Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ The Ties that Bind ❯ When You Wish Upon a Star... ( Chapter 5 )

Author's Notes: Anyway, the new 'previews' of the next chapter are at the bottom... XD corny? Yes...I think so. But, then again...I'm a dork...so it doesn't matter. Hrm...and the scene I have in here with Keisuke, Miaka, and Taka...that group...x__x; tell me if it fits in? I was trying to decide whether it was just me killing time because I want to write Keisuke into the story...or if it actually fits into the chapter at all. I mean, I'm not sure if the comic relief was necessary at that point. But, eh...enjoy... ^^;

"Have you forgotten that I can sense your life force, Suboshi? Why do you look so surprised?" Amiboshi canted his head and then moved those hands upward to lower the cowl that framed his face.

Suboshi's brows twitched downward and those eyes glazed over with tears. He rid those from his vision by swiping his forearm across, causing a glistening line of saline to form along the slight-bronzed flesh. The moisture caught the fire's light and shimmered visibly from the dancing flames. Those crackling flames were the only thing that filled the silent gap for quite sometime, and before anyone even had a chance to react, the knife that was clutched in Suboshi's hand slipped to the rocky ground. The loud clink it made echoed against the caved walls, but it's holder had sprung forward, throwing arms around his second-self and weeping against the his chest.

"Aniki! I missed you so much!"

"Suboshi..." The older twin's hands flew up in surprise at the sudden impact, but then offered a soothing smile. Fingertips went forward to stroke his twin's silken strands of light brown comfortingly. "You should know we can't be separated. Not through death nor forgetfulness leaves. We're always together...you and me. Our bond is too strong for anything to break..."

"I just...I wanted you to be happy. I didn't want you to have to fight anymore. You are too good of a person to be subjected to war, and I knew the fighting made you unhappy. Demo, I couldn't stop it...I couldn't. Gomen nasai, Amiboshi! Gomen nasai...!" Suboshi branched off into sobs, tightening his trembling arms around his twin.

Amiboshi listened to the words from his mirrored image, and then lowered his head somewhat. So that was why he had done it. He supposed he had no choice but to understand, after all, he could feel how truly sorry Suboshi was for everything. He could feel it deep within his heart; an emotion that almost made him want to share the same tears with his younger brother. Still, he forgave him. And to signify that, lips moved upward to brush against his twin's forehead before he let him out of the embrace.

"Suboshi...nakanaide..." He lifted one hand to sweep tears away from the identical visage. "Crying doesn't suit you, ne?"

He forced a laugh, drying his eyes the rest of the way, "Hai, aniki."

"I'm glad to see that you're all right, though. I didn't know what happened to you for a while...where you had gone. Demo, I knew you were alive somewhere and that you would return to me someday. I mean, I knew it deep within my heart. My mind didn't remember such things until now..."

"I'm so happy to see you again, aniki. I never thought I was going to, because I didn't want to ruin the life you had built for yourself."

"You wouldn't have, Suboshi. I would have liked to share that life with you. Kaasan and Tousan really could use the help around the house. They would understand, I'm sure...and now that the war is over...you could come back and live with me, ne?"

"A-anou...?" Yui stepped forward slightly, for the first time reminding them of her presence.

The brothers turned to face her and the younger of the two's eyes widened, "G-gomen, Yui-sama! I almost forgot..."

"Yui-sama...? I thought both of the miko's returned to their world. That was what the rumors were in Sairou..."

"It's a long story, aniki. I'll tell you all about it later before we go to sleep. Demo, could you do me a favor?"

Amiboshi smiled playfully, "We just reunited and you're already asking me for a favor? What is it, otouto?"

"Can you watch Yui-sama while I go out and get something for all of us to eat? Nakago and the other Seiryuu shichiseishi are after her."

"Hai, I know. I ran into Tomo a few days ago. He mentioned the return of the Seiryuu no Miko. At the time, I didn't know what he meant. Demo, I will watch her for you..."

"Arigatou," Suboshi gave a grateful smile and then turned to face Yui. "Don't worry, Yui-sama...I won't be too long."

Yui raised her brows and nodded, "Hai."

After he received the affirmation, he raced out leaving Yui alone with the other who was almost a stranger to her. She felt an heir of discomfort for a moment, and then flashed him a quick smile before she moved back to the hay pile, plopping down on it. Her knees were pulled up against her chest and she lowered her chin to them. Shoulder-length strands dipped over her shoulders, spilling forth along the green blazer. When compared to the straw itself...they were nearly the same color. But, nonetheless, the highschool student sat in silence letting her thoughts wander over the various problems that currently plagued her mind. As though he sensed her unease, the former seishi fished within his cloak, removing the wooden flute. That was slowly raised to his lips and a quiet little melody sounded; a soft whisper of tranquil notes...hardly audible to anyone but the two within the cavern. Yui's gaze lifted toward the musician and a small smile curved upon her lips.

They're so different...but the same somehow. Amiboshi...I never really knew him, but he seems so kind and considerate. This was the boy who served as a spy for the Suzakuu side? The one who posed as Chiriko? I can see how he deceived them. No one would suspect Amiboshi... She lowered her head at the thought, sweeping away a few flaxen bangs. After a few more moments of the requiem, Yui decided to interrupt.

"Amiboshi?"

"Hai, Yui-sama?"

"Arigatou...for comforting me. With your fue, that is..."

He chuckled somewhat, leaning against the rocky wall, "Ie...it's no problem, Yui-sama. It would have been a much easier task to do if I had my seishi abilities. Nee, Seiryuu was bound away...? I think that's what Tomo said to me."

"Un...there was a battle in my world. When Miaka summoned Suzakuu...she made it one of her wishes to seal Seiryuu away in a scroll."

"Miaka-san summoned Suzakuu? Thank goodness. The way she was talking when we met up in Sairou...it sounded like she couldn't. I'm glad she got to though."

"Miaka is one of a kind, ne? Even after all the trouble I gave her...she still saved me from being devoured by Seiryuu. She really does have a forgiving heart..."

"It was one of the qualities I admired most about her..." Amiboshi glanced off a bit wistfully, a thoughtful smile etched upon those lips.

Yui watched him for a moment, until a realization dawned on her as though a sudden light shined on the truth that had been hidden there all along, Amiboshi...Amiboshi is in love with Miaka.

A flash of lightning streaked over the dark clouds of Kutou, forcing a crackling sound to rise up afterward. The blue light filled the fairly dark room with brightness for a few brief moments and then vanished once again to a heavy murkiness. Nakago stood silently at the window, laying one palm flat against it's pane. Blurs of rain raced down the glass, chasing each other to the end and then were followed up by more. This downpour made it rather difficult to see the outdoors, though the general wasn't exactly paying attention to the surroundings. He was just allowing the droplets to carry his thoughts along with their descent, hoping that maybe it would wash them away.

Upon the bed, was where Soi's comatose form had been placed. She was completely devoid of any normal animation except the steady breaths that were drawn into pale lips. It didn't seem as though she was going to wake up. No. More like it didn't seem as though she wanted to wake up. And to Nakago, that was one of the most puzzling things. Within life, he had been the only thing she desired. He couldn't begin to fathom that now...when she had a chance to live that life with him again...to serve the one she loved, why she was denying it.

Nakago released a sigh, bowing his head somewhat. Blond strands scattered atop his right eye and he didn't even bother to fix them. He was rather used to looking through the curtain of bangs. One hand moved up to his neck, cupping a jewel in his palm. The stone was a shimmering ruby with several golden charms dangling from the chain itself. A glint caught on the gem's surface suddenly and soon afterward, another clap of thunder roared in the distance.

"Things are going rather well, Soi..." He turned so he could glance toward her. Nakago had often talked to the woman like this when he was alone, just to confide in someone. It was probably better that she couldn't hear a word of what he was saying. "Tomo has set off for Sairou. Rumor has it that a girl from another world appeared near there. He will find her if it's Yui-sama. And Miboshi...he is now with the Suzakuu seishi Tasuki. The baka doesn't even suspect a thing. His ignorance is highly amusing."

Booted footfalls clicked against cold tile and the man started to shed his armor. The chest plate fell atop those shoulder guards and cape. He removed his shoes as well as the sheath that housed his sword. This was all pushed aside to the farthest corner and he drew the chair away from his desk, placing it before the bed. The general sank onto the seat allowing those crystalline oculars to roam over Soi's visage. Rather uncharacteristic of himself, a look of concern swept those features briefly.

"Soi..." His hand moved forward, digits slipping into magenta strands. They were still so silken in texture as though nothing had changed. "Why won't you wake up?"

He paused as though expecting her to answer, but he should have known she wouldn't. His gaze drifted toward the wall, and he strayed from that topic to the next one. One about his plans, his true intentions for this all, "This time...we won't lose. This time, I'll achieve everything I wanted to before. Tamahome and the Suzakuu no Miko will not interrupt this time. There is no possible way that they could. With the miko back in her world, she cannot return to this one...unlike Yui-sama. And Tamahome, he's separated from her, I'm sure."

There was another moment of silence as Nakago returned his attention back toward her face. This quietness was followed up by a continuation of his thought, "Ashitare returned today. I was quite surprised that fool of a beast would even dare come back here. I suppose it's his animal instincts to be loyal to his master, demo once I have no more use for him...I will kill him again. I don't need any pathetic creatures roaming around..."

The Hin tribesman sighed once more, closing his eyes. To say that he wasn't concerned about Soi would be a lie. She somehow managed to pierce the steely depths of his heart and forced him to show some compassion toward her without him even knowing it. All those times he was cold and cruel, she never stopped loving him. She died for him because of those emotions. He couldn't imagine how or why when all he did was push her away. The only kind thing he had ever done was save her from that man. And that really was only because he had known what it was like to be a victim of sexual abuse at such a young age. Forcing oneself upon another...such a thing sickened Nakago. It was the only reason he saved both Soi and Yui from that fate. And it was really one of the most important reasons he never coupled with Miaka when he could very well have done so. Sure, he would have been able to force himself upon the Suzakuu no Miko, since it was for his own gains, but it didn't necessarily mean he would have enjoyed doing so.

Still, his eyes shifted back toward the nineteen year old, "Soi...I hope you wake up soon."

***

Keisuke and Taka had neglected to read the scene with Nakago. They were doubled over in laughter from the first half. The brother fought to catch his breath, "A-Am-Amiboshi...has a crush on my sister!"

"Talk about realizing the obvious!" Taka snickered.

"I honestly don't know what anyone sees in her. No offense, Taka-kun."

"Oniichan!"

"Itai! Miaka!"

Taka sweatdropped, glancing over the collapsed Keisuke who had pieces of a broken chair all over his back and was crumpled up in one of those super deformed bits, "None taken, Keisuke-san."

"Aren't you supposed to be getting a call from Tetsuya-san soon?" Miaka furrowed her brows in annoyance.

"Un...he was really worried about Yui-chan and went out to search through Ohsugi Suzuno-san's house. He had permission from her grandson. Demo, I don't know what it'll help..." Keisuke sat up with amazingly no injuries.

"Anything will help now, oniichan...if we can figure out why Yui-chan was pulled in there again."

"Miaka...?" Taka began.

"Un...?" She looked back in his direction.

"Do you think you could communicate with Yui-chan? I'm sure you're connected in some way like you were before. Maybe...if the situation got tough, you could warn her..."

"I haven't thought of that before. Maybe I can, Taka..."

At that point, the phone rang and Keisuke lunged for it, "Yuki residence...Tetsuya! I figured it would be you...huh? Oh, nothing...just getting beat on by my gluttonous little sister..."

"Nani?!" Miaka glared at him.

The college student offered a sheepish smile in her direction and backed away, returning to his conversation, "So what did you guys find out? Eh, nani?! What do you mean you haven't even started looking yet?! Well, hurry up then! Un...call me back if you get news. Ja."

Taka sighed lightly and shook his head, "So we're back at square one..."

"More like we never even got off of it..." Keisuke hung up the phone.

"We'll find out! I'm sure we will! In the meantime, Yui-chan's safe with Amiboshi. We can figure out the whole thing after supper. I'll make something now!" Miaka piped up cheerfully and began in the direction of the kitchen.

Both the college students sweatdropped simultaneously, before Keisuke glanced over toward his sister's boyfriend...mumbling low, "There goes our stomachs for the rest of the night."

"Hai, hai..."

"Anou...Miaka! Why don't we just order something to eat instead...?" The brother closed his eyes happily.

"I could go for some Chinese food..." Taka added a bit wistfully.

The Yotsubadai student furrowed her brows suspiciously, pretty much knowing their reasoning behind it...and if Keisuke didn't fix it quickly, he was going to wind up like before, "Why...?"

"Why ask why, Miaka? We can go to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Hey, I'll even call Tetsuya along and have him pay for us..." The elder Yuki brother made his way for the phone.

"Hai!" Miaka beamed and then raced off to wait in the car, thus saving the two boys from the horrible cooking--to which they were nothing but grateful.

"Anou...Keisuke-san...we are going to a chinese buffet, ne?"

***

"Let's see...a little of this for Yui-sama. And then some of this for aniki. I better get some extra's, and things that we could safely stock up too..."

Suboshi mumbled those words to himself as he raided the bakery of Sairou. It was really the only place he knew to go for such things and there was absolutely no one around to stop him. It wasn't exactly stealing if it was for a good cause, right? And when it came to Yui, anything was a good cause. He grasped a sack that was normally used to hold ingredients such as flour and then he stuffed the foods in there. Slinging that over his shoulder, he moved to the door, peering outside in a couple directions to make sure no one was coming. If he was caught, he wouldn't be able to get these foods to the two most important people in his life. And he didn't even have the ability to use his Ryuuseisui any longer. Suboshi spared a longing glance toward the limp weapon that had been wrapped around his waist, before he headed out into the streets. When he saw the coast was clear, he rushed in the direction of the forest. Though, apparently...the coast was less clear than he thought.

"Kai-Ka!"

Suboshi stopped in his tracks. Widened eyes shifted in the direction of the call, spotting a rather plump woman in the doorway of a house, "A-anou..."

"Kai-Ka? Is it really you? Did you come back already?" She clutched the bottom of her night dress, heading over in his direction.

For a second, the seishi contemplated running away. He recognized this lady as the caretaker of his aniki and didn't really want to give Amiboshi a bad name...had she noticed the bag of stolen goods in his hand. Yet, the damage had been done when she spotted him. It would probably be easier for her to believe he was this 'Kai-Ka' rather than the twin of the boy she thought to be her son. But, could he really act like Amiboshi? True, he knew him better than anyone else in the world, yet he wasn't all that certain in his abilities to act like the second part of his soul.

"Anou...Kaasan. What are you doing out so late?" Suboshi did his best to look concerned.

"I couldn't sleep. I thought maybe if I looked at the stars and wished hard enough, you would come back home. And sure enough...you did..." She offered him a pleasant smile.

The fifteen year old forced a laugh, "Hai, hai." How does aniki stand leaving for a minute if this is the type of guilt he receives?

"So, have you come back for good?"

"Well...I..." He paused and looked back toward her. "Ie...I-I have to go again, Kaasan. There are many important things I have to take care of. Demo, I will return to you soon..."

Visible disappointment was seen in the very way the woman held herself, "I see...take care, Kai-Ka. And be sure to eat well. And keep your strength up since we're going to start harvesting soon."

Suboshi frowned and then brought an arm around her, keeping the other hand securely around the sack, "Hai, I will, Kaasan...tell Tousan not to worry either. I love you both and I'll be back soon."

He drew away from her and offered a light smile. It was almost as though his brother had somehow told him the right thing to say. The mother dried her eyes and nodded to him. Suboshi offered one final smile and found the easiest thing to do was run away. Without another word, his left foot pushed off the ground and allowed him to get a head start in the direction of the forest. He felt her gaze on him up until he disappeared far enough into the shadows that could shield out the woman's sorrowful stare. The seishi slowed down to a jog before he stopped completely and leaned back against the trunk of a tree.

"No wonder why you chose that life over the war. They love you, aniki. I'm glad you met up with such loving people. You only deserve that type of love for yourself..."

Suboshi grinned faintly and lifted his attention skyward. Clusters upon clusters of white sparkles illuminated the evening sky. He searched for the brightest one and eventually located it somewhere near the constellation that shared the same name as himself. It was no surprise really. Even when he was younger and used to go stargazing with his twin on those warm nights in Kutou, he always found that the brightest star lay somewhere between their two constellations. This was his wishing star; the one that always symbolized hope for himself.

"Onegai, Seiryuu...onegai...let Amiboshi and Yui-sama find happiness in their lives. I don't care so much what happens to myself...so long as both of them are safe..."

"How very touching..."

Suboshi blinked and snapped his head in the direction of the voice, "Who's there?!"

"Surely I would have thought you would recognize me just by hearing me speak, Suboshi. Demo, I guess that doesn't matter now. The most important thing is that I found you...like Nakago-sama wished me to do...now all you have to do is be a good boy and tell me where Yui-sama is. I may even overlook the fact that you killed me before if you do..." The figure stepped into the light with a soft cackle.

Upon hearing the laugh, the younger twin narrowed his eyes, "Tomo!"

From up in the cave, Amiboshi was suddenly overcome by a tight feeling deep within his chest cavity. It seemed to catch there for a moment, squeezing his heart until it released. The feeling was not one of his own...and there was only one other who it could belong to. He leaned forward quickly, sparing a glance toward the exit of the rocky shelter. Those eyes narrowed somewhat in determination, and the expression forced Yui to blink with confusion.

"Amiboshi, what's wrong?"

"I..." He suddenly rose to his feet and then stomped out the fire, leaving complete darkness to settle over the nooks and crannies of stone wall.

"Amiboshi?"

"Yui-sama...stay here. Don't make a sound..."

"Doushite?!"

"Suboshi's in trouble...I have to save him..."

Those words caught Yui off guard, and for the first time she felt as though something inside of her tore apart and filled her body with nothing but concern. A meek gasp stopped in her throat, and she nodded slightly toward the older twin, watching him rush off to his brother's rescue. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she brought one hand to her chest, feeling the pounding heartbeat against her ribcage.

"Suboshi...you have to come out of this alive..." She whispered to herself, clutching the shirt of her seishi's tightly.

**Next Chapter previews

With the help of Amiboshi, Suboshi manages to prevent Tomo from discovering that they do indeed have Yui-sama with them. Having to change their position quickly, they head into Sairou where Yui-sama recalls two of the former shichiseishi for Byakko reside. But, upon their attempt to gain help...they find a much more difficult decision ahead of them. Next time, in 'The Ties that Bind.' Can the past misdeeds really be overcome?