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: Some intense angst, a bit of out-of-control passion… and lots of mockery of fanfic authors and reviewers!

Musical selection: "Prayer" by Secret Garden from the CD ‘Dawn of a New Century’, copyright 1999 PolyGram Publishing, Norway. Music composed by Rolf Lovland, lyrics by Fionnuala Sherry and Rolf Lovland. 

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CHAPTER 4.      The Music and the Magic

 

Part A.      Setting the mood

 

Roku-chan stalks up to the backstage brawl and observes the action for a few seconds before reaching out and grabbing a bare limb. She is suddenly yanked into the fray and receives an elbow in the face but hangs on doggedly.

 

Roku: (snarling) All right, brats, Mama just got hit, so she's pissed! Knock it off!

 

She yanks hard on the limb she's been gripping and successfully pulls Tasuki out of the fray. Luckily, it's just an arm that she has grabbed, but she's so mad right now that she doesn't care if she has him singing soprano. She wraps his robe around him and shoves him towards his dressing screen, slapping away Tama's and Nuriko's hands as they try to steal the robe.

 

Roku: Honest to God, am I the director of a play or a daycare center?! Tasuki, get over there and get Sorcie to touch up your body makeup - the bruises are wearing off! And if you want to know how I know that, just think about it!

 

Tasuki, who had been grousing, suddenly turns red in the face and makes a dive for his screen. Sorceress joins him there with her make-up kit. Tamahome and Nuriko smirk triumphantly…until they notice Roku-chan glaring up at them. They make an unsuccessful attempt to look innocent.

 

Roku: Don't bother. Those puppy eyes ain’t gonna work on me. Tama, you've already generated your allotment of white hairs on my head for the rest of the night, so as far as I'm concerned, you're grounded. Get your ass in your dressing room and meditate on your sins. Nuriko, same goes for you. I'll come getcha for your next scene - but I don't wanna see either of you before then!

 

As Nuriko moves off grumbling, a small female figure with shoulder length dark brown hair and lovely, slightly slanted brown eyes pelts across the backstage area and slams into Tamahome. She begins pummeling him enthusiastically, if a bit ineffectively.

 

Kryssa: You arse, you arse, you arse! You scared the shit outta me, you arse!

 

Tamahome places a casual hand on her forehead and easily holds her back, as she continues to swing at him, hitting only open air.

 

Tamahome: Geez, what’s your problem, Kris? I thought you liked me...

Kryssa: I did! I do! But... but you made me think...

Tamahome: Made you think what?

Kryssa: (stammering) Well, I heard Tasuki’s screams during that scene... and they were so awful... and then over the radio headset, I heard Roku talking to him... and he was gasping and cursing you... and then you started laughing... and I just... I just thought... (wails) I thought that the oni was reeeeeeal and that you reeeeeeeeally...

Tamahome: You’ve got to be joking. Me... do that to him?! Yechhhhhh! Not only have you just accused me of being a perverted criminal, but also of having the most godawful taste in men!

Tasuki: (from behind his screen) I heard that, you asshole!

Tamahome: (shouting back at the screen) Well, what’s your problem? Do you want me to want you?!

Tasuki: (pissed off) Fuck you, Obake-chan!

Tamahome: Nah, we were talking about the other way around!

 

The screen begins to rock dangerously, as shrieks of rage are heard from both Sorceress and Tasuki.

 

Sorceress: (shouting at Tasuki) If you don’t sit down right now, I’m sending you onstage with purple stripes on your ass, you got that, buddy?!

Tamahome: (snickering to himself) Man, he is waaaay too easy to bait! (suddenly feels a chill and notices that the Director is glaring coldly as she advances on him) Ulpp!!! Going to my room now, Mom... (runs off)

 

Roku-chan wipes her forehead, muttering to herself about pain-in-the-ass actors, then notices Kryssa looking around the backstage area interestedly.

 

Roku: (smiling) No, he’s not here yet - but I expect him to show up shortly to start the scene with Miaka.

Kryssa: (blushing) Ummm, guess I’m pretty obvious, huh. Well, since I’m stuck in the soundbooth most of the time, I was hoping that while I was down here, I’d get the chance to see him close-up... maybe talk to him a little...

Roku: Sorry, Kris, but thanks to the backstage brawlers, we’re under the gun for time here, and I don’t think that you’ll get the chance to chat. Tell ya what, though - I need you to do me a favor. I want you to scoop up all the loose change you can find and drop it in Tama’s dressing room. Then, while he’s distracted by all the nice okane rolling around, I want you to lock him in the room. The last thing I need is Tama wandering within view of the stage and jumping into a brawl with Tasuki in the middle of this scene. If you can pull that off, I’ll have someone take your place in the soundbooth for Chapters 11 and 12, and you can hang around backstage and see the Sorcerer up close. Deal?

Kryssa: Deal! (starts to run towards the dressing rooms)

Roku: (calling after her) Hey, Kris, try to be quick, ‘cause I really need you back up in the booth ASAP. The music is critical in this scene, and you’re the only one who knows how to time it!

 

Kryssa signals her with a thumbs-up as she runs off.

Roku-chan glances nervously at her watch as she runs onstage to join Chichiri’s Girl in one last inspection of the set for Chapter 3. This is one of the most complex sets in the entire play, surpassed only by the temple sets of Chapter 11 and the forest pool set of Chapter 10. The liberal use of water in this scene requires water tubes and drain tubes to run to and from not only the large bath that is set up upstage, but also to the midstage area where the bathing bench (and eventually Tasuki) stands.

The narrow downstage portion of the set consists of only the north wall of Tasuki’s room with the door that leads into his bathchamber. This is where Miaka will act out her brief scene with Chichiri. The wall splits in half and pulls apart, each half sliding out of sight in the wings, thus revealing the full upstage set.

Three walls border this area at upstage, stage left and stage right, depicting the inner walls of Tasuki’s bathchamber. A "window" is set high in the stage right wall, through which will shine the blue glow of twilight. At about midstage stands the bathing bench set, the tiled appearance of the floor concealing a large transparent plastic disk approximately four feet in diameter. This is where Tasuki will sit, kneel and stand for the bathing scene. Drain tubes run from the disk through holes drilled into the stage floor, the water thus being drained into a receptacle placed in the "basement" beneath the stage. The large bathtub, approximately six feet by six feet, is set at upstage center and contains not only water but also foam cushions to reduce the impact of the two actors when they fall into the bath.

Roku-chan sets out two lanterns near the bathing stool, then calls for her principal actor.

 

Roku: Come on, Tasuki, it’s time.

 

The red-haired seishi stomps onto the set in his robe, cursing under his breath, obviously still irritated by Tama’s and Nuriko’s teasing. Sorceress and Chichiri’s Girl raise their eyebrows at Roku-chan, who draws them aside.

 

Roku: Listen, I want you guys to keep everyone away from the set for the next couple of minutes. I need to talk to Tasuki in private.

Chichiri’s Girl: Geez, Roku, we’re already three minutes behind schedule. The crowd’s gonna get fed up with this delay between scenes...

Roku: It can’t be helped. Right now, this is more important, especially if they’re expecting to see a scene as emotionally intense as the last two.

Sorceress: You’re sure you want to do this? The audience got pretty rowdy the last time you made them wait - remember, they started throwing their popcorn at the stage...

Roku: Look, guys, I’m going on instinct here, and my instincts tell me that I have to do this. I’ve learned by hard experience that I’d better pay attention when that inner voice starts talking. So help me out, wouldja please?

 

The two women nod, then run off to shoo the other cast and crew members away from the set. Sorceress calls in to Kaze-chan and Kryssa over her radio headset, explaining the delay.

Roku-chan approaches Tasuki, who is sitting on the bathing bench in serious pout mode, arms crossed and legs stretched out in front of him. In a sudden swift movement, Roku kneels before him, gazing up into his face.

 

Tasuki: (startled but still irritable) What? You gonna take the robe away, then laugh at me, too?

Roku: Shun’u, listen to me, please.

 

Tasuki sits up straight, knowing that Roku-chan doesn’t use his given name unless she is deadly serious.

 

Roku: I want to tell you how I felt when I wrote this scene. I was terrified, Shun’u...really, really terrified. This scene scared me more than the two preceding scenes. Do you know why? Because I was going to try to portray the feelings of a rape victim after the dust settles. I was going to try to show what it felt like when the victim had a chance to think over what had happened to him. And I was terrified that I was going to do it wrong.

 

Tasuki stares intently at Roku-chan, his attention arrested.

 

Roku: I’m going to tell you something about myself, Shun’u, and you know how cagey I am about revealing the real person behind the pseudonym. But here it is - I’m one of those lucky people who has never been on the receiving end of a violent crime. However, I’m also one of those people who reads a lot and listens to the news and is aware of how different things are for other people in this world - hell, in this city! So when I was inspired... no, wait, that’s not the word... when I was damn near press-ganged by my muse to write about something as horrific as this, I was scared that I wouldn’t portray it right; I was afraid that I would somehow miss my mark and make it flat. And it wasn’t just because I would then be a bad writer - I was scared that I would inadvertently trivialize the agonizing experience that rape is, and worse yet, maybe make some reader who did know the inside truth about rape feel that I just really didn’t care... that I was just another person who thought of rape as a wonderfully titillating plot point.

 

Roku-chan moves closer to Tasuki and places her hands over his, never breaking eye contact with him.

 

Roku: And now I’m taking this whole burden of a truthful portrayal of the reality of rape, and I’m placing it on your shoulders, Shun’u. Maybe that’s not fair, but that’s what you agreed to when you signed on to do this play. Listen... every day, every hour, in this city, in this world, people are raped. Not just women and men - children, Shun’u, children.

 

Tears spill from Roku-chan’s eyes but she lets them fall, not releasing Tasuki’s hands.

 

Roku: If you stand here on this stage and your mind is only half on this performance, you’re not going to be able to convince anyone of the real devastation that is experienced by a rape victim. And completely without meaning to, you’re going to trivialize the whole concept of rape. I hate to say this, but statistics tell me that among the hundreds of people in that audience, there are a few souls out there who really understand what it means to be raped. If you portray this as anything less than the soul-crushing experience that it truly is, then you are in effect slapping those people in the face and telling them that the torture that they had the guts to survive and live through - and live with on a daily basis - really doesn’t mean anything; you’ll be telling them that yet another public showcase finds their experience to be just another voyeuristic thrill. Worse yet, for those audience members out there who have no clue as to the serious consequences of rape, you’ll be reinforcing their casual attitude towards it. Somewhere out in that crowd may be some young man with a date rape pill in his pocket and big plans for his date after the show - we want to scare the shit out of him, don’t we?

 

Tasuki’s hands clench into fists under Roku's grip.

 

Tasuki: (growling) I’d like to beat the shit outta him!

Roku: Well, hopefully that situation is just hypothetical on my part. And even if it isn't, with neither of us being clairvoyant, that route is closed to us. So we’ll just have to settle for the best we can do, right?

 

She gets up and releases Tasuki’s hands - but he suddenly grasps her hands and pulls her back.

 

Tasuki: (serious) I won’t let you down, Roku - I promise.

Roku: (smiling softly) You never have, my sweet boy...and I know that you never will.

 

She leans in and kisses him on his forehead.

 

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Part B.     Through the dark of night

 

The curtain is up, and Chichiri and Miaka are acting out their brief scene at the beginning of Chapter 3. The audience had been surprisingly patient with the delay, merely murmuring quietly to each other about the trauma they witnessed in the previous scene. The crowd is now observing the stage with gratifying attention.

Roku-chan and Chichiri’s Girl stand in the downstage wings at stage left, watching the scene as it takes place. Sorceress stands opposite them in the wings at stage right. Roku glances out at the audience to see Mom return to her seat, then startles, finally registering that Chichiri’s Girl is standing beside her instead of distracting Mom.

 

Roku: (whispering) Hey, Beem! I forgot about all the nudity and the... ya know... at the end of this scene! Mom’s got a front row seat for it all!

Chichiri’s Girl: (whispering back) Well, you only said to get her outta here for Chapters 1 and 2 - you never said anything about Chapter 3. And I wanna watch Chapter 3 anyway... I don’t feel like babysitting Mom through every dramatic scene in this play.

Roku: (sighing) Yeah, you’re right - I forgot about the last part of Chapter 3. Well, we’re just gonna have to hope that she gets sucked into the drama and decides to ignore the moral... um, ambiguities...

 

Miaka places her hands on Chichiri’s chest as she urges him to go ahead and confront the oni while she looks after Tasuki.

 

Miaka: Go on. I’ll stay here with him. I’ll be here for him... Don’t worry, Chichiri. I am his priestess, after all.

 

Chichiri glances back at the bath chamber door one last time, then nods at Miaka and runs off to stage right. Miaka holds up Chichiri’s mask that she has surreptitiously lifted from his kesa.

 

Miaka: Let’s hope this thing will work on me...

 

She runs off to stage left and heads straight to Tasuki’s dressing screen, where she will change into her "bath attendant" robe. Tasuki has been waiting onstage throughout the Miaka-Chichiri scene, sitting in the dark in the upstage bath chamber set. Chichiri’s Girl and Sorceress enter the stage behind the walls, then pull them apart, keeping hidden behind each wall as they push each half into the wings on their caster wheels. The upstage set is now revealed to the audience. Roku checks that the boom microphones in the rafters are hovering just out of sight while staying close enough to the actors to pick up their voices - she had switched from the radio mikes to the boom mikes due to Tasuki and Miaka being completely immersed in water several times during this scene.

Kaze-chan brings up a blue spotlight to shine through bath chamber "window," simulating twilight. Tasuki can only be seen as a shadowed form hunched on the bathing bench. At this point, Kryssa brings up the music, and the chorus of "Prayer" by Secret Garden fills the theatre, male and female voices blending in the haunting melody.

 

Let your arms enfold us

Through the dark of night

Will your angels hold us

Till we see the light

 

Through this chorus, Kaze-chan brings up the blue spotlight to a paler, brighter hue, at the same time switching on soft golden spotlights to simulate the light of the oil lamps that sit beside Tasuki. His form becomes clearer, seated in profile facing stage left, wearing nothing but a towel draped across his lap. Although this would normally provoke an excited reaction from the fangirls, his posture is so desolate, so despairing that the crowd merely releases their breath in a trembling sigh of empathy for his pain.

Kaze-chan now shines a red spotlight that envelops him from the waist down, darkening and obscuring his lower body. As the soft piano plays the introductory arpeggios, Tasuki moves his arms stiffly as he tries to rub soap on a washcloth. He drops the soap, then attempts to catch it as it falls, overturning a basin of water beside him. He then puts his face in his hands and begins sobbing.

 

Tasuki: (brokenly) I am so goddam... sick... of crying... already...

 

Miaka suddenly appears onstage, disguised in the bath attendant’s short white robe, with a kerchief hiding her hair and Chichiri’s mask covering her face. The enchanted mask is not smiling - merely blank and expressionless. Tasuki jerks his head up at her intrusion.

 

Tasuki: (enraged) Who are you? What are you doing here?! Get OUT!

 

Miaka drops onto the ground in a deep bow, placing her forehead on the floor and her hands before her in the posture of a terrified servant, also deliberately hiding her face. Tasuki raises his hand to his eyes, trying to wipe away his tears...then flinches in pain.

 

Tasuki: Ow, ow, goddammit! Goddam soap in my eyes!

 

Miaka rises swiftly and places a damp cloth over his eyes, once again obscuring his view of her face. The silken, whispery voice of Karen Matheson begins singing the first verse:

 

Hush (hush) - lay down your troubled mind

The day has vanished and left us behind

 

Miaka: (in a hoarse whisper) Just keep it there awhile. Please let me assist you, my lord.

Tasuki: (grudgingly) I guess I might need a little help.

 

As the "bath attendant" moves upstage to fetch the bathing supplies, Tasuki, still "blindfolded," talks softly to himself.

 

Tasuki: This is what she does for a living, so seeing a naked man is no big deal to her... and it’s not as if I’m a real man anymore, anyway... (sobs suddenly, then puts up a hand to cover his mouth)

 

And the wind - whispering soft lullabies

Will soothe - so close your weary eyes

 

Miaka approaches him, tilting his chin up gently, then pours water over his hair from a large pitcher. She pantomimes shampooing his hair, then pours water over him once again. Tasuki keeps his face tilted up in acceptance of her ministrations. She then runs a small cloth across his shoulders and chest.

 

Miaka: (still whispering hoarsely) Could you please…please stand?

 

Tasuki struggles to his feet with her help, removing the cloth from his eyes and catching the towel from his lap, holding it in front of him. Miaka turns him slightly towards upstage so that the bruise on his lower back is visible to the audience. There is a sigh from the audience at the sight of his wounded beauty. The bruises stand out harshly against the smooth, sculpted lines of his body. He is, as expected, built for speed - his muscles long and lean as opposed to thick and bunched, his form reminiscent of statues of winged Mercury.

Miaka hesitates, the cloth in her hand hovering near his thighs…and Kaze-chan intensifies the red spotlight that shines on his body. Miaka holds one hand up to her mouth…then forces herself to continue, gently running the cloth down his legs. Kaze-chan begins to slowly diminish the red light.

 

Let your arms enfold us

Through the dark of night

Will your angels hold us

Till we see the light

 

Miaka fetches another pitcher of water from the bath and pours it over Tasuki. Kaze-chan fades out the red light completely, then lights him in a golden spotlight. As Miaka approaches Tasuki with yet another pitcher of water, he suddenly drops his towel and stretches out his arms to receive the stream of water, letting it sluice across his arms and splash up onto his chest. The women and some men in the crowd gasp and sigh, knowing that although he is turned away from them, he is now completely exposed to Miaka.

Roku-chan watches Miaka carefully, seeing her tremble briefly but continue with the pouring of the water, her actions slower, almost reverent.

 

Chichiri's Girl: (whispering) Ummmm, Roku, he wasn't supposed to drop the towel, was he?

Roku: (softly) No... but he's totally into the purification and doesn't realize what he's done. I think that Miaka is just as deeply into this scene, so it really doesn't matter… (wonderingly) They're making this completely real.

 

As the haunting melody continues, Tasuki stands golden in the spotlight, heart-stoppingly beautiful, the vivid bruises on his body only adding poignancy to the scene. The water shimmers and sparkles off him like liquid radiance. Miaka finishes with the last pitcher of water, then kneels before him in a deep bow.

 

Miaka: (in a trembling whisper) May I assist you into the bath, my lord?

 

Tasuki's posture suddenly changes as he returns to reality, the radiant acceptance of his purification fading away, being replaced once again with weariness and grief. His shoulders slump as he turns his face away from her so that his profile can be seen by the audience.

 

Tasuki: (dejected) Don't call me that. I'm not your lord or any lord at all. I'm just a common bandit…or at least I was.

 

He turns his face completely away from her. The audience sees him close his eyes as tears escape him.

 

Tasuki: (in a desolate whisper) Now I'm nobody… now I'm nothing…

 

Miaka raises her head sharply at his words.

 

Miaka: (unthinkingly using her normal voice) You're not nothing! (sobs) You're everything!

 

Tasuki crouches before her, still unconscious of his nakedness, and lifts her chin with one finger.

 

Tasuki: (confused) Why are you crying? Do I know you?

 

He touches her cheek, then startles as he recognizes the mask.

 

Tasuki: (angry) Chichiri! Goddammit, are you playing tricks on me?!

 

He rips the mask from her face - then falls back in shock.

 

Tasuki: Miaka?!

 

In the wings, Roku-chan, riveted to the action, grasps her sister's arm.

 

Roku: (softly) Here we go…

 

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Part C.     Wings

 

The second verse of "Prayer" is under way, the words of gentle comfort providing a marked contrast to the violent emotions now being played out onstage.

 

Sleep - angels will watch over you

And soon - beautiful dreams will come true…

 

Miaka pulls the kerchief from her head, letting her hair tumble down, and stretches her arms towards Tasuki, as he skitters back. He now seems aware of his nakedness, as he brings one knee across and tries to cover himself with his arms.

 

Tasuki: (accusing) Why?! How could you?!… (sobs) Why did you…?!

Miaka: (desperately reaching out to him) I couldn't just leave you here to suffer by yourself! (pleading) Please don't look at me like that, Tasuki! I can't bear it!

Tasuki: (suddenly furious, glaring at her and dropping his arms as his hands curl into fists) You can't bear it! You can't fucking bear it! Let me tell you something, Miaka, about what I can't bear! (shouting)  YOU!

 

His voice suddenly changes, so thick with emotion and shame that he is practically keening.

 

Tasuki: You finding out about this and looking at me with all that fucking pity, hiding your contempt! (begins beating his fists into his thighs, rocking back and forth with grief) Touching me in all my filth, rising nobly above your disgust! Seeing me like this… (grasping his head, his fingers tearing at his hair) Ugly! Weak! (throws back his head and screams) UNCLEAN!

 

Roku-chan gasps at the level of pain he is displaying. Her fingernails dig into her palms as she fights the impulse to run out there and restrain him, comfort him. Miaka is no less moved.

 

Miaka: (leaping forward and dragging his arms down, trying to embrace him) How can you think that?! You can never disgust me!

 

Tasuki pushes away from her violently, falling to his knees and wrapping his arms around himself. He is now slightly turned towards upstage again. Miaka tries to approach him again, slower and gentler this time.

 

Can you feel spirits embracing your soul?

So dream - while secrets of darkness unfold

 

Miaka: (softly, pleadingly) You have given everything for me, suffered all of this for my sake. I know what happened! I know that you had a chance to escape…but he threatened me, me and Chiriko, and you sacrificed yourself for us!

 

Tasuki flinches, realizing that she could only have discovered these details from one person.

 

Miaka: (becoming more emotional) Like you always sacrifice yourself for me! (lowering her voice again, trying to regain her gentleness) You have no reason to think of yourself as unclean… but if you feel defiled, isn't it only right that I, as your priestess, should purify you?

 

Tasuki bows his head, his hair falling across his eyes as he kneels before her.

 

Tasuki: (quietly, but with a dangerous edge to his voice) Purify me... Have you any idea, Priestess, of what it would take to purify me? (looking up at Miaka at last, his fangs bared in a snarl of self-loathing) Do you think a little soap and water is enough to do the trick?!

 

Tasuki leans forward on his knees, placing one foot beneath him, preparatory to getting up.

In the wings, Chichiri’s Girl stares in shock.

 

Chichiri’s Girl: (hissing in surprise) He’s not supposed to move here, right? Isn’t he supposed to stay kneeling until Miaka tackles him?

Roku: (watching him intently) It doesn’t matter to him now. He’s too deeply into the role - he’s improvising without realizing it! (calls in to Kaze-chan on her radio headset, talking rapidly) Are you tracking with what’s happening here, girl?

Kaze-chan: (in the lighting booth) Yeahhhh... it’s so intense, it’s scary.

Roku: Well, get ready, ‘cause I’m about to call in some very rapid changes in the lighting. I need you to be very sharp, Kaze-chan! Chapter Eleven footlights coming up!

Kaze-chan: Gotcha!

 

While all this is going on, Miaka has become equally aware of Tasuki’s complete immersion in the emotions of this scene, and she also gets ready to rise, preparing to place her body between Tasuki and the audience to partially shield him from view.

 

Roku: (to Kaze-chan) Alright, start bringing down the overhead spots - not too fast!

 

The stage begins to dim, the actors’ forms becoming slightly shadowed. Tasuki rises to his feet slowly, Miaka following him. He begins to walk around her, and she rotates to follow him, keeping her body between him and the audience. The visual effect is that of a slow, hypnotic dance.

 

Let your arms enfold us

Through the dark of night

Will your angels hold us

Till we see the light

 

Roku: Okay, more juice on the blue window spot, and start bringing up the red footlights - not too strong!

 

The blue twilight shines stronger through the window, and red footlights suddenly illuminate Tasuki’s face and upper body. Miaka realizes that the change in lighting is helping to conceal Tasuki’s lower body from the audience, so she takes a half-step to the side, turning slightly so that the curve of her face can be seen. Tasuki now faces downstage at an angle, his back to the sunken bath, while Miaka stands directly opposite him.

 

Roku: Now, Kaze, bring up the white footlight, ummmm, I think it’s number 4... no, wait, try number 5 - yeah, that’s it. Slowly, slowly...yes!

 

Tasuki’s face is now clearly illuminated in the soft white footlight, his features eerily calm.

 

Tasuki: (again in that quiet dangerous voice) Did he tell you anything else about last night? Did he tell you that it wasn’t all... (pauses, then continues, almost biting off the words) ...pain and torture for me?

 

Miaka turns her face away. Her profile is now clearly seen, her eyes closed in pain, tears on her cheeks.

 

Tasuki: (softly) Oh, so he did tell you. So you know that he touched me...(his voice thickens with self-loathing) and I responded... (suddenly shouting) and he brought me to pleasure!

 

He stops suddenly and straightens, pulling himself up to his full height so that he is standing tall before Miaka. He spreads his arms apart in mocking imitation of a proud stance, exposing himself completely to her, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Miaka looks up at him, beginning to sob audibly.

 

Tasuki: (hissing in self-contempt) So what do you think of my sacrifice now, Priestess?!

 

Miaka sobs harshly, trying to choke out words. Frustrated, she moves towards him, raising her arms, once more trying to draw him back to her. Tasuki stares at her gesture of acceptance - and his features suddenly crumple in humiliation. He whirls around so that his back is to her, as he brings his fists up to his face in shame.

 

Tasuki: (hysterically) Water won’t purify me, Miaka. But fire might! (turns suddenly to face her again, howling in anguish) So give me back my tessen and let me (slams his fists into his chest) purify MYSELF!

Miaka: (shrieking) Stop it, STOP IT!

 

She leaps at him, and they fall into the bath. Roku-chan is relieved to hear only a big splash, mercifully free of the "clunk" of heads hitting the walls of the bath. Tasuki and Miaka both surface, gasping and choking.

 

Roku: Okay, Kaze-chan, back to the script - kill the red and white footlights and bring up the golden spots above the bath... Oh, and by the way, great job on the emergency improv - you, too, Kryssa.

Kaze-chan: Ochanoko saisai...

Kryssa and Kaze-chan: (together) Na no da!

 

Roku-chan grins briefly, then returns her attention to the unfolding drama. The crisis now over, she prepares to thoroughly absorb the intense emotions being displayed by her principal actors.

Miaka moves behind Tasuki, placing her right arm across his chest and pulling him back against her. Her robe has slipped down over her right shoulder, but she takes no notice of it. Although Tasuki seems somewhat calmer, just gasping for air, Miaka’s frenzy seems to increase, her gasps changing into sobs. She twines the fingers of her left hand through his hair, pulling his head to rest against hers, holding him tightly against her body. They are now bathed in the golden glow from the lights above the bath.

 

Miaka: (fiercely) I won’t let you do it, I won’t let you even THINK it! You don’t understand - none of this is your fault, you didn’t want any of this!

 

She shifts to face him, gently turning his face to hers.

 

Miaka: (softly, reverently) But your body is beautiful, Tasuki, and it was made for love... (her features suddenly twist in grief) ...and the fact that he took advantage of that, and manipulated you and used you... (chokes on a sob) doesn’t mean that you wanted it!

 

Her voice intensifies, becoming fierce and tender at the same time.

 

Miaka: (cupping his face in her hands) You DIDN’T want it, you fought him with everything you had, aren’t I right, Tasuki?!

 

Tasuki’s eyes are wide, his expression lost and almost innocent as he absorbs her belief in him.

 

Tasuki: (whispering) Yes, I fought him...

 

He suddenly crumples in grief, slipping down so that his face is resting against her neck.

 

Tasuki: (sobbing harshly) I didn’t want it, oh, gods, I didn’t want it!

Miaka: (holding him tenderly) I know that, I know you!

 

Tasuki reaches up and clings to her, his sobs now softer, as open and unashamed as a child’s.

 

Tasuki: I didn’t want it, I told him to stop, but he wouldn’t! I didn’t want it, I kept saying "No!" but...

Miaka: (almost crooning to him as she caresses him, her words overlapping his) It’s alright now, it’s over. Go ahead and cry, I’m here with you. I won’t leave you, so it’s alright to cry. Everything’s going to be alright, my angel, my hero... you’re safe now and I’ll never let you go...

Chichiri’s Girl: Ummmm, Roku-chan - there’s a lot more going on here than what’s in the script...

Roku: (softly) It doesn’t matter - they’re doing brilliantly. It’s better than what I wrote.

 

Chichiri’s Girl finally notices the tears falling from her sister’s eyes. She places a comforting arm around her shoulders.

 

Chchiri’s Girl: (sympathetically) Stress gettin’ to you, Sis?

Roku: No, it’s not that... You know, when you write something, a story, a poem, anything... it becomes like your child. And sometimes, there comes a day when you have to entrust your child, your creation to someone else. And all you can do is pray that they can make it walk and talk and maybe love it half as much as you do.

 

She stops briefly, watching the comfort and love flowing back and forth between Tasuki and Miaka as they use lines both scripted and improvised.

 

Roku: (emotionally) But it turns out that the people that you entrusted your child to - they aren’t ordinary people, they’re aartists! And they give your child wings... (sobs suddenly) They make it fly...

 

She places a hand over her mouth, stifling her sobs. Chichiri’s Girl remains silent for once, merely slipping her arm down to her sister’s waist and leaning her head against her shoulder. The two women turn to watch the onstage drama, while continuing to silently commune in the sibling bond that has been a strong and constant presence throughout their lives.

 

************************************************************************************************************************************

 

Part D.    When passion attacks…

 

The chapter continues, and Miaka and Tasuki have both exited the bath and are now safely wrapped in towels, to Roku-chan’s relief. The two actors are facing away from each other, assiduously fastening their towels. Roku-chan leans forward attentively to watch Miaka’s "declaration of love" scene.

 

Miaka: (shy and passionate at the same time) ...or maybe... maybe you heard me tell you that I love you...

 

Just for a moment, Roku sees Tasuki break character, closing his eyes briefly as he lets the words echo in his heart. But he quickly snaps back, turning to face Miaka with a shocked expression.

 

Tasuki: (stammering) Wh... wh... what?! Why?!

Roku: (softly, to herself) Ohhhh, Roku - if he gets his heart broken, you’ll be the one to blame.

 

She continues to watch the drama unfold, so wrapped up in anticipating the "first kiss" scene that she doesn’t notice soft footsteps approaching her.

 

Nuriko: Ummmmm, Roku-chan, we have a problem.

 

Roku-chan jumps, startled, then sighs in relief when she sees it’s only Nuriko.

 

Roku: (turning her eyes back to the stage) Yeah, what’s the matter?

Nuriko: (peering over her shoulder at the stage) It seems that Tama’s gotten locked in his dressing room somehow. He wants me to break the door down, but I thought I’d better check with you first.... Whoa! (flinches as Miaka strides up and slaps Tasuki across the face, then starts shouting at him)

Roku: Shit! I forgot all about Tama! Good thing you checked with me first, Nuriko; I don’t need him running around here - not yet anyway.

Nuriko: Whoa! (staring as Tasuki grabs Miaka and pulls her into a passionate kiss) Damn right you don’t want him seeing this! But if you don’t hurry and stop him, that’s exactly what’s gonna happen. He’s perfectly capable of breaking the door down all by himself, you know... (his voice trails off as the onstage passion increases)

Roku: Damn! I guess I’m gonna hafta miss the last part of this scene. (starts to run off, then turns around) Aren’t you coming, Nuriko?

Nuriko: (dreamily) Ummmm, I think I’ll just stay here and watch... (under his breath) and pretend that this is me and Hotohori-sama...

 

Roku-chan runs off to the dressing rooms. She soon hears furious pounding on Tama’s door from within.

 

Tamahome: Damn it! Nuriko, are you there?

Roku: No, it’s me. (trying to sound casual) Ummmm, what seems to be the problem, Tama-chan?

Tamahome: This damn door is stuck, that’s what! Never mind - I’ll take care of it myself...

 

Roku-chan sees a red glow shining from beneath the door and realizes that Tamahome is powering up his seishi strength.

 

Roku: (desperately) No! No, don’t do that, Tama! Don’t break down the door!

Tamahome: (irritated) Why not?!

Roku: Ummmmm... because of the unions, that’s why!

Tamahome: The unions? What have they got to do with anything?

Roku: Tama, they run this town! If you break down your door, you’re going to have to pay for a union carpenter to put it back up. And that costs at least $150 per hour for labor alone!

Tamahome: What’s $150?

Roku: (improvising a conversion) That’s about 230 ryu!

Tamahome: Shit! You mean I almost blew 230 ryu on this door?!

Roku: Yeah - so just sit tight till I get some help - maybe from Chichiri. If you’re bored, try...

 

Suddenly, Kryssa’s voice comes up on Roku-chan’s radio headset.

 

Kryssa: Roku, we need you back up here quick! We've got trouble onstage!

Roku: (getting frantic) What now? How can anything be going wrong onstage?

Kryssa: It’s Tasuki and Miaka. Things are getting pretty hot between them...

Roku: What?! They can’t still be kissing?!

Kryssa: It’s worse than that, Roku. They’re moving against each other and it’s starting to look a bit....ummm, rhythmic.

Roku: (screaming) Rhythmic?! What do you mean, rhythmic?!

Tamahome: (still inside his room) You want me to be rhythmic, Roku? I don’t get it - like this? (taps shave-and-a-haircut on his door)

Kryyssa: I mean exactly what you think I mean! So you'd better get up here and put a stop to this now!

Roku: Gaaaaackk! Tama, listen - just sit there and DON’T MOVE till I get back! (She takes off running.)

Tamahome: Not even rhythmically? Hee, hee... ummm, that’s a joke, Roku. Roku-chan? Hey, is anybody out there? (wistfully) Anybody?

 

Meanwhile, out in the audience, Purple Mouse and Ryuen are observing the onstage passion in shock. Both are blushing up to the tips of their ears.

 

Purple Mouse: Eheheheheh. Ummmm, I’m not used to watching this kind of thing, Ryuen...

Ryuen: Me neither. Not my style. But Roku’s going to expect a thorough review from us, Mouse-chan, so we’re going to have to just grit our teeth... and keep watching! That’s what friends are for, after all...

Purple Mouse: (peeking through her fingers) I guess you’re right. But what am I gonna tell her... ummmmm, nice hip action? Gaaaaahh! How do we get ourselves into these situations?!

Ryuen: Well, if you think we’re embarrassed, imagine the trauma the younger kids are going through!

 

Behind them, a row of under-seventeen audience members are pumping their fists as they shout, "Woof, woof, woof!"

Bashou-chan observes the action eagerly from her seat.

 

Bashou: Whoa! Just look at Tasuki - I mean, his face, just his face. No, I don't think like that. I'm not even looking at his…towel. Nope, not looking at the towel at all! Just his face, that's all! (sighs happily)

 

But one fifteen-year-old is not as entertained.

 

Chaotic Serenity: Grrrrrrrrrrr - this is COMPLETELY non-canonical! (Her hand twitches toward her whip.)

 

Up in the balcony, some anime characters are also discomfited by the passionate love scene.

 

Kagome: (struggling to pull Inu-Yasha’s hand off her eyes) Neeeeeee, Inu-Yashaaaa! I can’t see what’s happening on stage!

Inu-Yasha: Damn right you can’t! This is what they have for entertainment in your world?! Feh!  (shouts down to the stage) Oi! Take it into the woods, you two!

 

Suddenly, Kouga the wolf demon appears in the balcony.

 

Kouga: Oi, Inu-kkoro! What the hell do you mean by taking my woman to a place like this?!

Inu-Yasha: I didn’t take her - she brought me here! Hey! What do you mean, your woman, you wimpy wolf?!

Kouga: Kagome is my woman! She’s better off with me than with some hanyou who stinks of dog!

Inu-Yasha: Grrrrrrrrrrrr - bakayarou!

 

They begin to fight, leaping all over the balcony. Kagome, freed from Inu-Yasha’s censoring hand, leans eagerly over the balcony rail to watch the onstage romance. Flowers float around her as she gazes starry-eyed at the lovestruck couple.

 

Kagome: Ahhhhhhhh, it’s so romantic.

Sango: (leaning next to her) Just look at how he’s holding her. Oh, to have a man caress you so gently... (sighs)

Miroku: I’m very happy to oblige, Lady Sango.

 

He places a hand on her behind and rubs it enthusiastically.

 

Sango: (shouting) That’s not what I meant, you perverted monk! (knocks him out with her giant boomerang)

Shippou: (shaking his little blue-bowed head at the unconscious Miroku as he grips his tiny foxy feet) Neeeeeeee - if that's what being a grown-up means, I'd rather stay a kid!

 

Downstairs, Roku-chan skids into the stage left wings. Being vertically challenged, she has to jump up and down to see past Chichiri’s Girl and Nuriko’s shoulders. Chiriko is also there with his ever-present videocamera, eagerly filming the action and getting underfoot. Finally, Roku-chan gets exasperated and pulls Nuriko out of the way.

 

Roku: Nuriko, how bad is it?!

Nuriko: (in his own universe, with swirly eyes) Ohhhhhhhh, Hotohori-samaaaaaa. You animal, youuuu...

Roku: Gahhhhhh, you’re no help!

 

She looks past her sister to see Tasuki and Miaka locked in a passionate embrace. Things aren’t quite as bad as she feared - they’re still in their towels and relatively unexposed - but the situation is escalating. Miaka has one hand wound through Tasuki’s hair and the other gripping his waist, although it is beginning to slide lower. She moves sensuously against him... and he is hardly unresponsive to her passion. His hands have already slipped down to cup her toweled behind and he is moving just as sensuously - and definitely rhythmically - against her.

 

Roku: Gaaaaackk! Don’t they realize that there are hundreds of people out there watching them?!

Chichiri’s Girl: To tell you the truth, Roku, I don’t think they realize that there’s anyone else in the entire universe right now!

 

Chiriko bumps into Roku-chan as he moves for a better angle. Roku-chan suddenly notices what he's doing for the first time.

 

Roku: (shocked) Hey, Chiri-chan, don't film this! You're not even supposed to be watching this kind of thing. (stern) Here, give me that videocamera now!

Chiriko (looking up at her with wide, tear-filled eyes) Oh, please don't take my camera, Roku-san. I didn't realize I was doing anything wrong. I promise I'll stop right now. (unsuccessfully stifles a little sob)

Roku: (melting) Oh, alright, don't cry. You didn't mean any harm - just go over there and try not to watch, okay?

Chiriko: (beaming) Thank you, Roku-san! (runs off and keeps filming while holding the videocamera down low so that the Director can't see it)

Chiriko: (smirking to himself) Chicks! Tears work on 'em every time! Suckers! (reviews his footage triumphantly) Yessssss!

 

Meanwhile, Roku-chan wracks her severely over-taxed brain for a solution.

 

Roku: (jittering) Let’s see - it won’t do any good to throw a bucket of water over them since they’re already wet... do ya think Sorcie has any ideas?

 

She glances across to Sorceress, who has been trapped at stage right since the beginning of this scene, and makes frantic questioning gestures. Sorceress shakes her head and raises her hands helplessly.

Suddenly, Tasuki breaks off the kiss, gasping for air. His eyes burn into Miaka and he breathes his next line.

 

Tasuki: (passionately) Purify me... (groans erotically) Purify me...

 

The fangirls in the audience groan in response.

 

Roku: Hurray!! He’s remembered his lines! We’re back on track at last!! Now here’s where he falls down in pain...

 

Miaka moans passionately and pulls him sharply into her again. However, Tasuki doesn’t fall down in pain - he merely moves slower, deeper against her.

 

Roku: CRAP! He’s ignoring the next part! Now what am I gonna do?! Those two are gonna get me arrested for running a live sex show in a respected downtown theatre!

 

However, Roku-chan’s guardian angels (or nemeses, depending on their current moods) come to her rescue. A whip snakes out across the stage, hitting Tasuki squarely across the back of his towel. As he shouts in pain, the Slipper wings out of the darkness, hitting him in the head and knocking him down. Miaka catches him as he collapses against her. She finally comes to her senses and turns bright red as she realizes what has just happened between the two of them in front of hundreds of witnesses. She looks towards Roku-chan in panic. But Roku-chan’s attention is centered nervously on the front row, where Mom is once more standing up, shaking a finger at Miaka and the half-unconscious Tasuki.

 

Mom: You itsa not married! You not act like that! Shame! You itsa keep twelve inches between you! (She indicates the proper distance with her hands.)

 

Chichiri’s Girl bursts into a sniggering laugh.

 

Chichiri’s Girl: How many inches did she think were between them?!

Roku: Shut up! You keep a lid on your filthy mind unless you want the person who brought you into this world to take you out of it!

Mom: (calling towards the stage) Roku-chan! I itsa talk to you now!

Roku: (moaning) Oh man, oh man, oh man - I am in it so deep right now! Do you suppose I can pretend that I didn’t hear her?

Chichiri’s Girl: How many times has that worked for you in the past?

Roku: (sighs) You’re right. Might as well go out there now and face the music... or The Slipper.

 

Roku goes out onto the stage with dragging steps, passing by Miaka, who has crumpled to her knees under Tasuki’s weight and is now slapping him gently to try to bring him around. The audience is riveted to this new action - the disciplining of the Director by her mother.

 

Roku: (hanging her head) Yeah, Mom?

Mom: I thought you itsa gonna teach that boy some manners! But just look! (She indicates the stage with her hand.)

Roku: (hopefully) Well, he didn’t use any bad words this time, right, Mom? He’s getting better, don’t you think?

 

Mom crosses her arms and glares, letting Roku know once again that she has zero tolerance for bullshit.

 

Roku: (sighing) All right, Mom. I’ll work on it, okay? Tell you what - I’ll ground him and not let him be in the next (counts mentally) umm, three scenes, all right?

Mom: Fine. And make him ‘pologize.

 

Roku groans, knowing that she can’t pull off the ventriloquist’s dummy act with Tasuki twice.

 

Roku: Look, Mom, you knocked him out. How about if I just have him write you a nice note of apology later, okay?

 

Dad comes to his middle daughter’s rescue.

 

Dad: Yeah, honey, that should be fine, right? Listen, everyone’s staring at us - Heh, heh, heh. Sit down, please, honey?

 

Mom decides to act the part of the obedient Japanese wife and reseats herself graciously. Roku-chan makes her break for freedom and helps Miaka to pull Tasuki offstage.

 

Nakago: Hmmmm, I believe you were quite right about that Mother of the Director of White Stones, Soi. She is most impressive - especially in how quickly and effectively she brings that conceited, arrogant hussy to heel.

 

He clenches his fist. Luckily, there are no canaries in the vicinity.

 

Nakago: (continuing) Perhaps I should speak with her after the show.

Soi: (pleased with his faint praise for her) Hai, Nakago-sama.

Nakago: (silkily) By the way, Soi, something seemed familiar about the whip that shot across the stage just now. I believe that you said that my whip was at the cleaners?

Soi: (nervous) H-h-hai, Lord Nakago! I expect it back any day now!

Nakago: (very cool) See that it is, Soi.

 

************************************************************************************************************************************

 

Part E.    Constructive Criticism

 

Tasuki comes around slowly, gradually focusing on two female faces that hover anxiously above him. He brings a hand to his head in confusion.

 

Tasuki: What the fuck was that?! Wait a minute - I’ve suddenly got this overwhelming feeling of deja-vu... Hey! Did that crazy lady in the audience hit me with somethin’ again?!

 

He tries to get up angrily but is suddenly stung by the pain from the new welt on his behind.

 

Tasuki: (thoroughly pissed) Hey! Who the fuck belted me across the ass?!

Roku: I’m not sure, Tasuki, although I have a bad feeling about it... Of course, I think I may owe that person a debt of gratitude! (grabs Tasuki by one ear, since he has no shirt for her to pull) Just what the hell were you trying to pull onstage, huh? Don’t you guys care that hundreds of people were watching you?! Or if you get your kicks from public displays of sex, couldn’t you at least have had some consideration for me?! You nearly pulled a stunt that would have landed my ass in jail!

 

Miaka blushes and hangs her head in shame.

 

Miaka: (very softly) I’m sorry, Roku-chan - it’s all my fault. I saw that Tasuki was completely immersed in the drama, and I guess I just got caught up in it, too - but I should have stayed in control. I don’t know what came over me... I should have remembered that it wasn’t real.

 

Tasuki has been turning all colors of the rainbow as he realizes what went on onstage - but Miaka’s words hit him like a blow, and he turns very pale. He draws himself up and turns away from the two women, managing to attain some dignity although he is still clad in only a towel.

 

Tasuki: (bitterly) No, I'm the one who forgot it wasn't real. It was all my fault - everything was my doing, and mine alone. (faces Roku-chan, taking care not to look at Miaka) I apologize, Roku-chan - it won’t happen again. (stiffly) And I apologize to you, too, Miaka... I was completely out of line.

 

Miaka flushes darkly, then strides up and slaps him across the face.

 

Miaka: (hissing) There are some things a gentleman should never apologize to a lady for doing!!!

 

Tasuki holds his cheek and stares at Miaka in hurt and confusion.

 

Roku: All right, you two, time out. Sheesh - what a time to pick for a first lovers’ quarrel! And you would hafta be all melodramatic about it, too!

 

They both turn red and start to protest.

 

Roku: No, shut up, I don’t wanna hear it. You two are gonna do the listening now, ‘cause you owe me for the one hundred white hairs that just sprouted on my head in the last few minutes. You’re both goin’ out there and acting out the last part of the scene, otherwise it won’t make sense to the audience as to why you’re sleeping together. And you’ll be all light and happy, with none of this melodramatic subtext, otherwise you’re gonna answer to me. After the scene is over, I’m shoving you two into a room somewhere to work out all the little problems you may have, and you may be as dramatic as you please, as long as I don’t have to stand there and watch it! Is there any part of this you don’t understand?

Tasuki and Miaka: (grumbling) No, Ma’am.

Roku: Fine! Then get your asses out there and act!

 

Tasuki and Miaka move off towards the stage. Tasuki is surprised to hear Miaka grousing under her breath.

 

Miaka: (muttering) Melodramatic, my ass!

Tasuki: (startled) Whoa, language, Mi-chan! Where didja learn to talk like that? You’re shockin’ my virgin ears!

Miaka: (suddenly grinning up at him) Guess I've been hanging around you too long, Gen-chan. Virgin ears, hm? I guess I just deflowered the last pure part of you, right?

Tasuki: (smirking at her) You’re a bad, baaaaad girl, you are! I can see that you’re gonna be a corruptin' influence on me!

 

They laugh as they move onstage and wait for the curtain to go up. Roku-chan smiles in the wings.

 

Roku: Yeah, they can never stay mad at each other for long...

 

There is a light touch on her arm, and she is startled to see the same young girl with whom she had spoken at the beginning of the play. She is tall and slim, with lovely curly brown hair that falls just below her chin, and is dressed elegantly in a steel blue dress, accented by a dreamweaver necklace with a silver feather. Roku-chan suddenly feels short, round and grubby, and self-consciously pushes her sweat-soaked bangs out of her eyes.

 

Roku: Ummmm, I remember you - you’re the one with the IQ of a college English professor, aren’t you? Is there something I can do for you? I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name...

Chaotic Serenity: Actually, you know me quite well. It’s me, Roku-san - Chaotic Serenity!

Roku: (stunned) Chao-chan?! (squeals in delight) I didn’t realize it was you! Just look at you - you’re so elegant and grown up! (grumbles to herself) Yeah, and she would be a whole head taller than me, too...

Chaotic Serenity: I just had to come back here and tell you what an excellent job you’re doing! The drama is exquisite, the horror shocking, and the angst very touching - I truly applaud the fantastic effort you’ve made here!

Roku: (blushing with pleasure) Awwww, you don’t have to say that. Anyway, more than half the credit has to go to my terrific cast here.

 

Chaotic Serenity: Yes, they are wonderful. Tasuki is doing a breathtaking job at portraying a rape victim - his emotions are so incredibly real.

Roku: Speak of the devil, here he comes now - he and Miaka have just finished up Chapter 3.

 

Tasuki and Miaka re-enter the backstage area and wave at Roku-chan, who gives them a quick thumbs up. Chao-chan’s hand twitches towards the whip at her side, but she quickly drops her hand when Roku looks curiously at her. She smiles innocently, then pretends to gaze interestedly at the increased backstage activity. She looks up as Sorceress and Chichiri’s Girl run by to set up the shrine of Suzaku for Chapter 4 and fails to notice Miaka ducking behind Tasuki’s screen - but this doesn’t escape the sharp eye of the director.

 

Roku: (under her breath) Damn! Complications ensue! And what about Tama? (startles) Oh my God, I forgot about Tama again! (looks at Chao-chan apologetically) Sorry, Chao-chan, but I’m gonna have to run around with the usual between-scenes frenzy. I’d love to talk to you more, but...

Chaotic Serenity: Well, actually, I have some important things to discuss with you. Would you mind terribly if I just tagged along with you?

Roku: (dubiously) Well, no, not if you really want to... but I warn you, you’re gonna have to be willing to run with me.

Chaotic Serenity: No problem.

 

Roku-chan’s attention is diverted when she spots Chichiri approaching.

 

Roku: (grateful) ‘Chiri! Would you do me a big favor, please?  Tamahome’s locked in his dressing room - could you please get him out? (tosses him the key to the door)

Chichiri: (graciously) Ochanoko saisai...

Roku: Yeah, na no da. I think that’s going to be a recurring theme throughout this whole production...Thanks, ‘Chiri! Okay, one problem down, forty-two more to go. We’d better check the scenery - it’s another revolving stage set. C’mon, Chao-chan, you can tell me what’s on your mind as we go.

Chaotic Serenity:  I was just hoping to help you out with a little constructive criticism; I mean, you’re doing so well, it would be a shame to let small details take away from the overall excellence of the production.

Roku: (ears prick up at the same time that her stomach sinks) Oh? Like which small details? (checks to see that the electric pierced ironwork "oil lamps" are hanging so that they are visible in the shrine set)

Chaotic Serenity: Well, the scenery for one thing - it’s a bit simplistic and I think it would add more to the drama if it was a bit more, ummmm, visually striking.

Roku: (wincing) Yeah, I know - I’m not claiming to be an award-winning set designer... but listen, the scenery will be much better in some of the later chapters, I promise. Any other small details?

Chaotic Serenity: Well, yes, just one. It’s the Tasuki-Miaka relationship - it’s all wrong.

Roku: (stops and stares) All wrong?

Chaotic Serenity: Oh, don’t get me wrong - they’re doing their best to portray it and I can tell that you’re into it as well...

Roku: (softly) Well, yes, I am a little into it - considering that it’s the central part of the whole story...

Chaotic Serenity: And that’s where it’s going so terribly wrong. It’s completely non-canonical! I mean, you’ve set this story squarely into the canon storyline at a point in time where Tasuki has no feelings for Miaka, and Miaka certainly has no feelings for Tasuki!

Roku: (moving back to the backstage area) Uh-huh. I see, go on...

 

Roku-chan moves to Tasuki’s screen and begins scolding the two people concealed there.

 

Roku:   Knock it off, you two! Tama’s gonna be out here any minute, and I don’t have time for big histrionic scenes - or brawls either, for that matter!

Chaotic Serenity: (continuing) And that’s what makes their love scenes so unrealistic - the fact that there really is no attraction between the two. Even later, in OVA 2, it’s not clear whether Tasuki truly loves Miaka, or whether his feelings are just the result of Hikou’s spell. And Miaka - she’s totally devoted to Tamahome and never feels anything more than friendship for Tasuki...

Roku: (fed up) All right, you guys are obviously not listening, so I’m gonna have to get physical!

 

She reaches behind the screen and starts pulling the two apart.

 

Roku: And you can put that tongue back in your mouth, young man! Oh, that’s Miaka’s tongue? Never mind, then... Miaka, come on, you’ve got to get dressed in something more than that towel!

 

She hauls the starry-eyed young actress out into the open and pushes her towards her dressing room.

 

Roku: Sorry, Chao-chan - I missed that last thing that you were saying...

Chaotic Serenity: (patiently) I was saying that I just hate to see you mess up so badly when you’ve been doing so well. I mean, who would believe that Miaka would throw over Tamahome due to some unrealistic physical attraction between her and Tasuki? She is the Priestess of Suzaku, after all, and she does take her responsibilities seriously...

 

Roku-chan shoves Miaka, who is humming to herself and touching her lips dreamily, into her dressing room and slams the door shut just as Tamahome passes by with Chichiri.

 

Roku: Whew! That was close!

Tamahome: Heeey, Roku, you were right! Chichiri was able to get me out with no problem! He’s some magician, ne? (grins and throws his arm around Chichiri’s neck)

Chichiri: (confused) All I did was unlock the door with this...

 

Roku-chan leaps and grabs the key from Chichiri, making "zip-the-lip" signals to the monk. He takes the hint and shuts up.

 

Roku: Yeah, we can always count on ‘Chiri to have some magical device on him, right, you old mystical galoot, you!

Chichiri: (grimacing) Mystical galoot?

Roku: Never mind - I’ll catch up with you guys in a couple of secs. Oh, Tama-chan, remember your mindset - angsty, angsty!

Tamahome: (growing serious) Right!

 

He and Chichiri move off towards the stage.

Chaotic Serenity is standing still, struck dumb by the close proximity of one of her personal heroes. Roku-chan takes advantage of her sudden silence to wrap up the current conversation.

 

Roku: Well, I’ll take all of your concerns under very careful consideration, Chao-chan - after all, how difficult can it be to throw out the central love story in this play? Maybe I’ll just have Tasuki and Miaka shake hands or something.

Chaotic Serenity: (returning to reality) Yes, well, please don’t take anything I’ve said as meaning disrespect, Roku-san! I have the highest regard for you and your creative abilities, and I really do enjoy all of your work.

Roku: (beaming) No, I don’t take you as being disrespectful, Chao-chan. You know that I love these little exchanges of ideas between us - no one else has ever told me that I have my head completely up my ass as respectfully as you do! Hopefully, we’ll get the chance to talk again soon.

Chaotic Serenity: You can count on it, Roku-san.

 

She turns to walk back to the auditorium...then turns back.

 

Chaotic Serenity: Oh, by the way, Roku-san...

 

Roku-chan looks up as she prepares to join her actors in the wings.

 

Roku: Hmmm?

 

Chaotic Serenity unfurls the whip at her side and flicks it rapidly at Roku-chan, catching her on the behind. The director leaps up and lets out a loud "Yipe!" in pain.

 

Chaotic Serenity: (touching the handle of the whip to her forehead in a respectful salute) That’s for making fun of me! (smiles and walks out)

 

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Author's Note: (7-22-02) (grinning evilly) So, let's see - do I have any friends left? I've already made fun of Sorceress and Aikido-chan in the previous chapter, and now I've successfully taken jabs at Kryssa, Purple Mouse, Ryuen, Bashou-chan, and of course, Chao-chan. No one is safe from Roku's awful pen - and awful sense of humor. Of course, Chao-chan always gets her licks in! (Roku-chan ruefully rubs her whipped behind.)

I've even winked at all you youngsters who, although you cagily refrained from reviewing Chapter 10 in White Stones itself, keep leaving reviews for this fic in which you worry about what Tama's gonna think about Chapter 10! Soooooooo… (frowns fiercely at the little ones), explain exactly how you all know what happened in Chapter 10, especially after I put up the double-black-diamond signs, hmmmmmmm?!

I also inflicted a particularly long chapter on you this time, but hey - just think of it as two weeks worth of "Casting Stones" since I was a bit occupied with my Chichiri fic last week. That's what I'm going to try to do - to keep to a schedule where I alternate chapters of Bridge and CS - unless, of course, massive inspiration hits for one or the other at one time.

A-ny-way, hope you're having a great summer - it's tooooooo hot for Roku, though… too, too hot!

Ja ne!

Roku-chan