. "You're too materialistic. You've gotta sleep out in nature a little more." She replied, "Tasuki, I've been doing it for the past few months. I still dislike the idea." He shrugged. "Wonder if Tai Itsukun could help us," She said, sighing. A sudden white fog clouded her eyes as she began to panic; what was this?

"Tasuki, I can't see!" She said in alarm. "Do not trouble yourself. I'm just not at will to come find you in person…" She recognized this voice. Could it be? "Tai Itsukun? Is that you?" She asked blindly. "Yes, it's me." Her face suddenly appeared before Kumiko, much to her surprise. "Why are you here?" She asked her. "As I recall, you asked for my help. So I'll give it to you. In order to find you next guardian, you will follow a map charted in your mind. I will create small houses, cabins perhaps, for you and Tasuki here to stay in. That way, you needn't sleep on the ground." Kumiko graciously said, "Thank you Tai Itsukun! You do so much for me!" Tai Itsukun gave her a rare smile. "I am glad you appreciate it. Now go along on your journey. I'll be keeping an eye on you. Oh yes, and before I forget, there's somebody waiting for you in Sairou…"

Her vision suddenly back, She looked around. Tasuki quirked an eyebrow. "You're pretty strange, talking to yourself. Tell me, do the people in your world to that a lot, or are you just special?" She stuck out her tongue. "Just me," She said smugly. "Now if you don't mind. I'd like to get moving. I just had a nice little chat with Tai Itsukun, that's all." He gave her a surprised look. "Tell me," He said, intrigued. She shook her head. "Nope. Between her and me. That's what you get for insulting me." He frowned. "Oh come on, I was kidding!" She shrugged. "You'll have to wait and see," She said smiling.

Near sundown, the two heard voices nearby. "Who do you th-" Tasuki interrupted Kumiko with a loud "Shh!" They neared silently, careful not to disturb whomever it was. Kumiko's ears perked when she heard the words `Priestess of Suzaku' `Shinzaho' and `Senshi'. Who could it be? Not a regular group of travelers, that was for sure. "They've got tents," Kumiko muttered, pointing. Suddenly, Kumiko heard their words clearly.

"The priestess of Suzaku is currently far far away from all of her senshi. Besides they think they're in Sairou, thanks to Tomo. And won't she be disappointed when she finds them lying dead in the middle of the desert. Even her precious Tamahome is under Tomo's spell. After all, he's under the impression our dear Soi is his precious Miaka."

Tasuki recognized the speaker at once. "That bastard Nakago," He spat, ready to confront them. "Tasuki, no!" Kumiko hissed. "We can't! If we just use what he said to our advantage and find everyone else, we can save them now! Why waste time trying to fight him? They could be in serious danger. I think-" She stopped immediately when she recognized Yui's voice.

"Thank you Nakago. I know that you've been doing an awful lot to get us this far. Thank you for being so devoted. We must beat Miaka to the Shinzaho, no matter what. We will get it at all costs."

Kumiko felt her mouth go dry. How could Yui say such a thing? She may have thought Miaka a traitor, but how could she go to such ends to betray Miaka? Was she trying to get back at her for all the pain she had suffered. Yet, Kumiko had a gut feeling that it wasn't what Yui truly wanted. Nakago seemed to be the kind of person who would push between them. "I have to get Yui out of this," She told Tasuki. He shook his head. "You were right. We need to find the others. If you're worried about her safety, Nakago's one strong bastard. He's not gonna let anything happen to her, nor will he do anything."

Kumiko shook her head. "No, not that. He's a sick bastard, like you said. And I don't want her in this situation any longer. We need to get out of here, and out of sight. Then, I'll wait till Nakago leaves, then rescue Yui. Ok?" Her eyes pleaded with Tasuki. He sighed. "Alright. But be careful. I'm not sure what Nakago would do if he found you. Just know, I'll be close by." She smiled. "Don't worry. I'm the Shi Jin no Miko, remember? I'm on nobody's side."

The slowly and silently made their way passed the camp. They left their horses deep in a wooded area, unseen to everyone and everything. Tasuki put his hand on her shoulder and said, "be safe." His amber eyes looked slightly grave, but within them, there was a glint of hope. Resisting the urge to blush, she nodded and headed off. If I have to, I'll protect myself with my powers…she thought worriedly.

"I'll be back soon, your eminence. Suboshi will watch over you for now." Nakago said, as he left. Kumiko ducked down low, praying with all her will he couldn't sense her chi. Whether or not he did, he left without finding her, galloping off into the open desert that was Sairou. Breathing a sigh of relief she stood back up and smoothed out her pants. She tiptoed across to their camp, careful not to make any noise. Most unfortunately, luck didn't seem to be on her side.

CRACK! A stick sounded as it snapped beneath her foot. "Shit," She cursed quietly, hoping nobody heard. But, once again, luck wasn't on her side. A figure sprang from the tent immediately, poking their head outside. Yui's blue eyes went wide as she stared at Kumiko, who seemed frightened. "Kumiko?" Yui asked in disbelief. "What….what are you doing here?!"

~*~*~*

Yay, once again, another cliffie. I'm so grateful that I got Yui into the story, I've been meaning to forever, but the timing never seemed right. But hey, aren't you glad I figured out how to fix my format? I'm not all that smart, but at least I've got a smarter IQ than I roll of toilet paper. Er…I think. Well anyways, please review!

~*Lola*~