Disclaimer: The characters from Fushigi Yuugi are the creations and property of Yuu Watase and related enterprises

Disclaimer: The characters from Fushigi Yuugi are the creations and property of Yuu Watase and related enterprises. The characters from Inu-Yasha are the creations and property of Rumiko Takahashi and related enterprises. I do not own them and do not make any profit from this fiction except for my own enjoyment in spending time with them.

On the other hand, the original characters Mom and Dad are my original creations (actually, I’m their original creation) and they belong to me. As do other assorted family members. As to the reviewers and fanfic authors in this fic - they belong to themselves! But I get to "borrow" them for the duration of this fic - hee, hee, hee.

WARNING: For those readers who are not familiar with the storyline of "White Stones in the Moonlight", this chapter, especially the last section, depicts the re-enactment of the rape scene from that story. This material may be offensive to younger or sensitive readers - please skip this chapter if you think that this subject matter may upset you.

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Chapter 3. Danses Sacred and Profane

Part A. The set-up…

As soon as the curtain drops, the cast and crew swing into action like a well-trained Indy 500 pit crew. Tasuki and Tamahome duck behind wooden screens set up backstage and begin throwing off their clothes. Sorceress tosses robes over the screens for the young men, then sets up her make-up palette in preparation for painting bruises on Tasuki’s face. Chichiri and Mitsukake arrive, glancing through their scripts one last time. They are trailed by Chiriko, still clutching the video camera. Roku-chan tears herself away from the curtain to help Chichiri’s Girl and Kaze-chan move the new set into place.

The set is an expanded version of Tamahome’s room from the previous prologue, brought downstage and turned ninety degrees counterclockwise so that the headboard of the bed is now at stage right. The ‘door’ to the ‘bath chamber’ is directly upstage, whereas the ‘door’ to the corridor is opposite the bed, at stage left. There is also a ‘window’ in the stage left wall of the room. This set is situated on the downstage half of the rotating floor, the wall of Tamahome’s room neatly bisecting the circular stage. On the unseen upstage side of the rotating floor is the set which depicts the lake bordering the Imperial Palace, where Tamahome will encounter Chichiri.

All these changes are made to the set in under a minute. Her first task complete, Roku-chan pulls Chichiri’s Girl aside for instructions.

Roku: Now get out there and get Mom outta here for the next two scenes!! I don’t care how you do it, just do it!!!

Chichiri’s Girl: Listen, Roku, I think you’re a little too demanding here. How do you expect me to think up a plan on such short notice?

Roku: (snarling) You should have thought of that before you sent them the tickets! If you’re looking for sympathy now, you can find it in the dictionary...

Chichiri’s Girl: Yeah, I know, between "Shit" and "Syphilis." I know the old man’s sayings as well as you do, Roku-chan. Geez, you’re such an emotional wench - getting all worked up for no reason...

Roku: (refusing to be diverted) Just Gooooooo!!! (kicks her sister out into the auditorium)

Chichiri’s Girl stumbles through the curtain, making the crowd look up in anticipation. She gives a small, embarrassed wave to show that she’s not part of the next scene and jumps down by the first row seats.

Chichiri’s Girl: Hey, Mom, Dad... how’s it going?

Dad: Fine, fine... hey, when’s the next scene gonna start?

Chichiri’s Girl: (under her breath) As soon as I get Mom outta here... (louder) Um, Mom, do ya want me to show you where the bathrooms are? They’re really neat...

Mom: (glancing through the program) No.

Vampire Princess: Hey, I’d like to see the bathrooms...

Chichiri’s Girl: No shit, Princess. I mean, you’ve been outta the bathroom for what, ten minutes now? Geez, you must be suffering from withdrawal by now...

Vampire Princess: (hissing in an undertone) Fuck you, wench!

Chichiri’s Girl: (loudly) Eh? What’s that? Couldn’t hear ya - ya need to speak up, Princess... Mom didn’t hear what you’re trying to sayyyyyy...

The Vampire Princess makes an emphatic and rude gesture at her youngest sister, then stops as Mom looks up.

Vampire Princess: (in an undertone) I hope Roku kicks your butt! - she seemed pretty pissed when I saw her earlier...

Chichiri’s Girl: (remembering that that's exactly what’s going to happen if she doesn’t get Mom out in the next thirty seconds) Ulp!!! (looks upward for inspiration - then catches sight of a familiar red kimono) Hey, Mom! Inu-Yasha and Kagome are up in the balcony!! And... and... I think I saw Kikyou heading up the stairs towards them! What do you think about that?!

Mom: (suddenly angry) That Kikyou - she itsa dirt!! And bones!! And Kagome should not be back with Inu-Yasha! He itsa two-timer!!

Chichiri’s Girl: (cheerfully sacrificing Inu-Yasha to save her own butt) Yeah, Mom!! Why don’t you go give him a piece of your mind?

Mom: (grabbing her purse) All right!! We go now!!

Chichiri’s Girl: (suddenly apprehensive) We??!! (finds herself being dragged along by Mom on their mission to confront Inu-Yasha)

Meanwhile, Roku and Kaze-chan finish prepping the set, and Roku calls to Tasuki to get ready. Kaze-chan runs back up to the lighting booth. Roku-chan stays downstage, peeking out from the curtains. She is relieved to see Mom exit with Chichiri's Girl, although there is something in Mom's determined stomp that makes her nervous. Tasuki enters the stage, appropriately bruised and battered-looking, and quickly gets into position in the bed, flinging off his robe and pulling the sheet across his waist for modesty. He whistles softly to signal that he's ready. Roku-chan turns from the curtains and begins tying his hands to the headboard, using a strip of white material with sleeves and cuffs, cut to resemble a shirt. She sings to herself as she rapidly completes her task.

Roku: A Dreeeeeam is a Wisssshhh Your Heart Maaaakes...

Tasuki: Gahhhhhh, women!! Perverts, every last one of ‘em!

Roku: (batting her eyes innocently) Who, moi?

Tasuki: Oui, tu, Mademoiselle Piggy!

Roku: Tish! You spoke French!! (panting) You know what it does to me when you speak French!!!

She begins to rain little kisses on his inner arm from his wrist upwards. Tasuki starts out cursing but then giggles uncharacteristically. Neither notices Tamahome, who has just arrived onstage clad in his robe.

Tasuki: Stop that! It tickles!!

Roku: Oh, we’re ticklish, are we? (strikes a dramatic pose) Had I world enough and time!!

Tamahome: (crossing his arms) I can see that I’m interrupting a special moment here. Why don’t you let me go out there and send the crowd home? - then you two can have some quality time together.

Roku: (teasing) Oh, don’t be jealous, Tamaaaaaa... He’s all yours now!!

She skitters out quickly as both young men curse at her. Tamahome hesitates one moment, then flings off his robe, concealing it near the scattered bedclothes. He quickly gets into bed with Tasuki, pulling the sheet to cover himself.

Tasuki: (pissed off) Hey, asshole - you just uncovered me! Put the damn sheet back!

Tamahome: Put it back yourself, bakayarou!

Tasuki: Listen, shit-for-brains, I’m a little tied up right now! So if you don’t want Roku-chan kicking your ass for changing her play from "R" to "NC-17" in the second scene, you’re gonna have to cover me up!!

Tamahome: Oh! Heh heh! Forgot! (pulls the sheet so that it covers Tasuki again)

Roku: (from the wings) Okay, guys, assume the position!

Tamahome moves so that his head is resting on Tasuki’s chest, then gingerly places his arm across Tasuki’s waist. Both young men stare off into space, pretending that the other isn’t there. Up in the lighting booth, Kaze-chan begins running through the lighting changes, as Roku-chan calls in adjustments through their radio link-up.

Tasuki: Remind me again why we ever agreed to do this!

Tamahome: Well, I’m in it for the okane! Roku-chan said that if the play’s a success, we’re all gonna share in the profits!

Tasuki: Yeah, stupid question to ask you.

Tamahome: (suspicious) Well, if you’re not in it for the okane, why did you agree to do it?

Tasuki: (suddenly evasive) Well, the okane’s fine. But I’m really in it to... to expand my range as an actor!! That’s it, yeah, actor shit, ya know...

Tamahome: (suspicious) Hmph!

Both young men stare off into space again, acutely embarrassed.

Tamahome: (thinking to himself) Just keep thinking about the okane...

Tasuki: (thinking to himself) Just keep thinkin’ about Chapter 10... Whoops! Thinkin’ a little too MUCH about Chapter 10!

Tamahome: (thinking to himself) Whoops! Thinking a little too MUCH about the okane!

Both seishi suddenly draw back, furious.

Tamahome, Tasuki: (snarling at each other) What the Hell are you thinkin’ about??!!!

Roku: (hissing from the wings) Shut up, you two - the curtain’s going up!

No one notices a small figure hidden near the curtain, industriously videotaping the behind-the-scenes action.

Chiriko: (snickering to himself) Tamahome and Tasuki - Their Hidden Love Revealed!!! Hee, hee, hee, hee...

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Part B. Aftermath begins…

As the curtain rises, the set is barely visible, dimly lit in deep blue and heavily shadowed. Kryssa starts the music: a low thrumming bass whole note, imparting a feeling of rising tension. Kaze-chan begins running through the lighting changes. First, the overhead blue light changes to a lighter pastel blue, gradually brightening the room. Spotlights set off to the side send beams through the "window," shining pale pink light upwards towards the "ceiling" of the room. The beams of pink light begins to shift down the wall until they illuminate first Tasuki's bound hands, then shift lower to light the upper part of his body. He is suspended by his bound arms, his body only half-reclining as he sleeps. His head hangs towards his right arm, his hair covering his eyes. Tamahome's form remains in shadow, an indistinct shape resting on his chest. The low bass note is joined by the thrumming of violas and cellos, the ominous tones rising in urgency.

In the auditorium, the audience leans forward in both anticipation and dread. Of course, this is the point in time that Roku-chan's Dad chooses to begin his customary stream-of-consciousness remarks, Mom no longer at his side to restrain him.

Dad: (to the Vampire Princess and the world in general) Hey, you know, this reminds me of a play I went to with your mom when you kids were little. We had to leave you with a babysitter, yeah, you guys didn't like that, wanted to come with us. I remember Chichiri's Girl crying about how we never took her anywhere, not even on our honeymoon. Heh, heh... the kid just didn't get it. And if I remember right, you or Roku-chan whapped her one, and then we had to set up punishment for you before we left. Anyway, this play we went to was Camelot, I think. Lemme see, I think it was Kathryn Grayson who played Guinevere. Hey, she's still alive, but man, way bigger than she used to be…

Vampire Princess: (hissing) Dad! Shhhhh! The play's starting - you have to be quiet!!

Dad: Oh, yeah? I guess you're right. Hey, look at that! (begins giggling at the sight of Tasuki tied to the bed, the way he always does when he sees anything risque) Hey, Roku-chan's right - this does look like one of those artsy-fartsy plays! Heh, heh, heh - glad your mom's not here to see this - she wouldn't like this one bit, uh-uh. She don't go for this sex and nudity in movies and stuff. Next thing you know, that Slipper of hers would be flyin' out at the stage. Yeah, she sure wings that thing out there when she gets P.O.'d about something… Heh, heh, heh. That redhead's gotta be the flattest-chested girl I've ever seen. Heh, heh, heh, heh…

Of course, Dad's loud voice carries clearly to the stage, especially with him being in the front row. The supposedly unconscious Tasuki's lips tighten in irritation, while Tamahome's shadowed form shakes suspiciously. In the wings, Roku-chan grips her head in both hands.

Roku: (grumbling to herself) Yeah, you go to all this trouble to set a mood, spending weeks picking out the right music and designing the lighting sequence - only to have your parental units destroy the whole damn thing in forty seconds flat!!

Meanwhile, out in the audience…

Vampire Princess: Dad, that's not a girl, that's the guy from the previous scene!

Dad: Ulp!!! (hesitantly) And the other one in bed with him??

Vampire Princess: (somewhat maliciously) Also a guy, Dad…

Dad: Gackkkkkk!!! (is mercifully rendered speechless)

Roku-chan jumps at the opening, telling Kryssa to bring up the music, which is Tasuki's signal to begin the scene. Tasuki takes the cue, letting out a groan of pain as he forces his eyes open and fixes them on his bonds.

Tasuki: Oh dear Suzaku, no… Gods, no… (begins sobbing) …Gods, it can't be, please, PLEASE!!

The light brightens in the room, now clearly illuminating Tamahome where he lies with his arm across Tasuki's waist.

Tasuki: (startles at the sight of Tamahome, then begins pulling weakly at his bonds) No, no, noooooooo…(tries to stifle his sobs but fails) It's gonna happen again… and again… and oh, Gods, it's never gonna end! (his sobs die down into hopeless whimpers as Tamahome begins to stir)

Tamahome: (blinking sleepily) Chuei? Yuiren?

He focuses on the body sobbing beneath him in the bed - and jumps back in horror, crouching and covering his nakedness with his hands.

Tamahome: (gasping) Tasuki! What the hell happened here?! What are you doing in my room?! What in all the Hells?!!!

Roku-chan is pacing apprehensively in the wings.

Roku: (softly) Well, here we go, folks - the roller coaster has reached the first big drop - and the two harshest chapters are now underway…

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Part C. The need to fish…

Roku-chan is in the wings, shivering slightly at Tasuki and Tamahome's realistic depiction of their mutual panic and anguish. Quiet footsteps approach her.

Chichiri: Roku-chan, may I have a word with you, please, no da?

Roku: (trying to watch what’s going on onstage and also listen politely at the same time) Sure, but it has to be quick. You’re on in about two minutes.

Chichiri: Arigato, no da. It’s about my motivation in this scene - I’m just not feeling it yet, no da.

Roku: (frowning) That’s strange, because it’s just like what you do every day in real life - be the protective father figure looking after the kids.

Chichiri: No, no, I understand that part, no da. It’s the other part...

Roku: Oh, you mean that threatening line at the end. We talked about this before, don’t you remember? - suspicions of Taiitsukun, your hidden powers, etcetera, etcetera...

Chichiri: No, I have no problem with that part either, na no da.

Roku: (getting impatient) Then what is it?!

Chichiri: It’s my first scene, no da. The fishing scene. I just don’t understand my motivation for fishing, no da!

Roku: (trying to keep her temper) Let’s just say that you want to catch some fish.

Chichiri: Hmmmmmm. But if I truly wanted to catch fish, shouldn’t I have real bait, no da?

Roku: No, because number one, we don’t have time to get you some worms and number two, you don’t need them anyway since there are NO FISH!!

Chichiri: No fish, no da?

Roku: (aggravated) No, no fish, no da!! I can guarantee you that there are NO FISH embedded in the stage floor, not so much as a single GUPPY!!!

Chichiri: No fish, then, huh.

Roku: (yelling in a hoarse whisper) YES, NO FISH!!!

Chichiri: (pondering) Then what’s my motivation for fishing?

Roku: Gahhhhhhhhhhh!!! (grabs Chichiri by the front of his shirt) Your motivation is that I will throw you to the fangirls if you don’t fish like you mean it!! Better yet, I’ll hand you over to my sister, who is not only obsessed with you but also has been reading up on bizarre Buddhist sexual practices. Are you motivated YET??!!

Chichiri: (pale) Hai, no da! Hai, fishing!! I can feel it now... the need to fish!!!

Roku: (releasing him) Good. Now get out there and fish like your ass depends on it, because it does!!

Chichiri turns to get away from Roku-chan as quickly as he can, but she snags him by his kesa.

Roku: One other thing, ‘Chiri - you’ve got to quit saying "no da!" You are on a "no da" diet now - you only get six or seven "no da’s" for the entire play! So, no "no da’s", got it?

Chichiri: No no da’s, na no da?

Roku: Yes, no no da’s, na na do! Ummm, I mean no no da’s, na da no da no... Oh, crap, now you’ve got me doing it!!! Just zip the lip with the no da’s, got it??!!

Chichiri: Hai, no... umm, just Hai, I guess.

Roku: Right.

Roku-chan notices that the scene is ending, and Tamahome is getting ready to run out of his room to get help for Tasuki. She starts up the rotating stage and gestures to Chichiri to get on.

Chichiri runs onto the slowly moving stage and drops down into a cross-legged position before the pond made of reflective material. He casts his fishing line into the "water" and stares intently at the end of the line. Roku-chan is pleased to see that his slight trembling is not visible from several feet away. She moves up towards the downstage part of the wings so she can see the new scene as it rotates into place. Kaze-chan brings up the footlights to cast a shimmering, wavelike light up into Chichiri's face.

Meanwhile, on the reverse (and now hidden) side of the stage, Sorceress helps Tasuki to get into position, huddled near Tamahome's wardrobe with the blanket pulled up over his head. She takes care not to disturb his quiet inward focus, knowing that he is preparing for the intense emotions he must display in his next scene.

As the stage reaches its position and stops rotating, Kaze-chan brings up pink and orange lights to simulate the dawn light on the lake. Tamahome comes running around the edge of the set, the backdrop now picturing the Imperial Palace at a distance. The young man appears realistically panicked and distraught. He catches sight of Chichiri sitting by the "lake."

Tamahome: Oh, thank Suzaku!!! (bursts into loud sobs)

Chichiri doesn’t acknowledge his presence, still staring intently at his line in the water. Tamahome pauses, confused... then starts sobbing again, louder this time. Chichiri still doesn’t react, still focused on his fishing.

Roku: (under her breath) Oh, gods, I’ve created a monster! A fishing monster!!! Suzaku save me from Method actors!!!

Tamahome pauses again, becoming obviously angry. He marches up to Chichiri and shakes him good and hard. At the same time, Roku-chan hisses in a stage whisper: "Enough with the fishing, already!!!" Chichiri finally looks up from his fishing line to meet Tamahome’s glare. Tamahome bursts into loud sobs for the third time. Chichiri jumps up and assumes his assigned role.

Chichiri: (placing his hand on Tamahome’s shoulder) Easy, easy now, just breathe… and tell me what's wrong.

Tamahome: (choking out the words) It's Tasuki! He's hurt bad, real bad... and he's in my room…

They take off running towards offstage right and disappear into the wings. Roku-chan starts the stage rotating once more, while Chichiri and Tamahome walk around behind it to re-enter the next scene at offstage left - the door to Tamahome's room. Mitsukake stands in the wings at stage left, waiting patiently for his entrance. At this moment, Chichiri's Girl runs up to Roku-chan and drags her to one side.

Chichiri's Girl: (breathless) Roku, you have to come quick! Mom's out in the lobby causing a scene - she's got Inu-Yasha by one ear, and she's bitching him out in Japanese - I don't know what she's saying, but it sounds nasty!!

Roku: (scowling as she tries to listen to Chichiri's Girl and follow the onstage action at the same time) Does it seem like he's about to attack her or anything?

Chichiri's Girl: No, it's the other way around!! She's giving him holy hell - shit, I feel sorry for the poor puppy boy. I hightailed it outta there when she pulled out The Slipper and started whacking him across the nose…

Roku: Why doesn't Kagome help him out?

Chichiri's Girl: Well, Mom's gotten her riled up at Inu-Yasha, too - and now she's yelling at him, as well. I expect to hear the big "Osuwari" at any moment now!

Roku: Is Kikyou around there?

Chichiri's Girl: Nah, she got her creepy fish-insects to float her out of there at the first sign of trouble, same as usual.

Roku: (silent for a moment as she watches Mitsukake approach the terrified Tasuki, while Tamahome slides down the outside wall of his room into a seated position and tilts his head back in despair) (calling in to Kaze-chan on the radio earpiece) Kaze-chan, bring down the bedchamber lights more so that it goes completely dark… yeah, that's it… and we need a little more juice on Tama's spotlight - good, good… (turns to Chichiri's Girl) Look, I've got my hands full here - why don't you get some help from the Vampire Princess?

Chichiri's Girl: (snorting in disgust) Fuck, she disappeared into the bathroom right at the beginning of this scene. I figure we'll see her again sometime around Chapter 10!

Roku: Well, then, I'm sorry for Inu-Yasha, but he's on his own. I mean, he's defeated scores of demons in the past - he should be able to face down Mom… (thinks about it a moment) Nah, maybe not… but in any case, I can't help him right now. (frowns) By the way, whatever triggered Mom to go after him in the first place?

Chichiri's Girl: Gosh, look - your scene is ending! You're going to be awfully busy now, so I'll just run along and catch up with you later, 'kay?

Chichiri's Girl runs off as Roku-chan glares after her suspiciously.

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Part D. Fines and the finer things…

Everyone exits the set quickly. Chichiri is the last to leave, scooping up his fishing pole and line. As Tasuki heads towards his "dressing screen" wrapped in his blanket, Tamahome takes the opportunity to stomp on the trailing material. The blanket pulls off, and Tasuki leaps for the screen, shrieking curses and threats as Tamahome laughs wildly. Roku-chan is diverted from the altercation by Chichiri tapping on her shoulder.

Chichiri: No fish, huh?

Roku: (confused) What?

Chichiri drops a large, squirming trout into her arms, then strolls away to join Mitsukake.

Roku: Gahhhhhhhhhh!!! (frantically juggling the struggling fish) Somebody get me a bucket of water, okay?!! Pleease? Any bodyyyy?? (shouting after the retreating figure of the monk) Hey, ‘Chiri!!!

Chichiri: (turns around but doesn’t stop, continuing to walk backwards) Hai, no da?

Roku: If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a smartass magician!!

Chichiri laughs as he moves off into the darkness.

Roku: (darkly) I’m beginning to suspect that this whole "Method actor" thing is one great big, elaborate...

Sorceress runs up with a bucket. Roku-chan gratefully dumps the trout in the water.

Roku: Thanks, girlfriend!

Sorceress: (raising an eyebrow quizzically) Trout?

Roku: (grimacing) Obviously a running gag among you magicians. No, don't tell me - I'm filing this under "I don't wanna know."

Sorceress laughs, and they run onstage to pull the elaborate set into position. It consists of two levels - the lower level depicts a simple prison cell at center stage, equipped with a long bench. Downstage of the barred door is the prison corridor. The upper level is upstage and consists of a platform that stands approximately seven feet above the stage floor, and spans the entire width of the stage. This level is another recreation of Tamahome's bedchamber, oriented in the same direction as before - but it is narrower, with the downstage edge of the bed nearly at the edge of the platform, as is the bedchamber "door" at stage left. The furniture is intact instead of broken since this scene takes place the night before the previous scene.

Roku-chan and Sorceress pulled the wheeled sections of the platform into position and lock the brakes on the wheels to keep it from moving during the scene. They also lower a gauzy, translucent curtain called a scrim in front of the upper level set - this gives the scene being played on this stage a hazy, dreamlike appearance. The upper level is set upstage of the lower level, so that the two levels can be lighted separately. When unlit, each level becomes invisible in the darkness.

All of the actors return to the wings quickly. Miaka and Nuriko chat quietly, while Tasuki cuffs Tamahome upside the head for his earlier stunt, then runs off to scale the ladder situated at offstage right that leads to the upper level, where he will wait silently until his scene comes up. Both Tamahome and Tasuki are clad in their velcro-seamed "tear-away' clothes, which will enable them to change quickly between scenes.

Sorceress: (under her breath) Tamahome and Tasuki in tear-away clothes - sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it?

Roku: (equally quiet but smirking broadly) Yeah, the must-have Christmas gift of the year for the discriminating woman!

Roku calls to Kaze-chan on her radio that they're ready. The lights go out on the upper level stage, leaving Tasuki hidden in the darkness, while the lower level cell is lighted in the rosy colors of sunset. Tamahome and Nuriko take their positions in and out of the prison cell, while Miaka crosses to the opposite wing to await her entrance. The curtain rises, and the scene begins.

Tamahome: (sitting on the bench with his knees drawn up) Thirty-seven…

Roku: (looking at her watch) Three and a half minutes total from the last scene to this one - we're getting faster, hurray!

Sorceress: Great!! We're on our way to minimizing the transition time between scenes…

Roku: Speaking of transitioning between scenes, did you see what Tama did to Tasuki before?

Sorceress: Well, I tried not to look...

Roku: Trying isn’t good enough. Pay up!

Sorceress: What about you?!

Roku: (sighs) I, too, failed to avert my gaze...

The two women each pull out a small notebook, as Aikido-chan walks up. They jump guiltily but relax when they see who it is.

Aikido: Hey, whatcha hidin'? You know you can't keep anything from me ever since I found a chapter of White Stones in the office printer! So, c'mon, out with it!!

Roku: Yeah, I have no secrets from you. Well, we’re just settling up with each other. You see, we fine ourselves for scoping the bishies: $25 for a rear view, $50 for the front. At the end of the run, we’re gonna put the money towards the cast party.

Aikido: Whoa! You two are hard on yourselves! What’s with the "no-look" policy?

Sorceress: Well, ya know, we’re supposed to be more mature than the average fangirl. Plus the boys have to feel that they can trust us, otherwise they won’t relax around us when I have to apply make-up or when Roku-chan has to set up a nude scene.

Roku: (sighing) We call it our exercise in self-discipline.

Aikido: Hmph! You must be believers in repression paying off in the end. If nothing else, there's going to be one hell of a cast party!

Roku: (gloomily) Well, for right now, it feels like we're on the Atkin’s diet while touring Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory…

Sorceress: Interested in joining our program, Aikido-chan?

Aikido: Hah! Not likely! I’m gonna catch Mitsukake naked if it’s the last thing I do!!! And when I do, I’m NOT looking the other way!!!

Sorceress: Mitsukake?

Aikido: (dreamily) Those shoulders! That jawline! Those warm, yet piercing eyessss...

Roku: Somebody get a bucket of water over here quick!! This chick's overheating right in front of us!!

Sorceress: Okay, Roku-chan, back to the business at hand. $25 added to your tab brings your current balance to $100 even.

Roku: Alright, then, Sorcie. $25 added to your tab brings your balance to $125!

Sorceress: (blushing) Make it fifty.

Roku: (whistling) Damn, girl. You baaaad!!

Sorceress: (embarrassed) Well, I was at a different angle than you were when Tama pulled his stunt! I couldn’t help it!!

Aikido: Soooooo... how was the view?

Roku: Fiiiiiine?

Sorceress: (suddenly smirking) Worth every penny!! And then some!

The three women sigh dreamily.

Roku: Hey!! I just remembered!! We’re in the middle of a play here!!

A voice comes on in her ear - it's Kryssa, up in the sound booth, linked to Roku-chan by their radio earpieces.

Kryssa: Yeah, I was just about to remind you ladies of that little detail. In fact, Kaze-chan and I were getting quite an education listening to you all. We got so absorbed in listening to the perverted fantasies of the "older crowd" that we damn near missed our lighting cues! Good thing that Miaka knows when to make her own entrance - since you all were off in your own hentai world. But I thought I'd let you know, Roku, that your big "choreography" scene in coming up in about thirty seconds!

Roku: Ulp!!! (guiltily) Heheheheh. Thanks, Kris!

Roku-chan and Sorceress run to the downstage wings to observe the scene, while Aikido-chan returns to her seat.

Meanwhile, the same small figure, unnoticed as before, lowers his videocamera.

Chiriko: Another priceless moment to add to this collection. The Secret Vice of Older Women - Voyeurism!! Hah!!

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Part E. Screams in the dark

The attack scene from "Reprise" has just gotten underway. The rosy "sunset" lights in the cell have been replaced by the bluish tones of twilight, and the "oni" has made his appearance before Nuriko and Miaka. Tamahome’s spotlight fades out in the cell, making his body disappear, while the appearance of two small greenish-yellow lights and oni symbol create the impression that the oni still stands within the cell. Nuriko, inside the cell, and Miaka, just outside the bars, remain in soft white spotlights, illuminating them (and their reactions) clearly. Meanwhile, hidden by the darkness, Tamahome leaves the cell through a rear exit door and rapidly scales the ladder to the upper level stage. Tasuki is waiting for him, clad in the tear-away version of his customary outfit of midnight blue coat, cream breeches and white shirt, with two necklaces and his usual earrings. Tamahome grabs Tasuki by the front of his shirt, and Kryssa brings up the lyrical music of "Sona." The lights go up on the upper stage, bathing the raised set in a soft golden glow. The "mistiness" of the scene is enhanced by the gauzy scrim, which remains in place for the time being. As Tamahome’s pre-recorded "oni" voice, enhanced by a reverb effect, describes the first part of his attack on Tasuki, the two young seishi act out a brief fight scene, with Tamahome slamming Tasuki into various pieces of breakaway furniture. They remain silent, appearing to cry out but making no sound. The lyrical music gives their eerily quiet battle the look of a "danse macabre," the two combatants meeting, then breaking away, then meeting yet again in a ballet of shocking violence. Nuriko and Miaka still stand in the downstage set, each in profile, watching the fight scene on the upper stage, their faces reflecting their horror. Tamahome finally slams Tasuki against a table, the edge catching Tasuki against his lower back. Tasuki’s legs collapse at that point, so that Tamahome is forced to hold him up by his shoulders. The upper stage light suddenly goes out, leaving the two in darkness, as the "oni’s" voice comes back in.

Oni: (pre-recorded with reverb) Let me tell you, it took some skill on my part to beat that bandit boy so as to cripple him, but not to the point of unconsciousness. Where would be the fun in that? I wanted him awake and aware of what was going to happen to him... (sighs happily)

Miaka starts forward impulsively and clenches her fists. Nuriko looks from her to the "oni eyes," his eyes switching back and forth between the two while his body drops into a fighting stance.

The lights suddenly go on in the upper stage again. Tasuki is now pinned beneath Tamahome in the bed, his coat and boots gone and his shirt torn open. He suddenly pushes Tamahome back and, with his seishi speed, is almost instantly at the chamber door.

Oni: (reverb voice, low and vicious) Ah, but I had other weapons... I warned him that if he ran, I would be in the priestess’ chambers in a flash, and that I would take her before he could even summon help. And then I would visit the newest seishi, that child, and teach HIM a thing or two about pain! (laughs triumphantly)

Tasuki, at the door, turns around slowly... then suddenly leaps at Tamahome again. The lights go out once again.

Oni: (still laughing) He actually believed me! I couldn’t be less interested in you, priestess, nor in that child - you’re too easy to break, no challenge at all. (purring) No, it was him I wanted all along...

The lights illuminate the upper stage again. Tasuki is tied to the bed with the "shirt", now clad only in his drawstring trousers and jewelry. He is struggling wildly, as the figure of Tamahome, also clad in trousers only, leans over him at the bedside. His back is towards the audience, partially blocking their view of Tasuki. The oni’s tale continues.

Oni: (reverb voice) You’re probably wondering why no one heard his struggles or cries - or why your monk didn’t pick up on the disturbance in his ki. Well, I have a few powers that include shields and barriers - but that’s all you need to know about that.

Immediately following those lines, Kaze-chan turns on thin green laser beams which shine down around the young men like the bars of a cell, further obscuring the audience’s view of Tasuki. They can only dimly see the figure of Tamahome as he grasps the waistband of Tasuki’s trousers and strips him in one swift movement.

Miaka cries out involuntarily, and Nuriko leaps forward at the green "oni eyes" in the cell, just as the lights go out on the upper stage again.

Nuriko: (hissing in fury) Teme!! You bastard, you dared...!!!

Oni: (sneering) Now, now, do you really want to injure your Tama-chan? Remember, whatever you do to me, you do to Tamahome…

Nuriko snarls but backs away, his fists clenched in rage. Tears begin to run down Miaka’s face.

Oni: (conversationally) You know, you would think that he would be completely at my mercy at this point, tied up and helpless in my grasp... but Tasuki is a lot brighter than he appears. Can you believe that he actually almost escaped from me again? And you wouldn’t believe how. He started calling out ‘Sou Kishuku’ over and over. ‘Sou Kishuku, Suzaku no seishi’, ‘Kishuku, my brother warrior.' And it actually worked! I felt myself being shoved down, pushed aside… that bastard Tamahome took himself back just as I was on the verge of fulfilling my desires!

The lights come up on the upper stage. Tamahome, illuminated in the green spotlight, is lying on top of Tasuki, who has his face turned away, towards upstage. Suddenly, the green spotlight goes out, replaced by a soft white light. The music has reached the lyrical bridge in "Sona" and the female lead's voice is melodic, hopeful. Tamahome shakes his head in confusion - and startles to find himself on top of Taasuki. He tries to crawl off him, but his movements are slow and unsteady, as if he were drugged. Tasuki turns his face towards Tamahome and appears to be pleading with him. Tamahome hesitantly crawls forward over Tasuki, reaching out to wrestle with the knotted material around Tasuki's wrists. He leans forward to try another angle… then pauses and looks down into Tasuki's face, which is turned up to his in hope. Tamahome brings a hand up to his head in confusion… and the oni's voice is heard again.

Oni: (in a sensuous purr) That was his fatal mistake. Tamahome looked down into that bruised, beautiful face, saw the tears sparkling on the dark lashes, felt the warmth and hardness of the body beneath him… and just for a moment, for the tiniest, briefest breath of time…(pauses, then continues silkily) ... he felt desire for Tasuki. (exultant) And that was all I needed to take him over again!!!

On the upper stage, the green spotlight flares brightly on Tamahome's form again. His hands drop away from the knots, and Tasuki looks into his face in confusion - and suddenly the lights go out.

Oni: (laughing) I let Tasuki have another five seconds of thinking he was going to escape - and then I retied him tighter than before! Oh, how he wrenched at his bonds!! (triumphant) And that look of betrayal - it was intoxicating! I couldn’t hold back any longer!!

The music swells, the female lead's voice rising in urgency. As she reaches the high note, Tasuki's voice is heard for the first time, joining with hers as he screams "Noooooooooooo!!"

Nuriko: (leaping forward into the shadows, towards the "oni" eyes) MIAKA!!! Get OUT!!! Get out NOW!!!

Miaka stumbles back, falling down, sobbing openly. The music changes, with the male chorus now coming in, the minor key of the melody sounding almost like a lament. The lights come on in the upper level stage once again - but this time, the scrim is gone, the scene now clear, sharp-edged and harsh. Tasuki thrashes in the bed, yanking desperately at his bonds, but able to kick only weakly. Tamahome kneels above him in the bed, a greenish-yellow spotlight shining down on him, reflecting off his eyes and oni symbol. Once again, Tasuki cries out.

Tasuki: (desperate) Tama, don’t go!! Come back!! (sobbing) Don’t leave me... please... DON"T LEAVE MEEEEEEEE!!

Tamahome surges forward and grasps Tasuki's necklaces, breaking them so that the beads scatter, flashing as they fall through the light. At this point, the ambient room lights and the greenish spotlight go out completely, and the forms of both men disappear in the darkness. Only the white spotlight stays lit, shining in a tight beam on Tasuki’s hands as they continue to twist frantically within his bonds.

Tasuki’s voice is heard again, reaching a pitch that no one on the crew has ever heard before.

Tasuki: (screaming) Nooooooooo!!! STOP IT!!! (shrieking) What are you doing?! You BASTARD!!! Stop DOING THAT!!! STOP IT!!!! NOOOOOOO!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

The white spotlight suddenly goes out, leaving the audience with the last image of his hands as they wrench desperately at the ties. Tasuki's screams are cut off simultaneously with the light, as if someone had placed a hand over his mouth.

Roku-chan grasps the curtain, her knees weak. Sorceress catches her by the elbow.

Sorceress: (pale but gritting her teeth) Come on now, Roku - it’s only make-believe, remember?

Roku: (even paler) I know, but... but... Dear God in heaven, he never screamed like that during rehearsals!!!

Sorceress: (stammering) He’s just an excellent actor, that’s all - he was just saving it for opening night, right?

Roku-chan shudders but forces herself under control. The lights come up on Nuriko and Miaka on the lower level. Tamahome is back with them, fully dressed, lit once again in the green spotlight and smirking triumphantly. Nuriko looks pale and horrified, while Miaka is distraught, sobbing raggedly and biting down on her clenched fists. Roku-chan suspects that this emotional display isn’t all due to good acting.

Tamahome: (still on reverb, but now speaking ‘live’) Gods, he tasted of heaven! (ecstatic) And oh, the feel of him, the hardness of him in my hands - and the despair in his eyes as he climaxed in my embrace! He wanted me as much as I wanted him! (shouting in glee) He WANTED it, I tell you!!!

Nuriko suddenly explodes, leaping at Tamahome and shoving him against the cell wall, placing his gauntleted arm across Tama’s throat. His eyes burn with rage so real that Roku-chan is frightened.

Nuriko: (shrieking) Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!!!

Roku-chan: (under her breath) Oh, God, Nuriko, don’t get carried away and kill Tama!!

Sure enough, real panic begins to show in Tamahome’s eyes as he struggles for breath. The bluish tint in his lips finally brings Nuriko back to reality, and his eyes widen in dismay as he releases some of the pressure on Tamahome’s throat and finally continues with his scripted actions, slapping a piece of paper representing the demon warding over Tamahome’s oni symbol. The green spotlight goes out, replaced with a soft blue light, making the players appear to stand in the blue glow of twilight. Tamahome, coughing, turns his eyes towards Miaka, standing downstage with her hands over her mouth, looking stricken.

Tamahome: (hoarsely) Miaka?

She turns and runs offstage, straight into Roku-chan and Sorceress. Her knees give out, but they catch her and steady her.

Miaka: (softly) Oh, gods, I think I’m going to be sick...

Roku: (lowering her gently to the floor) Here, put your head down between your knees... Sorcie, get her a glass of water, quick, okay?

Sorceress runs off. Roku-chan kneels before Miaka and grasps her hand. Miaka is still trembling and tears continue to fall from her eyes.

Roku: (very soft) Hey, kid - it’s not real, remember? Everything’s okay... everything’s alright...

Miaka: (looking up with a trembling smile) I know... and I don’t mean to be so stupid! It’s just that he made it so real... more so than it’s ever been in rehearsal! Just for a moment, his screams… it was so goddam real!!!

Roku-chan, knowing that Miaka’s swearing is a red flag for the amount of stress the young woman is feeling, pulls her into a quick hug. She notes that Nuriko and Tamahome are also ending the scene in an embrace and that the curtain is coming down.

Roku: Listen, you’re not stupid! Far from it, in fact. I had the exact same reaction as you did, and I wasn’t even on stage! So just take all this trauma and turmoil and use it in the next scene, okay? In the meantime, I’m running upstairs to untie the one who put us all through this - (grumbling) and I don’t know whether to kiss him or kill him!

Miaka smiles weakly, as Sorceress runs up with the water. Miaka sips it gratefully and seems calmer. Roku-chan gets up and peeks out at the white-faced, stunned audience. Audible sobs can be heard from some individuals.

Roku: Hey, Sorcie - no one’s applauding!

Sorceress: Seriously, Roku - do you want the type of audience that would applaud a scene like that? What do you want them to say - More, More??!!

Roku: Heh, heh - guess not...

Meanwhile, out in the audience...

Tomo: Interesting, ne, Nakago-sama? Er, Nakago-sama, are you all right? You’re very pale...

Nakago: Shut up.

Soi: Hai, that painted idiot is right for once, Lord Nakago. You don’t look well...

Nakago: (growling) Don’t touch me, either...

He pulls back into his seat, seeming to retreat into himself, his eyes dark and distant. Tomo and Soi exchange puzzled glances over his head.

Once the curtain is safely down, Roku sprints across to stage right and rapidly climbs the ladder to the upper level stage. Tamahome and Nuriko follow her. Tasuki is still tied to the bed, lying quietly, half-covered by the sheet. Roku runs up and begins untying him.

Roku: Geez, Gen-chan, that was one hell of a performance!! Man, you nearly gave me a heart attack, and I’m the one who wrote this shit! The whole audience is about ready to pass out from shock...

She stops as Tasuki turns his face towards her. He has tear-streaks on his face and appears to have bitten his lip.

Tasuki: (gasping) That bastard... that son-of-a- bitch ... that fucking ASSHOLE!!!

Tamahome begins laughing. Roku-chan turns white, and she and Nuriko turn to stare at Tamahome in shock.

Roku: (softly) Tama... what in the seven hells did you do to him??!!

Tamahome leans down and pulls something out from under the bed. He triumphantly displays two ostrich feathers before their stunned gazes.

Tamahome: (smirking) It’s all your fault, Madam Director! You were the one who showed me that Tasuki was ticklish - and I decided to help him out with expressing himself realistically! Hah! Good job, or what?!

Roku: (holding her hands up to her temples in despair) Boy Blue - you obviously have no clue how absolutely twisted and kinky this looks! Thank God we don’t have any reporters on the set right now - we’d be sunk!!

Nuriko: (laughing) Good God, Tama-chan - that’s a trick that’s nearly worthy of me! I gotta say, you’re beginning to impress me.

Tasuki: (snarling, while freeing his hands from the loosened ties) You wanna be impressed?! How about I impress both of you - with a perfect impression of my fists??!! (leaps off the bed and begins chasing them down the ladder)

Roku: (shouting after him) Tasukiiii!!! You forgot your robe!!! (sighs) Shit!! There goes another $25! And when he runs past Sorcie, she’s gonna end up having to cash in one of her savings accounts! Damn it, Aikido-chan was right - with this gang, it’s gonna be end up being one hell of a cast party!!!

Roku-chan climbs down the ladder, still clutching Tasuki’s robe, and passes by Sorceress and the just-returned Chichiri’s Girl, giggling as they pull the next set into place and attach water lines and drain tubes to the bath.

Roku: Yeah, laugh now, Sorcie - and pay later!

Sorceress smirks and sticks her tongue out at the director. Roku-chan trudges wearily towards the shrieking brawl going on backstage, muttering to herself as to how she’s going to get Tasuki back into the proper mindset for the next scene. In the shadows, a small figure smirks as he reviews his newly shot footage on the videocamera’s tiny viewscreen.

Chiriko: Yes, Roku-chan - you were right to be upset over Tamahome-kun’s trick. And now I have it captured on film - The Kinky Bedroom Secrets of Fushigi Yuugi’s Newest Couple! Plus, Nuriko Joins In!!! Hotohori’s Heartbreak!! (laughs gleefully)

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Author's Notes: (6-26-02) Bwahahahahahaha! The Evil Roku has struck again and produced a chapter of nearly 8000 words!!! Gahhhhhhhhhh!! I am merciless and cruel to my faithful friends and readers! Will I change?? Not a chance! Anyway, you may blame the constant breakdowns of ff.net for giving me extra time to write extra words!!

Quick thanks to Aikido-chan and Sorceress for their input on their lines in Part D. Also thanks to Chichiri's Girl for reading through this chapter - and getting scared out of her socks before she realized what exactly Tama had done to Tasuki in the last scene. Whoo!

Hmmmmmm, not much to say for once. (Roku-chan's readers fall over in disbelief.) No, really… only that I'm leaving for a scientific conference in Utah on Friday and will be out of touch for the next 7-10 days. But! But, but, but… I very nearly have the first chapter of my Chichiri fic done! I'll work on it while in Utah and hopefully have it up by the second week of July!!!

Nor will I forget about "Casting Stones." Next time - some beautiful scenes to make up for the ugly ones in this chapter. And I think Chao-chan may be making her first move with Nakago's whip - yes, I definitely feel that one coming!!!

Ja ne, minna… and Happy Fourth!

Roku-chan